#I hope I didn't bother anyone I mentioned here; I made sure to only pick fics publicly posted on the author's blogs already

[charlesemersonwinchesteriii]

This past Winchester Wednesday was International Fanworks Day, and I’m late, as always, but I still really wanted to use the occasion to express my adoration for the incredible unique variety of fics out there in the MASH fandom. From @thebreakfastgenie’s story about friendship and abortion to @majorbaby’s tender loving kink to @onekisstotakewithme’s polyamorous moon landing watch party to @topshelf2112-blog’s absurdly massive incredibly written oeuvre like is everyone seeing this rn holy fuck, I would feel lucky to have this insane depth and breadth of amazingly high quality fanfics in a fandom three times the size of relatively niche mashblr. No joke or punchline here, sorry. I’m simply sitting in front of the camera in black & white and being earnest and raw for once, as one does on special occasions. 

Happy Belated International Fanworks Day, everyone!!!

[twstfanblog]

*~Period Drama~*

A/N: This was a funny idea I had and Now I'm gonna do another series with my Yuu OC. Note that I write most of the cast in a platonic sense with my OC because that's how their story formed. I'm fully open to doing requests with characters in a romantic sense. Word Count: 4.7K Warnings: Period mentions, allusions to sexual assault (They are assumed, nothing actually happens), She/They OC Pronouns Pairings: Azul/Reader (Poly), Jamil/Reader (Poly) Enjoy! Start (Here), Part 2 (Octavinelle), Part 3 (Heartslabyul), Part 4 (Savanaclaw), Part 4.5 (Diasomnia pt.1), Part 5 (Diasomnia pt2), Part 6 (Pomefiore), Part 7 (Scarabia)

Yuu was forgetting something, she knew she was. But sitting in her pjs on a Saturday morning, an over-filled bowl of sugary cereal in hand, she couldn't be bothered to really care.

It was shaping up to be a good day too. None of the staff needed her help with anything, her friends all had their club meetings, and the kitchen was stocked with easy-to-grab snacks for Grim. the cat monster himself had even started his homework on Friday night with minimal fighting. Literally, nothing could be wrong, but she still felt uneasy. They woke up feeling weary and oddly bloated.

With an inquisitive expression, she taps her spoon against her bowl. They really hoped they weren't going to spend all day in a strange sense of deja vu…

Then she sneezed and everything made sense. Yuu blinks, moving back to pull the seam of their pj pants, looking down as they groan, "Ah, shit…"

Azul loved Saturdays, they were his biggest money-maker days. Students came to the Mostro Lounge either to get a head start on homework, grab a drink after practice or clubs, or merely have a freshly cooked meal. It also was the day he had most of his workforce available so he could spare the time to walk around campus or catch up on his own paperwork.

But, what he's trying to do was gather his courage and think up a plausible enough reason for him to go visit his date-mate. Not that he usually needed one, they were very vocal about how he was always a welcomed presence in their company.

But, Yuu had been…easily irked? Prickly? Upset. Yuu had been upset for most of the week but anyone who questioned their mood was quickly shot down. The prefect would then tensely state they weren’t mad and then questioned why people thought they were mad. Sure they had a very intense resting bitch face but who didn't at Night Raven? (He's fairly certain you needed to either be handsome or have the most terrifying resting bitch face to be admitted to this school).

So he wasn't too pressed about his date-mate's mood until Floyd said something. He had come into the back office pouting of all things, saying 'Shrimpy smelled off'. They had also punched him when the eel merman attempted to pick them up, which wasn't normal.

Jade handled his twin, trying to cull Floyd’s decreasing mood, while Azul opened a few text chats to ask if anyone had caused Yuu reason to want to kill someone. The genuine confusion and concern that answered back only made him more uneasy.

Now, on a sunny Saturday, Azul made the long journey toward Ramshackle. With an obscure board game tucked under his arm and a bag of exclusive gummy candy in hand, he was on a mission to improve his dear pearl’s mood.

Or he was until he was suddenly being dragged down the dirt road in a different direction. He yelped and shouted, trying to angle himself to see what was pulling him through the mud and sticks. The answer was Sam’s shadows, the black willowy wisps quickly yanking him into the shop and setting him on his feet. Azul looks down at his outfit, scowling at seeing the dirt and grass stains. Sevens, did he rip his slacks?

“Lil fish.”

Azul jolts, eyes wide and semi-fearful at Sam’s echoing tone. The man stood behind the counter, a number of medical supplies laying across the surface as his nails gripped at the wood. Sam’s eyes were wide, pupils pinprick as his amethyst orbs almost glowed under all the shadows. Speaking of shadows…Azul looks around the shop, feeling actual fear stir in him. The shadows were everywhere, zipping through the aisles, slithering in and out of the back room, and some were even racing out of the shop, ���Uh…Yes, Sam? H-how can I be of assistance?” He didn’t stutter, he refuses to admit he stuttered.

“Do you know what a pad is?”

…

“Like…Like a notepad or-”

“NO!” Sam slams his fist onto the counter, the lights of the near-endless shop flickering wildly at the force of it. He rests his face in his hands, paying no mind to his makeup and hat that fell to the counter. Looking up, his intense stare was replaced with one of desperation, “You’re killing me here, kid. Look, if you know what a damn pad is, just tell me where to get one! I know you and the lil pup talk!”

“I swear, I have no clue what you’re talking about, sir.” Sevens, had Azul ever felt scared of Sam? He didn’t like this, why was his fellow businessman so frazzled? What kind of pad was he talking about? Why couldn’t he find it and assumed Azul would know where and what the damn thing was?

Sam groans, hands running furiously through purple-tinted lock braids. With a snap of his fingers, the wisps all stop. Either quickly entering the shop or bleeding into the shadows to hide once more, “Look just…Go see the prefect. They called me asking for sanitation pads? That’s the business name they told me anyway…That and just…a lot of pain potions.”

Azul clicked out of his confusion, growing nervous at the potions request, “I…wait are they hurt? Shouldn’t they be in the infirmary?”

“I suggested that, but they insisted they didn’t need to go, just the potions. I’m sending them over soon, Crewel is due to deliver my order in an hour or two. I’ll send him over after ya once he gets here.” Sam grumbles under his breath as Azul rushes out of the store. ‘Primadonna dog hates when I call him while he’s brewing…’

Azul pulls his phone from his pocket, sending a text to both Jade and Floyd. Yuu was in pain, they had requested something called a ‘sanitation pad’? Whatever those were. By the name he could only guess they were used for cleaning of some kind. He sent the twins a message to meet him at Ramshackle ASAP, potentially 119 status. Yuu had always joked about the Octavinelle trio being the first ones they’d call if they needed to hide a body. But, it seemed when it came time for them to actually make the call, the poor thing must have been overwhelmed. He could only think they had done it in self-defense, but the cause didn’t matter. There wasn’t going to be a body in a few hours.

Halfway through the woods to Ramshackle, he hears other footsteps hurrying to catch him. Looking over his shoulder, he raises an eyebrow at the extra amount of people, “Why are they here?”

Ace, Deuce, and Jamil all kept a quick jog behind Floyd and Jade’s long-legged walk. Floyd rolled his eyes, pointing behind him with his thumb, “I was at practice. Crabby and Sea Snake saw the text and wanna help lil Shrimpy too…”

Deuce raises a hand, "I saw them leaving the gym on my way to track practice. Yuu's my classmate and friend, it's only right I help them."

Jamil hisses under his breath, side-eyeing Azul as he sped up to walk beside him, “Plus, they’re my date-mate too, asshole…”

Rolling his eyes, Azul sighed, waving Jamil’s attitude off, “Yes, yes. We can meet with Draconia later about our timeshare lover's crimes. But for now, we need to go and assist them with the dead body I’m sure is on their property.”

Ace sighs, relaxing more as he leans back, arms folding behind his head, “Yuu finally did it, huh?”

“I mean…They can only threaten to murder someone so many times before they’d snap…” Deuce pipes up, rubbing the back of his head, almost dreading getting blood on his uniform again.

Floyd giggled, “I can’t wait to see who Shrimpy squeezed~. I bet they made it real messy!”

“Hmm…I wouldn’t put it past Yuu to kill someone via strangulation. But their MO seems to lean more toward bludgeoning.” Jade smiles to the group, eyes closing in barely hidden glee, “If anything clean up will at least be interesting if we’re just dealing with some blood splatter and a puddle!”

 Ace and Deuce wince, watching Floyd, Azul, and Jamil simply nod at Jade’s examination.

The mood was instantly broken once they came into view of Ramshakle. Floyd and Jade tensed, their smiles dropping off their faces before racing toward the dorm as two teal-colored blurs. Azul shouted, only to choke on his tongue at the smell. Blood. His nose wasn’t anywhere as sensitive as Floyd's or Jade’s but even at this distance, he could smell the sharp iron smell. He jogged to catch up with his dormmates, his expression of panic causing the other three to speed up as well.

All he could smell was Yuu’s blood. Sharp and salty, but spiced and sweet because of their diet. A hint of some type of alien fragrance that no one could place and Yuu couldn’t name mixing it all together perfectly. And that was all he was smelling, not even a hint of another person’s blood.

When the rest of the group had made it to the front porch, Floyd was pounding on the door, eyebrows creased while Jade searched the bushes for the hidden key, “Shrimpy! Open up! Shrimpy!”

Jade’s fingers had just grazed the false rock when the door’s locks clicked open. Floyd swung the door so hard it nearly sent Grim into the hallway wall. The feline monster kept to the ground, eyes wide and teary with fear, “Yuu’s bleeding all over everything and they won’t tell me why!”

Deuce was the only one who had the mindset to scoop Grim into his arms, the rest of them instantly rushing up the stairs toward Yuu’s bedroom. The sound of their footsteps pounding on the floor echoing in the house, each of them calling out in panicked voices. Azul could only grow increasingly worried, the scent of blood growing stronger and stronger.

Jade slams the door open, Ace instantly diving into the bed and startling Yuu awake.

“The-The fuck- hello?”

Ace cupped their face, using what medical lessons Riddle had drilled into his head to see if they had a visible injury, “Yuu! Can you hear me? We were calling you all the way downstairs- Ay!” He tumbles off the bed when Yuu shoves him aside, dark eyes glaring down at the redhead.

“Yeah, I was sleeping. Why are all of you in my house?”

“We smelled blood shrimpy!” Floyd kneeled onto the bed, sniffing around trying to find the main source of blood. Ignoring or nipping at Yuu’s hands trying to shove his face away from her body.

Azul stepped forward, eyes roaming in barely concealed haste, “Sam sent me over. He was worried by a request you had called him about? It’s sent him positively spiraling.”

Yuu raises an eyebrow, having given up on getting Floyd off their bed and wrapping an arm around him instead, “Yeah I was about to ask. Octobaby, what truck did you get dragged behind and did you at least get the license plate?”

Whatever positive flow of atmosphere that was building ended, Floyd grasping the duvet covering them and pulling, “Shrimpy, where are you bleeding-”

A single tug was all it took for Yuu’s bottom half to be flashed. They all look in stunned silence. Fresh red blood on a series of towels under them, a smear on the inside of their bare legs. Yuu shouts but none of them respond, minds spiraling at what could have possibly happened.

“Floyd! By the Seven, I’m not wearing any pants!” Yuu snatches the blanket back, draping it over their legs with a huff. They turn to Floyd only to have their face gripped harshly. Floyd stared at them with a dead expression, his single golden eye almost glowing with the force of his anger, “Floyd?”

“Who?”

“Wha-”

“Who?”

“Floyd.” Jade’s hands come into view, pulling Floyd’s grip off of their face and his brother off the bed. Jade was no better, a pleasant smile on his face but eyes wide and void of any emotion, “It’ll do no good to pressure them into telling us. Let us let our two professionals deal with this. The two of us can brainstorm methods of...disposing of the unsavory culprit once we have a name or description.”

Yuu watched them slowly leave the room. Floyd just barely letting Jade pull him along as his expression started to finally morph into a look of anger. His fists clenched as he gritted his teeth, body so tense his movements were more shaky than his normal loose glide.

Looking beside them, Yuu catches eyes with Ace and Deuce. Ace quickly turned away, a hand covering his mouth as a single tear slid down his cheek and his shoulders shook. Deuce was no better, gripping Grim in his arms as he hiccuped softly with just barely contained sobs. He looked like he was fighting back the urge to go into 'delinquent mode'.

Jamil finally moves, a hand on each of Ace's and Deuce's shoulders, guiding them to the door. Softly pushing them out too once Jade had managed to pull Floyd out of the room, “Let us talk to them…We’ll…we’re gonna figure this out…”

Yuu watches stunned as Azul walks toward them as though he was approaching a wounded animal; softly, with just a hint of fear and pity, “Azul…What’s-?”

“It’s ok.” Jamil closed the door, still facing it so Yuu wasn’t sure if he was saying it to them or mumbling to himself, “It's…It’s ok, you’re gonna be fine…”

Azul had finally reached them and they could clearly see the unshed tears in his eyes, “It’s not your fault. This is not your fault, do you hear me?” He ran his fingers through their hair, his other hand gently cupping against her cheek as his thumb shakingly caressed their skin. He opens his mouth, closing his eyes while he sighs a shuddering sob. Gathering his wits again he opens his eyes, a fiery determination glowing in them, “We’re here for you, my pearl.”

“Wha…?” Yuu could only wrap their arms around Azul, the merman diving to embrace her in what had to be the most protective hold he could do with just his two arms. It felt safe and sturdy, like a cool blanket was wrapped around their body. While it was welcomed, Yuu only grew more confused feeling a wet spot start to form on their shoulder where Azul’s face had snuggled into, “I’m…very confused…”

“Yuu.”

If Azul wasn’t holding them, they would have jumped off the bed. Jamil stood right next to them with a blank expression. His face pulled into a mask of neutrality, but his eyes were steely, an ice-cold fire in them waiting to find a victim.

“Who. You can tell me, you can trust me. We’ll handle everything, you won't even have to look at the bastard unless you want to beat him to death yourself.” He kneels on the bed, his hand moving to touch her covered thigh before retreating, a pinched expression breaking his mask before it was back in place, “You have to tell us who did this to you, hayati.”

Did what to them?

Yuu stared at Jamil, blinking when he finally had to look away to bite his lip. He looked to be holding back tears, fully turning around to put his face in his hands to mutter under his breath. ‘How could he let this happen? Why couldn’t he have just one thing with nothing to ruin it?’ a teary sob of ‘Do they not trust him?’

“My pearl?” Azul pulls his face away from their shoulder, sniffling before he removes his glasses briefly to wipe his tears, “Do you…Would you like me to draw you a bath? This can’t be comfortable-”

“Azul!” Jamil whipped around, glaring at the merman, sparing them a worried glance before turning back to Azul and whispering heatedly, “They can’t take a bath until they get checked, you moron!”

“What’s there to check Jamil!? We can all clearly see what happened! Why put them through the extra…extra poking and defilement when we know what happened!?”

“Because we need evidence!”

“What we need is a name! Or a description! I’m not even going to entertain the idea of bringing this to a court. We have plenty of manpower on campus to bury whoever did this 12 times over.”

“Excuse me, what the fuck are you guys talking about?” Yuu spoke up, eyes glancing between the two of them, “Because if you mean the bleeding, that’s pretty standard at this point.” Maybe they just…forgot they had a vagina? Boys normally didn’t react well to period talk in the first place, but this was an all-boy school and Yuu was more non-gendered than female-gendered. Maybe they just honestly forgot.

But, what they said had only made things worse, both Azul and Jamil looking at them in absolute horror. Standard. This was normal. This had happened multiple times already.

Azul starts to openly sob, wrapping himself around them in a way to keep everything else away, nuzzling his head into her neck and whimpering out apologies. Jamil covered his mouth, a look that Yuu could only call devastation on his face before he stood from the bed to pace the room. Mutters grew in volume and speed before Yuu finally realized what they thought had happened.

“Oh. OH!” They quickly pull Azul from their neck, hands pressed to both his cheeks to keep him looking into their eyes, “Sevens! Guys no! That isn’t what this is, I promise! No one hurt me like that!”

“You expect us to believe that!?” Jamil turns on them, eyes wild and red with held-back tears. He gestures to the bed, alluding to the mess of blood under the covers, “What else could this possibly be!? Why are you trying to defend them!?”

“Jamil, I’m on my period!” Yuu looked back at Azul once her words seemed to hit Jamil, “It’s just my period. No one hurt me. I’m…well, not fine. Periods are a bitch. But not that…I swear it wasn’t that.”

No one made a sound past Azul’s labored breathing, the merman’s expression slowly morphing from one of despair into confusion. Once his breathing was finally under control, he pulled Yuu’s hands from his face, a single brow raised, “Your…your period?”

“Yeah…It’s just my period.”

Jamil pulls a face, eyes looking down as his brain worked to understand what Yuu was saying, “...Like the punctuation?”

Yuu frowned, turning to Jamil, “Don’t you act fucking dumb with me.” They press a kiss to Azul’s forehead, letting him slump against their chest, not seeing the gears turning in his head, “You and your sister are basically the same petty soul shared between two bodies. You know what a period is Jamil.”

The two mages catch eyes across the room, both…so painfully confused. Azul takes his time to finally untangle from Yuu, giving a small smile and patting hesitantly at the blanket, “O-okay…A period…right?”

At Yuu’s annoyed nod, Jamil sniffs, checking that he hadn’t cried before looking over to the door, “And…Najma will know. You’re sure she will?”

“I mean basically every girl gets a period so I would think so Jamil…”

The two boys share another look, communicating in a way Yuu hadn’t learned to do with them yet before they turn back to them with those soft, weak smiles. Azul caresses their face again, saying they should go back to sleep and that someone will bring up something to eat later on. It was slow, they clearly didn’t want to leave, but they both closed the door behind them. They share another look in the hallway, nodding before moving to regroup with the others.

The contained chaos they walk in on was almost comical if the reason wasn’t so mortifying. Jade had a hand gripped on each of Floyd’s shoulders while they took up the loveseat, whispering to the taller eel as he held him back. The whispers growing in intensity as his eyes widened in manic glee every time Floyd growled and moved to pull out of his brother’s hold. Ace was leaning against the wall, anger clear on his face as his nails bit into his forearms. He was the only one who looked up when they walked into the room. Deuce sat on the couch, curled around who they could only think was Grim, his shoulders shaking with barely contained cries.

Ace speaks up first, calling everyone else’s attention to their entry, “Well? Who’s the bastard we’re hunting down?”

Jamil and Azul pause, Jamil looking to the side and sighing, “They say nothing happened-”

“They’re lying!” Grim cries from Deuce’s arms. 

The spade Heartslabyul soldier sniffles, raising his head to look from over the couch, “Grim said they’ve been bleeding since this morning. From before he woke up…”

Jamil pulled out his phone, already dialing his sister, “They said Najma would know what’s going on…They were…so sure nothing…happened…”

Ace opened his mouth to yell only to be cut off at the sound of Najma picking up the line on speakerphone.

“Jamil? What’s wrong, you never call me?”

“...” Jamil gulped, gripping his phone before speaking, “Najma, I need you to be completely honest with me. Swear on your life levels of seriousness. Do you know what a period is?”

“...Like the punctuation?”

Azul bit his lip, a hand moving to cover his mouth and start to pace around the room. He walks closer to Jade and Floyd to explain, the two eels listening to his quick words in clear confusion.

