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lightneverfades · 4 years

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Tehee! The Frostiron Holiday Wishes challenge ❆ is officially closed for submissions, and OPEN FOR CLAIMS! 🎅🎄 (Wishlist)

Sorry for the delay in posting the wishlist! And thank you so much to everyone who’s submitted prompts! :D ♥ ♥ ♥

For those not aware of the challenge, you can see what it it’s all about in the original post here! :)

*** This post was last updated: 12/8/2020 ***

Rules for Claiming a ‘Wish’

❆ Artists can claim as many ‘wishes’ (idea/prompt) as they want and fill them (as all prompts are not designated to a specific artist)!

After you’ve picked up a ‘Wish’ to Fill

❆ Please be sure to contact me (lightneverfades) via message which one you chose! ❆ When you finish creating the artwork for the wish (ideally before Dec 24), please be sure to send me the art/fic/etc you’ve made! (If you need help sending it to me, let me know and I’ll help!) ❆ I know you might be excited, but the surprise is what makes this fun, so please keep your artwork a secret until Dec 24 & 25!

❆ On Dec 24 & 25 (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!) 🎅🎄, I will post a MASTER POST including links/photos/etc of all the artwork/completed fills received for the prompts below! :)

Types of Fills ✨

❆ Any type of fan works is allowed - That means fan fics, fan art (drawings, digital graphics), fan videos and fan mixes!

Note: *= Anything with this means I couldn’t directly tag the user’s name. (Please contact me and I will edit it so that it works!)

FAQ ✨

Q: Is there a word limit? A: Nope, there is no word limit! ;) Although it will be ideal if the fic in general is a complete work!

Without further ado, here are the wishes received for the challenge! ♥

Requester: @kimmycup Rating: G (General audience) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Invasion fic where Tony figures out Loki was mind controlled before Loki does: "But I WAS in control. Thanos didn't control me like I did Clint." "Yeah sure. And if you wanted to take over the world, what would you do?" Loki spluttered, fully aware that plan was dumb. Still, he would KNOW if he were controlled... Right? "But I wasn't mind controlled! It was me!"

Requester: @kimmycup Rating: G (General audience) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Loki in Tony's MIT sweatshirt.

Requester: @worstloki Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: nothing nsfw please >:) Wish (Prompt/Idea): Tony and Loki both having panic attacks at the same time. just make it wild. whatever the reasons are, maybe it's the same reason? maybe they have shared triggers? maybe it's separate reasons? maybe the other avengers are around and don't realize the incoming attacks and keep bringing up bad memories? maybe one of them notices the other is freaking out and defends them? maybe drags them away only to also start having a panic attack? whatever. they're both freaking out and just kinda do that. they then bond over it. (this can be crack or angsty I don't mind)

Requester: Nivael * Rating: E (Explicit) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): I’d always had that idea in my head, that Loki somehow took notice of Tony during the events of Thor 1, when he was on earth/watched Thor on earth.He fell in love with the mortal that was at the same time so different yet similar to him. So when he fell from the Rainbow bridge and into Thanos’ hands he planned to sabotage earths invasion from the very start to save Tony. Fast forward to at least after the end of Thor 2, (when Loki takes Odin’s place in the MCU) Loki escapes to earth after Thor thinks he’s been killed by the dark elves. He knows Thanos won’t rest until the infinity stones are his and the earth is still in danger. So he watches Tony to keep him save. With all the self hatred and lack of self esteem he harbors, he does not plan to actually act on his feelings, because he does not think he could be worthy of Tony. Plus, he invaded earth, caused lots of casualties, he’s an ugly Frost giant and the god of lies...so... yeah. He cannot think of one reason why Tony could be interested in him.But his feelings draw him to Stark and one day while following him, Loki gets careless and Tony discovers him. (Maybe Loki even discreetly intervenes a few times when Tony is in danger and Tony doesn’t notice until one day he does...?). So Stark confronts him and bit by bit (because Loki is not very cooperative and the least he wants is for Tony to discover his "ugly" emotional secret) he uncovers the truth about Thanos, the invasion and how Loki feels for him. I can imagine Loki to react ashamed, dismissive and maybe aggressive when Tony finally finds out. Tony, not being stupid, already suspected something to be fishy about the invasion. With how much Thor told him about Lokis wit and cleverness, he finds it hard to believe that Loki would make so many obvious mistakes. But now that he knows, all makes sense.Loki still watches over Tony, but keeps his distance. Until one day he saves Tonys life during a (random) attack and gets badly injured. With Lokis life on the line Stark realizes he has feelings for Loki and he takes him in to take care of his wounds. Healing takes some time so the two have plenty of time to get to know each other and deepen their feelings. Smut may follow :D (Oh... I am SO SORRY this became so much. God, it is too much, isn’t it? And sorry for my english o.o)

Requester: Nivael * Rating: E (Explicit) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Loki and Tony are in an established relationship. Things go great, but Loki is still unaccepting of his Jotun heritage and body. While Tony is completely fascinated by it, partly because Loki tries to hide it so hard. So he gets a fancy magical gadget from Strange (amulet, bracelet,...?) to be able to avoid frostbite so he can touch Loki even when he's in his Jotun form. Then there will be smut! :D

Requester: @brianadoesart Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): MERMAIDS. I like mermaids. Either a fic or art, but I just want more content of mer-Loki or mer-Tony. I always enjoy versions where Loki is an underwater prince who falls in love with a stupid human inventor by the name of Tony. He's never been 100% happy in the palace with Thor and the others, so he often would go to the shore to watch the humans. He sees Tony working on the beach one day and becomes interested in him from there on. Basically a little mermaid type thing... I am easy to please. I just like mermaids.

Requester: @brianadoesart Rating: G (General audience) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): A.... Among Us au....... Impostor Loki protecting his crewmate friend Tony from the other impostors.... I..... Tony and Loki as Among Us beans...

Requester: @arandomsewer Rating: M (Mature) Trigger warning: Mentions of trauma and past abuse and racism, maybe sex? Just some drama and comfort Wish (Prompt/Idea): I just want him to live on and being supported by his Friends and his brother recognizing him, that's basically the prompt. Tho here's the details of the Idea I had: Loki is living at the tower with the others (of course) too proud to say out loud how much he likes life on earth... The usual.Something happens and suddenly the magic that made him look Asgardian is just not working anymore. Understandably, he freaks out. Im talking hides in his room, crying, anger, hate, on himself and others... The whole lot, he just throws a major fit.The others know him and kind of understand and are patient... But it’s not getting fixed. Days pass, and he's stuck like this. After a while Tony snaps him out of It, and he slowly calms down and starts learning to accept this side of himself. It’s specially strange to him how he can just walk in a room and no one treats him different. How the others are even fascinated by this form. I expect Thor being shocked and curious and snapped at and reminded how he (and his people on general) have been unfair to Loki... And of course, there's the romance with Tony, Who loves him in all his forms (and they fit together 'cause he's kinky and Loki a shapeshifter)Also imagine Loki being terrified of touching Tony and then finding out he's cold to the touch but not actually dangerous (my headcanon: he's the son of Hella. Half giant and half Asgardian, and the actual heir... But that's for another fic)

Requester: @brianadoesart Rating: G (General audience) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Tony has been living alone for so long that Pepper and Rhodey decide to find him a roommate. They've tried living with him themselves, but they're both so busy it didn't really help Tony's loneliness. So they put out an ad for someone who specifically works from home. Choosing to keep it secret WHO they need a roommate for, they get some applicants, but not the crazy amount they normally would. Rhodey and Pepper go through all the applicants, even meet with them, and they choose a nice, smart author named Loki. He's the perfect candidate- he's even excited by the idea that his new roommate has no idea he's even GETTING a roommate. He finds it funny. They introduce Loki and Tony and sit back and watch everything unfold. Obviously it ends up with Tony and Loki falling for each other in the end, but seeing the shenanigans of them trying to cohabitate would be hilarious. Just watching them learn each other and begin to care about each other. I would like to see it.

Requester: @brianadoesart Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Cupcake shop au!!! One of our boys owns a cupcake shop and the other one is a FREQUENT visitor to said coffee shop. Lots of people think its because they have a sweet tooth, but they're just hopelessly in love with whichever one owns the shop.

Requester: @loufeysson Rating: M (Mature) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Hi! my prompt is teenage Tony and android Loki in a futuristic universe (in the style of Black Mirror, maybe?) 🥺👉🏼👈🏼 Thank you!

Requester: @blancoluna Rating: M (Mature) Trigger warning: CRACK, haha Wish (Prompt/Idea): Basically Friga wonders where she went wrong, asks the Oracle and goes on a guilt trip realizing she messed up to Valhalla and back. The idea is, being a queen-godess of family, she should be able to do something about it, maybe traveling in time or something... And Loki's gonna need powerful allies and Friends, like the Avengers, for example Now the same, but with detail. This is the way I imagined It. Perhaps it’s too much drama? I just don't know how to tackle It or how to go from here:After everything that happened, Frigga wonders where she went wrong, not just with Loki, but with Thor who didn't appreciate his brother, Odín, who treated him unfairly and even the servants, Who didn't respect him.She wonders if she could have done anything, and the guilt wont let her sleep until she goes to the well of wisdom, the Oracle, to seek answers.She is warned the truth may be even more painful. She may not like the answer... But she goes in.It is way worse than she thought: in one second she is reminded of all the times she should have acted, and chose not to, and she sees how It affected her family.She could and should have done something, and she had plenty of time, but at every chance she chose not to. And its perhaps worse than what Odin did because she knew It was wrong but chose to do nothing about It.But even more: It is confirmed to her that not only Odín never gave Loki a chance: he didn't find him. He stole him from the temple where he was guarded. He is not just the son of Louffey, but also of Hella, and thus, the actual heir to the throne of Asgard.She was supposed to be the godess of family, and here she was, consumed by guilt and shame, by having followed blindly a King Who abused her children and betrayed his own heir, aside from many other crimes.But Frigga can't just spend the test of eternity crying. She must do something. She was raised by witches!!Will she manage to get her hands on the time Stone? Or Will she just travel to another dimension to warn a younger version of herself? Will this be the beginning of a new multiverse? The possibilities are endless, when the godess of family must avenge her child...But first: for him to have a better Life he would need support, allies... Friends. (Enter the Avengers)

Add-on: Frigga having this vision was just meant to be a one shot that would connect many different alternative stories, all with the 'what if Frigga did something for Loki' as a common base. All of them would be Frostiron 'cause I honestly believe they are just meant for one another! It is just so open to so many possibilities... That I never got to writing any of them.

One of the first ideas I had following this concept was of Frigga introducing Tony and Loki early on somehow: as kids they would be like 'imaginary friends' then Tony manages to contact him and they are webcam buds... As young adults, they would help each other go a different path than they did in other lives.... and when Loki needed help, he had allies to back him. (The Avengers, whom Tony may have introduced to him earlier)

Requester: @snarkyship Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Human/no powers AU. Sort-of-enemies to friends to lovers.Tony rents this house/bungalow by the sea for the summer, with a kind of private beach where there is also a cute gazebo. Only that the gazebo is exactly halfway with the other property (by some mistake?). And the tenant of the neighbour bungalow is Loki, who's not so keen on sharing. So Loki&Tony will start a "war" to gain possession of the gazebo, doing their worst using the excuse of "this is my half, I can use it as I want". ((Optional: there is a table right in the middle, so at the beginning they sit at their own side glaring at each other, before starting deploying more convoluted tactics)).Mischief after mischief, they will start to know each other and of course everything will end with one of them inviting the other to their half for a romantic dinner and they'll end up sharing more than the gazebo <3((I hope it's enough clear and but also not too detailed??))

Requester: @snarkyship Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Finally Tony has managed to locate Loki's whereabouts. And it turns out the godling lives in a pretty loft in Manhattan, with all the comforts and the most advanced midgardian technology ((lighting, temperature and everything controlled by a tablet - the Stark latest model!- , appliances linked to the wifi, and has that roomba a knife??)).Tony decides to have a little fun: who said Loki is the only one who can do a little mischief?? So he takes control over Loki's apartment hacking its system; he starts with some flickering lights, the roomba changing suddenly trajectory to stab him, then blasting music in the middle of the night and so on.And Loki would be so frustrated: at the beginning he thinks about some failure in the inferior midgardian technology, then he'll think to be under attack, but he can't feel any magic signature!! Maybe he'll freak out a little, because there is some kind of unknown entity??? ((And while he may be using all the technology without problems, it doesn't mean he fully understands its working)).Tony will have fun, but he also will discover some cute aspects of Loki's personality, like he sings to his plants and he likes to wear fuzzy socks ((ok it sounds voyeuristic, but Tony would respect part Loki's privacy, maybe he'll spy on him only when in the living room or kitchen)).((And maybe he would help Loki as well? Like, the godling had a nightmare after falling asleep on the couch, and Tony would gently woke him up with music))Loki will eventually understand that Stark, the most clever midgardian, was behind all of this, and well, he's the God of Mischief, he can appreciate a well planned trick. Time to return the favor ;)

Requester: @martiszcz Rating: M (Mature) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Someone is trying to break them up by making Loki jealous, mentioning Tony's playboy years, talking about the time they slept with Tony, talking about how much time he spends with some friend (Pepper, Rhodey, I don't care who) but Loki doesn't react - they trust each other.

Requester: @shinindragon Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): The Avengers + Loki fight a villain. Loki uses a lot of his magic, eventually almost draining his energy completely when he protects Tony from getting hurt. When the battle is over, they return to the tower, all of them exhausted. Tony notices Loki doesn't look well, he asks if he's okay. Loki barely gets a word out before he collapses into Tony's arms, unconscious. Thor carries Loki to Tony's and his bedroom, explaining to Tony that he'll be alright, it's just exhaustion from an excessive use of magic. Tony stays with Loki, taking care of him. Fluff and with a sprinkle of angst.

Requester: @lightneverfades (Lol yup, shamelessly requesting as well haha!) Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) or M (Mature) Trigger warning: N/A Wish (Prompt/Idea): Detroit: Become Human AU - Young Tony Stark is neglected by his father, who is the CEO of CyberLife corporation. He craves for his attention and approval but doesn’t get it, causing him to become so bitter one day that he sneaks into one of the labs to sabotage whatever work he is doing. Tony comes across an abandoned RK800 model (also known as ‘Loki’), about to be taken apart for parts. He salvages the model before it gets destroyed, feeling sorry for this inanimate object that’s being thrown away so carelessly. He rebuilds Loki again in secret, and Loki becomes his friend through lonely times (Tony is there to help Loki understand humans, life, language, etc and Loki just keeps Tony company). Tragedy strikes the Stark family though, when his parents die in a car accident. Loki is there to help him and as Tony starts to grow up and become a man (he continues to fix Loki when he breaks down or updates him), Loki’s system starts to show signs similar to that of human emotions, although Tony is completely unaware of this. At a certain point though, Tony - in one of his bad moods - decides that he doesn’t need Loki anymore and shuts him down and puts him away in storage, resolving to move on with life without these ‘distractions’ to keep him company (image a scene where Tony is angry and throws that frustration and loneliness onto Loki, who tries to calm him down and sooth away his anxiety (’I understand you’) but Tony’s all (‘But you’re just a machine!’) and although Tony isn’t aware, Loki feels a spark of hurt, though even he can’t explain what this emotion means.) Years pass and eventually Tony forgets about Loki. He earns a name for himself, having taken over his father’s company (which still creates androids and in addition, creates weaponry of mass destruction as well). Obadiah is watching over Tony’s company (he is the one who ‘suggested’ he focus on building a name for himself and to shut out any ‘distractions’ that get in the way: namely Loki. Over the years, he saw how Tony interacted with the android and he had the uneasy sense that the android had matured into something more than its primary use. He considers Loki a threat). The events of Iron Man happen, with Tony being captured by the Ten Rings and then escaping. During his days confined at home to recover, he stumbles upon Loki and decides to reboot him again (partly out of guilt and partly because he’s lonely again). He finds comfort with Loki once more. Tony decides to crash the charity party by making an appearance with Loki as his ‘bodyguard’. Obadiah sees this and is not happy about this strange attachment Tony has over this android. Loki helps Tony build his first prototypes of the Iron Man suit, and they get to reacquaint themselves. One day, Loki sees on the news that there are a number of deviant android cases and is confused by what he sees, but it soon dawns on him that he might be feeling emotions for Tony, finally understanding the true meaning, especially when Tony is injured (while Loki is out on an errand) and Obadiah ambushes Tony by stealing the mini arc reactor in his chest. Shortly afterwards, to spite Tony, Obadiah hacks into Loki’s system and tries to eradicate the ‘deviancy’ he sensed in Loki years ago and turn the android against Tony (he tries to make Loki kill him). It doesn’t work - on the contrary, it finally frees Loki. Together, Tony and Loki go against Obadiah, who is intent on destroying them and taking over CyberLife corp.

Requester: @lightneverfades (Lol yup, shamelessly requesting as well haha!) Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) Trigger warning: Sickly, happy song cliches! xD Hah! Wish (Prompt/Idea): In which Tony or Loki (you can choose) is cursed by Amora to relive a week in which their lives suddenly become a musical and everyone around them spontaneously bursts into dance and song. (I have this image of Loki bursting into song about something ridiculous and Tony’s like, “What the HELL, what’s going on!”). This could either be enemies-to-lovers or it could start from them already being in a relationship. Bonus points if the Avengers team all burst into song together and there’s actually lyrics!! (Then I can actually make up a tune/sing it during the last month of 2020 so this year ends with rainbows and fluff and HAPPY FROSTIRON THOUGHTS! XD)

Requester: @lightneverfades (Lol yup, shamelessly requesting as well haha!) Rating: T (Teen and up audiences) or M (Mature) Trigger warning: FLUFF OVERLOAD! <3 Mpreg (might not be everyone’s cup of tea) Wish (Prompt/Idea): Loki has a kid with Tony (eeehehe, go all in with the loving and caring Tony fussing over his pregnant enemy-turned-boyfriend-turned-husband), calls her Morgan. Tony is obsessed with buying baby clothes for their daughter to the point where he has a closet dedicated to socks (lol he can’t get enough of small baby clothes and the potential to make his daughter look like a rainbow?!). Lol, I don’t even know! Just domestic bliss I guess! <3 Bonus points if Tony buys Christmas sweaters for his fam, including the Avengers, who dote on baby Morgan like their own (Thor with his anime eyes). Or even better, if baby Morgan grows up and plays little tricks on Uncle Thor and Loki and Tony chuckle in the background as Thor lets his niece do whatever she wants, cause he loves him too much to care, lol~

Requester: @lightneverfades (Lol yup, shamelessly requesting as well haha!) Rating: M (Mature) Trigger warning: CRACK, haha Wish (Prompt/Idea): Loki is a yoga instructor and one day Tony goes to one of his classes and finds out the best positions to ‘relax’ - body, mind and soul >:D. (I love puns, so go crazy hahaha!)

#frostiron #frostiron holiday wishes challenge #christmas #yayyyy #challenge #tony/loki #ironfrost #loki/tony #au #fanfic #prompts #fills #requests #so many cool ideas #i am shameless in that i have submitted four prompts to my own challenge lol but i am selfish hahaha

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thefandomsinhalor · 5 years

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Followers Celebration!!!🎉💕

So I hit 500 at some point during the fall (which I still don’t understand how but thank you!! ) but life has been stupidly crazy since then, and the next thing I knew, the holidays were over, 2020 arrived and I hit 600 before I even got to do a 500 celebration.

THANK YOU ALL for following me. You are honestly all wonderful. I know many of you may follow me for different reasons (spn, fan art, fics, writing, my general rambling over shows) so thank you for sticking with me despite the randomness lol. Most of you are probably part of the spn fam, and it’s really reassuring to know you’re all out there too. *hugs*

So now. To celebrate this, I’ll start by saying that if anyone has a request/prompt for a fic(let), please do not hesitate, send me an ask or message me :) especially since this is suppose to count for 500 AND 600 milestone (sorry for the delay). I wrote one about thanksgiving last time for @mercurialkitty and it was so much fun. So please, send requests if you feel like it :)

Feel free to send asks of any kind as well, about spn, writing or just to say hello. I’m also thinking of doing six recs posts for shows, fics, books, movies, etc and if you have any suggestions, please let me know via this post, ask box or message me!!

Thank you so much!! I hope you have a nice day! I’m tagging a bunch of mutuals, but thank you to everyone reading this. You’re making it worth it to be here :) and by everyone I really mean, everyone of you.

@oatmealcrisp @trasherasswood @gone-to-fight-the-fairies @pleasenotethisisausername @mishka @obama-self @i-wanna-cry @winchester-ofthe-lord @destiel-green-and-blue18 @roadkilliskindacool @drulalovescas @kitkatwinchester @navajolovesdestiel @trueloveisinfinite444 @cassampson @auroramama @winchesterawesomesauce @crowleyisourking @cateyes315 @amberrose80q3 @ineffible-husbands @carbon-crystals @kipnova @letofarrell @mood-mattsun @legendary-destiel @thesherlockianwhojustcant @sevenlostangelwings @itspadfoot394 @hannatop @not-here-to-nowhere @not-a-good-angel @queen-of-free-will @casismybae @casismyspiritangel @larpandtherealgirl @vesseltryingtosurvive @angelwings-234 @agent-lizzo @literal-fand0m-trash @theserenegadedreams @theswordofpens @destiel-love-forever @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @elvis-i-can-dig-elvis @contemplativepancakes @supernaturalapocalypse @destielhoneybee and so many more but tumblr doesn’t let me tag more ppl, so EVERYONE ELSE, thank you!!! I love all of you and thank you!!!!❤️💕❤️

#600 followers #thank you!!#youre all wonderful

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theatricks · 5 years

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New Year’s Greetings! Great Fortune Operation 2019

Videos: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6

Full translation below the cut!

A New Year's Greeting

[New Year's Morning, Siegfeld Lesson Room] Shiori: Huff...huff... Now, a pique turn...! Shiori: (Good... Now, a chaîné turn! Chaîné, chaîné, pique, pique...) Shiori: Pose! Huff, huff... One more time... Akira: Individual practice on New Year's morning, you're working hard. Shiori: Yukishiro-senpai!? I thought you returned home yesterday... Akira: I had some free time before greeting my relatives. There's work I want to complete without delay, so I came to the Institute, but... Akira: It looked like someone was in the lesson room and when I came to check, here you were. Akira: Those turns just now were quite good. You've developed the awareness to keep your pivot leg steady at the pelvis. Shiro: Th-Thank you very much...! Akira: However, I think it'd be best to rest a bit more in between. All your preparation will be meaningless if you're fatigued. Shiro: Yes! Michiru: Ah, there you are~! Happy New Year♪ Shiori: Michiru-senpai was here, too, I see. Happy New Year. Your furisode really suits you! Michiru: Thanks, Shiori♪ It's my favorite! Akira: Michiru, why are you here? Shiori: (Huh? Did Michiru-senpai not come here with Yukishiro-senpai?) Michiru: My mom drove me here. More importantly, you didn't compliment my furisode, Akira. Akira: ...Right. It's splendid. Michiru: Is that really what you think~? Well, whatever. Let's go make our first shrine visit of the year, you two. Shiori: A shrine visit? Michiru: I just heard this from my mom yesterday, but there's a shrine that favors the performing arts and there's interesting omikuji there. Michiru: Well, it's not so much the omikuji itself that's interesting, but what you do based on the result. Akira: Sakurazaka Shrine, is it. Akira: There are many shrines that favor the performing arts, but as for characteristic omikuji, it must be that one. Michiru: Correct, Akira! Shiori: Sakurazaka Shrine... So there's a place like that. What kind of omikuji are they? Michiru: Fufufu ♪ You'll see if you come along! My mom will drive us there, so let's hurry and go! Shiori: Ah... She's leaving. Will Mei Fan-senpai and Yachiyo-senpai be coming along, too? Akira: No, Mei Fan's on her way home. Yachiyo also said she'd be busy at home when the new year began. Michiru: Hurry up and get changed, you two♪ It'll start getting crowded soon! Akira: Honestly... So boisterous on New Year's day.

