#Audrey II x Reader
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Imagine;
(You are in the place of Audrey)
Audrey II having an added motivation to wanting Seymore to bring him Orin to feast on. Yes, the guy's an asshole and no one would miss him- but also,
Audrey II hates how he treats you. They don't let it on, only allowing a few little slips here and there of their true motivations against Orin ('If you want a rationale- It isn't very hard to see'), disguising their disdain at his treatment of you behind their all-consuming hunger and charisma, pretending like they're just appealing to Seymore's better, softer nature. They have a front-row seat though to Orin's abuse ('Smackin' her around and always talkin' so tough'), listening to you every night comin' back from your date crying and squealing (It makes them grind their teeth, pretending to be just a plant and not misbehave) and him calling you mean stuff when even a blind motherfucker could tell you're anything but-
Its fast approaching the point where Audrey II would do anything to have you for themself. Treat you right. Get to call you doll~ (cuz damn that's what you are. A sweet little doll~ And they've gotta have ya) and wrap you up in their vines for no one else to even look at again.
For now, though, until they're ready- they'll settle for swallowing that jackass dentist whole for what he's done to you.
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Feed me
Gravity Falls x monster reader (plant)
Headcanon/drabble
Ford originally found you when he first came to town
He was walking around the town, when he noticed you.
Bought you right away, I mean definitely isn’t a plant person but something told him he needed that plant
You “died” after a week of him trying everything to keep you alive. While he was distracted by Bill, he cut his hand.
To which you drunk and brightened up. (You now have a taste for his blood and will scream/play dead till he gives in and lets you have some from his hand)
When he writes in his journal he definitely mumbles, which you picked up, and rather fast you learned how to talk
Scared the shit out of him (Bill saw the whole thing and thought it was hilarious)
Your first words were “Feed me.”
Bill laughed, Ford was confused/amazed
FiddleFord is scared of you and refuses to be near you.
You have tried to eat him, to which Ford put you in a ‘time out’ (he moved your pot out of the sun, with you facing a corner)
Bill placed you back and now randomly teleports you near FiddleFord
Once the whole portal opening happened you were left with Stan
Which is when he fed you twice more to get you big, in his eyes a giant plant monster = money
Learned the hard way why you were on a strict diet (you ate a person and a small yappy white dog)
You’re moved from the mystery shack to the living room
Once Dipper and Mabel come around you are then placed in the shed, he was not risking you eating those two
You loved the shed, plenty of small rodents to eat
Once Bill is summoned again he takes you.
Why? He still butt hurt about sixer (it’s either one of those situations where the ex takes the pet or he secretly thinks of you as his and Ford’s kid. Custody battle)
Stan freaks out because he just goes to the shed to feed you and you’re gone.
Bill gets rid of your diet, you are strictly feed humans, henchmen, and time agents (only the finest)
When Ford comes back, finds out about you missing he beats Stan up again
Once weirdmageddon happens you are then placed next to the throne made out of golden humans
Bill does let you outside and eat humans once he’s done with his throne of people
Ford thinks Bill took you for some greater purpose bullshit
Once the twins win, Ford hits you with the shrink ray
You’re back to baby size :( but upside Ford has made a fake blood formula(it’s not good at all and you’ve gone back to just nipping at him for blood, did make a new formula till you liked it)
Mabel decorates your pot with stickers and made a sweater. Says ‘Oopsie daisy’
Dipper just talks to Ford about you since he doesn’t really want to trust a human eating plant
Soos gave you some beef jerky (you spit it back at him)
Waddles’ screams at you, and that goat outside has tried to eat you multiple times (not that you haven’t tried to eat the goat as well…totally)
There’s a part 2, 3 (actual story) if you want a headcanon there is a second one, just click the tags or go to profile
#gravity falls x reader#grunkle ford#grunkle stan#plantonic#ford pines#ford pines x reader#headcanon#plant monster#audrey ii#bill cipher#bill cipher x reader#dipper and mabel#gravity falls soos#Spotify
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I told you I would send in a request, so here it is! This is an Obey Me one, if that's alright!
First off, have you ever seen Little Shop of Horrors? If not, please do! One, it's essential for this ask and it's also just a great movie! No pressure though!
Now, onto the real ask! So, if possible, I'd like to request a florist!MC. But a florist who's kind of like Seymour.
(Here's where the whole Little Shop of Horrors thing really comes in)
They come to the Devildom with Audrey II. It's got its roots wrapped around the MC's waist, and it's vines wrapped around their arms while snug. Of course, it's heavily off-putting because.. well. There's a humongous and terrifying plant just.. attached to this human.
But the brothers don't mind it, until months into the MC's stay as an exchange student when Audrey II starts talking. Then, they're all freaked out. They're even more freaked out when the MC is not only fine with it, but is willingly talking to it like it's normal!
(Bonus if they see the MC prick their finger and then just.. let Audrey II clean It off.)
(Yes, this came to me in a dream in the middle of a 20-minute-nap.)
So, what would the brothers think of this?
Feed Me Seymour!
05/17/2024 - 05/30/2024
Pairing: No pairing (you can think of the interactions as either platonic or romantic) Word Count: 3,351 Warnings: Reader pricks their finger, but they'll be alright; mentions of chapter 16 Gender: Gender Neutral (as it was not specified in the request) Tags: @g0dwat3r (if any of you would like to be added to my Obey Me taglist, please let me know)! Notes: Okay, I really love your brain Touya, because this is already a fantastic idea, but you know what I started thinking about? Morticia Addams. I don't know if you've seen the old Addams Family series, but Morticia has a carnivorous plant called Cleopatra, and I really wanted to include her in the story. I didn't, but I'm definitely thinking about writing it.
In which Y/N has a rather interesting plant friend(?)
"Congratulations!
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at the Royal Academy of Diavolo.
Please return this letter with your sign to confirm your participation.
We are looking forward to welcoming you as part of our new exchange program.
Yours sincerely,
Diavolo"
Huh? Royal Academy of Diavolo? Exchange Program? What was happening?
You tried to open your eyes, but there was nothing to see. Just pitch-blackness. It would have been more terrifying, but the soothing presence wrapped around your waist and arms helped. Quite a bit, at that. Clutching the stem of rice flowers close to your chest (although careful enough to not break the stem), you kept trying to see through the darkness for something, anything.
Soon enough, there was a voice. "We welcome you, human, to the demon student council."
The voice was stern, but pleasant, drawing your attention away from the darkness and to a room that was materializing in front of your eyes. It looked like a really goth courtroom, and you truly would have spent more time admiring the place if it wasn't for the ridiculously tall man who arose from the chief judge seat.
The man in question was handsome. Very much so. With burgundy hair, and a well-fitted suit, and skin so coppery sweet, it was no wonder that you couldn't help but stare.
And if you weren't so caught up in the man's appearance and the fact that you had no idea what on Earth was happening, perhaps you would have noticed that you weren't the only one staring.
You had to physically will yourself to pay attention not only to the man when he started speaking but the others in the room as well.
"Welcome to the Devildom, Y/N."
Astonishment enraptured your being for the simple reasons that this complete stranger somehow knew your name, and that every single person in the room was blessed with extremely good looks. The astonishment, unfortunately, did not go unnoticed.
"...Oh pardon me. Feeling a bit shocked, are we?" Asked the man with red hair. "Well that's understandable. You've only just arrived, after all." Arrived? Arrived where exactly? "As a human, it will probably take a little while for you to adjust to things here in the Devildom."
Okay yeah, this was some sort of really weird dream induced by your lack of sleep this past week. That's why there were really handsome dudes and that's why one was telling you weird stuff. Since it's a dream, there was no problem with going along with it, right?
"The Devildom?" You ask, feeling yourself relax a little more, now knowing that this is a dream.
"Yes, exactly, the Devildom. I see that you catch on quickly. Excellent." He replied.
Well, that didn't really answer anything.
You were about to ask for a better reply than that when he said, "I suppose I should start by introducing myself." Curious, you give him his moment. "My name is Diavolo. I am the ruler of of all demons, and all here know me." Cool. The dude's a demon king. Still not the weirdest thing you've ever dreamt. "And someday soon, I will be crowned king of the Devildom." Oh, he wasn't king yet. Then how's he a ruler already? You know what, it's probably best not to think too hard about it.
The so called ruler of the so called Devildom proceeded to explain about a school called R.A.D. and about a bunch of other stuff. The other demons (plus one that came in really late) introduced themselves as different demons of different avatars, and the more they spoke, the more you couldn't shake off a particular feeling.
It all felt too...real. You'd dreamt all sorts of things before, but a part of you somehow always knew that it was just a dream. But you didn't feel that this time. It felt far too real. The anxiety slowly crept back into your bones, a chilling effect settling over your being as your throat seemed to have something invisible lodged in it.
You tried telling them that you weren't meant to be here. That you were meant to be back home. You still had to finish your bouquet for Mrs. Harris, and you had a new shipment of peonies arriving in an hour. You hadn't finished watering all your plants. You hadn't cleaned up the shop. You still had so much left to do! You couldn't just be whisked away to some other world (that you still weren't entirely sure was a dream or not).
But alas.
You were told that there was no way they could send you back.
And if that wasn't bad enough, you had to go to school. You had assignments. You had tests. Oh and you were in what was basically hell.
Ain't that swell?
Throughout this whole ordeal, the plant around your waist remained dutifully wrapped around your figure, even nuzzling against your neck when she felt your discomfort.
Without much of a choice, you steeled yourself for the days in this foreign world that awaited you.
The latest human addition to R.A.D. was a little...odd. None of the brothers nor the demon prince in the room wished to point out the very large plant that had wrapped itself around the human like some manner of serpent, especially since the human was completely unbothered by it.
Most of the brothers found it odd, of course. Solomon never walked around with a giant plant stuck to him, but then again, Solomon wasn't necessarily normal himself. A few of the brothers didn't find it in themselves to keep their thoughts quiet. Mammon in particular straight up screeched when he saw the plant, and maintained his distance (both emotionally and physically) and still the human did not seem to mind the plant.
Asmo found the plant ugly.
That was really the only way he could describe it.
It was ugly.
Satan had read stories of plants like this. In one book he read, the plant ended up eating a whole bunch of people. He only hoped that this was not a case like that story.
Beelzebub didn't really have an opinion on the plant. He could eat it, but it didn't really look too appetizing.
Diavolo himself was worried at first, because he was sure that humans didn't simply walk around with giant plants attached to them. When he told Barbatos about this odd situation, the ever loyal butler offered to look into the matter discreetly.
He found nothing.
It had been many months since you had been whisked away to the Devildom (which you are now infinitely more familiar with). It was strange at first, and it took some getting used to, but you did it. Now, whenever you woke up to face the day ahead of you, you didn't do so in fear or anxiety or anything else.
You had grown accustomed to this new world.
In fact, you'd go so far as to say that you'd grown fond of the place.
Audrey II seemed to agree with this. Every morning, Audrey demanded a large meat dish to satisfy her hunger. The brothers assumed that you were a very hungry individual (Beel felt a deep hunger coming from you at all times), and didn't think much more of it. Every now and then, Audrey would crave a Backstabbing Sandwich (apparently it was particularly delicious), and you, having no other choice, entertained her food whims. What's the worst that could happen?
It was after the whole incident with Belphegor that you brought Audrey with you more often wherever you went. Though you and the brothers had slowly gotten past the incident, the trauma it left behind did not magically go away. Audrey II being the sweet thing she is, had no qualms to being carried around the Devildom (despite the lingering stares and questions that were thrown your way).
Today was a day that Audrey II would be coming with you. You were heading off to the flower shop you owned on Dogma Street. You originally were looking to open the shop at Silent Street, but Dogma Street caught your eye. The street itself was the biggest electronic district in the Devildom, and when you first proposed the idea to the brothers (and Diavolo and Barbatos) to open a flower shop there, they were quick to advice you not to. Why would you open a flower shop at a street primarily known for its electronics?
Still, you managed to push through, and you ended up becoming the quaint owner of a little shop next to an eatery on the street.
And wouldn't you know, it actually did pretty well.
Of course, since you were a student, you couldn't be at your shop full-time, and that's where two lesser demons come in - Terror and Dolor - a pair of siblings who often fought, but shared an interest in flora. They would take care of the shop in shifts, and seeing as you gave them the housing area right above the shop to stay in, you could make sure that they would be at your precious flower shop at (mostly) all times.
Today was planned to be their day off, which was fine by you, seeing as you hadn't been to the shop in a week and you desperately wanted to see your babies (plants) again.
You opened the door, causing a sweet bell to ring, signifying your arrival to your empoyees.
"Y/N!"
"You're back!"
Smiling, you greet your employees, Audrey still wrapped around you.
Terror and Dolor fawned over Audrey (they're really the only ones in the Devildom who do that apart from you) while you went inside to get your apron. Working at the flower shop had quite a few benefits. You could make your own money, go to work at your own time, and most importantly, you could be surrounded by the things that you love the most - flora (and Audrey).
Your flower shop was quaint (despite its large capacity). Many customers have complimented it, saying that it felt homely (which is exactly what you were going for, so mission accomplished successfully you supposed). Even Asmo loved the place, and oftentimes would post selfies from just about everywhere in your shop.
"Dolor, how's that order with the Bloody Acokanthera Oblongifolias going?" You asked the demon pruning Audrey II.
"Just finished it this morning! We shipped it along with the invoice for the flowers. The customer notified us that they would be making the payment by the end of today." Dolor replied.
Shooting a smile of satisfaction at him, you shooed the brothers out your shop, wishing for them to have a lovely day to do...well, whatever it was they did outside the shop. Right before they left, Terror told you that a certain demon butler had visited the shop earlier and left a letter for you, and how she placed it in your office.
With that in mind, you walked back into your shop, petting Audrey II as she sat on a table before walking into your office and grabbing the aforementioned letter.
Even without the knowledge from the siblings that Barbatos had delivered this letter to you, you would have been able to tell that it was he who wrote the letter. By this time in your adventures in the Devildom, you had come to recognize the handwriting of those you know. And while a few had impeccable writing (in cursive too), no one's writing was as elegant as Barbatos - not even Lucifer.
The letter read:
"Dearest Y/N, I am pleased to inform you that Lord Diavolo requires a fresh shipment of Dark Roses for an upcoming event at the castle. I sincerely apologize for the short notice, but please note that the master and I truly would have given you more time to prepare the notice had we been able to do so. We shall need enough roses to fill out the Crimson Room. I estimate that the number be around 50. We will need the roses delivered by tomorrow. Thank you, Barbatos"
You smiled, already having a good idea as to why the roses were needed. Some of the higher officials (not including the brothers you lived with) had been a little too finicky with their positions and though not a threat to the heir of the Devildom, they were starting to get on his nerves.
No matter.
Despite how sweet Diavolo seemed (and actually is), even the Crown Prince of the Devildom had his limits. Oh well. Those officials would get what was coming to them.
Your job was to simply provide the best roses for such an event.
With a newfound vigor, you made your way next door (you had originally bought two plots in the street and simply joined them together to create one shop. This area was where you kept some of your best grown flora (the rest were in an undisclosed location only you and a few others knew about). Typically, you the plants you grew in this area were popular - loads of customers would buy them. The rest of your plants were grown in the aforementioned undisclosed location. Despite this, there was one type of flower you grew in your shop which was by no means popular, but rather extremely rare.
Dark roses.
You fondly recall you and Barbatos planting a fresh batch of dark roses at the Demon Lord's Castle, and how he had given you some seeds to grow for yourself. What started off as a few roses quickly became much more, and now you were the exclusive propagator of dark roses in the Devildom. It was a monopoly you gladly encouraged (something Mammon also did).
The first step was to cut the roses. The roses had to be cut in a specific manner - a 45-degree angle and they had to be put in water immediately. This same method was used with roses back in the human realm (and gardeners would use the stems to grow new roses out of), but there was one key difference between the roses from back home and the dark roses in the Devildom. One of them could actually survive a little while without having to be immediately placed in water.
The other could not.
And that's part of the reason why dark roses were so rare in the Devildom. They were ridiculously hard to grow in the first place, but cutting them was an even bigger pain.
Luckily, you had loads of experience with these finicky things, so you had this in the bag.
After some time, you'd harvested almost 60 roses (some extras, just in case), and it was time to remove the thorns from their stems. Removing the thorns from the roses could be done using one of two different tools you had available in your shop. The first one were rose thorn cutters (made specifically for that purpose) that didn't look too different from a pair of nail cutters. The logic was that you'd slide the tool up to the top of the stem, press down on the handles gently, and then drag it down the stem, thus cutting off the thorns.
Though very efficient, the second tool was your favorite - a simply knife. Roses were woody in nature, so all you had to do was simply slice all around the stem of the flower. Admittedly, this took a lot more time than the thorn cutters, but in a way, it was stress relieving. You were sure that you'd end up using the thorn cutters, but you'd enjoy using the knife for as long as you could.
And so you got to work - de-thorning all 60 something roses by hand.
You'd gotten through more than half of the roses when you heard the bell of your shop jingle. Turning around, you saw none other than the brothers you shared a house with. But in doing so, you'd accidentally run the blade of the tool you were using right across your finger.
Woops.
Hissing, you pulled your gaze from the brothers and back to your finger. You could see the cut, but it took a moment for the blood to come out. It was painful, and you weren't too good with cuts (a little ironic, considering your profession), but before you could whisk your finger away to wash off the blood, Audrey II yelled, "Feed me! I'm starving" before she chomped down on your finger.
Of course, she didn't actually bite off your finger, but she sucked the blood out, and it made your finger more sore than it was already.
It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, of course. You'd gotten hurt loads of times when working (and even when you weren't working), and if there was blood (which there usually was), Audrey would just lick it off for your. Same old.
The brothers had seen you talk to Audrey II plenty of times before, hell (literally), you'd talk to just about every plant you came across, but never had they seen Audrey II talk to you.
If that wasn't shock enough, you just wiped your hands down on your apron before turning back to face the brothers and greet them with a smile as though you hadn't just nicked yourself and had your plant(?) lick your finger for you.
Of course, the greeting faltered on your tongue as soon as you saw the faces of the brothers.
Asmodeus spoke up first.
"Sweetie, your plant just talked!"
"Yeah?" You asked rhetorically. "What about it?" You watched as the brothers tried (and failed) to come up with words to say, although you didn't really understand why they were struggling so. Even Levi was stunned. In an attempt to make a joke (and to stifle the stifling atmosphere), you said, "It's not like you guys didn't know that Audrey could talk."
One look at their faces, and you knew that you were wrong.
"Wait, you guys actually didn't know that Audrey could talk!?" You asked, stunned at this new revelation.
At last, Lucifer gathered himself. "Ahem. We were not made...aware of the fact that your plant was sentient." He sure looked uncomfortable trying to explain his mind without offending you or Audrey.
"What do you think all that meat was being delivered for every morning Lucifer?" You asked sardonically.
"Wait, I thought that yer the one eatin all that meat!" Mammon exclaimed. Bewildered, you shot him a look conveying as such.
"How the hell would I eat 2 whole pounds of meat every single day genius?" You retorted.
"We just thought you were hungry." Beel offered.
"I'm a human. I'd literally die if I ate that much meat every. single. day." You enunciated the last words.
"I'm rather fascinated by Audrey II. How did you come to meet? Was she always this size? Did she always have a deep carnivorous craving?" Satan asked consecutively. Before you had a chance to answer any of them though, he continued, "Actually, now that I think about it, it makes sense! I've been an utter idiot! All the signs were there, and I've read about these kind of plants in A Complete Guide to Carnivorous Plants and How to Care for Them!"
You didn't even bother reminding him that you were the one who recommended the book to him.
Belphegor seemed to be the most chill (although you could still see some semblance of surprise on his sleepy visage).
Figuring that this was probably going to take a while, and you had a whole bunch of Dark Roses to prepare, you invited everyone to grab a chair and sit while you worked.
It turned out to be a good choice, because you ended up finishing a few hours after you'd originally thought you'd finish, and by the end of the day, Audrey had made (official) friends with each of the brothers. In fact, you would say that Audrey and Asmo got along particularly well.
And yes, the roses turned out spectacularly, and the House of Lords were reminded once again of who was truly in charge.
Author's Note: I took some liberty with the Reader's personality in this fic. Seymour's a very timid guy, and (spoiler alert), that's what ultimately lead to his demise (in my opinion). Being thrust into a world full of demons, I think you're gonna need a little more tenacity that Seymour, so I made the Reader timid, but not Seymour-level timid (if that makes sense). The second thing I took a decent amount of liberty with is making Audrey II not entirely evil. She is after all a villain in the original story, but I made Audrey a little bit like Cleopatra. (Sorry if that's not what you wanted)! Masterlist
#obey me shall we date#obey me#omswd#obey me swd#om#audrey ii#little shop of horrors#little shop of horrors au#can be read as platonic or romantic#lucifer#mammon#leviathan#satan#asmodeus#beelzebub#belphegor#diavolo#barbatos#om lucifer#om mammon#om leviathan#om satan#om asmodeus#om beelzebub#om belphegor#slight crack#reader#y/n#you#obey me x reader
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So... Today I decided to start making weird simp AUs from Undertale...
Have you ever heard about Audrey II Sans?
.///.
Imagine this... MC, after an solar eclipse, gets a really weird skeleton plant, but what they would never imagine is that strange plant would fall in love with them... and with their blood!
Should I write more of that weird idea?
#audrey ii#Audrey II Sans#what the hell i am doing with my life?!#undertale au#narvalgalicia#Haha simp!#Sans#sans x reader#sans x y/n
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Showmance
27,318 words
Adam x reader
Musical theatre! AU; College! AU
For anyone who'd rather read it on here:
You straighten out your clothes, fingers brushing off invisible lint as you take a deep breath, the excitement bubbling just beneath your composed exterior. The echoing sounds of chatter and nervous footsteps fill the audition room lobby, where a group of hopefuls wait for their names to be called. It's finally musical season at your university, and you’ve jumped on the train with unrestrained enthusiasm.
This semester’s show is Little Shop of Horrors, a classic choice that feels like putting on a comfortable pair of your favorite pants—familiar and comfortable. Though it's a basic pick, you definitely aren’t complaining; this is your chance to shine. For weeks, you’ve been meticulously preparing, working with your private vocal and acting coaches, honing every note and every intonation for this audition.
As a musical theatre major, a spot in the chorus is practically a given, but you’re not one to settle for just that. No, no, no. You have bigger ambitions. Your eyes are set on Audrey II, the mysterious talking, and singing plant. It's a role that demands charisma, vocal prowess, and a certain je ne sais quoi that you’re confident you possess. Or at least you really, really hope so.
Of course, you also understand you aren’t guaranteed a role! It’s really no biggie, you’re just excited.
Although theatre wasn’t always your passion, taking the class in middle school had spurred something in you. Since then, you’ve worked hard at your craft. And it’s definitely paid off! You managed to make it into multiple audition-based schools. At the memory, you pat yourself on the back.
Middle school was where it all began. You still remember the thrill of your first performance, the way the stage lights felt warm and comforting, and the applause that followed. It ignited a spark in you, a passion that has only grown stronger with time.
In high school, you faced more challenges. The competition was fierce, and the stakes were higher, but you rose to the occasion. You worked tirelessly, attending acting workshops, vocal lessons, and dance classes. You balanced your schoolwork with your theatrical pursuits, often sacrificing sleep and social activities to chase your dreams.
When it came time to apply for colleges, you aimed high, auditioning for some of the best programs in the country. The acceptance letters that followed were proof of your hard work and dedication. You had made it into multiple audition-based schools, each one a testament to your talent and perseverance.
Now, standing here, you can't help but feel a swell of pride. You've come a long way from that middle school elective. You've faced rejections and setbacks, but you've also experienced triumphs and growth. Every step of the journey has been worth it, and you're excited for what lies ahead.
Eventually, you finally hear your name called, pulling you out of your thoughts. You smile at the runner, a freshman eager to get their required hours in, and hand them your resume. They take it gratefully, glancing over the neatly printed sheet as they lead you into the audition room. It’s a black box theater, a square room with black walls and flooring. The stark simplicity of the space serves as a blank canvas, allowing the directors to transform it into whatever they need, just as they have for these auditions.
Their table is set up near the back, papers and coffee cups scattered across its surface, giving them a perfect vantage point to observe and take notes without being overheard. They chat quietly among themselves, their voices a low murmur that blends into the background hum of the building. You can feel their eyes on you as you step into the room, the anticipation almost tangible in the air.
Near the door, a piano sits, and at the bench is what you can guess to be your accompanist—a tall, chubby brunette with a messy sort of look about him. He’s honestly kind of cute, but you can’t afford to focus on that right now. You have an audition to nail.
You greet the directors with a confident smile and a nod, then march over to the piano. Handing the accompanist your binder, you ensure it’s open to the marked sheet music. Like a seasoned performer, you’ve already highlighted the 32-bar cut of your song, clearly indicating where he should start and stop.
As he scans the music, you take a moment to explain your plan. You point out the precise places where you’ll be taking breaths and describe the tempo you have in mind. He listens attentively, nodding along as you speak, his fingers instinctively moving over the keys as if mentally rehearsing the piece.
