#Goody really is the glue holding this family together huh

[ericsonclan]

A Part of the Family

Summary: The Everetts are getting ready for Christmas and Louis gets to tag along for some holiday fun.

Word Count: 2539

Read on A03:

“New stockings! New stockings!” AJ chanted, bouncing happily in the backseat of Clementine’s car. The boy had been crestfallen when Lee had opened up a box of holiday decorations only to find that water had seeped in and wrecked most of them, their stockings included. But once it had been announced that new stockings would be bought, he immediately brightened up, excited by the opportunity to decorate his own stocking and also the possibility of an even bigger stocking than before.

Clementine and Louis shared a knowing smile as they looked back at the boy and then at each other. Louis had been at the house to help the Everetts with decorating for Christmas when the damaged box was discovered. So after the lights had all been strung round the house and the Christmas tree decorated, he’d tagged along with Clementine and A.J. on their quest to get new stockings.

Pulling into the parking lot, Clementine looked towards their neighborhood Target. “Doesn’t look too busy. I think the cold is keeping people away,”

“That and people are probably procrastinating till the last second when it comes to buying gifts,” Louis noted.

Clementine chuckled at the slight tone of judgment within Louis’ voice. He took his gift giving very seriously. All his gifts had been bought back in November, but additional gifts were constantly being added to the pile as he spotted more “perfect” presents that he simply couldn’t pass up. The boy was lucky he came from money, otherwise he’d bankrupt himself each Christmas.

Hopping out of the car, the trio walked hand in hand, A.J. swinging Louis’ and Clementine’s arms back and forth as he scampered along between them. Once they had cleared a patch of ice, Clementine and Louis lifted their arms and swung A.J. back and forth between them, joining his excited laughter with their own. Stepping through the entrance, they all let out a breath of relief as the warmth hit them.

“There’s a shopping cart!” A.J. cried, running forth excitedly and grabbing the first cart he spotted.

“Remember, goofball, we’re just here for the stockings, not anything else,” Clementine cautioned.

“Well, if we see something really awesome then maybe I could pick it up for you…” Louis offered before pausing when he saw Clementine raise an eyebrow. She’d already given him a talk about the half dozen early Christmas presents he’d given A.J. and how he was setting unrealistic expectations for Christmas day. Giving a sheepish grin, Louis clammed up and settled for holding his girlfriend’s hand while she picked up a red shopping basket with the other.

Going down the Christmas aisles at Target, the trio soon reached an aisle that was completely covered with stockings on one side. There were plenty of different pre-made designs that ranged from snowmen to reindeer to snowflakes, but Clementine strode past of all of them and grabbed four blank red stockings.

“Four?” Louis asked curiously.

“Of course. There’s one for you too,”

Louis blushed happily at that, a flustered smile crossing his face.

A.J.’s eyes bugged out at the news. “Does that mean Louis is spending Christmas morning with us so he gets to open his stocking in the morning too?”

Clementine shook her head. “Sorry, kiddo, but I bet Louis wants to spend Christmas with his own family-” she paused when she caught Louis looking at the floor. “Aren’t you?”

“Well, my dad’s gonna be out of the country Christmas day closing a business deal in Japan and my mom’s celebrating Christmas with her husband and Phil so I just mailed them their gifts ahead of time. I usually crash Marlon’s Christmas since his parents don’t mind but he might actually be spending most of the day with Sophie now that they’re dating. And Violet is going on a road trip with Prisha so…”

“Louis, if you want to spend Christmas morning with us, all you have to do is ask,” Clementine said, a smile crossing her lips. “We would love to have you,”

“Really?” Louis’ eyes widened in excitement. I mean if Lee doesn’t mind-”

“He won’t. If anything, he’ll be just as excited as A.J. is,” Clementine glanced down at her little brother who was practically buzzing with excitement.

“Well then, if everybody wants it… I’d love to spend Christmas with you guys,” Louis’ smile grew at his statement.

“Yeah! Louis is coming for Christmas! This is gonna be the best Christmas ever!” A.J. declared, wrapping his arms round Louis’ waist in a tight hug. Louis affectionally patted A.J.’s afro as Clementine looked on happily. It warmed her heart to see how taken A.J. was with Louis.  A few months into their relationship and it already felt like he was part of the family,”

“Well then,” Louis cleared his throat before nodding towards the basket. “Are we ready to check out?”

“We should probably pick up a few other things first. Glitter glue, puff paint, cotton balls, stuff like that,”

“Then away we go to the craft aisle!” Louis pointed his finger dramatically and began to stride off until he paused and looked back. “Do either of you know where the craft aisle is?”

Clementine rolled her eyes good naturedly. “Follow me, you two,”

 ---

About a half hour later they were back home. Lee, who had been busy in the kitchen while they’d been gone, greeted them at the door with a smile, his red apron dusted with flour as well as his hands. “Welcome back, you three. There’s hot cocoa on the table if you want to set up there,”

“Thanks, Lee. Ooh, is that cookies I smell?” Clementine asked, taking off her coat and setting it on the rack by the door.

“Yup. Sugar cookies – your favorite. Dusted them with red and green sprinkles and everything,”

“COOKIES!” A.J. shouted, booking it toward the kitchen.

“Only two to start out with, son, then we’ll see if you can handle more from there!” Lee called. He turned back to the couple with a smile, shaking his head. “That boy’s got me feeling my age. All I want to do is settle down with my hot coca by the tree but here he is tearing through the house like he hasn’t already been doing that all day,”

“He’ll refocus when we get the stocking supplies out. Louis?” Clementine looked back at her boyfriend who held up the bag of supplies.

“Got em right here,”

“Great. We’ll lay everything out on the kitchen table so we can get started while we snack,”

Bringing the supplies into the kitchen, they all worked together to clear off spots for each person to have their own workstation with space for their hot cocoa and plate of cookies as well. After a few minutes dedicated to eating their winter goodies they opened up the supplies and each person began to strategize on how they would decorate their personal stocking.

“I’m doing Disco Broccoli!” A.J. declared loudly, grabbing the red and green puff paint. “But I’m putting him in a Santa suit!”

“That sounds great, kiddo,” Lee replied with a smile. He had taken the brown paint and was beginning to lay it copiously across his stocking. Clementine eyed his choice of color warily.

“What are you making over there. A yule log?”

“Oh, I guess it sort of looks like that now, huh? No, I’m trying to recreate the crossing of the Delaware. Figure it’d be the perfect choice since it happened on Christmas Day. It may be a bit ambitious considering my skills, but I’m sure I’ll get by,”

Clementine shook her head, smiling. Her father’s love of American history really did make its way into every facet of life. Grabbing another tube of red puff paint, she began to write her name neatly atop the border of her stocking. Looking over, she saw that Louis was watching her closely, a tube of green puff paint in his hands. Slowly and delicately, he began to write his own name upon his stocking just as she had done with hers.

“Glad you could join us, Louis,” Lee commented, smiling over at the young man with approval.

“It’s an honor to be here, sir,” Louis replied, a shy smile on his face.

“Just call me Lee, son. You know that by now,”

Louis nodded quickly, his eyes falling back upon his work. It was clear that being around Lee sometimes still overwhelmed him. Clementine figured it was because he felt he had so much to prove. But in her eyes, he’d already proved himself already and she knew that Lee for the most part felt the same way. Clearing her throat, she decided to announce what had been decided on the shopping outing.

“A.J. and I invited Louis to spend Christmas morning with us,”

Louis’ eyes shot over to Clementine’s and then to her father, clearly nervous. But Lee’s reaction made it immediately clear his fear was unfounded.

“That sounds wonderful. There’s always room for another round the Christmas tree. I guess we’ll be keeping your stocking at our house then, right, Louis?”

“Yes, sir. Lee! Yes, Lee,”

Lee smiled encouragingly. “I’m sure our Christmas will be all the merrier with you there,” His approval seemed to set Louis’ mind at ease. The boy’s shoulders relaxed, and he returned to working on his stocking with a calmer focus than he’d had before.

As time progressed their stockings truly started to take form. Clementine was going for a classic look with a Christmas tree upon her stocking. The tree had always been one of her favorite parts of Christmas: picking it out, setting it up, decorating and basking in the glow of the Christmas lights. There had been many years without that after the death of her parents, but Lee had brought back the joy of welcoming in Christmas in full force. The Everetts always went big with their Christmas tree, getting at least an eight footer and decking it out with so many ornaments it was a wonder the branches didn’t collapse under their weight.

“Wow, Clem, that looks awesome!” A.J. commented, his eyes practically sparkling in admiration. His own stocking was smeared with all sorts of paints and spurts of glitter now, but if you squinted you could make out the concept of Disco Broccoli within the chaos.

“Thanks, goofball. Yours is looking really groovy too,” Clementine grinned when A.J. beamed at that description. Thanks to Disco Broccoli, he’d been calling everything he liked “groovy”. Glancing across the table at Lee’s stocking, Clementine tried to stifle a chuckle but only half succeeded.

Lee raised an eyebrow as he heard the sound, smiling over at his daughter. “What? Are you not impressed with my rendition of Crossing the Delaware thus far?” He held up his stocking so they all could see his work, leading to tittering laughter all around.

“It looks like poos with Christmas hats on!” A.J. chortled at the sight.

“Now I don’t think it’s that bad,” Lee protested, glancing back at his work. Sure you can’t really make out who anyone is considering they’re all stick figures and it sorta looks more like they’re floating on a cloud than paddling through the water, but it’s certainly a unique design,”

“Oh, definitely. The Christmas hats were an inspired design choice,” Louis replied, his smile growing when he saw Lee nod in approval at his comment.

“Thank you! I’m glad somebody enjoys my artistic efforts!”

Clementine looked over to see how Louis’ stocking was comparing to all of theirs and her eyes widened in surprise. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but surely not something so… delicate. Louis’ stocking was covered in a myriad of pale blue music notes of all sorts and scattered among them were falling snowflakes done in white glitter puff paint. Each snowflake had a heart at its center, giving an air of romance to the entire design.

Catching Clementine looking at his work, Louis paused in his careful application of another music note, grabbing a cookie and stuffing it in his mouth instead of coming up with something to say.

“I knew I was dating a musician but not an artist to boot,” Clementine commented, pausing in her own work to nab another cookie.