“I…Najma, something happened. Is it…normal to…” He let out another sigh, almost wishing it would take his soul with it, “Is it normal to bleed…out of your vagina?”

The beat of silence almost gave Jamil hope. Maybe it was some super secret girl thing that no male was allowed to ever know about. Maybe everyone in the room would have to be killed once Najma confirmed its existence. He knows he would at least prefer that over the alternative.

“Jamil, what the fuck? No!? No, that's not normal!? Jamil who do you know that’s bleeding out of their-”

“Don’t have time, I’ll call you back once this is all settled.” He’s never hung a phone up so fast. It quickly rings again, but he just declines Najma’s call and silences his phone. Now looking around, everyone else in the room is just as confused if not more so than he and Azul were.

“...What?” Jade tilts his head to the same degree his brother does while they both study Jamil, each trying to find…something in the conversation they just heard.

Azul spoke up, leaning his elbow against the fireplace, a hand coming up to rub at his temple, “They said they were simply on their period and that this was normal. They were also very certain Najma would confirm this sentiment, claiming it was a natural thing girls did.”

Deuce sat in thought, his brain working overtime to try and piece together the information they had, “Maybe…Uh…Wait, I can ask my mom!”

“What is your mom gonna know, Deuce!?” Ace hissed, more frustrated than actually angry.

“I don’t know, she’s like...an older girl? Maybe she knows more about it than Najma would?”

“...” Jade looks toward Azul with a shrug, “It’s another source of information. We’re literally going in blind with this.” He looks down in worry, feeling Floyd relax in his arms. His brother wasn’t calm by any means, more so his mood had finally reached so low that his homicidal urges couldn’t properly latch onto it. He just kept Floyd in his arms, holding his taller brother under his arms as though he was a cat.

Deuce pulls out his phone with one hand, the other keeping a grip on Grim as the monster whines. It only took a very rings before the phone was answered again.

“Hi, Deuce! I was just about to send you a text. I found this new cafe and they make the cutest parfaits-”

“Mom, that’s cool. Send me a picture later but. Um…I got a really weird and private question to ask you-”

“Deuce, we talked about this sweetie. There’s nothing wrong with liking certain things-”

“NOT THAT, NOT THAT!” He blushes, quickly cupping his phone away from view of the others. He whispers his question into the receiver, waiting with bated breath when the other line was quiet.

“Sweetie. Am I on speaker?”

“Uh, yeah?”

“That isn’t…that isn’t something that should be happening. Is this…Deuce, is this about your friend Yuu?” At the affirmative, she continued, “I know you said they weren’t from around…anywhere really. But you boys need to tell your teachers about this. Whoever told them this was normal lied to them.”

The nervousness returns, everyone sharing a look, Deuce thanking his mom before hanging up the phone. Pass the stray sigh or muffled rambles no one spoke, each one of them was scared to voice their theories. Everything easily pointed toward…assault. But Yuu was such a level of certain that it was hard to deny the doubt that grew at the idea. There were magical ways of getting the truth out of people, they had Jade and Jamil, so it wouldn't be hard. But none of them wanted to break the trust Yuu had given to them. Not to mention the small chance that something did happen, and forcing Yuu to recount the horrible situation was cruel even by Night Raven standards if they were trying to actively suppress it. 

It seemed like they sat in silence for hours before they all heard the front door slam open, footsteps quickly stepping through the hall before a signature black and white coat filled the doorway. Crewel stood with one hand on his hip, the other impatiently tapping his crop against his leg.

“Ok, what’s going on? I’ve had students running around terrified from Sam’s shadows. I go to see Sam to ask about it and he informs me that he sent you runts to check on my puppy.” Crewel looks around the room, his frown turning into a scowl before he schools his expression again, “And there's no sign of my puppy in this pack of dogs, so what’s happened?”

After a prolonged silence, Ace groaned, deciding to bite the bullet since no one else wanted to, “Yuu’s bleeding from…from their vag and won't tell us why.”

…

“...” Crewel stepped to the side, light gray eyes seeming to look past all of them while he used his crop to point down the hall, “Get out.”

“Sensei-”

“Get. Out.”

The scramble they did out of the room was like a pack of dogs released into the wild, each of them refusing to meet the glacier-level stare of their teacher as they ran past. They didn’t leave Ramshackle property, choosing to instead stand outside and wait to be fully dismissed.

Crewel took the stairs two at a time, flinging Yuu’s bedroom door open. The sound of it slamming into the wall made Yuu groan in protest. He walks to the bed and sits, a hand instantly brushing their bangs back to alert them to his presence. He couldn't tell through his gloves, but they had seemed flushed, “Puppy? Puppy, talk to me. What's happening? I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.”

Yuu hums, just barely getting back to sleep before Crewel woke them up again. A hand pressed to their lower stomach and grumbled, “Hmmmm….Period…” “...Pup. What’s a period, explain it to me.” He keeps his hand in their hair, petting in a way to soothe both of them if needed. Period, Yuu clearly wasn’t talking about punctuation. All his mind could reach then was that period was speaking of a state of time. Meaning this was something that happened on some type of schedule.

Groaning, Yuu sits up, letting her head rest against Crewel’s shoulder, “Period, monthly bleed and all that. It’s girl stuff, you know biology, Crewel…”

Taking her in his arms, Crewel rubs at their back. Monthly…It’s at times Crewel is made painfully aware of how lacking he and the rest of Night Raven College were in knowledge about Yuu’s biology. “Yuu…That’s not a thing in Twisted Wonderland.” He can feel the moment they tense up, letting them pull back to look at him.

Yuu stares at their pseudo-father, eyes searching for some sign of the past hour being nothing but a really bad joke. Seeing none, they feel a cold realization hit, “Oh…Well, this is gonna be a real interesting time…”

[lostbetweenvampiresandmusic]

Prompt request- 6 and 18?

6. Why are you completely drenched?

18. Is he always like this?

I hope you like this!����

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

The store was quiet tonight. Usually, it was filled with young teens trying to decide what movie to watch or young couples in search of a good flick to put on. Now, it was quiet. The only noise audible was the static coming from the dozen television screens showing clips from several movies.

It was weird for it to be so quiet on a Friday night, but in all honesty, I couldn't really be bothered. Maybe if it stayed this quiet, I could go home early and have some time for myself. I sighed as I leaned on the counter, staring at the boardwalk. The sign on the door clearly said open - on the right side, I checked that one twice already - and even the door was propped open. The boardwalk itself was quite busy, but hardly anyone even looked towards the store. I sighed as I flipped through a magazine, finding the reason: some big-time artist was performing down the beach. That explained a lot. It would also mean that afterwards it would get busy.

"Jesus, you look like a walking depression!"

I looked up with an annoyed glare. Paul stood in the doorway, blocking any potential customer from entering.

"I do not. I look like an exhausted and bored customer service worker."

"Isn't that the same thing?"

I laughed, causing him to grin. He stepped into the store, a loud sloshing sound following him with every step he took. I frowned, looking at him.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." He shrugged. I looked at him, then at his clothes and realised in the bright light of the store that he was soaking wet.

"Why are you completely drenched?" I asked, slightly panicking. Max would not be happy with this...

"I fell in the ocean."

"You fell? In the ocean?"

He nodded, jumping up to sit on the counter. I quickly pushed him off, earning an annoyed 'Hey!'.

"No, listen - you get the whole store wet, and I am the one that gets to clean it and gets to deal with an angry Max."

"He wouldn't get angry with you."

"He would, Paul. Either get out of the store or help dry everything off."

"I'll go!"

With that, he left, leaving a long wet trail behind. I sighed as I searched in the back for a mop and a bucket. That asshole. Sure, I was no longer bored, but I preferred being bored over cleaning up someone else's mess. I found the mop in the corner of the broomcloset and made my way back out on the floor. With an annoyed and tired sigh, I got to work, quickly cleaning up the wet footprints.

"Have you seen Paul?"

I jumped, almost kicking the bucket I'd used to empty the mop in over the floor. David stood in front of me.

"Hold on," I said as I grabbed the bucket and placed it on the counter, quickly calming myself down. It was a miracle how someone who wore that kind of boots could make so little noise.

"Well?"

"Yeah. He was here."

"What did he do this time?"

He must have picked up on my mood - although that wasn't that difficult to do. I motioned towards the - clean - wet floor and the mop leaning against the counter.

"Is he always like this?" I asked. Surely, he wasn't, right?

"Chaotic and an asshole?"

"You said it, not me."

"He is."

I nodded. It was good to know that I wasn't anything personal anyway.

"He's also very adamant to visit you every night."

"I see all of you each night." I countered - they always came in to bother Max.

"He comes in for you."

"Why?"

"Ask him. Not my thing to tell."

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "You're just as much an asshole as he is, you know that?"

David just grinned, a sudden unpredictability in his eyes. "I'm worse, darling."

I shivered. "Well, if you do find Paul, could you tell him to come back?"

David nodded as he lit a cigarette. I decided not to mention anything about it. That was a Max problem - if he didn't want anyone to smoke in his store, he should enforce that rule with the most problematic customers, and not the customer service worker working for a minimum wage.

He left the store, and I finished cleaning up Paul's mess. It got me wondering, though, why was he so adamant about coming here each night and talking to me? None of the other boys really paid much attention, but Paul? Besides the obvious tomfoolery in his act, he was quite sweet. One time, he'd gotten me dinner when he realised I forgot to eat. He always checked up on me, even stepped in one time when I had a difficult customer. And I always did like to see him. It did cheer me up. It did make me feel more relaxed. So, I thought to myself, if he comes in here and I ask him why and he tells me he likes me - maybe I actually like him too?

[v3nusxsky]

Hello my love, I hope your day is going well. I have another agere prompt idea for you, sweet one.

Idea: Nat x r. Everyone gets bad days, and you were no exception. R smd nat have been together for 4 years now and knew eachother like the back of their hand. And from the moment nat and r woke up this morning, nat new r needed to slip. But, r being the stubborn ding dong she is, didn't listen to Nats advice and tried to carry on throughout her day like nothing was wrong. The key word is tried. The slightl headache r woke up with steady progressed into s full blow migrain by midday. R's head was throbbing and it was like someone was taking a baseball bat to the back of her head. And try as she might, r just couldn't finsh all the tasks she had set out to do today. And as Nat came back to their room on the avengers compound after a full morning of meets with the others, she found r on the sofa all currled and and crying. Instantly Nat new what was wrong, so she ever so gently made her way to r and kneeled down on the floor, coming face to face with her little sweetheart. As soon as r saw Nat she jumped into her arms and cried and was a  blubbering mess. Nat listened to her little love, offering praise and comfort. And after her little one calmed down she picked her up and took them to their bedroom. Changing into comfy clothes, getting her stuffy (Emer) and some colors books and pens. They spent two hours coloring and Nat watching over her little one with a smile. Every so often pulling r in to kiss her on the forehead. After coloring was done they went and snuggled on the bed, with Nat holding r close and running her fingers through r's hair. Telling her how beautiful and sweet and adorable and kind and perfect r was.

The rest I will leave up to you my love. I hope you enjoy it! I love you darling ♥️

Time with my baby

*Authors note~ hopefully there will be a fic of a different kind tomorrow:) nat and Agere melts my heart. Mentions of aunty wands 🥹 bc I'm a sucker for the love*

Trigger warnings~ age regression r little r mama bear Nat auntie Wanda headache crying etc?

Prompt~ see ask^^^^

No one is immune to the curse of a bad day, but for you and your past it felt as if the dark cloud of a bad day always loomed over you. In your four years of relationship you and your lover Natasha had gotten amazingly good at noticing the signs of a bad day, often being the only one who can make the bad day a little brighter. However, today it appeared you had chosen to be rather stubborn. It was clear to Nat that you were having a bad day and in need of slipping. But try as hard as she might, you were unrelenting in your efforts to pretend to be okay  here. So she did all she can do, let you carry on with your day in a hope that you'd come to here when you needed her help.

Only, you didn't. You kept pushing through. Well attempting to push through. What had started as a simple headache by now had turned into a full on throbbing migraine all by noon. You vaguely remember that Natasha had warned you of your need to slip and that it would cause this if you ignored it, and you also remember telling her that you'd be fine and that she was wrong due to not wanting to bother her. Natasha's schedule today was anything short of hectic and you'd be damned if you were to ruin it and make her stay with you because of your own weaknesses.

Your determination to finish all your morning tasks was battling against your throbbing head. Truly you wondered how it was possible to feel a baseball bat battering your head repeatedly but the more you tried to question it the worse your head became so you quickly gave up on that fight and some how tiredly made your way to the sofa in the compound for just a little rest. Really, you weren't going to sleep, you simply didn't have the time but sitting down never hurt anyone, right? Quickly resting your stinging eyes wouldn't hurt you as long as you made sure to be up and busy before anyone returned.

Although you allowed a nap for yourself you couldn't quite seem to drift off due to your raging headache, tears of pain and frustration began to trail down your cheeks as you just closed your eyes to block out the harsh light flickering through the compound. At times when you felt this bad all you could do is regret not listening to Natasha and slipping earlier, and now you are all alone with no one to comfort you, or so you thought.

Wanda returned earlier than Nat due to the fact Tony wanted to modify her suit, so naturally she went to check on you, she was almost like a sister for you, so when she heard your overwhelming loud thoughts she made her way to you. She could see by your thoughts you needed a slip so with a quick text to Nat she set out to help you.

"Pretty girl?" Wanda whispered causing your body to stiffen and struggle to open your eyes, "shhh it's okay y/n, auntie wands knows all bout it pretty, would you like to rest with me little one?" You managed a weak nod and lifted your head ever so slightly. Wanda slipped underneath your head and immediately brought her hands to your temples in an attempt to help you, despite her efforts she wasn't Nat and your little brain knew that. "Want mama" you whined miserably with a pout on your lips as tears trailed down your cheeks once more. "Wans want my mama I hurtys helps me" your whimpers were breaking your witchy friends heart, but thankfully with the half an hour she began to hear Natasha's rushed and panicked thoughts of you. "Ahh little one I spy someone's mama."

Just from the sight of you Natasha would've Instantly knew what was wrong, but having wanda's helpful insight was always a bonus. She knew how much you loved your auntie wands, so the fact you were still crying meant only one thing. You needed her. So it was unsurprising that as soon as Natasha knelt down to face you, you threw yourself at her, loud muffled sobs coming from you as you nuzzled yourself into her neck. Although it wasn't very clear Natasha knew you were apologetic for thinking you would be okay and she could tell by wanda's reaction that you didn't quite want to be in public in this state but had seemingly regressed smaller than ever before. "Ahh honey, it's okay mama has you now okay? You're such a good girl for me y/n, mama is so proud baby. You're okay and you're so safe with me and wands okay? Shall we go lay down ?"

Natasha easily lifted you into her arms with a quiet thank you to Wanda she carried you into your bedroom, immediately setting out to find the most comfortable pair of clothes for you she could. Once changed you settled on the bed with your favourite stuffed animal call Emer. Natasha changing quickly herself and grabbing some colouring supplies before joining you on the bed. Your migraine wouldn't allow for much, just enough colouring to soothe you into a slumber where Natasha wraps you up in her arms and protects her girl from the world. The only place you could ever sleep soundly was here, with her.

Word count~1315

[lossie92]

As promised, here's a snippet from from the beginning of a new fic inspired by a recent conversation I had with the one and only @kooriicolada ❤️

The working title of the story is A Life Saved.

Hope you enjoy!

-

"What's that?"

Madara turned his head to give Hashirama a quizzical look. "What's what?" He asked, wondering what on earth his friend was talking about now.

The two of them had decided to visit an onsen to relax. The last couple of weeks had been stressful to say the least, what with the construction of Konoha finally completed and the village beginning to accept missions. It went without saying that they both deserved a break and so they snuck out to enjoy some much needed downtime. 

The onsen they picked wasn't located within the village, but a few miles away in a civilian town called Tanzaki-gai for that reason. 

It was unclear whether the beta woman manning the counter knew they were ninja and just didn't care or she hadn't caught on to that. Sometimes gaining entry to places like inns and bathhouses owned by civilians was made difficult, since ninja had a reputation for attracting trouble. Apparently they were in luck, because they were allowed inside and were currently washing off before entering the hot pools.

Just then Hashirama gestured vaguely to his back.

"That scar," he said. "It looks... It's quite fresh, isn't it? I didn't know you were injured recently…"

Madara knew immediately which scar Hashirama was referring to. 

"I wasn't," he answered as he focused back on tying up his freshly washed hair. "It looks this way, because the wound got infected. Takashi-oji had to cut it open and clean it. It's taking a while to heal properly after that."

"Was it poison or…?"

"That and poor treatment when I got it," he said, smiling a bit as he remembered that faithful mission. "I still have full mobility though and the scar… It doesn't really bother me."

"Can I ask why?"

For a moment Madara hesitated with an answer. 

On one hand it wasn't as if the reason behind his injury was much of a secret. At this point he was relatively sure everyone within the Uchiha clan knew the truth even if they didn't comment on it. At the same time he hadn't really considered telling Hashirama about it or how he would do it if the subject ever came up. For some unexplainable reason the idea never crossed his mind.

Evidently taking his silence as a dismissal or refusal to continue this conversation, Hashirama changed the subject.

As they finished washing and finally entered the pool he was in the midst of telling Madara about the last preparations for his upcoming marriage to Uzumaki Mito-san, when Madara spoke, interrupting him mid sentence.

"I got injured protecting someone I came to love very dearly," he said. "It doesn't bother me, because it's a reminder of that love and that if I was faced with a similar choice once more I would do the same thing again in a heartbeat."

To say Hashirama appeared to be speechless was an understatement. The man was openly gaping at him as if this was the last response he expected. Granted, Madara was aware he rarely ever spoke so candidly about his feelings and he could count on one hand the number of times it had happened in Hashirama's presence, but it wasn't as if it had never happened before either.

The dramatic reaction was truly unwarranted.

Madara frowned. "If I knew you would react this way—"

"No! It's, I'm… I'm sorry. That's not–" Hashirama paused to clear his throat. "It's just a bit… sudden? I mean, you never mentioned anyone before and your, um, reputation… I just—"

Madara couldn't help but laugh. 

"My reputation?" He asked. "Is this the moment where you shame me for the choices I made in my youth?"

"You know I wouldn't do that," Hashirama was quick to respond. "And I apologise for assuming. Truly. It's just…"

"It's just that you didn't expect me to settle down?" Madara finished for him, mirth colouring his voice. 

When Hashirama simply shrugged sheepishly, he added, "You know, you wouldn't be the first person to think that. I was a bit surprised too, to be honest… And I certainly didn't plan to fall in love." He smiled a bit ruefully. "Then again, can we ever plan for such a thing?"

As expected, Hashirama didn't answer him and they both fell into a companionable silence.

Madara let his thoughts drift back to Konoha and his lover, amused when he imagined how much of an earful he was going to get for disappearing without proper notice. Doubtlessly both Hashirama and him were going to be in a world of trouble later despite being perfectly safe and caught up on their work as much as possible. After all, his omega's temper ran hot. Thankfully though it wasn't difficult to cool it down or turn it into a heat of a different kind.

Smirking to himself as he imagined all the ways in which he could apologise, he leaned back against the stones, his eyes slipping closed.

"You must really love them."

He opened one eye to glance at Hashirama. "Hm?"

"I said you must really love them," Hashirama repeated. "I haven't heard you talk like that about anyone before… It's nice."

