#OR IS IT NOT BANDAGES AND ITS UH THAT SPORT WEAR STUFF THAT THEY HAD IN BOOM

[strwbryblade]

THESE SONGS ARE SO THEM CODED

surge. thats it

[hadtochangemyurlquick]

here’s 7.1k of Toni pining and Shelby and Toni being childhood friends and also far more character analysis of Rachel than I was expecting? also Marcus is real and I made him a gorgeous himbo. it’s based off that poem by @theycallmedizzy and you can find it here. lmk if you want a second chapter from shelby’s perspective, tho i literally just finished this one. like literally ten minute ago.

Mr. Williams finishes reading the poem and looks over his spectacles at the class. Yes, they’re spectacles, those kind of tiny thick ones that make his eyes too big because he’s much too old to be teaching.

It’s eight am on a Tuesday, Toni walked the three miles to school because she missed the bus only to walk into her shitty honors English class and hear the teacher reading a poem aloud to the class. Her poem. She’d sat down after a momentary pause and listened to him read the final damning stanza.

And then he looks at Toni.

He reads her essays right? What if he recognizes her writing voice? Is that a thing? Or maybe her handwriting or—

“Toni, I was just explaining to the class that whoever wrote this should submit it to the state literature festival,” Mr. Williams says, Toni almost sags against her chair. “I was hoping someone would come forward,” He turns back to the class, eyes hovering over Quinn and Monty, two of the more sensitive guys who sit in the back and ruin the curve for everyone. “But I’ll leave it on the board here,” he clacks it on with a magnet and Toni flinches, “and hopefully someone will come forward. Now onto today’s lesson.”

After class Martha goes up to the board and takes a picture of it, her eyes a little starry at the words and Toni grits her teeth.

“You have to admit it’s pretty,” Martha says. “Even you can’t deny that.”

“It’s dumb,” Toni says flatly, crossing her arms.

“Well I’m keeping it anyway, maybe someday someone will write a poem about me,” Martha says.

“How do you know it’s not about you?” Shelby asks coming out of nowhere and uninvited too. Toni glares at her, letting her open disdain shine through like sunshine through clouds after a gully washer.

“No guys notice me,” Martha informs Shelby sadly. “I bet Andrew wrote it for you.”

Shelby purses her lips and looks over the poem, “I doubt it. He’s more of a doer, I think. Besides, I’m sure that guys notice you, you went on a date with that boy Sam last month.”

Martha sighs and before she can launch into what a disaster that date was, Toni tightens her hands around her backpack.

“I’ll see you in science,” She tells Martha and manages to escape Shelby’s eyes burning at the back of her neck.

———

reasons not to kiss her

1.) this sort of love is not allowed. you are both too soft, and the world around you is all knives and chipped teeth

Toni had played about every sport she was allowed to growing up. Basketball was her favorite, but she loved beat it ball, the game she made up with the other kids in the neighborhood. It was basketball but without rules, devolving into fist fights within the first half. Nothing tasted better than her own bloody lip on a hot summer day. Not even the cool glass of lemonade Mrs. Blackburn always had ready when she ran all skinned knees to Martha’s telling her about how she beat guys two years older than her.

She got angry when she had to stop playing, moving to a different neighborhood. Apparently, Mrs. Blackburn had figured out that she wasn’t only getting her split lip from the older kids in the neighborhood.

The new foster parents were a little stricter, a little richer, and signed her up for youth soccer when she complained about how there was nothing to do without beat it ball.

Martha Blackburn would always be her person, but Toni didn’t expect to find her people so young. Dottie killed as goalie, and Becca’s sweetness made her defense all the better. But it was Shelby and Toni who were the dynamic duo. Toni had a never ending amount of energy as a midfielder and Shelby’s precision made her the perfect striker. It worked the same way every game, Becca would kick it to Toni, who got it to Shelby, who scored a goal. It got to the point that Becca didn’t even need to do much and the coach had to pull Toni aside to tell her to pass to the other girls too.

At the end of the season they sat together at the team party, wearing orange slice smiles. With sticky fingers they held hands and Toni kinda wondered how someone’s eyes could be so green.

Toni doesn’t remember why Shelby’s parents were so angry about them holding hands, but she knows Mr. Goodkind talked to her foster parents and Toni was off to a different home, in a different district, and she lost even Martha for a few months.

———

At lunch everyone’s talking about that fucking poem. Martha sent it around to the whole school and Leah is discussing its merits with Rachel and Nora. Even they don’t seem bored with the topic, though Nora is sure Quinn didn’t write it.

“It could be Monty,” Leah says. “I wouldn’t have thought he had an eye for this stuff.”

“I don’t think it’s Monty,” Rachel says. She looks at Nora, “C’mon, you know what I’m talking about, right?”

“What?” Nora asks.

“I mean it smells like Anna Akhmatova had a baby with Adrienne Rich,” Rachel says.

“Who had a baby with who?” Martha asks.

“Please,” Fatin says. “You’re not exactly the world’s leading expert on free form poetry.”

“Uh, I know when something’s written by a girl,” Rachel says. “I bet you fifty bucks some closet case wrote this.”

Everyone looks at Toni. “You caught me,” Toni deadpans.

“Rachel’s right,” Nora says. “A girl definitely wrote this. Toni, do you know anyone?”

Toni glares at her. “I’ll shake the lesbian phone tree and see what comes out.”

“Well, could it be Regan?” Martha asks. “Maybe she wants to—”

“It’s not fucking Regan,” Toni grabs her books and stalks out, kicking a chair randomly strewn around away as she did.

She hears Shelby sit down just as she leaves, “What’s got her madder than a baptized cat?” Shelby asks and Toni rolls her eyes.

———

2.) no one ever taught you how to love. your war paint and scarred hands could never hold her like she deserves

The worst of it was that Shelby was gentle. Her hands were warm and soft around Toni’s callouses, and there was a crinkle between her eyebrows as she focused on Toni’s hands. No, the worst of it was that Shelby didn’t let go of Toni’s hands when she finished, kept holding onto them as she met Toni’s eyes.

“Well?”

Toni swallowed hard, “I’m not gonna apologize.”

Shelby sighed, her thumb traced little circles around Toni’s hands. “I know today ain’t easy for you.” Toni scoffed and looked away. “But you know you were pickin' a fight. Andrew promised to leave you alone.”

Toni ripped her hands away and jumped from the bench of the locker room. “What the fuck do you know? You weren’t fucking there.”

Shelby’s calm only made Toni’s anger redder, “You ain’t denying it.”

“Why the fuck are you dating him? He’s a self-satisfied little asshole who just wants a little trophy girlfriend to—”

“Toni,” Shelby cut her off sharply and got to her feet, meeting Toni’s eyes.

“You’re not denying that either,” Toni spat.

She could’ve screamed at the hypocrisy. She wanted to scream. She wanted to pound her fists against the walls and bleed all over the bandages Shelby wrapped around her knuckles. She wanted to hurt, to make Shelby hurt. She wanted everyone to see and feel how hurt she was, and hurt them with that hurt. Finally level the playing field.

“Andrew is my business,” Shelby said. “Not yours.”

“He becomes my business when you—”

“When I what?” Shelby asked.

Toni looked at her hands, “Never mind.”

Shelby sighed, “Martha’s helping you move in today, right? Shel’ll be there the whole time?”

“Don’t pretend you give a shit.”

“Of course I care. The last time you lived with your mom you didn’t eat for a week.”

“I was five, not fifteen,” Toni said. “And seriously, stop pretending you give a shit.”

She shoulder checked Shelby as she walked out and winced at the sound of Shelby hitting the gym lockers. Her hands still sting where Andrew’s teeth had scrapped them.

———

Regan approaches Toni during science, her eyes serious. Martha straightens, and Toni does her best not to make eye contact.

“It’s not mine,” Regan says.

“Yeah duh,” Toni mutters.

Regan frowns, “I just—I didn’t want you to—”

“You made it perfectly clear what you want,” Toni says.

Regan sighs and leaves and Toni regrets it.

“Shelby thinks it’s Marcus,” Martha tells her. Toni blinks up at her and Martha nods. “She thinks he wrote it for me.”

“Martha, that kid is dumber than a box of rocks,” Toni says.

Martha furrows her brow, “Maybe he has hidden depths.”

“If you think it’s him ask him out,” Toni says.

“Shelby thinks it’s him,” Martha is quick to correct. “But he doesn’t even know who I am.”

Toni rolls her eyes. Marcus had been in love with Martha since the ninth grade. They had gotten placed as lab partners and he literally didn’t take his eyes off her the entire time. Every time there was a dance he would always look like he was about to say something, shoot his shot, when Martha would loudly proclaim she couldn’t wait to go with her friends.

Toni would’ve pulled the guy aside and told him to grow a pair, but a guy who’s not brave enough to go after what he wants wasn’t good enough for her Marty, not by a long shot.

“Rachel still thinks a girl wrote it,” Martha says.

“Maybe Rachel wrote it,” Toni mutters.

Martha’s eyes light up.

———

3.) no one has ever loved you this full surely you would drown in it all

Being a lifeguard was the worst. It was super boring, the pay was shit, and also Toni would probably get someone killed. Like, they pretended she was CPR certified but she absolutely had no idea how to do it. She went to some hour long course, slept through it, took a test that was just: should you kill people? And then they wrote some bullshit on some papers about a three week long set of classes.

But Shelby was tanned and golden looking and on their shifts they’d text back and forth about which kids they were betting on to win sharks and minnows. Tweenage boys in all their adolescent infancy would gaze open mouthed at Shelby and Toni alike but Shelby was the only one who let them down gently. Toni would ruin them for girls forever with something enough to cut through even the thickest skin.

On the fourth of July the pool paid for fireworks and Toni found a blanket and Shelby found her and they sat watching the reflections of the lights together. Shelby rested her head on Toni’s shoulder, all gentle, like she was afraid Toni would spook.

“I know this ain’t much of a holiday for you,” Shelby said. “But thank you for spending it with me.”

She had her hand on the blanket, splayed out like she was waiting for Toni to take it, there in front of everyone. Toni imagined a world in which she did.

———

“Yeah it’s not me,” Rachel says. “I wish I could write that good.”

Which is such bullshit because Toni knows Rachel could say well if she wanted to. Rachel’s weird inferiority complex about Nora pisses off Toni to no end. Nora’s the smart one, Rachel will be the first to say, and Rachel’s the athletic one. But Nora has a six minute mile and Rachel has perfect pitch so Toni hates them both.

“Maybe it’s Dot,” Toni suggests and Rachel, Nora, and Martha snicker.

Out of all of them, Martha’s the best driver, but they always end up in Rachel’s car after school anyway.

“Most of the school seems to think it’s by Andrew,” Nora says. Toni’s fists clench.

“Yeah,” Rachel rolls her eyes, “I’m sure he would love to take the credit. C’mon Toni, you don’t know any lesbians who could’ve written this?”

“You’re a lesbian too,” Toni says. “You don’t know any?”

“I don’t have a life outside of the pool,” Rachel says, “and none of them have picked up a book since Hop on Pop.”

“Regan says it wasn’t her,” Martha cuts in helpfully. “But maybe it’s another kid in theatre. Shelby says—”

“Oh my god,” Toni grits out. “What is everyone’s deal with her anyway? Why is everyone still obsessed with her? She’s just another basic Jesus bitch.”

The car goes quiet and Toni wishes she could melt into her seat cushion.

“I didn’t mean that,” Toni says.

“Except you did,” Martha snaps.

Toni winces.

“What’s your deal with her?” Rachel asks. “You guys were fine last year.”

“Quinn says there’s a poetry club,” Nora says. “Maybe it’s someone there?”

No one takes the bait and they don’t talk the rest of the way.

———

4.) she belongs in a museum, and you are merely here to gaze. look around you, all the signs scream ‘do not touch’

“Shelby?”

Toni grabbed the shoulder of the girl and pulled her away from Marcus. Shelby was bruised lips and ruined make up and Toni took her by the hand. Thank god Martha wasn’t here, thank god Andrew wasn’t here, thank god Marcus looked just as trashed.

“Toni?” Shelby sorta stumbled, her ankle twisting painfully on her heel and Toni steadied her.

Shelby could do a cartwheel in six inch heels.

“I’m gonna get you home, okay?” Toni called over the music.

Shelby didn’t really respond, just leant into Toni as she led her away and outside. The party had spilled into the backyard and front yard some, the cops probably already on their way, but everyone was too fucking hammered to notice them making their way out.

Shelby’s house was only about a twenty minute walk but it was cold and Toni was only wearing her basketball shorts and her mom’s jacket that she promptly put over Shelby’s shoulders.

“Are you still—” Shelby swallowed hard, “You’re still living with your mom?”

“Mostly with Martha,” Toni said.

“Martha’s great,” Shelby said. “She’s so pretty it makes my eyes hurt.”

“One of our finest,” Toni grunted as Shelby nearly fell on her heels again.

“She could be a model,” Shelby told her. “We should get waffle house.”

“Shelbs, we’re nowhere near a waffle house.”

“What was Becca’s order? At waffle house?”

Toni sighed, looping an arm around her. “I dunno.”

“Neither do I,” Shelby said.

“I’m sorry, Shelby,” Toni said.

Shelby shook her head and stopped right there, circling her arms around Toni and pressing her into a hug. Toni closed her eyes, holding her back as tightly as she dared.

“Oh, Shelby, I’m so fucking sorry.”

———

“Day two!” Mr. Williams calls. He taps the poem again, “I will investigate the handwriting if the poet doesn’t come forward by Friday. I know it’s someone in one of my classes.”

His eyes narrow as he takes them all in and his eyes don’t linger on Toni. Not even for a moment.

There’s a part of her that wants to march up to the front of the room and write her name down, make eye contact with everyone who never even considered her before. But no one expects shit from her, and even if he does go over the handwriting he won’t really be able to pin it on her. He might not even bother checking to see if it matches.

