#please wear spf people don’t be like me I’m stupid

[zoeyserpentluck]

“You are so pale you need spf 250” - my friend, 2024

[archivxx]

✯[0.11-extra]✯

Main story.| Previous || Next

AN: this comes before 0.11

Note: there is a significant link between the amount of sunscreen poured in my hands and the intensity of my desire to murder Nichole.

“Now go right.”

“Got it.” Kyle’s finger flicked the indicator. A clicking sound filling the small car. “Going right.”

“No don’t listen to Craig. Turn left.”

Craig leaned forward and swatted Nichole’s arm. “Kyle, trust me. Nicholes never been to the farm. It’s on the right.”

“Google Maps says left.”

“Google Maps is wrong.”

“What do I do?” Kyle made a face in the rearview mirror. “Left or right? N/N, what do I do?”

In the back seat, you looked up from the car window and shrugged. “Try right; if it’s wrong, we’ll just turn around.” You shot Nichole a quick apologetic glance, but she and Craig were too busy mock-glaring each other to notice.

Kyle grimaced. “We’ll be late. God; I hate these stupid picnics.”

“We are, like”—you glanced at the cars clock—“one hour late already, I think we can add an extra ten minutes to that. I just hope there’s some food left.” Your stomach had been growling for the past two hours, and there was no way everyone in the car hadn’t noticed.

After the minor argument you’d had with Clyde over text, you’d been tempted to simply skip the picnic. Hole yourself up in your room and practice the drums—just like you had all weekend—ignore the fact you had told him to fuck off in one of the messages later on, and with every little reason. You could use the time to work on a report you were doing for your friend, which was providing a trickery time than you had originally thought when agreeing to it—probably because you were essentially unprepared for everything. But you’d changed your mind last minute, telling yourself that you’d promised Clyde you’d meet here and show off to the department chair. It would be unfair of you to back out after he’d done more than his share of the deal when it came to convincing Nichole.

That was of course in the very unlikely case he still wanted anything to do with you.

“Don’t worry, Kyle,” Nichole said. “We’ll get there eventually. If anyone asks lest say that a mountain lion attacked us. God, why is it so hot? I bought sunblock, by the way. SPF thirsty and fifty. No one is going anywhere without putting it on.”

In the back seat you, Tolkien and Craig exchanged a resigned look, well acquainted with Nichole’s sunscreen obsession.

The picnic was in full swing when you finally arrived, as crowded as most events with free food. You made a beeline for the tables and waved at your advisor, who was sitting in the shade of a giant oak tree with other faculty members. You’d advisor waved back. No doubt please to see that her advice is probably what got you here. You smiled weakly in a valiant attempt to not look resentful, grabbed a Chester of white grapes, and popped one into your mouth while letting your gaze wander around the fields.

Nichole was right. This may was uncommonly hot. There were people everywhere, sitting on the lawn chairs, laying down in the grass, walking in and out of barns—all enjoying the whether. A few were eating from plastic plates on folding tables close to the main house. There were at least thirty games going on—a verity’s on valley ball with the players standing in a circled, a soccer match, and something that involved a frisbee and over a dozen half dressed dudes.

“What are they even playing?” You asked Nichole. You spotted Tweek tackle someone from admin and looked back to the almost empty tables, cringing. Slim picking was all that was left. You wanted a sandwich. A bag of chips. Anything.

“Ultimate Frisbee, i think? I don’t know. Did you put on sunblock? You’re wearing a tank top and shorts, so you really should.”

You but into another grape. “You Americans and your fake sports.”

“I’m pretty sure there are Canadian tournaments of Ultimate Frisbee, too. You know what’s not fake?”

“Melanoma. Put on some sunscreen.”

“I will, Mom.” You smiled. “Can I eat first?”

“Eat what? There’s nothing left. Oh, there’s some corn bread over there.”

“Oh, cool. Pass it over.”

“Don’t eat the corn bread, guys.” Tolkien popped up between you and Nichole. “Kenny said that some guys needed all over it. Where did Kyle go?”

“Parking—holy shit.”

You looked up from your perusal of the table, alarmed by the urgency in Nichole’s tone. “What?”

“Just, holy shit.”

“Yeah, what—”

“Holy shit.”

“You mentioned that already.”

“Because—holy shit.”

You glanced around trying to figure out what was going on. “What is—oh there’s Kyle. Maybe he found something to eat?”

“Is that Donovan?”

You were already walking toward Kyle to fine something edible and skip the whole sunscreen nonsense altogether but when you heard Clydes name, you stopped dead in your tracks. Or maybe it wasn’t Clydes names but the way Nichole’s was saying it. “What? Where?”

Tolkien pointed at the Ultimate Frisbee crowd. “That’s him, right? Shirtless?”

“Holy shit,” Nichole repeated, her vocabulary suddenly pretty limited, given here twenty something years speaking English. “Is that a six-pack?”

Tolkien blinked. “Might even be an eight-pack.”

“Are those his real shoulder?” Nichole asked. “Did he have shoulder-enhancement surgery?”

“That must be how he used the contract money,” Craig said. “I don’t think shoulders like that exist in nature.”

“God, is that Donovan’s chest?” Kyle leaned his chin over your shoulder “was that thing under his shirt while he was being a dick and shredding my chords a new one? N/N why didn’t you say he was shredded?”

You just stood there, rooted to the ground, arms dangling uselessly at your sides. Because I didn’t know. Because i had no idea. Or maybe you had, a bit, from seeing him push that truck the yesterday—though you’d been trying to suppress that particular mental image.

“Unbelievable” Nichole pulled your hand toward herself, overturning it to squirt a healthy dose of lost job on your palm. “Here, put this in your shoulders. And your legs. And your face, too—you’re probably at thought risk for all sorts of skin stuff, freckles McFreckleface. Ky, you too.”

You nodded numbly and began to massage the sunscreen into your arms and thighs. You breathed in the smell of coconut oil; trying really hard not to the about Clyde and about the fact he really did look like that. Mostly failing, but hey.

“Are there actual studies?” Tolkien asked.

“Mmm?” Nichole was pulling her hair into a bun.

“On the link between freckles and skin cancer”

“I don’t know.”

“Feels like there would be.”

“True. I wanna know now.”

“Hold on. Is there Wi-Fi here?”

“N/N do you have internet?”

You wiped your hands in a napkin that looked mostly unused. “I left my phone in Kyle’s car.”

You turned your head away from Nichole and Tolkien who were studying the screen of Tolkiens iPhone, until you had a good view of the Ultimate Frisbees group—fourteen men and zero women. It probably had to go with the general excess if testosterone in your work place. At least half of the players were people you were sure you’d never seen before except Clyde, of course, and Pete, and Tweek who despite his usual jittery self and then was doing a fairly good job at not-jittering to say he’s usually pumped up with caffeine to a point of concern. All men were equally shirtless. Though, no. Not equal at all. There was nothing equal about Clyde.

You weren’t like this. You were really not. You could count the number of guys your been this viscerally attracted to on one hand. Actually—on one finger. And at the moment said guy was running towards you, because Pete Thelman, and bless his heart, had just thrown the Frisbee way too clumsily, and it was now in a patch of grass approximately ten feet from you. And Clyde, shirtless Clyde, just happened to be the one closest to where it landed.

“Oh, check out this paper.” Tolkien sounded excited.

“Khalesi et al., 2013. It’s a meta-analysis. ‘Cutaneous markers of photo-damage and risk of basal cell carcinoma of the skin.’ In cancer epidemiology, biomarkers and prevention.”

Tolkien fist pumped. “Y/N are you listening?”

Nope. No, you were not. You were mostly trying to help the your brain, and your eyes, too. Of your fake boyfriend and the sudden warm ache in your stomach. You just wished that you were elsewhere. That you were temporarily blind and deaf.

“Hear this: solar lentigines had weak but positive association with basal cell carcinoma, with odds ratios around 1.5. Okay i don’t like this. Tolkien hold the phone. I’m giving Y/N more sunscreen. Here’s SPF fifty; it’s probably what you need.”

You tore your eyes from Clyde’s chest, no alarmingly close, and turned around, stepping away from Nichole. “Wait. I already put some on.”

“Y/N,” Nichole told you, with that sensible, motherly tone she used whenever you dipped and confessed that you mostly got your veggie servings from french fries, or that you washed your colours and whites in the same load. “You know the literature.”

“I do not know the literature, and neither do you, you just know one line from one abstract and—”

Nichole grabbed your hand again and poured half a gallon of lotion in it. So much of it that you had to use your left palm to prevent it from spilling over—until you were just standing there like an idiot, you hands cupped like a beggar as you half frowns in goddamn sunscreen.

“Here you go.” Nichole smiled brightly. “Now you can protect yourself from basal cell carcinoma. Which, frankly, sounds awful.”

“I…” you would have face-palmed, if you’d had the freedom to move your upper limbs. “I hate sunscreen. It’s sticky and it makes me smell like a piña colada and—this is way too much.”

“Just put on as much as your skin will absorb. Especially around the freckled areas. The rest you can share with someone.”

“Okay. Nichole, you take some, you too Kyle. You’re a ginger for God’s sake.”

“A redhead with no freckles, though.” He smiled proudly like he’d created his genotype all on his own.

You turned to Tolkien. “I already put on a ton. Thanks, babe.” He leans down for a brief kiss to Nichole’s cheek, which almost devolved into a make out session.

You tried not to sigh. “Guys, what do I do with this?”

“Just find someone else. Where did Craig go?”

Tolkien snorted. “Over there, with Scott.”

“Scott?”

“Yeah that guy with diabetes, you know the one.”

“Is he pissing him off? Or—”

“Guys.” It good all you had not to yell. “I have no mobility. Please, fix this sunscreen mess your created.”

“God, N/N” Nichole rolled her eyes. “Your so dramatic sometimes. Hang on—” she waved at someone behind your, and when she spoke her voice was much louder. “Hey, Donovan! Have you put on sunscreen yet?”

In the span of a microsecond your entire brain burst into flames then crumbled into a pile of ashes. Just like that, one hundred million neurones, one thousand billion glial cells, and who know how many millilitres of cerebrospinal fluid, just ceased to exist. The rest of your body was not doing very well, either, since you could feel your organs shut down in real time. From the very beginning of your acquaintance with Clyde there had been about ten instances of you wishing to drop dead on the spot, cor the earth to open up and swallow your whole, for a cataclysm to hit and spare you from the embarrassment of your interactions. This time, though it felt as though the end of the world might happen for real.

Don’t turn around, what’s left of your central nervous system told you. Pretend you didn’t hear Nichole. Will this into nonexistence. But it was impossible. There was this triangle of sorts, formed by You, Nichole in front of you, and Clyde probably—surely—standing behind you; it wasn’t as if your had a choice. Any choice. Especially when Clyde, who couldn’t possibly imagine the depraved direction of Nichole’s thoughts, who couldn’t possibly see the bucketful of sunscreen that had taken residence in your hands, said, “No.”

Well. Shit.

You spun around, and there he was—sweaty holding a Frisbee in his left hand and so very, very shirtless. He walked over to you, a perplexed look briefly occupying his face before he returned to his regular stoic one, then one of slight shock upon seeing your hands. He knew exactly what was coming.

“Perfect. Y/N has some extra, why don’t you let her put it on you?” Somehow the complete severity of the situation only just dawned on you when the words left Nichole’s lips. You were going to have to touch him. Touch his abs. And his large shoulder blades. His large shoulders—

“Oh okay, sure.” He threw the Frisbee back to the game telling them that he had to do something. Your eyes shot to him. Why was he agreeing to this? Many thoughts circled your mind. The main one being panic. You couldn’t do this. No way. There was no way you would lather Clyde Donovan in sunscreen in front of every person you have ever—and will ever know. Your eyes flickered between the sunscreen in your hands and Clyde’s broad chest. You were not going to do this. No way in hell. You couldn’t. And yet the sunscreen in your hands had starts to seep through the cracks in your hands leaving you with only one choice.

Fuck your life, for a real one.

You took once glance at Clyde to check his expression, you wanted him to retract his former statement, tell you that it was absolutely unacceptable considering the fact that you had only known this guy for a little over two month now and had spoken to him a total of twenty-three times and hardly knew anything about him. And despite all that wishing his expression didn’t change.

You raised your hand and started to massage the sunscreen into his chest. His firm chest. You tried your very best not you but the sweat began to collect in your hairline and the way that the sun was shining on you there was so doubt he could see it, glistening.

“Y/N.” Clyde said, it wasn’t loud enough that the group now behind you could hear but it was loud enough that your could hear. You looked up at him, his mouth did one of those twitch-things of his again. “Don’t worry about it.”

You heaved a sigh. He was right, you guys were going to find yourself in situations like this all the time now, considering you had a track record for it with Nichole. However that didn’t make the situation any less embarrassing. If anything that made you more embarrassed at the mere thought of something of this monstrosity happening ever again. Part of you couldn’t believe what you had gotten yourself into the other part told you you were insane. Of course this was your life, of course because what other purpose would your best friend had than to make it hell?

You continued to massage it into his skin. “Hey, Y/N are you good for a room when we go to Pete’s thing?” Your head whipped around to Nichole as a small seed of anxiety planted itself in your thoughts. What on earth could that question entail?

“I thought we’d be sharing?”

“Well, about that. I’m going to share with Tolkien, do you mind?”

Right, of course. “No! Not at all.” You forced a tight smile onto your face and looked back at Clyde, trying to focus all your attention on him.

“You’re gonna be okay for getting a room? You’re sure?”

“Positive!” You were lying to your best friend. While it felt shitty this is what you had wanted, this is what you had asked for at the start of all this, you had to be happy.

You focused fully on Clyde, blocking all of the thoughts about how you were going to stay in LA for a week out of your head and to be thought about on a later date. By now, you had fully coated Clydes front. You looked up at him. He cocked his head ever so slightly. His thick brown hair sticking to his forehead.

“Can you turn around? I finished your front.” He nodded then turned around. You were now met with his back. Holy shit was his back big. You couldn’t see all his muscles. Which wasn’t something you were typically attracted too but considering when he’s dressed he looks so skinny, his sleeper build was causing that heat to erupt in your stomach again. You were going to fight it off but you were interrupted by Clydes awkward swaying, you’d been buried in your mind for far too long.

