#Paulina's looking out for her friends

[dcxdpdabbles]

Jazz: What is that?

Danny: A smoothie.

Jazz: Why is it glowing?

Danny: It's fear in liquid form. I'm doing a cleanse, and some of my ghost friends recommended Dr. Crane, from door 2319 in the East Center Realms. It's super healthy and delicious to boat. Check out my test results from my last check-up with FrostBite

Jazz: Wow, this is amazing, Danny. Your health is looking great. Not to mention you're looking good too.

Danny: Thanks! This plus the hitting the gym is doing me wonders. Honestly, my mental health has sky rocketed, not to mention my self-confidence. Get this, Paulina asked me on a date the other day. Apparently, I came back from summer vacation hot.

Jazz: Did you say yes?

Danny: No! It was so much more satisfying to see her look shock that anyone would turn her down. That's the best way to get back at my bullies, make them want me, and then rip out their hearts. Dash cried a little. And it's all thanks to Dr. Crane's healthy smoothies!

Jazz: Do you think he can make me something too? Something safe for human consumption? I want to work on my figure.

Danny: I can ask! He's always happy to see me.

Meanwhile:

Scarecrow: Men prepare our defenses! That theif won't get my intellectual property!

Goon: Whats the boss on about this time?

Goon 2: That glowing boy stole another tank of Fear Toxin. The boss is losing his mind over the fact he can't stop him from making off with it.

Goon: Why does he want it?

Goon 2: I think the kid snorts it

Goon: What!?

Goon 2: Right!? I'm not sure if the kid is human or not, and at this point, I'm too scared to ask. At least he throws money at us when he takes the tank. He's single handly putting my kid through private school.

Goon: He's the reason we got a raise? Glowing kid might be my new hero.

[zillychu]

designs for a zine piece! enjoy some background story my illustration never needed under the read more (fair warning I did NOT edit this at all):

newbie mage apprentices Sam and Tucker who became friends bc they're kinda… the ones at the bottom of their class and struggle the most, for different reasons. they become besties over time and practice together!

except one night, something goes terribly wrong. they spent the last few nights preparing for a project, a bigger spell that needs an intricate circle with precise measurements to work. but when they try to activate it, well… 

oops. they summoned a demon.

which is, for one, extremely illegal. only certified demonologists are allowed to summon demons because they're so dangerous. anything less than a perfect binding circle and thoroughly researched info on the demon, including their true name, is even remotely safe.

but, weirdly enough… the demon seems just as surprised as they are. as Sam and Tuck frantically try to figure out how to dispel the demon, they realize–oh god, did their circle actually sufficiently bind the demon? it can't leave. they watch the demon tentatively poke it's claws into the air around the boundary, and watch it fizzle, retreating back with a strained hiss.

okay. okay, they can do this. without death looming over their heads, they can figure out how to send the demon back. it's cool, it's fine. except while they leaf through their books, they notice the demon watching them. it looks kind of… curious. timid. interested in what they're doing. it catches them noticing his staring, and it. apologizes? it seems flustered?

weird, okay. they keep looking, and the demon starts talking. at first, little comments to itself. mumbles that soon get just loud enough to hear. little “ooh, is that a telescope?" and “is that what fire looks like up here?" and “that must be for making charcoal…”

Sam is the one brave enough to be like "are all demons as chatty as you??” and the demon gets flustered again, apologizing. says he's just never been topside before, he's only read about humans in tomes. oh wow is that the moon outside? it really IS blue up here! is it always blue? what are you doing up? I thought humans slept at night?

Sam and Tuck can't help getting pulled in with the demon's genuine curiosity. they're wary though, since they know demons can be clever, conniving. there's a number of ways a demon can get the upper hand on a summoner who has them bound. if he gets their full names, gets them to smudge and break the circle… there could also be ways they aren't aware of. so they consider their words carefully, but engage in some chatter while they research.

it's almost morning by the time they find a way to send the demon back–but as they prepare the spell, the demon says WAIT WAIT and they stop, uncertain. the demon starts stammering out how this is weird but like… he really had fun tonight. he doesn't get to just hang out much, especially with anyone his age.

Tuck is like “how do you know our ages??" and the demon points out "oh, you said something about Paulie’s 18th birthday party, so I thought…” and they're both like oh shit we didn't even notice we did that?

“Paulina" Sam corrects in her dumbfounded stupor. 

“Right, Paulina!" the demon snaps his fingers, but quickly loses his confidence when Sam and Tuck continue to stare at him like they're not sure what's going on. he coughs and fidgets and says “um, well, I was just wondering, I guess… if you wanted to summon me another time, I wouldn't mind. you see those circles there? yeah, that's what summoned me. the candles helped too I think. oh, it doesn't need all those runes though, probably don't want to redraw all those.”

Sam and Tuck are practically gawking, but… for some reason, this demon looks so sincere. so much like them, awkward and lonely and genuinely curious.

it's a bad idea. a terrible one, even. the demon probably noticed they're newbies and not demonologists. it could be hoping they make an error in their circle, or mess up a candle, or reveal their names on accident. 

But, well. They're stupid. they're also eager for anything to help them in school, and too empathetic for their own good. they send the demon off with a yeah, no. they then think about it for a week, and end up summoning the demon against their better judgment.

the demon is shocked and so happy, they can't help but be a little endeared. they lay down some ground rules, take care to be as safe as possible… and soon, this demon that introduces himself as “Phantom" becomes a nightly visitor. they talk about their worlds, find out they share a lot of common interests, and help each other in their studies. which, hello, demons also study? bro are you serious??

they play games, laugh till their ribs hurt, and open up to each other on a far deeper level than anyone expected. over time, Phantom becomes a true friend.

Sam and Tuck quietly begin to lament the fact Phantom is stuck in that damn circle. they want to take him places, let him see the human world he seems so interested in. they want to paint his stupid claws and noogie him between his dumb horns and hug him.

but it's an astronomical risk. it's legal for a demonologist with a proper permit, but it's still considered a grave taboo to grant access to a demon outside a circle. there's just too much at risk. demons can be dangerous enough to lay waste to entire towns, take multiple teams of military-rank mages to take down.

they wouldn't risk it… if they hadn't snuck into the library’s restricted section and copy a page from a demonologist book that gives them good framework for a contract. they make some edits to it though, giving Phantom at least a little wiggle room to protect himself if need be. and allow him use of transformation magic so he can hide somehow. but they spend weeks making sure they have airtight wording to ensure Phantom can't cause anyone or anything any substantial harm. 

when they finally bring the contract to Phantom, he's stunned. he cries. nothing needs to be said, they all know the gravity of their proposal. even if they ask for proof of Phantom's trust in turn, first. they ask for his full name, so they can bind him. just temporarily. but in that moment, they'll have full control over him. they could instead tell Phantom to serve them, force him to obey their every order. even if it's just for a moment, giving them his full name with the proper circle and incantation, is putting his life in their hands. 

Phantom, with tears still in his eyes, smiles warmly and nods. with only a breath to steel himself, he gives them his full name. Daniel James Fenton.

magic sparks in the circle, and Sam and Tuck finish the incantation. ethereal chains sprout up to wrap around Phantom's arms and legs, which makes him jump–but the unwavering trust in his eyes makes the two humans choke up.

they release the binding. all that's left is to break the containment barrier in the circle, so Phantom can walk free.

“Uh, about that…” Phantom laughs sheepishly… then proceeds to step outside of the circle, merely wincing when the barrier zaps around him.

Sam and Tucker gawk. Phantom scratches his neck. “Y-yeah, so… your barrier circle was already broken that first night. It's, uh… right over there. You missed a spot.”

abject horror overcomes them because this entire time Phantom's been visiting, he could have broken out? EASILY?? THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD.

Tucker falls to his knees, but soon starts to laugh. it's kind of hysterical at first but slowly, he and Sam are genuinely laughing. they're so STUPID, and Phantom is the most un-demonlike demon they've ever HEARD of. Phantom is still flustered, stammering out apologies because he wasn't trying to deceive them or anything! he just didn't want to scare them! without a proper containment circle they technically couldn't send him back either, so he just… went back using his own magic each time they “dispelled" him. 

once they've calmed down, Phantom morphs his body into a human form–which shock Sam and Tuck, because uh, only elite demons are capable of that. they were expecting an animal, or straight up going invisible. Phantom laughs it off, says he just, spent a lot of time practicing bc he's so interested in the human world (not a lie, but). he proceeds to adopt the nickname Danny, and they all have FUN WONDERFUL SHENANIGANS

(and sometime in the near future, when faced with something truly threatening he needs to protect them from, Danny reveals that. well. their contract also had some holes in it. and he's had access to his full demon power this whole time. whoopsie! it's a good thing he genuinely loves them and doesn't want to hurt anyone, or their asses would be SO dead lol)

they're about as normal about his full demon form as you'd expect from me btw:

[purplereina11]

You were a 24 year old football photographer, set up on a blind date with none other than the Alexia Putellas.

Word Count: 7.7K

No idea why I'm nervous to share this one! Hope you like it

You’d lived in the La Montesa part of Barcelona for nearly 2 months now, you’d slowly got your apartment sorted in that time, it wasn’t exactly how you wanted it to be but it was beginning to feel like home. You had your prints on the walls your many plants that were hanging on by a thread dotted about the place, you had your balcony, you could only just about fit a chair out there but it was outdoor space and you adored it.

You were a women’s football photographer you’d met Carla Garcia, FC Barcelona Feminis resident Social Media admin, by chance at a Manchester Unite home match where you worked and became good friends, it was a virtual friendship with only a handful of face to face meetings and visits but it was like you’d known her for longer than you had. You’d really opened up to her in the year you’d known her, you told her all about your troubles with having the wrong friends and relationships which caused a breakdown of communication with your family when drugs took hold and you became a shell of your former self.

She told you of a position at FC Levante Badalona’s club, the women’s team were looking to really embrace social media and elevate the social footprint of there platforms they had. Carla rang you excitedly one evening when she’d used her many connections to get you a call with the head of media at the club she told you she was quite excited to speak to you after seeing your work on Manchester United’s social media platforms.

Paulina expressed rather quickly into the video call the job was yours if you wanted it and the club would do as much as they could to help you with the move, you loved your time with the English club but there was nothing holding you there anymore and you wanted to push out your comfort zone and take on a new challenge. You wanted to cut ties with old friends who were trying to sneak back in and moving over a thousand miles away surely would do that. Granted you only knew Carla who had her own life and group of friends in the city but that was no less than you had in England, it was more in fact.

One evening in your apartment you were reading one of your many books that lived on your coffee table, when your phone unexpectedly began ringing, you smiled seeing it was Carla, “Hi”

“I have no idea how to even begin this conversation” You laughed softly, not that you’d be laughing much longer when she finished what she was saying, “Are you busy Friday? I have a friend I want to set you up with, you don’t have much choice I told her you’re going already, tables booked for 7pm”

You had four whole days to wait until your date, four whole days of wondering who it could be as Carla refused to tell you, four whole days of self doubt and your mind playing cruel tricks on you of worst case scenarios that could happen. Your date could turn up see you sitting there think god no and leave again, not turn up at all or even worse leave you with a very long awkward evening when you found nothing in common and were stuck with mundane polite chatter.

You came into the city in Carla's car, she had picked you up to drop you off since you barely came this far in so you had no idea where you were going, or so you told yourself it was more likely for her to make sure you actually went and didn’t stand her friend up. You touched your stomach the nerves over taking you as she pulled over stopping the car, this was so far out your comfort zone you were walking a tightrope on whether you might vomit or not.

“Go”

“They definitely speak English? You know how awful my Spanish is”

“Yes” Carla smiled, “Go before she thinks you’ve stood her up, its booked in my name”

You finally peeled yourself out the car, you barely even shut the door before Carla took off leaving you on the pavement alone, you turned to look at the front of the place. It looked fancy. Far too fancy for how you were dressed. You were comfortable it was the only thing you felt you could control so you went for blue jeans a plain white tee and threw a longline beige blazer over the top, you looked down at your outfit choice, the fifth one you’d had on before Carla arrived. You were doubting it again but you couldn’t do anything about it now, you took a breath and headed in side the door the soft music and polite chatter filling your ears.

You followed the waiter through the restaurant you were seemingly far into the establishment, as you rounded a corner you spotted her and your breath caught. In what world did Carla think setting you up with none other than Alexia Putellas was a good idea. She was incredibly out of your league, the contrasting lifestyles, the age difference. Not to mention she was Spanish and your GCSE Spanish years just weren’t coming back to you at all. You couldn’t even remember the translation for hello yesterday. Come to think of it as you neared and her eyes trained to you coming up from her chair to stand aside it, you couldn’t remember it now.

“Hola.. Alexia” she said with no expression before her lips spread into a little smile on her face, your eyes glanced down to the floor ever so briefly as you joined in European culture more prevalent outside of England and air kissed both sides.

“Hola..” You tried and cringed at yourself inwardly, before taking a seat placing your bag on the floor. “Y/N” you focused on the flickering candle in the middle of the table as she got back into her seat before raising your eyes, “It’s nice to meet you”

Alexia nodded the sentiment back, “You to, I’ve heard a lot about you”

“I can’t say the same” You cleared your throat, clearing the surprise, “Carla didn’t tell me who I was meeting tonight”

“And you still came?” Alexia asked raising her eyebrows, she could not have done that and it was evident by the face she was pulling.

You wet your lips with the tip of your tongue, your nerves drying your mouth uncomfortably so, “She picked me up and dropped me off, I don’t think there was any chance for me to not be here tonight”

Her smile was sweet, there was an innocence with it as she sat rigid in her chair your own sign she was in fact nervous, the second being she was fiddling with her knife in her right hand, her eyes however stayed on you the whole time. It felt as though she was gauging you, trying to gather a first impression, work you out. “I couldn’t of done that, took some guts”

“Well as my teacher used to say, you miss all the chances you don’t take so, here I am.”

You couldn’t get over the smile, it seemed so genuine it wasn’t big it didn’t even alter the rest of her face but it gave you a little glimpse that she wasn’t overly disappointed to see you sat opposite her. “Well I’m glad you showed up, whether forced or not” you smiled down at the table, Alexia couldn’t help but stare into your eyes, they held a lot of depth to them. Ironically like the ocean to which in her mind she’d compared them to, they were a gorgeous blue that only was accentuated by the brown tone of your skin. “What are you wanting to drink?” Alexia asked. You leant down to pluck some glasses from your bag, she laughed gently to herself her forearms coming onto the table, “Are they even real?” You looked up from the wine menu you were attempting to read, “They have no glass in them”

Your lips curled ever so slightly as your head went back down something Alexia only caught with her closeness, “Can we drop it? I’ve picked the wrong ones off my coffee table?”

“What looks good?”

You lifted your head up slightly frustrated with yourself, sliding the little book around the candle towards Alexia, “I have no clue, I can’t see a thing” You both laugh as you shook her head at yourself, trying to hide your embarrassed blush. You patted the back of your hand onto the book now in front of Alexia, “Right glasses or not I still have an inability to read Spanish” You watched Alexia thumb go between her teeth as she had a read of the options, “Anything standing out to you?”

She reached a hand without looking at you, “Can I borrow your glasses?” She rose her head and clearly was proud of her self when you were amused by her. She was funny, she did not give that impression from clips you’d seen of her playing. She looked intense.

You pulled the glasses off your face, “.. sure” you flopped your wrist to hold the glasses towards her Alexia gently taking them and placing them upon her own face.

“What wine do you drink?” She asked turning a page, you couldn’t believe how easy this felt, even if it was early on in the evening. Alexia rose her eyes when you didn’t speak, “Why are you laughing?”

You shook your head, “Nothing, just they suit you, bet you’re one of those annoying people that can pull just about anything off” The coy smile on Alexia’s face and a hint of redness at the compliment made you answer her question and put her out her misery, “I drink anything, I prefer sweet though”

The waiter smiled with a helpful smile, “Hola, podrías traerte algunas bebidas para empezar?” He asked and you helplessly looked to Alexia who closed the wine book over as she spoke, “Cuántas copas con el vino?” He asked making a note

She held up two fingers, “Dos for favour” and just like that he was gone, “I ordered you and I a bottle to share”

“Thank You”

As she fiddled to stand the book back up she posed a question, “So why am I funny in the glasses?”

“I have no idea, the laugh was involuntary”

Alexia looked briefly to you her eyes focused on the candle, she seemed nervous to hold eye contact now your attention was solely on her, “Is this where we ask polite questions like what’s your favourite colour?”

You sucked your teeth as your eyes twinkled with amusement, “Guess”

“Guess?”

You nodded folding your arms on the table, “Yeah, have a guess what my favourite colour is” Alexia really seemed to think about her answer her gaze glazing over as she stared out at the restaurant.

You tilted your head ever so slightly patiently waiting as you watched the cogs turning behind her eyes, “Yellow” she exclaimed as if her calculations led her to the only obvious answer left

She’d only gone and guessed your favourite colour on the first try, which was easy to do seeing as before she exclaimed yellow, you didn’t even have a favourite colour. Until she chose yellow for you. You won’t ever look at yellow the same now, the colour forever linking with this woman before you and this wild night you still couldn’t believe you’d agreed to. “You’re right”

Alexia was so excited smiling like a little kid being told Santa had been the night before. “Si? No joke?” You nodded to confirm she was in fact right “What do you think mine is?”

“Green” You smiled as Alexia knitted her brows together, at your quick guess, “I’m right aren’t i?” You asked smugly

“How did you know that?”

“You’ve worn a jacket and Nike’s, both are a shade of green, educated guess”

“Well aren’t you observant” Alexia mumbled, you seemed to loose her for a second as if contemplating something her eyes surveyed you “You have very beautiful eyes” she shocked you both with that comment

“Really?” You pushed, you needed her to elaborate, she broke eye contact as the waiter came with the bottle in a bucket and two glasses he offered for you both to try it but Alexia waved her hand she spoke to the gentlemen smiling and he took his leave after Alexia politely declined his offer to pour the wine.

“Yeah” She confirmed, the air felt thick again as your eyes were locked to one another, like you were trying to build a bridge between your two minds to find out what the other was thinking, “I think it’s because they’re so blue”

“What about them, is it just because they’re blue?” Having Alexia compliment you was an ego boost you needed, you wanted more. You had to hear more. Just to reassure you that she wasn’t disappointed by who sat opposite her.

Alexia was trying her best to not smile but the corners of her mouth were giving her away and the little sparkle in her eyes showing how her seemingly brown eyes had flecks of green in them, “I think it’s because they’re blue but they also come with that smile, it makes them sparkle when you do” You were nodding eyes narrowed said wry smile on your lips, “Are we opening this wine then?” she cleared her throat like she was pulled from a trance your eyes had her in

You saw an opportunity and took it, “You have beautiful eyes to” Alexia didn’t raise her head from the menu, but you saw her blush making that wry smile you had widen in pride you’d made the great Alexia Putellas the person the team you worked with speak as though she was this great untouchable unmovable figure blush. Your tongue made a brief appearance across your bottom lip when she rose her eyes, your eyes locked with hers again, you broke it after a few seconds, “We probably should decide what we want to eat before he comes back”

Alexia hummed, as you began opening the menu on the table, she seemed to not be able to avoid meeting your gaze having a silent conversation between you as much as you couldn’t either, “You don’t like getting into trouble or something?”

“You kidding?” You adjusted in your seat to sit more straight backed as your eyes scanned over the menu, realising you weren't quite as nervous as your body language and positioning would have anyone believe, “My middle names trouble”

“What is your middle name?”

“I’m not telling you that”

“Why?” That clearly peaked Alexia’s interest her arms resting over the menu she should of been reading her body leaning forward, “Come on, i’ll tell you mine”

“It’s not a tit for tat situation” You closed your menu over already decided on what you wanted, “It’s on a need to know basis”

“What basis grants me the need to know”

“When you need to know I’ll let you know” The feeling you got by being able to make Alexia laugh and grin practically ear to ear was a tad overwhelming, it was like you’d just won gold in the sport of, well being able to make a reported stoic women look anything but.

“Please do, I’m curious now” Her attention went back to the menu as you task’d yourself with opening the wine and pouring two glasses, “Gracias” it was a treat to your ears to hear her speaking Spanish, it was captivating, you wouldn’t have a clue what she was saying but you could listen to her speaking Spanish all evening. You found her accent when she spoke English, charming, it endeared you to her if she wasn’t doing that with her personality already. “So how do you know Carla?”

“Um” You placed your glass back down, “We met, in Paris. I was at Parc de Princes with United, I don’t know why she was there but we got talking and followed each other on Instagram and just kept in touch, she quite quickly became a really good friend of mine.”

Alexia looked a little confused you thought this is where it would all go down hill, she clearly didn’t know what you did for a living, what had brought you to Barcelona in the first place. “United?”

“Manchester United in the WSL, I was a photographer for the women’s team.”

Realisation hit Alexia, “Oh, so you doing a similar job as Carla?” You nodded, “You still with United?” You shook your head just as the waiter came to take the food order, as Alexia handed off her menu she asked, “You don’t do that anymore?”

