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streetlight11 · 3 years

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Somebody to you

Summary: Going on a school trip with your best friends is something you've ever wanted but luck wasn't on your side. Not only were you going to see your childhood enemy on the trip, but you had to share cabins with him due to unfortunate circumstances on your end. How would the trip turn out?

Theme: College au, enemies to lovers

Genre: a little angsty, slightly suggestive but nothing too serious, fluff ending

WC: 7.8k

Pairing: Jeong Yunho x Fem!Reader

a/n: Hey there :) This one is a little longer than my other fics. Tell me if there's any mistakes! Anyways, hope you like it :)))

“Okay everyone, so as you may all know, the school has decided to let a few selected classes from each course go on a field trip to the mountain lodge where you will get to take part in fun activities such as skiing. Those classes who are not selected for this trip will be going on a different trip respectively since they could not accommodate a whole resort for the entire school.”

The school’s principal said through the loud speaker, announcing the school trip to everyone on campus. After he called out the selected classes for each trip, the students were visibly excited. But even then, somehow, two students from two different classes couldn’t help but frown as they both let out a defeated sigh.

The thought of seeing each other on campus was already disappointing enough. But to be stuck on a resort with the other, definitely never crossed their minds. After class was dismissed, you packed your bags too slowly for Jennie’s liking as the older girl tapped your nose teasingly.

“Hey. What’s with the face? You okay?” Jennie asked.

“No? It’s already bad enough that I see his face here everyday. Why do I have to see him again for the trip?” You said in an annoyed tone, causing Lisa to exchange a knowing look with Jennie.

“Are you talking about Yunho?” Lisa asked, a small sympathetic smile appeared on her face.

“Who else?” You puffed your cheeks. You three soon left the classroom, only for Jennie to speak up. “Oh come on, Y/N… Let’s ignore him and just enjoy this trip, hmm? Besides, look on the bright side! Yeri, Jihyo, Sana, Chungha and Mina will be there too!” You could only groan, making the two girls laugh.

By now, everyone knew the two Tom and Jerry on campus. You would never go a day without at least one verbal fight with him. You had just entered the cafeteria, finding for an empty table when you spotted him from afar with your eagle eyes.

You internally groaned when he happened to turn towards your direction as though he knew you were right there.

Yunho gave you a cold stare before turning back to his friends, allowing his smile to reappear on his face as if nothing happened. You continued your day as usual, despite not looking forward to the trip that was set to due in a week's time.

The week passed by pretty fast as you were unfortunately running late due to morning traffic. When you arrived on campus, you were at least 20 minutes late. However, apparently everyone was already given the chance to find a partner for each room and there were a total of 32 cabin houses that could accommodate a maximum of 9 people in each house.

You looked around to find your friends, but you nearly dropped your bags when you realized that they already had 9 people. With two girls whom you weren’t close with but you recognized them to be Yeri’s classmates. Jennie and Jihyo frowned, mouthing a series of ‘sorry’s and also saying that the headmaster didn’t give them a choice to wait for you.

You shook your head and smiled, telling them that it was okay.

Just then, the headmaster turned to the latecomers only to speak up. “Do all of you have a cabin to join?” The 6 students shook their heads. Just then, a familiar voice spoke up from just two rows down.

“She can room with us. We have one extra spot left.” This made you turn your head, only to lock eyes with Jeong Yunho. Of course you would never agree to staying in a cabin together with him, but at that current moment, you had to weigh the pros and cons.

It’s either you stay with complete strangers who may or may not be the best of people or stay with an enemy whom you know almost your whole life and suffer with him for the next one week until the trip ends. What could possibly go wrong.

Eh, what the heck.

“Sure, I’ll stay with them.” You said as the headmaster nods, pointing his hand towards Yunho’s group of friends.

You hesitantly walked up to them but the minute you stepped foot in their circle, Yunho was quick to speak up.

“Just because I helped you, doesn’t mean I don’t hate you anymore.”

“Oh, I didn’t ask for your help anyway. And, don’t worry, I still hate you.” You said. Yunho made a face at you, earning a roll of your eyes. The rest of them who witnessed this couldn’t help but glance back and forth between the two enemies.

They were soon heading off class by class respectively. At this point, you were thankful that you could finally reunite with your best friends instead of being stuck with him.

The journey to the mountains took at least 4 hours but it was worth it.

When they arrived at the resort, it was a lot more beautiful than in the brochures. Everyone left the buses in awe at the spectacular scenery. Since it was almost the start of winter season, snow already began to coat the mountains and the roads in that area.

The temperature was cold and breezy, making them wear warm protective clothings. You got excited when you saw the skiing park right beside the resort, pulling Lisa and Jennie over to the railings. “Wow look!” You gasped with a bright smile on your face. Both Lisa and Jennie did the same as they watched the people ski down the slopes professionally.

After they’ve all entered the main lobby of the ski resort, the headmaster made an announcement.

“Alright everyone. When the staff calls out your name, please come and collect the keys to your cabins. I’ve already told the staff workers here to label and assign each cabin to the respective groups according to what you chose earlier. After I have dismissed everyone, you are free to roam around, explore this resort before going to the main food hall for lunch. I will give you about an hour and a half of free time. Do I make myself clear?”

Everyone responded in unison and soon, the staff member began to call out the names of the student representing each cabin to come forward and collect the keys. After everyone was done, they soon dispersed to go to their cabins.

You stuck with your friends as you followed them to their cabin. Unfortunately, their cabin was at least 5 blocks away. Making it difficult for you to even sneak out and go to their cabin at night like you planned. Nevertheless, the cabin interior looked really nice and cosy. The wooden interior makes it even more warm and spacious.

“Wow! It’s so pretty!”

“This is nothing like the pictures!”

“I wish we could live here together.”

A series of compliments were thrown the minute they entered the house. You were excited to stay in these kinds of cabins despite knowing you wouldn’t be sharing it with these bunch of people. The girls were about to explore more when you spoke up.

“Well, I’ll leave you guys to it. Text me if you guys are going anywhere fun!” You laughed.

“I’m so sorry Y/N! I really hoped for all of us to stay together.” Jihyo apologized, making you shake your head.

“It’s fine. We’re gonna see each other often during the activities anyway.” You said before you waved goodbye to them, leaving the cabin to go to your designated one on the other side of the resort. When you were just 4 feet away, you could already see the shoes scattered around the doorstep, making you sigh.

You didn’t have anything against the guys, because it was quite easy to say that you knew most of them on a name basis just that you aren’t close friends. However, the only person you knew the longest but also happens to be your enemy since high school, was obviously Yunho.

So when you pushed the door open, you immediately took in the wonderful pinewood smell of the gorgeous cabin. Completely ignoring the excited males running around the lodge.

“Oh, Y/N. Hey.” Hongjoong acknowledged you first, causing the rest to do the same.

You gave them a small smile followed by a nod before entering the cabin further. Once you were standing in the living room, just staring at Seonghwa who was wrestling Yeosang, a voice spoke up from the steps. “All the rooms have only one bed each, 3 queens and 1 king. We’ve already decided who rooms with who.” Yunho announced coldly.

“And…?” You paused, urging him to continue.

“And? Isn’t it already obvious who you’re rooming with? The boys figured you wouldn’t be comfortable sharing a room with someone you didn’t know. But I’m taking the bed. You can sleep on the couch.” Yunho said. You rolled your eyes, proceeding to walk in his direction before you came to a stop in front of him.

“I’d rather sleep in the kitchen instead of sharing the bed with you.”

“Be my guest.” He taunts. You could only growl before heading up the stairs.

Hours went by in a flash and it was already dinner time. You were already exhausted from the activities you did earlier in the day. Already planning to take a shower and head to bed the minute you reach the cabin.

A few minutes later after everyone was dismissed from dinner to head back to their cabins and rest, as promised, you immediately went to your shared room with Yunho only to unpack your things and organize them a little before heading for a shower. You didn’t realize it had been almost an hour and it was nearly time for the lights to be out.

Students were told to turn their lights off and sleep by 10pm. It was already 9:47pm. Yunho was downstairs with everyone else, probably still playing games.

You decided to take a quick warm shower. Taking only your towel and phone with you. You completely missed out your new clean clothes, thinking you could just get them later after the shower. About a good half an hour later, you had just stepped out of the bathtub shower completely wet but definitely fresh.

You reached for the towel on the rack and soon towel dried your body slightly before wrapping it around your body. You turned off your phone and left the bathroom. However, what you didn’t expect to see was a room filled with guys. You shrieked upon seeing them, making them flinch as they turned around to look at you.

“What the hell are you all doing in my room?!” You nearly screamed from both annoyance and embarrassment.

“This is my room too, darling.” Yunho said with a smug look on his face.

“And didn’t you say you were hanging out downstairs?”

“Mr Kwon was going around doing his rounding duties.” Mingi said bashfully, eyes clearly respecting your almost naked figure just desperately clutching onto your towel for your dear life.

“And why of all the rooms, you chose this one?”

“Because I said so?” Yunho replied for Mingi, making you scowl.

“Have I mentioned I hate you?”

“Not today actually, no.”

“The least you could do was warn me, Yunho.” You loudly whispered.

He rolled his eyes at you thickly. The room fell silent but you were still staring at your bag that was placed perfectly beside San on the ground. You wanted to tell them to leave but you thought it might be a bit rude considering you weren't exactly friends with them.

Somehow, Yunho could sense your uncertainty. With that being said, he got up from the bed and walked over to your luggage on the floor. He took the carrier and brought it over to you by the bathroom door. “Here. No need to thank me.” He said before turning back to go to his friends.

You couldn’t help but stare at his descending back, unsure as to why you suddenly felt a weird pull in your stomach. You ignored the feeling and soon disappeared back into the bathroom to change into a pair of sweatpants, a shirt and a thick hoodie.

You came back out a few minutes later with slightly dryer hair since you spent about 10 minutes blow drying it. You placed the luggage back beside San, taking out your charger and plugged it on the side table. When you turned around, the boys were still chatting and playing their card game only to speak up to Wooyoung and Seonghwa who were sitting on the side opposite Yunho.

“Move elsewhere. I’m trying to sleep unlike you owls.” You groaned as the two boys scurried away to sit nearer towards the centre of the mattress.

Once you climbed onto the bed, Yunho raised his eyebrow up in question.

“Uhh, who said you’re sleeping here? You’re taking the couch.” Yunho said firmly with a hint of irritation in his voice but you couldn’t care less. “In your dreams.” You said as you turned to let your back face them under the covers.

You didn’t see his burning glare, closing your eyes to sleep.

You fell into a deep slumber within 5 minutes, you felt lethargic as it took over your body almost immediately. A few minutes went by, the boys were still in the room playing a series of games from both card games to truth or dares. Remembering to keep their voices at a minimum. They were half way through playing Uno when they heard a shuffle coming from behind Seonghwa.

They watched as you rolled over in your sleep, only to face them.

But what made them feel so endeared by it was the way you laid. You were laying on your side, one hand tucked under the pillow. The other rested in front of your face, in a way covering your face.

Your hair draped over your face while your lips parted open very slightly. There was a few stifled laughter filling the room, only for Wooyoung to speak up in a hushed tone. “How is she so cold and feisty when she’s awake but so cute and vulnerable when she’s asleep?”

“I know right? Look at her.” Hongjoong giggled softly.

“You cannot not tell me you don’t find her attractive, even the slightest bit.” Yeosang directed his question to Yunho who was seen staring at your peaceful figure.

“I don’t know if I can answer you…” Yunho whispered.

The guys smiled as they continued playing the game. About half an hour later, Hongjoong was the first to urge the rest to head to bed since it was already late and that they should let you rest.

They left the room, not forgetting to clean the room after themselves. The minute everyone was out the door with only Yunho left in the room, he turned around to look at your sleeping figure. Yunho very quietly made his way to you, only to stop behind you. He carefully reached up, letting his hand hover over your face for a second.

He let out a soft sigh before he gently tucked your stray hairs behind your ear. Careful not to wake you up. Yunho couldn’t help but stare at you for a little while longer before he spoke up very quietly to no one in particular.

“What are you doing to me, Y/N?”

You stirred awake in the middle of the night, feeling the urgent need to use the bathroom. You got up groggily, only to shuffle your way to the bathroom. After you were done, you stepped out of the bathroom only to turn the lights off and head back to the bed. However, before you could lay back down, you saw Yunho curled up on the couch. From where you stood, his back was facing you but he looked fairly cold as his body was shivering slightly.

Despite the heaters in the cabin, the cold breeze from outside still managed to seep into the cabin.

You didn’t know why but you felt bad seeing him in that state. You wished you could just wake him up and call him into bed but you were afraid he might feel uncomfortable with it. So you opted to just take two of your jackets, one thick jacket and one full length windbreaker.

You quietly made your way to him, only to drape both jackets over his frame. He shifted in his sleep but never woke up. You carefully went back to bed, giving him one last glance before laying back down again.

5 hours later, Yunho woke up to a weird feeling of warmth engulfing his whole body. He remembered the night to be cold. For all he knew he was shivering last night. Yunho fluttered his eyes open, looking around to see what was the cause of warmth. That’s when he notices the pile of jackets on top of his frame.

He knew for a fact that it wasn’t his. With that being said, he glanced behind him only to see you still fast asleep on the bed. He couldn’t help but smile as he got up to take a shower.

Minutes turned into hours, they were all gathered by the ski lodge to go snowboarding. They stood according to the people in each cabin. You were standing between Jongho and Yeosang, while Yunho stood behind you.

They managed to follow the safety guidelines correctly, only for you to join your friends instead of sticking with the boys. They of course didn’t stop you from going. However, that doesn’t mean Yunho would choose to stop keeping his eye on you from afar. Others might think he’s just figuring out ways to torment you and cause you to make a fool out of herself since they always fought with one another.

But in reality, he was keeping an eye on you to make sure you never hurt yourself because after last night, he suddenly had a change of heart towards you. He just doesn’t want to admit it yet. You were racing down the hill with Yeri a few feet behind you, wanting to challenge each other to see who could win.

You were reaching the bottom but you didn’t notice the boulder ledge right in front of you until a voice called out to you from ahead. It was Chungha and Mina.

“Y/N, watch out!”

You didn’t have enough time to react, your nervousness took over the board as it began to wobble. You were just about to hit the boulder when somebody came swooping in from your left, toppling you over the hill instead of the ledge. Your heart jumped out of your chest as a scream left your lips.

You couldn’t even bother to see who saved you from plunging to your death as your bodies tumbled down the hill mercilessly. But the person who saved you, was holding you tightly against them. Putting a hand behind your head to protect it. Just when you finally rolled to a stop, that’s when you carefully pulled away.

You could hear a whole series of voices calling out to them but you couldn’t care less.

You were about to thank whoever that saved you but your words got stuck in your throat when you realized who it was. You were laying on top of him with your hands tucked between your chests. His arms were wrapped around your body, keeping you close to him. Snowflakes coated his hair and little on his face, probably the same for you.

Your faces were just inches away from each other but nobody wanted to pull away. “Are… Are you okay?” Yunho asked softly.

“Y-Yeah… you?”

“Mhm.”

With that, you carefully got off him. While Mingi and Hongjoong helped Yunho up, Jennie and Sana rushed over to help you.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” You asked him again, definitely not buying his answer since he practically took most of the hit. You knew he was at least in a mild pain but he put up a strong front. “I’m fine… really.” Yunho said. And for the first time ever, he flashed you a genuine smile that somewhat made you feel something in the pit of your stomach.

After dinner, they all headed back to the cabin where the boys were all tired and agreed to rest early for the night. Yunho showered first before letting you use the bathroom. Needless to say, the two of you didn’t argue much ever since the incident earlier. You simply talked to each other when you needed to.

You left the shower wearing a hoodie and a pair of loose pyjama pants. Yunho was just taking a few pillows from the bed when you stopped him.

“Yunho… uhh, you can take the bed. I’m not sleeping yet.” You said. Of course he took this chance to sleep on the bed, he did feel unsure if he should let you sleep on the couch. Before he could say anything, you left the room not forgetting to remind him again slightly louder.

“Sleep on the bed.” You soon closed the bedroom door only to head downstairs to make yourself a cup of tea. You could feel yourself starting to catch a cold, hoping the tea could cure your sickness.

You didn’t know how long it had been since you went downstairs. After what felt like forever, you finally went to wash your mug before going back up.

You came back to find Yunho lightly snoring on the queen sized bed. The cabin was still chilly despite the heaters so he had a hoodie on. The thick duvet covered up to his waist. He was laying with his stomach down, arms tucked under the pillow to support his head. He was facing the couch but he looked too pure and peaceful for you to even feel creeped out.

You found yourself smiling softly at him before going over to the couch. You laid there for a moment before you too fell asleep.

It was almost 4 hours later that he woke up to go to the bathroom. He turned off the bathroom lights and closed the door, ready to head back to bed when he saw you on the couch. You looked like you were shivering even though you had a thick hoodie on.

Yunho’s lips tugged into a smile as he walked up to you only to stop behind your figure. He shook his head softly at you before carefully slipping his arms underneath your knees and torso. Yunho swiftly lifts you off the couch, earning a very light groan from you. He carried you all the way to the bed, tucking you underneath the duvet before climbing in beside you.

Once he was sharing the space with you, Yunho gently pulled you against him until you were practically side hugging him. After he managed to find a comfortable position for both of you, that’s when he finally relaxed. He made you rest your head on his shoulder while his other arm rests on top of his chest.

Your right hand was tucked between your bodies while your left arm was draped over his stomach.

Immediately, the warmth was too nice to ignore as he soon fell asleep not before planting a very chaste kiss onto the top of your head. Yunho had no idea why he did that. He just felt like doing it.

The next morning, you woke up to an unusual warmth hugging your body. You never felt this warm during the previous morning when you woke up. You thought it was the heater’s work so you instantly relaxed further into the warmth. Just then, you felt a soft squeeze on your waist, making you open your eyes.

You carefully looked down to see an arm hugging your waist from the back. You didn’t have to turn around to see who it was. Just this alone was enough to make your cheeks flush red.

You mentally shook your thoughts away before you cautiously slipped out of his grasp to take a shower and got ready for breakfast. Thankfully, neither of you acknowledged it to avoid any awkwardness.

Hours went by and the activities today were less tiring but it did drain a bit of their energies. The boys were quite charged that night as all 8 of them gathered in the lounge area of their cabin. It was already half past eleven at night. The boys were just playing Jenga when Wooyoung noticed a figure stepping foot on the ground step by the stairs.

“Oh, Y/N. Are we being too loud?” He asked with a slight crinkle in his face, afraid of you lashing out. But instead, you smiled while shaking your head.

“No… I just… I couldn’t sleep…” You admitted to it shyly, fiddling with the hem of your hoodie before looking up to accidentally lock eyes with Yunho. Just then, Yeosang spoke up, asking if you wanted to join them. It took you less than a second to nod in agreement, making Yunho scoot over a little before patting down the space beside him.

Minutes ticked by as you watched them play, occasionally joining in. However, your eyes started to become droopy. Sleep was slowly taking over you as your head felt light with each passing minute.

Just then, right when Mingi was about to pull out the Jenga wood, Yunho felt a sudden weight on his left shoulder making him glancing down. That’s when he saw you resting your head on top of his shoulder. Since he couldn’t see if your eyes were closed or not, Yunho gently pat Jongho’s thigh who was seated on his right.

“Is she asleep?” Yunho whispered. The younger boy leaned over to take a peek. Curiously enough, the rest did the same.

“Yeap.” Jongho said softly in return, a smile gracing his lips. Yunho felt your hand grow limp on his sides before it dropped to his upper thigh, close to his hip bone. He glanced back up to see the rest of them smirking and giving him suggestive looks before one by one began to tease him.

“Looks like you’re finally weak for her huh?”

“Are you sure you hate her? You definitely don’t look like you do.”

“Sure, push her away if you hate her.”

“Do you need us to give you more proof that you’re actually in love with her?” Yunho simply glared at all of them, hoping you didn't hear any of this and thankfully, you didn’t.

About an hour later, everyone was heading to bed so while everyone was going to clear up the mess, the boys told Yunho to bring you upstairs. Yunho gently woke you up, shaking your arm softly.

“Y/N? Hey… wake up. Let’s go sleep upstairs, hmm?” His voice soothing to the ears. You stirred awake only to tilt your head up, too tired to realize how close your lips were. But of course, Yunho was too awake to notice the distance.

“Let’s go back to our room.” Yunho said as you nodded, struggling to stand up. Once you managed to find your balance, you made your way up with him to make sure you didn’t accidentally hurt yourself while going up the stairs.

Once they were both in your rooms, you walked over to the couch, making him stop you. “Woah, where are you going?”

“The couch?”

“What? Why?” He asked, genuinely confused.

