#I wonder I'll have to do it again this week. Depends on what my coworkers feel like lol

[crmsnmth]

September Sky Chapter Two, Part 8

"Yeah, that'd be cool. When are you thinking?" Justin was almost on his third of that bitter nastiness.

"Two or three weeks out. I'll find out for sure, though."

"Awesome, thank you." I made the schedule. I could easily schedule myself off. But, that was kind of a shitty thing to do.

" Your asking for a day off?" Amber asked as she stocked up the bar and worked on whatever she could pre-close.

"Yeah. A couple friends are coming into town and we're checking out some bar."

"You are going to do something other than sit at home?" Justin said, "Did hell freeze over?"

"You have friends?" Amber asked.

My coworkers knew me well enough to know I was very anti-social. They knew I didn't talk to many other people. I think they figured that out pretty quickly working with me.

"Hey, fuck you both. I don't spend all my time doing nothing. I do stuff." I snapped back.

"Alone." Amber said.

"So? There's nothing wrong with that."

"Nobody said that," Amber said, "it's just strange to hear about you actually having a social life. We're not used to it happening."

"I had Chad out here once," I said, bringing up the last time he came down to visit.

"True. Let me guess, it's him you're going with?" Justin added in, drinking his bitter liquid way too fast. He was on his third already.

"And Alana." I smirked in victory.

"Oh, who's Alana?" Amber said, propping her head up on her elbows and hands. Giving me that look of sarcastic interest.

"An old friend from high school. I guess she lives somewhere around here. Her and Chad still talk a lot, and she invited him and I to some bar in Walker's Point."

"Just a friend?" Justin said, a stupid grin on his face. Both him and Amber looked at each other and turned around singing loudly and off key, Biz Markie's 'Just A Friend.' It wasn't funny then, but it was pretty clever. I had to give them that.

"Yeah, just a friend." I waved them off and went to staring at the condensation on the outside of the bottle in front me. Justin and Amber went on to some other topic, leaving me out of it. They knew me well. I smirked and watched them dance without touching. That's how I would socialize. I'd listen to the world around me. I'd be a silent observer.

* * * *

I was sitting, stuck to a chair in the apartment I was sharing with Emily. There was blood pouring out of a very large and deep on the palm of my hand. I had just gotten it, trying to stop Emily from stabbing me. I didn't have a choice, I grabbed the blade. And now, I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. An entire roll of paper towels lay crumbled in red messes around the floor. The knife lay on the linoleum floor. I could just see the point of it from where I was sitting.

"You stupid fucking asshole. Get the fuck out! You are fucking useless." She was yelling at me from some other spot in the apartment. I didn't care. All I cared about was trying to get the bleeding to stop so I wouldn't have to to the emergency room again because of her. This whole incident happened because she accused me of cheating on her while I was at work. I never had, and could prove to her that I hadn't. She called me a liar and only escalated it. Everything always escalated. Always.

"You were out fucking some whore, instead of actually helping out around here. I want you fucking out tonight. Get out! Get out!" He voice seemed to fade and strengthen back and forth. Loud, then quiet and again and again. It echoed and bounced off the walls, surrounding me. I wonder what the neighbors think of us. Our little world of co-dependency and violence and unwarranted distrust. My eyes were growing heavy. And it was getting colder every second.

[libertarian-druid-ny-separatist]

Alright so, another update.

Laptop located. It's as good as my current desktop, if not slightly better, and has a fuckhuge batter I can charge at work. And I should be able to get the same or more money from selling my desktop and most of the accessories. It's a damn near even trade price wise. And since I'll have no roommate and be parked far enough from people that I won't disturb them, I can start streaming more. Add on the fact that my laptop will be the entirety of my entertainment aside from my phone and I just have more reason to. Checked my current phone service, since that's how I'll be doing it and all of my parking spots should have the ability to stream, if just barely. Thankfully, one is also a Walmart with free wifi, and once the employees leave around 10, that shits quick. Though streaming high intensity games is gonna be out. Mostly small indie games with last generation's graphics. Not that I have an issue with that, I grew up on those.

Plus there's still small time indie games like Cult of the Lamb, which is fuckin great and tiny enough to stream on mobile data alone.

