#and then there's whatever is going on w his ''this soul is not for sale except in the realm of the undead'' stamp

[pinacoladamatata]

"if you fancy Astarion, you might want to consider therapy. He's so damaged I must have him! Enjoy the fantasy and then call a therapist. It's a two step thing and it's very important you do both." - Amelia Tyler what do your narrator eyes see? 😂😂😂

[potionpeddlerpatchy]

Patch i’m so excited. you’re such an angel delight, and I, for one, am over the moon that you’re here, you’ve been here, and you’ll continue to be here. you’re a wonderful friend and person, happy anniversary darlin 💛💛 i am so greedy and want one of EACH, but we can start with an alluring charm :) or perhaps a book…. :) or even….. a palm reading :)

(basically you go nuts and i will go insane no matter what i love you i’m so happy to have met you and i am so grateful for your friendship)

Oh Kasey, how I find it serendipitous that we have met. You were just so openly kind with your words when it came to my many potions I have brewed that I could not help but wish to seek a friendship. And I am so happy that I did. Your presence gives me such warmth and elation that I feel as if we have been friends for many a year let alone only a short while. I do hope that this will continue, and I shall treasure all the time with you to ensure that it will 💛

Now, as what you wished to have from my little rummage sale, I am more than generous to gift to you everything your heart desires - as I would with any patron in my shop.

So, let me see what I can do for you, hm? 🔮

“Oh my aren’t we excited to gather all my rummaged wares, hm?” The peddler teased at your eager and sweet response over the news of her sharing such trinkets as a way of celebration

“I just like everything here,” You admitted, a little bashful, as your eyes gazed over all the many shelves that held so many interesting bobbles and books – all with an incredible and historic story you were sure “Though, you already know that, why I keep visiting you”

“And I very much enjoy the company” She responded, her usual gentle smile peeking from beneath her large, brimmed, hat before she gestures to a pair of plush chairs “Please, have a seat. Suppose it’s best for us to start with a palm reading, don’t you think?”

You nodded your head with enthusiasm as you moved to sit in the chair opposite of her, hand already outstretched so she could read the many lines that decorated your palm. You knee bounced, though you were unsure if in excitement or if it was anxiousness, as you watched her patiently as her fingertips danced delicately across your hand; her small hums made your heart skip a beat wondering what she saw.

“Interesting…” she finally muttered, as her fingers came to a halt, though the stillness in her entire being made it clear she was lost in thought.

“W-what is?” You finally whispered back as you leaned closer to her. Though you had to jolt your head away when she abruptly stood, you followed in kind, though you found it difficult to navigate the cluttered space as she did “What did you see?”

The peddler did not stop as she continued to rummage through the many items that littered her cozy shop; opening drawers and scanning many shelves to try and find whatever it was that caused her to become lost in such a seemingly mindless trance and active search.

“Is there something wrong with the person my palm matched me to?” You asked, a slight breathlessness to your tone as you grew ever more nervous.

“No, there is nothing to fear over what I saw.” the Peddler mumbled, her eyes still scanned the old books, overed in dust and wed, upon her more private shelf within her shop – though the way she chewed at the finger nail at her thumb, an action you never saw her do, one that almost made her seem nervous did little to quell your own feelings brewing withing your stomach.

“Then what is it? Please just tell me?”

You watched as her shoulders slumped downward slightly, as if she finally noticed the tension not only within the small room but within herself as well before her eyes casted back over to you. Her small smile was only a little reassuring, as she placed a hand upon your own to squeeze it gently.

“The man I saw within your palm, if you will, is one that was haunted – cursed even – by a soul of his past” The peddler began, before her eyes once again left yours in favour of searching the shelves once again “His name, that of Yuuta, and such a story to cling to his name made me recall a book I had and read of a similar man.”

“And, is that what you are looking for…?” You reasoned, eyes never leaving her form as you watched closely to any change of expression – both good or bad – that would cross her face

“It is,” She nodded her head, her nails dragging along a row of books “Something called out to you, I could feel it, when you first walked it. Now I know what, and I wish to find it for you.”

You wished you could reply, to find anything to saw to her in response, but your body could not form a word. This world, the one you enter in with such wide eyes, was so much more than you could ever comprehend and at that moment in time left you at a loss for words. Perhaps you could find it exciting, even comforting, that a book within her shop would call out to you and claim you as its rightful owner. But at that moment it just left you uneasy and you followed her hand as it ran across the many spines of the books of old she had in her possession. You swallowed a large lump that had formed in your throat when her hand finally stopped upon a of faded silver as she delicately removed it from where it had rested for lord knows how long.

“Please, have another seat” She gestured once more to a comfortable looking chair for you “I think you may find this rather enlightening”

Though uneased still filled you, it dissipated rather quickly once you sat back down; you felt a strange warmth fill you once the book was placed gingerly within you hand. You wished it could be explained, though you doubted the Peddler would be so kind as to do so, but your desire to open the book to read it became almost overwhelming as it took you by a similar trance.

“Go on, open it love.” She encouraged gently as she stood nearby to search in her many small drawers for something else “I will be right here, nothing to be worried of.”

With that small added sense of reassurance, of knowing that someone will be there to comfort you should something go awry and you felt even more dread and unease fill you to point of becoming frightening. With a deep, quiet inhale, you take the plunge and open the worn book gently.

~

A rush of water overcame you.

A sense of alarm followed alongside it as you rushed to breach the surface of the sea, to take in finally take in a deep breath and free your lungs of the painful ache that overcame them. You felt the tug and pull of your friend, his bright yellow body, did provide some reassurance to you that you will survive this ordeal, as he helped you to leave the sea.

Though it wasn’t always this way. You wanting to leave the water. It once filled you so full of life, how each roll of the sea, each wave you broke through, each tide you swept yourself up in, invigorated you and left you with a rush of feeling that filled your spirit so fully that you couldn’t imagine a life better than that. One where you were free to explore all the depths the ocean had stored away, all the creatures you would meet and befriend as they bashfully introduced themselves, and all the splendor you would come to home to; that of your fathers love and all the gifts he would give to you and your sisters. It was all so fulfilling, that you did not mind the one rule set out for you. How you followed it blindly as you obeyed for you could not fathom that breaking it would gift to you even more splendor than your life already had.

Truly, when you were young, you had no desire to see, or meet, any of the humans who passed by overhead in their ships.

But, on fateful day, you had stumbled across one that had sunk and from then on your desires and wants within your life had changed. All the trinkets and bobbles, the art and written histories you had found as your searched through everything upon that vessel made something within you called and yearned for more. From that moment on, you wanted to see, to learn, to hear, and to know anything and everything about the humans and their way of life.

An obsession, everyone called it. A delusion, a dangerous one at that, one that would fade over time and simply become a distant memory. That was what your father told you, a notion he believed and hoped in with all his being, for he knew firsthand how dangerous the humans were to your kind. Yet despite all the warnings, all the added rules, and the punishments that befallen upon you, your still wanted to be apart of a world not your own.

Your heart had never pined for something more than that. And despite your best judgement, and even the judgement of your closest friends who had come along with you on your excursions, you went up to the surface to follow a ship that had dazzled with the many bright lights it threw into the vast sky.

There you met a man, one that seemed so sad amongst all those singing and happy people, though he hid it well as he pretended to join in on their merriment in celebration of his birthday. Your heart ached as you watched him, you wanted nothing more than for him to smile with true genuine at you. And once he did, upon that sandy shore you swam him to after saving his life when his ship crashed, you knew you wanted to see it more. At that moment, more than ever before, you wanted to be human. Not only to enjoy the different way they find happiness in their lives, but to be with him more.

And that is how you ended up where you were. As you struggled to breath where you once could do so freely, as you tried not to drown where you once called home. The new legs you were given in a deal with a sea witch did not propel you as easily as your beautiful tail could. But you were determined to see this new life, even if for a few days, you could not let it end there before it could even begin.

With a deep gasp you broke through the surface of the water, sputtered and coughing as your friend continued to help tug you to shore. Once there you collapsed upon the warm sand to rest, as you took in painful breaths in to fill your aching and angry lungs.

Once you had adjusted to your climate, to the new way your body had changed, you finally were able to marvel at the beautiful set of legs given to you. And though you wobbled, barely able to walk upon them, the smile that graved your face – one large and full of elation – could not be taken from you.

It was a smile that continue to grow once you heard him, the man you had saved the other day, as he called out to whoever had become stranded and struggled upon the shore near his home. You found whatever you could to cover your newfound modesty before he could see as your heat pounded in excitement as you waited for him.

“Is anyone there!? Please, if anyone is there say something! ” He called out, the sound of his rushing footsteps louder and he hastily approached you. Though he stumbled to a stop, as did his voice that rang so loudly, when he finally found you.

“Oh.. um..” He cleared his throat before his footfall began to gingerly approach you, your heart swelled over his clear concern over your well being and wish to not startle you further “Miss? Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“My name is Yuuta, may I ask yours?” He quietly asked once he was within an arms length to you. You perked up once he was so close, the rock you has perched yourself on gave you a perfect view of his kind, warm, dark blue eyes; ones that could not help but remind of your home.

You opened your mouth to say your name, to finally let him know who you were and how you saved his life. And yet, nothing came forth, not even an utterance of a single note of sound. It was then the reality of your situation finally sank in, the gravity of it all. The sea witch took you voice. She left you complete unable to communicate in the manner you best at, and now you were at a loss of how you could get him to see and know you for who you were.

You motioned to your throat, tapping it gently to try as you leaned closer to him. He could tell by your sad eyes what you had meant as he helped you stay upright “Oh, you cannot speak?”

Yuta watched as you nodded your head, before he looked out towards the sea “And you washed upon the shore. Were you in an accident?”

He found it adorable how you nodded your head once more as you sought some kind comfort from him, at leas that was what he thought you were doing as you tucked your hands into his own to squeeze them. With a gentle smile he returned the small gesture, as he began to gently coax you down from your perch; he wrapped his arm around you in support as you struggled to walk with him.

“Easy there!” He chuckled warmly, a noise that made your heart swell “Come now, I’ll help you back to my home. I’ll take - !”

~

“Here is it!” You heard the Peddler cry out as she held in triumph a small trinket within her hand – one the gleamed with the same kind of silver that was decorated upon the bindings of your book.

You gasped at the sudden intrusion, heart racing as you were pulled from the soft and sweet scene that you were just within; such a sudden shock, of change of juxtaposition, made your head spin as you tried to come to terms with what was real and what wasn’t.

“Easy there, love” the Peddler cooed as she gingerly took your book out of your hands “It can be quite the shocking change when the world around you pull you out.”

You placed a hand over your heart, in an attempt to sooth your racing heart as you took in a few broken deep inhales of breath before your eyes shifted over to hers “W-was it real?”

“As real as you wanted it to be.”

Her response made your brows furrow as you tried to comprehend it all, but you did not have a chance to dwell on her words long before she placed within your hand a silver charm. You took a moment to allow your fingertips to brush against the intricate, beautiful, details it held before your curious and questioning eyes landed back upon her.

“I found this charm alongside this book, many years ago” She explained, closing your hand to keep it secure “They should never be separated, understand?”

You nodded your head, as your voice stuttering as if it had been taken away from you completely a few minutes ago “W-why?”

“I would fill him with such sorrow if you did.”

“Him? Who is he?”

“You know who he is.” She smiled knowingly at you before giving your hand a small squeeze before she stood “And should you wish to see what a life with him would be like, merely place that charm around your neck and you shall see.”

You wished you had a chance to ask her further all the questions that rang in your mind, but she merely shushed you as she placed before you a warm cup of tea. “Whenever you are ready, you may do as you please. I can assure you, that he will wait an eternity for you.” With one last nod she left you to serve another who had been curious to what wares were within her shop.

Ah yes, your charm! You need not worry over it just yet Whenever you feel the courage to want a peek, you may, and if you wish me to as well to help you through it, you need only ask.

Until then, suppose it will just be a pretty trinket to sit upon your lovely book~ 🔮

I do hope you wish to keep what you found, for all 'sales' are final

[bigshot]

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS (Not Accepting)

anonymous said: i LOVE how much effort is put into the theme with all the secret links!! could you do 19, 27, 38, 54, and 55 for the weirdly specific questions? sorry if you've answered any of those before!

THANK YOU!!  Theme building is one of my favorite parts of setting up new blogs and I had too much fun with Spamton’s ;;w;;

19. What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

It definitely wouldn’t last long if whoever it is knows to play on his temper for a response, but Spamton’s petty enough to pretend they aren’t there at all. 

They try talking to him? Nah, he didn’t hear anything. Touch him? Hmm, weird breeze in here. Stand in his way? Christ, the wallpaper’s gettin uglier every day! 

27. What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

"WOULDN’’T YOU L1KE TO KN 0W.”

38. What hobby are they good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?

Whether or not he’s good is subjective, but Spamton enjoys painting.  He likes watching Bob Ross streams.

It’s a way to express himself that can’t be corrupted and art lends itself to being abstract, anyway. He likes doing simple landscapes, things with lots of open sky, the types of places and sights he’d like to go see. He’s already painted up the walls of his room in Isola just like his old shop’s. Maybe he even sketches while he’s out, but he’ll never admit it.

He has a hard time working in front of people, though. A person in the room is a distraction, he likes to talk and his hands are shaky enough as it is that adding how animated he can get in conversation just ruins whatever he’s trying to do.

54. What’s their instinct in a fight / flight / freeze / fawn situation?

It depends on his confidence, but either fight or flight.

Spamton’s not going out looking for fights and he’s going to actively avoid getting into real ones, with Kris he wanted to see if their Soul was legit powerful and got the feeling a battle would be a good sales pitch besides, but if you try starting one he’d be game to tussle.

But if the situation seems out of his hands or it’s somebody who’s kicked his ass before, though? And he isn’t already hiding somewhere? Fuck all ya’ll, he rUNNING.

55. What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

It’s complicated.

He loves the act of making deals, a successful sale is a rush he’s never managed to replicate and the whole ‘big shot’ businessman lifestyle is something he misses dearly. Schmoozing around with clients, drinking with bigwigs, expensive cigars, even more expensive cars, the commercials and glamour and the adoring public and doing anything he wants...

But he doesn’t care much for money.  Like, sure, he wants the money. It’s nice to have. Money gets you places and getting rich is the whole point of being a businessman. That’s how you get the glamour and the people. It’s a core part of who and what he is. 

But if he was able to do all of that and not make a dime? He’d be totally fine with it. Hell, it’d probably make his life a lot easier.

[lailoken]

‘How to Consecrate the Supper’

“Here follows the supper, of what it must consist, and what shall be said and done to consecrate it to Diana.

You shall take meal and salt, honey and water, and make this incantation:

The Conjuration of Meal

I conjure thee, O Meal!

Who art indeed our body, since without thee

We could not live, thou who (at first as seed)

Before becoming flower went in the earth,

Where all deep secrets hide, and then when ground

Didst dance like dust in the wind, and yet meanwhile

Didst bear with thee in flitting, secrets strange!

And yet erewhile, when thou wert in the ear,

Even as a (golden) glittering grain, even then

The fireflies came to cast on thee their light

And aid thy growth, because without their help

Thou couldst not grow nor beautiful become;

Therefore thou dost belong unto the race

Of witches or of fairies, and because

The fireflies do belong unto the sun…

Queen of the Fireflies! hurry apace,

Come to me now as if running a race,

Bridle the horse as you hear me now sing!

Bridle, O bridle the son of the king!

Come in a hurry and bring him to me!

The son of the king will ere long set thee free;

And because thou for ever art brilliant and fair,

Under a glass I will keep thee; while there,

With a lens I will study thy secrets concealed,

Till all their bright mysteries are fully revealed,

Yea, all the wondrous lore perplexed

Of this life of our cross and of the next.

Thus to all mysteries I shall attain,

Yea, even to that at last of the grain;

And when this at last I shall truly know,

Firefly, freely I'll let thee go!

When Earth's dark secrets are known to me,

My blessing at last I will give to thee!

Here follows the Conjuration of the Salt.

Conjuration of the Salt

I do conjure thee, salt, lo! here at noon,

Exactly in the middle of a stream

I take my place and see the water round,

Likewise the sun, and think of nothing else

While here besides the water and the sun:

For all my soul is turned in truth to them;

I do indeed desire no other thought,

I yearn to learn the very truth of truths,

For I have suffered long with the desire

To know my future or my coming fate,

If good or evil will prevail in it.

Water and sun, be gracious unto me!

Here follows the Conjuration of Cain.

The Conjuratiom of Cain

I conjure thee, O Cain, as thou canst ne'er

Have rest or peace until thou shalt be freed

From the sun where thou art prisoned, and must go

Beating thy hands and running fast meanwhile:

I pray thee let me know my destiny;

And if 'tis evil, change its course for me!

If thou wilt grant this grace, I'll see it clear

In the water in the splendour of the sun;

And thou, O Cain, shalt tell by word of mouth

Whatever this my destiny is to be.

And unless thou grantest this,

May'st thou ne'er know peace or bliss!

Then shall follow the Conjuration of Diana.

You shall make cakes of meal, wine, salt, and honey in the shape of a (crescent or horned) moon, and then put them to bake, and say:

Conjuration of Diana

I do not bake the bread, nor with it salt,

Nor do I cook the honey with the wine;

I bake the body and the blood and soul,

The soul of (great) Diana, that she shall

Know neither rest nor peace, and ever be

In cruel suffering till she will grant

What I request, what I do most desire,

I beg it of her from my very heart!

And if the grace be granted, O Diana!

In honour of thee I will hold this feast,

Feast and drain the goblet deep,

We will dance and wildly leap,

And if thou grant'st the grace which I require,

Then when the dance is wildest, all the lamps

Shall be extinguished and we'll freely love!

And thus shall it be done: all shall sit down to the supper all naked, men and women, and, the feast over, they shall dance, sing, make music, and then love in the darkness, with all the lights extinguished; for it is the Spirit of Diana who extinguishes them, and so they will dance and make music in her praise.

And it came to pass that Diana, after her daughter had accomplished her mission or spent her time on earth among the living (mortals), recalled her, and gave her the power that when she had been invoked. . .having done some good deed. . .she gave her the power to gratify those who had conjured her by granting her or him success in love:

To bless or curse with power friends or enemies [to do good or evil].

To converse with spirits.

To find hidden treasures in ancient ruins.

To conjure the spirits of priests who died leaving treasures.

To understand the voice of the wind.

To change water into wine.

To divine with cards.

To know the secrets of the hand (palmistry).

To cure diseases.

To make those who are ugly beautiful.

To tame wild beasts.

Whatever thing should be asked from the spirit of Aradia, that should be granted unto those who merited her favour.

And thus must they invoke her:

Thus do I seek Aradia! Aradia! Aradia! At midnight, at midnight I go into a field, and with me I bear water, wine, and salt, I bear water, wine, and salt, and my talisman—my talisman, my talisman, and a red small bag which I ever hold in my hand—con dentro, con dentro, sale, with salt in it, in it. With the water and wine I bless myself, I bless myself with devotion to implore a favour from Aradia, Aradia.

The Invocation to Aradia

Aradia! my Aradia!

Thou who art daughter unto him who was

Most evil of all spirits, who of old

Once reigned in hell when driven away from heaven,

Who by his sister did thy sire become,

But as thy mother did repent her fault,

And wished to mate thee to a spirit who

Should be benevolent,

And not malevolent!

Aradia, Aradia!

I implore Thee by the love which she did bear for thee!

And by the love which I too feel for thee!

I pray thee grant the grace which I require!

And if this grace be granted, may there be

One of three signs distinctly clear to me:

The hiss of a serpent,

The light of a firefly,

The sound of a frog!

But if you do refuse this favour, then

May you in future know no peace nor joy,

And be obliged to seek me from afar,

Until you come to grant me my desire,

In haste, and then thou may'st return again

Unto thy destiny.

Therewith, Amen!”

—

Aradia:

or the Gospel of the Witches

Chapter II: ‘The Sabbat, Treguenda or Witch-Meeting’

by Charles Godfrey Leland

[limenysnocket]

The Plan

Summary: It's your birthday (hooray!) and you still have to work (not so hooray). Nevertheless, you can still count on your friends to cheer you up, but not as much as your loveable boyfriend who insists you spend your birthday with him and a romantic dinner, rather than at a party your friends set up.

Warnings: Swearing, drinking, Taika (yes, he gets his own warning), some content may be explicit-ish.

Request: @whatwememeintheshadows

A/N: So people are actually planning their fics nowadays???? Did I not get the memo or something??? These come straight from my head????

THIS IS SO LATE I'M SORRY. Happy (very) belated birthday.