Toni tries not to jump when Marcus takes the seat in front of her during quant lit. It’s not like they have assigned seating but everyone sticks to the same seats anyway. Marcus won’t get shit for it though, perks of being the quarterback.

“So, listen,” he scratches the back of his head and Toni rolls her eyes at him. “I know we aren’t really friends but I—um.”

“Marcus,” Toni says.

“I wanna ask Martha out,” Marcus rushes out. “She’s like the nicest, smartest, coolest girl in the school and like her eyes are out of this world radical.” Radical? “And I would take her somewhere nice like Olive Garden. Or Cheesecake Factory? And pay for it, and open all the doors for her, and I’d carry her books to class—”

“On your date? This is happening during school?” Toni asks.

His eyebrows furrow as he tries to connect the dots. Football players.

“Oh no! I meant like, after, if she wants me to,” He says. “Can I?”

“Can you what?”

“Can I ask her out?”

Toni blinks at him. “What?”

“My buddy said if you want to get with a girl you get close to the best friend first, and I figured I’d ask you for your blessing because that’s what they do in old fashioned stuff right?” He bounces up in down in his seat. “Can I? Or like, do you wanna give me your blessing?”

She feels like she’s having an aneurysm.

Listen, Marcus having feelings for Martha is one thing. Everyone on the planet who’s ever met Martha falls a little in love with her. That’s kinda just how she operates. Toni narrowly avoided that pitfall by being lucky enough to know her since she was five, but it was a tough time. But Marcus was never gonna act on it. Marcus can’t—he’s the quarterback.

It’s basic math, Marcus is a six foot five football player with shoulders wide enough to bench press the Subaru Forrester Toni’s legally required to buy when she turns thirty-two. He’s got that all American boy smile that shows of perfectly white teeth, and dark hair that sweeps in front of his eyes. His face looks like it was sculpted out of marble, like literally he looks like some sort of roman god, except if that roman god volunteered at the humane society on the weekends and called his mom Mami.

Martha is a res girl who’s best friend is the dyke with anger issues. And like yeah, she’s stupid pretty, but Marcus has exclusively dated varsity cheerleaders since the seventh grade.

So yeah, even if Marcus may have feelings for Marty, everyone fucking does, and there’s a host of reasons why she doesn’t have a date to every dance and a new guy every week. And most of them are the cliche high school movie hierarchy sort.

“It’s really none of my business, man,” she says.

“Dude, it’s totally your business,” Marcus says. He leans closer, “you two are like sisters right? What do I gotta do to prove I’m not gonna hurt her? I’ll do your math homework for a month, no two months.”

A thought occurs to Toni and it’s a terrible one. But when has that ever stopped her?

“You’re in my honors English class right?”

Marcus’s face screws in, “Uh, yeah. But I don’t think you want me doing your homework in there, I’m like totally failing.”

“I have a better idea.”

———

5.) she touches you like youre fragile, and if you break you wont be able put yourself together again

Dot was asleep which was Toni’s first indication that something was deeply wrong. The second was that Shelby wasn’t. She was definitely trying her darnedest, but Toni could tell she was awake. Awake in her arms.

Toni shifted, just enough to let Shelby know she was awake too. The movie was some horror flick, something dumb and flashy and almost muted it was so quiet. It was the only thing rated R that they could all agree on. Dot’s house was the only place they were allowed to watch anything rated R when they were still thirteen, so it was all they watched there.

She felt Shelby shift up, so her head rested on Toni’s chest, shifted until her lips met Toni’s clavicle.

Toni wondered if she’d die.

Shelby went up instead of down, pressing kisses up the length of Toni’s neck, soft barely there things that made Toni’s breath catch as she watched Dot snore on the couch next to them.

Toni’s hands moved to the inside of Shelby’s thighs and they stared there, tracing delicate patterns that only made Shelby curl closer.

“I think you’re probably the most beautiful girl I ever saw,” Shelby whispered.

“I—”

“I’m not done.”

Toni’s mouth clamped shut.

“I think about you all the time,” Shelby whispered. “Even when I—”

“Shelby,” Toni warned. Shelby pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth.

“You’re right,” Shelby said.

Neither of them slept that night.

———

Toni walks into class three minutes late with Mr. Williams, and takes her seat with a sulk.

“He still won’t let me redo that paper,” Toni mutters to Martha who’s eyes are wide.

“Toni, Marcus just—” She nods her head at the poem where Mr. Williams is studying it too.

“Marcus Gonzales?” Mr. Williams asks.

Marcus gets to his feet.

“You wrote this?”

“Yessir.”

“This poem right here?”

“Yessir.”

Mr. Williams blinks and takes off his spectacles, setting them down on the desk. “We’ll talk after class. I should hope everyone has a copy of—”

“I wrote it for Martha,” Marcus doesn’t sit down and the entire class stares at him.

“—Franny and Zooey and I would like you all to turn to page 52. Begin by annotating—”

“Martha, can I take you out on a date?” Marcus asks.

“—this first section, and on to page 64. Remember what Seymour serves as in—”

Martha blushes hard and glances at Toni who smiles before she looks back at Marcus in all his golden boy 6’5” glory.

“Um, okay,” she mutters out and he grins.

“Cool.” Marcus finally sits and gives Toni a thumbs up. She rolls her eyes.

“—this story and compare that to his roles in the other parts of the work we’ve read.”

“I told you it was for you, girl,” Shelby says on Martha’s other side. “People always have a way of surprising you.”

———

6.) she is all bubblegum skies and chapped stick kisses, and you cannot watch the love run out of another persons eyes

They were all a little bit slap happy by the end of the night. A little bit drunk, a little bit high, and laughing far too hard at one another.

“I’m scared,” Shelby told them, still grinning wider than any pageant smile.

“Girl, you picked dare,” Fatin said.

“I did,” Shelby bit her lip. “But all y’all dared Leah to do was finish the vodka.”

“That was—that was bad vodka,” Leah slurred from her position on Dot’s lap.

“But now we’re out of vodka,” Martha sang. “You picked dare.”

“I’ll go with you,” Toni got to her feet, surprised when they were more steady than she assumed they’d be. “Two chairs right?”

“Alright,” Shelby said. “And you’ll hold my hand?”

“Sure princess,” Toni rolled her eyes.

It was an office supply place, probably. The parking lot had this killer decline, and it was one of those spring nights where nothing could really ruin anything. Not forever.

The rolling chairs were kinda gross, left there but not yet picked up by the garbage men. They had to do a special pickup for that, which costed extra. No one in the office had done it for the weeks the girls had been going there after parties.

“Be careful,” Nora urged.

“Don’t fall,” Rachel suggested.

“Hold on, I’m not recording yet,” Fatin said. “Okay now go.”

They pushed off in their rolling chairs, holding hands, and sped down the decline laughing as they barely managed to hold on and steer at the same time.

Toni went flying as she bumped into a patch of grass and for some reason, Shelby went flying with her, landing on top. Toni grunted, but she wasn’t in pain, not really.

They met eyes.

“Sorry,” Shelby said. She didn’t sound sorry.

“You okay?” Toni asked.

Shelby smiled, this real soft thing, Toni wondered what it’d taste like.

“Fuck yeah bitches! I’m so putting that on snapchat!” Fatin screamed and Shelby pulled away, turning white.

“God if this is you in in freshman year, I’m terrified of you as a senior,” Toni called back.

Shelby’s hand slipped out of her’s and Toni tried very very hard not to overthink it.

———

“So I’ve been thinking,” Leah said. Toni took her gym bag out of her locker, pretty much the only thing she kept in there.

“Oh no.”

“Rachel was right about that poem being written by a girl,” Leah continued. “Which meant Marcus lied. And Marcus would never do that unless someone gave him permission to take credit. And since Marcus lied so he could ask Martha out that means the person who wrote the poem wanted Martha to be happy.”

Toni swallowed hard and tried not to fumble with the lock, stumbling with it.

“Toni,” Leah walked over to her. “You need to face the facts: Shelby’s into you.”

Toni blinked, “What?”

“She wrote that whole poem for you, don’t tell me you don’t see it. It’s about you!”

“She—” Toni stopped and furrowed her brow, finally making eye contact with Leah, “You think she wrote that poem for me?”

Leah nodded, “And she let Marcus take the credit. Listen, I know I’m right. I’ve been thinking about it for ages. Whatever fight the two of you had—you need to get over it. She’s into you, Toni. She’s been into you.”

“You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about,” Toni told her. “Seriously, fuck you Leah and fuck off. This is none of your fucking business.”

“You aren’t denying it,” Leah crowed. “Shelby likes you.”

“No she fucking doesn’t!” Toni spat at her. “She fucking hates me! She didn’t write that poem Marcus did! For Martha!”

Leah’s brow furrowed, “But… but you wanted her to. Didn’t you?”

Toni looked away.

“Shelby’s actually straight, isn’t she?” Leah asked. “Fuck Toni.”

“I’m happy for Martha,” Toni said, and marched away.

———

7.) if you jump, she might catch you, and then youd have to watch as she tumbled through the dark

“What if we ran away?” Shelby asked, which was Toni’s third indication that the punch was spiked.

The first two were her arms wrapped around Toni’s waist, swaying in the soft breeze to the distant music of Junior prom.

“Oh yeah?” Toni asked. “Where’d we go?”

“Peru,” Shelby said. “Or LA, or New York or—” Shelby sort of trailed off, losing her thought halfway through it.

“Our parents,” Toni pointed out. She’d moved in with Martha a few months ago but her mom had taken it as a wakeup call, promising to get her shit back together as soon as she could. Toni couldn’t help but believe her, even if it put her in stasis.

“Right,” Shelby sounded cold, “Our parents.”

“Are things worse with them?” Toni asked.

“No,” Shelby said. “The same, really. They’ve lightened up since—since Becca. Have you heard from your mom?”

“Every week or so,” Toni said. “And if you ever need a break you know—“

“Martha is happy to have me,” Shelby finished.

Toni smiled and pulled away enough to meet Shelby’s eyes, her hands slid from behind Shelby’s neck to either side.

“Did I tell you you look beautiful tonight?” Toni asked.

“You did,” Shelby said.

“Can I say it again?”

“You can.”

“You look beautiful tonight.” Shelby closed her eyes and Toni tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’re gonna get out, you know that right?”

Shelby nodded, leaning into Toni’s hand.

Later, Toni will learn that was one of two lies Shelby told that night.

———

Martha gets home at 11:30, exactly when Marcus promised, and Toni smiles as her sister collapses backwards into her bed.

“Toni,” she actually giggles, giggles like a little school girl. “It was amazing.”

“Where’d you go?” Toni asks.

“Olive Garden, I think he was trying to win points with you,” Martha says.

“As he should,” Toni nods.

“He was the perfect gentleman,” Martha swoons. She rolls onto her stomach and looks at Toni and oh god, Toni knows that look. “He did tell me something about you, though.”

“Oh yeah? How I’m better in quant lit than him?” Toni asks.

“He told me you wrote the poem,” she says.

Toni looks away, “Okay, and?”

“You told me you were over Regan,” Martha says.

“It’s complicated,” Toni decides. “And whatever. I wrote it awhile ago anyway.”

“Have you thought about submitting it to that contest Mr. Williams was talking about?” Martha asks.

“Can we go back to talking about your date with Prince Charming?” Toni says. Martha acquiesces, she’s too damn giddy to do anything else.

———

8.) her gaze is too gentle. you will not be the one to tell her that not everything can be fixed with a smile

“Toni,” Dot began, and Toni could tell she was looking at her. “Toni, is Shelby—is she gay?”

Toni snickered, “Dot, Shelby is possibly the biggest straight girl in our school. Maybe our state. She’d sooner give herself a buzzcut than she would ever even kiss a girl."

“Andrew said Shelby got a job as a counselor at this church camp—Guiding Light—in Plano,” Dot said. “I wanted to find the address so I could write to her and it’s a conversion camp.”

The breath left Toni’s body.

“What?”

“And I got to thinking,” Dot said. “About what a mess she was after Becca died this year. Ignoring us, going to all those parties, signing up for a crazy number of pageants. Hell, it was only once you two started talking that she talked to us again.”

“Stop it, Dot.”

“Toni is Shelby gay?”

“Dot,” Toni said.

“Because if she’s gay, if she’s not there as a camp counselor—Toni, did you know about this?”

“Of course not! Jesus!” Toni said. She jumped to her feet and started to pace, “Jesus Christ. Oh my god.”

“Toni is Shelby gay?”

Toni looked at Dot and Dot sighed, her entire body sagging.

“What do we do?” Toni asked.

Dot, her solid, steady, friend since fucking youth soccer was silent.

“Dot, what do we do?”

“Dot, what the fuck do we do?”

———

Shelby finds her before school, Toni smoking like she hasn’t since ninth grade when Bernice gave her a stern lecture about lung cancer. It made Toni cry, actually. Not because it was so stern but because Martha and Toni had been separated for three years and Bernice still cared enough to get angry with her. She promised then and there to stop, and each drag she took now makes her feel like she’s committing treason.

“Smokin’ kills,” Shelby tells her, like they didn’t all go to Dot’s dad’s funeral last year.

Toni takes another drag, just to watch Shelby roll her eyes.

“How’d Martha’s date go last night?” Shelby asks.

Toni glares, “Seriously? You avoid me all year and now you’re asking about Martha’s date?” Shelby looks away. “It went fine. Whatever.”

“I just—I was surprised Marcus wrote that poem is all.”

“You literally said multiple times you thought it was him,” Toni says.

“I know, I know but—”

“Still holding out hope for Andrew?” Toni sneers. “Marcus may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but he cares about Martha. Even a fucking idiot could write a half decent poem if they had someone worth writing about.”

Shelby meets her eyes and Toni’s breath catches.

“Know a lot about poetry, Toni?”

Fuck fuck fuck.

Toni flicks the only half used cigarette away. “I have to go to class,” She says, aware it’s just about the worst thing she can do.

