#Shane even lifted her up as things got a little heated

[mymelodyisme]

🥰 Mys threw Shane a surprise birthday party! BUT it wasn’t just any party, no… she threw him a pizza festival. She started planning it the same day he mentioned it to her (year 2?) and went through h the trouble of providing all of the ingredients Gus would need. They spent the WHOLE day before the 20th making pizza pies and the next day Mys kept Shane busy while everyone else set up the festival.

He was so surprised that anyone bothered to care about him at all. He proceeded to have the best birthday of his life.

Activities included: eating every single type of pizza they had to offer (and forcing mys to try them, he’d take a bit and then hold it out to her), a pizza pie eating contest in which Shane was crowned the King of Pizza(Sam came second and the crown was made by Jas and Vincent because they wanted to help 🥺), drinking (Pam spiked the punch and the kids weren’t allowed to have any except for bottled juice), and music!

[kellycataclysm]

A 🌶️

J 💖

H 🌶️

L 🌶️

E 💖

K 💖

Hello my lovely friend! Thank you so much for sending these in. I like these letters that you chose! <3

A for Aftercare is answered here.

J is for Jealousy. Lyra and Harvey feel uncomfortable when jealousy rears its head. Lyra has been cheated on before, long before Harvey, but that little spark of doubt sometimes surfaces. Harvey is friendly with Leah and there have been moments that Lyra has felt unsure of herself, thinking that it wouldn’t be a stretch for Harvey to be attracted to another creative redhead. But as he once told her: ‘I don’t have a thing for redheads. I have a thing for you.’ 

Lyra is friends with Shane. He works with her during the busy months, and they have an easy friendship. Harvey found himself jealous of their relationship during their rocky period, wondering how she could spend time with Shane and not him. Before they got together, Harvey figured that she would end up with Shane. Even though they were good friends, Harvey doubted himself and couldn’t believe that she would be interested in him. Of course, the fates threw them together, helping both Lyra and Harvey to get out of their own way and into the arms of each other. 

H for Hair is answered here.

E is for Ending. We came close to this. If they had to end it, it would take the longest time for them to approach this conversation, because even with broken hearts, they would try their best to do the right thing. Honestly, it is so difficult to even write this, I love them so much, but they would sit down, very likely with tears rolling down their faces. They are both quiet people so the conversation would not be an easy one as they would agonise over what to say. Harvey would say as few words as possible, prone to internalising his feelings and retreating inside. Lyra, while similar, would likely let her emotions flow out, slightly more vocal when she is hurting. 

K is for Kisses. Both Lyra and Harvey would kiss each other endlessly if they could. Through their rocky period, the beautiful intimacy of a soft kiss was one of the things they missed the most, so the build up to their second first kiss was so important. Harvey, so aware of his height and the effect it has on her, leans in slowly, hooking a finger under her chin to lift her face to his. Harvey is soft lips and the tickle of his moustache. He gently holds her face, kissing her in ways that make her head spin, sometimes fast, all heat and desperate hunger, sometimes slow and passionate. He once told her his favourite place to be kissed is on the lips, but also revealed that there is a little sensitive spot by his ear that drives him wild.

Lyra loves kissing. On the cheek as she passes him, on his temple as they are falling asleep, on the lips. She is playful and will find a way to sneak in a kiss, looking up at him with a flirtatious glint in her eye, gently holding his tie to pull him in, tasting the rich dark coffee on his lips. Kissing Harvey is one of her favourite things. 

Finally, L is for Location. Favourite places to do the do. Lyra and Harvey are homebodies at heart. So at home, where they can be completely comfortable with each other tops the bill. Harvey yearns for intimacy, so their bed would be his favourite place. On top of her, her legs around his waist, kissing her lips, looking deep into her eyes. Or laying back in a pile of pillows, looking up at her, so he can run his hands over her curves, watch her move. Or snuggle up from behind, first thing in the morning when the world is quiet, hands wandering, whispering in her ear, breathing her in…

Lyra would agree with the above, but she’s also open to anywhere else in their home, inside or out. The shower, the bathtub, against the wall by the front door, the kitchen table… They also have a lovely porch and there have been times when they would make the most of the beautiful surroundings and make love in the chairs right there, under the stars. Plus, they have a lovely little natural spring pool on their property where they have gone skinny dipping on a warm spring night. But inside, when it is cold and the fire is smouldering, Lyra loves to distract Harvey, seduce him away from whatever he is doing. So if he’s reading on the couch, she will happily pour herself into his lap, straddling him, getting her man all flustered until he is a moaning mess beneath her.

Thank you so much for sending these in! I loved writing the answers for them!

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Thirteen

My mother calls me during a late morning walk down by the beach. My ankles are submerged in the salty sea water and I’m blissfully enjoying my alone time when my phone buzzes. I know who it is before I even take it out of my pocket, because nobody calls anybody anymore, only parents. I lift it to my ear, already feeling drained by the pending conversation before she says a word. 

“Hello?”

“Hi Evie, I’m checking my emails here and I don’t see anything from your school yet.”

“School?” The word seems somehow abstract to me. It’s summer, I shouldn’t have to think about school, never mind its looming return date. There’s so much summer left to enjoy. 

“Yes, it’s the first of August, usually they’ll have sent a booklist by now, but I don’t see anything in my emails yet.”

“Maybe they’ll send it later.”

“Can you check if they’ve sent it to you?”

“I’m not near a computer right now.”

I hear her sigh. “Well did they give you a list at the end of May? Is it buried in your school bag somewhere?”

“I dunno, maybe, you can check.”

“For God’s sake.” She mutters, and I feel like rolling my eyes. This is the last thing I want to think about. 

“My bag is in my room somewhere. You can check under the desk maybe.”

“It’s like a tip in there.” She says, and I can hear her move around, opening my bedroom door and shuffling through my things. 

“Mam, do we have to talk about this now?”

“Evelyn, I wish you could clean up your clothes off the floor. The cut of this room. I hope you’re not leaving the Healys’ mobile like this.”

“I’m not.” I lie. “I’m cleaning up my clothes.” 

The beach around me is full of sunbathers and children, all merrilly enjoying their holidays, and I’m certain that none of them are thinking about school. It’s too early to be confronted with this, and I in fact haven’t even been watching TV. I’ve so far managed to avoid the cruelty of the back-to-school ads and live in blissful ignorance, pretending that the summer is endless and September does not loom ominously ahead of me.

In the distance there’s somebody running along the shore, and I absently wonder what kind of self-punishing idiot would do something like that in the heat of the day. In my ear my mother rifles through papers. “I can’t find any list.” She says. “Are you sure you got one?”

“I never said I got one.”

“Then why are you sending me on a wild goose chase?”

I sigh loudly. “You sent yourself on one. I don’t know what I need for school. I’m sure they’ll send the email with everything I’ll need soon.”

“Well, how’s your uniform?”

“There’s a hole in one of the elbows of my jumper.”

“And your skirt?”

“I think it’s fine.”

“Alright well I’m going into town later, I’m going to get a packet of white shirts and a new jumper. Anything else?”

I squeeze my eyes shut trying to think, but the prevailing thought is of how much I hate this conversation, it’s like mental exertion. “Black pens.” I manage. “And A4 notebooks.”

“What else?”

“Maybe some school socks.”

“Do you have a sharpener and eraser?”

“I think so.”

“You think?”

“Okay, will you check my pencil case and see? I can’t remember.” I hear her shuffling around some more and stare out at the sea, vacant little boats bobbing on the surface. The runner is getting closer to me, I can hear his feet distantly hitting the wet sand. 

“Your eraser looks worse for wear.”

“Because I was stabbing it with my pencil.”

“I’ll get you a new one.”

“Thanks.”

“What about a lunchbox?”

“Mam…”

“Evie! I’m trying to make sure that you’re organised this year, and not leaving everything until the last minute as usual.”

“I know, I just, I think I have everything I need. I’ll check my emails when I’m home and see if I have the booklist. I just want to think about summer, not school.”

I hear her sigh. “I know, I’m trying my best. Do you know when you’re coming home?”

“Not really, sometime at the end of the month.”

“Well your first day is the 27th, so if you could arrange to be back before then…”

“I will, Shane is driving back for his debs a few days before that anyway, so I suppose we’ll all be coming with him.”

“Oh, very good. Does he have a date to the debs?”

“I don’t know, probably though. I don’t ask him about that kind of stuff.” 

“Well do you think he’d ever ask you to go with him?” She’s insane. She’s been obsessed with this weird idea she has of me fancying Shane since I was at least twelve. I think I might have once, but only because he was the only boy I really knew. Now, I couldn’t imagine anything more mismatched, in fact, the idea of it sends a shiver down my spine.

“That’s not going to happen, I’m sure he’s going to go with someone who isn’t his little sister’s friend, mam.” I’m halfway through my sentence when I realise that I recognise the running man. He’s got dark brown hair, golden tanned skin and he’s wearing a green t-shirt that’s stuck to his body with sweat. It’s Jude. I immediately panic, believing nonsensically that him seeing me on the phone to my mother is the most embarrassing scenario imaginable and almost fling my Blackberry into the sea.

“Well, you never know.” She goes on. “Stranger things have happened.”

“Mhm, yeah absolutely” I start anxiously flailing and tucking my hair behind my ear, having no idea how good or bad I look. I’m horrified to see that Jude, even while sweaty and jogging towards me, is completely and utterly beautiful. 

“Do you think he’d ever ask you on a date?”

“Hm, what? Shane? No. Never.”

“Ah it’s a shame. And how’s Kelly getting on?”

“Okay.”

“And Claire?”

“Fine. They’re fighting.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I have to go.” I hang up the phone just as Jude reaches me and he slows down, wiping sweat from his face with his upper arm and smiling a wide, white smile. “Hey Evie!”

“Oh hey! I didn’t know it was you!” I try my best to sound breezy and unbothered, even though I can’t stop conjuring up horrible images of how I must look in my head. I imagine myself at my absolute ugliest, nose pink and shiny, hair sticking up weirdly, simultaneously greasy and frizzy. I reach up to smooth it down, and it feels fine, but I can’t be sure. 

“Just out for a walk?”

“Yeah, just enjoying the sun.”

“Same here. Hot, isn’t it? Sorry, I’m so sweaty.” He gestures to himself and I take it as permission to look at his body. I feel like I shouldn’t be allowed to look at him.

“I suppose that’s what happens when you go running in a heatwave.”

“I know, there’s no escaping it though, it’s just been hot all the time lately, even at night it’s the same so if I don’t get out and run when it’s hot I’ll never do it.” He nods towards the sea. “At least I can swim after it, and the water is so nice.”

“Yeah it’s lovely.” I agree. “I’ve been getting in three times a day.”

He nods and looks down at his shoes. A bead of sweat drips from a strand of his saturated hair down onto the sand and he shuffles side to side in a manner that seems impatient. He wipes his upper lip with the back of his wrist. “Hey, I’m sorry I didn’t… I didn’t um, text you after that night we went to the graveyard.”

I’m surprised so I laugh a little. “Oh, no, well I didn’t expect you to, like I wasn’t waiting for a message or anything, it’s fine.”

“I know, I just said that I would when I was free and I didn’t, I’ve been kind of distracted the last couple of weeks.”

“It’s okay, I understand! I get like that sometimes too.”

“I just have a bad habit of saying I’ll do something and then not doing it, like, I’m a flake. I hope you weren’t waiting to hear from me.”

“No way. I didn’t notice.” I say, even though I did. “Don’t worry, I honestly do that all the time, things just get in the way.”

“Well, if you want we can hang out now? Are you busy today?”

“No, I’m free.”

“Okay well, do you feel like a swim?”

“Right now?”

“Why not, yeah.”

I glance down at my shorts and t-shirt. “Oh, well I don’t have my togs with me at the moment.”

“Me neither I was going to go in naked.”

“Wha- oh, um, really?” 

“No.” He grins and grabs the fabric of his shorts “I’ll just wear these, they kind of double up as running shorts. Look, you don’t have to if you don’t have anything to swim in, I just thought I’d ask. Maybe we can hang out later if you don’t have-”

“No!” I say with far too much frenzy. “Just give me a sec, I’ll run up to the mobile and grab my togs, just… just wait here.” I turn and I run away from him down the beach, my feet drumming hollowly on the sand as I go. It doesn’t take me long to get back to the caravan park, just up through the dunes, over a rough-hewn fence, between two overgrown hedges and onto a gravel path that leads all the way through a muddle of holiday homes towards ours. Then I dash up the deck steps and into my bedroom at the speed of light, the PVC doors slamming into the walls, hoping the whole time that Jude hasn’t given up waiting and gone swimming without me. I snatch the slightly damp bikini I wore this morning from the window where it was drying and wriggle quickly out of my clothes. Once my underwear has been ditched among the tangled mess of my sheets I get into my togs, tie the neoprene strings behind my neck and then within thirty seconds flat I am ready to complete another five-hundred metre dash.

Prev // Next

[regaliasonata]

Character ask Dustin!!

Character Ask: Dustin Brooks

First Impression

-Most likely a goofball, doesn't know how to frown since that would make him literally sick. Probably the weakest but most versatile person on the team ao he's hard to kill.

How I Feel About The Character/Impression Now

-Love him honestly, would like to meet him or even be friends tbh, one of the strongest members and has a major thing for guys.

Favorite Moment

-Witnessing the Beevil situation and him just decimating the situation with the new mode for his ninja sword.

Idea For A Story

-an ambitious child of a space royal that can control all aspects of earth such as meteors, stars and even summoning beetles.

Relationships

OTPs

-Hunter/Dustin like have you met me 😏, Also pretty much anyone on the team can be placed with him tbh because the rangers got major chemistry.

-Conner/Dustin as I see that really having a bunch of potential(look we've all established Dustin's one of the most strongest rangers via brute strength so him being able to lift Conner like he's nothing is just peak requirements solved for red😭)

BROTPs

-Entire Ninja Storm team, no explanation needed.

-Dustin/Leo/Cole/Jarrod/Flynn/Adam, lion rangers are either hanging out on the weekends or causing a ruckus out in the open. Cole and Leo are Dustin's favorite for reasons, inner fan boy crushing from seeing rangers on TV as a kid.

-Marah/Dustin, I could see then actually becoming friends after the season but it would take a long process before then, though they would make a nice duo.

Unpopular Opinion

-Had ATLA released in the 90s I'd bet Dustin would be basing all his arsenal on Toph, maybe it's just me wanting to see civilian powers again but I hope he makes a return just to show off this lost creativity of non ranger powers that we had from Ninja Storm to Mystic Force.

One thing I wish would/had happened in the show

-Should've kissed a guy or had a power up of his own, well second part applies to all team members.

-idk why but the idea of an Evil Dustin via Lothor(like that one episode) as an arc would be interesting, actually cement how crazy the earth element can get with the right practice, from growing plants, controlling heated crust, explosions etc.

Headcanons

-No doubt about it Dustin can identity as Bi, Trans, Gay, Pan. No way that dude is straight cause he pretty much loves everyone.

-He lives happily in bliss but again it does lead to his downfall cause how can Dustin tell when someone is being rude to him, though being sad or angry leads to a lot of emotions coming out.

-He sometimes grows a little stubble for a beard and on his chest, low and behold the day he wears a v-neck out Hunter has to stop other students from charging at Dustin and dude is just unaware of it. This combo plus a flip of his curly locks and everyone around just falls over.

-While they like him the yellow rangers except for Kelsey, Chip and Katie banned him from being in group chats because he doesn't know WHEN TO STOP SPAMMIMG SHIT LATE IN THE NIGHT. Taylor would throw fried bird legs at his window for two weeks straight after he video called her while she was busy on a date...doing stuff

-Dustin and Shane have some of the weirdest conversations

Shane: Brazilian guys are so fucking hot, Hunter really scored huh.

Dustin: Yeah...wait what.

-the Ninja Storm team are one of the only teams that weren't captured by the whole Zedd fiasco during Cosmic Fury and honestly get roasting rights against those that did get captured. Like it's Zedd! Not even the real version, how does one get fumbled that badly, Dustin, Taylor, Chip and Lily having the time of their lives just calling out the BS.

Taylor: That's why you invest in zords that are spiritual.

Chip: Or Magical.

Lily: Or are summoned from you.

Dustin: Or just turn giant yourself.

[stardewtales]

Your shane x reader are some of the first I read when i got into sdv, and they still hold a li special place in my heart <3 I love the way you wrote shane, jas, and the farmer (you kept the farmer rather neutral, but you still gave her moments of personality, rlly great stuff!), anyway, I'd love any shane related stuff you would do, but if your looking for a request, the reader teaching him abt farming/gardening (planting hot peppers together eee) i think would be rlly cute-ok bye lysm!!!

A/N: hey lovely!! If you're still around, thank you so much for this. I'm sorry it's taken so long for me to get to your request, but here it is! Hope it lives up to your expectations xx

Shane can feel you hovering behind him.

"What is it," he groans, not bothering to turn around.

"Sorry," he hears you say. "Just, be careful with the roots, please? I don't want all your work to be for nothing."

Well, he can't exactly fault you for that. If anything, he's ashamed because he was distracted while you showed him the whole thing about the roots.

He turns to look at you. "Would you, uh... mind showing me again?"

His stomach twists as you smile at him, thoroughly amused. "Sure thing. Here, let me get in there..."

You kneel beside him, knees firmly planted in the dirt beside his. You proceed to show him how to dig around the roots instead of into them for a second time that afternoon. For a second time, he finds it hard to focus with you so close, but he fights that a little harder this time.

"Here," you hand him back the trowel, "give it another shot."

He can't miss the way the look you give him is so damn encouraging. You've given him plenty of variations on that look by now, with various degrees of concern thrown into the mix. He proceeds to try digging up the pepper plant again, the sun boring down on the back of his neck as he does it.

"Am I getting it right, now?" he asks, glancing up at you quickly.

"Couldn't do it better myself," you nod exaggeratedly, and he fakes throwing dirt at you in retaliation.

It gets a laugh out of you, clear and joyful. It stirs something inside him, the feeling that's been nagging at him sort of often these days. It hits him like a ton of bricks in that moment that this is the feeling he used to chase all the way down the bottles, the sort of rush he used to think would make up for everything else.

He must've made a face when he realized it, because your brows furrow in concern.

"Are you o-" you start, but you're cut off short by a girlish squeal further down the field.

Him and you both shoot up, surveying the surroundings.

"Jas?" you half-shout, concerned.

"I think I need some help," her voice pipes up sheepishly, and the two of you finally spot her, fallen on her butt among the sunflowers.

You huff, relieved, and tell him you've got it with a brief touch on his arm before you leave in Jas's direction. Now that he knows she's not hurt, he can go back to making sense of his thoughts, yet he barely registers the lingering feeling of your fingers on his forearm.

He kneels and gets back to work, distraught. His first instinct is to worry. The therapist Harvey connected him with cautioned him pretty early on about the way some addicts replaced one addiction with another, and that all good things should perhaps be enjoyed in moderation while he was on the road to recovery.

You're the best thing in his life by far, but he failed to keep you at arm's length a long time ago now. He's not dense enough to be unaware that he's developed some pretty strong feelings for you. But this particular feeling is new-ish, and he doesn't quite know what to make of it. As his fingers dig up the pepper plant out of the ground and he gently removes chunks of dirt from the roots, Shane hopes really hard this doesn't mean he's allowed himself to veer all the way of the right path he's been trying so hard to stick to.

He hates to think about it, but maybe he needs to cool off on seeing you so often so he can at least get a grip. He can't even recall the last time he went a day without seeing you. Sometime in the spring, probably? It's the very end of summer now.

After he's transferred the plant to the wheelbarrow, Shane stands up and looks around. You're still helping Jas uproot some sunflowers, even though her initial job was just to collect the stray seeds. Officially, he and her were there to help you wrap up the summer crops so you could transfer some to your greenhouse. In reality, he was helping you; Jas was causing more trouble than she was helping, but you didn't seem to mind at all, more than happy to show her over and over how to handle things properly.

He didn't know how you did it. It's like you had an endless well of patience, and he knew he ought to have reached the pit of it by now. And yet, he had not. There were depths to your kindness that reached far enough that even after dealing with him through his recovery, you still had plenty left for Jas in all her fumblings and ill-advised adventures.

For the rest of the afternoon Shane managed to clear his mind and just keep working somewhat efficiently. Marnie came around just before dinnertime to get Jas, who was too exhausted from running around by then to protest. Marnie had also let him know she'd save him a portion of dinner for when he came home, but to take his time, which he'd made sure to thank her for.

It wasn't long until Jas left before you and him moved on to replanting the uprooted plants into the greenhouse. He liked that part more than the digging up; liked the hazy warmth of the greenhouse more than the blaring heat of the field. The two of you worked mostly in silence, both exhausted, him perhaps more than you.

After you planted the last of yours and he was halfway through his own last plant, he heard you clap your hands together to shake the dirt off your gloves, before you fully shrieked.

"What's wrong?" he quickly turned towards you.

"Your neck!" you replied, walking over to him. "Did you not put on sunscreen like I told you to?"

Shane instinctively reaches for the back of his neck, and while the sunburn doesn't hurt yet, he can feel the tell-tale heat coming off of it.

"Ah, shit. Think I missed a spot."

You tut at him, shooing his hand off so you can take a better look.

"You big idiot," you chastise him affectionately. "You're lucky I have an infinite amount of aloe in the house from last summer."

**************

As Shane steps out of the shower and into your steam-filled bathroom, he can already tell he'll be sore from all this work. He doesn't know how you do this every day. He tries to get a look at himself in the mirror, but it's too fogged up. Probably better that way, he thinks.

He's used your shower plenty of times before, and he's glad that at the very least it doesn't feel as awkward as it used to. While he was still in the pits of getting sober, you'd graciously let him stay over on your couch so Jas didn't have to see him struggle when it got too hard. He still doesn't know why you did that, or how to repay you for it.

After putting on his clothes, he steps out into your living room, where you're waiting for him with a huge tub of the goo you intend to smear on his sunburn. You've showered too, and made him do it after you because otherwise you claimed he'd just wash off the aloe later, which was probably right.

"C'mere," you beckon him over to sit on the arm of your couch.

He chuckles. It's funny to him, how bossy you get when you're trying to take care of him. Nevertheless, he does as he's told and dutifully sits down like you instruct him. And waits.

Nothing happens.

"You okay back there?" he asks, looking over his shoulder.

You raise a brow. "Aren't you gonna take off your shirt? How am I supposed to get this on you otherwise?"

He feels a bubble of panic rush up. He's in better shape than he used to be, but he's still not much to look at, and he doesn't like the idea of you finding that out like this. "Is that really necessary?"

You sigh, and he knows there will be no convincing you. He feels the tips of his ears burn as he lifts his shirt over his head, dropping it at his feet and taking precious care not to look back at you. "Happy?" he mumbles.

"Hmhm," you hum quietly behind him.

You bring your aloe-coated fingers to his burning skin, and instantly he feels consumed by ice-cold flames. He was not prepared for you to touch him quite so gently, to work the gel into his skin in tiny, careful circles. His throat runs dry as he's reminded of his earlier conclusion that he needs to take some time away from you, for both of your sakes. If the way his body is reacting to this isn't proof, he doesn't know what would be.

You let him know you're done, and he promptly puts his shirt back on. He wishes he hadn't when the stickiness gets a hold of the collar.

"So, just a heads up," you start, screwing the jar of aloe vera shut, "I'm gonna be really busy tomorrow I think. So maybe hanging out in the evening when I'm done would be better?"

He's taken aback by the way this is coming up faster than he anticipated. Still, No time like the present I guess, he thinks to himself.

"About that," he clears his throat, "I think it might be better if I spend some alone time for a while."

He watches you still. You look up at him slowly, visibly confused. "Have I done something wrong?" you ask, and it kills him. "I'm sorry if I have, I know I can be a little overbearing sometimes," you start to ramble, but he cuts you off.

"No, no, none of that," he tries to reassure you. "It's just, uh, how do I say this," he scratches at his head, genuinely at a loss. "Remember how I told you my therapist said I should, like, maybe be careful about things I enjoy a lot? And about... strong emotions?"

You nod, but he can tell from your slight frown you're still confused.

"Well, it's kinda like that. I feel really good when I'm with you. Maybe a little too good. Strong stuff. But I don't wanna depend on you to feel... good. I wanna keep this healthy, yeah?"

You ponder his words, and he can tell he hasn't really gotten his point across. "I mean, I think I get where you're coming from, maybe? But Shane, I think it's okay for you to have a support system. Is it really so bad if being with a friend makes you feel good? I think that's how most people feel."

He shakes his head, huffing. "No, it's not like that."

"Then what is it like?"

His eyes meet yours, and he feels weak. "Please don't make me say it," he whispers.

"Shane," you reach out to touch his shoulder, "You're worrying me."

He swallows. Before he knows it, it tumbles out of him. "I have feelings for you. I have for a while. And lately it's gotten a little out of control. So I need some time away from you to get over it, okay? I don't want things to be weird. I need you too much to have things be weird. So I need to figure it out before it gets there."

You stare at him, and he sees so many emotions run across your face that he gets dizzy.

"You... what?" you say quietly after a while.

He feels heat rise from his chest all the way to his ears, like some twisted type of nausea. "Forget it, alright? That's not the point I'm trying to make. I just..." he breathes, "I'll see you in a few days, yeah?"

He doesn't wait for a response. He goes for the door right away, in a real hurry to leave this place where everything is so blatantly yours, down to the smell of your lotion lingering in the air from your bare legs.

But you don't let him leave. He feels your hand on his arm, a real grip this time, and the next thing he knows you're reaching for his neck and bringing his mouth to meet yours. Shane thinks he's forgotten how to make his blood run, how to make his lungs breathe, how to make his limbs move. You're pressing your lips on his with a fervor he didn't even know you had in you. Then, with an instinct of its own, his body kicks back into gear, and he feels himself wrapping his arms around you, bringing you closer yet as he pours all the energy he has left into kissing you back.

It's desperation that compels him, because he never imagined this would ever happen outside of his mind, outside of his daydreams. He's not even convinced he'll ever get to do it again, so he's making this one count.

He genuinely has no idea how much time has passed when you break away from him, panting. You're not saying anything, just searching his eyes with yours.

"Please say something," he eventually breathes.

He watches as you swallow, then exhale loudly. "I don't want to see you in a few days only. I wanna see you now and in the middle of the night and every moment of every day. I don't want you to go and get over me, because I don't think I'll be able to get over you if you do, Shane. So don't leave me. Stay. Please."

Your words fluster him a great deal more than he already is. "Okay," he nods, in a half-daze.

"Yeah?" you make sure, still catching your breath.

"Yeah," he confirms. "Anything for you. Of course."

[daryl-dixon-daydreams]

Words: 3,778 Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader Reader pronouns: she/her Era: Alexandria Warnings: None really! A/N: This is the final part of a miniseries! Find the previous part on the Masterlist!

Your name: submit What is this?

The next morning, Daryl was still sitting watch outside the barn as he had promised you when some movement up at the farmhouse caught his eye. He straightened up when he saw it was you stepping onto the porch. He immediately started heading over and met you at the steps. The bruising on your arm from your boyfriend’s hand and fingers and on your face from where he had hit you had darkened overnight and his stomach twisted and clenched with anger. The split in your bottom lip glared out against the delicate pink around it, a dark crimson slice.

“Hey. Are ya alright?” His blue eyes were narrowed in concern.

You nodded. “Yeah. I’m okay.” You glanced over at the makeshift campsite. It was quiet and still. “Everyone still sleeping?” you asked.

“Mhm,” he hummed. “Ya sure ya should be up and about? Ya got a concussion.”

“I’m okay.” You gave him a long look and Daryl waited. He could sense you were on the edge of saying something. You tried to gulp down the nerves. “Would you—will you take me to go talk to him?”

Daryl’s brow furrowed more deeply. “Ya dun owe him anythin’,” he drawled. The gravel was heavier in his voice than usual.

Daryl nudged his nose up at you in a nod. He turned to lead the way but you called him back.

“Daryl—” There was worry and anxiety etched in your brow and somehow the archer knew what you were trying to ask.

“I won’t leave ya alone with him. Don’t worry.”

You gulped, grateful that he understood implicitly, immediately. You went down the steps and fell into stride beside him.

“How’d ya sleep? Ya get some rest?” he asked, casting a sideways glance in your direction. It almost physically hurt him when his eyes hitched on your injuries.

You nodded. “A little. Except Hershel had someone coming in to wake me up every hour or so… I guess that’s to make sure I wasn’t going into a coma after the—the concussion…”

Daryl felt that familiar burn of rage in his chest. “Is it that serious?” he asked, stopping dead. “Maybe ya really shouldn’t be up. We should get ya—”

“I’m fine. I think he was just being cautious,” you countered.

Daryl gulped under the fixed gaze of your eyes but ultimately nodded and started toward the barn again.

“Did you get any sleep?” you asked kindly, concern in your tone.

Daryl shrugged vaguely. “Nah. But s’alright. Wanted to make sure he was locked up and couldn’t get to ya. Once the others are up, I’ll catch a few hours.”

You gave him a grateful smile, feeling your cheeks warm a little with a blush. “Thanks for that.” He only nodded.

Finally, you both arrived at the barn and Daryl unlocked the door and paused with his hand on the latch. “Ya sure?” You looked a little afraid, but you nodded. He swung the door open and followed you inside. He passed in front of you as you crossed the space to a huddled figure leaning partially up against the opposite wall, half-slumped over toward the dirt floor. Daryl rushed up to him and kicked the bottom of his boot hard. “Wake up, dumbass!” he growled.

He stirred and lifted his head. You could see that his face was bloody and bruised, with one eye completely swollen shut, the result of Daryl’s fists the day before. You felt sick when he noticed you were there, his whole body language changed. His whole demeanor changed, but you knew it was just all an act.

“Oh, baby. Babe, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I love you! I just got so jealous. Please, I just—I love you so much!” He was immediately pleading. Your heart started to race and the sick feeling in your stomach only increased.

Daryl was immediately on him, grabbing him by the front of his shirt and thrusting him hard against the wall. “Shut the fuck up! I don’t wanna hear another goddamn word out of ya. Ya ain’t even deserve to look at her, but she’s got some things she wants to say, and you’re gonna listen. Got it?” Your boyfriend averted his eyes and said nothing, and Daryl released his hold on him. Your ex-boyfriend’s eyes drifted back to you. They were cold, hard.

Daryl stood just behind you, watching the scene carefully for anything going the slightest millimeter wrong.

“They asked me what to do with you. You’re gonna be gone, but whether that’s away from here or dead is mostly up to me.” You paused and gulped again at the tightness in your throat. “But I think a quick and easy death is just too good for you. Besides, I don’t want anyone’s blood on my hands, even yours. So, I’m gonna tell Rick to take you way out, alone, into the middle of nowhere and just leave you. So maybe you’ll feel a modicum of the fear you put me through every day. You’ll experience how alone I felt, how isolated. How helpless. How robbed of every part of me that mattered. And then the walkers can have you. Or maybe you’ll meet someone just like yourself and get a taste of your own medicine.” Your bottom lip was quivering a little but you were determined to get through this. “And there’s something else you should know. Right now, this is the last time I will ever think about you. But you? You’ll think about me every day. You’ll think about what you did. But I don’t care about you anymore. It’ll be like you never existed.”

You stared at him once more for a long moment and then turned to look at Daryl. He nudged his nose up at you in a nod and you headed for the door, leaving behind the man you had once loved who you now didn’t recognize. Daryl latched and locked up the barn and you waited for him, your arms across yourself again, subconscious armor. He was anxiously chewing his bottom lip when he turned around and caught your striking eyes. “Ya did good in there. Ya feel better? After havin’ your say?”

Your expression turned a little sad. “Maybe a tiny bit. But mostly no. Besides, it was a lie. He’ll haunt me for a while. But it’ll be different. He won’t have control over me anymore. And I won’t live every day like I’m walking on eggshells.” You studied Daryl’s face for a moment and felt a warmth growing in your chest. “Thank you, Daryl. For everything.”

He shook his head. “S’nothin’.”

Your lips curved in a small smile and Daryl watched with surprise as you came close to him and stretched yourself up on your toes to place a kiss on his cheek. Setting your heels back down, your eyes flickered between his, memorizing the shades of blue in them. His expression was a little impassive, but you didn’t mind. You smiled up at him again. “Get some sleep,” you said, gently touching his arm, before turning and heading away back up to the farmhouse. The trail of warmth and slight tingling, like the remnants of a static charge, were still strong on his skin even as your figure faded away.

