#and it would be funny to be straight-up jesus on halloween

[hat-full-of-sky]

There is a PROPHET at the Bagel Shop!

[lovecla]

IF YOU LOVE ME, LET ME KNOW | jack hughes.

chapter four:

<last chapter> <next chapter>

➴ warnings: angst, jealousy, insecurities

➴ word count: 3.9k

➴ author’s note: this is a mess, soph and jack are a mess, quinn’s a sweetheart, grace’s funny af and i’ve reached 100 followers today. can’t even describe how happy i am with the attention IYLM,LMK is getting. i adore u all so much and i hope u stick with me for a while. prepare your seatbelts because shit is about to hit the fan. :,)

SOMETHING changed between you and Jack that day at the Skims set, a week ago.

You finally realized that you are, very much, in love with Jack Hughes. Which was something that you never, in a million years, would’ve guessed. Because, what; you told yourself you’d never get your heart shattered again, yet here you were, walking straight (and worse: willingly) into a trap, falling in love with the man whore of the Devils team.

Despite all of the mean things your mind wanted to tell you, you just forced yourself to remember that not every man is like your cheater ex boyfriend and that not every man would completely crush your heart and tear it apart.

And even though you wouldn't put your hand on the fire and say that he felt the same way as you, if he didn’t, that man was good at pretending. Because no way in hell he’d take all of his fuck buddies to their family lake cabin to throw a Halloween party.

“This is crazy, Jack, you are in the middle of the season, and I’m in the middle of releasing something…” you started, watching as the car took a turn. “Also, how the fuck did you manage to organise a party in, like, thirty minutes?”

“Uh. I’m literally a NHL player. What did you expect?” He scoffed, so full of himself it was almost impossible to stand. You rolled your eyes. “And it’s just a night. I’m not screwing everything up for having fun for one night only, baby, and neither is you.”

“I guess you’re right.” You mumbled, answering some texts messages on your phone.

“I’m always right.” You rolled your eyes again, watching as he drove with ease. “What are you wearing tonight?”

“My fans have been dying for me to dress up as Rapunzel, so I might as well please them.” You shrugged, locking your phone and putting it on your pocket.

“I don’t know about them but I am definitely pleased with the idea.” He smirked.

“You’re just horny, Hughes. Happens to the best of us.”

“Or you’re just pretty. Happens to some of us.”

You laughed, cheeks warm and heart beating fast. “You’re a flirt, Jack Hughes. I missed that. Is it always this crazy during the season?”

“Like you can’t even imagine. My life is just games, working out, eating plain shit and practice for seven months straight.”

“And you love every second of it, don’t you?”

He smiled, white teeth making the view seem a whole lot brighter. “I do, yes. It’s like… the only thing that makes me feel truly alive.”

“Yeah, I know what it feels like,” you whispered. “I feel like that when I’m on the stage too. It’s just… I don’t know. Makes me feel good.”

“I like seeing you on stage,” he nodded and you raised your brow. “What? I do, really. That concert I went to with Nico was fun. Besides, watching you dance with those little dresses of yours is something else.”

“Boo, you’re just an idiot!” You laughed. “But thank you, Jackie bear.”

“Sophia, Jesus, do not call me that,” he whined, but the smile was still on his lips. “Gross.”

“Okay, Jackie bear, whatever you want, honeypot.”

“Sophia!”

— ♡

THE cabin was packed with people, and you were amazed with how fast people arrived, even with the short notice.

You were waiting for Grace to finish getting ready— she would be wearing a Tiana costume, matching your Rapunzel one— so you both could go downstairs and enjoy the party.

“Jack’s going to have a heart attack when he sees you with that little skirt,” Grace said, while applying lip gloss on her plump lips.

“Yeah, about that… I might need to talk to you about something.” You started, crossing your legs.

She stared at you through the mirror, raising her eyebrows. “Go on, Pinky Pie.”

“I thought we’d established that I’m Twilight and you’re my Mordecai?” You giggled, making Grace laugh too.

“I guess we can pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars…” she sighed. “Go on, then, baby. We don’t have all night.”

“So. I may or may have a thing for Jack. Actually, maybe more than just a thing. Think I’m in love, to be honest,” you waited to see her reaction, not expecting her to jump out of the vanity and start twirling around the room, making you laugh. “What are you doing?”

“Are you joking?” She looked at you like you’d grown a second head. “I just won two hundred bucks!”

Confusion took over your face. “What do you mean?”

“I told Nico that you’d be in love with Jack by the end of October and he said you’d be in love with him by the end of November, and since you confessed it now— perfect timing, by the way— I get my two hundred bucks!” She started dancing and jumping, like she wasn’t a nepo baby.

“Grace! What the hell, this is serious!” You raised your arms.

She sat back on the bed.

“Girl, no it isn’t. Just go to him and say: hey, buddy, here’s a secret not so secret: I’m in love with you.” She shrugged. “Just don’t sing the Airplanes song, please. That’s, like, our thing.”

“Grace, I— I can’t even— what the hell,” you wanted to run your hands through your hair, but you remembered that you were wearing extensions and a tiara. So you stick with biting your nails instead. “First of all, why the fuck would you and Nico bet on something like this? That doesn’t even make sense. Second, I can’t just go over there, call him and tell him I like him. That’s not how it works.”

“Well, Nico was the one who proposed the idea of betting so that’s on him!” She raised a finger. “And yes, that is literally how it works.”

“You’re forgetting that this is Jack Hughes. A guy who, apparently, can’t stay a week without a pussy and fucked every Jerseywoman who walked on God’s green earth.”

“Ew, don’t say that! You know my mom’s New Jersian…” she sighed, making a disgusted face. You smiled, apologetically. “Okay. I know that Jack’s past may not be the ideal background you want for your baby daddy but hear me out!”

“Baby daddy? What—”

“Jack hasn’t touched anyone else since you guys started… well. Fucking.” She blushes, like she wasn’t calling him your baby daddy not even a minute ago. “And he’s a great, great person. I’ve seen how he looks at you and if that man isn’t in love, then I’m white as a sheet of paper.”

“I don’t know,” you mumbled, feeling frustrated. “Harris also seemed like a great guy, and when we got together, everything changed. I don’t want to go through that ever again.”

“I know it hurt, and God knows I’d rather mop the entire ocean than to see you like that again,” she scooched closer, grabbed your hands and pressed her lips together, the REM Beauty lip gloss making her lips look magical. “But you have to give yourself that chance again. It’s been more than a year, and I’ve seen you and Jack together.”

“I know that, but—”

Grace clicked her tongue, a tsc reverberating on the bedroom walls.

“I’m telling you this as someone who isn’t inside that little head of yours,” she whispered, holding your hands tighter. “You and Jack together? Girl, that’s meant to be. That’s like Achilles and Patroclus, Romeo and Juliet, Hazel and Gus—”

“Girl, what the hell, can’t you find a couple who at least one of them is still alive?” You scoffed.

“Sorry, I just love depressing stories…” she apologized before starting talking again. “That’s not the point, anyway, Miss Girl and you know it! Fuck whatever your head is telling you, Soph: you deserve to be loved and you deserve to love.”

“I didn’t say I love h—” she put a hand over your mouth, interrupting you.

“You don’t have to. I know you, Soph, and the look you get on your face whenever you talk to him, or even better, talk about him, is enough for me,” she kissed your cheek, quickly wiping the lip gloss stain on your face. “And let me tell you a secret, honeybun, he has the same look on his face.”

You smiled, cheeks carmesim and heart full. Thanking Grace for saying all of this wasn’t enough, you needed to buy her a house on the beach with a very naked Nico Hischier inside of it. Maybe that’s what you were going to do.

If only you knew how to convince Nico to be naked at a beach house, you’d certainly—

Someone knocked on the door, and you both got up, surprisingly fast, remembering that you were not alone and that there was a whole party happening downstairs.

Opening the door, you faced Jack who looked way too hot with his own jersey. Of course he’d be wearing a Jack Hughes, NHL Player costume. Of fucking course.

“You were taking too long up here so I came to check on you but maybe we’ll be here for a bit longer.” He smirked, hands finding your corset-covered waist instantly.

“Hum—”

“Excuse me, Mr. I-can’t-keep-myself-in-my-pants, I’m still here.” Grace yelled behind you, and you watched as his entire face showed his annoyance.

“Yeah, I can see. Feel free to leave, though,” he rolled his eyes, holding your right hand and twirling you around. “You look so pretty, baby.”

Your entire face felt like a fireplace but you still smiled nonetheless. “Thank you.”

“You both are disgusting, excuse me,” Grace walked past the both of you, mumbling something about checking in with her husband.

“Let’s go.” He offered you his hands, which you promptly held.

Going downstairs, you were surprised with how full the house was. Like, there were at least fifty people there, which seemed insane for a cabin, no matter how large it was.

Jack dragged you around, saying “hi” to every person you walked by, true to his NHL playboy persona. To your amusement, some people also acknowledged you. Mostly some girls and a few guys. It was nice.

“Sophia!” You heard a shout and immediately knew who it was. Trevor Zegras, wearing a pirate costume, which was just an excuse for him to be shirtless, really. One of the most annoying people you’ve ever met. Truthfully. “Damn, I’d climb that tower for you.”

You rolled your eyes. “I’d push you down that shit, Zegras, fuck off.”

Jack laughed softly beside you, moving until you were both sitting on the couch. Quinn, Luke, Nico, Grace and Zegras were all there, talking with a few people you didn't know the name of.

“You can't say you don’t like me without trying me first.” Trevor suggested, looking directly at your face. You showed him your middle finger.

“No one wants to try you, Zegras, now fuck off,” Jack stated before sipping on the beer he stole from Luke, who was dressed as a cooking chef. Or at least that’s what it looked like.

“See, this is why Quinn’s my favorite Hughes,” he mumbled, smiling at Quinn. “Anyway, Soph knows where the heat’s at.” Pointing at himself, Zegras moved on to the girl on his right, who seemed awfully pleased to be his second option.

“Asshole.” You heard Jack mutter under his breath and you giggled, amused.

“Be nice. He’s just… in heat, I guess,” you shrugged, already used to Zegras’ comments. Every time you saw him, he had something new to add to the list. Usually, you’d tell him to fuck off, and he would.

“He’s a pain in my ass, that’s what he is.” Jack bickered, pouting like a ten-year-old child. You found it cute.

“Poor Jackie, huh?”

“Shut up, Soph.” He smiled, blue eyes bright and kind.

Now that you knew what those backflips your heart did every time you saw him smile meant, it was much harder to control them.

Confessing to Jack would break the no-strings-attached arrangement that you both had silently made. It would meant either dating him and having your happily ever after (even if you hardly believed in those) or having your heart broken (again) by a really nice guy who just wanted to fuck you.

Besides that, you were both well-known people, especially you. You remember all too well when you were at home, chilling after a concert, and you got several texts from your friends and family, regarding a bunch of pictures of Harris kissing another girl at a bus stop station. A fucking bus stop station.

The situation dragged on for months, every time you’d post something, people would mention the fact that your ex was a cheater, you had been cheated on and that somehow you deserved to get cheated on; because of the things you sang, because of the clothes you were. Just a shit show with an even shittier audience.

“Hey,” you heard Jack’s voice beside you, and you turned your head around, looking at him. “Where'd you go?”

“Nowhere,” you smiled; it didn’t reach your eyes. Jack seemed to be ready to talk back when a girl— brunette with the greenest eyes you’ve ever seen— threw herself at his lap.

“Jackieeee.” She whined, kissing his cheek. “I missed you.”

You could tell she was a little tipsy, but even so, it made your stomach ache anyway. That ugly, shattering feeling of feeling like less than less came back, and it was as if you could feel the narrator of your story preparing himself to repeat the same shit again. Here’s Sophia again, the girl who likes to mistake butterflies for cardiac arrests.

“Hi…” Jack sounded unsure, something he rarely did. You looked at Grace, and she looked right back at you. Only then you realized that basically everyone was staring at you.

“You don’t remember me?” The girl sounded like she was pouting and you cringed. She was so close to you, sitting on his lap, that her left thigh was brushing against your arm. “That’s fine. I’ll make sure to be unforgettable this time, baby.”

“Wow, I think that’s it for me,” you muttered, getting up from the couch, moving to the kitchen without looking back. You knew that you’d throw up if you did; not because of Jack and Mrs. Unforgettable, but because of the pity stares you knew people were giving you. It sucked.

You also knew that if you stayed inside the house for too long, you’d end up drunk and pissed off. And you didn’t want that. So you did the only thing that you knew would put your mind in the right place again: going to the lake.

You walked outside, feeling the cold breeze hit your face and legs and arms and— everywhere, really. You should have worn a sweatshirt, but now it was too late to go back. You’d rather turn into a popsicle than to go back there and watch that again.

Sitting on the dock, you watched the lake in front of you, listening to the sounds of insects and trees moving. It was a nice view, but probably nicer in the summer. Right now it just looked like a Criminal Minds crime scene.

Lost in thoughts, you didn’t hear the steps coming from behind you. “You’re gonna get sick.”

Letting out a scream, you turned around, facing Quinn, who was wearing a pilot costume, with a scowl on your face.

“Sweet Jesus, Quinn, what the hell,” you put your hand on your barely covered chest, taking a deep breath. “Don’t you know how to, I don’t know, make noise while you walk?”

“I did that, actually, you just didn’t hear it,” he sat down beside you, handing you a Canucks sweatshirt. “Thought you’d get cold.”

You smiled, thanking him and putting it on, trying not to ruin your hair and makeup.

“Thank you, Quinn. That’s nice. Go Canucks!” You raised your hand, making a fist bump, hearing his soft chuckle beside you. You sighed. “I don’t know if you’re here to try to make me feel better or anything like that, but you don’t have to. I’m fine, really.”

“I’m just here because you needed a sweater and because it’s kinda creepy to be here alone. Nothing else, I promise.”

You looked at him, once again surprised with the Hughes men. But then, they were raised by Ellen, so you shouldn’t really be surprised.

You nodded, choosing not to say anything, just feeling the breeze on your face, a million thoughts in your head.

Now what? What would you even say to Jack? Hey, yeah, I know that when we started this we said that we didn’t want to fall in love but guess what! I’m in love with you.

And what would he even say to you? It wasn’t his fault he didn’t like you back. He’d probably say something like yeah, you fucked up our arrangement now I’ll have to find someone else to fuck every week. You were fun, though! and move on with his life.

And you’d move on with yours, just like you did before. The thing is, you didn’t want to move on again. You spent five years into your twenties trying to move on from things and it was tiring as hell. Moving on from broken friendships? Tiring. Moving on from toxic people? Tiring. Moving on from your cheater boyfriend? Tiring and humiliating.

You were pulled from your thoughts by Quinn throwing rocks at the lake, laughing when he couldn’t make them float like he intended to. He looked at you with that tired expression of his, and smiled back.

“Great album, by the way,” he blurted out of nowhere.

You frowned. “Thank you, I guess. Did someone leak it?”

“No,” he laughed, shortly. “Jack talked about it in our family group chat a while ago. Ma asked about you and he went on rambling about it, which was really funny. He was like, putting on his uniform before practice and recording a voice note at the same time, which he never does. And then he went full rambling about all of the songs and how shitty your ex was. Sorry about that,”

You looked at Quinn like he had grown two more heads, four more arms and five more legs. You had no idea Jack talked about your songs with his family. At all.

You wanted to ask more about it to Quinn so bad but you were kinda scared about what you were going to hear in response. Does Jack talk about me?

About you? Yeah, and a lot of other girls too.

“Sure,” you mumbled. “Yeah, Harris was a dick,”

“I liked some of his movies but now he’s banned from my watchlist forever.” Quinn announced like the statement didn’t make your heart break and mend at the same time, his tone calm and distant. “It’s good that you found something to channel your pain though. I do that a lot during my games.”

“Singing for me is like breathing. I’ve done it since I was, like, eight or even younger,” you nodded to yourself, looking at the stars above you. “This album means a lot to me, in a lot of ways. So thank you for telling me this.” You smiled, not sure if he could see it. He was also looking at the stars.

“Don’t need to say ‘thank you’. You have a gift, Sophia. I hope you know that,” he stretched himself, yawning and wrapping his arms around his middle. “I wish I could write songs but I suck at that.”

“Why do you sound like you’ve tried that already?” You smirked, fucking with him.

Or at least you thought you were, because Quinn went quiet, which confirmed your suspicions.

“What!” You looked at him, throwing your arms up. “Have you written songs before?”

“I was thirteen, okay? I just thought that maybe if I didn’t make it to the NHL, I could at least be a rapper or something.” He shrugged, again, which only made you start laughing. “I know, it’s funny. Thankfully, I made it to the NHL.”

“I don’t know, it’d be great to make a song with you,” you said, playfully, before realising something. “Oh my God, Quinn. That’s what I need!”

“What?” He smirked. “Make a song with me? I don’t think that’s a great idea—”

“No, not a song with you. Just a song. I need to write,” You nodded to yourself, getting up and fixing your skirt with your hands. “Do you think I could get a cab here? I came with Jack and I think he’s…” you bit your lip. Focus. Write the song; it will all be better. “Busy. And Grace needs to have her fun, too. She’s been working nonstop.”

“A cab? Soph, it’s like midnight,” he got up, too, standing in front of you. “I can take you home. It’s no biggie.”

“What? No! Enjoy the party! I’ll just try to catch an Uber or something.” You went to grab your phone, just to remember that you left it at the cabin. “Ugh, fuck, I need to go inside again.”

“I will take you home, no need for Ubers or anything like that. Just tell me where your things are and I’ll pick them up for you. I’ll talk to Grace on my way there.” He affirmed, walking with you towards the cabin, the loud music slowly filling up your ears again.

“That’s… so nice,” you breathed, more grateful than you’d like to admit. “Thank you, Quinn, seriously. I owe you.”

“It’s fine,” he replied, hands in his pockets. “Wait a second here, please.”

You did, and it wasn’t long until he showed up with your backpack, your phone and a very worried Grace beside him.

“Girl, what the hell?” She yelled, probably not even realizing how loud she sounded. “I’ve been looking for you like crazy and out of nowhere Quinn shows up with your stuff, saying he will get you home.”

“I have to write a song.” You reasoned, raising your shoulders.

Grace stared at you for what felt like forever, until she pressed her lips on your forehead and sighed. “Alright. I’m not even going to ask. Be safe, please, and remember that I’m only a phone call away.”

“Thank you, I love you.” You kissed her back, following Quinn on the way to his car, not bothering to look back.

Jack was probably busy anyway.

— ♡

HANDS around the guitar, you replayed the same melody you’ve been playing for five hours straight now.

You arrived home at one thirty in the morning, and even though you were awfully tired, you had to get the lyrics, the feelings, the emotions out of you. Fuck sleeping.

You offered your guest room for Quinn but he just shook his head, saying that he’d crash at his parents’. You made him call you when he arrived there so you knew he was safe, which he promptly did.

After that, you made yourself tea and sat in your home studio, writing obsessively. It had been a long time since the last time you had a song practically written in your head, and honestly, you couldn’t tell if that was good or not.

What you knew, though, is that now, five hours later, seven a.m. in the morning, you had a song. Bad for Business. You sent it to your producer and Grace before laying on your bed and drifting away immediately, the exhaustion taking over you.

[amoeganism]

TALKING TO MY GHOST AT NIGHT reo

theres a ghost in the blue lock facility, reo and bachira are sure of it. they also aren't the most reliable sources out there but it was funny, nagi can humor them for a little longer if it means reo will finally get a partner and set him free ( wc : 2.1k+ )

warnings : crack, angst if u blink slowly, reader is a slut for money and so am i, reo is into some weird shit but it's ok they're into each other i promise

“Yo! Yo! Sei-shi-ro!” Bachira called out, once again with glittering stars in his eyes as Reo’s face pales every passing second. “You will never guess what Reo and I found!”

“Nagi, there’s a ghost,” Bachira’s accomplice muttered. “We saw them when we went to eat dinner.”

“You guys are delusional,” the white-haired boy sweatdropped, were they getting enough sleep? Probably not. Ego was absolutely insane and for the first few days Nagi was in the Blue Lock facility, he swore he was losing his five senses ( he was better when he got his phone back but that’s not important ^ _ – ). “Are you guys sure it wasn’t a janitor or cook?”

“We swear!” The dumbass duo retaliated, each one taking hold of one of Nagi’s arms. “They looked like they were our age and they even had the same really ugly dark circles and eyebags as you! There’s no other explanation.”

Nagi was too tired for this shit he just wanted to lie in bed and play mobile games like an elementary school kid. “Well, leave me out of this you guys can get haunted for all I care.”

“What the fuck, Nagi?! Even after all we’ve been through? I’m like the second coming of Jesus to you! I introduced you to the art of playing with balls!” Maybe he could have worded that better but Reo was too deep in the blistering sorrow of betrayal to care about his relationship with the Japanese language.