You glance over at the directors, expecting them to be ready, but they’re still shuffling papers and folders on their desk, likely comparing notes from previous auditions. A flicker of impatience might cross another's face, but not yours. Instead, you smile, savoring the rush of adrenaline that auditions always bring.
The anticipation heightens the moment, and you use the extra time to center yourself even more. You roll your shoulders, subtly release the tension in your hands, and take another calming breath. The hum of quiet activity behind the directors' table, the muted clink of pens and rustle of paper, only amplifies your focus.
"So, got any plans after this?"
You frown, snapping back to the present as you turn to the accompanist. "Excuse me?"
He smirks, leaning in slightly. "I can take you out on the town, show you a real good time. My roommate is even out for the night, if you know what I mean." He wiggles his eyebrows suggestively.
You scrunch your nose, not appreciating the distraction from your audition. You need to get in the zone and focus, but he’s throwing you off. You can entertain the idea after the audition, not during. However, at your reaction, he takes it as a no and furrows his brows. He starts to say something, probably something rude, before you walk off.
You head to the tape marking your spot on the floor, feeling the familiar buzz of excitement mingled with nerves. The directors stare at you blankly, their faces giving nothing away, but you know better than to let it get to you. This is your moment.
Taking a deep breath, you slate in, introducing yourself with a clear, confident voice
“I’ll be performing the song ‘Jenny’s Blues’ from ‘It Shoulda Been You,’ and a monologue from ‘Confrontation’ by Kelly Powell.” You smile before dipping your head, breathing in, and starting your piece. Your voice is strong, resonant, effortlessly sliding into the comfortable range of the song. Each note is delivered with precision, every word infused with emotion. You make sure to breathe deeply, expanding your diaphragm to support your powerful vocals.
However, halfway through your audition cut, you hear the piano falter and fumble, the notes coming out jumbled. You pause for a split second, a flicker of concern passing through your mind, but you quickly regain your focus. Mistakes happen, and you're determined not to let it throw you off. You press on, maintaining your composure and delivering a flawless performance despite the hiccup.
As you reach the climax of the song, you hold out your money note, pouring every ounce of emotion into it. The accompanist manages to catch up, albeit a little off rhythm, but you don’t let it deter you. With a final flourish, you finish the song.
You manage a quick glance at the accompanist before looking back– but wait, hold on. You look back again. That fucker has a smug smirk plastered across his face. His eyes twinkle with amusement, and suddenly it all clicks into place: He tried to mess you up on purpose because you ‘rejected’ him. Any chance you had with him suddenly goes straight down the drain, and now you're fuming.
You grit your teeth, trying to tamp down the surge of anger that threatens to consume you. How dare he sabotage your audition like that? But you refuse to let his petty actions derail your performance. Instead, you channel that newfound adrenaline, that simmering rage, into your audition.
With renewed determination, you throw yourself into the monologue, each word dripping with raw emotion. Your voice crackles with intensity as you inhabit the character, every gesture charged with conviction. The room seems to pulse with energy, your presence commanding attention as you deliver a performance that's nothing short of electrifying.
Well, not like you’d think as much.
You perform your piece, and as you finish, you try not to beat yourself up about it. It was… okay. A little frustrating, perhaps, because you ran more on muscle memory and pettiness than actually existing in the moment, but the dedication and hard work you had put into it still shone through. You remind yourself that perfection is an elusive goal, and what truly matters is the passion and effort you poured into your performance.
As for the song, you try not to dwell on it too much. Otherwise, you know you’ll get stuck in your perfectionist head, picking apart every single detail until it drives you mad. Instead, you choose to focus on the positives, reminding yourself of the moments where you truly connected with the material and let your talent shine through.
You take a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over you now that the audition is over. Whatever the outcome, you gave it your all, and that’s something to be proud of.
You thank the directors, offering them a quick but polite goodbye, and head over to the piano to retrieve your binder. The pianist smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he hands you the binder. But as you reach out to take it, he doesn’t let go. You tug gently, expecting him to release it, but his grip remains firm.
Your frustration mounts as you give the binder another tug, but still, he refuses to hand it over. With a growing sense of annoyance, you pull harder, and finally, he lets go. But instead of handing it to you properly, he lets it slip from his fingers, and it drops unceremoniously to the floor with a thud.
This bitch.
Instead of giving him the satisfaction of seeing you lose your cool, you bend down gracefully, feeling his eyes linger on your backside, and pick up the binder. Straightening up with a sense of quiet determination, you shoot him a subtle, sour look, and exit through the door.
–
You needed to be pinched awake.
There it was, plain as day—your name listed next to Audrey II. The role you'd yearned for, sweated for, poured your heart and soul into securing. And now, here it was, yours for the taking. You stare at the cast list, almost disbelieving, as if expecting the letters to rearrange themselves at any moment. But no, there it remains—your name boldly printed beside the coveted role.
Despite the adrenaline coursing through your veins and the excitement threatening to bubble over, you find yourself remarkably composed. It's as if a serene calm has settled over you, masking the tempest of emotions swirling beneath the surface. You're totally normal about this, you tell yourself, even as your heart races with exhilaration.
But inwardly, you're anything but calm. You're ecstatic, over the moon, practically floating on air. It's a dream come true, a validation of all the hard work, late nights, and sacrifices you've made in pursuit of your passion. And yet, there's a sense of quiet gratitude mingled with the jubilation—a recognition of the privilege bestowed upon you, the opportunity to bring this iconic character to life.
As you continue to scan the rest of the cast list, a few of your friends approach, their faces beaming with genuine happiness and excitement for you. They pat you on the back and offer heartfelt congratulations, their words a chorus of support and admiration. You take it all in stride, offering each of them an easy smile and a gracious thank you. At one point, you even go as far as to herd some of them into a group hug.
As you continue down the cast list, you recognize a few names, but none that you're particularly close with. Still, you can't help but feel a sense of optimism as you imagine the bonds that will form over the course of rehearsals. After all, there's nothing quite like the camaraderie that comes from working together towards a common goal.
One name stands out among the rest—Quinn, the guy playing Seymour. Memories of your collaboration on a project in Theatre History come flooding back, and you can't help but smile at the thought of working with him again. You remember how seamlessly you worked together, bouncing ideas off each other and complementing each other's strengths. With any luck, that chemistry will translate into a dynamic partnership on stage.
You can already envision the two of you bringing Seymour and Audrey II to life, each playing off the other's energy and timing. It's an exciting prospect, and you can't wait to dive into rehearsals and see how your dynamic evolves.
And then there's the puppet—your puppet. God, you were so excited for your puppet.
Still riding high on the euphoria of landing the role, you feel as light as a feather. It's as if you're floating on cloud nine, sipping Shirley Temples and being pampered like royalty. Every step you take feels effortless, every breath filled with a sense of elation. You glide all the way to rehearsal, anticipation buzzing beneath your skin.
But as you step into the rehearsal room, the bubble of bliss threatens to burst. There, standing before you, is the accompanist from before—the same one who tried to sabotage your audition. Instantly, the weight of reality comes crashing down, dragging you back to earth with a resounding thud.
You can feel his gaze boring into you, a silent challenge in his eyes. You roll your eyes in response, refusing to let him see how much his presence rattles you. At least he doesn’t seem too thrilled to see you either, his lip curling into a sneer as if he were growling in disdain.
Redirecting your attention back to the room, you notice that seats have been pulled to create a circle, a common setup for read-throughs. Your eyes scan the space, and you catch Quinn's enthusiastic wave, his smile infectious. You feel a sense of relief flood through you, grateful for the easy decision on where to sit, and you make your way over to join him.
"Hey!" he greets, his excitement palpable. "Congrats on Audrey II!"
You return his smile, the warmth of his congratulations washing over you. "Thanks! And congrats on Seymour! You definitely deserve it," you reply, genuinely happy for him.
The two of you strike up a conversation, the easy rapport between you quickly filling the air with laughter and shared excitement. But as you chat, you can't shake the feeling of someone's eyes on you. You glance around discreetly, your gaze landing on Adam, who's peering at you with a curious expression.
You lean over to Quinn, a puzzled frown creasing your brow. "So, why's the pianist here?"
Quinn follows your gaze before turning back to you, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Adam? I think he's getting extra credit for this. He's a music major, so... It's kinda cool."
You shrug your shoulders, a bemused expression on your face. It makes sense that Adam would be here for extra credit, but what doesn’t make sense is why he's glaring daggers at you. All you did was turn him down, and then get upset because he tried to sabotage your audition. What a dick.
"Are y'all exes or something?"
You shake your head, a perplexed frown forming on your lips. "No, definitely not."
"Then why is he glaring at you like you killed his dog?" Quinn presses, his curiosity piqued.
You roll your eyes, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "He tried asking me out in my audition, and I didn't respond because I was trying to lock in."
Quinn's eyes widen in disbelief. "Oh my god, you should've totally said yes! He's a total hunk!"
You can't help but let out a wry chuckle, acknowledging the truth in Quinn's words. "Yeah, he's definitely hot," you admit. "But he's a dick though. He purposely messed up my backing accompaniment."
At that, Quinn sucks in a sharp breath before nodding solemnly. “So just a one night stand.”
At Quinn's suggestion, you cringe, feeling a surge of indignation rising within you. "What?" you squawk incredulously. "No! I'm not sleeping with him!"
“Sleeping with who?”
As the new voice breaks through the conversation, you and Quinn turn to see a girl– probably playing Audrey, your brain retorts. She's thin and gorgeous, her presence commanding attention. It’s probably best to keep her away from Adam.
However, when you glance over to see Adam's reaction, you're surprised to find that he hasn't even spared the girl a passing glance. Instead, his focus remains fixed on you, his glare as intense as ever. Annoyance prickles at the back of your mind, and you return his glare with equal intensity.
Adam seems to realize that you're looking at him, and for a moment, you see a flicker of something cross his features. But in a swift attempt to maintain his cool guy facade—or perhaps because he enjoys the attention—he smirks and throws up his hands in a playful gesture, as if suggesting a game of rock, paper, scissors.
You surprise him by joining in.
Rock… Paper… Scissors… Shoot!
But instead of throwing one of the three conventional options, you catch Adam off guard by flipping him off, a gesture that leaves no room for misinterpretation. With a satisfied smirk, you turn your attention back to Quinn and the girl, refusing to give Adam the satisfaction of any further reaction.
“Hi!” The girl’s voice is perky and energetic. “Sorry, I hope I wasn't intruding with my earlier question. I’m Sadai! You’re playing Audrey II, huh? That’s pretty cool! I’m excited about your puppets.”
At that, you perk up. “Yeah, me too!”
She glances away before leaning in, just as you had done before. “I don’t mean to overstep but… I can't help but notice a certain someone’s eyes on you. Did you break up or something?”
You frown, sinking into your seat. “No, why do y’all keep asking me that…”
“Well, that’s the more logical explanation.” Quinn pipes up.
“There’s an explanation?” Sadai grins. “Spill!”
As your director calls for everyone's attention, the lively chatter in the room gradually subsides, replaced by an air of anticipation. Rehearsal is about to begin, and you can feel the energy buzzing in the air.
When it comes time for Adam’s introduction, it's surprisingly more formal than what you would’ve thought. But that's probably because your director is right next to him.
“I’m Adam,” he says, his tone serious and professional, “and I’ll be the accompanist for rehearsals. I’m also a part of the actual band you’ll be performing with.”
You can't help but roll your eyes at him. It's a stark contrast to his earlier antics, and you can't shake off the feeling of disbelief at his behavior. You stick your tongue out at him.
As Adam clacks his teeth in response to your gesture, a strange sensation washes over you. It's a fleeting moment of amusement mixed with something else—something you can't quite put your finger on. You quickly dismiss the thought, shaking your head to clear it.
As the read-through gets underway, you find yourself slipping into the mindset of Audrey II, the iconic character you're tasked with bringing to life. It's a role unlike any you've played before, and you can't help but feel a surge of excitement mingled with apprehension. With each line you deliver, you try to embody the essence of the character, exploring different nuances and inflections.
But despite your best efforts, you can't shake the feeling that your choices aren't quite hitting the mark. They're not big enough, not bold enough—at least not by your own standards. Still, you refuse to beat yourself up about it. It's only a read-through, after all, a chance to explore the character and experiment with different interpretations.
However, the distraction of Adam's antics doesn't help matters. Every time you say a line, you can feel his eyes on you, making faces and mocking you. It's infuriating, to say the least, but you try to push past the distraction and focus on the task at hand.
Adam can get fucked.
–
As the ballet class draws closer, the familiar excitement begins to bubble up inside of you. You eagerly anticipate the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of dance once again. Dressed in your favorite leotard and tights, you feel a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over you. The snug fit of the leotard and the sleek lines of the tights serve as a second skin, allowing you to move freely and gracefully without any hindrance.
As you enter the studio, you take a moment to soak in the atmosphere—the polished wood floors, the mirrored walls, the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the space. You’ve always made a habit to arrive early to class, giving yourself ample time to prepare both mentally and physically. Taking your place at the barre, you begin with a series of gentle pliés, allowing your muscles to awaken and loosen with each movement. From there, you move through a sequence of tendus, jetés, and dégagés, each step flowing seamlessly into the next.
As the warm-up progresses, you feel your body gradually opening up, the tightness in your muscles giving way to a sense of suppleness and strength. You revel in the sensation of your limbs stretching and extending, reaching for the ceiling with each grand battement and arabesque.
But it's during the stretch routine that you truly lose yourself in the moment. Finding a spot on the floor, you lower yourself into your middle splits, your muscles protesting slightly as you sink deeper into the stretch. With each breath, you feel yourself melting into the floor, your body becoming one with the music that fills the room.
But as you're bent over, laying your chest on the floor, you're suddenly aware of a presence behind you. Startled, you lift your gaze to meet the reflection in the dance mirrors, and your heart skips a beat as you see Adam standing there, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Adam.”
“That’s my name, baby. Go ahead and practice screaming it for tonight.”
You ignore that. “This isn’t an open class. You should leave.”
“Aw you’re looking out for me, how sweet. Good news though. I’ve been invited, bitch.”
You finally turn and look him in the eye. “Don’t call me that.”
Adam raises his hands in a mock gesture of surrender, but his smirk remains firmly in place. "Woof. Rough subject, huh?" he quips, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Alright, what would you prefer for me to call you? Sugartits? Sweet thing? Mine?”
Your patience wearing thin, you shoot Adam a withering glare. "I'd rather you leave.”
Adam's grin only widens at your request. "Again, I can't," he replies, his tone smug. "I need this extra credit."
Confusion furrows your brows as you try to make sense of his words. "What do you mean?"
His smile widens even further, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm playing piano for your class," he reveals.
"Oh god.”
Feeling the ache in your muscles, you mindlessly begin to pull yourself out of your middle splits, sensing that you're warmed up enough for the time being. But before you can fully relax, Adam's voice cuts through the air, drawing your attention back to him.
"You know what stretch might be good for you?" he asks.
Your eyebrows knit together in suspicion, wary of whatever suggestion he might have up his sleeve.
“Baby pose or whatever it’s called.” he licks his teeth.
“...Do you mean child’s pose?”
“I’m not sure. Why don’t you show me and we’ll find out. If you’re correct, you get a reward.”
The retort slips out before you can stop it, your frustration boiling over. "Go to hell.”
Adam's expression shifts into something more serious. "Hey, that's not funny,"
You're taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor, surprised by the hint of offense in his voice. "You're... religious?"
Adam's lips quirk into a wry smile, always ready to talk about himself. "Minoring in religious studies, babes.”
“And you act like this?”
Adam looks genuinely offended. “Hey! God loves all His creations.”
You decide to test the waters, aware that this isn't just a question about religion, but more about understanding Adam. “So, you’re okay with gay people?”
“What kind of porn do you think I watch?”
“You watch gay porn?” What the fuck.
“Only the girls– it’s hot as fuck. Besides, look at you– I’ve disrespected everything about you except your pronouns.”
Well you’ve got to give him that.
As your instructor walks into the room, effectively diverting your attention from the unsettling exchange with Adam, you're grateful for the interruption. She calls Adam over, and you watch as he trails obediently toward her, unable to shake off the lingering annoyance from the wink he sends in your direction. The gesture sends a wave of bile rising in your throat, leaving you feeling unsettled and off-kilter.
Thankfully, the start of class offers a welcome distraction as you begin with barre exercises. The familiar structure of the routine allows you to slip into autopilot, your muscles responding to the familiar movements with practiced precision. Despite the discomfort of the exercises, you push through, knowing that each repetition brings you one step closer to improvement.
When the instructor calls for places to run the combination, your heart skips a beat as you realize it's finally your turn. You take a deep breath, mentally preparing yourself to showcase the combination you've been practicing diligently.
But before you can fully focus on the task at hand, you notice Adam's persistent attempts to catch your eye in the mirror. His gaze feels like a weight on your shoulders, but you steel yourself, determined not to let his presence distract you.
As the instructor calls for Adam to take his place at the piano, you can't help but feel a sense of relief wash over you. With him occupied at the keys, you're free to focus solely on your own performance without the added pressure of his scrutiny.
As you wait for your turn to perform the combination, you can't help but find yourself drawn to Adam's piano playing. Despite the tension between you, there's no denying the skill and finesse with which he handles the keys. Each note flows seamlessly from his fingertips, filling the room with a melodic richness that captivates your senses.
You watch in quiet admiration as he navigates the piano with ease, his fingers dancing across the keys with precision and grace. There's a gentle quality to his playing, a delicate touch that belies his earlier brashness. It's clear why he's been enlisted to help with productions like Little Shop of Horrors and ballet classes—he possesses a rare talent that really elevates the performances he accompanies.
As you square your shoulders and turn out from your hips, preparing to execute the combination you've practiced tirelessly, you can feel Adam's eyes boring into you from across the room. Despite the tension that lingers between you, you refuse to let his presence throw you off course.
With a deep breath, you begin to move, allowing the music to guide your every step. Despite the lingering doubt that Adam's presence instills in you, the music never falters, reaffirming your belief that his attempts to sabotage you during the audition were indeed intentional.
But you refuse to dwell on the past, pushing aside the nagging thoughts and focusing solely on the dance. As you move through the combination, something feels different. It's as if you've suddenly become one with the music, feeling its rhythm pulsating through your veins and guiding your movements with an effortless grace.
A quick glance in Adam's direction reveals that he too is caught up in the magic of the moment, his expression mirroring your own sense of connection to the music. Despite the tension that exists between you, there's a shared understanding in that fleeting glance—a recognition of the power and beauty of the music that transcends any animosity or resentment. In other words, you can forgive him in this moment.
In that moment, as you dance to the haunting melody of the piano, you feel a sense of liberation wash over you. All the worries and doubts that had plagued you before melt away.
As you're swept up in the exhilaration of the dance, an unexpected twist of fate brings you crashing to the floor as your ankle buckles beneath you. Embarrassment floods your senses as you find yourself sprawled on the ground, the sudden halt to your movement jarring and disorienting.
But before you can fully process what's happened, a kind-hearted classmate rushes to your aid, offering you a supportive hand and helping you to your feet. Despite your attempts to brush off the incident with a forced smile, the humiliation of the fall lingers, casting a shadow over your confidence.
With your ankle throbbing painfully, you're guided out of the room by your compassionate classmate, grateful for their support and understanding. As you limp away from the dance studio, you can feel Adam's eyes following your every move, his gaze burning into your back like a weighty presence.
–
Thankfully, you hadn’t torn or broken anything. All that came out of that incident was a rolled ankle. The recovery was straightforward—alternating between icing and heating it. Before you knew it, your ankle was back to normal. You were able to rotate it without any stinging or pain.
The relief was immense. You had been worried that the injury might keep you from participating fully in rehearsals. Right before you walked into ballet class, you tested your ankle carefully, rotating it and putting a little weight on it. No pain. Perfect.
When you push open the doors to the space, Adam is already seated at the piano, idly messing with the keys. You know Adam never made a habit of being early to this class—especially since he didn’t need to be. During warm-ups, your instructor usually played music from her speakers. So why would he be here early?
Curious, you linger near the door for a moment, observing him. His fingers dance over the keys with a casual grace, producing a soft, almost melancholic melody. It's unlike the boisterous, cocky persona he usually projects. For a moment, he seems lost in the music, unaware of his surroundings.
You clear your throat softly as you walk further into the room. Adam’s head snaps up, and for a split second, you see a flicker of something—surprise, perhaps—before he masks it with his usual smirk.
“Good morning,” you say, keeping your tone neutral.
“Morning,” he replies, his fingers pausing on the keys. “Didn’t expect anyone else to be here this early”
“Same goes for you,” you counter, setting your bag down and beginning your stretches.
Adam shrugs, looking back at the piano. “Just felt like playing a bit before everyone else got here.”
You raise an eyebrow, skeptical but not wanting to pry. “Well, don’t let me stop you.”
He resumes playing, the notes filling the room with a soft, intricate tune. You settle into your stretch routine, focusing on your warm-up but unable to ignore the beautiful music emanating from the piano.
However, it seems as though Adam can’t go more than a minute without being a certified dick. He leans over the piano, watching you stretch, before speaking up.
“Seems like you healed up well.”
Your cheeks ignite, embarrassed by the reminder of your tumble. That shame shortly turns into anger, and you’re quick to throw it in his face.
“Yeah, and it seems like you finally know how to play piano, huh? No messing up?”
“Oh baby, daddy never messes up by accident.”
Indignation rises in your chest at Adam's casual confession that he's been deliberately messing with your music. The realization blooms on your face, and Adam smirks, clearly enjoying your reaction.
Just as you're about to take off one of your ballet slippers and give him a well-deserved bitch slap, Miss Nicole, your instructor, signals for class to begin. With a final glare at Adam, you take your place at the barre, forcing yourself to focus on the exercises ahead.
You spend the entire class wishing you were in tap, imagining the satisfying clatter of metal taps scuffing up the floor. Instead, you're stuck in ballet, with Adam just a few feet away, his presence a constant reminder of your frustration. You do your best to channel your rage into your dance, pushing yourself harder with each movement. The burn of exercise helps somewhat, providing a physical outlet for your anger. Your muscles ache as you stretch deeper into each plié and extend further in every arabesque.
By the time it’s your turn to work the combination, the anger has faded to a dull background hum. You step up, squaring your shoulders and prepping your feet before beginning.
Your chasse leads you into a middle leap. As you ascend, it feels good, almost as if nothing can touch you while you’re in the air.
Adam is a rude reminder that you are not.
But then, mid-leap, the music jarringly falters. You miss a beat, your landing is shaky, and the momentary lapse causes you to stumble. He had done it again, intentionally disrupting the music. It takes every ounce of your self-control not to let it throw you off further. You manage to avoid a full-on trip and finish your combination, but the disruption leaves you seething. As you head over to grab your water bottle, you glare daggers at Adam, who, despite appearing focused on the keys, is clearly smiling to himself.
One of these days, you think, you’re going to wipe that smug smirk off his face.
Class wraps up, and you see the clock signaling the end of the session. Why not today? The thought plants itself firmly in your mind. You decide it’s time to confront him directly.
As the other students start to filter out, you march over to the piano, your anger giving you a surge of confidence. Adam looks up, still smirking.
“What is up with you trying to sabotage me?” you demand, your voice edged with frustration.
He has the nerve to act confused. “Whaaaat? Lil’ ol’ me? I’d never! When have I even tried?”
“Just now. And my fucking audition.”
“Okay but is it really sabotage if you got the part? Think about it— maybe they were impressed with the way you continued on. Maybe I helped you,” he retorts, his tone flippant and infuriatingly smug.
Your jaw tightens, struggling to contain your anger. You take a deep breath, trying to keep your composure. “Impressed or not, you had no right to mess with my audition. It was unprofessional and disrespectful.”
Adam shrugs nonchalantly, not appearing at all remorseful. “Hey, it’s a tough world out there. Gotta learn to roll with the punches, sweetheart.”
“There’s a special place in hell for you.” It’s a low blow and you know it. But you get the reaction you’ve been waiting for, his nostrils flaring with offense.
“Bitch, you care way too much about college-level theatre.”
“At least I care about something other than myself,” you snap back.
“Aw, baby,” he drawls, leaning back and crossing his arms, “I can put some extra care towards you. Lay you out all nice for me, make you see heaven. Prove to you I can take care of you. Might make you beg a bit.”
“Eat a dick.”
“I know what you are, but what am I?” he retorts, a childish grin spreading across his face.
“That doesn’t even make sense!” you exclaim, exasperated.
Before the argument can escalate further, your ballet instructor, Miss Nicole, approaches. “Is there a problem here?” she asks, concern etched on her face. You stumble over your words, caught off guard by her sudden appearance and the need to explain the confrontation.
“No ma’am! Just some classic friendly bickering. You know how it is! We were just about to head out and grab some lunch, weren’t we?” Adam interjects smoothly, throwing you a glance that suggests you go along with his narrative.
You grit your teeth, seething at his audacity, but reluctantly nod in agreement, knowing you can’t contradict him in front of your instructor. The last thing you need is to cause a scene and get thrown out from the class.
“Yep. Just….bickering,” you reply through gritted teeth, your frustration simmering beneath the surface.
