#I have not had a proper night's sleep since Wednesday

[orcelito]

genuinely tho me jumping right into reading volume 9 of trimax and then volume 10 (and then most of the rest of the manga) on the night before i had a presentation at 9:30 am (that was entirely not prepared) was literally one of the most unhinged decisions ive ever made

this is what a hyperfixation does to a person

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman-Part 23

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternative Universe : Military School

Words : 5k

Masterlist

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Saturday, December 5th; 11:00 AM - Ona and Alexia’s Room

I gradually begin to emerge from my sleep. I’m lying on my stomach and stretch without any restraint. I take the opportunity to grab my phone from my nightstand. I'm surprised when I see the time. It’s the first time I’ve slept until 11:00 AM at school.

“The groundhog is finally up.”

I groan in frustration at the sound of that voice. She’ll never leave me alone, will she? I thought I’d at least have some peace on my Saturday morning. I don’t even want to know how long she’s been here waiting for me. Bronze hasn’t left me alone since our visit to the doctor. I was so fed up that I insisted on returning to classes on Wednesday morning instead of Thursday just to get away from her. I was still slightly sick, and of course, my return didn’t go unnoticed in class. But at least Bronze allowed me to stay with them and start revising for my upcoming exams that day. It didn’t stop her from continuing to hover over me, though. I almost regret deciding to stay here this weekend. Especially since Joan would kill me if he knew I could go home. Two months ago, I would have been the first to run away from school. But this weekend is different. Bronze promised we’d go out to do our Christmas shopping. She seemed to like the idea when I suggested it, saying she’d use the opportunity to buy her gifts too. I take the time to stretch again before rolling onto my back. I’m surprised not to see her by my side as usual. I prop myself up on my elbows to look for her. I quickly spot her sitting on my desk, her feet swinging in the air.

“Can’t you give me a break?” I chuckle, letting myself fall back onto my pillow.

“You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not,” she teases.

“Especially this week,” I sigh, closing my eyes again. “How long have you been here?”

“I just got back about fifteen minutes ago.”

I place my hand over my eyes to shield myself from the light, taking a deep breath. Since yesterday, I can finally breathe through my nose again. It’s pure bliss! Especially for Alexia, who wouldn’t stop complaining about my snoring. I’m relieved that the medication is finally working. The doctor wasn’t so clueless after all. At least he knows how to do his job. I’ve got a few days left on the antibiotics. If it were up to me, I would have stopped taking them yesterday, but Bronze insists that I finish them all to ensure I’m fully recovered. I still cough a bit and occasionally have a hoarse voice, but otherwise, it’s all gone. In fact, I’m coughing right now, like my life depends on it. It’s a phlegmy cough, which according to Bronze, is a good sign.

“If you don’t hurry up and get ready, we’ll have to eat here.”

That sentence had the desired effect. In less than ten seconds, I’m on my feet, not caring that I’m only wearing an old T-shirt of my dad’s. If we stay here, she’ll make me eat soup again. If not, I noticed there’s cabbage on the menu for lunch, and I hate that. Better to eat out so I can finally have a proper meal. I grab some fresh clothes and then have to pass by Bronze to get to the bathroom. Unexpectedly, she blocks my way by putting her foot on the bar of my bed. I almost fell backward from the unexpected impact.

“What now?” I grumble.

“Open your mouth.”

I roll my eyes as I accept the spoonful of syrup. I’ve stopped arguing with her since she’s taken my medical care so seriously. I feel like a child, but it seems to make her happy. The upside is that I’m healing quickly by letting her take care of me. I’d never have taken this much syrup and nasal spray without her. She finally lets me pass, a silly smile on her lips. I don’t bother closing the bathroom door behind me since she can’t see me from where she is and I just need a quick freshening up since I showered last night. I get dressed, finish up with my hair, and check myself in the mirror one last time to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything. I return to the room, where Bronze still hasn’t moved. I must not have taken long thanks to my morning routine. She doesn’t notice me as she’s absorbed in her phone.

“I’m ready,” I inform her.

“You get motivated so easily,” she smiles, looking up.

“I wasn’t going to say no when you’re finally letting me have a proper meal! I swear, if you offer me soup one more time, I don’t know what I’ll do to you.”

She chuckles, jumping off my desk. We put on our jackets, and I grab my bag before following her outside. I understand why she wanted me to hurry when I see Engen at the front desk. She wanted to make sure we could leave without being noticed by anyone else. Bronze drives more carefully than usual due to the snow that hasn’t stopped falling for days. It’s still snowing today, in fact. It’s surprising to see the roads so clear with all this snowfall.

“Does it always snow this much here?”

“I’d say so. Why?”

“It doesn’t snow at Barcelona.”

“That, I believe. It came late this year, but now I think it’s here to stay for a while.”

Everything is white, except for the road. I could get used to this scenery. There must be a good ten centimeters of snow. I’m glad I brought my boots. I’ll try to take the opportunity to look for a new jacket. At least I won’t have to keep borrowing Bronze’s, even though I really like it.

“You’re not used to this weather, are you?”

“No, not at all,” I chuckle. “I’m just not used to the cold.”

“You said you were from Portugal, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Where exactly?”

“Lisbon.”

“Porto, for me.”

“So it’s true. You’re from Portugal too?”

“Yes, of course,” she smiles. “When did you move to Barcelona?”

I tense up immediately. Bronze quickly apologizes, realizing she’s crossed a line. I tell her it’s fine, even though it does affect me. This is where everything sort of started. I turn my head towards the window before beginning my explanation.

“My parents separated when I was ten. My mom received an offer from a Barcelona hospital that she couldn’t refuse. It was the perfect chance for a fresh start, especially since she’s originally from there.”

“I see. Didn’t you want to stay with your dad? You seem close to him.”

“Believe me, if it had been up to me, I would have stayed in Lisbon, but my dad was in the military. He couldn’t keep me with him.”

I freeze, realizing too late that I spoke in the past tense. I glance at Bronze, who either hasn’t noticed or is hiding it well. She just nods. I relax a little, sinking back into my seat.

“I’d love to go back one day,” I confide. “Not necessarily to Lisbon, but I’d like to live in Portugal again.”

“Really? Do you miss it?”

“Let’s just say I have all my memories there. I used to go back during the holidays when my dad wasn’t on a mission… It was my refuge.”

“Stay here in Manchester if you want a change of scenery.”

We’ve had this conversation before not too long ago. She knows I’m thinking about it. I didn’t expect her to encourage me to do it.

“You said you were starting to like it here, so why not?”

“It’s a possibility. I’ve thought about it, but it’s more complicated than that. How am I supposed to live here? I’d be unemployed, and on top of that, I’d be coming from a damn camp… I’m not sure that makes a good impression on a resume.”

“Would you like to live here?”

I don’t answer right away. I weigh the pros and cons of her question. In reality, I have no idea. I don’t know anything except the camp. I’ve had a taste of the city, but not in depth.

“No idea,” I shrug. “I don’t know much, really. I’d like to visit the city sometime.”

She seems to be thinking. I had asked her before to give me a tour, but we never revisited the topic. I didn’t want to seem pushy by insisting. If it happens, I want the offer to come from her. She was about to say something but then stops herself and completely changes the subject, telling me she knows some nice places near the mall for lunch. As long as there’s no soup involved, I don’t care where she takes me. A few minutes later, we arrive at our destination. It’s a small, cozy restaurant. We’re warmly welcomed and quickly seated. It’s not too crowded. It seems like the kind of place with lots of regulars. We ordered our drinks first, then our meals. I got a chicken cordon bleu. It’s my first real meal of the week, and I plan to enjoy it now that I can finally eat something solid again. Bronze smiled amusedly at my order. I wasn’t joking when I said I’d strangle her if she offered me soup one more time.

“I have a proposal for you,” she says seriously.

“What kind of proposal?”

“I’ll give you a tour of the city one weekend when you get a pass.”

“Really? Like, a whole weekend?”

“Yes, a whole weekend,” she laughs. “I’ll host you so we can have more freedom. That way, you can get a feel for the city. But I’d prefer if we do it after the Christmas holidays.”

I can’t believe it. She finally offered! A whole weekend at her place and a tour of the city. What more could I ask for? She really got me earlier when she changed the subject! I can barely resist jumping for joy. She’s doing everything she can to make me happy. I should pay for the meal, actually. Not only because she paid last time, but also to thank her for everything she’s done for me. I’m probably the only student she treats like this, after all.

“I’ll take that as a yes?”

I nod enthusiastically, my wide smile never leaving my face. She laughs softly. To think that back in early October, I couldn’t stand her. Now, I’m not sure I could do without her. We’ve reached a point where we’re eating out together at a restaurant. Our food arrives shortly after. That was incredibly fast. My stomach growls at the sight of my dish. I barely manage a quick “Bon appétit” before diving into the food. I close my eyes, savoring the meat. I even let out a little moan, which makes Bronze laugh.

“Don’t make fun of me! You’re the one who deprived me of decent food for a week.”

“You’re the one who was sick and didn’t have an appetite until today.”

I stick out my tongue at her, and her smile widens. We eat leisurely, chatting about my classes and revisions, which are already getting on my nerves. However, I have to admit that her lessons are paying off. Her supervision motivates me to keep going and make my goal possible. My math teacher, who’s also my homeroom teacher, gave me a schedule for the tests I agreed to retake. I’ll be taking one or two after my classes under Bronze’s supervision in a classroom. Without these new tests, I would have had an extra week to prepare for the final exams of the semester, which are scheduled for the last week before the holidays. I would have preferred to take everything in the last week, but Bronze thought that was too much and suggested I take the others the week before. So, I’ll have two very busy weeks in a row. I feel like I won’t be getting much sleep in the coming nights, even if Bronze manages to help me revise effectively.

“By the way, do you have any plans for New Year’s?”

“Oh, so I’m allowed to celebrate that one?”

Has she already forgotten that she banned me from parties? I’d regret reminding her if that’s the case. January 1st falls on a Friday, and we start right back up on Monday from what I’ve seen. I can’t afford to mess up anyway. I had some major bouts of depression after my detox. Bronze had to reassure me several times to keep me from spiraling into guilt over my actions. To her, I’m not to blame. Just for her support, I can’t let her down. Seeing her disappointed because of me would hurt. Moreover, the decision about the electives will be made during the class council at the beginning of the year. You can’t say that the decision is in my favor at the moment. So, I need to be present in class and make a good impression if I want it to be favorable. I’m both excited and nervous about that moment arriving. There will be a change in class and schedule starting in the third week. The only thing that scares me is ending up alone. None of my friends seem to have the same options as me, especially not Alexia. It’s annoying because she’s the person I appreciate the most here.

“As long as you’re reasonable,” she shrugs. “So, any plans?”

“To be honest, no. I haven’t planned anything yet. I’m thinking about spending it with Mapi in Barcelona, but we haven’t seriously discussed it.”

“You don’t talk to her?”

“Yes, we write to each other every day… well, we just catch up briefly,” I say, lowering my head. “Between our classes, my cold, and her girlfriend… it’s limited.”

“Does it bother you?”

“Well, a little, yeah,” I admit. “I know she won’t replace me, but it bothers me to be far from her. She was my confidante before—”

“Before…?” she furrows her brows. “Isn’t that the case anymore?”

I run my hand over my face. Damn… I made the mistake of looking into her eyes. She doesn’t even realize the effect she has on me, or maybe she knows how to use it. I look away before murmuring a weak, “Before you…”

“What do you mean, ‘before me’?”

“Well… since I’ve been here, I find it easier to confide in you. I told her about it, and since then, she’s been encouraging me to do it…”

“I see. And what’s the problem?”

“Well, let’s just say she doesn’t know everything about my past. She must think that over time, I’ll be able to confide in you completely, and that’s why she encourages me. She thinks it’ll be a relief to finally tell someone.”

“And what do you think?”

“Well… she might not be wrong,” she shrugs. “But I’m afraid she’ll resent me for doing it later. I don’t want her to think she’s less important or that she’ll blame herself for not getting me to open up… I don’t really know, but all I know is that I care too much about her to risk losing her.”

I’ve already abandoned her once, and I don’t want her to think it’ll happen again. I don’t want to push her away or exclude her from my life. She’s the only one who came back and who I really care about. It would be the ultimate irony if she thought she’d failed as my best friend.

“Have you talked to her about it?”

“No, she’d think I’m crazy,” I chuckle.

“You should. Am I allowed to give my opinion?”

“Of course.”

“I think she just wants what’s best for you, which is why she’s encouraging you to open up to me. For her, it doesn’t matter who the person is as long as you feel better. I imagine she just wants to see you like you were before.”

“You think so?”

“She cares a lot about you, Ona. You’re just worried because you’re afraid of being a bad friend by abandoning her again. Am I wrong?”

I sigh and shake my head. She really can read me like an open book.

“You should talk to her.”

I sigh deeply, resting my head on my hand. I bring a fry to my mouth as I think. She’s probably right. I’m worrying over nothing. I hope that’s really the case. I thank her for her advice. Now I’ll have to wait a bit to talk to Mapi. She’s very busy with her studies and her girlfriend. She has as many assignments as I do that are coming up. I��ll talk to her during the holidays.

“So, New Year’s?” she asks me.

“I’m not sure,” I shrug. “Probably at Ana’s place, like last time… We’ll see. I’m not too thrilled about the idea, but I don’t have much of a choice.”

“Who’s that?”

“Mapi’s girlfriend. I’m not jealous, really,” I quickly add. “It’s just that I don’t really like the kind of parties she throws anymore. What about you, your New Year’s?”

“With my friends, probably.”

“Still no girlfriend?”

She chuckles, shaking her head without giving me a clear answer. Bronze never talks about herself to me because of the restrictions placed on her. I had a hard time accepting it at first, especially since I tell her a lot. It was strange to think I know her habits and manners, but not her. Now, I accept what she gives me, telling myself she’ll confide in me one day if she feels like it.

“Still none,” she finally replies. “Even if I did have one, I wouldn’t bring her with me.”

“You’re that type, huh?” I laugh.

“What type?” she furrows her brows.

“The type to hide your girlfriends from your friends.”

“I don’t hide them. It’s just that… I don’t know, actually. I guess I’m waiting for the right one before the introductions.”

“I see. What are you like in a relationship?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, are you more the dominant type, or do you let the other person have their way?”

“Neither, I suppose.”

“Oh… You give off the impression of being dominant,” I giggle.

“Maybe, but I’m not. I believe that in a relationship, both people should be equal. It doesn’t matter if it’s a gay, lesbian, or straight couple.”

“You’re probably right… but there’s always one person who stands out a bit more.”

“Well, I guess it depends on the person you’re in a relationship with.”

Those words are so philosophical. I don’t completely agree with what she says. It’s true that we can be different with each person we’re with, but I think everyone is born with a dominant nature. Bronze seems dominant to me, even if she denies it. Maybe I’m wrong. In any case, she’s dominant compared to me since she surpasses me in any field and orders me around all the time. The meal finally ends. We decide not to linger and head to pay the bill. I had to fight for it, but I eventually managed to pay the whole check. She frowned and scolded me until we reached the mall.

“Shall we stick together, or do you want to go our separate ways?” she asks, surprised.

“I don’t know the stores here, so I’d rather we stay together if you don’t mind.”

“Okay,” she smiles. “Where should we start?”

“Well, I already have ideas for certain people.”

“Then let’s start with them.”

We start with Sam and Sophia since I know what I want to get them. We continue into a toy store since Bronze still hasn’t said anything. For Joan, it’s more complicated. I thought about getting him some board games since he loves playing together, but I changed my mind when Bronze showed me a remote controlled car. I completely fell for it, imagining Joan’s face when he sees his gift. I don’t buy it but decide not to take it with me. I explained to the vendor that I’d need it in Barcelona. To make things easier, he suggested I reserve it and pick it up at a store in Barcelona, which I immediately accepted. He gave me a reservation voucher. I didn’t know that was possible, but it’s very convenient. The next shop we go to is a sports store. As you might guess, it’s not for me. It was next to where we were, so we went there. She said she knew exactly what she wanted, so it would be quick. I wandered around while she waited for a salesperson. I ended up in the football section. My dad was a big fan, and he introduced me to it. I loved watching matches with him, and sometimes, I’d watch them with Mapi afterward. We’d have movie nights in front of the TV with popcorn when a match was on. I linger over the jerseys. My wardrobe must still have some old ones from the teams my dad supported. I took a large part of his clothes when we did the big sort through his things.

“I’ve been looking for you everywhere,” I hear Lucy say behind me. “Are you coming?”

“Yeah…” I say, dragging my hand over one of the jerseys. “Are you done?”

“Uh-huh. Did you find something you like?” she asks, looking at the section.

“No, no. I was just looking.”

“Do you like football?” she asks, surprised.

“Yeah,” I say, smiling shyly. “And you like boxing?” I ask, furrowing my brows at the boxing gloves she’s holding.

“They’re for my best friend. Her are broken.”

She was holding other items, but they must have been related to the gloves. I nodded, and then we headed to the checkout to pay for her items. We walked out into the middle of the shopping mall with an extra bag in hand.

"Do you have anything in mind?"

"I'm torn between getting a bracelet or perfume for Mapi," I shrugged. "What's the best choice for an ex? And on top of that, her girlfriend doesn't know about us."

"How come?"

"She’s afraid her girlfriend will have a jealous meltdown. She pretends I'm just her best friend so she can stay over at my place without any issues."

"That’s risky," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I already warned her, but she doesn’t want to hear it," I shrugged again.

"Okay. Well, let's start with the perfume shop then. I noticed my parents' bottles are almost empty, so I’d like to get them that. You can think it over in the meantime."

I agreed, and we headed to the next store, which was on the second floor this time. Bronze quickly decided on her purchases, picking up their usual bottles. As for me, a saleswoman made me smell several perfumes after she saw me wandering through the aisles. I narrowed it down to three based on what Mapi likes. Bronze went to pay for her items while I was left to choose between the last three testers I held in my hand. It was a tough decision.

"Bronze?" I called out to her.

"I’ve already told you not to call me that," she reprimanded me.

I’d forgotten that she now allows me to use her first name when we’re outside of work. It feels strange now that I’ve gotten used to calling her by her last name. She put her wallet back in her bag before coming over to my side.

"What’s up?"

"Which one do you prefer?" I asked, holding out the testers one by one.

"I’m not sure. What does she usually like?"

"She loves fruity scents, but nothing too strong. We have pretty similar tastes, but this is hard."

"I personally prefer the last one."

"I’m torn between that one and the first."

"Maybe you want to check out the jewelry store first?"

"No, I think I’ll stick with the perfume. I’ve already given her plenty of jewelry," I chuckled.

"Well, then you just have to choose between these two."

She took away the strip of paper with the scent I liked the least. I sighed as I looked at the remaining two. Bronze went off to browse while I made my decision. I sniffed them alternately for at least a quarter of an hour. Thankfully, she’s patient. I’m not sure I’d have been so tolerant in her place. I jumped slightly when I felt a weight on my back, relaxing when I realized it was Bronze who had come back. She crossed her arms over my shoulders and rested her head on them. Her position was a bit awkward. She asked me to let her smell the two perfumes again, which I did.

"I still prefer the one I mentioned earlier."

"I think I’ll go with that one then."

"Why hesitate? Plus, there’s a set that includes shower gel and lotion," she pointed with her chin.

"Alright, fine. I was leaning more towards that one anyway. It suits her better. Worst case, if she complains, I’ll just say you recommended it."

"Of course, it's too easy to blame others," she laughed.

She moved away from me, so I took the opportunity to grab the set she had pointed out. We went to the checkout, where someone was already paying for their purchases. The wait would be short.

"Besides, you shouldn’t complain about a gift you receive," she added.

"She’s never complained, but I can tell when she doesn’t like something."