Louis smiled shyly at the praise before a playful smirk emerged. “Yours is looking impressive too, though may I suggest one addition? Instead of the classic star atop the Christmas tree, what if instead you had…” he paused, grabbing an orange pompom and placing it on the stocking, “a clementine?”

Lee chuckled. “That’s a good one, Louis,”

“Yeah, it’s like Clem’s own special tree!” A.J. stated happily.

Clementine rolled her eyes at the unanimous approval but couldn’t keep a smile from showing. “Alright then. If you all insist,”

“Hooray!” Louis leaned forward and placed a quick kiss upon Clementine’s cheek. “I knew you’d recognize my genius someday!”

That one definitely had Clementine rolling her eyes again. She was glad to see Louis truly unwinding and being himself in front of Lee though. The first few times he’d come over he’d been too nervous to even reach for her hand.

---

A little while longer and the stockings were all complete. After accounting for drying time, Lee shook them free of residual glitter then draped them on the bannister. “Quite the stockings we’ve made for ourselves. I think Santa will be proud when he sees them. He turned round to face the others. “Now that that’s done, should we settle in for a movie night? I was thinking it’d be the perfect opportunity to introduce Louis to Muppet Christmas Carol ,”

“That exists?” Louis asked in surprise. “I love the Muppets! I’m game!” He grinned over at Clementine who nodded in agreement.

“I’ve got nothing else planned for the night. A.J.?” She turned to ask her brother but found that he had already run over to the TV and pulled out the treasured DVD.

“It’s Muppet time!” A.J. bounced with excitement as he clutched the movie to his chest.

Grinning in amusement, the others all settled upon the couch to start the film. Clementine rested her head upon Louis’ shoulder as the lights dimmed. It had been a long day. As much as she loved Muppet Christmas Carol , she might just fall asleep on everyone. She stirred though as she felt Louis gently squeeze her hand. She looked over at her boyfriend, smiling softly.

“Thanks for including me today. And inviting me to Christmas,” he whispered.

“Of course. It’s always fun having you over. And…” Clementine paused, biting her lip as her cheeks lightly flushed, “I’m looking forward to Christmas with you,” Even in the darkness of the room she could see Louis’ large grin at her words. Before he could say anything more though, they were both hushed by Lee.

“No more talking you two – the movie’s starting,” Lee watched Muppet Christmas Carol religiously. There would be no chatting or pausing during the film.

Letting out an almost imperceptible sigh, Clementine nuzzled Louis’ shoulder and closed her eyes. It had been a wonderful winter day; she couldn’t wait for Christmas.

[blizzardfluffykpop]

Missing Prom

Summary: Mark’s a punk rock bad boy, and the reader just likes watching fights along with their two friends, Yoongi and Johnny. What happens when they get hit while Mark is fighting? 

Mark X Reader 

One-shot 

It was a week into our freshman year, Johnny had brought a bag of popcorn for us three to eat and talk, when all the sudden the first fight we would see as little freshman broke out. The fight started off as verbal, and we chose to ignore it. Yoongi rolling his eyes as they start getting louder, but when we heard a loud smack we looked up to see Jackson wipe his nose as blood started to stream down it. And Jackson let loose, all three of us in ‘aw’ as we watched the fight like a good movie, eating popcorn. The teachers came in and tried to break it up. The senior that picked a fight with Jackson threw the teacher that was holding him off of him. Jackson and the senior kept going at it as the teacher holding onto Jackson trying to stop the fight looked like a flailing bag of meat. Our burly gym teacher came rushing in, and broke up the fight picking the senior up by the scruff of the neck. And two teachers this time holding Jackson back. The senior’s eyes were basically swollen shut and his nose looked crooked. Jackson had a busted lip, his nose still bleeding, it seemed like he took most of the hits in the torso, that he was clutching. Talk around the school being that he puked his guts up, after that fight. 

Yoongi, Johnny, and I could not shut up about the fight. We had always watched wrestling and boxing on TV together. They would come on after we had watched a stupid movie, finishing up our popcorn. But boxing and wrestling are nothing compared to bare knuckle fighting. When Jackson finally returned to school, his knuckles were wrapped. The senior came in a week later his nose broken, and had to have surgery before he came back to school. 

We soon found out that fights that were serious and not just a thing of the moment, which were most of Yugyeom’s fights. Take place on Fridays at 3:45, when all the teachers have left. If you mess with one got7 boy, you mess with all of them. Why someone would pick a fight with them, I have no clue. But after that day in our freshman year, you can always find us eating popcorn watching them fight.

Let me tell you more about the got7 boys, they are punks with a bad boy flare. Flaunting their looks is something that at least half of them do. Two are studious, but all are funny, but mess with them, man, you won't have a functioning nose anymore. There is Jaebum the leader, not many mess with him, but if you mess with Youngjae, you better believe you have just picked a fight with him. Youngjae can hold up in a fight, but everyone in the group loves him to pieces, so you mess with him, you mess with all of them. He's like the glue of the group, and he's really nice too. If you ever wanted a mother, meet Jinyoung, not only is he the studious and top of the class. He knows how to get out of trouble, the six of them barely ever receive detentions because of that swindler. Yugyeom the youngest of the group, has been in the least amount of fights because he starts things, but is too chicken to fight them out. Although never test him on that theory, some days he is a brave man. Bambam for being the most lanky person I've ever laid eyes on, he knows how to hold his own in a fight. You should never wear earrings when fighting him, he goes for that and hair. Jackson has the most muscle and has been in the most amount of fights, he is not afraid to go at it with anyone. You breath wrong towards the group and he's the watch dog and goes at you. Mark, they say the quiet ones are always the deadliest, and they aren't wrong. You don't often see people pick a fight with Mark, he may seem like he has no muscle because he wears oversized sweaters. But he packs a punch, and will take a person down for the count in under three-seconds. We know, because we've timed it. He will keep wailing until they are knocked out cold. 

Now you may be wondering about me? I'm pretty average I'm not a goody two shoes, nor am I a bad kid looking for trouble. Or a player that makes people fall in love with me just to break their hearts. No, I'm just a person who likes watching boxing, wrestling, with their friends, and bare knuckle fighting is something else. Maybe it's the gruesome part to it, or it's because I want to fight, or it's just better than watching it on TV. Yeah that's probably it, it's one thing to see it on TV but it's another to see it in person. Kind of terrifying when they get too close to you, but man is it worth it. 

Now I'm in my senior year along with Mark, Jaebum, Jackson, Jinyoung, Yoongi, and Johnny. The last two being my close friends who eat popcorn with me while watching fights whether it be on TV or in real life. We look a little intimidating, but we are truly soft hearted creatures who like fights. We're not like the GOT7 boys who are filled with tattoos and have a bunch of piercings. While they show up in leather jackets, we show up in our denim jackets, with little flower patches. 

This the last day before spring break, which happens to be a Friday, and you know what that means. No fight in the lunch room unless Charlie, the little freshman dating Chanel; a true sweetheart, comes and annoys Jinyoung. Yoongi nudges me, “I don't know why I just realized it, but ever notice when any of the GOT7 boys fight they go for the nose” I click my tongue and let out a huh, not realizing that until now. Johnny pops some popcorn, and we start hearing loud talking by the table. Not to the point of yelling, as Johnny rushes over. Joey, Mark's little brother, is talking to Mark and Mark looks livid. 

I grab a handful of popcorn as I watch Mark get up, he storms over to the table behind us. I turn my head back enough to get a look. And Mark starts lifting the kid Dalton up by his collar. The sleazy senior that will go for anything with a heartbeat. I look back at Joey who looks like he is being comforted by Youngjae. That sleaze-ball touched a freshman, to say the least I'm livid and disgusted. I turn back to look and Mark getting ready to swing. “You want to have your spring break right, Mr. Tuan? You can wait till after school to settle your disagreements.” Our principal, if there is one person everyone obeys, its Mr. Chwe, he is built up man, with a beard. Who truly is the nicest man you'll ever meet, but terrifying. Mark slowly puts him down, and in the most threatening voice he says, “You know where to meet me later, be on time, or I'll come find you” 

He storms back to his seat just to wrap his arms around Joey, thankfully I've never had to deal with Dalton, it's probably because of the two guys, I'm sitting next to. I think I'm going to give Joey a soft letter, I tell the guys. I know people who have been through worse than Dalton, and I've given them soft little letters with yellow roses. A hope and friendship letter, I'm kind of known for my letters I write to everyone. I pull out my blue paper and pen, knowing I'll see Joey in my last period, I better get it done soon. I ask Yoongi if he can draw me a little yellow rose, and Johnny pitches in saying he'll color it. 

I give the drawing and letter to Joey and he thanks me, knowing what it is. I tell him that it's no problem, and if he ever needs someone to talk to about it, that I'm here. After class, I go to the cafeteria knowing it's my turn to heat up the popcorn. Chanel sees me and hugs me, “I hear there is going to be a big fight out there. Can I watch with you guys?” I nod as the microwave rings, we walk out talking about nonsensical things. 

I see Jin-ri the girl dating Yoongi, she hates watching fights, but doesn't mind if Yoongi does. She waits for him in the cafeteria on Fridays. She smiles and waves at me, I wave back with a smile on my face. Those two are meant for each other, she's so sweet and kind, exactly what he needs. It makes me happy, Johnny is head over heels for Jaehyun but doesn't have the guts to tell him. While I'm just trying to get through high school in one piece. 

Chanel, sits on our bench with us, that had just enough room for one more person. I hold the popcorn as we all chow down. Not many people here to witness the big fight as usual, then again it is the day before break, most people are home getting ready to go to the Bahamas or something like that. While Yoongi, Johnny, Chanel, and I are here to watch a fight, and Dalton and Mark are the fighters.

Before the fight starts, I ask Chanel where Charlie is and she pouts, he's packing with his family to go to the Bahamas she tells me sadly. I rub her shoulder and tell her that there is always a next time. She comes out of her rut pretty quickly, nodding and smiling at me. Dalton arrives exactly on time and Mark scoffs, saying something in the area of I thought I was going to have to come find you.