“I thought you didn’t want me to sleep on the bed?” You asked, clearly still groggy from the nap. This made him let out a soft chuckle before walking to you. Yunho slides his hand around your waist only to guide you to the bed. If you were slightly more awake, you would have turned into a blushing mess. Once he sat you on the bed, he urged you to sleep.

“Then, where are you sleeping?” You asked with a small pout on your lip. Damn, you were making it so hard for him. “It’s okay. Just sleep. I’m not gonna do anything.”

“No, no, I know… It’s just… I want you to sleep with me… I mean, share the bed. It’s not too comfortable on the couch to be honest.” You finally admitted, making him smile. Yunho couldn’t help but chuckle softly at your words even though it was the most innocent thing he’s ever heard from you.

He gave in to your request, quickly taking off the hoodie he was wearing, only to leave the thin sweater he was wearing underneath. He soon climbed into bed after turning off the main lights in the room.

The minute he laid down on the mattress, you instantly craved for his warmth just like the night before.

Yunho allowed you to lay however you wanted, resorting to your head on his chest while your hands were hugging his torso. He could feel your legs tangle with his. The warmth engulfing you nicely. The both of you soon fell asleep without even waking up in the middle of the night unlike the previous nights.

The next morning, you both stirred awake around the same time. Neither of you realized the position they slept in until you moved your head slightly to feel his lips brush against yours. You were laying on your back with him on his side, so close to you as he hugged your waist.

Initially, your head was turned away from him but when you woke up, you turned your head to the opposite side. That’s when your lips accidentally brushed over his. Your heart almost leaped out of your chest while he grew awake when he felt that small skin ship. The room fell quiet for a second, simply just staring at each other. You were the first to pull away, climbing out of bed to excuse yourself to shower.

A few hours later, they had just gone back from husky sledding and ice karting. They were all gathered to eat dinner. Yunho was seated with his friends while you sat with your friends a few rows down from him.

But from where he sat, they could clearly see each other. Halfway through dinner, the host announced a quick game of run and hide. The objective of the game was for the leaders of each course to try and find the hidden treasure located somewhere in the resort. However, there will be a surprise during the game. Whoever finds the treasure and successfully brings it back to the dinner hall wins.

You turned to Lisa and Chungha who were seated opposite of you when you heard them squeak.

“I would rather stay here.”

“Me too!”

You couldn’t help but laugh as your eyes naturally found its way to Yunho’s. Your gaze lingered on each other for a minute before you looked away. The selected leaders were being called upon, with you being one of them.

Even though you were dreading this idea, you didn’t want to disappoint your classmates and course mates. You got led to the front along with 4 other students. You looked around to see that they were all students you weren't familiar with.

Besides, since you were going against each other, being in alliances wasn’t really important. However, your strategy soon got thrown in the bin when Yunho was pulled up to a stop beside you. You looked at him for a brief second, only to see a small smirk on his face. You tried to hide your smile by looking away but your lips gave it away and he definitely saw it.

The instructions were given, brand new torchlights were distributed and everyone was ready to find the hidden treasure. Once the whistle was blown, all 6 students dispersed to find the hidden treasure.

You and Yunho went separate ways at first. You went to the east side of the resort while he went to the west side. They were told that the treasure is not hidden in the cabins so you avoided doing that. The only areas that were out of bounds were the cabins and the forest that led to the mountains. Other than that, every other place is accessible.

You carefully searched through the trees along the pathway, searching along the cabin houses. Everywhere you could think of.

You were too busy searching for the treasure that you didn’t notice the person wearing a scary mask walking down the path with chains tied to his wrists. The man looked scary as he had a weird way of walking, almost like he was limping.

You were about to turn the corner when someone grabbed your wrist and pulled you back, using one hand to cover your mouth from behind. Once you were both squatting down behind the small bush, you let out a soft yelp as you felt yourself crash against a firm back. You glanced back to lock eyes with Yunho who whispered to your ear.

“Don’t scream…”

You were about to question him when the chains being dragged on the floor, followed by a low growl made you whip your head forwards. You clutched onto Yunho’s forearm out of fear as he slowly removed his hand from your mouth. His other arm was still wrapped around your waist.

“How did you know I was here?” You asked when you turned around to face him.

You tried to ignore the close proximity but he was doing nothing to hide his wandering eyes that travelled from your eyes to your nose, down to your lips and then back to your eyes. “I saw you searching through the bush and then I saw him.” Yunho said before looking back down at your lips again. This was enough to make your heart skip a beat as you turned back around to hide your blush by peeking out the gap to check if the coast was clear.

“I think we should-” You said as you turned around to talk to him when you saw the man dressed in the same way as the previous scary dude just metres behind Yunho.

“Go! Get up!” You yelled as you grabbed his hand and soon the both of them ran out the little alley between the two cabins. You ran hand in hand only for you to realize that there was more than one of them.

“This way!” Yunho said, bringing you back to the main building of the resort. You made your way to the other side of the building, only to come to a halt when Yunho spotted a treasure chest sitting behind the reception counter. It was hidden on the bottom shelf where no one could easily see unless they went close to the counter.

“Excuse me! Can you pass me that treasure box?” Yunho said to the clerk working behind the counter. She went over to the treasure box, only for you to see that you’re being cornered by the scary looking people.

“Yunho…” You warned by tugging on his sleeves and of course he got the signal.

The minute he took the treasure box, he quickly laced his fingers with yours and soon bolted down the lobby towards the main outdoor food hall. The two of you ran despite being chased by the scary looking men.

You were just a few feet away when a few same looking men blocked their paths right at the side entrance of the hall, making you both halt your steps. The other students who were watching gasped and screamed at you to take the other entrance on the other side. Yunho turned to you and asked if you could sprint. When you nodded, he told you to run around the back of the hall and go to the other entrance.

He managed to distract the men while you ran and when you successfully entered, you went straight to where the host and the other 4 students were. Who had treasure boxes too but they were empty.

Yunho managed to enter the hall, a few minutes later with a smaller treasure chest in his arms.

The host opened your boxes at the same time, only to reveal that your box was the correct hidden treasure, earning your course the win. Everyone cheered as you turned to Yunho who had a bright smile on his lips.

You then remembered what happened earlier beside the cabin. The memories came flooding in and you couldn’t seem to get that out of your mind.

Yunho took a few steps closer until he was right in front of her. You weren't sure what he was doing so when he pulled you into a hug, you found herself smiling against his chest. Both their friends were definitely shocked by this comeback but nevertheless they were glad that you two wouldn’t be fighting anymore.

After dinner was over, they all headed back to their own cabins. You hugged your girlfriends goodbye before joining Yunho and the others. They were walking down the path in silence while his friends were occupied with chatting to each other. The two of you were walking a few steps behind. Neither of you said a word until he spoke up first.

“I didn’t think you could run that fast.”

“I used to be a part of the track and field back in high school, remember? Or maybe you just didn’t realise since, you know...” A soft chuckle left your lips, making him do the same.

“Sorry if I scared you earlier.” He apologized.

“It’s okay. For all we know, you actually helped me from getting caught.” Yunho let out a laugh as they turned to enter their cabin.

He let you walk in first, holding the door for you. Such a gentleman. Once they were in, Wooyoung immediately took off his windbreaker and yelled happily. “Hey guys! Should we watch a movie tonight?” A series of yes went around only for you to turn to Yunho who was already staring at you expectantly.

“You can join them if you want. I think I’m gonna rest for a bit. I’ll see if I wanna join after.” You said, making the boys nod.

They all soon dispersed to their own rooms as Yunho followed behind you. Once you were in your shared room, he told you to shower first and so you did. But while waiting for you, Yunho sat on the bed in silence. Just thinking about how good it felt to hug you earlier and be that close to you.

Of course cuddling in bed is nice but you’ve never been that close in public. And for some reason, he liked it. He didn’t realize how long he had been sitting there for until he heard the bathroom door unlock. And out comes a freshly showered you with only a towel wrapped around your body. If he were to guess, you probably forgot to take your new clothes again.

“Forgot to take your clothes again?” Yunho asked with a soft chuckle, making you giggle with a nod.

He watched as you walked to your luggage, only to squat down to find your clothes. Once you took the clothes you wanted to wear, you excused yourself to go change and he just nodded. About 3 minutes later, you came back out looking as cozy as ever and all he wanted to do was hug you.

“Your turn.” You simply said, seeing him nod in response. When he disappeared into the bathroom, it was your turn to sit on the bed. You were just scrolling through your phone, looking at the pictures Lisa took of you at the ski lodge when you heard Yunho left the bathroom.

You looked up to find him walking out with just grey sweatpants on and nothing for his top.

Has he always been this toned?

You looked away to avoid him from thinking you were a creep, only to hear him chuckle. A few seconds later, he walked to you, stopping in front of you. Since you were sitting with your legs dangling off the bed due to using your phone while it's charging, Yunho had to stand almost in between your legs. That is if he took a few steps forward.

“Are you really not coming down?” He asked.

“I… I don’t know.”

“Come on, let’s hang out for a bit. When have we ever been this close without actually being on each other’s throats?” His comment made both of you laugh as you realized he was right.

Just then, he extended his hand out for you to take. So you did. However, before you could go far, you tugged on his hand while staying in place. Yunho turned around to look at you, silently asking if something was wrong. But instead of talking, you decided that actions definitely speak louder than words.

With that being said, you took two small steps only to lean up, pressing your lips softly on his. You could feel his breath hitch in his throat when you kissed him. Your lips soon curved into a smile as you felt him snake his hands around your waist.

He pulled you against him, only to guide you gently back down onto the bed. He scooted you up a little before climbing onto the mattress, resting in between your legs while he hovered over you.

Your lips never once parted.

Yunho hugged your waist as he carefully slid his hands underneath your hoodie. He slides his hands up your sides while he kisses your lips passionately before making his way down your neck. You were playing with his hair, feeling him kiss your neck when there was a sudden knock on the door.

It made both of you jump while he pressed his forehead into the crook of your neck. He planted a quick kiss to your collarbone before he pulled away to speak up. “What?”

“Hyung. Noona. Are you guys coming down to join us?” Jongho’s voice sounded muffled from the other side of the wooden door, making you giggle softly underneath him.

“Yeah, we’ll be down in a minute.”

“Okay!” Jongho said, and once he was gone, Yunho turned back to you with a small smile that melted your heart. “Do you still want me to say I hate you?” He whispered as his eyes lingered on your lips.

“Only if you want me to say I hate you too.” You teased.

“Yeah, I definitely don’t want that.” Yunho said before kissing you on the lips again, feeling you wrap an arm around his head to play with his hair. Something he was weak for.

Yunho gently caressed your sides, messaging the skin on your waist. His hands remained respectful so as to not touch you inappropriately without your consent. Just when he wanted to pull away, you purposely bucked your hips up, brushing your lower half against his.

A soft groan left his lips as he sucked in his breath. “Look who’s being needy now.” He teased.

“I’m not the only one.”

Yunho emitted a low growl from his throat, only to kiss you again. Except this time, his kiss was slightly rougher. He kissed his way down your neck, only to leave a mark on your skin where your shoulders and neck meet. You hissed when you felt him bite your skin. Yunho pulled away to see his art, making you blush.

“Are you seriously marking me now?” You asked with a laugh.

“Why not? At least now people know we’re no longer enemies.” He shrugged, earning a soft slap to his chest.

He couldn’t help but give you his cute toothy grin before kissing you on the lips again and soon helped you up. He threw over a shirt before they headed downstairs to find the boys already scattered around the living room. “Oh yay! You guys made it! Come on, we’re watching Infinity War!” San announced as they made extra room for Yunho and you.

You ended up sitting in between Yunho and Yeosang, but the minute you sat down, the other boy noticed the bruise growing on your neck. This made Yeosang smirk as he tried to come up with an excuse to make you leave the room for a bit.

“Y/N, can you help me get the box of soda on the counter? I forgot to take it.”

“Sure.” You soon got up to leave and the minute you’re gone, Yeosang turned to Yunho with a knowing smirk on his face.

“So, you two finally got along?” Yunho got confused at first but then when Yeosang pointed to the spot in between his neck and shoulder, the boy finally understood what Yeosang was referring to. He could only whisper a quick “shut up or I’ll kill you” before you came back.

The rest of them smirked at Yunho as well, only for you to get confused. “Is everything okay?” You asked.

“Oh yeah, everything’s okay. Is everything okay with you?” Hongjoong teased, making you frown.

“Yeah…?” Some of them were seen giggling and you were still confused. So a brilliant idea flashed into Yunho’s brain, wanting everyone to shut up. With that being said, he gently cups your chin and turns your head to him only to kiss you outrightly in front of the others. You immediately melted against his lips, ignoring both the screeches and giggles coming from all the boys.

Yunho bravely kisses down your neck to go over the spot that was now bruised, only to lick the burning skin. Yeosang faked a gag as he groaned in his spot.

“Okay, okay! We get it. Jeez.” Yeosang said, earning a laugh from the others. Yunho pulled away with a smirk on his face before placing a chaste kiss on your lips.

“Good. If any of you open your mouth about this to anyone, I’m gonna keep doing that in front of you.” Yunho warned teasingly, making them agree to the deal. your cheeks were burning red now as you turned your face to bury them in his shoulder.

Yunho could only chuckle as he kissed the top of your head lovingly, making your stomach do a flip.

That night before you went to sleep, you broke the news to your friends in your group chat. Everyone went crazy but they were happy for you. It was quite needless to say that almost all of them had expected this day to come sooner or later.