“Yeah! Listen to Reo! You’re one of us and plus, you and the ghost look equally exhausted so that means you should be the one to talk to them!” Bachira innocently giggled as if he didn’t just set Nagi up for a demonic ritual or whatever the fuck they were planning.

“Can we at least wait until tomorrow?” Nagi whined, his eyelids felt heavy and there was too much stupidity in the room for his brain to handle in a day. His brain was swelling and any more that came out of Bachira or Reo’s mouth would cause it to explode and somehow, his batshit insane rivals teammates will find a way to bring him back to life ( maybe even with the ghost ) and beat the shit out of him for abandoning them ( Reo ).

—

It was getting late and most of the Egoists had gone to their rooms to do whatever was on their schedule next. The reasonable ones went to rest, the weird ones went to train, and then there was the demon named Rin Itoshi who went to follow his yoga routine. Ew, that name sent shivers down Nagi’s spine. He wants to see that guy trip and fall on his ass sometime, that’d be pretty funny, he thinks. It would be even better if his brother did the same. But for Nagi, instead of playing his first-person shooters like how he would like to, the boy was being shushed by Meguru Bachira who was accompanied by an oddly serious looking Reo Mikage.

“Ghost… ghost…” Reo began making different “oOOOoO” noises to mimic ghost sounds from a badly produced Halloween movie. “We come in peace. We don’t plan to hurt you.”

“Yeah! We’re totally cool, you should hang out with us! Look! We even have some random dude who’s like the same breed of human as you! Er… as you were.”

“Bachira I didn’t agree on being a human sacrifice,” Nagi tried saying, but was quickly cut off.

“Shhh! You’re gonna scare it away! No one cares~!”

“Are you mentally well?”

Bachira and Reo let out loud ear-shattering screams, each going straight into Nagi’s head and giving him the most painful migraine he’s ever experienced, so painful that he almost did not realize it was an unfamiliar voice talking to Bachira instead of one of their own. Looking up at whoever it was, it happened to be another teenager who looked relatively normal with no seemingly ghostly features at all.

“Aren’t you guys soccer players? What the fuck are you doing out here ghost hunting?”

“Wait so you aren’t a ghost?” Bachira tilted his head and asked, his eyes blank in confusion while Reo looked like he was short-circuiting.

“No…?” You replied, pinching your skin. “I’m like ninety-nine percent sure I’m alive and well. You guys are hallucinating or something if you think I’m a ghost.”

“T-then why are you here?!” Reo pointed at you and demanded, suddenly thinking you were some intruder or hitman that was hired by one of his family’s rival companies, out to kill him while he happens to be away from home.

“‘Cause I’m that freak Jinpachi’s cousin. I need volunteer hours to graduate so I came here and honestly, I regret it. Nepotism sucks—well, at least this kind. I should’ve been born as some major actor’s kid.”

“Woah! So you aren’t here to kill me, that’s great!” Reo beamed, suddenly very giddy that a cute intern the same age as him would not be an absolute danger to his well-being. It had been years since he felt this electricity in his chest, the last time being when he met Nagi, who had been stuck with him ever since that day on. The purple-haired boy was unsure of whether the pleasure he felt from meeting you was due to a new challenge, or the fact he was genuinely interested in you. After all, he thought you were a ghost the first time he saw you.

“What—huh?! Why would I kill you? What kind of unresolved trauma do you have? Was this Jinpachi’s fault? That man is fucked in the head but he has money so don’t tell anyone about it until he dies and I get all his inheritance, ‘kay?”

Nagi did not know if you morbid words went one of Reo’s ears and out the other or if Reo was weirdly into whatever fantasies you had. Rich people. Bachira, though, was giggling like a devious troll, making squelching kissy noises in Reo’s ear as you went on and on about your plan to save yourself from the world of middle-class living and kick your cousin out of the economic elites so that you could replace him, knowing damn well that Ego could hear you.

And, he did.

A large television screen mounted to the front wall of the Blue Lock Facility cafeteria turned on almost immediately after you stopped talking, displaying a far from happy Jinpachi Ego in all of his bowl-cut glory. The man’s permanent frown was even more of a frown than what Nagi thought was humanly possible, another ew in his book. Man, his coach was depressingly ugly.

Jinpachi Ego was a tired man whose tiredness plummeted into exhaustion every time he had to interact with his hellspawn of a cousin, you. “[name], cut it out and get to cleaning. You aren’t going to get any credits or paychecks if you continue standing there wasting all our time telling people your empty plans of ‘plotting my downfall’,” Ego spoke with his monotone voice, making faux quotes with his hands.

“Oh, shut up old man. You’re literally decaying compared to me. Get to bed, grandpa,” You restored, visibly pissed off but immediately switching your facial expression to a cheery one like a lightswitch as you bid goodbye to the three teenage boys before you and running off to “beat that bowl-cut’s ass”, as you put it.

“Dude, you look like you just met an angel and fell in love!” Bachira laughed in Reo’s face, doubling over and rolling on the floor.

“I think… that’s because I just did,” Reo mumbled, awe still on his face as he blankly stared at the television screen Ego was just on.

—

Once again, Nagi just wanted to go to bed but had his plans interrupted by a very desperate Reo Mikage.

“Come on! Nagi, you just don’t get it. They’re my soulmate, I’m sure of it!”

“Why can't you go alone? Why do you have to drag me into you trying to ask them out? Aren't I just gonna be in the way?”

“Nagi,” Reo whined, pathetically dragging out his name. “I need you there for moral support. I'll piss myself otherwise, you know that.”

“Yeah, and I’ll be sure to laugh at you too when they reject you.”

“I'm gonna punch you.”

“Whatever, just this once, you hear me?”

“Aye, aye, captain!” Reo saluted his closest friend, skipping to the cafeteria to find you. To be honest, he was unsure of whether or not you’d be there but considering the fact you’ve been cleaning the cafeteria at the same times for two days in a row, Reo thought he had a pretty good chance. But of course, luck wouldn't always be on the side of the rich and famous.

Nagi and Reo walked into the large, open room only to find the lights completely out, without a single sound echoing throughout the cold. An eerie feeling took over the previous excitement that Reo felt that evening, accompanying it with a chill down both of their spines.

“They aren't here, let's go back,” Nagi urged. He would never admit it to anyone's face, but the cafeteria was starting to give him the creeps. “Bring Bachira with you next time, he’d be over the moon to help you.”

“No! Wait! This place is creepy as fuck but we haven't even looked yet! Let me just turn on the lights—”

“See? You should be more like your friend here. Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I don't bite!” A voice popped out from right behind Nagi, causing him to physically jump into the air and trip over and onto his knees before violently whipping around, coming face to face with you manically cackling at his reaction. “Man, you're easy to scare!”

“Hi! You're er— [name], right? That's what Ego called you last night,” Reo greeted, “I'm Reo Mikage.”

“Yeah,” Nagi chimed in from on the floor. “He's Reo Mikage.” Reo really wished he followed through with punching Nagi in the face. “He's the heir of the Mikage Corp.”

“Mikage… Mikage… Mikage…” You muttered, trying to remember why that name sounded so oddly familiar to you. Is it the name of a restaurant you went to? No, he said ‘Corp’, that wouldn't make any sense.

“That means he's super rich by the way,” Nagi added one last time before ditching his awestruck friend in the otherwise empty cafeteria that he doubted anyone would go to anytime soon; it was almost nine in the evening.

“Oh my God, you're rich?” You gushed, suddenly very interested in what Reo had to say for himself—well, even more interested. It was like a dream for you; some really pretty dude coming in looking for you specifically, ignoring the part where he thought you were a ghost, of course. But having this same pretty boy turn out to be a super mega rich heir and also be super mega athletic? Jackpot. You won in life. It's God’s apology for making you be related to that bastard Jinpachi Ego. This is your main character moment and you will make sure that boy will be yours before any other trashy gold digger other than you picks him up and takes him away. “That's like, the hottest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“That's not the only thing you're after, right?” Reo cautiously asked. It slightly hurt knowing that you might not actually be interested in him, but only after his wallet instead. It wouldn't be the first time that's happened, but it would be the first time it's happened with someone he was genuinely interested in.

“No, no! Of course not! You're pretty funny and well uh, really cute so even if you were broke I’d shoot my shot.”

If you spoke any more, Reo thought that his cheeks would fucking burst from how hot they felt and he was more than sure his face was a burning crimson red. It was suddenly as hot as a midsummer's day with the sun shining right above his brushed, violet hair, causing his entire body to sweat. “Holy shit I could marry you right now.”

“Hell yeah, let's get married, Reo!” You exclaimed with the same ecstatic eagerness as the boy whose hands you were grabbing onto while jumping up and down.

“[name], get to cleaning. You are not getting married anytime soon.” Before you could start making up your vows on the spot, a shart voice cut through the moment with the click of a button as the television in the cafeteria turned on once again, displaying a displeased, disturbed, and beyond annoyed Jinpachi Ego who was most definitely not pissed off because he can't get himself a partner like how his cousin can.

[samdeancass]

Requested by Anonymous

Pairing: High!JJ Maybank x high!fem!reader

Halloween Event

Halloween Masterlist

You and JJ were spending the night together, which was not unusual in the slightest, except this is the first time you were getting high. You had always wanted to try but you were too scared to until JJ managed to persuade you. That's how you found yourself in the hammock outside his house looking up at the stars.

"Woah, I think I've just seen a shooting star." JJ sat up and squinted his eyes to get a better look. "No! It was aliens, that's why it went so quick!" You both looked at each other and burst into laughter, laying back down and mellowing out in the calm surroundings. The clap of the ocean waves and the slight swinging of the hammock was beginning to send you to sleep until JJ shot back up.

"Hey, Y/N, does that tree look funny to you?" You sat up and looked straight in the direction JJ was looking and widened your eyes. "Oh my god, it's coming alive! We need to get inside now!" You both climbed quickly out of the hammock and ran towards his house, JJ falling over halfway. "Shit, it's gonna get me!" He scrambled back to his feet, picked you up and ran straight towards his bedroom, locking the door behind him. Chests heaving, you both fell onto JJ's bed and fell straight to sleep.

Your eyes fluttered open the next morning and turned around to see JJ sleeping next to you, mouth wide open. You giggled at the sight before you and poked him in the ribs to stir him. "Wake up, Maybank. It's morning." He groaned, stretched and rubbed his eyes before turning to face you.

"You know, I had the strangest dream last night. I dreamt that you and me were getting chased by this monster tree and we just about escaped with our lives. But it just seemed so real." You shook your head in disbelief. "You seriously need to sort your head out." You stomach grumbled very loudly. "Jesus, I never thought that getting high would make you so hungry afterwards. I'll go and fix us something." You got up and made your way to the kitchen leaving JJ very confused at what he remembered.

[v-tired-queer]

I have been awake for twenty straight hours now, so as I lay here upside down on my bed, here's a list of things I've learned and done in that time, in no particular order:

Got jazzed on some energy drinks

Got my bangs cut (I can see now! 😃)

Brought in a bed

Assembled the bed hours after bringing it in

Went through two storage boxes and tossed what I no longer need or want

Found a lot of condoms and dental dams that are still within the expiration date but I don't need (1. virgin 2. ttc next year 3. high school me really thought I'd be getting some but the only thing I got was depression RIP 4. on the asexual spectrum)

Reorganized my jewelry

Ate some ice cream (it was neopolitan 🤍🤎🩷)

Reorganized my books

Watched some YouTube videos

Watched some funny animal videos on TikTok

Wondered if he actually thinks I'm pretty

Wondered what his voice sounds like

Questioned my romantic orientation

Missed a call from Social Security Administration (gotta call them back on Monday)

Downloaded an important document from the Social Security website and learned that you can adopt a kid while on disability which was something I didn't know

Designated a whole notebook to adulting notes (it's essentially a whole notebook dedicated to that moment when you're frantically looking for a peice of paper to write this very important thing down) (I now carry it in my purse)

Cleaned out my purse

Got sad when I discovered that my hand sanitizer is too big for my jack-o-lantern hand sanitizer holder keychain

Got annoyed with That Aunt who decided to spend the night

Pet my mom's dog (x100)

Had some pretty good macaroni and cheese

Had some more ice cream

Was in pain because I'm lactose intolerance

Maintained annoyance with That Aunt

Greatly missed my dad's side of the family and then my dad but then his side even more

Cleaned out my closet

Organized my clothes

Set up my altar for the autumn season and added a picture of Mother Mary and Baby Jesus

Took my medication a half hour late but hey I still took it so yay!

Checked my email (nothing fun or important)

Swept my floor

Made my bed

Accidentally drank more caffeine without realizing it

Listened to country songs

Moved some wall decor to a different wall in my bedroom

Stretched

Switched to water

Took an ovulation test (I think it was positive but it was hard to tell--the lines looked almost the same but maybe not quite enough to be positive)

Took out the trash

Daydreampt about being a parent and picking my kids up from school and helping them with their homework at the kitchen table with a snack of homemade chocolate chip cookies

Craved chocolate chip cookies

Did not get any chocolate chip cookies

Hung out with my mom

Thought about how cute his smile is

Thought about how cute her smile is

Accidentally broke my glasses (again) (big oopsie) (they were cheaters from the dollar store so no big deal but still)

Decided what I want done with my body in the event that I die (context: I broke a tombstone Halloween decoration that I had and it made me think of cemeteries and then I thought of my local cemetery aka my Happy Place and thus, the I Wanna Be Cremated and Then Have My Ashes Burried There thoughts commenced)

Decided that it would be really cute if my mom, my brother and I all had matching sashes for my baby shower (mine--Mommy to Be; my mom's--Nana to Be; my brother's--Uncle to Be)

Found my military coin from when I was in JROTC in high school and put it back in my wallet for the ✨️nostalgia✨️

Got hungry but forgot to eat (oops)

Hung up my clothes in the closet

Learned how to clean the silver earring holder that my mom gave me years ago (so shiny now!)

Filled up my box of crystals and rocks (!!!)

Was genuinely not depressed or anxious for the first time in weeks

Accidentally said I don't drink coffee when actually I love coffee but only if it's iced and doused in sugar but I've had enough caffeine and it was to That Aunt so actually it's fine

Stayed hydrated after I switched to water

Checked the weather forecast

Swore a lot (fuck was my favorite word)

Made a shopping list

[short-black-diamond]

Ahaha heres my 300-ish long rant i wrote in my notes about him tehehe

‼️

Jesus christ, He's so pretty.

But this guy is just he's fucking perfect, mildly alternative, he's in my college, he's funny.

He has good style too!!, a leather jacket with a crewneck and doubled up chain-necklace things, mildly baggy jeans with brightly coloured shoes that match. Typically.

His teeth aren't straight and its cute because two stick out more than the rest, most people would think "vampire" but I'm pretty sure they're in the position of K-9's which makes his smile even cooler kinda like Oliver Sykes.

His glasses are such a strong lens that they magnify his eyes a bit bigger but not unless you really focus.

His hair isn't too long but its not short, kinda like Leon Kennedy except its styled to curl slightly back out of his eyes, its not brown and not blonde a sort of dirty blonde from what I remember.

His voice is deep but not like Super deep just regular, he's soft spoken and quiet.

He doesn't speak often but when he does i make sure to listen.

He walks a faster pace than everyone just like me maybe i should try walking next to him more often.

He looks like he listens to Artic Moneys and Cigarettes After Sex or he was written by the same person who wrote those bands yk?

He likes halloween i think its his favourite holiday, its mine too >:) so fuckin cool.

He likes cute things too, he bought Pusheen cat pins after i pointed them out, and i bought a moomin keychain which he had moved about because it was silly.

His laugh is like mine, quiet and almost nonexistent, like you know he’s laughing its just not loud.

He maintains eye contact, i think? Im not good at eye contact so yeah i can’t really tell.

And the worst part is i don’t fully know his name [crying] i think I know it but i doubt it

He does the same pose as me when someone takes a random photo, two thumbs up with a smile except he makes it look good.

He also doodled a little smiley face next to his name which made me draw my usual little cat next to my name.

He’s just so pretty >///<

- tehehe evilly mischievous 🍓

ah that's so cute, and I love how you guys have stuff in common!

I also love how you described him as in compering him to songs and ppl, let's gooo!

Yeah I'd say just keep talking, put in ome compliments here and there and maybe a flirty remark once in a while?

Yeah, I'm sure he'd be great.

Don't lose hope!

-your diamond <3

[rogueddie]

For the Steddie prompts: 13 and 27

13 ; Covered in blood + 27 ; “Sorry I have to take the fangs out before we kiss.”

Steve hadn't really wanted to go to the big Halloween event that someone thought would be a good idea but, as usual, all Eddie had to do was look at him with his sad doe-eyes.

It was a weird mess. Not specifically for kids but that's the majority of those that have turned up. Most of the adults hadn't bothered putting on costumes either and the few that had... well, they were lackluster to say the least.

Steve and Eddie were both a little excited. They'd gotten a little competitive in their costumes. Eddie in his full-on Dracula, with a cape and plastic fangs, Steve in his Madonna look, specifically the white dress she wore at the mtv video music awards.

Eddie had wolf whistled when they'd met up, just outside the event.

"Didn't think you had it in you, big boy," Eddie hadn't been able to take his eyes off the outfit, reaching out to hold his waist like it was a compulsion. "You look... wow."

Steve had laughed, resisting the urge to cross his arms, to hide.

He was painfully relieved when his look didn't get too much negative attention. Oddly enough, it got him more attention from the girls than he'd received for a while. It was worth it for the dark, jealous looks Eddie kept sending him.

"Steve, hey wait!"

Steve turns, frowning at Tommy. "What is it?"

Tommy smirks, stops where he is too- an oddly large distance between them but Steve isn't willing to cross it. "Just... wanted to say hey. It's been a while, ya know? How've you been?"

"Alright?" Steve turns, looking over to Eddie- he looks just as confused as Steve feels. "What do you really want?"

"Nothing!" Tommy raises his hands defensively. "Really. I just-"

He cuts himself off with a snort. At the same time, something wet and cold pours down, directly on Steves head. He squeezes his eyes shut, tensing up, as it very quickly soaks him.

The room goes completely silent after a moment of shocked gasps.

Steve wipes at his eyes- it's sticky, he realizes. Immediately after, realizing what it is that's been dropped on him. When he opens his eyes, his intuition is confirmed; dark, red, blood.

"Funny," Steve says, immediately trying to defuse the tension. He can hear how strained his voice is though. He knows he isn't fooling anyone. "It's a... good reference."

Tommy snorts but, despite how amused he looks, even he seems to know better than to laugh. The air is too thick, too tense.

Steve quietly steps around Tommy, careful to keep his pace even. He's not rushing, he's walking at a normal pace, he's fine.

He's not.

Eddie soon steps out after him, quickly catching up. He grabs Steves hand and pulls him, forcing him to go faster, almost dragging him to his van. He's muttering under his breath the whole time, cursing Tommy out.

"Eddie," Steves tries.

Eddie ignores him, pulling out a towel from the back of his van and trying to wipe as much of the blood off of him as he can.

"Eddie, I'm fine."

"I'm not," Eddie immediately snaps back, turning to glare at the door. "That... fuck him. Fuck all of them. Assholes."

"Really, Eddie, I'm fine. It was a bad joke. I'm just upset that they ruined my hair."

"No, you're not," Eddie finally stops, standing up straight, frowning. "I know how much effort you put into this, baby."

"Yeah, well... it looked good while it lasted, right? It was worth it?"

"Completely. God, so worth it, Stevie. You looked beautiful."

Steve nods, mostly to himself. "So it's fine. I looked great, I even got to have my own Carrie moment. I'd say the night went well."

"Yeah," Eddie huffs a little laugh, looking at Steve with awe in his eyes. "Yeah, alright, it went well."

Steve can't help grinning, grabbing the collar of Eddies shirt to pull him in-

"Oh, wait, sorry," Eddie snickers, gently pushing him back. "I have to take the fangs out before we kiss."

"Jesus Christ," Steve mutters, rolling his eyes. He was trying to sound annoyed. He just sounds fond.

[talesof-old]

mermaid’s kiss | e.m.

pairing: eddie munson x reader

warning(s): 18+ just because, actually like really tame lmao, kissing, meddlesome friends, didn’t actually go the direction i had in mind, mentions of drinking and allusions to smut, no proofreading or editing

word count: 905

kinktober series

in which eddie dresses as a pirate, and you, a mermaid

prompt: costumes

masterlist

Your eyes trailed over Eddie’s bared chest. When you’d met up to attend the party Steve was throwing for Halloween, it took everything in you not to convince him to pull over and forget your friends. Instead, you’d taken up to eyeing him every few minutes, his scars on display in the billowy shirt tucked into brown high waisted pants.