Tags: @honorarytenenbaum @olyvoyl

○●□○●□○●□○●□○

Okay, so maybe work was less of a bitch today, you had to admit. People were nicer to you today, you got an extra thirty minutes added on to your lunch break just because, and, of course, you got a couple of dirty birthday cards and some cash, but that really shouldn’t matter, should it? What did matter, is that you would get to have some you-time, all by yourself, with your vibrator, a couple of movies, and some nice, low calorie ice cream (that tasted like total shit). At least... That’s what you thought would happen.

“You should totally come party with us! I’ve got the booze, Jess has the men, and we’ll make a whole night out of it! Alcohol, strippers, and dancing! How does that sound?” your friend, Enid, reiterated everything for you at least one thousand times today.

“If I wanted a stripper, I’d ask Taika to dye his hair, shave himself everywhere, and oil up a little. That’s the only sight I’d be happy to see, thank you,” you huff and smile. You appreciate the effort to get you out and about, possibly be a little frisky, but your heart just wasn’t in it, and that was much to Taika’s luck.

“Oh, come on. Taika can’t have that much of a grip on you! He has a lot of ‘female friends’, so what’s wrong with you having some ‘male friends’ hm?” Jess cooed to you, but you immediately whirled around, insulted that she would even suggest that you would do such a thing. And you were sure Taika had female friends, yes, but they were just friends. Nothing else. Although, his flirtatious behavior scared you sometimes, at parties. Some of the women would just swarm him, and you feared any one of them would catch his fancy more than you did.

“No. I don’t want strippers at whatever the hell you’re planning,” you stated again, firmly this time. Your two friends whined again, Jess lowering her head in defeat.

“Fine, but can we still bring booze? Invite a few more friends to party?” Enid asked, setting a hand on your shoulder and pleading to you with large eyes.

You chew at your cheek and think for quite some time. Your friends want to throw you a genuine party, and God knows how long it’s been since you’ve hung around a group of unfamiliar faces, especially since you started to date a Hollywood writer. Maybe it was just what you needed. Taika was supposed to be busy for the night, anyway.

You succumbed to the pressure, and nodded. “Okay,” you agreed. “But if we get any noise complaints, your talking to the cops for me.”

“Hell yeah! You’re not going to regret this! Just you wait! Go home and clean your place up a little. I’ll be by in an hour or two to get things set up!” Enid clapped her hands together in mischief, and Jess suddenly looked more spry. You gave her a warning glance, and she only grinned back, before skipping away, chatting gayly with Enid at her side.

You can’t believe the shit you just got yourself into, and you still wouldn’t believe it, the moment Enid and Jess arrived with their arms full of cheap liquor, streamers, finger foods, and a bunch of colorful-looking lights that look like they just came from a Wal-Mart Christmas sale. As soon as you gave them the go-ahead, they started tearing shit open. Between setting up, your phone started to ping over and over again, as well as your friends’ phones. Apparently, just a few hours was enough time to notify everyone in LA about a party, who it was for, and where it was going to be at. 

You just sat back and sipped on frozen margaritas (meant for the party, but it's your party so you didn't give two shits), until the party started and there was a heavy flow of people rushing into your home. Invited or uninvited.

When things started getting wild, that's when a pact was made. Enid and Jess would be cleaning up your house after this was over. You were already stepping over beer cans as it was.

You can't even say you were having fun there. You barely knew anyone. Most of the people there were just randoms looking for a good time, and unfortunately you saw some of them getting that good time in a dark corner. You made an excuse to run upstairs and lock all the doors of the bedrooms before anyone could think about getting there. That's what you thought, at least.

The party was getting to be too much, too quickly. In haste, you locked yourself into your bedroom, and took a step back. You could still hear the muffled voices and loud, posh laughter on the other side of the door. Those girls would pay. You rush over to your window, overlooking your backyard and see people divebombing into your pool, creating waves and getting people outside of the pool wet. People were leaving their trash everywhere, and many red, plastic cups floated in the (for now) clear waters. You didn't know how much more you could take. Maybe parties weren't your thing after all. Especially with strangers.

You sit back on your bed and you don't even bother looking out the window anymore. It was best to stay inside your room, if you didn't want to be molested or assaulted by some dumbass who thinks it's okay to anonymously grope women in crowded areas. Your face buries in your hands, griping to yourself how this would be over in a few hours. Right?

There's a subtle knock on your door, and you jump. It's in the regular, stiff-three order, so you are very hesitant about going and getting it. Then, there comes the "shave and a haircut" tune. Not a very good one, and kind of slurred, guessing by the way there was a loud thud at the very end, the person knocking was shoved against the door. Damn you and your pity.

You're quick to move, despite the strong feeling telling you not to. You just knew some poor soul was being smooshed out there. Fuck, you were nervous. This was screaming bad idea, but you were going to pull through anyway. The plan in your head seemed childish, but it should work fine if the person was desperate enough to get in. One quick swipe of the door, and you're golden! Surely...

You flick the doorknob lock and gulp, keeping a tight grip. On the count of three-- and after having to restart because another desperate knock jumbled up your thoughts-- you sent the door flying open. Sure enough, a heavy body came tumbling in with it, tripped, tried to balance, then ended up crash-landing cartoonishly into your bed, bonking their head a tad on the wooden post at the end of the frame. You hissed a little bit, then closed the door again. You rushed to their aid as the person looked up.

"I thought you liked private parties more than this," a soft, kiwi accent cooed at you, obviously through unbridled pain. This bewildered you even more.

Taika was sitting on the floor, legs extended out in front of him, making him look like a giant from your angle, and he was dressed in a blue tux, black dress shirt, and polished black shoes. Well, they seemed a little scuffed now.

"Shit, Taika-- what the fuck are you doing here?" you drop to your knees and cradle his aching head. He winced at the touch, but was too happy to see you again to deny it.

"Well, I came to take you out on a surprise birthday dinner. Maybe pick up a bottle of wine and go dancing with my favorite person, you, under moonbeams and twighlight," his head bobbled from side to side, which didn't help his animated character, "but it seems to me you have company... and a lot of it."

You sigh and brush an unkempt curl back into place while he cheekily grins at you. "This wasn't my idea," you murmur. "Friends set this up. They'll also be the ones to take it down. I didn't really want to spend my birthday with anyone this year. Makes me feel old."

"Well, you seriously should have known someone was about to stop you from taking another bite of that shitty ice cream in your freezer. They dished it out in shot glasses down there. Even a sober chick couldn't handle the taste," Taika snorted playfully and you rolled your eyes. He seemed to be taking this situation surprisingly well. It was weird. "But it was much to my misfortune that your 'friends' got to you before I could. Maybe I should have settled on a birthday lunch, but that didn't sound too appealing to me."

"Would have been much better than the chicken salad and dry-ass piece of cake I had for lunch today," you fired back. He sighed again and stood up with a groan. You followed with him.

"What now?" he mumbled, stroking the stache on his upper lip, then letting the tips of his fingers wander down to his smooth, freshly shaved cheeks.

"Well, we're both stuck here, so I suppose we settle in for the night and wait it out." You plop yourself down on your bed again and just stare up at him. He doesn't move, however. His eyes were focused on the window, more specifically the lock on it, and he was nibbling at his bottom lip. He was thinking. Some people might call it strange to watch him think sometimes. He really was like a cartoon. With one tap of his foot, he spun around on his heel and faced you.

"New plan," he clapped his hands together. "Get dressed."

You were confused for the next fifteen minutes or so. He helped you pick out a deep blue dress that would somewhat match his and black heels. He was escorting you all over the room with his hand on your lower back. He even tried to do your makeup for you, but he was so inexperienced, you had to take over. The last time he had to do someone's makeup was on the set of the original, five-minute What We Do in the Shadows film.

While you finished your makeup, he was practically smooching your window. He was staring at it like a dog asking to go outside. It made you a bit nervous, seeing the cogwheels turn in his head. He took your hand and lead you to the window, unlocking it and pushing it up.

"Want to go first?" he said behind a proud smile. When he only received silence and a pure, "what the fuck," stare back to his face, he shrugged, and stepped out the window himself. Luckily, you knew fully well he wasn't about to fall flat on his face and die on the pavement below. You had a screened back porch, with a roof over it's head as well, since the seasons tend to get very hot and sticky and mosquitoes just love to lay visits. He stepped onto the roof, trying not to bring too much attention to himself. Once he had bounced down, he brushed himself off, then looked up at you, expectantly.

"Come on, then! Don't have all night!" he hollered and waved to you. "Need me to catch you?"

You gulped, not bothering to answer him. You gently scooted your lower half out the window and taking your heels into your hand. You didn't want to break an ankle on the landing. "Lord, give me strength," you muttered, squeezed your eyes shut, then took a leap of faith. You tried not to squeal as the rushing air flew by you like sticky wind, but before you knew it, your feet touched slanted ground. You felt like you were about to tumble, but strong hands met your waist and kept you up.

"Beautiful!" Taika beamed and kissed your flushed cheek.

"I hate you sometimes," you slapped his chest and made him laugh. He took your hand and started leading you to the other side of the porch roof, and came to the end, where your driveway supposedly was. Parked dead center was Enid's big, black SUV. Tall enough to just be a little hop away from the roof.

"One more, leap, dear?" Taika was on the move again, but you grabbed his sleeve before he could actually make the jump.

"Taika, no. That's Enid's car. She already spends so much on gas, think of how pissed she'll be if she has to remove dents from her roof!" you explain, nervous from the outcome of this little plan of yours.

"Sweetheart," Taika said airily, turning his full attention to you and taking your hand again. "If she was a good friend, she would have known a massive party like this would have pissed you off. Plus, I don't think just cleaning the house is going to get even with this God awful day. So, why not put a few dusty footprints on her car, hm?" Taika was back to grinning, and before you could say anymore, he had leapt away and landed on top of the car with a large thud. He motioned to you with a swipe of his hand. You were in way too deep with him to give up on him now.

You followed through, heels swinging in one hand, and he caught you again like the perfect, Maori prince charming he was.

Car hop, after car hop, he lead the way and made sure you were okay with every stop, until you reached a small enough car to hop down, scale the lawn and make it to his jeep.

"That was," you said, breathless. You couldn't find the right words, and Taika just chuckled at you.

"Exciting?" he filled in the blank space on his own, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yeah," you laugh, fanning your chest and brushing a single strand of hair back. "That's a good word for it."

"Well, excitement doesn't stop here," he opened your door into the jeep for you, bowing respectfully and playing everything up for you, like you were royalty. "I have everything set up for you to have a great night with yours truly. As long as everything goes according to the plan this time..."

[bebepac]

Pop’s 🌎 World

This is a very special Mia’s 🌎 World. It’s kind of a stand alone, as you could have not read the previous series and know what’s going on here.  It’s about a father’s love for his daughter.  But if you are curious to go on a binge read:

Book One:  Pop’s Place

Book Two: Mia’s World

I’m also participating in @wackydrabbles​ prompt # 91 picked by  @ofpixelsandscribbles​ “I’m worried about you.” which will appear in bold. 

Original Post Date: 04/20/21 at 7:03PM EST.

The Book:  TRR (this is typically a crossover, but none of the crossover characters appear in this chapter) 

Pairing:  Mia x Jaiden  (TRR MC x M!OC)

Word Count: 1976

Warnings: Pops laying on all kinds of Daddy Fluff.  Brief mention of pregnancy complications, with no specific or graphic detail. 

Summary:  A glimpse into the past, present and future of Pops. We will be getting to know, the softer side of Pops Jones.

A/N: Writing is truly one of the ways that I have dealt with a lot of unsettling feelings I’ve had over the years, and this one is very cathartic for me.  I never had the best home life growing up.  Pops is the personification of the father figure I wish that I had growing up in those more formative years.  He does remind me a bit of my Grandfather, but he passed away when I was young.  So I write my Mia having the strong base that I wish I had.  And maybe some things would have turned out differently.  

A/N2:  I don’t own the rights to the poem “I Trust You’ll Treat Her Well”  by Dan Valentine which the words will be bold and italic throughout this episode.  I did modify a few words to make it representative to Mia and her family, as Mia does not have blue eyes and light brown hair.   

Song Inspiration for this Episode:  I Loved Her First by Heartland

I don’t own the rights to the music.  

Jaiden and Mia were staring at each other in awe as if they were in their own little private universe.

Tears welled in Pop's eyes as he watched Mia.

Pops never thought he was super sensitive until that moment. But seeing Mia, his baby girl, slow dance with Jaiden in her wedding dress, tore his heart to pieces, in a good way. Together Gloria and Pops had raised a beautiful, intelligent, strong young woman, who had found the love of her life.

Their very first dance together as husband and wife was breathtaking, and the newly married couple had nothing but smiles and a few tears for each other, and whispered sweet nothings in each other's ears.

Maybe not so sweet.... as whatever Mia had whispered caused Jaiden's cheeks and ears to flush a rosy pink, as he gently tugged at his collar a bit. 🍋🍋

"She picked a good one, Pops. He'll take care of her. He always has." Gloria whispered in Pops ear.

"I know. It doesn't make it easier. I loved her first."

Pops stood before them with a smile. Since they were done with the formal pictures, Pop's tie was completely gone, and the first few buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned. Pops was a simple man. But his feelings about that day were anything but simplistic. Pop's soul was a storm of emotions inside his heart: happy, melancholic, and bittersweet, because not only had he given his daughter away to be married, but he was also gaining a son, whom he loved dearly.

His eyes met with Mia's from across the room. She smiled at him, but as he refocused on her, he saw the little girl that loved to play dress up in Mommy's clothes and makeup.

Clearing his throat, Pops began to recite the poem that he picked for today. His confident voice was already shaking as he gazed across the room at his little MJ, his eyes already beginning to tear up.

"Dear World,

I bequeath to you today one little girl… in a crispy dress...with two brown eyes… and a happy  laugh that ripples all day long...and a flash of black hair that bounces in the sun  when she runs. I trust you'll treat her well."

He never knew the person who would completely change his whole entire world, his heart  was a little bouncing baby girl that weighed seven pounds and twelve ounces when she was born.

When he found out Gloria was pregnant, Kelvin wanted a boy. That's all he thought about. Someone to play ball with, and fish with. He got the shock of his life when he heard those three words. It's a girl.

Mia was born a week before Christmas.  Gloria went into labor while they were at a Christmas party neither one wanted to attend. Labor was a fitting excuse for the pair to leave early. The one time in Mia’s life she showed up early to benefit her parents. 

Gloria’s due date was Christmas Day.

When he first saw Mia's big brown inquisitive eyes, he knew she would be special. And Mia was, and she was the light of his world.

Mia’s first word was Pop.  The reason everyone called Kelvin “Pops”  was because of Mia.  When Mia started talking she said it repeatedly.  And it stuck with EVERYONE!

Mia was definitely a Daddy’s girl. 

Mia took her very first steps following behind Pops. He had walked into the kitchen to make Mia a snack, when he glanced up from the counter seeing her toddling towards him.

"Pops!" Mia exclaimed enthusiastically as she took her slow and deliberate steps towards him.

Pops immediately knelt, opening his arms smiling brightly at her.

"Come to Pop Pops."

Mia made it to his arms. He picked her up and spun her around planting kisses, and raspberries on her cheeks and tummy.

He wanted his little MJ to stop growing.  

Even though he loved Mia dearly, Pops thought about the possibility of them having another child.  He thought then having one of each would be perfect.

But sadly the lightning never struck again for them.  

Gloria sat on the side of the bed in tears.  

“We weren’t even trying when we got Mia, and now that we are…. Why isn’t it happening?”

“I don’t know.  Maybe we just got it perfect on the first try, my beautiful Morning Glory.”

“I know you want a boy Pops.”  

“I wanted our child Gloria.  Mia is our baby.   I wouldn’t trade a thousand little boys for our Mia.”

He wiped Gloria’s tears.

“I’m worried about you.”  

“I feel like I'm failing you.”

“You’re not, you gave me Mia.  She’s more than we could have ever asked for.”  

Mia had asked several times for a baby brother or sister.  Until a sweet family with a little dark haired boy moved next door.  

Daniel and Mia were inseparable.  

“Prim and proud she’ll wave her young and independent hand this morning and say “Good bye” and walk with little lady steps into the school house.”

It was  Pops that cried the first day of school when he waited with her at the bus stop.  They had always had a very special close relationship.

“For five full years now I’ve been her sage and Santa Claus and pal and playmate and father and friend...”

Mia had her “Mommy time” with Gloria but as Mia aged, she liked to fish with Pops.  She enjoyed being in the kitchen with him.   At age ten Mia called out her first order to Pops that day taking the first step of creating ‘their special language' they talked to each other to this very day in the kitchen. Mia sat at the table with her book watching the waitress in front of her, listening closely to the order.

She called out the order to Pops loud and proud.

Pops glanced down at the order that Ginny handed him, as Mia recited in her own language what the customers wanted.  He smiled at her, it made sense to her, and to him.  

“I’m on it, MJ!” His voice boisterous.  Little Mia learned the menu and started calling out all the orders to Pops. 

His mind drifted to Kyle.  Mia’s first serious boyfriend.  The one he had basically thought he was so proud of Mia for finding.  Kyle appeared to have it all.  He came from a good family, and he appeared like he loved Mia.  

Pops mentally took off his rose colored glasses and looked at his daughter’s relationship with him.  

Pops saw all the warning signs he had been oblivious to the first time around.  The sadness in his daughter’s eyes, she was trying to hide.  The crash dieting.  Mia wasn’t insecure before, but he now saw all the hints of it.  And he had been afraid to ask. Why did he not ask her what was wrong? When he had such a good relationship with his MJ.

“Today she’ll learn for the first time not all who smile at her are her friends….”

Mia found the courage in herself to end that relationship.

And with the ending of that relationship ended another one.  Daniel’s father was transferred to North Carolina.   Mia was devastated with her friend moving away.  But, it was very short lived, as Daniel’s father Jonathan let Pops know of a restaurant that was for sale in their area, that would give Pops the chance to branch out completely on his own and have his very own place.  

Pops took a chance and packed up his family and moved to North Carolina and bought that little restaurant that the community now fondly known as Pop’s Place. 

He remembered the first time he saw Mia interact with Jaiden.  The two were very friendly with each other talking and laughing.   Jason Brooks elbowed him.  

“There is something special blooming between those two.”

Pops laughed looking at the two of them again.

“I doubt it seriously.”  

Mia’s dance card was full, between Drake Walker, but Pops had his money on Liam Rys walking away with Mia’s heart.

“Twenty bucks says they’ll be dating before the end of summer.”  

“You’re on Brooks.”  

Pops lost that bet.  

Watching the love blossom between his daughter and Jaiden made him feel young again.  The love and the heartache.  

The sweet little gestures of love and understanding.

*^*^*^*^*^*^* Fast Forward a year after the wedding *^*^*^*^*^*

"I think I finally got it right now. Hi MJ, hey Jaiden. Can you all hear me now?”

"We can hear you now fine Hey Pops, where's Mom?"

"I'm here, I had to take dinner out of the oven."

They talked for a few minutes.

"MJ you look like the cat that ate the canary. What's going on?"

"So we didn't agree on how to do this.  We both wanted to tell you face to face but we didn't want to wait until Thanksgiving."

She looked at Jaiden.  He smiled nodding.

"Mom, Pops…..”

Pops saw the tears in Mia's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

She held up a single picture.

Both her parents screamed in joy.  

“It’s a boy!!!”  

“We wanted to tell you sooner.”  

Jaiden’s eyes filled with tears, as Mia leaned into him.  His grip tightened around her.

“We had to wait a little bit, because we had some complications. I had to take some time off work. But we’re okay now.  All three of us.”  

“This is the best news I’ve ever heard!!!!” Pops was laughing and crying at the same time. 

“You can't tell anyone yet. We’re telling Jaiden’s parents a little later on this evening.”

"We understand."

“So that means Pops, when we have the baby you’re getting on a plane and flying out here.  Mom’s not going to let you drive cross country.”

“It will be fun, we could rent an RV like we did that summer.”

“NO Pops. NO!!!”  Gloria and Mia exclaimed in unison.

“That summer was a nightmare, Jaiden.”

For MJ, when it was time, he got on that plane.  The simple man who lived between North and South Carolina his whole life, had raised a girl that loved adventure, and was living her life now in California as a fashion designer  with her successful architect husband, and about to give birth to their first child.  

Jaiden walked out of the delivery room with a proud smile on his face.  

“He’s here.  Six pounds and two ounces and twenty one inches long.  He’s perfect in every way.”

Jason went to hug his son.    

Later that evening, Pops and Gloria went in to see the baby.  

Mia had been in labor for over twelve hours, but you couldn’t tell it from the serene smile that was on her face, as she held their first child in her arms.  

Jaiden took the baby from her arms.

“Pops, meet your grandson.  His name is Kaiden…. Kaiden Riley Brooks.”

(Author’s Note: yeah…. I know, I said Riley Brooks would never exist in a place where my MC is not named Riley…. But you know…. I had to mix things up. Technically this is NOT your Riley Brooks.)

