#I love the way you drew the girl with buns’ highlights

[moonlit-han]

my favorite flower ↠ han jisung

(gif by @han-jisung)

genre: fluff, florist!Jisung x barista!reader word count: 2k warnings: none request: Sort of? Enjoy, Sara! a/n: credit to @junhuisflower​ for the idea for this fic~

✧ masterlist & tag list info in bio✧

*✧･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ

Jisung was having a dreadful day.

The florist where he worked was overrun with people buying their significant others flowers for Valentine’s Day, even though it was still a week away, and they all insisted on their bouquets being impeccably arranged and be-ribboned. Those who bought the little trinkets the store offered, in addition to the large array of flowers, wanted them wrapped nicely—with a gift receipt included, please, if it’s not too much trouble. It was also rainy and cold, which meant customers kept tracking water and mud into the shop, making the floor ever so slightly slippery. He’d already dealt with one child slipping and the subsequent meltdown, and really didn’t want to go through that again. And, to cap it all off, he had a headache, which had started around 2 pm and would not go away.

Since a holiday was fast approaching, Jisung was working later than usual and had a break before the evening rush. He decided that what he needed was coffee and lots of it, preferably with several shots of espresso to keep him awake and to quell the pounding in his head. So, he threw on his coat and scarf, kicking himself for not remembering a hat nor an umbrella, and headed across the street.

As soon as Jisung entered the small, cozy cafe, he relaxed. The sharp smell of coffee and the sweetness of baked goods mingled tantalizingly before his nose, and a lazy smile spread across his face without him even realizing it. He joined the mercifully short line to the counter, thinking that he could really go for something simple, as long as there was plenty of caffeine in it. Preoccupied with his phone, Jisung didn’t notice he was at the beginning of the line.

“Hi, what can I get for you this evening?” a light voice asked. After a pause it said again, “Hello?”

Jisung’s head shot up, looking a bit sheepish, and he blinked. A beautiful young woman stood in front of him, head cocked to the side and waiting to take his drink order. Suddenly, his day had gotten a lot better.

“I- Sorry. Um, could I have a medium latte with an extra shot of espresso, please?” Jisung said, trying his best to seem casual when, in reality, he was practically shaking.

“Sure, that’ll be ready in a few minutes at the counter to the right,” you said as Jisung paid and went to stand to the side.

He knew it would be rude to stare, but he couldn’t help it. Jisung was instantly drawn to you without prompting nor reason. You were the prettiest person he’d ever seen, and he was friends with Hyunjin, whose delicate features usually drew the attention of every person in a room. Maybe it was your smile and the way your eyes sparkled. Maybe it was the way the loose strands of hair fell around your face. Or maybe it was just the mellifluousness of your voice. He could barely think. Oh no, he really needed to keep it together since he was in public.

Jisung went to the counter to retrieve his coffee once it was ready, and tried not to yelp as his hand brushed yours. He scurried out of the cafe as quickly as possible, not wanting to embarrass himself anymore than he already had.

The next morning, Jisung returned to the little cafe across from the florist. He went back the day after that, and the next, and even the next day after that. Without fail, he was there at 8:30 am to get his latte and sometimes a bun. He never stayed long, since he had the shop to open, but it was nice to have this new routine. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t gone there before. By the fifth morning of him going to the cafe, you knew his order and even had the coffee almost ready.

“Morning!” you said brightly, “Same as usual?”

“Yeah, and a bun, too, please. Any flavor is fine!”

“Sure thing! Also, what’s your name? You come in here all the time and I can’t believe I’m just now asking,” you wondered.

“Oh!” Jisung was surprised you’d even ask. He was just a customer, no one special, right? “My name’s Jisung. Han Jisung. You’re Y/N, right? I noticed your name tag and all.” He stopped before he could say more, not wanting to admit that he’d noted your name the first day he saw you and committed it to memory.

“Yep, I’m Y/N,” you said, “And you have a lovely name. It sounds like the wind blowing through willow leaves. I like it.”

Jisung blushed, not used to compliments, especially from a pretty girl on whom he had such a crush. “Th-thank you. I like your name, too.”

You finished swirling steamed and frothed milk, espresso, and caramel together as Jisung squirmed on the other side of the counter.

“So, you work at the florist, right?” you said. “Has it been as busy over there as in here? I feel like I’ve seen at least twenty couples of high schoolers going on awkward coffee dates just in the past week.”

“Oh my god, it’s been crazy. Everyone wants special flowers and we only have so many because, wow, it’s the middle of winter. People just don’t seem to get that flowers have to grow and that takes time. The rain hasn’t been helping moods, either. Sorry, you probably don’t want to hear the rants of a frustrated florist.” Yet again, Jisung’s mouth had tried to run away of its own accord. “Those high schoolers must be annoying, though—I can’t imagine having to deal with them. At least my customers are mainly adults.”

You laughed, and Jisung thought he’d never heard anything so free and beautiful. “It sounds like a busy week for you, too! Yeah, they’ve been a bit . . . loud? Constantly here?” You handed Jisung his coffee and one of the special currant buns the owner of the cafe had made just that morning. “Here you go, Jisung!”

“Thanks, Y/N. Good luck with the high schoolers.” Jisung took a sip of the coffee. “Oooh, caramel! Thanks!” he said, appreciatively, meeting your eyes and praying that you wouldn’t notice him blushing while he paid.

“Well, at least they have dates for Valentine’s Day,” you said, looking directly at Jisung. “Good luck with the last minute flower orders. See you tomorrow, then!”

Jisung smiled in response and made his way to the door. Had you been trying to hint at something? It was the day before Valentine’s Day, after all.

Throughout the day, Jisung couldn’t stop thinking about you. How, despite only seeing you six times in his entire life, did he manage to have such a big crush on you? How?! As he helped customer after customer who wanted roses, orchids, hydrangeas, and every other fancy flower they could find, Jisung wondered which flowers would suit you best. Certainly something happy and carefree, yet strong and beautiful. You weren’t one for opulence—he could guess that much. Maybe sunflowers or tulips would do.

During his lunch break, Jisung went into the refrigerated room that held the flowers waiting to be brought out into the shop proper. He wanted to make you a bouquet, and it needed to be perfect. Jisung walked up and down the row of flowers in buckets, trying to find complementary blooms for one large sunflower and four deep crimson tulips. Every so often, he’d stop and bring a flower to his nose or hold it next to the sunflower and tulips. He finally choose a few fern fronds, and sprigs of baby’s-breath and feverfew. The white and green would set off the deep yellow and red nicely. The bouquet almost seemed to smile at him, the colors were so warm and bright. Just like you.

Jisung set the flowers down on his station, arranged them to his satisfaction, and carefully wrapped protective paper around the bouquet. He even tied a deep red ribbon around the paper to better highlight the tulips. Pleased with his work, he continued his break and the rest of the afternoon with a light heart. When it came time for him to leave that evening, Jisung gathered his things and the bouquet, and steeled himself. If he didn’t do this now, he guessed he’d never be able to bring himself to do it again.

Jisung stepped into the cafe, hiding the bouquet behind his back. You looked up from the book you were reading, since, somehow, there was a lull in the steady stream of customers you’d had all afternoon. The smile on your face when you noticed it was him gave Jisung the extra courage to walk up to the counter.

“Jisung!” you exclaimed. “You’re back! What’s up?”

“Um, well, I wanted to give you these,” Jisung said, only a little nervously. He handed you the bouquet, hoping you’d like it. “You’re really pretty, Y/N. And, you said you didn’t have a date for Valentine’s Day, so I thought I’d see if you wanted to go on a date with me! I understand if you don’t, since we’ve only seen each other a handful of times, but it’s always nice to have company, right?” Jisung finished, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

“Thank you!” you said earnestly. “H-how did you know these are my favorite flowers?”

“I guessed?” Jisung’s blush became more pronounced and he glanced away before meeting your eyes again. “You’re my favorite flower, and you’re always so cheerful—but also steady and strong—so I thought sunflowers and tulips would be perfect. I hope that wasn’t too forward . . ..”

“Jisung, this is perfect,” you said, beaming at the young man in front of you. “I’d love to go on a date with you! You’re always so sweet and, uh, you’re pretty cute, too.”

The look on Jisung’s face should have been distilled for future use as a remedy against sadness, he was so happy. “Really? You’ll go out with me?” he asked, still not quite believing it.

“Of course—how could I resist being courted with flowers? Oh! We should go ice skating!”

The next evening, Valentine’s Day, Jisung met you at the outdoor ice rink. You’d brought hot tea—you had enough of coffee at work—to fend off the chill. He was glad to have a chance to just stand with you in comfortable silence as you watched the other skaters. You were easy to be with, and didn’t feel the need to talk all the time, which immediately endeared you to Jisung even more. When the two of you did speak, it was all the more meaningful because you shared what you really cared about: books, music production, the cutest small animals you could think of, etc.

Jisung hadn’t been skating in years, so he laid himself at your mercy to help him stay upright on the ice. It also gave him the excuse to hold your hand for long stretches, but you didn’t seem to mind either. It wasn’t long until he got his feet back under him and was skating smoothly.

As the two of you skated around the ice rink, the snow started to fall gently as other couples laughed and spun around you. You looked up at Jisung. He had his head tilted up to the sky, much like a sunflower, and was catching snowflakes on his cheeks and eyelashes. He had a blissful smile on his face and paid no mind to the strands of blond hair falling into his eyes.

“Jisung?” you said.

“Hmmm?”

“If I’m your favorite flower,” you mused, “then you’re my sunshine, right?”

Jisung’s eyes flew open and he skidded his skates so the two of you stopped. “Yes, of course,” he murmured as he wrapped you in a tight hug, and, surprised as you were, you hugged him just as tightly. When Jisung drew back slightly and looked at you, a gentle smile touching his eyes, you leaned up and kissed him. It was just a light touch on the lips, but it felt as warm and sparkling as the first truly warm day in spring when the sun breaks through clouds to dispel any lingering tendrils of frost or cold wind. Everything just seemed so right with Jisung—you couldn’t explain it but the feeling was lovely and you wanted it to stay. After all, a sunflower needed the sun to grow and the sun needed things on which to shine.

[littlegrrl7]

“Eyes Of Amber Eyes of Gold”

Excerpt chapter 6

Ikemen Vampire Leonardo/OC

---

Evayne had managed the stockings and garters, the silly lacey pants, and the underdress. She wriggled into the corset but couldn’t for the life of her figure out how to tighten the back laces. This was certainly a far cry from the front closure lingerie Evayne had worn in the past. She had just spun it around for the second time and was attempting to pull the long laces taut over her head when a knock came at the door.

“Evie it’s Leonardo, I’m coming in.”

“Wait!”

It was too late. Leo glanced from the half-dressed female to the small waisted moire silk dress on the bed, then back again. He grinned.

“Cara mia, would you like some help?”

“Yes, please?” Her hands were over her head, holding the laces, making her full breasts stand out against the fabric in a most delectable way. Her chemise bunched up under the corset showing off the tiniest amount of skin between corset and pantaloons. He licked his lips.

“Into it, I mean, not out of it.” She smirked at him. He chuckled at her boldness. This was the girl who just two nights ago ran into his library, terrified. He stepped forward, standing toe to toe with her, his fingers brushed hers, taking the laces from her hands. A hand to her waist, he turned her away toward her bed.

“Hold tight to the post, cara mia.” His fingers deftly smoothed the fabric of the chemise then began to slide each lacing tighter, working his way to the top of the corset. With a sidelong glance, she placed her hands on the post of the bed.

“Are you sure you know what you are doing?”

He stopped, resting his large hand on the curve of her hip, that same voluptuous curve he worshipped in paint only a few hours before. Leaning close, he pressed his cheek to hers the heat of his chest warmed her back through the thin cloth. “I may have done this a time or two in my life, little girl.” It was a purr that sent a warm shiver through her body straight to her core, heat rose to her cheeks. She pressed her lips tight, eyes forward. He grinned, that same jackass grin as when he proclaimed her his and with a few tugs had everything properly secured. He lifted the dress admiringly from the bed. “Le Comte, I presume?”

“Hmmm, yes, he left a note requesting I wear it out today.” Leonardo dropped the dress over her head, smoothed it, and then quickly worked the back fastenings. He turned Evayne back around, fussed slightly at the lace along the oval, off the shoulder neckline being careful not to let his fingers brush the curves of her flesh along the front. He turned, opening the drawers on the cabinet.

“Hair and makeup?”

“I can do it.” She sat down at the dressing table, pulling her hair into a simple bun at the nape of her neck and securing it with a plain pin.

“Can you?” His fingers undid her hair sliding through it with the grace only an artist has. “Cara mia, let me rephrase that…would you allow me the pleasure of designing your hair and makeup for your first outing to nineteenth-century Paris?” Green eyes met gold in the mirror, her lips parted in pleasure at the feel of his hands in her hair.

“Yes.”

Comte watched her walk toward the carriage entranced. Her sleek mahogany hair was piled high on her head then fell in heavy curls to one side of her neck. A tiny green hat was perched amongst the mass of curls secured with a golden pin. Long skirts swished from her ample hip as if she was born to wear them. She no longer appeared to be a woman out of time but a Lady of the highest court. The dress he had picked perfectly complemented the shade of her eyes, making them appear to glow like twin gems. As she drew closer, he noted a small amount of artistically done makeup and knew Leo had a hand in this transformation. He composed himself as the carriage door opened, sliding into the mask of feigned indifference as if it were a second skin.

“Miss Swan, I am pleased to see you chose to wear my gifts.” The enigmatic smile.

“Thank you for your generosity Monsieur, everything is lovely.” She smiled radiantly back at him sweeping into a small curtsy, and something moved deep within him. She turned, attempting to maneuver the volume of her skirts inside the carriage. Her scent of cherry blossoms wafted to him along with a faint scent of…arousal? He held up a hand to her, allowing her the balance to sit then helped her arrange her skirts. Yes, definitely arousal, he made a mental note to ask Leonardo exactly what went on when he helped Miss Swan prepare for the day.

Leonardo sat on the floor in Evayne’s room, his back pressed to the door, his face in his hands breathing her in. He could still feel the luxurious silk of her hair sliding through his fingers, the heated glances through the dressing table mirror. Her small gasps and the way she bit her pink lips trying to stop them. He had let his fingers wander while he worked, caressing her neck, tracing the teardrop-shaped emeralds in her lobes, lingering to caress as he placed the heavy curls on her bare shoulder. Leonardo had wanted to kiss her to taste her again. To feel Evie’s body submit and melt against his as it had that first night. He bit down on his hand in an attempt to bring himself out of this fantasy. He could smell her becoming aroused, mixing with the earthy cherry blossom scent of her blood. He could hear her heart beating faster in her chest. With tiny brushes, he highlighted her beauty. He adored each freckle on her nose and cheeks. He got lost in the deep green pools of her eyes as he lined them in kohl. He had traced those full lips, coloring them coral wanting to cover them with his own. Face to face, breathing in her every breath, getting drunk off her scent. He wanted to do more than just kiss her, he wanted to taste that sweet scent of arousal. To lift her up in his arms, then lower her slowly to the bed, nuzzle his face into her most private of places and hear her sing. It took all his willpower to send her off for the day. Leonardo slid to the floor, pressing his cheek to the cool wood. What the hell was he doing?

Read the full story on A03

https://archiveofourown.org/works/20957771/chapters/49829651

[jasonrae117]

This is my first post on Tumblr. I have an ongoing story on fanfiction but I felt like trying something new. I was heavily inspired by @flyingkiki because timrae is too good of a pairing and there needs to be more stories. This is my contribution. I will be using songs throughout since its a band au but only this first chapter will have the whole song typed out. Furthermore all songs in this story exist in our world but for sake of my storytelling some will be "written" as originals by the character while others still belong to their respective artist which I will note.

For part one:

1.Dear Society- Madison Beer (As is)

2. Ribs - Lorde (As is)

3. Like That - Bea Miller and Aurora (Intended as band original)

4. COPYCAT - Billie Eilish (intended as band original)

Bad Idea, Good Intentions 

Part 1

Tim wondered why he found himself at a club on this Saturday night. Him and his friends had just graduated with their bachelor's degree in their respective fields and they convinced him to celebrate with them at this club.

By 'friends' he meant primarily his best friend Connor. The other two guys were more of Connor's friends than his but Tim knew them well enough to consider them his too. However, Connor had called him the day before and practically begged Tim to come. Apparently there was this new band that he knew the drummer and this was their highest profile gig yet and Connor wanted to support his friend by bringing whoever he could. Tim reluctantly agreed, feeling like he should get out more and spend time with his friends outside of college.

Tim already felt like this was a bad idea when he walked into a packed club with flashing lights, a fully stocked bar, and a large stage. 

"Tim! You made it!" Connor walked over to him and gave him a one armed hug as the other was occupied holding a half empty pint of beer. 

Tim smiled at his long time best friend. "Of course buddy, I keep my promises."

Connor dragged him over to the bar where their other friends Garfield and Garth were sitting. Both greeted him with cheers and hugs.

"Dude, this place is fucking great! So many hot girls!"

"Good God Gar, can you keep it in your pants for one freaking night?" Garth shoved the blond playfully and took a sip of his drink.

"What can I say, the ladies love me. I just wish your stupid band played something easier to dance to." Gar crossed his arms and glared at the stage where the four person band was performing.

"This is your friend's band?" Tim directed at Connor.

"Yeah, this is Nevermore! Wally West is the drummer. Jinx is on bass, Argent is keyboard, and Raven is the lead singer and guitarist." He pointed to each of the members.

"What the hell kind of names are those. That Raven girl already has a creepy vibe and she chooses a name like that? What's with the Edgar Allan Poe obsession?" Garfield looked bewildered and shook his head.

"I'm shocked you even know who that is. But dude, it's just their stage names."

Tim looked back to Connor wanting to know more about the band that made him come here. "What are their real names?"

"I don't know." Connor shrugged.

"Are they single?" Garth had asked grinning.

"I don't know about the other two, but don't even try with Jinx, that's Wally's girl." 

The guys entered a discussion about Connor's and Wally's friendship and what his stage name was. Tim heard it was something like Kid Flash but he wasn't paying too much attention. He was focused on the band onstage. 

The song sounded familiar but Tim wasn't big on music. Each member seemed to have their unique style and color but they all worked well together. Wally was wearing yellows, Jinx wore black and hot pink striped knee high socks with a short leather skirt and black mesh top. Her hair was dyed entirely bubble gum pink and wrapped up in two space buns. Argent had black hair with red highlights running through it and an all black outfit with a studded leather jacket. The lead singer, Raven, really caught his eye. She has a short purple bob that fell to just below her chin. 

Her outfit is what really had his mind stopping. She had on a black long sleeved ribbed shirt with a large keyhole neckline, showing off the tops of her full breasts, which was tucked into royal blue shorts that seemed to be barely long enough to even be classified as shorts with frayed edges. Her legs were encased in black fishnet stocking ending in a chunky heeled combat boot. Tim liked to think of himself as a gentleman that Alfred would be proud of but...the woman was hot. She had an hourglass figure but probably the best set of legs and ass he's ever seen. She was almost unreal how incredible she looked. 

The banter of his friends regained his attention as the band switched to another song. 

"Hey fellas, let's go hit the floor, this song is much better!" Garth and Connor finished their drinks and placed them on the bar agreeing to Garfield's request. They looked to Tim when he didn't move. 

"You guys go ahead, I'll be there in a second. I haven't even gotten a single drink in."

Connor threw an arm around him. "That's what happens when you arrive late." He ruffled his hair a bit. "Alright man, we'll try to find a spot close to the stage. See you there." 

With that his friends mingled within the crowd. Tim turned to the bar and ordered a bourbon on the rocks, he wasn't great in heavily social settings like this so he needed to calm his mind a bit. As he waited, his focus returned to the band.

They were actually really good. While he was slightly confused since their music was slower than he expected, the songs themselves were great. The lead singer had a lower voice of an alto but in the next song they started, it was clear she had a wider range. It was smooth when it needed to be but raspy and gritty, adding to the unique sound. The other girls added to the dynamic with their higher notes and he found he really liked it. 

The slow beat of their next song reverberated around the bar, drawing everyone in, particularly Tim. He moved from his spot at the countertop to one of the metal standing tables that was currently unoccupied. It stood to the mid-right of the stage with a small gathering of dancing patrons between him and the stage. He gently placed his hand that held the almost empty glass of bourbon on the surface of the table as he leaned into it. 

The lead singer Raven, he recalled from Gar's description earlier, slowly grasped the microphone. One delicate hand curled around the mic while the other laid gently in the supporting pole. Her almost raspy voice fluttered through the speakers.

 

Don't be cautious, don't be kind

You committed, I'm your crime

The low octave sounded almost sensual and her hand slid down the pole in time with the held note.

Push my button anytime

You got your finger on the trigger, but your trigger finger's mine

Her left hand formed into the shape of a gun and as she 'pulled the trigger' she collapsed her hand save for her single index finger that she spun slowly in a circle. Tim grinned at the small gesture representing being wrapped around one's finger and he couldn't pull his eyes away from how delicate and smooth her hands were. Even from the distance he sat she looked flawless.

Silver dollar, golden flame

Dirty water, poison rain

Perfect murder, take your aim

I don't belong to anyone, but everybody knows my name

Raven removed the microphone from the stand with her left hand and held onto the pole with the other as she slid down to a squat. On the beat she pulsed up and down to the next lyrics.

By the way, you've been uninvited

'Cause all you say are all the same things I did

Tim swallowed, eyes having never left her body he watched as the muscles in her legs contract and saw how her amazing ass peeked out slightly more from her bottoms. The routine had certainly taken a turn to a sexual nature and he couldn't help being turned on by the attractive lead singer. Her voice seemed to just purr in his ear. She rose to her feet again as she began the chorus.

Copycat trying to cop my manner

Watch your back when you can't watch mine

Copycat trying to cop my glamour

Why so sad, bunny, you can't have mine?

Did she just make eye contact with him? Holy shit, she definitely did. And was that a smirk? Was he drooling? Tim wiped at his mouth to confirm that he did not embarrass himself. He shook his head a bit to rid himself of the ridiculous idea that she could pick him out in the growing crowd. Many more patrons, especially the male ones, drew in closer and he found that he only had a small space around his table left. No way she looked directly at him. 

Call me calloused, call me cold

You're italic, I'm in bold

She sauntered to the right side of the stage before flipping around and doing a body roll on "italic" followed by a deeper and more exaggerated one on "bold" where she popped her ass out more. There was a cheer from almost all the guys in the building and a flurry of whistles. 

Call me cocky, watch your tone

You better love me, 'cause you're just a clone

Was Time seeing right? He could have sworn she winked at him as she strutted to his side of the stage. He knew he wasn't imagining things when she deliberately pointed at him accusingly while swaying her hips. Damn it was hot in here. He knocked the rest of his drink back hoping to steady his thrumming heart.

The chorus repeated with her returning to center stage and moving the stand off to the side. She dropped to the floor and threw her legs over the side where some of the guys tried to touch her before a bouncer pushed them back. As she finished the chorus she swung her legs back onstage but pivoted so she was parallel to the edge. One leg straightened while the upstage leg was bent.

I would hate to see you go

Hate to be the one that told you so

You just crossed the line

You've run out of time

Raven brought her upper body down flat with such ease and no doubt incredible core control. She gracefully placed an arm above her head as it turned to look out at the audience all keeping in time with the now soft melody of the song.

 so sorry, now you know

Sorry I'm the one that told you so

On the extended note she curled back up and hugged her knees briefly before sitting up and resting her ass on her heels. Tim was not only impressed with her fluidity and the hot choreography, but the range she held in her vocals. He was starting to think this wasn't such a bad idea after all. 