“Ah. It’s nice to see you getting along with our accompanist. I was a bit worried how everyone would treat him. Where are you going to get lunch?” your ballet instructor asks, oblivious to the tension between you and Adam.
“The campus cafe,” Adam responds smoothly, suddenly looking smug as if he’s won some sort of victory.
“Oh! I was walking that way. Mind if I join you on the walk? I’d like to talk to you about our future classes, Adam,” she says cheerfully, turning to you both.
You go to interject, to protest adamantly that this is NOT okay. But before you can speak up, Adam beats you to it. “Of course! We don’t mind, do we, babes?” he says, flashing a faux-charming smile in your direction.
You clench your fists at your sides, seething with anger at being maneuvered into this situation. With a forced smile, you nod curtly, not trusting yourself to speak.
"Great!" Your instructor claps her hands together in excitement, seemingly pleased with the arrangement.
The three of you walk. Adam seems effortlessly engaged, occasionally nodding and adding insightful comments. Meanwhile, you follow along half-heartedly, tuning out most of the conversation as your frustration with Adam continues to simmer.
You try to focus on the scenery passing by, the rhythmic sound of your footsteps, anything to distract yourself from the situation at hand. However, snippets of their conversation still reach you, reminders that Adam's presence is more entrenched in your academic life now than ever.
“So Adam, are you also the accompanist for the voice recital?” Miss Nicole asks, navigating the three of you past a group of what you assume to be freshmen.
“Oh, no ma’am. One of my classmates beat me to the punch,” Adam responds.
"Really?" Miss Nicole raises an eyebrow. "I thought for sure you'd be the first in line for that."
Adam shrugs, glancing at you briefly before turning his attention back to Miss Nicole. "I guess they were just quicker this time."
“Well I’m sure they’ll be good. Just maybe not as good as you,” Miss Nicole says, her tone warm.
You internally roll your eyes. Barf.
Adam seems pleased to hear that, and not just because his ego is getting fed. “Absolutely,” he replies, his smirk widening.
“You’re not a fan of them?” she asks.
Adam cringes. “You could definitely say that.”
“Is it that skinny blond kid? I know we were warned not to pair you two together,” Miss Nicole inquires, her curiosity piqued.
“Worse,” he says, his voice dripping with disdain. “It’s his girlfriend.”
Confusion clouds your expression as this new piece of drama unfolds unexpectedly. “His girlfriend?”
Your voice cuts through the conversation, drawing the attention of both Adam and Miss Nicole. They seem momentarily surprised, as if they had forgotten you were there amidst their discussion.
"I'm surprised you haven't heard about it, considering you two are friends!" Miss Nicole responded, her tone tinged with surprise and a hint of curiosity, her eyebrows arched expectantly.
"I don't think friends is the right word to describe us," you muttered under your breath, though Miss Nicole's sharp ears caught your words. Immediately, she began to backtrack, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I hadn't realized you two were... Well, you know what? That makes much more sense," she stammered, her words rushing out in an attempt to smooth over the awkwardness.
"What makes sense?" Adam asked, his brow furrowing in confusion as he glanced between you and Miss Nicole. Finally, it seemed, both of you were on the same page, even if it was only because you were confused.
"Well, would you look at that!" Miss Nicole diverted suddenly, pointing upwards. Following her finger, you spotted the familiar sign of the campus coffee shop. Finally, your destination had arrived.
"Here's your stop! I'll see you in class! Bye!" Miss Nicole blurted out, her cheeks now a deep shade of red as she hastily retreated. It was almost comical, and a snort of amusement escaped your lips. Even Adam chuckled softly before his expression turned mischievous.
"She totally thinks we're boning," Adam remarked with a smirk, his tone teasing.
Your smile faded instantly, replaced by a look of disdain as you curled your lip in disgust. "As if. You can only wish," you retorted sharply, the implication of Miss Nicole's assumption leaving a weird taste in your mouth. Not unpleasant, but you wish it was.
"Oh?" He challenged, striding ahead to hold the door open for you. "I'm the dick master over here. One of these days, you're gonna be begging and drooling for my dick, and I'm gonna say no, bitch."
You walked past him, rolling your eyes as he followed you into the store. "You've already been drooling for me."
"I drool for everyone," he retorts nonchalantly.
"That—" you pause, scrunching your nose, "that's not something to be proud of."
"So what're you getting?" he asked casually, not-so-subtly cutting in front of you in line. You sighed inwardly, not having the energy to react, so you let him take the lead. It was hard to gauge whether that pleased him or annoyed him.
"Probably just a chai with oat milk," you replied, your voice neutral.
"No food?" he inquired further.
"Eh, I don't know," you shrugged, feeling indifferent. "I don't feel like getting anything."
"Do you think their blueberry scones would be any good?" he asked, his voice contemplative as he eyed the display case of pastries.
You followed his gaze, your mouth watering involuntarily at the sight of the tempting treats. If only your bank account had a bit more padding, you might indulge yourself. A faint rumble from your stomach emphasized the point. "Yeah, they look really good," you admitted wistfully.
He nodded thoughtfully. "Cool, cool," he replied, his tone casual as he continued to scan the assortment of baked goods.
It didn't take long before it was Adam's turn to order. He stepped up to the counter, clearing his throat nervously. Glancing briefly in your direction, he then turned back to the barista.
"Could I get one large frozen hot chocolate, one large iced chai with oat milk, and two blueberry scones? Actually, make it three," he requested.
The barista nodded, punching in the order as Adam glanced back at you briefly, a subtle smile playing on his lips before he focused on completing the transaction. "Man, you must be hungry, huh? Your piano teacher starving you?" you teased lightly, trying to inject some levity into the moment.
"Piano isn’t my only hobby. I only learned because I have to if I want a music major," he replied with a hint of a pout, sinking into a chair. You took the seat across from him, the uncertainty of how to navigate this conversation lingering between you. Bickering was your comfort zone, but this felt like uncharted territory.
"So," you ventured cautiously, hoping to keep the conversation flowing. "Why did you become a music major?"
"I want to be in a band. Well, I am in a band. But I want to write our own music," he answered earnestly, his eyes lighting up with passion.
"Why the minor in religious studies?" you asked, genuinely curious as you leaned forward slightly.
He smirked, pleased that you remembered something about him. "My dad wanted that. It's my backup, I guess. Makes him feel better about paying all this money."
Nodding in understanding, you replied, "Yeah, sometimes I wish I took a minor—Musical Theatre isn’t exactly the most stable major."
"So then why'd you take it?" he probed gently.
You shrugged, a smile playing on your lips. "There isn’t a world in which I don’t do musical theatre."
Adam looked at you for a long second, his gaze almost penetrating, as if he could see right through you. That same unsettling feeling from before crept in, causing you to shift uncomfortably in your seat. However, before the moment could linger, you were saved by the barista calling out Adam’s order. He stood up and headed over to collect the snacks and drinks.
Meanwhile, you tried to steady yourself, willing your thoughts to stop spinning. He was so... infuriating. Yes, that’s it. You were still annoyed from earlier.
But then Adam returned, deftly balancing the tray of food and drinks. The sight of him bringing back lunch for you softened your irritation. Of course, you were grateful. That’s all it was.
The two of you ate in silence. Adam seemed content, devouring his two scones and his drink without a care. On the other hand, you found it difficult to swallow, the food sitting heavy in your stomach. It felt like you were on the brink of a realization, a sensation that made your stomach churn with uncertainty. Still, you weren't about to waste free food.
Once you managed to finish your lunch, you found yourself unexpectedly thanking Adam. Gathering your things, you prepared to leave. However, to your surprise, Adam stood up too.
“So where’s your dorm?” Adam asks, following you out the cafe door.
"We're not having sex," you retort firmly, making your boundaries clear.
"For once, not my intention," Adam replies with a grin, his charm still evident despite your skepticism. "It's getting late, and I'm offering to walk you back."
"It's like 1:30 in the afternoon," you point out, slightly amused by his insistence.
"Exactly," he counters smoothly, his tone making it clear he’s not backing down. "It’s going to get dark soon. Let me walk you home."
You exhale a dramatic sigh, reaching for your dance bag and slinging it over your shoulder with a practiced motion. “Fine. But I expect payment.”
His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Payment?”
“Yeah,” you confirm, giving him a pointed look as you start heading towards the exit of the café.
“But–” he sputters, his voice trailing off as he rushes to catch up with you. “I’m walking you! What more do you want?”
“That was your own choice!” you call back.
“Okay, fine!” he exclaims, throwing his hands up in exasperation as he falls into step behind you. “How much do you want?!”
You pause mid-stride, causing Adam to almost bump into you. “How much– Adam, I don’t mean actual money. I just meant filling me in on your drama.”
His eyes widen in surprise as he forms a soundless ‘o’ with his mouth. “What, you mean with my ex?”
The two of you begin walking side by side. “The blond guy?” you ask, trying to piece together the details.
Adam scratches his beard scruff, his expression thoughtful. “No, well—no, I mean his girlfriend.”
You cringe slightly, trying to wrap your head around his words. “His girlfriend is your ex?”
Adam nods, looking somewhat resigned. “Uh huh.”
You frown.
When you arrive at your residence hall, you invite Adam to walk you to your room. His smile widens into a sharp grin as he agrees, and you both head up to your floor.
As you reach your door, Adam pulls out his phone, and you hear the distinct sound of a camera shutter. You glance at him, puzzled, but he doesn’t explain. Before you can ask, he starts to say his goodbyes, but you quickly shut the door in his face. The click of the latch echoes in the hallway,
–
You were backstage, flipping through the program selection, counting down how many performers were left until it was your turn to go onstage and sing. Voice recitals always made you nervous, despite knowing this was what you hoped to do for a living. The pressure for your notes to be pitch-perfect, the intense focus on your singing—it all weighed heavily on you.
Months of preparation with your vocal coach had gone into this moment. Together, you had meticulously chosen and honed your repertoire, though you only got to perform your favorite piece tonight. The culmination of all those hours spent practicing, tweaking, and perfecting was now just minutes away.
You took a deep breath, trying to calm your racing heart. The murmur of the audience beyond the curtain was a constant reminder of the scrutiny you were about to face. You glanced around, taking in the familiar backstage chaos—the hurried whispers, the rustling of sheet music, the occasional burst of nervous laughter from other performers.
So far, only two people were left before it was your turn. If you really paid attention, you could strain your ears and hear the beginning notes of "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific. Your shoulders bounced in a silent laugh—what a classic choice.
The girl after him sang "Memory" from Cats, another timeless and powerful piece. As she exited the stage and entered the wings, she patted your back and gave you a thumbs up for encouragement. You grinned and whispered back, "Great job," before puffing out your chest and walking on stage.
The lights were bright, the audience a dim blur beyond their glow. You took your position at the center, feeling the familiar thrill of anticipation mixed with nerves.
Your vocal coach was busy introducing you and your piece—I Don’t Need a Roof from Big Fish—so you looked at the pianist.
Otherwise known as Adam’s ex.
Something about the thought pissed you off, but you refused to delve deeper into it. Her name was Lilith, and she was, without better words, hot. Which pissed you off even more. You dreamed about grabbing her by her waist-length hair and demanding to know how someone like her managed to date someone like Adam.
…Because she was totally out of his league, that’s all. You were just curious, yep. It’s not like the thought of her dating him filled you with this indescribable rage, something that felt so incredibly close to jealousy. She was hot, Adam was hot, and you... were not.
Lilith glanced up from where she was hunched over the piano, scanning your sheet music and cracking her knuckles. Seemingly unaware of your torturous thoughts, she offered you a small wave. The gesture made you feel incredibly guilty, and you forced yourself to smile back.
At that moment, your vocal coach seemed to have finished with the introductions, stepping off to the side of the stage to watch you. She gave you a wink of encouragement, and you took a deep breath, centering yourself.
Those past months of technique training come to mind, and you breathe out. You relax any tension in your shoulders before expanding your diaphragm, and start singing. Of course, you’re still a musical theatre major, so you act alongside the song. As you began to sing, you immersed yourself fully in the piece. The familiar lyrics and melody took over, carrying you along in a blur of emotion and intensity. You lost yourself in the character and story of the song, each word infused with meaning and purpose.
It goes by in a blur, too caught up in the song to really be conscious of what’s happening, but something feels wrong.
The piano.
It’s not as if Lilith is bad. Quite the opposite, actually. She’s practically perfect, understanding each breath mark and each shift in dynamics. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say the two of y’all work extremely well together.
Except… something is missing.
You don’t feel the music in your soul, like you did that one time in class. When Adam was playing. And even if Lilith is objectively better at piano than he is, it’s missing his spark. The final notes hung in the air, leaving you with a sense of dissatisfaction. In your own critical assessment, it felt like the worst performance you had ever given at a voice recital.
Someone seems to disagree though.
Hidden a few rows back in the audience, Adam suddenly leapt to his feet in raucous applause. His gesture, though likely intended to embarrass you, had an unexpected effect. Instead of feeling self-conscious, a smile spreads across your face. You were delightedly surprised to see him here, especially since Lilith, his ex, was seated right behind you.
As you listened to Lilith mumble something under her breath, your attention was drawn back to Adam in the audience. He was enthusiastically encouraging others to stand and applaud, and though most remained seated, a few near him joined in. When he called out your name, you waved your hand down at your side, a mix of amusement and exasperation at his antics.
His gesture, though somewhat obnoxious, strangely warmed your heart. Despite his teasing and occasional insensitivity, there was something endearing about Adam's unabashed support. He had come all this way just to see you sing—or at least that's what you hoped. Sure, he might be here for other performers or academic reasons, but the idea that he might have shown up primarily for you filled you with unexpected warmth.
As you processed these conflicting emotions, a sigh escaped your lips. Adam was, in many ways, a complicated presence in your life. His unpredictability, his charm, and yes, his 24/7 dickish behavior kept you on your toes. But underneath it all, there was a connection that you couldn’t deny, something past just irritation.
…
Fuck.
–
It's finally a rehearsal where you're called to the stage. The moment you've been waiting for, to step into the character's shoes and bring the scene to life. But for now, you're off to the side, nestled in a comfortable chair, flipping through your script and silently rehearsing your lines. The stage is a hive of activity, filled with the sounds of crew members adjusting lights, actors practicing their entrances and exits, and the director calling out instructions.
Right now, you’re using a facial steamer to help your lungs recover after a night of smoking weed with friends—which, in your opinion, is a good summary of theatre kids. The steamer emits a gentle mist, soothing your throat and helping you clear your lungs for the rigorous rehearsal ahead.
As you look over the steamer, eyeing the lines in your script, you quietly mumble the lines to yourself. Each word feels foreign at first, rolling off your tongue with an unfamiliar cadence. You're determined not to lock in one specific delivery, knowing that variability will keep your performance fresh and dynamic for the show.
You glance up from your script, noting how they’re almost up to your first line. The realization sends a shiver of anticipation down your spine, a delightful excitement curling in your stomach. You’re totally gonna blow the socks off of everyone here.
Speaking of people being here, Adam is in the audience. You aren’t really sure why, considering it’s just a blocking rehearsal. All you know is you'd prefer for him to be literally anywhere else. Ever since you found out you don't hate him as much as you thought you did, you’ve been avoiding the hell out of him.
This strategy has definitely worked against you. Adam probably thinks you're playing mind games with him, ignoring him just to get under his skin. He’s been working hard to try and catch your attention—apparently going as far as to show up to rehearsals. During breaks, you hear him call out to you, likely saying something provocative to get a reaction, but you always turn the other way.
Yes, you feel bad. No, you won’t stop.
The director calls for you, snapping you out of your thoughts. As you flip to the right page in your script, you feel Adam’s eyes boring holes into you from his seat in the audience. You awkwardly clear your throat, doing your best to ignore the sensation of his gaze, and instead focus on preparing for your section of the scene.
The director walks Quinn through Seymour’s blocking for this scene, giving detailed instructions and adjusting positions to ensure everything flows smoothly. You try to stay present, listening closely, but the awareness of Adam’s presence is a persistent distraction.
Finally, the director finishes with Quinn and calls for the two of you to begin. So… you do.
“Oh boy,” Quinn starts, reading the lines off his slightly crumpled page. “Here we go again. Look, I haven't got much left. Just give me a few more days to heal, okay? Then we'll start again on the left hand and—”
“Feed me!” you whine, your voice taking on a pleading, almost desperate tone. It feels good, acting. Not just good, but right. Like stepping into a pair of pajama pants fresh out of the dryer. The warmth of the role envelops you, and the words flow naturally, embodying the character’s urgency and need.
As you continue the scene, there’s a spark of energy between you and Quinn. The two of you effortlessly bounce off each other, each line building on the last, creating a dynamic and engaging interaction. You internally fist pump in victory.
However, you make the mistake of glancing out into the audience and meeting the eye of none other than Adam. Lately, since you’ve been ignoring him, he’s been wearing this resting pouty face that sort of looks like he sucked on a lemon. But not now. Watching the two of you, his eyebrows are raised as if he’s impressed.
You watch as he realizes you're looking back at him, and his expression shifts into something upset. The sudden change throws you off balance, and you stumble over your line. Embarrassed, you quickly avert your eyes to your script, desperately trying to find your place.
Quinn, sensing your struggle, tries his best to help by repeating his line. Your finger traces the lines on the page until you find where you left off. Taking a deep breath, you catch up, delivering your line as if nothing had happened. The brief disruption had felt like an eternity, but you manage to slip back into character, focusing on the scene and Quinn’s supportive presence.
The director, who had been watching closely, gives a small nod of approval as you recover. The scene continues, the rhythm gradually restoring itself.
You’re beating yourself up, disappointed in yourself for getting flustered. You need to get your head in the game–you’re paying a pretty penny to learn how to be the best performer, not whatever that was back there. You need to get it together, unless you want your director to replace you. That thought fills you with fear.
But then your blame shifts to Adam, and that fear transforms into anger, even though it shouldn’t. It’s easier to be angry with Adam than it is to feel the embarrassment and self-doubt that were creeping in.
You clench your fists, letting the anger simmer. It’s a distraction, but one you can channel. You mentally replay the scene, pinpointing where you stumbled and how Adam’s presence threw you off. The frustration fuels a determination to not let it happen again.
So when your director calls for a water break, you gracefully exit from the side stage and make your way towards the audience area. The theater is a hive of activity during the break, with cast and crew members scattered around, discussing scenes in hushed tones. You find your water bottle among the clutter of chairs
Chugging down over half of it in one go, you feel the cool liquid refresh your parched throat. As you lower your bottle and wipe your mouth with the back of your hand, you suddenly come face to face with Adam. He’s standing there, leaning nonchalantly against a nearby chair, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips.
For a moment, you just stare at each other, the air thick with unspoken tension. You resist the urge to say something biting, reminding yourself to stay composed in the professional setting of rehearsal. Instead, you give a curt nod, acknowledging his presence without inviting further conversation.
Adam’s smirk widens slightly, as if he’s enjoying the discomfort he’s causing.
“So, gonna blame me for sabotage with that one, too?” Adam quips, a smirk playing on his lips as he leans closer.
You roll your eyes and turn away, not in the mood for his teasing.
“Hey,” he whines, reaching out to grab your arm, but you pull away, annoyed. “Don’t be like that. I was only joking.”
“Piss off, Adam,” you retort, frustration bubbling up. “I’m trying to memorize my lines.”
“What, are your lines written in your water bottle?”
You glare at him over your shoulder. “Maybe.”
He laughs. “Yeah, you are definitely crazy enough to do that. How about we grab dinner after this and I can help you run lines.” He walks his fingers up your arm slowly. “And then maybe after dinner… we can have dessert…”
You flick his hand away, irritation simmering beneath your glare. His attempt at humor falls flat, and you feel a pang of hurt at how he’s toying with you, even if he doesn’t realize it. “Haha, very funny,” you retort dryly, crossing your arms defensively.
He frowns, but before you can respond, the director calls for places at the top of what you’ve blocked today. You peel yourself away from Adam and head to your seat on the side stage.
With Adam, it feels like one step forward and thirteen steps back.
–
You were still avoiding Adam, but he finally seemed to take the hint and left you alone. Occasionally, you’d catch him glancing at you from the corner of your eye, but whenever you turned to look, he’d quickly avert his gaze.
Rehearsals had been... okay. No matter how hard you tried and how much effort you put into it, it felt like none of it mattered. You weren't getting Audrey II down, and it was plain frustrating. The other cast members seemed to be finding their grooves, their characters coming to life in ways that left you feeling envious and disheartened. The role you had worked so hard for, the one you were so excited about, seemed to be slipping through your fingers.
You’d run through your lines over and over, trying different inflections, different approaches, but nothing seemed to click. It felt like you were hitting a wall, and every attempt to break through only left you more battered and bruised. The director's notes, meant to be constructive, started to feel like a litany of your failures.
The only thing you could fault was yourself. There were points where you would leave rehearsal in frustrated tears, feeling utterly defeated.
At one point, you had made the mistake of walking past Adam during one of those tearful nights. He stepped in front of you and blocked your path, his presence a sudden and unwelcome barrier. You could feel the heat of your frustration and sadness rising, threatening to boil over. The urge to scream at him, to lay into him and unload all your pent-up emotions, was almost overwhelming. Especially when he was looking at you with eyes full of pity, a look that made your skin crawl.
Instead, you swallowed it down, forcing the words to stay trapped in your throat. The effort it took to hold back was physically painful, like swallowing shards of glass. You clenched your fists, nails biting into your palms, and shoved past him with a force that surprised even you. He let you go, not saying a word, just watching you with that same pitying look that made you want to scream.
Today, though, was going to be a good day. The cast was scheduled to meet the band that would be playing for the show, and you were determined to make the most of it. You had been looking forward to this day, hoping that the energy and enthusiasm of the musicians might reignite your own excitement for the production.
As you arrived at the rehearsal space, you could already hear the faint sounds of instruments being tuned and tested. The anticipation in the air was palpable, and it gave you a much-needed boost. You spotted Sam, one of your acquaintances, setting up their drum kit with a focused expression. When you found out they had volunteered to help out, you had immediately warned them of Adam.
"Where's Adam?" you ask Quinn urgently, scanning the room for any sign of him. The last thing you want is to have driven him away from the show with your own behavior– you’d never forgive yourself.
"Aw, I knew you cared about me."
Startled, you spin around to find Adam standing right behind you. His smirk is evident, and you realize with relief that he hasn't left after all. On his back is an instrument case, not the familiar piano you've grown accustomed to seeing him with.
You purse your lips, still mulling over Adam's earlier comment. This conversation is the most you've engaged with him since that rehearsal.
"I thought you were our pianist," you finally manage to say, trying to sound casual despite the lingering tension between you.
Adam tilts his head, his expression shifting from playful to more serious. "For the extra credit. But piano isn't really my first choice. I learned it for music theory purposes."
Quinn chimes in, always eager to fill the silence. "So if you're not on piano duty for the band..."
Adam readjusts the strap of his instrument case, his grin widening mischievously. "I'm on guitar, obviously," he declares, a hint of pride in his voice.
That… actually makes a lot of sense. He doesn't fit the typical image of a pianist; his personality is more intense and unpredictable. You mentally correct yourself, aware of not stereotyping, but Adam's demeanor aligns more with someone wielding a guitar, ready to bring an edgier vibe to the performances. The image of him strumming away fills your mind, and you find yourself fighting the urge to bite your lip at the thought, because, well, yoohoo! Adam is right there.
Sadai bounds up to the three of you, playfully knocking Quinn on the upside of his head as she enters. Quinn, caught off guard, lets out an unattractive squawk that makes her giggle. Honestly, there’s something there that even you can see. And looking across at Adam, he sees it too.
He opens his mouth to say something, you assume to make a teasing remark on their romantic life, but you instead smack him on his head. Instead of a squawk, he lets out a huff of a laugh. He looks less pissed that you hit him, and more pleased to have your attention.
Out of the corner of your eye, you see Quinn and Sadai share a knowing look. Are you that obvious? Embarrassed, you grab Adam by the sleeve and tug him away. Adam, still preening under the attention no matter how harsh, obediently follows you. Once you’re a reasonable distance away, you remove your grasp and it makes Adam frown.
“Listen. I know you have a big, trashy mouth—”
“You love it,” he interrupts with a grin.
“—And maybe no one has smacked actual sense into you—”
“You have,” he quips again.
“—Stop interrupting,” you glare, cutting him off. “But if you intervene in whatever the two of them have going on, I’ll personally murder you myself. Let them figure it out themselves, without any side comments from you.”
He raises an eyebrow, but mimes zipping up his mouth and throwing away the key.
Your glare is still flat. “Do I make myself clear?”
He points to his still zipped mouth and makes muffled noises. Annoyed, you roll your eyes before digging into your pocket for the key. You pantomime unlocking and unzipping his mouth. “You’re hot when you take charge.”
Exasperated, you lock and zip his mouth again, this time tossing the imaginary key as far as you can. Adam pretends to look shocked, making exaggerated muffled noises between his closed lips. You raise an eyebrow, silently repeating your earlier question. He sighs dramatically, as if accepting defeat, before slowly nodding his head in agreement.
In appreciation, you gently pat his cheek and he leans into it. You quickly redraw your hand, feeling your face burning up, before you march off back to your friends. You see the question on their faces, but they never get the chance to ask because your director is calling for everyone’s attention.