Pops held Kaiden in his arms.  The little baby opened his eyes to look at him. And in that moment Pop’s life was changed again by another little baby, this time, weighing six pounds  and two ounces.  

He kissed the top of his head gently rubbing Kaiden’s head full of dark brown curls.

“We finally got our boy Pops.”  Gloria whispered as Pops rocked Kaiden in his arms.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^* Fast Forward  *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*

Time flies as time always does.  Pops and Gloria were visiting during the first week of school.

Pops grip on Mia’s hand tightened as she held her youngest child Luna on her hip, watching little Kaiden walk down the driveway to the bus.

Mia softly gasped as Kaiden stopped, turning around to her, and  waved goodbye to her, and his little sister, and his Poppy; Mia was holding back tears.

“I know how you feel.”  

“Does it get easier Pops?”

“You’ll always see him….them the way you do now.  They will always be your babies. It’s how I see you. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become Mia.”

“Thank you Pops.”

“So, world, I bequeath to you today, one little boy… in a little blue and gold uniform…. With two hazel eyes and a flash of curly brown hair that bounces in the sunlight when he runs.

I trust you’ll treat him well.”

Tags in the comments!!!!

[blueluneacy]

I got inspired by a vocaloid song I liked when I was 13. Its ok bc Azul :)

It’s demon! Azul! that is probably the most obvious au i can think of, but its okay and I do not feel bad.

Warnings: manipulation, soul stealing, nightmare mention, implied yandere

It was another restless night. You were used to it at that point, looking up at your ceiling and hoping beyond hope that you would fall asleep. And you were tired, no one could deny that. It was just the idea of seeing…

You didn’t want to think about the nightmares that you were having. They were awful. You always found you in such a terrible inky black world, felt as if your heart was being torn from your chest. It would seem your body would rather be asleep than experience that over and over. But it led to your current dilemma.

It had been three days now. You needed to sleep soon, lest you pass out during work or worse. You needed to sleep. This sick cycle had been going on for a month now, getting nightmares then staying up for ages until you passed out and had more nightmares. 

You huffed as your body seemed only to get more restless, pulling you out of your bed. You went over to the window and pulled it open, hoping to get some air. You sighed as you looked up at the moon. The full moon has just passed. Maybe it was the light that was making you so restless. Once the New Moon came, you would be able to sleep with how dark the sky became. You hoped. It seemed that with the month you had been suffering, it was all just terrible hopes and wishes.

“It’s a bit late for stargazing, isn’t it?” You immediately turned to the voice that seemed to creep up out of nowhere, only to see… A man? No, this thing wasn’t a man. Although he had the features of one, there was something off about the look of his eyes. He was beautiful, fancily dressed with a good hat and a freshly pressed shirt. He wore fashionable glasses and had a rather nice coat, to the point where one may suppose that he may be a gentleman of sorts. His silver blue hair fell just past his ears, but you could see them poking out just a little. You noticed a point to them and steeled yourself. Despite his looks, he was no gentleman. You could already tell such a thing.

“I was just going to go to bed. Apologies if I had interrupted your walk.” You said, turning you back immediately and moving to your bed without closing the window. But the man only laughed, choosing to let himself lean against your windowsill and and gently lean into your room.

“You will be? That’s a shame. I had heard you haven’t been able to sleep at all. I was hoping I would have someone to talk to at this late hour.” He said. You flinched, turning your head. You were ready to snap at the being in front of you, but his expression was so gentle. 

“Where did you hear that?” You asked, trying to keep your voice smooth. Who knows what would happen if you made some being at your windowsill angry? But he laughed, leaning his head against his hand.

“You know, usually you ask the name of the person you’re talking to before asking questions.” He told you, as if gently chiding a child. “But I hear most everything. Every crone will gossip about any young person they see. Especially one drifting off at their job.” He said. You pursed your lips, looking away. 

“I… I’m trying my best. I’ll be able to sleep tonight, don’t you worry.” You said, moving over to the window to get ready to shoo away this mysterious stranger.

“You will? With the nightmares you’ve been having? You know, I know just the cure for those sorts of dreams.” The man told you. It was the word cure that made you pause. You wanted to question again how he knew about your nightmares, but you were sure you’d get the same answer as before. Something told you that he wasn’t all that forthcoming. And besides, you had told your coworkers and friends about it. Had he overheard you?

“You can…?” You paused and shook your head. “I’m not interested in any sort of sleep medicine you have. I don’t really have time for a sales pitch, Mr…” You really had never asked his name, had you? He only smiled.

“Azul. Please, it’s no medicine.” Azul hopped through your window as if it were nothing, moving to seat himself in your desk chair as if he owned the place. You were shocked at how absolutely comfortable he was to look around your home, to set himself comfortably. It was if he was able to go and make himself tea as well. He motioned for you to sit, and for whatever reason, you obeyed. You sat down on the edge of your bed across from him, just staring at him wide eyed.

“Have you ever considered magical intervention for this problem?” Azul asked you. You blinked. Magic…? You looked away, almost shuddering at the thought.

“We don’t have magicians and stuff like that around here. It’s looked down upon.” You responded meekly. He only scoffed at the idea.

“Well now, then there’s your problem. You’re not willing to explore ideas outside of your comfort zone.” Azul said in a bit of a harsher tone. You looked away, curling in on yourself. You were doing the best that you could, right? But, as soon as Azul saw it, he smiled. “Ah, but don’t worry. I have the solution here for you.” He told you. You blinked, looking at him before speaking again.

“And… And you really think that this will help me?” You asked. “Do you really think you’ll be able to help me sleep?” You asked. Azul gave you a lovely smile as he held a hand to his chest.

“Of course. I would never lie to you. I will be able to make you sleep, no doubt about it. You’ll just have to pay me back once you do.” You turned pale at the thought of payment, already grabbing your wallet to try and see how much you had. 

“Ah, don’t bother with that. I could never accept a payment up front. After all, what if it doesn't work?” He chuckled. “Of course, it will, but I like to make sure my customers are insured.” 

“W… What exactly is going to be the cost?” He was some sort of demon. You could feel it, see it even. But there was something so inexplicably beautiful about him, from those blue eyes to the mole on his chin like a drop of the most exquisite ink. It comforted you, just a little.

“Oh, nothing much. Don’t worry, I tend to like things humans usually don’t even think about. Things that rarely cross your mind.” He hummed. Well, that would be simple, right? Did he really just like trinkets and such? It might be risky, but… God, you were so tired. No other method had worked, and you knew Azul knew that. It would be fine, right? Something you rarely thought about… Well, it couldn’t be that hard.

“Fine. I accept, please. Just help me.” You said. Azul smiled, standing up as he held up his hand.

“Then it’s a deal. I’ll come back on the New Moon to check on your progress.” He told you, before taking your own hand and raising your pinky up. “Why don’t we make a nice promise? I always think young people like these sorts of things.” Ah, was Azul a lot older than you then? But he looked the same age you did. Still, as he raised your pinky, it seemed as if he wanted to make a promise with you like that. You couldn’t help but laugh as the two of you made your small pinky promise. 

But, your laughter didn’t last long. The moment Azul pulled away from you, you felt an intense drowsiness fall over you as you instinctively crawled into bed. Azul looked over you with a smile, much more satisfied than the last few he’s given you. He walked to your window, ready to leave before calling out to you again. Your eyes were just barely fixed on him, your eyelids feeling oh so heavy.

“Have a pleasant evening, (Y/n).” And with that, you fell into an empty sleep.

When you woke up the next morning, you burst up, looking around. You really… Were able to get a good night’s sleep? Was all of that with Azul just a dream? You got up and saw that your window was still open, a gentle breeze blowing your curtains back. You looked around outside, but there weren’t even footprints. He really was just gone.

“Maybe it was all a dream…” You decided not to worry too much about it. After all, you slept. You felt rested. And that was enough for you.

But, that didn’t last for long. After a few days, it felt as though sleep wasn’t helping at all anymore. Although you could fall asleep now, every time you woke up, you felt just as tired as when you were awake. Your sleeps were empty, like death itself. It was definitely not as troubling as before, but still. You were still exhausted. After a week, you were in the same position you were in before. Falling asleep at work, dozing off left and right. But this time, sleep was just doing nothing for you.

On the night of the New Moon, you stayed up on purpose. If Azul didn’t show up, you had a strange dream, and if he did, you had words. Many, awful words.

But, when your clock had just struck three, there was a gentle knock on your window. You got up, unlatched the window and pursed your lips as you saw Azul. He was as handsome as ever, smiling at you with wonderful kindness. He easily pulled himself through your window.

“You’ve been able to sleep, I see. Are you enjoying it?” Azul asked. You immediately huffed.

“I can sleep, but I’m still tired all the time. It’s like my sleep doesn’t even matter.” You told him. Azul immediately laughed.

“Well, of course. You haven’t been dreaming, after all.” He told you as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. You blinked.

“What are you talking about?” You asked. 

“I suppose that maybe you’re not the type of person to remember your dreams, then? Well, allow me to explain.” He already sat to take his place at your desk, sitting down and leaning back. And, like an obedient student, you were already sitting on the edge of your bed, ready to listen. 

“It’s about the sleep cycle. In the most important step, where you are getting the most rest, you’re dreaming. It’s like a filler portion your brain puts in.” Azul tells you. You felt yourself getting pretty angry at that. Of course you could never trust a demon like that. They always have something to pull.

“Well, then why didn’t you give me dreams? You took away my nightmares, but you didn’t put anything there to replace it?!” You snapped. Azul tilted his head to the side as if he were a confused dog.

“You never asked. I don’t do things that people don’t ask me to do. It always seems to end up terribly.” Azul replied, as if it were the most simple thing.

“Well, now this has turned out terribly too.” You huffed. Azul sighed.

“Well, that’s the reason I take payment afterwards. After all, I can’t take payment from an unhappy customer, can I?” Azul said, standing up. He took your hand and gently pulled you up, using his free gloved hand to run along your cheek. Azul, despite everything, truly was beautiful. Perhaps that was the danger of him, or of demons in general. They were too beautiful. It was as though the tricks that they play weren’t out of malice, but out of pure foolishness on both ends. Foolishness to not assume and foolishness to believe a demon would ever not twist his words.

“How about I make you some dreams then? I’ll make you the most lovely dreams. Sweet stories and savory fantasies. Would you like such a thing? You’ll be able to dream to your heart’s content.” He told you. You should know better than to say yes to such a thing. And yet, you couldn’t help but ask.

“And… And the payment will be the same?” You asked, hoping that he would tell you that it would be awful this time, that he would scare you into refusing. But Azul only smiled. 

“Of course. Like I said, I’ll never take payment from an unhappy customer.” You felt his hand rub against your back as the other held your chin. When… When did you get so close to him? It was dizzying, this whole experience. You blinked up at him, nodding slowly. Azul hummed in delight.

“Then… Shall we seal this promise with a kiss?” He asked, and you couldn’t refuse. As Azul’s lips pressed against yours, you felt your eyelids get heavy once more, whatever magic Azul had activating and starting to lull you to sleep. It was a chaste kiss, but long. It was as if Azul was savoring it, only pulling away when he was satisfied. He easily pulled you up into his arms and placed you on the bed, turning his back to you as he moved back to the window.

“Then, I’ll return on the full moon. I hope to hear about how happy you are then.” He turned to you, looking at your sleepy face once more before smiling.

“Sweet dreams, (Y/n).” 

And you did have sweet dreams. That night, you dreamed of such wonders. Of houses made of sweets, of a prince to sweep you off your feet with silver glasses and a mole on his chin. It was all so wonderful that when you woke up, you wanted to go right back to sleep. You saw your open window and smiled. Finally, things would get better. About time.

And they did get better. For you, at least. Maybe not for the people around you. Because, as you slept more, the more you wanted to sleep. All you wanted to do anymore was sleep, sleep, sleep. You were rested when you were awake, sure, but your dreams were so pleasant. You were so happy being asleep. You continued dreams with your prince, to dream of love and eternal bliss. It was like a paradise you could never escape from. The only anxiety that plagued you was once again, Azul.

What was it exactly that he wanted from you? Soon, he would be coming for his payment. What was it that he wanted? You tried to think of things people didn’t think about often. Maybe cheap things? Or squirrel skin? Or maybe people didn’t think about lost fingernail clippings. But any idea that came to your mind felt stupid. You just had to wait. And the waiting was the most terrible part.

But, the full moon came. Time never slows down, and it moves extra quick for those who are always sleeping. When Azul knocked on your window, you opened it gently. You didn’t want to seem afraid, but you were just unsure of what to even give. But Azul greeted you warmly, coming through your window gently. Really, now that you think about it, he looked a lot like the prince from your dreams. How strange. 

“I see you’re doing very well. That makes me really happy.” Azul told you. You did your best to smile back, nodding.

“Yeah! Of course, now I sleep a bit too much, but that’s more of my own fault than yours.” You replied, trying to keep yourself light. Azul just hummed.

“That’s good. That’s another happy customer I have under my belt then.” Azul told you. Usually, now was the time he would sit down and explain how payment would work, but he simply stood there, smiling at you. You let yourself stand in the silence as it grew awkward, before Azul finally spoke up.

“Well, as for payment… I’m sure you’re already aware, right?” He asked you. You shook your head slowly, trying to figure out what he meant.

“Actually, no. But if you tell me what it is, I’ll get it for you right away, I promise!” You told him. Azul chuckled a bit.

“Ah, but you already have it right here.” Azul told you, pulling you into his embrace. It was tighter, more possessive than you expected it to be. “After all, it’s quite hard to lose your eternal soul, at least for a human.” You went pale, starting to squirm to try and get away from Azul, but his grip was iron tight.

“W-What?! Why didn’t you tell me?! You said it would be something I don’t think about?!” You told him. Azul only laughed.

“Humans don’t think about their eternal souls often, I don’t think. If they did, they wouldn’t do foolish things so often.” Azul replied, touching your cheek gently. “As for not telling you… You never really pressed me on the matter, so I thought it was okay.” He replied. You felt your blood run cold as you turned your head away from Azul, starting to cry. He tutted you gently.

“Oh, why are you giving me such a sad expression? This is reality here. After all, you were only dreaming anyway. What’s the point in dreams if you don’t ever try to put them into action?” he told you. You weren’t listening. You only continued to cry, to cry for yourself. You can never trust a demon, no matter how beautiful they are. And you were learning that far too late.

Azul sighed as he lifted you up, placing you onto your bed. You tried to curl up, but Azul easily climbed on top of you, entwining his hands with yours and letting his nose brush up against yours.

“Don’t worry, darling. It’s not so bad to be with me. Just let yourself fall into one more dream that I’ve made for us.” Azul told you, leaning to let his lips brush gently against yours in a not quite kiss.

“Now. Fulfill your end of the bargain.” And you had no hope of saying no as Azul descended upon you in another kiss. It was rougher this time, with teeth and tongue, but it didn’t matter. All you truly felt was despair as you felt your eyes droop. You felt a sharp pain and the taste of blood as you started to fall asleep, looking up to see Azul pull away from you. The last thing you saw was a satisfied smile on Azul’s face, with blood staining his teeth.

…

Hey, have you heard? It’s about that person who fell into eternal sleep. 

They say that if you go out on the full moon when the clock strikes three, you might be able to see them on the arm of a handsome man. Of course, that’s ridiculous, right? Only a fool would believe such stories. After all, at that late, everyone must be dreaming. But the man always looks so happy as he walks with them, don’t they?

They say at that time, the person sleeping starts to cry.

[kenzieam]

Get The Chance - Oneshot

Rating: T

Warnings: Fluff, some mild language

Word Count: 1508

Tags: @jewels2876​  @moonbeambucky​  @jeremyrennerfanxxxx123​  @iammarylastar​ @captstefanbrandt​  @badassbaker​  @pinknerdpanda​  @oliviastan17​ @mizzzpink​​

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Bucky goes looking for The Hobbit.

Just a brain-fart, be gentle.

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

Bucky looked up from the scrawled directions on the ratty piece of paper in his gloved hand. Apparently, there was this new thing out there the kids used called Google Maps, but an actual paper copy felt better, more… present in his hand than a blinking phone screen.

This was the last used bookstore in Brooklyn, if he didn’t find it here, he’d have to expand his search into the other boroughs, and he’d rather not.

‘It’ was a copy of The Hobbit and not just any copy. He could go online and order a new one, download the Kindle version or pick up any dog-eared copy he’d come across in any of the other used bookstores he’d already visited, but he didn’t want that.

He wanted the original, one just like the one he’d first read, when the damn thing first came out, in 1937. He wanted the smell of old paper, the heft of it, the hard cover to help transport him back to when things were simpler, plainer; when a new book and an upcoming date with a dame were the good things in life, small things to look forward to.

Now it was a lifeline.

And an eye-opener. What had cost mere pennies back then was now a apparently worth big bucks, but Bucky hadn’t quite lost hope yet.

Maybe there would be a miracle hiding in this shop.

A bell tinkled quietly when he entered and Bucky quickly surveyed the scene, once a necessary action, now just habit. The smell of old books welcomed him, made him relax infinitesimally. Like most shops he’d visited this week in his quest, the newer books were all at the front and he moved instinctively closer to the back of the narrow space, scanning the shelves as he did.

Then he stopped.

It was only a few vertical shelves but printed at the top was what he was looking for. ‘Middle Earth’. If the Hobbit was in this store, it would be in this section.

He skimmed across the titles, finding many of the same that he’d dismissed in other stores, battered copies of The Fellowship and its sequels, a few of the Hobbit itself, but not the old version he was holding out for.

“Can I help you?”

Bucky startled slightly, fighting the automatic response of striking first and asking questions later and took a step backwards in caution.

The person who’d spoken took an answering step back also, as if realizing how close they’d come to receiving a knock-out blow and Bucky immediately felt awkward shame rising, heating his face.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, lowering his eyes but not before glancing around for the exit so he could run away.

“It’s alright, I startled you.” Her response was matter of fact, no further signs of alarm in her voice and Bucky chanced a glance upwards at her face, wishing two things immediately and simultaneously; he wished he’d looked up sooner and that he’d never come into this shop at all.

Her auburn hair was piled high on her head in a messy bun, glowing in the soft lighting of this hidden corner. A pair of thick-framed glasses, which reminded Bucky of what was popular right around the time he signed up for the war, were pushed up on top of her head and he wished they were down on her face because maybe then they would have saved him from being hit by perhaps the most strikingly beautiful amethyst eyes he’d ever seen.

Tolkien could have filled a whole page describing the colour on one of his Elvish princesses.

She shifted her weight, tilted her head to the side as she waited patiently for him and he cleared his throat, embarrassed.

“Uh... I was looking for a book.” Well, duh. Barnes.

Her smile was enchanting, with no sign of teasing or scorn. “You’re in the right place, any one in particular?”

“When I was…. younger, I had a copy of The Hobbit, one of the original editions. I’ve lost it, but I’d like to find one like it again.”

The girl’s brow furrowed regretfully. “Damn,” she muttered, sounding genuinely upset on his behalf. “Those always move fast, whenever we get a copy in, they always get snapped up right away.”

“I figured.” Bucky mumbled; he’d been told different verses of this same song in every shop he’d visited.

She studied him for a moment and Bucky felt himself shifted nervously under the scrutiny. Did she recognize him? He’d cut his hair and all, but some people still saw it, the shadow of the Winter Soldier looming over his shoulder.

“I can take your name down,” she offered, sounding relieved to have at least this for him. “If another one comes in, I can hold it for you.”

He hesitated for a moment before nodding and the girl turned suddenly, walking away, glancing once over her shoulder to make sure he followed.

God, he wished she hadn’t. She looked even more delicious walking away from him. Curves for days, softly covered by form-fitted jeans, his fingers itched to reach out and cup her ass, let the heaven that certainly existed there wash over his raw nerves and fraught soul.

To distract himself, he blurted. “Have you worked here long?”

She’d reached the counter by then, flashed him another smile, as if seeing right through him but finding him adorable nonetheless. “Not long. A couple of months. A friend of mine moved out here awhile ago, needed a roommate and I needed a change. I tend bar at nights and on weekends too.” Her cheeks went an adorable shade of pink, as if she too were afflicted by the same case of babblitis as Bucky.

Did she feel something too?

For a beat, their eyes locked and Bucky found himself unable to look away. She was triggering something in him, waking something up he’d thought long dead or maybe just sleeping. The prospect of seeing her again, in a different setting, didn’t terrify him like with others, the thought of asking her out, while nerve-wracking, was the good kind of fluttery feeling, the best kind of butterflies, the ones of anticipation.

She pulled out a notebook, names printed and scratched out randomly on its pages.

“Your name?” She asked quietly, lowering her eyes demurely.

He cleared his throat. “James Barnes.”

She froze as she finished printing his first name. “James Barnes?” She echoed.

“Yeah,” he tensed as she lifted her head, a look of surprise widening her eyes. “Just a minute.” She whirled, disappearing through an open doorway marked ‘employees only’.

