#Rene Ablaze

[toulousewayne]

Beware the Batman

————

This is a concept for a live action Batman film set in my new reboot DCU universe. This story takes inspiration from The War of Jokes and Riddles, Batman Rebirth, and Batman the Animated Series. A lot of villains will be recasted due to the reboot.

———-

Synopsis: Set after the events of Flashpoint, Bruce Wayne returns after being gone for a few years Batman must now reclaim his role as Gotham’s Protector.

Release: December 21, 2029

Runtime: 2 Hour, 58 Minutes

Rating: PG-13

——————

Cast:

Bruce Wayne/Batman…….. Oliver Jackson-Cohen

-

Damian Wayne/Robin……..Mystic Inscho

-

Alfred Pennyworth…….Pierce Brosnan

-

Dick Grayson/ Nightwing……Josh Heuston

-

Edward Nygma/ The Riddler…Jude Law

-

Commissioner Gordon……Stanley Tucci

-

Guest Starring:

Tim Drake/Red Robin……Charlie Bushnell

Lucius Fox…..Denzel Washington

Vickie Vale…….Victoria Pedretti

Firefly……..Nolan North

Penguin…….Timothy Spall

Renee Montoya…….Melonie Diaz

Harvey Bullock……Clancy Brown

Scarecrow…….Jamie Campbell Bower

——

Concept Art:All Artwork belongs to the original creators‼️‼️‼️

New “Rebooted” Batman Suit:

-

Robin:

-

Nightwing:

-

The Riddler

-

——-

Plot:

-The film opens with skyline view of Gotham City at night, cuts to Gotham Square decorated for Christmas in the middle of a Christmas festival and a large blast of fire destroys several booths and stalls. Several civilians scatter to get away and screams and sirens are heard as a figure looms over cackling darkly.

-Meanwhile, across the city Damian looks out the window looking a bustling Gotham. Alfred enters the room and tells him he cannot hide in Bruce’s office all night, and Bruce had requested his appearance at the ball upstairs.

-Damian arrives with Alfred and is told to try and not look so glum and try to have fun. Tim is in a corner texting away and Damian begins to annoy him until Bruce arrives and tries to stop the to from fighting.

- Commissioner Gordon flips the switch to the Bat Signal.

-Bruce talks to Damian before Damian points out that their late. He warns Damian that they’ll finish the talk later.

- Detective Montoya and Bullock have created a block around the Christmas festival. Firefly as set ablaze half of the festival and Montoya and several other cops fire at him and he explodes a cop car.

- The Batmoblie races into the heart of the burning festival, Batman and Robin hope out. Batman orders Robin to save the hostages. Reluctantly, Robin heads towards the hostages cutting them free and leading them towards Montoya.

-Batman leaps out the way of a blast of fire and throws two batarangs at Firefly who dodges them. Robin grapples into of nearby building and throws a batarang successfully hitting Firefly. He taunts him and he lures him away from the police, Batman chases them in the direction on foot before grapple onto Firefly and the two fight in the sky.

-Meanwhile, black news van with a green question mark on the back door pulls away from the scene in the opposite direction.

- Robin leads Firefly a few blocks away, he leads him to the Gotham City Reservoir which is abandoned. Batman is able to break on of Firefly’s jets and the two crash straight through a window inside the building.

-Robin kicks down the side door and helps Batman to his feet. Firefly left his jet pack and laughs at insults the two hero’s.

-Batman tells him this will only end one way for him. The two leap out the ways as a grenade is sent in the direction. Robin grows furious leaps up several rafters, and throws a Batarang disarming Firefly and he beats him within any inch of his life Batman commends him to stop before he kills him.

- Robin tells him he deserves to die after he killed people tonight, and Batman tells Robin doesn’t kill nor will it bring anyone back.

-Robin storms out and Batman calls Alfred who informs him Gordon is on his way.