You began to massage the sunscreen into his back, his muscles moved a little, jolting when you hit tight spots. This felt wrong. Like an outer body experience. Part of you thought you were going to double down on yourself at at moment. It was all just too much. You wanted you laugh at the pure idiocy of the situation but at the same time you wanted to cry at it. It was wrong—on every level possible.

You finished his back as fast as you could finishing it off with two taps on his back to let him know you were done—something you would cringe about when trying to fall asleep that night. He turned back to you. You looks at him, straining your neck. Why was he so goddamn tall?

“Well, thank you Y/N and thank you Nichole for…watching out for me?” With that he ran back to the game. Maybe he was still annoyed at you for the yesterdays mini argument. You stood rooted to the spot for a moment before turning around and grabbing the same napkin you had used the first time to wipe you hands and wiped them again.

“Wow.” Kyle said, approaching you. “That was an insane amount of sexual tension I just saw.”

You whipped your head around to Kyle, a breathy laugh forcing out of your lungs. “I have no clue what you’re talking about, Ky.”

“That was like hella sexual. You just lathered him up N/N.”

“So what? It’s just an acquaintance helping an acquaintance.”

“Psh. Yeah right.”

“What? I’m being serious Kyle.” Your voice went a few octaves higher than you would have liked.

“Sure. If you guys ever fuck don’t say I didn’t tell you it would happen.” You rolled your eyes and shoved his shoulder. He dramatically stumbled away from you causing you to roll your eyes once again. Before he could get back up you walked over to Tolkien and Nichole who were now finally joined by Craig.

“Y/N I just saw that m scene with Donovan when I was talking to Scott, what was with the PDA?”

You stared at him. Dumbfound.

“Well come on. You used to complain about how gross couples who publicly doted on each were, where’s that same energy now?”

You stared at him a second more. Craig Tucker. Your childhood best friend and known for being a notorious asshole when it came to teasing. There was nothing Craig did better then pissing people off, which was being shown ever so clearly to you in that moment, one of the main factors to answer for why people don’t like him.

It took you more than physically restraint to not tell him to fuck off, or to sock him right in the face, instead you opted for the latter’s latter and shoved his head back, plopping yourself next to Nichole leaving a spot for Kyle next to you.

You would be counting down the seconds till you could go home.

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[english8muffin]

Vogue morning routine

Y/N Y/N/L’s guide to effortless natural makeup

Summary: you are asked to do the Vogue Beauty Secrets video and your two boys decide to join the party

Word count: around 2000

Warning: none, just pure floof!

I apologize in advance if there are any spelling and/or grammar mistakes, English is not my first language (+ this is my very first fic)

HEADLINE Henry Cavill’s new girlfriend, designer Y/N Y/L/N reveals her everyday morning routine in recent Vogue video: Y/N Y/L/N shows off her secrets to the perfect fusion of European and Asian beauty.

You stood in the spacious bathroom of the hotel room, only wearing a big, fluffy, white robe, that was actually Henry’s. But since the man was in the gym, you took the opportunity to lend it and bathe yourself in his musky smell, that calmed your nerves. Last night you started panicking, thinking you would probably look stupid for the entire world to see, luckily Henry and Kal tried to calm you down with cuddles and kisses.

This was the first ‘interview’ you would do, being such a young, successful entrepreneur really caught the attention of the media. When you first started your small online shop, you never would have thought you would end up here. Five years later, with a steady income, the job you always wished for and the man you had a crush on since the first time you laid eyes on him. Being a creative, it really made your heart soar with happiness, seeing all your products, your babies, in new homes where they would make others happy.

You were really proud of yourself. Henry was as well, and he made sure you and everybody around you knew. You were apprehensive at first, being with such a well known actor, who was also much older than you, it made you nervous of what people would say, what the media would say. You didn’t want to tarnish Henry’s image. You knew there were people with a much bigger age gap, but still, people were ruthless. So you both decided to take it slow, being careful with going out in public and social media posts.

You stand in front of the large mirror, which had a camera attached to it and open up your makeup bag. Right before you went into the bathroom, you made yourself a nice cup of tea, trying to stay calm. “Hi! I’m Y/N and today I am going to show you my everyday makeup routine,” you say with a smile, “I am not a dermatologist so please don’t take what I say too seriously.”

You grab a small white washcloth and hold it up, so it was in the frame, “First, I am going to wash my face and put on a few drops of serum,” You dampen the cloth and wipe it over your face and neck. You put a few drops in the palm of your hand and pat them into your skin. “Now I going to use my jade roller to massage the serum into my skin. It’s quite funny seeing so many people use these nowadays. In ancient China they were mostly used by the elite to keep there skin ageless. They would call jade the Stone of Heaven. It’s really helpful for the people who wake up with a puffy face like me,” you chuckle.

Somethimes you’d wake up with puffy cheeks, which led to Henry calling you his chubby bunny in the morning.

“Just a quick tip, and this is for everybody, make sure you always use SPF. I personally use SPF 30 and this one is shine control, since I tend to get an oily skin, but you can also use a regular one or a foundation with SPF in it. Believe me when I say your skin will be thankful.”

You grab the small tube of sun cream and show the amount you’ll use. You even convinced Henry to wear SPF everyday. At first he said he didn’t think it would make such a big difference, but when he realised you were going to be the one to put it on him, he was convinced about its benefits and adamant to wear it everyday. After working the thick cream into your skin, you put on some lipbalm and rummage through the pouch in front of you. When you find the product you’re looking for, you hold it up. “Now, I am going to put on a bit of concealer, this one is from Maybelline. After this, I will use a lighter shade under my eyes and on my acne scars that I have here,” you point and circle around the small cluster of scars on the sides of your cheeks.

Before blending out the concealer, you smile at the lens and put in two bright yellow hairclips, to keep your dark locks from falling into your face. “I probably should have done this at the start,” you laugh. The nerves creeping up a little. It wasn’t that you where a shy person, but knowing thousands of people will watch this, did something to you. You were always a very easygoing person, who could talk with pretty much everybody. But knowing people were going to watch you do something so intimate in a way, and would probably comment on it, scared you a little. While you would be 100% yourself, doing something as mundane as getting ready. If they didn’t like you now, then they probably won’t like you later. And that was what made you so afraid.

The bathrobe falls a bit down your shoulder, but you ignore it, since your hair fell down your shoulders in big waves. “Okay, brows. I used to block them in really dark when I was younger, but now I try to keep a light hand. I’ll use this Got 2B Glued as a brow gel afterwards. The tails of my eyebrows tend to move if I don’t use a strong enough gel. If you’re Asian you will understand the struggle.”

You quickly finish your brows, put some bronzer on your face and eyelids and take out your liquid eyeliner. “Am I the only one that acts like I’m a beauty guru whenever I do my makeup? Like, I’m just acting as if I’m used to this, right now, but to be honest, I was really nervous to do this video for Vogue,” you admit, “they will probably regret asking me,” you chuckle. You finish your eyemakeup with curling your long lashes, thanks to your mother’s genes, and add a coat of mascara.

You take in a deep breath, excited to show everyone the product you had been waiting for. “The next thing I am really proud to show you guys, because I designed the packaging. This is the new limited edition blush and highlighter palette from Dior, which they created for Lunar New Year!” You beam with pride, holding up the elegant looking palette. It had a darker toned glossy finish and the borders were the traditional Chinese looking frames, which were 3D and were surrounded by a wild variety of peonies. In the middle of the lid was your Chinese calligraphy in big golden brush stokes that said ‘year of the Ox’, the clasp was designed so it resembled an antique Chinese coin and on the side hung a jade charm.

“You can pre-order this palette now, I think they will put a link-thingy in de description. I wish you all a happy and blessed Lunar New Year, 祝农历年新年快乐牛年大吉!”

Just as you’re about to add some blush to your cheeks, the bathroom door creaks open and a curly-headed, sweaty Henry pops his head in. Fresh from the gym, and were you thankful for his new intense workout, because he was truely a sight to behold. A cheeky smile graces his handsome face when he spots you in front of the mirror, only wearing his robe, which made his grin widen.

“what are you doing in here? Are you hiding from me? Playing hide and seek is it?” he teases and rakes his large hand through the tousled curls, but just as he’s done speaking, he sees the camera behind you, and blushes. “Oh, I didn’t know you were filming, I’m sorry darling,” he smiles and gives a small wave in the direction of the camera. You led out a giggle, cheeks turning red already, if he’d keep this up, you wouldn’t need to add blush. You couldn’t focus anymore, he looked so attractive, only wearing his black gym shorts and a tight dark blue tank top. Damn that camera, otherwise you would have jumped him. Henry, thought the exact same thing. Seeing you, only wearing his robe and your hair still a bit wild from this morning’s cardio, made him hold back a moan. Those two cute, yellow clips in your hair could have fooled him, because you were anything but innocent.

Before he’s about to close the door again, he blows you a kiss. But his actions are stopped when a big bear makes his appearance. Bolting past his dad’s legs, Kal comes into the bathroom. Henry tries to catch him but misses. The black and white akita excitedly sniffs his head around the sink, trying to see what you were up to with all the stuff lying on the marble counter.

“Kal!” Henry whisper-yelled, trying to stay hidden behind the door. But you could still see his massive body crouched down behind the wood. It was rather funny, seeing the large man so panicked about getting his dog to listen. It kind of reminded you of that one video from BBC were a professor was being interviewed and his baby and nanny showed up in the background. While Henry tried to get Kal’s attention, the dog just sat next to your legs, and smiled when you pet him behind his ear. He was your good boy.

You both knew there was no other option but to keep Kal here, once he saw you do your makeup, he wanted to watch and get his ‘makeup’ done as well.

Henry also saw the look in Kal’s eyes and let out a sigh. Might as well stay with his two loves. He stood up from his position and walked to you, wrapping his sweaty but oh so save body around your figure, and placed a prolonged kiss on the exposed skin just by your shoulder. So far for taking it slow… He pressed himself thighter against your back, hiding his face in the crook of your neck and intertwined your hands, slowly rocking you two back en forth. “You look beautiful, my love,” he whispered, so only you could hear it, at least you hoped the camera wouldn’t pick that up. You let out a little giggle, like the inner schoolgirl you were whenever he was around you.

“Kal loves when Y/N does his makeup as well, don’t you boy,” Henry explains with a smile and looks down at the bear by your bare feet. Kal gives a small ruff and sweeps his tail eagerly. “Did you show them what you made,” he asked you with a wide smile, and looked straight in to the camera, “she worked really hard on that design, so I hope you all like it,” he declared proudly.

You ended up doing your makeup routine with your two boys in the background. Henry left for a few minutes to shower in the second bathroom your hotelroom had, and came back clad in a pair of light jogging trousers and a sweater. Even though you were inside, it was still a bit too chilly to walk around in short sleeves, being mid-winter and all. He just sat on the small wooden bench by the door, still in frame for everybody to enjoy and behold. His hair now damp. He was reading in a book and patiently waiting for you to get ready, occasionally looking up and laughing when you would wet your hands or Kal’s special makeup brush in the sink and pretend to do his makeup. The dog would bark excitedly and give you kisses. “Wow Kal, you look so pretty,” Henry told the big floof with the chuckle.

“Okay, this was my -somewhat- everyday makeup routine! Thank you guys for watching this chaotic mess, hope you laughed a bit, bye-bye, 再见!” How do those vlogger end their videos? Smash like and subscribe?

Behind you Henry looked up from the pages of his fantasy book and arched his brow, “Hey! No shout-out for your special guests? See you all next time!”

WOOHOO!! This is my very first fanfic, I really hope you enjoyed it. Liking, reposting and commenting would mean a lot to me! If you do repost this, please do not edit or copy my work. I worked really hard on this.

Much love, Nahmi xxx

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[soapsilly]

Day Off - Natasha Romanoff

Pairing: Natasha Romanoff x reader

Request:  Please, write one imagine where nat x reader are friends and they have been in a park having so much fun, but the reader is timid, with many looks to each other and kisses fluffy, already thankful (:

(Y/N/N) = your nickname

Requests are open!

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“Nat, what are you doing here?”, (Y/N) was confused when she entered the gym and saw Natasha there.

“Well, currently I’m beating this punching bag”, she stated the obvious.

“You know that’s not what I meant. You just came back from a mission. You should enjoy yourself and rest a little. It’s your day off after all”

“But I AM enjoying myself, (Y/N/N)”, Nat retorted.

“So your plan is to just keep punching that stupid sack the whole day?”

“Obviously not! I was also gonna run a few miles also..”, Natasha dragged her answer but realized how stupid that sounded.

(Y/N) raised her brow but didn’t say anything right away.

“When’s the last time you went to the park?”

“What park?”, Nat asked.

“Alright, you go shower. We’ll leave in half an hour!”, (Y/N) excitedly clapped her hands and left the gym.

*******************************************************************************************

“Are you wearing sunscreen? You should be”, (Y/N) asked her friend.

“(Y/N/N), it’s not even that sunny”

“Doesn’t matter. No reason to take a risk here. Direct sunlight is really bad for the skin and you have really beautiful skin, you know?”

As soon as the words left her mouth she already cursed herself. Why was she always so nervous around Natasha?

“I-I didn’t mean to sound creepy. All I was trying to say is that your skin looks really soft and clear and ... Oh god, I’m doing it again”, (Y/N) mentally facepalmed. 

Natasha smiled to herself, she thought it was cute how flustered (Y/N) got from time to time.

“I think you’re right. Give me some of that sweet sweet SPF”

(Y/N)’s eyes lit up as she handed over the sun protection.

“So what are we going to do now?”, Natasha asked as she finished spreading the lotion on her shoulders and arms.

“I’m getting us ice cream first of all. Let me guess... Pistacchio? Coffee Bean?”

“Strawberry, actually”, Natasha muttered.