Bucky’s heart sank. She did know who he was, or she’d figured it out just now and was probably running as far away as she could, as fast as she could.

Dammit.

The girl returned, holding a battered canvas backpack, a tentative smile pulling at her lips. Setting the bag down, she lifted the flap and pulled out something.

It was a copy of The Hobbit, one just like what Bucky remembered himself having.

“This was the first book I bought when I started working here.” She began, running her fingers reverently over the cover, almost stroking it lovingly. Her eyes lifted and he was shocked to see the beginnings of tears forming.

Without speaking further, she lifted the cover and turned it for Bucky to see.

Printed on the inside cover, faded but still legible, heart-breakingly legible.

James Barnes

Bucky froze, reaching for the book before pulling back, staring up at the girl with wide eyes.

What were the chances?

“I always got the sense that whoever this James Barnes was that owned this, that they really loved it and I was honored to have found it, to be able to read it and love it too.”

“I… how much is it?”

“It’s not for sale.” Her answer was blunt, bringing Bucky right down to Earth. Of course, it wasn’t for sale, she’d bought it for herself. The fact that he’d owned it once upon a time meant nothing and he felt a cringing, almost dirty shame. He’d misread this whole thing, hadn’t he? Whatever he’d thought he’d seen in her eyes, heard in her voice too was all probably his imagination too-

“It’s not for sale… because it’s yours.” She whispered. Silently she handed it to him, and he took it reverently, his mind racing, eyes snapping from hers to the book and back again, hardly able to believe his ears.

“W-what?”

“I suspected, but I didn’t know for sure if you were him.” She replied quietly. “I never thought I’d get the chance to give it back to you.”

He couldn’t speak, grasping for words, for anything to say, could only stare down at his book, his fingers clasping it almost desperately.

Her hand appeared in his vision, resting gently, carefully, hesitantly on his and he raised his gaze to hers, eyes burning with his own tears.

“I’m Lev.” She offered shyly. “I’m done in an hour; do you want to get a drink?”

[painandignite]

medieval/fantasy!dsmp au

here’s my take on what the dream smp would look like if there was magic and took place in an older setting. my knowledge in medieval stuff is very minimal, but i’m trying my best.

- there’s a kingdom called the Dreamlands, which has many towns surrounding the main castle’s city. it’s a joint leadership between george and eret, with bad as their advisors, and sapnap and dream as personal knights. dream also takes on an advisor-like decision with george, and often george will confide with dream before talking to bad. a relationship built on unbreakable trust.

- wilbur is a leading general of their troops mainly as a strategist rather than a fighter. he often keeps the morale of fellow knights by singing tunes or taking time to know each person. however, after the last battle of the Pillager War, he’s no longer able to lead; he’s a shell of himself. more on the war later.

- tommy and tubbo are two knights-in-training. chaos buddies. you know the drill. though tubbo is in the guard, he’s thinking of becoming a craftsman apprentice. he wants to learn how to build things, and maybe create new inventions. but, he stays in-training to stay close to his best friend.

- karl is the main historian/records keeper of the castle. attending meetings and revising the notes bad takes to make into proper logs is his job. sometimes, he disappears for a while, and returns shaken. whenever karl comes back, he spends the next few days writing page after page of stories that no one can truly understand. karl insists they’re important, but can’t give a clear reason as to why. (the first day karl comes back, sapnap always brings him some food or warm drinks, and keeps him company. usually, sapnap ends up napping on a bench in the library.)

- ranboo is a new archivist at the castle since karl was looking for an apprentice. he tries his best, really, but sometimes there are blank pages that appear in records that ranboo doesn’t remember leaving empty. (tubbo makes time to go over ranboo’s work since tubbo knows a surprising amount of what goes on in the castle.)

- antfrost is their medic, who takes care of a herb garden for medicinal needs. it’s by a cottage behind the castle, where he spends most of his time with velvet. -w-

- philza is a sorcerer who prefers to watch things from the sidelines. he resides in his own private wing in the castle, where he experiments with different potion remedies and spells. after the war, he halted a lot of the projects he’s worked on to focus on memory restoration. for wilbur.

- you see, the dreamlands were at war with pillagers who raided towns on the border of their kingdom, slowly working their way to the heart of the land. george and eret sent knights to stop their approach, however the pillagers were powerful enough to eventually reach the castle’s surrounding city, L’manberg. wilbur asked to lead the remaining knights to defeat the oncoming pillagers, and created a plan to use illusionary magic to hide where their troops position. miraculously, their efforts to trick the pillagers worked, and the dreamlands were victorious. 

- having won the battle, wilbur led their knights back to the castle with the city’s flag in hand. but a pillager had their enchanted crossbow ready to fire at wilbur, and arrow pierced through his chest. he falls to his knees, gasping as the sudden numbness from the injury. 

- wilbur was quickly carried to the castle, with phil meeting them halfway there. they make it to phil’s work area, and he desperately tries to give him herbal remedies to the poison, when wilbur starts coughing blood, he uses healing magic to try to alleviate the pain. it doesn’t work. phil removes the arrow with shaky hands to try to stop the poison from spreading more. 

- (it’s too late)

- he dies on the table. 

- phil refuses to let him go. he uses a spell he learned about from a wandering trader on resurrecting people. however, there has to be a trade in exchange for granting the life. when wilbur awakes, he’s a ghost with hazy. he can’t leave the castle either because his body died in the castle, so his soul is chained to it. now, he wanders the halls, and many have gotten used to his presence.

- ok enough about ghostbur.

- PONK IS A CHEF AND HE IS THE BEST PASTRY CHEF OF ALL THINGS LEMON. he really wants george to let him plant more lemon trees, but they said no (even though he said please. ponk didn’t like the answer because the royal gardener has so much land to do as he pleases).

- techno. royal gardener. go figure. did i mention he helped write half of the books on potion-making that are in the library? no? well, no one really knows either, except for phil, since he was the main author of most of them.

- fundy is in-charge of the coffers. because foxes like shiny things? (i kind of based it off his originsmp character where he had a den of stolen stuff). when he’s not busy, he’ll keep track of where ghostbur goes from a distance.

- sam is the replacement general for wilbur. dream recommended him for the position because 1. he respects his ability to stay objective and 2. they trained together as knights, so dream knows his capabilities. he sets up rigorous training schedules for trainees, the hard work pays off.

- hannah and purpled are two knights who are basically sam’s assistants, dealing with the finer details of their army like weapon stocks and armor quality. they’re also extremely competitive with each other, and sam thinks it’s fun to watch them try to carry the most shields across the training grounds.

- callahan is a spy for the kingdom, and sends a few reports a month on how areas beyond the kingdom are doing. who’s to say he also includes town gossip about one of the kings and his green-eyed advisor.

- also, to be clear, eret and george aren’t married, they’re more like brothers 

- skeppy is a blacksmith, and utilizes magic to create many of his weapons. during peaceful times, skeppy makes a lot of cooking ware for ponk and cauldrons that are exported for sale. he also specializes in making baking trays.

- quackity is a tavern-owner, and drags george, dream, and sapnap from the castle to spend a night drinking together. a gateway to a commoner life. karl makes sure they make it back by morning, though no one in the castle minds that they’re gone. 

- niki is the stable master. if nascar racers rode horses, niki would be at that level. she’ll always beat you in a race even with the slowest horse. in addition to taking care of the animals, she keeps track of what medical supplies they have. she’ll have tea with philza and they talk about whatever comes to mind. sometimes, they talk about old memories of wilbur.

- jack manifold is a known explorer in the kingdom, roaming the realms beyond the dreamland. legend says he’s lived and died three times over, and he’s three times as lucky as any other man. jack specializes in fire magic, which is helpful for torches or campfires or lava.

- puffy is a captain on the sea, seeking the “Hermit’s Cove”. the dreamlands is not her home.

- schlatt is a sorcerer that can only create wine from any liquid and give people lung cancer. he’s usually too drunk out of his mind to actually cause damage. george doesn’t know why he’s in the castle, but hasn’t tried to get rid of him because...lung cancer...yea. quackity usually keeps him in check whenever he visits the castle, or drags him to stay at the tavern for a few nights. absolute nuisance.

i can probably write in a role for the other smp members, but that’s all for now.

[identybeautynet]

Shygirl Talks ‘BDE’ With Slowthai, Skincare, and Opulent Meals

Shygirl Talks ‘BDE’ With Slowthai, Skincare, and Opulent Meals Courtesy Burberry “Read my lips, I need a big dick boy. Ain’t nobody slanging it right,” the musician Shygirl raps on the opening lines of her new song “BDE,” featuring Slowthai. It’s a bold claim, and one that speaks to the East London native’s life mantra: freedom is everything. “If someone said to you, you can do whatever you want in this room, you’d do something that you wouldn’t usually do,” Shygirl says over Zoom, where she’s speaking from her home in South London. “It’s about being able to run away with some aspects of yourself, less about being something different, but in each of these spaces, you’re allowed a bit more room to breathe.” The artist, who makes bass-heavy, club-ready tracks that straddle electro, pop, and hip-hop, is known for fashion and beauty looks that match her out-there, over-the-top music. Her deepest fantasies and whimsies make both the aesthetic and the music—and fashion brands like Burberry have taken note. (The brand’s creative director Riccardo Tisci cast Shygirl in his latest Burberry Beauty campaign after stumbling across one of her music videos on Instagram.) We caught up with Shygirl a few days before the release of “BDE” to discuss her proclivity toward skincare, her grandmother’s beauty tips, and why eating an opulent meal is the ultimate form of luxury. How did you come to make your latest single “BDE” with Slowthai? I wrote this single ages ago with Karma Kid. We were in the studio and I’d actually been up the night before at some warehouse party. I was definitely really hungover—I think I was probably still drunk when I got to the studio, so I was still kind of in that party mood. The words came really quickly as I was recording, which isn’t always the case. Sometimes I think of a hook and then we flesh it out later, or there’s a funny turn of phrase I’m playing with, and I start like that. But this one was based on a frustrating encounter I’d had with someone. And I was like, I’m just going to get this out in a song. I really wanted to work with a male vocalist and I’ve loved Slowthai’s energy for ages. I’m objectifying men so much in that song, I thought it would be nice to hand the mic over and and be like, Okay, I’ve said this—what do you have to say for yourself? Ty’s the person for that platform, because he doesn’t talk about sex that much on his tracks. So it was nice to have that Shygirl effect. We met up in the studio, hung out, and I was like, okay, the theme is sex—spin it, and be as crass and vulgar as possible because that’s the way I've set the stage. Shygirl wears Burberry Beauty in her video for “BDE.” I love the fantasy of the Tasty video. What was on your mood board for it, specifically when it came to the beauty looks? Growing up, my mom was really into ‘80s music. And I loved that ‘80s look: heavy blush on the face, and how expressive that is, especially when looking at the queer community being represented in music. There’s something about that that which speaks to freedom and playfulness, and there’s a massive synergy with where I’m coming from, which is take me serious in this space, but also not that serious. There’s also something exciting about not being within the confines of my facial features, and pushing those boundaries. That’s why I bleached my eyebrows and change the space that we’re able to use with all the makeup we do. I sent a lot of references over, but I’m really drawn to color palettes; I have phases of different colors that make me feel comfortable and happy. I’ve been lucky to work with some really great makeup artists who take my garbled references and moods that I tell them and make it look sexy. Because there’s something sexy about not staying within the lines. Onto the Beauty Notes questions. When you wake up in the morning, what’s the first thing you do, beauty wise? First thing I do is wash my face, ‘cause I’m probably still wearing mascara from the night before. I use the Garnier Micellar water as a cleanser, and I bought because it’s pink. Then, I put on the Aliver 24K Gold Collagen Eye Mask eye patches. I bought a pack of, like, 100. They make me feel like a modern-day American Psycho. Then I use the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion, because there’s something watery about their products, they just feel light on your skin. And my skin’s really sensitive, so I don't usually wear much. I have a rose quartz roller that I use after I’ve moisturized, which I find so relaxing. I’ve also got to mention that, when I wash my face, I wash it with warm and then cold water. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion $30 See On Sephora What does that do? Something about opening up your pores with the warm water and then tightening them with cold water. My grandma told me that when I was younger—my dad’s mum gave me this obsession with clear skin from a young age. We’ve kind of got it naturally and she takes really good care of it, as does my dad. Usually, people pick up beauty tips from their mum, but my mum was a bit more tomboy-ish. What’s a piece of skincare advice that you received from your grandmother that changed your perspective on beauty? My grandmother comes up with a lot of un-PC phrases. One of the un-PC things she used to say was, never trust a man with bad skin. I remember when I’d tell her about boys I fancied and she’d be like, oh no, his skin’s terrible. Also, she uses oils on her body, but not on her face. She’s big on oils. I have naturally curly hair, so I went through such a period of using loads of different greasy hair products, and she told me that all affects your skin. Whenever I FaceTime my nan and my dad, that’s the first thing they ask: are you eating right? I can see on your skin, you’re not getting enough of this or that. What’s the one product that you can’t live without? The Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream. It’s literally the best money I’ve ever spent on a beauty product. It just does what it says, and I don’t feel like I need to use it that religiously, but I need to know that I have it, especially when I’m traveling a lot. And even in lockdown, I’ve had a lot of travel for work. The air dries out my skin, and sometimes I need it before I wake up, just to start the day fresh. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Night Cream $145 See On Sephora What’s your favorite product at this very moment? I only really wear mascara for eye makeup every day, and at the moment I’ve been wearing this really good mascara that Burberry makes. I like a spiky, wider mascara, ‘cause if that’s the only thing I’m wearing, I’m going to make sure it’s visible. I’m not too neat with it—I like a slightly messy mascara look because there are hints there, where you’re telling people who you are. I want to be expressive. Ultimate Lift Mascara $30 Burberry See On Burberry What’s the best makeup or skincare tip you’ve picked up on set? Exfoliating my lips. That’s something I didn’t do enough of; sometimes when I’m on set, we use wipes with a somewhat rougher texture before we put anything on my lips.   What’s your ideal spa day and where? I found this place recently called Beaverbrook in Surrey, just outside of London. In December, I just needed to get out of my house, I needed a spa break, I needed a massage, I needed to be in a hotel, I just needed something. It’s kind of a big deal spa, which I didn’t know, but I got a room after someone else’s cancellation. It was really nice—it’s in the countryside and it was raining the whole weekend, so I felt like I was in Wuthering Heights. I looked out onto the fields watching the rain, and just felt so British. Is going to the spa your favorite form of self-care? I take more care of my mind than my body—what’s sometimes good for the soul isn’t always good for your body. I’m self-indulgent, and the biggest thing that feeds me is doing something spontaneously. The idea that I can just pick up and do something that I want to do is what gratifies me the most. That could be taking the day, canceling a bunch of meetings to remind myself that I’m in control of my life. More times, it’s going out to a restaurant and eating something obscene. You know in Parks and Recreation when they’re like, “Treat yourself”? That’s my life. I really love a beautiful meal, and there’s something so opulent about being waited on in some form and having someone else make your food. We only include products that have been independently selected by W's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. beauty tips: Shygirl Talks ‘BDE’ With Slowthai, Skincare, and Opulent Meals, Shygirl Talks ‘BDE’ With Slowthai, Skincare, and Opulent Meals, Shygirl Talks ‘BDE’ With Slowthai, Skincare, and Opulent Meals,  Read the full article

[jayda-starrjones]

My Top 10 Favourite Animes (So Far)

1. NANA

I've loved nana since I was 10, it was my first anime. I'll prolly love it forever, it makes me cry and I just feels so real and nostalgic idk the aesthetic of this anime is my most favourite thing in the world. It's about two 20 year old girls who are polar opposites but have the same name meeting on a train to tokyo; and their worlds end up colliding. With Nana Osaki, the punk singer in a band trying to make it big and Nana Komaru, the girly romantic, it ends up being a story of young adults trying to figure out their lives. It's emotional and real, with emotional and real characters.

I'm also a nana osaki kinnie

2. Devilman Crybaby

First of all: I LOVE ryo. His character depth is EXQUISITE. Second of all: I loved loved LOOOOVED the ending. It hurts but it's realistic and makes sense. It's complex... I enjoy complexity 😌✋ The plot is introduced as childhood friends trying to save the world from "devils," but I think it's REALLY a story about love and the complexity of it; how if you're greedy and narrow minded then you'll fuck up love for yourself. If you've seen the entire show then you know why.

I'm also in love with the shot of ryo pulling out his gun and shooting the devils at the sabbath party in episode 1

3. Ouran Highschool Host Club

The characters are S O endearing. Except for Renge, she annoys me 💀 but honestly this anime is just really fun to follow. It's a girl who joins the host club as a boy in order to pay off her debt to the boys from the host club, while also making great friends with them in the process. The characters have a good dynamic and they work well with each other, especially cause they're all quite different from each other. IDK MAN I JUST REALLY ENJOYED THIS ANIME OK

4. Danganronpa

Ok so tbhhh I don't really know if this one counts cause I love the games, not diggin the anime, but I think it's referred to as an anime so whatever lmfao. Again, the characters? Great, amazing, tasty. Like I'm being fed a full course meal with a bunch of different shit in it. Danganronpa is so diverse with it's characters, like some of them are kinda out there lmao. Yes, yes, I am also a Toko kinnie 😌✋ I enjoy the story of the main games and the antagonists are MMMM M W A H CHEFS KISS. The style of it is pretty cool too. It's about kids who wake up in a school only to find of they're being held hostage there unless they kill the others to be set free, if they can also escape the Phoenix Wright style court trial without being caught.

Side note: the games were supposed to be a LOT darker than they already are, like sickeningly dark, I almost wish they were what they were going to be just so i could see how they would have turned out.

5. Black Butler

I am enchanted by the dark plot. I started watching Black Butler when I was like 13 and fell in love with it's universe. It's dark, cold, fun and thrilling. Did I mention dark? It's about a boy who makes a deal with a demon just so he can survive the trauma that was sprung onto him. Ciel is crafted as a kid who hasn't been able to heal, and probably never will. The manga is better than the anime, a lot better; but the series is SO good. This is wack to think about for me but this anime actually got me through some hard times. Not in the most healthy way, but It helped me grow a THICK ass skin because I would relate to the feeling of loneliness and revel in the only other feeling I had in me; rage. I used to kin Ciel so hard bruh

6. Beastars

This anime gives me like a sorrowful depression afterward lmao like I can't put my finger on it but every time I've gone through it and binged it it's made me like sad, even tho it's not very sad?? I still love it tho. I love the idea of a wolf falling for a rabbit and having to fight his instincts just to be with her. Also, if you're an ARMY, legoshi has Namjoon's eyes. CAN'T EXPLAIN IT HE JUST DOES MK

7. Attack On Titan

K ya it's a popular anime everyone likes BUUUUUUT it has a nice big place in my heart so it's going on this list. The development between characters throughout the anime and manga is intense. I didn't expect where the story is to this day; I don't think anyone did lmao also? When I first started reading the manga it was cause I needed to finish where the anime left off cause I couldn't wait any longer lol THE MANGA?? GIVES ME LIKE CHILLS?? Idk the manga is scary to read sometimes lol again, I can't place it, but sometimes it's so gritty I can hear the screams in my head and feel the ambiance and death in the air. I like an angry ambitious story 🤷‍♀️

8. Yuri On Ice

GREAT love story. I also love yuri plisetsky a lot. The anime is really pretty and conveys a warm feeling. The pacing is really good as well. It moves pretty fast, considering it has like what, 12 episodes? I also loved the ending because like :') yurios debut dudes :') did u see the tears :'))))))

9. Death Note

Ok so I recently rewatched this anime for probably the 4th time with a friend and realized that the pacing isn't too bad but sometimes it feels slow. Nonetheless, I love it a lot. A killer and a detective working together to capture that same killer is fun to follow. It has a really nice aesthetic and I think it's clever with various things handled in the anime. It's very entertaining, I love playing it in the background while I'm painting. Also, I have a death note 🤪

10. Cowboy Bebop

This anime is different from most animes I get attached to, mostly because it loosely follows a plot but REALLY i think you could prolly tune into any episode and grasp what's going on. It's JUST space shananagins dude. Again, beautiful aesthetic. Cute characters. I love how cyborg man has a bonsai room like cmon that's such a cute character detail.

