#[[ I shouldn't even be surprised -eyeroll- ]]

[countlessrealities]

Send in 💗 for me to use a love meter to check the compatibility of our muses || Accepting !

@advnterccs sent: 💗 { To your Rick from my Rick bc of dumb reasons }

"F-Fuck yeah, perfect goddamn score!"

He's obviously proud of his little trick. And why shouldn't he? His score is the right one, no doubts there, so the stupid calculator and everyone else can kiss his ass.

"R-Rick's my soulmate, h-he can't be anything less that my perfect match. Y-You got a problem with that? W-Well..." He shows both his middle fingers. "S-Sucks to be you, I-I couldn't care less."

[blu3haw4]

Lexa has been very naughty this year. Instead of coal in her stocking, she wants Clarke to fill it up with something else 😏

Listen. I almost didn't write this one... and now is kind of my favorite one 🤭

For Day 2: Naughty or Nice List

Mature. G!P Clarke. Cracky and ... cute? more than smutty. It's so unserious though 😆

Soooo, what am I getting for Christmas, santa?" Lexa jokes, she toys with the white pompom of Clarke's Santa hat still placed over her head even after all four rounds they just got down to.

Clarke snorts, shaking her head as she looks down at her "You've been so naughty this year"

They giggle, Clarke running her hand on Lexa's side with the hand not currently holding her own head.

"Your stocking are going to be full of coal" she huffs as Lexa, laying on her back beside her keeps playing with the pompom of her had

"What!? No! That's not fair!"

"Just yesterday you sent me a nude while i was having lunch with my dad!" Clarke yelps.

"You said you were in the car!"

"With him!"

"That was an accident!'" Lexa huff, and continues playing with the pompom "All my past naughtiness, if i recall correctly, you've throughoutfully enjoyed"

"You've still been naughty" Clarke rolls her eyes playfully "And people on the naughty list only get coal" she fake frowns, and then really frowns "Specially if you call me Santa, please don't fucking call me Santa again"

Lexa laughs with an eyeroll of her own "I think I've done plenty of nice things for you, miss. Haven't I?"

"Mmmh, maybe" Clarke can't help but smile

"Maybe my stockings could be filled with something else"

"See! Naughty!" Clarke laughs as Lexa's smirks turns into a grin.

"Oh I am merely trying to be nice, only for your benefit really"

"Oh my benefit? How so?"

"Well your balls should alway have a safe place to be relieved, shouldn't they?" Lexa tries her best at a serious face and fails spectacularly when a giggle escapes her.

"Ohhh, i see" Clarke laughs and leans down to kiss her, slowly but surely moving and laying on top of Lexa

"You want me to fill you?"

"Yess, my love"

"You do, baby?"

"Mmm, always."

//

Mmm, let's see what might be in this one" Lexa says softly shaking the gift box in her hands.

Is Christmas morning and they're laying on the floor of their apartment beside their tree.

She smiles at Clarke until she hears the rocking of the items inside the box and her smile drops as she shakes the box again, more strongly.

"Is this-...? Clarke did you seriously got me coal?"

"What did you expect? You've been a very naughty girl, Lexa" Clarke says with a small smile.

"Clarke, i swear to fucking-" she shakes the box forcefully glaring at Clarke until she interrupts her.

"Why don't you open it, hun? It's very very nice coal"

"If you-"

"Open it" Lexa huffs, but complies, glaring at Clarke all the way to make sure she knew how terrible it would be for her, if she had decided to get Lexa actual coal.

At first glace, they did look like coal.

At second glance though? The box had scattered around an array and variety of plugs, bullets and small dildos. All black, some shiny, so mate, some sparky and some with purple or blue shades as well.

Lexa's eyebrows lifted in surprise as her mouth fell sightly open, slowly a smile started to grow as she could help little giggle and gasp that she let out.

"What...? Clarke!" She turned to laugh at a grinning Clarke, still very casually leaning against the foot of the couch

"You deserved all that coal for how naughty you've been"

Still laughing Lexa crawls forward to straddle Clarke and kiss her "You just got me like 15 different sex toys" she laughs between kisses as Clarke just smiles at her

"To be fair i had already bought some of them... I just replaced them for black ones"

"I love you"

"I love you. And we should be trying all of them today" Clarke smirks at her

"Clarke! No!"

"But it's going to be fun!"

"There's a butt plug that's the size of my fist! We're not trying that today!" Clarke merely laughs and looks up with a little shrug.

"Clarke I mean it. No. No as in Rudolf no"

Laughing hard Clarke throws her head back "Okay, the best thing we've ever done is make our safe word Rudolf" Lexa laughs with her, and still cupping her face leans in for another kiss.

[riddles-n-games]

That Night In Prague Rant

Let me start off by saying Hannah and Toby's story was amazing and heartbreaking, Libby and Nash were also sweet and supportive of one another, Xander is awesome at giving emotional depth to others even in the strange circumstance of tackling, and Secret Santa was quite literally a blast. But there's one story I haven't mentioned yet, have I? You know which one since it's the literal title to this rant/critique.

To get the basic pleasantries out of the way, I loved the promise ring scene, the way Jameson admires Avery lighting up and wanting to see the world through her eyes, the fact he wrote her postcards, and Avery's protectiveness of him. That's it. Great. Now we can get to the real stuff. My dear Jennifer Lynn Barnes, when you announced this book back in February during the month of romance, I recall that this book promised to deliver on ROMANTIC stories and showing us how a Hawthorne man loves. Why the heck did you keep trying to insert every possible wink wink nudge nudge moment possible in Avery's POV then?

When she stated Avery was gonna have a POV again, I was excited but I wasn't sure if I should leap for joy. See, given how Averyjameson were portrayed in the last book, I was somewhat disappointed since I really wanted to see Avery through Jameson's eyes in a more romantic light. It was an eyeroll, unfortunately, and what a missed chance for a wedding dress ref in the race outfit scene since he gave her a promise ring.

However, people were saying, ah, it's Jameson, he's a teenage boy. And ok, I did bite my tongue after that because alright, that's just him (though I am still bitter about his lack of development in TBH), but that wasn't the case with Avery. She's my girl, I can always rely on her, right? Three books of build up with a pretty solid character voice made her who she became in TFG. Cool, I was ready to go back. And as I said so many times before, she gave Jameson depth which helped us see what so many did not and I loved how she didn't let him get away with certain things. She was sensible.

WTF was this then? This is not Avery Kylie Grambs. This is A Very Random Imposter (you come up with the anagram). Imagine my fricken surprise when out of nowhere Jameson As A Girl appeared instead.

The crimes of the story: "after a lengthy and not quite G-rated negotiation" (WT actual F), "like his body wasn't tense in all the right ways", "smile of his made me want to do things", “I would let him demonstrate all the many, many reasons he had to be that smug", "His search had been... thorough" (????).

This sounds so cringey and unlike Avery. It felt like JLB was trying to force Max and Jameson and Rohan into her POV. Clearly after only two years of not being in her original character's POV and changing through 5 main characters (which was a horrible idea in the first place), she's managed to mish-mash her only properly developed character into sounding like another person.

The innuendos here are the worst I've seen. Avery has never been crass or sexually charged so why start that now? We already have characters that take on that route and now you're trying to ruin Avery with that? PUH-lease. Jameson was enough in TBH and now you're trying to ruin my girl? NO. Absolutely NOT. If JLB wanted to implement this in the og trilogy, then it should have been done earlier but no, Avery was never that girl and she shouldn't be now.

This isn't and cannot be listed as character growth in the slightest because if she sounded the same after a year in TFG post THL and also sounded like her normal self in Secret Santa which is in the same book as TNIP, there should be no reason why she sounds like this here. It ruins the continuation in her character POV which is something that at this point should be solid as stone. Not to mention, not everything works for everyone and that's ok. While I hate it, it makes more sense in Jameson's POV than hers. In Avery's POV, I cringe at it because it sounds so unnatural for her and feels like I'm looking at someone trying to fit into a crowd they just don't mesh with.

