#and in the BLINK of a CRINKLING eye I’m SINKING our FINGERS ENTWINED

[itspileofgoodthings]

I !!!!! feel like laughing !!!!!!! in the middle of practice!!!!!! do that impression you did of your dad again

I’m hearing voices like a madman

[eddiesxangel]

So High School | E.M x Reader

TJ's 2K Request Celebration

@ilovewomen0099 Request: So High School - Taylor Swift. I hope it’s what you wanted 🩷

Cw: tooth rotting FLUFF, making out, date night, allusions to smut.

wc: 1.2k

And in a blink of a crinkling eye

I'm sinking, our fingers entwined

Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights

“Babe, look!” Eddie points to the rickety wooden Ferris Wheel that didn’t look all that trustworthy.

“I don’t know about that one?” You hold back.

“Why? Are you scared? He taunts you as he pulls you in closer.

You’re in the middle of the fairgrounds, but you don’t care; the other people can walk around you.

“No.” You counter back, but it’s not very convincing.

“Don’t worry I’ll protect you.” He catches you off guard by peppering your face with so many kisses you’ve lost count.

Nothing made you feel as light and airy as Eddie had. Nobody could ever compare. You know he is in it for you, even if you’ve just started dating, you can feel it; he’s the one.

“Come in, scaredy cat,” he grins before pulling you to the line.

Eddie admired the twinkling lights that reflected off your skin as you gripped onto him for dear life. Somehow, he convinced you to come up with him.

“I might loose circulation in this arm but it was worth it.”

You snort in response at his lame joke. “Tell me how this is worth it.”

“Because you look so beautiful.” He tucks a piece of hair caught in the wind behind your ear, and you swear your heart skips a beat. Suddenly, you feel like you're sixteen and back in high school. Any time Eddie looks at you, you act like a schoolgirl all over again.

Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

Walking together, fingers not daring to let go of one another’s, even if Eddie’s chunky rings were digging into your skin.

“You know the first time I saw you I ran and hid.” Eddie admits sheepishly.

“What?” you giggle, confused by the admission.

“God, I don’t know why I’m telling you this; you just bring it out in me, baby.”

“Please tell me” you give him the good old puppy eye look that you’ve figured out that he can’t resist.

“Ok, um-well, Dustin and I were getting coffee before Hellfire because, you know, we need our energy, and you were in line ahead of us. I didn't see you at first, but when you turned to your friend- I think you were with Tara? I'm not sure I wasn't really focused on her because when I saw you...you made my heart skip a beat, I swear. I didn't know how to approach you, so I told Dustin to order my coffee and hid in the bathroom." He rambled.

"Eddie-"

"Dustin busted my balls the whole night about it, too."

"So you saw me before?"

"Yes, and I let you slip away so you could imagine how grateful I was when I saw you again that night we met." Eddie wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you closer, never wanting to let you go. He couldn't believe what his life would have been like if he had lost you in the crowd at Steve's party that night.

You felt an infectious sense of giddiness, reminiscent of a schoolgirl, every time you were with Eddie. Even though you knew it was the honeymoon phase, you cherished every single moment spent with him.

"Well, I first saw you at Steve's part and knew I had to have you. Your bad boy metal thing really got me going," you giggle.

"All a part of the brand, baby"

Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?

It's just a game, but really

I'm bettin' on all three for us two

As you were walking to the fairgrounds, you stumbled upon the Fortune teller's tent. Eddie gives you a knowing look, but you pull him along anyway.

"If you made me get on that Ferris Wheel, we are so doing this."

Before Eddie could argue how much of a scam this would be, you tugged his jacket sleeve and pulled him into the red and white striped tent.

The inside of the tent was a mesmerizing sight. Colourful fabrics and intricately designed rugs adorned the space, creating a warm and mystical atmosphere. Glittering crystals hung from the ceiling, catching the light and casting prismatic reflections across the interior. In the center of the tent, a small circular table stood, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and holding a clear crystal ball that seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow. Seated at the table was an elderly woman with long, faded red hair that cascaded down her back. She was dressed in a dark green robe that seemed to blend with the surroundings, and her nails were painted black and extended six inches, adding an air of all-knowing.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" she sheepishly grinned.

"Hello, this is my boyfriend, Eddie, and I'm Y/N."

"Shouldn't she know that?" Eddie scoffed under his breath.

"Welcome, non-believer and his lovely girlfrined."

"See, she knows!" You nudge his side with your elbow.

"Babe, are you kidding me?"

You ignore him, plop him down, and sit in his lap, seeing only one chair.

"What is it you seek?" She quirks a brow.

"Nothing specific; tell us what you see for us.

"Baby, I don't think that's a good idea?"

"Hush." You shush him, and Eddie holds his tongue. He loved when you took charge, but this was a bit much even for Eddie.

You turn to the wise-looking woman across from you and watch as she examines you before taking out the tarot cards. She shuffled messily and flipped over three onto the table. You looked intently as you saw the lover's car, the three cups and the empress.

"What's the verdict? She going to marry, kiss or kill me?" Eddie jokes, and you playfully smack his chest.

"I see all good things here; you have a strong relationship with a potent feminine energy. Your friends support this union as do your family."

"Does that say lovers? Am I getting banged tonight?" Eddie whispers in your ear.

"Not if you keep it up." ou wiggle your ass into his crotch only to tease him more.y

"I feel confident in this power dynamic; you can keep him in his place while submitting when needed."

"She submits alright." Eddie snorts, and your eyes go wide with mortification.

"Edward!" you cry.

"Exactly my point. That will be thirty-five dollars."

Get my car door, isn't that sweet?

Then pull me to the backseat

No one's ever had me, not like you.

"M'lady," Eddie's oh-so-grandiose display of chivalry didn't go unnoticed as he swung open the back of the van door so you could put your giant plushie he won you in the back.

"Thank you, kind Sir." you present curtsy and reach into the van to place your giant teddy bear on the floor.

Eddie brushes past you, popping himself into the van before pulling you in after him. Quickly, he shuts the door and sits you both in the back bench seat pulling you into a needy kiss.

"Waited to do that all damn night." his hands find your ass cheeks as you're sat in his lap.

"We made out on that death trap you call a ride," you mumble into his mouth, and Eddie sees this as an opportunity to deepen the kiss. His tongue enters your mouth, and you sense the urgency in which he needs you.

"Okay, big boy, let's take this party home."

"What, you don't want to fuck me in the parking lot like a couple of hory kids?"

"Please, that's so high school."

Tagging some of my swiftie mooties : @andvys @taintedcigs @ghost-proofbaby @ceriseheaven

[violetasteracademic]

Elain and Azriel Modern AU

🎶 Tell me ‘bout the first time you saw me🎶

The entire TTPD album gives me Elriel feels, but whenever I hear this line from So High School, I imagine Az and Elain snuggling in bed as the sun rises, recalling when when they first locked eyes in shades of cobalt blue.

I pictured a soft and sweeping pastel alternate universe to capture how I envision them when I hear this song.

And in the blink of a crinkling eye

I’m sinking, our fingers entwined

Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights

Tell me ‘bout the first time you saw me 💕

[whenthegoldrays]

Taylor Swift x my favorite ships • Part 14

Im Sol x Ryu Sun Jae (Lovely Runner)

So High School

“And in the blink of a crinkling eye, I’m sinking, our fingers entwined / Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights / Tell me ‘bout the first time you saw me” // “It’s true, swear, scout’s honor, you knew what you wanted and, boy, you got her”

Not only did Sol literally go back to high school and fall in love with Sun Jae there, but even their relationship as adults is the sweetest fluffiest thing. They both get to make up for years of loneliness and grief with just being happy together like a couple of teenagers (or college kids).