VERY Honourable Mentions

One Punch Man

K but one punch man is so funny wtf and it's very quirky and fun. Just the thought of a low budget superhero who isn't recognized as a superhero & can only kill bad guys with one punch & hates it is kinda funny idk man, mf does his deed of the day and then panics cause he needs to make it to the supermarket on time for the sale that's going on lmao

Soul Eater

Of course, great characters, great plot. Really good animation style. Funny with a dark aesthetic ♡

Your Lie In April

Okay hear me out. I haven't actually finished it yet. I just know that the characters have so much depth that I've been sucked in. I also don't think I've ever seen an anime THIS beautiful. Like really, this anime blows me away with how beautiful it is sometimes. It makes me rlly sad for some reason tho. Pretty music romance that'll remind you of your childhood mmmm

My Future Diary

mmmm taystey yandere

[kanene-yaaay-o-retorno]

You’re a WHAT

Kanene’s Notes:

I’m weak for carzy scenarios  and glitter, so BOOOM!! Why don’t get these two things together??? :D)/ This fic marks the end of my break, I will be (trying to) going back to my old projects and probably won’t be writing for some weeks kjnhgfvghjkjhg. Wish me luck! <33

This wasn’t suppose to take so much to be written but I lost my PC and life got in the way :v   Buuuut! I manage to finish it and I already count this as a victory! xP

Warnings, fun facts, random things and stuff:

* That fanfic has Remy and Roman. They’re friendos yay :3. Oh, and this is pretty crazy. Context: The morning after Black Friday when you’re grumpy and wanting to kick the society in the face. A LOT of swearing, Patton does not approve.  

* This characters do not belongs to me. They all belongs to the amazing Thomas Sanders in his series of Sanders Sides.

* Something around 2.900 words. -w-)b.

* Sorry for any spelling, pontuation and grammar mistakes! Any advice is very very welcome!

* Tô com preguiça de postar a versão em português brasileiro aaaa! Thankys for reading, my lollipops! Try and have fun with new hobbies, be safe, talk with the one that you love, drink water and sleep well! Byeioo!~

                             [~*~]

Roman thought himself as a really lucky human being. Unbelievable lucky.

 It wasn't due to the apartment where he currently lived - Too much dull for his personal taste and space, getting even smaller from the day he admitted a messy, sassy and with sleep problems roommate, since Roman just started his musical career and couldn't afford an own house yet. - or the fact that was finally able to pursue his dream after years and years of just picturing, painting this moment on his future, only to find out his fantastic breathtaking and incredible goals weren’t nearly close of the cold reality, at least for now (Who would know that, after umpteenth days of hard studying and training he would need years and years of experience in order to even START wondering in get out of his partial-time job on that Electronic Store) or any other reason someone would be able to consider himself a receptacle of pure, brute luck, enlightened by the spotlights of the good, pleasant destiny...

 ... Or at least the most pleasant it could be in the horrible and exhaustive middle of the night after a whole day filled with his attempts to survive and treat respectfully the unmerciful, dirty jungle that humanity was at Black Friday. Something around fifteen  hours working with massive hordes of unscrupulous zombies starved for a sale and able to even kill and die (more likely the first option) to get what they want and with souls (if they still got one) free of any slight sight of education, patience and morals to be inserted in a society which, as it seemed, was equally rotten as them. View point only proved as Roman was obligated to be working after his shift to "clean all the mess" - more like hide the bodies of exhausted warriors after such bloody battle. – the store because those sons of a...

 "... Bitch, YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!" The poor, frustrated employed shouted to nowhere specific, his face turning towards the sky, seeking in some way to show his all his hate to the cinematography - because this was too much coincidence to NOT be part of a movie or some random fanfic on the black hole that was internet - rain falling at full force leading the weather to became even more freezing as soaked them both with its cool, thick drops.

Anyway, what he was daydreaming about?

"Roman." Oh, yeah, the reason why he viewed himself as a truly lucky person. "My gurl, if you try to impersonate a fucking, dramatic, bitch crow in my ear even again, I swear in the name of my life juice bean that I'm going to KILL you with my bare hands and these sunglasses."

 At least his best friend since, honestly, diapers, who coincidentally was his roommate and even more coincidentally, his coworker was just screwed as Roman himself. Which automatically made the duo less screwed, however equally pissed off, something that neither of them discovered if that was a good or bad thing, yet.

 "Fuck you, Remy" Roman whispered between an tired yawn, too much tired to even think about some nickname or to put real heat in his words as he got instinctively closer to the other, the one called taking off his jacket and lazily throwing it over their heads, doing his best to cover they both with the small available black leathered fabric, the act intertwined with grumpy grumbling and motions which would probably slap Roman's face if he wasn't careful. "I'm the one who buys your coffee."

 "Having my incredible, unique personality in your life should be motivation enough for you to buy me the entire Starbucks Company, be glad I'm weak to your cute face and am going easy on ya."

 " 'Cute'? Excuse me, I'm the most handsome, hottest and fabulous man you will ever met in your lowly life, mortal."

 Remy snorted at this "Whatever helps you sleep at night, babe, but if it's going to be like that your ego soon will have to pay his part at the rent."

 "Well, this 'ego' here was the only thing between your highness and jail after stopping you from committing all those murders today."

 "Bold of you to assume I wouldn't use my contacts to hide the evidences." Their tune were already completely sleepy, bodies instinctively leaning onto each other as the words stumbled, mixed and almost lost themselves in the soundly wind as slipped from their lips. Roman just laughed.

 "Well, if by ‘contacts’ mean 'Virgil' good luck getting him out of his bed on his free day. You would became the fucking new King Arthur." Roman rubbed his eyes, trying to physically force his eyelashes to not close, a new yawn finding its way to his mouth. He didn't even know about what they were talking anymore.

 "I roll the dice to cast Badass Nerd Bitch."

 “Logan??”

 “He likes to study nature stuff, especially at night, I’m sure he already knows some good spots to hide bodies. Glasses.”

 “Glasses?”

 “Glasses.”

 “OMG, the anime character with glasses.” Roman stopped, his mouth wide open as if all the secrets of the universe had been revealed to him.

 “Exactly.” Remy extended each syllable, grinning smugly.

 “I’ve never-“

“THIS IS A ROBERY!!”

 The sentence, which appeared to came out from nowhere, cut the air in a harsh, sharp tune, breaking the barriers and tying them up in the same place in a frozen position and wide eyes staring astonished the hooded form and their unreadable features under the bad illumination of the light poles helped by the increased storm. The wind trespassed them, stirring their clothes and making the muscles shake both of the alone employees in the middle of a dark, empty street at the dawn, even if the dangerously shiny knife directed towards their direction still in a hatred silence. 

 “My.” Roman knew he probably should be afraid, the freezing feeling running across his veins and frightening his brain and actions as infected his words in an unspeakable terror impossible to ignore nor escape. “fucking.” However, the only thing that slipped through his next was the purest, deepest, truest... “ASS.” Indignation.

 Roman thought about a lot of things. He thought about running away, grabbing Remy’s arm and sprinting across the street, about scream in the top of his lungs the waterfall of swearing already racing half way to his throat and even about kicking the knife out of the other’s hands and then kicking him - with a couple of cool moves he saw in some actions films - together with their frecking audacity to try to rob him of all the people in the world. Roman, who asked himself if he would have enough money to eat in the next week with a concerning frequency, who wondered if this is the life he will have until the end of his existence, if he will ever be able to accomplish his dreams.

 His gaze changed to Remy, who was paralyzed, trembling between the poor light of the street and the massive rain. Roman swallowed. Everything was in his hands.

 For a piece of Roman felt the strange urge to spill to the figure before him the story of his life, all his tries, all his battles, his everyday fights to make his dreams real. Blow by blow. Day by day. A life destined to go after everything he wished to himself, everything he wanted to life, to experience, to savor, to do everything in his hands to ignore and one day maybe, hopefully forget all the ghosts - these ones always accompanied by those emotionless, sharp whispers - asking, doubting nonstop if he ever would be able to do all of this, if he was doing the rights thing, if it was really worth all of it.

 However, before the first word even slipped of Roman’s tongue or his mind came fully back to Earth, Remy was already positioning himself strategically between the robber and his friend, the currently only one with the leather jacket falling on his shoulders. However, Remy didn’t seem nearly soaked as he should be, and for a heartbeat, the same one which Remy moved his hands to his jeans’ pocket, his fingers touching and firmly holding something there, Roman could swear that the unexpectedly shiver running across his spine wasn’t due the cold wind.

 Nor the sentence hurled in the clouds.

 “You know what?? Fuck it.”

 And then he unsheathed his magic wand.

 Roman loved with the entirety of his heart all kind of magic, he could easily spend an entire afternoon (which he already had, by the way) listing his favorites movies, musicals and stories with that theme. That also could be easily said by the thousands and thousands of worlds, universes and lifes he invented – in and out of his head - about the subject trough his childhood and handful of teenage years, random ideas and inspirations appearing and dancing in his mind until nowadays. If that only wasn’t enough to convince someone then the umpteenth memories of mornings and afternoons bathed in the smell of books, rocked by the calm silene of the public library as he turned one more page, his back lightly aching by the bad position assumed behind the shelters, in a place he strategically found and claimed as his own Bridge to Terabithia, enjoying every moment as if nothing else mattered. Perhaps you wouldn’t even need to swim in such deep, ancient waters to find out his love, since at least fifty percent of his day was dedicated to shout, hummer or murmur Disney songs.

 However, as rays of pure energy  - shiny and kind of glittery one - involved and swirled from Remy’s, who now was floating a few centimeters above the ground, wand in stripes that got lighter and lighter, begging to spin faster around the aforementioned, creating a spere of a power stunning and big enough to stop the rain in the corner.

 The silence resulting from the lack of the storm didn’t had the opportunity to fill the moment, being obligated to give its space to a soft, intense melody whispered in their ears. The notes standing some more moments in the air, the beating following the changes in the shadowed figure inside the spere. Hesitations taking over the loud, quick heartbeats when the song finally stopped.

 The power’s spere finally exploded, the impact leading to an unbelief and intensive force push both human meters away.

 “Get. Out.”  Remy’s tune still the same, his form – Now adorned by a gleaming crop top, his fluttering skirt over shorts floating in synchrony with the veils which surrounded his clothes and wrapping his arms, the ending spreading in the air as a bunch of angry powered and fancy snakes. - even with the new vestments full of glitter (this probably would be a hell to get off, later) still the same, his gaze, powerful – a new meaning pouring from this word – strong, still the same. But yet…

 Yet his wide eyed, heart hammering in his chest friend since he could remember found himself struggling to connect the same Remy who he had known – if he could still say that? -  all his life with the same being who gleamed dangerously before him.

 The magic wand danced in a quick flick and a trash can came of what seemed nowhere to hit the wobbled and absolutely terrified robber, who fell with a soft thumph in the ground, unconscious.

 “-man, Roman!!! Don’t just stay standing there like a tree, help me here, gurl!” Suddenly the called snapped from his own sea of thoughts, submerging and astonished blinking in Remy’s direction. The rain started to fell on them again, and when their eyes met, when Roman saw the same guy who spent afternoons climbing trees and pretending they were knights and dragons attacking or saving the world, when he recalled the silent sleepovers where they just sat near of each other enjoying the mutual company, the grumpy mornings in their apartment, the comfort hugs, the looks full of words, the smiles filled with meaning, the friendship stuffed with so many, many memories... 

 Nostalgia. The feeling that everything was changed albeit something… something important always stayed. Roman felt, truly felt it and fixed his glare into that brilliant – quite literally - glare adorned with a ‘I’m about to punch your cocky face if you keep fucking narrating every freaking second of your life, ya bitch’ he realized... 

 It was Remy.

 He took a deep breath, moving closer and gradually relaxing as the aforementioned focused in trying to lift the guy, swearing more frequently than raindrops fell from the sky.

 “Remy?”

 “Yeah?”

 “First crush.”

 The other stopped, frowning confused. Roman didn’t quiver, feeling he deserved some sort of answer. At least about this. “What?”

 “My first crush. Who?”

 “Kovu.” Remy maybe was a bit cold hearted, maybe he wasn’t the best with human interactions or knew exactly what Roman wanted with that… but he knew Roman enough to realize this was important. Essentially when the said seemed to relax, his form untensing itself and being allowed to get closer of the magic being.

 “Okay. Okay, okay…” Roman took a deep breath, grounding himself. Their gaze met, his next words coming a little calmer. “Okay.”

 “Please don’t make me sing that serenate you made for him. I’m gonna fucking quit.”

 “Oh, shut up!! Our first love is something special, mister I-Can’t-Choose-Between-The-Beast-And-The-Beauty.”

 Remy decided to ignore the words, slightly lowing his sunglasses with his special Judgmental ‘Bold of you to assume I have enough shame to be mocked’ Look. Roman just flipped in his direction, taking advantage that the other’s hands were occupied.

 It was still Remy, with a whole more of style and glitter – Why are there so much glitter here?? - but it was just Remy. Like just any other day.

 Before he even realized, Roman was already at his friend’s - and as it seems a magical being - side, helping him to carry the robber’s body to somewhere dry so he wouldn’t die of hypothermia.

 “Why don’t you- Ouch!! My feet, dammit!” His breaths came out as puffs, the effort leading to his already exhausted muscles only protest even more and very much probably curse him later with sore movements for the audacity to transport anything heavier than a pen. “Why don’t you use your... Wizard magic or something to carry him??”

 “Oh. My. Gosh. Roman, you are sooo intelligent, why aren’t you in Harvard? Ow! Ow! Ow!!” Remy’s sarcasm was cut when the other kicked, or did his best to with their actual position, him in protest.  “Homophobic.” He exhaled a mix of irritation and a snort, receiving a playful punch in his arm by their inside joke.  “I’m your Fairy Godmother, brainless. Unless it was you laid in this stupid, cold ground I can’t use my magic anymore... Except if this is someone of your family but I doubt-”

 “Wait, wait, wait, WAIT!!! YOU ARE MY FAIRY GODM-”

 “No, no way, nope, we are NOT having this conversation right now.” Remy, the Fairy Godmother let go of the unconscious body in a way that probably will make the guy wake up sore, perhaps with a concussion even, directing his index finger in Roman’s direction in a deep, determined stare full of darkness and things that Roman could swear would make Remy be expelled from the group of Friendly Fairy GodmotherS  or whatever... thing he was inserted. “Let me tell you what we are doing right now: We are going to home, change our clothes then I’m getting coffee and you will get sleep so I don’t have to face nor care about the freak consequences of my damn actions.”

 ...

 “That...” Roman stop, as if was considering his next words. Remy’s face just scrunched in a bigger, firmer frown. “That would be hella scary if you didn’t look like someone who just stole a store of glitter and got attacked by the gay, glitterly, shiny fairies who protected the place.”

 “Go fuck yourself. I’m locking you outside when we get there.”

 “Noo, please don’t! My evil stepmother didn’t let me go to the prince castle and now I need help! Crying emoji, crying emoji.” Roman mocked, imitating sad sobs and sniffles as quick his pace to follow the other, who flipped him.

 “I’m this far from knock you out with my magical wand and then you will see who is the evil stepmother.” His wand gleamed in warning, the red color getting mixed and trembled by the fast movements of his veils, one of them getting dangerously next to Roman’s face, who cleverly got silent for some heartbeats, the sound of the rain slowly calming their heartbeats and rocking them, the tiredness gaining the space which, piece by piece, was being unhanded by their adrenaline.

 They arrived home, both still quiet, feeling free as a relieved sign left their lips. Remy threw his soaked jacket in some dark corner, the bed being the only thing which was allowed to take over all his thoughts and will. 

 An awed gasp echoed behind him and he immediately regretted his move.

 “YOU HAVE WINGS????”

 Before his eyelashes closed, the shiny of the wand disappearing gradually as an ungodly amount of sleepiness gained complete control over his body, relaxing each one of his fibers and as a warm, magic good feeling fills every single cell in his being, Roman wondered if ‘Fuck it’ was the name of Remy’s spell.

[keeroo92]

Commissioned fic request: V & feisty fem reader, friends to lovers w/lots of sexual tension leading to lots of spice. V being awkward; reader finds it charming. Maybe he roasts her for being a shorty. He loves teasing her but she gives him a run for his money because she loves messing with him too, a lot. Little does she know she’s asking for it. Prompts "The skirt is supposed to be this short","Who gave you that black eye?"(reader gets black eye XD), "I just like proving you wrong"(reader to V)

Thank you so much for the commission! You are officially the first person to do so. Since you gave me so much to work with, this will be split into a few posts. I couldn’t resist writing a nice, long story for ya! Enjoy!

(Takes place after the events of DMC5, in an AU where V survived even though Vergil still returned)

Word count - 2,999

True North Part 1

__________________

In a dark room somewhere in Red Grave City, a man tossed and turned as he did every night. The chilled autumn wind caressed his clammy skin and he grunted, his face strained in the moonlight spilling from his open bedroom window. His tattooed fingers clenched and a tear leaked from his closed eye, spilling into his already sweat-dampened obsidian hair. There was no one beside him; the tormented man slept alone.

V bolted upright with a gasp, eyes shooting open as if he’d been struck by lightning. The pounding of his heart refused to slow until he checked every corner of the room, despite how sure he was of his own safety. His nightmares often robbed him of his senses.

As was his ritual, he reached out through the shredded remains of his bond with his familiars, mourning them as if their sacrifice was only yesterday. He still found it difficult to believe; the three demons he’d fought to gain as allies ended up giving the last of their lives to preserve him. Trading what little power they had to anchor his soul.

As a consequence, he no longer had the means to fight demons alongside his friends. He had become ordinary, and while his friends still cared, they were busy saving the world. They didn’t have time to support him or help him heal, for reasons he understood despite the ache in his heart. So, while he survived the showdown, V still felt as if he’d lost everything.

In a way, he had.

V sighed and threw aside the blankets, airing out the portion of the sheets now soaked with his sweat. He shuffled to the small bathroom and splashed water on his face, taking comfort in the sting the cold fluid brought. He stared into the mirror, assessing the worth of the person he saw.

There’s still so much to atone for.

His hands clenched on the porcelain, remembering the many sins of his past. Every day he strived to make amends, but it wasn’t easy. Most of his crimes proved too terrible to counterbalance.

Mass murder. Conspiracy. Matricide. Theft.

Theft. He could fix that, couldn’t he? His emerald eyes shifted to gaze at the dresser where his now useless cane lied, remembering the day he stole it. To be fair, his circumstances at the time were… complicated.

Still, perhaps he could find that shop in the morning, pay for the broken case and for his thievery. It was better than nothing. He sighed again and returned to bed, lying on the side where the sheets remained somewhat dry.

 __________________

Retracing his footsteps from the day of his birth turned out to be more of a challenge than he’d expected. The city had changed so much, many buildings damaged or destroyed entirely during the crisis. In some neighborhoods, the carcasses of the Qlipoth roots stood vigil as a reminder to the citizens. V clicked his tongue as he stepped over one particularly large root, disdain written on his every feature.

What a fool I was.

He walked two more blocks before he saw it – the paned glass door, the carved columns framing it. V swallowed heavily as he remembered breaking the glass and unlocking the doors, dragging Griffon inside by his feet. Desperate to stay hidden from the pathetic Empusa. He was weaker now than he’d ever been.

He shook his head. This wasn’t a trip down memory lane, there was no point revisiting the past. No point dwelling on pain. He pushed the heavy door inward and entered the scene of his crime.

It had changed little. A display of porcelain dolls to his left, a case of jewelry to his right. Ahead, a shelf stuffed with baubles and accouterments waiting for a new home. He would’ve liked to browse, but he was here for a reason. His gaze swept the room, passing over the paraphernalia to find a tiny figure carrying a stack of books, a nametag barely visible past the bindings.

I thought child labor was illegal?

He approached curiously and watched as you shelved the myriad of tomes. Eventually he got a look at your face and he chuckled to himself, realizing you were most definitely not a child. He cleared his throat. You spun to face him with an obviously false smile.

“Hi, can I help you find anything?”

He shuffled his feet and sighed. This may end with him in handcuffs.

“I need to pay for something…” he began. You stared up at him, waiting for him to elaborate. He held out the silver cane and gave you a sheepish smirk.

“I stole this a few months ago during the crisis. I’ve come to purchase it properly.”

Your eyes flicked from his face to the cane, then back again. A more authentic grin spread across your features and you snickered, holding a hand over your lips to hide it. V lowered his arms; by the time the cane clicked against the tile, your guffaws had reached a state of frenzy. He shuffled his feet in embarrassment and waited for you to calm.

“Are you for real? Dude, everything damaged during that bullshit got written off as a loss. You could’ve taken Elvis’ jacket and literally nobody would have noticed,” you said eventually. V clicked his tongue, unable to withhold his annoyance at being teased. Especially since he was trying to do something right!

“Regardless. I also broke in through the door and shattered the case that contained it. I may have damaged several other items during my encounter with a demon.”

You looked him over with a sly gleam of amusement and led him to a counter with a shrug.

“If you really want to pay for it, the owner won’t complain. I can get the cane sorted out, but the damage might take a while. Are you sure you want to do this?”

V grimaced. His job at a local bookstore didn’t pay well, and his work experience didn’t merit a raise. He’d have to take on extra shifts to cover the expense. More hours spent helping idiots find something to read on the plane, mindlessly stocking the shelves and pretending to have any deference for his boss.