“Oh.. alrighty. I’ll be right back then”

With that, (Y/N) made her way over to the ice cream stand. Nat relaxed into the park bench she was sitting on and watched the other women go. She enjoyed (Y/N)’s company - probably more than the other Avengers’ companies. While she was closest to Clint, this was different. Clint and Natasha were strictly platonic with a friendly rivalry going on but (Y/N) was something else.

When (Y/N) returned she found Natasha with her eyes closed, soaking up the sunlight. (Y/N) savored the image for a while before she pulled the russian spy back to reality.

“I forgot to ask if you wanted yours in a cone or rather in a cup but when I realized the line behind me was so long already, so I just got you yours in a cup...”

“A cup is great, thanks (Y/N/N)”

For a moment they sat in silence eating their ice cream but (Y/N) couldn’t help but to glance over to Natasha every few seconds.

“(Y/N), your ice is melting...” 

She blinked a few times but realized that Nat was right, she was just so focused on her that she totally forgot to enjoy her own treat.

“What flavor is that anyways? Caramel? Hazelnut?”

“Uh.. Mocca. You wanna try?”, she offered her her ice cream cone.

“I’d love to. Here, try mine. It’s amazing!”

(Y/N) could feel her face heat up as Nat spoon-fed her some of her ice cream.

“That tastes great! Very fruity!”

“I know, right?”

After the two of them had finished their treats they sat on that bench a little longer.

“Sometimes I just like to sit in a public place and watch the people that are passing me”

“Oh, like that game that people play? When you try to imagine where they are coming from and where they are going?”, Nat got excited.

“I mean.. yeah but usually I just watch them. That sounds really creepy, right?”

“No, not at all but I would advise you to keep away from playgrounds”, Natasha grinned.

(Y/N) slapped her friend on the shoulder.

“I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just fun to see what people do when they think no one is watching. I once saw a guy drop his hot dog and then continue to eat it”

“Three second rule”, Natasha shrugged her shoulders.

“That is nasty”, (Y/N) deadpanned.

“Maybe but wasting a perfectly good hot dog is worse”

“But it wasn’t perfectly good anymore!”, the girl exclaimed and both of them burst out laughing.

“So, let’s play your little game. That man over there. Where is he from and what is he doing?”, (Y/N) pointed to a man in business attire, who was carrying a briefcase.

“Easy. He’s a spy on his way to return some corrupt files. The USB-stick is in that briefcase”

“Alright and what about that woman over there?”, (Y/N) grinned.

“She’s on her way to assassinate the CEO of that building over there”

“Why?”, (Y/N) laughed.

“She didn’t ask for information. She’s an assassine, (Y/N/N)”

“Okaaaay? And what about this dude over there?”, she pointed to a man dressed in sportswear.

“He’s on his way to stop the first man from returning the files”, Nat explained.

“Natasha! They can’t all be spies!”

“They’re not! That woman was an assassine!”, the russian spy feigned innocence.

(Y/N) facepalmed but started laughing when she saw Natasha’s smile. 

“C’mon. I got a picnic blanket in the car. Let’s settle down over there”, she pointed towards a free patch of grass.

*******************************************************************************************

“It’s nice here. I’m glad you made me leave the gym”, Natasha smiled as she soaked up the last rays of sunshine for the day.

(Y/N) took that as a compliment.

“You’re cute when you’re blushing”, Natasha told the girl.

(Y/N)’s stiffened up, her eyes wide.

“Uh.. thanks?”

Nat just nodded. 

At this moment, (Y/N) couldn’t take it anymore. 

“Nat. Listen. I kinda, sorta really like you. Like, not just as friends, you know? I could understand if you didn’t feel the same way but I had to tell you”, (Y/N) confessed.

Natasha raised her brows but a smirk found it’s way on her face. 

“(Y/N/N) can I kiss you?”, Natasha didn’t want to overwhelm her friend, who was looking like really nervous at the moment.

(Y/N) squeaked but nodded her head. She couldn’t get another word out at the moment.

As Natasha leaned in (Y/N)’s eyes fluttered shut and when their lips touched her heart skipped several beats.

“Your lips are so soft”, (Y/N) told the red-head after they separated, “so does that mean you like me back?” 

“Of course, you numpty. I have for a while”

“Why didn’t you say anything then?”, (Y/N) was sightly offended that the other women left her to struggle for so long.

“I was going to but you were so cute  when you were struggling”, Nat shrugged.

“You’re unbelievable!” (Y/N) gasped. 

“Thanks”, Nat winked, which resulted in (Y/N) rolling her eyes jokingly.

“It’s getting cold. Should we head home?”

“Only if you let me take you out tomorrow”

(Y/N) nodded eagerly. 

Nat held out her hand for the other women to take.

As the both of them made their way back to (Y/N)’s car they already started planning their date for the next evening.

“Do you like Italian?”, Nat asked while swinging their intertwined fingers back and forth between them.

“Love it. There’s a great little restaurant just around the corner”, (Y/N) beamed.

*******************************************************************************************

Epiloque

The two of them shared a few more sweet kisses in the car. (Y/N) leaned their forehead against Natasha’s as they parted but there was something that bothered her.

“Nat? I don’t want our relationship to start of with a lie”

Nat raised her eyebrows but signaled her newfound lover to continue.

“I don’t like strawberries”

[terminalchaos]

Hi Hun!

I'm Chaz. Seeing as you've fortuitously ended up here, I'll give you a super speedy rundown on the most important/basic parts of me as a human person.

I'm a 23 year old living in Naarm (Melbourne) Australia. The past year has given me a really volatile relationship with nearly everything.

I use she/they pronouns and identify as non-binary. This is because I don't really believe humans are binary beings (I'm definitely not), and want to expand my horizons without a label. I find them a little restrictive, and don't love the commitment of having to choose one.

I love acting, Lorde, drag, axolotls, plants that are really hard to kill, surrealism, Joe Lycett, Noel Fielding, Trixie and/or Katya, and language learning (currently Japanese and Korean, so apparently I also love making my life really easy lol).

I don't love capitalism, meat, Tories, James Corden, the South African accent, Ricky Gervais, people calling ADHD "ADD" (it was changed in 1987!!!), and people who don't put the toilet seat down (both lids, please, gross).

I have a chronic skin condition named rosacea. It sucks. I'll probably (definitely) mention it more. It interacts with my ADHD and it's an absolute pain in the bum.

And finally, I was diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) at 22, and started on medication just before my 23rd birthday. I am predominantly inattentive, but can have some hyperactive symptoms. So far, I have been on Vyvanse (I call this my concentration meth) for around 4 months (I think, but the nature of the beast is that I can’t remember shit). It's been really, really weird. I went into lockdown thinking I was neurotypical, and emerged certified neurodivergent with an axolotl rescue. 

I started this blog to help me document my journey with ADHD. I haven't blogged since the golden age of Tumblr, but wanted to give myself a small commitment to do each week which will be enjoyable, easily achievable, and feed into my terminal need to overshare online. Prepare for a Kerouac-esque stream of consciousness without the success, literary impact, and funky accents. And really, completely different content. :)

I figured a blog was a low-commitment way to cut my teeth with my writing while I take an intermission from my university course. It also provides me with my favourite type of social interaction: me oversharing and talking as much as I want with no interruptions. Thanks, lack of social awareness!

When I was diagnosed with ADHD, I thought that it was the end of a lot of struggle, and it was! In some ways. It was absolute blessing to finally know that I'm not a lost cause, and that medication can help (to an extent). But trying to reconcile these weird fragments of the person I never was, the person I didn't like, the person I want to be, and the person I actually am, has been the most frustrating thing I have ever had to do. I can finally begin to deal with everything, but the more I catch glimpses into life as people without ADHD have been experiencing it, the more it stings that I was struggling like this for 23 years. But it's like, fine guys!! Really!!!! I only cry when I think about it. :)

ADHD in AFAB people (assigned female at birth) can manifest in ways that means it often goes unnoticed by schools, parents, friends, pretty much everyone, including the ADHDer. We're often dismissed as ditzy, clumsy, lazy, stupid, absent minded, uncommitted, you know, all the great adjectives you really want to be associated with. When people mention ADHD, it's associated with young boys bouncing off the walls and disrupting class, sometimes being violent, sometimes just annoying. That sucks. Medical sexism (complete lack of research into how medical conditions affect people who aren't cis-male) has lead to ADHD being criminally underdiagnosed in people who don't fit this tiny box of criteria. This leads to a grieving period when you receive your diagnosis/start meds, for the life you could have lived, the things you could have achieved, the friendships you could have made and maintained, all the possibilities if it hadn't been for ADHD.

I want to help people understand what this condition is, why we do the things we do, what it's like to live with, and hopefully explain how you can help make the ADHDers around you feel a little less like a burden.

I will explain what ADHD is like to live with in depth in the very near future, but for now, I will leave you with a quick moment of sincerity: thank you so much for reading this far. It's not easy for me to do things like this, and I appreciate people taking the time to read my words: they're all I have at the moment.

Lots of love from lockdown, and remember to wear SPF. X

[khuntopia]

✧ drowning [ minchan ]

Summary: Summer in Australia with Minho and three of his buddies. Nothing could go horribly even if the poor boy can't even swim, right?

Pairings: Minho x Lifeguard!Chan

Genre: Fluff.

Length: 4.4K words.

Warnings: Usage of explicit language.

Requested: Pretty much. This was just an idea by @/starryknow on Twitter and I thought it might be nice to write about it. Thank you for the idea, Elle!

A/N: My first imagine book so it would be pretty nice if anyone could give me some advice and what they thought about this short story. Have a nice reading :)

Minho is watching the trees, how they sway in a warming breeze. It is that time when summer begins to blossom into something the body feels as much as the brain when the emotions catch their thermal updrafts.

The boy remembered when he first arrived in Australia on his first day, the heat rained down on them like the breath of hell. It felt as if the sidewalk was hot enough to fry a morning breakfast. It was one brutal day for him.

So when Minho felt the coldness against his face with the wonderful perfume of roses met his nose, he just wants to run around the nearby park from his hotel like a little kid.

He heard the faint sound of chirping above and saw birds soar across the sky. He closed the door from the balcony and turned his body to the opposite way, only to stop his footsteps when he saw his friend, Seo Changbin.

Changbin was wearing dark grey trousers, flat sandals with some stupid looking summer hat, from Minho's point of view.

Minho pulls away from his sunglasses from his face, a displeased look worn on his expression. "What's all of this about, and why are you bringing those surfing board out with this wonderful weather?"

"Oh, it's summer, we're not gonna stay at this neighborhood for the whole week! We're going to the beach, of course, Minho."

"Wait, beach?"

"Yes the beach Minho, go inside and change quickly, you're lucky that Hyunjin just woke up so hurry up!" Changbin repeated, not minding the other boy's expression.

"B-b-but—"

"Argh stop winning! Just go!" Minho was being pushed to go inside the room, causing the door to slammed to his back. Minho sighed, gave up and went to his bedroom to take his swimsuit.

Although he can't swim.

On the other hand, Hyunjin was just going out of his bedroom and seemed unenthusiastic. He too was forced to go. Seungmin followed him behind and grinned like an idiot when he saw Minho's face of horror.

"Remember to bring BB Cream and SPF to protect your perfect skin." Seungmin exaggerated, knowing how much the other guy hated being in the sun exposure.

And he hated that he could only sit while watching the rest having fun.

Minho was sitting on the back of the car, watching the outside's views from the window in the most lifeless in his life. His head was slowly following to the beat of the song played from Changbin's huge speakers.

And of course, if you put Seungmin on the first seat, he would turn on his favorite band Day6 and blast it at a high volume, head bobbing back and forth like a crazy chicken.

At least he was lucky that the passengers didn't look at the young boy and his group of friend weirdly. "This is gonna be the best vacation ever!" Seungmin looked from his back towards grumpy looking Minho.

"Fuck no." Minho cursed.

The rest of the boys chuckled, again, not minding about Minho who was utterly silent on their whole ride to his hell.

The beach was unexpectedly uncrowded, not what they were thinking of. Changbin was proud that he took the boys on the right day to go to the beach. Most of them didn't take much time to prepare, instead, they all started to run straight to the cool water. Leaving the boy-who-cannot-swim and Hyunjin all the kinds of stuff left.

"I wish I could have bought my cats with me."

"You know we can't bring animals on the plane, right? Just enjoy your time here, man, maybe look at the pretty trees or go talk to some local people here." Hyunjin uttered while having trouble smearing his suncream on his back.

"Tsk," said Minho, his voice half a whisper. "I didn't even get 20/100 on that last test. Do you think I'm really capable to talk to them? Stop being stupid, aussieboo, just go play and I'll stay here on my own." He finished.

"Fine." Hyunjin's tone held a warning note. "Don't be bored without my existence."

"I don't need you, shoo!"

"And hey, from what I remember, Changbin also brought his old cheap looking $10 float last week. He prepared a lot actually, so just check his bag."

With that, Hyunjin dashed away and followed the rest of the boys. Minho looked at them, having the fun time of their life, making himself wondering if he should actually try and go in the water. Ugh, he thought. He knows that he wouldn't be able to sit on the burning sand for more than hours, nor is he patient enough to even sit on one spot for even 30 minutes.

"Look at that grandpa running with his unicorn float. I swear this is embarrassing as heck." Seungmin said, but before he could say more, the other boy already came next to their side.

"I knew Changbin had a float but this isn't what I expected it to be. I guess he has been very interested in rainbows and fluffy stuff—oW!"

Hyunjin was hit as he tried to finish his sentence by no other than Changbin. He glared at the innocent-boy, and was trying to defend himself by saying that "It's my sister's old float."

"But you don't even have a sibling."

"Shut up Hyunjin!" Changbin raised his voice.

While the rest of them were arguing about the float, Minho was busy looking at the beautiful scenery of the smooth-looking sand, the local people around talking in their native language and kids building the sandcastle. In the gentle spring sunshine, the boy felt as if he were swimming in the briny aroma.

It wasn't as bad as he thought.

Minho observed every single detail from this beach, however, he stopped right when he saw this lifeguard's face. Right there. That guy had that kind of face to stopped your track, based on Minho's good eyesight. His rich chocolate hair, more like golden brown as the sunlight was hitting his face was slightly tousled and wavy.