Shelby doesn’t even need the last word, she’s aware she’s already won.  

———

9.) she is so good. she is so good, and you cannot ruin one more good thing

It hadn’t been the first time Toni found her mom overdosed on the couch, but it’d been the most terrifying. Toni had waited in the school parking lot for a pick up for twenty minutes before Shelby had offered her a ride.

When they trooped inside, after having to use the key Tamera kept tucked away in a loose brick, her mom had been passed out on the couch. And the stupid thing had been that Toni had known her mom hadn’t been doing great. Like she’d known Tamera had lost her job, and was close to losing the car, that the pain in her back had been getting worse again from stress. Toni had known that.

But for some stupid, naive reason, Toni had never thought she’d pull this, go back to who she was.

Her tolerance was low, the doctors had told her, because she’d been clean for so long. She hadn’t realized it and had taken more than she could handle.

Shelby had taken the three of them to the hospital, helped carry Toni’s drooling mother into the ER, and held Toni’s hand until the other girls showed up, who she texted to come.

Shelby had been there when the police and social services came to talk to her about going back into foster care. Shelby had never left her side.

Toni couldn’t help but contrast that to the Shelby she saw now. The Shelby who showed up for senior year was barely christian, barely anything, just sort of blank and empty and waiting to grow up so she could have daughters that'd also wait to grow up so that they could have daughters that’d also wait to grow up so that they could have daughters that’d also

Shelby didn’t even look at her, for the first week of senior year she didn’t even look at Toni. She talked with Martha in that faux friendly way, she passed off on lunch invitations to do school work and Toni felt like she was going insane.

Sometimes she would just stare at the back of Shelby’s head in English class, writing whatever gibberish came to mind, and not listening to Mr. Williams at all. Just stare, for forty-five minutes, at a girl who wouldn’t even make eye contact, Toni’s pencil moving rapidly as she barely even glanced at the words her hands produced.

On the last day of the semester Toni finally looked away and came to two realizations:

a. Her mother was never getting better. Not really. b. Toni had written P E R U over forty times in her notebook.

As quietly as she could she tore the page out, and maybe about fifteen pages behind it, filled with similar drivel and recycled them at the end of class.

When the next semester started the seats were changed and something she’d written that she barely remembered was on the board.

Her mother was still in rehab.

———

Toni watches Marcus carry Martha’s backpack to class and watches as Martha giggles at him, argues with him. She is literally so happy it makes Toni’s heart burst.

“Shelby’s quite the matchmaker, huh?” Fatin asks.

Toni looks at her.

“Leah told me,” Fatin explains.

Toni rolls her eyes.

“Yeah, that’s what I said too,” Fatin says. “Leah’s good at noticing things but putting the pieces together is not her strong suit. So I called Dorothy.”

This makes Toni’s shoulders tense and Fatin wraps an arm around them.

“Dorothy didn’t want to talk but what she didn’t say was enough.” Fatin sighs, “I’m all for a little drama but this is cutting into my me time.”

“What going from twenty-four hours a day to twenty-three and a half?” Toni asks.

“God forbid,” Fatin nods sagely. “I didn’t know you could write.”

“I can’t.”

“Clearly not.”

Toni slips out from under her arm, and follows Martha into class. Mr. Williams glares as she comes in and Toni realizes if Marcus came clean to Martha he definitely came clean to Mr. Williams. At least the poem is off the board.

When he passes out papers from a recent essay her’s has a “see me after class” sticker that makes Toni slide down in her seat. Martha doesn’t even notice enough to give her an odd look because she and Shelby are yukking it up about the quarterback.

When everyone files out she hangs back and he looks at her, over his spectacles.

“I’m disappointed,” he says at last.

Toni scoffs.

“You write essays based off spark notes, you never participate, and half the time you don’t even do the homework. But you write this.” He slides the crumpled paper over his desk, her poem shining back at her. “So all I can conclude is that you’re lazy.”

Yeah, obviously.

“Why did you have Marcus tell everyone he wrote it?” Mr. Williams asks.

“So he could ask out Martha.”

“He didn’t need to have written the poem to do that,” Mr. Williams says.

“Can I go?” Toni asks.

“I want to submit this poem to a contest, I want you to start trying in this class, and this,” he hands her a slip of paper with about twenty sets of numbers on it, “is a list of Dickinson poems I want you to read by next week. Pick at least three to write me at least a page about. Single spaced.”

“What?” Toni asks, “You can’t make me do that.”

“I know half the kids in this class write off spark notes, I can easily have them all—including you—fail. So yes, yes I can actually.” He takes off his spectacles and Toni glares at him. “You’re a smart kid, Toni. You’ve got a talent for this.”

Toni shakes her head, “I’m a one hit wonder.”

“You know Britney Spears said the same thing after Baby One More Time.”

“That’s not true,” Toni says.

“Yeah,” Mr. Williams says. “Because she kept working at it.”

And Toni takes the slip of paper with the numbers on it, and marches to her next class and he watches her the whole way, not bothering to put on his stupid spectacles.

———

10.) you will not watch her crumble under the weight of your sins. she is too light, too breathless to be caught up in the dizziness of your heart

Dot didn’t invite them all to the funeral but they came anyway, even Shelby who Toni knew had been waffling back and forth.

Some of his army friends showed up, a doctor or two, and Mateo—the hot nurse Dot steadily ignored. It was a small and quiet service, and the seven of them sat towards the back, holding steady for her.

There was too much on Dot’s shoulders, there always had been, but she didn’t look any freer now that the burden was lifted. She just looked scared, small, and sad.

Toni couldn’t help but wonder if that was what she’d look like, if she got the call about her mom. It was a terribly selfish thought but who could blame her?

Shelby’s hands interlocked with hers, in broad daylight, and stayed there for the entire day. When Toni met her eyes she saw pure terror reflected back at her.

God, were they really only seventeen?

———

Rachel is complaining at lunch about owing Nora five bucks, how she was so sure some closet case wrote the poem but it’s no surprise Nora got it right.

Fatin and Leah don’t contribute and Martha probably wouldn’t have either except she was eating lunch with Marcus, they had found their own little table and were smiling at one another.

“They’re certainly cute together,” Shelby says, glancing back at Martha and Marcus.

“I say it’s weird they have the same name,” Rachel says.

“Says the girl who dated a guy named Raymond,” Nora says.

Rachel throws a straw wrapper at him, “That was a phase and you know it.”

“Marcus is sweet,” Shelby says. “If anyone deserves someone sweet it’s Martha.”

“Don’t you think he’s a little,” Leah trailed off and they all looked at her. “You know a little…”

“Spit it out, Leah,” Rachel says.

“Like the porch lights on but no one’s home?” Leah says.

“Martha is smart enough for the both of them,” Toni says. “And thank god because I was sick of doing his homework in quant lit.”

“That’s literally the easiest math class there is,” Fatin says and Toni shrugs.

“What’s that?” Shelby asks, pointing at the yellow slip sticking out of Toni’s binder.

“Some extra credit stuff, from Williams. Apparently I’m not doing so hot in that class,” Toni says.

Rachel leans way over from the other end of the table. “What is that, Dickinson?”

“It’s a list of numbers,” Shelby says. “Why would it be Dickinson?”

“All of Dickinson’s poems were numbered. It was only after she died that other people named them,” Nora says.

“And Nora said it so you know it’s true,” Rachel smirks.

“Join the fucking club,” Dot says to Toni. “I don’t know why y’all didn’t take non-honors English twelve with me. We just sit around and talk about whatever football game was on the most recently.”

“Well I’ve never liked football so.” Toni gets up, “I’ve gotta talk to my science teacher. I’ll see you guys after school.”

“I’ll go with you,” Shelby smiles and Toni clenches her jaw. “Ms. Roberts said I needed to rework my psych paper.”

“See you guys,” Rachel says and as they leave she’s arguing with Dot about why football is stupid and Toni can feel Fatin’s eyes on her all the way out.

———

reasons to kiss her

1.) she loves you, and her eyes are closed, and didnt your mother ever tell you not to leave a good thing waiting

Toni hated the magnet program kids at her middle school. Like everyone not in their cluster she found them annoying, rich, and privileged as fuck. They only hung out with each other and it was clear they’d never give—

———

“Toni?”

The stair well is empty, it’s the short cut through the language hallway and no one goes there during lunch.

Toni is working hard on ignoring Shelby but is forced to turn around when Shelby stops halfway up.

“Ms. Roberts doesn’t need me to rework my psych paper.”

Toni stares at her.

Shelby takes a step up, one step closer to Toni.

“I had hoped maybe you wrote it for Regan,” Shelby says.

“No such luck,” Toni croaks out.

“That’s a lot of reasons not to kiss someone,” Shelby says. “You’d think if you really shouldn’t kiss someone you’d only need the one.” She takes another step up, until they’re only separated by a few inches.

“I guess,” Toni says.

“Are you really gonna keep me waiting?” Shelby says.

Toni blinks, “You mean you still—”

“I have to do everything myself,” Shelby says.

She kisses her.

[timetrickster]

Aloha Oe X Edith Nox Crossover Episode 1: World’s Collide

So after drawing up @cometworks OC’s. I thought to have fun and collab with her characters and my main character and make a crossover. In the form of episodes. Sooo I hope ye enjoy it.

FADE IN

EXT. THE DEPTHS OF SPACE

Space. Literally space. The darkest depths of the unknown, holding what many couldn’t even anticipate. Asteroids shooting from different ends of the galaxy. Ships from different worlds traveling, fighting, floating. Even a planet that’s lost its gravity axis and floats like a pinball in a vast universe.

But right now… a space battle between two ships. The Eternity… the time ship piloted by the time-traveling alien hero of Universe Designation: 727 Justin Oras. He chases down an alien threat… a Vis, known as Imperium. An energy absorber who had recently stolen a supply of Quasar Energy Fuel. When used by someone dangerous it could destroy half a world.

The Eternity chases after the ship that Imperium flies.

INT. ETERNITY COMMAND DECK

JUSTIN

Enoch! How are we looking with the fuel?

ENOCH’S voice only appears.

ENOCH

We have enough fuel captain.

JUSTIN

Good. Fire photon cannons now.

EXT. SPACE

The Eternity fires blasts off light hit the right wing of Imperium’s ship. All of a sudden a wave of cosmic energy comes toward both ships. Making Imperium’s ship disappear first.

INT. ETERNITY COMMAND DECK

Justin looks on as he realizes the wave of cosmic energy come at him.

JUSTIN

Oh, shi-

The wave of cosmic energy grabs onto the Eternity too and disappears.

CUT TO

EXT. UNIVERSE 528

It’s a lovely day on this Universe’s Earth. A lovely girl named Edith Nox who loves gardening is planting some new flowers in her garden. Enjoying a rather sunshine filled day. When all of a sudden, something shining in the sky lands near her home. Sensing the emotional distress of a specific person. She rushes over immediately only to find a huge but damaged plane parked near her home.

A door on its side opens up and JUSTIN ORAS, dizzy and tired from the cosmic energy wave walks out. The ship turns invisible immediately in the sight of EDITH appearing. JUSTIN falls into the ground and EDITH rushes over to help this stranger in a long coat, holding him up by carrying his arms around her.

EDITH

Are you, okay mister?

JUSTIN instantly knocks out as his head drops and his body becomes heavy.

EDITH (cont’d)

You’re really heavy mister!

EDITH drags him to her home and sets him on her couch.

EDITH (cont’d)

You’re very very heavy mister.

EDITH pulls out her phone, this sleek and thin and clear rectangle and makes a call.

CUT TO

INT. EDITH’S LIVING ROOM. AFTERNOON

JUSTIN wakes up instantly, finding himself shirtless with bandages wrapped around his wounds. His stomach wrapped in bandage wrap as well as his right wrist. He looks to his left and sees EDITH coming in and two other people. One with long hair and also wearing a long coat. Another with curly hair and wearing sports clothing.

EDITH

Hello, are you okay?

She rushes over with a cup full of water. Still dizzy he nods then shakes his head real quick.

JUSTIN

Hello… um, my name is Justin Oras.

EDITH

Hello Justin, my name is Edith. These are my friends Noemi and Violet.

JUSTIN

Hello. Uh. Where am I?

EDITH

You’re in my home.

JUSTIN

No… I mean what planet am I on?

EDITH chuckles a bit.

EDITH

You must’ve hit your head really hard. Um… we’re on Earth.

JUSTIN

The year?

EDITH

3006

JUSTIN

WHAT?!

ENOCH’S hologram form appears as Justin’s phone on the table projects her.

ENOCH

Captain.

VIOLET responds with a fighting stance and what appeared to be ice sharpened to form weapons. NOEMI’S wings sprout open as a sign of surprise. EDITH looks at ENOCH with fear and curiosity.

JUSTIN

Enoch. Where are we?

ENOCH

We are in Universe Designation 528.

VIOLET

What is that thing? An Energy being?

JUSTIN

She’s an AI.

They all looked confused.

VIOLET

She’s a computer’s brain?

JUSTIN

She’s a living computer.

VIOLET

That’s impossible.

JUSTIN

Not where I’m from.

ENOCH

To repeat, we are in Universe designation 528.

JUSTIN

Any known information?

ENOCH

From what I am able to find in the nearest databanks. This universe’s Earth was ravaged by an apocalyptic event. The survivors had mutated and are now capable of magical abilities.

JUSTIN looks at the three of them.

JUSTIN

Cool. Another magic universe.

EDITH

What did she mean “this universe”?

JUSTIN not knowing how to explain this, his face holds anxiousness.

JUSTIN

Uh… I’m from a different universe.

EDITH & NOEMI

What?!

VIOLET

Impossible!

JUSTIN

It’s true and to add on to the shock. I’m also an alien.

EDITH & NOEMI WHAT?!

EDITH

An… alien?

JUSTIN

Yeah.

EDITH

Like… from space and stuff?

JUSTIN

Yeah.

EDITH takes a big breath in.