-Cut, to Batman getting back into the Batmoblie after debriefing with Gordon and races home.

-Batman being to question Damian and tells him he needs to learn self-control. Robin lashes out at him Batman reminds him that Robin isn’t a right it’s a privilege.

-The Batmoblie stops inside the Cave and Alfred greets the two; Damian unmasks and leaves the two men to talk.

- Bruce pulls up camera footage of Vickie Vale taking about Firefly’s arrest and Alfred talks about him about trying to speak with Damian.

- Across town at the Iceberg Lounge, Penguin’s men are playing pool. Another one enters with a green and black box and the thug reads the card addressed to ‘Ozzy’. They open it and it’s a Jack in the box that has a riddle on it. One of the goons tampers with it and it explodes.

- Riddler is show consumed in darkness watching his monitor which show Batman from earlier that night and monologues to himself about his next step.

-Damian walks downstairs the next morning and is met with Dick eating cereal. Damian ask when Alfred is ready to take him to school, and Bruce appears and tells him he’ll take him instead.

-The car ride shows Gotham and is silent until Bruce talks to him and the two aren’t seeing eye to eye. Bruce tries and Damian tells him it won’t try to understand his pov and Bruce dismisses the idea and tells him killing isn’t the answer. Damian leaves the car for school.

- Bruce heads into Wayne Enterprises and meets with Lucius Fox about new technology and upgrades concerning the event presentation in a few moments.

- Bruce begins his speech explaining new technologies to assist with surveillance and surgical devices before the room is disrupted by a group of thugs in green jumpsuits with rifles.

-Bruce presses a button on his watch as more goons charge in and walking in the middle of them is the Riddler.

-Dick and Damian gets alerts on their phone and watch. Dick and Alfred rush to the cave and see Riddler’s board cast from WE cameras. Damian fakes being sick and is excused and leaves school with his bag.

- Dick takes a Batcycle and races toward the city. Damian arrives in the alleyway near WE and changes into his Robin suit. The entrance is blocked off by Gordon and Swat. Montoya radios that the south exits are closed off. Robin grapples towards the top of the building.

-Riddler has his men steal some of the prototypes and Bruce questions him while everyone else stays silent due to being held at gunpoint. Damian is able to get into WE from the vent system and crawls through till he makes it towards the conference room.

-Nightwing swears through traffic, and construction racing into the city.

-Riddler asks Bruce a riddler about his parents that nearly provokes him but he keeps his composure. And Gordon order the Riddler to surrender. The gunmen take hostages, one of them being Lucius. And takes his cane and presses a button the opens a giant box. He tells Gordon through a device he left outside that he’s place bombs in three locations of Gotham and warns him if any boys in blue enter he’ll turn Gotham into a ghost town.

- Robin tells Nightwing to finds the bombs. Alfred cuts in and tells them about the first riddle. Robin and Nightwing deuce that the first bomb is at the Gotham Gazette. Nightwing makes a u-turn and rushes towards the bomb.

-Meanwhile, Robin ventures into another room where he finds three goons with Lucius and are threatening him for the access codes to the basement where WE developments weapons and vehicles. Robin sneaks in the room and uses smoke and birdarangs to stop them men. He frees Fox and Lucius tells him there are other hostages.

-Nightwing finds the bomb in the parking garage and attempts disarm it but is shot at and had to quickly disarm the bomb and take out the five gunmen.

-Robin is able to free the remaining hostages and enters the main room. Nightwing tells him he’s disarmed the first two bombs but the third one they cannot locate it. Red Robin arrives to help Robin and much do Robin’s dismay the begin clearing the room until it’s just Riddler and two thugs who’s guns are jammed.

-Nightwing and Alfred find the last bomb in in the conference room where the Riddler is and warns them.

- Robin and Red Robin attack Riddler’s thugs and Riddler taughts Bruce and leave him with a parting gift. Once Robin freed Bruce the discover Riddler manage to escape.