Eddie’s thumbs tapped against his red solo cup, eyes not leaving your form. You were dressed up in draped blue fabric, the scales drawn on your skin carefully and perfectly done. Steve was beside him, watching him watch you as if it might urge him to actually do something about the clear feeling on his face.

“Are you gonna do this all night? Jesus.” Eddie jumped at Steve’s irritated tone. Robin was leading you over to the two, and he sent Steve a panicked look. He grinned in response, clapping him on the back before taking a long sip of whatever was in his cup.

“Do you have anything that isn’t just straight, cheap-ass alcohol?” You complained, setting your cup down on the counter and pressing your side to Eddie’s. He nudged your side playfully, a giggle leaving your lips as his fingers brushed against bare skin. Halloween music was blaring from Steve’s living room, and you hummed as the sounds reverberated through the entire house.

Though the two of you didn’t see it, far too wrapped up in each other, Robin and Steve shared an exasperated expression before Robin decided she’d had enough. Steve cocked his head to the side as she plastered a smile onto her face.

“Hey, can you guys help look for my bag with me? I don’t remember where I put it and I need to give Vicky something.” You sighed and Eddie groaned before tilting his head back and finishing what was left of his drink. You watched his throat bob and shook your head, turning back to your friend. She was watching you with knowing eyes and you looked away, face hot.

“Of course.”

The four of you all set out to find Robin’s bag, starting downstairs and slowly making your way upstairs. Eddie joined you halfway through, an easy grin on his face as he stepped closer to you. You were in Steve’s room, Robin’s stuff tossed everywhere. Though you knew they weren’t dating, you could definitely see why there were so many rumors that they were.

“I wonder-” The door slammed shut and you gasped, whirling around. Eddie crossed the room quickly, tugging on the door before sighing, jaw clenched. You raised a brow. He shrugged before turning his attention back to the closed opening.

“Hey, this isn’t funny. Open the door.” He rapped on the wood for good measure. Though her voice was a bit muffled, Robin started speaking. You shook your head, of course she would do something like this.

“Not until you guys finally admit you’re in love with each other!” You ran your tongue over the roof of your mouth, rolling your eyes and settling onto Steve’s bed.

Eddie joined you, though he kept his distance. It was clear to see he looked uncomfortable, shoulders tense and eyes focused on anything but you.

“Hey,” You reached over, placing your hand over his. His eyes shot to yours. You smiled softly, running a gentle thumb over his knuckles.

“It’s okay. They’re just being stupid, yeah?” He nodded, clearing his throat as if he wanted to say something. You looked at him expectantly.

“I mean, they’re not…” He chuckled nervously. “They’re not wrong.” The room seemed to pause as you blinked at him, his words washing over you. For months, you’d been trying to get Eddie’s attention. You stayed with him as he recovered from the demobats attack, visited him after your shifts at work, spent almost all of your free time with him. After a while, you’d all but given up on him returning your feelings.

He shifted, anxiety seeping from his form. You drew in a sharp breath and leaned towards him. He froze, eyes snapping from your eyes to your lips and back to your eyes. You smiled.

“You never said anything, how was I supposed to know?” He rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks beginning to flush. You laughed, shuffling closer to him and cupping his face.

“I feel the same way, ya know?” His eyes went wide and you pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Your plan was to draw back but Eddie slid his free hand to the back of your neck, keeping you in place as he deepened the kiss. You hummed, parting your lips to swipe a tongue over his top lip, a soft moan escaping him as your tongue explored the inside of his mouth. You removed your hand from his, using it to travel every inch of skin you could reach. He gasped as you grazed over his upper thigh and you pulled away, grinning.

He shook his head, running a light finger over the makeup you’d done all over your body.

“I don’t wanna ruin it, you spent so long on it.” Your smile turned wicked, eyes flashing as you moved to straddle him. His hands came to grip your hips, squeezing at the soft flesh. You settled into his lap, brushing your nose against his as you felt his dick twitch underneath you.

“What if I want you too?”

[floresmarique]

Ok y'all since i think you loved the first one shot i shared here, i'm gonna share another angsty one with you ♡

EX LOVERS (JOHNNY LAWRENCE X FEM!READER)

Plot; You and Johnny are ex lovers, yoi broke up with him because you couldn't stand the way he used his Karate Skills to hurt other people, but Johnny loves you too much to let you go...

WARNING: This one shot contains mentions of smut and violence.

Tags; angst, badass reader, jealous and possessive Johnny, violence and fluff at the end.

Enjoy!

Two months passed since (Y/N) and Johnny broke up.

They were the most powerful couple at their school and when the news of their break up started going viral, people were shocked about it. Everyone was sure that they would have married each other because they were always together and no one ever saw the leader of the Cobras so in love. Johnny first saw her one day in the school's courtyard, punching a guy in the face that was acting like a jerk with her and constantly squeezed her ass.

She was just Johnny's type; bold, badass, hot, smart and romantic without exaggerating.

After seeing that scene, the blonde boy couldn't stop thinking about her and asked her out without thinking about it twice. Johnny was flirty and a gentleman when he was around her. She was the only girl that ever saw that side of him because the others only saw his bad side.

But (Y/N) wasn't easy to conquer and, in fact, Johnny had to ask her to go on a date with him multiple times before she finally said yes. She was a very selective girl and liked to study the boys that asked her out, much to Johnny surprise, he was the only one that got the privilege to hang out with her. When she once saw him in the Cobra Kai dojo, her interest towards him raised even more. She was fascinated, also by the fact that a gentleman like him also practiced martial arts.

On their first date, Johnny first took her to a Karate lesson in the Cobra Kai dojo since she was curious to see the their practice. She found him quite hot with his gi on and with that determined expression on his perfect features. Johnny smirked in her direction many times, sending her winks that made her roll her eyes. All his group of friends knew that she was his girl and respected her like an equal, they for sure didn't want to mess with Johnny but envied him since they secretly thought that (Y/N) was beautiful.

They went on the beach soon after the end of the lesson and spent the night together, sharing their very first kiss there.

Since then, (Y/N) was officially Lawrence's girl. He made sure to mark his territory by giving her his Cobra Kai red leather jacket so that she could wear it at school. Everyone that saw her with his jacket, knew that it was better to not mess with her because it would have meant to mess with Johnny Lawrence too.

And Johnny swore to himself that he would have done anything to protect her and to keep her with him forever. He was sure that he would have lost his mind if (Y/N) decided to walk out from his life. Johnny never told her, but he always imagined a life and a family with her when they were dating. The things he felt with her were something he never experienced with any girl before and, even tho he never admitted it because of his ego, Johnny felt also protected by her.

Everytime she held him in her warm embrace, he felt safe. Johnny thought that she was the only good thing in his life, considering the troubled relationship he had with his father. She was the glue that kept him all together when he felt like falling and she was also the only person that saw him cry and knew his vulnerability. They both learned about each other's flaws and slowly accepted them, making their love grow even stronger.

They were the ying and the yang and needed each other to have a balance. (Y/N) always saved him from making bad decisions and, in fact while staying with her, Johnny always thought twice before doing something bad. Before her, he always tormented other boys with his Cobra Kai's friends, just for his own entertainment and fun but (Y/N) had a talk with him about that and since then, Johnny listened to her.

She was the only person that Johnny listened to, the only one he trusted and the first one he loved. He had various girls before (Y/N), including the well known Ali, that (Y/N) despised with all her heart even before she started dating Johnny, because she couldn't stand her bragging and her costant need for attention. (Y/N), unlike Johnny, wasn't the jealous type and knew her worth but Johnny was the opposite, always glaring at every guy that checked her out even from afar.

But that Halloween night changed everything.

When Daniel LaRusso first met (Y/N), he didn't know that she was the girlfriend of the Cobra Kai leader and when he saw her on the beach with some friends, the boy tried to talk to her. (Y/N), being the gentle and humble girl she was, smiled at him and had a little conversation with him. He told her he was new and she was just reassuring him about school when Johnny and his group arrived to the beach with their motorcycles. (Y/N) wasn't expecting to see him there since he had told her that he had to practice Karate a lot that day but the problem was the anger filling his blue eyes at the sight of his girl with that new kid.

"The hell are you doing with my girl, uh?" His voice was loud and rough, his fists clenched while he towered over Daniel's figure, that slightly flinched and backed off in a defensive way. (Y/N) grabbed Johnny's shoulder and softly spoke to him, but the blonde never left Daniel's face while she tried to explain to him that nothing was happening. His face was red for the anger and all his friends were behind him, watching the scene like they were at the cinema.

"Mate, i'm sorry, i didn't kno-"

"SHUT IT, PUNK!" Johnny yelled and kicked him straight in the stomach, making him fall on the sand. (Y/N) stood there feeling disappointed and then helped Daniel, that shoved her hand away while he rested his hand on his stomach.

"Don't fucking help him-" (Y/N) slapped him, hard. It was the first time she did something like that to him and Johnny stayed silent while he held his cheek, feeling his skin burn before rage took over him once again. "Why the fuck are you defending him, uh?"

"What is your problem? What the fuck is your problem, Johnny?" Despite being angry at him, her tone of voice was still calm.

"What is my problem? No, what is yours. I saw how close you were walking with that scumbag."

"Johnny we were talking, jesus, he wasn't even flirting with me!"

Johnny shook his head, not believing her. A flaw that (Y/N) learned to accept, was his incredible jealousy. She argued with him various times about it, saying that it was toxic in any relationship and she didn't want that. Johnny tried, he tried so hard to stop that unpleasant feeling in his chest and stomach, but he couldn't control it. He was scared to lose her because under all that cocky attitude, Johnny was insecure and knew that there was something wrong with him.

But he never told her that.

After the event on the beach, they both had a long talk and (Y/N) decided to not throw away the one year relationship with the boy she loved without giving him a second chance. They tried to forget about that and Johnny contained his jealousy towards Daniel, which (Y/N) was happy about. Daniel never talked to her again after the beach, probably afraid of Johnny, but that made the job of the blonde easier.

Until the Halloween party.

(Y/N) was dressed as Catwoman while Johnny and his friends were all dressed as skeletons. They were having a great night, so great that Johnny couldn't keep his hands off (Y/N). He hugged her from behind, whispering stuff in her ear that made (Y/N) giggle. Johnny was proud to have her on his side and liked to show her off despite his jealousy, because he knew he was lucky to have her.

"Johnny!" (Y/N) giggled. "Stop it, we are in public." But she didn't try to walk away when he spun her around so that he could give her a quick peck on the lips.

"You just look so hot dressed like this, baby..." He mumbled, caressing her shoulders covered by the tight leather suit. "I just need you."

"You are so clingy, Lawrence." (Y/N) chuckled, rolling her eyes. "But i must admit that i'd love to see what a skeleton can do..."

Johnny didn't need anymore words after those. They immediately ran in the boys bathroom, hand in hand while some giggles left (Y/N)'s mouth. Once they lost their virginity to each other, Johnny and (Y/N) started to experience a lot with their sexual life. It wasn't the first time they were leading to a bathroom to get carried away by their carnal insticts. The first time they did it in the school's bathroom, it was during the prom night. It was goofy and quite a funny experience, but still pleasant.

"God knows what i'd to you right now..." He mumbled in (Y/N)'s ear once they reached an empty cabin in the bathroom. She had her back against the wall while Johnny attacked her neck with needy kisses.

"Then show me..." She whispered in a seductive tone, making Johnny groan. He fumbled with the zip of her suit eagerly, knowing that he had to be quick. They, of course, preferred to take their time in bed but didn't want to give up on an exciting quickie in the bathroom.

And so they did it, between low moans and messy kisses in the tiny cabin. For Johnny having sex with her wasn't just a physical thing, it was mental. He knew that he would have never felt pleasure with another girl because the connection he had with (Y/N) was what made everything better for him. He loved to be inside of her and admired they way her eyes closed when the tip of his member slowly entered her hole, he loved to caress her flushed cheeks and to look at her deep in the eyes while doing so.

Johnny's level of passion was the same as his level of jealousy. (Y/N) adored how passionate he was, how he didn't only made love with her body but also with her mind. His ragged warm breath was like a melody for her and she loved the way his blue eyes never left her ones while pushing inside of her body. They touched each other's bodies with urgency, like it was the last time they would have made love.

And, sadly, it was.

"I love you so much..." Johnny breathed against her lips after they both reached their climax. (Y/N) instantly smiled and caressed his messy locks before giving him a sweet peck on the lips. She was sure she had some of his face paint on her mouth but she didn't care.

"I love you too, Johnny." She sweetly whispered. (Y/N) knew she had to get out of there quickly since it was the boys bathroom, so she opened the cabin and fixed her suit along with her hair and the smeared face paint on her chin. After she was done, she looked over at Johnny and noticed that he was already all fixed, rolling a joint while grinning at her."You're not coming?"

"Just give me 5 minutes, alright?"

"Okay, but careful with that...thing." She wasn't mad about him smoking, but she wasn't a fan of that either. However, Johnny only smoked joints during parties and not everyday, so she brushed that off. Once, he even tried to make her smoke one but she coughed at the first puff and completely gave up.

Johnny chuckled before nodding his head.

"Ok, mommy."

They shared one last loving glance before (Y/N) walked out of the bathroom, looking around to see if someone saw her getting out of the boys toilets. While walking in the big crowd, she noticed someone dressed as a literal box shower. She furrowed her brows before laughing, shaking her head.

"Hey, where's Johnny?" Dutch's voice made her turn around and the sight of the Cobra boys all dressed as skeletons was quite the show for her. "You sure do know where he is, am i right?"

Dutch knew where Johnny was. It wasn't something new, it happened almost at every party, but he still enjoyed to tease (Y/N) about their quickies.

"And i'm sure you know too, so why are you asking?" She smirked and took a drink, hearing the boys chuckle.

"You two fuck like horny rabbits, damn!" Dutch exclaimed, making his friends burst in a loud laugh.

"I think you're just jealous that he gets some pussy while you still don't." After her bitter remark, they all howled while Dutch scoffed and looked down, shaking his head.

"Okay, i gotta give you that one, high five?" He held his hand up, looking at (Y/N)'s eyes that were adorned by the black Catwoman's mask.

"High five!" She chuckled and slapped his hand with her one, taking a sip from her drink. They stayed there and chatted a bit, making jokes about the worst dressed people there. (Y/N) enyojed their company and was glad to have them as friends, thanks to Johnny. Minutes passed and she was still waiting for her boyfriend, till she heard loud shouts that she quickly recognized; Johnny.

She saw Daniel run as fast as he could before Johnny reached the spot where she and his friends were. His hair were completely wet and his face paint was melting thanks to the water.

"We need to get that fucking piece of shit!" He angrily stated and the boys didn't even hesitate, but (Y/N) wanted an explanation. She needed it and so she called his name before he could follow Daniel with the others.

But it was too late, because Johnny was full of rage.

The first thing that came up in (Y/N)'s mind was to follow him and she impulsively did. After getting out of the school, she noticed that a car incident happened and knew that it was because of them. She could kinda see them running from afar and followed their steps in the cold October weather, feeling her heart beat faster after every minute. She didn't want Johnny to do that again, she didn't want to fight with him or to see Daniel's beated up body laying on the ground.

She had to stop that.

She saw them stopping in a spot that she supposed was close to Daniel's home. The brunette boy tried to climb on the wire mesh but failed after getting surrounded by all the boys. Johnny grabbed Daniel from his collar, even under all the face paint (Y/N) could still see his expression full of anger.

"You had to push it, now you gotta pay!"

And that's when the first kick came.

(Y/N) walked closer to them with a ragged breath, her legs were weak after running so much and she reached for Johnny's body, trying to stop him. She called his name over and over again and cried while she saw Daniel getting completely destroyed by them. They acted like she wasn't there, till Bobby spoke.

"Johnny leave him now, he's had enough!"

"I'll decide when he's had enough!"

"No mercy!" Dutch exclaimed, keeping Daniel's weak body still.

"Johnny, please!" (Y/N) cried more and grabbed his arm, trying to move him away. Bobby finally noticed her and kept telling Johnny that he had to stop or else Daniel would have died.

And then the worst thing Johnny ever did happened; he punched (Y/N).

She fell on the ground, holding her bloody nose with her hand, her eyes were full of tears and he didn't even notice. He kept kicking Daniel in the stomach, (Y/N)'s sight was blurred for the tears but she felt like she would never forget Johnny's pleasant expression while hurting someone else, someone weaker than him.

That could be me. She thought to herself, crying while the warm blood touched her shaking lips. Bobby kneeled down, shocked about the fact that his dear friend punched his girl, the one he always tried to protect from everyone else and was now bleeding because of him.

"(Y/N)!" Bobby called her name, breathing heavily. "Are you okay?"

Before something else could happen, an old short man showed up and all (Y/N) could see was how he made all the boys, Johnny included, fall to the ground with moves she never saw before. Bobby tried to defend his friends but ended up on the ground with them with a painful groan. (Y/N) met the old man's gaze and he gave her almost a compassionate smile before taking Daniel's passed out body with him, away from that spot.

Before standing up, she saw Johnny opening his eyes slowly, but he soon regained energy when he finally realized what he did to her. (Y/N) quickly stood up and cleaned the blood with the sleeve of her suit, walking away with trembling legs.

"(Y/N)!" Johnny called out her name and tried to stand up, failing. "(Y/N), please, come back!"

But (Y/N)'s silhouette became more and more blurred out as she walked away from him.

And after that night, they broke up.

Johnny tried, he tried so hard to talk to her everytime he could but (Y/N) always avoided him, which then led him to knock on her door at 2:00 am on a cold night after a week from their break up. He was knocking on the door furiously with his fist, crying and shouting desperately at it, so hard that a vein was becoming more and more prominent on his neck.

"OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR (Y/N)!" He tugged at his own hair and at the skin of his face while kicking the door. He looked like he was out of his mind, but he knew it would have happened if she would have walked out of his life. The situation, however, was even worse because she left him for something he did. It was all his fault and it made him lose sleep and hunger, devoured by his own thoughts. "Please- baby, open the door-"

His fist was now only tapping slowly on the door, his body was collapsing while he rested his cheek against it, eyes squeezed shut and tears covered his cheeks. Johnny Lawrence wasn't the same anymore and even his friends noticed it, they couldn't handle him anymore. After (Y/N) left him, he became worst than before, venting all his negative emotions over other people, and one day it even happened on his best friend, Bobby

All the poor boy did was waving at (Y/N) when he saw her at school but Johnny was vulnerable, too vulnerable and out of his mind to brush off that little gesture. He beated Bobby up, infront of everyone at school, included his beloved (Y/N). His friends tried to stop him but Johnny was a beast, with a strenght that couldn't be appeased.

Johnny remained completely alone after that and when the school called his parents to tell them about Johnny's actions, he had an heated discussion with his father that Johnny ended with a punch in his dad's face, without even feeling guilty after.

"YOU FUCKING DESERVED IT!" Johnny yelled, his mother crying in the corner at the sight of her son that she didn't recognize anymore.

Johnny's life was falling apart and it was all his fault.

"I WISH I NEVER FUCKING MET YOU!" He breathed heavily against (Y/N)'s door, rage was building up inside of him again. He started knocking harshly on the door one more time till (Y/N)'s father opened it and immediately grabbed Johnny by the collar of his shirt. They were at the center of the entrance, the lights were all turned off and for a moment he inhaled the air of the house; it reminded him of her and of all the good times they had there, like the first night she made him meet her parents and had dinner together. The man that was looking down at him with gritted teeth and was holding him by his collar, was the same man that trusted him completely and wanted him to marry his daughter. Trust that Johnny broke when he saw his daughter with a bloody nose and with tears sliding down her face.

"STAY AWAY FROM MY DAUGTHER YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" (Y/N)'s father yelled in Johnny's face while his wife watched everything from afar with a sad expression. She liked Johnny too and, even though he made a big mistake, she still felt compassion for him but knew that he needed to stay away from (Y/N).

"(Y/N)!" Johnny called her desperately, not caring about her father's grip becoming tighter. He knew he could have easily punched the man in the face, but it was the father of the girl he loved with all his heart, he knew that she would have completely cancelled him from her life if he even tried to hit her father. "I just wanna talk to her- please!"

"SHE DOESN'T WANNA TALK TO YOU, WE DON'T WANT YOU HERE!" The father kept yelling "YOU BROKE OUR TRUST AND HER HEART, YOU'RE NOT WELCOMED HERE ANYMORE!"

And then he saw her.

Johnny saw his girl, standing barefoot with a light pink nightgown on the stairs. Her arms were crossed on her chest, her fingertips were caressing her elbows, almost like she was trying to comfort herself. Her hair were messy and her eyes watery but he still found her stunning. He always did. A small sincere smile formed on Johnny's mouth at the eye contact they had and he couldn't help but to cry.

"Tell him you want me, (Y/N), please tell him!" Johnny hoped to hear her say those words but nothing came out from her trembling mouth.