EDITH

THAT’S SO COOL! Oh my Eden! You have to tell me more about yourself! What’s your home like?! How often do you travel in space?! IS THERE A PLANET FULL OF FLOWERS?!

EDITH’S face shows surprise while NOEMI was about to have a nervous breakdown. VIOLET stood there believing this all was lies.

VIOLET

You guys seriously don’t believe this right?

EDITH zooms past VIOLET and sit’s face to face with JUSTIN.

JUSTIN

You’re pretty excitable aren’t you?

He laughs a little and smiles.

But to answer your questions. It’s an amazing place. A sun shaped like an “X”, midnight blue grass. Leaves made out of gemstones. It’s a lovely place.

EDITH

YES! Ooh! THAT SOUNDS AMAZING! CAN WE GO THERE RIGHT NOW?!

JUSTIN

Um…

He falls silent. Through Edith’s POV, she feels a wave of tragedy suddenly hit her.

EDITH

Oh my… I’m sorry.

JUSTIN

No. No. Don’t be sorry. It’s alright.

He reassures her. JUSTIN gets up and puts on his shirt and grabs his phone.

JUSTIN

Is there a place you guys like to eat? I’m actually starving… jumping universes has some effects and hunger is one of them.

EDITH

There’s Mapple Brew Coffee Shop nearby. They could have so foods and deserts.

JUSTIN sees his long coat and puts it on.

JUSTIN

Lead the way, Edith.

EDITH does a salute and walks out the door. JUSTIN motions NOEMI and VIOLET to go first. NOEMI gives him a smile and walks out the door. VIOLET confronts him for a bit.

VIOLET

I don’t know who you are… or whatever this alien and different universe crap is. But if you hurt my friends I will kill you. You get one warning.

JUSTIN

Got it.

VIOLET exits the door and JUSTIN follows and closes the door to the house.

NOEMI

Any Transports at this time?

EDITH

Nope. Dang.

JUSTIN

We can take my ship.

They all turn to look at him. He nods his head to the right as a motion to follow him. With a snap of his finger, the Eternity reveals itself from its a hidden veil. JUSTIN stands like a showman with his arms up.

JUSTIN (cont’d)

Say hello to The Eternity.

EDITH’S eyes are widened as if gigantic stars took place of her pupils. NOEMI surprised by the reveal, his wings unfurled. VIOLET holds a serious face but shocked at the reveal.

EDITH

An alien ship! It’s an alien ship! Oooooh!

NOEMI

Oh my goodness.

VIOLET grabs him by the coat collar.

VIOLET

How did you do that?!

JUSTIN was scared of her anger authority. EDITH tries to pull JUSTIN off from VIOLET’S grip of death.

EDITH

Violet!

She lets go of him. JUSTIN fixes his collar and the side door to the cargo bay opens.

JUSTIN

Come in, guys.

They all walk into the ship. As they walk throughout the ship, EDITH & NOEMI look around every corner and scrutinize every detail. Meanwhile VIOLET looks unimpressed with the ship. They arrive at the command deck. ENOCH’S hologram appears and greets them all.

ENOCH

Hello, Captin. Ms. Nox, Mr. Sol, Highness Choi.

EDITH

Hello… Enoch right?

ENOCH

Yes, Ms. Nox. Hello to you too.

JUSTIN sits on the “Captain’s Chair” and starts pressing buttons.

JUSTIN

Has the self-repairs, repaired the ship?

ENOCH

The ship is at full capacity and up and running. Where to then?

EDITH

Ooh! Maple Brews Coffee House.

ENOCH

Alright then. Plotting a course to Maple Brew Coffee House. You three might want to sit down for this.

EDITH, NOEMI, & VIOLET do so and put on the strap that holds them in place. The Eternity rises into the sky slowly and JUSTIN holding onto a lever pushes it forward and the ship zooms instantly. The rush pushes back EDITH, NOEMI, & VIOLET as it was there first time riding in an alien spaceship. JUSTIN parks the ship near large park’s field. He turns around in his chair to find the three having a headache.

JUSTIN

Dammit, I should have warned you of the effects of flying on a time ship for first timers.

JUSTIN takes off the strap of EDITH first to which she falls on the ground like a blob.

JUSTIN

Jelly bones…

He helps EDITH up into her seat. NOEMI screams, and VIOLET speech is mismatched.

NOEMI

I can’t see!

VIOLET

WHAT US YOU DID DO TO?!

JUSTIN

Temporary blindness and Speech impairment. Should last for a couple of minutes.

CUT TO:

INT. MAPLE BREW COFFEE HOUSE.

The three friends and their newly found alien friend enjoying their mini cafe drinks. EDITH & NOEMI enjoying Rasberry Teas and VIOLET enjoying an iced coffee. JUSTIN enjoying a random drink with milk and cookies times seven.

EDITH

Can you tell us more about you?

JUSTIN

Uh… I was born on the planet of Chronos. I lived with my family until my 115th birthday.

EDITH

YOU’RE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OLD?! You look like our age!

JUSTIN

Well… I’m currently 117. I’m technically a teenager in my years. So I’m still pretty young.

NOEMI

Do you know anyone different looking where you’re from?

JUSTIN

Of course dude. I come from space. Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes. One of my adopted brother’s is a Volantigar. They’re basically humans with wings.

NOEMI

Did you say wings?

JUSTIN

Yeah, dude. You remind me of Icarus a lot. Those wings are apart of that. Love the jet black feathers too.

NOEMI

Thank you, that means a lot.

JUSTIN

No, problem Nomei.

VIOLET

What are you doing here? In our “Universe”?

EDITH

Violet… don’t be mean.

VIOLET

He should explain his presence here.

JUSTIN

It’s fine. Um, I’m considered a hero in my universe. A legendary hero named The Time Trickster. I was after a wanted mad man, who had stolen a supply of Quasar Fuel. He’s also an energy absorber and with that supply he has… he could level a city. I shot his ship down before the cosmic wave threw me and the ship into this universe. It was a simple mistake really, I didn’t expect the cosmic wave to appear.

VIOLET

That is quite understandable. It is a pleasure to meet a warrior of your status. This Energy Absorber his name?

JUSTIN

Imperium of the Vis.

VIOLET

He sounds easy to defeat.

JUSTIN worried for his friend’s new safety warns her of IMPERIUM.

JUSTIN

He is no simple villain, Violet. He is an energy absorber.

VIOLET

I am one of the greatest fighters of the kingdom. As well as a renowned Cryomancer of my generation. I can beat someone from another universe.

EDITH

Sorry about, Violet. She’s a sorta… headstrong?

JUSTIN

Don’t worry… I understand what it’s like to be that way. My adopted mom from Gaia knows I tend to be that way.

EDITH

Oh my Eden!  Did you say Gaia?! TELL ME! TELL ME!

JUSTIN chuckles a bit.

JUSTIN

Oh, yeah haha. My adopted family comes from called Gaia.  And yes it’s a planet full flowers. It is known as the Everlasting Garden or the Planet of Nature.

EDITH froze for a few seconds as her heart had dropped hearing the words “Garden” & “Nature”.

JUSTIN

Is Edith okay?

NOEMI

She loves gardening… she tends to be like this.

EDITH

TELL ME MORE!

She smiles forever.

JUSTIN

After I was banished from my homeworld.

VIOLET

Banished?!

JUSTIN

I landed on the nearest planet in a nearby galaxy with humanoid looks. I was then adopted by High Queen Angelique The Rose and well I became a prince along with my 7 other adopted siblings.

EDITH

Please take me there one day! Please! Oh, I never asked, what are you? Since you’re an alien an all… what are you specifically?

JUSTIN

I’m a Time Walker. I already mentioned I’m a hundred years old and come from Chronos. I’m also a time traveler.

EDITH

No way!

NOEMI

You can travel in time?!

VIOLET

Hm.

JUSTIN

What?

VIOLET

I’ll believe it when I see it.

JUSTIN

I’ll prove it to you all.

Suddenly out of nowhere IMPERIUM shows up destroying whatever he sees in sight. A large featureless being with glowing red color and white eyes shaped to be evil.

JUSTIN

Imperium!

JUSTIN reaches near the right side of his head but grabs air instead.

JUSTIN

Crap I forgot my weapons

VIOLET

I true warrior needs no weapons.

VIOLET runs out of the cafe with EDITH & NOEMI following leaving JUSTIN.

VIOLET

Hey, Imperium!

IMPERIUM turns around to see VIOLET.

IMPERIUM

Oh a brave little girl, come to fight me?

VIOLET smirks,

VIOLET

Yes.

She raises both arms up, with palms open instantly firing her ice-cold powers. EDITH jumps in, waving her hands like making a sphere and creating this orb of green energy and blasting it toward him. NOEMI flies into battle and summons vapors of skull beings of death at his side to fight. Flying while firing what he could at IMPERIUS. IMPERIUS having absorbed their magic as energy.

IMPERIUM

Delicious… what do you call that? Magic, am I correct? You just gave me a boost of energy, children.

IMPERIUM’S body began to mutate from the magic absorbed. His right arm froze with ice, his aura of red mixed in with the green emotional energy. The left side of his face developed what appeared to be a skull. Shocked by this reveal of power displayed, IMPERIUM raises his frozen right arm about to blast all three mages. When suddenly he is frozen himself.

JUSTIN appears behind them, his right arm raised and hand clenched into a fist holding a shining blue orb of sorts.

JUSTIN

Hey guys. You didn’t have to ditch me.

VIOLET

How are you doing that?!

JUSTIN

My people can control the flow of time.

EDITH Awesome!

JUSTIN waves his hand and IMPERIUM disappears.

NOEMI

Where’d he go?

JUSTIN

I was thinking about the bottom of the ocean.

EDITH

You sent him there?!

JUSTIN

Yup.

EDITH

We won!

JUSTIN

We may have, but my ship isn’t fully repaired I can make a Dimensional Jump till she’s fully repaired. I can still fly her, I just can’t jump anywhere yet.

EDITH

So that means you’re stuck here?

JUSTIN

For a while yeah…

EDITH

Awesome!

JUSTIN looks at her confused.

EDITH (cont’d)

Awesome as in you’re staying for a while… sorry…

JUSTIN smiles

JUSTIN

I’m kidding, I guess I can crash at your place, Edith?

EDITH

Of course! We can show you around this universe too! That will be fun!

JUSTIN

I’d love that.

The four friends return to the ship and fly back to EDITH’S home where they had a small party to themselves.

CUT TO

EXT. BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN

IMPERIUM’S body still frozen is rescued by a figure in a dark cloak. With a snap of his finger, IMPERIUM is unfrozen and fires the ice blast and looks around for a moment.

IMPERIUM

Where are they?!

DARK FIGURE

One of them froze you. Not literally but figuratively.

He shows IMPERIUM a photo taken of EDITH, NOEMI, VIOLET, & JUSTIN. Recognizing JUSTIN immediately he scrutinizes the photo.

IMPERIUS

The Time Trickster! He is here too?!

DARK FIGURE

Yes, and I have a proposal to make you. Being from another world.

IMPERIUS despite being featureless his right eyebrow raises with intrigue.

IMPERIUM

I’m listening.

FADE TO BLACK

END OF EPISODE 1

[alkhale]

Pretty (Kirishima x Reader )

first of hopefully many ko-fi requests, this was super sweet and indulgent to write, I feel like I needed something salty to swallow it down because of the fluff

thank you all so much for the kind donations and the insane support, for the anon who requested some sweet goodness with the donation, I hope you like it!

Kirishima Eijirou’s always been the kinda guy who’d agree almost anything was pretty.

When Kaminari would point out a girl walking down the streets and instantly calculate his chances with her, he’d laugh and nod with his boyish grin that yeah, she’s pretty cute. When Hagakure would come bounding up to him and talk about how pretty she made her hair look today he’d agree with a bright smile even if he couldn’t see it, Hagakure had a pretty personality so her hair was probably the same. When Mina showed him image after image of models and outfits she thought were pretty, he’d nod and look thoughtful and agree. When Todoroki would stop for a moment and glance up at the newly budding cherry blossoms trees outside and say, more to himself that they were pretty, Kirishima would grin with a wide smile and agree.

It’s true after all. There’s thousands of pretty and cute and beautiful things out there in the world. He’s always been more of the type to notice the more manly things, of course, but they’re out there. It’s more often that he’d agree things are pretty then not pretty--he’s just never had much of a heart for stuff like that anyway.

“Two pineapple pork buns please.”

You look like you’ve been through a bit of hell.

Kirishima Eijiro is frozen.

There’s a cushioned bandage plastered over your left cheek. The top of your right eye is a bit swollen from a cut and another bandaid is covered over the bridge of your nose. Your hair’s done up in a messy sort of bun with strands falling out this way and that. The top collar of your uniform is missing its necktie and your gray blazer is wrapped around your waist instead of over your shoulders despite the growing weather drop with the coming of the winter season.

One of Lunch Rush’s assistants is quick to handle your order, taking your ticket while you wait patiently. He’s not sure what the hell he’s doing, standing there like an idiot in the line right beside yours as he limply holds his own lunch ticket in his hand for a bowl of katsudon. You blow some air through your lips and tuck a loose strand of hair behind your ear. Something seems to rouse you and you turn your eyes his way, pausing for a brief moment.

Kirishima can hardly comprehend what’s happening around him. The ticket is still loose in his grip and Lunch Rush is trying to snatch it from his hands because he’s just a bit out of reach behind the countertop. He’s pretty sure his mouth might’ve fallen open and he’s just been caught openly staring because--

You raise a brow. Something like curious amusement flickers through your eyes--I didn’t know eyes could look so pretty in that shade--but then you frown for a second, touching your bandaged cheek and your eyes look back down and you turn away.

Something seizes his chest, fierce and quick and he only feels like this in the middle of training or a really good spar. Kirishima’s lips part and before he knows what he’s doing he shouts, “Y-Your eyes!”