- Back at the Cave Bruce scans the device Riddler left him with. Bruce finds out the device was manufactured in Gotham and only a few factories can make it. He and Damian arrive at a Toy Factory in Old Gotham.

-Batman and Robin arrive to find several security guards slaughtered and Batman tills Robin to stay alert.

- Batman and Robin end up in a maze inside of the warehouse and have to rely on each other to trust and listen to one another in order to escape.

- Robin finds another Riddle that sends them to visit GCPD. Together with Gordon their able to piece together the two riddles they have, the locations of the bombs, and the last “present” Riddler sent to the Mayor during the WE siege.

-Damian and Bruce have a moment in the cave before Riddler comes on a live and tells Gotham that tonight is the night he kills the Dark Knight.

- Batman, Robin, and Nightwing suit up and have to stop Riddler by Christmas Morning. Robin and Nightwing follow a lead to the old Cobblepot Steel Mill. Where the find a captured Penguin and must save him and theirselves from Riddler’s latest trap.

-Batman arrives at City Cemetery and is gassed by Scarecrow, and is forced to come to terms with his worst fears as father and mentor.

-Nightwing and Robin must travel through the riddler’s underground tunnels in order to find him.

- Batman defeats Scarecrow, and makes him tell him where to find Riddler.

- Batman finds Riddler’s hideout inside of the old Gotham train Station.

- Batman,Robin, and Nightwing battle through goons, and traps. Batman meets the Riddler and has a finale showdown to stop him.

- Batman and Robin talk on a rooftop before Nightwing joins them and tells that can the finally go back to the Manor to open presents. The three grapple into away as the sun rises over the city.

[bellafragolina]

Laventon, nothing else its all up to you, you dont have to do this one, its purely because laventon is the best and well all know it cuddling head canons or what ever you want its all up to you

<3

he is the best

i'm gonna go ahead and apologize for this

🍓🍓🍓

The world pulls at you, grips you with tight claws, taunt and ready to drag you away.

You cling, uselessly, to the world you know. Soft skin and sweet words, a smile that heals your soul and breaks you heart all at the same time. To give him the world is to leave him in it, alone.

Maybe not alone -- Laventon has friends and colleagues alike that care for him -- but you can't stay if his dream is to live. To finish his beloved dex, to finally bring understanding to the village, all of it inches you closer and closer to the end of the journey.

The end you don't want to come.

But it's selfish to throw away his dream for your own. As much as you want to stay, to be by his side always, you know that he deserves the world. You'll let it tear your heart in half if it means seeing that grand smile of his, so proud and happy and relieved.

But still, even if you're willing to go for him, you're not willing to leave without marking your place, however short, in this place. You cling to the people you love, cling to him, and pour yourself into them. Your handwriting lingers on their pages, you words lace their tongues, and your touch sears into their skin.

You will be gone, but not forgotten. You pray they won't forget you.

Laventon is a smart man, but slow on the uptake sometimes. He takes your friendship with eagerness, enthralled by your casual affection and way of speak. His curiousness knows no bounds with you, and with curiousness comes interest, which turns into something more.

Something more that you don't have the time to appreciate.

For the dex is near finished, with final observations to be made come the morning when the diurnal Pokémon are most active. The campfire is warm, but the world is still cold.

Laventon sits close. His hand is on yours.

"Thank you." He whispers into the nighttime. "You. . . have been so much help. . . You're invaluable to me. . ."

His praise sets your heart on fire.

Your kiss sets his being ablaze.

You burn throughout the night with shaky breaths and grasping, desperate hands.

And by morning Laventon is burnt out, left alone in the cold, with nothing but your finished dex left behind.

🍓🍓🍓

hhhhh laventon i love him so much i must destroy him

~Renee

[ogdencollegerp]

MEET THE CAMPUS GOSSIP - THE BUSYBODY.