Michiru: We're here~♪ Shiori: There sure are a lot of people. Also--- Student A: "Is that true!? If so, then name it without calling it good fortune!" Student B: "It's a lie! The proof is in the fact that you came here to Sakurazaka Shrine!" Shiori: What exactly are they doing...? Akira: An improvisation, huh. Michiru: That's this shrine's omikuji♪ Shiori: This is an omikuji...? Michiru: On the omikuji, something like 'there's good luck in doing such and such' is written, you see? Michiru: So everyone who comes here on New Year's day will do what's written on the omikuji to increase their luck in the performing arts. Shiori: ? So you're saying 'there's good luck in doing an improvisation' was written on their omikuji? Michiru: Right! Surprising, isn't it~ Apparently, they were originally regular omikuji, but... Michiru: Looong ago, a nearby school would come to the shrine and perform prayers associated with the omikuji's contents. Michiru: They began to gain fame little by little and gradually the contents of the omikuji changed as well... Michiru: Nowadays it's exclusively the performing arts column where things like doing an improvisation is written. It seems the school in question that started it doesn't do it anymore, though. Shiori: I see... So it has that kind of history. Shizuha: Oh? Lalafin: Ah! It's Siegfeld's...! Michiru: Shizuha-chan, Tsukasa-chan, Lalafin-chan! Happy New Year~! Michiru: Tsukasa-chan, your furisode's so cute! I was considering wearing a fluffly shawl, too~♪ Tsukasa: Happy New Year. Thanks, it is New Year's day, after all. Michiru: I know right! The color and pattern really suit you, and that attractive hairstyle is nice, too♪ Tsukasa: Yours is really vibrant, too. A yellow furisode is perfect for the cute Otori-san. Michiru: Ehehehe, thanks~♪ Michiru: Also, I'm glad to see you! I've been thinking I needed to properly apologize sometime. Tsukasa: Apologize...? Michiru: Last year you went through the trouble of writing us an invitation to see "Captain Twins", but we couldn't, I'm sorry! Lalafin: Eh... You remembered!? Even the name! Michiru: Of course~♪ Michiru: The truth is, Akira decided to reply to the invite herself before I could even see it~ Tsukasa: Then the one who wrote "We have no time for the likes of Frontier" was... Michiru: It was all Akira's doing! Geez~ So troublesome~ Akira: ............ Michiru: So, would it be okay for us to see it this year? The play you made! Shiori, you want to see it, too, right? Shiori: Yes! I've heard Frontier's plays are really creative, so I'm looking forward to it. Tsukasa: We'd gladly welcome everyone from Siegfeld. I'll send another invitation, then. Michiru: Yeah, we'll be waiting! Michiru: Well then, we should get going now. Lalafin: Okay! See you later~! Shizuha: Yukishiro-san, let's have another great year. Akira: ...Right.

Michiru: You're the same as ever, huh~ It's New Year's day, you should be more festive. Akira: You're festive enough for us both. Michiru: I'm not so sure about that~ Michiru: But, I wonder if there's no ill feelings from last year now? Michiru: I don't know how much it mattered to them, but if we're going to be standing on the same stage at the Performance Festival, it's good to clear the air. Shiori: Ah...! Michiru: Hm? What's wrong, Shiori? Ichie: Huh? Tamao: You are... Rui: Siegfeld's...!

Carrying Out a Tradition

[New Year's Morning, Tokaso Dormitory] Rui: Tamao-senpai... Is this okay? Tamao: A little tighter is fine. ...There, like that. Tamao: Rui-chan, thank you for helping me put on my furisode. ...How does it look? Rui: I-I-I-It looks really nice on you! No other Stage Girl looks as good in a furisode! Tamao: I think that's a bit of an exaggeration... Rui-chan? Rui: (To think I'd be helping Tamao-senpai change so soon into the new year, it's like a dream come true! Her waist is as slim as ever~) Tamao: Rui-chaaan? Rui: Ah, I'm sorry. I was just thinking how your waist is--... Tamao: M-My waist? Did I gain weight over the holidays, perhaps? Rui: Nonono! If anything it decreased about 5 millimeters! N-No, I mean! I-It's slim like normal, don't worry! Tamao: R-Really? I guess that's fine, then... *ringtone* Tamao: Oh? It's from Ichie... Hello? Ichie: "Tamao, mooornin'!" Tamao: Ichie, Happy New Year. Ichie: "Ah, that's right! Happy New Year and stuff~☆ What are you doing right now?" Tamao: Rui-chan was helping me put on my furisode. We'll be making our first shrine visit of the year after this. Ichie: "A shrine visit!? That'll be nice~ Which one!?" Tamao: You might've heard of it. It's called Sakurazaka Shrine, a god of the performing arts is enshrined there... Ichie: "Oh, I saw it on a TV special yesterday! Apparently, people are going crazy for its weird omikuji right now!" Tamao: It seems that's what it's become famous for nowadays. But, originally, it was the site of an event for the Rinmeikan Performance Department. Ichie: "Eh, really? They mentioned on TV that it had a long history, but Rinmeikan was never mentioned?" Tamao: Apparently, the "Sakurazaka Pilgrimage" was an important event that everyone participated in during my grandmother's time at Rinmeikan, but... Tamao: With the decrease in the number of students, they stopped going, it seems. Tamao: But it's an event with valuable history to it. Ichie: "So, then, you're going to go do that...Sakurazaka pilgrimage or whatever!?" Tamao: Yes. I finished changing quickly thanks to Rui-chan, so I was thinking we should get going soon. Ichie: "Then, I'll go, too!" Ichie: "Mama~! I'm going to visit an interesting shrine for a bit with my friends! I'll go right to grandma's place and meet up with you all after!" Tamao: Eh? Ichie, if you're gathering with your relatives, you don't have to--- *click* Tamao: Ah... She's her usual self right from the new year. Rui: So Ichie-senpai's coming, too. With everyone returning home, I held back inviting them, but... Rui: Should we call Yukko and Fumi-senpai, too? Although, I think Yukko probably won't come. Tamao: Yes, I'm sure Yuyuko-chan's fully enjoying the New Year's holidays at home... Fumi's house is far, so I don't know if she could make it. Let's go with them another time. Tamao: By the way, Rui-chan. Are you really okay with not wearing a furisode? Rui: Y-Yes! It'll take time, too, so my uniform is fine! Rui: (As long as I get to see Tamao-senpai all dressed up, I'm good! Even just spending time changing is a waste!)

[A Few Hours Later] Ichie: Huh? Tamao: You are... Rui: Siegfeld's...! Michiru: Wow! It's Tamao-chan, Ichie-chan, and Rui-chan! Happy New Year♪ Tamao: Happy New Year. Let's have another great year. Michiru: Such a wonderful furisode, it really fits you. Exactly like a Yamato nadeshiko♪ Tamao: Yours is a fitting color for New Year's day, it suits you well. Akira: ............ Tamao: Yukishiro-san, thank you for that time. I'd like for us to both use this year to cultivate ourselves. Akira: ...I see. Rui: ...We're not who we were before. Ichie: Rui, clam down, whoa there☆ Rui: But, Tamao-senpai went out of her way to greet her... Michiru: Ahahaha, sorry about that~ This is basically how Akira always is. Tamao: It's fine. I'll interpret it as Akira-san's way of cheering us on. Akira: ...Let's go. Michiru: Ah, wait up, Akira. Well, then, let's have another great year~ Shiori: Ah... Umm... Uh... Shiori: No, it's nothing. Excuse me! Ichie: ...? What was that about? Rui: It seemed like she wanted to say something. Tamao: (That girl... She's Fumi's little sister, I believe...?) Tamao: ...She must have been nervous. I'm pretty sure she's still in middle school, right? And being surrounded by high schoolers...you see? Ichie: Ah, I see, gotcha. Okay, next time we meet, she'll get a dose of Ichie-senpai's kindness☆ Rui: Well, should we go draw an omikuji for the Sakurazaka pilgrimage? Tamao: Before that, let's pray at the shrine. It's over here.

Rui: At any rate, it sure is crowded. Tamao: Even reaching the shrine is difficult, to say nothing of the omikuji... Ichie: Tamao~! Rui~! Let's go! Tamao: Ichie, it's risky to go alone~! Rui: Let's chase after her!

Rui: We were able to visit the shrine somehow... Ichie: That was tiresome even for me~... Tamao: Let's rest over there a bit. Rui: Let's! Ichie: Ah! Look, it says omikuji here! Come on, let's go☆ Rui: Eeh! Ichie-senpai! We'll be separated! Please wa~it! Tamao: Th-They're so energetic...

Three Sets of Three

[New Year's Morning, Frontier Main Gate] Shizuha: Lalafin, thank you for helping with the "Mochi Pounders VS Badminton Players New Year's Party". Lalafin: Yeah! I ate a bunch of mochi at home, so I wanted to move around! Shizuha: We finished quickly thanks to you. Shizuha: By the way, Lalafin. Do you have anything planned after this? Lalafin: Nope~ Tomorrow's when we all gather together at grandma's. Is there somewhere you wanted to go!? Shizuha: Well, would you like to make our first shrine visit of the year together? I heard there's a shrine that favors the performing arts. Lalafin: A shrine? Shizuha: I saw it on TV yesterday---

Lalafin: Yaaay! Omikuji, omikuji~ Shizuha: Fufu. Such high spirits. Tsukasa: At any rate, I never thought Siegfeld would come here. They don't seem like the type to ask anything of the gods, I was surprised~ Lalafin: You're the one I was surprised to see~ Shizuha: That's right, I didn't expect we'd meet up with you here. Tsukasa: I thought you'd all returned home, so I came here by myself... Tsukasa: Now that I think about it, you're wearing your uniforms--did you pay a visit to the school? Lalafin: To prepare for the "Mochi Pounders VS Badminton Players New Year's Party"! Tsukasa: So they're doing it this year, too~! Last year's was super exciting. Shizuha: Yes. Lalafin helped out a lot, so the preparations were completed perfectly ♪ Lalafin: It'd be nice to invite Aruru and Misora to visit the shrine, too~ Shizuha: It's a bit too late to have them come now, so let's do our best with the omikuji for them as well. Tsukasa: Let's. ...Oh, it's says the omikuji are this way. Lalafin: Omikuji, omikuji~

Lalafin: Arrival! And before my very eyes, the omikuji...! Tsukasa: They might be right in front of us, but this is no small crowd... Tamao: Oh? Ebisu-san? Everyone else, too. Tsukasa: Oh, it's Tomoe-san. Lalafin: Ichie~! Ichie: Lala-cha~n! Both: Happy New Year and stuff~! Shizuha: Fufu. Perfect sync. Tamao: They must be on the same wavelength. Tsukasa: Aren't they a little too similiar... It's kind of dizzying... Shizuha: Oh, that's right. The truth is we're holding an event we call the "Mochi Pounders VS Badminton Players New Year's Party", if you'd like, do you want to join us? Ichie: Mochi pounders and badminton players!? What kinda event is it!? Lalafin: Everyone separates into the 'mochi pounders' or 'badminton players' team, kinda like a sports event, I guess! I'm sure you'd like it, too! Ichie: That's Frontier for you! It sounds pretty amazing! I wanna hear more about it, but for now...the omikuji is before our eyes! Tsukasa: Oh, so you're goal in coming here was the omikuji, too. Tamao: That's right. We'll need courage to face that crowd of people, but we should go soon. Shizuha: Yes. I'll text you the details about the event, in case you're interested. Ichie: I wanna meet up with Aruru-chan and Misora-chan, too, so I'll go! Even if no one else does, I will~☆ Lalafin: You definitely should! It'll be fun!

Tamao: Phew... I'm glad I managed to draw it... Rui: Tamao-senpai! Ichie: Tamao~! Tamao: Good, you're both--... *crowd noises* Tamao: Kya!? Ichie: Hyaah!? Did something just start or what!? Wawah, it's...it's a wave of people~~! Tamao: Kya~! Rui: Tamao-senpai's being swept away...!? I'll save you right away! Ichie: Ruiii, Ichie-senpai's being swept away, too, y'know~!? Eeek, save me~☆ *loud crowd noises* All: Hyaaaaah!?

Rui: Ouch! Shiori: Kya! Rui: E-Excuse me--...! Shiori: ! Rinmeikan's...! Tsukasa: Oh, you two are---

Rui: I wonder if Tamao-senpai is okay... Shiori: What should I do... Getting separated in a place like this... Tsukasa: (These two seem really helpless... They were separated from their senpai, I guess it's understandable.) *ringtone* Tsukasa: (Oh, it's Shizuha.) Tsukasa: Hello? Tsukasa: We were swept away by the crowd, too, all the way to the center of the shrine... Tsukasa: It might be hard to meet up again like this... Tsukasa: And, you're... I see. Okay, go it. I'll see you later, best of luck. Bye bye. Rui: U-Um... Do you know where the others are? Tsukasa: Yeah. It seems Shizuha, Tomoe-san, and Yukishiro-san are together. That leaves--- *ringtone* Tsukasa: Oh, a text from Lalafin. ...Look, she took a fun photo together with Otori-san and Otonashi-san. Shiori: Michiru-senpai... I'm glad she's safe. Tsukasa: It seems everyone's okay for the time being. Tsukasa: Oh, is there anything you want to say to Otori-san? You'll have to rely on Lalafin to tell her, though. Shiori: N-No... I'm fine... Tsukasa: Then, Akikaze-san, is there anything you want to tell--- Rui: I-I'm fine, too...! Rui: More importantly, we should go meet up with the others...! Tsukasa: (Huh~? It kind of seems like they're avoiding eye contact with me?) Tsukasa: (...It couldn't be that they're scared of me, right?)

Ichie: Lala-chan, Michiru-chan! They're selling takoyaki over there! It smells sooo good. Michiru: Oh, you're right~! I'm pretty hungry, I want a bite♪ Lalafin: I'm starving, too! Ah! I propose we buy takoyaki! Ichie: Totally agreed~ Let's buy it and take another commemorative photo! Michiru: Ah, just a second. Before that, I need to send Akira a text.

Tamao: ---So, I wanted to try what was written in the performing arts column of the omikuji, but... Shizuha: I'll participate, if you don't mind. Yukishiro-san, do you not have much interest in this sort of thing? Akira: Right. Sorry, but--- *ringtone* Akira: A text? Who...? Nn. Michiru: "Frontier's representative Shizuha-chan and Tamao-chan who brought Fumi back to the stage..." Michiru: "We've been interested in them for a while, right?" Michiru: "This is a rare chance, so spend some time with them and ascertain with your own eyes what kind of people they are." Michiru: "If you decide to return to me on your own...I'll be angry, okay?" Shizuha: Yukishiro-san, is something wrong? Akira: No, it's nothing. ...I'll participate, too. Tamao: Eh, but--... Akira: Let's finish this quickly. Tamao: Sorry to bother you two with this... Akira: It's not a bother. Our interests aligned just now. Shizuha: Tomoe-san, don't worry. I also came here for the omikuji. Akira: So, what's the task? You have the omikuji there, correct? Tomoe. Tamao: Yes. I haven't opened it yet, I'll look now!

Tsukasa-senpai's Gyaru-ific Counseling Center

Tsukasa: Umm, since we're here I thought we could try what's written on the omikuji, but... Tsukasa: Akikaze-san, Shiori-san, what do you two think? Both: ............ Tsukasa: ...I'm just curious, are you two afraid of me or something? Rui: I-I-I'm not afraid! Rui: I've meet you a few times at the Performance Festival preparatory meetings... Rui: It's just...I've never really mentioned it, but I'm pretty shy around strangers... Shiori: So am I, a bit. I'm fine with people I'm familiar with, though... Tsukasa: I-I see, then it can't be helped. You don't have to push yourselves, okay? Rui: Um, Ebisu-san!! Tsukasa: Wah!? Wh-What is it? Rui: S-Sorry for speaking loudly all of a sudden. Rui: Before you said Tamao-senpai and the others she met up with were doing the sakurazaka pilgrimage...Ah, I mean, completing the omikuji's task. Tsukasa: Yeah, seems that way. Rui: Then, I think I'd like to...do what's written on the omikuji here, too... Rui: Oh! Only if you're okay with it, though, of course! Tsukasa: I'm glad, but, you really don't have to push yourself, okay? Rui: I'm not! Rui: I'm sure if Tamao-senpai were here she'd cooperate with you. Rui: So, I'd like to, also...! Shiori: Please let me participate, as well. Michiru-senpai's text said to help you out. Tsukasa: I see. Thanks, you two. Tsukasa: Then, let's all do our best!

Tsukasa: Actually, I've already opened the omikuji, so I know what the task is. It's not that hard, so don't worry! Rui: Is that so...! Shiori: Can even I do it? Tsukasa: Yep, you definitely can! Here's what was written in the performing arts column... Tsukasa: "There's good luck in making friends with someone on the grounds today"! Rui and Shiori: "There's good luck in making friends with someone on the grounds today"...? Tsukasa: Meaning, if we become friends here, we've cleared the task. Easy enough, right? Tsukasa: Please be friends with me♪ Rui: I can't! Tsukasa: Eh!? Rui: Being friends with more than one senpai... It's far too much! Tsukasa: No, I mean, we don't even go to the same school and we're only a year apart in age. Hey, Shiori-san, you agree with me, right? Shiori: Umm... Tsukasa: (She averted her eyes...!) Tsukasa: Look, everyone else from Siegfeld is older than you, right? It's not surprising anymore, is it? Shiori: I suppose...that's true. Tsukasa: Right? Besides, Shiori-san. ...Umm, your sister and I are the same age, so it's not like you're not used to handling people older than you, right? Shiori: Um, I haven't seen Onee-chan recently... Tsukasa: Oh, I see... Tsukasa: ...Well, I don't know the details, but if there's anything troubling you, I'll listen. Shiori: Eh... Tsukasa: Ah, well, it's like how if you don't know the other person very well, sometimes it's easier to open up, right? Shiori: ............ Shiori: Um, it's not exactly troubling. I've just been wondering how to get close to Onee-chan again. Shiori: I...was scared and didn't return home this year. Because she might hate me... Rui: ...Um, I... I don't think that's true! Tsukasa: Akikaze-san? Rui: When Fumi-senpai talked about returning home, she seemed a bit sad. Rui: Just like...you do now. Shiori: R-Really? Rui: Yes. That's the limits of what I know, but I think Fumi-senpai really treasures you. Rui: When she's talking about your family or recollecting the past... During those times she always has a really warm expression. Shiori: ...Onee-chan. Tsukasa: I haven't heard your sister's circumstances, so I can't say for certain, but... Tsukasa: The two of you are both Stage Girls, so I'm sure you'll be able to understand each other, one day. Shiori: I think that'd be nice. Tsukasa: Yeah. This is only my opinion, but I don't think bonds are broken that easily. Rui: Bonds... Tsukasa: To be honest, there was a time when I left the stage... But, I was able to return. Tsukasa: I'm sure it was because I had a bond with the stage, and friends there who strengthened it. Tsukasa: In Shiori-san's case, the bond of sisters is very, very strong. And I'm sure the stage will strengthen it. Shiori: The stage will... Tsukasa: The stage has amazing power. Maybe it's easier to imagine if I call it energy? Tsukasa: Fiction and reality mix together to create a whimsical but very real world that can only exist on the stage. Tsukasa: The tales woven there, comedy and tragedy alike, so lifelike you could touch them, spread out as a wave of emotion in the audience's heart. Tsukasa: You two may be standng on different stages, but that world is connected. Don't you think that's an amazing thing? Shiori: ...I do. Tsukasa: Yeah. That's why I think you should continue to improve as a Stage Girl. Tsukasa: If you polish your technique until it shines, then every time you stand on another stage, your connection to your sister will grow stronger. Shiori: Yes...! Rui: Uuu...Ebisu-san! Tsukasa: Wh-What's wrong? Rui: I'm so moved! Please listen to my worries as well! Tsukasa: Eeh!? Sure, but all I can really do is listen, you know...!? Rui: That's fine! I'd like to hear your opinion in your words...in your expressions! Tsukasa: Fufu, if you're going to say that much, then I guess I'll have to. Rui: Thank you very much! Shiori-san, would you like to listen, as well? Shiori: If you're okay with me, I'd be glad to! Tsukasa: (Hehe. I kind of feel like I've suddenly gotten two little sisters.) Tsukasa: (It's a different feeling than with Lalafin and Shizuha, or Aruru and Misora. I wonder why... But--) Tsukasa: (Would it be okay to call this friendship? ...I'm sure it's fine, right?)