As she talks, you see a clump of music students behind her– Adam and Sam included. Using the basic common sense you sometimes have, you’re able to deduce that this is y’alls band. Despite most likely volunteering for extra credit, they seem excitable. Well, minus Adam, but he doesn’t count.
After introductions, your director has the brilliant idea to let the musicians show off. They set up in the pit, adjusting and tuning their instruments. Although they don’t have their conductor with them, they feel confident enough to perform the title song.
Adam and Sam take their positions, with Adam adjusting his guitar strap with practiced ease while Sam eagerly checks the tuning of their drums. The other musicians, a mix of eager students, also seem ready, their faces showing a combination of nerves and excitement.
As they begin to play the title song of the musical, the auditorium fills with the lively melody. Despite the absence of their conductor, the musicians manage to synchronize well, each instrument blending harmoniously with the others. Adam’s fingers move deftly over the strings of his guitar, adding a distinct flair to the music, while Sam’s drumming provides a steady backbone to the ensemble.
The image of Adam with his guitar has absolutely nothing on the actual sight of it. He looks, for lack of better words, sick as fuck. Incredibly hot. You feel yourself getting hot under the collar the longer you watch him.
His concentration is palpable as he strums the strings, his fingers moving with a practiced grace that speaks of hours spent honing his skill. The way his hair falls across his forehead, the slight furrow of his brow in concentration, and the way he leans into each note—all of it adds to his allure.
You’re really fucked.
–
Fortunately for you, the band wasn’t called back until the sitzprobe in a week, so Adam was back to playing the role of accompanist. Although you couldn’t wipe the image of him shredding the guitar, at least you weren’t getting distracted at rehearsals.
Considering how close you all were to tech week, rehearsals had been extended an extra few hours. The long hours were grueling, but you pushed through, knowing it was all for the final performance. Today’s run-through was particularly intense, leaving everyone exhausted and hungry.
After rehearsal, someone suggested grabbing dinner together, and the idea was quickly embraced by the group. It seemed like a good way to unwind and bond after a tough day of work. As you gathered your things, you noticed Adam packing up his sheet music, glancing at you every now and then with that familiar smirk.
“Ready to grab some food?” Quinn asked, nudging you gently.
“Yeah, I could eat a horse,” you replied, slinging your bag over your shoulder.
The cast and crew gradually made their way out of the rehearsal space, chatting and laughing about the day’s mishaps and triumphs. You tried to avoid Adam’s gaze, but you could feel him watching you. He was always watching. You wondered what the dinner would be like with him there, knowing his penchant for stirring the pot. But maybe, just maybe, you’d all have a nice, drama-free meal.
For whatever reason, Chili’s had been chosen as the restaurant for the evening, and the thought of their triple dipper had your mouth watering. Quinn had kindly offered to drive, and you gratefully accepted, settling into the passenger seat and buckling up. As Quinn gripped the steering wheel, he paused, not making a move to start the car. Concerned, you turn to him.
“Quinn? You okay there?”
“I have something to admit.” his voice was serious, the most serious you’ve ever heard him. He was avoiding your gaze, and alarms were sounding in your head.
“...Okaaaaay?” you encouraged him to continue.
“I… hm.. I..” he took a deep breath before blurting it out. “I have feelings for Sadai!”
You stared at him… Did he not think you could tell? You had to stop yourself from laughing, as he was obviously distressed. Instead, you placed your hand on his shoulder. “Quinn, dude, I know.”
Quinn's eyes widened in surprise, and his grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly. “You know?”
You nodded, giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Yeah, it’s pretty obvious. The way you look at her, the way you act around her—it’s clear as day.”
He let out a breath he seemed to have been holding. “I thought I was hiding it well.”
You chuckled softly. “You’re not. And you know what? I think she might feel the same way about you. You should talk to her.”
Quinn finally started the car, a small smile forming on his lips. “Thank god.”
“I’m rootin’ for ya.”
As you drove to Chili’s, you felt a sense of hope for Quinn. Maybe things were finally falling into place for him.
When you arrived at the restaurant, the rest of the cast was already there, chatting and laughing. You spotted Adam at the end of the table, waving you over. At first, you ignored him, glancing around for other open seats. However, it seemed fate was against you, as those were the only two seats open. You sighed, making your way over to him. His smile widened, a mischievous glint in his eyes that you were starting to recognize all too well.
Sadai, who was seated next to him, perked up at the sight of you and Quinn. Or, you know what, maybe just Quinn. He froze up in response, so you pushed him down to sit across from her. You plopped yourself in the seat next to him… which was, of course, across from Adam.
Great.
You took a seat next to Quinn, who was looking more relaxed than you’d seen him in a while. “Feeling better?” you asked.
He nodded, glancing at Sadai who got dragged into a conversation with the group next to her. “Yeah. I think I will talk to her.”
Adam leaned over, grinning. “What’s the gossip?”
“None of your business,” you replied, shoving him away.
“Aw,” he whined. “I was nice enough to save you seats, and this is how you treat me?”
You raise an eyebrow in disbelief. “You saved a seat for me?”
“Yep.” he popped the p. “Had to make sure I had eye candy while I ate.”
Adam’s attempt at humor fell flat, and you found yourself frowning, feeling the familiar urge to shut down again. "Gross," you muttered under your breath, not appreciating his comment.
Despite his usual dense demeanor, Adam seemed to sense he had said the wrong thing, even if he didn’t fully grasp why. His expression shifted, suddenly looking bashful. “Besides, you three are the only people who talk to me here. Theatre kids are very...”
He trailed off, searching for the right word while you waited, arms crossed.
“Clique-y?” you finished for him, understanding all too well the feeling of being an outsider. His admission struck a pang of guilt within you. You realized you had been ignoring him, afraid to confront your own romantic feelings. It hadn’t occurred to you how this might have made Adam feel, especially since apparently you were his only "friends" in the theatre department.
He smiled lightheartedly, clearly not deterred by the topic. “Yeah, that’s the word.”
Quinn awkwardly cleared his throat, and you jumped, realizing you had forgotten he was there. You had gotten a little too wrapped up in your vulnerable conversation with Adam.
“Um, sorry to interrupt,” Quinn said with a hint of amusement, “but can we get back to the menu? I’m starving.”
You blinked, feeling slightly embarrassed by the abrupt shift in focus. “Right, sorry. Food. Yes.”
Adam chuckled softly. “Food sounds good. What’re y’all getting?”
Quinn is the first to respond. “I wanna try their quesadillas.”
You nod. “I want to get the triple dipper, but I’m stuck between getting the mozzarella sticks, or the eggrolls.”
Adam paused, gluing his eyes to his menu as he talked. “Get the eggrolls.”
You sigh, nodding your head in agreement. It did feel strange to be getting along with Adam like friends after all the tension between you. You weren’t sure how to navigate a conversation with him without being rude or defensive. Well, guess you’ll have to learn.
Eventually the waiter makes his way to the end of the table where y’all are sat. Adam is the last to order. As the waiter writes down his food, Adam clears his throat.
“Um,” he glances at you before looking back at the waiter. “Can you also add an order of mozzarella sticks? We’re gonna share,” he gestures to you. “Put it on my tab though.”
Your jaw slightly drops as the waiter scampers off. Apparently Quinn is just as shocked, as he nudges you under the table, out of Adam’s view. At your reaction, Adam becomes defensive. “What?”
His remark catches you off guard, but you resist the urge to retort with something sharp, something that would escalate into banter. Instead, you find yourself smiling genuinely at him, a gesture of gratitude you hadn't anticipated making. It feels different, acknowledging his gesture without a layer of sarcasm or defensiveness.
"Thank you," you say, the words soft but sincere. There's a flicker of surprise in Adam's eyes, quickly replaced by a faint smirk that hints at his usual playful demeanor.
"You're welcome," he replies casually, though his tone holds a hint of something softer beneath the surface.
Quinn, sensing the shift in dynamics, nudges you lightly again under the table, his silent approval evident. You keep your gaze on Adam, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before looking away, the weight of unspoken words lingering between you.
Sadai, unaware of the weird tension, turns to the three of you. “Okay guys, help me out. Is Hamilton technically an opera.”
Quinn guffaws, caught off guard by the question. Or maybe he’s just flustered, you can’t ever be too sure. Adam just narrows his brows.
You, on the other hand, nod your head. “It’s a rap opera– it’s completely sung through. Just like how Rent is a rock opera. Duh.”
“Thank you!” Sadai exclaims, clearly relieved to have you on her side. “They’re trying to tell me I’m wrong!”
She turns back to her group, her expression a mix of concentration and amusement as she engages in the lively debate. You and Quinn exchange a glance, silently observing the group.
Suddenly, a light tap on your head breaks your focus. You instinctively turn, catching sight of Adam across the table. He sits with a mischievous grin, busily rolling up straw wrappers into small projectiles. With practiced precision, he flicks them in your direction, each one landing with a gentle thud against your shoulder or bouncing off your arm.
You deftly dodge one of the trash balls, your reflexes kicking in as you narrowly avoid being hit again. "How did you even get those?" you ask incredulously, amusement dancing in your eyes despite the slight annoyance.
"I asked for a bunch before you got here," he replies nonchalantly, launching another wrapper ball in your direction. This time, it catches you off guard and smacks you square in the nose, prompting an involuntary grumble and a playful pout.
Before you can retaliate, another wrapper ball grazes your arm. Determined not to be outdone, you swiftly grab one from the table and send it sailing back towards Adam with a flick of your wrist. The small projectile arcs through the air, landing neatly in his lap with a satisfying thud.
Adam chuckles "Nice shot,"
You smile, finding yourself surprisingly enjoying the playful banter with Adam. Despite his occasional crudeness, his sense of fun is infectious. As you glance over at Sadai and Quinn engrossed in their conversation, a smirk tugs at your lips. It seems Adam has noticed too, his sly expression indicating he's been watching your reactions closely.
With a casual flick of his fingers, Adam pulls out his phone and swiftly types a message before sliding it across the table to you. You pick it up and read the screen.
‘Are they together now or what?’
You slide his phone back, shaking your head. "You're such a gossip, Adam."
He pretends to look offended. "Hey, curiosity killed the cat– but satisfaction brought it back."
As the waiter sets down the plate of mozzarella sticks between you, you and Adam both reach for one almost simultaneously. He's quick to grab one, popping it into his mouth with a satisfied crunch. Following suit, you dip yours into the marinara sauce before taking a bite, savoring the gooey cheese and crispy coating.
Mid-chew, you notice Adam staring at you with a peculiar expression. You tilt your head in silent question, wondering what has caught his attention. Without warning, he leans forward, and you freeze, unsure of his intentions. His hand gently cups your chin, and with a surprising tenderness, he uses his finger to swipe at the corner of your mouth, where a smear of marinara sauce has escaped your notice.
The brief touch feels oddly intimate.
All too soon, he leans back to his seat, bringing his hand with him.
"You had sauce there," Adam says with a smirk.
Is…
Is he flirting…?
The realization sends a thrill through you.
The rest of dinner goes on without a hitch. You and Adam keep flirting– at least you think so. But based on how Quinn keeps sending you looks, you’d say you weren’t wrong. However, with all the water you’ve chugged, you get up to use the restroom. Quinn, probably determined to talk to you about Adam, practically leaps up from his chair, offering to join you.
You accept.
As you make your way to the restroom with Quinn trailing behind, you notice him shooting furtive glances back at the table where Adam sits. The restaurant's ambiance wraps around you, filled with muted conversations and the clinking of cutlery. Quinn waits until you're both out of earshot from the table before he speaks up.
"So, what's going on with you and Adam?" Quinn asks, his voice low but filled with curiosity.
You pause, considering how much you want to share. Quinn has been your friend for a while now, always there with a supportive shoulder or a witty remark when needed. "I don't know," you finally admit, trying to sort through your own thoughts. "It's... complicated."
Quinn raises an eyebrow, his expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Complicated how?"
"I used to really dislike him," you begin, your words slow and thoughtful. "But lately, things have been different. He's been... different. I guess I've been different too."
Quinn nods, understanding dawning on his face. "So, are you saying there's something between you two now?"
You hesitate, unsure of how to answer. "I honestly don't know, Quinn. Sometimes it feels like we're on the same wavelength, and other times..." You trail off, not wanting to voice your uncertainty aloud.
He nods again, his gaze thoughtful. "Well, just be careful," Quinn advises gently. "You know Adam can be unpredictable."
You sigh, feeling the weight of his words. "I know. That's what makes this all so confusing."
Quinn gives you a reassuring smile. "Just take it slow, okay? Figure out what you really want and go from there."
"Thanks, Quinn," you say sincerely, grateful for his support.
You step into the restroom, taking a moment to freshen up before heading back out to join Quinn. There's a smile on your face, anticipation building as you look forward to rejoining Adam and continuing the lively atmosphere at the table. As you walk back towards your group, you feel a rush of excitement.
However, as you approach the table where everyone is seated, you suddenly come to a halt.
You freeze in your tracks, feeling a knot tighten in your stomach as you watch Adam leaning in close to Sadai, his fingers toying with her braids. The sight hits you like a punch to the gut, shattering the good mood you had moments ago. For a split second, you feel a surge of anger and betrayal, mixed with a pang of hurt that catches you off guard.
Quinn notices your sudden change in demeanor and follows your gaze to Adam and Sadai. He frowns, sensing the tension in the air. "Hey," he murmurs softly, touching your arm gently. "Are you okay?"
You swallow hard, trying to push down the swirling emotions threatening to overwhelm you. "I... I don't know," you manage to reply, your voice wavering slightly. “Are you?”
Adam and Sadai seem engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to your presence. The image of Adam flirting with Sadai stings, igniting a mixture of jealousy and frustration within you. You had started to feel a connection with Adam, and now it feels like a slap in the face to see him cozying up to someone else so effortlessly.
“Not really.”
You stand there, frozen in place, as Adam and Sadai continue their animated conversation, completely absorbed in each other's company. Quinn's quiet admission hangs in the air, echoing in your mind as you watch Sadai laugh at something Adam says, playfully smacking his arm. The joy on Adam's face is unmistakable, and in that moment, it feels like a dagger to your heart.
A rush of emotions floods through you—embarrassment, disappointment, and a profound sense of being utterly foolish. You had allowed yourself to get swept up in the playful flirtation with Adam, only to realize now that his attention has shifted elsewhere, toward Sadai. The bile rises in your throat, a bitter taste of rejection and self-doubt washing over you.
You glance at Quinn, who meets your gaze with a sympathetic look, understanding the turmoil churning within you. The urge to turn and walk away tugs at you, to escape this painfully awkward moment. But you stand rooted to the spot, grappling with your emotions and trying to compose yourself.
Taking a deep breath to steady yourself, you reach into your wallet, determined to handle the situation with dignity. Beside you, Quinn does the same, silently acknowledging the need to gracefully exit from what has become an uncomfortable scenario. Together, you count out enough money to cover your meals and leave a generous tip—a gesture of gratitude for feeding the group of loud theatre kids.
With a sense of numb resolve, you make your way back to the table, each step feeling heavier than the last. You avoid making eye contact with Adam and Sadai, focusing instead on the task at hand—settling the bill and preparing to leave. The once vibrant atmosphere around the table now feels tinged with an awkward tension, and you silently curse yourself for letting your emotions get the better of you.
As you approach, you set the money down on the table without a word, your movements deliberate yet distant. Quinn follows suit, his expression mirroring your own subdued demeanor.
As Sadai and Adam remain engrossed in their… position, seemingly oblivious to your departure looming nearby, Adam's intermittent glances in your direction don't go unnoticed.
You instinctively turn away, shielding your face from view, determined to conceal the raw emotion threatening to spill over. You muster a smile as you bid goodbye to the rest of the group.
As you and Quinn make your way out of the restaurant, you're caught in a whirlwind of emotions, trying to maintain your composure despite the disappointment weighing heavily on your heart. As you exit, you catch a glimpse of Adam's face, and for a fleeting moment, you swear you see a frown etched across his features. It's a look of disappointment, unmistakable in its fleeting intensity. Despite your efforts to avoid his gaze, his reaction doesn't escape your notice.
–
The next day brings rehearsal, a welcome distraction from the previous evening's emotional upheaval. You find it easy to avoid Adam; he's at the piano, absorbed in his music, while you remain backstage, clutching your microphone. The distance between you feels like a necessary buffer, allowing you to focus on your part without the complication of seeing him.
You can't help but feel for Quinn, though. He has the unfortunate task of performing a scene that requires him to make out violently with Sadai. This scene had always been your go-to for teasing him, but now the dynamics have shifted. Quinn is doing his best to avoid her backstage, and you choose to keep your observations to yourself, respecting his discomfort.
As you sit there, the quiet moments between cues offer too much space for your thoughts to wander. Each time you think of Sadai, your mind inevitably drifts to her interaction with Adam from the previous night. The memory stirs a sickening emotion within you, a queasy sensation that threatens to unsettle your stomach. The vivid recollection of their interaction gnaws at you, bringing back the bile that rose in your throat.
Your director calls for a water break, and you can't help but watch as Adam immediately stands up. He scans the room, his eyes moving through the various clumps of people, clearly searching for someone—likely you. When he doesn't find what he's looking for, he bangs a fist on the piano in frustration, a gesture that sends a jolt of mixed emotions through you.
As you're absorbed in observing Adam, a sudden presence at your side startles you. You spin around quickly, a small squeal escaping your lips as you come face-to-face with your director. The surprise causes your heart to race, and you notice out of the corner of your eye that Adam's attention has snapped in your direction. Thankfully your director is straight to business… well, once she’s done laughing.
“Sorry, sorry,” she says, wiping away a stray tear from laughing too hard. “I just came to tell you that your puppet is finished. Want to come look at it?”
You nod eagerly, feeling a spark of excitement light up within you. The emotional turmoil from moments before takes a backseat as anticipation takes over. You follow her backstage and into the workshop, your steps quickening with each stride.
As you enter the workshop, your eyes widen in amazement. The puppet, which had only been a concept in your mind and a sketch on paper, now stands before you in all its detailed glory. It's even more impressive than you imagined. Every joint, every feature, every piece of fabric and paint has been meticulously crafted.
"Woah," you breathe, stepping closer to inspect it.
The puppet was a mesmerizing blend of alien grotesquery and organic menace. Standing as the largest iteration of Audrey II, its slender frame defied your expectations, draped in sickly pink with accents of puke yellow that sent a shiver down your spine. The puppet's design looked like it was inspired by a Venus flytrap, with a face that opens like the petal-like maw of a demogorgon.
In other words, it’s sick as fuck.
“Go on ahead, you can touch it.” Your director gives you permission.
Giggling eagerly, you carefully lift one of the plant's roots. To your surprise, it's heavier than expected, its weight adding to the puppet's realistic feel.
You playfully make the root squirm in your hands, marveling at how lifelike the puppet is even in its stationary state. The texture is smooth yet strangely slippery, reminiscent of a reptile's scales. As you manipulate the root, you can’t help but continue to laugh in awe.
“Be careful though,” your director warns. “It’s not completely finished, so it’s easy to tear.”
You nod obediently at your director's warning, fully aware of the delicate craftsmanship that went into creating Audrey II. With careful hands, you gently place the root back onto the workshop's table, ensuring it rests securely.
As you do so, a sense of fondness washes over you. You pat the root gently once, twice. "Goodbye, Audrey II," you murmur softly, your voice filled with a weird mix of affection.
Your director smiles warmly at your gesture, appreciating your connection with the puppet. "You're going to bring it to life on stage," she says encouragingly, her confidence in you evident.
As the rest of rehearsal proceeds smoothly, you notice Quinn standing by the piano, deep in discussion with Adam, probably about the timing in the music. From the subtle shifts in Quinn's demeanor and the tension in Adam's posture, it's clear that the atmosphere between them is strained.
Taking a deep breath, you decide to suck it up like a big boy and offer Quinn some support. Swallowing any residual discomfort, you make your way over to where they're standing, determined to ease the awkwardness if only for a moment.
"Hey, Quinn," you greet him warmly as you approach, flashing a genuine smile that belies the effort it takes to maintain composure. You deliberately avoid making eye contact with Adam, focusing your attention solely on Quinn.
Quinn's relief is palpable as he meets your gaze, a faint smile of gratitude tugging at his lips. "Hey," he responds, his voice carrying a hint of appreciation.
"Have you seen my Audrey II puppet yet?"
Quinn glances at you, a flicker of interest crossing his face. "Oh, did they finally finish it?"
"Yeah, sorta! I was just heading to go look at it again now. Wanna come with?" you offer, hoping to include him in something that might lift his spirits.
He grimaces slightly, apologetically meeting your gaze. "I would, but I HAVE to run through my lines. Sorry, dude.”
"No big!" you reply with a casual shrug, trying to keep the atmosphere light.
“I want to.” Both you and Quinn swivel your heads to Adam. His tone carries a hint of annoyance, likely catching on to the fact that you've been pointedly avoiding him.
“You want to…?” you ask cautiously, unsure of his sudden interest.
“Look. I want to look at the puppet.” Adam interrupts, standing from the piano stool and closing his binder of sheet music. His abruptness catches you off guard, and you awkwardly laugh, glancing over at Quinn for his reaction.
"Are you sure you don’t want to join us?" you hastily interject, silently pleading with Quinn not to leave you alone with Adam.
“Oh uhhhhh yeah sure! Why not! In fact, let’s get the whole cast to come and look!” Quinn exclaims enthusiastically, seizing the opportunity to divert attention away from any potential awkwardness. His declaration gathers the attention of the entire cast, who readily agree to join in.
Grateful for the distraction, you lead the way to the workshop, guiding everyone towards Audrey II. As the group gathers around the puppet, curiosity and excitement fill the air. Conversations bubble up among the cast members, sharing their thoughts and impressions of the intricate design.
When one of your castmates reaches out to touch the puppet, you instinctively slap their hand away. “Don’t touch it— it’s still fragile,” you caution, a hint of protectiveness in your voice.
Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Adam raising a brow as your castmate apologizes and joins the rest of the crowd to ogle at Audrey II.
After a few minutes of everyone marveling at Audrey II, they begin to file out of the workshop one by one. You watch the group gradually disperse, feeling a mix of relief and lingering excitement from the shared experience.
Turning back for one last look at Audrey II, you take a moment to soak in the puppet's eerie beauty and the significance it holds for the upcoming production. As you start to turn away, ready to join the others, your heart skips a beat and you clutch your shirt, a startled shriek escaping your lips.
Adam is still there.
His presence catches you completely off guard, the sudden realization causing a jolt of embarrassment to course through you. You hadn't noticed him lingering behind, and now he stands alone in the workshop, observing Audrey II with a thoughtful expression.
You could've sworn Adam had exited with the rest of the group, but there he stands, still in the workshop. Your attempt at a polite smile falters as you realize he’s holding one of the puppet’s roots.
"Adam, put that down," you warn firmly.
"Why should I?" Adam retorts, a playful glint in his eyes as he continues to hold onto Audrey II's root.
"It's not yours," you state matter-of-factly, trying to maintain your composure despite the frustration creeping in.
"Technically not yours either," Adam teases, a smirk playing on his lips.
You bristle at his response, the playful banter hitting a nerve. "It's my character.”
"And yet you don't move the puppets even once.”
"Adam," you warn, your patience wearing thin.
"Baby,"
You huff in frustration. "I'm not going to be nice about it."
"You never are.”
"Put. It. Down," you grit through your teeth. "Adam!"
He moves it again, and this time, you hear a faint tearing sound. Your heart sinks as you see the seam start to pull taut.
"Adam!!" you practically shout, urgency in your voice now.
Finally, Adam looks up, his expression shifting from casual amusement to concern as he realizes what he's done. The tear in the puppet's root is evident, a small but significant damage that threatens its fragile structure.
"Oh, shit," Adam mutters under his breath, his eyes widening in realization.
You stand there, a mix of anger and disappointment washing over you. "Adam, please put it down—" you start to say again, but it's too late.
Rrrrrrrip! The tear worsens, the fabric giving way under the strain. You wince at the sound, knowing the damage is done. You both stare in shock as the root rips from the body of Audrey II. Adam jumps, his hands instinctively letting go of the root, which drops to the floor with a soft thud. Your heart sinks as you quickly bend down to retrieve it, hugging the damaged puppet piece protectively against your chest.
The workshop falls silent, the weight of the moment hanging heavily in the air. You shoot Adam an angry glare, your eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and disappointment. His usual nonchalant attitude falters under your gaze, and for once, he seems genuinely remorseful.
"I didn’t know it was gonna do that!" Adam exclaims, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation as he tries to justify his actions.
Still, you say nothing, your focus solely on assessing the damage to the puppet. The torn fabric and strained seam speak louder than Adam's words.
"Seriously, I didn’t know!" Adam insists, his tone pleading now, seeking validation or perhaps forgiveness.
Silence greets him once more, your expression unreadable as you continue to inspect Audrey II's damaged root.
Adam's nervousness grows palpable. "Really, if it was going to be that fragile, then it totally would’ve ripped on stage!!" he continues, his voice rising slightly in frustration.
But still, you offer no response.
"Why won’t you respond? Say something!" Adam finally demands, his patience wearing thin.