{ FACECLAIM, AGE, GENDER, PRONOUNS } Is that FIRST NAME LAST NAME? A JUNIOR/SENIOR originally from HOMETOWN, they decided to come to Ogden College to study MAJOR on an ATHLETIC / ACADEMIC / FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIP (remove if character is not a scholarship student). They’re THE BUSYBODY on campus, but even they could get blamed for Greer’s disappearance.

ABOUT THIS SKELETON: For anyone who need to know any information about what was going on on the Ogden College campus - THE BUSYBODY was the person to ask. Somehow they always knew all the news, everything worth knowing something you’d hear from them first. Except for apparently whatever THE GOLDEN GIRL’s plans had been last year. Or where she was now. And with one student missing and another dead ?? There’s rumors flying so fast, The Busybody hardly knows which way to turn. 

MAJOR PLOT POINTS THUS FAR:

After the time capsule leak, the cops interviewed everyone on campus again - unluckily for THE BUSYBODY, their interview was a disaster, and the officers have reason to suspect they were involved with THE GOLDEN GIRL’s disappearance.

When the Commons was set ablaze during commencement weekend, a group of students had been lured there by G. THE BUSYBODY found themselves on the top floor, shortly before THE SIREN....fell.

SUGGESTED FCS:

Renee Rapp, Belissa Escobedo, Nicole Maines, Marianly Tejada, Lovie Simone, Win Metawin, Anthony Turpel, Elliot Fletcher, Ncuti Gatwa, Sean Berdy, Jacob Batalon, James Majoos, Maris Racal, Devyn Nekoda, Laura Kariuki, Ayesha Madon

CHECK OUT OUR WANTED CONNECTIONS !!!

SUGGESTED CONNECTIONS BELOW THE CUT

THE PUPPETMASTER has everyone on their strings, their influence only growing as they got closer to THE GOLDEN GIRL - and THE BUSYBODY, often hoping for dirt on that inner circle, recognized that, planting themselves firmly as an ally for The Puppetmaster on their journey closer to The Golden Girl. 

So, THE DRAG ALONG felt a little bit bad for THE BUSYBODY sometimes. They knew what it was like, to feel like you were outside of THE GOLDEN GIRL’s circle. It didn’t mean anything they just…felt bad. It’s not like they would ever share secrets from their friends with them.  Probably.

THE JERK JOCK is practically the definition of good gossip. Between the athletics, the attitude, and the closeness with THE GOLDEN GIRL ?? Well, it was no wonder he always had been one of THE BUSYBODY's favorite subjects.

The quiet ones are never noticed - which certainly isn't THE BUSYBODY. So yeah, they always tried to get THE COOL LOSER to help them out. Especially when they found out about them and THE GOLDEN GIRL.

Much to THE CLOSET GAY’s horror, THE BUSYBODY found out the truth of their relationship with THE GOLDEN GIRL…somehow they were convinced not to spill the beans, though. Or maybe it really was just out of the goodness of their heart !!!

THE SOCIAL BUTTERFLY is THE BUSYBODY’s dream - if only everyone was so quick to befriend someone new !!! But of course, The Busybody decided to reach out after their eagle eyes noticed THE GOLDEN GIRL in the picture The Social Butterfly posted after their party the summer of 2022, after all.

Nobody likes a mystery less than THE BUSYBODY. Perpetually fascinated with the mystery of THE GOLDEN GIRL even before she disappeared, imagine how their attention piqued when rumors surfaced that Greer had been heading to the same place THE EXCHANGE STUDENT happened to be studying abroad !!!

THE BUSYBODY has a bit of a fascination with THE GOLDEN GIRL - but with Greer gone, who is the next person that will be the focus of all that ?? Perhaps they’ll shift to focus on the Morrison who can stand up the most closely to Greer - get front row seats in case THE PROUD ELITE cracks.

THE MISCREANT used to never up to any good - which is why THE BUSYBODY was so sure they'd be able to get them to spill on THE GOLDEN GIRL. But along with the new leaf they turned over with their return, they seem to be keeping their lips sealed.