A sweet, savory scent hits the air. Your tray is presented before you but you’re looking at him curiously and Kirishima eagerly gestures to his own. “They’re, uh, they’re really manly!”

A bout of silence. Confusion colors your face, comically scrunched up and Kaminari who’d been about to say something behind him about all his weird shit is now gaping at him in horror while Sero looks like he’s considering sneaking into the next lunchline over. You make a funny face before seemingly understanding and Kirishima straightens to attention when you face him once more and tap the corner of your eyes.

“It’s just my Quirk.”

You say nothing else. Nada. Nothing. Just shrug and grab your pineapple pork buns and go.

The reaction is slow--and then all at once. His ears flush a dark, deep apple red before his cheeks follow like the ends of his dyed hair. Kaminari is shaking him from behind trying to get him to explain himself for his weird attitude and Sero’s apologizing to the annoyed upperclassmen behind them but all Kirishima can bring himself to think is how stupid and unmanly he was because--

He’d wanted to say your eyes were pretty.

You’re part of the Support course.

It’s Kaminari who does him the favor of finding out. Apparently you’re fairly notorious amidst the batch of Support course first years. You hang out with the girl who’d gone against Iida in the sports festival--Mei Hatsume. Easy to spot because you’ve often got a bandage on your face or hands for some reason or another.

(F/n) (L/n). Even your name is pretty. Kaminari, for all his teasing and joshing is oddly curious and attentive as he helps Kirishima out. When Kirishima had tried to just shrug the whole thing off, Kaminari had shot him a finger gun accompanied with a little zap and said, “You don’t look at someone like that and just forget about it.”

Kirishima isn’t even sure what it is. All he knows is that he’s never seen anyone like you before and never felt this way before and yeah, he’s an aspiring pro hero with a lot on his plate and he knows you must be swamped with your own work and maybe he’ll feel this way looking at something else again but--

He’d be a complete loser if he didn’t even just tell you once, properly.

“I told you, didn’t I? The costume design needs to look like this.” The angry, harsh voice cuts like a knife through the hallway and Kirishima pauses, his grip on the class notebooks tightening as he peeks around the corner. Woah, bullying at a school like this? “You can’t just go and change shit because you feel like it!”

The sound of papers fluttering in the air fill the hallway before they settle onto the ground without much other fuss. There’s two students--upperclassmen from the Heroics department by the looks of it--blocking his view of the third party. Kirishima frowns, tightening his grip and squaring his shoulders. What the hell do they think they’re doing?

“And I told you,” your voice barely hits the other end of the hall but it floods Kirishima’s ears like the first tolls of a bell, “it’s not gonna work.”

He goes rigid, quickly sidestepping a few inches to the left so he can peer around the upperclassmen and sure enough--

Your hair’s in a neater bun today but stubborn strands still stick out. There’s a bit of grease on the corner of your chin and a new bandaid is plastered underneath your right eye. Why are you always getting hurt? Is it them? Accidents? How can I help you? You’re wearing comfortable working clothes, loose, rolled up pants and shirt stained with oil and other smears.

But your eyes are alight. They don’t shift or waver and they pin the two guys down in front of you. Kirishima sees their fists clenched tighter. “Your Quirk isn’t gonna cut it out for the costume. The designs were made by me but the touch-ups were recommended by your homeroom teacher. If you’ve got beef, take it up with him.”

“Don’t think you’re all that just because we need you for something like this,” one upperclassmen fists his hand into your shirt and tugs you forward. Kirishima feels his entire body go taut. “You’re just Support anyway--”

Your eyes narrow and your lips part, but before you can speak, Kirishima doesn’t even know when his feet had already carried him so close to the three of you and--

“Hey, let her go man!” Kirishima reaches forward with one hand, grabbing the back of the upperclassman’s shirt, but the weight in his arms suddenly slumps and he quickly remembers he was carrying the class notebooks. Pounds of paper come sliding from his arms and slam hard into the back of the two upperclassmen, toppling them down to the floor.

Kirishima gapes at the scene, a dribble of sweat trickling down the side of his face because wow, that was not how that was supposed to go. His cheeks flush a bright red and the upperclassmen groan, trying to shrug off the weight on top of them and he can’t help but think man, how uncool, they’re not that heavy.

It’s like a bell.

Kirishima feels his hands drop down to his sides as he stares. The soft sound starts to fill the hallway and then your hands are suddenly wrapped around your middle, lips parted and teeth shining as you laugh and laugh and laugh. His mouth has parted somewhere along the way, unable to speak as he wonders how he was suddenly blessed with the chance to hear this beautiful sound and you subside into stifled snickers before your eyes finally find his and they shine.

“C’mon,” you say quickly, grabbing his hand before he can say otherwise and tugging him along. His feet move before he even realizes and suddenly he’s running behind you, your bun bobbing and shifting and you tip your head back to laugh harder as you race down the hall, ignoring your screeching upperclassmen. “Pick up the pace, hero!”

Something spurs in the back of his mind. Kirishima quickly closes the distance between you two and now you’re running together, panting and laughing breathlessly and he keeps trying to sneak glances of your smiling face because he’s got to say it--

“Y-Your laugh!” Kirishima gets out in between breaths.

Your pretty eyes turn his way and he stutters, stumbling over his feet before he steels himself and snatches an ounce of Bakugou’s confidence and he shouts, “I-It’s, uh, it’s--”

Your watching him closely, curious and inviting and he spits out, “It’s such a manly laugh!”

Bro, what the hell?

Kirishima suddenly wishes he could drop your hand and slam himself into the nearest wall. But before he can consider it for another second, your laugh increases tenfold and then you’re nearly doubled over from running and laughing and you pat your chest, smiling so wide he thinks this is what the sun must look like. Kirishima’s cheeks flush and his hands tighten ever so slightly around yours and you shine, shine, shine.

“It’s my Quirk!”

Your smile’s absolutely beautiful.

It’s the third time he thinks it that he finally gets it right.

Chance encounters, waves in the hall, small chats in-between classes and during passings. He’s guarded them all as closely as he can, ignoring the teasing jeers from his classmates and the gushing advice and eagerness of the girls in his class as well. You work actively with him to help make improvements on his costume since he often needs them with his Quirk. It’s your ideas coupled with Hatsume’s hard work that help shape his new costume.

The thoughts never cease, the feelings continue to grow, and he’s pretty sure that if he doesn’t do something about it soon, Bakugou’s about to blow him to kingdom come from the growing annoyance with all his, “Fucking lovesick shit, do something about it Shitty Hair.”

Kirishima’s been mapping it all out. Mina’s offered mountains of advice and shoujo mangas for reference on how to say it and while Kirishima’s always been a simple guy, he’s got to say it.

But before any plans can be enacted and simulations done, it comes to him and to you as suddenly as a summer rain.

The rain comes down in a light shower. Nowhere on the broadcasts had said anything about it and he’d been currently mulling over asking Yaoyorozu to make him an umbrella just this once so he wouldn’t get wet on his way home. There’s barely any sunlight out with the gathered clouds and it’s when he rounds the corner, making up his mind that he sees you.

Your hair’s down this time. It curves around your shoulders and falls freely. Soft. It looks soft. Ends curl against your cheeks and sweep over your shoulder as you press your forehead to the glass. There’s no bandages on your face this time--you got hurt often with your line of work but you were working on it, apparently, and his recent, flustered warning has given you more reason to be careful.

There’s this look in your eyes. It’s soft and gentle but it devours all at once. You drink in the sight of the falling rain and your smile curves along your lips as though someone had merely swiped their finger through a swatch of sunlight and dragged it across a canvas. He’s never seen you with your hair down before. Never seen you look so serene and happy and beautiful all at once as you watch the rain fall and then he remembers in your hundreds of chats that you like the rain because it reminds you of new things.

“I love new things,” you’d said with a laugh. “It’s why I invent.”

“Don’t tell me you only like me because I’m new,” he’d joked, rubbing the back of his neck and glancing to you but then you’d smiled at him so wide and so soft he thought his heart had burst from his chest.

“Nah,” you’d said with a grin. “I like you because you always make me feel new too.”

Kirishima’s only a few feet from you. The clouds cast a kind of somber shadow but you shine against it like a sliver of moonlight. Your eyes are so, so warm and then they glance up, as if searching. You find him at the end of the hallway and the gaze in your eyes shifts, taking him in as though he were the rain and Kirishima wonders if this is what a time Quirk would feel like because suddenly nothing else is moving but the beat of his heart in his chest.

Your pretty eyes meet his and that pretty smile stretches so wide across your face.

“Hey.”

“You’re beautiful.”

His words hang in the air. His heart thuds wildly against his chest and he thinks of everything Mina has ever told him to do and it all goes flying out the window. You’re stuck there, frozen for a moment as you take in his words with wide, startled eyes. Your hand almost robotically reaches up to touch the side of your face and he knows the next words about to come from your lips so he cuts you off.

“Not your Quirk,” Kirishima says. “Just you.”

A moment.

Slowly, suddenly, your cheeks flush the darkest shade of red he’s ever seen on your visage. Your eyes grow round like saucers and you suddenly stare at him as though he’d pulled the moon from the sky and offered it to you as a gift. Your lips part, words stumbling and stuttering as you cup your cheek and then press the back of your hand to your mouth in embarrassment. Kirishima feels breathless and powerful all at once and then he goes carefully still when your eyes dart to him and then away.

“...you too.” You start softly, turning your head.

Kirishima blinks in clear confusion, drunk off you and this and everything and you swallow, rubbing the back of your head before you meet his eyes.

“I’ve always thought you were beautiful.”

Kirishima can’t help but wonder if that what the sound of his heart flying out of his chest and into your hands sounds like or if it’s just his imagination.

He thinks it’s pretty regardless.

[falseroar]

Can You Wake Up? Part 11: Undercover Mode

((Here are links to Part 10: User Not Found and Part 1: Great Things))

It felt like you barely slept at all by the time morning came around. You listened to the noise coming from down the hall for a few minutes before you gave in and got up to see what was going on.

“Oh! Good morning, Y/N,” Mark said, jumping back with his hand raised as if he had just been about to knock at your door. “I was just, uh…”

He looked from the package in his hands to you and then just held it out.

“Thank you?” You took the box, which was just big enough that you needed both hands to hold it comfortably even though it wasn’t heavy.

“It, uh, was on the front step,” Mark said. He wasn’t making eye contact with you, until he glanced at your shirt and then looked at you with concern. “Are you okay?”

You looked down and realized that your faded to pink Google shirt had a couple of red spots on it now right about where your bandage was.

“Oh. It doesn’t hurt right now,” you said, pulling your collar back so you could see the bandage, just enough to know it needed to be changed.

“Hang on, I’ll go grab you some clothes,” Mark said before rushing off down the hall, past an open door where you could hear Bob and Wade arguing.

You looked down at the package again and took it into your room to open it. Ripping the tape off, you found an envelope sitting on top of a seemingly random group of objects. You opened the envelope first and pulled out a short letter written in ornate, cursive script.

Dear Y/N,

Some of us thought you might enjoy a little care package during your time away. I apologize for some of the more interesting gifts. They mean well.

We look forward to seeing you again. Call if you need anything.

Always yours,

Dark

It would have been almost sweet if it wasn’t coming from Dark. You tossed the letter aside and with a bit more care went through the contents of the box. There was a book that looked interesting, and a glance inside found “The Host thought Y/N might enjoy this.” written in shaky ink. There was a bunch of bandages, rubber-banded around a tube of pain cream and a box of Bugs Bunny bandaids, easy to guess who those were from. Someone had also stuck in a half-eaten jar of peanut butter and…was that a lock of hair? You avoided touching it as you pulled out a hastily wrapped paper bundle that had its own note attached to it.

“What’s that?”

You almost dropped it as you turned to look at Mark, who had stopped at the door.

“Just some gifts from the others,” you said, hoping that he wouldn’t look in the box. As weird as some of the stuff was, it was nice to know they put in the effort. “Dr. Iplier sent bandages, so that should help.”

Mark shrugged and held out some clean clothes. “I think these should be about the right size. Bathroom’s open if you want it.”

For a moment you were afraid Mark might try to talk some more, but after a moment of hesitation he walked away. By the time you grabbed the clothes and Dr. Iplier’s gift, you could hear Mark’s voice coming from one of the other bedrooms.

“You okay there, Sean? Not going back to sleep are you?”

Jack gave a muffled “no” that sounded like he was talking through a pillow.

“Wait a minute, sleep is for the weak…” Bob said. “That’s not the real Jack, get him!”

You would have loved to watch how the resulting pillow fight went, but the bathroom was calling your name. You ducked inside and locked the door, avoiding looking at your reflection in the mirror before dropping everything on the counter—including the paper-wrapped package you hadn’t meant to take with you.

You pulled the note off the package and read,

I thought of the perfect thing to send you! But apparently knives “aren’t an appropriate present,” whatever that means. The Jims said there was one thing Mama Jim said they should never leave home without, so we sent that instead!

It was signed with a pair of ‘W’s that were nearly bigger than the rest of the writing put together and a pair of Jims signed in almost identical handwriting.

You ripped open the paper and felt the heat in your face as you had to cover your mouth with both hands to keep from laughing.

Oh, God, did Dark see this?

You recovered, eventually, and walked out of the bathroom fresh from your shower with new bandages on your hands and chest and sporting one of Markiplier’s Sunset Van shirts. By the time you put the rest of your stuff back in your bedroom, it sounded like the guys had moved downstairs. You followed the noise down to the kitchen, where you were greeted by a few good mornings amidst all the chaos.

Except for Amy, who took one look at you and said, “Mark! Those are the clothes you gave them?”

“What’s wrong with them?” Mark asked.

“Dude, you can’t make them wear your merch,” Bob said.

“Well, excuse me, but it’s the only stuff I have around in a bunch of different sizes! At least they’re new and clean, right, Y/N? Not some hand-me-down Google shirt.”

You looked down at the shirt and shrugged, having not really thought about it. “But I liked the Google shirt too.”