"Can't you see? She doesn't want you anymore. Now go away before i punch your stupid face, your karate shit won't save you."

"I'm not going anywhere-" Johnny stated "-not if she wants me here."

"STOP!" (Y/N) yelled, fully crying. "Will you just s-stop this?"

Her mom walked towards her, hugging her tightly to her chest while caressing her head to calm her down.

"(Y/N)..." Johnny's voice broke, his stomach turned at the sight of her crying like that. Her father glanced at her and loosened his grip on Johnny's shirt, pushing him away.

"Don't come here again." The man said, more calmly than before. "Or i will call the police."

The last thing Johnny saw before her father slammed the door shut, was the way (Y/N)'s wet eyes looked at him, with so much delusion and sadness that completely destroyed him since he was used to see her eyes full of joy and confidence.

He ruined everything.

And after two months of (Y/N) not wanting to hear from him ever again, Johnny decided to use a new card; jealousy.

He knew it would have been difficult with her since she wasn't the jealous type even when they were dating but he had to try everything to get her back. He would have tried even after 30 years, he didn't care, he just wanted her back.

It was a windy friday night of January when (Y/N) and her group of friends decided to spend the night in a new local in California. It had music and also some games inside, it was mostly filled by teenagers or very young adults. (Y/N) was sat at a table next to some of her friends while the others were dancing and she was enjoying a pizza, chatting with them.

"I really like this new place!" Her friend Mia said, stealing a slice of pizza from (Y/N)'s plate. She just chuckled and nodded her head, agreeing to her ftiend's affirmation. After she finished eating, (Y/N) stood up to walk towards the dance floor and started to sway her hips to the beat of 'Fresh'. Colorful lights covered her body and she laughed with her friends, commenting on some weird dance moves people made.

She wasn't having real fun like that since her and Johnny split up so she made sure to enjoy it, leaving her mind empty from the negative thoughts that reminded her of her blonde ex.

That was till she saw the subject of all her worries on the other side of the dance floor with a tall brunette, dressed with a short and skimpy blue dress. Johnny whispered something in her ear that made her giggle while he rested one hand on her hip, dancing to the song. He looked up just to meet the only eyes he always dreamed at night, staring at him with an emotionless expression.

Johnny felt disgusted at himself for even thinking someone like (Y/N) could be jealous of the girl he was dancing with. He looked at (Y/N)'s body and immediately inhaled at the sight of her black tight skirt hugging her perfect thighs so well. Her red lips were curved up in a sly smile while she kept dancing with her friends, still checking on him sometimes. He still felt warmth in his chest at the sight of her and lust filling his blue eyes but he had to work on his plan anyway so he got closer to the girl infront of him and grabbed her waist, moving his hips against her ones to the beat of the song. Her giggles made him want to scream but he was too determined to tell that girl to fuck off.

He needed to get his true girl back.

While dancing with the brunette, he kept his eyes on (Y/N)'s figure and his breath got caught in his throat when she slowly raised her arms to touch her hair seductively, making some boys turn their heads towards her. Johnny counted all the people that were eyeing her and his blood started to boil, especially because she wasn't his anymore.

Johnny perfectly knew what she was doing; she was acting like she didn't care, making him understand that she could never be jealous of the girl he was holding.

And it was working perfectly.

Johnny needed a reaction from her, he needed to see her snap, needed to see if she still cared. The blonde inhaled before cupping the girl's face in his hands, closing his eyes and kissing her harshly. The brunette didn't hesitate and even tried to deepen the kiss but Johnny didn't let her do that, he just wanted (Y/N) to see it, to notice it.

And she did, stopping her dance moves suddenly as she stared at the scene with flushed cheeks. She felt like everything around her disappeared, leaving the scene to his ex boyfriend kissing another girl after two months since their break up. Her nostrils were flaring and she felt a tickle in her eyes but didn't let not even a tear slide down her face because she didn't want to make him win. When her friends started to call her name, she snapped out of her thoughts.

"Hey, are you okay? It looks like you've seen a gho-" Mia started but stopped when she noticed Johnny on the other side of the dance floor, snogging another girl. "That's even worse than a ghost."

"I need some fresh air." (Y/N) simply said, her tone was cold.

"(Y/N), he's not worth-"

"Who said it's because of him?"

Before her friends could say something else, she walked towards their table and reached for her coat, putting it on quickly. Once she did, she finally went out of the local and immediately felt wind brush her heated cheeks, her hands were drowned in the large pockets of her black coat while she slowly walked on the sidewalk.

As soon as Johnny saw (Y/N) walking out of the place, he grinned and pushed away the girl that pouted and tried to grab his wrist but Johnny completely ignored her.

"I don't even know your name!" She screamed, crossing her arms to her chest.

"You will not need it!" He shouted back but, before he could reach the handle of the door to follow (Y/N), her friends stopped him.

"What the hell do you think you're doing." One of them said and Johnny couldn't even remember all of their names. When him and (Y/N) were dating, both the Cobras and the girls started to hang out together but Johnny didn't really care about them, (Y/N) was his only concern.

"Seriously, Lawrence, leave her alone." Mia added, making Johnny roll his eyes.

"I think your friend is old enough to take her own decisions so your words are pretty irrelevant if you wanna know my opinion."

And just like that he left the local, seeing the angry faces of (Y/N)'s friends watching him through the glass window. He also saw (Y/N) walking infront of him, her back was turned but her scent and her beautiful locks of hair flying in the wind were the only things Johnny needed to know it was her.

"(Y/N)!" He called out and she stopped in her tracks before shaking her head and walking faster but Johnny, thanks to his long legs, was faster than her and quickly reached her side. Cold smoke was coming out from their mouths while (Y/N) kept ignoring him, looking forward. "Even if you ignore me i still exist, you know that, right?"

"That's the main problem." She sternly said, making Johnny chuckle. Her sassy and defensive attitude reminded him of the first time he asked her out.

"Can you just listen to me?" Johnny deeply sighed, admiring her beautiful features under the streets lamps.

"And why would i?" She scoffed "You were making out with someone else 10 minutes ago."

Johnny felt a little victorious after he realized his plan worked and she still cared about him but tried to contain his smirk.

"I did it just to get your attention." Johnny spoke and, when she tried to walk faster, he gripped both of her wrists and blocked her between him and the wall, holding up her wrists at the sides of her head. He noticed how she slightly flinched when he touched her and his heart broke at the realization that she was scared of him. He loosened the grip but still not enough to let her go. "You always avoided me, fuck- this was the only way!"

"A pureblood horse can't be jealous of a pony, Johnny."

Her comeback made Johnny smirk, he missed her savage remarks since they were also one of the thousands reasons why he loved her.

"I know." He nodded "You think i don't? No one compares to you."

They looked at each other's eyes and gulped, Johnny was already feeling his heart beat faster and his eyes get watery.

"But why did you leave the local then?" He asked, noticing how she tried to avoid eye contact with him. He obviously knew the answer but only wanted her to stop ignoring her feelings. "You still want me, (Y/N), and i-"

"I'm scared of you, Johnny!" Her voice broke while she stared at his eyes again, a single tear sliding down her cheek. "Seeing you do that- i thought that someday, the one getting beaten up like that would have been me."

The pain Johnny was feeling in his chest was even worse than the one he felt after (Y/N) left him. He couldn't bare with the feeling of her thinking he could hurt her, even if he did that by mistake.

"You're not serious- you can't be serious right now." Johnny refused to believe that, shaking his head from side to side. His eyes were full of tears and his palms were sweating. (Y/N) only looked down, nodding her head.

"I am serious." She coldly affirmed. "Can you leave my fucking wrists now?"

"Will you try to walk away?"

"Depends on you."

Johnny slowly left her wrists but still stood close to her, towering over her figure. She drowned her hands in her pockets again and looked at the boy, waiting for him so say something.

"It's funny that you think this of me when the first time i ever saw you, you fucking punched a guy in the face." Johnny scoffed, shaking his head and (Y/N) widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Are you really gonna use that card, Johnny?" She shook her head in disappointment, crossing her arms to her chest. "I punched that guy because he was harassing me and you know that. It's completely different, don't even try to compare the two things."

She was right and he knew that but he still couldn't believe that she thought those things about him.

"You fucking punched me Johnny, can-" She burst into tears while she spoke and Johnny did too, acknowledging all her worries and the reason she left his side.

"I'm so sorry, (Y/N), i'm so sorry-" His voice was shaking and he tried to caress her cheek but she moved her head away. "I'm so stupid, i just- i just felt so jealous towards that dumbass because the image of you and him on the beach never left my mind-"

He paused and sighed before speaking again.

"I know nothing happened but i'm scared, i'm scared to lose you forever because i know that something is wrong with me- but i lost you anyway thanks to all my sick thoughts. I was blinded by the rage of that same image repeating in my head, i didn't even realize it was you, i-"

Johnny completely fell apart, crying like he never did before. (Y/N)'s heart broke at the sight as she cried with him and looked down, biting her bottom lip to calm herself down.

Johnny raised his head and closed his eyes, inhaling some fresh air.

"I just-" He stared at her wet eyes when she looked up again after hearing his voice. "I just need you to put me back in my place when i'm about to do something wrong, need you to call me dumb everytime i make a stupid joke, need to feel your fingertips playing with my hair before falling asleep- i need you (Y/N), i need you in my life now and forever because i'm lost without you, all i see is a miserable future. I can't forget you, i will never do and the thought of you not being with me is gonna devour me for the rest of my life, i- i can't ever hurt you, fuck, i can't, i love you-"

"Johnny..." (Y/N) whispered, crying even more at his words. The blonde stopped talking when he heard her call him and stared at her for some seconds before he suddenly kissed her, holding her face in his big hands. (Y/N) kissed him back with the same desperation as she gripped his arms, tugging at his jacket. They both cried at the taste of their lips after so long and only separated their mouths to smile softly while looking into each other's eyes.

"I love you so much, baby, so much-" Johnny mumbled against her lips and caressed her smooth cheeks, placing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"I love you too..." (Y/N) sniffed and gave a little peck on his knuckles.

Johnny hugged her tightly to his chest, never wanting to let her go again. He felt happy at the sensation of her body between his arms and kissed the top of her head, his nostrils were full of her scent that he so much missed.

"Are you my girl again?" He asked, putting his hands on her shoulders.

"Yes." She nodded before jumping in his arms again, kissing his cold lips once more. Johnny surrounded her waist with his arms and lifted her from the ground without leaving her lips. Warmth expanded in his body while feeling her against him again and he mentally told himself to become better for her. Johnny felt lucky, exactly like he felt when she accepted to hang out with him the first time since she alway refused the other boys.

He swore to himself that he would have never lost her again while he spun her around on the sidewalk.

They were back, even stronger than before.

[fallowsthorn]

🌹

<3

From a Harry Potter/Venom fusion I started working on several years ago and kind of lost steam with:

Some cultural remnant of public safety announcements (the sort delivered by overly sincere adults who believed childhood was an unfortunate developmental disorder) echoed in Harry's head, warning him that if a stranger offered to take him somewhere else and buy him ice cream, he should say no and run in the opposite direction screaming at the top of his lungs.

(The stranger in question is Arthur Weasley, don't worry.) It's not obvious here, but the basic idea was that the soul shard in Harry's Horcrux "woke up" (minus some memories) and functioned as an ersatz symbiote, though since it's magic it doesn't need to eat brains. There was a lot of sass. I hadn't quite decided on whether I wanted the Horcrux's loyalty to swap to Harry against Voldemort and thus have a more classic good vs evil story, or if Voldemort would change plans on learning about the... symbicrux? and make it more of a philosophy-and-snark fic.

I don't know if I'll ever pick this back up, given jkr's extremely public tire fire, the fact that it would be ridiculously long, and my other more pressing projects that I have neglected for the past three years jesus christ

Other highlights after the cut, this got long:

the symbicrux gets named Riddle, much to its consternation, after Hermione comments that it's an enigma and then has to define the word to Ron and Harry; it eventually warms up to the name

if the plot doesn't get derailed before the big dungeon showdown, Riddle does the Venom body-suit thing for the first time, tanks/dodges Quirrellmort's spells, and straight up eats him alive - undecided on what that would do to spirit!Voldie, rip Quirrell, I can't ever remember how many double letters your name has

the Halloween troll incident is how Hermione and Ron find out about Riddle, who Harry is just calling "the voice" at the time; they are mostly grateful but very worried, since it kills the troll in like 2.5 seconds via tentacle-spike to the skull

Riddle thinks Dumbledore is sus but can't explain why (its amnesia is of the "memories no, random helpful trivia yes" type); Harry gets to be the common sense character for once in not immediately bailing (but he does avoid eye contact)

Harry wants to stay at Hogwarts over the summer; Riddle is extremely pessimistic about getting permission from Dumbledore; they pretend to get on the train and instead fuck off into the Forbidden Forest, possibly making friends with the centaurs, possibly clearing out some of the spiders, also possibly making Hagrid think there's some kind of extremely intelligent freaky monster in the woods (he's not wrong, per se)

since the black symbiote goo is explicitly magic and not handwavey alien biology, Riddle can hold things it absorbs in a small pocket dimension. things like a certain diary. something something this seems to be going vaguely into the realm of "Harry reconstitutes Voldemort's soul by eating all the Horcruxes" which could be... interesting

no idea how dementors affect the symbicrux. it's OP but it's still just a soul, and a partial one at that. possibly it tries to protect Harry and they both learn a valuable and unnerving lesson about invulnerability, i.e., they're not

Harry ran away from the Dursleys several months before getting his letter and has been surviving with "the voice" as a protector and hunter; thus, he gives zero fucks about social customs and is very defensive about the voice, to the point that Ron and Hermione covering for Riddle killing the troll is the memory he uses to power his Patronus (not sure on the animal, probably not a stag - Riddle can't cast spells on its own (or maybe it can but it's very draining?) so gets no input on the memory/animal)

Riddle thinks Snape teaching is hysterically funny but can't explain that either; as such, it and Harry are not as vigilant as they should be and Snape gets a few puzzle pieces (which he keeps to himself, because Snape)

the Sorting Hat flat-out says that it's already sorted Riddle and won't do it again, thus Harry goes to Gryffindor and Riddle whines about it forever (or at least until it gets some character development)

Draco is still a little bitch but gets smacked down by Riddle at his Slytherin best; from the outside this looks like Harry's had an abrupt and very jarring personality transplant, which does not help his reputation issues early on

[stuckasmain]

Buffy the vampire slayer season 2 review

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Huge! Major! Mondo! Serious spoilage here people! Keep if you haven’t seen season 2 and don’t want to be spoiled, jump off now. You’ve been warned

✨𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥 ✨

literally no one gave them the right for half the episodes in this season and I’ll single handedly fight whoever made me feel like this. So clearly the show was picked up after the first season as it launches straight from 12 episodes to 22. Honestly I love It so far and still do- also spike. Y’all were right he’s great. Just.... just who allowed you to do that finale she’s 17 let her watch crappy movies or something.

[IMG=O3A]

seriously I like just finished and I’m still not ok

𝐒𝐭𝗼𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐮𝐩! 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝗼𝐞𝐬𝐧𝐭!

SLIGHTLY more vampires then season one! This was my more major complaint of season one , but with more episodes they could pace out the story driven - I don’t want to say ‘main plot’ episodes. There’s a equal mix of vampire slayage and ‘living on a hellmouth’ activity’s. I kinda like how you’ll have your more goofy monster of the month episodes then WHAM. Vampires! Emotions! Death! Straight in the gut. However at the same time it feels like it sort of drags a bit. Like everyone’s stuck in this sort of loop of development just like the world. Learn a lesson or evolve as a charecter or some sort of word thing? Next episode it’s kinda ignored and that flaw is back again.

however I am completely LIVING for the Halloween episode.

𝐂𝗼𝗺𝐞𝐝𝐲

Still god tier , next. Ok but seriously I feel it got even better this season and I love it.

Nothing will EVER be funnier then beating a unstoppable demon with a god damn bazooka and a pissed off teenager

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Buffy summers-

Someone get this girl a hug I swear to god she’s been though it. As much as I adore her and think she’s funny and smart , though cocky , but at the same time she suffers from the development issue I said before. Like she learns a lesson then next episode jumps straight back into the same sort of thing. However this is no fault on her and mainly just proves she has a good heart. I mean if my principle was like that and my own mother was so quick to believe I GENUINELY KILLED SOMEONE/TRIED TO without listening to a single word of mine. I’d loose it sometimes too.

Xander-

Again he’s still my soul. No porn star t-shirt this time :( . Again he’s just he’s funny, he’s awkward but his hearts in the right place. He really is a human puppy dog, who’s more bark then bite too. I also love the detail of him remembering all the military stuff from Halloween but also the “I was a hyena once I can relate to the werewolf :D” I love hyena boy. Also low key self deprecating half the time.

Willow-

Baby angel. Nerd queen. Love her so much omg. I love how sweet she is but also how at the same time she’s decently tough, and then gets all excited when she acts tough. Seriously she’s so adorable I may burst.

Giles-

Also my soul. Father figure of the year. Also, I like how this season began hinting at something deeper then what meets the nerdy nerdy surface. He’s kinda like willow a sweet and awkward nerd however he WILL snap much more often then she will.

Oz-

SETH GREEN! That’s it. Seth green! I love him so much oz is such a sweetheart, though it is kinda like willow dating a male, werewolf, version of herself. Though I’m here for it.

Cordillera -

How she is both developed and the same at the same time. I love her lmao.

Angel-

How do you go from Edward Cullen to dork to evil boy to sad boy. Apparently don’t have sex because you’ll be happy and turn evil kids. Really... who put that into the curse? Ok so yeah on one hand he’s no longer suffering so why have him cursed, at the same time it opens up the chance for him to do the same thing you fucking cursed him for again! Seriously evil him is both entertaining as it is a very punchable face.

Spike-

The guy pulls up looking like that, to that music. I swear it was like Billy Hargrove like a instant “well there going to be good” (as in interesting charecter-) and it was right. I love how he just shows up and is all “ok, what do you do for fun around here” .... “you people have heard of fun here right? Jesus Christ- what do you do? Skeam all day?” Later half after the mid part of the season he sort of Meh’s. However his sarcasm is p e a k.

Dru-

I love her you don’t understand. She’s so creepy and cute , evil and yet understandable. You both feel sympathetic but also worried over what she’s going to try.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝗼𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬!

the show kicked off and everyone’s dating!

Buffy and angel-

Cute , until it wasn’t. Honestly I like how they got over the tragedy early in the seasons an just got to dating like good god. Honestly they’re cute, somehow Constant make outs and being overly protective works. Then he , you know... goes evil after her - god that’s. That’s one way. I felt so bad for her Jesus. Also the last few minutes when he gets his soul back and he- and she- yeah.

Xander and cordillera-

I’m acting loving their relationship. Something about non stop bickering lead me to think it’d happen. And it did exactly as I thought it would(also nothing will be funnier the Transition of them sliding down in the closet and it cuts to sex Ed class. Nothing will ever be funnier. I am a 2 year old leave me alone.)

Willow and oz-

They’re so cute I’m going to burst I swear. Sweet dorks in love I cannot Handle it I can’t . I love them so much.

Giles and ms calendar-

*Muffled sobbing*

Spike and Dru-

LIVING. I love them. Again, creepy and cute. You don’t need the whole soul thing to have feelings you know? I can’t get over the demon calling them out on loving each other and spike looking so offended.

Ps.

The flashbacks in the last two episodes were great. I demand more. (Also Angels accent and ponytail will kill me im sure of it) just yes.

[makeupbychio]

ily // C.H

pairing: Calum x Reader.

words: 2,3k.

warnings: fluff, a little bit of smut, swearing, spoilers about tv shows (Brooklyn 99 and Glee). English is not my first language. 

a/n: I tried to do this genderless so I would love some feedback. Hope you like it, love y'all.

inspired by: a couple of shows that I watched during this quarantine.

It's a lovely and cozy night with Calum, whom cooked your favorite food and watching him during the process so dedicated to make it perfect like five stars restaurants made you looking at him with heart eyes the whole night. The tomato sauce was perfect and the pasta even more. You saw how he followed every single step of the recipe and refused you to help him. 

After finishing dinner, you were enjoying red wine -the bottle is almost empty- and talking to him about everything and anything. He set the dining room with vanilla candles to make it more romantic. The warm lights lightly illuminating your faces was so charming. 

Deeply inside you know that today it's been 4 months since you started dating, but Calum never brings topics like that or buys something every month and that's totally fine because you neither talk about it. He just surprises you with lovely details like this one in random days, not just when you have to celebrate something. 