Sorry, sorry, I'm sorry, sorry

Raven bowed her head and sang softly into the mic looking like she was praying for their forgiveness. The music silenced for a beat before she snapped her head up with a devious glint in her eyes, a small curl to the side of her lips, and a quirked brow.

Sike

She got up to her knees and swayed back nearly to the former sitting position before thrusting forward again on each beat.

By the way, you've been uninvited

'Cause all you say are all the same things I did...

...you can't have mine?

She had risen to her feet again through a combination of swaying hips and body rolls. She retrieved the mic stand again and returned the mic to its post before the last lyric and ended the song in the same pose she started with.

At the song's last note the crowd erupted in applause, whistling, and to Tim's displeasure, sexual comments from some of the more rowdy and drunk guys. The band bowed and waved before thanking the owner and the audience and retreated off stage. 

His earlier worry about the band playing songs inappropriate to the occasion was thrown out the window because all parts of him thoroughly enjoyed their last song. He wouldn't dare say that to anyone but damn him if it wasn't true. That lead singer was just so gorgeous and had such a unique and fantastic voice, this must be every guy's fantasy. It was his now but who was he kidding, she must have a boyfriend. Wait...but didn't she wink at him? No, it was all an act. God he needed another drink. 

Tim made his way back to the bar and ordered another bourbon on the rocks. He paid his tab and leaned on the bar, replaying the movements of Raven's body. He felt a little shameful for not watching the other bandmates as the whole song was performed well, but she was too captivating. Probably why she was the lead singer.

 A pat on the shoulder interrupted him from his non-stop overthinking and he turned to see the smiling faces of the friends he came here with. The friends he had completely forgotten about until now. 

"Dude where the hell did you go? We had a great spot just left of center stage! There were a ton of hot girls dancing with us!" Gar waved his arms around almost smacking Garth and Connor. The two just shaking their heads and laughing.

"Not to mention a great view of the performance." Connor nudged Tim and an almost wistful look came across his eyes. Tim swallowed hard again.

"And what a performance that was. Shit that lead singer has a great body." Garth swung his arm around Gar's shoulder.

"And voice." Tim coughed and immediately took another sip of his drink realizing that it didn't help.

Garfield chuckled. "Who was listening to the music when she worked that ass like that. She probably got ninety percent of the guys in here hard by the first chorus."

"And you said she was creepy." Connor poked Gar in his chest. 

He held his hands up defensively. "Hey, that was before I knew she could get down like that! I mean her name is the bird of death, a bad omen. The other girls' names are kinda hot."

"Raven is just her stage name." Tim interjected. He didn't know why he felt like defending her, he quite literally didn't know her at all and this was typical Garfield behavior.

"Woah chill Tim. Got the hots for the lead singer? Wouldn't be the only one. Do you think she's single?" Garth lightly pushed his shoulder and took a seat next to him at the bar, flagging the bartender down. The other two looked at Connor who seemed to have the most information on the girl.

He head flicked back and forth between the two men staring at him before he understood their eager silence. "Look, I don't actually know that much about her. I just know about the fake names and mostly about Jinx. Wally doesn't really talk about the other two and I don't ask." 

Garfield groaned. "Why the hell not? Your friend is the drummer for a hot girl band and you don't ask about their relationship status, or what their real names are?"

"No I don't because that's weird and I'm sure he's told me their names, I just don't remember right now. Not like you'd have a shot with them."  The three men laughed at Garfield's expense and he crossed his arms and pouted.

"I don't see a line of girls wanting to dance with you Kent." 

"It doesn't bother me all that much Logan. Plus, I came here to support my friend not hook up with some random chick."

"Ugh you guys are all lame. I'm heading back out there. This band is playing music more my speed." Gar grounded out and spun on his heel, disappearing into the sea of bodies. 

"Good job Con, you made him all grumpy. Now I gotta calm him down." Garth grabbed his beer and followed his friend.

Tim was now reminded of why he was hesitant to come tonight. He wasn't the best of friends with Garth and Garfield and he came solely because of the desperate plea of Connor. He looked over to the stage and saw the main band playing their hearts out, music blaring over the speakers in an uptempo beat. Although it was more along the lines of typical club music, he found he preferred the darker melodies of Nevermore. 

"Yo buddy! Where'd that big brain of yours disappear to?" Connor waved his hand in front of his face dizzying him for a second. Tim reached and snatched Connor's arm to stop him and dropped it once his motion stilled.

"Sorry, I was just trying to remember something. How are you doing? Enjoying yourself?" 

"Yeah it's great. Awesome way to celebrate getting our degrees. I wish I had someone a little more special with me though, better company than those two numbskulls. How'd they graduate anyhow?" Connor took the seat the Garth vacated and spun facing the bar.

"Well, shockingly, Garth is actually pretty smart and Gar just copies off him when he can. He certainly didn't graduate magna cum laude." The two shared a laugh, lightening the mood once more. "You'll get that someone soon. Why don't you go back out there and see if she's there?"

"I feel like my soulmate isn't dancing in a club right now. I wouldn't be if my good friend wasn't playing for a big audience tonight."

"Fair enough. His band was really good. Do they play often?"

"At smaller venues yeah. I'm sure they'll be playing more here though, if any of the guys have anything to say about it." Connor smiled as if replaying a fond memory. "What do you think about Raven and Argent?"

"They're cool, great voices and Argent is amazing on the keyboard. How she keeps track of all the sounds is beyond me."

Connor let out a lighthearted chuckle. "I meant as attractive women, not their talents. Dork."

"Oh, yeah they're attractive."

"Wow, you're just not into this dude talk are you?" Connor swiveled to face him.

"I'm sorry, what am I supposed to say? I'm not going to sit here and objectify them." Tim looked seriously into his glass. It wasn't his intention to ruin the fun but he wasn't a fan of talking about his romantic interests, it felt too personal even though Connor was his best friend. 

"Sorry Tim. I didn't mean to offend you, just dumb guy stuff. I guess I've been hanging out with Gar squared too much." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Damn Tim really had a way with being a downer.

"Nah, it's all good. I think I'm just constantly in my head too much. Gotta be professional all the time and all that jazz." 

"Yeah man, well I'm gonna check on those idiots. Try to relax and have fun." Connor stood up and began to move before Tim stopped him.

"For what it's worth, I think Raven is the hottest. Her voice is positively sinful." Tim smirked at him and Connor's eyes widened as if Tim had spilt some highly classified secret. 

"There you go man! Hey maybe I can see if Wally can hook us up with a meet and greet." He winked and came back toward Tim to clap him on the shoulder. He started walking backwards toward the mass of people dancing to the music while pointing at Tim and sending him a knowing wink again. Tim just shook his head and laughed. 

[mvneyshot]

𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐃𝐔𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆

          [  simay barlas  .  20  .  female  .  she/her  ] just saw 𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐀 𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑 dragging their suitcase up the steps to 𝐁𝐀𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐑  .  good luck living with 𝐇𝐄𝐑  ,  i hear that that they’re 𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐂  ,  𝐀 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄-𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐑  ,  𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄-𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃  &  𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓  .  makes sense the chose that house now  ,  doesn’t it  ?  let’s hope this new living situation doesn’t affect their 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐎𝐑 year of 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 & 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐘   [  oliver  .  22  .  they/them  .  est  ]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

          sports run deep in your family. your grandfather, your father, your older brother : the triple threat of sports, each cutting their way through their own league ( the mlb, the nhl, and the nfl — RESPECTIVELY ). you were never as gifted as any of them athletically — good enough, smart enough, but nothing more than a decent athlete that could hold your own. no, instead you picked up a camera and this is how you fit in.

          AESTHETICS: she is like the summer nights when the stars are far away and the fire is dying out, the sun’s warmth a comforting memory and all the potential of tomorrow ready to be spread out before you ( worn out timberland boots, pink lipstick, short and flowy dresses, fireflies in a jar, a denim jacket covered in patches, the heat of a sparkler against your fingers, do no harm but take no shit, coy smiles because you want something, the smell of balsam and pine needles )

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

— she was adopted when she was just under two years old from turkey when her parents decided they wanted a little girl, so the clearwaters have always felt like her family to her. she knew the greater part of growing up that she was adopted, it just never was an issue for her. recently, though, she has felt like she should reconnect with her native middle eastern heritage.

—  the clearwaters are a triple threat in sports : her grandfather retired mlb player and coach, her father a retired prominent defenseman in the nhl and current dartmouth men’s hockey coach, and her older brother michael ( 26 and always mikey to her ) is making a splash in his third year in the nfl as a wide receiver.  however, her parents made sure she and her brother had a ( fairly ) average “middle class” bringing up, though they had their fair share of money in the bank. didn’t have to struggle, really, but didn’t get everything she wanted either. had a summer job scooping ice cream for two years in high school.

— grew up in norwich, vt, real big on nature and hiking and all that jazz. she’s always down for an adventure and to go hiking.

— when she was ten she got one of those kid’s polaroid cameras ( u know the ones where the film is only a little bigger than a postage stamp ) and she was obsessed. she worked her way up through cameras over the years, having a natural eye for it.

— one of the first games she ever shot was one of her brother’s high school football games which sounds sweet but it was actually because she was so bored out of her mind and wanted something to do. needless to say, though, that was the start of it. some might say it was kind of inevitable she gravitated toward sports somehow — she was a clearwater at heart. since then she has gained a lot of knowledge and respect for all different kinds of sports.

— for college she was torn between dartmouth, nyu, and halston. she ultimately chose halston because it was somewhere new, though the elite photography program at nyu was hard to pass up.

— her freshman year ayla was at as many games she could physically get it every weekend, shooting and shooting and shooting, until eventually the office took notice of her. her sophomore year she split time between the men’s hockey and football teams ( and a few other games of other sports where she could grab them ). a couple of her photos have been used for the banners outside the football field and hockey arenas, one across the header of the football team’s website, and several in the yearbook, including a two page spread shot of roo carlson that she’s very proud of.

— PROFESSIONALLY, she has managed to shoot a few kings, dodgers, and lakers games as well. she’s held an internship with the la galaxy from the spring of her freshman year to early fall of her sophomore year. she then accepted an internship with bernstein associates, official photographers of the la kings, clippers, dodgers, and lakers, this past summer.

— she does a little freelance work as well ; mostly for friends or friends of friends, though she’s been considering lately trying to make her skills and business available in a more professional manner to begin building an image for when she graduates. she does do a lot of photographing for herself — a lot of candids ; she thinks they capture the true spirit of a person moreso than when they’re posing or prepared for a photo.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂

— just got a new camera + lens ( nikon D500 + fancy zoom lens ) last summer as an early birthday present to herself. she practically become one with it over the course of the summer and she’s rarely separate from it. that thing cost her so much money and is her baby okay.

— she hopes someday to be the team photographer for a professional team, hopefully in one of the “big four” ( mlb, nfl, nba, or nhl ), and she thinks her prospects are looking very good.

— she played field hockey and lacrosse through high school.

— ayla thinks she’s better at shooting people. part of what she loves about being a sports photographer is how active and unpredictable it is to shoot a game. she’s had to learn a lot to try to predict what she can. they say you make your own luck and for a sports photographer that is true. part of it is down to chance, but there are things you can learn about the game in order to increase your chances of being in the right place at the right time.

— very much a morning person. has never had a problem waking up in the morning. typically goes for a run at sunrise, and has showered, gotten ready for the day, and is at a local cafe shop editing photos / making graphics and drinking an iced mocha by 8. truly couldn’t be me… 

— you can often find her watching practices, not just to practice shooting but to learn more about what makes each team and player tick in order to improve her ability to predict their tendencies ( which in turn makes her chances of getting a good photo go up ). she takes her craft very seriously.

— she has a policy of not sleeping with or dating players on the teams that she shoots — it’s called professionalism, boys !! she likes to be respected and somehow doesn’t think that sleeping with the players goes very far for her in that regard. that doesn’t mean the players don’t try, though...

— she has struggled a bit with people who think her opportunities have only arisen because of her family pedigree ( which some have gone so far to tell her they’re “not her family” — which, don’t even go there, lads... ), and that has made ayla work all that much harder to prove that she’d gotten where she has on her own merits.

— so desperately wants to be that girl with tons of cute aesthetic plants in her room but tragically plants always die in her care no matter what she does. probably has gotten one of those tiny tabletop sand zen gardens to make herself feel better tho she still keeps trying with plants. so far the only ones that have lived any length of time are the air plants. there is no hope.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

— she’s generally well liked, with a hint of sass and humor. she comes across as a bit of an air-head at times, but that’s part due to a persona she put on from a young age. she has an observant eye that drew to her photography in the first place and will often allow her to draw certain conclusions about people. 

— ayla has a very down to earth outlook and approach to life, often taking things as they come. she’s adaptable to situations, but manages to usually stay to the original path she saw for herself.

—  she’s well versed in all the sports she shoots, something that tends to surprise a lot of people, but how is she supposed to be good at her job if she isn’t ? if she gets bothered during games she typically shuts people down with wide eyes and some obscure bit of knowledge in her cute, raspy lil voice. dareisay… elle woods, what like it’s hard ? energy ?? she’s a hard worker, and strives for everything she posts or hands in to be perfect.

— a few of her downfalls include her narcissism and need to be liked. she looks to look and feel pretty, by her own standards, and is a queen of the self-timer and remote self photography : has two instas because of it – one for her sports photography and one that’s a “personal” and mostly just pictures of herself. 

— her need to be liked is something she doesn’t even realize. she likes to be seen in a positive light and it can on occasion lead to her agreeing to do things she doesn’t really want to. at the same time this is constantly in conflict with her desire to be independent and be her own person. 

— she also just believes that everyone just does like her because she is a likeable and very down to earth person — both of which are true for the most part, but reveals the blurring line she has between confidence and arrogance. she can be quite judgmental at times, especially towards those who are overly dramatic, but they’re confined more to just thoughts than any actual voiced words or actions. in a way, this feeds into a sense of her own self-arrogance.

𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

—  alya stands at 5′3″ with a slim but athletic build. she has a runner’s body, deceptively strong, lithe, and built for distance.

— warm brown eyes that look like they’re laughing more often than not.

— her hair is naturally brown, but is dyed to have blonde highlights near the bottom. often styled half up & half down, kept down and loose, or in a messy bun.

— she does not need glasses or contacts and has no tattoos.

— piercings & jewelry: both lobes and cartilage. often wears simple black studs in all of them ; has an affinity for simple silver rings, often wearing two on each hand ; a black timex watch she bought for $20 at target that’s waterproof

— style : she’s almost always wearing the same pair of beat up timberland’s she’s owned since like sophomore year of high school. she likes to be able to move easily ( bc homegirl absolutely cannot walk in heels at all ). despite this, she also likes to look cute at the same time, often pairing them with short, flowy sundresses or skirts + crop tops. when she shoots games, however, she’s dressed rather practically in skinny jeans, a crop top, and a cardigan ( if necessary ).

— PINTEREST BOARD HERE

𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

— pretty girl like you ( any ) : someone who does not understand why ayla is “wasting” her talents on sports and thinks she should try moving into the fashion or modeling business. i don’t think this is necessarily a negative connection — it could be well intentioned, or maybe it is truly just meant to be scathing.

— you & me were never meant to be ( any, female wld be real lit tho 👀 ) : an ex from her earlier years at halston. i imagine they broke up either before the summer of her sophomore year or early in her sophomore year. there’s not much ayla loves more than her photography, and i think maybe they didn’t understand. could have been mutual, could have ended poorly, could have just.... fizzled out. pretty open !! i’d just like her to have an ex.

— you just don’t get the message ( male ) : someone who is just relentlessly pursuing her ( not in an overly creepy way, y’know tho ). someone she’s told no multiple times and yet he still keeps trying rip. — TAKEN BY OWEN

— my brother, what ? ( any, probably female tho ) : just someone who is a big fan ( honestly fan or like... fan 😉, y’know ?? ) of her brother and she’s like please stop my poor ears don’t want to hear this.

— and i just love to vibe ppl !! ayla is a pretty friendly and outgoing person so... let’s just have at it :)

𝐎𝐎𝐂

hello friends. oliver/ollie back here again ( 22, est, they/them ). i also play caz !!

[chatsanova]

Pierce My Soul: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Think Only of the Past As It’s Remembrance Gives You Pleasure

AO3

Prince Adrien Agreste had started his morning both pleasantly and unpleasantly, as he did most days. His life was a constant battle between loving and despising his life and all that he stood for. He started by taking some goods to the market. Then greeted some villagers. Maybe one villager caught his eye for longer than he had anticipated.

“Adrien, you’re the most foolish man I’ve ever met,” Nino chastised him just last week for his continuing encounters with a certain black-haired villager from a certain bakery while wearing a certain disguise.

He’d made his way back from the bakery, a combination of dismal and beaming. Dismal because they’d fought. Beaming because he knew she cared about him. It seemed like she wouldn’t stay mad at him, but he knew the process would start all over the next time he saw her.

Their encounters began in the streets at night. She was walking, because she was normal, he was prowling because he was not. Not only was he a criminal but he was also the prince. Being caught would lead to bad outcomes. He’d hope not to hang, but bad outcomes nonetheless. She regarded him with fear at first; he looked up to no good. This was before Cat Noir was a notorious outlaw before the villagers knew who he was. Marinette stood in the street, eyes narrowed. He stopped his prowl.

“You look as though you don’t want to be seen,” she said.

He shrugged, “And yet you are seeing me.”

“You are bad at this.”

“Not bad, just new.”

“I think those things can exist at the same time,” there was an amused glint in her eye. He smirked, embarrassed yet charmed. The moonlight fell on her shoulders, highlighting her nose and the shine in her hair, which was pulled back into a tight bun. She began to walk past him, giving him a comfortable berth, as he stood in the middle of her path. “Next time I see you, I better not see you,” she said.  If it didn’t make sense to them, neither of them acknowledged it. He followed her with his shoulders.

“Hopefully I could see you, m’lady.” He bowed dramatically. If he were to be seen tonight, might as well be a show. She twirled her fingers as she walked away.

“Have fun in the shadows, Alley Cat.”

“How did you know my name?” he called after her. She laughed in the distance.

Since then, he went out as Cat Noir more often, hoping to stumble across her again. It didn’t take long. He was a simple man and the smell of bread drew him in like a moth to flame, like a dire need. He didn’t expect her there, covered in flour, so different from the night they met. She looked equally shocked to see him again. Her eyes narrowed as if to say, “you broke your promise”. He was a tad surprised at her resistance, considering how coy she’d been that night, but he soon learned that she cared about image more than anything. Not in the vain sense, but in the respectable sense. She stayed far from trouble, and well, Cat Noir reeked of it. If one was determined to remain honorable and without scandal, then avoiding a roguish vigilante was simple arithmetic. The village had entrusted her with their clothing, their food, and their children. She wouldn’t give that up.

He placed a bag coin on their kitchen table, as he had done to every house in the village, and her eyes widened. Imploring without a word where he could have possibly gotten that from and why it was appearing on this particular table. They didn’t speak, but her parents made their gratitudes before Cat Noir disappeared into the night.

Only a few nights later, she had decided to interrogate him behind her house. Before she spoke, he held out his hand and bowed.

“I didn’t catch your name that night.” She obliged and put her hand in his. He kissed it politely. Despite the fact that this was a standard, traditional, practice, he thought he saw her blush. When they were out of sight she calmed and slid down into the grass.

“I didn’t throw it,” she blew air upwards, shifting her hair gracefully, “I assume you don’t have one, Alley Cat. Being half shadow and all that.”

“Cat Noir.”

“I was close. I’m Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“You have two last names.”

“Yes,” she hesitated, focusing her eyes on her hands.

“Why?”

“Dupain is my father. Cheng is my mother,” she said, simply. For as traditional as she was this was hardly custom. He recognized it, then, as her one small act of rebellion. Everyone had one, even someone as sensible as Marinette. His was a little more...ostentatious, but for Marinette, this name was a big thing. Her mother was a part of her.

“Where do you get the money?” she asked. It was nearly the same question as his. They meant the same thing. What is your rebellion? What allows you to feel free?

“Oh, you know, the ol’ 9-10.” He slid into the grass next to her, sitting.His back pressed into the jagged brick of Marinette’s house, one leg against his chest, the other fell into the grass, knee nearly brushing against her thigh.

“No. Really.”

He sighed. This could be the end of him before he even began, “You will not like the answer, Mademoiselle.” He let his head fall onto his leg, face turned towards Marinette. He’d seen a lot of pretty girls, it was nearly his job--aside from this, but none struck him quite so much as Marinette. Maybe it was her eyes, deep, imploring, full of expression, or her nose that crinkled when he said something distasteful. Or maybe every girl he’d met had these qualities, but Marinette was the first he noticed or at least truly paid attention to. Why was that? Why was he, right now, about to tell her his most prized and recent secret? He barely knew her, but he was this close to revealing everything. His life in her calloused, hard-working hands. For some reason, he trusted her. He imagined at some point he might even let her in on his biggest secret. Maybe that was too much for her, to be sitting behind your house in the middle of the night with a thief who was also the prince . The very prince he stole from. He would save it for another day.

“You steal from the castle.”

He looked up, surprised, “How did you know?”

“There is no reliable source of money, not in that quantity, unless it is stolen.”

“Are you angry with me?”

“Well, I certainly don’t like it.” She brought her knees to her chest, “But I’m not running to the king’s guard either.”

He smiled at her. This was another of Marinette’s small rebellions.

And thus was the beginning of their friendship. A rogue and a tailor. She would playfully swat him away, and it was true, she didn’t agree with his methods, but together the village thrived on hope and stolen money. She was his first advocate and his first critic. She fixed his shirts and didn’t ask why there were blade cuts, or why his worn clothes were of the finest fabrics. She probably thought he stole them. He let her. He pushed her hair out of her face as she worked. She let him.