THE BUSYBODY is always on the look out for good gossip - and THE EXONERATED, former boyfriend of THE GOLDEN GIRL, who was arrested and expelled ?? Oh, he has to have all the tea to spill. If they can just get him to.

THE WANNABE and THE BUSYBODY have one very important thing in common - they both would do almost anything to learn more about THE GOLDEN GIRL. Let’s just hope ‘almost anything’ is just a hyperbolic saying.

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Boundless Enchantment

Anthology of which I received one novella to read ~ If all are as good as Bound to the Dragon by Robin O’Connor, this will be well worth reading in its entirety.

What I liked: * Rosemary: raised by a single mom, loves plants, inherited a rundown farm from a father she never met, meets her mate and learns more about her father while also learning she might be more than the average plant-loving woman

* Chardum: dragon-shifter, protector, defender, destroyer, ancient, a friend of Rosemary’s father, locked in enchantment for a quarter of a decade, knew immediately Rosemary was his mate

* The nearby town with a variety of paranormal beings

* The relationship that develops between Rosemary and Chardum

* The plot, setting, pacing, and writing

* That the bad guys were thwarted in their evil intentions

* Thinking that this setting might provide fodder for more books if the author felt like writing a series

What I didn’t like:

* The vampire, her supporters, and the goal they were thwarted from achieving

* I wanted an epilogue to let me know what would happen in the future BUT if this is a series in the making….that wouldn’t be bad

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

BLURB

Step into a realm of enchantment and mystery with where love is not bound by the ordinary. In this exclusive anthology, BIPOC characters take center stage in tales that celebrate diversity and explore the depths of desire. From the graceful allure of nymphs to the timeless beauty of elves, and even the mischievous charm of goblins, these stories will transport you to a world where love and magic intertwine. Experience the passions of mythical beings as they find love in the most extraordinary places. As you journey through these pages, you’ll discover that the heart’s desires can transcend the boundaries of reality. Boundless Enchantment is a limited edition collection that promises to enchant, captivate, and awaken your senses. Prepare to be swept away by the allure of these diverse love stories. Order your copy now and let the magic ignite your imagination and set your heart ablaze. Including stories by: Stephanie Morris - USA Today bestselling author Tamika Brown- USA Today Bestselling Author Faith Marlow- USA Today Bestselling Author / Nikki Prince Jordan Elizabeth Rene Wolfe Robin O’Connor

[luciochaves]

Rene Ablaze & Suzanna Dee - Rise

[ifshewantsme]

do you ever think about elope with me miss private and we’ll sail around the world i will be your ferdinand and you my wayward girl how many nights of talking in hotel rooms can you take how many nights of limping round on pagan holidays oh elope with me in private and we’ll set something ablaze a trail for the devil to erase san francisco’s calling us the giants and mets will play piazza new york catcher are you straight or are you gay we hung about the stadium we’ve got no place to stay we hung about the tenderloin and tenderly you tell him about the saddest book you’ve ever read it always makes you cry the statue’s crying too and will he may i love you i’ve a drowning grip on your adoring face i love you my responsibility has found a place beside you in strong warnings in the guise of gentle words come wave upon me from the family wider net absurd you’ll take care of her i know if you will do a better job maybe but not what she deserves elope with me miss private and we’ll drink ourselves awake we’ll taste the coffee houses and award certificates a privy seal to keep the feel of nineteen sixties style we’ll comment on the decor and we’ll help the passerby and at dusk when work is over we’ll continue the debate in a borrowed bedroom virginal and spare the catcher hits for three eighteen and catches everyday the pitcher puts religion first and rests on holidays he goes in to cathedrals and lies prostrate on the floor he knows a drink affects his speed he’s praying for a doorway back into the life he wants the confession of the bench life outside the diamond is a wrench i wish that you were here with me to pass the dull weekend i know it wouldn’t come to love my heroine pretend a lady stepping from the song we love until this day you settle for an epitaph like walk away renee the sun upon the roof in winter will draw you out like a flower meet you at the statue in an hour? because i do every day

[packetsmith-blog]

(Rene Ablaze)

[opepeppen]

(Rene Ablaze)

[ourjacky]

(Rene Ablaze)  YEAH BONNE NUIT A TOUS HUM TROP BON !!!