The two of you fell asleep in each other’s arms, with him holding you close. Yunho was happy to say the least. Since he’s actually had the longest crush on you just that he never admitted to it. He pretended to hate you because he was too shy to tell you how he really felt about you. He was just glad that both your classes were chosen to go on that trip.

~~~

#ateez scenarios #ateez yunho #ateez yunho scenarios #ateez imagines #ateez yunho imagines #atz yunho #ateez yunho fluff #atz yunho fluff

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torestoreamends · 3 years

Text

Miles Edgeworth is fine

3k words, G rated

'Edgeworth still can’t get over how unexpectedly brave a thing this is to do. To scream into the face of a cruel and uncaring universe that you’re fine no matter what. To believe it with all your heart. It certainly is the sort of thing that only a group of defence attorneys would think to do.'

A few days after the trial in the ruins of courtroom four, during a celebratory gathering on the beach, the members of the Wright Anything Agency introduce Edgeworth to the "I'm fine" ritual that Apollo and Clay started as kids.

Note: I just finished Dual Destinies, and the second the "I'm fine" mantra was introduced, I knew two things: 1. I needed a scene at the end of the story with everyone saying it together as a kind of group therapy (cause boy do they need it) and 2. I wanted Edgeworth to be involved, because this is exactly the sort of positivity he needs in his life, and it fits perfectly with how this game really feels like the culmination of a journey for him. Thus, this fic was born. I hope you enjoy.

Read the fic on AO3

Miles Edgeworth isn’t one for socialising when there’s work to be done, but even he can’t say no to a summons from Trucy Wright, especially not when it comes on a mild evening in late December. It’s the holiday season, and for the first time in years there’s so much to celebrate.

He and the assorted members of the Wright Anything Agency gather around one of the fire pits that line the beach closest to the Prosecutor’s Office. Even though there’s a chilly breeze blowing in from the ocean, it’s nothing a jacket and the glow of a well-stoked fire can’t hold off. And it turns out that Trucy is incredibly good at starting fires — something Edgeworth privately thinks her father should be more concerned about.

The stars shine brightly in the dark sky above the ocean, just like they shone over the ruins of Courtroom Number Four just a few days earlier. The night wraps around them like a hug, making the conversation feel easy and light. There’s something about being surrounded by what Edgeworth would cautiously call friends on a beautiful winter evening under the stars that takes the weight off the world. Nothing quite matters as much when you’re warm and cosy and uninhibited, and the air smells of wood smoke and your lips taste of sea salt and there’s sand between your toes and the sound of someone strumming a guitar a few fire pits down mingles with the crashing of the ocean.

They’ve been there for three whole hours before he starts to think he should probably head back to the office and tidy up some last bits of paperwork before turning in for the night. But before he can make his excuses, Trucy bounces to her feet.

“Alright everybody, it’s time!”

Edgeworth looks up, expecting a magic trick, or— Actually, he never knows what to expect from these people.

From the other side of the fire, Phoenix groans. “But the tide’s not come in yet. We’ll have to walk further. Can’t it wait a little bit?”

Trucy glares at him. “Daddy! Uncle Edgeworth is starting to get fidgety. If we don’t do it now he’ll leave before we have chance.”

Everyone turns to look at Edgeworth, who is well aware there’s no point lying to defend himself. At least three of them would find him out immediately if he tried. The truth, as always, is a much better option. “Unfortunately the work of a chief prosecutor is never done. There are some things I’d like to wrap up before the end of the day. But if this is important I’m willing to stay a little longer.”

Trucy clenches her fists and nods. “That’s the spirit! I want no complaining. And I expect a better attitude from you, Daddy. Especially given recent events.”

Phoenix glances at Apollo before pushing himself to his feet. “Alright. At least a bit of a walk will help work of some of the food we’ve eaten.”

Edgeworth has no idea what’s going on, but he stands up anyway to show willing. Next to him, Athena springs to her feet too.

The only person who remains unmoving is Apollo, who’s still sitting beside the fire with his head slightly bowed.

“We’re doing this with Prosecutor Edgeworth here?”

There’s an uncomfortable moment of silence, in which Edgeworth considers the best way to excuse himself without offending anyone or ruining the party. But before he can say anything, Trucy jumps to his defence.

“Apollo! Uncle Edgeworth’s family. The only reason I haven’t signed him up as a member of the Wright Anything Agency is because his contract with the prosecutor’s office would be rendered null and void if I did. Sadly Daddy’s contract law books didn’t help me find any loopholes, and we sort of need a chief prosecutor.”

Edgeworth frowns at her. “You… read my contract? Where did you even—”

Phoenix shakes his head. “Don’t question it, Edgeworth. She pulls the strangest things from her magic panties.”

Edgeworth is well aware of the power of Trucy’s magic panties, but he has no idea how his employment contract found its way inside them. On balance, he decides it’s perhaps better he doesn’t think about it.

“My biggest question,” Phoenix continues, “is when you started reading about contract law, Trucy. I didn’t know you were interested in the legal profession.”

She gives him a sweet smile. “I manage a talent agency, Daddy. I need to know these things.”

Phoenix hesitates for several seconds before holding his hands up in defeat. “We’ll… talk about this later.” He turns to Apollo, who’s still sitting beside the fire. Athena is standing beside him now, with a hand resting lightly on his shoulder. “Apollo. How do you feel about this?”

Apollo lifts his head and looks up at Edgeworth. The firelight reflects in his eyes, and Edgeworth recognises the same hard look on his face as he’d had in court just a few days ago, when he took the stand to question Athena’s innocence. It’s an expression Edgeworth understands and respects. The look of someone who’s going to rigorously question everything until he’s satisfied he’s found an answer he knows he can trust.

“I can’t pretend to belong here,” Edgeworth says. “I’m not a defence attorney. Or a magician.” He inclines his head in Trucy’s direction, and she curtsies in response. “If this is something you’d prefer I didn’t intrude upon, I fully understand. Just say the word and I’ll leave.”

“Apollo,” Athena murmurs. “He helped free Simon. He helped boss get his badge back.”

“I know,” Apollo says. “Without him we wouldn’t have found out who really killed Clay. I guess there’s a lot more that wouldn’t have happened without him too, things we’ll never even know about. And besides.” He glances at Trucy and Phoenix. “He’s basically family. If we can share this with anyone, it’s him.” He gets to his feet and clenches his fists. “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

Athena punches the air. “Alright!”

They wander out towards the edge of the surf. Athena jogs ahead, with Trucy skipping just behind her, and Apollo chasing after them. Edgeworth takes a more sedate pace, and Phoenix drops back beside him.

“At no point have I dared ask what we’re actually doing,” Edgeworth says. “Is this some sort of hazing ritual?”

Phoenix laughs. “No. It’s more of a tradition. We normally only do it when we’re out here alone together, but it seems you have Apollo’s blessing, so.”

“And what exactly does this tradition entail? I’m not going to get wet, am I? The jabot doesn’t get along well with salt water.”

“Your cravat is safe today, Edgeworth.” Phoenix digs his hands into his pockets and kicks his toes through the sand. “It’s something Apollo used to do with his friend Clay. Whenever times were tough they would shout at the top of their lungs that they were fine.”

Edgeworth frowns at him. “Do I want to ask why?”

Phoenix shrugs. “We’ve found it’s quite therapeutic. Sometimes Apollo and Athena will do it before a trial if they’re feeling nervous.”

“Hmph. That explains what all the caterwauling I hear from the defendant lobbies sometimes is about. I assumed it was a distraction technique to throw the prosecution off their game. Do you know how difficult it is to prepare a witness when people are screaming in the room next door?”

Phoenix grins. “I’ll have to remember that for the future.”

“And I’ll have to send the bailiffs after the lot of you for contempt of court.”

Phoenix throws his head back and laughs. “I doubt even being held in contempt would stop those two.”

“We’ll see. Anyway. So this is what we’re doing? Screaming into the void?”

“Don’t knock it until you try it, Edgeworth. You might enjoy it.”

“Hmm…”

They catch up with the others at the edge of the sea. Trucy, Apollo, and Athena are already standing in a line, with the surf breaking over their feet. Apollo has rolled his trousers up at the ankle, and Edgeworth decides that, as undignified as it may look, it’s a practical solution to the situation at hand so he does the same.

When they’re all lined up, Apollo turns to Trucy. “Would you like to do the honours?”

Trucy tips her hat. “I most certainly would!” She steps further into the waves. “This one’s for Clay Terran.” Then she draws in a huge breath, tips her head back, and yells at the sky. “I’m Trucy Wright and I’m fine!”

Edgeworth winces despite himself. She has the projection of a practiced performer. That combined with a high-pitched voice is bordering on painful.

As Apollo and Athena applaud, Phoenix glances at him and smirks. “It gets worse.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather I leave?”

Phoenix shakes his head. “At least the damage to your eardrums won’t be permanent. Hopefully.”

“Comforting…”

Trucy steps back and gestures to Apollo. “Next up, Mr Apollo Justice.”

Apollo clears his throat and does a small lip trill, buzzing up and down a scale. Then he mutters something under his breath. It’s almost too quiet for Edgeworth to hear, but he thinks he catches something about chords of steel. Phoenix immediately sticks his fingers in his ears, but Edgeworth is slightly too slow to follow the suit.

Apollo clenches his fists and glares out across the waves before letting rip. “I’M APOLLO JUSTICE AND I’M FINE!!!”

Edgeworth has no idea how someone so small can make so much noise. Trucy and Athena holler in appreciation of Apollo’s performance, but all Edgeworth can do is massage his ears and grimace. “Wright, you said the damage wouldn’t be permanent.”

“I said hopefully. At least that’s the worst of it. Athena’s loud but even she can’t compete with Apollo’s chords of steel.”

“I’m so pleased…”

Athena is the next to step forward. For a moment she stands with the waves crashing around her ankles and messes with the crescent moon earring she’s wearing. It suddenly occurs to Edgeworth to wonder how hard it is for her — for any of them — to do this. To turn their face skywards and boldly assert to the universe at large that they’re okay. When they’ve all lost friends and family and been through so much. So recently too.

For him it’s been years, and he’s still not sure. Is he really fine? Sometimes his grasp on anything approaching happiness trembles like an earthquake, and he wants nothing more than to leave everything behind and run away. Sometimes at night he puts his head in his hands and lets the weight of everything settle on him so heavy he can’t move. Sometimes, still, he can’t imagine ever smiling again. So how on earth are these children — these young people — managing it?

He watches as Athena’s head bows. Phoenix twitches like he’s going to go over to her, but Apollo gets there first.

“Are you okay, Athena?”

She nods. “Yeah. Yes. Yes!” She sniffs and lifts her head. “I’m good. A lot has happened, but we made it through. All of us together. And now things are looking up. Things are looking good. And even when it’s hard, I have all of you to help me out.” She grins around at them all, then she punches her fist into her hand. “I’m Athena Cykes, and I am fine!”

Apollo whistles loudly and this time even Edgeworth joins in the applause.

Athena takes a bow and splashes back onto dry land with a beaming smile on her face. “You’re up, boss.”

“Let’s go, Daddy!” Trucy chirps.

Phoenix grins. “Time to watch a pro at work.” He strides out into the waves, puts his hands on his hips and looks out at the ocean like it belongs to him.

Edgeworth expects him to really shout, the way he does when he’s objecting in court, but he doesn’t. Instead his voice is powerful in a commanding sort of way. He sounds like someone who has complete belief in himself and the path he’s on, which Edgeworth supposes has always been Phoenix’s greatest strength.

“I’m Phoenix Wright, and I’m fine.”

There’s a moment of silence afterwards before Apollo asks, “Does that one count? It wasn’t very loud.”

“No one’s loud compared to you, Apollo,” Trucy says.

“Exactly.” Phoenix returns to the safety of the sand. “I can’t compete, so I do things in my own way. Anyway, I’m the boss around here, and I say it counts.”

Athena grins. “That’s you overruled, Apollo.”

“Apparently so. Which just leaves, last but not least, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth.”

“Just Edgeworth is fine,” Edgeworth says.

“You’ve got this, Uncle Edgeworth!” Trucy crows.

Edgeworth is quite sure he hasn’t got this.

He inches his way out into the surf, and he feels as if every person on the beach is watching him. He glances over his shoulder and even through the darkness he’s pretty sure he sees at least a few people staring in their direction. If he were out here for a peaceful evening, he’d certainly be staring at the people disturbing the peace. In fact, he’s surprised no one has called the police on them yet.

“Are you sure I have to do this?” He asks the universe at large. “I’m yet to be convinced this is my sort of thing.”

“It’s good to step out of your comfort zone,” Athena says.

“You’ll never know if you don’t try,” Trucy adds.

“But if you don’t want to, no one’s going to hold it against you,” Phoenix says. “We’ll just make fun of you for being a spoilsport for a while.”

Edgeworth swallows. He folds his arms and glares towards the horizon. Water rushes around his ankles, churning up the sand and sucking him down so he’d have to tug his feet free to move. He’s trapped here now.

He still can’t get over how unexpectedly brave a thing this is to do. To scream into the face of a cruel and uncaring universe that you’re fine no matter what. To believe it with all your heart. It certainly is the sort of thing that only a group of defence attorneys would think to do.

Cautiously, he clears his throat. He taps his finger against his arm a couple of times, psyching himself up. Then he speaks, carefully, precisely, and admittedly somewhat hesitantly.

“I’m Miles Edgeworth, and I’m… fine.”

The silence following his words is even longer and more sceptical than the one following Wright’s.

“That was rubbish,” Trucy says finally.

“I’ll admit,” Apollo says, “I was expecting a little more.”

“We can call that a practice run,” Athena agrees.

Edgeworth looks at Phoenix for help, but Phoenix just shakes his head.

“They’re right. You’ve got to enter into the spirit of the thing. Don’t overthink it.”

“I know,” Trucy says. “Imagine Daddy’s just made a really stupid bluff in court and you’re objecting to it.”

“I do not make stupid bluffs,” Phoenix says.

Apollo and Athena glance at each other and maintain a diplomatic silence.

“I make smart and strategic bluffs,” Phoenix goes on. “There’s a difference.”

“Keep telling yourself that, Wright.” Edgeworth turns back to the ocean. “Like I’m objecting… Like I’m objecting…”

He gazes out at the point where the sky meets the sea, and he turns the words over in his head.

I’m Miles Edgeworth and I’m fine.

It still seems like a ridiculous thing to say. But he supposes it’s more true now than it’s ever been.

It’s late December and he’s out on a beach with friends rather than locked in his office hiding from his memories. He’s surrounded by brilliant people — people he loves — not just right now but every day. And while the wounds of the past are still there, they’re not raw like they were even a few years ago. They’re scars rather than fresh cuts, and even if they still hurt a bit sometimes, the pain has faded to a dull twinge.

Even compared to a year ago, everything is brighter. Wright is back in court where he belongs for a start. And even if the role of chief prosecutor is a heavy one to bear, Edgeworth has already achieved something worth being proud of.

A trail of darkness that started with the likes of Manfred von Karma and Blaise Debeste, that wormed its way into the police department and the PIC, that led to falsified evidence and wrongful convictions and mistrust, is finally coming to an end. The dark age of the law is drawing towards a dawn. Every step of Edgeworth’s life has led him to here. To a moment of quiet tranquillity at the edge of the world, where he can look back at the path he’s walked and no longer see just mistakes and wrong turns but so much good. Good he did. Good he inspired in other people.

So maybe… maybe it is true.

Maybe Miles Edgeworth really is okay.

It’s taken decades and two resignations and so much pain and anger. He’s had to stand on the wrong side of courtroom with the wrong badge on his chest. He’s had to fight against more corrupt people than he can count. He’s had to learn to stop doubting and start trusting, both himself and others. But he’s made it. Somehow.

The moon smiles down, like it did on Courtroom Number Four, and it looks something like hope.

Edgeworth looks around at Trucy and Apollo and Athena and Phoenix. They’re all staring at him, and for a moment he wonders if they’re all expecting him to give up walk away. But then he remembers who they are. The sort of people who believe in others until the bitter end. The sort of people who make it easier to believe in yourself.

He shifts his feet beneath the water, draws himself up tall and proud, and jabs his finger towards the horizon. Then he shouts the truth to the sky.

“I’m Miles Edgeworth, and I’m fine!”

#ace attorney #ace attorney fic #dual destinies #aa5 #miles edgeworth #phoenix wright #trucy wright #apollo justice #athena cykes #wright anything agency #post-dual destinies #my writing #here's some post-dual destinies fluff #because everyone needs it let's be honest #maybe it's weird that this is so Edgeworth-centric #but I was absolutely obsessed with the way the game ties up with the rest of his arc #and I just had to do something with it #anyway enough rambling from me #I'm still new to this fandom but these characters own my heart

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flamehairedwritings · 4 years

Text

Happiest Season Of All

Characters: Chief Jim Hopper x Female Reader

Rating: M, 18+ ONLY

A/N: Happy Holidays! Phew, it’s been a while. Here is a kind of drabble, and also kind of a sequel to Pain In My Heart? Set the year before S1, there’s no mentions of family, no use of Y/N, and it’s just a gentle, kind of angsty little story.

This story contains broken hearts, swearing, alcohol and embarrassment.

I hope you enjoy and have a lovely week!

Summary: Broken up with just before Christmas? Fantastic. The only thing that can help is returning to your home town, old friends... and an old love.

Masterlist

Please don’t copy, steal or repost my work; credit does not count.

—

23rd December 1982

‘... There'll be parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and carolling out in the snow...’

You quietly hum along absent-mindedly to the cassette someone’s playing from a boombox, gazing out of the window. Usually, you’d have been annoyed but, hey, it’s the holidays.

Besides, you haven’t had much of a chance to get into the festive spirit or mood recently. With the classic Christmas song playing, the train rumbling gently and the twinkling lights in the darkness slowly growing brighter, you’re finally starting to feel it. Inhaling a breath, you lean your temple against the cold glass, your fingers lacing together in your lap as you gaze at the lights.

Hawkins, Indiana. Your hometown.

It’s been a few years since you were here for longer than a weekend but, oh, boy, this year you just need to be here. You’re retreating, you’re not too proud to admit, coming home to lick your wounds and be surrounded by all things familiar, cosy and boring.

You almost laugh. You’d left this place because it was so damn boring and now here you are, craving it. If teenage you could see you now. She’d be giving ‘that’ look which you’re told you still give to this day.

Ah, well. Time’s a bitch, baby.

The train slows as it pulls into the station and you start to gather your things while a few others around you stand and pull their bags down from the overhead racks. You pull your suitcases down as the train comes to a stop, all three of them, with their different colours and patterns. Pulling on your scarf, coat and rucksack, you haul the suitcases down the aisle as best as you can single-file, muttering under your breath as they catch every few steps against chairs.

The wheels clatter onto the concrete of the cold platform when you step down, one suitcase twisting onto its front and tangling with the others as it nearly falls from your hand. Muttering under your breath again, you right it and continue walking down the platform, two small groups of people reuniting having to part for you. Making eye contact with a grateful smile, you’re relieved you don’t recognise any of them; you’re really not in the mood for your own reunion right now.

“There she is!”

Well, just the one.

A smile spreads across your face as Karen Wheeler trots down the platform in her heeled boots, grinning and her arms open wide. The suitcases drop from your hands as you throw your arms around one another, rocking from side to side slightly.

“Oooh, hello, sweetheart,” Karen murmurs, pressing a big, wet kiss to your cheek.

“Hey, Karrie.”

Your smile lingers, and it’s the first genuine one you’ve had in a while. Karen has worn the same perfume since high school and it puts you at ease instantly. God, you just love her. You talk on the phone every other week and have done since you moved out of Hawkins; she’s been the most consistent friend in your life and you love her with all your damn heart.

“C’mon, give me those, let’s get out of here, it’s freezing...” Pulling back, she takes two of the suitcases from you before you can protest and starts striding down the platform.

You have to do a quick little jog to catch up with her, marvelling, not for the first or even fortieth time, how she can go so quickly in those heels. It’s a short walk to the exit, made shorter by Karen’s pace, and she’s parked right outside. Wonderful. Opening the trunk, you both bundle your suitcases in, tossing your rucksack on top of it, and then do a speedy little walk to the doors, yanking them open.

“Oof, coldest winter we’ve had in years,” Karen shivers dramatically in her seat as she rubs her gloved hands together before buckling her seatbelt.

Buckling your own as she eases out onto the road, you blow out a breath. “Yeah, definitely feels that way.”

“So, how was the journey?”

“Oh, the usual, long but fine. It was a lot emptier than I expected.”

“Well, we keep hearing there’s gonna be a blizzard, so some folks have come home a little earlier.”

“Well, that’s smart.”

“Yeah. Means I keep bumping into people at the store that I wish I could avoid, though, and on the street.” She snorts as she glances at you. “Ugh, I bumped into Peggy Dawnes the other day, remember her? She would not stop talking about her perfect life on her perfect farm with her perfect husband and her perfect kids and her perfect lawn. Well, there were ten bottles of wine in her cart and I know for a fact her mother doesn’t drink and her perfect husband only likes neat whisky, so, there.”

“Oh.”

You cringe internally at your short reply, but you really can’t think of what else to say. Karen glances at you again, pausing. You look over at her and find the sympathy you’ve only been able to hear during the last few weeks. She reaches over and pats your knee gently before returning her hand to the wheel.

“Oh, sweetheart... How are you doing?”

You release a breath, raising your eyebrows slightly. “Better for being here, already. But, y’know...”

She gives you a sympathetic smile as she pats your knee again. “Don’t worry, toots, like I said you can stay as long as you want, it’s no trouble at all.”

You return her smile, relieved that you find you don’t have to force it. “Thank you.”

“No worries.” Her smile widens as she tilts her head. "The kids are looking forward to having you with us, you know how much they love you. It’ll do us all some good.”

You don’t ask about Ted because you know not to.

“I can’t wait to see them, too. How have they been?”

