#// we let them talk out rules on disco last night so yeah this is a thing

[lordkingsmith]

June lyric prompts 2024

1. Leave it to me to get into some kinda trouble/breaking a rule, crossing a line/leave it to me to step into chaos/tame fire with one hand on the other I could die/I’ve just fallen ten stories but that ain’t hurtin/just dance in fire/but that boy, he is my/current emergency-current emergency by Savannah Campbell

2. And the blood will dry, underneath my nails/And the wind will rise up, to fill my sails/See you can doubt, and you can hate/But I know, no matter what it takes/I'm coming home-coming home by Skylar Grey

3. Always catching myself at night/Only go out when the sun goes down/I got an ocean of emotion inside/I am not Poseidon lover's island but I ride him in the riptide-crybaby by roseboi

4. There’s a dirt road in town/where the north wind blows in jest,/and the midnight sun burns low,/in the woods where now they rest/and the tents in the fields break the younger men’s backs/and corsets and the heels pop the drunken gents slacks/Soapy Smith laid his hand, raised ‘em up in this land/long gone-forever he’s damned-Diamond Lil by Seth and Sara

5. The girl was never there/It's always the same/I'm running towards nothing/Again and again and again.-A Forest by Kaleida

6. And the stress it unwinds/To a pulse of true time/And the symbols they rhyme/Pouring out into my mind/I'm here feeling it all/I'm here, big and small/I can do anything/I can do nothing/I am free, I'm free in my mind-Free by Ocie Elliott

7. Who's that sexy thing I see over there?/That's me, standin' in the mirror/What's that icy thing hanging 'round my neck?/Um, that's gold, show me some respect, oh-Me, Too by Meghan Trainor

8. Such boundless pleasure/We've no time for later now/You can't await your own arrival/You've twenty seconds to comply-Let Go by Imogen Heap

9. I am a collapsing star with tunnel vision/But only for you/My head is stripped just like a screw that's been tightened too many times/When I think of you/I will shield you from the waves/If they find you/I will protect you/Just tell me, tell me, tell me, I/I am the only one/Even if it's not true-Last of the real ones by Fall Out Boy

10. There's a haze above my TV/That changes everything I see/And maybe if I continue watching/I'll lose the traits that worry me/Can we fast forward to go down on me?-New Perspective by Panic!At the disco

11. My body's aching/System overload/Temperature's rising/I'm about to explode/Watch me I'm intoxicated/Taking the show, ah/It's got me hypnotized, ah/Everybody step aside-evacuate the dance floor by Cascada

12. Still harder getting up, getting dressed, living with this regret/But I know if I could do it over/I would trade, give away all the words that I saved in my heart/That I left unspoken-what hurts the most by rascal flatts

13. Time to stage a show/smile and pretend/drown in sorrows and cry/tell them all these little white lies/oh, god knows that I’ve tried/pretend that I’m fine-blame by pocket key

14. Recount the night that/I first met your mother/And on the drive back to my house/I told you that, I told you that I loved ya/You felt the weight of the world/Fall off your shoulder/And to your favorite song/We sang along to the start of forever/And after all this time I'm still into you-into you by Paramore

15. Came a time/When every star fall/Brought you to tears again/We are the very hurt you sold/And what's the worst you take/From every heart you break?-Helena by My Chemical Romance

16. Haven't had a dream in a long time/See, the life I've had/Can make a good man bad/So for once in my life/Let me get what I want/Lord knows, it would be the first time-please please please by the smiths

17. I don't need no honey, I want more money/Talking that bad money, that mad money/Only get silly for a billy, yeah, I said I'ma need a couple more zeros on that-Zeros by headie one(feat. Jazzy & cassö)

18. Check yes Juliet/Here's the countdown/Three, two, one, now fall in my arms/Now they can change the locks/Don't let them change your mind

19. I know temptation is the devil in disguise/You risk it all to feel alive, oh, yeah/You're offering yourself to me like sacrifice/You said you do this all the timeTell me you love me if I bring you to the light-take my breath by The Weeknd

20. He knew what to say to sweep me off my feet/I should've never heard a word he said to me/I was comfortable with ignorance is bliss/'Cause I told myself I wouldn't fall for it/But then/Quicker than a flash, he had me at hello/He took me by the hand, we started dancing slow/I didn't wanna get attached but now, I'm far too close-Valentino by MNEK and Years & Years/Olly Alexander

21. Some tings don't work/Some tings are bound to be/Some tings, they hurt/And they tear apart me/You left your diary at my house/And I read those pages/Do you really love me, baby?-wait a minute! By Willow Smith

22. Does the pain weigh out the pride/And you look for a place to hide?/Did someone break your heart inside/You're in ruins-21 guns by Green Day

23. Only you can be the aching in my heart/My enemy, the only animal I couldn't fight/You hold me in the dark when storms arrive/Only you-Ellie Goulding Only You

24. I know we got it good, but they got it made/And their grass is getting greener each day/I know things are looking up, but soon they'll take us down/Before anybody's knowin' our name-all the right moves by one republic

25. If our love is running out of time/I won't count the hours, rather be a coward/When our worlds collide/I'm gonna drown you out before I lose my mind-lalala by naughty boy

26. Handsome, tender, soft/Why do you look right through/Thinking/“No, I can't deny my feelings"/Growing strong/I try to keep believing, dreaming on/And every time I see you, I crave more/I wanna pull you closer, closer, closer, closer/But you leave me feeling frozen

27. There may be/Someone who truly believes love is blind/But I beg to differ there's two of a kind/They will find each other/And that is a real bliss/Our very first kiss-first kiss by Alexander rybak

28. He said "think about the children/Think about the children/You wanted me to write a hit record for the radio/Are you never gonna get it?/The kids already know!/Some girls like girls, some boys got a boyfriend/I like guys and they like me/We hold hands, make out and do all the things that lovers do/Some girls like girls, some boys got a boyfriend/I like guys and they like me/We hold hands, make out and do all the things that lovers do-radio friendly pop song by Matt Fischel

29. We learn to run at speed of light/And to fall down from any height/It's true but just remember that/What we do is what you just can't do/An opera of craziness-cartoon heroes by aqua

30. Hello baby, can I see a smile/I'm going to a party and its gonna be wild (okay)/Can I come, I am sitting alone/No, friends are never alone (that's right)/Maybe some pretty girls are in your world/Excuse me, I could also be your girl/Lately everyone is making fun-best friend by ToyBox

31. Give me the burden, give me the blame/I'll shoulder the load, and I'll swallow the shame/Give me the burden, give me the blame/How many, how many Hail Marys is it gonna take?/Don't care if he's guilty, don't care if he's not/He's good and he's bad and he's all that I've got-Devil’s Backbone by The Civil Wars

[lady-of-glass-and-bone]

Songs & Characters: Pedro Pascal

Album: Blue Lips     Artist: Tove Lo

So I did this with all the Florence + The Machine albums and now I’m doing it with Tove Lo’s discography because why not. Basically what I’m doing is listening to the whole album and picking which sing reminds me of which Pedro character and the specific lyrics that go with it.

Some of the lyrics below are sexual/explicit keep reading at your own discretion.

disco tits /  Oberyn Martell

Live right now, peakin' on top / So wild now, I'm high as fuck / Don't look down / My mind, you can relax / I know how to dial it back / Not this time

You think I'm drunk now, but I am not / You're so pretty, come roll with me / I'm 'bout to get down, I'm high as fuck / I'm no chemist, but it's good shit

I'm sweatin' from head to toe / I'm wet through all my clothes / I'm fully charged, nipples are hard / Ready to go (oh, oh) / I'm sweatin' from head to toe / I'm wet through all my clothes (yeah) / I'm fully charged, nipples are hard / Ready to go

shedontknowbutsheknows - Dave York

Hanging by the bar at sunrise / With our bodies talking / Hooked up last week, had a good time / So I regret nothing / I see her come close, ooh / I wonder what you told her to make her stay

Don't even bother with your lies / Won't let you see her when she cries / Go on, unhappy in the night

shivering gold - Marcus Pike

A minute of truth time, talkin' 'bout stuff

Keep saying I'm danger, but thinking I'm love

I'm out on the dance floor, drinking my tears

Acting all cliché, and facing my fears

I feel that thing that jolts me, fucks with me good / Shivering gold / I shiver in gold / Wild, real / Got things like moon rocks rolled up in love / Shivering gold

I shiver in gold

Kissing it better, a physical face

Taking your body, I sit on your face

I see you smiling, covered in me

Moving too fast now, but fuck it, we're free

don’t ask don’t tell - Javier Peña

I'm curious to know who you are

Know what turns you on, turns you off

Know we're not kids anymore

Know we've both been here before

These butterflies scare me to death

Feel them beating out of my chest

Make me come, come so alive

And go with your moves through the night

And baby, don't ask and then don't tell / Already know you're fucked up / And it's cool with me / My past and don't ask and don't tell / No need to share too much / Come on, let it be

stranger - Francisco ‘Catfish’ Morales

You're my stranger in the dark / I am lonely, lonely heart / Waiting for someone to take me home / You're my stranger in the dark / I am lonely, vagabond / Hold me down, want you to bring me home

Let's begin, love making you beg for the win

I'm the prize you get if you do everything I say

Get you high, I get you high

I wanna be what you want me to be

I'd go anywhere, no rules, I don't care

Oh, oh just take me home, oh

So you're my last hope and, and I don't care what you do

Leave my heart open, I'm gonna leave it for you

You can walk on it, I wanna hurt, feeling used

Take the edge off it, just take the edge off it

romantics - Dieter Bravo

We could be romantics for life / Go wild with our scars unhealed / Ooh, ooh / We could be romantics for life / Like drugs make us feel unreal

They talk a lot, don't they?

'Bout your life

They talk a lot, don't they?

Why? Are you tired?

It's none of their business who we love

Drinking, destructive, kind, fill me up

Holding me down in my seat

Tell me, I know what you need

I know your head makes you lie, oh

cycles - Ezra

What's your name?

I can tell you a story before we get into the game

We fall head over heels overnight

See my face in your future

I'm in your future, in your nights, hmmm

I'm in a cycle / Don't make me hate you / Just 'cause I talk about the things I've done before you / I'm in a cycle / Swear this is different / Don't wanna end it, if you leave then I keep spinnin'

It's so romantic in a way / Why don't you catch me when I sway? / 'Cause when my heart falls out of place / I know (oh, oh, oh)

struggle - Max Phillips

So you're deep like the ocean / And got your bottles of potion / I believe in karma / Set the waves into motion

Cold, cold, cold, cold hands over me / Fuck, fuck, fuck some sense into me / Gold for loneliness, I will pay / Fuck, fuck some sense into me

The struggle is real

When you don't tell me how you feel 'bout this love

I've got my way with words

Don't believe me

Pretend like I don't hurt

I don't, I don't, I don't

I've got my way with pain

Don't believe me

I numb myself to blame

I don't, I don't, I don't

9th of october - Joel Miller

We never had coffee table books or dinner parties / We always had hazy nights and sex, cliché's in Paris / Don't disturb on the top floor / Getting high by the window / In bed with your eyes looked into mine / How perfect was it?

9th of October, I always remember / No bad things had happened then / Honestly, you never thought you'd fall for me / But somehow you got pulled in / Livin' so fast, makin' memories last / 'Til our hearts couldn't hold no more / Hear you explodin' while I am implodin' / Now, how did we let this go?

We never wanted

A normal kind of love

9th of October, I always remember

9th of October, I always remember those big words, I said them first

9th of October, I always remember

9th of October, can't think of it sober 'cause all of it fuckin' hurts

bad days - Maxwell Lord

Why cut so deep every word that we speak? / Triggers, shit we never thought / I still remember all the good times / If not, I'll recreate 'em all

If it was easy, I'd forget about you, baby

But I never really understood

How people move on from a heart to love another

Oh, if I could, I would

If it was easy, I'd forget about you, baby

But I never really understood

How people move on from a heart to love another

Oh, if I could, I would

Yeah, I try

But we're in the same crowd

Always at the same scene

So I don't know how

I'm supposed to act fine

When we used to be burning love

That died

Colder than ice

Why am I surprised?

But I guess that's how

I guess that's how we do it now

hey you got drugs - Pero Tovar

Ten years of highs just for fun

Not a height 'til I'm caught

Pain from the past like a small piece of glass in my heart

And this should be the time of my life

You fucking made it your deal, your deal

And I keep dancin' away 'cause it's all fun and games 'til it's real

We don't wanna go home

(Better dance for us)

You're fucked but, oh, you're so fun

(How you holding on?)

I don't know tomorrow

(If it comes or not)

But I promise for life you can brag 'bout tonight

You won't save the night for me

You won't save the night for me

You won't save the night for me

And I ain't never gonna go home

[shiroi---kumo]

@hawksights​ has declared War!

The stage was set.

Snow fell in Wonderland, and it was just right: no ice in sight, and it was dense enough to make the perfect snowballs. Thankfully, at least one person agreed with her: one Misterican, her current target. Sitting atop her tree branch, and no scope in hand, she held one snowball. All she had to do was wait, and… there. She didn't need much time to prepare her shot. With the same precise aim she practiced on the battlefield, she lobbed one snowball for White Cloud's back.

One would think that this situation is that of one poor unsuspecting Misterican about to take a frozen projectile to the back by that of a mischievous Amestrian but in reality it was far from. Herra Mustang is standing off to the sidelines ready to count blows and keep track of the time. Miss Riza has said that half of one hour would be acceptable so she does not get too cold and that neither of the humans fall ill to the chill. 

If either of them strike Mustang, even if by accident it’s an instant loss. Flying is off limits as is any other weaponry beyond their hands. The Cloud’s mask must remain on his face at all times, and it is an even fight depending on their natural abilities. 

Or Is it? 

The sound of the snowball leaving her hand is loud in his ears and the Misterican lets his whole body drop down so he can duck the incoming projectile. He can hear her breathing and it seems the cold required more from human lungs than it did of Misterican ones. He found it a bit easier in these temperatures in all honesty. Forcing to keep his feet on the ground is his disadvantage but his body made up for in other ways. Jade eyes are scanning the space above his head at a wider view than a human would have if only just for a moment before he breaks out into a dead run.  He can’t stay out in the open. 

The sun reflecting off the snow doesn’t blind human eyes in the same way it does Windarian ones and as such that means the world matching his soul’s color would not provide the natural t camouflage it does when he attempts to engage Black Wind in these antics. He needs to use the forest for cover, and he’s positive she’s taken the higher ground. So he lets himself fall into the mix to the trees in the area, taking his place behind one to both hide and start building ammunition.  

You’d think Black Wind would jump at the chance to pelt him with the frozen liquid - he’s the sharpshooter between the two of them after all.  For now he just needs to still his breath and listen. He just needs to listen and keep himself hidden so he can draw her out. With a perch in the high ground he’d have to fly to get to her quickly and that’s against the rules so that means he needs to get her to come down to his level..... 

[whomst-art-thou-whomst-whomst]

Texts from the Lost Tomb part 6.1

🎶 Back on the bullshit I never got off🎶

Is this another unnecessary story arc?? With three sections??

Yes.

Wushanju Crew Chat

Wang Meng: You know, I’m someone who appreciates consistency in my day. My life is pleasant, very few issues indeed if you ignore the big ones. And yet. Yet here we are. With unresolved messes at the end of a day.

Wang Pangzi: SOMETHIN YOU NEED TO SAY MARY POPPINS

Wang Meng: We need to talk about Huo Daofu and the glittery bead curtain.

Wang Pangzi: MY FAVE TEEN WIZARD SERIES

Wu Xie: did you turn on that suggested word thingy lol

What glittery bead curtain

Wang Meng: I closed the shop at 6:00pm this evening on the dot. I locked all of the doors in and out of the shop very carefully, especially in light of recent events. The hall leading to the back office was empty. I filed the day’s paperwork, updated and sent emails, and then spent an extra hour organizing receipts and dusting. When I came back out, there were glittery iridescent bead curtains over the front entrance to the shop.

What could this mean?

Wu Xie: uh that you need to spend less time at work?

Wang Pangzi: LOOKS LIKE WE GOT ONE FOR THE DETECTIVES. THE MYSTERY OF THE BEDAZZLED THRESHOLD COMMENCES

Wu Xie: I think we can be relatively secure in thinking a glittery bead curtain isn’t a hostile threat

Wang Pangzi: SAYS YOU

I REMEMBER YE OLDE EXPLORATION TIMES HOW FAST THINGS GOT FURIOUS

BEANBAG CHAIRS SET AFLAME AND LEFT ON DOORSTEPS AS A WARNING

GLITTERBOMBS FOR DAYS

PANIC AT THE DISCO

Wang Meng: Ugh, forget it. I should have just taken them down, regardless of who they belong to.

Zhang Qiling: They are not mine.

Wang Pangzi: A BOLD STATEMENT COMING FROM OUR PRIME SUSPECT

SOMEONE QUICK GO DRAW CHALK AROUND THE DOORWAY TO MARK THE SCENE OF THE CRIME

Wang Meng: Do we know anyone who *would* sneak in and put those up? For whatever reason, legal or not? Even as a joke?

Wang Pangzi: ARE YOU SERIOUSLY ASKING WHETHER WE KNOW ANYONE WHO IS CHAOTIC, AN OUTLAW, A PRANKSTER AND/OR SNEAKS INTO PLACES

BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN OUR SUSPECT LIST IS LITERALLY EVERYONE WE KNOW EXCEPT FOR YOU.

Wu Xie: okay let’s think about this; for starters, I didn’t break into my own shop

Wang Meng: You would be in danger of doing some work in the process, that’s true.

Wang Pangzi: LOL

Wu Xie: ANYWAY let’s keep going. For example, Xiao Ge would only break in somewhere for a good reason. Xiao Ge, did you do this?

Zhang Qiling: No.

Wu Xie: okay who’s next

Wang Pangzi: YOU REALLY MISSED YOUR CALLING IN INTERROGATION TIANZHEN

REALLY PUT THE SCREWS TO HIM

IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE;)

Zhang Qiling: How can we be certain *you* didn’t do it?

Wang Meng: Admittedly that was my guess, too.

Wang Pangzi: WOW I SEE HOW IT IS

BLAME PANGZI AS USUAL

ANYWAY HOW DOES HUO DAOFU FIT INTO THIS

Wu Xie: Oh yeah him! Oops I got distracted

Wang Pangzi: UR ENTIRE HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL

Wu Xie: Ugh fuck off

Wang Meng what abt Huo Daofu??

Zhang Qiling: ?

Wu Xie: oh sorry xiaoge I didn’t realize you wouldn’t have spent much time around him last year

He and I go way back

Zhang Qiling: Way back where?

Babysitters Club Chat

Wang Pangzi: I CANNOT BELIEVE HE IS BUYING YOUR INNOCENT ACT

IF YOU EVER TURN TO EVIL WE ARE FUCKED

Zhang Qiling: ?

Wang Pangzi: YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO HUO DAOFU IS

YOU WERE EXTREMELY POLITE AND BORDERLINE FRIENDLY TOWARDS HIM

Zhang Qiling: I wanted him to feel welcome. I wanted to be sure he understands he has a place here. A specific place.

Wang Pangzi: FOR A SILENT GUY YOU ARE A MASTER AT SUBTLE POWER PLAYS IM ALL TINGLY

LMAO THE IDEA OF WU XIE LEAVING YOU FOR HUO DAOFU IS HILARIOUS AND ALSO NOPE

Zhang Qiling: Rationally, I understand that.

Main Chat

Wang Meng: Huo Daofu is coming for the weekend—didn’t Wu Xie tell you? Wu Xie asked me to check in a week ahead so we could start getting ready for his arrival

Wu Xie: oh yeah I did do that

Wang Meng: Fortunately I know you and so I already went ahead and took care of everything.

Re: the trip

He made a deal with Wu Xie’s doctor that he would do periodic checkups on him here at Wushanju

Bc Wu Xie hates being in the hospital

And frankly the hospital hates him too

Wang Pangzi: FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT LOL

I FORGOT HUO DAOFU WAS DOING THAT

A VERY CHIVALROUS GESTURE

WOULDNT YOU SAY

XIOAGE

Zhang Qiling: Is it safe for him to be here with a criminal loose on the premises?

Wu Xie: Right, back to the curtain! Let’s focus on the curtain, hmm?

Wang Pangzi: I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WEEKEND.

ALSO WE CAN RULE OUT XIAO BAI FOR THE CURTAIN SHE JUST SENT A SELFIE FROM NORWAY COVERED IN GREEN SLIME WITH ZERO CONTEXT, UR PROTEGE INDEED

Wu Xie: okay but who else would do something so oddly charming yet illegal and—wait.

Snake Eyes Chat

Wu Xie: hey, Glasses hasn’t been in touch lately right?

Li Cu: uh nope

Unless u count the outdated memes

Why, is money or Xie Yuchen missing

Or is this curtain related, I saw Wang Meng’s tweet

Wu Xie: haha no nothing to worry about really

(I mean maybe? but who knows)

Wang Meng is probably just getting a little paranoid in his old age

Li Cu: better than getting reckless and stupid as hell in ur old age

Wu Xie: …hey:(

Unknown Number: Li Cu, we discussed this.

Wu Xie: ????????

Li Cu: *sigh* fine, reckless and stupid as heck

Unknown Number: …close enough.

Wu Xie: EXCUSE who is that

Madame, Sir, Non-Binary Tree Spirit, etc—whomst the fuck

Are you

Li Cu is underage FYI

So Im staying on this chat

Li Cu: okay first of all, it’s not like that

Second of all I’m literally not underage I s2g

u threw the embarrassing surprise bday party, okay so u should remember

And C, that’s my counselor and I invited her. She wanted to meet u and I knew u wouldn’t agree to a visit so I added her to our chat

we have been discussing u

Wu Xie: Oh wow!!!!!!!

What a surprise:)

hi so nice to meet you:)

Main Chat:

Wu Xie: RED FUCKING ALERT

FUCK THE CURTAIN FUCK THE VISIT

IVE BEEN TRICKED INTO FAMILY THERAPY BY A SMUG TEENAGER WHO TEXTS UNKNOWN NUMBERS

Wang Meng: I assume that means something to someone here?

Not my problem? Good.

Wang Pangzi: AHAHAHA GOD I LOVE LI CU

HES LIKE ADORABLE KARMA FOR ALL THE SHIT YOUVE PUT ME THROUGH

IM RAISING HIS ALLOWANCE

Wu Xie: wait i give him an allowance

has he been collecting on two allowances??

Zhang Qiling: Three. I knew about both of yours.

Snake Eyes Chat

Wu Xie: so uh may I ask your name?

Unknown Number: you can call me Ms. Lee.

Now, if you’re comfortable talking in this format, why don’t you tell me how things have been going?

Wu Xie: oh everything is normal and fine and safe as usual, why do you ask:)

Li Cu: I heard about ur necklace thing. nice of you to NOT mention it.

another dangerous adventure. again. prick.

Ur lucky your cool boyfriend cares about you so much or you’d have already died like ten years ago

Wu Xie: lol try twenty years ago

Li Cu: That isn’t funny.

Unknown Number: …What?

Wu Xie: shit ur right, okay that was a bit glib, my apologies.

…I use humor as a coping mechanism?

Unknown Number: and Li Cu, how do you feel about that?

Li Cu: he doesn’t even know what that phrase means

He doesn’t cope, like ever

In fact

It’s kind of why we met

Which is a funny story in retrospect tbh

Wu Xie: haha what are you talking about sweetie hahaha need I remind you of certain anecdotes that could idk send me to jail maybe lmao

Unknown Number: …You know, perhaps an in-person meeting might be more effective?

Wu Xie: haha such a nice idea but why

Main Chat

Wu Xie: If I go to jail, I’ll have to create alliances for protection, right, that’s how it works on tv

Who do we know who spends time in jail

Other than Hei Yangjing, he’s only ever there for like 12 hours and i suspect he just gets himself arrested bc he enjoys the breaking out process

Also how’s the curtain case coming along

Zhang Qiling: Has someone threatened you?