Daryl’s heart was hammering in his chest still as he laid down on his cot in his tent, chasing sleep.

_ _ _ _ _ _

Two Months Later “Hey!” Daryl jumped up from the log he was seated on beside his small fire circle as he saw you starting to cross the green space toward the tree line. You paused and turned at the sound of his voice and the smile you gave him sent a rush of heat to his chest which quickly poured into his face. You just brightened when you smiled and he found it damn near irresistible. “Where the hell ya think you’re going?” he said, jest plain in his voice as he jogged over to you.

You adjusted the strap of your pack on your shoulder and rested the other hand on the hilt of your knife, which was sheathed at your hip. “Gonna go see what I can forage. If I have to listen to Rick and Shane bickering anymore today, I’m going to lose my mind,” you joked.

“Yer just gonna go off out there? By yerself?” he asked you, his brow drawing down low over his blue eyes. “Real nice. Where the hell is my invite?”

You laughed jovially, and Daryl felt another jolt to his heart, causing it to skip a beat. He loved the way your eyes crinkled when you laughed, and how now you gave into it with your whole being. You were just like that, despite everything you had been through and despite the state of the world, you just gave into it. It gave Daryl hope. You straightened up and gave him a half-smile. “Well, where’s your crossbow? Come on. How are you gonna keep me safe from walkers without it?”

Daryl smiled back at you, just a small one like he always did, but it still filled you up every time you saw it. He lifted his chin in a nod. “Be right back,” he drawled. You were happy to wait for him while he grabbed his gear and returned to your side.

You fell into stride beside each other at an easy pace and headed toward the tree line. “So, Rick and Shane were goin’ at it again, huh?” Daryl asked. “What was it this time?”

You rolled your eyes and sighed. “Nothing. That’s the thing… Shane is just—I don’t know. He takes any excuse he can to pick an argument with Rick. He’s just—I don’t know…” you trailed off. “He makes me uncomfortable,” you said.

Daryl glanced over at you, his face darkening with a shadow of concern. “He do somethin’?” He felt a swell of protective fire in his chest.

You met his blue eyes and shook your head. “No. No, nothing. I just mean he seems… unstable,” you said. You had reached the edge of the woods now and you pulled a small bag out of the side pocket of your pack and unsnapped the loop over your knife hilt. You scanned the ground for edible plants and mushrooms.

“Ya, cuz he is,” Daryl agreed, glancing around to check for any sign of walkers. “I’ve known plenty of assholes like him before… He just seems to be better at foolin’ people about what he really is. At least he was. Promise me somethin’, though?” You looked up at the archer with a quizzical expression. “If he does anything to ya, tries anything ya don’t like—Hell, him or anyone else, ya tell me, alright?”

You suddenly lost your courage to hold his eyes in the wake of his protectiveness and you felt your cheeks burn a little with a blush. You averted your eyes back toward the ground but nodded. “What would I do without you, Daryl?”

He shrugged and hummed a vague and somewhat dismissive noise, even while he felt that fluttering between his lungs he always associated only with you.

You passed the time easily beside Daryl, and managed to find some wild mushrooms and berries that would add some much-needed variety and nutrition to everyone’s diet. You had just been thinking that it was probably time to head back when Daryl suddenly straightened up and looked skyward.

“We better get goin’,” he said. “S’gonna storm.”

No sooner had he spoken those words than the light seemed to shift and darken. You nodded. “Yeah. Those clouds don’t exactly look friendly.” You shoved the bag you had been collecting berries in back into your pack. “Let’s go.”

Daryl led the way quickly through the underbrush as thunder rolled in the distance. You both emerged from the tree line into the pasture just as lightening cracked and the sky opened up and unleashed a torrent of rain. You were both soaked in an instant and you let out a gasp of surprise at the coldness of the rain. Glancing over at Daryl, who was squinting at you through the downpour, you couldn’t help laughing at the situation as you tried to fend off shivers as the freezing rainwater rolled down your skin.

“C’mon! My tent is closest!” he yelled over the rain. You nodded and took off with him through the grey veil, running with abandon the way you had when you were a child trying to get home before dark. Your socks squished inside your inundated boots as they pounded the saturated ground. Your jeans were heavy with moisture and you felt your clothing and hair clinging to you as you moved.

When you arrived at Daryl’s campsite, he hastily unzipped his tent and held the cloth door open for you to pass inside first. You rushed in but tried to corral yourself in the middle of the tent so you wouldn’t shed rainwater all over his space. “Oh my God,” you said with a laugh, looking over at him as he zipped the door closed. “Soaked through and through.” He set his crossbow down at the edge of the tent and you gulped as you watched water droplets roll down from his wet hair and descend over his collarbone and strong arms. You tried your hardest to prevent a shiver from wracking through you, but to no avail. You were soaked and the autumn rain had been stinging with cold.

Daryl was trying his hardest to avoid looking at how your wet clothes were clinging to the curves and angles of your body and he was grateful for a distraction when he saw you shiver. He went to his duffel bag and pulled out a clean towel.

“Thanks,” you said, accepting it gratefully and trying to wring the water from your hair with it before wrapping it around your shoulders. “Not sure how much good it will do,” you said, laughing as you looked down at your sodden clothing and boots.

“Guess I shoulda pulled us outta there a little sooner,” he drawled, still avoiding looking at you because every time he did he felt like his brain started to go fuzzy and the warmth kindling in his chest was almost overwhelming.

It suddenly struck you how familiar this felt, but at the same time how different. “Not the first time I’ve hidden from the rain in here,” you said suddenly, not even really meaning to speak the thought aloud.

Daryl’s eyes snapped up to your face. That night had been on his mind since the moment the first raindrop hit him. He anxiously chewed his bottom lip and nodded.

The atmosphere between you in the small space, with the rain hammering on the outside of the tent, was sudden charged and heavy.

“But it feels different this time,” you said softly. “Nothing to hide from. Nowhere I’m supposed to be.”

Daryl’s blue eyes flickered between yours. “I shoulda known,” he said regretfully. “I shoulda done somethin’ about him sooner.”

You gave him a sad smile and shook your head. “That’s not on you. Any of it. You did enough.” You took a somewhat hesitant step toward him and Daryl watched as the towel slipped from around your shoulders and fell to the floor in a soft pile, forgotten in the intensity of the moment. “You do more than enough.” You studied his face, each fleck of blue in his eyes, the angles of his jaw. His shirt was clinging to his strong chest and you wanted more than anything at that moment to reach out and touch him, press your hands gently to him in the way he too deserved to be touched.

Daryl couldn’t look away from you. Your gaze, you were magnetic and he felt like he was being drawn in, pulled in. He was seconds away from tumbling into something he would be only too happy to get lost in.

But you suddenly turned and Daryl watched, puzzled, as you went to the upended box that served as a table beside his cot. You carefully moved aside a stray crossbow bolt and a wrinkled paperback and found what you were looking for; the pressed honeysuckle you had found that night, months ago, picked even longer ago before that. You laid the delicate, papery flower out on your palm before turning back to the archer.

He shifted a little anxiously as he saw what you had in your hand.

“You kept it. This whole time,” you said, glancing from the crimson bloom back up to meet his eyes, which were narrowed slightly at you as he waited to see where this was going, nervous but reeling with hopeful anticipation. “Why?” you asked simply. You were merely half a foot apart now, your palm held up flat between the two of you revealing the muted shades of green and red.

Daryl gulped down his nerves and shifted in a shrug. “Ya know why,” he said simply, his deep voice almost feeling like it was wrapping around you.

You stared back down at the flower in your hand. “It’s just a flower. It’s not—” But whatever you had been about to say was stopped by Daryl’s lips on yours. He clasped your face delicately in his hands and kissed you with an urgency that wouldn’t be ignored, couldn’t be.

At first you let out a soft noise of surprise, but Daryl’s nerves vanished as your lips gave softly beneath his and suddenly you were kissing him back eagerly. Your hands were on his sides, feeling the tensed muscles beneath his wet shirt and neither of you noticed the honeysuckle bloom floating gently to the floor as you sank into one another. You arched up onto your toes and looped your arms around his neck, pulling into him more deeply. Daryl’s hands lightly found your waist, your hips, one finally settling in the small of your back keeping you against him with gentle pressure. The world outside seemed to fall away and vanish and it was just you and him and the sound of the storm. The kiss was hungry and fervent but eventually softened and Daryl watched with disbelief as you pulled slightly away and your eyes opened, eyelashes fluttering, revealing the striking color of your irises which he was finally able to study as closely as he wanted, memorizing each hue, fleck, and ring of color. Your lips curved in a smile as you looked up at him and you were sure your cheeks were flushed, because wow. God you had wanted to do that for a long time, longer than you had admitted to yourself.

You clasped his face gently and ran your thumb along his strong jaw, subconsciously biting your bottom lip.

You felt one of his fingers lightly moving on your lower back, like he needed to feel you, really feel you to know this was real.

“Can we, uhh, do that again?” you said with a smile.

Daryl’s mouth twitched up on one side in a smile and he nudged his nose up at you. Before he could even lean in you had arched up on your toes again and pressed your lips to his. This kiss was soft and wanting and sent bolts of electricity through both of you, sending goosebumps rising on your skin that weren’t at all related to your soaked clothes.

You finally broke apart, breathless, and loved that Daryl’s arms were still around you. He seemed unwilling to let you go, and you hoped he never would. You were both all shy smiles for a moment until another shiver ran through you and Daryl felt it beneath his hands. One of his eyebrows immediately quirked down and he broke with you only long enough to collect the towel from the floor and wrap it around you again. His fingers then gently plucked the pressed honeysuckle from the canvas floor and he reached around you to replace it on his improvised nightstand. “Ya should go get some dry clothes on. Can’t have ya getting’ sick.”

Your eyes were still connected with his and you nodded vaguely. “Yeah. But I don’t want to leave,” you said quietly. Daryl chewed his bottom lip thoughtfully.

“Ya ain’t gotta. I got plenty of dry clothes in here. C’mon,” he said, gently tapping his fingers where they were resting on your lower back. “We can both change. I’ll face this way. I won’t look. Promise.”

You smiled widely at his sweetness and nodded in agreement. The idea of cozying up in Daryl’s clothes sounded like the best thing you could imagine at that moment, wrapped in his smell, and safe and warm with him close by.

Soon you were both in dry clothes. Daryl’s eyes drank in the sight of you in his oversized shirt and gulped at the rush of heat pouring outward from his chest. He’d wanted this for so long and now that it was happening it still didn’t feel real. You went and sank down on Daryl’s cot, moving toward the back edge to make room for him, giving him an irresistible and expectant look. The archer sank down beside you, gently putting one of his arms underneath your head and draping the other over your waist, his fingertips lightly tickling your back. You both just couldn’t stop looking at the other, and the sound of the storm outside was the perfect backdrop.

You reached out and rested your palm lightly against his chest, feeling the expansion of his lungs and the steady cadence of his heartbeat. “I’m sorry it too me so long to figure this out,” you said softly.

Daryl only looked back at you with a soft expression. “Don’t be. I woulda waited as long as I had to. You’re worth it.”

You gave him a smile and a look of wonder before kissing him softly again. “So are you.”

[sequencefairy]

shyan + the moon

how dare you ask for something that is so me?

---

Ryan can feel it already, the shifting starting under his skin. The calendar says the full moon will rise on Friday, but the pull of it has already begun, hooking like pins behind Ryan’s navel and dragging his eyes up off his computer monitor and towards the big windows to look at the sky. Ryan forces himself back to looking at the screen in front of him and resettles in his chair. The chair creaks, and Shane looks up. Ryan ducks his head to avoid Shane’s shrewd gaze. 

Shane knows. He has since that long haul trip to Ohio early on the BFU days. Ryan had always prided himself on being so very careful, so very cautious, so very aware of making sure not to schedule filming trips during the weekend when the moon would rise, full and fat, and drive him into the nearest woods and turn him into a rippling mass of fur and teeth and claws. Except, that filming trip had been rescheduled three times already by the time they were finally able to go, and there’d been nothing Ryan could do. It’s awfully hard to keep something like not exactly being entirely human under wraps living in each other’s pockets like they do on the road. 

So. Shane knows. He’s never really asked any questions, and seems content to let Ryan never have any kind of conversation about it. Ryan has noticed, however, that Shane has always been very good about not scheduling anything the weekend Ryan isn’t available. 

Ryan sighs, and tries to rein his focus back towards the video he’s editing. It works, more or less. 

Later, Shane corners him near the fridge along the back wall of the office.

“You’re fidgety,” Shane observes, not looking up from the coffee he’s doctoring to his particularly preferred shade of caramel.

Ryan drops the spoon he’s holding and it clatters to the floor. Shane still doesn’t look at him, but Ryan can feel the flush crawling up the back of his neck as he bends down to retrieve the spoon, gripping it tightly in his fist. He watches Shane look up at the calendar tacked onto the whiteboard over the sink, and nod to himself. 

“It’s this weekend, isn’t it?” 

“What’s this weekend?” Brittney asks, pushing between them to get at the basket of snacks set next to the sink. 

“Nothing,” Ryan says, taking an involuntary step back. This close to the moon, his senses are starting to heighten and the sugar-sweet scent of Brittney’s shampoo lingers on the back of his tongue. It makes him want to gag. Shane watches him over Brittney’s oblivious head, a calculating glint in his eyes.

“Do we have any more of those shrimp crackers?” she asks. 

“Dunno,” Shane says, his weighted gaze sliding off Ryan’s face and attention turning towards Brittney. It gives Ryan the out he needs and he takes it. 

The office is suddenly smothering. 

Ryan stalks back to his desk, drops the spoon onto his mousepad and grabs his coat off the back of his chair. He shoves his hands through the sleeves and then he’s gone, before anyone can say anything. 

Outside is better. Outside is fresh air and not a bombardment of smells that normally don’t bother him, except for when the moon gets close. Ryan takes a deep breath, and forces himself to relax into the exhale. He walks around the building towards the loading docks at the back and leans against a stack of pallets, tilting his head back to let the sunshine touch his face. 

Shane finds him there. 

“You okay?” Shane asks, approaching carefully, the way he might if Ryan was already sporting claws and teeth and not still passably human. 

“Just needed some air,” Ryan answers, leaning more fully against the stack of pallets. 

“Sure,” Shane says, in that way that means he’s agreeing with Ryan because he doesn’t want to argue with him. It makes Ryan bristle a little, to be dismissed, but also they already don’t talk about this so it’s entirely irrational. “You need to take the rest of the week off?” Shane asks. He’s got his hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans. 

“No,” Ryan replies, shortly. He’s fine. He can handle it. It’s not like he hasn’t been handling it for years already. 

Shane lifts his hands in surrender. “Okay, man,” he says, “just checking. You seem, I dunno, extra--” he cuts himself off with a twist of his mouth. 

“Extra, what?” 

“Something’s different this month, is all,” Shane says, after a moment. “Look, I’m not an expert, obviously, but like, you’re--there’s something more happening here.”

“It’s nothing, Shane,” Ryan says, suddenly exhausted and wishing they could go back to never talking about this like they haven’t ever before.

Shane hums, unconvinced. Before Ryan can blink, Shane’s stepped forward and into his space. Ryan’s reaction is immediate and instinctive. His hands come up and push, palms flat against Shane’s chest. 

“Don’t--don’t crowd me,” Ryan complains, when Shane doesn’t step back. This close, he has to crane his head back to look up into Shane’s face. There’s a flush riding high on Shane’s cheekbones and Ryan doesn’t understand why. 

Shane’s own hands wrap around Ryan’s wrists, fingers encircling them easily. Ryan sucks in a breath, getting a lungful of all the smells that Shane carries with him. The sharp clean scent of his deodorant, the musk of all the shadowed places on his body that never see the sun, the bitter caramel scent of the coffee he’d been drinking, the sticky-sweet funk of pot that barely clings to this coat. Ryan’s eyes slide shut, unbidden. 

Anyone else this close would send Ryan’s other senses into overdrive, but Shane’s still holding his wrists, and Ryan can feel the thump of Shane’s heart under his palms. It’s calming in a way that it shouldn’t be. Ryan wants to lean into Shane, and the thought brings him up short and makes him open his eyes. 

When he does, Ryan finds that Shane’s crowded in closer, that now he’s lose enough that when Shane blinks, Ryan can see the fall of every eyelash against the barely there freckles on Shane’s cheeks. He can see the silver coming in through the brown of Shane’s beard. 

“Ryan,” Shane says, something strained in his voice. 

“You--what’re you doing?” 

“I don’t know,” Shane says, and he looks as confused as he sounds. “I can’t--” Shane cuts himself off with a frustrated noise.

“I think--” Ryan moves to step back, but finds he has no where to go and that Shane’s hands tighten around his wrists instead of letting go. He pulls, flexing his fingers against Shane’s chest. “Hey! Let me go, asshole.” 

“No,” Shane says.  

“Shane,” Ryan says, very carefully, “what the fuck are you doing?” 

Shane steps closer, and Ryan finds himself bending his elbows to let him. Ryan’s heart thuds against his ribs, the pallets dig into the small of his back. 

“I can’t,” Shane says, maybe to himself, but he’s close enough now that Ryan can feel the breath of his voice. “Ry--” he says, eyes flicking down to Ryan’s mouth and then back up to his eyes. “I don’t understand what’s--I can’t--”

“Are you--what’s going on? Talk to me,” Ryan says, almost frantic. Shane’s tongue darts out to wet his lips and Ryan’s gaze snags there, heat blooming through his veins. His fingers tingle where they’re still pressed into the fabric of Shane’s shirt. Shane blinks. Ryan’s stomach turns over.     

“You just--Ryan, Christ,” Shane swears. 

“You too,” Ryan says, before he can stop himself. The heat in his blood has a purpose now, and it’s all running south. 

“Stop me,” Shane pleads. The tone of his voice makes Ryan’s head swim. He could no sooner stop Shane than he could stop the full moon transformation and lord knows, Ryan’s tried to stave that off at least a hundred times. It feels like Shane can’t stop himself either, like they’re locked into the riptide of whatever this is together, and Ryan stops fighting it the moment Shane’s mouth finds his. 

The relief of this surrender is sweeter even than giving in to the transformation after trying to hold it off, and Shane tastes like coming home.

Ryan’s hands slide from Shane’s chest up around his neck, pulling him in. Ryan tangles his fingers in Shane’s hair, and Shane’s hands find Ryan’s waist under his unzipped coat, fingers bunching in the fabric of his shirt. 

When they break apart, Shane doesn’t lift his head immediately, just presses his forehead to Ryan’s. “What’s--is this some wolf thing? What’re you doing to me?” 

Ryan swallows. He shrugs. “I don’t know, I don’t think so?” He looks at Shane’s mouth again, and then watches Shane’s throat move as he swallows. “God,” he says, “you have to kiss me again.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yes,” Ryan says, and pushes up on his toes to make sure that Shane does. 

.<>.

“Oh,” Beth says, when Ryan asks her about it at the community meeting a week later. Her blonde hair is pulled back off her face in a high ponytail, and her tawny eyes sparkle. “Yeah,” she says, curling her hands around the styrofoam cup of coffee on the table in front of her. “That happens.” 

“What happens?” Ryan asks, leaning back in his chair. He reaches up to tug at the bandana he borrowed from Shane’s collection that morning. He’s not used to having his neck covered and the sensation of the fabric against the still purpling bruise Shane left and keeps going back to worrying every time he gets anywhere near Ryan’s neck, makes Ryan want to squirm in his chair. 

Beth lifts her cup to her mouth to hide the smile. “Pheromones,” she says. 

“Pheromones?” 

“Yeah, you know, like, they tell people like us that we’re aroused,” she answers. 

“Shane’s not--” Ryan says, and then clamps his mouth shut. He’s not, right? He couldn’t be. Ryan would have noticed. He’s sure he would have noticed. Absolutely sure. There’s no way. And anyway, it’s not like--well, he and Shane did spend the entire weekend attached to each other at the mouth and several other places besides, so he guesses he can’t say anything about how Shane’s not the other thing that Beth’s implying. 

“Not everyone’s tied to the moon, like you, Ryan,” Beth says, knowing. “You should bring him next week.”

“No. Nope. Not happening.” 

Beth shrugs, and her ponytail slides over her shoulder. “Your call,” she says, “we’d love to meet him though.” 

[honey-dewey]

Little Leather Boots Snippets

Pairing: Shane ‘Dio’ Morrissey/Reader

Word Count: 1,743

Warnings: Hospitals, mentions of surgery and c-section, sappy Dio, happy tears. 

Permanent Taglist: @phoenixhalliwell @star-wars-hell

Based off my previous Dio/Reader one shot, Little Leather Boots. An anon asked me if I could write more for this story, specifically Dio’s first moments with baby Athena in the NICU. I live to please, so here we are! Told from Dio’s perspective, these are the four months between Athena’s birth and her going home. 

-24 hours post Athena-

Life felt lopsided. That was the only way Dio could explain it. He’d been sitting here, by your side as you mostly slept, for 24 hours. The nurses had taken Athena to the NICU a few hours ago, and Dio had been tempted to follow. But one very sweet nurse reassured him that she’d be okay, and that he should stay with you. 

Dio sighed, trying to wrap his head around it all. He was a father. An actual father. Like, to a baby. A little girl, no less. He was euphoric. He was terrified. Athena was tiny, just barely bigger than his hand. She was so fragile, so breakable. And yet, one of the nurses had called her a fighter. A fighter. His tiny newborn, already fighting for her life. 

“Dio?” 

He looked up, seeing your eyes blink open. You were on general painkillers, but the epidural had worn off already. Dio had never had major surgery, but he had expected you to be weak after the birth. He carefully helped you sit up, wincing as you whined. “Does it hurt?” 

“Stupid question,” you pointed out, now sitting up properly. “I feel like I was run over by a bus.” 

Dio smiled, kissing your forehead. “You just had surgery,” he murmured. “I’m proud of you for being so strong.” 

You sighed, leaning back against the pillows. “How’s Athena?” 

“Nurses took her to the NICU,” Dio said. “Said she’s already a tiny little fighter, just like her mom.” 

He watched your eyes flutter again. You’d been up and down, mostly sleeping off the surgery. “Hey,” he said softly, squeezing your hand. “Stay with me babe, I haven’t told you the fun part yet.” 

“Fun part?” 

“My mom texted me,” Dio said, pulling out his phone. “Apparently, Athena looks just like me.” 

He showed you the tiny baby photos, and you laughed. “Aww, look at baby Dio.” 

Dio grinned, pressing a kiss to your knuckles. “Get some rest babe. I’m gonna head home to sleep myself. You want anything from the apartment?” 

“Can you bring me Athena’s blanket?” You asked. “And one of your shirts.” 

Chuckling, Dio gave you one last fleeting kiss and nodded. “Of course. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.” 

-One week post Athena-

Dio put a steady arm around your middle, supporting you as you walked slowly through the hospital. You’d recovered well, and the surgery scar was thankfully no longer severely bruised. It still, obviously, hurt like hell, but you were walking with assistance and eating on your own, and it was finally time to visit your baby. 

The NICU doors opened thanks to a nurse Dio now knew was named Mack, and they smiled as they led you and Dio to Athena. 

“She’s doing really well,” they said, gesturing to Athena. “Getting stronger by the day.” 

Dio stared down into the incubator. Athena was still covered in wires, tubes, and patches, but she was absolutely gorgeous. “Can we touch her?” 

Mack shook their head. “She’s still too fragile,” they explained. “You can sing to her or talk to her, because she can hear you, but touching is still iffy. In a few weeks, once some of the tubes aren’t required, you can absolutely touch her.” 

Two chairs were pulled up, and you and Dio sat down. He pressed a hand to the incubator glass, smiling at Athena. “Hey honey. It’s your dad.” 

Athena didn’t respond, but Dio kept going. “I’ve got your momma here too. We’re so proud of you.” 

You looped your arm with Dio’s, resting your head on his shoulder. “Sing her that Elton John song you love,” you said in a tired murmur.

Dio nodded, scooting closer to the incubator and softly beginning to sing Crocodile Rock. He’d been singing it to you all week, and now, he sang it to his daughter. 

-one month post Athena-

To say Dio was excited to have you home was just a mild exaggeration. He was over the moon as you went home with him, Athena still in the NICU. The nurses, who Dio now knew all by name, assured him that they’d call with updates whenever they could. 

You hummed uncomfortably, leaning against the doorframe of the bathroom as you headed in to brush your teeth. Dio sighed, looking up at you. “Need help?” 

“Just a headache,” you grumbled, hauling yourself onto the countertop in the bathroom and letting out a breath. “Long ass day.” 

Dio chuckled. “It was,” he agreed. “But you’re home now! And in a few months, so will Athena, and then our beautiful family will be complete.” As he finished, he kissed you, savoring in the feel of your lips on his. “I love you.” 

“I love you too,” you said softly, falling against the safety of Dio’s chest. “But no more babies, okay? One’s enough.” 

Dio smiled, resting his cheek on your head. “Y’know what? I agree.” 

-two months post Athena-

Dio’s heart pounded. Today was the day. The day he met his daughter. The day he held her. 

The NICU nurse on duty, Zenix, led them to Athena. They’d been visiting every few days, whenever they could, but this was different. No more excessive tubes and wires, no more nerves when Athena began showing signs of having jaundice, no more worrying she would take a turn for the worse. Everything would be okay now. 

“Ready?” Zenix asked, and Dio looked at him, almost shocked. 

“What?” 

Zenix grinned. “To hold her, are you ready?” 

Dio’s stomach flipped. She was still so tiny, so breakable. But he knew she was strong. She’s survived this far, she was a fighter. “Yeah.” 

As Zenix lifted Athena out of her bed, Dio took his jacket off, leaving him in the softest shirt he owned, an old Fleetwood Mac shirt. He’d abandoned any and all jewelry today, nervous that any little thing could hurt Athena. 

“Alright,” Zenix instructed, holding Athena out. “Here she comes.” 

Suddenly, Dio was holding Athena. It was such a quick change that he didn’t even have time to register it as Zenix placed her in his arms and began to slowly adjust him so he was holding her properly. 

Athena waved her arms, curling towards the source of heat that was Dio’s chest. He bent inwards, bowing his head to her and lifting her up a bit. Her eyes, which had remained stubbornly closed until now, cracked open, and Dio almost started to cry. She had his eyes. Big and deep and brown, she looked up at him and gurgled. 

“Babe,” you said, and Dio turned to you. You were holding your phone up, smiling. “Say cheese.” 

Dio grinned, angling Athena as best he could. She made a noise, spitting all over herself. 

“She’s hungry,” Zenix said, grabbing a bottle and filling it with formula. “Wanna feed her?” 

Dio looked at you, raising his eyebrows. “You wanna do it?” 

You shook your head. “You do it Dio. I can feed her tomorrow.” 

Zenix came back with a bottle, instructing Dio through feeding Athena. It was a messy process, during which Dio got various fluids on his shirt and you laughed when he chastised Athena for spitting up on him as if she could control it. 

“Nap time,” Dio sang lightly, laying Athena back in her bed and gratefully taking a wipe from Zenix to clean his shirt off. “Let’s see what the jukebox is playing tonight. Hmm, Crocodile Rock or Tiny Dancer?” 

Athena wiggled a bit, and Dio took that as an answer. “Crocodile Rock it is.” 

-two and a half months post Athena-

“Hold me closer, Tiny Dancer. Count the headlights on the highway,” Dio sang softly, sitting in a rocking chair, slowly singing Athena to sleep. She remained stubbornly awake, blinking up at him with those irresistible brown eyes. Was this how you felt whenever he gave you puppy eyes? All mushy inside? 

Athena gurgled, waving one chubby fist in the air, and Dio grinned. Adjusting her so she lay in one arm, he put his other hand across her belly, very gently. Athena blew a raspberry, moving her fist to lay on his hand and uncurling her fingers to wrap them securely around one of his. 

Yet again, Dio was moved to tears. Her hands were so small and his were so big, her tiny little fingers unable to fully wrap around his index finger. He gestured you close with his head. 

“What?” You asked, looking down and immediately Aww-ing. “Look at you!” She said to Athena, poking her nose. “Holding daddy’s hand!” 

Dio smiled. “If it’ll get her to sleep, she can hold my hand all night.” 

-four months post Athena-

Dio waved to the NICU nurses, almost regretful that this would be the last time they saw each other. They waved back, giving you, Dio, and Athena a proper goodbye. 

“Can I carry her into the apartment?” Dio asked eagerly, getting into the car and watching you strap Athena into her car seat. 

“Sure,” you said, getting into the car yourself. “I am taking the biggest nap when we get home.” 

Dio chuckled. “You do that. I’ve got Athena.” 

The drive home was fast, and before Dio knew it, he was carrying Athena into the apartment. Everyone was there, your parents, his mom, Raven. They all cheered as he came through the door, his sleeping daughter in his arms. 

For hours, everyone talked, sitting in the living room. Athena was passed around, and kissed, but ended up back in Dio’s arms in the end. 

“She’s gonna be a total daddy’s girl,” Dio’s mother said. “Sorry hon, but that’s Shane’s baby.” 

“I know,” you said with a grin. “He’s gonna be a great dad.” 

That night, Dio gave Athena a sleepy apartment tour while you brushed your teeth.

“And this is your room,” Dio said, nudging open the nursery door. “Isn’t it pretty?” 

Athena didn’t respond, asleep in Dio’s arms. 

“Hey, don’t tell your momma, but there’s a ring in my pocket for her,” Dio admitted. “Figured now that you were home, we should make it official.” 

Again, Athena remained silent.  

“Yeah, I agree,” Dio said, sitting in the rocking chair and sighing, a deep joy settling over his bones. “I’m happy she’s here too.” 

He bent down, kissing Athena’s forehead and feeling her take a breath. “I love you. More than the moon and the sun and every star in the sky. I love you.”

[rrickgrrimes8]

Normality is Death

Chapter Two ~ My Current Existence

masterlist

My eyes darted across the room as I woke, rather abruptly, in a cold searing sweat. The whole room was matted in darkness and the lantern I had lit the night before had not soon gone out. I sighed hopelessly and pushed myself out of bed sliding my combat boots on as I did. I looked outside to see the break of dawn just highlighting the horizon - it's early then I concluded. I stretched and yawned as I left my room locking the door right after - just to be safe. 

A lot has happened since Mom, Shane and Carl left me in the forest that day, too much has happened really. It's been around 3 months since I last saw my family and although I'd like to stay hopeful, I can't shake the feeling that they're dead or hurt in some way. But regardless I need to forget them. They left me. End off - period. My family abandoned me and I have to live knowing that and they have to live knowing that they played a hand in what they think was my death. I know it sounds cold, brutal even but I tried, I really did. I looked for them everywhere. I did everything a 14-year-old girl could possibly do in a world like this and I almost died countless times trying. So I gave up. I gave up not only to protect myself but because I realised that they probably wouldn't be looking for me. Hell, they think I'm dead right? 

Since everything happened in Atlanta the government had been completely radio silent. Lots of people think it's because there's no one left to send a signal. I, however, believe that that's extremely morbid and I guess I'm still holding out hope that someone will swoop in and save us all. It sounds very fairy tale I get that. It's just I'm a 14-year-old girl and I'm so sick of this world already. To the point where I couldn't even think about living any longer in a world like this. 

Sometime during the second month of what people like to call the turning, I met some people. They took me in gave me food, a shelter, some water. Basically, they gave me essential shit I was definitely lacking. Something they also did was train me. I'm not the best, but I do have pretty basic training in hand to hand combat, the basic workings of a gun (thanks to my father mostly) and I'm pretty good with melee weapons. They protected me is what I'm saying. They are my new family - a better family I could ever ask for. 

Our camp consists of 2 houses, housing 4 or 5 people in each. Mitchell, our leader, oversees any newcomers and basically keeps law and order around here. I met them after getting trapped in Atlanta and getting cornered by a dozen or so biters. Mitchell and a few others came in and massacred all of the living dead and took me in.

"Yoohoo! Jacey get your ass up it's your turn to hunt!" my friend, Addie, shouted rudely to me as I walked down the stairs. 

"Jeez Addie, I'm coming don't get ya panties in a twist," I teased nudging her shoulder once I got close enough. She had her usual skinny jeans and a grey tank top on but her hair was styled in a pair of small buns rather than her usually high pony. 

At my reply, her eyebrows furrowed and her usually bright and beautiful eyes closed before sighing. "Do not jeez me, woman, you've got shit to do you're slacking!" she exclaimed practically pushing me out the door and into the burning sun. I promptly lifted my hands to cover my eyes from the brightness. 