“No I still do that, but I do all the social media side of things now to”

“Dare I ask who for? I assume thats why you're in Spain”

“Why are there clubs that would make you leave?” Alexia sipped her wine her eyes questioning you silently over the rim, “I’m scared”

She put her glass back down, “Don't be, just say it, I won’t leave.. maybe” she teased with a flick of her eyebrows that made your stomach churn

“Badalona” you confirmed and she tilted her head

“Could be worse, I can forgive you for that”

Your lips were brought back into your mouth briefly before you spoke, “Very gracious of you”

“I don’t remember seeing you at the games when we’ve played them, i think i would remember you” You tried to not overthink the intimation behind her words, it could mean a lot of things and you couldn’t let yourself go down that road, not here. Not now.

“I only joined two months ago” You spoke softer, “Did Carla not say?”

Alexia shook her head, “No, I got told she had a friend she wanted me to meet, I said no. I don’t like blind dates.”

“Yet here you are” Alexia just shrugged at you, she didn’t offer you any explanation nor did it seem she wanted to, it made you wonder what changed for her, what did Carla say that changed her mind? Did she get a name? A picture? “Did she kidnap you from your home and bring you here to?”

Alexia smiled raising her eyes from her finger running along the rim of her glass, that was seductive in itself, it was flirtatious, “No, I came of my own free will.. I was intrigued”

“Gosh, I don’t want to know what Carla told you” In truth Carla told her nothing, Alexia got a name and shown a picture of you, she wanted to see those eyes in person in all honesty truth.

“Just that you can’t speak Spanish to save your life” she got that information after agreeing to this evening.

“That’s a lie I can say hospital” Your mouth dropped as Alexia actually rolled her eyes at you shaking her head lips curling at the edges

“It’s said the same almost, it doesn’t count”

“So does! In the context of speaking Spanish to save my life” You put her hand out as your elbow rested on the table, “Right?”

“Maybe” her chest moved as she silently laughed at you, you couldn’t read her eyes, “Carla did say you were funny”

“Am I funny?”

Alexia tilted her chin down ever so slightly as one corner of her mouth turned up, “I’ve laughed at you a few times does that count?”

You silently said oh come on with the face you pulled when your head turned to the side, “No”

“In the context of finding you funny” You took a deep breath shaking your head as she proudly smiled successfully teasing you, “You’ve made me laugh, right?” She mimicked your hand from earlier, 

“You’re not funny”

You were trying and failing at stopping yourself from smiling, she leant closer a finger pointing at you, “Are you sure, there’s a bit of a smile there”

“I’m laughing at you does that count?”

Alexia’s whole face lit up as she laughed at you sitting back in her chair, “Touché” She drank some of her wine, “You’re funny” You smiled triumphantly as Alexia conceded with a smile of her own, she took your glasses off handing them back over, you felt her watching you as you leant down to your side putting them back in your bag. “So you’ve been at your job 2 months now you’ve said?”

“You can’t even say Badalona?”

“No”

You giggled to yourself as your eyes were down on yourself fixing your jacket, “Yeah I’ve been at Badalona 2 months now”

Alexia gave you an unimpressed look before speaking ignoring your giggling behind her hand as you leant on it, “How are you finding it?”

You looked up, meeting her gaze. "Honestly? It’s a bit overwhelming. The culture shock is real, and while I love the city, I’m still figuring everything out. But I’m excited about the potential of the job and the projects I can work on and just see where I can take it really."

She nodded, her expression softening. "It can be tough starting fresh, but the city has a way of welcoming you. Just give it time, and it will feel like home."

Your heart warmed at the sincerity of her words. "Thanks, I hope so. I'm trying to immerse myself in everything—food, culture, the language. But I’ll admit, the language barrier is a bit of a mountain."

Alexia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "You know, a lot of the foreign players that come into Barcelona say that but they soon pick it up.”

"Really?" Your words were hopeful because so far your attempt at picking up the language and been hopeless

“You do have a head start knowing Spanish that would save your life so you can pick it up even quicker than them” she teased, her eyes sparkling.

You chuckled, your cheeks warming at her playfully teasing you yet again. “You’re annoying.”

"I know,” she said with a playful smirk

The waiter returned to your table, placing your food in front of you. As the aroma filled the air, you felt a wave of comfort wash over you. You were sharing this meal with Alexia, and the nerves that had initially consumed you began to dissipate.

As you both dug into your meals, the conversation flowed naturally. You talked about your favourite foods, shared funny stories from your past, ones that didn’t give away any of the negative parts of you. Alexia was easy to talk to, her laughter infectious, and every smile she offered made you feel more at ease.

"So, what’s your favourite thing about being a photographer?" she asked, her eyes focused on you, genuinely intrigued.

You thought for a moment, reflecting on your journey. "It's the ability to capture moments that tell a story, to freeze a feeling in time. I love being behind the lens, seeing the world from different perspectives. Plus, in women’s football, it’s incredible to see the growth and recognition the sport is finally getting."

Alexia’s expression turned thoughtful. "I completely understand that. I often feel like my journey in football is about more than just the game. It’s about paving the way for future generations, breaking barriers, and showcasing the talent that women possess."

"Exactly! And it’s inspiring to see someone like you leading that charge," you said, your admiration evident. "The impact you have on young girls is immeasurable really I see that with the way the girls at Badalona have spoke of you.”

She smiled, a hint of humility in her eyes. "Thank you. I just want to do my part. But enough about me—tell me more about your journey. How did you get into photography?"

You launched into your story, recounting your early interest in photography, how you started with landscapes, and eventually transitioned to sports because as the youngest of your siblings you were dragged along to sport games and you’d bring your camera along for something to do and found a love for photographing sports, in particularly football. As you spoke, you noticed how Alexia listened intently, nodding and occasionally interjecting with questions that showed genuine interest. Something you’d never experienced before when discussing your absolute favourite thing in this world. You were normally met with laughter ridicule and the age old question that you despised. When are you going to get a real job?

Time passed, and before you knew it, your plates were empty, and the restaurant was beginning to quiet down.

"Okay, let's do a fun one," Alexia proposed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "If you could go and live any moment in women's football history, what would it be?"

You paused, pondering the possibilities. "Hmm, that's a tough one. I think it would be something monumental, like the first women’s football World Cup match. To see the joy and pride on those players’ faces, knowing they were paving the way for the future."

"That’s a good choice. I think I would have loved to see the moment when we first played Camp Nou, I don’t feel like I got to take in the moment like I should or could have because I was so focused on the game. The emotions in that moment would be priceless."

You both smiled at each other, the connection deepening as you shared these thoughts. The waiter returned, offering dessert, but you both politely declined, too full and content with the evenings food offerings already. You felt a sense of warmth and connection that was unexpected yet exhilarating. You had come into this date feeling out of your depth, but now, it felt like you were slowly uncovering layers of a potential confidence in yourself and who you were was actually good enough.

You and Alexia had a playful argument over the bill before she relented and let you split it seeing just how stubborn you could be. She followed behind you out of the restaurant out into the crisp air of Barcelona at night, “Do you um” you looked to Alexia when she spoke coming in to step with you on the pavement away from the restaurant, “Do you have somewhere to be or do you fancy going for a drink? I know a great spot” she posed to you

You paused for a moment contemplating the implications before offering a smile, “I have no where to be”

As you walked side by side, the streetlights illuminated your path, creating a soft glow around you. The atmosphere was alive with laughter and chatter from nearby cafes and bars, enhancing the sense of adventure in the air. Neither offered a word as you walked in complete comfortable silence, your attention on the architecture of the buildings around you so much so you wished you had your camera to hand some of the building were completely stunning.

As you approached the bars entrance, the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter greeted you. You stepped inside, the warmth wrapping around you like a welcoming embrace. The walls were adorned with vintage photographs, and the atmosphere was vibrant yet intimate. It was giving romantic. Alexia moved through the bar every so often looking back to make sure you were close and still following as the crowd got slightly more compact, you soon got out the other side guiding you to a lift. “Un minuto Alexia” A voice called you tried to find it in the crowd but you couldn’t place the person until a young women who took a second to take you in came and look to Alexia swiped a card the doors opening. You felt a slight encouraging push on the small of your back from Alexia a silent you first, you stepped inside with her following behind, the woman leant in pressed a button touched her card to a little black box. “Diviértete chicas” she smiled stepping out and the doors closed and off you were going.

“My cousin” Alexia offered quietly over the lift music, it was giving James Bond the vibe, you half expected when the doors opened to be met by attractive men in suits holding guns at you but instead you were met with a stunning view of the city.

“Oh, wow” you were breathless as you stepped out onto the rooftop, it was breathtaking the city by night you could see La Sagrada Familia in the distance completely standing tall in the view the magnificent building it was all lit up. You’d been here two months and still yet to go see it, it had been bumped up your to do list quite rapidly seeing it from this distance and still being impressed by it.

Alexia interrupted you gazing flicking her head to tell you to follow her, you followed dutifully behind, there were only a few other faces up here, she motioned for you to squeeze around the table with a fire pit in the middle to settle on the sofa, “What do you want to drink?” Alexia asked, “Espresso Martinis are good here”

“I’ll have one of those” you smiled, “Thank you”

You watched Alexia disappear out of view before you took your phone from your bag, you had a few texts from Carla

I hope you have a nice time

Alexia is a good person

Just be kind and I promise you’ll have a nice time with her

You smiled at the messages sent not long after she left you all those hours ago, you were shocked to see the time was nearly 11, you’d met Alexia at 7 o’clock, you were replying when Alexia rounded the corner with two cocktails

Yeah she’s lovely, this wasn’t nearly as awful as I thought it would be 🤍

You locked your phone slipping it back into your bag beside you, “That was quick”

Alexia grinned as she settled onto the sofa beside you, placing the cocktails on the table. "The bartender knows how to work fast" she said, handing you your drink. "I hope you like it."

You took a sip, the rich flavour of the espresso martini dancing on your tongue. "Wow, this is amazing! You were right."

She leaned back, visibly pleased. "I told you! It’s one of my favourites. The perfect blend of coffee and sweetness."

As you both relaxed into the plush sofa, you took a moment to soak in the view yet again. The city sprawled out beneath you, illuminated by countless lights. The Sagrada Familia stood majestically in the distance all light up your eye naturally staying on the stunning building, a reminder of the artistry that defined Barcelona. It's history.

"Isn’t it incredible?" Alexia said, breaking the comfortable silence. "The way the city transforms at night. It feels completely different, doesn’t it?"

"Definitely," you agreed, your eyes still captivated by the twinkling lights. "It’s like a different world up here." You were speaking so softly to match the aurora of the rooftop and the silence despite being in the middle of the city, soft music in the background and the giggling woman in the corner with her boyfriend canoodling.

You both sipped your drinks, letting the ambiance wash over you. The warmth of the fire pit flickered nearby, adding to the cozy atmosphere. It felt intimate, the kind of setting that encouraged deeper conversations. "So," Alexia began, her tone shifting slightly with your body following it turning ever so slightly to face you. “Tell me about your family.”

“My family is a complicated one” Alexia listened intently, her expression thoughtful. Your eyes moved down to the drink in your hand you took a sip sitting up to place it on the table before sinking back down on the sofa, both your heads barely visible over the back of it you were that comfortable on it. “I don’t like talking about it”

You chanced a look at her, the soft glow of the fire reflecting in her eyes. "What’s your go-to drink? Is it as sophisticated as you are?"

You chuckled, thankful she changed the subject without fuss or further questioning. "Depends on the occasion. If I’m feeling adventurous, maybe a fancy cocktail, but most days, I’m just a beer and pizza kind of person. What about you? Do you always order espresso martinis, or is that just for impressing me?"

She laughed, the sound melodic and inviting. "Oh, you caught me! I only order them when I’m trying to charm someone. I guess I’m trying to establish a vibe here."

You raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming on your lips. "Well, I’d say it’s working. But now I’m curious—what else do you do to charm someone?"

Alexia turned her head from you, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she reached forward to place her drink on the table next to yours “I might throw in a few compliments, maybe get a little laughter going, and definitely some good eye contact."

"Good eye contact, huh?" you replied, replaying all the moments her eyes would always somehow find yours, gaining her attention back her cheek resting against her shoulder as she watched you. "So, like this?" You locked eyes with her, holding her gaze just a moment longer than necessary.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she chuckled, breaking the intensity. “Like that is just fine, I think you’re catching on quick”

"Just trying to keep up with a professional footballer," you teased. "It’s not easy."

Her eyes twinkling with challenge she whispered out. "Maybe I should give you some tips on how to handle it."

You leaned your head back into the sofa as you moved your weight onto your right hip to angle towards her like she had you, you were intrigued. "Oh, I’m all ears. What’s your best advice for someone trying to impress a football superstar?"

"Humility and discretion is key," she said, her voice low and playful. "And a little mystery never hurts. Keep them wondering what you’re thinking."

You nodded, feigning seriousness. "So I should just stare at you blankly, then?"

Alexia burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling. "That’s not quite what I meant. But it might work if you do it with the right amount of charm!"

You nodded yet again, “I’ll be sure to report back when I try it on one of the professional footballers at Badalona” You felt a flutter of pride at your tease you shared a smile and eye contact before she rolled her head to look out at the view again. The rooftop became your own little world, a sanctuary where you could connect and explore each other’s minds oblivious to who was around it could be empty or packed for all either of you knew. So intently focused on one another.

You caught Alexia eye you out the corner of her eye, “You got your eye on someone then?” there sounded like a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“No, thought it might make a good TikTok” she smiled shaking her head at your joke. You glanced over your shoulder at the couple before you found Alexia already looking at you when you turned your head back. “Maybe I should start my own TikTok for some dating tips,” you suggested playfully, your heart racing as her gaze lingered on you. “After all, who wouldn’t want to learn how to charm a superstar?”

Alexia chuckled, her laughter mingling with the soft music that floated through the air around you. “I’d watch that! Just make sure to include the part where you stare blankly at them,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. The two of you shared a comfortable silence, sipping your drinks and watching the stars twinkle above. The atmosphere felt charged with a mix of excitement and an underlying shift of flirtatious banter between you that neither of you could ignore.

In the midst of that silence, you felt the weight of her gaze, a warmth radiating from her presence that made your heart race. The flickering fire pit cast a soft glow on her features, highlighting the delicate curve of her smile and the way her eyes sparkled with mischief. It was intoxicating, drawing you in deeper. “Have you ever considered that the stars might be watching us right now?” you asked playfully, the corner of your mouth lifting in a teasing grin. “Maybe they’re taking notes on our date.”

Alexia chuckled, tilting her head back to gaze at the night sky. “If they are, I hope they’re impressed. This is quite the evening.”

You laughed, “I’m definitely impressed. Not every day you get to share a drink with a football superstar on a rooftop in Barcelona.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her gaze back to you, her expression softening. “And not every day I get to share a drink with an incredibly beautiful woman who has a way of making me laugh.”

You felt a surge of warmth at her compliment, your heart fluttering at the sincerity in her tone. “You’re making me blush,” you admitted, a playful grin spreading across your face.

“I can see that,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with delight. “It's cute.” The atmosphere shifted, the playful banter giving way to a deeper seriousness. You both leaned in slightly, as if the world around you had faded away, leaving just the two of you suspended in this moment. “Can I confess something?” Alexia said, her voice dropping to a softer tone.

“Of course,” you replied, intrigued by her shift in demeanour.

“I was really nervous before we met. I had no idea what to expect,” she admitted, her gaze steady on yours. “But honestly? This has turned out to be one of the best nights I’ve had in a long time.”

Your heart swelled at her words, a rush of warmth flooding through you. “I feel the same way. I was so anxious, but being here with you… I’m really enjoying myself”

“Carla will be unbearable when she finds out”

You laughed Alexia’s eyes lowering to your hand on her forearm the first physical contact you’d had, “I’ll leave that joy with you”

“Gee Thanks”

“Welcome” you smiled sincerely at her.

Alexia glanced at her watch. “I can’t believe it’s already midnight,” she said, surprise evident in her voice. “Time really flies when you’re having fun.”

“It really does,” you agreed, a hint of reluctance in your tone. Part of you didn’t want the night to end.

“How you getting home?”

“Uber” she nodded at your answer like it was the correct answer

“Well, I’ll wait with you, I can walk from here”

“Is that safe?”

She softly smiled at you almost like she appreciated you cared, “Yes, shall we have one more before we make a move?”

You began to pull yourself up from the sofa you’d both slouched down sitting extremely comfortably, “I’ll get these”

As the night warned it was drawing to a close, your nerves were spiking again, you really didn’t want this night to end. In the past when hearing stories of two women meeting on a first date and stayed that evening and never left. It baffled you how someone could do that. You certainly couldn’t. But stood here now waiting for the bartender to make your drinks, the feeling of dread of having to part from her filling you up, the notion didn’t feel so far fetched anymore.

You smiled when she looked to you with a pleased smile as you returned, she genuinely looked happy you’d returned, “Here you go”

Alexia sat up as you perched on the edge as you both took a sip as she placed her drink on the table you didn't know whether it was the fire pit or Alexia's continued gaze but your cheeks felt warm.

You smiled as you settled back onto the sofa, the glow from the fire pit enveloping you both. Alexia's gaze remained fixed on you, her eyes twinkling in the soft light.

"You know," she began, her voice low and intimate, "I'm really glad Carla convinced me to come tonight. I almost said no."

You raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh? What made you change your mind?"

Alexia's lips curled into a small smile. "She showed me a picture of you. Those eyes of yours... I couldn't resist the chance to see them in person."

Your heart fluttered at her admission. "Well, I'm glad you did. Though I have to admit, I was terrified when I saw it was you sitting at the table."

"Terrified?" Alexia chuckled. "Why's that?"

You felt a blush creep up your cheeks as you admitted, "Well, you're... you. I was worried I'd make a fool of myself or that we'd have nothing in common. Or I wasn't good enough for your time or something"

Alexia's expression softened at your final comment, her eyes warm as they met yours. "And now?"

"Now..." you paused, gathering your thoughts. "Now I'm just glad I took the chance. You're not at all what I expected."

"Is that a good thing?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

You nodded, a gentle smile playing on your lips. "Definitely. You're funny, kind, and so easy to talk to. I feel like I've known you for ages."

Alexia's face lit up at your words. She reached out discreetly, her fingers brushing lightly against yours on the sofa cushion between you. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through you, your breath catching in your throat. Alexia's eyes flickered down to where your hands touched before meeting your gaze again.

"I feel the same way," she said softly, her eyes never leaving yours. "There's something about you that just... draws me in."

The air between you felt charged, thick with possibility. You found yourself leaning in slightly, pulled by an invisible force. Alexia mirrored your movement, her eyes darting to your lips before returning to your eyes. The rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you in this moment.

"Y/N," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft music and the crackling fire. "I don't usually do this with someone I've just met, but..."

Your heart raced as you anticipated her next words. "But?" you prompted gently. You silently begging her to put you out your misery and finish that sentence.

"But I really want to kiss you right now," Alexia admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Time seemed to stand still as she waited for your answer but you were waiting for her to follow through on her words, you brought your face closer to hers the spacing slowly fading, her eyes went to your lips as your noses brushed as she closed the gap you'd left, your eyes closed and it was the most soft sweet connection of your lips with another’s you’d had. They were pressed together for four Mississippi’s, not that you were counting, you felt breathless when her lips left yours your chest had for sure flushed under your tee but neither of you made a move to create a distance.

She smiled first before you laughed ever so softly, her smile grew.

"For the record" You whispered, "I really wanted to kiss you to"

Her thumb came up to hold your chin and she did it again, that sweet crush of your lips, her mouth opened and closed again around your bottom lip before she released her gentle hold. You watched her throat bounce as she pulled herself away, "I'm really glad we got that second drink"

You began laughing softly which made her smile grow, you reached for said drink and took a long sip, dutch courage you probably should have had before the kiss. "Me to"

You were soon back in the comfortable bubble with Alexia resting back in the sofa drink in hand smiling as you continued having free flowing conversations, "What's your middle name?" You tittered at her bringing that back up.

"Promise me you won't laugh" Alexia simply rose her eyebrows, "Elsa"

"Like out of frozen?" her brows had changed from curiosity to confusion in a flash

"And that's why I don't tell people" You touched the back of your hand to her bicep ever so briefly.

"Let's stay calm Elsa, I'm nice and toasty don't fancy being frozen" she laughed her arms coming over her chest when you back handed her arm with a bit more force this time.

"Don't call me Elsa"

Alexia narrowed her eyes that mischievous glint back again, "Oh I am so calling you Elsa" her lips broke into a smile before you both started laughing yet again.

"Alexia" Alexia sat up looking over shoulder to the voice, you remembered that voice it was the woman from the lift, "Nena, ya cerramos, tendrás que irte, lo siento." Alexia nodded sitting back again she pointed at your phone just sticking out your bag.

"Do you want to order your uber, they're closing so they're kicking us out"

"Geez, what time is it?" You got your phone, "You know we said one more an hour and a half again"

"We've really nursed those drinks"

You sat up looking behind you at Alexia still lay back, "To busy chatting, you really can chew a girls ear off"

"Charmingly I hope" You out the corner of your eye caught her smiling as you did so pulling your app up, "All good?" you nodded slipping your phone back into your bag as Alexia got to her feet moving out from behind the table you soon followed suit back into the lift you came out of two and a half hours ago.