Like a ringing of the bell in a drink, it seems Dalton registered it first, as he throws the first punch, Mark's right arm takes the hit. Mark throws an uppercut, Dalton holds his chin and takes another swing, narrowly missing Mark. Mark hasn't taken him down yet, what is he waiting for. That thought isn't as important as my need to pee is, seeing as I didn't do it during lunch. I tell the other three to tell me what happens, cause I have to use the restroom. They tell me to be careful, I guess that went through one ear and out of the other. When I thought I was far enough from the fight to lallygag. I turn to look back at the fight, and that had to be the worst mistake I could have made. I must have been a step too close, because the next thing I know is that I'm on the ground and my nose hurts like absolute hell. 

I scoot back to lean on the school building, oh man if my nose isn't broken it surely is bleeding. I try to get everything in focus, all I know is I didn't get to pee yet, but that isn't the most important thing in my mind at the moment. As I wonder who socked me in the nose. I hear a few footfalls and see Johnny, Chanel, Yoongi, and a face I didn't expect Mark. He starts apologizing, “I'm so sorry you got hit!” “Did you hit me?” “No…” he says as Yoongi picks me up, “Then why are you apologizing?” I said feeling a bit nauseous, “But you could kick him in the ribs for that” he laughs at me, and does exactly what I said. I can barely keep one eye open as the group takes me to the nurse's office. 

The nurse isn't there but his supplies are, Mark stands in front of me, inspecting my nose, “He doesn't have a very good punch, that much is clear, he only gave you small bruise.” He gives me a pack of ice, Motrin, and a cold water. Yoongi leaves saying to get better and that he has a date with Jin-ri. Chanel already left by the time I was getting Motrin, her mom picking her up. Johnny and Mark being the only two sitting there with me, I look at Johnny; “Remember when you hit me with a soccer ball in first grade” I tell Johnny he nods, “Yeah that's kind of how this feels now.” “But you cried your eyes out when we were kids” I roll my eyes, “Yeah, but you aren't a soft kicker” Mark lets out a soft laugh, Johnny's phone rings, “It's my mom” I tell him to tell her hi for me as he takes it outside. 

Mark sighs, “Thank you for writing Joey a letter earlier” I put my hand that isn't holding ice, behind my neck to scratch at it, “Oh, you know about that?” He nods, “I think that's quite nice of you” “I only do what I hope people would do for me if I'm in a similar situation… I'm sorry your brother had to deal with him. I've heard the things he does, and I hope one day he gets arrested at least.” He sighs, “You and me both” he gets up from his seat and places a kiss on the top of my head, “I hope your nose heals up” he pulls out his phone, “If you ever have a problem or just want someone to talk to uh… here's my number” he says as he writes on a blank piece of paper with pen. “Thank you” He gives me smile, “You have someone to take you home right?” I nodded, “I'm just going to have Johnny drive my car and take me home” he smiles at me, “Stay safe, (Y/n)” with that he leaves. I cannot believe I just got hit in the nose by Dalton, and then taken care of by Mark. 

When he shuts the door it dawns on me, he knows my name? It would make sense that he knows I eat popcorn during fights or that I wrote Joey a letter because I'm kind of known for that. But he actually knows my name? I gush to Johnny when he comes back, and he tells me to ask Mark. So under a hopeful gaze I text him asking him how he knows my first name. 

After five minutes and I've put my ice pack down, ten minutes on ten minutes off. I receive a text from him, “Oh Joey told me about you before” That would make sense I treat Joey like my son in art. He's my little freshie and Mark's brother so that would only make sense. Johnny helps me to my car, I get in, he shuts the car door and moves around to the front. I hear the roar of a motorcycle, looking out the passenger window I see Mark. He owns a teal Indian, he waves at us, before pulling out of the school. I put my ice pack back to my nose, “Man my nose hurts so bad” I grumble in pain to Johnny as he starts the car, and pulls out of the parking lot, “Well you got Mark’s number out of it, can’t be that bad” I squint at him, “What’s that supposed to mean?” He winks at me, “It just seems to me that you may have a slight crush on him” I look at him and shake my head, “I mean he did just help me so I’m kind of grateful, but I wouldn’t call it a crush, more of a wonder about who he is.” He shrugs at me, I roll my eyes turning the radio up a bit. 

My mom has a fit, after Johnny leaves going across the street to his house.--Oh, I should probably explain that I drive him to school, since they didn’t get him a car yet--My mom sighs after I finish explaining, pulling me into her arms, “(Y/n) you need to be more careful, okay?” I nod, “But I got a guys number out of it~” Her face blooms into a smile, “Oh thank god, I thought you were going to be alone forever-” “OUCH!” I exclaim, and she laughs at me, “If you end up friends or in a relationship, hopefully the former before the latter... I trust your judgement, you’re an adult now so.” I smile at her, finally going to the bathroom then laying down on my bed with the ice pack on my nose. 

Me: That makes sense, thanks for helping me :)

From Mark: Ahh it's no problem 

Before I can text him more, my mom knocks on my door, and tells me we’re heading to Johnny’s for dinner. I put my phone in my back pocket, taking off my ice pack, I ask Mark how long I should keep doing these ten minute sessions, and he texts me back saying for another hour at least. And then keep it off for another hour, I listen to his advice thanking him as I go over to Johnny’s, my mom already over there. Johnny goes to open the door, “We don’t allow people who get into skirmishes with others in our house-” “JOHNNY!” His mother yells at him, he rolls his eyes, and lets me in. I bump him with my hip, making him stumble. Johnny’s dad looks over as we start shoving each other, he shakes his head. “(Y/n)” My mother lets out a sigh, “Don’t get bruised up any further” I roll my eyes, “It’s not going to be me with the bruises this time though” Johnny glares, as I shove him and jump into my seat, “Haha loser, safe zone” He pouts, “Mom!” he ruffles my hair, as he sits down in his seat. 

Dinner is always amazing when Johnny’s dad cooks, he pulls out all the stops, going above and beyond. Johnny’s dad, asks me how I got the black and blue nose, I sigh, “You know how we watch fights at school?” “Yeah, you guys eat popcorn” I nodded, “Well I had to pee, so I get up and when I thought I was far enough away, I turned around and the next thing I know is my nose is hurting and I’m on the ground…” Johnny looks at me, “You’re not telling the best part-” “Shut up Johnny-” His mom raises an eyebrow and asks, “What is the best part?” “One of the got7 boys patched her up” His mom just looks at him like what’s so important about that. And he says, “(Y/n) has a crush on him~” “I do not-” “Okay but who was gushing to me about Mark?” “Least I don’t gush about Jaehyun every other second-” “But I bet you would about Mark-” My mom puts her head in her palm, before my mom can interject, “Oh and (Y/n) also got his number” “That’s it!” And you know the moment when Violet and Dash start fighting? Yep that was us, tussling on the ground, tickling each other before his dad comes around and we laugh and sit up. “You guys done?” We nod, “Is Mark cute, Johnny?” He nods, “I bet (Y/n) really likes his lip rings” I make a face mimicking his words, before I look Johnny dead in the eyes, “If I did like him, and this is a big if, and ‘If’ he asks me to prom or I ask him, you have to take Jaehyun” holding my hand out for him to shake, he shakes, “Deal” His dad pulls out dessert and invites us to eat it at the couch. “So why couldn’t Yoongi and his parents be here tonight?” “Because Yoongi is making out with Jin-ri” We answer simultaneously, “You know you two could be mistaken for twins by how you both answer things at the same time” His mom says, “You basically raised us together.” They laugh, and we dig into the chocolate cake, watching the movie. 

At the end of the movie I look at my phone to see Mark texted me, “Why do you guys always eat popcorn at our fights?” Well, I was waiting for that question, maybe not this soon but I expected it. Johnny looks over my shoulder, “Ooohhhh~ (Y/n)’s textin’ him” I roll my eyes, and think up my response. “Remember that fight Jackson had early on in our freshman year? Well, Johnny brought popcorn that day, and we were mindlessly eating it while the fight broke out, and since then we sort of done it. We always used to watch wrestling and boxer shows and eat popcorn together. But I have to say bare knuckle fighting is way cooler” Johnny shakes his head after I send the text, “I thought you we’re going to say something better than that. You let me down, kiddo-” I gave him a look, “I’m older than you-” 

“But who flirts better” 

“Ah right, and then the guy you flirt with is too dense to pick up the signals-” 

“Don’t make fun of my Jaehyun!” I scoff as a knock comes on the door, Johnny’s mom gets up and sees who it is, Yoongi comes in with a sly grin, “What did I miss fellas?” 

“(Y/n) doesn’t know how to flirt-” 

“We been knew-”

“Yoongi I thought you were on my side-”

“I pick the winning side-”

“You little rat-” 

“What did (Y/n) say?”

“Well, let’s start off with he asked (Y/n) why we eat popcorn at their fights… And instead of replying something like ‘Because watching you guys is so cool’ or ‘The way you flex has my heart pumping’ or something like that. No, (Y/n) tells the truth including the line ‘But bare knuckle fighting is so much cooler’” Yoongi laughs, “First of all your flirting skills are bad Johnny, no wonder Jaehyun doesn’t get that you’re flirting with him. And second of all, (Y/n) you could have said ‘we have nothing better to do but watch good looking guys beat up pricks’” My mother shakes her head at him, “None of you know how to flirt, I don’t even know how you are with Jin-ri with them flirting skills-” “It’s because I set them up mom” She nods at me, “I know-but I thought you would a least be able to flirt kid.” I grumble, Johnny’s dad scoots over Yoongi squeezing himself on the couch in between Johnny and his dad.

“Honestly, just let (Y/n) do the talking” Johnny’s dad tells the other two while his mom sighs, having enough of our flirting argument. “Why don’t you three go outside, to argue about it” They pull me up as my phone dings with a notification. Before I can even look at it, they start playing monkey in the middle. My mom lets out a sigh, “How are they almost adults?” 

We go outside, and Yoongi reads out the text, as I run after him, “Haha that makes sense. Who do you think fights the best” When Yoongi looks at me pointedly, “I swear if you don’t write that he is.” “Fine let me text him then.” 

“Youngjae, haha I’m just kidding it’s probably you. You knock them out in under seconds usually. Except for today… What was that about?” I send him, “I cannot believe you just talked about another guy while you are flirting with him.” Johnny groans, “But at least you asked him what’s up with him today so… I’ll give you that” We go over and sit on the swings, “How did the date with Jin-ri go?” I ask trying to get them focused on Yoongi’s love life and not mine. 

