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snowdice · 3 days

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Big Bang Editing Story [Day 122]

I started writing this fic while editing my Big Bang story years ago, but am going to continue doing it for other things now that Kill Dear is out. I will write and publish 100 words of the story every time I finish doing whatever task I’m doing. If you’d like to block these proceedings, please feel free to block the tag ‘proofread stories.’ I will reblog this post with the parts of the story I do today. Edited chapters are linked; everything else I’ve done so far is under the cut.

My Master Post Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 Part 18 Part 19 Part 20 Part 21 Part 22 Part 23 Part 24 Part 25 Part 26 Part 27 Part 28 Part 29 Part 30 Part 31 Part 32 Part 33 Part 34 Part 35 Part 36 Part 37 Part 38 Part 39 Part 40 Part 41 Part 42 Part 43 Part 44 Part 45 Part 46 Part 47 Part 48 Part 49 Part 50 Part 51 Part 52 Part 53 Part 54

Not going to do much this morning because I only have an hour or so. I may do more later today however.

Chapter 55 (Logan)

Virgil was beginning to be able to read some of the common instructions in magic books, but Logan still made sure to read out the instructions to him at least twice before setting him loose. He’d started to jot down notes to himself about things, though these notes were not words, but various symbols that only made sense to the boy himself.

Logan had asked about their meaning at one point and received an answer that, while earnest, was unintelligible. The symbols were mostly just pictures of things to represent certain steps in spell casting, but they were filtered through Virgil’s rudimentary penmanship and often bizarre perception of the world.

Though, despite the fact that Logan could not often decipher his chicken scratch, it did seem to help him produce more and more quality charms even as Logan began to introduce more complicated processes to make them. He was a very good student even if he didn’t have the best foundation for learning.

“I add lavender for the next step, right?” Virgil asked, his finger on a word in Logan’s magic book.

“That is correct,” Logan confirmed.

Virgil looked back at the book and mouthed the word ‘lavender’ to himself before turning back to his potion. He grabbed a few sprigs of lavender and threw them into the cauldron.

The liquid popped and bubbled violently, but Virgil didn’t flinch as he once would have, prepared for it now.

After the lavender, Logan knew that it would have to simmer for 5 minutes. Virgil looked down at the boiling liquid, contemplating it for a long moment.

“Can I soak a knife in it?” he asked.

“What?” Logan asked.

“Can I soak a knife in the potion once it’s done?”

“In that potion?” Logan clarified. “In the emergency hand warmer potion?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I think a hot knife would be useful,” Virgil said.

“For what?”

Virgil shrugged. “Cooking food on the road,” he said, “burning wood, stabbing someone and immediately cauterizing the wound.”

“That is… not a standard use for this potion,” Logan said.

Virgil titled his head at him. “Would it work though?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Logan contemplated. “Perhaps. The potion can cause burns if one uses too much of it or if it is used without an appropriate layer between it and the skin. If one were to pick a knife with enough surface area and let it soak long enough, it could in theory get hot enough to do as desired. Hmm…” he thought about it. “There would perhaps be the problem of the potion not sticking to the knife very long as it is intended to soak into fabric. However, cardamom could solve that issue as long as it doesn’t interact with any other ingredients. Let me see that spell.”

Virgil stepped out of his way so he could study the page. “Yes,” Logan said after scanning through all of the ingredients. “I think cardamom would work for something like that. Let me go find some.”

He turned to walk towards where he kept his supplies of potion ingredients. Virgil followed on his heals.

“Can we use a serrated knife?”

“Oh, that’s a good idea, Virgil,” Logan said, nodding as he searched through the cupboard that should hold the coriander. “The knife being serrated would help keep the potion stuck to the blade after many uses and would increase the surface area.”

“That was certainly my intention,” Virgil said smoothly. There was something odd about the tone that had Logan turning and blinking at him. Virgil just smiled at him innocently and Logan turned back to the cabinet finally locating the cardamom.

“So how are we going to use that?” Virgil asked.

“We’ll put it in right before the last step and let it sit for about 3 minutes,” Logan said. “If it doesn’t quite work, we may need to make another batch. There are options other than cardamom, but that’s the first idea that comes to mind and it’s a lot simpler if it works.”

He continued to speak of the many other options they could try as they returned to the caldron as well as how they could test the hot knife. It was already about time for the next step and Virgil did it without interrupting Logan’s rant.

Virgil listened to his suggestions with interest all while still making sure the potion he was making was progressing well.

Logan did eventually take over to finish the potion with the revised steps he’d come up with and they ended up with a potion that looked perfect except it was a few shades darker than the one they’d originally been planning to make.

“Well, it looks good,” Logan declared. “We will need to acquire a knife to test its effectiveness, however.”

“There are a few good ones in the kitchen,” Virgil pointed out. “I especially like the one 10 inch one with the black and white handle.”

“You have been eyeing up the kitchen knives?” Logan asked.

Virgil rolled his eyes as though that was not a perfectly reasonable question to ask him. “We should steal that one,” Virgil said.

“Do you think we’ll be able to sneak past Ms. Heart to steal a knife from her kitchen?” Logan asked.

“We can’t,” Virgil said. The ‘but I can’ was implied.

Logan almost didn’t believe him… and then he remembered the water pouch incident. “It’s the dinner rush,” Logan said. “We should probably wait for a bit.”

Virgil was shaking his head. “The dinner rush is the best time,” he said. “Everyone will be distracted, and all of the knives will be out and in prime stealing position.”

“And if Patton’s mother catches us messing around in her kitchen during her busiest time of day, she will have Father ground us for a week.”

“Then we just won’t get caught,” Virgil said.

“I’m not sure if it’s that simple,” Logan said with a frown.

“You can stay here if you want,” Virgil offered. “I’ll just go by myself.”

“No, I’ll come too,” Logan relented, though he did still have some reservations about the idea.

He let Virgil lead him towards the main dining hall. By now, Virgil knew the kitchens and dining hall very well.

“Stay here,” he said. They were in a hallway a few feet down from the staff entrance to the main kitchen. “I’m going to do some reconnaissance.”

“What type of reconnaissance?” Logan asked, but Virgil had already vanished before his very eyes. With a blink, Logan looked up and saw a dark figure disappear onto a balcony overhead.

Well, Logan really had no choice but to wait there for him. It wasn’t like he could follow him. He could hear the clatter of silverware on plates from the dining hall down the corridor as he impatiently waited. It only took Virgil a bit over five minutes to return. He dropped suddenly from above and landed in front of Logan in a crouch.

“Well?” Logan asked, letting a bit of irritation into his tone so Virgil knew he was displeased. Virgil did not seem to care.

“Got it,” Virgil said with a wide grin, brandishing a large kitchen knife.

Logan flinched back at the unexpected sight of a weapon.

“You said you were doing reconnaissance!” he sputtered. “Not…” he trailed off remembering that while they weren’t in eyesight of anyone right now, they could be in earshot of someone. He lowered his tone, “stealing the knife already.”

“I was doing reconnaissance,” Virgil said with a shrug, “and then I used the information gathered by that reconnaissance to steal a knife.”

Logan narrowed his eyes at him.

Virgil just smiled. “You would have gotten in my way.”

“I would not have,” Logan insisted.

“How many times has Patton’s mom caught you stealing food from the kitchens in the past?” he asked.

Logan pursed his lips. “That is Patton’s doing,” he said.

“Sure,” Virgil said with an eyeroll. “I’ll have you prove it some other day, but for now,” he twirled the knife around in a way that made Logan cringe even though he did seem to have an expert handle over it. “We have a knife.”

“Right,” Logan agreed with a nod. “We should continue the experiment.”

Virgil stored the knife away… somewhere on his person, and they snuck back to Logan’s rooms.

When Virgil handed over the knife, Logan did have to admit it was a perfect specimen for their project: long and saw-like with a heatproof handle.

Logan carefully set it in a shallow dish and proceeded to pour the potion they’d made onto it. They let it sit for a little under half an hour before carefully pulling it out of the concoction with tongs and letting it airdry. Meanwhile, Virgil suggested they set up a testing area with various old sheets and clothing. They’d even found and decorated an armor stand with an old suit that Logan particularly disliked.

“Well,” Logan said once he’d tapped the handle and had not gotten burned by the potion. “I think we can test it now.” For safety, he made Virgil put on thick heatproof gloves before handing him the knife.

“So how do I make it work?” Virgil asked.

“The original potion works through light friction,” Logan said.

“So just start stabbing things?”

Logan went to respond, but before he could, Virgil had already twisted around and sliced through one of the sheets hanging in Logan’s potion room. There was a sizzling noise as the knife cut through the sheet like it was tissue paper leaving two aflame halves flapping about.

Logan leapt forward to tear the pieces of sheet down and the two of them stomped on the flames to put out the fire.

“It’s perfect,” Virgil said with a grin once the charred remains of the sheet were extinguished.

“It does seem to work as intended,” Logan agreed.

“Let’s do it again,” Virgil said.

“Er, well, perhaps we shouldn’t…,” Logan started, but Virgil had already set his eyes on the armor stand they’d set up. That suddenly seemed like not such a good idea to Logan.

He stabbed the armor stand viciously. It went up in violent flames. Logan’s eyes widened as the blaze only seemed to get bigger as Virgil drew back the knife.

Virgil did not seem to share Logan’s worry as he turned and stabbed another piece of hanging clothing, setting it ablaze as well.

“Virgil, no! You’re going to burn the room down!” Logan yelped.

The armor stand, at that very moment, decided to fall to the ground. They had, perhaps, not set the testing area up as well as they should have because it fell directly onto one of Logan’s rugs and set that on fire as well.

“Oops,” Virgil said, eyes wide.

Above the sound of crackling fire, Logan heard a tapping on the door between his bedroom and work room. It opened slightly after a moment and Logan’s father’s voice called out as he was sticking his head into the room, “Um, what do you mean Virgil… is burning the room down!”

The moment Logan’s father fully processed the presence of the flames, he was bursting into the room. He at least remembered that there was a fire extinguishing powder stocked in Logan’s work room even though that fact had slipped Logan’s mind in the chaos. (Perhaps Logan should have thought to set it out when they were testing a fire knife, but Logan would just add that to his growing list of regrets.)

The king managed to put all of the fires out within 30 seconds of poking his head through the door, but the fire left in his eyes when he turned to look at them afterwards was perhaps more dangerous.

Virgil slowly hid the knife behind his back. It was probably a bit late for that.

“What were the two of you doing in here?” the king asked.

“Nothing,” Logan said. Virgil shot him a look that told Logan what the boy thought about his lying abilities.

Logan’s father put his hands on his hips. “‘Nothing’ set the rug on fire?”

“We may have been doing a small experiment,” Logan said.

“What experiment?” the king asked.

“…I do not wish to say.”

“Logan.”

“Virgil wanted a fire knife.”

“A what?”

Virgil frowned over at Logan. “Your resistance to interrogation techniques is deplorable.”

Father turned to look at Virgil and obviously spotted the fact that Virgil was holding something behind his back.

“Give it here,” Father said, though his tone was a bit gentler with Virgil than it had been with Logan.

Virgil debated it for a moment, but then offered over the knife with a pout on his face. Father gingerly took it and the fire-resistant gloves from him. “Where did the two of you even get this knife?”

“You can’t tell her,” Logan said.

“You stole a knife from the kitchens?!” the king asked.

“We borrowed it,” Logan said.

“Can it be used for cooking anymore?”

“…Well.”

“In the intended manner.”

“No.”

“Then you stole it.”

Logan just frowned and looked away.

“I’m going to go put this in a secure location,” Father said, grimacing at the fire knife in his hands. “No more experiments for you two for a month. I’ll sic Patton on you.”

With that, he picked up what was left of the fire extinguishing powder (just in case) and turned to exit the room.

“Well,” Logan said once he was gone. “That was irresponsible.”

“I could steal it back from him.”

“N-no don’t do that.”

“I definitely could though,” Virgil said.

“I did not hear you say that,” Logan said, putting his hands over his ears. “I am not responsible for any more of your actions in this matter. I am going to the library.”

He walked out of the room then and Virgil followed him to the upstairs library. He said nothing more about the fire knife, but Logan would be a fool to suppose he forgot about it.

Chapter 56 (Thomas)

“Good day for a picnic,” Helen commented as she handed over the basket Thomas had requested from her a few days before. He was taking Logan, Patton, and Virgil to the cliffs today and it was perfect weather for it. Spring was truly here, which meant that those of Thomas’s duties that had laid dormant over the harsh winter were about to start up again.

The world had been on pause for a bit considering no armies or agents from any kingdom could get through the snow the last few months, but the concerns of last fall were showing their heads once again.

Thomas had just gotten word a day ago that the queen of Lamir had routed out a second assassin hiding in her ranks over the winter. The assassin had been sent shortly after it was made clear that the queen wouldn’t bow down after the assassination of her mother. Luckily, the assassin sent for Queen Cecil had not managed to complete her mission during the winter months.

While there had been no similar attempt on Prijaznia soil, Thomas couldn’t help but feel it was only a matter of time now that the snow had melted. They were already working on increasing security in the coming weeks and, though it was doubtful an assassin had managed to hide in the castle all winter without revealing themselves, they’d be closely scrutinizing all of the newer staff members.

It would be a stressful time in the coming months, which is why, despite everything Thomas needed to do, he was still going to take his son and his son’s friends on a picnic today. Logan had already started taking on royal duties as of late, but he still hadn’t taken them all on quite yet. Considering this was last summer before Logan was of age, they should at least try to take advantage of it where they could. Patton was a year younger, but the sentiment held for him as well.

Then there was Virgil. Despite their best efforts, they still didn’t know enough about Virgil, but Thomas was fairly sure he’d never had a summer to enjoy until now.

“Thanks for prepping lunch for us,” Thomas said to Helen with a smile.

“No problem,” she said waving them off. “I put in some of Virgil’s favorites.”

“Great,” Thomas said. “Do you know where the kids are?”

“Patton said they were going to go pet the cats, so I’d guess they’re in the gardens.”

Thomas thanked her again and told her to have a good day before exiting the kitchen. There was a nearby door that led straight towards the part of the gardens Patton and Logan had always favored. He figured they’d either still be around there or they would have wandered towards the stables by now knowing that they’d be taking horses to the cliffs.

So, he decided to simply walk the normal path from the door to the stable, hoping to find them.

His prediction ended up being hilariously correct. They were indeed on the path Thomas had chosen. It was clear they (or at least Logan) were attempting to make it to the stable. However, as was typical, a portion of the party had been waylaid by whimsy.

Logan was standing further down the path, arms crossed and frowning as he watched his friends. Patton and Virgil were surrounded by cats. Patton was sitting down, holding two of them in his lap and watching Virgil’s legs being swarmed by the rest of them, maybe two dozen in total.

Virgil looked confused, but not unhappy about the presence of so many cats. He was leaning down to try to pet them all.

Logan met Thomas’s eyes as he approached and waved a frustrated hand at the two of them. Logan couldn’t help but smile.

“Virgil fed one of them,” Logan complained as though he wanted Thomas to somehow go into the past and prevent this crime.

Patton and Virgil looked over at Thomas, noticing him when Logan addressed him.

“You’re going to make Princess Marisol jealous,” Thomas said. Logan frowned at Thomas as he used the ‘Princess’ label for the cat.

“Princess Marisol decided not to come,” Virgil said with a shrug. He continued to pet one of the cats.

“She’s probably sleeping on my pillow,” Logan said, sounding grumpy.

Thomas just chuckled. Princess Marisol was technically Logan’s cat, at least that’s what the kids said, and she did spend much of her time in the royal rooms. However, she was very clearly actually Virgil’s cat. Virgil just spent a lot of time in the royal wing as well.

In fact, Thomas still didn’t know where Virgil was supposed to be sleeping. He and Mr. Deknis had actually tried to tail him a couple of times, but he always ended up sleeping in Logan’s room those nights.

Knowing Virgil, he might just sleep in the walls. Though that still did not answer the question of where his parents or guardians were. They still had not figured it out. Thomas would assume he was an orphan who’d snuck onto castle grounds for safety, but Virgil had told Mr. Deknis during their first meeting that he was supposed to be in the castle, and it had not been a lie.

Then again, it had slowly become apparent that Virgil was good at dodging the multrum’s powers. It was starting to seem more likely that he’d somehow inserted a second meaning into his answer to Mr. Deknis that night than he somehow had some ghost guardian no one was able to locate working in the castle.

“She deserves the pillow more than you,” Virgil said, bringing Thomas’s thoughts back to the situation at hand. The look of audacity on Logan’s face made Thomas chuckle.

Thomas cut in before it could become a fight. “I could get Princess Marisol a pillow, so she doesn’t sleep on yours. Or we can get you a new pillow if you’d prefer, Logan.”

“It’s not about the pillow for her,” Logan argued. “It’s about her inflated sense of superiority.”

“She deserves it,” Virgil declared. Thomas could tell he was just trying to rile Logan up, and Thomas was sure Logan knew it too, but still his son reacted exactly in the way Virgil wanted him to.

“You have enabled and encouraged this behavior from the start!” Logan seethed.

“She’s a Princess.”

“She is not a princess!”

Patton shook his head while squeezing the cats in his arms, completely used to this behavior at this point. He ran a chin idly over one of the cat’s heads while watching the argument.

“We’re never going to make it to the picnic at this rate,” Thomas said to him, “and after your mother made all of this wonderful food.”

“You’re the dad,” Patton said. “Make them stop.”

And, of course, Patton did just mean that he was Logan’s dad with that statement. However, when he glanced back up at the silly argument still going on between his son and the cat covered boy on the ground, it did almost look like a fight between siblings.

Especially with the dark hair and stubborn but mischievous look in Virgil’s eyes, Thomas could almost imagine the boy being his own child.

He shook away the thoughts and glanced at the picnic basket in his hand.

“We do have a lot of food in this basket,” Thomas said, pitching his voice up so that Logan (and more importantly) Virgil would hear them clearly.

Virgil immediately turned to look at him, abandoning all interest in antagonizing Logan to look at the basket curiously.

Thomas was never sure if he should be amused or worried about how food motivated Virgil often was.

“What’s in the basket?” Virgil asked.

“I’m not sure,” Thomas said. “Patton’s mom made it. We’ll just have to see once we get to the picnic area.”

Virgil nodded in understanding and began to gently scoot all of the cats out of his lap. Logan rolled his eyes, but didn’t seem inclined to continue the argument he’d been dragged into. Virgil and Patton got to their feet and they continued on their way towards the stables.

The horses Thomas had requested be prepared for their trip were already in saddles, though the stable hand who had been handling Mr. Apples seemed a bit dirtier and more exhausted than the rest.

The stable hand seemed as happy to hand Mr. Apples over to Virgil as Virgil was to have Mr. Apples handed over to him. Thomas received Bella with a smile and Logan and Patton got their own horses as well.

The Cliffs were about half an hour's ride from the main castle. There was a mostly well-maintained path to it, though it was easy to get lost if one didn’t know the way. Mr. Apples knew the way perhaps better than Thomas himself and seemed annoyed by the fact that Thomas was trying to lead the way.

Virgil and Thomas ended up side-by-side whenever the path allowed it to placate him.

He still marveled at how willing Mr. Apples was to let Virgil ride him, especially when he tossed his head in Thomas’s direction, a horse’s equivalent of giving Thomas a stink-eye.

“Are you excited for the picnic?” Thomas asked the boy beside him.

Virgil glanced over at him and nodded.

“I am too,” Thomas said. “It’s always beautiful this time of year. I’m glad I could find the time to take you all there this year.”

“Are you very busy?” Virgil asked curiously.

“I am king,” Thomas reminded, “and now that the world isn’t snowed in anymore things will be busy.”

“With the war?” Virgil asked.

Thomas paused for a few seconds. “Yes,” he confirmed. “With the war, but you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” Virgil asked.

“You’re just a kid,” Thomas said.

“I’m 14,” Virgil said.

Thomas glanced at him. “Exactly,” he said, “a kid, and luckily, you’re in a place that can afford you the luxury of being one.”

“What do you mean?”

“The war has been mainly fought on Mocnejsi soil in recent years. Our boarders have held strong against invasions. Unless something goes horribly wrong suddenly, it would take a long time for the main conflict to get here. The only real threat in the castle would be assassins sent after me personally.”

“Right,” Virgil said. There was an awkward pause in conversation before he spoke again. “You’re winning the war then?” he asked.

“Something could always happen,” Thomas said, “but for the most part, yes, we have quite the advantage right now.”

“Oh,” Virgil said.

Thomas shook his head as they were coming up to a narrowing of the path. “Anyway, today is a day to not think about war. Today we’re going to have a lovely picnic and do some bird watching.”

“Right,” Virgil agreed from behind Thomas as Bella took the lead (to Mr. Apples discontent.)

When the path widened again, Thomas did his best to direct the topic to lighter subjects and soon they made it to The Cliffs.

Chapter 57 (Virgil)

Virgil had never been to a picnic. At least, that’s what Patton had informed him when Virgil had described his past experiences of eating outdoors. Logan had agreed even though he’d admitted that the definition of “picnic” was only eating a pre-packaged meal outdoors which Virgil had done plenty of times.

From what Virgil could tell, the main difference was just how much stuff one brought to a picnic.

In addition to the basket full of food (that Virgil still hadn’t gotten to look in yet), the king had brought a large soft quilt that he had Logan and Virgil spread out on the ground for them all to sit on.

Patton and Logan had also packed some things themselves to bring along. Logan had brought along a book to read, and Patton had brought along a board game (thankfully not checkers but something Virgil did not recognize). Virgil hadn’t brought anything (except for the fire knife he was definitely not supposed to have and was definitely not letting the king see) because he hadn’t known he was supposed to bring things. He wouldn’t have known what to bring anyway.

The blanket was soft and a much better alternative to sitting on the ground, especially because, while there was grass at the top of The Cliffs, there were also a good number of rocks.

The king set the picnic basket in the middle of the blanket once it was spread out and then lowered himself down to sit on one side. Patton quickly followed him, already fiddling with some of his board game pieces, though he wasn’t setting it up yet. Virgil highly doubted that Logan was going to be allowed to read his book unless Patton eventually got bored of the game.

However, they would, hopefully, be allowed to make use of the basket the king had brought along.

Virgil followed the king and Patton’s lead and got to his knees on the blanket across the picnic basket from the king. He peered at the basket curiously.

He didn’t quite know what picnic food was, but Patton had told them they’d be getting ‘picnic food’ and he was very curious about what that meant.

King Thomas smiled at him. “Let’s see what Patton’s mom packed us, huh?” He reached for the basket and flipped it open as Logan sat next to Virgil. “There is a lot more food than usual in here,” the king said, sounding amused. “Let’s see.”

He began to pull out packaged food and glanced in each package to identify it before setting it out.

“We have a few types of mini sandwiches,” he said, putting them down, “and some pasta salad.” He set down the bowl.

“We also have… er something else.” He showed it to Logan.

“They’re hot cauliflower bites,” Logan said instantly upon seeing them. Virgil perked up in excitement. That was one of his favorite foods.

“Ah,” King Thomas said, but shrugged and set it down. “We also have two desserts apparently: cookies and mini apple pies. That last one’s a bit extra for a picnic.”

“They’re very good,” Virgil said happily.

“And we also have.” King Thomas paused, looking confused. “Chicken alfredo?”

“Yes!” Virgil said.

“Why do we have chicken alfredo for a picnic?”

“It’s a Virgil picnic,” Logan groaned. “She packed us a Virgil picnic.”

“Hey, at least momma sent us something too,” Patton said.

“I think I’ll stick to sandwiches for today,” King Thomas said. He looked at Patton and Logan. “Do either of you want…?”

“No,” Logan said. Patton shook his head.

The king nodded and offered the entire covered bowl of chicken alfredo to Virgil. “Here, this one’s yours,” he said.

“Really?” Virgil asked tentatively. It wasn’t exactly strange for people here to offer him food, and he’d expected and anticipated getting to eat on this venture, but the king of the country offering him an entire bowl of his favorite food was something else.

“It’s not really my idea of a picnic food and you seem excited for it,” King Thomas said with a warm smile, still holding it out.

Virgil took it reverently. Despite the time it had taken to get to the cliffs, the bottom of the container was still warm. Virgil assumed it was one of the heating spells the kitchen sometimes used.

“Thanks,” Virgil said, setting it in his lap.

“Of course, Virgil,” the king said.

The bowl was enough for four people to have a little bit, but for one person it was a lot. Still, Virgil was offered a little of every other food in the picnic basket (and he ate a good number of the hot cauliflower bites).

“Where do you put all of that?” the king asked when Virgil finished polishing off the chicken alfredo bowl.

Everyone else seemed to have finished eating long before Virgil, though Patton still had a small plate of grapes, and he occasionally popped one in his mouth. King Thomas was currently setting up the board game they’d brought on the blanket between all of them.

Virgil shrugged in answer to his question. “It’s good,” he said, “and I don’t want to waste any of it.”

“You know we can just take the leftovers back to the castle and eat them later,” King Thomas said. “You don’t have to eat it all now.”

Virgil just shrugged again, watching as the king set out a group of 8 figures on the board.

“Here, which character do you want to be?” the king asked Virgil, gesturing at the group of figures. Virgil had not noticed the figures were different at first glance. They were all copper colored and about the size of his thumb, but they had slightly different shapes. He squinted at them each carefully, finding they all looked like people, but with different clothing. Some worse pants and some skirts, a few had hats, and one was even carrying a book.

After a few moments, he pointed at one that looked like it had vines wrapped around its arms and was wearing a floppy hat that almost covered its eyes.

“That’s the druid,” King Thomas told him with a grin. “Good choice, and luckily not one that anyone usually fights over.” He glanced at Logan who didn’t react to his father’s gaze. He just plucked the figure clutching the book off the board for himself.

Patton and the king picked pieces for themselves. Patton picked one with an apron that kind of reminded Virgil of his mom and the king picked one that was in a suit of armor before putting the other 4 figures away.

Unlike checkers, this game wasn’t just for two people, and so no one had to sit watching people play while bored out of their mind.

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They played a practice round so Virgil could figure out how the game worked, though honestly it wasn’t that complicated, so it wasn’t really necessary.

The theme of the game was all about stealing. They were supposed to steal special tokens from other players as well as characters in the game and the first person with 20 tokens won.

The other three players argued that stealing was not the point and not the main mechanism of the game, but considering Virgil was consistently winning the entire time, he would argue they were just playing it wrong. He managed to collect 20 tokens before anyone else. In second place at this time was Logan with 9 tokens.

Logan insisted on continuing to play the game to determine 2nd and 3rd place, so Virgil ended up watching them play for a bit. Virgil didn’t mind sitting and watching other people play this game, mostly because he still had the joy of victory running in his veins.

Thomas was definitely going to lose, he noted. He kept wasting his money feeding the nonplayer characters who lived on his lands. Virgil didn’t mention this faulty strategy to him in case Virgil ever played him again.

When Logan took too long thinking about his next move, Virgil took in their surroundings.

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He’d been a bit too distracted by the prospect of food and then trying to understand (and then win) the game to truly take in The Cliffs. They were settled a good distance away from the cliffside but Virgil could still see how quickly the edge dropped off. He couldn’t see the large river he was told was at its base from where he was sitting, but he did see a few of the promised wild birds (including doves) flying around. The king had promised they’d bird watch for a bit, and Virgil figured that would happen after the game was over.

A cool spring breeze brushed across Virgil’s face, and he put his hand in his hoodie pockets to warm them. Instead, his fingers hit something icy cold.

For a moment, he didn’t remember what it was. The crescent shape of it was familiar when he put his hand over it, but he had never felt it cold before.

It was the protection charm: the first charm Virgil had ever made with Logan so many months ago. It was meant to ward off small threats as well as warn you about larger threats by changing temperature…

It had always been warm.

“What?” Patton asked, having noticed Virgil suddenly tense. Virgil, despite how he drilled into his friend’s heads to stay alert had gone soft. He’d let himself be distracted by a full belly and warm blankets and fun games.

He didn’t answer Patton. He filtered the other boy’s worried face out as well as Logan’s face as he glanced at him and the king’s still focused on the game for now. He filtered out the picnic blanket and smell of food still lingering in the air and the vine covered figure set in the middle of the board on the winner’s space. He filtered out the sound of the breeze and the breath of his companions and the distant chirping of birds.

And he heard a whoosh.

#proofread stories #not writing

23 notes · View notes

undergaunts · 2 months

Text

Call Me Baby (Chapter 2) (Chapter 1 here)

Sebastian Sallow x Ominis Gaunt (Modern!AU)

Summary: The text chat logs between Sebastian Sallow and Ominis Gaunt during their 6th and 7th year at Hogwarts. (or Sebastian and Ominis can't bear to be apart for longer than 5 minutes, so spend their entire summer, winter and spring breaks texting and calling each other)

Rating: Teen & Up (this will go up in the next chapter!)