The benefit of living in a city was as you came out the bar back onto the street your Uber was already waiting, "Thank you" you looked to Alexia, "I've had a really great night"

Alexia silently opened her arms you stepped forward to accept, your eyes closed when one arm came around your body and another hand rested on the back of your head. "Me to"

"Get home safe"

Alexia nodded as you pulled the uber door open, she simply nodded you shared a little smile as you shut the door and she waved you off into the night. Leaving her behind a grinning mess.

Alexia took a shot coming here tonight and it turned out to the perfect one.

-------------------

Like I said nervous about this one 🙈 let me know what you think

Apart of Perfect Shot Series

[five-rivers]

Tuck's Labyrinth

[Phic Phight Phill Phor @mistythefifth!]

Tucker was a lot of things.  A genius.  A first-rate bachelor.  A carnivore.   A snack.  A geek.  Unbelievably handsome.  An Esperantist.  God’s gift to women (and men of good taste).  A gamer.  Cool beyond cool.  A hacker.  Eminently eligible.  A ghost hunter.  Drop-dead gorgeous.  A hobbyist archer.  A magnet for Cupid’s arrows.  The reincarnation of an ancient and possibly evil pharaoh.  Bootylicious. The best friend of the personification of memento mori and also Danny Fenton.  And, most importantly, too fine.  

He was not, however, in any way equipped to deal with this.  

“It's so obvious,” said Wes.  “If you'd just open your eyes–”

“You're the one who needs to open his eyes.  Or at least get checked for colorblindness.”

“Do you hear yourself?  If even you think it's reasonable to mix up Fenton and Phantom just by swapping colors–”

“Uh, one, it isn't, and, two, I was talking about coming to school wearing… that.”

Paulina pointed a manicured fingernail in the direction of Wes's clothing, which was, in her defense, a particularly eye-searing combination of flannel plaid jacket, striped t-shirt, novelty camouflage pants, and bright orange boots.  Even Tucker didn't dress like that.  Regularly.  Wes hunched in on himself.  

“It's laundry day,” he said. 

“Your mama's washing your shoes too, huh?”

“Shut up,” said Wes.  “I don't need to take this from a necrophiliac.”

“You–!”

Tucker couldn't take much more of this.  “You guys do know that there's an actual evil ghost in here somewhere?  You know, the one who turned the school into a maze and trapped us in it?”

“I don't know what you're worried about,” said Wes, “Fenton's not going to leave you here.”

Paulina scoffed.  “Fenton's hiding in a closet somewhere. Mi amor, Phantom, on the other hand, will beat up that nasty ghost and sweep me off my feet at any moment.  You can thank me now.”

Tucker loved Danny like a brother, but these guys had way too much faith in a guy who'd once lost a fight with a grocery bag.  (Long story.)

“That's great,” said Tucker.  “But may I remind you: giant maze.”

Wes rolled his eyes.  “Mazes are easy.  You just have to make all right turns.  You can stop the performance already.”

“My what?”

“You know, hyping up your lying friend.  Being a ghost doesn't make him cool.”

“Nothing could make any of you cool,” said Paulina, “but Mr. Delusional is right.  Mazes are easy.”

“You're calling me delusional, when you're–?!”

“Okay, okay,” said Tucker.  “So, three things.  One, the right hand turns thing is only good for getting out of a maze, not for finding people in it.  Two, it only works if you start with a wall that connects with the outside.  And, most importantly, for it to work, you have to actually be doing it.”

Tucker was definitely channeling Danny, or maybe Sam, but there was such a thing as being too laid back.

“Well, we're not stopping you,” said Paulina, examining her fingernails.  “Go run off and do whatever.  I'll tell Phantom when he comes to rescue me.  Probably.”

“Hey, wait, no, Fenton's coming for him–”

Yeah, Tucker wished he could leave.  But these two had no ghost fighting experience, would throw themselves at a ghost if they thought it would get Danny's attention, and would throw themselves at each other if Tucker wasn’t here.  Heck, they were doing it with him here. 

Sam probably would have left, which meant that he was channeling Danny.  

This was terrible.  How did Danny do this?

“Look,” said Tucker, interrupting the argument.  “Even if you think that we’re going to be rescued, we don’t know when and we don’t know if there are other ghosts around who could attack us.  We need some kind of a plan.”  

Paulina and Wes stared at him.  

“Other than just waiting to be rescued,” clarified Tucker.  He waved at the ‘room’ around them.  “We aren’t even somewhere we can barricade, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t see a drinking fountain or a bathroom anywhere.”  They were, in fact, in a fairly featureless stretch of hallway, complete with lockers, slightly-cracked linoleum, and buzzing fluorescent lights.  The locker numbers were non-sequential and had three more digits than the highest-numbered real lockers at the school.  

“I never go to the bathroom at school,” said Wes.  “That’s where they get you.”

“Dude,” said Tucker.  “Like, how?  Do you not drink or what?”

“I don’t drink at school.  If I did, I’d have to use the bathroom.”

“No wonder you’re so crazy,” said Paulina.  “I’d say that you should just go to the bathroom with your friends, like a normal person, but you don’t have any of those.”

“I do too!”

“Yeah?  Who?” asked Paulina.  

Tucker listened, too.  And took out his PDA.  This would be good data for his all-school relationship map.  

(Hey, it was an important multi-function tool.  How was he supposed to know who to ask out without it?  Or who to blackmail with what if someone more credible than Wes Weston found out Danny’s secret?)

“I’m not going to tell you.  You’ll just say that they aren’t real.”

Ooh.  That was just sad.  Tucker put his PDA away.

“Well, now I am,” said Paulina.  

There was a sudden, startling chime from the PA system.  Tucker looked around, trying to find the speaker.  

“Hi, so, first off, don’t panic,” said Danny’s voice.  

That… was maybe not the best way for Danny to start.  Jeez.  

“Oh!  Oh!  It’s Phantom!” said Paulina, bouncing distractingly.  

“It’s Fenton,” said Wes, “and it’s about time.”

“And, secondly, no, I haven’t found the office.  I’m possessing the PA system.  And, no, I can’t hear you, unless you find one of the PA buttons and–”

There were a series of beeps, followed by shouting, followed by a screech of feedback.  

“--ough of that!” said Danny, getting control of the system again.  “So, if you can get to a button, I can hear you, but I can’t teleport you out, so that’s kind of pointless.  Unless you’re being attacked or something.  Which could be happening.  This guy named himself Daedalmouse, which sort of implies the existence of a Mousotaur, and I’ve been fighting a lot of ghost rats trying to find him.  I’m pretty sure that finding him and beating him up will undo the whole labyrinth thing, but I don’t know how long it will take – yes, I know about the right hand wall trick, but that only works for getting out of mazes that are, you know, following the laws of physics, and not finding crazy ghosts that aren’t following the laws of physics.  I’ll try to check in by possessing the speakers every couple of hours, but in the meantime, hang tight, find places with water, all that survivalist stuff.  If you find a way out, go for it, but no Icarus stuff.  Icarus,” mumbled Danny, sounding distracted.  “Icarus.  Icar-mouse?”  The PDA system chimed again, and then fell silent.  

Except for everyone mashing the buttons, but that was just unintelligible noise and didn’t count.  

“The ghost is named Deadmau5?” asked Paulina.  “What a rip off.”

“He said Daedalmouse.  Like Daedalus?  From Greek mythology?  Ringing any bells?” asked Wes.  

“Whatever,” said Paulina.  “I bet you don’t even know who Deadmau5 is.”

Tucker breathed in slowly through his nose.  “Let’s at least find one of the call buttons so that we can, you know, call for help?  Hello?  Wes?  Paulina?”  Tucker sighed and adjusted his glasses.  “Or so that we can call Phantom when he gets on next?”

“Please, like you need the announcement system to call your best frie–”

“Yes, and then once Phantom knows where I am, he will come and rescue me,” said Paulina, skipping down the hallway.  

“Sure,” said Tucker.  He started walking.  He didn’t want Paulina to get too far ahead.  “Are you coming, Wes?”

“You could just call him,” said Wes.  “On your phone.”

As a point of fact, Tucker had already tried that.  It didn’t work.  “I don’t have Phantom’s number, Wes.”

“I hate you so much.  All of you.”

“I know, Wes.”   

.

“Oh!  Look at that!” said Paulina, pointing around the corner.  

Tucker ran forward - well, jogged, they’d been walking for a while, vainly searching for a classroom door - thinking she’d seen a ghost.  She hadn’t.  

They all looked at the vending machine, hungrily. 

Paulina ran forward and punched in a number on the vending machine keypad, then stopped and turned back to Tucker and Wes.

“Do, like, either of you have any money?”

“Aren’t you rich or something?” asked Wes.  

“Which is how you know I’ll pay you back,” said Paulina.  She flipped her hair over her shoulder.  “I can’t believe that the one time I leave my purse in my locker during school, this happens.”

“Is it still school property if it’s in a nightmare ghost maze?” asked Tucker, because there was jerky in there, and his ultra-predator instincts needed fuel, darn it.  “We can always say the ghost broke it.”

“Okay, but, like, how?” asked Paulina.  “I’m not breaking my nails on this thing.”

“Just move,” said Tucker, pulling out his PDA and nudging Paulina to the side.  He probably had some dongle or other that would connect to the vending machine.  Not this one…  Not that one…  There, he could slide that into the card reader and then just run the program.  He hadn’t tested this before, so he had no idea if it would–

Tucker didn’t have Danny’s ghost sense, but after over a year of ghost hunting, he’d picked up a few things.  Like when a ghost was about to cream him.  Unfortunately, he still didn’t have much of a skill set when it came to what to do when he noticed a ghost was about to cream him.  He looked over his shoulder.  

Yep.  That was a giant ghost rat, all right.  

He dropped his PDA, then threw himself to the floor as the rat jumped straight at his head.  It hit the vending machine, sending it crashing to the floor.  Paulina screamed and ducked around the corner.  Wes stared, frozen.  

Tucker shoved his hands in his pockets and pulled out his lipstick laser.  He spun the top and started firing.  The rat yelped.  He loved this thing so much.

But giant ghost rats had thicker skin than the typical animal ghost, because it jumped on Tucker, knocking the laser out of his hands.  He and the rat rolled around, wrestling.  

Man, all this scene needed was some fire, and then it’d be straight out of that one mov–

Paulina came screaming back around the corner, carrying a large cork board over her head.  It was covered in motivational posters with slogans like ‘If someone tells you that you cannot become immortal, they are liars,’ ‘Doesn’t it make sense that a lot of witch hunts are witch hunts because it’s your birthday?’ and ‘If we all work together we can make the north pole collapse under its own weight.’  

She slammed the board down on the rat’s head and it sort of staggered off Tucker, twitching.  It was a good thing it was too stupid to go intangible.  Paulina had used enough force that Tucker would have some broken ribs if the rat was smart.  

But the rat’s disorientation was momentary.  It turned back to Paulina and Tucker, teeth bared.  Which was when Wes started shooting the rat with the lipstick laser.  The rat yelped and twisted to face him, levitating up into the air, which in turn gave Tucker enough time to roll to his feet and activate his wrist ray.  

He didn’t like the wrist rays as much as the lipstick laser, they were harder for him to aim, but at this range, that hardly mattered.  After being hit a few dozen times, the rat ran away, squeaking.  

“Thanks,” said Tucker.  “That was–  Thanks.  Can I have that back?”

Wes, pale faced, handed the lipstick laser back to Tucker like it was a loaded gun…  Which wasn’t exactly inaccurate…  

“That was so gross,” said Paulina, holding her hands out in front of her as if they were contaminated.  Tucker didn’t know what her problem was, she hadn’t even touched the rat.  

“Yeah,” agreed Wes, who hadn’t even been near the rat, breathlessly.  He was getting some of his color back, though, so that was good.  Tucker never knew what to do when people passed out.  Unless those people were Danny, in which case what to do usually involved evacuation, ghost first aid, and deciding how many days to tell Danny he’d been out for when he woke up.  

“Could’ve been worse,” said Tucker.  “Luckily, you had me.  Tucker Foley, too fine.”

Paulina and Wes stared at him, lips starting to curl.  Tough crowd.  

How did Danny do this?

Tucker shrugged, discarding the thought, and walked over to the vending machine.  He rescued his PDA - the reinforcement upgrades were really paying off! - kicked the machine to shake off some of the broken glass, and reached in to pull out a packet of jerky.  It had his name on it.  Metaphorically speaking.  

“Are you really going to eat that?” asked Wes.  “That thing was all over you.”

“Well, yeah,” said Tucker, peeling open the packet.  “But it was dead, so…”

“It could have the plague,” said Wes.

“Then I’m already dead,” said Tucker.  “Since it was all over me and all.  Ooh, this type has cheese in it.”  He took a bite and the walls shimmered.  The next thing Tucker knew, he was standing on the front lawn of the school, along with the rest of the student body.

“We’re out?” asked Wes.  

“Phantom saved us,” said Paulina, clasping her hands together, her previous disgust forgotten.  “I knew he would.  Next time, I’ll have to give him a hero’s reward.  Fate is so cruel, to keep us apart.”

Wes scoffed.  “He literally sits two rows behind you in almost every class you have.”

Tucker took a deep breath, anticipating the argument, then turned and walked away.  They were out of the maze.  It wasn’t his problem anymore.  He could enjoy his jerky.  

High overhead, Tucker heard Danny scream.  “It was about the ‘mice’ finding the cheese in your stupid maze?  Why the heck are you Ancient Greek themed if you’re just a mad scientist?!”

[demonic0angel]

Part 4 of Phantom’s Royal Court (click for clarity)

Extra notes:

+ Paulina and Dash are the two models in the picture :) (with a tiny Star at the bottom). They and all of their friends who bullied Danny have chosen to work inside of his castle in order to make up for their past. I hate the idea of “victim forces their bullies to become their servant for revenge”, so I choose to believe that Paulina and Dash voluntarily chose to become Danny’s employees. They technically just count as extra bodyguards and do some errands for him when they have free time, unlike Sam and Tucker who are with Danny 24/7.

+ Because the Observants are so paranoid, most humans inside of the Phantom Castle do not have weapons (except for Jazz, Valerie, and Wes). However, Danny didn’t like the thought of them being defenseless, so he advocated for them and Tucker developed their wrist guards, which form shields when the buttons are pressed. Said shields are able to protect them from both ghost attacks and human bullets but can’t really do much else.

+ Paulina and her friends help Sam and Valerie in defending Danny when needed. They rarely attack people, but when they do, it’s incredibly vicious. Dash and the boys tackle people when protecting Danny tho lmao

+ Wes works as Valerie’s attendant and assistant and mainly works with Jazz and Tucker in counsel/advising and informative work. He wears a mask similar to Valerie’s and wears red in order to differentiate himself from the others. He also receives a few weapons from Valerie to protect himself bc he’s Valerie’s closest ally and she does not fully trust anyone else.

+ I like Wes as Valerie’s best friend bc I believe that when she heard that Wes was investigating Phantom, she immediately befriended him for his investigative abilities and bc she was so lonely when she lost all of her friends. (Also, I think it’s funny asf to imagine Wes pulling his hair out bc Valerie won’t believe him when he says Danny is Phantom, even tho she literally fights him everyday.)

+ The design for both Paulina and Dash both look servant-like, despite how I tried to avoid it. It is somewhat unintentional because I wanted them to have formal, but practical clothing without looking like any of the others. The fact that they’re uniforms doesn’t help ����

+ Like Jazz, the black veil is meant to resemble a mourning veil. The idea was that Danny’s human friends would wear it as a sign of mourning for him, while the “gods” wore masks as burial shrouds and to hide their human faces. The only two humans who don’t wear a veil are Valerie, who was chosen to kill Danny if he ever went rogue, and Wes, who is loyal only to Valerie.

Part one

Part two

Part three

[sleepy-writes-stuff]

DP X DC PROMPT #28

(#) = Notes at the end of post

✦

Chartreuse

Due to the high levels of ambient ectoplasm, all the citizens of Amity Park gained a permanent change in eye color. They don't glow or flare in response to rampant emotions like true ghosts or the halfas though. They're just an unnaturally bright yellow-green.

The thing is, nobody else on Earth has this eye color, and it's never been seen in the human race until the recently graduated Amity Parkers started branching out to other cities to find jobs.

Nobody paid this any mind at first, though. Many just thought the individuals liked strangely colored contacts or it was a trick of the light. It's not until Danny and Tucker are both hired for positions in Wayne Enterprises that questions start popping up.

At first, the other employees thought the two might be related. It could happen, it's not that strange. However, when both of them said they're nowhere near related, just childhood best friends, it left everyone confused. If they aren't related and they aren't wearing colored contacts, then what are the odds of too completely unrelated people having the exact same strange and unseen eye color?

After a while, everyone just stops asking questions. After all, both men are easy to get along with and are excellent at their jobs, so a strange eye color isn't really something to complain about. Their stares were just a bit more intense than most people, and honestly, they've seen stranger things.

It helps that they've started seeing other people with the same eye color popping up in celebrity, sports, and activist circles. (1)

However, It's not until the power goes out during a late meeting/presentation, and Tim Drake accidentally turns on and shines his cell phone light into Tuckers eyes, that he starts seriously digging.

Needless to say, the animal-like green shine of his pupils scared the shit out of him and got him wondering if two of his new employees were part of a previously unknown alien race that'd recently settled on Earth without anyone noticing. When he looks into the middle of nowhere town they came from, this idea is even further cemented when he sees every person he finds a photo of have the exact same shade of chartreuse eyes. Ignoring the ghost rumors and "sightings" as just a strange tourist trap for the strange little town to make extra income, he brings the info he found to the other bats and birds.

They aren't exactly welcomed when they go snooping around Amity Park, unfortunately... (2 & 3)

✦

Now. To make this a bit more cracky, when confronted, do Danny and Tucker just come clean or do they milk the idea of them being aliens for all it's worth? (4) Add in a few strange, but perfectly normal for them, things they do that have people scratching their heads and make the assumption even worse/more irrefutable. This includes the unexplainable eye shine Tim discovered.

✦

(1) Paulina became a supermodel and is coveted for her striking eye color and beautiful complexion. Dash became a coach for a well known college in Metropolis, while Kwan became a fitness trainer and sponsor for health related items that actually work, also partnered with the college Dash coaches at. Sam became a notorious environmental activist and is the enemy of many companys who are determined to turn the world into a toxic wasteland. With the help of Danny's parents, she's found many eco-friendly chemical compounds that dissolve many of the toxic substances damaging ecosystems around the world. Etc, etc.

(2) Ectoplasm exposure has made everyone a bit more territorial over the town, including their protectors. They don't need outside heroes/organizations interfering with their work and don't/won't take kindly to the sudden interest hero organizations gain over them and their strange little town. That hasn't worked out too well with other government sanctioned organizations in the past and they don't want a repeat, thank you.

(3) Maybe Team Phantom even established themselves right around the same time or even before the Justice League was formed and they just flew under the radar until now. Maybe Amity Parkers feel a bit superior due to their seniority in having an excellent team in the know about the supernatural/non-human side of the world/universe? Who knows? You pick! Amity Park has been through a lot by themselves, so it's no shocker if they have an extreme amount of solidarity towards those they call their own.

(3 cont'd) Also! Since Amity Park has become so rich and saturated in ectoplasm over the years, they were eventually annexed/became an outside part of the Ghost Zone. Jack and Maddy are border patrol and any ghosts coming through need a passport now. Amity Park is basically a vacation hub for ghosts? Ghosts can freely roam the streets, they just don't wreak havoc anymore. That'd basically be terrorizing their fellow citizens at this point anyway and that's a no no. That means jail time with Walker. Amity Parkers also aren't afraid anymore and in fact CAN hit back now. This does not stop the Bat Clan and eventually the Justice League from thinking they're a town full of aliens tho. Some are just more human looking than others. Or they've been on Earth and procreating long enough with humans that their hybrid offspring have also started looking more human, is the ongoing conclusion.

(4) The Anti-Ecto Acts are not an issue here! Team Phantom already dismantled and annihilated the GIW years before they even thought of leaving Amity Park on its own. Before graduating highschool even. Yes, Team Phantom is perfectly self-sufficient and able to handle their own problems and have kept the city-wide ghost infestation pretty isolated outside a few events that were handled quickly and with the world none the wiser. So the world is still pretty ignorant of the existence of ghosts/the Ghost Zone. Would Team Phantom and Amity Park prefer to keep it that way though?

[evilminji]

I've seen references to it in other Prompts?

But unironically? Paulina should Heckle superheroes more.

Like? Look at her AS A CHARACTER. You think she respects Authority? In their Tacky suits and with their weak ass boundaries she's been stomping over her ENTIRE LIFE, largely unpunished? Because she's Pretty and gifted in the Social Grace's department?

Granted, rarely USES them on most of these needs. But she HAS them and CAN. Why do you thinks she THE popular girl? Looks? Please. There are plenty of pretty girls out there. SHE can make you feel like you're the most important person in the whole world. Her BEST friend.

SHE put in the work to have flawless skin and a complexe social network based on future networth and political significance. A cute butt. Socials beyond reproach.

And SHE? Is so, SO fuckin PISSED.