The lifeguard seemed somewhere his age, which was pretty nice but the only problem was the language barrier. It was frustrating for Minho, but he kept staring from afar.

"Do you think that we should call him," Seungmin whispered to Changbin, snorting.

Hyunjin also saw what they were both talking about, and quickly swam closer to them and said half-whispered with amusement. "I wonder what he is dreaming about, huh?"

"I mean not gonna lie, that lifeguard is hot."

"Not you too, Changbin!"

Changbin shook his head in denial. "Nah, I don't believe on love at first sight."

But his word was drowned out by the sea of laughter, which confused Minho, who wasn't listening to their conversation since the beginning. Hyunjin noticed his confusion and quickly asked:

"So hyung, when are you planning to take him out?"

Minho blink. He knew exactly what they were all talking about. Him, that lifeguard. That handsome effing lifeguard. What should he say, that he was only looking at the coconut tree stupidly? Nah, that'd be way too obvious. He would rather be honest.

"I wish, but language barrier, guys." He said with a straightforward tone yet it seemed very dejected. It was easy to find a lover for him, it's just that he's not interested in girls.

The rest of them nodded, all disappointed.

"Hey but don't be too sad, you still have us here, we're enough handsome for you to look every single day, am I right?" Changbin smirk as Minho just laughed silently. It was true, they were pretty enough to complete his life.

Till then, Minho didn't think of him much.

"Hey guys, I think I saw an ice cream truck inside that place earlier. Should we go get some?"

"Is Changbin paying?"

"No! Last to arrive there is paying."

"Seems fine with us."

Just then, everyone started dashing to the shore, leaving Minho on his float alone. "Yah! Yah! This is unfair!" He kept screaming, not even moving an inch because it would be useless in anyway.

The rest were staying on the sand, making grimaces from afar like little kids. Minho sighed. It was what he had to deal with them every single day, so why was he even mad at this point.

He slowly tries and moves his hand, trying to get closer to the edge of the beach. When suddenly, he felt his surrounding less heavy and somewhat more weird than usual. Minho looked at the float, and quickly understand the situation.

Drowning, he was drowning.

Shit shit shit shit! Not now.. he thought, his hand was starting to panic as he tries to at least swim somewhere near the shore. His legs were trying to move along, but nothing worked. His body gave up on trying.

Minho couldn't hear exactly what was going on, sounds from above the water were muffled from down here. His eyes were starting to give up too. This is probably the end, was what he was thinking of.

On a matter of second, Minho was quickly pulled out of the water by two strong hands grabbing his arms.

The three boys were standing next to the lifeguard as he just got out of the water, holding Minho on his arm.

"Darn it Changbin, you shouldn't have bought that float for $10! Your rich ass could buy a slipper for millions of bucks, but not for a float?!"

"Hey, that's not my fault! And for your information, it's not even me that bought those."

"Can you all shush, please? Minho is literally unconscious and y' all are here arguing about a float? I'm supposed to be the youngest and most childish but it's actually the two of you?"

Hyunjin and Changbin were silent as they both watched the older one lay down on the sand. The handsome lifeguard pinched Minho's nose and was doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as Seungmin was sheepishly smiling.

"Now look at the childish one, smiling at someone doing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation."

"If we told Minho that his hot lifeguard was saving his life by doing this, he would probably faint for another time." Seungmin chuckled. Their whole conversation has been in Korean, although they didn't expect that their words could change everything.

The lifeguard, named Chan, was trying not to react to their words. He was flustered and also surprised that they were speaking Korean right in front of him, who also had the same nationality as them. He tried to focus on the unconscious guy but just got more clumsy instead.

He just kept focusing on Minho's face more.

Luckily, Minho coughed out a huge amount of water and was now conscious, just a bit nauseous and very confused.

"Uh-uh—"

"Are you okay?" His voice was soft, compared with how huge and muscular he was. Minho was even more confused and very very flustered.

Minho swore to himself that he didn't mean nor want to stare at him in the eyes for that long. To the point that his mouth almost dropped open at the sight in front of him.

With all of his effort, he answered with his broken English."I'm okay"

"Can you walk?"

"Yes—" Minho started to stand up and run away immediately at this point, only to fall down again, luckily it didn't hurt as much since there was the sand.

He wanted to say that his leg hurt in English, but couldn't found the exact word. He hated Seungmin for not helping him when he's just right at the lifeguard's back. However, to his surprise, Chan got his back.

"I think you have leg cramps?" Chan asked, this time, in the language they both understand, Korean. At that moment, the three other was the one who was now shocked. They looked at each other, eyes fully wide, mouth opened, soon regretting everything they said.

Minho's heart was beating a mile per minute, the guy's voice was amazingly attractive. And someone with a striking look with a beautiful voice speaking in his native language, it feels like an angel singing.

"Ah-ah-ah yes! You speak Korean?"

"Yeah, I lived in Korea for some years actually." Chan smiled, which seemed so genuinely sweet.

And another striking moment.

Not for Minho though, but for the three other guys, wondering how they will have to tell the other one what they just did. They knew Chan heard what they said, and regretted it.

They didn't even care how cute the contact between the two older boys was, even if they were literally staring death in the eyes, but just how screwed they would be if the now-conscious boy knew the secret.

Loverboy and his lifeguard were having a small little talk, for about 10 minutes about things like their vacation, Chan's life of being a lifeguard, before parting different ways.

"I'm praying for the both of you, Changbin and Seungmin, especially you, little one," Hyunjin whispered, pointing at the Seungmin

Seungmin breath out heavily. "Maybe you can start planning my soon-to-be-funeral."

"Seungmin did what?"

"Don't act like you're deaf, Minho, he literally said what I just said to your lifeguard!"

"Hyunjin, you have such a big mouth, won't you ever learn how to shut up?"

Seungmin looks over at Hyunjin and wishes he could smack him in the face, glaring at him as if someone just stole his favorite toys. Changbin wished he could say something to comfort Minho, who looked surprisingly normal.

"I mean," Seungmin clarified, "it's not like I knew the guy spoke Korean, if I did, I would keep my mouth shut, unlike Hyunjin here!"

Changbin looked hugely entertained at their fighting, although his look changed to an alarming sort of way as he saw Minho leaving their car, whispering "I'm going to buy a coffee, I'll be back." The two boys were still bickering about themselves as usual.

Minho wasn't actually mad at them, or even Seungmin, instead, he kept imagining the scene Chan doing that mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, or even kiss him on the lips. It made him crazy just to think of it, and afraid that the boys would think he's a weirdo, Minho decided it would be a nice idea to go breathe some fresh air.

He heard noises of someone panting and running footsteps towards him. He stopped in front of a narrow door of the coffee shop before that person grabs his shoulder. He knew that person is none other than Changbin. "Hey," he muttered, exchanging a glance with Minho. "Is everything alright there, hyung?"

Minho shook his head as if to say I don't know.

"Okay look Changbin, I'm fine, it's just that, I hate to feel that I have to leave Australia and.. and that lifeguard guy." Changbin looked up, completely silent.

"I hate that I'm like this, Changbin. I hate that I'm so desperate over a guy I just met."

"I saw that the both of you had a nice conversation afterward, why didn't you ask for his numbers?" Changbin asked.

Minho stopped for a second, before answering. "You have a point, but have you seen the number of people who had rejected me? I'm honestly scared, Changbin."

Changbin felt a flicker of sympathy for him. It was true, Minho had been fighting over this for a while, and it was honestly not easy for him to watch his friend, feeling neglected. There was a moment of quiet and peace between the two boys. Changbin wanted to open his mouth to say something but completely forgotten it as he saw the one and only prince charming of Lee Minho, entering that shop they were about to go in.

This time, to make sure that Chan won't hear anything, Changbin half-whispered into Minho's ear. "There goes your chance, pretty boy, either you say it now, or it's over. I believe in you, hyung, I know that you can do it and if the guy even dares say a word about you, it's over for him, okay?" He insisted, trying to sound as calm as possible.

"Also bring me a latte, that would be nice."

"Al-alright." His voice broke unevenly with a very trembling hand. Minho had never been this hesitant before, so before he entered the shop, he let out a shaky breath. The dread and anxiety deadened his mind and body.

He is right next to that fucking counter where I have to order my drink, what a perfect way to start the plan, he thought. Being so cautious and nervous, Minho ran with high speed and ordered right away as he almost startled the old lady, probably the manager of the shop. While opening his mouth, he noticed the intense stare on Chan's face.

Wet brown tendrils of hair clung to his forehead and cheeks, droplets trekking down his jaw to drip from his chin. His eyes, especially his eyes, were stained with the color of hot chocolate on a cold, winter night that wraps around you like a blanket; engulfs you in its warmth and makes you feel at home. Minho stuttered for a second.

"I-I would like two lattes and..and.. 2 Coca Cola please."

"Sure darling, you can wait on this table here—"

Before the woman could finish her sentence, Minho already ran outside to Changbin's side, whirled to face him more than he ever thought he would. "Okay look Changbin, I confessed to people but it was only through social media—not face to face after meeting for 10 minutes. You know that I'm very introverted so—"

Changbin, to reassure his friend, this time, he holds both of his hand, saying, "Look, Minho. I was like you before, hyung. So coy and reluctant when it comes to these things. I remembered when I confessed to my boyfriend it felt like I was going on my final test. At some point, you just have to try, although there's a chance it would.. fail."

"Even if he would reject you, it will be the past, and if he did, it would just prove him as someone terrible for not even giving my wonderful friend that's right in front of me a chance." This time, Changbin's voice seemed a lot more comforting, adding that lovely smile of his, it boosts Minho's confidence.

When Minho felt that he was ready, before going inside one last time, he turned to Changbin, giving an assuring grin. "Also, Changbin."

"Hm?"

"I have to agree that your boyfriend Felix really deserve you after all, and thank you." Changbin suppressed with a smile, his blush seared through his cheeks and for a second, it was hot pink.

Going inside again felt exactly like Changbin described, it felt like on your final test. The lady still was still making the last drink while Chan—Minho could only see his back, huge shoulder. He noticed that the boy was just that he was writing something on a piece of paper.

Minho only stood there, watching what was going on. Later, when he finished writing his note, he gave it to the old lady, who sheepishly smiled back at him. Chan suddenly turned his back and saw Minho who was already walking to him.

"Thank you, how much is it for?"

"$12, dear."

Chan turned to his direction, making eye contact at the boy in front of him. Minho hands were trembling, although his tone remained calm. Both were looking in the eyes for a good five seconds. Before Chan said anything, he did a little awkward cough and said:

"Hey, so you're going to leave Australia soon?"

Minho shook his head. "In a week, actually."

Chan hummed in response. "Well, I guess I won't see you around soon, so... I guess.. this is goodbye?"

Minho opened his mouth but was stopped when Chan shot upright from his seat, approaching the other boy the closest they've ever been. Chan gave him a wistful look. "Must.. you go..? I was honestly hoping that you would stay here for a while."

Minho was frozen on the same spot.

"Well, I don't want you to go, honestly," Chan said. "I don't know why I feel it so strongly—I've just met you—but I don't want you to go."

Minho said nothing. He was too busy being shocked that the man right here is somewhat confessing to him. It felt like a sweet dream. It was like a sweet dream. But it was a reality. It was so odd, he thought, what brought out the tenderness in people. It was never what he would have expected.

"And I feel like trusting you," he said. "I don't know why—But again, I've just met you for a while—but I do." Chan unexpectedly moves his head closer to Minho. The next thing Minho knew, was that his forehead rests against his, and that feeling of both fear and excitement was growing inside him.

Is this.. it.. he thought.

"May I?" Chan asked softly, and with a swift motion, not even an answer, but just Minho's little nod. Chan brushed his lips across his and reached for him as if he would otherwise drown. Minho almost gasped when the other boy's hand went around his.

Minho was completely unprepared, even if he knew that the other one asked for a kiss, he was completely unprepared. His brain was lit on fire, the warm set through his entire body. It felt amazing, for both of them.

When they both pulled away, their breaths were shaking. Chan, from what Minho saw, was pale, paler than before, except for the two splotches of red across his cheeks. Minho felt like those first kiss that he would end up rolling in his bed and burying his face in the pillow. So lovely and innocent. He was hiding his face with both of his hand, covering his face to hide his embarrassment.

Before Minho could say anything, the next thing he knew was that Chan, already dashed out of the shop, leaving him standing like an idiot on the middle of the room. Not that he cared about the weird look on the local people, because there was none, but just the kiss.

"Yah! What happened? Why did he just stormed out like that?" Changbin asked, oblivious about the situation. From his point of view, it looked like Minho had been drugged from his lifeguard.

Minho, grinning like an idiot, answered simply with we just kissed. Changbin looked towards the boy in front of him, staring at him as he almost screamed loudly to the whole world.

"No way! So you got his number?"

"Mhmmm—wait what did you say?" Minho finally came back to his sense when Changbin asked that question and repeated twice.

"Y-you guys kissed.. and you didn't ask for his damn numbers?"

"Changbin, I forgot, Changbin, I really forgot.," Minho shouted, and he wasn't sure if he sounded angry, mad, sad or something else. What he knew was that next, he reached for Changbin's shoulder and started whining. The only thing the younger boy could do was sigh and comfort his brother by caressing his back.

"If not, maybe we can go back here tomorrow."

"Really? Please, Changbin please just this time."

"I don't really mind, hyung and I think the boys would love to go here for the second time. And anything for my friend, of course—" He was cut off by Minho's tight hug, almost choking him at some point until he pushed him away, chuckling.

Changbin stood up straighter, "Look here, our drink is already ready, maybe we can stay here for a night while you look for the boy, does that seems fine to you?"

"Perfect, actually. You're the best, Changbin, and let's drink these so I can refresh my head."

Changbin approached the table and saw a note next to it, he thought at first it was just a bill. But little did he know, it wasn't. As he got more curious, he opened the little piece of paper, his eyes almost as wide as a kid getting their Christmas present. All he did next was shoving the letter to Minho's face so he couldn't miss the content on it.

Once the older one read it, Minho felt like collapsing, screaming, dying—everything.

The letter was written by Chan, very neatly, and very... cheesy.