"Thank you?" Madara said as he straightened in his seat, not sure what else to say.

"Will you attend the wedding together?" Hashirama asked next. "I'm sure we can squeeze in one more–"

"That won't be necessary."

Hashirama's brows furrowed in obvious confusion. "Why? You don't want to bring them along?"

"That's not it," Madara said truthfully.

"Then why? It would be the perfect opportunity to introduce them to— Oh." Hashirama paused, his eyes widening. "It's someone I know, isn't it? Someone already in attendance?"

Whoever thought Hashirama was an airhead was dead wrong and this moment was proof of that. The man could be uncannily perceptive sometimes, to the point Madara honestly wondered whether his friend wasn't clairvoyant by any chance.

"Yes," he answered after a moment, "it's someone you know."

"Oh?"

Madara said nothing to that and after a few beats of silence Hashirama prompted, "Well? Who is it?"

"I can't tell you."

"Can't or won't?"

"Both," Madara said. "We're trying to keep things between the two of us for now. He doesn't even know—"

He knew he made a mistake right there and then. 

Hashirama's face lit up and he leaned in, his eyes bright and intent as he scrutinised Madara.

"So it's a he then? An omega, yes? And I know him? Is he from a clan? Has to be, right? Does he work in administration? Or intelligence maybe? A ninja for sure. I don't remember there being many male omegas in the–"

"It's Tobirama."

[hotcat37]

I loved your list of recommended bojere fics! Maybe a part two of your personal favorites?

Thanks sm for the support anon!! It's tough to pick favorites when there's so many amazing Bojere fics out there but here are a few ones that rlly stayed with me!!

by @puppetmasteronastring !! The follow-up parts to this fic are also excellent as well but ngl the original hits different. Jere and Bojan (+some friends) spend midsummer together and the tension between them finally breaks 👀 Their relationship is so tender in this and even tho they don't officially get together in this one you can just tell they were made for each other <3

by anon!! Some sub/dom with Bojere where Bojan is rlly into the idea of Jere talking Finnish during sex but Jere thinks it's cringe haha The concept itself is humorous but it's so well written and it's rlly sweet to read about Bojan and Jere communicating in regards to their sex life and making sure the other is comfortable 💖

by @mitochondriencocktail !! Absolutely iconic fic. It starts out as a sexy hockey AU but it quickly escalated into a genuinely investing story about Bojan and Jere struggling with their deep feelings for each other. Their dynamic is so fun and interesting in this and the chapter where they sit in McDonald's together and talk for the second time rlly lives in my mind rent free😔💖💖 My only criticism is that we missed out on Jere in a skirt 😤 (but we did get Bojan in it 😏)

by maevenn !! Born From Seafoam hits different. Bojere meet on vacation in a very cringe but hilarious way. Jere is so endearing in this and i love how Bojan just goes along with his shenanigans <3 It's rlly quick paced but it perfectly captures that holiday excitement and how quickly things can escalate between two strangers that immediately hit it off. The descriptions of summer and the environments and Bojan's feelings for Jere are just incredible and I really am hoping it'll get finished some day :")💕

by anon !! This was one of the first Bojere fics I ever read so it's very nostalgic to me. Jere accidentally implies he and Bojan are together during an interview, cue the fake relationship trope 🙏 It started off rlly humorous but then it became more and more emotional as they start to develop real feelings for each other and the angst is fantastic!! This one is also unfinished but it doesn't end on a cliffhanger or anything so it definitely doesn't take away from the experience

by anon!! Bojan comforts an upset Jere after the finals.... It does include voyeurism (by Loreen of all ppl lol) which isn't really my thing but it was so well written and tenderhorny that it didn't bother me reading it :) The smut is great and so is the dialogue (+I just love possessive Bojan in fics lol)

by Don't _forget_peanuts !! Felt nostalgic for some more ESC era Bojere.... The tension between Bojan and Jere reaches a boiling point backstage once the finals are over 👀 Bojan's inner dialogue is so fcking funny and the build-up to the smut and the actual smut itself is just....phew 😋 Bro wanted that Käärijussy

by anon.... Sorry I just had to mention this fic. The massive impact (✈) this had on the fandom needs to be recognized. Quotable lines, heart shattering angst...the author being a fcking menace lmao You have not reached the depths of the Kä iceberg yet if you haven't read this fic

[keto-keyes]

The Misfit Gang (Slytherin Gang ff)

This is a OC insert imagine, with multiple parts. If you don’t want to use the name ive chosen, feel free to insert your own :)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 5 Part 4

It was finally time for the first ever flying lesson. Soren and the other Slytherins walked down to the grounds near the herbology greenhouses and stood waiting for the Gryffindors and Madame Hooch to arrive. It had been a couple of days since Soren first met Lorenzo and Theodore, and now she, Blaise, and the boys did almost everything together. 

When the slacking Griffindors and their flying professor showed up at last and everyone was let into the grounds, the two houses aligned into rows beside brooms. Pansy stood next to Draco, like she did all the time now, and the rest of the Slytherins beside them. 

"Now, hold you hand above your broom and say UP!" Madame Hooch called. 

There was a thundering of "UP" as everyone tried to get their brooms to rise into their hands. It took almost four tries for the combined classes to all have their brooms, and when they did, Madame Hooch pulled the whistle to her lips. 

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," said Madame Hooch, "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet and then come straight back down by leaning forwards slightly. On my whistle - three - two -"

Neville, a jumpy Gryffindor, clambered onto his broom before Madame Hooch had time to say one. He blasted into the air, unable to stop because he was shaking so hard. He wobbled here and there as he rose higher and higher into the sky. Girls from both houses screamed in unison, terrified he might fall. Soren looked on with the rest of her house in shock as the Gryffindors and Madame Hooch tried to get him to come down. 

Suddenly, he tipped towards the ground, his broom seemingly hovering, before he fell off. The entire group let out a tremendous shriek as he flew downwards. Enzo covered Soren's eyes as Neville hit the ground and whimpered. The impact and sound made Soren flinch and she didn't even bother moving Enzo's hand from her eyes. He pulled it away when, after what seemed like ages but was most likely only a split second, Madame Hooch and the other girls crowded around Neville in a shrieking, crying mass of first years. 

They looked on in shock as Madame Hooch picked the boy up, inspected his arm with a grunt of "Broken bone. C'mon we'll get you fixed up in the hospital wing," and brought him back to the school. She warned the rest of the remaining students that anyone who tries to fly without her there would be expelled immediately. 

"That poor boy...." Soren gasped. 

Draco called out, holding something up, and the entire class turned to him. Then he and Harry Potter got into a long argument that ended in both of them on brooms in the air. 

"This'll end well for sure," Theo remarked boredly, as the two braindead idiots on brooms circled each other.  

They watched as Draco taunted Harry, looking slightly less brave, and then threw the glass ball down towards the ground. Harry zoomed towards the ball and caught it, only mere seconds before he would have become a wizard pancake. Soren was barely watching anymore, but turned towards the school doors, where Professor McGonagal was hurrying down to the grounds with a shocked and upset expression. 

Soren tapped Blaise on the arm and he, too, turned to see McGonagal rushing towards them. 

"Ahhh well, the fun lasted a while. I guess they'll both be expelled," he muttered as Theo and Enzo finally noticed the strict head of Gryffindor.  

Harry was quickly rushed inside the castle, and the lesson continued without missing a beat. Nobody mentioned the Potter-Malfoy brawl to Madame Hooch in the hopes they wouldn't get expelled like Harry. 

[mads-weasley]

I'm Here

Floyd Talbert x OC

Masterlist

A/N: First off, hi @issiie / @cetaitlaverite !! MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS (queue *nsync)!! I really tried to give you what you requested, so I hope you enjoy it! I have been sooo excited to be able to post this! This is my first time writing an OC fic, so bear with me lol! Also, I know Tab really isn't in "The Breaking Point" much, but for the story's purpose, let's pretend he is! :)

Summary: When Virginia Bailey joined the Army, she had no idea she'd be gaining a new family, and maybe even more.

Warnings: mentions of death, angst with fluff!

"I just don't get it, Chuck."

"Get what? Cause there's a lot of things I don't get. Like, why did Hitler start this mess in the first place, also, more importantly, what in the he-"

"Virginia," Talbert interrupted, not taking his eyes off of the blonde across the mess hall from them. "She doesn't really talk to anyone. She just sits alone and reads her book."

Grant raised his eyebrows at his friend. "Do you have something against educated women?" he asked with a smirk.

Pulling his attention off of the girl, Floyd cut his eyes at him. "Of course not, idiot. I just wished she would open up a little bit."

"Maybe she's waiting for an invitation to."

The comment struck the boy from Kokomo. Maybe she was just waiting for someone to reach out and make the first move. Without another word, he got up and made his way over to the girl's table. He slid into the seat in front of her, his signature grin plastered on his face as she glanced up at her book at him.

"Floyd Talbert. It's Virginia, isn't it?" He asked.

Marking her place in the book, she laid it down, shaking his hand with a small smile. "Yep. Virginia Bailey. Most people call me Ginny, though."

A slight southern accent seeped into her voice, and he found it surprisingly comforting.

"So, Ginny. What made you want to join up?"

She froze momentarily at his question, eyes widening as she searched for an answer. Sensing her alarm, he felt bad and quickly changed the subject.

"What book are you reading?" He asked softly, nodding at the book on the table.

Her smile returned as she picked it up, eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's called Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie. It's a murder mystery novel where they find a lady washed up on a beach and try to find her killer."

Floyd thought it was adorable how excited she was about the book. Being the first time that he was up close to the girl, he scanned her features, noticing her striking hazel eyes, blue around the edge with green and golden brown mixed in. He also took notice of the slight sunburn she wore that revealed the light freckles under the rosiness of her cheeks. She was beautiful, and he couldn't look away.

Breaking from his trance, he chuckled. "Sounds interesting. I might have to steal it from you one day."

Smiling back at him, Ginny told herself that she needed this: to open up. She wasn't alone anymore. It also didn't hurt that her first friend happened to be one of the most attractive men she had ever seen.

After that day, Floyd made sure to introduce all the men to Ginny, wanting her to feel like a part of the company. The only ones he didn't bother introducing her to were Cobb and his buddies who did nothing but hate other people.

Over the course of training, she became really close with the boys, some of them even feeling like brothers to her: Joe Toye, Bill, and Buck, especially.

Tab...he was a different story. There was nothing brotherly about the way Ginny felt about him. His smile lit up her world, and when he looked at her, everything around them stopped. Floyd Talbert was her best friend, and she would never do anything that would jeopardize that, so she kept her feelings to herself.

Little did she know that the same feelings coursed through him every time she'd enter a room, heart skipping at the sight of her.

Every now and then, though, she would fall back into the habit of the past, distancing herself from everyone, including those who meant the most to her.

December, 1944

Virginia sat in her foxhole, freezing from the everpresent snow falling on the company in the Bois Jacques as gunshots went off in the distance. Staring at the line ahead of her, she flexed her frozen fingers, trying to get some feeling back into them, but she had no luck. When they were moved into Bastogne, their supplies were already low, but they were promised they would come in soon. They didn't.

So there they were with barely anything to protect them from the bitter cold, limited ammunition, barely any medical equipment, and nothing but Joe Domingus' rancid beans to keep them warm.

"Hey, Ginny," Bill Guarnere called from the treeline behind her. "Come get some supper. Today's menu consists of...beans." He laughed. "Who would've thought?"

Rolling her eyes with a smile, she checked the line once again before slipping out of her foxhole and making her way through the frozen forest with Bill.

"How are ya holding up? Staying warm?" he asked, tucking his chin into the collar of his thin coat.

Virginia shrugged. "The best I can. We're all cold, but I'll manage."

"Oh, I get that. I've been pissing needles for the past week and it's killing me."

She grimaced, scanning the forest around them. "You told Gene?"

"Yeah, he's waiting on some penicillin to come in. But like you said, I'll manage."

As they reached the rest of the men, Ginny left Bill to stand beside Floyd in line but a hand shot out to stop her.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Bailey. No cuts, even for Easy's princess."

She didn't even need to look and see who it was, the voice instantly recognizable.

"Whatcha gonna do about it, Skip?" She quipped with a smirk, matching the wide one that painted his face.

"Absolutely nothing."

She playfully knocked his shoulder with her fist. "Yeah, that's what I thought, Muck."

Arriving at Tab's side, Virginia stuffed her hands under her armpits with a groan. "Floyd, how long are we gonna be here without supplies?"

He hadn't seen her approach, so he about has a heart attack from her voice. "Gin! I about shi-"

"Lucky I'm not a kraut," she interrupted with a smile. "Otherwise, you'd be dead."

Pulling her into a tight side hug, he ran his hand along her arm, trying to warm her up. "Yeah. I hope we get winter gear soon."

Virginia stared blankly at the line through the trees, choosing to ignore the warmth that suddenly spread through her body at their contact.

"Me too."

January 3rd, 1945

"It's too quiet," Ginny whispered to herself as she walked through the woods to her foxhole. Looking around, she couldn't shake the feeling that something very bad was about to happen.

A voice broke her from her thoughts. "Ginny!"

Turning toward it, she saw the voice belonged to Wild Bill Guarnere, who was standing with Malarkey.

"Hey, boys. How're y'all holding up?"

Bill shook his head with a cocky grin. "Better. I finally stopped pissing needles."

With a chuckle, she patted his shoulder. "That's good!"

"How about you, Virginia?" Don asked. "Have you confessed to Tab yet?"

Thankfully, Ginny wasn't drinking anything, otherwise, it would've spewed from her mouth. It didn't stop her from choking on her own spit, though.

"What?" she blurted with a sputtering cough.

Bill smirked. "Come on, Bailey. Don't act li-"

"Incoming!"

Wooshes of artillery firing filled the ear, directly followed by ground-shaking explosions.

Losing her balance, Virginia held onto Malarkey, trying her best to remain standing. When another shell landed, she lost her battle with gravity, knees smashing into the hard ice below her. Instantly, arms hooked under hers, pulling her up.

"Ginny, come on!" Bill yelled, pushing her ahead of him in a sprint toward a foxhole. Dirt flew around them as other soldiers' cries filled the air.

"Take cover!"

"Move it!"

As they finally reached their foxhole, a shell landed behind them, propelling Virginia into the hole in a heap. Even in all the chaos, her mind wandered to Floyd. Where was he? Was he okay?

The trio huddled together until the bombardment ceased moments later. Don was the first one to pull away and his head over the edge, peering out at the damage. Soon Bill and Ginny did the same.

"Maybe we should see if anybody's hit," Malarky asked shakily.

"Yeah, Malark, that's what they want."

Ginny's eyes scanned the smoldering battlefield ahead of them, praying Tab wasn't laying dead in the snow somewhere. She quickly shook away the thought and sighed.

"The Krauts are trying to draw us out in the open."

People always talk about the silence after a snowfall, but that was nothing compared to the silence that filled the air in the Ardennes at that moment.

Everyone held their breath, waiting on the call for a medic to come, praying that it didn't.

Through the silence, they heard a faint voice in the distance.

"I need help!"

Don heard it first. "You hear that?" He asked the group.

"I need help!" the voice repeated.

Realization dawned on Bill as his heart sank. "Is that Joe?"

"Help!"

Virginia felt her throat close up as she whispered. "Yeah, I think that's Joe."

Within seconds, Bill was climbing out of the foxhole with Ginny shortly behind him. When he noticed this, he pushed her gently back down in the hole.

"Stay, Ginny. Talbert would have my head if his girl was hurt caus'a' me."

With a nod, she watched him run towards Joe with an uneasy feeling.

Malarkey placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "They're gonna be okay, Bailey. Don't worry."

"I hope so."

A few minutes passed when they heard the all-to-familiar sound of a shell whistle.

"Take cover!"

"Find a foxhole!"

Instantly, Don pulled her down beside him in the hole as dirt and snow sprayed on them. It was worse this time. She could tell by the way the ground shook so violently, more so than minutes before.

Even after the barrage ended, they stayed at the bottom of the hole until they heard the broken scream of Buck.

"Medic!"

They made eye contact for a moment before springing up and running toward the sound. As they got closer, they could hear the cries of Bill and Joe.

Just before they came into view, something, more like someone, slammed into Ginny, almost bringing her to the ground.

"Gin!" Tab whispered into her neck. "I thought you were gone."

Realizing who it was, she hugged him back just as fiercely. She pulled back slightly to get a full view of his face, sighing when she saw it was only marred with a few small scratches.

Glancing past him, her mind went to the task at hand.

A lump formed in her throat, and her voice came out as a strained croak. "Bill and Joe, I need to-"

"No, Virginia," he interrupted, cupping her cheeks. "You don't need to see that. They're going to be okay."

Floyd knew she could handle the carnage that was caused by the bombardment, but he also knew it would break her to see men she saw as brothers in that condition.

"But Floyd, I-"

He rubbed her cheeks gently. "No buts, sweetheart. It's gonna be alright. Okay?

The tears in her hazel eyes blurred his browns. "Okay."

"We're gonna be alright." He whispered, pulling her into a fragile hug and resting his cheek against the top of her head. It broke his heart to hear and feel the small sobs that shook her body. Floyd tried to calm her by running his fingers through her hair, but all he could think about was the fact they had been reminded of that day: nothing is guaranteed. Right then and there, he promised himself that he would tell her how he felt, sooner rather than later.

January 12th, 1945

In the 9 days since Bill and Joe had been evacuated, Muck and Penkala got hit, and Buck was...being sent home. Virginia had lost 5 of her close friends, and it was taking a visible effect on her. Where before she would gravitate toward the other men, now, she elected to stay by herself most of the time, silently staring out at the line.

When he first noticed her doing this, Tab went out of his way to make sure she had some company, but she was even pulling away from him. This hurt him worse than any bullet wound could.

It all came to a head one day when he saw her trying to dig a new foxhole by herself. The frozen ground made it near impossible for a group to dig one, much less alone. Hoping for a change in her behavior, he crouched next to the tiny hole she'd created and pulled out his shovel.

"Let me help, Gin. Please?" Floyd asked softly, brows furrowed with concern.

She keeps her eyes on the ground as she continued to dig her foxhole. "I can manage. Really."

Tab can't help but sigh. "I know you can. You just don't have to do it alone. We're all here to help you. I'm here to help you."

"I know that," she answered weakly.

The young man's heart cracked softly. "Then why does it seem you've forgotten that?"

She glanced back at him and met his concerned eyes for the first time in days.

"I-I," she started, placing her shovel into the small pile of dirt before sitting on the ground beside it. "I guess I thought it would be easier this way."

Wordlessly, he sat down beside her, placing his hand on top of hers in support.

"What would be easier, Gin?"

She tugged her hand out of his tender grip, covering her face to hide the tears. "All of this. The death. The hurt...Everything. After losing so many people, I figured it's easier to not get attached."

"Even easier with me?"

"You're the one person I never could lose, Floyd. You're th-"

Floyd interrupted her gently, pulling her hands away from her face, and wiping her tears with his thumbs. "What if I'm already attached?"

A small smile painted her rosy-tinted face. "Then I'd say we're screwed because I'm attached too. "

Neither had noticed, but they had slowly inched closer and closer until their faces were mere inches apart. Virginia glanced down at his lips as he did the same.

Tab was the one to close the gap first, gently connecting his lips with hers, before sliding his hand behind her neck, deepening the kiss.