Word count: 6.4k

Recommended to read on AO3 as the layout is better but it’s also below the cut <3

SUMMER

July 1st, 6:14pm

sebastian changed their name to ss

July 2nd, 10:02am

Ominis

Hello Sebastian. I just wanted to let you know I have one of your books. You’d left it in Transfiguration so Professor Weasley gave it to me. I tried to tell her but she wouldn’t listen. I’ll pass it on to Anne when we get back to school.

From anne ^_^ to Ominis

July 4th, 11:07am

anne ^_^

has he responded yet?

Ominis

No. I’m not surprised.

anne ^_^

to be honest me neither.

he’s such an idiot, I’m sorry.

Ominis

It isn’t your fault, Anne. We both know how he can be when he’s upset.

anne ^_^

yeah but to go like, what, 3 months now? hardly talking to you is SO weird.

he gets annoyed and is super stubborn a lot but to go this long being the way he is is just off

Ominis

It is how it is, I suppose. I can only see that he felt we were pushing boundaries too far and had to take a step back.

anne ^_^

but not like this, and what do you mean?

Ominis

After we changed our display names, apparently several of our classmates contacted him asking if we were dating, or assuming we were. We do - did - spend a lot of time together, but the name change was purely a joke. I think it may have had more consequences than expected for Sebastian.

anne ^_^

but he was the one who told you to do it, no?

Ominis

Yes.

anne ^_^

so why was it too far?

Ominis

I think it was more the questions of us being a couple. It’s a preposterous idea but if pushed too far, some people may believe it and unfortunately people did. I think he’s really just wanted to distance himself from me to prove it wasn’t true.

anne ^_^

hmm. i just can’t see that being the issue though

he’s always been so touchy feely with you, just changing your names and having people ask if you’re dating doesn’t seem like something he’d just stop being your friend over.

and you never argued?

Ominis

Oh, we argued. A fair amount. But not recent to our last conversation.

anne ^_^

and he didnt say anything to you over the phone or anything?

Ominis

No. Truly, Anne, I believe my theory wholeheartedly. And it’s fine. I still have you. I hope, at least.

anne ^_^

oh ominis, always!

but he’s been really cold to me too, so i think there’s more going on. I’m certain it’s not just what you think. give me a couple days to try and speak to him, ok?

let me know if you want to talk at any point <3

Ominis

Of course. Thank you :)

from anne ^_^ to ss

July 5th, 11:15am

anne ^_^

where r u?

anne ^_^

smh where r u

why?

anne ^_^

ffs seb

do i need to ask a third time

on a walk it’s a nice day

anne ^_^

ok but where

gods anne do u want me to just send my location or something ?!

anne ^_^

please

really?? look i just want to be alone today ok

anne ^_^

uve wanted to be alone everyday for like 3 months

im good company, what can i say

anne ^_^

not the way uve been moping about ur not. me and ominis r really worried abt u

whats he got to do with it?

anne ^_^

everything???? he’s ur best friend and suddenly u act like u wld rather try to tame 50 graphorns at once than be around him.

look we r just worried ok? just want to know whats going on

anne im fine. look im just trying to come to terms with some things and id rather do it alone

anne ^_^

what? ur dramatic ass honestly

like what?

like leaving hogwarts next year

and stuff

anne ^_^

so u ignore ur favourite thing about it ?!

what? hes not

there r other things i like way more than him

anne ^_^

such as ???!!

since the moment u met ominis u havent shut up about him, u used to wake up everyday at school and the first thing u would do would be go and wake him up because u didnt want to do anything without him

i mean just this last year u spent 24/7 with him at hogwarts and then u get home aND CONTINUE TO TALK TO HIM 24/7

and i know u didnt have an argument or anything, all that happened was that people thought u were dating for like 5 minutes and then u stop talking

like if it wasn’t so insane to suggest id swear u were in love with him and people worked it out before u which made u work it out so now u cant deal with being around him and dont want to talk to anyone in case they mention him LOL

11:51am

anne ^_^

seb

12:07

anne ^_^

seb

12:12

anne ^_^

seb

anne ^_^

…

anne ^_^

what?

…

anne ^_^

WHAT?

oh seb

im sorry i didnt mean to laugh i really didnt think

oh please come back home :( or at least tell me where u r. i dont wanna do this over text :(

id much rather text, i think i would cry in person

anne ^_^

:( ok

im really sorry, i wish u wouldve told me

i knew u loved him i just didnt realise in that way

i mean ok maybe i sort of did if i guessed that but Gods seb :(

yeah i guess everyone sort of knew before me then? which has been the craziest thing

when everyone was sending me messages asking if we were dating i was so confused cos the whole name thing was clearly a joke, then it hit me like a tonne of bricks and i realised it just wasn’t. i dont think it’s ever been a joke. like ive told people no no it was a joke stop acting weird

but the only one acting weird is me

anne ^_^

seb :(

i cant imagine how uve been feeling

i wish u wouldve told me at least, even if u werent totally sure i could’ve helped, i couldve still supported u

im sorry, genuinely, its just been hard

i mean i assumed i only liked girls for my whole life, and i do, i think they’re pretty and stuff but then i realised every girl ive ever dated ive ditched to be with him? and when i have gone on a date ive just talked about him.

all i do is think about him

ive kept rereading our texts and merlin all i do is flirt, badly but still

it’s just so stupid

fuck sorry it’s all sort of just coming out

anne ^_^

literally

huh

anne ^_^

coming out, literally

LMAO thanks i laughed out loud for probs the first time in months

anne ^_^

sorry haha i didn’t mean to cut u off please continue

no it’s ok

hes my best friend and ive ruined it by being in love, and then ive ruined it even more by just not talking to him. ugh I just...what do i even do? u kno he messaged me the other day and it made me cry. i was sitting on a rock by the lake crying like a loser. like wtf. i still haven’t replied

anne ^_^

i think he just wants u back. he really misses u. honestly he won’t admit it because hes sort of just accepted u hate him

and u know how proper he is haha but he’s devastated

u think?

anne ^_^

r u dumb?

don’t answer tht. of course he is. ur literally his best friend. his entire world. he loves u

it might not be in the way u want but he would die for u I reckon. PLEASE talk to him :( Ik it’s going to be hard but ur best friends at the end of the day, to throw it all away would be silly

i know ur right. if i reply to him i might vomit

anne ^_^

worth it please?

let me think. but i probably will at some point. ur right. he is my best friend first

gods im sorry

anne ^_^

don’t need to apologise to me but i think u should apologise to him

yeah i will

thank u

anne ^_^

love u. come back home ??

love u 2. i will soon

anne ^_^

From anne ^_^ to Ominis

July 5th 2:43pm

anne ^_^

hey

so news - he’s ok, he’s just dumb. he’s gonna message you soon

Ominis

Just dumb? I’m not sure I know what you mean. But I’m glad he’s well.

anne ^_^

ah i’m not sure how i could explain it. it’s not really my thing to explain, but hopefully he will. well, he better or I’ll whack him over the head

Ominis

Could you do that anyway?

anne ^_^

LOL tempting

Ominis

Well thank you Anne. I’m glad you got to the bottom of it, even if you won’t tell me!

anne ^_^

promise he will, one way or another. either he will or ive got a good sized book on magical beasts that might get his brain into working order

Ominis

Haha. I shall look out for his message then. Thank you again.

anne ^_^

no problem. speak soon :)

From Ominis to ss

July 2nd, 10:02am

Ominis

July 6th, 4:37am

hi thank you that means a lot

sorry i didnt respond sooner

u can pass it on to me if it’s easier

haha

8:45am

Ominis

Good morning Sebastian. I think I shall do that then. Thank you.

9:23am

kewl. sweet. sounds good

9:28am

so are you

how have you

look im really sorry for acting the way i did recently. i know it probably seemed like i was angry at u but I wasnt, i was just going through something and i got a bit weird. but ive realised im stupid and im so sorry

i understand if u don’t want to talk to me anymore. i really do miss you. cutting you out like that was really horrible. ur my best friend and im really sorry :(

Ominis

I wish you would’ve spoken to me, Sebastian. If you were going through something - whatever it is - you know I’m here for you. Just like you’ve always been there for me. We can still speak about it, if you would like, but there’s no pressure. You don’t need to apologise. But I would like to go back to how things were, if possible?

And you are also my best friend, by the way. You know I’m not one for sentimentality, but it’s true.

:’)

im honoured

sentimentominis haha

it’s really not important, im over it now

ok not really but

i would love to go back to how it was

but I love.

would u hate me if.

ive really missed u dude

Ominis

And I you. Let’s put it behind us. But only if you promise not to shut me out again like that. Agreed?

agreed :D

July 8th, 10:52am

morning :)

Ominis

Good morning.

how u?

Ominis

Well. My mother, father and sister had gone to visit my brother for a fortnight, so I have the entire place to myself for the next five days. How are you?

im good :) that’s cool haha why didnt u get dragged along?

Ominis

They left just before I returned from Hogwarts, thankfully. I may actually use their absence to my advantage this afternoon and choose a book from my father’s study. I’m not often allowed in there you see.

damn u sooooo rebellious

well i guess u acc r with not being a bigot and stuff lol.

but i go looking for treasure in catacombs in the middle of the night and u go borrow a book from ur dad

Ominis

One must start somewhere. With your influence I may start a criminal trading ring.

wht wld u trade?

Ominis

Books, of course. The first book traded will be the one I pilfer from my father. The rest will then follow.

can i join?

Ominis

You’re my partner in this, so of course.

what kind of partner?

of course, travelling all over the country

Ominis

All over the world. On the run, mostly from my father for stealing that first book, but from all of the people we’ve swindled as well. It’s just the two of us, versus everyone else.

gods i love

Haha r u drunk?

Ominis

No. It seems like I should be though, doesn’t it?

yes lol

so if ur home alone

ok crazy question, ik what ur probably gonna say but ill ask anyway - if ur on ur own why don’t i come over?

i mean i don’t have to come to the mAnOr but maybe we could walk around ur village or smth

it cant be that bad can it lol, i don’t have to stay over or anything, just might be nice to see u :)

Ominis

I’d like that.

really???? sure????????

Ominis

My house isn’t the nicest, I must forewarn you. It’s very old and rather grim and I’m certain is falling apart in places. It might be better to stay away from it, but I could probably at least show you the outside.

don’t care, have you seen mine lmao, me and anne literally had to nail the window closed because it just wouldn’t shut. trust me idc

Ominis

Mine may be worse than that. How does tomorrow around eleven sound?

:D, yes perfect can’t wait

Ominis

Wonderful. I look forward to it.

July 9th, 11:43pm

ik ur probably asleep but i just wanted to say i had so much fun today. ur house is so big haha im not susprised u used to get lost as a kid. but thank u for letting me see it and see u mostly

sleep well baby boy :)

July 12th, 5:18am

ss changed their display name to SEB!

SEB!

gmornin

9:22am

Ominis

Good morning. Did you sleep well? You were up early.

SEB!

kinda, someone has a rooster in the village so it woke me up bright and early lol there’s already plans to start a riot i think

Ominis

Well we can’t have that. Sebastian Sallow needs his beauty sleep.

SEB!

oh you think im. so you do think im

im slowly growing uglier day by day as the rooster grows stronger, feeding off my youth

Ominis

Ah, I actually don’t think it’s possible, your beauty is eternal, you see, but without any sleep you will not have the strength to fight back against the evil rooster and prevent it from world domination.

SEB!

fuck so you do think im

swear ur drunk again haha

Ominis

I think it’s the fact I’m not having to deal with my mother and father, combined with the varying chemicals I’m certain are in the water here that are getting me ‘high’.

SEB!

oh jeez haha srs? maybe u should come stay with me again then

Ominis

No. Well, there could be, but I don’t think that’s why I’m acting strange. I think I’m just happy to be talking to you again, in all honesty. :)

SEB!

what happened to Mr I’m-Not-One-For-Sentimentality?

Ominis

It seems I’ve grown soft, doesn’t it?

SEB!

is there another reason other than just

yea it’s weird!!

Ominis

I shall stop then.

SEB!

no i love

no i like this Ominis :)

Ominis

If you’re sure.

SEB!

totally, but i wasnt joking about u coming to stay again. could come stay the last 2 weeks again if u wanted

or even longer, up to u

Ominis

I’ll ask my father. But I would like that. I enjoyed last year, a lot.

SEB!

me too, and this is our last summer at school so we should make the most of it!

Ominis

You’re right. I’ll see what I can do.

SEB!

lmk wen u kno

Ominis

Will do. <3

SEB!

fuck

July 16th, 10:32pm

Ominis

Would you like hear about my horrendous day?

SEB!

do tell. hold on

10:37pm

SEB!

ok, i have a cup of tea and some biscuits so im ready to listen lol

Ominis

I was very rudely awoken this morning by my sister, rather than the usual house elf, and ushered downstairs to where my entire family were huddled in the drawing room, as if someone had passed away. You see, apparently, after someone had tipped him off, my father had found out that the girl Marvolo was to marry was not pureblood at all!

SEB!

HORSE GIRL?

whaaaat really?

Ominis

Well, according to them, not pure enough. On her Mother’s side, her great, great grandmother was actually muggle-born. Which means her great, great, great grandparents were muggles.

SEB!

oh my hahahahahahahaah oh i bet theyr all fuming

Ominis

That’s putting it lightly. Apparently the mother had not even told her husband or daughter about this until very recently, but they were still determined to go ahead with this marriage.

Of course my father and brother were out for blood. More so than ever before. Imagine what would’ve happened if the Gaunt name was tarnished by a minuscule percentage of muggle blood! And, God forbid, if she and Marvolo had ever had children, an even smaller percentage, ruining millennia of perfection!

SEB!

oh this is brilliant, i can imagine u standing there smiling the whole time

Ominis

I certainly would’ve, however we were then rushed to Paris by floo to call the whole thing off, if you can even describe it as ‘calling it off’. I wouldn’t have wished the sounds on my worst enemy, Sebastian.

SEB!

all 5 of u??? wtf wait what happened, sorry i thought this was a funny story

Ominis

Thankfully I didn’t have to partake in anything this time around. Not like before. My sister made sure of that, I thank the gods for her. I know my mother wasn’t happy I didn’t stay to ‘help protect the Gaunt name’ as she put it. All I know was as soon as the doors closed, I’ve never heard sounds like it. And they tried to fight back. Of course they would, they’re wizards, not muggles, they’re not as easy to break. It was horrible. I hate them, this is so fucked up. Gods. I just

SEB!

what?

Ominis r u home? R u ok????

Ominis

I’m home now, yes. I’m sorry. Saying it out loud has made me realise just what happened. It was utterly awful.

SEB!

can i call?

Ominis

Please.

SEB is calling Ominis

Call accepted

Call ended, 3hr, 11min

July 17th, 1:59am

Ominis

Thank you. For staying so long. You must go rest now, especially if that rooster is still about.

SEB!

it is still here lol but idc, i wld stay on the phone all day with u if u wanted me to, ur so so undeserving of all this shit. u have done nothing wrong ok? ever. plz dont blame urself

ur so important to me. i promise this time next year u will be out of there. i will do whatever it takes.

ur my

ur my baby boy and i love u lots

Ominis

Thank you. I’m sorry.

Love you too.

Sweetheart.

SEB!

7:34am

SEB!

i just read those messages again, and i mean it. I love you, Ominis. Like, full homo haha

i genuinely meant it when I said I love you, did you?

i love you in a gay way btw

marry me?

im not ever going to send any of these messages so idk why im even typing

July 19th, 10:33am

Ominis

Hi. Hope you slept well. Can we call when you're available?

SEB!

ofc!!

SEB! is calling Ominis

Call accepted

Call ended, 2hr 42mins

July 20th, 11:21am

Ominis

Good morning. Are you free to talk?

SEB!

yea !!!

SEB! is calling Ominis

Call accepted

Call ended, 3hr, 29mins

July 21st, 12:22pm

Ominis

Call?

SEB!

Ominis is calling SEB!

Call accepted

Call ended, 4hr 2min

July 22nd, 11:15am

SEB!

Call me when ur around

Ominis is calling SEB!

Call accepted

Call ended, 4hr 19min

July 23rd, 10:48am

Ominis

SEB! is calling Ominis

Call accepted

Call ended, 4hr 57min

July 24th, 5:01pm

SEB!

going for a walk can call?

Ominis

Please.

SEB! is calling Ominis

Call accepted

Call ended, 5hr 51min

10:53pm

SEB!

oh damn haha new record didn’t even realise

Ominis

What?

SEB!

we were on the phone for almost 6 hours

Ominis

Merlin, really? What on Earth do we even talk about?

SEB!

absolutely nothing. it’s great

Ominis

At this rate we won’t have anything to talk about when we get back to Hogwarts.

SEB!

but u know we will. we could easily break that record tomorrow

and the day after

and the day after that

Ominis

I think you are right. It’s a wonder I’m not sick of you.

SEB!

i love

same here

somehow I forgot to ask but did u ask ur dad if u can come stay solomon doesn’t care, he was like ‘ur almost 18 do what u want’

Ominis

Ah, no, not yet. He and Marvolo are, well, honestly, I have no idea what they are doing. As you well know I’ve spent most of my time in my room talking to you. I’m just trying to keep out of the way as I usually do. But when I’ve tried to speak to him he has mostly brushed me off. Again, as he usually does.

I’ll try again at some point. There’s nothing more I want to do than to come and stay with you, but you know how my family can be.

SEB!

yea that’s cool dude, whenever u can, if u can

anne keeps asking me about us

anne keeps asking like when is ominis coming and im like idk lay off!! lmao

Ominis

I’m clearly a wanted man.

SEB!

yeah i want u so bad u don’t even kno lol imagine if i sent that

it’s our last summer at school, we wanna hang out with u :)

Ominis

Soon. Promise.

SEB!

fingers and toes and arms and legs and eyes and wands all crossed <3

July 30th, 7:54am

Ominis

How would you feel about me staying for a month?

8:23am

SEB!

overjoyed, ecstatic, thrilled, etc etc

why?

Ominis

My father pretty much said I could come for as long as I wanted. Not in so many words, but I think he’s far too focused on other things at the moment to worry about what I’m doing with myself.

SEB!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ominis

Are you busy this afternoon?

SEB!

NO! NOW? TODAY?

Ominis

That is what I meant by this afternoon. Would that be ok? I’d wait another day or two but I don’t think I really can. Haha.

SEB!

please come whenever

come now !!

Ominis

Are you certain?

SEB!

Super certain. I can’t wait to see you.

Ominis

:) I’ll pack my things. I’ll let you know when I’m coming.

SEB!

i’ll let anne and solomon know haha brb

8:27am

SEB!

anne’s really excited!! solomon got annoyed i woke him up hahaha but he doesn’t care he’s probably gonna be off somewhere in a few days anyway so

ahhhhh this is great news to wake up to, can’t wait to see u baby boy it feels like forever. only 3 weeks but

9:04am

Ominis

On my way Sweetheart. <3

WINTER

December 23rd, 6:33pm

SEB! changed their display name to sebauble

sebauble

hello lovely

did u get back ok?

7:04pm

Ominis

Yes, thank you. Thank you to you, Anne and Solomon for having me. I’m sorry I had to return back home so soon. I would’ve liked to have stayed for the entirety of the break and not miss Christmas with you.

But I suppose there is New Years, at least.

sebauble

ik :( sucks

i don’t get ur family, one year they don’t care if ur there or not the next you HAVE to come home

so strange

but yeah new years woo woo

Ominis

It’s not as if we really celebrate the holiday. There’s a meal in the evening, but we usually spend the days to ourselves, gather in silence to eat and then return to our rooms.

It’s certainly not a traditional Christmas.

sebauble

EXACTLY

damn gaunts bunch of weirdos haha

Ominis

Careful, I’m still a Gaunt whether I like it or not.

sebauble

o_o

no no i like to think of u as a sallow

my husb

like my brother

LOL

Ominis

I told you, don’t call me your brother.

Or sister, before you start.

sebauble

fine, but ur still a sallow in my eyes

Ominis

How so? As your husband? Do I marry in to the Sallow name? Or is it just an honorary title?

sebauble

oh fuck did u

yes just marry me

merlin did u just

yes u can be my husband

hm it would solve lots of problems

no gaunt surname, no dealing with ur family, im a pureblood so they wouldn’t care, u could live here, wouldn’t have to be married off to someone you hate

what say u

marry me baby?

shit I’m only joking

no I’m not

Ominis

I thought you’d never ask! Haha.

Or I could just marry Anne. Be a modern gentleman and take her name.

sebauble

yeah that could work too

we would have to see if she would agree though

Ominis

I’m sure she would. I’m certainly the better choice than half the boys in our year. And we are already great friends, it seems like a good match!

sebauble

please don’t be in love with my sister i would die

Is this ur way of telling me u want to date anne or something haha

Ominis

Oh absolutely not, Sebastian!

No offence to her, but Anne is not quite my type. I thought we were joking?

sebauble

thank Merlin

wait so

Haha yeah i am lol

so what is ur type then lol

i shouldn’t have sent that fuck

Ominis

Oh, er, I don’t really know. I haven’t put much thought into it.

sebauble

just enough to know def not my sister then

lol poor Anne

Ominis

I suppose so.

sebauble

THANK FUCK

So like

if u had to date someone in our year who would it be

How do u even know what ur type is when u can’t see

Is it just personality? face feel?

you’ve felt my face before, did u like it?

Ominis

I really haven’t put much thought into it.

sebauble

ok but u must like someone right ?

or have in the past

u seem to get on with poppy quite well

and there’s that girl in 6th who is always nice to u and she’s pretty fit, kinda boring but

Ominis

Look, Sebastian, I don’t know and I don’t really want to talk about this. We haven’t before, and I don’t particularly want to start now.

sebauble

sorry

i won’t bring it up again

i was just being nosy

Ominis

Let’s just leave it. I’ve got to go for supper anyway. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

sebauble

im a fucking idiot

now u hate me

ok, sorry

speak tomorrow

December 24th, 1:37pm

sebauble

hellooooo

8:22pm

Ominis

Good evening. Sorry for not getting in contact with you sooner. I’ve been rather busy today.

sebauble

it’s ok!!

i thought u might be annoyed at me

did u do anything fun?

Ominis

My dear Aunt Noctua has come for Christmas. It was why my parents demanded me home, so I forgive them now. Haha.

I’ve spent a long time talking to her today. She doesn’t often visit anymore so it has been a pleasure to be in her company again.

sebauble

ahh that’s cute im glad she’s there !!!

how is she

Ominis

Very busy, as always. She was telling my sister and I multiple stories of her childhood with my father. He used to be quite kind, surprisingly. He wasn’t there to hear, though, or I fear how he would’ve reacted.

sebauble

NO WAY

Ominis

Indeed. He used to read her stories to help her fall asleep when they were both young. Unfortunately the weight of the Gaunt name and the expectations from my grandfather soon caught up to him and, well, you know the rest.

sebauble

that sucks

is she staying long?

Ominis

Only until Boxing Day. Then she’s back to her travels.

sebauble

ah that’s a shame

but at least u get to see her

makes up for u not being here tomorrow haha

Ominis

Yes, I suppose it does.

Well, not entirely. I’d much rather be with you, Anne and Noctua. That would be a much more pleasant Christmas.

sebauble

maybe one day :)

8:52pm

Ominis

Sebastian?

sebauble

…yeah?

Ominis

I’m sorry for the way I reacted yesterday.

sebauble

oh about the

no, i should be sorry. i was prying.

Ominis

Not at all. We’re best friends, I think it’s perfectly normal to talk about things like that. Especially at our age.

sebauble

yeah

i know we dont really

it’s just

im in love with y

we have almost finished school and u have never gone on a date or anything

and don’t say no girls would date u cos they totally would

Ominis

I think that’s where the issue may lie.

sebauble

wdym?

Ominis

I think my issue here is er the girls.

sebauble

oh right

none of them are taking ur fancy

idk if u gave that 6th year a chance she might be alright

or just date me lol

Ominis

That’s really not what I’m trying to say.

sebauble

ok then i don’t get it

Ominis

Merlin’s beard Sebastian I thought you were intelligent. Do I really have to spell it out?

I don’t like girls. I don’t want to date girls. They’re perfectly fine and I’m sure are very pretty, and actually I have been asked out before and didn’t tell you because I never went.

Because I like boys.

sebauble

Ominis

And I’m sorry I never told you but it’s just something I’ve had to keep to myself for a long time because I just never knew how to bring it up.

I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable now, I really hope it doesn’t. You’re the first person I’ve told.

sebauble

Ominis

Well don’t just keep saying oh, say something, anything, I beg of you.

sebauble

sorry

me too, i like boys too, i like girls as well but i really like boys, i mean u boys, u r a boy and i like u, i love u actually, fuck sake

Ominis, it took me a long time to see it, but I’ve been in love with you for years, you’re the person I want to spend every waking moment with and talk to about everything and oh gods i can’t do it

Ominis

Are you typing? Can you just respond please, other than just sorry?

sebauble

dude i

sorry

that’s cool!!!

u should’ve told me before

didn’t need to keep this kind of secret

i would’ve set u up lol

Ominis

With someone from our school? Disgusting, the lot of them. Filthy, smelly boys.

sebauble

even me?

then how do u kno u even like boys???

Ominis

Well. That’s a good question. It’s just something I know, I suppose. Yep, that’s it, definitely.

sebauble

oh no no no no no no no no please say no

…oh i see right through u

there IS someone u like

Ominis

Alright. Maybe.

But don’t go pushing me, I’m not going to tell you.

sebauble

fuck fuck fuck fuck just kill me

tell me who it is now, ill kill them

i wont. thats what the amortentia is for

i’ll get u to smell it, tell me what u smell and then ill work it out

im very smart

Ominis

You’d have to torture that out of me, Sebastian.

sebauble

if it gets u on a date with someone then itll be worth it >:)

Ominis

That’s the other issue. I don’t think this person is interested in boys.

At all.

sebauble

dude

I have to know now

let me help

Ominis

I think we should really leave it.

sebauble

…

alright

only because im nice and respectful of ur privacy

sometimes lol

but if u need my help

i am here

Ominis

Thank you. I mean it, for not hating me. For being supportive.

sebauble

ur my best friend

why would i hate u over this? don’t be daft

i could never hate u baby

in fact i

Ominis

:) Thank you.

Well, I should go wallow in my own self pity now, it’s been a long day. I’ll talk to you in the morning?

sebauble

speak tomorrow

sleep well

love u

Ominis

Love you too.

December 25th, 9:31am

sebauble

CHRISTMAS

WAKE UP

Ominis

I’m awake!

Merry Christmas Sebastian :)

sebauble

MEERY CHRISTMAS OMINIS

Ominis

Don’t forget to open the gift I got you.

And the one for Anne, too.

sebauble

I WONT

CAN I OPEN NOW?

Ominis

Yes!

9:36am

sebauble

oh dude thank you

i fucking love it

just what i wanted

Ominis

Is it the right one?

sebauble

YES

super cool

i wanted this quidditch jumper for forever

so thank you

it’s perfect

ITS GOT MY NAME ON THE BACK

i just saw

Hahahahah even more perfect

brilliant

<333333

Ominis

I’m so glad you like it. I had to get Anne’s help. Did she like her gift?

sebauble

hold on

yes she loves it thank you

she said ‘id been wanting this diary for ages, thank you ominis, u really shouldn’t have’

u need to stop being so generous dude

im sorry i couldn’t really afford to get u anything

Ominis

I just want to make you happy, it’s not about getting anything in return, honestly.

I’m glad she likes it. Merry Christmas to you both.

sebauble

…

Ominis

What?

sebauble

check ur bag

Ominis

What?

sebauble

just check it

9:45am

Ominis

What is this?

sebauble

did u open it?

Ominis

No, what have you done?

sebauble

open it

9:47am

Ominis

I’ve opened it. It feels like a photo frame. What is it?

sebauble

so if u run ur hands over the whole thing it u should be able to feel some bits feel different to the other bits

Ominis

Yes, I can feel that. Some bits are raised and other bits aren’t.

sebauble

yeah

its basically a picture with the outlines raised up so you can feel it. sort of like a drawing but u can trace over it so u can ‘see’ it

Ominis

What’s it a picture of?

sebauble

from mine and anne's birthday party

idk if u remember

she took the picture outside the dorm

i think we were both drunk but yeah

i just loved the picture

and wanted u to see it somehow

Ominis

Oh Sebastian.

sebauble

is it any good?

can u sort of feel it?

im on the left side and ur on the right

if it’s no good u don’t have to keep it

Ominis

Sebastian.

sebauble

yeah?

Ominis

This is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received.

sabauble

haha

really?

Ominis

This is the most thoughtful, amazing thing I’ve ever been given. I can’t believe it. You shouldn’t have spent the money on me.

sebauble

as u said earlier ‘i just want to make u happy’

Ominis

Sebastian. You’ve made me cry.

sebauble

don’t cry :(

plz

sorry

Ominis

You idiot. I’m not sad. I just cannot believe someone has done something this wonderful for me. And for you to be the one to do it, well, is not surprising but.

I don’t think I can thank you enough.

I love you.

sebauble

you

i love you too so much

Ominis

But probably not in the way I love you.

sebauble

????