"Oh my lord, I know it's your thing to be this emo vampire goth girl who only stays in her room away from people, civilization and oh how could I forget the sun. but this is ridiculous it ain't even bright out." Addie joked forcing my arm down making me embrace the scorching heat. 

"You call this civilization? If so you've got a warped definition" I said picking up a knife and gun from the armoury. 

"Just go before I get even more sick of you, Jace," Addie laughed as I rolled my eyes, gave her the finger and strutted away sassily. "And you be careful kid Mitchell went out yesterday and there were more biters then usual. He thinks a herd might pass through so don't use your gun and you know don't die?" She said almost seriously which was incredibly out of style for her but nevertheless, I smiled and walked off into the woods. 

She was right about the number of biters. After only being out an hour I've seen 16 in our woods alone and I haven't even ventured out in the city yet, which is notoriously worse but I only really have to go to Atlanta if we're desperate. I had only picked up 2 squirrels so far I guessed that the movement of the herd could be driving some of the bigger animals away, which sucks because once I tell Mitchell he's just gonna want me to go into Atlanta to gather supplies. I mentally groaned and sat down against some tree, wishing things were different. 

"Looky what we have here gentlemen." A husky voice called out from the shadows. I instantly stood up and gathered my findings and unsheathed my machete. 

"What the hell do you want?" I stood my ground as I saw a group of maybe 5 guys come closer. 

"Ooh she's sassy," the guy who looked to be the leader teased, "always liked a girl with a little spunk in her as long as she learns to shut up when daddy needs some pleasing." I could've thrown up right then and there if not for the guard I needed to keep up. 

"You're fucking disgusting," I stated unforgivingly, earning some laughs from the group. 

"You really are quite confident aren't ya?" I stayed quiet as he stepped forward, "I can always give you a lesson or two about respect and I mean clothing's optional." 

"How about you shut the fuck up before you really piss me off," I said calmly still showing my anger. 

The man in front of me however got furious over my words and brought his hand down to my cheek. I fell to the ground at the impact, "I told you to learn some fucking respect little girl." 

"And I said to shut the fuck up you creepy bastard," I got my machete out and cut into the guy's leg not giving any warning before punching him in the face, sending him towards the ground, "But you know speaking about respect. How about you learn some fucking respect for me or you know all of my gender?" I more ordered then questioned while striking the guy in the face again. "And next time, asshole, watch your tone when you speak to a woman," I smiled sweetly at him before marching off into the opposite direction. 

"Oh and if I see anyone of you anywhere around here, I'll chop each and every single one of your dicks off."

I arrived back home later that night after hunting another squirrel and a rabbit on top of my earlier findings. 

"So whatcha get for us tonight babydoll?" Mitchell said after seeing me walk up. Mitchell was a 25-year-old now-former English teacher who somehow became our leader. He wasn't extraordinarily brave nor was he an elite strategist but he was a good mentor, who had people that trust him - those people including me. 

"Just some squirrel and a rabbit nothin' special." Mitchell nodded as I started to walk away, "Any trouble?" 

I span around to him before saying, "always." Mitchell gave me an unimpressed look before taking my hunt and walking away. 

"Why am I not surprised?" he laughs while passing most of our group towards the fire. "Anything serious?" I shook my head before sitting on the rough log placed next to the heat. 

"Jus' some jackasses who thought they could take me. Guess I taught them a lesson in respect." Once again Mitchell laughed and sat next to me. 

"I know I don't need to tell you this every time you go out but you've got to be careful, okay? Your safety is my top priority and I know you hate to hear it but you're only a kid. And kids can get hurt pretty easily especially in this sort of life and I'd hate to see that happen to you." Mitchell wrapped his arm around me in a brotherly sort of way as I nodded. I understand he just wanted to help regardless of how much I hate to be called a kid. 

"I'm smart Mitchy. I'm not just some dumb kid. Plus haven't you heard I'm kind of undefeatable. Nothin can kill me," I boasted standing up and heading away from the majority of our group and back to my room. Before I left I saw Mitchell smiling then going off to talk to someone else.

I entered my room lighting a candle straight away and then dropping my bag. As soon as I entered all I could smell was the stenched of sweat and gore. I honestly don't think I've ever gone this long without a shower and I miss it so goddamn much. I miss so many things. I miss deodorant, a warm bed, fast food, soda and not to mention my mom's famous spaghetti bolognese. Just because I wasn't a fan of the woman does not mean I cannot love the food because damn she could cook. The only thing she couldn’t master, however, was pancakes but that didn’t stop her from trying. I smiled slightly reminiscing of the family meals we would have whenever we got the chance. We would all sit around the table talking, eating and just enjoying being around each other. But now they're gone so that's not going to happen anytime soon for me.

"What are you doing, Grimes?" Addie asked pulling me out of my trance.

"Nothin'," I spoke shortly before lying down onto my bed. 

"Don't seem like nothing. Talk to me, love." She walked over and sat next to me taking her hand into mine. 

"M' okay," I reassured her before closing my eyes. I felt Addie shift closer to me still holding my hand causing me to smile. 

Addie was the only other teenager in this group so we bonded pretty quickly despite her being 2 years older, "You don't have to be okay, Jacey." I couldn't help but shudder at her words - the same words I heard from Shane the day it happened. 

"Don't say that, please." I hadn't even realised the quiver in my voice before Addie sat up, bringing me with her. 

"Hey, it's okay, I'm sorry I didn't mean to upset you," The brunette girl said to me. 

"It's not you i-it's jus'-" I couldn't finish my sentence before I started to sob. Memories of that night haunted me. I lost so much and so did everyone else but I couldn't understand how they were so okay with it. I lost my home, my dad, my family and my childhood all in one night. And I'm so sick of trying to be okay with that. "I just miss them so much." I finished while getting devoured by Addie's arms. I could hear her softly singing in my ear in order to calm me down and it soon did. I relaxed into her arms after a few minutes but neither of us made any indication that we were going to depart. 

"Who did you lose?" She asked gently. 

"Everyone," I could feel myself beginning to cry again but I pushed it away - I couldn't be weak any longer. 

"I'm sorry, Jacey. I hate seeing you like this. I wish I could take your pain away." 

I hummed shakily before looking up into her brown eyes, "Then do it." With that, she leaned in. Slowly I started to prepare myself to meet her lips but it never came. 

She pulled away from me and stood up, "We can't do this."

I sat up as well but remained seated on the bed, "Why?" She gave me no answer and just looked out of the window. "Addie, please, just tell me why not? For christ sakes, the world has ended. We've got nothing else to lose." 

"It's wrong," She said simply yet with so much emotion and left the room.

I felt the tears begin to return and I just let them fall.

"It's wrong."

That's all it took to break me -  2 words. 

"She's right."

[sarcasm-with-a-side-of-fries]

My girl

Derek Morgan/Spencer Reid, Derek Morgan & Cory Reid (OC), Spencer Reid & Cory Reid (OC)

(Song fic based on “my girl” by Elvie Shane) 

Authors note/background- Spencer Reid never joins the FBI, he’s a professor at Georgetown university. Derek Morgan is still in the BAU and the BAU members do pop up.Cory is the result of a past “relationship” Spencer was in, her mother is never mentioned because she abandons Cory and Spencer right after Cory is born.He meets Derek at the coffee shop they both happen to frequent. Cory looks like her mother (it’s why she has red hair and blue eyes, although again it’s never mentioned)

She ain’t got my smile that don’t bother me a bit and she’s got somebody else’s eyes I’m seeing myself in.

The red haired, Hazel eye little girl holds tightly onto Spencer’s hand. He had explained to her (the best he could, seeing that she is only four) that he had someone he wanted her to meet.

I’m holding onto every moment god knows I’ve missed a few the day we meant I knew I had some catching up to do.

The first time they meet Cory is a little hesitant, eyeing him with a look that reminds him so much of Spencer. He’s worried for a while that she won’t like him.

“She’ll warm up to you.”

He gives her a small stuffed dog and when the night ends she hugs him before she runs off to bed.

“Told you she'd warm up to you.” Spencer remarks later that night.

“Yeah, I guess you did.” Derek agrees, kissing Spencer temple.

“Did you just admit that I was right?” The mischievous smile that works its way onto Spencer’s face is honestly terrifying.

“Yes and I’m already regretting it.”

She ain’t my blood, ain’t got my name but if she did I’d feel the same I wasn’t there for her first steps but I ain’t missed a moment yet and,

They’ve met four times when Cory decides that Derek must have hung the stars when he lets her ride on his shoulders at the carnival, something Spencer ever so careful would never do.

“Papa, I'm so tall!” She exclaims giggling wildly when Derek pretends to almost drop her.

“Derek be careful-!”

“Relax pretty boy. I’m not actually going to drop her, right Cory?”

“Mhm! Relax papa!” They both laugh at that.

By the end of the day Cory had been completely tuckered out and Derek had moved her down from his shoulder to his hip.

That ain’t ever gonna change I could never walk away yeah she’s my baby my whole world.

“Cory’s asking about you.” Spencer tells Derek over lunch. “I don’t think she understands your job.”

“You could bring her to mine tonight, Clooney’s a general giant who loves kids.”

“Sure.”

Cory falls in love with Clooney the moment she meets him, nicknaming him ‘cloon’ because she can’t pronounce Clooney and it’s too adorable to correct.

“Night night cloon night night Derek.” She mumbles that night patting Derek’s chest tiredly, a familiar small stuffed dog gripped tightly in her hand. Derek hadn’t even realised she’d brought it with her.

“She has dragged it everywhere since you left on that case two weeks ago.” Spencer murmurs with an amused smile.

“Huh.” Derek responds with a smile on his face.

She ain’t my blood but she’s my girl, Yeah she’s my girl.

He’s known Cory for seven months the first time he watches her alone for longer than an hour. Spencer was asked to give a lecture at a college in New York and her normal sitter was sick.

The day went easily, having taken her to the park and then for ice cream before retiring for the day. If you’d told him eight months ago he’d know the lyrics to just about every Disney song very soon he’d have called you crazy but… here he is.

Thumb in mouth Cory curls up with Derek her head against his shoulder. “Papa smile more.” She tells him and he’s confused. “You.” She says. “Him smile more.” And or doesn’t make much sense or maybe it doesn’t. “Good.” He doesn’t get the chance to question her because she drops off to sleep shortly after.

He carries her to the the guest bedroom that isn’t much of a guest bedroom anymore considering the toys, blue blankets and child clothes that can now be seen.

It hit me like a train the first time she called me dad (pops) in a three stick figure crayon picture with all of us holding hands.

Her mama (papa) said I understand if it’s too soon for this oh I didn’t let her (him) finish I took it to the kitchen and stuck it right on the fridge.

It's been almost a year when she goes to Derek’s house from school with a scribbled picture and bright smile. She places the picture next to Derek before running off down the hall in search of her stuffed dog and action figures.

Derek picks it up and freezes for a moment staring at the page with an unreadable expression. Spencer sees him from the corner of his eye and crosses the room looking over Derek’s shoulder.

It’s the three of them at the park, she’s standing between them holding each of their hands. That however isn’t the part that caused them to pause, it was what she’d written. They are labeled, ‘me’ , ‘papa’ , ‘pops’ the top of the page dawned with the words ‘my family’

“Oh.” Spencer breathes out. “Look I understand if…” Derek shakes his head standing up with a small smile, sticking the picture among the many others that now littered his fridge.

From that day on he’s pops.

She ain’t my blood, ain’t got my name but if she did I’d feel the same I wasn’t there for her first steps but I ain’t missed a moment yet and that ain’t ever gonna change I could never walk away,

The first time she sees him in a hospital is heartbreaking, her eyes full up with tears. “Pops.” She calls out sobbing when her comatose pops doesn’t respond.

“He’ll wake up.” Spencer says though he isn’t sure who he’s reassuring by that point.

“He was hit hard but he should wake up.” David Rossi, Derek’s team member who Spencer has come to know over the past year and two months. “Always has to play hero.” Rossi adds with a head shake before leaving the two alone.

It’s six hours later when Derek does wake up. “Spence?” He croaks out.

“You're awake! Oh thank god. Don’t you ever think about doing anything like that ever again Derek Morgan or so help me-“

“Move in with me. Both of you, move in with me.”

“What?” Spencer is dumbfounded.

“You heard me.” And Spencer almost laughs at the oddity of the situation.

“I’ll move in with you if you promise never to leave me. Us.” He motions over to where Cory is sleeping.

“Never gonna leave you.” Derek promises.

When Cory wakes she ends up crawling into the hospital bed with Derek (screw protocol) and refuses to let go of his shirt until he’s discharged four days later.

Yeah she’s my baby my whole world she ain’t by blood but she’s my girl.

The Reid’s official move in a month later, waving goodbye to their small D.C apartment with no tears shred.

“Pops. Papa.” Cory says wiggling her way between them on the couch.

“What are you doing up Angel?” Derek asks.

“Dunno.”

They laugh at the sheer honesty but don’t send her away letting her fall asleep with them. Spencer eventually carried her to bed, making sure not to forget her stuffed dog.

She’s Saturday morning cartoons.

The sound of hysterical laughter is heard throughout the house rousing Spencer from his sleep and prompting him to pad into the living room.

Derek is sitting on the couch half asleep, Cory sat on his lap intently watching ‘bubble guppies’ and petting Clooney.

Spencer smiles and if he snaps a picture, no one needs to know.

She’s hey can I sleep in your room?

Cory learns to hate when Derek leaves for cases, sometimes going as far as throwing tantrums when he tries to say goodbye but that never changes her response to him coming home. No matter how mad she was at him for leaving.

Derek comes home close to midnight and doesn’t expect to see Cory until morning but is mistaken as she’s sitting up on the couch in the living room when he enters the house. “I made the mistake of telling her that you were on your way home.” Spencer explains, which cues Cory in on Derek’s arrival.

“Pops!” She turns around standing on the couch and reaching out insistently. “Your home.”

“Hey Princess, of course I am. I always come home.” Spencer smiles fondly.

“Can I sleep with yous?” She asks looking between Derek and Spencer innocently.

“Of course you can Cory.” Spencer says walking over to kiss Derek.

“Yuck!” They both laugh loudly.

She’s bigger than the plans I ever had. She's making me a better man.

“I never thought I’d get this.” Derek tells Spencer one night.

“Hmm?” Spencer prompts wrapping himself around Derek.

“This.” He motions around. “You and Cory.”

“I thought it would always just be me and Cory.” Spencer admits. “No one wants to date a single dad who’s a college professor with a past off… expect you did.”

“You're not your past Spencer.”

“And you're not yours.” They don’t address the true meaning of the sentence instead Derek smiles, lifting a sleeping Cory into his arms and heading down the hall.

She ain’t my blood, ain’t got my name but if she did I’d feel the same I wasn’t there for her first steps but I ain’t missed a moment yet and that ain’t ever gonna change I could never walk.

The wedding is in June, they’d been together for two and a half years when they decided to get married.

Cory is the flower girl, Henry the ring barrier.

Derek’s team is there, his mother and sisters too.

Spencer mom is there, along with a few of his professor friends.

Hotch is Derek’s best man, his groomsmen and woman being Penelope and James.

Reid’s best woman is JJ, his groomsmen and woman being Emily and Rossi.

It’s a small thing really.

There’s a party afterwards.

“Papa lap.”

“Cory I’m eating.” He tells her with a stern look.

“Pops lap.”

“I’m eating too princess.” He responds. Still not deterred she pushes Derek’s arm out of the way and climbs into his lap successfully seeing as Penelope had changed her out of her suit before dinner. (She had refused a dress and neither of her fathers saw it necessary to force her into clothes she doesn’t want.) “Alright fine.” Derek huffs although there’s no heat in his voice.

“Pushover.” Spencer mummers into his wine glass ignoring the glare his husband shot him. “Cory, do you want your own plate of food?” Spencer asked and got his answer when she shook her head instead picking food off of their plates.

Yeah she’s my baby my whole world, she ain’t my blood but she’s my girl.

It’s six months later when they all sit in a family court room, their friends and family sitting on the public benches behind them.

They sign the papers in front of everyone and then the judge announces loudly, “I hereby declare Cory Reid-Morgan adopted.”

They go out for ice cream as a large group to celebrate, Cory happily running around with Jack and Henry afterwards.

When it’s time for everyone to leave Cory demands to be picked up by Derek who complies. She rests her head on his shoulder and quietly murmurs. “I love you.”

“I love you too princess.”

“To the moon and back?”

“A million times.” Spencer comes up from behind wrapping his arms around Derek's waist and resting his chin on the shoulder not occupied by Cory’s head.

“Love you Derek.”

“Love you too Spencer.”

Yeah she’s my girl.

[corinthbayrpg]

NAME. Ezekiel Macklin AGE & BIRTH DATE. 40 & July 30th, 1981 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Male & He/him SPECIES. Shapeshifter ( Giant Pacific Octopus ) OCCUPATION. Bartender at Hel’s Deep FACE CLAIM. Tom Hardy

BIOGRAPHY

( tw: murder, death, neglect ) Ezekiel learned too young how little the world cared for children, but at least he did not come into it alone. Born seven minutes before his little brother, Leon, Zeke grew to never let his other half forget it. Their parents were well-established socialites, a pair of wealthy individuals who didn’t care much for children beyond the need to necessitate a line with which to carry their hopes for the future. Their father was human, and their mother came from a line of shifters ran from the significance of a shifter’s destiny in favor of an easy life with a wealthy man. They were children born with a pair of silver spoons, inseparable twins where one was never seen without the other. 

On the outside, it might have looked as though they had everything. But look closely at any portrait and you can see the cracks where paint and canvas crash, the lines where the artist struggled. The revisions, the refurbishment, and how still a person has to be in order to be framed with the perfect smile. The boy were given every advantage, tudors, expensive clothing, etiquette classes, riding, shooting, hunting, and sport. Their parents’ only requirement was that they learn to sit perfectly still, that they were seen and not heard, that they spoke only when they were spoken to, and under no circumstances were they ever to embarrass them. 

Ezekiel struggle the most with his academics, reading was a challenge and however skilled his instructors seemed to be he was never able to pick things up quickly. It wasn’t that he slacked off,  but Zeke had to work twice as hard to learn at the same pace as everyone else. His parents wouldn’t tolerate mediocrity, and if he spoke out after getting too frustrated, or if his grades started to slip then he and his brother were both punished. They’d be separated and forced to spend their days without what felt like their other half. Leon and Ezekiel had no choice but to learn young how to lift one another up, Zeke’s struggled in school, so Leon would do anything necessary to make sure that they stayed at the top of the class. If late night studying sessions fell through, cheating was the alterior option - in the eyes of their parents cheating and mediocrity seemed to sit at equal standing. The only goal for their children was that they did not ever have to get involved, that the boys carry on with becoming well-groomed and successful members of society without them ever having to lift a finger. 

Naturally athletic, neither Leon nor Zeke ever put much thought into why their reflexes always seemed a bit sharper than the other students in their school. They excelled in sports, all manner of them really, Ezekiel was a champion wrestler who loved fighting and never imagined that there could be supernatural reason behind it. There was no such thing as ghosts, or witches, or anything like that - stories about magic were just that, stories. Meant for the type of children that Zeke and his brother never got the opportunity to be. 

When others would try to tease him or his brother, fights usually broke out. The twins were used to being split up by their parents on days when the school called home, but today was different. Things got heated in a wing of the school that was under construction when the boys transformed, the other students went running and stories quickly started circulating around the town of what happened. It didn’t matter to their mother that Zeke and his brother were jumped by a crowd of boys, she didn’t care that their shift was triggered by a moment of desperation. She just saw what she’d always feared: they’d inherited her families’ gene. Something she’d been running from for almost two decades. 

The twins had seen their parents show disappointment before, even some inflection of anger. But their abusive nature was rooted in their blatant neglect, they treated Zeke and Leon like they were little more than a burden. A chore. This was different though, their mother was enraged and made them swear never to shift in front of their father - and to never look into it again. Knowing their punishment would be further isolation, they agreed, they swore, but silently the boys made a pledge: they’d flee this place, somehow. Someday. 

A year passed and in the dilapidated wing of their school, or the far out reaches of their families’ property, the boys practiced. Little by little at first until they managed to gain some semblance of control, they didn’t know what it meant, or even how to use it effectively, but they couldn’t have what happened at school happen again. Parents aside, kids were unforgiving and as far as they were concerned they might have ended up in a lab in Area 51 being poked and prodded by a team of scientists that wanted to understand them. 

It was exams before the Summer of their 15th birthday when Leon and Zeke were caught cheating, the result was an automatic zero for both of them and a guarantee that they wouldn’t be welcomed into the private school that had been curated for them. Again, their parents were furious, they were locked away once again and quietly Ezekiel packed his bag and waited for the indicative tap tap upon his window. The pair had been preparing this for over a year, they squirreled away lunch money, little trinkets, and heirlooms. Christmas money and whatever else they could get their hands on, anything that they could fit on their back. Then they left, and never looked back. 

A few weeks later and miles and miles away the two made a camp in some national forest not far from a small town. There they shared their 15th birthday and a stale cupcake that Leon had managed to snag for them. Their lives had taken a sharp turn, but for the first time they were truly theirs, they could go wherever they wanted, and see whomever they wanted without fear of what the possible repercussions were going to be. There was no expectation to live up to, and the only rules that the twins had to follow were their own, and what they wanted now more than anything was the answers that had been denied to them for nearly two years. 

What were they? How could they do the things that they did? 

As if sensing the inherent lost souls that her line had produced, it was Scylla that found them. Though she introduced herself as Selene. They learned that she’d never been able to have children of her own, but that centuries prior she’d several families with her power, so that their children would carry her magic across generations. This was the secret that their mother had never known - that the gene that connected them was not so easily snuffed out. You could not stifle the shifter from a child, and no amount of pretending would ever dull their power. 

Selene told them everything about the supernatural world and withhold no secrets from the twin boys that she affectionately grew to refer to as their children. Courageous Fenrir who laid down his sword to live a normal life, bold Nemea who entered every fight without fear, and stalwart Phoenix who’d remained unyielding for thousands of years. They sounded like fairytales, too large for life - cubi, vampires, witches, werewolves, manticores - the list went on and so too did their disbelief. But Selene was the most powerful of the original shifters, and of the four lines hers were among the most feared: monsters they called them. Scylla is what they called her. Daughter of the sea, divine blood that was twisted into the dreaded Hydra. 

Ezekiel grew from a boy to a man and followed in his mother’s footsteps, Selene was feared for her power, but respected for her compassion. Zeke managed one of these things but compassion was not something that he took to easily, rules in general were a struggle for him. He took odd jobs wherever he needed to to make money, but the hunt was his true ambition and his true passion. The boys carried on the legacy of the shifters as it was their true birthright, they hunted true monsters by becoming monsters themselves, never more than a phone call away should their mother ever need them. 

Zeke was working a job in Denmark when he felt her pass, there was a werewolf there that had been causing problems for the locals but the moment he knew that Selene was gone he boarded the first flight for Corinth. There the boys met up again, rarely without the other, this was no exception - their mother was gone, murdered by some psychopath on overkill.  Not able to leave the city until their mother’s killer was brought to justice, and unable to leave a place that was clearly so rife with supernatural activity, the boys stayed on. Zeke found work as a bartender and the boys got a place together, they claimed their mother’s body and buried it on a plot of land where she could overlook the bay. Close to the sea, close to her home, close to their heart. 

PERSONALITY

+ loyal, hardworking, opinionated – dogmatic, unyielding, crass

PLAYED BY SHANE. EST. He/Him.

[thewalkingdead-fan101]

In this hell Daryl Dixon X Reader part 2/??

Hey guys! Part one received so much more feedback than I was expecting!! Thank you all so much!! :)

And a big thank you to @samnoel3​ for giving me one of the ideas for this chapter! Hopefully you all enjoy this part!

Warnings- Blood tests, medical procedures, swearing?

“(Y/n)... (Y/n), wake up.” I felt a hand on my shoulder, making me jump as I open my eyes. “It’s just me, calm down.” Daryl spoke next to me. Turning my head I look at him. “How long have I been asleep for?” “About 45 minutes.” “Damn, I didn’t mean to doze off, sorry.” He just shrugged in response. Returning my head to rest against the window, I watch the trees.

Greens, yellows and browns all slightly blurring together as we trail behind the others along the deserted road, with the occasional walker along the side, stumbling, looking for its next feast.

Turning back towards Daryl, I brung my legs up and rested my knees to my chest.

“Stop ya staring.” “I’m not-“ “Hey everyone, we’re almost there. We have about 10 minutes left on the road.” Rick spoke through the static of the radio.

A comfortable silence fills the truck. The only sound i can hear is the wind from outside of Daryl’s open window, his arm resting on its frame.

“What do you think we’re going to find?” “I don’t know.” “Maybe the CDC is fine, and the scientists are already working on a cure for whatever this is.” “Nah, Probably just a bunch of pricks in white coats.” “Let’s try to be positive about this. They could have food, water and shelter for us, even medicine.” “Don’t get ya hopes high.” I sighed, putting my hands over my face. “I know. It would be too good to be true.”

It didn’t take much longer for us to reach our destination. Everyone pulled up outside of a giant curved building. Getting out of our vehicles, surrounded by an urban battlefield. Dead soldiers were everywhere, some shot in the head, others were half-eaten corpses, the streets were littered by mass death.

Other bodies lined the steps to the CDC. They obviously went hand to hand with the countless walkers filling the street. A massacre on both sides.

I looked around, Carol was holding Sophia close, Lori next to Carl taking in the horrific sight. Jacqui stood, staring in shock, Dale shaking his head in disbelief. Glenn was looking at Rick and Shane, then he looks at T-dog as if to ask “what now?” Carl was watching his father who was taking everything in. I felt Daryl pull me slightly closer.

A gunshot rang out, making the group jump. I turned to the source, looking at Shane who had fired his gun at a walker. We all started to run to the entrance of the CDC as more walkers made their way toward us. Rick started to press buttons to the doors, but it's all dead. As a last resort, he pounds on the door. "There's nobody here." T-dog sighed. I took in the situation that we are now in, the doors are locked, no one is in there, it's going to be dark soon and were surrounded by the dead.

"You led us here! The hell were ya thinking?" Daryl yelled. "He made a call." Lori defended her husband. "He led us to a dead end." Carol said "What are we going to do now?" Dale asked "Dammit!" T-dog sighed. "We should have gone with Morales." Carol said in frustration. "Carol...." Lori sighed. "There is nothing here." Dale sighed. "You're done man, I ain't listening to you!" Daryl scoffed. Rick stood frozen. "Let's not start turning on each other." Shane tried. "This was a mistake." Jacqui stated. "Since that guy showed up it's been one mistake after another." Daryl snapped at Shane. Rick kept banging on the doors. "Man! There is nobody here!" T-dog yelled at rick. Everyone started yelling at Rick, trying to get him away from the doors. “Guys! This isn't going to work!" I yelled at them getting their attention. "We have to go someplace safe!" I said once they were all looking at me. "I agree." Carol said. We started to walk away.

"Did you see that? The camera moved!” Rick stated. He walked up to the camera and started to talk. "If you can hear me...please, help us. We have women and children, no food and no where to go, if you don't let us in, you're killing us... Please." Shane pulled rick back. "Maybe the cameras are still working, but everyone's dead." Shane said. "No, Shane, the cameras here only work if someone is controlling them. Dad taught me this when he took me to work with him before he died." I piped up, looking at the camera. "But they won't open up, it isn't any use." We gave up and started to leave.

As soon as we reached the stairs, we heard the doors open, as we turned around we were met with a bright light.

We all readied ourselves with a weapon, but walked in with caution. "Daryl, you cover the back." Shane ordered "Hello?" One of us called out. "Watch those doors, watch for walkers." Dale said. I smiled as the blast of the cool air conditioning hit me, breathing out a chuckle.

"Hello?" An unfamiliar voice broke out. I seen tense up and he raised his crossbow. Everyone looked toward where he was now pointing the crossbow, holding their guns up.

A man in his mid 40's entered, aiming a gun at us, He had short strawberry blonde hair and green eyes, he was sporting black pants and a grey tee.

"Anybody infected?" "One of our group was..he didn't make it." Rick replied. "Why are you here? What do you want?" The man asked "Well, I for one just want safety!" I shot now slightly exasperated. Lori chuckled. Rick glanced at me..

"A chance. We all want a chance." "Well that's asking an awful lot these days.." The man said "I know." Rick answered. There was a moment of silence, our group was watching him intensely, him watching back. "You all submit to a blood test, that's the price of admission " He told us. "We can do that." Rick said. I let out a shaky breath. "You got stuff to bring in, do it now. Once that door closes it stays closed." He told us sternly. Daryl, Glenn ,Rick and Shane ran outside and got some stuff. Once they returned the man pressed the button.

"Vi, seal the main entrance, kill the power up here." He ordered. The door had sealed up and the power went down. "Rick grimes" Rick had told him "Dr Edwin Jenner." He got us to follow him into an elevator, a huge one at that. "Do doctors always go around packing heat like that?" Daryl asked. "Well there were plenty left lying around, so I familiarised myself. Besides, you all look harmless enough." He said. "Except you. I'll have to keep my eye on you." He smiled at Carl, making him laugh slightly.

Once the elevator stopped, we walked out, into a white bricked hallway. "Are we underground?" Carol asked. "You claustrophobic?" "A little." She answered "Try not to think about it." It was silent for a few minutes until we reached a dark room. "Vi, bring up the lights in the big room." Jenner called out. The room was as he described... big. "Welcome to zone five." "Where is everybody? The other doctors? The staff?" Rick asked. "I'm it. it's just me here." "What about the person you were speaking with? Vi?" Lori asked "Vi, say hello to our guests, tell them.... Welcome" Jenner said looking at us all. "Hello, guests. Welcome." A female AI Boomed through the room. "I am all that's left." Jenner said sadly. We were all silent for a moment. "I'm sorry." He said. I stood forward. "Why are you sorry?” I asked. "I know that you guys were expecting more people, follow me." He replied stalking off. We all followed and entered the room he had led us to.

Everyone has had their blood taken, besides myself and Andrea. "Your up." Jenner said looking at me. I nodded and sat down. "I take it you don't like needles?" "They aren’t my favourite thing." I replied in a whisper. "Just close your eyes and relax." Jenner instructed I felt the sting for a short while and got up, moving to sit next to Lori.

"What's the point? If we were infected we'd all be running a fever." Andrea stated. "I've already broken every rule in the book letting you in here, let me just at least be thorough." He smiled. "All done." He stated. Andrea got up and almost fell. "Are you alright?" "She hasn't eaten in days.. None of us have." Jacqui answered Jenner. He smiled softly. "Come with me."

We did as instructed and we followed him to a room with a decently big wooden table in the middle surrounded by chairs. "All of you sit." We did as instructed and after about 10 minutes he served plates with cooked vegetables and small steaks. "Here you go." He said after serving all of us. "Thanks." I smiled. Him nodding in response. I sat in between Shane and Jenner. Daryl standing up with Glenn. I was laughing and smiling among everyone else, when Lori agreed to have some wine. "You know in Italy, children have a little bit of wine with dinner." Dale spoke pouring Lori a glass. "And France." He added "Yeah, well when Carl is in Italy or France he can have some then." She said glancing at me smiling then looking to her husband. "What's it gonna hurt? Come on. Come on." Rick laughed. Lori smiled slowly, lifting her hand off of Carl's glass, letting Dale pour some in. "There you are young lad." Dale smiled handing him his cup. We all looked towards Carl, watching as he took his first and only sip. "Eeew!" He exclaimed pushing the glass away. Making us all laugh. "That's my boy. That's my boy." Lori smiled patting his shoulder. "Good choice" I chuckled. "Yuck, that tastes nasty." He said shaking his head. "Stick to soda pop there, bud." Shane said. "Not you Glenn." Daryl spoke up. "What?" "You're drinking little man, I wanna see how red your face can get." Daryl laughed. Making Glenn look away laughing as we all joined in.

"Why aren't you having any?" Jenner whispered in my ear. "I've never been a big drinker." I smiled. "It's also not good for the baby." I whispered into his ear. He looked stunned for a second. "I wasn't sure." "I am." “I take it Daryl is the father?” "Yeah. He is.. I am lucky to have him." "No, He is lucky to have you." I looked at my plate, a small blush appearing. “I have some old medical equipment in storage, I can bring some out tomorrow if you would want me to. Give you a proper more thorough check up.” “That’s really nice, I don’t expect you to-“ “It’s no hassle.” I heard the tinker of a glass, we looked at rick. "It seems to me we haven't thanked our host properly." Rick announced. "He is more than just our host." T-dog spoke a bit tipsy. "Hear, hear!" Dale spoke. We all raised our glasses to Jenner. "Booyah!" Daryl said raising the bottle he adopted. Rick whispered a thank you. Jenner nodding in response. "Thank you Jenner. For letting us stay here, and for feeding us." I laughed. "It's no problem." He said sipping his wine.