———

'It's Chan, the lifeguard guy. I was and always too shy to even ask you out, maybe we can at least call each other when we can? I think that you look pretty cute, and I would love to know you more.'

'Here's my number, it would be nice if you call could a lifeguard, because I'm drowning in your beautiful eyes.'

And to end everything, at the back, was written. 'And I think I kind of like you already.'

       — Bang Chan.

———

Changbin's smile was beaming, not as much as Minho, but there was a flicker of happiness in his eyes. "It looks like someone just got the jackpot, nice for you, hyung!"

When they got back to the car, Minho's mood had changed completely since the beginning of the trip, not because they were going home, but Chan. It was a hell of a trip, but he forgets most of the negative thought. The only thing is that he can't trust Changbin for bringing any float, again.

As for the 3 rest, they were ecstatic for the older one, even if the two aren't even dating, yet. Hyunjin is already claiming himself as their future children's godfather, while Seungmin is talking about how great of an uncle he would be, just, a mess.

Nonetheless, it was still indeed a beautiful and remarkable vacation for Minho.

As for Chan, he couldn't stop thinking of Minho. Whether if the other one is really gonna call him afterward. Chan was still scared, frightened about his sudden action, like the kiss, but he was honestly proud.

He didn't even know about Minho well, yet he knew that the boy was nothing but an angel. He isn't even sure if the cute boy would use him at the end or not, yet he trusts him with his whole heart.

For him, fate is beautiful. But what he didn't know was that the boy he saved that day from a drowning incident, is the person who is gonna spend the rest of his life with.

End

[letsgetfuckingsuperwholocked]

New Beginnings (Part 4)

Frank Adler x OFC

A/n: It’s been a hot minute… sorry! Life, you know? Anyways, enjoy!

Warnings: Evelyn… or should I say “evil-lyn”? IDK lol

Main Masterlist // Series Masterlist

 There were three rules Annie told herself she was going to follow, when she arrived in Florida.

Number one, she was going to see the ocean. The closest thing she’d seen to an ocean was Lake Superior in Duluth, with its vast, open water… but it wasn’t the same. She wanted to smell the spray of salt in the air and feel real ocean sand under her feet. Though the salt would definitely fuck with her curly hair, turning it into a complete frizz-ball, she was ready to take the necessary steps – and buy enough leave-in conditioner to fill a gallon bucket – to see the water.

The second rule she told herself was that she was going to move on. After the death of her parents, breaking up with Lance, and leaving the comfort of her home state… it was time. It was her decision to make the move, and she had to put on her big girl panties and deal with the repercussions. Even though she missed Gavin and Gracie with her entire heart. She was going to make new friends, start getting back out there and date, and explore her new environment – see rule number one.

The last rule was that she was going to stay relatively drama-free. That rule had already been broken, the day she got the call from Gracie saying that her brother’s brakes had been tampered with, and her little stalker had sent a letter to her new address – further proving that he would follow her to the ends of the earth. Drama free might have been on her wish list of life goals, but… it was easier said than done.

She was lucky, though. She had people who made the entire thing bearable. Mary and Roberta were over the second that Annie was back from work, she’d made a few new work friends, and Frank had been exceptionally nice to her since watching her break down on her back porch. He’d even gone out of his way to invite Annie and Elena to the beach with him, Mary, and Roberta – helping her check off rule number one on her list.

Thankfully, it was not an ‘adults wearing a swimsuit’ type ordeal. She didn’t know if she could physically handle seeing Frank in a swimsuit, without needing to baptize herself in the ocean to cool the hell off. Shirts were left on, toes were dipped in the chilly water, and sandcastles were made. Annie had practically annoyed the other two adults to death with her need to document the girls having fun in the sand – especially when she’d gotten an adorable picture of Mary on Frank’s shoulders – until Frank had finally had enough, taking her phone away and telling her to enjoy living in the moment.

What he didn’t understand, was that she wanted to re-live the happiness she was feeling at that moment, over and over again.

That’s why she wanted to document it.

“Knock knock!” Annie heard Mary yell from the back door, knocking on the storm door, which had been opened to let the breeze waft through the kitchen. “Can Roberta and I come in?”

“It’s open!” Annie called back, changing her shirt into something more comfortable. “I’ll be out in a second! There’s lemonade in the fridge!”

Pulling on a slouchy top, she heaved a sigh at the sight of the bright sunburn that burned over her entire upper body. She’d worn SPF fucking 50 and still got burnt! Stupid pale ass skin. At least it wasn’t as bad as it had been the day after they’d gotten back from the beach. That had been a nightmare of cranked-up AC, aloe gel, a shit ton of cold water, and some ice packs. She’d banished herself to the indoors until the burn was more of an angry, peeling pink.

Walking into the kitchen, she saw that Mary had another stack of books in her possession, containing facts about the Mexican culture.

“-and they have this holiday. It’s the one that was on that movie Coco. It’s called, ‘Día De Los Muertos’. Day of The Dead.” She explained to Elena, who didn’t look the slightest bit interested in what Mary had to say – considering she was wolfing down a stack of banana slices. “It goes from October 31st, to November 2nd. It’s super interesting. We should try to help you learn about it, and maybe even celebrate it. I think you’d enjoy it.”

“You finally sat down and watched Coco, huh?” Annie chuckled, smoothing down Mary’s hair before taking a seat next to Elena and stealing a piece of her banana when she wasn’t looking. “What did you think?”

“I can see why it won so many awards.” She replied, shrugging her shoulders and brushing her bangs away from her face. “Plus, I think it’s a good thing for the both of you to celebrate. It’s supposed to be a way to remember those in your family who have died. I don’t know if you believe in praying, or not – that’s your business – but it’s a way to pray to your loved ones who are gone.”

The pang that Annie got in her chest at the mention of her parents almost made her unable to swallow the little chunk of banana she’d stolen from Elena. She had a feeling that the pain would never go away… but would only become a dull pain as time went on. “I’ll think about it. It might be easier to teach Elena about it when she’s older, so she can understand what she’s celebrating.”

“You have a fair point.” Mary replied, sipping her glass of lemonade. “Frank told me that he can’t be the one to decide what I want to believe in. He said that I had to figure that out for myself.”

“Well, don’t tell Frank, but I agree with him.” She smiled at the young girl, snatching another piece of Elena’s banana – unfortunately getting caught and earning herself a whine from her daughter – before standing from the chair and walking over to her freezer. “I almost forgot. I got you something.”

Roberta’s face lit up in humor, knowing exactly what Annie was about to pull out of her freezer.

“What? What did you get me?” Mary switched into child-mode, practically bouncing in her chair at the idea of a surprise. “What is it?”

“Close your eyes.” Annie commanded, hand on the handle of the freezer, “And no peeking.”

The little girl did as she was told, scrunching her eyes closed, her entire face scrunching up along with them. She looked as if she’d just eaten something completely sour. “I’m not looking.”

Annie ripped open the door, taking the small package out of the freezer – the loud crinkle of the wrapper making Mary literally bounce in anticipation.

With a large grin, Annie held out the gift, so it was right in front of Mary’s face, “Okay, you can open your eyes.”

Mary’s eyes opened so comically fast, she looked as if she’d been a cartoon with her eyes about to bug out of her head. Once the gift registered, her eyes lit up in excitement, a shrill squeal escaping as she held out her hands to take the SpongeBob popsicle that Annie was currently offering. “A SpongeBob!”

The thing was a large popsicle bar that was shaped like SpongeBob SquarePants, colored yellow with the telltale buck-teeth and tie. The eyeballs were these weird black-colored gumballs that either fell off or turned your teeth black when you chewed it. Annie had showed a picture of it to Mary days prior, to which Mary had informed her that she’d never even tried popsicles that were shaped like characters. She’d only ever had the ones that come in the plastic tube that Mary had called a freezer pop, and Annie had called it a freezie – sparking a debate about the different terminology between Minnesotans and Floridians.

Apparently, Minnesotan’s were weird for saying ‘hotdish’ versus ‘casserole’.

Handing Mary the wrapper, Annie was glad to watch the girl act her age. She’d begun to appreciate the moments that the young girl would act like a normal eight year-old girl. Mary was one of a kind, but she was still so young. It was easy to forget, since she held more knowledge than most adults, and – after all the bullshit that Frank went through for Mary – Annie was determined to help her feel like she was having a normal childhood.

Frank didn’t ask her to do that – obviously, since he didn’t even know Mary told her about the court case and Mary’s mother – but she was going to do it, anyways.

“What do you say, Mary?” Roberta raised a brow at her as Mary tore through the packaging to get to the goods. “Mary?”

“Sorry!” Mary stiffened, turning to Annie with wide eyes, “Thank you for getting this for me.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.” Annie snorted, snatching the wrapper to toss in the trash. Her lips were lifted in humor, watching as Mary eyed the colorful pop greedily before damn near taking a chunk out of the top.

Turning to the sink to wash the sticky juice from her finger, she heard Elena whine for a bite – completely disregarding the delicious fruit she had in front of her and wanting the SpongeBob pop.

“You can have a bite, Elena.” Mary replied, her tone serious as she held the bar out halfway to the toddler. “But you have to say ‘please’.”

“Peeeeesh.” She whined out, making grabby hands at the bar. “Peeeeees.”

“Close enough.” Mary sighed, letting Elena take a small bite off the corner. “But you can’t have the gum. It’s bad for toddlers. You could choke.”

“That’s right, baby.” Roberta agreed, glancing at the pair over her book she’d grabbed from her bag on the floor. “You be careful with the gum, too. Don’t go swallowing it.”

As Mary started spouting facts about how long it took for the human body to digest chewing gum, Annie noticed movement outside the window above her sink.

Someone had pulled into the little parking area in front of Frank and Mary’s house.

It was an expensive car, the sleek body sticking out like a sore thumb among the older, dirtier cars in the area. The car was shiny and black, windows tinted dark enough that Annie couldn’t see the shape of the person driving.

That was, until the driver opened the door.

It was a woman. An older woman. She was dressed in a pristine pair of slacks and a crisp, white blouse. Her strawberry blonde hair was perfectly curled, and her face was hidden behind a pair of large designer sunglasses. She leaned back into the car, grabbing a large bag, before power-walking down the little path to Frank’s front door.

As she knocked on the front door, Annie turned to the ladies at the table in confusion, “Mary, honey, is Frank expecting someone? There’s a woman knocking on your door.”

Roberta’s demeanor immediately changed from her usual care-free self, to defensive and tense. Her shoulders stiffened as she quickly turned to glance out the kitchen window, narrowing her eyes at the woman who was knocking on Frank’s front door – face scrunched up in annoyance. “That’s Frank’s mom. Evelyn Adler.”

“Evelyn’s here?” Mary’s eyes lit up, as she wiped the colorful juice from her face with the back of her hand and set the pop on the wrapper. Annie, watching the sticky mess that Mary had made on her face and on the back of her hand, quickly grabbed a rag and wet it in the sink to help her clean up. “She said she was going to bring me more books!”

“Well, clean your face first.” She chuckled, handing Mary the rag before wiping her own hands on a towel hanging on the oven handle. “You don’t want to mess up Evelyn’s nice, white shirt with your SpongeBob hands.”

“Roberta, look.” Mary pointed to the melting SpongeBob, which only had one eye. “He looks like Fred.”

That loosened Roberta up a bit, as she snorted at the young girl’s antics. “Go say hello to Evelyn, before she leaves because she thinks you’re not around.”

The little blonde booked it towards the back door, screaming out her grandmother’s name in joy as she bound down the little, cement steps and ran to Evelyn – who looked shocked that Mary was coming from a random house.

“Do we go out there?” Annie asked Roberta, watching as Evelyn handed Mary the bags.

“You go out there with Elena,” The older woman replied, pulling her cellphone out from her bag. “I’ll call Frank and let him know that his mother is here.”

Oh, god. Did Annie really want to meet the infamous Evelyn Adler? After all the stories about the court case, and how Mary felt that her grandmother only wanted custody of her because she was smart? She’d rather punch the woman in her perfect teeth than have a civilized conversation with her, but… she’s an adult. She has to at least attempt to be the bigger person.

“Come on, Mija.” Annie cooed at Elena, holding her hands out to the toddler. “Wanna’ go outside to play with Mary?”

“May!” She screeched, attempting Mary’s fairly easy name. “Momma! May!”

“Yes, silly girl.” She snorted, sliding her out from her booster chair. “Mary.”

Hiking her up on her hip, Annie walked through the kitchen – nabbing her sunglasses off the counter and sliding them on – before throwing open the back door and stepping into the warm sunlight. The sun was too hot on Annie’s sunburn, but she ignored it – letting Elena down, so she could run to Mary.

“MAYYYY!!!!”

“It’s Mary, goofball.” Mary giggled, holding out her arms and crouching down to scoop up the small, curly-haired toddler. “Evelyn, this is Elena. Annie’s her mom. They live next door.”

“Hi!” Annie jogged over, a smile on her face. Fake it ‘till you make it, bitch. She outstretched her hand, praying that Evelyn wouldn’t copy the way she first met Frank, and leave her hanging. “I’m Annie.”

“Evelyn Adler.” With a mild look of distaste, Evelyn grasped her outstretched hand and shook it gently. Holy crap, this lady’s British? Why doesn’t Frank have an accent? Because that wouldn’t be fair to the world. “Charmed.”

“Nice to meet you.” Annie shoved her hands in her shorts pockets, awkwardly. Stop thinking about her son while she’s standing there. This woman looks like she could read minds. “Frank’s on his way home from work, I think, if you wanna’ wait for him. I have some lemonade in my kitchen, if you’re thirsty.”

“How old is your daughter?” Evelyn asked, ignoring Annie’s offer and watching as Mary and Elena played with a random kickball in the yard. “She looks barely two.”

“She’ll be two in just a few months.” A small pang of distrust squeezed Annie’s chest, as she watched the disgusted look on Evelyn’s face. “She’s kind of short, but I think that’s my fault. I got the short gene.”

“You have a toddler in these living conditions?” Evelyn scoffed, glancing around at the brightly colored houses in distaste. “The bugs alone is reason enough to have this place condemned.”