Michiru's Calculations

Ichie: Phew~ Amazake's so tasty~☆ Michiru: Really? Let me have a sip, too♪ Ichie: Here, take a swig~ Michiru: Yay! *Gulp*...*gulp*... Mmm♪ It tastes and smells like rice, but it has a nice texture~ Lalafin: Sounds good! I want a sip, too~! Ichie: Go on, drink up~ Lalafin: *Gulp*...*gulp*... Ooh, a mature taste. Michiru: Lalafin-chan, amazake is made from malted rice, so there's no alchohol, you know? Lalafin: Eh! Really!? I always thought it was sake! Ichie: I know, right~☆ It makes you think, 'I can put formalities aside for New Year's and drink this, right?' Michiru: Even putting formalities aside, you shouldn't drink sake. Save the alchohol for when you're twenty, okay?♪ Lalafin: I promise~ Wait...huh? Ichie: Hm? Lala-chan, what's up? Lalafin: Promise, promise... Ah! I told Shizuha we'd all do the omikuji's task together. Ichie: Ah! Now that you mention it, I told Tamao the same! Michiru: Well... Michiru: Ta-daah♪ Lalafin: Ah, an omikuji! Ichie: So you had one. Michiru: I drew it before I was separated from Akira and Shiori. Since the three of us are getting along, let's take a look at it♪ Lalafin: Yay! Can I open it? Michiru: Go ahead~♪ Ichie: Then I'll give the drum roll. Announce it when I say, "clang!"☆ Lalafin: Roger! Ichie: Darararara... Michiru: Dararararara... Ichie: Darararara... Clang! Lalafin: Announcement! Our chosen mission is... "The person you are waiting for will not arrive!" Ichie: That ain't right! Michiru: Ahahahaha! Not the 'person you're waiting for' column, the 'performing arts' column! Lalafin: Ahahaha! Ummm... Performing arts, performing arts... There it is! Lalafin: "There's good luck in forming an idol group today"! Michiru: An idol group? That's quite the theme. Ichie: Idol... Uu, it aches, my right arm! Lalafin: An awakening!? Ichie, are you awakening!? Michiru: Ichie-chan, you were an idol in the past, right? Ichie: Eh!? Michiru-chan, you knew? Michiru: Of course~ Don't underestimate my research abilities♪ Lalafin: So that means? Eh, Ichie, you were an idol!? Ichie: In the past♪ Lalafin: Amazing! Michiru: I know a bit about Lalafin-chan, too. You were a sought-after child actress and kid's model while affiliated with an agency. Michiru: Your full intoduction to the stage was in middle school, and since that time your model work appears to have decreased. Lalafin: Wow! You researched me!? Michiru: Ahahaha, it's not a big deal~ It's just a second-hand account from a magazine♪ Michiru: But... This could work, the three of us as idols! Maybe I'll produce us♪ Lalafin: P-Produce...! Ichie: This is getting interesting...! Michiru: By the way, if we're going to do it, we'll be seriously aiming to be Top Idols♪ Ichie: Wait...! If I'm aiming to be a Top Idol, will I have to quit Rinmeikan!? Michiru: No worries! Michiru: These days, idols who excel at specific things are strong! So we'll be aiming to be idols who can sing, dance, and act! Lalafin: That seems pretty cool! Michiru: Is there anything you two want to try after becoming idols? Ichie: Oh, me, me, me! There was something I wanted to do while I was an idol, bur couldn't! Michiru: Go ahead, Ichie-chan. Ichie: A tie-in with a horror movie! I want to sing the theme song and play one of the roles! Michiru: Nice~ What about you, Lalafin-chan? Lalafin: I think it'd be good if I was given each of the catchphrases! Michiru: Catchphrases are part of acting, too--nice, nice~♪ That sort of thing's important! Ichie: Michiru-chan, what are we going to do about our group's name? Lalafin: Ah, that's important! Michiru: Something unique to the three of us would be nice. Let's take a bit and share our opinions. Ichie: Leave it to me! This sort of meeting is so exciting! Lalafin: Yeah, yeah! Unique to us, unique to us~♪

Michiru: Well, everyone, here we go~♪ One, two, three! All: We are "Mirai☆Resume"! Lalafin: "Mirai☆Resume"! It's easy to say and pleasing to hear! Michiru: The 'mi' from Michiru, 'ra' from Lalafin, and 'i' from Ichie--Mirai. And resume can mean summary... Michiru: The charm of three Stage Girls who express themselves through song, dance, and acting--an idol group of the future! Ichie: And that's why we are--- All: "Mirai☆Resume"! Michiru: We've yet to begin our activites, but our formation is complete! Our task was achieved♪ Lalafin: If we could start our activites on a day off or something, that'd be nice! Ichie: Fufufu. My day to shine again as an idol draws near~☆ Michiru: The three of us should go shopping or something this year. We can invite the Seisho girls eventually, too♪ Ichie and Lalafin: Sounds good~♪ Michiru: ...Fufu♪

Tamao's Pride

Shizuha: ---"There's good luck in taking a vow on the shrine ground's stage". Shizuha: That's what's written. How interesting. Tamao: Something we would vow... If it needs to involve all three of us, then it'd be to succeed at the Performance Festival, I guess. Akira: Success at the Performance Festival is a given. There's no need to take a vow. Shizuha: But, while you may say it's a given, I think declaring it before the gods has meaning. Akira: ...I have a vow of my own. Shizuha: Then... How does this sound? Shizuha: First, we'll all vow to succeed at the Performance Festival. And, in addition to that, we'll each make a vow of our own. Shizuha: I'm sure we all have a hidden desire, as well. Our individual vows should be from the heart. Tamao: My... ~flashback~ Tamao: ...They've invited all of us to take part in the Performance Festival! Tamao: Congratulations, everyone! Yuyuko: Whaaat? You serious!? Ichie: We did it! We've cleared the first hurdle on the way to our dream! Rui: This is wonderful! We're going to the Performance Festival together! Fumi: Tamao's dream-- No, the whole group's dream... Now it's mine, too. ~end flashback~ Akira: Very well. Tamao: ...Understood. Shizuha: It's decided, then.

Tamao: So this is the shrine ground's stage... Clerk: ---The stage is ready for whoever is next. Shizuha: Are you both ready? Akira: ............ Tamao: ...I'm fine. Shizuha: Let's go. Student A: Look! The person who just stood on stage, isn't that Siegfeld's Yukishiro Akira!? Student B: And Frontier's Kocho Shizuha! Student C: But, that other girl in the furisode, who is she again? I think she's from Rinmeikan... Tamao: ............ ~flashback~ Tamao: Part of me started hoping that maybe Ichie was right, and qualifying for the Performance Festival would miraculously save our department. Tamao: That was a mistake. Eveything was going so well, and I got too greedy. Tamao: Reality isn't so forgiving. Tamao: But that place filled with dreams and hope, a place where a miracle just might happen... Tamao: I loved that place. ~end flashback~ Tamao: Rinmeikan Girl's School, Performance Department Second-Year, Tomoe Tamao. Shizuha: Frontier School of Arts, Stage Expression Course Second-Year, Kocho Shizuha. Akira: Siegfeld Institute of Music, Acting Department Second-Year, Frau Platin... Yukishiro Akira. Shizuha: We say this now. Shizuha: To succeed in this year's Performance Festival--- Tamao: I vow. Shizuha: I vow. Akira: I vow. Crowd: Waaaaaah! Tamao: ...... Shizuha: Now for our individual vows... Akira: Everything is to demonstrate the pride of the Ruler! For the proof of Siegfeld's superiority! Tamao: ! Akira: Yukishiro Akira will push forward to the center! Walk trembling through the path I clear! Akira: We will display what makes us Siegfeld at the Performance Festival! Shizuha: Even though I said the vow should be from the heart... Are you perhaps saying...the stage is all there is? Shizuha: The path of the absolute Ruler, standing above all. That is not our ideal. Shizuha: I will create the greatest stage, together with the reassuring strength of 23 comrades. Shizuha: Yukishiro-san, your acting ability is truly a magnificent thing, but you don't have to shine alone. Shizuha: ...These are actually Aruru-chan's words, but today I'll vow in her place. Shizuha: A radiant stage with all 24 of us... That's the stage we at Frontier aim for. Shizuha: That's what we'll show you at the Performance Festival. Tamao: ...... Shizuha: Tomoe-san, how about you? Akira: ...What do you vow? You, who couldn't even reach my feet, what do you desire? Tamao: I-- My desire is--- ~flashback~ Tamao: We must stay in the show. We can't let it end here... Akira: Save your speeches for when you're on stage. The curtain has already come down. ~end flashback~ Tamao: I... Rinmeikan's tradition, Rinmeikan's radiance... Tamao: All that is the Rinmeikan Performance Department! I will carve it into this Performance Festival! Tamao: Rinmeikan's tradition, history, radiance. Tamao: Before I even entered Rinmeikan, I inherited them from my mother and my grandmother before her. Tamao: ...I want to make that eternal. So! I will show it to you all! Tamao: On stage at the Performance Festival, Rinmeikan's resolution! Tamao: That is all! Shizuha: ...It seems the desire we all hold for the Performance Festival is genuine. I won't lose either. Akira: Hmph... Rui: Uuu~ Tamao-senpai~! I'll follow you for life! In all ways! Tamao: Rui-chan... To think you were all watching... Ichie: We heard your wish loud and clear☆ Shiori: My body became tense when I heard your words, Yukishiro-senpai. Please join me for our winter vacation practice, too! Akira: Very well. I'll put my all into accompanying you. Michiru: Hehe♪ Both Akira and Shiori are motivated, I'm glad we came. Tsukasa: Siegfeld's pride and Rinmeikan's tradition were both amazing, but our Frontier spirit didn't lose. Lalafin: Shizuha, Frontier spirit~! Shizuha: Fufu. We'll cultivate ourselves together and show everyone a new sight. Tsukasa: Hey! This is a rare opportunity, so let's take a commemorative photo together! It's too bad we can't do it with all the participants, though... Michiru: We'll just have to take that one when we make the Performance Festival a success♪ Ichie: Oookay, "Mirai Resume", assemble~☆ Lalafin: Heeere♪ Shiori: Yukishiro-senpai, is it okay...to take a photo with everyone? Akira: ...... Rui: Tamao-senpai, do you know how to use the self-timer? Tamao: Yes, I'm good. Press this button and... Tamao: Everyone, here we go! What do mice eat~? All: Cheeeese!

#revue starlight #shoujo kageki revue starlight #revue starlight relive #translation #siegfeld #rinmeikan #frontier #parts of this were hard to translate sorry if i hecked it orz

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shippingtheswann · 6 years

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FOOLS RUSH IN:

Summary: Emma Swan has been married since she was five years old. Under the old oak tree, she wed Killian Jones, her neighbor. Then, he moved away, but made one final promise, that one day he would marry her for real. See what happens when he returns to make good on his promise.

Fools Rush in Chapter Twelve

Rating: M/E

Trigger Warning: SMUT!!

A/N: Thanks to @captainswanbigbang for once again organizing an amazing event. I've been missing Captain Swan for the past year, and having this has helped so much! Thanks to Lana @high-seas-swan and Kaitlyn @spartanguard for their beta help. Go check out Lana's story when you get a moment as well – it's amazing! Thanks to Rachel @ladyciaramiggles for the art she has provided. Also, thanks to Kris @sambethe for the cover art for the story and for beta help. All of you have made this story what it is! I hope you all enjoy what's happening and what is coming! Hope you enjoy - more smut and fluff ahead, but something is stirring!

Also, sorry for the delay in posting. The holidays are really the worst! LOL.

Unlike the morning before, Emma wanted to wake up today. Waking up meant more time in Killian's arms, more time being ravished and adored. Henry was set to come home in a couple of hours, and they would have to watch themselves, so time was of the essence.

She stretched up, the ache in some of the muscles she hadn't used in a couple of years prevalent. It was a good ache though, one that reminded her of the wicked games they had played the previous night. Her fingers wiggled before they came down to run through her blonde locks. Tangles gripped them as she reached the base of her neck.

As she threaded her fingers through again, working out the knots slowly, Emma smiled at the memory of Killian and her, rolling around in the sheets after a quick nap.

Never before had she had a night like that. Everyone before Killian left after they slept together. No one ever stayed around to pick up where they left off. They never had the opportunity - she kicked them out as soon as she could. So, even if they wanted to, she didn't give them the chance.

After the multitude of orgasms he gave her first, she was surprised he was willing to give her more. By her estimates, they arrived back at the house around 11 and fell asleep around midnight. He woke her up around 3, and again at 6, to show her just how much more he wanted to give her.

The first time he woke her up, he did it by giving her sweet kisses, his hands palming her breasts and his wicked words in her ears. The second time, she was awoken by his tongue lapping at her, moaning how it drove him crazy that she was already ready for him even in her sleep.

So, when she had woken up around 9, she was ready for more.

A thought came to her mind as she rolled in bed to look at the man who was starting to be the only thing she thought about. He looked calm, his breathing regular. She loved his chest hair, how it stuck up in different directions thanks to her running her fingers through it as she rode him to her own release a few hours earlier.

It was quickly becoming her new favorite thing, being on top of him, lowering herself onto his hardness, feeling herself clench around him.

Things were different with him; everything was different with him. Emma had enjoyed sex in the past, but never as much as she did last night. No one had ever made her feel both in control and at a loss all at the same time. He knew just the line to walk with her-giving her enough demands, but requesting her own at the same time. They were together through the whole thing, neither giving or taking more than the other. The way he looked at her had her shaking, especially as she was close to coming. He looked at her like he was seeing for the first time, and it drove her insane with lust. And a little bit of love.

So, as she watched him sleep, remembering every little detail from the night before, she knew she owned him a wake up call as well.

Carefully, trying not the shift the mattress too much, she moved over him.

He had went down on her out each time he woke her last night, but he didn't let her reciprocate. She begged him a bit, saying she wanted to suck him dry, but he never let her. Instead, he would kiss her senseless, until she was begging for him in a different way.

Killian was lying on his back, one arm rested above his head, while the other settled across his chest. He also slept naked, which Emma was thankful for. She didn't need to fumble around with moving him and taking his clothes off - it would ruin the surprise.

She reached down and grasped his erection in her hand. She wasn't too surprised that he was already hard. He confessed the night before that it had been normal the past week for him to wake up hard and need a cold shower in order to function around her. She blushed when he said it.

She was also annoyed it had taken them this long to fall into bed together, especially after the explosion that happened when they finally met, but her heart was thankful. They had both dealt with some heartbreak, him more than her, and she didn't want them to break because of their past.

Her hand began moving up and down, her eyes staring at him, watching for any signs that he was waking up. She heard a slight hum as his head turned a bit. He was coming out of sleep quicker than she expected.

Before he could fully wake up she bent down and took him in her mouth. She moved up and down slowly, her hand training behind her mouth.

When she looked up, after a minute or two, she was met with dark blue eyes. The intensity of the stare made her waver a bit; his eyes tore into her soul, searching for Emma's feelings, searching to see if she felt the same as he did. Not only did they say that, but they told her that she wouldn't be getting out of bed for a very long time, as they consumed her and wanted her.

His hand that rested on his chest came up and gripped her hair, a slight pain shocking her body. She enjoyed him rough, and the way his hand moved her head the way he wanted, was driving her wild. She was determined to make him feel the way she felt whenever he touched her. She wanted him to not remember his own name when she was through with him.

She took him deeper, pushing him as far back in her throat as she could. She felt the normal reflex kick in, but relaxed a bit, to take him farther than anyone before. She hummed as she started to move back up, her teeth raking across his sensitive skin, causing him to groan in need.

Her eyes flicked back up to him, a small grin crossing her face as she moved back down in a slow fashion.

"Fuck, Emma," he growled.

She continued to suck, moving faster now that he was awake, and his moans egged her on. While she wanted to be with him again, she also wanted to control his release the way he did with her. The hand that wrapped around strands of hair told her to keep going as well.

Her pace quickened; Emma wanted to draw it out, but she also wanted to see him fall apart while all her attention was focused on him. He had claimed that watching her come was the best thing he had ever witnessed, and since he was always coming when she did, she never watched his climax. But now, she wanted to see it.

He was close. He had stopped watching her, his head bobbing up and and down, his face pushed together, as if he was in pain; but Emma knew it wasn't a true pain, but the pain of pleasure, one that you only got from trying to hold out, instead of just letting the feelings wash over.

"I'm going to come, Emma," he warned.

She continued her rhythm, lowering her mouth down on him quickly, but pulling up slowly. She could feel him pulsing in her mouth, tasting some saltiness as he came closer and closer to his release.

She sucked a bit harder, moaning around him, causing him to moan her name and fling his head back.

"Emma!" he cried as he came, his hands falling to his side, one hand grasping at the comforter.

She didn't move, letting him empty himself in her mouth. Her eyes focused on him - noticing the flush of his skin. His eyes were pushed closed, and his mouth wide open, moans escaping it. She could see his heart beat in his chest and he tried to steady himself. Once he stilled in her mouth, she swallowed, looking up at him with a satisfied grin.

She tried to crawl off of him, but his arms came up to wrap around her waist, pulling her down on top of him. The sparkle in his eyes held everything she needed to know - that he thoroughly enjoyed himself, that he was in awe of what she was capable of doing, and that he was going to pay her back for it. She giggled as she settled into the crook of his neck, breathing in his scent. She could hear the beating of his quickened heart in his chest and it soothed her, almost enough for her to fall back asleep.

"That was the best way to wake up," he sighed, pressing a kiss to her temple and rubbing his hands up and down her back.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Her reply held a small amount of sarcasm, daring him to say anything different.

"I very much did," he laughed, his movement bouncing Emma in her nook.

His hands started to roam over her body, sending goosebumps along her skin. His leg came between them, pushing her legs open. Without any effort, his hands moved her over so that she was now resting on her back with him nestled in her nook. His tongue darted out, licking her skin just beneath her ear.

"Mmmm, you taste heavenly, love," he said in a sultry voice, making Emma wiggle underneath his touch. His hands still moved across her body, feeling every inch except the one area where she desperately needed him.

She knew she was wet, she woke up needing him, never getting enough, and the feeling of his cock in her hands and mouth made her even more ready for him. Hell, she was tempted to play with herself while going down on him, but she was glad all of her attention was focused on him.

Now, though, she didn't have to focus on anything; she could just let the pleasure come.

One of his hands flirted with her waiting nub, causing her to whimper with each pass. She knew he was teasing her, and while it was driving her crazy, she didn't want him to stop. She was enjoying the game he was playing. The pleasure was building up inside of her, and she knew when he finally made her come, she would feel a rush of pleasure unlike anything else she had ever felt. The way he knew and played her body made her love him even more.

She shook the last thought from her mind, she didn't need to be thinking about her feelings towards him; especially not feelings of love. She didn't trust those feelings, she couldn't. Not until she knew exactly what he was feeling. She couldn't let her feelings mess with what they had going for them. Love changes everything, and she didn't want things to change.

Love was something that scared her, truthfully. It wasn't because she hadn't seen real love before; because she had some good models in her parents and Mary Margaret and David. It was because she saw what love could sometimes make you do - like pack your kids and life up to chase after a man who really didn't love you. Emma loved Killian's mother, but she saw just how bad love can sometimes treat people. And she didn't want to end up like her, chasing Killian around the globe, begging him to love her the way she loved him. She was pretty sure he wouldn't do that to her, but the anxiety was still there - it took him all this time to come back to her, so what was to say he wouldn't leave again?

Feelings had no place in what they were doing. She couldn't let herself get hurt, couldn't let Henry get hurt. So, in her mind, if she kept her true, deep feelings hidden, she wouldn't get hurt and Henry wouldn't get hurt either. They could all live together, doing what they have been doing, for years, with no one getting hurt.

There was a small voice in the back of her mind that said it wouldn't work like that, though, that she knew Killian felt the same way about her; but there was a larger voice, one that yelled rather than whispered, that told her to protect her heart.

His fingers finally stayed on her clit, pulling her from her thoughts, thankfully. Emma couldn't let herself get deeper inside her own insecurities. His fingers kept her in the present, where she wanted to be.

As if he sensed her thoughts had taken her away from him, he turned her head using his free hand, and kissed her deeply, so perfectly, that she forgot what she was even worried about in the first place.

His tongue met hers in a feverish manner, demanding hers to keep up the pace. His teeth gripped her lower lip in-between the passionate kisses, causing her to moan and her legs to spread wider, allowing him better access to her aching core.

"Tell me how you want it, Emma," he whispered as he broke the kiss, allowing each of them to catch their breath.

"Mmmmm," she moaned, unsure of how to respond. She just wanted him, wanted to come, and wanted him to be the person who made her cry out in pleasure. But she also knew it got him off when she told him what to do.

The night before, there was equal give and take between them, time where Emma told him what to do or took the reins, and others where a dominant side of Killian came out.

She loved both sides of him, but in that moment, she didn't want to tell him what to do, she just wanted him to do it.

He looked at her as his fingers played between her thighs. She looked at him, silently pleading and telling him exactly what she was thinking.

"I think you want me to keep playing with you like this, my fingers teasing you, to the point you can't comprehend what is going on. I think you want my mouth on your perky nipples, sucking them and biting. I think you want me to make you come just like this, so you can scream my name before I capture your lips. I think you want my lips on your neck, whispering dirty thoughts in your ear," he said with a husky tone, darkness filling his eyes again.

All she could do was nod, telling him that was exactly what she wanted.

He did just that; his fingers teasing her, coming close to her heated core, but never entering. His fingers playing her clit like a guitar, sending shocks up her spine with each passing motion. His mouth took turns between giving attention to her nipples and her neck. He didn't stay in the same place for too long, moving every few seconds. He blew on her neck and nipples before leaving them. He didn't leave either alone though-his hand that wasn't on her clit rubbed her nipple and cupped her breast while his mouth was at her neck, moving to pull her hair when he went back to her chest.

The minutes passed quickly, but felt like ages at the same time. Emma found herself panting, needing more air to survive as his assault on her senses continued. He knew she was closing in on the edge of her climax. The way he attacked her neck told her he wanted her to come.

He put two fingers into her, causing her to cry out, his name on her lips. He captured her mouth and kissed her senseless as his fingers lazily moved in and out of her, her orgasm lasting longer than usual thanks to his fingers drawing it out. She closed her eyes, soaking in the pleasure that racked through her system. It was like she was weightless, but weighed a thousand tons at the same time. Her soul was floating away from her body. When he pulled them out of her, he brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked them clean, surprising Emma at how turned on she was by the act. She was ready for another go simply thanks to that act.

Looking at him, she knew he was ready to go as well.

She pulled him back against her, his lips crashing against hers. She reached beneath them, hand cupping his dick, moving it to her entrance. With each of them on their sides, faces close to touching, he entered her, her head falling back as he filled her perfectly. She loved the way he moved in her, the way she felt full when he was all the way inside of her. She never felt more perfect.

The night before was filled with feverish activities, both of them going hard and fast, not really wanting to savor the moment once it came; but this morning was a different monster. Emma could feel the difference in the air. Now that they knew each other, and that their first time was out of the way, they could take their time. Nights always have a different feel to them; they are sexier, more seductive. Morning brought a different feeling to their bedroom, one that was more lazy and relaxed. They could take their time, learn the small details of what made the other tick.

He moved in and out of her slowly, his forehead pressed against hers, his nose touching hers, he was breathing her in. His eyes held hers, she was unable to look away. It was becoming their things, their eyes finding each other and keeping them captivated.

Her hands wrapped around his back, pulling him deeper into her. Her chest was pressed against his, the hairs on his tickling her perky nipples, causing her pleasure to escalate. She didn't need his hands anymore. Having him so close to her, and the intimacy of what they were doing, was all she needed. Her leg hitched over his, her toes curled into the bed, trying to give her traction. The way they were fucking wasn't like it had been the night before - this one held more emotion.

Emma was back in her head, thinking about what she would call what they were doing. They weren't fucking. There was too much emotion moving between them at that moment to be a simple morning fuck. She didn't want to fully admit it, but she knew exactly what they were doing.

They were making love.

Her eyes closed, not wanting him to know what she was thinking. She didn't even want to think what she was thinking.

Instead, she focused on the movement that was happening, and begged Killian to fuck her.

"Fuck me, Killian, hard. Please," she moaned, hoping to egg him on.

"As you wish," he responded, picking up his pace.

Thankfully, it did the trick, and with each thrust into her, she was closer to the release she was begging for. His hands came up to cup her face as he rotated his hips, making the thrusts deeper and more powerful.

He kissed her with a deep intimacy when he brought his lips to hers. It was a kiss to match what they were doing. It wasn't quick or seductive, but thoughtful and filled with love.

Emma would probably have found this all very cheesy and cliche, but it all felt right. The only thing that was missing was some 90's R&B to set the mood, even though it wasn't needed.

Things were perfect just how they were. His lips met hers perfectly. His hands held hers perfectly, one of his interlinked near their hips, while the other found her hair. She made a mental note to wear her hair down more often, as it seemed to be one of the things he obsessed with most.

Killian thrusted quick, sending Emma over the edge, her orgasm racing through her blood. He didn't come too far behind her. Neither of them yelled or cursed, but they did deepen their kiss, breathing each other in as if their life depended on it.

They both stopped moving, only the rise and fall of their chests could be seen. Emma was pretty sure her heart was going to give out. They had barely moved, but Emma felt like she had run a marathon in the past thirty minutes. She was sweaty and needed a large glass of water, and maybe a nice long bath to ease her sore muscles.

She sighed at the thought. The bath sounded wonderful, but she was pretty sure that her time had run out and Henry would be home soon.

She gave Killian and quick kiss on the lips before she slipped off him and moved towards the end of the bed. She was stopped though, before she could even stretch and place a foot on the floor.

"Where do you think you're going love?" He said directly in her ear, the heat of his breath causing goosebumps to appear on her skin again.

"We need to get ready, Henry will be home any time," she said, but made no motion to get out of the bed.

"Just five more minutes," he begged her like a teenage who just wanted five more minutes with a video game.

"Ok," she sighed, leaning farther back, just enough for him to pull her back to the bed, and to his kisses.

She knew, just like with Henry and all the students in her classroom, five more minutes would turn into a few more hours-but she couldn't say no.

Emma finally broke away from Killian and the bed a few hours later. Thankfully, Henry had texted saying he would be staying with Avery for lunch - saying something about finishing their campaign. She didn't want Henry walking into what they had been doing.