Timeless

“And somehow I know that you and I would’ve found each other / In another life, you still would’ve turned my head” // “Story of a romance torn apart by fate / Hundreds of years ago, they fell in love like we did / And I’d die for you in the same way”

Sun Jae falling head over heels for Sol in every timeline! On impact! Even when Sol tries to rewrite it to save his life, he doesn’t care! He just wants her! He’ll die for her if necessary! (But thankfully, in the end, it isn’t.) They really were supposed to find this.

[likeadevils]

And in a blink of a crinkling eye I'm sinking, our fingers entwined Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

i am fascinated by the way like. just the transition of drowning/sinking imagery in her discography? like? the shift from it signaling the end of a relationship into being a symbolism for the start

pretends he doesn’t know that he’s the reason why you’re drowning, you’re drowning, you’re drowning -> in losing grip, on sinking ships, you showed up just in time -> loose lips sink ships all the damn time, not this time -> when I was drowning that’s when I could finally breathe -> I feel like I might sink and drown and die -> gleaming, twinkling, eyes like sinking ships on waters, so inviting, I almost jump in -> and in the blink of a crinkling eye, I’m sinking

idk it’s very wildest dreams of her like. at some point loving started to feel like something destined to end in pain yknow

[jesschalamet]

and in a blink of a crinkling eye

i’m sinking, our fingers entwined.

cheeks pink in the twinkling lights.

[goldenkwilde]

Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?

It's just a game but really

I'm betting on all three for us too

And in a blink of a crinkling eye

I'm sinking, our fingers entwined

Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights

Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me

I'll drink what you think and I’m high

From smoking your jokes all damn night

The brink of a wrinkle in time

Been a sweet 16 suddenly

[constantlycravingadventure]

& in the blink of a crinkling eye

i’m sinking, our fingers entwined

cheeks pink in the twinkling lights

tell me ‘bout the first time you saw me

[kingofmyborrowedheart]

fave lyrics from The Alchemy and So High School?

Hi anon!

I’m a sucker for how sweet both “Where's the trophy?/He just comes running over to me” and “And in the blink of a crinkling eye/I'm sinking, our fingers entwined/Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights/Tell me 'bout the first time you saw me” are.

[katyagrayce]

And in a blink of a crinkling eye I’m sinking, our fingers entwined Cheeks pink in the twinkling lights Tell me ’bout the first time you saw me

– ‘So High School’, Taylor Swift

TTPD: Fave Moments From Fave Songs (Kat’s Version), part 15/22

[d4gotten]

Title: Don't Count the Stars

Pairing: Midorima x Takao

Rate/Tags: Teen above, fluff, established relationship

Summary:

Once Oha-asa declared Scorpio was at the last place, and that the best way to achieve good luck was to go to a place that reaches the stars, Takao knew his weekend plans were done for. Midorima rang him the second the reporter finished, requesting formally that the raven haired be prepared for a hundred- foot journey up a mountain.

"But why the mountains!?" he guffawed, already walking with Midorima to the train station in their hiking apparel with their backpacks on and Midorima still itemless. "I get it, we need to get your lucky item from a souvenir store at the foot of the mountain-"

"A Hannya brimstone is more likely to be effective coming from its original store location."

"Pffft. It's not like luck dimishes with delivery. That's how you get your other items! But seriously, a planetarium is less of a hassle."

"Takao," the ace said, voice reprimanding, "To do the best--"

It was drowned out by the sound of the train that wheezed past them and the two boarded with Takao laughing at how Midorima's legs will always be too long for the accomdating seats. Midorima found nothing funny. He was restless throughout the ride, only comforted once they secured his lucky item to which Takao commented "scarier than any apparition up the mountain peak."

"This is yours." the ace proceeded to hand him a Tengu brimstone charm.

"It's not my lucky item, Shin-chan. It's something about stars, remember?"

"Of course I remember-nandayo. It's a partner of mine, they must not be separated."

"I don't think this will save me getting lost in the mountain, though." he took it gratefully.

"Why do you think you will get lost?" Midorima asked before shooting his boyfriend a devastating look. Of course Midorima knew the reason. Takao only gave his ace-sama a grin.

The trail was dry given the approaching summer. The sky was the bluest with ample clouds that shielded them from the glaring sun. Much to Midorima's chagrin, the hike proved to be challenging, not because of the leg excercise (they have Shutoku training menu that could kill the unfit), but of Takao's innate skill to be care less. Midorima knew Takao was not immune from being, well, Takao. It was like the point guard wanted nothing to do with the safe trail. Once or twice, Midorima had to chastise him from pointing at paths no feet had ever treaded upon with an obvious look of excitement on his face.

"No. Don't forget your rank for today."

"You're right, but wouldn't it be awesome to know if there were hidden lakes or waterfalls in unknown webbed corners?"

"Unlikely. It would have been spotted by aerial cameras for geographic purposes. There are no such things here."

"That's why I said hidden."

"Do not forget our goal here, Takao." Midorima said, pulling Takao by his back collar for trying to casually go off to another path. The ace had kept a careful eye on the pointguard who naturally was pleased with the attention. It was one thing to invite his ever so firm boyfriend to embrace the sense of adventure and live life a little since they rarely hike up mountains, but it was another to convince Shin-chan that with his Hawkeye, he could definitely get them back on the trail in no time.

"Don't you trust me?"

"Let's not tempt fate," Midorima said, running his long taped fingers on Takao's hair and smoothing out a leaf that had gotten stuck there. The flush that rose to the point guard's cheeks was easily covered by his already red and perspiring body after two hours of walking.

Takao behaved after that.

The summit was empty when they reached it. Takao dropped dead on the ground while Midorima proceeded on fixing their tent. Everything was alright when Takao volunteered to get the woods for a bonfire. It seemed what hikers say was true, there is a different energy for when you reach the top of the mountain.

Midorima sighed and went with him anyway.

"You really don't trust me, eh?" Takao said bitingly. Midorima only pushed his glasses back at the bridge of his nose.

"It's not a question of trust, but of ranks."

Takao hummed, then glanced at his ace-sama thoughtfully, "So the best thing is to really stay with Shin-chan after all."

Midorima agreed. His luck would have to help Takao get through it. Plus, they were indeed, near the sky.

Dusk found them outside the tent, Midorina reading a book as he leaned on a tree while Takao chatted animatedly. They did not miss the sunset, the orange orb sinking in the horizon, bringing with it the light of the day, while around it the sky swirled of colours, red and pink then purple as darkness began to reign and consumed everything. The first star appeared just as they were preparing their dinner, cool breeze enveloping their skin as they watched the stars occupy the black veil like glitters. They stayed around the bonfire a few hours after cleaning up dinner, Midorima taking out an extra clean blanket to use as cover for the ground. The best hours to stargazed was between midnight and twilight and that they did not miss. It was a party of stars in the milky way to behold.

"They're all really up there," Takao said in awe, speaking for the first time since Midorima woke him up for the promised starshow. "There's so many no one would notice if one of them dropped out and fall to the ground. I mean look, even if I count-"

"Don't." Midorima said quietly, his glasses reflecting that star light, "It's been said it's bad luck to count the stars. A legend said you'd die when you reach 100."

Takao considered chuckling, only to find his breath taken at the spectacular view.

"Who'd count those anyway,"

"You can with your sharp eyes."

"Oh yeah-"

"Don't."

"You realized you just tempted me to do so?"

"I'd rather not have my long life partner to be haunted by badluck."