"So when are you gonna tell us what the hell happened here doc?" Shane asked. "All the- All the other doctors figuring out what happened, where the hell are they?" Shane added. "We're celebrating Shane, we dont need to do this now." Rick spoke "Woah, hang on a second. That's why we're here, right?" Shane asked. "This was your move, supposed to find all the answers. Instead we found him." Shane scoffed. "We found one man. Why?" He asked again. The room went silent. "Jenner you don-" I tried "Well, when things got bad, a lot of people just.... Left. Went off to be with their families. And when things got worse, when the military cordon got overrun, the rest bolted." Jenner said. "Every last one?" Shane interrupted. "No, Many couldn't face walking out the door. They... Opted out. There was a rash of suicides. That was a bad time." Jenna finished "You didn't leave. Why?" Andrea asked. "I just kept working. Hoping... To do some good." "Way to kill a good mood Shane." I said venom in my words. "Dude, you are such a buzz-kill, man." Glenn stated. Everyone sat eating in silence. "Everyone, i'll show you to where you all can sleep." Jenner said standing up.

He led us to a hallway. "Most of the facility is powered down, including housing, so you'll have to make do here. The couches are comfortable, but there are cots in storage if you'd like them. And there's a rec room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just don't plug in the video games of anything that draws power. Same applies if you shower, go easy on the hot water." He finished walking away. Glenn looked over to T-dog. "Hot water?" Glenn asked smiling. "Well, that is what the man said." T-dog answered. "I found you a room." Jenner said  leading me into a room that had a futon folded out with blankets and pillows. "I hope you will be comfortable." "Jenner as long as I have pillows i'll be fine. And thank you." He nodded his head and walked away. I look over to see Daryl walk over. "What did he want?" He sniggered. "Nothing, he was being friendly, that's all." "A little too friendly." He mumbled. "What was that?" I asked. "I saw ya flirting at dinner." He snapped. I shook my head and scoffed. "You know what, think what you want to. I am having a shower." I said grabbing a towel and pushing past him.
 I entered the bathroom and got into the shower. I felt the warm droplets of water run down my body. I closed my eyes and relaxed. After a minute my body tensed up as I felt someone put their arms around my waist from behind. "He was flirting with ya." "Daryl...” He went to say something but I butted in. "You know, you don't have to be jealous of Jenner, I'm having YOUR baby. Not his. I am YOURS. Not his." I said turning around and giving him a small peck. He kissed back. "Here, let me wash your back."  He said turning me around and putting soap on my back then rinsing it off. "I'll do yours." I did the same thing. We got out and dried ourselves getting dressed, then exiting the bathroom. “Goodnight everyone." I called out, getting a chorus of responses back. Daryl and I went to our room and shut the door. I laid back on the futon, watching curiously as Daryl locked the door. “What are you doing?” “Making sure we ain’t gonna get interrupted.” He stalked over. “Ohhh, and what is so important that needs no interruptions?” I played along as he sat down. “You know what.” He smirked as he crawled his way over to me.

I woke up the next morning, looking over at the clock on the wall reading 9:00 am, Daryl still sound asleep. I got up and changed into my jeans, pulling on a black singlet top. I quietly put my boots on making sure not to wake Daryl. I unlocked the door and walked out to where we had dinner last night, to see Lori, Carl, Rick, Glenn, Dale and Jacqui were seated. "Just in time to have some amazing powdered eggs, cooked by T-dog." Lori smiled. "Thanks." I said sitting down as he put some on a plate for me. I looked over to Glenn and saw him hanging over his plate, groaning in disgust. "Take it you won't drink again." I chuckled. "Shut up, you're lucky, you didn’t drink." Glenn looked up with a small smile. "I've never been a big drinker.”

"Hey." Shane said walking into the room. Everyone greeted Shane but me. I ate a little bit of food and got up and left before Shane could even talk to me. "Shane. I'll go." I heard Lori say standing up. I heard footsteps running toward me. "Come with me honey." Lori said guiding me to her room. She sat me on the lounge with her. "What was that about?" She asked. "Shane, his behaviour last night... He made Jenner talk about something that had obviously hurt him. Like cant he learn to not be so self centred?" "Honey, He is your brother, he was asking that stuff to protect you and to protect the group. But the way he said it and the way he made it come out was I’ll admit rude." I nodded my head. "How'd you sleep?" Lori asked me smirking. "Yeah, Fine. Why?" I looked at her face, she was trying to keep a straight face. "Oh god!, were we loud?" "No, I walked past and heard it. But I was the only one awake, I checked for you. Just be happy Shane didn't hear, otherwise the door would be broken." She chuckled. "Come on, let's go back, or the others will think something's up." I nodded and started to walk when I started to bolt for the bathroom. I ran in and hovered over the toilet, throwing up everything I've eaten in the past 24 hours. After a few minutes of torture, I got up, flushed the toilet, went to the basin and rinsed my mouth out, wiping my face. "Let me help you." I heard Lori say, helping me get up. I looked at Lori. "Thanks." She nodded.

We walked out slowly to the dining area. "Sit down." "You okay?” Everyone asked. “Im just Peachy." I smiled softly. "What's for breakfast?" Daryl asked walking out. "Have the rest of mine.” I said handing him my plate. "I can't eat it. T-dog it's not the eggs, thank you so much, but the baby just can't stand it." "It's all good." He smiled. I looked at Daryl to see him already half done with the plate. “Good Morning." Jenner said walking into the room grabbing coffee. "Hey doc." “Good morning." I smiled.

"Doc, I don't mean to slam you with questions first thing." Dale piped up "But you will anyway." "We didn't come here for the eggs." Andrea stated. "Guys. He just woke -" "It's alright. Come on." He said taking his coffee to go. We followed him to the big room 'zone five' as he called it. "Vi, give me a playback of TS19." "Playback of TS19" Vi responded.

The screen turned on, with an X-ray of a head on it. "Very few people got a chance to see this." It focused more on the brain. "Is that a brain?" Carl asked looking at Jenner. "An extraordinary one, Not that it matters in the end." Jenner replied. "Vi, take us in for EIV." "Enhanced internal view" Vi replied. The video moved so that the person was laying down, Then it went into the brain. "What are those lights?" Shane asked looking at the flashing lights moving from the brain stem. "It's a persons life, experiences, memories, it's everything. Somewhere in all that organic wiring, all those ripples of light, is you. The thing that makes you unique and human." Jenner explained. "You don't make sense ever?" Daryl asked. "Those are synapses, electric impulses in the brain that carry all the messages. They determine everything a person says, does or thinks from the moment of birth to the moment of death." Jenner explained more. "Death? That's what this is? A vigil?" Rick asked. "Yes, Or rather the, Playback of the vigil." Jenner replied. "This person died? Who?" Andrea asked. "Test subject 19. Someone who was bitten and infected, and volunteered to have us... Record the process… Vi, scan forward to the first event." "Scanning to first event." It took us back to  where the test subject was laying down, but the stem of the brain all black. "What is that?" Glenn asked. "It invades the brain like meningitis. The adrenal glands haemorrhage, the brain goes into shutdown, then the major organs, then death." The subject stopped moving and the whole brain was black. "Everything you ever were or ever will be… Gone." Andrea put her head down, I walked up to her and gave her a side hug. "Is that what happened to Jim?" Sophia asked. "Yes." Carol admitted. I lost tears as well as Andrea did, for all of the people we lost. "She lost somebody two days ago, her sister." Lori spoke up. Jenner walked over to us. "I lost somebody too. I know how devastating it is... Scan to the second event." "Scanning to second event." "Resurrection times vary wildly. We have reports of it happening in as little as three minutes. The longest we heard of was eight hours… In the case of this patient, it was two hours one minute and seven-seconds." We looked back to the screen. From the core of the brain little red flickers were spread out across the stems of the brain. "It restarts the brain?" Lori asked. "No, just the brain cell." Jenner responded. "Basically it gets them up and moving." Jenner finished. "But they're not alive." Rick said "You tell me." Jenner said. "It's nothing like before. Most of that brain is dark." Rick answered "Dark, lifeless, dead. The frontal lobes, the human part, that doesn't come back, the 'you' part. It's just a shell, driven by a lifeless instinct." Jenner finished. I looked back up at the screen to see something tear thought the subjects head. "God! What was that?" Carol asked. "He shot his patient in the head. Didn't you?" Andrea asked. "Vi, power down the main screen. And the work stations." Jenner ordered. "Powering down main screen and work stations." "You have no idea what it is, do you?" Andrea asked. "It could be microbial, viral, parasitic, fungal." Jenner stated. "Or the wrath of god." Jacqui said, tears brimming in her eyes. "There is that." Jenner agreed "Somebody must know something. Somebody somewhere" Andrea answered. "There are others right? Other facilities?" "There may be some... People like me." Jenner stated. "How can you not know?" Rick asked "Everything went down. Communications, directives, all of it, I've been in the dark for almost a month." Jenner said calmly. "So it's not just here? There's nothing left anywhere. Nothing, That is what you're really saying, right?" Andrea asked Jenner stayed silent. Andrea scoffed. "Jesus..." Jacqui sighed. "Man, I'm gonna get shit faced drunk again." Daryl sighed "Dr Jenner, I know taxing for you, and I hate to ask one more question, but... That clock. It's counting down, what happens at zero?" Dale asked. We all exchanged looks and then waited for his answer. "The... Basement generators, they run out of fuel." "And then?."Rick asked. Jenner wouldn't respond. "Vi, what happens when the power runs out?" Rick asked. "When power runs out, facility-wide decontamination will occur." We all exchanged looks. Glenn, rick, Shane and T-dog went to find fuel and to check it all out.

Jenner looked over at me, and motioned his head back to follow him. I grabbed Daryls arm and dragged him along. He led us to what looked like an office, with paper strewn across the desk. “What do ya want?” Daryl asked once we entered. “I’m bringing you guys both in for a more thorough check up on your Foetus.” Daryl raised his brow. “That means baby.” Jenner corrected. “I know what it means.” Daryl growled in response. Causing Jenner to raise both hands in Defense. “Daryl. Please.” I looked at him. “Fine.” He shook his head and pouted. Jenner opened the door to a conjoining room, dragging in a bulky monitor and ultrasound system. “It’s a bit old and outdated, but it will still get the job done.” He chuckled as he shut the door once again. “Just sit on the recliner, and recline back, lift your shirt and I bottom your jeans.” Jenner instructed, I sat in the recliner and did as instructed. “Hold on a second!” Daryl tried to cover me. “Daryl, calm down. I only need access to the abdomen. This is professional. I can not do this if you prevent me from doing so.” Jenner responded. Daryl only huffed in response. “I’m sure you know what comes next?” “The gel. I should brace myself? Probably will be cold.” He nodded. Gently he squirted the gel onto my abdomen, then rubbed the wand over it. On the screen we seen a grey area, with a little black area in the centre. “What’s that? Is that the baby?” Daryl asked. “That‘s the gestational sac, and that tiny little bean is the baby. It looks like you’re 5 weeks along, I’m no gynaecologist but that little flicker there is a heartbeat, it’s to early to hear it but you can see it.” I looked up to see Daryl staring at the screen. He was unreadable, as always, but looking at him in this moment, all I can feel is love and adoration. “Everything seems to be fine. And we’re done.” “Thank you so much for this. It means a lot.” “Your welcome.” He nodded, taking the monitor back. I wiped the gel off of my stomach, feeling happier than I probably should be considering what’s going on in the world. “It feels more real now.” I stared as I did my button back up and moved my shirt back down. “Yeah.” Daryl sighed. “I need to speak with the mother to be.” Jenner stated. “I’ll meet ya back at the room okay?” I asked Daryl, in response nodded and left.

“What’s happening Jenner?” “I spoke to your leader last night, Rick?” I nodded. “No matter how you die, you always come back as one of them.” “What?” “Everyone is infected... This pregnancy is dangerous. We can’t be sure that the baby is or isn’t infected.” “Jenner?” “It’s an air-borne virus. We can’t be sure that the infection hasn’t already or won’t infect the baby.” “Whatever it is that you’re insinuating, please-“ “What happens if it dies in your womb and it is infected? It could tear you apart from the inside. What if you die before it’s born? You’d kill it. I can help you get rid of it.” “Look I appreciate everything Jenner. But I’ve got to go.” I replied. “There’s no way that this ends good.” He called out as I left the room. I found an unused area. Sitting down I let out the breath I didn’t even know I was holding. I gave myself 15 minutes to calm down before meeting Daryl back in our room.

I laid on the bed reading a book, with Daryl sitting up drinking. The air conditioning stopped and the lights all turned off. "Daryl?" "Yeah." "What just happened?" I asked putting the book aside, getting up off the bed and going into the hall. I saw Jenner walk down towards my room. Everyone asking questions and following behind him. "What's going on? Why'd it turn off?" Daryl asked hanging out the door, bottle in his hand, Jenner stealing it from him. "Energy Is being prioritised" Jenner said. "Air isn't a priority? And light?" Dale asked. "It isn't up to me." Jenner started. "Zone five is shutting itself Down." Jenner continued. I looked into Daryl's eyes, I know he could see the worry my eyes held. "What the hell does that mean?" Daryl asked. Jenner ignored him. "Hey, man, I'm talking to you! What do you mean Shutting itself down? How can a building do anything?" Daryl asked "You'd be surprised." Jenner said. We looked over the railing.

"Rick!" Lori called. We all followed Jenner down the stairs to where rick and the others were. "Jenner! What is happening?" Rick asked. "The system is dropping down all non-essential uses of power. It is designed to keep the computers running to the last possible second. As soon as we approach the half hour mark, right on schedule." Jenner said. It was all silent then Jenner gave daryl back the bottle. "It was the French." Jenner randomly said. "What?" Andrea and I asked. "They were the last ones to hold out as far as I know. While our people were bolting up the doors and committing suicide in the halls, they stayed in the labs working until the very end, they thought they were close to a solution…” "What happened?" Asked Jacqui. "The same thing that is happening here. No power grid. Ran out of juice. The world runs on fossil fuel. I mean, how stupid is that?" "Let me tell you." Shane started getting aggravated. "To hell with it Shane, I don't even care! Lori get our things. Everybody, We're getting out of here now!" Rick ordered. An alarm started sounding. "30 minutes til decontamination." Vi said. "Doc, what's going on here dammit?" Shane asked "Everybody! Get your stuff! Let's go now!" Rick yelled "Let's go!" T-dog said. I was with Lori  and Carl when we ran to the exit when it slammed down, Carl pulling me back just as it started to. "Did he just lock us in? He just locked us in!" Glenn started to panic. "Carl!" "Mom!" "You son of a bitch!" Daryl yelled running at Jenner. "Shane! Shane!" Rick yelled. “No! Stop! Don't!" Shane yelled at Daryl. I started slowly walking over to where Jenner was, as I heard screaming and yelling. "Jenner, open that door now!" Rick demanded. "There's no point."  Jenner replied. "Everything topside is locked down, the emergency exits are sealed." "Well, open the damn things!" Dale yelled "That's not something I control. The computers do. I told you once that front door closed it wouldn't open again you heard me say that. It's better this way." Jenner stated. "What is? What happens in 28 minutes?" Rick asked. "What happens in 28 minutes?" He yelled loudly to Jenner "Do you know what this place is? We protected the public from very nasty stuff! Weaponised small pox! Ebola to wipe out half of the country! Stuff you don't want getting out! Ever!" Jenner finished screaming. "In the event of a catastrophic power failure and a terrorist attack. For example, HITs are deployed to prevent any organisms getting out." "HITs?" Rick asked. "Vi-" "It's High-impulse thermobaric Fuel-air explosives." I answered. Everyone looked at me. "It consists of a two stage aerosol ignition that produces a blast wave of significantly greater power and duration than any other known explosive except nuclear. The vacuum pressure ignites the oxygen between 5000 and 6000 degrees and is useful when the greatest loss of life and damage is desired." Vi finished. "It sets the air on fire. No pain, and end to sorrow. Grief, Regret, Everything." My head turned and I looked at Daryl. He threw the bottle at the door. "Open this damn door!" I looked to Jenner, then over to Lori who held Carl protectively in her arms, scared. My hands went to my stomach and rested there for a brief moment. I started to think.

I'll never get to see my baby, never get to hold it. Watch it grow up or anything. After everything he said to me, it’s all put in perspective. When he said he could help get rid of it this is what he meant?

I walked over to Jenner. "Jenner, please open the door. Do it for me! I want my baby to live. Sophia and Carl are too young to die!" He just ignored me. My hands collided with his chest, pushing him back, causing Shane to grab me and move me away. "Jenner don't ignore me! Test subject 19 was your wife!” I yelled from Shane’s arms. Causing everyone to shut up for a moment. “Now you're going to take away mothers as well as fathers! Daughters as well as sons! Sisters as well as brothers and wives as well as husbands! You're taking our choice away! Don't do this! It's not what you want! It's not what she would want!" I continued.

Shane gave me to dale, and he held onto me. He grabbed an axe as did, Daryl and started to hit the door. "You should have left it all alone, it would have been so much easier." Jenner said. "Easier for who?” "All of you, you know what's out there, a short brutal life, and an agonising death. Your sister, What was her name?" "Amy" "Amy, You know what this does, you've seen it. Is that really what you want for your wife and son?" Jenner asked Rick. "I don't want this!" Rick answered. "I can't make a dent." "Those doors were designed to withstand a rocket launcher." "Your head ain't!" Daryl stated going for him. I stood in front as the guys pushed him away. "Daryl!" "Daryl!" "Just back up!" "Daryl, he isn't worth it. " I told him. "You do want this…” Jenner said to rick. “You said you knew it was just a matter of time before everyone you loved was dead." He finished. "You really said that? After your big talk?" Shane asked. "I had to keep hope alive didn't i?" Rick answered. “There is no hope. There never was." "There's always hope, maybe not you but somebody, somewhere." "What part of everything's gone don't you understand?" Andrea asked. "Andrea…” "Listen to your friend she gets it. This is what takes us down. This is our extinction event." "Jenner! Listen to me! You don't have to do this." I said "This isn't right! You can't just keep us here!" Carol cried. "One tiny moment, a millisecond, no pain." "My daughter doesn't deserve to die like this!" "Wouldn't it be kinder? More compassionate to hold your loved ones and wait for the clock to run down?" I heard a gun click. My attention went to Shane, holding his rifle. "Shane no!" Rick pushed him away. "Out of my way Rick!" Shane yelled "Now you open that door or I'm gonna blow your head off! You hear me?" Shane yelled. "Brother, you do this, we'll never get out of here."Rick said "Shane! You listen to him!" Lori yelled. "If he dies, we all die!" Rick yelled as Shane screamed. Shane moved the gun and shot at the computers. "Shane!." Rick yelled. He wouldn't listen so Rick grabbed the gun and pinned him to the ground. "Are you done now? Are you done?" Rick asked. "Yeah, I guess we all are." Shane replied. It was silent for a few seconds

"I think you're lying..." Rick started. “What? " Jenner asked. "You're lying. About having no hope. If that were true you would have bolted with the rest taking the easy way out. You didn't. You chose the hard path. Why?" "It doesn't matter." "It does matter, it always matters. You stayed when the others ran. Why?" "Not because I wanted to. I made a promise." "Yeah, to your wife." "I'm surprised that (Y/n) guessed it. How'd you know?" "The way you looked at the footage. The ring on your finger and the picture in the office and in the room you gave Daryl and I. I'm not stupid, I connected the dots." I replied. "She begged me to keep going as long as I could, how could I say no? She was dying. It should have been me on that table. It wouldn't have mattered. She was a loss to the world. Hell, she ran this place, I just worked here. In our ripe old she was an Einstein, Me? I’m just Edwin Jenner. She could have done something about this, Not me." Jenner said “Your wife didn't have a choice. You do. That's... That's all that we want a choice, a chance." Rick said. "Let us keep trying as long as we can." Lori piped in Jenner looked at me. Then where my hands were gently against my abdomen. "Please Jenner." I said for everyone to hear. " I told you topside is locked down. I can't open those." Jenner said staring at us all. Happy tears started to form in my eyes. The door opened. And I walked to Jenner and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, goodbye." I turned and started to walk away. "You're one of the reasons I opened the door you know… You are exactly like my wife was." He smiled gently.

"Babe! Let's go!" Daryl yelled. I ran toward the exit and daryl grabbed my hand. "Come on! Move it! Move it!" Everyone yelled. Rick and Jenner talked for a minutes and them Rick ran toward us. "Come on! Four minutes left!" Glenn yelled. "Let's go Jacqui! " T-dog yelled "I'm staying! I'm staying sweetie." Jacqui said making T-dog to let go. "What? No!" I cried. "But that's insane!" T-dog said. "No! It's completely sane for the first time in a long time! I'm not ending up like Jim and Amy!" She cried. We all looked at her. "There's no time to argue, and no point. Not if you want to get out. Just get out. Get out!" She yelled. "Hey dog, come on, man. Come on! Let's go, come on!" Shane said grabbing him. "I'm staying too." I heard Andrea. "Andrea, no!" We looked at dale and he looked at us. "Just go! Go!" "Dale!" "Go!" He yelled again. "Come on!" Rick yelled as we all ran. We ran up the flights of stairs quick. "Get the doors open! Come on!" Shane yelled. "It doesn't work!" Glenn yelled. "Wait a minute! Try it!" T-dog said after pressing some buttons. "Daryl!" Shane yelled grabbing an axe and hitting the windows. Daryl next to him. "Stay close to us sweetie." Carol said to Sophia. "Dog forget it!" Shane yelled at t-dog T-dog screamed hitting the window with a chair. "Dog! Get down! Down!" Shane yelled at everyone pumping shots from the python at the window. "Jesus!" Shane exclaimed. "The glass won't break?" Sophia asked. "Rick I have something that might help!" Carol said going through her bag. "Carol, I don't think a nail file will do it." "Shane! Shut up!” I snapped "Look your first morning at camp, when I washed your uniform, I found this in your pocket." She said handing him a grenade. He took it. He pulled the pin and dropped it next to the window. "Oh sh..." Rick yelled running toward us. The grenade went off and  the window shattered.

We all ran out, the guys shooting the walkers that were stumbling towards us. We all made it to the vehicles, getting into them. I saw Andrea and dale duck behind a post. "Get down!" Daryl yelled. We both Ducked down in the truck, Daryl protecting my body with his. There was a shake, and I could hear the sound of glass breaking, I could feel the heat. “It’s clear.” Daryl sighed after slowly lifting himself off of my body. Looking up I see what was the CDC, up in flames, Andrea and dale got into the RV. Everyone in-front  started to drive once again. Daryl  followed carols Cherokee, Shane behind us.

Once we were on the road I felt Daryl's hand on my thigh. "What did that guy say to ya in there after he opened the door?" "All he said to me was I reminded him of his wife." Daryl scoffed, removing his hand. The rest of  the drive was quiet. The RV pulled over, at a station just out of town.

"Okay guys we need to ditch some vehicles and siphon gas out of the ones we're abandoning." Rick said. We all nodded and Daryl got Merle’s motorcycle off of the back of the truck, getting the fuel out of the truck that I have grown fond of. T-dog ditched his van, Shane left his jeep. “(Y/n), I don't think that the baby will like the motorcycle... So you're going in the RV with Dale, Glenn, Shane, T-dog and Andrea. Daryl you're covered. Carol, Lori and the kids with me in the Cherokee. Is there a Problem?" Rick asked. "Not at all.” I looked at Daryl, I walked over and kissed him. "Please, be safe." "You know I don't need to be." I rolled my eyes. "Daryl, you take the lead." I got into the RV and laid in one of the beds in the back, picking up the book from before and continued reading, Feeling the RV pull out and back onto the road. That’s when we left Atalanta... This time, for good. Series Masterlist Next Part

[chickadeee]

Extremes

Content warning: Heavy alcohol mentions and angst.

=====================================

Shane had always known that he was two things in life: too much, and too little.

He was too much of a brat to be handled by his parents, too ambitious to stay in a good job, too stupid to stop partying, and then too oblivious to realize that he was about to lose that one good thing to ever happen in his life. Now, he is too unprepared for this unfamiliar change that was happening… and he felt too fucked up to deserve something so precious, so meaningful. It pains him that, in the end, he was always too little to change things. He could never be enough.

That’s why he drinks.

He drinks because there was certainty on what was too much or too little.

That was until a smaller but rougher hand held his own, telling him when he was drinking too much, too quickly, made him stop mid-swallow. A surge of alcohol-fueled anger made his shoulders, arms, and fists tense in anger, shaking him to lucidity.

“Y- how… dare yew,” he slurred loudly, indignant at whoever pulled him from the throes of his memories.

A worried face eventually appeared in his foggy vision. He struggled for recognition and the ambiguity unnerved him.

“Shane, please,” the face pleaded.

Suddenly the fog started to lift and along came the music from the jukebox. The familiar crackle and heat of the fireplace next to him made his hair stand on end, and the warm yellow glow of the sconces that contrasted with the red-tinted decor of the saloon came into clarity. Finally, he recognized the face that seized him from his thoughts: it was the Farmer’s. They look so small and frail staring at him with concern in their eyes.

It disgusted him. It seemed too similar to pity.

Shane looked away from them in discomfort, and grit his teeth out of habit.

“Leave me alone,” he grumbled, then tightened his grip on his mug to give the remaining third a final tilt down his throat.

The farmer remained in their spot.

“Fuck off, Farmer,” he growled before slamming his mug down on the counter with an audible thud. He quickly fished out a few bills from his wallet and hastily placed them on the counter as payment. He wanted nothing more than to vanish from this moment even if he was leaving far earlier than expected. Privacy sounded better anyway.

With a mumbled thanks to no one in particular, he pushed past the Farmer and begrudgingly exited the Stardrop Saloon with a sway in his steps and a large cloud of annoyance still looming above him.

“Hey, wait!”

Shane ignored the voice that followed him outside. He was still recovering from his outburst, and he didn’t want to let some goody-two-shoes ruin what little buzz he managed to earn. Whatever they were saying would just have to wait until he got home. Or maybe... tomorrow. Or if he’s especially lucky, they would vanish altogether and he wouldn’t have to confront them at all.

He was not sure what the Farmer wanted to prove with that little stunt of theirs. But he is sure that two shots of whiskey and a beer is not enough for tonight.

He walked back to Marnie's with the crisp evening breeze cooling his temper and a comforting silence surrounded him and eased his mood. The crunch of wayward leaves beneath his feet and the quiet rustling of the nearing forests somehow helped the corners of his lips twitch up to form an unfamiliar expression. His thoughts moseyed onto the amber temptress calling for him from the crevices of his room. She seemed to be begging him to release her from her glass prison. So if he was enough for her, then who was he to say no?

[wildshub]

WHO: The Fearless Fifteen WHAT: The castaways get lit and eat good. WHEN: Day 8 NOTE: For future reference.

Divya "Alright everyone," Divya approached the camp with her hands clasped together, an excited smile on her lips, "I know we all had a really rough day yesterday, like absolutely terrifying and exhausting, but–" A pause for dramatic effect. "Today is a new day and with everyone here together, me, Lex, and Cherry thought what better way to celebrate our triumphs and what we've overcome than with..." God, she wished she had a drum kit so she could build the adequate amount of suspense she wanted. "...a party!" Divya spread her arms out and flailed her fingers at the reveal. After a moment, she dropped her hands to her sides and continued on with her speech. "Me, Lex, and Cherry have been working all morning. We've got games planned, some treats, and even food! Like not even berries or nuts or anything, like actually. Cherry found a load of clams down somewheres by the beach," she tossed a thumb over her shoulder to give a rough estimation of where that was, "and Lex and I got a fire going with that lighter from the pilot's bag. Thanks again, Mr. Shepard–" She gave a quick salute. "–so it's gonna be like a proper thing. A whole meal!" Divya grinned, looking expectantly at the girls, hoping they were as ecstatic as she was. "So... thoughts, feelings? If you all are ready, we can head down over that ways where the fire's going and get started on the clams. It's honestly taken all of my will power to not just go for them."

Jude the idea of a party with games on a deserted island maybe seemed a little silly to jude, but hey, she wasn't going to turn down a party, and she wasn't gonna rain on everyone's parade. they could all use some kind of dumb distraction, right? and what jude was really excited about was the food. "oh, shit! clams? like, food? real food, with meat and everything?" she stood up immediately, lightheaded by the act of it. "dude, i could kiss you guys right now. fuckin' hunter-gatherers and shit, getting food for us!" she cheered. "let's do it," she said eagerly. holy shit, she just wanted some clams and vodka. never in her life had she wanted seafood this bad. she feels like her stomach is trying to eat herself.

Alexa she stands by Divya shifting on her feet, very nervous as to how the rest of the group will take on their event idea. She spent a good half a day just looking for the perfect herbs to mix in with the clams. She'd only cooked them thrice before so she wasn't exactly certain how to make them perfect, but was sure that some mushrooms from the woods along with thyme and basil would make it work just fine. They'd still had coconuts too and Alexa had kept them cool throughout the day so they could mix the vodka in and not die of dehydration. With Cherry in charge of actual clams and Divya the games, the whole thing came together so perfect Alexa wished she'd had her phone around to brag about it on instagram. "Right, also we've got a real nice surprise for those who join us as well..." she was referring to the weed of course, but it was not the right time to reveal all their secrets just yet. With long earrings dancing around her neck and a dead husband robe hugging her sheer nightgown, she headed to the fire. "Let's go bitches..."

Joss After the unintentional mud bath, courtesy of the depths of the jungle paired with Jude and Divya’s clumsiness, Joss had spent a good hour or two in and out of the ocean, trying to feel even remotely clean again. She’d washed her hair, relishing in the luxurious scent and the sensation of basic hygiene. God she had missed it. With clean hair, clean skin, a fresh pair of Lex’s underwear and freshly brushed teeth, Joss felt like a million bucks - or whatever the plane crash survivor/ desert island castaway equivalent of that was. She returned to camp anew and took her usual seat atop her puffer jacket, looking up at the girl’s as they approached with an announcement. “Oh my god,” she chimed, a couple of gleeful claps following her words “Fuck yeah, you guys, I’m in” she assured them, excited about the clams ahead, she quite liked seafood when it didn’t look like the inside of a sea urchin. “Amazing” she cooed in response to Divya’s question, though she hadn’t the slightest clue who the fuck Mr Shep- oh. Never mind she thought, as it dawned on her. “Nah seriously, you guys are legends, thank you,” she said again, another clap or so, before she realised she could just about see Alexa’s nipples, thanks to the blonde’s costume change. It was then that her eyebrows raised slightly and she made an effort not to make it obvious that she’d judged the outfit already, “Oi, what’s the surprise?” She asked lex directly then, “Do I maybe already know about it?” She asked playfully, adding a cheeky wink for good measure. God she loved being the secret keeper, even if she hadn’t kept the secret at all. Really, she just loved being the first person to know anything.

Jenny Truthfully, Jenny wasn't sure they were up for a party. The day before had been arguably one of the most taxing so far, aside from maybe the first. And once again, they had spent almost all of the night awake, save for a few minutes here and there. However, it was hard to say no to Divya's enthusiasm (or Divya, full stop), even harder when she said how hard she, Lex, and Cherry had worked on it, and then even, even harder when she mentioned actual food. Jenny felt their heart flutter a little bit at the very idea of not having to eat nuts or berries for the first time in a week, and their features visibly lit up at the thought. " No fucking way, that's awesome, " They said, joining in the general consensus of excitement from the group. When Joss thanked the others, they echoed her directly, " Yeah, thank you, " looking back to Divya and the others as they did. Pushing themselves to their feet and dusting off the sand, they tried not to notice Lex and Joss having another little moment, Lex hadn't been lying when she said they got along apparently. They ignored it as best they could, instead looking to the other party planners, " Lead the way then almighty party planners, " they teased, a small chuckle falling from their lips.