You gaze out of the windshield as she tells you how Nancy and Mike are doing at school and how many words Holly can say now, your eyes flitting from house to house. Decorations are out in full force, as they should be, they’ve probably been up since the 1st of the month, and it makes you smile to see them, remembering how you and Karen would go from house to house when you were younger and rate them out of 10 candy canes.

Ah, the simple life.

She’s still chatting about Mike and his friends when she turns down onto their long drive. It’s lined with various Christmas lawn ornaments, most lit up. Lights line the inside of some of the many windows of the house, too, making it look gorgeous and cosy and warm. A curtain is yanked back suddenly and Mike’s face appears, grinning. He waves frantically and you smile instantly, waving back with your eyebrows raised.

My favourite, funny little kid.

He’s already at the wide open door when Karen parks, still grinning. Unbuckling your seatbelt, you open the door and step out only to have him nearly slam into you before you can straighten, hugging you tightly.

“You’re here!”

You laugh, wrapping your arms around him just as fiercely. “Hey, buddy. You okay?”

“Yeah. C’mon, I wanna show you this book I got...” He’s already out of your arms and waving you towards the door, which Karen is muttering about the heat being let out of.

Chuckling to yourself, you help her with your suitcases and rucksack, feeling vastly different to how you did ten minutes ago; they never fail to raise your spirits. Nancy greets you as you enter, smiling widely and also ready for a hug. You give it gladly and just as fiercely as you had with Mike, asking her how she is. She shrugs and just says “Fine,” with a smile as you remove your shoes and coat, and you marvel at how she’d once been as talkative as Mike when she was younger. You hear the boy himself calling from the basement, telling you he can’t currently find the book but it’s around here someone and you’re gonna love it! You follow Karen up the stairs to the guest room with a wide smile, calling back your thanks to him.

Passing walls lined with family photographs, it’s a short walk down the hall to the room you’ll be staying in for... well, who knows. Karen opens the door with a trilled, “Ta-da!” and you laugh as you take in the sight before you. It’s completely decked out in Christmas decorations; tinsel on every bit of furniture, snow-globes on the window sill, a polar bear stuffed toy on the bed, fairy-lights around the headboard. You’d roll your eyes at the excessiveness of it if it wasn’t so damn sweet.

“Wow, it’s like Santa’s Grotto in here...”

“Eh, close enough, I wanted fake snow on the ground but Ted vetoed that idea pretty quick.”

You snort, hauling the suitcase you’re carrying onto the bench at the end of the bed and dropping your rucksack onto it before sitting on the bed, your fingers running over the blanket Karen’s mother had crocheted. Nancy lingers in the doorway, and after leaning your other suitcases against a chest of drawers, Karen turns to her, making a shooing gesture.

“All right, go on, Nance, us hot young things need to get ready.”

“Ugh, Mom...” Nancy just about manages to stop herself from rolling her eyes as she turns away and heads back down the hall while you stare at Karen.

“Uh... Ready for what? Bed?”

“No,” Karen laughs, and you suddenly notice she’s going through your suitcase on the bench, rifling through and pulling various items out. “We’re going out, to the bar.”

“The bar?”

“Yes, the bar.”

You’re still staring at her. “Where everyone we know goes?”

Karen shrugs, looking at you like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Yeah, ‘cause it’s still the only good bar in Hawkins.”

“I thought you wanted to avoid everyone.”

“Eh, yeah, but... y’know, only good bar in Hawkins. And...” Oh, no, she’s looking sheepish, her head bowing slightly as she glances from you to some of your clothes she’s pulled out. “... Uh, we’re kinda having a party here tomorrow, anyway, so...”

“What?”

Her eyebrows shoot up, her hands raising. “It just kinda happened. It’s been years since we’ve had one and Ted and I were talking about it and then I saw Mary-Lou at Mike’s school and I just happened to mention it and she got so excited and then I got excited and it just, it suddenly happened.”

Your lips press together as you exhale a short breath. “Well, they were fun...”

“Yeah, they were, weren’t they?” Karen sits beside you with a nostalgic sigh, shaking her head. “We had some of the best times of our lives at ‘em.”

“Yeah... I remember the one after you gave birth to Nancy, I thought I was gonna have to take you to the hospital.”

“Ha! Thank God my Mom came over to look after her. What about the one where you set fire to the tree?”

“Oh, please don’t remind me, and that wasn’t actually my fault, you know,”

“Ha, yeah, sure, that was great...”

You both sigh together, a smile finding its way onto your lips at all the memories that come flooding back. They had been fun. You hadn’t been able to attend every one over the years but the ones you had had been so great they’d almost made you want to stay in Hawkins. Maybe... Maybe a return to a beloved tradition is exactly what you need.

Turning your head to her, you arch an eyebrow. “You didn’t think to tell me it was happening, though?”

Karen shrugs as she smiles. “I didn’t want you to talk yourself out of enjoying it before it had even happened. Same as tonight.”

“Oh, Karrie...” You huff out a breath. “... You know me too well, it’s so annoying. Ugh, I was so looking forward to just curling up on the couch, drinking and watching some of the classics.”

“I know.” She pats your knee, nudging her shoulder against yours. “And we’re gonna do that the day after Christmas, and every day that you want to while you’re here. But tonight, we’re gonna get fancy and go out and get a little bit drunk. It’s Christmas, c’moooon.”

You just can’t help but smile. “All right. All right! Fine. How long have I got?”

“An hour.”

“What—”

She’s already on her feet, pointing at you as she heads to the door. “Take a shower while I cook us and the kids something up, and then we’ll get ready. okay?”

You know you have absolutely no choice in the matter. “Okay, fine.”

“Great!” she beams, reaching for the door handle to close it behind herself. She pauses, though, resting her weight on one foot as she clears her throat. “Oh, and uh... he’s probably gonna be there.”

You don’t have to ask who she’s referring to.

Staring at her, you manage to keep your features expressionless. “Oh. Really?”

“Yeah.” She’s watching you carefully, teeth grazing over her lower lip. “He is nearly every night, apparently, according to Marian.”

Raising your eyebrows slightly, you smile. “Well... maybe he won’t be.”

“Yeah, maybe he won’t be...” She’s still watching you, a gentle smile pulling at her lips. “Shower, toots.”

“Okay, okay...” You wave your hand as she pulls the door closed, hearing her move down the hallway.

The moment you hear her heading down the stairs, you release a long breath, lying back on the bed.

Oh, shit...

Well.

You stare at the ceiling as the realisation suddenly dawns on you.

I might see Jim Hopper tonight.

James Hopper. Jim. Hopper. Hop. Chief, also now, not that you’ve ever been around to call him that.

You’d been friends since you were kids, best friends actually, at one point closer than you and Karen had been, and then feelings had developed when you'd become teenagers and then you’d taken the leap and had started dating and then...

You’d broken up.

And you’d been the one to initiate it.

And you’d done that because, well... It was because of a lot of little things. Mainly, though, you hadn’t known what route you wanted to take, college or work, you hadn’t even known what you wanted to do, but you knew you wanted to get out of Hawkins. And Hop... hadn’t known what the hell he wanted to do either, but he hadn’t even thought about it. He’d spoken once or twice about joining the military, or just starting a job, too. College hadn’t even crossed his mind. The conversation had come up and, well, it hadn’t ended well.

In fact, when it ended, that has been the last time you’ve spoken to him. As you’ve returned home over the years you’ve heard he did join the military, fought in Vietnam, came home, married, and lived in New York the same time you had. You’d been heartbroken to hear from Karen that his daughter had died, and he’d divorced and moved back home.

Now, he’s Chief of Hawkins Police and, well, you’d love to avoid seeing him at all costs. There can come a time when, having not seen someone in decades, you can’t even have a casual conversation because all both parties are doing is screaming in their heads.

Well. Like you’d said yourself. He might not be there.

Hey, as Chief of Police this is probably a very busy time of year and he’ll be off doing something.

It’s gonna be fine.

Absolutely fine.

After showering, you throw on some clean, comfy clothes and head downstairs to eat with Karen and the kids.

Holly sits at the table in her highchair, silent as ever, well, being two years old she only knows a handful of words, but she just stares at you as she has done since she was a baby. Mike talks non-stop about school and his friends while Nancy chimes in every now and then to talk about her own friends, saying names of people in her class that you take a moment or two to remember, and to mutter insults at him while he mutters them back.

Karen half-heartedly tells them to stop in between telling you what she might wear, and you somehow manage to keep up with all conversations. Frankly, it’s also quite nice after being surrounded by mostly silence for the last few weeks.

Whipping your plate away from you seconds after you finish, Karen is up and striding to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder.

“C’mon! Let’s get sexy!”

Your lips twitch as Mike and Nancy groan, the only thing they can agree on right now being that their Mom is a complete and utter embarrassment.

She practically shoves you up the stairs, trying to get you to move faster, and from then on the next 30 minutes feels like a whirlwind. She tries on six outfits before settling on her usual favourite, and changes in your room while you rifle through what you’ve brought. Luckily, even though you can’t really remember packing, you’ve brought some of your own favourites, and, after scrambling to find some shoes to go with them, she helps you decide on an old classic.

Gazing at you, her hands on her hips, she beams with delight.

“Well, look at you, huh! Fancy lady!”

You give a twirl as she whoops, and then her arm is looping through yours and she’s practically dragging you towards the door.

“Bye, guys, we’ll be back late!” she calls out, though no one answers, too busy doing their own thing.

You haven’t seen any sign of Ted and, once again, you know not to ask.

“Late? How late is late?” you ask with an arched eyebrow as she hurries you down the stairs.

“Oh, come on, not that late, we’re not gonna get wasted, we’re not teenagers anymore.”

—

“... God, I hate it...”

The stall door slams against the cubicle wall as you pull it open a little more forcefully than you had intended. Holding it for a moment, you exhale a short breath before moving towards the sinks, only swaying a little. Washing your hands, you glance up at Karen, watching her try to reapply her lipstick as neatly as possible.

“And did you hear Julian is engaged? And Andrea has a new boyfriend? Is it me or is everybody getting into a relationship?”

She snorts, rubbing her lips together. “It’s that time of year, folks hate being lonely at Christmas.”

You scoff, turning the tap off and drying your hands. “Just sleep with people, then, doesn’t mean you have to get into a relationship and hog someone all to yourself.”

She laughs, slipping her lipstick back into her bag before turning to you, a hand on her hip. “Oh, babe... C’mon, let’s find you someone to have meaningless sex with it.”

“Okay.”

The bar has been heaving from the moment you’d arrived. It usually is, but tonight the place is rammed, perhaps because of the time of year, but maybe more because, it turns out, there’s an offer on drinks, it being the holiday season and all, and happy hour has lasted more than one hour. More than two. It’s nearing three now.

Each sip has helped you relax, even as Karen gasps and points out old high school classmates, filling you in on every detail of their lives she’s learned. So far, incredibly gladly, she’s not pointed out a certain Chief.

Returning to your table, which a guy you don’t recognise has been guarding for you, as in literally guarding, he has his hands behind his back and is saying, “Nah, move along, this ain’t free...” to anyone who looks like they’re going to swoop in. At spotting you both, he grins and holds his arms out wide, gesturing at the table.

“All free for you, m’ladies.”

You’re unable to stop a smile because there’s something so weirdly charming about this absolute goofball of a man. He takes a seat beside Karen as you sit, the two of them having been exchanging small talk that verged on flirting. Heck, it was flirting. Sipping from your drink as you watch them, you feel a small, familiar twist in your stomach.

Karen is more like her teenage self when she’s with you, but when you see her with Ted, no longer Teddy as he had been in high school, and the kids, she’s Karen the mom, like she’s caged her personality in and doesn’t quite know how to bring the two parts of herself together. When she’d come to visit you once last year, you’d gone out to a bar and you’d watched her flirt with a couple of the men there. You’d thought it was harmless at first, just a bit of fun for her, she’s a charismatic lady, but then something had changed and, as a guy had held her hand, stroking it, and she hadn’t pulled away, you’d felt a twist in your stomach.

She’s gonna have an affair one day.

The thought had come to you so suddenly and so sharply that you’d shoved it away with all your might, horrified with yourself. No, Karen wouldn’t do that... Would she? Since then, you’d become more and more unsure. You’ve stopped asking about Ted when you talk because she’d just sigh heavily and spend the next ten minutes pointing out every flaw he has, how the romance has gone, how she’s tried and nothing happens. You know she’s unhappy, but you just can’t see her doing it. You hope not, anyway.

Looking away from them, you watch a few people dancing, Christmas music flowing out of the speakers above.

Karen laughs at something the guy says, and in the corner of your eye you see her place a hand on his arm.

“Oh, that’s too funny! You’re really funny... Sorry, what’s your name again?”

The man is unfazed, still grinning. “Callahan. Phil Callahan.”

He says it with such an atrocious Sean Connery accent, making Karen burst out laughing again, and it makes you smile, too.

“Oh, big James Bond fan, huh?” she says, her elbow on the table, chin in her hand.

“Oh, yeah, it’s why I became a cop.”

Your gaze darts to him. “You’re a cop?”

He raises his hands as he laughs. “Yeah, but, hey, you go on and drink as much as you want, I’m off duty now.”

Karen laughs and you make yourself join in, but your heart has started to beat a little faster.

Oh, stop it, he’s not here.

You take a quick sip of your drink again to cover the fact you aren’t laughing anymore, and then Callahan looks up, his grin widening somehow as he waves his hand frantically.

“Hey, boss, over here!”

Boss?

Boss.

The entire room seems to slow down as you turn your head and see a man, who’s stopped for a moment to shake hands with someone, with brown hair and a neatly clipped beard, wearing a brown leather jacket, plaid shirt and jeans, his eyebrows raised—

Oh, God.

Oh, shit.

Oh fucking Lord in the manger.

Callahan is slapping his hand against the vacant seat at the table, that happens to be close to you, practically shouting, “Hop’, here, saved ya a seat!”

You swiftly turn back around, staring at Karen. She’s frozen, staring at you, and for the next three seconds you somehow communicate an entire conversation with just your eyebrows and eyes.

Both of you seem to agree on fuuuuuuck.

You can’t just get up and leave, that would be the most obvious thing in the entire world. What if he doesn’t recognise you? Yeah, maybe you’ll be so incredibly fucking lucky and it’ll be a Christmas miracle and you’ll somehow have just disappeared from his memory.

Swallowing hard as you hear him move past a group behind you with an “Excuse me,” you rest your hands on the table, gripping them together.

“Hey, Callahan, where’s everybody else?”

Oh, his voice has changed. It’s deeper, rougher.

“Oh, well, Powell said he and his wife are gonna come later when he finishes his shift, and Jones, Davids and Williamson are over there, they’ve been waitin’ to get a drink for ages.” Callahan laughs delightedly, and Karen joins in, giving a slightly nervous one.

It draws Hopper’s attention and you don’t dare look up to see his expression but there’s a note of surprise in his tone.

“Karen, hey, you doin’ okay?”

“Yes, thank you.” And then she panics. “We’re just having a night out.” And then she panics more when she realises what she’s said, and that she’s gestured at you, her eyes as wide as her now somewhat manic smile.

Oh. God.

Lifting your head, you automatically smile, your features frozen.

“Hi.”

Hi.

He looks from Karen to you, and you’re suddenly subject to the full force of Jim Hopper’s gaze for the first time in decades.

Oh. God.

You can’t help it; the memories of the last time you saw him flood your mind.

“Hop’, are you even listening to me?”

He swiftly puts down the ball of rubberbands he’d been picking at on your desk, his eyebrows raised as he looks to you.

“Yeah, yeah, course I am.”

Your own eyebrows rise even higher, your hands lifted. “What, then?”

He tilts his head slightly, grazing his teeth over his lower lip. “’What’, what?”

“You weren’t fucking listening—”

“No, I was,” he quickly says at your weary sigh, leaning forward in the chair and resting his elbows on his knees, an easy smile pulling at his lips. “C’mon, just repeat the last part.”

You’d once found this all charming and endearing.

Your hands going to your waist, you exhale another breath before folding your arms, managing to calm yourself.

“What are you gonna do after school?”

Hop’ shrugs, leaning back again. “I don’t know. What are you gonna do?”

It was just the answer you’d feared, and expected. Licking your lips, you glance down at the carpet before steeling yourself and meeting his gaze again.

You can do this.

“I’m thinking of moving.”

He nods, his smile returning. “Okay, where?”

“I don’t know. New York, maybe. There’s jobs there and I have a friend there, I could stay with her for a bit.”

“Or we could get a place together.”

You stare at him, feeling your stomach twist.

“So... you’re, you’re just gonna follow me where I go.”

“Yeah.” His brow dips slightly, the smile still there, though it’s hesitant. “Aren’t girlfriends supposed to be happy when their boyfriends say that?”

“Yeah, but... What do you want to do?”

Hop’ shrugs again. “I don’t know. I know I wanna be with you, though.”

You’d once have quietly swooned at that and given him a fond smile. Now, though... You want more.

“Hop’, I don’t... I don’t wanna be one of those high school couples that just sticks together because they’re together. I want you to actually want this.”

He’s frowning again, confusion starting to set in. “I do.”

You say it quietly. “I don’t think you do.”

He stares at you, all traces of his smile gone. Then, he scoffs, leaning back in his chair a little more as he folds his arms.

“So now you’re tellin’ me what I do and don’t feel?”

“No, I just, I want you to have some drive, some ambition, not just go along with what I say and do.”

“I go along with it because it’s what I want.”

You can feel tears stinging at your eyes but your mind has also been made up.

“I don’t think it is, I just think it’s easy and safe for you.”

“Stop tellin’ me what I’m feelin’!”

His voice raising makes yours, too.

“Am I wrong?”

He looks at you like he has no idea who you are, and for some reason that really pisses you off because you don’t really recognise him anymore, either.

“Why are you pushing me away?!”

“I’m not, I—”

“Where has all this come from, then?!”

“I don’t know if I want this!”

Silence falls.

You swallow thickly as he stares at you, your voice cracking slightly.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, but... y’know, Karrie and Teddy, they... I look at them and at Joyce and Lonnie and they’re so happy, they know what they want, and they can’t wait to get married and settled down, here, but...”

“You don’t want that,” he finishes for you, quietly.

You speak after a moment, your tone matching his. “I don’t.”

“You don’t want me.”

That sends a knife through your heart because honestly? You have no idea.

Shaking your head, you close your eyes for a moment. “No, yes, I... I don’t know. I care so much about you, but... I just think we’re on different paths.”

His gaze drops as your words linger in the air. Clearing his throat, he glances up at you again.

“What if we just take a break, for a bit. Or I can come up and visit you, in New York.”

He’s just a boy, you suddenly think, your heart breaking.

Biting at your lower lip to stop it from trembling, you give a small shrug. “I think that wouldn’t be fair on us both.”

He nods slowly, his jaw moving, and you’ve never seen him this distant. Raising his eyebrows slightly, he stands.

“Seems you already had this all figured out.”

“No, no, I didn’t, I just don’t want to be unfair to you—”

“Could I have said anything that would have changed your mind?” His quiet words silence you, and you have to stifle a sob.

“... No.”

Hop gazes at you, and after several moments he nods. “Good luck with everything.”

You’d burst into tears the moment he’d left your room. The front door had slammed shut and as you’d sat on your bed and cried and cried you’d heard his car door slam, too. You’d cried for days, going between telling yourself you’d made a huge mistake, and then that you’d done what was best, that he didn’t appreciate you like he used to and it wasn’t your job to fix him and coach him through life and that... yeah, you’d fallen out of love with him.

You hadn’t just lost a boyfriend that day, though, you’d also lost your best friend.

You loved Karen but there was just something different about Hop’, something that made you feel safe and like you could tell him anything and he wouldn’t judge. As you’d moved away and the months had gone on, several triumphs and bad days had happened, and all you’d wanted to do was just pick up the phone to call him and tell him. You’d stopped yourself every time.

Then, at some unremarkable point, you’d just stopped getting that urge, and life had moved on.

Oh, it certainly had moved on.

You stare at him, trying to look without looking. You can still see the face of the teenager you once knew, though with the beard and the lines at the corners of his eyes he’s very much a man now.

God, is he a man.

He was tall when you’d known him, but is he taller now, somehow? Had he had another growth spurt in his twenties? His hands are huge, too, and he’d been confident back then but it had come from cockiness whereas now he just seems quietly so, more sure of himself.

And you have absolutely no idea what he’s thinking. He’s staring at you so expressionlessly that you believe for a moment or two he actually has forgotten you.

Then, he speaks

“Hey. Been a long time.”

Hey. Been. A. Long. Time.

Said like you didn’t once whisper “I love you” to each other and share every single secret you’d ever had.

Then again, all you’d been able to muster up was a ‘Hi’.

You’re still smiling and you don’t know how to stop.

“Yeah, it has.”

“How are you?”

“Fine, thank you, you?”

“Yeah, good. You home for the holidays?”

“Yep.”

He runs his fingers over his mouth as he nods, and oh my God, he’s attractive. Is he, or is it the alcohol?

Wanting to banish the thoughts from your mind and distract yourself, you quickly continue.

“I’m staying with Karen.”

“That’s nice.” It’s said absolutely expressionlessly. “Just ‘till the new year?”

“Uhm, indefinitely. I’m, I’m working, uh, going through, uh, I’m moving, at the moment.”

“Okay. Well, I hope it goes okay.”

Oh my God, he’s winding down the conversation. He’s gonna go.

And you’re still smiling.

“Thank you.”

Nodding, he glances at Callahan. “I’m gonna go and check in with the others, see how they are.”

Callahan just nods once, his gaze flicking from you to Hopper and back again with utter confusion.

Rising, Hopper glances from Karen to you.

“See you around.”

“Yeah, bye, happy holidays,” you answer, Karen possibly unable to speak.

His lips move slightly, possibly into a faint smile. “Yeah, to you, too.”

And then he walks away, heading for the bar. Staring at where he’d just been sat, a slightly strangled sound releases from the back of your throat.

“Oh my God, oh my God...”

Looking to Karen, a whole range of emotions are flashing across her face as she tries to find the most comforting one. She fails.

“Oh, babe, oh God, that was horrible.”

“I know, I just, I forgot how to have a conversation, my voice got so high.”