Wu Xie: well not yet but soon I’m sure

Wang Pangzi: WHERE WAS THIS PARANOIA WHEN WE GOT TAKEN TO THE TEA HOUSE HUH

Snake Eyes Minus Your Fucking Therapist Chat

Li Cu: okay how tf did u pull off spy and undercover shit

u are sus as hell

Wu Xie: damn son is it pick on Wu Xie night

I missed the flyers or I would’ve invited my uncles

Also re: the curtain it’s been mostly solved

Li Cu: I’m not your son, idiot.

Wu Xie: …oh. Sorry, sorry, you’re right, bad choice of words, haha

Forget i said anything

Delete this chat even

Li Cu: shit I meant

Legally, biologically, I meant—

shit

…I turn into an asshole as a coping mechanism?

Wu Xie: oh that’s all okay! I have to go do something else now let me know if you need anything okay kid thanks!

Li Cu: goddamn it calm down who’s the kid here

lemme organize my thoughts so I can articulate my emotions fuckin healthily or w/e

Ugh maybe for like one afternoon we could go to Ms. Lee together? She knows how to word stuff

Wu Xie: uh…okay.

Li Cu: Anyway you don’t need to worry abt jail

As if you would survive prison for one day you’d piss off half the place in like an hour or less

I gave Ms. Lee the heavily edited version of the desert highway to hell roadtrip and i discussed it more in terms of like “nightmarish but still wouldn’t take any of it back”

Well maybe the sand

that shit was everywhere

Wu Xie: oh kiddo. It’s fine, really…You don’t have to explain yourself to me.

Li Cu: no, no it’s just

I do technically have a dad

who is an asshole. Being a son doesn’t really mean shit to me bc it sucked.

So you need to stop backing down just cuz ur guilty abt stuff. I’m really really glad ur not my dad in a good way. Do u get what I mean there

Where’s the mafia widower I followed into hell, huh

Wu Xie: Ur a good kid, despite my influence. I’m really glad you have someone to talk to after everything I…after everything. Wow this talking through feelings thing is kind of weird but nice ur right

Jfc no wonder it took me and xiaoge so long to—you know what, we won’t get into that

Li Cu: ew tmi

Also re: this week’s recent necklace fuckery

I moved my stuff here, I live here now

So you can’t die anymore

Or else…Idk I don’t have a threat planned

anyways abt the curtain

Wu Xie: oh my god, kid…kid you have no idea

I am in tears.

Li Cu: see this is why I can’t be nice to you I can sense the hallmark channel from here

Ugh don’t be sad in ur room that’s dumb

Go hug Pangzi or something

Maybe delete this chat

Or the curtain thing

Focus on the curtain thing

Just stfu and go away

Wu Xie: <3 screenshotting this <3

Li Cu: I take back everything I said. This is why Xiao Ge sleeps on the roof. I hope the ghosts of the Wangs put up that curtain to strangle you somehow. Go die in a stupid way, it’ll suit you.

Wu Xie: lol don’t worry I’m not gonna embarrass you with it or anything

Main Chat

Wu Xie: omg guys look how cute my kid is *sending screenshot*

Wang Pangzi: I MEAN

HE IS WISHING YOU DEATH

BUT SURE

CUTE I GUESS

Wu Xie: no but read the whole thing:):):)

Zhang Qiling: It is indeed very hard to remain angry with you. And you are welcome to join me on the roof.

Wang Pangzi: UH NOPE

NOT WHENI HAD TO BLEACH THE COUNTER IN THE KITCHEN

DONT TRAUMATIZE THE EARLY BIRDS THEYRE ALREADY FREAKED OUT BY U YA HOODIE CRYPTID

Wu Xie: ok true but babe ur like a sexy cryptid

Wang Meng: so, are we just accepting that there is a glittery curtain of unknown origin, and Huo Daofu is going to have to see it while he’s waiting for you at Wushanju bc you’re going to family therapy?

Wu Xie: right

Wang Pangzi: SHOULDA TAKEN EARLY RETIREMENT HUH

Wang Meng: I’m going to go dust something.

Unnamed Chat:

Unknown number: so the curtain…

Unknown number 2: yep, not my best work but I kinda panicked last minute u know

Unknown number: what is in the water at Wushanju that makes everyone dumb and attractive

Unknown number 2: relax they’ll figure it out

[hockeynascarfan91258]

A/N: Please be kind and leave feedback. If you don’t like it keep scrolling and don’t be a troll and send hate anons! Hope you enjoy!

Banner made by me!

Eden had just moved to Pittsburgh and was loving her new job with the Penguins.    Despite being a southern bell and loving her Georgia Dawgs football she loved Hockey too.    She had a fun time dragging Chase to Canes games when they lived in Charlotte.   Much to his dismay she had all feeling Chase loved hockey too.   

It had only been a few months since she started and somehow as much as she tried to she couldn't help but fall for the charming Sidney Crosby.    She knew it was wrong to date a co worker especially the captain of the team but he wouldn't let up.    

Finally after months of him pursuing her and flirting Eden finally caved and let him take her out on a date.    That date ended up leading to a second and then a third.     And now she was getting ready for their fourth date and to make it official they were attending the Penguins Night of Assists which was their charity event they hosted every year.   It was disco themed this year and she was excited.  

She put on a blue dress and straightened her hair.  

She had a bag packed because she was going to stay at Sidney's house afterwards.   She grabbed said bag and headed down the hall just as a knock on her door.    She opened it finding Sid standing there looking as handsome as ever.

"Damn baby." Eden says breathless.

"I could say the same thing about you." Sid says kissing her cheek.

"Does it look okay?   Is it disco enough?" Eden asks.

"Eden baby it's fine.  You look beautiful and I'm so happy you will be on my arm and we can make it official." Sid says.

"Are you sure about this?   I don't want to loose my job." Eden says.

"You aren't going to.   There is no rule that says trainers or staff cannot date the players.   It's fine." Sid replies.

"If you say so." Eden says.

"Trust me there it's not the first and it won't be the last." Sid says.

She shook her head as she grabbed her overnight bag.    She grabbed her purse and made sure she had everything.   Phone, keys, money and extra make up.  

"Okay I think I have everything:" Eden says.

"Well then madam our chariot awaits." Sid says holding out his arm.

Eden loops her arm in his and they head out to the limo waiting for them.    Sid hands her bag to the driver who puts it int the trunk.    Sid opens the door for her and Eden slides on in.    Kris Letang was sitting in there dressed in his outfit.

"Hi Kris, sorry didn't realize that you would be here with us.   But should have known because you two are joined at the hip." Eden says.

"Hi Eden, and if you only knew." Kris says smirking at her.

She laughs shaking her head as Sid climbs in beside her.

"I am so happy that you are coming with me and we are making it official.    But before we do there is something you should know." Sid says.

"Are we telling her now?" Kris asks.

"Telling me what?" Eden asks looking between the two boys.

"Yes she deserves to know the truth and then she can make the decision on what happens next.    I trust her enough that no matter what she choices she will not say anything." Sid replies.

"Okay you guys what is going on?" Eden asks.

"Well you see Eden me and Kris well we are a package deal." Sid says.

"'Meaning?" Eden asks.

"Meaning Sid and I are bisexual.   We are in a relationship and have been since like 2009.    We are looking for our unicorn someone to share our life and our love." Kris says.

"Yes exactly so like I said we are a package deal meaning if you date me you have to date Kris too." Sid says

Eden sat there in shock.   

"Can you handle that?" Kris asks.

"Yes Eden say something please?" Sid begs.

"So I would be dating both of you at the same time.    Wouldn't that make me a whore?" Eden asks.

"No baby girl, it would be a poly relationship between you, me and Kris.   But you are not a whore." Sid says.

"Absolutely not." Kris says.

"And whatever I do with either of you wouldn't be considered cheating on the other?" Eden asks.

"Nope not at all." Both Kris and Sid reply.

"Okay I am willing to give it a try.   Remember I have never done anything like this before so I am new to this." Eden says.

"So are we.   Yes we both hooked up with other girls but never anything long term and we both never wanted to be with the same girl before until you."  Sid replies.

"So you guys hooked up with girls and are together?" Eden asks.

"Yes.   Kris and I have been seeing each other since 2009.   But we have to keep the appearance up that we aren't Bi.   Not that I am ashamed to be with him because I am not but no one can know." Sid says.

"Yeah the NHL wouldn't take it well if their face came out as Bi.   But to answer your question yes we used to hook up with girls.   None of them ever knew about me and Sid until you." Kris says.

"You both are pretty hot and I really really really like Sid so if I have to accept you Kris into this relationship then I will.   However I have a few stipulations." Eden says.

"I would be shocked if you didn't sweetheart." Sid says.

"What are they?" Kris asks.

"One: Sid and I go out like a normal couple and every so often Kris you can go with us we can make it look like we are hanging with our friend, two we all get tested for STI's and HIV regularly." Eden starts.

"We get tested every three months.   Also Kris and I are on a HIV medicine have been for a while because lord knows we both hate wearing condoms." Sid says.

"Well good because I am on birth control." Eden says.

"Good is that all?" Kris asks.

"Yes.   Now I have my apartment will I be staying there or what?" Eden asks.

"Maybe for a bit but then you can slowly move in with us." Sid says.

"You guys live together and that hasn't risen any red flags?" Eden asks.

"Oh no I have a house here but I stay at Sid's a lot so you might as well say I live there." Kris replies.

"Okay.   Then we are all in agreement." Eden says.

"Yes and I am so excited." Sid replies kissing her pulling her into his lap.

"Yeah I am happy too." Kris says chuckling.

"We are here." Eden says noticing they had just pulled up in front of PPG Paints arena.

The limo door opens and Eden climbs off Sid's lap and climbs out.    A few minutes later Sid get's out.      Kris  follows suit and they head inside.     They stop and get a picture together.    They then head into the main area.

"Baby I have a lot to do for the event.   Go have fun." Sid says.

"Okay I will come find you in a bit at whatever table you are at." Eden says.

"I will like that.   Laters baby." Sid says planting a small kiss on her lips.

Eden smiled.    She then goes and finds a chair to sit on.    It was in the Wag section near the bar.   She ordered herself a glass of wine.    He phone buzzed it was Chase.

"Hey what are you up to?" Chase texts.

"At the Night of the Assists with Sid." Eden texts back.

"Oh like a date, date?"  Chase asks.

"Yes Chase like a date, date.   But don't worry okay.   No one will ever take your spot in my life.  You are my ride or die and no one will ever change that." Eden replies.

"I know just be careful please.    I don't trust him." Chase says.

"I know and I will." Eden says.

"Have fun and enjoy your night.   I miss you." Chase says.

"I miss you too.   I have to work the 16th but as soon as I am done I am heading to the airport and flying to Daytona." Eden says.

"Awesome, you can stay at the coach with me, if you want to." Chase says.

"Sounds good to me,  I will text you the flight info and times." Eden says.

"Okay, because I will fly back with you.   Maybe attend a game or two?" Chase asks.

"Would love that.   Then you can meet Kris too." Eden replies.

"Okay.   Well go have fun.   Talk later." Chase says.

"Yes definitely talk later :)." Eden replies.

"Text me when you get home.   I love you." Chase says.

"I will and I love you more Clyde." Eden replies.

She then puts her phone back into her purse.    She sips her wine.     Some of the Wags come over and introduce their selves after seeing her come in on Sidney's arm.    They seemed to be nice and she started to let loose and have fun.

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

Chase had just gotten home from the shop after spending the day getting the cars ready to roll to Daytona.    He fixed dinner and then texted Eden.    He was so happy she was going to come to Daytona but since he started racing in NASCAR she always came to the big  races.      There was a knock on his door.    He opens it finding his other best friend Ryan Blaney standing there.  Fletch was so happy to see him.

"I think he likes seeing someone other then your ugly face from time to time." Ryan says chuckling.

He got down and was petting Fletch.

"Ha ha fuck off." Chase says flipping him the middle finger.

"Now now now is that anyway for a Georgia Peach to talk?" Ryan asks.

They both then let out laughs like hyenas.

"What's up?" Chase asks.

"Wanted to come hang.   Maybe race the Stimulator and prepare for Daytona." Ryan says as he helps himself to a beer.

"Sounds good." Chase says.

"What has got you so happy?" Ryan asks.

"I was just texting with Eden and she is coming to Daytona and I am so happy.   She is going to stay with me and Fletch  in the coach and then we are going to go visit her in Pittsburgh for a few days." Chase says.

At the sound of her name Fletch looked up ears perked looking for her.  

"That is good.   Will you finely tell her how you feel?" Ryan asks.

"She has a boyfriend Ryan.   Besides we are just friends and have been for 20 years man I don't want to ruin that." Chase says.

"Dude if you don't tell her, how are you gonna know how she feels?   Besides if you don't I don't think you will ever find someone and be happy." Ryan replies.

"I don't know we will see."  Chase says.

"Okay you know I will support you either way.    I adore Eden." Ryan says.

"I know, I think everyone does.   She likes you too.   You are my only racing friend that she actually enjoys talking to and hanging out with when she is around." Chase says.

"I am touched." Ryan says.

Chase rolls his eyes laughing.     They then headed into the room where the stimulators were.    Ryan takes a seat in one and Chase in the other and they start to race.     

Hours later they finished playing and Ryan was a few beers in so he decided to crash at Chase's and not risk driving.   Chase let Fletch out and made sure he had fresh water.    He then headed into his room.    He got changed and climbed into bed.    Fletch hopped up on the bed beside him.    

"Guess what Fletch Eden is coming to see us in Daytona." Chase says scratching his ears.

Fletch wagged his tail and got excited.

"I know boy I am excited too." Chase says.

He looked at his phone.   It was almost midnight and still no text from Eden.   

"Hope you made it home safe and sound from your event.   Text me and let me know.    Love you and see you soon.   :D." Chase texted her.

"Also Fletch says Hi and that he cannot wait to see you either. 

Attachment sent."

Chase put his phone on the charger and set it down.    He had a lot to do tomorrow to get ready to head to Daytona.

Chase and Fletch 

********************* 

It was a little after midnight when the charity event wound down.   Eden had a good time and she even got Sid out on the dance floor much to everyone's surprise.      Sid leads her out to the limo and opens the door.    She climbs in followed by Sid and then Kris.

"Did you have fun?" Sid asks.

"I did.   I had a good time." Eden says.

"That is good.   I am glad." Sid replies.

"Yeah you got Sid out on the dance floor something no one has ever done." Kris says.

"Well I am glad that I did." Eden replies.

"Yeah I had a blast tonight." Sid says.

"Good.   Oh before I forget after the game on the 16th, I am leaving to fly to Daytona." Eden says.

"Oh, what is going on in Daytona?" Kris asks.

"Chase is racing the Daytona 500 and I never miss it." Eden says.

"Okay." Sid says not happy.

"Look if this is going to work you will have to not be jealous of Chase.   He is my best friend and like you and Kris are a package deal, Chase and I are a package deal." Eden says.

"Okay but I don't like it.   He wants to jump your bones and I don't trust him." Sid replies.

"Stop it.   We are friends period.   We have been friends for 20 years." Eden says rolling her eyes.

"I want to meet this Chase guy." Kris says.

"You will because after the race he is coming here to spend a few days with me here." Eden replies.

"Okay." Kris and Sid both say.

They finally arrive at Sid's house and the Limo drops them off.   Sid gets Eden's bag out of the trunk and they all head inside.       It was really late and Sid and Kris would have practice later that next day so they head up to the master bedroom.      Eden pulls her phone out of her purse.   She saw Chase had sent her a text and a picture.

"I am home safely Clyde.   Love you more." Eden replies.

" Also tell Fletch hi for me, give him all the belly rubs and kiss his little nose for me.   Tell him Eden loves him and cannot wait to see him."   Eden replies back to the picture.

She then grabs her charger and plugs her phone in.   She unpacks her bag.   That was when Sid came up behind her kissing her neck.

"I have been dying to get you out of that dress since the moment I laid eyes on you." Sid says.

“I’ve been dying to get you out of those tight ass pants. They don’t hide anything.” Eden says.

“God Eden.” Sid moans as he pulls you closer to him.

What baby?” Eden smiles,

“My darling Eden ,” Sid whispers, kissing her face sweetly.

Sid unzips her dress as she motioned for him to pick her up, legs wrapped around his waist, kissing his lips slowly, hands running through his greyish dark hair. Pulling at it so she could press wet kisses to his neck, his hands gripped onto the underside of her ass as he hoisted her farther up his body, dress falling down to the floor, mouth still attached to his pale skin while he walked her over to the dresser.

Trying her best to pull him on top of her , he knelt between her open legs, peppering kisses to them while she covered her face with bashfulness of the attention she was receiving and the fact she was in nothing but her bra and panties while both Sid and Kris looked on fully clothed

“What’re you shy?” Sid joked while kissing her ankle, her leg in his grip,

“No,” Eden groaned while his hand met her waistband of the lacy underwear she was wearing.

Just I’m practically naked and you too have far to many clothes on.,” Eden moaned out while his fingers danced over her clothed pussy.

Sid chuckled at her statement, however that could quickly change and in a blink of an eye it did. Kris and Sid both stripped in an erotic sexy strip tease.

“You are awfully quiet Kristopher.” Sid says.

“Just enjoying the show.” Kris replies.

Sid nods.

“I love you so much Eden and I’m glad we are official to the world now,” Sid cooed, while pushing down the cups of her bra , exposing her tits to the cool room air, Sid watched as she squirmed at the new sensation of the cold air against her nipples.

“ I love you too Sid and I am glad too,” Eden moaned while using the heel of her foot to push Sid closer to her.

Sid happily obliged in pressing his body against hers. Feeling him hard against her stomach only spurred her on more.

“ Tell me what you want,” Sid spoke quietly in your ear, his scruff prickling the side of her neck, drawing a whimper from her throat.

“Please, Please,” Eden whimpered while bucking her hips towards his cock.

Within a swift motion your legs were placed on Sid’s shoulders, heels pressed to his back while he teased her clit. In seconds her panties were shredded to pieces. Now his head leveled with her swollen pussy, he placed small kisses on her inner thighs, biting slowly on the plush of them. Eden’s back was arched up as she waited for him to give you more, “Sidney , stop teasing me,” Eden pleaded, his fingers rest near her parted mouth, she turned her neck to the left to take his rough fingers into her mouth, hallowing her cheeks as if his fingers were a cock.

“Fuck Eden.” Sid moans.

“Good good.” Kris moans stroking himself watching.

“Loving the view Letang?” Eden asks.

“Fuck yes.” Kris says.

Shifting down her body, Sidney’s mouth became attached to her clit, his tongue moving in circles while he forced her hips down with his strong forearm, his ring and middle finger entered her. Moaning out with zero volume control, Sid chuckled against her pussy, gladly excepting her juices running down his lips.

“Oh my god!” Eden moaned out, “Mouth’s so good Sid ,” Eden whined, fingers lacing in his dark hair while she rocked her hips into his mouth.

“Doing so good baby,” Sid praised as she began to shake with over stimulation.

Even though he had only eaten her out a few times, however, Sid swore he could eat her pussy all day, his large hand gripped onto her ribs, before his fingers began to pinch her nipples.

“Fuck Sid!” Eden moaned while he brought her to another orgasm, his fingers rolling her clit, tongue fucking her entrance.

“ I want your cock, please,” Eden moaned while shutting her legs.

Sid’s head shot up with a grin, his eyes opened wide and mouth dripping with her.

“Do you baby? Will this cock, make you feel so full,” Sid teased, slapping her ass with his large hand, drawing a groan from her.

“Come here babe and get a taste.” Sid says.

Kris comes over and Sid pulls him in for a kiss. Kris sucks away some of the juices still on his tongue.

“Damn tastes so good..” Kris groans.

Eden giggled as Sid picked her up, trying to get her on the bed as quickly as possible.

“Bed now Crosby!” Eden teased.

Sid laughed at her while throwing his head back, “Eager little thing,” he teased back, as he moved.

As soon as he placed her down on the insanely large bed she took to her knees, kneeling in front of Sid. She then took his heavy cock in her hands, while she slowly ran her thumb over his leaking tip.

“Jesus Christ Eden,” Sid hissed.

Eden locked eyes with Kris as held Sids cock in her hands, she then twisted her wrists in the way she knew drove him insane.

“Damn.” Kris moans as he mimicked her movements almost cumming right there.

Eden then darted her tongue out of her mouth, pressing it to Sid’s cock.

Fuck Damn,” Kris groans at the sight.

“You are one lucky bastard Crosby.” Kris adds.

“We are both lucky bastards baby.” Sid says.

Eden laughed as she ran her hands up Sid abs, right before spitting onto his shaft and taking him into her mouth.

They could hear Kris shifting in his spot while a string of curse words left his mouth as Sidney praised Eden.

“Stroke yourself babe,” Sid chuckled.

Kris came closer so Sid and Eden could see him jerk himself off. Eden hands were behind her back as she took Sid down her throat, her throat slightly contracted around his thick cock. He moaned when he felt her choke on him, his moans filled the air.

Gripping tightly on the back of your hair, Sid began to manipulate her mouth on his cock. Edens hands were pressed to his hips to keep herself steady, wet sounds filled the air as she tried her best to take all of him.

Sid pulled back abruptly, making her gasp for air, tipping back her head, “Go help Kris ,” he urged, Eden whined pathetically.

Kris came over to her his cock in her face.

“Hi baby girl,” Kris cooed, his large hand stroking his cock. Pumping it for her.

“Mhmm,” Eden moaned while watching him, bottom lip pressed between her teeth.

“Suck it baby just like you did to Sid,” Kris begs.

Eden spit on his shaft before taking it slowly into her mouth at first. She hollowed out her cheeks as she did. Kris threw his head back in pleasure.

As Eden sucked Kris off she felt Sid playing with her hair, hands pressed to her lower back.

“God baby this mouth is going to make me cum. Are you ready to swallow my load pretty girl?” Kris asks.

Eden nods her need all while reaching for Sid’s cock behind her, she was squirming on her knees from how wet you she was , needy for relief and horny as hell needing to be fucked.

“Fuck,” Kris moaned, picking up the speed of his his thrusts while watching as Sid bent her over, hands gripped tight onto the sheets in front of her, were Kris was kneeling.

Moaning at Kris pulling her hair as she was flushed with his cock.

Sid’s cock bumped her ass, he dropped to his knees to taste her once more, before lining himself up with her entrance.

Eden took Kris all the way down choking as he thrusted.

“Fuck god damn fuck.” Kris calls out as he came straight down her throat.

Eden swallowed every drop and then proceeded to kick him clean. Kris pulls back needed time to recover.

Kris pulls Sid in for a kiss as Sid thrusted into her deeply, his hands squeezing her ass as she dropped herself onto his cock. His hands spread apart her ass as he fucked you.

“Think she can take us both?” Kris asks.

“I think so. Let’s find out.” Sid moans.

Kris didn’t waste no time he thrusted inside her as well. They kissed as they held their cooks together thrusting into her.

With every thrust Eden could feel them get deeper, one of their tips kissing her g spot every time she dropped herself deeper onto them. Sid and Kris moans were wild behind her, the sound of her two boys moaning was near religious, Kris’s deeper moans and Sid’s gasps.

They watched as her tits bounced with each of their thrusts, they watched while they each gripped tighter to her hips.

“Sid, Kris oh my fucking god,” Eden moaned.

Sid gripped a chunk of her hair, pulling her back to meet their thrusts, she didn’t trust herself to keep balance at the rate they were fucking you,

“Sidney ... i’m gonna,” Eden was cut off by a moan coming from the back of her throat.

“M’ sorry can I please cum,” Eden corrected herself.

“Why don’t you ask Kris.” Sid chuckled as they continued pounding into her.

“Kris please” Eden moaned.

Kris was mocking and chuckling at her whining, she could feel that they were both just as close as she was to cumming.

“But you look so good like this,” Kris spoke finally, “Just wanna watch you forever,” he groaned.