Ominis

Gods, I apologise, I didn’t mean to send that. Stupid phone.

Please ignore that message. How do you delete a message? I can’t delete the message, why won’t it delete it? Oh it’s still listening to me, for fuck

sebauble

what

Ominis

Please Sebastian, please ignore it. I think it must’ve heard me wrong or something, I’m sorry.

Just ignore it, I can’t delete it for some stupid reason but you’ve already seen it anyway so it doesn’t

I apologise. I don’t understand why it listens to me sometimes and then doesn’t the other.

I hate these stupid things.

Just forget it.

sebauble

do you

are you in love with me or something?

Ominis

I said just ignore it. Please.

sebauble

no, just tell me

are you?

when u said there’s someone u like yesterday

did u mean me?

Ominis

Sebastian, please.

sebauble

tell me

please

u have to tell me

I’m begging u

Ominis

I can’t do this Sebastian

sebauble

please

please because if i say i feel the same way and u say u were joking i think i would die

Ominis

You feel the same way?

sebauble

i do

ominis please

im stupidly desperately in love with you and i truthfully have no idea for how long but all i know is that i love you with every fibre of my being and i spend every second without u wishing i was with u and every second with u wishing i was closer to u

all the times I’ve called you baby and perfect and gorgeous i was never joking

please tell me u weren’t joking

please

Ominis

I wasn’t joking. I didn’t mean to send it but I am serious.

Are you serious?

sebauble

ofc i am

i swear

Merlin

I love you Ominis

Ominis

Can I call?

sebauble

yes

please

Ominis is calling sebauble

Call accepted

#hogwarts fanfiction #hogwarts legacy #ominis gaunt #sebastian sallow #ominis gaunt fanfiction #sebastian sallow fanfiction #sebinis #gauntlow #ominis x sebastian #sebastian x ominis #my ff

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alovesreading · 2 years

Text

Constant Repeat | Part 5

Summary: Having worked at Focus Creeps for a year, Ella knows that as a production assistant and part of the crew, there’s one important rule: don’t interact with the talent unless it’s needed. But once she meets Arctic Monkeys, and the recording of the music videos for their upcoming fourth studio album starts, the band seem to become her exception. Not only because they treat her more like a friend than just someone else they’re working with but when Alex continuously makes her blush with his flirting, so enthralled by her that he forgets he’s got a girlfriend, Ella finds herself growing closer to him. As videos are filmed, wrapped and edited, the friendship lines become blurry. Situations unfold, secrets are told and others are kept under lock and key, but how long can Alex and Ella endure being stuck in each other’s minds on constant repeat.

Word Count: 20.2k

Story Warnings: Throughout this series there will be suggestive talk, jealousy, cheating, alcohol and drug use, angst, smut.

A/N: Currently not able to stay still because this is one of my favorite chapters and it's been one I have been excited to share ever since I finished writing it. So since imagine-that-100 and I are posting part 4 of Chicken Shop Date next week, I thought I would bring this chapter forward a week hehe, though this means you'll have to wait a week longer for the next one since I'll stick to posting it on the original date it was supposed to which is April 7th. But right now, I truly cannot wait to see your reactions to this one. I have a feeling you might yell at me lolll. Enjoy!!! xx

Masterlist

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

(17/09/11 10:28) Congrats on the suck it and see video, compliments the song brilliantly.

(17/09/11 10:31) Thank you for that and for helping us with it x

(17/09/11 10:39) Nothing to thank, that's my literal job Al hahaha

(17/09/11 10:40) Hahaha that's true. Well then thanks for making it such a great time for us.

(17/09/11 10:44) My pleasure :) Send my love to everyone over there, I hope tour is going smoothly x

(17/09/11 10:44) Will do x And it is! Kinda wish you were here to see the madness x

(17/09/11 10:45) We better hope America treats you just as well next time you come, I'll definitely be there :) x

•••

(27/10/11 13:16) I'm so glad Helders had the idea of going to Vegas and filming it.

(27/10/11 13:18) It was quite a lovely time, congrats on the music video Al!

(27/10/11 13:18) Even though most of it is just Bre and Matt, I'm happy to see that day after all this time x

(27/10/11 13:20) C'mon Turner, it's only been a couple months x

(27/10/11 13:21) Fair enough but, don't tell this to anyone, I miss America quite a bit.

(27/10/11 13:27) Any particular reasons?

(27/10/11 13:29) A couple come to mind...

(27/10/11 13:33) Any with first and last names?

(27/10/11 13:33) Are you trying to trick me into saying something?

(27/10/11 13:34) Maybe...

(27/10/11 13:48) I do miss you Ellie xx

(27/10/11 13:49) Well, that's good to hear xx

(27/10/11 13:49) I miss you following me around with your camera on my face x

(27/10/11 13:50) Anyone would think I'm a crazy pap from that sentence alone.

(27/10/11 13:50) Aren't you? x

(27/10/11 13:52) Alright Turner, I'm not saying i miss you too then.

(27/10/11 13:56) I joke, I joke x

(27/10/11 13:57) Hahaha I know, I do miss you xx

(27/10/11 14:02) Well, that's good to hear xx

•••

(05/11/11 02:22) Helders got a new film camera!

(05/11/11 02:22) No way?! Show me!!!

(05/11/11 02:24) *picture of Matt holding a Leica M6 to his face squinting his left eye*

(05/11/11 02:25) I'm so jealous! A Leica M6?! She's stunning!!!

(05/11/11 02:26) He's also been pestering me for your phone number, he might've stolen it from my contact book already.

(05/11/11 02:28) He did and texted me last night. Remind me again why you don't have a password? He's going to be the death of me.

(05/11/11 02:29) You said you missed the lads the other day, and I delivered the message. You didn't expect it to be that easy to escape him, did you?

(05/11/11 02:30) This is what I get for being a caring friend.

(05/11/11 02:31) It has its cons x

(05/11/11 02:46) It wasn't only Helders breaking into your phone, by the way.

(05/11/11 02:49) What do you mean?

(05/11/11 02:49) Nick and Jamie texted me earlier too hahaha

(05/11/11 02:49) Sorry? x

(05/11/11 02:50) Don't! I suppose you're gonna have a little rest from me now that I have more people to annoy x

(05/11/11 02:51) You're never annoying Ellie x

(05/11/11 02:51) I find that hard to believe x

(05/11/11 02:53) You really aren't x I actually think if you stop sending me your weekly film reviews and song recommendations I might go in a weird type of withdrawal xx

(05/11/11 02:53) I'll keep them coming for you then ;)

(05/11/11 02:54) I really hope you do xx

•••

(24/12/11 16:12) Just double checked and since it's already the 25th where you are, Merry Christmas Alex!!!

(24/12/11 16:17) Thank you Ellie, merry christmas to you too xx

(24/12/11 16:18) I hope Sinatra is playing on repeat all day today x

(24/12/11 16:21) You know he is. It's snowing later today as well, will send you pictures xx

(24/12/11 16:23) You're gonna make me miss home, I haven't had a white christmas in a while now :((

(24/12/11 16:24) We should do a video call then, make some hot chocolate and pretend you're here x

(24/12/11 16:25) Sounds lovely to me x See you later then, Al :)

(24/12/11 16:26) See ya Ellie xx

•••

(31/12/11 15:09) It feels weird having Bre here but not you, the group feels incomplete xx

(31/12/11 15:09) So sorry I said no, I had already planned on spending this one in Tennessee. And I would rather eat a cup of dirt than have you pay for my whole holiday in the uk!

(31/12/11 15:10) You don't have to be sorry, I know you missed your family x And you stubborn woman! Will you ever let me pay for anything for you without having to physically distract you when it comes to it?

(31/12/11 15:12) Never ;))) But you'll be pleased to know I have started saving up for my own trip, just give me some months and I'll be on your side of the pond x

(31/12/11 15:13) Can't wait to see how poorly you do in the cold once again, I'll have my coats ready for you to steal xx

(31/12/11 15:15) You're mean!

(31/12/11 15:16) I'm actually very kind, i'll be letting you take them all xx

(31/12/11 15:17) I think whatever you're having is getting to you already, go enjoy the party for me Turner! (I'm there in spirit x).

(31/12/11 15:17) I'm the most sober in here right now. Nick's pissed already and Matt is following very closely behind. (I can weirdly feel your presence in the room xx).

(31/12/11 15:18) Oh I would pay to see that!!

(31/12/11 15:18) Well lucky for you I won't charge you for the following videos x *video of Nick and Matt messily racing to chug down a pint of beer, video of Nick and Matt singing karaoke*

(31/12/11 15:19) You've just made my entire year with that HAHAHA

(31/12/11 15:22) Glad to hear it x

(31/12/11 16:00) Happy New Year from my side of the pond, Ellie xxxx

(31/12/11 16:03) Happy New Year Al xxxx Feels weird saying that at four in the afternoon haha

(31/12/11 16:04) Haha, time zones are mental, aren't they? Let me know when it's 2012 for you too xx

(01/01/2012 00:00) Happy New Year!!!! We just caught up to you hahah xx

(01/01/2012 00:00) Thank you, darling x How's it going with your family? xx

(01/01/2012 00:01) Absolutely insane but I had missed the madness that it was to spend the holidays with them :') Thinking about how crazy it would be if y'all were here to celebrate with us xx

(01/01/2012 00:04) Let's hope for 2013 xx

(01/01/2012 00:05) Yeah let's hope for that xx What about you? Starting the year with a hangover?

(01/01/2012 00:09) Thankfully no, but with a headache from inspiration and too much to write x

(01/01/2012 00:10) Don't stress yourself too much, it's always a perfect record x

(01/01/2012 00:11) Now you're just being nice x

(01/01/2012 00:12) Stop it, you know how good you are! I also have a feeling this one is gonna make history all around the world xx

(01/01/2012 00:15) We shall see about that xx

•••

(05/01/2012 12:21) I love how you regretted flipping the camera off and tried to cover it up with a peace sign.

(05/01/2012 12:34) I'm confused...

(05/01/2012 12:35) Black treacle just came out! Fill me in on Bre and Matt's fight after it.

(05/01/2012 12:36) You're still after Bre, I see x

(05/01/2012 12:38) Well if Matt fucks up then I need to be a good friend, don't I? x

(05/01/2012 12:39) Oh you think you're slick x

(05/01/2012 12:39) I'm smoother than you, that's for sure x

(05/01/2012 12:39) Hey what's that meant to mean?!

(05/01/2012 12:40) Hahaha nothing Turner, it means nothing.

(05/01/2012 12:41) How about I give you something? xx

(05/01/2012 12:41) And what would that be? xx

(05/01/2012 12:42) Remember how I promised you another music video? xx

Her jaw dropped at the same time her phone hit the kitchen counter, and in a delayed reaction she went to check if she'd cracked it but was relieved to see it intact. What the fuck?! was all that she could hear inside her brain, chanting to herself as she frantically opened her contact book to call Alex but, of course, the singer beat her to it. The room echoed with the ringing of his incoming call and she was quick to answer.

A loud "Are you serious?!" came out of her mouth like an instinct, not even giving him time to say hello.

His breathy laugh came through the speaker, "Do you think I'd be joking about that?"

She was screaming on the inside, her tummy fluttering as she thought about how the countdown to see him again would start right at that moment. "I don't– I just– When? Do Aaron and Ben know?"

He was lying on his settee, with his phone pressed to his ear and his ceiling was witnessing one of the brightest smiles he'd ever wore in his life. "I reckon our manager is getting in contact with them next monday, and possibly for the beginning of February. You know, we're doing a brief US west coast tour before we go back into the shadows to record the next one."

"Oh my god, really?! That's so soon!" Ella hadn't felt this much excitement since she got accepted in her first job in LA, everything felt light suddenly and she just couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

She's adorable, he thought with his cheeks aching. He could feel her happiness through the phone and she had this way of calming him down by just talking to him, that's why they had called each other so many times throughout the past months they hadn't seen each other.

"It is! And you're coming with..." Alex bit his lip trying especially hard to catch her reaction and when he got a tiny gasp, he freed his lip from his teeth and smirked, "Well, at least I was hoping you will– We, we were hoping you will." He cleared his throat, hoping the correction wasn't too noticeable.

Of course she noticed, her heart skipped a beat at that and her cheeks had warmed. Keep it cool, keep it cool, she reminded herself. "I would need to ask Ben and Aaron but I'd love to." She was giddy but then she realized what touring meant and her questions just came out in full force, "Wait... How many days would it be? Are we staying in hotels or just on the bus? We're not flying anywhere, are we? Who can I speak with from your team to pay for it?"

His chuckle was out before he could think of containing it, "It would just be a week of tour. No flying anywhere, no—we're moving on the tour bus like we did for Vegas. And as for the expenses you really don't have to worry, everything is paid for."

"But–"

He tutted, "No, Ella. I'll just let you pay for whatever you want to buy wherever we go but you're not paying for anything else if it's already covered."

She sighed feeling defeated but her excitement bubbled up again when she remembered what she had just accepted, "Oh I'm so excited!"

Alex decided to tease her and test the waters, "That eager to see me?"

She laughed at his advances, "Nope, just excited for the gigs and the free alcohol."

He laughed with her, "Glad to see where your loyalty lies."

Ella hummed and nodded, instantly feeling dumb when she saw her reaction reflected on the microwave realizing Alex was not seeing it. "And I'm glad you're understanding of my priorities."

"Talking about priorities, how come you're not at work? What have you been up to?" The thought of her casually picking up the phone at this time, when she'd normally pick up to whisper that she was at the office and that she'd have to keep whispering throughout the call, had been swirling around the back of his head and he was curious to know what had happened to change the situation.

She sighed, turning to rest her hips on the side of her kitchen counter and watching her guest bedroom door behind which her sister had been getting ready for almost twenty minutes. "Not much, just took the day off to pick my sister up from the airport."

He smiled at the news, thinking back to the many times Ella had mentioned her sister, the memories she shared with her and how many 'i miss her's he had heard after each anecdote. "Is she visiting?"

Her smile could be felt through the phone from the tone of her voice, and Alex couldn't help but count how many days it had been since he had witnessed that sight. "Yeah, she's staying for the week so I'm gonna show her every corner I love in LA."

A deep hum came from his side, "So she's getting a VIP Ella – Los Angeles tour..."

She let out a little chuckle, "Exactly that."

"Sort of jealous she gets one and I haven't gotten one yet."

With a smirk on her face Ella was quick to reply, "Well Mr. Rockstar, you haven't been here in a while and every time we've seen each other has been for filming."

He let out a breathy laugh that made her insides coat with warmth, "Fair enough. I'll be sure to get enough time in February to get a tour."

Her stomach flipped hearing him say he'd make time for her, even if it was just a joke she couldn't help the way it made her giddy and her cheeks light up. "Alright then...I'll give you a good discount, don't worry."

"You'll probably get a date before we even know of one, so I hope you have flexibility when it comes to changing reservation dates for those tours of yours." Alex kept the banter going, loving how most of the time her replies would surprise him and keep him thinking if she had really just said that.

"Of course I do! Mates rates, didn't you say it was?" She was about to continue when her guest bedroom door opened to reveal her sister all ready and putting her earrings on. "Speak of the devil... my lovely sister just finished getting ready so I'm gonna have to leave you Al, sorry." She sighed, sad that she had to cut the conversation short once again despite not being at work.

"Don't apologize Ellie, s'alright." His voice was soft and she hoped she could continue to listen to it for as long as life would allow her. "Hope you enjoy yourselves, send my regards to your sister."

She melted inside, her rational side yelling at her emotional counterpart that it was a simple thing to say and not something to swoon over but she was blind. Maybe that was his effect, pure blindness to everything else and only being able to see him. "Thanks Al, will tell her you said hi. Hope to hear from you soon."

"You definitely will," he promised, "Goodnight Ella."

Ella's eyes were on the ten in the morning sun coming through her windows and smiled to herself, "Goodnight Alex."

The room was filled with silence as she pressed the red button to end the call. A bright grin was set on her face with no intention to disappear, her cheeks were slightly pink but it was the tiny squeal that she accidentally let out that caused her older sister, Lily, to speak up.

"So you do have a crush!" Lily's index finger was pointing accusingly at Ella.

She turned her head so fast she was surprised she didn't get whiplash, "What?" She asked too defensive to make the situation seem casual.

Lily smirked at her, reading her face easily, "I was right, you do like him."

"Oh shut up, I do not." Ella's voice sounded annoyed but her sister knew that tone of hers, it was pure denial.

The older sister just sighed and rolled her eyes, "When are you ever gonna stop being so stubborn?"

"The day I die." Ella replied quickly and proceeded to grab her car keys from the counter and put her phone in the pocket of her jeans. "Let's go."

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

Wednesday, the 8th of February had been the day Ben and Aaron had been informed the lads would touch down on American soil again and the day had rolled around fairly quickly.

It felt as if the countdown to the day of the band's arrival had been fast forwarded and for that she was grateful. She wasn't a fan of having to wake up early but she had woken up to a picture of the lads at the airport and several texts from all of them, and it made her grin like a mad woman as she got ready.

(08/02/2012 06:12) *picture of Matt flipping the camera off at the baggage claim area* Fair to say he's excited to see you.

(08/02/2012 06:26) Tell him I'm just as enthusiastic to see him, Cookie.

•••

(08/02/2012 06:20) My darling Ella, hope you're up and ready to see us. Alex said something about getting a tour from you...

(08/02/2012 06:27) Definitely up, and slowly getting ready. If there's one thing you should know, is that I need a good cup of coffee to properly function this early in the morning. And yes, I'm driving y'all and giving you a tour around LA.

(08/02/2012 06:28) Noted, gonna get you loads of coffee for the tour. Can't wait to see how poorly you drive xx

(08/02/2012 06:28) Alright O'Malley, rude.

•••

(08/02/2012 06:34) I bet you're celebrating I'm back in your land already.

(08/02/2012 06:35) You have the biggest head, has anyone told you that?

(08/02/2012 06:35) Been told something similar, if you know what I mean ;)

(08/02/2012 06:35) You're actually disgusting, Helders.

(08/02/2012 06:36) Yeah, yeah, you love me.

(08/02/2012 06:36) You certainly wish.

(08/02/2012 06:37) You're just in denial. We're about an hour away from the hotel by the way, you better be on your way missy x

(08/02/2012 06:38) I'm about to leave. Dreading seeing you though x

(08/02/2012 06:39) You keep telling yourself that x

•••

(08/02/2012 06:40) Can't wait to see you! We're an hour away xx

(08/02/2012 06:41) Give your friends a smack in the back of their heads for me please, haven't even seen you yet and I'm getting bullied already x

(08/02/2012 06:42) Will do. I'm guessing Helders gets double? x

(08/02/2012 06:43) Atta boy, you're so smart x I'm on my way, see you soon Al! x

To say she was giddy on the drive to their hotel was an understatement. Ella had been bouncing on her seat, not even minding having to sit in the traffic for longer than she would've liked to, singing her favorite songs a little bit louder than usual, with a bright grin permanently on her face throughout the whole drive.

She found a spot in the parking lot of the hotel quite easily and with a skip in her step, she made her way through the big window doors and into the lobby. The guys were all distracted on their phones, so many people were walking around the hotel lobby that the echo of her steps was lost in between the pattern.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Arctic Monkeys." Ella's voice was playful, a smirk on her face as she saw them turn their heads in her direction.

The four of them pocketed their phones and yelled her name, a little bit too loud for the hotel staff's liking. Ella was enveloped in a group hug and she swore she could cry when it hit her then just how much she'd missed them the past six months.

"Missed you guys." She said once the group hug was done and she went around giving them all hugs.

Alex was the last one, kissing the top of her head before he let go, "Missed you too."

She was melting, having missed the singer more than she would ever admit but the moment was cut short when Matt said, "Couldn't live without us huh?" A big smirk on his face, his eyes as playful as ever.

"Matthew, I will leave you here." She looked at the drummer with a serious expression, that was broken when she saw his film camera hanging from his neck.

Matt threw his arms up in defeat, "Alright, alright. But you couldn't though." He added the last bit quickly and quietly.

She chuckled and rolled her eyes, "If that helps you sleep at night."

After asking them if they were ready to go, and all of them nodding, she guided them to her car. It was big enough for all of them to fit comfortably so it didn't take them much time to get inside the vehicle and start driving. Alex was sitting on the passenger seat, while the rest took the backseats.

The little mirrorball was hanging from her rearview mirror with a tiny cowboy hat on top and it caught their attention. They all pointed at it with giggles whilst Alex could only think about how long it had been since the first time he saw it and how that day had been. Soon enough she turned on the car and started driving out of the parking lot.

Nick, who was in the middle, rested his arms on the front seats and looked around them all before saying, "Anyone want to share their last words before we get on the motorway?"

They all laughed hard, Ella looked through the rearview mirror at them and shook her head. She took her right hand and swatted at Nick's leg, leaving the steering wheel alone for a second which made Matt dramatically yell.

"Jesus Christ, I hate y'all." She sighed, placing her hand back where it was and focusing back on the road.

Jamie, who was sitting behind her, patted her arm. "Except you don't."

She opted to put her music on, letting the speakers drown the car with Ozzy Osbourne's voice. No one complained, which she was thankful for, they were just chatting over the music from time to time until they made it to Venice beach.

She took them walking through the Venice canals, the little suburb which was an American version of the Italian city. She had found it once while looking for a parking place when she was going to the beach with her friends, loving how quiet the place was and how pretty the scenery was. She had gone back multiple times to take pictures there, some of her favorite pictures were from the canals under the colors casted by the rising sun.

They had used the neighborhood as a backdrop to them walking around and catching up, them telling her tour anecdotes and how Nick's wedding plans were going, her telling them about the things they had been filming at Focus Creeps—which were now steering away from adverts and onto short films and artists trying to work with them after the Arctic Monkeys videos had been posted—and the shoots she'd been doing with Breana, which she promised Matt to show.

It was early, so the streets were rather empty, and it was February so it wasn't unbearably hot either.

Ella had her camera with her, constantly stopping to take pictures and it sent Alex back to Vegas. The way she would shiver despite having her jean jacket on sent him back to the day they had met. This time though, she would share her frames and exchange tips with Matt—he had her take pictures of certain places, she was helping him get the perfect shot—and Alex was melting inside. She was beyond adorable when her face lit up while sharing her passions.

After they gave the neighborhood a full walk-around, they went back to the car and she drove them over to the Old Los Angeles Zoo. The drive was long, over an hour, which was filled with her music and lots of chatter. She turned the volume down, the Talking Heads song fading to the background, so that she could give them a small preface of where it was that they were going.

"Okay so before you say anything about the LA Zoo signs, I'm actually taking you to the old abandoned one. It's very apocalyptic looking, but it has character."

Soon enough they were parking on the side of the road, and they could see an old rusty sign that read 'Picnic Area'. She guided them into the place, agile while scurrying and crouching down and through the stone ruins.

They were walking around and seeing every one of the forgotten cages, the lads getting inside of them and getting their pictures taken by Ella while they made weird faces or they tried to act like the animals they'd guess had lived in those cages.

Matt had trapped Ella into one of the cages, making her curse him through the metal bars as the band waved at her and faked leaving her behind. Alex taking a quick picture of her with his phone, she flipped him off and he smiled even harder.

Ella had gotten her payback when they were in a particularly claustrophobic cage that had a very steep staircase. Matt had been resting his palms against the graffitied walls at the top, as he slowly leaned his body forward to look down but he screeched when Ella had purposely nudged his hip and made his balance waver.

"You little–" The drummer had mumbled sternly before setting off to chase behind her, not hard to know where she went since she had run away giggling and they could still hear her.

Another thirty minutes of them messing about went by, before they were back in her car. She sighed as she settled in the driver's seat. Everyone shuffled into their seats but before she could start the engine, she had to make her mind up about where to take them next.

Her fingers drummed on the steering wheel as she looked through the rearview mirror at them. "Alright, so do you wanna go to the Hollywood sign or am I good to take you to the next place?"

They had already gone to the iconic landmark multiple times before so it wasn't hard for them to shrug and agree on moving onto the next place, which ended up being Los Feliz and they drove through the Shakespeare bridge on their way there, which she had pointed out enthusiastically.

Ella loved this part of the city of Los Angeles, she would visit it at least once a week to have some food at La Pergoletta and then go to the Los Feliz Theater which was just a couple blocks away. And that's exactly what they did. They sat at the Italian restaurant to have some early lunch—Ella giving them all recommendations of what they should get and fighting them to pay for the meal when the check arrived—, and then they went over to walk by the theater and the rest of Los Feliz Boulevard.

With their stomachs full and yet another roll of film gone, they went back to the car. Jamie walked ahead of the group as he claimed to remember exactly where they had parked, Nick and Matt talking as they followed closely behind, Alex and Ella on the very back of the group smoking.

"Are you excited to go on tour with us?" Alex inquired after he took a drag of his cigarette.

A puff of smoke left her lips, "I certainly am, though I can feel my back hurting already."

"Bunk beds are lovely, aren't they?" He looked at her with a playful smirk that made her chuckle.

"I bet you love going to the chiropractor." She sighed, exhaling the smoke and flicking some of the ashes to the floor.

"I've never been to one actually." the singer admitted after thinking for a second, trying to recount any visit to a chiropractor.

"Are you serious?" Ella asked with a gasp, and when he shook his head, she shrugged. "Well you should, it's the weirdest relief."

Alex thought about it but then frowned, "Doesn't the cracking noise freak you out?"

"Kind of? The first time he cracked my neck I fully thought I had died and was seeing the other side." She recalled, shuddering at the memory and the wind that had hit her.

He snorted, "That's exactly why I'll stick to massages, thanks very much."

"Are you gonna share your masseuse's number then?" She jokingly replied, but actually thinking of ways to alleviate her upcoming backache during the tour in the back of her mind.

Alex looked straight ahead towards his friends and pointed to the one in the front. "That would be Jamie actually, he knows his shit when it comes to a good back massage."

She hummed, looking at the man walking confidently ahead of the group. "Good to know." A few seconds of silence passed as they kept smoking and she thought of taking a picture of them, like that, in a mundane LA setting so she turned to the singer. "Alright Alex, c'mon go walk with them I wanna take a picture of y'all."

He nodded, smoking the last of his cigarette before tossing it to the pavement and stepping on it. "Tired of me, are you? The tour hasn't even started yet." He teased with a raised eyebrow.

She rolled her eyes, smiling at his behavior. "Shut up, idiot."

He smirked back, before starting to walk faster ahead of her. "How do you want me then?"

"Just keep walking and turn around when I call you." Ella instructed with a point of her finger.

Alex nodded and complied, walking right behind Nick and Matt who nodded at him in acknowledgement but kept talking between themselves. He was waiting for her voice to call out to him, watching his feet move, the sound of every step he took hitting his ears as the city noise became more background noise than anything.

When he heard a soft "Al" being called, he turned around with a soft smile—a smile that she captured, with the perfect focus and he looked stunning so the thought just escaped her.

"Stunning." Her voice was soft as she rolled the film with the lever, sticking it back into its place right after. Turning the device off since she wasn't taking any more pictures, she let it hit her upper stomach and when she looked up, she was met with his gaze.

"Is that so?" Alex nudged her hip with his and Ella blushed.

"Yes but don't let it get to your head," her cheeks stayed warm as she tried to play it cool, "Or else I'll have to take it upon myself to keep you humble."

He hummed as he pursed his lips trying not to grin, "I'm sure you'd enjoy that."

"You're right, I truly would." She nudged him this time and he tripped on his feet making her laugh out loud, the lads turned around to see him stumble and joined in her laughter. "Told you I would." She added smugly.

Alex looked at her mesmerized, Ella was just so hypnotizing to him. With everything she did, what she said and how she looked, he couldn't help but stare. She flushed under his gaze and was saved by the bell when Jamie indeed found her car and she had to speed her walk to unlock it for them.

Once inside, she ignited the engine and clapped her hands, "The next place I'm taking you is probably one of my favorite places in the whole world, I spend hours here every time I go and it's beautiful so..." she ranted before turning her music on, Stevie Nicks' voice now drowning the vehicle as they moved through the streets and back onto the highway.

It took them less than thirty minutes to get to the place, which had felt way faster after Matt decided to tease her about being born in the wrong generation as her playlist was filled with 70s and early 80s songs rather than more modern music; she hadn't gotten a chance to even fight their argument because when Alex started skipping through the songs, their point was backed. Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, Talking Heads, The Cure, Pink Floyd, Bowie, Dolly Parton, Fleetwood Mac. Ella blushed as she slapped Alex's hand away from her phone, Bowie's voice lost in the background as everyone laughed.

When they stepped through the threshold of the bookstore, Ella's breath was taken from her by the views, as if she didn't frequent the place and she wasn't acquainted with the people who worked there.

Even Matt, who couldn't be arsed to be in a bookstore, was taken aback by the way the place looked. The way the books were arranged and the eccentric decor of each room was like nothing he'd ever seen before. It was like a Disneyland themed room, but it was just a bookstore.

"Just wait until you see the book tunnel." Ella's voice was giddy, her smile growing as she stepped further inside, with them following closely behind.