Killian's craving for her was insatiable; even after another round in bed followed by extensive cuddling, which included Killian whispering sweet stories of his travels to her. He even ran her a bath, sitting down inside of the tub, pulling her to sit between his legs. He put an ample amount soap in his hands, lathered it up and massaged it into Emma's aching muscles. She almost fell asleep against his chest, his hands kneading away all the soreness and worry.

She let the sun shine into her room, creating a lovely bubble that she didn't want to leave; but she knew the longer they spent in bed, the harder it will be to get out when the time finally came.

She didn't bother putting any clothes on either, before she padded down the hallway to the kitchen, needing sustenance. She knew she had some fresh fruit and some handy snacks that would do the job. Plus, if they continued on the path they had been for the past 12 hours, she knew she would need something quick, that would still give her energy.

The food and snacks were abandoned though before Emma was even able to put them on a plate to bring into the bedroom. Killian's need for her outweighed his need for food. He came up behind her, still naked as well, and kissed her neck as his erection rubbed against her back. He took her there in the kitchen, on top of the table that they used every night for dinner.

The rest of their evening went the same, with Killian unable to keep his hands to himself, and Emma not stopping him. She didn't want to, not really.

He did behave, though, once Henry got home.

She couldn't put off his return, so she forced Killian to put clothes on for the first time that day and help her clean the mess they had made in the kitchen. And just like all the other nights they had had, he offered to make dinner for them. Although, his suggestion to eat out was almost taken, thanks to the looks Emma kept making when looking at the table.

They were both able to keep it together when Henry arrived home. The rest of the night was relaxed, with them making eyes at each other every chance they got. Emma knew better this time than to think that her son didn't catch them, but she didn't mind. Maybe if Henry saw a good relationship in his own home, it would influence him to be a better man

It wasn't the first time Emma had thought about that. Yes, she knew it would be easier to adopt Henry with a husband; but she also knew he needed a male role model around, that wasn't David or her father. Henry needed to see how a real family operates on a day to day basis. Emma had seen a lot of kids who grew up not knowing how to treat women thanks to not having a positive male role model at home. And while she knew Henry would never treat a woman poorly, she wanted to show him a loving relationship.

And Killian was such a good role model.

He was kind. He did things for Emma without a second thought. He didn't conform to traditional male roles - preferring to cook and clean. Emma especially liked that part. But he was loving and tender. He didn't hide his emotions or feelings for her.

Emma didn't grow up seeing that. She knew her parents loved each other; but she never saw them kissing or being intimate.

Maybe if she had, her previous relationships would have been better.

After their wonderful meal, where Killian kept Henry's attention by asking him question after question about what he had done at Avery's, Henry asked if they could do Family Game Night.

"You want us to have a Family Game Night?" Killian asked, clearly surprised at how Henry phrased the suggestion.

"Yeah," he said before he continued. "Mary Margaret and David host one once a month; so why shouldn't we?"

Before Emma could interject - reminding Henry that the Nolan's Game Night was adults only, and normally involved 10 bottles of wine minimum, all while playing Cards Against Humanity, but more importantly kid-free - Henry continued.

"I know theirs is different, but we could do our own - play a board game and talk about what we are all doing next week," he finished, looking more towards Killian than Emma.

It made her think about why Henry was asking them that way. He had done it when asking about the field trip. It was like Henry was already used to Killian being around all the time, like he was worried what would happen if Killian moved out. Which Emma was pretty sure Henry still thought was a possibility. She wished she could tell him he had nothing to worry about; that just like him, she was getting used to Killian's presence and would love to see him stick around for the long haul. But her hopes were already up, and she didn't want her son feeling the same. It was better if he was grounded in reality, prepared for the worst - especially since Emma knew she wasn't.

"That sounds wonderful, lad," Killian said, a bright smile crossing his face.

"Cool!" Henry exclaimed. "Let's start now! I got Risk, Apples to Apples, Candy Land, Monopoly…"

"How about we save game night for tomorrow? Make it one big thing?" Emma suggested, cutting Henry off before he decided they should just play everything.

While game night sounded fun, and while she would love to show Killian just how good she was at games after her embarrassing showing at the restaurant the night before, she was also worn out, the day's activities finally getting to her.

"Really?" Henry asked, an excitement filling his voice.

Emma smiled at him, but there was a little voice in the back of her mind saying she should have done this sooner. She was always trying to give Henry the perfect home life. She wanted to wash away all of the bad memories he carried around with him. She silently berated herself for not thinking of Game Night in the past. But, something also told her it felt right that Henry brought it up and that Killian was involved.

"Yes," she began, "we can make popcorn and get junk food. We can even do a matinee movie before we get into the game. What do you say, kid?"

"I say, hell yes!" With that, he jumped out of his chair and punched the air.

"Language!" Emma exclaimed, but one that held a soft tone, and a shake of the head. She had to be the annoying mother every once in a while.

Henry giggled as he sat down.

"Sorry," but Emma knew he wasn't really.

"So, we will go to the midday movie, hit up the grocery store for some junk food, then head back here to see who is the best?" Killian asked.

"I challenge you to the Game of Life, Killian!" Henry replied, a huge smile across his face.

"You are so on!" Killian said, reaching out to shake hands with Henry.

All while Emma watched with a smile on her face, knowing there was no way in hell she would be letting Killian go. Ever.

The next few days went along splendidly. Game night was a huge success. Emma thought she had stuffed herself with theater food as they watched the newest Marvel movie. But, as they all walked down the aisles of the grocery store, with Killian's hand grasping hers, his other hand resting on Henry's shoulder, Emma wanted more; the sweetness of the moment manifesting on her tastebuds. When they got home, and dumped all three bags of junk on the table, Emma once again doubted her stomach's ability to hold in all that sugar. But, in the middle of LIFE as Killian's character, who had four kids and a minivan, moved to retirement, Emma opened up another bag of gummy worms.

She regretted it a few hours later. But there Killian was, offering a cold compress, cold water, and soothing rubs as she fought off sick. It really was like she was a teenage again. The whole thing reminded Emma of the weekend she and Ruby snuck vodka from Granny's into their room during a sleepover. Emma was pretty sure the reason she threw up that night wasn't because she couldn't handle vodka, but because she had 4 bags of candy a few hours earlier. She couldn't help it, though-gummy bears were her weakness.

Even after seeing her in that state, she was surprised that Killian's lust for her never faltered.

She yelled at him to leave her as she laid over the toilet, telling him to go away, not wanting him to see her like that. Even though she protested, Killian still barged into the bathroom, held her close and whispered how gorgeous she was even in the state she was in.

Monday morning arrived with them waking up in the bathroom, Emma's head resting on Killian's lap. She was sure that he would have neck pain the rest of the day, but she was also positive that he wouldn't mind.

For the rest of the week, they spent it like any normal family would, similar to the previous week's activities. However, the new week brought in more comfort and routine.

Every morning, Emma smiled as she got ready for work, knowing that there would be a breakfast and coffee waiting for her, and probably a note from Killian. She went through each day in a bliss, knowing what was going to be waiting for her when she got home. Killian had started to pick up Henry from school, too. She had seen it the first day from her window, that looked out on the parent pick up loop. Killian was waiting in his Jeep, ball cap on and looking relaxed. He hadn't put the roof or doors back on. Emma already knew there were probably a few PTA moms who were staring at him.

They were like vultures, and Emma was jealous. She was pretty sure her cheeks were red as she watched some of the moms get out of their SUVs, which they weren't supposed to do, trying to show off their bodies, perfected by yoga, as they waited for their children to come out of the school.

Killian, though, didn't even notice. While Emma couldn't see his eyes, as they were shaded by his sunglasses, his face never moved from the front of the school building. She knew, deep down, that he would never look at another woman the way he looked at her.

What warmed her heart the most though, was the way he stood up in the Jeep when he noticed Henry walking from the building. She couldn't hear their exchange, but she witnessed Killian hollering to her son, a grin plastered to his face, and Henry running, almost skipping with excitement, towards the Jeep. What she saw when Henry made it into the Jeep though, had her holding her breath. Henry reached over and gave Killian a side hug.

Her son, who wasn't the most trusting of adults, hugged a man he had known less than two weeks. She wanted to take the credit for the act; if it wasn't for her bringing him into their house, none of it would have happened. But she knew she had nothing to do with it. It was all them: Killian's openness and lovability, and Henry's personality and maturity brought them together.

While the scene was unfolding, Emma found herself thinking of the distant future, something she rarely did. Unless it involved Henry being part of her family permanently, she didn't really think about the future. She knew it was in part because of what happened when she was little, but she also knew it was because nothing ever happened the way she planned it. But watching Henry and Killian as they pulled off, heading back towards her house, she couldn't help it.

She saw Killian driving Henry off to college, holding hands with Emma as she sobbed at seeing her son move out. She saw Killian at Henry's graduation, cheering louder than anyone else. She saw Killian at Henry's wedding, standing up as his best man, patting her son on the shoulder as he said his vows to a woman who loved Henry. She saw them sitting in her sunroom, hands linked, listening to their grandchildren yell and scream as they played in the yard.

"Hey…" she heard a voice call from the door to her classroom.

"Hey," she turned around to face Mary Margaret, wiping a tear from her eye that she hadn't realized was there.

"What's wrong?" her friend asked, moving quickly to wrap Emma in her arms.

"Nothing, actually," Emma said, a smile crossing her face.

Nothing was wrong. She was happy. For once, in her life, she felt like everything was going her way. She finally felt like everything was falling into place.

"Oh, Emma," Mary Margaret soothed.

"Really. I mean, I just watched Henry be so excited at Killian picking him up, and the last week has just felt… I don't know…" she finished, unsure of how to describe the week she had. Every word that came to mind just didn't do her feelings justice.

"I know what you mean," her friend said, pulling Emma away from the window to sit down at a table.

"It's like when I first met David. Nothing before him felt real. Nothing was right. Sure, I had a good life, a good family, great friends," she added, nudging Emma in her shoulder, "but none of it really mattered until David came into the picture. He says it was like when we upgraded our TV. Sure, there was nothing wrong with that 50 inch TV we got at the wedding, at least I didn't think there was, but David was right that everything would look better by upgrading."

Emma smiled, remembering the fight the two had over that damn TV.

"Killian is upgrading your life," Mary Margaret smiled.

That thought stayed with Emma through the week. She thought about it as they ate dinner that night, with Henry talking animatedly about something that happened in PE class. She thought about it again as she laid in bed with Killian, snuggled deep under the covers, calm in her laziness.

Emma was sure other couples didn't follow the schedule they did. She thought back to when Mary Margaret first met David. They were like rabbits. They were so bad Emma walked in on them not once, not twice, but three times over the course of a month period. They couldn't keep their hands to themselves. It was different with Killian.

Sure, she loved the feel of his body on hers, and she was positive if given the chance, he would take Emma without second thought; but he also wanted to show her that his feelings weren't just physical. Maybe it was also because they were older; they didn't need to have sex every night to know what they had was real and meant something.

They just enjoyed the time they had together, so instead of doing anything, they laid in each other's arms talking about their day and discussing random items of the past, learning about each other all over again.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday was the same. Breakfast waiting, Killian picking Henry up with Emma peeking from the window of her classroom, Emma rushing through the door when she got home, unwilling to spend anymore time separated from her boys, a simple family dinner and then bed, cuddled up against Killian.

Some of the nights did involve some scandalous activities, where Emma had to bury her head into the pillow to keep quiet; but she didn't mind that not all of them did.

Henry didn't go away the following weekend. Instead, the three of them spent the weekend together. Emma had never been the outdoorsy type of girl, but she didn't mind a good hike; and the weather was beautiful, so she couldn't say no when Killian asked if they wanted to wake up early and hike.

After eight long hours of hiking, they ate dinner at a cute little diner they passed on the way to the park. Killian ended their night by massaging Emma's sore calves, leading to Killian's face between Emma's legs and her nails digging into his back. She then joined him in the shower where she got on her knees and gave him just as much attention as he showed her.

After Monday's conversation with Mary Margaret, Emma had been thinking more about her relationship with Killian. She really didn't want to think too much about it, knowing that her thoughts would get her nowhere, but she couldn't help it. Maybe it was time to really start thinking about what life with Killian would be like. Especially since, in two weeks time, they would have to discuss what Emma had suggested.

She cursed herself each time she thought about it. She regretted it on one hand; hated herself for even thinking about using him to get something else. She hated that she didn't just ask him out right to help her. She hated that she was still keeping the secret from him. But on the other, she was kinda glad she had asked him. If she hadn't, they would have never gotten together, never spent wonderful nights in each other's arms. They probably would have still gotten together, knowing the tension between them, but it probably would have been long, drawn out, and Emma probably would have let her fears get in the way.

Either way, they had to really start talking about it and thinking about it.

Looking back on the past two weeks, Emma had to admit, life with Killian had been splendid. Not only did she go to sleep happy, she spent her entire day that way. She couldn't find one negative thing to say. Plus, it affected her in other parts of her life. She was calmer, more willing to let things just happen.

Life before Killian was good, but it wasn't great. It was nice, but not fantastic. She was happy, but not ecstatic to be living every single day.

She knew what word could describe what she was feeling. She knew what her heart felt, and maybe, after two weeks of living with someone she had really known her whole life, even with the distance, she was ready to confess how she felt.

She loved him.

Her life was complete with Killian. He completed her soul. It was like she had never really seen anything around her since he left, and now that he was back, her entire being burst into color.

She loved him for everything he did for her. She loved the way he held her, loved the way he listened. She loved the dopey look on his face when he talked about something he really enjoyed. She loved the hunger he had for life. She loved the trouble he had been through, and the person it had made him. But, more importantly, she loved that he loved her.

Was she 100% positive he loved her? Yes. Was she sure that his love was true and as deep as what she felt towards him? No.

So, there she was: deeply in love with someone she was pretty sure she had been in love with since childhood; she just wasn't sure she could tell him just yet.

Plus, she wanted to hear him say it first.

When she had told Neal she loved him, she was met with a kiss on the cheek and a "thanks, babe". He never said it back and looking back now, Emma knew if he had, she wouldn't have believed him. She also knew she didn't really mean the words. They were the words of a girl, one who didn't know what true love could feel like. What a love, a deep and pure love, really meant.

So she was scared to tell him. Emma knew he wouldn't speak to her how Neal did; but there was still that fear of what might happen.

Their third week of living together was odd. Emma had become awkward around Killian, especially when they were left alone. On Sunday, before game night and a rowdy game of Monopoly, Killian invited Emma to go to a Color Me Mine. She couldn't say no, as it was something her mother and his used to take them to when they were little.

The drive there was silent. Rarely would they need the radio, since normally they would have a steady conversation flowing; but that day, Emma wished he would turn it on. She caught him glancing at her a few times, with a worried expression on his face, but he never asked her what was wrong.

It was a special painting day, just for adults, with mimosas for the taking. Emma steered clear from that table, knowing the alcohol in her system would loosen her lips, and she still wasn't ready to tell Killian what she was feeling. She started to realize she was also scared it would change things between them. Love did that-changed relationships. Some came out fine after the four-letter revelations, while others didn't last because the people started acting crazy.

Killian didn't let Emma's mood deter his plans. He started talking about work, about a new TV show that was starting, about the pottery they had chosen. He wasn't letting her silence get to him. He must have gotten tired of the one-sided conversation after a while though, because before Emma could stop him, he reached over with his brush and drew a blue line on her nose.

That got her out of her shell. She was mad at first-how could she not be? But when she saw the playful smile on Killian's face, she relaxed. What was she even worried about? It was Killian, after all. If they could still be close after him moving thousands of miles away, they could weather any storm.

So, while the paint brought Emma back out of her own mind, things were still awkward. She wasn't quite sure how to behave around him anymore. She didn't want to give away her feelings. But she wanted to be around him, touch him and feel him, just as much, if not more, than before. But there was still that worry in her mind that he would see right through her, that he wouldn't feel exactly how she felt, that their entire relationship would change.

Sex with him was still good, but she tried to disconnect her feelings from it all, trying not to yell out her love for him every time he touched her.

Finally, on Saturday, at the end of the third and most awkward week, she invited Mary Margaret and Ruby over while Killian took Henry to the comic store. She needed their advice before she ruined everything.

She knew Killian thought something was wrong. He had even asked her, once a day since Sunday. He asked her each night before bed is everything OK love? Are we good? And each night she responded the same. Yes, of course. She meant it, too-there wasn't anything wrong and they were OK; it was just her and her own silly thoughts. But she knew it wasn't fair to either of them to keep things going the way they were.

"Spill it, Emma. What's going on?…. Holy shit, you're pregnant, aren't you?" Ruby asked, in traditional Ruby fashion.

"Ruby," Mary Margaret scolded.

"What?" her friend countered.

"No, I'm not pregnant. Besides, we've only been together that way for a week," she responded.

"Well I knew you were getting some ass; no one is that happy without getting some ass," Ruby said, a Cheshire grin splashed across her face.

"Stop it, Ruby." Mary Margaret swatted at her friend sitting next to her.

"Ok, so if you're not pregnant and I'm not allowed to ask about your probably titillating sex life, what can we talk about?" Ruby jested.

Emma sighed, unsure how to tell them what she had been thinking. She knew they would be helpful-well, they would be once Mary Margaret calmed down from the shock she would undoubtedly have and the horror Ruby would show.

"Emma, what's wrong?" Mary Margaret asked, reaching her hand across the table, grasping Emma's. Her hands were warm from hold the cup of coco that Emma had made for her friends.

"It's not that anything is wrong. It's more everything's so right I'm not sure what to do or what to say," she tried to explain.

"Just say it, Emma," Ruby almost screamed, all of them wanting Emma to just stop beating around the bush.

"I love him," Emma finally breathed.

She was right about her friend's reactions. Just like when she told him all about Killian a few weeks prior, Mary Margaret was overly excited, and probably already planning a wedding and nurseries in her head, while Ruby tried to look excited, but her indifference for her friend could be seen in her eyes.

"When did you know?" Mary Margaret questioned, trying to hide her excitement.

"I'm not really sure. It wasn't like I stopped one day and just knew. I just got to thinking about how different everything has been, how much better everything has been, and it's all because of him," she explained.

"So why do you look sick to your stomach, then?" Ruby asked.

She had filled Ruby in on the bet they had the week prior, knowing it wasn't fair for Mary Margaret to know and to leave her other friend out of the loop. Ruby understood it, but was more interested in their bedroom activities than the feelings that surrounded it in the first place.

"Because there was something about the bet that I didn't tell you all about," she whispered, looking down into her mug of cocoa.

"What is it?" Mary margaret asked.

"It's kinda a shitty thing," she continued to stare into her mug, her hand stirring

"What stupid thing did he do?" Ruby spat.

"It wasn't him," she said, still refusing to meet the eyes of her friend.

"Emma." Mary Margaret's mothering tone made Emma finally make eye contact, and she wasn't surprised to see no judgement in her eyes.

She knew no matter what, her friends would have her back.

"Well, when Killian first brought the whole thing up, I was completely blindsided and of course thought he was crazy; but I couldn't help but think about how maybe him being crazy could lead to something I've been dreaming about for a while," she started.

Mary Margaret must have caught on because the shock that crossed her face told Emma it was a shitty thing she had thought.

"It was fleeting; well, mostly. I mean, I still think about how marrying Killian would not only make me insanely happy, but give me something I've been dreaming of. How can you not think about having your cake and eating it too?" Her confession wasn't fully out there, but she was getting there, building up the confidence to say it aloud.

"Well, of course it's ok to think about, but it's another thing to act on it," Mary Margaret said.

"Wait, I'm not 100% sure what you are saying?" Ruby chimed.

"So, the agency keeps telling me it's very unlikely that I'm going to ever adopt Henry without a spouse to help. When Killian brought up marriage, it was like a switch went off. Killian was offering me something on a silver platter, so I thought, why not? I can marry him, and finally be able to adopt Henry."

The way she said it, was a stark reminder of the horrible thought she had. What type of person would think that, do that to someone? As she said the words in a bright voice - the first voice she had used - she heard the disgust in the thought.

"Is that really why you asked me, Swan?" A hurt voice came from behind her.

Killian stood in the doorway, a bouquet of flowers in his arms, her son standing next to him, mouth hanging open. The heartbreak in Killian's eyes killed her. She felt her heart disintegrate inside her chest.

"Killian, I can explain," she started, but before she could say anything, Killian disappeared from the doorway.

She rose from the table, tears now in her eyes. She pushed past Henry who had finally closed his mouth as was staring at her in anger. As she reached the hallway, she heard the screeching of tires.

His Jeep was tearing down the street as Emma stood in her doorway, tears streaming down her face. Her hands clenched on the doorframe.

"I love you," she whispered to the wind, praying the words would make it to Killian and bring him back to her.

#Captain Swan Big Bang #Captain Swan #CSBB #Captain Swan Fan Ficition #CS FF

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bazypitchandsimonsnow · 6 years

Text

The Black Swan

Chapter 8

Rating: T

Genre: Fluff/Angst

Word count: 8200

Chapter: 8/17 (All chapters)

Summary: Baz and Simon go to a party.

Read on AO3

AN: Hello! Sorry this was delayed. I promise you it's worth the wait. It's super fun and there's awesome art by @bookerella. Enjoy :)

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“Baz!” Simon shouted as he jumped off the dirt wall. He nearly fell over as he hit the ground, what with two rucksacks on his back throwing him off balance. “Baz!”

“For goodness sake, Simon, I’m right here,” Baz called back. “I’m literally the only person here.” He was standing by the lake, just throwing on his shirt. Simon caught himself staring at a strip of reddish-gold skin on his lower back. His throat suddenly got very dry.

“Simon? Simon, are you there?” Baz was standing right in front of him, waving a hand in Simon’s face. His brow was adorably furrowed. It almost distracted from the large purple bruise on his upper cheek. Simon’s gut twisted very painfully. It just confirmed how much he needed to do this.

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine,” he said. His excitement returned in full force, a grin splitting across his face. “And I’ve got something exciting to tell you!”

Baz raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. “Alright. Let’s hear it.”

“Okay okay, awesome.” Simon plopped down on the ground. Baz sat cross legged directly across from him. “So, Watford doesn’t have a lot of holidays, but we have this big one, the solstice festival. It’s this enormous party celebrating the end of the long nights and the start of the longer days. Everyone gets together and just has a great time. The biggest solstice festival is in Watford Town. And it’s tomorrow.”

“Sounds wonderful," he deadpans. "Why are you telling me about it? Is this an impromptu history lesson?”

Simon took a deep breath. He wasn’t sure what reaction Baz would have, but he knew it would be something he needed to prepare for. “No. I’m saying...that we should go. Both of us. We should go to the festival together.”

Simon saw many emotions pass over Baz’s face. The initial confusion as he processed Simon’s words, the quick bolt of shock as he understood their meaning, followed by splash of fear, and ending with straight up utter panic.

“No!” Baz yelled frantically, scrambling away from Simon. “No! Absolutely not! No fucking way!”

Simon inched forward a bit, but Baz backed away even more. “Baz, just listen-”

Baz stood up and kept his back to Simon, arms crossed over his chest. “I will not listen, because this is crazy.”

“I mean, is it though?”

“Yes!” Baz turned his head, letting Simon see a corner of his glare. “Have you forgotten my situation, Simon? I’m a prisoner, a cursed prisoner, who is meant to stay in this lake!

“But...you fly out of here as a swan...”

“That’s different! I’m supposed to stay here when I’m human. No one is supposed to see me. Especially not hundreds of people at a bloody festival!”

Simon stood up, nervously fiddling with the hem of his tunic. “Well, no one would actually see you.”

Baz narrowed his gaze even more. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“People dress up for the festival. Everyone wears a pretty costume and a mask. No one sees your face.”

Baz turned his body halfway around, but his arms were still crossed. “Are they actually effective at hiding your identity?”