Adrien snuck out frequently. It was how he kept up his ruse, and the problem with having a person escorting you from place to place all day long was that it was a lot harder to go somewhere unnoticed. It was why he had convinced every girl hired for the position of lady-in-waiting that this job wasn’t for them and they would quietly quit. Some held on longer than others, but really, he was the prince and very persuasive. In the time in between when a girl was fired and a girl was hired, Adrien had complete freedom. Or, at least, an opportunity for it.

~~~~~~~~~

He sat on a throne, smaller than his fathers, and the empty one that stood next to him. He felt small up there when the throne room was empty, but far too large when people stood below him. He had been called to the throne room, ripped from his free hour in between lessons and anticipated another scolding. It is not what he received, but he was bitter anyway. The large doors creaked open, and two women walked inside. His father’s advisor, Natalie, and...

“Your Royal Highnesses, this is Mademoiselle Marinette Dupain.”

Adrien’s heart stopped. Marinette in all her poise and sensibility walked gracefully behind Natalie. For a second he thought he’d never breathe again. Here? Now? Could he survive with her just below his fingertips?

Dupain. She had dropped her mother’s name. His teeth grit, and his hands gripped the sides of his throne. Coming here she would lose her bit of rebellion. It wasn’t her fault, he knew why she had done it, but he was ready to spit blood on the very chair he sat.

“I have considered her for the replacement of Ariana,” Natalie spoke as if the sentence wouldn’t force all the air out of Adrien’s lungs. Nope he was never breathing again, ever. This jacket was too tight. Everything in him held.

“Interesting,” Gabriel regarded her, “Step forward, Mademoiselle Dupain.” She did. She curtsied.

“Your Royal Highness.”

“Mademoiselle Dupain, allow me to make very plainly what your intended position will be. You will be in service directly to the prince, make sure he is comfortable, make sure he is presentable for various functions, and possibly most importantly, teach the young man some manners.”

Adrien flushed ferociously but bit his tongue. Marinette looked equally as shocked. This is the first she’s heard of this position. She didn’t come in for this. She was probably here to replace the retired woman from the kitchens. This was a much better position, much higher pay, but Adrien himself had given it a bad reputation. Everyone in the castle thought he was so rude to them they had scurried away, and he let them believe it.

“Y-yes, Your Highness.” She didn’t look at Adrien, gaze held on the king, even then she didn’t meet his eye. She was well mannered, but Adrien had long thought low of this custom in particular. To think his father was too good for Marinette to look in the eye? It was ridiculous. At the least, they were equals, and at the most, it should be Gabriel avoiding her gaze.

“And you would be living in the castle.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Do you accept?”

She hesitated, and for the first time glanced at the prince. He knew her eyes well, but she stared into him like a stranger. Both sets were full of shock and adrenaline. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“Fantastic! Welcome to Castle Agreste.”

Every possible outcome ran through Adrien’s mind. If Marinette were here, that means she wouldn’t be in the village. Sneaking out would be to walk away from her, in a literal sense, but it also meant to completely rebuild a friendship he’d worked so hard on. The dynamic was different now. Marinette would never be caught dead acting so cavalier with the prince, so there would be no late-night talks in the moonlight. If he told her…maybe having someone on the inside to help Cat Noir would be a good thing, he’d had a few close calls lately. Marinette would probably be frustratingly good at this job, and therefore it would be harder to sneak out with her around unless he told her that he was Cat Noir. The thought of that conversation made his heart curl and not in a good way. He was her employer, directly responsible for the well-being of her family, he was also the BLOODY PRINCE. There were a million possibilities that ran through his mind about how Marinette would react to the news that the wanted thief and the prince were one in the same. None of them were great.

Marinette was escorted away for instruction and Adrien was left alone with his father. They stared forward at the empty throne room. Adrien didn’t dare turn his head.

“Adrien.”

“Father.”

“You will treat this girl with the utmost respect, if I find out she wishes to quit like any of the other girls we’ve hired, you will be watched over by Natalie personally. You will be under lockdown. It’s clear I have given you too much freedom in this regard.”

“Yes, Father.”

“You will have to find a wife soon, and that will require a certain demeanor, one that I have yet to see displayed by you, son.”

“Yes, Father.”

“Dismissed.”

“Yes, Father.”

The downside of pretending to be a cold asshole is having a worse cold asshole think he’s better than you. A “certain demeanor”, Adrien almost scoffed. That demeanor drove his mother away, a woman his father claimed to love. Adrien stood, and flipped his coattail.

“ADRIEN!”

“Sorry father, only an accident.” It wasn’t.

Prince Adrien had stumbled through his fencing lesson, mind clouded with thoughts. How he would escape the castle under close watch if he had Marinette quit. If he should even attempt his ploy again. Could he win over Marinette without his mask? If so, why would he want for anything else?

“So have you found a new lady-in-waiting, Your Highness?” Nino sat in the grass next to the courtyard Adrien sparred in. Cross-legged, knees apart and feet together, a book perching on his ankles, like a young boy.

“Uhhh, yes.” He was distracted that he didn’t even glare at the title like he normally did. To be fair, he did have D’Argencourt’s blade to think about.

“You don’t sound sure.”

“No, I’m sure we found one, but…” he parried.

“What’s her name?”

“Uhm, Mar...y. Mary,” Adrien dodged. D’Argencourt was not, shall we say, going easy on him, in spite of the prying conversation.

“Does it seem like she’ll be good?”

“Well, she’s got...a good… resume?”

“She’s got a good resume?” Nino asked in disbelief. Not at the statement but the fact that Adrien had said it. Adrien had gone through 5 handmaidens “with good resumes”. All had left within the month. It had surprised Nino, possibly most of all. Adrien was polite and rational to everyone else, and yet somehow drove away every lady-in-waiting hired by his father. They’d attempted pages and squires, but often they just got into trouble with each other. Adrien was not the best influence on the youth. He was hopeless. And he fumbled. And now he lost his match.

“Thanks, Nino.”

“You’re welcome, Your Highness,” Nino laughed as D’Argencourt smirked with his blade against Adrien’s chest. He popped up from his spot in the grass, book in hand. “Well, I better prepare the boys for your riding lesson. But this conversation isn’t over.” Adrien only glared at Nino as he walked away. Adrien brushed his lengthening hair out of his face, and turned back to D’Argencourt, already waiting with his blade at the ready.

Nino knew the castle well. He’d pretty much grown up there, at Adrien’s side. His mother worked there before retiring, but Nino had been brought up knowing the palace stables better than anybody, and well, the prince too for that matter. Natalie decided to let Nino stay. He served a purpose to the only child of the king, he was a friend and a brother. The castle had nearly always been his home, his mother didn’t live too far away, it was a good way to live. He walked down an open corridor, the courtyard visible through open archways, the

“Hello, Nino!” Alya cried as they walked down the hallway.

“Alya! And friends. You must be the new lady-in-waiting.” Nino politely kissed her hand, “The prince mentioned you.”

“Marinette, pleasure.”

“Strange, he said your name was Mary. Marinette?” Nino seemed to recognize the name and pondered where he had heard it.

“Well, I mean, I wouldn’t suppose he’d learn my name just yet. I’ve only just met him, and he is the prin--”

Nino looked like he’d been slapped, suddenly. His face fell into his hand and he began laughing. Marinette and Alya looked at each other in surprise, and then Marinette squinted at the insolence. Then he started talking really fast and looked about ready to take off. “I hate to be rude, but I really must go chase down a prince. It was nice to meet you, Marinette.” Then he slowed for a moment and took Alya’s hand and kissed it much more intensely than he had kissed Marinette’s, “Alya.” He winked at her before taking off down the hallway.

“That blasted stable boy,” Alya blushed before they continued down the hallway.

“Well, that was bizarre.”

“Quite.”

Marinette cleared her throat and turned to Alya, her eyes knowing, “Curious, how Nino treats you, as well.” Alya blushed more, and Marinette smirked.

“Yes, well, I’m more curious about why he went to chase down the prince after hearing your name, personally.” Changing the subject. Typical. Marinette didn’t push her new friend.

“Possibly to impose on him a lesson to be more careful reciting the names of people he just met. It’s just manners, after all. I suppose I have my work cut out for me.”

Alya didn’t seem convinced but shrugged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the courtyard, the prince stood in the flower garden, well-trimmed hedges lined the red brick paths as flowers of every color and shape and size filled the space in between. He came out there to contemplate the consequences of his actions when one of them came running towards him.

“ADRIEN AGRESTE”

“Nino! My dearest friend! How are you? How’re Plagg and Tikki? Lively as ev-- uh oh” His face turned panicked as his friend didn’t seem to slow as he grew closer. He was about to be tackled. Adrien began his retreat, first stumbling backward, “Nino, please, I’m not sure what I’ve done but I can explain” He didn’t sound serious, and Nino didn’t slow. So he turned and booked it. He ran along the brick path towards the exit on the other side, a stone arch, so if we were tackled he could fall in the grass and not brick. Nino would catch up to him. He was taller and faster. They had, of course, been determining this every week since they were seven. For a few years in between, when Adrien had peaked first, he’d had an advantage, but had lost it when Nino shot up 8 inches practically overnight. Only now did he realize his serious disadvantage. It was also unfortunate in this moment that Nino had been given certain liberties around the prince, for example, tackling him whenever necessary. No one would save him, this was a normal Tuesday. Adrien had just stepped in the grass when Nino tackled him.

“Get off me!” he couldn’t control his laughter, “I am your prince!”

“Marinette, huh?” Nino was laughing too.

“Oh...yes… crazy coincidence is it not?”

“You’re crazy, more like it.” Nino got off of him and sat on the ground, panting.

“Hey, for once, this wasn’t me. She told me she was getting a job. I didn’t know where, and I certainly didn’t think as my personal handmaiden. To be honest, I’m kind of losing my mind over here.” Adrien ruffled his hands into his bright hair, already messy from running.

“You can’t lose what you never had.”

“Haha.”

“You’re still unbelievably foolish.”

“I learned from the best.”

“Haha. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing! Nothing different anyway.”

“You’re going to get her to quit?”

“Well, ok, I’m doing that differently.” He rubbed a finger to his eye, "Look, I really like Marinette, but she's incredibly good at whatever she does. She will figure out my secret eventually."

"Right, when you tell her to her face because you're WEAK. The first DAY that you went out you were halfway convinced to tell her. You'll do it eventually."

"She'd keep the secret."

"You don't know that for certain."

"Nino! She's already been keeping it!"

"All I'm suggesting is to test out the waters first. See how she is. Figure out what her actual thoughts about Cat Noir are."

"Yeah she's not exactly going to divulge that information to me, her employer, THE PEOPLE THAT CAT NOIR IS STEALING FROM."

"Hm. Well, just, be careful."

"Always."

[darkdoelette]

Winter coquette

Coquette in winter

Hey! I made an autumn post that did well. So here’s my winter one!

The coquette aesthetic is most often associated with warmer weather, which means that celebrating colder weather, especially for those new to the aesthetic, can be difficult. But, fear not. Here are some ways to keep up with the aesthetic!

Clothing:

(Psa: Real fur is cruel and faux alternatives can be just as warm. This blog does NOT support the fur trade in any way shape or form.)

Mittens-especially fluffy ones or ones with kitten paw prints

Gloves.

Scarves

Hats.

Fuzzy/fluffy jackets.

Fuzzy/fluffy clothes in general

Hoodies (especially if they smell like a person of interest’s cologne/perfume/fragrance.)

Hoodies with animal ears on the hood.

Boots.

Knee high socks.

Thigh high socks.

Tights.

Sparkly New Years Dresses.

Faux leather pants.

Petticoats.

Santa dresses.

Sweaters.

Robes.

Pajamas.

Slippers.

Ribbons-especially those that look like they belong on a present.

Bobby socks

Santa hats

Reindeer antlers

Faux fur trim coats and jackets

Tiaras

Cosmetics:

See my post about skincare

Blush

Highlighter. Especially gold, silver, or rose gold.

Reindeer fawn makeup.

Red lipstick.

Red eyeshadow

Green eyeshadow

White eyeliner

Blue eyeliner

Blue mascara

Gold eyeliner

Gold glitter

Blue glitter

Silver glitter

Bath bombs

Shower steamers

Bubble bars

Any shampoo to help with flakes.

Hair:

In a Santa hat

In a reindeer antlers headband

Milkmaid braids

Down

With snowflakes inside it

Royal curls

A messy bun

A neat bun

Cute little holiday or winter hair clips

In a tiara

Ribbons with bows

With golden hair acessories

Braids

Pigtail braids

Activities: (Keep in mind, some of them have different religious aspects. Learn to appreciate and not appropriate. Obviously there are some activities that apply to different people as there are different foods/clothes/etc.)

Ice skating.

Knitting. Especially if you knit extra garments to donate!

Making snow angels.

Snow ball fights.

Twirl around in the snow (especially if listening to the “Ice Dance” song from Edward Scissorhands during the first snowfall of the year. I listen to it every time I see my first bit of snow falling in Winter).

Playing in the snow.

Donate gifts to charity.

Donate food to charity.

Kiss under the mistletoe

Light scented candles around the house along with the Hanukkah/Kwanza ones.

Decorate the Christmas tree.

Bake Christmas cookies

Play with a Dreidel

Cuddle with someone (you know, for warmth)

Sit around the fire.

Dress dolls up in Christmas Outfits.

Visit the American Girl store.

Buy lingerie and a fuzzy robe to wear over it while you lounge inside.

Learn about other cultures.

Remember that people of other religion and cultures often invite friends to celebrate other Hollidays with them. It’s a beautiful thing that often happens, especially when the holidays overlap. I grew up in an interfaith family, as my mom converted religions shortly prior to marrying my dad (she already had an interest in the religion before they were engaged).

Play an instrument.

Sing Holiday songs.

Open Christmas Crackers

Watch the Radio City Rocketts

Look at Window Displays

Watch the fireworks on New Years (be careful if you’re going to set them off yourself for multiple reasons including preventing injuries and making sure there isn’t anybody with gun or explosion related PTSD living nearby).

Have a New Years Kiss

BE someone’s holiday present.

Sit on their lap and tell them what you want for Christmas 😉

Let them decide if you’re naughty or nice.

Stay up to date with the Iditarod.

Get vaccinated.

Decorate your room/house/apartment.

Put up fairy lights

Go to a Christmas carnival

Go sleigh riding

Cuddle up in front of the fire.

Take a nice warm bath

Make a gingerbread house

Decorate the Christmas tree

Build model train sets

Music:

Santa Tell Me-Ariana Grande

All I want for Christmas is You-Mariah Carrey.

Ice Dance-Danny Elfman

Santa Baby-Eartha Kitt

Light My Candle-Rent the musical

Baby it’s cold outside-Frank Losserr

Walking in a Winter Wonderland- Richard B Smith

New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift

Santa Clause is back in town by Elvis Presley

I’ve got some presents for Santa by Paul Horabin

I’ll be your Santa Baby by Refus Thomas

Wit it this Christmas by Ariana Grande

Mistress for Christmas by ACDC

Sext Christmas by Steel Panther

Merry Christmas, Baby-By Christina Aguilera

Christmas tree by Lady Gaga

The Nutcracker Suites

Varuca Salt’s Nutcracker Suite from Willy Wonka the Musical

Never fall in love with an Elf from Elf the Musical

Books:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis

Spirit by HP Heightman

Little Women by Luisa Mary Alcott

A Doll’s House by Henrick Ibsen

The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice

The Winter Fairy by Lola Karns

The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

Murder on the Orient express by Agatha Christie

The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Movies and Tv:

The nightmare before Christmas (1993)

Beautiful girls (1996)

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Interview with a Vampire (1994)

The Apartment (1960)

Groundhog Day (1993)

Elf (2003)

While you were sleeping (1995)

Love Actually (2003)

Rent (2005)

Deck the halls (2006)

Friends

Frozen (2014)

Mean Girls

Bad Santa

Just Friends

Eyes Wide Shut

Games:

Dreidel

The Christmas pickle

Sled racing

Candy Land

Nancy Drew and the White Wolf of Icicle Creek Lodge

Food:

Hot chocolate with cinnamon, marshmallows, and whipped cream.

Milk and cookies

Carrots

Cranberries

Eggnog

Chocolate coins

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Donuts

Cannolis

Candy

Candy canes

Gingerbread people

Bread

Stew

Soup

Jollof rice

Collard greens

Okra

Grapes

Chocolate

Snowballs

Corn

Champagne

Cheese

Crackers

Popcorn

Animals:

Deer

Reindeer

Bears

Polar Bears

Sleigh dogs

Penguins

Arctic foxes

Arctic anything

Ermine

Smells:

Burning wood

Chocolate

Champagne

Snow

Others:

Mistletoe

Pionzidia plants

This playlist I made

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLedzHMFLbf6aoJ4INT4jRK5wPK5s1eq-J

[moneyshvt]

☆ . · . simay barlas, twenty-two, female, she / her . · . ☆ AYLA CLEARWATER lives in that huge mansion over there! no, not that one. look for THE LARGE NATURAL STONE FOUNTAIN and that’ll be it. the SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER has offered occasional glimpses of LIGHT GREEN walls and an impressive collection of EMPTY PICTURE FRAMES in the background of social media posts, but all of that is nothing compared to seeing the opulence in person. they’ve remained CLEVER as ever since moving to tercet court one year ago, but it seems like they might’ve gotten a little more of NARCISSISTIC too. maybe that’s why they’re rumored to have such a FRIENDLY relationship with everyone else who lives on this street. ☆ . · . ooc info: ollie, they/them, 21, est . · . ☆

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

— she was adopted when she was just under two years old from turkey, so the clearwaters have always felt like her family to her. she knew the greater part of growing up that she was adopted, it just never was an issue for her. it was a fact, but it really wasn’t an important fact. she has no desire to try to find her birth parents or family, though she has visited turkey.

—  the clearwaters are a triple threat in sports : her grandfather retired mlb player and coach, her father a retired prominent defenseman in the nhl and current dartmouth men’s hockey coach, and her older brother ( 26 ) is making a splash in his third year in the nfl as a wide receiver.  however, her parents made sure she and her brother had a ( fairly ) average “middle class” bringing up, though they had their fair share of money in the bank. didn’t have to struggle, really, but didn’t get everything she wanted either. had a summer job scooping ice cream for two years in high school.

— grew up in norwich, vt, real big on nature and hiking and all that jazz and lowkey misses it in the heart of la.

— when she was ten she got one of those kid’s polaroid cameras ( u know the ones where the film is only a little bigger than a postage stamp ) and she was obsessed. she worked her way up through cameras over the years, having a natural eye for it.

— one of the first games she ever shot was one of her brother’s high school football games which sounds sweet but it was actually because she was so bored out of her mind and wanted something to do. needless to say, though, that was the start of it. some might say it was kind of inevitable she gravitated toward sports somehow — she was a clearwater at heart. since then she has gained a lot of knowledge and respect for all different kinds of sports.

— for college she was torn between dartmouth and nyu. she ultimately chose nyu because it was somewhere new.

— she went to nyu for advertising and photography, shooting various nyu sports teams while she was there and throughout her years, managed to shoot a few rangers, knicks, and yankees games as well. she held two summer internships with the yankees ( on her own merits or because of her family name, she may never truly know ) and ultimately graduated from nyu a year early.

— she then spent the better part of a year after graduation road tripping as you do and ended up in california. it’s all about who you know, and in picking up a favor for a friend in cali she stumbled into the perfect opportunity. from there she landed a role on the company that handles the photography for staples center and other notable teams, most notably the kings, lakers, and dodgers ( photography company based on this irl one ).

— she moved into tercet court not long after she knew she would be in la for much of the time being. it’s definitely not her house, considering she makes just enough to live on. it’s a family home, purchased initially by her father who’d wanted to sink some money into tangible assets instead of the stock market and to have a west-coast home available for the family. hey, worked out pretty well for her.

— she has predominately been tasked with shooting the kings the past year or so, though she started with shooting dodgers games last summer and is doing so this summer as well. she’s also shot a handful of lakers’ games when a friend needs someone to cover. three of her photos so far have been used in large ads and banners in the city ( including most recently her current MONEY SHOT of the game winning goal in a come back win ) --- very cool moment for her. several others have been used by local publications and websites.

— she does a little freelance work as well ; mostly for friends or friends of friends, though she’s been considering lately trying to make her skills and business available in a more professional manner. she does do a lot of photographing for herself --- a lot of candids ; she thinks they capture the true spirit of a person moreso than when they’re posing or prepared for a photo. but not in a creepy way --- she’s been the victim of the paps enough times by association with her family to know the correct boundaries and limits.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂

— lowkey loves playing games with the paps, though she’s probably the only one that finds it funny. as a photographer herself she has a good eye for where they’re hiding and will also snap photos of them in turn just for her own amusement.

— she hopes someday to be the team photographer for a team, hopefully in one of the “big four” ( nfl, nhl, nba, mlb )

— she played field hockey and lacrosse through high school.

— ayla thinks she’s better at shooting people. part of what she loves about being a sports photographer is how active and unpredictable it is to shoot a game. she’s had to learn a lot to try to predict what she can.

— very much a morning person. has never had a problem waking up in the morning. who’s jealous bc i am. goes for a run at sunrise, and has showered, gotten ready for the day, and is at a local cafe shop editing photos / making graphics and drinking an iced mocha by 8. truly couldn’t be me...

— so desperately wants to be that girl with tons of cute aesthetic plants in her apartment but tragically plants always die in her care no matter what she does. probably has gotten one of those tiny tabletop sand zen gardens to make herself feel better tho she still keeps trying with plants. so far the only ones that have lived any length of time are the air plants.

— she really wants a greyhound but is afraid to make the commitment to actually adopting one.

— her personal insta ( the non-sports one ) has a modest following. a few thousand, probs.

— she has struggled a bit with people who think her opportunities have only arisen because of her family pedigree ( which some have gone so far to tell her they’re “not her family” --- which, don’t even go there, lads... ), and that has made ayla work all that much harder to prove that she’d gotten where she has on her own merits.

— she has a rule ( and in the case of the nhl there is a rule enforced by a signed contract ) about not getting involved with anyone she shoots ; it’s considered a conflict of interest. i imagine she has a really good relationship with the players though --- probably doesn’t hurt that she is pretty. at least one of them have hired her to shoot their wedding this summer even though she is wildly under qualified.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

alya is a chill and laidback person at heart. her approach to the fame attached to her due to her father and brother has been to laugh it off good-naturedly. she’s generally well liked, with a hint of sass and humor. she comes across as a bit of an air-head at times, but that’s part due to a persona she put on from a young age. she has an observant eye that drew to her photography in the first place and will often allow her to draw certain conclusions about people. she’s well versed in all the sports she shoots, something that tends to surprise a lot of people, but how is she supposed to be good at her job if she isn’t ? if she gets bothered during games she typically shuts people down with wide eyes and some obscure bit of knowledge in her cute, raspy lil voice. dareisay... elle woods, what like it’s hard ? energy ??

a few of her downfalls include her narcissism and need to be liked. she looks to look and feel pretty, by her own standards, and is a queen of the self-timer and remote self photography : has two instas because of it -- one for her sports photography and one that’s a “personal” and mostly just pictures of herself. her need to be liked is something she doesn’t even realize. she likes to be seen in a positive light.

𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

alya stands at 5′4″ with a slim but athletic build. her hair is naturally brown, but is dyed to have blonde highlights. she does not need glasses or contacts and has no tattoos.

she’s almost always wearing the same pair of beat up timberland’s she’s owned since freshman year of college. she likes to be able to move easily ( bc homegirl absolutely cannot walk in heels at all ). despite what the tabloids like to call her unfortunate choice in footwear, she likes to look cute, often pairing them with short, flowy sundresses or skirts + crop tops. when she shoots games, however, she’s dressed rather practically in skinny jeans, a crop top, and a cardigan. her hair is often kept down and loose, or in a messy bun.

𝐎𝐎𝐂

it me. ollie again. i also play fitz ( miguel bernardeau fc ). yes the overlap between fitz and ayla is not great but i truly only know one thing that that one thing is hockey asldfalsdjf sO. if y’all seeing me rping with myself on the dash bc i think it’d be fun to bounce fitz and ayla off each other mind ur own business...

[fangirlxwritesx67]

Ready For Anything (Sam x nurse)

AN: I got a very specific request here and had a lot of fun working with the requester to make sure they got what they wanted. 

Tags: 18+, smut, sex, light BDSM (handcuffs, orgasm denial, good girl/yes sir, safe word, discussion of choking), hookup, fingering, penetrative sex, condom, consent. Also mixing drugs and alcohol. 

"Dean, we have to go to the hospital!" Sam was insistent. "Stitches, I can do. Dislocated shoulder, no problem. But your wrist is broken and that needs medical help. We need you to get healed up so we can be ready for anything." Dean rolled his eyes and took another generous slug of whiskey. "Blah blah blah hospital, Sammy," he said. Eventually, Sam's level-headed insistence won the day. Dean reluctantly turned over the keys to the Impala and Sam followed the blue highway hospital signs.

It was a slow afternoon at the emergency room, and the Winchesters did not have to wait long before Dean was in his own room, Sam by his side. A petite nurse walked in and greeted them. "Mr. Winchester and... Winchester?" "Oh," said Sam, "Yeah, we're brothers!" The nurse nodded, clearly not caring. Her blue scrubs should've been generic but they hugged every curve of her perfect body. Her ash blonde hair, streaked with golden highlights, was gathered in a messy bun. Loose wisps trailed down over her pretty face. She ran through the basic intake questions in a cheery, professional manner before hooking Dean up to a couple of different machines and administering a dose of pain medication. "The doctor will be in shortly," she told them. But the doctor really wasn't. And either Dean had more whiskey than Sam had thought, or he got a higher dose of pain meds, because soon he was a little loopy. "Did you see that cute nurse?" He asked Sam. "She was totally checking you out. I'll bet you could tap that ass if you wanted. You've always liked blondes, Sammy." "Sure, Dean," answered Sam. "That's why I brought you here. So I could hook up with a nurse." Just then the nurse stepped back in. Sam startled. How much had she heard? Dean just smiled, a bleary smile. "My little brother thinks you're cute," he told her in a loud attempt at a whisper. She looked back at Sam with a mischievous glance. "It's okay," she told Dean, not pretending to be quiet. "I think he's cute too. Now be good and wait for the doctor." She walked out of the room without a backward glance, although Sam could swear there was an extra sway in her hips.

In a little while, someone came to wheel Dean away for x-rays. Sam took advantage of the moment to slip away for some coffee. He followed the signs to the hospital cafeteria. After he paid for his drink, he heard a voice behind him say, "Hey, Winchester." Sam spun around to see the nurse from the ER. "Hey," he answered, with a disarming chuckle. "I'm sorry if you heard what my brother said earlier. You must've given him the good stuff." The nurse shook her head. "I heard, and I don't mind. Besides, what I said was true. I think you're cute. So if you do want to hook up with a nurse, I'm game." She flashed Sam a cute smile with just a hint of seduction in her wide brown eyes. She let her gaze trail over his body, over his broad shoulders and fit arms, down to his waist. The nurse's eyes widened when they fell on his belt. At first Sam thought she was just really thirsty, until she looped a finger through something. "Handcuffs?" She asked. "Why are you carrying handcuffs? I thought you said you and your brother were hunting." A warm flush ran over Sam's high cheekbones. "Well, I did tell you that," he stammered. "We're actually private detectives. I just don't usually mention that." The nurse smirked, "A man of mystery, huh? Well, I like that you come prepared-" her voice dropped- "for anything." A page blared overhead. She cursed and hurried out.

Sam waited in the ER for a little while before Dean came back, his wrist encased in a dark blue cast. The two brothers waited to be discharged. Finally, the same cute nurse from before came back. "Hey," she asked Dean, "Are you ready to go home?" Dean barked out a short laugh. "Home?! You mean the crummy motel on the edge of town." The nurse looked between the brothers. Sam shrugged. "We travel a lot for work," he told her. "But this is a new town for us. Could you recommend a decent takeout place? I haven't eaten all day, since I've been in here taking care of this guy." She cocked her head and a warm smile spread across her face. "Do you want a recommendation or do you want company?" Sam smiled back, his hazel eyes bright. "I wouldn't complain about company," he said after a moment. The nurse gave Sam her cell phone number and told him to text her about dinner.

Dusk was falling when a knock sounded on the hotel room door. Sam answered it to find the nurse standing there with a box of pizza, a salad balanced on top. He stepped aside to let her in. She had changed into yoga pants and a long sleeve t-shirt that did a much better job of showing off her perfect curvy figure. She had also let her hair down, and it fell in blonde waves around her pretty face. Sam took the food from her, their fingers lingering when they brushed together. He set the food on the desk while she looked around. "Where is the patient?" She asked jokingly. "Oh, he took another pain pill with whiskey and passed out in the other room." Sam gestured to the door between rooms which was partly open. "He won't hear a thing." The cheap motel room didn't have much furniture. Sam grabbed pizza and salad, and sat on the end of the bed, folding his long legs comfortably. The nurse got food too and settled against the headboard. While they ate, two of them chatted easily, laughing and swapping stories of their lives. As they emptied their plates, their voices slowed. Sam found himself staring at the nurse's face, watching her full mouth move when she talked. He reached out one hand and cupped her soft cheek, pushing her hair back from her face. "Hey," his voice was low. "I'd really like to kiss you now." She lifted her bright eyes to him. This close, he could see that they were brown with little flecks of green. She nodded. "I'd really like that too." Sam lowered his lips to hers. Their first kiss was gentle, curious as they sought each other out. She sighed happily and leaned into him, deepening the kiss. Her hands slid up the back of his neck and tangled in his shaggy dark hair. Sam slipped his hands into her shirt and around her waist, pausing to murmur, "Is this okay?" She nodded and kissed him harder while his hands roamed her body. Sam slipped his tongue between her lips, tasting her. She opened her mouth to let him in. Her slim fingers worked their way down his shirt, tracing his warm skin as she undid the buttons. When her hands reached his belt, one wandered over to the handcuffs she knew he had. Sam felt her grasp and knew what she was going for. He grabbed her wrist and pulled back to look her full in the face.

"Please," said the nurse, tossing him a sassy look. Her sweet lips were puffy from kissing and she pouted just a little, teasingly. "Wait," asked Sam. "Have you done this before?" She nodded. "Do you have a safe word?" She shook her head. Sam undid the cuffs from his belt and dangled then enticingly in front of her. "Listen," his voice was deadly serious. "You've probably done something before with a boy and some sexy trick handcuffs. This is going to be different. These are real handcuffs, and if I put them on you, I'm not taking them off until I'm finished with you." She shivered with anticipation. "If you want to do this, we are going to do this right. You need to tell me a safe word and we need to talk about it." So they talked. The nurse told Sam what she wanted, what she didn't want, and together they came up with a safe word. Then Sam said, "Is there anything else you want me to know?" Even after everything they had just talked about, she was hesitant mention it, but she knew this was her chance. "Do you think you could... choke me?" Sam's eyes widened and he drew in a long breath before shaking his head. "No, I'm sorry. I'm sure that might be fun, but no. I don't know you well enough. I don't know your breathing, I don't know what you sound like during sex- there are too many ways it could go wrong."

The nurse could've been disappointed but instead she felt excited- more confident that Sam knew what he was doing, and secure that he would take good care of her. She leapt into his arms and he held her close, kissing her hard. Without letting go of her at all, Sam stripped off her clothes. His hands were hot all over her body. He laid her back against the pillows and pulled her arms up gently towards the headboard. Sam paused before fastening one of her wrists in his handcuffs. "Are you sure about this?" She nodded. "Because once we start," his voice dropped to a growl, "you're mine, you obey, and you don't come until I say." Sam clicked the other cuff shut. She shuddered, hard, as desire shot through her, and whispered, "Yes." "Yes?" He snarled. "Yes, sir?" A wicked grin spread across Sam's face and he nodded. "Good girl," he said, before he leaned down and kissed her.

Sam let his hands wander as he covered her mouth and face and neck with kisses. He found her soft full breasts and fondled them eagerly. He perfectly matched the movements of his mouth and his touch- sucking on her lips while he kneaded her breast, or running his teeth along her jawline while he flicked her nipple. Under his expert attention, she was soon breathing quickly. Sam slipped his hand still lower, between her legs. She was soaking wet and ready. "Needy, aren't you, girl?" He asked. She nodded once. "For you, sir, all for you," she managed to gasp. Sam loved that answer, loved how eager and willing she was. He pushed his fingers in closer and began to finger her with quick, steady strokes. She moaned under his touch. Soon her breath was coming in short, hard pants. Her body was growing tense and her arms were pulling against the handcuffs. Sam stopped and eased his hand away. She tried to reach for him but couldn't. "What did I tell you?" She shook her head wordlessly. "Did I tell you that you could come?" "No, no sir." she moaned breathlessly. "That's right," he commanded. "Now be a good girl, and do what I say."

Sam slipped his hand up against her again and went to work with his fingers. He watched her squirm under his touch, watched her stomach quiver, watched her knees begin to shake. He moved slowly, relentlessly against her sweet spot with his thumb while quickly slipping two long fingers up inside of her. She gritted her teeth to stifle a groan. She shook her head, tossing tangled blonde waves over the pillow. Sam could keep her like this, watch her like this, all night. Finally she drew a shuddering breath. "Please, sir, please!" She cried. "Yes," answered Sam. He could see that she wouldn't be able to last much longer. "Yes, come for me now." She obeyed willingly, gratefully, giving in to pleasure. Her entire body shook as her orgasm rolled out from between her legs, up to her shoulders and down to her knees. She was gasping, choking, helpless. "Breathe," Sam reminded her as kept his hand going in and on her. He had taken her breath away after all. "Good girl. Breathe." Finally, she relaxed against the bed, wrung out and pleased.

Sam was tense with anticipation and need. Without saying anything, he got up and walked to the bathroom for a condom (one of the things they had agreed on.) The nurse got a wonderful view as he walked away- his broad shoulders and strong back, his trim waist and delightfully round butt. She got an even better view when he walked back- his toned body, yes. But also his throbbing hard-on, ready for her; and his gorgeous face, bright with desire. Sam pushed the nurse back up on the bed just a little, making sure she was resting against the pillows again to take some of the strain off her arms. Then he spread her thighs apart with his hands and knelt between them. He looked at her, so beautiful and needy, already soft from pleasure, and his for the taking. He ran one hand up over the soft skin of her thigh to cup her ass. "Please," she begged, her voice both sweet and hot. "Please sir. Fuck me." Sam chuckled and that wicked smile curled his lips. "Oh yes," he answered. "I'd love to fuck you. But remember- you're still obeying me." "Yes," she nodded. "Yes, sir." Sam waited just a moment, waited for her to raise her hips, waited for her breathing to speed up in anticipation. Then he met her desire with his own and buried himself inside her. She gasped and then moaned as he thrust deeper and deeper. She rocked her hips in time with his, finding a rhythm between their bodies. "Good girl," Sam murmured in her ear before kissing her lips and then down her neck and across her shoulder. He grazed the skin of her collarbone with his teeth. She shuddered, a movement he felt through his whole body. Sam wanted her so much. Her blatant neediness was inviting to him in a way he couldn't describe. He wanted to disappear inside her and consume her at the same time. He bit her just a little, where her neck curved into her shoulder. Her mouth dropped open to scream but the only sound she made was a wild deep gasp. She pressed her body hard against his. Sam was almost lost in his own pleasure but he didn't forget her. He could hear her breath, quick and ragged next to his ear. "Come for me," he commanded. "Be a good girl and come for me." He felt her quiver underneath him and let himself go too. They tumbled together in the raging current of their release. As Sam throbbed inside of her, he pressed his lips over hers and she moaned against his mouth.

Finally when they were both spent, Sam rolled off of her. He reached for the night stand and something the nurse had missed before- the key to the handcuffs. He undid the cuffs and ran his big hands over her arms, soothing the tired muscles. She leaned into him, seeking the warmth of her embrace. He held her close, wrapping her in his long arms. Eventually, she tilted her face up and opened her eyes. He met her gaze with naked satisfaction. "What a good girl you are." Sam murmured with a smile. "Thank you, sir." She whispered. "You are one kinky little nurse." He told her with a kiss. "Ready for anything, hmm, Winchester?" she hummed, her voice warm and soft. Sam answered her quickly. "As long as it's you."

Taglist: @tloveswriting @marril96 @awesomesusiebstuff @idreamofplaid

[jungle321jungle]

I Read The Lightning Theif Rewrite Script So You Dont Have To

So @dragonsarecats sent me this.

This being Chris Colombus’ rewrite of Chris Titley’s Lightning Thief movie from 2008.

And wow, if you thought the movie was bad before, you’re in for a surprise.

So if you wanna read all 121 pages yourself feel free, or read on and I’ll highlight everything by way of explaining all the issues with screenshots. And the very few good things at the end.

So, in no real order here is,

My 13 Issues!

1) Grover

My poor poor goat boy... The best way to describe his character is as follows: “The Stereotypical Horny Teenage Boy”. And legit that’s all to him.

2) Percy

So Percy... it’s honestly hard to spell out exactly what’s wrong with him. But things are, everything is. He doesn’t have a character. He’s just kinda the reason things work?

But he does piss off a bully? So that’s something? I guess???

3) Yancy Academy/The Start

I’m not gonna get into the fact that Percy is 17 all that’s wrong with that. But what’s wrong with the start of the story is two main things: The Minotaur and Drew.

So in this Drew is basically a mix of Nancy and Clarisse. As he’s the one Percy sprays with water in the bathroom, but that happens before Percy gets to camp. For reasons.

As for the Minotaur he comes twice, first to replace Mrs. Dodds and then to attack at the camp border. So during the first attack Percy slashes it and it ran off. Then when it’s back Percy kills it and takes off it’s horn- after Bruner established that it can only be killed by taking off a horn??? Said horn is also traded to Zeus for Grover’s life later?? Why is that a good trade???

4) Annabeth and The Love Story

Annabeth is there purely to be a love interest

So this thing leans heavily into the stereotypes of the demigods traits and yet I don’t think Annabeth does a single smart thing

She’s such a girl

That may sound like a weird complaint but like read this

So shortly after this Percy and her kiss and basically it s the most most cliche of cliche

And yeah that’s all there is to her

Well at the end she feels the need to tell Athena and Poseidon that she’s dating Percy and thus the two of them should make up

5) Luke

So the first thing wrong with Luke

He and Percy has two sentences of conversation before he’s giving Percy the winged shoes and shield cuz the bolt is there in the movie

He never met Hermes

Hermes didn’t know he had a son named Luke

I think that says all it does

There’s more about him but I’ll save that for the final battle

Luke has zero one liners

I swear his lines were the best thing about the movie

6) Sally

So after the Minotaur attacks the first time Chiron sends Grover to get sally then head to camp. But like sally has no need to go with?? She’s literally going with to be captured, cuz she can’t get in camp. They are 17, so they can prob drive. She’s not needed for that???

Despite being Percy’s motivation we barely have reason to care about her despite the fact she’s the mom

When Percy gets her back and they’re about to die, Percy kisses Annabeth instead of hugging his mom

She kissed Poseidon

7) Poseidon

So my real problem with him is him and Percy’s relationship

So Percy goes from being super cold to him, to hugging him, to getting a matching tattoo within three pages

8) Ares

So first Annabeth had to convince the dude that the war between the gods woulds be a good thing and to let them go

He’s very particular and stupid about cheeseburgers

So besides the fact that you can’t tell a burger is raw based on lifting the bun, after this the manager comes out tells Ares off for being rude to the waitress. Ares calmly apologizes and then punches the dude

Cops then show up and start shooting

The kids and ares get in a humvee and the cops are chasing them until ares hits a button and goes into stealth mode

So yeah

9) Hades and the Underworld

So the Underworld isn’t the underworld

It’s an AU if Los Angels, complete with burning things buildings and cars everywhere

Like hades mansion is literally crumbling to pieces and the food is rotten

Also apparently there’s no Charon it’s Virgil

Hades is the embodiment of the devil and evil. Complete with a demonic form

He wants to feed the kids TO KRONOS

Persephone is there and she’s stupid. First off she and Grover keep staring at each other “lustfully”

She also plays loyal to Hades and send everyone to die then is like whoops nope sorry bro I hate it here feel free to go home

She and Grover give each other lustful looks

Should she even be there in the summer?

Oh and lustful looks

10) Vegas

Okay so I’m not a fan of pearls as it’s a departure from the book and all but whatever I’m gonna ignore that for the sake of this.

But there’s many issues with the journey. One of which is heading to Vegas

So this person clearly doesn’t know how Nevada works cuz the whole thing is complete desert as they walk to Vegas on foot. Like according to this dude there is nothing in Nevada but Vegas

They walk until Poseidon sends them horses with baskets of fruit.

Which they then decide to ride down the Vegas Strip

So when they get to Lotus Flower Hotel, the name automatically changes to “Lotusland” for unknown reasons

And the reason Percy figures things out is cuz he bumps into a kid from the 70s and goes “Sorry, my bad.” And the kid basically replies as if Percy has said yeet. Like idk about the 70s, but I have a feeling that “my bad” isn’t that crazy of a phrase

Percy snaps Grover and Annabeth out of it by shoving them into a pool

During the fight on the way out Percy hits people with his sword and suddenly they age??? They chase them outside, and after the trio gets away they head back inside and de age again. Cuz somehow that makes sense

11) The Final Battle

The final battle, the final battle *sigh*

So like the movie the final battle takes place in NYC outside the Empire State Building. And Luke shows up to fight Percy

But the issue is how the fight works. So for some context Percy sends Sally and Annabeth up to Olympus ahead of him while he fights Luke so meanwhile Lukes on flying shoes and using the MASTERBOLT to attack Percy

But despite being close to midnight, this is fucking NYC. People can see him blasting craters into the street as he attacks Percy

So Percy fights back with three fire hydrants as if they are placed that close together. And Luke meanwhile is dodging water until he’s struck but like yo dumbass! You have fucking lightning in your hand! Strike the shit out of that water!

So then to the fight moves to the Hudson River because it’s magically right next to the building and Percy after flying with his own winged shoes, sucks Luke down in a whirlpool

Percy then goes to Olympus and somehow makes it at the same time as his mom and Annabeth?

12) The End

It ends back at Percy’s house

Grover is there

Annabeth is being this version of Annabeth

Percy shows off a tattoo that matches Poseidon’s

Gabe is yelling for beer, Sally yells at him to get it himself. He goes to the fridge and there’s Medusa’s head

The screenplay ends with gave turning to stone to the sound of crackling lightning outside

Like wtf kind of ending is that ???

The good things!

1) Annabeth is blonde!

She’s blonde. Yeah that’s all this point is

2) It’s so bad... it’s good

So many times I found myself cackling and crying laughing

I kept interrupting my friends to tell them the bullshit that was going on

Nothing made me laugh more than stealth mode