I can also pick up my batteries locally, which is a huge help. From one of four places I'll be able to access easily after work. While it's not perfect yet, it's damn close. And now my creepy roommate is just getting worse. So I gotta get the hell outta here asap. Debating on staying with family, but I'm not willing to dump that extra stress on em. But if I go offline for like a week before getting the van, for which I'll be doing a massive update to the blog so count on that, then assume he killed me. Because I'm legitimately thinking that might happen.

Anyway, back to positive stuff, turns out with the people who move into vans/cars out of necessity, what I'm doing is pretty common. Not around here, but across the US, UK, Canada and more countries. So on top of the wealth of knowledge that is my coworkers, I have the globe to look at for advice and inspiration. Gonna go with the cheapest possible AC, a cooler with a fan filled with ice. And my uncle is gonna donate his propane heater. So my already super low costs just keep getting lower. And that means I should be able to save enough for a house more quickly. Though I may need an additional solar panel if I don't want to be dependent on stores selling ice. But there's also coolers out there that aren't horribly high usage and aren't horribly expensive. Plus I won't really need a full on ac till next year anyway. It'll feel cheaper to get it then too.

But yeah, four more days, 3 I guess for some of you, and I get the van. This Friday. Then I'm out of creep's house and live alone again. Which might sound like a problem to some, but I kinda prefer it that way. Even better if I don't have to pay nearly as much to live there. My "rent" goes down to roughly $150 a month for gas and insurance (if I go super basic) and my food needs go down to less than $300 if I'm being honest but we'll call it that because it's my budget. Then $45 for cell and net and my monthly costs are down to roughly $500. That's less than I pay in rent now. And by a fair bit, for all of my needs.

My total monthly expenses are now less than a single monthly expense, plus no creeps living with me, plus faster net, plus freedom. I'm mostly just wondering why I didn't do this sooner.

I think I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna switch to living out of a van or RV, haven't decided which yet but more likely van until my county is a part of VT officially. I've been studying it the last few days and I'm already basically living a van life with more electricity. So if I just get an extra battery and wire them in parallel then I'll be able to with no problems, even fewer if I become a huelegin or however the hell you spell it.

Already got the budget planned for what I currently have available, not selling assets, I should have just enough. But I'll also be selling my desktop and car and likely bike too. Already got permission to park in the 24/7 gym lot and my work lot should I choose to, and there are a couple of public lots in the area with unlimited parking, but no snow removal, but I've also got a friend that'll let me use their driveway or park in front of their place or just use their place if it's really uncomfortable for a night.

Now I just gotta get a quote on plexiglass for the windows and doors, but I'm also between a couple of models to choose from.

[donuts4evry1]

I think it's very unfair that middle school students look older than me.

maybe something should change

[gotreactions]

Got7 Reaction: Their Actress/Actor S/O Has to Film a Sex Scene

Warnings; light NSFW, Fluff, maybe slight angst depending on how you view things but I don't wanna get yelled at so I'm putting it in 'warnings' anyways!

Backstory: You're an actress/actor staring in a new movie/tv series and your next scene is a sex scene that will be fairly visual and detailed

Jaebeom:

He knows acting is your job, so he would try to be supportive and understanding even though he felt extremely jealous under the surface. He would ask to read the scrip just to see HOW visual the scene would be. Upon realising how long the scene would be lasting he felt his skin heat up, he doesn't like the thought of anyone else seeing you in a way that only he should.

After reading the script he would sit down on the sofa and call you out so he could discuss this with you. He would pull you in his lap and hug you from behind, pulling you closer so your back was against his chest and he could easily whisper in your ear, asking a billion questions quite seductively oddly enough. "Are you excited to film this scene? Wanna have sex with another man on camera?" Questions along those lines as he spread your legs open even as you insisted you wouldn't actually be having sex with him and telling JB that if he really wasn't okay with this you would talk to the director and see if there was a way out of it. Your reassurance made him feel better, and deep down he knows that no-one could satisfy you like he does. That doesn't mean he won't use this to his advantage however. He would have enough of your blabbering and he'd tell you to get up and strip for him, smacking your ass as soon as you stood up. He would lean back and enjoy his little show that would lead to a long night for you two.