"Why wouldn’t she like it?"

"I have no idea," I shrugged.

I paid for the perfume and accepted the saleswoman's offer to wrap it as a gift. I’m terrible at wrapping, so at least that was one thing taken care of.

"You really want to do things right with her," she chuckled.

"I owe her that much after all the time she’s put up with me."

"You’re very easy to put up with."

"Glad to hear that from you, Lucy."

I accidentally emphasized her first name. I still find it hard to use it. Bronze must have understood because she laughed. The saleswoman finally returned with my gift, ready to give. I thanked her for her service. Our shopping continued at the jewelry store where Lucy wanted to take another look. She was interested in bracelets while I browsed on my own. I lingered over the rings. One caught my eye. It looked a lot like the one my supervisor wears on her finger. She joined me when she noticed I had stopped.

"See something you like?"

"No."

"Well, yes. I can tell you’re stuck here," she commented.

She looked at the display case, trying to figure out which one might have caught my interest. I gave in and pointed it out to her. She must have noticed it looked like hers... A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she quickly hid it without saying anything.

"I’m going to call a saleswoman. I spotted a bracelet I’m interested in."

I sighed softly and nodded. At least she didn’t make it awkward. It was half past four by the time we were done, and she suggested we stop at the cafeteria.

"You didn’t get anything for your parents," she remarked once we were seated at a table.

"My relationship with my mother isn’t the best..." I reminded her, playing with my cup.

"It bothers you, doesn’t it?"

"A little, but I’ve gotten used to it," I shrugged. "I don’t really want to talk about it."

"I understand."

She changed the subject without prying further. I appreciate Bronze for that. She never insists. We sipped our drinks, enjoying this rare moment. When we were done, I expected us to head home, but she suggested we take another walk, just for ourselves. I immediately agreed, especially since I wanted to look for a new jacket, so this was the perfect opportunity. This day was really nice. At least it helped me think about something other than my upcoming exams. I just hope I’ll be able to live up to everyone’s expectations. It’s a lot of pressure, but for now, I prefer to enjoy the present moment with my supervisor by my side.

[skyrim-forever]

WIP Wednesday

Hello everyone! It's another wednesday <3 I was tagged by the lovely @sheirukitriesfandom @theoneandonlysemla @hircines-hunter thank you for sharing 🥰

Tagging: @captain-of-silvenar @umbracirrus @pocket-vvardvark @lucien-lachance @firefly-factory @lady-iizsil @bougainvillea-and-saltwater @changelingsandothernonsense @dirty-bosmer @thequeenofthewinter

Unfortunately this week I do not bring you a snippet of Rulindil's grisly demise. That needs to cook a bit longer in the brain. Instead I bring you this lovely Theodora and Ondolemar snippet (featuring Phy!) because they are who matters most <3

The previous few days had been special, Phy meeting them on the road before making it to Riften. They spent the rest of the journey catching up, finally reunited after two long years. While Phy was away tending to her dying father, so much had happened. She wrote explaining the big events, the pregnancy, Arthano’s birth, Miraak. Unfortunately due to the nature of her love’s situation she had to keep it vague in the letters, writing that He has returned to me, do not worry I am being taken care of. Seeing her best friend meet her son for the first time was beautiful, albeit a bit funny as she wasn’t sure how to hold him. 

“He’s so sweet Theo, so adorable. He definitely looks like his father though, like completely. I don’t know if your traits even tried.” She teases. 

“Hey, he’s got my hair and my mother’s eyes.” She said pointing to the dark waves on his head and his big brown eyes. That was about it though, everything else was very distinctly Altmer. That was more than alright though. On long nights before he found her, gazing at their son’s face brought her comfort. He was still with her. 

Once having arrived in Riften, they stayed at Phy’s home, Honeyside, overlooking the docks. After having been on the road so long, relaxing in a proper home felt nice. Ondolemar claimed that his time ‘roughing it’, as he called it, looking for her had gotten him used to difficult conditions. Yet, she could tell he was happy to be near proper civilization; his words. Neither Theodora nor Phy had the heart to tell him what Riften was famous for. 

But no, nothing was special that day. As they sat in front of the fireplace, Phy offered to take her new nephew on a walk to calm him down. Thankfully he had been sleeping better since they arrived. She is caught up in the comfort of his arms when he speaks.

“Will you marry me?” It shouldn’t take her off-guard. He had risked his life, given up everything he had ever known to come find her, and on top of all it, they had a child. Yet it does. Theodora can’t shake that she’s dreaming. 

“Are you asking because it’s the proper thing to do?” She teases him, an attempt to deflect. 

“Partially.” He responds. “I was raised to believe that you should be married before children and if you get a woman pregnant the least you can do is take responsibility.” He gives her a quick kiss, turning her head to face him. “But it’s more than merely that.” She kisses him now.

“It’s more than that?”

“I want to call you my wife.” There’s a subtle look of shock dawning her face. 

“You do?” He nods. 

“My wife and I.” A kiss is placed on her forehead. “Oh, my wife likes those.” One on her left cheek. “I’m sorry I cannot, I promised my wife I’d be home.” One on her right cheek. “My wife Theodora.” She hums when he kisses her lips again. 

“I’d like that.” She tried it out, it feels surprisingly natural to say. “My husband Ondolemar.” It leaves her mouth a few more times, a beautiful tune my husband, my husband, my husband. 

“So with that in mind, let me ask again. Theodora, will you marry me?”

“Yes.” 

[whiskey-tango-matcha]

Hard to Shake (M, cold)

Woof, that was too long of a hiatus. I'm back with some Greyson sickfic! In this, Greyson has a one night stand and ends up 'running into' his hookup in a not-so-stellar way. This was a fun write, I'm feeling a little rusty after taking a couple months off writing but I hope you all like it. Please let me know what ya think, good, bad or indifferent! :)

CW: M snz, colds, contagion, coughing, some M/M romance but nothing above PG-13 lol. 5k words (it's a slow burn, shocker, I know)

Hard to Shake

The club was dark, humid, and loud as fuck - just the way he liked it.

“I’ll get us drinks,” Matt said, disappearing into the crowd to push towards the bar without waiting on Greyson’s response. Not that he would have stopped his counterpart; Matt had a boyfriend waiting for him at the end of this black hole of a night. Greyson, alternatively, was on the prowl for a bed, and someone to share it with.

They had begun the night at two pm, just an hour after brunch ended, since the only way to get a proper buzz on a Sunday was to start early as hell. Elijah had closed the restaurant early – “We’ve had ten guests all day. It’s too damn hot for brunch, and I want to go home” – and Mark was currently on a plane home from England after a week spent with family; it was like the universe was begging them to go out.

The restaurant’s reservations had been capped at a tiny number the next two days to prepare for their food writer dinner on Wednesday, and Greyson was so nervous about this career-shaping dinner that he could barely keep himself from lapsing into panic attacks at the slightest provocation; it was Matt who insisted on the bender.

“We haven’t gone on a good one since Mark and I got together,” the sous chef had said after service. “And you need a drink, you're acting like a psycho.”

Greyson, never one to deny himself a good binge drink, had taken the bait and allowed himself to be paraded through the city for the rest of the day. Now, at eleven pm and with Mark back at his and Matt's place safe and sound, Greyson could feel the night coming to a close. Time to round it out with a good old-fashioned one-night-stand.

Without waiting for Matt to return with the drinks, Greyson sashayed onto the dance floor and began grinding on whoever seemed the most into it – he ground on a group of drunk men, twirled between two gorgeous women who laughed giddily through the song, and put his tongue into so many people’s mouths that he lost count. Of course it was fun; it always was. But the hunt for a bed partner had proven, thus far, unsuccessful.

“There you are,” Matt slurred, coming up behind his boss and shoving a whiskey into his hand. “Why do you always run off? I’m about three seconds away from getting you one of those toddler-leash backpacks.”

“Makin’ friends, Matty boy,” Greyson said, chugging his drink and slamming the glass onto the closest table he could find. “Some of us don’t have the luxury of goin’ home to a warm, naked man in our bed.” Greyson elbowed Matt playfully and the younger man rolled his eyes.

“Fair ‘nough,” he said, sipping his drink. “Hey, actually, I saw someone who was exactly your type back near the bar. Talkin’ about food and everything.” Greyson raised his eyebrows, intrigued, and Matt looped his arm into his boss’s and led him back towards the horseshoe-shaped bar. “Let’s see if we can’t get you fucked to sleep.”

Matt pushed the two of them through the crowd, his head on a swivel, until finally he spotted the man he’d been talking about. “There he is,” Matt said, pushing Greyson towards the bar. “Do your thing.”

The sous hadn’t lied; this man was quintessential Greyson’s type. Shorter than his six-foot-three-inches by about half a foot, perfect skin, hair coiffed in a way that just smelled of total pretentious douchebag, and a full blazer and dress pants at the club. Oh yeah, Greyson thought, pulling the elastic out of his sandy curls and shaking them to fall around his shoulders, there’s the rest of my evening.

“Hi,” Greyson said, pushing himself in front of whoever the guy had been talking to before. “Can I buy you a drink?”

***

In his defense, he hadn't known the condition of the man he'd left with until they got to his apartment. The club had been dark; he could barely hear the sound of his own voice, let alone the wheeze of someone else’s. And he’d been really, really drunk.

“Hh-! EISHH-oo! ISHH-oo!” The man – Reed, Greyson had learned his name was – curled into his elbow to sneeze as he pushed open the door to his apartment. “Shit, pardon mbe,” he muttered, clearing his throat and beckoning Greyson in. The chef, blasted as he was, simply ignored Reed’s constant sneezing.

“Now, where were we?” Greyson purred, pawing the back of Reed’s head and pulling it into his own. The two stood in the entry of Reed’s apartment – a truly incredible fifteenth-story one-bedroom in the Upper East Side with its own doorman – making out until Reed had to pull away to catch his breath.

“Shit,” he said again, panting, “sorry. Thought the worst of this fuckin’ cold was behind mbe but – ISHHOO! Snrf. Apparently ndot.” He wiped his nose on the back of his hand and cringed. “I understand if you don’t want to stay,” he said, giving Greyson an apologetic look.

Greyson remained unfettered. “Reed,” he said, taking a step back towards the other man. “Stop talking. And get in bed.”

Reed’s face colored. He opened his mouth to say something, but Greyson cut him off with another kiss.

“What did I just say?” Greyson asked, taking off his t-shirt and unbuttoning Reed’s expensive-looking button down. “Get in the bed -” - he yanked the shirt off the smaller man and licked him, navel to collar bone, prompting a moan - “- and let me take care of you.”

To his credit, Reed did as he was told. He did as he was told all night long.

***

“Lij, I don’t want to alarm you.”

“Greyson, I don’t want to hear it. Zip it. I’m being so serious right now.”

“I don’t want to alarm you,” Greyson repeated, slamming the rest of the bottle of Pedialyte and holding onto the prep table as if for dear life, “but I think I may be dying. I think I may need you to call me an ambulance.”

Elijah swung his chair around and strode towards the chef. He took the sunglasses Greyson had placed on his face the moment he walked inside the bright kitchen and tossed them across the room. He regarded the chef with an annoyance usually reserved for parents of crying toddlers at Disneyland.

“Your drinking antics, Grey, are what most people would describe as ‘a you problem’. You decide to get unreasonably wasted and then come in to prep one of the biggest dinners of your career? That’s a you problem. I don’t want to hear it. The only thing I want to hear is your knife going into and out of different types of food.”

“Does that mean you don’t want to hear about the incredibly hot guy I hooked up with last night?” Greyson asked, a smile blooming at his lips. Elijah, despite himself, felt his eyebrows raise halfway up his face.

“But you haven’t slept with anyone in months,” he said, annoyed at himself for taking the bait but too curious to stop himself from saying anything. “I thought you were on a self-imposed time-out?”

Greyson shrugged, pushed his hair into a bun at the top of his head, and secured it with an elastic. “I was,” he said. “But - and you’re not going to believe this, but it’s true – I am finally feeling… I dunno. Healed?”

“Healed?” Elijah asked, snorting. “I think you’ve been taking too many hot yoga classes. Like, spiritually healed?”

Greyson tipped his head back and forth, considering. “Kind of,” he said. “Like… ready. Moved on from Collin. Prepared to get back out there for real, not in a self-punishing way.”

Elijah whistled, long and low. “Wow,” he said, patting Greyson’s back. “Well, congrats, man. A little over a year and you’re finally back on your feet. That’s actually quite impressive.”

“Thanks,” Greyson laughed, shoving Elijah playfully. “I was also really drunk and you know nothing stops drunk-Greyson when he decides he’s going to sleep with someone.”

“There it is,” Elijah said, rolling his eyes and laughing. “So… tell me about him. Did you get his name?”

Greyson dead-panned his boss as he pulled knives out of his bag and cracked his neck. “Yes, I got his name, Elijah. That’s what healed people do, they get people’s names before sleeping with them, and I am, as previously stated, healed.”

Elijah flipped the chef off lazily, non-committal. “Well, out with it then,” he said. “What’s his name? Tell me about the night.”

“His name is Reed Parker, and we fucked til the sun came out,” Greyson said simply, laughing at his own gregariousness. He looked up when he realized that Elijah wasn’t laughing – in fact, his face had gone stark-white. “What?”

“Reed Parker?” Elijah asked, pulling out his phone. “You’re sure that’s his name?”

“Umm, according to him at least, yeah,” Greyson said, unwrapping a pan with a cleaned striploin in it. “Why, do you know him?”

“No,” Elijah said, pushing his phone towards Greyson. “But if that’s him, we’re going to know him in two days.”

Greyson looked down at the phone and felt the wave of nausea he’d been holding back all morning wash over him – oh. Oh, no.

Pulled up on Elijah’s phone was an Instagram post from The Foodie Society – a group of well-acclaimed food critics and writers in the city. The group that was hosting a dinner at Elliot’s in two days. The group that would likely be the deciding factor in whether Greyson got nominated for a James Beard award this year.

We are so excited to announce Reed Parker, writer of the extremely popular food blog, ‘Eat Like You Mean It’, as our newest Foodie Society member! Reed has been a prolific writer and food critic in the city for nearly five years, and we are so delighted to have him aboard. Can’t wait to collaborate with you, Reed!

Above the blurb was a photo of – undoubtedly – the man that Greyson had slept with the night before. He looked markedly healthier in the photo, and his hair was a little longer, but there wasn’t any was it wasn’t him. Greyson swallowed hard.

“Oh… shit,” Greyson muttered, lowering himself to the floor. “Oh, no.”

“Maybe he was drunk, too?” Elijah said, the panic clear in his voice. “Maybe he won’t remember?” Elijah kneeled down next to Greyson, trying to console him. “Hey, Grey, it’s alright. Obviously you guys didn’t know who the other one was. It’s not like he’s going to think you slept with him to get the nomination. It was just drunk sex. Right?”

“He gave me an out,” Greyson muttered, shaking his head. He looked up at Elijah, eyes wild. “Maybe he did know, or maybe he figured it out on the walk back to his place, because he gave me a fuckin’ out.”

“What do you mean?” Elijah asked, pulling Greyson back to his feet. The chef stood, but placed his head in his hands and his elbows on the prep table, as if to steady himself.

“He was getting over some sort of sickness, and he said he’d understand if I didn’t want to stay. He basically told me to get out and I just… fuck. I told him I didn’t care, and I stayed the night. Shit. I’m never going to get nominated now. There’s no fucking way.” Greyson rubbed both hands down his face and shook his head in disbelief. “I fucked myself.”

“Greyson,” Elijah said, taking his friend’s chin and lifting it so their eyes met. “You didn’t fuck yourself. Okay? He didn’t know it was you. It was a mistake, and also he’s brand new there, it’s not like he’s THE deciding factor. Just – wait, did you say he was sick?”

Greyson, his chin still in Elijah’s fingers, looked away from his boss with just his eyes. “Uhh… I mean, yeah, kind of, I guess. He had some sort of cold, I think.”

“You purposely slept with someone who was sick three days before this huge dinner?”

“Umm… did I mention I was really drunk?”

Elijah sighed loudly and threw his hands in the air. “Never a dull fuckin’ moment with you, is there?” he mumbled, storming into the office and pillaging through their medicine cabinet. He returned a moment later with Emergen-C and Airborne in his hands. “Take those.”

“Yes, sir,” Greyson muttered, pulling them to his side of the table. “Sorry.”

“I think it’s crazy that out of all the millions of people you probably saw yesterday, the one you just so happened to pick is a food writer who could decide your future fate who also had a fucking cold. There wasn’t a single other person in the city you could sleep with?”

“Apparently not,” Greyson muttered, pouring Emergen-C into his water bottle. Elijah took a deep breath before continuing.

“Let’s just… let’s try to get through the next couple days,” he said, heading back to the office. “I am glad you want to get back out there,” he continued from afar, “just maybe give them a cursory Google before you bang them next time. Okay?”

Greyson, completely deflated, just nodded. He swallowed and thought he could already feel a twinge of a sore throat, which would just figure. His dick had sealed his fate. Fuck.

***

Tuesday, May 12

NEW MESSAGE

Matt

3:53pm

r u almost back??? idk how much longer I can handle them at each others throats.

Mark

3:58pm

On my way back now! Are they at each other’s throats again?? I thought they were over it..

Matt

3:59pm

has elijah ever REALLY been over smthn..? & greyson’s going down fast af so hes pissy.

Mark

4:02pm

It seemed like he was in the downward slide when I left...ugh. ok, I’ll be back in 15!

“We are ndot,” Greyson said from behind his sous chef, “at each other’s throats.”

Matt jumped at the sound of his boss’s voice and quickly clicked his phone screen off. “Don’t read my private texts, Chef, that’s rude.”

Greyson shrugged and pulled a tissue out of the box on the desk next to Matt. “Don’t talk shit about your boss and you don’t have to worry about mbe being ruuhh – huh! Hh...IGTSZHH-ue! Hh-NTSHZH-ue!” Greyson crumpled into the jacket he’d pulled over his chef’s coat to sneeze. His hair fell over his face, blocking the grimace he hid as he sucked in through his nose.

“Bless you, moron,” Elijah called from the dining room. Greyson rolled his eyes so hard he felt it splinter in his head. Matt winced when he saw Greyson shudder with pain, and stood from the desk.

“The prep sheets for tomorrow are all written, Chef, tell me how I can help you,” he said, guiding Greyson into the chair. Greyson allowed himself to be sat down, despite his better judgment.

“I feel pretty good about -”

“You feel pretty good? Is that a joke?” Elijah asked, pushing through the swinging kitchen doors and leaning on the office door frame. Greyson gave his boss the dirtiest look he could muster and turned back to Matt without a word to his boss.

“I feel confident about the first three courses for tomborrow’s dinner, but the steak and dessert I feel like we’re way behind. Plus I have ndo idea how the guys are looking for service tondight, so pick which one of those you’d rather tackle and I’ll – hhuh! Hh...HUHESTZHH-ue! Fuck, snrf.” Greyson grabbed another tissue and blew his nose before finishing. “I’ll do the other onde.”

Matt nodded while Elijah stood wordlessly in the doorway. “I’ll get with the guys and help them with tonight, make sure it goes smooth,” he said. Greyson nodded back and his sous looked away and scurried towards the line. Elijah, in stark contrast, pushed past Greyson and sat at the other end of their shared desk, unwilling to look away from the mess that was the executive chef.

“How ya feeling?” he asked finally. Greyson pulled another tissue out of the box just in time.

“HRTSHH-ue!” he sneezed into the tissue and let a tickling flurry of coughs escape as well. Elijah sighed, looked into the kitchen, and reached past Greyson to shut the door to their office.

“How are you feeling,” he asked again. “Seriously.”