Three books solidified that. Why else did we fall in love with TIG in the first place? Partly because of who Avery was and who she became over the course of the trilogy. She stood out amongst the crowd. Did she have a similar way of thinking about puzzles like Jameson? Yes. Did she have a different approach to romance? Yes. Did she help Jamie become a more sensible guy? Yes! Was their flirty banter fun and interesting? Always. That's part of what made me love them so much in the first place but it shifted so suddenly that now they're sounding like Savannah and Rohan.

In October, when we had the preview of more chapters, I immediately noted this sounds like a very different Avery, either older or an alternate universe version of her. If she wants to do this with Rohannah, go ahead; they're a new budding romance so that has room for whatever she didn't use in other ones but leave Averyjameson as we've known them to be for three novels that solidified who they are. I know other romances should be given a chance, I never said that shouldn't be the case but if I'm being given the chance to see my favorite ship being in the spotlight, then do it right one last time. You have three books as your guideline.

Anyways, I'm dissatisfied so I will be doing a rewrite of TNIP since this is a shorter thing to take care of than a whole novel. Have a great day and thanks for reading. Fics will be out at some point, God, so much real life work to do.

[tyxaar-fics]

I wrote a thing vaguely based on Scar’s tweets recounting Grian’s fishing addiction lol.

Fishing spot

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: GoodTimesWithScar & Cubfan135, Grian & GoodTimesWithScar, Cubfan135 & Grian Characters: GoodTimesWithScar, Grian, Cubfan135

If there was anyone who knew what being possessed looked like, it was Hermitcraft's resident Vex population.

"He's still at it, still fishing."

Scar adjusted his binoculars from his perch atop Magic Mountain, eying up where his friend stood unmoving by the inlet. He'd been at it for weeks now, the last break Grian took was to build a little pier space for more fishing, and it was around that point that his suspicions got strong enough to warrant a proper investigation. So, he called in Cub for company.

"That makes it... three days at this point, three days of fishing without breaks. No sleeping, either." Cub muttered as he made a note in a little chart they were putting together. Scar didn't think it was needed, but a record didn't hurt he supposed.

Grian pulled in something, a salmon? Certainly a fish of some kind, and dumped it in a barrel before throwing his cast again. Some of their friends occasionally joined him in his fishing, (Gem seemed strangely into it as well, something else to investigate.) but other than that, everyone was running around, making traps, mining, and were just generally too busy feeling the high of a new world to really notice just how strange and off-seeming Grian was being. Even when he wasn't fishing, he seemed to itch to go back to it, a weird pull towards the ocean. He always carried his rod and tackle box around now.

Scar put the binoculars down and rubbed his eyes, he probably shouldn't stare through them for so long, but this was fascinating.

"I told you Cub, he's possessed! Do you think whatever's got him is also behind Big Salmon?"

That got an eyeroll out of his friend. "Nah man that’s just a joke that got out of hand." 

"Well, that’s just what Big Salmon wants you to think."

Cub chuckled slightly at the comeback, leaning back on the grassy cliff.

"That's some definite possession right there though. He seems to have some partial control in more lucid moments, but the ocean’s got him good."

Scar blew a cherry petal from his nose and flopped down on the grass as well. 

"I told you the fishing wasn't normal. You know Cub, I'm surprised you're not trying to get your claws on whatever's got theirs in Grian given your track record.”

As they chatted absentmindedly on the mountaintop, it occurred to Scar that anyone else would probably be taking the situation more seriously. After all, a friend of theirs had been possessed by some strange entity binding him to the ocean and it clearly didn't care about Grian's wellbeing, given that he hadn't slept in three days and only ate raw fish. Every part of this should be concerning.

But, Scar and Cub were exactly the wrong people to get concerned. After all, it'd been years since their Pact with the Vex and those first couple times waking up 500 blocks from their beds and panicking, and the feeling of giving in to the Hunger when it got too much… It was old news, that. The Convex were intimately familiar with the feeling of drifting to the back of your head and letting something else take your body and mind for itself, as well as the strange empty euphoria that came with it. Eventually, they just... got used to being possessed every now and again. It was just how life came and went now. Perhaps it was why Scar so eagerly gave in to the Boogey curse and red haze when they came during the games.

"Fishing is fun, but I’m good. I also don’t think the Vex would like me to be taken by the ocean." Cub gave another eyeroll and went back to reading through their Grian fishing notes again.

There was an argument to be made that his fellow Vex had gotten addicted to it, the feeling of being possessed. He denied it, but Scar knew better than most. After all, he seemed positively eager to let himself be taken by the Skulk, the infection spreading and taking root far quicker than one would expect. And a similar situation also happened with the Pharaoh. Not even mentioning that when Demise came both times Cub went overboard, he gave in to the violence and the traps. Scar could practically feel the buzzing bloodied magic wrapping its claws around his friend's mind.

Regardless, this wasn’t them this time, it was Grian. He was new to the whole thing. Scar frowned slightly and sat back up to take another look at his angler friend.

”Do you think we should be more worried?”

”Hm?” Cub paused his note-taking to glance over.

“Do you think we should be worried that Grian’s possessed?” He waved towards the pier, where Grian was busy reeling in a particularly stubborn catch. ”I mean, it doesn’t seem to be taking good care of his body.”

Cub seemed to take some pause and consider that fact, staring at Grian for a few seconds. “Uuh maybe? I dunno how worried we should be, Scar. If he gets that enchantment he wants and doesn’t stop the fishing it might be good to intervene.”

He gave a nod in agreement. ”Sounds like a plan.”

Scar then flopped back down on the cherry-scattered grass, letting the sun dance through the petals falling on his face and taking in the soft evening light. Cub and him would continue their watch from from atop the cliff and keep an eye on any developments for a while. Although, now seemed like a perfect time for a nap amongst the blossoms.

After all, it’s rude to try and take away what something else had claimed for itself. The ocean could keep Grian for now.

[bluegeniuswrites]

Don't worry, it's just a scratch. - @juneofdoom Day 2

Edgin Jarvis/Xenk Yendar Rating: T Word Count: 4240 After an exhausting quest when Xenk's exhausted his abilities, Edgin has terrible enough luck that he gets hurt after the quest is done when Bandits sneak up on them on their way home. Maybe getting poisoned is worth it though.

2. “I’m worried about you.”  | InfectionPoisoning | Protective | Confession

Every time they got into a scrape like this, Ed was eternally grateful that Kira was safe at home and studying instead of getting into trouble with them. As he ducked behind a boulder he couldn't help the thoughts that went through his head. Thoughts like "How does this always happen to us?" "I really shouldn't have put my sword down while we were eating." and "How did I justify bringing Kira along on things like this for so long??" He peeked around the edge of the boulder and an arrow went flying right past his face.

The worst part about this whole situation is that since they were still riding high as the Heroes of Neverwinter, Xenk had convinced them to help more for friendship than any real profit and they had actually been done their quest. Cursed object acquired and safely in Xenk's pack and on their way back home tired and a bit bruised but having felt pretty successful and not even minding the lack of payout. Not even an hour ago the only thing he'd had to complain about was exhausting what magic he had and that he was hungry.

The bandits had appeared right as they were finishing their meal and attacked thinking (not quite rightly) that a group such as theirs would have something worth stealing and that they could surprise them. They didn't even have any valuables for them to take! And the cursed object in question was dangerous but didn't even look valuable, it was just a stone. He could hear the clang of metal getting closer and regretted again that he'd chosen comfort over keeping his weapon close. He tried to listen closely to see if he could tell if it was Xenk's sword or Holga's axe coming closer and he pulled his lute off his back, at least he hadn't been dumb enough to put everything down.