The next morning you wake up in his arms, covered from neck to toe in hickeys and love bites. Jaebeom would rub your waist as he spoons you from behind and kisses along your shoulders before speaking up about how he feels finally.

"I'm happy for you getting a big role and I understand apart of your job may mean doing jobs like this sometimes. If you want to do the scene, go for it. I support you fully my love. If you don't want to film the scene and if you feel uncomfortable with it, I'll go down there myself and talk to the director so you won't take the heat for it alright?"

In the end he would leave it up to you. However if you do choose to film the scene, he would get kinda cocky to a degree. Asking things such as, 'I wonder if they'll leave the hickeys showing. I hope they do so everyone can see just how much daddy pleasures you.' And every day up until the filming of the scene would be full of these cocky retorts and him kissing all over your body cause he still feels a little jealous.

Mark:

The two of you were sitting together watching a movie and cuddling when you randomly brought the scene up. At first Mark would scrunch his brows together and slowly turn his head away from the tv, moving it to look down at you instead. He would ask what you said, while looking half between the movie half between you. When you would repeat yourself 'I'm filming a sex scene for work next week' he would nod a bit before grabbing the remote and pausing the movie. He'd move around on the sofa/bed a bit to get more comfortable before facing you and asking all about it. 'How long have you known? What's the context of the scene? Are you excited?' He would want to hear everything about it while he processes all of this. In the end he would put on his normal happy smile and rub your waist. "I'm happy for you." Would slip out of his mouth before he kissed you and pulled you to lay against his chest. He'd suggest getting back to your movie that y'all had been watching, pressing play.

The rest of the night all he could invision was you naked, covered with only a white sheet and a random guy on top of you. He felt uncomfortable and protective as he rubbed your back while he finished watching the movie with you.

When you guys went to bed that night, Mark felt to weird to hold you in his sleep. Though he will admit he didn't even sleep that night. Images of you with another guy, even if just for a movie, seemed too weird and wrong to him. You should be with him and him only. His mind ended up wandering and he starting to get a little insecure wondering if you would enjoy your fake sex scene on camera with a guy you barely know outside of work more than real sex with Mark whom you've been with for ages now. He felt weirdest about himself, cause he isn't normally the super insecure jealous type but right now he wants to punch the guy in the face and fuck you himself - and he doesn't even know the guy.

A few days before you had to film the scene, you would confront Mark on his weird behavior - him not holding you in your sleep, how he's spent more time at the studio and coming home later, how he doesn't talk to you as much. He would be open and admit he feels weird and overly jealous about thinking of you with another - even if it is purely an on camera for a movie thing. You would laugh a little and reassure him that nothing would actually happen with you and this guy and how even in the scene, you guys wouldn't actually be touching. You told him you would be wearing clothes under the sheets and that if Mark wanted he could come to the set, meet the guy, and watch the scene as you film. You promised him if he showed up to the set, you would stare in his (Marks) eyes the entire time you were filming so he would know for sure he's the only one for you.

Mark felt better after opening up to you about his worries and jealousy. After you talked him through everything he would scoop you up in his arms and carry you to bed bridal style, kissing you gently yet passionately. All night he would whisper 'I love you's in your ear while you make love and feel all of his love, reassuring him of your love in an intimate way.

Jackson:

Anger, jealousy, immaturity. It would start off with innocent discusing back and worth, him getting jealous and asking why you would want to do that kind of scene and you wanting to be independent and to be able to film this cause you really enjoy being in this show/movie plus 'its not that racey' so 'whats the big problem?'

Eventually Jackson would get up and start walking off as you continue talking to him, trying to explain what's going on to him. Trying to tell him about the scene and movie. He would throw his hands up in defensive shouting a 'I don't wanna hear it, go do whatever you want!' As he storms off, leaving the house and slamming the door on his way out. At first you would chase after him, feeling slightly bad but he would ignore you as you climbed in his car and drove off.