Greyson sighed wheezily and pulled a hand down his face. “Honestly?” he said, looking Elijah in the eye, “like fuckin’ shit.”

Elijah sighed as well. “You seemed okay when you came in this morning,” he said, as though it mattered.

“I felt okay this mborning,” Greyson admitted. “I mean, I felt like it was coming but I definitely didn’t feel this… shitty.” He shrugged. “It just… I don’t kndow. Hit mbe out of nowhere.”

Elijah nodded. “I mean, if you want to leave so you’re good for tomorrow, you know I’ll understand.” Greyson just scoffed.

“I have so mbuch shit to do before tomborrow,” he said, sucking in through his nose and coughing again. “There’s ndo way in hell.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, until Elijah sighed. “Fuck, Greyson. I’m really sorry.” He looked up at his friend, the true pity evident on his face. “I know how important this dinner is to you. It’s still going to be great, okay? If you need to par it down, do it. It’s not like they know what’s on the menu til tomorrow. I’m cutting off reservations tonight so you can go home early, okay? We’re going to make this work.”

Greyson had to set his jaw to keep from tearing up. “It’s mby own damn fault,” he said. “Ndo need to baby mbe – hh...HTSHH-ue! HRTSHH! NTSHH! Huh! Huhhh-ETSZHHH-uee!” Greyson collapsed into his own lap, lapsed into coughs again. Elijah handed him a water bottle, which he took the cap off of while wiping his nose with the other hand.

“Can we go back to you being a dick to mbe?” Greyson asked, his voice rough. “That I can handle.”

Elijah pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. “Sure, Chef. Get your lazy ass up and start prepping,” he joked, pushing Greyson’s arm lightly. “Sitting is for the weak.”

Greyson smirked, an attempt at a laugh that wouldn’t make him cough. “Thanks, Lij,” he said. “Let’s get this stupid fuckigg show on the road.”

***

Course One

Compressed Cantaloupe

tarragon | smoked sea salt | brown butter crumble

Reed sat in the cushy, velvet chair and attempted to make himself comfortable. He hoped beyond hope that this dinner would go as quickly as humanly possible.

After their little rendevouz at the club, of course Reed had looked Greyson up; in this day and age, who wouldn’t look up their previous night’s partner, if only to make sure they weren’t some sort of psycho killer. And after he looked him up, of course he realized that oh. It was that Greyson Abbott. The same one whose food he was about to be poised in front of. The one who he and his fellow writers gathered around this table were tasked with deciding whether or not he was worthy of a Beard nod.

Of course.

Reed shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. The other writers had started talking immediately and, this being his first dinner with them, he was feeling awkward and left out. He really could have used the distraction of talking about their craft, but apparently he would have to earn a word tossed in his direction. This was going to be a long evening.

At least the restaurant is beautiful, Reed thought to himself. He’d never been to Elliot’s before, and now he was kicking himself for it. The wrap-around bar, the view of the park, the chandeliers… everything was gorgeous. He just wished he wasn’t here with these people, under the circumstance that his fling was in the kitchen plating up. That put a bit of a damper on things.

“Good evening,” a husky voice came from the head of the table, and Reed whipped his head to see a gorgeous plate of food placed in front of him, and the absolute god of a man he’d slept with a few days before standing just feet from him. Reed swallowed hard.

“I’mb Greyson,” Greyson said, and Reed immediately clocked the congestion in his voice. So you did give him that cold. Asshole, Reed chided himself. Greyson attempted to clear his throat before continuing.

“If you’ll excuse mby voice, I’mb at the tail end of a cold,” he continued, and Reed felt his face flame. Tail end, he thought. Yeah, sure.

“Our first course is compressed cantaloupe,” Greyson said. “I hope you enjoy. Pardon mbe, I have to get back to screaming at mby cooks.”

The group laughed in earnest as the chef walked away. Reed, too embarrassed to even look at the other writers, just picked up his fork and gathered a bite on it. He stuck it in his mouth and closed his eyes.

Christ, Reed thought, he cooks as well as he fucks.

Course Two

Hamachi

yuzu pearls | grapefruit | coconut crème

“I swear to God, Mbatt, what is goigg on?” Greyson yelled the moment he walked back into the kitchen. “We’re already behind, and none of the hamachi is on the plates yet? Can we please get it the fuck together che – ehh! HhITSZHH-uh! HRITSZHH-ue!”

Greyson yanked his chef’s coat over his nose and mouth and ducked away from the plates. The cooks called, “Bless, Chef,” and Elijah came up behind him with Sudafed – “The good shit, from behind the pharmacist counter,” he’d promised Greyson earlier, when he made an emergency trip to Walgreens for medicine – and popped two into his hand.

“I just took two,” Greyson croaked, sucking in through his nose.

“Well, it sounds like they’ve already worn off,” Elijah countered. Greyson swallowed the pills and coughed. “Is he out there?”

“Of course he’s out there, Lij, did you think he’d cancel because of mbe?” Greyson said, washing his hands and heading towards the pass to place hamachi on plates. “Like you said, hopefully he doesn’t remember.”

“Hard to forget a giant, loud, blonde buffoon who’s sporting the cold you just got over,” Elijah murmured, and Greyson flipped him off. “Just saying,” Elijah said.

“I don’t have timbe to think about him,” Greyson said, swallowing painfully. “I can’t think about anything but this.”

Elijah nodded. “You’re right,” he said. “Let me jump in with the pearls.”

Course Three

Lamb Lollipop

harissa | mint chutney | bbq ‘chip’

“Pretty incredible, right?”

These were the first words uttered to Reed all night, said moments after the third course was placed in front of him and seconds after Greyson disappeared back into the kitchen. Reed could see him dip into an elbow to sneeze before he made it back to the kitchen. He cringed; poor guy. This was all his fault.

“Reed?”

The writer who’d spoken to him waved a hand in front of his face to snap him out of his stupor. Reed pulled his head back to the table and smiled. “Really incredible,” he said. “I mean, this guy has talent.”

“For sure,” the other writer said. “I mean, he’s been hoping for a Beard nod for years.”

“Yeah?” Reed asked, hungry for any bit of lore he could get about Greyson. The other writer dug into his lamb as he nodded.

“About five years,” he said. “The menu is deemed as one of the best in the city, and he changes it every single day. I mean, the guy’s an animal.”

Reed nodded slowly. He could only imagine how hard Greyson had worked, how nervous he was, especially with Reed's stupid ass sitting here to judge him. Especially when Greyson was sick as a dog.

“That he is,” Reed said, and he took another incredible bite.

Course Four

Rutabaga Tart

fennel | feta | cured egg yolk

“Matt can put these on the plates, Chef,” Elijah said, putting a hand on Greyson’s back. “Take a quick break before you have to talk to them again. Drink some water. Blow your nose.”

Greyson shook his head, pushed the flop sweat off his forehead. “This is mby shot. These are mby plates,” he said, his voice just above a whisper. “I’mb here until the end.”

Elijah pressed his lips together and flashed Matt a look. The sous chef just raised his eyebrows and gave a little shrug. Once Greyson was like this… well, there was certainly no arguing with him.

“Okay,” Elijah said. “I’ll make you some tea, then.”

“Thank you, Lij,” Greyson managed, before ducking under the pass to sneeze into the collar of his chef’s coat. “God, fuck, I’mb gonna have to throw this thing away after this.”

“More like burn it,” Matt countered, prompting the first laugh from Greyson all evening.

“Burn it is right,” Greyson said. “HHITSZHH-ue!”

Course Five

Striploin

deconstructed bearnaise | white asparagus | duxelle

The fifth course was placed in front of them, and the writers looked up expectantly at Greyson.

“Forgive mbe,” Greyson said, his voice strained to a whisper. “I’ve yelled mbyself out in the kitchen, so mby number-two will introduce your last two courses.”

The writers tutted or laughed and looked over towards the sous chef – everyone except Reed. Reed was staring at Greyson, hoping he could hear his thoughts. I’m sorry you’re sick. I’m sorry I’m here. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

The sous finished the description and the writers began to eat once again. Reed was sure he could hear the younger chef say to Greyson, “Just one more, Chef,” as they walked back to the kitchen.

Reed sighed and took a bite of his steak. He closed his eyes; perfection.

He did not deserve to be here.

Course Six

Matcha Milk Bombe

coffee | pastry crumb

Greyson placed the final pastry onto the final plate and turned away to cough as the servers brought his final plate of food to the critics. He felt like he was attending his own funeral.

“I don’t think I can go out there again, Lij,” Greyson said, shaking his head and crouching down on the ground. “I can’t look at all of themb, I’ve embarrassed myself enough.”

“You haven’t embarrassed yourself at all, Grey,” Elijah promised, pushing Greyson’s sweaty hair out of his face. “But I understand if you’re too exhausted. I’ll go out for the last one, thank them all for being here.”

“Please,” Greyson said. Elijah nodded, stood, and left the kitchen to meet the writers, while Matt nodded towards the office.

“Go,” he said to his boss. “Sit. You did it.”

Greyson shook his head. “Gotta clean mbyself up first,” he said, standing and moving towards the kitchen doors. “I’mb using the damn guest bathroom, fuck those pretentious assholes.”

Matt laughed in earnest. “You’ve earned it for sure, Chef.”

Greyson slipped into the guest bathroom, hoping no one saw him, and locked himself in a stall. Finally, he sat down and let himself go.

“HITSHH-ue!” Greyson sneezed into the open, then quickly grabbed a handful of toilet paper to keep from becoming the restaurant’s biggest biohazard. “HTTSHH! IIITZSCHUE! Huh! Hh…. huh, huhhh… huhhETSZHHH-ue! Huh! HRRRSHHH! Fuuuck mbe.” Greyson blew his nose, beyond exhaustion. He felt like shit. He knew he looked like shit. He’d put out shit food, he’d been in a shit mood… this whole thing was just… shit.

Finally, feeling a little more cleared out, Greyson flushed the toilet paper and unlocked the stall. When he exited, he nearly jumped out of his skin. There, in the doorway, was his fling - Reed.

“Jesus,” Greyson said, placing a hand on his chest. “Give a guy a fuckin’ heart attack.”

Reed shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, then let Greyson by to wash his hands. “Sorry,” he said, “I didn’t mean to scare you. Bless you. By the way.”

Greyson huffed out a laugh. “Thangks,” he said, drying his hands. “Sombe cold you’re passing around town. Shouldn’t you be finishing your meal? Or was it so bad you’re here to hock it back up?”

“It was incredible,” Reed said earnestly. “Truly, Greyson. Thank you. I… I’m sorry. For being here, for getting you sick, I – I didn’t know that this place was… um… yours.”

“Mmm, more Elijah’s than mbine,” Greyson mumbled, looking away from Reed’s face. “But, uh… thank you. Glad you enjoyed. Hopefully it's ndot for nothing.”

"I don't think it will be. They all had nothing but good things to say. I'm just the grunt, but I mean...you have my vote. You're... You're incredible," Reed said, the words escaping his mouth before he could even consider what he was saying.

Greyson tried to hide a small smile by looking down. They both stood awkwardly until Greyson cleared his throat. “I, uh… better get back to mby guys,” he said, starting towards the door.

“I had an amazing time the other night,” Reed blurted out suddenly. “I, um… I haven’t stopped thinking about it, actually.”

Greyson smirked, the tension finally broken. “Yeah?” he asked. Reed nodded.

“Yeah,” he said, rubbing his neck awkwardly. “You’re… you’re hard to shake.”

Greyson took a step closer to Reed, looking him in the eye now. He sniffled, rubbed his nose, and crossed his arms, a smile dancing on his lips. “Who are you, Reed Parker?” he asked. Reed’s face flushed bright red.

“I – I don’t know what you mean. I’m a food writer.”

“Mmm,” Greyson nodded. “Well, Reed the food writer who can’t get mbe out of his mind, at the moment I’m a bit, uh… incapacitated. But,” Greyson pulled a Sharpie out of his coat’s side pocket and grabbed Reed’s hand, “if I’m still rattling around in your brain in a few days… give mbe a call.” Greyson coughed into his shoulder, capped the Sharpie, and gave Reed a little smile.

“I will,” Reed said, biting his cheek. “Thank you. For, um… dinner.”

Greyson paused, thinking, then took a bold step towards Reed, grabbed his chin in his hand, and planted a deep kiss on his lips. “It was my pleasure,” he said, and stepped out of the room.

Reed stood, flushed and breathless, for a moment. The kiss sat, swelling his lips, sweeter than any dessert he’d ever had; he looked at the number on his hand, felt his heart catch in his throat.

Greyson Abbott, he thought, looking towards the bathroom door. Holy shit.

[lllivia]

I love you - W. A.

Wednesday Addams x fem!vampire!reader

Can be read as gn!reader too

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°★.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

☆.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°★.。.:*・°☆.。.:*・°☆

Wednesday hadn't seen you the whole day. Which was extremely unusual seeing that you had most of your classes together and you were always on time, almost never missing a day of school. She even asked Enid where you were seeing that Enid usually knew about everyone's whereabouts, but when she got a "no idea. I haven't seen Y/N since dinner yesterday" in response from Enid so she went back to her dorm and sent Thing to go look for you in your room while she started packing in case she had to go exploring for you in the woods, not surprised if you had gone out looking for clues about the hyde again much to her dismay.

Five minutes later Thing came scrambling back into Wednesday's dorm and onto her desk before signaling that you were laying in your bed coughing and looking quite ill after garlic poisoning from the blood soup you had for dinner the night before.

That's when Wednesday really started to get worried, who would put garlic in your soup like that? everyone knew that garlic could be deadly for a vampire. But she didn't have time to think about that now, she had to get to you as soon as possible.

Ten minutes later she was back from the woods with a squirrel she had shot down from a tall tree with Xavier's bow that she had managed to borrow after threatening to chop off all his fingers if he refused. She was planning to drain the blood from the squirrel to make you a warm cup of blood for you to enjoy. She would much rather have you drink hers as usual but she knew that considering the condition you were in right now that it was a chance you wouldn't be able to contain yourself and might accidentally drink too much of her blood.

She made Thing carry the cup of blood while she carried with the dark typewriter and some paper to continue her novel about Viper's adventures in.

When she got to your dorm and knocked getting no response she quietly walked in, immediately spotting your sleeping body, she sighed and walked over to you bending down to give your forehead a soft kiss filled with love before walking over and sitting by your desk continuing to write about Viper's mysteries.

After writing for about an hour and a half she got up from her seat, stretching her back before sitting back down onto the edge of your bed, setting the cup of blood down on the small table you had beside you before reading out loud everything she had been writing on in the last hour.

You didn't wake up before a little after midnight noticing the strong smell of delicious blood that was coming from next to you. You looked to your side starving and grabbed the cup drinking up every single drop of the lukewarm blood in a few seconds. You then notice the small note that was laying next to the cup before picking it up and curiously reading its contents.

"Love will leave few bruises

On several occasions.

It will hit some veins,

And do some damage in parts of you

That the eyes can't see.

But,

It will not give you bullet wounds

Nor will cut deep to the soul

It will never become a bystander while

Your heart bleeds to death.

W. A."

You smiled widely at your girlfriends poem and actions knowing this was her way of saying

"I love you"

💗 Masterlist 💗

- I have not written this poem and it does not belong to me, sadly I couldn't read the handwriting of the authors name so I won't be able to give proper credit 😭 -

This might have been a bit boring to read but I enjoyed writing it at least

[mackeydoodledoo]

My Sweet Dove: Chapter 2

Pairing: Larissa Weems x (Fem! Vampire)Reader

Summary: You're the only vampire in existence that is basically immune to Nightshade Poison. When your supposed soulmate is injected with such, you go feral.

Warnings: WEDNESDAY SERIES SPOILERS, Near-Death, BLOOD

Chapter Key: Italics = Thoughts, Bold/Italic = Flashback, Bold = Letter, Cross Out = Demonic

Chapter Theme: Judas - Lady Gaga

A/n: None

Taglist: @bxtrflyr​, @mymommawanda​, @agathasslutt​

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

"For the record Y/l/n, I did miss you. Terribly.”

“You are incompetent. A stone around my neck.”

You sit on your windowsill; basking in the moon’s light, the memories you shared with her when you two were young; happy, times were easier. Now, the memories you share with her when you two are now older, the Outcast community in jeopardy due to recent murders on Normies, Eugene’s attack... 

“Here I thought you called me back here because you missed me.”

Maybe she didn't miss me after all...

Fortunately you packed light... You begin to shove everything into your backpack. 

“Y/n?” A familiar voice calls from the other side of the door

You didn’t want to talk to her... You didn’t want all your pent up anger be taken out on her. Plus, you just didn’t feel like talking after all. In a quick haste, you swiftly shove your backpack underneath your bed and land into bed, hiding yourself underneath the covers just as your door opens. 

“Y/n? Are you awake?” Weems calls out

Obviously I’m not...

Of course, you were faking on being asleep. You felt a weight sit right against your back as you continue to act like you were sleeping, nearly sinking against the weight.

“Oh my Sweet Bat,” She sighs

Your eyes nearly shot open as you listen to her say her little personal nickname for you.

“No Larissa, for the last time I can’t turn into a bat,” You sigh

“But, your favorite mammals are bats aren’t they?” She asks

“Just because they are, doesn’t mean that I can transform into one,” You say, “My dad used to have that ability, so did my mom. But, I only developed a gross, rare genetic that no other Vampire had ever developed.”

“Well, you’re still a Sweet Bat to me,” She says, with a smile

You stir in your bed when you felt her hand brush hair behind your ear; nearly making Larissa jump off of the bed. She clears her own throat and swiftly exits your room. You wait an extra couple minutes for good measure. When you could no longer hear the clacking of her high heels, you spring yourself back out of your bed and slide the backpack over your shoulders. Slowly, you open the window and hoist your leg right over the edge. 

I’ll miss you... My Sweet Dove...

*Larissa’s POV* You had long since thought about what you last said to Y/n and your felt guilty for calling her incompetent. You patiently wait for Y/n to walk through your door so you could give her a proper apology. 

However, seconds turned to minutes... Minutes turned to an hour... 

It’s not like Y/n to be late...

You stand from your desk and begin making your way to her quarters. You look down at your watch; making sure that you're giving yourself time to visit Y/n before personally taking Wednesday to the station. Once you reached Y/n’s door, you brush anything down and compose yourself.

“Y/n?” You call, gently knocking on the door

There wasn’t a call back. 

You knock again...

Again, no response to your gesture. 

Panic sets in as you burst through the unlocked door. No one was in her room. Not even Y/n herself.

“Y/n!” You shout

You try to look through her room just in case she was hiding. But, the room you had given her didn’t have the luxuries that your room did. You fall onto the floor, tears streaming down your face.

*Wednesday’s POV* “Principal Weems, you seem on edge,” You say, breaking the awkward silence to the hospital, “What’s bothering you?”

“Y/l/n left in the middle of the night...” She sighs, “After I called for your expulsion, we had gotten into an argument about you and... I had something that I now regret...”

“Which is?” You ask

“I called y/n incompetent...” She shudders at the memory, “And... That she was a stone around my neck...”

“Yes, there were times where she is a pain,” You explain, “But, I see how she would go the extra mile for you. Even if it would be against your own better judgment. I take that you and her had history while you two were students yes?”

“That is classified,” Weems tries to downplay the fact she did have feelings for Y/n when they were students.

*Larissa’s POV* “You like the most useless vampire in the entire school?!” A ‘friend’ asks Weems, “Lame.”

“It’s not about what type of vampire she is,” You say, “She would always go out of her way for me and no one has ever done that for me.”

“It’s because you ask,” They add

“That’s the thing, I don’t,” She says, “It’s like she simply does it because she wants to.”