“Why do you have to be such a dick?!”
Adam flinches visibly at your outburst. His expression shifts from defensiveness to a mix of surprise and guilt
“Seriously, you complain and whine about how no one wants to be your friend here, but then you go around and act like this!” Your throat hurts. “Do you have no common sense? No respect for other people? This isn’t some show, Adam, this is my future!”
Adam's tense and nervous laughter only serves to fuel your frustration, his dismissive response hitting a nerve as you confront him with the seriousness of the situation.
"I'm not joking," you assert firmly, your voice edged with determination. "This is my first chance at a lead. If I don't do well now, my director won't consider me for other roles. And without that experience, I'll have nothing to show for when I enter the real world. It's my dream, Adam, and it means everything to me."
"Baby," Adam begins, attempting to placate you, but you cut him off sharply. “I think you’re being a bit overdramatic–”
"Don't tell me how to react!" you snap, your anger bubbling to the surface. "You're such an asshole!!"
"Why? All I did was fuck with a puppet!" Adam retorts defensively, his frustration mirroring yours.
"And then you went behind Quinn's back and flirted with Sadai," you say, your voice cracking slightly with emotion. The reminder of his betrayal overwhelms any lingering anger.
Adam cringes visibly. "I wasn't flirting—" he starts to defend himself, but you’re quick to cut him off.
"Adam," you interject.
"Okay, fine!" Adam admits, his voice tinged with remorse. "I was, but not for the reason you think!"
You meet his gaze, your eyes searching his for an explanation. "Then why?" you ask quietly,
"Jealousy is a very powerful emotion—" Adam starts, but you cut him off, unable to contain your incredulity.
"—you flirted with Sadai to make Quinn jealous?"
Adam hesitates for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Well, I mean, something like that."
"What the fuck," you exclaim, your frustration boiling over. "You manipulative asshole."
Adam winces at your words, his usual bravado crumbling under your righteous anger. "Sadai was in on it!!!" he blurts out defensively. "We were just hoping that... he'd… make a move on her."
"Because he was jealous," you conclude bitterly, the pieces falling into place.
"Yes," Adam confirms, his voice quieter now, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.
"Well, good luck with that now! Now he thinks he has no chance, so he’s not interested anymore. And I can’t say I blame him," you say, your voice tinged with resignation.
Adam's gaze remains steady on you, his expression unreadable as he waits for your response.
"Are you?" he asks gently, much softer than before.
What?
"Am I..." you repeat softly, the question lingering in the air.
"Not interested anymore?"
You feel a lump form in your throat as Adam's gaze lingers on you, his silence echoing loudly in the workshop. The vulnerability of the moment washes over you, leaving you feeling exposed and uncertain.
"In Quinn?" you ask again, your voice barely above a whisper, hoping for clarity amidst the swirling emotions.
Adam's expression remains unreadable, his eyes searching your face as if weighing his words carefully. He doesn't respond immediately, the tension between you palpable.
"No," he finally answers softly, his voice steady but devoid of further explanation.
Your heart sinks slightly at his cryptic response, the lack of elaboration leaving you with more questions than answers. You struggle to maintain composure, your mouth dry as you attempt to process his words and the unspoken implications behind them.
You're very careful with your words. "If I were in Quinn’s shoes, I wouldn’t be.”
Adam sniffs softly, his eyes momentarily flickering away before locking onto yours again. He seems to choose his next words carefully, his demeanor serious yet contemplative.
"Okay. So you’re in Quinn’s shoes and you’re mad at Sadai. What now?" Adam asks.
"I wait for an apology," you reply firmly, your voice gaining strength as you articulate your stance.
"An apology? That’s it?" Adam questions, his brow furrowing slightly in apparent skepticism.
"No, that’s not it," you clarify, meeting his gaze unwaveringly. "But it’s the first step."
Adam purses his lips. "Okay, she apologizes to you. Now what?"
You shrug. "I don’t know.”
"The fuck you mean you don’t know?" Adam exclaims, his frustration escalating.
"Adam.”
“You’re right, you’re right. Whatever. So what, should Sadai just go up to Quinn and apologize? What if she’s not sorry?”
"Then she better not talk to him until she is," you assert firmly.
Adam frowns, his expression troubled as he considers your response. "What if Quinn doesn’t forgive her?" he asks, his voice tinged with concern.
"Then Sadai better respect that.”
"And what if it kills Sadai that she won’t have Quinn in her life anymore, if he doesn’t forgive her. What if that’s too big a risk to take— to apologize and find out."
You can't decipher if Adam is speaking from a hypothetical standpoint or if there's a deeper personal resonance behind his questions. Nonetheless, you stand firm in your belief, doubling down on your stance with resolve.
“At least then she’d know.”
Adam nods slowly in agreement, his expression thoughtful as he processes your words. "Right," he acknowledges, his voice subdued.
You stare at him, waiting for an apology that never comes. The silence stretches between you, filled with unspoken expectations and unaddressed emotions. When it becomes apparent that Adam isn’t going to apologize, you sigh deeply, the disappointment evident in your voice.
"Alright Adam, time for you to get out of here," you say with resignation, firmness creeping into your tone.
"But—" Adam starts to protest, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Just go, Adam," you interrupt, cutting him off before he can say more. "I’ll see you in class."
"C'mon baby—" Adam tries again, a hint of pleading in his voice.
"Goodbye.”
As Adam begins to muster a response, he catches sight of tears welling up in the corners of your eyes. The defiance in him wavers, replaced by a sudden deflation. Adam nods silently, his resolve faltering. Without further words, he turns and exits the room, leaving you to grapple with the aftermath of your exchange.
You’re left still hugging that damn puppet’s root to your chest. Holding it tight makes your heart hurt a little bit less.
–
After ballet class, you find yourself lingering with a mix of emotions. Adam's absence didn't go unnoticed, and while a part of you is concerned, you're also determined to convince yourself not to care. Getting over a crush is never easy, and you're trying your best to stay focused.
Class was fine. The familiar routines and movements provided a welcome distraction, allowing you to immerse yourself in the physicality of dance. Your muscles ache in that satisfying way that signals a good workout, and your mind feels clearer, if only for a little while.
The sight of Adam waiting outside the dance class catches you off guard. He's sitting on one of the benches, his head buried in one of his hands. At the sound of the door opening, he jumps up, his posture stiff with tension. You watch, puzzled, as he nervously gulps and reveals a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
For a moment, you just stand there, frozen. The confusion must be evident on your face because Adam's expression shifts from nervousness to something resembling desperation.
"Um, you're late to class," you say dumbly. Of course he knows that.
He glances at the clock. "Yeah, I was waiting for it to be over."
"Why weren’t you here?" you ask, still trying to wrap your head around the situation.
"I wanted to talk to you.”
You glance behind you to see more of your classmates piling out. Contemplating, you bite your lip. “Can it wait?”
“Oh, oh yeah, no, totally, that’s fine,” he stammers, his nervousness evident in the way he shifts on his feet. He passes you the flowers and you take them, cradling them to your chest.
“Okay,” you say, feeling the weight of the bouquet in your hands.
You awkwardly snap your mouth closed and wait for everyone to leave. Ms. Nicole is the last one out. She notices you, Adam, and the bouquet in your hands. She coos, her eyes twinkling with a knowing smile.
“Aww, you two look adorable. Have a good evening, okay?” she says, waving as she exits.
You offer a tight-lipped smile, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise to your cheeks. “Thanks, Ms. Nicole. See you tomorrow.”
As the door closes behind her, you and Adam are left alone in the now-quiet hallway. The silence is thick with unspoken words, and you shift uncomfortably.
“So…”
You click your tongue. "So..."
"Uh, listen." He finally looks at you. "I'm not good at apologizing—"
"Yeah, I can tell."
His eyes narrow at your interruption, but you remain firm. He hurt you, whether he meant to or not, and you're willing to hear him out, but you won't make it easy for him. "I'm trying here."
“Yeah?” you ask. “Well, try harder.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated but determined. “I’m sorry for messing with your puppet.”
“And?” you prompt, raising an eyebrow.
He grumbles, his voice dropping. “I’m sorry for flirting with Sadai.”
You nod your head slowly. “Okay.”
“Okay. So we’re good?” he asks, hope in his eyes.
You laugh, but it’s a bitter sound. “Fuck no. You were a dick.”
He winces. “I know, I know. But I apologized—”
“You tore my puppet after I told you to put it down. Who do you think got in trouble for that? Not you. And then you go behind our friend’s back and try to make him jealous. You didn’t even get anything out of it!”
“He wasn’t the only one we were trying to make jealous!” Adam blurts out, eyes widening as if he didn’t mean to announce that.
You don’t stop to think of the implications, your anger flaring again. “Right, because that makes it much, much better.”
“Well, I already apologized!”
“I know.”
“So, I’m forgiven?” he asks, hopeful.
“No,” you reply firmly.
“Cut me some slack here!” he begs.
“I have been. For a long time,” you respond, your patience wearing thin.
“I even got you flowers! I never get any bitch flowers!”
Your eye twitches. “Try again.”
He takes a deep breath, realizing his mistake. “I never get anyone flowers. I promise, I’m really trying here.”
“Trying what? Because you’re certainly not trying to apologize. You’re just saying the words.”
He groans, exasperated. “I’m trying to confess to you, alright! I’d like to take you out, but I can’t do that if you’re mad at me!”
You stare at him, the anger quickly being replaced by a deep sense of disappointment. “…so you’re only apologizing so I’ll go out with you.” It’s not a question.
Adam is silent, the guilt evident in his eyes. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. He realizes how hollow his apology now sounds.
You sigh, continuing. “Listen, Adam, you’re a dick. But you can be real sweet when you try. Being around you can be a whole lot of fun, when you’re not being a little shit. I like you a lot too, Adam.”
He perks up, hope lighting up his eyes.
“—but I can’t go out with you.”
His face falls, the hope extinguished as quickly as it appeared. “Why not?”
“You’re not boyfriend material. You’re real rough around the edges.”
He looks desperate, pleading almost. “You can help with that!”
"Adam, I'm not going to fix you. You need to fix yourself before we even consider going out. And that starts with a proper apology. A meaningful one, not just because you want me to forgive you."
For once, he shuts up and nods. "Okay. I'm sorry."
"Nice try. I'll give you some time," you reply firmly, holding your ground.
Adam looks at you, seeming to understand the gravity of what you're asking for. He nods again, more earnestly this time. "I'll do better. I promise."
You give him a small, cautious smile. "I hope so, Adam."
With that, you turn and walk away, leaving him to contemplate his actions and words. It's a step forward, albeit a small one, and you're hopeful that he'll take the time to reflect and make the changes necessary. For now, you're content to wait and see what happens next.
–
The next day at rehearsal, when you walk in, Adam waves at you from a distance. You appreciate the space he's giving you; being around him still leaves your head spinning. The rehearsal proceeds smoothly, with everyone focused on their roles and scenes.
As you go through the routines and lines, you find yourself immersed in the production, trying to put the recent events with Adam aside. Your performance is your focus now, and you're determined to give it your best despite the distractions.
During breaks, you catch glimpses of Adam occasionally glancing your way, but he doesn't approach you. Part of you wonders if he's taking your words to heart and giving you the space you need. It's a relief in some ways, but also leaves you with a lingering sense of uncertainty about where things stand between you.
–
It’s finally sitzprobe time, which means it’s the first time the cast gets to sing along with the band, and not just Adam’s accompaniment. Usually, you’d be a bit nervous about rehearsing with Adam, but he’s been surprisingly respectful with your distance.
That, you’re incredibly grateful for, as opening night looming closer and closer, you haven’t had time to think about romance or drama or whatever. Your free time has been spent going over lines, rehearsing your music, and stressing over this show. Basically, your life is now revolving around your production of Little Shop.
You wouldn’t have it any other way.
You were all herded into the music room, music stands holding binders– or for the less prepared, loose papers. The actors were pushed to the back of the area to make room for the band’s equipment.
You flip through your binder, mentally going over your music in your head. The sitzprobe was to start in a few minutes, so you were making sure to have everything down. Since you were just singing along with the band, you didn’t need to worry about lines or blocking– just your music.
As the band fine-tunes their equipment, the room is filled with a low hum of anticipation. Adam, with his guitar perched on his thigh, looks focused as he adjusts his amp chord. The heat and the crowded space have left a sheen of sweat on his forehead, causing his messy hair to stick to his skin. You catch yourself biting your lip at the sight, your mind momentarily drifting despite your best efforts to stay focused on the rehearsal.
When he meets your eye– because of course he would– you almost look away. But you don’t. Instead, you hold his gaze, feeling bold. He stares back. From your side, you hear Quinn call your name.
“Do you have a spare pencil?”
You look over to see Quinn’s backpack completely turned inside out in search of a pencil. You laugh before handing him one of your extras. You nod at his quick and embarrassed “thanks” before looking back to adam–
–Who is still watching you.
You feel yourself blushing under his warm gaze, your cheeks tinged with a faint pink hue. Despite your shyness, you manage to muster a timid smile. His response is a surprisingly sweet smile that melts your nerves and sends a flutter through your heart.
This time, it's he who breaks the gaze, turning away to start tuning his guitar. Each testing strum reverberates loudly through his amp, filling the room with its vibrant sound. With every chord he adjusts, you feel yourself grow more and more hot under the collar.
So he looks sexy playing guitar– go fuck yourself!
When it’s time for the sitzprobe to actually start, you almost miss your cue, too distracted watching Adam. He’s completely focused on his guitar, and you’re completely focused on him. Can you blame yourself, though?
Eventually, it's your turn to sing, and you hear the familiar notes creeping in. Taking a deep breath, you belt out the song with all your heart. A smile spreads across your face as you feel the electric guitar blending beautifully with your voice.
–
Before you knew it, tech week had sneaked up on you. With opening night just around the corner, the days leading up to it were a whirlwind of adding the finishing touches—adjusting lights, fine-tuning sound levels, and perfecting costumes down to every last detail.
Today's agenda had been slated for running through lighting cues and honing the synchronization between your voice and the Audrey II puppet; You were eager to finally meet the puppeteer who would bring your character to life. However, upon meeting her, despite her incredible talents, it didn’t seem like she wanted to be there very much. Or maybe that was just her serious RBF. So instead, you spent your breaks avoiding her.
Since today was focused solely on lights, the band wasn't called in. Despite your best efforts to downplay it, you couldn't shake the disappointment that settled in. After the last sitzprobe, you had been eagerly anticipating another chance to watch Adam shred his guitar. The thought of his skilled fingers dancing over the strings made your mouth water.
Not that you’d admit it, though.
After checking in with the stage manager to confirm your attendance, you heaved your monster-sized duffel bag towards the dressing room. The door protested with a loud squeal as you pushed it open, prompting a wince from you. However, your expression quickly turned into a wide grin when you realized you had the dressing room all to yourself for now. It was a rare moment of tranquility before the whirlwind of preparations began—a brief calm before the storm of tech week.
As you approach your designated spot at the mirrors, you're taken aback by what you find. Sitting neatly on your seat is a fresh bottle of water and a thermos. Intrigued and slightly skeptical, you twist open the thermos lid and bring it close to your nose, taking a cautious sniff. A smile spreads across your face when you recognize the familiar scent of throat coat tea. Score!
You hesitate, momentarily questioning if you should be tampering with these items, worried they might have been placed at your station by mistake. Yet, your curiosity gets the better of you when you notice a card tucked behind the water bottle. With cautious fingers, you pick it up, finding your name neatly written on the back. Perplexed, you carefully tear open the envelope and pull out the card.
"Break a leg. Or whatever the fuck you say. This isn't an apology. Not yet. You deserve something better than a card."
You notice a few lines that have been crossed out, suggesting some hesitation or revision. But at the end, it's signed with a heart—
"Adam"
Giddy butterflies fluttered in your stomach, and this time, instead of brushing them aside, you allowed yourself to revel in the sensation of hope and happiness. It felt absolutely wonderful.
You opened the thermos once more, letting the comforting scent of throat coat tea waft out, and took your first sip. The warm, soothing liquid eased your nerves as you continued to prepare for rehearsal. You carried the thermos with you out onto the stage, still taking generous sips. .
Mid-sip, you choke slightly as your eyes meet Adam's in the audience. There's a moment of surprise, followed by a rush of warmth when you see the pleased—no, relieved—expression on his face as he notices you enjoying his gift. With the hopeful butterflies still fluttering in your stomach, you can't help but smile and wave in his direction, a silent acknowledgment of gratitude.
He blinks in surprise before a warm smile spreads across his face, and he waves back. It becomes clear that seeing you enjoy his gesture was his sole purpose for being here today. With a practiced casualness, he slips his hands into his pockets and begins to make his way towards the exit. For once, you’re the one watching him go.
You totally look at his butt while he walks.
–
The past two days of tech week had been long and grueling, each hour stretching into what felt like an eternity. Yet, somehow, you managed to push through, thanks in large part to an alarming abundance of energy drinks. Who could blame you, though? The relentless schedule demanded it.
You'd developed a strategic habit of stashing energy drinks in every conceivable spot—your bag, your dorm room, and especially your dressing room. This way, no matter where you were, a quick jolt of caffeine was always within arm's reach.
Today, as you arrived at rehearsal, you polished off yet another can and felt the familiar pang of needing a refill. Without a second thought, you made a beeline for the dressing room, determined to grab another energy drink before diving back into the demanding pace of tech week.
Now that the lights and sounds had been meticulously carved out, the band was invited back today to perform with everyone. You had already run through the show once, which meant it was now time for a break before notes and then another run-through.
You felt a wave of relief wash over you at the thought of a second run-through. The first one hadn't been your best, and you couldn’t help but replay every minor mistake in your mind. Although you knew you were your own harshest critic, you couldn't shake the desire for perfection. This show was important to you, and you desperately needed it to go well.
You finally reached the dressing room door, grateful for a moment of solitude. Everyone else was taking their water break and snacking in the lobby, leaving you the dressing room all to yourself, which you always appreciated. The quiet space provided a welcome respite from the chaos outside.
Plopping yourself down in your seat, you rummaged through your belongings in search of another energy drink. When your fingers finally closed around the familiar can (thank god), you quickly pushed on the tab to open it, savoring the crisp sound of the release. Without hesitation, you took a big gulp, feeling the rush of caffeine invigorate your senses.
Suddenly, as you were wiping your mouth on your shirt sleeve, a knock echoed through the dressing room door. Rolling your eyes, you assumed it was someone from the neighboring dressing room, probably looking for more hairspray or some other last-minute item.
However, what greeted you when you swung open the door was entirely unexpected. Instead of a fellow cast member, you found yourself face-to-face with a gigantic piece of poster paper. It took a moment for your eyes to adjust and process the sight in front of you.
"Pretend it's your director," the poster read in bold, messy letters.
"Um," you muttered, looking around in confusion. "I'm the only one in here..."
Before you could make sense of it, Adam's head popped up from behind the poster board. Of course—it had to be him. He looked absolutely giddy, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he took in your bewildered expression.
“At least pretend,” he playfully pouts, his eyes twinkling. It's surprising to see him in such a good mood.
“Okay, okay,” you relent, laughing. You can’t help but join in on his contagious amusement.
He flips the poster.
“With any luck, by next year,” it reads.
He flips it again.
“I’ll be going out with one of these people.”
The next flip reveals a collage of different models and celebrities. Despite yourself, you can't help but burst into laughter.
“Are you stealing this from Love, Actually?” you ask, grinning.
“Shhh, don’t spoil the surprise,” he replies, putting a finger to his lips dramatically.
“But for now, let me say,”
“Without hope or agenda”
“Just because its tech week—”
“(And at tech week you tell the truth)”
“…I’m sorry”
You raise your eyebrows in surprise, setting aside the signs to focus fully on him. His playful demeanor has shifted subtly, revealing a softer, more vulnerable side. His gaze meets yours, and you notice a hint of bashfulness in his expression. His Adam’s apple bobs noticeably as he swallows, the tension palpable in the quiet moment between you.
“I’m sorry,” he begins, taking a deep breath before the words tumble out in a rush. “I’m sorry I messed with your puppet, and I’m also sorry I flirted with Sadai. You made this whole point about how it upset Quinn. You didn’t say it, but I knew it upset you, too.”
He pauses, searching your face for your reaction. When you nod encouragingly, he continues, his voice earnest.
“It’s… why I did it. I hoped you would have confessed to me. But instead it hurt you. And so then I messed with your puppet because I’d rather you be mad than sad, but you still were and I was a dick. I’m really, really sorry. I’ll even get on my knees. I—”
"Adam," you interrupt softly.
He flinches, expecting a different reaction—perhaps yelling, tears, or a freak-out. What he doesn’t expect is for you to lean in and give him a gentle peck on the cheek.
Adam blinks in surprise, his eyes widening as he processes the unexpected gesture. His cheeks flush slightly, and for a moment, he's at a loss for words.
“I forgive you,” you say softly, leaning back into your own space.
His mouth opens and closes like a fish gasping for air, before a dopey smile spreads across his face, lighting up his features.
“I still feel like I need to make it up to you,” he admits, his voice tinged with relief and happiness, as if he's floating on cloud nine.
“You will,” you reply with a knowing smile.
“I will,” he agrees, a look of determination settling in his eyes as he finally comes back down to earth. He smiles at you, then places his hands on your shoulders with a resolute expression.“This doesn’t mean we’re going out yet, though. I need to sweep you off your feet.”
You can’t help but laugh at his declaration. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely,” he replies, his eyes twinkling with a mix of seriousness and playfulness. “You deserve the best, and I’m going to prove that I can give it to you.”
Touched by his sincerity, you nod. “Alright, Adam. I’m looking forward to it.”
He nods, then raps his fist on the door frame. “Welp, looks like we better get back to rehearsal…”
You hum in agreement. “Yep…”
A moment of stillness hangs between you before you grab him by his shirt collar and tug him forward. He grins the whole way, eyes sparkling with anticipation. You plant a kiss on his mouth, and he smiles through it, pressing his lips firmly against yours. The kiss is brief but charged, lasting only a second before you both pull away.
“Well!” you bring your hands together in a loud clap, bashfully embarrassing his eyes. “Gotta go!”
–
The next day, after a long rehearsal, you start packing up to head to dinner. As you're in the middle of a conversation with one of your castmates, your phone buzzes with a notification. You pick it up from the dressing room table, pausing mid-sentence to glance at the screen.
You tilt your head in confusion as you see that the notification is from a random number.
UNKNOWN
You hesitantly click on the attachment, and a video begins to play on your phone screen.
The video is of your song "Feed Me." You watch in awe as the puppet comes to life, synchronized perfectly with your voice. This is the first time you've seen yourself perform as Audrey II, and you find yourself captivated by the seamless blend of your vocals and the puppeteer's movements.
Surprisingly, you’re impressed with your own performance. Your voice sounds powerful and emotive, carrying the song with confidence and flair. Watching the puppet and hearing your own vocals, you realize just how much you've accomplished. A sense of pride washes over you, mixed with a touch of disbelief.
The video is taken from the pit of the stage, where the band is located. You notice the phone recording is propped up on what you assume is a music stand, angled perfectly to capture the stage. A hint of suspicion about who took the video begins to form in your mind.
Your suspicions are confirmed when, after the song ends, you hear an enthusiastic whoop and holler from behind the phone. A drumstick suddenly appears, swinging into view, and you hear Adam curse loudly, likely having been smacked with the stick. The unexpected moment makes you giggle; the scene is endearing and somewhat cute.
When you click out of the video, your phone buzzes again.
UNKNOWN You were super good. -your secret admirer
You can't help but smile as you type back.
YOU Adam
A moment later, your phone buzzes again with a quick response.
UNKNOWN Dammit.
You quickly add his number to your contacts, labeling it with a fond smile. As you finish, you glance up and catch sight of yourself in the dressing room mirror. The realization that you're grinning from ear to ear makes you blush. Your cheeks warm, and you can’t help but laugh softly at yourself.
ADAM Wanna sit next to each other at dinner I won’t bite And I know you won’t either ;]
YOU Are you gonna flirt with Sadai again
ADAM Okay so apparently you /will/ bite. And no I will not.
YOU Then yes
ADAM Ok I’m boutta leave I’ll save you a seat
Just as you're about to put your phone away, another notification pops up. You open it to find a selfie of Adam, flashing a peace sign with a goofy grin. The only caption reads, “Am I kawaii?”
You laugh but decide not to respond, clicking your phone off with a shake of your head.
Determined to get to the restaurant, you gather all your belongings and throw them into your duffel bag. Slinging it over your shoulder, you take one last glance around the dressing room, feeling a mix of excitement and satisfaction.
As you step out into the bustling hallway, you feel lighter, a spring in your step as you head towards the exit.
With your head down, still thinking about Adam’s ridiculous text, you almost run face-first into Quinn. He steps back just in time, and based on his expectant expression, you already know what he's going to ask.
“Yes, I can give you a ride.”
He cheekily smiles, his eyes lighting up. “Sick.”
You both walk to your car in silence. Once inside, you unlock it and slide into the driver’s seat. As you click your seatbelt in place and adjust the rearview mirror, Quinn awkwardly coughs, breaking the quiet.