Needless to say it didn’t work as my phone pinged a second later, “Yeah he fights as good as Yugyeom does, doesn’t he haha. I guess you can say I wanted to draw out his suffering… I’m sorry you got hit by him, I should have just taken him out. Why did you get up anyway? You usually never leave while watching a fight” They read it and roll their eyes, knowing there is nothing they can do to help me with this one. Yoongi starts talking about his date with Jin-ri. And I decide to text him back “It’s because it was Joey wasn’t it? I understand that, I know you probably wailed him after I was down for the count. It’s not because I don’t like watching your fights, I think your fights are probably the most interesting because you have them down for the count in utter seconds. But I just really had to pee so…” I put my phone down listening to Yoongi talk about how cute Jin-ri is, and that he is going to get her a big stuffed animal for their anniversary this year. He really loves her, and it’s so cute to watch, with one look at Johnny we both open our mouths, and act like we’re gagging. “I didn’t come here for this treatment” Yoongi scoffs, Johnny and I agree. “But you didn’t leave yet” Johnny says pointedly, “Also I think she’d really like that from you” I say to him, and we sit on the grass and just chat. 

When I get home I finally see what Mark texted me, “Yeah, he’s my little brother, I love him and I don’t want anything bad to happen to him… Ohh uhh thanks, and yeah I pounded that little shit to the pavement. That makes sense why you tried to leave, unsuccessfully… How’s your nose?” I laugh a bit, “That’s reasonable, I’m glad you did. It doesn’t looks look cute anymore, sadly. It doesn’t hurt though, so I guess that’s a plus” 

I go to bed not seeing what Mark texted me. But that’s the least of my worries, because I’m tired, and I know Yoongi has a big day planned for the three of us tomorrow it’s our annual spring break trip. One that we used to take with our parents until we learned how to drive. I wake up early in the morning, getting my blankets, pillows, and outfits for the week. Throwing my phone into my pocket after getting dressed and ready to go. In time to hear a honk of a horn, I kiss my mom goodbye before rushing out the door with everything and throwing it into the back of the van. “Johnny beat me out here?” I whisper yell, “Yeah, I was tired of you getting shotgun all the time” I roll my eyes and decide to stretch out in the back, going straight back to sleep as Yoongi drives. 

When I wake up we’re at the camping site we’ve been going to for the past eighteen years. It takes us thirty minutes to just figure out the tent, when we do we make it into a fortress made for pillow kings. We shut the van doors, as we pull out some food, this is anything but our last stop. We walk around the campsite for a good two hours discovering not only Jin-ri and her family was here, but so was Jaehyun’s family. We sat around talking to them, to come back near our tent to find that low and behold, the got7 boys are near our tent. We wave, Johnny nudging me, “Sure you don’t want to sleep in someone else tent tonight?” “I can say the same thing to you two” I say with a glare, Yoongi laughing at us. With their tent being so close it kinda felt like we didn’t have to worry about bears coming and getting us, not even bugs would dare mess with those guys-correction I can be wrong as Bambam voice is a shrill as he sees a centipede, although I can completely agree, it’s just so funny to me.

Later that night, where the boys want to cook and get warm, and we play rock, paper, scissors, and usually I’m good at it. But I guess my head wasn’t in the game as I lost, I grumble, not wanting to go to the creepy cabin to get firewood. I get to the creepy cabin, picking up a few good logs, before quickly going getting out of the cabin, to walk straight into a person. I apologize frantically, realizing who I knocked over to be Mark. He laughs, “Don’t worry about it, (Y/n). It’s my fault I should have announced that I was near you… I just came over to talk to you, would you mind waiting for me?” I nod as he gets some firewood out of the cabin, “Why did you want to talk to me?” “Oh well,... I just wanted to give you this” I raise my eyebrows as he holds out a letter, “You can read it when we get back to our camps but,” I shift my hands to hold the firewood, and carefully grab the letter and thank him. “I thought you’d might like to get one yourself… I didn’t know if I was going to see you, so I was just going to carry this around with me,... until I saw you today and that was just by chance.” “You have awfully good luck then” “You’re telling me” He laughs, “Your nose still looks cute don’t worry about that, just looks like it hurts” I blush before looking him the eyes, “Ahh thank you, it does but like I can deal with that pain, it’s easier than the pain of existing” “Isn’t that the truth” I look at his knuckles seeing them still looking a little raw, “Your knuckles are a little bloody do you want some gauze or something?” He looks down at them, “You know it happens so often that I kind of forget about it. But I’ll be good, don’t worry” I nodded, “Well if you wanna come over to talk you know where I am” I say as I go over to my tent, and he goes over to his. 

“Oohh (Y/n) was talking with Mark” Yoongi teases, I roll my eyes as I place the firewood down and Johnny catches it on fire. Placing food over it, and cooking it, “He also gave me a letter” I tell them, “Well, if the man gives you a letter you better read it” Johnny says, “Someone’s just jealous because Jaehyun doesn’t write you letters” He makes a face and mimics what I said, I roll my eyes, and I cautiously opening the letter, it reads, 

“Dear (Y/n), 

It was about time you received a letter from someone. After all you did get sucker punched by a sleaze-ball. Your nose still looks cute, and I don’t even have to see you to know that’s the truth. I hope it heals well, and if it doesn’t, well,... just let me know. Dalton will have another thing coming, he deserves it after all the shit he pulls. You’re so kind for always writing letters to everyone, I’ve seen you pass people letters when you see them go through something, and you have a heart of gold even if you like watching bare knuckle fighting. And you take care of my little Joey, family means a lot to me, and you taking him under your wing in art... He told me you’re in AP art but you always like helping everyone in art. You saw potential in him and helped him develop a love for it. That’s just so, that makes me feel so great that there is someone helping people out along to figure out who they are. I know wherever you decide to go with life, it’ll be great, and you won’t have to worry about anyone telling you different. Because if someone does, well, you won’t be hearing from them again, unless they’re going to be kind. (Y/n), thank you for all that you do and will, you’re too good for this world. If you ever want someone to talk to, I’m here, or if you want to escape or someone to stop messing with you, I’ll be there in a jiffy. Okay, Joey said jiffy was not something that is cool anymore, so just pretend I didn’t write that… But yeah, thanks for everything, (Y/n).

See you soon, Mark Tuan”

My heart is a mess after that letter, I rush and place it in my clothing bag, after putting it back in the envelope. I tell them about it, as we eat, “Jeez I can never believe how well you can cook Johnny, but I guess you got it from your dad” He rolls his eyes, and we finish up eating and we start roasting marshmallows, “See, I told you we forgot marshmallows!!” I hear a loud yell I recognize as Jackson, “I wonder whose fault that is” Jinyoung said sarcastically, we laugh and make our roasted marshmallows into s’mores. When a gaggle of seven guys comes over pleading to have some marshmallows, Yoongi exchanges looks at us before he agrees. I nod, and they all sit around and we talk and it was so nice. I would be a liar if I say I didn’t keep stealing glances at Mark, and man he is going to mess my heart up something fierce. 

They leave after we finish up the bag of marshmallows, and Jinyoung thanks us sincerely for them. We tell him it’s no problem, “I swear to god if Jaehyun comes over here and asks for food too-” “What about Jin-ri!” Here we go, I roll my eyes and head inside letting them bicker. My heart fluttering as I remember I didn’t text Mark back so I search for my phone to see what he wrote, and it was a smaller version of what he wrote in the letter. “Nah your nose is still cute just a little more colorful” I laughed as the boys eventually got back in the tent after their petty argument. Once Yoongi gets comfy in his sleeping bag blanket mix, he’s out like a light. Johnny following soon after, and I hoped to join them until Johnny rolled up next to me, and starts snoring. I ignore it knowing it’ll probably go away or I’ll find it soothing after a while and just sleep. 

It’s 2 am and with Johnny still snoring loudly in my ear, I can’t sleep, at this point I’m just going to get in the van and sleep there. Although that’d ruin the camping experience, “You still up?” I texted Mark, as Yoongi rolls over and says something about ‘how pretty Jin-ri is’ I forget that he talks in his sleep. “Yeah, can’t sleep,... wanna go for a walk with me?” I text back quickly, “Yeah, just let me get out of the tent” I move carefully to not step on Johnny, although he may deserve it for keeping me up this late. I open the tent, and shut it before stretching out. You can hear Johnny from the outside of the tent and I just shake my head. 