When he feels like it he does it. Sometimes he caught you off guard like that time he poured like two hundred sunflowers in your house just because, or when he bought you the coolest denim jacket when he was on tour and he said extra things like the jacket was made just for you. Or when he printed the pictures Andy took in a party you threw because he wanted to have them as memories not just in his phone. Also, you find cute when he is so excited to send you his playlists he does every month with his favorite songs -he also made a private playlist for you know, when you need privacy-.

Once finished dinner, you moved to the couch to start your nerd marathon of the shows you watch. He went to find a big blanket since it's cool outside due to the rain that's been going on for two days. He settled next to you and kissed your temple when you put your head on his chest and your hands on his ribcage. 

"Come here, baby" Calum said wanting you closer.

"What's our mood today? Glee or Brooklyn 99?" you asked while you were concentrated on the TV screen searching for said shows.

“Both" you said at the same time. You explained how you can't wait to know what happens in the show. You agreed to watch Brooklyn 99 first and then Glee when you were cuddle in bed. 

After finishing the Halloween heist chapter you were still laughing at Gina's funny surprises.

"Babe you would be the perfect Gina Linetti" Calum said when he stopped laughing. 

"I'm going to take that as a really good compliment, what about you?" you asked him looking up to find his eyes. 

"Hmm I don't know" Calum said confused. "We should take an online test to find out" he broke the cuddle position you both had in the couch to go find his computer. 

"That's so Amy Santiago" you teased him while he was in another room. Then he came back showing you the electronic device.

He sat straight next to you again and searching for Buzzfeed quizzes related to the show. 

"This one sounds pretty cool" he said focused on the screen and pointing the one he chose. While the link load slowly due to his weak WiFi signal you decided you will take the quiz first. 

"K'" you said with the computer in your lap reading the questions and choosing the answers fast. "So this says I'm Gina Linetti externally and Amy Santiago internally". You read the caption under the results and it makes sense to you. 

"I was right babe, now my turn" he said taking from you the computer. It was funny how he took this so seriously to the point he had his tongue out, a thing he does when he is working. Both of you kinda expected and not his results. "I'm Rosa Diaz externally and Jake Peralta internally". 

"That's kinda sexy tho" you said biting your lip to refuse a giggle till you couldn't resist and start making fun of how bad ass but a puddle he is.

He stood up from the couch to lay against the wall with crossed arms looking at you how cute you looked all teasing him and also surprised with the results. "I can be the Jake Peralta to your Amy Santiago" he was now teasing you.

"Challenge accepted" you said before a moment of silence and Calum broke the ice.

"Oh gosh I love you so much" he said with all the emotion and then froze when he realized he said that out loud and not just inside his head. He waited for you to say something and as your surprised wide open eyes, he knew you weren't going to answer what he wanted. 

"What?" you asked surprised, not to make him repeated the words but to confirm if it was reality.

"Don't worry, I'm going to take a shower before bed" he said quickly disappearing into the bathroom and took his shirt off. He felt so stupid, he tortured himself for a couple of minutes with thoughts like you don't feel the same way about him and how maybe that scared you and now you were going to run away. 'Stupid Cal' he said to himself before he decided to leave that for later. 

In that short amount of minutes, in the other side of the room you were thinking about how he just threw the bomb at you with no warning. You felt bad that you didn't answer immediately, because you love him too but it was confusing how hours ago you were thinking about how he is not like that type of person to celebrate another month of your relationship or cheesy things but clearly he does. You thought how to fix this and your next move. 

When you were about to knock the bathroom's door Calum surprised you opening it before your action. He was surprised too to find you inches apart from him. 

"Jesus, y/n. Sorry, I thought you were still in the couch" he said when he stopped his rushing thoughts. "Are you okay?" asking if something happened or if you need something.

Calum was already with his shirt off and just with his jeans. You laid your fingers on his beautiful jaw to get him closer and kiss him. 

"I love you too, Cal" you said looking up directly to his eyes, fingers still on his jaw and your lips barely touching his. You moved forward a little bit to get you both inside the bathroom so you can close the door. Your moves were slow and that made the intensity filled the room. You know, sexual tension. 

You saw his sculpted tan back when he turned around to start the water. You bite your lip at the view. "Is Roy at home already?" you asked innocently him to be sure of something. 

He laughed at you being cautious when multiple times before Roy definitely heard you both having sex. "I don't know, but that's cute from you to worry about my roommate's nightmares because of us" he was teasing you. 

"Fuck you" you said realizing that the house is huge and that Roy's room is way far from where you were. So you can have an idea about how loud you have to be so he can hears you. Right now you don't care and at the same time hoping that Cal's roommate could be asleep. 

You stepped closer to him and he couldn't resist it. It's not like he can't kiss you, he knows that he is allowed to that but he would kill for your kisses. He moved his head to reach your tinted cherry lips and started heating up rapidly the situation. He just cut the makeout session when you took off your shirt, then he removed the rest of his clothes to jump in into the shower. You bit your lip at the view and decided to join him so you took off your jeans too and stepped inside in underwear. 

"Baby no! That combo is my fave" Calum said when your clothes got wet immediately because of the hot water. You laughed at his words like if he doesn't has a washing machine or a dryer. You laced your arms around his neck and kissed him under the water. "I've been holding this for a while and a lot of emotions and actions to show you how I feel but not anymore" he said and started to feel like he finally poured out what was stuck on his mind. "I wanted to tell you in a more romantic way than how I did it minutes ago watching Brooklyn 99, just pretend that we are outside under the rain so it could be more romantic like a Hollywood movie from the 50s" Calum said. 

He rapidly interlaced both arms in the end of your back to keep your body close to his. You rested your arms around his neck and he went up a little bit with his hands to fight with your soaked bra and then took it off and throw it to the floor crossing the glass door. A cloud of steam was already formed because of the heat in the room.

Now just your panties were left but you were so focused tracing Calum's tattoos with your fingers while he admired you doing it. It gave him chills when you found his chest tattoo.

"I love your tattoo too, honey" he said with his hand moving down to the side of your left thigh where your tattoo is. Perfect time to lift you up and take off the last piece of clothes. Your legs around his waist and he got you holding you with his strong hands placed above your butt.

Calum laughed when you tried to hide your body. It was the first time you took a shower with him. But the only way to hide your body was pressing it harder against his.

From outside the shower your bodies seemed blurry because of the big amount of steam. That marks were erased when Calum lifted you up to hold your body against the wall, your legs were around his waist to give him better access. 

Lust immediately filled your mind with the passionate kisses and how good felt when Cal pressed your body against the wall, still lifting you with his strong hands. God that hands and arms drive you crazy with his tattoos and notorious veins. Next he asked you for permission to fill your entrance, always making sure you were alright. You just nodded at him and he did it, your right arm so tight around the back of his neck and left hand holding against the glass leaving your handprint freshly. 

You both failed at being quiet but the sound of water and the soundproofing walls gave you advantage. Words couldn't be found, just moans and kisses wherever you had access. Calum still holding you changed to another wall, now one hand holding you and the other pressed against the wall that gave him the balance and to keep pushing inside you.

"Calum, I'm close" you said whispering on his ear. He wanted to make you feel even better so he speed up his pace. The water was hitting Cal's back and was burning him with the marks you were leaving with your nails. 

You tilted your head back when you reached your orgasm wanting to have your feet back on the floor and seconds later of friction he reached his edge too. 

He pulled off and helped you to for real take a shower and clean the sweaty mess. Now the calm and tiredness hit you both once you left the bathroom ready to -do quite opposite like minutes ago- put comfy clothes and cuddle. 

Calum dried your hair and you his. Once you put his baggy hoodie you jumped into the bed. You waited for him who was setting the heat for the house during the night.

While you watched Glee, with his head resting on your chest and stroking his curls, you thought about what he said earlier. Calum always sings the songs that he knows from the show and taps your skin gently at the beat of the music, and it's more than lovely to hear his beautiful voice. 

“Babe, what did you mean when you said that you had been holding that for a while?” you asked him when the cast of the show ended the song they were performing. He looked up at you.

“Like a month ago we were watching Brooklyn 99 that chapter when Jake was in danger and Amy felt guilty because she never told him how she felt and that hit me” he spoke with all the honesty. You found that so cute and cheesy from him and it made sense to you because for a while he seemed that he wanted to say something important to you but you never asked or pushed him to do it.

You kissed his forehead and smiled at him. Before you both returned your attention to the show you said, “I love you”.

"I love you too" he said. "I think you would be a perfect Mercedes" he started again teasing you about the characters of the shows you watch together, you are going to get used to this. 

You tried to break the closeness of his head in your chest because he knows that you don't have a beautiful talent and voice like Mercedes. "Ha ha very funny. So in that case you would be Sam?" you raised your brows at him because even when you love Sam, he's a player. 

"I think we can only resolve this with a quizz" he said smirking at you.

[just-my-fandom]

Chapter 1: MADMAX

Summary; As the town preps for Halloween, a high-scoring rival shakes things up at the arcade, and a skeptical Hopper inspects a field of rotting pumpkins. 

There will be a tag list, comment below if you would like to be added :)

Story list; Chapter 1, Chapter 2

“Son of a bitch! Son of a bitch!”

The rushed footsteps of Dustin Henderson grows louder as he stumbles into the living room of his three bedroom home. The news plays faintly on the television, Dustin unable to hear the alert coming from the newsman,

“A police chase rocked downtown Pittsburgh earlier this evening...”

Dustin moves to the couch his twin sister, Y/N, sat on, pulling the cushion opposite of her before lifting his hand, revealing to Y/N a shiny penny hidden in the couches dept, “Another stupid penny!”

Dustins hand launches to the side to chuck the penny, the small coin flying past you and landed next to the love seat Claudia Henderson sat on with the family cat, Mews, “Dusty!” Your mother scolds, her hands running down Mews back in a gentle groom, “Watch it! You almost hit your sister.”

“Can I please check under your cushions?” Dustins eyes flick to you, sipping hot chocolate from one of your mothers mugs, then to Claudia,

“Dusty.” Claudia warns, Dustin whining deep in his throat, “Mom, please? It’s an emergency!”

Claudia makes a noise of annoyance, lifting Mews from her lap before raising to her feet, allowing Dustin to launch for her chair and begin to pull the cushions off, “Whats the emergency?” You shift in your seat before scooting down the couch, watching Dustin as he pulls up her cushion, revealing two quarters in his hand,

“The Party is meeting up at the arcade, I gotta find as much quarters as I can.” Dustin mumbles, sticking his arm into the back of the couch, pulling his hand up and groaning at the four pennies in his hand.

“Ooh, can I come?” You ask, moving to set you mug on the counter and watch as Dustin pathetically toss the cushions back into their spot, “I have four dollars in quarters.”

“Fine.” Dustin heaves, waving for you to hurry and grab your bag of coins, “Lucas, you copy? I’ve got four quarters, Y/N’s bringing four dollars worth. What’s your haul?”

“Take your puny haul and multiply it by five.” Lucas answers into Dustins talkie, and you snort as you stand in the doorway of Dustins room, “And are you really bringing your sister?”

“I can keep my sixteen quarters.” You call back, Dustins eyes widening before he shakes his head. “Yes, I’m bringing Y/N, suck it up.” 

“Whatever. I’m going to shower, like a real man. Now you call Mike. Over and out.” 

Dustin sighs, flicking the channel to his talkie and handing you his four coins to drop in your mini bag. “Mike, do you copy? Mike, do you copy?”

“Yeah.” Mike answers, almost instantly, “Yeah I copy.”

“What are you doing on this channel?”

“Nothing.” Mike dodges, and you roll your eyes. 

“Well Lucas and I have six bucks, plus Y/Ns four bucks total. What’s your haul?”

“Shit.” You hear Mike grumble, and Dustin throws a hand up, weakly, “Shit! I don’t know yet.”

“What do you mean you don’t know yet?” You snap, Mike scoffing over the talkie, “Just hold on. Call Will.”

As you and Dustin skid to a stop on your bikes, you lift your hand to wave to Joyce and Will Byers in their car. You watch as Joyce stops Will from getting out, saying only a couple of words before she is waving back, pulling off.

“Oh Jesus! I’m in chartered territory here, guys.” Dustins game is slow to start, the group of five friends all huddled around the arcade game, Dragons Lair,

“Down!” You and Mike shout in unison, startling Dustin to quickly move the joystick, “Down! Down!”

“I’m going!” Dustin rushes, and you grimace when the knight on the game screen is burned alive by the dragon, Dustin raising his fist to his mouth to bite down on the skin,

“You’re just not nimble enough, you’ll get there one day.” Lucas grins, elbowing you in between him and your brother, “But until then. Princess Daphne is still mine.”

“As if,” You instantly scoff, squinting your eyes, “We all know I claimed her, since the beginning.”

“You could literally like any girl here in Hawkins, and you choose the imaginary one?” Mike questions, and you shrug, grinning, “I have my types. Besides, I’m definitely getting more than any of you fools.”

“Whatever, gross.” Dustin shakes his head. “I’m still tops on Centipede and Dig Dug.”

“You sure about that?” Your head snaps over at Keiths question, the arcade worker holding a bag of chips, stuffing a handful of the powdery goodness into his mouth, so you cringed and lean on the games surface. 

“Sure about what?” Dustin asks, hesitantly, and Keith raises his hand to stuff another chip into his mouth, crunching down loudly on the food. Realization washes over Dustins face, and you step back to let him dart down the isle of games, your hand snatching your now half empty bag before you follow the group of boys, to your brothers first favorite game.

“No!” Dustin cries out when he reaches the screen, your eyes scanning this list of scores and raise to the top, glancing at the name MADMAX shining beside the score 751300, “Who is Mad Max?” Dustin demands.

“Better than you.” Dustin shoves his middle finger in Keiths face. “Is it you?” Will asks, and Keith scoffs. “You know I despise Dig Dug.”

“Then who is it?” You push, eyes narrowed. “You want information, then I need something in return.” Keith raises his eyebrows, and the five kids look between one another, before their gaze finally settles on Mike, whose eyes widen when the thought settles. 

“No, no, no. No way. You’re not getting a date with her.”

“Mike, come on.” Lucas pleas, “Just get him the date.”

“I’m not prostituting my sister!” Mike snarls, “That’s like setting Y/N up with Troy!” 

“Gross.” You mumble, Mike raising his hand to you in an ‘exactly my point’ motion.

“But it’s for a good cause.” Lucas states, and Dustin waves his hands. “No. Don’t get him the date. Know what? He’s gonna spread his nasty-ass rash to your whole family.”

“Ache isn’t a rash and it isn’t contagious, you prepubescent wastoid.”

“Oh, I’m a wastoid? She wouldn’t go on a date with you.” Dustin scoffs, your eyes catching Will moving towards the entrance of the arcade, your brows furrowing before you step after him, holding the door open for the young boy.

“Will?” Your call startles him, turning to face you. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I just...needed some air.”

“Come on.” You stick a hand out to your elementary school friend, smiling when he relaxes upon taking said hand, “It’s your turn on Dig Dug. We gotta win our high score back.”

.               .                .

“Meet the human brain. I know. I know, it doesn’t look like much. A little gross even,”

“It looks like I chewed up a whole pack of gum,” You cut in, sitting in the chair behind Dustin, “Then spit it out on your desk, and hello! Surprise!”

“Very funny, Henderson.” Clarke presses his lips together, and you grin when Dustin looks back at you. “But consider this. There are a hundred billion cells inside of this miracle of evolution. All working as one. No, no, I did not misspeak. I did not stutter. A hundred billion.”

The classroom door suddenly opens, your head lifting off your hand when a girl with red hair steps up next to Clarke, your lips parting in awe. “Ah, this must be our new student. Class, please welcome, all the way from sunny California, the latest passenger to join us on our curiosity voyage, Maxine.”

“It’s Max,” She corrects, and looks over at Clarkes furrowed brows, “Nobody calls me Maxine. It’s Max.”

You gasp, dragging the four boys in front and to your left to look at you, “Mad Max.”

“Well, all aboard, Max.”

You curiously watch as Max moves to the back of the classroom, your eyes watching her drop into the single empty desk, her arms crossing before her eyes raise to meet yours. You lift a hand and wave, Max scoffing and rolling her eyes before shifting them to the front of the room.

.                .                  .

“There’s no way that’s Mad Max.”

You lean against the fence outside of Hawkins Middle, eyes watching the blazing red head skateboard down the walkway,

“Yeah. Girls don’t play video games.” Dustin mumbles, and you face him, eyebrows raised, “What?”

“That’s dog shit, Dustin.” You glance back at Max, who now jumped off her board and held it under her arm. “If I can play video games, so can she.”

“Uh oh,” Lucas bumps his hip with yours, so you looked at him, “Someone’s got a crush.”

“Do not.” You snip, “I never even actually met her.”

“You’re not the only one.” Dustin quietly states, and your eyes snap to him a second time.

“Seriously?” You question. “Back off. She’s mine.”

“But you just said-,” “I know what I said.”

“Twins fighting for the same girl?” Mike grins at Lucas, “This is gonna be good.”

“Why can’t you just be straight?” Dustin tests, and you narrow your eyes, testingly, “Then we’d definitely be twins.”

“She threw a piece of paper in the bins,” You dart away from the fence, skidding to a stop in front of the trash can so the four boys all shielded you, then turned to you when you unravel the paper,

“Stop spying on me creeps.”

“We’re not spying.” You scoff, and Mike and Lucas look at each other, “Right?”

“Well shit.” Dustin crosses his arms and sighs, and looks over when the principle steps up, alerting Will that Joyce has came to pick him up.

.               .                .

“Still no sign?”

You sigh and lean against the car you, Lucas and Dustin were hiding behind, extending your legs to stretch out the aching tension in them from squatting for so long. “Jack shit.”

“Damn it, mom’s going to murder us.” You look over at Dustin, who checks his watch and grimaces. “Then go home.” Lucas states, hands holding binoculars over his eyes. “I’ll radio if she comes.”

“Oh, yeah, nice try.” Dustin snips, “You just want us out of here so you can make your move.”

“Oh, cause youre such a threat.” Lucas snaps back, and you squint your eyes. “Are you serious? You too, Lucas?”

“How do you even know if she likes girls, anyways, Y/N? Oh, right, you dont.”

“So?” You huff, and stand up, rolling your shoulders. Your eyes look over, suddenly grabbing Dustins shoulder before pointing to Lucas’ binoculars. “Ten o’clock. Ten o’clock.”

Up ahead, you can see Billy Hargroves car pulling up to the arcade, Max hoping out of the passenger seat, but turns to yell at her step brother, throwing him the bird when he speeds off. 

You shove Dustins shoulder and round the car, jogging up to the door of the arcade where Max had disappeared.

“What do we do now?” It’s late at night, you stroll on your bike between Dustin and Lucas, only pedaling occasionally as to not stop completely. “We stick to the plan.”

“Mike’s not gonna like it.” Lucas protests, and Dustin rolls his eyes, swiftly. “Last time I checked, our party is not a dictatorship. It’s a democracy.”

“What if Max says no?” You frown.

“How can Max say no to these?” Dustin purrs, and you stick out a hand, shoving the side of his head so he swerved on his bike. “I swear to God, Dustin.”

“I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Lucas sighs, turning his bike onto his road so you and Dustin were left alone. You skid your bike to a stop under the carport, propping the stand down so your bike would stand on its own.

A chirping sound causes you to turn around to face Dustin, your twin brother halting in place, telling you that he heard the noise, too. “Mews?” You call, Dustin turning to the darkness of your yard, then after a moments pause, he turns back to the house, waving off the sudden noise. 

You sigh and follow him into the house, pulling off your jacket and dropping it on the coat rack.

[lunnanunna]

Halloween Version

SF9 Extra Member AU

Summary: SF9 get ready for costumed dance practice for Summer Breeze.

Warnings: none

Taglist: @hyunmijung​ @galacticstxrdust​ @gay-jesus-official​ @precious-seungwooya​ @helladead-hellaradical​ @boss-baby-jongho​ @kimonmars​ @chagi-nana​ @wooya1224​ @atinygracie @poutychangbinnie​

A/N: So this totally could have been longer and better, but it’s not. It’s just fluff and filler. I honestly don’t know what I wrote, but I hope you like it.

Requests are open for each OC! Please let me know what you think.

Miyoung pushed open the door to the practice room already grimacing at the volume. She walked in and quietly moved over to where Jaeyoon was talking to Juho. The two were dressed as Marty McFly and Doc from Back to the Future, the eldest sporting a crazy white wig and lab coat.

“Don’t even think of laughing,” Jaeyoon warned, playfully glaring at the girl.

Miyoung swallowed her laugh, putting on a straight face. “Never,” she said, giving a nod.

Jaeyoon stared at her for a bit more then smiled. “Good. You look great by the way,” he stated.

“Yeah, I feel like you and Taeyang got the better costumes,” Seokwoo said, walking over in a pair of blue overalls, a green shirt and matching hat.

“Oh come on, Luigi. I think you look great,” Miyoung giggled. She walked over to him, reaching up to fix his crooked mustache.