“But what about other stuff?” Amy asked. “Socks, underwear, toothbrush?”

You looked away, embarrassed not just because Amy was pointing this out in front of the others. You weren’t sure what had surprised you more about your gift from Wilford and the Jims: the fact that it was underwear, or just how…lacy it all had been.

Comfortable, though.

Amy looked at you and asked, “How would you feel about going to some stores, maybe to the mall and getting you some essentials?”

Ethan, who had been trying to steal a bowl of cereal since he got in, suddenly perked up. “Ooh, I want to go shopping! Let these guys go to their stupid convention, we’ll have our own adventure, right, Y/N?”

“You’re not going?” you asked, already warming up to the idea. It meant less awkward time around Mark, for a start.

“Nah, I got a thing tomorrow,” Ethan said.

“’A thing,’” Mark said sarcastically. “Don’t lie to them Ethan, you’re just too cool to come with us and we all know it.”

“Yeah, I am! Isn’t that right, Kathryn?”

“Yeah, sure,” Kathryn said without looking up from her phone.

“I mean, I could see if I could get a visitor’s pass if you wanted to come with us,” Mark said, gesturing to himself and the other guys.

“No, I think this sounds like fun.” Honestly, the con sounded fun too, but you weren’t about to go anywhere with Mark right now.

“Yay!” Amy threw an arm around your shoulders and stuck her tongue out at Mark. “See you losers later!”

“Yeah!” Ethan walked out of the room with his stolen cereal and came back in a minute later. “Oh, I thought we were leaving right now.”

When you did leave, it was with Amy, Kathryn, Ethan, and Tyler, who admitted he had passed on this con because he had been to one just a few weeks before, all crammed into Amy’s car. This car ride wasn’t as bad as the last, but you still kept your eyes on your hands the whole time and tried to focus on the others laughing and joking around you.

You went by a few stores and eventually wound up at a thrift store, less to buy clothes for you at this point and more because Amy and Kathryn apparently knew the place and loved it. Everyone was messing around and trying on clothes by now. Amy managed to snag a pic of Ethan and Tyler in dresses, which Tyler swore would work great for a video idea he and Mark had been throwing around. While they went to find a dress in Mark’s size, you held up a shirt to your chest and turned to a nearby mirror to see how it looked.

That’s when you saw him behind you, a few rows in the other direction. He was peeking through the racks, either not bothering to be stealthy about it or just doing a really bad job at it. You turned around and he ducked back down a second too late.

“Y/N, what do you think of this one?” Tyler asked as he came around the aisle, holding up a blue floral print dress.

“Hang on a second,” you said, walking past Tyler and down the rows of racks, but there was no sign of him now. You heard the bell at the front door tinkle, but by the time you reached it he was gone.

“Something wrong?” Tyler asked, the dress now thrown over one shoulder.

“I think I just saw the Detective,” you said. “I mean, he was wearing these big sunglasses and the ugliest Hawaiian print shirt I’ve ever seen, but it was definitely him.”

“Oh, he must have been in ‘undercover mode’ then,” Tyler said. Catching the look you gave him, he explained, “Yeah, I see him around every now and then. He still takes cases, I think. Don’t worry, he’s ultimately harmless as long as Mark or the Col—Wilford aren’t around.”

“Okay, there was nothing undercover about that shirt. You could see that thing from space!”

Tyler sighed. “I don’t know, he watches these old detective shows and gets weird ideas. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I guess so,” you said, feeling more confused than anything. Mark had said something about how the Chef and the Detective were still around, but it hadn’t really sunk in. After all, the last time you saw the Detective—

You realized you were shaking, and tried to play it off by talking about some of the clothes on the rack behind Tyler. He chose not to say anything, and by the time everyone was ready to leave you had managed to calm down a lot, enough for something else to bother you.

Why was the detective watching you? Now that you thought about it, you had seen him at the airport yesterday too, when you were arguing with Mark. And why did he run away?

((End of Part 11. Thank you for reading! That lock of hair was from Yandereplier, because the best gift they could think of was something from Senpai.

Link to Part 12: Gone

Tagging:  @silver-owl413 @determinedrevolutionary @cherrybomb-jaguar @blackaquokat @catgirlwarrior @neverisadork @luna1350 @oh-so-creepy ))

[feli-trash-blog]

So uh- here’s a thing for a friend, you know who you are dork <3

Sam woke up with a gentle yawn, slowly stretching before pleasantly plopping back onto her bed. A small stream of sunlight strayed into the room and lightly illuminated the area. Sam’s room was nestled into the confines of the Host’s library, far away from Dark or Wilford’s quarters, seeing as Host didn’t want them to disturb his precious little girl, and she did appreciate it to some extent. Despite the clear appearance of day and even perhaps the need for nutrition attempting to drag her out of bed, Sam determinedly decided to remain in bed, happily bundled in blankets, a princess amongst her kingdom of stuffed animals. This room was perhaps the brightest in the library. While most kept a neutral, tan or brown color scheme, Sam’s room was clad in light greens with white accents and filled with the things she loved, like coloring books, her laptop, and many other things. A soft knock lightly startled the girl, and she was quick to hide under her blankets with a giggle, already knowing who’d be present at the door. Ever so gently, Host opened the door, stepping in quietly. His voice still sounded as if he’d just woken up, even though he was already dressed and ready for whatever he seemed to have planned today.

“Come on pumpkin, I know you’re awake.” He said, while moving to sit at the foot of the bed and pry the blanket from her hands. She pouted stubbornly and attempted to hide her face with a whine.

“Nooo- Hooost, I’m a mess.” Sam mumbled, but he only gave a chuckle and kissed her forehead.

“You’re fine, adorable as ever, cutie pie.”

He smiled and Sam couldn’t help but smile back, that didn’t stop her from denying his statement though.

“Shush! I am not!”

Host laughed again and stood up to start looking for an outfit for her in her closet. “Sure sweetheart, whatever you say. Anyways, Papa has a surprise for you today~” He hummed, taking a moment to poke around in her closet, ultimately having to use his narration to figure out what he was holding, but eventually fetching from her wardrobe her favorite fox hoodie and a pastel colored short dress.

These actions grabbed her attention, getting Sam to properly sit up and try to rub the sleep from her eyes. “Hmm? What is it?” She asked tentatively. Host turned back to her, setting the clothes on her bed and turning to leave to allow her to dress on her own. “We’re going to Build-a-bear darling.”

Sam’s eyes lit up as she felt herself bursting into a smile. “Really?!” Host chuckled once more, turned to her and nodded, before making his way out. Sam got ready quickly, well, relatively quickly considering her still half-asleep state, before making her way out of her room and towards the exit of the library and what was Host’s space. The other was waiting for her, dressed more casually today and opting to leave his trench coat for the day. He was sporting some shades, the ones he usually chose to wear in public, since most people would usually become at the least very concerned and nosy after seeing his bandages. He assured Sam he’d be okay, before he took her hand and the pair headed out towards the nearest Build-a-Bear Workshop. They didn’t run into anyone in the hallway, it was still rather early after all. Host had wanted to make it to the place before it became too crowded and just full of children. Host called a Lyft (Author’s note: Host is blind so uhh- I thought it would be a stretch to make him drive.)  and carefully ushered Sam in, quieting her as he fastened her seatbelt and placed a kiss on her forehead.

The car ride was rather uneventful, Host spending the time humming softly and lovingly  holding Sam’s hand, while she listened to him and stared out the window.  Once the mall was in view, Host smiled tenderly as he saw Sam begin getting excited again, thanking the driver before getting off and leading Sam inside. The mall was rather empty. It wasn’t completely deserted, but it was certainly not crowded. They’d been to this mall a few times before, running errands for the egos when it wasn’t  Feli that was sent out, so Host allowed Sam to excitedly lead him towards the store, then becoming a bit shy as they walked in.

Host nudged Sam forward  to where the un-stuffed stuffies were, keeping an arm across the small of her back reassuringly. “Go on dearest, pick one!”

She looked over all her choices, until her eyes were drawn to a pink bunny. She carefully made her way over to pick it up alost squealing from how delightfully soft it felt. It had clitter on the softer pink inside of its ears and the prettiest light green eyes. Sam quickly turned to Host, holding up the bunny in need of stuffing. “This one! Please!” Host chuckled and nodded. “Alright, go on then! The nice lady over there will help you stuff it little one.” Sam smiled and shyly walked over to the woman operating the stuffing station. Together they made quick work of stuffing the bunny, the stuffie being just stuffed enough that it was perfectly huggable, but still rather squishable and floppy. Sam hugged the toy and made her way over to Host, who was already looking at the clothes for the plush toys. “Papa look!”

Host turned with a quiet “Hm?”, smiling as he saw Sam excitedly holding up her bunny. “How cute, what should we dress her up like sweet pea?”  

Sam looked at all the options. There were all sorts of outfits lined up on the walls, boyish and girlish clothes, spring themed shirts, some with characters on them and others simply glittery or textured. “Uhh.. I dunno.” She mumbled, hugging the stuffie close to her chest and looking over to Host.

He hummed pensively, before getting an idea. ‘Alright, what if Papa picks a few outfits and you tell him which you like most?” Sam smiled and nodded quickly, and Host proceeded to get to work. He muttered to himself, narrating so as to know what to pick, choosing a few options that he thought Sam might like. He was correct in his assumptions, and Sam chose an outfit, rather similar to hers actually, except with a few color differences. They carried on to the naming station, Host suggesting a name here as well because Sam couldn’t really think of one, and also because she decided it’d be more special is Host chose the name, Host paid for the stuffed animal, and they left the store.

Sam was rather giggly now, holding onto Host and her stuffie as well as Host smiled endearingly at her. They had spent a while deciding things in the store, and now it was rather close to lunch time. Host didn’t hesitate to pick a place to eat, and while he didn’t ask Sam, he obviously had her in mind when he made the decision.

“Oh! I heard this place has some great Mac n’ Cheese!” She remembered as they sat down. Host nodded affirmatively. “Yes, I did hear that as well. I’m guessing that’s what you’ll want little one?” Sam nodded and hugged her bunny. The waitress came by after a bit and greeted them, and Host wasted no time in ordering for them both. He turned back to Sam with a relaxing sigh, playfully taking her hand and placing a kiss on it, eliciting a giggle and blush from her.

“So, have you had a nice day my sweet little one?”

Sam wasted no time in nodding, having her bunny pretend to nod too. “Yes! Thank you”  she added shyly at the end. Host chuckled with a sincere smile. “You’re welcome darling. I love you.”

Sam sighed happily, replying with a gentle “I love you too.”

That day had certainly been one of the best, and many more like it would come, after all, Host did love spoiling his sweet little girl.

[pika-ace]

BMC Pokemon Teams

OKAY! This took longer than it should have but these guys were surprisingly harder to think of stuff for...maybe cause I haven’t listened to BMC in forever. Anyway, here’s what I have for everyone’s teams, feel free to make suggestions if you think a certain Pokemon absolutely MUST belong with someone.

(Also I’m just doing the Squip-Squad as of right now. I’ll see if I wanna make teams for Mr. Heere and Mr. Reyes later on)

Jeremy - Minun: This is mostly due to color scheme, a parallel with Michael, and because of a fanart I saw a long time ago and can’t find now for some reason. So yeah, Plusle and Minun are basically the BFF Pokemon duo, so of course Jeremy needs one of these while Michael gets the other.

Pikachu (Squip): Mostly because Jeremy’s the main character and Pikachu has practically become the main character of its own franchise, sooooo. Also, in this AU, Pokemon Squips aren’t as bad as the ones in the musical, meaning they aren’t abusive or degrading as much. At the end of the day, they’re still Pokemon, capable of forming bonds with their owners. So yeah, Jeremy and his Squip end up hating one another at first, but maybe after some life-or-death situations that seem to come with Pokemon (at least according to the anime), I think they would become pretty good buddies.

Mudkip/Swampert: Out of all the starters, the Mudkip line was the only one to me that seemed close to Jeremy. It looks all dorky and lame, and as it grows it doesn’t seem much better, but then it becomes a powerhouse (Insert metaphor for Jeremy’s growth here). 

Eevee/Vaporeon: Gonna say this now, but EVERYONE in the Squip Squad is getting an Eeveelution. There are eight evolutions, the squad has eight members, so it was too perfect to NOT pass up. And it’s also symbolic of how they’re all connected after the whole Squip fiasco. But anyway, Jeremy gets Vaporeon, mostly for its ability to blend into the water. Jeremy is ‘the one who’s left out’, meaning he probably feels invisible compared to everyone else. 

Dunsparce: Part of the problem with deciding Jeremy’s team was just how...plain he was. So I tapped into that after racking my brain for Pokemon for him, and settled on the most basic and semi-sad Pokemon I could find. Jeremy would sympathize with this thing, let’s be real. Also, if Dunsparce gets scared, it drills a hole to escape; sound familiar? [Christine: Did you say something? Jeremy: I...uh...*books it*]

Exeggcute/Exeggutor (Alolan Form): Mostly because, I wanted Jeremy to have at least ONE tall Pokemon to reference the ‘Tall-ass’ insult XD I wanted to find a Pokemon that kinda represented that he’s Jewish but that failed miserably (Chandelure was the closest kinda representing a menorah, but it eats souls, and I didn’t want that representing a holiday if you know what ‘m saying)

Michael - Plusle: Not much to say that was already said above. It’s part of the Two Player thing Jeremy and Michael have going. Can’t have one without the other.

Rotom: Michael has a bit of a tech theme going with him, so Rotom was a pretty good choice for him. I don’t give people legendaries, but honestly, there are more than one Rotom in the world, so it’s not exactly legendary (it’s semi-legendary). Also, I feel like Michael would let his Rotom possess his gaming system to see what kind of stuff would happen in the game, and maybe possess his other stuff to help with chores. (Plus, Rotom Wash is pretty OP)

Porygon/Porygon Z: Another one for Michael’s tech side, but this time a bit more prominent. The Porygon line is known for being able to travel through cyberspace and actual space. I think Michael would love that honestly. And it could serve as a way for Michael to find out about Squips. Sending his Pokemon out to search all of cyberspace for some kind of answer. 