“You take Our cocks so good eh?” Sid teased while still not giving her the word, “Stretching out this pretty pussy?” he spoke to himself,.

“Yes,” Eden rasped out, “I love both your cocks,” Eden whined.

Kris pulled her hair back and sucked on her neck, grazing his teeth over her pulse point.

“Cum for us pretty girl,” Sid rasped out.

Eden happily obliged. Sid and Kris groan as they pump her full of their cum. When they could finally move they pull out. Kris goes and grabs stuff to wipe them all off and clean.! He then throws them in then hamper before joining them both in bed.

Post orgasm Eden was laying on Sid’s chest, finger nails running up it. His hand was pressed flat to your face, stroking your cheek with thumb.

“You did so good baby. How do you feel?” Sid asks.

“Sedated.” Eden says.

“How does it feel down there? Kris asks knowing they were both pretty big.

“Sore but I need to become adjusted to your sizes.” Eden says eyes fluttering.

“Yes you do. And you will. Now get some sleep baby girl.” Sid says kissing her head.

“Yes close those pretty eyes and sleep.” Kris says kissing her back.

Eden closed her eyes and was out pretty quickly. It didn’t take Kris and Sid long to follow.

First picture is The story banner, second picture is Eden in her dress, third and fourth are Sid and Kris in their outfits. Fifth and sixth is Chase Elliott and his Dog Fletch.

[thatbanjobusiness]

I want to briefly talk bluegrass fashion.

I appreciate and enjoy bluegrass from its roots to its present. I think creative growth over the decades has allowed for incredible and diverse music. Whether it’s disco influenced jamming, rock-bluegrass fusions, or classical music inspiration, there’s cool stuff to be had anywhere in the timeline. That said, one thing I wish contemporary bluegrass bands did more of was take fashion tips from the first generation bands.

In the 1920s, barn dance type radio programs featuring hillbilly music and rural style entertainment became popular. Some of these radio shows like the WLS National Barn Dance and WSM Grand Ole Opry had stage shows where you could watch the program in person. Costuming and presentation of the performing cast tended to be rough rube depictions, even caricatures, of rural people. George D. Hay, who founded and hosted the Grand Ole Opry, himself named the bands things like “The Gully Jumpers” and “The Possum Hunters.”

But when Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys auditioned and were made members of the Grand Ole Opry in October 1939, Monroe detested this rough presentation that could quickly engender degrading opinions of hillbilly stereotypes. He opted instead to dress in a more classy manner. His band came out in white shirts, ties, jodhpurs, and boots.

This is something Bill Monroe bragged about even as the decades went on. For Monroe, it was important to dress well and in dignity when you got onstage. You respect yourself and you respect audiences when you come out in your best.

By the mid-1940s Bill Monroe’s band had accumulated a number of musical features that today our ears would recognize as bluegrass. It’s interesting to notice that bandmembers who left Monroe and went on to do their own bluegrass music often... took with them some of Bill’s ideas about stage presentation. Flatt & Scruggs, when they left Monroe and started their own band, are sometimes seen in early images wearing jodhpurs.

Early bluegrass bands on occasion might have had an “exception” to the rule. At the very least, you see this in Flatt & Scruggs in the late 1940s and first half of the 1950s. But I believe what they were doing reflected a trend that existed in the broader hillbilly music industry. I’d like investigate that more later to understand better. Unlike today’s concerts that involve music and only music, in those times, comedy was a more expected part of a show. White banjo performers, prior to bluegrass, were essentially all comedians; and in ensembles, someone (as I’ve often seen, the bass player) might take a comedy role. So you could’ve gotten a well-dressed band... and then the bassist dressed in comic rube garb.

That said, each first generation bluegrass band ended up creating their own unique presentation. It’s variation around a theme: dress up nice to respect audiences and put your best foot forward. How you present yourself onstage has impact. Audiences aren’t coming out to see some tattered everyday person; they’re coming out here to listen to music stars.

And so you see bands and acts coordinating their outfits in classy ways like...

(The 1958 screencap above doesn’t 100% evoke this, but I’ve noticed Flatt & Scruggs in the mid-50s through mid-60s would often do a 2-2-2 coordination. Everyone would wear hats. The band leaders would wear matching jackets and string ties. Two band members would wear the same collared shirts and the same string ties as the leaders. The last two band members, who were a duet and comedy team, would wear vests or different hats or some other distinguishing marker. Everyone’s clothes would carry the same overall color theme. Very well-thought out wardrobe presentation.)

SEE? EVERYONE IS DRESSED UP AND LOOKS GOOD.

You can tell they’re an act. You can tell they’re professional. You can tell, the second they step up to perform, they mean business. It helps elevate them into STARS.

As new generations took up bluegrass, the social context of how to dress changed. The Folk Revival of the 1960s brought many Northerners, urban people, and hippies into the bluegrass world. I haven’t read up as much on this part of bluegrass history, but I believe it was starting here that new bluegrass ensembles quit thinking about dressing up to be onstage. I’ve certainly seen photos of the early bluegrass festivals of the late 60s and 70s, and some second generation bluegrass groups would wear extremely casual things onstage. Other groups would coordinate by wearing the same collared shirt, which meant they were matching, but also (to me) making less of a “statement.”

It makes sense. First generation bluegrass performers were seeking to dress to impress and get away from crappy hillbilly stereotypes. Later generations of bluegrass performers might not have been from the South or a country lifestyle at all, and would feel more inclined to try to evoke a “working class” vibe by wearing everyday or ragged clothing. Today, I feel many bands do this to evoke their own form of an authentic stage presentation.

This means that today, many groups wear rather casual clothing. I feel I see this especially in jamgrass. And for the record, these are all VERY talented, well-known ensembles; I’m not comparing pros to locals or something.

And they’re dressed better here than what I’ve seen for bands at concerts.

I think it’s ironic that Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass, sought to escape tattered clothing that actual country people wouldn’t wear on the fields, let alone onstage... only to have bluegrass musicians half a century later revert to costuming concepts Monroe had rejected. Today’s clothes of course aren’t the torn-up straw hat and single-strapped overalls of the early Opry, but it’s the same idea: dress down to look “country.” I don’t think there’s any objective disrespect to bluegrass’s history to dress like that, but I do think there’s a point that everyday clothes don’t make as much of an impression for your band.

Now of course not all groups have gone this route. In any generation of bluegrass, you still see bands that dressed more “traditionally.” But it’s certainly been a trend—since at least the 70s—to see bluegrass groups, either at the local or professional level, wearing everyday clothes. Get jeans, maybe some flannel, and you’re good to go. I see it oh-so-often now.

It doesn’t resonate as much to me. I get the point of their presentation, trying to evoke a casual non-mainstream working class image, but I feel there’s other ways you can set a vibe for your ensemble that doesn’t come off as lazy, everyday, or unnoticeable.

I’d be much more interested seeing:

YEAH!!!!! YOU GO RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE!

I think it’s interesting to see this mindset about proper bluegrass performance attire recur in interviews. I’ve watched a number of 2000s and 2010s interviews for first and early second generation bluegrass performers, and one common thing the old-timers complain about is how people don’t dress up anymore. They feel it doesn’t respect the audience or make a good impression for the ensemble. How you present yourself onstage is half of the performance; it can be an effective means of enhancing a show when you do it well.

And I’ve seen it in conversations with people like Steve Martin, showing how in the 2010s, there’s still negative “hillbilly” images to butt against:

INTERVIEWER: Does it bother you that quite possibly the most famous banjo song in pop culture is "Dueling Banjos" from "Deliverance"?

MARTIN: It doesn't bother me at all. Actually I might argue with that because another most famous song would be the theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies" or "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," the song from "Bonnie and Clyde." So there are a couple of 'most famous' banjo songs.

INTERVIEWER: But still… the theme song from "The Beverly Hillbillies"?

MARTIN: It's just something we have to face. And everything changes. That's why I always wear a suit and tie when I play bluegrass.

INTERVIEWER: Do you feel like you're helping changing the face of bluegrass?

MARTIN: I don't know. That's what I do when I go on stage. I don't make hillbilly jokes or things like that. I'm just playing it as the person I am, not pretending to be anything else. The band I play with, we all dress in suits and ties.

One of my favorite contemporary bands also has one of my favorite wardrobes. What they choose to wear is a huge element of their stage presentation, amplifies their show powerfully, and contributes to the entire vibe of their music product. Good costuming can be part of marketing, and they market themselves spectacularly.

The Dead South almost marries the best of both worlds between “dress up” and “dress as the everyday man.” Their clothes aren’t “formal” in the sense of suits and ties. There’s more casualness to it. At the same time, what they wear—blatantly Southern and Western gear that matches with variation across the band—isn’t something everyday Joe or Janet would put on to go to Walmart. It’s got a little more of a “period” feel to it while also being modern enough to feel authentic. Altogether, it makes them classy without being formally classy.

It’s perfect for them. This is a “controversially” bluegrass band who knows that, while they play string band music, its creative reach extends beyond what you’d expect of something labeled “bluegrass.” They have called themselves “a rock band without a drummer, a bluegrass band without a fiddler.” Elsewhere, they’ve marketed themselves as “a gold rush vibing four-piece acoustic set from Saskatchewan [that] infuse[s] the genre's traditional trappings with an air of frontier recklessness, whiskey breakfasts and grizzled tin-pan showmanship.” This is a band I’ve always said plays to a “degenerate” image, songs filled with cowboy shootouts, barfights, gun-wielding robberies, alcoholic nights, and more.

And doesn’t their wardrobe evoke that spotlessly? There is CLASS and INTENTION with how they present themselves, to the point the band almost always stands in that order left-to-right, and has used their unique wardrobe choices for album covers and stage design.

Check out how the stage’s stained glass window lights behind them evoke both images from their songs, and have the tie, beard, skull, string tie theme on them. Every band member stands in front of his respective window.

That is *WAY* cooler, more effective, more impacting, more resonating, more memorable, more vibing, than simply tossing on my latest t-shirt. 

(And yes, the last photos are from when I went to their concert last year. One of the best concerts I’ve EVER been to, and it’s because they knew how to put on a SHOW.)

Performance entails everything from the sounds you make to the personality you evoke to the clothes you wear. It’s why I prefer the first generation bluegrass bands’ approach to “dress well” over some modern string band trends. And again, bands like The Dead South show alternate ways you can dress up and rock out.

[zrtranscripts]

Home Front, Mission 15: Phil & Zoe’s Cinderella Story

Once Upon a Workout

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Hello, ci-ti-zens, and welcome back to Radio Lock-In. I know last time it was Radio Phil, but since Zoe’s contributing via ROFFLEnet from the kennel where she's riding out the zombie horde, this felt a bit more apt. Also less likely to end in my having to fend off an attack by a pack of trained murder cats. Not that that's something I worry about late at night or anything. [laughs]

Anyway, it's time to start your warm-ups. Running on the spot, bit of stretching, whatever floats your boat. Oh, um, and uh, grab a yoga mat or um, large towel. You're going to be needing them. Because today, Radio Lock-In has a special treat: your very own Phil and Zoe-style fairy tale, with music breaks, ministry workouts, and a few minor updates to one of Ye Olde classic tales.

Uh, why fairy tales, you may ask? Well, obviously Zoe's a fan, what with all the talking cartoon animals in the Disney versions. But um, I just find them comforting. Have done since I was a kid. They're simple. Good wins, evil is vanquished, love is eternal, and magic is real. Well, I don't know about you, but all that sounds really good right now.

So without further ado, drum roll please! [taps hands rapidly on knees and makes a cymbal crash sound with his mouth] Cinderella! Or as Zoe calls it, the one with the posh outfits and the horse mice and in need of a rewrite from someone who has a better sense of women's shoe sizes.

But before we get to that, we'll start our story the way Cinderella starts hers: cleaning while wishing she was at a ball. Grab the nearest household item you can find and dance away while I play an appropriately jaunty tune. Ready? Dance!

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Wonderful! Now to catch you up, as our tale opens, everyone's looking forward to a lavish royal ball in the kingdom of... whatever it's called. But Cinderella can't go. Instead of dancing, her stepmother forces her to constantly tidy up.

I'll be honest, this sounds a lot like what I did as an excuse to get out of school discos. Well, at least until I learned a few slick dance moves from Daniel “Snake Leg” Simons. And uh, no, Zoe, I will not be showing you the patented Simons kick and slither. Luckily, Cinderella has her own snake legs: a fairy godmother who will whisk her away to the ball with some special fairy dust magic.

We'll be helping the fairy godmother out by distributing magic dust of our own with a few uppercuts! Get into a magic stance. Boxing stance, really, but we're in a story here. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent, fists up as if you're holding tight to a handful of fairy dust. Now you're ready for your magic uppercut. Rotate your body towards the arm in front and punch upwards with your back fist. Magic! Now rotate back to your starting position and you're ready for your next uppercut of magic.

I'd say it'll take about one minute to get Cinderella ready for the ball, so get to uppercutting. Start now. 15 seconds in. The dirty rags have transformed into a dress. Halfway there. The old pumpkin has become a magic carriage. Switch legs so that your other one is in front and keep the magic coming. Only 15 seconds left to go. The mice are horses now! All she needs are magic shoes! Let's turn those everyday shoes into glass slippers.

All done! Time to admire your handiwork. Feel free to keep doing magic uppercuts during this song or just twirl around as you do your own imaginary transformation.

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: Now fully transformed, Cinderella heads to the ball, which I'd call a glamorous spectacle of light and gold and at least four different types of hors-doeuvres, but Zoe considers to be probably pretty boring, what with all the ball gowns and lack of a proper DJ.

Yeah, I'm fairly sure our Zoe always spent a lot of her youth in roller discos and is probably holding our imaginary ball to unreasonably high standards. But in honor of her anti-ball sentiments, we'll do some wall sits, just like the bored ball-goers.

For this, you'll need a wall that you can stand in front of. Stand with your back to the wall and lean back until your back is pressed against it, but you're still standing upright. Adjust your feet so that they’re shoulder-width apart and about a step in front of the wall, then slide your back down the wall until your thighs and calves make 90 degree angles with your back, head, and backside still against the wall.

We're gonna stay like that for 60 seconds, if we can, starting now. 15 seconds in. Why Zolinda, so lovely to see you here this evening. Halfway done. I know, such a boring ball. I'm too tired to even eat these delicious cheese canapes. Just 15 seconds to go. At least the prince is looking well. Maybe he'll meet his bride tonight, who decides to turn to a parliamentary system of rule! And done.

Stand back up and shake out those legs. A mysterious stranger has just entered the ballroom. Spoiler, it's Cinderella. All right, Cinderellas, I'll play an entrance song and you can do your best glass slippered red carpet walk, or another round of wall sits if you'd like. I'm gonna have some of those imaginary canapes. They imaginary sound imaginary delicious.

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: And we're back. Just in time. Cinderella is now in the middle of an exciting tango with the prince, who wants to know more about her. Uh, naturally, per Zoe, they take the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation about ruling a kingdom in a way that allows for the voice of the people to be heard, gender equality, and whether avocado is a fruit, all while dipping and sashaying.

But uh, just as Cinderella is coming up with the excellent idea to test avocados’ fruitiness by putting it on toast, the clock begins to strike midnight. [a bell chimes twice] Once it hits 12 AM, all of that fairy magic will disappear, so Cinderella has to make a run for it.

That means it's time for high knees. Run in place, bringing your knees up with each step as if you're running back to your carriage before the clock strikes midnight. Let's go, starting now. 15 seconds in. You've made it out the front door of the palace, expertly dodging the guards. Halfway there. Uh, you're at the top of the longest flight of stairs ever. Head to the bottom. Only 15 seconds left to go. You've made it down the stairs, leaving a glass slipper behind in the process. That's okay, your carriage is just ahead. Made it! Now it's time to head home and pretend you've been cleaning all night. Practice looking casual yet hard-working during this next song.

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: We're almost to the end of our tale. It's the next day and no one suspects that Cinderella was the previous evening's it girl, the talk of the town, the belle of the, well, ball. The prince, who Zoe notes foolishly left his glasses off while dancing and therefore couldn't see the face of the woman he fell for, is searching for her by trying to fit the glass slipper on everyone he sees. Uh, according to Zoe, that is only the fifth worst way to pick a potential mate, but she says she will not reveal one through four except to say that one of them involves lime jelly and exactly 16 eels.

And with that somewhat discomforting thought, let's help our prince out with some knee folds. They're just like lifting your foot for a shoe fitting. More or less, anyway. Start by lying down on your back. Grab your yoga mat or towel to put underneath you so you've got something comfortable to lie on. Now bring your knees up so that they’re bent and the soles of your feet are flat on the floor and your toes are pointing straight forward. Your arms should be by your sides, your shoulders relaxed and chest open. [sighs] Relaxing right?

Now as you inhale, use your abdominal muscles to lift your right leg off the floor while keeping your hips against the ground. Keep your knees bent and lift your leg until your thigh is at a 90 degrees angle from your body and your lower leg is parallel with the floor. They call this table position because, well, it looks like your lower legs are the top of a table. Now exhale as you lower your leg back down to the floor. Now do the same with your left leg, and continue alternating for the next minute.

Go! These aren't meant to be fast kicks. Keep the movement slow and controlled. Imagine someone trying endless shoes on your feet. 15 seconds in, but all the feet that the glass slipper has been tried on are too wide! Keep going. Halfway through, and now the feet are too narrow! 15 seconds of feet left to try. You're almost there. Done. That's it, that's the one. You've found Cinderella! And now you deserve a break. Shoe fitting and storytelling are both hard work. I'll put on a nice cooldown song so you can stretch out your muscles from all that fairy taling.

~

PHIL CHEESEMAN: And that's the story of a very active Cinderella. Fun! I almost forgot we were exercising. And Zoe says it went off more or less without a hitch, even if I did leave off a detailed epilogue about Cinderella teaming up with the fairy godmother to create a magical haute couture fashion line. Uh, she says half the fun of fairy tales is that they're so simple that you get to add your own spin to it, make the story your own. Works for me, as long as we still get to throw in a happily ever after. I miss those.

Anyway, let us know on ROFFLEnet if you like fairy tales as much as we do and we'll put our heads together to come up with another. Maybe... Rapunzel. [laughs] I definitely feel like I can relate to someone who spends half her life trapped in a tower and is rapidly growing a very distressing amount of hair. Whatever we do pick and however we remix it, I have to say, there's still something comforting about retelling a classic. These stories have lasted hundreds of years, through war and disease and love and zombies, and if they can keep going, so can we.

~

[jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels]

Don’t You Hear My Call Though You’re Many Years Away - Chapter 11

A/N: Angsty chapter here folks. Y/N struggles with her secret and comes to some realizations. Word count? Who knows!

From that night on, John stayed with me. And time seemed to move even faster. Another week had past, and I only had two left. I was growing more accustom to life in the 70s, I’d even stopped periodically, and frantically, search for my cell phone. I found I was wondering less and less about the goings on in my own time, and focused more on what I was experiencing. I wasn’t forgetting my place in this world, and in time, I was simply living in the moment. Taking this experience for all it was willing to give me. Although the truth quietly simmered still.

The band had found a suitable rehearsal space, where I became audience to the birth of some of their first songs, and the perfecting of existing ones. Witnessing history in the making was awe-inspiring, mind-blowing and beyond thrilling. Every rehearsal was exciting for me. Even if it was filled with squabbling, there was generally much more laughter.

Their first show together was in a week and a half, and I’d be leaving within days of that. I tried to focus on everything but my departure.

I was spending the day with Freddie and Roger at their stall. We had found that people were drawn in by my American accent. In hopes to make a few more sales, they made sure I talked to possible customers first, then they would handle the business end of things.

Mary showed up later in the day, after she left work. After greet Freddie and Roger she greeted me with a hug.

“Y/N! Enjoying your day with these two” she asked.

“I am.” I replied, returning her hug.

“You’re welcome to come with me, I’m going to the flat.” She said

“Oh no! She can’t leave!” Roger butted in, slinging his arm over my shoulder. “She’s helped with some sales, and I’ve gotten a few numbers from some of the girls that have come in.”

“I think I’ll stay” I told Mary, “but thanks! I’m enjoying being here.”

“Alright” she smiled “will you be at their practice later?”

“Wouldn’t miss it” I responded.

She turned her attention back to Freddie, and Roger took this moment to become more serious. A side I wasn’t used to.

“Speaking of missing out on things, it’s going to be strange when you’re no longer here” he said thoughtfully.

“Why? Will you miss having someone to annoy? Or is it me that annoys you?” I replied, trying to bring some humor back to the moment.

He laughed briefly “well I will miss our banter, but you’ve become our friend. And you’ll miss the other upcoming shows. My birthday. Deakys birthday.”

My heart froze, I realized then I wouldn’t just be leaving John behind, I’d be leaving them all. I’d made friends. I cared for them all, no longer just as a fan, but as a friend. And I’d be disappearing.

“But how about this” Roger continued “when we’re famous, touring the world, you can come see us again.”

“Only if I get to go back stage” I said smiling at him. Ignoring the nagging feeling.

“You think we’ll be famous?” He asked, becoming serious again.

“I do. I know you will.” I responded, bumping his shoulder with mine.

“I’ll get you back stage and front row” he said, giving me a brilliant smile. “Just, don’t vanish on us completely when you leave. Write, ok?”

I couldn’t speak. The truth was boiling under the surface. I could only smile and nod. The lying was beginning to weigh so heavily on me.

Rogers voice pulled me from my thoughts, “You know, John must have a thing for older girls...or teachers” he said, causing myself, Freddie and Mary to look at him.

“I’m sorry?” I said, cocking a brow at his statement.

“I was just thinking about a girl Deaks met at a disco, she was going to be a teacher too. Like you. What was her name, Fred?” He asked, looking at Freddie who was cutting his eyes towards the blonde.

“I don’t know.” Freddie replied curtly, casting his eyes towards me. Roger turned back to me and took in my expression.

“I could be wrong about tha...” he began, I cut him off.

“Was he dating someone? Before you all met me. Was he seeing her?” I asked sharply.

Veronica. I hadn’t forgotten her, but I hadn’t realized they had met so early. His future wife. The mother of his children. The woman he was meant to spend his life with.

“No” Freddie and Mary, respectively, reassured me “he wasn’t seeing anyone.”

The tension slowly began to overwhelm the small stall. It was suffocating. The churning in my stomach worsened and the need to flee hit me.

“I’m going to go back to my room for awhile...I feel...I mean I need...I’m gonna go...” I stammer and stumbled over my words as I grabbed my purse.

“Y/N!” Roger called out as I hurried away.

“Y/N” Freddie yelled “will you be at rehearsal?”

“Yeah” I hollered over my shoulder as I made a quick get away to the street outside the market.

I hadn’t walked these streets alone since my first day here. But being alone was best right now. My emotions were too high. I might slip up.

Veronica. Ronnie. The woman John would marry in a few short years. The woman that would give him six children. They would start dating soon, or should. Could everything that has happened between John and I change that fact? Would he and Veronica still end up together? They had to. It was supposed to happen that way. History can’t be changed, right?

I walked for what some time, processing the fact that I had been in denial about since day one. This wouldn’t last. I had involved myself where I shouldn’t have. I had complicated my life. I broke rules. What now? What next?

My emotions were running wild by the time I made it back to the inn. I hurried past Margret, up the stairs and to my room, where I let them over take me. I laid on the bed, on Johns pillow, and as I breathed in his scent, I began to cry.

I cried out of sadness, fear and jealously. But mostly anger. I was angry with myself, angry with the fact that this wasn’t my place in time, angry that I didn’t have more time with him.

But what right did I have to cry over the mess I was causing?

I glanced at the clock through tear filled eyes. Rehearsals was in an hour. I pushed myself up off the bed and made my way into the small bathroom to see how puffy my eyes were from all the crying.

As I stared at my own reflection in the mirror, I resolved myself to the fact that John had to know. I would tell him. I wouldn’t just disappear. He would know the truth.