You must have shouted his name 100 times, called his phone a dozen and a half more. He was ignoring you and acting childish so you gave up. You went inside, watched some tv/read a book. Cooked, ate, did the dishes. You watched the clock tick and called his phone every 10-20 minutes feeling so annoyed and worried. It was around 2am that he finally came home. He smelt of alcohol as he walked right past you, both of you silent as he went to the bathroom.

Knowing what to do by now you went to the kitchen to make him some tea and a light snack in attempt to sober him up before bed but he never came back out that night, not like he usually would.

The next morning as you were making breakfast you felt a set of arms wrap around you as Jackson whispered "I'm sorry" over and over again, hiding his face in your neck and squeezing you like a teddy bear. You would be stern and tell him you're still filming that scene. Jackson would be more understanding this time around after talking to his friends about it the night before, he realises he has to trust you and that he really does trust you. You guys would sit down to eat that morning and this time as you told Jackson about the scene, he listened to you and you were able to have a mature and civilized discussion.

Jinyoung:

He was very understanding and happy for you. He knows how much you love acting and how much you like your job. Knowing you inside and out he would know that if you didn't want to do this scene, you'd say something at least to him. Meaning, this scene isn't something he needs to worry about if you feel comfortable with it. There is no-one in the world JR trusts more than you. He loves you, values your relationship, and he's confident in you two. Confident in your sex life that nothing is lacking. Confident in your romance and your love that nobody could split you guys apart - especially not a coworker of yours on a single movie.

He would offer to help you run lines, he'd be bluntly honest on if your moans seemed too fake and he would help you perfect them. Using a teddy bear and pulling out his camera he would help you place your hands in the most flattering way on camera to make you look the best, so you would know where to place your hands on the guy/girl in the scene. Overall, he'd be very supportive.

However, he would also joke and tease a lot. 'i wonder if I should go to the studio and teach (act. name) how to pleasure you.' He loves teasing you about this. Even after the movie comes out, he will comment about everything to do with that scene and openly tell you your hands look better on his back (JR's). He would tell you you sound better gasping and moaning in his ear compared to on camera and he would do everything in his power to turn you red and get you squirming in your seat beside him.

Youngjae:

He wasn't really jealous, but he wasn't exactly the biggest ray of sunshine either. In the back of his mind he couldn't figure out how this kind of scene fit into the kind of movie you were filming. He also had a few inner questions about if this would be a reoccurring thing or not. Like, if there's going to be a sequel would you have to film another one of these scenes? Really, he was just trying to wrap his head around all of this.

After a day or two he would be more relaxed and totally let it go, acting as if this was just like any other scene you've ever filmed. He would continue askikg about work, how your day was. He would take you dates like usual, may be even more dates just to give you extra proof on how much he loves you for just in case whatever reason. Every day/night leading up til the filming date he would take you out on a date and continue being himself.

Once the movie was released, you guys went to the showing together and he got to meet the cast and crew which was exciting and nerve wracking to him - he definetely clung to you all night at the event. By the end of the evening, once he met the actor whom you filmed with, he felt much better and more relieved - even though he didn't realise he was stressing about this to begin with. When he saw how you looked at him compared to this actor, he knew there was nothing going on between you and any other man (or woman). Your love was all his and it made him feel confident and really happy inside. In the end, the scene meant nothing to him but a career success and boost for you.

BamBam:

Three words: Rough jealousy sex.

He was so jealous! Yes, he's met this actor before as y'all have filmed together before. No, there was never a spark between you two nor will there ever be one. To say your fellow actor was a friend would be a bit much - you work together and that's it. This scene honestly means nothing but a new experience to you. But BamBam? Oof!

He felt insecure thinking of you with another person in bed. He felt so gross at the fake scene that hasn't even happened yet that he doesn't even wanna be with you in a bed. He felt so jealous of a guy who can't even compare to him that he felt jealousy and few tears of confusion and shock swell up inside him. The night you told him about the scene, he would make a lot of jokes asking if you were alright filming a sex scene with a shrimp. Making jokes on how he is 'big' BamBam who can give you better bam bam than anyone. He would laugh a lot and hug you tight, ruffling up your hair and teasing you in general.