"Oh, Shin-chan? Did you just propose to me? Again? " Takao snickered while Midorima only gazed back the sky. It was nothing surprising. Midorima, from the time they became a couple, had been threatening to propose every minute of the day. Takao was baffled at first, but it was just like Midorima... To do everything he can as best as he could once he set his eyes upon something. So Takao could never feel he will ever be unlucky. Not with this, not with what they have. Maybe until Shin-chan gets tired of him, something which Takao didn't have the heart to deal with. As long as Shin-chan was still happy with him.

"Hey, Shinchan-" he pointed up. Midorima quickly wrapped his taped hand around Takao's knuckle.

"Don't count. Takao, know I don't want anything close to badluck when it is about you." Takao pressed his lips at how affected Midorima was about it. He does care about their relationship to the extent of paving the way to even make fate agree.

"I'm not," Takao whispered, gulping at the warm touch that gradually slid off his skin as Shin-chan let go but the lingering feeling remained, "But I was saying... that's Cancer right?" he pointed at the pattern on the sky. The mountain was too dark, the stars were like lamps, they all could be seen like fire.

Midorima was quiet.

"Yes."

"And that's Sagittarius?" there was a pause where Midorima frowned.

"That's not your sign. That's Akashi's."

Takao chuckled. "I know that. We both know all the Generation of Miracles' star signs, we even know their Oha Asa! What I mean is... Look at that? Cancer and Sagittarius are much closer up the sky than say... Scorpio beneath Sagittarius. Even the Zodiacs declares it. It's really not close, yours and mine." then as an after thought, a whisper to himself, "I wish our signs are closer."

The stars twinkled with no care for his melancholy. The world continued to revolved and he remained a tiny speck.

"Where are you looking at, Takao. Your Cancer is right here."

He glanced beside him. Shin-chan's eyes were on him, fiery and firm. The ace reached for his hand again and held it tight, knocking out the air from Takao's lungs as they gazed at each other, long and meaningful.

The stars were there in Shin-chan's eyes.

"It's closer, isn't it?". Midorima demanded quietly. Takao blinked, then brightened a she beamed and drew closer to the warm of his ace-sama, butterflies awoken in his stomach and flapping even to his ears.

"That's right. We didn't really have to go here, Shin-chan. I have all the luck... because Shin-chan is my star."

Midorima's silent agreement could be seen in the crinkle of the corners of his eyes and his soft smile that made Takao feel like stars just exploded in his chest. He entwined their hands together and tugged Midorima closer.

"The tent looks cozy now," he whispered, glad for the darkness that masked the blush of his cheeks. Midorima raised himself on one elbow, leaned to him and captured his lips. It seared hot Takao's body, ridding of any part of his skin that remained cold under the cool twilight breeze. Midorima continued to set fire in his body, crawling on top of him, Takao clutching the front of the shootingguard's shirt as they made a mess under the milkyway with stars as their witness.

"You just dragged me here for the milkyway makeout," Takao accused once Shin-chan pulled him to his feet, his lips still burning from the passionate kiss.

"The weather did say it is the best date for stargazing."

"Well, it is the best date so far." Takao let himself get wrapped around Shin-chan's long arm as they headed to the tent. "But if Shin-chan is my lucky item, even if we really did go off the trails, with you beside me, we're bound to get lucky!"

Midorima grimaced as he prodded Takao into the tent, leaving the zippers open as the bonfire danced outside, helping Takao out of his clothes while the raven haired chased his lips to continue where they left off.

"I would not recommend it. Not after we're done here until dawn." Takao's burst of laughter was music to his ears.

"Oh, Shin-chan, you animal!"

The Hangul and Tengu charms left outside the bonfire reflected the blazing fire, grinning up manically at the night sky.

[subtlereferencetomyinterests]

An Open and Honest Conversation About Our Feelings

Ao3,  MasterPost

Relationships: Moxiety, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Roceit and Intrulogical.

Warnings: Food mention, all sympathetic sides, swearing, crying, hurt/comfort, excessive fluff and somftness. 

Word Count: 1,779

Virgil woke up at 12:00PM dull every day, because there are no rules in quarantine and fuck you. And due to the fact that all of his fellow sides continued to maintain ‘reasonable’ sleep schedules (nerds), he was almost always the last awake. Today was seemingly no exception, as Virgil trudged down the stairs with a yawn to find his family long done with breakfast.

 Janus was the first to register his presence, curled up in the corner of the sectional with Roman. 

“There’s something breakfast-adjacent left for you in the kitchen,” he informed with a mischievous look at the trait beside him.

“We were working with what we had! I’m sorry I’m not a master chef like Dad.” Roman argued, prompting Logan to peek his head in from the kitchen. 

“The more you call Patton that, the more I worry that it’s some kind of complex.”

He ducked into the other room before Roman could effectively throw a pillow at him. 

“Remus is a terrible influence on you!” 

There was a shrill laugh from the kitchen. 

“Damn right I am!”

Virgil shook his head at the interaction and contemplated going right back to bed. There was something bugging him, though. 

“So where is Pat?”

“He wasn’t here when we came down. We decided to let him sleep in. Totally not like he needs it,” Janus said idly. 

That on it’s own would be fine (he really did need a day off), but Patton was asleep later than Virgil? At the very least it was weird. But nobody else seemed particularly concerned about the side, and Anxiety wasn’t always the best judge of what was and was not worth freaking out over. He pushed it out of mind and went to find something to eat. Patton was probably fine. Probably. 

It was 3:00pm and things were not fine. No one had seen a trace of Patton all day. After surmising that all of the idiots Virgil inhabited a brain space with weren’t correctly worried, he took matters into his own hands. He glared at his best friend’s door for a good time before he finally caved and knocked, hoping for nonchalance (how do you knock nonchalantly? Probably not like that, dude). After all, maybe Patton really had just overslept. For eight hours. Yeah. 

There was a slight gasp from behind the door. Virgil felt his stomach drop and listened closely for a response. 

“Who is it?” Morality’s voice was barely audible, a rasping and raw croak. He very clearly hadn’t been getting any sleep, let alone extra. Virgil placed his hand on the door.

“It’s- it’s me.” 

No response.

“Can I come in?”

There was a beat, and then the lock clicked open. Anxiety took a steadying breath before entering Morality’s room, carefully closing the entryway behind him. His eyes widened at the scene before him.

Patton was laying on top of the covers in his bed. His eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, not to mention so unfocused that you’d think that nobody was home behind them. Tears tracked down his face and turned his complexion worryingly red, a contrast to the gray of his cat sweater. 

“...Pat?” Virgil whispered. Patton tilted his head and attempted to smile at him, which only served to be more heart-wrenching to see than the dull upset that previously encompassed his expression.

“Hey, Virge. What’s up?”

Virgil snorted, but there was no humor in the sound. 

“That’s what I wanna know,” he sat on the edge of the bed, maintaining a respectful distance, “C’mon, you can talk to me.”

“...Can I?”

The question was nearly silent, but Anxiety couldn’t have missed it in a thunderstorm. The trait blinked in a mix of concern and confusion.

“Uh, yeah? I mean, I won’t make you, but you’re always trying to talk me down when I get upset, or whatever. That’s what friends are for, right?”

Patton pushed himself up, leaning back against his pillows.  When he looked at Virgil again, he didn’t pretend to smile. 

“You don’t have to do this.”

“What?”

“I- I know that I’ve been a lot lately. I know you need space right now, and I don’t want you to feel like you have to be here for me. I’ll be okay, it’s just one of those days- you know?” 

Virgil’s stomach sank as realization dawned on him. 

“What are you talking about?” he needed to hear it. 