I must make amends.

“I’m sure.”

You smiled and gestured at the cane, indicating you needed to see it again. He handed it over and you hummed.

“Well, you have my respect, then. Not many people would fess up to that.”

V didn’t respond. He locked his eyes on the floor, remembering how black it looked as Griffon dissolved right before he’d bonded with the mouthy demonic bird. It surprised him how much he missed the snide commentary and barbed insults.

No one left to insult me except myself.

“I think seventy-five would be a fair price,” you said, handing back the cane. V pulled his wallet from his rear pocket, finally having made use of the chain from so long ago. He handed you a few bills with a smile. The register opened with a sharp click and you counted out his change, even printing a receipt. The tiny scrap of paper in his hand lifted a fraction of the guilt from his shoulders and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’ll need your contact info for the glass,” you said, holding out a pen and notepad. He scrawled his name and cell, adding a note explaining his request. You peered at his writing curiously.

“Anyone ever tell you your handwriting looks like you’re five years old?”

V chuckled. He knew better than to mention how young he was, but it was tempting.

“Ah, I must be improving then,” he replied instead. You snickered and shook your head.

“Good one! I guess I’ll talk to you soon,” you glanced back at the pad, “V…”

  __________________

As much as he loved literature, working in a bookstore left V extremely unsatisfied. Most customers were after whatever new young adult fiction was big this week, or the latest self-help book. Not a soul asked him about poetry or classics, and the lack of stimulating conversation gave him far too much time to think.

He spent a significant portion of time trying to figure out other ways he could repay his misdeeds. Rarely did he stumble onto any new ideas or insights, and the repetitive cycle left him melancholy. Not a good mindset for customer service.

And according to Michael, we just sold out of that drivel the kids like. This will be a long day.

Still, he plastered as much of a smile as he could muster on his lips and pinned his nametag on, striding out onto the sales floor like it was a battleground infested with Hell Caina’s.

If only…

“Hey, you work here, right?”

He turned to face a youthful blonde, knowing from the tone of her voice alone what she wanted. Why she couldn’t have bothered Cassie instead was a mystery, the two would’ve likely been best friends within ten minutes. The idea twitched his lips into a faint smile as he nodded.

“Cool, you have that new one by Cyril McNabb, yeah?”

His jaw clenched in irritation. The girl didn’t even pronounce the author’s name correctly, let alone know the title. He took a deep breath and responded.

“I’m afraid we’re sold out. Can I recommend something else?”

The girl sneered at him, flipping her hair over her shoulder with a scoff.

“What, you don’t have like, one more copy in the back?”

V hid his hands behind his back and clenched them, keeping the pleasant smile on his face even as he seethed in annoyance.

“No.”

She pouted, puffing her lower lip out so theatrically he wondered how it remained attacked to her chin.

“Can’t you, like, go check? Cuz I didn’t come all this way for nothing.”

Her words echoed in his mind, harkening to that day in the Qlipoth. Nero had used the exact same phrase.

The shelves surrounding him vanished, replaced by falling chunks of rock and bloody vines. He was dragging the rash young warrior away from where Dante held Urizen in a stalemate, even as the boy screamed for him to let go. V’s rage had howled through him, lending him the strength to get Nero out even as he wanted to charge into the fray and finish it.

“Uhhh, hello? So, like, can you go check for me?” the young woman’s grating voice said, shattering the memory like glass.

He didn’t think, responding on sheer impulse.

“I suppose I could, but I will not. I happen to know we sold the last copy this morning, and your insistence on special treatment will not cause another copy to magically materialize just for you. I’d recommend an alternative, but truthfully the best use of your time would be a grammar textbook or a collection of poetry, and I doubt someone of your limited intelligence would make it past the first page.”

Gods, that felt good to say.

Even as he enjoyed a surge of self-satisfaction, he knew he’d fucked up. The girl’s jaw hung open in shock as she blinked back tears. Her lower lip trembled as the first few drops slipped through her false lashes. To make matters worse, Michael stomped out from behind the mystery novels with a scowl, having overheard every word.

“V, go wait in my office. Miss, please come with me and I’ll have another associate check for you,” the pudgy manager said.

Damn.

Barely ten minutes later, V turned in his nametag and walked out the door. He brushed his hair out of his face and crossed the tree-lined intersection. Where could he work, with his lack of expertise in anything besides hell and demons? Life was so much easier when he didn’t expect to live longer than a month. Now, there were bills and rent to worry about, not to mention his car payment.

Granted, V had a respectable amount saved. He lived a modest life and made it a point of pride to set aside what he could. It may cost a great deal to atone, and it never hurt to have a safety net.

A buzz in his pocket stopped him in his tracks; his phone. He pulled it from his pocket to find an unfamiliar local number on the screen. His shoulders tensed and he braced himself for more bad news as he tapped the green dot.

“Hello?”

“Hi, is this V?”

“Yes, what can I do for you?”

He stepped off the sidewalk to lean on a brick wall, allowing an old couple holding hands to pass.

“It’s Y/N, from the antique shop on first street?”

He smirked, adopting a teasing tone as he replied. “I believe so, are you lost?”

“Ha-ha, hilarious. The owner passed me the receipts today, total comes out to $3,274.55, including all damaged property. She wanted to say thank you and that you can make as many payments as you need.”

“Ah. I suppose I’m lucky Elvis’ jacket wasn’t damaged.”

You snorted in mirth. “Nah, just his wig. When can you drop by?”

V clicked his tongue. He needed to find work quickly, but if he didn’t have a minimum amount he wanted to make the first payment as soon as possible. Begin the process.

“I’m on my way,” he said.

—Reader—

You chuckled as you hung up, still stuck on his crack about Elvis. The man had a talent for one liners, you had to give him that much. Part of you hoped he’d make his payment in person, so you could exchange jokes with him, but in this era the chances were slim. You sighed and turned back to the thick stack of papers, re-reading the top sheet for what felt like the hundredth time.

Ugh, lame. I wish someone else could work on this.

Still, it needed to get done. You forced yourself to focus and muddled through a third of the stack before a soft voice interrupted.

“There’s a guy here to see you, should I show him back?” Peter asked from the doorway. You nodded and he vanished, silent as a mouse only to reappear seconds later with the tattooed man in tow.

A ruler marked where you left off in the accursed pile as you waved V inside with a smile.  He looked strange in khaki pants and an olive shirt, the look so different from the dark jeans and layered tees he wore when you first met. He sat in the only other chair in the room, a mere three feet away from you.

“So! V! Ready to meet the owner?”

He nodded, making a move to stand once again. You cackled internally as you reached out to shake his hand.

“Surprise! It’s me.”

His lips twitched into a smirk and he let out a single syllable of amusement, eyes scanning the cramped room. Cluttered cork boards lined the walls, various notices and a few choice comic strips pinned up. Shelves lined the walls all the way to the ceiling in the few areas left over, packed with detritus and binders you hadn’t opened in years. Your desk was the cleanest surface in the room, littered with the stack of papers you needed to finish reading, a few pens and office supplies.

“So this is your office?”

“Yup! Though I let a few people use it sometimes.”

He nodded knowingly, as if something became clear to him with your words. You stared at him quizzically until he broke the silence to answer your unasked question.

“I was wondering why you had shelves so high when you’re so small,” he explained. “Which begs the question, how do you stock the higher displays?”

You restrained the urge to roll your eyes. It was inevitable, especially considering he was so damn tall. How could he not notice how short you were when he had to look down to make eye contact? You’d heard it all before.

“Witchcraft. And a few piggy back rides,” you deadpanned.

“Also known as a stool, I assume,” he replied with a smirk, not missing a beat.

Damn, he’s good. But so am I.

“Stewart, actually. Though we had to let him go when he started hiding my pens on the top shelf.”

The two of you stared at each other for a moment before you couldn’t keep a straight face anymore, breaking down into laughter as V released a few quiet sniggers.  You couldn’t remember the last person you met who appreciated your sense of humor. Wit was a dying skill, in your experience. How nice to find someone who enjoyed it as much as you did.

You fought your lips into a neutral expression, folding your hands professionally on your desk. V’s sparkling emerald eyes nearly sent you over the edge again, but somehow you kept your focus. Business first, jokes later.

Hopefully.

“So, how do you want to do this?” you asked, lips still twitching in rebellion.

He clenched his jaw, irritation radiating off him in waves. The change in mood wiped out the last of your amusement and you wondered if you’d offended him.

“I can do one hundred today, after that I’m not sure. I’ve just been fired,” he said tersely.

Oh my gosh, that’s perfect!

Wait. Slow your roll. Why was he fired?

You leaned back in your chair and crossed your arms, eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Why?”

He shifted his weight, matching your suspicion with plenty of his own. “What does it matter to you?”

You uncrossed your arms and smiled.

“Because I’m hiring.”

Part 2

[fresh-outta-jams]

Plastic Heart - Part 5

Namjoon x Reader Author: Mo Summary: When you get the highly-anticipated BTS dolls for Christmas, your life takes a turn in a way you never could have expected. Note: Here we go, guys! Finally, a real interaction between them lmao. Warnings: None? It’s pretty damn fluffy tho. Word Count: 1.5k

Prologue, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

It hurt Namjoon’s little plastic heart to see you so scared of him. He never wanted this. He never wanted to see you literally quaking in fear, one second away from passing out on the spot.

It was quiet while he thought and you sat there shivering. Yoongi looked to him to say something, anything. He was maybe the only one of them that would be able to talk some sense into you before you threw them into a recycling bin or donated them to a thrift store. The other six, who had moved into an upright position somewhere on the dresser, were all depending on him. So, he did what leaders do, and he gave it his best shot.

“So uh, first of all, we’re not going to hurt you. There are some scary movies that give toys, dolls especially, a bad reputation for that sort of thing, but that’s just a stereotype and it’s mostly ventriloquists and porcelain dolls that are like that anyway.”

“Creepy.” You shuddered.

“Maybe don’t talk about that, genius.” Hoseok shook his head. Of course Namjoon would get nervous talking to his crush. Why would they let him do the talking?

“Right. So, um...I’m sorry, I’ve just...never talked to a human before.” Namjoon rubbed the back of his neck. What was this new emotion he was feeling? This jittery one that made him want to explode?

“W-well, if it makes you feel any better, this is my first...interaction like this too. I mean, when I was little I used to talk to my dolls, but they...well, they never t-talked back…” The fact that you were starting to talk a little more was encouraging. Maybe Namjoon could gently nudge you out of your shell. Baby steps.

“We toys, we, uh, we aren’t supposed to talk to our humans. It usually scares them off...I’m really sorry we scared you. We never meant to. You mean a lot to us.”

“Namjoon wouldn’t be exaggerating if he said our whole lives revolve around you.” Yoongi added, and Namjoon nodded.

“Wait, so, are ALL toys alive?” You asked, eyebrows furrowing. The pieces were slowly starting to come together, this world he was opening you up to. Your fear was gradually fading, being replaced instead with curiosity.

“Yeah, for the most part.” He confirmed, making your heart sink and soar simultaneously. “There are a few exceptions. Board games aren’t alive, neither are playing cards or dice, marbles and bouncy-balls aren’t. The basic rule of thumb is: if it has a face, it’s alive.”

“I feel very guilty all of a sudden.” You sighed, running through memories upon memories of all of your beloved childhood toys. Sure, some of them were still back home at your parents’ place, but most of them had been sold at garage sales, donated to your little cousins, or sold on Ebay. Yikes…

“Don’t feel too bad about it. That’s just how it works for us.” Jin tried to be reassuring, but that didn’t make their grim circle of life any less devastating when you looked at the reality of it all. “We know you don’t mean it. We understand.”

“That makes me feel a little bit better…”

“Again, we’re really sorry for scaring you, (Y/N).” Namjoon smiled softly. “And we’re sorry we kind of just...ruined your whole childhood.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’m really sorry for sneezing.” Taehyung hung his head, letting out a little sigh. If it wasn’t for him, they wouldn’t be in this wild rule-breaking mess. They’d still have their secret and be safe. Now, even though you seemed like you were cool with it at the moment, they were vulnerable, and it was all his fault.

“It’s okay, Tae.” You reassured him. “Really, I…I think I’m going to be okay, I just...need some time to think about everything.”

“If you have any questions, you can ask, alright? I think we at least owe that to you.”

“Do you...you can see and hear, obviously, but, uh, do your other senses work? Smell, taste, touch?”

“Not really. We can’t eat food, so we don’t have a reason to taste things, and we’re made of plastic, so we don’t really feel anything either.”

“We can smell, but it’s pretty faint.” Jimin added.

“Weird.” You thought about what that would be like, to be alive, but not really LIVING. “And so toy stores must be like little prisons for you, right? When are you like aware of everything?”

“For me...I woke up in the toy store. I don’t remember anything about being made or packaged, but I know it must have happened at some point.” Jungkook sounded almost sad when he talked about it, eyes fixed on the floor, not looking at you or any of his brothers. “From then, it was just...lonely every night, hoping every day that someone would choose me, hoping even more that I wouldn’t be alone once someone did.”

You could have about cried. “That’s so sad.”

“Yeah, I...yeah, it is. But that’s just how it is. And then you get a kid and everything is better.”

“I’m sorry you guys didn’t get the full...experience, I guess. I’m not exactly ten years old anymore.”

“And we’re thankful for that, believe me.” Namjoon put his hand on his heart, chuckling. “Dolls like us, especially dolls that are meant to look like celebrities and stuff, we usually get forced into a lot of, uh, romantic situations, for lack of better term. That’s not fun.”

“Oh. Well, I promise I’ll never...put you through that.”

“Thanks.” Yoongi chuckled.

You tried to think of something else to ask them. You were buzzing with questions for sure, or you should have been at least, but none of them would come out; they just stayed inside of you, bumping into one another. For a while there, your fear and excitement and everything had drowned out the symptoms of whatever sickness you’d caught. Now that you were falling back down to earth, though, you were reminded of the pounding pain in your head and the fact that you couldn’t breathe.

“So uh, I don’t know if you noticed, but I’m really sick right now, so I’ll probably be home for a few days, if that’s alright.”

“This is literally your apartment. We’re guests here, not the other way around.”

“Right. Yeah. Anyway, if nothing else, it’ll give us--ACHOO!--some time to *sniffle* get to know each other better. I mean, I guess you already kind of know a lot about me…”

“We’d love to get to know you more!” Jimin smiled, perking up excitedly. “I’m Jimin!”

“I know that, Jimin.” You chuckled, shaking your head as you plucked a tissue from the box and blew your nose. “Nice to meet you. Officially, that is.”

Once the others officially introduced themselves, you got up and walked to the kitchen to scour through the medications you had on hand. You had to have something for this congestion. You ended up taking something to minimize the fluids in your face and then smeared some Vicks under your nose for good measure. When you were healthy, you always took breathing for granted, but you would give anything to be able to take a clean breath right now.

“Are you okay?” It was Jin. He must have followed you out to the kitchen. You turned around to look at him and nodded, offering a weak smile.

“Yeah, I’m alright, Jin. It’s just a cold, I think. ‘Tis the season for that sort of thing.” You shrugged before turning to your Keurig to make some warm tea, which was different from the iced stuff you usually drank, but you needed the steam to open up your pores.

“What are you making?” He asked. You felt him tug on your pantleg and bent down to help him up onto the counter.

“Just some tea. It usually helps when I’m feeling sick.”

“Hmm.” He nodded, contemplating it for a second. He watched as you dipped the tea bag into the hot water, letting the leaves steep and darken the liquid surrounding them. He looked up at you after a long patch of quiet. “Thank you. For in there. Anyone else would have freaked out on us.”

“Luckily for you, I’m not ‘anyone else.’” You chuckled. Once the tea was done brewing, you blew on it a bit and took a few tentative sips, careful not to burn your tongue as you had so many times before. “It’s a lot to get used to, but I think I’ll be okay. I’m just gonna need a few days, alright?”

“Of course. Anything for you.” He agreed. You held out your arm for him to grab on, and he climbed up your extended limb, clinging to your shirt and attempting to give you the tiniest hug you’d ever received. “We all love you so much.”

“And I love all of you, too.” You smiled and used your free hand to reciprocate, gently stroking his little back with your fingers. “Don’t worry, Jin. I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

Tagged: @iie-wakarimasen, @lilgaga98, @demonic-meatball, @backtonormalthings, @kbowen9, @honig-bienchen, @coolcat494, @ffantasylandd, @feed-my-geek-soul, @ayoo-bangtan, @xxqueenwxtchxx, @cap-lu20, @finninpoposu, @coldbookworm, @sitkafay

[reinakahara]

Fight for Your Right drama track translation

-bell rings-

Jiro: *yawns* Lunch break at last. Lessons seriously wear me down.

-footsteps-

Girl A: Ah! Hey um, I've made you some bento so please eat it!

Girl B: Jiro-kun, if it's alright with you, do eat this.

Girl C: I made some bento again, will you eat it?

Girl D: Not fair!! Eat mine too!

Girls: Okay, Jiro-kun?/ Hang on don't interfere!/I'm the one who called out to him first!/

Jiro: Ah, thanks somehow, for these, everyday... I-I'll eat them properly but since there's a lot of these, can I share them with friends..?

Girls: /Sure~/ I'm good at making hamburg steak.../I'll make some more anytime!/blablablabla

Jiro: S-sure...

Jiro: *sighs*

Friend: Jiro-chaan~ Aren't you popular as always everyday~ Our division representative, MC M.B. sure does show us a great view today too~

Friend: I'm so freaking envious! All these cute girls from ranking classes are coming to see you, after all. What a view~

Jiro: I told ya not to make fun of me. I'm not gonna share the bento.

Friend: Whoopsies! Sorry, I'm sorry!!

Friend: I'm so sorry~ I got carried away~ We came to school just to eat those anyways!

Jiro: Don't you guys have pride...?

Friends: NOPE!

Jiro: Such bracingly idiots you guys are.

Friend: I'll dig in right away~

Jiro: Oi, hang on. I told you every time. It's not alright to eat them without me, the person receiving these bento to taste every single one of them first, first of all.

Friend: Ah my bad~ I'm just that hungry so~ hehehe~

Jiro: Geez.

Friend: Anyway since you're that popular, why won't you make a girlfriend?

Jiro: ..........................Well I'm grateful they give me bento everyday but...

Friend: If so you can just make a girlfriend out of one of them. When you do, we can have a chance with the rest of the girls too~

Jiro: ...I dunno what to talk to a girl...

Friends: *laugh*

Jiro: I-it can't be helped.

Friend: Ah sure sure. I really loooove that part of Jiro-chan~ <--mimicking a girl

Jiro: Shut up. Leave that be.

??: U-um! Y-Yamada-kun...?

Jiro: Oh, Aogiri. What's up?

Aogiri: Um well... I have a favor to ask... A-actually...

Saburo: Ichi-nii. Here, your cola.

Ichiro: Oh, thank you Saburo!

Saburo: It's nothing~

Ichiro: *drinks*

Saburo: What anime are you watching today?

Ichiro: This? This is-

Jiro: *opens door* Nii-chan, I have something to ask... wait, this! Isn't this the story where he becomes the cheat rapper instead of a cheat magician when reborn?? So the blu-ray came out!

Ichiro: Right, Jiro you liked it too right?

Jiro: Of course! The last time you recommended this to me, I watched it right away, and even read all its original work too!

Ichiro: Isn't it the best?

Jiro: It's the best! I'll go buy it too later!

Ichiro: What about you Saburo? If you watch it too I think you'll feel the same.

Saburo: I watched it on tv after you recommended it to me too. As you said, it is indeed interesting. Though why blu-ray? Rather than buying it in high price with your earnings, isn't it better to just watch it on an anime site with only about 1000yen? Also, why is Jiro going to buy it too? You can just borrow it from Ichi-nii. There's no need to go and purchase the same thing-

Ichiro&Jiro: *sigh*

Saburo: W-why are you being that exasperated?

Ichiro: Saburo, you know nothing at all. Isn't that right, Jiro?

Jiro: You're right, nii-chan. Saburo is a disgrace to anime-lovers.

Saburo: W-why would you say that?

Ichiro: Jiro, go and teach Saburo about it.

Jiro: Leave it to me.

Saburo: W-why does Jiro has to be the one telling me it?

Jiro: Hehehehehehe.

Saburo: Close! You're close! You're too close so go away!

Jiro: Shut up! I'm going to personally teach you, who know nothing about what it means to be an anime-lover, so be grateful.

Saburo: If anyone were to do so, I'd rather have ichi-nii teach me instead!

Ichiro: Isn't it fine? Let's have Jiro do the teaching at times~

Saburo: No way...

Jiro: *laughs* Saburo! Clear up you ears and listen proooperly!

Saburo: Uuuuuu.

Jiro: You're lacking something. That is... LOVE!

Saburo: L-love?? The heck you're talking about!