[bellafragolina]

Salutations Renee! For your sweet Love Letter event…

OC name: Selene Shield

Pronouns: She/Her

Character you want the letter from: Count Ingo

General situation surrounding the letter: if I could please request a old fashion love just pouring out love and devotion filled promises and hopes for when they can next be together 🥰

Thank you so much in being so lovely to do this!

Selene, my goddess,

It truly is torture having to be without you, now that I’m aware of the delicacy that is your love. Not your blood, though you do taste divine, but your love is what I crave more than anything. I would willing starve, set myself ablaze in the morning sun, if you would hold me forevermore. But I know you would not approve of such reckless actions against myself, so instead I offer my heart to you, in hopes that it is enough. I have so much to repay you for, and not much to offer besides a large, empty house, and a cold, dead embrace.

But if that is enough, if you can find solace in what little I have, then I wish to spend the rest of my life with you. I have been a lonely man, lost in the tides of the darkness that surrounds my eternity, but you have lit a blaze. Golden and warm, feelings I’ve long lost to the winds of time coming back to make me feel whole again, alive again.

I know the time before our next meeting spans on, endless and brief at the same time, but I needed to express this to you. It couldn’t wait, not until you next came into my arms. I fear the words would get caught in my throat, and that you would never hear them in my bashful state before you. I hope this letter expresses what I cannot.

I count the seconds until I may rest upon your chest, and hear your beating heart once more.

Your eternal servant,

Ingo

[theoriginalcarnivorousmuffin]

(TLTIC) What Edward imagined was going to happen? He probably wasn't planning on dying. Was he thinking of storming Volterra, two giftless vampires and one telepath?

Anon's referring to "The Less Than Immaculate Conception" a fic written by myself and @therealvinelle

Edward is not a man with a plan.

Remember canon?

Alice tells Edward very early on that Bella's choices are death or vampire. Edward refuses to believe this and he'll uh leave her one day at the appropriate time! Well, the appropriate time turns out to be when she nearly gets eaten by Jasper not long after. Didn't think that one through.

James makes it his life's mission to devour Bella and make the Cullens cry? Alice notes that the only way she sees James getting bored and giving up is if the Cullens turn her. Edward refuses. What are they going to do instead? Uh, THEY'LL RUN? Where? He doesn't know but they'll run somewhere (it's telling that Bella is the one to suggest a location before Edward). James will never stop and probably will take Bella's family hostage? He's not even thinking that far ahead. Too much planning involved there.

Edward looks at the rest of his life without Bella (after leaving her for her own good). He'll kill himself. How will he kill himself? He'll uh go to the Volturi and they'll do it. Why would they do this? Not even a concept to Edward, he's shocked and appalled the Volturi don't agree to lop off his head for no good reason.

The Volturi give an edict that Bella must be turned? We can keep her human! How? The Volturi will never check in on her and never suspect? What if they do? THEY WON'T!

Edward has next to 0 ability to think through the consequences of any given decision he makes. His plans, when he have them are... plans. They are plans. That's about all that can be said for them.

It's very similar in our fic.

Edward's vague plan as of "Painting Red Madonnas" was that he'd lure Bella out of Volterra, meet with her in Florence, and thereby prove that he could handle her scent. He'd then be accepted back into Volterra where he can protect his family, save Bella, and everyone can acknowledge that Edward has great control.

Does this make any damn sense? No.