“You- well- you kinda… snap at me? Whatever I say always seems to be… the wrong thing to say. I’m sure you have a reason for being upset with me, though! And you don’t have to tell me what it is, either,” Patton kept his eyes down as he spoke, “It’s fine, really!”

Anxiety didn’t know what to say. Or maybe he didn’t know what not to say, because there was so much that he should be saying. He could see his friend- his best friend, always there for him even when it was excessive- trying not to cry again. It hurt to look at, it was heartbreaking to look at in a way it really shouldn’t have been. 

His mind flashed with all the times he’d berated Patton, or shut him down, or just brushed him off- and wasn’t not being listened to exactly what made him treat Morality worse in the first place? How hadn’t he noticed before?

Oh god, Virgil had been quiet too long and he still had no clue what to say. This was why talking about emotions wasn’t in his department!

Virgil twisted his fingers in his sleeve as an idea formed. He inched a little closer to Patton, trying to will away the nervousness and regret that creeped in him so he could focus. Patton watched him from the corner of his eye as Anxiety took his hand and entwined their fingers. 

The moral trait looked up at him with scores of conflicting emotions flitting across his face. Virgil outstretched his other arm, an offering that he rarely gave to anyone and one he almost never gave to anybody other than Patton. 

The side threw himself into Virgil’s arms without hesitation, hiding his face in the fabric of his hoodie. Virgil wrapped his arms around Morality’s shaking shoulders and held him close.

“I didn’t-” his voice cracked. Shit, try again.

“You’re amazing, Pat. I’m so sorry. I wasn’t mad at you, like, not really.”

Patton’s head was resting on his collarbone. He took deep, shuddering breaths as his shaking abated. Virgil continued.

“This is all my fault, I should have just talked to you-”

Patton shook his head sharply.

“Me feeling bad wasn’t ‘cuz of you. It happens. And you did talk to me about what was wrong, I’m the one that didn’t listen-”

“I didn’t listen either, I just brushed you off! I made you feel like I didn’t want to be around you!”

“That’s exactly what I did to you! T-The first part.”

“It’s different-”

Patton cut him off with laughter, his eyes crinkling up at the edges. Virgil was only surprised for a moment before he cracked up too, letting the situation really sink in. How were they both so dumb?

A few times over they stopped, looked at each other, had another bout of giggles, and had to calm down again. Patton had gradually moved so that he was sat on Virgil’s lap, which certainly didn’t help alleviate the giddiness in his chest. 

“I’m really bad at this,” Anxiety said, sliding his arms down to hold around Morality’s waist.

“At what?” 

“Don’t know. Talking about stuff.”

“Me too. Don’t tell anybody though, I have a reputation.” 

Virgil gave another laugh and rested his chin on Patton’s head. 

They breathed.

“I’m tired, Vee.” 

“Same.”

“No, I meant... emotionally.”

“I know what you meant, Pat.”

Without another word, Patton pulled the both of them down to lie on the bed. He kicked his feet under his comforter and muttered that ‘a nap might help anyway’, and ‘would you stay? Please?’, and there wasn’t a chance that Anxiety could say no to that if he wanted to (which he did not). 

They exchanged some more whispered conversation while wrapping themselves with blankets. As the minutes passed, Virgil couldn’t help focusing on the way his friend’s arms tightened around his waist, or the way he laughed into his shoulder and pressed somehow closer. Virgil’s heart picked up- he didn’t like physical contact on the best of days, and this was more than he could ever remember enduring. The strange thing this time was that he wasn’t uncomfortable with it, no, he felt safe and warm and cared for and so so so-

Oh, fuck. 

“-irgil? Virgil?” 

“Sorry- yeah?”

Morality pulled back a bit. Virgil hoped to God that he wouldn’t dwell on the zoning out. Thankfully, he seemed to have something else on his mind.

“Thank you. For everything. This is just what I needed.” 

Patton was watching him with just an impossibly sweet expression. Virgil felt a spike of something- bravery, stupidity, recklessness, whatever you wanted to call it- in his chest. He couldn’t not say those three little words, not for another second. 

“I love you.”

Patton smiled so wide it looked painful, laughing giddily.

“I love you, too!”

“No,” immediately his fear was back tenfold and this was an awful idea, “I- I meant like, ro-”

“I know what you meant, Virge,” Patton said softly, looking amused and oh-so smitten. Virgil swallowed, pressing their foreheads together. His face was on fire and his chest hurt and his throat was dry but he couldn’t help smiling back at his friend- best friend- boyfriend?- his Patton.

The Heart tilted his head forwards a bit, bumping their noses together.

“Can I…?”

Virgil nodded quickly, accidentally shifting the trait’s glasses. Patton giggled, removing them and placing them on the bedside table before bringing his hands up to cup Virgil’s face and resuming their position. Gently- achingly gently- he pressed their lips together. Anxiety felt himself melt. The kiss was soft and sweet and cautious; it felt hours long and too short at the same time. When they broke apart, Patton looked at him like he’d hung the stars in the sky (Virgil was sure that his expression was much the same, but he wasn’t particularly worried about his reputation at that moment). 

“Thanks,” Patton said once more, laying his head back down on Virgil’s chest. The trait grasped for some response that could possibly articulate all that he was feeling, but by the time he opened his mouth, Morality was already asleep. With an amused huff, he followed suit and got some much needed rest.

@shrimp-crockpot

[theasstour]

0108. Le cygne.

Friday, 12 February 2015

FIC PAGE | CHAPTER SYMPHONY | WORD COUNT: 5.7k

NB: explicit language, alcohol, harry being a dream and a half

“Blimey,” Teresa mumbled before biting into her green apple. “I do want to kill Thursdays sometimes.”

They were on their 15-minute break in their three-hour Composing I seminar, neither of them feeling like talking. Once the break started, they could almost sense when the other one did not want to interact or talk, so if that was the case then the girls would keep quiet. Today had kind of been like that, Y/N sitting on her phone while Teresa jut ate her apple and stared off into nothing. When her friend spoke, Y/N almost jumped a little, yawning as she tore her eyes away from her phone to look over at Teresa.

“And why’s that?”

“Because they’re so bloody boring. Could keep myself entertained by sorting my entire life out instead of attending this seminar.”

Y/N scoffed and Teresa raised her eyebrows.

“What? You think I’m joking?”

“No, just think you have one hell of a task ahead of you.”

Teresa laughed, opening her laptop on her desk again and looking up something on Google. Y/N turned back to her phone and stopped immediately. A new mail. Response to her application to a job. With her heart beating wildly in her chest, Y/N opened the mail, sure Teresa could tell the difference in her body language. Shoulders high with tension, breathing heavier, and eyes wide open; it was hard not to notice something was up. But if Teresa noticed a change in Y/N, she didn’t say anything. However, Y/N herself was way too busy opening her mail to notice anything but the lit up phone screen in front of her.

Dear Miss Picot,

We are sorry to inform you…

Y/N didn’t read the rest. It was enough to read the three first words to know what the rest of the mail involved. She excited the mail app and closed her phone, putting it down on the desk and staring at it for a little while. This was one of the countless times she had been declined even a job interview, and she didn’t even want to think about the number if you added the failed job interviews on top of that. She felt like she would never get one, no matter how hard she tried. Every time she got declined it was like yet another blow to the stomach. It never failed to ruin her day. Though she was fully aware that she would probably get a job one day, she needed one now. She needed money because she couldn’t keep asking her parents for it and her loan would never be big enough to cover all her living expenses. So, Y/N resulted to staring at her phone and thinking about how much her life truly sucked. Yet again she had hit the lowest of low. Fantastic. How was she ever supposed to stop doubting herself when something as minor as this made her question her whole existence? How was she supposed to live a normal life when her anxiety treated her like this? Y/N ran two frustrated hands through her hair, sighing lowly to herself.