“It did, I don’t know why you did that.”

“Neither do I, oh my God...” Putting your head in your hands, you then quickly lift it after a moment, pressing your lips together as you raise your hands. “Whatever. It’s fine. Let’s just, please, move past it. It’s over, I got it out the way, it was civilised, it’s done.”

“You’re right, you’re so right, please let’s forget it. Let’s drink.”

“Yes, please.”

You tap your glass against Karen’s as she raises it, and both take a long drink.

Oh, God.

That had been... so uneventful you don’t quite know what to do with yourself. In all the times you’d thought about how this exact moment might go, you’d never thought it would be uneventful. You’d imagined yelling, or crying, sometimes even laughing, but this...

Well. It was really like it had meant nothing at all.

You don’t know why it’s getting to you so much. You broke up with him. Of course he’d have moved on and left it all behind, God, you have as well. You’ve both lived your lives, gone through so many things and come out the other side and... A break up when you were teenagers kind of pales in comparison.

Yeah. It’s all fine. In fact, you know what, you’re relieved. It’s mature. It’s done. That’s it. You don’t have to be best friends with him again, for fuck’s sake.

Lowering your drink, you don’t realise your internal monologue has played out on your face, eyes widening and narrowing. Looking up, you find Karen and Callahan staring at you.

Licking your lips, you shrug. “It’s fine. It’s fine. Who wants another drink?”

You’re out of your seat and heading to the bar before they can respond. Karen sits back in her chair as she blinks, watching you stride away.

“Can someone just please tell me what’s going on?” Callahan bursts out, his hands raised.

“Oh, God, sweetie...” Karen sighs, reaching for her drink again. “... I have no fucking clue.”

—————————————————————————————————

24th December 1982

“Ughhh... Oh, God...”

It’s not your own groaning that wakes you, but that of someone else.

Cracking open an eye, you stare up at the ceiling as the groaning continues.

Uh, my mouth is so dry...

Licking your lips, you turn your head and find Karen on the other side of the bed, her hair bedraggled and spilling across the pillow, mascara halfway down her face, lipstick smeared. Turning her own head, she looks at you and groans again.

“Am I alive?”

“I think so,” you rasp, and she groans mournfully.

“Ughhhh... I don’t even remember how we got home...”

Closing your eyes, you scratch at your forehead, trying to remember yourself.

You’d gone to the bar, drank, drank a lot, maybe danced a little, spoken with your old classmate, Jessica? Justine? and then... Oh, what was his name again...

“Callahan,” you murmur, your throat aching. “Callahan brought us home.”

“Oh, yeah... Didn’t we ask him to turn on his lights?”

Your lips twitch as you recall how you’d both screamed with joy and whooped and cheered as he’d turned on the lights, waving your arms from side to side.

You snort and she glances at you. A laugh escapes you as you think about the absurdity of it all, and then she’s laughing, too, her cackle loud and delighted.

“Oh my God... Ugh, that was fun...” she sighs, her smile lingering.

“Yeah...” you murmur, stretching your legs out.

“We’ll have fun tonight, too.” She pats your hand, exhaling a breath. “If we just... If we just sleep ‘till noon, and then we can start preparing the house... Maybe even two, it won’t take long...”

You hum, closing your eyes, and, yeah, sleeping a little longer does sound like a good idea... Besides, when you’re unconscious, you don’t have to think about a certain embarrassing event that happened...

Perfect.

You focus on the softness of the bed as Karen snores lightly beside you, already fast asleep... Yeah... the joy of unconsciousness...

—

“... Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock... Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring... Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun... Now the jingle hop has begun...”

Adjusting a plate on the table, you straighten and blow out a breath, trying to stifle a yawn.

I really can’t handle a night out anymore.

Brushing your hands together, you turn, surveying the party that’s in full-swing. It’s only a couple of hours in but it’s already a success. People are talking, laughing, dancing, singing, eating, drinking, having a merry old time in general really. You feel more proud than you would have thought as your gaze drifts across the room.

You’d had to shake Karen awake at half one, both of you practically dehydrated and feeling not so fresh. After drinking copious amounts of water, showering, changing and finally eating, realising you were both starving, you’d flown around the house together, tidying, cleaning, cooking up food, putting drinks out and decorating. It had been another whirlwind but a wonderful whirlwind. You’d had so much fun, and hadn’t thought once about The Incident. An hour before the party was due to start, you and Karen had gotten ready, selecting slightly more festive outfits than the ones you’d worn last night.

Now, she’s in the kitchen, laughing at something a neighbour is saying, while Mike and Nancy talk in separate corners with some of their friends who have turned up, and Ted, who’d you’d finally bumped in to and greeted, was sat in his armchair, talking with a guy who looked slightly desperate to get away.

The doorbell chimes and you catch Karen’s eye, waving your hand and mouthing, “I’ll get it,”, as you’ve done so for the last few chimes.

You have to carefully push your way past people on the way to the foyer, which is surprisingly empty. Moving to the door, you grip the handle and pull it open, a smile already on your lips.

“Hey—”

You cut yourself off, pausing as you stare up at the man.

Hopper stares back at you, shoulders slightly hunched from the cold, hands in his pockets.

"Hi,” he says, glancing behind you briefly.

"Hey,” you repeat, your heart pounding.

... Whaaaaaat is he doing here?

As if he’s somehow heard your thought, he clears his throat and raises his eyebrows a little. “Uh, Callahan said we were invited.”

Oh, fuck, yes, you’d forgotten Karen had insisted he come, and you, jokingly, had said, ‘Hey, why not invite Hopper, too?’

Haha. Ha. What a hilarious joke. What a hilarious little joke that Callahan clearly hadn’t taken as a joke so it is now real.

Just as you realise you haven’t answered him, he clears his throat again. “Should I—”

“Oh, no, God, sorry, come in.” Holding the door open, you step back, gesturing with your other hand into the foyer.

He steps in, glancing at the party beyond before he turns to you as you close the door, looking up at him.

You’re staring again.

Swallowing, you point at the stairs. “Uh, coats are up here, I’ll show you.”

Before he can answer, you stride to the steps and ascend, gripping the bannister.

Ooh... Ooh, what’s happening... What am I doing...

You’ve shown the last few people up to where the coats are being kept, just in case you can’t see them out, but this is... This is rather intimate.

You hear him behind you, following you up, and you make yourself exhale a long breath to try and calm your heart.

Be an adult.

The coats are being kept where they usually would at a Wheeler party; the guest room, AKA your room. It’s one of the reasons you’ve been basically escorting people up to it, not wanting them to linger in there or have a stranger possibly go through your things.

Pushing the door open, you step in to the dimly lit room and gesture at the bed that’s piled high with coats, scarves and jackets.

“Just here, leave it anywhere.”

He stands in the doorway, hands back in his pockets.

“I’m actually not stayin’ long, I’ve got a shift soon.”

Your hands drop. “Oh. Okay...” You can’t stop a slight frown from crossing your features. “Why did you come up, then?”

Hopper meets your gaze, his jaw moving minutely. “‘cause I want to talk to you.”

“Oh.”

Oh.

You’re sweating, your fingers flexing by your side.

Okay, here we go, he’s gonna yell at me and tell me everything he’s been holding back, here we go...

Shifting his stance, he leans against the doorframe, his gaze holding yours. “Listen, last night, I... I’m sorry I left so abruptly. That wasn’t, uh... polite of me.”

... Well, that’s not what you’d expected.

Your lips parted, you gaze at him. “Uh, no, no, no, it’s fine, I, I completely get it. It’s, uhm...” You pause, swallowing. Then, you smile faintly, and just say it, your voice dropping slightly. “... It’s weird, isn’t it.”

“Yeah. Fuck, yeah, it is.” He lets out a laugh, and for some reason the sound of it warms you. “I was a little taken aback when I saw you, I was totally unprepared.”

“Oh, me, too.” You exhale a laugh, your smile easing. “I wanted to say so many things but my brain wasn’t quite connected to my mouth.” You laugh again, though it’s more nervous this time, because you know if you don’t say it now, you never will. Your tongue gliding across your lips, you raise your hands a little. “Look, Hop, I...” Fuck, it feels strange saying his name again. “... I’m sorry for how things ended between us.”

Hopper’s already shaking his head before you’ve finished, a slight dip to his brow. “Don’t be. I think it was the kick up the ass I needed, and I knew you were right. Took me a little while to admit that, but, yeah.”

“Still, I could have given us a chance—”

“We were kids,” he cuts you off gently with a light smile, shrugging. “Neither of us knew what we were doin’ or how to handle somethin’ like that.”

You snort. “I still don’t.”

A corner of his mouth lifts a little higher. “Yeah, me, too.” Grazing his teeth over his lower lip, you watch him as he seems to consider something, your cheeks heating slightly at his intense gaze. “... Stop me if I’m, uh, treadin’ where I shouldn’t, but, and I’m just connectin’ the dots here, you said you’re stayin’ in Hawkins indefinitely, is that because something similar has happened?”

You give a faint smile, pointing a finger at him as you raise your eyebrows. “Yeah, you got me. I, uhm...” Here we go... “... I broke up with my fiancé. Or, he broke up with me, actually.” Your smile widens a little more. “Good connecting, you must be a great Chief.”

“Well, I do my best.” He looks sympathetic in a way that is mercifully not pitying. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. I feel like shit every day, but, it was for the best. He was an asshole. I just didn’t want to see it.”

“How come he did the breaking up, then?”

You fold your arms, exhaling a breath. “He met someone else. Didn’t even bother to hide it or save my feelings. Just told me.”

“That sucks.”

“Yeah, it really did.”

“Still,” he nods his head at you, “you seem much better off.”

You feel a little proud at that, because, actually, you feel like a mess. “Thanks. Karen’s letting me stay here until I figure out what I wanna do. I don’t even know if I like my job anymore or if it’s just everything that’s going on making me feel like I hate it, or maybe I have hated it for a while and I just don’t want to admit that to myself either.” You catch yourself from continuing, releasing a sheepish laugh. “I’m sorry, I’m just rambling on now, you can go back down—”

“Nah, it’s okay, I like listenin’ to you.”

He says it so sincerely, holding your gaze, that you don’t quite know what to do. Biting at your lower lip briefly, you look away for a few moments, your fingers twisting together.

“Well... Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

You can hear the smile in his tone, so you look up, and God...

You’ve missed that smile.

His expression is so soft, too, so gentle and...

No, no, no, no... No, it’s just because you’re sad and it’s Christmas and—

Clearing his throat, he leans an arm against the chest of drawers beside the door.

“Y’know, I... I’ve thought about you over the years, thought about reachin’ out. I heard from someone years ago that you were in New York and I... I told myself I was gonna look you up but... I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. Didn’t know if you’d even want to see me.”

A smile pulls at your lips, your chest aching slightly. “I think I would have.” Biting at your lower lip again, you take a breath. “... I’ve thought about you, too. Sometimes I think about if I made the biggest mistake of my life in leaving you.”

He blinks, before quickly smiling, shaking his head. “Like I said, we were just kids. We didn’t know any better.”

“I know.”

You’re gazing at each other again, quietly.

Don’t.

Clearing your throat, you make yourself smile. “I’m so sorry, I should have offered you a drink, I—”

“Would you like to go out for a drink?” he asks, so swiftly that it’s as if he’d been waiting to. “So we can catch up properly?”

Staring at him, you feel something quietly ignite within you. He looks somewhat nervous, and for some reason it calms you instantly.

A softer smile returning to your lips, you nod. “I’d like that.”

One corner of his mouth lifts a little higher than the other as he straightens, his hands falling to his sides. “Good. Okay. I’ll call. I gotta head out now, sorry, I just wanted to drop by before my shift.”

He wanted to drop by... to see me.

Trying to contain your smile, you move towards him, heading for the door. “It’s okay, I’ll walk you out.”

“Thanks.”

You head down the hallway and stairs in silence, your heart fluttering wildly. You’re suddenly very aware of your body, and of his right behind you, and oh my God, when was the last time I felt this way?

Pulling the door open, you hold it for him as you smile.

“Well, I hope your shift goes okay.”

“Thanks.”

He’s stood before you, a hand in his pocket, and he doesn’t move.

Then, his other hand moves to rest on your arm gently as he lowers his head and presses a soft kiss to your cheek.

Oh, fuck.

His lips brushing against your skin makes your heart stop and every inch of your skin warm. It’s brief, far too brief, and when he pulls his head back to look at you, you desperately hope you don’t look as flustered as you feel.

Giving a slightly breathless smile, you hold his gaze. “Merry Christmas, Hop’.”

The smile he gives in return has you feeling a way you know you haven’t in years.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

—————————————————————————————————

Reblogs and comments make my day in a way I can’t describe.

Let me know if you’d like to be tagged or removed in my future work!

Masterlist

Tagged: @herb-welch, @punkpascal @davidkharboursex, @jobean12-blog, @warmbeardsandredwine, @mademoiselle-black, @scrunchinn, @flames-bring-a-ton-of-ash, @divadinag, @star-spangled-man-with-a-plan, @deepsouth, @neganslittlebae, @ashphoenix105, @alahmorah, @daughterofthebrowncoats, @letsby, @tbkc, @kiwiphroot, @ashmely, @sistasarah-sallysaidso, @unicornsandgliiitter, @lucifer-in-leather, @heyjudeinthesky, @sleepylunarwolf, @ambeazyyy, @countryfire22, @sithlordslut, @mondsafari, @norcula, @earinafae, @beltzboys2015-blog, @jinxiejenna, @justsimplevicky, @hellosupernaturaldoctor, @ginasellsbooks, @dwarvenbunnyears, @vale0413, @mrslydiaholden, @kimberliinabox, @thoughtsmeander2tumblingblindly, @allylupin, @cant-shake-this-feeling-off, @the-bitch-gotham-deserves, @warriorqueen1991, @thesurestthing, @zuni21798, @quietlovelovely, @maddieisaboredable, @windinyoursnail, @happy-hopper, @yedi16, @negansdirtygirl22, @slipperywhenwetsstuff, @my-rosegold-soul @madkskillz, @im-not-great-at-making-up-names, @sergeantangel, @bitchinsinclair, @dewy-biitch, @focusonspn, @wearethebrokenones, @sarcasm-is-my-native-tounge, @thatprettymvthafvcka, @pulplorrd, @gifsbysimplysonia, @opalsandlacemain @geordiequeen, @gothackedalready, @ayatimascd, @missaudreyhorney, @chiefharbour, @l0ve-0f-my-life, @saltandroot

Apologies to those Tumblr won’t let me tag!

#jim hopper x reader #jim hopper x you #hopper x reader #chief jim hopper x reader #stranger things fic #hopper x you #my writing #flamehairedwritings #pheeewwww #just a lil something to ease back in

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memeingovermemes · 4 years

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animal crossing: new horizons -- sentence starters:

feel free to change titles / pronouns / places where appropriate !

❝ hey , it’s you again ... talking to me again. ❞ ❝ i came up with a new nickname that’s perfect for you ! ❞ ❝ you wouldn’t believe how much interest there is in this stuff . it even surprises me sometimes ! ❞ ❝ you got some talent , kiddo ! ❞ ❝ island life is so invigorating ! staying inside all day would be a terrible waste . ❞ ❝ when it comes to the world of fab fashion , what do you think is the most important part of being stylish ? ❞ ❝ when our flowers are happy , i’m happy , ___ . ❞ ❝ even i can’t go 100% ALL the time . life’s already tough , so you don’t gotta’ make it tougher ! ❞ ❝ i can’t help but puff my feathers with pride ! ❞ ❝ i moved ! here ! i live here now ! walking distance from your house ! you ! the only person i know here ! ❞ ❝ some folks call it pouting , but i say it’s me telling the world to QUIT BEING MEAN ! ❞ ❝ where would we be if we never shot for the moon ? ❞ ❝ i get knocked over by the wind sometimes ! i just lay there until the weather calms down ! ❞ ❝ rumor has it that when it comes to TV shows , you’re kind of obsessed with ___ . ❞ ❝ every time i look at it , i get this warm feeling inside ... like when she would hug me . ❞ ❝ i am indeed tempted to purchase these for my personal collection ... but no . i must exercise restraint . ❞ ❝ your name’s ___ ? i hope i pronounced that right . ❞ ❝ you making your usual rounds , ___ , or is this a special visit ? ❞ ❝ you’d know best -- am i pulling this look off , ___ ? ❞ ❝ oh! why don’t i go get my dictionary ? ❞ ❝ awww ! she said all that about me ? consider my day made ! ❞ ❝ what’s with that look ? ❞ ❝ this store is so warm and cosy ... sometimes i find a quiet corner and take a nap ! ❞ ❝ OK , OK ... um ... which one has more pictures ? ❞ ❝ i love gettin’ dressed up in clothes that aren’t mine and running around pretending to be someone else ! ❞ ❝ how is it MY fault they didn’t know what they were buyin’ ? ❞ ❝ give ‘im a hard time fo me , if you happen to trip over him . gahaha ! ❞ ❝ i wish i had some treats to offer you . i probably should have made spice cake in advance ... ❞ ❝ one glance and it’s like you’ve known the artist for years . ❞ ❝ sunny days are my absolute fave . on a sunny day , it feels like anything is possible ! ❞ ❝ what’s the mood over in ___ville ? ❞ ❝ winter went , and spring has come ! let’s celebrate by doing something dumb ! ❞ ❝ but after a little while , like ... it turns into HOME . ❞ ❝ i’m so thankful to you and everyone else on this island ! ❞ ❝ i looked in my snack stash ... on my roof ... in my secret snack stash ... out back where i accidentally bury stuff ... ❞ ❝ between you and me , i think i might be the biggest ___ fan on this island ... ❞ ❝ believe me , when you’re happy , i’m happy . ❞ ❝ did you know that each of the constellations has its own story ? indeed , sometimes many stories ! ❞ ❝ sometimes , when i can’t wake up in the morning , i run in circles and scream really loud for a few minutes ! ❞ ❝ feel free to look at all my fab stuff and validate my life choices ! ❞ ❝ i wasn’t sure i believed that umbrellas could be fashionable , but i love how you look with one . ❞ ❝ after all , we’re in this together , partner , hm ? ❞ ❝ tell you what else is looking sparkly ! it’s legit you , ___ ! spring is WAY your season ! ❞ ❝ am i hallucinating or was that feedback signed by ___ ? ❞ ❝ i wanna take off , but first you need to stop chatting and close your Nookphone . ❞ ❝ what ? it kind of rhymed . shut up . ❞ ❝ i tell you , i have a funny feeling about it , ___ ! and i don’t mean “funny” funny , i mean weird funny . ❞ ❝ what could i even say i was good at ? who’d want to hire someone with experience in baking and reading ? are there cookbook researchers ? ❞ ❝ i knew i was right about you , ___ . ❞ ❝ it got me seriously tensed up , like we’re about to be invaded by a bunch of evil pirates or something . ❞ ❝ i was like , waaay into this walk , but then it started to get boring . then i found you , and it’s fab again! ❞ ❝ what have you gotten yourself into ? ❞

#animal crossing #animal crossing new horizons #sentence starters #rp meme #roleplay #rp #roleplay meme #nintendo #food mention tw

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odinson-dottirteatarots · 3 years

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Capricorn constellation reading to all (21st of December- 21st of January)- since I won't be doing a stream for it nor a "stage" on discord

They are from scattered Christmas decks. Some of them are Corrine Kenner deck, some are for decks on etsy actually ☺️

Nevertheless , when I google Christmas, I see new things including sets of tarot.

This reading is focused, yet simple. It picks same cards on some level from variant decks. A confirmation of a message , to essence and detail.

The Capricorn ♑ is constellation of most upturning events, the traits of its people, with their mysterious preserved ways, skinny figure, cheisled bone structure and cheek bones, intellectual interest or soak on a work, introspective steps, truly parallel their card; the devil. Winter solstice marks beginning of this constellation. And the devil card is manifesto of all reality to this earthly realm, creating duality of gender, concepts, perception, yet beautiful and nurturing experience of it if you know how to tap into devil/ Capricorn/ goat energy. Its Christ's birth energy. Most saviours are born in Capricorn, sol invictus, the sun, Baldr, Dionysus, Jesus, Horus. Darkest night is birth of sun god/ son god.

The manifestation of heavenly divine to our world.

The sun card in nightmare before Christmas addresses that type of absolutely inner light. The sun rarely shows in that deck. Maybe just an orange colour on the fool and the world. Its why i let you see "the fool card".

Jack finds his sun in Christmas town. Dont anticipate though. Too much truth or enlightenment undirected is an inspiration going wobbly. Everything has season, he had to understand it. Take things slowly this Christmas. People will need to accept cancellation of festivals in many parts of the world. Find new smooth easy cosy practices to shine their sun. Even a small meditation on the self will be good, as the high priestess card confirms.

Christmas can tackle lots of wise lessons, use what you can, meditate slowly. Learn to rest. Animals are resting. Evergreen grows only in darkness. Grow in that.

In your stillness. Embrace yourself if no one else does.

Life can contain surprises. King of swords from Christmas tarot and nine of swords represents a shocking truth usually, a good omen shooting your face after long wait and expectation. Care of father Christmas is primordial in figure. Not like coca Cola's commercial Santa, father Christmas is a bishop, he is saturn god of time. A paternal figure in the family, a godfather visiting for first time in long years giving you small act of kindness and shoulder pat. Friends long gone might return in January. Beware of venus retrograde then, it misses with the emotional judgement. But say hi, be normal.

Everyone has money problems and feel worried in gloomy season, but through inner light, being in moment until the festives are gone can do. Its always a controversial season because its a spiritual nexus. Father Christmas is Odin, in wild hunt. Also Annihilating aspects of the self/ soul.

Christmas card is chariot. Life must go on. Go through Christmas that way. There will be ups and downs. But doing what you must is how things can go on.

The magician guides you to keep your charitable spirit during Christmas 12 days till epiphany and until end of January. Your magick is in mixing your elements of mental power, good memories, hopes, triggers. Find right triggers to take strong steps and make plans. Mental control or magick development on the rise. Keep your lessons undercheck. Contemplate your steps. Look with wide open eyes to all things this winter. You are the light. You got all answers inside your sack.

The hermit is yourself searching or resting and taking seclusion that is needed. Find your pace, trip, the way for next year. The way find you too. The answers are with you. Also you are surrounded by good fertility omens and life omens even in snow. Promises.

The sun in Christmas tarot shines again as new year's eve and new year day card. Father Christmas visiting still , through land , train or sea. A trip. A good vacation to those planning.

Transformation that is inner. Or triggered by a journey in which you see new things.

The world cards give you a blessing to have all you want, to crown the year and your life too in the second card depicting the girl in green dress.

You are master of your own universe. Trust that In divine providence.

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alexsfictionaddiction · 3 years

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Alex Recommends: November Books

I’m delighted to report that November has been a quiet, chilled month. That’s exactly what I’ve needed before the hecticness that will be December. I’ve had plenty of work to do recently but in terms of travel and social occasions, it has been thin on the ground and I’ve fully embraced that!