The idea that Aro would a) be pissed Edward's trying to lure Bella out of Volterra to eat her and b) would not accept Edward back even if he miraculously did not eat Bella was a non-concept to him.

Well, this backfired when Bella (surprise surprise) ended up not accepting his phone calls and these calls were then intercepted by MARCUS THAT FOUL DEMON! Edward didn't foresee this either, or that Carlisle would so strongly disapprove.

In terms of his latest scheme, again, he's not thinking that far ahead. He's thinking that he'll fine old covens who have opposed the Volturi for ages and will have the knowledge and resources to stick it to the man. It genuinely doesn't occur to Edward that these 'enemies' are those Aro has allowed to survive. As it is, that Amun wouldn't give a flying fuck was a shock to Edward, and he'd been banking on being able to use Benjamin (where he'd probably set Volterra ablaze to distract the Volturi, get the family out, and maybe rescue Bella?) Getting rejected by them was... not in the plan. Knowing nothing about the Romanians, he was just hoping they'd be wise and useful. It did not occur to him that they'd hold him hostage for their own purposes.

It generally didn't occur to him that the world is not divided into good and evil. That those that oppose the Volturi are not necessarily good and righteous men (and are, in fact, generally the trash of vampire society).

The Romanians are smarter than Edward, so they'd never say yes to his ridiculous plan. But if they had I imagine he'd then move on to how they would storm Volterra. They'd probably take Bella's mother or father hostage in order to lure her out of the city. This wouldn't have gone well and would all too likely end in Charlie and Renee's deaths.

[arbitreneart]

The aureole ablaze,

Hither stands the holy shepherd

Caressing the bleating yeanling,

The heaven visible, yet the path is craggy, tethered,

Lord above lead the way, away from night,

Far from mortal mirth,

Into dawn’s light

-Rene

[opepeppen]

(Rene Ablaze)

[kitkatartstuff-moved]

Love Letters and Lighter Fluid (1)

Okay so I had a fic title idea and @mrs-renee-reynolds @ravenhoes @kevinsmoreau and @sethvins discussed it and helped me add on to it so thank you guys a lot!! Anyways here is a summary.

Also here’s some premise to the plot since i didn’t explain much,,,

It’s a highschool au and they both graduated, so this is like shortly after? Nicky is a little older than he his canonically, so the twins and (Kevin sometimes) live with him in an apartment because he became their legal guardian.

Neil’s parents are both already dead, but the whole baltimore thing already happened beforehand (probably a bit less violent tho idk) and he transfers to Palmetto High because forgery. So yeah context~~

-

2

-

When Andrew befriends the strange contradiction that is Neil Josten, he doesn’t expect too much.

When they start exchanging little notes and clever banter, Andrew wonders if this is real.

When Neil disappears a month before graduation, Andrew thinks that maybe Neil was just a pipe dream after all.

Until he finds a note that he’d somehow missed. Until that note gives him back his old jacket, until the note inside of that prompts him to look through the ones that he has. 

-----------

Andrew leaned against the window thumbing through pages of old school work that he no longer had use for.

Senior year. The most interesting and most irritating year of his life so far. He stared at the pages for a few more moments, then lit them ablaze and watched the cool night air carry away the ashes. 

He picked up his binder from his desk, but not before an orange folded square fluttered to the floor.

---

“So are you going to say anything?”

Andrew raised an eyebrow before going back to fiddle with his lighter.

“You know you could get suspended if they catch you with that right?”

“Are you gonna tattle?” he asked, a mocking smile on his lips.

Neil shrugged and dug out a pack of cigarettes, ignoring the amused look Andrew sent his way. He held one out to Andrew in a silent question.

-

When Andrew got home, he decided that he’d much rather stare at the notes Neil had written instead of actually doing his homework. 

standard form of a line: ax+by=c

If n=0, we allow a0=0; if a0=0 the function, f(x)=0), is called a zero function

He let his head fall onto the desk. 