**

As I approached the doors to the rehearsal space, I didn’t hear music or arguing, so I slowly peeked in making sure the room wasn’t being used by someone else. Or empty.

I looked towards the stage, where it looked like Freddie and Roger were having an intense conversation with John, while Brian stood back, taking it all in. John seemed worried, and angry. His arms crossed over his chest, his brows pinched. Roger looked deflated, sad. Freddie was still his animated self, his hands flailing as he spoke.

I stepped in and let the door close heavily behind me, causing all of their heads to swivel in my direction. Both Freddie and Rogers expressions turned to one of relief as Roger turned and jogged up to me.

“Y/N” he said quietly “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ever mentioned that other bird...”

I reached my hand out to grab his as the words spilled out of my mouth, “it’s alright. Really. Our conversation just made the realization that I’d be leaving soon and hit me pretty hard. Besides, I mean, of course John has seen other people. I didn’t want to break up whatever he might have had with someone though. It was a lot. I over reacted.”

“No” he shook his shaggy blonde hair “I should have shut it.”

John had slowly made his way towards us, he spoke softly behind Roger, “Are you alright sweetheart?”

Roger stepped aside as I replied, “yeah, I’m good. But you all need to be rehearsing. Get to it!”

Roger smiled sadly at me before turning to walk back. John stepped closer.

“Are you sure?” He asked, looking me in the eyes, his hand catching mine. A lump rose in my throat, causing me not to be able to speak. I let a smile cross my face and nodded slightly. He eyed me for a moment before he leaned down and gave me a tender kiss on the lips. Tears sprung to my eyes as he did. I quickly blinked them away as we walked further into the room.

John stood with me for a moment longer, continuing to eye me questioningly. I smiled weakly as he stepped up on the stage before I took a seat next to Mary.

“Are you alright?” She whispered, looking at me with concern painting her face.

Again, I plastered a fake smile on my face, and with a quick nod, “yeah” I whispered back. Not loud enough for my voice to break under the weight of my emotions.

As the band sets into playing “Doing Alright”, I fell back into my own thoughts. Oblivious to anyone or anything around me.

How to tell John? When to tell him? What would happen? How would he react? Do I tell the others?

Questions, thoughts and scenarios swam through my head. Bombarding me so that I wasn’t even aware practice had ended until John spoke to me.

“Y/N, sweetheart? Are you sure you’re ok?” He asked, looking at me, worry shadowing his features.

I snapped out of my speculations and fears, looking into his grey green eyes. I nodded slowly.

“Want to go with everyone to the pub? We don’t have to.” He asked softly as the others looked on from a few feet away.

“Sure” I squeaked out as John straightened up and held out his hand to me. Slowly I let my hand fall into his, feeling the warmth of his fingers around mine did little to pull me out of the depths of my own mind.

At the pub, drinks were pressed into my hand, as conversations went on. I laughed when others did, but I wasn’t even aware of the joke. What was talked about didn’t register. I was on autopilot. Going through the motions. The fear churned deep in my stomach.

And all the while John was watching me. Knowing something wasn’t right.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked, leaning close to me.

“If you are” I replied flatly, as I stared blankly at my drink. John was taken aback, and filled with concern.

I watched as he stood, slowly he took my drink from my hand, and pulled me to my feet.

“We’re going to head out” he told the others. Before I could even consider telling everyone goodbye, John was steering me out of the pub. When we’d made it out the door, and down the sidewalk a few steps he stopped in front of me. He cupped my face in his large hands, and stared me in the eyes a few breaths before he spoke.

“I know what Roger said upset you” he said softly “but I promise I wasn’t dating anyone.”

My mouth turned to cotton before I even opened my mouth, causing me to swallow thickly.

“I feel as if I’ve only suddenly realized today, that I’ll be leaving and much sooner than I’d like” I replied, raising my hands to cover his, “I don’t want to leave.”

He sighed, leaning his forehead on mine. “I don’t want you to leave either. But it won’t be forever. We’ll figure it out. It will all work out, sweetheart.”

He released my face as he pulled me into his embrace.

Nothing would be worked out. Not when and where I was going at least.

Tag list:

@queensdivas @liliah39 @leah-halliwell92 @painkiller80 @painandpleasure86 @deakys-chesthair @yourlocalmusicalprostitute @heybuddy-drabbles @queenwouldyourathers @mirkwoodshewolf @ixchel-9275 @johndeaconshands @mazzell-ro @johndeaconstoothgap @deakysmisfire @thosequeenboys @tryin-her-best @brinteylovesaliens @hellysthings @deacyspatronusisacheesetoastie @john-deacon-fucks @deakysgurl @amethyst-serenade

[tracle0]

WIP Bops Tag

So I got tagged for.... two music/listening related games in the span of two days so I will. Do both in one to save myself idk making another post lmao

First one: I think you just list things you’ve been listening to. Maybe the last ten things you listened to? I don’t know man. Tagged by the wonderful @kaatiba​ thank you boo 

I have been listening to...

Cloud Cult - I stand by the fact that Cloud Cult 500% have the best bops for apparently all my wips. ‘Time Machine Invention’ is peak Leon, don’t try and tell me otherwise. ‘It’s Your Decision’ gives me big Percival vibes. ‘Good Friend’ apparently works for every single WIP I have because I write about friends too much.

Night Vale - I missed Night Vale ok. I’ve listened to it all already, but I wanted to hear the Strexcorp arc again, and the liveshow and Carlos man. Carlos. 

I’ll Follow You Into The Dark - isolated song, but I have been listening to it over and over again, because it’s somehow playing my heart strings rather than a guitar. I am obsessed with this song. I learnt it on the ukuele as soon as I could. Major Mika vibes. Made me realise ‘ohhh he’s Catholic ain’t he’ and also made me figure out his friendship with Lynne more. Thanks, song.

Vienna Teng - someone else mentioned her recently, and I went ‘oh yeah I used to listen to her I should do that again’ the only memory I have of hearing her songs is. Not good. So I’m trying to get other memories down lmao.

I need to listen to...

Jake Parker Plagorised My Book which is a very cheerful subject. Quick run-down; Jake Parker is the creator of the yearly Inktober challenge. He plagorised the book of a black artist. I figured I should understand the Drama and then decide what I’ll do in October if not Inktober. 

Okay that’s like five, good enough. Next tag game;

Rules: Share some songs that have inspired your WIP or characters, then tag some people to play! - tagged by @albatris​ thanks homie and I’ve decided I’m going to jump around between WIPs becuase I want to. 

So first off I feel like the songs that first made me go ‘oh I could make a story out of this’ - DIAS spawned from ‘Hopeless Opus’ by Imagine Dragons. I got the idea for like. Two characters who were seperated for some reason, both regretting something, and went ‘okay! How.’ and my brain spat out Leon and Ant.

Whereas wip4 sort of spawned from both ‘On Melancholy Hill’ by Gorillaz, obviously, and also ‘Light a Roman Candle With Me’ by fun. And I cannot tell you at all why this story spawned from these songs. I think it was mostly... for Melancholy Hill, it gave me isolation vibes, and Roman Candle was more... a desperate reach for connection. wip4 has a focus on friendship. I guess that works? 

DIAS again - ‘The Cave’ by Mumford and Sons is. Peak DIAS, not gonna lie. I have officially storyboarded out an entire animatic that is just the entire plot of DIAS to this song. Every verse sort of follows each act of DIAS and uhh

So make - your sirens song and sing - all you want I will not hear what you have to say

I can’t say why because major spoilers, but that lyric. Fits. Very well. 

I mentioned ‘Time Machine Invention’ by Cloud Cult being a major Leon song, because it is, so I’ll talk about that here; Leon gets blown up at one point, and loses his leg. This, along with the fact he thinks Ant is dead, makes him Very Depressed. Vincent comes along like ‘hey dickhead stop being depressed’ except said in a slightly nicer way, and gives him a vote of confidence he needs to get up and try and fix one of the problems he has, that being the leg. 

If we give this moment our fullest attention, we’ll just keep moving forward, with no need for going back.

Which is honestly, just really good life advice, but is also kinda Leon finally starting to let go of the guilt he has over possibly killing Ant and starting to live life without any new regrets. 

wip4 again because this is getting long but I still have things to talk about; ‘Turn The Lights Off’ by Tally Hall is big It vibes, and I cannot tell you how but it does. I’m delighted to put ‘Holding Onto You’ by Twenty One Pilots as a major Keaton song, for the simple reason that Holding Onto You has tried to be a wip song for EVERY SINGLE wip, but it finally actually fits. Heck,

I’m taking over my body, back in control, no more shotty,  I bet a lot of me was lost,  t’s uncrossed and i’s undotted

is like. The first verse, and is also major Keaton being like ‘WOW WHAT THE HELL I WASLITERALLY DEAD UM WHAT’ and also the entire struggle against It. Fun times. 

‘Hello, My Old Heart’ by The Oh Hello’s is a Big Percival Mood, and I can’t really explain why - extreme protectiveness over himself and trying to save himself??? Maybe. Uhh. I’ll give you an Abby song and then done with wip4 - ‘Icicles’ by The Scary Jokes fits her freakishly well. I just found out the artist is nonbinary, which is cool, but I’ll talk about that another day. 

I can only be forgiven if I'm givin' myself up to you  On a silver serving tray  Must I bare myself to the stabbing of your knife and gnashing teeth  While our lovely company appears so entertained?

I think Abby recognises that she is in the wrong for a lot of the story, but also thinks that admitting this to Percival would sort of... reverse their roles? That he’d want revenge and would inflict the years of pain she’d put him through onto her. He wouldn’t but she doesn’t realise that. So ‘must I bear myself to the stabbing of your knife and gnashing teeth’ is just. What she assumes she’d have to deal with. 

Okay! Final song and it’s for DIAS and also for Simon cause we’re talking about villains okay. He’s got ‘The Greatest Show’ but specifically the cover by Panic! At The Disco. Simon is, to quote the lovely Summayah, ‘a dramatic fuck’ and this song is dramatic as fuck. 

Don't fight it, it's comin' for you, runnin' at ya It's only this moment, don't care what comes after Your fever dream, can't you see it gettin' closer? Just surrender 'cause you feel the feelin' takin' over 

Which is a pretty good way to explain Silvertongue commands and his general attitude to them, don’t you think? 

I’m done now. I have more songs and entire playlists but I’m done, I’ve rambled enough, this is long. I will tag: @joyful-soul-collector @druidx73 @petrolstationflowers @scmalarky @the-starlight-chills and you sir, over there, please, tell me about songs.

[laceymorganwrites]

Here is 2nd prompt: 1 to 9, 11 to 14, 16, 17, 21 to 24, 28 to 37, 39, 43 to 45, 52, 55, 56(let me guess MGK?), 64, 67, 69, 70, 72, 73, 75 to 81, 83 to 87, 90 to 92, 94, 98, 106 to 123, 125 to 127, 134, 138, 139, 143 to 151, 154 and 155 (cut it in two/three part we gonna have an headache if not) -Sarah

I´m gonna put a cut here lol this is gonna be a long post 

1. Full name

I´m uncomfortable answering that one. My first irl name is Hope though

2. Age

18

3. 3 fears

spiders, lonliness, death

4. 3 things I love

my friends, my cats, writing

5. 4 turn ons

subs, lip biting, intense eye contant, praise

6. 4 turn offs

degrading, forcing control, belittling me, just being disgusting

7. my best friend

met him in tenth grade, best thing that ever happened to me. platonic soulmate, always there for me. Love him with all my heart

8. sexual orientation

lesbian, on the aro spectrum

9. my best first date

never had any

11. What do I miss?

Being able to get a good night´s sleep

12. What time were I born?

Around 4am

13. favorite color?

since black doesn´t count yellow, dark red, dark purple

14. Do I have a crush?

on irls no. On fictional men yes

16. favorite place?

Dublin (especially the pubs)

17. favorite food?

french toast, homemade burgers, pizza

21. Shoe size

38 in Germany (idk the size system of other countries)

22. Eye color

Dark blue, with a bit of green in the middle. My eyes look like the ocean, so when I say dark blue, I mean really dark.

23. hair color

Natural dirty blonde, but currently washed out dyed purple

24. favorite style of clothing?

grunge with elements of punk

28. favorite movie?

Lord of the rings

29. favorite song?

I can´t choose just one, but the one that really means a lot to me is You´ll Be Fine by Palaye Royale

30. Favorite band?

Used to be Creeper, but is currently Palaye Royale

31. How I feel right now?

Tired and in pain (just started my period)

32. Someone I love

My best friend

33. my current relationship status

single irl, but dating lesbian anon on here

34. my relationship with my parents

good I guess, though we don´t do a lot together

35. favorite holiday

Halloween and Pride

36. Tattoos and piercings I have

none

37. Tattoos and piercings I want

none since I have a low pain tolerance (it´s rlly nonexistent)

39. Do I and my last ex hate each other?

Well, I´m over it but he´s petty and spreading rumors about me so....

43. How long does it take for me to get ready in the morning?

An hour. I take a long time to fully wake up, so I do things very slow. 

44. have you shaved your legs in the past three days?

nope. I don´t shave, my mom thinks it´s disgusting but I don´t care. My body, my rules

45. Where am I right now?

In my bed, as always

52. when was the last time I hugged someone?

A few days ago

55. what is something I disliked about today?

starting my period

56. If I could meet anyone on this earth, who would it be?

Nikki Sixx.

64. Do I believe in magic?

Not really, but I´m open to anything

67. What was the last book you´ve read?

I´m currently reading ´The Dirt´

69. Do I have any nicknames?

Lace, Ace, Hopi

70. what was the worst injury I ever had?

my self inflicted one  I guess

72. can I touch my nose with a tongue?

sadly no

73. Is there anything pink 10 feets from me?

yup, my pillow

75. what was I doing last night at 12 AM?

listening to Yagami Yato´s audios

76. What do I think Satan´s last name is?

Mine since I´ll marry her when I arrive in hell

77. What´s a song that always makes me happy when I hear it?

Na Na Na by MCR

78. How can you win my heart?

Make me laugh

79. What would I want to be written on my tombstone?

Fucking finally

80. What is my favorite word?

Cunt

81. my top 5 blogs on tumblr

@varia-venus @one-piece-dumpster-fire @miyaniacs @aomineavenue @hoe-imaginess

83. Do I have any relatives in jail?

Not that I know

84. I accidentally eat some radioactive vegetables. They were good, and what’s even cooler is that they endow me with the super-power of my choice! What is that power?

Teleportation

85. What would be a question I´d be afraid to tell the truth on?

Why are you like this?

86. What is my current desktop picture?

It´s an edited Madara one my friend made me

87. had sex?

Voluntarily no

90. failed a class?

Luckily no

91. kissed a boy?

yup, 2 times and both times it was disgusting af

92. kissed a girl?

no, but she kissed me and that was when I realized I was gay. She broke my heart too.

94. Had a job?

no, but hopefully soon

98. played on a sports team?

no, I can´t play sports

106. been to a wedding?

only when I was little, so I don´t remember anything

107. Been on the computer for 5 hours straight?

that´s nothing to me. I spend my whole day on here. That´s why I spam with those prompt thingies, cause I get bored and am always active

108. Watched TV for 5 hours straight?

I´m a fucking hermit, of course I have

109. been outside my home country?

yes, mutliple times

110. gotten my heart broken?

yup and it hurt like a bitch

111. been to a professional sports game?

Me and my class went to a pro ice hockey game and it was amazing

112. broken a bone?

not yet fortunately

113. cut myself?

yup and not proud of it

114. been to prom?

no, got cancelled because of COVID

115. been in an airplane?

yes, but I´m afraid of flying and heights

116. fly by helicopter?

no

117. what concerts have I been to?

Katy Perry, Halestorm (2 times), The Pretty Reckless, All Time Low, Halsey, Waterparks, Palaye Royale, Kyle Gass Band, Hey Violet, David Guetta, Bring me the horizon, Macklemore (2 times), Rihanna, Panic! At the disco, Fall Out Boy, Twenty One Pilots (2 times), Amy Shark, Hayley Kiyoko

118. had a crush on someone of the same sex?

yes

119. learned another language?

yup. But I failed and can´t speak any of it. The only foreign language that stuck with me is English

120. wore make up?

yeah, a lot actually. I like experimenting with make up

121. lost my virginity before I was 18?

Not voluntarily

122. Had oral sex?

Not voluntarily

123. Dyed my hair?

A lot

125. Rode in am ambulance?

no

126. had a surgery?

only a minor one

127. met someone famous?

I met a German youtuber at the Halsey concert and I got VIP tickets for Palaye Royale, so I met all of them

134. What do I want for my birthday?

I don´t know. Probably some cosplay supplies

138. what was my favorite toy as a child?

I was a Playmobil kid

139. Favorite TV show?

Can´t choose. Will go with Haikyuu for now

143. Favorite pizza topping?

Ham and mushrooms

144. Am I afraid of the dark?

yes

145. Am I afraid of heights?

yes

146. Have I ever got caught sneaking out or doing anything bad?

no, but I never done any of that

147. Have I ever tried my hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end?

all the time cause I keep comparing myself to others

148. what I´m really bad at

social interaction

149. what my greatest achievements are

graduating and making it into uni

150. the meanest thing somebody has ever said to me

can´t really remember to be honest. People have always been talking behind my back rather than saying it to my face

151. what I´d do if I won in a lottery?

move to Ireland, buy a house, give the rest to charity

154. something I fantasize about

anime men

[echooo78]

Thank you to @ Ada_flying_solo (on Wattpad) for requesting this!

Demon/Angle Au

In this Au, Patton and Janus are invisible to all humans.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety attacks, kissing. I think that's it, but if I missed something please tell me.

Part 2 Masterlist

Patton's POV

I walked down the white halls heading to head office. They hadn't said what they wanted me for so I just hoped that it wasn't anything bad. I stopped in front of the big golden doors. Taking a big breath I pushed open the doors and walked through.

"Patton! Good to see you come on in!" The head Angel, Thomas said.

"Good morning Thomas," Patton said walking over where the head Angel stood.

"Good morning! Now to talk about what we called you here for." Thomas said. "As you know every child gets a guardian angel to watch over them when they turn 13. Well the child you will be assigned to turns 13 tomorrow. His name is Virgil."

"Really?! Oh yes! I already love that little kiddo!"

"Good," Thomas chuckled. "Your first day is tomorrow! Good luck"

"Thank you, Sir!"

————————

I look around Virgil's room. The purple walls are covered in Tim Burton, Panic! At the Disco, and My Chemical Romance posters. A black bungee chair sits in one corner by a glass tank. Looking into the tank I see a hairy tarantula. Trying to hold back a scream I scramble to the other side of the room vowing to never go near that side of the room. As I near the bed I hear small whimpers. Looking down at the sleeping Virgil. I see tears streaming down his cheeks. Putting a hand on his forehead I chase away the nightmare with dreams of a Panic! concert. Slowly his tears stop and a small smile graces his face. I bend down and gently press a kiss to Virgil's forehead.

"Thank you so much for ruining all my hard work. I really appreciate it," A smooth, sarcastic voice says. I whip around and see a demon sitting in the bungee chair. In the dim lighting I can barely make out snake scales across the left side of his face. A scar runs across his cheek just under the cheek bone. His left eye is a bright green while the right is a deep brown.

"Who are you?" I say standing protectively in front of the still sleeping Virgil.

"I'm definitely not Janus," the demon says.

"What are you doing here?"

"The same thing as you, I was sent to look over our dear Virgil." Janus said standing up and taking a step towards Virgil.

"Stay away from him," I growl.

"Don't worry, I won't be back," Janus snarls unfurling his dark wings. I watched as he flew away, my heart racing.

I spent the rest of the night thinking about the Demon. No matter what I did, I couldn't get him out of my head. The way his snake eye seemed to be able to see straight through me and into my soul. How his black wings had small gold accents if you looked closely. How he lied in almost every sentence and the look of enjoyment thatlying gave him.

Looking over towards the black bungee chair where he had been sitting I sighed. I definitely do not like that demon.

A few days had passed since I last saw Janus which I thought was weird. I thought he would have tried to get to Virgil more than just the one time, but I wasn't complaining. In those days I learned a lot about Virgil. He had severe anxiety which led to him not having many friends. I had already helped calm him down from two anxiety attacks and I hadn't even been with him for a week. He wore black almost every day and would occasionally wear a little purple. I helped him meet a kid named Logan and they quickly became friends.

Just when I had thought maybe había hadn’t lied when he said he wouldn't be back, he proved me wrong. I was walking home with Virgil when I felt a dark presence. Glancing behind me I saw Janus calmly walking up to me. When he reached me he put his arm across my shoulders.

"Hey Freckles, you've had a few days with the kid, you should not let me have a turn with him."

"My name is not Freckles and I am not leaving Virgil's side so don't even try." I huffed throwing Janus’s arm off my shoulders. 

"Well Freckles, I guess we'll just have to not watch him together because I'm not leaving anytime soon,"

"Stop calling me Freckles. I said angrily.

"Well I'm afraid I don't have your name, so I guess I won't just have to keep calling you Freckles."

"My name is Patton. Now if you would leave me alone I have a kid to protect." I said walking faster to get away from him.

With a flap of his wings, Janus flew over me and landed right next to Virgil. Immediately Virgil's eyes widened and his breathing increased. Virgil can't see us so Janus must be doing something to him. Without thinking I sprint forward and ram into him knocking us both to the ground.

"No one hurts my dark strange son," I pant out glaring down at him. He just smirks up at me making me realize the position we're in. I quickly scramble off of him blushing and jog to catch up to Virgil who had gotten a few yards ahead of us.

———————

I paced back and forth across Virgil's dark room glancing over at his sleeping figure every few minutes to make sure he is still sleeping peacefully. Why couldn't I get that stupid snake out of my head. His smirk seemed to be popping up in my mind at least once a minute. I felt my face heating up and glanced in Virgil's mirror. Why was I blushing? There was nothing to be blushing about, I had just been thinking about Ja— oh.

No that was stupid. I didn't have a crush on the Demon. I'm an angel, that can't happen. My face just turned red because it's hot in here. Yeah that's it. I spent the rest of the night kneeling by Virgil's bed chasing away nightmares and trying not to think of a certain snake faced someone.

The next morning I distracted myself by picking up around Virgil's room while he was getting ready. When he looked in the mirror and frowned I shot a burst of self confidence at him and when he turned away from the mirror, he was smiling. After a few minutes we were out of the house and walking towards his middle school.

As we walked past a park I saw a small, fluffy puppy. Glancing over at Virgil I decided he would be fine for a few minutes on his own and went over to the puppy. After a minute of playing with the small dog (and the owner looking very confused as to why her dog appeared to be playing with air) I glanced up and saw Janus smiling at me.

Except it wasn't like the sinister smiles I'd seen before, or even the smirk he'd given me yesterday. It looked like he was genuinely smiling. When he noticed me looking at him, he quickly changed his smile into a smirk and started walking towards Virgil. I stopped playing with the dog and flew over to where Janus was. Grabbing his hand I pulled him away from Virgil.

"No, you don't! I helped him be in a good mood today and you are not going to ruin that!"

"I wouldn't even dream of it," Janus replied in his silky voice that sends chills down my spine.

"Are you blushing," Deceit asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

"No, of course not. Why would I be blushing." I stammer out.

"Now Angel, it's my job to lie, not yours." He says smirking.

Without a second thought, I ran over to where Virgil was just entering the school, leaving Janus without a response.

——————

The next few weeks continued on like this. Janus would do something that would end up with me trying to hide my blushing face. Every time he made me blush he grew even cockier.

I sighed, glancing down at Virgil. He had made so much progress since that first night. His anxiety attacks happened less and less often. He was now also friends with a kid named Roman and was planning on asking Logan to the 8th grade dance within the next week. He still wore a lot of black, but he wore purple almost as much.

"It's totally not creepy that you're watching him sleep."

"Hey Janus, and I'm not watching him sleep. I'm just thinking about how far he's come."