“I wanted to be Luigi,” Chanhee grumbled as he joined them, dressed as Mario. “No. Stop,” he said, glaring at Miyoung as she grinned at him.

“There’s my partner.” Miyoung looked over to see Taeyang smiling at her from the middle of the practice room. He wore a black suit that matched Miyoung's, and a pair of black sunglasses sat on his head.

Smiling, she pulled her sunglasses out of her blazer pocket and placed them on her nose. Taeyang did the same, walking over to her. He stood by her side, facing the others. Miyoung giggled as they both widened their stance and folded their arms over their chest.

“Wah, I feel like I’m watching Men in Black,” Youngkyun said, grinning from his spot on the ground, playing with his ‘metal’ arm. Miyoung thought that he got the best costume out of all of them; The Winter Soldier. Miyoung had only recently seen the movie, never really being a big fan of superheroes, but she thought that the younger was a perfect fit.

“I really like this outfit,” Miyoung gushed, flattening any wrinkles on her blazer. She honestly didn’t know what she would have worn if she hadn’t picked this costume out of the hat. This one was easier to keep gender neutral, though she thought it would be funny to dress up at Doc.

“It’s the simplest ones and the better ones,” Taeyang stated, nodding his head. Miyoung turned to him as he offered her a high five.

“I don’t care what any of you say. I have the best one,” Sanghyuk said, patting his chest and holding up his Captain America shield. He yelped as he was smacked on the head but a foam katana.

“Oh shut up,” Youngbin rolled his eyes, fixing his bandana. Miyoung smiled at his Roronoa Zoro costume.

“Looking good, Oppa,” Miyoung said, holding two thumbs up.

“Thanks, Mimi,” the leader smiled at her.

Miyoung looked over to see Inseong dressed at Luffy, standing next to Youngbin. She reached for his straw hat, but he dodged out of the way.

“Wah, so fast,” Miyoung said, jaw slacked.

Inseong chuckled as he fixed his hat. “It’s the devil fruit,” he said, smirking.

Miyoung paused, squinting slightly. “I thought Luffy’s devil fruit made him a rubber human,” she said.

“It did. How do you know that?” Sanghyuk asked Miyoung, surprised that she knew anything about the anime.

Miyoung smiled, shrugging her shoulders. “I’ve seen a few episodes with Youngkyun,” she said, pointing at the younger who waved in their direction.

“Did you like it?” Juho asked.

Miyoung shrugged. “Cool for like Saturday morning cartoon type of thing. I’m not really an anime fan,” she smiled, tucking her hands in her pockets.

“Okay, now that we’ve established the fact that Miyoung actually knows a little bit about One Piece, why don’t we start the dance practice video?” Youngbin suggested, placing a hand on top of Miyoung’s head.

The visual looked up and grinned. “Yes. I’m excited,” she said and moved to her position as quick as her heels would let her.

The boys chuckled and made their way over to their spots as well as some of the staff that were setting up got ready to record them.

They were going to do a Halloween version of Summer Breeze for Fantasy. It was almost going to be skipped this year, but Miyoung and Seokwoo had gotten a little too excited and were able to rope everyone else in. For costumes they threw in random ideas that came in pairs and then drew from the hat.

Miyoung always loved doing themed dance practice videos. They were so fun and she knew that Fantasy loved them just as much as they did.

“Okay. Are you guys ready?” a staff called out by the stereo. When they all nodded in acknowledgement, the music started. And just like any other dance practice, they moved through the choreo, focusing on the camera as each of them came to their cue.

Miyoung found herself smiling and laughing alongside some of the others, as each of them (Mainly Sanghyuk) got into their characters while dancing. It was chaotic, but then again, whenever SF9 got all together, mayhem always ensued.

Miyoung’s Masterlist

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

What a Time to be Alive - Diego Hargreeves x reader

Chapter 8- The Seven Stages

Summary: Things never seem to work out very well for you, now do they? Not always true. But for the moment things could be better.

Tagged: @white-wolf-buckaroo @2cuteforyourlies @fandomoverlord221 @la-vie-en-amour1 @thatfandombitcch If you want tagged just hit me up.

Leaning against the brick wall you watch as Luther has a silent meltdown and Five has a very verbal and physical one. Meanwhile, Klaus is still laying on the ground, messed up from Ben possessing him earlier. “Now what?” Luther asks Five.

“Now nothing, Luther, all right? Make your peace with God.” He exclaims still pacing around angrily like a tiny ball of human rage.

“What? What about Allison and Vanya?” You add, dumbfounded that Five would just give up like this.

“Screw them both. They should have been here.” He snaps.

“What about Diego?” Rasps Klaus, starting to sit up finally.

“Screw him! Screw everybody! I was better off on my own in the apocalypse.” He lashes out, clearly done with everything.

“Five! Come on.” Luther says trying to sway Five back to us, while he leans a large arm against the dumpster.

“You know what, Luther? It’s every sibling for himself now. How ‘bout that?” Proclaims Five, as he lifts his arms into the air in defeat, walking briskly back into Elliot’s building, without another word.

“Did Five just get meaner?” Complains Klaus, while making a sour face from his spot on the ground.

Luther turns to you, who’s still breathing heavily and leaning against the old brick wall, “Y/N, go check on Allison, okay? Make sure she’s okay. Find the others and we’ll meet back here. And take Klaus with you. I’ll handle Five.” He requests, not looking forward to his own therapy bro talk with Five.

Pushing yourself casually off the wall, you nod to Luther, “I’m on it, have fun with old-man-grouchy-pants up there.” You add with a smirk and mock salute. Not much can hold your sarcasm back for long, and it actually seems to get worse the more terrible the situation.

Bending your head in Klaus’ direction you then fully swivel your body to face him completely. Walking yourself over and reaching out your hand for him to take, “Come on ya weirdo, let’s go find Allison.” Smiling fondly down at him, he slowly looks up at you, a tired smile on his less then cheerful face as he gives you a solemn pout. 

“Get up Klaus we gotta find Allison.”

“You know what Y/N the tum tum is feeling a bit..weird...I think I’ll just stay here for a bit. Uh, you go on...I’ll catch up later.” He says while waving you off, refusing to get up. You let out a frustrated sigh, not in the mood to deal with this man-child. Without warning you grab the sides of his front shirt and effortlessly lift him up, his feet dangle above the ground a couple inches as he holds onto your arms for support.

“Jesus Y/N do I even weigh anything to you?”

“It’s like holding a bag of grapes.”

You give him the flash of a smile before letting go, he braces for the ground only to immediately touch it as you let go of his wrinkled shirt. He promptly sticks is tough out at you as he turns around and shakily begins walking down the alley, you trailing after him.

 ——

By the time you make it to Allison’s house, it’s already dark outside, and you’re about 20 seconds away from giving Klaus a bitch slap. Keep walking, just keep walking, ignore the annoying wavy haired whiny man behind you.

“This better be her house or so help me god.” You warn to him as he chuckles behind you, confirming that this is in-fact her house.

Walking up to her porch you stand in front of Klaus, giving the door a good couple knocks. Klaus sneaking in one of his own, as you go to slap his hands away he dodges, smiling cheekily back at you. You look up at the window, catching movement and hearing the hushed voices of Allison and her husband. Also noticing the strong scent of blood in the air that’s coming from the house. You’ve honestly smelled too much blood this week it’s not even funny.

Peering through the door window curtains, is Allison’s husband who’s eyes go wide in fear once he looks upon your roughly looking face that still happens to have dried blood on it from earlier. Klaus pushes you aside to give him a friendly wave. His face shifts to that of slight relief as he quickly unlocks the front door, looking between the two of you. “Hey, Ray-Ray. This is Y/N, my best friend by the way. I’m so sorry it’s late, but, uh..” Rambles Klaus.

“Klaus, now is not a good time.” Raymond whispers, attempting to keep you both out of his house.

“Oh, We’re sorry.” He starts. Peering from around the corner is Allison who looks at the two of you in surprise, catching the attention of both of you. “Allison! Hey!” You and Klaus yell together, excited to see your friend again. You and Klaus hastily press past Raymond who attempts to protest as his words fall on deaf ears. “We were so worried about you. Thank God you’re okay.” Klaus says going in for a hug.

“What’s, uh...what’s the matter? You guys have been wrastling in here or something?” Wonders Klaus while looking at Allison.

You walk into the room behind him, where the metallic scent of blood becomes overwhelming. Looking to your left you spot the culprit, one of the Swedish assassins, dead on her couch. You grimace in disgust, “Halloween’s not for another 11 months, what’s up with the dead Swede chillin on your couch? New decor?” You ask her nonchalantly, while fully walking into the living room and giving the place a look around.

Klaus then turns to you, then to the dead guy on the couch, “Oh. Oh, I see.” He says while looking closer at the damage. “It’s gonna be one of those kinda nights, huh?” Walking next to Klaus you sigh heavily, “So are we burnin’ or buryin’ ?” You ask them, while folding your arms. Allison and Raymond look to the two of you awkwardly. Yeah, this is not how you thought today would end.

“So, Y/N...uh..rough night.” Asks Allison while pointing to her face, meaning yours. You nod, giving her a tight lipped smile of sorts.

“You could say that.”

——

After an anything but restful nights sleep, here you are sat in the living room, next to Klaus on the couch. While Allison and Raymond tie down the dead Swede who’s currently wrapped in a giant carpet. “God, why are people so much heavier when they’re dead?” Allison says breathlessly while forcefully tying up the rope.

“You got a lot of practice at this?” Questions Raymond, looking a bit surprised at Allison’s comment.

You snort at that, “You have no idea.” 

To your left is Klaus, who then starts talking to Ben, “It was like sex with one of the lesser Baldwins. I mean, you can feel him clattering around in there, but do you really care?” You and Allison glance at Klaus, sharing a look of amusement and disgust on both your faces. “Why? What was it like driving all this hot business?” He pauses for a second, listening to Ben speak. “Oh, yeah?” He whispers, entertained by Ben’s answer.

Getting up to assist Allison, you lean down to grab the heavy carpet as she stands off to the side. Letting you handle it considering this much heavier for her, but conveniently not to you. “Okay. One... two...” You lift it up with ease, while Raymond struggles to keep his side upward. A second later, and without warning, a bright flash of blue fills the room. Scaring the shit out of you, and everyone else. Evidently leading you and Raymond to drop the carpet with a loud thud.

“What the fuck?” You exclaim, taken aback by the sudden intrusive noise. Looking closer now, not blinded by the bright light anymore you spot a strange little man and, Diego! Your eyes go wide in surprise, “Diego!” You yell, excitingly.

“Mi amour.” He smiles back at you opening his arms up for a loving embrace. You run to him, pulling him in tightly, never wanting to let him go ever again.

Pulling away reluctantly, he turns to the rest of your tiny gathering, “All right, you’re both here. All right, we gotta go.” Diego, urges.

“Diego, Jesus!” Allison exclaims dramatically, still quit surprised that her brother and another random man just teleported into her house.

Standing to Diego’s right you turn to his new little friend, as this stranger looks at you and then the others with an enthusiastic look on his face. “Wow. Number Eight, Two, Three, and Four. We almost have an Umbrella straight flush here.”

Allison speaks up gaining the attention of her husband, “Ray, this is my other brother, Diego. Y/N’s boyfriend.”

Diego looks to him for a moment before stepping up and offering him a friendly handshake, “Hey, Man. Sorry to crash in here like this.” Ray hesitantly accepts, looking more confused then ever.

“Hey, who’s this guy?” Klaus points out, at the mystery man currently fanboying over the four of you.

“Herb. He worked with Five at the Commission.”

“The Commission?” Questions Klaus, still chillin on the couch.

“We monitor and maintain the time-space continuum.” Explains Herb as you, Allison, and Klaus study Herb curiously, interred by this odd set of news.

“Interesting?” You say while raising an eyebrow at Diego, what was going on.

Obliging to your confusion he begins, “No, for real. I was just there. And Y/N, babe it’s awesome.” He tells you wide eyed with excitement. His face turns serious again, as he looks to each of you, “Okay, I got to look at the timeline. I know what causes doomsday.” You look at him concerned, eagerly awaiting his answer with anticipation. “It’s Vanya.” Klaus gets up from the couch, a worried look on his face.

“Wait, what?” Allusion ask in confusion.

“How?” You tell Diego in disbelief, walking in closer to the two of them.

“Gonna blow up the federal building at Dealey Plaza just as the president’s passing through in less than an hour.” He explains to you, Allison, and Klaus. Who are currently all circling around him, astonished by the troubling news. “We gotta find her and stop her, now.” He ends, looking at you all with new determination in his eyes.

“Wait, Vanya kills the president?” Allison questions with a frown.

“No, no, no. See, the explosion causes the motorcade to drive off. Kennedy lives. Everybody thinks Russia’s behind it, including the president.” He explains rushed. “He strikes back, they strike back. Before you know it, it’s raining nukes.”

You look up at him wide eyed, not what you would have liked to hear today. “Okay, um..” starts Allison worried . “Holy shit.” Klaus adds, while looking at the floor, distraught from Diego’s new information.

Behind you Ray begins a silent mild freak out, Allison rushing to his aid.

Diego turns to you smiling, hiding his ever growing uncertainty for the near future. “You wouldn’t believe the stuff I saw in there, it was amazing.” You smile fondly at him in acknowledgment.

“D, that’s great and all, but what happened to you? One second Lila gives you a flask and the next, you were out like a light.” Looking up at him you touch his arm lightly, a comforting gesture for yourself. He glances at it for a second before taking both your hands in his. “Then when I went to...probably punch her....she electrocuted me with some type of high powered shocking stick. It hurt like a bitch.” You tell him earnestly, remembering those unpleasant memories from the day before.

He purses his lips together, nodding, while thinking for a moment, “I know.” He pauses a second. “She introduced me to her mother. She wants us to be her second in command, for the Commission’s security team. But Lila’s not dumb, and knew you would have fought back.” He looks up smiling, “Most definitely leaving the place in shambles. So she used me as leverage, but it worked out. Cause I met Herb, figured out how to prevent doomsday, and found my way back to you.” He explains lovingly, while smiling and staring into your half worried eyes. His dark eyes flicker to your parted lips for a fraction of a second, not unnoticed by your keen ones. He then brings his hands up to your face, gently touching your skin. You reach up, ever so slightly tugging at Diego’s long hair, pulling his face closer to yours.

“I’m just glad you’re back, I had to share a bed with Klaus and he’s a bed hog. I had no blankets.” You whisper, lightly laughing. He chuckles along with you, before he softly kisses your lips. You kiss back in satisfaction, God you loved this man.

Allison returns to the three of you, a sad but determined look on her face. You nod in understanding, as the four of you exit her house in search of Vanya.

——

Walking into the elevator, the doors closing behind you. You stand in front of everyone, the cold metal doors directly in front of you. With Klaus to your back left, Allison to your back right, and Diego straight behind you. You didn’t know what trouble you four could be walking into, so for their protection, you decided to stand in the line of fire. That is, if things go south when you get to the designated floor. As the elevator ascends, Allison sighs, “I hope we find Vanya in time.” “Yeah, me to.” You mumble, uncertain for what the four of you might find. Suddenly you feel the familiar force of Vanya’s power, growing and surging throughout the building, making the whole elevator shake.

As the doors slide open, an invisible force sends you back, crashing into Diego with a strained grunt. “Ah, sorry.” You force out. You look forward noticing the blue flashing lights and the dead security guard by the wall. Blood smeared in his wake, then it hits you, the disgusting yet oddly familiar scent of blood.

Crouching down, you drag yourself along the tiled floor for better traction as Vanya’s power grows. You make it to the opposite wall, Allison and Diego following suit, now sitting to your left, their backs against the wooden desk. Klaus pushes himself forward, suddenly falling to the ground from a spark of electricity. You push yourself away from the wall and grab his outstretched hand, bringing him to you with ease.

“Question, guys. Who are we trying to save Vanya from?” Wonders Klaus breathlessly.

“The FBI!” The three of you yell simultaneously.

“But if they’re all sucking ceiling right now, why hasn’t she stopped?” He exclaims, squeezing his eyes shut. The three of you look at each other in collective confusion. What are you going to do now?

[writethehousedown]

Things Are Really Cool (In Nazareth) (Ninex)- Ortega

a/n: wow hi, welcome to whatever the hell this is? this is a sort of a kind of a n19f verse/masp verse crossover set some years after the originals take place (but you don’t need to have read either to read this), borne out of the semi-autobiographical experience of my last few weeks at work trying to teach five year olds mid-pandemic. basically Nina’s a stressed primary teacher and Monet is her primary teacher girlfriend. this is fulfilling the prompt “Nice” only ten days late and also probably has one million and one typos in my haste to get it out in time for at least Christmas xo regardless, i hope u all enjoy and in the words of boyband JLS, “mewwy cwistmas”.

disclaimer: there are a couple of lines i’ve yoinked out of tv shows here- “lesbian having a panic attack” is adapted from Kimmy Schmidt and the “what are you, forty?” ones are from Always Sunny. leave me alone i’m too tired to be funny at this time of year xo

fic summary: When Nina’s headteacher asks her to pull a Nativity play out of thin air with only a week to organise it, Nina is simply too nice to say no. As a consequence, she is blindly oblivious to what her girlfriend Monet is planning, with useless lesbian results.

Nina knew she was a people pleaser. Always had been, always would be. She was simply too nice to say no to anyone. She had never been one to say no to anything.

She’d never taken the last remaining teabag for herself way back at uni; she’d always elected to leave it for Brooke or Yvie, knowing that Brooke would be grumpy all day if she didn’t have her morning cup of tea and not wanting to deal with the caffeine crash Yvie would experience if she made coffee as a substitute.

It had even started way further back in her life than her twenties. The most rebellious thing she’d ever done in high school was to pull out one of the cables of her German teacher’s computer at the back so she’d spend the whole lesson fixing it instead of teaching their class. In Primary, she was the stereotypical, insufferable goody-two-shoes: didn’t ever lose a minute of Golden Time, finished both her set tasks and the extension work that accompanied them perfectly, and was the worst kind of tell-tale.

(At the time, she thought her teachers loved that- the fact that she acted as their five-year-old corporate spy, ready to report any wrongdoings to headquarters. Contrarily, now that she was a teacher to five year olds, Nina thought that if she heard one more story about who skipped who in the line she would climb very slowly and very carefully into the staffroom microwave and blow herself into fifty million partially-heated bits.)

So when her headteacher ducked her head into her classroom on a cold, wet, rainy Wednesday after all the kids had been dispatched home, Nina panicked. Her eyes darted up to the displays on her walls. Fuck, there were still Halloween pumpkins blu-tacked up there. There was, so far, nothing on her December learning journey wall. And there were still Very Hungry Caterpillars made from bottle tops pushed into dollops of paint stuck to bright green backing paper which had been there since the kids’ first week at school back in August.

Well. Red and green were Christmassy colours. Right?

But Mrs Del Rio didn’t seem all that interested in the state of her wall displays. She’d come to ask Nina if she could film a Nativity play with her class.

“It’s for the parents really,” Bianca had rolled her eyes, folding her arms in her usual no-nonsense way. “Just something they can watch and share with the families since we can’t do a real Nativity. It doesn’t need to be anything big- just a few songs…one, two…say four. And then just have the kids in their costumes with a couple of lines. With a backdrop, y’know, there doesn’t need to be props. Just the baby Jesus…the gifts for the three Kings….maybe a couple of no vacancy signs for the innkeepers…that sort of thing. Just for before we finish up term. Maybe if it could be done by next Friday. That okay?”

And Nina, because she was a people pleaser, had nodded and said yes! and of course! and Bianca had nodded curtly at her in the frostiest thank-you the world had ever seen before leaving.

It had only taken the time in which Bianca’s heels had slowly disappeared from hearing distance for the reality of the situation to sink in for Nina. She’d just agreed to do a whole Nativity play, with songs, and costumes, and props, in the space of eight days.

She was going to be sick like little Jack had done that day he’d come into class and projectile-vomited halfway onto the carpet and halfway into Nina’s outstretched hands.

Nina was so consumed by the all-encompassing panic that she didn’t even flinch when there was a loud, jaunty knock at her classroom door.

“High Court Enforcement,” came a loud, brash voice, Nina finally turning to see who was there with glazed eyes. Willam leant against the doorframe, her messy blonde waves falling over the shoulders of her dark blue jumper like curly vines. She was the only teacher who could match the sass levels of the Year 6s and was a colleague that Nina both loved and feared. Loved because she was straight-talking and blunt and altogether hilarious, but feared because her girlfriend was the deputy head of the school and anything Nina said to her would definitely be reported back as gossip.

Also because she was, for all intents and purposes, a pint-pot riot.

“Nina. Nina. Nina,” Willam said repeatedly, her voice monotone and her persistence irritating. Nina mumbled something out.