The moment he saw the edge of Xenk's armor coming around the boulder he pressed himself tightly against it and lifted his lute. As Xenk backed up from the three bandits who'd managed to team up against him, he acknowledged Ed with a quick glance to his eyes then his lute and turned slightly to make sure their enemies kept their eyes on only him. As soon as all three bandits cleared the boulder, Ed swung his lute and the nearest one hit the ground unconscious. The distraction was just enough to give Xenk the advantage and the other two hit the ground soon after. "Wow, you really must be as tired as I am."

Xenk stared at him for a moment and Ed would swear he saw the slightest eyeroll, "it was a rather exhausting morning. I'll admit I was hoping for a short nap after our meal and was not expecting to deal with an attack."

"A nap sounds wonderful. Okay, how do we end this so we can nap, get that rock where it belongs, and head home?" Ed felt himself yanked out of the way of another arrow just as he tried to look around the side of the boulder again.

Xenk quietly sighed and frowned at him, "We have not yet eliminated the archer. Holga stayed near the fire and is holding her own. We should stop the archer and then the rest will be easily dealt with." He definitely looked surprisingly tired.

"Well my sword is near Holga and the fire, so I don't think I'm much good there. But he keeps shooting this way so...I can definitely distract him."

Xenk murmured quietly, "Yes, you are certainly distracting." already looking around the other side of the boulder. Ed couldn't have heard that right. "I will go this way, wait until I am closer and the try to be just visible." Ed nodded and stuck his lute out to the side to make sure the archer's eyes were on the wrong side of the boulder while Xenk made his approach.

He went to the other side of the boulder where he could see Xenk disappear into the edge of the woods to get closer to the archer. He glanced to the side and saw Holga with three of the bandits on the ground around her and three more attacking her. He watched her flip one of them almost directly into their fire and then glanced back toward the archer to see the glimmer of Xenk's armor through the edge of the woods nearby so he moved to the other side of the boulder and quickly slid out, pretending to think it was safe and moved back behind it as fast as he could, just as he saw an arrow come straight for him. The arrow didn't miss him this time, it just barely grazed his bicep, tearing through his shirt and leaving a narrow line of blood. In the seconds where he'd had a clear view, Xenk had been right behind the archer and he'd seen Holga dispatch the last two bandits, totally worth a scrape.

He heard Holga grunt like she was moving something heavy, "Ed! You can come out now!" Oh, she'd moved the bandit off of the fire. "Here," she shoved the hilt of his shortsword into his hand "Stop leaving this places." She went looked him over and gave him a gentle (for Holga) shove towards his bag "Better clean that."

Ed put his sword away and reached for his bag to pull out a small roll of bandages. "What requires cleaning?" He heard Xenk ask. When Ed turned back towards them he glanced as the red staining his sleeve, "Oh, you're injured. You were meant to distract, not become a target." He glanced down at his hands, "I can heal you once I get some rest."

"Don't worry, it's just a scratch." He undid his shirt so he could bare his arm, kind of glad he'd taken off his jacket and left it next to his sword earlier even if it would have offered a little extra protection. The cut wasn't too deep, he wet the edge of the bandage to wipe it clean and then realized wrapping it one handed might be difficult. Holga had already walked back towards the bandit's bodies to search for anything useful but when he looked up Xenk was watching him. "Xenk, it's really not that bad."

Xenk blinked and refocused and it occurred to Ed that Xenk had been staring at his chest and not his arm. He really must be tired. "Let me assist you." He said as he reached for the bandages. He started unwinding the roll and reached for Ed's arm. "I really did not mean for you to get hurt." he continued quietly.

"I know. Don't worry too much." Xenk's warm fingers pulled gently on his arm to stretch it out so that he could wind the bandages around his bicep. "It's not even that deep."

Xenk tied off the end of the bandage, "I always worry about you, my friend."

Ed laughed lightly, "Well, I am the kind of guy that gets myself into situations." Xenk smiled slightly and shook his head at him.

"C'mon you two. If you're all fixed up then we should get out of here in case these guys have friends that come looking for them." Holga was shoving some coins into her pouch and had a small bag in her hand that she tossed at Ed. "Let's go."

*****

Link to chapter 2 and there's also a chapter 3

[modern-inheritance]