“Talk a bout a stalker,” They say, trying to joke about it

“Okay either she’s lame because she’s not as cool of a vampire as every other vampire here, or she’s a creep because she's more than willing to be there for more more than you have all four years we've been here?” You ask 

“Principal Weems,” Wednesday’s voice calls you out of your memory lane

You look down at her.

“Are you coming in with me or not?” She asks, “Worried I may run off?”

“Not at all,” You clear throat, “Let’s go.”

You follow closely behind Wednesday as the both of you enter the hospital: Eugene’s moms outside of his room.

“Principal Weems,” They greet you

You greet them back but make sure to keep an eye on Wednesday as she advances into his room.

*Wednesday’s POV* You briskly walk back up to the principal, the look on your face (despite you barely show any form of emotion) told her that something was wrong.

“It’s always the ones who pass off as overly kind...” You sigh, coming to walk over to the principal, “It was Thornhill behind the murders and she controls Tyler. Eugene told me everything: the person that blew up the cave, he said he saw red boots. Who else in the school wears red boots?”

You watch as the Weems’ face changes from concern, to distraught. 

I was right... Sort of...

“We have to confront her,” You suggest, “Make her pay for harming humans and one of our own.”

“You know she will deny being the mastermind behind these murders and the control of the Hyde,” Weems says

“We’ll bring in Tyler,” You say

You look at her, in a way that Weems finally catches on.

“Pretend you're him and make her confess everything,” You explain, “I can instigate her into confessing, all you have to do is act.”

“Alright,” Weems sighs, composing herself

*Y/n’s POV* You sit at the Weathervane as you take a last cup of coffee. However, you spot Weems and Wednesday even for a split second, driving. Something about the look on their face made your fangs itch with discomfort. 

Something isn’t right...

+*+

From a distance you begin following the two size dynamic duo as you follow them back to the school; following them to the greenhouse.

You look at the outer structure of the greenhouse as you hear muffled conversations going on.

“Where... Are you...” You speak to yourself

When you would need some time to think to yourself, or just need silence, you went to the greenhouse. However, with time you found a secret spot within the greenhouse not even the former Botany teacher had found when you were a student there. It gave you an entrance to the class. However, this time, you were keeping to the shadows. 

“You were never getting on that train,” Thornhill explains, “I’ve sent Tyler to intercept you.”

“I never made it to the station. Heard enough?” Wednesday calls towards “Tyler”

Thornhill turns to him as she watches him ‘turn’.

“After Eugene told me everything Principal Weems and I decided to confront you ourselves.” Wednesday explains

“Don’t make this harder than it already is Marylin,” She says

For a second, you saw something gleam against your eyes as you see Thornhill reach into her pocket.

“My name is Laurel!” She yells

It all happened in a flash. You heard the Nightshade Poison beginning to course itself through Larissa’s entire nerves system.

"No!" You shout

You come out of hiding as soon as The Principal fell to the ground, heaving for air. You shove Thornhill away from the three of you.

"Principal Weems!" Wednesday tries to call out to her

“It’s gross, my rare genetic,” You explain to Larissa

“Why?” She asks

“I basically have to suck on the person’s blood to extract the nightshade poison form their system,” You say

“Have you ever had to do that?” She asks, “Suck on someone’s blood?”

“Nope, I don’t plan to,” You say

I gotta plan to now...

"Move aside Wednesday," You say, slowly leaning down

"What are you going to do?" She asks

"Making use of my rare genetic," You say

Gently, you turn Weems slightly; exposing her neck, where the injection point had been. You gently lift her neck towards your mouth.

"I got you Larissa," You whisper as your teeth breaks her skin

You felt the initial sting of the poison but due to your protective saliva, you felt nothing. You lift your head and spit out the first batch and go back in one more to make sure the remaining poison gets out of her system. However, the second initial sting didn't show. But you spat it out away; seeing the glow of the poison. However, once you went back in for a third time, something felt different...

"Y/n?" Wednesday calls out to you

You don't respond. Your vision: hazed... Her blood was addicting...

It's like... Sweet tart cherries...

*Wednesday’s POV* You could hear the feral coming out of Y/n as you watch her continuing to drink the principal’s blood. Normally, things like that didn’t phase you. But, the darkening of her eyes, the growl coming from her throat every time she took a sip... Scared you. Not in a good way.

"Y/n snap out of it!" You push her, firmly

*Y/N’s POV* Your fangs loosen themselves from Larissa’s flesh as you spit out the last of her blood infected with nightshade poison. However, you didn’t see shades of blue in the last batch....

Oh... Did I nearly kill her?.... Is that why it tasted like sweet tart cherries?...

“I’ll take her to the hospital,” You say, “I almost killed her...”

You remove your inner shirt and place it over her wound to 

“Kick Thornhill’s ass for me kiddo.” You look at her

Even for a second, you hear Wednesday’s facial muscles push themselves into a devilish smile.

+*+

You exit the hospital... You felt anxiety course through you: Weems in the hospital in critical condition, the school is in danger... There was so much going on your emotional state couldn’t handle it at all...

Thornhill needs to pay...

You break into a run back towards the school... 

You were fast... Heightened agility was one of the many perks of being a vampire. But, it didn’t fully develop until after you graduated from Nevermore. You technically never needed to drive to get form one place to another... For a short distance. 

I still don’t condone showing my vampirism... But, desperate means calls for desperate measures. 

*Wednesday’s POV* You watch as Crackstone begins to shrivel away. However, the moment of relief 

“THORNHILL!” A booming voice echoes through the courtyard

You, Thornhill and Bianca look over and see Y/n... But, something was off about her. 

“What happened to Y/n?” Bianca comes up to you

“I... I think she went feral...” You say, wide-eyed

*Y/n’s POV*  In the blink of an eye, you were directly face to face with Thornhill. 

“So you decided to stick around and find out of what happens when you decide to mess with us outcasts?” You ask, a devilish smile forming

All of your teeth were sharpened to a point: durable enough to tear through metal. Your eyes were heavily dilated. 

“I-I-I-”

“SILENCE!” You screech

She shuts her mouth. 

“Would you like to see what happens to vile creatures like you mess with something that I hold dear?” You ask

She shakes her head.

“WRONG ANSWER!” You shout

You grab Thornhill by the chin as you begin lifting her off of her feet effortlessly.

“Doc, what do you mean I could go ‘Feral’?” You ask

“It’s an extremely rare case,” They explain, “But, it mostly happens when you would drink blood. But, one that would taste like a sweet tart kind of deal.”

“Doc, I only drink any type of red drink,” You explain, “No human blood in my diet.”

“I suggest being careful form now on,” They say, “Drink a certain person’s blood and you could end up going feral.”

*Wednesday’s POV* “She drank Weems’ blood,” You conclude

“What does Y/n’s basic vampire anatomy have to do with this?” Bianca asks

“She was the one who extracted nightshade poison from Principal Weems’ body,” Your explain, “But, there was a moment after, where it looked like she became animalistic.”

Bianca looks over to Y/n, clawing at Thornhill’s chin. blood seeping through her fingers.

“I have to stop her,” You state

You run over to Y/n and practically bodyslam into her. You coil your arms around her midsection. The simple thought of it being considered a hug was making you vomit.

“Get a hold of yourself Y/n!” You shout, “Principal Weems wouldn’t want you to turn into a murderer! It’s over!”

*Y/n’s POV* “Y/n,” A voice calls out to you

Larissa?!...

You drop Thornhill onto the ground as your blood begins boiling again. You let out a yelp as you begin clutching your head.

+*+

You watch her as she lays unconscious in the hospital room bed, in particular her bandages covering your bite marks.

"How is she doc?" You ask the doctor brushing past you

"She's stable," They explain, "But, we aren't sure when she'll be conscious again."

"I see, thank you doc," You say

You watch them beginning to check Larissa's vitals, all the doctor-things you were never smart enough for. 

“Help!” You shout through the hospital, “Help!”

Some nurses instantly bring you a gurney to place Larissa upon as they bring her into an open room. 

“What happened?!” The doctor comes rushing in

“She got infected with Nightshade Poison,” You say

“And how the hell did these teeth marks get here?” He asks, beginning to properly clean it

Your eyes widen as you notice the nurses eyes on you. Although it wasn’t uncommon for the Outcasts to be among humans, you didn’t find it so ethical to show any hints of your vampirism to humans. 

“I uhhh... May or may not have sucked all the poison out of her blood system but also began drinking her blood after the fact...” You say, wiping your mouth

“I see,” He clears his throat, “I will need you to step out so we can get her looked at.”

You nod as you make your way out of the room.

That was when you unknowingly became feral and... Nearly killed Laurel Gates whilst Wednesday was occupied with Joseph Crackstone. 

*Larissa's POV* You slowly open your eyes as you wake to the sound of the IV monitor beeping at your side.

"Principal Weems, you're finally up," the Doctor sighs

"How long was I out?" You ask

You try and use your arm to help you sit up but the pain in your shoulder made you lay back down.

"Several days," He explains

"Several days?!" You ask

"You were injected with Nightshade Poison," He continues, "But, something or someone was able to get all of it out of your system. But, it barely made it just before it had all of your systems shut down. So yes, it took awhile for your body to build its own immunity back up."

"Who on earth had the ability to do all of that?” You ask

“It may have something to do with that one person who brought you in here,” He says

“Who?” You ask

“Never left a name but left you a letter,” He says

He hands you a decently folded letter before he turns to step out of the room. Your eyes travel down to the creme colored sheet of paper; slowly unfolding it. 

My Sweet Dove,

If you're reading this, good. The doctor remembered to give my letter. When we were students, times were easier... We were young, living our best lives, making promises to each other for the future... Now that we’re older however, I realize now that we shouldn’t have made such promises that we couldn’t keep to each other. But, nonetheless, you are right about me. I truly am the most incompetent being to be around... But, fortunately you won’t have to deal with me any longer. By the time you read this, I’m already at the station... I’m leaving Jericho... I don't know if I have a plan to come back. I’ll figure that out... Eventually.

- Y/n Y/l/n

Tears stream down your eyes as you make yourself remember the last words you told Y/n: that she was incompetent and that she was a stone around your neck...

+*+

You were changing out of the last outfit you were in as the other was set out along your bed. However, when you looked at yourself in the mirror, you notice the maroon red scabs that sit against the base of your neck into your collarbone.

Those teeth marks look like...

You gently run your fingers over the semi-healed marks. Your mind then goes to the letter Y/n left for you...

Maybe you could catch her before she’s gone... Possibly for good.

Chapter 3 (Epilogue)

[johaerys-writes]

Hello! I hope you're having a better week than the last. A WIP Wednesday, if you're okay? You can skip this ask so plz no pressure! Have a nice day and I luv u❤️

Hey anon!! This week has so far been slightly better than the last, and for that I am SO grateful lol. I've started working on yet another disasters!patrochilles one shot (shocking absolutely no one) which is basically The Break UpTM, from Achilles' POV:

"He did what?"

Dei is standing in front of him, fists on her hips, her dark eyes flashing. Achilles shakes his head, sniffling into his tissue.

"I cannot believe it. This is— This is just— the fucking nerve of him!" She angrily flips her sleek black hair over her shoulder and paces the living room, her mouth twisted in fury. "After all this time— all the chances you've given him!"

"I know," Achilles laments, and he can feel the tears coming again. He doesn't even bother dabbing at his eyes, letting them flow down his cheeks instead. There's no stopping them now; the wave of emotion that climbs up to his throat is thick and hot and all consuming, choking him. It’s pain and loss and heartbreak and frustration, all wrapped up in one, and he can’t unravel it.

The previous night, when Patroclus pulled him and held him close, is still fresh, searingly bright in his mind. He can still feel Patroclus’s hands on him, taste him on his lips; all those years and years of pent up longing and hoping and praying finally finding their release. And then he remembers how Patroclus had looked at him that morning, how he’d pushed him away without a second thought, and he wants to start screaming and never stop.

"What did he say to you? Tell me again, word for word."

"That he doesn’t know if we should do it again," Achilles sobs. "That it's not right, not… proper. That friends aren't supposed to do things like that, aren't supposed to—to sleep together."

"Friends, my ass. He's been throwing himself at you since you were fifteen!"

More like the other way around, Achilles thinks to himself, but he doesn’t have the heart to correct her. He takes a shaky, stuttered breath. "Then— then I asked him why he kissed me last night, why he let it all happen if he didn't think it was right."

"What did he say?"

"He didn't know-w-w," Achilles bleats pathetically, burying his face in the fistful of tissues he grabs from the box.

Dei huffs and shakes her head. "The fucking nerve of him!" she repeats, more emphatically than before. She throws her hands up and starts pacing the living room again, muttering and cursing to herself.

Rhea brings him a glass of water as Dei keeps ranting and talking with her hands. Achilles shakes his head at the water; he can’t drink anything, he can’t eat anything, so tight is the knot in his throat.

"Are you sure that's what he meant?" Rhea asks. "Maybe there's something else going on with him, maybe… you misunderstood him."

"There's nothing to misunderstand," he tells her. "He just— doesn’t want me. That's all."

"And that’s his loss. Okay?" Dei stops pacing to come sit next to him. She strokes his hair and gives him a new tissue from the box. "He doesn’t deserve you, sweetie. You're so much better than him."

Achilles shakes his head. He knows Dei means well, that she only wants to comfort him, but the notion is alien to him. How can Achilles be better than Patroclus, how can Patroclus be worse than him, when they've always been the same? One heart, one mind? He doesn’t know if there are words he could say to make Dei understand.

He shivers, his chest run through by a bout of fresh pain. He doesn’t know what to do with himself. He wants to scream, and he wants to wail, and he wants to tear his hair out by the roots; he wants to curl up in a ball and crawl under the covers and never again come out. He wants to die. He simply wants to stop existing.

"It's over," he sobs on Dei's shoulder while Rhea holds his hand. "It's all over."

"Now, now," Rhea coos, patting his back. They both comfort him copiously as he empties their tissue box, and then some.

~~

Thank you so much for this ask!! I hope you're having a good week too 💙💙💙

[kaimeioneclipse]

hey

can you make an Wenclair x Male!Famous(mabey)Guitarist!Reader?

DARK MOON

Pairing: Wednesday x Enid x Male Reader

Summary: You are a Nevermore Academy Student but you were a famous guitarist from a band you used to be a part of. You and the band were on the rise on the internet and about to sign a deal but with your powers starting to come in you had to step away from the band. Along the way you met up with Enid who was your Shadow at Nevermore and showed you around, secretly she was already a fan. Then you met her roommate Wednesday and then one thing led to another and all three of you started dating.

WordCount: 2.3k

Warning: Slight Smut

The morning was like any other morning, 8am at Nevermore Academy. You can hear the boys next door getting ready for school and your alarm blaring your last song your wrong with your previous band. You reach for your phone and press the dismiss button on the screen, as the alarm app moves from sight you see your lock screen of the two most beloved women in your life. Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair.

You smiled at you see Enid's bright smile and Wednesday's signature scowl, but you knew behind her eyes she was glad to take the photo for you. How you three ended up together still is beyond you but it happened. Enid and Wednesday were un-separable but you being the new kid, you had to have someone show you around and that's how you met Enid.

The week you all met

Enid was bubbly and very bright, she was sweet and you liked that about her. She told you all the gossip and all the different hang-out spots and groups in the school. But she warned that since you are technically a celebrity you might be picked by the wrong crowd and told you to get a feel of the school before you make a decision she kept her cool in front of you for a time being but Enid was a big fan of your band. It wasn't a secret for a while when you was walking from your dorm room you could hear your band's first single coming from her room when you went to ask her how to get to a certain class. You prepared to knock but the door opened and with a dark shadow bumped into you. It wasn't the girl you were looking for it was someone else. The Midnight braided hair and moon-shadowed eyes looked at you were taken aback her. and that's how you met Wednesday

"Sorry, didn't see you there. I'm Y/N, nice to meet you" you say with a smile.

She looked at you "Wednesday" she said while looking up and down at you. She seemed to recognize you but she couldn't put her finger on it and She doesn't have a bad memory. This sorta irritated her just like hearing the music while in the room when she is trying to write.

"I have to go," she says as she moves around and you start to go down the hallway "Also if you are looking for Enid she is inside that room"

Back to the Present

You rolled out of bed and headed to the bathroom and got yourself ready. You looked at the guitar that you had hooked up to the amp and a songbook next to it. You hear a knock at the door and grab the songbook and stuff it into your backpack and unplug your guitar and stuff it into your guitar case/backpack. You strap up everything and head to the door.

You open the door and you see your two wonderful girlfriends waiting for you at the door. Enid is laying on Wednesday's back groaning. Seems like she has been up all night again and didn't get proper sleep.

Good Morning" you say kissing Wednesday on the lips and then moving to Enid and kissing her on the forehead since her face is buried in Wednesday's back.

Wednesday looked back at the tired Enid "She stayed awake again because of some gossip."

"mmpf ahsmpf" Enid was muttering into Wednesday's back

"Let me take her off your hands" You say as you put down your Guitar backpack and take Enid off Wednesday's back and hold onto her in your arms like she is a sleepy baby. Enid opened her eyes slightly and smiled seeing your face

"My knight in shining....." she says as she falls back into slumber.

"Lets get her to class because I will not be late again because she wants to drag herself like a pig in quicksand. Her cute face wont save her this time. Especially today" says Wednesday as she grabs your guitar bag and walks ahead of you and signaling you to keep up.

You chuckle at this moment since it's pretty much like this all the time. You walk down the hallway with the busy students and head to class.

Minutes later you are sitting at your desk next to Xavier. Xavier has been your cool guy friend ever since you came to nevermore. He didn't care where you came from he just knew from your vibe that you were a good person.

"Dude you doing today?" Xavier asked you

You looked at him perplexed at first then it snapped in your head.

"Oh yea, Ive blocked out the outside assembly stage with the late night patrol and they said I can do it tonight only," you said

Xavier smiled, "You are gonna kill this" he said to you.

You fist bumped and then your teacher noticed you two weren't paying attention. "Mr L/N and Mr Thrope, you have something to share with the rest of the class"

"No Ma'am" you both say with a smile and look at each other.

But not too far away Wednesday was looking at you and Xavier wondering what you two were talking about. Wednesday had a feeling something was different with you. For the past few weeks you have been hanging out with Xavier more and she couldn't understand why. She brought it up to Enid a while ago. Enid thought you were cheating on both of them but Wednesday put the thought out of her mind since you aren't that kind of person. Plus dealing with the two of them wasn't an easy task let alone adding another lover in the picture.

A while back Enid and Wednesday followed you to the Weathervane and saw you were there with Xavier talking about something but their hiding spot across the street conveniently blocked their view. So she has been trying to figure it out.

A Few Hours Later

Class is over and Everyone is done with dinner and heading back to their dorms. You are with Wednesday, Enid, Xavier, Bianca and Yoko. You are talking about current news in Nevermore and everything new going on.

"So Enid the full moon is coming out tomorrow, Where are you and the rest of the Wolves wolfing out this time?" Bianca asks

"Im not sure this time, the forest is usually the go-to but I'm not sure this time" Enid replies "Means I get to spend tonight with my two favorite people" as she holds on your hand and Wednesday's

"Well Yoko and I need to get some last-minute studying done" says Bianca. Yoko nods and follows Bianca as they head back to the Girls dorms.

Xavier starts to look around you and sees something different.

"Hey Y/N Where is your Guitar Backpack?" Xavier asks.

"Its right he-...." You begin to feel behind you and its not there. "Whoa What the hell? Where is my bag?"

"You must have left it in class? Or maybe the Dinner hall" said Xavier "I'll help you go find it"

"Hey you two I will meet you back in your dorm room, Im gonna go find my bag." You say as you kiss Wednesday and Enid on their cheeks then you and Xavier run off back into the school.