The cold is setting in here and I’ve been cosying up with Christmas films and TV shows. This is my favourite time of year and I’m determined to make the most of it by indulging in all my favourite things. I’m very happy to have got most of my Christmas shopping done already, so I do feel that I can fully relax properly and enjoy the season now.

November was the month that I somehow managed to reach the 200 books read mark for 2021. I’ve never read that much in a single year (and there’s still a month to go!) but I am really proud of myself. I’ve read an amazing variety of genres and cultures too, so I’m hoping this is something I’ll be able to continue into 2022. I’ve been approved for many 2022 releases that sound amazing, so I can’t wait to start reviewing them for you!

Here are five books that I’ve enjoyed this month that I think you will too. Stock up on these fantastic stories and give your loved ones the best gifts you possibly can this Christmas -books!

-Love, Alex x

FICTION: We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza.

Riley and Jen have been best friends since they were children. Now as adults, Riley is a single Black woman and successful broadcaster on a national TV network while Jen is finally pregnant after years of trying. When Jen’s husband Kevin, a white police officer, is involved in the shooting of an unarmed Black boy, their friendship is thrown into turmoil. This immersive novel about race and how it affects everyone completely gripped me in its clutches and refused to let go. With themes of systemic racism, white privilege and motherhood, it’s a story of a very strong and loving but flawed friendship. It’s both highly emotional and fantastically hopeful. A must-read for our time!

LITERARY FICTION: Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout.

The third book in the Amgash series sees Lucy Barton reunite with her ex-husband William, as he investigates the case of a half-sister that he never knew he had. Lucy Barton is a very flawed but relatable and wise character. The book oozes empathy and simplicity while celebrating the complexities and joys of human relationships. It’s a simple story with themes of mental health, motherhood and miscarriage decorated with a warm humour and a beautiful, everlasting friendship.

MIDDLE-GRADE: The Chime Seekers by Ross Montgomery.

Yanni hates his new house and his baby sister Ari but when an evil faerie replaces her with a changeling, Yanni knows that he has to get her back. With the help of his fantasy-loving cousin Amy, he must journey to the faerie realm of Hallow Fall to embark on an epic quest to save his sister and the faeries from the tyranny of a nefarious overlord. The intricate world-building in this fairytale with strong Rumplestiltskin vibes is amazing. There is a fantastic variety of mythical creatures and an adventure with genuine high stakes. I was fully absorbed in the magic of Hallow Fall and was constantly championing the lovely friendships. A gorgeous winter, middle-grade fantasy read!

YA: How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao.

When Nancy’s best friend Jamie goes missing before being found dead, shockwaves ripple through their elite high school. Then a mystery online presence named ‘The Proctor’ begins posting secrets and inside information about the people around Jamie. Rumours start to circulate that Nancy and her friends Krystal, Alexander and Akil might have had something to do with Jamie’s death, so they have to uncover what really happened before everything comes crashing down around them. This is a really gripping YA thriller with a completely unguessable resolution because everyone seems to be a suspect. It explores issues of class amongst Asian families, which reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians, but that’s really where the similarities end. There is a student/teacher relationship which is very easy to hate and adds to the drama of what’s going on. A perfect winter read for Karen M. McManus fans.

THRILLER: The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward.

A young girl went missing years ago and her sister thinks she has finally found the man responsible. She can finally get revenge. In an ordinary house on an ordinary street, this man is living an existence that very few people know anything about at all. There are things buried in the woods by Needless Street but they’re probably not what you think they are. A lot of people have talked about this book in recent months and it’s a given now that this book is very strange and unsettling. I didn’t really grasp what was really happening for the first half of the book but things gradually began to make sense. It’s a very clever novel with themes of loneliness, trauma, abuse and only realising the impact of these things in later life. I understand why some readers wouldn’t like the way that the truth of this story is used but I very much appreciated it for the excellence of the characters and overall uneasy feeling that meant I couldn’t put it down.

#november books #book recommendations #recommendations #books #bookworm

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backtodecember · 3 years

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🦔🐧

Guess what I did last week? I bought socks with HEDGEHOGS ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS on them AND socks of PENGUINS SKIING. HOW AMAZING IS THAT!!!

Anyway, well that's the last time I tell anyone anything about animal anons plans, otherwise they will be spoiled and ruined by my friends! Oh well, it's all in good fun (and also forced me to keep my commitment of posting tonight despite being depressed that Jurgen got sent home...#gbbospoilers)!

Well as many people have predicted correctly, I passed the Bar! Hallelujah! I was sworn in as an attorney this week so I am officially an esq! I also am scheduled to received my dolly booster shot next week and earlier this month I started a new (not 80 hours a week) job! So I have had a fabulous month and have many things to be thankful for including my epic sock purchase! Which is perfect timing for the holiday ahead! So I wanna know what you are thankful for this year? I know it's been a tough year for so many so it can be as small or as large as you can think!

I'm so excited to learn more about everyone's year and what you're thankful for! Remember to tag animal anon (if you so desire) because I love scrolling through all your amazing responses! And since it was requested of course I LOVE atwtmvtv and the short film! My favorite vault song is IBYTAM because I love LOVE LOVE CS (please everyone go watch his performance with Jhud from the CMAs, it is mind-blowing)!

And remember, animal anon thinks you are all beautiful talented gorgeous people who are all killing it at life! ❤

hi again animal anon!!!!

your new socks sound amazing omg! perfect for cosying up in the late autumn/early winter season!

oh I was soo sad about jurgen too! he's genuinely such a talented baker though I think he'll go far! who are you rooting for to win? I kinda want chigs to but that might also be cos of my crush on him lmaoooo

congrats again on passing the bar! that's all sooo exciting! what a huge achievement! and im so happy to hear your new job is a bit more manageable! you've achieved soo much this year you should be so proud of yourself!

ooh that's quite hard. for me 2021 has been really rough cos I went through quite a lot of loss. but I guess I'm grateful for my mom and my dogs and my profs. they've been what's got me through for sure!

so happy to hear you loved atwtmvtv and the short film! and ibytam slaps! I loved the music video and hope blake directs more stuff in future! she seems so talented!

sending you all my love and support as always! 💜

#asks #animal anon

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skyphile · 4 years

Text

grahams big holiday gift post aka “ITS BEEN YEARS SINCE IVE DONE THIS pwease go easy on me”

so while graham and the beautiful wife spent most of the holiday season living in luxury and getting pampered at grahams dad’s, graham had plenty of time to amass a collection of gifts and baked goods to give his friends upon their return home!

heres the list of them

@morbidkind kes - a lot of fluffy scarves and knitted things to keep them warm at work, pretty glass and clockwork trinkets and jewelry shaped like bugs and eyes, horribly misshapen bug decorated sugar cookies

@velcrounit colin - a whole family of crochet mushrooms AND a needlefelt figure of stan from spiritfarer bc im sure the household played it and sobbed over it. graham would also love to try his hand at a bunch of greek desserts and use colin as his guinea pig dfkhdsf. horrible plant decorated sugar cookies

dad - a hat, oven mitt and scarf set, a few short music compositions that are heartfelt and sweet. aardvark decorated sugar cookies that do NOT look like them at all

mom - also a music composition, along with a ton of cosy planters, knitted stuff to hold her art supplies, and a warm scarf to share between her and her gf. sugar cookies that completely bastardize a landscape

neighbours - cookies for everyone!

baradisers - aside from a sexy holiday bonus, they are probably going to hold a feast next saturday that anyone can attend around a HUGE table

cat - a whole collection of small indie games. horrible looking sugar cookies in a sad attempt of drawing ornstein and smough

@nemorialex alex - tiny needle felt figurines of snow and ash, a whole bunch of knitted things with needlefelt details on them, and also a TON of knitted stuff for the baby… sugar cookies with abominable decorations that vaguely resemble dragons

@stakehammer johnlal - needlefelt figurines of moths, a stupidly large tentacle, and sugar cookies with poorly done cute black kitties on them

@agreste-image adrien - a short musical composition that evokes feelings of motivation, support and hope, a bunch of silly knitted things with black cat motifs, a needle felt plagg for plagg, a platter of nice stinky cheese for plagg, a whole tray of assorted passion fruit pastries, sugar cookies with disastrous black kitties

@gho2ty ghosty - a whole music composition done in 8bit that evokes tenderness, softness and determination, a bunch of needlefelt alternian bees, a set of entrelac knitted sweaters, scarf and gloves, sugar cookies with a shameful attempt of a minecraft bee drawn on them

@vulcaniq jim - a cover collection of striking star trek tracks, graham would also legit get a tamagochu pair to split with her (as an excuse to hang out more and bc theyre so silly and cute), and make a few floral/fruit crocheted hats. jims sugar cookies were supposed to look like spock but the ears did NOT turn out well and so did nothing else

@thatsillyjohnkid jay - he gathered as much appropriate wool as he could and needlefelt the biggest alolan exeggutor he could manage... his sugar cookies were similar and TERRIBLE

@liliumsunshine hinata - graham goofed around and tried to emulate a heavy metal style in his silly piano set up and covered somebody that i used to know for her in an attempt to mock the band u know. he used up a bunch of his purple and light lilac yarn to make her pretty winter set of warm accessories, and needlefelt soft creatures. he tried to make sugar cookies with horns but they all cracked and fell off

@trainstoppin furry john - he got the fluffiest yarn he could find and turned it into a hat with earflaps, a thick scarf and chunky mittens. he made him a needlefelted creeper. his sugar cookies were supposed to look like the moon but. the icing sort of meshed and oozed everywhere….

@daviscatessen davis - he needlefelted a bunch of flowery figurines for him, and turned the mamma mia soundtrack into an 8bit cover collection. his knitted hat has a flower crown needlefelted into it. his sugar cookies were made with flower cookie cutters but they got too Thick

@gardencracks aria - a whole series of plant, leaf, flower and fruits crocheted into a long garland. a big tray of parisian pastries. her sugar cookies are covered in ivy that looks like Big Blobs

@turntechgarchomp pokemon dave - a needlefelt pokemon team with blaziken, pikachu, togepi, riolu, gibble, dragapult. pikachu shaped sugar cookies, but the red icing from the cheeks bled EVERYWHERE...

@immarcescible feferi (I KNEW ID FORGOTTEN SOMEONE OFF MY OG LIST) - needlefelt octopi! a crochet sushi set! sugar cookies shaped like fish (the colours are A MESS)

@endoosteologist coco - a small collection of sanrio needlefelt figurines. a BIG cake but the decorations could be…. better. hello kitty sugar cookies from hell….

@emberoops ember - a small set of cute needlefelt firebirds. sugar cookies with melted off fire coloured icing

@thedoomtrout max - I WISH IT WAS REAL but imagine this loser giving u a bunch of needle felt furries, including ur fursona, and bowser shaped sugar cookies that got all messed up…

graham is a HORRIBLE dessert decorator but all food items would be fricking delicious and decadent… he wouldve also written cute little notes with everyone, appreciation for friendship, general good wishes and a dad joke

#ooc #holiday gifts #ooc save #long post #here we GO

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tiliamericana · 3 years

Text

Muay Thai: 1.11

“Nairi! Over here!”

Nairi turned automatically at the sound of Linden’s voice and saw her waving from across the room. Linden was fresh-faced and her hair was newly cropped and dyed; a deeper, richer red that matched her lipstick. She’d also taken the corner table and was sitting with her back to the room, the chair for Nairi free on the other side.

Her lip twitched up despite herself as she took the seat against the wall. “Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” said Linden cheerfully. “I grabbed us some drinks and a couple of big soups. No bacon in yours, I checked.” She was grinning as she said it, poking the very tip of her tongue under her two front teeth and tilting her head to the side. The light filtering through the window next to them made her eyes seem very round and bright.

“Thanks,” said Nairi, shrugging her jacket off and taking a moment to hang it over the back of her chair, using the movement as an excuse to drag her eyes away from Linden’s too-blue gaze. “I never really know what to get.”

Though the limited options of most vegetarian menus usually made that decision for her. Linden seemed to agree with her, nudging her foot against Nairi’s under the table. “Don’t think too hard about it. Veg options are nice and I’m enjoying the start of hot soup weather, you know?”

Nairi gave her a small smile as she looked back, and she bumped her foot back against Linden’s. “Isn’t it always soup weather?”

“Nope!” said Linden, her grin widening. “C’mon, you’re telling me you want soup and hot things in the middle of August? It’s nearly Christmas, embrace the season.”

“It’s not like it stops being fall as soon as it’s the first, though,” said Nairi, her mouth twitching. “It takes a little to set in.”

Linden wrinkled her nose at her across the table. “Oh, come on, have some fun. Surely you and Aggy have started getting into like, cosy nights in with blankets and sweaters and shit instead of fun nights out on the town, or whatever?”

“I think you’re overestimating how much Agatha likes to go out to start with,” said Nairi.

Linden snorted, her grin a little ugly. “You don’t say?”

Nairi was halfway to asking what she meant by that, but they were interrupted by the arrival of their food. The soups were in deep, broad bowls with side dishes of toasted bread, and Linden had also ordered a cheese board, and tall, sweet sparkling drinks with fruit in them. It looked surprisingly tasty—Nairi had never really considered herself to be the kind of person who ate like this.

The waitress left after depositing the last dish, and she looked back across at Linden. “You’re enjoying the start of winter then? With your uh, poet boy, I mean—sweaters and blankets and nights in?”

Linden laughed, tugging her soup closer and immediately digging in, stirring the swirl of cream around the bowl. “Simon’s not really the ‘cuddling’ type,” she said dismissively.

“Hmm, I’m having a hard time picturing you on the couch in a boyfriend hoodie,” said Nairi lightly, pushing her soup around with the spoon.

Linden’s mouth twitched. “Speak for yourself, I enjoy the occasional boyfriend hoodie, it’s just not really Si and I’s relationship. Does this mean Aggy’s given you one of hers?”

“Wouldn’t it be a girlfriend hoodie then?” asked Nairi, humming a little.

Linden frowned, seemingly without meaning to because she immediately covered it with a sip from her drink, clearing her throat. “Boyfriend hoodie is a state of mind, not a matter of gender,” she said, pointing her spoon at Nairi.

“What, Agatha’s got a boyfriend state of mind and Simon doesn’t?” said Nairi, tearing at some bread. For once she didn’t have much of an appetite.

“Right, yeah,” said Linden, not quite able to cover her irritation. “Does it really matter what I do with Simon? Fuck, you sound like Nick.”

Somehow Nairi doubted that. “Why would Nicholas care what you do with your boyfriend?”

Linden laughed, her smile suddenly a little more honest, a little wry. “He doesn’t really like the guys I date,” she said rolling her eyes. “He really hated my first boyfriend—and I mean like, really hated him. He just worries, you know? All that shit. Wants me to find a strapping nice lad or lady who’ll make an honest woman of me and all that jazz.”

“Oh, the whole acting like you’re still sixteen thing?” said Nairi, slowly chewing her bread. “I can’t decide if that’s sweet or annoying.”

“Oh, you know, six of one and half a dozen of the other,” said Linden, leaning on one elbow. “It’s like how my dad keeps fussing about if I’m gonna get a good job based on my degree, or how Edie keeps ‘checking in’ as an excuse to bitch at me ‘cause she’s like, emotionally constipated.”

Nairi nodded. “Right.”

Linden was watching her, chewing slowly. “Not much of that in your life?” she asked. She had the decency to keep her tone light and neutral rather than sympathetic, at least.

Nairi shook her head, trying some of her soup to avoid answering.

“Don’t speak to your family much?” said Linden, probing a little more in the same, light, tone.

“Never met them,” she said eventually.

Linden nodded, eyes still on Nairi over her food. “That probably wouldn’t help. Foster shits-stem?”

“Not for very long,” said Nairi, giving up on her soup and picking up her drink instead. “So, how’s the painting going?”

Linden might be bitchy, or an asshole, or whatever other descriptor Agatha could drop at the mention of her name, but she knew how to take a hint at least. She grinned, cheeks dimpling. “Beautifully, you’re not allowed to see it yet,” she said archly. “I’m nearly done though, thank god.The temperature’s been dropping which means I need to keep the windows shut, if I have to spend much longer on this one project I’m going to suffocate on fumes.”

“That would be very embarrassing, you can’t even get a good high on turpentine,” said Nairi, taking a long drink.

Linden nodded, still grinning at her. “Exactly! And your grace period for accidental highs and fainting runs out once you graduate art school, if it happens the art police will show up and take my art license away.”

“At least it would be evidence you were using the degree? Get your dad off your back?” suggested Nairi, trying to get back towards Linden’s good humour.

Linden laughed. “A real art miracle.”

Nairi grinned back at her, setting her drink down again. Something settled inside of her, making her feel a little better. “Sorry,” she said after a moment, feeling a belated guilt for how she’d brushed Linden off so bluntly. “I didn’t mean to uh, I don’t know, jump back from you or whatever.”

Linden shook her head. “Don’t feel bad about it, we’ve all got sore spots. I mean, fuck, people get weird as hell when I mention that I don’t know anything about my mom, and I’m not even hung up on that.”

“That’s fair,” said Nairi, nodding back at her. “Everyone has a different standard for this stuff, huh?”

“Different strokes for different folks,” said Linden, winking exaggeratedly across the table at her.

Nairi laughed despite herself, the knot in her chest loosening a little more.

“But seriously,” said Linden, knocking their ankles together under the table again. “You’re my friend and I like you, but you’re kind of mysteriousand don’t have a lot of other friends. I’m trying to get to know you, you know? But I’m trying not to fuck it up. I don’t wanna just wander in and jam down on all your sensitive spots.”

Nairi smiled at her and knocked her ankles back lightly. “I appreciate it,” she said, glancing down at her lunch and hoping it would lessen how strangely wide her mouth felt on her face.

“I appreciate you,” said Linden, sounding delighted. “I mean, I can tell you right now that Agatha hasn’t managed to get a painting out of me yet.”

Nairi tried her soup again, actually tasting it this time. It was a little salty, but good, warm, soft on her tongue. “You paint only for special occasions, huh?”

“Pretty much,” teased Linden, still grinning at her. “I might have to do one for her birthday, make it up to her so she’s not too jealous.”

“But then you’ll have to paint one for everyone,” said Nairi, grinning back at her. “Otherwise even Nicholas might get jealous.”

“Oh, I’ll make him go so green that he’ll totally forget about the paintings I gave him for every birthday and Christmas while I was in college that he hid in his back closet so that he could tell me they were lovely and he definitely kept them,” joked Linden, leaning back in her chair.

“Well, if he kept taking them then he must have liked them,” said Nairi, digging into her lunch more eagerly now.

“Nah, he’s just polite like that,” said Linden. “It took me a while to figure out his whole, deal there, you know? Like, I dunno, he was really pleased that I got into school and was sticking with it, and he doesn’t have any real hobbies, he just, watches his old man TV and he doesn’t read novels, and if he was one of my girlfriends I’d just buy him earrings, but I don’t even know what the old guy equivalent of that is, and like, you can’t just keep getting watches every year. So I’d just like, paint him something based on whatever I was studying. I mostly get him gift cards these days, I think it’s a safer bet.”

Oh god, she also had to think about presents. “But jewellery’s a safe bet for friends?” she asked casually, finishing her soup. “I still have no idea what to do about Christmas and I don’t even know when your birthday is to start prepping for that, if gift buying’s so difficult.”

Linden laughed. “Please, I’m easy—I have a wholeass list of art supplies that constantly need replacing, Mason and Flo nailed that down within like five minutes of meeting me, and I can assure you that you’ll have time to prep for my birthday. I wanna actually make a fuss for twenty-seven, last year was kind of chill, you know? Plus, it’s like rightafter Christmas and I always have to spend that with my dad being all like, sober and respectable so it’ll be good to cut loose a little. You don’t even have to get me anything, but if you’re really worried you can just like, do the Christmas present in two parts, or just give me one and not the other.”

“Yeah?” said Nairi, nodding along with the flood of information. “I don’t really do the whole ‘Christmas’ thing, so that’s good to know.”

“As a religious thing, or you just don’t really feel it?” asked Linden, swiping up some soup with her bread.

“Religious, I guess,” said Nairi, shrugging. “I don’t really see the point.”

Linden nodded. “Noted. Do you do anything for your birthday?”

“Not recently,” said Nairi with another awkward shrug. “I’m not til June, anyway.”

“Oh, we missed it! We met like right after, too, that’s a pain in the ass,” said Linden, pouting.

“Wouldn’t it be kind of awkward to celebrate it if we’d only just met?” asked Nairi, finishing her soup.

Linden grinned, moving their bowls out of the way and reaching for the cheese board between them. “I just like any excuse to celebrate,” she admitted, picking up a little silver knife and prodding at the different wedges. “Birthdays are fun! You made it once more around the sun without dying, why not live it up a little?”

“That makes sense,” said Nairi, giving her another small smile in return. “I’m going to have to make a fuss next year, aren’t I?”

“Definitely,” said Linden, jutting her nose into the air with that small smile. “I like to do things for my friends’ birthdays, and don’tthink that Agatha’ll let you get away without her doing anything to help you celebrate either.”

“I figured yeah,” said Nairi wryly, and she pointed at one of the wedges of cheese that looked like it had fruit in it. “Do they usually do that to cheese?”

“Do what?” asked Linden, cutting a slice off and popping it in her mouth. “Make it delicious? Because yes. I’ll get you some for your birthday and prove it to you.”

Nairi tried a piece and made a face, her tongue immediately trying to reject it from her mouth. “Please don’t,” she said, covering her mouth and forcing herself to swallow, reaching for her drink, which prompted a laugh from Linden. “Anything but cheese with fruit in it. Very easy to buy for, I promise.”