Random Bits of Writing #6: Some Credit

(A/N: This takes place well before Arya and Eragon become a couple, but they're at a very easy and very good point in their friendship, where Eragon is pretty much almost at Glen and Brom's level for how Arya sees him in her 'war family' in a way. Saphira's always been way up there, but it's been a decent amount of time and Eragon has regained her trust after the whole Bloodoath thing. Everyone has been looped into a black tie fundraiser in Surda to try and get in some more support for the war effort, and Arya was volun-told to be Eragon's platonic date to keep an eye on him and keep others/strangers from dancing with him to keep him as safe as possible. They both have perfected their outer masks for how to look and behave at official events, and they're doing their best to keep them up while also chatting on the way there. I bashed this out in 15 minutes, so it's crap but I had fun.)

~~~

"I promise I won't embarrass you." Eragon smiled as the elf took his offered arm. Together they walked the entrance, simply two more people in the sea of faces that were streaming towards the massive courtyard lit with golden lamps and shimmering with faint music. Saphira's bulk was already curled in one of the open corners, her scales reflecting the lights in a beautiful display.

Arya shook her head with a soft smile at his assurance. Even as she did, her eyes never stopped scanning the people around them, roving across hands and faces and ceremonial blades. "Hate to say it, but I'll probably be the one embarrassing you. It's been a long time since we've had one of these." At that thought the smile faltered, though only just long enough for Eragon's sharp eye to catch it before it returned.

The young Rider nodded to a passing nobleman, murmuring through his false flash of teeth, "I'm guessing you and Fäolin were a pretty stunning sight for all these folks." He found himself somewhat surprised that the dead elf’s name didn’t bring any flash of jealousy. Instead he felt some odd sense of warmth, almost like the soothing peace before finally falling asleep. Happy that she had someone, even if he was gone now. 

If she noticed his different tone, Arya showed no sign of it. She kept that little grin at her lips, the nearly coy expression of a hastily selected piece of arm candy that many of the noblewomen around them held. A mask to hide the sharp steel of two blades down the sides of her flat soled boots and the pistol strapped to her leg beneath the high collared black dress. “I couldn’t show favoritism. Glen, Fäolin and I were a packaged deal or we didn’t dance at all.” The grin took on more of a smirk, the very tips of draconic teeth showing as she suppressed an eyeroll Eragon could practically feel in a tiny shiver up the arm that wrapped around his own and heard in the dry tone creeping into her voice. “‘Course, if I showed up with or danced with any man we could hear half the place whispering about how I must be sleeping with him. I swear the Surdan court has nothing else to talk about besides who’s ffff…flouting about with who.”

A choked off wheeze snuck past Eragon’s guard at Arya’s quickly caught swearing. Oh, she was trying very hard not to be herself. “Well, that shouldn't be a problem tonight. Everyone here knows you’re a bodyguard for Saphira and me, and I’m pretty sure they all know we’re close friends.” As if summoned by his mention of Arya’s true duties, a couple moved to brush by the pair. With practiced ease, Arya shifted her stance, pushed Eragon just enough in the direction she needed to force them to squeeze past her side rather than his. “And it’s open war right now. I doubt anyone thinks you of all people are sleeping with anyone considering your service history.” It was his turn to smirk, a slight blush on his cheeks as boldness in their familiarity still made his heart patter just a little faster. “Not that I would know if you were sleeping with anyone.”

At that Arya let out a genuine laugh, and Eragon could not help but rip his gaze from the crowd ahead to take her in. There was warmth in her eyes, enough to break through that familiar happy squint as she covered her mouth to try and stifle the sound. For once nothing escaped her braid, carefully combed back and done in a traditional crested braid style that ran from the front of her forehead and down her back after much fussing over from Glen. Damn it, she looked stunning in an altogether different way than he usually saw. And while she glowed in the low light and looked every bit a goddess to him…he wished more of her true self shone out of this odd, put together facade that they both had to play in official events. Give him a goddess of war any day, and as long as it was her….

“No. No, I’m too busy.” Arya’s voice, still bubbling with laughter, shook Eragon from his reverie. There was the familiar smile, the wild fire in her eyes and feral love of life gleaming in the sharp teeth she bared. A flash, a moment, only for them to share as she leaned in closer and hugged his upper arm to playfully growl, “I spend all my time having to watch over this whelp of a Rider that’s got such a taste for trouble that his dragon has twice the wit he does and even more brains in her head after how many times people have tried to bash his in.”

Eragon barked out a laugh of his own. “Oh, owch, Major! Credit where credit’s due!” Arya just beamed at him, and he had to stop himself from jumping when she subtly pinched his ribs through his suit coat. “Saphira has at least three times my wit!”

[contreparry]

Hi Ann! How about "[grabbing wrist, pulling person behind them, sensing danger]" from couple prompts? Happy writing!

Absolutely! Here's some Zevran and Surana corporate espionage!AU for @dadrunkwriting

"The weather is as horrendous as I feared it would be," Zevran complained as they strolled through the park. It was snowing. It was a sprinkle of snow, truth be told, a light dusting of tiny snowflakes that melted away the moment they touched the earth. But the sky was overcast, the air was chilly, and his breath emerged from his mouth like a dragon's steam whenever he spoke, so Zevran felt justified in declaring that the weather was bad.

His companion scoffed and rolled his eyes. They were pretty eyes, dark as the night and prone to sparkling with a quiet humor that Zevran was learning to interpret. That particular eye roll and glint was one of born from exasperated amusement. Bran's eyerolls were a language of their own, and Zevran enjoyed puzzling them out. He especially enjoyed basking in the knowledge that Bran's annoyed eyerolls were seldom directed at him, and the fond ones were growing more and more frequent.

It was nice to have made a new friend. His time in Amaranthine would be miserable without Bran's companionship. They made an odd pair as they walked side by side in the park, him in his wool overcoat and Bran in his tattered hooded sweatshirt and scuffed boots. But as they walked Bran pointed out different study spots he frequented ("That diner has good breakfast and won't kick you out after an hour."), and Zevran teased him about his workaholic tendencies (as if he was one to judge.) It was... nice. Simply nice! Zevran couldn't remember the last time his conversations were so simple.

Zevran only wished that they met in better circumstances- or that this friendship wasn't built on a sand foundation. Zevran would be leaving soon enough, just as soon as he gathered the information his client required and stole Surana's research. Bran's research.

This was why their friendship wasn't real- at least, it shouldn't be. But Bran was so- Zevran chanced a sidelong glance at his companion, his eyes tracing that sharp profile and lingering on his small smile as little snowflakes peppered his black hair and melted into tiny water droplets that clung to the strands like jewels. There was something there, something fascinating about the way those steel piercings all along Bran's ears mingled with the faint smell of paper that followed him wherever he went. He was acerbic and quiet and incredibly patient when he wanted to be. There was a terrible kindness to him, fierce and warm and painful-

A thin, strong hand wrapped around his wrist and he was yanked back suddenly, and Zevran, surprised, followed the momentum until he was standing somewhat behind Bran's shoulder. A moment later a cyclist crossed their path, mere inches from colliding where Zevran was walking.

"Head in the clouds, Zevran?" Bran asked, his voice dry even as his eyes sparkled with that exasperated fondness that made Zevran's heart ache. Don't like me, don't see me, you can't you can't you can't-

"... yes. Your stormy, gloomy clouds," Zevran replied, the remark masking the rapid beating of his heart. Bran's hand was warm around his wrist, and he didn't let go as he pulled Zevran back to his side and continued their walk.

"Poor, delicate Antivans," Bran sighed, and his small smile was approaching a grin. "I'll find you a patch of sun. Or at least someplace warm so we can wait out the snowflakes."

"And some decent food, I trust?" Zevran asked, praying to whatever god was listening that Bran couldn't feel his racing pulse under his fingertips. Oh, how he wished that they were truly friends with no secrets between them, so that he could fall back into this moment without reservations or scheming or anything beyond the pure pleasure of enjoying Bran Surana's company! But they weren't, and so Zevran hid behind jokes and flirtation and hoped that Bran wouldn't notice the artifice and tear it all down with his brutal consideration.