At the sound of a sharp whistle, they pulled apart suddenly, glancing at where it came from. It was George Luz standing with a wide smile.

"Ah man, I owe Bill 50 bucks!"

[horrorslu7]

Can you write more Gunnar Albright plz if it’s not a problem

Hiii, thank you so much for sending a request for Gunnar, I love him and I love writing for him. Since you didn't say what would you like specifically (as in fluff/smut/angst or any concept) I decided on something, I hope you like it and please feel free to send more requests for him (or anyone but yk). 💕💕

Car ride.

Summary: Gunnar has been kind of distant and acting a bit upset lately so on your way back from a date you decided to ask him what was wrong.

Pairing: Gunnar Albright x fem!reader.

Trigger warnings: Mentions of disappearance, mentions of murder, family issues (?????)

Gunnar could be kind of distant with other people. Maybe even "bitchy" sometimes. But not with you, he was never distant with you.

Sometimes if he felt sad or stressed, he would just ghost other people or talk to them only when it was necessary. But he would always tell you when he didn't feel good.

He trusted you enough to tell you everything that worried him, even though he could be kind of hesitant to do so sometimes because he didn't want you to think he was weak.

But you always told him that it was normal to feel stressed or sad. You were the one person who could actually give him good advice and also listen to him without judging him at all.

And he trusted you a lot, it took time but he did.

Except there was one thing he couldn't tell you. He couldn't tell you that he killed his sister, and he couldn't tell you that seeing how his father still didn't pay as much attention to him, even now that he was his only child, bothered him.

He tried to understand though, he wasn't particularly fond of his sister but he knew his father and his mother were, so he tried to understand their grief. But he was also their child and needed attention.

So after a few weeks of neglecting your attention, he invited you on a date. You gladly accepted.

You thought that he was just dealing with the disappearance of his sister on his own time. And you obviously respected that.

Gunnar picked you up on his car and gave you a beautiful bouquet of your favorite flowers, you two went out to dinner to a gorgeous and very expensive restaurant and had a lovely night.

He did seem pretty happy and careless when you two would FaceTime or text, but everyone deals with pain their own way.

He wouldn't talk much about his family though. But you tried to push those thoughts and worries aside to enjoy your date.

It was a whole night of complimenting each other, joking around and gossiping a bit about your friends and classmates in common. You loved to spend time with Gunnar and so did he.

No matter how stressed he was, hanging out with you always cheered him up. He couldn't wait for the day you two moved in together and could hang out all day everyday.

After eating dessert and talking a bit more, Gunnar paid and then drove you home.

On the way back to your house you couldn't help but stare at him almost the whole ride. He would talk to you and smile your way when he had to stop on the traffic lights.

But you noticed that his eyes were just kind of dull, when he looked away from you he just seemed kind of in a bad mood. So after thinking about it the whole ride, when he parked in front of your house, you placed your hand on top of his before speaking.

"I know you already know this but, I'm here if you wanna talk about anything." You said looking him in the eye making an emphasis on anything.

He smiled and looked down before looking back at you and answering. "I know." He made a small pause thinking about what to say before continuing to speak. "I just been kind of stressed because of Esther." Technically he wasn't lying. "And my parents have been kind of distant but I guess that's natural." He said dryly looking somewhere else.

You got closer to him and placed a soft hand on his face to turn his attention towards you. "You know they love you, it's just been hard for them lately. I'm sure they'll be back to normal soon." You smiled fondly at him and he returned the smile. "And if you feel too lonely you know you can come over or we can go somewhere together."

"I know angel, thank you." He answered sweetly before placing one of his hands on your cheek and the other on your neck touching your collarbone slightly and pulling you into a meaningful kiss.

[magicalqueennightmare]

Sins & Amends Chapter 19

Billy Russo x Female Reader (60 part story)

This follows pre- the punisher into the storyline of daredevil, punisher season 1 and beyond

This is NOT Canon Billy. This is decent human being Billy left with bad options over worse decisions

This was also posted to A03 under: WaywardGaPeach. That account and this one is the only place you'll see me post this. If you see it on any other platform/account know it's not me

Chapter Summary/Warnings: Time moves on rather you want it to or not. Turns out you had more left than you thought [mention of violence/injuries]

 "C'mon Y/N. We'll order in or I'll cook then we can watch movies and you can just hang out with us" This was the third time Alice had asked you to spend an evening with her and Kenzie. You knew her heart was in the right place but you just couldn't stomach the idea.

You hadn't been in the best of headspace the last few months. Kenzie of course noticed and every time she got a few spare moments either texted or called trying to get you to talk to her. Alice would do her best while the two of you would be working to get you to communicate more but the station house always provided easy enough distractions.

"I'm gonna swing by Curt's meeting later. Make sure he has enough hands for the soup kitchen this week so I won't be alone" you hoped that would be enough to get her to back off but she stopped counting gauze and laid the clipboard down on the stretcher in the middle of the ambulance.

She took a deep breath then reached across and grabbed your hand "Y/N what Billy did was not your fault. He used the fact that you were in pain to get you back in bed. If he can't face the fact that he let the best woman in New York slip through his fingers that's his damage, not yours. I hate seeing you beat yourself up for loving him. Maria nor Frank would want this for you"

You snatched your hand away from her not missing the look of hurt that quickly crossed her face but not knowing what else to do  "They're not here to say what they would want for me are they? How dare I have the thought that the tragedy of losing most of my family could've somehow made Billy change his mind. That's my damage and I don't need you or Curtis or Kenzie telling me otherwise. You've got to let me work through hating myself and get to the other side. I love all of you so much but I refuse to burden any of you with this. If it gets where I absolutely can not handle it I promise I will ask for help but until then please Alice just drop it ok?"

You could see what you said had bothered her and started to apologize just so you wouldn't have to risk losing anyone else but she smiled softly "Ok sweetie just know no matter what we have your back too ok?" "Thanks partner" you all but whispered and she nodded then picked up the clipboard "Let's finish this restock in enough time and I may be able to buy you a coffee before we part ways for the evening dear" you let a small smile slip onto your face at her words so you replied "Now you're talking my language"

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

You knew you'd be welcomed to stay for the meeting. After meeting some of the regulars you found out Curtis had mentioned you in passing during a few stories. You weren't really considered a civvie because of how much you'd seen not only through being in the lives of a Navy Corpsman and two marines but in your job as well.

The ones who'd been coming to the group or the soup kitchen for a while knew your face and knew you could be trusted but you didn't want to stick around in fear that Curt would try to rope you into sharing your trauma and you weren't exactly in the mood to do so.

Of course he walked you out to the sidewalk and made sure you were safely in a cab before heading back in the building. You just wanted to go home.

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

You'd just fell asleep a little after one in the morning when you were startled awake by the sound of someone pounding heavily on your door. You instinctively reached into your nightstand tapping the code on your lock box where you kept the 9mm Frank and Billy had long ago talked you into buying. You took a deep breath to try to remain calm as you clicked the safety off and walked cautiously towards the door.

Right before you leaned up to glance out the peep hole you heard a voice you never thought you'd hear again say "Y/N it's me" you threw the chain lock off and made quick work of the deadbolt and handle lock. When you opened the door Frank was standing there obviously wounded but very much alive. He gave you a half smile then nearly collapsed into your arms

"Woah Frank. I got ya" you were moving on pure instinct overriding the shock to your system at seeing him. You struggled under his weight to get him into the apartment and kicked the door shut behind you. You half drug him to the couch and dumped him on it with a grunt from you both.

When he leaned back you saw the blood that was covering most of his body "Frank they told me you were dead" You were trying to make sense of the chaos in your mind as you laid your gun down on the coffee table then told him "Stay still don't move" and ran into your bedroom to grab your med bag out the closet.

When you made it back into the living room he was struggling out the hoodie he had on so you moved to help him. Your breath caught in your throat when the skin underneath was revealed. Dark purple bruises were piled on top of yellow ones that were still healing and what looked very much like a bullet graze was still bleeding on his side.

"What happened Frank?" You asked while you pulled gloves on and started digging for supplies you'd need "How's about patching me up then I'll answer any question you have Y/N"

You worked in silence except for a grunt from Frank when you stitched his side then put a few staples in his head where a gash was leaking over his eyebrow. Once you were done you gave a quick once over of his chest to make sure you hadn't missed anything then said "I don't have any pants that'll fit you but I have a couple shirts that I sleep in that should be big enough if you want" he nodded so you walked to the kitchen to throw the bloody gloves and gauze in the trash then headed into the bedroom to grab him a shirt.

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

 You opened the dresser drawer and took in a deep breath. Frank was alive. That meant you'd been right. It was all a cover up, someone in a very high place was behind all this. They'd even went to the extent of giving you someone else's ashes as Frank's. Where the hell had they gotten his wedding ring? Where had he been all this time and what had he gotten himself into to be in the shape he was in?

You didn't realize how long you'd been standing there staring into the drawer until Frank cleared his throat from the doorway. You hoped the little jump you gave went unnoticed as you grabbed a shirt and turned to hold it out to him "Frank what is going on? I was told you were dead. Hell i was given ashes along with your wedding ring and the photo you've always carried of Maria and the kids."

He took the shirt from your outstretched hand and looked it over intently before finally saying "I thought I was dead. Hell I wanted to be dead kid. I woke up in a hospital guess I caught a bullet too. Some um some janitor helped me get out"

"Why didn't you come to me sooner? Or Curt? Hell even Billy?" Just saying his name made your stomach lurch but you had to know. "Y/N I know you well enough to know you've connected the dots. This goes so much deeper and I..i couldn't risk pulling any of you into it while it was still hot. It was a set up. What happened that day...Y/N I'm going after everyone who had a hand in it"

You grabbed the dresser to steady yourself when the weight of his words hit you. There had been three different gangs involved that day and now one of the people you thought you'd lost was standing here alive and mainly well telling you he was going to take them all on? "Frank" you knew he could tell what you were thinking just from the look on your face.

"I've got to do this. I don't want to be talked out of it and I wouldn't have came here but I couldn't make it back to my van. I watched for a while to make sure no one saw me come in. I don't want you in danger. I can't see you dead too" you didn't think your heart could crumple any more than it already had but seeing Frank a decorated Marine and one of the strongest men you'd ever known look so broken standing in front of you the last few pieces shattered in your chest.

Without thinking you wrapped your arms around him in a hug and felt him tense a moment but he finally allowed himself to relax "I've missed you too kid" he said after a moment. You pulled back and looked him in the eye.

"Frank I don't want to lose you too but I understand why you feel like you have to do this. They need to pay every last one of them and if whoever is behind this cover-up can pull it off the law won't be any help. I don't have the skills to help you go after these men but as long as you can either make it here or dial a phone I will come to you no matter when or where. Promise me if you get hurt again you'll let me help you every time. No matter what. I owe that to Maria, and to you. You're still my family"

He was silent for a moment then gave a sharp nod "I promise but you can't tell Curtis or Billy you saw me. Got it?" you nodded then hugged him once more and said "go get cleaned up. I'll see what food I can wrangle you up because I'm betting you haven't eaten a decent meal in a while"

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

You watched Frank leave a little before six. He was wearing one of the old hoodies you slept in and you'd also given him one of your winter caps to help cover his face.He'd asked you to hold on to his ring and the picture for him which you'd agreed to under the pretense that he'd make it through to one day get them back from you. You hated knowing he was putting his life in danger but you also understood if whoever had started this ball rolling knew he was still alive his life would end then and there.

For the first time in longer than you could remember you said a prayer. You didn't know if anyone was listening or what it said about your soul begging for protection for someone going out to kill others but you didn't care. You wanted him alive at the end of the day to be able to watch whoever had ripped Maria, Lisa and Frank Jr from this world burn to ash.

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

The next day you were headed to work but decided to grab a paper on the way. What could it hurt?

You tucked it under your arm and walked the rest of the way to the station house.

Jason spoke to you when you walked in the door and Alice held out a cup of coffee then followed you to the locker room after you greeted everyone lounging around the common room.

She plopped down on one of the benches and watched you as you stowed all your belongings in the locker but you didn't notice how intensely she'd been watching until you turned around "Yes Ms Hendrixs? Would you like to share with the class?" You asked with an almost genuine smile she shook her head slowly "No it's just you seem a little more I don't know lighter? Like I know you're still mourning and that is completely normal but you seem like a bit of your fire is starting to return"

You thought about it for a moment. Frank was alive and while that information came along with knowing the danger he was in and the fact that you'd been right about it all being a cover up it still helped the gaping hole in your heart even slightly just to know he was still breathing.

You didn't lose them all and those who were responsible for taking Maria and the kids would pay for it. You shrugged after choosing what you could say to Alice to appease her "I talked with Curt and I let some of what you and Kenzie have been saying sink in finally I guess. I'll miss them every day but I'm still alive and I can't lose sight of who I am. Maria wouldn't want that for me"

She stood then slung her arm around your shoulders "I'm glad it's finally sinking in. They loved you so much Y/N. I know what happened was horrible but these last few weeks I've been afraid I was going to lose my partner"

You felt a wave of guilt wash over you. You hadn't realized that by wrapping yourself up in your pain you'd shut out those you had left. "I'm sorry I made you feel like that Alice"  "No apologies needed my love. Now let's drink our coffee and maybe you'll even get to read your paper before the insanity kicks in"  you walked with her back out to the common area and couldn't help but laughed when she told Hunter "Off and on dude. Me and Y/N are calling the couch"

He shook his head but obliged choosing to join Andrew and Kayla at the table in the corner when it looked like they were playing poker already. Yeah it was gonna be a fun shift.

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

It didn't occur to you that even subconsciously you were looking for who Frank had taken on already. Your eyes were skimming over the pages when a small portion that read "Gang wars igniting" caught your attention. According to the albeit small article that at press time all they knew was that several members of the gang Dogs of Hell had been slaughtered in what appeared to be gang violence.

It made sense. Three gangs had been involved in the massacre at the park. The Dogs of Hell, Mexican cartel and the Irish. You let out a breath and saw Alice cut her eyes at you "Bad news in the paper?" She asked so you folded it up and shook your head "Nothing unexpected"

Before your mind could attempt to play out a dozen scenarios of Frank getting killed instead of doing the killing a call came through requesting an ambulance at an apartment building across town "C'mon partner let's get on it" you said with a smile as you stood and pulled her up with you so both of you could head towards the bays.

Tags @intothesoul

@weallhaveadestiny

[interpidcaptain]

First Date: Part 1/??

I'm very proud of this, for this being my first snzfic on tumblr.

Summary: James is going out with a doctor, Doctor Matthew J. Edward. However, he gets sick, but he doesn't want to cancel on the guy. Plus, he's experienced in this thing.

Pairing: mlm

Content: illness, mess, mention of contagion, sneezing (obviously), coughing

DO NOT REBLOG TO NON-KINK BLOGS

James, the catboy with cat ears, cat eyes, cat fur, and a cat tail, and the one who'd been classified as a freak in his youth, was on his way to the restaurant he was supposed to go to so he could meet up with his date. He'd gotten lonely, so he'd downloaded a dating app. He'd been matched up with a doctor.

Ironic, since he'd started sniffling and sneezing the very day they were supposed to meet up. Here he was now, being forced to rub his nose raw to avoid being that annoying person that sniffles every time they breathe. He just hoped his date, Matthew, wouldn't notice. Though, since he was a doctor, he probably would.

He gave one last soupy sniffle before heading into the restuarant he'd be eating at. He looked around, scanning the area for his date. He noticed someone waving at him, and yep, that was him.

He sat down at the other end of his table and smiled, hoping and praying he didn't notice the red that sat on his cheeks, his chapped nose, or the sweat that formed on his temple.

Thankfully, the lighting was somehow able to hide all of that.

"So, James, you know I'm a doctor. What do you do for a living?" The conversation picked up immediately.

"I, uh, I do a lot of art." He gave a sheepish smile. "I sell it for a lot of money, but I'm not sure I'm actually that talented."

"Oh, I'm sure you're great at it!" Matthew smiled at him, and it made his hear flutter a little.

The conversation continued. It was as if they were old friends.

James was able to stave off the tickle that had been plaguing his poor nose all day, and just as he thought he could make it without having a sneezing fit, this lady came in and sat nearby with perfume strong enough that James could smell it through his cold.

"...Earlier I had a patient come in complaining about chest pains. Turns out, it was only because he spent all night last night drinking beer and eating pizza like it was the fourth of July."

He tried to rub the tickle away. It wasn't working. "The th—hh... th-things people come in for these d—HIH!... days..."

Matthew furrowed his brow. "You all right?"

"Y–hih–yeah, I just... Sorryi'mgonnasneeze—" He sped up before he let out a rapid, "Hishh! TsshhIIUU! Tsshhi!" into his elbow.

Matthew's expression, to James' relief, softened. "Bless you! That was cute."

His cheeks somehow became more flushed as he rubbed his already raw nose. "Wh–what?"

"Your sneezing. It was cute. Like a kitten. But, uh, I suppose that makes sense."

Before he could respond, his breath caught with another – "Hzzschhh! Nngh... Sorry..."

Matthew's head tilted a bit to the side and he hummed softly in thought. The way he looked at James with concern made him tense up. "Is... Is something in here bothering you?"

"...Y–yeah, actually, I think so. There's a, um... p–perfume— Hnxxtch!" He brought his hand up to catch the next string of sneezes that his instinctive stifle had coaxed out. "S–sorry, force of hh... habit—! HISHIEW!! HISHIUU!! HIH!... HETCHII!!" And along with the string of sneezes, a string of snot came out with them.

He quickly grabbed a handful of napkins as a substitute as tissues and wiped the mess away. "S–sorry—!" He felt the eyes of everyone else in the restaurant staring at him as he grabbed more napkins. Anyone could tell he was uncomfortable with it too.

Matthew grabbed a handful of extra napkins and helped him out of his seat. "It's okay, you're fine. Let's get you some fresh air, yeah?"

"Sdf... Hh'EKSHIEW!!" was the only thing Matthew got in response from James. That, and a cough.

"Bless you." Matthew gently rubbed his back as he held him close, leading him out of the restaurant, away from the disgusted glares of strangers.

James only felt comfortable to properly blow his nose when they were alone outside, and that he did. It did absolutely nothing to relieve the congestion, but it seemed to nullify the tickle a little, as his sneezing soon came to a pause.

The bad news was the lighting made it a lot easier to get a better look at him outside. "James..."

"Hm'b?" Matthew brought a hand to his forehead to check for a fever. James leaned into his warm touch.

"...Mhm... You're burning up." He gazed at the other softly.

"Whad't are you talkid'ng aboud't? Im'b freezid'ng..." He hugged himself and shivered a little, avoiding eye contact.

"...Chills, too..." He thought for a while before deciding. "Do you have all of your stuff?"

"What'd?" His ears perked up, just barely.

"Don't feel bad, but I'm taking you to my house and I'll take care of you there. I'd take you to your house, but I want you to be able to rest in the car."

He just nodded slowly, letting Matthew lead him to his car.

[blinkaftermidnight]

i would love to hear more about some of the unfinished The Wilds fics

Buckle up. There's a lot of stuff dying in my hard drive. Maybe, when I get the time, I should try to finish some of it up/patch it up/post random snippets (if anyone would be interested?).

So here's the thing, I have my drive separated into two types of fics for The Wilds: there are fics I consider potentially still in play and fics I've scrapped altogether. Two different folders. I'll make you a list under the cut and tell you what I consider each to be. And I'll probably give too much commentary about each.