I see Mark, and wave he comes over to me and hears Johnny snoring, “I see why you can’t sleep” He whispers to me I quietly laugh nodding my head as we walk towards the small little forest. “Where’s you bike?” He looks over at me, “At home, we took Jinyoung’s Expedition.” “Oh yeah that makes sense” He looks at me with a teasing smirk, “What did you want to ride it?” I shrug my shoulders, “Now that you say it that way, no” I bite my laugh back, “Well you know how to find me” I roll my eyes, “So how did you get into riding motorcycles?” I ask curiously, “Oh my grandpa owns a shop on the outskirts of town, and taught me how to fix them up from an early age. He taught me how to ride them, and I’ve met all six of my close friends through that shop” I smile at him as he finishes up his small story, “That’s sweet, I bet he’s proud” “Not when I’m not inside the shop fixing motorcycles like right now.” I laugh and he asks me, “How did you meet your friends?” I smile at him as we sit down in the grass near a pond, “I live across the street from Johnny, and we went to the park to play, and we played hide and seek with Yoongi and that kind of set our friendships in stone.” He smiles at me, “That’s cute” I smile back at him and we sit there just watching the fish that occasionally poke their heads out of the water. “Can you believe we’re seniors” He shakes his head at me, “Not at all, it’s our last year here. It feels like I’ve only got into fights and did nothing like falling in love like a typical 90s high school movie.” I laugh, “Yeah, believe me I watched all of your fights throughout the years, and I never made time for love either… and it saddens me that there is all these expectations for us, and we never met them. Yoongi did, and it’s possible Johnny will too. Yoongi is with Jin-ri, and that relationship is obvious it’s going to last. If Johnny or Jaehyun ever get the courage up then they’ll be together. Me, I’m just going to end up being the one with five cats and three dogs, that’ll be my love life it seems.” He nods understanding what I mean, “Jinyoung and Jaebum are together, Bambam is hopelessly in love with this girl, everyone in my group is finding their way through love and I’m just stagnant in it. Like if there are plenty of fish in the sea, then I’m in a pond and not getting any tugs on the fishing line” I laugh laying back, “I feel that one, well, we still have time left three months to go, it’s possible we can fall for someone!” I say hopefully, knowing that the hope was useless. But it still made me feel better as I lay back on the grass, Mark slowly joining me. “You’re right and plus I got my dog Coco if I ever feel lonely” I hum as I let my thoughts roam, and he asks, “What do you think of tattoos? Do you have any?” I turn my head to look at him, “I think they’re neat, and yeah… but um… you see Yoongi got into stick and poke tattoos so I have one on my ribs of a moon that’s melting and a cat is drinking it… and it’s funny to me but my mom almost killed Yoongi.” He looks at me, “Oh this I have to see, you don’t have to show me if you don’t want to though!” I grin and shamelessly pull my top up enough to show the funny stick and poke tattoo, “I had told Yoongi to make it something I could laugh at and he gave Johnny a small sun behind his ear and he did his own of a sun and the moon like the Twitches movie necklace. And it's like we're forever connected Johnny's the sun, I'm the moon and Yoongi is the sun and moon” He laughs at what I said as well as looking at my tattoo. “What about you?” “I don’t have stick and pokes but I have regular tattoos Jaebum’s dad is a tattoo artist, and I got my parents birthdays, and a rose filled cross” I tilt my head “I didn’t pick you for the religious type, but that’s cute, can I see?” He nods, and pulls up his pant leg and shows me the cross tattoo and it’s really pretty, “That is actually really wicked looking” He grins and shows me his other tattoo of his parents birthday tattoo by lifting up his shirt, “You’re extra with roman numerals and all, it’s cute, you’re cute-” Internally I’m screaming ‘oh fuck you did not’ but I just quickly speak, “with your tattoos and all” He just grins at me, “You’re cute too” My cheeks are cherry red, but I suck it up. And after that, we walked back to our respective tents and bid each other goodbye, and I really didn’t want it to end but I knew I needed sleep. Johnny finally rolled over so he was no longer snoring, so that helped put me to sleep as I screamed into a pillow about Mark. 

After that night I wouldn't see mark until school started back up. But man did he make my heart flutter like no other, I put my phone down for the rest of the week and just focused on the trip. 

Tuesday was full of us going to different food trucks and trying things we never had. And buying little souvenirs from different shops as well. 

Jin-ri joined us on Wednesday, when we went to the hot springs to relax and then, we went to a pool and had chicken fights, Johnny on my shoulders and Jin-ri on Yoongi's shoulders. Although it was inconclusive who won, (Yoongi's team won but I won't admit it) we had a blast nonetheless sprinting from one side of the pool to the other to see who would win, curse Johnny and his overly long legs. Yoongi giving up in the middle and deadman floating. I ended up flipping him over when I ran past him, oof I was in for it. Marco polo was an adventure and a half, with Johnny saying Polo underwater and getting caught cause he choked on the chlorine and Jin-ri caught him because of his loud hacking noises. I finally came out successful in this game because there were no rules and no one said I had to stay in the pool so as Jin-ri was going to catch me I hopped out of the pool and just basked in the sun instead. Oh man were they mad, but I didn't cheat so I was victorious. 

Thursday was a little slower after we dropped Jin-ri off and we--as in Johnny and I--remorsefully looked at the wrong time to see the two of them make out in front of her door. We didn't let him drive till later that night, because we were disgusted, and we ended up getting on top of the van to watch the sunset, before heading to our next destination, a fairground. That was open 24/7 from March till August, and we petted so many different animals, till of course it had to be me the Billy goat thought was an easy target and headbutted and knocked over. Thank God the handlers were right over and guess who got it on camera… you guessed it both of those little shits. But I got them back playing bumper cars and hitting both of them head on, and leaving Yoongi dizzy after the ride as he threw up in a trashcan, guess who had that as a highlight of their trip on Instagram? You guessed it, it was me. But you know what's the best thing about fairgrounds? Is their food, the apple dumplings were too good to be true and had vanilla ice cream with it. Oh delicacies those were, and we ate so much cotton candy it's a surprise we aren't sick. Laughing at Johnny for tripping over his own two feet until we ended up back at the van, and watched the sunrise from the rooftop of it. 

Saturday was probably the most interesting, seeing as we had went to a diner for breakfast and Johnny was acting funny about it. Turns out this kid, without either of us knowing kept meeting Jaehyun at his work and has been trying to get the courage up to ask him out. And when Jaehyun came over to us, we subtly--not so subtly--nudged Johnny, I nudge him under the table while Yoongi nudged him with his elbow. We order breakfast and he came back with it and he made Johnny heart pancakes and strawberries shaped in a heart on top of it. Nearly making me gag, but when he left I whine and complain, "Why do you get special treatment?" And Johnny goes bright red again, even worse than when he was served them, "Mark could do the same to you but you playin'" I frown and eat my waffles with a glare, even though it was extremely delicious. Jaehyun comes back over with the bill, and before we can say anything he asks Johnny, "Would you like to go to prom with me?" All of our jaws drop, and Johnny is red from his neck all the way to his ears before he shakes it off and confidently says, "I would love too" and Jaehyun grins at him, "So what do you say if we have a date next Saturday?" Johnny goes red again, and grins at him before getting up and wrapping his arms around him and saying yes over and over. I look at Yoongi, "I want a love like that" He laughs, "Date Mark and you'll find out what the two of us feel" I glare, "Cheap" "If I'm so cheap pay for your own food" I scrunch my nose at his remark but pay for my food, Mr.Ijustgotaboyfriend got his food for free. Sickening really, sickening, but those two still have no clue about Mark and I on Monday, so when we get back in van after teasing Johnny I tell them about my adventure with Mark. "Aww cute but until you get with him you can't talk to us, this is a love club only" I cross my arms over my chest haughtily and glare, "Don't need your love, brats" 

An hour later we were talking again, because I don't hold grudges well, especially when my favorite song is on and the windows are all down and I just start singing loudly to it. The other two laughing at my antics before joining in, we got to the drive in movie theater. Hopping out and grabbing popcorn, candy, and drinks for ourselves. Because each of us are piss poor at sharing amongst ourselves. And the movies was absolutely hilarious, I didn't zone out once, and was entranced with the movie just like the two I was sandwiched in between thought. 

I heard motorcycles pull up, and was let down to see only old men get off the bicycles although the other two knew why I was so excited for that, ended up nudging me and I rolled my eyes at them. And we went straight back to watching the movie.

We had slept in the van after it was over, and then went to our last event which was a big concert, six different acts and we had the perfect seating to see them all. Sunday was a blast as we jammed out to the songs, jumping up and down and just having a good time. We even got to catch some of the streamers, I drove home after that being the only one stilled amped up after it. The other two dead asleep in the back, as I drove us each home. I dropped off Johnny before I woke up Yoongi to drive himself home, with some cold water and him chasing me around the van for a good ten minutes. I went into my house my mother already in the doorway giving me a huge hug and peppering my face with kisses and telling me how much she loved me and missed me. I laughed and told her I missed her too and I would tell her all about it in the morning before I went to school. 

Although I end up staying up for another hour or two about what happened and it occurred to me that since Jaehyun asked Johnny to Prom, and since that wasn’t part of the deal, I didn’t have to ask Mark out. That eased some of the stress off of me, but also made me realize I would have nothing to push me to ask him out. Groaning, I fall asleep with a ton of thoughts encapsulating my brain. 

After telling my mother the adventures I had with the two, while eating breakfast. I got to school and Mark just got off his bike and we waved at each other and then I realized I still had yet to look at my phone, I got into my first period and checked what was up. Mark had asked me how the rest of spring break went and I told him little tidbits about our adventures two being Jaehyun and Johnny and the other one about the big concert. I asked him about his and he said he just ended up working in the biker garage the rest of it. Although Bambam had gotten a tattoo on Thursday. I had told him he could have asked to hang out with us and we would have gladly picked you up. And he sent a sad emoji and said, ‘I didn't want to intrude’ I wanted to smack him upside the head, since I'm a person of peace but I enjoy a riot, I won't. We spent the rest of the day just texting each other. Yoongi and Johnny getting nosy every once in a while telling me I'm whipped for him. 

Yet, the day for prom approaches closer and closer with each hour and I still had yet to ask Mark out. Even though we had gotten close to where he had met my mom, and I met his family--his grandpa wanting to teach me how to ride a motorcycle--neither of us made a move. But then again I have no clue what he feels for me, it could be completely platonic but I wish it was more. 

The day of prom hits, and Jin-ri and Yoongi are going along with Jaehyun and Johnny. I thought this whole time I would feel brave and ask him, I guess he didn’t want to go with me either with the way he didn’t ask me to go either. 

In my tears, my mother at her work, no one to console me, I pull out my phone and play a few games. Making myself feel better, I decide to text my mom knowing she’ll probably answer me. “I wish I had asked” And for some reason I didn’t realize I clicked Mark instead of Mom until it was too late and I sent the message. And I start to scream into my pillow, 'are you kidding me?!? really (y/n)!!' I hear my phone buzz and I silently pray it's not him. I open my phone and go into my text notifications. He sent me a Kermit meme, and I as I was about to go dig a hole. He texts me, “Ask me what?” Before I can reply he asks, “To Prom?... Well…” And I don’t even know what to say, so I just leave him on read. I messed this up, and so soon too, I groan throwing my phone into the deep recesses of my bed. 

When I hear the roar of a motorcycle, oh what could this person need at this time of night. Don’t they know people are trying to mourn themselves into sleep? I groan, yet again, getting up to check what was going on outside. Because the engine seemed to be idling, when I look out my window I see Mark leaning against his motorcycle, he sees me peeking out the window, and waves for me to come downstairs. I hold a finger, indicating to him to give me a minute. I rush and dig for my phone, finding it I actually text my mom this time, “Hey I might be out by the time you get back” Not giving her enough time to reply, I look at myself in the mirror, yeah I look good enough, I rush down the stairs, throwing on my converse and denim jacket with flower patches, I rush out the door, quickly locking it, “Why are you here?” I ask when I turned around to look at him and he gives me a smile, he walks over to me, “Well, since we’re not at prom together, maybe we can go on a date instead?” 