“Well, I think they do. Look at this.” Simon rummaged in his bag and pulled out the mask he bought for himself. He hadn’t been able to resist it while scoping out the market, honestly. It was a bright red dragon’s face with a long snout. The front was decorated with small, glittery crystals. Gold mesh and red fabric lined the edge that looked like flames. Four golden horns curled out from the top. Simon saw it yesterday and it was just too gorgeous not to buy. And from Baz’s wide eyes, he liked it too.

Simon held it in front of his face, not bothering with the stupid ribbon on the back. “See? Can barely tell it’s me, right?”

Baz turned all the way. He still didn’t look fully convinced though. His eyes flicked upward. “I can still see your hair, and it’s...distinctive.” Simon swore there was some colour on Baz’s cheeks, but his complexion and bruise obscured it. “Mine is too. What if the man sees my hair? I don’t know if he lives in town or not.”

Simon pulled a piece of thick red fabric from his bag and threw it on his head. He knew it looked silly but that wasn't the point right now. “You can wear a headscarf, like this. I do it all the time when I go into town.”

“Why?”

Simon inhaled sharply. Shit, he thought. He was glad Baz couldn’t see his entire face right now. That fleeting confidence he’d had about revealing his royalty a few nights ago was definitely gone by now. “Uh, people stare at my hair. Like you said, it’s distinctive. I find it annoying, so, scarf.”

Baz's resolve cracked, eyes softening and arms lowering slightly. But he still didn’t look fully convinced. “This is still really risky. If he sees me out of the lake, he would most likely kill me. Or worse, he might kill you.”

The breath left Simon’s lungs for a moment. He didn’t know how to interpret that. Was Baz just horrified at the idea of someone else dying because of him? Or Simon in particular dying? It was too confusing. He didn’t want to think it through.

Simon took a step forward, letting the mask fall from his face, figuratively and literally. He tried to look at Baz as sympathetically as possible.

“Baz,” he said softly, “I definitely get why you’re scared. He’s a scary man. But...I think it would be worth it to get out there instead of being cooped up here like a hermit.”

“It’s not like that’s my choice,” Baz hissed.

Simon raised his hands in deference. “I-I know, Baz, of course I know that. I’m not blaming you, it’s obviously not your fault. I’m just saying, it might be a good idea to get out of here for one night. You may still be stuck with your curse for now, but you’re human at heart, and you need to be around other humans.”

The other boy looked down, frowning slightly, digging his bare toe into the ground. “I’m around you a lot.”

That made something warm pool in Simon’s stomach. It sounded dangerously close to a compliment. Simon couldn’t be sure. But that wasn’t what was important right now. He took another few steps forward. Baz didn’t step back.

“Yeah, you are, but I’m only one human. When we break you’re curse, you’re going to have to be around other people. So, this can be a trial run for when you’re free.” Baz bit his lip at the last word. Simon couldn’t tell if it was from excitement or fear. “Plus, it’ll be really fun. Lots of singing, dancing, nice food. I promise, we’ll have a great time.”

Baz chuckled. “I’d have to trust you on that, I’ve never been to a party.”

“And you should get to go to one, stupid curse or not.” The boys were standing very close. Close enough that Simon could put a hand on Baz’s shoulder, and Baz flinched, but he didn’t pull away. “Honestly though? I really just think you should do something fun. It might distract you from...other stuff.”

Simon looked at Baz’s purple cheek. Baz’s hand instinctively hovered over it, then let it drop fast, looking somewhere between angry and embarrassed. Simon wanted so badly to take his pain away. He wasn’t sure if a festival could do that, but he could at least try.

“What if he comes to check on me?” Baz asked quietly.

“You said he only comes every few weeks or months,” Simon replied, “so he won’t be back for awhile.”

Baz nodded. “What about the sunrise?”

“It’s the longest night of the year. You won’t have to worry about the sunrise for awhile.”

“What if he spots me?”

“We’ll run very, very fast.”

That made Baz smile, ever so slightly. But his face quickly fell again. He reached up to touch his bruise again, fingertips barely touching the area. “What about...this? Would a mask help?”

Simon grinned. He was very proud of this part. He reached into his second bag, and pulled out the second mask he bought. “Yeah, I think it would.”

Baz cautiously took the mask. It was elegant, which was what caught Simon’s attention. The base was made of ebony with painted accents. The forehead was mostly black, with sprays of silver coming out from the edges to spread across the mask’s surface until only the nose was bare, making a sort of half hourglass pattern. Simon thought it looked like bursts of moonlight on a night sky. The mask covered the forehead and cheeks, but left the mouth visible. It was beautiful, and would certainly work for Baz.

“See?” Simon said. “That will hide it for sure.”

Baz tilted it back and forth, examining it with his careful, analytical gaze. He traced the silver lattice pattern lining the eye holes with a single finger. Simon couldn’t tell what he was thinking. His mouth twisted and changed, like words wanted to burst out but he kept them back. Simon’s nerves mounted with every passing second. He wanted Baz to want this, he wanted Baz to have some fun, he wanted to show Baz the world they were working towards getting him into.

“Do you have a costume for me too?” he asked. “Because none of my clothes are will probably be sufficiently flashy.”

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” Simon offered his second rucksack, the top already opened. Baz looked inside. His eyes widened for a moment, then he gave Simon a deadpan look.

“You think you’re funny, don’t you?” he said.

Simon shrugged, mouth pulled in a sheepish smile. “I’ve been told I can be.”

Baz closed the rucksack. He looked at Simon with a soft expression. And he sighed. “Alright, I’ll go to the festival with you.”

A fire exploded in Simon’s heart. Excitement rushed through his veins. He jumped up and down and clapped like an excited school child. “Amazing! Awesome! We’re gonna have so much fun!”

“I do hope so.” Baz carefully put the bag down. “We’re risking our lives for it.”

Simon was about to rebut or apologize, but Baz swiftly picked up his stick-sword and pointed it at Simon’s face. He had an annoyingly smug smirk on his face.

“Now, enough about costumes and parties,” he drawled with smug confidence. “I’ve been looking forward to beating you for days.”

Simon’s competitiveness, the kind he only really felt with Baz, raged back in full force. He threw aside his bag and swiftly picked up his own stick. He took his fighting stance, smirking as well.

“Well then,” he said, “en garde.”

———————————————

Sneaking out of the palace in common clothes was hard enough as it was. But climbing out a window in a tight costume jacket and pants. He didn’t want to be spotted by the guards or a passerby either, and the bright red peeking out from his cloak didn’t help. Simon did it anyway, repelling down the wall slowly as to not rip his trousers, keeping his brown cloak close around him, using his wand a bit to clear a path in the Forbidden Lands. (Though he ended up destroying a few trees.)

But he did it, he managed to get through. And soon enough, he was poorly cushioning his fall into Baz’s lake. He hit the dirt with a hard thump.

“Ow,” he groaned.

“You really do suck at magic,” Baz chuckled. Simon looked up.

Then the whole world seemed to freeze.

Baz was beautiful, Simon knew that. It was an objective fact. Elegant face, perfect hair, incredible eyes. Beautiful, no question. But right now, he was...he was so much more. Tonight, he was goddamn majestic.

Simon’s eyes scanned upward. The black boots and leather riding pants perfectly stretched over Baz’s toned calves and powerful thighs. His double breasted jacket showed off his lean figure without making him look thin. Simon could see the outline of his strong arms through the long sleeves. It was black too of course, woven with feather patterns made from stunning silver thread. A matching silver scarf was draped loosely around his long neck. His hair was slicked back, showing off his pretty smirking face. Though Simon really did prefer it loose. Oh well. He couldn’t get everything he wanted. But Baz was smiling so wide that Simon barely noticed his bruise. So he was pretty damn happy.

“You want to get up, Simon?” Baz asked with amusement.

Simon was shocked out of his daze. He huffed and offered his hand. “Yeah. Help me up.”

Baz hoisted Simon to his feet. Simon’s wool cloak fell with him. Baz’s hand dropped, and his eyes went wide.

“Huh,” he whispered. “That’s...quite the outfit.”

Simon looked down at himself. He didn’t know whether it was a compliment or not. He thought he looked okay. His scarlet jacket was longer than Baz’s, reaching to his calves instead of the middle of his knees. And it only had one set of gold buttons instead of two sets made of silver. The tails were decorated with orange and gold so it looked like fire spilling down his back. Fire was a theme with this outfit. His red trousers even had gold flames stitched on the sides. Sure, it all looked sort of ridiculous, but everyone at the festival looked ridiculous. And not everyone could look as incredible as Baz.

“Does it look bad?” Simon asked meekly.

Baz shook his head. “Certainly not.” He reached out to fix the collar of Simon’s white shirt, flattening it down against his coat. “You look like a very nice fairy tale creature.”

Simon’s stomach and chest felt very, very hot. He wasn't used to compliments, and the feeling of one just washed over him in a very pleasant way. He grinned at Baz. “Thanks.”

Baz held his arms out and gave a little spin, coat tails waving in the slight wind. “How do I look?”

“Incredible,” Simon blurted out. He felt his cheeks heat up and looked at the ground. “You, you look good. You’re practically made for fancy clothes, I think.”

Baz bowed deeply, arms on his stomach and back, hair nearly brushing the ground. “Well, thank you, good sir.”

Simon giggled with a hand over his mouth. “You’re ridiculous.”

“So is this outfit, but I’m not complaining.” He started walking forwards, mask swinging from his fingertips. “Come along then, I want to see this wonderful festival.”

Simon nodded and followed along. “Yeah, let’s go.”

They walked to the wall. Baz looked up at with a tense mouth and worried eyes. Simon knew he was scared. He hadn’t been out of this lake as a human for fourteen years. Of course he’d be scared. But Simon didn’t want him to be. So, being the brave idiot he knew he was, Simon reached out brushed the back of his hand against Baz’s. A small gesture, but the sensation of Baz’s skin on his radiated through Simon’s entire being anyways. Baz flinched, but only slightly.

“Don’t worry,” Simon said softly. “It’s gonna be okay. You’ll be fine.”

“I bloody hope so,” Baz replied under his breath.

Simon took a deep breath, and fully grabbed Baz’s hand. Their calluses scraped against each other. Baz didn’t flinch at all. Simon somehow felt tense and happy all at once. Like a storm made of sunlight. “Let’s go.”

Simon, despite being quite strong, was not strong enough to hoist both Baz and himself up over the wall by sword. He didn’t even have his sword tonight anyway. So he had to magically lift up both of them and over, something he had not been looking forward to. It was a relatively simple spell but magic was never simple for Simon. He reached into his coat and pulled out his wand. The damn thing rarely worked, but it was slightly safer than just wishing for something to happen and hoping it worked. He held it up high.

“Up and out!” He shouted. Nothing happened. Baz made a confused noise. Simon groaned and shook the stupid stick. “Come on, please.”

He squeezed his eyes and thought very, very hard about how much he wanted to get both of them out of here. Then their feet were off the ground. Baz gasped and held Simon's hand tighter. Simon cautiously opened his eyes. They were at least three feet off the ground, rising slowly, the lake disappearing below. Baz’s other hand gripped his bicep.

“Amazing,” he whispered.

Simon’s heart swelled with pride. He grinned and leaned closer to Baz. And that little thought was all it took for Simon’s concentration to break.

They rocketed upwards out of the the lake, so fast and high they hit a tree branch. Simon’s shoulder hit it very painfully. But falling and crashing into the forest floor hurt far, far worse. They both hit with a resounding thud, leaves falling around them.

“Less amazing,” Baz grumbled.

“Sorry,” Simon said as he sat up, rubbing his shoulder. Luckily, their costumes were still okay, just a few leaves they needed to brush off. Simon stood up and slipped his wand back into his jacket. Baz stood as well and shook the dirt out of his hair.

“Well,” Baz sighed. “It wasn’t dignified but at least it was effective. We’re out.”

Simon smiled sheepishly. “Yeah that’s true.”

Baz tilted his head up and looked around. It obviously wasn’t the first time he’d seen outside the lake, but it was the first time he’d seen it as a human. Maybe the world looked different through the eyes of a swan. Simon hoped Baz liked it through the eyes of a human too.

Baz held out his mask to Simon. “Can you help me put this on now? The ribbons are annoying as shit to do on your own.”

Simon nodded. “Yeah, yeah of course, turn around.”

Baz did, longish hair facing Simon. Luckily there was still a bit of twilight, so Simon could mostly see what he was doing. With shaky fingers, he fitted the mask over Baz’s face and tied the ribbon in a slightly messy bow. Baz turned back around and simultaneously threw on his silver scarf. It was strange. Simon knew it was Baz, of course, but the mask and scarf made him almost unrecognizable. He looked less like the Baz he knew and more like a mysterious gentleman, with a face like the night sky and hair made of moonlight.

“Good?” Baz asked with a smirk.

Simon swallows down his dry throat. He reached forward and tucked a stray black hair under his scarf. The silver goes with his eyes, he thought to himself. Baz smiled almost shyly.

“There, perfect,” Simon said. He offered his own mask. “Do up mine?”

Baz nodded. Simon turned. The dragon mask fit perfectly over his face. Baz easily tied the ribbon with deft fingers. Simon threw on his own scarf and turned on his heels with flourish. He held his arms out dramatically.

“Good?” He echoed.

Baz grinned, and it shined far more than the silver in his outfit. “Stunning.”

Simon’s heart swelled. He was filled with excitement beyond words. He offered his hand, and Baz took it. “Let’s go.”

And they ran off together into the darkness but towards the distant light.

———————————————

In the most accurate summary, the solstice festival was fucking insane.

Simon hadn’t been to one since he was 15 when he, Agatha, and Penny had snuck out of School to go. And he’d forgotten how crazy it all was. It seemed everyone was out to party tonight. Houses were covered in shining cloths. Torches had multicolored magical fire, decorating the walls in rainbow shades. Streamers flew off everything from balconies to people’s arms. The air itself felt electric with the laughter and music. The narrow streets of Watford Town were packed tight with cheering costumed citizens. He and Baz were bumped around so much it made Simon dizzy.

Baz had a death grip on his hand. Simon glanced back, and Baz looked absolutely terrified. He was pulled in on himself and his eyes were darting around. Someone bumped him particularly hard and he jumped. This wouldn’t do.

Simon directed them towards a small alleyway. It was mostly empty, save for two women in such a passionate embrace they barely noticed anyone else. Simon looked away from them with slightly reddened cheeks. Baz was visibly shaken. His lips were trembling slightly.

“You okay?” Simon asked, having to yell over the noise. “We can go if you want.”

Baz shook his head. “No, I’m fine. I’m just not used to this many people and this much noise up close. Seeing from above is different from being in the middle of it. It’s...very odd.”

Simon squeezed his hand. “You sure want to stay?”

A smile quirked up on his mouth. “Definitely. I think this looks fun, in spite of the crowds.”

Simon nodded and pulled them towards the exit. “Then let’s get out of here.”

They went back into the fray. It was still loud and insane, but Baz wasn’t holding his hand as tightly.

Just as the two turned a corner, a lady in a magnificent mermaid outfit approached them. She got very close in their faces. Baz tensed for a moment, but quickly relaxed. Simon felt relieved.

“Want some mini scones?” she yelled

Simon looked back at Baz. Baz shrugged. Simon turned back to her. “Sure,” he said.

The woman offered her tray, and Simon plucked two pastries. He handed one to Baz, then tapped them together. Even from behind the mask, Simon could tell Baz’s brow had furrowed.

“Cheers,” Simon said. “Happy festival, Baz.”

Baz’s mouth pulled up into a half smile. “Happy festival, Simon.”

They popped the small treats in their mouths. Simon beamed instantly. It was a sour cherry scone. They weren’t as good as Cook Pritchard’s, of course, but sour cherry scones were still sour cherry scones. Baz made a strange face. It wasn’t exactly a frown, but it wasn’t a smile either. He looked confused more than anything.

“What do you think?” Simon asked.

“Better than lake plants and worms,” Baz said. Simon chuckled, shaking his head. “It really is good though, I like it.”

Simon grinned, his heart fluttering. It was probably weird to feel flattered by someone liking your favourite pastry, but Simon didn’t think too much about that. He just let himself be happy.

“Good. Wanna try some other foods? There’s lots here.”

Baz nodded eagerly. “Absolutely.”

Simon took Baz down towards the shop alley. The stalls were decorated in every colour imaginable. Merchants were yelling, hawking their food and wares. Simon pulled them through it, scanning over the tables for something good. He stopped at a glittery stall with a man wearing a vibrant blue mask. Simon asked two mince pie slices. Baz took a small bite, then greedily shoved the rest in his mouth. Simon chuckled while Baz glared at him.

“Shut up, I’m hungry,” he grumbled.

As they left, Simon quietly paid the man. He didn’t want Baz to know how much coin he had in his inner coat pocket, courtesy of not using his allowance for three months.

They weaved their way to another place with fish cakes, then another with caramel drizzled apple slices, then even one with roast beef bites. Baz ate them all and more. Simon thought he was ravenous, but Baz was a sinkhole where no food could survive. Being a swan who had to eat worms did that to you, Simon guessed.

“Oh goodness,” Baz groaned quietly. “It tastes so good.”

“Never had food like this before? Not even with Vera?” Simon asked.

Baz shook his head vigorously. “Definitely not. We always got very bland foods to cook with. Mint pie was the closest we had to something good.”

Simon’s heart felt warm. He was so happy that Baz was happy. It was a unique kind of joy that Simon had only felt with his friends, but never this intensely before. Never like it would burn him from the inside out until he was blissful dust.

He didn’t know how to say all that casually to Baz though. So Simon just kept holding his hand and gave him another slice of toasted sweet bread.

After sampling a feast’s worth of flavours, they moved further into the market, where there were more wares instead of food. Baz examined the glittering glassware and fine metalwork. He traced a glass bowl swirling with dark blue and bright red. It was obviously shaped by magic. Baz was quite fascinated. Simon was about to offer to buy it, when a familiar voice cut through the bustling crowd.

“Si? Is that you?”

Simon whipped around. Right behind them, past a very drunk couple dressed as horses, was a kitchenware stand with a girl wearing a feathered purple mask and matching cape. Simon grinned. “Hey, Penny!” he shouted, pulling him and Baz towards her.

“What the hell are you doing out tonight?” She asked. “Thought David didn’t want you out.”

“Since when has that stopped me?” Simon chuckled, trying to hide his nerves. He was so scared Penny would let something about his royal status slip. He could only hope and prayed his princehood wouldn’t come up.

Penny scoffed. “Okay, true.” Her eyes flicked over to Baz. “Who’s this?”

Simon’s heart seized, and Baz’s hand was like a vice on his. They both knew they were thinking the same thing. Anyone could be the cloaked man. What if Penny accidentally said Baz’s name to him? It wouldn’t be her fault, but it was a risk they couldn’t take.

“Uh,” Simon said, “this is my new friend. His name is...Kaz.”

There was a brief silence (as silent as a bustling festival could get.) Baz gave Simon a deadpan look through his mask. Penny was just severely confused.

“Kaz,” she said it slowly, testing the sound in her mouth.

“Y-Yeah,” Simon replied. “He’s from...out of town. Just moved here recently.”

“Is he who you were talking about before?”

Baz’s grip somehow got even tighter. Simon’s nervousness was at its peak. “M-hm. And I think I’m helping. Right, Kaz?”

Baz gave him an odd look, but mumbled, “sure,” anyway.

Simon nodded. Penny still looked confused and bit doubtful. “Um, Kaz, this is Penelope. She’s my good friend.”

Baz, though obviously very nervous, offered his own hand. “Hi, Simon’s friend Penelope,” he said stiffly, voice similar to how it was when he first met Simon.

Penny very cautiously took it. They shook slowly. “Hi...Kaz. Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

They’re hands fell awkwardly. Baz shifted closer to Simon. Penny still looked at both of them doubtfully.

“So how are sales?” Simon asked very, very quickly.

Penny sighed. She stopped looking so doubtful. Getting Penny to complain about her job was the best way to distract her. “They’re alright. People aren’t really interested in cookware during a festival, annoying drunk bastards. But it’s fine.”

“Glad to hear it. You going to be off anytime soon?”

“No, I’m working all night.”

Simon frowned. “Aw, that sucks. We’d all have fun together!” He meant that. No matter how scared he was about his royalty being revealed, he really wanted was to have fun with his friend.

Penny gave a lopsided smile and reached out to pat Simon’s free hand. “It’s fine, Si. You and Kaz go have fun. I’ll see you next time you sneak out, alright?”

He gripped her hand for a moment. “Okay. See you later, Pen.”

“See you, Si! Uh, see you, Kaz.” She waved them both off. Simon waved back with his whole arm, but Baz just moved his hand slightly. He nudged Simon forward, and Simon was happy to comply.

The two went back into the crowd. Baz was still hanging on to Simon’s hand, like he had almost all night, but his grip felt a bit looser.

“Did you tell her about me? About my...problem?” he asked, seemingly pissed off but also maybe a little scared.

Simon immediately shook his head. “No! No, of course not. I just told her I had a friend who was sad and needed to be cheered up. She suggested the festival.”

“And she doesn’t know anything else?”

“No. I mean, I’ve asked her about curses a few times because she’s smart, and borrowed some books from her, but she doesn’t know it’s about you. She thinks my guardian is testing me on magic history.”

Baz still looked a bit doubtful, but nodded. “Alright. I suppose that makes sense.” His eyes slid over to Simon, fixing him with a cold grey stare. “What did she mean about sneaking out though?”

Simon inhaled through his nose. His heart seized like it had the many times he had gotten close to telling Baz. But not right now. He didn’t want to fight with him tonight, when Baz was supposed to be having the night of his life. So Simon just leaned a bit closer so he didn’t have to yell.

“My guardian's super strict,” he said. “He doesn’t like me going out a lot. He gets really mad when I do.”

Baz raised one brow, or at least Simon assumed he did from the way his muscles moved, what with the mask in the way. “Then how do you see me almost every night?”

Simon grinned as brightly as he could. “Well, I have to sneak out my window, actually. It’s risky, but,” he tugged on Baz’s hand, making the other boy stumble just a bit closer, “I think it’s worth it.”

Baz’s face relaxed, and Simon let a sigh of relief. Baz squeezed his hand once. “Good to know.”

They wandered around the market for a little longer. Baz spent an exorbitant amount of time at a book stand. Simon had to remind him that their time was longer than usual but still limited. Baz pouted but moved on. They ate some more food, Simon discreetly paying for each, and moved closer and closer to the main town square. Just as they were about to reach it, a man crossed their path. He was wearing a cloak made of peacock feathers, and just like the mermaid lady, he had a tray balanced on his hand. But instead of scone bites, it held tiny wooden glasses.

“Spirits to get you into the solstice spirit!” He yelled extremely cheerfully. “Free sample!”

Simon was taken aback, literally and figuratively. He looked at Baz in silent question. Baz nodded, then Simon turned back to the man.

“We’ll each take one,” Simon said. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome. Happy festival!” He handed Simon two cups. Baz nodded at the man, movement a little less awkward than his movements before.

The peacock man moved on into the fray. Baz brought his nose to his cup, took a sniff, then reeled back, mouth twisted in disgust. “Good Gods, it smells horrific! What is this?”

Simon looked in his cup. The liquid was clear, and it smelled like the disinfectant you used on cuts. Simon knew exactly what it was. “It’s northern spirits. They make it from grain up there. It smells terrible and tastes even worse from what I’ve heard.”

“Then why on Earth would anyone drink it?!”

Simon shrugged. “It makes you loopy and relax, I guess. People make a big fuss about it.”

Baz looked at the drink suspiciously. He flicked his eyes to Simon. “I’ll drink it if you do?”