“What’s up?” Teresa asked, catching onto Y/N’s foul mood.

“Just…” She sighed. “Didn’t get a job interview.”

“It’s just one job interview, there will be plenty more in the future.” Teresa reassured Y/N, biting into her apple.

“I know,” Y/N said. “But I… I have applied to so many and some don’t get back to me, some do but don’t offer me a job interview, some do give me an interview, but never a proper chance.” Y/N groaned, getting her laptop out of her rucksack so she could entertain herself with something online for the remainder of the seminar. “I’m so sick and tired of never being good enough.”

“Okay, shut up.” Teresa frowned, throwing her apple into the bin not too far away from their two desks. “Because you are good enough.”

“But-“

“-It takes time getting a job. In all my life I’ve lived in London, and I’ve only had one job because it’s bloody impossible to get one, Y/N.” Teresa explained. “Everything will come in due time, even though it might not seem that way now.”

“It certainly does not.”

Teresa smiled, shaking her head a little. “Ever thought about performing?”

Y/N looked over at her friend, furrowing her brows a little. “What do you mean?”

“Well, the uni helps music students find places to perform so they can get their music out there.” Teresa explained. “You haven’t heard of this?”

Y/N shook her head.

“Basically, go talk to one of the student representatives for Music, and they’ll tell you everything.”

“Have you talked to them about this?” Y/N asked.

“No, but I paid attention during our first week here.” Teresa explained, shrugging her shoulders. “Unlike someone else.”

Y/N giggled. “What do you know about this performing thing?”

“There are tons of bars and pubs in London, yea? They help talk to some so you can perform and if their customers like you, they’ll end up paying you to come in. So, you need to impress on the first try and all that. Which I think is very hard since you’re in London and there are loads of other performers out there.” Teresa said, twirling a curl around her index finger. “Thought about asking them or help myself, to be honest, I just don’t even know what songs I would choose or how I would perform.”

Y/N nodded, logging onto Canvas. She looked around the website for a bit before she noticed the silence stretching out between them. Looking over at Teresa, she noticed her friend sitting there with wide eyes and an expression on her face that told Y/N she had an idea. Teresa blinked a few times as she came back down to earth, but slowly a smile crept up on her lips.

“Y/N.”

“Resa.”

“We should perform together.”

Y/N stopped for a little bit to let the idea sink in. Teresa’s voice when she sang reminded Y/N of silk; it was soft and elegant and one wouldn’t mind wearing it all day long. So for someone so talented to even be suggesting that the two of them join up and perform around London together was such an honour that Y/N felt a little taken aback. Teresa looked hopeful, eyes wide as she watched Y/N think about the idea she’d just had. Y/N only stared at her friend, so Teresa opened her mouth.

“You play the violin, I sing. We make a duo.”

Y/N turned toward Teresa.

“We could play whatever we wanted to, and wherever we’d go in London we’d be us two.” Teresa smiled. “We’ll have so much fun, Y/N.”

Y/N smiled a little back. “How often would we perform?”

“As often as we got offers and opportunities, I suppose.” Teresa said. “As often as we have time and feel like it. It will be hard, but I have no doubt we’re going to make it work somehow. We just need to push through the hard time of getting semi recognised and places to work regularly.”

Y/N, for some odd reason, had never thought about this. The thought of performing at all had never entered her mind, performing with Teresa – someone she knew had an amazing voice and a passion for music to match her own – had never been up for debate because she didn’t know if she would ever be worthy. As the two friends looked at each other, thinking about what had just been suggested and all the different ways it could all work out, it dawned on them just how good of an idea this was. Teresa’s voice fit all kinds of music, but she was extraordinary when singing country or indie songs, which would most likely be the genre they’d play in. And Y/N could play just about anything on her violin if she just got some time to practice it beforehand. All of this went through both of their heads as they thought about all of this, and Teresa suddenly reached over and took Y/N’s hand, smiling widely.

“Y/N,” she said, voice soft. “This could be so good, don’t you reckon?”

“Yes.”

The reply left her lips before she even registered them, but it was true. It would be good. This was the best idea they had ever had. And it would be good. So good. Y/N turned her hand and entwined her fingers with Teresa’s, squeezing her friend’s hand as she returned a smile.

“Yes. It really could.”

Teresa smiled so big crinkles formed by the sides of her eyes. “Oh, my God.”

“I know.” Y/N tried not to clap her hands together and scream with joy at what they had just agreed on doing. “I know!”

Teresa squealed, making sure that the professor didn’t see her having a freak out at the back of the seminar room. Quickly, Teresa threw both her arms around Y/N, and the two friends hugged each other so tight it was like they melted into one. Y/N had never seen someone be this excited about something as she was before, the only exception being when Annie agreed to move in with her and Tiana, but this was something completely different. This was something Y/N had been struggling with for months now. They pulled apart and Teresa turned to her laptop and started typing away at a Word document.

“I’ll make a list of some pop, country and indie songs that could work with violin.”

And the rest of the seminar went to just that. Teresa would poke Y/N every now and then to ask her opinion on a song or to show her one, and Teresa added them all to the list as Y/N was too afraid to hurt Teresa’s feelings by saying she didn’t like a particular one. They walked out at the end of the seminar together, agreeing on a time to meet up and start planning and searching. They needed a meeting with the head of the Arts department at Battersea so they could ask all the questions they had and to make sure they were doing everything right. Y/N was listening to something Teresa was saying, completely emerging herself in the conversation, when she heard her name being uttered. She stopped, looking over her shoulder exactly as she had done some weeks prior, and found Harry standing by the wall. Arm crossed and his glasses on, he looked absolutely amazing. Y/N refrained from taking his outfit and body in, because every time she did she ended up staring and licking away drool at the edge of her mouth.

“Y/N.” He repeated, walking over to her.

“I’ll see you around, Y/N.” Teresa said, giving Y/N a wink before she turned around and walked off.

Y/N bit her lip, seeing Harry make his way over to her made her heart leap out of her chest and every cell in her body dance with anticipation. It was so exciting being close to him, she never knew what to expect or how to react and act around him. She felt comfortable in his presence, but at the same time, every single time they had been together, he had pushed her out of her comfort zone in some way. She never knew what to expect from him.

“Harry.” She said, as if feeling him in the air around her made her body say his name and not her mouth.

“Haven’t seen you in five days.” He frowned a little, arms at his sides and a frown etched into his forehead. “You avoiding me?”

Now it was Y/N’s turn to frown, as if she didn’t know exactly what he was talking about. There had been a slight tinge of embarrassment in her after the incident in the bathroom stall at The Grand, and she hated that she felt that way. She hated that she had wanted to when the Y/N she knew would never have done anything of the sort. It was as if someone else had taken control of her body in those few minutes it was all going on. Not that she regretted it, because she did not, but she was still well embarrassed. What of Harry had thought it hilarious? What if he gone and told it to his mates right away after? The last thing she wanted was to push Harry away, but she also knew that he could, after all of that and everything before, stomp all over her heart and break it into a million tiny little pieces if he wanted to. Avoiding him hadn’t been because of anyone but herself… Also because she got very paranoid and she didn’t want to ruin anything by being very awkward afterward.

“No.” Y/N replied, running a hand through her hair.

Harry raised his eyebrows. Y/N raised hers back.

“Well, if you are then I want you to know what happened last Friday was not a mistake.” Harry said, cutting straight to the point as he usually did when Y/N wouldn’t. “And you don’t have to tread lightly around me because that’s the last thing I want you to do.”