Her Boo (don't judge her, it's a cute pun) is being SHOT at! Is run in to the ground EXHAUSTED. Doing jobs that CERTAIN people should be getting off their asses to do. CERTAIN people keep making pretty little speechs and getting good PR, while out here HER BOO is getting LAZER HOLES punched through him!

He should be of DATES. Laughing and going for flights. Sitting in the bleachers of cheer practice, safe and silly and shouting tips even though he doesn't know the first thing about Cheer. Getting to be YOUNG. In love!

And Paulina? Always on her phone. Their socials are just... RIGHT THERE. Oooh, Mr. "We protect everybody, aren't we such GOOD GUYS~☆" Her favorite flats! And, maybe, yeah, it's the pain from getting THROWN from the top of the pyramid they were practicing by that fucking GIW explosion.

Maybe it's the fact that Phantom hand to shield her with his BODY and those bastards SHOT at them. Could be the squad egging her on, furious and phones out. But how the weather in Metropolis, Supes? Enjoying up in your little ivory tower? Guess only city kids matter, huh?

Fastest man alive to ignore a genocide, HUH, Flash?

Nice Speech, Wonder Hypocrite. Guess "all woman are Amazons" until they're DEAD. Then you can do what you want to them?

Just. These Pretty, Bland, Offend No One, We're Aiming For Good Sport Colleges And Know They Check These accounts? Going NUCLEAR. All pretty, made for TV faces too. The sort of thing that makes for GREAT news segments and terrible PR.

Because? If Paulina is doing it? Well, A Lister solidarity. Jocks gotta have their back. They've been holding back some Opinions(tm). Time to throw um to the web.

And the blockades? Doesn't do SHIT. Because the GIW forgot one simple factor(well, MANY factors).

Cheerleaders have Away Games.

Paulina and Company? If they can't text INSIDE Amity? Fine. They'll cue them up. Release them at Amity VS. Whatever loser they're crushing next. Rah, rah, go teeeeam! Guess who has internet nooooooow!

GIW may have access to high tech devices and authoritarian control... but they're IDIOTS prone to easily avoidable human errors.

Meanwhile? Most of the JLA is metaphorically ON FIRE.

[r3ynah]

The people we lose along the way;

A prompt where Danny's old middle school lab professor was the Joker (from Batman: The Killing Joke) and Danny and his classmates call him Professor J, Him and his wife Jianne was born and raised in Amity Park, so overtime being surrounded by large amounts of ectoplasm, Professor J. became a liminal.

And Prof J. was actually a good teacher, the kind of teacher that will let you eat in his class, give you snacks at random times, and someone you can seek solace and peace whenever you get stressed.

Him and his wife always were there for everyone as a shoulder to cry on or just a helping hand, they were dearly beloved by the whole community.

Professor J was actually very funny, but his humor was only circled around amity park due to the fact it's a town not very social with other city, towns, social media, or the net, and they are famously known to keep to themselves.

Nonetheless everyone saw the potential in Professor J, and supported him to the fullest, why they ended up in Gotham was a mystery (some excuse that'll I'll probably come up later, but I'll let you guys do the imagining).

I like to think Gotham has very toxic ectoplasm so when He and his wife moved there he couldn't handle the toxins and it affected him mentally and physically.

after they moved everything started to go downhill, prof J first worked in a lab, then he quitted his job and became a comedian and sadly failing, Jianne almost who was almost due to give birth sadly died due to an accident, and then the Joker happened.

Now a couple a years after the comic took place, the amity parkers (they don't know what happened in these past years, they only know that the professor J. they know became a well-known comedian, or so he says) still in touch with Prof J. continued to talk to him through phone calls, messages and letters most of the time it's just his students that call, and some of his few close friends there, they tried to ask on how was Jianne doing, only to get abruptly interrupted by the rogue, who just says that she's doing better than ever or that she's resting, which they believed because they trusted their Professor.

Sometimes the joker also sends gift to his former students, Danny sometimes gets planet themed items, Sam gets mailed plants that are not native in amity park, Tucker gets new technology, Paulina gets a new plushie for her plushie collection, and so on

So, as payback they decide to go to Gotham to search for their professor J, which made them meet new friends along the way, Danny with Jason Todd, Sam with Poison Ivy, Tucker with Tim Drake, Paulina with Barbara, Star with Steph, etc..

And they're very vague with their reasoning, just only saying that they're visiting their former professor and surprising them, and then they get kidnapped in like a museum or charity event or something that has a lot of people gathered, so the amity parkers alongside other civilians became hostages.

And of course, the Bats ad Birds immediately went out to save them, only for Joker to reveal himself to everyone, and he locks eyes with the amity parkers who looked at him in realization, betrayal, and horror, and Joker stared back at them with a taken aback look that merged into panic, his grin still plastered on his face.

They couldn't swallow the reality that their professor became the person, he promised he wouldn't be, he promised to them (Because you know damn well the adults from amity park couldn't care for their children). and to see the only trusted adult in their town become one of the most disgusting and horrible human beings to ever step foot in the earth was truly heartbreaking for the group.

And for once, Joker felt like he was burning inside out because of their stares that they emitted. he mourned as guilt, sadness, and grief swallowed him for the person he used to be.

He treated those kids like his own and he and Jianne loved those kids to bits, so he did the only logical decision he could think as he pushed aside his crazed rogue tendencies, and made his last decision as a friend, professor and father and ordered his goons to take the students away from this place safe and sound and threatened them to make sure not a single hair was pulled out of them or anything to cause harm.

He watched as Paulina cried for him, Sam with her brows furrowed at him betrayal etched in her face, Tucker not believing the reality of his favorite professor, Dash frozen in place, Star was holding on to Wes for support, and Danny looked at the Joker in betrayal and anger mouthing the words 'You promised, you promised to not be like them.'

As they were dragged away

Joker only looked away to face the bats, a smile still etched on his face but somehow it looked a little bit dimmer.

[picturejasper20]

So @murcielagatito recently made a post talking about the Phandom and how it is weird that the Phandom created a character like Wes to be someone who investigates who Phantom is when there are characters like Paulina and Valerie in canon that can fit that role.

I want to talk about some of the characterization/moments that Paulina has in the series since we are already familiar with Valerie and i think she fits better as friendenemy- antagonist turned ally role but that's on me.

So one thing about Paulina is that she has a huge crush on Phantom but not on Danny Fenton. In Season 1 episode ¨Lucky in Love¨ has near the ending showing that she has somewhat of an altar dedicated to Phantom in her locker.

So we know from this that she is really into Phantom and she seems to idolize him. I wouldn't say that she is obsessed with him, more like she just really likes him.

This alone builds some potential cool interactions between Danny and Paulina because of how she sees the two halves of who Danny is so differently. For her Danny is a huge loser and Phantom is a hero/idol.

Another very interesting is that in ¨Memory Blank¨ Paulina invites the Phantom trio to her quinceañera (15th birthday), which leaves the teens confused of why she is doing this if she doesn't like them much. Paulina then says the following:

She explains to them that she is inviting Danny because she has noticed a connection between Phantom showing up whenever Danny is close by, so she thinks that way if Danny comes, Phantom is likely going to be there too.

This is worth of noting because not many characters in the series realize this or go to this level to being this close to figuring out that Danny is Phantom, not even Valerie with her technology used to be this precise.

These things alone can set up for potential things to work with, with Paulina finding out who Phantom is and some potential character development for her.

Now this crush thing she has was clearly inspired by Lois Lane from Superman- but it could be written to be one sided crush and her staying friends with Danny after she learns his secret. It could also be changed in a way she really looks up to Phantom and she would like to be more like him. So it doesn't have to rely on the romance stuff that much.

What i'm trying to say is that Paulina as character has more potential to fit the role ¨person who investigates Phantom¨ than instead having to... use a character that isn't even in the series. Plus, it could give some good character development she needs- considering that in the series she was mostly a static character.

[howdoyoudothedew]

Rated: G

Pairing: Swagger bishie (Danny/Dash)

Word Count: ~2k

A/N: Final words soulmate au

It burns. Dash’s soulmark burns, the words feeling like they’re on fire for a few agonizing seconds. Once it’s stopped, he looks down at the now faded blue text.

His soulmate just died. Their last words– at least to him– burned into his skin. The words are normal, everyday ones, but Dash has always kept track of the people around him. The words which come out of their mouths. He knows without much thought who’s dead. Fenton.

It doesn’t matter to him. He absently wonders how Foley and Manson took the news, because there’s no way his loser friends weren’t told immediately. It doesn’t matter to him. He rolls over and forces sleep.

The next morning, he wakes with a new soulmark in the same thin font. This time, it’s green. Apparently fate has decided to give him someone new, since he failed so badly with his last.

The A-listers all knew what each other’s soulmarks are. It’s a common pact among close friends– show each other your soulmarks, and never say those words to the owner. Dash is sure the loser squad has the same pact.

Had.

He wonders if Fentina ever had words, or if he always knew he’d die first. Paulina has no words. Dash knows it keeps her up at night sometimes.

But that is why Dash is glad for his letterman jacket. It hides the new words on his arm away, the thin green feeling oddly damning. See how little you cared about your soulmate? Maybe this one you’ll care for more.

At school, Dash faces the impossible.

“Are you alright, dude? You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Kwan’s words barely register. All Dash can see is Fenton. Alive, whole, and not looking even a little like he died just last night. Instinctively, Dash knows the soulmark is Fenton’s again. Of course, who else would Not today, Dash be for? For whatever reason, Dash has been given a second chance.

He doesn’t take it. Everything in him knows Dash will outlive Fenton, knows he’ll witness the mark fade again, and Dash can’t bring himself to act any differently to his crush soulmate. If he does, it feels like Fenton will know. Dash doesn’t want Fenton to know.

Dash also doesn’t know what he doesn’t want Fenton to know. That his soulmate is destined to outlive him? That his soulmate is the same person who bullies him and shoves him into lockers? Whatever it is, Dash knows he wants to keep it from Fenton.

When Fenton sees him and says the words painted onto his arm with tired eyes, Dash panics. It’s too much suddenly, to know for certain someone won’t make it through the day. If Dash were anyone else, maybe he’d just walk away. If Dash had more time to mentally prepare, maybe he would’ve been able to scoff, throw out a ‘whatever, Fentina’ and act like it didn’t crush his ribcage because this is Fenton who’s just some loser. Instead, Dash panics and shoves him hard into his locker. He successfully avoids him the entire rest of the day.

After school, Dash feels the same burning sensation. It last just a few seconds– five, he counted them this time– before going away. Once it’s done, Dash rips off his letterman jacket. The thin green text is faded. The memory of Fenton saying them flickers in and Dash bites his lip. Without a thought, he hurriedly shrugs the jacket back on.

He sleeps in the letterman jacket that night.

The next morning, as he’s changing, he spots new words just under his pec. The same thin font, but this time in purple. He knows they mean he’ll see Fenton again today. It’s still a shock when he does.

Dash keeps track of the colours and the words and the times Fenton dies. It’s a daily occurence, happening most often at school, though sometimes Fenton makes it to the end of the school day before dying. But it does happen every day. Every day, Fenton dies. And every morning, Dash wakes up with new words in a font he now associates with Fenton in a different colour to tell him what new thing Fenton will say before he does. By now, the faded colours wrap around his skin like a multi-colour tattoo. Sometimes Dash thinks he’ll be more rainbow than skin by the end of the year.

After the first few deaths, Dash stopped wailing on Fenton so much. He still makes fun of him, because he has appearances to keep up, but he figures if the other boy is dying so much he doesn’t need Dash hip-checking him in the middle of the hallway.

As his skin gets more covered, he decides to avoid Fenton totally instead. He doesn’t want someone to see him, to see his skin, and know just how strange he’s become. To see how messed up whatever is happening to his soulmate must be. Already, he has to change in the bathroom stall for gym and practice, just so no one will see his skin. Before long, or so it seems, the words will have no where else to go but his neck. If he can avoid Fenton, at least he can delay the next new set of words.

Only, it doesn’t last longer than a few days, because it’s one thing to make it through the weekend without feeling your words burn at least once. It’s another to make it through a week, spending every night knowing your soulmate has died– because they die every day, so of course they’ve died even if you don’t have the faded words to prove it– and not knowing in the morning if this has been the one. Sure, none of Danny’s other deaths have stuck. But what if this one has? What if the next one has? Dash has nightmares, centered around Danny’s unknown deaths, and he hadn’t realized the ever changing words were the only thing holding him together, but apparently they were.

After a week, Dash traps Danny against a locker just to make the other boy speak to him. When his soulmark burns in Lancer’s classroom, Dash feels his heart stutter. But Danny is in his next period, whole and alive, and Dash wakes with new words the next morning. It’s a return to a comfortable normalcy Dash wasn’t even aware he’d become reliant on.

Eventually, Dash will probably have to talk to Danny about the whole dying thing. And the soulmate thing. Especially since their lives are bound to go different directions– Dash is a jock, Danny is a loser in love with space. The odds they go to the same school are zilch. If Dash can’t make it a week avoiding Danny after knowing for just half a year they’re soulmates, how is he supposed to make it after four years? Not to mention the toll constantly dying has to take on Danny. Dash has noticed the dark circles.

They echo his own.

It’s something Dash is only to put off for so long. Another month, several more nights of bad sleep, and a nearly lost football game and Dash cracks. He ambushes Danny after school, grabbing him before he can meet up with Foley and Manson to leave and pulling him into one of the  janitor’s closets. Before Danny can ask, Dash shrugs off his letterman jacket. He watches Danny’s eyebrows furrow in confusion, his mouth open to probably ask Dash what he’s doing, then the slight widening of his eyes as realization hits. When Danny grabs his arm, his hands are cold and the touch feels like an electric spark. Danny moves up his arm, pushing his sleeve up to see the words on his shoulder. One sentence, bright and unfaded, curls partly there from his back. Dash doesn’t move to stop him, even when Danny pulls his shirt up to examine the skin of his stomach and chest.

“What…?” Danny breathes, hands shaking as he pulls away. Dash pulls his shirt back into place and pulls his letterman jacket back on. “So all this time, you…”

“Had a front row seat to you dying every day,” Dash finishes for Danny when it seems like he won’t. The other boy flinches. “Yeah.”

“I’m sorry,” Danny says.

“Why are you sorry?” Dash asks, frowning at him. “You’re the one constantly having your heart stop and start again.”

Danny shrugs. “You’re the one feeling it.”

“Yeah, well,” Dash looks away, fiddling with the cuff of his jacket. Really, Danny has a point. It’s a shit situation either way. But if Dash could just know why. He thinks, somehow, it would solve everything. At least it’d let Dash not worry so much he’ll wake up without new words. “Just. Tell me why you’re dying so much.”

Danny bites his lip, looking at the ground. After a while, Dash thinks Danny won’t say anything, and Dash thinks he might have to beat it out of him. Because Dash very suddenly doesn’t want to leave without an answer. A very big part of him needs to know just what is happening to his soulmate. Needs to know Danny is relatively okay. Needs, at least, to know Danny won’t randomly and permanently die on him before they’re even out of high school. Or out of their twenties. Or thirties. Or perhaps married with two kids, five grandkids, a paid off mortgage, and a good life insurance policy.

Preferably the last.

Dash refuses to consider why his mind gave him that specific scenario, though.

Finally, Danny does explain. Danny explains impossibilities, and ghost portals, and the cold burning heat which covers Dash for all of five seconds each time a soulmark fades. Danny explains Phantom and ghosts and– at least partly, Dash can hear words unsaid but he gets an answer and that’s all he cares about so for once he doesn’t push– being functionally immortal because of it. None of the deaths will stick.

“How can you be so sure?” Dash asks after it all, because death is made to be permanent and half-ghosts seem like a thing of fiction. Because he’s seen Phantom and it makes a lot of sense for Danny to be him– it’d certainly explain the deaths at school– but it’s hard to connect the boy who’s always dying with the ghost hero. Or, maybe, it’s frighteningly easy. After all, who better to be a ghost hero than someone who constantly kisses death?

Danny transforms for him. As blue eyes become green, Dash feels his back burn and closes his own eyes because even if he’s used to it it doesn’t change the few seconds of pain. When he opens them, Danny is dead. He looks apologetic.

“Sorry, I didn’t think-” Danny reaches for Dash-

“No, it’s okay-” Dash starts-

- and Danny’s hand connects with Dash’s shoulder, under the letterman jacket. Cold sweeps over him. A soft glow fills the space between them, different from the pale glow Danny gives off now, and Dash looks down where Danny’s eyes are staring wide-eyed to see a faint glow below his shirt. His own eyes widening, Dash backs away– the glow stops– and strips off both his letterman jacket and his shirt. Looking at each other with equally wide eyes, Danny slowly touches Dash. The cold sweeps over him once more and his skin becomes a mottled rainbow of glowing words. Each one feels like it’s radiating life. Whatever keeps Danny alive in his ghost form, Dash can feel it, beating along each death heralding word.

Dash breathes and for the first time, it feels like he’s getting oxygen.

“Oh,” Danny says quietly. Dash can’t do anything but repeat it.

“We seriously need to talk about you ending all our conversations with, like, one word sentences. I only have so much skin, Danny,” Dash says after he’s dressed again and Danny’s no longer Phantom. Danny laughs. Neither of them mention how this is the first time Dash has used Danny’s actual name.

—

Most people don’t get to know who their soulmate is, not really, until they lose them. But Dash is special. Dash loses his every day, sometimes several times, so he does know for certain.

Danny does have words, right over his ribs. They’re blue and blocky and have never changed.

It’s strange to know for certain what your last words are.

Everything will be alright.

[starry-bi-sky]

More clone^2 snippets

Snippet 12: hands

Lancer: dear god, Mr. Fenton, what happened to your hands!?

Danny, had a run in with Damian’s katana and both of his hands have stitches: um… cooking… accident. I can’t use them that much currently

Lancer, pale: right, yes, of course. You may have one of your friends right you notes until they are properly healed

————

Snippet 13: more hands (and dash is a dick)

Dash: I bet Fenturd’s just faking his hand injury to get out of doing class work. Getting out of classwork is my thing! I’ll show him.

Danny, minding his own business:

Dash, yanks on his fingers harshly: Freak! Did you think you could copy me and het away with it?

Danny, his stitches torn from the way Dash grabbed him: you’re the last person I’d want to copy Dash, let go.

Dash: we all know you’re faking the hand injury, there’s no way you’d— you’d—

(Danny’s hands are bleeding, and starting to smear on Dash’s hands.)

Danny, (fake) calmly: you were saying, Dash?

Dash: I - uh—

Danny: thanks for opening them up, jerk.

—————

Snippet 14: Danny is Bruce’s Clone and Bruce Wayne has been hottest man alive for many consecutive years

The A-Lister Girls are at a sleepover

Star: Never have I ever had a crush on Danny Fenton

All girls (including Star): puts a finger down

A-List Girl: Paulina put your finger down

Paulina, begrudgingly putting a finger down: he shouldn’t count - he’s a loser!

A-List Girl: he’s still the cutest boy in our grade. Put your damn finger down.

—————

Snippet 15: unstoppable force vs immovable object

(In the Clone Danny Au, since Danny is not a ghost Valerie doesn’t see Phantom as the guy who ruined her life, but a very exhausted vigilante trying his best. They’re allies with conflicting ideologies on how to handle ghosts.)

Red Huntress: are you kidding me, Phantom? You dragged a kid in with you to fight ghosts? I thought you were better than that

Wraith, offended: *opening his mouth*

Phantom, tiredly putting a hand over Damian’s mouth: *in ASL + one hand* you don’t think I tried to stop him?

Red Huntress: he’s a child, Phantom, how hard could it be?

Phantom: looks down at Wraith

Wraith: looks up at Phantom with the eyes of a hundred enraged bulls

Phantom, kneeling down to Wraith and pulling his mask up to show his mouth: *whispering inaudibly*

Wraith: *takes off in the opposite direction*

Phantom, standing up to Red: *ASL* well? go get him

————

Snippet 16: identity

(Danny and Damian are sitting on a rooftop, in the middle of a break from patrol. Damian sits between Danny’s legs and Danny is slumped over Damian’s back.)

Damian, playing with Danny’s fingers:

Danny: who are you?

Damian: Damian.

Danny: who are you not?

Damian: Damian Wayne.

Danny: do you have to be?

Damian: no.

Danny: who do you have to be?

Damian: I just have to be me.

Danny: who are you?

Damian: I’m Damian.

Danny: good.

Damian:

Danny:

Damian: who are you?

Danny, smiling: Danny

—————

Snippet 17: long hair

(In the Clone Danny Au, Danny’s hair goes to his shoulders. I was in a GNC mood at the time the au was made and it passed on to Danny.)

Tucker: are you going to cut your hair, Danny? It’s getting long.

Danny, laying against the bed frame with Sam doing his hair: probably to get the dead ends cut off. I like it long.

Sam: I like it long too.

Tucker: you like it long because he lets you do whatever you want to it

Sam: it’s also a stand against the oppressive stereotype that men can’t have long hair and must always have it short in order to appear masculine! Danny’s showing individuality and sticking it to the patriarchy at the same time!

Danny: and because I let you do whatever you want to it.