If you want to know more or get a snippet of any of them, please send follow up asks. I would love to share. Or I'd love to hear what, if I were to pick back up with writing, you'd want to read the most. No guarantees, but I'll think about it.

I posted the snippet for i'll be waiting on you forever from Fatin's POV in another ask. Not very far into that, but I also haven't moved it to the scrapped folder. I think my problem with that kind of fic is it doesn't feel fresh enough - it's hard to make it feel new when we already know where it's headed. I've done it before, but it's hard.

I started a second Star Wars AU that's unrelated to the first where Leah's a Jedi Padawan and Fatin is a senator - literally Anakin and Padme in Attack of the Clones. Didn't get very far but didn't scrap it.

I have one that I'm still hoping to finish that's placeholder titled "Leah loses her mind" rightfully or wrongfully, I don't know. It explores her season two on island hallucinations and how that affects her and the group. It's 6.5k and unfinished, but I'm planning to take a look at it and see what can be done.

There are so many post island fics that are just snippets and doing nothing on my drive. I kept trying to experiment with writing all of the season two POVs post island and that shit is hard. Probably a sign not to expand too far away from Leatin because apparently I can only care so much lmao. But I haven't bothered to scrap them.

There's one where I attempted to write Leachel but that shit was also hard apparently. Really I was trying to write all different pairings and didn't get very far. Not scrapped and I have considered trying again more than once.

I started a no experiment AU where it was just an actual plane crash. I have 5k of that and no memory of writing it. Not scrapped. Not sure if I'd ever finish that.

The season 3 fic outline I mentioned in another ask but didn't link because I was on mobile, so that's here if you missed it. Not scrapped, but unfortunately I think outlining it made me feel like I told the entire story even though I never wrote more than 2-3 chapters. That's the problem with outlining, but only sometimes, because I outlined the exes fic/we're falling apart still we hold together, and that was fine.

I started a road trip AU back in 2021. Wrote 7k. Outlined the entire thing and same problem as above. Got stuck. I think I was trying to force word counts on myself for each chapter and it wasn't working. Not scrapped but very unlikely I'll touch it.

I have one just called "waterfall 5" that has five moments spent at the waterfall, and I almost finished it. I think I still have some hope of finishing it, since it's a quick thing.

I've talked about it before, probably two/three years ago at this point jfc, but I don't remember what I've disclosed about this fic. It's the one I mentioned in another ask about it not feeling right, so I didn't put it out, and it's something like 50k words and had a massive plot hole that I had to try to fix, and I was going to do a whole rewrite and maybe put it out. This one haunts me. There's a chance I'll throw the entire draft out one day without editing or fixing any issues. Or maybe I'll take another stab at it, since it's all there. Truly, this one haunts me. For once, I had a perfect title and nothing to show for it. There's probably snippets of it in asks on my blog somewhere from back when The Wilds wasn't cancelled and I was insane about it.

I scrapped the Grey's Anatomy AU. Just gave up on it.

I wrote 239 words of something vaguely Dotin and scrapped that too.

I have a first draft of the fake dating AU i don't belong to you (but you're wrong) that I scrapped. I took it in an entirely different direction and scrapped 10k of this other thing. I think I salvaged some of it for the posted fic, but it started going the wrong way.

Also have a scrapped draft of the last chapter of the soulmate AU i said i wouldn't let you in. That first draft of that chapter was BAD.

I scrapped 14k of everyone else's perception of what was happening with Leatin on the island. Like Leatin through every other character's eyes, and I don't remember why it didn't work or what I didn't like about it.

I'm not gonna lie, some of this stuff I'm looking at...even I don't know what it is anymore.

I scrapped a document called "untitled" and this is literally all that's in it:

"She sees her on the first day of school, sitting with the kid that supposedly led the FBI to Gretchen. Leah smiles slightly as Fatin crosses the lawn, and the kid – Ian – turns to look where Leah’s looking, and Fatin just tilts her head in acknowledgment and keeps walking. There’s nothing more for her to do."

I don't know what that is.

There's STILL a lot more documents I haven't touched on because I haven't bothered to open them and find out what they are (and my placeholder titles don't tell me much all the time). But I feel like this is a good start lmao.

Sorry for writing a novel, but you did ask. If you want more, let me know and I will make time over the weekend to post some stuff.

[kitstark]

sipping cold coffee on the phone with damaged goods ⇌ kitana

WHO: Kit Stark & Santana Lopez @psusantana

WHERE: Their individual homes

WHEN: Thursday, August 29th

WHY: Kit takes Eva's advice and calls Santana, what follows is the start of the long road to reconciliation and understanding.

WARNINGS: brief mentions of childhood (implied sexual) assault

KIT STARK

Kit wasn't sure this was smart. But they also didn't really know what else to do. The only thing they had a strong enough grasp on lately was their feelings for Santana. And that wasn't exactly the best thing. And Eva suggesting they drunk call her… well, they weren't drunk, but anyone would be hard pressed to say they were sober. So, they did the stupid thing. They hit call. They weren't sure what they were going to say if she actually picked up, but they figured they'd figure it out. Besides, what was the chance she'd actually pick up anyway?

SANTANA LOPEZ

After one hell of a busy day, Santana had come home and decided to indulge in some much needed rest and relaxation. Well, the relaxation part anyways. She didn't know where her sister was but after ordering dinner and scarfing it down, she had just poured herself another glass of wine when she heard her phone ringing. Expecting it to be literally anyone else, she furrowed her brows when she read a name she hadn't been expecting. And before she could talk herself out of it, she decided to answer it. "Is this a booty call?" She asked.

KIT STARK

Well fuck. "I thought we already agreed I wasn't supposed to do that?" The retort came easy because it was the only thing they knew they could say. They didn't know why they'd bothered to call, but it certainly wasn't for that. They weren't in any place to do that, much less with her. This was certainly going to be one of those nights where they were winging it all the way. Didn't even need to hope for the best, really. Could even hope for the worst, probably. "Not that I would even if we hadn't."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana bit back a smile as Kit confirmed that this wasn't a booty call, meaning that they had meant it when they agreed not to do that. At least they were on the same page, mostly anyways. Taking another sip of her wine, she was a little more confused when Kit went on to clarify that they really weren't trying to cross the line. "Good to know, but..what is this then?" She questioned. "For once, this isn't me being a bitch, I'm just surprised that you called me."

KIT STARK

Kit sighed. Why were they calling? Because Eva had said to? Because some part of them wondered if she'd agree to actually punch them and follow through with it? "I don't know. Just… felt like I should or needed to or…. something." Maybe it was the same reason they'd once called her while things were still good. Because talking to her just made things make sense sometimes. "This was stupid." They muttered, more to themself than to her. August 30, 2024

SANTANA LOPEZ

"You felt like you should or needed to?" Santana repeated, and if she hadn't already been insanely confused before, she sure was now. They hadn't exactly been on bad terms right now, but were they at the talking on the phone as…friends stage? She didn't really think so, but they were here now. "Are you okay? Or is tonight like a bad night or something?" She still had no understanding of whatever was going on with them, but it felt like a fair place to start.

KIT STARK

"I-" Was tonight a bad night? At first thought, it wasn't. Not any worse than usual anyway. But, it still wasn't great. And thinking about her and everything as of late certainly hadn't helped the way they felt. "Maybe? I guess I just feel more disconnected from myself than usual." Which was saying a lot, given their state of existence. "Talking with you used to mitigate that. Guess some part of me figured as stupid an idea as it was that it couldn't hurt. Worst you could do was hang up or decide you'd rather hit me." They shrugged a little, unsure why they'd actually said all that, even if it was true.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Without knowing exactly what the issue was, Santana didn't know how she was supposed to understand any of this enough to be of any real help, yet she still sighed when Kit tried to explain themselves anyways. This wasn't how she expected things to be between them when she'd heard they were back on campus, but she could tell they were struggling, and she wasn't going to kick them while they were down. Not entirely anyways. "I could hit you if you were here." She pointed out. "But since you're not, why don't you tell me about this Jill bitch?"

KIT STARK

Kit bit their tongue when she mentioned hitting them if they were there, deciding it was best not to comment on that. They wanted to. Void certainly wanted them to. But they wouldn't. "Dr. Jill Murphy-Stevens, was Jill Montgomery when I met her but that's mostly irrelevant. We were neighbors while I was at Carnegie Mellon and she and her roommate were at U of Pitt. Six foot one on a bad day. Sassy as all hell and knew what she wanted and how to get it. And what she wanted, was to be treated like a princess. Taken care of and spoiled. She didn't have the bite of later partners, didn't have as much spunk and defiance in the bedroom, but that's a more recently acquired taste anyway." Not wholly because of Santana, but they imagined now that it would be something of a requirement in later partners, because of Santana. "Without getting into her specific kinks or what she's doing with herself now, there's not much more to say. She was my first serious partner, who I realized I liked service with. She set that foundation for me. That the few other serious partners and in some days the simply sexual partners I've had since have simply built on." They'd only had one or two other relationships besides Jill and Santana, because of how they lived life in NYC, but their sexual partners were numerous enough.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana didn’t know what to expect by giving Kit something to talk about that wasn’t their relationship or whatever was going on with them, but clearly opening the floor for more Jill talk was..progress. She refilled her wine glass as she let them ramble, sipping on it more and more as she somehow managed not to get jealous as she listened. Normally she probably would have, but the woman was married and Kit wasn’t hers anymore, so she didn’t mind it. Once they finished, she hummed dramatically. “She sounds lovely, really. Glad you two stayed friends after you broke up. However, that ask you responded to still wasn’t about her, so are you ready to just admit that it was about me?”

KIT STARK

Kit sighed. "Of course it was about you. You're special and I fucked it all up but I'm not stupid enough to not know what I lost. Or think that I'll ever actually get over you." Well, in time they might, but, "it's hard enough getting over a relationship as one person, much less two." The words were out of their mouth without even thinking, but they just prayed they'd been quiet enough that she didn't hear anything more than mumbling. Because that was not the conversation this should be, even if it was constantly eating them alive, her not knowing. Everyone else it was so easy to keep that from, but she'd been their safe space and they wanted so desperately for her to know and understand that none of it had been on purpose, that it had nothing to do with her, even if that didn't fix anything between them.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Pausing at Kit's revelation, Santana was sure that she'd misheard them. They had gone around in circles trying to insinuate that it wasn't exactly about her, just to come clean now and even say something she hadn't been expected. And then they added onto that, and although she'd wished she hadn't quite heard what they'd said, she did. Gulping the wine in her glass down, she had to take a minute or two to process what Kit had said before she was stretching out on her couch. "Well, at least we can agree that I'm a fucking limited edition." She teased, deciding that maybe a little joking would calm both of their nerves a little bit. "As for the other stuff…I answered your phone call, didn't I?"

KIT STARK

"And I'm a stubborn pain in the ass on a good day, what's new?" They played into the teasing, because it was comfortable, it was something they knew, and it was the truth. "Sure, but… Did you hear it? And are you willing to hear that out right now? I can't force you and I'd be lying if I said I hate that you don't know, but it's not the kind of thing I want you to agree to listen to just because it's eating me alive. I know you don't owe me shit and yes you answered my call but that doesn't mean you have to hear me out."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana smiled at Kit played right into her teasing, which at least seemed to help just a tad bit, which was better than nothing at this point. But what she hadn't expected was for them to try to open that door tonight. Maybe she should have foreseen such when she hadn't flat out ignored their comment, but it wasn't like she could run from it forever either. "Kit, it's okay." She stated, inhaling and then exhaling a small breath. "I did hear you, and although I have no idea what I'm about to hear, we can do this now." Would she ever truly be ready to make sense of what went wrong with them? Probably not. Yet it was killing Kit so she figured now was as good of a time as any. "I'm ready."

KIT STARK

Kit sighed, sitting up in bed, moving to prop themself up against their headboard, grabbing one of their stuffed sharks, resting their head on it. "The reason I seemed like a different person at the end is because, I was. Sort of. I'm what they call a system. It's a disassociative disorder thing." They knew they needed to do this slowly. Go bit by bit. Let her decide if she was ready for more of it, because they didn't want to overwhelm her, or themself.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Listening intently as Kit slowly started to explain what had happened, Santana couldn't help but feel somewhat sorry for them. It did answer her own question as to why they'd switched up on her in the end, and she was relieved to know that it wasn't her own fault at least. "Dissociative disorder? Is that like..the same as multiple personality disorder? Or close to it, I guess?"

KIT STARK

"It's the same family of disorders, yes. Multiple Personality Disorder is now more commonly referred to as DID, which is Dissociative Identity Disorder. Most people with dissociative disorders typically get an OSDD diagnosis, which is Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, due to there being extremely strict guidelines for being diagnosed with DID that most don't fit fully into." Kit explained, glad that she seemed to be willing to continue, at least for now.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana nodded along as she listened, trying to piece all of this new information together now. Her knowledge of the disorder was limited, and she couldn't even recall anyone she'd ever met that had it, so she was at quite a loss for how to even deal with this sort of thing going forward. "So you fully fit into the DID guidelines?" She asked. "Or do you not fit the guidelines but you still sort of fall under the category anyways?"

KIT STARK

"Given Void's nature, as well as a few of my other alters, I was diagnosed with DID. Had Void not been primarily who was fronting at the time of diagnosis, I imagine I wouldn't have been, since the biggest key difference between DID and OSDD 1b, is blackouts. Memory loss. I have total memory loss anytime Void fronts on its own and all or some when others front, except for Guardian." Kit wasn't sure any of this would make sense to her, but they couldn't entirely stop now. They were just trying to answer her questions the best they could.

SANTANA LOPEZ

As soon as Kit started to name their dissociative identities and symptoms, Santana was sure that her head was spinning now as she tried to keep up with them. She could at least make sense of why Kit had stopped being Kit and why she'd felt like she was dating a different person sometimes. "Okay, whoa, wait — is Void..is that who I was dating when shit got bad?" Did she really want an answer to that? Probably not, but she'd been wanting answers since their break up so this was her chance to get them.

KIT STARK

"That is a simple question with a complicated answer. Void is who you broke up with, the one who didn't like being touched, who pulled away and panicked every time something tried to go anywhere. But, I was still there, at times, when I couldn't remember things you'd told me or places we'd been, things we did. Guardian started taking over then too, because they could sort of remember and them fronting, either fully or with me, kept me safe. It wasn't until I couldn't front at all, that my life actually imploded. When people couldn't deny that I wasn't me." Kit rubbed the fin of their plushie between their fingers, not at all surprised to find Hel pressing her snoot against their leg, indicating that they were approaching an anxiety attack if they weren't careful. They gave her head scritches, trying to reassure her they were okay. Even if they weren't sure of that.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Sighing as she took everything in, Santana had more questions now, but she didn't want to bombard them since she was sure that this was already a lot for them. Hell, it was a lot for her just hearing all of this now, so she couldn't imagine what living with it was like for Kit. "I don't want to overwhelm you, but how many of them are there? Do they all have names, did I like..witness them all before we broke up?" She started rambling before shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I'm sure this is a lot for you, and I'm not trying to be pushy or force you to explain everything in one night, I'm just..trying to understand."

KIT STARK

"I like that you're trying to understand." Was the first thing Kit said, the softest of smiles on their face. They knew she didn't have to, but they appreciated that she was. It helped them feel better about this. "As far as how many, myself included there's either six or seven of us that are fully formed enough that the rest of the system is aware of us, and us them. We aren't sure on that number because one swears he split, but we can't prove that, because that supposed other alter hasn't show himself. We aren't sure he's not just lying, he's a dick like that. As for how many you've met, just the three of us. Kit, Guardian, and Void. Guardian's the bite-y, kind of possessive one." Kit explained, moving so Hel could lay her head in their lap. "Paras didn't return to headspace until after I was getting help, same with the one who says he split, and the last one, I pray you never have to meet her, because it will mean something very bad has happened. Not that I want you to meet the dick, either, but you could take his ass any day."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana was thankful that Kit seemed to be okay with her wanting to understand, but she still didn't want to push them too much. Honestly, this was too much for her to even be dealing with after a long ass day and two, or three, glasses of wine, yet they had opened this door and she wasn't gonna run out of it now. Running was her usual plan of action yet considering how long they'd avoided this talk, she had to deal with it. "So I can handle all of them except for this one? And what do you mean something bad has happened? Something like what, Kit?" She asked, trying to hide the slight panic in her tone. "You can't just say that and not tell me what that means or what signs to possibly look for if this one is..fronting?"

KIT STARK

"It's not that you couldn't handle her, but I don't know if she'd respond well to you. We don't really know who she'd respond to. Maybe our brother, Charles, but we can't be certain." Kit took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Her name is Katie. Physically, she stopped aging at ten. Mentally, best guess is five or six. Around when Guardian first formed. She's our core. Who the worst of the trauma actually happened to. I got the tail end of it. We've only had her front once in all this, when Jeremiah, or the Rat or whatever his fucking name is, first tried fronting. Void attacked him Katie found out that Void had those memories, which she gave to me but apparently I couldn't handle them so Void got them, and… she kicked all of us out of the front, kept us out, therapist says it was hours before she calmed down enough for anyone to make it back to the front. I was out for three days after. Katie doesn't understand what we are, I don't think so, anyway. But if she fronts it means that the body has been trigged so badly that even she is lashing out."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Whatever Santana was imagining this other identity to be, the way her jaw dropped as she listened to Kit's explanation proved that she had been so far off base here. Sure, all of this was insanely foreign to her anyways, but this thing sounded like it was practically a kid who didn't know how to handle their emotions and threw somewhat of a tantrum when they had been triggered. "And now I see why you don't want me to meet Katie. Anything kid-adjacent is not my forte and I'd probably just go full Diabla on it, so yeah, let's not ever have me meet that one." She sighed. "This is…a hell of a lot to take in. I knew you looked like hell for a reason, but I didn't know you were practically living in hell. Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"

KIT STARK

Kit chuckled a little. "Yeah, no one should meet Katie, for the sake of us as a person. and I pray Paras can be kept back as well. They're not as young and are far more easily dealt with, but they're still little at the end of the day and we don't need to scare them, more than they scare themself by trying to front during horror movies." Paras was entirely too curious for their own good, but now that they knew how to schedule time for Paras to front it was easier. But anytime dinosaurs were mentioned things got hairy. "I was completely unaware of any of this. I knew I had blackouts, that I had weird memory loss, but I chalked it up to bad habits and stupid decisions. Anything to keep myself in denial about reality, I guess. Void's job was to keep me functional as a human being, it didn't know how to explain to you what was happening, so it didn't. It had more important things to focus on, like keeping the body alive and minimizing damage to things like our career. And it tried its best with you, but it just wasn't able to give you what you needed and it didn't know if it could tell you and how that might come back to harm me and the rest of the system."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"But you can't control them, right?" Santana hummed. "Or you can't control when a different one is trying to front?" That could sort of explain what happened with them and why things hadn't made much sense back then, since she'd assume that if Kit had the option to front and could push the rest of the back then they would have fought to save their relationship, or even their friendship at least. The plus side right now was that she knew the truth about what had gone wrong with them, and she was relieved to know that it wasn't her…for once, anyways. "Right, but..you're Kit now, aren't you? Does this mean Void gave you those memories back, or did it just tell you what happened back then?" Santana didn't know if freely talking about their past was going to trigger anything, or anyone she should say, but she was trying to be calm about it anyways. "And other than Void, how does anyone know who's fronting? How do you even know at the time? Are you just kinda present, but then also having some sort of out of body experience type thing?" August 31, 2024

KIT STARK

"Correct. But we know what triggers most of us. At least enough that we can try and keep that from happening. Guardian is the best at this. At keeping others at bay, or fronting with them to minimize damage." Kit hummed a little. "I won't ever have those memories, I have to rely on what Void and Guardian have told me. I know we fucked up with you. Whether I had control or not, we fucked up. I fucked up. And I want to be able to apologize for that, in a more direct way, but you would have to be willing to walk me through the end. Not now, mind you, but eventually, if you so feel up to it." Kit knew it was asking a lot, but they did want her side of things. "We don't always know at the time, actually. When you came by, I was co-fronting with Void, primarily letting it take the lead. Until it started acting up, then I pushed it back. But, yes, if we are aware of what's happening but not fronting, it's watching yourself say and do things and not being able to do anything at all about it. There's ways to force others from the front, but it can be very hard. And sometimes, you just leave the front of headspace on purpose because everything is too much and someone else should handle all that. Not nearly as relaxing as it sounds, mind you, but useful."