Shane to say shane didn’t feel like herself after the day before would be an understatement. she tried to pretend that everything was fine and that what happened wasn’t as serious as it really was, but it was hard. she was sitting in the sand, starting out into space when the girls made their announcement. while a party felt like the last thing shane wanted to do at the moment, the others seemed excited and shane didn’t want to be a downer for the others. plus now they had found something more real to eat which she couldn’t deny didn’t sound amazing after days of berries. so she forced herself to look as happy as the others, probably falling flat by she tried her best, and joined in the chorus of thank you’s for them, “thanks guys.” her eyes shifted to lex at her addition, already guessing what the surprise was since joss is the worst person to keep secrets on the island. but considering shane had snapped at lex the day before, she doubted she would even want to share with her today.

Divya Divya was so pleased that everyone seemed to be excited for the festivities they had planned. She gave a little squeal, clapping her hands together as she stood on her tiptoes for a second before leading the way. “Alright, come along. A feast awaits.” She made her way to where they had set up a small fire, a cooking station of sorts for their clams. It was by this large boulder so the sun didn’t absolutely destroy them that afternoon. “Everyone grab a seat around the fire,” she encouraged, taking a seat on the sand herself. She bounced in place excitedly. “I think Lex found some herbs or summat to mix in with the clams so we are being proper fancy this afternoon." If she closed her eyes and ignored about 90% of their reality, it was almost as if they'd actually made it to Hawaii. "And we aren't just eating today but drinking too! Cherry and I boiled some of the luggage rain water we collected the other day and they've cooled down by now so it's totally safe to drink whilst we eat the clams."

Luna Luna wanted to enjoy the party. She did. She had also wanted to help find Shane. But neither was really possible when she felt so exhausted. All she could hope was that it was nothing serious--a mild bug or heat stroke or just plain old exhaustion and dehydration--but she couldn't help the dread she felt anyway. Still, she pushed it down, flashing a smile and following Divya to the fire. "Wow. This is proper fancy," she commented, sitting down beside the other girl. "We have water too?" Oh thank god. "What are we drinking it out of?"

Divya "The water bottles! Solid quality honestly." Divya reached over to the pile and plucked one from the bunch. The Dawn of Eve water bottle once perfectly powder pink now had burn marks going up its sides but Divya would argue for a very good cause. "Sorry if we worried anyone about where they'd gone. We tried boiling them in some old Coke cans to start but they were so much smaller and harder to fish out of the fire compared to the bottles that we gave up halfway." She shook the bottle and you could hear the sloshing of water inside. She held it out to Luna. "We counted to a hundred to be safe but I think it's actually only a minute of boiling honestly till it's good for drinking."

Andrea A party was just the kind of thing that they all needed. Whether Andi wanted to admit it or not, she wanted to be lifted out of her piss-poor mood. And she wanted something -- anything -- to feel normal. Heading down towards where the other girls were, she eventually sat down by the fire. "You guys actually did it," she said with a tinge of amazement in her voice, looking at the water bottles and everything else they'd been able to get together. "Where'd you find the clams? How'd you get all of this together?"

Oona Oona pulled her hair back and out of her face as she settled in. It felt so long since she’d last sat down for an actual meal that even in their stained, ripped clothing, it almost felt like a fancy occasion. Plus, there were clams. She’d never been big on seafood in the past but by the way her stomach was rumbling it was clear that it didn’t care what it got at this point. “That’s what I want to know, too,” she echoed Andi. “It must be a good story. Have you gone clamming before? I have no idea how to even begin to look for a clam.” She rubbed her hands over her knees in anticipation, then shot Divya a warm smile first. “Really, this is so nice of you guys. Above and beyond.”

Alexa she looks over at Joss at the cheeky grin and a question and although she’d already gotten over being yelled at, she still had just about enough pettiness in her to shrug, smile and go “yes Jocelyn, but I suppose Jenny and Jude know it slightly better having already dipped into that surprise with me a bit so...maybe not so much a surprise to some of you but...” she will pull out large pre-rolled spliffs and one blunt. “— ta-da!” It was basically no surprise to anyone at this point but she’s finally got her night around the fire with weed, food and booze. “As far as nights in this inferno go, I’m pretty sure we’re at the peak so settle in before whatever fucking storm, fire or beast the devils that run these hunger games throw at us next.” Yes she mixed in all the references she could think of, apart from matrix she supposed but she could sneak that in later. Regardless, Alexa was not shy to show she was actually genuinely happy. She crashes on the floor next to Cherry and looks over at Andi tapping the floor beside herself. She then shifts her focus over to Oona and Andis question. “Ah the clams, star of the show, Cherry, Div? You wanna take this one?”

Divya "Errr," she pulled a face in thought, "not sure to be honest, that was all Cherry." She looked at the other girl then. "Point is though: she found them and now we," she looked at everyone around the fire then, "can eat them." She turned her head to face Lex now. "Can we please eat them?" It wasn't so much a question as a reminder. Lex was the chef after all. The only thing Divya knew how to cook was beans on toast and even then, she burnt the toast sometimes. "Do we just toss them on the fire and wait or something? How will we know if it's ready?"

Andrea It didn't matter what'd happened before. If she'd been angry with anyone, or if they'd been frustrated with her. Right now, all Andi could think about was having a full stomach, perhaps for the first time in over a week. "You're a fucking angel," she grinned, watching eagerly as Alea took out the spliffs. "I've been saying it for days -- we deserve a chance to actually have fun. Who knows how long we've got here? Might as well fucking enjoy it." She brushed some hair out of her face, leaning in as Divya spoke. "Please -- can we just cook these bad boys and have a meal? I'll even cook them myself. I'm volunteering. That's how hungry I am."

Jude weed? food? call jude a handmaid 'cause it was a blessed day! "throw those bitches on the fire," jude cheered in agreement, taking a seat in the sand around the fire and reaching for a bottle of rainwater. she felt like a cavewoman. she probably looked like one, too, for that matter. "let's get full, let's get high, let's forget we're on a fucking island," she announced. "andrea's right. since we're almost definitely gonna pull an amelia earhart and get eaten by crabs, we might as well try and have a good fucking time."

Shane shane watched as the others became excited over everything. while she should also be happy and excited to eat and relax, shane still hadn’t gotten rid of that nagging guilt in the back of her mind after yesterday. so she stayed quiet, sitting with the group around the fire. her fingers dug into the sand absentmindedly. “mhm,” she hummed in agreement with jude. maybe after she drank and smoked a little, shane would start to feel like herself again.

Oona Oona’s eyes widened when Alexa pulled out pre-rolled weed. Were they usually that big? She didn’t know the difference between a blunt or a joint or whatever, partly because she had never seen one in real life before and mostly because her parents routinely screened everything they watched as kids to make it was squeaky clean. She didn’t see a sex scene until she was fifteen. She didn’t know anything about weed. Oh my God, she was going to look so stupid. “Oh! Oh wow,” she exclaimed, a little stilted with the way she tried to make it sound natural. “I’ve never—I mean, I don’t. I don’t usually do that but um, that’s really cool! Thanks for sharing. Is that going to be a post-dinner thing?” Did she want to try? She didn’t know. She wanted to ask what it felt like without showing her hand. Oona heard Shane hum along, a little detached, and looked over at her. Shane smoked weed, right? Or was that rude of Oona to assume? She leaned toward her  and spoke lower as an aside. “Are you going to—?” Her eyes cut to the bag in Alexa’s hand.

Shane shane looked up from the small hole she was digging in the sand when she heard oona say something to her, clearly not wanting everyone else to hear. she could tell but her reaction to lex pulling out the weed that oona has probably never tried it. a little surprising to shane considering everyone she knew back home has smoked at least once. but then again, that was new york and she knew very little about oona and how she grew up. "huh? uh, yeah, probably," if lex allows her, but shane didn't say that out loud. "have you smoked before?" she asked, not wanting to embarrass her if she hadn't.

Andrea It was cute, really, seeing Oona's face change as Alexa pulled out the goods. Andrea assumed that all of them had smoked before -- at least once. But then again, maybe there were some people who were more innocent than she was -- less tarnished by whatever circumstances life had thrown their way. She didn't quite hear what Oona said, and reading lips was too much work. So instead, Andi decided to chat with Jude. "Eaten by crabs? Haven't heard that one yet. -- So what's the deal? Do we die first, and they feast on our corpses? Or are we gonna have to suffer through every single pinch?"

Joss To say that Joss was shocked that Lex had been smoking with Jude and Jenny without her was a marked understatement. “Yeah, righto,” she uttered fairly obtusely, shifting uncomfortable where she sat, in response. The fuck, Lex? She wondered, watching the other girl for a moment or two, trying to read her. Jocelyn was certainly not an expert on the disappearance of Amelia Earhart but she was pretty sure she’d never heard the conclusion that the esteemed aviator had been eaten by crabs. In fact, Joss wasn’t sure she’d ever heard of anybody being eaten by crabs. Thus, she assumed it was another one of Jude’s dumb theories, like tropical bears. “Fair sure you have to boil clams,” she was as eager to get ‘those bitches’ on the fire, as Jude had so eloquently put it but she didn’t want them to go to waste if they ended up burning to a crisp.

Jude "oh, shit," jude got genuinley introspective in response to andrea's question. "we better die first. i'm not going down to a bunch of crabs without a fight, right? fuck crustaceans. maybe they won't eat me, 'cause i'm one of them - born july, y'know, cancer," she explained. jude's astrology knowledge is admittedly limited, but like any good white teenage girl from new york, she DOES have co-star installed on her phone. "whatever, though, let's do this. we're not dead yet, right?" she said, getting up eagerly and tossing clam after clam on the fire without putting much thought into it. jude's not really a cook. she can hardly make toast. still, she's got hubris, and maybe that's enough. "we leave it for - uh - five minutes? then crack 'em open like cashews?" she offered.

Oona Oona smiled sheepishly at Shane’s question. She should’ve known she wasn’t exactly being subtle about the whole thing. She bit down down on her thumbnail briefly, then shrugged in embarrassment. “Honestly? No...” she trailed off. It was a little funny, she had to admit. Girl from the Denver area who’s never gotten high? Someone call the local news! But this was Oona’s first time in her life when she wasn’t under constant supervision. She had one blip, granted, about nine and half months ago, but no adult in her world let that happen again. Her own legal adult status didn’t seem the matter. “Should I? I feel like it’d be a good thing to check off on my lifetime to-do list,” she joked in an attempt to push down the rising nerves at the prospect. “You know, plane crash? Check. Stranded on a tropical island? Check. Survive solely on Diet Coke and bags of mixed nuts? Check.” She counted the so-called accomplishments on her fingers. “Weed must be the only logical continuation.” And then she heard, a little to her left, ‘they feast on our corpses’ and she immediately clocked back into the group conversation. Jilll’s missing body wasn’t something she was going to forget anytime soon. “Excuse me, what’s going to feast on our corpses? The crabs?” She glanced warily toward the ocean.

Shane she gave a weak smile at oona for her confession. if shane had to guess, she and oona have lived completely different lives. which wasn't a bad thing, she was pretty sure that none of the other girls have done half of the things shane has in her life. "hey, nothing wrong with that," she tried to reassure her that she wasn't judging. "i feel like you deserve it after all the shit we've been through," shane said with a chuckle. "but really weed is nothing serious, it's a good time." she wasn't trying to pressure her into do it, but more to reassure her that it wasn't as big of a deal as tv and movies made it seem. when the attention turned to whatever the fuck jude was talking about, shane turned to look at the other girls. "if we're stuck here any longer, i'll happily let the crabs take me," she said as a joke but considering how she's acted the past 24 hours, it was probably a bit concerning to say.

Divya After seeing Jude toss some clams onto the fire, she figured it was good enough for her and followed suit, tossing a few more on there beside Jude's. "Five minutes should do I think." She casted a brief glance at Lex for reassurance before turning back to the fire. "Anyway, shouldn't they like pop open or something? Like popcorn... but for seafood?" Confused, she scratched the side of her head before deciding they could probably see when it'd be ready to fish out and leaned back on her hands again. Hearing talk of crabs over by Oona and Shane, Divya perked up. "Wait, do we have crabs?" She asked with a lit up face, having missed most of that conversation in her excitement of watching everyone get seated and tossing clams on the fire.

Joss Joss couldn’t help but laugh at Divya’s innocently intended question, foiled by poor wording. “We? Yeah, nah, not me, I get laser treatment every couple of months,” she teased, barely convinced that Divya would realise the connotations of her words even now. She wiggled a finger loosely in the direction of a few of the other girls, Lex, Shane and Jude in particular, “Can’t speak for the rest of the crew though,” she insisted, Jude in particular struck her as somebody who had a working knowledge in the field of STIs and the like.

Jude jude gave a low whistle, raising her eyebrows at joss. little miss prefect gets laser treatment to avoid crabs, huh? jude's mouth fell open at joss' wiggling finger, and she put a hand to her chest. "how dare you," she deadpanned, eyes wide. she used a stick to pull a clam out of the fire - it'd been almost five minutes, and they felt hot - and held it up in demonstration. "you can't get crabs like this, ma'am," she said, before eating the clam in the way that she might eat.... something else. you know, just a graphic demonstration of lesbian sex, noises and all. dinner and a show, right? "see, bitch? i'm clean!" she laughed, slurping down the clams.

Shane shane easily understood what joss was implying and despite the fact that they seemed to be on good terms, shane was right back to wanting to slap the blonde girl when she pointed to shane and some of the other. “what’s with you and thinking i’m such a fuck boy, joss?” she shot across the circle just as jude made a show of eating one of the calms. “exactly!” she cheered the other girl on.

Joss She raised her hands defensively, still laughing as both Jude and Shane shot back at her defensively. Maybe she’d unintentionally found a sore spot for eat of them. “Fuck me, relax hey, it’s just jokes- you can’t tell me you didn’t think the same thing,” she insisted, surely she wasn’t so filthy minded, so much more so than the others that she was the only one that saw the double entendre in Divya’s question. Joss hadn’t caught onto where Jude’s announcement was going until it came with a full blown theatrical performance, sound effects and all. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, message received, clean as a whistle, bloody hell,” she waved a hand at Jude dismissively, her cheeks flushing as she realised that she was the one to inspire such a graphic performance. “Have you gotten that out of your system now? Some of us haven’t eaten yet, I’d like to actually keep my dinner down, if you don’t mind,” she was half joking, though the last thing on God’s green Earth she wanted to picture throughout her meal was Jude going down on somebody. She sat up on her knees then, trying to get a good look at the clams in the fire. She wanted to know if they were cooked properly or if they tasted any good but she had a funny feeling that Jude might not have registered either during her taste test.

Jenny Like a lot of other conversations that had happened while on the island, Jenny was in and out of listening to them. Picking up pieces here and there of Oona and Shane talking about weed, Jude talking about the grand Amelia Earhart Crab Theory (Jenny was personally more subscribed to the Captured theory or the Bermuda Triangle theory but to each their own), and then finally Joss bringing up a different type of crabs. Sure, maybe if it had come from anyone else Jenny would have found it really funny, but Joss had an air of rich bitch judgement around her that prevented them from laughing aloud. However they did laugh at Jude's response, and loudly too. Grin growing on their features with ease as they elbowed her lightly in encouragement. But then, for certainly not the first or last time, they furrowed their brows a little in Joss' direction. Their smile didn't quite fade completely, the idea of eating protein for the first time in a week and amusement at how quickly Joss changed her pace keeping it there. " You're the one that brought it up, dude, " they said, shaking their head a little with a breathy chuckle, before reaching for a nearby stick so they could safely poke at the fire.

Krafty was a huge fan of anything sea food, blame it on the fact she had grown up near the ocean. so when she had heard that some of the girls had gotten clams for actual sustenance she couldn't help but excited. making her way over the hill from where she had to pee, she rejoined the group and walked in at what seemed to be a tense moment between joss and jude. reading body language she chose not to intrude but sit next to the fire patiently, hoping that soon enough she'd get a great taste for the oysters. she grabbed a recently boiled water bottle of water and took a few swigs. this was as close to a party as she'd felt in a long time, she only wished her crew was here with her.

Joss She wrinkled her nose and nodded her head, hands in the air once more “-well Shaneo enjoyed it so, you’re welcome, I guess,” she offered, finding the positive angle instead of taking responsibility for making a shit joke. She watched Jenny with the stick, deciding that that was probably the best way to manage things herself, though she’d wait her turn. Once she had a clam to herself she pressed her lips together, analysing it for a moment as if it required a secret code to open. She laughed at herself then, “Fucking hell, now I’m all self conscious like I’m gonna be graded on how shit I eat this,” she joked at her own expense. Her experience with cunnilingus was embarrassingly non existent but she’d had oysters once or twice before.  “Wouldn’t mind some pasta to go with this,” she confessed a moment later, thinking out loud.

Jude "oh, we're definitely gonna judge you," jude nodded, eyeing joss as she went in for another clam. her experience with oysters was embarrassingly nonexistent, but she was a self-proclaimed expert in cunnilingus, and it's basically the same, right? "god, pasta sounds good," she nodded in agreement before chugging down some more rain water. she hadn't realized how hungry and how thirsty she had been until now. "or, or - like, a sub. like, a hoagie from the little shop down the street from my old place. they were so fucking good. i would kill to have another meatball hoagie before the crabs eat my body once and for all."

Shane “yeah, fuck you, joss,” shane said, giving up on trying to defend herself to the other girl. so many one time she made an extremely poorly timed sex joke, now joss will forever view her as some sex crazed person. “oh we judge you all the time, this will be no different,” shane shot back at her. despite how little they’ve eaten in a week, shane just didn’t have much of an appetite, so she instead just watched the others, still half lost as she tried to keep her thoughts from drifting away to other things. “god i could go for one too.” after a second, she thought of something, “or you know what would be perfect? magnolia’s bakery,” she announced before smirking and giving jenny a knowing look.

Oona With one wide-eyed moment of innocence over and done with, Oona tried her best to keep her face blank as Jude went to town on a clam for fear of cementing herself as the Ultimate Ignoramus. But there was also the fear of looking too judgmental. The last thing she wanted was to turn any of these girls against her. People had sex. Oona could totally handle it. But still, her brain sort of skirted around the imagery then zipped at lightning speed toward Joss and Jude’s latest comments. “Oh, yeah. Seafood pasta’s good. Like a shrimp scampi. Or—Gosh, I had a really good lobster mac and cheese once.” She sighed when Shane mentioned a bakery. “I think I miss popovers the most, food-wise. And waffles. I’m too American to go this long without processed sugar, I think.” Oona shook her head and reminded herself to be positive. "But the clams will be good! Alexa found herbs to go with them, you said, Div?"

Krafty she couldn't help but chuckle at jude's snark remark, sometimes they were well timed and she was okay with admitting that. finally she helped herself to a clam and managed to crack it open helping herself to the protein inside. "pasta, some fresh cheese on top, shit," she couldn't help but miss her favorite seafood restaurant from home. "oona yes, lobster mac n cheese is to die for, i feel ya on that one," she couldn't believe this was her life but hey, maybe she was doing her hero bear grylls proud with this...maybe they all were. "this is dope guys, seriously, i didn't say it but thanks."

Divya Predictably, Joss’s joke went right over Divya’s head, causing the girl to furrow her brows. Still, she offered barely there laugh though because she didn’t want the blonde to feel bad that her brand of humor wasn’t particularly the funniest. What did laser treatment have to do with crabs? Her gaze shifted from Joss to Jude, wondering why that earned such a reaction from her. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers at what happened next. Now it wouldn't surprise anyone to find out Divya wasn’t the most experienced in that area. In fact, it was better to say she wasn’t experienced at all. Everything she knew of sex came from awkward Sex-Ed classes and that one time she and her best friend paid a visit to PornHub when they were 14 that ended with the laptop being kicked under the bed and destroyed when her Uncle Marty walked in without knocking to tell them dinner was ready. Needless to say, her cheeks were flushed pink and hot by the time Shane chimed in with cheers and Joss was waving the New Yorkers off. Divya busied herself with poking at the clams with a stick, hoping the warmth in her cheeks would subside sometime soon. She was just pulling one of the clams out when Oona mentioned her name, thankful that the other girl gave her something else to think about than Jude’s theatrical performance featuring their lunch. “Oh yeah, I think she also had mushrooms or something?” She turned to Lex. “Right? Mushrooms, herbs?” She turned back to Oona. “Something along the lines. It’s probably in that bag over there.” She pointed to the Dawn of Eve bag closest to Lex. Hearing Krafty speak, Divya smiled warmly, glad the girl was enjoying the festivities. She was just happy all of them could take a breath and enjoy themselves for once.

Jenny Seeing as the last time Jenny had purposely called Joss out they'd nearly hit her, they didn't quite join in the chorus of yes, Joss, all the gays are gonna judge the shit out of you. Thankfully, the subject changed as Jude and the others brought up all the different foods they wanted. They nodded in agreement with the group. Even if they'd never had seafood pasta, they could absolutely dream of a hoagie.  " Dude, what I wouldn't do right now for like, the greasiest, grossest bacon, egg, and cheese. " They said, stomach aching at the very thought. And to wash it down with some energy drink that had definitely caused someone to have a heart attack, that would be heaven. When Shane brought up Magnolia's Bakery they had to press their lips together to stop a chuckle from tumbling right out, but the smile still showed. The two proving in that very moment that everyone had been judging Joss. At least, the East Coast Gays definitely had been. If the girls had just had the clams and the fire, that would have been impressive enough. But mushrooms? Seasoning? They were beyond grateful. " I can't believe you guys could find all this stuff, " They said, using their stick to pull one from the fire now that it seemed it had been long enough for them to be edible. " Do y'all cook much at home? " They asked, looking up. Mostly they were addressing Lex and Divya, but really it was open to the group, they'd be interested to know the answer from everyone.

Joss Joss had thought that she and Shane were mates by now but there was something about how quick the brunette was to jump aboard Jude’s anti-Joss campaign that made her think otherwise. Maybe they were just pals when she was the best option, or more hurtfully, the only option. She tried not to show the hurt and offered a small laugh to show that she was totally in on the ribbing. Then came the Magnolia joke and the glance at Jenny. What the fuck was that? Joss had mentioned visiting the famous NYC bakery with her family to both Jenny and Shane, had they discussed the fact? She was aware that she’d be judged harshly, Shane had been honest about thinking she was a bitch the first time they’d met. Joss has assumed that she’d redeemed herself after that but now she wasn’t convinced. Did the whole group just see her as the butt of the joke? Maybe that explained the poor reaction to the bags she’d discovered and the lack of gratitude for the effort she’d put into orchestrating the search party. “I left some stuff out to dry, just gonna grab it before I forget,” she explained, hopping up quickly and abandoning post to collect the imaginary laundry. She felt a sickness in her stomach, reminded of how it felt to have people laughing at you, judging you, making fun of who they thought you were and what they thought you did behind your back. She hadn’t felt it so strongly since leaving Melbourne airport, noting the way her Dad’s hug felt just a little bit awkward as he pat her on the shoulder and offered a curt goodbye.

Shane shane held back a laugh when she and jenny locked eyes, both clearly trying to keep it together after a dumb inside joke between them at joss’ expense. shane looked over at joss, expecting her to unintentionally play along with their joke. but then the other girl’s face changed with realization before she quickly excused herself from the group. shane’s smile dropped, teeth digging into her lower lips as she went back to anxiously digging in the sand. maybe that was a bad joke, but she didn’t think joss would take it that way. after all, the two of them always jabbed at each other. their whole relationship was making fun of one another with “fuck you”s thrown in there. was it because jenny was involved this time? this was exactly why shane didn’t do friends, everything was complicated and got messy. she kept her eyes locked on the sand as she let all of her thoughts consume her, uninterested in whatever the group was talking about now.

Alexa Alexa was in and out of the conversation still looking over food with Cherry and making sure she was paying attention to what was happening. Joss was entertaining the group just fine it seemed and so Lex couldn’t help but look over at Jenny and Shane as the blonde spoke to scope their reactions. She laughed at Jude and then as a Divya spoke to her directly she nodded. “Ah yes mushrooms I’m just putting them all on a stick so we can grill them on the fire marshmallow style.” She added placing more mushrooms on the current stick she was holding. She looks over at Oona knowing the other didn’t really seem all that familiar with weed. “See I think food would be best after weed because munchies will be nuts over these bad boys but...I guess we can always grill more mushrooms and there’s also like leftover soup and...fuck, I do wish we had some like crisps or sugar or something...anyways, Oona girl, you don’t gotta smoke if you don’t want to. But I just want you to know that weed was legal prior to hippies being against the war in Iraq and then it became classified as a drug so they could put hippies and minority kids in prisons. It’s by no means gateway anything, the government just doesn’t want people having a good time. Not since Woodstock anyways...” she sighed and then started passing the mushroom sticks. “I cook a lot at home Jenny, thanks for asking. I think the thing I would cool right now if I were home...rather simple actually, lasagna with some garlic bread and banana. Veggie lasagna by the way, but I know how to cook meat as well and like fish and clams yes....seafood is big in the house...” she realised she was talking far too much so she chuckles. “Anyways, yeah please guys help yourselves...”

Krafty "thanks," she replied as alexa passed around a few skewers of mushrooms krafty helped herself to one roasting it on the fire. it sort of brought her back to cooking up fish by the fire when she would go camping by the water. she had to agree with her though, food would have been a hell of a lot better after weed because the munchies were inevitable, especially for her which she had proven time and time again. "we're stranded on a fucking island, there's never been a better reason to smoke," krafty joked in reply to the girl's long winded story about the legalization of weed post woodstock. it had been far too long since the last time she had gotten high, or truly drunk for that matter. "wait, you cook seafood a lot too?" she questioned, almost shocked that they shared something in common.

Jude "it feels so fucking good to be full, holy shit," jude said, flopping back onto the sand, a sizable pile of clam shells laying beside her, absolutely ravaged. she wasn't exactly the queen of moderation. "y'know, i know i'm fuckin' useless here, aside from being good eye candy," she acknowledged, "so i really am grateful you guys are, like, gourmet survivalist chefs or whatever. it's impressive as hell." jude was physically strong, but they hadn't exactly run into any tropical bears to wrestle, so that didn't do much good. jude plays hockey, she doesn't forage for food and build shelters. just because she has the emotional maturity of a cavewoman doesn't mean she has the skills of one. "it's been - i don't even know how long it's been since i've felt full. i don't know how long we've been here. i don't know what the date is. all i do know is that i could really go for some fucking weed," she smiled, closing her eyes and shielding them from the sun with her hand as she lay in the sand.

Jenny Jenny didn't feel anything close to guilt when Joss stood with flushed cheeks and excused herself from the group. Honestly, if they'd been as angry as they had the morning before they likely would have flipped her off as she left. In place of that they simply rolled their eyes a little as their focused shifted to the clam in their hands. They ate quickly, not even caring that it was a weird and new texture and taste for them, only that it was food. The conversation continued to move around them but they didn't have much to add to weed history or cooking talk, so they just stayed quiet, appreciating the feeling of something solid in their stomach. They nodded as Lex explained what she'd love to be cooking at home, they weren't going to say it out loud but it was incredibly unexpected that Lex could cook at all. Seeing as she could probably afford to pay top chefs from across the globe to cook for her whenever she wanted. Then came conversation of actually smoking, and while Jenny was excited for that, they had noticed the way Shane seemed to be reacting to Joss' departure and how no one else seemed to care. They didn't like her, and they didn't really care that she'd left in fact it was a little bit of a relief– but seeing as Shane had walked off and disappeared only yesterday and everyone had gone looking, it seemed a little fucked to just let her go. And on top of that, if they could prevent Shane from feeling any worse they were gonna try. " Okay not volunteering but should someone maybe go after her? " They nodded in the direction that Joss had headed. " Just to check, before we get fucked. "

Jude nosey bitch model citizen that she was, jude volunteered, taking a swig of her rain water. "i can do it," she offered, glancing at jenny and shane. better her than them, right? jude didn't even know what the fuck a magnolia was, so she was probably one of the less offensive people to joss at the time, right? "i'll be two minutes, mates," she waved the others off, trying to an australian accent but ending up with something closer to texan-british. she pushed herself to her feet, wandering off after joss into the jungle. "jocelyn!" she called, stretching her arms behind her neck and cracking her joints.

Alexa Alexa has not realised anything was wrong with Joss, after all, she said she’d be right back. Mostly, she didn’t know why she needed to be called back as she missed larger part of that conversation trying to focus on food. Now that she was eating, slow and steady like a hungry cow, Jenny of all people wondering about Joss, made her question if Joss was alright. Not enough to abandon her position on the floor by the fire though. Luckily, Jude seemed to have had it under control. “Damn bitch, we need to feed you more often huh?” She laughs at the impression “Oh and, Jude hun...” she smiled at the other as she she got up and tossed a whole zoot her way. “You can spark this mazza when you’re back huh? If Joss doesn’t wanna come, drag her by the hair!” She said, having decided not to allow Joss to delay the only thing she’s been looking forward to on this Island since the crash with her sudden disappearances and runs and whatever the hell she was doing at this point. “Anyways guys, Divya, what games are on board again? Is that now or...?”

Joss Joss had expected to return to the camp on her own volition before anybody actually bothered to go looking for her. She'd explained where she was going, she'd explained why and as far as she knew, she'd managed to keep her discomfort under wraps so why would anybody find it necessary to check up on her? The question would remain unanswered, she realised, straightening her posture as she prepared for Jude's arrival. "Hey! I'm here, I'm good," she assured the other girl, realizing then that she'd told everybody that she was going to fetch laundry that didn't exist. Fuck. She turned to face Jude with a chuckle that would have made her year 11 drama teacher roll her eyes, "I already brought my bloody clothes in- I just totally forgot, like an idiot," she explained, attempting to justify why the fuck she was standing in the middle of nowhere by herself, seemingly doing nothing. In truth, she'd been trying to clear her head and get out of her own thoughts. She couldn't fall into the trap of believing that all of the girls, just like the ones at home, thought of her as nothing but a running gag at that when the shit hit the fan, they'd have no qualms about letting her take it in the face.

Jude jude waved winningly at lex before heading off to meet joss and her inexplicable ghost laundry. “right,” jude raised one eyebrow and shrugged. none of what joss was saying made sense, obviously - even if there was laundry to bring in, why walk off in the middle of lunch to do it? “i know i busted your whole laundry excuse, but you don’t have to come back yet if you don’t want,” jude shrugged. if joss wanted to meditate or pray or whatever it was she did when she was off by herself, that was none of judes business, so long as she was sure joss was still kicking. “we’re about to light up - i mean, i dunno if you’re too good for that, prefect and all. but i can leave you to... do your laundry,” she gestured at the empty space, “since i know you’re not dead. that’s one option. or, you could come back with me, and get high out of your mind. personal favorite. option 3 is you come back, stay sober, eat some clams, and play nice. kind of boring, but doable. option 4 is i stay here while they get high, and you lay down and pretend i’m a fancy australian rich people therapist, and you tell me all about how you’re hallucinating laundry,” jude listed. “there are a few more options after that, but they get kinda dirty, and you’re probably not into that. up to you.”

Joss Joss became frustrated then, not with Jude but with herself and how quickly her measly attempt at cover her ass had fallen apart and how little effort it had taken for Jude to dismantle it, "I'm not even a fucking prefect anymore," she snapped, her emotions getting the better of her. "Sorry- I just- I don't-" before she sounded like she was having a stroke, to calmed herself, taking a moment to breathe and elucidate her intention. "I'm not too good for it and I don't think that. I don't think I'm too good for anything- or like, for any of you, I mean- like, I don't think I'm better than any of you," she insisted, fumbling on her words until she got to where she had meant to be. "I know it sounds that way, probably but- I was just joking before. I was-" trying to fit in, "-just messing around," she realised it was a lot easier to be accepted when all you had to do was have a car of your own, a questionable BMI and a decent amount of likes from average looking boys on your selfies. Having substance was difficult. Jokes? Impossible. Culture? She didn't have much of that either. Stories? If they didn't involve her pissing herself at a Westfield, they were vanilla and had such an anticlimactic final act that they just sounded like straight up bragging. She folded her arms uncomfortably across her chest, her gaze on Jude's feet instead of looking her in the eyes as she listed off Jocelyn's various options. Though she wasn't in much of a laughing mood, she couldn't help a small laugh at option 5- or option 4.5 or whatever it was; the option that Jude needn't explain. "You're gross," she teased habitually, forgetting that her brand of teasing hadn't translated well before. "-but funny," she added, in case it wasn't clear. She straightened up then, taking a deep breath, "Righto so," she started as she digested her options, "I've had it up to my ears in counselling so- I reckon I'll just come back with you- but just...like, give me a sec, yeah?"