~~~~

So yeah, there ya go.

A long “review” of this trash screenplay from 2008 that no one asked for.

[thdorkmagnet]

Chapter 11: Masquerade

Summary: His whole life Marco Diaz has been raised by monsters, living under the cruel rule of their leader, Toffee. But one day Marco escapes into Mewni where he meets a magical princess and Mewman like himself, who begins teaching him all about her world. Together they will learn about life, love, and the lights within each of them, as they change their world forever.

Chapter Synopsis: The Orphan’s Ball begins!! Now Star must pick someone to dance with, will she be swept off her feet by a masked boy in a fancy suit? You already know the answer. ;)

Check out my other stuff on Fanfiction! 

Disclaimer: Star vs and all its characters are owned by Daron Nefcy and Disney. All rights go to them.

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The ballroom was packed as the three friends approached, everyone all dressed up in expensive looking tuxes or ballgowns, the room alive with festive energy. The second they stepped through the doors, Marco began scanning the crowd for any signs of Star but saw no sign of the lively blond anywhere in the crowd. Jackie and Janna led Marco quietly along, pushing their way through the party-goers, Jackie keeping a firm hold of Marco's hand, the masked boy too distracted by all the sights and sounds around him to keep an eye on where he was going. Finally the three reached a relatively secluded spot and all took a moment to catch their breath from their claustrophobia. “Where's Star?” Marco finally asked the two, his inquisitive eyes still scanning the crowd around him, standing on his tip-toes to try and get a better a look around.

“Don't worry, Marco, it just started, there's still plenty of time for you two to dance,” Jackie comforted, smiling at the boy's antics.

“Yeah, the night is still young, so just relax and play it cool,” Janna added, putting her hands on his shoulders, holding him still.

Marco took a deep breath, nodding. “Yeah, okay. You're right.” Suddenly Marco froze, seeing a strange sight next to him.

“Um guys, there's a... thing here and it's... staring at me,” Marco whispered and the two followed his gaze to a floating eyeball, hovering off to the side of them, it's large eye trained on the three friends.

“Seeing-Eye-Cam,” Jackie and Janna said as one, Marco looking to the two with confusion.

“The what?”

“It's a recording device, Marco,” Jackie explained. “It films whatever it sees and uploads the image onto magic mirrors. We actually have something similar to this on Earth. Just... less creepy.”

“Why is it staring right at us?” Marco quietly whispered to the girls, keeping a weary eye on the device, nervously trying to hide behind the skater girl.  

“Relax,” Janna said, taking a step forward and tapping the device. “It's not filming yet. It'll only be active during Star's dance.”

Marco breathed a sigh of relief, stepping out from behind the skater. “Oh that's good... Wait! That thing's gonna be recording Star's dance!” The boy exclaimed, sounding nervous again.

“Don't worry about it Marco,” Jackie comforted. “You'll do great.”

But now Marco was anxious once again. How could he dance with Star now? He didn't even know how yet. What if he messed up in front of everyone? What if he made Star look bad? What if-

But Marco's pestering thoughts were interrupted as the lights in the ballroom dimmed and a spotlight lit up a nearby stage. “There she is,” Jackie said, putting a hand over her eyes, trying to see over the suddenly screaming crowd. Marco felt his heart leap in his chest at the thought of Star, pushing off into the crowd, hoping to get a better look at her, his two friends following quickly behind, trying not to lose the eager boy in the fancily-dressed crowd.

As Marco drew closer to the stage he was finally able to spot Star, in front of a microphone, preparing to make a speech. Her normally flowing blond hair had been tied back into a bun, two streaks of blond hair framing her glowing face perfectly, her headband resting delicately on her head. Her face was graced with a soft, regal smile as she observed the chanting crowd awaiting her speech. She was wearing a beautiful single-sleeved pink and red dress, long white gloves and matching white boots, all of the garments highlighted by hearts and ribbons and Marco couldn't think of a time when she had ever looked more beautiful. And as he stared, starry-eyed, at his beautiful bestie, he slowly lifted up the mask off his face for a moment, trying to get a better look at the girl, his suns spinning in an eager, endless circle, his mouth agap at the girl's unparalleled beauty, as her image permanently burned itself into the boy's subconscious. Jackie and Janna, who had finally managed to catch up with the boy, both smiled at the sight of the entranced boy, before turning back to Star who cleared her throat preparing to begin her speech.

The crowd went silent as Star took a deep breath in, partially to clear out her nerves, putting a shaky hand on the microphone. “Welcome everyone, to the fifth annual Orphan's Ball!” she began, her voice projecting perfectly around the room, a bright smile on her face. She paused for a moment, as a cheer erupted from the crowd, waiting for her subjects to calm down enough for her to continue. “It's hard to believe that five years ago I started this ball when many of you began leaving to pursue lives and careers outside of this castle and I began wondering how I was gonna be able to keep in touch with so many people who had touched my life in so many ways.” She put a hand to her heart for emphasis.

“So, this happened.” She spread her hands out, gesturing to the packed ballroom. “And I have been so amazed that you all have come, despite your busy lives, to be a part of this magical evening.” Star slowly gazed up to see the Seeing-Eye-Cam hovering above the crowd, a little red light blinking to indicate it was filming. She took a deep, shaky breath in, hoping that the microphone didn't pick it up, even though she knew it did. “I feel very blessed to have so many people a part of my life. Because you're not just my friends, you're all my family.” Her voice grew choked up on the word and the crowd released a quiet awww.

Star cleared her tight throat, ignoring the blush on her cheeks as she continued. “And I know in my heart that you all will always be here for me and for each other.” Marco leaned forward, getting a good look at the smiling faces that had surrounded him, Star's words echoing around the room. He smiled, feeling much less like a stranger in the crowd, as he leaned back, his gaze returning to Star.

“And as I look around this room I see all of my wonderful family, old...” she smiled, spotting Oskar in the crowd, looking as handsome as ever in his tux and she felt her heart pound.

“And new.” Star froze as she her eyes landed on Marco in the crowd, tucked between Jackie and Janna, her heart stopping altogether. He looked downright adorable in his tux, Star seeing through his mask in a second, his brown eyes as bright and vast as ever. It did give him a cryptic edge though, Star finding his little masquerade charming and tempting at the same time, wondering who's idea if had been for him to wear it, Jackie or Janna. Probably Janna. Still, only Marco could somehow be both mysterious and precious at the same time, Star loving him all the more for it.

Finally, reality returned to Star as she remembered where she was, feeling the hundreds of eyes of the crowd focused on her, waiting for her to continue, burning into her skin. She finally pulled her attention away from the masked boy, as she turned to the crowd once again, praying that they couldn't hear her heart pounding into the microphone. She held back another blush, biting her lip, as she tried to recall the rest of her speech, mentally hearing the chiding words of her mother telling her a princess did not bit their lip, especially in front of a crowd.