And soon enough, while she gave them a tour of the place—saying "Hi!" to people working there who greeted her back and knew her name—, they were met with a room which had a tunnel against a wall, entirely made with books. Further ahead a wall with what had been arranged to look like flying books, that reminded them of Harry Potter.

After agreeing to spend half an hour there, since they had to be at the hotel in about two hours and she had to pick her stuff up and Breana to meet them back again, they separated to look through the endless selection of books the store offered.

Of course they had left Alex and Ella by themselves, but she was too entranced by the worn out spines on the shelves to see Matt winking at his best mate before leaving with Jamie and Nick.

"You know, I found an annotated original copy of Pride and Prejudice here the first time I came. It was titled 'Elizabeth Bennet' rather than Pride and Prejudice and I found out that that was the title of some copies when they first got here in 1832. Have been coming here since then." Her smile was soft at the memory, her eyes glimmering under the dull yellow lights.

He hummed, mirroring her gentle grin, "That must be worth a fortune."

"Oh definitely, but that book is not leaving me ever. If I don't get buried with it, then I will pass it down to my kids." She laughed at herself by the end, shaking her head at her thoughts and started walking to turn into another aisle.

He giggled with her, eyes wondering from her figure to the books. Some old, some new but all equally hypnotizing to her as she picked them out and inspected them.

"I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

"They better," Ella said absentmindedly as she put the book back in its place, "Or else I will haunt them."

Alex let out a breathy laugh as he reached for a book on the top shelf that had caught his eye. "You'd be the worst ghost, if they even exist."

She clicked her tongue, turning to look at him, book left forgotten in his hands as he met her gaze. "C'mon Turner, you need to have some faith or else I won't be able to haunt Helders for the rest of his life."

His smirk grew playful, "You'll make him miserable?"

She winked, "You know it."

Time flew by like it always did, purposely forcing the needles on the clock to spin faster when it knew Alex was with her, wind blowing the sand from the hourglass so they ran out of minutes when they were together. And as if they had been the embodiment of an alarm clock, the other three members of the group appeared, precisely on the dot of the time they had agreed on.

Back in the car, she sighed as she saw them all take in their assigned seats. "So how was it class? Did you like your road trip?"

Nick shrugged in the middle, his lips pressed to avoid smiling. "Eh. Could've been better."

And before Ella could retaliate, Matt added, "I'm pretty sure the driver tried to kill us a fair few times." to which Alex and Jamie agreed with "'Yeah, yeah."

She just rolled her eyes through the rear view mirror, and took advantage of having the singer next to her so she could smack the back of his head. "I can't stand any of you." She muttered as the engine hummed alive, making them all erupt in laughter at the way Alex had jumped in his seat.

The drive back to their hotel had grown amusing when 'Still Take You Home' came on, and she turned the volume up after saying with a massive smirk "See? How's that for modern music boys?"

She started singing along, copying Alex's accent and exaggerating it to an obnoxious extent but they were loving it. She made a full show, playing an imaginary guitar, getting cheered on by the lads and when the song was over she did a little curtsy with her eyes on the road.

Jamie patted Alex's shoulder, making him turn around and see a smirk on his friend's face. "Sorry Al, you're being replaced."

The singer only sighed, keeping up with the charade, "Just like that, huh?"

"Sorry mate." added Matt, a faux-comforting grasp of his shoulder as he apologized.

Ella grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "Sorry Al, but it's clear who's better if the decision was that easy." A frown on her face as she acted on putting a face that exuded fake pity.

He only shook his head, grabbing the phone. Unlocking it easily with a swipe on the screen and he searched through her music. "But do you know..." He trailed off as he pressed on the track. The quick drum pattern of 'Pretty Visitors' coming through the speakers and her pout faltered.

"Won't even try because I can barely understand what you say in it." Her cheeks tinted pink as the other three hollered in the back of the car.

"Looks like you're back mate." said Nick, backtracking their previous statement.

Alex smirked at Ella, who caught the sight of him for a quick second before turning back around to look at the road. "That's what I thought."

In an hour, she had dropped them off at the hotel so they could get ready before the tour bus got there later and picked them all up. She rushed home to pick up her suitcase—which she had forced herself to keep light and small—and then went over Breana's to get her.

The sun was setting as they talked, laughed and sang, driving down the highway and on their way back to the hotel. The closer the hotel's exit got, the more nervous she felt. Bre noticed, but she kept making jokes that made her loosen up. After all, nothing bad would happen; the worst could be that however she felt about Alex got nowhere and she'd stay silently crushing over a man out of her reach. And she somehow was okay with that, as long as she still could have him as a friend.

It was muscle memory that made her find a parking spot and turn off the engine of her car at the hotel. With a blink, she realized just how dangerous that had been, because she couldn't recall those last five minutes of the drive. The thought of him was dangerous.

The tiny wheels on their suitcases scratched down the pavement as they met the band at the hotel's main entrance. She had to quickly reach for Bre's suitcase when she let go of it to run into Matt's arms, catching it right before it hit the ground.

Jamie sighed, "Thanks Bre, we missed you too." Sarcasm so clear in his words, Matt chuckled and only held his girlfriend tighter.

Eventually, the lovebirds let go of each other and Breana could properly greet everyone. They all lit cigarettes up as they waited for the bus, which according to the text Alex had gotten, would be there in about fifteen minutes.

It was all laughter and chatter, a taste of what the upcoming week was going to be like, and Ella found it refreshing. Yes she loved her job, but there was something about driving down the west coast along with her friends, who happened to be musicians, enjoying their art and whatever the cities had to offer.

She wished she could go on tour more often already but since she knew this was gonna be the first and last time she'd get to go on one, she'd make the best out of the experience and enjoy every second of it.

A few minutes earlier than anticipated, the bus arrived. Tall black coach with dark windows that made her wonder if you could even look through them at all. She found that she could, after they all left their luggage where they had been instructed to place it and they walked up the steps and into the vehicle.

"Holy shit," Ella could barely keep her jaw from falling at the size of it, "It's bigger than the last one."

Matt walked up to her, throwing an arm around her shoulder and his other arm hugged Breana tighter to his side. "Had to upgrade since we're taking on two very special guests."

"Awh, I knew I was special to you." Ella cooed playfully before jabbing the drummer in his ribs.

He flinched and tried to get her back but she moved faster, "Don't go pushing your luck now, Ellie."

She giggled before she was swept away by Breana, who grabbed her hand and took her to the next few steps that led into the rest of the bus. There were far too many bunks for just the six of them but they looked bigger and more comfortable than the ones in the tour bus they had taken to Las Vegas so she wouldn't go complaining about anything. She was sure she could go without a hotel throughout the week, seeing that they had a perfectly sized bathroom inside as well, with a small shower and all.

Nick walked into the hallway, standing by the door that separated the bunks from the rest of the bus. "Yous can choose your beds first."

Bre turned to her with a playful smirk, shrugging her shoulders mischievously. "Chivalry is not dead I see..." the model trailed off, getting a hold of Ella's hand again to bring her back down the hallway.

And after leaving their coats on top of the beds they had chosen, which were facing each other, they went back down to the lounge area. The driver was at the bottom of the stairs telling them they'd be setting off in five minutes and made sure there was nothing else they were missing.

Five minutes after the confirmation that they were good to go, the bus started moving. They felt the change of rhythm as they got off onto the highway whilst they chatted, scattered around the settees in the lounge area.

"So Ella, are you ready for the groupie lifestyle?" Matt's voice was teasing, a slight pitch higher as the anticipation of her reaction bubbled inside of him. Breana giggled against her boyfriend's side which she was pressed against.

As per usual, Ella was starting to blush. Her cheeks tinted a faint pink as her lips pursed, "Groupie? That's a big commitment."

"Well I know a few people that would love to come to an agreement with you." The drummer let his eyes wander to his best friend who was about to break his jaw with how hard he was clenching it.

Ella knew exactly who Matt was staring at so her cheeks turned a very obvious red now, even the tips of her ears matching the color on her face.

She sighed, letting her head drop just a little bit for a few seconds before looking to her left and staring at the other three musicians. "How long is this tour again?"

Matt snorted, Breana laughing just as hard as Nick was. "Eight days." Jamie ended up replying, holding back laughter.

Her eyes were still on the rest of the band and she gave them a pitiful shake of her head, "Can't believe you can stand months of this one on the road. I'd pull all of my hair out."

Alex agreed with her then, "I'm fairly close to that point every tour."

"Sure mate, I'd pay to see you bald." Dared the drummer to which he only received an eye roll and a lovely middle finger from the singer.

Ella could only think how unforgettable those eight days were going to be.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

Ella had been right.

She had it all imprinted in her mind.

Every kiss to her cheek followed by a 'good morning', an arm snaking around her waist giving it a firm squeeze before letting go and leaving her breathless.

Every time an arm came around her shoulders and rubbed her arm up and down when she was shivering because of the strong winds outside the venues as the sky turned from lilac and orange to a velvety blue.

Every whiskey glass turned into a slurred 'you look stunning, darling', that somehow always led to shared cigarettes outside bars and his giggles in her ear as he leaned into her every time she'd make him laugh.

Every picture she had taken of their views and their surroundings, that turned into a plea to take a picture of her with whatever it was in her previous shot as a background.

Every late night chat they had as they were always the last ones to go to bed. It be on the tour bus' lounge or a hotel bar, the walls of these places being confidants to everything they'd shared: stories from their childhoods, a movie they never really got over, a hobby they always wanted to get into but never could, their already gone dreams that would forever stay as that, the intricacies of existence they'd come to terms with never really understanding.

She was sure she had never blushed more in her life compared to how she had been in the past five days. Her cheeks were sore from grinning after everything Alex did, whatever little things he'd say to her.

They had grown closer, always next to each other. Their behavior had earned them plenty of eye rolls from the rest of the band, but they didn't truly care anymore.

That Tuesday she had woken up with a groan. They had been in Vegas the day before and, whilst their stay had been shorter and tamer than the last time they had been in the city, they still had had plenty to drink. A headache was all she felt, softer than she would've expected and she found a bit of hope in the fact that she could nurse it with a couple of painkillers.

Her phone screen flashed in front of her, a notification from the weather app telling her it would be a sunny but windy day in San Diego. Eyes going up to the time, nine in the morning and she took a deep breath but it got stuck in her throat when she realized the date. Fucking Valentine's Day.

Ella had grown to have good memories of the holiday, but they had all been tarnished by people's decisions and time. She didn't care much for it anymore, or she forced herself not to. Now all she could think was how she would hate the decision of having Breana sleep just across from her, she'd have to sleep blasting music in order not to hear anything. It had already worked for her the days before, so she would hold on tight to her earphones and her playlists to drown out whatever the lovebirds would get up to that night.

She shivered just thinking about it.

Slowly pushing the curtain aside, Ella slid out of the bunk. Landing with a thud on the floor, before she walked out to the lounge to make herself a cup of coffee on the fancy Keurig the tour bus had.

Nick had kept his promise of asking for loads of it. It had been an exaggerated amount but it was of a really really nice kind so she wouldn't complain.

Surprisingly everyone rose up not long after her, she thought it was probably the coffee's smell that had guided them out of bed and into the lounge. First came Jamie, who stood beside her, leaning against the makeshift kitchen counter as they sipped on their coffees.

Nick and Breana followed, the girl claiming Matt was still asleep but they'd be going out when he woke up, which meant the other four of the group were gonna be left alone without the lovers.

She had been teasing Breana along with Nick and Jamie—laughing as they managed to make the model blush and hide behind her hands—when Alex came out looking freshly changed, wearing a plain white shirt with a leather jacket, dark jeans and his usual chelsea boots. Gold chain around his neck and she had to pinch herself to stop her mind going places.

He took her breath away and it was shown in the way her exhale pushed the steam of her second coffee cup forwards.

"Morning everyone." The singer greeted in a low voice, morning's effect still over it as it sounded husky and slightly raspy.

They all said morning back, Ella turning around to pour him a mug of coffee. A spoonful and a half of sugar, the way she now knew he liked his coffee.

When she held it up for him to take he got closer, pressing a kiss to her cheek and whispering "Thank you, Ellie."

He took a long sip of the beverage before he cleared his throat, "You should get ready, we're going out in a little bit."

She frowned, cup slowly leaving her lips. "But–" she turned to Jamie then, who was still standing beside her, "Didn't we not have plans?"

Jamie smirked, looking from Ella to Alex, "We didn't."

"Just us, you deserve a break from these two idiots." He tried to downplay it, not wanting to say he was taking her on a date but he was.

Her hand was still frozen, the cup of coffee midair as she slowly broke out of her shocked state. "Alright..." she trailed off, her voice barely a whisper.

Nick got up, taking the mug from her hand. "Go on, I'll wash this for you."

Breathlessly she replied, "Thank you," before she, in panic, looked at Breana who had the biggest grin on her face.

The model jumped up onto her feet and ran away into the bunk beds with Ella's hand tightly clutched. They moved onto the empty bunk area, and closed the door behind them to not wake Matt up.

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!" Breana whisper-yelled and it only made her more nervous.

Ella waved her hands to calm her down, "Stop! Stop!" She shouted back in a whisper.

Bre sighed, "He's totally asked you on a date."

"No he hasn't, it's just– We're just going out." Ella fought back, stuttering as she made her point.

"Going out. On a date." The model stated in a tone that said it was obvious.

"Fuck." She swore under her breath and Breana shrieked. "Shush! I don't want to get my hopes up."

The admission made Bre stop in her place, she grabbed Ella's arms and squeezed affectionately, "Everything will be okay, alright? Whatever happens, it will be a good day and you'll remember it as such."

She inhaled and exhaled, twice, long deep breaths to calm her down but they did nothing really. She needed a cigarette, desperately, but she needed to get ready first. "What do I even wear?! I have nothing date-appropriate to wear."

"Lucky you have me, babe." Breana wasted no time before she crouched down to pull her case towards herself, unzipping it and showing a mess of fabrics.

Ten minutes later, after she had been pushed into the bathroom to get ready and then change into the clothes Breana and her had chosen, she was putting some mascara on. Breana pushed one of her lip glosses into the pocket of the cheetah print coat she had lent Ella.

The coat had been decided into the outfit after Ella claimed she'd get too cold without one as she was just wearing a satin top, that looked like the top half of a slip-on dress, and her high waisted blue jeans. She fished her packet of Marlboro reds and her lighter after spraying some perfume on the way out, her camera already hanging on her shoulder and her phone in the back pocket of her jeans.

Her boots clicked as she walked down the few steps that led into the lounge. And Alex swallowed hard when she fully came in view. He didn't have it in him to feel shy or embarrassed to be heard by his mates when he went over to her, clutched her hand and told her, "You look beautiful, Ellie." followed by a kiss on her cheek.

His lips burned on the already heated skin of her cheeks. She just had it in her to say back a quiet, "Thank you, Al. So do you."

He quickly said goodbye to everyone before they could say anything, and he thanked his lucky stars that Matt wasn't there or else she would've shied away from it all with his teasing. She said bye too, quietly as the nerves bit away at her slowly with every step they took in direction to the bus door.

Once outside he decided to tease her, joke around to have her loosen up because he could feel just how stiff and nervous she was. "Beautiful am I then?"

She chuckled, blushing again. "Shut up." she replied with her head down, her voice directed at the floor. "Where are we going anyway?" She put a strand of hair behind her ear as she inquired.

Alex smiled softly at her, "We're renting a car and I'm taking you to this place I've always wanted to go but never had the chance to."

"Mysterious." She let her words hang in the air as they walked, she had no idea where they were going and that made her more nervous yet she was growing giddy too. The bus had stopped at the venue, so they took an exit through a door all the way around, where the fans weren't queuing up for later.

Just like he had been saying, there was a car rental place a few blocks away and it wasn't long before they were driving down San Diego's coast. About twenty minutes later, when she had asked many times where they were going and he was not telling her, Ella was able to see the outline of a rollercoaster beside the sea and it made her gasp.

"Are we going to Belmont Park?!" Her pitch was high as she couldn't contain her excitement, and Alex grinned hard when he took a quick glance at her and saw her practically beaming.

He hummed like he didn't want to let a pathetic happy squeal, "We are."

She couldn't stay still and she was aware that she probably looked like a child but she had always wanted to come to this place, and she was fairly sure she had mentioned it to him when they found themselves chatting over a few drinks at the bar of the hotel they had stayed in when they were in San Francisco.

It came back faintly to her mind then. Alex had mentioned that San Diego was the last place before they would drive back up to Los Angeles and Ella had gone on an alcohol-induced rant about how she'd been dying to go to Belmont Park but the few times she had gone down to San Diego, no one had wanted to go with her or something happened that kept her from going.

Her insides filled with a feeling she had been trying to ignore for the past few days, just thinking about how he had remembered all that when she had almost forgotten even mentioning it in between the cocktails.

Alex rolled the windows down, wind blowing their hair around. Not even her hair on her face could hide her grin and it only got bigger as they parked and got to the ticket booth.

The place was less crowded than she expected it to be, with kids back in school and it being winter, so they were walking freely and enjoying the controlled noise from the people already there.

The orange wristbands they had gotten allowed them to go on any ride they wanted so they went walking around the place, drinking in everything they could do throughout the day and seeing what caught their eyes first.

"We're definitely saving the roller coaster for last." She pointed out, her ears filling with the yells of people on the ride's trains as they came down the big slope.

He nodded, "Yep, but we're going in the first row." He was wearing dark sunglasses but she could see his teasing gaze behind them.

She smirked at him, "Okay, deal." putting her hand out for him to shake and that he did, firmly and matching her smirk.

A few minutes later they had found a mini golf course, safari themed that they deemed the best way to start the day. They picked up their score card, a pencil, their balls and putters and off they went into the course.

Ella turned to him as they approached the first hole, "Don't laugh at me," her finger threatening as it pointed straight at her face. "My dad tried to get me into golfing but I've always been shit at it."

His lips pressed hard against each other, trying to hide his smile. "Sure. Promise I won't laugh."

But when she hit the ball first and it awkwardly landed in the furthest spot from the hole, completely missing it by a foot, he snorted and she huffed as she turned around. "You said you wouldn't laugh!"

Her pout tugged at his heart strings, "Sorry darling," he pressed a kiss to her temple before placing his ball on the tee, "But you really are bad."

"I know." She whined, a soft chuckle leaving her lips seeing how far her ball was and how funny she found her own lack of golfing skills. Jesus, that's fucking embarrassing, she thought.

Ella didn't mind keeping the score, she was just a little embarrassed by the end when Alex won by having half her points. She blushed when he asked who had won, only wanting to tease her because he knew it was him.

Alex had compensated it by getting her ice cream, which they were eating away blissfully as they walked around.

The wind kept blowing her hair around, making her curse as she tried to keep it away from the ice cream. He stopped and handed her his cup, she was confused until he stood behind her and brushed her hair back to then start braiding it.

Her face was heating up, as she stared ahead of her, feeling his fingers on her hair. "What are you doing?" The words were so soft they almost sounded weak.

"A plait, so your hair doesn't blow on your face." Alex responded just as softly, his breath hitting the back of her neck. He could see the goosebumps erupting on her skin so he smirked, purposely brushing his finger against her neck soothingly.

He didn't take long to finish it, tying it with an elastic she had on her wrist. He squeezed her shoulders to indicate he was done and she turned around on her heels, "Thanks, Al."

"No worries." He smiled, getting his ice cream back from her.

"Where did you learn how to braid? I'm curious now."

Alex chuckled at her eyes clearly showing her curiosity. "I used to have long hair y'know."

She paused, "Wait– like long long? Longer than when we met?"

He nodded, "Way longer."

"Oh I'm gonna have a good time on google later." Ella elbowed him softly to tease him, cheeky smile breaking out despite the spoon between her teeth.

He rolled his eyes in faux annoyance, "Sure you will. Will have a good time chatting shit with Matt too, I bet."

She beamed and joked, "You know me so well."

Ella kept on walking then to taunt him some more, leaving him to keep up with her as her strides got faster. She got a playful shove when he caught up beside her which ended in her laughing.

Teenagers were running around with their friends, laughter came from all around the place, the sun was shining bright behind the clouds that stubbornly chased the star around. It was all perfect and it only got better as the day went by.

They had gone on the bumper cars twice, the drop tower, the beach blaster—which had gotten them so dizzy they ended up riding the carrousel afterwards, earning frowns from certain parents who were holding their toddlers up on the horses—, the go karts, the fun house and even a laser maze.

It was around lunch time when they were walking past a line of stands filled with food you could only find at a fair. Sweetness bold in the air, making their mouths water.

"What's that? Smells very nice." asked Alex when they passed a funnel cake kiosk.

Ella stopped in her tracks, grabbing his wrist to drag him to the back of the short line. "Funnel cake and we're getting some," she fished for her card to keep it in hand and pay before he could, like he had done all day. "Have you ever tried it?"

He hadn't even heard of the term before, "No, is it good?"

She sighed in delight just thinking about it, "It tastes like heaven."

Ten minutes later they were sitting on a little wooden table with two funnel cakes—that she proudly and quickly paid for—sitting on top of it. One had whipped cream and caramel drizzled all over, while the other had a scoop of vanilla ice cream, chopped strawberries and chocolate fudge.

"This is like asking for a diabetic coma." The singer joked, watching the dessert filling the plates.

She smiled at that, "Welcome to America baby," she quipped back with a playful tone on her voice.

The phrase came out of her mouth without her even having time to realize the pet name, but she played off her flushing cheeks as excitement as she moved one of the plates towards him and pulled the other in front of her.

Plastic forks dug into the fried batter and, just as Ella had described, it tasted amazing. She made him take bites out of hers, claiming he had to try it or else he'd regret it, so he did and she watched him take it in as she wiped some caramel from the corner of her mouth.

Alex savored the bite, thinking about how if he kissed her, she'd taste just as sweet and just that thought made his mouth water even more.

She had been taking pictures, and he thought about how he'd never grow tired of seeing her like that: so adamant on catching the perfect shot, sometimes slightly crouching down or standing on her tippy toes, nose scrunching as she closed one of her eyes to focus the frame, finger so delicate yet precise when pressing the shutter and that beaming grin after capturing it.

The same grin she was giving him now after she had taken a picture of him and the funnel cakes, the rest of the attendees so oblivious to her heart swelling up at his soft smile and the way his eyes crinkled.

Once they finished their food, they stood up and kept on walking until they stumbled on a photobooth on the left side of the boardwalk. He paid before she could notice, and when they were sitting on the flat red leather seat, she awkwardly smiled at the screen.

There was a five second countdown that made her internally freak out until she settled on just smiling, eyes closed from how big it was and he copied it as he also faced the camera.

Once the shutter sound went off she sighed, "I have no idea what to do, I'm usually the photographer!"

He chuckled and threw his arm around her shoulder to hug her into him, cheek pressed against her temple making her giggle. The sound of her bubbly laughter was interrupted by the shutter and she couldn't wait to see how that one had turned out.

She let out a small shriek, desperately trying to think of something to do. "Okay Mr. Rockstar, rock on." Ella said quickly before doing the rock 'n' roll sign with her right hand, tongue sticking out to the camera. He mirrored her actions, both of them bursting out with laughter right after. "Sorry I panicked, didn't know what to do."

Alex just shook his head and she scrunched up her nose looking at his blissed expression. "You're something else." He said almost breathlessly, getting lost in her pretty eyes.

"Is that a compliment?" Her voice was shy as her cheeks tinted pink for the hundredth time in the day.

He smirked, "Definitely."

And with that the shutter went off capturing the last picture. When they came out of the booth and saw the freshly printed pictures, they laughed. They laughed to hide how the strip of photos actually made them feel, her skin erupted in goosebumps at the sight of the last one: both of them just smiling wide at each other, eyes staring into the other's like nothing else mattered.

He held the little sleeve in which the two strips were now saved, and delicately placed it on the pocket inside of his jacket, so ironically over his heart.

Not long after, they were on the line for the roller coaster which they had agreed would be their last ride before they went out to eat at this Mexican restaurant she loved that wasn't too far away.

She had always hated the long queues at amusement parks, the wait making her body catch onto just how sore her feet were or how her back begged for a resting place but it was easy with Alex. They would get caught in conversations so quickly, effortlessly flowing through topics and stories, making the forty minutes of wait seem shorter.

He had asked for them to be seated in the front row, having to wait for five more minutes before they got the instruction to sit and when they did she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans.

"Are you nervous?" Alex asked, half teasing and half worried.

Ella cleared her throat to begin explaining, "I love roller coasters but hate heights. Just a walking contradiction I am."

He squeezed her thigh to then pull on the black bar set firmly atop of their hips, "Don't worry, this won't budge."

And before she could nod the trains started moving and her eyes widened, a chesty laugh falling from his lips at her reaction. A few seconds later they were in complete darkness and then the light of day could be seen at the end of the tunnel.

Once the light hit them again, the trains started going up and she turned to him in warning. "Just so you know, I tend to laugh like a maniac when I'm scared on a ride."

"Very excited to see that." Alex was teasing her but not quite, he actually wanted to hear every version of her laugh.

Ella could see the drop coming up and suddenly she remembered the lack of protection her top provided, words spilling out of her mouth with no filter as the anticipation built up. "My fucking tits are gonna fall off this top!" She shouted through her teeth, just loud enough for only them both to hear.

In comparison, his laugh was loud, "Well I wouldn't mind seeing that either."

She scoffed, one hand on the bar on top of them and the other holding the fabric of her strappy top to her exposed chest. "Of course you wouldn't you cheeky– Fuck!"

The car dipped faster than she expected and she closed her eyes for a second after her curse flew out into the wind. He was laughing beside her, making her laugh with him and as the trains went up and down, a funny feeling on her stomach made her giggle away uncontrollably.

The ride ended after a brief minute of ups, downs and tilts to the sides, and as they came to a stop at the loading bay of the attraction, Alex turned to ask her, "You wanna go again?"

In all honesty, he didn't want to make another almost-hour-long line but the whole time he had been looking at her and hearing her in the ride, and he selfishly wanted to experience it all again.

"If the line wasn't as long, then I'd say yes. But maybe next time yeah?" Ella replied, patting his cheek before the worker lifted the security bar and they got out.

They had laughed at her reaction on the way back to the car, the sunset creeping on behind them. She gasped at the colors in the sky as she opened the car door so she stopped to take a picture before getting inside.

"Got it?" The singer asked softly with a small smile on his face.

"Mhm." She nodded, shy smile reciprocating his.

And then they drove as she sang to the songs from her phone. Smirking when 'Suck It And See' came on shuffle, "Oh what a lovely coincidence, isn't it Turner?" she had said before singing along to his voice booming through the speakers.

He had only shook his head as he looked at the road but whenever he turned to see her singing to her heart's content, with the pink and lilac casted behind her as the sun fell slowly to kiss the horizon, he took a mental picture of it all. Not because of nature's wonders but of her, in all her glory, she was far more captivating than any of the most stunning skies he had ever seen.

"A picture would last you longer, Turner." Ella played, feeling his burning gaze as she scrolled through her music on her phone.

His cheeks heated slightly from being caught, "It would. Quite gutted I'm driving right now."

She blushed but leaned into the console to get closer to him and kissed his cheek, "Your memory better do then."

When they stopped at the restaurant, she came out of the car with a bounce on her step. "Oh thank god! I was starving." she admitted, holding his hand as she rushed them into the place. When the tune of the bell greeted them inside, two heads turned and were quick to say 'hello' and sit them down.

"Alright so," she started, clasping her hands in front of her on top of the table, "My guilty pleasure is Mexican coke and I'm just so lucky that we always have it here in the south so we're getting some first. It's so much better than the American one, far sweeter."

He hummed at her, thinking back to remember if he'd ever had Mexican coke but barely even remembering the last instance he'd had a can of regular coke. So when someone came back to take their orders, the first thing she asked for was two bottles of Mexican coke along with carne asada tacos and chips with guacamole.

They ended up ordering another pair of Cokes to wash down the food. She desperately wanted one to nurse the numbness the hot chili sauce had left on her mouth and when the two new bottles were left on the table, she thanked the waitress and quickly enclosed her fingers around one of them.

Condensation dripped down her palm and wrist, as her swollen red lips found purchase around the tip of the bottle. She took a long sip, her throat bobbing up and down as she swallowed the carbonated liquid. Alex suddenly wanted to be the bottle, to feel her lips on his in any way he could, to feel them around him. There was nothing he wouldn't do to be in the place of that damn bottle.

It was about an hour, the time they had spent at the restaurant. They paid—he did, despite her arguing with him about it—, and they were on their way back to the venue shortly after. When they got to the theater, they parked by the back entrance and ran inside seeing they only had fifteen minutes left before Alex had to be on stage.

He got waved over by one of the sound guys, telling him they needed him to check his in-ears before it was show time and he promised he'd be over soon, the man leaving after telling him where they were gonna be waiting for him.

She blushed at the tension in the air, she felt it so thick over her like the humidity after a hot summer rainfall. So shyly she held his hand, rubbing her thumb on the back of it. "Thank you for today." her tone was so timid, it made his need to kiss her shyness away even bigger.