I grin at him before coming over to him and he places an extra helmet on my head, and straps it on, “Don’t want my date getting hurt” as he straps on his helmet, if my heart could beat out of its chest like a cartoon character’s it would. He instructs me to hold on tight after I get on. I find no reason to disagree as he quickly tells me to lean with him to turn, knowing better than to test that theory I hold on tightly and lean with him as he takes me out to the campsite. And sits where we were when we saw each other here during spring break. 

I get off after he parks the bike, and he follows and pulls out a picnic blanket and snacks, “I know it’s not much but… I uh… didn’t have a lot of time” I smile at him helping him lay out the blanket, “I think it’s endearing, don’t worry about it” He smiles at me and we sit down on the picnic blanket, “I think this is better than prom” I tell him as we open up some snacks. We eat in peace before it’s broken by Mark tapping my shoulder, and I turn to look at him and his face is super close to mine, “Would you mind if I kissed you?” I shyly nod my head before saying, ‘yes’ realizing he won’t take a nod for an answer, and with that he cups my face in his hands and kisses me, and I reciprocate the motion carefully laying my hands over his. I have to agree with myself, this is so much better than prom. His lip rings feeling cold against my lips, but it was a sensation that I couldn’t get enough of. We pull back from each other and he lays his forehead on mine, and we stare each other in the eyes. I shakily breathe out, “Wow” He smiles showing his teeth, “Yeah…” Before I pull him against me and kiss his nose, his forehead, both of his cheeks, and tell him, “You don’t know how long I wanted to do that” “No, but it’d be nice to know how long you did” I blush, before telling him that I always thought he was cute, but once you kissed my forehead after I had gotten that big bruise on my nose; “That was it for my heart, and that little thing including the rest of me fell in love with you, Mark.”  He grins and kisses my nose, “I thought you were cute and had considered talking to you because I always saw you at our fights, and you piqued my interest, and the minute Dalton hit you, I went ham taking him down, because I was just drawing it out for show… And then I couldn’t stand to see you hurt, and when you told me to kick him in the ribs, I just knew I had to know everything about you… and I really had it bad for you when you told me I was cute.” I grin at him before locking lips with him again, my arms wrapping around him and he wraps his arms around my neck and pulls me in deeper into the kiss. You know what they say about fireworks? Yeah I felt something more magical than that, it felt like the heavens were opening up and everything felt so right. 

Once we stop kissing, he puts slow music on and I look at him before he can say anything, “Care for a dance?” “That was my line!” I laugh pulling him up after I get up, and we sway, twirling each other around, and laughing as spin around, not even listening to the music at this point. Just laughing as we tell each other stupid stories about ourselves and friends. 

When we finally get tuckered out, he goes and pulls out a small cake, “You’re full of surprises tonight” I say smiling wide at him, and he gives me a fork, we watch the sunset, the moon shining ever so brightly as we eat cake, talking more about meaningless things before he asks me, “Be mine?” “I thought we already discussed that?” “I wanna hear you say it though” He pouts, oh god he must get everything he wants with that pout, and I’m falling for it to, “I would love to be yours Mark” He grins and kisses my cheek, “I’m glad because I’m Yours” Once we finish up eating cake, we lay back before our hands find each other and intertwine, “It’s always the quiet ones” I tell him softly and he looks over at me, “What do you mean by that” I grin at him, “They’re the best kissers” He laughs before he kisses me again, before pulling away to tell me, “You know those who like fighters, end up with them” I roll my eyes, “Really? Where’s this fighter? I gotta met him-” He looks at me blankly, before I laugh pulling him in for another kiss.

[fearofaherobrine]

Roleplay Server Log #354

"Slender Tea Party”

[Yaunfen] Mom? Do you think Splenders mom is calmed down now?

[Deer] - Splender's mom?  Maybe not completely, but perhaps some...

[Yaunfen] We should invite her over for tea. That would be polite, right?

[Waffles] Rolling on the floor- purrrr

[Deer] - Yes it would, but she might be more comfortable with her children with her

[Yaunfen] Okay?

[Deer] - Do you want to do it the fancy way and send a paper invitation?  I bet Splender would love that

[Yaunfen] Yeah! I can do that! - They immediately pull out the phoneix quill, a jar of glitter, and some glue. A few flakes dift down and stick to the kitchen table-

[Waffles] Flip and begins sniffing around the edge of the table-

[Yaunfen] No! This isn't for you to play with. Mom can you play with Waffles for a minute?

[Deer] - Sure, come here Waffles!  I'll give you a belly rub

[Waffles] glancing between her and the enticing feather as Yaunfen writes-

[Deer] Clicks at Waffles and rubs her fingers together-

[Waffles] mrr?

[Yaunfen] I'm almost done - glitter sprinkles in play-

[Deer] - You know, I think I know the perfect person to deliver the invitation

[Yaunfen] Who?

[Waffles] Decides to busk Deerheart and nearly knocks her over-

[Deer] - Oof- She rubs Waffles ears- How about TLOT?

[Yaunfen] Okay! -there's a sudden hush and then the little dragon yells pretty loud- HEY TLOT!

[Waffles] Ears flat -MOW.

[Deer] Laughs a little-

[TLOT] Wanders up from downstairs, still absentmindedly carrying a bucket of milk in one hand- Hmmm?

[Deer] - We were wondering if you would like to deliver a very important message for us?

[TLOT] I guess. I could use a break anyway. Lie is going through cheese like it's going out of style. I'll have to fumigate the lab or I'll never get laid again.

[Deer] - She is?  Geez...  Anyways, Yaunfen had a wonderful idea of inviting the slenders and their mother over for tea and we were wondering if you would do the honor of delivering the invitation for us

[TLOT] Yeah okay, Let me have it. -He reaches out for the paper and Yaunfen thrusts it proudly into his hand, sprinking more glitter on the floor-

[TLOT] I see I'm not the only one with a taste for gold....

[Deer] - We do need to eventually find a way to clean that stuff up...

[Yaunfen] But it's pretty.

[TLOT] Can't argue that.

[Deer] - Yes it is, but it's getting everywhere

[Yaunfen] Sorry mama....

[TLOT] Shakes his head- Nobodies mad. You get your stuff together and I'll deliver this-

[Deer] Smiles and heads into the kitchen to start making some tea- Hopefully the rain won't make them call a rain check

[TLOT] Tromps down through the garden, the little droplets pattering on his helm.

[Navy] Gives him a smart little salute from a protected spot under a tree as he passes-

[Exeggutor] Is sitting on the shore watching Basil chase sea dragons out in the distance. The palm tree pokemon seems perfectly content to get watered by the little summer storm.

[TLOT] Stands under a tree himself by the bridge switch and calls out mentally to see whos home-

-There's Splender's happy energy, Offender's restlessness, and Mirabella's nervousness all swirling around the colorful house-

[Splender] Pokes his head out and waves at TLOT- Hello!

[TLOT] shakes off his cloak a little- mind if I come over?

[Splender] - Not at all!

[TLOT] Hits the switch and makes a quick dash through the rain and inside. - Nobody else seems to mind, but I feel like a wet cat today. I've been working in the basement and it's a bit damp down there too.

[Splender] - Do you need a towel?

[Mirabella] Is wary-

[TLOT] Nah, I'll just turn my glitch up a bit, it doesn't help if I'm still out in it. - He focuses for a moment and begins to lightly steam-

[Offender] - So why are you over here?

[TLOT] Came to deliver this actually. - He holds up the folded page and a little bit of gold sparkle wafts out-

[Splender] - Oooh!- He takes it and opens it before gasping happily- A tea party!?  Absolutely!

[TLOT] I thought that would appeal to you. - He gives the smallest cough- Aren't you going to introduce me to your mom? She looks nervous.

[Splender] - Oh!  I'm sorry!  TLOT, this is my mother Mirabella.  Mother?  This is TLOT, he's one of the entities who runs things around here and runs the village that I feed from!

[TLOT] Takes his helm off like a gentlemen and his hair is flufy and a bit mussed underneath. - I am Herobrine the Lord of Tears. It's lovely to meet you.

[Mirabella] - Ah, hello.  I hope I am not intruding here?

[TLOT] Not at all! We've had some rocky encounters with Slenderman before, but we're trying to build a real alliance with him and his family. This is a place of refuge and it sounds like that is something that you could benifit from.

[Mirabella] - I see, he was always a calculating one, and that scared me.  Because it reminded me so much of his father

[TLOT] He's pretty serious. But Doc is equally serious about protecting the people they care about. And in hiding Splender, they have a lot of common ground. We all love having him here.

[Mirabella] - I am just happy he is alive

[TLOT] Me too. - He gives Splender a grateful look- He helped save me from a terrible monster.

[Splender]  Gives a happy smile-

[Offender] - Yeah, he can fight when motivated

[Mirabella] - He fights?  But, he's my happy child...

[TLOT] He fought to defend, and the cause was just. I only have a few small villages here, but I am the god-king of a whole other world. As far as I'm concerned, he saved them too.

[Mirabella] - I see...

[Offender] - Hey, it's okay...  He's still Splender

[TLOT] They added him to their pantheon in thanks as well. He's just as adored there as here.

[Offender] - Meaning he has an over abundance of food here...  Unlike me...

[TLOT] To be fair... your tastes are harder to satiate...

[Offender] Sticks his tongue out at TLOT-

[TLOT] Opens his hands helplessly- I'm not unsympathetic, but I can't just bring you a sacrificial virgin either. Although... not to be indelicate... but is it true your victims don't have to be humanoid for you to feed?

[Offender] - No, they don't, why?

[TLOT] Because I know something utterly unique you can fuck without bothering anyone. Can you hold your breath long?

[Offender] - I don't have to breathe at all

[TLOT] Even better. - He thumbs out at the bay. - Fuck one of the sea dragons. They're decently large and it will be completly unlike anything you've had before. They're barely sentient and Basil eats them all the time.

[Offender] Seriously considers it-

[TLOT] Feels his thoughts and smiles softly- I hope that works. We like to make guests feel welcome. Most of us know what it's like to be a stranger in a hostile land.