Sam, making a punk hairdo for danny: yea that too

——————

Snippet 18: Danny is Bruce Wayne’s clone and Bruce——

Danny, getting stuff from his locker: my parents have a new ‘Fenton anti-ghost sticky bomb’ they’re working on and—

Student with a photography camera: Hey, Fenton!

Danny, looking over: what?

Student: *snaps a photo* thanks!

Student walks away

Danny:

Tucker:

Sam:

Danny: so… um…. Is that- is that another Wes? Should I be worried?

Sam: you should be angry! He just took your picture without your consent! That’s a violation of your bodily autonomy.

Danny: we can keep an eye on it, Sam, and if it becomes an issue then I’ll report it to a teacher.

Danny: and as I was saying, I can’t wait to have to make sure that that doesn’t hurt anyone.

Danny: i love having to stay up late sabotaging my parents’ inventions. Yay…

—————

Snippet 19: Danny is Bruce’s clone and—

Wes: ranting about how Phantom = Danny and how there’s proof and he has it and—

Random Student from his photography club: you wanna kiss him so bad it makes you look stupid.

Wes: I do nOT

Student: Its okay Wes, so does literally everyone else.

—————

Snippet 20: Lookalike

Danny: the only good thing about being Bruce Wayne’s clone is that my Brucie Wayne Impression is spot on

Damian: what??

Danny: my Brucie Wayne impression. It shouldn’t be as fun as it is doing it

[glow-worms-are-believers]

Town Ghosts

Ok, so this is inspired by this post.

Danny almost lost his balance as he turned on Casper High’s street corner. Catching himself in the nick of time, he resumed his uncontrolled dash down the streets of Amity and finally made it to his locker just in time for the first bell to ring. As he looked up from his locker and noticed how sparsely populated the halls were, Danny frowned. First bell indicated they had 5 minutes before the actual beginning of class, and usually that meant a decent amount of stragglers were still chilling around.

“Damn it, do we have an exam?” Danny mumbled as he took out his phone to text Sam and Tucker.

Wheres everyone? He sent

Assembly, came the answer from Tucker to which Sam added, We saved u a seat

Danny didn’t bother answering and instead quickly gathered his things from his locker before hurrying down to the assembly hall. Everyone was talking which meant he wasn’t late, and he managed to catch Tucker waving him over. Danny maneuvered his way to his friends before sagging into the promised saved seat.

“I swear, if Boxy wakes me up at 2am again to rave about packing peanuts one more time I will put him in Soup Time for a month.”

Sam winced. “Rough night, huh?”

Tucker patted his shoulder in commiseration.

Danny closed his eyes. “At least tell me assembly is taking Lancer’s period?”

“We still have half of it afterwards,” Tucker answered.

Before Danny could groan, the teachers started shushing the crowd. As he looked up to the shoddy stage, Danny could see a blonde woman wearing all black.

“Nice boots,” Sam whispered.

“Hello everyone,” started the woman on stage. “My name is Black Canary, you may know me as a member of the Justice League.”

At that Danny sat up straight, suddenly way more aware. Simultaneously, a wave of whispers started amongst the crowd which was quelled by the numerous teachers shushing everyone. Once silence had been more or less reestablished, Black Canary started again.

“I am here as a spokesperson in our efforts to raise awareness about discriminations against meta humans. This initiative started as a personal project of a lot of the founding members of the Justice League. Did you know that recent studies that show that violence against meta humans is disproportionately more frequent than violence against baseline humans? In fact-”

And one she continued for the next half hour, after which she had some students distribute some pamphlets with different phone numbers on them. There was a little more time dedicated to a few exercises and a video of a testimony from a former meta human criminal. As the presentation progressed, Danny started relaxing more and more, to the point that he was half asleep when time for questions was announced.

“What about ghosts?” Paulina’s voice came through the mic the teachers had passed around, “Are they covered by all those fancy laws you mentioned?”

And yep, Danny was fully back to being awake now.

“Ghosts?” repeated Black Canary, in an even tone but before Paulina could answer, another voice cut through the room.

“Ghosts aren’t people, Paulina.” Valerie’s voice came through sharp and clear.

Paulina’s eyes narrowed in on her former friend. “Says who?”

“Says science!” Valerie exclaimed. “Though I shouldn’t expect a Phantom groupie to understand that.”

“You’re just jealous.” Paulina flicked her hair dismissively.

Danny sank into his seat as he tried to block out the very public argument happening in front of him. Black Canary seemed to be observing the exchange with curiosity, while the teachers were trying to reach Paulina to get the mic out of her hand. There were a few students with their phones out, filming the whole debate and Danny would bet it would be on the school forum by the end of the day, probably sparking yet another Phantom debate.

Just then, as if it wasn’t enough, Danny could feel his ghost sense activating. As he turned his head, he caught a green shimmer at the edge of his vision zooming past the window.

“Come on,” he mumbled. “Gimme a break.”

“Do you want backup?” Sam asked.

“I got it,” Danny grumbled. “Cover me.”

“For sure, dude,” Tucker answered.

Danny stood up and shimmied his way down the rows of chairs to a teacher with Paulina and Valerie still arguing in the background. When Danny reached the nearest teacher he asked for leave to go to the bathroom and by was granted it after which a teacher finally managed to get the microphone away from Paulina. As Danny walked out of the room, he could hear Black Canary’s fading voice asking a question as he got further and further away.

“What do you mean by 'ghosts'?”

[danny-phantom-slut]

PJO AU for the DP characters

Danny, obviously, is the son of Hades. Hades appeared to his mother when Jack and Maddie were on a break, enticed by her intelligence, and they had a whirlwind romance before Maddie eventually went back to Jack. It's important to note that Maddie didn't know Hades was a god when they were together - she just thought he was some rich, powerful dude. When Danny was born - blue eyes, black hair, pale skin - he looked so much like Jack that Maddie just assumed he was his. Danny has ghost-like powers, like his normal power-set in the show, but also more PJO themed, with a few ommissions and additions. Like, he can shadow-travel, call ghosts and the dead to do his bidding, can control the earth and riches under the ground, can go intangible like a ghost, can speak all dead languages, etc. But he can't fly, shoot ecto-blasts, or control ice, etc. His preferred weapon is a sword called Soul Reaper, gifted to him by Hades, made of stygian iron. It has the power to consume souls and send them straight to the Underworld, later to be called upon by Danny.

Sam is the daughter of Demeter. Her mother cheated on her father with Demeter because she was drawn in by her power and wealth. Sam's powers include controlling and speed growing plants. She uses this to maintain her greenhouse at home but eventually learns to use it in combat. Her preferred weapon is a celestial bronze dagger, which she was given after arriving at Camp Half-Blood.

Tucker is the son of Hephaestus. His mother had him before meeting his stepfather and marrying. Tucker is a natural with technology of all kinds and can build his own phone from scraps. His preferred weapon is the technology he builds, like traps and nets.

Dash is the son of Ares. His father, a military veteran, attracted the eye of the war god because of his military prowess, strength, and combative nature. Dash has enhanced strength and spends most of his time trying to prove he's worth both his father's attention. His preferred weapon is a celestial bronze spear he was gifted by Ares.

Paulina is the daughter of Aphrodite. Her father, a famous movie actor, got together with the goddess of beauty and love, and well ... Paulina was the result. She has minor Charm Speak and a great fashion sense. She is also naturally good in the language of love, French, which means she speaks three languages! Spanish, English, and French. She prefers words over combat, but her preferred weapon is a dagger.

I haven't hashed out all the details, but it's coming along. Vlad would be the one to incite the war with Kronos, due to him wanting more power or something. He thinks he can host Kronos' power and use it for himself, without Kronos taking charge. He would be an older demigod, who resents the gods for their absence and neglect.

Jack and Maddie would be mortals who study Greek and Roman mythology and are obsessed with proving the gods and monsters are real. They don't know their college friend, Vlad, is a Greek demigod. But Vlad occasionally sends them on wild goose chases to find monsters.

Jazz would have Clear Sight and can see through the Mist, but is mortal.

All of Danny's rogues would be different monsters (ex. Ember would be an empousa).

Are you seeing my vision?

[space-dreams-world]

DPXDC soulmate prompt au:

Everyone has a soulmate. Even if the way you meet your soulmate is different, you can still feel a click in place. Even with different species, romantically or platonically, and multiple soulmates. ( like one person has by sight, and their soulmate is by touch. Basically, you can have soulmates with the same markings or two different types and still work)

So, Danny, after becoming Phantom and dealing with the ghosts, finally finds a way to shut down the Portal around his last year of high school, and multiple people aren't happy about that, i.e. his parents, the ghosts, Sam, the GIW, and even Vlad as he was banking on the fentons for his shit to work, and he had plans surrounding Danny's family.

He gets run out of town by Amity and his parents after they uncover his secret. Danny then spends the next few years in space, discovering aliens.

(During his disappearance, the GIW are disbanded, Vlad doesn't have access to the zone anymore and asking for him to search in space is a permadeath sentence for him, his parents regret their Gung ho attitude and miss him. In a twist of faith, an accident kills them off, and they are working through their regrets in the zone, waiting to see Danny so they can pass)

Now, as I mentioned at the top, this is a soulmate au, so in Death, Danny is able to get a feel for soulmate, like if his soulmate had a marking for him to recognize even if his soulmate identifier is lock on sight. (He essentially has an advantage of figuring out his significant other as he has his soulmate symbol on him.)

So, whose Danny significant other? Look no further than Gotham depressed himbo dad, Bruce Wayne, whose soulmate identifier is a tattoo of Danny's mark.

This could be pretty early on in his hero career or after Duke is a part of the Bats, but basically, Bruce goes on a space mission with the league and in one of their stints to get info, Danny immediately recognizes Batman's mark which was his soulmate clue. So, Danny, who hasn't spoken human or been on earth in years, has zero in on him,but they don't get to talk before Bruce heads back to earth, but Bruce knows there is something off about the possible alien man.

On Bruce's side, he hasn't seen anyone that has made it work, except if if you want to make it a polycule with Superman. (Dick has his redhead squad or the titans, Jason ends up with Roy or someone else, Tim has Bernard and Kon, and Damian is starting to platonically be friends with Jon. Cass has found her soulmate in Stephanie.

(The Joker is a weird case where he has a soulmate that isn't born yet or died already, or he has no one and that why he is crazy and scars the Bat symbol on him as he sees his enemy with no soulmate either.)

Anyway, something big happens on earth, like an invasion, and the Bat is almost killed before a bright light descends upon the sky and removes the threat. Batman, once recovering his sight, sees the same masked alien man from before. Once they regroup, the masked man removes his helmet, and Bruce finally gets his soulmate connection. Danny has aged significantly since his first departure of earth and attempting to relearn earth's customs and figure out what happened with his family and friends.

( Jazz is soulmates with Talia and is in a secret relationship with her after Damian is made.

Sam is soulmates with Paulina but despises this, which causes her some mental instability, and refuses to acknowledge their bond, somehow still banking on Danny being her knight, and rebrands herself as Pamela Isley or Poison Ivy and finds love in Harley.

Tucker actually renames himself after Amity as Silas Stone and has a child. He works with Alien Tech to see if he can find his best friend again.

Dani is only made after Danny's return to earth but loves her indefinitely as he feels that the Portal had robbed him of a good life with offspring.

And Dan is working on his aggression in the zone.)

[440mxs-wife]

After All This Time

Pairing: Dean x F!Reader. Other characters: Sam, Jody, Charlie, Benny (not a vampire), OFC Paulina Foster. Mentioned: Donna, Eileen, OMC "Shadow" (friend of Paulina), Reader's ex and her boss.

Word Count: 13,753 (I know, it's a whopper)

Warnings: Mentions of cheating, Fake Dating, Best Friends to Lovers, Mutual Pining, Mean Girl, a little light cursing

Summary: Reader moves into the apartment across the hall from Dean. They meet under less than ideal circumstances, but become best friends, which evolves into "more than friends" territory. A new resident, Paulina Foster, moves in a couple of doors down from Dean, and he's determined to ask her out. Only, she doesn't want anything to do with him. One night while out drinking, the Reader casually mentions that Dean needs a fake girlfriend to catch Paulina's attention. He seizes on the idea, and asks the Reader to be that for him. Unable to turn him down, she agrees, only it works a little too well. Will the Reader ever get the chance to declare her feelings, or will she have to let him go?

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

"Are you sure she said she'd be here this time?"

"Yeah," Dean replied. When all you answered him with was a raised eyebrow, he hung his head and sighed in defeat. "Okay, well, maybe I overheard her say to her friends that she might be here tonight. I didn't hear if they specified an arrival time," he admitted.

For the last six weeks, you've had to hear about this "perfect" woman, Paulina Foster, who recently moved in two doors down from Dean's apartment. For the last six weeks, he's told you about nearly every conversation, however brief, he's had with her in the hall. For the last six weeks, he's been upset that she's ignored him or turned him down every time he's asked her out on a date. And because of her, for the last six weeks, you've suppressed the urge to tell Dean how you feel about him.

Dean has been your best friend since you moved to town five years ago from New York City. You had broken up with your boyfriend after finding out that he cheated on you with another woman. To add insult to injury, the "other woman" was your direct supervisor, and she wasn't shy about holding it over your head. She reminded you at every opportunity that you weren't enough for him, but that she was, and thus was able to steal him away from you.

Because working for her was no longer an option, and a transfer to another department wasn't available, you gave your notice. Well, sort of. Before leaving for lunch, you discreetly packed your few personal items in your messenger bag. Then you dropped off your badge at the security desk, waved goodbye to the guard on your way out, and never looked back.

A week later, you moved into Dean's apartment building, across the hall from his place, in a spacious 2-bedroom unit. The second bedroom doubled as a guest room and your office, since you now worked remotely as a freelance writer. Your file was assigned to Charlie Bradbury, who was your point of contact for your employer. She functioned as a sort of "handler," to whom you uploaded your work for approval and publication. As a nice bonus, she became your other best friend along the way.

The first time you met Dean was on a Friday night, about three weeks after you'd moved in, on a day in which nothing went right for you. First, you woke up late for an important meeting, with no time to shower, so you had to slog through it looking less than ideal on camera. Then there were no coffee grounds in the canister. Later, you grabbed a quick bite for lunch, then used the rest of your break to shower and feel human again. When you got re-dressed, you noticed a hole in your favorite pair of socks.

As you returned to working through your daily assignments, more trouble revealed itself. Your internet connection began having intermittent outages due to "scheduled network maintenance," or so the provider told you. Quitting time couldn't come soon enough, except the more you wanted the day over, the more it seemed to pass at negative turtle speed. Once it was over, all you wanted to do was pour yourself a glass of wine, pull on your favorite hoodie, and curl up with a good book.

Unfortunately, none of those things was in the cards for you that night. Loud music and laughter from the apartment next door were the straws that broke the camel's back. You decided to emphatically express your displeasure to your inconsiderate neighbor. Depending on how that went, you were aware it could mean total avoidance of all future contact with said tenant.

You threw open the window in your spare bedroom that led out to the fire escape, the one you so happened to share with Dean's apartment. In your haste to chastise your partying neighbor, you misjudged the opening to your window and smacked your forehead on the frame. Hard.

Cursing and holding your head from the impact, you took several deep breaths to try and ease the pain that was beginning to make itself known. More slowly this time, you poked your head out the window and glanced to your right, where you could see a few people laughing, drinking, and talking together.

One of them turned in your direction, and with a friendly smile, raised his cup filled with his chosen beverage in a salute to you. "Ah, bonsoir, chérie! We're having a little party over here to celebrate the start of the weekend! If you want, it's not too late to come on over and join us, 'cuz we're just getting started," the man proclaimed, his smile growing wider.

You winced at his boisterous greeting and the continued loud music, which was doing nothing to ease the escalating agony in your head. "No, I think--ow," you gasped. "I think I'll--'celebrate' from over here, thank you," you gritted out. "But, if you could please keep the noise down--"

"Wait, hold on there a minute, chérie. Are you okay? What happened?" the man asked.

"I'm fine, just hit my head," you replied wearily. "Look, it's been a really rotten day for me, and I would love some peace and quiet. So, again, if you could--"

The man poked his head back into the apartment and yelled, "Hey, Dean!" A few seconds later, another man appeared. The one he called "Dean" had spiky, sandy blond hair, and broad shoulders, which were covered in red and black flannel, from what you could see of his body.

"Whatsamatter, Benny, you need another drink already or something?" Dean joked. Benny leaned over to whisper in Dean's ear, and you wondered what they could possibly be talking about. You didn't have to wait long, because Dean's smile dropped and his eyes shifted in your direction, with what looked like concern on his features.

You could feel your head pounding with the beat of the music, and it was eating away at your ability to be polite about the noise. "LISTEN!" you shouted then immediately regretted it as you winced and felt a wave of dizziness crash over you. In a fraction of a second, Dean was scrambling out of his window and had crossed the fire escape over to your apartment.

"Hey, whoa, take it easy, sweetheart," he soothed. "I'm Dean Winchester, your next door neighbor. What's your name?"

With your head still throbbing, you managed to give him your name and watched as a soft smile spread over his handsome features. Your gaze was then drawn to his vibrant green eyes that reminded you of soft spring grass. His eyebrows were drawn together in concern, and for some reason, you had the urge to smooth out that crease in his forehead with your fingertips.

Before you could act on this impulse, Dean had already climbed through your window. Between himself and Benny, they were doing their best to guide you through your apartment. "There we go, sweetheart. Let's get you into the living room, to your nice, comfy couch, then we can take a look at that noggin of yours," Dean suggested.

You mumbled what sounded like "okay", which the men took as sufficient agreement to continue to the living room. Once you were seated on the couch, Benny headed for the kitchen to look for something to use as an ice pack. He found a package of frozen peas and wrapped it in a tea towel, which was hanging from your oven door handle. "Here you are, chérie," he remarked gently as he held out the makeshift ice pack to you.

"Thank you, Benny," you replied as you held it to your head. Eventually, he returned to the party next door, while Dean stayed with you. He must've said something to his friend before he left, because the volume on the music next door seemed to have decreased. You tried to tell Dean you were fine, that he should go back to his place as the host of his party. But he would have none of it, as he was determined to first make sure you were okay.

Over the course of the evening, you and Dean asked questions back and forth. You thought he was just trying to keep you conscious and alert in case of a concussion. In reality, he was using the incident as an opportunity to get better acquainted with his pretty new neighbor. The noise next door gradually dwindled down to soft music. On his way out, Benny poked his head back into your window to bid you both goodnight.

After that night, a friendship started to develop between you and Dean. It started simply enough, chatting about the weather while picking up your mail each day. As weeks went by, your time together expanded into meeting for coffee on Saturday mornings. The shop around the corner from your apartment building had the best pastries for you and pie for Dean.

While friendship was the easy part, your feelings at some point had shifted into the "something more complicated" category. His casual touches to your arm or the small of your back in a crowd, or calling you "sweetheart" only sped up your heart rate. However, he never gave you any indication that he thought of you as anything more than a best friend. So, you did your best to ignore the butterflies in your stomach that appeared anytime you were with him and locked away your feelings.

Charlie knew of the situation between you and Dean, though she only knew what you told her. She'd tried several times to get you to move to Chicago, saying the two of you would have so much fun working together. Part of her argument was that if Dean hadn't made a move by now, he probably wouldn't, and that you might want to think about moving on from him. Off and on, you had given moving some thought, but hadn't taken any action yet.

That was until one Friday night, when you were out with Dean at the bar, as usual. He went up to refill your drinks, but it was taking longer for him to return. You scanned the room for him and noticed he was talking with some brunette while he waited. It looked like there was quite a bit of flirting going on between them. The next thing you knew, he had taken off with the brunette and left you behind without a single word.

Since Dean drove that night, you ended up taking a cab home, which made you angry because he'd left you behind. In fact, you were so upset with him that you looked up some real estate listings in the Chicago area. But then Dean called the following morning to explain. There was still some residual anger, which you expressed to him. Then he apologized and, just like that, the thought of leaving passed. However, nothing could've prepared you for how this night was going to end.

***

"There she is!" he whispered excitedly. His eyes followed the movements of a gorgeous woman in a glittery black bodycon dress, her blonde tresses cascading in waves down her back. The four women trailing behind her were no doubt her friends, as they were similarly dressed. You deduced that they must be the women Dean saw in the hallway as they chatted about tonight's plans.

When you took stock of your own appearance, you felt a bit underdressed compared to the newest arrivals. You were wearing black jeans, a red T-shirt with a small pink sequined heart on the front, black booties and a black cropped denim jacket. The outfit was comfortable, and you felt confident when you wore it. Up until now, that is.

"Did I tell you she smiled at me the other day?" Dean asked. "I'm making progress," he declared proudly.

"Yes, Dean, you did tell me that," you sighed. "You know, it's almost like you're some lovesick puppy, the way you act around her. You shouldn't make it so easy for her. Some women prefer the thrill of doing the chasing, to go after something that belongs to someone else and take it away."

"What?? Paulina wouldn't do that, she's not like that," he retorted.

"I'm not saying she is," you hastily added. But I'm not saying she isn't like that, either, you thought to yourself. "I mean, how else do you explain the many women who don't think twice about going after married men?"

"I s'pose that's true," he conceded.