He gave her a soft smile, so genuine that it melted her. "I should be the one thanking you, darling. Had the best day."

Someone in the distance shouted his name, and she could've bet money on it being none other than Matt 'Cockblocker' Helders. But before the drummer could've come to completely ruin the moment, she took it in her own hands to seal the day with a golden ribbon.

With a tinge of courage she started, "Well, happy Valentine's day Al." and before he could say it back, she was standing on her tippy toes and pressing a chaste kiss on his lips.

For merely a few seconds he felt her plush pink lips on his, they were soft and hot, still a bit swollen from the hot sauce. They were seconds that felt like an eternity but way too short for his own liking. Just that moment felt like it had caused a domino effect that somehow provoked a new universe to be created in space, a new black hole to be born and suck everything around it.

She practically ran off before he could do anything else, following the signs that guided her towards the crowd where she knew Breana would be, like every other gig in the past days.

Matt yelled out his name once again but Alex was just standing in the middle of the hallway staring at the wall with the sensation of her lips still pressed against his.

"What the fuck are you doing just standing there like an absolute melt?" The drummer asked with a frown on his face, watching the clock ticking on the wall in front of him.

Alex sighed, wishing time would stop just so he could sit on the feeling and replay the moment over and over until it was permanently engraved in his mind, frame by frame. "Matt, would you just shut up?"

"What? Was the date bad or–?" Matt inquired, teasingly and ready to annoy his best mate.

The singer sighed and cut him off before he could continue with his taunting, "Shut up Matthew." To which the drummer frowned when he saw the big smile breaking out on Alex's face as he turned around.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

After the band got off stage, they all got back in the tour bus and when the lads had finished taking turns to shower, they suddenly decided it was a night worthy of some wine.

Four bottles of red wine later, Ella found herself giggling away as she rested her head on Alex's shoulder. Their cheeks were flushed due to the alcohol and she felt like she was about to start sweating but she couldn't find it in herself to peel away from his side.

Not that Alex wanted her to, that's why his arm was firmly stuck around her waist as he kept her cuddled into his side. He would pinch her side when she made a dig at him, and rub soothing circles on her stomach over the satin of her top when she would laugh or snuggle further into him.

It was nearly three in the morning when they all started to quiet down and he noticed how Ella seemed to have fallen asleep on his shoulder, face hidden on the crook of his neck.

He couldn't find it in himself to wake her up, that's why he stayed until the latest he could, watching everyone wave him goodnight before disappearing up the steps. Eventually, his eyes started closing as he felt the exhaustion catching up to him. He rubbed her arm, up and down until she started squirming under his touch.

"Darling, shall we go to bed now?"

She mumbled something, her lips brushing against the base of his throat, making him almost shiver.

"Should I carry you to bed?" He suggested, his fingers pinching her side softly as he continued, "Huh? Lazy."

She groaned, "I can walk Al. Just–" she paused to yawn behind her hand, "Gonna keep my eyes closed though, so just guide me yeah?"

He nodded, "Alright." So he did what she had asked, saying "Step, another step, last step." his hands around her waist as he walked behind her and guided her back into the bunk beds. When he slowly opened the door, he noticed Jamie and Nick inside their bunks, snoring away peacefully. Bre and Matt were nowhere to be found but he could bet they were on any of the other beds from the room that followed the one they all slept at. At least they are considerate today, he thought.

When they were in front of her bed, he brushed her hair back and away from her face. "We have arrived at your destination, darling."

She hummed slightly in annoyance as she now had to open her eyes to slide into her resting space. "Thank you," her eyes opened just a tiny bit, hissing at the light hitting her corneas. "Fuck, that's bright."

His chuckle made her smile, a loopy grin before she slid into her bunk. "You comfortable?" Alex asked as she slithered further inside the bunk.

She sighed content to finally be in bed, "Very much so," she poked her head out, squinting to see him and decided she was sleepy enough to not care about what she did anymore so she leaned into him to give him another kiss. A peck that ended up being delivered to the corner of his mouth but he wouldn't complain, not when her voice sounded so mellow when she said "Sweet dreams, Al."

And they were sweet dreams, the ones he had, as he fell asleep with the whole day playing on his mind in a never ending loop that he wasn't getting tired of, and the feeling of her lips on his haunting him.

✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧✦✧

Ella woke up the next day with another headache and a long list of questions. The memories of the previous day helped lull the ache in her skull but it only added to every single one of her inquiries and worries. She had no idea if things would change or if it would stay all the same.

That was answered sooner than she expected when she went out to meet everyone after brushing her teeth. It seemed like it all was the same but different at the same time, because he still told her good morning followed by a kiss on her cheek but whatever she felt about the things he did before had grown exponentially, and it was like her stomach was flipping on its own over and over.

It happened throughout the whole day, her insides melting at every single embrace, the kisses on her cheek or her temple, the laughs in her ear. And Alex wasn't too far behind, feeling his insides coat with warmth when she would hug his waist every time he came beside her and threw an arm around her shoulders, the way she'd play with his fingers as she chatted with the guys, how she would brush his hair out of his face when the strands got in his eyes.

They had driven back to Los Angeles that morning, meaning they had arrived at the venue just in time for lunch and they weren't planning on doing anything else other than stay in the greenroom until showtime.

After their meal, the band had done a quick soundcheck before the show. Bre and Ella, cheering for them, playfully telling them they could do better and doing silly little dances that didn't match the songs at all.

Back in the greenroom, they had started drinking and playing truth or dare. Ella had rolled her eyes but agreed to participating, despite being nervous about what she'd be dared to do or say.

It was Nick's turn to choose someone and that person ended up being Ella. Her sigh was heard by the whole group, making them laugh.

"Ella, truth or dare?" The bassist's eyes indicated nothing but trouble.

She sipped on her margarita before choosing, "Truth."

Nick paused for a few seconds before he straightened up and smirked, "What was your worst sexual encounter?"

She blew the air out of her mouth dramatically, "You wanna know the worst worst one?"

Everyone nodded along with Nick, all curious to know.

"Okay, erm– Fuck, alright. Just be ready 'cause it's really bad." She started, putting her drink down on the closest table. "A little preface though, this was back when I was confused and seeing if I actually did like men or if I was just a lesbian so bear with me."

She cleared her throat before she could start and took a deep breath, "It was sophomore year in university, we were all in Florida for spring break and I took the chance to just... Y'know," her cheeks reddened at the thought of saying her motives to her friends, "Fuck around." she finished quietly and they all laughed making her face heat up even more.

"Anyway, so I found this guy at the beach who was really hot and he ended up buying me a drink and whatever. Long story short, he told me he had a room in this hotel across the street and we had both been pretty obvious about our intentions so we went up to his room." They all saw how she grew impossibly redder as she reminisced, "So we got down to it..."

Breana interrupted with a gasp, "He went down on you?"

Ella just shook her head, "I wish." The words left her lips before she could think about them and everyone chuckled at her bluntness. "We were just getting off for a while, you know, dry humping and whatnot until we got to bed." She sighed, grimacing at what was coming next. "We took our clothes off and all, he put a condom on after I asked him to and then he started going at it. Only that he never went inside me..." She trailed off, her voice rising in pitch as she got more embarrassed.

"He was on top and we were basically in missionary, but when he went to, erm– put it in, he just put it between my ass and the bed and started thrusting. Mind you, I wasn't making a single noise because I was genuinely confused while he was moaning like a mad man." She turned to grab her glass back up and take a swig of it, the tequila pushing her to finish the story. "He finished so quick and had the nerve to ask if I had finished, I just stood up, said 'no but probably the duvet did', put my shit back on and left him."

Jamie whistled, "Mental."

Matt had the deepest frown on his face, "How do you not notice it's not in?"

"He said something about that being the reason he doesn't wear condoms as I walked away." Ella shrugged, before taking another sip of her drink. "Thanks to him I almost entirely gave up on men."

Breana snickered then, "Oh, but do tell who gave you back hope."

"That's for you to find out if I choose truth in another turn." Ella winked at the model with rosy cheeks, bluffing as she definitely wasn't choosing truth then because one sex story was enough for the day.

Nick interrupted then, "Alright Ella, who are you choosing now?"

"Jamie." She decided after a few seconds of internal debate. "Truth or dare?"

"Dare." The guitarist uttered, taking a sip of his own drink.

"I dare you to reenact for us your favorite position." She had a smirk on her face, wanting to tease the man just for the laugh.

"Can't do it alone though." Jamie argued just to see if that would get him out of the dare.

But to Jamie's dismay, she pointed at the man standing right beside him, "Well you've got Alex right there don't you?"

When Jamie dragged Alex to the settee and pulled him on top of him as he laid on it, the rest of the group started hollering, Matt wolf whistling as Alex hovered above Jamie's lap in a cowgirl position, swinging an imaginary laso above his head.

"I see the vision, Ella." Bre approved playfully between giggles which got her giggling too as she went to retrieve her polaroid camera.

She pointed at the two guys on the sofa and ordered them, "Stay there, I'm taking a picture of this." as she turned the device on, and ten seconds later the shutter had gone off and the picture was getting printed out.

Matt took the opportunity, seeing as Jamie got off the sofa leaving Alex sat there alone, to dare Ella to do the same using Alex as her partner. "Go on then Ella, it's your turn to show us yours."

"Says who? It's Jamie's turn to choose." She chatted back knowing exactly what Matt was trying to do.

But before she could continue, Jamie clocked onto what the drummer was doing and egged her on. "I choose you and you're doing that same dare."

She rolled her eyes, cheeks growing more flushed despite them being already pink from the alcohol. Her legs hit the sofa and she laid on it just like Jamie had done, only she pressed her feet on the settee but before she lifted her hips up, she grabbed Alex's hand and guided him on top of her.

He was about to tease her, about to say 'Oh so you like being on the bottom?' when she knocked the breath out of his lungs by saying, "Hop on, you be me." loud enough for everyone to hear and gasp in shock.

Once Alex was on top of her, she pushed his hands to be just above her shoulders so his chest was almost pressed against her and his collarbone was straight on top of her face. She lifted her hips up and pressed them on his ass for a quick second, winking at him before dropping back down.

Matt was quick to comment, with a heavy smirk on his face. "Oh she is dirty."

Nick followed, "Naughty!"

And Jamie topped it all off by asking, "How long have you been thinking about that one? You worked that out with Alex really quick."

She hid behind her hands, her palms feeling the growing heat on her whole face. "I'm never drinking with y'all ever again."

Everyone laughed away, even Alex but he did it in her ear as he dropped further into her fully sitting on her lap.

"Uncover your face for me darling." He ordered with such a raspy voice she wanted to squeeze her thighs together but she couldn't so she just did as he said. He smirked, pulling back a few inches to see her from that angle, all flustered and with her hair disheveled over the settee. What a stunning view.

"That's it." His eyes looked at her adoringly and she felt like she was melting onto the settee under his gaze, but Ella completely froze and burnt over at the same time when Alex whispered to her, "Good girl."

As if he hadn't just said that, he got up and walked over to get another cup of whiskey. She was left gathering her thoughts on the sofa, head all scrambled and her very human needs screaming at her to do something about the man.

She got up eventually, Breana winking at her as she walked past her and to the table which had the bottle of tequila. She needed a shot, or two. So she poured them and downed them instantly, needing herself to calm down.

After that moment, it felt like everything had gotten even more intense. Maybe it was the sexual tension suffocating them whilst they were in the same room and she wondered if their friends around them could feel it too.

Alex would come up behind her and hug her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as he rubbed circles on the skin that showed in between her black dress pants and her shirt. Ella would relax in his arms, drowning in his scent as she indulged in the sweetness of his touch.

He would press kisses to her face before he went anywhere, brushing his fingers on her arm or her waist as he walked past. She would turn over her shoulder to see him and scrunch her nose at him before leaving a peck on his cheek that made a toothy grin break out on his face.

She was drinking it all in, knowing that the next day, when her coworkers from the crew came over to the venue for the gig and later on they moved to the place they'd film at, she would force herself to distance herself from Alex just to appear professional and not have everyone talking and asking questions.

That's why that night, she was in front of the barricade beside Breana recording every single bit of the gig that her phone allowed her. He had noticed, of course he had, since he spent most of the time on stage looking at her so he decided to tease her for a bit.

"You ready? You recording?" Alex asked into the mic with his eyes on her and everyone in the crowd looked to their left to see her.

Her eyes went wide like a deer caught in headlights so she just lowered her phone down with her signature pink cheeks.

He wanted to coo at her, "No, no. Record this one, it's your favorite." The singer added before he put the mic back on its stand and started playing 'Teddy Picker'.

She had recorded it all and when she went back to see the videos before falling asleep, she found every glance he took at her forever captured, every point of his finger as he sang, every little dance of his that she knew where the one's she had made fun of him for. She had it all.

And just as she had predicted, the next and last day of the little tour had arrived, making her wake up melancholic. She savored every hug, every feel of his lips against her skin, every graze of his fingers on her body, before her bosses and coworkers got to the venue.

When the Focus Creep crew arrived, a few hours before the show, Alex instantly noticed the change in her behavior and he knew why that was, so he would respect it. He kept to stolen glances and fleeting touches, no constant kisses on her cheek or her temple, no hugging her every chance he got but definitely some embraces here and there.

The limited affection had already sparked questions and talks from her coworkers so he understood her position, which he had heard in echoes and passing comments, and on top of that was Ben who attentively was watching them and then smirking at Alex like he knew exactly what was happening.

Ella had decided to be a part of the crowd that night, standing almost in the middle of the crowd, about five rows from the barricade but she had a perfect view of the stage so she wasn't complaining. Some of her friends from work stood beside her and Breana did too, they all had a drink in hand, sipping absentmindedly as they waited for the show to start.

When they had all finished their drinks is when the band had gone on stage, causing the sea of people to push forward and make her stumble. He had found her in between all the faces fairly quickly, winking at her before greeting the audience and starting the gig.

She knew by then that the sixth song was always one he would sing looking at her since she loved it, so before they were due to start it she puckered up and blew a cheeky kiss to him when his eyes had landed on her.

He smiled before puckering up himself and blowing her multiple kisses. Bre shook her by her shoulders and shrieked in her ear very not subtly, making her wince inside but her smile couldn't be brighter and she couldn't care less if her work friends had seen, because she was incredibly happy.

She was sure by the end of the night she'd grow the courage to properly kiss him. Finally.

So with that goal set in her mind, she kept going about her night with a smile and a skip in her step. She had a beaming smile on her face even as she picked her blue clipboard and saw the massive list of things she had to make sure were in order for the shoot.

The location in which they were filming had only been ten minutes away, and they had come to it almost ready. There was a car which looked the exact same as the one on the Black Treacle music video and about twenty feet in front of it, by the end of a dirt trail, was a circular spinning platform that was homing a drum kit made to look exactly like Matt's on stage.

Around the place were tents in which Matt and Alex were being touched up to be ready for filming, and two tents down the row from the lads were the models getting their makeup done and changed into costume. Caroline and Arielle were the lovely models and Ella had just introduced herself to them before she got called away by one of the camera men.

When Ella went back to the tents to check up on the models, she walked past Alex and Arielle chatting away a few feet away from the tents and beside the big lights that were up around the site, soft smiles on both their faces as they dove into conversation. She felt a small pinch in her chest, one that she decided to ignore the best she could because Alex was a nice person, he was kind and welcoming and she had no reason to feel and react that way at the fact that he was only talking to someone else who she had heard was his friend.

Her feet took her to check up on Caroline who was almost ready, and Matt who was getting his hair fixed. She instructed both of them to go back into the filming area as soon as they were done so the filming could be started.

After that she left to go stand beside Nick, talking to him about random stuff like how long it usually took the crew to set up shoots like that or how Nick had been doing with the wedding planning as she'd heard him on the phone in the morning with Kelly.

When the four people who were gonna appear in the video were ready, Ella told them to follow her up to the directors. Ben and Aaron told them they would rehearse a few goes before properly filming the whole thing, since it was a single-shot video and it would be filmed by Alex and Matt at the start.

First went Alex and Matt, to get instructed exactly what they should do when they got in the car and how they got out, the musicians brainstorming the things they could do whilst they filmed themselves in the car.

As they went over and over again, for about six or seven times, Ella had been standing next to Arielle. They had been talking about lots of things: Arielle's modeling career, Ella's photography hobby, how Arielle had been auditioning for a few commercials and small acting gigs, how Ella had moved to LA and a year later landed a job with Ben and Aaron. The girls had gotten on fairly well, following each other on Instagram and laughing about the things Alex and Matt were doing in front of the camera.

After that, Ella got called over as the two brits got let off after almost half an hour. Matt had gotten off the car and gave her a smile, Alex side hugged her quickly before walking off with the drummer. She had smiled back at him when he let go but he missed it as his eyes were set on the model standing a few feet behind the PA, his smile being directed towards Arielle rather than her.

She had had to act cool, as if that minimal detail wasn't begging to claim her every thought, nodding as her bosses told her to stay close and annotate as they gave instructions to the crew on set.

Someone drove the car back down the dirt trail, Ben guiding the two cameramen on the angles he wanted to be captured and the setting on the light. Ella had helped move some of the lights, her eyes focused on Aaron as he moved his hands from side to side and sometimes rotating them.

Her eyes had slipped in Alex's direction a fair few times and she had noticed just how much closer Arielle and him looked, as they didn't leave each other's side even if she got called over by the makeup department or he was called over by Ben to ask if he was alright with that angle and the timing.

By the time she was done with the lights, Ella had gotten sent to check if the platform was spinning correctly, she pressed the button and as she heard it turn she also heard Alex's voice a tad louder than the creaks of the spinning object.

"So have you got a map?" He asked Arielle, his shoulder brushing the model's.

Arielle frowned with a smile on her face, "Of LA?" The singer nodded quickly, "No I don't, why?" she had asked back just as quickly.

"Just wanted one 'cause I keep getting lost in your eyes." Hiss tone was cheeky, and Arielle let out a bubbly laugh. Her perfect smile on full display as she nudged Alex's shoulder with hers.

"That was a nice one." Arielle had replied back, still smiling hard at him.

Ella had spun the platform back around by the time she had heard the end of the interaction and she rolled her eyes before walking back to the directors. She couldn't be annoyed though, she had no right to be, he was probably just being funny like he always was.

Breathe in, breathe out, she told herself.

As the directors went over to Nick to tell him exactly how he'd be sitting in the back between the two models, Matt came to stand beside Ella. Her eyes were glued to the scene in front of her as Arielle was still very much stuck beside the singer and he was leaning into her more and more making her laugh.

"Seems like you make a great matchmaker." lightheartedly joked the drummer, looking at the same thing she was.

She frowned, confused as she turned to Matt, "What do you mean?" Matt pointed at Alex and Arielle with a tilt of his chin and she frowned even deeper before adding, "It wasn't my decision to choose her."

It was Matt's turn to frown then, "Whose was it then?"

"Well I was told by your team she was selected by you because you already knew her."

Matt sighed, "We've seen her a couple times in artists sections in festivals, yes, but the only one who was a slight bit more of an acquaintance with her is Alex."

Ella hummed, "That answers the question then, doesn't it?" She finished up, a tight lip smile that was way too forced and Matt started to feel bad. It got worse when Arielle broke out in a very loud laugh that had Alex covering her mouth with his hand, fully hugging her as they swayed from her weak attempts to break from his hold.

Ella's heart was sinking, but she had to remind herself she had no leg to stand on to go and complain about his behavior, to be openly jealous about it because nothing serious had happened between her and Alex. At least not serious enough for him, if he was going around acting this way with Arielle after being so close with her the week before.

Ben called everyone to their places, meaning Ella saw Arielle and Alex separate for the first time in thirty minutes. She had no idea what to think anymore, the way he was acting with the model reminded her how he was with her and she hated it.

She tried to push it in her mind that he and Arielle were friends already, so maybe there was a trust to act that way with each other. She tried, but it did nothing to the way her guts twisted at the image of those two together like that.

They did one take but something had seemed off from the cameras, the settings seemed too different from the car to the outside shot so the directors got to fixing it up the quickest they could after they yelled cut.

Out of the corner of her eye she had caught Alex and Arielle leaving for the furthest tent and getting behind it, her giggles could be heard as they walked away from everyone and she slowly felt like she was going to be sick.

It took about ten minutes to get it all sorted out, Ben's voice called everyone up again to start filming again and everyone listened. Aaron called the models in first, giving them a second rundown of their duties and how they should get in frame. As the director talked, Alex had walked over to Ella and hugged her from behind like he had gotten used to throughout the tour.

Ella hadn't want anything more than that, as she had been deprived of his touch for a fair while since they had gotten to the set, but when she tried to relax into his chest and rest her head on his shoulder, she had smelt the model's perfume and it had make her freeze in her spot. Alex had felt her tense up but brushed it off, his mind too aware that he had the attention of two stunning women and it had gotten his ego boosted up a little too high.

She didn't reciprocate the embrace like before: only one of her hands on top of his, her back inches apart from his chest, her head not weighing down on his shoulder, no kisses on his cheek, no cheeky glances or nose scrunches. But he didn't really wonder about it since he was too busy staring at the other American girl that was dressed in costume right in front of him. A few seconds later, he got called over and he easily let go of Ella, leaving her with a faint squeeze of her waist.

She had noticed how enthusiastic he got every time he was able to get back beside the model, always a smirk on his face as he kept brushing shoulders with her or whispering things in her ear before he got in the car for each take.

Alex was looking amazing for the shoot as well, meaning Ella could see Arielle so painfully obvious checking Alex out and him doing the same to the model when she turned around.

It was probably the twelfth official take they had done, almost running off of the flares the models walked with to the drum kit as they kept repeating the video over and over. The new song that she had already learned the lyrics to, now completely engraved in her mind since they had it playing on loop with almost no breaks in between each play.

The question now replayed in her mind, bringing back memories. Are you mine? His gaze stuck on hers while singing the chorus. Are you mine? Her wink after she sang 'are you mine tomorrow? Or just mine tonight' that night at the very last gig, making his smirk grow and a tinge of blush show on his face. Are you mine? His eyes no longer on her now, but stuck on Arielle even when he had her in his arms. Are you mine? Ella just wanted to turn the song off to stop it all coming to the forefront of her mind.

They were about to start the thirteenth take, after the directors went over the last bit of footage the last take had given them, when she walked past the quiet place Arielle and Alex were cooped up in. It was near a corner, behind a line of four big lights and away enough from everyone from the crew. Ella had been walking around the site, the edges of it taking her straight behind them, and that's why she had heard them.

"I've got another question..." Alex had started with that tone that meant he was gonna say one of his cheesy flirt lines and Ella just had to stay and listen to what he'd say, she thought her head was cooler by then and she might find it funny but she had no idea what she was about to get. "How does it feel like being the most gorgeous girl in the room?"

Ella's blood ran cold then, the familiar words coming back to her like a bucket of ice cold water and as Arielle giggled and leaned into him touching his arm, she felt herself feeling faint.

She didn't even think about her following actions, as she scoffed much louder than she anticipated but still quiet enough for it to only be heard by her and the other two. Her feet took her faster than she was thinking, accidentally barging into Alex's shoulder as she made a beeline towards her bosses.

He whipped his head around so fast, forgetting about the model beside him and catching a glimpse of Ella's pale complexion. But his worry was brief as he turned back around to the model, who was now fully leaning into him to continue flirting with him. A smile broke out on his face, seeing Arielle's reaction.

Ella felt like those fifteen feet of walk had actually been a whole mile, her heart hammering in her chest as if trying to keep her up until she could finally break down. As soon as she got beside Ben, she tapped his shoulder. The man saw her worried face, the lack of color on it and he got preoccupied.

"Are you alright Ella?" Ben asked softly, his inquiry making Aaron pause what he was doing to check on their PA.

She sighed, feeling everything coming up her throat and wanting to leave her body. "I'm not feeling well guys, I– I, uhm, I think it would be better if I just go home."

Aaron nodded, they didn't have much left anyways and Ella was so dedicated to her job, they knew that if she was asking to leave, it was because of something serious. "Of course, you have a way to get home?"

She thought about her car, being parked at the hotel an hour away from home but she'd take a taxi. She didn't care anymore, she just didn't want to be there. "Yes, someone is coming to get me, don't worry."

And just like that they let her go. She practically ran to the Monkeys' tour bus to retrieve everything she had there, and she thanked the fact that Bre had to leave right after the show for having encouraged her to have her suitcase ready well before the gig.

Ella called a cab company and told them to pick her up at a McDonald's that was a block away. As she walked, she felt like she wanted to cry and it infuriated her even more. Because why would she cry? They weren't anything at all, a date didn't mean shit apparently and much less would the touches they shared.

She cursed herself for getting attached when she knew she shouldn't have. It all came back to who they were, even if he hadn't done what he had that night, by the end of it she'd be getting dropped off at her house and he'd be leaving to travel around the world. It would've never worked out.

When she remembered how she had strived to properly kiss him goodbye that night, before they parted ways once again, she allowed herself to let the tears fall. And she cried on the way back home, when she saw their photo booth pictures sticking out of the inside pocket of her purse.

She wanted to throw it away but she couldn't, that's what she did when somebody hurt her: cling onto every last beautiful thing they gave her even if the memory stung like a wound being sprayed with salt. She was half tempted to burn it as she lit the cigarette she had just placed between her lips before finding the pictures but when she flipped it, she found something written down.

'only the sweetest of dreams for you, miss tennessee xxxx'

It came over her how every sweet memory of him would taste bitter now, and how it would up until the moment she'd finally decide she was over it. And that's when it all started tasting more bitter, and then it turned sour and her sadness turned into anger.

The audacity he had had, to just drop her like a toy he had gotten bored of, and maybe he had had other intentions but seeing how shy she was and how he wasn't getting anywhere, he decided to change her the first chance he got.

And there it was, that feeling of being so easily replaceable dawning over her head like the darkest cloud in the sky that swore to bring the heaviest precipitation of the year. The heartache she had felt when she got cheated over by the one person she swore was the one, and it was insane to her how she could feel a similar way about someone she knew for so little doing her wrong too. But she couldn't downplay it either, not when it opened a wound back up that had taken so long to close.

In her head she was asking herself repeatedly, 'am I that easy to replace?' until each word lost its meaning but the feeling was still the same, if not worse.

She cried a little more when she got home, feeling the familiar walls like an embrace that she longed for. The tears were falling as she showered, slowly and without permission, making her wipe them with more force than necessary, leaving her cheeks red raw. But it had been slightly relieving to cry under the shower for she confused her tears with the water falling over her and it made her feel less pathetic.

By the time she was out of the shower and she slowly finished getting ready to sleep, the filming had been wrapped up. The crew were quick to pick everything up and load it into the production company's coach.

Matt walked over to Alex, who was too busy staring at Arielle's ass as she walked away to get out of costume that he didn't notice his presence until he cleared his throat.

"Y'Alright?" asked Matt, still confused about his friend's antics throughout the day.

Alex nodded with a tight lip smile, "You?"

"Wonderful." The drummer answered, a slight hint of irony in his voice that the singer decided to ignore.

The both of them had stayed quiet, watching the organized chaos going around. And it wasn't until Alex saw Ben with Ella's blue clipboard as he waved goodbye to them that he realized she was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Ella?" The singer seemed worried, it dawning on him then how he hadn't seen her since she barged into him.

Matt shrugged, "Dunno. She left running earlier and the driver said she got her case from the bus."

Alex's heart dropped, thinking about all the endless possibilities of something happening to her, "I'm gonna text her and see if she's okay."

"Well, she probably isn't after she's played cupid against herself." Matt sassily replied.

Alex frowned, "What do you mean?"

Matt sighed, almost annoyed at his best mate's lack of common sense, "Mate, there was something there between you two after Valentine's day, and tonight you've just gone and switched her for Arielle."

"No I haven't. Me and Arielle, that's just banter." He explained back like it was obvious.

The drummer didn't want to get deeper into the situation, he had already said what he had seen and all that was left was for his friend to realize so, "Whatever you say Al." was all he mustered before leaving him, going straight back to their tour bus.

Ten minutes Alex was left thinking, taking the first few minutes to text Ella and the rest to thoroughly think about what Matt had just said. He knew she must've heard him talking to Arielle and maybe it wasn't the best of things to listen to after everything that had happened during the past week but it was just lighthearted banter to him, a joke to keep them entertained during the filming process.

It was all a misunderstanding and he would tell her if that's what she had gotten upset over. Surely it has to be something else though, he thought.

(16/02/2012 23:13) Ellie, are you alright? Don't know what happened but I hope you're okay darling x

(16/02/2012 23:14) Matt said you left running and he saw you getting your stuff out of the tour bus, please let me know you're alright xx

(16/02/2012 23:15) We didn't even get to say goodbye properly but I hope to see you soon yeah? xx

(16/02/2012 23:17) As soon as you see this, please let me know you're okay xx

(16/02/2012 23:19) Maybe you're home and asleep already, if that's it then text me in the morning? Sweet dreams darling, see you soon xxx

Their drive to LAX had been going fine. They were relatively quiet in comparison to how they usually were but it was because they were tired: the days of tour, driving and walking around plus the late night filming had caught up to them. Alex was mixing his concern about Ella with his exhaustion making it even worse, the sways of the tour bus not helping with the headache he could feel brewing in the back of his skull.