Divya God, it was so nice to eat proper food. Divya didn't realise how much she missed it until she was actually eating away, clam after clam. Hearing her name mentioned, she finished off the clam she was eating before turning to Lex. "Hm? Oh! Games! Right!" She tossed the empty shell on her little pile of finished clams. Clapping her hands together, she stood up so she could garner everyone's attention better. "So, after we're done here," she gestured to their clam circle, "we've got a few games planned. Limbo to start but... honestly, I think we're all a little full to be bending like that so we'll put it on the back burner for now. The next game on the itinerary is Pictionary!" She announced with gleeful bounce. "So it's much of the same, whoever isn't up to draw gets to sit down and guess whatever it is the person drawing is... drawing." She frowned momentarily, feeling there was one too many 'drawings' in there. "Anyway," she continued on, "if we guess correctly within the allotted time, the person drawing gets a point. If we don't, then the person drawing..." She drummed out a beat on her thighs. "...has to drink alcohol!!" Sure, for some people that wasn't much of a penalty but for lightweights that were new to the drinking scene like Divya, it was definitely enough to motivate her into pulling out some of her best work. She walked over to her stash of party prep things and retrieved a Dawn of Eve swag bag and the bottle of vodka. "So, if you lot are ready, we can head on over there with the sands a bit more packed and get to drawing. We'll reuse the clam sticks as pens."

Jude jude bit her lip, but she couldn’t even be surprised. weren’t they all angry, thinking about the things they’d never be again? “i get it,” jude said. “there’s a lot of things i’m not anymore,” she said, a rare moment of sincerity. ew. anyways! “it’s cool. we’re all just telling shitty jokes.” she laughed when joss called her gross, because, well, yeah. “gross, funny, a goddess, a dumbass - all ways i’ve been described. by my ninth grade math teacher,” she remarked. motor mouth jude can never turn it off. “whenever you’re ready,” she said, a little softer, slinking back a bit to give joss some space, but not leaving - buddy system, right?

Joss "Do you?" she asked, caught between feeling alone and feeling, perhaps for the first time, that Jude was being candid with her. It was always hard to tell, Joss had discovered but it was like Lex, she thought; between the shocking statements, disgusting anecdotes and otherwise outrageous utterances, there were some things that slipped out from behind the girl's teeth and actually meant something more. Her lips parted to ask about the math teacher but she decided against it. Prying for sincerity twice in a row was asking for far, far too much, Joss thought. She was lucky to have Jude talking to her at all at this point and it wasn't worth pushing it. "Yeah- cool, thanks," she nodded in agreement, "I'm not gonna run away and fall asleep or anything but- yeah, thanks," she assured taking another deep breath in, steeling herself to face Jenny and Shane again. "Does everyone just think I'm a massive cunt?" she asked then, after a few moments of pensive silence. If Jude couldn't be honest with her, then she doubted anybody else on the island had the capacity.

Jude "yeah, man. i mean, i used to be a virgin," she joked, flahing joss a toothy grin. "and, like, a not-orphan. hockey star. mediocre musician. a bitch NOT on an island. never much a prefect, though," she admitted. she trusted joss enough to not, like, get lost in the woods, but she wasn't going to leave her, either. with their luck, joss would end up facing off against a tropical bear. DID everyone think joss was a massive cunt? "not everyone," she answered truthfully. she's not a mind reader, but. "i mean, jenny probably does. or maybe not, 'cause it was their idea someone went to get you. that could just be 'cause they don't want the elements getting you, so they get to be the one to take you down, though. lex still has no idea she's on an island. andrea's too busy being excited about weed. and i dunno about shane. i mean, i got the feeling she hated to see you go, but loved to watch you leave," she shrugged.

Joss Not-orphan. That was the one that stood out to Joss the most. How could she mention that with such a shit eating grin on her face? Right. Maybe that was the only way she could mention it. Everybody had different ways of coping with things. Some got angry, threw their fist at a wall. Some cried until their eyes were red and sore. Some ran away and pretended there was nothing that needed coping with. "Seriously?" she asked and it was a fair enough question, she thought. Not only was Jude prone to cracking jokes whenever she could slip one in but on top of that, it was hard the believe that of all people, Jenny had been the one to voice their concern. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure you were right the first time- fair sure she hates my guts," she insisted, "-but- she really said to come get me?" she couldn't justify it, she hoped that Jude could. Hm. Not as satisfying as she thought it would be. Did Jenny really want Joss to survive, just to be the one to neck her? It didn't seem likely. "Come on, you don't really think that," she hoped, "Jenny's not like that," she spoke with confidence, despite the fact that she didn't know Jenny at all. She ran her tongue over the surface of her front teeth, a pensive expression creasing her brow as she thought about the other girls, "-and Shane, yeah, nah, that wasn't it. Definitely wasn't it," she insisted, confident that Shane had been more than pleased to see her go and hadn't taken any notice of her when she did, certainly not in the way Jude was implying, if the implication was indeed a cheeky (no pun intended) one. "-and you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow then, realising that Jude hadn't placed herself on the list.

Jude jude nodded, intrigued by how confused joss seemed. "yeah, jenny's idea. i mean, i was just kidding about the killing you thing, but i was a little surprised, too. i kinda got the vibe that neither of you really got along," she explained. "they said someone should go after you before we all got too high." jude laughed and joss' quick denial of shane scoping out joss' ass. "maybe. but my lesbian third eye isn't often wrong," she remarked. that was a lie. jude was wrong all of the time. at joss' question, jude had to think on it. really, she went in between thinking joss was a major bitch, feeling kind of bad for her, and finding her pretty damn entertaining. "i don't think you're a cunt," she said thoughtfully. "or i do, but i'd be a cunt, too, if i were you. i mean, i kinda am a cunt, and i'm not you. but you've never decked me in the face, and if i were you, i definitely would have by now, so i kinda like you," jude said earnestly. "i mean, you did imply i had crabs, but i'm moving past that. forgiveness and all of that shit."

Joss Joss nodded her head in agreement but then shrugged her shoulders a moment later, "I mean, it's not that," she explained, trying to be diplomatic about the situation, "Tension was pretty high yesterday for obvious reasons, that's all," that wasn't all but it was all Joss was willing to admit to, "-but we've had a few normal chats," chats where they weren't at each other's throats, she meant, "I just- yeah, I don't know, we don't always see eye to eye," she shrugged again, as if that would suffice in place of reasonable words. Yet another phrase to take Joss aback and although she was actively trying to use her judgmental face, that one was just a little but too much for her to breeze past. "Lesbian third eye?" she repeated, "That's a new one," she'd heard gaydar before but clearly Jude wasn't one for cliches. "Thanks," she uttered before Jude elaborated, "Oh," she uttered, almost under her breath a moment later, since it was too late to take back the gratitude. "Mhm," she hummed listening to Jude speak. She couldn't help but laugh then, "If you were me?" she asked, wondering what the fuck that actually meant, "If you were me, you would have never thrown a punch in your life," except for when she did Boss Boxing at her gym, which definitely didn't count.  She wrinkled her nose at the reminder of her poor taste joke, "It was supposed to be funny," she attempted to assure the other girl, "Maybe it's an Australian thing- I'm just used to talking shit with my mates, I don't actually think any of you have crabs," unless any of them did have crabs, which would be fucked. No. No more judgement, she reminded herself. She was already on thin ice and if she kept striking out with the other girls, she'd have to find her own clams for dinner.

Gianna a party. gigi was unsure - she'd been to parties back home, but she wasn't certain things were going to work the same way out here. an island wasn't a bar, right? it didn't matter - she was already late because she'd taken the time to go for a evening swim. with sand piling up against her wet feet, gigi was wringing out her hair as she made her way closer to the sound of chatter and -...a good time? a little bit of excitement building up inside her, gigi eventually came upon the scene and was rather pleased with what she saw. seeing food and smiles on the others faces was enough to bring one to her own, and the swimmer's first move was to fulfill the growling in her stomach. praying for something other than meat for the offering, gigi almost jumped out of her skin at the sight of...mushrooms. she was a shit forager, so finding food right in front of her, especially something as good as mushrooms, gigi was a happy camper. the blonde instinctively reached out for a stick of mushrooms and proceeded to bring it over to the fire to warm it up. she passed familiar faces and offered a friendly smile in greeting here and there; she was a quiet person who only really opened when she knew someone well. finding a place around the fire a moment, gigi left the fungi stick sitting in the flames without thinking about it and leaving a second later to see what else was available. when she returned to the fire and pulled out her stick of mushrooms, the blonde was more confused than anything to find that the vegetables had been burned to an absolute crisp, almost inedible. "what the fuck...?" she muttered to herself innocently, but knowing that wasting food was considered practically a sin around here the blonde took a hesitant bite from the rubbery, dried out vegetable on a stick. at least nobody was witnessing her folly, at least she'd hoped.

Andrea Andrea followed the others' leads, taking some of the clams and tossing them besides the others. "I don't cook," she stated, matter-of-factly. It wasn't exactly true; she could make enough different meals to keep herself satisfied if she had to, even if they were rather basic. Glancing over at Gigi, she watched the girl take a stick with the mushrooms on it. It's burning, she wanted to warn her. But what did it matter? If she wanted to waste her food, she was more than welcome to. That's why they had rations, wasn't it? "Well, hope you enjoy eating charcoal," she laughed, scooting closer to add some mushrooms of her own. "You can't just throw things on a fire and not pay attention to them. That's how you get the whole camp on fire and shit -- you know that, right? Fire's not like your grill at home. -- Assuming you don't actually live out in the woods."

Shane shane looked up from the sand when she heard gigi and then andi’s words, her eyes falling to the burnt mushrooms. of course andi would try to be “helpful” in the bitchiest way. but as soon as shane thought that, she stopped herself because clearly she was just as much of a bitch since she caused joss to make up an excuse to leave the group. looking over at gigi, shane tried to give a weak smile. “hey it happens, we’re all learning. you can have my share if you want,” she offered considering she had no appetite to start with. sure, shane should probably eat, but she couldn’t even bring herself to think about it. maybe after they broke into the alcohol and weed, she’d feel better enough to eat whatever was left. she looked over at divya after she explained the activities for the night. really, shane would take anything that could help her get out of this funk. “let’s get this party started,” she said with the most enthusiasm she could muster up.

Gianna gigi scooted over and allowed some room for andrea to sit beside her, watching intently as the other prepared and cooked her own stick of mushrooms. it seemed so effortless, why couldn’t she do it right? fidgeting slightly in her seat, gianna listened to her explanation and nodded along in understanding, “of course i know that,” she clarified quickly, blinking back her slight embarrassment. shane’s voice broke through her confusion and she glanced over, eyes slightly widening at the sight of the girl offering her her food. swallowing the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat at the verbal contact, gigi struggled to find the right thing to say. “wow, really?” she asked quietly, taking the offered food . “i appreciate that. like, even more than when leia told han luke was just her brother, or when luke couldn’t kill anakin. well, i mean i  guess you could say darth vader, but it’s been so long, if you don’t know at this point, you don’t -...” she stopped her nervous ramble, biting down on her tongue. “thanks,” she shook her head dismissively, before turning back to andrea. “is she still looking at me?” she whispered anxiously, thrusting the mushrooms into the fire once more without any thought.

Andrea Grateful for the extra space, Andrea made herself comfortable. She would never admit it aloud, but it was nice, having everyone together, actually hanging out, as if they were actually just a group of friends having a beach weekend instead of living in the seventh season of LOST. "Right, well, your technique needs work. -- Do you have another one? I'll cook it for you. That way you won't totally starve tonight." She knew that she had to be nicer... in theory. She didn't want everyone on the beach to hate her -- especially if they were going to be stranded there until they died. "Listen... I'm just hungry. Like, really fucking hungry. Didn't mean to be a complete bitch."

Shane shane tried to fight the urge to chuckle at the shock on gigi’s face when shane was actually nice to her. it was a rare occurrence that shane was, so she didn’t blame the other girl’s reaction. “yeah, no worries,” she said simply, passing her mushrooms over. “uh, right...” she said the star wars comment, shane had very little knowledge of the franchise other than she fell asleep during all the old ones. the new ones here okay because daisy ridley is hot, but that’s as much as she knows. shane nodded and went back to staring at the fire, wondering where joss and jude were.

Luna "I don't mind a bit of charcoal on the mushies," Luna commented from across the fire, looking directly at Andrea when she said it before glancing to Gianna. "It'll be like roasting them at home." She eyed off the clams. "Not so sure about them though." Her stomach still felt uneasy so mushrooms--burnt or not--felt like a safer option than seafood. "Never cooked things on a fire before. Who here has?"

Andrea Of course Luna wouldn't mind. The girl seemed to be content with pretty much anything. "That's why you've got your own mushrooms, then," Andrea offered. It was a simple enough response, and maybe Luna would get the hint that she wasn't adding to the conversation in the way she thought she was. "Of course I have -- you've had mountain weekends or whatever, right? Or like... bonfires for holidays or whatever? I know you don't have the Fourth of July..."

Luna Luna got the hint and shrugged, holding her own mushrooms over the flames. But as Andrea started talking about roasting food on a fire as if anyone must've done it, she felt her cheeks turn red. "No, I never had 'mountain weekends' or whatever," she replied. "And bonfires aren't really a big thing for holidays. Fire hazard, I guess, in summer. Besides, my parents didn't let me go camping or anything like that. And they probably thought being around a campfire smoke would be bad for me." She hoped they just sounded overprotective--which they were--and no one else would cotton on to exactly why.

Gianna brushing off andreas apology with a shake of her head, gigi handed over the new skewer after a second of letting it sit in the fire so that andrea could do it right. “thanks, andi...” she thanked andrea with a sigh? just wishing she had some good food in her stomach. gigi gave luna a shy smile in thanks and apology - perhaps andi wasn’t the best when it came to sensitivity, but gigi struggled to find friends who would tolerate her. “my moms the same way,” she offered to luna in understanding. “this is the first time i’ve ever been anything remotely to camping.” she smiled happily, as if the entirety of the situation wasn’t weighing heavy on any of their shoulders.

Andrea She took the second skewer from Gigi, scootching closer to hold it over the fire, turning it every so often. "How crispy do you want them?" she asked. But then she turned her attention back to Luna. Now that was something that Andrea couldn't relate to. Her parents rarely cared about those kinds of things. As long as she came home in one piece and texted them every so often, they seemed fine. That was, until everything else happened. "Your parents need to get a grip and try living in the real world for once. There's enough things out there in the world that can kill you. We might as well have some fun. It's not even the same thing as smoking cigarettes... so what's their deal?" She pulled the skewer out of the fire and handed it back to Gigi. "This good?"

Jenny Per Divya's instruction Jenny held onto their food stick even after their stomach felt more full than it maybe ever had, even though they'd only eaten a little. They poked at the sand and the fire a little as the group talked around them. Noting little details about each of them and the ways they interacted with each other. Wondering if Jude and Joss were ever coming back and not speaking up again until the conversation turned to cooking things on a fire. " I haven't either, not before being here. " They admitted, siding with Luna and Gigi. " Basically never left the city, and you can't really have a campfire in the city. " Though Jenny's reasoning for not camping was significantly different to their's, they still related to feeling inexperienced on the island.

Gianna andi seemed to know what she was doing and for that gigi was grateful, so she played it by her ear and let the girl decide when the food was ready for eating. “thank you,” she smiled widely when andi presented the food to her, taking it gently and waiting a moment for it to cool down. she had to agree with andrea on that one; parent sometimes could do to step back and let their kids experience life. at least that’s how she felt about her own mother. “are cigarettes really that bad for you?” gigi asked curiously, biting down on one of the mushrooms. then noticing shane, who didn’t have any properly cooked mushrooms, gigi felt a little bad. she’d remember to save the last few on the skewer for her. that’s what han would have done for leia. “you can if you have really big matches. the billboards probably ignite real easy.” she nodded towards luna seriously.

Jude some stretch of time later, jude had returned to the clam shack, joss presumably not far behind. she only picked up the tail end of the conversation - "i mean, they can kill you," she shrugged, "but so can planes, and we still got on one of those. carpe diem or whatever," she shrugged, taking a seat around the fire and grabbing another clam. "what are we lighting on fire with really big matches? the weed?" she asked, chewing on fish meat.

Alexa Alexa was finished with the food for now, saving some for after the weed has been blazed up so she can indulge freely and carelessly. If that ever happened apparently. As the girls talked around the fire, she pulled out a nail varnish and began painting away, she kept looking over the shoulder to see if Jude and Joss were on their way back yet and looked up only to witness Shane act like a really nice human being towards Gigi and wonder why she’d never been that nice to her. Andi being typical Andi made her smile a bit and she’ll blow into her nails as Jude finally returns. “Bitch finally, let’s go!” She shifts slightly to the left to allow space for Jude. After all it was a weed rule to always pass left, at least that’s what Max had taught her back in the day. “Cigarettes do kill but I’m pretty sure statistically you’re more likely to die in a car accident and like Jude said...we still be doing all that shit so, it’s one of those things...” she brushes her palms against her knees waiting for the spliff party to begin so she can lay down and look at the stars, eat and pass out. “Okay let’s go!”

Shane shane looks up when she hears jude join in the conversation; she wasn’t really sure what they were talking about now. but then her eyes moved to joss for a second before darting back to look at the sand like some scared puppy waiting for the other girl to yell at her or tell her off. “everything kills you eventually,” shane mumbled, trying to actually be apart of the conversation for once, “but i’m here for a good time, not a long time.” her words would be far too real and concerning if anyone truly knew how serious she actually was about that, but everyone has their secrets. she looked over at lex with a small smile, still expecting her to kick shane out of the circle for snapping at her the day before.

Luna "I'm down with a good time and not a long time," Luna added, her tone joking though she was entirely serious. "After all, it's not like our parents are here to tell us that smoking is bad for you." And quite frankly, Luna wanted to be high right now. To drift off, and not worry about anything for a while. "So let's do this."

Joss Joss wasn't sure what the conversation was about when she returned but whatever  the subject, it sounded pretty bloody morbid. Everything kills you eventually? Jeez, Shaneo, maybe yesterday had had more of an impact on the brunette than Joss had anticipated. Maybe that was why she'd taken such offence to Jocelyn's words. Assuming that Shane was in a shitty mood was easier than taking responsibility for making an un-funny joke, after all. "Fair sure eating stuff straight from the ocean is worse than having a ciggie," she chimed, taking a seat in the sand and glancing around the circle at the other girls, waiting for one of them to tell her to just fuck off again. She regret her words then, looking over at Luna, trying to catch her attention as she signaled a thumbs up and a questioning expression, making sure that she was 100% good for it, especially after feeling crook for the last day or two.

Jude when joss said that, jude slowly drew the clam away from her mouth, eyeing it. this? a simple clam, worse than a cigarette? she raised an eyebrow at joss. "tell us the truth, joss. did you poison the clams?" she joked. "did my public display of affection for them just really get to you?" why would ocean food be bad for you? it's there for a reason, right? whatever. she shook her head of the thoughts, waiting for the weed to be passed over to her as she finished up her probably-not-poisoned clam

Joss Joss chuckled and brought her knees to her chest, her arms wrapped around them loosely, "Yep, you caught me," she teased, though she was pretty sure the idea of her poisoning everybody wasn't the best sort of gag to lean into when they already had plenty of reasons to think she was a dickhead. "I've been doing it the whole time, right under your nose," she added vaguely and with a light chuckle because she didn't really know anything about how to purposefully poison somebody and the joke was already getting old by now anyway.

Shane with the mention of poisoning and joss playing along, shane glanced over at jenny, almost nervous for their reaction. not that she thought they would say anything in front of the whole group, but still. instead shane looked back at joss and decided to go along with the joke. “looks like we’ll have some more bodies to move together then,” she joked at jill’s expense (rip bitch). part of her was hoping that if joss accepted her joke or even just smiled at it, it would mean that they were okay. at least for now, until one of them fucked up and said the wrong thing again.

Alexa As soon as Joss came back it was back to clam talk and Alexa had for one had enough of it. “Jude light the zoot or the most likely to kill thing will become me, yeah? Also guys it’s two hit pass, we have enough for everyone but no hogging alright...” she said, throwing a lighter over to Jude as she kept looking Shane and Joss over. She could have swore she saw Shane smile here way at some point but, it just have been a muscle twitch or something.

Jude jude caught the lighter flawlessly like the jock bitch she was, lighting up and puff, puff passing after a long inhale. "fuck, that takes me back to like two weeks ago, before i was stranded on an island," she said gleefully, exhaling into the sky. "yo, i wanna hear everyone's 'first time' stories. if you've never gotten high, then first time getting drunk or laid or something," she remarked, passing to her left. "first time i got high, i was, like, 14. it was so fucking stupid, it was this girls all-night sleepover thing the august before we starter high school, like a get to know you thing, right?" she explained vividly, looking around the circle. "and my friend remy's older brother was a total stoner, so she snuck a couple of joints in by putting them in her bra, and at, like, 4 am, we went to the school basement while everyone was sleeping and we just got high as fuck. when we were walking back to the gym, a couple of teachers caught us, right? but they'd, like, definitely been fucking. so they just kinda looked at us, and we looked at them, and they were like "go back to bed, girls," and we never got in trouble."

Joss There was no way in fresh hell that Joss was going to tell the story of losing her virginity when she was trying not to even think about it at all and she couldn't even remember the first time she'd been properly drunk. Joss' jaw dropped at the mention of the teachers, she couldn't imagine anything like that happening at her own school but then again, she couldn't imagine anybody getting away with getting high in the basement either. Actually, she couldn't even imagine anybody getting away with simply going to the basement or anywhere else that was out of bounds without a hiding. "My parents went away on this like- two or three day cruise thing up the coast and left my older sister in charge. She had a few friends over and one of them brought this shitty bong her brother had made and I pretended I smoked all the time- which was really stupid because my sister was sitting right there, knowing I'd never done it before. I didn't actually know she'd ever done it before either, at the time- I was like, maybe thirteen, I reckon?"

Shane shane chuckled lightly at jude’s story; sounds about right for a new york school. she was actually surprised that joss had a story to tell, she didn’t strike her as the type to get high at all considering how she held herself. shane didn’t really want to think about her first time, she spent the previous day doing just that. not to mention, her first time was with something much harder than weed. but the others didn’t need to know that. so she gave the watered down story. “summer before my junior year, my, uh, friend made me go to this party. we snuck off to a bathroom together, pretty sure we cut this long ass line too but she didn’t give a fuck. got high and went back to the party. best fucking night of my life,” of course everything went down hill from there, but no one needed to know that. she waited her turn for the joint to be passed to her and tried to focus on the present fucked up situation instead of the ones from the past.

Joss Admittedly Joss was surprised to hear that it had only been a couple of years prior, the first time that Shane had gotten high. Not quite as surprised as she was to hear about teachers banging on campus but surprised nonetheless. "On what?" she asked curiously, without realising it was the first time she'd addressed the other girl since her awkward exit earlier. "It's such a bad habit but after a few drinks, I always want a smoke- like a cigarette, not a joint- like if people are smoking I'll always steal one but I won't smoke weed at parties for some reason," she explained candidly, more honest than she had been about most things up to this point.

Shane shane balked at joss for a second when she asked for more details. not only were things tense between them, but shane thought she would have gotten away with giving very little details. “uh, coke,” she admitted, looked down at the sand, not wanting to see the blonde’s judgment. but she tried to keep up with the conversation to keep the attention off what she admitted. “cigarettes when you’re drunk just hit different. but if my coach asks, i never said that,” she joked, looked back up at the other girl. “why don’t you smoke weed at parties?”

Alexa She listens intently as the others describe their first time and feels a sting passing through her as she recalls her own. So far only Andi had actually known about Max having known her for a long time but, only Jenny had ever been told about him. She didn’t wanna say his name or speak of him so she joined in on other stories instead. “I’d have not pegged you for a party smoker either to be fair, but I mean you’re full of surprises girl so...can’t put that past you either.” As Shane mentions coke her eyes widen. “Oh shit really party animal, huh? I’ve never done coke, for some reason every dealer always assumed that’s what I’m after...” she shrugs. “I’m a pussy though, I can barely hold my booze you guys know...” she was pretty much a weed only kind of girl but occasionally she did indulge in some hash too. “I can smoke my weight in weed though guys be warned.”

Jude "i only did coke two - okay, no, like, four times. but i don't pay for that shit, i just take what's offered to me, it's too fucking expensive. shrooms, though?" she laughed. "that's another story." jude had dabbled in most party drugs she deemed "basically, like, harmless." weed was her go to, though. "fuck, i'd give anything to be in new york, doing shrooms in my car and eating pizza instead of here. no offense, guys. i mean, the poison clams are good and everything, but... it's hot as fuck out here," she explained. that being said, it almost didn't matter to jude where she was if she squinted her eyes hard enough. pissy here, pissy there. only difference is, now she's gonna die with a couple of australians.

Joss Joss nodded her head in simple acknowledgement, a look of understanding in place of a look of judgement. She should have been able to figure that one out, why else did girls disappear into the bathrooms in pairs if not to rail lines on the toilet seat? At Shane's comment she chuckled and nodded her head, this time in agreement, "Yeah, same here- if literally any adult asks, I don't even know how to hold a cigarette," parents, teachers, friends of parents, parents of friends and sporting staff alike didn't need to know a single thing about the partying habits of their teens if Joss could help it. "Um," she thought about it, perhaps for the first time then, "Yeah- I don't know, hey, I guess I just feel kinda like, maybe tired?" she offered, "I don't like feeling too..." she hesitated as the words 'out of it' stuck to the tip of her tongue. If she hadn't been so bloody out of it at Lucy's house, she wouldn't be on the island at all. "I like feeling energy at a party or music festival or whatever,"  she chuckled at Lex's words, "Yeah and to be fair- your weight in weed isn't like...a lot," she teased, "Apart from the dump truck, obvs," she added, careful not to devalue Alex's notoriously phat ass if she could help it. "Never done shrooms," she'd never even seen shrooms, as far as she knew. She didn't know where they came from or how people got them but then again, she didn't really know where any of the drugs they used came from, they just sort of magically appeared in the pockets of her friends and emerged when the time was right. She laughed at Jude's lamenting and raised her hands defensively, "None taken, I'd rather be in New York eating pizza too," she admitted but would she rather be at home? She wasn't sure. "Is it cold in New York right now- or hot? I don't really get your weather,"

Shane shane couldn’t even count or remember all of the drugs she’s done in the past two years. most of the time, she didn’t even bother to ask, she’d just take eliza’s word for it before doing whatever it was she bought them. she looked over at lex when she commented on it, “we’re all full of surprises, i guess,” she said with a half smile before turning her attention to joss. “yeah fuck that, adults don’t need to know any of the shit we do,” she said with a laugh. her parents would probably kill her if they knew exactly what she did at those parties. not to mention the real reason she had her pills. “shit jude, that’s the life though. nothing better that.” shane wasn’t a big fan of hallucinogens but she could appreciate them from time to time. “yeah, i’d be cold back home right now. probably snowing actually, which i guess i am glad that i’m not there for that bullshit.”

Jude "i like feeling slowed down. it's why i take adderall," she remarked, though, to be fair, she didn't mind feeling energetic, either, as long as it was a manufactured, intoxicated energy. anything to get away from her own head for a while, be it getting high and zoning out to CSI on the couch, or getting turnt and cleaning her entire house and smelling like cleaning products for twelve hours. "i'll drink to that," jude said, "fuck adults," she agreed, groping for the vodka and taking a sip straight from the vodka, giving a wincing grin at the feeling of it burning up her throat on the way down. "it's cold as fuck back home. but i like snow, though. i hate the hot weather, fuckin' humitidy and shit," she said. hot weather made her feel like she was boiling in baba yaga's stew. it made her feel guilty, somehow, like the air was gripping at her shoulders, shaking her.

Joss Joss cocked her head slightly at Jude's comment, "What is adderall?" she had heard about it on TV but she didn't really understand what it was for or how people got their hands on it- though Jude's words enlightened her a little; Joss had always thought it was like taking caps but apparently it was the opposite. "Like, I've heard of it," she clarified but she didn't have anything more to contribute than a vague awareness of the name. She chuckled once again, "Yeah, you'd fucking hate it at home then hey, it gets bloody hot and pretty humid sometimes- like not as bad as up north but pretty bad. This weather is pretty much like Queensland, I reckon," she noted, looking around the island, "-don't think we're anywhere near it though," she added, thinking of her conversation with Luna about the Southern Cross.

Alexa She smiles back at Shane with a nod, completely immersed in the conversation at play even if she didn’t contribute much. As she took the first hit of the zoot she could feel her whole body buzz and she remembered why she loved it so much. “I don’t really like being slowed down as much as I like...not caring? You know when you smoke and you just have the buzz and your mind is fully engaged into whatever the fuck show or video or conversation you’re into? Like that...I like that. I used to get high daily...” she smiles and nods towards Joss. “Got it from my mama...” she didn’t really but she thought a Cardi reference was due. “I like the cold too, I like the shitty moody UK weather with some hot summer months and then back to cold and depressing. But I travel a lot so...” she sighs passing the zoot. “I think I prefer the cold because it’s hard to feel productive in heat, I just lounge and think about like fun stuff to do and not shit that should get done. But then winter rolls in and it’s such a mood killer too like....I don’t know, I just hate the whole thing. Is there a place that has eternal spring? That’d be cool...” she shrugs realising weed had already hit her on the account of her speaking so much. “Still I’m glad this island is a tropical disaster as opposed to a winter one...at least my tan is fine and my clothes aren’t useless garbage.”

Jude adderall was so fucking common in nyc, jude was surprised there were still people who didn't know much about it. "it helps you, like, focus. it's for ADHD - which i've got, so mine's legal, baby - but some kids take it to pull all nighters and shit. if you have ADHD, you focus in, like, a zen, determined kinda way. if you don't, it's, like.... i dunno, crack? i mean, it's an amphetamine or something, which i think is, like... meth?" she offered. "listen, don't get me wrong, i'm glad we don't have to fight off, like, polar bears. i'm just saying, i don't love the tropical storms and shit, either. i feel, like... STICKY. all of the time. and you know what likes heat? bugs. i feel like one day im gonna wake up with an ant trying to live in my leg hair."

Joss Jocelyn thought about Alexa's reasoning and came to conclusion that Lex's reason for smoking was the reason Joss didn't like smoking at parties. While Lex felt more relaxed, like she cared less, Joss felt more out of control, like if she didn't care, she'd do or say the wrong thing.  "I get that," she said, instead of admitting that she felt the opposite way. She was surprised to hear that Lex got high every day, however. Did her parents not care? Were they even around to have an opinion either way? She was sure she'd be shipped off to the Dawn of Eve a hell of a lot sooner if her parents even knew she'd ever smoked, let alone tried drugs or was getting high every day. It was crazy to think how different the girls sitting in the same circle all were. She listened to Jude's explanation of Adderall and it was a bloody good one if you asked her. She'd gone from knowing nothing at all to feeling pretty competent in the field, "I don't reckon it's a big thing at home, like I don't know anyone that's ever had it- or like, maybe they do for ADHD but none of my mates," that said, something to help her focus and study properly sounded like a God send. It would certainly beat sitting with her tutor for two hours straight on a Wednesday afternoon. "I'm the opposite, hey. I feel so unmotivated in the Winter like, if it's raining I barely want to leave the house but when the suns out it's like- go for coffee, go to the shops, have a beach day, go for a drive. Like, literally, I'll do anything just to get out of the house," she admitted.

Divya Divya was learning so much listening to the girls chat away. She really only knew of drugs and partying and the like through movies and TV shows, and she took that with a grain of salt knowing how much Hollywood liked to embellish things. Her firsthand experience with such things were abysmal. Awfully non-existent. Perhaps if her aunt didn’t play such a big hand in her life over the last few years, she’d have had a chance at having sharing some of the experiences the girls were talking about. But no, Divya led a very much sheltered life thanks to her aunt’s strict nature and conservative ideals. Whatever freedoms her mother had given her growing up was bit by bit stripped away and replaced with long hours revising, less time with her friends and barely doing things she actually enjoyed. More and more did those things take over her life until her aunt didn’t even have to lift a finger anymore, warping Divya’s way of thinking to the point where she believed she had to do those things to succeed. She shifted uncomfortably where she was seated on the sand at the memory of her former self. “So how does one smoke the... zoot... thing?” She asked, unsure if she was referring to it correctly. She just wanted something to do. Other than sit and listen. Maybe partaking wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Especially since weed was meant to relax you to her understanding. “Might be a bit of a shocker to all of you,” she said, sarcasm laid on thick, “but I’ve never... puff puff passed or whatever it was that Lex said.” Warmth flooded her cheeks at the admittance. “I’d like to try though,” she said, sitting up a bit. “My first time drinking was with you guys, might as well tick off another first while we’re all here with no adult supervision.”