Now hold on a damn minute.

There was nothing wrong with the eclectic houses in the little community. In fact, most of them were freshly painted and there were talks of putting in a small playground. There were only bugs outside. Where they belonged. You hadn’t even seen a spider, yet, in your house. And what was with that tone? What was she trying to imply?

“Though I suppose I’m not surprised that Frank would choose a dump like this to raise my granddaughter.” She continued, glaring at the small pile of tools that littered Frank’s front step from his little project that morning. “He’s always been more concerned about what’s best for him.”

“Now, hold the hell on.” Annie held up her hand, tone firm. “I might not have known Frank for very long, but you’re one hundred percent wrong. He’s only concerned about what’s best for Mary. Frank’s number one priority has always been Mary. Can you say the same?”

“Excuse me?” She took a step back in outrage, hand flying to her chest like she hadn’t ever been offended like that in her life. Ever the victim, Evelyn? “Who the hell are you to judge me, you little harlot.”

Don’t lose your cool, Annie. Don’t lose your cool.

“Woah, now, lady.” Annie’s arms crossed over her chest as she tried to keep her voice down, so the girls didn’t hear them. “Who the hell are you calling a harlot? Anyways, what kind of mother says shit like that about their own child, huh?”

“What do you know about parenting?” She sneered, standing tall and looking down at Annie like she was beneath her. “What kind of mother-”

“Evelyn, what the hell?” Suddenly Frank was standing in front of Annie, shielding her from Evelyn’s wrath with his towering stature. Everyone has a towering stature compared to you, Annie. His arms were crossed defensively, as he glared down at the older woman with the same level of distaste. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Annie glanced over at the young girls, who were too enthralled by the kickball and ignoring the arguing adults altogether. Good. The girls didn’t need adult drama in their life. Roberta was sitting on Annie’s step, watching the girls but sneaking glances over at the scene unfolding before them. Stepping out from behind Frank, Annie took a few steps back and watched the younger girls. She snuck glances, like Roberta, and listened to the two while standing on the sidelines – hoping it’d be perceived as moral support, rather than eavesdropping.  

“I came to bring Mary some more books.” Evelyn sighed, running her perfectly manicured fingers through her hair in frustration. “Honestly, Frank, do you even care about her education? She needs more books.”

“She goes to her classes, she has her books, you get her books… She’s fine, Evelyn.” Frank nearly growled, which sent a small shiver down Annie’s spine. Down, girl. “I told you that you could come see her, if you were civil. What I just walked in to was the opposite of civil.”

“Oh, please.” Evelyn laughed, condescending tone in full force. It was a surprise that anyone talked to this woman willingly. “That little squabble was merely me putting a little harlot in her place.”

Annie whipped around with a glare, watching the older woman watch her with a glint of satisfaction in her eye. Turning to Frank, Annie calmed her demeanor, “I’m going to walk away before I sucker-punch the elderly.”

As Annie turned back around, a warm hand was suddenly wrapped gently around her wrist – holding her in place. “Hold on, Annie.” Annie glanced at Frank in confusion, but his scowl was directed at his mother. “Evelyn’s leaving.”

“Do I at least get to say goodbye to my granddaughter?” Evelyn’s face faltered slightly, but she caught herself and crossed her arms over her chest. “Or are you going to keep that from me, as well?”

Frank’s shoulders dropped slightly, and his hand slipped from Annie’s wrist – taking his warmth with it and leaving her skin to tingle. “Of course, you can. If she wants a relationship with you, I’m not going to keep that from her.”

Evelyn’s only response was a hum, as she walked towards the young girls and called out Mary’s name. Annie couldn’t hear the quiet conversation between Evelyn and Mary, but Mary sprung forward and wrapped Evelyn in a hug – laughing when Elena did the same. Evelyn’s demeanor shifted into a happier one, as she gently patted the toddler on the head and bid her goodbye to her granddaughter.

“I’m sorry about her.” Frank’s deep voice cut through the silence, and Annie’s eyes flicked over to the seething man. His shoulders were tense as he shoved his hands in his pockets and tried not to glare in Evelyn’s direction while the young girls were watching. “This is the first time we’ve seen her in person for… a while.”

Annie watched his eyes track the older woman’s movements until she was back in her shiny car, speeding off towards the town. She could hear Roberta – ever the mind reader – calling the girls inside to have some more lemonade and finish their snack. “You don’t have to apologize for her, Frank.”

“I know, it’s just…” He cut off, turning quickly and stalking towards the garage, hands shaking by his sides. Annie jogged after him, as he continued, “God! She’s just…” He whirled around at Annie, startling her into freezing on the spot – a small pang of anxiety and panic squeezing at her chest. If he were a cartoon character, his tanned face would be flaming red and steam would be shooting out of his ears. “What the hell were you two arguing about?”

She hesitated for a moment, not sure how to proceed. She could straight up tell him the bullshit that was spouting out of his mother’s mouth – possibly pissing him off further. She could pretend like it was no big deal – though, he would more than likely know that she was omitting the truth. She didn’t want Frank to be upset, but at the same time… Evelyn made her bed.

She settled for a happy medium.

“You.” She shrugged, adjusting her sunglasses and running a hand through her annoyingly frizzing hair. She needed to hit up a salon for some better hair product. This salty humidity was ruining her hair. “The girls didn’t hear anything, though.”

He stared at her for a moment, analyzing her – though she wasn’t sure if it was because he thought she was lying or what was going on in that head of his. Though, secretly, she didn’t mind him staring at her. This just wasn’t the situation she had in mind when she fantasized about him doing it… Knock it off, Annie. Jesus Christ.

Turning back around, he stomped over to his front step, gathering the leftover tools that he’d left there from that morning’s project. His hands were trembling as he threw the tools into his metal tool box with loud clangs, cutting through the silent breeze of the late afternoon. Annie was waiting for the moment. The moment he lost it.

It was like he was toilet cleaner and tin foil in a Gatorade bottle…

He was about to explode.

“Fuck!” He dropped a screw driver onto the sidewalk, before tossing his entire toolbox onto the ground – making Annie jump in place, heart pounding from the sudden clang of metal. Here’s the explosion. “God dammit.”

She watched as he slid onto the steps, running both hands through his hair – nearly ripping out the soft-looking strands – and trying to breathe properly.

Annie knew exactly what it felt like to be that frustrated. Though, she had a great relationship with her mother, she was very aware of what it felt like to be on the edge of a breakdown because of another human being. She felt that way every time she encountered her stalker. It was a feeling that left a knot in your stomach, and made you want to pull your hair out.

Taking a tentative step forward, she slowly approached him like he was a wild animal – ready to spring and attack. “Frank.”

He glanced up at her, and the mother inside of her nearly keeled over in heartbreak. Those were the eyes of a young kid. One who desperately wished for the love of a mother who didn’t give him the time of day. The look of a child who just wanted to desperately be loved. The shine of heartbreak in those beautiful blue eyes nearly brought her to tears.

He must have sensed the sympathy radiating from Annie’s petite form, because his face immediately became impassive, a wall building up before her very eyes. God… this guy was just as damaged as she was. His shoulders tensed slightly, eyebrows pulling together for a moment as she watched him get worked up, again.

Suddenly, he sprung up, scaring Annie slightly as she took a giant step back. “She’s a real piece of fucking work, I swear to god.” He began pacing, back and forth in the grass a few feet away from the steps, where Annie retreated – sitting down and watching him pace like an angry zoo animal. “She comes out of nowhere – out of nowhere – and suddenly wants a relationship with Mary? Why? Because she’s a genius?” He stopped, throwing his hands up in the air for a moment – as if shouting to the high heavens. “If she gets her fucking claws into her, she’s going to end up like my fucking sister.”

Annie was taken aback by that statement, though not completely shocked.

From what little she knew about the situation, he was pretty accurate.

“Over my dead fucking body is Mary going to end up like Diane!” He nearly shouted at Annie, as she sat there patiently, waiting for him to let it all out. Clearly, he needed it. This man needs a therapist. Who didn’t nowadays? He went back to pacing, scratching at his tamed beard for a moment while he pieced together what was running through his mind. “She fucking disowned Diane when Mary was born. She doesn’t deserve any moment of Mary’s time.”

He stopped, glancing at Annie’s house as if Mary could suddenly hear every word he was saying, shoulders sagging.

It was Annie’s turn to talk, now.

She sprung up, brushing off the back of her shorts and smoothing down her slouchy shirt. “Alright, get in the truck.”

Turning to her, his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion as he tilted his head, “What?”

“Get. In. The. Truck.” She repeated slowly, gesturing to her old pickup with the best mom-face she could muster. “You’re going to give me directions to the nearest drinking establishment, and we’re going to talk about it.”

“You don’t have to-”

“Too bad.” She began walking towards her house, Frank slowly following behind her. His lips twitched slightly upwards as her tiny frame bossed at him, but she was too busy taking charge to notice. “I’m going to ask Roberta to watch the kids and grab my purse. Truck’s unlocked. Get in it, Adler.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Part 5 ...coming soon to a tumblr near you!

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

New Beginnings (OPEN):

@fizzylollipop12 @joannie95  

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[storywars-r]

True Love, Jellyfish, and Theoretical Physics

Chapter 1 by R

I'd never fallen in love before that day. Even the idea of love was foreign, something out of a storybook, not something that would ever happen to me.

Still, it happens. I suppose that love works like that. Not that I'd know.

This, this is how it began, a summer day on a windswept beach where I met the person who I loved, who had the most interesting mind and the beautiful heart that the world had ever seen.

This is how I met Alex.

Chapter 2 by romantiCaveman

First things first, I hate trips to the beach.

It's not terrible if I cover up and bring a book, but otherwise I'm bored to tears and spend the next few weeks sunburnt. Still, the bathrooms suck, sand gets everywhere, people are obnoxious, and quite frankly I've never felt great about my body.

The big thing, though, is that I can never get comfortable swimming. I don't get the excitement of waves and also have never quite gotten over a childhood incident and subsequent phobia of the ocean, which if you'll forgive me, I rather not talk about.

But I had to get out of my cousin's beach house, so I walked along the beach. I saw a beached jellyfish and was about to avert my eyes and made a wide detour around it, until I did a double take.

It wasn't a jellyfish.

It was a pink swim top.

Chapter 3 by Kaitlyn Boroska

My eyes trailed out into the ocean, squinting so I could see farther into the distance. Confused, I tilted my head questionably at the figure bobbing in the distance. With a jolt, I realized it was a person. Noticing me, the person began waving one arm frantically in the air, trying desperately to catch my attention.

"Hey!" The person shouted at the top of their lungs. "Can you bring me my swim top, please? I've been out here for about an hour. I look like a dried up prune!"

A small smile danced across my face, a giggle coming out of my mouth against my will. "Sure, I..." I began quietly, trailing off as I bent down to pick up the top and dust the sand away. My phobia of the ocean. I never thought that I might actually have to confront it, and certainly not today. "I don't know if I can!" I shouted back apologetically, my voice shaking slightly.

"What? You can't?" She yelled, confused. I stared at my feet, not able to think of an appropriate excuse as to why I couldn't help her. "Please, I'm exhausted!" She called eventually, sounding exactly as tired as she claimed to be.

With a slight sigh, I glanced up and squinted in her direction again. Clutching the top in my hand, I took a step into the ocean, my heart beating out of my chest.

Chapter 4 by intellikat

"Wait! Wait!" The girl shouted.

I froze, up to my shins.

"I need you to do something for me."

"Beside from bringing you this?" I called out, holding the swim top aloft.

"I'm sorry. Forgive me if this sounds strange," she said. "But I need you... to take off your bottoms."

"Yeah. Yeah. That does sound a bit strange."

"It's just that I'm out here, topless. You're a stranger. And... well, I'd feel a whole lot better if you were naked too."

"Really?" I shouted. "It's not going to make you more uncomfortable if I'm carrying a swim top out to you naked?"

I looked around. The length of the beach was fairly deserted, with only a few sunbathers in the distance.

"Look... I... I'm not really comfortable in the water," I added.

"Well, this will help you."

"How so?"

"Are you ashamed of your body?" she asked.

"What? No...! No, of course not."

"What is it then?"

I had waded in a bit deeper so that the water was up to my belly now. I knew I was going to have to get the top to her one way or another. Perhaps I could get within range and throw it.

"Just... something that happened what I was a kid."

"You're afraid of the ocean?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm. Well. I'm afraid the discovery of the Higgs boson may signal the end of the universe and human existence, but that doesn't keep me from getting on with it."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind. You're not a physicist, are you."

"No."

"Thank god."

I took a deep breath and slipped off my shorts below the waterline. I was now holding her top and my bottoms in one hand. I began to move toward her, hoping the gentle waves would not crest and then drop below the current level, exposing my body to this girl.

"Well, you're doing great," she said.

"At what? Oh."

"Just focus on me."

I was within about 8 meters of her now, and could see her much more clearly. Her porcelain-skinned arms were covering her small chest, and a shock of dark hair was blown around her face. She looked a bit of a mess, in truth.

"Well. Come here."

I lifted the pink swim top to her.

"Come closer, stupid." She smiled. "I'm not going to reach out for it like this."

Awkwardly, I half-turned back to the beach and toed closer to her. I could feel the smooth sand on the ocean floor below, and I could feel the wind rise and fall. The sun was warm on my dry back, which was still above the water.

I suddenly realized how far out I really was. At least to me. I couldn't remember ever having come this far in the water since that day long ago. The other beachgoers were still there in the distance, oblivious to what was happening.

"Okay."

I turned.

"Thank you."

She was wearing the top now, and her arms were freed. A bright smile was splashed across her face and her eyes were squinted against the bright sun, surrounded by toasty freckles. She looked... asian? Or Italian? Or some combination? I couldn't tell.

"I'm Alex," she said.

"Tom," I replied.

And to tell you the truth, I don't remember what we talked about for the next few hours. Even now.

I remember we splashed about in the water a bit longer. She was a bit of a tease. And then we returned to the beach and her towel, which we shared. I remember a tattered copy of Kerouac lying beside the highest level SPF sunscreen I'd ever seen. I think I joked about it. And about Kerouac.