"Sure you are," Janus said. I glanced up at him and saw him giving me that smirk that made my insides feel fuzzy.

"You know I'm not lying," I said stepping towards him. "I'm an angel. I don't lie."

"But Angel, I've heard you lie before." Janus grinned walking a few steps towards me. I look up at him. We're standing closer to each other than we ever have, at least on purpose. I glance at his lips for a fraction of a second, then berate myself, hoping with everything I have that he didn't see that.

Before I can process what happened he leaned in and our lips were touching. It wasn't forceful like you would expect from a demon, but soft and gentle. My eyes shut and I kiss back before realizing what I'm doing. I pull away and take a few steps back.

"We can't do this," I gasp out glancing around the room. "We're breaking so many rules even by just being friends let alone something more."

"C'mon Freckles, I'm a Demon. Breaking rules is why I do.

Part 2 Masterlist

Like my work? Consider buying me a Ko-Fi

[ramblingaboutthings]

Stardust - Chris Beck

Pairing: Chris Beck x reader

Summary: everyone knows about Y/n's crush, she isn't very discreet about it, but Dr. Beck? He's the only one oblivious to this fact and what can happen when they have a certain Mark Watney and the team to tease the two of them constantly?

Words: 1474

A/n: there will probably be a part two :)

hope you like this 'cause I'm kind proud of how it came out. Love you

It was a nice day for everyone on the HERMES, Mark had been rescued from Mars and everything was back to normal, Martinez was just chilling around annoying everyone, Beth was in the gym with commander Lewis and Mark was recovering in his bunk while Vogel, Dr. Beck and Y/n were doing their respective mansions.

Y/n picked up a rock from Mars, she'd been trying to study that since they escaped from Mars without Watney on sol 18, she spent all her time in a little lab because, first, she needed to focus on her job and then also if it was difficult for her to admit it, she was missing Mark, he was like a brother to her and now that he was back she was definitely more happy.

She looked in the microscope searching for something new, she was all focused and silent, so much that she didn't notice someone entered the room.

"Hey Y/n" someone whispered.

She jumped a little, from the surprise and then looked up to see who was interrupting her.

When she saw Beck she smiled slightly.

"What are you doing here doc?" She asked, her head nodding at him in greeting.

"Just came here to see how my favourite friend is doing" he smiled, walking beside his 'favourite friend' and putting an arm around her shoulders.

"We all know I'm not your favourite friend and you just need something Beck" Y/n teased.

"Okay Stardust, you're hurting my feelings I just wanted to ask you if you are coming to have a kind of dinner, everyone is already eating" he said.

Y/n stopped thinking for a moment before nodding and following Chris to where the others were.

She stopped for a second smiling at how lucky she was to have them always having each other's backs.

"Are you gonna have a seat or not?" Mark laughed.

She smiled and stuck her tongue at him before sitting in front of Chris.

She got lost in her thoughts, again, she was automatically eating her disgusting food while thinking about her gigantic crush.

He was beautiful, his cute blue eyes, the rare occasions where he'd crack a stupid little joke, his little wrinkles that appeared on his forehead when he was focusing on his work, everything, she loved absolutely everything.

There aren't a lot of rules when you're sent to space but Y/n never thought she'd break the simplest one: "no love interests between teammates "

Also if she was sure Beck didn't reciprocate her feelings, she was still disobeying to her superiors and she felt utterly guilty.

"HERMES to Y/n! Are you recieving us?" Martinez joked snapping her out of her trance.

"You've been staring at Beck for the last ten minutes without even blinking, I'm kind of scared now" Mark added

Y/n's face went all red as she looked away, everyone laughed.

"Uhm sorry for staring I just zoned out" she apologized to Beck, still blushing.

"No worries Stardust, I kind of know how much you like to daydream" he said smiling to comfort his friend.

Everyone stared at the pair with wide eyes as they exchanged knowing looks, they were sure all thinking about the same thing.

"Okay guys I think I'm just gonna go spend some time working in the lab, see you later" Beck said before walking away from the rest of the team.

All the team stared creepily at the poor girl laughing internally.

"What" she'd said.

"When are you gonna tell him?" Mark spoke up

"I can't, he doesn't even reciprocate my feelings" Y/n huffed, why did they have to annoy her so much?

"But what if he likes you back?" Mark asked, while a smirk crept onto his face.

"Oh please that's a two percent of possibilities" she objected. As if the most handsome guy in the whole Universe would want to date a girl who studied rocks as a lifestyle.

"Whatever you say stardust" Y/n glared at him "what? Beck can call you that" he added.

"He calls everyone like that"

At that point everyone laughed at Y/n's obliviousness.

"You're the only one he calls stardust, actually you're the only one he calls with nicknames in general" commander Lewis said standing up and filling her NASA glass with water.

"Beth do you want to do something? I'm bored and someone is annoying me" Y/n asked her best friend, hoping they would cut the conversation there.

"Yeah, wanna have a girls night? Lewis you on?" The commander nodded smiling "let's leave those assholes here to themselves"

They picked some food and headed to where they slept and sat down on the floor.

They just talked and laughed for some time, everyone seemed to have fun.

"Are you excited to go home?" Lewis questioned curiously.

"I'm gonna see my family after a very long time so yes, I'm really excited" Beth answered smiling.

Y/n thought about it, she was happy to see her family, sure, but she was going to miss living with four annoying men and her two best friends.

And obviously, she'd miss Beck. But decided not to say that

"I'll miss you guys a lot but I'm excited too" they all smiled and hugged each other.

It was a rare moment, usually demonstrations of affection were rare up there, it was all very professional. But they seemed to be finally happy and careless for once.

"We forgot the water, Y/n can you go grab some?" Beth asked after some moments of silence.

Y/n nodded reluctantly as she headed back to the "common room", everyone was back to their mansions, so she was alone.

She took a minute to sit and just look outside, the stars always made her feel safe, she remembered all the glowing stars she used to stick on her ceiling just for fun.

She remembered all the times she would go out on her backyard to see some shooting star and squeal in happiness when she'd actually see one.

When she was younger everyone used to make fun of her because of that passion she had. While her friends went out, partying and getting drunk she preferred just staying at home trying to memorize every single constellation on the sky; it was hard but she made it in the end.

She used to bore all her friends with her talks about Universe, stars, planets and things like that but she didn't care because that was what she loved most.

She zoned out again smiling at the little window while dr. Beck was now standing quietly some feets behind her, admiring how beautiful she looked when she spaced out.

"Hey stardust, sorry if I interrupt your stargazing thing but your friends are searching for you and your water" Beck finally spoke up, scaring the woman to death.

"Beck! You scared the shit out of me" she'd yelled.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to disturb your daydreaming" he apologized laughing.

"Don't make fun of me Beck" she glared at him.

He faked a military salute still smiling "Yes sergeant".

Y/n cracked out a laugh as she got up.

"Stop" she'd said walking closer to the man.

They both smiled and blushed awkwardly.

"What were you daydreaming about?" Beck asked curiously.

"I was just thinking about how I used to be hated when I was younger and now look at where I am, in space, with the people I care the most about" she answered.

Chris smiled, his blue eyes lighting up while she was talking.

"You better take your water to your friends, I think they're getting impatient" they laughed.

An idea flashed inside Y/n's mind, she didn't want to sound desperate but she wanted to invite Chris to their girls night.

"How about you come with me? We're probably listening to Lewis horrible music" she said while going to pick the damn water.

"I'd be glad to listen to awful music with you crazy girls" Chris replied taking some food for him.

Y/n walked away and Chris copied her actions before sitting down between Y/n and Beth.

"What is a boy doing in our girls time?" Beth asked.

Y/n felt guilty about taking Chris with her but she couldn't waste a possibility of a good time with the man she loved.

"I'm sorry, he seemed to be all bored and lonely so I invited him here to listen to some of Lewis' disco music" she'd confessed, blushing lightly.

Beth and commander Lewis moved to Mark's bunk and Y/n and Chris sat on Vogel's one while disco music was now playing in the background.

They talked for a long time before Y/n felt her eyelids become heavy, she lied her head on Chris' shoulder and let the dark take over.

[livesbeneath]

the end of all things.

pairing: noah x female mc (harley blanco)

summary: it’s three am, and her laugh is in his head. it almost makes him want to live.

word count: 2.8k.

author’s note: i decided to try and revert back to my old epic poem-esque style for this work, and i have to say, i am extremely excited about how it turned out!  this piece has been a labor of love for me, and i really hope you all enjoy a brief journey across canon with a little added perspective from noah and mc.  i wrote this fic mainly while listening to  the end of all things  by panic! at the disco, hence the name. i highly recommend giving the song a listen since it’s gorgeous - and really helps set the mood. i apologize for any grammar / sentence structure issues, as i tried to proofread the best i could, and thank anyone who takes the time to read!  feedback in any form is deeply appreciated!  (and a big thanks to @gayvathewitch for being my first set of eyes <3)

disclaimer: i do not own these characters / some of the dialogue present. creative liberty has been taken to make this story unique, and i do not intend to use it for profit in any way.

whether near or far, i am always yours. any change in  time, we are young again. so lay us down. we’re in love.

i. bravery

She asserted herself as the bravest in the group at age seven. She picked up worms after rainstorms, rode her bike without a helmet, and tried a new vegetable every month. She jumped into the public pool without holding her nose and didn’t wear swim goggles.

Despite being a pup, Harley led the pack. She was destined to grow into her claws.

ii. cowardice

He always looked slightly anxious. He was cautious, moody, protective. He often hid under his covers at night when he heard the wind blow through his window. It was broken, and refused to close all the way.

Noah wasn’t a wolfish young boy. He was more the shadow that hung behind the sun.

iii. third

He decides eight o’clock in the morning is too early to be awake. Noah suppresses a yawn, eyelids drooping. His mom says that he’ll be able to walk to school after he turns twelve. Until then, he’s stuck on the bus.

“Where’s Jane?” Harley asks quizzically, her Monsters Inc. lunchbox sat on her lap. The two girls always sat together. Noah usually took the seat across the aisle from them - but today it had been claimed by Grant Warner, and he was a fifth grader.

“She has a fever.” He frowns as he stares at the empty space beside her. “Can I sit?”

“I don’t know-” she grins, pulling on one of her own pigtails. “Can you? Do you know how to sit, Noah?”

“Shut up.” he grumbles as he plops down. She knows he doesn’t mean it, and that only makes her giggle harder. The sound makes him want to shove her lunch onto the floor. That is, until he hears his mother’s voice in the back of his head.

You know, boys only pick on girls if they like them, Noah.

Frowning to himself, he sinks lower into the seat, not bothering to shrug his backpack off his shoulders. Her voice was too loud for such an early morning.

“Are you nervous?” she answers before he can even take a breath. “I’m not nervous. I can’t wait to tell Jane all about it!”

“Third grade is gonna be just like second grade, y’know.”

Her spirit is seemingly indomitable, as she simply cheers in response. Her second grade year was a blast - and his was filled with butterflies. Annoying butterflies.

Butterflies he’d like to squish.

iv. sleepover

Mrs. Marshall had packed her children a travel-sized bag of cheesyfish, their own separate flavored toothpastes, and mismatched pairs of socks. She didn’t stop at the front door of Harley’s house to see her children off. Her migraines were getting worse - and a quiet night free of her kids was just what the doctor ordered.

Noah was shocked when Harley’s father answered the door. He didn’t see her parents much. In fact, he was pretty sure they were supposed to be in Boston on business in a week.

Immediately, the twins were whisked to the backyard where the rest of their friends were waiting. Andy was ripping clumps of grass out of the ground and throwing them at Lucas, which was highly amusing to the other children.

“Harley!” Jane says from beside him, a sly smile on her face. “Tell Noah to stop being such a big baby about Mr. Red.”

Harley’s mouth forms an o-shape, her eyebrows raising. “You don’t want to go play with Mr. Red tonight?”

“I’m not a baby! I just think - what if your parents see we aren’t here?”

“That’s why we have a tent, silly! And blankets and pillows to make props! We know Mr. Red can’t really play with us in the light.”

He bites his lip. “It’s gonna be really dark.”

“We can bring flashlights!” Harley smiles. “Or, we can stay here. I want to go to help protect everyone, but you remember the playtime rule, don’t you?”

A few feet away, Jane breaks a twig in half with a clean snap!

“Everyone plays together!”

v. whispers

Her first mistake was not making it to the gym early. If she had, maybe she could have snagged a seat at the top of the bleachers, somewhere high up, a corner against the wall where no one would bother her.

She’s all too aware of his lazy eyes. Tired as they may be, they burn into her back as she stands there like an idiot, contemplating a daring escape out the closest exit.

“Hey, Harley! Sit your stupid ass down unless you wanna watch from the garbage can!”

To her chagrin, Noah makes no move to assist her as she stands there. She doesn’t expect him to, but it would have been the most efficient way to make Cody shut his mouth.

“Hello? You’re blocking our view, and there’s a spot right there!” Jocelyn blurts, waving a hand towards the only seat left open in the whole place.

She exhales before turning at a snail’s pace to meet Noah’s eyes. He sits there expectantly, and Harley assumes that he already knows his answer to her question before she’s even asked it. Swallowing her pride, she offers him a reluctant smile. “Hey, Noah. Do you mind if I…?”

Can you? Do you know how to sit, Harley?

“Knock yourself out.”

He takes his time scooting to the side. Harley shoots Cody and Jocelyn one last glare before stepping up and squeezing beside Noah, crossing her arms across her chest as she plants her feet firmly on the platform below. Any attempts at small talk will be futile, and yet-

“So… what’s been up with you? We haven’t really talked since…”

His voice is a flatline. He shifts uncomfortably in his spot. “Yeah, I know.”

Harley shakes her head slightly as she glances around, her eyes not exactly focusing in on anything, not even Lucas as he approaches center floor to begin the assembly. The gymnasium rumbles around them as the students welcome their class president. Both stay still, letting the vibrations from over a hundred feet stomping madly drown out the rumbles of awkwardness situated in their stomachs.

They fall into a steeled, not-quite conversation. Occasional jabs at Lucas’ discovery of hair gel and Stacy’s cheermates inch them closer and closer to dismissal. After the bell, they’ll hopefully never have to do this again.

“Why do people like her so much?” Harley huffs offhandedly, eyeing Britney in the sea of pom poms before them. “They’ve got to know how horrible she is.”

“And?” Noah begins. “She’s hot and she can do flips. We can’t compete with that.”

She turns to look at him, a curious half-smile on her face as he shrugs. It’s somewhat comforting to know that they remain similar despite the ten years of radio silence between them.

It isn’t the same with everyone else, though. Some of them are still stuck in the gutter of the social pyramid, some of them seemingly free from it, parading around the gym like they own it.

“Huh. Andy actually made the team this year.”

Harley can’t help but grin at that. “Good for him! I can’t wait to see him play.”

Noah yawns as the basketball team captain takes the podium, his speech a carbon copy of every other student-written rallying cry, right down to the obnoxious Westchester Wolves howl.

However, one element manages to catch them both off guard: the flickering of the gymnasium lights.

Then, a plea from Lucas to stay seated. A microphone full of feedback. A broken stereo system.

With a loud BANG!, the doors of the gym fly open, and the lights flicker back on.

She feels a hand clamp around her arm. A shiver up her spine.

“God! What are you-”

He speaks with a frightening concern. “Shut up! Do you hear that!?”

“Hear what?”

“Ssssshhhh!”

The music sputters and dies as the lights shut off completely. A voice, completely alien and horribly familiar.

A whisper.

“Everyone… plays… together.”

vi. resurgence

They all started spending time together, but only out of obligation. It wasn’t as if cops could just arrest Redfield.

She understands Noah’s anger, but it doesn’t make the sight of his face twisted in rage any easier to see. It’s a constant reminder that maybe they could have spared themselves years of loneliness if one of them had been tough enough to speak up.

Harley wasn’t going to stand back anymore. Not after the assembly. Not after finding Dan. Not after what he had told her in the hardware store.

“Mom blames me, y’know. For Jane… and for dad leaving right after.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“It is. She’s said it to my face. Regularly, actually.”

It’s moments like that, like him looking so paralyzed when a monster charges at him, which spark up remembrance in her. They not only make her realize how much she’s missed him, but how much she’s always wanted to be there for him. To protect him. Something about him ignites the hero in her.

She finds where he sits at lunch and plops down.

He wonders why she didn’t ask before doing so.

vii. effortless

The cobblestone around Britney’s pool proved to be terribly unkind to any kind of shoe that required balance to walk in. Decked out in gold and heels, an ensemble that was a giant leap from her normal bomber jacket, it almost made Harley wish that she hadn’t agreed to take a walk with him.

Almost.

Jocelyn’s laugh and the rest of the party fades out behind them as they reach the edge of the backyard, the gentle lapping of the pool water calming Harley’s nerves.

She feels the urge to reach down her throat and rip her heart from her chest in an attempt to silence it. From the moment she had seen him in his natural habitat, gracelessly tossing potato chips into the pool, her heartbeat had been on the fritz.

Nevertheless, she appears just as collected as ever, even as the two of them share a grin. She takes note of how much lighter he looks when he does so.

“So I gotta ask-” she begins. “Why’d you decide to come tonight.”

He looks her over subtly. His hands begin to sweat. “It’s dumb.”

“I bet it’s not! What if I tell you something dumb?”

“Depends on what you got.”

She runs through multiple replies in her mind. There’s “I think you look nice with your hair long”, along with “I felt my stomach lurch when you laughed earlier”. There’s also-

“I got points off my language arts homework because I misspelled orange.”

His lips turn upward, and he doesn’t work to suppress a chuckle. “You mean the most phonetically sound word in the English language?”

“See? Now that was dumb.” she watches him shake his head, taking a breath.

“I came because…”

Because you would be here. Because she made things a bit easier to bear. “Well, being with your friends in a place you hate is still better than being alone, right?”

He drifts from her in that moment, the grill a few feet away giving him something more stable to think about. She approaches - relentless as always - a smile on her face. He wishes he could be so easygoing.

She speaks so easily, and he doesn’t think she realizes the impact of the stuff she says. Noah doesn’t know what it is about her that makes her so much easier to talk to. So easy to snap at, and then confide in seconds later. He knows she deserves better than his polar opposites. She would have a much better time playing spin the bottle with Stacy’s brother.

And yet, she doesn’t go. Not when he digs up skeletons from his past, not when he mentions his wishes for the future. He barely realizes he’s talking about Baby Jane’s, something that he’s never mentioned away from pen and paper, until the words leave his mouth. Until she happily asks “Will you let me be a waitress at Baby Jane’s someday?”

Something about it is so effortless. Something about them is so…

“Now, what do you say we go back to the party? See if Britney has any hot dogs?”

He shakes his head as music begins to blare from the house. “You go ahead. I like how quiet it is over here.”

Harley’s face practically glows as she recognizes the song playing, and she turns back to him, enthusiastically sticking her arm out. “Are you sure? Come on, come dance with me!”

“Hey, I bet Andy would dance with you.” he can’t help but smile, pointedly trying to ignore the adorable way she bobs along to the bass.

Instead of replying, Harley decides to kick off her heels, one of them landing in the pool as she goes. She shakes out her hair, brunette tresses falling over her shoulders and down her back, moving from side to side as she begins to groove along with the sound.

Laughing, she extends both her arms, making grabby hands at him and calling out. “But it’s fun! And it’s Franz Ferdinand! You know Take Me Out, right?”

He doesn’t bother to recall if he knows the song or not, and smiles as he playfully waves her away, standing only to go and fish her shoe out of the water.

Sticking out her tongue, hips swaying, she turns and dances off to where Andy is sitting.

He watches her go, a blush spreading across his cheeks as he marvels at just how plucky she is.

Some things never change.

viii. reverse

He made a bold move of his own a few days later, bell ringing overhead as he showed up unannounced, joining her for all things coffee and Redfield related. She had initially been alone, probably for a reason, as it jostled him to see her so worked up.

After a particularly tense session of rehashing the past, the sound of her pencil furiously scribbling away in her notebook dedicated to Mr. Red is the only thing between them. He shuffles his feet as he sees her violently wipe tears of frustration from her eyes. A sickness pools into his chest as he realizes how much of this she’s taking on by herself  -  and in that, he sees his own reflection.

“I don’t know what to do.” she huffs, dropping her pencil to tug on her hair.

Unwilling to hash out the future in its entirety, his hand grazes hers before pulling away. Instead of something to hold, he gives her a small smile.

“If all else fails, you can always wait tables. Baby Jane’s is gonna need staff members.”

It’s a nice thought.

ix. sidestep

The night was young as the teens celebrated their victory. After spending what seemed like years fearing every shadow that fell beside them, the strobe lights at homecoming seemed almost too good to be true.

Noah drifts off to the side as a slow song begins, feeling his stomach begin to churn as the clock keeps ticking. No matter how he tries, he can’t will the hands to move any faster.

Harley also feels sick, but mainly because she’s just polished off her fourth cup of punch in fifteen minutes. That, and the fact that they’re the only two who haven’t found someone to dance with.

Neither of them work up the courage to make a move.

Maybe he could have if he didn’t know what was coming.

x. betrayal

What was coming could only be better than what had gone.

He tells himself this as he watches her, dress ruined, drenched in Cora Pritchard’s blood and riddled with tears, leave the dogs to deal with the horde closing in on the ruins. This is what they - what he - had to do.

This only makes him sicker as he leads her inside. No amount of hope will ever dull the knife in his pocket. The way he feels about her only makes it sharper, only makes it more painful as she grapples with it against her throat. He thinks it remarkable how valiantly she fights. She thinks it horrific how this is when he finally decides to grow some balls.

Her survival instincts briefly overtake her heart. “Noah, you traitor! Let go of me! If Redfield has hurt any of our friends, I swear-”

The venom in her voice shatters him inside, but he keeps his focus on his sister, on how sweet it will be to finally free her.

He thinks of how when he dies, he won’t ever feel the pain of hurting those he loves again.

xi. together

But as always, she has a plan of her own.

When there is no one left but the two of them, both staring confoundedly at the puff of smoke that was once Redfield, her mind begins to race.

Harley watches his feet drag across the floor as he approaches her, his appearance that of a boy dissolved by his own actions. Noah wants nothing more than to dissipate. He wants nothing more than to make things right. To be brave for once.

Unfortunately, bravery is all she has left.

xi. bravery

So, she sacrifices herself.

xii. cowardice

And as for him?

He runs.

in these coming years, many things will change. but the way  i feel will remain the same. so lay us down. we’re in love.

[yellowmechanicalcat]

fic: Take It Easy (plance, gen)

what up guys have a non-queued post! This fic takes place after Chapter 3 of Waiting, Wishing but can be read as a standalone. Set sometime between Seasons 3 and 4, it features one-sided (...for now) Pidge/Lance, platonic Kidge, dubious skincare techniques, and awkward bonding experiences, but everything turns out okay. 

Summary:

Lance flashes finger guns at her and jogs off, leaving her standing in the middle of the corridor in her dust-covered armor, beads of sweat dripping down her face, trying to figure out what she’s gotten herself into. Oh, right. The conversation at breakfast the other day. The face goo. She’d agreed to try it.

Which means, apart from the weirdness of putting the substance she regularly consumes for nutrition on her face, that it’ll be the two of them. Making conversation, the way she’s tried her best to avoid ever since their little heart-to-heart on Olkarion. And it’s fine. She can do it.

Find it on AO3 or below the cut.

Take It Easy

Allura clears her throat with just enough authority that the team automatically turns towards her as she leans across the table and gently but firmly places a hand on Lance’s arm.

“Lance, what is wrong with your face?” the princess asks.

Simultaneously, they all stare at Lance as he guiltily looks up from his breakfast goo and – yeah, okay, Lance’s skin is practically sparkling, which is definitely not normal.

“N— Nothing’s wrong with it!” Lance sputters, flushing red. Somehow, blushing only makes his skin shimmer more brightly. It’s like he’d morphed into a human disco ball overnight. “I wouldn’t be so sure,” Keith says from the end of the table, letting his spork clatter into his empty bowl. “You look like you rolled around in glitter. Like a chinchilla, or something.”