Tepig/Emboar: I just realize that Jeremy and Michael’s starters match their color scheme too XD. Anyway, Emboar was a good choice because it’s loyal to its friends and is a capable fighter, something that Michael I don’t think is very good at. Also I can just easily imagine Michael chilling with a cute little Tepig in his arms, can’t you? X3

Comfey: This one just wouldn’t leave my head. It’s a fav in Alola because of how relaxing it makes one feel and...I don’t know...I just think Michael would wear this guy while he’s getting stoned in his basement. Relaxation to the MAX.

Eevee/Leafeon: Doesn’t seem like it fits, but it actually does. Leafeon’s don’t like getting involved in disputes, representing Michael kind of being in his own little world and not dealing with the problems around him, and Leafeon’s are also loyal and WILL fight back if its friends are threatened. 

Christine - Mime Jr: This is probably the only Pokemon who is capable of being as quirky as Christine is, since it would mimic everything she does. It’s actually fitting for an actress like her; maybe she uses her Mime Jr to remember her past performances so she can observe them and see if she can change anything to spice it up (OH! I just used knowledge from college theater lessons!! Woot!)

Caterpie/Butterfree: Butterfree is just the Pokemon you picture when you think of a cute but still pretty person. Christine is that person. Butterfree’s are just so pure and good, it’s just too perfect. Peas in a pod. That’s all I can say. 

Popplio/Primarina: No other starter is a performer sooooo yeah. Also, just looking at the Popplio line, they are all just so ridiculously happy all the time that I think Christine would get along with them AMAZINGLY well. Plus she doesn’t need to take voice lessons, she has an opera singer Pokemon!

Eevee/Sylveon: Out of all the Eeveelutions, this one fit Christine pretty well. It’s one of the few that evolve with friendship, and Sylveon is just naturally pleasant, like Christine is. Also I think it’d be cool if she had a shiny one, meaning it’s blue and white instead of pink and white. Kinda hammer in how special she is, you know?

Togedemaru (Squip): This was cute to think about, cause when it’s mad, it makes its spikes all go out at the same time, like ‘pop!’ It kinda reminds me of Christine when she has her ‘Blegh!’ moments. 

Drampa: I originally wanted to give this one to Jeremy cause of how nice it is, but then I read the Pokedex entry that if the one it likes is bullied, it will go to said bully’s house and burn it to the ground. If Jeremy had this thing, the whole school would probably go down as if J.D’s bombs actually went off XD

Rich - Elekid (Squip): This was one I could just picture, I think mostly thanks to the anime. Paul’s Elekid was a tiny little bully in the Sinnoh saga that could also pack a punch, so I could see Rich having the same one. I’m not sure if Squip Pokemon should be able to evolve or not since they’ve been altered quite a bit, but they’re still strong regardless. 

Rattata/Raticate (Kanto form): Kind of a jab at how small he is and also it kinda fits Rich’s whole aesthetic, you know? Plus, Raticate’s are fucking OP

Mankey/Primeape: I feel like Primeape represent Rich’s soul in every sense of the words. Tiny but has the capability of going ape-shit if something goes wrong. It’s perfect XD

Litten/Incineroar: Out of all the fire/fighting starters, this one fit Rich. At first I thought of Feraligatr, but then I found out from the Dex that Incineroar’s are selfish, violent, and love to fight. I don’t think we need anymore evidence for that. 

Eevee/Umbreon: It was a tie between this and Flareon but honestly...Umbreon fits a bit better. Mostly because the Dex says that when it’s threatened, it sprays poison from its fur. Maybe that’s what caused the fire to start?? Poor thing probably started freaking out when Rich started freaking out.  

Cottonee/Whimsicott: This one’s a long shot, but it hearkens back to Rich’s mischievous/bully side. It’s said that Whimsicott float on the wind and if they land on a person’s window, they enter the house, pull a few tricks and then leave. Also, Rich needs SOMETHING supper fluffy to cuddle when he’s all bandaged up in the hospital. 

Jake - Nidoran/Nidoking: This guy was one of the heaviest hitters back in the early days, and you could say it still is. With Jake being as popular as he is, this is kinda fitting that he has a Pokemon with King in its name.  

Charizard: Honestly, with how amazingly (and kinda unrealistically) cool Jake is, I think he would be expected to have one of the most popular starters of all time. However, he chose Charmander because he thought it was cool AND cute looking, not because everyone says Charizard is the best. They have a strong bond, those two. 

Electrike (Squip): This one, not just because it’s cool looking, matching Jake’s aesthetic, but also because it’s super fast. Eletrike’s muscles respond to electricity and it stimulates them to heighten reaction speed, so it would be good for a Sport Fanatic like Jake is. And I’m sure Jake’s squip would push him to be the same all-around athlete he was trying to be. 

Eevee/Flareon: It was one of the few ones left when I was assigning Eeveelutions to everyone so we gotta deal with it. But hey, Flareon does match with Jake’s kinda red color scheme. Plus he would probably use his Flareon as a guide to navigate his burning house when trying to get out. 

Starly/Staraptor: This one is more a reference to how lonely I think Jake actually is since his parents are gone. The Dex says that when Starly’s evolve into Staraptor, they leave the flock to live on their own. Jake is like that, only it happened early. 

Tyrunt/Tyrantrum: Another reference to the King of the School. According to the Dex, this thing was pretty entitled since nothing could stand in its way way back in prehistoric times. I like to think that Jake would train it to be a bit more humble and gentle though, cause Jake’s not just a mindless jock. 

Brook - Purrloin/Liepard: This is mostly to be a parallel to Chloe, only maybe without Purrloin’s whole devious side. Purrloin’s Pokedex says that it acts cute as a ruse and then attacks from there. That’s KINDA fitting though since Brook thought that Madeline’s deliberate pool loss to get Jake was awesome. Plus, despite already being pretty she seems to have that complex where ‘I must be cute no matter what!!’ So I think these two would get along pretty well and maybe teach one another a thing or two.

Torchic/Blaziken: Mostly because I feel like, when given the choice, Brook would choose the adorable little fire chick. Plus, Brook having a badass kung-fu fighting chicken is pretty awesome to think about X3

Stufful: I’m on the fence about it evolving, mostly because Bewear is fucking terrifying (ESPECIALLY after you read its Pokedex entry) and I think Brook would like to have a cute little stuffed animal Pokemon. Probably a good source of comfort after that whole fiasco at the Halloween Party. 

Pachirisu (Squip): Again, I think Brook would want one of the cute Squips, and Pachirisu IS cute. Plus it’s actually kinda fitting that a Pachirisu is a Squip cause the Pokedex states that they’re sometimes found sharing electricity through one another, like how Squips share information about social rules. 

Eevee/Glaceon: I mostly wanted to give Brook one of the pretty Eeveelutions mostly to help feed into Chloe’s secret jealousy of her. And I also like to think that her Glaceon is kinda protective of Brook, as it could easily use icicles to fuck someone up if they messed with her (watch out, Jeremy)

Petilil/Lilligant: This one is more of a symbol of Brook wanting to sleep with someone (at least it’s kinda implied in the musical; honestly, looking back, everyone wants to tap SOMETHING, whether stated or not. Glad my high school didn’t run on that hierarchy...) not only does Lilligant kinda look like Brook herself (at least to me) and one of its Dex entries states that when it finds a mate, the flower on its head will wither. I like to think of Brook as a pretty flower, and after the whole fiasco she learns that finding a BF isn’t all she needs to pursue in life. 

Chloe - Nidoran/Nidoqueen: This is a big parallel with Jake, since they dated before, and I THINK are back together when everything else is said and done. Unless something happened between ‘Halloween’ and ‘The Play’. But this is probably how they met; their Nidorans were naturally drawn to one another and bam! Oh, and also I guess there’s the whole Queen thing to Jake’s King, but eh, I ship RichJake, so whatever.

Meowth/Persian: I think we all share the headcanon that Chloe is pretty rich, and rich people tend to have the fancy cat Pokemon that has a move that can make money appear (Pay Day). 

Rowlet/Decidueye: This was a hard one but it was mostly for Rowlet’s second form, Dartrix. The thing is very picky and dandy, almost like a spoiled kid. I think Chloe would probably get along with it very well, being pampered by their riches and then having to leave it behind and actually make friends. I dunno; makes sense to me. 

Finneon/Lumineon: This one is more symbolic to Chloe being one of the prettiest girls in school. Lots of boys are drawn to her, which is something Lumineon does. It uses it’s bright lights to lure in prey, but has to be careful cause it can also lure in predators. Do with that what you will. 

Eevee/Jolteon: It’s not the pretty Eeveelution, but the Pokedex entry states that due to its spiky fur AND attitude, it’s hard to get close to. I think that represents how hard I think it would be in real like to get close to Chloe pre-musical, unless you become a follower like Brook. I don’t think Chloe’s the kind of person who would share her emotions easily. 

Emolga (Squip): This Squip fits her because Emolga are freaking greedy little bastards. They almost never share their food, so I think it would be a good parallel/reflection of Chloe and her being jealous and selfish during the story. Luckily, by the end, they both improve their attitudes greatly (and plus...Emolga’s and Pachirisu’s are compatible breeding partners...I’ll just leave that there)

Jenna - Chatot: If ‘gossip’ is part of your character, you’re pretty much guaranteed a Chatot on your team XD Jenna probably sends that thing around the school to relay stories; how else would she know about Jake and Madeline?

Fenniken/Delphox: At first I thought this fit Chloe or Brook’s overall aesthetic, but then I read the Pokedex entry saying that Delphox can use its Psychic powers to see into the future, which I could see as pretty perfect for Jenna. Also pretty helpful for when the fire rolled around. Rich and Jake were the only ones hurt, so maybe Jenna’s Delphox predicted it and she was able to get everyone out in time. Pretty cool food for thought. 

Glameow/Purugly: I don’t really know for this one. It just seemed fitting and I really don’t know why. But then again, Purugly’s are very fierce when they want to be, and I think Jenna can be too, if how she acted while Squipped is anything to go by. I think she can be pretty tough if she wants to be. 

Eevee/Espeon: Like Delphox, the whole sense the future thing, or in this case, predicting moves. ‘I know what everyone’s doing, ALL THE TIME!’ (Being a gossiper doesn’t always relate back to talking and mimicking X3)

Dedenne (Squip): Again for being one of the leads in smartphone hour, Dedenne are known for long distance communications with their whiskers. I know Jenna didn’t get Squipped until AFTER the fire, but imagine how fast the word would’ve spread if she had one before hand. 

Mimikyu: I’m sure there are some who think that Mimikyu is good for Jeremy as well, and I don’t disagree, but honestly, with the whole disguise thing, it fits Jenna too. She acts like she’s carefree most of the time, but in reality she’s actually really lonely. Remember how she came moping to Jeremy how no one cares about her problems despite her knowing about everyone else’s? I think Mimikyu is symbolic of her in more ways than one.

[the-mf-bread-babies]

1/8/20

VOLUME FOUR, PART TWO~!

WHO ELSE IS WRITING IT?! ROCCO NORTH, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHAPTER ONE

I CHANGED MY MIND HE DOESN'T GET KIDNAPPED lmao

After their work in protecting the house, the family went to bed. Well, except for Aaron, who watched Damon sleep just in case he died or anything.

The next morning, they woke up peacefully, to the sound of–

EXPLOOOSIIOOONNSSS!!!

Well, SHIT !!! Aaron, passed out from tiredness was still sleeping on the floor, though. “Aaron!! Wake the hell up, there's bombs!!” Damon shouted, repeatedly slapping Aaron's face. “Huh…?” Damon gave up and dragged his dad across the bedroom floor. “Hey, hey, I can walk, dude,” Aaron assured, slowly standing up.

A loud boom echoed throughout the house, alerting them even more. Although, it didn't seem like it came from an explosive, but rather, an impact. Their first thoughts were that NULL was using a battering ram on their front door.

The family assembled in the basement, equipped with weapons and protection. “So, what the hell's goin’ on now?” Gabriel asked. “Man, I thought you were gonna explain it or something.” Damon sighed as he looked at the others. “Dennis?” “I literally was friggin’ shaving when I heard the sounds?” he uselessly explained. “I was performing satanic rituals for the plants.” Lan confessed. “Okay, dad, but seriously, where are these guys?” Aaron grumbled, rubbing his forehead.

CRASH!

A hole formed in the stone basement ceiling as it came crashing down, sunlight shining into the area. A small woman whose grey hair covered her whole body to her knees swiftly emerged from the rubble, dusting herself off and hopping back outside.

“Who. Who was that.” Gabriel asked. “Do we have banshees here?” Lan added. “To my knowledge, the only ghosts related to Irish folklore in this house are the deer leg ladies and the lady who keeps using the washing machine to wash medieval armor.” Aaron explained. “Other than that, nada,”

The family halted their conversation as they heard the sound of multiple people screaming for their lives. “Okay, well, what's that?” Gabriel asked. “I– Dad, I don't even know where the rubble lady came from!” Aaron whined, the screaming still in the background.

ace: “die, bitches!”

“Yeah, pretty sure that's not NULL,” Lan pointed out. “Their agents get shot on sight after using foul language.” He revealed. “Really?” Damon asked, thinking about how bad of an agent he would be if he was recruited. “No, I just made that up.” Lan confessed, smirking. “Why…” Gabriel questioned, looking at him with a disappointed face. “Why not?”

nova: “OOH, A STUN GUN, OH NO!”

“HOWEVER WILL WE MAKE IT OUT ALIVE?!”

“HELP~!”

The four paused, noticing a third person in the fight. “Rude.” Damon commented at the girl's behavior.

sarah: “guys i accidentally fricked up the floor”

“do we have to pay insurance or whatever”

“also whats insurance”

ace: “it's a scam designed for you to die.”