“So,” he starts, his voice a bit uneven, as if he’s unsure. “You and Adam.”
“Me and Adam?” you prompt, glancing over at him.
“Are y’all… a thing now?” he asks, his curiosity evident.
You awkwardly shrug as you turn on the car ignition and begin to back out of your parking spot. Technically, you aren't lying. Adam hasn’t asked you out yet, but you did kiss—it's like some sort of limbo.
“Are you just going to look past his dick actions?” Quinn asks, his tone a mix of concern and curiosity.
“He apologized. Like, actually. It was this whole thing,” you explain, trying to convey the sincerity of Adam’s apology.
“Oh,” Quinn replies, looking down, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.
You get on the road and steal a quick glance at Quinn. He’s anxiously bouncing his knees, his shoulders as taut as a rubber band.
“So, you and Sadai.”
“Me and Sadai,” he echoes, his voice carrying a hint of tension.
You roll to a stop at a red light, keeping your eyes forward as you attempt to carefully breach the topic. He hasn’t stopped bouncing his legs.
“Have y’all talked after that night?” you ask gently.
“No,” he replies, his tone clipped and filled with frustration.
You click your tongue thoughtfully. “Maybe you should.”
“Yeah, maybe…”
You can’t take it anymore. The words burst out of you before you can stop them. “Sadai and Adam only flirted to make us jealous!”
Quinn’s legs stop bouncing, and he perks up, suddenly full of energy. “I knew it!” he exclaims, a triumphant look on his face.
You laugh, relieved to have finally admitted that information. But then you pause, realizing something. “What do you mean you knew it? And you didn’t tell me?”
“Well, you didn’t tell me!” Quinn laughs.
“Touché…”
“But yeah, no!” He sits back in his chair, a smug look on his face. “I totally knew it! They kept looking at us!”
You frown, trying to remember. “They did?”
“Yes! And when we left, Jared said they just... stopped talking to each other entirely!”
You groan, facepalming. “Oh my god.”
Eventually, you both pull into the parking lot of the restaurant. You park your car and step out, Quinn following suit.
“Uh, hey guys.”
You turn to see Sadai perched on the sidewalk, standing up and brushing off any dirt as she sees you. Her expression is tentative, eyes flicking nervously between you and Quinn.
You glance between Sadai and Quinn, noticing the tension in the air. Quinn’s eyes are locked on Sadai, a mix of emotions playing across his face. Just as he moves to open your car door, clearly trying to escape the situation, you quickly press the lock button.
He tugs at the car door handle, but the door remains firmly shut. His frustration becomes apparent as he glares at you, a mixture of betrayal and disbelief on his face. His eyes dart between you and Sadai, his shoulders slumping in resignation.
You stand firm, meeting his gaze with a resolute expression. “Adam’s waiting for me. Don’t take too long,” you say, your tone carrying a hint of finality.
With that, you turn on your heel and walk towards the restaurant entrance, trying to ignore the uneasy feeling in your stomach. You can feel Quinn’s eyes boring into your back as you move away, his disapproval palpable even from behind. You almost falter, a pang of guilt hitting you for leaving him to face this conversation alone. But you remind yourself that sometimes, facing uncomfortable truths is necessary for growth and resolution.
You push open the restaurant door and step inside, the lively hum of conversation and clinking cutlery greeting you warmly. Your eyes scan the room, quickly locating your table. A wave of relief washes over you as you spot Adam among your friends, seated comfortably towards the middle of the group.
You wave hi to everyone, your smile widening when you see the empty seat next to Adam. You make your way over, feeling a mix of excitement and relief.
“Hey, dickwad!” you call out playfully.
Adam’s head snaps up at the sound of your voice. His face lights up instantly, his smile spreading from ear to ear. The sight makes your heart flutter, just a little, as you approach him.
“Hey, bitch!” he responds with equal enthusiasm, waving you over. “I saved you a seat!”
He pats the seat next to him, and you slide in with a smile. As soon as you’re settled, Adam wraps an arm around your shoulders, giving you a playful half-hug. The gesture feels warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the awkwardness you left behind outside.
“How’d you like the video?” he asks, his voice light and full of enthusiasm. “Aren’t you just the best?”
You feel your cheeks warm under his praise, and you duck your head slightly, a shy smile tugging at your lips. “My favorite part was when you got hit with the drumstick,” you admit, your eyes twinkling with amusement.
Adam dramatically groans, pulling his arm away and releasing you. “I really thought I cut that part out…” he says, pretending to be exasperated.
You laugh, the sound genuine and joyful, and it feels good to let go of the day’s stress. Reaching for the menu, you start browsing through the options, feeling the familiar sense of comfort and relaxation settle over you as the conversation flows around the table.
As time passes, you find yourself genuinely enjoying dinner. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is lively and warm. Adam is surprisingly attentive throughout the meal, making a point to include you in all his conversations. He listens intently to your stories and takes an active interest in the topics you bring up. His easygoing nature and the way he makes you feel heard only add to the evening’s enjoyment.
Despite the pleasant distraction, your mind occasionally drifts to the Quinn-and-Sadai-shaped hole in the group dynamic. They’ve been outside talking for what feels like forever, even after your food arrived. The minutes tick by, and you start to wonder what’s going on.
Just as you’re nearing the end of your meal, you catch sight of them finally making their way inside. Your gaze naturally shifts towards the entrance, and your eyes widen in surprise when you see them walking hand in hand.
Your jaw drops in surprise as you watch Quinn and Sadai approach the table, their hands intertwined. You glance over at Adam, who is mid-bite into a juicy rib, his mouth full and his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
You nudge his attention towards Quinn and Sadai. Adam’s eyes follow your gesture, and as he takes in the sight of them holding hands, his face lights up with genuine excitement and happiness.
“They’re holding hands!” you exclaim, unable to keep the delight out of your voice.
Quinn and Sadai settle into the only available spots— a table a few feet away from you. Without a second thought, you peel yourself off your seat, nearly bumping into other diners as you practically race to Quinn.
As you approach, you come up behind him and place your hands firmly on his shoulders. The sudden contact startles him, and he turns his head slightly, looking up at you with a mix of surprise and confusion.
You lean in slightly, a mischievous grin playing on your lips. “Hey,” you say softly. “I need to use the restroom. Care to accompany me?” You tighten your grip on Quinn’s shoulders just enough to make it clear that this is not up for debate.
Quinn chokes, his eyes widening in surprise. “Y-yeah. That’s all good. Let me just…”
He stumbles slightly as he stands up, clearly flustered. Your hands fall away from his shoulders, and he avoids making eye contact as you start walking toward the bathroom. You let him be, content to lead the way
You’re seriously getting deja vu from the last cast dinner.
Quinn, trying to maintain a nonchalant demeanor, shrugs casually. However, a telltale smile tugs at the corners of his lips, betraying his genuine happiness. “We talked,” he says simply, though the glimmer in his eyes suggests there’s more to the story.
You place your hands on your hips, trying to hide your impatience. “You have to give me the details! Now!”
Quinn chuckles, shaking his head. “There’s too many details to go over right now. I’ll just call you tonight and fill you in.”
You sigh dramatically but can’t help but smile at the thought of hearing all the juicy details later. “Okay, okay fine,” you concede. “I wasn’t kidding about needing to pee, though. Wait here for me, okay?”
After you finish up in the restroom, you and Quinn walk back towards your respective tables. As you reach his table, you pause for a moment and give him a quick, affectionate ruffle of his hair. The gesture is filled with genuine excitement and happiness for him.
“You really deserve good things,” you say warmly, your voice brimming with sincerity. “I’m so glad you and Sadai worked things out.”
Quinn's face lights up with a grateful smile, and he nods appreciatively. “Thanks for everything. I’ll fill you in on all the details tonight.”
You give him a final encouraging nod before turning back towards your table.
You slide back into your seat next to Adam, and immediately notice his subtle attempts to inch closer to you. His movements are slow and deliberate, as though he’s trying to discreetly close the gap between you without drawing too much attention.
For the fun of it—and maybe because you actually enjoy the closeness—you let him continue his subtle advances. You shift just a bit, allowing him to inch closer. His arm brushes against yours, and you can feel the warmth of his body next to yours.
Adam seems to sense your willingness and takes the opportunity to move a bit closer. His shoulder lightly brushes against yours, and he offers a soft, satisfied smile, clearly pleased with the closeness.
As you settle back into your seat, you feel Adam’s mouth come close to your ear. His breath tickles your skin as he murmurs, “Wanna get out of here?”
You turn your head slightly, catching the playful glint in his eyes, and nudge him away with a light shove. “I need to pay, dipshit,” you reply with a teasing edge to your voice.
Adam’s face lights up with a smirk, clearly pleased with his little revelation. “Oh, I already took care of it,” he says, his tone almost smug. He reaches over and gently brushes a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his touch tender and reassuring.
You blink in surprise, your eyes widening. “What??”
He chuckles softly, his smile widening at your reaction. “Yep. I’ve got it covered, baby. It was getting late, and you need to rest up for tech week.”
You let Adam guide you out of the restaurant, feeling a mix of excitement and contentment. As you walk towards the exit, you turn back to give a cheerful wave to the rest of your castmates, your smile wide and genuine. “Goodbye, everyone!” you call out, your voice full of warmth.
Your thoughts briefly drift to Quinn, who are likely only now getting their food. You’re confident that he’ll be just fine to ride home with Sadai.
As you approach your car, Adam walks beside you, his hand still gently holding yours. When you reach the driver’s side, he steps back to let you unlock the door. You’re pleasantly surprised by his gentlemanly gesture as he opens it for you with a wide grin.
You look up at him, your eyebrows raised in playful suspicion. “Did you make me leave early just so you could have a kiss?” you ask, your tone light but teasing.
Adam’s grin widens, and he gives a mock sheepish shrug. “Ya caught me,”
You roll your eyes with a playful sigh, feeling the warmth of the moment. Gently, you cup Adam’s face in your hands, and he melts into your touch, his expression softening into a dopey smile. His eyes flutter closed, and he purses his lips expectantly. You meet him halfway, leaning in for a kiss.
The kiss is sweet and brief, lasting only a second, but it’s filled with an undeniable connection. You’re pleasantly surprised when he doesn’t try to sneak in any tongue action; instead, he keeps it tender and simple. When you pull away, he surprises you again by planting a quick kiss on your forehead, his touch light and affectionate.
Before you can react, Adam’s hand gives your backside a playful smack, and he bursts into laughter. “Adam!” you gasp, your face flushing with a mix of shock and amusement.
He chuckles heartily, his eyes sparkling with mischief, and begins to sprint away towards his car. You watch him run, laughing at the impish grin on his face as he disappears into the distance
What a guy.
–
You’re sprawled out on your stomach, idly kicking your legs in the air, when you hear a knock on your dorm room door. Assuming it’s your roommate who’s forgotten their card key yet again, you roll off your bed with a sigh and pad over to the door, swinging it open without a second thought.
“Heeeeyyyyyy bitch,” a familiar voice greets you.
Your eyes widen in surprise as you take in the sight of Adam leaning casually against the door frame. In one hand, he’s holding a loaf of bread, and in the other, a steaming cup of what you assume is coffee.
“Why are you here?” you ask, the surprise evident in your voice. “How are you here?”
“Remember that one time I walked you home? Yep. Took a picture of your room number so I’d never forget.”
You feel a mix of emotions—both a little creeped out by the fact that he remembered your room number like that, and oddly flattered by his dedication.
“So,” you say, tapping on the doorframe. “what’re you doing here?”
Adam’s grin broadens. “I was thinking about taking a walk around campus. Care to join me?”
You glance down at the loaf of bread in his hand, then back up at him. “Do you need to put that down or...?”
“Nah.” Adam slaps the loaf lightly, careful not to crush it. “This big guy will be joining us.”
“Um, okay.” You smile, amused and curious. “Why?”
Adam tugs at his collar, a bit sheepishly. “I was hoping to take you to the lake down by the library. Maybe feed the baby ducks.”
You can’t help but melt a little. “Aww, cute!” you say, and Adam ducks his head, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
“Let me go change out of my nasty pajamas,” you add, stepping back into your room.
“Aw, but I like the bed head,” he teases, reaching out to ruffle your hair. You push him off, swatting him playfully until he steps out into the hall.
“Give me a minute,” you call out as you close the door. You quickly change into something more suitable for a walk around campus, then open the door to find Adam engrossed in his phone. When he notices you, he clicks it off and smiles, eyes lighting up.
“Here.” He shoves the hot drink towards you. Confused, you glance up at him through your lashes. He quickly explains, “I bought you an herbal tea. Figured it’d help for tech week.”
Your eyebrows quirk up in surprise, and a slight blush fills your cheeks at the thoughtfulness of it all. “Aw, Adam, you didn’t have to.”
“I know. Just wanted to.” He shrugs, but there’s a genuine warmth in his eyes.
You two had walked the expanse of the campus, mindlessly chatting. It was surprisingly pleasant, and you found yourself enjoying the conversation as you sipped on your tea. It was a bit bitter, but you appreciated the gesture, knowing it would help during tech week. When you finished, you quickly tossed the empty cup in the nearest trash.
Adam was just as bold and brash as ever, but as you looked past his jokes and playful banter, you noticed the subtle signs of his nervousness. The way he kept squeezing the loaf of bread, squishing the slices between his fingers, was almost too endearing. For someone who usually plays it so cool, seeing him so anxious about something as simple as feeding ducks made him seem more genuine.
You couldn't help but smile, appreciating this different side of him. It was clear he was trying hard to make the day special for you, and his nervousness only made the gesture more touching.
You eventually find yourself at the library’s lake, the peaceful setting a perfect backdrop for your outing. The ducks are a welcome distraction, and you both sit shoulder-to-shoulder, enjoying the serene atmosphere. The sun casts a warm glow over the water, and you can’t help but feel content.
You’re deep in conversation about the oddest things when you spot the baby ducks. Your excitement bubbles up, and you grab Adam’s arm, pointing towards the tiny, fluffy creatures. He turns to look and immediately lights up, a soft smile spreading across his face. He places his hand over yours, giving it a gentle squeeze before reaching into the loaf of bread he brought.
You both begin tearing off small pieces of bread and tossing them into the water. The ducks quickly flock to the crumbs, their tiny beaks pecking eagerly. You take turns feeding them, each small piece met with a flurry of happy quacks and paddling.
As one particularly brave baby duck waddles up almost to your feet, you struggle to contain a squeal of delight. The sheer cuteness of the moment makes your heart flutter. Adam chuckles beside you, clearly amused by your reaction.
That doesnt last long, however.
You hear a dramatic gasp of offense before some short, blond twink comes angrily waddling towards you both. Adam, upon spotting him, immediately glowers.
“Um, hey..?” You greet, unsure of the appropriate response.
The blond ignores you in favor of pointing a sharp finger towards the loaf in your hands.
“Is that bread?” He asks, incredulous.
“Yes?”
He furrows his brows and puffs out his chest. “And you’re feeding it to the ducks?”
You look to Adam for reassurance, however he’s too busy glaring daggers at the short man. “…yes?”
The man lets out an ignified squawk. “You can’t do that! You’ll fill them up with nutrition-less food, and then they won’t have an appetite for their actual diet! Are you insane?”
You sheepishly tug the loaf of bread behind your back, hiding it from the man. “Sorry.”
He goes to say something else, before finally noticing Adam next to you. His eyes dart between you both before coming to some sort of conclusion. His once offended face splits into a smug grin. You don’t like how he’s looking at you.
And apparently neither does Adam, because he’s maneuvering you to stand up. Before he gets a chance to turn you around, the man grabs your hand and starts shaking it.
“How rude of Adam to not introduce us! The name’s Lucius, but you can call me Lulu.” The man, Lucius, purrs.
You wrinkle your nose. “You want me to call you lulu?”
Adam forces his way between you both, managing to make Lucius let go of you. You’re thankful for him not to be touching you anymore. “Alright, cunt, leave them alone. You’ve already taken two, that should be enough.”
You’re somewhat offended to be reduced to some number, but your confusion stops you. Whatever dick measuring contest the two of them are holding right now, you want no part of it. “Adam, relax. He’s just upset about the bread.”
“Like hell he is! That’s how he gets you!
“Gets me to do what?”
You look between Lucius, who’s smirking and whistling like he’s in a cartoon, and Adam, who’s staring at the ground with a deep scowl. You feel like you’re missing something big, like there’s an inside joke you’re not a part of. The situation is honestly frustrating.
“Gets me to do what?!” You repeat.
Lucius ignores your question. “You know, you’re rather pretty, aren’t you?”
. “Don’t.” Adam says.
Lucius goes for a more personal approach, reaching out to brush a strand of hair from your face. You instinctively dodge his hand, but he doesn’t seem deterred. Instead, he rakes his fingers down past your head, his touch lingering as he toys with your shirt collar. His eyes glint with mischief as he leans in closer. “What’s a pretty thing like you doing slumping around a tool like Adam?”
“Lucius…”. Adam warns.
“Better to run while you still can.” Lucius laughs. You don’t think it’s very funny. “No one ever stays with him for too long, and it’s better to not find out why. “
Adam’s shoulders slump as his anger melts into hurt. He grumbles something under his breath before turning on his heel and marching off, leaving you standing there with Lucius. You watch him walk away, feeling a pang of disappointment at his sudden departure.
Lucius catches your gaze, his eyes filled with what seems like pity, and it makes you bristle. How dare he assume he knows more about your relationship with Adam than you do? The audacity of this man, who’s clearly intruding on your time together, is infuriating.
Before you have a chance to voice your frustration, Lucius’s lips curl into a reassuring smile. But something about it is far from comforting. The smile exposes unnaturally sharp teeth, making you feel even more uneasy.
You nervously flash him an almost-smile before scurrying off to join Adam. He seems honest-to-god surprised you chose him over that other guy, which is sort of rude, but you try to look past it. “What’s up with you?”
“Nothing.” He grunts.
“Okayyy…? Then where are we going? I thought we were getting lunch.”
It looks like it hurts him to say whatever’s next. “No. I’m taking you home.”
“Why? I thought we were going on a date?”
“Because.” He swallowed hard. “The date was ruined.”
You raise an eyebrow, taking a second. You know not to take it to heart— poor dude’s ego was just watered down right in front of him. So you choose a different approach. “Ruined?”
Adam, still sulking, nods his head. “Ruined.”
“Do you think it was ruined?”
“No, but you do.”
You scrunch your face up. “I do? Since when?”
Adam finally looks up from the floor and into your eyes. He’s a bit more energetic than before. “Since Lulu came in and ruined it?”
“First off, don’t call him that. Second off, he was just some crazy twink! What, did you think I was gonna run off with him into the night just because he gave me a compliment?”
“The others did.”
Okay, now you really are confused. “The others?”
Adam rolls his eyes, but not at you. He huffs and sits down on the nearest bench, encouraging you to follow. When you do, he grabs the bread from you, opens it, and starts absentmindedly chewing on a slice.
“I used to have two girlfriends. Not at the same time, though. That’d be way too much drama to deal with.”
Nice to know that that’s where he draws the line…
“But Lucifer—“
“Lucifer?” You balk.
He rolls his eyes and corrects himself. “Lucius set sights on both of them. When I wasn’t looking, he went behind my back and swept them off their feet. Both of them!!! Both of them chose him over me! So excuse me for getting upset when I thought you would too!”
A pang of sympathy plays at your heart, and it takes everything in you to not pull him into a tight hug and never let go. Sure, Adam’s a jerk. A cocky, jerky, dickhole. But he’s been sweet to you. And funny. And thoughtful.
“Well I’m not like your other two girlfriends, am I?” You carefully say.
Adam looks at you with a confused expression, not exactly sure on where you’re going with this. “…no.”
“Then Adam,” you reach for him and feel awful when he flinches away. However, you keep going and manage to pet his hair. “Why would I run away? I want you, plain and simple. I’m still waiting for you to ask me out, ya know.”
Despite everything, he bashfully smiles and looks away. “Yeah, alright. I get it.”
“Do you?”
He looks to you, really looks. And finally— “I do.”
You both stare at each other for a second. You’ve never seen this side of Adam before— vulnerable and open. It’s addicting, and you want more of it. You want to know him inside and out. Before you can think of the overwhelming ache in your bones, you’re standing again and brushing off your clothes.
“Alright, Adam, baby.” Your voice is still soft with emotion. You reach towards him and smile when he grabs ahold of your hand with no hesitation. “Let’s keep walking.”
You pull Adam up, and he follows your lead with ease. As he stands, he doesn’t let go of your hand, holding on tightly. His face is a mixture of emotions—pinched tight with tension and his eyes a bit glossy, but he’s still smiling. It’s a vulnerable sight, and your heart aches for him.
“Are you okay?” you ask softly, concerned.
Adam brings his free hand up, roughly wiping at his face as if trying to clear away the emotions that are threatening to spill over. “Yeah. Yeah, I just… I don’t know. I kind of expected you to run away after all that. I’m just relieved.”
Seeing his struggle, you squeeze his hand reassuringly. The touch is gentle but firm, a silent promise that you’re here for him. He squeezes back, and you both stand there for a moment, connected by this simple but meaningful gesture.
The air between you feels lighter, filled with an unspoken understanding. You take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day’s emotions start to lift. With a comforting smile, you nod toward the path. “…wanna go get food?”
He laughs. “Fuuuuck yes.”
–
Rehearsal later that day was so incredibly hectic, you didn’t get a chance to utter even a word to adam. Your time was spent polishing the show, as you opened tomorrow. The thought alone filled your stomach with dread and excitement.
However, after your songs and scenes, Adam did let out a few cheers. Of course, that led to him getting reprimanded while the director sat you down and gave you notes. You tried to get a peek at him, but he was too far and you were too busy jotting down your notes. Once he was done getting scolded from the conductor, he walked back down to the pit near where you were sat. He caught your eye and, despite having been dug into moments prior, brightly smiled at you. Your heart ached.
Eventually, rehearsal was called to an end. You were grateful that class had gotten canceled tomorrow, as you are quite literally dead on your feet. When you feel a pair of hands land on your shoulders, you jump a few feet in the air. You spin to see Adam, who had grabbed your bag before you could. He slung it over his shoulder, juggling his own guitar case, and held out his hand.
You took it, pressing yourself into his side. Normally you most likely wouldn't have done this, but you’re so exhausted so you lean your weight into him. He laughs and removes his hand from yours, instead wrapping it around your shoulders to pull you in. Together, he silently walks you to your dorm.
–
The velvet curtains closed with a final, satisfying thud, and the applause roared through the theater like a crashing wave. After rushing onstage for your bow, you stood center stage, chest heaving with exhilaration and relief. You had done it. The months of rehearsals, the late nights, and the countless hours of self-doubt had all led to this moment.
You could see the faces of the audience, all beaming with appreciation and admiration. But there was only one face you sought out among the crowd. You felt a rush of warmth, knowing Adam had seen you at your best.
As the house lights came up, you made her way backstage, your fellow cast members congratulating each other with hugs and high-fives. You accepted their praise graciously, but your mind was elsewhere.
You knew you had one more performance to deliver tonight.
Finally, the stage manager gave you a nod. It was time to greet the audience in the lobby. You took a deep breath and stepped out, your heart racing in anticipation. The crowd gathered, forming a semi-circle around the cast. Autographs were signed, selfies were taken, and congratulations were exchanged.
And then, there he was. Adam stood at the edge of the crowd, waiting patiently. As their eyes met, your heart skipped a beat. You excused herself from a conversation with an enthusiastic parent and made your way over to him.
"Hey, superstar," Adam greeted with that charming grin that always made your knees feel a little wobbly.
"Hey yourself," you replied, feeling a blush creep up your cheeks. "What did you think?"
He grabbed both your hands, bringing them up to his mouth to press a gentle kiss. “You were awesome, really. I loved having you sing along with my guitar.”
You giggled, eyes sparkling. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” His smile was genuine, the corners of his eyes crinkling. You batted your hands away from him, relishing in his sickly sweet corniness.
“Oh?”
“I know people typically get flowers, but they die really quickly, so I thought, ‘Hey! Why not make something!’ So I did, but it honestly didn’t turn out very well, so—”
“Adam. Just show me, baby,” you interrupted gently.
He bashfully smiled and dug into his pockets, pulling out a pair of car keys. You balked, eyes wide.
“You got me a fucking car?”
“No!” he laughed, shaking his head. “It’s in my car.”
With that, you both head outside, Adam's hand resting on the small of your back, guiding you gently through the cool evening air. The sky is painted with the soft hues of twilight, casting a romantic glow over everything. When you reach his car, he glances at you with a mix of excitement and nervousness before popping the trunk. He steps in front of you, effectively blocking your view, heightening the anticipation.
You hear the rustling of items being moved around, and your curiosity piques. Finally, Adam turns around, cradling a large, beautifully arranged gift basket. The basket is wrapped in shimmering cellophane and tied with a big, bright bow. Inside, it’s filled to the brim with your favorite candies and your go-to drinks, each item thoughtfully chosen. Nestled among the treats are several gift cards to your favorite stores and cafes.