[Offender] - Eh if it doesn't work out there's always that pig

[TLOT] Ah, Hock. I was very aware of your session with him. You seem quite talented, and he enjoyed it immensly. But afterwards Cp screamed at him and made him cry. Perhaps next time you should play away from Lie's builds. I would reccomend an upper room in the castle or the signalling tower next time. Just for the sake of diplomacy.

[Offender] - Fucking anywhere is fine

[Mirabella] - Offender language

[Offender] - What?

[TLOT] As I said, for diplomacy. Presumably you have the decorum to not upset Cp's wife intentionally. Hock knows not to do that there again and you'll likely be the one he's mad at if it happens.

[Offender] - I don't care, he can't do anything to me

[TLOT] It wasn't a threat. I'm merely asking nicely.

[Splender] - Well we should get ready for the tea party!

[TLOT] Well you don't need to bring anything and- he closes his eyes  - Yaunfen is just about set up.

[Splender] - Oh goody!  Let's go mother!

[Mirabella] - Ah, I am not certain...

[TLOT] Oh please? It was the little ones idea.

[Mirabella] - I...  I suppose I could try..

[Offender] - I'll sit this one out

[TLOT] Are you sure? - he speaks to Offender mentally- If only because having her sons around seems to make her calmer. You are not unwelcome.

[Offender] - Nah, don't wanna overcrowd stuff

[TLOT] Okay. I'll just Tp you directly so you don't get soaked. Just don't emp or anything, it's totally safe.

[Mirabella] - Alright...

[TLOT] Tp's himself, Mirabella and Splender into the vine room, clipping out of Deerheart for a moment and sliding away.

[Yaunfen] Yay! You came!

-The vine room has a table in the middle of it and several of the wool block plus door type chairs Gem came up with to better fit the Slenders.

[TLOT] I think I have something to contribute if you'll excuse me for a moment.

[Splender] - Hello!

[Deer] - Welcome, you must be Mirabella

[Mirabella] - Ah yes, and you are?

[Yaunfen] This is my mom Deerheart! She's the whole server. And I'm Yaunfen.

[Mirabella] - The whole server?

[Deer] - Everything around you is a part of me

[Yaunfen] She's like a goddess.

[Mirabella] - A goddess?

[TLOT] Comes back up with several hot cheerie pies-

[Yaunfen] Uh huh! - They start running a brewing stand and the smell of tea wafts around the room. - She can talk to mobs and they do what she asks. Even make it rain or stop and check on anyone anywhere and see if they're okay without moving an inch.

[Mirabella] - Such strength...

[Deer] - It's really not that much, you should see what Flux can do, then again she's had a lot more experience than me

[TLOT] She's also one of the kindest people I know.

[Deer] Is just blushing now

[Splender] - Come on mother, sit down

[Yaunfen] pulls out some sugar and a bucket of milk - I like mine sweet with both. How about you guys?

[TLOT] Same please.

[Splender] - Sugar all the way!

[Mirabella] - I...  Do not know, I am not used to forming my mouth or human customs...

[Deer] - Just a little of each Yaunfen

[Yaunfen] Okay. They make the other cups and pass them -Just try it like it is and see if it needs anything. I love sugar!

[TLOT] Well it is your main food source. You eat stuff that makes my teeth hurt sometimes.

[Yaunfen] Giggles-

[Mirabella] Looks down into her steaming cup-

[Splender] Happily takes his tea and thanks Yaunfen- It is good mother, just try it

[Yaunfen] Pulls out a sponge cake block-

[TLOT] How many of those are you carrying kiddo?

[Yaunfen] Ummm.... I had five this morning, looks like seven now!

-There's a tearing sound as Mirabella opens her mouth, revealing a mouth full of needle like teeth as a bit of black blood dribbles from the corner of her mouth-

[Splender] Is just happily humming-

[Yaunfen] Is a little startled but offers her a wool square [as a napkin] -

[Mirabella] - Oh, thank you...- She dabs at the blood- It's been a long time since I last opened my mouth

[Yaunfen] Whoah.... so you don't need to breathe?

[TLOT] So... how are you finding our little corner of the world?

[Mirabella] - No, breathing isn't a necessity for us.  And it is, odd, at least compared to what I have lived with my entire life

[TLOT] Yeah, even some of the brines aren't used to the low resolution. The server is set to defaults, Doc says it makes things run smoother if the loading distance isn't too high either.

[Yaunfen] So if you go really fast and suddenly see down into the ground, it's okay! - They're cutting cake and pie and making little plates to pass around.

[Mirabella] - Seeing into the ground?

[Yaunfen] Yeah! The world will just go invisible for a moment. But it's okay, it's still there.

[TLOT] It's a digital enviroment. If there's no one around, the world kind of... well it doesn't cease to exist really. Just kinda... rests. And it springs back up again when someone gets close.

[Deer] - It feels a little weird when somebody loads new chunks

[TLOT] If you want we can show you the map later. It's pretty extensive. We've done a decent amount of exploring but it's still a drop in the bucket compared to how big this world is. You could walk for years and never reach one edge.

[Mirabella] - I see- She tries a small sip of the tea

[TLOT] Have you shown your mom around at all Splender?

[Splender] - Not yet, Offender has said to wait so she doesn't get overwhelmed

[Yaunfen] Overwhelmed?

[TLOT] Is it just too different of an enviroment?

[Mirabella] - Partially, and it's such a different atmosphere than I'm used to...

[TLOT] Ah.... I take it your home... dimension? [he's unsure of the term] Is not so... relaxed?

[Mirabella] - Not at all.  The rules are so very strict, especially for a household with our status

[Yaunfen] We have rules here too. -big grin because they've memorized them -  No griefing and no stealing!

[TLOT] That is correct.

[Mirabella] - Why would anybody do that?

[TLOT] Well... we are a server full of Herobrines. Our kind has a reputation for malcious mischief.

[Yaunfen] Mada says Cp was really 'murdery' when he came in.

[TLOT] He was... Herobrines are... not generally liked. We're usually shunned and many of us delight in killing players. But the players aren't really here? Their avatars are killed and they are inconvenienced and possibly fightened, but they continue to exist out in the real world. Cp is the only Herobrine we know of who could leave the digital sphere and travel to the real world. He's used this talent to make many of us able to preform the same trick.

[Splender] - He was taught that by BEN!  One of the entities that brother looks after!

[Mirabella] - Oh, I see

[Yaunfen] BEN is stinky. But he's pretty cool otherwise.

[TLOT] Laughs-

[Mirabella] - Stinky?

[TLOT] He's afraid of water. And human enough to get dirty because of it. Getting him to bathe is a nightmare.

[Mirabella] - Oh, I see

[Splender] - Try some of the cake mother!

[Yaunfen] It's from my home seed!

[TLOT] A big chunk of it actually. Yaunfen's home seed is mostly edible. The ground itself is a type of cake.

[Mirabella] Breaks off a tiny piece and tries it- It is certainly...  Flavorful...

[Yaunfen] Big grin- Yep! Oh, Splender! I have a neat thing to show you! - They rustle around and take out two of the mushrollems- I revived fossils! - The smell of cinnamon and sugary orange is thick around the small fungi.

[TLOT] Yaunfen is really taking after Doc. We have a machine that takes things apart and will give spores and seeds from fossils.

[Splender] - Those are so wonderful!  I love them Yaunfen!

[Yaunfen] I've got more! They're really tasty. - Sets a few on a plate-

[Waffles] wanders upstairs with a sleepy yawn.

[Mirabella] Grows tense at the sight of the large cat, having flashbacks to some of the creatures in her home dimension-

[Yaunfen] Gets up and hugs Waffles around the neck - This is my kitty Waffles! They're candy colored like me! - Pats the swirly white curls of fur on their back with little rainbow sprinkle spots.

[Waffles] Loud purr.

[TLOT] Another revival. Doc found a fossil tooth and we got DNA from it.

[Mirabella] - It...  It's like a Doodverskaffer

[Yaunfen] That's a funny word. - Xe's rubbing the big cats cheeks and making their whiskers go up and down-

[TLOT] They're pretty harmless. Their diet is exclusively chocolate, and various sweets. It's just that their home is full of gummy fish, chocolate chickens, and cows that give sweet vanilla milk.

[Mirabella] - Doodverskaffer's are horrible creatures...  They...  They stalk the realm, devouring what ever they can and are commonly used as guard animals.  They stalk the yards non stop and if you are not their master...

[Yaunfen] That's so mean! Waffles doesn't stalk anything. Well, except my feather pen.

[TLOT] That is rather grim. It's no wonder Slender is so serious. As the oldest he likely remembers this all the most vividly.

[Deer] - Yaunfen, why don't you take Waffles down stairs and feed them

[Yaunfen] Okay mama. - at the cat- Do you want some fishies?

[Waffles] happy purrs, super loud-

[Yaunfen] I'll be right back! - Takes the cat downstairs-

[Mirabella] - Thank you

[Deer] - We don't want you to be uncomfortable Mirabella

[TLOT] Same. There's no one here who would harm you. And while the wild mobs can be a threat, you're far too tall and intimidating for any to even try.

[Mirabella] - I'm sorry, there's still so much for me to get used to

[TLOT] Sits back comfortably -Ah, it's okay. This is a pretty calm enviroment. The name of the game is survival, but once you get a decent house and a garden set up it becomes pretty easy.

[Splender] - The only problem may be finding food for you mother, there aren't many people who are lonely here...

[TLOT] Lonely? Well there are a few. There's the male server... he's perpetually lonely. And Steffan, forever unlucky in love. Alexsezia has her occasional bad days too.

[Splender] - I'll keep them in mind

[Mirabella] - No need to rush, I'm not terribly hungry at the moment

[TLOT] I could muster a little.... - he focuses on his want for Steve- My mate noped for the day because I was making something that... offends his senses.

[Yaunfen] Comes back up- TLOT made the stinky cheese!

[Mirabella] Can taste the loneliness and takes small amounts.  It feels different then when Splender feeds-

[TLOT] Lets his feelings overwhelm him a little - I'm psychic, it's okay.

[Mirabella] Only takes a little more before stopping-

[Steve] Over chat- TLOT..? Are you okay?

[TLOT] Answers him mentally to reassure him-

[Yaunfen] Aww.