Andre: “What Ace said. Also, pretty sure we don't have to do anything, since this place is a ghost town, anyways.”

jake: “mhm also theres probably horses or w/ever so watch out for that lol”

orc: “I SAW A PILE OF FROGS EARLIER”

j: “or that sometimes yknow”

The family peeked their heads out from inside, eavesdropping on the conversation.

o: “YEA BUT THE THING IS”

“I DONT KNOW HOW TO HOLD FROGS”

sar: “you have to like. gently carry those gentlemen around. palm at the side, fingers supporting their body and your thumb keeps them in place, orc, my friend,”

a: “ALSO SPRAY THE BITCHES!”

s: “yea spray them they like it it's fun n stuff”

andre: “Where. Where's the little froggies.”

j: “idk im scared”

a: “coward”

o: “ALSO SCARED OF FROGS”

“THEY ARE METAPHORICALLY CHILDREN”

s: “explain”

o: “SMALL AND CAN DIE EASILY ALSO WEIRDLY SLIMY AND SOFT”

andre: “Babies aren't slimy tho…”

o: “FLORIDA”

an: “oh ok”

“NULL doesn't usually talk about frogs.” Dennis pointed out. “They don't.” Damon agreed. “Also, they don't have members that tall. Or short.” Aaron commented. “Rebel gang?” Lan suggested. Gabriel squinted his eyes, staring at the group. “Last time I checked, undercover NULL agents, even if they exist, don't hide that kind of hair under their helmets. That kid next to the banshee there definitely does not have helmet hair, I mean, the volume and all…”

“hmm? i think those are peeeoopleeee” “guyss” The stylish hair kid pointed out. “cuz i dont think horses look like that!!!!!!!” they exclaimed, strutting towards the basement. “im scared” “help” “yall” “yall means all” they continued, facing their group. “Well, damn, Ace, if it's a horse, give it a carrot or something.” another voice said nonchalantly.

“meanie” “ill kill u” Ace threatened threateningly. “I CAN GO WITH YOU IF YOU WANT!!” A voice offered politely. “thanks nova!!!!!!! andre u can choke” Ace thanked, proceeding with Nova to the basement, the family anxiously awaiting them.

Ace had a normal, skinny, 5'7"-ish body, and they had a sharp jaw and small eyes. Their hair was brightly colored, with brown roots turning into an orange and then into a red, with yellow tips. They were wearing a gray vest above a loose black sleeveless shirt. Also jeans and shoes. Ace is not naked or something.

Nova, on the other hand, towered over Ace. She wore a trucker hat that pushed down her thick hair enough to cover her eyes, and it was tied into two big puffs. Her hair was dyed different shades of green in small spots, making it look like a small, bright shrub sitting on her head. She wore a denim jacket with lots of enamel pins stuck to it. Beneath that was a grey t-shirt, and below that were ripped jeans and UGG boots… somehow, in the amalgamated world.

“Hi! We're the Russell family!” Aaron welcomed, nearly giving them heart attacks by LOON∆ i should listem to that again. “What the fuck?!” Andre remarked, leading the rest into the basement. He was wearing a silky-looking black button-up shirt with a red tie with dress shoes, and his dreadlocks were neatly tied back. He certainly wore a fancy look for raiding NULL bases.

“Yeah, I'm Aaron, this is my dad Gabriel, my dad Lan, my husband Dennis, and my son, (no matter what,) Damon. We have 36 cats and countless ghosts here. Please proceed with caution, most of these babies are strictly indoors-only!”

The group stared at them in shock, unable to believe anything Aaron just said. “How… do you get… 36 cats…” Andre asked. “We used to have a pet shop. It fell down, though, so that's that.” Dennis answered casually. “like. how. like fell down into space” A blue-haired man asked, earning him Damon's full attention.

“Yeah, into space.” Gabriel said. “Just straight down.” Lan elaborated, “No stops or anything, just ZOOP!” “Yeah, that's why we moved into a haunted mansion.” Aaron added. “So, what group are you guys in?” he asked, making a head shoot up in surprise from one of them.

He had gelled blue hair parted in the middle, and his right eye seemed like it had something inserted in it. He wore a dark blue denim jacket with ripped off sleeves and very short, tight jorts. He also had black wristbands, indicating a past emo phase. Or one that's still ongoing, as made obvious by his combat boots.

“oh its kinda indie u guys. u guys probably dont know it :,(” The blue-haired man said sadly, pouting. “We're called the…” Andre began. “C'mon, Jakey, say it.” “no its dumb” he grumbled. “skullsmashers. it's because we smash people's skulls. metaphorically.” Ace explained, asking Jake for confirmation. “right, 8-ball?”

“we really dont......” Jakey/8-Ball said sadly. “Oh, you named us this, Jakey, honey,” Andre contested. “So why can't we smash people's skulls? Like, clearly, I can take the emotional trauma or whatever, as long as it's NULL, or hell, maybe even some dipshit, I can do that.” he added softly.

“Ah, pretty sure they're not NULL,” Lan said, smiling. “So, did you kill them all of them or what?” he asked as he raised his weapon, a mace he was somehow managing to hold with ease. Like. A mace with spikes. Ace nervously played with their hair, sporting a terrified face. “what!?” they exclaimed in a high-pitched voice. “We can definitely take care of them. How do you think this place is officially a ghost town?” Gabriel asked. “Setting up traps and making friends with the local ghosts go a long way, y'know,”

“There's fucking ghosts?!” Andre exclaimed, pulling out daggers from under his arms. “Yeah, but they're nice, so it's okay.” Damon explained with not a trace of fear in his eyes, making Andre slowly put the daggers back in. “Oh, by the way, if you guys see an arm there, could you get it for me?” he requested politely, “And honestly, I'd like to make a pun with lending hands, but I can't seem to put my finger on which one I'd make.” He added, raising his bandaged stump.

“Oh, Jake, don't–” Andre warned before Jake fainted instantly from seeing the bloody bandages on Damon's wound. “I'm sorry,” he apologized. The fainting had sent Aaron quickly went to the operating room, just now realising that he hasn't changed the bandages yet. “uh lemme go check if theres any” the small woman said, scuttling away. “Thanks,” Damon said before following Aaron.

Dennis, Lan, and Gabriel stood awkwardly in front of The Skullsmashers, not knowing what to do. “So, uh, whaddya do?” Dennis asked, folding his hands together. “gamign” Ace quickly responded. “Well, we each tend to go our own ways, but occasionally we team up to raid NULL bases and stuff.” Andre explained, ignoring Ace's statement. “What about you guys?”

“Ah, so I like gardening, and also do some baking from time to time, and Gabriel here used to be a traveling psychic, but now he tends to help me with errands and chores and sometimes we communicate with the ghosts here. Dennis and Aaron used to run a pet shop near here, but now Dennis does some farming, and Aaron spends his spare time caring for our pets.” Lan explained.

“And I do the groceries! And all the other stuff that involves going outside,” Damon intervened, coming back with an anxious, squeaky-clean Aaron. “Which is why my arm got cut off.” he revealed, sitting down on the wooden floor. “ok im back did i miss anything :'//” Jake asked, waking up from his faint earlier. “… we'll catch up later.” Andre replied.

“arm!!!” The banshee yelled out excitedly, waving a cooler back and forth. “Great! Just toss it down,” Aaron said happily, reaching his arms out. Seeing this, Damon ran to the operating room. “Last one's a rotten egg!” he shouted, snickering. “Well, while they work on that, do you guys maybe wanna come in and grab a snack?” Gabriel suggested politely, eager to learn more about the group. “yea sure!! thanks!!” said Jake, who was joyfully running to the front door.

A large figure stood patiently outside the door, belonging with the Skullsmashers. It seemed like a gentle giant, tapping its index fingers together. It was definitely from another world. It had greenish grey skin, and its head was blocky and looked like it was separate from his large jaw that had two moles on it. Its eyes were big and white, and above them were thick eyebrows. And it was wearing what seemed to be a large, furry, ruff reaching his knees that were covered by jorts. Its shoulders were completely covered with a large spiky red boulder on each one. The creature was ten feet tall, and was very strong.

At last, the large doors opened with a creak, the sunlight from outside shining brightly into the house. It was the first time in years that the front doors were opened, and it was for good; they had stayed in there for too long.

CHAPTER TWO

A PROPER INTRODUCTION

The family and the group were sitting in the dining hall, awaiting the arrival of Aaron and Damon. A shit ton of homemade potato chips were strewn across a long plate in the middle as the main course. Lan had prepared a variety of dipping sauces and some napkins. They sat in silence.

“I don't mean to be rude or anything, but how… are you guys still alive?” Andre asked cautiously, starting a conversation. Gabriel dipped a chip in cheese sauce, then thought of a simple answer: “We really just hide and plant stuff. Also, we were really lucky.”

Nova played around with a fork, debating whether these people were real or not. Yes, NULL couldn't possibly use their precious budget to make intricately designed haunted houses with personal touches and residents whose personalities were very unique, as well as their relationship with each other, but, hell, maybe they can.

NULL always had a way to worm themselves everywhere, down to the place she stayed in, the people she knows, and, well, really, everywhere. Even if this family was what they presented themselves as, NULL could do lots of things to not only dishevel Nova and the group she was in, as well as this family, they can manipulate both of them to destroy each other. After all, that's the kind of thing they do– get someone else to do their dirty work.

Nova made up her mind, opting to ask them directly. “I also really don't mean to be rude, but given the large amount of undercover NULL agents and all the different ways they come as, I just have to ask… and this is a very dumb, and useless question, but are you guys in any way… involved with NULL?”

Dennis smiled lightly, understanding that this group was in the same deliberation as they were. “To be honest, we were gonna ask you that too at some point, but I personally don't think NULL agents would look this…” “well, they wouldn't, like… have wrists this limp.”

The room was silent for a while, before erupting with laughter. “You– you fuckin’ thought we weren't NULL because–” Andre struggled, wheezing. “No NULL agent would dress like that, Andre,” Gabriel pointed out, snickering. “Yeah, you think those idiots can achieve this level of interior design?!” Lan added, gesturing wildly towards every piece of furniture in the hall.

“… But really, to answer your question there, yeah, we are technically involved with NULL,” Dennis said, completely changing the atmosphere of the room. “We're classified as Class-4 criminals for, um, giving some of their agents here some mild inconveniences.” he added in a serious tone. “And by mild inconveniences, I mean a few cases of attempted murders, robberies, hauntings, and other stuff like that.” The group sighed a breath of relief, knowing they were both on the same page.

“I have to say, 45 cases of attempted murder and two cases of successful murder does sort of count as a bit more than a mild inconvenience, though, Dennis,” Lan said jokingly. “Oh, and remember when someone planted poison ivy that somehow mysteriously completely wrapped around the whole base they had here, down to the basement?” he added, grinning. “Okay, well let's not compare our crimes here, dad,” Dennis teased. “Everybody knows mine was the best attack yet when I trapped them inside the base by encasing it with raw eggs! somehow” he added, cackling.

The two families had a great time together, laughing and talking about their experiences in the new lives they lived caused by the amalgamation. Meanwhile, Aaron was carefully reattaching an arm to an unconscious Damon. After some hard work, he succeeded, and did his best to celebrate in the operating room.

However, at this point, he became too tired to do so, considering the fact that he alone performed an entire surgery. Still, it was a miracle for both of them. He waited for Damon to wake up and see the finished product, but he ended up passing out while making a celebratory coffee.

The two slept well and endlessly. The rest of the family, however, were faced with a tough decision to make. Dennis, Gabriel, and Lan had the same question echo in their minds:

“Would you like to consider joining us, The Skullsmashers?”

It was a question Andre always asked to those who he saw potential in, no matter who– or whom, no idea. They could be two friends living in a dilapidated house with rats and mice, or three odd creatures in a grocery store, or even some nervous teenager who suddenly asked him to kill someone in the middle of his New Year's Eve party.

It's not that he simply sees something out of the ordinary happen and immediately hands out flyers, but it's that Andre has been gifted with an eye for this type of thing– take, for example, the situation at hand.

Andre raids a NULL base with his friends. The fight continues into the abandoned city the base was in. His friend lands into a basement of a house. Sarah, the friend, points out that there are people living in said house. Said people are clearly weird.

Resident asks for his arm back. Very weird. Still little to no potential, except maybe for interior design. Residents invite them for dinner. Residents have knives and shit.

Potential spotted. nah jk lemme do this again lol

[TAKE TWO]

Okay, okay. Andre doesn't just see people doing weird shit and immediately hires them, contract and all, but instead he observes them further.

If he sees someone hurling flaming batons into the sky, that person does have potential, yes, definitely, but what kind? This style of combat could definitely be a possibility in their attacks, given the practicality and the ostentatiousness of it.

However, it's an art one could hardly practice. The perils one could face are far too much for such a display. But, even though it's inconvenient, it's still very useful. If there was a good amount of accelerant on the baton, an enemy could not only receive a strong blow, but the added accelerant will most likely set them on fire too, rendering them not only useless in further combat (unless they're a very determined individual) but also a potential threat to anyone near them.

And the fact that a person is employed as the weapon is more convenient than, say, a large flaming baton-throwing machine, which would be difficult to program and to bring to an attack.

However, Andre also has to consider the person (itself? themselves? idk man) in an approach. Maybe they're NULL, or maybe even just someone who wants to throw flaming stuff into the air with no deeper meaning or intent. Maybe this person is unsuitable for combat; maybe this person is an enemy or a rival.

The approach is like a job interview– ask them about their experience in the field, if they have any other [good points?? is good points the word], if they're okay with joining the group– but sadly, he lives in a world where anything wildly good or wildly bad can happen, and it makes the whole process a whole lot more harder.

So, maybe these people inviting them over for a meal might give them a new addition or two. Or, sadly, remove some members.

Will the Russell family join The Skullsmashers? The decision has to be made any second now.

• end •