Shiro looks faintly alarmed at the prospect of Lance having somehow located enough glitter to do so. He sneaks a side-eyed glance at Pidge and quirks an eyebrow, like he wants to find out whether she knows anything about it but isn’t brave enough to actually ask. Pidge just shrugs, because she definitely doesn’t keep track of all the weird things Lance does in his free time, thank you, Shiro.

“You’re a chinchilla,” Lance grumbles half-heartedly.

Keith rolls his eyes at him but Lance doesn’t notice. He’s too distracted by the fact that Allura’s hand is still resting on his arm. This is the longest they’ve ever touched outside of training in probably ever, give or take a few doboshes.

“Do you mean you did this to your face on purpose?” Allura clarifies. In his dazed state, it takes him a moment to process what she’s actually asking, but Lance eventually nods. Satisfied, Allura pats his arm and returns to her breakfast.

“That’s fine, then. I thought you might have contracted a Glass Virus,” she says cheerfully. “That’s when the skin on your face slowly cracks open because the layers underneath have solidified. It looks a bit like glass before everything starts to, ah, leak.”

Shiro finally finds his voice. “Allura, that’s awful.” Allura shrugs. “No worse than your— what do you call them? ‘Pimples.’” “Not that I don’t love learning about gross alien diseases while eating, but I’d like to know why Lance is sparkly,” Hunk interrupts.

Lance groans. The blush is starting to fade but he’s still obviously flustered. “It’s not a big deal. I was trying out a new face mask last night, it’s probably just some residue or something. But it worked great, check this out!”

Expectantly, Lance angles his face towards Hunk and waits until he reaches over and pats his cheek, his skeptical expression giving way to awe. “Whoa, smooth.”

“I know, right?” Lance says smugly. “I grabbed some of the junk you and Pidge brought back from that rando market you found last week, the one that’s kind of like cinnamon?”

Hunk frowns. “What junk— wait, that brown powder? Lance, I got that for eating! Do you have any idea how hard it is to find spices that are actually edible?” “Calm your pants, I didn’t take that much. Anyway, the one I used was more yellow-ish–”

They’ve all gotten used to seeing Lance walk around the Castle with a blend of Altean goo slathered on his face. He’d grilled Coran about its nutrients long enough to conclude it’d be just as good for the outside of a body as it was for the inside. Incorporating secondary ingredients into his face masks is new, although from his impromptu speech about Altean food goo’s seemingly extended-release hydrating properties, he’s clearly put a lot of thought into it. For someone who frequently claims to have slept through every single one of his science classes, Lance understands a lot more chemistry than he thinks he does.

“I still can’t believe you were willing to put all that stuff on your face,” Pidge says once Lance has finished.

“Don’t knock it ’til you try it,” Lance sniffs. He shoves a sporkful of food goo into his mouth.

And Pidge, much to her own surprise, says, “Fine.”

Lance looks up at her with suspicion. “Fine? What doesh ‘fine’ mean?” he says through a mouthful of goo. “It means I’ll try it.”

The room goes awkwardly silent for a moment as the others pretend they aren’t all staring at them. Pidge makes sure to keep her expression perfectly neutral, even though she’s dying inside because she knows that any moment someone’s going to make a big deal out of it.

Lance swallows, considers it, then nods. “Okay, cool.”

And… that’s it. Everyone starts talking again and breakfast goes on, like nothing unusual had happened.

-

Voltron’s sent to a volcanic planet to scout out a Galra base that is less of a base and more of a campground. The place appears long abandoned. Allura attempts to put a positive spin on it by pointing out that at least they’ve discovered a planet the Galra are not currently occupying, but even that doesn’t do much to raise morale. The air is full of ash and everything is bone-dry. Their helmets filter out most of it, but not enough. By they time they get back to the Castle, they all feel like their mouths are full of dirt and dust.

Lance loudly announces to the team that his skin is in need of some serious downtime after being exposed to such harsh conditions and leaves first, ostensibly to go back to his quarters for said downtime. Pidge ends up trailing behind him because there’s really only one way back, although she tries to maintain enough distance that it won’t seem like she’s following him, because she isn’t– and just for the record, she’s getting very tired of having to put so much thought into every single one of their interactions.

Lance looks back at her and she stops in her tracks. “Oh, hey, you still in?”

She isn’t sure how to respond to that, so she nods. Lance’s face lights up with excitement.

“Sweet! We’ll have a mini spa day, it’ll be fun. Meet me in the kitchen in a varga!”

He flashes finger guns at her and jogs off, leaving her standing in the middle of the corridor in her dust-covered armor, beads of sweat dripping down her face, trying to figure out what she’s gotten herself into.

Oh, right. The conversation at breakfast the other day. The face goo. She’d agreed to try it.

Which means, apart from the weirdness of putting the substance she regularly consumes for nutrition on her face, that it’ll be the two of them. Making conversation, the way she’s tried her best to avoid ever since their little heart-to-heart on Olkarion. And it’s fine. She can do it.

-

She can’t do it.

-

“‘Nooooo, Pidge, you are definitely overthinking it. Seriously, this is all we ever talk about anymore! Can you please just put a lid on your emotions instead of letting them ooze all over the place?’ …I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what he’d say. And that’s why I can’t ask Hunk,” Pidge concludes, switching back to her normal voice as she peers around her trash sculpture of Hunk.

Her audience, nestled in junk-Shiro’s hair, is not impressed. The blue space caterpillar chirps.

Pidge frowns down at them. “Excuse you, my impressions are great.”

She flops onto her back and stares up at the ceiling, cataloguing her options. She can’t think of a good reason to cancel on Lance that wouldn’t make him suspicious and she’s running out of choices to ask for backup. She’s already ruled out Hunk, and she’s not sure about asking Allura or Shiro–

That’s when it hits her. Well, technically, her sweatshirt hits her, right in the face, because the caterpillars have just dropped it on her, but it coincides with figuring out the solution. She pulls her sweatshirt over her undersuit and shoves her feet into her boots, because being half-changed is as good as it’s going to get.

“Thanks for your help, guys!” she tells the caterpillars, hurrying out of her room.

-

Pidge catches Keith in the hallway. ‘Catches’ is not an exaggeration because she actually latches onto his arm to make sure he doesn’t get away. It’s taken her nearly half a varga to track him down, and she’s nearly out of time.

He looks down at her, clearly startled, and still in his paladin armor. “Uh, what’s up?”

She levels him with a hard stare. “You owe me.”

He doesn’t get what she’s talking about right away, but embarrassment is contagious. She figures if she keeps staring at him long enough, he’ll eventually remember what she’s talking about and she won’t have to rehash the whole awkward event.

It works.

Keith’s eyes widen before his face settles into a mildly pained expression. It sort of reminds her of the time they’d guessed his birthday and gotten Shiro to confirm it and spontaneously decided to celebrate at dinner. Coran had made them all wear silly hats he’d dug out of some storage cube because he remembered hearing about Earth traditions and party hats and he’d forced Keith into wearing the most ridiculous one. Once he’d realized there was no escape, Keith had sat through dinner with that exact same expression.

“… okay, and?” says Keith.

“And I’m cashing in. So I told Lance I’d try his face mask thing, right, and he invited me to do a spa day but there’s no way I can do it alone because things have been so weird since Olkarion but if I bail it’ll make it worse, and that’s why I need you to come with me.”

It’s more information than Keith probably needed and he has to close his eyes as he processes everything. She watches as he takes a deep breath, muttering something under his breath that sounds a lot like ‘patience’, then opens his eyes again.

“This isn’t really a good time, Pidge. I’m leaving for a mission with the Blades first thing tomorrow and I have a lot to do before I go–”

If there was anything that would convince her to back down, the reminder that sometimes Keith left their team for another one was definitely not it. She tightens her grip on his arm.

“Don’t worry. This won’t take long, I promise,” Pidge lies, tugging him in the direction of the kitchen.

-

Lance had changed back into his civilian clothes. His eyebrows raise questioningly when he sees Keith trailing behind Pidge, and the boys’ eyes meet as silently, Keith dares him to say something, anything, just to pick a fight and give him an out–

Until Pidge slugs him in the arm, breaking his focus.

“Keith was just telling me how he’d been dying to try this stuff too, weren’t you, buddy?” she says blithely. “So I brought him along. Hope that’s okay, Lance.”

Lance looks skeptical but shrugs. “Sure, I should have enough. Let me grab another cup.”

Keith glares daggers at Pidge the moment Lance turns his back to them. She smiles sweetly at him in response.

Lance’s spa day supplies are lined up on the counter, covered by a blanket. Before they begin he makes them swear they won’t reveal his Top Secret methods to anyone. This is apparently something he genuinely worries about, because, as he tells them with the utmost seriousness, what they are about to experience will change their lives forever.

Pidge thinks this is dumb, and tells him so. “Seriously, who would we even tell?”

“Just swear!” Lance insists, scowling.

Keith huffs impatiently. “Fine,” he says, clapping one hand over Pidge’s mouth before she can say anything else and raising the other hand in an approximation of a Scouting salute. “We swear.”

Lance waits until she, too, raises her hand in an actual three-fingered salute, but seems satisfied. “A little sloppy, but I’ll allow it.”

Pidge tilts her head up slightly and blinks up at Keith. “Lemme go or I’ll bite you,” she says through Keith’s hand. Keith releases her in a hurry.

Lance pulls the blanket off with dramatic flourish and animatedly gestures to the setup on the counter. “Okey-dokey, here we go! Just three easy steps for guaranteed results: Steam, scrub, and soothe. Nothing to it!”

There’s a covered basket, the corner of a towel peeking out; a tea kettle and cups; a couple small containers, one of which contains something that like goo; and two short Puigian scarves that Lance holds out to them.

“You and Keith can use them,” Pidge says.

Lance looks doubtful. “You sure?”

Pidge quirks an eyebrow at him, a wordless reminder that she specializes in finding solutions to the most challenging situations, and this is far from challenging. Who does he think he is to question her ingenuity?

Lance’s mouth twists wryly in response, but he offers one scarf to Keith, who just stares at it.

“Why do I even need this?”

“Watch and learn,” Pidge says grandly. She pushes her bangs back with one hand then slides her glasses up to rest on top of her head. Matt’s old glasses are surprisingly sturdy. This isn’t the first time she’s used them as a makeshift headband.

“That works,” Lance says, looking impressed as he knots the other scarf behind his head.

Reluctantly, Keith copies him. “This is weird,” he mumbles.

Pidge goes to stomp on his foot, but Keith slides both his feet out of the way before she can reach with her unfortunately shorter legs. Lance notices their scuffle, glancing from Pidge to Keith.

“For someone who ‘really wanted’ to try this you sure are unenthusiastic about the process, dude,” Lance says dryly.

“Not unenthusiastic, just tired,” Keith says, poker-faced. It’s hard to argue with that, considering the morning they’d had, so Lance drops it.

They pull out the multipurpose chairs from under the counter, unfolding the legs, and settle in; they’re more like stools than real chairs, but their low backs made it safe to tilt back without collapsing.

The covered basket turns out to hold heated cloths. Lance instructs them to drape a cloth over their faces, something about preparing their skin for cleansing by steaming away ‘toxins’, a term he seems to believe is defined as ‘gross space dirt’.

But Pidge can’t even bring herself to argue with him right now because Lance’s cloth trick is magic. She can feel her sinuses clearing as pressure lifts from her head; she hadn’t realized just how much the dust had affected her. She makes a happy little noise of contentment, settling into her chair.

“This actually isn’t so bad,” Keith says in mild surprise, voice muffled under the cloth.

“Yeah, well, that’s kind of the whole point,” Lance sniffs. “Skincare: it’s actually not so bad.”

“Shut up,” Keith says amicably, leaning further back in his chair so he can prop his feet up on the edge of the counter.

They sit there until the cloths on their faces start to cool. Then they all have hot tea, because apparently they need to steam the toxins out of their insides, too. Lance fusses about the amount of sweetener Pidge puts in her tea because it isn’t healthy or something and before Pidge can argue that space sugar doesn’t count, Keith points out it isn’t even real sugar so it’s probably fine. Lance complains about the two of them ganging up on him, but she can tell he isn’t actually that upset about it, so she sneaks some more sweetener into his tea when he’s not looking.

Once they’re mostly done with their tea, Lance pulls out a small container, twisting off the lid to reveal something similar to glue, or maybe wax.

“This is for exfoliating. Just, uh, don’t ask me what it is, Coran explained it to me and it made my head hurt,” Lance says. He smears some on his forehead and around his nose. “Anyway, you wait about thirty ticks and then peel it off. It works great on blackheads.”

He demonstrates, holding out the used strip as proof. Keith declines to look, but Pidge leans in closer. Whatever the exfoliant is made of is definitely effective.

“Gross,” Pidge says appreciatively. Lance beams at her.

She dips her hand into the adhesive and manages to cover half of Keith’s nose before he squirms away, baring his teeth at her like a cat in a bath. He sulks his way through the thirty ticks, at which point Lance has to help Keith peel the stuff off his nose because Keith apparently can’t manage it on his own and Keith nearly punches him when Lance tells him not to be such a baby before Pidge intervenes.

In the end it takes all three of them to get the exfoliant up because it turns out that Keith really wasn’t joking about it not coming off.

“Are you crying?” Lance says incredulously, eyes wide.

“No,” Keith snaps, hands protectively cupped around his nose.

Pidge takes it upon herself to settle with science whether the exfoliant was really that awful or if Lance was bizarrely immune to its effects. She dabs some onto the sore spot on her chin as the boys watch closely and peels it off with the same results Lance had. Bonus: one less zit.

Lance grudgingly concludes that he should probably test his skincare routine efficacy more thoroughly before trying to patent it. Keith is overwhelmed by the idea of Lance ever patenting anything. While they bicker, Pidge seizes the opportunity to examine the exfoliant, having noticed that the jar actually has two separate compartments and that Lance had only opened the lower one.

She twists open the top lid and peers inside, but she doesn’t see much before the lid slams shut as Lance unceremoniously plucks the jar from her hands. “Nope, nuh-uh, bad idea.”

“Why?”

“Told you, it’s Coran’s, and you really don’t want to know any more. Trust me.”

It’s probably the worst thing he could have said, because even if Pidge wasn’t already curious, it pushes Keith’s suspicion to an all-time high.

“Let me see that.” Keith grabs the jar from Lance, ignoring his indignant yelp of protest. He twists open the lid just enough for something to tentatively wiggle its way out before hastily pulling back as Keith slams the lid back down.

“It’s alive!” he chokes out.

Exasperated, Lance throws his hands in the air. “I tried to warn you!”

-

Finally, Lance unveils his piece de resistance. His latest concoction of face mask goo is a muted lavender color instead of the familiar green. He pushes the bowl towards them and tells them to cover their faces, demonstrating proper technique on his own. Dubiously, they copy him until their faces are all not-quite-Galra purple.

“Now what happens?” Keith asks, mask applied.

“Now we wait,” Lance says, reaching for the kitchen timer and setting it. “Twenty doboshes, then you rinse it off. I usually listen to music but I only have the one set of headphones.”

“Imagine that,” Pidge says dryly, because he seems to have forgotten that they’re her headphones and at some point she does expect to get them back.

Lance ignores her. “So. Ideas, anyone?”

Much to their surprise, Keith does. “We could play that game.”

The game is a slightly more competitive variation of Twenty Questions mixed with Rock, Paper, Scissors. The rules are simple: Everyone has to answer, and more rules can be added at any time. None of them remember who’d come up with the game in the first place, but it’s ended up being both a good way to kill time and a much less invasive bonding experience than the Altean mind-meld gear. They haven’t been able to settle on a points system yet, so no one’s ever officially won.

Pidge and Keith shoot for the category, her rock crushing Keith’s scissors. She ends up going with ‘favorite things’, even though it’s kind of a cop out choice because it’s so vague.

She and Lance shoot next; paper covers rock, Lance wins. He does a drumroll on the table.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the first topic of the evening iiiiis: Halloween candy!” he announces with entirely too much enthusiasm.

Keith looks confused. “Didn’t we do this one already the other day, with Hunk?”

“Nah, that was… food, I think? Favorite foods? Totally different concept.”

Keith shakes his head. “I don’t get why people are so into Halloween. It just seems so– so over-commercialized.”

“Maybe because it’s fun, you weirdo? Also, free candy. Anyway, you’re up, Pidge, loser answers first,” Lance decides arbitrarily. He nudges her with his elbow, which wouldn’t have been a problem if Pidge wasn’t also downing the last of her tea.

“Really, Lance?” she chokes out, coughing furiously.

Lance thumps her back sympathetically. It doesn’t help. “My bad.”

They wait for her to finish hacking up her lungs before continuing with the game. Admittedly, it is not her finest hour. Then again, they’re all sitting around the kitchen with food goo smeared on their faces, so at least she’s in good company.

She clears her throat. “Um, I like peanut butter cups. Matt and I used to fight over who’d gotten more whenever we went trick or treating and I usually ended up stealing his.”

“Same for me,” Lance says cheerfully. “Lucky for me, no one else in my family liked them that much, so I never had to fight for them. Remind me never to go trick or treating with you. Keith?”

“Sour gummy worms,” Keith says, without elaborating. “Point of order, are we shooting for every topic?”

‘Point of order,’ Pidge repeats, silently mouthing the words, because trust Keith to be extra-formal with what is the world’s least formal game.

Lance bares his teeth in a fierce grin. With the face mask, the effect is slightly terrifying. “Bring it.”

The boys shoot. Keith’s scissors win.

“Favorite pet,” Keith decides. “Or pets, I don’t care. Go.”

Pidge zones out as Lance continues to ramble about a giant goldfish he had when he was nine years old and wonders whether she should pick the space caterpillars. She’s not sure they count as pets, though; they’re self-sufficient enough that they’re more like freeloading alien roommates.

Lance still hasn’t settled on his answer by the time she tunes back in. “—although we already had a turtle and two finches and sometimes a cat by the time I was born and they were all pretty cool, so I’m torn–”

“Wait, how do you ‘sometimes’ have a cat?” Pidge interrupts, frowning.

“Julio was his own man, he liked to do his own thing. Kind of like Keith, actually,” Lance adds unnecessarily, much to Keith’s displeasure. “Anyway, Julio visited lots of people around town. I’m pretty sure we were his favorite family because my sisters gave him cans of tuna.”

“So he wasn’t actually your cat, he was just a stray,” Pidge clarifies. “That shouldn’t count as a pet.”

To their surprise, Keith disagrees. “Actually, I think it should. We had a cat like that too. Technically it had us, I guess, because it’d been living out back before we moved in. Ours was just called Cat, though. He’d have been my pick.”

Lance looks faintly impressed by Keith sticking up for him. “Gotta say, I never would have pegged you for a cat person.”

“We fly giant robot lions. I think that makes us all cat people,” Keith deadpans, much to Pidge’s delight. She offers him a high five that he returns after a split second of hesitation, while Lance loudly groans at the pun.

Pidge turns her attention back to Lance. “I know I’m going to regret asking, but what actually happened to your goldfish?”

Lance heaves an overly-dramatic sigh, putting a hand to his forehead in an obvious pantomime of Tragedy. “My sister Rachel fed him to Julio when we were out of tuna fish. Anyway, now that I’ve shared my tale of woe with you all, it’s Pidge’s turn.”

“Well, we have a dog, so I guess it should be her…” Pidge trails off when she realizes with a sudden pang that there’s no way to know if Bae Bae is even alive anymore and tries her best to ignore the thought. “…but I’m going to have to say that Kaltenecker’s my favorite.”

Lance’s face falls. “I should have said Kaltenecker! Can I change my answer?”

“Too late,” Pidge says smugly as she and Keith face off again.

Keith wins once more, this time playing paper to her rock instead of scissors, and grimaces as he realizes he’s stuck picking the topic once again. “Uh… movies?”

Lance leans forward, already on the edge of his seat with anticipation, and Pidge rolls her eyes at him because she’s pretty sure she already knows what movie Lance is going to pick.

“…that don’t have a sequel,” Keith adds at the last moment, which means Pidge’s selection is also null. Her face falls.

“What? No!” Lance complains, slamming back in his chair. “That’s hard!”

“What about remakes?” Pidge asks anxiously. “Do remakes count?”

Keith lets out a long-suffering sigh. “Sure, remakes are fine.”

“Yessss,” Pidge and Lance say in unison.

“Team Remakes!” Lance crows, holding his hand up for a high five. It’s ridiculous, but she slaps her hand against his anyway.

“Team Remakes!”

-

The Castle alarms go off before they can finish. “Galra cruisers spotted near the Balmera. They’re moving into attack formation, the Balmerans need us to head them off while they prepare their defenses,” Shiro announces over the Castle’s comms. “Everyone to your Lions! Wormhole opening in ten doboshes.” Keith’s yanked off his headscarf and is already halfway to the door by the time Shiro’s done talking, face mask and all. “On our way, Shiro.” “Hold up!” Lance hollers at him. “At least wipe the mask off, you’ll get your helmet all messy—” Keith pauses and turns, holding out a hand to catch the towel Lance is already throwing to him before Lance is even fully in his line of sight. Their motions are perfectly synced. It’s kind of impressive. “Thanks. See you guys out there.”

Lance passes Pidge another towel as he pats at his own face. “Remember to wash your face when we get back, okay? That way you’ll at least get something out of it.” She nods, face already half-buried in her towel, and rushes back to her room to collect her armor, grimacing when she remembers she hadn’t fully cleaned it after that morning’s mission, but there’s nothing she can do about it now.

By the time she gets to the Bridge, her face is mostly clear of goo. She jams her helmet on on the way, leaving the visor flipped up. The others have all reported in as en route to their Lions – all except Lance, who’s standing by the doors with his helmet tucked under his arm, like he’s waiting for something.

Or someone?

His eyebrows raise when he sees her and he taps his cheek. “Hey, you missed a spot.”

“So did you,” Pidge points out, looking up at him.

“Hold still.”

Lance reaches out and catches her chin to swipe at her face, his thumb gently brushing her cheek before he lets go. It’d be an intimate gesture, under different circumstances, and Pidge isn’t entirely comfortable with how frequently she’s thought about what that might be like.

Her hands are already moving before she realizes it and she carefully brushes a smear from his nose. She can’t help grinning when he goes crosseyed to try to see what she’s doing.

“Much better,” she teases, poking the tip of his nose.

It isn’t actually much better. Their faces may be slightly cleaner, but now they’ve both got purple goop on their hands and it’s going to get on their gloves.

An unreadable expression flickers across Lance’s face and his shoulders drop forwards. “Look, Pidge, I don’t know how to say this…”

Seeing him so serious wipes the grin from her face and makes her stomach clench. Her emotions are oozing again, and her mental version of Hunk is displeased.

“Can it wait? We really need to get going.”

“I know, I know, just give me a tick,” Lance says. He reaches up, scratches the back of his head with his free hand. “I wanted to tell you that I had fun hanging out with you today. We usually end up doing stuff you like, but this was the first time you actually wanted to try something that I’m into. And that was cool. So… yeah. Thanks for that.”

He flashes her a small smile and heads inside before she has a chance to process what had just happened.

Then Coran’s voice is in her ear reminding her to get a move on, wormhole opens in one dobosh, and soon all her attention turns to the fight.

-

Pidge heads up to the Bridge for debriefing, Keith’s quick footsteps echoing half a step behind her. They aren’t the first ones back; Hunk’s already deep in discussion with Shiro about how many consecutive layers of metal the Yellow Lion’s armored claws could cut through while Coran checks in with the Balmerans. Pidge removes her helmet, shaking out her sweat-damp hair.

Hunk’s back is to the doors, so Shiro spots them first. He nods in greeting, then squints at them.

“What happened to you two?” he asks suspiciously, which is a bizarre question from someone who’d observed the entire fight.

“Shiro?” Keith says questioningly.