Jiro: Just listen. Me and nii-chan both love this work. You understand that part, don't you?

Saburo: Ah... !! I see! You love this work so you're showing support for it!

Jiro: Well... that is a part of the reasons though.

Saburo: There's other reason for it?

Jiro: There's something you'll do if you love something.

Saburo: W-what are you talkin-

Jiro: Because you love it, you'll definitely want to have. it. to. yourself!

Saburo: I... I suppose so...

Ichiro: Saburo... there are countless of single season anime out there that can't have their second seasons produced. For the sake of even a slightest possibility of a second season to happen, funding is necessary. Also let's think about it. What if the writer of a work we love couldn't write the sequel anymore because of low sales, and the moment when our beloved writer's heart wreck because they couldn't write it anymore??

Jiro: *sobs* Just imagining it makes me sad, nii-chan...!

Ichiro: Right...? Isn't it heart-breaking??

Saburo: I can understand what you're saying, but is it really necessary to cry talking about it-

Jiro: Of course it is! For you not to cry about it, are you a demon??

Saburo: Eh, hehhh??

Ichiro: Jirooooo! That can't be right... Saburo's a cool person so his expression doesn't show outside, but on the inside he must be feeling the same as us! Isn't that truuuue, Saburooooo?

Saburo: Eh?? Ehh well, y-yeah...

Ichiro: Right, right?? See, Jiro?

Jiro: Mm! My teachings sure paid off!

Ichiro&Jiro: *laugh*

Saburo: Jiro's as stupid as always so whatever, but I do respect Ichi-nii... However, I'm sorry... forgive me for thinking such insolent things! (...The heck they're talking about?)

Ichiro&Jiro: *laugh*

Ichiro: *sits* Come to think of it, Jiro, weren't you about to say something to me when you came in a while ago?

Jiro: Ah I almost forgot! I have something to ask of nii-chan.

Ichiro: What is it?

Jiro: Not me but a friend of mine from the same high school. He told me he needs your help on something, so can I bring him here?

Ichiro: Ah, sure. Bring him here.

Jiro: Thank you. I thought so so I called him over. He's probably gonna be here anytime now...

-knocks on door-

Aogiri: E-excuse me! Is this Yamada Jiro-kun's home?

Jiro: Oh, right on time. *opens door* Hey, well come in.

Aogiri: P-pardon my intrusion.

Jiro: Nii-chan, he's the one who has a business with you.

Aogiri: N-nice to meet you. I'm Boujou Aogiri...

Ichiro: I'm Ichiro. Boujou-kun, pleased to meet you.

Aogiri: S-same here. ...I've heard a lot about your success, Ichiro-san.

Ichiro: Well let's talk this through so have a seat.

Aogiri: T-thank you very much...

Jiro: Nii-chan. I'm indebted to him so let's help him out well~

Ichiro: Eh~ What debt?

Aogiri: N-no way, to call it a debt... it's an exaggeration... After all, I just lent him a pencil and an eraser.

Jiro: That's not true. If I hadn't write anything on the paper, I'd get zero mark for sure, so it is a debt to me.

Saburo: Even if it wasn't zero mark, you got a failing grade anyway~

Jiro: Huh? Saburo, the heck you're talking imprudently for??

Saburo: How many points did you exactly get?

Jiro: Ughh...

Saburo: Come now, quick and spill it!

Jiro: ...F-f-fiiiifteen.

Saburo: Uwah, that's super low. I wanted to make fun of you, but in actuality you're too dumb that I can't even make fun of you~

Jiro: You!

Saburo: I'm not even afraid of whatever you failing grader spit out~

Ichiro: You two stop it. We're in front of a customer.

Saburo: I-I'm sorry.

Ichiro: Geez. Boujou-kun, sorry about that.

Aogiri: I-it's nothing.

Ichiro: Thanks for helping out Jiro. So, what are you here for?

Aogiri: Yes... Actually... my little brother had been kidnapped yesterday...

Ichiro: Kidnapped? This isn't a mild business. So why me instead of the police?

Aogiri: Ah...

Ichiro: Hm? What's the matter?

Aogiri: N-no, it's nothing...

Ichiro: Hm.

Aogiri: Those guys who kidnapped him said, if I go to the police, they can't guarantee his safety...

Ichiro: Is that so. Why was he kidnapped?

Aogiri: That's...

Jiro: Hey Aogiri, you can't just come and say you don't know now, can you?

Aogiri: Um... they'd been demanding some money, and since I continued to refuse them...

Saburo: Hm... and so he was kidnapped.

Aogiri: Yes...

Jiro: Could it be... those scums are from our school?

Aogiri: T-that's not it! There's these guys who formed a rap team in the other division...

Saburo: Which division is it?

Aogiri: Yokohama Division.

Jiro: Yokohama... nii-chan.

Ichiro: No, that's not them. Mad Trigger Crew, or Samatoki definitely isn't involved in this.

Jiro: H-how do you know that?

Ichiro: He may be a simpleton and an idiot, but he won't ever do anything underhanded like this.

Jiro: I-is that so.

Ichiro: I see... So you want us to go and save your brother from these people?

Aogiri: Yes... I heard that lately they've recruited a substitute bodyguard making their team a lot stronger...

Jiro: That doesn't matter! We'll wipe out all those scums, just you see! Right, nii-chan?

Ichiro: ......

Jiro: Nii-chan?

Ichiro: Hm? Ah, you're right.

Jiro: That said, you just leave everything to us! We'll save your little brother for sure!

Aogiri: Ah, thank you, Jiro-kun. *walks away* Ah, um! I plead that you don't tell anyone else regarding this matter. That's... because they said not to tell a single soul...

Ichiro: Yeah, rest assured. As it's a job, we will keep it a secret.

Aogiri: Ah, thank you... very much... I'll leave the rest to you then... *leaves*

Jiro: For crying out loud, there are good-for-nothings doing unbelievable things out there...

Saburo: That person... he acted strange.

Ichiro: Yeah, you're right.

Jiro: Eh, really?

Saburo: When he talked about the kidnapping, his eyes were wandering about, and his gestures too... don't you think so?

Jiro: Well, his brother was abducted so of course he'll feel unsettled right?

Saburo: ......That might be so...

Ichiro: Having a groundless worries is good though.

Jiro: My friend is in trouble... we won't opt out from saving his brother now, right?

Ichiro: Of course. Your friend is in a pinch, so let's help him out.

Jiro: That's how it should be!

Saburo: It's tonight, right? The exchange for money.

Ichiro: Yeah, it'll be at Yokohama's container port, so he said. *gets up* I'll prepare the car by then.

Saburo: We'll be counting on you.

Ichiro: We might face a tough team opponent there, so you two, don't let your guard down.

Jiro&Saburo: Yeah!

[ktrsss1fics]

i got u: one.

i. gap

Fearne Phillips was a bitch.

That’s what the guy who hit on her last Christmas at a sweets shop in Surrey said when she wouldn’t give him her number.

That’s what Simon Elliott cried when she broke his arm for calling her best friend fat.

That’s what the media thought when she refused to speak about why her relationship with Louis Tomlinson had ended.

That’s what Jessica from Teen Scene Magazine was currently thinking when she refused to give young girls tips on how to seduce men.

Fearne Phillips was one of a kind. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. If she was uncomfortable, she was going to let you know. Most people called her reckless for it. Others called her iconic. She didn’t see herself as either of those things.

She saw herself as one thing: tired. Tired of having to be perfect. Tired of having to be prim and proper. Tired of being told what the projected sales and media trends would be if she acted a certain way. She just wanted to be Fearne.

She wouldn’t get to be that for another month. She had a few more festivals to get through before she had an entire year off. She couldn’t believe it.

Fearne had signed a record deal at eighteen and essentially grew up in the spotlight. They saw her through the good, the bad, and the ugly. That decade of stardom had its ups and downs. The worst of it was five years ago when things started to go south with the love of her life.

Sometimes things don’t always work out according to plan. That job at that high profile modeling agency is less about fashion and more about having the ability to memorize multiple coffee orders.  That asymmetrical bob that looked adorable on the girl on the train somehow got turned into a shaggy looking bowl cut. That attractive guy from accounting who said he was actually going to call doesn’t end up calling.

Long distance relationships are one of those things that don’t always work out as they should. Three little words are whispered through telephone lines instead of being said face to face. Beds are shared with computer screens instead of warm bodies. Feelings of contentment are replaced by worry and doubt.

Relationships become plagued with catastrophic fights about minuscule things. Calls start to get shorter and text messages begin to stop. That feeling of love once shared starts to dwindle down to nothing.

A type of exhaustion sets in that never can be satisfied. It doesn’t go away with a weekend in bed or trip back home. It settles. It latches onto every fiber and festers until it’s too late. The mind, body, and soul become infected and a monster is created. Once it’s released, there is no hope for humanity.

Fearne Phillips and Louis Tomlinson knew that monster too well. It’s what started to transform after four long years of a relationship on the road. She was never home and he could never get away.  The lack of affection and time spent together took its toll on the young couple. Before they knew it, it was over.

It didn’t just end though. It blew up. It was plastered over every tabloid magazine in the country. It was broadcasted on the morning news. It was all over the Internet for her to relive day in and day out.

That first year was the hardest. She lost herself completely. She broke his heart and she could never forgive herself for it. Why? Because Louis Tomlinson was the greatest man she had ever met and he didn’t deserve what she put him through. He deserved better and always would.

As time moved on, the only things she could rely on to keep her from falling apart again were her friends and her job. Her soul sister, Samantha Jane, fought off any man who tried to get close to her while her manager, Declan, did his best to keep her focused on her music. Her older brother, Archie, was just along for the ride. When the going got tough, he stepped in and nursed his baby sister back to health. She didn’t know what she’d do without them.

Every year, she found a way to repay them for putting up with her. This year she managed to get them VIP passes to a handful of festivals throughout the UK. They were currently attending the Glastonbury Festival. Well, Samantha Jane and Archie were attending the festival. Fearne was on the clock. She had been tucked away in an oversized tent answering the same five questions for various media publications. She wouldn’t get to join them until after her set.

Declan did his best to keep her happy but she wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone else. She needed a recharge. The last one did her head in.

“I’m not doin’ another one.” Fearne looked over at the bearded man beside her. “I’m done.”

“I’m takin’ care of it,” Declan said — thumbs flying as he typed away on his phone. “Got her editor’s number. She’s a friend of Jimmy.”

“That was just bull shit.” She said. “I didn’t overreact, did I?”

“Shite reporting.” Declan glances up. “If you were a twenty-eight-year-old lad, you’d be labeled a legend... absolutely killing it.”

“Right?” Fearne ran her hands over her face. “Made me come off as a proper slag. I don’t even know any of those men. Would you want your niece to read an article where her favorite celebrity tells her how to sleep around with men? I know I wouldn’t.”

“I’ll take care of it, Fearnie. Don’t worry pet.” Declan winked. “Now head toward the end of the tent.”

“I’m not doing another interview.” She sighed looking up at him. “I will punch someone.”

“It’s with Radio 1,” Declan explained. “Probably with Scott who you haven’t seen in ages. He won’t do anything to harm ya.”

Fearne thought about it for a moment. “ I do like Scott.”

“And you won’t punch him because he’s a good man. You’ll be fine.” Declan said urging her to start walking.

“I just want to clarify that I wouldn’t be upset if she hadn’t been so rude. Young women should know how to navigate the dating world but they shouldn’t be treated as if their only important role in life is to be a side piece for a man.”

“Yeah, yeah all that feminist shite,” Declan mumbled dryly.

Fearne shoved him playfully. “Fuck right off, Declan Jay.”

“Easy there, Pip Squeak.” He said stabilizing himself.

“I just don’t like people who make female celebrities out to be tarts because they’ve got male friends. I’m more than that.” She sighed.

“You do know you don’t need the validation of some teenage tabloid, right? You’re Fearne motherfucking Phillips.” Declan said with a cheesy grin. “The girl who nearly got kicked of secondary school for getting her nose pierced. The girl who sold out the O2 four nights in a row during her first arena tour. The girl who outlasted every single guy on Lads on Tour last summer.”

He continued, “Lionesses like you shouldn’t worry about sheep like her.”

Fearne opened her mouth to say something but decided to walk away instead. Sometimes that man knew exactly what to say to help her refocus. She decided to give him what he wanted. She made her way towards the northern end of the tent to a table dedicated to the BBC’s finest radio station. Declan started to ramble on about how lovely women were in hopes of making her feel better. He didn’t need to say anything but she appreciated that he had.

“Fuck.”

Declan stopped abruptly leaving the woman standing beside him confused. Without saying another word, the six-foot-tall man wedged his body between her and their destination.

“What the fuck, Deco?” Fearne asked.

“Mental health check.” He said crossing his arms over his chest. “0-10, how we doin?”

“I’m fine.” She said not understanding his sudden change in mood.

“That’s not a number.” Declan sighed.

“Why? What’d you see?” Fearne asked attempting to look over his shoulder.

“Just want to make sure me girl is fine after that last one,” Declan explained. “Have you calmed down a bit?”

“Oh, I’m still annoyed but —“ Fearne said standing on the tips of her toes trying to look over his shoulder.

“Need a number Fearnie.” He said calmly.

“Bout a six.” She said knowing that anything lower would set off the alarm bells.

“Good.” He nodded before handing over her phone. “Text Arch and SJ bout what they’re up to now, yeah?”

Fearne smiled swiping her cell phone from his hand.

“Promise you’re gonna stay at a six no matter what happens?” Declan asked.

“I’ll try me best,” Fearne said, eyes glued to her phone. “Don’t know what you’re so worried about Deco.”

“Horan’s here,” Declan said relaxing a bit.

“When is he ever not here? He loves this festival.” Fearne said smirking at something her best friend had sent. “Where’d ya see him?”

Declan nodded behind him. “At the Booth.”

Fearne looked up. “He is the most efficient producer at the BBC so that makes sense.”

“You’re going to have to speak to him,” Declan said. “Still gonna be a six?”

“Niall Horan is a ray of sunshine,” Fearne said still not getting what the big deal was. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Fearnie, I need you to —“ Declan started to say.

“Give me five more minutes with Samantha Jane and I’ll do whatever you want. Okay? You go check in or whatever it is you do and I’ll be your perfect pop star.” She said with a weak smile.

Declan didn’t respond. He turned around and headed toward the makeshift radio studio. He was on edge. Niall Horan was a legend. He always brought the party wherever he went. He also was the sole producer of the show Fearne’s ex-boyfriend hosted. The two were rarely seen without each other — especially during festival season.

Before he had a chance to scope out who was working, a firm hand latched onto Declan’s shoulder. He turned around to find a dark-haired Irishman smiling back at him.

“Well look who the fuck it is.” Niall’s thick Irish accent called out.

“Are you ever not working?” Declan joked as he pulled his old friend into a hug.

“You should know I’d never miss out on the Bury, Deco,” Niall said with a laugh.

The two friends briefly caught up as arrangements were made for the interview. Stories about touring and family members were shared between the men. The reason they were connected was carefully being avoided. Declan knew he needed to bring it up but was worried about the answer.

“So um, is he here?” Declan said in a low voice.

“Yeah but he’s not doing the interview. I uh made sure of it. It’s Matt.” Niall said softly. “How’s she doing?”

“Just came out of a rough one so I need something to cheer her up,” Declan said glancing over at Fearne.

“The lads went to the loo so it’ll be a bit but we’ll take care of our girl.” Niall smiled. “Don’t worry.”

“Thanks, Ni.” Declan nodded.

“Just looking out for both of ‘em,” Niall said.

“Fearne,” Declan called out.

Fearne looked up from her phone and found two sets of eyes watching her closely. She put a brave face on and headed towards them. One more interview to go and she’d be free. One more interview with her ex-boyfriend’s best friend and she’d be free. She could do it. She knew she could.

“Fearne Phillips, who’d ya sell your soul to because you haven’t aged a day, love,”  Niall said with a smirk.

“If I told ya, I’d have to kill ya,” Fearne said stepping into his warm embrace.

“I can’t believe this motherfucker is still your minder. Would have ditched him ages ago.” Niall said as he squeezed her tight.

“Ehh, I’ve grown quite fond of him,” Fearne said with a smile. “Lets me do whatever I want.”

“Oh, I believe that.” He smiled.

Fearne stepped back, “I like the hair change. Suits you.”

“Makes me more distinguished,” Niall said before leaning in close. “All the birds are into it.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Haven’t changed a bit, Ni.”

“I have to get shit ready so why don’t you take a seat on the ol’ sofa and I’ll let you know when we’re all queued up.” He said with a wink.

Fearne looked over to find a lumpy old couch with two teal pillows sitting across from a makeshift soundboard. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She had some very fond memories from a couch that looked almost identical to the one staring back at her.

“Ni is this —-“ Fearne started to ask.

“Fuck no.” Niall cackled. “We got rid of it after um that.”

“Oh… well, it wasn’t that comfortable anyways.” She said shyly.

“He begs to differ,” Niall said with a smirk.

“How’s he doing?” Fearne asked — surprised at the words that had just come out. She didn’t know whether she was being polite or if she genuinely cared. She hadn’t thought about him in a while.

Declan and Niall looked just as surprised as she did.

“Still the same pain in the ass we know and love,” Niall said with a small smile.

“I wouldn’t expect anything else.” She smiled going back to the messages on her phone. She needed to prevent herself from saying anything else unexpected.

Fearne Phillips hadn’t thought about Louis in about a year. She’d see his face when certain songs would come on the radio. She’d hear his laugh when certain jokes were told. But she hadn’t seriously thought about the man she had loved in quite some time. She did wonder how he was but never intended on asking about him. She wasn’t the type to fawn over exes. After the breakup, she would move on as quickly as she could. Louis was different though. He was her best friend.

Seeing Niall was a great reminder of those days.

She was in the middle of explaining what had happened to her brother and best friend when she noticed a group form at the table across from her. Hushed voices were talking quickly. Something was wrong but she wasn’t going to let it get to her. She promised Declan she would stay at a six and that was one promise she couldn’t afford to break.

Her phone started to blow up as her two favorite people started weighing in on the situation at hand. She knew she could count on them to keep her distracted and that’s exactly what they did.

“Now then, let’s get this show on the road, Phillips.” A voice called out pulling her away from the conversation on her phone.

As she looked up, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing in front of her in a pair of muddy wellies was a man she hadn’t spoken to in ages. A man she dedicated two entire albums and an endless amount of notebooks to. A man whose face was now covered in facial hair and laughter lines. A man she had truly missed.

“Tommo,” She beamed taking her in ex-boyfriend’s appearance. “What the fuck are you wearin’ mate?”

“What?” The young man asked looking down at his outfit. “I look goddamn sexy, Phillips.”

Fearne shook her head standing up. “Look like you should be helping me nan with her back garden.”

“Oh fuck you.” Louis chuckled before pulling her into his arms for a hug. Her body effortlessly molded into the places that used to be called home. Everyone around them stood with bated breath unsure of how this interaction was going to turn out.

“Are you giving the interview then?” Fearne asked forcing herself to let go of his body.

Louis fought through a fake smile. “Unfortunately.”

Her hazel eyes lit up. “This is going to be brilliant.”

Something about the way she spoke caught Louis’ attention. She seemed tired and on edge. It had been a while but that man knew her better than anyone else. His eyes scanned her face for answers but fell short.

“Whatcha lookin’ at punk?” She said narrowing her eyes at him playfully.

He shook his head before stepping in close, “Y’alright?”

“I’m fab Lou.” She faked a smile. He didn’t buy it. Before he could dig a little deeper, papers were shoved in his face as a camera was slowly being set up.

Work was to be done.

Louis slid into the spot beside her on the couch. He rested his elbows on the tops of his legs as he studied the list of questions he was supposed to be asking. Fearne studied his face. She almost couldn’t believe it. His boyish features were no longer present. A week’s worth of stubble and some late nights in the studio had left him looking much older.

As he looked up to ask Niall a question, Fearne got a glimpse of his baby blue eyes. They were just as warm and inviting as they used to be but something was a bit off. She knew the look in his eyes all too well. It was the same look he had when he met her dad for the first time. It was the look he had on their first weekend away together. It was the same look he had the night he told her he loved her.

Despite his efforts to try to play it cool, there was no denying he was nervous.

Hoping to remedy the situation, Fearne nudged his leg gently with her own. His eyes left the commotion surrounding them and focused on her.  

“See anyone play yet?” She asked with an inviting smile.  

He knew what she was trying to do. He appreciated it. A wave of nerves had hit him when Matt said he couldn’t do the interview. He didn’t think he could do it either.

Fearne Phillips wasn’t just another musician at a festival that he needed to interview. She was his greatest love story. Every memory from his twenties had her in it. He didn’t need to fall in love ever again because nothing could compare to the time he spent with her.