You took a sip of your drink and chuckled to yourself. Dean heard your laugh and wanted to know what you thought was so funny. You tried to wave him off, saying it was nothing, but he was persistent. "I was just thinking....never mind. It's a stupid idea." When he still wouldn't let it drop, you sighed deeply before responding. "What you really need is someone to pretend to be your girlfriend. Once Paulina sees you're 'taken', she may change her mind and give you a chance."

"Wow," Dean whispered.

"I know, it was a dumb idea, which is why--" you didn't get to finish your thought because he interrupted.

"No, that's IT!! All I need is for you to pretend to be my girlfriend. If your theory is correct--and I'm not saying that it is--then once Paulina sees we're together, she'll say 'yes' to a date with me," he grinned.

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute, bub, I never volunteered to pretend to be your girlfriend," you countered. "And I said 'somebody', I didn't mean 'me'. Besides, if you go through with this, there's a real possibility that someone could get hurt," you reminded him. 99% chance it'll be me.

"I can't ask any of my exes, for obvious reasons. And as my best friend, you know me almost as well as my own brother does. Therefore, it'll be convincing," he pointed out.

"Dean......"

He turned to face you fully and locked eyes with you, then he took your hands in his. "I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I have a feeling about this girl. I just need to get my foot in the door with her. Will you help me do that by pretending to be my girlfriend?"

His eyes pleaded with you to agree to participate in this hair-brained scheme. If your theory was correct, then the arrangement may only last for a matter of weeks. Long enough to get the point across and create an opportunity for Dean. Also short enough that you can hopefully break it off without getting any more attached to the man who holds your heart. This has disaster written all over it, you silently mused. On the other hand, as long as he's happy, then.... "Okay, Dean."

***

"You did what?!?" Charlie nearly screeched into the phone. "Are you out of your mind?!?"

As soon as you got home, you called your other best friend for reassurance. Instead, she blatantly questioned your decision making skills. "It's only until this 'Paulina' sees us together and is convinced that we're a couple, then I'm sure she'll make her move," you muttered. "Which may not be too long, because I think it's already starting to work."

"What makes you say that?"

>>Flashback<<

After you agreed to be Dean's fake girlfriend, he whooped in excitement, then threw his arms around to hug you. He picked you up and twirled you around a couple of times before setting your feet back on the ground. As you looked around to see if anyone was disturbed by your outburst, your eyes landed on Paulina, whose attention suddenly shifted to you and Dean. Well, mostly Dean, but that was the whole point, wasn't it?

"All right, all right, calm down, Dean," you laughed, the butterflies flapping in full force.

"I'm sorry, just happy you decided to help me with this. Hey, I think there's an open pool table, wanna shoot some 8-ball?" he asked eagerly.

"Sure, why don't you grab the table and set it up, while I get us some fresh drinks," you offered.

"Okay," he chirped. Before he left, he leaned in and gave you a loud, smacking kiss on the cheek, then winked. You watched as he practically skipped on his way to the pool tables, while you stared after him, dumbfounded, your lips parted in surprise. The clanking of glass beer bottles behind the bar broke you out of your trance, leaving you smiling fondly at him while shaking your head.

Sighing deeply before picking up your empty drinks, you headed to the bar to order refills. You placed your order and paid the tab, then leaned your back against the counter and rested on your elbows.

While you waited, you watched as Dean finished the setup for the first game of 8-ball. On your way back from the bar, though, your heart sunk when you saw Paulina standing next to him. She was laughing and occasionally laying her hand on his arm. A deep calming breath later and with your mask in place, you closed the distance, placing your drinks on the nearest table. You stepped closer to Dean, slipping your arm around his waist and placing your hand on his chest. "Hey, babe, sorry the drinks took so long," you remarked, then pretended you didn't see Paulina until that moment. "Oh! Who's this?"

"Um, hey, sweetheart, th-this is Paulina. She's new to our building, lives two doors down from me. Paulina, this is m-my....," he trailed off at a complete loss for words.

"I'm his girlfriend," you supplied, along with your name. "You'll have to forgive him, Patricia, he's been stuck under the hood of a car, around wrenches and power tools all week," you giggled then turned to face Dean. "Should we start our game? You can break if you want to, honey."

He stammered out a reply in the affirmative, which Paulina took as her cue to leave. You watched as she gave one last appreciative glance at the way his jeans clung to his bowed legs and perfect backside. The way she checked him out made your blood boil. However, you had to remind yourself that this wasn't real. He wasn't yours, probably never would be, and he can do whatever or whomever he wants.

>>End of Flashback<<

"Seriously? He forgot your name?" Charlie asked.

"Like I told her, it was a long week for him," you defended.

Charlie rolled her eyes and snorted. "You've been best friends for five years now. The supposed 'object of his desire' finally talks to him, and suddenly he forgets your name? I'm sorry, sweetie, but this whole arrangement has disaster written all over it."

"Jeez, Char, tell me how you really feel," you grumbled. "And of course it does. How I let him talk me into doing this is beyond me. At the end of it all, someone's heart is gonna get broke, and I'm 99.9% sure it will be mine."

"Then why do it? Tell him you're backing out because you've changed your mind. Or, you could confess how you feel about him."

"I can't back out, Charlie. You know how I've been in love with Dean for a long time," you admitted softly. "And if I tell him that, I'm afraid it'll ruin everything. I don't think I can take the rejection when he doesn't see me that way. Nope, this is how it has to be, and it'll have to be enough. All I want is for him to be happy, even if it's not with me."

You talked for a little while longer before saying your goodbyes and promising to talk more later. After you went through your nightly routine, you climbed into bed and reached for the book you were currently reading. For some reason, though, the words on the page seemed to swim in front of your eyes and you couldn't focus. You knew why, of course. As if he sensed you were thinking about him, your phone pinged on your nightstand with a text message.

Dean: hey, in case I forgot to tell you, thank you for doing this. you truly are my best friend.

You: you're welcome. goodnight, Dean.

After you pressed "send", you switched on the "do not disturb" setting and returned your phone to your nightstand. Since it was obvious that you wouldn't get any reading done, you marked your place, closed your book, and slid it into the drawer. You turned off the light, plunging your room into near-total darkness, except for the bits of moonlight streaming through the slats of your blinds. As the minutes ticked by, your eyelids began to get heavy, until they finally closed for a much-needed but not necessarily restful sleep.

***

Dean stared at your last text message, wondering what you meant with such a short reply. He considered the night to have been a success. He finally got to talk to Paulina aside from the small talk that occurred briefly in the hallway. Though he was puzzled when you called her "Patricia" after he'd been telling you all along that her name was "Paulina". Wait....could you be....jealous? He dismissed the thought, telling himself that you don't think of him that way.

It isn't as though his mind hadn't wandered down this path many times before, of having something more with you. But as he'd said, you were his best friend. You know him almost as well as Sam does, and probably even better than Benny knows him. His mom adores you, and you were there for him when John passed away from a heart attack.

Ever since that night you met, with the way you had yelled over to his apartment to keep the noise down, he'd felt there was something different about you. Those feelings had only grown as he'd gotten to know you better over the years. However, he couldn't bring himself to ruin such an important relationship by confessing he was in love with you. Especially since there wasn't any concrete evidence that you returned his feelings. Once he decided he had no chance of a romantic relationship with you, he set his sights on the building's newest resident, Paulina.

He couldn't believe your suggestion of a fake relationship with you as his "girlfriend", but it made sense. It was human nature to want what we can't have. Therefore, when Paulina saw him dating you, it would make him appear unattainable. Sounded simple enough.

She would see it as a challenge to see if she can take him away from you. When she did, the theory will have been proven correct, and you would break up with him. Then he would be with Paulina, like he wanted. But why didn't that thought send a thrill of excitement through him? Is she even who he really wanted? Dean closed his eyes, willing himself to fall asleep, not quite ready to answer these questions.

***

A few weeks go by under your new "arrangement" with Dean, and though you were close before, the lines were becoming even more blurred. His touches lingered a little longer than usual, his smiles were a bit softer when he was around you. When you walked together, he would randomly grab your hand, intertwining your fingers, and give you a knowing smile. His hand on the small of your back or around your waist sent a signal to anyone who saw that you were with him.

His friends were starting to ask questions about your relationship, as were his mom and Sam. Some of them congratulated the two of you, with exclamations of "FINALLY!" rippling through the friends and family group chats. On your side, Jody, Donna, Eileen, and even Charlie remained cautiously optimistic about it, only wanting what was best for you. At the same time, they silently plotted a backup plan for Dean's demise, should he ever hurt you.

One night at the bar, you and Dean were on a double date with Sam and Eileen, with the women playing a game of pool opposite the men. When it was your turn, Dean left to get the next round of drinks, as it was his turn to buy. Sam took his shot, then Eileen took hers. You looked around to see why Dean wasn't back yet, then your stomach dropped when you saw the reason. Paulina was leaning up against the bar, keeping Dean company while he waited for the drinks.

"Who's that?" Sam pointed.

"Huh? Where?" you pretended not to notice.

Sam gestured again to his brother as he chatted with the mysterious woman, who was laughing and brushing her hand along his arm. "Over there, that woman," he remarked.

"Oh, her? That's Paulina. She lives in our building, a couple of doors down from Dean," you replied with a shrug, trying to appear nonchalant.

"Why is she touching him like that, and why does this not bother you?" he asked. "Do I need to say something to him?"

"Sam, no! It's not like that. She's just uh-a friend, a-and I trust Dean," you answered, swallowing hard to keep your emotions in check.

Sensing something amiss, Sam pulled you away from the pool table so your conversation would not be overheard, but he was still in eyesight of his wife. "What's going on with you two? I swear, if he's cheating on you, I'll kick his ass," he growled, ready to storm over to the bar.

"No, Sam," you placed a hand on his chest to stop him. "He's not cheating on me," you assured him. Can't cheat on a 'fake girlfriend', you thought bitterly.

"Then what is it? You two have been dancing around each other for the past five years. Believe me, we're all tired of the 'will they, won't they'. Now that you're finally together, it looks like Dean's eyes are elsewhere and you aren't all that bothered by it. So spill."

You took a deep breath trying to steady your nerves before you responded. "Okay, I'll tell you. BUT you have to promise to keep it between you and me. And do NOT let your mother know." Why should her heart get broken in all of this? you thought. Sam reluctantly nodded and drew an "X" over his heart, then you explained the situation.

"Wow," he exhaled deeply. "You know you're both idiots, right?"

Your eyes widened and your jaw dropped. "Gee, thank you so much, Sam, for your support. I'm so glad I told you about it," you retorted and moved to go around him and back to the table, but he caught your arm.

"Whoa, wait a minute. You're one for allowing him to use you like this, but I understand why. HE'S the bigger idiot for not realizing that what he's looking for is right in front of him," he finished softly.

"Charlie isn't too happy about the deal either," you shared. "She thinks this has, and I quote, 'disaster written all over it'. I've been in love with Dean for as long as I can remember. However, if that means letting him go so he can be happy with someone else, then that's what I have to do," you replied.

Sam brushed away the few tears that had slipped down your cheek. "You say the word, and I'll knock some sense into that brother of mine, okay?" he promised. "I have no problem smacking him upside the head, if that's what it takes."

At the mental picture he painted, you gave him a watery smile. "Thank you, Sam. I'll let you know if I need to call in that favor." You wiped away any remaining tears with your sleeve, then took a deep breath to calm your nerves. "Am I good?" He nodded, then casually slung an arm around your shoulder as you both walked back to the table.

By the time you and Sam returned, Dean was also back with the next round of drinks. He noted how close you were with his brother and felt an unexpected twinge of jealousy. Though he knew it was irrational because Sam had Eileen, it didn't completely go away, either. When you reached his side, he leaned in close to your ear. "You two looked rather cozy," he murmured.

You drew back slightly to look him in the eye. "No more than you and Paulina," you replied quietly, then moved to take your shot.

For the rest of the evening, the tension between you and Dean only grew, until you could no longer stand it. You decided to end your night out before midnight, claiming to be feeling a bit tired from not sleeping well lately.

Sam and Eileen were sorry to see you and Dean go, but assured you that they would likely be leaving soon as well. Hugs were exchanged, with Sam's lingering a bit. "'Member what I said," he mumbled. You patted his back in response, then pulled away and took Dean's outstretched hand.

***

The ride home was eerily silent except for the music on the radio being played at a low volume. "So, you're not sleeping well? How long has that been going on that you're not getting a good night's sleep, sweetheart?"

Well, you thought. Hmm. It could be because I'm in a fake relationship with my best friend. Except I want to be in a real one with him and I'm too much of a coward to say so. Or, maybe I wish that my heart didn't break every time I see some other woman touching you when only I should have that privilege. Perhaps it's because I realize I have no right to feel the way I do, not when I agreed to do this for you. Only you don't say any of this out loud to Dean.

"Been kind of busy with work lately, that's all," you shrugged. "Charlie keeps sending me assignments, and they're too interesting to pass up, so I agree to do them. Hopefully my workload will stabilize soon and I can go back to normal." You swallowed hard before you continued. "I saw Paulina was at the bar tonight."

"Yeah, I talked with her while I waited for our next round of drinks," he replied, a smile growing on his face. "Said there was this band playing at some club in a few weeks, and asked me if I wanted to go. She knows one of the guys in the band, and said she could probably get me in for free."

"Oh? Really? That sounds like fun," you replied, hoping you sounded neutral. "Seems like our little plan is working."

"Well, I wouldn't say it's working," he remarked. "It's progress, though," he grinned. You hummed in response and gave him a tight smile.

When Dean pulled the Impala into her parking space, it took all of your willpower to wait until he came around to open your door for you. The walk to the elevators and to your respective doors was quiet, the air filled with a tension that hadn't been there before tonight. Neither of you felt like talking, so it remained unsettled between you.

Though you lived across the hall from each other, Dean always insisted on stopping at your door first, and wouldn't leave until you were safely inside. You discreetly fished your keys out of your front pants pocket as soon as you stepped off the elevator, hoping he didn't notice. Just before you slid the key into the lock, you felt Dean's hand on your shoulder, causing you to turn around.

"Are you sure everything's okay? You've been kinda quiet since we left the bar," Dean asked.

"I'm fine, Dean. Promise," you answered, giving him a quick smile, then returning your attention to unlocking your door.

He snapped his fingers. "I almost forgot! Mom wanted me to invite you to dinner this Sunday. You know, now that we're 'dating'," he smirked and added air quotes.

You froze with your key only halfway turned in the lock. If you couldn't keep Sam from figuring it out, Mary was going to see right through you in a second. "I'm sorry, Dean. I wish I could, but I have something else going on this Sunday. Please give her my regrets," you finished, turning your key the rest of the way and gaining entry to your apartment. "Good night, Dean." You leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek then closed your door.

Dean stood and stared at your closed door for a few moments, then turned towards his own door. He shuffled across the hall and fumbled through the ring of keys until he found the right one. After he unlocked the door and opened it, he glanced back at your door. What is going on with you, sweetheart? Why won't you talk to me? he asked himself. Shaking his head, he entered his apartment, then he closed and relocked the door.

***

The following week, you and Dean were getting together for your usual Friday night dinner-and-a-movie. You had made some chocolate chip cookies and mini apple pies, while Dean was responsible for the pizza and popcorn. With a couple of bottles of your favorite beverage tucked under your arm, you stepped out of your apartment, locking the door behind you.

When you turned to head across the hall to Dean's place, you couldn't believe what you saw. Paulina and Dean looked to be deep in conversation, her hand running up and down his bicep, even occasionally squeezing it. Her other hand held a lock of her hair and was twirling it between her fingers. Knowing they wouldn't notice, you rolled your eyes, took a deep breath, and plastered a smile on your face.

"Hey you two!" you greeted them.

Dean took a small step away from Paulina and held out his arm. When you were close enough, he curled it around you and pulled you against his side. "Hey, sweetheart," he replied and pressed a kiss to your temple. "Whatcha got in the container?"

"Just some chocolate chip cookies and maybe some mini apple pies," you grinned.

"Ohhh, woman, you are too good to me. Love me some pie, especially apple," he gushed.

"So, what movie did you pick out for us to watch?" you asked.

"Nope, can't tell ya, 'cuz it's a surprise," he smirked, then turned to Paulina. "Now, if that heater gives you any more trouble, give me a call and I'll see what else I can do."

"Heating problems?" you questioned. "Probably best to have the landlord take a look at it, just in case, don't you think?"

"It's nothing serious, and I think I got it fixed for now. Ready for our dinner-and-a-movie night?" he inquired, giving you a little tug closer to his side.

"Absolutely. Have a good night, Paulina," you remarked as you followed Dean into his apartment. What you didn't see was the glare of pure jealousy on Paulina's face as you closed the door behind you.

***

Dean had ordered your favorite pizza and you put one of your two beverages in the fridge. You grabbed paper plates and the container of goodies, both of which you placed on the coffee table. Dean was busy scrolling through the streaming services to find the movie he had in mind for your evening. The strain between you from last week seemed to have somewhat dissipated, leaving behind two best friends enjoying each other's company.

Halfway through the movie, there was a knocking at the door. Dean paused the movie and the two of you looked at each other and shrugged before he got up to see who was there. "Paulina?"

Of course it's her, you silently muttered as you rolled your eyes. "Everything okay?" you asked. She strode into the apartment, wearing a thin tank top and a pair of pale pink boy shorts. Her arms were wrapped around her upper body, presumably in an effort to keep herself warm.

Seeing her discomfort, Dean rushed over and grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch, then draped it around her shoulders. He rubbed up and down on her arms and her back to start the warming process. He bent down to look her in the eye and smiled. "Better?" he wondered.

"Much better, thank you, Dean," Paulina replied. "Do you think you can fix my heater again? It's so cold over there," she practically purred.

"Shouldn't take too long," he answered, then caught your gaze. "I'll be right back, I promise." Without waiting for your response, he took his tool box out of the closet and headed over to her apartment.

For what felt like an eternity but was only a few minutes, the silence stretched between the two of you. Though you were convinced that this was some sort of setup to separate you and Dean, you decided to at least try and get to know her. "So," you began. "How do you like the town so far?"

She shrugged in response. "I guess it's not too bad," she remarked. "Wish it was bigger, though. More clubs to go to, then maybe we can get some decent music groups to play here," she muttered.

"Oh, that's right, Dean mentioned you had a friend in a band who's going to be at one of the clubs here in, what, a couple of weeks?" you inquired. "That sounds like fun."

"Yeah, they'll be here on the 13th, at Eclipse. Every time the band stops by, my friend gives me a couple of tickets," she responded.

The 13th? you thought. "That's my birthday. I don't usually make a fuss about it, except Dean does. He gets me flowers and then takes me out to dinner," you smiled as you casually checked your watch. What is taking so long? Why doesn't he just call the landlord to fix it?

"And, how long have you and Dean known each other? You two seem really close," Paulina asked.

"About five years now. We have a lot of the same friends, who also know each other outside of Dean and me. He's got a younger brother, who I would consider one of my close friends as well," you remarked. When she hummed in response, you detected a subtle shift in her demeanor. "What?"

"Oh, I just think it's....kind of sad, really. Pathetic, even," she answered, eyes narrowed at you.

You bristled at her comment and fought like hell to keep your composure. "What exactly are you getting at?"

"I mean, you've known each other for five years and you just started dating, while I've barely been here for a couple of months. And, he's over there fixing my heater instead of watching movies with you. Like I said--pathetic," she sneered.

"You wanna talk about 'pathetic'? 'Pathetic' is when you run around in shorts that are so skimpy, that your ass is hanging out of them. Or wearing tank tops so small your boobs are ready to pop out. All to get a man's attention," you shot back. "That's pathetic."

"Oh, and I suppose now you'll tell me that it's what's on the inside that counts," she mock-pouted, then let out a vicious laugh. "Maybe that worked for you for a while, but I know your ex cheated on you with your boss." Your eyes widened slightly at her statement. "Yeah. One of my friends told me what happened. She's friends with your old supervisor. Seems like you have a pattern of losing men to hotter women."

You rose from the couch, picking up your empty bottle and depositing it in the kitchen sink. "I think it's time I called it an evening. If Dean asks where I went, tell him he knows where to find me." With as much poise as you could muster, you left the apartment and crossed the hall to your own.

A few minutes later, Dean returned to his place. When he didn't see you at first glance, he thought you may have been in the bathroom, but the door to it was open. "Where'd she go?" he asked.

"Oh, she told me to tell you that she was tired of waiting around for you and that she was leaving. Something about having somewhere else more important to be," she answered.

Dean knew how much of a homebody you were and loved to hang out with him to watch movies. This made him skeptical at Paulina's response. "I'd better check on her," he remarked on his way back out the door.

"She won't be there. I saw her leave her apartment just before you got back. You know, I'm here, now. I would love to watch a movie with you," she purred.

He debated giving you a call to check in and make sure you were all right. On the other hand, the whole point of the agreement was to get Paulina interested in spending time with him. In turn, his hope was that it may lead to a long-term relationship with her. And here she was, asking him to watch a movie. "Let's pick out a new movie, then," he agreed as he reached for his drink and picked up the remote.