SANTANA LOPEZ

The more Santana took the information in, the more she was sure that she'd need Kit to spend days walking her through all of it, through what a detailed moment was like when a different one was fronting, but she knew now wasn't the time. She was feeling a handful of emotions now that she had an idea of what had been at fault for things playing out like they did, and she was only getting more and more curious as Kit continued clarifying things, but she didn't need to keep throwing all of these questions at them in one night. "I'm sorry." She muttered. Even if Kit had been going through the worst kind of hell with all of this, apologizing was still hard for Santana, still leaving a bitter taste in her mouth the few times she'd ever managed to get the words out. "One day, I'll walk you through the end, but…I don't know, maybe we should just take all this a little slower, or only cover so much in a day? I don't want to keep blurting out a hundred questions and send you spiraling, or trigger one of the others, but there is just so much here that needs to be unpacked." She whined.

KIT STARK

"Thank you, but I promise you have done nothing to warrant being sorry." Kit knew those words were hard for her, they didn't wish to simply dismiss them, but they also didn't think she needed to be. She had done what she deemed was right for the time, with the information she had. Kit could not fault her for that. "It doesn't have to be now, or anytime soon, or even ever. You're allowed to protect yourself just as much as I am. You're allowed to tell me to stop. You're allowed to say it's too much for you. I thank you for even hearing me out this far." They smiled softly. "I know how to end things I'm not ready for. I've got Hel on standby. Knowing you want to understand has helped more than I know how to express. You were always such a safe space and I never told you that enough. But you've certainly reinforced that tonight." They hummed a little. "Do you want to be done for tonight or is there something else you feel you need?"

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana sighed as Kit reassured her that she didn't need to be sorry. While she knew that everything she'd done then had been a reaction to Kit, or Void, pushing her away, she still felt slightly awful that she hadn't been able to stick around to get this side of the story back then. Nodding along as Kit gave her a vocal appreciation just for taking this all in and giving them a chance to start diving into this, she felt butterflies forming in the pit of her stomach when they mentioned her being a safe space for them. "This is all gonna take sometime to fully digest, but I'm open to trying to understand as much of this as possible, just in small doses." She admitted. "But yeah, I think we should pause here for tonight, just to let us both breathe and adjust to even some of it being out there in the open now."

KIT STARK

"I'm still trying to digest it some days, so you're not alone in that." There we days Kit still struggled with their identity, with being a system. With everything that had been discovered to be wrong or different with them since. There were so many things that no one could tell which came first. But the general consensus was that being a system certainly hadn't made this things any better. "I think you're right. Do you want to stay on for a little bit, tell me about how you're feeling about this or even just what you've been up to? I just want to know you're okay." It was after care, really. Wanting to know she was okay. Wanting to help her through it. Didn't matter if this wasn't sex, it was something heavy and a lot and that was taxing. Kit wanted to make sure she was safe before they hung up.

SANTANA LOPEZ

This was way too much to be trying to digest in one night, but hearing that Kit was still trying to get a handle on all of it too was…reassuring? Maybe that wasn't the right way to look at it since Kit had been battling this for a while now and they were still struggling, but Santana didn't feel as bad being so damn clueless about it all now. Even the explanations were going to take a full day or two to sink in, so she'd try to make more sense of it tomorrow. She found herself smiling as the self care side of Kit kicked in again, which she felt like she hadn't experienced in far too long so it was nice to have that again, even if it were just for tonight. "Thank you for asking, but I'm not okay. I mean, I wasn't entirely okay before this conversation, but finding out all of this and learning that you didn't push me away because of something I did is only adding to the mess of emotions I'm already dealing with. And I'm not blaming you right now, I'm just…I have so much shit I need to sort out too."

KIT STARK

Kit nodded as she spoke. "You wanna talk some of it out? Or is there anything I can do right now, in this moment, to make it easier? I might not be able to fix it or make it better for long, but I gotta know you're not gonna get off this call and break down. Even if we don't talk about any of that, even if all we do is talk about meaningless shit for a while." They didn't like that they'd added to her stress, even if she wasn't blaming them for it. They wanted to do something to alleviate some of it. Even if only for the moment. "And don't be a brat and try and argue that I don't need to. You're not going to convince me of that."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana had been struggling for weeks now with her own shit, and keeping it in the family, or families, had only been adding to her spiraling. And Kit was being genuinely concerned, that much she knew, and she could only roll her eyes playfully when they called out the brat thing. "You don't need to, just so we're clear." She whined, sitting up on her couch now. "You also can't fix it because that's my job to do, I'm just..afraid of fucking it up or making things worse." She admitted with a shaky breath. "Only the families involved know this, but..I have a kid. A daughter. And before a few weeks ago, I hadn't seen her or her father since I gave birth and handed her over to him and his mom, but now they're right here and she wants to get to know me, but I'm not fit to be a mom. That's why I gave her up in the first place, and I've already managed to fuck it up once so I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

KIT STARK

"Yes I do, hush." They tilted their head a little, listening as she explained the situation. Santana having a child was shocking but not her giving it up. "That is certainly a lot to be dealing with. But, you do know you don't have to be her mom to be in her life, right? You aren't being asked to be her mom, I imagine. But… how did you fuck it up? Walk me through that."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana was probably expecting some sort of judgment in response yet Kit hadn’t done any of that, which somehow settled her nerves a little bit. “Puck invited me to his birthday cookout, and I thought I could handle seeing her again for the first time — but I don’t know, I also thought that maybe he kept my identity a secret and she didn’t know I was her mom. But the way that kid looked at me when she saw me just…I panicked and I left without saying a word to her. Apparently now she thinks there’s something wrong with her since I can’t even be around her, and Puck chewed me out before demanding that I apologize to her in person. But I can’t promise that I won’t just run away again.”

KIT STARK

Kit listened quietly, but wasn't all too surprised they felt themself gently pushed to the side. Guardian was good with kids, had formed exclusively to protect Katie. They knew a decent amount about a lot of things, actually. "You went in blind. That's not wholly on you. And while I can't say I fault him for being upset with you, he also plays a hand in that." Guardian reassured. "Now, would it be easier in a setting where you could have support? Where the ground is far more equal? Where it's not you being forced into a place where fleeing is your only option?"

SANTANA LOPEZ

Listening to Kit, Santana was sure that this was hands down the best advice she'd gotten thus far. Puck's advice hadn't been that bad either, but it was also from the perspective of a protective dad so it had only added to her negative feelings about herself. "Oddly enough, I don't blame him. I chose to show up knowing she'd be there. And I've been sending her gifts every single year for her birthday and Christmas so of course she'd want to know shit about me. And I'm not afraid of anything else, so why does a 15 year old scare the shit out of me?" She asked, though she knew why facing the consequences of her actions scared her. "I offered, or more so demanded, that I take him and the kid shopping for school supplies, mostly so I can't just run away since I'm going to pick them up, but actually forcing myself to drive there is the hurdle I need to jump over first."

KIT STARK

Guardian hummed a little as Santana spoke. Simply taking in the information being presented to them. Letting her talk it out. "What if I drive you? Or you can have someone else do it. But, what if you remove the ability to run completely and you can't make up an excuse as to why you didn't show, because someone else is holding you accountable?"

SANTANA LOPEZ

"You know I hate the accountability thing." Santana groaned. "But I don't know, maybe I do need someone else to be there to hold me accountable. To make sure I don't break my kid's heart more than I already have." She hummed. "But Kit, you don't have to do it. I can make Mari do it."

KIT STARK

"Yes, how dare a brat face the consequences of her actions." They teased. "But it can be good for you, especially in this case. As for not having to do it, you ask Mari, and if she can't or won't, then you tell us and we'll do it. Least we can do."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana smirked at that. "This is a different kind of consequence though. Having me as a mom can ruin a kid, or turn her into a mini Diabla, which no one needs." She pointed out. "And thank you, but you don't have to take care of me, you know? I can force Mari to drive me. You don't really owe me anything, Kit..or Guardian, right?"

KIT STARK

"You don't have to be a mother to her to be in her life. Unless you're looking to get back with Puck, then that's a completely separate set of scenarios. She can know you gave birth to her, she can even want you in her life, but that does not mean you have to be her mother, nor do I think it would be as disastrous and you're thinking it will be, especially not with her in her teen years already. Nurture plays a bigger part in life than a lot of people want to give it credit for." Which explained so much of the system's surface level issues, but that was entirely besides the point. Though was certainly one that came up in therapy often enough. "Maybe we don't, but that's what we do for people we care about, and you are still one of those people. Are you going to be good and not then force her to take you home if you have second thoughts? Not to discredit any willpower she may have, but she does still live with you, does she not?" Guardian smirked, chuckling a little. "It's a pleasure to meet you, officially, which feels odd to say, knowing our past, but… It is."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana shrugged as she took in their advice. "I was never with Puck like that, we just met and fucked around for a few days before I went back home and found out I was pregnant. And I don't know what the kid wants, that's what scares me. Even if I don't want to be a mom, what if that's what she wants in one capacity or another? Besides, I'm not 16 now. I'm an adult, I have a successful career and now I have a part time teaching gig. Clearly I've come a long way since my days of being a menace, so what if she expects me to be ready now?" The "what ifs" were exactly what had been eating at her lately, even if she didn't want to admit it. And as much as she loved her sister, she was aware that Mari would peel out of there if she sensed Santana being too scared. "Yeah, it's nice to meet you too, and you're not wrong. I can't rely on my sister to hold me accountable, so…you can drive me."

KIT STARK

Guardian listened quietly. "Breathe, San. You are not obligated to be anything more to her than you are capable of. You gave her up to give her a life you knew you couldn't give her yourself. As much as failing to live up to her expectations may hurt her, though I doubt she expects such from you, if we're being honest, you aren't obligated to fulfill that role in her life. And no one can force you to do so, either." Guardian knew this was a complex case and maybe the girl wanted for a motherly figure, but that didn't mean she'd go looking for it in the person who already long since admitted she wasn't such. "Good. When?"

SANTANA LOPEZ

Taking in the offered advice, Santana sighed. "Do you always tend to be right?" She whined, and now she was curious as to who was fronting any time she tried arguing with Kit, even over the dumbest shit. "We just said one day this weekend, but maybe Sunday? That way, if it all goes to shit, I'll drink the rest of the day away and then sleep in all day Monday." She decided. It wasn't the best plan, and certainly not the way to handle her problems, but it was her usual way of drowning her sorrows. "Thank you. Before you say it, I know I don't have to thank you, and I know you think that it's the least you could do for me after everything, but this really means a lot."

KIT STARK

Guardian chuckled. "I'm a knowledge and logic based being." They didn't know everything, but they knew a lot and they especially knew how to apply logic to situations where emotions were high. They weren't right all the time, but they were most of the time. "A questionable choice, but we're free either way. You get up with Puck and let us know for sure." Guardian wanted to comment on how unhealthy such actions were, but they knew it would fall in deaf ears and Kit often wasn't much better, so they didn't have room to talk. "You're welcome, San. And I'm not Kit, I don't argue for the sake of it. Even if I also believe such."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"Does that mean that you know a lot?" Santana questioned curiously. Should she be asking questions and getting to know one of the other identities? She wasn't entirely sure, but they all knew her so it was only fair, in her opinion. And when Guardian pointed out a way that they weren't like Kit, her curiosity got the better of her. "Noted. But being that you're not Kit, and I know Void was the one who broke us up, what exactly was your role in all of this? Besides the after care stuff, right?"

KIT STARK

"I do. We were a bit of a professional student for a reason. I also tended to do a lot of research about all sorts of things when I could get away with it. I fronted heavily when it was just Katie and I, and it was a lot of us reading above our age, because it seems I don't age traditionally. The more I know, the older I feel." Guardian explained, more than happy to answer her questions. "Kit mentioned the biting, wasn't always me, but… when they lingered longer. The name only we could call you, that was me. The possession, that was me, more than it was ever Kit. And, aftercare depended on which of us was fronting, though I was often present either way. It started more as curiosity, as it always has, but the longer I watched, the more I wanted to know. I'd met the previous partners, but you were different, especially for Kit and I wanted to know why."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"Good to know." Santana nodded, and she would keep that in mind should she need to ask Guardian anything that wasn't about their relationship or whatever. When they clarified which parts of the relationship were them, or mostly them anyways, she furrowed her brows as she tried to think back on certain memories. "But why was I different? And were you that possessive over the other partners, or was it just me? Oh, and the biting? You're definitely not getting any complaints from me about that. In fact, I kind of preferred it, after a while. But was that a just for me thing too?"

KIT STARK

"I cannot say why you were different, that is a question only Kit can answer. But, you are the only one I was ever with, intimately." Guardian had always watched. Had fronted when they could or needed to, but never in intimate moments. Not until Santana. Guardian wasn't sure what made this woman different for Kit, but that difference was felt for the whole system, or at least the three of them that were more often fronting. It was also why Void had still tried so hard and felt so bad. And it was why Guardian and Kit would be taking a really long time alone, before trying again.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana didn't know why she suddenly felt a warmth come over her when Guardian admitted that she was the only partner they had been with intimately. Did they know they were stroking her ego? Maybe, but maybe not. Kit would never live this down though, that she was sure of. "Okay, but why were you only intimate with me? I mean let's be real, I'm hot and amazing in bed, I know that very well, but what about Jill or one of the others? And wait, when I came by, Kit said they wouldn't be hooking up with anyone else so like..is that because of all of you?"

KIT STARK

"I never saw a reason to in the past. Whatever made you different for Kit made you far more interesting to me and, in time, I found myself desiring such. So, I did." Guardian shrugged. Santana was a puzzle that Guardian had wanted to figure out. And all that had done was get them wrapped up in something that now ached to think about, because it was gone. "You are part of that, yes. However, we can't guarantee Void won't slip to the front during those times, now that it is more active again and the poor dear doesn't need more of a reason to hate itself than it already does."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"Can Kit hear all of this or whatever? I need to know so they won't be surprised when I'm bragging about it later." Santana taunted, though she would honestly be mentioning it again, and again, so Kit better have been ready for it. "But it's good to know that you desired me too. Also won't be letting you live that down either, just so we're clear. But uh…have any of you tried unpacking why Void apparently doesn't like the whole intimacy thing?" She asked before shaking her head. "Actually, don't answer that. That might make me revert back to being a bitch to all of you, so maybe it's best if I don't know."

KIT STARK

"They are more than aware and I imagine are rolling their eyes." Guardian chuckled, the eye roll not entirely voluntary. Kit did have some control, after all. "Void holds the memories of the body being assaulted as child. And I know you told me not to tell you, but I'd rather we get that out of the way now, as it is no laughing matter and if it is something you'd be unkind about, it's best we know now." Their voice was steeled as they spoke, hand curling into Hel's fur for a few moments. Guardian didn't think she would, but it was a precaution that felt necessary, because this was not so far along that they couldn't back out safely now. It would suck, sure, but better to know than allow themselves to get close to her, just find that pain mocked or otherwise turned against them.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana's eyes widened as the mention of an assault, and she hopped up from her couch to go and refill her wine glass. "All of you should know me well enough to know that I'd never laugh about something like that, nor would I ever be an asshole about it later. But are you sure you wanna tell me about this? Right now?" She asked, filling the glass to the brim before she was starting to gulp it down.

KIT STARK

"I had to make sure. It's a hard topic for the system, but I refuse to allow Void to be mocked for how it is." Guardian took a few deep breaths, letting them out slowly. "This is not my story to tell, nor do I imagine it will ever do so, but it is why it does not enjoy physical touch, much less intimacy. And it'd be best if you were careful regarding such from here on out, even if it wasn't meant in a cruel or unkind way."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"That didn't really tell me much." Santana pointed out. "But I guess I'm just…confused. How did the intimacy happen before, but then it all just kind of stopped? Did I do something wrong? Or I don't know, did I somehow trigger some sort of bad memories without knowing that I did?" Again, she probably didn't need to be asking questions she was afraid to hear the answer for, but it wasn't like she could just put it off now.

KIT STARK

"It was never happening with Void. Kit and myself, yes. Either separately or while we were co-fronting, but never with Void around. You had nothing to do with Void coming to the front. But it did get stuck there. It wasn't able to switch out. At least not consistently. The body was unwell and the mind followed. Just, in our case, Void is who keeps us going. It is the autopilot, the last line of defense." Guardian knew they were getting back into deep territory, but they would continue because they had to.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana sighed as she processed the information, and while she didn't take any of it as her being at fault for Void fronting and getting stuck there, she still felt like she was guilty of something. "Why didn't Void just talk to me? Even if it didn't tell me about the assault, why not just tell me that something was up and it couldn't be intimate with me anymore instead of letting me think that there was clearly something wrong with me?" She huffed, and while she wasn't mad, she was feeling all sorts of emotions now, even if they weren't directly aimed at Guardian or Kit.

KIT STARK

"Last I checked, Void doesn't dislike anyone but itself and The Rat." Guardian didn't care to call Jeremiah by his name. Until he could prove what he swears is true they simply did not care. And perhaps wouldn't even care then. He was a danger to the system and that's all Guardian cared about. "Void's job when it first formed was survival. Survival included concealment. No one was to know Void wasn't Kit. Because Kit couldn't know what was going on. That same mentality is the one it held in all of this. And we acknowledge that Void did things under Kit's name that hurt you. It's why we all want to fix that, though our methods are all very different. And Voids are bound to be the least productive." Guardian sighed, head falling back against the headboard with a quiet thunk.

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana raised a brow at The Rat comment but decided not to press them on it right now. Maybe later, or never, but not right now. She listened as Guardian explained why Void had done what it had done, and she was at least grateful that all of the other identities seemed to feel guilty for Void hurting her, which kinda helped ease some of her anger and resentment towards them. "Okay, this is…a lot, but I guess it's a good start to trying to get me to forgive you." She hummed. "But I think this has been more than enough for one night, so maybe we should just pause here."