“I get the feeling you’re going to be very tricky, actually,” said Linden, sucking a bit of cheese from her manicured nail with a little smirk playing on her dark, red lips. “I guess we’ll find out.”

—

After, when she said goodbye to Linden outside the café and started the walk home in higher spirits, she felt her cell phone vibrate in her jacket pocket. She slowed as she walked, pulling it out and hitting the unlock button to see who was texting her.

Missed calls and text notifications filled her screen, all from Agatha. Nairi frowned and opened the oldest first.

Aga.D: Are we still on for lunch?

Oh no.

Aga.D: Nairi? Aga.D: Have you left your phone on silent again? Aga.D: Okay it’s been an hour so I’m going to eat something. Call me back? Aga.D: Can you call me when you get these? I’m starting to worry.

Fuck. Nairi flipped back to her phone log and hit the call back option on the most recent, walking towards her apartment, head down and the other hand in her pocket against the rising chill as she waited for Agatha to pick up.

#serial fiction #lgbt fiction #series honey tree #book muay thai #111

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sortavibing · 4 years

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hi hi! could i have a male haikyuu matchup if that’s okay? i’m 5’5, she/her with long dark brown hair with the front half of my right side dyed white, green eyes and tan skin! i’m super bubbly, loud, naturally v flirty and my love language is physical touch! i love working out and i’m a huge foodie. i’m stubborn and impulsive, love rain and storms, coffee and i’m pretty open to pda! i’m emotional, super confident (in myself and socially), bold, giggly, energetic and observant (especially of people feelings) i tend to ramble a lot especially if i’m passionate about something but i’m a super good listener and love comforting others! i’m a night owl - love late night adventures, i’m super playful and love teasing people! i’m a bit of a goof ~

i’m spontaneous, optimistic, passionate and ambitious but i have super high standards for myself so sometimes i tend to overwork! i’m sooo competitive - even just playfully, wear my heart on my sleeve but i try to hide it behind my ego but in reality i’m a HUGE SOFTIE n get easily attached! i’m self assured and super straight forward - especially about my feelings. i can be a bit of a drama queen but it’s just for fun and if i’m feeling annoying (always) my favourite seasons are autumn/winter, i LOVE boba, the outdoors and walks/hikes - i love cosy nights at home though! my ideal type is someone tall, who can make me laugh, doesn’t mind physical touch and is protective! tysm <3

hello! thank you for requesting! ack isn’t the rain so nice- i love it. also be sure to take care of yourself! anyways, here’s ur matchup!

i match you up with atsumu!

what first drew him to you was when he saw your competitive nature and your high standards for yourself, because he shares those same traits, and he would be able to help you become better, and you could do the same. he immediately went up to you with a cheesy pick-up line, asking for your number, and you quickly became friends and started dating a little while after.

every few weeks, you dye atsumu’s hair, because this man does not know how to do it properly (please make him use toner), so he always asks you for help, and while you are helping him, you touch up your own hair as atsumu puts on a cheesy rom-com for you guys to watch while the dye is setting in.

since you are comfortable with pda, atsumu will not hesitate to be super clingy wherever you go. he is not afraid to show you off to his entire team, whether it is with words, or by hugging and kissing you if you wait for him to walk with you after his volleyball practice ends.

both you and atsumu love to be a little petty and dramatic, so when you guys are together- chaos. like both of you are just putting on a whole ass show for everyone and people just have to watch, because if they don’t you guys will complain. (suna has many videos that he uses as blackmail)

almost every weekend, you guys go out to a local park and do whatever you feel like at the moment, whether it is working out, listening to music, or just talking about whatever comes to mind. to end these outings, you and atsumu go out for boba and a snack of his choice (he pays because he wants to be a gentleman).

atsumu loves to use your head as an armrest because he’s a dork like that, so if you are having a conversation with someone, he’ll come up to you and rest his arm on your head, and just pretend like nothing is going on, so you’ll just have to keep on talking with the other person.

since both you and atsumu are pretty competitive, you guys usually place bets with each other for small things, like who will get a better grade on a test, or who could get kita to compliment them first, and both of you have lost a lot of money to each other.

both of you tend to overwork yourselves, and atsumu understands that you want to be the best you can be, but he makes sure to remind you not to push yourself too hard, and you do the same for him. the inarizaki team is very grateful that you are able to make him see some reason in this matter, and kita has thanked u many times.

for osamu and atsumu’s birthday, you and atsumu tried to bake a cake for osamu as a gift, but the entire time you guys were just goofing around, and at the end, the cake didn’t even look like food, so you guys quickly decided to throw it out and get a store-bought cake, and just tell osamu that you guys made it.

overall, you guys are super chaotic and funny together, but you both are really driven to succeed, which amazes people. both of you are really flirty with each other, and you guys are mostly unashamed of pda, which leaves most people wishing they had as cute of a relationship that you and atsumu have.

i hope you enjoyed!

#haikyuu #haikyuu headcanons #atsumu miya #atsumu headcanons #haikyuu matchups #haikyu matchups #haikyuu!!#haikyuu x you #haikyu x you #atsumu imagines #haikyuu imagines #haikyu imagines

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runner5ive · 4 years

Note

😠!!! Grumpy apocalypse mom and our gremlin child, pretty please! 🥺

Janine and Five!

If you'd like to request something please go here to see who’s who! I've had a few requests so far and I'm starting to work through them, but there's still plenty of characters available 💕

Apologies this ones longer than I expected 😅 I just have a lot of love for Janine.

The moment Five arrives in Abel, Janine is delighted at the thought of having an actual military trained recruit in her township.

And for a while, it's exactly as she'd hoped it'd be. Five stands and salutes her whenever she walks by (even if no one else does), they do whatever tasks are given to them without argument. Hell, her name sign is 'Boss' and she is thrilled.

She thinks, for a moment, that perhaps This new soldier would be good for Abel. Maybe they'll help... reign in the other runners a little. Bring a level of seriousness to the township.

But then she starts to see Five change. Five becomes sillier, bouncier, less like a soldier and more like... like someone their own age.

And at first Janine's put down. She blames Sam and Simon for corrupting her perfect little soldier. Uncertain what she's doing wrong, she asks Five what Mullins was like, hoping for an idea of how to reign in her own runners. And so Five tells her, and Janine realises just how broken and miserable Five actually was when they arrived.

So, she figures, she might not have the perfect little soldier, but at least she has herself a happy, loyal runner.

And Five is loyal.

They don't leap to their feet every time she walks by anymore, but they always, without fail, salute her. They still call her Boss. They still do everything she asks without question. They're just... happier.

When Five thinks they'll be going back to Mullins at some point, they mostly crash on Janine's couch in the farmhouse, refusing any permenant lodgings incase they get too cosy. The minute Five decides they're staying - they move out and get their own corner of a housing tent and the farmhouse seems a lot... emptier without them there every morning and night.

Janine refuses to admit she misses them. She carries on, business as usual, certain that Five wouldn't be too bothered about seeing her other than during missions. But Five surprises her. She'll be sat in her office, pouring over documents and trying to figure out how to fairly share out rations, or planning missions. And she won't even notice anyone come in until she notices the mug of coffee and a biscuit beside her.

When she falls asleep during her work, Five will usually be the one waking her gentle, smiling warmly and giving her a friendly salute before suggesting she went to bed.

Janine is a strong, but somewhat socially awkward too. Listening to her on runs always makes them smile.

Spoilers from S1M6 below the cut:

Season 1

S1M6 Janine feels awful after leading Five into an ambush. She almost can't believe it. She was so sure they could trust New Canton, and she was wrong. She's frustrated with herself and her own poor judgement, taking it out on Sam before storming off to bed.

S1M7 When Five returns that night, dehydrated, exhausted and a little battered, Janine goes to visit them in the quarantine hospital rooms. Five is asleep, unaware she's there, but Janine is comforted at that moment just by watching them breathe.

After that, Janine shows more concern for Five in her own subtle ways. Checking they have all their supplies for long missions, making sure they have enough warm clothes in winter. She always asks Maxine for updates on their health if they ever need to go to the infirmary. She pretends not to care... but Five knows. And Five cares too.

Season 2

S2M1 Whilst Five is staying at New Canton, their cat Simon Pawchlan Feline De Luca ends ups living with Janine. She pretends to hate it, but honestly he’s good company. Plus, he’s a good mouse catcher. Though she cant help but think that the combination of hers and Simon’s names is a not so subtle hint from Five.

S2M4 The attack on Abel practically destroyed Five's bunk. Their friends were able to salvage most of their stuff, but the broken bed and the influx of those needing housing means that Five doesn't really have anywhere to stay when they return home from New Canton. Janine act frustrated that Sam had brought them back without checking with her first, especially since there's nowhere for them to stay, but she's secretly glad they're crashing on her couch again.

With the Major back at Abel, Janine can't help but notice the same stiffness return to Five when they take orders from this stranger, and it surprises her. Because this was the Major, the one in charge, and although Five had never met her before they must know she's trustworthy.

But Five warms slowly to this new person in charge. Not many others notice because they're all treading on eggshells now the Major is back, but for Five it's different. Janine is the one to realise that perhaps she reminds them of Mullins a little too much.

Janine is also surprised to see that any orders the Major gives them, Five's eyes would dart to Janine for confirmation. Five is a loyal runner, but only to those they know, and at that point they're loyal to Janine, not the Major.

Janine doesn't mention it to them, but she keeps an eye on Five, watching over the weeks as they gradually warm up to the Major. Still, there's not the same level of trust for the Major as there is for her.

S2M40 But then it turns out there's a traitor in Abel. And there's only so many people it can be. And Janine can't help but suspect Five. Because, let's be honest, Five hadn't really been there that long. Five arrived through rather suspicious circumstances. And Five still hadn't admitted who exactly they were before the apocalypse. Not even a name.

Five is hurt that Janine suspects them. It leaves them uneasy around her. But they still refuse to give her their name. When Janine demands an explanation why not, Five struggles to sign coherently. They're upset, but they manage to get the message across: they don't like who they were before and they're trying to forget. They're trying to be better. This of course only builds more suspicion.

S2M43 The day Simon is revealed to be the traitor, Janine is devestated. Because it can't be Simon. Not Simon. Not her stupid Simon. She listens as Jamie attacks him with the bat, stunned and horrified, but also hating herself for how she suspected Five more than anyone.

When Five gets back, they run straight up to Janine and throw their arms around her, stunning Janine, who is not a hugger. She's not sure if Five is trying to comfort her or looking for comfort themself. She awkwardly pats them on the back.

That day, Five gives Janine their birthname. It's hard to do, but they do it. They tell her that if she wants to look them up, she can. They're tired of secrets. Janine waits for them to leave before searching that name, and then deleting everything she can find on them, without reading a single thing. As far as the world is concerned, Five's life started at Abel.

Season 3

S3M5 The day Five accepts to become the Head of the Runners, Janine decides to make the role official. With the promotion, Five works a lot closer with her, planning mission and training regimes, and earning an official 'Head of Runners' bedroom in Janine's house. It was a downstairs pantry, but it's a decent size and already has lots of shelves and a nice view from the window. Everyone helps to do it up so it's nice and cosy, and Five can finally move off the couch and into their own space.

Five has no idea what to do with a bedroom of their own and is very overwhelmed. More hugs for Janine, even if she's more of a handshake kind of gal.

Five has an entire shelf dedicated to the people they've lost. Sara's sunglasses, photos of Simon.

Five is a lot more cautious about Janine's wellbeing than they've ever been. There are more instances than not where Five will physically drag Janine's in her chair from her desk, seizing her work and refusing to give it back until she went and had some food.

Janine's raised, frustrated voice can usually be heard from outside, and people ask Five how they cope, since all Janine seems to do is shout at them.

Five doesn't care. Because they know Janine cares too. With their additional duties, Five's often working late, and Janine is somewhat surprised by how seriously they're taking this role. Five just wants to do her proud, which is weird because they've never really done anything to make anyone proud before. When Five falls asleep in their work, they'll wake with a blanket over them.

Mornings are cosy. They both usually get up at a similar time. Whoever gets to the kitchen first usually makes the other a hot drink, and they usually sit in silence, reading the mornings memos together.

Five knows Janine's missing Simon, but neither of them can bare to talk about him. Still, on days Janine's feeling particularly low, Five can usually tell. They give her extra buscuits these days.

Season 4

S4M22 Five is a wreck after Sam gets bit. Like, a complete mess. Everyone tries to consolidate them when they get back to Abel, but they are in self-destructive mode. They run off, and hours later Jody finds them having raided one of Simon's old whisky stashes. They're rotten drunk and barely able to stand.

They DEMAND to be taken to Tom. Their shotgun is in their hands, and there is rage on their face. Everyone's panicking, but Janine doesn't say a word. She just marches up to five, punches them in the gut so hard they drop to their knees, and yank their shotgun from their hands.

Janine refuses to take them to the infirmary, saying they just needed to sleep it off, and drags them into the farmhouse to look after them herself. It's very much tough love. This includes forcing her fingers down their throat to get them to puke up as much booze as they can, forcing them into the shower so she can hose them down, and getting them ready for bed. Five asks if she misses him, and for a moment Janine thinks they mean Sam, until she realises she'd tossed Five one of Simon's old shirts to wear as pjs. That night they sit on Janine's bed talk properly about Simon, not really speaking just quietly signing between each other, and Five ends up falling into a drunken sleep against her shoulder. Janine has no idea what to do, so she doesn't disturb them and lets them sleep. Besides, at least this way she can make sure they don't choke on their own vomit in the night.

Thankfully, Five doesn't puke on her in their sleep. They do drool a lot though.

Five knows Janine is going through some stuff when they capture Tom, and although they want to help, she refuses. Still, they're there for her. They don't even care when she threatens to court marshal them again. They just keep telling her: whatever you need, I'm there.

#zombies run #zr #runner 5 #runner five #janine de luca #abel crew #abelcrew

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artificialqueens · 4 years

Text

Not Nineteen Forever (20) (Branjie/Scyvie/Ninex) - Ortega

a/n: hey hey! thank u so much if u gave a lil note or sent a bit of love my way for ch19. it was really my fav to write so far so i’m so glad it resonated with at least somebody!! there is only one more chapter to this whole fic after this and i’m emosh. after the rollercoaster ride we’ve all been on, i hope u enjoy this fun lil chapter as much as i loved writing it!

please note: this fic contains young adults often behaving in irresponsible/unadvisable ways with regards to alcohol, drugs and sex. if you are someone who feels as if they could be heavily influenced by fic and incorporate what happens in the plot into ur own life, pls steer clear!

summary: Brooke, Yvie and Nina are three flatmates who forged a friendship in their first year of university and picked up some other waifs and strays along the way. Now in their final year, there are feelings that need to be unravelled and confessions to be made whilst navigating drunk nights, hungover mornings, takeaways, group chats, library meetups, cafe gossiping, and the small matter of getting a degree.

last chapter: Brooke, Nina, Silky and Vanjie were locked in the library, and Brooke and Vanessa finally talked things out like adults.

this chapter: exams are over, dissertations are submitted, degree classifications are being allocated and the girls are nervously waiting for adult life to hit them like a freight train. what better way to avoid thinking about responsibilities than to go to the beach?

***

The day had started, as most of Scarlet’s days often do, with a message to the group chat.

Well, no, that was a bit of a lie. Scarlet’s day had started with her making breakfast, talking to her Mums over facetime as she ate it, and reassuring them that no, she hadn’t found out her degree classification yet and when she did they’d be the first to know. It was hard beginning each day with her heart in her mouth, frantically checking her phone to see if the website had been updated and then trying to relax when she found out it hadn’t been. Scarlet tried not to think too much about it, post-Uni life that is, but with each passing day it became an unignorable fact that she had to face. Graduation season was a mere month away and Scarlet didn’t want to face it but she had to, because the reality was that Scarlet didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life. Not a single clue. Gone were the days of six-year-old Scarlet, who spent the mornings being an actress with a short break at lunchtime to develop her career in the veterinary sector and finishing the day off creating new play-dough recipes for her Michelin-star restaurant. High school had been so good at pushing everyone into a university-shaped mold but now that Scarlet had completed her three years there she felt a little like the aquarium fish in Finding Nemo once they had escaped their glass box: stuck in a plastic bag bubble, thrown out into the vast, unexplored ocean, and simply asking herself now what? Really, what could she do with a Philosophy degree? Everyone asked her the same question when she’d been making her UCAS choices and now here she was asking herself the same thing. She wished she could remember what 18-year-old Scarlet had replied. Her Mums had been surprisingly supportive of the whole endeavour, but then again they had probably been happy to have their pouty, whining teenage daughter out of the house. Funny how times change, Scarlet thought to herself as she squeezed a generous dollop of washing-up liquid onto the sponge and dunked her empty plate into the hot water she’d filled the sink with. Her Mums had just been on the phone encouraging Scarlet to move back home while she decided on what to do next. It was tempting, but the prospect of being back in the country all isolated and away from her friends and Yvie and the exciting busy-ness of the city didn’t exactly fill Scarlet with glee.

Hearing her phone buzz against the counter, Scarlet almost smashed her newly-dried plate in her haste to read the notification just in case it was an email about her classification. It wasn’t. It was, however, a message from the girls. Nina, to be precise.

Kim Kardashian-West: GUYS it’s meant to be the SUNNIEST day today and Monet’s flat are all going to the beach!!! we should all go too!

Scarlet frowned, looking at the decidedly grey sky. It didn’t exactly inspire much hope.

Yvie’s bitch: Are you sure you’re reading the forecast for today? It looks a bit grey outside xxxx

Kim Kardashian-West: Scarlet I’m a primary teacher. A basic knowledge of the days of the week are kind of an entry level requirement

cursed SatNav voice: Am I FUCK going to sit freezing my ass off on the sand watching the rain piss down all around me!!

cursed SatNav voice: If i wanted to get soaked I would just call Brooke xoxo

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: No.

cursed SatNav voice: Ain’t that right @Brooke Lynn Hytes

Maple Syrup: you know it bby xoxo

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: Hell. I’m in hell.

Scarlet snorted a laugh. Akeria could well have been joking or deadly serious. Looking up and out of the tiny little window that was positioned beside the sink, Scarlet swore she could see a small ray of sunshine fighting through the clouds. She tilted her head, considering Nina’s offer.

Okay Then: yes i am absolutely down to get blackout day drunk today

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: Bitch it’s 11am who hurt you

Okay Then: listen this is perhaps the only time of our lives where we have literally no responsibilities at all. i’m getting drunk

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: I sent off nine masters’ applications yesterday.

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: No responsibilities my ass

Okay Then: well as huge as it is, i’m sure even it could use a little sun xo

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: WHY ARE YOU HOES ALL SO SENSIBLE AND GLOOMY? I’M WITH PLASTIQUE LET’S GO GET DRUNK

Maple Syrup: Ooooh now you mention it a fruity cider would go down so well right now

Yvie’s bitch: Yeah go on then, I’m down!! Xxxxxxx

Scarlet’s bitch: Scarlet it’s literally 13 degrees outside you’re insane

Scarlet’s bitch: but admittedly you are also my girlfriend who i love very much

large incongruous silkworm spiced praline: EW

Scarlet’s bitch: so if you’re down i’m down

Akeria Sainsbury’s Bag for Life: UGH fine i’ll go if all you idiots are too

Kim Kardashian-West: AAAH you guys this makes me so HAPPY!!!

Kim Kardashian-West: We only need Vanjie for a full house

Maple Syrup: Vanjie if you come I’ll let you suck my dick

cursed SatNav voice: How big is it

Maple Syrup: 2.75 inches when fully erect

Maple Syrup: Invisible to the human eye when flaccid

cursed SatNav voice: Hard pass

Scarlet’s bitch: Jesus Harvey Christ

cursed SatNav voice: But you bitches convinced me so i’m in

It turned out that most of the girls were still in their pyjamas, much like Scarlet, so they were given an hour to shower and make their way there. They were lucky that the city sat on the coast, and although much of the coastline was dedicated to harbours and pebble beaches there was one little beautiful strip of sand that lay about a half-hour bus ride out to the suburbs. Yvie and Brooke were getting a lift from Plastique and so they offered the last seat to Scarlet, but Scarlet didn’t want to take the girls out of their way. Besides, the sun was peeking out a little stronger now, and if it was to fully appear then it would be perfect weather for earphones, a summer playlist, and looking out of a bus window pretending she was in a music video.