As the filming date got closer however, BamBam wasn't able to hold in his jealpusy anymore. He ended up snapping one night. Yelling, crying a bit, shoved some glass vases off the dresser into the floor. He begged you for reassurance asking if he's able to pleasure you or if your reactions in bed with him were all acting skills if yours. (He knew they were real reactions but he just needed you to tell him and to prove it to him.) As you cried a bit and broke down in honesty about how much you love him Bambam would push you against a wall and kiss you with more passion than ever before. Tonight has something to prove to you and to himself. He would 'bam bam' bang you against every iteam of furniture in your apartment aside from the bed that he felt to disgusted to go near at that moment in time. You had so many orgasms that night you spent the next 24 hours recuperating and relaxing as you and BamBam cuddled and lazed around in bed together.

After this, after seeing how you shake in pleasure beneath him and after feeling your body heat against his BamBam didn't feel as jealous though he was ready for the scene to just happen and get done with so he could stop thinking about it and so he could forget it ever happened.

Yugyeom:

Well, he definetely pouted a bit at first. Contemplated everything leading up to this moment. Replayed images of all your moments throughout the years. He felt like he should be more jealous than he actually was but for some reason he felt nothing? I mean previously when you'd tell him about a job such as getting to ride a horse across a beach or having a sword fighting scene he would feel really excited and kind of wish it was him instead. When you would tell him about all the animals and kids you get to work with, his heart would swell up feeling happy that so many people get to see your beautiful smile every day. But when you told him about this actor, about this scene? He felt nothing. Not jealousy nor happiness. He felt empty and no reaction. It was like, he doesn't love this gig but he loves you so they weight each other out.

As to try and feel something he would discuss it with you more, ask about it every day, talk work with you every chance he got. He asked his Hyungs if how he was feeling was normal or not but he was never able to come to a solid conclusion.

He was supportive, but at the same time he just wanted to spend time with you. After asking and hearing about your work that day for5-10 minutes nightly he would spend the next 3-4 hours just holding you, playing games, talking, giving you his undivided attention and not thinking about this other person whom you'd be filming with. As a matter of fact, in these moments, you aren't even an actress to him. You're his Queen/King and that's it.

[lady-snavely]

Sands of Time: Part Three

Blossomed Feelings

Pairing: Kuroo Tetsuro x Fem!OC

Warnings: mentions of death, swearing, mutual pining, all the fluff

A/N: as always, reblogs are super appreciated!

Like every other day when they came in, she was on her break. Today, she was perched in a window in the children's area with her legs drawn up loosely. There was a book in her hand, presumably the same one from a couple of days ago. Hidden safely beneath the tent of her knees was a steaming mug.

Jade's ears perked, her attention momentarily divided when she heard Bokuto, obnoxious as ever, greet her coworkers across the building. She was sure he included an exaggerated wave as well. Her advanced hearing, one of the few bonuses of being Fae, even allowed her to hear Daichi silence Bokuto with a low warning.

"There's a big enough table over there that's free." He was telling the group. She knew exactly which table he was referring to as she'd made sure it was clear before she went on break twenty minutes ago.

With a sigh, she closed her book and stood gingerly so as not to disturb her drink. The study group was her queue that her break was over soon. Still, finishing the chapter sounded real nice.

Nonetheless Jade found herself smiling as she glided through the aisles that were as familiar to her now as her own apartment. Her thoughts were with the oddball company of heroes and heroines from her book. Even preoccupied she nodded politely at the group of boys taking their places at the table.

"Fancy seeing you here again."

"Good afternoon to you too, Kuroo," she replied without stopping. "You all know where to find me if you need help with anything."

Yaku snickered and jabbed his elbow into Kuroo's ribs. "She didn't even bother to look at you."

"Her break's about over," Akaashi defended. "Iwaizumi messaged me a few moments ago, he and Oikawa won't be joining us tonight."

"Good, they can keep that stomach bug away from us then," Daichi grumbled.

"Please, they're probably having their own fun." Kuroo wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"I wouldn't put it past them," Akaashi murmured. He turned to Bokuto and gave him a warning glare. "Make sure you actually work on your Maths today. You nearly failed your last test."