“So we don't ever have to feel alone or unwanted,” Star said, her prewritten words finally returning to her, her voice as strong as ever. “Because no matter what, we'll always have a family.” The room went silent for a moment, Star's eyes gazing lovingly over the familiar faces around her.

“But hey,” she continued, her voice much lighter than before. “That's enough of the sappy stuff let's get to what you all really came for.”

A cheer quickly rang out from the crowd, Star smiling widely at them, as the crowd began chanting, “Dance! Dance! Dance!” over and over again, the royal feeling the room shake with every repetition of the word. She laughed, her eyes darting between the two points of interest in the sea of excited faces. Oskar and Marco. Her old crush and her bestie. The handsome bad boy and the adorkable innocent. The boy who she had known and cared for for years and the one who, in the short time she had known him, had changed her life in ways she couldn't have imagined. They were both special to her in their own way and yet she had to choose one to be her dance partner, to share that special, magical moment with. Finally, Star took in a deep breath, coming to a decision as she turned away from the microphone and made her way down the stairs.

The still-chanting crowd parted to let her pass, as she walked forward with purpose, ignoring the excited stares of anticipation, her sight set on her chosen partner. Finally, she stopped, the room going silent, every mouth dropped open in awe, as she held out a hand to him, a spotlight lighting up the two in it's hypnotic glow, the boy eying the out-stretched hand. “May I have this dance?” Star asked, a small smile gracing her lips.

“Me?” Marco asked, his voice a shocked whisper, quivering slightly, though if it was from nerves or joy Star couldn't tell.

“You.” she simply repeated, moving her hand a little closer.

Marco tried to will his hand to move, but it was frozen at his side, panic and nervousness beginning to rise inside the boy. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his back, giving him a gentle push forward, making the boy stumble, forcing his arm into action as his hand grabbed onto Star's in an attempt to keep balance. The two's gaze locked as Marco felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, thankfully covered by his mask. But Star just smiled, pulling him to his feet and out onto the dance floor, the masked boy following in a daze, the spotlight tracking their movement.

Once they were in the middle of the dancefloor, Star turned back to the boy, giving him an expecting smile. But Marco made no move toward her, awkwardly looking around at the Mewmans that surrounded them, feeling their judgmental stares burning into his skin, mentally thanking Janna for making him wear the mask, afraid his skin might burst into flames without protection. “What's wrong?” Star asked in a whisper, her quizzical eyes twinkling in the spotlight, a fact Marco noticed immediately, feeling his knees go weak a little.

“I-I don't know how to dance,” the boy whispered, moving closer so only she could hear. The blond looked deep into her friend's begging, nervous eyes and couldn't quite hold back a giggle.

“Don't worry, I'll teach you,” she whispered back, taking his hand in hers again. Slowly she pulled closer to the boy, till their faces were inches from touching, sky blue and chocolate brown shining in equal measures. Gently she took the boy's shaky hand, pulling it to her side, allowing it to rest on the small of her back, before placing her own hand lightly on his shoulder.

The music suddenly kicked in, a gentle, peaceful melody filling the crowded ballroom, Marco quietly squeaking to his friend, “Star?”

She leaned in closer to him, in response, whispering softly into his ear, “Just follow my lead.” She quickly pulled away, listening to the music, waiting for the right moment to begin. Finally, the gentle melody's pace picked up a bit, Star giving the boy a small nod, Marco taking a deep breath.

Star slowly began to move in time to the music, Marco doing his best to mimic her steps as she began spinning him into a graceful circle, the two moving smoothly across the hushed ballroom. At first, Marco seemed nervous still feeling the stares of the crowd, moving slowly and unsure, keeping his eyes on his feet, trying desperately not to step on the girl's toes.

Star just smiled and shook her head at his adorable behavior, removing the hand from his shoulder and gently lifting his chin so he was looking into her eyes. “Hey, relax,” she soothed, Marco feeling his heart skip a beat at her soft voice. “Don't think, just feel the music.”

Marco wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that, but he took her advice, keeping his eyes on her, as he allowed Star to lead him expertly across the dance floor. Slowly, Marco began to relax, the soft, smooth beat relaxing him and bringing a smile to his face... or maybe it was the tingling feeling he was getting from holding Star's hand so long. Regardless, the masked boy began enjoying himself, letting the music suck him in as he confidently matched Star's movements, the two in perfect synch as the song swelled though the hushed ballroom. The world around them seemed to fade, the burning stares of the watching crowd all seemed to vanish, the quiet whispering of the excited onlookers were subdued by the encompassing music. All that existed was each other and their dance, captured perfectly beneath the bright spotlight.

Jackie and Janna watched the two with pleased smiles from the sidelines, taking in the look of pure joy and love on both of their friend's faces. “Well that went well,” Janna said, Jackie nodding in agreement. The skater held out her glass of punch to her friend.

“To a job well done,” Jackie said. Janna just smiled and held out her own cup, letting them clink together, before both gulped down the sweet liquid. The two went quiet for a moment, just watching the princess and her partner continue on with their dance, looking dazed in each others arms.

“So,” Jackie said. “This doesn't count, right?”

“What do you mean?” Janna asked in confusion.

“The bet. We both helped out so it doesn't count right?”

“Sure.”

There was a short moment of silence, before Jackie sent her roommate a knowing look out of the corner of her eye. “Unless one of us did do something more to interfere,” the skater said, a suspicious tone to her voice.

“Huh? How do you mean?” Janna asked, sounding nonchalant at Jackie's questioning tone.

“Well I just mean, Marco did look a little frozen up back there but something seemed to get him moving.” Jackie turned fully to Janna, with an accusing gaze. Janna kept her eyes focused directly in front of her, the tiniest of smiles gracing her lips.

“I'm sure I don't know what you mean,” Janna simply said, taking another sip of her punch, hiding her smirk beneath. Jackie held her glare on her half-monster friend. “But you know, now that you mention it, I do remember seeing someone else's hand reaching towards Marco. You wouldn't know anything about that, though, would you, Jacks?” Janna asked, giving Jackie a knowing smirk. The skater's face switched to one of shock, feeling her cheeks blush, before looking away from her friend.

“Well, he did seem like he needed it,” Jackie whispered sheepishly, trying to will her blush away, rubbing a hand up and down her arm.

“Guess everyone needs a little push from time to time.”

Jackie and Janna shared a look for a moment, before they both chuckled. “Yeah.,” Jackie finally agreed. “So we both interfered. Or at least tried to.” Janna nodded her head in agreement.

“Looks like. One of us just interfered faster than the other.” Jackie gave her friend a playful glare.

“Fine, fine,” Jackie said, sighing, before offering her friend a handshake. “Truce.”

“Truce,” Janna said, taking the skater's outstretched hand in her own, the girls holding their cryptic glares, neither refusing to break.

A little further off from the dance floor, Ferguson and Alfonso also watched Star and Marco dance, the former frowning at the two. “I can't believe he got to have a dance with Star but not me!” the chubby boy muttered, looking downtrodden. “And just when I thought it was going to be a lucky break for the Ferg.”

Al just rolled his eyes at his friend. “Come on, Ferguson, you have to admit they are pretty cute together.”

Ferg took another look at the dancing couple, Star giggling as her masked partner dipped her low to the ground, keeping her there for longer than necessary, as she clung tightly to him, the boy's face unreadable from beneath the mask, but his infectious laughter filled the air as he finally pulled Star up, the girl getting her revenge as she spun him into a dizzying circle, the boy begging her to stop in between fits of laughter. Ferg sighed. “Yeah, I suppose you're right.”

“Besides I'm pretty sure your wife would get pretty jealous if she found out you danced with another girl.” Ferg's eyes grew wide, as he remembered how jealous his pixie wife could be. Like the time she threw a poor innocent sprite in the dungeon for 10,000 years because she smiled at him too long. “Oh you're right, Al,” Ferg groaned, face-palming. “She would kill me!” His voice grew cryptic and mysterious, his face looking surprisingly serious as he softly whispered, “Thank you masked boy, whoever you are, for saving me.”

His nerdy friend raised an eyebrow. “Are you serious? You don't know who that is?”

Ferg's serious expression immediately switched to a playful smile as he lightly chuckled. “Oh no, it's obviously Marco. Any idiot could tell that.”

Oskar also watched Star's dance, trying not to feel jealous of the unknown boy in the mask. He admitted he did wish it was him who had swooped the princess off her feet but, as he took in the look of pure joy on the young royal's face, he was unable to stop himself from thinking that that was the happiest he had ever seen her. And it really was all thanks to the masked stranger.

For the longest time Oskar had known that Star had had feelings for him, I mean it was pretty obvious, all he had to do was smile and she would turn into a blushing, giggling mess, which he admitted was pretty cute, but sadly the boy had never really felt quite the same way. Not that he didn't care for her, oh no, quite the opposite, he owed her everything. She had given him a place to stay when he had nowhere to go, had comforted him when he had been at his lowest point, always encouraging him to keep moving and never give up on his dreams. She had been the reason he had continued to pursue his music, telling him that he had a true talent (even if the rest of Mewni didn't agree) listening to every new song he had wrote, introducing him to Master Ruberiot, heck she was the one who had even bought him his keytar, just randomly giving it to him out of the blue one day and never expecting anything in return. And he was grateful for everything she had ever done.

So when she had reached her lowest point, when the world around her came crashing down, when her bright, joyous smile had ceased to shine, Oskar had taken it upon himself to help Star become the happy-go-lucky princess he had always known her to be, the princess he knew she wanted to be, wishing to repay the debt he felt he owed to the girl. And at first he had thought it was working, Star would smile and blush just like always, but it wasn't the same, her smile seemed fake and forced and Oskar began to realize that there was nothing he could do to cheer the grief-stricken princess up.

But now, it seemed while he was away, someone new had done the impossible, the unknown boy had found a way to cheer her up, the smile on her face the most real and genuine Oskar had seen in years. And it seemed he wasn't needed after all, all those years of flirting had been unnecessary, Star had recovered without him. And though he wasn't exactly pleased about it, he also felt a weight lift off his shoulders knowing Star was in good hands and that he didn't have to fake his feelings toward her any longer. His friend was okay.

The song slowly began to fade throughout the ballroom, its pace slowing, as the song prepared for its finale, Star and Marco smiling ear to ear as they stared deep into each other's eyes. Though Marco's face was hidden from beneath the mask, Star could see the joy in his eyes, as she brought the two into a final spin around the ballroom, the world blurring around the two, feeling her heart float around in her chest as he tightened his grip on her, pulling her a just a little bit closer to him.

Marco felt like he was going to faint as Star pulled him into a spin, her eyes flashing a hint of mischievousness, the lights brightening her face, giving her an angelic look, as her sky blue irises filled him with that same wonderful feeling, Marco afraid he might burst with the startling strong emotion, as he subconsciously pulled her closer to him, craving her presence.

Finally, the last cord of the music swelled, Marco dipping Star, the princess losing her breath at the boy's sudden movement, releasing her hold on his hand and wrapping her arms around his neck. The room was silent as the spotlight blinked off, the only noise coming from Star and Marco, who panted breathlessly, their eyes not parting for a single second, as the boy held her gently aloft.

After what felt like a life-time, someone in the crowd began slowly clapping, Oskar nodding in approval at his kinda-sorta rival, impressed with his ability to literally sweep the girl off her feet, the awestruck look on the princess' face cementing her properly wooed state.

The clap was quickly followed by another, then another, then another, until the whole room shook with the loud clapping of the crowd, cheers of joy echoing through the ballroom.

Star continued to stare up at the memorized boy, before finally whispering, “Umm, Marco you should probably lift me back up now?” She held in a giggle, as Marco finally snapped out his daze, Star picturing his cheeks blushing from beneath the mask, as he realized how close he currently was to his friend.

“Oh right,” he sheepishly responded, lifting the girl back up to her feet, the two regrettably separating from each other, already missing the other's touch. Their was a short awkward silence between the two as the cheering around them finally ceased, everyone waiting to see if something more was going to happen. Finally, Marco coughed, trying to clear his tight throat, before addressing his princess. “So... um... that was really...” He thought for a minute of the right word to say.

“Amazing,” Star finished for him, her eyes looking deep into his own, a shy smile on her face.

“Yeah,” he breathlessly agreed. “It really was. Thank you, Star. For sharing that with me.”

Star felt her heart leap at his words, her voice cracking, as she said, “Your welcome, Marco.”

“But why'd you chose me?” he asked, lowering his eyes from the girl.

Star smiled and shook her head at the boy's low self-esteem, taking his hands into her own. “Because you're my bestie. And because there is no one else I would rather spend time with.”

Marco's face softened as he looked back into her eyes, giving her that same adorably quizzical expression, flashing one of those bright smiles that made Star's heart pound. She turned to the still-watching crowd, finally remembering that they were there. “And that concludes our first dance,” she said loudly to the crowd, just a hint of dismissiveness in her tone, the whole crowd immediately turning away from them, pretending to go back to their own activities.

Star turned back to her bestie, with a guilty look on her face. “I'm sorry. I'd love to hang out more, but this ball isn't going to run itself,” she apologetically said.

“That's okay,” Marco said, shrugging. “You go, I'll just hang out with Jackie and Janna.”

Star nodded, still looking slightly guilty, as she addressed the crowd once again. “I hope you all enjoy the rest of your evening!” She smiled at her friend, releasing his hands. “I'll see you later, okay?”

“Okay.”

With that the two parted, Star disappearing into the crowd, leaving Marco in a daze. Jackie and Janna watched the two separate, another song immediately starting up.

“I'm gonna go get a refill,” Janna said to Jackie, the skater nodding and handing over her cup.

“'Kay, sounds good,” she replied.

“Don't have too much fun without me,” Janna teased, before separating from her, quickly disappearing in the crowd. Jackie just smiled, looking around at all the happy, dancing couples around her, not aware of the shadow slowly darkening over her.

“Hey there beautiful,” a flirty voice called behind her, making her jump. She swerved to see a cocky, well-dressed boy standing over her, giving her an an uncomfortable grin that made her skin crawl. She could tell instantly that this boy wasn't another orphan but some rich upper-crust who had snuck in, his expensive suit and arrogant smile giving him away. “So what's a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?” He grinned, his eyes openly scanning her figure, Jackie's hands clenching into tight fists.

But Jackie took a deep breath hoping to get out of this as quickly as possible, giving him a pleasant smile. “What's a well-dressed, obviously wealthy aristocrat doing at a ball exclusively for orphans?” she shot back, her voice full of suspicion.

He chuckled, his confidence still brimming even after getting called out. “And here I thought I was being subtle.” He gave her a flirty wink, Jackie holding in her gag. “But truth is I'm not an orphan.”

“No,” Jackie said in mock surprise, rolling her eyes.

“Fact is I only came here to try to pick up that little beauty over there.” Jackie followed his pointing finger to Star, talking and laughing with some of the other guests. Figures, Jackie thought.

“But, uh, seems I lost my chance,” he continued, not sounding at all torn up over it. “And then I saw you and thought to myself, now there is a girl who doesn't belong hanging with this crowd of rejects.” He leaned a little closer to her, his voice growing softer, his eyes narrowing on her form. “She should be with a guy like me.”

Jackie inwardly groaned in disgust at the boy's attempts to “charm” her, while outwardly keeping up her normal, calm demeanor as she shook her head at him. “Look I can tell you're obviously trying but I'm just not interested, sorry,” she said simply, trying to keep the hate out of her voice as she turned to leave, but was stopped as his hand wrapped around her wrist, holding her in place.

“Oh come on,” he said, his voice dripping with over-confidence. “Don't be shy, dance with me.”

“No thanks,” Jackie said between clenched teeth, pulling against his iron grasp trying to get loose.

He chuckled dryly. “I don't thank someone with your background has the ability to say no,” he said, shooting her a toothy grin and Jackie gave him a hate-filled glare.

“I said no, now let go!” she hissed, raising her voice hoping to draw the attention of the crowd, but everyone was too caught up in their own activities to notice the skater's increasingly uncomfortable situation, as her admirer released his hold on her, making her stumble, her back hitting the wall behind her. Before she could even react, the boy had closed the distance between them, pressing her against the wall, resting one of his arms on the wall to prevent her escape. “Now come on, gorgeous, you and I both know you're better than all these other filthy brats the princess keeps around to make herself look better...” Jackie stared hate-filled daggers up at the boy, trying to think of some way to escape the arrogant aristocratic. “...you're far too pretty to live in the dirt like the rest of these peasants.”

He gave her another slimy smile, playing with a strand of her white hair. Jackie tried to smack his hand away, but he easily caught it, Jackie giving him a hard look, but the boy's “flirting” tone never ceased. “Why don't we leave this dump and you can come back to my place. No one will even be able to tell you're one of these freaks. Come on, just say yes and I'll make all your dreams come true.” He pressed, Jackie becoming more and more off-put toward the flirty boy, she knew Janna was on her way back, but still she wasn't sure how much longer she could hold this cocky, self-indulged brat at bay. She really needed a way out of this situation as soon as possible, she just wasn't sure how yet.

Marco casually strolled though the crowd of well-dressed Mewmans looking for any signs of his friends. “I'm not interested,” Marco heard a desperate, but familiar voice call and he turned to see Jackie pinned against the wall another boy towering over her, giving her a strange smile. Marco wasn't sure who the new boy was but he could see that his friend was quite uncomfortable being so near him, her face a grimace, her body shifting uncomfortably from beneath the fancy Mewman's relentless stare. The boy immediately felt the urge to go over and help her, but he hesitated. He knew so little about Mewmans and their interactions he wasn't sure if interfering would be the right thing to do, for all he knew this was completely normal. He felt conflicted, looking around in hopes of finding some help in the matter, but Star was busy doing her own thing, having yet to even notice their friend's dilemma and Janna was nowhere to be found. It was all up to him. Marco took a few steps closer to the two, hoping to learn more about the situation and what he should do to help.

“Come on, beautiful,” the boy gushed at Jackie's rejection giving her fake frown. “Don't hurt my feelings.”

“I'm gonna hurt more than that if you don't get off of me!” Jackie spat at the boy, giving him the most off-putting glare she could.

“Fine,” he said in surrender and Jackie felt a rush of relief run through her. “I'll let you go.” His cocky smile returned and Jackie felt her heart drop. “After you give me a kiss.”

“What?!” Jackie exclaimed in utter disbelief. The boy smirked, leaning in closer to her face, his target within sight.

“Come on, gorgeous, just one kiss and- Agh!” The boy's confident air smashed to pieces as Jackie kneed the boy as hard as she could right between the legs, the creep releasing an unmanly squeak, as he pulled away from the girl, barely having the strength to stand. Jackie smiled in victory over the arrogant boy's pain-filled face, freeing herself from the cramped position against the wall and walking confidently away from her tormentor.

But the boy wasn't going to let her get away that easily, growling at the impudent brat who dared to reject him, anger and rage fueling his actions as he loudly yelled, “You filthy peasant!” This drew the attention of several members of the nearby crowd, watching in horror as the angered boy raised a hand back, obviously going to slap the unsuspecting girl. “How dare you disrespect me!” Jackie turned in surprise, barely having time to see the hand closing in on her face, in too much shock to move or guard herself against the incoming attack.

The smack echoed around the room, drawing everyone's attention, the music ceasing as silence filled the large ballroom. Star slowly turned in the direction of the sound, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

Jackie hit the floor hard, a hand instinctively rising to her face, filling for the scar. But she found no defects on her speckled skin as her eyes slowly raised up to see the shaky form of Marco, standing over her, the skater freezing up at the sight. Marco's face was scrunched up in pain, as a burning sensation spreading across his cheek, tears of pain blinding his vision. The impact had been so strong it had even knocked his mask off, the object laying haphazardly at his feet.

The rich snob at first did nothing, just staring in confusion at the boy, hand still raised, but he quickly snapped out of his stupor, feeling a rush of anger at the interfering welp. He grabbed the boy roughly by his collar, making Marco squeak, before drawing him in closer, openly scowling at the frightened Mewman. “Just who do you think you are?!” he hissed, Marco flinching at the raised tone. “You think you're something special just because the princess took pity on you.” He laughed harshly. “You're nothing! Just a worthless piece of garbage like all the others here.”

“Let him go!” a voice screamed, making the wealthy bully jump, just now realizing their display had attracted an audience. He turned in the direction of the yell to see the princess a short distance away, looking the angriest anyone had ever seen their beloved monarch, her normally calm, smiling face now morphed into a hate-filled glare, the look in her eyes making every party-goer shudder in fear.

“What?” the rich snob asked, his panic-stricken mind having trouble processing the girl's enraged tone, feeling an unfamiliar feeling of dread overtake him.

“Put Marco down right now!” she screamed, her voice shaking with rage and her enclosed fists doing the same.

Finally, he seemed to recover from his initial shock, scoffing loudly. “Look it's not my fault the idiot walked right into it-”

“Put. Him. Down.” she commanded, her voice darkening with every syllable, her eyes narrowing on the boy, as he felt a shiver run up his spine.

At last, the bully obeyed, releasing his hold on the shuddering Mewman, Marco crumpling to his knees, a hand on his throbbing cheek, Jackie crawling forward to try and comfort him. Meanwhile, Star stormed forward, her hands still clenched into tight fists, glaring hate-filled daggers, as she came face to face with the startled snob, protectively putting herself between Marco and the bully. There was a short moment of silence, as Star just stared up at the boy with crossed arms, waiting for an explanation, no one in the room daring to even breathe, the tension in the room almost unbearable.

“Listen, princess I can explain-” the boy began, trying to make his voice as light and charming as possible. But this only angered Star more.

“Oh really,” she grunted, her voice low and dangerous. “Well as much as I'd love to hear you lie your way out of slapping and insulting my best friend, you clearly weren't invited to this party in the first place so I suggest you leave... now!”

The boy looked surprised by the statement, but tried to stay calm. “Look this is all just a big misunderstanding.” He gave a lighthearted shrug, attempting to put an arm around the girl. “I'm sure if we all relax everything will-”

The boy was cut off as Star smacked his hand out of the air, making him take an uncomfortable step back. “Oh don't even try it, you creep!” she screamed, struggling to hold back her temper.

The bully's eyes narrowed at the insult, angrily shouting, “How dare you?! Insulting me and taking the side of that worthless idiot!” He pointed to Marco, still hunched over at Star's feet, Jackie holding him from behind in a comforting embrace, trying to calm his shaking, as she glared daggers at the jerky aristocrat.

“Don't ever talk about Marco that way again!” Star screamed, her whole body shaking with mirth. “Marco is not worthless. He's an infinitely better person than you will ever be!”

The snob scoffed loudly. “He's nothing. Unlike me, he'll never amount to anything.”

“Unlike you, he actually cares about people, all you care about is yourself!”

“Do you know how I am?!” the snob screamed into the princess' face, enraged at the girl. “If you kick me out I swear there will be repercussions-”

Star closed the distance between the two, ceasing the boy's rant, as she shot him a frightening glare, hissing into his startled face, “I already asked you once, now if you won't leave then I will remove you from this party myself!”

The boy opened his mouth to retort but the look in the princess' eyes was giving him the creeps and he felt his confident air quickly evaporate as he fumbled around for the proper insult. “Yeah well.. your stupid and this party is lame, I didn't want to be here anyway.”

With that the wealthy boy turned and cut open a portal with his dimensional scissors, stomping angrily into the portal, with a defeated glare. The second the portal closed, Star turned on her heels to Marco, immediately dropping to her knees, trying to get a good look at the boy. “Marco, are you okay?” she asked with concern. “Where did he get? Tell me where it hurts?”

But the boy remained silent, keeping his head down, his face concealed by his hair. Though Star was slightly comforted to see his shaking had let up immensely. For just a moment her and Jackie shared a look of concern. “Marco,” Jackie tried, keeping her voice as comforting as possible. “Come on, dude, we can't help you if you won't let us.”