Joss Jocelyn tried not to laugh, remembering the way her sister's friends had chuckled when Joss had almost choked on her first bong hit. With pressed lips, she tried to get the sound of 'zoot thing' in Divya's adorable accent out of her head. "Inhale slowly, exhale slowly- have a drink if you cough, it's just your throat saying 'what the fuck' basically," not exactly a clinical explanation of the whole concept but good enough, she decided. "-and you probs won't feel it at first but don't let that fool you, I made that mistake once with pot brownies and got so fucked I couldn't get out of bed- like, at one point I actually started crying because my mate told me I'd tied the string on my PJ shorts too tight and I thought I'd have to wear them to school on Monday," the same friend had blocked her on Facebook now.

Jenny As the conversation moved on, they stayed quiet. They'd always been much more a listener than a talker, much preferring to just sit and listen, waiting for their turn to take a hit from the joint. Since Joss' joke they were at least gonna wait a minute before touching the vodka she'd found a couple days ago. As the conversation continued to be people listing off all the things they'd done, specifically the drugs they'd done, they couldn't help but make a small joke of " So glad we're not playing Never Have I Ever again right now, I'd be fucked. " A chuckle falling from their lips as they did. They didn't look to Shane immediately when adderall and ADHD was mentioned, they didn't want to out her. But they did a couple moments later, just to check she wasn't freaking the fuck out. They found it hard to believe that the conversation then shifted to weather but they continued to listen, poking their stick in the sand. " I'm with Jude on this one. I think I'd take gross snow sludge over just feeling like I'm sweating constantly every second of every day. " They said, deciding to contribute just a little once again. Personally, they loved the cold. The only thing they didn't like about the winters they'd known was sludge. Then Divya piped up and Jenny also had to stop themselves from laughing at her innocence. Pressing their lips together so it couldn't escape but they couldn't hide the smile. Eyes moved to Joss when she instructed her on how to smoke the zoot thing, nodding in agreement with what she said. " Slow and steady, " they added, both in regards to breathing and how Divya shouldn't be fooled if she didn't feel it at first. They were amused by Joss' story but they didn't imagine it was really confidence boosting for the first timer. " You'll be fine. " They assured with affectionate tap of her knee with the back of their knuckles. " And if you do go a little too far, apparently you've got a whole team of experts to look after you. " They smiled at her.

Shane shanes jaw clenched when jude brought up adderall which lead to joss asking about her. she her eyes closing as she listened to it be explained, making a mental note that jude must actually have adhd and shane should be careful to keep her secret that much more of a secret. then the other equated it to meth if you don’t have adhd, which completely true, but shane wasn’t expecting to hear that so candidly. her eyes shot open and looked around the group before landing on jenny who was looking back at her. she gave them a look that said ‘dude i’m panicking, what the fuck’ but she couldn’t do anything about. instead she just let her hands clench into the sand and pretend to focus on the conversation without actually hearing them. maybe she should come clean, at least to jenny, that she wasn’t completely honest about why she takes them. maybe they would understand and they could talk about it. but maybe they would get pissed that she had lied to them. both options scared her. she tried to focus on divya, giving her an encouraging smile, but wasn’t sure how well it came off.

Joss Joss wondered what it was about Divya that made her so damn likeable. Joss hadn’t seen  Shane smile like that before, in fact, Joss hadn’t been aware that Shane was capable of smiling like that. Maybe she was already high, that was the only explanation for the brunette’s sudden sense of camaraderie, Joss deduced.  She wondered then, what she would have to do to be more like Divya, to be universally liked by the group instead of the golden standard when it came to motivating everybody to roll their eyes at once.

Luna Despite Luna's partying, she'd done relatively few of the drugs mentioned here. She'd gotten drunk before, had some weed, done a few nangs. Nothing major. Not adderall. Certainly nothing like cocaine. She was pretty sure anyway. She had no intention of ending up back in a hospital. Listening to the group, it was wild how different the experiences of all the girls was. "The stickiness is the worst," Luna agreed. "Give me a dry heat any day. At least after the rain it's a little less humid." Not much though. Joss was right, it was like Queensland. Or, rather, like that one trip her family had made to Queensland. Which had been cut short. Luna tried not to think about that. "Can I have some?" she asked to distract instead, nodding to Divya.

Divya Inhale slowly, exhale slowly. That seemed easy enough. Slow and steady, Jenny then added. Divya could do that. She kept their advice in mind as she raised the... 'zoot' to her lips, the thing pinched between between her thumb and index finger because she couldn't begin to know how to actually hold it. How did people hold cigarettes? How did people hold... zoots? Was there a manual when you were going into this or did people just instinctually know? Whatever it was, instincts or something else, Divya didn't have it so she kept Joss and Jenny's advice in mind when she put it between her lips. She inhaled slow, she would have exhaled slow too if the smoke didn't practically burn her throat. How did everyone make it look so easy? She pulled the zoot away from her mouth almost immediately, sputtering into a fit of coughs. "Oh my god–" Cough, cough. "Oh, that's horrid. It hurts." She touched her vacant hand to the base of her throat. She didn't expect it to hurt. Joss had mentioned 'cough' so casually, she figured it would be because of the smoke, not the pain. "Please, go ahead," she held the 'zoot' out to Luna, more than happy to part with it. Once it was handed off, she reached for one of the water bottles and took a couple of big sips to soothe her throat.

Alexa She watched as the others guided Divya to take her first ever hits off a zoot and her eyes glimmered with joy as the other did. Her head was feeling the effects of the plant and she leaned on her knees as the other coughed, laughing. “Here here...” she passes her the booze to follow down the water and smiles. “Hey you did so good! Coughing actually implies you done it right, how do you feel?” She asks, as if the other was supposed to have a full on report on it already. As the spliff moves on to Luna she will follow it with her eyes and pass her some water as well. Alexa was happy with how everything was working out, their full day of effort leading to some pretty relaxed atmosphere. She couldn’t even bother to care what sort of eye convos and low voice conversations some of the individuals were having. She was just happy everyone seemed happy, even Shane. Maybe things were changing, maybe they were all gonna get along better from now on. Weed did that. For once she wasn’t trying to get attention or say something ridiculous or be a part of the conversation. She felt okay to just be and to sit back and relax like she used to back in the day. Her eyes kept following the faces in the circle and she’ll look to her left, somewhat unaware of who was actually there. “Do you think we will all still hang out once we’re off this island?”

Oona Oona carefully watched Divya as she inhaled from the zoot. “I like it when it’s cool and sunny,” she said a little absently. It had been beneficial to observe how everyone else took part in smoking it, but Divya was also new to this. It might’ve been a little selfish and a little cowardly, but it was a comfort to know Divya was jumping in first (and hopefully Oona would be able to learn from any mistakes). It was easier to concentrate on than the primary line of conversation before it inevitably turned to the weather, which Oona was pretty sure was a byproduct of the drugs or not in and of itself. “It’s always pretty sunny back home, but we get hit by pretty intense blizzards and we’re stranded in almost three feet of snow multiple times a year.” Oona’s days were jampacked—school, then tutoring, then volunteering, then Bible Study—and her weekends weren’t all that much different. Her Church was not only filled with lifers who were raised in the faith, but with many people who were ex-somethings—drug addicts, petty criminals, recovering alcoholics. They actively turned away from a lifestyle of depravity and toward a clean, sober one with Christ. There weren’t many opportunities to pop pills or to take shrooms, or at least none that she sought out herself. Her brow furrowed when Divya started to cough and she winced at the word horrid. Oona reached out to rub soothing circles on her back as she drank from a water bottle. She blinked at Alexa’s question, not feeling particularly like she was included in that we, so she merely shrugged to allow someone else to answer it. She wouldn’t mind hanging out with them again. It felt like the first time in her life she was surrounded by honesty.

Shane shane watched as divya went for it and ended up coughing, but in a weird way, she was kinda proud that she actually did it. after all, divya seemed like the most innocent of the girls in the group along with oona. “everyone coughs the first time, right of passage,” she said in support. looking over at lex, shane thought her question for a second. she’s definitely thought about it with a few of the girls before; some more than others. “i’d like to hope so,” which was probably the most surprising thing shane has said this whole time, even more than the fact that’s shes smiled a total of three times today. “can’t really go through a near death experience and just forget each other,” she added on.

Gianna gigi wasn’t the most experienced partner. she had still been in that rebellious phase where she wore what her mother didn’t like and skipped swim practice and had a few shots at a party; drugs weren’t her optimal area of knowledge. so she just watched quietly as the girls passed around the weed, trying to keep her thoughts to herself - if she said something, chances are she’d probably make herself seem like an idiot. she’d keep quiet for now. “you guys do this, like...all the time?” she asked with a little awe, wondering how they led such exciting lives. “don’t you get in trouble?” gigi added, wishing she could be half as ballsy as some of the girls in the group. “i mean i’ve had mushrooms,” she held up her stick of vegetable, “but i don’t really feel anything when i eat them.” she shrugged casually.

Jude "yeah, i get in trouble," jude laughed, "why do yo think i was on that fuckin' plane?" admittedly, her mom never really cared what kind of wild shit jude was into, as long as it was safe. her uncle was a whole different story. jude's eyes widened at gigi's explanation of vegetables, and she laughed a little bit. "maybe you've just got a mad high tolerance," she speculated, knowing gigi had misunderstood them, but going along with it anyways, because she was an asshole.

Jenny While Jenny had managed to hold back their laugh when Divya had asked how to smoke the zoot, they couldn't when she started coughing and complaining. They could remember doing the exact same thing first time they'd smoked, and their brother telling them to shut the fuck up so they didn't wake the rest of the family. The clapped their hand against their leg in congratulations. " Now you're a deviant, just like the rest of us, " They mused happily, though Divya was far from the only innocent in the group as Gigi would prove in a few moments. Truthfully, Jenny didn't expect them all to stay in touch. Sure, they hoped they would. At least some of them. But they didn't think that would actually happen. Everyone would get back to their lives, their friends, and probably realise a lot of what they had in common on the island was just the island. They nodded along with what Shane said though, deciding to build on it. " I don't think I'll ever get on a plane again though, we'll have to come up with some elaborate pen pal system. " They suggested in jest, small smile tugging up their features. They weren't gonna be the one to bring the mood down. Their smile spread again as Gigi asked her question and Jude answered it so boldly. A chuckle falling from their lips. They decided not to answer it though, they didn't really want to reveal that there was more than drug use their parents had to be worried about with them. They chuckled again when she asked about shrooms, misunderstanding what the others had been talking about. " Special mushrooms, not really ones you eat with dinner. " They tried their best to clarify once Jude had their fun. They waited a beat but then they had a question, mainly for the innocents of the group but they'd be interested in what the others had to say too. " What's the wildest thing y'all have ever done? Like heart thumping in your chest, you know you shouldn't have, but shit, you might just do it again - wild? "

Andrea Jenny asked a good question -- one that she wasn't quite sure that she had the answer to. Instead of answering right away, she ate another mushroom of the stick, waiting for a moment to see if anyone had an answer. "I mean, there's got to be something, right? Even if you just... I don't know, had a beer one night when everyone was asleep. You've had to have done something." She didn't mean to push, but it was surprising how naive and innocent Gigi and some of the others seemed to be. Andrea wanted to share her own story. But she also knew that if she did, she'd be telling them all why she was on the 'retreat' to begin with. She wasn't sure she was ready for that yet. "I had a threesome," she shrugged. Maybe that would be enough to get people comfortable talking.

Shane shane chuckled at gigi’s question and jude’s answer that she gets caught. “my parents don’t know half the shit i do,” she said honestly. if they did, she’d probably be sent off to some boarding school or rehab or to a feminist retreat meant to strengthen young women into successful members of society. oh wait, that did happen. “it’s all about plausible lies and not getting caught.” nodding as jenny added on to her thought, shane agreed. “yeah they’re going to have to sedate me to get back to new york or else i’m taking buses the whole way. but at least we have modern technology to keep in touch.” she thought about the question, trying to think of a story that didn’t expose her party habits, when andi said she’s had a threesome. “damn, okay, kudos,” she said with a laugh. “i’m graffitied our rival school’s building before a big game. half my team got drunk and we thought it would be a good idea. everyone knew we did it but they didn’t have proof so we got away with it.” she looked around to see who would go next.

Alexa She didn't much like the idea of not seeing the girls again, but considering how the things were going she thought there might never be a need to worry about that as the rescue planes or boats or whatever the fuck were nowhere in sight. Still, she finds Shane actually acknowledging her rather encouraging and it perks up her spirit. "Well, I don't mind flying at all I mean...the chances of us being in a plane crash and surviving are ridiculously low as is...for us to be in one twice is practically impossible. I'll have daddy's plane pick everyone up, that should be less terryfing. And if needed champagne and sedation will be provided. To us...not, not the pilot. Maybe whoever organised the Dawn of Eve flight had that bit mixed up." she laughs and takes a sip of the vodka mixed into her coconut. As they speak of crazy shit they've all done, Lex feels it's her time to shine. She had an abundance of stories relating to Jenny's question and struggled to pick just the one so she took a note out of Judes book and decided to blurt out the last straw that got her put on the forsaken plane. "I fucked a ganitor during my dads fundraisor at the Louvre." she chuckles and proceeds. "I mean, that's what got me here. I have a lot of sex in public stories that may or may not include a Ferris wheel, downtown LA, a chess tournament...so Louvre maybe not the craziest shit I've done." she'll admit. "Anyways, I once stole an ARRI camera off a film set my uncle was working on just because I wanted to make YouTube videos in high quality and because I didn't want to get caught I sold it for parts on the dark web just to get rid of the evidence. Now, I know what you might be thinking...it's a lot of effort to get rid of a camera but, in my defence, my uncle is a dick and I was fourteen."

Gianna it hadn’t occurred to gigi that the girls were on the plane for a reason different from her own - another reminder that she wasn’t the only person on this island. “so, like the ones you have with lunch?” she asked with a raised brow, not understanding the insinuation behind jennys words. the mushrooms she had at lunch were the same she had at dinner - maybe she was just doing it wrong. shed have to ask andi about it another time, when she didn’t feel so out of the loop. listening to the others talk about their experiences, gigi smoothed her hair behind her ear and glanced at the flame of the fire. she wasn’t nearly as adventurous, no matter how much she thought she was. she wasn’t having sex with janitors (or anyone, ever, for that matter), and she definitely wasn’t destroying property.  she had a long, long way to go. for a moment she wondered if she even belonged here. “i fought a cop once,” she muttered to herself and the fire, shrugging. it was all she really had to offer for the group - “the cop won.” she grimaced, sighing in defeat.

Joss Joss hummed thoughtfully at Gigi's question. She wasn't used to getting into trouble, not really. She'd been grounded a couple of times for staying out too late on school nights but she'd never done anything quite as scandalous as Jude or Lex had managed. Not purposely, anyway. She decided not to participate in the discussion, not wanting to make a mention of her reasons for being shipped out of Melbourne airport and on the way to the Dawn of Eve retreat, so she busied herself with putting her jacket on and stuffing her hands into her pockets to keep them warm instead of getting closer to the fire. Joss had been trying so, so very hard to not be outwardly judgmental of the other girls but the moment Gianna mentioned her fight with the cop, she just couldn't restrain herself anymore and her face warped into an obvious 'what the fuck' expression as she mouthed the words themselves. Was she kidding? She wondered as she looked around the group, hoping to understand the statement a little bit more clearly from the reactions of the others.

Jenny The fact that Andi just opened the gate with threesome was fucking surprising. Another chuckle falling from Jenny's lips, unable to stop it. " Okay, okay– good start. " They mused, nodding their head even if it had been completely far away from their own story they'd thought of, it was definitely a good start. Shane's didn't surprise them, they'd already said her whole life revolved around soccer, and they still thought it was a good thing. The listened with easy smile, arms holding legs to their chest. The craziness of Lex's wildest moment (or moments) didn't shock them either, they had expected as much. But the actual content was shit they never could have predicted. Lex's life sounded like sex Jackass, they didn't know how she could keep up with herself half the time. Then the most surprising of them all: Gigi. Gigi who still wasn't getting that shrooms were different from regular old mushrooms, had fought a cop. Their mouth dropped open a little, but different in the way that Joss' did. Jenny was impressed. It totally blew their stupid aquarium story out of the water, and they hadn't even told it. " No fuckin' way, I did not see that one coming. " They chuckled again, anyone who had interacted with Jenny in the past week might be realising quickly they started laughing a lot when they smoked. " You don't have to tell the story if you don't want but, like– just a pinch? Just a little context, please? " They asked, holding a hand up and pinching their thumb and index finger together to indicate just how much of a story they were after.

Andrea Andi was rather pleased with herself. She expected that most of the others would have good stories -- but that they wouldn't be willing to share them... unless someone else shared first. And it wasn't like she was embarrassed about the threesome. It wasn't the best sex she'd had, but it certainly wasn't the worst. As the girls went around sharing, she listened. It was impressive, hearing what some of them had gotten away with. Or... maybe that they hadn't gotten away with. "Gigi. No, you can't stop there. We need the whole story on that one -- how the hell did you get into a fight with a cop? I mean, kudos. But still," she echoed, after Jenny spoke. "Do you need something to help you loosen up? Cause we can make that happen..."

Libby as the weed finally made its way around to libby, she could literally feel the tension that she had been carrying for the past week ease away — or at least ease as much as possible under the circumstances. she found it kind of funny that the original purpose of the retreat was to straighten her out and get her to quit her drug use and yet here she was, up to her same old habits. libby’s lips turned upwards as she listened to gigi. “you fought a cop? ” gigi seemed so sweet and innocent that it was difficult to imagine her getting into some sort of altercation with anyone, let alone an actual cop. after andi spoke, she nodded. “yeah, agreed. gotta give us some context there. she thought about what she could share without getting too personal and finally deciding. “one time i shoplifted like..... a shit ton of stuff over a weekend long period. not sure how much but it was a lot.”

Gianna nobody had ever really been interested in gigi or her stories; it was a miracle if she could make sense of one. but she felt accepted and encouraged and the swimmer shifted in anticipation in her seat on the log. “last summer i’d gone to a party for a cousin of mine. it was really just a whole lot of us running around drunk while my aunts and uncles stayed inside cooking.” she began casually, before andi offered something to loosen her up. “no, it’s alright, i’ve lost a lot of weight, so my clothes are pretty loose already.” she shook her head with thanks before continuing. “my cousin knocked his brother into the grill when they were wrestling and set one of the lawn chairs on fire.” she went on, popping another mushroom in her mouth before handing off the last few to shane, as she had promised herself. “my aunt called the fire department, and cops showed up. i tried making it better, they don’t tell you that vodka can set on fire, so it didn’t make things better when i tried pouring it on to diffuse the situation,” she mused quietly, shrugging. “underage drinking. fires. cops. it took all of five seconds for a grown ass man to pile on top of me and restrain while i kept pouring vodka in the fire.” she mused with purses lips, remembering how she’d used all her power and energy to push a grown cop off her body and scurry to the other side of the yard. “that back and forth went on for a few minutes before i was eventually thrown in the back of his car and picked up at the station six hours later.” there was quiet, and gigi took a sip from her coconut with water to break the silence. “oh shopliftings fun. and it’s easy you just put the clothes back, like, a week later when you’re bored with them.”

Joss Joss had truly expended every ounce of energy she could spare, pretending not to be completely judgemental of Gigi. Instead of gawking at the other girl, however, she brought her water bottle to her lips to disguise her expression as she processed the information, bit by bit. Fuck me, she thought. She really didn’t know the first thing about these girls, did she? As she looked around the group, she realised just how foreign the rest of the Islanders were and wondered how many more stories of chaos, debauchery and God knows what else they shared between them. Then her eyes landed on Shane and she remembered something. Something that made her stomach stir uncomfortably. “This trip was my parents way of saying congratulations, that plus my birthday,” she heard Shane’s voice in her head, lying so easily. “So, Dawn of Eve really was just a- like a cute boot camp, hey? Scared Straight but with swag bags,” she voiced to the group, though her focus was mostly on the brunette, only shifting when she fell silent again.

Shane shane took the remaining mushrooms when gigi offered them back. finally allowing herself to eat something, and picked a piece of one and popping it in her mouth while she listened to the girls story. “jesus,” she muttered. she really didn’t think the other girl had it in her to fight a cop but the rest of the story kinda made sense. finally, shane was starting to loosen up and not be so stuck in her head as they all shared stories. that is until joss spoke. shane looked up to see that she was looking right at her. she remembered the conversation she had with joss a few days ago and how shane didn’t tell the whole truth to her. “something like that,” she mumbled before looking away from the blonde.

Krafty there was so much under the surface of each of the girls, shit even the ones she wouldn't have pegged as a troublemaker had secrets and she guessed that was kind of the point right? if they had been where they were supposed to be...at the dawn of eve they would have been forced into some kind of bonding but this, it felt more natural? like how it was supposed to be in a way. "damn gigi," she let out in a breath through the silence. "i didn't fight a cop but i've ran away from them more than once," she shrugged, "my friends and i spent the night in an abandoned amusement park...they tried to catch us the next morning but even with the asthma i run pretty quick when i want to," krafty chuckled. "i'm with joss, i think this retreat was just some bullshit fix yourself program." coming to that realization though, she couldn't help but wonder if her grandparents really thought that low of her. sending here on this trip to rehabilitate her. was she really that bad?

Jenny It's hard to say if Jenny was laughing at Gigi's story, the silence from everyone else, or if it was just because they were giggly but all the same they couldn't help the chuckle that tumbled forward as Gigi finished up the story. " Okay, yeah, that's wild. " They said, nodding their head and raising one of the boiled water bottles in a sort of cheers before they took a sip. Their head turned then to Krafty, once again easily impressed. " That's dope, dude. I've always wanted to go to like abandoned places and shit. " They didn't really care that no one else had the same energy as them, until Joss spoke, thinking she was coming to some sort of realisation. Brows furrowed a little but as they looked around it seemed a lot of the group was thinking something similar. " No. " They said at first, unintentionally a little bluntly as they tried to put together exactly what they wanted to say. " It wasn't like that for me. " Their situation was different, they decided. " I mean, I didn't wanna go but that's because it sounded like some lame sleepover kumbaya camp. But my parents wanted it to be a good thing, make me feel better. " Make some new friends were their exact words but they weren't gonna say that. " It wasn't a punishment, or like The Ranch or whatever, is what I'm tryna say. " They got to eventually, feeling as though they'd successfully got their point across once they threw the Dr Phil reference in.

Luna Luna loved listening to these stories. She liked to think she got up to wild things, but the truth of the matter was she was still sheltered. She snuck out, yes, but even so it seemed a lot of her life had been tame compared to the girls here. Except maybe Gigi and Oona. Well, maybe including Gigi at this rate. But as the topic changed, she frowned. That didn't sound like what her parents had wanted to send her on. Or anything they would send her on. "It wasn't like that for me either," she chimed in. "My parents wouldn't--They're super protective and all that." Luna looked at Joss. "They wouldn't let me out of their sight if they thought it was some kind of boot camp. They thought it was a good thing. A make some friends thing. It's the first time they've let me go anywhere without them. And," she added, thinking about how they must be freaking out, "I can bet it's going to be the last time after all of this."

Divya It took a bit for Divya to respond to Alexa, busy getting water down her throat and taking a breath after that ‘fun’ little new experience. She offered a what smile she could manage at Oona who was rubbing circles into her back. “Other than my throat hurting and the strange taste,” Divya shared once she felt confident enough to speak again, “not much different. How do you know it’s worked? Do I need to do more to actually feel the effects?” She felt a bit better over her reaction when most of the group assured her that coughing was normal and that it actually meant she had done it right. Perhaps even proud when Jenny clapped a hand against her leg and dubbed her a ‘deviant’. Divya the Deviant. Look at that, go her. Hearing everyone’s theories of what the Dawn of Eve actually was, Divya had to disagree with Joss and Krafty and agree with Jenny and Luna. “Same here.” A good thing to make her feel better, she agreed with that sentiment exactly. “My dad thought I could like, relax and make friends here, feel more confident in myself, before I had to go back to school later in the year. A treat, a fun thing, not... you know, a ‘fix yourself program’,” she echoed Krafty’s words for it. Yes, she’d gone through some things last year. But her dad wouldn’t. Sean wouldn’t. Neither of them would ever put her through... a boot camp? The thought was ridiculous. “Female-centric learning and growth, right? That’s what the lady said in the video. On the plane.” Not the mention the brochure. All ‘empowerment’ this and ‘awakening’ that.

Jude jude thought about it for a minute; she'd done so many things, it was hard to pick. still, she opened her mouth: "so, i was at this party, right? and i was drunk, and i'd skated there. and there was a pool. soooo, someone dared me to skate off the second story roof of andy tanaka's house into the pool - fully clothed. i did it, and i broke my collarbone and my ankle, some-fucking-way. just about fucking drowned, but this hot girl, she was a part-time lifeguard, and she hauled me out. i was conscious and everything, but she was all ready to do mouth-to-mouth, so i kinda let her. then i went to the hospital." "i got sent here for bein' a delinquent. but, like, i guess my uncle thought if he sent me to something less military school, and more 'female retreat,' i'd be more likely to buy into it or whatever. i mean, it's not scared straight or anything, i don't think, but i was definitely supposed to 'shape up and stop fucking around, jude' or whatever," she said, taking on a deep voice to mimic her uncle.

Andrea The others were raising some interesting points. But Andi wasn't sure what to think about the Dawn of Eve retreat. The way it'd been framed to her was that she didn't have a choice in the matter. She was going to go, and she was going to 'change her attitude,' or she'd end up having much more serious consequences. The retreat was a threat looming over the rest of her senior year. And while she knew why she was being forced to attend, she didn't quite realize that others might've been in the same boat. "So half of us believe the bullshit 'this is a chance for you to discover your true self and uplift other women and yourself' thing that's on the brochure. And the rest of us think this is some kind of punishment. Can't it be both? Some kind of retreat for us to like... bond over 'girl power,' but also... I don't know, put us on 'the right path' or whatever? Clearly all of our parents wanted us to get something out of this and come back different somehow."

[marvelstarwarsetc]

All We Know- Daryl Dixon

PART NINE

Pairing: Daryl Dixon x Reader

Warnings: Cussing, Violence, Gore (The fact that its the walking dead should be warning enough lol)

Summary: Finding her way back to her sisters was all that mattered to her. When the world ended she had lost everything, so finding them became all that mattered. Or at least, it was, until she stumbled across a redneck hunting in the woods.

*Starts in Season 1 and will be a multi part fic*

Part One  Part two  Part Three  Part Four  Part Five  Part Six  Part Seven  Part Seven (Daryl’s POV)  Part Eight

Dr. Edwin Jenner was a kind-looking man in his mid to late 40′s, his light brown hair was just starting to grey, whether from age or the stress of the new world was yet to be determined. He worked at the CDC as a virologist before the world turned, and according to him was the only one who stuck around when it became obvious there was nothing they could do to stop this from spreading. 

After he granted the worn down group entry after they all submitted to a blood test, his guarded expression and apprehension for the other survivors fell and he opened them with seemingly open arms.

It was when Jacqui mentioned no one had had a decent meal in days that Dr. Jenner served up a kind of feast that no one in the group had seen in a long time. The round table was filled with bowls of pasta and a seemingly endless supply of wine, and the group all sat around tables with warm happy expressions. Even Andrea wore a small smile, and Y/n’s smile widened a little at the sight.

The Harrison sisters still hadn’t spoken a word to each other, both still too upset with the other over the things that had happened at the quarry. So while Andrea sat on one end of the table between Dale and Shane, Y/n kept her distance on the other end as she sat with Glenn and T-dog. 

Dr Jenner had offered to fix up the younger Harrison’s battered face a little better than Lori and Carol could, and the mix of appropriate medical supplies and antibacterial cream had already made a huge difference on her face. The swelling had gone down significantly, and her vision was finally clear again thanks to that fact. 

“You know, in Italy, children have a little bit of wine with dinner. And in France,” Dale stopped behind Carl as he was filling everyone’s empty glasses at the table. He was looking to Lori for confirmation, who seemed conflicted for a second before she shook her head.

“Well, when Carl is in Italy or France, he can have some then.”

“What’s it gonna hurt? Come on. Come on.” Rick gently tried to convince his wife, his eyebrows wiggling playfully at her as he did so. The action made Y/n’s smile soften at the playful family banter, and her eyes met her sister’s from across the table before they both looked away again. 

Finally Lori conceded and Dale laughed lightly while he handed Carl a glass with half an inch of wine in it. “There you are, young lad.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch as Carl looked at the liquid in his glass with a curious expression, before lifting the glass to his lips and took a small sip.

When Carl let out a sound in disgust everyone laughed at the young boy, and then Y/n found herself looking across the table to where Daryl sat up on a counter, laughing along with everyone else and seeming relaxed. He had a handgun shoved into the front of his jeans, sticking out around the yellow plaid shirt he was wearing, the sleeves of course torn off like all of his other shirts. Y/n briefly noticed the small patch of skin by his stomach that was exposed thanks to the gun, and she quickly averted her eyes when she felt her face start to heat up. But of course the action didn’t go unnoticed by Glenn, who looked at her with a smirk and a wiggle of his eyebrows, garnering a punch to the arm.

“That’s my boy. That’s my boy. Good boy,” Lori praised her son, pulling him to her in a side hug before she picked up his glass and poured the wine into her own.

“Yuck. That tastes nasty.”

“Well, just stick to soda pop there, bud,” Shane told his best friend’s son, handing the small boy a can from the center of the filled table.

Daryl jumped off the counter at that, and rounded over to Glenn. “Not you, Glenn.”

“What?” Glenn asked the hunter in a confused tone, watching as he grabbed the bottle of wine off the able where Dale had put it down and filled Glenn’s glass to the top.

“Keep drinking, little man. I wan’ see how red yer face can get.” He shook the Korean’s shoulders, everyone laughing at the sight.

It didn’t go unnoticed when Y/n finished the last of what was in her glass and pushed it to the center of the table, seemingly done with drinking for the night. Daryl only clicked his tongue and grabbed the glass, filling it a little less than he had filled Glenn’s and pushed it back into the blonde’s hand. “Uh-uh, yer not done yet either sunshine!”

Y/n went to say something in her defense when Rick started to tap his fork against his glass, everyone stopping to look at the man.

“It seems to me we haven’t thanked our host properly,” He declared, turning everyone’s attention to where Dr Jenner sat off to the side by himself.

“He is more than just our host,” T-dog added, earning a chorus of hear hears and a loud booyah from Daryl.

The doctor smiled at the sentiment for a moment, before Shane spoke up, turning the happy moment into a somber one.

“So when are you gonna tell us what the Hell happened here, Doc? All the—the other doctors that were supposed to be figuring out what happened, where are they?”

“We’re celebrating, Shane. Don’t need to do this now,” Rick tried to stop his best friend, but Shane wasn’t having any of it as he continued.

“Whoa, wait a second. This is why we’re here, right? This was your move—supposed to find all the answers. Instead we—we found him. Found one man, why?”

“Well, when things got bad, a lot of people just left, went off to be with their families. And when things got worse, when the military cordon got overrun, the rest bolted.” The doctor explained, yet Y/n could sense he was leaving something out.

“Every last one?”

“No, many couldn’t face walking out the door. They… opted out. There was a rash of suicides. That was a bad time.”

“You didn’t leave. Why?” Andrea asked.

“I just kept working, hoping to do some good.”

With that everyone went quiet, not exactly knowing what to say further. The happy mood had gone now, and Glenn looked to Shane with a disappointed look. “Dude, you are such a buzz kill, man.”

----

When it was clear that there would be no more celebrating for the night Dr Jenner guided the group down to the living area.

“Most of the facility is powered down including housing so you’ll have to make do here. The couches are comfortable, but there are cots in storage if you like. There’s a rec room down the hall that you kids might enjoy. Just don’t plug in the video games, okay? Or anything that draws power. The same applies—if you shower, go easy on the hot water.”

“Hot water?” Glenn asked excitedly, looking around towards the rest of the group with a huge smile.

“That’s what the man said!” T-dog confirmed as the two ran off down the hall laughing.

----

After Y/n had taken advantage of the hot water, she found herself roaming the halls of the CDC aimlessly, looking for someone to hangout with as she couldn’t take being alone right now. When she was alone her mind drifted to places she’d rather not think of, and sleep wasn’t an option right now as the things she was trying to avoid while awake always caught up to her while she was sleeping.