For well over an hour Kuroo was able to focus on his studying despite his loudmouth of a friend sitting across from him. Bokuto came along more for the social aspect than anything else. Not that any of them really cared the way Akaashi did, study group was the only chance they had during the week to get together anyway.

With a small groan Kuroo stood. He needed a break to stretch his legs. He wandered the shelves aimlessly, stopping on occasion to read a synopsis or two before continuing on. He really didn't have much free time at the moment, what with midterms starting to ramp up. Still, Kuroo made a mental note of books to read once the workload began to die down.

"-depends on what you're interested in, honestly." He overheard Jade saying. "Let's start off with something simple to help narrow it down. Are you looking for a stand alone story or a series?"

Kuroo, for reasons unknown even to himself, hid two aisles over and listened in on the exchange. Since starting at the nearby university last year he'd learned quickly that Jade was good at her job. Great even. Any time he'd needed help with research or simply pointed in the right direction, she'd been prompt with answers. Sometimes she even went above the call to suggest further material that always seemed to have more information than he'd ever need.

Still it amazed him that in a matter of a few questions Jade was excitedly showing the younger guest a section that would entertain her. "I'm a little older than the intended audience but this series here in incredible. But if you're interested in something a little more magickal - and I don't mean witches and wizards - then I suggest this series just here."

With a faint smile Kuroo turned from the duo to head back to his studying. "Fuck," he hissed when he ran into and nearly knocked over Yaku. "Creepy little shit. What are you doing?"

Yaku glared up at his taller friend with a wicked grin. "If I'm creepy what do you call what you were just doing?" He countered. A quick peek around Kuroo gave Yaku the answer he needed. "Admiring the view?"

Kuroo looked over his shoulder and saw the girl from before already devouring the suggested book. Jade was nowhere to be seen. "She's a bit young for me, don't you think?"

Yaku rolled his eyes. Sometimes he really wondered if Kuroo was, in fact, a total moron. Kuroo's infatuation with the Human girl had become more and more evident over the last year. There were some not so obvious clues, like how he just happened to run into her when he was wandering around, or how he had started zoning out in classes. Then there was the blindingly obvious: watching her like creep from the other aisle while she helped other guests, for example. "Come back to the table," he finally sighed. "I need help with the Biology assignment."

"My time to shine," Kuroo smirked.

"Don't go getting an ego."

"I would never."

Both girls were seemingly non the wiser to what had transpired only two aisles away.

Daichi, Akaashi and Yaku continued to study dutifully while Bokuto successfully managed to distract Kuroo. Jade had only one other guest after the younger girl had left with two new books in hand.

Even with that one person closing time seemed to come a little too soon for Jade. They always did on days the study group came in. She enjoyed listening to their friendly banter and teasing, they were good company and often pulled her into their conversations on slower nights.

Tonight was no different than any other night the group came in. It was closing time and they were still there, sitting at the same table they'd procured from the moment they walked in hours before. However, studying had been thrown out the window some time ago she recalled as she made her way over. Currently they were chatting, all but Bokuto and Yaku, who had fallen asleep.

Propping a hand on the back of Akaashi's chair she sighed, forcing disappointment into her words. "Time for me to lock up guys."

"Is it that time already?" Daichi glanced at his phone before sighing himself and rubbing at his eyes. "Sorry to be a bother again, Jade."

"I tell you every time: you aren't a bother, Daichi," Jade shrugged. "Libraries have always been around for a reason. Apparently a good location for a power nap is one of them." She roused Yaku gently, giving him a warm smile when he blinked up at her. "Closing time sleepy head."

"We'll get out of your hair as soon as we wake Bokuto," Akaashi assured her.

"Take your time, I've got some cleaning to finish up anyway."

Jade turned away but not before catching the mischievous grin on Kuroo's face. Just as she expected, the indistinguishable thud of a dropped stack of books met her ears. "Wake up!"

"Bro!" Bokuto whined. Jade's nose wrinkled at the shout. No matter how much she heard it she would never get used to that term.

"Time to go, Bokuto," Kuroo said without a hint of apology in his voice.