The boy was taking short, shallow breaths, sounding like he was on the verge of breaking down into tears. Star felt her heart break seeing him so upset. “Marco?” she said, her voice barely a whisper, her voice shaking with worry, putting a hand lightly on the hand still pressed tightly against his cheek. “Please.” Finally the boy allowed Star to remove his hand, as he looked up at her, his brown orbs damp with unshed tears and Star felt her heart break at the hurt look he was giving her. But what hurt worse was the cut running all the way across Marco's cheek, the whole thing red and swelling. “Oh Marco,” she breathed, her eyes growing wide, putting a hand to her mouth.

Marco felt his heart rate spike at Star's pain-filled voice, filling lost and confused at her bizarre behavior, his hand slowly looking down to see the blood on his fingertips. Marco felt a wave of fear run through him, his stomach twisting with guilt, the old feeling of dread overtaking the boy. The world around him broke and faded from existence as those same, pain-filled words returned to Marco frazzled mind. These scars are proof of your crimes.

Star heard Marco's weak, shallow breathing, the boy going into a panic attack right before her eyes, but as she reached out a hand to comfort him, he pulled away, leaping to his feet and out of Jackie's arms, already running for the door. Star and Jackie quickly stood, the princess shouting after her frightened friend. “Marco!”

Star was on his tail in a half a second, the startled crowd parting to let her pass. Jackie started to follow but stopped as she felt a hand on her shoulder, turning to see Janna. “She needs to do this one alone,” she said, her voice the most serious Jackie had ever heard, the skater regrettably pulling back, allowing Star to chase after their friend alone.

“Marco! Marco wait!” Star screamed, trying desperately to get Marco's attention, but he no longer seemed interested in listening. The doors to the ballroom slammed open as Marco rushed out, tears blurring his vision as he tried to find his way back to his room, but he had taken the wrong door, now in the lush castle garden, lit only by the moon above.

Marco didn't even hesitate as he ran deeper into the foliage, Star reaching the door quickly after, panting as she looked around for any sign of her friend. “Marco!” she screamed again, but there was no reply. “Marco please!” Star's voice cracked as concerned tears filled her own eyes. But she didn't have time to waste, the boy quickly gaining distance, so she took a guess, running off in the direction she hoped the boy had gone.

She ran as quickly as possible, calling the boy's name, suddenly regretting wearing the uncomfortable boots, finding running extremely difficult in the fashionable shoes. At last, Star spotted Marco a short distance ahead, trying to rub the tears out of eyes with the back of one of his sleeves, the boy slowing down as he found running more and more difficult being half blind. Star quickened her pace, gaining distance on the boy as she managed to grab onto his arm, pulling him back toward her. Marco was too startled by the sudden weight change to stop her, as he felt himself being forced to turn on his heels, seeing the half-blurry image of his best friend, as she pulled him into a comforting hug.

The two remained still for a moment, both panting, trying to regain their breath, feeling each other's racing hearts pound against their chest, Star with her head buried deep into the boy's shoulder, Marco with his arms stiff at his side, tears still falling freely down his face.

“It's okay,” Star soothed, rubbing a hand up and down his back and Marco sobbed, his legs finally going out, as he dropped to his knees, Star following right after, refusing to release her hold on him.

“I-I'm so sorry,” he sobbed and Star shushed him, squeezing him a little bit tighter.

“What on Mewni do you have to be sorry for?” she asked, trying to understand why the boy would be feeling guilt of all things.

“This scar,” he sobbed, his throat tight. “It means I did something wrong!”

Star felt her heart shatter at the hurt tone in his voice, realizing he must have triggered his memories of Toffee's attack. “Oh, no, no, Marco, you didn't do anything wrong,” she instantly soothed, trying to calm his racing thoughts.

“B-But I-”

“No! You didn't do anything wrong.” She finally pulled away, looking deep into his eyes, putting both hands softly on his cheek, wiping the tears from his face, careful not to touch his scar. “Don't believe anything that  jerk said. You saved Jackie. You're a hero, Marco.”

Marco sniffed, his breathing slowly slightly. “So you don't hate me?” he choked out, his eyes pleading and Star gave him a sad look. She sighed as she pulled him into another hug.

“Of course not,” she said, her own voice cracking slightly. “There is nothing you could ever do that would make me hate you.”

Marco felt a rush of relief at the statement, her words soothing him, bringing a familiar feeling of comfort with it. “Really?!” he asked, his voice shaking slightly.

“Yes,” Star said confidently, no doubt in her tone. “Yes, Marco. You're my best friend and I will always be here for you. No matter what.”

Marco's tear-streaked face finally broke into a smile, as he returned the hug, wrapping his shaky arms around Star, burying his head into her shoulder, as his breathing slowed to a more normal pace, finally relaxing in Star's warm embrace. The two just sat there for a moment, letting the hug drag out for as long as they could, neither wanting to break the comforting hug, enjoying the warmth and joy it was bringing them, though neither would quite admit to it.

“Are you ready to head back to the party?” Star asked after a short while, though not letting up on her embrace, and Marco gently shook his head in reply.

“Can we just... stay like this a little longer?” he asked back, tightening his grip slightly.

Star smiled, giving a little chuckle at the boy's unbearable cuteness. “Sure, Marco. Whatever you want.”

…

The whole crowd of orphans looked out into the garden, waiting, as they all looked around awkwardly, none quite sure what to say after the incident. Finally, a figure pushed their way out from the thick bushes, every orphan staring in anticipation at Janna, as she strolled forward with a blank look, Jackie taking a few steps closer. “Well,” the skater questioned and every orphan leaned forward eagerly. “Did you find them?”

Janna's face grew into a smirk. “Yep.”

“And?” Jackie pressed, concerned for the answer.

“He's fine,” Janna replied, giving a dismissive wave, Jackie and the rest of the crowd all sighing in relief. “Though they didn't seem like they were in too big of a hurry to head back.”

Jackie nodded in understanding. “That's fine. Let them have their moment. Marco earned it.”

“Yeah he did!” someone in the crowd yelled and everyone cheered in agreement.

“Three cheers for Marco!” Ferguson screamed, the crowd instantly obeying his instructions, loudly chanting the masked boy's name loudly.

In the garden, Star and Marco broke their hug, hearing the boy's name loudly echoing around the lush woods, the two sharing a look, the boy's cheeks blushing at the unexpected praise. “Are they cheering for me?” he asked in awe.

Star put a hand on his shoulder, shooting him a proud smile. “I told you, you're a hero now.” Marco's face broke into a shy smile, as he turned in the direction of the crowd.

Oskar whistled, drawing everyone's attention to him, ceasing the loud cheering, Jackie biting her lip, concerned the boy was about to ruin Marco's moment. He flashed them all a confident smile. “What do you say we get this party going again, for Marco?”

The crowd erupted into another cheer and Oskar smiled widely. Suddenly, he pulled his keytar from behind his back, none quite sure where he had been keeping it all that time. “And I'll play a song in Marco's honor.”

The cheering instantly ceased, everyone shouting in concern and fear, “No!”

...

The room was dark and silent and cold, a deep chill settling into the poor soul being forced to enter the dark room. Beard Deer tried to hold back a shudder as he stood in the dimly lit doorway, his night vision doing little to see through the almost enchanted shadows that surrounded him. He was not looking forward to the conversation that was coming and the punishment that no doubt would follow, no, he was really not looking forward to that. Stupid Buff Frog going rouge and forcing him to become the cruel lizards right-hand monster.

He sucked in a breath and finally braved the darkness, walking hesitantly forward, his footsteps echoing off the cold cobblestone. He saw a small light nearby and walked hesitantly over to it. There he saw the lizard sitting in a chair, his eyes on a small mirror screen, lighting up his blank face, making him look even more menacing.

Beard Deer swallowed down his nerves as he saluted his master. “Master Toffee, second-in-command Beard Deer reporting from scouting miss-”

“Get to the point,” Toffee said in an uninterested tone and Beard Dear jumped at the sudden outburst from his superior.

“U-Uh of course, Master Toffee.” He cleared his tight throat. “Well unfortunately, even after searching close to the Butterfly Kingdoms border, as you suggested, we were still unable to locate either Marco or Buff Frog.” Beard Deer tensed up, waiting for Toffee to snap.

But in typical Toffee fashion he didn't react at all to the news, his eyes on the mirror's screen. “M-Master Toffee?” Beard Deer said in concern, leaning closer to the lizard.

“How long has it been now, Beard Deer?” Toffee finally responded, making the monster jump.

“How long?” Beard Deer repeated in confusion.

“Since Marco was taken from us.” Beard Deer felt his claws clench into fists, his hatred toward Buff Frog showing even in this fearful moment. He had no idea why Buff Frog had kidnapped his own son, but he wasn't really sure if it mattered at this point. All of the monsters hated him for it anyways. And if he ever got his hands on the traitors amphibian he swore he would make him regret it.  

“A few weeks,” the deer monster said bitterly, feeling slightly responsible for Marco's abduction. He should have protected him better.

Toffee sighed, sounding more bored than annoyed, but Beard Deer remained tensed and ready. Finally, Toffee looked over to his new second-in-command. “Tell the others to begin searching within the Butterfly Kingdom.”

Beard Deer blinked, unsure if he had heard the lizard right. “But Master Toffee, Queen Moon and King River's army are surrounding the border-”

“Which means they've foolishly left their inner kingdoms completely unguarded. You should have no trouble getting around unnoticed.”

“But what makes you think he's there?” Beard Deer risked and Toffee gave him a slimy smile that sent shivers down the monster's spine.

“Oh, just a feeling.” Before the monster could question him further Toffee turned back to his screen. “You're dismissed.”

Beard Deer hesitated for a moment, considering questioning him further, but wisely thought better of it saluting his superior and exiting the room quickly, blowing on his cold claws trying to get feeling in them once again.

The lizard didn't even hear the door close, his focus entirely on the mirror's screen. Its video had frozen on the image of the Mewman's beloved princess Star dancing with a young boy in a mask. Though his face and cheek marks were concealed, Toffee had seen though his facade in a second. He wasn't sure if it was supposed to be clever or not, but regardless he had finally found his missing pawn.

Toffee's calm exterior broke, smiling wickedly, his eyes narrowing on the image of the boy. “Well, well, little Marco it seems you've made yourself a powerful new ally. Not that it will do you any good. I will reclaim what is rightfully mine.” His gaze slowly shifted to the image of the perfect little princess, feeling his hatred burn at the sight of the Butterfly heir. “By any means necessary.”

[memescomicswriting]

In the Pursuit of Happiness Ch. 1

Fandom: Marvel

Pairing: Reader x Bucky, Reader x Steve

Warnings/genre: Angst, Fluff

Summary: Singer!Avenger. Raised by Sheild since the age of ten, Y/N grew up without everyday examples. She only saw how to be an agent. Though as a grown woman she has surpassed that mindset, she still faces challenges from her upbringing- like how to handle feelings, unrequited love, and interpersonal challenges. Set after similar plot points in Civil War, Y/N must face returning home after leaving during an uncomfortable time in her life and facing the consequences

A/N: This is my first series in the Marvel fandom. I hope you enjoy it. I always welcome feedback. It is appreciated. This story does not follow the traditional Marvel timeline. I mess with it to make the story work, so roll with me.

Story Masterlist

---

It was the tenth official Stark party this year. It was in honor of Steve, and he requested any donations from the charity ball portions of the evening be donated to the Stark Veterans Project. The project was created to honor those who sacrificed their lives for their country by supporting their families- whether sending their kids to college, funding counseling, replacing income, or helping with funeral arrangments. It also worked to provide the best resources available for those coming home with casualties.

This party felt different, lighter, and cheerful. Steve was entertaining a group of Sam's veteran buddies while Sam poured them all drinks. Tony, with the assistance of Nat's intimidating skillset,  kept scoring large donations for the cause. Thor and Clint were off somewhere playing darts to determine who had the best accuracy. Wanda, with Vision's attempt at helping, was trying to relax Peter. He was here as a 'Stark Intern.' He and Banner both appeared apprehensive at the large gathering of people.

That left Bucky, who had shrugged Steve off insisting he was fine, nursing an Asgardian lased whiskey in a lonely corner of the bar. He wanted to talk to people, honestly, he did, but he wouldn't know where to begin. Being a brainwashed Hydra assassin for the past seventy years left him short of topics to discuss and rusty social skills. He'd stay until the charity part was over, as an Avenger. Though it wasn't like many people recognized him, and those who did were apprehensive at best. He planned on moving to the couch by the exit to the living quarters soon.

Then a shockingly gorgeous woman emerged from the crowd like Venus from the sea. Eyes followed her, lingered, but no one followed as if they were frozen in shock. She sauntered up to the bar counter, a seat away from Bucky. This bar was less populated than the others. Probably because no noticeable Avengers hung off it.

"Can I have a gin and tonic please." Her voice was smoother than velvet and sweater than molten chocolate dripping off a strawberry. Bucky was commanded, without intention, to notice the woman within an arm's distance. She was drinking gin, an old fashioned drink Bucky rarely heard ordered before.

The bartender gulped, assuming it was due to the beautiful woman leaning over the bar. "Yes Ms. Y/L/N."

She was dressed in something so unique. It was a black jumpsuit with a large V for a top, cascading to a cinched waist in gleaming chiffon fabric. The pants of the outfit were well fitted, highlighting long legs and the curves of her hips. She stood out from all the others in the room. With hair perfectly curled and pinned into a loose bun; strands dripped from their place to create a beautifully disheveled look. Then there were those cherry red lips- so well defined they were sinful. 

So yeah, Bucky had to notice her, and by his luck, she noticed him too. Maybe it was the intensity of his stare or the muffled choke of his rapid inhale, but she turned to him with eyes so bright they could have been stars. He died right there on the spot and he must have looked like a complete creep.

"Sorry if I bothered your peace and quiet." Her voice was light like a melody, not harsh, or apologetic, or disturbed, but friendly. "But I needed some of it too." Her lips upturned in the smallest of smiles, but it struck Bucky like a bolt of lightning. 

The bartender placed her gin and tonic on a napkin and reluctantly moved to the guests on the other side of the bar. In what felt like an eternity, she took a sip of her drink and analyzed Bucky. There was no scrutiny in the way she glanced him over, but a light concentration like she was looking for something. He died again, her gaze and her presence were so much to take in. As if she sensed his animal instinct to bolt, she placed her hand on the bar ledge close to his. "Oh please don't go! I haven't had the chance to talk to you yet."

"Talk to me?" It was a quick utterance of disbelief. No one wanted to talk to him. Steve, Nat, and Sam would because they were his friends, the other Avengers would, but no stranger had yet to go out of their way to talk to him.

She chuckled long and slow like thick molasses. "Yes, you Bucky. Who wouldn't want to talk to you?" 

It was rhetorical, but Bucky mentally answered it- everyone, everyone but you, it seems. "I-I...who are you?" It was gruff and possibly rude, but he was almost proud that the talked this much already.

"A friend of Steve and Tony's, and the whole team really." Her smile never faltered. "They mentioned you came tonight and I wanted to see for myself." 

"Oh..." Bucky scolded himself for his anxiety and lack of manners. "Well, I'm not staying long." Again. he criticized his actions. He wasn't the ladies man from his past, but he wasn't the cold solder either. He was lost in a new identity.

"No!" It wasn't a shout, but there was a forceful need behind her voice. "You should stay till the end of the charity portion at least! I promise you it'll be worth it."

"Well, I don't know..." He trailed off.

Pleading took over her features. "Oh promise me you will? For me?"

She had to know the effect she had on him, the command and the enticing desire to try. His desire to resist the feeling to bolt, and to participate. "Okay, I will." He hesitantly agreed.

"Oh, that makes me so happy!" She spoke to him, but her head whipped to the direction of Tony's voice over the speaker. "I uh have to go, but I hope to see you again Bucky." Quickly, she grabbed her drink and shot Bucky another knee-buckling smile as she walked back into the crowd she appeared from.

Tony spoke over the speaker for a bit. He thanked all the guests for coming and for their donations. He spoke about the worthiness of the cause and how there were still more chances to give. A singer was about to come on, and there were five slots for a purchaser to fill with the song of their choosing. On top of that, the singer donated a few extra songs for free- ten in total. Bids went up, and they sold in the thousands. Many were songs Bucky didn't know, but the voice caught him.

Despite the chorus' Bucky didn't know and didn't like, that voice struck him for the second time that night. There was that girl, half raping, half-singing some song. Bucky stood from his stool caught by her voice. She went through the five purchased songs Bucky was not familiar with, then she switched to a setlist which she performed with ease. First, "I'll be Seeing You" by Billie Holiday- probably for Steve. A song about landslides, another beautifully slow and captivating song repeating Hallelujah, something about waterfalls, and lastly the song that drew Bucky through the crowd despite himself.

Her voice ripped through the crowd and into him. Her previous composure had been thrown to the wind for a defiant, screw you, attitude. "I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know" She called out. "Everything that shines ain't always going to be gold." Slews of cursed were in the song too, but Bucky found them refreshing in the way they were delivered. He was held captive by the divinely sultry yet earthy gravel of her voice.

"Tell me what you know about dream'n. You don't really know nothing." The crowd around was bouncing to the song, some singing along, others simply moving with it. Bucky pushed to the front and his eyes marveled up at the stage. "Tell me what you know about night terrors every night, waking up five a.m. cold sweats, waking up to the sky." He was struck. That was him, he did that and he pushed people away for not understanding. That was him and the most beautiful girl he had ever seen was singing his experience from a point of knowing. She knew what it was like and she knew him. He was infatuated.

The song came to a roaring end, the crowd screaming, but she wasn't out of breath. Bucky was. She looked down off the stage and saw him. She winked and there was no oxygen left to fill his lungs. "I'm Y/S/N and I hope you had a great time tonight. I certainly did. Remember, there are more opportunities to bid on, on your way out. Keep donating for those who have served!"

She exited the boxed off back of the stage, down a hallway to the Avenger's personal lounge; where the friends only after party was set to happen. Tony replaced her on stage thanking the guests for coming and rattling off the usual. 

Bucky scanned the room, pushing through crowds. He needed Steve and he needed him now, but he already left. Those staying for the private afterparty used the end of the mini-concert to slip unnoticed down to the common area. Bucky did one more look over before deciding to make an exit himself.

***

The easiest ways to the common area were cut off due to the high traffic of exiting guests, so Bucky had to go up a floor and cut through some of the living quarters to reach his destination. He walked at almost a jogging pace down the opposite flight of stairs and the back section of the floor he needed to be on. It included the apartment he shared with Steve. However, he was caught in an abrupt halt when the very person he was running to find answers about swung out of the apartment across from his. The spider kid used it on occasion, but otherwise, it was empty. 

She had changed and let her hair down. Now in a pair of black leggings and SHEILD pull over, she still looked like perfection. Bucky was shocked to see her, and she was the same. She hadn't expected him to be here. She thought he'd attach himself to Steve.

She recovered quicker than him. "You stayed as promised." 

Her lips curved again and after recovering from their sting, Bucky gained enough control to talk. “Yah...” Bucky’s Brooklyn accent emerged through his foggy grip on words. “You shouldn’t be back here.” 

 Civilians, unless escorted or previously approved were not permitted back into the private sector of the compound. Here was a goddess of civilian women- like a muse or Aphrodite, outside of Bucky’s apartment.

A low chuckle escaped her lips. It drew Bucky in to box her into the door frame. “You don’t know. They didn’t tell you, did they?”

Bucky bit his bottom lip, making it flush with color. He didn’t realize he had boxed her in until he was starring down at her. It was a close distance that made his heart race with riddles of anxiety. The position was unnerving. “Who are you really? How do you do that?”

Her eyebrow quipped in an extended arch. Maybe it was in challenge or amusement. Despite Bucky’s height advantage, he suddenly felt small.

“And what exactly do I do? Because I see your skillset is more of the twenty questions sort.” She stepped forward and Bucky stepped back.

Bucky inhaled sharply to give a sheepish reply about how she needed to leave the private sector of the compound. Then he heard a familiar male voice call out. “There you go, kid. Everything back to the way it was.” Clint appeared around a door frame. “Oh, hey there Sarg. Did you need something?”

She spoke up before Bucky. “It seems four months away and everyone forgets the I was ever an avenger” Clint wasn’t picking up what she was hinting at until she tilted her head in Bucky’s direction. 

“Uh... oh. Right, you’ve been away for the recent changes.” Clint slowly turned from her to Bucky with a serious look of contemplation. “I guess Cap is losing his memory in his old age.” He shrugged and the seriousness released from his shoulders. Jovially, he clapped Bucky’s back. “Come on old-timer. Help me escort the lady to Steve for some answers.”

The avenger’s personal lounge was significantly more relaxed than the party. There was still some partygoers, but all personal friends. Tony played makeshift bartender; mixing drinks for anyone near the bar. Others just walked behind the bar themselves. Music played over the speaker system in the background. Games like pool and air hockey still going strong.

Bucky easily spotted Steve. He was standing with Natasha by the couches. His voice echoed the room as he was barreling laughs.

Gaining some sense of clarity, Bucky leads the pack to Steve. “Hey, pal.” Steve greeted between laughs.

“Yeah, pal.” His voice was low and reserved as usual. “You um, supposedly forgot to let me in on something.”

Just then, she stepped out from behind Bucky. “Hello, Steve.” Her voice was as thick and rich as a fine whiskey.

Steve, flushed with alcohol sobered up in actions. “Y/N.” He breathed out in an enchanted tone. Natasha was scarce to be seen. Clint wanted to follow her.

“Right...” Clint peeked his eyes from Clint to Y/N. “Now that we’re all where we need to be, I’m gonna go find Nat. Let me know if you find anything else kid.”

Y/N nodded to Clint with a smile different than any she had shown before. “Seems you forgot to inform the newcomer of my arrival.” Her full attention was on Steve. Despite her almost lovingly soft expression, Steve reacted as if she was emitting the intensity of the sun's summer rays. 

Bucky knew Steve. Hydra, brainwashing, and time couldn't replace his second-nature understanding of Steve. He knew Steve was in a star stricken gaze. Bucky almost smirked at the punk.

"Well, I..." Steve bashfully rubbed the nape of his neck. He had to look away from the dazzling Y/N to gain the ability to think straight. "I'm sorry. It slipped by."

Disappointment clouded her previously radiant being. "I understand it's been busy lately. I've been busy as well. Missions and all else."

Tension and unspoken thoughts lingered in the air between them. Anyone could see it, and everyone did. Bucky understood why Natasha and Clint disappeared. The awkwardness seeped into everyone around the pair. At least, Steve's disarray was penetrating. Y/N maintained an unwavering decorum. 

"Buck," Steve spoke up, barely dragging himself through an ashamed fog. "This is Y/F/N. A good teammate, great agent, and an incredible friend. I can't find the right words to adequately sum how amazing she is, and I know you'll get along swell."

Y/N craked her lips, desperately wanting to say something she just couldn't get out. Steve motioned to Bucky with his eyes, and in a shock of remembrance, Y/N turned to meet Bucky's fresh gaze. Her radiant persona emerged, but not to the extent it was at earlier that evening. "And now you know who I am, really am." She dared to take Bucky's hand in hers. The nearest hand to her was the one she took, his metal hand. She did not flinch, drop it, or indicate any realization that it was more than just a hand. "I'm not just the civilian entertainment. I'm a teammate as well."

She was shaking Bucky's hand in the delicate grip of both hers. He wanted to know what that would feel like with his flesh hand. "I'm not sure I'll ever know all of who you are." It was a dry comment without much thought of recourse behind it.