Alex's thoughts were interrupted then by Matt laughing at his phone, the light of his device reflecting on his eyes.

(16/02/2012 23:32) Is everything good Ella? Saw you running to leave the set.

(16/02/2012 23:48) Everything is good Matt! Sorry for leaving like that and not saying bye, I was feeling kinda sick and I couldn't keep it together any longer. (Feel like a bitch for not saying goodbye knowing I'm not going to see you for god knows how long :()

(16/02/2012 23:48) Yeah probably not the best to have you projectile vomiting in the middle of our music video!! (You don't have to feel like one, you're one already xxxx)

(16/02/2012 23:49) You're the absolute worst...

(16/02/2012 23:49) HAHA love you Ellie!! Hope to see you very soon xx

(16/02/2012 23:49) Love you too dickhead. See you soon xx

Before Alex could complain about the unnecessary noise coming from Matt, he informed them all, "Ella's fine, she was just feeling ill." which made Alex snap his eyes open to look at him.

Jamie snorted then, cheekily suggesting, "Ask her if she's sure she isn't pregnant."

Leaning over Matt's shoulders, Nick and Jamie started laughing as the drummer's fingers started typing what the guitarist had said.

Alex frowned, not only at his friends acting like kids but at the fact that Ella had replied to Matt and not him. There wasn't a day she didn't reply to him within minutes if she was awake. He thought for a second then that he might've gotten a reply but hadn't noticed it, so to make sure he unlocked his phone.

But he hadn't expected what he saw, and he thought back to what Matt had said and just how bad of a confusion the end of the night had been when he was met with the proof that she had just plainly ignored him.

(16/02/2012 23:13) Ellie, are you alright? Don't know what happened but I hope you're okay darling x

(16/02/2012 23:14) Matt said you left running and he saw you getting your stuff out of the tour bus, please let me know you're alright xx

(16/02/2012 23:15) We didn't even get to say goodbye properly but I hope to see you soon yeah? xx

(16/02/2012 23:17) As soon as you see this, please let me know you're okay xx

(16/02/2012 23:19) Maybe you're home and asleep already, if that's it then text me in the morning? Sweet dreams darling, see you soon xxx

read at 23:41

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A/N: Uh oh... Well now I don't even know if I should ask if you liked it hahaha, but I really hope you did. Shit only gets more interesting from here so I hope you lot are just as eager as me to see how it unfolds. Thanks a million for reading, I appreciate it so much!! I hope you have the best weekend and I'll see you April 7th for the next one xx

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#alex turner #alex turner x reader #alex #turner #arctic monkeys #alex turner arctic monkeys #alex turner fanfiction #alex turner fanfic #alex turner fluff #alex turner one shot #alex turner blurb #alex turner drabble #alex turner imagine #alex turner x you #alex turner x y/n #matt helders #nick omalley #jamie cook

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blindrapture · 2 months

Text

THURSDAY JULY 7TH, 2011 (Ciphers of the Blind Man's Book)

10:45 AM The hotel room window is a mirror.

10:46 AM The bathroom mirror is a window showing screaming skulls. Made me miss the toilet.

10:47 AM I told Donnie not to use the bathroom. She didn't listen.

10:48 AM "It's fine in there." What? Huh. And it's fine again. Yeah. Donnie's gone to get ready. I'm just.. looking in the mirror now.

10:49 AM You're fine. Yeah. You're fine. "Talking to yourself?" what "Don't look out the door. Look in here. In the mirror." There's. Someone else in the room. But only in the mirror. She waved. She's. A woman. Actually a rather normal-looking woman. Like, not a monster or anything. Uh. Hi? "You've been in here a long time." The bathroom? "No. I'm surprised. Normally people who wander in here find their way back out, unless they die. You two spent the night?" Yeah. And we're gonna keep going. We're looking for a-- wait, maybe I shouldn't go around telling our plans to every last lady in a mirror. "Ooh, you said something smart." Who even are you?

10:50 AM Donnie came and got me. Mirror was empty again when she came in. Huh. Weird.

10:51 AM Setting out! :D Day 2 of our epic journey into the heart of the rabbit hole! Next stop: ..somewhere that isn't this hotel world!

10:57 AM WHERE IS THE FUCKING EXIT.

10:58 AM We're lost! We’ve been walking around this hallway for a while now, passing more and more hotel rooms, but no elevator or stairway or even window in sight. And I don’t think either of us feels like stepping into one of these rooms. Especially not since all the doors are number 616.

11:01 AM It's just.. a big maze of hallways. Frequent turns and branching paths, any one part of this hallway looks plausible for a hotel, but obviously the layout is wrong. It's Hell Hotel Hallway here, hard and horrid.

11:02 AM "I hear something." Just keep walking, Donnie. I hear it too. It's probably just distortion or something.

11:04 AM Wait. How the fuck do we hear distortion, that doesn’t make sense! I hear a high-pitched whine, a sort of feedback. Faint. In the direction we're going, too.

11:05 AM The hallway’s getting a little narrower. Or is it just me? I think the hall's ending.

11:06 AM The hall’s ended. At the very end is a door. Room number 558. Opening the door. ..it’s locked! Oh god I hear footsteps. Oh god I hear a lot. "Do you still have that rifle?" It's in one of the boxes, let me get it.

11:07 AM Donnie opened 558 while I was getting the rifle. The footsteps are sprinting now, sounds like it's behind us, down the hall. But inside 558 is the next rabbit hole.

11:08 AM We just ran in and shut the door behind us. Now we're in darkness. How many of these "too dark" rabbit holes can one boy go through? Jeez. Donnie's got a flashlight.

11:09 AM The walls are bare and grey. Gray? Grey. We’re walking down a slope. The slope’s turning. ope Donnie tripped, and dropped the flashlight. No problem, we’ll just The flashlight fell off this ledge. Oh, I can see its beam as it falls. …that’s a long drop. o_o; Safe to assume I’m not seeing that one again. "Those, uh. Those helmets we were given. Do they have nightvision or something cool like that?" If we can find them in the box, we can try? "shh" I hear it a door opening behind us those footsteps caught up with us fuck well I'll just have to rely on the muzzleflash of this rifle for light o_o;; … step, step, step…

8558885885585885855585888555858885588585855588588555885585558555855885858558858585558588885888888555885585555885855855858555888885585888855855558558555885555885 My head is killing me. I'm in a classroom now? At least I can see again. "classroomone" just faded into my field of vision, like a damn half-life chapter title. I'm wearing my helmet. When did I put this on? I don’t see Donnie anywhere. There’s a window showing night. Wait, no. That’s just a blackboard. I’m not 100% sure what time it is, then. I only see a voice speaks to me: do you want to see? It’s dark. The helmet doesn't have nightvision, but it does have a headtorch. Writing on the blackboard reads “Obfuscation.” The door is The Door is The door is locked the Door is locked the door Is locked the door Is Locked The Door is locked so I open the door.

855588558555858885585885855888558558585585588585855588588558885885558858855585858555885585585888885888888555885585555885855855858555888885585888855855558558555885555885 Night (2) Hallway with tiled floors. Doors lining the walls. No room for lockers or posters or anything else. Numbers ranging from 101 to 1001.That doorknob just rattled.

Night (3) Donnie, are you okay? :c She’s passed out on the floor next to the door. Looks like she was thrust against it. But by what?

855855888558555585585558855885558858888885558858855855558558888585588588885888888558888585585888855885858558888585588588 Night (4) I’m dragging her out of this classroom.

Night (5) Out in the hallway now. I don’t recall there being two double doors there. I don’t recall there being an end to the hallway at all. Through the doors, I can see a man standing far in the distance. He’s wearing a theatrical sadface mask. Oh, that guy. He’s just standing there, feet apart, hands in pockets, looking at us. Is he gonna charge at us? Is he gonna creepily walk away? ..he’s turning around. And he’s walking the other way. There’s another set of double doors down there, and he’s heading for them. ..I hear noises behind us. What There’s another set of double doors far behind us, and he just came out of them. Fuck it, putting Donnie down, pointing my damn rifle. "Hey whoa whoa!" hands up, stopped "Fair play, I wasn't expecting that!" What do you want? "...I, uh, don't have a good answer to that!" Okay, well, who are you? "My name's Omega! Listen, man, I was just trying to scare you! I'm lost here too!" Okay, Omega... do you happen to know where 'here' is, at least? "We're in Night (5), aren't we?" What? he looks relieved "Oh thank god, you're here. Help me out, man!" ...what?

Night (6) ffffffffuck. My goddamn head. Someone else must have come up behind me, but I didn't hear a thing. Sadface man, or Omega, he ran into a classroom. And there's no one behind me now. But I was definitely hit. Fuck it. I'm going after him, into that classroom.

8558885885588585855585888555858885588585855588588858888885558855855585888558888585558858855585888858888885558555855888858558558885585855855858858558555885588555 Night (7) Oh god, what the fuck. Donnie’s in here. Even though she's definitely unconscious on my shoulder. The one up there, she’s stripped naked, held out like some fucking crucifixion thing, and held to some orbicular device by ropes. She's fucking crucified. The only things missing are blood and rust. ..and a crazed religious cult. >_> I think she’s passed out. For her sake, I hope she is. This is Donnie I'm carrying on my shoulder, right? … "Hey, how's it going." It's Omega. "It's me." Are we just doing a comedy routine right now? "I dunno, she's looking too Silent Hill to be comedic." Fuck it. I’m cutting her down from there.

Night (8) Motherfuckers, I’m gonna kill them. "Don't look at me." On Donnie’s back, she’s been whipped. A lot. The lashes form “THE HARLOT?” "I'm sure that'll wash off." Do you have anything productive to add?! "No, seriously, this place is a lot less consequence-y than it seems. It's a lot more like a waking dream. She'll be fine. Promise!" Well, how do you. How do you know? "You think this is my first time? You're in their house now. The Musicians' house."

55555555555555555555555555555555 Day (1) I awoke on a highway. It's one of those areas where you can see for miles; the area’s that flat and barren. Nothing but grey (gray?) for miles and miles. And the road. And the dark purple sky. Donnie's here with me, still unconscious. Wait, no, she's waking up! Donnie!!!

Day (2) She's okay. Her back's fine. She was baffled for a bit, but I showed her my journal. Filled her in. She's looking around now. "That Omega guy still here?" No, no sign of him. "What the hell was he doing?" yeah I have no clue. You sure you're okay? Any weird dreams, psychological stuff? "No, really, I'm good. I dreamed of being followed, but, is that really so strange?" I guess not. So you're good to walk? "Yeah. Let's go."

Day (3) We passed a road sign. It said “The Peisistratos lies up ahead. Take a break!”

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Day (4) I don’t know how long we’ve been walking, but absolutely nothing has been happening. It’s just been endless trekking. Endless. Monotonous. Lots of sighs from both of us. Rabbit holes, huh? "Yeah. Rabbit holes."

Day (5) A fog has surrounded us. We can hear things flying around. Flapping. I can feel humidity decreasing. Donnie’s starting to feel a pain in her back. We can see our own breath. I’m gripping Tiger Stripes. Hard.

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Day (6) Nothing changed. There's flapping, and we can even make out vague shapes in the fog circling us, but nothing's coming at us right now. So we tried simply walking on. That's.. working so far. We're sticking close together. Back to back.

Day (7) There's a bigger shape just off the road. Not moving. I don't think it's a creature. "I think it's a.. car?" Are we approaching civilization, or gasp "Look!" what it's a rectangle to me "That's a Door! That's got to be a Door!" well we can move towards it and see oh WAIT IT IS DOOR YES PLEASE OPEN, GET US OUT OF HERE the flying things don't like us getting close to that doorknob they're starting to whip at us furry tails, like giant dragonflies "I've got it!!" DOOR OPEN.

Day (8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 The smell of evening papers and mildew, much like you’d find in a study. Or a. Library. We’re in a library. An impossibly large library. Is this...? "You're here." o_o There's a man here, old man, cloaked in gray shawl, wearing black sunglasses. He’s the man who can flip through the books of our lives freely.

"The time is 8:05 PM. They call me 'the blind man.' My name is Tiresias. I have much to say to you. This is the Peisistratos. It is my home, the foundation of all human knowledge. Not long ago, it was to be found on Earth. But then the Rapture started, and now it is here, a waystation deep within this damned labyrinth. You have come here because you were summoned. Now that you are here, it is only into yet more madness that you descend. But you will do it, because you want to know. You believe that one can know. I believed this too, once... and perhaps, in time, I will believe it again. I cannot believe it right now, as I am forbidden from accessing my book.

"The time is 8:06 PM. My library, as you can imagine, contains every book that can be contained. There are more books than have ever been on Earth. I have a book for every human, with their every thought laid out in chronological order. I even have some books for Fears... you have heard of them by now, yes?" The books? "The Fears." Y..yeah. "Good." Are you a Fear? smirk "I have been called much worse. As I am a Fear, as I belong to the Fears, there is a book for me as well. But this one does not contain my every thought. I was chosen, perhaps I was born, to be bookkeeper of this place, and part of that responsibility includes writing my own book, by hand. I have done so for a very long time.

"The time is 8:07 PM. This book of mine, it contains the maps of the secret city. It contains the unpalatable requests of the beast. It contains the dreams of nothing at all. It contains the true nature of ferocity. It contains the flood that her evolution brings. It contains the fruits of chaos. It contains the twilight of the gods. It contains the key to containing the virus known as Indisen. And, yes, it contains the truth and true nature of Rapture." o____o donnie raised her hand "Did you just raise your hand?" "yes" "It's okay, you can speak. You're better off speaking, in fact." "Sorry. Uh! Can we.. see this book?" "But of course. It is the simplest request. It is only natural." pained smile "No. My book is locked. With the coming of the red sky, my book became sealed by seven locks. Each lock is encrypted by a different cipher, for there are no keys. And only the Lamb can decode the ciphers. Follow me.

"The time is 8:08 PM." He's leading us down a narrow aisle of books. Books in all directions. Even the floor below us is paved with books. "There are more books in here than people in all of history. There are more words here than grains of sand in the universe. "I have been doing this for a very long time." whoa. o_o "With the Rapture, I have become trapped in here, but there was once a time when I roamed the Earth. One day, if you two would be willing, I would enjoy showing you some chapters I have written. But first we must open... that." again: whoa. o__o That's your book? That's.. gigantic… "I have had to increase its size with the years, both pagewise and physically. Please, feel free to describe it in your journal." It's. I mean, it's a big book. Hard brown cover. Far too big to hold in my hands, or even Tiresias's hands. It's currently mounted on a large marble pedestal. There is no title on the cover, but there are seven jet-black locks extending across the pages from front to back cover, forbidding opening. No lock has keyholes, only drawings of.. what look like weird beasts? I see like a long dragonfly... and a beehive? A torso on tank treads... a mass of heads... and the last three: a lower-case t, a thing crawling with eyes and tentacles, and a regal devil-man-thing. "Hmph. That's all you have to write?" What? How can you tell? "Oh, don't mind me, just talking to myself.

"The time is 8:10 PM. Do you notice that four of the locks have already been opened?" Uh. Wait. ...oh shit! Yeah! Yeah, now I do! And so there are three that are actually locking the book shut! "How observant. Each lock corresponds with a cipher located deep within Xanadu." within what, sorry? "You are here." arms stretched out "The labyrinth of the rabbit holes, feared even by the gods, this is Xanadu." donnie "Wow!!!" yeah. wow. o: So there's, like. Quote-unquote 'keys' deeper down the rabbit holes? Three of them. "Yes. You will know them when you see them. Find them. Find the Ciphers. If you hurry, you might just catch the next train." He gestured towards a nearby Door, through which we can see the interior of a train. "But one thing more.

"The time is 8:11 PM. Jordan, you will return to this library in time. And you will find the fifth Cipher, though I don't know that you will decode it. I do know that you have gained the attention of the Musicians, and for that, I grieve. They are not like any other Fear. They will hound you inside your own mind. There is no peace unless it is by their choice. Good luck. "Donnivan, you will undergo a great judgment in the months to come. You will be tested by a Fear no one else alive has even seen. You will know lowness, and I grieve for you too. Hold on, no matter what you do. You will ultimately be protected in the carnage. I promise you this, you will be protected. "You two will meet new friends on your journey. You will face creatures and locations so sinister they can hardly be classified as 'monsters.' And if you're lucky enough, if you make it through the trauma, if you strain yourselves and drain yourselves and push yourselves beyond the limits you thought you had, you can come out the other side. "Goodbye."

8:15 PM This isn’t just any train; this is the wreckage of one. It’s freezing cold here. The pipes look like they’ve frozen over.

8:18 PM We’re having to bust down frozen doors. It’s like being in a giant freezer.

8:20 PM Exit, stage left! Waitwaitwait lemme do this right. I’ll be there in 3, 2, 1, KICK THE DOOR DOWN oh god does our box have an extra coat? This jacket isn’t thick enough for fucking Antarctica. And our fancy military-grade equipment DOES NOTHING FOR THIS

8:24 PM We’re huddling close together while trotting through the thick snow.

8:40 PM Sounded like some kinda arctic wolf howling away.

8:44 PM And that one sounded like a whole pack. Oh god, it hurts to run out here.

8:47 PM Fuck that sounded close Keep running, oh god Door where are you.

8:52 PM Cave or more flat tundra? Cave or more flat tundra? Cave or more flat tundra? OH HELLO DOGGIES Cave it is!

8:53 PM The snow on the ground around here isn’t as thick. It’s easier to run. I just hope the cave doesn’t run out.

8:54 PM The wolves have caught up, all six of ‘em. We’re not ready to stand and fight yet. We’re ready to keep running!

8:55 PM The exit to the cave! Light at the end of the tunnel! DOG THAT’s a big black dog.

8:56 PM The dog just fucking slaughtered all six wolves within a minute. The wolves are easily bigger than it. Then the dog growled at us with red eyes and leaped away into the darkness. …darkness. Darkness?

8:57 PM Darkness. Where are we now. Good question. It’s no longer ice cold. Now it’s pretty warm. Headtorches back on. It's a.. city street. No lights, not even from the sky, wouldn't even know what this was if it wasn't for our helmets. Eerily silent. Just our footsteps on sidewalk. Now, a city street has a lot of doors. Just gotta find one that takes us somewhere unexpected.

9:10 PM That didn't take too long. Now we're in… Look, man. It's just eldritch and shit, this time. We’re talking clouds that are actually giant, slow, floating spiders. The ground around here looks like ordinary sand. We’re on a small cliff, just came out of a green cave with green rocks. The cave happened to have a door on it that we exited from, but now the door is gone. Sky is blue, pulses purple and orange several times a minute. Lightning strikes from the middle of the sky, not the spiderclouds. Out of the lightning comes well done hamburgers on fine china resting right where the shit struck. Don't see any plants nearby, I don’t think. I don’t see fauna, either. Thank God. Y'know, besides the.. clouds.

9:14 PM The cave behind us, the one that no longer has a door, actually leads to the interior of a church. There are five beds inside in rather odd spots. They say “Rael,” “Victoria,” “Nicholas,” “Juliet,” and “John.” Donnie walked right up to the bed labeled "Victoria" and just keeled over. I'm not in a rush to get going. It's been a long day.

(Attached: “Look at me, I sound like a video game prophet character. At least I get better the more I see people. That library gets to you after a while; isolation gets to you after a while. It wasn’t always my library; I had inherited it from.. myself? Which would make it, indeed, always my library. But its nature is not to be understood nor reproduced: My library, the Peisistratos, came from the Empty City. After I escorted a Musician monopole away from his greatest creation, I woke up in the past. Five minutes, as a matter of fact, before the apocalypse– on the night of May 20th, 2011. Not wishing to relive the red sky, I asked the world for a Door and found one beckoning me in my local library. The Empty City greeted me with the stagnant but underlyingly living hum that every city has. The yawn of electricity. I spent a day in meditation, listening to the City’s hum and finding its lexemes. For the next five, I learned its language entirely– it has no written word; its synthetic syllables exist only in sound– and I communicated with the Fear. We became friends. I taught it about the laws of time travel, and it in return gave me my library. I took a day of rest to let books write themselves, and then the City dubbed me Weneg. I have been called many things, but of the titles I consider my names proper, there are thirteen. I will not live long enough to write my lifetime in full, so I will simply give a list.

1: [REDACTED], the name my parents gave me. 2: Thoth, arbiter of the gods, reviver of the fallen, leader of the Ogdoad. 3: Weneg, defender of Earth from the great coming chaos, against whom I fell in battle but still fended off. 4: Odin, or ‘Yggr’ as I preferred to call myself at the time. This was, in essence, my brooding phase. I singlehandedly started the trend of gods calling themselves 'Fears’ here. I also started the Sisters of Mercy, but don’t worry about that. 5: Taucherlunge– 'Aqualung,’ I was coming out of my new wave appreciation and wanted to call myself something with a progressive hint as a response– otherwise known as the time of my life when I grew up and spent a long time in the past doing stuff to help people. Really, just anything to stop my reputation from being a creepy old man. 6: Parashurama, or 'Kalki’ as people often called me and I could never figure out why. My reputation now much more warm and loved, I worked at this period on voyaging to other universes, bridging out to gods from cultures I had never heard of. Didn’t go too hot, but I also made a number of friends. Met Maat here, one of the greatest individuals I could ever know. 7: Host of People. I went a little abstract in my name, but at this point I was content to wander through existence with Maat, talking about the many things we’ve seen, laughing over history. Before we knew it, we were walking through a time before matter, and it was here that we met Sbomten, spoke with Rosendower’s miscarriage, and saw life in a whole new way. 8: Paineilmalaitteet, tarkkailija maailman– later 'Painkiller’ as an easier-to-remember but unrelated nickname. Maat and I split here, and I elected to use my newfound abilities to visit my universe again. See, all this time I’d had to rely on Tuonela, our nearest universe, to travel through time, and since there were no Doors in the world after the apocalypse I had no easy way of going there, but Rosendower’s miscarriage had taught me how to travel through time independently of that. All it took was a snap of the fingers. I would then learn the truth of the limits of time travel and.. well, reckon with that. After the Azathoth episode, I did more introspection. 9: Vesisotakone. This was the big one, my longest era. The Sampo attracted an awful lot of attention to our universe, so I basically had to fight the great coming chaos battle over and over again. I had to direct the biggest battle backwards in time, and it culminated in destroying the Tower of Babel in the carnage. By accident. I knew all this chaos had to happen, though. I understood the implications and accepted them gravely. Schrodinger’s Suicide, after all. That’s the trouble with time travel. 10: Magog. Thanks to all the carnage, people now regarded me as the harbinger of end times. That 'Kalki' title came back in greater numbers here. I tried to make amends, I assured people that I had saved the world. But I knew just as well as they did why I couldn’t go back to the present day post-2011. 11: Fresca. Lost in the past, Louhi turned me into a woman for seven years. I answered some age-old questions. 12: Persse. In which I slept, hoping come eternity never to wake. 13: Tiresias. My name now.

And that’s my life. I know my death at the hands of Sanche’s oldest son in that shade of a library in Nice; I’ve read every text that’s ever been written; I've been there for the invention of every concept there is to know; I’ve fucked up this universe just by existing. The world ends in a The world Write the words, dammit. The way the world ends is not with a whimper but with the mightiest crash ever amassed. Totality. This is why I’ve long tried to avoid documenting my life: It risks the events being truly set in stone. And it hurts to remember.“)

[PREV LOG] [TABLE OF CONTENTS] [NEXT LOG]

#ogtrib #oh god the rapture is burning #ogtrib act 2 #for this one the main difference between Tumblr and Website is that Tumblr doesn't allow me to place images in the middle of text #so. the Website has the ideal form of today's Attached #why is tumblr so pesky a word processor. why does it always add errors. whatever #that Attached should be in tumblr's “Chat” style. courier sans. on the Website it's in Georgia.

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bratshaws · 2 years

Text

goodness gracious 88. brb x oc

a/n: today was a bit rough but im glad i managed to finish the chapter <3 i hope you guys like it

check out the fic's playlist made by the sweet @wiipes !!

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: bea being the baby she is, rooster missing her and vice versa

chapters:

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/37/38/39/40/41/42/43/44

45/46/47/48/49/50/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64

65/66/67/68/69/70/71/72/73/74/75/76/77/78/79/80/81/82/83/84

85/86/87

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist!!)

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @shrimping-for-all @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix

@lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @j-6o @louisahale @leobabbyyy @kulicny @winter-run @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes

Beatrice chews the corner of her mouth as she looks down at a glass she’s been drying and wiping for the past five minutes. She and Shells were to close the bar that night, which was okay with her but she didn’t know why Shells offered in the first place.

In reality, it was Penny’s night, but Shells noticed something was off with Beatrice, she kept biting her lip nervously and her eyebrows would furrow every once in a while as if she was worried about something, moving almost automatically around the bar. Shells could read Beatrice like a book, they’ve known each other for a long time and seeing her friend act like that was weird.

She knew Bea missed Rooster because Shells missed Bob just the same, but Beatrice was learning the ropes about military dating. She understood he couldn’t come back and while she worried, she was aware there was nothing she could do to bring him home faster.

Which was why Shells thought it was weird for Beatrice to be acting like she’s a zombie during the whole night. Did something happen with her parents? Maybe her siblings? God forbid, her niece?

Shells’ eyes shiftly moved to Beatrice still cleaning that glass, the blonde moving closer with the mop as if she was trying to clean a spot closer to the bar. Once she was close enough, Shells leaned her weight on the mop’s handle, crossing her arms over it and putting her chin on top, standing right on Beatrice’s left, watching her friend chew her lower lip almost raw - it was very red- “Ahem.” the brunette stops the gnawing on her lip, moving her eyes towards Shells, “You are going to chew your lip off.”

Beatrice slowly let the lower lip go, it bounced back to it’s original position and she let out an “Oh.” as if she wasn't aware she was doing that, “Sorry,I’m just thinking.”

“I figured,” Shells chuckles, still leaning on the handle, “What about? You look kinda worried.”

Beatrice’s look towards her friend only made Shells arch one eyebrow, the brunette just seemed so nervous and she couldn’t figure it out why, “It’s just…well…” Beatrice finally puts the glass down, crosses her arms over her bust and leans her lower back against the bartop, “Some stuff has been happening and I don’t know how to…explain it?”

“Okay?”

Shells followed Beatrice with her eyes when the brunette walked out from behind the bar, arms still crossed “It’s just…do you think– have you and Bob ever talked about, I don’t know, getting more serious?” Shells looked at her like she grew three heads, offering her friend a confused smile,”You know what I mean.”

“Babes I do know what you mean but, me and Bob haven’t been together that long.” the subject of time once again comes and makes Beatrice drops her gaze to the floor, almost feeling guilty for asking it, rubbing her hands up and down her arms. They started dating just a few weeks after Bea and Rooster were.

Shells sets the mop aside, then sits on the stool next to Beatrice - the brunette doing the same thing after a few seconds - “It’s not on our mind, no. Why?”

Her friend sighed heavily, almost as if the words were hard to say out loud - which they were - “I…” she licks her lips, tasting the cherry gloss over her mouth, “I don’t know I just…was curious I guess. It’s just–”

“I mean me and Bob aren’t thinking about it but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, You and Rooster look married already.” Beatrice clacks her mouth shut, her cheeks turning a vibrant red over her friend’s words, Shells only arched her eyebrow at Beatrice, “What? You think it’s not obvious?”

“No it’s just…it feels too soon to think about it.”

“Well you two already moved in together, so, you know, it’s one step to be dealt with.”

She had a good point, but Beatrice still wasn’t convinced, “I don’t know…I don’t want to put that type of pressure on Roos. What if he’s not ready? What if he thinks I’m desperate?”

Shells laughed, tossing her head back, “Rooster? Thinking bad about you? Come on Bea, that man is crazy for you, I’m surprised he hasn’t popped the question already.” Beatrice’s cheeks darken even more, but there’s a little smile on her face, “You two are just…incredible. First you take a long time to go out on a date, then now you are doubting if you should get married??”

“But–”

“Babes, Bumblebea, listen.” Shells hops off from the stool to hold her friend by the shoulders, “When I joke and say you two are disgustingly in love I mean that, you two are meant for each other. There’s no Bea without Rooster and no Rooster without Bea. It’s like…peanut butter and jam.”

“...so you don’t think it’s crazy?”

“I think it’s crazy you didn’t get married before.” she chuckles, cupping her friend’s cheeks and squeezing them to purse Bea’s lips out a bit, “Talk to him, let him know about it, I’m sure it’ll be welcoming and then, pop them babies out!”

Beatrice gasped with her cheeks returning to it’s vibrant red color, “Shells! I–” but she was right too, Beatrice couldn’t stop thinking about it ever since they moved in together and she kept hearing the kids' voices around the house. It’s gotten better now, but she’d sometimes hear the soft giggle coming from that specific room or she’d just imagine it having…baby stuff in there. “I…I…okay.”