Simon smiled. He lightly tapped his cup against Baz’s. “Cheers, Baz.”

His face relaxed, and he raised his own cup slightly. “Cheers, Simon.”

And they both drank. But the second the spirit passed their lips though, both their eyes went wide. Simon immediately knew what he heard was correct, it did taste worse than it smelled. Baz pulled the cup away and coughed, hand pressed to his chest. Simon wasn’t much better, hand over his mouth. Barely a sip and his throat was on fire.

“Dear Gods,” Baz coughed, “it’s vile!”

“Agreed,” Simon strangled out.

“At least we know all the fuss is about. And that’s it stupid.”

Simon chuckled. “Definitely.” He looked down at his still full cup. “Wow, barely took a sip and I’m dying.”

Baz looked down at his as well. “Same here. And I’m not taking another one.” He poured the clear liquid on the ground with no shame, then left the wooden cup on a window sill. Simon did the same. It was the solstice festival, things were supposed to be crazy. Leaving a tiny cup on a window was probably the most normal thing that would happen tonight.

"Can we please find something better than this awful drink?" Baz asked almost pathetically.

Simon grinned. He grabbed Baz’s hand again and pulled him forward. “Come and see.”

They shoved past the crowds, and ended up exactly where Simon wanted to be. He heard Baz gasp. And it was a well earned gasp.

The town square was usually bustling, but it was nothing compared tonight. Possibly hundreds of people were all gathered in the space. All cheering, jumping and dancing. A band on a riser was playing an upbeat tune. At the centre was the large wooden pole. Streamers flowed from the top, latching on to the surrounding houses to create a canopy of wondrous colours. Magically made tiny balls of light weaved around the fabric strands. It felt like they were transported to another world. And Simon knew part of him never wanted to leave.

“Wow,” Baz whispered, “incredible.”

“Yeah,” Simon replied. “Told you, best party in the whole kingdom.”

“I can believe that. Though this isn’t really showing me normal non-cursed human life, is it?”

Simon chuckled, shaking his head. “No, I guess not. But I’m showing you something fun, right?”

Baz’s mouth quirked up. “Yes, you definitely are.”

Simon's pulse somehow got even faster. That was all he wanted, for Baz to have fun. He looked out towards the square. An idea that entered his head, and Simon was impulsive to say the least. So he pulled Baz forward. Baz followed, until they ended up right next to the dancing circle.

“Simon, what-” Baz was cut off as Simon pulled them both into the circle. The other costumed patrons immediately accepted them, grabbing their free hands, and they were suddenly dancing. Simon struggled for a moment. He didn’t know the dance but it wasn’t that hard. You took five steps to the right, then ten to the left, crossing your feet over each other, then throw your arms in the air with a cheer. It was a group effort, a beautiful pattern of small parts making something so big together. Something Simon was part of. Simon looked over to Baz. The other boy was still struggling somewhat, but there was a big smile on his face. He laughed with no hesitation, no worry, and Simon felt like his soul was on fire.

The song changed, and the strangers were suddenly letting go of their hands. Simon watched as they quickly paired off and danced together. Baz turned to him.

“Are we supposed to dance with each other now?” he asked with a lot of hesitation.

Simon chewed the corner of his lip and shuffled his feet. “Do you want to?”

Baz tapped his fingers on his upper thigh, other hand still loosely holding Simon’s. “I don’t really know how...”

“Oh, right. Do, uh, do you...want me to show you?”

Baz looked down at the ground, but he pressed their hands closer. “If you can...”

Simon’s cheeks were flaming. He wasn’t sure he could, but he wanted to try for Baz. He tugged Baz closer, and the other boy stumbled again. “I’ll certainly try.”

Baz nodded slightly. Simon took a deep breath. He tried to recall all that damn ball training David put him through. “Okay,” he said slowly, “first, um, we hold our arms out. Together.” Simon stretched out their arms, slightly bent at the elbow, fingers weaved together. “Then...I think you...hold my waist with your other arm.” Baz did so without hesitation. His hand was on the small of Simon’s back, touch firm and strong. Simon gulped. “Yeah, like that. And I, I actually don’t know what to do with my arm.”

“Maybe put it on my shoulder?”

Simon nodded. “Y-Yeah, that would work.”

Very slowly, Simon put his hand on Baz’s shoulder. It was like any other shoulder, of course. Firm, strong, made of muscles and sinew and blood. Yet somehow it felt like so, so much more.

“Now what?” Baz asked.

“Uh, now, we move in a sort of box formation. You go back, then right, then forward, then left, then we do the whole thing again. Does that make sense?”

Baz nodded once. “Yes, I think so. But hearing is a lot different than doing.”

Simon squeezed his hand in an attempt in reassurance. “It’s okay. We’ll go slow. And you can look at my feet, alright?”

Baz looked down, but squeezed back. “Alright. Let’s try.”

Simon took a deep breath, looked down, then stepped forward. Baz followed. It was simple. At least, doing it once was simple. And they were both still very stiff. They stepped again to the side, but each went in a different direction, tripping over each other’s feet.

“Right!” Simon said. “We go right!”

“I did go right,” Baz replied, frowning at Simon.

“My right, Baz.”

Baz groaned. “So picky.”

Simon hated his smug little smirk. He stuck his tongue. Baz chuckled, and they picked up the dance again. They went to Simon’s right, then backwards, then Simon’s left, all with little problem. With only a couple missteps, they found the rhythm, tuned into the music and each other. One two three four, one two three four, over and over, stepping and spinning into the colourful night. The boys moved like one being, soaring across the cobblestone together. A spell was over them, it seemed. Where rainbow lights decorated the sky and their feet were dancing on air.

Soon, Simon felt confident enough to look up, and to his utter but pleasant shock, Baz was looking up too. Their eyes met. Simon almost lost focus, losing himself in Baz’s criminally beautiful gaze. Baz’s mouth fell open slightly, then pulled into a soft smile. Simon smiled back, and they kept soaring across the ground.

———————————————

“Gods,” Baz chuckled as he fell on to the bench. “I can’t feel my feet.”

“Me neither,” Simon giggled as well, sitting next to him. The bench was just on the edge of town, far enough away from the loud music and cheering to let them collect their heads. They had danced for what felt like an eternity, with each other and with the group. It was heady, incredible, almost felt like a dream. Simon was still giddy from it. And from the look on his face, Baz was too.

Baz sighed, leaning back on the bench. “So, that’s what a party is like.”

Simon leaned back as well, head tilted over the back. “Well, not every party, but yeah, that one is pretty insane.”

“You been to other parties?”

Simon tensed for a moment, but quickly found what to say. “Yeah, a few. My guardian likes me to go, for status and all. I hate them usually.”

“Hm, understandable. I’ve always wondered what they were like since that one years ago.”

“Wait, have you seen a party before? Which one?”

Baz’s face suddenly fell. He shifted uncomfortably, gripping his trouser material. Simon was pretty sure he hadn’t meant to say that. “Damn mask,” he grumbled. “It’s too hot.”

He pulled down his scarf and ripped off his mask. He let out a long breath, eyes closed. Simon found Baz’s full face a welcome sight. He liked looking at Baz. It was nice to see him again, even with that big bruise still on his cheek.

Simon took off his own mask, placing it in his lap. He ran his fingers over the the mesh and tiny gems. He’d have to hide this from David, but he was going to keep it no matter what.

“You don’t have to tell me,” Simon said quietly. “But whatever happened, I won’t judge you, I promise.”

Baz cracked open one eye. He scanned Simon over once, then sighed. He looked forward, arms crossed over his chest.

“It was ages ago,” Baz said. “One night, I was flying over the town with the other swans. I heard lots of cheering from below, like the sounds tonight. People were milling about and all. It looked and sounded fun, but my bird senses didn’t like the noise though. So, I went back to the lake, for the first time in awhile...”

Simon’s brow furrowed. “Wait, I thought you had to be on the lake to be human again.”

Baz’s mouth tensed for a moment. His fists clenched. “Remember...when I said I didn’t understand the curse at first? I didn’t get it for quite awhile. So I was...stuck as a swan for some time. I don’t know how long, the days became a bit of a blur. That’s when I lost track of my age.” Simon inhaled sharply. He struggled to not get up and punch a tree until it was splinter. “But that night, when I landed on the lake, I finally became human again. I was a lot taller than what I remembered, so I know it had been awhile. I looked up towards the party sounds in the distance, and there were these bursts of light in the sky. Just, huge flashes of purple and green. The childish part of me wondered if they were celebrating me being human again. Stupid, I know, but I was- well, who knows how old, but still young.”

“You were sixteen,” Simon blurted out. “You...you would’ve been sixteen around then.”

Baz looked at Simon curiously. “How do you know that?”

Simon looked very pointedly at his lap. “Because I know what party that was. It was all over town. I was sixteen when it happened, so you would’ve been sixteen too.”

“Hm, at least I know now.”

He fiddled with his trousers with shaky fingers. Of course Simon knew that party. He’d hated it. It was his own horrible sixteenth birthday ball, where he had to schmooze nobles instead of being with his friends. David had also declared the day a town wide celebration. It hadn’t been as big as the solstice festival but it had been big enough. David had ended the night by having some mages set off magical fireworks from their wands. Simon remembered loving the way they lit up the night sky. It was the only good part of that dreadfully boring night. And while Simon had been enjoying pretty lights on his birthday, Baz had just regained his humanity after years of being stuck as a swan.

“Three years,” Simon growled. “You were stuck as a swan for three fucking years.”

Baz looked at him with that familiar sad smile. “So it seems.”

Simon turned to face Baz, looking determined as possible. “But it won’t happen again. I’m going to break your curse, Baz. You’re never going to be stuck or trapped and you can go to as many parties you want. I promise, okay?”

Baz was trying his best to look blank, but Simon saw the way his bottom lip quivered. “It’s fine, Simon. It was years ago.”

“Stop.” Baz’s brow pulled together. Simon scooted closer. He put a hand over his Baz’s, and Baz didn’t flinch at all. “Stop pretending you’re alright. It was horrific, what you’re going through is horrific. So it’s...it’s okay that you’re not. Whatever you’re feeling is okay.”

Baz’s mouth fell open slightly. His eyes were impossibly wide. He looked down at Simon’s hand over his. He flipped his over, weaving their fingers together. Baz’s calluses pressed into Simon’s skin. It felt so good.

“You’re right. I’m not okay,” he said quietly, voice breaking a bit. Simon knew how hard it was for him to say it. “But, I’m better when you’re around.”

Simon’s breath was suddenly short, like it had been a lot tonight. Baz looked up again, but his eyes weren’t on Simon’s. Rather, they were focused on the lower part of his face, specifically his mouth. Simon’s cheeks were on fire now. Was Baz thinking about...that? Could he really want that? Could Simon? He’d never thought about it before with Baz. It had never even been a distant possibility in his mind. But now, Baz was clutching Simon's hand, looking at his lips, and was leaning forward. And Simon found himself leaning forward as well.

They got closer and closer. Simon’s eyes fluttered shut, focusing on the feeling of their linked fingers, how his skin felt like it was on fire everywhere Baz touched him. Baz’s soft breath on his skin. He smelled of sugar and spirits. Simon leaned in even more. This was impulsive, stupid, potentially friendship ruining. But Simon was still riding the high of the night a bit, his self control even more lax than usual. And by the Gods, he wanted this. He never knew he could want something so suddenly yet so badly. One more inch, and he would know exactly what Baz’s mouth felt like on his.

“Simon,” Baz whispered, and Simon almost shuddered.

“Baz,” he replied. He tried to close the distance, but Baz’s face had moved. Simon nearly fell face first onto the ground, just catching himself with his free hand. What the fuck? Why had Baz moved?

“Simon, the sun. The sun is coming up.”

Simon’s eyes flew open and his blood ran cold. He whipped his head around. The sky was purple and red, and seemed to soon be orange with. The sun wasn’t over the horizon just yet, but it soon would be very soon. Simon turned back to Baz, whose face was some mix between shock, horror, and bone deep fear.

“We have to go right now,” Baz said.

Simon nodded rapidly. Baz stood up, still gripping Simon’s hand, and Simon followed.

They ran through the last of the celebrations in town. Bumping into stragglers, nearly tripping over passed out people in the street. But they didn’t stop. No matter how much their feet hurt or lungs ached. The boys kept running through the buildings, through the fields, until they came to the dark woods of the Forbidden Lands. A soft glow surrounded Baz’s body, and as the sky got brighter, so did the glow. Baz threw back his scarf and mask. Simon caught them. He let go of Simon’s hand and frantically began undo his coat. Simon caught that too. He couldn’t see Baz’s face, but he could only imagine how scared he was.

Baz threw off his shirt just as they reached the edge of the hidden lake. And when the sun broke the horizon, his arms transformed into his large black feathered wings. They fanned out so wide they blocked out the sun. Simon gasped and froze in place. Baz looked like a terrifying, beautiful dark angel. He turned his head slightly. The pain in his eyes was very apparent. Simon couldn’t tell if the pain was emotional, physical, or some horrific mix of both. No matter what, it was terrible to see him like this. Baz looked away as he fell forward into the invisible lake.

Simon was frozen a long while. It took some time to collect himself. But slowly, he walked forward, picked up Baz’s shirt, and stepped into past the glamour as well. He did his best to float himself down, only stumbling slightly as he hit the ground. Baz’s trousers and boots lay in a mess on the ground. Simon threw them over his arms. When he looked up, there was Baz, floating in the lake alone, long neck lowered and face hidden by a single black wing. Simon’s heart broke.

He carefully put Baz’s costume in front of his cottage. Baz could do what he wanted with it. Simon hoped he’d keep it, because he wanted Baz to remember the good parts of the night, no matter how it ended. No matter what they missed out on. Simon picked up the cloak he left behind, and threw one last look over to Baz. Simon was still pretty sure Baz didn’t like to be acknowledged in his bird form, but the words fell out of his mouth before he could stop them.

“I had a really good night, Baz,” he said. “I-I hope you did too. Thank you for it. I’ll be back really soon, okay?”

Baz couldn’t answer, of course. But he lifted his head out from behind his wing slightly, just enough to show one grey eye. That was answer enough. Simon nodded. He floated back out of the lake, but a part of himself was absolutely left behind.

———————————————

AN: Ah yes, my fave trope, the almost kiss that gets interrupted. And this was all fun until the very end, because I like to end with angst. Hope y'all liked it and the art. Next chapter will be posted on Thursday. See you guys then! :D

#snowbaz #carry on #simon snow #baz pitch #penelope bunce #fluff #angst #fantasy au #the black swan #mysnowbazfic

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owlways-and-forever · 6 years

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Summary: Lily Evans thought her life would be normal. Well, as normal as it can be for a muggle-born witch in England. But when her boyfriend turns out to be the prince of the wizarding world, and tensions begin to rise among factions of wizarding society, Lily must find her way in situations she never anticipated, and try not to lose sight of her identity. Word Count: 3,293 Links: ao3 | FFnet

A/N: Okay, since this is the official beginning of the story, I'll go over a few points of order now and get them out of the way.

New chapters will be posted every other Saturday. I know this is a long time between chapters, and hopefully you'll be dying for new ones as soon as you've finished the previous ones. But I've got a lot going on right now writing-wise, and I don't want to put myself in the position of having to delay posting because I haven't had a chance to write one week. So I think every other week will have to work for us, and that's just how it's gonna go.

The story is pretty fast-paced, mostly because I'm trying to cover a lot of things happening - both fluff and angst and everything in between. I'm pretty happy with it the way it is but idk, just be aware that if you're wanting a slow burn, this is not that.

Comments and feedback are ALWAYS welcome. Seriously, I love hearing anything from you guys, even if its just one word. Helps me to know that I'm not shouting into the void. Please be respectful with feedback, I don't mind constructive comments, but again, just be nice, respectful, and not hateful. I've never had a problem with this before, but I'm just throwing it out there.

Okay, that is all my points of order at this moment! I am super excited about this story, I've absolutely loved it since I started working on it, and I'm really excited to share it with all of you. My original plan was to finish writing it before I started posting, but I just couldn't keep it to myself any longer. If you check out the "atttr" tag on my tumblr ( owlways-and-forever) you might get to see some edits and artwork to go along with the story! (Also if you want to make edits/art, please do, I would love that). Okay, that's a lot of notes, so without further ado, I present to you the first chapter!

*drumroll*

Chapter 1

The entire wizarding world knew what Prince James looked like officially. He had always been somewhat tall for his age, thin but athletic as he got older, with sleek black hair and hazel eyes. Official portraits of him used to appear in the newspapers every now and then, especially after a big event. The odd thing was, however, no one knew what he looked like unofficially. There were no pictures of him at school or at a bar or anywhere other than somewhere officially planned, where he always looked prim and proper. No one ever saw the Prince out and about, or at least, no one ever knew they did.

Marlene said that when the Prince was born, the King and Queen had made a push to keep his life quite private, and no one really knew anything about his daily life. They didn't even know who his nanny was. Lily had been quite surprised to find out that there was a wizarding monarchy, but then she found out that things were not so different here than from the Muggle world. The Royal Family was largely ceremonial, while most of the functioning government was run by the Ministry of Magic. Like the Muggle world, there were some who thought the monarchy should be disbanded completely, and others who were completely besotted with the Royal Family. She was the same age as Prince Andrew, but Lily had never been terribly bothered about him, especially since she was not likely to ever meet him.

According to Marlene, a long ago, the Royal families had been one family. Brothers who wanted different things or different magical abilities. No one was really sure, it was too long ago. But the fact was that now they were very distinct, in fact the Windsor-Mountbatten family probably didn't even know that there was a whole other Royal Family in Britain.

Marlene was somewhat obsessed with the Royals, and was determined to find out who Prince James really was. She had a number of maddening theories written down in a journal, the equivalent of a board with red string all over it. There was no selfish agenda behind it, she wasn't one of those crazy girls who was in love with him or dreamed of marrying him; it was just a mystery, and Marlene loved a good mystery.

Theory 1: Prince James was homeschooled in the Royal Palace of Whitehall by his mysterious governess. Deemed unlikely on account of needing to socialize with children his own age.

Theory 2: Prince James had been sent to Beauxbatons to be educated. Deemed highly likely owing to English-French treaties and a history of close relations between the two wizarding communities.

Theory 3: Prince James had been sent to one of the other known wizarding schools (probably Ilvermorny) to be educated. Deemed unlikely due to tense relations between wizarding communities.

Theory 4: Prince James had been sent to an unknown wizarding school in one of the Commonwealth states (most likely: Australia). Possible, but not likely.

Theory 5: James Potter was actually Prince James. Deemed highly unlikely for the very obvious reasons.

The last theory had been proposed precisely two days into their first year. The girls were all slipping into their night-dresses and brushing their hair when Marlene burst out of the bathroom, long hair swinging over her shoulder.

"Do you think James Potter is the Prince?" she had blurted out excitedly, hands clutching the railing around their heating stove.

The girls had all giggled at the suggestion, but no one answered. While Lily, Mary and Alice were all Muggle-borns and knew nothing about the Prince, Dorcas simply didn't care. Marlene scrambled across her bed and pulled out a small leather bound notebook from her trunk, opening it to a recent picture of the Prince published on the occasion of the Queen's birthday a few months prior.

"Don't you think they look alike?" Marlene pressed, her eyes wide with excitement.

Lily took the photo from her carefully and looked at the picture of the Prince, waving and smiling with his parents. There was a similarity there for sure, but there were quite a few differences as well. Even though the picture was in black and white, Lily could make out that James had darker skin than the Prince. James glasses and his hair were wild, not sleekly laying down atop his head. And while the Prince had a very proper expression on his face – a smile, but not deep enough to wrinkle his handsome face – James seemed to walk around with a permanent smirk.

That had been when the conversation started, but they had all deemed it impossible, except Marlene who insisted that there was a slight possibility. Over their years at Hogwarts, it did come up a few times, mostly as a joke, but it was clear that it could not be him. Lily had even been to his house once, during their Easter holidays, for a surprise birthday party for Remus. It was a nice house, spacious with a large sloping yard, but it was hardly a royal residence. And also, there was the matter of his friends. Sirius was from a noble family – the equivalent of a Muggle dukedom – but he hated it and vocally opposed the entire aristocratic life. So she highly doubted that he would be best friends with a prince. And she was pretty sure that Remus was a werewolf, not that she had shared her suspicions with the other girls, but she doubted that a prince would be allowed to befriend a werewolf. The aristocracy seemed like that. Not to mention, James Potter appeared to be quite a reckless Quidditch player (and person, in general), and presumably the sole heir to the monarchy would not be allowed to continuously put his life in so much danger.

So when Lily Evans agreed to go to the Three Broomsticks with James Potter to have a butterbeer, she had been quite certain that she was not going on a date with a prince of any kind.

She said she would meet him there, it seemed too much to walk to Hogsmeade together, but now she was rather regretting her choice, as she sat there waiting for James to show up. Her leg bounced nervously, brown saddle shoes lightly tapping the floor. She checked her watch - it was five minutes to 3. Lily had gotten there insanely early, anticipating that her friends would be chatty on the walk to Hogsmeade, pestering and teasing her endlessly, but everyone had been surprisingly quiet. Marlene and Dorcas almost suspiciously so. So she had arrived at the Three Broomsticks more than ten minutes early, and had to sit by herself, anxiously waiting, while her friends went off to do whatever it was they had planned. Mary she knew was meeting Dirk for the afternoon, but wasn't sure what Marlene and Dorcas would be doing. No doubt something they shouldn't be. Lily hoped they weren't planning on spying on her and James.

"Been waiting long?" James asked, sliding into the seat across from Lily with a charming smile and shaking her from her thoughts of her friends. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

"You made it, I was starting to worry you'd changed your mind," Lily answered coyly, the corners of her lips lifting in a smile. She wasn't sure she liked how easily smiles came to her when she was around him. He ought to have to work harder to charm her.

"I'd never change my mind about you, Evans," he said, and she felt color rising on her cheeks.

Rosmerta, the pretty, young barmaid approached them with a grin. Lily guessed she had a soft spot for James, as she paid Lily no attention whatsoever, her brown eyes fixed on him, taking in his muscles as they flexed while he removed the jacket he had on over his t-shirt. They were long and sinewy, lean, but clearly fit. Like he was built for speed.

"Butterbeer okay?" James asked, but Lily didn't hear him. She had somehow conjured up an image of his arms wrapped around her, how good and safe and strong it would feel. "Lils?"

"What?" she said, flushing darker as she tore her eyes away from his muscles and fixed on his hazel gaze.

"Is butterbeer okay?" he repeated, his eyebrows arching somewhere between curiosity and satisfaction.

"Yes, that would be lovely," Lily answered, directing her answer at Rosmerta with a weak smile.

"Everything alright?" James asked, once Rosmerta has sauntered away.

"Yeah, fine," she said. "Just… in my head, that's all."

"What are you thinking?" he pressed, grinning.

"Nothing, nothing," Lily tried to say, waving his question off, definitely not making eye contact with him.

"C'mon, Lils, you can tell me anything," he said sincerely, the grin replaced by a moderately more sober smile.

"I... just… you look very good today," she answered at last, blush staining her cheeks again.

"Thank you," he replied, reaching out to take her hand across the table. "You look quite beautiful yourself."

Lily smiled. She had tried to look nice, but beautiful was never really a word she felt applied to her. Pretty, sure, and cute. Maybe even stylish. But beautiful felt like it implied a kind of grace or elegance that she certainly didn't possess. 'Beautiful' was for duchesses who wore elaborate gowns and fine jewelry and had blowouts done every day. Not for girls who just put their wet hair in a plait and never had their makeup right and spent as little as possible on clothes.

"Did you read Maria Melendez' article in the Prophet this morning?" James asked, his thumb moving gently across the back of her hand.