Shiro holds up a hand to stop him. There's a funny expression on his face. “Actually, never mind. I think I’m going to let Hunk handle this one.”

Shiro claps a hand on Hunk’s shoulder before striding off to join Coran at his station. Hunk turns around, clearly perturbed by his sudden responsibility.

“That was weird,” Pidge comments. Keith grunts in agreement.

Also weird: Hunk is staring at them.

“Did you know that you both have a little bit of, uh, something? On your faces? It’s red,” Hunk informs them. “Oh! Not like blood or anything, it’s more of a… marinara sauce kind of red? Or maybe more like a sunburn? Hang on, let me pull up a feed real quick.”

Hunk helpfully activates the camera in his gauntlet and aims it at them so they can see themselves.

There’s a moment of silence.

Finally, Keith speaks up. “I have no idea what this is.”

Keith looks like someone shoved a very runny cherry pie in his face. Pidge’s face is mostly solid red, except for a curved line running down her cheek that’s about the size of someone’s thumb. It hadn’t been visible through their helmets’ visors, but there was no mistaking it now.

“I do,” Pidge says grimly. “It’s Lance’s face mask. There must have been a dye in whatever he mixed into it, and we probably rubbed it into our skin when we were wiping them off earlier.”

The video feed abruptly cuts off as Hunk triumphantly slams a fist into his palm. “I knew he took the brown powder!” he says excitedly. “I’m pretty sure it’s more like beets than cinnamon ’cause it stains like crazy. Great substitute for food coloring, though. It really only glitters when you mix it with water, which… actually, that’s how you’d rinse off a face mask, isn’t it? Huh, that explains a lot.”

“This stuff stains?” Keith demands, voice cracking. He buries his head in his hands. It doesn’t do much to conceal the fact that the the tips of his ears are turning a shade of red that very nearly matches his face.

Pidge takes a slow, deliberate step away from him, just in case he decides to blame her for their unfortunate new makeovers. Keith’s only embarrassed now, but that’s not to say he won’t be mad later.

“Is it permanent, Hunk? Please tell me it isn’t permanent.”

“It isn’t permanent,” Hunk replies immediately, looking increasingly sheepish as he twiddles his thumbs. “Probably.”

“Probably?” she echoes in disbelief.

“Well, it’s hard to say. I haven’t had enough free time to work with any of the new spices enough to know for sure...”

From behind her, Keith speaks up, his tone low and warning. “Pidge.”

She rounds on him, scowling, because this is definitely not her fault.

“What?” she snaps defensively.

“Red is really not your color.”

A pause.

She stares at him, not sure she heard him correctly. Keith stares back coolly.

She narrows her eyes and looks closer, studying his splotchy red face. And– there. The edge of his mouth is twitching, like he’s trying to hold back a smile. There’s a glimmer of mirth in his eyes.

He’s teasing her.

Pidge lets out an incredulous bark of laughter, breaking into a wide grin as Keith starts to laugh, too. It turns out laughter is even more contagious than embarrassment, because once they start they can’t seem to stop laughing.

“‘Three easy steps for guaranteed results!’” Pidge quotes, imitating Lance, jazz hands and all.

Keith snorts. “Yeah. Guaranteed to look ridiculous.”

“I’m sorry about your nose. Does it still hurt?”

“Nah. The mask thing actually made it stop stinging.”

“… I can’t believe I ever agreed to do this.”

“Well, I can’t believe you dragged me into it!”

“Well, I, for one, hope Lance learned his lesson and doesn’t steal from me again,” Hunk adds with affected sternness, arms crossed, and that only sets them off again.

They barely manage to pull themselves together when Lance and Allura finally get back. They’re both in full armor, deep in conversation until Lance pulls off his helmet and Allura abruptly cuts off mid-sentence.

Half of Lance’s face is a bright, solid firetruck red. The other half looks like an abstract painting. There’s a pale stripe along the bridge of his nose with a larger dot right where Pidge had poked him.

Allura looks over at the others; Pidge and Keith wave. Hunk shrugs.

Without a word, Allura turns on her heel and heads over to join Coran and Shiro, leaving a bewildered Lance behind.

“What’d I do now?” he says plaintively to the room at large.

Hunk coughs. Lance looks up and finally notices Pidge and Keith, identical smirks on their bright red faces, Hunk standing behind them and unsuccessfully trying to hide his own amusement. Lance’s hands fly up to his own face as he realizes, with dawning horror, that something has gone very, very wrong.

“Aww, quiznak,” he mumbles.

-

After a long shower, Keith heads back to his room. His face is back to its normal color but still faintly shimmers under direct light, which Lance and Hunk both promised would fade within the next day. Keith can’t really bring himself to be that annoyed about it because his skin does actually feel pretty good, although he’ll never admit it. Even so, he’s immeasurably grateful for the full coverage of his Blade mask. The less to explain, the better.

There’s a piece of paper attached to his door, some kind of drawing. He pulls it down and tries to figure out what he’s looking at. It looks like a humanoid shape in red with one foot on the Black Lion and one foot on the Red Lion, like it’s waterskiing through a sea of stars. Which is impossible. Keith squints at it and realizes it’s probably supposed to be him. Huh.

Below the doodle is a note in Pidge’s familiar scrawl:

Thanks for helping me break the ice today. I think everything’s finally back to normal, and it wouldn't have happened without you. You’re a really good friend.

She’s signed it with her usual self-portrait, the one she likes to embed in her code, except she’s colored her face in red.

Keith bites back his smile and folds the note neatly, stashing it in his pack to take with him.

--

 I believe that we're in this together.

- Mika

[timetrickster]

Living W/ Immortality S 2 E1: Stuck At The Begining

(Episode 1: Stuck At The Beginning)

EXT. ANCIENT TEMPLE - NIGHT - 2019

LUCIAN begins to narrate the previous season while being annoyed by the audience's presence.

LUCIAN/ NARRATOR (V.O)

Well shit, why are you all back? I thought this was a one-time thing? Ugh. First, the Author writes a script for a screenwriting college class. Now he’s making this a full on show. Well previously on Living With Dumbassery. The now twin immortal dumbasses are now separated from each other. Now their time powers have sent them back to the first episode of the first season. And destroyed part of my face in the process, am I mad? Furiously. Will I destroy them? I will absolutely do that, now that those twin punk bitches escaped!

LUCIAN had briefly been enraged and throws stuff of the altar. Along with the roar of anger. He turns around and still sees ATHENA & TAVEN still bound and tied up and hanging on the wall. He takes several steps forward

LUCIAN

At least I still have you two.

ACHERON suddenly appears in the temple as his cloud of smoke appears near the altar.

LUCIAN

Hello brother.

ACHERON

You haven’t changed much Luci…  ever since what you did.

LUCIAN

Dad was a controlling prick. You should’ve known that you, Terra, and Kairos. Now, look where they are. They’re dead.

ACHERON

Because of you, little brother. It’s because of you! That they’re dead. You started the wars. You were supposed to be the light and the guardian of peace. You… were supposed to be better, now here you are. Trying to throw another tantrum so you can get Dad’s attention.

LUCIAN’S face had already held anger. This conversation just kept fueling that fire. He starts laughing with evil behind it.

LUCIAN

YOU THINK I DON’T KNOW THAT? You think I love being reminded of killing my own brother and sister?! Seeing the people I loved imprison me?! Seeing them drop dead because they literally used their life force and gave up their eternal life just to imprison me in time. And you. Eldest brother. You. Ran. Away. You. Coward.

ACHERON

You did this. Not me. You broke all our hearts. Terra, Kairos, and Dad. But for me, me especially. I loved you, little brother. But you slaughtered humans, and magical creatures, you’re own people too. I will stop you, right or wrong I have finished this.

ACHERON has tears running down his eyes. He reaches his right hand in the air, then a scythe appears out of thin air. The blade of the scythe was black and the handle was a dark metal.

LUCIAN

The Death Weapon. The ever-changing weapon of yours.

LUCIAN snaps his finger and a broad sword with crossguards. It glares with light.

ACHERON

Haven’t seen The Aurora in a millennium. You ready to fight little brother?

LUCIAN holds one finger up then snaps his finger. He holds up his finger again and the song “The Good, The Bad, And The Dirty” by Panic! At The Disco begins to play.

ACHERON

Really?

LUCIAN

Can’t have a fight without a good song.

The 1st Verse ends and the beat drops, both signature weapons clash at the start of Chorus. LUCIAN charges with his sword in hand and ACHERON follows as well. ACHERON pushes back first then with amazing speed, LUCIAN gets several cuts during ACHERON’S fast attacks with a scythe. LUCIAN manages to block some attacks with his blade. ACHERON slams the scythe into the ground summoning shadowy souls to attack LUCIAN.

He pulls the scythe out and makes a dash for ATHENA & TAVEN. He flips the scythe in the air and it comes back as a dagger. He cuts them down from their ropes and they are set free.

ACHERON

I’ll find you again.

He waved his hand and they both disappear in a cloud of smoke. He turns around to see LUCIAN having just beat the shadow souls. LUCIAN takes notice of what ACHERON did.

LUCIAN

You shouldn’t have done that big brother.

The dagger in ACHERON’S hands revert back into a scythe and the fight begins again at the start of 2nd Chorus. LUCIAN strikes with the Aurora but ACHERON blocks it and pushes the sword to the left and dodges to the right. LUCIAN turns to strike again and manages to cut ACHERON on his left side. Both tired from their duel they both take a quick breath. The Bridge plays

ACHERON

You give up?

LUCIAN

Never.

The beat drops and Chorus 3 begins LUCIAN rushes with the Aurora then ACHERON turns his scythe into a shield blocking his attacks once again. The attack held on the shield brings him down kneeling. ACHERON rises up and pushes LUCIAN away with the shield.

He throws the shield like a disk, then snaps his finger. The shield becomes a war hammer all of a sudden and hits LUCIAN in the chest. ACHERON makes a motion and the war hammer returns to his hand.

ACHERON

Until next time little brother.

Song ends. He disappears in a cloud of smoke. LUCIAN gets up quickly. His rage never dissipated as he roared in fury as his brother had won this fight. ACHERON teleported to a random location holding his wound from LUCIAN. He teleports away once more.

CUT TO:

NEXT DAY. MORNING

It was the weekend, ATHENA had found herself in her bed, remembering what happened. She tries to call TAVEN on her phone immediately but no answer. She rushes out her home to TAVEN’S home and knocks quickly.

TAVEN’S MOM

Hi Athena, are you okay?

ATHENA

Yeah auntie, I just needed to talk to Taven.

TAVEN’S MOM

Oh, come in.

ATHENA

Thank you.

She comes in the house and rushes to TAVEN’S room. She finds him in bed as well and closes the door behind her.

ATHENA

Taven. Wake up. Taven!

TAVEN wakes up and sees ATHENA

TAVEN

Athena? ATHENA?! What happened?

ATHENA

Acheron rescued us and sent us home.

TAVEN

We need to find Finn and Erin.

ATHENA

We don’t know what happened to them. Their time powers began to develop and they were sucked into that portal. We don’t know where they are.

ACHERON appears in TAVEN’S room still wounded from last night. He falls to the ground. ATHENA rushes to his side and holds her hand on his wound. She closes her eyes and the wound starts to heal up.

ACHERON

Thanks for that.

He groans in pain as he’s on the floor.

ACHERON (cont’d)

I’m gonna just stay here on the floor for a while. You guys are cool with that right? Ok… uh… what happened? How did he find you?

ATHENA

Lucian jumped us last night. He captured me and Taven but Finn & Erin got there last.

ACHERON

Did the charms not work?

TAVEN

They did. I have no idea how he found us.

ACHERON

Shit. Where’s Finn and Erin?

ATHENA

When they won his dance battle and he tried to kill them off. But then…

TAVEN

Their eyes started to glow. They blasted him with blue and red energy. Then a portal opened up and took them away.

ACHERON

Shit… their time powers?

They both nod to his question.

ACHERON

Kairos’ powers were always unpredictable which made him dangerous. And an asshole, he liked to prank people a lot. We have to find them… they’re stuck in time and I know when.

TAVEN

How do we do that?

ACHERON

Glad you asked. I have a plan and it involves you.

TAVEN

Me?

ACHERON

Yes, you. You are my descendant with my powers. You can turn into a ghost, right? The Spirit World is an uncanny world, you’ll need to find The Time Fields.

TAVEN

That sounds complicated enough.

ACHERON

I’m wounded by Lucian’s sword which has lasting effects on people like us. You are the only one who can travel to the spirit world. Other than me, you have to find Finn and Erin and get them back here.

CUT TO

EXT. FINN’S NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE PAST

Picking up from the season finale. FINN & ERIN see past FINN about to rescue the dog for the girl.

FINN

Son of a bitch. We time traveled! We time traveled!

FINN is at a loss knowing that his time powers worked and but realizes he’s stuck in the past with ERIN

FINN (cont’d)

But stuck at the beginning! Fuck! What do we do?!

ERIN

Shush! We both know the rules of time travel.

FINN

We just need to summon those time powers again. Come on let’s try.

FINN & ERIN grab their dominant hands. Sparks begin to fly out of thin air. The portal begins to form.

FINN & ERIN

Yes!

The portal opens then closes immediately and blasts them to the ground. Rolling around in pain.

FINN

We’re never doing that ever again.

ERIN

Agreed.

They get back up and crack a few bones and wipe away any dirt.

ERIN

What do we do now? We can’t open up that time portal thing.

FINN

Acheron. We met with him at several points the next day. We just need to find a moment with him that draws him away from us. This should be easy.

CUT TO

NEXT DAY. FINN’S NEIGHBORHOOD

Its morning past FINN is conversing with past ERIN after the event that happened. Present FINN & ERIN are on the roof of their home.  

ERIN

The next time we’re stuck in the past. I’m breaking into a house and locking you out.

FINN

Ok… I’m sorry I didn’t expect it to be a cold night.

ERIN

I’m still gonna kill you.

FINN points out ACHERON appearing in his puff of smoke.

FINN

There let’s go.

Both dashing off the roof and running toward ACHERON.

FINN & ERIN

Acheron!

They repeatedly say as they yell it loudly. ACHERON turns around to see both FINN & ERIN.

ACHERON

Can I help you, boys?

FINN is taking a deep breath.

ERIN

I apologize for my alternate personality, he’s not physically adept. But my name is Erin Nitty and this is Finn Evers and we are the current immortal.

ACHERON

You’re the current immortal of time. What are you two doing here? I thought…  

FINN regains his breath and steps in the conversation.

FINN

We’re from… (breaths) the future. We got stuck in the past when we Lucian attempted to kill us.

ACHERON

Lucian?! He escaped?!

ERIN

Yes and now he’s loose and free and we need to get back to the present to help the Athena and Taven.

ACHERON

I have no capabilities of time powers… but Taven is capable of getting you through the Spirit World. There is a place called the Time Fields, a garden of portals leading to different eras in time.

CUT TO

PRESENT DAY. ABANDONED AIR HANGAR

The scene shows both past & present ACHERON explaining the Time Fields. PRESENT ACHERON is with TAVEN & ATHENA in an abandoned hangar.

ACHERON

It’s is extremely dangerous. There is the Tick Tocks. Guardians of the fields. Wielders of the right hand and second hand. They’ll kill you. I have enough strength to send you to the city of Eidolon.

TAVEN

Will Lucian find me there?

ACHERON

Lucian may have achieved omniscience. But there are some dimensions hidden and some are blocked from his vision altogether. The Spirit World is one place blocked and the place I’m sending Athena to Eden.

He turns to ATHENA.

ACHERON (cont’d)

Eden’s a safe place. Just surrounded by a bunch of deserts. You’ll see a floating island surrounded by the Gates Of The Compass. You’ll also need a seal from me to get passed the Heavenly Hosts.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

You three are not going anywhere.

His voice was shaky and yet angry. LUCIAN appears before them. His face is still broken and cracked. He holds The Aurora in hand dragging the broad sword on the ground.

LUCIAN

Hello, (deep breath) brother.

ACHERON

Taven goes now.

TAVEN attempts to jump into the portal but LUCIAN snaps his fingers. Freezing him in place as well as ATHENA.

ACHERON

Let them go now.

LUCIAN

No! We still haven’t finished our duel brother.

ACHERON

What has happened to you, Luci? You were the immortal of light.

LUCIAN

And now.

The shadowy monster inside LUCIAN crawls out of his face.

LUCIAN (cont’d)

I’m the immortal of darkness.

The shadowy monster mirrors his movements as the hold up their respective broadswords. ACHERON pulls out The Death Weapon in its scythe form. He snaps his fingers and TAVEN & ATHENA unfreeze.

ACHERON

Taven go now!

TAVEN nods and turns into his spirit form. His hair turns from black to pale white as well as his eyes and skin. His body becomes transparent and sees through. He jumps into the portal for the Spirit World. TAVEN walks into the portal and is instantly thrown around and falling through a tunnel of blue.

He falls on the ground as soon as he exits the portal. TAVEN appears in what seems to be a field of green. Outside of a city floating in front of stars. With his spirit powers, he floats and levitates his way into the city. He wanders in as the gates were open.

He sees other ghosts human and animal alike. Some had appeared differently than normal. Some were normal and tangible ghosts. Meanwhile, some were made of fire and wind. Other elements including, some were creepy and disfigured and monstrous.

He then sees a statue of ACHERON with a new statue being built next to it. He sees his name and rushes toward the statue.

TAVEN

No friggin way. That’s a statue of me.

A random ghost overhears him.

RANDOM GHOST

That’s not you. That’s Lord Taven. The latest incarnation of The Immortal of Death.

TAVEN suddenly transforms back to human.

TAVEN

Hi. I’m your Lord Taven. Uhhh… do you have a name?

RANDOM GHOST

Lord Taven!

The other ghosts around hear him. The random ghost bows as an apology.

RANDOM GHOST

Lord Taven forgive me!

TAVEN

Hey, ease up there guy. It’s alright. I’m looking for a way to the Time Fields. My friends are stuck in the past and I need to rescue them.

RANDOM GHOST

The Time Fields? It’s a long journey there but I am certain there is one spirit he that could take you. He’s known as the Traveler and he can take anyone anywhere but at a price. I can take you to him.

TAVEN

Please, anything to rescue my friends.

RANDOM GHOST

Follow me.

CUT TO

ABANDONED AIR HANGAR

Just as TAVEN entered the portal, ATHENA helps ACHERON with LUCIAN. A bunch of plants rise from the ground and grab both LUCIAN and his shadow monster. ACHERON snaps his finger and opens a portal.

ACHERON

Go now! Go to Eden! Find the Vault! Get weapons! It doesn’t matter which one. Get the three that can destroy him! GO NOW ATHENA!

ATHENA nods and jumps in the portal. LUCIAN and his shadow monster break free, then he roars like an animal.

LUCIAN

We’re not done here, brother.

ACHERON

I’m sorry.

ACHERON slams the scythe into the ground cause a quick shake then immediately vanishes.

LUCIAN

NO!

He screams then starts laughing like a maniac.

LUCIAN (cont’d)

You want a war Acheron? You got a war. It’ll be the war that you will all die in.

CUT TO

THE GARDEN OF EDEN DIMENSION

ATHENA is walking in the desert sand and sees a floating green island. Teeming with life and animals and other natural elements.

ATHENA

Why did I agree to this?

ATHENA shows up at the north gate, suddenly a being of large stature appears before her. With wings stretch behind his back. His skin was glimmering with a galaxy of stars and endless space. He wore the armor of steel and carried a sword.

ANGEL

Who are you, human?

His sword was drawn and was pointed toward ATHENA.

ATHENA

I’m Athena Flora. I’m the Immortal of Life.

The angel is shocked by her presence and bows. The giant angel kneels before him.

ANGEL

I apologize milady. I was not aware I was in the process of one of the immortal.  

ATHENA

It’s fine. Uh… what’s your name?

URIEL

Uriel, milady.

ATHENA

Uriel, I was sent by Acheron to find a weapon buried within Eden.

URIEL

What for milady?

ATHENA

Lucian.

URIEL

He’s returned?! We must hurry then.

He sheathed his sword and shrinks to human size. Giving his hand out to her. She grabs his hand and his wings stretch.

URIEL

You should hold on tight to me milady. My flying tends to be scary.

ATHENA does so wrapping around URIEL like giving a hug. His wings stretch and they instantly take off. Flying over the guarding gate and landing in The Garden Of Eden. She lets go and sees it’s infinite beauty.

ATHENA

This place is beautiful.

URIEL

It quite is milady. Allow me to lead you into the Vault.

ATHENA

Yes, please.

She shows some firm interest in the angel boy.

URIEL

What was that milady?

ATHENA

Nothing

(Whispers)

God, you’re cute.

They walk into the garden.

CUT TO

FINN’S NEIGHBORHOOD - THE PAST

With their accomplishments and now waiting. FINN & ERIN are simply waiting around for their rescue. They’re hanging on their home’s roof.

FINN

What the fuck do we do?

ERIN

No. Fuckin. Clue.

FINN

I hate sitting around and doing nothing.

ERIN gets up immediately.

ERIN

Let’s do something then!

FINN

What are we going to do?

ERIN

Everything we ever wanted! All the things we wished we could’ve done.

FINN makes a realization.

FINN

Oh my god, you’re right! What should we do first?!

ERIN

Let’s go hiking! With the waterfall! Manana Ridge Trails! We always wanted to do a trail with a waterfall!

FINN

Airsoft! Drake’s always inviting us!

ERIN

Hell yeah!

FINN

Laser tag! Oh! ARCADE?!

ERIN

Let’s do everything!

FINN

Hold on, let’s start this montage off with some music. I swear there hasn’t been music playing since we got here.

FINN flips through his phone and looks for a song to play.

ERIN

Got a song?  

FINN

Not yet… it’s kinda difficult to find a song. You know we don’t listen to a lot of modern musicians.

ERIN

True.

FINN

Got it.

ERIN

Perfect!

FINN smiles

FINN

I know right?

FINN presses his phone, the song plays “Under Pressure” by Queen ft. David Bowie plays. The start of a montage of fun begins, as they are hiking up Manana Ridge Trail. They’re racing each other to reach the top. Making it to the waterfall, they drop their backpacks and jumping in for a swim.

FINN

We can’t swim, fuck! How the fuck did we not remember this?!

CUT TO

AIRSOFT FIELD

FINN & ERIN are running through the shooting grounds of the airsoft field. FINN wears a blue mask and ERIN a red mask. They’re the last two on their team and hiding behind cover.

ERIN

What do we do?

FINN

Should we use our powers?

ERIN holds in his evil laugh.

ERIN

Yes!

FINN

Ready?

They’re both ready to be badasses, it’s not cheating if you have immortal superpowers. ERIN throws a grenade randomly and manages to take out three of the death squad after them. FINN gets out of cover and sees three people ready. With a snap of his fingers, time slows down for a bit and he dodges a the pellets fired at him. FINN realizing his powers are activated through happiness made him smile.

FINN

Oh yeah.

FINN raises his airsoft gun with glee.

CUT TO

ARCADE

FINN & ERIN are playing “Dance Dance Revolution” they dance to the beat of the song and in synchronization of each other.

CUT TO

ICE CREAM SHOP

They’re both ordering ice cream and coming out of the shop with two huge tubs of ice cream and walking like badasses.

CUT TO

FISHING BOAT

They’re both fishing out in the ocean and run into a mermaid.

FINN

Sorry.

The montage shows more clips to their fun activities. They’re eating ice cream from the huge tubs. ERIN wrestles a fish that puts up a fight while in the ocean. FINN & ERIN drawing a crowd of people as they watch the two dance to the song. The montage ends with a high five from all their activities and the ending of the song.

FADE TO BLACK

CUT TO

SPIRIT WORLD

TAVEN follows his newfound ghost friend. They traveled far away from the city of Eidolon and to what seems to be an ocean.

TAVEN

Where are we?

GHOST

The home of The Traveler.

Suddenly mist twirls like a ball and reveals what seems to be a broken down mansion.