Y/N drew in a breath. Harry’s stare was intense, not the extreme kind that made her wish to disappear into thin air, but the kind that made her understand he was paying attention to her. With every slight movement, every breath, every blink and utterance, he was giving her all his attention. The glance told her that he truly cared, he truly wanted to know what was bothering her so much that she had gone out of her way to not see him this last week. Even though the paranoid side of her told her there was more to him acting this way, Y/N knew Harry. A decent human being who wouldn’t talk shit about her to his mates.

“I-I just thought…” Y/N trailed off, swallowing a lump in her throat she didn’t know how had appeared there. “Since we didn’t talk since… that you might… might-“

“-Regret it?”

Y/N looked up at him, biting her lower lip before nodding twice.

“Darling,” he smiled a little. “Only thing I’d regret if we had come to that, you getting off on my thigh, and someone walked in looking for you, would be if I didn’t help you finish.”

It was suddenly very hard to breathe, and Y/N hated how her eyes fell to his lips for a split second before they met Harry’s again. Whenever he was close to her, all she wanted to do was take him in; all angles, features, and spoken words. Looking at him both calmed her down and sent her heart racing. He noticed Y/N staring at his lips for a few, giving her a little smile as he did the same. But the smile quickly vanished, and he suddenly grew very serious.

“You left.” He suddenly said. Y/N’s stomach dropped. “You promised not to avoid me once we came down from the loos, and you… just left.”

She nodded, fully aware of what she had done and the fact that Harry most likely didn’t appreciate it.

“Why-Why did you leave? Looked around the whole club for you.”

“Tiana was ready to.” Y/N explained. “I’m sorry. I know I should’ve told you, it was wrong of me to bolt.”

Harry sighed, looking at the ground between them. “No, it wasn’t. Don’t have to tell me nothing if you don’t want to, we’re not-“ Harry stopped himself, looking into her eyes again. It seemed like he was struggling to find the right word, as if none of the ones he had thought about when he started that sentence fit. Studying her eyes, he lost himself in the memories yet to be created and those that already had been. It was easy to get lost in something you found great interest in. So, when Harry finally found his ability to talk again, he opened his mouth. “Something. I don’t have the right to know everything you’re doing.”

Y/N frowned a little. “I promised not to avoid you and I did. You’re not mad?”

Harry smiled a little. “I’d never be mad. Just sad I didn’t get to spend time with you.” He said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Figured you didn’t leave without an actual reason. That isn’t like you.”

Y/N bit her lip, trying not to giggle.

“Sad, though,” Harry nodded. “That I am.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Harry said. “You’re not avoiding me now, are you?”

Y/N smiled a little. “Still. I’m sorry. I just get awkward, and it’s nothing to do with you and all to do with me.”

Harry grew serious again, taking another step closer to her so that she could smell his cologne now. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable around me, Y/N.”

She only looked at him, a little at loss for words.

“Ever.”

Y/N nodded.

“You always do that.”

“What?”

“Nod.” He smiled. “It’s cute. Your hair always moves with it and I like your hair.”

Her cheeks flared and Y/N felt the need to turn her back to Harry so he wouldn’t see just how flustered he got her. By this point it was impossible for him not to know the exact effect he had on her. It was so pathetic, Y/N thought, how little he had to do or say for her to melt into him. There wasn’t a chance in hell of him not knowing the exact way she felt about him. The way she looked at him and acted around him must be enough of an indicator in itself.

“Have to leave.” Harry said suddenly. “Heading to Euston.”

Y/N frowned again as she watched Harry button up his coat, wondering what he was going to be doing at London Euston.

“Going home for a few days.”

Y/N blinked. “To Manchester?”

“Yea.” Harry wrapped a blue scarf around his neck, tucking it into his coat. “Dad needs me.”

Y/N bit her lips together, not wanting to pry.

“But worry not,” he grinned now, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “I’ll be back for you, darling. See you in a week.”

And just like that, Harry walked off, leaving Y/N to look at his back as he disappeared from view. It was then that Y/N realised she knew next to nothing about Harry’s family. The only thing he had told her one time was that he was from Manchester, that he had lived in the city all his life and barely left it because of his father’s business and his mother’s job. But Manchester was a 3-hour and £80 train ride from London Euston, which only made Y/N wonder why Harry had decided to go to a uni so far from home. There could well be absolutely no other reason behind it other than the fact that he simply wanted to move out of Manchester for four years, but she couldn’t help herself from asking that question over and over in her head. Why did he want to go to a uni so far from Manchester and his home? Everyone else Y/N knew at Battersea were from the South, Harry was the only one from the North.

It didn’t take long for Y/N to get back to Westbridge Halls. With the hood of her raincoat over her head and earbuds playing soft Brahms, Y/N felt content on her way home. She changed into dry loungewear and felt herself relax into the safeness of flat 34. Getting her tea mug from her desk, she walked out of her room and to the kitchen to make herself a cuppa and some food. Today had been a roller coaster and she was starving. As she entered the kitchen, Y/N saw Annie standing by the fridge, looking into it. Giving her a smile, Y/N quickly stopped on her way over to the kettle when she saw Annie’s red eyes. Tears stained her cheeks and her chest moved with sobs wanting to escape.

Their eyes met and Annie froze, so did Y/N. Both girls were so shocked to see the other that the whole situation made both stop functioning for a little while. Thought Y/N rarely spoke unless spoken to, she knew not speaking now would be the worst possible option.

“Annie-“

“-I’m fine.” Annie interrupted, giving Y/N an unconvincing smile. “I’m fine, Y/N.”

Then she hurried off, out of the kitchen and up the stairs to her room. Once again Y/N was left staring after someone, wondering what was going on. She held on tightly to her mug, fearing it might break, because seeing Annie that upset without knowing what was plaguing her did not sit right with Y/N. But never would she force anything out of Annie either. As she made her cuppa and dinner, Y/N stood thinking about Annie and how she, as her friend, didn’t know how to help properly.

Friday, 20 February 2015

Hating every single academic piece you wrote when at uni was a disease most students suffered from. Typing one word into your document every five minutes and then giving up once a full sentence was finally formed was the way most essays were born and formed. Y/N sat in her room doing exactly that one late February Friday, looking at her laptop screen and praying to God this essay would somehow end up writing itself. It was raining outside, soft pattering sounded against Y/N’s window and quiet music from her speaker. She was trying to calm herself down enough so once she got going on her essay, it would flow easily. But it didn’t seem to be working. All she could think about was how little she wanted to be writing her essay, and how much more she’d like to sit in the kitchen with the others.

As of on que, the doorbell rang and Y/N heard Finn run to let someone in. Flat 8 of Cotton Row walked in and Finn was singing along to the song playing from inside the kitchen, clapping his hands and hyping everyone up. Y/N couldn’t hear anyone talking except for those that already were in the kitchen. She wouldn’t even try to hide the fact that she was listening out for Harry’s voice amongst the chaos of the pre-drinks. The door into the kitchen closed and Y/N looked back at her Word document, groaning to herself.

The two flats were going to a house party in Balham, and Becky thought it would be a brilliant idea to have pres together then. Finn obviously loved this idea and texted the groupchat he had with Wade, Harry and Sai right away. Sai had undoubtably arrived with flat 8, and everyone were now hanging out in the kitchen getting drunk together. Though Y/N knew she probably would have stayed in instead of going to the house party anyway, it would have been nice to have the option. Now, with her 2000-word essay, she had to stay back. Before going to university, she had made a promise with herself to prioritise uni over everything, and she had therefore informed her flat she wouldn’t be coming along. They had understood, and Spencer promised he’d try and make everyone keep the volume down for her.