***

With another work week finished, you slowly closed your laptop and slumped back in your desk chair. There hadn't been much interaction between you and Dean without Paulina being around, not even when collecting your mail. He hadn't reached out to you after that disastrous dinner-and-a-movie night ended with you leaving his apartment early. You wonder what he thought when he noticed you were gone before he got back from fixing the heater. Or, more importantly, what Paulina had told him to make him not check in with you.

As you were contemplating what you should do next about Dean, your phone buzzed on your desk, causing it to dance around. When the caller ID showed "Charlie", you dismissed the pang of disappointment that it wasn't Dean. You plastered a smile on your face and answered as cheerfully as possible, hoping she wouldn't see right through you.

"Hey there, Charlie! How's it going?" you began.

"I wanted to ask if you still had that guest room all set up," she inquired.

"Of course I do, but why?" you asked.

"Because I'm about to give you the greatest gift possible for your birthday on the 13th," she replied cryptically.

"Ooh! Tell me, tell me, what is it?" you begged.

"I probably should make you wait to find out, but since I'll need someone to pick me up from the airport on the 11th--" she didn't get a chance to finish before you let out a squeal of excitement.

"AAAHHHH! No way! That's so awesome that you're coming to visit for my birthday! I will be at the airport with bells on," you promised.

She spent the next few minutes going over her itinerary with you, including her flight numbers and when to expect her to arrive. "I've also been talking with the others in the chat, and we want to plan a night out for your birthday. I'm talking dinner, drinks, dancing, the three D's," she explained. "The big question is, will there be a fourth 'D'? As in, will Dean be there?" she added cautiously.

You paused, reflecting on the events of the past week. "I....haven't talked to him much this week. I think we must keep missing each other at the mailbox," you chuckled nervously. "I--we--should let him know about the party. I'll give him a call, send him a text message, or something, so he knows about it."

"As long as you still want him there," Charlie responded carefully.

"Of course I do! Regardless of the situation with Paulina, he's still my best friend, and I want him to be there. Besides, he wouldn't dare miss my birthday," you affirmed. However, your voice sounded more confident than you felt at the moment, and Charlie easily picked up on it.

"All right, spill. What happened?" she sighed. You explained the events of a few Fridays ago, how Paulina interrupted in her skimpy pajamas and Dean didn't hesitate to run to the rescue. Then you relayed your conversation while you were alone in his apartment with her, all the horrible things she said. You wondered if that had something to do with why you and Dean hadn't spoken much this week.

"It's my own stupid fault, Charlie. I mean, this was the main objective, right? I pretend to be his girlfriend long enough to give him a chance to wedge his foot in the door before Paulina can slam it closed. Once that happens, I fade into the background and resume my role as his best friend, while he rides off into the sunset with his dream woman," you finished.

"Pity? Party of one? Your table is now available," she teased. When you didn't respond with even a half-hearted chuckle, she tried again. "Look, maybe that is what happens, where you go back to being his best friend, but it doesn't have to go down that way. If being with Dean is what you want, then you should fight for him."

The two of you talk for a little while longer before she gets a knock at her door with her food delivery. It occurs to you that you haven't left the apartment all day to pick up your mail, let alone get something for dinner. You'd survived the day by mostly nibbling on fruits and other snacks, plus keeping up with your water intake. Charlie comes back to the phone long enough to remind you to let Dean know about the party, then she says goodbye, thus ending the call.

***

After pulling on some shoes, you grabbed your keys and headed out the door. You hoped you would run into Dean so you could invite him to your birthday party. As you closed and locked your door, the one to his apartment was opening. But instead of seeing Dean, it was Paulina, leaving, dressed only in a towel covering her body and one atop her head. From off to Dean's side, she threw you a knowing smirk, her arms loosely hugging her body.

You quickly looked away and started for the elevator, only for luck to not be on your side when Dean called out your name. Pausing a little ways down the hall to the elevator, you turned to face him. "H-hey there, Dean," you waved tentatively. "I was just on my way down to pick up my mail, so don't let me keep you and Paulina." You gave him a quick smile and backed away a couple of steps before he caught your hand.

"Wait a second, this isn't what it looks like," he hastily remarked. Oh, that was original, he mentally face-palmed. "Paulina came over earlier in the afternoon, said her shower quit halfway through and asked if she could use mine. That's all. She's going back to her apartment, now that she's done." He looked at her pointedly until she tsked loudly and rolled her eyes in exasperation before returning to her apartment.

When she was out of sight, you glanced at Dean again. "There's no need to explain, Dean," you assured him. "That's the beauty of this arrangement, isn't it? You wanted a way in to spending time with Paulina. Looks like it's all working perfectly," you noted with a shrug, pressing the "down" button for the elevator.

As the two of you stood waiting for the elevator, there was an uneasy silence that neither of you were sure how to break. Dean tried first. "So, how've you been? Haven't talked to you since our dinner-and-a-movie night was interrupted."

Memories of that night came flooding back, including the conversation between you and Paulina, alone in Dean's apartment. Your eyes were cast downward, your shoes suddenly becoming the most interesting object in the world. "Uh, yeah, I've had a lot of new projects to handle, which has kept me occupied. In fact, this is the first time in a couple of days that I've even left my apartment, so I should have quite a bit of mail waiting for me."

"Oh," he replied. "Because when I got back to my place, you weren't there like I thought you'd be. I didn't think I was even gone very long. I guess maybe you decided that you had somewhere else more important to be, like out in town with friends."

Your head snapped up, eyes wide at his unusually snarky remark. "What??" you whispered. "Where in the world would you get an idea like that?"

"It doesn't matter where I heard it," he defended. "Look, if you didn't want to hang out with me that night, you could've just said so. Instead, you take off before I get back? Without a word? That's not like you. At least Paulina was there to watch The Breakfast Club with me," he muttered.

That was your movie. Yours and Dean's. It was the one you had watched together at least 100 times and could quote back and forth, no matter the situation. And he watched it with her?? You could feel the anger building and the tears stinging behind your eyes. There was no way you were going to let them fall in front of him.

"Dean, I had no idea how long you were going to be gone fixing Paulina's heater. Besides, as you pointed out, she was there, waiting for you, which was the whole point of what we're doing. Therefore, I'd say 'Mission Accomplished'," you added sarcastically.

"But--"

"And I didn't go out in town with anyone that night. I left your apartment and went back to mine, where I changed into pajamas, then went to bed with my book. Not that it should be any of your business, though. Because, hey, it's not like I'm your real girlfriend, right?" you retorted. As soon as the elevator stopped and the doors opened, you bolted through them. You ran past the mailboxes, out the entrance to your building and quickly slid behind the wheel of your car.

Dean rushed after you, but by the time he caught up, you had already backed out of your parking space. He stood hunched over, his hands on his knees while he tried to catch his breath. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wanted to take them back. The surprised and hurt look on your face from what he said was something he didn't want to be the cause of ever again.

With a chirp of your tires, you sped out of the parking lot. You didn't know where you were headed, only that you needed to go somewhere to think. And there was no way you could do that if Dean was around. So, you hopped on the road to take you to the outskirts of town to get as far away from him as you could.

***

Dean trudged back into the building, now worried about where you'd gone by yourself at this time of night. He ran through your conversation in his head, wondering where exactly the wheels fell off. Since Paulina had gone home after her shower, he was going to invite you in for a redo of the Friday night that got interrupted. Guess that's out the window for now, he internally grumbled.

He thought about calling Sam to get some brotherly advice on how to make it up to you. But he thought better of it, because then he'd have to explain about what was going on between you. He couldn't call his mom or your girlfriends, either, because they'd tear him apart for what he said to you. I'm a man without a country, he mused.

When he returned from picking up his mail, Paulina was waiting by his door. "There you are, Dean, I was so worried about you. I heard what happened out here after I left," she gushed.

"I really don't want to talk about it right now, Paulina. You should go home, I'll see you later," he murmured.

"But wait! I wanted to tell you, I got tickets for us to Eclipse. You know, that club to see my friend's band?" she tried again.

Dean paused after crossing the threshold into his apartment. With his door still open, he turned around to face Paulina. "When is that again?"

"The 13th. I thought we could get all dressed up, and go out for dinner first, then we head to the club," she suggested.

"Let me check my schedule. I think I have an important event going on that night, so I'll have to get back to you. Goodnight, Paulina," he stated more firmly this time.

As his door was almost closed, she stopped it with her hand and pushed it open a little more. "Dean," she began, "are you sure you should be alone tonight? I mean, I'd be pretty upset if my best friend took off like that so late in the evening. Especially after an argument," she added.

Dean tilted his head towards the ceiling and heaved a deep sigh. "I suppose I could use some company. Might take my mind off of things," he agreed and opened the door to let her in.

Paulina had to work hard to hold back a squeal of victory, but she kept her composure. By the time you get back, Dean will be all mine, she vowed to herself.

***

Up the winding road you drove until you reached the top of Stargazer's Hill at City Park. You pulled over into a parking spot, then tucked your phone into your pocket. Some picnic tables dotted the open space, and were a short distance from where you'd parked your car. You climbed up on one and sat on the table, with your feet resting on the bench.

Taking a deep breath, you leaned back on your hands and tilted your head up at the glittery night sky. Now that you were away from all of the light pollution, it was easier to see the billions of points of light covering the inky atmosphere above you. On your right side, your phone buzzed with an incoming phone call. Caller ID: Sam.

You sighed harshly before picking up the call. "Look, I don't want to talk about it, Sam. Not right now anyway," you declared.

"Whoa, what's gotten into you?" he asked, bewildered.

"What, you mean your brother hasn't called to talk to you? I'm surprised," you replied.

"About what? Never mind. What did he do this time?" Sam inquired.

"Nothing. If he didn't tell you, I'm not going to either. Goodnight, Sam," you started to hang up but then remembered. "The only thing I will tell you is that Charlie will be here on the 11th, and she wants to get together with everyone on the 13th," you mentioned. Your friend group had met Charlie on more than one occasion. Fortunately, she fit right in as if she'd been around since the day you'd met all of them.

"For your birthday? That's great! What's the plan?" he wondered.

You mentioned that you and Charlie were going to spend the day together on the 12th, hanging out and catching up with each other. On the 13th, she wanted the group to go out to dinner somewhere, then for drinks and dancing at The Element, one of two clubs in town. You gave him the approximate times for each phase of the evening, in case he and Eileen wanted to join you.

"I think we can squeeze in some time to make an appearance for dinner and dancing. What did Dean say when you told him? I know he likes to make kind of a big deal about your birthday," he added.

"We're not exactly on speaking terms right now, at least I'm not. I'll send him a text message or something when I get home," you murmured.

"Wait, you're out by yourself? At this time of night?" Sam asked.

"Geez, Sam, I'm up on Stargazer's Hill in City Park. Not like I'm in the middle of nowhere. But don't worry, Dad, I'll be going home after I pick up something for dinner," you muttered.

"I am worried about you, somebody has to be. And if my brother's being a jackass, as I suspect he is, then it falls to me to worry about you," he defended.

"Okay, Sam," you sighed. "I don't feel like arguing with anyone anymore tonight. I'll text you with the info about the 13th." You said your goodbyes and the call ended. After placing your phone in your back pocket, you got down from the picnic table and walked to your car.

Once behind the wheel, you leaned your head back in your seat and took a deep breath. As angry as you were with Dean, you still wanted him to be there for your birthday party. You pulled your phone out and sent him a text message about it, then started the car and headed towards home.

***

Dean sat slumped on his couch, an unopened bottle of water on top of a wooden coaster that was shaped like a vinyl record. It was from a set you had found when the two of you visited the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame last year. His eyes focused on the phone in his hand, almost willing you to call it. All he wanted was confirmation that you had returned safely home. The rest could be figured out later, but there was no way he would sleep unless he knew where you were.

Paulina sat on the couch with him, but was keeping a respectable distance. At the moment, anyway. She could see the background of his phone was a picture of the two of you, fireworks from the 4th of July going off in the background. No matter, she thought. I'll show him that between you and me, I'm the better option as a girlfriend, and not you. "Dean? You've been staring at your phone ever since you got back."

He tore his eyes away from his phone to glance at Paulina, giving her a half-hearted smile. "I really wish I knew where she was, if she was safe," he murmured. "I don't like the idea of her being out there alone at this time of night."

Paulina narrowly resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "You know, I'm sure she's fine. Probably needed some 'alone time' to figure things out," she suggested.

"Maybe. But you didn't see the look on her face, Paulina. I shouldn't have snapped at her like I did. I need to apologize to her," he added. He stared longingly at his door, missing the flash of light at the arrival of a text message from you.

I have to distract him from his phone, she thought. "Um, Dean? Could I please get something to drink? A soda, or a water, maybe?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure. I'll be right back," he promised as he rose from the couch. "I should leave this here, then I won't be tempted to stare at it, pathetically waiting for her to text or call. Here," he held out his phone to Paulina. "Will you please put it on the table, next to my bottle of water? Think I need something stronger."

She made a show of doing as he'd asked, but as soon as he was out of sight, she picked it up again. Fortunately, it was unlocked, so she wouldn't have to guess his code and risk locking him out if she guessed wrong too many times. She accessed the message app, found your text about the party and deleted it. Sorry, 'bestie', but all's fair in love and war, she smirked to herself.

***

When you pulled into your parking space at the apartments, you turned off the engine and leaned back against the headrest. A glance at your phone as it sat in the cup holder had you debating on whether or not to check it for a response from Dean. You didn't recall hearing a notification of a return text, but then again, your music was up a bit loud.

On the way up in the elevator, you continued to resist the temptation to check your phone. Before turning the key in the lock, you looked over your shoulder at Dean's door and debated on whether or not to talk to him. The decision was made for you when you saw Paulina tiptoeing out of his place, and was on the phone with someone.

You froze in place, not wanting to draw attention to yourself by moving. The last thing you needed was a confrontation with Paulina. As she walked away, you heard snippets of conversation like, "be there on the 13th" and "Dean can't wait to meet you". From what you heard, you figured it meant one of two things. Either Dean saw the message, ignored it, and made other plans, or he hasn't seen the message yet. For now, you decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, then entered your apartment and locked the door.

***

The next couple of days were spent getting ready for Charlie's arrival from Chicago and the festivities to take place on Saturday the 13th. Fresh sheets were put on the bed and fresh towels placed in the bathroom for her, along with her favorite drinks and snacks in the kitchen. You picked her up from the airport and grabbed some burgers and fries on the way home for dinner.

On the 12th, you went shopping with Jody, Donna, Charlie, and Eileen to find you the perfect dress for your party at The Element. You found a black lace, off-the-shoulder swing dress with a high-low hemline. A pair of black Mary Jane pumps with crystals around the edge of the buckle completed your apparel choices.

As you lay in bed that night, you thought about the events of the day, which brought a smile to your face. Your smile faltered a little when you realized you haven't heard from Dean at all since the day you stormed out of the building. Not even a reply to the text message about the party at The Element tomorrow night.

His silence made you wonder if your years of friendship were truly over, all because of the situation with Paulina. Though you closed your eyes, any meaningful sleep would elude you for some time that night.

***

All during the day on the 13th, your phone randomly pinged with calls and text messages from friends and family. Some of them would be joining you for dinner at Ravelli's, your favorite Italian restaurant. Those not going to dinner with you were going to meet you at The Element later that evening for drinks and dancing.

Each time your phone notifications went off, you eagerly checked it, waiting to see that one name: Dean. Though with everything that had happened recently, you weren't sure you would see anything from him.

Still desperately wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt, you shook off the negative thoughts and continued to get ready. Before exiting your room, you pulled out your phone and sent Dean a simple text to see if, despite the tension, he would be at the restaurant. You dropped your phone into your sparkly clutch purse and headed to the living room to meet your friends.

At Ravelli's, the maître d' escorted everyone to the private room in the back. Appetizers were ordered, followed by your beverage orders being served. Once everyone had a drink in hand, Charlie proposed a birthday toast to you, bringing a warmth to your cheeks. Others followed, and the room was filled with laughter and other happy sounds.

"By the way, where's Dean? I thought for sure he'd be here," Jody asked, her gaze turned to you.

"I-I think said he's um....working late," you stammered.

"Tonight of all nights, chérie?" wondered Benny, who was sitting to your right.

"We-we haven't been able to see much of each other these past few days. Been busy working late at the shop, you know," you chuckled nervously. "Shall we order? What's everyone having?" you wondered in an attempt to diffuse the growing tension.

Once the orders were placed, you excused yourself to the restroom. After you washed your hands, you sent a text to Dean, asking him if he's on his way to meet you at the restaurant. One last check in the mirror, and you were out the door, only to run into someone on your way. "Oops, sorr--oh, hey, Sam!"

"Never mind that, why isn't he here? Did you even tell him? And what is this 'working late' business? I drive by the shop every night on my way home, and the Impala isn't there," Sam replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "What's going on?"

Your gaze dropped to the floor. "Not now, Sam. Please," you implored. "We really haven't spoken since that night, and truthfully, I've been kind of avoiding him ever since. He didn't even reply to my text message about tonight."

Sam swore under his breath. "That idiot," he mumbled while he thought for a few moments. He hooked his arm around you and pulled you into a hug. "Listen, I know he's my brother, but you deserve better than the way he's treating you. Find your happy, even if it isn't with Dean."

You pulled back to catch Sam's gaze. "Thank you, Sam," you whispered. You gave him one last squeeze and returned to the table. Once you were seated, you pulled out your phone and sent Dean another text message before locking it away in your purse again. Sam had also returned and within a few more moments, your meals were being brought out to the table.

***

Across town at Eclipse, the other club

Dean's hand was loosely curled around his beer, with drops of condensation slowly rolling down the bottom half of the bottle. He was slouched in his chair, staring at the stage and waiting for the band to start. As such, he missed how his phone lit up with yet another text message, with someone asking where he was and why he wasn't with you.

Paulina arrived at the table in time to see the last one come through. "The band's about to start, if you want another drink or to use the restroom or something," she suggested.

"Yeah....," Dean murmured.

"These are great seats, aren't they? Right up front," she beamed. "Shadow really came through for us, like he always does."

"Yeah....," he whispered. "Wait, what? Who's Shadow?"

"He's my friend, silly, the one who got us these tickets. Seriously, are you okay, Dean? You seem a little distracted tonight," Paulina pouted.

"I'm sorry. It feels like I'm supposed to be somewhere else tonight," he replied, then stood up from his chair. "I'm gonna go to the restroom, splash some cold water on my face and I'll be back." He turned and gave her a wink before forging a path through the crowd to the bathroom.

As soon as he was out of eyesight, Paulina shifted in her chair with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest. She was annoyed at Dean for being so inattentive tonight. And, to top it off, he'd been miserable ever since his argument with you, which was something she couldn't understand. Why would he want to be with you, when he can be with me? she inwardly fumed.

She glanced down in time to see yet another text message come through, this time from someone named "Jody". Immediately on its heels was a phone call from his brother, Sam. "Ugh! Why won't they leave us alone!" she snapped, swiping to decline the call. His phone wasn't unlocked this time, but she caught the code once when she was peering over his shoulder. A few clicks, then a few more swipes deleted any evidence of the texts and phone calls.

***

At the club, Benny picked up the first round of drinks, while Charlie slipped over to the DJ's booth to request a song. Before you knew it, the DJ announced that it was your birthday and the whole club sang "Happy Birthday" to you. Once the embarrassment subsided, Benny held out his hand and asked you to dance, which you accepted.

Though it was your favorite slow song, and it felt good to dance with someone, you couldn't help that your mind was definitely elsewhere. In the background, you registered that someone was talking to you, but the voice sounded as if underwater.

"Chérie? Are you all right?" Benny asked.

"Hmm? Yeah, sure, I'm fine. Why, what'd I miss?" you wondered.

"Nothin', I was askin' if you were having a good time. You've had that faraway look in your eyes ever since dinner or whenever anyone asks you about Dean," he replied.

Your eyes dropped to the floor and you cringed at being caught not paying attention. "I'm so sorry, Ben. It's not you, it's--"

"Dean," he supplied. You nodded sadly in response. "I hope you can forgive me for saying this, but he's not being a good boyfriend to you. He should be here, with you, on your most special of days."

"You're right, he should be," you murmured. "Only, I'm not the one he really wants." At his puzzled look, you launched into an explanation of the deal between you and Dean. He listened intently, nodding in the right places and didn't interrupt. You finished with a deep sigh and waited for his response.

"Well," he started. "That's really--"

"Pitiful, I know," you muttered.

"No, I was gonna say that's mighty noble of you to do that for him," he remarked softly. "He doesn't know about your affection for him, or, if he does, he's ignorin' it. But, with what you're doin' fer him, you've pretty much told him to his face. Any man who would go after some other woman on purpose after gettin' even a fraction of your love doesn't deserve it."

Tears prickled behind your eyelids, but you fought to keep them in check. "Thank you, Benny. That's probably one of the most beautiful things anyone's ever said to me," you affirmed.

"You're welcome, darlin'. And I meant ev'ry word," he replied with a grin. He tightened his arms around you a fraction more, while you rested your head on his chest and closed your eyes.

***

Dean's phone lit up after the last song of the set ended. Caller ID said it was Sam, so he knew it had to be important. "Excuse me, I've gotta take this," he hastily stood up from his chair and walked outside of Eclipse.