Stepping outside of her flat, Scarlet was glad she’d ended up choosing dungaree shorts and a plain white t-shirt. It was definitely warmer than it looked, and she had to sweep her hair up into a ponytail to stop her neck getting too hot. She stopped off at the corner shop for a four-pack of cider (Brooke’s message had made her want some) and then walked over to the bus stop, where she managed to get one after not too long of a wait and sat on the top deck, letting the growing rays of sun fry her through the window. Once she was off the bus, she checked her phone for the meetup point. Nina, Monet and her flatmates were sat on the sand “around 10 metres in front of the chippy. But Monet has no concept of measurement so it’s anyone’s guess, really.”. Scarlet didn’t mind a small walk to find them. The promenade was packed with people all dressed in Summer clothes, the pavement giving off that smell of hot gravel which always reminded Scarlet of hot days and happy memories. The platinum-white sun cast its rays over the deep blue of the sea so that little diamonds sparkled against the waves, all tumbling over each other lazily and every so often giving a satisfying crash which mingled with the sounds of dogs barking and children giving happy cries. Scarlet found the chip shop but couldn’t see the girls amongst the mass of bodies laid out on the golden sand, so she shot Nina a text. As she waited for a reply, Scarlet took a deep breath and was hit with the unmistakable smell of the sea and chippy batter combining at once. She was a Winter person- she preferred frosty mornings and dark twinkly nights and getting cosy with a searing hot coffee and her duvet, but she loved how happy Summer seemed to make everyone, the sense of community that came with a hot, sunny day. Once Nina had given the other landmark of “there’s a guy with an inflatable sofa to our immediate right”, Scarlet managed to find the girls with no trouble and she was soon dashing towards them excitedly and letting out an embarrassingly childish squeal as she reached Nina and crashed into her in a hug.

“Scarlet!” she greeted her cheerfully, much of her face obscured by a huge floppy woven sunhat. Breaking out of the hug, she turned to address Monet’s flatmates. “Guys, you remember Scarlet, right?”

There was a chorus of welcoming noises as the other girls greeted her, some more distractedly than others. Cracker was busy rubbing her arm with a thick streak of white sunblock which seemed to have the same consistency as double cream, Bob was laid out against a bright pink beach towel with a set of huge sunglasses over her eyes, and Monique was trying her best to remove the cork from a bottle of cava. Monet was by Nina’s side, her head resting against her girlfriend’s shoulder as she stretched her legs out and buried her feet in the sand.

“Hey, congrats for finishing uni, Miss Scarlet,” Monet smiled at her, Scarlet smiling back despite the fact she was being reminded of adult life hurtling towards her like a bullet train.

“Thanks! Congrats to you both too. How does it feel to have an actual certified genius for a girlfriend?”

“Like I’m horrifically inferior and will never amount to anything.”

“Shut up!” Nina battered her on the arm, outraged as Monet and Scarlet shared a laugh. Nina had received a mark of 95 on her dissertation, a number that the girls had considered impossible to attain at university, but Nina had managed it. It was quite revolutionary as far as undergrad research went; a study into how well-prepared teachers felt to support transgender children in schools, with recommendations as to how to do just that within its conclusion and a call for councils to give further money and resources to the cause. “Your diss was amazing as well.”

“Yeah, what do you mean that more research into ability groupings in maths isn’t groundbreaking?” Monet rolled her eyes, laughing again as Nina protested.

“Who knew so much effort went into a primary teaching degree? I always thought your dissertation would be to…I don’t know, write a children’s book, or make a picture out of pasta spirals and glitter, or create a nursery rhyme or something,” Cracker piped up, Bob giving a snort beside her. Monet looked ready to defend her degree angrily when Nina sat up straight and fixed Cracker with an intrigued look.

“Oh, a nursery rhyme? Like…there was a young girl named Cracker, who was an incredible slacker. Her degree was dumb, so she tried to make fun, of her friends who decided to smack her.”

Scarlet let out a screech, as did Monique and Bob. Cracker could only burst out laughing and throw her hands up in defeat as Monet grabbed Nina’s face and pressed an emphatic kiss to her girlfriend’s cheek.

“Oh my fucking God, babe, I love you so much,” she laughed, wiping away a tear of mirth from her eye.

“Love you too!” Nina smiled happily, just as Monique finally got the cork out of the bottle with a satisfying, hollow pop.

“Aw, you hoes got champagne on arrival? How fancy.”

The girls turned around at the familiar voice to find Silky, Akeria and Vanjie all making their way towards them from the promenade. Excited again, Scarlet ran to hug them, namely Vanjie who she hadn’t seen since their final exam. They hadn’t spent too much time together but it had been enough time for Vanessa to elaborate on the story she’d told the girls in the group chat of how she, Silky, Brooke and Nina had all somehow been locked in the library overnight. Scarlet knew that had had something to do with the fact that she and Brooke were friends again. She didn’t know whether they’d fucked their frustrations out or actually talked like adults, but whatever they’d done Scarlet was glad about it. Whether or not they were reconnecting with a view to getting back together or not, Vanessa and Brooke were back to flirting on the group chat like high schoolers, and all was back to normal.

“Right, who’s wanting some of this? I’m not sure I got enough for everyone, though,” Monique asked loudly. Scarlet didn’t miss the way Vanessa stayed silent as the other girls clamoured for some fizz. She knew Vanjie had broken things off with Monique, whatever “things” were, and Scarlet somehow didn’t think she was enjoying being on the other side of a breakup much either.

“Did you even bring cups?” Bob asked, sitting up and quirking an eyebrow at her flatmate. Monique groaned.

“Ah, fuck, cups.”

“You absolute idiot sandwich,” Cracker rolled her eyes at her. Her eyes darted quickly to Vanessa before she stood up and grabbed her purse from her backpack. “C’mon. I’ll come to the shops with you and we can get some.”

The two girls walked away as Silky, Akeria and Vanessa all laid out what looked to be a duvet cover that they’d brought with them in lieu of a towel or blanket. Scarlet didn’t even think to question it. She knew it had been Silky’s idea without needing to ask.

“I feel like a dick,” Vanessa jerked a thumb towards Monique’s retreating frame.

“Don’t,” Monet and Bob said in unison, Nina letting out a small laugh.

“Y’all are The Shining levels of creepy,” Akeria frowned, digging out three huge bottles of beer from a shopping bag and giving one to each of her flatmates.

“Well, we’re right! You were friends with benefits, everyone knew that. It’s not Monique’s fault she caught feels but it sure as hell ain’t yours either,” Bob shrugged, ever the blunt but honest friend.

“So what is going on with you and Brooke now?” Monet asked, leaning forward and propping herself up on her elbows. Vanessa fixed her with an unimpressed look.

“Gee Monet, whatever happened to so how’ve you guys been, or how was exams, or literally any other small talk?”

“Yeah, and whatever happened to it’s none of our business?” Nina side-eyed her girlfriend disapprovingly.

“Well, girl! We’ve been in dissertation hell for a month and a half. Shit kinda got boring,” Monet shrugged semi-apologetically. “Anyway Vanjie, Monique’s away and Brooke’s not here yet and I doubt you want to talk about it when either of those two are here in front of you? And I’ve been trying to grill Neens about it but she keeps using lame excuses like we shouldn’t be getting involved and shouldn’t you be thinking about your classroom, so c’mon, bitch, spill.”

Vanessa smiled slightly, gesturing as if it was obvious. “Well, she knows I love her. And she loves me.”

Monet let out an “aaw!” at the same time Akeria let out an “ugh”. Vanjie ignored them both and continued.

“But she hurt me, so I ain’t lettin’ her get back in my good books that easy. Of course I wanna be with her, more than anything else in the world, but we need to get that trust back before I even entertain the idea.”

“So have you…y’know…had any kinky, passionate reunion sex yet?” Monet winked at her. Vanessa looked at her flatmates, a humoured smile playing on her lips.

“Akeria’s threatened to kick me out the flat if I even so much as think about it.”

The girls howled with laughter as Akeria tried to suppress a smile. “She thinks I’m joking.”

“I really don’t,” Vanjie raised her eyebrows at her, Akeria playfully shoving her onto the fluffy sand beside her and causing her to get it all up her side. “God fucking damnit, now I don’t even get to look nice when she arrives.”

“Oh, here she comes now, actually,” Silky said, nonplussed. Vanessa scowled at her.

“Quit playin’.”

Scarlet followed Silky’s gaze. “No, Vanj, she actually is.”

As Vanessa muttered a shit, Scarlet waved excitedly at Plastique, Brooke and Yvie, smiling when the latter pulled a goofy face and waved back. Plastique seemed to be carrying something huge and wooden underneath her arm.

“Lord Jesus, what the hell is she doing,” Silky shook her head as the girls came closer into view. Scarlet jumped up happily to hug her girlfriend, Brooke muttered a soft hey as she sat down next to Vanjie and hugged her, and Plastique, after she’d greeted the others, unfolded a multicoloured striped deckchair.

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me,” Scarlet let out a laugh, unsure whether to be impressed or exasperated by Plastique’s levels of extra.

“What?! It’s a sunny day, we’re at the beach, this is literally what deckchairs are for! Have fun getting sand in every possible orifice, losers,” she stuck out her tongue at them as she sat back and gave a happy sigh.

“Ariel not joining us today?” Nina asked.

“Nah, she’s gone home to see her parents. Why the hell you’d want to go home now when you could be dragging out your last month of uni life is totally beyond me, but hey.”

Yvie gave a deep laugh. “Plastique, your family have a townhouse in London, a chalet in Chamonix with membership to a private ski resort, and a literal penthouse in Dubai with an outdoor pool on a balcony. Why the fuck are you here?”

The girls all exploded with laughter, even Plastique conceding with a smile and a self-aware shrug that she was a rich bitch.

“Hey, I’m moving back in after graduation and won’t see you guys for ages, let me enjoy your shitty company.”

“You could fly us all out,” Brooke smiled hopefully, cracking the top off her bottle of cider with her keys.

“Yeah, lemme borrow twenty grand off my Mum real quick,” Plastique snorted sardonically.

Bob reached across to Monique’s cava, giving a small sip. “I’m moving home too. Gotta save money.”

“At least you both know what you’re doing,” Scarlet rolled her eyes, trying not to sound too bitter and accidentally just coming out with the verbal equivalent of black coffee. Luckily, Brooke held out her bottle and nodded emphatically.

“We can’t all have Akeria’s serial-killer levels of ambition or just walk into a job like Monet and Nina.”

“Hey! It’s a probationary year that we could literally fail if we screw up, stop thinking we have things easy,” Nina protested.

“How could you possibly fail being a teacher unless you literally boot a child in the face?” Yvie laughed in disbelief. Seeing Monet and Nina gearing themselves up for a verbal sparring match, she gesticulated wildly. “I’m kidding, ladies, I’m kidding! You work very hard and kids are little shits and you don’t get paid enough. Happy?”

“Very,” Monet rolled her eyes, accepting the cava that Bob held out to her and taking a swig before passing it to Nina.

“What’re you guys doing after uni?” Bob asked, then instantly cringed hearing the groans she got in response. “Sorry, sorry, I forgot that question is basically Satan incarnate.”

“Well, I applied to a bunch of newspapers. But the journalism industry is a shitshow anyway, so fuck knows what I’m doing or if they’ll even accept me,” Silky sighed. Her mood was decidedly flat. It was rare for her to be anything other than high-energy, volume turned all the way up to 100.

“Well, your classification might help!” Bob said comfortingly. Scarlet looked at Silky to gauge her reaction. She didn’t know if she’d been given hers yet, but the girl’s embarrassed face soon gave her an answer.

“Well I got a 2:2, so. Probably not,” she shrugged, Bob trying to backtrack apologetically. Scarlet felt bad for Silky. There was nothing wrong with a 2:2 and a degree was still a degree, but she knew how much Silky believed that despite her grades not being great, she’d still pull it out of the bag in the end, maybe manage one essay that pulled her marks up. Even though the girls were all still proud of her, it was another thing for her to let herself down.

“We’re still proud of you, Silky. You worked fucking hard and you got your degree, and that’s something to celebrate,” Nina smiled affirmingly, holding the cava out for Silky to drink. She smiled gratefully at the girls around her before accepting.

“Thanks, ladies,” she said quietly, before taking a swig. The cava seemed to return Silky back to normal, and she cried out after drinking. “An’ besides! 2:1s are boring anyway. Go hard or go home, bitch, and I’m goin’ the fuck home!”

The girls indulged Silky in a laugh. They sat for a while, chatting easily and passing the bottle of cava around, the lack of cups now not so much of a problem as it had seemed previously.

“Hey, anyone want a paddle?” Brooke asked suddenly. Scarlet gave a snort of outrage.

“You’re insane. That water’s got to be minus five.”

“Oh, come on! It’ll be fun! Vanj?” Brooke asked, her voice hopeful. Vanessa shrugged easily, casting the girl a quick smile and then dragging Akeria and Silky to their feet.

“To be fair, I am getting really warm. Getting my feet cold might be nice,” Nina reasoned out loud. Monet jumped up with her cheerfully. “Yvie, you coming?”

“Nah. Think I’ll stay here with my girl,” Yvie squeezed Scarlet’s hand, Scarlet smiling back at her happily.

“Awww, Yvie! You’re too cute,” Plastique cried sarcastically from her deckchair, the other girls laughing. She was too busy sunbathing to paddle, but Bob decided she’d follow Monet’s lead and join the others in the water. Scarlet laughed as she watched her friends tear down to the sea like children, the white spray flying into the air as they all hit the water at once.

“We’re friends with actual kids,” Yvie laughed, Scarlet nodding in agreement.

“God, we really are,” she smiled affectionately, watching Akeria take a step into the sea then jump back as if it was made of molten lava and not freezing cold water. Just as the girls had left, Scarlet became aware of two sets of footsteps approaching behind them. It was Cracker and Monique, back from the shops with a plastic bag twirling around Monique’s hand.

“Hey,” Scarlet greeted them cheerfully, then added, by way of explanation, “They’ve gone into the sea.”

“Oh, fun!” Cracker beamed. Monique picked up the bottle of cava and rolled her eyes. There was a shot-sized dribble at the bottom.

“You sons of bitches are nothing if not predictable,” she laughed, fishing a brand new bottle out of the plastic bag along with a set of cups. Yvie held her hands out apologetically and Monique shook her head, letting her know all was forgiven. Scarlet looked out to the water again. Bob had Monet on her back and Vanessa was leaping on Brooke’s, Brooke unable to catch her from the amount she was laughing. It looked as if they were about to do some sort of race or fight. Vanessa finally got onto Brooke’s back, her arms looping around her shoulders like a bush baby.

“So. That’s that then,” Monique gave a little sigh as she looked out to sea. Scarlet did a double-take as she looked at her. Her expression was mostly hidden behind her huge mirrored sunglasses, but Scarlet could see the small frown on her face. She knew who her gaze had fallen on. Scarlet felt bad for the girl.

“Hey, don’t take it personally. Vanjie thought you were great, she really did. She told me all the time,” Scarlet said reassuringly, Monique giving her a little smile of gratitude. “You know that way when you’re still hung up on someone you love. That’s all it is.”

Monique rubbed her arms, wrapping them around herself in a hug. “My own damn fault for catchin’ feelings.”

“Happens to the best of us, girl,” Yvie piped up. Cracker smiled at the pair of them gratefully, squeezing Monique’s shoulder supportively.

“We’ve been trying to tell her that.”

Monique laughed suddenly as she saw Silky chasing the girls with a huge, slimy-looking clump of seaweed she’d fished out of the water. The smile remained on her face as her laughter died down and she looked at Scarlet and Yvie inquisitively. “Brooke’s gonna treat her nice, right?”

Scarlet thought about Brooke’s helplessness after her and Akeria’s birthday weekend, her heartbroken confession of love in the toilets of the grubby karaoke bar. She watched how tightly Brooke was holding Vanessa on her back, as if to let go of her would be a crime. Scarlet smiled at Monique. “She will. I know she will.”

Seemingly satisfied, Monique kicked her sandals off and turned to Cracker. “You wanna go paddle?”

“Girl, I thought you’d never ask.”

Scarlet was satisfied staying with Yvie on the sand. They turned to Plastique only to find her napping in her deckchair, her skin beginning to take on an ever-so-slightly pink hue. Deciding to avoid Plastique’s potential wrath if they woke her up, Monique and Cracker dashed down to the ocean to join the other girls. Scarlet sat quietly with Yvie for a moment, taking in the scene of their friends all clowning around in the water.

“You still looking for jobs?” Yvie asked her. Scarlet sighed. She didn’t mind talking about post-uni life with Yvie, didn’t mind being honest about how scared and unsure she was with the person who loved her and she loved back.

“Yeah. It’s hard applying without my classification, though. And, I guess, even harder when you’ve got no idea what the hell you want to do with your life.”

Scarlet gave a self-deprecating laugh which Yvie gently joined in with. Yvie laced her fingers around Scarlet’s and gave her hand a squeeze. “You’ll figure it out, babe. There’s no time pressure on these things.”

“I know. It’s just hard when…hell, you’ve got Monet and Nina about to start their entire careers. I mean they’ll be in charge of a whole class of kids. Akeria knows what she wants to do and she’ll get there. Hell, even if Silky’s classification wasn’t as good as she wanted it, journalism is at least something she wants to go into. And Vanjie’s decided on events management. You know you want to at least do something with criminology,” Scarlet sighed, suddenly feeling so small. “It’s so hard trying to figure out what you want to do with your life when everyone around you seems to know. How the hell are you meant to know yourself?”

“Listen,” Yvie brought her thumb up to stroke Scarlet’s knuckle, calming her instantly by about 80%. “The great thing about your life is that…it’s yours. Nobody else’s. Just yours. Say you decide on a job and you hate it. Do you think you have to stay because the pay’s good and it’s something steady? No! You leave, because you can get another job. You don’t like it? You change. You want to go back to uni to doss about for another year? Do it! There is no rule to life that says you need to live it a certain way. And fuck yes, it’s scary! I’m scared! I don’t know if I’ll like any of the jobs I’m applying for, they could be so different in reality to what they are on paper. But you know I’ll support you whatever you decide.”

Scarlet’s voice was quiet as she watched the waves crash around her friends. “I just don’t want to disappoint my parents.”

“Scarlet, your parents love you unconditionally. And I’ll say it again- it’s your life. Yours. Not theirs. You can do whatever the hell you want to.”

Scarlet nodded, Yvie’s words a small comfort to her in the world that now seemed so big and scary. Yvie’s voice was quieter as she spoke again. “So…you’re going to live back home once all this is over?”

“I guess so. I don’t really want to, but I don’t want to live alone either. And it’ll help me save money, although if I don’t have a job I guess there’s not much money to save,” Scarlet snorted a laugh. She didn’t want to think about any of this, but Yvie was asking her so she gave an honest answer. Scarlet didn’t miss the way her girlfriend fell silent, nodding her head, a sad little frown on her face. She didn’t want to move away from Yvie. She didn’t want to return home. Yvie was her home.

Suddenly there came a splash from the water and Scarlet’s gaze was jolted away from her girlfriend and down to the sea. Silky had somehow fallen into the water and the girls were all howling with mirth as she screeched and tried to splash them all. Scarlet couldn’t help but join in with the laughter as she watched Akeria help fish Silky out of the water, the girl sitting in the wet sand and laughing so loudly that Scarlet could hear it even from farther up the beach. As Scarlet composed herself and her laughter died down, she turned to see Yvie looking at her, a dopey little smile on her face.

“What?” Scarlet laughed, touching her hair self-consciously. Yvie looked down at the sand, then back up to meet her eyes.

“Move in with me. After we graduate.”

Scarlet’s eyes grew suddenly wide in shock. Yvie was still holding her hand and Scarlet’s grip on hers had tightened. “Really?”

Yvie’s face was earnest, and Scarlet could see her gulp as she nodded quickly. She took a little gasp of air before explaining herself. “I mean, we both already basically live together. You’re at mine so often anyway, we know what we’re like to live with. We’ve not spent more than a full week apart since…fuck, I don��t know. I would do long distance for you, Scarlet, but I don’t want to. I want to go to IKEA and build flat pack furniture and make slow cooker casseroles and fucking…pay council tax with you. I hope you don’t…think I’m being too intense. Jesus, we’ve not even been together a year, fuck, sorry, this was a shit idea-”

“Well when you know, you know, right?” Scarlet smiled at her girlfriend, squeezing her hand. Yvie smiled back at her, reassured and happy, and Scarlet could hear the seagulls in the air and the crash of the waves and the laughter of their friends. She wouldn’t have had any other soundtrack to accompany the moment. “Yes. I’m in. Let’s get a flat together. Just the two of us. I don’t know what the fuck I want to do with my life, but I know it’s going to be a lot easier if I’m doing it with you.”

Relieved, Yvie leaned in and met Scarlet’s lips, kissing her once, twice, three times before pulling away and squeezing her hand. They met each other’s eyes and smiled, breathlessly giggling a little. Deciding to move in together didn’t seem to be the huge, relationship-changing milestone that society had hyped it up to be. It made sense to Scarlet: they loved each other, enjoyed the other’s company, they’d practically lived together for the past however-many-months. Okay, they hadn’t really hit any real speed bumps in their relationship really, but Scarlet trusted Yvie and she trusted herself. They were a team, two puzzle pieces that fit together. Whatever the crazy, scary, mixed-up adult world had in store for them after graduation, they would face it together.

Just then, Scarlet’s phone vibrated. She picked it up from its place underneath a carefully-folded corner of her towel. Opening it and reading the email, her heart dropped.

“Oh my God,” she said, her heart thudding uncontrollably.

“What’s the matter?”

“My classification’s through.”

Scarlet’s fingers were shaking and her palms were sweating as she frantically logged onto the uni’s intranet.

“Breathe. Just breathe. It’ll be fine,” Yvie reassured her, but Scarlet could feel her blood racing in her veins. She didn’t want to look. She did want to look. As the page loaded, she squeezed her eyes shut. Nothing had ever seemed so catastrophically life-defining before. The page loaded, Scarlet blinked, then she screamed. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Plastique flinch in her deckchair. Yvie’s face was expectant. Scarlet could hardly get the words out.

“A FIRST, I GOT A FUCKING FIRST!” she screeched, Yvie practically tackling her into the sand as she hugged her. Scarlet felt like her heart was about to burst. The three years had all been worth it and she felt like the biggest weight and worry in the world was finally lifted off of her. This was, admittedly, contrasted with the feeling of Plastique piling herself on top of the two girls, screaming excitedly the whole time. Scarlet suddenly batted them off of her, grabbing their hands and tugging them towards the shore.

“I wanna run into the sea! Can we run into the sea and tell the girls?”

Nodding excitedly, the three friends tore towards the coastline screeching like banshees. Scarlet could feel the wind in her hair, the sun beating down on her, and the sand shifting underneath her feet with every step she took.

She had never felt so conscious of her own mortality and yet as if she could live forever all at once.

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