“It’s not like it’ll be for the lack of trying either,” Shells mutters, “I’ve seen how that man looks at you, Bea. It’s a miracle you are able to walk–”

“Okay! Thank you! We need to finish everything now.” Beatrice says quickly, standing up in front of the stool and beelining for the mop Shells left it alone on the corner. Her friend only laughed quietly like a little gremlin who was fed past midnight, following Beatrice with the same smirk.

They chatted for a little while longer and Beatrice was more than thankful for the distraction. Not that it wasn’t on her mind, because it was, it really was on her mind the several things Shells suggested…but saying it out loud was a bit difficult. Actually, admitting to herself that yes she wanted to have a baby with Rooster was difficult. Because Beatrice didn’t want to think this was just the baby fever because of her new niece.

It’s been three months since he was deployed and the last time they talked was at the end of March! Now it’s the middle of April and she’s just trying really hard to keep her mind occupied. Of course, she did imagine what their kids would look like, she is just a woman who loves her boyfriend way too much.

And wants to have his kids.

Badly.

Maybe it’s the Italian genes in her that are repeating ‘procreate,procreate’ in the thickest Italian accent within her brain, or maybe it’s her mother giving her looks whenever she’d visit - because of course she is going to visit and bring food because Beatrice ‘isn’t eating enough’- and always question if they were going to furnish the rest of the rooms…or because she couldn’t forget her aunt’s words a month back, about October and whatever that meant.

She didn’t wanted to say she was stressed, well, a little. Michael sleeping over every once in a while truly helped but she needed…something else, she didn’t know what. That’s when she finally arrived home past midnight, greeted Jolene with a kiss to the head and heard her brother’s loud snoring from the guest room. She placed her bag strap on the coat hanger and stood in the living room with her lips pursed.

Beatrice propped her hands on her hips, slowly walking around and deciding what to do…until she looked over her art room, seeing she left the door open. She pauses, looks to the side in thought, then walks forward to the art room, fixing the bun on top of her head until she reaches the art room, turning on the light and looking around with her hands wringing together.

It was past midnight, her brother was snoring loudly and she could make some noise since Michael slept like a log. So she rubbed her hands together and looked around, trying to find what type of art medium she’d use.

She eventually grabbed a small canvas and some of her acrylics, deciding to paint on the floor instead of her desk, placing the canvas on top of her thighs and popped one of the paint tubes open, holding the brush’s handle with her teeth as she adjusted herself a bit.

Beatrice feels something soft and wet touching her arm, groaning in her sleep and burying her face on the cushion of her couch.

Couch.

Couch??

She blinks her eyes open, the blurry vision turning into the art room and Jolene’s head appearing on the edge of the couch, her tail wagging vigorously as her owner slowly woke up, “Wha–” she sees that her hands were covered in dried paint, which was safe when she pushed herself to a sitting position on the couch, widening her eyes at the several canvas, papers and paint tubes scattered around her, “Oh. Oh damn.”

“Oh damn indeed.”

Beatrice yelps in surprise, the noise making Jolene jump back and then leap on the couch to check if Beatrice was okay. She gently pushes the pittie aside, scratching the side of her head so she could see Michael leaning against the doorframe, eating cereal loudly, “Michael, oh my god.” her brother kept on chewing, the crunch of the cereal breaking the silence, “What time is it? I slept here?”

Michael just swallowed the spoonful and then pulled out his phone from his jeans, “It’s…eleven in the morning, and yes you slept here.” he mutters, gesturing to her with the spoon, “Slept like a baby,I didn’t want to wake you up plus…I couldn’t really walk,” he turns the spoon to the ground covered in art supplies, “So yeah, I left you there.”

Beatrice groans, rubbing her face with both hands, leaning down to pick the drawings without even seeing what they were. But Michael saw it, oh he sure did. Very matrimonial esque pictures, with a dash of ‘baby fever’ sprinkled in, he tried to hold back his smile but he couldn’t help himself.

His little sister was just drawing what her heart desired, how cute, “I made you breakfast.”

Beatrice pauses, then furrows her brows at him, “Made, but you can’t coo–oh.” she chortles a little laugh when he holds up his own bowl of cereal for emphasis,”Thanks Mikey, but it’s eleven already, I need to worry about lunch not breakfast.” Beatrice tried to not look at the several paintings she didn’t even notice she did, blushing fervorously while shoving them in one of the many cabinets inside her art room.

“Suit yourself, but these corn flakes taste divine.” Beatrice laughs softly again but doesn’t look at him, which makes Michael purse his lips, “You’ve been painting the whole night?”

“I…I think so?” she says still arranging everything inside the cabinet, “I just remember grabbing a few things then…nothing else.”

“Huh.” Michael looks at her by the corner of his eye, “And you…wanna tell me about the paintings or–?”

“What about them?”

Michael gave her an unimpressed look, arching his eyebrow, “Oh gee, I don’t know, about how half of them are of weddings and the rest are very baby-like?” she had no response for that, choosing to keep her eyes ahead and not on her brother, “Bea, come on.”

“It’s just…I’m inspired by Éowyn!” he didn’t look like he believed in her, in fact he just arched his eyebrow one more time, “Because…she’s a baby.”

“And the wedding is because of what? Someone’s getting married and I don’t know?’

“Michael.”

“What? You know it’s true!”

Beatrice sighs, stopping what she was doing to flop back down on the couch, her hands resting between her thighs, closing her eyes. What should she say? He was right, he had a point, “I just…I don’t know, Mike…I love him.” her brother placed the empty bowl on her desk, walking closer and sitting next to her, “Is it weird to imagine it?”

“I mean I never got married so I have no clue.” he shrugs, “But I don’t think it’s that weird, he loves you like crazy. And honestly, seeing you two is…like watching a real life rom-com you know?” his sister’s smile widened by a smidge but he could see she was still worried just by looking at her eyes, “And if you love him like that, why not?”

“It’s just, it’s…too soon isn’t it?”

“So? Bea, it’s about risking it. Would you do it for Brad?”

“Yes,” she says without missing a beat, “I would.”

Michael drops his large hand on her head, ruffling the brown strands with a sweet smile on his face, “Then there you have it, talk to him about it, but not by phone. Wait until he comes back, prepare him a little…I don’t know what he likes and then bring it up like ‘hey Brad, can you put a ring on it? I’d be really happy if you did. And if you could make Michael the cool uncle again, thanks.’”

Beatrice laughs yet again, this time a bit louder than before, playfully shoving her brother’s large shoulder with a soft push, but he’s right.

It’s something Shells said too, and…honestly, if she made it obvious for Bradley what she wanted and how much she wanted…she felt he’d be on the same page. She couldn’t see herself without Rooster. Like Shells said, there’s no Bea without Rooster and it was obvious how strong their connection was considering they’ve moved in together after such a ‘short’ time.

She knew time was relative in things like that. She knew that it was rare to have what they have, rare to be so in love so quickly.

And all things considered, she was pretty sure Bradley was her soulmate, maybe it took a little while to find him, but now that she did she didn’t want to let go. And yeah, it was something she had to think about and organize before bringing it up to him, maybe over dinner or lunch like Mikey suggested.

She turned to look at her phone, seeing it suddenly vibrated, and her smile widened when she saw it was Bradley, “Be right back, Mikey.” she completely ignored her brother on the way out, quickly replying to her pilot.

Roos’ (11:45)

Babe? You there?

Bea (11:48)

Yes!!I’m here! Hi! Good night to you :) how are you today?

Roos’ (11:50)

Missing you like crazy, pretty girl. Everything has been so chaotic lately I barely had the time to pick up the phone so I apologize. But I’ve been thinking about you nonstop, angel. How have you been?

Bea (11:53)

Good!I’ve been good, working a lot, DIYing a lot, drawing and painting a lot :3

Roos’ (11:55)

Yeah? :) You better show me when I get back, angel. I can’t wait to see what you came up with.

She giggled, holding the phone close to her face and only looking up when she heard the obvious voice of Michael singing Single Ladies quietly, with the choreography included, walking past her. She smiles, punching his shoulder and making her brother chortle a laugh before he backs away with his hands up in surrender. Beatrice returns her focus back to the phone, typing back a reply.

Bea (12:00)

Of course! I’ll show you everything!

Roos’(12:01)

Everything huh? Is that a promise?

Bea (12:02)

Of course, you know I’d do anything for you. <3

Roos’ (12:05)

Pretty girl…careful, your words hold a lot of weight and being so far away from you isn’t helping my situation right now.

Bea (12:06)

I’m just saying lieutenant, that I can’t wait to show you everything, that’s all. :3

Roos’ (12:07)

Bea…

She could hear his exasperated groan through that short sentence, mentally glad that Michael was outside suntanning and giving her neighbors a view of his chest so she could talk to Bradley like this without worrying about being interrupted.

It also brought back to her attention that she wanted to send him pictures,well she did send him pictures, but she meant…the risqué type, after all she had brand new lingerie she still hadn’t worn - besides the black one, from Christmas - and a new confidence she had to work with.

Bea (12:10)

I know, i’m sorry <3 I’m just teasing you! How are you? Are you okay? Is everyone else okay?

Roos’ (12:12)

Everyone is fine, baby. We are all…tired. It’s been a long mission and it takes a lot from us physically and mentally.

Bea (12:14)

:( I’m sorry Roos, I wish I could help you in some way…

Roos’ (12:16)

It’s fine, gorgeous. Just talking to you helps a whole lot, you know? And missing you gives something else to think about. You’d never guess what I found in my bag.

Bea (12:17)

What?

It takes a few minutes, but Beatrice receives a picture from Bradley. She almost feared it’d be something…naughty, but it wasn’t. Instead it was his hand, holding a black thin elastic, the ones she used to pull up her hair in a bun or a ponytail, between his thumb and forefinger.

Bea (12:19)

Oh I think I forgot in your bag :s when we moved. I’m sorry.

Roos’ (12:20)

It smells like you.

Roos’ (12:22)

Holy shit that sounded creepy.

Bea (12:23)

It’s not creepy!! I swear. But, it’s so small, are you sure it’s enough to smell like me?

Roos’ (12:25)

Yes, I can smell the lavender in it when I bring it close to my nose. It helps when I’m missing you too much.

Bea (12:26)

Aw :) honestly I’ve been smelling your shirts too, when I miss you or just spraying some of your cologne around the room so it smells like you.

Roos’ (12:29)

You are too cute…but I have to go baby, I need to wake up early tomorrow so…I’ll see you when I’m able okay?

Bea (12:30)

Okay Roos,I love you! Stay safe!

Roos’(12:31)

I love you too baby, and I will do my best. Talk to you soon <3

After that last message, Beatrice tried to hold back her smile but she couldn’t even if she tried. Several things were running through her head, but the main ones were: she loved him a lot and was going to marry this man and…she had to figure out what lingerie set to wear, she had a lot of plans for later that night.

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader

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acnelli · 11 months

Text

20 questions for fic writers!

Thank you so much for tagging me @cassiaratheslytherpuff :)

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

25, but two of them are collections of microfics (up to 50 words per story) and little ficlets (up to 300 words) I write every now and then for challenges in a HP fanfic discord server.

2. What’s your total AO3 word count?

60,754

3. What fandoms do you write for?

Only for a Harry Potter so far.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

My Boyfriend (Harry/Ron, 7k+, E)

Another Shot (Ron/Draco, 4K+, E)

First Time Falling (Harry/Ron, 3k+, T)

Small Delights (31 microfics with various ships and ratings)

A Favourite (Hermione/Ron, 2k+, T)

5. Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I do reply to all comments because they brighten my day whenever I get them. I don’t think that writers have to respond though. Writers invest a lot of time and creativity to create something for us for free and our payment is kudos & comments. That’s fair imo ;)

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

Probably My Boyfriend

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

I guess almost all of my fics.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

I got hate on one fic that touches on a difficult topic, but I was smart enough to enable comment moderation for that fic, and I also tried AO3s block feature for the first time :)

9. Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

I do, but I’m still kinda newish to write it. Check out my E-rates fics and you know what kind haha.

10. Do you write crossovers? What’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Didn’t write a crossover yet.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not as far as I know.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

Nope

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

No. And I don’t think I would have much fun. Too much pressure to get ready with my part(s).

14. What’s your all time favourite ship?

First place gets shared by Romione and Ronarry. Though I shipped Romione already while reading the books, so…it’s probably Romione.

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

Just have drafts so far. I have so many ideas for multi chapter fics, but my writing muse is still on strike rn.

16. What are your writing strengths?

To describe feelings, I suppose.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

Unfortunately, I’m not good at outlining fics. That’s why I had never written more than a one-shot haha.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language in fic?

I’m learning italian rn, so maybe one or two sentences might make it into a fic one day.

19. First fandom you wrote for?

Twilight. Left that fandom pretty fast though and the fics were deleted a loooong time ago.

20. Favourite fic you’ve written?

That’s a tough one. My Boyfriend definitely is one of my favs, but I loved writing Orchestra. It’s not really one of my more popular fics, but I think I did a good job with it and I’m still very proud.

Tagging @reallybeth9 @voldemorts-tap-shoes @adenei @lumosatnight to answer the questions too if you like.

P.S Four Gallons of Oblivious by @cassiaratheslytherpuff is a masterpiece and one of my all time favs <3

#tag game #fic writing #romione #ronarry

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grumpygreenwitch · 2 years

Text

The Fairy and the Prince #9 + #10

Part 1 - Part 2 - Parts 3 & 4 - Part 5 - Part 6, 7 & 8 - Part 9 & 10 - Part 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 - Part 17, 18, & 19 - Part 20, 21 & 22 - Part 23, 24, 25 & 26 - Part 27, 28, 29 & 30 - Part 31, 32, 33 & 34 - Part 35, 36 & 37 - Part 38, 39, 40 & 41 - Part 42 & 43 - Part 44 & 45 - Part 46 & 47 - Part 48, 49, 50 & 51 - Part, 52, 53 & 54 - Part 55 & 56 - Part 57, 58, 59 & 60 - Part 61, 62, 63, 64 & 65 - Part 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 & 72

Hm. I considered, very much, posting these chapters separately. But 9 ends in a cliffhanger and that seemed incredibly mean, and so I didn’t. I’m a grumpy goat, not a mean one.

On a rainy day of early spring, Prince Rickard accused Prince Ulster of stealing a favorite book. The book, of course, was found in Ulster's room; he claimed it had been loaned to him, a gift between friends. The argument came down to the only solution available where every wronged party had only words, not witnesses.

Rickard ran Ulster through, and all the Queen's physicians could do was stabilize him long enough to make the trip home and die with his family. Prince Alexander formally abandoned his claim to the throne and rode away on that day. Adam watched the train leave, perched on his windowsill. They wouldn't be the last, he was sure; Rickard had opened a door the older princes would be too eager to troop through.

Meanwhile Adam found himself having to sneak away again. Aware that the youngest prince had, for some reason, caught the Dowager's eye, master Leminy stuffed Adam's schedule full without so much as the prince's by-your-leave. Adam retaliated by beginning his disappearing act once again. No amount of shouting at Beli or Dane would make them chase after the young prince when he took to the rooftops, and when the Master of Scions tried his temper against Arditty, he discovered himself at the receiving end of someone who could, and did, out-shout, out-shriek, out-talk and out-curse him. He beat a hasty retreat, not wishing attention brought to his faults, gritted his teeth, and tried every other trick in the book to figure out where the foul little urchin was going off to.

It couldn't be a girl. The disappearing had started long before Adam's interest in the fair sex had been roused, and he seemed about as interested in the lovely Arditty and her occasional companions as he was in his jousting lessons.

It couldn't be extra classes. Every teacher in the palace accounted for their time down to the last minute, the last tick and turn of a toothed wheel, and Leminy's careful investigations had revealed no other source of education, noble or plebeian.

No, the boy was larking off, and gods only knew where. In all honesty, if he'd known Adam kept going into the woods to wait for Linden, master Leminy would have likely backed off and waited gleefully for him to disappear. He would have taken away the prince's friends, his horse, his hawk, his books, everything, but the Queen Dowager thought it utterly adorable that the youngest of her potential heirs was organizing a tidsy-bitsy court around himself. If they were to suddenly vanish, she would want to know why.

So Leminy raged impotently and Adam waited impatiently. Wary of the woods, where the fog might creep up on him from ambush, he waited at the very edge, on the roof of a water mill in the newly finished Royal Gardens, or climbing up the trees that had been moved into them. It was there that he saw Boul, creeping out of the woods by small measures, squinting at the bring afternoon sunlight, shading his face with an upraised hand and looking at least twice as big as he'd been when Adam had last seen him.

"Boul!" he cried out gladly, forgot he was nearly twenty feet off the ground, and stepped on a too-thin branch that snapped right out from under his boot.

A strong, nut-brown hand caught his, and the wild and merry laugh he knew so well made his heart soar. "You're never getting good at this, are you?"

"Why should I?" He grinned up at Linden, his grip around their wrist as strong as his friend's around his. "You're always there to catch me."

Linden laughed again, pulling him up, and they slid together down the tree and into a hug as soon as they hit the ground. The young troll had indeed grown, and he rumbled in flustered surprise when Adam hugged him as well, long arms coming around the prince and very carefully patting him in welcome. They exchanged leaving-and-returning and staying-and-waiting presents, and Adam watched in fascination as Boul pressed the stone arrow-head to his arm, where it sank seamlessly into the pebbled gray skin, only to reappear a moment later, point up, between the young troll's knuckle. Boul looked incredibly pleased. Linden wove the striped, long feather of a hawk into their hair, and then helped secure around Adam's neck a grass necklace with a shell that had long ago turned to shimmering stone.

They ran wild through the woods and crept along the raw new edges of the Royal Gardens. They spied on the late afternoon classes in the inner and outer yards. Adam tried to teach Boul to fight and gave up when he realized he was only bruising his knuckles against the pebbly gray skin of the troll. He tried his luck against Linden, but his friend with their shattered eyes and the wild mop of their fine white hair was as fast as the swift-traveling clouds. The young prince tried to practice his wrestling on Boul, too, but even their weight combined was still not enough to even budge the young troll, who took to racing wild and gleeful through the woods with both his friends dangling off his neck like the twin ends of a scarf, all of them laughing.

They met the kelpie right in the middle of summer's highest heat, when the air was still and full of motes, the leaves at their darkest green, the light golden. Boul could only come by once a week at that point, and they both missed him terribly. Linden was flopped on one immense, exposed root from the linden tree, half-drowsed and whistling back to the birds in the canopy, who found the conversation both invigorating and maddening, if their enthusiastic replies were anything to go by. Adam, having shed everything but his pants and shirt, was lying with his back on the sweet green grass and his feet propped up on the tree of the trunk, the bark a pleasant scratchy feeling against his heels. He was bouncing a piece of Linden's sunlight, bright and warm, from one hand to another, and he was nearly asleep.

The scream that cut through the woods sent every bird on the wing in perfect, panicked silence, as if a hawk had swooped at them from the empty blue sky. Adam rolled and scrabbled to his feet and nearly got trampled by a deer that had been grazing startlingly close to the children. Linden fell right off the root with a squawk, coming back up on their knees behind it, eyes wide on a face so pale their green freckles were starkly visible.

"What was -" The scream repeated, louder, full of madness and fury and agony, and Adam felt the nearly uncontrollable urge to join the deer in its heedless flight. "Linden."

"Oh, no," his friend whispered.

"Linden, what is that."

"Adam, we should -"

"Linden."

"We should go -"

The scream came again, rising to a shrieking note that rang against Adam's bones and rattled in his teeth, making every inch of him clench in pain. All he could think at the moment was that, if that was how the sound of it made him feel, what sort of torture was the creature screaming feeling? A moment later he was running, barefoot, panting, through the woods.

"Adam!" Linden was just a breath behind him. All around them the trees whispered, and for all that he could never fully hear them, the prince felt their concern, their worry and their fear. He raced on. They passed the great fallen giant that had once been their fortress, their ship, their dragon, until decay had sent it back to join the rich ground from whence it had once sprung. They passed a low, ruined wall of tumbled stones and roses gone to briars. They ran until the ground under their feet went muddy and soft and Adam nearly fell and was forced to check his speed, breathing hard, shoving cattails and wild irises out of his way.

"Adam, we can't be here!" Linden whispered, trying to catch his breath.

A new scream deafened them, and they both dropped to a crouch on the soggy ground, curled up, trying to escape what couldn't be fled, driven by instinct to make themselves small. Adam recovered first, inching forward, but he could feel the sun-warm presence of Linden at his back after a moment, and then the clinging hands of his friend clutching the back of his shirt.

The ground opened up to a pond. There were rotten stumps of wood off to one side that said once it had been a tame place, but that had been a long time ago, long enough that the stumps were soft and rounded, covered in moss and barely peeking out of the water. It was a beautiful place. There were two willows and several cherry trees growing by the water, gnarled with age and the passage of the wind. The shores were screened here and there with cattails and wild irises, with wort and mint, but for the most part there was a vast ribbon of clear, soft and short green grass all around the water, as if inviting anyone who passed by to sit, to rest and enjoy the cool breeze and the pretty sights.

It was a very well crafted trap.

The water, normally clean and with a delicate embroidery of wild water lilies, had been churned to a muddy frot, thrashed to chaos by the heavy links of a chain. One end of it disappeared into the depths of the water, and Adam knew instantly what it was: a storm chain. At some point the pond had been part of a river's sluice system, likely the same river that had been partially diverted to cavort and twist in artificially wild whorls and cascades through the Royal Gardens. The gate and its mechanism had likely gone to ruin eventually; when they'd done so, the chain that controlled both had grown loose.

And the pond's master had, somehow, got caught in it.

The kelpie was running in narrow, maddened arcs at the other end of the chain. It wasn't disguised; this was no beautiful white horse, no magnificent stallion, no sweet mare. Adam could count every bone under the sagging, mold-splotched white hide. Its eyes were a poisonous green and most of its face was bare bone, a few scarce strands of rotting flesh holding together its jaws, jaws full of teeth even a dragon would have envied. Froth and spittle flew from those jaws as it bucked and twisted and writhed, but the chain, the iron chain, had tangled up around a foreleg and, in trying to get free, the fairy horse had somehow ended up with both leg and neck caught in a loop. The broken end of the chain ended in a hook that no longer attached to anything, and that hook kept slamming into the side of the kelpie's neck, which was slowly oozing a black, sickly slime from a dozen wounds.

It would have fled into the water, Adam was certain, if it weren't because the chain was coming from the water, and likely the kelpie thought there was an enemy, a predator, on the other end, instead of whatever hundredweight counterweight stone had been placed there an unknown age ago.

The kelpie paused in its frantic struggles, sniffing the breeze. Adam felt Linden gasp tinily.

The monster lunged at them, its scream fury and hunger. Linden yanked at Adam's shirt.

"Wait," Adam caught Linden's hand. His math was nowhere near Beli's level, but his archery was excellent.

He wasn't wrong. The chain yanked taut and the kelpie crashed down a good four body lengths or more from them, shrieking impotent fury. It fought itself to its feet with tremendous effort, the chain's hook now embedded into a shoulder, faced them, and hissed.

"Adam," Linded whispered urgently, "we should go."

"But it's hurt. It's caught."

"It's caught in iron, Adam, we can't help it, and even if we could, it's a kelpie!"

"And?" Adam turned to face those beautiful many-colored eyes. "That's his nature, not his fault. That's like blaming me for being a prince when I never wanted to be."

"Adam, I can't make you not a prince," Linden declared impatiently, "but I hope I can keep you from getting chewed up to bits!"

Adam looked away. Linden was right, of course. The kelpie didn't care. It wouldn't care if they tried to help it, it wouldn't care if they had good intentions. It was a kelpie. It hunted, it drowned, it ate. As fairies went, it was one of the simplest, for all that it also was one of the most dangerous.

"It's just wrong, to leave anything to die like that," Adam said quietly.

"Yes, it is," Linden agreed after a moment. And then, because they had been friends for so long, they added, "I would help you, but I won't risk you. You're my friend, the kelpie's not."

Adam couldn't help but grin. "I don't think he's anyone's friend, Linden."

"Do you really think we can help it?"

"I don't know. Let me think." Adam chewed restlessly on his lips. In the distance he heard horns from the castle, saw the kelpie's head come up, ears pricked. "Oh, butter and burrs," he muttered, Culli's favorite non-swear.

"What is it, what's happened?"

"They heard him screaming at the palace. They're calling for everyone to go indoors." Adam blew a low breath. "I'm going to be in so much trouble."

Linden made no comment, but from their expression Adam had a sudden, unexpected insight into his friend's life. "Are you going to be in trouble for helping it, Linden?"

"Not for helping it," his friend replied. It would have probably worked on any other twelve-year-old.

"For helping me?"

"No!" Linden blew out a sharp sigh. "For getting this close to it at all." When Adam looked faintly frustrated, they pointed both hands dramatically at the monstrous creature. "It's a kelpie, Adam," they pointed out tartly.

"Ugh!" Adam tugged impatiently at his hair, as if by doing so he could tug out some miraculous fix to the problem at hand. "Can you get us some rope?"

"You can't trap a kelpie with rope."

"It's not for him, it's for me."

***

Adam had meant to use himself as bait but Linden wouldn't have it, and they were, the prince had to admit, the quicker and more agile of the two. He waited and watched, chewing restlessly on his nails and nursing a near-painful pit in his stomach, as Linden slipped out of the cover the wild irises had given them both. The kelpie turned immediately, one side lathered in its black, oozing blood.

Linden bowed, graceful and polite, never taking their eyes off the creature. With an awkward hobble, the kelpie bowed back, and lunged.

Linden ran, fleet as a stray breeze, and the kelpie's teeth closed on nothing. The fairy predator twisted around with preternatural grace, but Linden was better and the false horse nearly went down trying to keep up. They ran for the willow trees and the kelpie surged forward on the straight sprint.

Linden twisted away and slid on the mud, and from his spot among the irises Adam winced as he heard the kelpie's fangs snap shut. Like thistle down, a few white hairs flew away in the breeze and the monstrous horse howled fury, leaping to re-orient itself, stumbling. Linden was halfway to the gnarled cherry trees when the kelpie surged finally after them.

Adam, watching with his heart in his mouth and drowning in preemptive regrets, saw it at last, saw it as clearly as he'd never seen it before: a branch swung low, covered in glossy green leaves, like a gnarled hand. With the kelpie's hungry breath washing over the back of their fragile neck, Linden caught that hand and twisted around the cherry tree, turning right back the way they'd come. The false horse slid, crashed down, scrabbled to its feet and launched after its prey, blind with hunger, all its cunning drowned in rage. Linden whipped around another cherry tree, the ground under their feet impossibly free of gnarled, jutting roots, and the kelpie followed, neck stretched out after the promise of warm flesh and hot blood to sate its hunger -

The chain it was trailing abruptly drew up short; the kelpie went flying ass over teakettle in a crash that would have absolutely killed a normal horse. It righted itself, legs flailing at angles nothing alive should have been able to exhibit without immense pain, and simply rested there, on the ground, looking absolutely perplexed. It looked behind itself, as if to confirm the obvious, and snorted in absolute disbelief: the chain was a knot of twists and loops and turns.

Adam rushed over to where Linden had stopped, hands on their knees, breathing hard. "You did it!"

"Uh-huh," was all Linden could wheeze. "Your turn."

"Right." Adam looked at the kelpie; it had fixed its venomous, alien gaze on the two of them, ears as flat to its bare skull as any real horse's, and likely for the same reason. It took every ounce of courage the prince had never known he had to take the first step forward toward the monster.

The kelpie awkwardly surged to its hooves and growled, a low and burbling sound. Adam faltered, and then stepped forward slowly again. "Wait until I call, Linden," he cried out over his shoulder, never taking his eyes from the fairy.

"I don't want to, but I will!" his friend replied, already climbing up one of the ancient willows.

Adam drew a deep, shaking breath. He had a stick in one hand, a good long one that had many times served as both spear and flagpole, and every now again as an impromptu fishing rod. It was sturdy oak, polished by his years of favoring it. Around his shoulders and waist were the knots of a slender, golden rope, as thin around as his littlest finger. He knew better than to look at it too closely; like Linden's many-colored, shattered eyes, he might see the truth of it if he did, and it'd be useless as a rope then.

He grew as close to the kelpie as he dared, and bowed as he'd seen Linden do, though nowhere near as gracefully. The kelpie's ears came up in surprise and, after a moment, it bowed back.

Adam blew out a long breath, steeled himself, and reached out with the stick, blowing sweat and sticky hair out of his eyes as he worked to keep it steady. Carefully, so carefully, he slid the tip of the stick under the hook where it had shallowly buried itself into the predator's shoulder. The white, mottled and sickly skin gave way as he pushed with a sickening squelching sound, but when Adam pulled the stick away to try again, it came free without issue. The kelpie watched him with feral intensity, and its growl never abated.

He slipped the pole under the hook on the third try, and realized gentleness would not avail him. He yanked, hard and sudden with a grunt, and the iron hook slipped free, black slimy droplets flying through the heated air. He staggered back and the kelpie lunged forward with a shrill cry, only to nearly go down face-first, checked by the chain still wrapped around its foreleg.