Shock raptured into a beautifully honest smile.  "Then I hope you enjoy mysteries." She kept that smile as she turned to Steve, despite his previous disappointing words. She removed her hands from Bucky's growing grip to grasp Steve's shoulder. "I hope you'll spare some time for us to chat."

It was a statement but said with the tone of a question. Steve took a hard gulp. "I- of course, I will. Anything for you."

Y/N's smile became warmer; if that was even possible. "Thank you." She glanced over the rest of the party. She spotted an awkward-looking Petter blushing at Tony's bosting of the boy. She chuckled lightly shaking her head. "I'll leave you boys to talk. I think I have a spider to rescue." 

Y/N patted Steve's shoulder and dropped her hand. She turned back to Bucky once more. "It was a pleasure to meet you, James."

With a curt but breathless nod, Bucky managed to reply. "Nice to meet you too."

Bucky waited until Y/N disappeared in all the guests to address Steve. He became lighter with her exit. "What the hell was that?" He swatted at Steve.

"That," Steve sighed exasperated, but with love-struck longing. "Was Y/N"

And it dawned on Bucky. That was Steve’s girl.

---

A/N: Chapter one done! Let me know what you think! Reblog if you liked it! How awkward was that seen in the hallway? Comment below if you think Y/N should have introduced herself right away. 

[agressivelyunfancynerd]

Happy Birthday to You (Bucky Fic)

Pairings: Bucky x Female Reader

Warnings: Fluff. Almost smut.

Blurb: When Stark embarrasses you by springing a surprise birthday party on you, you have a few too many drinks and confront Bucky about his hate for you; only it’s not what you think.

Word Count: 2,600+

You’d been at the Avengers tower for about six months now, and in that time you had become pretty good friends with all of them.

You loved talking to Steve about the past and history, what really happened as opposed to what was written in the books.

You and Tony loved to try your hand at building things, although you were usually more there watching than actually helping. He did let you try on his helmet once, which was awesome.

You always went to Bruce when you had a science-y question, or just wanted to chat, he was probably your favourite person. In fact, you did sort of have a crush on him, if only he was a little younger or you were a little older – or you know, if he didn’t have eyes for Nat, who could kill you with her pinkie finger.

You and Nat became really good sparring partners; you loved how she pushed you to be better, without screaming at you and making you hate physical exercise.

Clint was teaching you how to shoot arrows and throw knives. And skulk around the tower and scare people, like he does.  

Sam and Peter were basically like the two annoying brothers you never had. Constantly pushing your buttons. You loved the goofballs though.

Wanda was your roommate for a time, when you first arrived, she said she knew what it was like to be the newbie and to feel alone, and she wasn’t going to let that happen to you; and since then you’d become good friends. You often stayed up into the wee hours of the morning in either her room or yours, wrapped up in blankets, talking or watching TV.  

Thor was so much fun; you loved spending time with him. Especially when he talked about the realms and the stars and Asgard. One time you got him to talk to you about his favourite place in the entire universe and you drew it in your sketch pad, when you were done he was so happy about how perfect you captured it, he bear hugged you until you almost passed out. He reminded you of a giant Labrador, so full of love and happiness. Despite being the God of Thunder.

You hadn’t really had much to do with Vision or Rhodey though, but they seemed like nice guys.

And then there was Bucky. He wouldn’t give you the time of day. Never said hello, or smiled – did he even know how to smile – when you had to spar with him, he didn’t hold back. Often you left the sessions hurting, bruised. If you came into a room and no one else was there, he got up and left, if someone else was there he pulled them into a deep conversation until you left. If you said you were going to one of Stark’s parties, he either didn’t show up, or showed up for ten minutes and then left with some hot piece of ass.

You only wished you knew what you did or said to make him hate you. You weren’t a bad person, you were friendly, you talked about anything, you made a mean coffee cheesecake, and you were up for any kind of adventure – sitting watching Netflix, hiking, going to the beach. You just couldn’t fathom why someone hated you so much, with every fiber of their being, like Bucky did.

***

You were having the most wonderful dream, when your phone blared its annoying text tone, to alert you that you had a message. You rolled over in your bed, blinking and trying to wake up. You grabbed your phone, and with one eye open, you clicked it on and read a message from Tony.

 === YOU’RE INVITED ===

Party with the Avengers!!!

@ The Avengers Tower

SIX O’CLOCK TONIGHT!

No RSVP Necessary

- Tony Stark

 You grumbled. Normally you didn’t mind Stark’s parties, but after your latest encounter with Bucky you were in no mood to party. Yesterday you’d been sparring with Nat when she was called away, and Bucky was asked to step in, he basically knocked you off balance, yelled at you for being so easily knocked off balance and then stormed out of the training room.

Your cheeks grew hot with embarrassment and you ended up going back to your room and crying in the bottom of your shower like a little child. Bucky just pushed your buttons.

Did you really have to go to the party? Would Stark even notice? You kept trying to think up ways to get out of it, but nothing came to you.

You got out of bed and went for a shower, it was already one o’clock, you’d slept in; which was great, but also bad, because now you had even less time to mentally and emotionally prepare for the party.

After your shower you decided to head to Wanda’s room and grab her, stopping on the way to grab Nat, if you were going to the party you were going to look and feel hot, but you were going to need all the help you could get.

You knocked on Nat’s door.

“Hey Y/N, what’s up?” Nat said.

“I need your help, can you go to my room and wait for me, and I’ll be back in a second.” You said, turning away. Nat agreed and was already heading to your room.

You got to Wanda’s door and before you could knock she was already opening it.

“I knew you’d come, as soon as I got Stark’s text, what’s up?” She asked, smiling.

“I need you and Nat to make me pretty for the party, and help me pick a rocking outfit.” You said.

“You’re already pretty Y/N” Wanda sighed, “but we’ll see how we can highlight that” she winked.

You and Wanda were just turning into your bedroom when you noticed Nat had already laid some clothes on the bed, some yours, and some hers. You would swear, she was a mind reader. Wanda went to your wardrobe and grabbed a few other bits and pieces and put them down too, before running back to hers and Nat’s room and grabbing the makeup bags.  

After hours of primping and polishing you were done. Nat and Wanda had butted heads on a few things, and you flatly refused a few as well, but between the three of you, you came out with a rocking, biker chic outfit, killer boots and makeup that would have models jealous.

“Oh my god, I love it! Thank you so much you guys!” You smiled at them in the mirror.

“Hey, the foundation was already there, we just added to it” Nat said, smiling and then leaving the room.

“Every guy in that party tonight is going to want your number girl! And maybe half the ladies too, you look hot!” Wanda winked, giving your shoulder a quick squeeze before she too left to get ready.

You were actually in awe of your outfit. It was the perfect combo of street style and girly chic. You had a slinky black dress with long see through lace sleeves, and a daring V-neck cut, courtesy of Wanda, which you paired with thigh high black leather boots, courtesy of Nat; a leather jacket with lace in the back and sleeves, which you were proud to say was your own pick. Then you just polished the outfit with a nice choker necklace, and some rings.

Your makeup was fierce, cat eyed eyeliner, dark smoky eyes, and bright cherry red lips, again courtesy of Wanda. That girl loved her red. You did one last check in the mirror before heading out of your room.

***

Guests had started arriving at four, it was crazy. By six when the party actually started it was booming, loud music, hot bodies dancing, and alcohol in every hand. You shouldered your way through until you were at the bar.

“Hey Steve” you half yelled when you saw him sitting alone.

“Hey Y/N– wow! You look, you, ah. You look really beautiful” he smiled. You and Steve chatted for a while, until Sam and Thor came over, something about a darts challenge, you weren’t really sure.

Just as you signalled the bartender for another drink you noticed Bucky enter. Along with every other woman in the place. He wore a tight black button down, black skinny-ish jeans and his signature combat boots. He’d brushed his hair and put it in a little bun.

Your breath caught for like two seconds before you realised he was staring at you. You quickly turned and downed your drink.

When you thought it was safe to glance back over your shoulder, you did, only to see Bucky still staring. Just as you were about to make a run for the door, Stark came in and told everyone to shut the hell up. The room went dead.

“Now, unlike most of my other parties … Okay, unlike all of my other parties, this one actually has a reason behind it!” he yelled, everyone looked puzzled and started whispering back and forth. You took another chance to scan the room, eyes automatically falling on Bucky, who was still staring.

“This party is sort of a welcome, for our newest Avengers,” he glanced at you, then at Peter, and T’Challa who’d only recently agreed to be a fully fledged Avenger, “it’s also someone’s birthday, and I do love birthdays” he continued.

Before your brain could respond, Stark was pointing at you, and a spotlight came on, lighting you up like a Christmas tree.

“Let’s all give up for Y/N on her birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Tony yelled, before the crowd started singing happy birthday. Your cheeks were burning. You looked up at Stark, and glared. He only winked at you.

You looked back into the crowd of people, Bucky was, smirking.

***

You’re not sure how many drinks you had after Tony’s announcement, but it was definitely more than your average two. You were past tipsy, and heading straight into crash and burn territory. But not before you did something incredibly stupid that you would definitely regret tomorrow.

You hoped up off of your stool at the bar, pushed past everyone and sauntered straight over to Bucky and slapped him right across the face. The resounding slap making the whole room silent.

Thor who was mere feet away was standing with his mouth hanging open; Steve had stood up from his chair, but was unsure of how to react, you didn’t know, or care where the rest of the team was, and Bucky, Bucky actually smiled.

“You’re a real piece of work ya know that! I can see it in the way you stare at me, you don’t think I am worth your time; you won’t even take the time to get to know the person I might be, no matter how nice I am to you, or how friendly I try to be, you could care less. And it’s bullshit! You treat me like shit on your shoes, you push me harder in sparring than anyone else, and you just about break my back every time we train! What, the actual fuck did I do to you? Huh?!” you threw your arms up in the air, giving a quick circle before turning back to him, “Did I take your favourite coffee cup without asking? Did I take your spot on the couch? Did I offend you in any way? Please for the love of fuck tell me! Because I would really fucking love to know!” When you had finished yelling and realised that everyone was staring at you, whispering, the heat started to come back to your cheeks, and Bucky was still smiling.

“You know what; I’m done trying to be nice. FUCK YOU!” you spat at him, and for a split second, his smile wavered, before he steeled himself. You stormed out of the party, stomping your feet every step of the way to the elevators.

The elevator dinged and you stepped inside. Just as the doors began to shut Bucky shouldered in. He waited for the doors to close, and then hit the emergency stop button, before turning and walking right up to you, backing you into the wall, and put his hands on the wall, either side of your body. You tensed.

His crystal blue eyes bore into you.

“I don’t hate you” he whispered, so soft you barely heard it.

“What?”

“I. Don’t. Fucking. Hate. You” he said, making sure to enunciate every word.

“Oh yeah? Then why do you treat me so shit, huh?!” You tried to get past him, but he wouldn’t budge.

“Because I like you, you intrigue me, you, you’re something else.”

“WHAT?! You treat me like shit because I interest you? Because you like me? What are we, in second grade?!” You were screaming again.

“I treat you like I do, because you’re the strongest person I know, and I know you can take it, anyone else would’ve given up a long time ago, trying to be my friend, but you didn’t, anyone else would’ve punched me in the face for pushing them so hard in training, but not you, you took it and came back for more, it’s exciting.”

You rolled your eyes and groaned. He was being childish. I like you, so I treat you like shit.

“Ya know, a better, more adult way, of treating someone you like is to, A, tell them you like them, B, act like a human being with them, you know smile at them when they smile, say hello when they say hello, not just grunt, and C, maybe once in a while tell them something looks nice; like oh hey Steve love the new hair cut! You know, be a person.” You grumble.

“Okay,” he whispered, taking a step closer to you, the heat radiating off his body, his breath warm on your skin. “Y/N, I like you,” he smiled, “I will endeavour to say hello to you, every time you say it to me, from now on, and also, you look fucking gorgeous in that dress tonight doll face. You give a man all kinds of ideas.” He winked.

Between your thighs got hot and you could feel the pooling in your panties.

You went to push him away, he was clearly drunk and didn’t know what he was saying, but before you could move, he’d pinned your arms above your head, and his lips crashed into yours. It was a deep, hungry kiss. His body was pressed so hard against yours; you could feel him getting hard.

His lips left yours and he started trailing down your neck, until his head was right at the base of the V-neck, just above your breasts. You moaned and he looked up at you from under his lashes and smirked.

“Good to know the feeling is mutual then” he teased. Before making his way back up to your lips. You kissed him again, harder and more hungry than before. Your legs shot up and wrapped around his waist and you rolled your hips against him to get some friction.

“You know I didn’t get to ask, what with you yelling at me,” he said in between kisses, “what do you want for your birthday?”

“You” was all you could croak out.

“And so you shall, as many times as you want, birthday girl.” He grinned.

With that, Bucky let your legs fall back to the floor, which made you whimper; he slammed the button to your floor and when the elevator arrived he pulled you by the arm until you were in your room.

 End.

   Inspired by the song “Like That” by Bea Miller, specifically these lyrics:

Can see it from the way you looking at me You don't think I'm worth your time Don't care about the person that I might be Offended that I walk the line So what if I'm not So what if I'm not everything you wanted me to be? So what if I am So what if I am more than you can see? When you treat me like that, when you treat me like that It's pushin' me harder, it's pushin' me harder When you breakin' my back, when you breakin' my back

[jakejamesjournalism]

a list: the best posse cuts in hip-hip over the last 10 years.

Highlighting some of the best group efforts in rap.  To qualify, the song must have been released after July of 2009 and feature at least 4 people.  There are some incredible tracks with 3 rappers that had to be omitted...

10. Slippery- Migos ft Gucci Mane

It felt right that the list of best posse cuts started with raps premier posse. Migos, the most charismatic and star powered rap group this half of the decade shows why on Slippery, with the help of a rejuvenated Gucci Mane.  Like all their best tracks, Quavo immediately sets the tone with his great ear for melody and unpredictable cadence.  Offset seamlessly takes it from there making hilarious brags about his girl looking like a wildebeest before going into triple time about the usual suspects: Patek Phillipe, models, full throttles, and Gucci’d up collars.  Takeoff ends the song sounding possessed after Gucci gives one of the most patient and introspective verses of his life.  When it comes to posse cut trap rap, Slippery has all you’ve ever wanted in abundance.

9. All the Way Up (Remix)- Fat Joe, Jay Z, Remy Ma, French Montana & Infared

I’d venture to say this song got more mainstream airplay than any other track on this list.  Released late May of 2016, this siren glaring club ready banger was synonymous with the summer of 2016.  The song has more than most summer hits that come and go. Show-stopping verses from both Jay Z and Remy Ma make this remix a truly memorable affair.  Jay Z understood the moment, realizing the magnitude of publicly addressing Lemonade on record for the first time.  He brilliantly deflects the scathing aspects of the record and brushes it off as just another example of him getting money.  His homage to Prince is among the most emotionally resonant rap bars he’s conjured up in years…all the more so since Jay actually owns the Prince catalog.  I would love to see Jay relegate himself to an Andre 3000 type of role going forward, especially after he cemented his legacy with the late career gem 4:44.  The second half of the song belongs to Remy Ma, who makes you feel every syllable in a verse so raw and emphatic you can’t help but feel all the rage spending “7 winters and 6 summers” on vacation can build up.  South Bronx legend Fat Joe’s verse gives you a laugh and French relegated to the bridge is the perfect amount of him on this radio posse cut that offers far more than most in its class.

8. Big Beast- Killer Mike, Bun B, T.I & Trouble

There isn’t a track #1 on any hip-hop record in recent memory that just set the tone for what’s to come quite like ‘Big Beast.’  “Hardcore G-Shit! Homie I don’t play around!”  A call to arms that is just the beginning.  Listening at the time primarily out of my love for Definitive Jux.  The track, produced entirely by El-P drew me in, especially the tempo flip after Trouble’s futuristic bridge. Futuristic or not, the song is a vivid portrait of street life in Atlanta.  Full of Bun B’s wise man advice “Don’t leave till your ass get grown” and T.I’s full-bodied imagery, “A record full of felonies, searching for a better me/ But choppers go off in my hood like Iraq, Cuba, Tel Aviv.”   For five minutes you inhabit that ATL street corner.  

Killer Mike makes it clear, in order to make it in the streets of Atlanta; one must be a Big Beast.  The socially conscious rap anthem served as an unforgettable reintroduction into Killer Mike, someone I’ll admit, I always associated with as an inferior extension of Outkast and the Goodie Mob. Here Michael Render demands to be heard.  A singular vision with the power to resonate in an underground rap scene that happened to be dying for his perspective.  With Big Beast, the El-P and Killer Mike creative flood gates officially opened. Lucky for us.

7. Really Doe- Danny Brown ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt

Like all great posse tracks, the best verse shouldn’t be easy to agree on.  The down played modest hook provided by Kendrick Lamar does a good job bridging what’s most important on the track. The verses.  Every verse could be considered the best.  A hilarious manic Danny Brown who is “rolling up with them vegetables.”  Ab-Soul’s sixteen bars playfully bend his patent hardcore bars with socioeconomic realities, a verse that exemplifies all that’s ever made him a compelling emcee.  Kendrick does his thing as per usual and Earl Sweatshirt doesn’t.  In my favorite verse of the song, Earl ditches his cryptic and triple entendre tendencies for a more straight forward take a bat to your head approach.  Aggressively honest and devoid of his usual wordplay techniques, Earl ponders “I’m at your house like, ‘Why you got your couch on my Chucks?’ Motherfucker.” The comic relief is there.  Really Doe is lyrical labyrinth designated for the purist of rap fans.  Four world class emcees each with a different flow, each on top of their game. Enjoy.

6. Move that Dope- Future ft. Pusha T, Pharrell Williams & Casino

Future’s creative 360 from emo auto-tuned heart throb to drugged up nihilist was complete here.  His split from Ciara turned his heart cold and drove him into various chemical comfort zones.  Chemical zones that acted as his muse, similar to Pusha T, who finds himself right at home on a track like this.  He delivers some of the most expressive drug rap bars of the song, totally in tune with the general concept.  Someone who is a stranger to the general concept of “moving dope” is Pharrell.  Such songs aren’t usually up his alley, but Pharrell rapping on anything is usually a gift, and here is no exception.  His personal alienation from dope moving proves to be totally irrelevant as he spends time in the cosmos “frequency: high, like a spaceship” and bringing to life his personal idiosyncrasies “The Gandalf hat and the weird ass clothes, that’s Commes des Garcon and the Buffalo.”  Over menacing production from Mike-Will-Made-It, Future rings in his new sound and mantra with a group of A-list friends, one familiar with moving dope, the other familiar with constant reinvention.  Here, Future handles the scales beautifully.

5. Zip That Chop That- Black Hippy

Revisiting ‘Zip that Chop That’ makes me once again yearn for the Black Hippy album that was always promised but never came.  This overlooked early career gem was released in 2010, and provided a young white kid with his very first Kendrick Lamar exposure. Before Section.80 and Setbacks, ‘Zip That Chop That’ was all I knew. What’s amazing about Black Hippy is how easily they fall into their respected roles.  Jay Rock comes on strong as the deep voice of reason, having the rest of the crews back no matter what Compton issue may erupt. Ab-Soul acts as the groups source of comic relief, while Schoolboy Q acts as the vice, the devil on the other shoulder.  And then there’s a young Kendrick… his commentary on the plight of black Compton youth not yet legendary.  Excelling in the tracks latter third, it takes three listens to realize Kendrick is the best rapper on the song.  It’s no surprise success has came to the rap collective individually, but Zip That reminds us all some of their best material comes from them working together.

4. Oldie- Odd Future

The most influential group to any millennial ‘Left Brain’ hip hop listeners.  After Bastard I wrote off Tyler as a creative but drama seeking iconoclast, I didn’t give much else released by the collective an ear.  It wasn’t until Frank Ocean started to release music did I think to revisit odd future’s discography in a different light.  Oldie is a song that makes me glad I revisited.  Who is rapping is ultimately irrelevant, the chemistry between the worst rappers of the group and those who could be considered geniuses is uncanny.  It creates a universal feeling of friendship and community that transcends skill level.  This was taking putting your friends on to a whole new level. The talent lies in Tyler, Frank, and Earl, but for a long time the other members of the collective had roles inside the collective that held immense value to those who actually had talent.  Tyler, Frank and Earl fed off the group, all of its flaws, for better or worse.  Seeing how unwavering and passionate their belief is in their own vision, it’s clear that Odd Future was a talent incubator that ended up cultivating three of the most influential artists of the modern-day era.

3. Mercy- Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz

Turning the posse cut into high performance art was something Kanye spent a lot of the decade mastering.  Quite frankly, from the G.O.O.D Friday roll-outs to the standout tracks on Cruel Summer to Ultralight Beam, this entire list could’ve been comprised of Kanye orchestrated posse cuts.  Excluding Ultralight Beam, which I didn’t find qualifying enough to be featured on this list, Mercy is the most meticulously curated posse cut Kanye released.  The lead single on a project Kanye wanted to use to emphasize the depth of his label, Mercy does exactly that.  He put Pusha T and Big Sean in a position to spend the summer all over the radio, threw down a solid verse himself after an understated beat switch, all leading to the breakout performance of 2 Chainz, who’s rap career took off to stratospheric heights after his show stopping verse on Mercy. Kanye succeeded in putting all his boys on without compromising the artistry in the slightest bit. Most posse cuts will sacrifice a bit of innovation in order to focus more on the lyrics.  An old school approach to keeping posse cuts and the spirit of rap as competition alive. Once again, Kanye refuses to play by those rules. Mercy is high performance art, lyrical rap, pitch-black club banger, and total team flex all in one.

2. 1 Train- Asap Rocky ft Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T

The sound of ‘1 Train’ actually sounds like a train ride.  The production for this timeless epic rap track fits the narrative perfectly.  The track provides a transient urban feeling mixed with unpredictable DJ premier like scratches and gritty lo-fi drums.  It’s a beautiful canvas for hook-less rap music. It never tires, and neither do the emcees.  Every rapper featured on this track has something relevant to say from Danny Brown’s hilarious “Weed a different color like a hood rat bra and panties” observation or Action Bronson “selling Susan Sarandon.” Asap’s impressive “Bag made of Goyard, cheffin’ like I’m Boyar-Dee, probably selling D in your local courtyard” line is an emphatic change of cadence.  Big K.R.I.T declares himself a true artist on the songs final line and after delivering what could arguably be the tracks strongest verse, a true artist sounds like an understatement.   Everyone rapping punches above their weight.  The ULTIMATE posse cut.

1. Forever- Drake ft Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem

Released ten years ago in August, Forever did a great job living up to its namesake.  From the Lebron starring music video to Drakes hook, Forever basically predicted the future.  Three weeks later on another platinum record Lil Wayne raps “We gon’ be alright if we put Drake on every hook.”  That era of hip hop officially started on this track.  Finding himself on a track with three legends who all decided to bring above average verses, Drake holds his own by coming up with the first of a million ubiquitous hooks.  His combination of rap skill, hook making and singing proved to be a tool set big enough to hang with the greats, even when they themselves brought their A-games.  It also opened the door to the possibility that Drake himself could be a great one day. Personally, I think it still remains to be seen, but the hooks are still catchy, and the numbers don’t lie.

[jakejames09]

Raps Best Posse Cuts of the last 10 Years.

Highlighting some of the best group efforts in rap.  To qualify, the song must have been released after July of 2009 and feature at least 4 people.  There are some incredible tracks with 3 rappers that had to be omitted..

10. Slippery- Migos ft Gucci Mane

It felt right that the list of best posse cuts started with raps premier posse. Migos, the most charismatic and star powered rap group this half of the decade shows why on Slippery, with the help of a rejuvenated Gucci Mane.  Like all their best tracks, Quavo immediately sets the tone with his great ear for melody and unpredictable cadence.  Offset seamlessly takes it from there making hilarious brags about his girl looking like a wildebeest before going into triple time about the usual suspects: Patek Phillipe, models, full throttles, and Gucci’d up collars.  Takeoff ends the song sounding possessed after Gucci gives one of the most patient and introspective verses of his life.  When it comes to posse cut trap rap, Slippery has all you’ve ever wanted in abundance.