"What's up, Sam?" he answered.

"Where the hell are you??" Sam snapped.

"I'm at Eclipse with Paulina, where the hell am I supposed to be?" Dean shot back.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe at The Element for your best friend's birthday," he retorted. "You already missed dinner earlier at Ravelli's. Believe me, your absence did not go unnoticed."

"What are you talking about? That's tonight?? Nobody told me about any plans for her birthday," Dean remarked. "We haven't seen much of each other for a while, and--"

"Yeah, I'm aware of that, and I know about the little 'deal' you made with her to get Paulina to notice you. If you ask me, you're going after the wrong woman," Sam muttered.

Dean ran his hand across his face, trying to collect his thoughts. Maybe Sam was right, as much as he hated to admit it. But about this? He had to talk to you, let you know how badly he missed you....and to apologize. "All right, I'll be there in ten minutes. Don't let her leave, okay?" he pleaded.

"I won't. Just get over here and fix this, Dean. See you soon," Sam assured him.

He poked his head into the bar to see Paulina chatting with Shadow and the other members of the band between sets. She'd be okay with them while he sorted out this thing with you, then he would come back and pick her up.

On the drive over to the club, he mentally kicked himself for forgetting your birthday. It had never happened, not in five years, that he had missed it. Then again, he hasn't exactly been in his right mind since....Paulina. Could be Sam had a point, that he was going after the wrong woman. Time to find out tonight.

***

Seven minutes later, Dean walked into The Element, scanning the crowd for you. He works his way through, quickly says 'hello' to everyone in passing, and brushes off their remarks about where he's been.

He stopped short when he saw you on the dance floor with his best friend, Benny, whose chin rested on the top of your head. There's a sweet smile on your face and your eyes are closed as the two of you sway back and forth.

Dean felt the color drain from his face at the sight. When the song ended, you and Benny took a step back from each other, though your hand was still in his. Am I too late? he wondered. Wait, he knows how I feel about you, so why does he think he has the right to dance with you? His fists clenched at his sides at the thought.

As you reached the edge of the dance floor, you gasped at seeing your best friend. "Dean?" you whispered.

"Can we please talk? In private?" he gritted out.

You released Benny's hand and caught his gaze. "I'll be right back, Ben," you smiled.

Dean took your hand and you walked with him to an empty table. "Why didn't you tell me about tonight? Celebrating your birthday together is something we usually do," he pointed out.

"We used to do a lot of things, Dean. Key words, used to. And I sent you multiple texts about tonight, even after you were such a jerk to me that night," you seethed.

"What are you talking about? I never got any texts from you or anyone else. No phone calls, nothing," he snapped.

"Maybe you should check with your real girlfriend on that. I wouldn't put it past her to delete that kind of stuff off your phone," you accused.

"Of course you'd think that about her," he sneered. "Are you still pissed about what happened that night I went over to fix her heater?"

"It's not just about what happened on that last dinner-and-a-movie night, Dean. It's every time that woman is around, I cease to exist in your eyes. Which, yeah, I guess that's the point with this 'arrangement', isn't it. I just didn't–"

"'You just didn't' what? C'mon, tell me," he demanded.

You shook your head and started to walk towards the door to leave the club, but he caught your hand. "Let me go, Dean," you warned.

"Not until you finish what you were going to say," he stated firmly.

"I didn't think–" you stumbled again.

"WHAT?! Just say it!" he thundered.

"I didn't think it would hurt this much, okay?!?" you shouted. "I didn't realize how much it would tear my heart to ribbons to see you with someone else," you admitted. "I know, it's my own fault since it was sort of my idea, and I agreed to do it. I mean, you asked me to and it was important to you. I was willing to do whatever would make you happy, even if I wasn't. But now....it's best for me to bow out gracefully with what's left of my dignity....and my heart," you choked out.

By now it occurred to you that the entire club had gone silent, even with the music. When his grip on your wrist lessened, you ripped your hand away. Your eyes met Charlie's across the room and she rushed over to guide you out to her car. She helped you get settled then climbed in herself to drive back to your apartment.

Dean stood frozen in place as he watched you walk out the door with Charlie. He felt a pull on his arm and when he looked down, he saw Paulina, fury in her eyes. "Paulina? I--"

"Save it, Dean! How could you just abandon me at the club like that? First, you've been distracted all night. Second, you never came back from your phone call," she huffed.

"I'm sorry, I should've come back inside to tell you where I was going and made sure you got home okay," he admitted. "Remember how I told you I thought I was missing something important tonight? Well, I was, because I should've been here. It's her--"

"Birthday, yeah, I know all about it Dean," she replied sarcastically. "Your phone has been blowing up all night with all these annoying text messages and phone calls asking why you weren't here."

"What?" he whispered. "You deleted my notifications? How dare you invade my privacy like that!?!" he roared.

"They wouldn't leave you alone! All I wanted was one night out with you to hang out with my friends," she spat.

"Ever since you moved in, I've been trying to get to know you. I thought you were someone that if we got together, we could maybe build a future," he explained.

"I don't see why any of that has to change, Dean. I can see a future with you. We belong together," Paulina implored.

"Maybe now you think that's true, but before, you never gave me a chance to ask you out for coffee, a drink, a date, anything. You didn't show me any kind of interest until you thought I was in a relationship."

"That's not true, Dean. I was new in the building, had to make you work for it," she added weakly.

"Well, I don't play games. You know, it happened exactly like she said it would. You wanted what you didn't have, so you decided you'd take it--take me--from the one who did have me. Just to see if you could do it."

"So all of this was to prove a point?" she screeched. "You never were in a relationship with anyone?" Dean shook his head while fury took over Paulina's face "I can't believe you tricked me into believing you were with that--that--"

"Do not even THINK about finishing that sentence," he warned. "I may not have been her boyfriend before, but damn, if I don't wish that I was now. I can't believe it's taken me this long to figure it out," he remarked.

"I don't see what's so great about her," Paulina retorted.

"I'll tell you. She's supported me through everything I've done. Like when I bought the garage from Bobby when he retired, and started running my own shop. She was there for me and my family when my dad died of a heart attack. She's celebrated my highs and helped me through my lows," he explained.

"You'd rather be with a sappy, average little nobody, than a woman like me? I don't understand, how is that even possible?"

"Well, it doesn't matter if you understand it, because it's basically reality. I'm in love with my best friend. Right now, I owe her a massive apology and so much more. And this?" he motioned between them. "Is done." He turned on his heel and walked out of the club to find you.

"Oh yeah?? You think you're soooo special, Dean Winchester? Well, you're not. There are plenty of guys out there, better than you, and more worthy of my time!" Paulina ranted. She turned just in time to see your friends advancing on her position.

"I think it's time for you to leave. You're not welcome here, not after the crap you just pulled," Jody remarked, arms crossed over her chest. Echoes of the same sentiment rippled through your group of friends and even some of the bystanders.

"Fine. Let her have him, then. All he ever did was talk about her anyway. They deserve each other," Paulina muttered under her breath as she spun on her heel and marched out of the club.

"You bet your ass they do."

***

"Are you sure you want to do this, Charlie? I mean, if you don't want to cash in the other half of your plane ticket, I'd understand," you offered.

"I know you would, honey, but I'm sure. And I didn't buy my ticket, the company did, so in a sense I'm saving them money. Anyway, what better way is there to help heal a broken heart than a road trip with your bestie, I ask you," she quipped.

"Okay, you got me with that one," you laughed. "I'm almost done in here, if you want to wait in the living room for me." She nodded and gave your shoulder a squeeze before leaving you to finish packing.

As you were zipping up your suitcase, you thought you heard a specific pattern of knocks at your front door. You paused then slowly walked out to the living room to listen, only to hear the knocks again. "What should I do?" Charlie asked.

"Sweetheart, I know you're in there. I'm so sorry for what happened. Please let me in, I need to talk to you," Dean pleaded. 

You looked to Charlie for guidance on whether or not to let him in, but she looked as undecided as you. "I've said all I'm going to say to you for the time being, Dean. Please, just let it go for now and maybe we can talk later," you tried.

"No can do, baby," he replied immediately. "It's been too long without you, and I'll admit it, I'm a mess. I can't eat, haven't slept much, if at all, and I....miss you. The sound of your voice, even if it's because you're yelling at me. Your text messages, whether short and sweet or long ones sharing your thoughts on life. Your eyes, despite how you love to roll them at me. And....your smile. I especially miss it, because I haven't given you much reason lately to show it to me."

By this time, tears are silently streaming down your face. Your heart wanted nothing more than to yank the door open and throw yourself into his arms. However, your head remained cautious, on edge, and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Despite your doubts, you decided to give in to your heart a little and gestured for Charlie to open the door. The man on the other side did indeed look miserable, like he hadn't slept in weeks. "Hey, sweetheart," he sighed, giving you a tender smile.

Still skeptical, you maintain your distance from him with your arms crossed over your chest as you allow him to enter your apartment. "What about Paulina?" you asked warily.

"Gone. We're done. Over with. Turns out you were right. She erased all of my text messages and declined my phone calls that said anything about tonight," he affirmed.

"That b---" Charlie blurted out, but stopped and gave you a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry. I'll be in my room if you need anything." From behind his back, Charlie gave the I'm-watching-you gesture.  You barely had time to suppress a small grin before returning your attention to Dean.

"Dean, I'm sorry that you and Paulina didn't work out. I know how much you wanted it to. Even though I wasn't your real girlfriend, the experience was better than I could've imagined," you admitted.

"You've thought about it? About us?" he asked.

"For a long time, yes. So many times I came so close to telling you, but then when you started to go on about Paulina, I couldn't say anything. Now, when the next woman comes along, I'll be pushed to the background again," you remarked softly.

"That's not gonna happen," he replied firmly, shaking his head.

"You can't know that for certain, Dean, and I can't chance it. My heart won't take it," you countered.

"I do know for certain, because there won't be any other women. The only one I want is you. I've thought about us, too, for a long time. I had no idea if you felt the same about me. I couldn't risk our friendship if you didn't love me the way that I love you," he confessed.

"You love me?" you whispered.

Dean nodded. "I do. After all this time, it's always been you, sweetheart. It might have taken me a little longer than everyone else to see it, but I am yours. Will you be mine?"

At his confession, more tears began to stream down your cheeks. "Of course, Dean. I always have been yours. Always will be," you added.

Throughout your conversation, Dean had been taking small steps towards you to close the distance between you. When his hand reached up to caress your cheek, you jumped, which elicited a nervous giggle from the two of you. He leaned closer and tenderly brushed his lips over yours, then drew back a bit.

Your hands slid up his chest and curled around the back of his head. You briefly teased the short hairs at the nape of his neck before pulling him closer again. When your lips met this time, it was like fireworks had gone off in a kaleidoscope of colors. To feel the movement of his mouth on yours was like a dream from which you never wanted to awaken. You could faintly taste the remnants of the beer he had earlier, while he licked away the coarse salt from your lips, courtesy of your margarita.

When you were almost out of oxygen, the kiss was broken, leaving the two of you trying to catch your breath. "That was amazing," he whispered, touching his forehead to yours. "I love you, sweetheart."

"That kiss was miraculous," you added. "I love you too, Dean."

From the other room, Charlie yelled, "FINALLY!!" You and Dean burst out into laughter at her statement as she returned to the living room.

"Hey, Charlie? I um....don't think I'll be taking that road trip after all. But I will still see you off at the airport tomorrow," you agreed.

"I figured as much," she smirked. "And don't get too comfortable, Winchester. You pull a stunt like this again and I have to come out and fix it? I. will. end. you."

"Understood, but I promise, no more stunts like this. Not now that I have my girl," Dean replied, curling his arm around you and drawing you closer to his side.

Charlie rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm going to bed, because I have an early flight tomorrow. Try to keep the noise down, huh?"

"I swear, only sleep. For tonight anyway," he grinned and waggled his eyebrows then held out his arm. "Ready, sweetheart?"

You playfully rolled your eyes as you hooked your arm around his. "Ready as I'll ever be. Follow me, my love."

When you reached the doorway to your room, Dean paused. "By the way, I'm sorry I forgot to say this earlier, but 'Happy Birthday, baby'," he remarked softly, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear.

Your hand cradled his jaw as you gave him a tender smile. "Best. Birthday. Ever."

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[anonymous-existences]

Chapter 2 : Oddities and Chills

[𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒓, 6:38 𝑷𝑴, 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆-𝑪𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄]

Dante was driving back home after dropping THEE BRUCE WAYNE off at the Wayne Manor which was coincidentally not too far away from the Masters Manor, Dante was humming as he drove home with a few bags of Toys that Danny and Dani will love... He slows down as he approaches the gates and slowly it opened, he shudders as he can imagine Jazz beating the living shit out of him but as long as he can see his two kids smiles he'll be fine. Dante parked his car in the garage and slowly heading towards the doors. As he opens the door with the bags He was greeted by his twins just happily seeing him.

"Daddy! Daddy!" Both Danny and Ellie said in unison as they jumped up to be carried by him, he puts down the bags and cooed on them both who were giggling and hugging him with their small hands. "My cutie Pies." He coos ignoring his sister who was holding the Phantom Creepstick with a smile and letting it bounce on her hand slowly, Dante chuckled slowly and handed the Amused Clockwork(Butler Disguise) the bags of Toys for the twins... "Please take them upstairs and let the twins play with them Clockwork..." Dante smiles nervously and Clockwork Nodded as he told the twins to follow him upstairs.

"Jaz—" Dan was cut off with a Bat to his gut, "UGHK—" He groaned In pain as he leaned further and kneeled on the wall. "I'm sor—" he tried to apologize but Jazz hit him again this time with a Sandal. "WE HAD EXPLICIT RULES!! EXPLICIT FUCKING RULESS!! DANTE!!" She kept hitting him with her sandal "YET YOU HOOK UP! WITH THE PLAYBOY BACHELOR NEXT DOOR?!" Jazz yelled "AH— IM SORRY IM SORRY HE WAS HOT OKAY??" Dante tried to reason but to no avail. Jazz huffed and stood back up in annoyance but she just crossed her arms. "This is so fun to watch." Paulina says as she sat on the couch and watched Dan get beat up whilst drinking milk boba tea.

"WHY IS SHE HERE??!" Dante yelled as he slowly stand up and dusting his suit.. "god this suit smells so much like him—" he kept sniffing his wrist and received a sandal thrown to his face. Paulina laughed, she was only there for girly girls night out stuff with Valerie and Jazz. "You look like a smitten loser Dan.." Valerie chuckled. "Please don't tell me you're Inlove or something—" She glared at Dante and he just smiled cheekily. Jazz sighed in defeat, "Valerie, HunnyBun, And Paulina, Let's go out yes? Girls night out." Jazz composes herself and smiles, she's wearing casual clothes and ready for a night out. "Star and Ember say they're totally coming." Paulina giggled and stood up from the couch and patting Dante's Chest, "Manboobs." Paulina laughed as she went outside.

"Please don't ever call my chest Manboobs ever again... God— that hurts so much— Jazz why—" Dante asks and just curled back up on the floor clutching his gut. "Cuz you fucked A WAYNE! THE MAIN FAMILY BACHELOR OF THE WAYNE!! ARE YOU INSANE?! SHOULD I PUT YOU IN ARKHAM?!" Jazz shook him and Valerie laughed as she calmed Jazz Down. "Calm down Hun, he might not make it until Vlad wakes up, let Vlad do the hitting once the old man wakes up." Jazz sighed at the statement and nodded. "You'll be spared for today. But only because my Girlfriend told me to. capiche?" Jazz drops him. "Can I court him then?" Dante asks shamelessly earning him another sandal to the face on the floor as he laid there. "I'll take that as a Yes!" And Jazz just groaned and Valerie laughing as she led her out.

"Clockwork how did you court my father?" Dante sat up slowly facing Clockwork. "I fought him a lot physically? I do not know how mortals court each other but I seduced your father through sparring." Dante just stared at him and combed his hair. "... Sparring?..." Dante asks hesitantly and Clockwork nodded. "Perhaps ask Ember McLain or that Revenant friend of yours back in crime alley." Clockwork suggests. "Maybe tommorow... Or later this night when the kids are sleeping. Where's Nocturn?" Dante asks as he took off his corset waist coat. "He's with the children playing with them." Clockwork says as he followed Dante. "And Vlad?" Dante sighs in exhaustion. "Still resting and asleep ofcourse." Clockwork answers...

Yeah, Dante would've guessed so. It's been 8 months since the Man's been asleep... When will Vlad wake up? When will his Dad Wake up? Dante shook his head to drown away the negative thoughts and took a deep breathe before going to playroom to play with his kids. Right now his priority is Jazz and the Kids... His precious family.

[𝑾𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒓, 9:23 𝑷𝑴]

"Alfred, Father seems Constipated and... Out of touch with reality, is he possesed or...?" Damian motions his hands and slightly tilts his head in confusion. "Master Bruce is not Constipated but he is spacing out Master Damian, It seems that Master Bruce might have fallen for someone again." Alfred chuckled and Bruce just occasionally smirking then shaking his head trying to focus on his work and files. "Hmm.... Who is the person who has seduced my Father Alfred?" Damian whips his head and looked at Alfred who kept chuckling softly. "I heard from Master Bruce that the name of the Other Is Dante Jamie Masters, Master Damian." Alfred said softly, very pleased with Bruce's current state.

"I'll Tell Drake to do a background check on this... Dante." Damian fixes his clothes and walks out heading to the Batcave where Tim Basically Camps. "Drake." Damian says with a serious tone As he slowly walked towards Tim, "What do you want Demon Brat." Tim scowled. "Alfred has told me something Peculiar." Damian started and Tim looked at Damian Curiously and places his mug down. "And what's that?" Tim smirks.

"Father as Alfred Says has fallen... In love... In the early stages of being smitten with someone." Damian states and Tim looked back at the computer. "Name." He demanded

"Dante Jamie Masters. Look up everything about him." Damian demands and Tim complied only out of pure curiousity with a smirk plastered on his face. "Uhm what are you two doing... And why is there a silent truce here?" Dick Grayson asks behind them and Damian looks at him, "Father is in the process of being smitten with someone, specifically a Man." Damian states once again. "... Translation?" Dick asks and Tim sighs "What the Demon Spawn means is that Bruce is falling Inlove with Someone, that's also a man, which is new, since I mean... Selina and Talia— but yes." Tim states as both turned back to the screen.

"Wait wait wait? B? As in Playboy B persona? Or?" Dick asks again trying to process this information. "No. Not the persona this time. Like the actual Bruce. We'll check if he's a clone later." Tim states. "Dante Jamie Masters, Adopted by Vlad Masters when he was 7 years old... Odd the timelines match but there's something weird about it." Tim stared at the screen. "Some text are green. Like. Lazarus Gree—" Tim was cut off by the Burner Computer suddenly shutting down. "What—" Tim tried to power it on again but all it does is show a Lazarus Green Screen. "Alright what the fuck—" Tim was cut off again by Lines Typing itself on the screen and he raised his hands up.

"ץØย'я𝑒 Ø𝐍𝑒 Øⓕ 𝐓𝓱𝑒м.... ץØย'я𝑒 𝐍Ø𝐓 𝐚ᒪᒪØ𝔀𝑒𝓭 𝐓Ø 丂𝑒𝑒 卩𝐚丂𝐓 𝐍Ø𝔀."

"Drake this isn't a prank correct?" Damian squints and throws a glare at Tim and he denied and shook his head, "Uh No Demon Brat, this isn't my doing. Neither would it be steph, she'd make it "preppy" as that woman likes to call it." Tim rolls his eyes and the Computer's System quite literally burst. "Oh. What in the Technological Supernatural Shit just happene—" Tim AGAIN was cut off now by Dick Pulling the two away from the burner laptop and taking them upstairs, "nope. We don't deal with the supernatural kids. That's not our job, that's the JLD and I don't think I can deal with ghosts or something today, neither would I want an eldritch monster, good thing it's just technological right? Yeah yeah— but nope we're leaving that alone." Dick sputtered, "Unhand me Richard! This is utterly despicable and Unmannered of you!" Damian complained.

"Yeah! what the gremlin said!" Tim says as Dick finally let's them go as soon as he assured that they were far from the Batcave entrance. "I'm gonna Call B for that." Dick walked away. "Utterly despicable." Damian huffs as he fixed his hair and clothes again. "Ugh... My thermos is still down there... Whatever he says or asks do not tell him I'm back down there." Tim groans and stretches his slumped back up straight and heading back to the Batcave. Damian sighed in annoyance and checked a mirror if his hair was messed up but fortunately it was not.

Hopefully that Green Screen literally doesn't mess up anything other than Tim Drake's Burner Laptop. Maybe he'll inform Father later when he asks but until then he needs to finish his schoolwork. Damian heads back to his bedroom but felt a chill in his spine creeping. He whips his head around frantically for a moment before standing still hearing for any movements. He didn't hear anything else but a slight paranoia catching up to him as he enters his bedroom and locks the door firmly.

What was that chill? Please let it just be the wind and not something.. supernatural. Dami wouldn't like to be involved in something such as the Unnatural Line Between Life and Death just like the Lazarus Pits. He doesn't want to be involved for now. His gut feeling is telling him not to get involved.