In her aimless walking she found herself getting lost in her head anyway, and when Daryl’s voice boomed down the hallway after her she jumped in surprise, earning her a soft laugh and a shake of the head from the hunter. 

“Where ya off to?” He asked, a bottle of whiskey held in his hand. He regarded her with a soft smile, and she shrugged her shoulders in response to his question, not having a better answer.

“Just walking, I guess,” She started. “Didn’t really feel like being alone,” She admitted, and Daryl looked at her for a second before he turned in the other direction abruptly and started walking off down the hallway. 

When she didn’t follow him for a moment he looked back over his shoulder at her.

“Well c’mon then girl.”

----

The two found themselves sitting on the floor of the room Y/n had claimed for the night. They both sat with their backs pressed against the couch, sitting far enough away from one another that they weren’t touching, but close enough to where they could if they both moved over an inch. 

For a while neither said anything, just sat in a comfortable silence as they passed the bottle of whiskey to one another quietly. 

“So why ya ain’t wanna be alone?” He asked her in a quiet voice, looking ahead of them at the wall. 

She looked over at him for a fraction of a second before looking back at the wall too, shrugging her shoulders yet again.

“Bein’ alone is hard sometimes I guess,” She admitted in a small voice.

“ “M sorry bout Amy, by the way. Don’ think I ever said nothin.”

She found herself looking at the man beside her. This up close she could see that his shaggy hair was a little darker brown than she had originally thought, still lighter than Rick’s brown locks. His facial hair had grown a little longer than it was when they had first met in the woods, but she could tell he must have trimmed it to be a little neater when he showered earlier. His muscled arms had a warm tan that went all the way up to his shoulders, probably in thanks to the fact that none of his shirts had sleeves and he spent most of his time in the woods. She could also tell that he probably spent most of his time outside before the world turned, as his tan didn’t seem like it was anything new to the hunter.

When he finally looked over at her she faced back towards the wall, her face heating up at being caught staring. 

“I never thanked you,” She started, finishing when he gave her a confused look.

“For taking out that walker I didn’t see back at camp, when everything happened.”

“Ya don’ gotta thank me for that, Walker was comin’ at ya. Wasn’ gon’ let it get ya.”

She hummed in response before gently taking the bottle from him and downed a good amount of the amber liquid, scrunching her face up when the burn registered in her throat.

“Can I ask ya somethin’?” He questioned suddenly, causing her to look back at him again. He was staring at her face intently, and after a moment she realized he was looking at her various cuts and bruises. She hummed in answer to him and he stopped for a second before continuing.

“Why ya let ‘er do that to ya?”

For a second she was caught off guard because the more she thought of why, the more she didn’t know why. At the time it was because she knew she could take a hit and that Andrea needed to blow off some steam. She was just so used to letting people blow off steam that she didn’t even realize that it was wrong. 

“She needed to blow off some steam,” Y/n responded lamely, avoiding his eyes and what she might see in them.

But if she had looked over at the hunter she would have seen something in his eyes she wasn’t expecting. Understanding. It was then that Daryl understood that taking a beating wasn’t something new to Y/n. Even if taking it from Andrea was. She was used to taking that kind of behavior. It was something he knew all too well, and it was something he never wanted her to take again.

“Don’ mean ya gotta be the one to take it.”

She was going to say something back to him, but suddenly came back to her senses and changed the topic entirely. For the rest of the night the two just continued to pass the bottle to each other, making small talk and staying away from anything personal. Even if they both wished they could tell the other more about themselves. 

[cilldaracailin]

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Hello my Tumblr Lovelys!

I know you all hate it when I get to the last part of the story but this is the last part to this story and of Robyn and Taron’s St Patrick’s Day adventure. It has been a whirlwind!

Thank you so much for all the love, reads, comments and folllowers! You are all so wonderful!

Suze xx

7

“Never borrow trouble, the payback's a bitch”

“She did what and you did what back?” Tina questioned.

“She kissed me.”

“And you kissed her back?”

“Well yes mam, of course I did. She kissed me.”

“Taron!”

“What?” He hoped his one-word argument was enough to save himself from a lecture from his mother.

“Don’t what me. You kissed her back. Do you remember what I said about waiting?”

“Yes.”

“Taron…” Warned Tina.

“What you said was she would figure it out eventually that she loved me loved me.”

“Doesn’t mean you kiss her back.”

“Well what was I going to do mam? Just let her stand there and kiss me and not do anything? I didn’t want her to think I was disgusted by what she was doing because I wasn’t. I definitely wasn’t.”

Tian sighed as she heard his voice soften. “Taron…”

“It was perfect mam. Just… perfect.”

“Ok love, save the details for your friends. I don’t need to know but I do want to know how you are.”

“How I am?”

“Straight from work to a flight and onto a busy day.”

Taron sighed a little. “I am fine mam.” He heard some silence. “I slept, I have eaten and I have had a wonderful day. I won the duck race, had bacon and cabbage and the céilí is a lot of fun and Robyn’s friends are fantastic and mam I already have Robyn on my case over going back to work and I know you are only thinking about me and you know I love you but you know this is what I do and what I have to do and I cannot have two women fretting over me.”

“I know you love her, but have I told you yet that I love her?”

“Not during this phone call.”

“I love her.”

“Me too mam, me too.”

After a quick five-minute chat with his sisters, Taron ended the call and slipping his phone into his trouser pocket, made his way back towards the door of the GAA club house. His heart had finally slowed down back to its normal rhythm and he prayed the cool air had lifted the rosy tint from his cheeks too. The night air could do nothing for his butterflies and Taron was becoming accustomed to the resident fuzzy feelings that now permanently lived in him and to be honest, he liked having them around and if he was being even more honest with himself, that kiss with Robyn was exactly what he had thought his first kiss with her would have been and was suddenly so thankful for girl talk and the sneaky deals and ways of women, because he most definitely benefited from it. The only negative thing he could take from the kiss, was the fact that he was wanted another and another and as many more as he could get but knew there wasn’t a hope in hell of that happening, so Taron was going to take the one kiss he got and hold it in his heart and memories.

He shook his head as he showed his shamrock stamp on the inside of his wrist to the man at the table so he could get back into the gym and once inside was met with the heat of the room and the Irish music, the next dance in full swing on the dance floor. He glanced to his left and saw Robyn and her friends at the table in the corner and he shuffled his way through and around tables to get back to them.

As he walked his pulled his shirt off and threw it over his chair before he sat down next to Robyn, grinning her way as from the corner of his eye he saw Claire and Nick sitting right beside each other, almost practically on top of each other, holding hands.

“All ok with your mam?” She asked him as she handed him a new beer, ice cold from the bar.

Yep.” He took a drink, enjoying the coolness from the beer. “Just a chat.”

“And the girls?”

“Wishing they were here of course.”

“Of course.” She repeated. She saw Taron hide a yawn behind his beer and chose to ignore it. “So, you ready to give the dancing another go?” She asked him instead. “The céilí is on for another hour before you get your next Irish portion of the evening, where there is a DJ who plays cheesy Irish rebel songs for a few hours and then the obligatory Irish sing song begins as the night winds down and those stragglers find a way to stay even longer.”

Taron grinned. “I am ready for it all!”

After taking part and learning every other céilí dance, Taron was jumping with everyone else on the dance floor as Whiskey in the Jar played over the speakers and he was buzzing just from the energy and excitement he was feeling. He hadn’t drunk much at all and had passed that point of over tiredness where now he felt fully awake and was taking in the atmosphere and party around him. The music was exactly what he hoped it would be and the Irish classics kept on coming and when Robyn sat down for a break, he kept going, Shane and Darragh staying with him, taking every opportunity they had to dance with him.

“He is like an energiser bunny.” Laughed Claire as she watched the boys on the dance floor. Nick had gone to bar the get some more drinks for everyone and it left the two to have another chat.

“He has past the point of exhaustion and is just wired now.”

“He is going to crash hard.”

“Yes, he is.” Robyn caught his eyes on the dance floor and he gave her a wonderful smile, singing the words he knew even louder for her benefit before he turned away from her and mingled back into the crowd. “So hard and he is straight back into work on Thursday, working right through until he is back for RENT and then off on a promotional tour around the world for Kingsman.”

“And you sound like his mother worrying about him.”

“I do worry about him.

“Because you love him.”

“Because I love him.” She repeated.

Claire had reached for her glass but stopped. “Did you just admit to me that you love him?”

Robyn nodded.

“Robyn! The kiss.”

“That bloody kiss.” Robyn sat back in her chair and sighed. “It was perfect.”

Claire grinned. “Shane is entirely jealous. His first kiss with Darragh was no where was beautiful as that one.” Robyn smiled shyly. “Details and now.”

“That boy sure can kiss.” Robyn answered simply, a slight sing song tone to her voice, her hands running through her hair. She tucked the strands behind her ears but her fingers moved to her lips, her eyes closing for a brief second as she could still feel the kiss from Taron. “It was soft but had the perfect tension and pressure and wasn’t in any way awkward as first kisses can be and he kept changing his head position and it was tingly and sweet and caring and I could feel his heart racing and God Claire, I love him. I love his laugh and his beautiful eyes and his family and his heart and his chuckles and when his voice hits those lower tones and when he just sits in the corner of my couch and just sits and does nothing and eats everything I bake for him and how he does this adorable little crinkly nose thing when he doesn’t like something and the little sighs he makes when I scratch his head.”

“You realise how bad you have it right?”

Robyn nodded again. “I know.”

“What are you going to do?”

Robyn shook her head. “He means everything to me and I still stand by my mantra of I would rather have him as a friend then not at all.”

“Robyn…”

“We have been through too much together and I got a taste of what it would be like to lose him in New York and I can’t lose him.”

“Robyn that man is practically glued to you. You won’t lose him but he is so perfect for you.”

“The logistics of it all is just…”

“And I am going to stop you there. Please don’t Robyn.” Claire reached over and took her hands. “He is just what you need and what you deserve and he adores you. You two need to talk over all of this.”

“He is so busy.”

“But yet he came over for two nights for you.”

Robyn glanced to the dancefloor, just about seeing Taron in the crowd of people and she couldn’t remember seeing him so relaxed and happy in a crowd, except for when he was in Aber with his friends and she smiled.

“Any more kisses in your future?”

Robyn felt a slight frown fill her face. “What about your kisses with Nick?” She countered to distract her friend from the topic of her kiss with Taron.

Claire grinned wickedly. “I don’t know why I waited so long.”

“Me either.” Laughed Robyn.

“We are going to dinner at the weekend.”

“You move fast.”

“And you move way too slow.”

“And you are going to be quiet now.” Robyn saw Taron walking back to their table with Shane and Darragh, Nick arriving back to the table with a tray of drinks at the same time. Emma and Tommy had left after the céilí, needing to get home to let the babysitter go home too, so the group of eight had dwindled to a group of six.

“I promise.”

“And just so you know I haven’t forgotten about the forfeit. It is just going to wait until I have the time to think about it.”

The four men took their seats at the table, all taking a long drink from their glasses, Taron moving back in his chair, swinging an arm around the back of Robyn’s chair.

“You ok?” He asked her as the others engaged in conversation around them.

“Yep. You?”

“I am great.”

“You are going to crash and burn in about an hour.”

“Yep.” Agreed Taron. When he was up and dancing, he could feel the music flowing through his blood, the energy keeping him going but once he sat, his whole body flooded with a tiredness that settled deep in his bones and he knew himself, once he got back to Robyn’s he would sit on her wonderfully comfortable couch and just hit a brick wall. “But I have enjoyed every minute so far and I can sleep for a while tomorrow.”

Robyn inched a little closer to him. “Did you bring your Robyn cuddle voucher?” She asked and saw him shake his head, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “Did I mention that getting a cuddle with an Irish person at the end of St Patrick’s Day is also a compulsory part of the day?”

That grin she adored, filled his face and his eyes were an emerald green colour, the glow of the lights in the hall helping their natural green to stand out more. “Have I told you that I love St Patrick’s Day?” He chuckled.

“Been one of my favourites too.”

At the end of the DJ’s set, the Irish national Anthem played and Taron was full of giggles as he listened to the people around him singing along, even more so when Robyn elbowed him to get him to quit laughing.

“Thought you said a lot of Irish people can’t speak Irish.” He said to her as they sat back in their chairs, a lovely breeze blowing their way from the open door near their tables. Someone had the great idea to throw open the fire exit doors to help circulate some fresh air into the gym and it was very welcomed as the heat inside was stuffy and dry.

“They can’t but everyone knows their national anthem.” Robyn took a drink from her glass of water handing it to Taron when she was done, the Welshman taking a long drink. He had switched to water just after the céilí finished, knowing he had to work tomorrow not wanting to risk a headache sitting through another tough script read through. “Actually, they know the beginning and last few words. The rest is a bit of a blur to most.”

“Right Robyn, I demand a song!” Although Robyn and Taron had only had a couple of drinks, Shane had more than a few and was happily quite tipsy and he leaned over the table towards them. “And then he has to sing too.”

“He has a name.”

“Yeah he does. We call him…”

“And I think you should go first Shane.” Robyn interrupted him quickly only imagining what name Shane would come out with for Taron, guessing it was worse than ‘sex God’. “You always like to lead with the first song.”

“Only because we normally get kicked out of the gym after the fifth or sixth one.” Piped up Darragh. “And he has to get his sing song in.”

“And because these poor people want to go home.” Answered Robyn. It was near one thirty in the morning and there were another two tables with people still sitting talking but the staff were lingering around, waiting for everyone to go so they could finish clearing the tables. “We won’t be staying too long.” She looked to Taron who nodded so glad Robyn wasn’t planning on staying much longer. He had definitely the best night but was ready to head back to hers to cool down with a shower and get some sleep but didn’t want to be rude and say it out right but Robyn always knew what he needed and was always thinking about him.

“You are not allowed to move until you sing us one song and if you are going to go, you need to sing one now!”

“Shane…”

“It is our St Patrick’s Day traditions and no offense to Taron, he is awesome and all but you were ours first.”

Robyn frowned while Taron laughed a little. “I am not trying to take her away from you.”

“You can’t have her.” Replied Shane but he re-thought his words. “No, wait. You can have her but we have our…”

“Traditions.” Finished Taron a little tiredly. “And I am not here to break them. I am here to join in with them.”

“So, you can give us a tune too?” Asked Shane hopefully.

“Shane what are you going to sing?” Asked Claire, seeing the look of concern on Robyn’s face as she looked to Taron. Although Robyn’s guest had been full of energy and definitely had a great time, now as he sat, Claire could see the exhaustion in his face and his body as he leant against Robyn a little as they sat close together on their chair, she knew Robyn was already wary of how tired Taron was and knew by her words and face that she was ready to call it a night, wanting to get Taron home at a decent hour so he could get some rest before he went back to work. “You start us off Shane, then Robyn can have her turn and then I think we will call it a night too.”

With no disagreements, Shane launched into a version of The Wild Rover with a much more over pronounced Irish accent then he actually had and as the group around him and those at the other tables joined in for the chorus, Shane ended the song to a round of applause.

“Now your turn.” Shane leaned across the table again to Robyn, nearly tipping a glass over but Nick caught it before it fell. “And you know what I want to hear.”

Sitting up a little, Robyn quickly started to sing a song she knew Taron would never have heard of by an Irish artist called Frances Black. Legal Illegal was a song poking fun at Ireland in the nineties and it was comedic song that was sung accapella, making a mockery of the government and rules and regulations the Irish people had to live by. It was a good song for the end of a St Patrick’s Day and she grinned once finished as everyone clapped, Taron leading the applause.

“Now Taron!” Shouted Shane and Robyn was so glad the gym was mostly empty because keeping his privacy in Kilcreen was so important to her.

“And how about no.” She said as she stood up. “We agreed one song by me and that was it.”

“Robyn!” Whined Shane.

“Sorry Shane.” She picked up her jacket to put it on and was so glad to see Taron on his feet too, pulling on his shirt and jacket too, wrapping his flag around his shoulders. “Been a long day.”

“Spoil sport.” He answered.

“I think it is time for us to go too.” Smiled Darragh. “Time for bed.”

Claire and Nick had also stood up and pulled on their coats. “I am going to walk Claire home.” Said Nick with a shy little smile on his face.

Robyn grinned his way. “I will see you in rehearsal next week.”

Nick moved to say goodnight to Taron while Robyn stepped to Claire. “I want details.” She said to her friend mid-hug.

“Ditto.”

Once a few more goodbyes had been said and hugs returned, Taron and Robyn finally walked out the door of the GAA and made their way through the main gate rather than taking the risk to go through the hedge in the dark and took a left.

“It’s nice to be outside. It got so hot in there.”

“Yeah it did.”

“Thanks for asking me over Robyn. It has just been the best day and exactly what I needed to clear my head.”

Robyn linked her arm with his as they walked down the dark cull de sac that led to her house. “You are so welcome. I am glad you came. I had a lot of fun.”

“I am a céilí master now.”

Robyn chuckled. “Sure Taron. You can play Michael Flatley in your next chosen biopic.”

Taron grinned. “In the bag chicken. I liked the song you sang.”

“Thanks Taron.”

“Really a tradition?” He asked her.

“Same songs ever year.”

Taron chuckled. “Shane is a character. Thanks for the save back there.”

“You are very welcome.” She grinned.

“He is very protective of you though I am glad he is willing to share you with me.”

“I wish I had a better explanation then that’s just Shane but it’s all I have.”

“I really like your friends Robyn.”

“They are all right.” She replied back. “But yeah a good bunch.”

Taron wrapped his arm around her shoulders, covering her and him in the flag for the last few meters before they reached her front door. Once inside Robyn’s home, Taron stripped himself down to his t-shirt again, still feeling a little warm from the evening. He walked into the bedroom and dropped his coat, shirt and flag on the bed and stretched, rolling his neck little. The tiredness was rapidly setting in but he was desperate for a shower, feeling a little sticky after the dancing the whole night.

“Hey Robyn, I am just going to grab a shower.”

“Sure Taron. You want me to make you something to drink?”

“Nah I am good thanks. I will be quick.”

“Take your time. No rush.”

Taron was pulling his green t-shirt off as answered her and he walked through the closet and closed the bathroom door behind him, grabbing some clean towels from the second closet before he closed that door too. He set the shower to a colder temperature and once he stepped in, just stood with his face under the stream. He reached for Robyn’s shampoo, ready to wash the green from his hair and as he lathered up some suds and washed them out, he was happy to see the water turn green under his feet. Robyn was a creature of habit and the lime and tea tree shower gel was a staple in her shower and it helped to wake him up a little bit. It was a real quick five-minute shower and he wrapped a towel around his waist, feeling a little chill in her bathroom as the water droplets dripped down his back. He grabbed the second towel and rubbed his hair getting most if the wetness out. He had had his hair cut since he last saw Robyn but it was only a trim, keeping his hair a little longer than he normally would because he knew Robyn liked it that way and he would be seeing her again before he had to completely change his look for the new movie but he definitely was hoping that maybe he might get a little head scratch before he had to go home the next day. Using his hand, he wiped the condensation from the mirror and stalled mid stroke as he looked at his reflection and stared at himself in the mirror.

“What the…”

He dropped the hand towel into the sink and reached his arms up so he could touch his hair. Instead of his normal dark chestnut brown colour, where he had put the green hair dye on his hair that morning was still green. He ran his two hands through his wet hair and his eyes opened wide.

“Oh no.” He said quietly. “No, no, no, no!” His words got louder as he saw that the green hair dye was not coming out and realisation was quickly hitting him. “Oh no! No! Robyn!”

The door to the laundry room was closest to him so he pulled it open and walked past the washing machine and out into the small hallway at the front door and saw Robyn sitting on the island engrossed in her phone.

“Robyn! What have you done!”

The Irish woman had been texting Claire to tell her they had made it home safely and that she should definitely invite Nick in for some coffee when Taron burst out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel through the laundry room, his body still wet from his shower. Robyn had to double take her eyes going straight to his bare chest before she hopped down from the island, Taron coming to stand right in front of her.

“Robyn insert your middle name here Quinn, what have you done!” He repeated.

“Rose.”

“What?” Asked Taron.

“Rose, my middle name is Rose.”

“Robyn!” Taron’s face was a mixture of confusion and irritation. “Not the time and place for that.”

“But you said insert your middle name…”

Taron stepped forward and placed two wet hands on her face. “What have you done to my hair!”

“Your hair?” She asked, her eyes moving up to look at his hair.

“It’s green!”

“Well I can see that Taron. Why is your hair green?”

“Robyn!” Taron’s voice was the deepest she had ever heard it and she couldn’t even explain how it made her head spin but she could also hear the desperation in his tone too. “My hair is green!”

She lifted her hands and ran them through his wet hair, giving his scalp a little scratch at which Taron closed his eyes at but quickly remembered why he standing in a towel in front of her and stopped her hands. “Robyn, what did you do!”

“I didn’t do anything Taron. You put the green in your hair, not me.”

“You told me it was on your make-up table and that was the one I used. Is your hair going to stay green?”

Robyn squinted a little at him. “No because I used the hair chalk.” Her words faltered at the end of her sentence. “Taron you did use the hair chalk, right?”

“I used whatever was in the bottle.” He watched as Robyn’s eyes opened wide. “What! What did I do?”

“You didn’t use the bottle, did you?”

“Yes Robyn. The bottle of green hair dye on the make-up table.”

“Oh no Taron.”

She walked around him and into her bedroom and over to the make-up table, Taron right on her heels. She picked up the small white circular hair chalk. “This is what I used. It’s like what I brought to give your sisters Elsa hair.”

“That is not what I used.” Taron picked up the bottle of hair dye. “I used this.” He took the hair chalk from her. “This was not on the table when I sat down here earlier.”

“Taron of course it was. I left it here when I was finished while you were sleeping.”

“What is hell is this?” Taron almost shoved the bottle in her face.

“Taron that is semi-permanent hair dye.” She told him. “I bought that thinking it was a wash out one but only when I read the bottle, I realised it wasn’t. Taron you dyed your hair green.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I am afraid you did Taron. You have dyed your hair green and because it has been in your hair all day, it has really developed and gone nice and dark.” Robyn reached up and ran her hands through his hair again. “Well this is a St Patrick’s Day you won’t forget in a hurry.”

Taron took the few steps backwards to sit on the bed. “Robyn, I have another read-through tomorrow. I can’t have green hair.”

“I hate to break it to you rocketman but you have green hair and it will be with you tomorrow at your read through and for a good few days after that until it washes out and even after that, you will still have a slightly green hue.”

Taron placed his head in his hands, his fingers running through the wet strands. He took a deep calming breath and sighed heavily. “Fuck.” He muttered. “Fuckity fuck fuck.” He sighed once more and taking his hands from his head sat up straight and had to do a double take as he looked to Robyn who had both her hands over her mouth and her eyes were crinkled at the sides and he knew what that look was. It was when Robyn was laughing and not just a little laugh, but side hurting ready to cry with tears laughing and suddenly he was on his feet and standing beside her. “Robyn…” He warned. “Robyn what did you do.”

She took her hands away. “I did nothing.” She squeaked.

“Robyn Rose Quinn what have you done!” Taron reached for her and she turned her back to him as he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and hugged her back against his chest, his wet skin warm against the gap of her crop top. “I am not going to let you go until you…” Taron loosened his gip a little as she moved her hands to tickle his bare sides. “Why you little!” He moved his hands to he could tickle her back and even though he tried not too, he laughed a little as she struggled against him. Feeling his towel slip a little, her had to let her go and she moved right away from him as he tightened the towel, making sure it was tucked in really well. “Spill Robyn.”

“Payback is a bitch Mr Egerton.” She simply said, winking at him, jumping up onto the bed and hopping off near the closet door as Taron went to swipe for her and she moved completely out of his way before he could reach for her.

Taron watched as she ran across the duvet and jumped off the other side. He didn’t dare follow her, already having a little towel slip, he wouldn’t risk a bigger mishap so now they both stood on opposite sides of the bed.

“I told you I would get you back.”

“So, you did do this to me!” He groaned running his hands through his hair again.

“Not really not. You did it to yourself. You just happened to pick up the wrong hair dye.”

“Robyn I can’t believe you did this.” He watched as she started to laugh again, her whole body shaking with her giggles, even seeing tears form in the corner of her eyes. “Jesus Christ you sneaky Irish woman.”

His words just made Robyn laugh harder and she had to put her two hands on the bedside locker to stop herself from falling over she was laughing so hard. The day Taron had snuck glitter into her body wash, she had warned him she would get him back and saw the perfect opportunity with the hair dye. She knew Taron would have been up for anything today, wanting to get the most out of his trip to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day. Initially she was going to suggest the hair chalk but when she was out shopping, she saw the green semi-permanent hair dye made by the same brand that she used when she dyed her hair pink and a little sly smile filled her face and plan her mind. Her payback for Taron.

“Robyn stop laughing.”

“Oh, I can’t! It is just too funny Taron. Your hair is green! Smile!” Robyn pulled her phone from her pocket in her skirt and quickly snapped a picture of him, laughing some more. “Oh, one for the wall.”

“Robyn…” He warned but as he took her bright eyes and the wonderful sound of her laughter, he groaned. “Well played Robyn.”

“Why thank you Taron.” She took a little bow.

“Please tell me it does actually wash out at some stage.” He watched as she walked around the bed to him, a wide smile still on her face.

“Most of it will.” She reached up and brushed her hands through his hair. “Good thing you stuck with just the tips and didn’t try to dye your whole head, or your growing beard.” She heard the intake of breath he made. “Oh, dear God that thought crossed your mind, didn’t it?” Robyn took to laugh again, her hands going to her eyes, to wipe unfallen tears away. “I wish I could be a fly on the wall at your read through tomorrow.”

“You do realise I am going to have to get my hair cut now, right? This hair that you love so much.”

“But it was so worth it and we are completely even now.”

“Robyn….” Taron rolled his eyes as he realised he had been well and truly tricked. “I guess I could wear a hat.”

She chuckled again and ran her hands through his hair, this time giving his scalp another scratch. “Oh God, it is brilliant.”

“May I remind you that the glitter washed off the same day.” His eyes closed automatically as she deeply grazed his head from the nape of his neck the whole way to the top of his head.

“After I scrubbed every inch of my body red raw.”

“And may I also remind you that I rubbed your body lotion in after too.” He opened his eyes to look at her.

“And I have gotten my payback.” She took her hands from his wet hair and tapped the tip of his nose. “No more pranks. We are done. Ok?”

Taron thought for a moment but quickly realising he had been completely out-pranked, he nodded and then shook his head at her grin. “Let’s take a proper picture then.”

“And then another when your hair is dry.”

“And I am not in a towel.”

Robyn looked down to his waist, little nervous sparks running through her as she gazed over his stomach and to the top of the towel that sat neatly at his hips. “Sure. Let’s do that.”

When Taron was eventually dressed in a pair of sweats and a dark green t-shirt and Robyn had changed into more comfortable clothes too, they moved to lay on Robyn’s bed and when the topic of Taron’s new hair colour, once more pictures were taken, was finally talked to death, they were watching as Taron requested, the most typically Irish movie Robyn could find. She came through with Darby O Gill and The Little People and while Robyn cringed at the terrible Irish accent of Sean Connery, Taron repeated every word in an accent just as bad, Robyn just laughing at him.

“I think you have spent the majority of your day laughing at me.” He said to her as they lay propped up on the pillows shoulder to shoulder.

“You have made me laugh so much today Taron and I have seen you laughing too. It nice to see you laughing too.”

“It felt good Robyn.”

“Please keep laughing over the next two months.”

He heard the slight turn in her voice and knew her concerns about his travelling for his promotion was at the back of her mind. “I make it sound like I hate the promotion. I don’t. I really enjoy it. I am so proud of Kingsman and I can only hope it gets such a great reception as the others and I want to go and promote it and talk about it. It’s the travelling and jet lag that I don’t enjoy as much.”

“You already know your schedule though.”

“Yep.”

“And…”

He sighed a little. “It’s gonna be tough and a lot of jet lag. A lot to cram in within a three-week period and there is even going to be some travelling before I come back to see you in two weeks.”

“Seriously?”

“More interviews were added for Europe for next week, so Matthew and I are travelling to go and do them.”

“Is there a lot?”

“Quite a few and a day in New York too.”

“I think I liked it better when I could keep you in my house and know where you were at all times and make sure you were sleeping and eating.”

“Me too.” He admitted. “But I do enjoy it Robyn. I really do”

Although she knew he tried to hide it, Robyn heard the slightly bothered sigh he made. “You worried about them bringing me and you up and what happened in Florida?”

“Always.” He answered straight away. “But thankfully it’s a topic that’s easy for me to talk about now and because we have been seen out together, it takes the heat away a little.”

“Doesn’t open up more questions?”

“Probably but Lyndsey will be there.”

“Good.”

“More protection for me, right?”

“Absolutely.”

Taron smiled a little. “I don’t think I am ever going to get used to how protective you can be of me.”

“I don’t mean to be but you know there was a time I literally had your life in my hands and I still don’t know why I feel somewhat responsible for you even though you are a big boy and have done so many of these tour things and can look after yourself but…”

“It is just the way you are Robyn and I wouldn’t change it for anything. You do it for the people in your life you love and care for and I don’t have a lot of those people in my life, those who I can truly trust and rely on so believe me, I very much appreciate it.” He moved a little so he could lay his head right beside her right shoulder. “I know I can always turn to you Robyn, no matter what. Talk to you about anything, kiss you outside lifts and GAA clubhouses.” He laughed as she gently swotted at his stomach. “On the neck and lips.” He added with a smile. “But please know that you can rely and trust me too ok?” He reached over and took her left hand in his left hand, making lazy circles over the back of her hand with the fingers of his right hand. “I might be busy and you may not be able to talk to be as often but leave me a message and I will text or call you back as soon as I can and I am always here for you, for a rant or a chat or just to say hello and I will be back to see you in two weeks. I will be there front and centre for RENT.”

Robyn knew Taron was thinking about Keith as he spoke and she could hear the promise and assurance he spoke with. “I know Taron and thank you. I know I can without a doubt trust you.” He lifted her hand and placed the tiniest and softest of kisses on her skin, his lips lingering longer than they should have but it was a perfectly sweet gesture, furthering his vow to her.

“I am looking forward to seeing you again in two weeks and on the stage.” Snuggling a little more into her, he felt Robyn move with him so they were now laying down on the bed.

“I think you will enjoy it.” She linked the fingers of her right hand with his left hand. “I am excited for it.”

“Nervous?”

“Always.”

“You will be amazing.”

“You haven’t even seen the show yet.”

“I just know.”

Robyn lifted her left hand and ran it through his now dry and still green hair. “You are a tosspot.”

“But I am your tosspot.” He said into her shoulder.

“You got that right.” She agreed. “Now time for an Irish cuddle. Last thing to get in to fully fulfil the requirements for St Patrick’s Day.”

Taron didn’t need any further encouragement and with a closer snuggle he was soon in his favourite cuddling position, his eyes closed as her hand went straight into his hair once he was settled. “Thanks for today Robyn. It was so much more than I could have asked for.”

“Even the green hair?”

“Even the bloody green hair.” He laughed.

“And the kiss?” She asked.

“And the kiss.” He mumbled. “Everything was perfect. Thank you, chicken.”

“Any time Rocketman.” Robyn continued to play with his hair a little.

“Robyn?”

“Hmmm…” She hummed.

“Would you mind if we turned on the air-con for a little while?” Taron lifted his head from her shoulder so he could look at her. “I think I gave too much to the céilí and am still feeling ridiculously warm and I want my cuddle from an Irish woman too but don’t want to overheat as I tend to do.”

“Yeah of course. I don’t mind.” Taron moved his body from her so Robyn could stretch over to the bedside locker and reach for the white controller for the air-con and switched it on, choosing the middle setting so a nice cool breeze filled the room. “Better?”

“Much. Thank you.”

“That is what it is there for.” Robyn settled herself against the pillows again and opened her right arm, Taron crawling back into her cuddle. “You ok?”

“Yeah, just tired. Quickly hitting that wall now.”

“Well you can sleep now.”

“And I fully intend too.”

Nestling into her, Taron moved his head a little lower than he normally would, his face cuddled into her chest and he sighed. Comfy, cosy, warm and home. It was what Robyn was and as he felt her fingers on his upper arm, rubbing in circles into his skin and he completely relaxed into her touch. He was so glad it was only going to be two weeks before he got to see her again because every time he got to see her, he found it just a little bit harder to let go and say goodbye.