9. All the Way Up (Remix)- Fat Joe, Jay Z, Remy Ma, French Montana & Infared

I’d venture to say this song got more mainstream airplay than any other track on this list.  Released late May of 2016, this siren glaring club ready banger was synonymous with the summer of 2016.  The song has more than most summer hits that come and go. Show-stopping verses from both Jay Z and Remy Ma make this remix a truly memorable affair.  Jay Z understood the moment, realizing the magnitude of publicly addressing Lemonade on record for the first time.  He brilliantly deflects the scathing aspects of the record and brushes it off as just another example of him getting money.  His homage to Prince is among the most emotionally resonant rap bars he’s conjured up in years…all the more so since Jay actually owns the Prince catalog.  I would love to see Jay relegate himself to an Andre 3000 type of role going forward, especially after he cemented his legacy with the late career gem 4:44.  The second half of the song belongs to Remy Ma, who makes you feel every syllable in a verse so raw and emphatic you can’t help but feel all the rage spending “7 winters and 6 summers” on vacation can build up.  South Bronx legend Fat Joe’s verse gives you a laugh and French relegated to the bridge is the perfect amount of him on this radio posse cut that offers far more than most in its class.

8. Big Beast- Killer Mike, Bun B, T.I & Trouble

There isn’t a track #1 on any hip-hop record in recent memory that just set the tone for what’s to come quite like ‘Big Beast.’  “Hardcore G-Shit! Homie I don’t play around!”  A call to arms that is just the beginning.  Listening at the time primarily out of my love for Definitive Jux.  The track, produced entirely by El-P drew me in, especially the tempo flip after Trouble’s futuristic bridge. Futuristic or not, the song is a vivid portrait of street life in Atlanta.  Full of Bun B’s wise man advice “Don’t leave till your ass get grown” and T.I’s full-bodied imagery, “A record full of felonies, searching for a better me/ But choppers go off in my hood like Iraq, Cuba, Tel Aviv.”  For five minutes you inhabit that ATL street corner. 

Killer Mike makes it clear, in order to make it in the streets of Atlanta; one must be a Big Beast.  The socially conscious rap anthem served as an unforgettable reintroduction into Killer Mike, someone I’ll admit, I always associated with as an inferior extension of Outkast and the Goodie Mob.  Here Michael Render demands to be heard.  A singular vision with the power to resonate in an underground rap scene that happened to be dying for his perspective.  With Big Beast, the El-P and Killer Mike creative flood gates officially opened. Lucky for us.

7. Really Doe- Danny Brown ft. Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul & Earl Sweatshirt

Like all great posse tracks, the best verse shouldn’t be easy to agree on.  The down played modest hook provided by Kendrick Lamar does a good job bridging what’s most important on the track. The verses.  Every verse could be considered the best.  A hilarious manic Danny Brown who is “rolling up with them vegetables.”  Ab-Soul’s sixteen bars playfully bend his patent hardcore bars with socioeconomic realities, a verse that exemplifies all that’s ever made him a compelling emcee.  Kendrick does his thing as per usual and Earl Sweatshirt doesn’t.  In my favorite verse of the song, Earl ditches his cryptic and triple entendre tendencies for a more straight forward take a bat to your head approach.  Aggressively honest and devoid of his usual wordplay techniques, Earl ponders “I’m at your house like, ‘Why you got your couch on my Chucks?’ Motherfucker.” The comic relief is there.  Really Doe is lyrical labyrinth designated for the purist of rap fans.  Four world class emcees each with a different flow, each on top of their game. Enjoy. 

6. Move that Dope- Future ft. Pusha T, Pharrell Williams & Casino

Future’s creative 360 from emo auto-tuned heart throb to drugged up nihilist was complete here.  His split from Ciara turned his heart cold and drove him into various chemical comfort zones.  Chemical zones that acted as his muse, similar to Pusha T, who finds himself right at home on a track like this.  He delivers some of the most expressive drug rap bars of the song, totally in tune with the general concept.  Someone who is a stranger to the general concept of “moving dope” is Pharrell.  Such songs aren’t usually up his alley, but Pharrell rapping on anything is usually a gift, and here is no exception.  His personal alienation from dope moving proves to be totally irrelevant as he spends time in the cosmos “frequency: high, like a spaceship” and bringing to life his personal idiosyncrasies “The Gandalf hat and the weird ass clothes, that’s Commes des Garcon and the Buffalo.”  Over menacing production from Mike-Will-Made-It, Future rings in his new sound and mantra with a group of A-list friends, one familiar with moving dope, the other familiar with constant reinvention.  Here, Future handles the scales beautifully. 

5. Zip That Chop That- Black Hippy

Revisiting ‘Zip that Chop That’ makes me once again yearn for the Black Hippy album that was always promised but never came.  This overlooked early career gem was released in 2010, and provided a young white kid with his very first Kendrick Lamar exposure.  Before Section.80 and Setbacks, ‘Zip That Chop That’ was all I knew.  What’s amazing about Black Hippy is how easily they fall into their respected roles.  Jay Rock comes on strong as the deep voice of reason, having the rest of the crews back no matter what Compton issue may erupt.  Ab-Soul acts as the groups source of comic relief, while Schoolboy Q acts as the vice, the devil on the other shoulder.  And then there’s a young Kendrick... his commentary on the plight of black Compton youth not yet legendary.  Excelling in the tracks latter third, it takes three listens to realize Kendrick is the best rapper on the song.  It’s no surprise success has came to the rap collective individually, but Zip That reminds us all some of their best material comes from them working together.

4. Oldie- Odd Future

The most influential group to any millennial ‘Left Brain’ hip hop listeners.  After Bastard I wrote off Tyler as a creative but drama seeking iconoclast, I didn’t give much else released by the collective an ear.  It wasn’t until Frank Ocean started to release music did I think to revisit odd future’s discography in a different light.  Oldie is a song that makes me glad I revisited.  Who is rapping is ultimately irrelevant, the chemistry between the worst rappers of the group and those who could be considered geniuses is uncanny.  It creates a universal feeling of friendship and community that transcends skill level.  This was taking putting your friends on to a whole new level. The talent lies in Tyler, Frank, and Earl, but for a long time the other members of the collective had roles inside the collective that held immense value to those who actually had talent.  Tyler, Frank and Earl fed off the group, all of its flaws, for better or worse.  Seeing how unwavering and passionate their belief is in their own vision, it’s clear that Odd Future was a talent incubator that ended up cultivating three of the most influential artists of the modern-day era.

3. Mercy- Kanye West, Pusha T, Big Sean & 2 Chainz

Turning the posse cut into high performance art was something Kanye spent a lot of the decade mastering.  Quite frankly, from the G.O.O.D Friday roll-outs to the standout tracks on Cruel Summer to Ultralight Beam, this entire list could’ve been comprised of Kanye orchestrated posse cuts.  Excluding Ultralight Beam, which I didn’t find qualifying enough to be featured on this list, Mercy is the most meticulously curated posse cut Kanye released.  The lead single on a project Kanye wanted to use to emphasize the depth of his label, Mercy does exactly that.  He put Pusha T and Big Sean in a position to spend the summer all over the radio, threw down a solid verse himself after an understated beat switch, all leading to the breakout performance of 2 Chainz, who’s rap career took off to stratospheric heights after his show stopping verse on Mercy. Kanye succeeded in putting all his boys on without compromising the artistry in the slightest bit. Most posse cuts will sacrifice a bit of innovation in order to focus more on the lyrics.  An old school approach to keeping posse cuts and the spirit of rap as competition alive. Once again, Kanye refuses to play by those rules. Mercy is high performance art, lyrical rap, pitch-black club banger, and total team flex all in one.

2. 1 Train- Asap Rocky ft Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson & Big K.R.I.T

The sound of ‘1 Train’ actually sounds like a train ride.  The production for this timeless epic rap track fits the narrative perfectly.  The track provides a transient urban feeling mixed with unpredictable DJ premier like scratches and gritty lo-fi drums.  It’s a beautiful canvas for hook-less rap music. It never tires, and neither do the emcees.  Every rapper featured on this track has something relevant to say from Danny Brown’s hilarious “Weed a different color like a hood rat bra and panties” observation or Action Bronson “selling Susan Sarandon.” Asap’s impressive “Bag made of Goyard, cheffin’ like I’m Boyar-Dee, probably selling D in your local courtyard” line is an emphatic change of cadence.  Big K.R.I.T declares himself a true artist on the songs final line and after delivering what could arguably be the tracks strongest verse, a true artist sounds like an understatement.  Everyone rapping punches above their weight.  The ULTIMATE posse cut.

1. Forever- Drake ft Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem

Released ten years ago in August, Forever did a great job living up to its namesake.  From the Lebron starring music video to Drakes hook, Forever basically predicted the future.  Three weeks later on another platinum record Lil Wayne raps “We gon’ be alright if we put Drake on every hook.”  That era of hip hop officially started on this track.  Finding himself on a track with three legends who all decided to bring above average verses, Drake holds his own by coming up with the first of a million ubiquitous hooks.  His combination of rap skill, hook making and singing proved to be a tool set big enough to hang with the greats, even when they themselves brought their A-games.  It also opened the door to the possibility that Drake himself could be a great one day. Personally, I think it still remains to be seen, but the hooks are still catchy, and the numbers don’t lie. 

[thestoryspinster]

‘Hail, Marry’- An Excerpt

Sometimes, silence is the worst sound.

Not that their new room was particularly quiet. Kim Hana sat on the edge of her bed, crammed between  rows of boxes and its thin, plywood frame, absentmindedly lifting items out of their containers and arranging them on her mattress. They were sparse: some changes of clothes, neatly folded and arranged by outfit; trays of pens and pencils in all shades of vibrant hues; her sketchbooks, many of which bore crinkled pages and smudge marks; some personal hygiene items; and a plain, gray comforter with matching pillowcases and sheets.

On the other side of their new living quarters, Aeri stood by a window, the sunlight highlighting her cheekbones and flowing in shafts past her body as she chatted cheerily with her parents. Dust swirled around the three of them as they laughed and joked together. All slim, all jovial, all perfect.

Hana flipped to a fresh, white page and drew out one of her graphite pencils, trying to ignore the dull, persistent ache in her chest. Deftly, she sketched the outlines of their bodies, trying to capture the affection flowing from their stances in a few, quick lines. Admittedly, the motions felt liberating, as if pinning their love for each other made it somehow more accessible. Somehow more of her own.

She paused for a moment, considering the skeletal drawing in her lap and the real life thing before her. She’d gotten quite good at depicting the mood of a scene in just a few, brief lines, but the pain in her heart returned when she saw the vibrancy of the full scene. Deep inside, she knew she was never going to be able to reflect the way they smiled at one another or laughed, or the sheen of tears that gathered in the corners of the mother’s eyes as they unpacked baby photos and graduation pictures. All those feelings were too foreign to be taken. To become hers.

Sighing, she scrawled the word “Happiness” at the top of the page and then stowed it next to her clothing.

“Hana, honey,” Aeri’s mother said, her voice soft. “Do you need anything? I’m so terribly sorry your parents couldn’t make it this year. Our Aeri has told us so much about you, and we were looking forward to meeting everyone.”

Hana likened Aeri’s mother to a cherry blossom tree on a spring day, wilting with kindness and blooming with a pink, ethereal beauty. She looked just like the bright-eyed woman beaming from the picture wall above Aeri’s bed last year, her starry, dark eyes flecked with care.

“I’m fine, thank you,” she said, considering adding that her parents wished they could be here, but decided against it.

No need to lie for them.

Instead, she broke her gaze with Aeri’s mom and busied herself arranging textbooks on the shelf next to the bed. The woman lingered for a moment and opened her mouth, only to close it again.

Two quick beeps vibrated against the surface of her desk, and Hana reached for her phone, inwardly relieved at the distraction. The screen displayed a name, followed by a block of text. She smiled.

Lee Kyungjin

A yo yo yo! Guess who’s back?

Anyway, I have some things to give to you. Meet me at my apartment at 4?

She glanced out of the window. Even from here, she could see the tall building, its sides glinting in the sun. Cars meandered through the parking lot in front of it, loaded with boxes and suitcases, and people maneuvered up and down the stairway. In the windows, lines of clothes hung, displaying fresh, crisp outfits readied for the upcoming school year.

Aren’t your parents still here? She typed. Shouldn’t we wait?

She sent the message, and then watched as his text bubble popped up.

Ya, aren’t you dying to see me? Besides, it’s important.

Rolling her eyes, she chuckled under her breath.

Fine. 4  o’clock, but behind the apartment. Okay?

Wow, sounds shady.

….you watch too many weird movies. Don’t get any ideas.

It’s how I stay sharp on my writing!

Whatever. Love you, Kyungie. See you soon!

“You’re smile’s reaching up to your ears!”

The bubbly, female voice cut into her thoughts, and she noticed Aeri, face glowing as she hooked a line of Christmas lights above her photo wall. The strip dipped down, casting small haloes of bright white against the cinder block. Plopping onto the mattress, she bounced, her golden Hello Kitty earrings jangling. At some point, her parents had left the room.

“Is it Kyungjin oppa?” she asked, leaning forward and dropping her tone.

Hana crossed her legs and pushed down a grin, pulling her phone closer to her body. “He’s only a day older than you. He’s not really your oppa.”

“Yeah, but what does that matter?” The mattress squeaked under her, and a shrillness crept into her words. “What is he saying?”

“Keep your voice down. He’s just saying he wants to see me.”

“Of course he does!” she replied, lowering her tone. “You’ve been away all summer.”

Hana shrugged. “Eh, he’ll live.”

Rocking forward, Aeri planted her feet on the ground, propped her elbow against her knees, and braced her chin against her palm. She eyed Hana. “So, have you told anyone else yet?”

Hana shook her head, her lips turning into a small crescent. “No.”

“Aish, why not? You’ve been together for a year already!”

“Oh, please. You just want to start a fan site for us and have a place to post all the pictures you take.”

“And so what if I do? He has a huge following. You’d have a huge following. Which means I’d have a huge following, which is perfect for an aspiring journalist.”

“Well, I guess you’ll just have to stick to being actually talented.” Hana scooted herself up against the wall and leaned back, folding her arms across her chest. The pile of items slid down into the indentation created by her body’s weight, but she ignored them. She didn’t feel particularly like cleaning them up right now.

Aeri laughed. “Hey, I get A’s in all of my writing classes, and you know it!”

“I know. And your writing is actually very good. But I’m sorry, Kyungjin and I aren’t going public with our relationship any time soon. I’m not ready for that kind of following.”

“But, what if you’re destined for it? What if you end up marrying him?”

“I prefer not to think of that, actually.”

The truth was, the thought of marriage sent her stomach into a clump of knots. She remembered the day her parents wed, with the hall lined with flowers and linens of pure white. To the sides, people gathered around tables, their faces radiating joy as well dressed servers laid food on their plates.

Little fists caught in the curtains separating her from the raised platform, she peeked out from behind them, insides flitting with excitement and nerves. She glanced back at her mother, who stood directly behind her, chatting with her maid of honor as the girl fanned out the luminous train behind her.

In her five years, she couldn’t remember recall seeing anyone more beautiful. Combed flush against her scalp, the long stresses of her black hair pulled back into a large, elegant bun positioned at the back of her head and held together by several strands of pearls. Her face glowed with a dewey luminescence, accented in its brilliance by two large, glittering diamonds that hung from her ears. Her eyes sparked, and she emanated an ethereal blend of vanilla and citrus.

The dress draped around her, falling from her shoulders, cinching at her waist, and pooling around her feet at the floor. The neckline plunged, revealing a swath of white skin covered by a sheen of of satin. Jewels adorned her wrists and spilled from her silver and lavender flowers.

Most memorably, however, she bent down, adjusting the skirt around her, and kissed Hana’s cheeks.

“You look beautiful, dear,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and smiling. Hana wanted to take that moment and hold it in her mind forever. Even as a child, she filed it away into her memory and held it in front of her as she walked out before those people, and then later, as she walked out into life.

After the wedding, her parents hired a nanny to care for her, and, when she was old enough to begin school, enrolled her in a Catholic boarding institute. And for years, they’d inhabited separate places and separate lives.

Her brother had been the same. Following his birth, her mother swaddled him in light blue blanket and handed him to the nanny. A few days later, she and Hana’s father boarded a plane for the Maldives to celebrate her recent promotion.

But Hana would never forget her mother’s fleeting affection, nor the nagging sense that with marriage came the exclusion of all else good in life.

[unholyhelbiglinked]

Vice|Chapter One

The blood flowed thickly over my knuckles, cold and unwelcoming against the hot summer air. The dark scarlet fluid began to drip upon the white wash pavement, splashing in odd patterns in the grooves of the sidewalk.

"Shit," I snarled, feeling the sting of the wound almost glide over my torn up hand. I began to shake it out to the side of me, believing that the only reasonable action in the face of pain was to ignore it- or try everything to make the throbbing stop. Scratching it absentmindly like a bug bite wasn't going to help me out this time.

"Grace, language." The voice behind me was dull, almost panting as I rolled me eyes, thankful my back was turned, but after hearing a few grunts I swiveled around quickly. The large box was blocking my mother's face enough for her not to see the satisfied smirk on my lips, but as she stumbled a few inches, I knelt down, picking the heavy cardboard up from the bottom.

I ignored the long gash on my hand as a stinging ran through it, making me grit my teeth as I adjusted my hold on the box. "This was way too heavy for you, mom." I mumbled under my breath.

"I'm more than capable-"

"You just drove 14 hours, you're more than exhausted." I countered pursing my lips, "Go lay down; I'll take care of the rest of the boxes."

Luckily I wasn't in charge of bringing in the furniture. The movers had taken care of the big stuff a few days earlier. We had some loose ends to tie up back in New Jersey before we drove to North Carolina. I had been stuck in the cab of a U-Haul for the past day and a half. My legs were begging to be used, and unloading a few boxes wasn't going to kill me.

"Fine," she relented, pushing her hand up against the edge of her hairline as her eyes wondered down to the cut on my hand. "After we take care of that. I told you to watch the door. It's finicky."

"Hmm," I hummed in response as I followed my mom up the porch and into the house, setting the box down on the empty table to my right.

The layout of the house was bigger than the one we had in Jersey. The outside of the house was classic and suburban for these parts, I suppose. It was painted white and had large black shutters that needed fixing up. The whole house did. We got it cheap according to my mother, but I knew I would spend the second half of my summer putting in more than enough physical labor.

A large porch wrapped around the front, but we had to be careful before we stepped onto the planks. I wouldn't want to end up in the emergency room. The front door needed replacing too, this place hadn't been touched in years.

The inside of the place was surprisingly in better shape. The hardwood floors needed to be washed, and the walls repainted, but there wasn't anything wrong with the paneling or the structure. I hadn't really seen the upstairs much- but I was hoping it wouldn't need too much work.

"Grace?"

"Yeah?" I knit my eyebrows together, glancing up from the ground to see the big brown eyes of my mom eyeing my hand that I cradled against my t-shirt.

"Kitchen, huh?" She grasped my elbow and started to heard me towards the half-finished kitchen. I nodded, not that she would see it. My palm was throbbing as I stayed mute. I was the whole trip- trying to keep up the silent treatment with my mother, but it wasn't working.

This move was as hard on her as it was on me. Maybe even harder.

"I don't understand why you do this to yourself," The mumbled as I followed her with my eyes. She was like a bunny, scurrying around the kitchen, practically ripping the tape off of each box until she got to the first aid kit. She was talking more to herself than at me, but I knew she wanted me to listen to her ramblings. "You don't follow directions just because you want to be rebellious. Just like that damn motorcycle and those tattoos."

She was struggling to open the bottle of peroxide, her hair falling from the messy bun that rested on the top of her head, she was becoming frantic and aggravated as I watched her with wide eyes "I don't like any of that. But as soon as someone tells you no, you just have to go and- God Damn it." She almost slammed the bottle onto the counter, making me raise an eyebrow for a split second. Her chest heaved up and down as she kept her eyes on the ground.

I reached over, ignoring the sting of the cut as I twisted off the cap easily "Mom, I hit the latch by accident. I didn't mean to smash my hand."

"I know, honey." She sighed heavily, taking the outstretched bottle as her cold hand ran over mine. She dragged me over to the sink, pouring the liquid over the cut as I winced from the sudden change of temper on my skin.

I was silent as she continued to dump the liquid on the liaison until the bubbles stopped moving across the top of my hand. "Does that stuff bother you so much?"

"What?" My mom looked over at me, her eyes seemingly falling on the ink that ran up my arms in different intricate designs. She knew exactly what I was talking about. "No, sweetie. I was just-"

"They remind you of him?" I made the accusation before I could stop myself, immediately regretting the words that moved past my lips. "I remind you of him."

Her silence was enough to get me to pull my hand away from her grasp. I didn't need any fixing up. I was fine. I wiped my sore hand on my jeans as she took in a large gulp of air.

"I'll uh-"I started to back away, shoving my hands in my pockets, "I'll go get the rest of the boxes. Okay?"

"Grace-"

"Get some sleep, mom." I lifted my chin softly, hiding the pain that was evidently rushed through my veins. I turned around quickly on the tip of my boot, quickly walking towards the exit of the house.

The hot North Carolina air washed over me, the annoyance still hot on my heels as I started to walk back towards the truck. My shoe hit the edge of the step, the rotted wood falling away as I tumbled down with it.

I grunted, feeling the third step hit my middle back as my already wounded hand dug into the grained wood. I groaned, resting my head on the top step as I brought my hands up to my eyes to shield them from the sun. The exhaustion from the day began to catch up with me- making this little uncomfortable spot on the porch feel like a temperpedic mattress... or something a little less luxurious.

"Oh my god, are you okay?" the soft voice of another drew me from my tired state. I sat up slightly, feeling the bruising that was already forming in the middle of my back. I blinked a few times, taking the after light from the sun with me.

I blinked a few more times, shaking my head clear as a figure came into view- she was shorter, her eyes a dazzling blue with a few specks of gold that were highlighted by the rays of the sun. her hair was cropped short, blonde and falling into her gaze. She wore a short sleeve button down and jeans despite the heat.

Her eyebrows were knit together, her forehead creased.

"Blink twice if you need an ambulance." She smirked slightly, reaching her hand down.

I groaned, taking the outstretched hand as she pulled me to my feet. She was stronger than she looked. "Thanks," I smiled softly, rubbing my hands over my jeans for what seemed like the hundredth time today.

"You're new around here?" she cocked her head to the side.

"What gave it away?" I chuckled softly, looking towards the street- a bicycle was resting near the sidewalk, the wheel still turning.

"The moving truck," she shrugged, not catching my sarcasm "and the fact that you moved in here."

I knit my eyebrows together "let me guess, this is the murder house of the neighborhood?"

The girls blue eyes widened, her chin lifting softly as I giggled some more. "How'd you know?"

"Every town has one," I mumbled running a hand through my hair.

The girl nodded, biting her bottom lip "I'm Hannah, by the way. Welcome to Boonville." She held out her hand again, I took her palm in mine.

"Grace, it's nice to meet you Hannah."

"You need any help with that stuff?" She nodded towards the half unloaded truck.

"ah, I couldn't ask you-"

"No really," the held up both of her hands in defense "I'd love to help out. You're the first interesting thing to happen in this town since... well ever."

"Well in that case," I smirked slightly, shrugging my shoulders as I walked towards the truck "Why don't you tell me about this boring little town?"

Hannah followed, a big smile on her face as we walked towards the boxes, that just waited to be unpacked.