“What?”

Nina raked her hands through her shock of frizzy blonde curls and sighed, her stress levels already rising. “I said I’m a lesbian having a panic attack.”

“Oh, that’s a mood. I was sent round to do the collection for the support staff but I’ve already spent forty minutes chatting to Alyssa instead of doing what I was asked. Got a grand total of a fiver so far,” Willam shrugged blithely, coming into Nina’s classroom and perching on one of the tiny munchkin-sized tables. “What’s up?”

The pressure-cooker that her mind was rapidly becoming told Nina to throw caution to the wind and vent, so she told Willam everything in a series of babbles barely comprehensible in the English language.

“So you’ve just agreed to doing a full Nativity video in the space of a week?” Willam cocked her head, pulling a confused face. “Why didn’t you just tell Bianca to fuck off?”

Nina paused, feeling all her panic momentarily leave her body as she fixed Willam with a glare. “Are you expecting me to answer that?”

“No, no. Shit, wouldn’t it have been amazing if you had, though? What d’you think would’ve happened? Maybe she’d’ve shouted so loud at you her lungs would’ve just exploded.”

Nina couldn’t help but blurt out a small laugh. “That’s way too dramatic. She wouldn’t even fire me on the spot because that would mean management having to go in and cover my class tomorrow while they tried to find my replacement.”

Nina regretted the small barb at their management team as soon as it was out, but Willam seemed nonplussed.

“Yeah. Court’s way too impatient to deal with your lil’ rugrats.”

“I’m too impatient to deal with them. I’m too impatient to deal with them on a day to day basis. How I’m going to teach them four Christmas songs in the space of a week, fuck knows.”

Willam cocked her head again, her smile becoming patient. “Well if anyone can do it, it’s you.”

Willam’s words were a small source of comfort to Nina. Suddenly everything seemed doable. She matched her colleague’s smile, glad she’d arrived in that moment. “Thanks, Willam.”

As soon as her words were out, she saw the small, playful twinkle in Willam’s eye. “Because nobody else would’ve been mad enough to agree to the damn thing.”

***

Getting her class sorted and organised for the day couldn’t really be likened to herding cats. No, this process was far more chaotic than that. At half past nine each day what could only be described as a minor tsunami of children hit Nina’s classroom: throwing their jackets into the designated tubs with wild abandon and subsequently knocking anything and everything off her adjacent desk, unloading every possible snack in their lunchboxes into their trays and Nina’s pleas for them to only take one snack out falling on deaf ears, spilling their water bottles and getting the zips on their jackets stuck and wanting to tell Nina a billion and one things that seemed to have happened in the 18 hours they had spent outwith her care.

During the month of December this chaos only intensified. Hats, scarves and gloves littered the classroom floor as they fell off the kids like baubles off a dead Christmas tree, shrieks filled the air as they discovered a new chocolate in the advent calendar, and at least half the class surrounded Nina like festive zombies as they all battled to win the competition of “Who can tell Miss West about what their elf on the shelf had got up to overnight the loudest”.  

Nina hammered the little bell she kept on her desk with the palm of her hand, stress levels already rising. “Okay, Reception! Jackets in tubs, snacks in trays and bums on carpet!”

As her class giggled about their teacher’s use of the word “bum”, Nina sat down in her wheely chair and waited for them all to join her on the little strip of carpet in front of her smartboard. It was moments like these where she’d be hit with a sort of out of body experience; she was someone’s teacher, she was this class’ first teacher. She was sitting in front of her class waiting to take the register and start their day. It was slightly overwhelming, even though she’d been doing the job for a number of years now.

Eventually her kids were all organised and she’d taken the register and made sure they all had a lunch to eat that day. Nina made sure to put on her best excited face as she prepared to tell them about the Nativity.

“Right, Reception!” she said, injecting lots of mystery into her voice like a storyteller. “I have got some very exciting news for you all today!”

Their little faces all grew equally excited as they were expectant, and Nina’s heart almost popped. Just then, Harry, a boy with enough gel in his hair to single-handedly keep Brylcreem in business for a year and huge bottle-top glasses’ hand went up.

“Yes, Harry?”

The boy bounced on the carpet, incredibly eager. “Can I tell you what my elf did last night?”

Ten more hands immediately shot up, and Nina’s heart sank. Great.

But she was still teaching four and five year olds and this was truly the most important thing in their little lives, so she fixed a bright smile on her face and tilted her head inquisitively. “What did your elf do?”

Harry was now sitting on his knees, towering over the other children and threatening to knock himself over with every passing second as he swayed in the nonexistent breeze. “He did a poop in my Dad’s shoes!”

The rest of the class shrieked with laughter in response. Internally, Nina was rapidly reaching her wit’s end. Love it. A bit of toilet humour to start off the Nativity rehearsals. Great. Exactly what’s needed. “Oh my goodness! What a cheeky elf!”

“He did three poops! And you know what else? They were cola jellybeans! I ate them!”

Sophie, a girl with long ginger hair in a low ponytail and a gap in her smile where two baby teeth once lived, gasped in horror. “You ate the elf’s poop?!”

The rest of the class fell about laughing. Nina had to get control back of the situation.

“Well thank you very much for sharing, Harry! Okay everyone, let’s pop our hands down.”

There were still ten hands waving proudly in the air like rebellious flags.

“We can do more elf stories at the end of the day if there’s time!” Nina lied. There would not be time. There was never time. But it placated most of her class enough for them to follow the instruction. There was, however, one remaining hand up which belonged to Jason, a boy with hair so platinum blonde it seemed otherworldly.

“It’s not an elf story! I’ve got a question,” he insisted, shouting out despite the fact his hand was already up. Nina relented, just in case he did have something important to ask. Maybe he was about to pee himself. Highly likely with the Reception kids.

Jason, pleased as punch that Nina was allowing him to speak, put his hand down. “Can I tell you a rhyming word I’ve just thought of?”

Nina’s smile grew all the more gritted, and the muscles in her face all the more tense. This was going to be the longest week she had experienced in living memory.

***

Nina would never get tired of living with Monet. The sound of her singing as the shower provided a backing track, the unholy racket she seemed to make when she cooked (a symphony of swearing, the banging of kitchen utensils, and the clattering of saucepans and baking trays). The smell of the Dior Sauvage she used instead of perfume and the Cantu hair custard she combed through her hair after she washed it. The fact that Nina could get a cuddle from her any time she wanted and the soft squash of her arms around her.

But living with Monet was best at Christmastime. The endless arguments they got into about their Christmas decorations and what looked best where, both stemming from a fierce loyalty to their own family traditions. The way they’d write their Christmas cards to their friends with a Christmas film playing in the background, and the way Monet would tease her about having such picture-perfect, font-like, primary-teacher handwriting. The way Monet would get too excited in the supermarket and load party food into Nina’s shopping basket like a child trying to sneak chocolate.

Even though Nina was completely exhausted, she still felt herself smile as she turned her key in the lock and heard her girlfriend loudly singing along with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, paired with the blast of the extractor fan.

“Hello?” Nina sing-songed as she closed the door shut, shedding her heavy jacket and her scuffed trainers and her backpack full of jotters that had been haphazardly stuffed in as she left work.

“Hello!” Monet chirped back, in what had become their tradition since moving in together all those years ago. “Your timing’s perfect, I just finished dinner.”

“Ooh. What is for dinner?”

Monet gestured to the pile of grated cheese, pan of bubbling baked beans, and loaf of white bread. “Beans on toast.”

Nina snorted and leaned against the counter. “Wow, don’t I have the most perfect domestic housewife! That must’ve taken, what…two hours?”

Monet reached over and squeezed her side, eliciting a yelp that would probably give their downstairs neighbours the wrong idea. “Shady bitch. It’s this or two rice cakes that’ve been in the cupboard for so long I swear they’re turning fossilised.”

“No, I’m kidding. Of course I’m hungry, thanks hun. I’ll make dinner tomorrow,” Nina promised, sliding into one of their second-hand wooden dining chairs as Monet plated up.

“No you won’t,” Monet frowned. “You look dead. What’re your kids doing to you, beating you with their tiny little chairs?”

“The fucking Nativity,” Nina sighed, pausing to thank Monet as she placed two slices of golden toast covered with beans and flakes of grated cheese down in front of her. Admittedly it did look like absolute heaven.

“Have you told Bianca to piss off yet?” Monet scowled, stabbing her toast so hard she threatened to break the plate in two.

“What kind of fantasy-land school do you work at where you can tell your headteacher to piss off and she actually listens?” Nina cocked an eyebrow at her, and Monet shrugged in agreement as she chewed a mouthful. “No, of course not. I’m going to make it happen, though, even if it kills me. We started learning the songs today, which you would think was a simple enough endeavour. Except my class, who usually can’t shut up if their lives depend on it, have all the singing volume and skill of one of Yvie and Scarlet’s cat’s chew toys. They don’t even sound like cats being strangled, that’d probably be louder. It’s like trying to have a sing-song with a room full of laryngitis patients. Except it’s not a room, because apparently we’re not allowed to sing inside because of covid. But I can teach Phonics and the kids can all make the ‘p’ sound at me until their hearts’ content and shower me with their spit like the world’s shittiest production of Singin’ In The Rain? Anyway, we have to rehearse outside. In December. I think my feet actually fell off.”

As Nina finally finished what had unintentionally become a fully-fledged rant, Monet attempted to compose herself as she wiped away a small tear of laughter from her eye and clutched at her belly. Nina watched as her girlfriend took a few deep breaths, then fixed her with a humoured grin. “But apart from all that, how was your day?”

Nina stuck her tongue out at her in response. “Shut up. How was yours?”

Monet rolled her eyes as she speared a bean. “Awful. Tried to assess time with my class today. God I love them, Neens, but they’re so bad, how can they be that bad?”

“If anyone can help them progress, it’s you,” Nina smiled encouragingly, only getting a shaken head in reply.

“No, I can’t. Nobody can. They’re beyond help. Some of the answers I got today wouldn’t even be believable if they were part of some TV comedy show. What month is Christmas in? ‘Santa’. The kid answered Santa. How many months are there in a year? ‘Sixty six’. How many days are there in a week? ‘Two’. TWO!” Monet cried, outraged. Nina couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled up in her throat, and Monet pointed warningly at her in response. “Don’t you dare laugh. This is my reality.”

“Hey, you laughed at my Nativity nightmare!” Nina giggled, to which Monet chuckled guiltily. Nina paused to swipe a bit of toast around the plate with her fork, mopping up any stray tomato sauce. When she looked up from her plate, she saw Monet tapping at her phone. Nina frowned disapprovingly. “Hey. No phones at the table.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Monet apologised quickly, though didn’t put her phone down yet. “Monique’s just sent me a screenshot of her friend that’s getting engaged. Look at the damn size of this ring.”

Monet turned her phone to show Nina. Pictured was a diamond the size of a small Pacific nation and a band encrusted with tiny gems on the finger of somebody she’d never met. Nina couldn’t help the way she screwed her face up, which made Monet blurt a laugh in response. “Not a fan, then?”

Nina pulled a face in thought. She was sure that kind of ring made some girls happy, but to her it just seemed tacky and over-the-top, not to mention heavy. “I’m sure she likes it, but I wouldn’t want something that huge. Imagine working in a Reception class with that?! Play-dough stuck in all the little crevices. And Jesus, what if you lost it? Nah, it would stress me out owning that. I would just want one simple little gold band and one singular tiny diamond. Much less of a burden.”

Monet snorted a laugh as she finished her last mouthful of dinner. “You are the only girl I’ve ever met that would consider an engagement ring a burden. Christ on a crucifix.”

“Well!” Nina protested, before realising she didn’t really have anything else to defend herself with. Then, she narrowed her eyes at her girlfriend playfully, kicking her under the table. “Why’re you so interested in my engagement ring opinions, anyway? You asking?”

Monet chuckled as she put her phone face-down on the table. “Bold of you to assume I can afford council tax, never mind a diamond.”

Nina smiled, shrugging in agreement. “Yeah, fair. What should we do tonight? I have Maths jotters to mark but then that’s me done.”

Monet tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. “I would say fucking our shit days out but I don’t even have the energy to operate a vibrator.”

Nina almost choked on her food as she laughed. “Christ, that’s a mood. Finish dinner, pyjamas, rewatch The Office for the ninety billionth time then bed at 7pm?”

“Sounds good, babe,” Monet smiled, lifting her glass of water up to cheers with as if it was sparkling wine.

***

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way! Oh McFun it is to ride in a waffle sofen sleigh, HEY! Jingle bells, Jin-”

“Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah,” Nina cut in, waving her hands frantically and stopping the twenty-three five and four year olds that had previously been singing their little kidney bean-sized lungs out. “What are the words?”

Her class stared back at her as if she’d just asked her what twenty-eight times thirteen was. Although Jeremiah, who was already working at Year 5 level, could probably have worked that out given enough time.

“Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh,” Nina said, rhythmically and clearly. “You try.”

The children all parroted it back to her in their little voices, word-perfect. Thank God, thought Nina. Jingle Bells seemed to be the only song they recognised, so if they turned out to not know it after all then Nina would very probably need an inhaler despite the fact she wasn’t at all asthmatic.

“Let’s try it with the music!” Nina said cheerfully, making sure the bluetooth speaker she’d brought outside was still on.

“Miss West,” a small voice piped up belonging to Amber, the human embodiment of a whine. “I’m cold!”

“We’ll get inside soon!” Nina replied patiently. “Just let’s practise it one more time!”

“I’m cold too,” piped up Joshua, Amber’s male counterpart.

“I’m freezing,” Amber offered again.

“I know, it’s very cold outside!” Nina smiled sympathetically, even though her teeth were gritted. “But we can’t do our singing inside because of the virus!”

“Why not?” Amber pouted.

Nina didn’t really know. The answer was because of the care inspectorate guidelines, but that was incredibly far beyond the realms of a five-year-old’s comprehension. Just then, an idea struck her.

“Well we need to sing our songs outside so that Santa can hear them when he’s taking his sleigh out for a test drive!” she said animatedly. The wide eyes and ohhhh-s she received in reply made her feel like a genius. Move over, Steven Hawking. “Okay, one more time with Jingle Bells. Nice and loud for Santa!”

“Miss West?”

Nina blinked slowly and heavily, taking a small breath before answering the newest child that demanded her attention. “Yes, Sophie?”

“I’m cold.”

“I’m cold!! We’re all cold!!” Nina replied quickly, just that shade away from snapping so that her class knew she meant business. “We’re doing the song one more time and then we’re going inside! So nice big smiles, nice loud voices, and here…we…go!”

Nina pressed play on the song before any more children could regale her with tales of how their body temperatures had dropped to that of a snowman’s.

“Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!” they all enthusiastically sang. “Oh McFun it is to ride in a waffle sofen sleigh!”

Nina rubbed so hard at her tired eyes that she thought they might disappear into her skull. She was momentarily glad of the fact that she didn’t have a teaching assistant to help her, as to have any other adult witness this would be embarrassing in the extreme.

Just then she noticed around five parents queued up at the nursery adjacent to the playground, watching with wry smiles on their faces as they waited for their children.

“One more time!” Nina cried, as she stopped the music with freezing cold hands.

***

“So Nina, when you gonna wife your girlfriend?”

Nina very nearly spat out her tea, a horrifying milky brown hurricane only just avoided. She hadn’t been expecting to answer deep, meaningful life questions in the staffroom during a lunch hour, but Willam was the human incarnation of petrol on a campfire and with her around things were always in danger of going from zero to a hundred very quickly. To Nina’s relief Courtney was also in the staffroom, and she whipped around from the countertop and gave her girlfriend daggers.

“Willam!” Courtney chastised her in a hiss that Nina wasn’t quite sure was meant to be audible. Willam only gave her an incredulous glare, affronted that she seemed to be the voice of reason in the conversational chaos.

“What?! Just askin’. I mean you’re what…twenty-nine? Twenty eight?”

“Twenty-six,” Nina replied. She was now at the age where being assumed she was older than she was was a curse, not a blessing. (If she’d told seventeen-year-old Nina that one day she would be disappointed at no longer being ID’d for wine at Sainsburys she’d have laughed in her face.)

“Exactly. That’s wifeing age. Mid to late twenties.”

“Hey, I passed that stage long ago, where the hell’s my ring?“ Courtney asked Willam, stirring the coffee she’d poured into one of the many, many “World’s Best Teacher!” mugs that littered the staffroom cupboards. Willam responded by turning around in her chair and positioning her pencil skirt-clad ass in the air.

“Right here, bitch!”

“Christ Almighty,” Courtney turned away from her, rolling her eyes so hard they looked like little spheric dice. As Willam gave her best impression of a seal on laughing gas, Nina cast her eyes over to Sasha who was sitting at the other end of the staffroom. As they caught each others’ eyes they shared a long-suffering smile that mourned the death of peace and quiet.

Nina was glad the conversation had been diverted from the subject of her perceived lack of marriage plans. Until Sasha opened her mouth, that is.

“I wouldn’t worry, Nina. Me and Shea haven’t had that conversation either. I mean we’d both love to, but there’s more important stuff for us right now, you know? We’re saving for a house and I think we’d rather live in a place we’ve chosen for the foreseeable future than just having one singular big lavish day.”

“It’s all about what you want to do with the person you love the most, isn’t it? Not just doing what society wants you to do,” Courtney chipped in, her voice warm and kind. “Like me and Willam used to be total party girls before we got our shit together. And now, like…there’s nothing I’d rather do of a weekend than curl up with her on the sofa and get all cosy with a film and a blanket and a cup of tea.”

Willam scoffed affectionately. “That’s your ideal weekend plan? What are you, forty?”

“Yes? As are you?” Courtney replied incredulously. Nina heard Sasha snort in her chair. As she turned her gaze back to the other two girls she realised that Willam was still looking at her expectantly. Nina sank back into her seat, a little reserved.

“It’s not really something we’ve spoken about? Well…no, we have spoken about it, obviously,” she babbled, watching as Willam took on the look of someone witnessing a victim of cardiac arrest. “Like we both want to get married. To each other, of course. But teaching is just such a busy job all the time and…you know, we only bought our flat last Summer and…I don’t know, it’s nice not to have everything happen all at once, right?”

Courtney nodded emphatically in agreement. “Of course! And I mean, if she asked, you’d say yes, right?”

Nina had to stop herself from pulling a face. How am I having this conversation with my boss? “Well, yeah. God, I couldn’t imagine life without her at all.”

Willam pretended to gag, which Nina thought was pretty rich from the woman who had begun the entire conversation. Courtney seemed to pick up on her girlfriend’s distaste.

“I don’t think Willam has ever said anything that cute about me!”

Willam turned around to look at her girlfriend, disbelief on her face. “Yeah, I only left my damn husband for you. Fuck me, right?”

Nina’s eyes widened as Sasha gave a yelp from across the staffroom. That was a small piece of workplace gossip she hadn’t expected to learn today. As Courtney’s face turned red and she shot Willam a warning glare, she turned to Nina once more.

“Nina, how’s the Nativity going?” Courtney beamed artificially at her, moving the conversation along with all the grace and decorum of a one-wheeled snow plow.

Considering the question, Nina thought that she’d rather be discussing marriage plans with her boss and colleagues again. “It’s going.”

“That’s a ringing endorsement. I’m sure that was on the poster of Titanic too,” Willam chipped in.

“It wouldn’t be any less disastrous than the actual fate of the Titanic, at least the passengers could’ve probably remembered the words to fucking Jingle Bells,” Nina deadpanned, causing Willam to break into fits of clubbed seal laughter.

Sasha pouted sympathetically from the other side of the room. “It’s those cute bits that the parents love, though, isn’t it? They won’t mind if they get the words wrong.”

“I’m sure there needs to be a foundation of at least an audible tune though, Sash,” Nina smiled resignedly back at her.

“If Bianca wants a Nativity so bad, just tell her to come teach your class,” Willam half-suggested, half-yelled. “Or get Court to teach them! They prolly don’t need to be in tune anyway!”

Courtney’s expression appeared to be the same as Nina’s after her morning’s rehearsal. “Do you ever stop talking shit?”

“You think I’m bad? That bell is going to go for the Comp’s lunch break in five minutes, Bob is gonna arrive, an’ then it’s RIP our eardrums,” Willam said, pointing to the staffroom door for dramatic effect.

“At least Bob has never presented his clothed arsehole to his partner in front of his colleagues,” Courtney cut in at once, her tone deadpan and making Nina splutter a laugh.

“Aw, c’mon Court! That’s just banter. These girls don’t mind.”

“It’s unprofessional!” Courtney clutched her chest. Willam only snorted in response.

“Unprofessional? What are you, forty?”

“We’re the same age!!” Courtney cried in response, her incredulous tone only setting Nina off in a further fit of laughter.