"Be careful and hope you find it." says Enid blowing a kiss to you.

Wednesday squints at you as your back is turned. "Something is off..." Wednesday says with a suspicious tone.

"What you mean hun?" Enid asks

"Y/N never leaves his guitar. That guitar was given to him by his grandfather, father, and his uncle, with this little bit of money the gathered up. He holds that guitar with high value. Remember we caught him sleeping with it in his bed."

"Oh yea...He was cute holding it" Enid says as she remembers the thought of you blushing

"Enid focus...Y/N is hiding something from us"

"But Love why would he do that?"

"I dont know but we need to find out. Let's go back to the dorm and get some stuff then Y/N is gonna answer to some things"

The girls head back to the dorm and open up the door. Thing is currently on Wednesday's desk tapping on a letter on the desk.

"What is it Thing?" Wednesday asks

"Oh look someone left us a note" Enid says picking it up and drawing out one claw and opens up the letter and it states.

If you want to know what is currently out of place, meet us by the stage where the events play. So don't be late and meet us there by 8.

Wednesday and Enid looked at each other.

"What do you think?" Enid asked

"I think this might be the answer we were looking for" Wednesday replies grabbing her stuff "Thing come on" Thing hops of the desk and crawls on to Enids shoulder.

A Few Minutes later

Wednesday and Enid show up the outside event stage, This stage is used during the summer months for prep rallies, and stage performances with the drama club, choir, and others. But something was off this time. The Night time lights are usually dim here and there wasn't any night patrol either which was new to the girls.

"Babe, I dont like this..." said Enid to Wednesday clutching on to her arm.

"Me either" Wednesday replied but she was sted fast ready for anything to pop off if need be.

"We're hear! Show yourself" Enid yelled in the dark area that was more silent than death itself.

Then a loud clack came from the stage and a burst of light blinded Wednesday and Enid for a few seconds but as their eyes adjusted who did they see on the stage it was Y/N. You were sitting on a stool with your guitar in hand in front of a microphone.

"Y/N what is going on? Did you plant that letter in our room?" Wednesday asked with her cold death stare looking straight at you.

You chuckle a bit and reply "Yes with the help of everyone to make this possible. I just want to say to your both that I appreciate all that you two have done for me. Whether it be school work, listening to my problems, or helping me with my powers. You both have always been there for Me and I thank you. Wednesday......Enid....I wrote something that shows how i feel about the two most wonderful women in my life"

You begin to play your guitar and the lights dim on you. You lean into the microphone and begin to sing.

Dark Moon

Verse 1:

The moon is my witness, to a love that's true Two hearts that beat for me, and I for them too We share a bond that's dark and deep In a love that's forbidden but we choose to keep

Chorus:

Dark moon, shine your light on me Guide us through this love we see Three hearts that beat as one Underneath the dark moon's shine

Verse 2:

We share the secrets of the night And the warmth of the morning light We hold each other in our arms And our love is safe from harm

Chorus:

Dark moon, shine your light on me Guide us through this love we see Three hearts that beat as one Underneath the dark moon's shine

Bridge:

We know it's not the way it's supposed to be But our love is pure and true We'll keep it hidden from the world And let the dark moon see us through

Chorus:

Dark moon, shine your light on me Guide us through this love we see Three hearts that beat as one Underneath the dark moon's shine

Outro:

Dark moon, shine your light on us As we navigate this love that's true We'll hold onto each other's hearts And let our love shine through.

As you stop playing you look up to see your two girlfriends staring straight at you with tears in their eyes. Your lyrics reached them and you were happy to see that. They begin to run towards the stage as you put your guitar on a leaning stand. They approach you wiping their tears and then hit you in the back of the head together.

"Dont ever keep a secret from us again" Enid yelled and began to cry again and grab onto you.

Wednesday wipes her tears and tries to get her composure "We were worried about you for the past few days and we thought something was wrong. This is why I don't celebrate meaningless festivities like this"

You look at Wednesday with a smug look knowing that she cried 30 seconds ago

"Really?" you say

"Shut up" Wednesday replies back at you then also lays herself onto you.

You chuckle a little bit. Enid runs her fingers on your chest and Wednesday looks up at you and raises her hand to your face and both say to you.

"I love you"

You smile and reply "I love you too"

The Next morning

You hear your alarm go off just like every morning. Nevermore Academy once again. Your head feels heavy and so does your body. You look over to your right where your phone is on the nightstand and try to reach over but your arm feels so heavy. Then you see a pale white hand with black nails reach out and press the snooze button on your phone. You try to move your other arm which is also heavy but you hear a moan as you try to move it. You try to sit up a little bit and see your two girlfriends are in the bed with you wearing nothing but your T-shirts which are bigger than them. You laugh a bit but not too loud to wake them up.

"Ok 5 more minutes" you say to yourself and go back to sleep.

(Author's Notes)

This was my first asked story and I kinda went more than I thought I would but I like how this one turned out. Remember if you have any ideas on what story I should write next let me know. I will be working on the two other stories that I promised to work on but the 9 to 5 has been keeping me busy. But I'm glad this one is finally done and I hope you all like it.

Check out my Master list!

[callofdudes]

Coping platonic Simon x Reader

Summary: Everyone copes differently. You convince Simon to come to the bar for a drink.

A/N: A little thing that me and @itsscromp made up and I have official turned into a little thing. That ended up being a lot longer than I'd first expected.

CW: Alcohol, there's a lot of alcohol, this is platonic but there's like a flake of iffy stuff.

Word count: 4.3K

It wasn't uncommon for the 141 to go out drinking after a mission or spent the coming days indulging ones self. Throughout the years working as a team you each had come to learn of the others coping mechanisms. Gaz hid. Drowned himself out in music. He'd sleep and read to drown himself from the real world and usually would dissociated for a few days before seeking Price out for help. Johnny was similar. He'd write his feelings out on paper and workout until he flopped down in bed and couldn't move. His muscles pulsing a burning until he passed out from exhaustion. Price his himself in paperwork. It didn't help most times, you'd often come into the room seeing him coax a bottle of a scotch to his lips. His desk would pile high with distractions he'd run himself out.

You would rarely ever see Simon. He didn't talk. After missions Simon went mute and wouldn't acknowledge anyone for nearly a week. No one knows what he does for sure but they can speculate. Some say he hides his pain with pleasure, others say he drinks until he can't see. Others think he just lays in bed like a corpse. And most of it was true to see degree or another.

But you hated seeing your lieutenant like that. After debriefing he'd escape off to his room and wouldn't open the door until someone knocked to give him food. You always remember knocking and seeing the look in Simon's eyes when he saw you. Like he wanted to talk and reach out but he couldn't. It broke you.

So you decided surely anything other than what he was doing would be better. The first time you'd tried Simon had actually agreed. You'd knocked on his door and when he opened it, you looked into those eyes. Almost lifeless compared to how you could make them shine with one of your stupid jokes. "I'm going for a drink, you want to come?"

Simon paused. He still didn't stay anything, but his stance shifted. "I'm going to go waste myself at the bar. You should come."

Surprisingly, after Simon closed the door, he opened it a few minutes later with a sweater on and proper jeans. He followed you out to the car and ever since that has been your thing.

After debriefing you'd take a day to just sort yourselves out alone before meeting up at the bar and talking shit out until you felt to tired to continue. Sounds horrible but it was better than what you had been doing.

Tonight was no different.

Simon was quiet on your way to the bar. Price would drop you off before his meeting with Laswell and pick you back up when you called. You thanked your captain when he dropped you at the front door and the two of you walked inside. You were familiar faces. The bar wasn't exactly full on the late Wednesday night so you and Simon took the empty corner as usual.

Simon examined the room. His posture straight and gaze never remaining focused on one thing for too long.

You placed your hand over his and garnered his attention. "Try to relax." His eyes flickered around him in one last moment of contemplation before committing to facing the bar counter.

You ordered for the two of you and the ritual began. You usually would start. Something inside you would tick and a passing thought would breach your mind enough to put it into words. Simon nodded softly when you spoke. He swished his drink, hypnotized and calmed by the slosh and swish of the liquid. His mask remained fixed on his face while he visually interrogated the glass.

"So. Johnny invited everyone down to his place for leave. Have you given anymore thought to his proposal?"

Simon shook his head. He itched at the hem of his mask, wanting to tear it off and shove it further up all at the same time. He wanted to drink, to indulge, but his mind wanted to fight, to hunt the danger.

"Simon," you squeezed his hand, "It's ok." You looked around the bar. Hooded figures and quiet chatter. Loud clinks of glasses. You'd be lying if you said it didn't make your skin crawl and the hairs on your nape stand on end. But Simon was downright Stonehenge.

His eyelids fluttered briefly. "No. I haven't." He replied. If was barely a whisper. A secret carried on the breeze drifting from the main door. It was something so small and so forced you'd have missed it completely had you not been listening.

"Ok. That's alright. Have any plans at all?"

Simon shook his head, then quickly replied with another weak "No."

You nodded and took a sip of your drink. The warm liquid settled along your throat. The smoothness glided along your tongue in a way you couldn't explain. The zingy burn it left behind once you'd swallowed was worth the taste that followed. Simon examined you and finally gave him. He pulled up his balaclava and brought the glass to his lips.

The first few sips of bourbon always got Simon feeling more comfortable. He'd relax a little more and his voice would grow a little clearer.

His eyes were heavy. Shifting around the bar, lingering on you and then down at the table. You'd come to learn that you shouldn't bug Simon about his drinking. If he was on his seventh drink, asking him to stop would make him upset. It was the only way you could get him to cope in public. Around you where you could assure his safety.

He placed down the cup and rested his head in his hands. His shoulders hunched and he breathed out deeply. "I feel like shit." It was barely there again but you heard. You placed your hand on his shoulder and massaged the tension from the muscle. "Let it go. I'm right here. Just let it all out." Simon's hands turned to fists and his hands tightened on his mask. War clashed in his mind. His lips quivered and his molars ground against each other. "Do you ever just want to stop?" He took the cup in his hands and pulled up his mask. Without a thought he downed the rest of the glass and pushed it up the bar.

"What do you mean stop?"

"Give up. Go home. Retire and put this damn job behind you? It's fucking impossible. I love what I do. I crave it, live for every second. But what in the hell am I doing with my life??"

You frowned. He motioned the bartender over and motioned for another drink which was quickly brought to him. He placed the cup to his lips and drowned himself in the liquid. The cup was empty before you could speak.

"Simon, where's this coming from?"

"I'm tired of feeling like shit. It's like an addiction. You serve and you serve, being brave for your country and fighting to protect your home. And in return it destroys you. Chest candy and trauma. You can't put it down once you pick it."

You placed your hand over Simon's before he could motion for another drink. "Simon. You are one of the most capable soldiers I know. This is a hard job and it comes with its downs. Even if it costs everything we save hundreds, thousands of people from losing."

He looked at you with tired eyes. His tear line was red and irritated. Simon motioned another drink and swished it around. "I just want to do something right in my life." He murmured and choked back the alcohol. You looked down at the beer in your hand and placed it down. You turned your chair to face Simon and took his hand in both of yours.

"Ghost- Simon…" He looked at you. Stone cold sober. These words were spilled from trust, not his blind drunkenness. "I know. You want to prove yourself but you don't have to. Everyone already knows the Ghost. The Soldier who barreled through a hundred men and came out with a single wound. The man who is so big and has the stealth of a panther. You're the Ghost."

"Yeah. Exactly my point."

Simon turned back to the table and grabbed another drink. You both were quiet. Simon drank one cup after the other until you'd lost track of your tab. Simon always offered to pay for what he drank but it didn't make you feel particular. You felt sad watching Simon push more alcohol. You looked down at the bar and sighed. "You know. I care about you a lot Simon."

"I care about you so much. And you don't have to try to prove anything to me. Not to Price, or Johnny or Kyle. We all love you. We all care for you."

Simon rubbed his chin and placed down yet another empty cup. "I'm not in the right place right now. I just need some time."

"And that's ok." You slid closer and rubbed his back soothingly. You ran your hand over the back of his hood and back down. "Everybody has bad days Simon. And I know that a lot of big emotions can overwhelm you, they can overwhelm everybody. Sometimes you can't avoid those emotions. But it's not good to sit in them either."

He looked at you and then down at your hand on his. He bent over and laid his forehead on top of your knuckles. He rested on your hand and allowed himself to relax there. Just with you.

"I know the real Simon. I know it's hard but I don't want you to hide him from me. Don't try. Because I like Simon. Simon Riley is my friend. Alright?"

It took a minute but Simon nodded. He groaned tiredly. His stomach was buzzing with the warm alcohol. He shifted his head and looked up at you. "Are you gonna drink that?" He asked, lazily pointing at your beer.

You chuckled. "Yes Simon. But if you want one you can order one." He hummed.

Your back pocket buzzed, alerting both of you. You quickly pulled it out and looked at the number. "Oh…"

"Simon I'm so sorry I just have to take this call. That's ok? I'll be right back I promise."

Simon sat up and nodded. He watched you get up from the bar and walk to the entrance and outside. He watched the door for a while before turning back to the empty glass in front of him. It felt like instinct when he raised his hand and the bartender was at his side.

"Rough night?"

"You have no idea."

"I'm sure things will work out."

Simon hummed and picked up the drink. His eyes lingered on the door a moment more before sparing himself indulgence.

You stood outside. The evening chill ran down your spine and settled in your feet. "Hey, what's up?" You walked the length of the sidewalk and peered into the window while you talked. Simon hunched at the bar, as if something was pushing his head down. Like an unforgivable beast was pressing its weight on him and allowing him to drown. You turned away and tapped your foot anxiously.

The phone call took a lot longer than it should have. What you thought would have been an emergency was really just a check on, followed by thirty minutes away from Simon. When the call ended you looked back inside. Simon wasn't in hia chair. "Shit." You muttered.

You walked back inside and searched the bar's main area, but you couldn't find him. "Ghost?" You looked back outside, and then around again. And then you noticed him walking out from the bathroom. "Oh thank goodness. I thought you'd run away."

Simon didn't say anything. He looked down at you, his mind tumbling with man thoughts. "You look like you've had a bit to drink."

"Nah, I'm not fuckin' drunk." He muttered.

"Then why are you swaying like that?"

He frowned. "I'm not swayin' you're just short. Mmmmakes your eyes bad."

"Sure buddy, sure." You gently took his hand and guided him toward the front door. "Come on. Let's get you some water and then we should probably get you back home and into bed."

He watched you, his feet planted in the ground at the front entrance and he looked back at the bar. "I want to stay."

"Hmm?"

"I want to stay. Y/N, I want to stay. Please?"

While this had been your idea. There was a difference between a slightly drunk Simon, and very drunk Simon. And while you knew this wasn't going to end well, it had to be done.

"Simon, while I understand, I think you've had a little too much to drink, and as your friend, I'm trying to look out for you. I'm here to keep you from doing anything stupid, ok?"

Simon grimaced. He didn't seem happy to hear that. He wobbled over to you and reached out for you. His eyes were drowsy and heavy lidded. "I'm your lieutenant… that means that you need… you need to…" He groaned. His hands found your biceps and the rest of his body followed suit. He slumped against you and breathed heavily. His chest pounded like he'd just climbed a mountain. He rested against you for a minute, not moving, not speaking. His body was like putty.

"Don't feel good…" He finally groaned. He squeezed you tighter, barely giving you room to take his arms. "Ok, off to the bathroom then." You pulled him along, giving him time to stumble his feet along in your direction. He groaned when you reached the bathroom. You pulled him inside and with heavy resistance managed to pull him into an empty stall. He fell to his knees and slumped against the toilet. "Oh no- Simon don't let your face touch it." You cringed and gently pulled him back. You pulled his mask up over his nose quickly. He hiccuped and groaned. His body heaved and you had to look away when Simon coughed up vomit. He panted, attempted to get up, but his lunch had other plans. He gagged and arched over the toilet again.

"Simon…" You almost threw up just from the sounds. Your stomach churned and you had to try and focus on something else.

When Simon was done he fell backwards and slumped against your side. "Y/N… smelling colors…" His breathing was heavy and his body was exhausted. "Simon. Ok come on, let's get you hydrated. See if the bar has any water." Because that sentence had been said before. You pulled him up as best you could and helped him walk with you. When you left the bathroom some patrons were watching, those that weren't drunk off their asses giggled and whispered. You helped Simon back over to his seat and coaxed him to sit down.

Simon grabbed your arm when you turned to the bartender and asked for water, which he thankfully brought over to you. The cool cup of water was pushed over to Simon. He examined it before picking it up and downing it like alcohol. "Do you feel better buddy?"

He slumped against you. His eyes fluttered and he looked up at you. "You have two heads…" He practically giggled at this discovery.

"Simon," You chuckled, "Oh you're so drunk. But your mood seems better eh?"

"I'll ring Price and get us home."

Simon watched you. He frowned and tapped your arm. "I don't know why you're laughing. Are you laughing at me?? Did I say something wrong?"

"Simon…" You sighed. "No buddy, you know I would never laugh at you. Ok? Why would I ever laugh at you?"

"But you laughed…" He whispered.

You attempted to stop yourself but you could only chuckle at how Simon was acting. "I've just never seen you this drunk before. I thought it was funny. It's alright."

He groaned but managed to stay quiet for a moment. He laid his head down on the bar and looked up at you with soft eyes. "Hey…"

"Hmm?"

"You're my friend. You know that??"

"And… and sometimes when I bug you I don't mean it. I'm only playing, but if I ever go too far and hurt your feelings just let me know… ok?"

You smiled. "Thank you Simon. You're my friend too. And I know you like to play and joke around. But if that's how you show your love for me, bring it. I feel the same way, if I ever tease or push too much you can tell me. Not that I don't think you will. Because I feel the same way about you."

Simon grabbed your hand again. His warm, gloved hand tightened around your own as he spoke. "Shh, don't tell Johnny ok? But you're my favorite sergeant."

"You leaned close. "Your secret is safe with me Simon." You rubbed his arm. "But I think it's time to go home. Do you want to go home?"

Simon shook his head. "No… I want to stay with you. I won't let you out of my sight. Ok??"

"Alright. We can stay only a little longer. Then we'll go?"

Simon nodded and thanked you with a huff. He looked back over the bar and pointed lazily at the guy. "Can I have more??"

You eyed the bartender who looked at you instead of Simon. "He can have an iced tea. No alcohol." The bartender nodded and walked off to do his thing. Simon watched and waited. He perked up and smiled when the drink arrived. He looked at you and thanked you with a whisper before taking the drink in hand. "You're the best."

"Of course, bud."

You rolled your eyes when Simon downed the cold liquid, humming when his stomach got a taste of something new.

"Y/n…" Simon slumped and pushed the iced tea away. "I'm not good."

"Oh? Do you want to go home now?"

Simon nodded.

"Alright. That's ok. I'll call Price and we'll head home."

He groaned. "Can I hold your hand??" He asked as if he wasn't already close enough. "Yes, you can." You held out your free hand while you dialed Price with the other. He held your hand firmly and pulled it closer to him. You could feel his heavy heartbeat and the way he cradled your hand against him like paper.

"YN? How are things going?" Price asked when he finally answered the phone. "We're ok Captain, but Ghost is ready to head home."

"You do realize how late it is, correct?"

"Yes sir. I apologize. I got distracted and I didn't watch the time. Or Ghost."

Price sighed. "Give me fifteen minutes."

"Thank you captain."

"Mhm."

He hung up the phone swiftly, leaving you to run your hand down Ghost's back. He melted at the soft touches.

"Oh... Bloody hell Y/N. I feel like shit. Don't know any sergeant who'd want to see their lieutenant acting a fool." He muttered under his breath. He shuddered out a breath and pressed your warm hand to his face. It was bloody adorable.