Your mouth drops open in surprise, and you quickly cover it with your hand, eyes widening in delight and disbelief. Adam, nervously waiting for your response, shifts from foot to foot
You lurch forward, grabbing the basket from him and carefully placing it back into his trunk. With a burst of impulsive energy, you grab him by his collar and pull him down into a passionate kiss. His lips are warm and soft against yours, and the world around you fades away, leaving just the two of you in this perfect moment.
When you finally pull away, breathless and with your heart racing, you can’t help but blurt out–
“I want you to be my boyfriend.”
Adam’s eyes widen in surprise before his mouth curls into a dopey, joyous smile. “For real??” he asks, his voice full of hopeful excitement.
“For real,” you affirm, your own smile spreading wider.
He pumps his fist in a triumphant gesture.
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Uno, Out | Jude Bellingham
♡ — pairing(s): Jude Bellingham x reader
♢ — author annotations: hi my name is clov3 there's a global demand for pretty football boy fanfics and I write here look at me writings hehe
♤ — c/t w(s): none <3
♧ — synopsis: Your best friend Jude accidentally ends your hangout with a love confession.
♫ — music inspo.: JUST FRIENDS BY AUDREY MIKA
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺ 1:11 ───ㅇ───── 2:48
GIF by avenirdelight
"Grow the hell up, Bellingham."
"I'm just saying that's not a legit UNO rule, and I think you know that."
"What I know?" You pause, dramatic as always. Jude misses that flair when he's away. "Is that as newly delegated UNO champion I can't understand your peasant ramblings? What are you saying right now, Ju?"
He doesn't have to look to know the stupid grin you're wearing, but he does anyway and bites his own bottom lip so as not to smile himself. You've just finished tidying the game and snacks up, and his blanket you'd for years claimed as yours had been folded and discarded on your loveseat. He almost forgets what he's looking for, but seeing his shoes in the corner of his vision jogs his memory.
"Man," he exhales, one hand on the wall steadying himself as he lazily shoves his feet into his shoes. In the corner nearest the door is a pair of his slippers that you keep around for him, should he need or want them. "It was just one game."
"Don't care. You got dethroned."
You've approached the entryway now, hands defiantly on your hips. Your head is tilted upwards, partly because Jude is tall and partly a consequence of your ballooned ego. Jude wants to bask in your amusement for much, much longer, too much longer than appropriate for just friends, but yet another notification from the team group chat reminds him that he really can't stay.
He yearns to stay with you.
He could bring up how he'd won the three games beforehand, but the moment is gone now, and he opts to just shake his head.
"Don't die, okay?" You huff, and he gives one last glance that he pleads with every God out there that it isn't full of too much longing for you. He knows what you're asking.
"I'll text you."
You only hum in response. It's been a couple of months now, that every time he leaves you, he wants to pepper your face with kisses and assure you that he can't wait to return. He wants to come home to your signature scent, an airy contrast to the usual smell of cut grass and athletic equipment. He imagines you drowning in one of his shirts, that perfect, stupid, contagious grin to comfort him about leaving.
"Bye, Jude,"
You say something, and he hears it, but the words don't quite penetrate his brain. You're probably saying bye. Your voice is like a song he'll never be able to overplay, a saccharine syrup he will never get tired of swimming in. Jude imagines you embracing him fondly right before he walks out the door. He envisions making sure you know, always,
"Bye, y/n, I love you."
"What?"
Fuck.
His subtle smile drops. He's already got one foot out the door, he's already got his lanyard in one hand ready to fish out the car keys, the other in the middle of closing the door behind him. He can't see your face.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
The door is closed. He swears he hears a confused call of his name, followed by another confused "what?" but if he did, it was too muffled by the very shut front door for him to be sure. He's already in the motion of casually strolling toward his car.
Fuck? Fuck.
He could cry right now, but he's too dumbfounded, and before the grief can reach a resulting action, he's starting the car.
No, it's sinking in now.
In his peripheral he sees your front door fly back open. You're running out to his car, no shoes on. He's complained to you about that before -- you could step on something sharp. Before he can decide what to do, you've nearly fallen face-first into the driver-side window while halting to a stop, swinging open his car door. Your eyes are wide as you balance one hand on your bare knee, the other holding the door open.
"I love you too!"
♢ — author postnote (s): gym equipment has that goddamn smell bro ik you know what im talking about shit. like its got me heated rn is there a word for that smell. also this app sucks how many times do I have to post this
#jude bellingham#jude bellingham x reader#jude bellingham imagine#jude bellingham x you#jude bellingham fic#football oneshot#footballer x you#pablo gavi#reader insert#x reader#fluff#jude bellingham fluff#confession#friends to lovers#jude bellingham one shot#oneshot#x you#gender neutral reader#at least i dont think i implied a gender here so please lmk if you find otherwise
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~Current requests~
Thought I'd post another list so people know what requests I've accepted!
In no specific order
~~~~~
Audrey II x Monsterplant!Reader (Little Shop Of Horrors)
Yandere!Jevil x Reader (Deltarune)
Being in a Relationship w/Morgan le Fay (Merlin, 1998)
Yandere!Magenta & Yandere!Riff Raff x Reader (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Sick!Nadja x Familiar!Girlfriend!Reader (What We Do In The Shadows)
ENA x ADHD!Fem!Reader (ENA)
Mettaton x Artist!Reader (Undertale)
Yandere!Bellatrix Lestrange x Affectionate!Fem!Reader (Harry Potter)
Yandere!Nadja x ADHD!Reader (What We Do In The Shadows)
Mrs. Lovett x Baker!Reader (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street)
Frank-N-Furter x Reader (Emoji Combo request, The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Erik Destler x Reader x Dracula (The Phantom Of The Opera 2004, Dracula 1931)
Emily x Victor's Sister!Reader (Corpse Bride)
Mettaton x Poetic!Reader (Undertale)
Nadja x Reader Fluff (What We Do In The Shadows)
Yandere!Beetlejuice x Reader (Beetlejuice)
Auntie!Bellatrix x Injured!Niece!Reader (Harry Potter)
Gomez x Reader x Morticia (The Addams Family, 1991)
Nadja x Fem!Familiar!Reader (What We Do In The Shadows)
Yandere!Pink Diamond x Reader (Emoji Combo Request, Steven Universe)
~~~~~
#pinkie speakie#wwdits#corpse bride#deltarune#undertale#ena#mrs lovett#sweeney todd#the rocky horror show#the rocky horror picture show#harry potter#bellatrix lestrange#morgan le fay#steven universe#pink diamond
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I Found a Human Head: or, a Severed Human Head is My New Best Friend
A flurry of Hidan x Reader ideas i need to get out of my system lest I forget:
Hidan finally gets out of that God damn hole, but not in the way he anticipated. He heard your footsteps and started shouting. When you dig him out, he finds that Jashin has cursed him for his incompetence: he's in a brand new world with neither his body nor Kakuzu in sight.
It takes a bit of convincing, but you don't meet a real life zombie every day, so eventually you carry him back home.
His neck is sore as FUCK. He bounces between being an absolute menace to you and sweet talking just enough to keep you hooked and helping. You are, whether he admits it or not, his life line. Doesn't stop him from threatening to chew you limb from limb, though.
Hidan enjoys it a bit too much when you carry him, either back of his scalp or side of his face in your chest. The feeling is mutual
He convices you to help him in several ways, one at a time: one in general, two getting nutrients, three getting a body.
Biggest pitfal: you are both stupid. He has no body to fight with. You're just...you, so you have no resources to give or power to offer. You're a bit of a shut in, don't have friends, maybe just moved to a new town and he IS your first friend. What you do have in your repertoire...is an obsession with horror and sci-fi media. He watches you the first night he spends in your small home, draped in the glow of a TV screen as you use it to escape, to attempt to lull yourself to sleep. It distracts him from feeling like a knickknack, sitting on top of your shelf.
You watch movies about severed heads together to come up with ideas. Firstly, you both decide after seeing a pattern that submerging the head in a mystery nutrient liquid is vital, so you put him in the finest bucket of light blue Gatorade, the best and most fortifying of them all. He almost drowns.
Media you'd "research": the brain that wouldn't die, sleepy hollow, futurama, young frankenstein, basically anything with a living severed head, brain implants, or headless characters. And of course...Reanimator.
It's a pretty awkward night when that one comes on. You apologize with a stutter, absolutely flushed red and refusing to meet his eyes. You forgot about that scene. For a loud mouth...he gets awfully quiet. He pockets the idea for later:
A man of self serving pleasure, giving it to someone else when he cannot have it...it changes him, a bit even if the context of the movie is very not romantic
To get to a movie in a theater, you duct tape him to the top of your head a la two kids in a trenchcoat. It's a disaster, but it works. Hidan has never seen anything like this in his life. The size of the screen, the color, the sound. He won't admit to it-- of course he won't, he's in no position to admit joy or awe, that is weakness-- but it makes him feel alive. The man is delirious from slowly dying; It kind of feels like he's being shown heaven. (If its a horror movie with lots of gore, all the more so for him).
Honestly though the best bet you have at keeping him alive is either killing for him Audrey II style and finding him a body you'll sew on yourself, or you break into a nuclear waste facility and dunk him in to see what happens.
I'd also think itd be very funny to see him manage to use his remaining neck to roll like a can of Campbell's soup all the way from wherever you abandoned him after a fight, going all the way down the road till he's at your doorstep to apologize.
#akatsuki x reader#hidan x reader#hidan imagine#this is halfway between very sincere fascination of the idea and a shitpoat#post
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PLEASE PLEASE imagine audrey ii, known for being one of horrors biggest BITCHES (next to jennifer check and ghostface of course) but is TOTALLY SWEET ON U!!! snuggles up her massive form as best she can like a dog, learns your favorite flowers just to bloom them and tie them into your hair, vines wrapped around your waist to pick you off the ground and she holds u up there so high up but held so carefully bcuz she wouldnt DARE drop u. also pls imagine sleeping with her. not like dirty but just her wrapping vines and soft, cool leaves around you and holding you so close and humming songs about human lovers shes heard on the radio....im obsessed okay have a good day
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Would you kiss the plant?
#audrey ii#audrey ii x reader#audrey ii x (y/n)#little shop of horrors fanart#little shop of horrors#self insert#lsoh#digital art#mickey posts
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You've been sending me perfect asks on my blog... So now I shall retaliate >:) (I know you probably know who this is, but I got too embarrassed to send this from my normal blog and I couldn't figure out how to switch blogs for asks 😅)
- Freddy lightly dragging his blades over your shoulders and back to get a reaction out of you. He can use his dream magic to control how sharp the blades are (I hope) so it can be completely safe texture play.
- (im mot sure exactly how you feel about Audrey... But i do know you like their voice~) Audrey II crooning and sweet talking to you while you're trying to do your work. They can't exactly sneak up behind you and whisper in your ear, but that doesn't mean they don't can't make you flustered with what they say.
- You're on a hunting trip with Jim Bickerman and whoever else is with him. You all settle down for the night, but there seems to not be enough tents for all of you. There's only one tent left, and you and Jim are the only ones who don't have one yet... And that old man is looking at you with that damn smirk of his, "Well, ain't this quite the predicament sweetheart~?"
- Being in a relationship with Wheezy and Greasy... And they both get ~in the mood~ at the same time. How would you go about this?
- Cruella designing specific outfits she wants to see you in, just for you... Including clothes to wear when you're supposed to be waiting for her~
I wanted to add more... But I ran out of ideas XD I hope you like these 😏 XD
AHHH! Yes!! I am so glad you have been enjoying my asks!! Their will be more!! And thankkkk you so much for these <3<3 I HAD to write some of them XDD Just like, excerpts ^^
Includes/Warnings:
Audrey II x Reader- Voice kink, sexual references, human/plant relations, manhandling, and someeee... touching. 🙃🙃🙃😅 (Not explicit)
Cruella De Vil x AFAB!Reader- ... you must know at this point I cannot hold myself back with Cruella XD 😅 So this one is explicit... It describes pictures she has drawn of you in those outifts... and in some particular positions.
Greasy Weasel x AFAB!Fem!Reader x Wheezy Weasel- Threesome!! Cunt eating (Greasy) and dirty talk/teasing (Wheezy). Also I think reader is in some sorta space. Tiny bit of a sharp teeth kink. R e a l l y explicit.
Jim Bickerman x Fem!Reader- Established relationship, semi-public sexual shenanigans, getting caught (Semi-explicit)
Audrey II:
"Y/N... " A vine moseys over to your desk after a short amount of silence and prods the squishy area of skin at your middle, and you respond by wrapping your arm around your tummy; Not looking over at the overgrown Venus fly trap. Not paying them any of the attention they crave. "baby... doll... watcha doin'?"
"Working, Audrey, shush." You keep your voice even, which you know will drive them crazy, and continue writing.
"Shu- Me?? Oh no, darlin', I don't think so!~ " The vine that poked at your tummy fat lifts towards your desk instead, then- but you push it away before he can snatch your homework away. They gasp. "Excuse me??"
"I'm really busy right now, I'll entertain you later."
For a moment they manage to stay quiet, but you can practically feel the cogs turning in their brain. You know your study time is not going to last long. "... Hmmm... " He hums, the sound sending a little shameful tingle all the way through you; Making you squeeze your eyes closed for a moment and cross one leg over the other, before refocusing on your work. No, no. The damn plant will not distract you today. You have got to get this essay done!! "I gotta say baby... I have to disagree with you~ "
"Good thing you don't get a say- " You're cut off when 4 vines wrap around the legs of your chair and suddenly tear you around to face him; dragging you closer and closer in the chair towards the corner Audrey lives in. Theirs a big smirk on the horrible fauna's huge mouth, and you know you have to get out now. Quickly you hop off the chair and rush back to your desk, gathering up your things in your arms. "Audrey, I'm just gonna go study at the library. I'll be back later toni- "
"Oh no no sweetheart~ Not so fast~ " Oh god, the way they call you sweetheart has you freezing totally still for a moment-
-And that, was all the time Audrey needed to wrap one of their thicker vines around your middle and slowly drag your body towards them this time; Causing you to drop some things, along the way. "Oh!- My stu- "
"Don't worry about it, baby! We're doin' something else, now~ Now c'mon... I wanna see you writhe... "Fuck. "... so go ahead and let go a' those books for me. Let go, baby... " You get the feeling he must mean to let go of more then just your books when he says it like that, but you refuse to let go of anything.
"Audrey, this is important." You beg, holding your books tight against your chest even as he tugs at them from the bottom. "I- "
"Don't you want me to be nice to you??... Y/N, I can be so goddamn nice... You don't know how nice~ I can be to you, yet... But I'll show ya!~ I'll show ya the ropes~ " At that, the vine around your waist shifts upwards a little bit, pulling up your shirt with it, and another vine curls into the waistband of your bottoms. "I can be your best friend, baby!"
Eyes wide, surprised at how this night is progressing and even more horrified that you don't want it to stop- not with Audrey talking to you like this- you let them steal your books and take them away. The huge, inhuman grin on Audrey's 'face' broadens, and that same vine comes back to wrap around your hair and hold it back from your face- and take control over your head. "Ah- "
"Don't worry baby. We're gonna have some fun tonight... just you and me... "
Cruella De Vil:
You hadn't seen this book, before. Which was odd, because Cruella often used the same brand for her sketches- always the same sleek, black leather binding and impossibly crisp paper you're cutting yourself on.
This one was no different. And she dropped it on your desk just the same as she always did, with enough force to send any loose papers flying so she could roll her eyes at you and complain that your desk is a disgusting mess as always. She even told you what you were to do with it, like you hadn't done it a million times before. Like you were unaware of the drill, even at this point. Because apparently you're an idiot.
It was all quite normal.
That is, until you opened the book so you could make copies of the sketches for manufacturing to keep. Until you looked at the new sketches.
Immediately you thrust the pages hard against your chest as fast as you can, dreading anyone else seeing what you just saw and looking around to make sure that you're alone in the room. Because- porn.
It was porn. There was no other way to describe it, from the... graphic positions the women were in, to the almost lack of clothes entirely. Being Cruella's assistant, you had seen plenty of lingerie sketches before, but they were usually tasteful! These... from what you saw before you hid them, they were just...
Obnoxiously horny.
Eyes wide and nervous, you slowly pull the book away from your chest to look again, so so curious despite your embarrassment and hot cheeks, and- yep. Definitely. Still porn. Cruella De Vil had sat in her glass office today looking oh so professional, and drawn porn.
... You cant stop looking at them. They're great, actually. You can feel your pussy throb, as your thumb runs over the center of a particularly well-done sketch; One where the woman is sat down with her knees spread wide and her head tuned away, eyes closed. Her cunt's open and shaded red, the only colour Cruella has added to the sharp, black-and-white pages.
You're so unbelievably hot at these pictures, just looking at them - distracted by particular parts of them, - , that at first you don't read the labelling at all. Cruella's handwriting in this book is all in cursive, and you have to focus to read it, but when you do begin to go through the notes... you feel yourself get even hotter.
Your name is all over the pages. Y/N in fur, written on top of a woman stood terribly naked, wearing just a fur hat and fur boots. Y/N in silk, written beside the woman with her beautiful red pussy bare on the page and a very shiny silk chemise bunched up around her hips. Y/N in chiffon, written beside a woman wearing just a long chiffon skirt and arms raised away from her confidently bare chest. Y/N in satin, written beside a woman with her hands on her hips, holding a long satin robe back from hiding her body- at all.
Y/N in- Y/N in- Y/N in-
After a while, and your eyes are the size of saucers while your underwear is absolutely soiled, you plop down finally in a chair by the photo copier and turn to the last page. Theirs a sticky note on it, but you peel it off in order to see the final picture, and give a choke gasp at the image Cruella's drawn for you.
An absolutely tasteless picture of a woman - you, - bent over a familiar desk, with your feet spread wide so your ass and cunt are on full display to anyone looking. The angle is from just above, as if you're standing just behind the woman - you, - and she's preparing to take you in. God, you can feel yourself clenching at the sight- the thought- the idea-
Is this what Cruella wants? Does she want you like this? Does she want to fuck you this badly??
As if as an after thought, you look at the sticky note.
Y/N,
My Office. Later tonight after everyone leaves.
Cruella De Vil
Greasy Weasel x Reader x Wheezy Weasel:
You were already with Greasy when Wheezy walked into the room, and he knew damn well what the two of you were up to- he always knew- he just doesn't always want to do it too. He doesn't have as big a drive as the two of you do.
But evidently today is one of the days where he does want to fuck, he is in the mood. This is evident when he walks in and locks the door behind him; not taking his cool eyes, dark with lust, on you with Greasy's mouth moving on- against- around your cunt.
Wheezy's eyes flicker up to your face, raising his brows- as if asking, if theirs room for one more.
You open your mouth to tell him yes, of course, but its Greasy who responds. He didn't see the question Wheezy silently posed, but he can tell since you're not freaking out that someone has come in right now, that it has to be your other boyfriend. He pops his mouth off of you, though he doesn't take his eyes off of it at all, mesmerised by what is definitely one of his favourite things in the world, and instead just moves to rub his thumb against your clit. "Welcome in, el fumador... help yourself~ we're just beginning here... "
... Wheezy smirks, rolling his sleeves up more securely and strolling over to the bed, leaning over you as you move your head to see him. He gives you a little hello kiss when you crane your neck back because he's right beside the bed now, and strokes your hair for a moment.... Then his eyes slide right back down to Greasy and what he's doing to you, and how slick you are, and a mischievous look that makes you even hornier flickers in his eyes. "Really, Grease? Looks like you've been workin' her for- damn. Hours, now. She looks like she's ready to pop."
"I'm just that good, I guess!~ "
"Mhm... "
Needy and non-verbal, you just reach for Wheezy's shirt collar and drag him back down to you and your parted lips as Greasy connects his mouth to you once again; Slipping your tongue immediately into his mouth while your other boyfriend devours your cunt like his favourite meal. You kiss Wheezy with all the want you're feeling, meshing your mouths together slowly but licking his tongue so dirty you would feel embarrassed, if you weren't so close. He reciprocates, easily giving you what you want, taking care of his needy, desperate girl without even touching you anywhere inappropriate.
He pulls away too soon, and you let out a sad little whine, as he brushes a thumb over your lips and gives a smokey chuckle. He's still so close! Why is he doing this?- "Its okay, baby, its alright... we're gonna take care of you... "
"Please- "
"Y'feel Grease down there?? Does that feel good?" Quickly you nod, your fingers still curled around Wheezy's collar. It feels really, really good- his tongue is so deep- "Make sure y'tell him how good he's doing, cutie, he deserves some praise dontcha think??"
Eyes wide, you nod again. Greasy does deserve it. "Its so- so good- "
"Hear that Grease?? So, so good... "
Greasy moans and nods into your most private place and it has you bucking, slapping a hand over your mouth to keep from making a terribly load sound- which just makes him chuckle against you, sharp teeth brushing against your delicate skin.
"Now... lay down, baby. I need a little something, too today. Its been a hard week... " Your eyes slip downwards towards Wheezy's hands as he unbuckles his belt, causing your mouth to actually water. "... and you wanna help me out, dontcha? Yeahhh, I know you do... you're a good baby... " As you nod once again, eager to please, Wheezy gives another smirk; looking down to Greasy. "Isn't she, Grease?"
In responce, Greasy shows you both as he shoves his hand down in his own pants.
Jim Bickerman x Reader:
To your credit, you did try to keep it to a goodnight kiss tonight.
... The key word being try. When you noticed him watching you in that way that reminds you he's a hunter while you were just getting comfy in your sleeping bag, you had asked him what? And when he had acted all innocent like he hadn't been practically licking his chops at you, you explained that you were not having sex in this tent tonight because a. the tent is not sound proof and b. it was inappropriate. The poor men you're camping with did not need to experience that.
And you didn't need to be looking them in the eyes the next day knowing that they are now privy the sound you make when the creepy old man hits that particular spot deep inside you, to be frank.
You even said goodnight, and held the sleeping bag over your head.
But fuckkkkkkkkk you cant help yourself. You're almost as bad as Jim is- actually, scratch that almost. You are as bad. That's why he's so perfect.
All of 2 minutes later, you were giving a groan at your own lack of self control (You've really got to work on that), crawling out of your sleeping bag (Pulling the flannel Jim leant you, or you stole from him, tight around you to shield you from the cold), and finding yourself straddling him. From below he gives a smirk, about to say something like I told you so, or I thought so, or ha ha- but you just silently shake your head at him and lean down to kiss him. Like no- nope. No gloating. If you gloat sir, you die.
For a while its just kissing, his beard rubbing against your face and the brim of his hat grinding into your forehead until you take it off him- chucking to an unknown corner of the tent. This makes him chuckle, as you release his mouth to breath and give him a bemused grin, nose scrunched up slightly at him, before pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and then his clothed shoulder.
He curls his fingers into the loops in your jeans - you hadn't bothered to get changed to go to sleep, it was way too cold, - and tugged your hips against his. "Mmm... I can feel you all hot and throbbing, sweetheart... somethin' you wanna tell me? Maybe you don't think this is so inappropriate??... " When you lift yourself up to give him a deadpanned look, his eyes light up very purposefully and he makes 'oh' sound. "Orr, maybe you like that... "
You just hold up a finger, like quiet, before kissing him again. This time he doesn't let that be it, disconnecting his mouth from yours way too soon in favour of leaning up a little whispering in your ear. "Your mess in your pants is distractin' me. I'm gonna need you to take them off... "
"Hm~" You hum, leaving him and standing up the best you can in the small tent to wriggle out of your jeans, kicking them off into the same corner his hat went so you're left in your shirt and Jim's blue flannel. Jim eagerly undoes his own pants then, too, so when you lower yourself back onto him you can easily access the poor man's painfully hard cock, sitting hot and impatient underneath you, behind cotton boxers. Wow, you think vaguely. He can sure hold himself together well- you didn't think he needed you this badly!! You might have taken mercy on him sooner if you'd known... Well- "... Do you have- "
Before you can even finish the sentence, he's offering you a condom from who-knows-where. It makes you snort as you accept it. "What a gentleman... "
"I do try, pumpkin."
"Okay," You grin, shaking your head and trying to go back to that quiet, purposeful mood from before despite Jim making you smile. "Okay- we doing this?" You're still giggling a little, the heat of the moment and the middle-of-the-night sillies getting to you now. "G'head then, whip it out- "
Suddenly you're cut off- and its not by Jim, or your own giggling. Its by someone outside the tent- "PLEASE, don't!!" They yell suddenly, followed by a couple of others voicing their agreement with grunts and pleases and one particularly pained jesus christ jim, let us sleep!! He sounded like he was in the tent right next door.
"... Oh god- " You start, face heated up like a stove as you pull part of the flannel up to cover your face some, half laughing still from the night-time hysteria and this ridiculous situation, and looking down to connect eyes with Jim.
He looks like he's about to lose his composure, too, and then someone's shoe gets thrown at the side of your tent and you both burst out laughing.
(Annnnnd thank goodness this is finally done- I can go read your Scroop Headcanons now XD)
#MultiVillains x Reader Smexcerpts#MultiVillains x Reader Drabbles#MultiVillains x Reader#MultiVillains#Smut#Jim Bickerman#Jim Bickerman x Reader#Greasy Weasel#Wheezy Weasel#Greasy Weasel x Reader#Wheezy Weasel x Reader#Cruella De Vil#Cruella De Vil x Reader#Audrey II#Audrey II x Reader
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I put all the plant monster reader stories together, if they don’t work let me know. You do not need to read all of them to understand. They can be read as one shots or a series.