"I didn't, actually," Lily answered, turning to look out the window. She loved Ms. Melendez' writing, and usually tried to follow everything she wrote. She had even been excited for this morning's piece - a scathing assessment of the monarchy's damage to feminism - and had meant to read it, but she had been sidetracked trying to decide what to wear and how to do her hair with Marlene, Dorcas and Mary. (Lily had adamantly stated that she would dress how she usually dressed, and if James didn't like it, he could go fuck a hippogriff. Marlene said she needed to dress sexier, Mary had said she should look pretty, and Dorcas said she should wear one of her political tees so he knew exactly where she stood.) After she had gotten them all off her back and chosen something she felt comfortable in, they had been running late, and Lily had barely had time to wolf down a late breakfast, let alone read the Prophet.

Rosmerta came back and deposited the two butterbeers on their table, casting a sullen look at their intertwined fingers before returning to the bar.

"It was rather well written," he said when she had gone, eyes following Lily's gaze, and she snorted lightly. "What?"

"'Well written' is what people say when they completely disagree with everything in an article but don't want to admit it," Lily replied matter-of-factly.

"That's not true…"

"Do you agree with her?"

"Not as such, no," James admitted, his hand leaving Lily's to run through his hair. Lily knew it was his tic, his way of soothing himself when he was anxious. She'd seen him do it numerous times.

"Why not?"

"How much do you know about the monarchy?" he asked with a small sigh.

"Admittedly not as much as I do about the muggle monarchy," she said. "Most of what I know is what Marlene has told me, or what I actually listened to in Binns' class. But, without having read the article, I would imagine that she has a point. Monarchies are always unfair to women, ignoring them and passing over them not only for opportunities to rule, but also for recognition for the contributions they have been allowed to make."

"There have been quite a few muggle queens," James observed, trying his best to sound off-hand.

"Yes, but they only became queens as a last resort, when there were no male heirs to assume the throne," Lily countered, color rising in her cheeks as she started to feel out a good fight. She loved a good debate.

"Did you know that wizarding queens have equal right to ascend the throne as their male counterparts? Always the eldest child, regardless of sex…" he said, hazel eyes sparkling with defiance.

"I -"

"In fact, the current queen inherited the throne over two younger brothers," he continued. "57% of all wizarding monarchs have been queens, and have served on average longer terms, which means that in the history of the wizarding monarchy, 71% has been spent with a queen sitting on the throne."

"While that may be true, when queens marry, their husbands are given the title of King, not king consort or prince, which puts them above their wives in ranking," Lily argued, but James was ready.

"The Marital Equity Act of 1432," he said, "grants the husbands of queens the rank of rex honorarium et desponsata. It means that the title is subject to their marriage. Should the queen divorce him or die prior to him, his title would disappear. In the case of divorce, he is returned to any titles he would have had prior to marriage, but in the case of death he becomes the princeps patria or, if there are no children, the princeps consiliario. He has no power over her in any situation, but gets equal weight in any decisions of house."

"How do you know all of this?" Lily asked, impressed with his knowledge.

"I'm rather interested in history," he answered with a shrug. "Have been since I was a kid."

"So you don't think there's a problem with the way women are treated in wizarding society?" Lily asked, turning her focus back to their debate.

"That's not what I said," James replied with a wry smile. "But I don't think the monarchy is the root of the problem. In fact, I think the monarchy does what it can to help improve things as much as possible. And I have hope that the next generation with do better."

"You have a high opinion of the prince then?"

"I… I just try to be optimistic," he said. "I have to believe that he understands that there is more that could be done, for women, for muggle borns, for other beings in the wizarding world."

"James… what's happening with the death eaters… it scares me…" Lily admitted, her green eyes focused on the table, and James reached out again and took her hand.

"Me too, but I can't imagine how it must feel for you," he said softly, his eyes full of tenderness. "But I can promise you that you aren't alone. I am here for you anytime you need support or need to talk, and I will offer you any protection I can give. Though I'm sure you don't need it. But the offer, at least, always stands."

"Thank you."

They spent the rest of their date talking about lighter, mundane things - Sirius' new idea for a prank, Lily's plans for Christmas break, the Quidditch season. Lily teased James about Rosmerta and he made her blush when he poked fun at her fling gone awry with Benjy the previous year. Between them, there was an easy air of people who had been friends for some time, who knew each other inside and out. But at the same time, each time James' fingers brushed her hands, Lily felt like there was electricity in her blood, and she nearly jumped when his hand lightly touched the small of her back when they stood to leave.

"Hey Lily," James said quietly, as they were walking down the street together, meandering past shops."I'd really like to kiss you."

"Are you asking my permission?" she teased, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. James had stopped walking, his hand tugging at hers while he wore a very serious expression, as though her answer would be life or death.

"I won't if you don't want me to," he said.

Lily was so touched by this that she moved abruptly, reaching up to place her hands on his face and pulling his lips to meet hers. It took him a second to respond in his surprise, but then he was leaning into the kiss, one hand splayed out across her back while the other caressed her jaw. He pulled away after a moment, touching his forehead to hers as he breathed her in. She could see the blush tinting his tan cheeks, and the way his eyes were focused on her he seemed to be quite affected. She felt like something had changed as well, like this was one of those moments that changed your whole life, and she butterflies swooped in her stomach at the thought of her and James twenty years down the line.

"Okay then," James said, trying very hard to regain his composure as he stepped back, his fingers finding hers again.

Lily smiled broadly, James echoing her, and just like that they were Hogwarts' newest couple.

#gen writes #ATtTR #jily #hp au #jily au #james potter #lily evans

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fourcountriesfourmonths · 6 years

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Weirdest. Thanksgiving. Ever.

Welcome to the last rural week installment of this blog! Sorry it’s taken me a while to get around to writing it…in the midst of the final crunch these days.

To start off last week - Monday was a national holiday and because of course we still had class, we got to experience an empty city. There may have been minimal lunch options available, but we were thankful for an empty bus ride in the morning. We had a cool opportunity that night to interview our host mom as part of our research methods class and we got to learn a lot of things about her life here in Argentina that we wouldn’t have otherwise. On Tuesday we headed off to our final rural stay in the town of San Antonio de Areco, about two hours outside of the city of Buenos Aires. Unlike our last two rural stays this one didn’t feel quite as authentically “rural Argentina”. The most rural parts of Argentina aren’t accessible by a couple hour bus ride so we settled for this town, known as the Capital of Tradition for its gaucho heritage which is their version of a cowboy. It felt sort of like a cross between a ranch town and a beach town in the midst of its off-season. We got to see some gauchos in action, running with horses and wrangling a cow, and heard a little about their history. We participated in a traditional asado (barbecue), getting to see how they cook the meat, and then getting to taste the DELICIOUS food. We met with members of the municipality who talked to us about the three pillars of their strong local government which work to try to keep members of the community within San Antonio de Areco. They do this through initiatives regarding housing, education, and job opportunities.

In general, the week was a nice break from the usual schedule…for once we had a decent amount of free time and minimal assignments to work on! The group was divided up into two hostels for the week and it was so much fun to be living with more of the group again. We had a lot of group meals, played games after dinner (if you want a super fun game look up Salad Bowl and get on playing that ASAP), went on runs, and my hostel had a tiny little pool which we utilized at the beginning of the week when it was a scorching 92 degrees out! Those first few nights in a 10 person room with that heat were something else, but it was nice to be surrounded by some of my closest friends again.

Thanksgiving also fell during this week and boy was that a day from start to finish (or what I’m going to refer to as “The Thanksgiving Shit Show”.) For reasons that I can’t disclose because they aren’t my story to share, I was up for most of the night on Thanksgiving Eve and had to deliver some unpleasant news to the larger group in the morning. Because of this discussion, my lack of sleep, everyone being a weird place from not being with their families for the holiday, along with starting the day with a “what we’re thankful for” share that made me especially sad, the day was off to a bit of a rough start. It was also the first day it had rained the entire week and by rained I mean torrentially downpoured. Half of the group had to walk in the rain to visit a clinic and my half of the group visited the local hospital, but the combination of having a not very informative tour, on top of all the other things that had already happened that day, everyone was in probably one of the lowest spots collectively we’d been at this entire semester. But wait the day is only half over! After we had lunch things were starting to look up as we headed to our case study visits. Maternal and Child Health got to meet with a woman who spoke to us about the “respectful delivery” program that Areco uses as its birthing model. Women are giving a lot of power over their deliveries and are able to choose not only who is with them while they give birth in terms of support, but in what way they want to deliver: the traditional method of lying down, squatting holding onto suspended fabric, or seated on a type of chair. This was an incredibly cool interview and was full of all the things that get me SO excited about women’s health. The woman touched on a lot of what I’d learned and read about for a research paper I wrote my freshman year of college, the business of birth in hospital settings and unnecessary interventions, and it got me JAZZED. After coming out of that meeting I was beginning to ponder if being a doula or having a job that is more directly involved in this niche of women’s health would be something I’d consider in the future. Who knows, but very cool!

As you can see the day started to turn around from there and it ended up containing one of the most fun memories I think I’ll have of this trip: our makeshift hostel Thanksgiving. When I hopped out of the shower, some of the girls in my hostel were busy decorating the place with balloons and candles and drawing those hand turkeys for everyone that you make as like an art project in elementary school. Music was playing and everything was all of a sudden incredibly festive. People from the other hostel started to arrive and then our country team showed up with loads and LOADS of chicken, salad, bread, mashed potatoes, and apple crumble that they had gotten catered especially for us to simulate the holiday. We ate and drank wine together, sitting on the floor and laughing about how the day had completely turned around. Throughout the week one of the student-run committees had decided to organize a superlative/paper plate awards ceremony for the dinner and had sent out a form called The IHP Dundies (for you Office lovers out there) so people could fill it out and vote for their fellow peers. They presented the awards after dinner and the range of tailored awards based on peoples personalities and inside jokes was absolutely HILARIOUS. I got the “most likely to be reincarnated as an otter award” because of my love for water and the way I rub my eyes apparently? Sam has been telling me throughout the entire semester that when I rub my eyes I look like a small mammal and everyone always FREAKS out when I do it so it was hilarious and fitting that I had to do a demonstration for the whole group once given that award. After that, another girl organized an activity where we all attached papers to our backs and wrote messages to each other (kind of like a year book) which just kept the love right on flowing. Even the clean up process was fun as Tess and I worked an assembly line of dishes and others cleaned up the dinning room area. It was honestly some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time and I was so grateful to be able to be celebrating Thanksgiving in this non-traditional way with this group of 30 that I’ve gotten to know so well over the semester. For a day that started off with tears and included so many bumps in the road, it sure did turn out to be an a-okay day and for that I am thankful.

When the week was over, we traveled back to the city and got some lunch at a fun dumpling and beer restaurant, then attempting to go to a sports bar to watch the 2nd game of a rivalry fútbol series that was taking place in the city. Unfortunately, some rowdy fans threw things at one of the teams’ busses and the game got delayed and rescheduled which was a bit of a bummer because we wanted to take part in that part of the culture here before leaving, but what can you do. That night we did the full on Argentine going out experience which started with me leaving my house at about midnight to start meeting friends and ended at about quarter to 6 in the morning with the sunrise before heading home to sleep. Glad I can check that experience off my list - not a sustainable lifestyle at all! Finally on Sunday, after approximately four hours of sleep (from 6:30am-10:30am) my roommate and I ventured to the San Telmo market to explore for a bit, and then later, joined by my pal Carlie, we head to La Boca to see a colorful street called Caminito that was reminiscent of the original immigrant housing that once stood there. There we ate empanadas, looked at art, and talked about the semester thus far.

It’s really crazy to me that in a few days I will be starting the final week of this program and I’ll be back home with all you people and the cold, cold weather once again. I’m really looking forward to being back, but know that the transition is going to be hard, especially because some of my closest friends will now be dispersed all over the U.S. and across the globe.

I’ll post the blog from this week in a few days, thanks again for reading. Love you!

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mia-llewellyn · 2 years

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IN HEAT

A woman surrenders a single day to a young stranger

NAOMI - 33 years old, British

LUCAS - 20 years old, British

EXT. SMALL OPEN SQUARE BURIED IN NICE OLD TOWN, SOUTH OF FRANCE - MIDDAY

A scattering of plastic seating outside a small café.

Woman, NAOMI, approaches holding a map in one hand. She peaks into the café before taking a seat at one of the tables outside. Glancing around she pulls out a cigarette from her bag. She waits a few long moments, impatiently glancing at the beaded doorway. She checks her phone. Suddenly a young man, LUCAS, falls through and into the sunlight, turned towards the café as if half arguing with someone inside. He turns to NAOMI and stops. After a second he approaches.

LUCAS: Bonjour.

NAOMI: Bonjour.

LUCAS: Qu'est ce que je peux vous servir?

NAOMI: (in a bad French accent) Café s'il vous plait.

LUCAS: Avec du lait?

NAOMI: Lait? Oh no, merci. Noir.

LUCAS bows his head and slowly leaves.

CUT TO:

NAOMI’s coffee is almost finished and she runs her finger around its rim. LUCAS watches her as he clears things from the other tables, sorts another customer’s bill, then delays as he makes his way back inside.

NAOMI turns at the sound of children’s laughter. A boy chases a screeching girl round the corner of the street. When NAOMI turns back LUCAS is sitting in front of her. She looks around confused before settling her gaze on him.

NAOMI: Erm, puis-je, uh, vous aider?

LUCAS: (In a natural english accent) What’s your name?

NAOMI: (giving a huff of laughter) So you speak English now?

LUCAS: Why? Did you think I was French?

NAOMI: Yes.

LUCAS: That’s good. Oh that’s great.

NAOMI: Should you be sitting down? While you work I mean.

LUCAS: My shift is over.

NAOMI: Well then you needn’t be here at all.

LUCAS: I like it here.

NAOMI: Right, you like it here.

LUCAS: Where are you from?

NAOMI: (Debating whether to engage) New York.

LUCAS: No, in England.

NAOMI: (After a beat) Dorset.

LUCAS: Stop. (He jabs at his chest) Somerset. That’s crazy, isn’t it?

NAOMI: Crazy.

Moment of silence. She notices but does not acknowledge him studying her.

LUCAS: Holiday?

NAOMI: Oh.

LUCAS: Are you?

NAOMI: What?

LUCAS: Here on holiday?

NAOMI: Sorry. I thought you were saying you were on holiday. Me? I’m not sure.

LUCAS: You’re not sure if you’re here on holiday?

NAOMI: I don’t know how long I’ll be here.

LUCAS: Well its beautiful. Lots to do. You shouldn’t leave too soon.

NAOMI: I’ll keep that in mind.

NAOMI counts some euros out of her purse and leaves them on the coffee dish. Gathering her things, she begins walking away.

LUCAS: (Gets up, calls after her) Where to next?

NAOMI: (Glancing back) I’m going to see the Cathedral, maybe walk through the gardens.

LUCAS: Ah the Promenade des Arts! Good okay.

NAOMI gives a small smile.

LUCAS: It’s just you’re going in the wrong direction.

NAOMI slows to a stop. She looks down at her map, turns it then turns around herself. LUCAS is still standing there.

LUCAS: I can show you.

CUT TO:

INT. THE INSIDE OF THE CATHEDRAL.

The two stroll round the cathedral’s interior. Walking next to the tray of candles LUCAS drags his finger through a flame. He snatches his hand away and jogs a few steps to catch up with NAOMI.

LUCAS: Each of these ten chapels are dedicated to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows.

NAOMI: They’re gorgeous.

LUCAS: Just wait until you see the one of Saint Rosalia. Whoever painted it really butchered that poor face.

Passing by, an old male tourist shushes them and frowns. LUCAS pulls a face once he moves on and prompts NAOMI to cover up a small laugh. LUCAS grins.

NAOMI: (Walking ahead a little) So what about you then?

LUCAS: What about me?

NAOMI: The continent? France? What brought you here?

LUCAS: (Looking at her) The women.

NAOMI laughs

LUCAS: My grandparents. They own a house, a little north of here. In Coaraze. (Pause) When I left university-

NAOMI: You’re a graduate?

LUCAS: Ah, no. I never finished. Left a week after my twentieth birthday. I’ve been here five months.

NAOMI: Oh you’re young.

LUCAS: Irresistibly young?

NAOMI: (Thinking) Haven’t-experienced-life young.

LUCAS: (Laughs) Oh and I suppose you have? What, you’re married? Got a doctorate? Maybe you’ve sailed round the whole world twice already? Experience doesn’t have one thing to do with age lady.

NAOMI holds his eye contact for a breath. She flashes a smile as she fans her face with her paper map.

NAOMI: Lady? Okay, now I feel old.

LUCAS laughs. The tension breaks. They head towards the exit.

They enter a comfortable quiet as they make their way out the cathedral doors and into the sun, now lower in the sky. They walk, Lucas one step in front, down a narrow street. NAOMI rummages for her phone, looks at it for a moment, then drops it in her bag. She returns her attention to LUCAS who is looking up at where the tops of the buildings meet the sky.

NAOMI: What do you do then?

LUCAS: Work, at the café. Look after the house. My grandparents aren’t around much out of season.

NAOMI: That must be lonely.

LUCAS: Sometimes I suppose. (PAUSE) I think maybe you’d know what that’s like.

NAOMI: Oh, you think so?

LUCAS: Just that you, you seem…

NAOMI: (TESTING) What is it you think you see when you look at me?

LUCAS smiles fondly.

NAOMI: You don’t know me.

LUCAS: I know you interest me. But yes that is true. I don’t know you, nor you me. We have all evening to change that.

CUT TO:

EXT. PROMMENADE DES ARTS – EVENING

The two walk through the Gardens. They stop by a wall that looks over the rooftops of the Old Town and the ocean beyond it. LUCAS begins dancing an exaggerated waltz. NAOMI laughs and he leads her in with a hand on her waist. She lets her chest rest against his.

CUT TO:

EXT. AN EMPTY STREET - LATE EVENING.

The temperature has dropped a few degrees but the air is still thick. Lucas holds a finger up, signalling for Naomi to wait. He crosses the street and goes into a nearby shop. Minutes later he tears out, holding a bottle. He grabs Naomi by the hand as they race down the street and off into an alleyway.

NAOMI: (Out of breath) Oh my god. Oh my god. What did you do?

LUCAS: (holding up the bottle) Cognac?

NAOMI: Did we just shoplift?

LUCAS: Would it make you feel alive if I said yes? (searching her eyes before whispering) I paid. I even him let him keep the change.

NAOMI: (beat) You are a mean, mean person.

She hits him on the arm. He pretends to be hurt, flinching and laughing. He starts running again.

NAOMI: Come back!

LUCAS: Let’s go to the ocean!

CUT TO:

EXT. THE BEACH PROMMENADE

Walking along the seafront LUCAS takes small sips of the cognac, looking out at the water. NAOMI smokes and looks at Lucas. She taps his wrist and motions for him to hand her the bottle. They walk a little further.

NAOMI: I left too.

LUCAS looks at her. He looks at a strand of her hair that has crossed her parting. He fixes it then fixes his eyes on hers.

NAOMI: When I came out here, it was to leave something behind.

LUCAS: You escaped.

NAOMI: I escaped.

LUCAS: That’s very brave.

NAOMI: I think it might be the opposite of brave. (Pause) I left my job last spring. After a while in that house I realised I couldn’t stay where I was. I wasn’t ready to go back to England. (pause) I was unhappy. Thought I’d try somewhere hot.

LUCAS: I’m sorry.

NAOMI: I don’t want you to be sorry.

LUCAS: Still, I am.

They look into each other.

LUCAS: You make me nervous.

NAOMI: Funny, you make me calm.

They have stopped walking.

NAOMI: I’m staying near the Port.

CUT TO:

INT. AN APARTMENT BUILDING

NAOMI unlocks the door and makes her way inside. LUCAS is for the first time hesitant in entering her space. Placing her belongings down NAOMI makes her way into the kitchen. Turning from the cabinet with two glasses she finds LUCAS leant against the wall on the other side of the room. The two stare at each other for several moments. LUCAS begins slowly walking towards her. He has one hand on her hip before NAOMI’s phone starts ringing. She goes to her bag, pulls out her phone and rejects the call.

LUCAS: (following the break in tension, crosses to the sofa) Someone important?

NAOMI: (with her back to him)No. I’m not sure anymore.

Lucas: Okay. Come over here then. I can’t think with you over there.

NAOMI walks over to the sofa and sits. Their arms line up on the back cushion. LUCAS stares at where their fingers nearly touch.

LUCAS: Though I’m not sure this is any better.

NAOMI smiles.

CUT TO:

The bottle of cognac is half empty. A bottle of red wine is more than half empty. NAOMI and LUCAS sit closer than before.

NAOMI: What other languages do you know?

LUCAS: (Slowly considering the bumps of her knuckles under his fingers)

Te amo sin saber como… ni cuándo… ni de donde.

NAOMI: Neruda.

LUCAS: Sonnet seventeen. Do you know its translation? You understood what I said?

NAOMI: (Turns head away to sip from her glass) I know Neruda. I don’t know Spanish.

LUCAS: You know what I said.

NAOMI: Stop it.

Lucas: Why?

Naomi: You know why. Because you don’t mean what you say, you’re being ridiculous.

LUCAS: Maybe it’s you who’s being ridiculous.

NAOMI: Don’t act like a child.

Before LUCAS can answer NAOMI’s phone rings again. This time, she walks over to it sat on the table. She watches the display as it rings out. She places it down. LUCAS stands and approaches her.

LUCAS: Why not?

NAOMI: What?

LUCAS: Why couldn’t I love you?

NAOMI: Stop it Lucas, let’s just move on from this.

LUCAS takes a gulp of wine, places the glass down and moves towards her.

LUCAS: Maybe you’re right, I don’t love you. There is nothing here at all. (Places her hand to his chest) I feel nothing when your hand on my chest feels like my hand also.

NAOMI: You’re quoting him again.

LUCAS: So what if I am.

NAOMI: So be original.

LUCAS kisses her

INT. BEDROOM OF NAOMI’S APARTMENT - MORNING

NAOMI wakes. She watches light cut through the blinds and onto LUCAS’s cheek. An empty expression passes over her features. She closes her eyes. Hearing a ringing from the other room she realises what woke her. She quietly moves out of bed and into the other room before picking up the phone.

NAOMI: Julian. (muffled male voice is heard) Yes I know I’m sorry. I’m- I don’t know- calm down. (takes a breath) I don’t know when I’ll be back. I told you when I left I wouldn’t. (listens) There are a lot more things I need to sort through here. (voice is louder) No, I don’t know how long. Please, can you just give me some time. (she responds with affirmatives as the voice gets slowly calmer) Jules I’ve got to go now (listens) Yes I promise (pause) you too.

NAOMI lets the phone bounce onto a sofa cushion and veer towards the crack. She drags her fingers through her hair. As she walks back towards the bedroom she snags a cardigan off a nearby chair and puts it on. Pushing the bedroom door open wider she sees LUCAS sat up, swathed in bed sheets. His eyes are glassy and vacant with understanding. She stands leaning at the doorway wrapping the cardigan around herself. They stare at each other for a long moment before he casts his eyes downwards. They see too much pity in each other’s gaze, a guarded apology in her step towards him. She cards a hand through his hair and he closes his eyes. She moves away and Lucas grabs a hold of her hand as it drops. Removing herself NAOMI takes a pack of cigarettes from the dresser, walks through to the balcony and shuts the door behind her.

CRITICAL

My script is a response, in part, to the writing practices and theories of Ernest Hemingway and Gabriel Josipovici that we have studied throughout this module. Through the use of concise dialogue and action, in the absence of detail and description, I intend to reveal more realistically the emotions and intentions of my characters.