KIT STARK

"I agree. I certainly didn't mean to get back on this subject." Guardian was tired. The whole body was. These types of things always took it out of them. But, at least it was night and once they were sure they could get off the call safely, they'd likely be quick to medicate and sleep. "And, thanks again, for hearing us out, and while Void may wish for you to punch us in the face, and I'm still not sure it can be ruled out as something that may still happen, thanks for not doing so that day. I also hear you thought I looked good at the party."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"It's okay. This is a lot, for all of you and for me, so it's just gonna take some time to cover everything. And if I'm ever asking too many questions, you can always tell me to shut the fuck up." Santana offered, and while she wasn't sure Guardian would do such a thing, she figured that maybe Void would. Smirking at the bit about the punching thing, which still wasn't entirely off the table, she was sure that she would ask who was fronting before she did it if it came to that. "You're welcome. Whoever chose to dress you that day made you look pitiful, so I couldn't bring myself to do it then. We'll see how I feel next time I see you though. And uh…you picked out that outfit for that stupid party? But I didn't say you looked good, I said you looked better than you did when I stopped by. There's a difference." She lied.

KIT STARK

"We know how to stop things that go too far. Don't you worry about that." Guardian chuckled slightly. "That was Void. It likes its Sanrio and comfy clothes and it was certainly feeling sorry for itself, though that's not anything new when it comes to you." Guardian squinted as she spoke. "I was fronting for the party, and the only reason we went. Kit had some say in what we wore, because they're more into the astrology thing than I am, but yes. And sure, just like that ask answer was about Jill."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"You can't tell me not to worry about it. Now that I kinda know what's going on, I'm gonna worry about you. All of you." Santana pointed out. She didn't know why Void was still feeling sorry all this time later, but maybe her listening and being open to moving forward with them would help. "I guess you have some pretty decent taste then. As for Jill, that doesn't work anymore. It's one thing for Kit to have been attracted to me, but now that I know that even you couldn't resist wanting me, my ego is as big as fucking Jupiter. So thank you!"

KIT STARK

"Much as we worry about you, but we do know how to end things that are too much. Even if that means safe wording. Might be the weirdest time to use it, but we'd figure out a way to end the topic effectively." Knowing Santana would be worried for them made Guardian feel some such way, as most things involving Santana still did. But they pushed it down. This wasn't the time to think about that. "I am, if nothing else, a well dressed shark." Guardian smirked. "Doesn't mean I don't know you well enough to know when you're lying about finding me hot. Might work for simple minded fools who can't read between lines, but not me."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"You guys have a safe word for that?" Santana hummed. At Guardian's remark, she tried not to smirk in response. "Okay well dressed shark, you need to give Void some pointers. Looking like a disheveled mess is not a cute look." She hummed. "And so what? Even if I did find you hot that night, I was also drinking and hiding from you, so it doesn't matter anyways. And besides, weren't you flirting with other women or something anyways?"

KIT STARK

"No, but you happen to know our safe word for other things, so it's not entirely outside the realm of things we could use." Guardian pointed out. "Void cannot keep a single age for long and tends to slide more child like if left in front long enough outside a crisis. There's no point giving fashion advice to a dysphoric child, whose dysphoria is quite literally about being a shapeless and, technically, bodyless mass. We're lucky it seems to have found something other than oversized hoodies to wear." Void didn't have good days anymore. Didn't have days where it wanted to dress up, but Santana didn't need to know it even had those days before. "Oh, it more than matters. And no, I wasn't. I primarily stuck to playing videos with Sam and anyone else who wandered by and wanted to play. No point flirting, didn't need to have people take it the wrong way."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana nodded. "Right, so if it comes to that, you'll just use our safe word? Got it, I'll make sure to keep that in mind." It was smart, at least with her since she'd recognize the safe word and know to stop her interrogation, so it was a pretty good plan. She chewed on the inside of her cheek and Guardian gave another rundown of Void, and while she would have understood the oversized hoodie attire, she figured them wearing something other than that was…better? More suitable in LA heat? Something like that. She'd let that slide…for now. When they admitted that they weren't flirting with any other women, she shrugged. "Oh? Well, that's…totally boring. But even if you were flirting with other women, I wouldn't care because you can do that. You should do that, just when you're all in a better place and ready for it, you know?"

KIT STARK

"Yeah, can't imagine old Italian families should come up naturally in the conversations we need to have." Guardian still didn't know why Kit chose Medici as their safe word, but it was effective and something that was ultimately easily accessible to anyone who may need it. Guardian's head tilted as she spoke. They weren't sure what her angle was here, but it didn't entirely matter, they were sure. "Should we find the need or the want to do so, I imagine we will. But I don't see it being anytime soon."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana hadn't questioned the Medici when Kit had suggested it be their safe word because it was just fitting for them, and even if she'd nagged them about their long ass rant about art before, she did love how passionate they were about it and just went with it. Guardian implying the same thing that Kit, or Void, had done before only made her shrug, deciding she wouldn't press them on why they weren't planning on doing anything with any other women. "Got it. Anyways, we should get some sleep since it's late."

KIT STARK

"Agreed, even if I think Hel has perhaps beat us to it." Guardian wasn't sure if Santana could hear the dog quietly snoring away in their lap, but they weren't going to complain. It was calming and while she wouldn't like being woken up, she'd get over herself knowing they were going to bed soon. "Don't forget to let us know about when we're taking you."

SANTANA LOPEZ

"I can't blame the little watch dog for needing to get some sleep after this long ass phone conversation." Santana teased. "But don't worry, I'll tell you once I talk to Puck and get everything situated. And thank you again. I know I don't have to and you feel like you owe me, but this means a lot."

KIT STARK

Guardian chuckled at her teasing. "Neither can I." It certainly hadn't been planned, but Guardian couldn't say that it was a regretted conversation. Didn't happen the way they expected it to, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. "We care and it's clearly something you need to do for you, so you're welcome."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana was slightly annoyed that she couldn't bring herself to still be mad at Kit after this one phone call, but it was probably a good thing. Not that she'd admit it any time soon. "I'm glad you all still care about me." She found herself admitting instead, and she was already mentally scolding herself for it. "Make sure you get enough sleep." She quickly tried to recover with. September 3, 2024

KIT STARK

Guardian raised an eyebrow at her words, but said nothing, knowing that while there were times and places to tease, this certainly wasn't one of them, maybe later, though. "We will try. You do the same." They smiled softly. "Have a good night, San."

SANTANA LOPEZ

Santana smiled softly. "Tell Kit not to dream about me." She teased. "Good night, Guardian."

[townofcadence]

It is.... a lot, right off the bat, enough to surprise him, when so many of his friends and acquaintances were basically made of walls. But he doesn't mind, and he nods at the right parts in the story, so Jonas can be sure he's listening. He isn't sure Jonas cares if he's just being polite or if he really truly listens to him, but he does so all the same, giving him the space to iron out some of those frustrations. Sometimes you just needed an ear, and the guy sounded miserable, and honestly it didn't bother him any.

The problems are real, he doesn't doubt they'd be rough on anyone. But they're so..... mundane, it was almost a relief. Even with this anchoring, despondent sorrow vicing at his chest, it feels manageable this time.

He takes the card and reads it when Jonas flicks it his way, though a frown makes it's way to his face at the precursor words to its delivery. It settles further as Jonas finishing speaking, especially at the paper-mache smile. His lips pinch at one corner with how tight they pull downward, though it's still only half as far as his brows manage to furrow. "Hey man, no need to put yourself down like that. If I couldn't handle listening, I would've stopped you. And you didn't say much about yourself really, just what's been going on. And it sounds like a shit situation to be in, so you got my sympathies."

Artair taps for a few seconds on his screen as he speaks, before slipping into a focused silence. Damn, no uber or lyft drivers out this late, but that isn't the biggest surprise. He does manage to find a phone number for a cab service, though. The price-tag might make things a bit more of a squeeze, but he has the wiggle room.

At least he doesn't need to call someone with their site-- they have a form for an address to pick up from, and while he's not exactly sure where he is, the street sign is nearby, and there's a bustop. He mentions that they'd be seated there in the 'notes' section of the form, and sticks in what he does know. city of Glass Springs, street of Abernathy Boulevard. It autocompletes with most of the address save a number. He motions for Jonas to follow him as he moves, bee-lining between the bus stop and the buildings behind it.

"It's nice to meet you, Jonas," He continues once he's sure Jonas is following, "And you've come to the right person, sorta. More like I found you, I guess." He chuckles.

"But anyways, keep your twenty. We'll get you to Vegas by the morning, alright?" Artair glances over his shoulder at him, with an appraising look. "Look, it's like--- you sound like you're in the hole, right? I can sympathize. Especially when it comes to money stuff, that was my life for a long time. I personally know it's not gonna get easier to get out of if you dig it deeper, which is... pretty much what finding a bar would be. That's giving up. It'll be better in the long run for you, if you can figure out how to climb on out. Even if it's one baby step at a time. We gotta find the little ways to keep going until something good comes of it."

Artair pauses, noting the number on the building. He adds it to his phone, and sends the request out. A giant green check flashes over his screen to show it's received, and the webpage shifts to one showing the location of the cab, presumably at whatever place they start at. "....And that's easier if you have someone to help pull you out, even just a smidge. So." He wheels on Jonas, offering him what he hopes is an inviting smile. "Instead of drinking, how about this? I found you a cab, and it should show up near here. How about we sit on that bench at the bus stop over there. Then you can drop that smile we both know you don't really feel, and maybe if you want to, you can tell me more about what's on your mind? I wouldn't mind listening. And we'll have a while to wait for anything to show up. It might be nice to get stuff off your chest where you can like--- process things, right? And who better to talk to than a neutral third party that you might never have to talk to again?"

" I don't...trust that I'd be that lucky after these past few weeks," the other man groaned as he finally turned around and got to his feet, slogging over to where Artair stood. " Y'just ever like...I dunno. Have one bad thing after another pile up on you to the point you kinda wonder what you did to piss off the universe in general? It's kinda like that. " He dug around in his outlandish looking jacket and pulled out his phone, showing Artair the black and badly cracked screen.

" I got the text that I had gotten the brunch job after all right? After I had overdrawn my credit card to come all the way out here to Glass Springs on the promise of another gig which...fell through. So then! I got so excited I dropped the phone. So of course I realized too late that the last bus was getting ready to leave and I fuckin' run and realized I dunno where my wallet is, right, with my return tickets. I've got two days to come up with money enough to pay for my current hotel room back in Vegas or the casino owner threatens to kick me out 'cause apparently the automatic payment through my other credit card didn't go through, right? I'm just saying...I've got mmm twenty dollars to my name and drinking myself stupid in a bar seems like a pretty reasonable solution at one in the morning, " he said in a weary voice. He paused and then mumbled, " Sorry. I don't usually vent to a complete stranger, I could at least introduce myself first right? "

With a gesture more despondent than dazzling, he made a card appear between his fingers and handed it to Artair. It read " Jonas Copperhart. Magician For Hire! Lounge acts and private parties available. " His number was displayed underneath.

" Also that card gets you a free trip to the all you can eat shrimp bar at twelve casinos off the Strip ... it's on the other side there..." he pointed out. He glanced up at the sky. " But that's enough about me, God, you gotta be sick of it now. Sorry, sorry. I'll change the subject. "

Just like that he brushed his hair out of his eyes again and gave Artair a smile that was a bit too wide for the way he'd been acting earlier. Close up, there were a few more obvious things about his character: he dressed in the tacky typical way of a performer, he had freckles, brown eyes and shadows under said eyes which indicated sleep was probably not a constant companion of his. Also he was fuckin' short. " What's your name? You a tourist headed to Vegas or Reno or something? "

[allexthakatt]

Dance of Death

Okay, so I've been (like everyone else) absolutely in LOVE with Mr. Eddie Munson! And I just needed to join the fanfic party.

Also yes I know Dance of Death came out in 2008 but for this fic let's just pretend it came out in 1983 with Peace of Mind, okay?

Anyone that knows me, knows that my all time favorite band is Iron Maiden. And a certain song popped in my head while thinking of storylines. I hope this is adequate, it's very late 😅

PAIRING: Eddie Munson x FEM! HISPANIC! Reader!

WARNINGS: A mention of racism, but nothing explicit. Jason, because he needs a warning 🙄. Bullies are ew.

CONTENT: ANGST, Seemingly unrequited love, Dustin being the very bestest friend ever! Ending in fluff!

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

There was something about him. Something that made her lose all brain function to act normally. There isn't a thing he could do wrong in her eyes. Edward Munson. The name alone made her blush. How could she not? There's just something about him...

Could it be his messy long hair? His rock and roll style? His sense of humor? His love and care for his friends? The was he defends her so easily and so often? Who knows, actually.

She'd hadn't known him that long. The beginning of her second senior year (not meeting requirements to graduate the first time), his third. Right off the bat she wasnt accepted in most friend groups. Her coming from a whole other state, well away from the tiny secluded town that is Hawkins, Indiana. Not to mention she's one of the only Hispanic people in the high school in general. It also didn't help that she dressed all in black all the time. No one really cared enough to look her way, outright avoiding her to some extent. She's the new kid on the block, she understood that much. Why no one bothered to befriend her was a whole new experience.

Her pervious town was just outside Juarez, Mexico. Her whole neighborhood was so welcoming, never letting her feel left out of the festivities that went on in school. Here? In Hawkins? It felt like she was ghost. A ghost no one liked or wanted around. A certain Jason Carver particularly wasn't fond of her. Him and his petty group of friends would go out of their way to make her day worse. Shouting names, "accidentally" bumping into her in the hallways, going as far to spill his drink on her occasionally. She still keeps a change of clothes in her locker just in case.

She had been on her own those first two months. Hating every minute of it, wishing she could just go back home. It had been a particularly rough day with Jason when two freshmen had seen enough. Jason and his bully buddies had just pushed her to ground, kicking her backpack before laughing and walking away. She'd been humiliated, defeated, just wanting to cry in the bathroom. The two young boys bent down to help her pick up her things, introducing themselves as Dustin and Mike. The boys were her first friends. Sure, they were younger, but they'd been the only ones to show her kindness so far.

It had been a week after that they'd introduce her to the Hellfire Club. Jeff and Gareth welcomed her right away, interested in her culture and language. Lucas didn't mind her really, being a little preoccupied trying to get on the good side of the basketball team. Eddie, however, was absolutely smitten. She was everything he'd want in a woman. Someone he related to in many ways. She didn't live with her parents, her grandma taking her in after a falling out between the family. She loved rock, she played the drums, and was so. fucking. funny. Why hadn't he noticed her before?

Now, all those months later, they were all good friends. She finally felt like she found her people. Her little family in this swarm of assholes that flooded the school. Sure, Jason and his stupid gang still messed with her. But nothing could truly brings her down if Hellfire could pick her back up.

Senior prom was coming up, and although she didn't have a date, she was secretly hoping Eddie would ask her. The one person she'd put up with prom for. She'd do anything for him, honestly. There was a million reasons not to go to prom, but if Eddie was going? That was the one reason to go.

Her hope was dwindling, however. She'd noticed earlier that day a miss Chrissy Cunningham slip a note in Eddie's locker. That was out of the ordinary, considering she was a part of Jason's little clique. She was nice, Y/n guessed. Never joining her past boyfriend in the harassment toward her but never putting a stop to it either. Eddie had mentioned once or twice that he used to have a liking for Chrissy, but that was in middle school. Y/n was hoping the little note was for anything but prom.

Lunch came, and everyone was sitting at their claimed table. Everyone except for Eddie. Something Jeff caught on to first. "Where the hell is Eddie? Lunch is halfway done." To that everyone looked around. "Maybe he had a deal going on today." Jareth added in. "Doubt it. It's the middle of the school day, he wouldn't take the risk." Jeff and Gareth continued going back and forth, Y/n getting too lost in her head to keep up with what they were saying. He's never late for lunch. Where could he be?

"Speak of the devil. It's about damn time, man. We need to plan for tonight!" Dustin spotted him walking up to the table. There was something about him that was different. She'd never seen that smile before, a light flush on his face along with it. He shrugged off Dustins complaint. "We'll get to the planning in a minute, Henderson. I got big news right now!" Everyone at full attention, egging him to tell the big news.

"I'm going to prom!" Y/n's jaw dropped a little. Going to prom? With who? "Really? Who's the lucky lady, huh? Who?!" Mike was eager to find out who, just as she was. "Chrissy fucking Cunningham. She just asked me like 10 minutes ago!"

She was happy for him, really she was. But in that moment she couldn't smile. She couldn't congratulate him, applaud him, nothing. She felt... Broken. Falling, falling so fast; plummeting to the cold, hard ground and no one could catch her. The only person who noticed her fall is Dustin. He'd been the only one she told about her not-so-little crush on Eddie.

Dustin looked at her with a sympathized expression. Knowing full well she wasn't okay with this. She turned to him, too. Waving her hand with a notion that she's okay. Even though they both know she very much wasn't.

"Damn! That's awesome, man. Congratulations, didn't know you had it in you to pull something like that." The boys were proud of him. Of course they were, it's Chrissy fucking Cunningham. Little miss perfect of Hawkins High. The head cheerleader, straight A's, a slim body, nice personality. Everything that Y/n was not. Nothing made her self confidence shoot down faster than this.

No wonder he'd never ask her to prom. She didn't have anything he wanted. Chrissy did.

She kept her head down. Not having enough emotional energy to keep up a conversation. Just wanting to go home. Perhaps she'll just go home after lunch.

Wait. But then she'd have to just come back anyway for Hellfire tonight. A very important campaign to not only Eddie, but the rest of the boys too. Not to mention Dustin's lecture he'd give her about skipping it. She'd never hear the end of it.

The boys never stopped talking about Eddie "The Freak" Munson going to prom with Chrissy Cunningham. Not really having the heart to hear anymore of this, she stands up to throw her food away. She barely ate. "I'm gonna head to the library, kay? I have some catching up to do on Mr. Kellins paper." Without another word, she makes a bee line to the door.

"Mr. Kellins has a paper due?" Jeff not really getting the hint that she just wanted to leave. Dustin opted to follow her, knowing she'll probably want to vent. He looked up to her, like the big sister he never had. He was protective, odd as it is. To be protective of someone 4 years older than you. She wasn't blood, but he considered her family nonetheless.

Eddie noticed her change in behavior as well. He saw the rush she was in to leave, and Dustin's departure after her. Figuring Dustin would tell him later, he turns back to Jareth, who's bragging how he also got a prom date.

-

"Y/n? Are you okay?" She was in the back of the library, sitting on the floor with a random book in her hand. A book she probably grabbed just to have a reason to be here. "Honestly, Dust? Not really." Her legs are shaking slightly, trying her very hardest not to cry. What's her problem? Its not like she and Eddie are dating, he can go to prom with whoever the fuck he wants.

"I'm sorry, Y/n. He's an idiot for taking Chrissy and not you. A huge one." He tries his best to make her smile, but to no avail. "See that's the thing, Dust. He hasn't seen me. He probably just thinks of me as his sister or some shit. I'm nothing more than one of the boys. That's all I'll ever be." He could hear the heartache in her voice the tears she's kept in for so long. She'd let slip a couple months ago that all the boys she ever liked never liked her back. She called herself 'not traditionally pretty.' He assumed she meant like she wasn't like the pretty girls that got all the dates. Her skin was darker, her body was fuller, her hair was crazier. Boys never looked her way, it had been chipping away at her self esteem for years, Eddie was just the icing on the cake.

Dustin sits next to her, his back leaning on the bookshelf behind them. "Y/n, like I said. He's an idiot. He needs shit spelled out her him to even get it through his head. I know he likes you. Not like one of the guys, either. He really likes you. I know it." Y/n wants to believe him. But there was a voice in the back of her head. If that was true, why was he going with Chrissy and not her?