It was only later on that night once she had driven back home, parked, and approached her and Monet’s flat that Nina remembered the staffroom conversation. She cast her gaze up to their first-floor window in their red brick building, almost being able to feel the way her heart gave a swell at the sight of their Christmas tree framed proudly within the glass. And as she got in through the front door, Monet greeted her with a hug and a takeaway leaflet.

“We’ve got nothing in the fridge, so I thought we could get noodles? This came through the door today and I think-” Monet raises her eyebrows, slapped the leaflet into the palm of her hand decisively. “- it’s a sign from God.”

“Well, when you put it like that,” Nina laughed, shrugging off her coat and feeling grateful for not having to cook.

It was only when they were both curled up on the couch, empty pad thai containers in front of them, that Nina turned to Monet and saw the lights on the tree reflected in her eyes. She turned to her girlfriend, threw an arm round her and snuggled in to her side.

“What’s up?” Monet asked, her voice soft and sleepy and a little concerned.

“Nothing,” Nina sighed. It was true. There wasn’t really anything up, and she was the happiest she’d ever been. But she still turned to Monet, tilting her head up inquisitively. “You don’t feel under any pressure at all, do you?”

Monet snorted. “I feel under pressure to get fifteen children who can’t write the word cat on their own to magically be able to write a sentence by the end of the year, yeah.”

Nina rolled her eyes. “No! I mean, like…in life. You didn’t just…buy this flat with me because you felt you had to, right? You wouldn’t do anything because you felt obliged to?”

Monet raised a single eyebrow back at her. “Yeah, I decided to piss my life savings away on a deposit for a flat because I felt I had to. Jesus Christ, Neens.”

“No, no, I know,” Nina chuckled, realising how silly the whole thing now sounded. “But I just mean…in life, like milestones and stuff. You’d never do stuff because you felt you had to keep up, in some way? Reach some goal by a certain age?”

Monet brought an arm around Nina and cuddled her closer, kissing her hair and resting her chin on top of her head. “Everything I do in life, I do because I want to. Especially when it comes to you. Promise.”

Nina gave her girlfriend a squeeze, happy. She took a deep breath, smelt the fabric softener on Monet’s jumper that they both used but just seemed to smell better and feel softer on everything Monet wore.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

***

Nina sat in a child-sized chair with her knees practically up to her chest, a crumpled, printed-out script on her lap that she’d hastily typed up on her work iPad’s notes app the following evening. Her class sat behind her in costumes pulled on over their school uniforms, with books and pens and pieces of paper with botched photocopying on the back under strict instructions not to talk until the whole thing was filmed.

“Okay, Amber!” she smiled breezily at the small girl whose school blouse was sticking out under her angel costume. “You’re kicking off the video. So your line is two thousand years ago, an angel came to a woman called Mary. Practise it for me?”

Amber gripped the hem of her taffeta skirt in two tiny white-knucked fists. “I don’t want to.”

Nina bit her lip. Great start. Fantastic. “We can give it a try together?”

Reluctantly, Amber parroted the words in tandem with her. So far so good.

“Okay. Now do you want to go up against the backdrop and I can film you doing it?”

Amber’s ponytail full of flyaways swung wildly as she shook her head. Nina thought for a moment. Then her eyes came to rest on Hazel- the class’ Mary and, coincidentally, Amber’s best friend.

“What about if Hazel stands with you?”

That seemed to change things and, only slightly hesitantly, both girls got up in front of the hastily staple-gunned silver tinsel.

“Okay Amber. Two thousand years ago, an angel came to a woman called Mary. Ready?”

A nod in reply.

“Go!”

Amber took a deep, shaky breath in. “Two thousand years ago….a woman called Mary.”

Nina stopped filming, fixed the girl with a kind smile. “An angel came to a woman called Mary. Try again?”

The iPad was back in filming mode, and Amber went again. “Two thousand years ago, a…a…a little cute angel came to Mary.”

Nina stopped filming, fixed Amber with two thumbs up. That’ll do.

Things seemed to be going well as Hazel and Oliver (or, Mary and Angel Gabriel) got through their lines without too many bumps in the road. Then, it was time for Amber to take to the stage (or blue curtain with a tinsel border) once more.

“Okay Amber, so your line this time is…Mary told her husband Joseph. Want to practise?”

“Mary told her husband Joseph,” Amber repeated, with all the enthusiasm of a patient about to undergo a colonoscopy. With two days til the deadline, this would have to suffice.

“Perfect! Ready? Three…two…one…go!” Nina smiled encouragingly, as she hit record.

Amber stood beside Mary and Joseph, a little grin on her own face. “Mary told her husband Joyce.”

“…Joseph,” Nina reminded her. Where the fuck had Joyce come from? She hit record again.

“Three…two…one…go!”

“Mary told her husband Joyce.”

Nina couldn’t stop herself from bursting out laughing. “Joseph, Amber!”

The little girl nodded earnestly. “Joseph Amber.”

Nina spluttered. “No…Amber is your name. Joseph is Mary’s husband.”

“Ohhhhhh.”

Nina shook her head, amused. This was what she loved about teaching. None of the other girls working from home could say that they got to spend their day feeling like they were stuck in an episode of You’ve Been Framed.

“Go again. Mary told her husband Joseph. Three…two…one…”

“Mary told…em…um…I can’t remember,” Amber giggled. Nina could feel her own giggles bubbling up inside herself, but she had to stop otherwise it would set her whole class off.

“Mary told her husband Joseph,” Nina repeated, both Amber and Hazel now giggling to each other. “Shh shh! Okay…three…two…one…”

Amber composed herself, took a deep breath. “Mary told her husband Joyce.”

Christ Alive. Nina gasped incredulously, unable to help herself from laughing now. The whole class, Amber herself, and Nina was pretty sure God, were all doing the same. She put her head in her hands, her whole body now shaking with laughter. “Joseph!!”

She already couldn’t wait to tell everybody she knew this story. Not least so she could cement in her mind that it was something that actually happened to her, and not just simply the script of a comedy show she’d dreamed up. Miraculously, mercifully, she managed to get the rest of her class settled down and for Amber to say the correct line on film, even if Nina could be faintly heard frantically mouthing “Joseph!” in the background.

Eventually they reached the innkeepers. Easy enough, in theory.

“Okay, Carter,” Nina smiled encouragingly at the first innkeeper. “When Mary and Joseph ask for a room, you say ‘no, sorry!’. Okay?”

Carter nodded, half a finger stuck up his nose. Nina gestured to him to put his hands down, then began filming. As directed, Mary and Joseph asked if there was any room at the inn.

“YES,” the little boy shouted. The whole class burst out laughing. Nina did not.

Just then, Willam walked past the open door with her class. She gave her a look of inquisition, shooting her a tentative, questioning thumbs up.

Nina put her head in her hands in reply.

***

By some miracle of nature (although it could also have been Nina giving up on work that afternoon) Nina had made it back to the flat before five o’clock. This never happened- five pm was usually the time she left work, but a day full of recording Nativity clips and then putting them together on iMovie while her class played (read; caused havoc) had been tiring and she needed Monet, chocolate, and Merlot.

Only the first thing she heard when she opened the door to her flat wasn’t Monet singing, or the hum of the extractor fan. It was the grainy crackle of a Zoom call and an incredibly distinctive voice.

“So when you doin’ it? Do it tonight. Do it when she gets home from work.”

Monet’s voice- humoured, long-suffering. “I’m not doing it then, Vanj, she’ll be exhausted.”

“That was honestly your best suggestion? When she gets home from work?” Brooke’s voice. “Aren’t you the pinnacle of romance!”

Nina had realised that Monet was on a Zoom call with all the girls, from the way Vanessa had obviously kissed Brooke on camera was being met with half a dozen cries in protest from the others. She excitedly shrugged off her coat and unwrapped herself from her scarf, eager to see her friends again. Part of her was intrigued, though. Why were they all calling each other without her?

“My question is how you’re going to do it,” Akeria’s voice came, as questioning as always. “It needs to be good but it better not be too damn cheesy.”

“An’ you better make sure she got her nails done, she might say no if she ain’t got her nails done!” Silky came shouting through Monet’s Macbook speakers.

“Yeah, you better make it as romantic as you can, Mo,” Scarlet added, making Nina wonder what the hell it was they were all talking about. Before she could wonder any further, she heard Yvie’s distinctive snort of a laugh.

“You are in no position to speak about romance, I mean, need I remind you how you asked me?”

“Shut up,” Scarlet replied, her tone a little bashful as the other girls laughed.

“Monet I could hire you a plane if you really wanted,” Plastique offered, making Nina snort despite the fact she had no idea what the conversation was about.

“Shut up, bitch,” Nina could practically hear the roll of Akeria’s eyes.

Nina toed her shoes off and finally padded through to the kitchen, where Monet’s eyes grew wide when she saw her, her body visibly flinching.

“Hey, babe!” she smiled, looking a little startled. “You’re home earlier than usual!”

“Oh sorry, am I interrupting your Zoom call with all your side chicks?” Nina deadpanned, forcing her way onto Monet’s lap to see her friends on the screen.

“Ninaaa!!!” Vanessa’s face popped up first, her friend waving excitedly as she sat on her sofa in Brooke’s arms. “How are you, girl?”

“Shattered,” Nina sighed, rubbing her eyes harshly. “Just filmed the whole Nativity with the rugrats today. Think it took ten years off my lifespan. How’re you?”

“Good,” Brooke smiled back through the screen. “We ordered our Christmas food today. Trying to convince this one that we don’t need twelve pigs in blankets between two people.”

Vanessa scowled back at her from their position on the sofa. “Uh, yes the hell we do!”

“Twelve pigs in blankets as well as the turkey, stuffing, and all the veg? Y’all are gonna explode,” Akeria said disapprovingly.

“Kiki! How are you?” Nina cried with delight, seeing her friend’s tired but smiling face appear on screen.

“Good. Don’t stop work for a while yet, but it’s fine. Still flat hunting.”

“How’s Pri?” Nina asked, heartened by the way Akeria looked down, trying and failing to suppress a smile.

“Yeah, she’s good. Still batshit crazy. Horny all the time.”

“The ideal girlfriend, really,” Yvie said, a wry smile on her face.

“Nina!” Silky suddenly cut in, yelling. “Did you hear any of what we were talkin’ about before?”

Nina frowned, shook her head. “Something about planes and nails. And cheese. I’m too exhausted to have paid enough attention. Why, were you having a mad bitchfest about me?”

“Trying to ask the girls how best to dump you,” Monet deadpanned. Nina shot Monet a look and squeezed her leg, resulting in her girlfriend yelping and cracking her knee off the table.

Whatever the previous conversation was was soon forgotten about as excited catchups took over. Silky was excited as she was interviewing some singer that Nina had never heard of and wanted the girls to help her work out what questions she was going to ask her. Yvie and Scarlet were lamenting the fact they had to host both of their families for Christmas and had bought a turkey so big Scarlet wasn’t sure it would fit in their oven, and Plastique was telling them the weirdest things she’d been gifted by companies desperate for her to endorse them on Instagram.

“I got a box of sex toys from LoveHoney. That was probably the most random. Me and Naomi had a wild fucking night that night.”

“STOP BEIN’ GROSS,” Silky had yelled down the line, causing Nina to hammer Monet’s volume down button.

Eventually the call came to an end, but not before lots of promises to catch up soon once the situation across the world was better than the shitshow it was currently. As Monet closed her laptop, Nina threw her arms around her neck and nuzzled into her side.

“I miss them,” she sighed, and Monet patter her back comfortingly.

“I know, babe. I miss them too.”

There was a moment of pensive silence, and then Nina spoke again, the Nativity never too far away from her mind.

“I can’t export this video.”

“What?”

“The Nativity video. I can’t export it,” Nina muttered pitifully against her girlfriend’s shoulder.

Monet kissed her hair, making to stand up. “You get a cup of tea. I’ll fix your video.”

“You’re the best,” Nina sighed gratefully, walking over to the kettle.

It was only after she’d sat down with a cup of tea and Monet had promised she’d sorted her video that Nina thought about the conversation she’d walked in on earlier.

She had a strange feeling that it had something to do with her.

***

When Nina arrived at work that morning, she could tell something was…a little different. She couldn’t really tell what it was. It started with the slightly knowing smile Tatianna shot her from across the corridor.

“Congrats, Nina!” she shouted down to her before she ducked into her own classroom.  

“Uh…thanks,” she replied a little too late. Okay, the Nativity process had been stressful, but did she really need congratulated?

She supposed she appreciated it. It had been a whirlwind of a process, after all.

Only the odd thing was, it continued. The congratulations came pouring in; Alaska, Ivy from the Nursery school, Alyssa had cooed and gushed for ages about how exciting it was and how happy she was for her.

Nina had only blinked in reply, a little bewildered. “Thanks, Alyssa. It was a stress, but they managed to pull it off in the end.”

Alyssa gave her a funny look, then realisation seemed to dawn on her. “Oh…they’re non-binary! You know I never knew that, sorry sugar. Well congratulations to you both.”

With that, Alyssa hurried away only leaving Nina more confused than ever.

What in the fuck?

When the bell rang and Nina went to collect her class from the line, things only got weirder. Before she could hurry her class inside, Harry’s Mum waved at her from behind the school gate, beckoning her over. Nina’s heart began to sink- she was going to ask her why Harry was only a shepherd, wasn’t she, or why he didn’t get a solo during Little Donkey, or some-other-bullshit-like-that.

To Nina’s surprise, she held up a sparkly gift bag.

“Hi, sorry for bothering you!” she beamed at her. This was already unheard of- a parent apologising for taking up her time? Nina was beginning to question if she had slipped through a crack in the fabric of reality while she’d been sleeping when Harry’s Mum spoke again. “Me and the other parents had a quick whipround and got you a couple of things and a little card to say congratulations! We thought it was the least we could do given your lovely news.”

It was only after Nina had thanked her profusely, taken the bag and led her children into class that her words sank in. What lovely news was she on about?

Nina taught that morning in a daze. Well, ‘taught’ was pushing it; the last few days of term were always movie days or games days, and today was the former. Nina had decided to inject a bit of an educational element to it by showing her class Nativity and then asking them if they thought the film’s play was better than the one they’d put on. Despite it being one of her favourite Christmas films, though, she still wondered why everyone had been congratulating her today. Maybe her Nativity video had really been so amazingly good that people just had to comment on it. Nina decided that this was the only plausible explanation, and so was feeling particularly spirited as it reached breaktime and she sent the kids out to play.

She was sitting in her classroom reading all the messages she’d missed on her group chat when Willam practically crashed through her door.

“Oh my God!” she yelled, practically vibrating with excitement. “Congratulations, you lucky fucker! That’s gotta be the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen. I mean Bianca probably wants your head on a plate for keeping it in, but still! How’re you celebrating? Should we go to the shop at lunchtime and get prosecco? I mean it’s the last few days of term, I’m sure drinking on the job’s allowed. Court wouldn’t tell anyone.”

Willam was talking with such speed that it took a few seconds for Nina to register everything she’d said. “Why…would Bianca want my head on a plate?”

Willam snorted. “I mean it’s kinda obvious. You don’t think she’s gonna be pissed about it? Then again, maybe she won’t. I don’t know, I can’t get inside her head. I’m not on that Honey I Shrunk The Kids kinda bullshit.”

Nina felt her head was so clouded that even if she possessed the brightest fog lights in the world she still couldn’t see what Willam was trying to say.

“Willam,” she asked, slowly and carefully as she rested her head in her hands. “What the hell are you talking about?”

There was a pause as Willam froze, then as her eyes became huge and wide as she slowly raised a finger to point at Nina. “Jesus Harvey Christ. You…you don’t know, do you?”

Nina frowned, bewildered. “Know what?”

“Oh my God. You don’t know. This is the best thing ever. You don’t even know!” Willam howled with laughter, then, before Nina could ask what she was meant to not know, Willam had dashed out of her classroom and had begun yelling into the hall. “Courtney! Court! She doesn’t know!”

Nina began to feel her heart beat in heavy thuds as the bell went to signal the end of playtime. What didn’t she know?

Eventually Nina managed to reach the end of the day. How, she didn’t know. She was so confused by all the different odd events of the day that she felt she didn’t properly make sense at any point to her class, but that probably didn’t matter as they were all so wrapped up in Christmas nonsense that Nina could’ve left the classroom and they wouldn’t have given a shit.

She was just getting ready to leave work for the weekend when Bianca stuck her head into her classroom and made her almost jump fifty feet in the air.

“Nina,” she began, in her own blunt, abrasive way. She didn’t wait for Nina to greet her as she continued. “I know you must be wandering around with your head in the clouds at the moment, but next time do you think you could maybe just run the video by me first? I mean you’re very lucky that the parents took that well. I mean it’s really about the kids, y’know?”

Nina could only blink at her wide-eyed like a deer in the headlights, getting into trouble but not entirely sure what for. Loath to say anything in response, she simply nodded.

“I mean you should’ve really kept it out,” Bianca frowned. She let the awkward, tense silence hang in the air for a few moments before a humoured smile appeared on her face. “But congratulations. I’m very happy for you.”

Without stopping for Nina to reply, Bianca had turned on her heel and left her classroom. Nina could only look at the space she’d previously been standing in. Maybe all of this was a dream. A fever dream. She’d probably contracted some sort of illness and was experiencing some hallucinogenic vision.

She didn’t know how she made it home without causing a crash, but she managed, and as soon as she was through the door she began to vent to the person she loved most.  

“Monet!” she called through to the kitchen, hanging her belongings up. “I’ve had the weirdest fucking day in living memory. So first all the teachers were congratulating me…then I got a present from the parents…then Willam was screaming about me not knowing something…and then Bianca gave me a row at the end of the day…but I still don’t know exactly why…but then she said congratulations to me too?”

It was only when Nina stopped and walked through to the kitchen that she saw the kitchen table all done up with candles and laid beautifully, Nina’s favourite meal (slow cooker beef and buttery mash) on two plates, and Monet sitting at the table with her makeup done, dressed in a backless blue bodycon that Nina had once very nearly broke the zip of trying to rip it off her one weekend away.

“Uh…” Nina frowned, more confused than ever. Slowly, as a smile spread across Monet’s face, she began to connect all the dots of weird and the picture it presented illustrated that somehow her girlfriend had to be behind it all. “Okay, what’s going on?”

Monet got up and leant against the kitchen counter. She very gently took both of Nina’s hands in hers. “You didn’t watch the whole video once I exported it, did you?”

Something like dread crossed with excitement began to pool in Nina’s gut. She narrowed her eyes. “Monet…what did you do?”

Wordlessly, Monet reached back across to the table where she picked up her phone and loaded up the Nativity video. Skipping to the end, she got past the end of Jingle Bells and showed the video to Nina. The screen faded to black, and then, Nina watched as another little title card faded into view.

To the teacher that always gives so much of herself to others, I now want to give all of myself to you.

Miss West, will you marry me?

Love, Monet x

And suddenly everything in Nina felt as if it was made of fire, adrenaline and jet fuel. Her eyes flew open, her hand smacked against her shocked, gaping mouth. Her pulse raced and her heart hammered and all of her limbs turned to jelly to the extent she wasn’t sure she was able to stand any more. When she took her eyes off her phone screen and looked at Monet, her girlfriend was down on their kitchen floor, down on one knee like in every princess movie Nina had ever seen, her hair soft and curled and loose on her shoulders and a bright smile on her painted taupe lips. Gemstone tears brimmed in her dark eyes and hung from her lashes like icicles, and there, in her outstretched hands, was an open navy box.

Inside was a ring - gold band, one small diamond - and it was when Nina saw it that she gave a sob, her own tears springing from her eyes like a broken fountain, uncontrollable and erratic.

“Oh, baby, c’mere,” Monet gave a small laugh, shaking her head and immediately rising from the floor to wrap her arms around her in a hug. Nina took a few shaky, shallow breaths, pawing at Monet’s chest to release herself from her grip and look her in the eyes.

“You! You knew…all this time, and you…you put it in the video, oh my GOD, Monet, I could’ve got in so much trouble…I did get in so much trouble, oh my God…and you didn’t even tell me-”

“I thought you’d at least watch the damn thing through before you uploaded it!” Monet burst out laughing through her tears, and Nina joined in in a lightheaded, giddy way.

“I can’t believe this is real. Fuck. My whole body feels like that time we did poppers in Crete. Oh my God. Is this happening? You want to marry me?”

“Well, I would love to marry you, but I’m waiting on an answer,” Monet smiled bashfully, bringing her arm out from around Nina’s waist and holding the ring up so Nina could see it.

The diamond only seemed to glisten more when she saw it through the tears in her own eyes, and the gold shone warm like the brightest star. It was an engagement ring- her engagement ring- and it was real, and it was surreal, but Monet was in front of her waiting for an answer with tears in her eyes and hope in her heart that matched her own.

And Nina had never been one to say no to anything.