We grew hungry as the sun dipped lower, and we found we both had nothing better to do than to eat together at a pub near the beach, and then drink together, and when the time came I casually invited her back to my cousin's beach house (who was away for the weekend). I said it in such a way that if she refused, the rejection would be blunted by my non-committal way of joking about it, but when she paused and responded simply by taking my hand, I felt as if I was in the ocean again... my heart pounding and the waves at once terrifying.

I paid the bill and we disappeared into the night, headed back across the sand.

Chapter 5 by Laura Frost

We talked, that night. About anything and everything. It was the kind of conversation that went in a thousand different directions, flowing from one topic to the next. I didn't even know how much time had passed, until I looked outside and saw the sun starting to rise.

Alex starts to sing. "Good morning, good morning, we talked the whole night through..."

"I love that movie," I say.

"Same." A brief look of disappointment flashes across her face. "I'm sorry. I have to go now, I have class."

"It's okay." I grab a sticky note from the kitchen counter and scribble my cell number on it. "Here. If you...want to talk again. Or meet up again."

"Thanks." She takes it. "Do you want to get coffee sometime? Maybe tomorrow? I don't have anything going on."

I already can't wait for tomorrow. "Yes. I'd love to."

"Awesome." We've made it to the door. She departs in silence, and waves from the driveway. I wave back. She smiles, and not to long after, she is gone. It's only then that I realize how tired I am.

I head upstairs, and for the first time in years, dream about the ocean without being afraid.

Chapter 6 by -

*One of the MCs is dying of an incurable disease, dun dun dunnnnn*

I wake up the next morning, bright and early. I take a nice warm shower and throw on a little bit of cologne. I do my hair nice and neat, and put on my favorite shirt and shorts. I go to the coffee shop down the street and order myself a chai tea. I've never been one for coffee, but I like tea!

I sit for a while, thinking Alex has blown me off, when I notice a girl who looks like Alex sitting in the corner booth. Oh my gosh! It is Alex! I quickly walk over and apologize for being late.

"I didn't see you over here!" I say as I walk up.

"Haha. It's okay. I didn't see you over there!" She responds. Whew! I guess that was lucky. We talk for a while, getting to know each other better when I ask her to come to the beach. I just have this crazy feeling like I want to go in the ocean again. I know! I know! I shouldn't feel like this if I'm afraid of the ocean, but yesterday was fun!

"Sure! I'd love to!" Alex jumps up from the table. "In fact, I have my bathing suit on! I was planning on going there right after this." Oh. I don't. That means I'll have to bring her back to my cousin's house before going to the beach.

"Well... I.... Um..." I stutter. "You can come over again for a couple minutes while I change..." I offer.

"Sure!" Alex respons, not thinking anything is wrong. But then the realization crosses her face. My cousin's beach house only has one room and a bathroom. It is very small and it would be uncomfortable if I changed in front of her. Or would it? No! NO! NOOO! I don't want to be thinking like that! I'm trying to be a gentleman here!

"Or you could meet me there...?" I say with a half smile.

"No. It's okay. You're cousin's beach house is literally on the beach! I can wait outside or something..." She flashes a sly smile and I instantly fall for her. I give her a sly smile back and we head off to my cousin's house.

When we're there, Alex asks if she should wait outside, but I invite her in, and she comes without hesitating.

"To tell you the truth," Alex starts, "I already saw your stuff..." She gives me a glance, and my face starts to burn and go pale at the same time. This always happens when I'm embarrassed. You see, I have an incurable disease that makes my blood pressure drop deathly when I get too embarrassed. But I don't know how to tell Alex this!

"Ohmygosh!" Alex looks at me with a concerned look. "You're getting really pale. Do you need a drink?" She asks politely, obviously not knowing what to do in this situation. I sit down and slowly move my head back and forth.

"I just have this... um... diseas...?" I start to explain.

Chapter 7 by Fanwizard

Alex's mouth opened, but no words came out.

"W-what?" Alex's voice is soft. "You mean-"

"I'm dying. And there's no way I can be cured," I confirmed.

I'd never said those words out loud, but now, the reality of it all hit me. I would be dead within a few weeks. Eventually, people would forget me and I would fade into memories, distant faint memories.

"Oh, Tom, sweetie," Alex gently touches my cheek with the palm of her hands. I almost flinch, but her hand is surprisingly gentle and soft. "I don't know what to say."

We're silent for a few minutes. I wonder what Alex is thinking, because I know what I'm thinking. How did the girl I met yesterday, the one that I brought a pink swim top to in the ocean, be the one I suddenly tell my deepest secret to?

Soon, it won't be a secret how I died. People will muse about how sad it was that Thomas Schreave died so young, but really, most of the people at my funeral will have barely known me. I wasn't exactly a popular guy.

I'd known that I would never live too long, but it didn't stop me from thinking about a girlfriend, maybe eventually marriage, children, and growing old with the person I loved if a miracle happened.

But who would want to date a dying guy?

No miracles seem to be coming my way anytime soon. The best I could hope for, to be realistic, is another week at the most added to the time between now and my expiration date. Two weeks if I'm lucky.

Finally, I break under all my thoughts, and jump back to the present too fast.

I take the hand that Alex has on my cheek in my own hand, and press my lips against hers gently.

Chapter 8 by Fanwizard

Alex almost immediately kisses me back. Her fingers become tangled in my hair. I try to remember whether or not I brushed my hair this morning, but I can't.

I slide my hands to the small of Alex's back. When was the last time I kissed a girl like this?

Then, I remember.

Before I had been diagnosed. Before I had forced myself not to get too attached to anyone, because I'd end up hurting them in the end.

Stop it, Tom, I chided myself. Stop focusing on that.

Alex pulls back, and studies my eyes. Hers remind me of chocolate, warm and the absolute perfect shade of brown, but with an outer lining of amber, which catches the light and turns her eyes golden.

"Alex," my throat seems tight.

"How much time do you have left?"

"Three weeks."

Alex's chocolate eyes soften. "A-are you afraid-"

"Of dying?"

Alex nodded, but doesn't say anything.

"No, I'm not. I think it would be silly to fear death, since everyone will eventually die."

"How long have you known?"

"For a while now. I spent three years in a hospital, stabbed and poisoned by doctors, but finally put an end to it. They weren't helping, just delaying my death. I'd rather live a short, free life, than live a miserable, long life stuck in a hospital."

Alex closes her eyes. "I really don't know why it matters so much to me, that you're going to die in twenty-one days. If not for yesterday, you would have been another stranger to me."

"You can thank jellyfish and your top. Otherwise, another handsome and charming guy would have brought you your top."

Alex smiles faintly, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "I don't believe in true love at first sight."

"I don't either," I admit.

Suddenly, I felt faint. The world seemed to spin and shrink, then expand. I collapsed.

"Tom! Tom?" Alex lunged to catch me from hitting the floor. Her voice seemed to be everywhere, then nowhere at the same time. "Omigod! Tom?"

Three weeks too early. It was happening. Right now, far away from all of my family. Not really having a chance to say goodbye.

"Don't call 911," I blindly reach for Alex's hand, but manage to find it. "I'm not going back to that hospital. I can't go back. Please."

Alex hesitated. "You wanna die?"

"No one wants to die. But it's best for everyone." My eyelids began to feel heavy, my throat closing in on itself.

"Tom, please."

"It's not their fault," I murmured. "It's not your fault."

"I-I-I," Alex seemed at a loss for words.

"Alex, it's going to be okay."

"Is it?" Alex said softly, squeezing my hand. I could feel my heart beginning to slow.

"Yes. It is."

My eyes closed. I was starting to slip away.

"I love you," Alex said quietly. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I don't know if Alex heard it or not, but I hoped she did.

Alex leaned over and pressed her lips against mine one last time, before I slipped away completely.

[spacedorksandlions]

some things never change

A Kidge fluffy summer au because why not! 

Also on AO3

She loves him, she supposes. It is simple enough. One of her brother’s friends, a few years older than she is. It would have been a love story for the ages, right? High school sweethearts, friends. Two people who manage to click into place early-on and no matter who gets between them, they easily fit back into a routine.

It’s a shame the world doesn’t work that simply, doesn’t it?

*

They’re both in college when memories resurface that make her blush. And the conversation isn’t even about him. Nobody knows that they were friends for years. Not a single soul knows that they were there for each other during the darkest times in their lives.

She’s texting Keith furiously, a furrow in her brow as she rants about the day. She doesn’t even notice as one of her friends snatches her phone from her hand.

“What have we here?” Lance declares, and she’s ready to punch him in the gut and take back her phone. “Katie has a boyfriend.”

“Gimme back my phone.” She stands up, a hand on her waist and the other outstretched. “He’s not my boyfriend.” She’s mildly relieved that his name on her phone is Red, an inside joke from their childhood.

Her upperclassman friend begins scrolling upwards through the messages. “You’re like an old married couple. Seriously.”

She jumps up, retaking her phone. “We are not,” she huffs. “And how many times have I told you and Hunk? Don’t. Touch. My. Stuff.”

Her phone vibrates in her hand, and she scowls at the message.

She picks up her backpack, slinging it over her shoulder. “See you in class.”

She manages to make it to a quiet hall in one of the academic buildings when she lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She closes her eyes for a second, memories from their childhood resurfacing, one of a group project back in high school where they’d tease each other and get into stupid arguments.

She had wanted to date him.

She had wanted to go to prom with him.

But neither of those things happened, because everyone teased them about it. And he seemed so offended when their families and friends had made those comments that she wouldn’t say anything.

She takes out her phone, shooting a message to him with a smiley emoji, a thanks for listening to her complaining even though he has an exam the next day.

They’ve been just friends for years.

Her heart still flutters as she hits send.

*

They meet up again that summer, a huge beach trip that she’s managed to finagle together and they’re holding at the beach house of one of her sorority sisters. Allura is the daughter of a CEO and amazingly rich. In fact, the beach week was her idea. She’s bringing her friends from home and school at Allura’s request of “the more the merrier”.

She’s the one who is driving, her green pickup filled to the brim with suitcases and beach stuff. Keith’s next to her, shoes up on the dash. She’s given up telling him to put his feet down; he’s done this ever since she got her license—she and Matt drove him to college. Matt’s asleep in the backseat, thankfully not snoring, but she’ll be mad if he leaves drool stains on the seats. Shiro’s already there, having offered to bring food ahead of time.

“Pidge,” Keith says, as the music changes from summer beachy pop to Katie’s next playlist of songs.

She hums in acknowledgement.

“Who’s going to be here?” He’s not the most outgoing, especially around people she doesn’t know.

She gives him a quick overview of her friends, explaining how Lance will flirt with anyone, how Hunk is super sweet, and how Allura is a little bit overbearing but a genuinely beautiful soul. It seems like she’s the connecting factor, and that’s somewhat worrying.

She’s about to mention as much when Keith stops scrolling through her phone.

“Wait, you have the entire Hamilton soundtrack and the Hamilton Mixtape on your phone? Why are we listening to anything else?”

She laughs at that, a bubbling laughter that has tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. She’s not even able to catch her breath as the music starts up. “You’re such a dork.”

“You’re one to talk,” he quips back.

They arrive as the sun is high in the sky, to a house that’s more like a mansion than anything. It’s white with blue accents, and Allura waves from the second-floor balcony, dressed in a lilac sundress and her platinum-colored hair blowing in the wind. Katie honks her horn in response.

Keith folds his arms, leaning over to whisper, “You didn’t say that she’s freaking rich.”

She parks the car, jolting her brother from his sleep. “Wake up, Matt.”

*

They spend most of their time at the beach, as Katie watches from the safety of the shaded indoors. She does not want a sunburn within the first two days of their time. She finds herself watching the others, and chilling in Allura’s hot tub, because of course she’s got a hot tub. She’s wearing a one-piece swimsuit, the only one she’s got.

Allura’s appalled at that, and drags Katie to a nearby surf shop to buy new bathing suits, and Katie settles on two different ones that meet the older girl’s requirements: bikini and flattering. She likes the first one the best, the top’s green with white polka dots and paired with a high-waisted bottom. Allura insists on the other, a strapless push-up top with frills and equally frilled bottoms. It’s a red that is surprisingly flattering on her, but that she’d never buy if Allura hadn’t encouraged her.

She makes her way to the beach that day, wide-brimmed hat on her head and wearing the highest SPF sunscreen she’d found. Everyone else seems to have bonded well, even if Keith and Lance seem to be at each other’s throats. It’s amusing: two of her closest friends who are surprisingly similar can’t stand the sight of each other.

She turns as she hears Hunk call out, “Katie! You’re outside!” He’s floating out in the ocean on a yellow tube. He waves, causing himself to tumble out and into the waves. He resurfaces a few seconds later, “I’m okay!”

Managing a wave, she grins. “I’m gonna end up burnt. Like Matt.” She inclines her head at her brother, whose back is already pink and peeling.

“Gross,” Lance says, already walking towards her, Keith hot on his heels. Apparently, their one-on-one volleyball match wasn’t working out.

“Not all of us can have a ton of melanin,” Keith replies drily, “What’s with the sundress, Pidge?”

“Didn’t want to get burnt, that’s all.” She puts down her towel underneath the umbrella, silently grateful that this isn’t a public beach with lots of people. It’s nice. She’s not about to admit that she feels strange wearing a bikini for the first time in years.

“Can’t get burnt if you’re underwater,” Lance declares. “Now toss that dress and let’s go!”

“I, uh-” she gulps. “Okay.” She drops her hat on the towel, before tugging at the bottom of her dress. What does it matter, it’s just a bikini. Still, she covers her body, as much as her arms will allow.

Lance whistles. “Damn, girl, trying to kill us? Polka dots and everything.”

“Really?” Keith bristles, “Uncalled for, man.”

Katie waves it off. “Allura took me out shopping.” She loops her arms through both of theirs and starts dragging them towards the water. As she does, she adds, “Tease me about this suit again and you’ll wake up floating on a mattress in the ocean.”

Keith lets out a hesitant laugh, while Lance snorts. “Sure, sure.”

“She’s not joking,” Keith says, deadpan.