“Hey it’s ok to let loose once in a while, believe me price does the same." You reassured him. You rubbed his shoulder and met his gaze. A soft haze of warm alcohol swimming in his eyes.

" I trust you... Family I never had y'know? You always seem so happy and it makes me feel human again. Like I matter. So don't think of going away…" He slumped against you and heaved.

"I'm gonna hang on to you so you can't go anywhere." He dropped your hand and clung to your arm. His hands gripped your bicep. "I wanna go home now…"

"Alright Simon." You patted his head. "That's ok. Price will be here soon."

"I'm tired and I don't feel good again." He muttered.

"I know Simon, you're doing good, once we get home we can get you into bed."

Simon clung to you until you saw Price pull up in the truck outside. After paying the tab you coaxed Simon from his chair and helped him across the bar. "Y/N…"

"It's ok, one foot in front of the other." You walked into the cool night and saw Price waiting on the sidewalk.

"Bloody hell you two."

Simon groaned when the wind hit him and stumbled to flip his hood on.

"Come on, get in the truck, I'll take him."

Price walked up to Simon and attempted to move him but Simon pushed him off and clung to you tighter. "Can't. He won't budge."

Price huffed. "Simon, come on soldier. You can let them go for two minutes."

“No I said I’d never let them go." Simon pushed away again and wrapped his arms tighter around you. "See??"

Price massaged the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Simon, I really don't want to do this."

"I can't let go…"

"Simon- you can hug or whatever in the car. I just need to strap you in. Please, it's late and I don't want to be in this parking lot longer than I have to." He coaxed one of Simon's hands up and pulled him gently away from you. “Fine but y/n is coming with me."

"I'm right behind you bud." Simon let go and followed Price over to the car. You kept close distance and opened the door for Price.

The larger man helped Simon up and lifted him up into the seat. Price did up his seatbelt and secured him into place. "Good man." He patted Ghost's chest and shut the door.

Before you could hop into your seat Price cleared his throat. He motioned to your pocket and raised an eyebrow. With a sigh you pulled out the receipt and saw Price's eyebrows twitch at the tab.

"Goodness. In the car, I'll get you home and into your bunks. Make sure Simon has some water at home and whatever else he needs for tomorrow morning."

"Yes Captain."

You climbed in and smiled when Simon looked over at you. "Are you all good Simon?" He hummed. Once your seatbelt was secure Simon leaned to the side and rested his head on your shoulder.

Price looked up into the rearview mirror and sighed. "I don't know if this is better for him."

"I know this captain." You looked at Simon who muttered incoherently into your shoulder. "But I can't leave him in his room all alone. Goodness knows what he'd do. What he is doing. I want him to be able to at least release his stress around someone who can help. To talk if he needs to. Not bottled up in his room with his own bad thoughts."

Price nodded. "If you both are willing to keep up on it."

You nodded and held Simon's hand until the car came to a stop at base. You looked down at Simon and smiled. "We're home."

Price opened the door and helped Simon back out. He practically wrestled with Simon until the taller one was on his own feet. You came back around and hooked Simon's arm over your shoulder. “Thanks price I’ll take care of it from here."

"Uh huh, get some sleep sergeant."

"Uh- yes. Will do. Come on Simon, let's get you to bed."

You walked into base and the place was silent. All the lights were off and doors were closed. It was way past lights out for everyone. You felt a little bad keeping Simon out so late.

"I'm tired. But I don't want to sleep." Simon grumbled.

You opened the door to his room and helped him inside. "You need to sleep , Simon, you're tired."

"Mmmnoo."

“Then why are your eyelids droopy huh?" You set him down on his bed and try to push him back into the sheets but his hands remain firm on you. "Simon, come on, lay down."

"I'm not tired! It's just a thing…" His eyelids fluttered and his soft irises faded away, blocked by heavy eyelids.

"Y/N I said I'm not tired. Trust me. I know what I'm doing..." He held onto you tighter in a last ditch effort to keep himself awake. His eyes closed for a moment before he shot his head back up. You smiled softly and pushed him down into bed. "Alright Simon. Do you want the mask off?" Simon nodded softly, his eyes fluttering closed again. You struggled to pull it off while he clung to you, but when you did you laid the balaclava on the nightstand. "Sweet dreams, ok?"

"No... I'm not gonna sleep…" His hands claw against your biceps and down across your forearm. His grip loosened as his muscles gave out and his hands fell away. Gloved fingers slipped and fell at his sides. His eyes closed and his head rested peacefully back against the pillow.

You grabbed the hem of the blanket and pulled it up over his shoulders. “Goodnight my friend." You whispered. You ran your fingers through his messy hair and exited the room.

You yawned and walked to your own room where you fell down onto the mattress and felt your body relax. And you also passed out.

[blackbloodteeth]

"The Whole Week"

For SoMa Week (2023) I ended up thinking of a genuine outline for what started as a joke idea I literally called The Whole Week, which would've featured every prompt over the course of an actual week. While I didn't write any of it up proper, thought I'd share what I'd come up with at the time in case it interests anyone. For additional context, this is a post-manga story.

————

[Devotion] Sunday: During a mission, Soul and Maka are attacked by two monsters, which results in Maka being controlled by one of them to attack Soul. He gets hurts but eventually finds a way to snap her out of it, and together the two strike back. One of the monsters is defeated but the other (who had previously controlled Maka) uses a charged-up attack on Soul that doesn't seem to do anything. It then swears they'll meet again and runs away with the other monster's soul. Soul then seems to be a bit unwell so the two return home. Soul is checked on and he appears to be overall fine, just that he will need to rest. He promises though that he recovers fairly quickly to reassure her.

[Love Language] Monday: Soul takes the day off to recover since he's still not fully well, and is laying on the couch while Maka prepares to leave for school. Both his having not slept well and some odd behaviour makes her worry but he plays it off. After she leaves it's revealed he's had a disturbing nightmare and that yesterday is still bothering him, but all-in-all he decides that he might just be worrying too much. Eventually he leaves the apartment to find a way to show Maka not to worry about him and is joined by Blair. Meanwhile Maka decides to ask Tsubaki for help to cook Soul something nice for dinner so he'll feel better, and the results of both avenues come together later that evening. Afterwards the two watch a movie together and Soul falls asleep on Maka's shoulder when his exhaustion catches up to him, leaving a sense that everything is okay for now.

[Flustered] Tuesday: Soul is feeling well enough to go to school today, however trouble with his Fan Club ensues. I'm not sure how exactly this plays out but Maka understands it's not his fault. At some point there's more foreshadowing to Soul's nightmares.

[Night Out] Wednesday: Due to both the nonsense from yesterday and the growing issue Soul has been experiencing, Soul decides to take a walk with Maka that evening to help calm his nerves until he can finally work up actually talking about it. Before he can actually tell her though, the monster from a few days ago suddenly reappears as foretold (this time having gained a more powerful form due to absorbing the other monster's soul), and activates the attack it used on Soul to reawaken the Black Blood that'd been sleeping in his innermost subconscious. Soul then attacks Maka and ends up infecting her, and Black☆Star shows up to try to take down the monster before using his Soul Force attack on Soul to knock him out of his mad state. While Soul is down, Maka punches the monster hard enough in the face to break its nose, and when it unleashes its full power on both of them Kid soon shows up and stops the chaos entirely. Maka eventually calms down enough to help Soul.

[Vulnerability] Thursday: Soul is bedridden in the infirmary today both for the attack Star inflicted and the Black Blood having re-entered his body. Maka has recovered well enough to move but wants to stay with him, and he decides to pick up from last night and be open with her about everything that's happened. After the two have talked for a while, the Thompson sisters come in to visit, with Patty bringing him a support stuffed animal because while it's not fully stated, everyone does know him being reinfected is pretty serious (Liz would've brought him snacks but he can't eat much for now). There's some lightheartedness though, and I'm not sure if there's any other scenes afterwards.

[Yearn] Friday: Soul is doing better but he's staying home again today. He convinces Maka to go to school since she's feeling well enough, which she agrees to since Blair will stay home and help take care of him (such as being a cat and cuddling with him haha). While the two are apart they have their own separate angstings, Maka worrying about Soul being reinfected while Soul is dealing with Oni being in his head again. Blair ends up making Soul some nice soup and Maka gets reassured by the rest of their friends. At the end of the day the two are happy to see each other, and Maka makes dinner again while her simply being there makes things better for him.

[Close Call] Saturday: Soul is feeling good enough to move around, so Kid hosts a little get-well party for him. I'm not sure what transpires for it to match the prompt, but at least it'll be shown that despite however much time has passed they're all still a bunch of goofy idiots. So basically the mood is picking back up here.

[Mom's Spaghetti] Sunday (again) A reflection of all the previous other days. Not sure what happens exactly other than maybe the two are thinking about things. For dinner though Soul decides to make Maka a spaghetti recipe that his mom was rather particular about (especially since he was kind of a picky eater as a kid), as both a way of saying thanks for everything and that he can keep moving forward with her. Perhaps the two have a little bit of feelings too, hm.

[not-krys]

[Repost] Hold My Hand - Houki

Part of this set of WIP Wednesdays

Raw, unedited writing below. Content warning for pregnancy, and Mitsun is super sweet as always.

-----

Dawn's early morning rays peeked through Mitsunari's window, blinding him temporarily before his eyes adjusted. Things seem to be the same as he and Houki had left them last night. Books placed in haphazard places, Kitty sleeping on his discarded sleeping robe near the bed, and his lovely Houki sleeping as well, her hand resting on her swollen belly.

Lord Hideyoshi would be here soon to bring breakfast, he thought. Houki, now in the later stages of her pregnancy, was relieved of her chatelaine duties to allow her to focus on her (and his) soon-to-be born child, so Lord Hideyoshi had taken over meal duties, making sure the two of them had regular scheduled meals now that Houki couldn't in her condition. Lord Hideyoshi didn't mind as he used to do this long before Houki came along. It was a return to form, to speak. But it did mean that Mitsunari was alone in getting ready for the day.

Today, however, would be different.

Set aside were both his clothes and Houki's, in neat piles thanks (again) to Lord Hideyoshi.

He was going to do it. He was going to dress himself and Houki. It was only fair after the number of times she'd help him get dressed and made sure he looked like a proper lord. Plus, it was getting more difficult for her to do basic tasks now so heavy with child. He wanted to help her, now more than ever.

With a nod and a small kiss to her nose, he rose from the bed, determined with his goal. He walked towards his pile, examining each article carefully. They were his own clothes, it shouldn't be difficult to dress oneself, after all. Just one piece at a time.

After several minutes, he did indeed dress himself. All his ties and strings were in place, tied neatly. Only one or two things were still askew but he was comfortable with this. His mission was just to dress himself and his wife, not to make sure they were immaculate for a visiting noble or something.

Next, he examined Houki's garments, similar to his own save for a few key items. Under clothes were pretty much the same, as was the kimono itself. Her blue jacket he could understand. Her obi and sashes, however, were a little confusing to him. He'd seen plenty of women in town and castle maids wearing bows with their sashes, but to make one with his own hands confounded him. Even the book he read over last night also called them a mystery. Mitsunari frowned.

He could ask Lord Hideyoshi about how to make one since he was regularly correcting others about their crooked obis and fixing them as needed, but he did want to try it on his own first. Houki would know how to tie the ribbon in the back, surely. The maids taught her and she learns things so quickly.

Maybe that should be his course of action, ask for her help as he's helping her get dressed. He nodded again, turning when he heard her stirring behind him. Mitsunari smiled brightly.

"Good morning, my love," he said quietly, kneeling by her side, "I still adore waking by your side."

"Good morning, Mitsunari," she said, her voice still heavy with sleep. "But, you're already dressed."

"Lord Hideyoshi is coming by soon, so I wanted to wake up early to help you get dressed."

Houki reached for her glasses, sitting just at the edge of her pillow, but Mitsunari grabbed them, remembering to grab by the frames rather than the glass and handed them to her.

"Are you sure?"

"I am. I want to help you."

She nods, still affected with sleep.

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

Mitsunari holds out his hand for her hand, helping her to stand on her feet. Kitty flicked her ear, still sleeping on his robes.

"Is he kicking?"

"Not yet. I guess he wore himself out last night."

"He must have been intrigued by the story we were reading to him."

"It was quite exciting. I even dreamed about the story, with our little boy in it."

"You see him in your dreams?"

"Sometimes. It's how I'm sure he's going to be a boy. The maids have been placing bets ever since I started showing."

"I've heard whispers of Lord Mitsuhide running bets as well."

"I didn't doubt he would. Lord Hideyoshi wasn't pleased with him."

She looked down at her stomach, slightly peeking through her sleeping kimono.

"What do you think?"

"I trust your judgement, but… even if we turn out to be wrong, we'll still love them regardless if they are a boy or girl."

Houki nodded and started taking her off her robe, Mitsunari helping her take it off the rest of the way. He then picked up her inner kimono, slipping it over her arms. He then moved in front of her, adjusting the fabric so it closed over her properly. He then repeated the process with her outer kimono, adjusting as needed.

"One of the older maids gave me the wider obi sashes," Houki said, "She said it help her in her pregnancies, saved her back when the baby started getting heavy. They seem to be starting to be fashionable amongst the nobility."

"I've started to notice them more often whenever noble ladies visit Lord Nobunaga and Lord Hideyoshi. Perhaps it's more comfortable?"

"It's… more supportive, I suppose. My back doesn't hurt as much when I wear them."

"Is he starting to get too heavy?"

"A little bit. I don't mind, as it's a good sign he's growing and healthy."

Mitsunari rubbed her lower back and kissed her temple.

"Let me know if it starts hurting too much. I want you to let me take care of you."

[clarisse0o]

Camp Wiegman - Part 3

Lucy Bronze x Ona Batlle

Alternate Universe : Military School

Words : 6k

Masterlist

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Wednesday, October 7; 6:00 AM - Ona and Alexia's Room.

Once again, that damn alarm clock that sounds like a firehouse siren. It never stops. I wonder how I missed it yesterday! I must have been really tired not to hear it. I press my pillow against my ears, which can't take this shrill, repetitive noise anymore. I only release the pressure once it stops. I need to make the effort to get up today if I want to avoid Bronze' wrath a second time. She exhausted me so much yesterday that I slept straight through the imposed curfew. It's been a long time since I had a full night's sleep. I grimace, letting out a groan as I sit up. Damn it!

"Sore muscles?" Alexia mocks, already up.

"More than a little, damn it."

"You'll get used to it, don't worry!"

"I've been hearing that since I got here."

"Because it's true. Hurry up if you don't want even more sore muscles. We only have fifteen minutes to get ready before inspection," she tells me.

"Fifteen minutes?!" I repeat. "Are you kidding me?"

"If only," she laughs.

I think I've never gotten up so fast, realizing my lateness as I see Alexia already freshly dressed and made up. I'm a dead girl if I'm not ready on time. Bronze threatened to make me endure worse than yesterday if that happened, and I'm not sure I can survive it. I rush to the bathroom with the right uniform. Turns out I got sent back from my first class for wearing the "sports uniform." Alexia had warned me, but exhaustion had taken over. As a result, I had to come back to my room to return to class in the proper attire. An awful outfit, by the way. It's composed of my combat boots, black pants, a khaki t-shirt, and my infamous military jacket. I put it all on before doing my makeup and fixing my hair. I now have two little minutes left to make my bed. I almost run to it to finish before her arrival. Alexia is already ready at the foot of her bed while I wrestle with my duvet. I panic, realizing the mess I'm in. I get all mixed up and can't remember the right steps.

"How do you manage to be so quick? Damn it! I can't make this damn bed again!"

I throw the duvet on the floor in a fit of anger. My bed looked like a mess anyway, so showing her my work or this pile is the same.

"Is there a problem, Batlle?"

I jump at the sound of her voice. That's it, I'm screwed. I turn around as slowly as possible to see her behind me. I feel intimidated by her stance, arms crossed, eyebrow raised. Alexia is holding back laughter behind her. I admit if it didn't concern me, I'd find this situation somewhat amusing. But since it does concern me, it's immediately less funny.

"Look at me when I talk to you!"

My eyes automatically return to her. Her sharp tone leaves no choice but to listen. She then turns to Alexia, who immediately stops giggling.

"No problem, Bronze," I reply, emphasizing her name. "Been fishing for information, Batlle?" "So it seems... Isn't Engen supposed to inspect the rooms in the morning?"

I cast my eyes on my informant, none other than Alexia. She doesn't dare move since Bronze looked at her. She's as straight as a rod with her hands clasped behind her back. It's like we're facing our section leader in the army... Almost the case.

"Stop looking at her, you're talking to me!" "Then answer me." "I'm personally in charge of this room while you adapt." "How lucky," I said sarcastically. "You said it," she smiles. "You can go, Putellas."

Alexia thanks her in a barely audible voice and flees the room, abandoning me with the tyrant. Thanks for the support! I fix my gaze on Bronze once the door closes at her request. As much as I want to stand up to her... It's a different story when she's in front of me. She seems cold and confident. It's no wonder everyone is afraid of her. However, I still plan to devise an attack plan against her. I just need to wait for the right moment and regain my strength.

"Well, now that your distraction is outside, will you answer me seriously?" "Why is she allowed to leave and not me?" "Don't dodge my question. You know perfectly well why you're staying here." "I don't want to miss breakfast again!"

"I gave you a pain au chocolat without being obliged, as far as I know. Now, tell me what your problem is. We'll see if you have time to get there."

She annoys me with her insistence on having things her way. She didn't earn her nickname for nothing! I'm no longer used to taking orders. I wait to see if she gives up without an answer, but she remains very patient. I comply, stepping aside to show her the disastrous state of my bed.

"I tried to remake it, but I can't do it anymore," I admitted. "You did it in front of me yesterday."

I relax when I realize she's not angry. She's just trying to understand what's going on. Maybe I'll avoid punishment if I stay honest.

"So, will you explain?"

"I just told you," I growled. "I'm not used to making my bed like this! You can't expect me to get it right overnight! Plus, I panicked because of your damn pressure!"

I realize what I just let slip when I see the little smile forming on her face. Damn it! I didn't want her to know something like that. She now knows she already has an influence over me.

"Alright, let's make a deal."

"I fear the worst," I mumbled.

"Hey, I'm doing this for you, just to be clear."

"Yeah, yeah..." I said unconvincingly.

"I'm willing to show you how to make your bed again so you know how to do it in the future, and you can have your breakfast. In return, we'll meet tonight after your classes."

"For what reason?"

"Do you really think you'll get away with nothing? I warned you that you'd be punished if you weren't ready on time today."

"I'm not gaining much in your proposal!" "You gain my help and your breakfast. That's a lot from me."

In the end, I won't escape this punishment... I weigh the pros and cons, even though the answer should be obvious since, in any case, she won't let me leave without making my bed and receiving my punishment.

"Alright, fine. I'll go with your proposal." "Good. I'll show you this time. Watch carefully and then do it yourself, okay?" "Okay..." "Come closer and observe carefully."

I move forward as she shakes out my duvet, letting it fall onto my bed. Like yesterday, she starts at the corners at the foot of the bed. She takes her time to show me each fold again, making sure I'm following. Once that's done, she smooths the duvet upwards before tucking it neatly under the pillow. She then tucks the excess sides under the mattress, which doesn’t seem to weigh much. I observe the flawless result. She must be well-trained to do it so quickly and perfectly.

"Got it?" "I think so..."

"No, you need to be sure. If you tell me you got it and tomorrow you’re not ready on time, I won’t want to hear any excuses when I punish you."

"You're such a pain," I mutter. "Excuse me?!" "Can I try again before giving you my answer?" "If you want."

I move to undo the bed, but her arm stops me.

"Don’t ever say something like that again. The fact that you even dare to address me informally is too much. Don’t push it too far, or you’ll regret it bitterly. Are we clear?"