"Adam!"

"It's fine, it's fine!" It was so many things far beyond fine that it had come right back around to it, Adam thought as he picked himself up. He paced back and forth a bit, squinting at the sight of the chain and trying to figure out how to untangle it, the water horse's predatory gaze never wavering from him.

The easy part was dragging the chain off the kelpie's neck. It left a ragged, oozing path of rotting gray and murky black as it went, and the horse shook itself from nose to tail as it did, just as the real animal would have. Adam had to get far too close to catch the first loop tangled around the predator's leg, and when he looked up from his work it was to find that the kelpie had stretched its neck as far as it could, a long tongue like a mud eel writhing between its fangs trying to latch onto any part of the young prince it could reach. It was barely three inches away, but they were three inches it couldn't ford.

Adam swallowed the stone in his throat and sent it to join the one sitting heavily in his stomach. "Linden, get ready!"

"Ready!"

He caught the hook and lifted it with the tip of his stick, unwinding the chain by slow measures. He struck the kelpie's chest once and the horse hissed at him like a goose, but it didn't otherwise react. The leg was a blackened, sorry mess.

Moving as quick as he could, Adam swung the hook aside. Almost before he knew if he'd done it right he was scrabbling back and away, yanking the pole up like a shield. "Linden!"

The kelpie leapt forward, free, and its head struck like a viper's, aimed for Adam's throat. Instead its jaws found that faithful length of weathered oak. Its fangs closed like a cleaver striking a carcass, and the pole splintered with a terrible crack.

Adam went down on his butt, but he was already flying back, back and away, sliding over the mud and grass as if he were a leaf and a strong wind had caught him, Linden pulling on the rope as fast as their hands could move. The kelpie, bad leg or not, screamed a challenge and lunged after prey that kept denying him. It tripped, the leg unwilling to fully hold it upright, and it tried to snap instead at one of the prince's bare feet. Adam threw one of the stick halves at it and it reared in shock, its whinny almost a horse's if not for the note of utter disbelief in it. As if it couldn't fathom having a stick thrown at its face as a defense mechanism.

And then Adam was at the willow, and he scrabbled for branches that were simply there, where his hands would find them. He climbed, in panic and desperation, trying to catch a breath terror would not let him have. Strong hands found his and yanked him up even as he kicked himself away from the ground. The kelpie's teeth snapped shut one last time, just below him. Under the willow, the fairy horse dropped from its rear and spun, squealing in fury, cow-kicking at the willow's trunk. It paced and trotted underneath, head cocked so it could stare at the two children, first with one eye, then the other, snarling openly.

Adam and Linden climbed a little higher.

The kelpie chewed on the willow's bark, likely out of spite more than any thought that it could actually take the venerable tree down. It yanked on the trailing boughs, brought several down and grew incensed all over again when they draped over the wounds on its back. It crow-hopped and kicked and circled the tree like a prowling wolf. And finally, after pawing at the ground restlessly with its bad leg and bending down to sniff at it, it hobbled away, proud and slow, tail held up like a banner. By the time it disappeared beyond the cherry trees, it was a magnificent white stallion with bright blue eyes and a leg bathed in crimson blood.

The children fought to catch their breath, harried and ragged, Adam's head nearly at the top of the willow, Linden halfway out of the canopy.

The willow creaked in the breeze.

The cherry trees sighed.

"It's gone," Linden whispered. "Adam..."

Slowly, unexpected, laughter bubbled up from them both. They looked at each other and for some reason that made them laugh even harder, the sight of them, the knowledge of what they had achieved, with a weathered oak pole and a rope made of woven dandelions and the two of them and nothing else.

Linden tumbled off the willow, laughing like the ringing of crystal bells, and landed sprawled on the soft grass beneath the willow. Adam scrambled down and dropped on his stomach, and they could do little but laugh until they couldn't breathe, next to the beautiful pond and in the shade of the whispering willow boughs. In the end, Adam rose to his feet and offered Linden a hand. "Come on!"

They raced through the woods, laughing still, whooping gladly into the golden, still air. Occasionally in the distance they would hear the palace knights shouting, calling out to one another as they tried to find the source of the screaming, bereft of guidance now that it had stopped. None of the searchers found the two friends as they sprinted beneath the trees, none of them saw them pass, or heard their merry sounds, or the whisper of their footsteps. They ran out of the woods and through the primly manicured lawns of the palace, across empty courtyards and over low hedges. Linden took the lead, leaping gracefully as a hart atop a low wall, Adam following, fearless in the wake of his best and first friend. They raced over the ledges and roofs and narrow heights of the palace as wildly as they had run through the woods, unafraid and unfaltering, calling out greetings to the water spouts and the nesting swallows.

Culli-maid was sitting next to the cold heart in Adam's rooms when she heard the rapid tapping on one of the windows. At first she'd thought it was herself; she had a terribly unladylike habit of tapping her foot rapidly when she came under stress. But a quick look down reminded her that she was wearing soft leather slippers and, anyway, they would have made no sound on the thick pile of the rug before the empty hearth.

She thought it might be the boys, but the last time she'd checked on them Beli had had his nose buried in one of Adam's homework journals, checking against it his own work, and Dane had been asleep, snoring faintly, on a couch. Neither had reason to draw attention to themselves, least of all at that moment.

Eventually, she realized where the sound came from, and gasped hugely. The mending she'd hardly been tending to tumbled from her lap to the ground and she rushed to the window; there, on the other side, Adam pointed at the locks.

"Oh, tree-father and night-mother!" the maid whispered, flapping a hand at the prince. "Alright, well, step away so I don't shove you off whatever it is you're standing on!" she hissed at him before throwing the window open. "Your Highness, where've you been!"

Adam grinned at her and leaned back some, and Culli's breath caught very sharply. The prince was clinging by his fingertips to the graven stone windowsill, filthy and unafraid, the bright blue of his royal-blood eyes alive in a way she had never seen. There were green smears on his shirt, flecks of mud and dirt everywhere on him, and his hair would have made rats a proud nest. He was standing, as far as she could tell, on the slippery clay of a rain sluice pipe, unconcerned at the fact that only his toes had room to perch on it, or that he was four stories above a rose garden.

"Having fun," Adam replied, releasing one hand to rub it against his shirt. As his weight shifted, Culli lost her ability to breathe altogether.

Linden, inhuman and beautiful, graceful and wild, blinked at the maid with their shattered, many-colored eyes, and the maid blinked back.

"Culli, this is Linden. Linden, this is Culli-maid; she's good."

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Culli wheezed out, manners kicking in where everything else she'd ever learned in life was failing her. She even offered a little curtsy, though it came out stiff and trembling. The motion forced her to let go of the window, and Adam scrabbled in like a squirrel.

"Pleasure to make yours, Culli-maid," Linden replied, their voice lilting and their eyes the most astonishing shade of green Culli had ever seen in a face as sharp and brown as finely carved and polished wood. She would never remember what she'd glimpsed before, buried in that green.

"Are you..." Culli swallowed to try and get her voice to work anywhere near properly. "Are you coming in?"

"Me? No! What good would it do me, what good would I do?" Linden laughed. "Adam?"

"Have they been by to check on me, Culli?"

"No, highness. But they'll be here soon, I heard them pass on the way to the other wing."

"I'll be fine, then, Linden. Will you?"

"I don't know," Linden admitted, shifting restlessly on the sluice until they noticed the Culli-maid was beginning to be more terrified of them falling than of their presence. "I'll send Boul if I get in trouble!" And with that warning Adam had to be satisfied as Linden bolted down the clay pipe, swift and light and out of sight a moment later, a leap up taking them to the roofs and beyond anyone's reach.

#the fairy and the prince #linden and adam #linden the fairy #adam the prince #original writing #fantasy #fantasy writing #boul #boul the troll #boulders-for-brains

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dark-night-star-light · 1 year

Text

Spirit Animals: The Return (Reread pt. 11)

DISCLAIMER: WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR BOOKS ONE THROUGH SEVEN IN FIRST SERIES AND BOOKS ONE THROUGH THREE.

Masterpost

Chapter 1

“The few warriors that still pledged allegiance to the Reptile King wanted nothing to do with Zerif . . . ” (1). Did Zerif know about the Redcloaks?

“He was glad that he hadn’t bothered to name it” (2). What did he call his jackal then? Just jackal? Even Shane named Grahv . . .

“They no longer belonged to him” (4). This is so eerie.

Did the Wyrm choose Zerif specifically to be its first victim because it knew he was easy to manipulate? Or was it an accident?

Chapter 2

“ . . . Meilin and Conor hollowed out a large purple gourd” (5). Didn’t it mention that the Sulfur Sea was so dark it was impossible to see anything at all???

“‘Sorry, but no meat, I’m afraid’” (8). How is Briggan surviving without any meat and without the passive state?

“‘He talks too much.’ ‘Or perhaps you don’t talk enough’” (15). Conor-Meilin foils!

Takoda and Kovo’s bond should’ve been explored further, considering Kovo was responsible for Takoda’s parents’ deaths and then helped him get over it.

“‘You’re . . . sorry?’ . . . ‘I didn’t think you even liked Xanthe’” (17). Maybe he’s not apologizing for Xanthe, but for the deaths of Takoda’s parents?

Chapter 3

“‘Don’t be jealous just because Uraza and I are closer than you and Essix’” (19). Foreshadowing?

“‘Just slang from back home,’ Tasha said” (23). Kind of wondering how that works. Because slang goes hand-in-hand with language, right? Which means that Tasha’s slang works better in her language, but they’re clearly speaking Common now, so does that mean Tasha learned Common?

“‘If you’re really Dante, you would be wearing your cloak’” (24). But he’s a former Greencloak???

“‘But whether I have Aputin by my side or not, I will always be a Greencloak’” (26). Didn’t he retire??? Also, don’t the Greencloaks only accept Marked people?

“‘I call it Dante’s Stir-Fried Cabbage Surprise’” (31). That’s a horrible name. It doesn’t rhyme, or alliterate, or anything.

Chapter 4

“This was a thief’s paradise” (36). LOL.

“Dante yelped as the snake’s fangs pierced his sleeve” (42). There’s already been a lot of mentions of similarities between Dante and Tarik, but this kind of parallels the way Tarik was bitten by a snake in Hunted.

Yeah, this is just like Tarik in Hunted. Dante’s going to have to be left behind because of the wound.

Chapter 5

“Meilin wished she could turn back time and change how she had treated Xanthe” (50). This kind of reminds me of that thing Finn said in Hunted about leaving in anger and returning in regret.

“ . . . cutting into her with his clear blue eyes” (53). This is the second time we’ve gotten canon Conor eye color . . . and it’s different from the first . . .

“‘I felt evil’” (56). I think “evil” is just . . . such a stereotypical term? Almost? Like, why didn’t they just say “I felt something old” or “I felt something inhuman” instead?

Meilin fell asleep without even realizing it???

Cannot believe that Kovo ripped the orb off of an anglerfish’s antennae.

Chapter 6

“‘Greencloak, Conqueror, merchant - I don’t care what colors or emblems you wear, as long as you carry gold’” (64). Oh I remember her, mostly because she’s a dirty capitalist.

“‘He never picks the street kids, instead getting children from “respectable” families . . . ’” (65). Why would a respectable family give up their children to become servants???

I hoped we would get more insight into Tasha’s bond with Ninani and her life before this in her chapter, but we . . . didn’t???

Chapter 7

“ . . . she was probably wealthier than Abeke and Rollan” (70). Well, they’re part of the Greencloaks, so they get funding, right?

“ . . . quietly slipping her a coin. He grinned as he returned to Abeke and Tasha” (73). Wouldn’t someone find out there’s been a change?

“‘He’s already maimed two servants . . . ’” (74). Why are well-off parents okay with letting their kids serve here???

“Kirat stood as well. ‘Cabaro! Be still!’” (78). Kind of want to see this from Cabaro’s perspective.

Chapter 8

I’m surprised they didn’t make Tasha some kind of heir to the throne or something.

“‘Back home, you couldn’t really trust anyone, not even other orphans . . . ’” (84). But Rollan stole medicine for another orphan at the beginning of the story . . .

Chapter 9

“‘But Lord Faisel isn’t afraid to cut those out of kids as well’” (87). What about full-grown servants? This guy’s a complete asshole.

“He reminded her of the Reptile King’s crocodile. She had seen it once, from afar, during the war” (93). She called him the Reptile King . . . were Stetriolans brainwashed into calling him that? Also, interesting, considering Tasha meets Shane at the end of this book.

“It was as if he was searching her face for something” (91). Rollan realizes she’s Tarik’s sister in such little time??? Wow.

Wow, Faisel is more than just some rich asshole, he’s an actual piece of shit.

Chapter 10

“The current seemed to be slowly pulling them in the direction of the Wyrm” (95). Could it be controlling the currents somehow? Or maybe the currents are attracted to the Evertree?

“‘And now, we wait’” (99). Ironic that Meilin said this, given her feelings toward waiting.

Chapter 11

Conor’s eyes are once again described as blue. I’m going to take that as canon for now.

“The monks, while direct, often found a way to soften their displeasure with their tone and choice of words” (102). So they were sugarcoaters. And sugarcoating is a way of being indirect. This sentence is a big contradiction.

How are they speaking the same language? Is Common . . . well, common underground, too?

“These pirates were nothing like the stories he had heard at the monastery” (109). Takoda learning that some stereotypes aren’t true is so funny.

I’m surprised that Kovo defended Conor . . . or maybe it’s because he was just released. Can spirit animals in passive state still be aware of the outside world?

I don’t remember them locking themselves in the room???

Chapter 12

“It had been easy to pilfer the food from one of the discarded plates that Kirat had barely touched” (116). Was she not punished for taking food?

“‘I don’t want a spoiled rich kid’s hand-me-downs’” (118). Why not? If it’s better food than what the servants are given . . .

“‘Do you think she has a spirit animal?’ Abeke asked. After Tasha and Rollan shook their heads . . . ” (118). Why not? It’s not like LaReimaja would tell them within the first meeting.

I only remember Abeke speaking to Kirat because it felt like she was trying to rush it? Like understandable, given the circumstances, but still . . . did she think it was going to work???

“Clearly there was no love lost between these two” (125). *mentally chanting* FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

“‘As pigheaded as you are . . . ’” (127). I think that Abeke should insult Kirat more. Also, would people with a pig for a spirit animal find this offensive?

Honestly, Abeke probably should’ve kept to the rooftops until she reached her room, instead of coming back inside the fortress.

Chapter 13

“‘Stale bread, stale bread. Eat it hard or go unfed . . . ’ . . . it was catchy. And familiar” (129). Do all of the convince-yourself-to-eat-bad-food songs have the same tune or something? That’s what I always assumed.

How does the Wyrm sense Great Beasts? Is it because it’s linked to the Evertree like them? In that case, shouldn’t they also be able to sense it?

“‘Time to put all our cards on the table’” (132). I physically cringed at this line. It sounds like a cheesy line from a kid’s cartoon.

“‘They’re the ones with the Niloan girl!’” (133). How did the guards figure that out so quickly???

“‘If you’re lucky, Lord Faisel will kill you quickly . . . ’” (135). He’s allowed to kill kids with no consequences???

It’s so dumb that Faisel can abuse his servants, even if they did do something wrong.

Chapter 14

Third time Conor’s eyes are referred to as blue. That’s really interesting, given the authors didn’t appear to really care about eye color at all until now. I don’t even think Rollan has a canon eye color.

“Had his years of carrying a crook as a shepherd hardened his fingertips, or was it the ax that he had carried into all of their battles together?” (139). It was the crook from his shepherding years, actually. Canonically, Rollan notices them during Hunted.

Kovo called Conor brave??? Character development???

It’s so funny how they shackled Conor, Takoda, and Meilin and then almost immediately unshackled them.

Not a fan of how the eels were brought up just a few paragraphs before they actually appeared in the story.

“‘Better to die a hero than live a coward’” (147). I feel like I vaguely remember Devin saying the exact opposite.

The transition from Atalanta to Teutar as captain is done so quickly you hardly have time to process.

“And there - high above the city and nestled in the Evertree’s roots - was a black, oozing polyp” (151). Why is the Wyrm above a ruined city??? Why was there even a city underneath the Evertree?

Chapter 15

“‘There’s no way we could climb that high,’ . . . ‘But perhaps, once Rollan wakes up, he and I can boost you up there’” (154). If it’s low enough for two people to boost a third, then it’s low enough for Abeke to use Uraza’s powers and jump, right? And also, why would the guards stupidly put three people in the same cell like that when one could escape?

“Abeke looked up and smiled as a familiar face appeared. Essix” (156). Aww, Essix knew Rollan was in trouble even with the bond-breaking!

The set up to Reima being Tarik’s sister is done so well. Best part of this entire arc, in my opinion.

“Of course. Tarik’s cloak” (160). Kind of wondering if Tarik’s cloak has any blood or something on it . . .

“‘The only person I love more than my brothers is my son . . . ’” (164). LOL, she doesn’t like Faisel, and I honestly can’t blame her.

“‘How many of the fortress guards have spirit animals?’ . . . ‘ . . . not enough to stop an army of Greencloaks’” (165). Not enough to stop an army of Greencloaks with spirit animals but enough to stop an army of Conquerors with spirit animals? Plot hole?

“It’s exactly what Tarik would have suggested” (169). Did the voice just switch to present tense???

“‘Why should I put my animal in danger? We wouldn’t be in this mess if she had shot him like I demanded’” (172). I think somebody deserves to punch this guy in the face.

“Kirat may have been even better than Meilin with a sword . . . ” (174). I doubt it. He doesn’t have much experience in real combat.

“Cabaro growled and pawed the ground before eventually following Kirat” (177). Do spirit animals instinctively follow their companion or something?

“If not for the lion, Uraza would have ripped her apart” (180). Cabaro redemption arc? Or just him hating Uraza?

Chapter 16

“‘None of this would have happened if you hadn’t shown up!’” (183). Kirat just. Annoys me so much. Like I know he’s supposed to be like that, but this borders on illogical.

“The pendant had been handed down from generation to generation in her family . . . ” (184). For some reason, I remember them saying it used to be Tarik’s???

“ . . . he was only looking at Abeke” (185). Kind of wondering what Shane’s thinking in this moment.

“‘We are forever in your debt’” (185). In your debt for about half a page, maybe.

The first time I read this, I thought it was so rushed how Shane’s identity was revealed, but now I kind of think it was done on purpose???

Shane: Trust me! But for real this time, I swear!

Final thoughts and rating:

I found Dante to be an interesting character, because while he’s an adult, and the heroes often considered adult Greencloaks to be wise and calm, he was always ready to go into battle and thoroughly enjoyed winning. I thought that he was a good foil to Tarik and I wish he’d been around for the length of the entire Wyrm arc. I absolutely loved the way LaReimaja was connected to the story Tarik told before he died. It answers a lot of questions, and I appreciate the authors putting in the effort to finish up that plotline. The writing and execution of that entire plotline and all the clues that were right in front of us were impeccable. In my opinion, it couldn't have been done better.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the way Tasha was executed in this book. She had a chapter from her perspective, but instead of talking about her parents, or her life during or before the war, or her bond with Ninani, they instead focus on more plot-related things (which is good, obviously, but that was their one opportunity and they didn’t take it). I didn’t enjoy how the eels weren’t foreshadowed, or talked about until right before they physically appeared. That felt very lazy to me, and I wish it would’ve been talked about earlier. The underground plotline really started to grate on me in this book. While the character relationships are done well and I felt I enjoyed them, the plot itself of the underground plotline was really lackluster in this book. I think instead, the authors should’ve sent Conor and Meilin on a different mission aboveground, so they could’ve faced dangers all the same with an actual goal and hurdles instead of endless waiting and walking.

Rating: 9/10

#draeyem rereads spirit animals #the return #spirit animals series #spirit animals books #spirit animals #spirit animals thoughts

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pentanguine · 2 years

Text

Favorite Books of 2022

It may not be January anymore, but at least it’s not May! As always, I’m dreadfully long-winded.

12. Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

There is a reason this book has a thousand award medals on the cover. The period detail is so immersive, every sentence so real and personal, that I kept forgetting Lo wasn’t alive in the 50s and Lily wasn’t telling the story herself. It perfectly captures the giddy feeling of being a confused teenager in love, and I appreciated that Lily’s Chinese-American community didn’t feel like it was written for my understanding as a white reader. For the most part, it didn’t read like YA [YA is great, but not my thing], and the prose flew across the page in short, beautiful chapters. So glad I bought it on a whim.

11. The Tangleroot Palace by Marjorie Liu

A strange and lovely collection of stories told in beautiful prose, with Liu’s trademark ability to write complex, ruthless women. There were only seven and almost all were standouts, with the anthology moving from her darkest and most vicious story to the most charming and whimsical. Liu is a stunning storyteller.

10. A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske

A few years ago I had a failed attempt to read Witchmark, another queer Edwardian fantasy full of magical political intrigue, and this was everything I hoped Witchmark would be and wasn’t. The magic unfurled perfectly, the setting was well-realized, and the romance between Edwin and Robin blossomed so naturally, with each clearly seeing the appeal of the other and bringing realistic hangups to the table. Excellent balance of romance and intrigue, and Marske’s prose is full of original flourishes without being overwrought. Overall, highly enjoyable.

9. Red X by David Demchuk

Deliciously creepy and well-written, steeped in folklore and recent queer history. The horror feels all the more visceral because of how closely it follows the same characters’ lives, like there’s no escape—you’re being hunted, trapped, you’re fated for this end. Breaking the fourth wall adds an extra chilling touch. Strangely, without giving too much away, this book made me feel queer hope.

8. The Library of the Dead by T. L. Huchu

A great take on urban fantasy, with a well-drawn main character and magics both new and familiar. I especially enjoyed being inside a teen’s head in what is very much an adult fantasy, and reading Ropa’s distinct slang-filled narration. This installment felt like it was still setting things up in a lot of ways (What exactly happened to the world? Who is the king? What about Ropa’s mother? Are we going to be learning more about the Library?) but that’s all the more effective in getting me to look forward to the sequel.

7. Dead Collections by Isaac Fellman

A delightful mix of archives, transmasculinity, fandom, and vampires. Even though the story is centered on fantasy/horror concepts, it’s a told in a slice of life kind of way: Sol isn’t the one who discovers [the central problem], his concerns don’t leave the niche community of archivist vampires, etc. The romance and the sex were sweet and hot, and every trans conversation felt satisfyingly not for cis people. This book might be slightly impenetrable if you aren’t part of its niche audience, but I loved it.

6. Spear by Nicola Griffith

A story about losing home and finding it again, with all the heightened moments of myth woven seamlessly with real history. Peretur is a young person testing her strength, finding love, and experiencing loss, and my heart broke for her as she realizes what she is too late to save, and that even good, wise men are only men and can be led astray. The writing is gorgeous, precise, and lyrical, and the early chapters reminded me of my own childhood, when every story feels like an adventure you want to be part of. Highly recommend for people who enjoy myth retellings and atmospheric novellas, even if Arthurian legend isn’t generally your thing.

5. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters (reread)

I first read this book almost exactly five years ago, and I remember how blown away I was by the backwards structure of the novel at the time. I’d never read anything else like it, and I knew it made me Very Sad. Now, I have a renewed appreciation for the what arc does to the story: everyone ends on a note of hope in 1947, but we follow them backward into a moment of crisis that turns the story into a tragedy. They are fated, one way or another, to “end” with the beginning of their stories and follow the resulting path into inevitable pain and disappointment. What the characters love about each other and what makes them strong is also what destroys them and their relationships and brings everything crashing down. The construction of this book is just so masterfully done.

4. The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin

I devoured the last ¾ of this book, which was such a satisfying surprise after I slogged through the first 80 pages. This story has multiple narrators, and I didn’t care for the first one, but I loved everyone else’s voice and their stubborn, strong, flawed personalities. One of the many things I love about Jemisin is that she writes women, older women, and mothers so damn well, in a genre that rarely bothers to tell stories outside of a young, white lens. She also made me visualize abstract multidimensional entities with ease, and she even made me feel some vicarious affection for an ugly city I loathe. She’s a wizard. I loved it.

3. The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean

A savage, near-perfect book taking on the concepts of motherhood, monstrosity, and story-telling with a highly original concept in a lovely literary prose style. It tells the story of a woman made monstrous by motherhood, and the questions it asks about goodness, complicity, the nature of love, the value of a life, and the wielding of power are complex and juicy. I think it’s the perfect book for the legions complaining that “strong female characters” are all just #girlbosses and that lesbians never get to be fucked up and messy.

2. Fitz and the Fool by Robin Hobb

Yes, this is another trilogy, but specifically Fool’s Assassin and the last 50% of Assassin’s Fate. The first book in this trilogy is so slow and domestic (but still heartbreaking! don’t worry!), but still totally immersive. I’ve realized I’m really drawn to the point in a long-running series when an author writes a slower-paced book focused on the everyday lives and relationships of characters we’ve come to know and love, and Fool’s Assassin is a perfect example. On the other hand, I also enjoy epic quests and constant peril, and the way those characters we know and love can be irretrievably broken by forces outside their control! And the ending! The ending! I sobbed for half an hour straight reading it! What an ending. That is how you write an ending.

1. Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb

Is it cheating to list three books as your favorite book of the year? Not if it’s the Liveship Traders trilogy, because in my mind this is one long, unbroken story that happens to be split into three print volumes. I inhaled all three books one after another as fast as I could, and for the most part, I truly could not tell you what happens in one vs. another. The characters, the setting, the plot, the themes—everything is developed so richly, with such care, and everything feels real. Hobb is a master at balancing almost a dozen different perspectives while making every character’s motivations complex and believable. Even the villains are understandable, if not excusable, and not leering caricatures. Everything about the world feels magical and wondrous, and I truly couldn’t put it down. I read 800 page Ship of Destiny in 5 days. These books have set the bar so high I can barely see it anymore. If you like character-driven epic fantasy, multiple POV stories, dragons, or pirates, I can’t recommend these highly enough.

#personal #an inexhaustable source of magic

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mccnstruck · 2 years

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I posted 714 times in 2022

That's 714 more posts than 2021!

175 posts created (25%)

539 posts reblogged (75%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@kazu-sun

@nothingbutloveforyou

@mccnstruck

@ataraxyystories

@whitexisneutral

I tagged 609 of my posts in 2022

Only 15% of my posts had no tags

#[ zee reblogs ] - 227 posts

#🫂 — reblogs - 128 posts

#🫰🏼 faves - 61 posts

#[ share with a friend! ] - 56 posts

#[ the birth of an idea ] - 50 posts

#[ zee is being an idiot ] - 48 posts

#ohmygod - 33 posts

#🫰🏼 faves - 25 posts

#🗣 — screaming - 24 posts

#kazuha x reader - 18 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#also welcome back to another episode of ‘zee crying over their gender because everyone is calling them the one thing they want to cry over’

My Top Posts in 2022:

no book can put my love for you into words

characters - kazuha x gn!reader

warnings - none!

a/n - you could tell what game i’m playing a lot based off of the name in the made up story ,,,,, i really want kazuha to be real i want annotated books which shows how badly someone is in love with me :((( anyways, enjoy!

See the full post

86 notes - Posted July 23, 2022

the nine-year-old.

characters - diluc x gn!reader

warnings - mentions of death, suicidal thoughts

a/n - so this piece is REALLY specific and accurate to my personal experience. honestly, this is a way to just let me get closure after a lot of years, so very sorry i didn’t proofread 😭😭 other than that, i hope you enjoy!

See the full post

116 notes - Posted July 25, 2022

you make me feel alive

characters - kaeya x gn!reader

warnings - mentions of cursing

a/n - ok so that milk carton section,,,, was kind of inspired,,,, because i dropped a milk carton and it literally fucking exploded it was so funny BUT ALWAYS OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES unlike me

See the full post

124 notes - Posted July 27, 2022

never alone.

characters: kazuha x gn!reader, lumine, xinyan, fischl, mona, paimon

tags: hurt/comfort, doesn’t focus on reader’s and kazuha’s relationship, reader specializes in engineering in mondstadt (designing and making inventions), strict parents, guilt tripping i think?? use of petnames, like one sentence of not wanting to live, harsh ass words

a/n: i had five hours of free time. i could’ve finished reading 6 chapters of my english hw. what did i do? write a fanfiction for all five hours (i need prioritization skills) but im kinda happy with this omg but like there may be inaccurate info about sumeru and like mirages but like anyways pleasw reblog and i hope you enjoy!

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193 notes - Posted September 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

characters - kazuha x gn!reader

warnings - none

a/n - this is my first time writing after two years, so please ignore if this is rusty! i didn’t proofread this because i was actually happy that i got something DONE so like yea, but otherwise enjoy!

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294 notes - Posted June 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #[ the birth of an idea ]#[ share with a friend! ]#sigh.

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snowdice · 2 days

Text

Big Bang Editing Story [Day 123]

There won't be much of this today honestly lol. I have no motivation.