“Sorry.”

She just smiles in response, and Lance rushes towards the water.

“You’re devious, you know that?”

“Please, you’re the one who taught me most of my pranks.” She elbows Keith in the ribs. “Plus he’s a serial flirt. He’s never gonna end up really dating if he keeps it up.”

“You know, you do look nice like that,” he says, not looking at her.

“Liar.”

“I’m not going to toss you in the water.”

She stares at him in confusion for a second before he scoops her up by her waist. She struggles, limbs flailing, as he gets to knee-deep water. “Don’t you-” He winds up as the next rolling wave comes forward and launches her, “-dare!”

Katie tumbles underneath the water, her hair falling in front of her face. She gasps as she submerges, and gets bowled over by another, larger wave. Her feet are swept out from underneath her and she can’t tell which way is up when she feels an arm around her waist again, this time pulling her out of the water.

“I hate you, what was that for?”

“Well, now calling me a liar is true.”

“Seriously, to prove a point?”

“Yup.”

“I hate you.”

He laughs, beaming at her as he lets her down slowly. “Nah, you love me.”

She whacks him on the head but doesn’t deny it.

*

Allura pulls her to the side right before their vacation is almost over, in a secluded hallway. The older girl’s all awkward and nervous, clenching and relaxing her hands.

“You okay, Allura?”

“Not really. I’m tense. This is a tense situation.”

Katie arches an eyebrow. “Why?”

Her face turns pink, not quite matching the tattoos on her cheekbones. “I may….” She mumbles the last bit hastily and quiet.

“What?”

“I may have kissed Shiro.”

“And?”

“I haven’t talked to him since.”

Katie rolls her eyes at that. “Go. Talk to him.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” She rolls her eyes again. “Go!”

Allura leaves, her maxi dress catching the wind and making her look more eloquent than ever. She turns around at the end of the hall. “You should talk to Keith.”

“What?”

“I’m not blind.” And with that, she leaves the hall.

She’s not crushing on the guy she got over five years ago. Or flirting.

Right?

Katie decides to seclude herself in her room for the rest of the afternoon, only emerging for meals and other necessities. Everything feels heavy, as she’s realizing just what it is that she feels about Keith. And yeah, she likes him. She’s liked him since she was a silly freshman in high school and he was two years older and actually valued her as a person. Or maybe it was before that, when he’d find her skipping class in middle school, when she was in sixth grade and he was in eighth, making sure that she was actually okay and fighting her bullies to make sure that they don’t tease her again. Or maybe it was when Matt dragged his new friends home when she was still in preschool and the grumpy black-haired one smiled at her and said she was pretty.

She flops down onto her bed and screams into her pillow.

There’s a knock at her door.

“One second.”

“Kitty, open up.”

She makes her way over to the door, opening it just a crack. “Hey, Matt.”

“Can I come in?”

She opens the door, and her brother moves past her, taking a seat on her bed. “You okay, Kitty?”

“Actually, yeah.” She presses her lips into a thin line before smiling. “I’ve just been thinking.”

“About?”

“Something Allura asked me.”

“She’s been nagging me all week about Shiro and also about your relationship with Keith.” He folds his arms. “Guessing it’s the second one?”

“Both, actually. But you’re right.”

“Are you finally going to ask my idiot friend out?”

She stares at her brother exasperatedly. “I was just going to talk to him.”

“You should ask him out.”

Katie punches her brother in the arm. “Why would I do that?”

“Because he’s oblivious.”

“Oh.” She’s about to punch him again, when she halts mid-swing. “OH!”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

Matt smirks at her. “Maybe get your vocabulary back up from monosyllables before doing that.”

“You suck.”

“Still monosyllabic.”

*

They’re all leaving the next morning, and Katie’s by herself. Everyone else is out lounging on the beach, but Katie finds herself in the hot tub once again. Her other bathing suit’s out to dry, so she’s stuck wearing the very revealing one and doesn’t want to deal with more sunburn than she’s already got.

She still hasn’t talked to Keith. She’s not sure what to say. How do you tell one of your closest friends that you’re in love with them without freaking them out and either sending them running for the hills or causing yourself heartbreak?

“Hey, Pidge.” His voice breaks her out of her ponderings.

“Keith? What are you doing here?” She sinks herself even lower into the water, so that it covers her chest as well. “I thought you were on the beach with everyone else.”

“Mind if I join you?”

“Not like I could stop you if I tried,” she shoots back, a grin crossing her face.

He strips off his black shirt and she doesn’t stare at his abs or chest at all. Nope. Not a chance. Sliding into the hot tub right next to her, blanching. There are bubbles from the jets, obscuring her body, but all that’s visible is her head and shoulders.

“Please tell me you’re wearing a top.”

She deadpans, face expressionless, “No. Got a problem with that?”

He starts stammering, his face going from ghostly pale to as red as her bikini. “I—uh…”

She manages to keep a straight face for a solid fifteen seconds before the corners of her lips start to twitch and she bursts out into laughter. “Oh, gosh, your face!”

“That was not funny, Pidge!!”

“Really?” She raises an eyebrow. He does look mortified though.

“I hate you.”

“Nah, you love me,” she responds.

“Can’t deny that,” he mutters, resting his head back on the side of the hot tub, staring intently at the ceiling.

She shifts so she’s resting her head against his chest. “Sorry I’ve been distant the past few days.”

“Allura said you were worrying about something. I figured you’d talk to me if you wanted to. Besides, I still do have my phone and you didn’t send me any messages.”

“Still sorry.”

“Want to talk about it?” he runs a hand through her hair, fiddling with the ends.

“Not sure how to talk about it,” she mumbles into his chest.

“Please, you rant to me about the stupidest little things that happen to you. I know you can ramble.”

Katie sighs. “True.”

“I won’t force you to talk.”

She pulls herself up to sitting, forcing to look him in the eyes. She knows she’s vulnerable in this moment, but that doesn’t matter. They’ve already nearly crossed the line a few times this vacation, borderline breaking their friendship in the hope for more. She only vainly hopes that he feels the same.

“You’re one of the people who’s closest to me, you know that, right?” She begins, and she sees his face fall at that. Immediately she starts backtracking, inwardly cursing herself for starting like that. That sounds like she’s got a secret, like some huge dark secret like being an addict or something. She doesn’t realize that her brain-to-mouth filter is already gone. She reminds him of how they’d always been teased about being a couple in their younger years, and how even now she’s being teased by Lance about it.

She’s rambling now, her words circling back and going on tangents, yet he seems enthralled by her words, watching her as she gestures with her hands and bites her lower lip between sentences. Keith catches one of her hands in his own.

“Pidge,” he says softly, despite her continuing to ramble. “Hey.”

“It’s stupid that I like you okay? I know you don’t feel the same so—”

He cuts her off, “Wait, why do you say that?”

“Because you’ve acted the same around me for years.”

“You’ve acted the same for years.”

“I’ve liked you for years,” she snaps.

“Same.”

“Guess they’re telling the truth of us bickering like a couple.”

He leans forward. “We’d have to be a couple first.”

She tilts her head up. “Clearly I’m not opposed to that.” She’s drawn to his lips, and it’s taking all of her self control not to lean forward and close the mere inches between them.

“Good.” He licks his lips, “Can I kiss you?”

“I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

*

To everyone else, it seems as though little has changed. The only indication is that Katie now lets him rub circles into her shoulders when it appears that no one is looking, and that Keith doesn’t feel awkward when she interlaces her fingers with his.

It’s a subtle change, but honestly, that’s just how she likes it. She pecks him on the cheek while they sit by the bonfire that night, eliciting a wolf-whistle from Lance and a shout of “took you guys long enough!” from her brother.

She settles herself into Keith’s side, watching the crackling firewood. It’s surprising, that it’s taken them years to settle and realize how they feel. But honestly, she doubts they would have been ready for it beforehand. Breathing deeply, she inhales the scent of smoke and saltwater mingled with something she has no word for other than Keith.

He wraps an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

*

The following semester, Lance steals her phone again, holding it out of her reach. “Who’re you texting? Your boyfriend?”

“Yes. Now, Lance, give me my phone back.”

“Nuh-uh.” He fiddles with her phone for a minute before clicking send, and Katie groans. “What did you send him?”

“Just a picture of you from the summer.”

Katie snatches back her phone. “How many times have I told you not to touch my things?”

He shrugs.

She smiles at the picture. Some things never change, do they?

[lrrf-blog1]

I remember summer, back when it wasn't a season but a lifetime, endless weeks that hardly moved, trampolines and bikes in hot suburbs, Capri Sun packets, french fries and chlorine. I remember the smell of leaf litter on the floor of the forest behind my house, a tree stump I'd stand on, the way the wind would move the trees in a rustle that crescendoed. I lie in darkness and I think about these feelings, and how I don't remember a thing from this year, how I don't remember a single goddamn thing. One of those summers, sitting on a curb, airsoft guns lain across our knees, my friend Sam told me how he'd taken a girl from High School to the woods back behind his house, and how they'd fucked on the dirt. I think it was a lie, but I didn't know it was a lie back then, and I remember walking the streets back home and seeing dusk move in and wondering to myself if I was supposed to be fucking girls, too. That night, when I opened my bedroom door, I felt something was wrong. I went into the bathroom and when I turned on the light and looked in the mirror, I saw for the first time what had been staring back at me for my whole life- the thing that had always been there, but that I'd never looked at before. He had blue eyes like mine, black hair like mine, full lips like mine, round cheeks like mine. He smiled at me, a crooked smile full of yellowed, tiny teeth, tiny teeth far too small for a mouth that large. I went to sleep and I thought about him. Over the years, he changed. Red splotches started to appear on his cheeks. His hair became long and scraggly. His eyes became hollow, black bags. In the morning I would look at him and he would never say a word, but he'd smile at me, and look me over, and in his eyes I would see questions. "Are you going to stay like this? Floundering? Drifting? Where are the girls? Where is the sex? Where is the fun?" I would always look at him and turn back away. I ate more food, I started lifting weights. I obsessed. I must gain more weight and I must gain more muscle, that is how I change the mirror, that is how I change the mirror into someone new. One day in my musty basement I struggled to push the bar over my chest, for one last rep, and I buckled and failed and the clang on the safety bars snapped something in my mind and I screamed, I screamed like an animal. I took the metal fan on the floor and I smashed it into the ground, I kicked it and my feet turned bloody, I screamed and let the rage come through at the fingertips, and it was a heap of metal on the floor at my feet. I couldn't let mom see. I picked it up and I carried it into the woods behind my house and gave it a grave. I was eating too much. The face in the mirror was fat. The face in the mirror was pudgy and reddened, pustules and whiteheads were growing in a petri dish. If I lost some of the fat and maintained my newly gained muscle, and took better care of my skin, the mirror monster would be kinder to me. I must eat no sugary carbs. I must cut out all dairy. I will wash my face every morning and night, I will use proper acne treatments, I will wear a daily SPF. I have to, or the mirror monster will keep crawling out of my bathroom in the dead of night and sit at the foot of my bed and look at me with glinting eyes in the darkness and drool on me and spit at me while I slept. I cannot keep eating this way, I am rail thin. How many years has it now been? I made myself find a girl, and when the time for sex came, the mirror monster crawled out of the bathroom and I looked at him above the bed, and she asked me what was wrong but I just said "I'm sorry." And I couldn't get it up, and couldn't get it in, and she left crying. When she closed her car door and drove away, I turned around and there he was, standing in the middle of my living room, naked, thin, pudgy, fat, with long fingernails and an untrimmed beard, messy hair clouding a child's fat face, filled with deep legions of red pus. I will kill him. The dermatologist tells me I don't need accutane, that my treatment is going well, and that a few more months like this and I'll be fine. Is she stupid? Her skin is porcelain. Her body is flawless. She has never seen a mirror monster. She has never felt it spit on her. Another dermatologist will give it to me. "GIVE IT TO ME NOW" I scream as the mirror monster creeps into the examination room, on all fours, tiny cock hanging out, fat ass on a rail thin body, jaw hanging agape like a corpse. I take a pill every day and the mirror monster starts to fall apart. His skin peels off in sheets and his eyes turn red and ghastly. I do not want to eat, my body sweats in the night. Dreams of deserts. My body is the trunk of a tree. Where is the water? I am alone here, it is so cold, who knocks on the door? I wake up with a jump. I walk to the door. My rail thin footsteps make no sound. I open the door and there he is, but now his skin is cracked and bleeding. He has no eyes, they are black holes. I will kill him. For breakfast? Fruit and eggs, with a side of coffee. No dairy, please. I want to eat healthy. That's how you kill a mirror monster. My bones creak with every step I take. I am poisoning myself. Late at night I call my mother, miles away. I sob into the phone, a deep, animal's sob, and I ask her when it's going to go away. I feel it's breath on my neck in the dark while we speak. She asks if she needs to come get me. I tell her no. I tell her I want off the medication, I want my skin to be clear and I want off the medication. I tell her I haven't been to the gym in a year. I am too skinny for all my clothes. In the darkness the mirror monster laughs, a cackling, deafening series of cracks. That night he put his long fingernails into my eyes and pushed hard. The pain was like dying again and again in every way you can imagine. When summer came back, I stopped taking the pills. I spent my days sleeping in, watching the sun come in my window, and the mirror monster stayed in the bathroom. I would check on him to make sure he did not follow me, I'd check on him every five minutes some days, but he didn't follow me too often. I started going to the gym, I started eating just as much as my body wanted, no more, and no less. Things began to improve. My therapist told me the mirror monster could go away someday. My skincare routine was working, people said I looked great. She is wrong. She is an idiot. She has never seen a mirror monster crawl through the windows and ceiling of her home. Tonight, I lie in the darkness, it's like I'm floating in a void. I think back to the smell of summers as a child, and I realize I have remembered no smells since those long gone days, that I have remembered no feelings. That the mirror monster is what I see when I close my eyes, and that the pacing pitter patter of his footsteps in the darkness means he will be there to greet me in the sunlight of morning. Tomorrow in the light of the morning I will board the bus and as I look out the window at the rolling town, I will see his smiling ghost blocking the scene.