‘He writes everything in orange. Wonder why.’

Speak of the devil, a small folded orange square peeked from behind the stack of papers carelessly shoved into sleeves.

Oh? 

‘Meet u at the library 6h period?

Neil’

Andrew’s lips curved slightly. This was going to be interesting.

-

“Hey Rabbit. I got your note.”

Neil glanced up, surprised blue eyes meeting bored hazel ones.

“I didn’t think you would.”

---

Andrew stared at the note for what seemed like an eternity. It seemed new, no graphite smudges, no old creases. Just a neat, neon orange square. He unfolded it.

‘Sorry for leaving without a word. I’d explain but for now I’m out of time. Your jacket’s at the court.                                                     

 See you there, 

 Neil’

When Andrew got to the court, Neil was not there. Andrew knew he would not be there. He had stamped out any hope that the handsome intriguing auburn haired walking contradiction would be there and yet somehow, he still felt a spark of...disappointment? Anger? No, Andrew didn’t care enough to feel either. Maybe it was annoyance. Annoyance that he would say something like that when he knew that it could not happen; annoyance that he had wasted his time.

Neil had always been intentional with his words regarding these notes though. There was no filler, no meaningless conversation. So then why...

Andrew pushed these thoughts away and scanned the court, looking for the jacket he’d tossed at Neil on a rainy day. It was in the goal. 

He thinks he’s funny doesn’t he.

He took the jacket, telling himself that hey, at least he had it back now. He hopped the fence, and got back in his car and just stared at his jacket. 

---

“Wow it’s pouring,” Neil said. “Maybe we should stay here for now.”

They were hidden in a corner of the library on the floor, leaning against the shelves and procrastinating on homework in favor of talking about surviving the apocalypse. Andrew scooted closer.

“Maybe we should.” 

Neil turned to look at him, and Andrew realized how close they were. He could feel the warmth radiating off of Neil, and he saw the way Neil’s throat bobbed slightly. If his pulse quickened slightly and his heart beat so loud that he was sure the world could hear it, Andrew didn’t acknowledge it. Instead he leaned in closer.

“Neil” he whispered.

“Andrew,” Neil whispered back.

“Neil, yes or no?”

“Yes.”

He closed the distance.

-

The rain had finally let up, and it left a chill in the air. Neil shivered, laughing has he lightly kicked water in Andrew’s direction. Andrew only shot him an unimpressed look and tossed his jacket at Neil.

“Andrew?”

“It’s cold. Wouldn’t want to get our upcoming striker prodigy sick before the game”

Neil raised an eyebrow. 

“So this is what 10 percent looks like.”

Andrew rolled his eyes.

“5 percent now. I’ll see you tomorrow Neil.”

“See you tomorrow.”

-----

The crinkle of paper jolted Andrew out of his thoughts. He hadn’t even realized that his grip had tightened. He frowned and opened his jacket to investigate. A folded piece of binder paper with a corner colored bright orange was in the inner pocket. Something fast and light was pulling on his heart and he ground it down as best he could before opening the note.

‘Thanks for your jacket. It was really warm. I saw you at the game that night you know. I’m glad you came. Anyways I’m probably gone by now, and I’ll spill later, but for now, I’m going to guess you kept all the old notes? I know I did. If you didn’t, well, it was nice knowing you for the year. Anyways if you still have them, why don’t you look through them? I know you don’t believe in regrets, but it might be nice to reminisce. Maybe you’ll find something new in them. :)

See you then,

Neil’

“Fucking junkie,” Andrew breathed, breaking the silence of the car.

He turned the keys, buckled his seatbelt and hit the gas. When he got back to the house, he went straight to his room and opened the box full of their little exchanges. It was an overwhelming amount of bright, bright orange. His heart beat a little faster.

Hope was a dangerous, disquieting thing, but he thought perhaps he liked it.

“Let’s see what you have to show me, Neil.”