"Of course," Bran said. "But only because I like you."

[hathorneheiress]

A night of escalation

(a continuation of A night of uncertainty)

We arrived at the restaurant right on time. The ride was very quiet. Grayson sat off to one side, silent and still as a statue. Face as stone.

Savannah wasn't any better. She seemed more relaxed, but kept herself at a distance.

I decided trying to talk to them wouldn't be a good idea. Instead, I buried myself in my phone. Looking on Pinterest in between texting with Slater.

Me: Warning! Grayson is in a foul mood.☹️

Slater: Don't worry I can handle him.

Me: I know. Don't say anything to rile him up.

Slater: I'll try not. No promises.

I sighed. This was going to be a long night. I sent him a text.

Me: For me, will you?

Slater: *Sighs* Yes. For you dear, I will.

Me: You're the best!!❤️❤️❤️

He didn't respond. I could see the eyeroll he was making at that moment for my use of emojis. He never used them, like someone else I know.

The five star restaurant was quiet, only an occasional loud voice here and there. We were led to a private room in the back. To my surprise, Matias Slater was already there.

I was even more shocked by what he was wearing. Usually attired in a ratty T shirt and pants, this time he had on a simple, but nice black two piece suit. A causal shirt could be seen underneath the dress coat. I tried not to think that he had pulled out all the stops for me.

"Gigi." He replied stiffly, all the while looking at Grayson with hard eyes.

"Slate." I said, using his nickname. "Nice to see you."

He nodded but didn't respond.

"Well," Savannah said, trying to loosen up the tension. "Let's eat."

We sat down to a hearty meal of grilled chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, and blueberry pie for dessert.

There wasn't much talking. Honestly, it was me and Slater doing it, and that was hardly anything. There was no denying the tension in the room.

I thought we were going to make it unscaled, but then Savannah asked what Slater was doing for work.

He cleared his throat. "I gather information for my boss."

"Like an informant?"

"No, not exactly."

Savannah then saw the picture. "You're a spy."

Slater didn't deny it, but he didn't fight it either. Savannah didn't need him to, she saw.

"Well, I had no idea you were a spy. I assume it's for the government."

I tried not to laugh. Slater didn't work for the government.

"No." He replied "I don't."

"But," Savannah was cut off.

"He works for a girl named Eve." It was the first time my older half brother had spoken since we had started eating. His piercing blue eyes stared right into Slater's black ones.

"And who's Eve?" Savannah asked, for once unaware of what was going on.

"Grayson's old girlfriend." I said

"My boss." Slater replied at the same time.

"It's a long story." Grayson replied. "And one we will refrain from telling." His voice broached no agruement.

"I'll tell you." Slater said. I could see Grayson beginning to bristle.

"And I said no."

Slater didn't make a single move. No emotion whatsoever playing on his face or words. "If the young lady wants to hear it, I don't see why not."

"You leave Savannah alone." Grayson was getting riled. "And Gigi too for that matter. You are not to see her again."

"You're not her boss. Her mother is. She can tell her daughter who she can and can't see."

"You're right. But I'm sure she will agree with me that her daughter shouldn't be seeing a spy, or more less a murderer."

I gave a little gasp. "You murdered someone? You never told me that."

"You never asked." Slater was dead still. "And I don't know how you found out either." pointing it at Grayson.

"I have connections."

Savannah slowly raised herself with as much dignity as she could. "I believe it is time to go." she declared.

I stood as well. "Thank you Slate for meeting us. But Sav is right, we do need to go. It's getting late. Grayson, you coming?"

He looked up. "Yes, I am." Slater stood as well.

We were getting ready to leave when Slater called out. "Oh and Grayson? Eve wanted me to give you a message."

My brother turned ever so slightly.

"She said be careful what you say. It might come back to bit you."

[synonymouswithanonymous]

question answered

Of course it's ok to dislike some actions. I find it totally reasonable to dislike something a person does, disagree with what they say etc. Not everyone likes the same things. It'd be boring otherwise. Lol So no I don't care about people simply not liking something. But what I find appalling is dislike of a few actions turned into she's an "evil devil abusive leech worm talk." See there is a difference between the two. Disliking an action shouldn't suddenly translate into that person being evil. Again just from IG posts of her life, not like she got a DUI or worse. Some people are hardcore in their made up scenarios of abuse and manipulation. Over rather benign IG posts. Imo it's baffling. From saying they didn't like the drunk posts content (even if it was an accidental post bc she was clearly drunk too), to now she's a "toxic user" and has npd bc they can magically diagnose through a screen...*eyeroll* 😂😂 seriously? That's not just criticism, that's just hatefulness.

Just bc they don't like her content or how she posts her own boyfriend, it doesn't make her evil. I know most people understand this, I'm most likely "preaching to the choir" as G-Ma used to say, if anyone actually reads any of my posts (always surprised!). But some are acting real serious with their irrational hate.

[countlessrealities]

HOLIDAY GIFTS ASKS || No longer accepting.

@mcltiples sent:

Old holiday traditions didn't really mean much to Rick. After all, he hadn't even celebrated until his housemate came into his life. When Morty decided that they should resume holidays due to having someone worthy to celebrate with. So, he wouldn't disappoint.

Yet, it didn't mean he had to follow with tradition.

Instead of making it a big deal, he would stop his alternate from walking in the corridor. He may have looked eager, and that's because he was, but he tried to play it off casual. This shouldn't have been a big deal. Not like this, anyway.

"I-I was going to wrap it up, put it in a fancy box, but -- believe it or not -- time slipped away a-and I managed to do the opposite of that," So, he held up the gift in between them instead. "But, here, i-it's for you."

The necklace swung from his fingers. A pendant in the shape of a bat shone, displaying a gemstone colored half purple and half navy blue. If examined closely, one could make out the fine engravings of the words Ab Imo Pectore.

Clearing his throat, he averted his gaze. "So, h-happy holidays."

{ To Mercenary Rick From Vampire Rick 🎄❄️}

Rick wished he could have said that, by now, he had gotten used to his housemate's ambushes, but that would have been a lie. He had come to expect the, of course, because it seemed to be the only way the other guy approached people. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough not to be caught off guard by it most of the time.

At first, he had found himself moving around the cabin as if it had been war territory, making sure to scan every nook and shadow before entering a corridor or a room, checking before turning a corner. However, had quickly given up on that tactic because not only it forced him to be even more on edge all the time, but it made him feel like an idiot.

So, when an arm suddenly appeared in front of him, stopping his tracks without warning, the mercenary simply did his best not to look startled. He indulged in a little eyeroll, before turning his attention on his housemate. His questioning expression, though, quickly turned into a wary one as he noticed the ill-concealed keenness on the vampire's face.

That wasn't a good sign, was it? He couldn't remember a time when he had seen the other looking anything close to excited. It felt like trouble was just ahead, ready to rain over his head.

For that reason, with those thoughts swirling in his mind, he didn't react right away when the gift was presented to him. The explanation to why it wasn't wrapped was completely lost to Rick, as he was too stunned by the difference between reality and what he had been expecting.

"...Oh," was all he managed to say when he finally snapped himself out of his stupor, hurrying to take the necklace.

Brows knitted together, he examined the pendant, unsure of what to think. The shape wasn't much of a surprise, considering whom it came from. The colours of the gems, instead, were a little more troubling. He recognised his and the other's favourite shades, and coupled with the engraving...

It felt more than just a Christmas present, more than a show of appreciation. It felt like a confession. And he didn't have the slightest idea of what he should do with it.

"I...Thanks, Rick. I-It's beautiful," he eventually said, clearing his throat and trying not to fidget in his spot. Still, he couldn't keep himself from toying with the necklace. "An-And happy holidays you too."

His free hand rose to rub the back of his neck.

"I-I'll see you later, for the...thing. Y-You know, the holiday games or-or whatever Morty has planned."

[inafieldofdaisies]

do you have any evidence of that ? + Sabrina x John 💕