Kuroo waited by the checkout counter for Jade to come out of the back office. Over the past year it had become a sort of habit for him to wait for her while she clocked out and locked the building up for the night. In more than one hundred attempts she had yet to agree to, at the very least, allowing him to walk her to the bus stop. Maybe tonight would be different? There was only one way to know for sure.

"Ready to go, Kuroo?"

"Only if you are!" He replied. A triumphant smile adorned his face when a soft chuckle met his ears. Kuroo clasped his hands, fingers knit together tightly before asking, "Would you like some company on your way home tonight?"

It came as no surprise to Kuroo that she didn't reply right away. She emerged from the back office with the satisfied smile that came from finally being off the clock. "Thank you, but I'll be okay on my own tonight."

Kuroo cocked his head to the side for a moment before nodding. "One of these days you'll say yes."

"You're so sure of yourself, Kuroo." She snickered and ducked her head to hunt for her keys in her bag. "I appreciate the offer as always."

They left the building in comfortable silence. Jade tugged at the building doors, testing the locks before heaving a content sigh. "I saw you looking at some books early," she mentioned casually when they reached the sidewalk. "I can put them on hold for you. If you want, that is."

"Not with midterms in a couple weeks." Kuroo shook his head but smiled down at Jade. "That's very kind of you though."

Jade smirked. "I try my best."

Kuroo fought the urge to wrap his arm around her shoulders. He didn't know it, but she caught the twitch in his fingers. "Get home safe, okay Jade?"

"Don't worry, you'll see me all safe and in one piece on Friday, Kuroo." Jade's smile, highlighted by nearby street lights, brought an unwelcomed heat crawling up his neck.

"Right, well, good night, Jade." He retreated into the shadows quickly before she could see the blush spreading up across his cheeks.

"May sleep find you easily tonight, Kuroo." Jade dipped her head slightly before she herself hurried off in the direction of her bus stop.

Kuroo stared after her until she was out of sight before he sighed and began his journey home. When he stepped into his dorm room he wasn't surprised to see Kenma poking feverishly at the buttons of his video game. They had intrigued him from the moment he'd laid eyes on them.

Kenma's elf ears were poking through his hair, the only sign that he was no longer holding his Humanoid form. Kuroo received a murmured greeting from his long time friend as he removed his shoes.

"You missed out," he told Kenma.

"Unlikely."

Kuroo chuckled at that as he made his way into their shared room to change. As he did, he shifted with a sigh of satisfaction. It was only in their shared dorm room or when they were home visiting their folks that he and Kenma could safely shift back to their Fae forms.

"The Solstice Festival is coming up," Kuroo reminded his friend.

"Oh." Came the reply. Kenma's attention was barely pulled from his video game. Kuroo said no more on the subject, knowing full well that when the time came Kenma would leave the Human entertainment behind and return home for the Festival.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jade's heart was racing and not only because she was running. Had it been a trick of the light or had he been blushing just before she left? She supposed either were possible, even with the street lights the lighting wasn't favorable, and she was nearly a foot shorter than him so the angle was weird too. She tried not to dwell on it too much.

She didn't want to get too close to him this time around. She brushed off his advances, his attempts at getting closer, as best as she could but her job didn't allow for blatant ignoring of guests, so it was difficult. But she didn't want her heart broken. Not again.

Tears glistened in her eyes as she stood beneath the light of the bus stop. She dried them before they could fall; before they could be seen. In all her years on Earth, why was it a Human that had to come along and capture her heart?

When the bus arrived it only had a handful of occupants. Given the time of night this was to be expected and allowed Jade her pick of the crop as far as where to sit for her journey home. She hugged her knees tight to her chest when she sat, her temple leaning against the cool glass of the window at her side. Normally she would read, but she knew if she opened her book the pages would remain unturned, for try as she might, her mind raced with memories of the past. Of the wild laugh that sent the butterflies in her stomach soaring. That almost there smile that had found her time and time again over the centuries.

As much as she wanted to, Jade suppressed the desire to shift back into her Fae form as soon as her door was locked behind her. Showers were much easier without the wings getting in the way. So it wasn't until she stepped from her bathroom half an hour later that she released the invisible thread of thought that kept her Humanoid form in place.

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