Josipovici criticised excessive descriptions in writing, asserting that they get ‘in between us and anything meaningful.’[1] The belief is that these detailed descriptions push a reader away and into an awareness that they are being sold a story. He referred to the ‘dead words’ functioning only to ‘make visible to our imagination what the eye instantly catches.’ His argument is narrow but applicable to my writing inspiration and style. Translated to screenplay, I was working with a medium that already relies heavily on accompanying visuals so, to reflect the practice, my intention was to strip back the lengthy descriptions even further. Using minimal adjectives and adverbs, I committed to having every description of scenery, character or action have a purpose and assist the progression of my story; to avoid ‘dead words.’ This minimalism that Josipovici describes is the very thing that drew me to Hemingway’s work. Characterized by extreme sparseness and simplicity, his bare style has the effect of sharpening the focus of the writing. Initial reading of Hemingway’s work, it appears that not a lot transpires in regards to plot whilst in reality the sparse action makes room for you to see character dynamics and encourages you to draw on emotional insight to realise a lot is being said. I wanted to emulate a story that presents as an unassuming peak into two lives crossing paths but actually exposes the important subtleties of human behaviour.

Primarily my piece is focused on this growing relationship between my two characters, not the scenery which surrounds them, that may detract from their interactions. When writing direction or scene descriptors, I wanted only to detail things which would offer explanations or highlight important motifs. Hemingway’s Hills like White elephants, uses the setting of a train station to represent a junction in the journeys of its two characters and a tension is created with the train’s impending arrival. While scenery offers a lot of symbolism in Hemingway’s short story, I wanted my play to express atmosphere but not one specific location. I chose to pick out small details that would help connect and aid parts of the story. For example, the repeated appearance of the phone, gives it significance and prompts questions that are then revealed in the final scene when Naomi finally picks up. The phone is an interruption and a tether that stops her from being completely removed from the life she wants to escape. An earlier direction sees Naomi watching the children laughing as the boy chases a ‘screeching girl’. This at first seems a distraction from the plot line but offers a metaphor for the chase that is going to commence between Naomi and Lucas directly afterwards.

A further example of symbolism exists as part of the heat theme and imagery that reoccurs throughout the play. The description of Lucas touching a flame, burning himself then running to catch Naomi illustrates a parallel to the wider plot. I wanted to include small things to warn ahead the desire and pain that was going to follow for these characters. Heat and passion remain in the background of the play. I was inspired by my favourite Hemingway novel The sun also rises: Fiesta, in which tensions rise with temperature. I set my place in the South of France, placing two British characters in a foreign country. The idea of the ocean and sun as an escape is a trope linked to travelling and a desire for freedom. This desire manifests itself between Lucas and Naomi as they indulge in haste temptations. The quick progression from meeting to affair was something I struggled to pace but I used to my advantage the setting as an environment for reckless behavior. I wanted to illustrate, as Hemingway seems to acknowledge in his work, that something happens to your mind and behavior when you’re in motion or in foreign countries away from your comfortable. I found the freedom of a screenplay allows for sudden shifts in location and time. This fragmented style allowed me to contain the timeline of one day into a ten-page script. I did not want to be dependent on one location to reflect the lives of the characters. Instead the unfixed space they possess highlights the removal from normal and shift towards reckless abandon. The montage of moving from place to place was inspired by similar sequences in films as well as the moving narrative and setting in Hemingway’s Fiesta. It demonstrates a freedom and hopefully evokes a dreamlike effect. The jumps and unfinished conversations have the effect of breaking up the lineage of their story to indicate a frantic pace.

By committing to a fragmented structure I feel that it allows to keep somethings from being revealed. This is a step towards the realistic as human behavior is characterized by secrecy and unspoken words. My play’s style is stilted and enigmatic. I wanted to maintain a level of mystery, where the characters themselves are also left figuring things out. There is so much unknown and unexpressed in the use of bare dialogue and jumps in time. I want a reader to feel immersed in the scene without knowing everything that is going on or having it made explicit for them. I did not want to alienate audiences with dialogue that is too heavy. In Hills like White Elephants, the two characters’ exchange little more than a sentence at a time during their continuous back-and-forth dialogue. This is the type of economic dialogue I am comfortable with and believe to be most effective in racking up tensions and holding the reader’s attention. The starting point for my scripts is always dialogue and I find that my character’s start talking before I know what the play is about.

Hemingway’s work heavily fits into a genre of post war literature, wherein he demonstrates a reluctance to inflate or over reveal. Maintaining parts of the character and story that cannot be accessed offers the realist depiction of human existence. The disparity between thought and speech is also something I have taken from the tone and realism in Hemingway’s work. Providing only glimpses into the lives and thoughts of your characters maintains a truth to your work. William Faulkner used blunt descriptors much like Hemmingway, wherein the omission of crucial details, such as the repeated ‘hitting’ in Faulkner’s Sound and Fury referring to baseball, leave the reader somewhat in the dark for moments throughout the text.

Cyclical repetition and dialogue is something used by Hemingway in Hills like White Elephants, for example ‘you’ve got to realize’, ‘I realize’, ‘you’ve got to realize.’ It creates friction and atmosphere of intensity. The dialogue between my characters include many repeated lines either by one or between them both. For example, ‘I like it here’ and ‘right, you like it here.’ This aids the stilted awkwardness and tension of their first. It also, hopefully, demonstrates a shared sense of humour and a dialogue that is very responsive to one another as though they remain stuck in conversation to preserve every moment of heat or apprehension. Reoccurring phrases, along with economic dialogue, highlight how little is said whilst adding weight to the words that are.

As someone who greatly enjoyed Hemingway’s writing style, I was initially determined to use this opportunity to his emulate prose. What I found was a weak spot in my creative process as I found the prospect intimidating and slow. It became apparent that my strength lay with script and once I accepted this revelation the process became more natural and dynamic. I fortunately found that his bare prose almost begins to take on the shape of a script as it follows characters and heightens the significance of every interaction and word of dialogue over description. His stripped back narration provides a cinematic vision. The translation, characterised by inspiration more than imitation, came from maintaining the bare style and economic dialogue.

Writing in script removes any one character’s perspective or narration but equally does not provide a third person omniscient narrator to assist the reader. Instead the reader or audience must provide their own narration. I took inspiration from Josipovici whose narrative and dialogue is void of judgement. I wanted to remove myself as narrator because I think it lets my characters come to life and build their own dimension. Audience is left room to create worlds for themselves, before being then represented on screen or stage. Mostly importantly the focus remains on the dynamics between characters which is not tainted by over exposure.

I want the play to invoke a feeling lowered inhibitions and a window of time shrouded in desire and escapism. It should create atmosphere, setting and intention without explicit descriptions of emotions expressed. They should be read in the silences, the proxemics and the dialogue.

#creative writing #script #short film

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angel-shindo · 7 years

Text

My secret santa gift for the @boku-no-secret-santa , for @whisper-gypsy ! I ended up doing a KiriDeku blind date thing, plus tired wingman Shinsou!! I hope you like it, it's my first time writing for Kiri so I hope he isn't too OOC! Happy holidays!!

“Izuku.”

“I don't know why it never works out for me, I mean-”

“Izuku.” Shinsou sighed, still not catching his friends attention.

“Ochako says I'm cute and all and I guess it's true but every time I think I meet someone nice i-”

“Izuku! You're doing it again and I'm trying to study.” Izuku looked over at Shinsou where he was perched precariously on his bed, surrounded by textbooks and notes.

“I-I'm so sorry! I'll try not to do it so much!”

“It's fine, were you thinking about being single again?” Shinsou moved some of his work aside, deciding he could use a break anyway.

“Yeah, Ochako tried to set me up again but this guy was… weird. I wanted to run away after the first few minutes but he was paying…” Shinsou nodded, grabbing his coffee and taking a long draw before setting it back down and stretching.

“Ill set you up with someone, he isn't anything crazy but he’s nice and I think you’ll work pretty well together. Sound good?” Izuku nodded and leaned over the papers to give Shinsou a hug, a habit the lilac-haired boy had gotten used to quickly.

“Thanks, Hitoshi! Sorry for bothering you with all this, I'm sure it gets annoying sometimes…”

“Not at all, I was bored of chemistry work anyway. Ill text you the details later, okay?” Izuku nodded and bounced back to his own bed, a smile on his face as he sorted through his messy notes. Sure, he was nervous about being set up with some random guy, especially after his last disaster of a date, but if he was friends with Shinsou then he couldn't be too bad!

Or so he kept telling himself for the next couple days, checking the details Shinsou had sent him as the day of the date approached. It was a nice restaurant that Izuku had been to a couple times, showing up early in a nice button-down shirt and slacks. The table was already reserved so he went inside, grateful for the heat as he was brought to the corner booth.

“Can I start you with anything while you wait?”

“U-um, a water and maybe a glass of wine?” He asked nervously, fiddling with his sleeve as the waitress left. The restaurant was quiet that night, not too many patrons in the middle of the week, but Izuku liked it better that way. Fewer people to see him make a fool of himself when this mystery guy showed up, as usual. When his drinks were delivered Izuku downed the wine, hoping to ease his nerves a little. Izuku checked Shinsou’s text again, making sure he had said seven and not eight. But he had shown up at the right time so now he waited, sipping his water and glancing around. Every time someone passed by he perked up, hoping it was his date, but it never was. Eventually, the waitress came back, a sympathetic look on her face.

“It… looks like no one else is coming, sweetie. Want to order something while you're here? We have several specials today!!” Izuku shook his head and looked down, biting his lip. He didn't want to cry, not here, not now.

“C-c-can I get some soup, for now, please? Or b-bread?”

“Sure thing honey, I'll be back with that soon.” Izuku nodded and thanked her, staring down at the table and blinking away tears. What was wrong with him? He tried so hard to be nice to everyone, to smile and laugh and be friendly. But every time Izuku thought he had a chance, something happened. Ochako realized she wasn't into guys (and Izuku with the opposite problem), Bakugou hadn't really clicked with him, and Todoroki… just hadn't been the guy for him. And those were just the ones he had spent more than single dinner getting to know. Hell, he was still a virgin! Nearly done with college and still a virgin, how sad was that? The tears kept flowing with no way to stem them, Izuku just closing his eyes and praying that no one would notice him. But Izuku felt a weight settle into the other side of the booth, a hand reaching out to take his.

“Hey, you okay dude? I saw you crying, figured you could use a friend.” Izuku looked up and wiped his eyes with his other hand, taking a better look at the guy across from him. He was far too attractive, in Izuku’s opinion, with spiked up red hair and a comforting smile spread across his face. Izuku glanced down, noticing the stranger's hand still over his own.

“Oh, heh, sorry about that. I guess I'm kind of a physical guy, you know?” Izuku nodded, dabbing at his eyes with a napkin and holding his hands in his lap.

“I must look horrible… I take it you aren't my date?”

“Huh? Oh, no, I don't think so. Actually, I got stood up too, I was on my way out when I saw you. Mind if I stay for a bit? I'm actually kinda starving and ill pay!” Izuku blushed a little, managing a smile.

“Y-you don't have to do that, really! I mean, um, i-i don't mind paying…” The stranger waved a hand and grinned, leaning forward on his elbows. It was only now that Izuku realized he was in a suit and he quickly looked away, not wanting to give himself any ideas that he shouldn't be having.

“No way, I crashed your booth, I'm not letting you pay. Did you order anything yet?” Izuku shook his head, watching as the redhead perused the menu.

“Thank you… I'm Midoriya, by the way. Midoriya I-Izuku.”

“Izuku huh? That's a cute name. I'm Kirishima Eijirou, but most people just call me Kirishima. You can call me whatever though! Hey, do you know what's good here? I've never been before and everything sounds really friggin’ amazing!” Izuku giggled, leaning over and pointing something out.

“I really like their pork cutlet bowls, but everything here is pretty tasty!” Izuku pulled back, quietly prattling on about the various dishes he had tried as Kirishima stared with a mild blush.

“Hey, um, Midoriya? You good?” Izuku’s head snapped up and he covered his mouth quickly, ears burning red.

“I-i'm so s-s-sorry! I kind of ramble and mutter a lot, e-especially when I'm nervous…” Kirishima laughed and sat back, grinning.

“Ahaha, sorry to laugh, it's just… Dude, you're adorable! Like, seriously, I don't know who stood you up but they are seriously missing out!” Izuku blushed and couldn't speak, no matter how much he tried. He had never gotten such a sweet compliment before and eventually he just hid behind his hands, mumbling nonsense under his breath. Kirishima smiled softly, gently pulling Izuku’s hands away.

“Too much? Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you like that.”

“N-no, I'm just not used to people… s-saying things like that.” Izuku muttered, not taking his hands away. Kirishima’s touch was warm and gentle, comforting after having been ditched mere minutes before.

“Really? Are all your friends blind or something? I mean, the freckles, the hair, the cute little mumbling, I'm shocked you aren't married or something!” Izuku laughed, sipping at the last of his water.

“I… I am definitely not married, that's for sure. I'm still in college, it's my third year. How about you? Do you go to the university?” Kirishima nodded, waving a waitress over to order.

“Mhm! Same year, majoring in art. How about you?” Izuku felt his heart jump, this guy was cute, sweet, and an artist? He was way too good for him and yet, Izuku never wanted this to end. Ending meant leaving and leaving might mean never seeing Kirishima again. Before he could talk, the waitress came over and smiled at them.

“Oh! Your date showed up! Sorry for the delay with your bread, a fresh batch just went in the oven! Would you guys like to order anything else?” Kirishima nodded, grinning.

“Two pork cutlet bowls, please! And-” Kirishima leaned up to whisper something to her, smiling as she noted it down and walked away. Izuku tilted his head in curiosity but got only a smile in return. “Anyway, whats your major?”

“Oh, um… it's kind of embarrassing…” Izuku blushed brighter, wondering if he was going to burst into flames before the night ended.

“I won't laugh, promise! Come on, I'm so curious!” Izuku smiled softly, unable to resist the puppy eyes Kirishima was giving him.

“Alright, you win. My major is education, with a focus on preschoolers and younger kids.” Izuku glanced away, feeling Kirishima’s grip tighten on his hand.

“Really? That's so neat! Do you want to be an elementary school teacher?” They got to talking about their hopes for the future, Izuku wanting to run a small preschool and Kirishima confessing that he didn't know what he wanted to do. They talked about anything and everything until the food came, two steaming bowls placed in front of them.

“Enjoy! And I'll be back before long with that special order of yours!” The waitress winked and left them to their food, Kirishima digging right in.

“Ah, fuh, hot!” He cried, instantly regretting the bite of pork and noodles he had taken. Izuku giggled, blowing on his own spoonful of broth before eating it. When Kirishima finally recovered he smiled, letting the next bite cool significantly.

“Wow, this is amazing! I don't think I've ever eaten anything this good!” Kirishima exclaimed happily, eating quickly as Izuku split his attention between watching and eating his own food. He couldn't help it, Kirishima was beautiful, even as he scarfed down his food like a starving man. And Kirishima didn't seem to notice the eyes on him, only glancing up when his bowl was nearly empty.

“Hey, are you okay? You haven't eaten much.” Izuku smiled sheepishly, running a hand through his hair.

“I'm okay, just a little… distracted.” Kirishima smiled and stole a bite of egg from Izuku’s bowl, his eyes glimmering with mischief.

“Better eat up!” Izuku giggled and lightly smacked Kirishima’s hand when it went for a slice of pork, eating it before he could.

“There you go! Don't get too full though, there's a surprise for you later!” That grin made Izuku freeze again, another bite halfway to his mouth. How could this man, practically a stranger, make his heart beat like this? Make him feel like he had found everything he wanted in the span of an hour? It was scary, if Izuku was being honest with himself. He didn't want to mess this one up, not with Kirishima.

“Distracted again?”

“Oh, yeah… Sorry, I get into my own head a lot, I guess.” He didn't elaborate, not wanting to bore Kirishima with his life story.

“Try to stay here, okay? How about I talk and help you out?”

Izuku wanted to cry, Kirishima had done it again, made him feel like he was the only guy in the world. But he bit back the tears and let Kirishima talk, rambling on and on about his friends and the antics they had gotten into. It kept Izuku focused, quickly finding his bowl empty thanks to Kirishima. As it turned out, they both knew Bakugou, Kirishima actually having several amusing stories to tell about him and his friends. Izuku coughed with laughter at one point, wiping his cheeks when he finally stopped laughing.

“And they survived? Really?”

"Well, barely! Bakugou was on the warpath for days, Mina wound up losing a chunk of hair in the process! Oh and Sero, poor Sero!” Kirishima laughed and leaned on one arm, gazing at Izuku. He took in the little details of the smaller boy, the way his mouth turned up at the corners so easily, the blush that almost constantly colored his cheeks, the glimmer in his eyes, it was all so beautiful to Kirishima. Before long the waitress was back, taking away their empty bowls and setting a massive sundae on the table along with two spoons.

“Kirishima, did you order this? Y-You didn't have to that, i-i mean, you're already paying for dinner…”

“I wanted to share dessert with you, and besides… I'm having a lot of fun with you.” Izuku smiled and took a spoon, popping a bite of ice cream into his mouth.

“I'm having fun too, Kiri!” Izuku smiled shyly, watching as Kirishima took the cherry from the sundae and popped it into his mouth. A minute later and he was sticking his tongue out to reveal the stem, tied into a perfect knot.

“Whoa! I've never been able to do that!” Kirishima grinned, setting the stem aside and taking a spoon for himself.

“I could teach you, sometime, if you like.” He felt his cheeks turn pink, trying to keep his confidence up as Izuku stared at him with wide eyes.

“I, u-um, yeah! Yeah, that would be great!” Izuku distracted himself with more ice cream, sneaking glances at Kirishima. He felt like he was back in high school again, a shy little freshman who crushed on anyone who gave him the time of day. But Kirishima hardly seemed to mind, smiling when their eyes caught for one heart-stopping moment. He held out a spoonful of ice cream, a flavor Izuku had not tasted yet.

“H-huh?”

“Eat it!” Kirishima’s grin was so pure and sweet that Izuku couldn't resist, leaning in to eat the ice cream and pulling back with a blush.

“Mmm, it's good!” He covered his mouth and sat back, hiding his grin. When he pulled away he noticed Kirishima staring at his lips a little too long.

“You, um, there's chocolate on your lips.”

“O-oh!” Izuku quickly wiped his mouth and looked at the dim reflection of his phone to make sure he was clean.

“I would have kissed it away, but I didn't want to be too forward or anything, y’know?” Izuku nodded and tried his best not shiver with delight. Kirishima wanted to kiss him, really wanted to, and Izuku couldn't be more pleased.

“I… wouldn't have been mad o-or anything.” He smiled, shoving ice cream into his mouth to keep from saying anything too embarrassing.

“I'll have to remember that.” Kirishima teased. It wasn't long before the sundae was gone and Kirishima asked for the check, grabbing it off the table before Izuku got the chance.

“Nope, no looking!” Izuku giggled, watching as Kirishima handed the check back.

“C-can I get the next one, then?”

“Next one?” Kirishima’s expression was damn near impossible for Izuku to read and he quickly covered his mouth, looking away.

“S-sorry, I got too a-ahead of myself…” His apology was muffled but Kirishima took his hand away from his mouth gently, bringing it to his lips with a smile. The gentle kiss brought Izuku back from the dark parts of his mind, eyes wide and meeting Kirishima’s.

“You can pay next time, dude, I'm not gonna stop you.” His grin said more than his words, reassuring Izuku that his move had been welcome. Soon, his card was returned and they were ready to go, Izuku getting an all too good look at Kirishima in his suit.

“You're dressed really nicely, were you s-stood up by someone important?”

“Huh? Oh, nah, Bakugou dressed me, said it was the only thing I had that was acceptable. I kinda run on muscle shirts and stuff, I guess this is a little over the top for this place.”

“Y-you look good, really good.” Izuku felt the gentleness of Kirishima’s touch as he led him outside, glancing at the parking lot.

“Hey, did you walk here or…” Izuku nodded, motioning at his tennis shoes.

“R-ran, actually. It's what I do when I'm really anxious. The dorms aren't far, it wasn't too bad.”

“I drove, want me to drop you off? My place is on the opposite side of the school but I don't mind!” Izuku nodded shyly, fighting the urge to whine when their hands separated to get into Kirishima’s beat up red car.

“Sorry it's such a damn mess, I let Kaminari borrow it for like a week. He's my bro but I swear he was raised in a barn sometimes.” Izuku just laughed and nudged a few old magazines off the passenger seat before strapping in. It was only a ten-minute drive, if that, but Izuku liked the quiet time. He spent it mostly watching Kirishima, listening as he hummed to whatever pop song made its way from the speakers. He never seemed to stop smiling, Izuku noticed, a gentle upturn of his (very soft looking) lips.

“Which building are you in?”

“O-oh! Um, this one right here. You can just let me out, don't worry.” Kirishima shook his head, parking haphazardly and opening his door.

“And leave without your number? Hell no!” Izuku blushed but went with Kirishima up the stairs to his dorm room, stopping right outside the door.

“I should… probably go in. My roommate is expecting me and…”

“Hey, no worries. Is it cool if I get your number? Don't feel like you have to or anything but I felt like it was a pretty nice night, all things considered.” Izuku nodded and passed over his phone, Kirishima handing over his in return. They switched a minute later, contact info typed in and saved for later.

“Ill text you, okay? I have class tomorrow but we can figure out a time to meet again or something!” Izuku nodded, rubbing the back of his neck and smiling.

“Thank you for tonight, it was great. And t-thank you for sitting with me when I was upset, most people usually just walk a little faster or look away.”

“I'm glad I did, you're too cute to cry. I'll talk to you soon, Izuku.” That bright grin hit him again as Kirishima turned away, heading for the stairs.

“Wait, Eijirou!” Izuku heard himself say it but it was as if he was simply a bystander as his body did things his mind never had the confidence to. Kirishima turned around and Izuku closed the scant difference between them to cup his cheeks. Izuku was pretty sure he was going to have a heart attack when his soul decided to return to his body because he leaned in and kissed Kirishima like it was nothing, pulling back before Kirishima recovered enough from the shock to return the favor. Apparently, the rush of chilly air back into his lungs was enough to pull Izuku back to reality, hands still cradling Kirishima’s pink face. But Kirishima was smiling and that helped keep Izuku from collapsing on the spot.

“W-wow… Yeah, I would really, really like a second date, holy crap.” He grinned, taking Izuku’s hands for a moment before drifting away. Izuku waved and called goodbye before slipping inside, finding Shinsou waiting for him near the window.

“Oh god, you saw all of that…”

“Mhm.”

“I-i can't believe I just did that! I kissed him, just like that, after one date that I never even meant to-” Shinsou touched his shoulder before plopping on his bed, encouraging Izuku to do the same.

“That wasn't the guy i set you up with, by the way.”

“Yeah, he… stood me up. Kiri saw me upset in the booth, he got stood up too, and he sat with me. We talked and ate together and… yeah, i guess you saw the rest.” Shinsou nodded, giving Izuku a smile.

“He likes you, a lot. Go to bed, i want details in the morning when your back from cloud nine.” The lamp shut off and Izuku snuggled into his covers, grinning with a stuffed toy pulled to his chest. His phone buzzed, reminding him that he was still in his nice clothes, and he glanced at it as he moved to undress.

One new message: <3 Kiri <3

Hey! Wanted to say goodnight and return that kiss, call you tomorrow? I'm done at 3~

Attached was a picture of Kirishima, grinning and blowing a kiss to the camera and easily sending Izuku into happy hysterics.

#bnha #boku-no-secret-santa #boku no hero academia #kirishima eijirou #midoriya izuku #shinsou hitoshi #kirideku

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