"Yeah..." "Yes," she corrects me. "Repeat." "Yes," I growl. "Good," she says, lowering her arm. "Now try again."

I undo the bed in one go, then start from where she began. I try to replicate what she just showed me, starting with one corner, then the other. It's the hardest part. Once done, I smooth it upwards and tuck it under the pillow. I was about to tuck one side, but her voice stops me.

"Pull the duvet more, there are still wrinkles."

"Like this?" I ask, following her instructions.

"A bit more. Don’t hold back. The duvet is too caught at the foot of the bed to come out."

I follow her advice and pull harder. I let go of the duvet once it’s nicely stretched, without any wrinkles.

"Good, now tuck the sides under the mattress."

I do as instructed, starting with my side, then the other. I smile at the result, better than yesterday. I glance at my supervisor on the other side.

"It’s not so hard, is it?"

"No..."

"Do you feel confident you can do it, or do you need another try?"

"I think I'm good."

"Sure? I don’t want to hear any complaints if you’re late because of this tomorrow."

"Yes, I’m sure. I’ll face the consequences."

"Alright, you can go then. We’ll meet after your classes. What time do you finish?"

"Four o'clock, I think."

"Where’s your schedule?"

I point to my desk where it’s pinned to the wall. I don’t know my hours yet, so I keep it in plain sight. She approaches to look at it closely.

"Four o'clock, that's right. See you later." "See you later, Commander."

I give her my best sarcastic smile before leaving my room. I hate the idea of another punishment tonight. It’s not like my lateness was my fault. I just couldn’t make that damn bed! I dread what she has in store for me. I hope it’s not more laps around the field. Apparently, that’s her specialty according to Leah. Well, at least I get my breakfast. I arrive at the buffet, greeting the staff as I serve myself. I’m the last one, but I'm glad to find my precious hot chocolate and morning pastry. I turn towards the room once done. I smile, spotting my roommate and her friends at their table. I quickly join them.

"Oooh, here’s the survivor!" Alba mocks as I arrive.

"Hey," I say, sitting down.

"You've already made a splash since yesterday!" Pina informs me.

"Everyone’s talking about you!" Patri adds. "You’re building quite a reputation!"

"Really? Why?" I ask before taking a bite of my pastry.

"They say you have the guts to stand up to Bronze," Lotte says. "Is it true you address her informally?"

"Maybe," I answer vaguely. "I don’t see what’s so special about it." "We see it very clearly," Alexia mocks. "Did you get away with nothing this morning?" "I have to meet her after my classes." "That smells like punishment!" comments Alba. "It is. She told me." "And you’re not bothered?" "Why would I be? I plan to prepare something much worse for her." "You've got balls," Alexia comments.

I know they think I’m crazy, but I’m not changing my mind. I finish my meal, continuing to chat since we have time. Then we head slowly towards the classroom buildings, with little motivation on my part. I met my first teachers yesterday. They’re all old fogies who aren’t even fifty yet. I’m curious about today's teachers since I was bored to death yesterday. I was on the verge of falling asleep, but Alexia kept me awake by mentioning the words "expulsion" and "Bronze." It seems that behavior like that leads to expulsions, like being late. I wasn’t going to tempt fate after spending my morning with Bronze. Knowing her a bit better, I doubt she’d let something like that slide. She doesn’t seem like someone who appreciates such behavior. Instead, I tried to follow the lesson as best I could. It was difficult, not having been in a classroom for two years. Today, it’s the same. I take my place next to Alexia with a long sigh. I have a feeling today will be as long as yesterday given the new teacher in front of me.

Wednesday, October 7; 4:10 PM - Ona and Alexia's Room.

I was wrong this morning. My day ended up going faster than expected. Maybe because I haven’t seen my supervisor since this morning. It put me in a good mood. At least, as much as I can be here. Adjusting is difficult. There's not much difference from a military camp. It’s likely there’s more

freedom there. I’m happy Alexia is here to brighten my days. She reminds me of my best friend from Barcelona. She’s just as energetic. I'm lucky to have her in my class, even if she’s too serious for my taste. I managed to make her laugh several times today. We got remarks, but nothing alarming enough to stop us. I'm still relieved it’s over. I’m supposed to meet Bronze, but I didn’t get any instructions on where to meet. So I followed Alexia to our room where she wants to finish her homework before joining her friends in the common room. I plan to do the same if Bronze doesn’t show up. She’ll have to find me if she wants to see me. I’m not chasing after her! I have a tiny hope she’s forgotten, but I doubt it. In the meantime, I chat with Ale about our day on the way back. She tells me a story about Patri and Claudia during their chemistry class last year. Apparently, they did an experiment that almost set the school on fire, leading to a summons and a big punishment. I can’t stop laughing with Alexia, who has a knack for making stories funny. She did the same at lunch, and it’s rare for me to laugh so sincerely over so little. My laughter stops abruptly when we open our room door. Damn... My last hopes evaporate seeing Bronze waiting for me, holding my sports uniform.

"It’s about time. Go change," she orders.

I find myself holding my uniform without even having entered my room. Her determination scares me for what’s next. Alexia passes by her, greeting her and making herself small. She confessed to me that she’s afraid of her for some reason and respects her greatly. I understand, but that doesn’t mean I’ll react the same way.

"Please... Not laps again, please! I did everything you asked! It’s not my fault I couldn’t do it." "Already begging, Ona? I thought you were braver than that."

I narrow my eyes at her jab. Not only is she provoking me, but she’s also implying I’m already giving in. I’d make her eat her smug smile if I could! So she’d understand it’s not the case.

"No, I just have a lot of sore muscles because of you," I retort.

-  That mean that your body needed it. Now go change.

-  Damn it, you’re annoying, I grumbled. Promise me you won’t make me do any sports first.

-  Change your tone with me. I haven’t planned any sports, but I might add some to my list if you keep being cheeky. Maybe you’ll understand what it’s like when I really annoy you.

-  Fine, I was just joking, I rolled my eyes.

-  Do I need to drag you by force to make you listen? she threatened me. I sighed as I walked into the bathroom. I envied Alexia, who was sitting on her bed doing her homework. Her encouraging smile was the last thing I saw before closing the door without locking it, as per Bronze’s orders. I tried to hurry, but the muscle soreness made things difficult, especially with my pants. I was curious to find out what I was going to do if I wasn’t running. When I opened the door again, Bronze was waiting with her arms crossed and her foot tapping nervously on the floor.

- Let’s go. Bronze went ahead while I said goodbye to Alexia, who wished me good luck. I followed her through the corridors, putting my hands in my pockets to annoy her a bit.

- So, Bronze, what’s the plan for today? I asked when I caught up with her.

-  Stop being cheeky, I won’t repeat myself. You weren’t so smart-mouthed yesterday, on the field.

-  Me? Cheeky? I laughed. Nonsense!

-  Start by taking your hands out of your pockets.

-  That’s nothing bad!

-  Batlle ! she snapped. When I tell you something, you obey. I took them out, afraid she would follow through on her previous threats. In other circumstances, I wouldn’t have done it, but now I wasn’t sure I could handle another sports session with my aching thighs. At least I had managed to annoy her as I wanted. We entered the gym, making me fear the worst... I hoped she kept her word and that I wouldn’t do any sports. I forced myself to keep up with her quick pace. It was my first time here. Wiegman hadn’t given me a tour, and I hadn’t had any sports yet. She walked down several corridors of the new building before opening one of the many doors in a hallway. She stepped aside to let me enter first. I walked in cautiously, too disturbed by the room. It was a locker room, so what? My supervisor pushed me in the back to make me go faster. It was a new room with benches and hooks lining the right wall. I stopped in the middle, where there was an open frame facing the benches. Damn... I understood our presence here when I saw the state of the communal showers. They were corroded by lime due to extensive use. Bronze had placed cleaning supplies on the floor. I had no more doubts about my punishment tonight.

-  Is this a joke? I blurted out.

-  No sports. Isn’t that what you wanted?

-  Maybe, but not this! I’m not a fucking maid !

-  Too bad, you’ll have to improvise then.

-  Stop messing with me! Is there really nothing else?

-  No, there isn’t. You’re not in a position to negotiate with me, so accept your punishment.

-  Because I will be someday?

-  Start by accepting your punishments and changing your behavior, then we’ll talk about it. She had a cold-bloodedness that impressed me. I gave up, realizing that I was indeed not the one in control of the situation right now.

-  Okay, I resigned. Will you leave me alone?

-  No. I’ll be supervising you to ensure you do your work, but first, we’ll have a talk.

-  About what? I asked, intrigued.

-  Yesterday, you told me you didn’t know the rules, so I’ll explain the most important ones to make it clear. That way, you’ll be warned and won’t have any excuses.

-  Oh, yeah. At least I’ll know why I’m being punished.

- Good, take a seat.

I sat on the bench she pointed to and noticed a whiteboard with bullet points on it that I hadn’t seen before. The writing, which I guessed was hers, was very neat. I was ready to pay attention to the rules. I planned to follow them while scheming my revenge and getting out of this place. The fewer rules I broke, the less she’d be on my back. It would take some effort to comply, based on what I could already see on the board.

-  First, wake-up is at six o’clock, she began, pointing to the first bullet point. You should know that by now.

-  Hard to miss the alarm anyway.

-  Inspection is fifteen minutes later, she continued, ignoring my remark. You must be ready by then, in uniform, and with your bed made perfectly.

-  Is it a disaster if I’m not wearing makeup when you come?

-  No. You’ll have access to your room after your meal. The purpose of the inspection is to see if you’re in uniform and if your room is tidy.

-  Okay, I sighed.

-  A problem?

-  No... I was just wondering why wake-up is so early.

-  Simply to prevent you from being too tired in class.

-  No, actually! I countered. By getting up so early, we’re definitely more tired. She shook her head. It was the first time I appreciated her smile and our conversation. It wasn’t an order or a dispute for once. I almost forgot her cold and unbearable personality.

-  You don’t understand anything.

-  No, indeed, I frowned.

-  Let’s move on to the third rule before the explanations, shall we? I nodded, curious to hear her arguments. For me, six o’clock was not a time to get up. It was way too early, especially after the year I just lived. I had my own schedule.

-  So, curfew is at ten o’clock, but Alexia must have already told you that.

-  Yeah.

-  An instructor can enter the room at any time from that hour to check that you’re asleep.

-  And what if we can’t sleep that early? That was my case the first night.

-  Is that why you didn’t get up the first day?

-  Yeah, I fell asleep around one in the morning.

-  I see. You’ll soon get into the rhythm, don’t worry. What were your usual sleep hours before coming here?

-  Well... I thought. I’d say four o’clock until noon most of the time. She raised an eyebrow at my honesty. She probably didn’t expect that. Understandable. She must have thought I was in school, but that wasn’t the case. I did nothing with my days, so I had my own schedule.

-  You didn’t have classes?

-  No. I stopped studying after high school.

-  How come you’re in the final year then?

-  No idea, I shrugged. I’m where they told me to go.

-  Hmm, she replied skeptically. Let’s get back to the main subject. Wiegman kept her word about the file. She didn’t seem to know the reasons for my presence, given how intrigued she was. However, she didn’t ask any questions. I wouldn’t have answered anyway. This school isn’t going to change me. If my mother thinks so, she’s an idiot.

-  As for my explanation, the curfew ensures eight hours of sleep until six o’clock and prevents you from staying up at impossible hours at night.

-  What difference does it make? We could just wake up later in the morning, and it would be the same.

-  No, it’s not the same. By taking away an hour at night, we restrict your use of electronic devices. You’re more likely to use them at night than in the morning. Besides, you have more time to eat and be together instead of communicating with the outside world.

-  Everything we do at night, we can do in the morning too, I retorted.

-  I assure you, you can’t. Even if that’s the case, it allows you to be fully awake for your classes. You have no excuse for being tired. Explained this way, the schedule seemed great, but I remained skeptical. It’s true that I was more awake in class this morning compared to my high school memories. The problem is, it’s useless if I have teachers who put me to sleep right after. I kept this response to myself, not wanting to get scolded for saying such a thing.

-  Still, six o’clock is way too early.

-  You’ll get used to it. You’ll see, in a week, your previous schedule will be a thing of the past, and you’ll be back on track. Can I continue now?

-  Hmm.

-  Okay, then, no electronic devices outside the rooms, whether it’s a phone, Mac, or any other device, she listed. You should already know this since I haven’t had to reprimand you in two days. Am I wrong?

- I know, yes. Why is it forbidden?

She raised an eyebrow at my question. My participation must have surprised her, or maybe it was just my questions. We were only at the fourth point, and I hadn’t remained silent on any of them. I’m naturally curious. I like to know the why and how.

- Each student is here for specific reasons... Excessive drug use, family problems, or simply

behavioral issues, for example. -

I felt concerned about all the points she just mentioned. It was impressive. Had she already figured me out? It’s very likely, but I don’t see how.

-  The problems are the same for all students?

-  Mostly what I just mentioned. Why?

-  No reason... So, why no devices?

-  The purpose of being here is to solve your problems while continuing your studies. Can you understand that?

-  Hmm.

-  With this rule, we simply forbid all means of communication during the day. The goal is for you to focus on yourself and only yourself, without external pressure. This rule was more understandable than the previous one. I could have responded that I didn’t want help, but I refrained. We would enter a debate that I would surely lose. I simply nodded.

-  If I see you with something like that, I won’t hesitate to confiscate it for an indefinite period. Agreed?

-  Yeah... So, we’re allowed to use them in the room?

-  Yes, of course. This will be a rule to follow. I’m not risking losing my phone. It would mean cutting off communication with Joan and my best friend. "Next rule," she continues. "Show respect to educators," she reads from the board. "By educators, I mean the teachers, instructors, and the rest of the staff. Just because I'm in charge of you doesn’t mean you should disrespect my colleagues." I nod, not knowing what else to say. I'm not going to ask for the reasons behind this rule. "And no lateness will be tolerated. Be on time in the morning, when I give you an appointment, or even in class. Teachers have been instructed not to let you in if you're late. You’ll be sent straight to me."

"And I imagine I’ll have a hard time?"

"You'll find out soon enough if it happens. Also, I want you to behave in class. Don’t be cheeky, don’t fall asleep, and avoid excessive chatting. Try to show interest and participate."

"That’s going to be hard..."

"I'm serious, Ona. I'll be aware of your behavior in class and I’ll step in if it gets out of hand. I'm going to make sure you get through this year."

"Good luck with that."

"At least avoid getting expelled. You’d seriously piss me off if that happens and that won't be good for you."

"OK." She looks at the board one last time, making sure she's covered all the points.

"Well, I’ve said what I needed to say. Outside of class, you have free rein. The only exception is when I ask you to be with me. Is that clear?"

"Yeah, I guess. Wake-up, check-in, curfew, no lateness or disrespect," I summarize. "Perfect. Now, I believe you have a task waiting for you."

She points her thumb at the communal showers. I sigh heavily, having forgotten about that detail amidst everything else.

"Does every sanction mean a punishment?" I ask.

"Exactly. This morning you were late and you talked back to me," she states. "You can try anything behind my back, nothing will escape me."

Leah has taught me a lot about her, including this detail, which doesn’t surprise me. I pick up the sponge lying on the floor with tongs. In the end, I'd rather have yesterday’s punishment. This one is pure humiliation. Especially since Bronze sits on the bench, right in front of the showers to have a perfect view.

"She’s not going to eat you," she comments. "Come on, start, I don’t plan on staying here all night." "You really have no pity." "I’m not here to have pity, Ona."

She takes a book from the bench, which she had probably prepared, and starts reading. I pick up the gloves from the floor since I’m not even allowed to use a mop for cleaning. I put them on and dip the sponge in the soapy water. I start with the stalls, where the lime scale is clearly visible on the matte black glass. I try as best as I can to scrub the top of the first stall with my small stature. I have to jump to reach it. I grumble mentally to avoid giving my supervisor the satisfaction of hearing me complain aloud. I manage to finish two stalls in half an hour. It’s far from perfect, but I want to finish the other eight and the floor as quickly as possible. I’m already exhausted. I take a break to relieve my thighs, which are already aching. Not to mention my arms, given the intensity I’m putting into it. I glance at Bronze, who remains absorbed in her book.

"Stop daydreaming, Ona."

How does she manage to see me without looking up? I sigh and get back to work. If someone had told me one day I’d be on all fours scrubbing the floor of a communal shower, I’d have laughed in their face. I hate Bronze for making me go through this.

"You know, if you followed the rules, I wouldn’t punish you." "Sorry, but rules and I aren’t very good friends," I grumble. "Then you only have yourself to blame for your punishments." "And you too since you’re the one inflicting them on me."

"I’m just doing my job," she replies, closing her book. "Let me tell you something. The less effort you make to follow the rules, the more I’ll be on your back. We can continue like this until the end of the year if necessary."

"What?!"

I straighten up on my knees at this news. I wipe my forehead with my arm, which is dripping with sweat from scrubbing so hard.

"What do you mean, until the end of the year? I was told this was only temporary until I adapted!"

"Not exactly. I’ll be your supervisor until your behavior changes. Given the hothead you are, we’re far from that."

"What a joke!" I spit bitterly, getting back to work. "You’re right, I’m not going to change. I don’t even plan on staying here."

"And where do you plan on going?" she asks, curious.

"Far from this crappy school, far from this town, and especially far from people who won’t leave me alone!"

"That’s going to be complicated. You’re not going anywhere with me." "We’ll see about that. I’m not following your rules, Bronze. I’m not like all those other students."

"You’re not going anywhere. I’ll make sure to help you whether you want it or not. After this experience, I guarantee you won’t be that little daddy’s princess who can do whatever she wants anymore."

"Damn it, you don’t even know me!" I yell, throwing my sponge at her face. "I don’t want your damn help, so leave me alone! It’s precisely people like you I want to get away from!"

I can’t control my anger after she touched the one point she shouldn’t have. Her eyes remain closed from the impact of the sponge. I’ll probably pay for this, but I don’t care. It was the last straw, the one thing not to say. If she wanted to affect me, she succeeded! She slowly opens her eyes.

"Pick it up." "I’m not your dog, damn it!"

I throw the gloves next to the bucket and leave the room to avoid confrontation. She can go to hell with her damn rules! She chases me down the hall, calling my name, but I keep going. I surprisingly find the exit without getting lost. I barely have time to accelerate and touch the handle before I’m pinned against the door roughly. She blocks all my movements with her body and pins my wrists on either side of my head. I struggle with rage, but she perfectly channels my strength.

"Let go of me!" "No. Stop fighting back," she says calmly.

I keep moving as much as I can under her grip, which I hate. She has no right to touch me; I don’t want her to! Yet she tightens her hold to completely stop my movements. I press my forehead against the door, closing my eyes to calm down. I must not have a panic attack here. Once I’ve calmed down, she grabs my arm and drags me back to the locker room. She pushes me inside and locks the door.

"Get back to work. We’ll leave here when I decide," she says, resuming her place.

I don’t understand how she can stay so calm while I’m a volcano on the brink of eruption. If I wasn’t sure before, I now know I hate this girl.

Wednesday, October 7th; 8:05 PM - Ona and Alexia's Room

I slam the door of my room without holding back. I'm relieved to find it empty. We're two hours away from curfew. Alexia must be in the common room with the others. If it's like yesterday, I have about an hour before she returns. I'm feeling really down since my interaction with Bronze. I didn't even go to eat, even though she allowed me to. I just needed to be alone. She drained me physically and mentally. I'm dirty and wet from crawling on the floor. It took me four hours to clean everything. Bronze stopped me at some point. The result was far from perfect, but she seemed satisfied that I finished. Now, I plan to decompress under hot water and get to bed. I find a pj set consisting of a t-shirt and shorts, and then I lock myself in the bathroom. Once my shower is finished, I slip under the covers. I'm exhausted and on edge. I think it's the right time to call my best friend. I've left her without news since my arrival. It was hard to reach her because I was never alone since I got here. Not to mention there's a one-hour time difference with Barcelona. I really need to talk to her right now. I miss her more than I thought. I take my phone from the nightstand and dial her number.