TAVEN

I may be the reincarnated immortal of death but I still have a fear of horror movies and haunted houses.

GHOST

Oh really?

TAVEN

Please don’t tell anyone.

GHOST

You got it, my lord.

TAVEN

I never caught your name.

ABE

I think my name is Abe.

It turns out ABE was actually Abraham Lincoln. TAVEN is shocked for a moment.

TAVEN

Uh. You’re the ghost of Abraham Lincoln?!

ABE vanishes within the blink of an eye. TAVEN smiles.

TAVEN

What a nice guy.

TAVEN walks toward the ocean and a wooden bridge is suddenly built beneath his feet. He simply walks to the mansion.

TAVEN

Ok… just gotta… what the fuck do I even do?

The Mansion appears before him all of a sudden. He walks the front porch and opened the door then walks in. The door creaks loudly.

TAVEN

Shut up!

DOOR GHOST

Sorry man. Jeez.

A cloaked giant man appeared before him. THE TRAVELER appears before TAVEN.

THE TRAVELER

Lord Taven, Immoral of Death. How can I serve you today?

TAVEN

I need a way to the Time Fields.

THE TRAVELER

Of course my lord.

TAVEN

Wait. That was it?

THE TRAVELER

Yes.

TAVEN

Huh. Thought I was gonna have to offer something.

THE TRAVELER

That’s for humans that come to me for some reason. You’re the immortal of death.

TAVEN

Thank you.

THE TRAVELER

Follow me, my lord.

THE TRAVELER snaps his fingers and they instantly teleport to a boat.

TAVEN

What’s with all the snapping fingers? For literally powerful creatures.

THE TRAVELER

I have no clue. We just followed God and he just liked snapping. Anyways, the ferryman Kharon will take you there instantly due to the urgency of your mission.

TAVEN walks into the boat and meets KHARON he wore a cloak and was normal for a change. Different from the rest of the ghost.

KHARON

Hello my lord.

TAVEN

Hi. How does this all work?

KHARON

Simple really. I just hit the floor of the boat three times and we’ll be there quickly. So best hold on to something.

KHARON has an oar in hand and taps the ground three times.

TAVEN

Wait? What?

The boat begins to immediately jump in the portal created in the ocean. TAVEN screams his lungs off. THE TRAVELER laughs.

THE TRAVELER

Gets me every time.

CUT TO

EDEN

ATHENA & URIEL are at the entrance of The Vault. It opens as URIEL snaps his fingers.

ATHENA

Seriously, what is the deal with snapping fingers for celestial beings?

URIEL I’ve no clue. It was just a thing we started doing.

ATHENA

We?

URIEL

God aka Dad.

They walked through much strange weaponry. With multiple pedestals, to her left a sword with the label of Excalibur and next to it a staff of sorts labeled Merlin’s Staff. Across from it was a golden staff and a headband labeled Ryu Jingu Bang & The Monkey King’s Headband. The next pedestals showed a sphere called The Eyes Of Horus and on the other side, a skull puzzle box and a lightning bolt labeled Pandora’s Box & Zeus’ Lightning Bolt.

ATHENA

I these what I think they are?!

URIEL

Powerful weapons from the pantheons of history. As well as different universes.

ATHENA

Oh my god! Is that the Yata no Kagami?! Amaterasu’s mirror?!

She rushes toward the pedestal holding it along with a sword.

ATHENA (cont’d)

And Susano’s blade the Kusanagi no Tsunagi?!

She runs from pedestal to pedestal.

ATHENA (cont’d)

Mjolnir & Gungnir! Maui’s Fish Hook! And Neptune’s Trident?! What the fuck?!

She turns to find a smiling URIEL.

URIEL

I find it interesting, that the immortal of life knows so much about history.

ATHENA

History is one of my favorite subjects in school. And mythology is part of said history and I love all things mythological!

She sees two pedestals holding weapons she’s never seen before. On her left, there was an omega symbol, different colored rings, and a golden helmet.

ATHENA

Strange… never seen these before. Anti Life Equation? Power Rings. Helmet of Fate.

She turns around to see the other pedestal with the other strange weapons. A golden gauntlet with six different colored stones. A necklace of what appears to be an eye. And an ax with a wooden handle.

ATHENA (cont’d)

I’ve never seen these either. The Infinity Gauntlet? The Eye Of Agamotto? Stormbreaker? Huh… they both sound familiar.

URIEL

They’re from different universes but I think you’re gonna need these.

He points at three pedestals.

URIEL

The Spear Of Destiny, An Angel’s Halo, and The Flaming Sword.

ATHENA

Oh my lord.

She walks near them.

ATHENA

This is gonna be interesting.

CUT TO

THE PAST

FINN & ERIN are still eating the huge tub of ice cream they bought from the ice cream shop. With giant spoons in hand at the top of an apartment building.

FINN

This was literally the best day ever!

ERIN

I know right?!

FINN

Did feel bad about the mermaid though. Never expected a mermaid in Hawaii.

ERIN

Yeah… she was kinda cute too.

FINN

Wow. The first I see you interested in someone.

ERIN

I’m picky… sorry, dude.

FINN

Hey, that’s not right.

ERIN

Yeah, I know. I’m just ya know hopeless?

FINN

Seriously dude? You are a tough ass dude with a soft heart. I’m pretty sure there’s a girl out there for you Hulk.

ERIN

Okay, chill Batman. You know you have a lot of issues with us living forever.

FINN

True, but I’m learning. Baby steps. Did we complete our montage list?

ERIN checks their list.

ERIN

Uh yeah. So far we've done it all. Just haven’t done superheroes for the day.

Across the street, suddenly a bunch of robbers across the street of the robbers.

ERIN

Huh. I’ll be damned. Shall we?

FINN

We shall. But…

ERIN

What?

FINN points to the tub of ice cream.

ERIN (cont’d)

Really?

FINN

Come on man. It’s my favorite flavor. Rocky Cookie Creme Road.

ERIN Come on Ice Cream Man.

ERIN jumps off the top of the apartment building. Does a superhero landing.

ERIN

You know they’re right, that does hell on your knees. Fuck. Finn?

He looked around for FINN. He suddenly drops down with the tub full of ice cream.

ERIN

Goddammit. Throw it away!

FINN leaves on the sidewalk and walks across the street. The robbers are breaking in at a small jewelry store. There are a bunch of robbers holding people at gunpoint. ERIN walks in with FINN following.

ROBBER 1

Put your hands up! No funny business! Are you eating ice cream?

ERIN turns to see FINN still with the tub of Rocky Cookie Creme Road. Holding a giant spoon.

ERIN

Goddammit, Finn!

FINN

Sorry.

ROBBER 1

Whatever! You two just stay down and don’t say a word. And handover your wallets, phones and that tub of ice cream.

 FINN sets down the tub of ice cream and the giant spoon, then wipes his mouth with his sleeve. He then cracks his neck.

FINN

Ready?

ERIN

Yeah.

ERIN grabs the gun being pointed at him by ROBBER 1. ROBBER 1 shoots ERIN in the shoulder then grabs the gun.

ROBBER 1

What the?

ERIN crushes the gun like a piece of paper as he squeezed his fist. FINN runs toward ROBBER 2 & 3 and they shoot him repeatedly.

ROBBER 2

What are you two?

FINN

Just two immortal superheroes.

ERIN punches ROBBER 1 knocking him out. FINN grabs ROBBER 2’S gun and takes out the magazine as he throws both the unloaded gun in one direction and the magazine another. They miraculously hit ROBBERS 3 & 4. FINN & ERIN both look at ROBBER 2 and he just lies down in fear of the two immortal teenagers.

ERIN

That was easy.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Too easy. You immortal dumbasses.

FINN & ERIN are dragged out and thrown out of the jewelry store window and into the street. This was the past LUCIAN as his face was not destroyed.

LUCIAN

Hello boys. Nice to see you two again.

FINN

Fuck you!

LUCIAN laughs maniacally. He vanishes.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

You two… (he laughs creepily) owe me a new face.

FINN pulls out the katana from the dance battle.

ERIN

How the fuck did you keep that? I thought you threw it away?

FINN

This jacket has hidden compartments. You really think I would throw a nice katana away?

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Shall I play some music?

FINN

Yes. Play Can’t Hold Me Down by GRiZ

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Fuck. As much as I want to play the song and the lack of music in this episode and it ends in a few pages. It’s pissing me off. The Author was super focused on getting you and asshole in your head here back to the present. The bastard had to write that my omniscience has limits. Don’t worry… I’ll get you all dual faced dumbasses, Ghost Boy, and Plant Lady and my big brother to top it all off.

FINN

We’ll stop you.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Will you now? Well… what will you do without each other?

ERIN

What do you mean?

LUCIAN snaps his fingers. A portal opens up and ERIN gets pulled in. LUCIAN snaps his fingers one more time before leaving completely. Monsters began to be summoned. FINN now alone wields his katana and is now frightened. He stands in the middle of an ever-growing circle.

CUT TO

ERIN’S LOCATION

ERIN is in an unknown location. Surrounded by space blue and red. Knocked out he is on the ground on what seems to be a temple. Two cloaked figures in the blue and red stand before him.

CHRONAL MONK 1

He is here.

CHRONAL MONK 2

But his other half isn’t.

A man in what seems to be stranger robes and armor appears before the two.

CHRONO MONK 1

Paradox!

They kneel before him.

PARADOX

Half of our kings have arrived.

CUT TO

EDEN

ATHENA intrigued by the vault finds three weapons pertaining to original immortals

ATHENA

Time’s Chrono Scythe

A scythe mechanized to look like a clock.

ATHENA (cont’d)

Death’s Revenant Blade.

A transparent blade hybridized with different swords. A katana’s handle. The crossguards of a broadsword and a slightly curved blade that look lightning bolt. ATHENA comes across two gauntlets.

ATHENA (cont’d)

Life’s Flora Gauntlets…

She touches the gauntlets and feels her power surge through her hand. She looks on in amazement then smiles.

CUT TO

SPIRIT WORLD - TIME FIELDS

KHARON’S boat makes it to the TIME FIELDS, a couple acres of land stand before it. TAVEN leaves the boat and bids KHARON a goodbye. He walks on the patch of land and sees the Time Fields in the distance. A gate guards it with two Tick Tocks at the gate. The fields are patches of enormous portals opened from the ground.

TAVEN

Oh, fuck me.

TAVEN transforms into his spirit form and slowly floats to the goat.

CUT TO

ANCIENT TEMPLE - PRESENT DAY

LUCIAN sits within the temple.

LUCIAN/NARRATOR (V.O)

Here we are the last scene of the episode. First, the Author neglects the music, and me by writing that my omniscience has limits. And he focuses this episode on the three immortals. Goody Two Shoes is currently fighting monsters in the past. I sent The Asshole In His Head, God knows where. Acheron… sent the Ghost Boy to the Spirit World and Plant Lady to Eden… I’m going to kill them all. Not just this world, them first. They’ll all pay.

LUCIAN roars in anger and with the Aurora and his Shadow monster. They strike the air and open a portal.

LUCIAN

The Spirit World.

SHADOW

The Garden Of Eden.

Their voices sneer in amusement. LUCIAN looks to the audience.

LUCIAN

Author. You. Don’t. Have. Power. Over. Me.

LUCIAN looks to SHADOW and nods. They both jump in different portals. LUCIAN lands in the Spirit World. SHADOW in Eden’s desert outskirts.

LUCIAN & SHADOW

This is going to be interesting.

CUT TO BLACK

(END OF EPISODE 1)

TAGS @cometworks, @cookiecuttercritter, @coloursintheblur

[mind-reader1]

Queen of Hearts (Ch. 27)

Drake x MC (Emma Barnes)

TRR AU: What would happen if Emma loved Drake but had to marry Liam?

Catch up here

Warnings: violence

Note: WE’RE FINALLY GETTING TO THE GOOD STUFF. So I wrote out Emma’s death, for real this time, then I realized I couldn’t do any of the other stuff I had planned for the story so she got a reprieve this time. 

Word Count: 2,429

Summary: Olivia, Drake and Emma have been captured, will Liam come to save them or will he take a different route? 

Chapter 27: The Emperor’s New Clothes - Panic at the Disco!

I'm taking back the crown I'm all dressed up and naked I see what's mine and take it (Finders keepers, losers weepers) Oh yeah The crown So close I can taste it I see what's mine and take it (Finders keepers, losers weepers) Oh yeah

Sycophants on velvet sofas Lavish mansions, vintage wine I am so much more than royal Snatch your chain and mace your eyes If it feels good, tastes good It must be mine Heroes always get remembered But you know legends never die

Emma didn't know how much time had passed, but as the bag was lifted off her head, she took in her surroundings. She was in an old dungeon, Drake and Olivia tied up on either side of her, Anton standing over them with a smirk on his face.

“Emma. Lovely to see you again.”

“I swear if he hurt you Walker!”

“I'm okay Drake.” Her hands were tied behind her, her legs also tied to a chair, she pulled against them to no avail. She could feel the panic bubbling up in her chest, she was taken back to that night in the vault, the vision of Drake at her funeral, there was no one coming to get her now.

“What a nice little reunion. Me, my former client, her lover? Husband? Whatever you are, and my fiery wife.” Olivia spit at him from her chair.

“Call me your wife again and I'll show you what a real ball and chain feels like. I'm not some pawn in your game.”

“You'll cooperate or die here with the queen and her play toy!”

“You can't do this Justin. You can't seriously think the people will accept you if you kill Cordonia's new queen.” A lazy smile curled onto his lips.

“You always were a great client, perfect with the spin and drawing everyone one. It won't save you now though.” Before Emma could say anything else, an assassin with an all too familiar mask walked in. He was the one who had tried to kill Emma, shot Drake, he exchanged a few words with Anton.

“You're the bastard who shot me!”

“And tried to kill me!” Emma was furious, she struggled against her bonds again. This man had caused her and Drake so much pain, even if it was all Anton's idea, she wanted to kill him. They taunted Drake, the man revealing his face to him, talking about his father and what a legend he was.

“Wanted to be like dear old dad. Take a bullet for your girl, be the hero.”

“Hey Gerard Butler wannabe! Leave Drake out of this! Your problem is with the crown, that's me now!” His eyes flared with anger as he stomped towards Emma, grabbing her cheeks in his hand and squeezing, pulling her face towards him.

“Maybe I'll kill you first, make your boy toy watch?”

“Walker!” She could hear Drake struggling against his bonds.

“Get your hands off her! I swear to God I'm going to kill you!” He ignored Drake and continued to lean in close to Emma.

“That's going to be the last thing you ever do!” Finally, he rolled his eyes and released Emma from his iron grip walking towards Drake.

“I'd suggest you shut up if you want to see your girl alive for the little bit of time you both have left.”

“I think it's you that should be worried about time because I'm going to kill you. Won't be difficult, you're clearly a poor shot since you only got my shoulder.” that was it. The man cocked his fist back and slammed it into Drake's face, Emma swore she heard a crack and felt it reverberate through her chest.

“Drake!” She screamed but it was no use, he was out cold, slumped in his chair, the only thing holding him up were his restraints.

“That's enough!” Anton stepped up again.

“We finish what we started at the Homecoming Ball. Liam knows you're all being held captive and he'll come alone if he wants to see you alive.” he droned on and on about his plan, how he was destined to fulfill the Nevrakis legacy and how he would rule with Olivia by his side because that was what her parents wanted. Emma tried to focus but her thoughts kept drifting back to Drake, wondering if he was okay. Anton finally left, and Emma struggled to keep her breathing under control as the reality of the situation set in. Drake began to groan beside her as he regained consciousness, Emma cried.

“Drake are you okay?”

“I'm fine Walker. He didn't hurt you, did he?” Emma shook her head and Olivia filled him in on Anton's plan.

“We're fine Walker, don't cry. Liam is going to come for us.” She shook her head again.

“No, he's not Drake, the only reason he'll come for us is Olivia.” He frowned and so did Olivia.

“What?” Olivia asked.

“Don't say that Walker, he loves you. He'll come for you.” Emma shook her head crying.

“Think about it Drake. We die as martyrs. He mourns publicly and gets to pick a new wife, Olivia. He loves her, and she loves him back, the public would love her too. She helps him get over our deaths. We're out of the way, Liam gets everything he wants.” Emma had stopped crying, in that moment you could hear a pin drop as her words sank in.

“Emma as much he hates me, and might be mad at you, he wouldn't let us die.” Drake tried to reassure her but there was no conviction in his voice, she made such a strong case.

“Well no one's going to die today if I have anything to say about it so quit your whining and help me. I'm no one's damsel in distress.” Olivia huffed.

“You have a knife, don't you? You've been holding out on us this whole time.” Olivia smiled wickedly.

“Of course. They didn't find my backup-backup knife, I've been trying to get to it.”  She wiggled against the restraints, her face showing her determination.

“I can't reach it though, you need to get it.” they scooted their chairs together carefully until Emma could teach Olivia's hands.

“Where is it?”

“Just above where my wrists were tied.” Emma fidgeted behind her until she found the knife and began cutting the ropes.

“So why did Drake call you Walker? And Anton called him your husband, so what am I missing?” Emma sighed and continued to slice the ropes till Olivia was free.

“It's not important right now. What's important is getting out of here.” Olivia looked between the two.

“I'm not cutting you loose until someone tells me.” Drake gave Emma an apologetic look.

“We eloped before the wedding. She was my wife first and foremost. Happy? Now cut us loose.” Olivia's eyes flashed with amusement.

“I'm sure Liam was thrilled.” Olivia quipped.

“He doesn't know. Please don't tell him.” Emma begged. Olivia's face was unreadable.

“As long as you let Liam be free.” Drake was confused but Emma knew what she meant and nodded, frankly she didn't care who Liam slept with, besides she thought Liam and Olivia would make a nice pair. It wasn't the time to worry about that though, they needed to get out of there. As soon as Drake was free though, she launched herself at him, Olivia looking for secret passageways or some other way out.

“Are you okay? They didn't hurt you, did they?” Drake grabbed either side of her face and looked Emma over, she only had a few rope burns from struggling against her bonds.

“I'm fine Drake, but you.” She reached up to run her hand along the large bruise forming where Claudius had hit him. Drake flinched, and Emma pulled her hand away.

“I'm sorry, this is my fault. I started egging him on and he took it out on you.” Drake silenced her with a kiss and she fell into it, wrapping her arms around him.

“I'm okay Walker. Let's get out of here.”

“Yes. Please let's get out of here.” Olivia rolled her eyes revealing an old panel that they thought would be their ticket out of there. They were able to find the passage, coming across Gladys as they tried to navigate the old Nevrakis stronghold. Emma decided to trust her, and she led them down to an armory and explained her side of the story to Emma and offered to lure at least some of the guards away. It wasn't much help, but they needed all they could get. As they paced through the halls they heard voices approaching, Drake was ready to swing but Emma stopped him before Hana and Maxwell rounded the corner. They pulled each other into a hug, relief flooding through all of them.

“If you're here then where's Liam?” Olivia snapped. Hana and Maxwell exchanged worried glances.

“He's probably meeting with Anton right now.” Olivia rushed past them and stopped in a doorway, they could see Anton and Liam in the ruins of an old grand entrance. Liam was unarmed and angry, demanding that his friends be released. Anton's thug stepped up and punched Liam in the gut making him double over, he planned to kill him. Emma tried to run in, as much as mad as she was at Liam, he had come for all of them and she didn't want him to die. Liam revealed a dagger in his coat and charged Anton, the others saw their chance and created a distraction with rocks before jumping into the fight. Chaos ensued as all of Emma's friends were in the middle of fighting guards, Claudius had Olivia pinned against the stairs as they wrestled, Drake was cornered by a guard, she rushed to his aid, taking out the guard, Drake grinning appreciatively.

“This isn't exactly how I pictured this night going. I was thinking more rose petals, maybe some candles would be involved.” They moved until they were back to back, fighting off guards.

“Me too Drake. Watching you fight with a sword is still pretty hot though.” As the last guard near them fell, Emma looked up only to find Anton pointing a gun at her.

“Get away from her!” Drake hissed slashing at Anton's arm forcing him to drop the gun. Furious, Anton unsheathed his sword and turned on Drake.

“You want to fight? It'll be your funeral!” He lunged at Drake and Emma couldn't believe what she was seeing, she wasn't going to give Anton another chance.

“NO!” With all her force, she swung her weapon at Anton, drawing blood, shocking him.

“Guards! Cover me!” He began to flee. Olivia rushed after him, the guards circling Drake and Emma once again.

“Why can't we ever find a peaceful moment together?”

“Because that's not our lives. Every moment is so worth it though.” She could hear the grin in his voice.

“You're right. Let's show them how it's done Mr. Walker.” The first guard lunged, and Drake easily sliced him down, the others hesitating as Liam offered mercy for standing down. One by one the guards laid their weapons down, Claudius rising from a pile of ashes.

“You'll never stop Anton!” Liam moved to take him out, but Drake beat him to it.

“This is for trying to shoot Barnes!” He clocked him right in the face. Claudius stumbled back but kept coming.

“This is for actually shooting me and talking about my dad!” Drake kicked him in the groin, making him fall to his knees.

“I told you that if you touched her, I'd kill you. This is for laying a finger on her!” Drake swung his sword down towards his neck and everyone looked away flinching but heard no sound. The sword laid against his neck, he had stopped. Instead Drake kicked him in the face, knocking him out. Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief.

“I'll let the crown deal with you.” Drake threw his sword down breathing heavy. Emma ran to him, thinking it was over.

“Olivia!” Liam rushed up the stairs, they turned to find Anton, bearing her down sword in hand.

“Stand down or die sweetheart!” he said menacingly. Olivia rushed him, knocking his sword away.

“Yes, stand down. I was trained by the fiercest warriors Lythikos had to offer, my parents.” She charged him with the dagger, but Anton caught it and turned it on her, plunging it into her side.

“You seem to have forgotten darling. So was I!” Olivia gasped and fell to the ground, gripping the dagger protruding from her side.

“Liv!” Liam stumbled on the stairs trying to get to her, she tried to stand but fell back down wincing as Anton loomed over her.

“If you can breathe you can stand!” Olivia met Emma's gaze and nodded.

“And if you can stand you can fight!” she pulled the dagger out of her side and managed to catch Anton in the chest before stumbling into Liam's arms unable to support herself.

“Liam, I'm bleeding a lot.” She pulled her hand away, bright red. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.

“You're going to be okay. You're a Nevrakis, you're the toughest woman I know.”

“You won't be okay though, this is the end of the line for you.” Anton leveled his sword at Emma and Drake who had rushed up to help. They were pinned against the bannister and it was a long fall. This was it, just as Emma had predicted, Liam had saved Olivia and now she and Drake would pay the price. He glanced back himself and gave her a look, he had an idea, it clicked with Emma as he reached out and squeezed her hand. Maybe it wasn't the end for them after all. Anton lunged, Drake and Emma stepped out of the way at the last moment and shoved him over the railing. He flailed on his way down, Maxwell rushing over to tie him up. It was finally over. Liam carried Olivia down the stairs, Drake and Emma holding each other before joining their friends at the bottom. Moments later, a loud commotion came from the front doors, the Kingsguard led by Mara and Bastien rushing in only to find that once again they were too late.

“What took you so long!” Olivia gasped, clutching her side again, Liam still holding her.

“Your Majesty, I'm glad you're alright.”

“Yes, don't worry about me Bastien. Liv needs medical attention now!” Liam barked. Mara began tending to her wounds, Bastien surveyed the area. He insisted on getting Emma and Liam back to the reception, everyone was waiting to see if they were okay. The moment everyone returned to the palace, cheers erupted, and Emma's friends were greeted by their families, worried but relieved they were safe, Cooper rushing up to Emma. Once the excitement died down, Maxwell pulled Emma and their friends out onto the dance floor, it had become a celebration of their victory and less about the wedding which Emma loved.

Next Time: Well I decided not to kill them. Are they all finally catching a break, or will Drake and Emma’s secret be revealed ruining everything? 

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