"You really want me to sleep here?" "Just grab whatever you want, Deputy.", John called out as he cracked the bathroom door open wide enough to sneak a peek at Sabrina, who hadn't moved from her seat at the edge of his bed, "I won't be long, so if you're going to be changing…" "Won't be your first time watching me undress.", she retorted as he disappeared out of view, the sound of running water being the only response she got. With the shower signaling of the limited time she had, she moved over to the dresser across from the bed and pulled the first drawer open to find neatly folded pairs of boxers. "Go figure… no 'yes' pattern or little planes in sight?", the words were barely a whisper, and she bit her lip as she slid the compartment closed and shifted her search onto the one below it. Dark satin sleep pants and matching shirts awaited in it, she doubted the latter were worn much considering anytime she saw him early in the mornings he was shirtless, prone to the same habit his older brother displayed even during sermons.

Sabrina shuffled through each pair carefully, fingers running over the smooth material, but made no move to take any of them out. The idea of sleeping in the slippery garment paired with his satin sheets gave her a pause. "Third one, it is.", she said out loud, "Bingo." A satisfied smile came over her when she grabbed a simple cotton T-shirt from the drawer, a black bundle falling at her feet in the process. "What the-", curiosity coursed through her as she bent down, gaze widening as she came to a realization that had her stand back up a rush. One of her underwear sets was folded into a tight roll. The same one he had smuggled into her bag, and she had threatened to set on fire after his brazen overstepping of boundaries. A part of her knew she shouldn't have been surprised he had done it again: gone through her stuff, and stolen the pieces of clothing he seemed so obsessed with.

"You're still not dressed for bed.", his voice rang out behind her, growing seductive when he added, "Were you waiting for me, Deputy?" She spun around quickly, completely taken aback by how close he actually was, cursing herself for not even having heard him approach as she took step back and her eyes settled on the towel wrapped around his waist. Her chin lifted up in defiance, his blue eyes drinking her in, "You're one to talk, Seed. Seeing how you're not even clothed." John shrugged as he ran a hand through his wet hair, smoothing it back while the other remained at his towel, ensuring it stayed in place, "I didn't exactly think of grabbing anything." "Did you, now?"

"I lived alone.", he strode forward, "I sleep alone. So why would I be used to anything else?" By then, he was standing in front of her, breath faning her face before his head dipped down to whisper in her ear, "Plus, remember your little stunt at your cabin, Sabrina? Certainly gave me a show of your own." He backed with a cocky gleam in his gaze, taking reign of her personal space yet again. "You were supposed to stay in the kitchen.", Sabrina reminded him slowly, refusing to let him see his nearness had any effect on her body. He ignored the jab and lifted his free hand, but instead of touching her, he grasped the handle of one of the drawers behind her. "May I?", he asked in a low tone, eyes darkening as they ran over her features, making her wonder what he was actually asking permission for.

"No." An eyebrow went up at her reply, "You want me to sleep naked? That would be interesting." In turn, she offered an eyeroll, further fueled by his arrogance, "Don't be ridiculous." "See, Deputy, you were bound to get in trouble with your affinity for the word. Saying 'Yes' on the other hand opens so many doors…" Calahan's words about potential secret rooms in the ranch came back to her then, "I don't even want to know." John had the audacity to act confused, "Hm?" "Nothing.", she sidestepped, putting space between them to allow him access to a change of clothes, getting her first indicator she was in for a long night. "Your eyes tell me otherwise.", he mumbled before unsurprisingly selecting a pair of satin pajama pants, "You might want to turn around."

The second the words left his mouth, the towel dropped on the floor, giving her a generous look at his nude backside before he stepped into the bottoms and pulled them up. Thankfully, her jaw hadn't followed suit, her expression remaining passive as he turned around, "You were looking." Her hands clutched the forgotten garments she held, "You literally gave me no time to react." "Did I, Deputy?", he retorted nonchalantly as he strode over to the bed, plopping down onto the matress. "Speaking of overstepping.", her gaze narrowed as she produced the set he had lifted from her room, "When did you take those?" He cocked his head to the side, lips pursed at the accusation, "I have no idea what you mean." "Like hell you don't." "If you want to wear them to bed…frankly, I won't stop you.", he smirked at that, resting his hands on his knees, enjoying every minute of the confrontation, not an ounce of shame or guilt present.

"Is this why you stole my underwear? To set this up?" "Do you have any evidence of that?" A sigh left her lips at the poor defense, same one guilty people would usually use as a come-back, not that she needed more confirmation of his actions, "The evidence is in my hand, Jonathan. A smoking gun." "Can you prove you didn't take those yourself and plant them in my drawer?" "You-" "You can't.", he rose back up, moving towards her with conviction, the same way he had upon their first meeting as she sat in his chair, "Which would beg the question… if you did do that, in fact…", he stopped in front of her, standing close enough that all he needed was to lower his head to kiss her, "what were you planning?" "You're a terrible liar. And lawyer." John let out a chuckle, "Far, far from it, Deputy." The crackling of the fire he had started drew her attention, "You're forgetting what I promised I will do with them."

Understanding passed over his face at once as she attempted to go around him, sights set on the stone fireplace and making true to her promise, but an arm snaked around, wrapping around her waist, and pulling her back into his body. "Don't.", his lips descended onto her ear, nipping gently as he snatched the lace set from her, "I call truce." Sabrina dropped her head back against his chest, sinking further into his embrace, "Confess, and maybe I'd consider it." A laugh shook his chest while his hold on her tightened, "You sure you want to play my game?" "And beat you at it."

[hearts4golbach]

Zombified. (Larry Johnson x Fem!Reader.)

part 5.

co-written by @cupid-isgone

The next few hours went smoothly, to my surprise. Larry was walking even closer to me than he did before. everyone knew I could walk by myself.

I carefully count my footsteps to get my mind off the interaction with Larry in the janitors closet.

"compared to this map, we should be about 2 miles out." todd boasted.

we all cheered quietly, careful not to manifest any zombies.

I looked down at the river fall below me. the ledge was small, so I had to pay attention so as not to fall off, but looking at the river was comforting.

"y/n, you can be too close to the e-"

larry began to scold me before I felt the ground fell out from under me.

felt like my stomach was about to fall out of my ass when larrys hand slipped off my waist, causing me to fall. I screeched, closing my eyes and waiting for death or pain about to come.

someone's strong hand gripped my wrist, painfully tight. Larry pulled me up quickly. "Jesus christ, y/n. you have to be more careful." Larry scolded me.

"Hey!" I retorted, "that fall wasn't

even my fault, I can't control the ground. "

"Hey guys, maybe we should take a quick break." Todd chimed in. He and sal left to do whatever, leaving Larry and me alone.

"You shouldn't have been that close to the ledge, you know." Larry continued, "you could've

died."

"So? I didn't die, then what's the problem?"

"i- you- the problem.. ugh!" Larry stepped away and paced back and

forth for a moment. "You could've fallen." his breath came in quick gasps as he gathered his thoughts. "What would, I-I mean we do if we lost you now?"

I shrugged. "Move on, probably. It wouldn't be that big of a deal for you, would it?" It was depressing, sure, but it felt true. After all, I'd barely hung out with the group

before this mess started and Larry was never friendly before.

"What, of course it would! What are

you even saying!" Larry was just staring at me now.

"Why do you care so much anyway? It's not that big of a deal."

"cause I care about you, you idiot!"

I stared at him silently. "What?"

"I care about you dude its pretty simple. we kissed, for fucks sake!" he face palmed.

"fuck it, I know! believe it or not, I was there!" I sat down.

"So what is that it?" he grumbled angrily.

"what rise do you expect from me?"

"I need to know that you care about me, too, y/n. i need to know that wasnt a kiss between strangers." he ran his fingers through his hair.

"what the fuck are you talking about? youre the one who was shitty to me, now youre switching up because I'm the only girl you've seen in months." I stood up again

and came face to face or him.

"what the fuck, no! I never wanted to treat you like shit, but I was fucking 17! dude, I don't know what you want me to do: that was almost 10 years ago."

"You know, I've always cared about you Larry, But I'm starting to think I cared too much." I sighed looking down at my feet.

"What do you-oh." Larry sat down

and gestured for me to do the same.

We got in front of each other awkwardly avoiding eye contact.