"Are you going to prom?" Dustin asks. She shakes her head. "What, and see them dancing all close together? Seeing them be like a couple? No fucking thank you. I'm gonna stay home. I wanna practice a new song." Figuring changing the subject to something she loved to do, he asks "What new song?" She perks up a bit and the question. "It's not really new, but Iron Maiden has a song called Dance of Death. I've been wanting to try it out for some time now. What better time than now?" They continue chatting for a bit more until the bell rings, signalling lunch was over and to head to class. Before they went their separate ways, Y/n game Dustin a hug. "Thank you. For checking up on me. I really appreciate it." Dustin hugs her back, "of course, Y/n. You're like a sister to me. I'm not just gonna leave you to cry in the library all alone." She laughs a bit at this, giving him one last squeeze. "I'll see you later, Dust."

-

It was right after school. Dustin, Mike, and Eddie were preparing for Hellfire. "So, you wanna tell me what was wrong with Y/n earlier?" Eddie started up the conversation. He'd tried to track her down after class, but to no avail.

"No." It was fast and a little bit venomous. Dustin was furious as him. How could he not be?! Eddie was tossing aside treasure to get with a nickel. He had no idea the pain he'd been causing Y/n. Even if he did, would he care?

Eddie looks up from the table. "What? Why not?" Mikes listening intently from the side, trying not to intervene. "Because it's her privacy. She's going through something right now and it's not my place to spill the beans. If you wanna know so bad maybe actually talk her." His attitude was showing through, and he didn't mean for it to come out so mean. He's just protective of his best friend.

"Hey, dude, I'm just asking. Kay? No need to get your feathers ruffled." Eddie tries to make the room fun again, cracking a joke at the end. He can't seem to shake this feeling, though. One he can't really pinpoint as to why. There's something wrong with Y/n? She always goes to him about her problems. Why can't she just come to him now?

"Hey guys!" Y/n was the first to arrive, slight red eyes with makeup piled on top of it. Enough for Eddie and Dustin to pick up on it, but not enough to say anything.

"Hey Y/n, we're just setting up now. You're pretty early today." Mike wants to break free of the tension that was currently in the room. "Yeah... I wanted to get here before Jason found me in the hallways again." She internally cringes at the remembrance of what happened last week when he saw her. He tripped her, calling her some racist name he could think of in the moment and then laughed in her face. She didn't think Jason was actually racist, but just wanting to hurt her in any way he can. Or maybe he was, she didn't really care enough to know.

"Carver can choke on a dick. He has no right to harass you the way he does." He's angry, of course he is. The way he's so quick to defend her makes that sparkle of hope shine once more. That is until she remembers that prom is in literally two weeks and he's going, but not with her.

"What can you do, huh? Let's finish setting up, kay?" She sets her bag down and avoids eye contact, ignoring the strange looks she gets from Eddie throughout the night.

-

That was probably the worst end to a campaign ever for her. She was thrown so off her game she died 15 minutes in. Spending the rest of her time just following along and giving advice when needed. God, she just wanted to go home.

Finally walking to her car, she was stopped by a concerned metalhead. "Y/n! Are you okay? You've been... Distant today." He desperately wanted to know what was wrong without pushing her too far.

"I'm fine Eddie. Just wanna go home, okay?" She tries to leave the situation as soon as possible, but Eddie refuses to leave it at that. "But Dustin said you're going through something. Whatever it is you know can talk to me too, right?" Y/n pauses, contemplating her answer. "I'm sure I can, Ed. Please just let go of my arm." He didn't even realize he had a hold on her, quickly letting go. "Just... Y/n don't leave me out of it, okay? I'm here for you, whatever way you need me."

Yeah but the way I need you you don't even want.

"I'll see you later, Ed." She gets in her car and drives off. Leaving Eddie in the parking lot alone.

-

The two weeks flew by like nothing. Eddie and Chrissy spending more time together alone, Y/n opting to take her lunches in the library, not wanting to see the boy she loved with someone much prettier than her. Dustin tries his best being there for her, spending every other day in the library with her.

"She actually changed my grade from a D- to an A! Can you believe that?" Dustin's blabbing about something Suzie did for him, she wasn't really paying attention. "Hey! Y/n! Are you even listening to me?" He claps his hands in front of her, snapping her out of her head.

"Sorry! Sorry! Just zoned out over here." She looked to the side, avoiding eye contact with the freshman. Knowing he'll know exactly what's on her mind. "Is it Eddie again?" Slowly she nodded, not wanting to cry. "Prom is in two days and all Eddie can talk about Chrissy. Chrissy this, Chrissy that. That's all I fucking hear about and I feel like I'm losing my mind. Imagine if Suzie kept talking about some guy that you thought was so much better than you. Wouldn't you be hurt too?"

Dustin nods slowly. Of course he would be. He really likes Suzie, and the the thought of her fawning over someone else made him sad.

"I don't think I'm gonna make it to Hellfire tonight, Dust. Not given what's going on. I think I just gotta get over him. How? I have no clue." The younger boy stands up, "What? But the ending of the cult of Vecna is tonight! What about the campaign?" She looks up at him sadly. "I promise you guys can do it without me. I just don't think I'd be much help tonight." Her voice drops, and it's then and there that Dustin realizes the full extent of her situation.

She's completely in love with him. And he's got his eyes on someone else.

He knew he had to do something. What that was? He didn't know. What he did know was that he hated seeing someone he cared about crying alone in the library. She was broken, lost. Not knowing where to go from here.

"sigh... Promise me you'll try your best to feel better okay?" She smiled softly at him, ruffling up his hair. "I promise, Dust." From that moment, he knew he couldn't keep quiet about this anymore.

-

Hellfire had just finished, not ending on a very high note, but hopeful nevertheless. The only ones left were Eddie and Dustin, deciding it was how or never.

"You're a idiot, Eddie." That caught him off guard. Sure, Dustin had been a little off today, but Eddie figured it was some freshman puberty thing. Not an Eddie thing.

"Excuse me?" Eddie stood up, approaching the younger boy with a confused look on his face. "You heard me. Do you even want to go to prom this year?" Prom? This whole thing was about prom?

"I mean not originally, no. But Chrissy really wants to go so.. Why the hell not, ya know?" Dustin was having none of it, his patience running thin. "You told me you don't even like Chrissy anymore. Why are you so damn hung up on her now of all times?" The room was getting tense.

"Hey. She asked me. I just said yes. It's not like I had bigger plans anyway." It wasn't a lie. He guesses he'd probably be in his room alone that night anyway. Unless Y/n would've wanted to do anything, in that case it was a whole new situation.

"What about Y/n? Do you even are about her anymore?" Dustin stood up from his chair. "What are you talking about? Of course I care about her!" The freshman scoffed, "You have a pretty funny way of showing it. You've been practically ignoring her since Chrissy came in the picture. I bet you barley even noticed she didn't come to hellfire today, huh?"

Of course Eddie noticed. It was the main reason team morale was down, the reason they'd all had retreated the fight. Their best girl and fighter wasn't there. "I did notice actually. I also noticed she hasn't been coming to lunch with us either. AND that no one seems to know the real reason except you. So why don't you just tell me what's really going on, Henderson. Enlighten me."

"She's in love with you, dumbass!"

Quiet. Neither of them breaking the deafening silence that engulfed the room. Dustin was mad, furious even, that Eddie had been so oblivious to the pain he'd been causing her.

"What?" Eddie couldn't believe it. Love? She actually loved him back? Why hadn't she said anything before? Why didn't he say anything before?

It all made sense. Chrissy. Prom. Y/n. That's why Y/n was so distant. He was going to prom, but with Chrissy. Not her.

"Y/n has been heartbroken the last two weeks! She can't even go to lunch because all you talk about is Chrissy. Chrissy Chrissy Chrissy. We get it, you wanna get in Chrissy's pants. But for gods sake, man, think! She sits in the library all alone because that's where she'd rather be than sitting in the cafeteria listening to how much she isn't what you want."

Dustin was about to explode. All the pent up anger was coming out. His brotherly protectiveness showing full scale, and Eddie deserved it all.

How could he be so blind? So stupid?

"Why... How come she never said anything? I-" His thoughts getting jumbled in his head. "She said she didn't wanna destroy the friendship. But Eddie, I'm gonna be honest, I think that's happening anyway." Eddie's heart shatters. The girl of his dreams, the person he'd do anything for. His very reason to keep coming to school! She's hurting, broken, thinking he doesn't care for her, love her.

And it's all his fault.

How could he fix this? It wasn't like he could just snap his fingers and change back time to before Chrissy asked him to prom. Oh how he wished he could do that.

"You're wrong about one thing, Henderson. She is what I want. Hell, she's all I want! Chrissy... I said yes because I didn't think Y/n would want to go, let alone with me." Dustin shakes his head. "Okay? You should've at least made sure before putting her through all of this shit. This is stuff you need to be telling her. Not me!"

"I know! I know! Shit, I don't know how I'm gonna fix this..." Eddie deflates, sitting down with his hands in his face. "I really fucked up, didn't I?" Dustin sits next to him, patting his friend on the shoulder. "Yeah, you did. But on the bright side, you know she likes you back now, right? Now figure out the next move."

-

The night of prom. Tonight. A night full of excitement and adventure for most. But for Y/n, it'll just be a regular Saturday. She'd skipped school the day prior, Opting for a quiet day in to collect herself. Mostly to avoid Eddie at all costs, not sure if she could really handle it.

Eddie had waited in the library for her to show up for lunch that day, hoping to explain everything, but she never showed. He instead got weird glances from the scattered students and librarian, not used to seeing Eddie in a place like a library.

He also waited after school, but gave up after noticing her car nowhere to be seen. Chrissy had found him instead, confused as to why he'd been standing sadly in the parking lot for ten minutes. It was there Eddie told her everything. Why lie? She'd deserved to know the truth too.

Chrissy had initially been disappointed, but came clean as well. Confessing she still had feelings for Jason, and was hoping to just make him jealous by showing up to prom with Eddie. They then had the mutual decision to just stay peers, nothing more. Something that took a huge chunk of weight off of Eddies chest.

Now prom was merely hours away, and Eddie was thinking of a plan. Best case scenario, he proclaims his love and sorries, she forgives him, and they get together and live happily ever after. Worst case scenario, anything other than that.

Y/n had been in the middle of the song when Eddie comes bursting in the room. Her grandma had taken quite a liking toward Eddie, Y/n guesses she's the one who let him in the house.

"Y/n! Please I need to talk to you." He was nervous, anxiety ridden. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Y/n stands up from her drum set, walking past him to her water bottle. "I'm a little busy right now, Ed."

Eddie approaches her, hoping his confession would work. "Just... Hear me out, okay? Please?" She nods at him, praying this is just something that has to do with hellfire.

"I'm not going to prom with Chrissy." Her ears perked up at this. "Okay, so? You came all this way to tell me just that?" She didn't mean to keep up the attitude, but she didn't want to get her hopes up, either.

"I also know why you've been so distant. I know... Everything. I know you're feelings for me and I know how hurt you've been these past weeks. And Y/n I'm so so sorry. I wish I would've seen it sooner." He was staring in her eyes, searching for any kind of response.

"How do you know?" Tears were filling her eyes, she had no idea why. Raw emotion was building up without her consent.

He smiles at her softly, "A little birdie told me." She backs up, tossing her drumsticks on the chair. "Fucking Henderson, man. He can't keep a secret for shit." She'd confided in him, told him all her fears, insecurities, worries. All with the hopes of him keeping it between them. She felt a little hurt, but she can't help but feel a weight lift off her shoulders. Now everything was out in the open, and she could face rejection head on.

"Hey don't be mad him, I needed to know. Boy did he let me know, too. He'd probably have my head on a stick if I wasn't here right now." She laughs slightly. Dustin always acted like an older brother, despite her being 4 years older than he was. Never stopped their bond as family, though.

"Why are you here, Eddie? You couldn't tell me you didn't like me back on Monday?" He grabs her hands, holding them together, close to his chest. "That's the thing, Y/n. I do like you back. Just as much if not more than you like me." He's pleading with his eyes for her to listen, to understand. She shakes her head, looking anywhere but him.

"Eddie, that makes no sense. If that was true why were you going with her to begin with? Why wait 'til two hours before prom to confess your love for me?" He holds her tighter, "I should've told you all this a long time ago, and I'm so sorry, baby. I was scared. Hell, I still am! You're so beautiful it's intimidating. Why would someone as drop dead gorgeous as you like a freak like me?"

She laughs and looks down, tears falling freely now. "We're both freaks, dummy. I was planning on spending the whole night right here on the drums." He places a hand on her cheek, softly stroking it. "If you'd let me, could I join you?"

Their foreheads inch closer together, both of them being highly aware of the distance getting smaller. "What, you don't wanna go to prom?" Smaller. "Not if you're not there, babe." Smaller. "Then stay here with me." Smaller. "Gladly."

The distance is gone, her lips finally on his and it's. fucking. amazing. Nothing had been as sweet as her, or soft as him. It was like 2 pieces of a puzzle, fitting perfectly together like they were made for each other. Hands starting to roam, but before anything else could happen, breathing was a necessity.

Their foreheads leaning on each other once again. The tension now completely gone, all that's left is a room full of love and adoration. Both of them waiting so long to finally be here in the moment, neither of them wanting to let go just yet.

"So... Wanna show me what song you're playing?"

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

Ahhhhh I'm so proud of this tbh I love Eddie so goddamn much I've never related to someone so much honestly.

Let me know what you think! Love you 😘

[hwanchaesong]

I have a request for Make it Right-BTS with Hongjoong! I would love some angsty hurt/comfort with fluff at the end, but pls no au

(btw Hongjoong looks so good in his new hair)

a/n: aights~ here's your order and i hope you'll like it @oh-laalaa 💚 (and yes, he reminds me of an ice cream but he rocks that hair color so well 😩)

👤: ATEEZ Kim Hongjoong

📼: Make It Right - BTS

genre and warnings: super duper angsty, mentions of break up, fluff at the end

word count: 1.2k

for anyone who wants to, don't be shy and send me asks based on Prompts Request Song Version. Thank you so much!

"I promise-"

"No, Hongjoong, I'm done."

A special day turned into a disaster as the person that you once considered to be your universe made you realize that you are nothing but a speck of dust in his galaxy.

How many times did he do this? Ah, you didn't even bothered counting when you're sure that he'll do it over and over again.

When did the dates for two became only you at a table waiting for someone who will never come?

When did the giggles and soft whispers while cuddling under the warm sheets were replaced by screaming matches and frustrated tears until one decides to storm out of your home?

Questions lingering in your mind 24/7 yet you don't find it in yourself to seek for the answers, you're fine being in the dark since you are already tired of saving a relationship where you're the only one who's fighting this monster called 'separation.'

"Won't you please listen to me? Stop being so childish over a small thing!" Hongjoong raised his voice, clearly annoyed at your attitude that is perfectly validated considering the things that he has put you in.

You physically felt your heart break, it's one thing for him to insult you, but the fact that he invalidated your feelings is something that caused an avalanche in your soul.

"Hongjoong this is not a small thing," you mumbled, looking down and letting the tears fall that you have been keeping at bay, "us breaking apart into fragments will never be a small thing!"

Wiping your tears, you sent him a hard look, willing to save yourself this time, "I never asked you to prioritize me, I know that your job will always be the number one in your life. But all that I am begging you is time and consideration, for you to make me feel like I'm important to you."

You picked your things up, ready to walk out of the house, out of his life, breathe in a fresh scent of freedom and happiness, even if he's not a part of it anymore.

"If that is too much for you to do, then I'm sorry, but I deserve better." you walked towards the door, hoping that he will chase you, apologize and make you stay, but he never did.

"And you will never fit the criteria for that."

Off you go, leaving him alone in the living room as your voice rang continuously in his head. Your scent loitering around, presence looming over him as his knees met the cold, hard floor.

Dawning in him that he let his muse go, the inspiration for his works, the sole reason why he's able to move forward with his journey, how can he be so stupid?

He took you for granted, thinking that you'll be able to wait for him as he lives his life at its fullest.

Selfish. Greedy. Ignorant. Agony. Pain.

The members had a hard time comforting Hongjoong, him spiralling into deep confusion and darkness, looking for your shadow that will never come back.

His music has never been the same as before, it's blank, lyrics not holding the same passion, melodies empty like a shell, and the only thing that he can think of is you, his motivation. If only he could turn back time, he'll do everything in his power for you to remain in his regretful life.

As if fate itself is listening to his prayers, his wish came true after a few years, map already laid out, different directions but it all led into the same spot.

There you stood, still gorgeous as ever, a pout in your adorable face as you choose what pastry you'll pair with your iced americano.

He gathered all of his courage, approaching you from behind, "Two honey glazed donuts and one caramel macchiato, I'll pay for her drinks as well."

You turned around, eyes wide and mouth agape, like you're dreaming that he's there again, entering your life that you spent a lot of time fixing.

It's given that he's still handsome, sharp jawline, pretty nose, full lips that you missed kissing, his previously blue hair dyed into a half blonde-half black that made him look like a chocolate-vanilla flavored ice cream.

You seem to be muted, nodding your head when he told you that he'd carry the tray, and he wants to sit with you because the café is almost full, "Give chance to other customers." he said.

Seated down, you nibbled on your straw, nervous at the incoming talk that the two of you will inevitably have. Although, you did not expect the next words that left his mouth.

"I'll be the best."

You looked at him, surprise written all over your face as your heart raced a million miles, recalling your last words at him.

"I deserve better, and you will never fit the criteria for that."

He lifted his hand, hesitantly reaching for yours, fully enveloping you in his warmth when you didn't make an effort to move away from his touch.

This encounter made you realize that you never really moved on from him, and neither did he. Walking away but a piece of yourselves are still attached to each other, not having the guts to call it quits when all you have ever wanted is to win with him.

"I love you, Y/N, I always did and it never faded away. Everyday I think of you, everything reminds me of you, every time i yearn for you."

His eyes shined, tears threatening to fall down but he doesn't care even if he cries in front of you, he did worse, and he knew that he made you miserable back then.

"One more, baby, last chance please. I knew that you have given me more than I deserve, and I know that my promises are redundant but it's difficult to wake up, to sleep, to do mundane things without you by my side."

His hands are cold, but your insides are heating up as he continued to talk, pouring his thoughts and emotions, exposing his deepest fears and insecurities.

"I'm not perfect, but I'll change, I'll improve myself just so I can be with you again." he put your hands in his lips, kissing it as his tears dropped on your skin, holding you tighter, scared that if his grip on you went loose, you'll escape from him, and he can't bare the thought of you leaving again.

"Hongjoong." you muttered, speaking for the first time, and god, he missed your voice so much that hearing it is enough for him to let out a small smile.

"I'm willing to give this a shot," you wiped his tears, your feather-like touch lighting up his switched off bulb, "but I can't promise you that it'll be easy."

Eyes sparkling, he let out a wide grin, finally he's being pulled out of the abyss that he's sinking in.

"Thank you so much, baby, I'm so sorry for all the mistakes that I did, you don't have to do anything, I will make it up to you."

Hongjoong, a name that means "to be the center of the broad world." In reality, it was always you that kept him in his place, the one who made his existence vast, and this time, he'll make sure to make everything right.

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