Y/N sat upright in her chair, sighing heavily and running both hands through her hair before putting it in a loose bun at the top of her head. Rolling her shoulders, she reached her hands out toward the laptop and started typing. Once she saw herself done with a paragraph, she sat back and read through it, feeling proud for finally having been able to write something. That feeling of euphoria soon vanished when she read through what she had written and felt everything inside her turn when she cringed. Groaning once again, Y/N deleted the whole paragraph and started over again.

She didn’t know how long she sat there for, writing and deleting and moaning and revaluating every life decision that had led to this moment. Rubbing her hands over her face, running both her hands over her eyelids to wake herself up, Y/N tried to concentrate once again. Her fingers pressed letters into words and words into sentences. Though she was unsure if it made any sense at all, she didn’t much care by this point. To put her mind someplace else, Y/N stopped the music coming from her speaker and got her violin out. Closing her eyes, she played a piece she knew by heart.

Le Cygne, or The Swan, by Camille Saint-Saëns was one of Y/N’s favourite solos to play. Originally a cello solo, Y/N had admired it so much when she had first heard it around the time started playing the violin, so she had figured out a way to play it herself. Ever since then, she had been able to play it without a sheet, and whenever she needed to think about something else for a little while, Y/N would find her violin and play Le Cygne. For three minutes, she lost herself in between musical notes, four strings, and the way the violin felt resting against her skin. Soft music emerged from the connection between her bow and strings, and as Y/N felt her shoulders relax and the tension in her entire body evaporate, the corners of her mouth tipped up.

But a knock at her door made her stop, whipping her head towards it. She hadn’t heard anyone open the kitchen door or the music from the communal area drift into the hallway to indicate anyone walking about. Carefully, Y/N put her violin in its case and walked over to the door. She took a small step back when she opened the door and saw Harry standing there. With drunk and glassy eyes, he looked at her with a look of amusement, like he had just seen something he found highly interesting. Clearing her throat, Y/N gripped the handle tighter and shifted the weight of her feet from one to the other.

“Hi.” She said, voice low.

“Can’t you come out?”

Y/N’s heart stopped. Eyes grew wide. Did he know? “W-What?”

Harry laughed. “Your face,” he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall opposite Y/N’s room. “Jesus, Y/N, I’m only asking you to come into the kitchen.” He cocked his head to the side. “Need you in there.”

She looked over her shoulder and then at Harry. “Need me in there?”

Harry took a step forward. “Uh-huh.”

“Sorry, Harry, I’m doing my essay. Didn’t they tell you?”

He ran a hand through his hair, nodding his head. “They did, but I’m drunk and…” He smiled, blinking slowly as he stared at Y/N. “And you weren’t in the kitchen.”

Y/N didn’t know how it was possible for her to feel all the butterflies in the world all at once at the mere sound of someone’s voice, but Harry somehow managed to make them all appear. Swallowing, Y/N was about to suggest Harry go back to the others when he started talking again.

“Remember in November when I asked if I’d ever hear you play the violin?” Harry asked. “And you said ‘In your dreams’?”

Y/N smiled a little. He remembered that?

“Couldn’t help but to listen to you play while I was having a wee.” Harry pointed towards the loo, grinning. “And you’re bloody brilliant.”

Y/N looked at the floor. “Thank you.”

“Mind playing that piece for me again?”

She looked up at him then, seeing the honesty and need in his eyes when they met. Stepping aside, Y/N let Harry into her room for the second time, watching as he walked over to her bed. He looked around, smiling to himself as he took in the pictures on the board and the fairylights hanging about. Y/N got her throw out and spread it out over her bed so Harry could sit down.

“What piece were you just playing?”

“Le Cygne.”

“Right.”

Y/N looked over at Harry as he sat nodding in her bed. She smiled. “It’s one of my favourite solos. Know it by heart.”

Harry smiled a little at that, watching her take the violin out of its case. “Played it long?”

“Ever since I knew how to play.”

“Can’t wait then.” He placed his hands in his chest and looked up at her eagerly.

Placing the violin to her chin and shoulder, Y/N suddenly felt a little nervous. Harry had never seen her escape into the music. And when it was just the two of them in a room like this, playing him Le Cygne was suddenly very intimate. But she closed her eyes, knowing that if she started overthinking she’d be able to screw up a song she hadn’t done wrong in years. The bow danced over the strings as Y/N started playing. It was easy to forget someone else was in the room with her when she played, but somehow Harry took up more space than she thought he did. Maybe not physically, but she felt the pressure of his presence on her heart, and as she played, it was as if both that pressure and the feeling of floating with the music intensified. She was very aware of Harry as she forgot about the world, because somehow he managed to forget with her.

Y/N felt as if they were both in a boat in the lake by the Picot Farm, that same boat she used to lay in each summer and just read or relax. Harry sat with her in that boat, smiling at her, and the sky behind him and overhead painted a magnificent and radiant colour of pink and orange. The trees were a dark green as they always were, and the world around them quiet, except for Le Cygne playing softly from Y/N’s violin. Harry was glowing slightly, lighting up in the dark afternoon that would soon turn night; like her very own lantern to illuminate against the blackness of the world. Her heart was beating faster now as the solo was coming to an end, and as she lowered her violin from her chin, looking over at Harry on her bed, there wasn’t a doubt in her mind that he had truly travelled with her through music and space.

He was gaping at her, a softness in his green eyes that it was impossible to conjure up unless it was of the most genuine kind. He just looked at her, unable to properly form words or tell her how he felt. It had been so beautiful, and Y/N had played it flawlessly, and they both knew after this, there was no way they would ever be able to forget about the other ever. Neither knew where they were going, but the whole experience had done something to both of them. Had changed the rhythm of their hearts and coloured their world a little more detailed.

“You…” Harry started, feeling himself incapable to say anything coherent. He swallowed. “You’re so fucking… so…”

Y/N put her violin back in its case, looking over at Harry when he said the next word, “Everything. You’re everything.”

Y/N didn’t know what that meant. She didn’t know if it was meant in a positive way or if she ever would know what he had thought about before uttering it. But Harry’s drunk self had a reason for it, she guessed. She watched him get up from her bed, swallowing as he came to stand right before her. His fingers traced up her bare arm, sending shocks of something resembling electricity throughout her entire body. Squeezing her shoulder, Y/N’s breath hitched, and when Harry’s hand made contact with her neck, she had no idea how much longer she would be able to stand for. Breaths mingling into one and their eyes frantically looking from one to the other to their lips. They hated space, hated the concept of being far apart from one another. That was when Harry’s palm came to rest at Y/N’s cheek, she suddenly felt like fitting the last piece to a puzzle. The whole picture was complete. She saw it clearly now.

She looked down at his forearm at his tattoo, chest swelling with some sort of pride. The bloke she had ended up falling for was a good person. A very good person, and he treated her and everyone with nothing but respect. It was as if she felt like she had done something right for once. She had chosen the right person and felt at peace at the thought of maybe one day loving him, if he let her. Their eyes met again, and Y/N could feel one of Harry’s curls against her forehead.

“Harry!”

Harry closed his eyes, swearing under his breath.

“Mate, are you taking a huge fucking shite?!”

Harry opened his eyes, mouth closed in frustration.

“You better go.” Y/N said, giving him a little smile.

“Harry!” Finn pounded on the bathroom door, opening it to finding no one there. “What the…”

“Wish me luck.” Harry mumbled, clearly annoyed with once again being interrupted. “Feel like I can never get you for myself.” Harry said, nose rubbing against Y/N’s forehead before he sighed into her hair. “Fucking hate it.”