"So you liked me? Even back then?"

I shrugged blushing "a bit, maybe a little."

Larry looked at the ground. "Damn. me too..."

" What?" I reached forward and playfully shoved his shoulder. "why the hell did you say anything?"

he grinned sheepishly. "I never thought in a 100 years you'd like me back. plus, I did say I was an idiot back then."

"still, fuck you." I smiled sadly.

"I know you want to." Larry winked, earning an eyeroll from me.

[hughungrybear]

Me watching Laws of Attraction Ep. 5:

1. After two days of not being able to watch, I can finally sit back and continue this series 😭😭😭😭 Starting with Charn accusing the friendly neighbours as traitors (specifically, the brave lady from previous episode, Nam). I don't buy this. I still maintain that Charn's assistant (Wit) is highly sus.

2. Oh, wait. So, Nam DID sold Tin out??? I still have a hard time believing it. I think she's telling the truth about trying to set the reporter straight (which, unfortunately backfired). But I don't think she's the one who reveal all of Charn's cards to Thattep.

3. Charn, you and Tin just reconciled. Don't mess things up.

4. OMG. Tonkhao's bestie is also using the doll in public 😭😭😭 I hope Thattep does not find her (and the doll) first.

5. Grandma still captaining the ship, apparently 😅 Sidenote, I don't think I like this transition. We just saw Tin and Charn arguing about each other beliefs and morals, next thing we see Charn is in Tin's bedroom with an almost naked and newly bathe Tin. From a plot's perspective, it doesn't make much sense that they (especially Tin) are more than okay with each other's company (and flirting) again. 😑 Don't get me wrong, the scenes are cute. It's just that I think the timing (or editing) is wrong.

7. Charn is, opportunistic, to put it nicely. He just needs to channel that talent into good use. However, his cynicism is hindering him from looking at things from a (morally) positive angle.

8. I have said this from the very first episode: GIVE US CHARN'S FULL BACKSTORY, GAWD DAMMIT. I am this close 🤏 to googling spoilers 😭😭😭

9. Ms Club Owner and the gorgeous Silvy (in hot pink) side-eyeing Charn throughout the whole phone conversation is 😂😂😂 Also, Charn called Ms Club Owner, "auntie". Is he really her nephew? Because y'know, us Asians can call any female "auntie" (even complete strangers) without batting an eyelash 😂😂😂

10. Noooo, Charn. Don't leave Tonkhao's things in the open like that with Wit. 😭😭😭

11. Wit asking questions about the doll just heightens my suspicions towards him. So, yeah Charn, take your own advice and don't trust anyone, especially Wit.

12. I feel bad for Chai. I mean, wasn't it enough that they made him a fallguy? He needed to be killed too? The fvck. Also, the calculated way that Charn sacrificed this man's life to draw out the mole is every bit disgusting.

13. Thattep's reasoning. I cannot. 🤯🤯🤯🤯 What a sh*tty father. So, the reason why his own son is his first choice to be the fallguy is because it is a given that he will get away with it (just a probation, guys. No biggie /s)? He would rather have his son wrongfully labeled as criminal to what end???

14. Tanthai getting gaslit and made to believe that he caused two innocent people killed should be the bodyguard's cue to switch sides and tell the truth to protect his young master.

15. I KNEW IT. Then again, the series made it obvious that Wit cannot be trusted. Okay, I did not anticipate the gun(s), the action scenes, or that office fire/explosion that followed. Still, 😂😂😂😂

16. Not sure why the office exploded, honestly. I get it is for dramatic effect (and ensures that Wit is truly dead). But then again, from a realistic point of view, that sh*t shouldn't have happened unless Charn was keeping something that is highly explosive in HIS LAW OFFICE.

17. Grandma has a glow-up courtesy of Silvy (Maya) in a gorgeous 1920s-inspired fit. At this point, I seriously should start a Silvy fan club lol.

17. After the night's excitement, forgive me if I'm eyerolling Tin's highly questionable timing to flirt with Charn. 🙄🙄🙄

18. Mr. Bodyguard, sir, get an effing clue. At this point, I will not be surprised if Tanthai tries to un-alive himself.

19. Grandma being supportive of TinCharn's happiness is 🥺🥺🥺

20. Charn sleeps exactly like my two-year old nephew, right to the part of kicking anybody who shares the bed 😂😂😂😂 His parents learnt to sleep the very edge of the bed - sideways lol

21. Hold up. I think Wit is already effed up in the head, even without Charn's influence. He just got emboldened by Charn's very lax and questionable take on justice.

22. Wait, did Tonkhao's bestie moved to the town where Charn's traumatic past happened??? <after five seconds> Yep, there it is. Also, did the government has something to do with Charn's mum's death???

23. Charn's disgusting morals rears its ugly head again. Seriously, I wanted Ms Club Owner to slap him hard so he can get back to his senses.

It's official. I am having a love-hate fascination with Charn. He is so desperate to play an anti-hero that is almost pathetic, not to mention downright depressing. Will I get to finally see Charn's backstory in the next episode? I really hope so.

[annoyangle]

(About a dozen emotions go over her face at the poke, most of it being some kind of mix of surprise, as she just shrugs) On one hand, said Bill got me into this little debacle in the first place with the show and everything. On another hand, getting tested in dreams and thrown into chaotic scenarios that change the course of your life-Not so fun. (she bites into the sandwich and grumbles a bit) I wanna warn you this will get very meta. Because with Bill, when is it not? Lets see-Might as well start in the beginning. Back about 10-11 years ago-when the show was starting to air, I hadn't really paid attention to it, and had only seen a picture of you (she gestures to Bill himself) maybe briefly on reddit or something. But apparently that was enough for my brain to conjure up a funny little dream. Said dream involved me getting tested by Shapeshifter, who apparently worked for this Bill, and I got lucid enough to notice that Bill was pulling the strings, even forced myself into the snazzy little office he had himself cooped up in. We both realized that shouldn't have been too possible at the time, I woke up-started watching the show. There's MORE that happened after I started watching, but something tells me you'd probably not like it. Lets just say said incident drew his attention. (//ooc: did I base some of N's lore on these dreams? yep lol. Look okay imma take what my brain gives me)

[BILL NODS, NODS IN THE WEIRD AND INEXPLICABLE WAY THAT A FLAT TRIANGLE WITH ONE EYE CAN NOD, WHILE HE'S HELPING HIMSELF TO A FEW SAUSAGE BITS SKEWERED THROUGH SOME CHEESE CUBES.] WELL. OKAY, I'M NOT ABOUT TO TRY AND SPEAK FOR THE OTHER MES BECAUSE [EYEROLLING] HALF THOSE GUYS I WOULDN'T CLAIM EVEN IF YOU SET ME ON FIRE, AND THE OTHER HALF SHOULD MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS AS WELL AS I MIND THEIRS! LET'S JUST PUT IT LIKE THIS, KID: YOU'RE IN MY PARTY NOW. [SLINGS AN EXTRA-LONG ARM AROUND N'S SHOULDER BEFORE PULLING AWAY AND DRIFTING ABOVE THE TABLE AGAIN, AS IF IN THOUGHT, TWO ARMS CROSSING OVER HIS BOWTIE WHILE HE CONTINUES TO SNACK WITH TWO OTHER ARMS.] MM. GOOD TO KNOW YOU GOT A LINE ON LUCID DREAMING THOUGH, THAT KINDA THING MIGHT COME IN HANDY AROUND HERE. LET ME KNOW IF YOU START GETTING PROPHETIC DREAMS - OR IF YOU WANT TO? FRANKENSTEIN HAS A TINY BIT OF PROPHETIC SIGHT BUT HE AIN'T NO 8-BALL... [BREAKS OFF.] AW, HECK. [EYE WIDENS, AND HE QUICKLY SHOOTS A GLANCE AT N] YOU MAY WANT TO DUCK RIGHT NOW. [BECAUSE THE NEXT ASK IS ABOUT TO CRASH THE PARTY!]

[curseconsumed]

To Clara's surprise (and yes, perhaps frustration), Anthony didn't so much as snap at her bait. He reassured Catherine that he could understand the need to defend one's sister, and scoffing, Clara didn't bother concealing her eyeroll.

"If you are truly so concerned for your sisters, sir, why is it you are so well-versed with the fairer sex? Do you ever stop to think that perhaps they are someone's sister, as well?"

Anthony straightened. "She is in no danger with me, unless you count my accidental stepping on her toes in the dance I was about to ask for."

Clara sneered at him. "I'm afraid I don't believe you," she replied. "When you were out on the dance floor mere moments ago, I saw nary a trip to your step. You don't strike me as a man nearly so clumsy, and most especially with your need to constantly be on your toes around the mamas."

Anthony remained unruffled. "For your sister's sake, I implore you to stop this crude talk. Can't you see she's near swooning?"

Clara pursed her mouth. She didn't wish to exasperate Catherine, and yet she knew the poor girl had heard far worse from her tongue. "Kitty is a big girl and can handle herself," she deflected. "Unless, of course, you are merely trying to find a far more simple and vulnerable sort to sink your fangs into?"

Anthony followed her out onto the dance floor. "Shouldn't this job fall to your father? Surely he's more than capable."

Clara snorted. "What, you wish to share a dance with Father? I'm sure he'd be flattered, but wholly opposed." She sneered, knowing full well what he meant. "I suppose even rakes have their limits with whom they seduce. But I can assure you, Mr. Bridgerton: his concerns do not extend to his daughters. Not beyond keeping us out of trouble, of course."