[Splender] - The kids in the village are not terribly happy today, they can't play much out in the rain

[Yaunfen] But I'm happy! You can have it. - They hug Splenders arm- It's been a pretty good day!

[Splender] Laughs and picks Yaunfen up to hug them better- Yes you have!  I can feel it!

[Yaunfen] Flicks their little tail around. - Yes!

[TLOT] Oh! Mirabella. Let me show you something. Usually Doc does this, but I think I know how to do it now. - He tweaks a little coding and turns her display on-

[Mirabella] Is surprised- What is this?

[TLOT] It keeps track of your heath and what you're carrying. Part of the game is gathering raw materials and crafting them into tools, food and other useful things.

[Mirabella] - I see...

[TLOT] I know you've met Doc already. They built this house. Every chunk of stone was mined with a pickaxe and placed deliberately. The glass was sand from the nearby desert, the wool in the floor sheared from sheep and on and on.

[Mirabella] - Such work, and so much for one person to do

[Yaunfen] It's fun! It's like a big treasure hunt.

[TLOT] It's like life really. Little things add up. And the ones who live here, we like to create.

[Mirabella] - That's good

[Splender] Puts Yaunfen down- Well I'm stuffed now!

[Yaunfen] Yay!

[TLOT] Maybe we could think of something relaxing for you to do? Splender lives by the water. You should try going fishing. It's pretty simple, and if you don't want the fish it gives you an excuse to be introduced to our friend Alexsezia.

[Yaunfen] And play with the kittens, they're super tiny!

[Mirabella] - Fishing?  I...  I don't know what that is

[TLOT] All the more reason to try it. - He goes to one of the crafting tables and makes a quick rod from one of the random junk trunks around the walls. - You shouldn't try to cast it in here. But take it for later. - Offers it to her.

[Mirabella] Takes it and turns it over in her hands-

[Deer] - I'm sure your son would be more than happy to show you how to use it

[Yaunfen] You can do mom and kid stuff! That'll be cool.

[Mirabella] - Mom and kid stuff?

[TLOT] Yaunfen means like bonding.

[Yaunfen] Mom and I do lots of stuff together, me and mada too. It's fun.

[Deer] - It's fun, I promise

[Yaunfen] Oh! I could show you my seed too, it's really neat!

[TLOT] Provided you like sugar of course. Heh.

[Mirabella] - I think I've had enough excitement for today

[Yaunfen] It's okay, days are short and theres always lots of them. - nod nod-

[TLOT] I'm not sure what kind of timescale you're used too, but Yaunfen is right. Days and nights are shorter then on Earth, but time itself affects us a lot less,

[Mirabella] - There is barely a difference between night and day in our dimension

[TLOT] Is it perhaps like our End? The ground is lit, but the sky is perpetually darkened.

[Mirabella] Is unsure how to describe it and so gives a weak mental burst showing what looks like a dark overcast day in a dull gray world-

[TLOT] That would make for a grim state of mind... It's good to get out in the sun now and then.

[Mirabella] - There is no sun there

[TLOT] Maybe that's why you don't have eyes most of the time? Because you're not attuned to having much light to begin with?

[Mirabella] - I do not know

[Yaunfen] Ooo, does that mean you can do the echo locator noise? Like Ashe and our pet bats? They see with noises.

[Splender] - Well, we still have eyes, they're just usually hidden.  Our sight, well, I'm not really sure how to explain it

[TLOT] You know I can read you easily if you want to show me.

[Yaunfen] Do you have weird heat vision or something? Ooh! Tell me if I look weird!

[Splender] Opens his mind to TLOT to see-

[TLOT] Ah, so just very focused. And open in a way that's preternatural. I understand. Yaunfen, it's... just a hunters vision, very forward and precise for whats right in front.

[Yaunfen] Oh, that makes sense. Anybody want a cattail? - pulls out some of the peppermint cattails and snaps one off to suck on idly-

[Mirabella] Puts down her cup- Our eyes all vary in color, and they are usually only visible when we are angry

[TLOT] Herobrines often keep their eyes hidden most of the time as well. Either for sneaking purposes since the light can give us away, or more personal reasons.

[Yaunfen] Cp has green eyes. TLOT has gold!

[Splender] - I prefer your bright eyes!

[TLOT] Me too. I feel like I can't see as well if I move my glow. But it is what it is underneath.

[Splender] - My eyes are red!

[TLOT] smiles- I haven't seen them myself, but Doc did give me a very vivid view of your heroic battle against my NOTCH.

[Splender] Laughs a bit nervously over that-

[Yaunfen] You helped get rid of the huge meanie. That was so cool. And Lie's plant bit him and dragged him like that and that! - Is swinging around a mushrollem for emphasis.

[TLOT] At Mirabella- We have other entities that are supposed to check our individual powers. Sometimes they are... unkind. Thankfully his replacement seems to be merely frustrated with me and not actually harmful.

[Mirabella] - I know all to well how it is to be in the shadow of something terrifying

[Yaunfen] That's when you get big! Then the meanies back off. Or you get your friends to help you.

[TLOT] Just don't be big in here please.

[Yaunfen] I know. I can't go through the walls like mada...

[Mirabella] - Sometimes it's not so easy

[TLOT] We shall see. I'm aware of what we're facing. But the wicker man doesn't realize that this is veritible touchie hive that shouldn't be kicked.

[Yaunfen] Those guys can pinch!

[Mirabella] Just kinda shrinks into herself in uncertainty-

[TLOT] Yaunfen makes a good point. Touchies are very small. They buzz around and touch things to make them grow, they also make a very sweet syrup that can be fermented. They're peaceful creatures. But there are also a lot of them. Each individual can deliver a stinging pinch. Just one can hurt, and several can make an animal go running mad from the pain, but all at once... they can kill. Little things can be important.

[Splender] - Don't worry, we'll deal with father when it comes time for it

[TLOT] And we'll do it together.

[Yaunfen] We'll kick his butt!

[Mirabella] - We shall see

-There's a whoosh far above and the flames above the glass ceiling flicker as the air passes over them-

[Splender] Looks up- Hm?

[Yaunfen] Was looking up- Mada!

[TLOT] Heh. Looks like Doc is home.

-there's some thumping far above as they phase into the ceiling and transform as they accordian into the hallway by the horse pen one floor up-

[Deer] - We're in here love!

[Doc] Comes down the steps- Oh! Did I inturrupt something?

[Yaunfen] Runs over to hug them - we're having a tea party!

[Doc] Awww. That's sweet. - looks- And Splender gets some actual tea. I found out that Sally just likes the pretend type.

[Splender] - Or juice!  Sometimes I'll treat her with that!

[Doc] Chuckles- I tried to play with her and made her some real tea. She said it was yucky. I guess it's just a matter of preference.

[Yaunfen] Wanna mushrollem? - Xe still holding it-

[Doc] Sure. - Xe takes it and munches on it before approaching- This was certainly a good idea for a dreary day. I think it's going to really storm tonight.

[Splender] - Oh, I hope Pinwheel doesn't try to go out then...

[TLOT] Was she there? I didn't see her so I thought she might be out playing with Crim again.

[Splender] - No, since Offender is here she's been staying with Lie's friend!

[Doc] I heard she was getting along with Karla. It's nice to see her making another friend.

[TLOT] At Mirabella - Have you met Pinwheel yet? She's adopted but kind of Splender's daughter.

[Splender] Happily nods-

[Mirabella] - No, I have not, although I have heard about them

[Yaunfen] She's a dragon like me, only way fluffier.

[Doc] Just be careful, she's bitey.

[Splender] - But her venom doesn't effect our type

[Doc] Well, if you want to befriend her, it's best to not do things that make her bite you anyway. She gets overstimulated and lashes out. It's better to talk quietly to her and telegraph your movements so she isn't startled.

[Mirabella] - I see

[Doc] Also if you scratch her neck fluff she'll flop over and purr.

[TLOT] She's still young.

[Splender] - I love when she purrs!

[Doc] She's a fine dragon. And you're shaping up to be a good dad.

[Splender] Radiates happy energy-

[Mirabella] Releases a calm energy-

[TLOT] It's one of Doc's little projects that's really spread a lot of joy around the seed. One of our meanest Herobrines has calmed down immensely under the responsibility of caring for a small dragon. He still doesn't smile often, but if someone touched one scale on Celine with intent to harm he'd rip them to bits.

[Doc] Leans toward Yaunfen and ruffles their hair lovingly.

[Yaunfen] hehe.

[Deer] - Everyone one here is rescued in one way or another, even the children in the village

[TLOT] Even me. - glances at Doc.

[Doc] Little blush. - I just wanted some place to call home, and sharing it with others who have the same wish, well... that makes me even happier.

[Splender] - And it shows!

[Doc] Pulls up a chair for Yaunfen and sits down as well. - The more time I spend out there, the more I just want to be here. I like simple things.

[TLOT] Like cheesemaking?

[Doc] What? Yes, I suppose so.

[TLOT] Then you should take a turn. Steve is not happy with the stink I've been brewing up.

[Doc] I heard Lie was eating it a lot....

[Yaunfen] It's for the baby right?

[Mirabella] - Baby?

[TLOT] Babies don't normally like cheese, at least, I don't think they do?

[Doc] One of our friends is having a child of her own. The first we know of concieved between two Herobrine type entities. It's a really special thing.

[Mirabella] - I see- She rests a hand on her own stomach- I remember only a few of the cravings I had

[TLOT] Well Lie has been all about a type of special cheese that only smells good to our type of entity.

[Yaunfen] It's sparkly but it smells terrible!

[TLOT] My point exactly.

[Mirabella] - There was a plant in our dimension which could curb the urgings of the craving...

[Doc] Ah, it's a harmless thing. We can provide easily.

[TLOT] Lifts a finger-

[Doc] Yes, I will take a turn.

[TLOT] Thank you.

[Splender] Looks up at the sky- It's getting dark, we should probably be getting back home...

[TLOT] I can Tp you both to Offender if you don't want to walk...?

[Splender] - That would be nice, thank you

[Yaunfen] It was nice to meet you slendermom! -more politely- Thank you Splender for bringing Mirabella over. I had fun!

[TLOT] Me as well. - He's typing out the teleport-

[Splender] - You're very welcome!  It was a wonderful tea party Yaunfen!- The teleport then takes them and they are gone

[Deer] - Well that was a nice visit