"Hello?" "Hey, Mapi."

"Oh my God, it's about time!" she says on the other end. "I thought they took your phone or something," she quickly replies.

"Sorry for not calling sooner," I chuckle. "Are you okay? Your voice sounds strange."

I'm so emotional and exhausted that I can't hold back the tears running down my cheeks against my will. It had to come out when I was on the phone with the person who knows me best.

"Yes, yes...," I say, wiping my cheeks. "Let's just say my mom really outdid herself this time."

"That bad? You don't like Manchester ? It's supposed to be a beautiful city." "Believe me, there's nothing to envy. It's been raining all the time so far."

"Well, it's definitely not Barcelona ! Come on, tell Auntie Mapi everything. You don't sound well. Is your new school nice?"

"It's a military school, Maps. Well, it's a private school with instructor supervision."

« Ouch, your mom really went all out this time... How did she get you in there? Isn't it supposed to be restricted?"

"The principal is a friend of my mom's," I sigh. "It's hell!"

I pour out the start of my new life to relieve myself. Mapi is like a sister to me. She regularly comes to my house and knows my mom well, who is also her doctor. I know she appreciates her, unlike me, but she always listens attentively when I criticize her, like now. She will always be there for me, and I'll never be grateful enough for everything she does for me. She's pulled me out of the water more than once when I was drowning.

"I have a little soldier on my back. You can't imagine the horror!" "A little soldier?" she laughs. "What's that all about?"

"A supervisor or something until I adapt. I have the worst instructor in the camp, apparently. A real viper! In two days, she's already managed to punish me twice!"

"The great Batlle punished? I would've loved to see that!" she giggles. "Is she at least good- looking?"

Mapi's question doesn't surprise me. From the moment we met, she declared loudly that she was a lesbian. She loves women... I mean she LOVES woman. We met in our first year of high school. She joined my class in the middle of the year and sat next to me. We hit it off immediately, and she quickly started flirting with me. I brushed her off, but I quickly grew attached to her unique personality. Within two months, she had turned all my convictions upside down. She was touchy and insistent. She made me doubt my sexuality. I ended up giving her a chance. It took her two months to become my first and only girlfriend for two years. It was my longest relationship. Today, we're best friends with a very close bond. She's the only one I truly trust. She's my only confidante, and I'm sure she won't judge me. That's why I'm not afraid to tell her what I think at this moment, even though I hate to admit it out loud.

"Brown hair, green eyes, taller than me. She's young and quite charming. I’d say she's twenty-five. She's pretty sexy in her uniform, but her personality ruins everything."

"Wow... She's totally your type!" she teases. "Did you hear the rest? She's a real tyrant! She's making my life impossible, damn it." "Have you thought about a counter-attack?" "Of course, she's going to regret it!" I say, making her laugh.

As I expected, our conversation turns to revenge ideas. Mapi has a wild imagination for this kind of thing. When we've covered everything, we switch to the latest gossip I've missed in Spain. Our call

ends a quarter of an hour later since it's late for her, and she has class tomorrow. I was lucky to reach her so late. Our conversation did me good. She managed to take my mind off things, as I hoped. I put my phone away and decide not to wait for curfew to fall asleep. I turn off all the lights and settle comfortably in my bed so that the door is behind me, to avoid being disturbed by Ale's arrival later. It doesn't take long for me to fall into a deep sleep.

[followthebluebell]

alright so i finally tested positive for covid tonight.  i’m not terribly surprised.  it was bound to happen eventually.  to the best of my recollection, here’s the progression:

Sunday, 12/25 - started to feel ill.  It started as a mild sore throat.  Like I thought I had just talked too much that day.  It didn’t feel like a sick sore throat, just over-used. 

Medication: None

Monday, 12/26 - definitely sickish.  Throat wasn’t aching anymore.  I described it as ‘it's gone from that sharp pain that arcs up with every swallow and into a dull, damp, tightness where it feels full of phlegm’.  Sniffly by afternoon.  VERY difficult to moderate my temperature. 

In the morning, I felt far too hot, despite the very cool weather---- I ended up taking two ibuprofen to get my temperature down.  By afternoon, I felt freezing, but was sweating through layers of clothing at the same time.   I was having trouble walking from place to place without chattering my teeth.  By this point, I was pretty sure it was covid because it felt very similar to my booster responses.

Brain fog was moderate, but noticeable.

Home covid test negative

SEVERE difficulty sleeping.  I was waking up every hour soaked through with sweat.  

Medication: Ibuprofen

Tuesday, 12/27 - Very tired :( Pretty severe brain fog throughout the day too.  I was very sniffly and coughing severely.  I couldn’t even play with Truffle--- thankfully, he’s a good dog and can deal with a day of boredom as long as he gets some snackie toys. 

Lack of appetite was noticeable by this point.  I’m unsure when it started because I don’t have a proper appetite to begin with. 

I had severe problems keeping track of events.  I wanted to take a shower, right?  In order to do that, I have to turn on the hot water and then walk to my bathroom.  It takes about fifteen seconds to get from the hot water to the bathroom.  In that fifteen seconds, I’ll have forgotten whether or not I turned on the hot water.  i relied pretty heavily on Truffle to keep track of things.  I frequently forgot what I had just said to friends or assumed I’d said something already. 

Continued to wake up every 1-3 hours soaked with sweat. 

Medication: Ibuprofen, Nyquil

Wednesday, 12/28 - Probably the worst day of it physically.  My cough was the most severe by this point.  I was also sneezing a lot more.  The shivering continued throughout the day.  I still couldn’t really get from room to room without shaking. 

But I was able to keep track of events slightly better, at least.  My sore throat was mostly better and I didn’t have a fever for the most part.  I continued to sleep poorly and woke every few hours, still covered in sweat. 

I called into work to let them know I’d be out sick on thursday.

Medication: Ibuprofen, Nyquil

Thursday, 12/29 -  Felt a bit better!  I was able to play with Truffle again for about thirty minutes in the morning.  I no longer felt as shivery or Off all the time.  I was still very tired since I couldn’t really sleep the night before.

Still very sneezy throughout the day and my cough was pretty bad. 

I tried to nap throughout the day but wasn’t able to fall asleep.  It was just kind of one of those weird half-awake/half-asleep deals.  Still, I felt well enough to feel like I could go into work on Friday as long as I masked up, disinfected everything I touched, and stayed on heavy cleaning projects without human or cat interaction.

Medication: Ibuprofen, Nyquil

Friday, 12/30 - (started log here) Slowly lost sense of taste and smell throughout the day, which was why I took another covid test.  My nose is still stuffy, but I’m not sneezing or coughing as much. 

Throat still feels weirdly tight.  It doesn’t hurt anymore.  It just feels like there’s something in the way.

Still a severe lack of appetite.  I’m sure the lack of taste/smell isn’t helping with that :/

I did NOT end up going into work, btw.  Some heavy trees in the road saw to that.  So uh.  Thanks, trees. 

Was able to sleep soundly through the night without waking up in sweats.

Covid test positive

Medications: Nyquil

Saturday, 12/31 - Have SOME sense of taste back in morning.  It’s very faint, but I can distinguish sweetness a little bit.  No smell, though, which is unfortunate.  Had enough energy to play fetch with the dog for about forty minutes. 

By late afternoon, I could distinguish a few more tastes.  I wouldn’t say I can taste flavors.  It’s more like I can taste flavor PROFILES.  I can taste salty, sweet, and fat.  I can’t really break down a flavor more than that.  Still no sense of smell. 

Brain fog was pretty severe, but less memory-based.  It’s more like I just couldn’t focus on any one thing throughout the day.  I’d find myself trying to watch a video, listen to a podcast/audiobook, AND read a post all at the same time, without really realizing what was going on.  It was like I was trying to do something--- literally anything--- to get my mind’s attention. 

Coughing and sniffles are mostly gone, but still happens occasionally.  My breath capacity feels very limited.  I can’t stand for long periods without feeling tired.  My feet feel ‘absent’ when i sit down.  I know they’re there.  It’s not like they’re tingling or anything.  It’s just that, after a while, they stop registering.  Like I can’t really feel things pushing against my toes or something.  That’s the best way I can put it. 

Temperature seems well under control with the exception of my fingers getting very cold and stiff very quickly. 

I made bread. 

Medications: Nyquil

Sunday, 1/1/23 - very tired :( Played with Truffle for forty minutes, but I still don’t have the energy to brush him out or groom him.  When this is all over, I’ll have to give him a 7 all over, and that sucks because I’ve been growing out his fluff. 

Still no sense of smell, and my sense of taste is still pretty faint.  It seems stronger, but flavors still fade away pretty quickly. 

My appetite was still fairly poor throughout the day.  It’s strange.  I don’t have a very strong hunger drive when I’m healthy, but I suffer the affects if I don’t eat.  Like I get hangry, blood sugar crashes, etc.  Except right now, none of that happens.  I still feel the exact same.  Thankfully, Truffle is still doing his job and monitoring my blood sugar. 

My circulation seems better.  My fingers no longer get icy cold. 

My breathing is still constrained.  I thought it would feel like I can’t get enough air in my lungs on each breath.  Instead, it feels like there’s just something around my throat.  It constantly feels like my shirtcollar is too tight. 

Truffle is going to run out of his favorite food tomorrow morning.  He’ll have to make due with kibble for a few days, I guess. 

Medications: None

Monday, 1/2/23 - still very tired :( But my sense of smell is trying to make a come-back.  It just kinda came and went.  Like I’d open a can of cat food and THAT definitely smelled, but suddenly it was gone.  My sense of taste is recovering a bit too.  It’s still definitely fainter than it should be and certain things taste Off.

Coughing more today than yesterday, and my nose is runnier. 

Severe insomnia :( not helped by the fact that i’ve run out of melatonin.  I’m almost out of nyquil too.  I’ve got one more dose left, so I’m saving it. 

Medications: none

Tuesday, 1/3/23 - I took a 15 minute walk today with Truffle and felt like I walked three miles.  Breathing is still difficult.  Again, it’s not like my lungs aren’t filling or something.  It’s just this constant pressure on my throat.  My sense of taste is still faint, sense of smell is even fainter.  My nose is still runny and phlegmy.  I should have some more cough drops and nyquil in the mail right now.  It’s just a matter of getting down to the box and grabbing it.

Truffle ran out of his lamb food today but he’s taken to his kibble well enough.  Good thing too.  >>  Most of the town is flooded right now, and a lot of people are evacuated.  So uh even if I wasn’t sick, a trip to town would be out of the question right now. 

I shaved Truffle’s paws today so now he’s got clean feet again. 

Medications: Nyquil

Wednesday, 1/4/23 - More or less the same.  Truffle is still convinced I’m secretly hiding all the REALLY good food from him.  My sense of smell is still pretty much gone.  I can smell things if they’re RIGHT up against my nose, otherwise there’s nothing. 

Medications: Nyquil

Thursday, 1/5/23 - Took a covid test today and it was negative, so I should be good to work again soon.  The plan is to go back on Saturday and mostly just stick to non-human/animal tasks. 

[goldhairwithagentlecurl]

This is me and Skittles since last wednesday we have been on the living and sleeping on the streets of los angeles. I haven’t showered or gotten a proper nights sleep. I have spent the money I get trying to take care of skittles and doing my best to keep warm and my phone charged. My first night on the streets I was assaulted by a random man and tho i’ve been lucky enough to have found someone willing to share a tent with me it’s not ideal. I’m just trying to survive and was hoping that if you had anything to spare you could maybe think of me i’m trying to make enough to get a hotel room so i can get a shower and a warm bed. It’s very windy and cold and i’m truly scared. I thought on here I could act like everything was alright but I have never been this scared and desperate

cashapp: $BreNicole0625

paypal: BreNicole625

[dangerous-disposition]

WIP Wednesday!

So I was tagged by the lovely @scoops-stevie and why not get an early start on this fine WIP Wednesday since I'll be cosplaying Steve from peace of mind at work all day tomorrow

THE RULES

In a reblog (or new post w/ rules attached), post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can’t share from (for example, an event fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. If you tag me in your post, I will send you an ask request!

THE WIPS

i'll burn that bridge when i get to it

romcom!AU

transmasc steve's strap collection (i'll choose which one unless u know the specific one u want)

steve bingo (i'll choose which one unless u know the specific one u want)

askbox prompts (i'll choose which one unless u know the specific one u want)

THE SNIPPET

This is from i'll burn that bridge when i get to it, which is related to my longfic, i could be honest, i could be human

Since bonding with Dustin Henderson during the whole D’Art thing, taking him to the Snow Ball, and then supposedly saving Dustin from the fire at the mall, Claudia Henderson had insisted on hosting Steve for dinner at least once a week. Thursday nights were always reserved for dinner at the Hendersons’ house to the point that Steve never made other plans.

Usually, Steve would rent a video as he clocked out of his shift, and then he would head over to the Henderson household. They would eat like a proper family, then watch a movie together even though Dustin usually bitched up a storm about what they chose. Claudia loved romcoms, and Steve was neutral about them for the most part. He usually ended up just as into the movies as Claudia though, which always annoyed Dustin.

Then at the end of the night, Claudia and Steve would do this dance where she would offer the guest bedroom, and Steve would say he had to go home. Claudia would insist because she didn’t like him being alone in his big empty house in Loch Nora.

That’s where he would get stuck, because while he was omitting the truth a lot, he didn’t like to lie outright to Mrs. Henderson more than he already had to about the Upside Down. Steve didn’t know how to dodge admitting that he hadn’t stayed at his house in Loch Nora in months, and that his current sleeping arrangements were sharing a twin-sized bed with his best friend. Who had sharp elbows.

So, Steve usually gave in and would spend the night, if only to have a bedroom to himself. Waking up to the sound of the Henderson’s bickering affectionately in the kitchen and music playing on the radio was also… nice.

One Thursday evening, Steve arrived for their weekly dinner to find Claudia was the only one home and quite flustered by his arrival.

“Oh, Steve, Dusty said he had that funny club of his for that game he likes. I think they call it Hellfire or something like that,” Claudia explained as she beckoned him into the house. “I asked him if he told you, and he said he would. He must’ve forgot.”

“That’s fine, Mrs. Henderson. I’ll just go home—” Steve began and Claudia sucked her teeth and practically dragged him into the house.

“None of that, sweetie. You came all this way, and I still made dinner so Dusty could have the leftovers when he got home,” she explained as she lead Steve to the kitchen. “Now you get his serving!”

“Sounds good, Mrs. Henderson,” Steve said pleasantly as he sat down at the seat she gestured to. Looking at the pots at the stove, it was clear the Claudia had made more than enough dinner for Dustin to have food when he got home.

“How was work?” Claudia asked as she dished Steve up a plate of meatloaf, veggies, and mashed potatoes.

“Same old, same old. Didn’t get to work with Robin today so it was kind of boring,” Steve complained lightly. “Keith still hates me.”

“That young man will come around eventually,” Claudia said as she put the plate in front of Steve and sat down at the table with him. They were quiet for some time while Steve ate, and the quiet was comfortable.

THE (no pressure) TAGS

@patchworkgargoyle, @scarcrossdlvrs, @stobinesque, @inairbinad, @pizzaqueen, @legitcookie, @sidekick-hero, @thefreakandthehair, @starryeyedjanai, and literally anyone else who wants to do this. just say i tagged you!

[fangirlshrewt97]

RRR RPF - Your Child’s Love

A little drabble for a moment shared between Tarak and his son. I just had an image pop into my head of this, and built a story around it. I typed it out on my phone, so apologies if I missed any typos. 

///

Tarak laughed as he let himself be pushed back against the couch arms, keeping his arm steady for Abhay to clamper up to sit on his chest.

He was exhausted, having just finished a song shoot out of the state that had kept him from home for a week. It felt like his son had grown far too big in the handful of days he'd been away, and though his eyes strained to stay open, his heart wanted to spend every second since he got home with his son in his arms.

A glance at the doorway showed Pranathi leaning against it, a look of utter contentment on her face that settled Tarak's own heart. The pregnancy bump was not yet visible and they'd only told their closest relatives, wanting to hold on till after the third month to make a proper announcement. He held out his hand to her. Pranathi came closer, settling at the edge of the couch where he had bent his knees. She grabbed his hand, squeezing it when she placed her own hand in.

"Nanna!" Abhay squealed as he rubbed his cheek against Tarak's. Tarak grinned so wide his cheeks hurt, his free arm wrapping around Abhay's back.

"Have you been a good boy, my little monkey?" He asked playfully, rubbing his cheek against Abhay's.

Abhay's giggles rose in pitch as he tried to push his father away. "Nanna you're scratching me!"

The two day old stubble was irritating Tarak too, and he knew he needed to shave it before he showed up on set on Wednesday. That was two days from today though so he was going to leave it for later.

"Ah sorry bhujji, but it's itching so much and your cheek is SO soft."

"Noooooo." Abhay shrieked as he moved to sit on Tarak's chest, one leg jammed between Tarak's shoulder and the couch arm.

Tarak smiled at him, shifting his hand to wrap it around Abhay's ankle to keep him falling. Those dark brown eyes twinkled with so much light, they outshone the night sky as far as Tarak was concerned. 

That familiar urge to keep  his son safe, to protect him from all the ugly of the world, to hide him inside his chest where nothing could touch him roared through him. It felt like a blink of an eye ago when he was a baby, so small it seemed he could fit in Tarak's palm.

"Nanna you look like you're going to sleep." Abhay said, poking at Tarak's cheek.

"Nanna has been busy working for the past week Abhay. He could use some rest. Why don't I play with you and we leave him to take a nap?" Pranathi said from behind him, placing her free hand on Abhay's shoulder.

Abhay pouted, "But I haven't played with Naana in so long!"

Unfortunately the volume of the complaint was just loud enough to cross the wall of happiness at being reunited with his kid that Tarak had thrown up, and he winced as the pounding headache from the car ride returned. 

Even worse, Abhay caught it.

"Nanna?" He asked, voice small.

Tarak tried to give him a reassuring smile that ended up closer to a grimace. "Sorry kanna, but your Amma is right as always. I promise I'll play with you after my nap."

Abhay's shoulders hunched in as he fiddled with the buttons of Tarak's shirt. Tarak hated seeing his son despondent.

"Nanna, I promise, I will play with you for as long as you want. I just have a bit of a headache now."

Abhay perked up. "I can help Nanna!"

And before either adult could stop him, the boy had slid off to the side to huddle by Tarak's head, tiny hands on Tarak's temples. They started moving in slow circular motions, so cautious and sweet Tarak felt tears gather at the corner of his eyes.

Abhay gasped. "Did I hurt you Nanna?"

Tarak grabbed Abhay's wrists, pressing kisses to his palms. "You can never hurt me Abhay. That felt wonderful."

Abhay's smile was bright enough to power the sun. "Then I'll go on!"

Abhay resumed the action, "Amma, look! I'm making Nanna's headache go away."

Pranathi looked at Abhay with total adoration. "Yes you are."

"Amma, sing your lullaby to make Nanna sleep! That will make him get better soon and he can play with me again!"

Pranathi huffed a laugh but obliged.

There, surrounded by his son's hands pressing against his temples and his wife's voice in his ears, Tarak closed his eyes. He slowly sank into sleep, his family warming him inside and out.

///

It’s short, and could probably have been expanded but this is all I can manage for now, I hope you like it. If you do, please let me know (just so I know someone is still reading my fic 😅)

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