“Boys,” Finn shouted into the kitchen. “Harry’s vanished into thin air!”

“Jesus Christ, what an absolute nutter.” Harry groaned, stepping away from Y/N and over to her door. He laid his hand on the doorknob, looking over his shoulder at her before turning it. “Good luck with your essay, Y/N.”

She smiled at him.

“Best fucking violinist I’ve ever known.”

Once again, Harry left Y/N to herself. She heard him shouting at Finn to stop being an idiot, and Finn shouting back that he thought he had lost his best mate. Y/N locked her door and giggled, leaning against it once the corridor outside was quiet. She bit her lip as the images of what had just happened flashed through her brain. Her life was finally falling into place.

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[ferluccia]

another thing for the fic thing: "bathtubs aren't for sleeping"

send me a title and i’ll write a ficlet for it

bathtubs aren’t for sleeping

One thing Yuuri learned after moving in with Victor was that Victor loved soaking in his bath. It wasn’t something Yuuri had particularly paid attention to in Hasetsu - since using the onsen in their spare time was kind of expected - but once they’d started living under the same roof Yuuri got familiar with his habit. No matter how tired Victor was, he would always find a moment to relax in his bathtub, adding candles and salts while listening to chill music. 

Yuuri would frequently join him despite the bathtub being too small to fit both of them comfortably. Naturally, they worked their way around it - it was not like they didn’t enjoy having to be pressed together, bathing together was just an excuse for more cuddling.

It was one of those days where Victor arrived late from a full day of practicing, coaching and negotiating with his sponsors. Yuuri took care of everything - prepared a nice meal, added some candles on the dining table to set a comfortable mood, and planned on watching a movie together wrapped in a cozy blanket. Of course, once they were done with dinner Victor started making noises about running a bath before they started the movie, and Yuuri let him have a soak as he cleaned up the kitchen and prepared them some popcorn.

Victor would always take his time with his bath - enough that he’d step out of the bathroom with wrinkled fingertips - though it usually didn’t take longer than half an hour. So Yuuri chose a spot on their couch, cuddling Makkachin as they watched the news, waiting for Victor to get the movie ready to go. 

But sitting on the couch without Victor cuddling him always felt weird. It was difficult to find a comfortable position, the absence of Victor���s familiar shape and the warmth of his arms enveloped around him making it almost impossible to relax. Makkachin, getting tired of Yuuri’s incessant shuffling, decided to sprawl on the floor, sighing tiredly as Yuuri tried stacking pillows to lean on.

He called for Victor after checking his phone, finding it odd that his fiancé would take so long in the bath when he knew they were watching a movie. And as he got no response, Yuuri decided to check on him in the bath. 

Sure enough, Victor had dozed off, his head lolled in an awkward angle that would definitely get his neck sore, cheek pressed on his shoulder with bubbly water around his chest. Yuuri couldn’t help smiling at the scene, wasting no time in picking a fluffy towel from the counter and sinking his hand in the bath water. It was lukewarm, though the kind of lukewarm that was almost cold.

“Vitya,” Yuuri called, brushing his knuckles gently on his fiancé’s cheek. “Wake up, love.”

Victor hummed drowsily, blinking slow and bleary as he stirred in the bathtub. As he realized he’d fallen asleep, some Russian escaped his lips with a breath, and Yuuri smiled fondly, helping him sit and wrapping a towel around his shoulders.

“I’m sorry,” Victor said, entwining his fingers with Yuuri’s as he got out of the bathtub. “Wow, I didn’t know I was so tired.” 

“No need to apologize, babe. You had a long day,” Yuuri smoothed a few wet strands of hair that clung to his forehead, placing a tender kiss on the spot as he helped Victor wrap himself in the towel. “I’ll help you get dressed and then we can go to sleep.”

“Didn’t you want to watch the movie?” He asked, helping Yuuri dry his skin with heavy, sleepy moves. 

Yuuri dismissed with a shrug. “We can watch it another day,” he said, and something akin to worry flashed behind Yuuri’s eyes for a second. Victor decided not to push him, focusing on wrapping a towel around his head to absorb the excess water. 

They go to bed shortly after, and Yuuri found it much more comfortable now that he got to tangle his limbs with Victor’s, inhale his scent, feel his fingers tracing circles on his scalp as they prepare to fall asleep. And even though he was comfortable, Yuuri couldn’t quite relax with the thoughts running through his head, his soft sighs catching Victor’s attention.

“Do you want to say something, love?” He asked, lips pressed on Yuuri’s forehead. 

Yuuri hesitated. He had his thoughts clear in his mind, but once he tried to get them in words it was like they got scrambled somewhere between his brain and his mouth. 

“Is it… Too much, Vitya?” He asked, resting his chin on Victor’s chest to look at him in their dimly lit bedroom. He knew he wasn’t specific enough, but Victor waited patiently. “The coaching. The training. I feel like… I wasn’t fair with you when I asked you to be my coach for another year, especially because you had already decided on your comeback and compete again. I think… I was selfish. Because I knew you’d say yes to coaching me again, but it wasn’t the right thing to ask of you. So, please, is it too much?”

Victor remained silent, his profile illuminated by the lit lamp in the living room looking sober and thoughtful as he ran his fingers through Yuuri’s messy hair as if to buy some time while he let his words sink in. 

“Yuuri,” he said eventually, and the lilt alone in his voice was enough to soothe Yuuri’s nerves, “I feel touched by your concern. I really do. Do you remember that time in Hasetsu when we talked by the ocean?”

Yuuri gave him a faint nod, attentive, wondering where this was going.

“Do you remember what you asked me to be?”

“I asked you to be who you are,” Yuuri replied quietly.

“And do you remember what I said in return?” Yuuri nodded. “That I’d show you my love through our passion for skating. Nobody had asked me to be who I am before, Yuuri. You showed me it was okay to take what I want in consideration over what others expect from me. Everybody expected me to retire then - you were maybe the only one who believed I could do a comeback. And I almost convinced myself that the only option left was for me to retire. But I wasn’t ready to let go yet, not when I felt that old, familiar competitive feeling I was lacking for so long stirring again when I watched you and Yuri doing so well, breaking my records. I knew wanted to come back to the ice. I wanted to skate again because it now feels so different, so… fun, like how it’s supposed to feel. And you gave me the reason to believe it was okay to pursue what I wanted despite most people not approving it, despite people thinking I wasn’t capable of doing it. They also thought I wasn’t capable of coaching you,” Victor shrugged, “and we proved them wrong. I guess I wanted to prove them wrong again.”

“But the coaching…” 

“It’s challenging, like skating without inspiration and aiming for the first place was. But it feels…” his eyes moved as if he searching the room for the right word. “Right. It’s hard work, but the reward makes it worth it,” Victor smiled at him, grazing the pad of his thumb on Yuuri’s lower lip. “I didn’t want to think of returning to the ice without you, and I didn’t want to stop being your coach either, so there’s no reason for you to think you’re taking advantage of me, love. I want this. It’s like I get the best of both worlds, coaching you and being your competitor.” 

Yuuri smiled, fluttering his eyes shut and leaning into Victor’s touch on his cheek. He kissed the palm of Victor’s hand gently, his heart swelling in his chest with his fiancé’s reassurance. They still had a lot to work on in terms of their relationship, but Yuuri was glad that opening up with each other was growing much easier.

“WIll you let me know if it’s too much?” Yuuri asked, entwining their fingers together. 

And Victor smiled at him, fondness pouring wordless form his expression, the corners of his eyes crinkling softly. 

“Of course, my love.”