Basically plant monster is Audrey Two/ Twoey. Reference to little shops of horror in a few. The gender of reader isn’t important so I used it/they/she/he if you want I can rewrite it to have reader be one gender.
Headcanon longer one that includes Dad Ford, Uncle Stan, Soos, Exdad Bill, Mabel, and Dipper
Full Story 2 in 1 Mabel and Dipper are babysitting you and Mabel is asking questions. Second one is (Tw) spitting food out, and throwing up, just says you did it. Not described. With Soos, Dipper, Ford, Mabel.
Your relationship with Stan it’s set before and after the portal. Ford^2 and BillFord mentioned. Basically Stan taking care of you while working on the portal and making the mystery shack.
The first headcanon I’ll redo this because I’m not too sure about the whole thing. Just me yappin basically. I’ll make a better version explaining the past.
If you want to be tagged let me know I’ll tag you in future ones. Request are open! Reader won’t have a love interest in this series.
Info-
So reader is from space, just like Twoey. Reader’s goal was to take over the world but has calmed down and doesn’t really care about it. Reader is basically Ford’s kid. I think I might write something that talks more about the younger years of you two.
Ford found you while walking around town. It’s implied it’s Seymour who had you. Not sure if I’ll make it him but flower shop was throwing you out and Ford bought you.
Reader can’t grow unless fed enough. So it’s not like you get fed once and grow. The amount of food around you is how big you’ll get. If there’s not enough food you’ll get smaller to prevent dying from hunger. If there’s enough you grow and get bigger until you ‘flower’ and are able to reproduce asexually. But you won’t get that big so it’s not important.
Ford makes sure you’re on a diet so you can’t get that size. You’re feed artificial blood rather than real blood. You can’t eat human food.
You are able to change colors (look dead) like Twoey does. You typically use it for manipulation but can be used as how you actually feel.
I haven’t really picked if Twoey existed and you’re their offspring or if you just are alone. I have Bill call you Twoey but I wrote you don’t know why.
Reader is currently this big (unless said differently) 2nd Form/pod 2 so, small enough to still carry around but not a baby. I couldn’t find a good picture, what is that face? 😭
#bill cipher#ford pines#gravity falls#ford pines x reader#gravity falls x reader#headcanon#plant monster#plantonic#dipper and mabel#stan pines x reader#stan pines#twoey#audrey ii#little shop of horrors#dad ford#masterlist#taglist#reqs open
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The Shape of Evil (Part 3)
ARCHIVE OF OUR OWN LINK
Please read the tags and warnings on AO3. A warning for very mature content this chapter under the cut!
Part 1 Part 2
The place Michael had taken you was all too familiar. The delipidated Myers home was a ghostly place. The ceiling was rotten, caving in some places and barely held the weight of the roof over it in others. The panel walls were rotten too, the plaster laying in clumps and every piece of furniture was covered in dust. Few of the rooms were sound, or even liveable. The killer placed in a room where the ceiling wasn’t leaking. You looked around the place as he placed you on the floor and felt your jaw go stiff. A single tombstone sat by the window, the cold grey stone etched with a name every resident of Haddonfield knew all too well. Judith Myers. Michael’s head tilted at your realization, as though he was curious as to your reaction. You knew well enough he delighted in playing with his food, the arrogance that he would always win in the end driving his psyche. Cold, calm and collected, though you were sure he got a kick out of brutally playing with people’s fear.
The shape watched, breathing heavily through the layer of latex, admiring the fear etched across your expression.
“Michael…Please don’t.” You whispered softly, drawing your legs up to your chest, trying to ignore the haunting tombstone sat behind you.
Michael’s hand flexed and he remembered the butchers knife tucked inside his coverall pocket. He could splay you out, slit your neck and pose you under the tombstone. It would be fun to play and leave you for the cops to find. The thought turned sour in his mind. You looked prettier with the blood spread over your breathing chest.
“I… I don’t want to be like the others.” The words left your mouth before you could think about them.
The Shape’s monotonous breathing paused for a moment before continuing in its slow, heavy rhythm. Michael’s head tilted the other way before he crouched. The movement was slow, purposeful, like all things he did, with the grace of something like a feline. A predator. Your eyes widened as a dirty hand reached for you.
It opened in front of your cheek, the fingers twitching, before a single, rough finger, ran down your soft cheek. The heavy breathing continued, the only sound to fill the silence. His other fingers quickly followed, stroking the skin up to your ear, cupping your face as he watching your wide eyes relax. He leaned forwards when your own hand cupped his against your cheek, the grime digging into your fingerprints. The Shape breathed. His fingers dragged the grime along your skin, watching the blood and muck paint it with brown and red. Silence filled the room once again, Michael’s fingers running over your cheek softly, almost kindly. You knew the power in the hand that was touching you. The tips grazed over your jaw before the hand wrapped around your neck, squeezing, a barely there feeling over the muscles. As you swallowed dryly, you could feel the pressure against your windpipe, the fingers pressing into the cartilage. Flinching, you dared to draw your head back, prying your neck from his grasp.
Michael tilted his head, the ghostly pale mask haunting as his fingers pressed together and apart. Contemplating. Waiting. Your free hands reached up for his hand and clutched the clenching fingers, pushing them apart, running the lengths of your own down his. The heavy breathing stopped again for a moment before resuming. Michael watched your fingers move, admiring the way they clutched his own, encouraging them to loosen and relax. He clenched them, just to test you, watching as you gently moved them apart again.
“Why am I really here, Michael?” You asked softly, pressing his hand open.
Michael watched you before clenching his fist tight around your fingers, coldly watching your eyes grow wide. He let go, just as quick as he’d seen fit to crush your fingers in his grasp. Michael’s arms wrapped around you again, heaving you from the floor, throwing you roughly over his shoulder before he moved away from Judith’s old dusty room.
The killer took you to another room, an old mattress on the floor, and a hearth in the far wall for a fire. The previous fire had burned out long ago, leaving rotten ashes on top of the stone. Michael placed you on top of the mattress before moving back out of the room to the cupboard in the hall. Inside he managed to fish out some old blankets. They smelt musty and old, but you would have to cope with them or freeze inside the old house’s structure. He returned and dumped the pile of blankets next to you before turning to the fireplace. He hadn’t thought about heat or a fire. With a rough exhale, something that sounded like a huff, the man was striding out of the room, in search of something that would burn with a lighter. The killer walked down the stairs to go and find firewood from the yard. He hoped there was still a log stash in the small shed. As he moved down the old, rotting stairs, he heard you get up from the mattress. It didn’t matter. He could find you. He would catch you if you tried to run.
He reached the back porch and walked through the too tall grass before turning to glance back at the bedroom window. He looked at you in the window, and you looked back at him. You moved from the grimy glass and sat back down. Michael continued to the outhouse. He swiftly collected an arm full of wood before returning to the house. He ascended the stairs, breathing evenly, arms full of wood. Michael nudged the door open, ignoring your form on the mattress. He only briefly looked at you through the side of the mask, noticing you were wrapped in blankets. Michael dumped the wood by the hearth before placing three large logs in the fireplace. He dunked his hand into his pocket and rustled around, finding a lighter and receipts from the previous owner of the coveralls. He’d never taken the mess of paper out of his outfit. He stuffed the wad of receipts between the logs and snapped the lighter open, rolling the flint to light it. He set the paper alight and watched the flames curl to life, quickly catching over the logs and burning the wood.
Michael watched the fire, breathing evenly through his mask. The flames reminded him of sitting on his grandmother’s knee, her knitting in front of him as he watched the old television in the corner. When he was younger, in Smith’s Grove, he had missed his times with his grandmother on an evening. Now, he simply remembered them. Not with fondness or hatred. He just remembered they had happened when he was younger. Maybe if the voices had never started, he would still be sat with his grandmother. He’d walked past her grave when he’d torn Judith’s from the ground. The man blinked at the flames and looked at you. You didn’t dare move from the mattress. Michael could see your shivering. A hand reached out and grasped the edge of the mattress. With a great heave he pulled the mattress over to him until it touched the side of his heavy black boot. You looked up at the killer before you, breathing a little quicker, fear screaming in the back of your mind. His head tilted, studying you back. He stood up in a swift movement and looked at the blankets before walking around to the other side of the mattress.
The fire’s heat licked against your cheeks.
“Thank you, Michael.” You thanked him softly before tucking the musty blankets up to your nose, trying your best not to shiver. The man didn’t acknowledge the sentiment. You listened to him walk around the side of the mattress and stand, breathing slowly. His boots thumped on the floor. You turned around in time to see Michael crouch and lay himself on the far side of the mattress, his mask and coveralls still in place. Bright, wild eyes watched you before he closed them, ignoring your shivering by the fire in favour of sleep. As the man drifted off, you imagined his frown softened and his lips relaxed. The fire burned hot and you gently moved to take off your shoes, wiggling your sock covered feet in front of the flames. Glancing back at Michael you chewed your lip and laid down, facing the flames, enjoying the heat against your blanket covered body. Michael’s deep breathing was blowing against your neck as you closed your eyes. Opening one eye you reached to the end of the bed for the last of the blankets. You took another for yourself and looked at Michael’s form. Gently, you unfolded the blue blanket and laid it over Michael’s form.
A hand snatched you as you let it fall over his body. A light sleeper. You gasped as Michael tugged you over him, and tried to smile, the crooked grin not making the killer underneath you relent. His free hand scooped at the blanket, feeling the soft felt under his fingers. His clamped hand snapped open like a bear trap, releasing you from his grasp. The wild eyes were once again shadowed by the gloom of his mask as he set his head back against the mattress, breathing, watching, silent. You leaned back and settled on your side of the mattress. Michael watched you roll back over before he too closed his eyes, his hand resting on the pocket of his coveralls where the knife was stashed in his pocket. Not yet. He knew that, but he didn’t trust you. His fingers slid over the handle of the knife as he closed his eyes, and he drifted off into a light sleep.
Days came and went quickly in the lull of waking, eating whatever packaged food Michael had brought for you and then falling back into a coma, or stoking the fire to try and keep the feeling in your fingers. Michael watched sometimes, just staring at you as you tried to get the heat into the tips of your fingers and toes. Other times, the man left you in that room, leaving to go and find you something edible to eat. He returned this day with an animal hanging from his bloodied fist. The rabbit was plump from the early winter months, having fattened up massively over the summer it seemed. Michael dropped the bloodied rabbit before you and watched, his mask pulled back over his face before he had come upstairs. You looked down at the animal with sad eyes.
“What do you want me to do with it?” You asked softly.
Michael’s hand came back down in front of you, the killer crouching as he reached for the fur and gave it a small tug. It seemed like he wanted you to prepare it.
“I’ve never skinned an animal in my life, Michael.” You confessed quietly.
Knowing this, Michael unzipped his bloodied overalls and reached to his thigh. He drew the wicked sharp hunting dagger from its sheath and curled the blade over his fist, holding the handle tight before he slid it through the pelt and into the rabbits chest. He wrenched the blade down and slit it neck to back legs before dragging it towards the window and holding it by the ears. Guts slipped out, bottling the fur with blood. You turned away as he reached his hand into the tummy and pulled the innards out with a rough tug. It slipped out with a great slick noise and painted the bushes below. He continued, pushing his hand into the chest cavity to pull the lungs and heart out with a clenched bloodied hand. Michael turned back inside when he was done and cut the fur slowly away from the meat, taking the head off after he'd thrown the pelt in the corner. Blood caked the floorboards as he finished, wiping the knife on the inside of his thigh before he hooking his finger into the carcass and took the poker, skewering the animal on the end. He knew not many could stomach raw meat, and since he had a fire, he thought it best to cook the thing.
You only hoped the animal hadn’t belonged to a child.
Michael ignored you, as always, stood watching the flames lick at the new logs. A great pile of ash had formed in the fireplace from the few days worth of fires which would soon need cleaning out and dumping. Something told you, however, that it wasn’t going to matter much soon. You couldn't stay here forever, the police would no doubt be quick to search this place as soon as they had the numbers to incapacitate Michael.
“We’re not staying here much longer are we?” A wild blue eye looked from the flames and back to you before glaring harshly at the fire again, “Where do we have to go next?”
Michael’s shoulder rose, almost like a half shrug, though, somehow you knew he already had ever detail planned. He was a killer, but Michael Myers wasn’t stupid. Cold and calculated. Brutal in his torture and playing. There was a reason he waited years at a time before acting out.
“Do you have somewhere else for us to go?” You looked at his masked face with an edge of worry in your voice, “If you don’t the police will catch up with you.” It was a lame veiled threat, yet you saw his blue eye go a little wilder.
Solemnly, you looked at the rabbit, cooking on the heavy iron poker, and wondered if you’d be gutted the same way when Michael got bored of his little game. Stopping your thoughts, Michael’s hand reached out towards the blanket wrapped tightly around your form. His strong fingers wrapped the fabric around his fist before he tugged it, testing your hold. You gripped it tight to prevent him jerking your warm cocoon away from you, making you jerk with the motion of the pull.
“What Michael?” His head tilted at his own name before he moved for the poker, taking the cool end in hand, turning the rabbit over. The Shape watched the flames again for a moment before taking hold of your blanket again, this time instead, he moved around the back of the mattress and pushed his way in behind you. He sat there for a moment, breathing over your head before his arms moved, letting go of the blanket in favour of wrapping around you. The grime from his overalls was no doubt smearing along your back, rubbing dirt and blood into the dirty clothes you had been wearing for about five days. The nose of his mask pressed into your hair, his breathing softening into gentle puffs against the greasy hair. His hands moved to grab your own, opening the palms to look at the sweaty skin with mild interest.
Michael breathed over your hair once more before pulling the poker and attached rabbit from the flames. It was charred on the outside, but no doubt cooked inside. He let the meat cool a little before popping it off the hot metal with his hunting knife. He quickly sliced a leg free and let it cool on the stone of the hearth before offering the meat silently. Your pursed lips made him force the leg into your grasp.
“Michael, I don’t...” You trailed off before looking at the brown meat. It was all you were going to get from the man. With a sigh you took to picking at the food, “Thank you.” Looking up, you watched Michael continue slicing chunks of cooked rabbit free, though his gaze did flicker to you as you when he sensed you staring. The man ignored you as you nibbled on the food before he too took to eating, raising the mask only just enough to place food between his lips, chewing slowly and methodically.
“Its good isn’t it?” You asked, a little smile curling on the edges of your lips. His head tilted before he nodded, once, a small inclination of his chin, before continuing to eat, pushing the greasy pieces of meat past his lips The fat dripped over his chin, but the man didn’t seem to notice or care, continuing the task of feeding himself efficiently. You reached for the meat, only for Michael to tear you another piece free first and press the leg to your lips.
“Thank you, Michael.”
The next morning, you stirred while being carried against a strong chest. Michael Myers was terrifyingly strong, and that was reflected by how effortlessly he was carrying you against him. It was cool in the morning mist, but Michael had left the blanket wrapped around you as he carried you to the other home he had been using. The cabin in the woods at least had cable and hot water. He had missed television in his time locked away. What little they could watch was, so brain-numbingly boring, that Michael often shook the chains just for a reason to get out of the room of groaning, moaning insanity. He peered over in the mist, breathing heavily as the shape of the cabin came into his sight. You yawned softly, nuzzling unconsciously against the warmth radiating through his grubby overalls. The killer looked down at the movement as he ascended the rickety old stairs, noticing the soft flushed skin of your cheeks as you snuggled in the folds of the blanket. It was perhaps an adorable sight. Michael stopped at the top of the stairs to simply breathe in the cold air, blowing hot air back over your face. You didn’t stir, settling back how into a light slumber as Michael opened the cabin door.
You awoke some hours later, curled on a plump sofa, the television on in the background quietly. The shower was running upstairs and you registered the noise as you sat up, the blanket tucked under your chin. Getting up, you walked up the stairs slowly, hearing the water hit the tiles in the bathroom. Quietly, you peered inside the room, looking through the gap in the door, and the shower curtain. Michael was under the water, glaring at his own feet as he washed the blood and grime from his body. A fresh set of normal looking clothes sat on the toilet lid. You felt your cheeks go hot at the sight. Michael heard you, turning his head, his eyes cold as he saw you peaking at him from the hallway. The corner of his lips quirked upwards at your flushed cheeks. Michael turned, giving you a view of the muscles of his chest and torso. They were powerful, the stomach defined with abdominal muscles, all screaming of power. The man moved out of the water and took you by the arm, reaching for the mask laid on top of his clothes.
“Michael.” Suddenly you felt small as you were towered over by the man.
The Shape studied you. You were embarrassed, looking up at his naked body. He reached for your cheek, stroking his wet finger over the soft skin before he took the mask and pulled it over his face, hiding the scarred eye and the sharp cheek bones. The boyishly handsome features that weren’t a killer. He breathed through the mask, as though settling back into it and dragged you forwards, wetting your grimy clothes and the soft blanket. The kiss of steel met your neck before Michael pushed his fingers past your neckline. His wet fingers then tugged the soft material of your shirt over your head. His gaze looked over your complexion before he leaned over, thinking of a new way to mark you as his own. A new way to cover you in something pretty. Michael pulled up the rubber mask to reveal soft, chapped lips before he opened his mouth, teeth bared, sinking the blunt ends of them into the flesh between your neck and shoulder.
“Michael!” You whined, hands coming to rest on the cheap, plastic fuzzy hair of the mask. His teeth ground into the muscle, bruising deeply before he took to sucking viciously hard, reddening the skin further, breaking blood vessels under the surface in hopes of leaving an even large bruise.
The moan from your throat didn’t go unnoticed by the killer as he snuffled at the other side of your neck, seeking another place to put another dark bruise. The hot water steamed up the room, quickly making the heat ramp up. Before you knew what you were doing, you kissed the forehead of the Halloween mask. Michael’s teeth ground a little harder before he moved back, hiding his mouth once more with the mask as he looked at you with cold blue eyes. His head tilted.
“That…That felt…” Before you could continue to try and string more sentences together, Michael was divulging you off you clothing, tearing what he couldn’t open before he slid you into the shower, slotting himself against your back, ripping the mask free only when you were facing the wall. His hot, heavy breathing felt like liquid lava over your neck as the low-pressure shower sprayed the grime and accumulated blood from your body. He was quick and thorough in his washing, ensuring soap covered you before rinsing you off and taking hold of your hair in his fingers, curling the nails against your scalp. Another ferocious bite to your neck made you lean further into the wall, and Michael used the opportunity to push between your legs. He was hard. You couldn’t find it in yourself to be disgusted as his fingers swiped below, quickly pushing and rubbing over sensitive spots, teeth clamping at your shoulders and neck.
The Shape was pleased.
Michael grumbled into your shoulder.
For now, you were his, his obsession, his everything.
The voices whispered softly behind his ear as he pushed his fingers deep, feeling the stretch of your walls around them.
“Soon.”
#michael myers x reader#michael myers x female reader#michael myers#the shape#halloween#reader insert#slasher x reader#slashers x reader#michael audrey myers#halloween i#halloween ii#the movie halloween#halloween 1978#halloween the movie#michael myers x fem!reader#female reader#reader#fanfiction#fanfic#my fanfiction#my writing
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could you write about reader and dustin dressing up for halloween and what their costume might be? maybe them going out with the rest of their friends?
One more year
Dustin Henderson x gn! Reader
Warnings: reader IS dressed like Audrey from Little shop of horrors but I didn't put them in any specific clothing so you can imagine the fit however you want.
'Ding Dong'
You jumped up at the sound of the doorbell rushing towards the front door yelling over your shoulder towards your mom that you'd be leaving.
"be home by 11." She called from the kitchen where she had rushed off to refill the candy bowl for for the various amount of trick or treaters that pass through on their own personal candy tracking journey.
"I will." You roll your eyes grabbing your keys and wallet sticking them into the pocket of your jacket.
"I'm serious y/n and tell that boy I mean it."
'that boy' what's what your mother had taken to calling your boyfriend when you were younger she adored him she thought he was the cutest thing she'd ever saw. You couldn't help but grin every time she said it because she said it as if it were an insult but you knew that she not so secretly still adored him and was hoping that the two of you would be high school sweethearts.
"will do. Bye, I love you mama but I'm going to be late!" You blue exaggerated kisses as you close the door behind you coming face to face with Dustin carrying an insanely screen accurate puppet of Audrey II, that the two of you had worked on together. Most of his curls were pushed back out of his face and his normal hat was left behind in the depths of his room.
"Hi." He manages out breathly grinning at you like you'd personally just handed him the moon itself.
"Hi to you too" you kiss him once and grab little Audrey from his hands. "Ready to go?"
"You bet your ass." He smiled and the two of you beginning walking down the street passing kids on their way home from trick or treating and fond smiles makes their way onto your faces because that used to be you running home with bags full of candy hoping to make it before curfew.
"What do you even do at Halloween parties?" The question was slow and hesitant like he was embarrassed.
"honestly...I was hoping you would know." You shyly confess.
"not a clue."
A new comfortable silence fell on the two of you as you walk hand in hand passing house's with the front porch lights still on some shining on bowls of candy on the porch, some on spooky decorations, but All indicators that there was bags of candy inside.
"hey..." It slips past your lips before you even process it. Dustin gives a small questioning 'hm?' and you tug you hand up to point at the closest house. "Wanna stop for some candy real quick?"
He paused and thought for a moment before a wolfish grin fell on his face. "I could go for a Snickers bar."
"No three musketeers this year?" You tease, poking fun at his past Halloween with Dart.
"Funny."
"Dustin?" A deeper voice calls from a couple of feet away.
"Oh hi Lucas. Max." He waves politely shuffling on his feet.
"Are you coming? The party is still going." Max reminds him gesturing in the direction you were meant to be heading.
"Actually...I think we're going to go trick or treating. One more year." He smiles pulling you closer and slinging an arm over your shoulder.
"mind if we join you?"
#stranger things#stranger things x reader#sailor writes stuff#dustin henderson fluff#dustin henderson angst#dustin stranger things#dustin henderson#dustin henderson x reader#lumax
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Photo
Beaton Photographs
Mark Holborn, Annie Leibovitz
Abrams, New York 2015, 354 pages, Hardcover, 30,5 x 32 cm, ISBN 978-1419717833
euro 120,00
email if you want to buy [email protected]
This monumental survey is the first to do justice to Cecil Beaton’s astonishing photographic career spanning six decades, from the 1920s to the 1970s. To create it, Mark Holborn thoroughly explored Beaton’s vast studio archive, revealing an artist of extraordinary energy and ambition who made definitive portraits of the leading figures of his time, including Pablo Picasso, Gertrude Stein, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Lucian Freud, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, and Mick Jagger. Beaton immerses the reader in memorable social and cultural scenes, including the ceremony of the British royal family, the society of the 1920s, the glamour of Hollywood, the drama of World War II, the high artistic bohemia of Paris and London, and the pop royalty of the 1960s. Holborn contributes an introductory essay, and Annie Leibovitz offers an appreciation of Beaton as a portrait photographer.
23/07/22
orders to: [email protected]
ordini a: [email protected]
twitter: @fashionbooksmi
instagram: fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano tumblr: fashionbooksmilano, designbooksmilano
#Cecil Beaton#Beaton#Annie Leibovitz#Mark Holborn#Picasso#Hockney#Gertrude stein#Greta Garbo#Audrey Hepburn#Francis Bacon#Mick Jagger#Lucian Freud#British Royal family#photography books#libri di fotografia#fashionbooksmilano
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If you don’t mind me asking what requests do you have now
I have 16 requests! Here's a list of the requests I've started writing/have yet to write:
~~~~~
Sick!Nadja x Fem!Familiar!Girlfriend!Reader (What We Do In The Shadows)
Yandere!Nadja x ADHD!Reader (What We Do In The Shadows)
ENA x Fem!ADHD!Reader (ENA)
Mettaton x Artist!Reader (Undertale)
Yandere!Bellatrix Lestrange x Affectionate!Reader (Harry Potter)
Mrs. Lovett x Baker!Reader (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street 2007)
Scrap Baby Comforting the Reader (Five Nights At Freddy's: Pizzeria Simulator)
Red Guy x Chaotic!Reader (Don't Hug Me I'm Scared)
Celebrating Christmas w/Jack Skellington (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Erik Destler x Reader x Dracula General Headcanons (The Phantom Of The Opera (2004)+Dracula (1931))
Yandere!Magenta + Yandere!Riff Raff x Reader (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Audrey II x Monsterplant!Reader (Little Shop Of Horrors)
Yandere!Jevil x Reader (Deltarune)
~~~~~
Then I have a couple of emoji combo requests (from this post) :
Frank-N-Furter + ❤️🍫🍷 (The Rocky Horror Picture Show)
Pink Diamond + 💋💢🌹 (Steven Universe)
Emily + 🏠🌧🌙 (Corpse Bride)
#pinkie speakie#requests open#fanfic#i think i'll put out a list of requests i have more often this is probably useful#reader insert#ena#steven universe#what we do in the shadows#harry potter#fnaf#five nights at freddy's#dhmis#sweeney todd
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