Anthony smirked, though there was an odd flicker behind his eyes. "As you wish, Miss Boyd," he agreed, "though I'm inclined to point out that the Bridgerton fortune is far above yours. Why then, would I need to secure any other?"

"Why, indeed?" Clara agreed. "Firstly, I don't think you are privy to my father's monetary figures -- and secondly, you know your family would be foolish to cross him, seeing how he has all the prominent members of society in his pocket. So naturally, I must assume you wish to climb the social ladder even farther. It isn't uncommon for two powerful families to join forces. But then, you know this."

Clara glared at him as though she’d happened upon a snake, one whose head needed to be crushed before it could strike, and while he didn’t particularly think himself a serpent, to Clara, he was no doubt one of the dangerous of sorts – the most venomous.

Any hopes he had of pursuing her sister easily were now dashed upon the rocks. If he wanted to make it work, he was going to have to go through her first, and something told him the usual charm of a gentleman wasn’t going to cut it. 

"Is it truly an insult when something can be proven as fact, sir? With as often as you've stuck your pillock into the local elite, I would wager you're on par with a breeding ground."

Catherine was appalled at her sibling’s behavior, demanding that she apologize to him, a plea to which Clara unsurprisingly refused.

“It’s quite alright, Miss Boyd. I’m unoffended by a woman merely looking out for her sister’s well being,” he reassured Catherine before addressing Clara, “Madam, I can assure you that is highly untrue.” 

It was. He’d never soiled a woman of status, only those who had no pull in the ton, those who were willing with nothing to lose. With sisters of his own, he’d never go so far as to take the virtue of a young woman that was at risk of being disgraced. 

“She is in no danger with me, unless you count my accidental stepping on her toes in the dance I was about to ask for.” 

"These sort of affairs all start with a dance, you know. And then before you know it, he'll be hounding you with bouquets and seeking your 'delicate flower' -- if you get my meaning."

“For your sister’s sake, I implore you to stop this crude talk. Can’t you see she’s near swooning?”

"Come," Clara commanded, taking hold of his lapel and tugging him toward the dance floor before he could so much as reach for his handkerchief to aid in fanning Catherine. "If you truly wish to prove yourself, then you must dance with me first. And if I deign you suitable companionship, then perhaps I'll allow it." 

“Shouldn’t this job fall to your father? Surely he’s more than capable.”

She glanced back at him, her emerald eyes aflame. Shockingly, Anthony could have sworn he’d felt himself shivering, "Unless, of course, you truly are only sniffing about because of Father's tremendous wealth?

Something stirred inside him, causing his heart to quicken as he smirked, “As you wish, Miss Boyd, though I’m inclined to point out that the Bridgerton fortune is far above yours. Why then, would I need to secure any other?

[strangersteddierthings]

I'm thinking of leaving town.

The words bounce around Steve's head endlessly. Eddie had said them so casually. Like it wasn't going to be a big deal to anyone that he leaves.

And logically, it's not. It shouldn't be. Eddie's a high school graduate and no longer a wanted criminal, thanks to the shady government that fucked everything up to begin with. The logical next step is getting out of the town that still hates him, even if they're no longer actively hostile, and make something of himself.

And he's not even the first to go. Robin, Nancy, and Jonathan are all off to their chosen colleges and

And Steve doesn't want to stop him from going. He thinks it'll be great for Eddie. He plans to leave town, too, once the kids graduate.

He just thought he'd have more time. To figure out himself. And Eddie. And if they could be SteveandEddie someday.

So, the words continue to bounce around Steve's head for the next three days, until Robin calls him for their weekly catch-up. He asks about college, and her new crush, a girl named Michelle, and if she's still planning to come back for Christmas break. She asks after him, too, what's going on in his life, how he's liking working at hardware store and is it better or worse than Family Video (it's better), and of course asks after everyone left in town.

"Eddie's thinking of leaving," Steve says.

"Oh. Really?" She sounds confused more than surprised.

"Just thinking. He didn't say for sure, but it's on his mind."

"And how are you taking that?"

"I thought we'd have more time."

"How much more time do you need?" Robin's voice is filled with laughter and he can just imagine the playful eyeroll. "It's been eight months. It took you like five seconds to ask out any girl that flirted with you at Family Video."

"Eddie's different."

"I'm just... it's not like you, to not go after what you want."

"Eddie's important."

There's silence on the other line before, "Important enough to love out loud?"

Oh. Oh.

Robin always knows what to say to get Steve to see the obvious thing in front of him in a way that doesn't make him feel like an idiot. "Yeah. Important enough to love out loud. I'm telling him tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Quick turn around, Steve."

"Yeah, well, you're right. I always go after what I want, and I have to tell him before he goes. Even if he decides to still go, at least he'll know."

"Brave."

"No. Brave would have been doing this six months ago when I first looked at him and thought he looked kissable."

"No, that would have been stupid. You had a gay panic to get through and it was better that Eddie wasn't involved. Trust me."

And he does. Vickie was going through the same panic and had Robin and that... well, there's a reason he asks after Michelle and not Vickie.

"Right. Of course. Five months ago, then."

Robin laughs through the line and Steve feels resolve settle in his stomach.

-

Steve goes to the Munson house directly after his shift. Eddie's van is gone but Wayne's pickup is there, so Steve lets himself in, calling a greeting to Wayne.

"In the kitchen," Wayne calls back.

Steve wanders into the kitchen to see him with a rolling pin in hand and an empty pie plate nearby. "Baking?"

"Sometimes you just want a homemade apple pie," Wayne shrugs, "and there are two ways to do that. Woo somebody who will make it for you, or do it yourself. I'm picking the easier option."

Steve laughs, "alright. Need any help?"

"Recipes over there. Apples need peelin'."

Steve washes his hands and gets to work.

The pie is cooked and cooling, and Wayne has migrated to the couch with a beer since Steve offered to whip up supper. Wayne was going to make lasagna, so Steve starts pulling things from cupboards and the fridge and gets to work.

Eddie returns home as Steve is layering the lasagna in the dish.

"Wayne, I see you hired a chef!" Eddie shouts in the general direction of the living room before hopping up to sit on the counter opposite Steve.

Wayne laughs but doesn't say anything in response.

"Hey Eds," Steve flashes him a smile before getting back to dinner. He tops it off with more cheese and then shoves it into the oven. He grabs the dial timer from its spot in the cupboard and sets it before turning to give his full attention to Eddie.

"What brings you over tonight?" Eddie asks.

"I wanted to talk to you. Ask you something, really."

"Moi?" Eddie places a hand on his own chest, fingers spread and voice filled with fake surprise.

"Mmm, the one and only," Steve says, stepping into Eddie's space. Not close enough to touch him, but enough that he doesn't have room to hop back off the counter.

"And what could be so important that you had to make me dinner about it?"

"Would you go on a date with me?"

Eddie's eyes go wide and his mouth opens and closes a few times before snapping closed. He blinks down at Steve, but Steve's patient. He can wait for Eddie to process. "I- what, you're serious?"

"As a bat bite," Steve says, reaching a hand to rest it on Eddie's side, atop where he knows Eddie is scarred in the same way he is. "I thought I'd have all the time in the world to get there. To the asking. We'd get to know each other better. Deeper, I guess. But then. Well, you said you were thinking of leaving. And I realized I don't have all the time in the world."

Eddie's eyes roam Steve's face. Whatever he's looking for he must find because his legs fall open and he reaches for Steve even as he's already stepping into the space Eddie's created for him. "We can have all the time you want, Stevie."

Steve grins. "I don't want to stop you leaving, if that's what you really want. But, maybe we can postpone that? I want to stay close, until the kids graduate, but after that I'd follow you anywhere."

Eddie brings a hand up to Steve's face and before he's even made contact, Steve's shoving his cheek into Eddie's palm, nuzzling at him like a cat. "No need to be following. I'd rather you walk beside me."

"I can do that, too."

"Jesus, Stevie, I can't believe- I mean, I'd hoped, when you came out, but like," Eddie giggles and it's the sweetest sound Steve's ever heard, "like, it's hard to believe you want me back."

"Take it to the bedroom!" Wayne's shout from the living room startles both of them and they burst out laughing when they make eye contact again.

Eddie's other hand joins his first on Steve's face, and he pulls him into a kiss before they're even finished laughing.