Once they split, those memories were too much to handle. Her music disappeared from his show. Her albums sat on his shelf unopened. He couldn’t bring himself to be around things that reminded him of her. He wasn’t strong enough.

Seeing her after all this time was unlike anything he had ever imagined. His pulse began to race, butterflies took flight, and every day spent missing her seemed worth it.

“I went with Fiona and Jack to see Cage earlier and I saw a bit of Cold War Kids but that’s it.” He said putting on a fake smile. “What about you?”

“I’ve been stuck in here all morning.” She said sounding disappointed. “Probably won’t see anyone until after I get off stage.”

“You need to fire that minder of yours,” Louis said glancing over at Declan. “He’s overworking you.”

“Tell me about it.” She sighed.

“You sure you’re okay?” He said in a low voice.

Fearne raised an eyebrow. “Are you?”

“S’been a bit. Just nerves.” He grinned shyly.

“It’s just me, Lou,” Fearne said.

“Yeah, multi-platinum award-winning international superstar Fearne Phillips,” Louis said glancing down at his sheet of paper.

“Oh, you mean the same Fearne Phillips who can’t figure out how to build a fucking bookcase.” She said with a smirk.

His face lit up. “You still have it?”

“All me books are in piles on the floor. Samantha Jane nearly wrecks them every time she’s drunk.” Fearne admitted shyly. “The wood bits are under my bed. I’m convinced they didn’t put all the pieces in the box as a ploy to get me to buy another one.”

Louis bit back a smile. Three weeks after they met, Fearne bought a bookcase for the flat she shared with Samantha Jane. The girls were on an independence kick. They wanted to prove they could do things on their own. Samantha Jane orchestrated the completion of a bathroom remodel while Fearne focused on furniture. She got everything done but the bookcase.

One Friday night, he attempted to ask her out on a proper date but she asked if he wanted to come over instead. She rambled on about their new flat and her struggles with the furniture and how she couldn’t let her brother know she needed help. Without a second thought, Louis picked up a pizza and made his way over to help.

Things had been going well. He was already smitten and it hadn’t been that long. When they were almost finished, Louis realized he needed to figure out a way to continue seeing Fearne. Thinking on his feet, he slipped a piece of hardware into his pocket when she had left to get another beer from the kitchen. If it was missing, she couldn’t finish the job. If she couldn’t finish the job, he figured she’d be in need of his help once more.

Five years and one hell of a ride later, that piece of hardware was still buried in the drawer of his bedside table.

“Why not throw it out?” Louis asked genuinely curious as to why she kept it. He had asked himself the same question plenty of times. There was never a good enough reason to do so.

Fearne just shrugged. “Stubborn, I guess.”

“Fuckin’ Northerners.” He shook his head.

“They’re the worst.” She smiled. “Right?”

Louis laughed. “The fucking worst. All about their footie and Oasis.”

Her eyes lit up causing a smirk to form on his face. “You shut your bastard mouth, Tomlinson.”

“Oi love birds, we’ve got bad news.” Niall interrupted. “The camera isn’t working so it’s only audio.”

“Not a problem,” Fearne replied. “No one really needs to see my manky ol’ wellies anyways.”

“What she really means is her manky ol’ mug.” Louis popped off playfully.

Fearne glared at the man sitting across from her. “Like you should be talking, garden gnome.”

His mouth hung open in shock as she giggled to herself. Before he could defend his wardrobe choice, he was forced to get the interview started. He shot her a glare before clearing his throat and testing the microphone.

“Testing, testing. Tommo’s about to interview the biggest brat at Glastonbury.” He enunciated.

“How very dare you.” Fearne glared making the boys around her laugh.

Getting the all clear from Niall, Louis cleared his throat and went into interviewer mode.

“We are at the Glastonbury Festival with the ever so lovely Fearne Phillips,” Louis said as his crew cheered.

“Oi oi,” Fearne replied with a genuine smile on her face.

“You’ve got to talk into the microphone, love.” Louis teased. “S’not like you been doin’ this all morning.”

Her face lit up at his jesting. A playful glare and bare middle finger made their way into the interview.

“Anyways, y’alright Fearnie?” He asked with a smile.

“Doin’ just fine Lou.” She replied with a nod. “You?”

“Couldn’t be better.” He blushed. “How’s the festival been treatin’ ya so far?”

“So far so good. Nothing beats festival season if you ask me.”

“I hear that.” He laughed. “This year’s lineup is pretty ace and I’m told that’s why it sold out in a matter of minutes. Anyone you’re looking forward to seeing?”

“The  highlights so far have definitely been The Wombats and Wiley.” She said adjusting the microphone in her hand. “Today will probably be The Kooks if I can make it happen.”

His eyes locked with hers. That was their band. The first band they saw together. The band that constantly crept in and out of their relationship. They couldn’t listen to a song without thinking of each other.

“Think they’re gonna pay ‘Gap’?” He asked with a smirk.

Fearne rolled her eyes. Every single time they saw The Kooks play, Louis made a bet on whether or not they’d play his favorite song. The reward always changed but his side never did. Unfortunately, he was always wrong.

“Mate, come off it. You’re never gonna hear ‘em play ‘Gap’ live.” She said with a grin. “Just not meant to be.”

“I think it’ll happen. So, what’s on the setlist for you today? Anything off the new album? Or are we sticking to the classics?” He said smoothly navigating the conservation in another direction.

“Um, well it’s a bit of both. A few oldies might make their way back on stage. A lot from the album we just toured with.” She said trying to picture the list of songs she had decided on. “I actually have a brand new song that I was hoping to test out.”

“Oh my days, you heard it here folks. Everyone at Glastonbury is going to get a Fearne Phillips exclusive.” He teased. “Is this the first time it’s going to be heard by virgin ears?”

“I mean my brother has heard it at least twenty times so…”

Louis couldn’t help but laugh. “I don’t think he’ll appreciate that one. Arch, I’ll make sure Ni edits that out for ya, mate.”

“I’ve had to endure his obnoxious snoring for the past three days. He can handle some teasing — it’s the least he could do.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Arch is here?” He asked sounding surprised.

Fearne shook her head, “I should not have told you that.”

Louis’ eyes crinkled as a knowing smile took form. The bromance that had formed between him and Fearne’s brother was unlike any other. Whenever they were together chaos ensued. They had tried to keep in touch after the break-up but it was too difficult.

“Um, I think it’s time to wrap this up, Fearnie. Another Phillips needs to my attention.” Louis said with a playful wink.

“He’ll be going on about that for weeks.” Fearne laughed.

“Good.” He grinned. “We all know you are a veteran of the festival. What are some tips and tricks you’ve learned through the years that some of us more novice attendees should know?”

“I’m amused that you consider yourself a novice, but um make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day. Come with a group you won’t get angry with after five minutes of being with them.” Fearne said trying to think of advice she’d want to hear. “Keep a list of set times and emergency contacts accessible at all times.”

Louis opened his mouth but she quickly cut him off.

“Oh, and don’t take an open bevvy from anyone you don’t know!” She rattled off quickly.

His eyes crinkled as he bit back a smile. She hadn’t changed a bit. Before he could tease her for her maternal instincts, a hand signal was given meaning he needed to move a little quicker. He started asking questions sent in by fans. Before the pair of exes knew it, the interview was over.

“That’s a wrap,” Niall said leaning over the portable soundboard. “Well done.”

“What’s next for you?” Louis asked as a couple of interns started to gather up the microphones.

“More bull shit.” She mumbled leaning forward. “That I really don’t want to do.”

“Why haven’t you fired him?” Louis said his voice low and concerned. “He always does this to you.”

“He’s been me best mate for ages. It’s not all his fault. The team expects the moon.”

Louis shook his head. She really hadn’t changed. She was still the same girl who worked too hard for people who could care less. She was constantly being thrown in a thousand directions and never got a chance to take a break.

“Interview before you wanted me to give teenage girls advice on how to pick up men.” She said sounding glum. “Said nothing about my foundation or charity work. Nothing about how my profits for the last two tours went to music education and girls’ clubs throughout the UK.”

She turned towards him. “You were photographed with this man, this man, and this man. How’d you get them in the sack, Fearne? Give our readers a tutorial on how to lure babes in.”

“I’m fucking tired, Tommo.” She sighed. “Same ol’ shit.”

The exhaustion in her voice ripped him apart.

He reached over to comfort her but stopped halfway. He didn’t know if he should. That wasn’t his job anymore. He wasn’t her protector or confidante. He was the one who threw in the towel when things got rough. He was the one who left her in a hotel room in New York because he couldn’t do it anymore. He couldn’t be in a relationship with an empty bed relying heavily on FaceTime calls and red-eye flights.

He couldn’t be the man she needed and that killed him.

Louis knew he needed to say something though. The look on her face was a look he had seen on more than one occasion. He knew she needed to know that someone was in her corner — that someone was proud of her. However, he didn’t know how much merit he held when it came to Fearne Phillips Fan Club.

He opened his mouth to say something but Declan snagged her attention away. He rambled on about potentially squeezing one more interview in. Fearne tried to argue but her manager wasn’t having it. It’s what the team wanted. His phone started to ring putting a pause in the conversation.

“Have you eaten?” Louis asked pulling her attention away from the situation that was taking place.

She shook her head. “I’m supposed to meet up with SJ and Arch after this.”

“Don’t let him make you do anything else without eating.” He said softly. “The mini shepherd's pies at the booth by the toilets are just like the ones back home. I highly recommend them.”

“I really just want chips. Do they have them?” She asked sounding hopeful.

“Yeah pretty decent too —especially with a pint.”

“Can’t have one of those yet. Still on duty.” Fearne groaned.

“Same here.” Louis smiled.

“What’s on the books for the rest of the day?” She asked trying to take the attention off her.

“A few more interviews and then just chillin’.” He said making her smile.

“You seriously have the life, mate,” Fearne said.

“Best job in the world.” He winked.

“Tell me about it.” She said with a grin.

“What times your set today?” He asked cautiously.

“Five,” Fearne said mid-yawn. “Or so I’m told.”

“Excited for it?” Louis asked.

“Are you always in interview mode?” Niall asked walking by. “Give the girl a break.”

“Yeah, give the girl a break.” Fearne laughed leaning back against the couch.

“Fuck off.” Louis blushed. “Both of ya.”

The pair of adults sat quietly for a few moments watching people work around them. Declan stood off to the side with his phone pressed to his ear. Niall was glued to his laptop trying to fix some kind of recording issue.

“Arch is going to be so happy to see you,” Fearne said.

“Missed that man,” Louis said turning towards her.

Fearne yawned again. “Think Deco will notice if I slip away for a quick snooze?”

“Ehh I’d give him about fifteen minutes before he actually notices,” Louis said leaning against the back of the couch. “I’ll create a diversion for you.”

“You’re the real MVP, Lou.” Fearne smiled.

“Kooks are on at seven, yeah?” He asked with a yawn.

“Uh, I think so.” She yawned back before closing her eyes.

“You really don’t think they are gonna play ‘Gap’?” Louis asked watching her face. She was even more gorgeous than he remembered.

“When have they ever?” She replied.

He scanned her face once more before responding, “You never know anything could happen.”

“Fearne, we have to — shit… is she asleep?” Declan’s voice called out from in front of them.

“Come back in twenty and she’ll be ready to go,” Louis said taking his eyes off the woman beside her.

“Fearne, we have to go. Russell wants a quick word.” Declan said walking towards the couch.

“Tell Russell he can fuck off,” Fearne replied dryly.

“He writes my checks so I can’t do that,” Declan said as he slipped his phone into his pocket.

“Actually, mate, she’s the one who writes your checks.” Louis nodded towards Fearne. “Without this one, you lot wouldn’t have jobs.”

A small smile formed on Fearne’s face as she opened one eye to look at the man sitting beside her. If there was one thing she loved about Louis Tomlinson, it was his ability to stick up for the people he cared about. No matter what the circumstances where, if you meant something to him, he’d have your back for life. It was nice to see that despite everything that had happened between them, when it came down to it, he still cared.

“Easy there, Lou. We all know how this fight ends.” Fearne said patting him on the leg.

“Still doesn’t make it right.” He mumbled shyly.

“We need to go,” Declan said ignoring whatever moment was being shared.

“I’m not doing anything until I get food,” Fearne said as she stood up. A smug smirk formed on Louis’ face. He always liked when she took his advice and stood up for herself.

“We have to talk to —“ Declan started to say.

“Fuck Russell. I’m starving.” She said placing her hands on her hips. “I’m eating with my brother and SJ. Fuck I’ll even take eating with Tommo and Ni. I need food.”

“Diva,” Declan mumbled as he pulled out his phone to send a quick update to her team.

“Up for some grub?” Fearne asked nodding at Louis.

“You American now?” Louis teased making her blush.

“Lived in LA for a month and she thinks she’s a Yank.” Declan joked — eyes never leaving his phone.

Louis laughed at the light jesting.

“Fuck you,” Fearne mumbled shyly.

“Tommo, we are about twenty minutes out for the next one,” Niall called over to him.

“So that’s a no on food,” Fearne said with a weak smile.

“Kooks at seven?” Louis asked as he stood up.

“If I can make it, yeah,” Fearne said leaning in for the hug.

“Brilliant,” Louis said as he wrapped his arms around her.

“Good to see you, Lou.” She whispered in his ear.

“You too, Fearnie,” Louis whispered back.

And like that, she was gone.

Louis stood quietly as his mind attempted to process what had just happened.

Niall walked over and closed the space between them. He patted Louis’ side gently. “Talk to me.”

“Did that really just happen?” Louis asked — his voice low and full of disbelief.

“It’s just Fearnie,” Niall said. “You can breathe now.”

Louis exhaled loudly as he turned towards his best friend. They had talked about this moment hypothetically on weekends away and drunken nights out. Never in a million years had he anticipated running into her again. He had made a point to avoid her at all costs. He just couldn’t bear the thought of seeing her after everything that happened. It hurt too much.

“You did good.” Niall smiled. “Take a ten and call Mum, yeah?”

“She’s in the middle of the lunch rush at the diner,” Louis said checking the time on his phone. “And besides, a woman like Fearne Phillips deserves more than a ten-minute analysis with Sadie.”

“Okay,” Niall said gnawing on his lower lip. “Um, tell me what you need. A break? A pint?”

“I-I-I don’t know,” Louis stuttered not sure what he needed to do to get his heart to stop pounding. He cleared his throat and looked around the tent. “Let’s just go on with the show and deal with it later.”

“Lou--” Niall sighed.

Louis faked a smile and patted his best friend on the stomach. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”

“Fuck, Tommo. We don’t need a repeat of--” Niall started to say as Louis placed a hand on the Irishman’s shoulder.

“S’not gonna be like last time,” Louis said unconvincingly. “Let’s just uh focus on the next interview.”

“Alright.” Niall sighed. “If you need a minute, you have to tell me.”

“Ni, fuck off.” Louis smiled. “I’m good.”

But Louis Tomlinson wasn’t good. His body went into autopilot for the rest of the evening. Cheeky banter, a flirtatious wink, and his outspoken behavior were thrown into each remaining interviews. The show went on as usual.

Louis Tomlinson’s mind, however, was nowhere near the musical festival. It was grounded at Customs at Heathrow the day things ended. It danced around that chippery in Brighton they went to in the summer. It flew across the States making pit stops in Denial and Despair. It sat on his mum’s couch as she laid into him for giving up so easily. It froze when it remembered the way she would stare at him when he told a story — as if she’d never heard anything like it. It stressed over what he was to do next.

Did he call his mother? Did he get drunk and try to forget the woman who was unforgettable? Or did he give in to his desires and watch her play for the first time in ages?

Because that’s really what he wanted to do. As soon as she walked away, he wanted to be beside her. He wanted to hear her sing and watch her perform. He wanted to make her laugh and have her call him a bastard when the tiniest things inconvenienced her. He wanted so many things that he hadn’t wanted in years and that was terrifying.

Louis couldn’t believe what he was about to witness. It took three pints and two shepherd’s pies to convince himself to walk across the venue to stand side stage for one of the biggest acts in all of England. He was hoping the liquid courage would get him through the songs he knew were about him and the ones he hadn’t heard yet.

“You sure about this, Lou?” Niall asked as they claimed their spot.

Louis laughed nervously, “Not in the slightest.”

“We can uh go hang around until it’s time for The Kooks.” Niall offered knowing this was a big step for his best friend.

The drum kits were being switched out as the crowd started to grow in size. The two men shuffled out of the way as crew members worked as quickly as they could to get things ready.

“I am at a music festival and ‘ve barely seen anyone play. Can we please just watch a set?” Louis groaned annoyed.

“We can go pick another one,” Niall said. “I’m sure some indie group is playing across the way.”

“You knew as soon as I saw her I was going to be drawn in again,” Louis said. “Haven’t listened to her sing in five years. First thing I thought of when she walked away was that I’m going to see her set today. Don’t know what it is about her, Ni, but I have to be here.”

Niall nodded knowing it was inevitable. Once Louis set his mind on something he rarely changed it. “Can you give me a signal if it gets to be too much?”

“God, you sound just like Liv.” Louis laughed thinking of his sister.

“Why’s that?” Niall asked confused.

“Ever since she was twelve, Olivia decided she needed to look after her big brother,” Louis explained. “Mum was busy with the diner. Dad was non-existent. When I’d come home from uni, I’d try to make sure things were in order around the house. Liv would always try to take care of me.”

“On my first Fearneless Christmas, we went to me Uncle Tim’s house. I drove Liv while Mum drove the others. She was going to stay at Aunt Margie’s while me and the girls headed down to Dad’s.” Louis continued. “No one really said anything but they were keeping an eye on me. Liv told me that if I needed a break to come squeeze her elbow and she’d intervene.”

“She’s a smart kid.” Niall smiled. “How’d that turn out for you?”

“Pop and Gran knew better to bring it up. Aunt Margie gave me a little cuddle when we finally went inside. Fuckin’ Uncle Tim and his twat of a girlfriend were only concerned with what I was going to sell to the media about the relationship. ‘Did Fearne do this? Did Fearne do that?’ Absolute bull shit.”

“It didn’t get to me until his girlfriend’s daughter started to slag her off. It took one squeeze and Liv was making an excuse to get us both outside. She stole me keys and drove us to a park nearby. I cried in the passenger seat and she just let me. She didn’t try to make things better. She didn’t try to change the subject. She just let me know it was going to get better.”

Niall couldn’t help but smile at the heartwarming story. The bond between Louis and his siblings was truly one of a kind.

“She’s gonna flip when she hears about how today went,” Louis said with a soft smile.

Guitars were being brought in and an ancient looking rug was being placed center stage.

“How bad are the songs?” Louis asked in a hushed tone.

“Nothing you can’t handle,” Niall said. “We still haven’t talked about earlier.”

“Can’t we just debrief tomorrow morning like we do every festival?” Louis asked rolling his eyes — not wanting to have analyze everything that had happened earlier in the day.

“This isn’t like every festival.” Niall pointed out.

“I survived the interview. I can survive the set.” Louis said trying to convince himself more than anything.

“You sure about that Tomlinson?” The voice of a woman he never thought he’d run into again said from beside him.

Standing in all her glory was Fearne's best friend, Samantha Jane Wilkinson.

“Sammy J!” Niall cheered as he made his way towards the tall blonde. “Lookin’ good babes.”

“You are like a fine wine, Horan.” The woman said kissing his cheek. “Better with age.”

Niall Horan’s infamous laugh filled the air as she moved towards Louis. Without saying a word, she pulled him into a hug. He placed a brief kiss on her cheek before saying hello.

“So Tommo, who the fuck did you bribe at the BBC to get that interview with Fearnie earlier?” She asked as she pulled away.

“No one,” Louis said feeling his chest grow tight. He knew how her mind worked and he couldn’t say that he had missed it.

Samantha Jane had always been overprotective of Fearne and wary of anyone who got too close. Her brash and boisterous attitude constantly clashed with Louis’ causing a love-hate relationship to form between the two.

“Really?” Samantha Jane asked unimpressed.

“Matt had some dodgy meat and is still shitting his brains out as we speak,” Louis explained.

“Right.” She replied dryly.

“Go check the loo for yourself,” Niall said trying to help Louis out. “I had it planned so they’d never see each other.”

“So it was fate, then?” Samantha Jane tilted her head. “Interesting.”

“How ya been, babe?” Niall asked trying to change the subject. Louis didn’t need this kind of talk filling his already confused head.

“Fab. Just livin’ the life.” She smiled sadly. Both men took note of it. “How bout you guys?”

“Can’t complain. Living the dream every day.” Niall said rocking back on his heels.

“Just keepin’ busy,” Louis said.

“If you want to see Arch, he usually stands on the other side.” Samantha Jane pointed out.

“Oh yeah?” Louis asked turning his attention to the opposite side of the stage. Fearne’s older brother stood with a drink in his hand as he talked to a pair of blondes.

“Him and Fucktard don’t let me near them when she’s on stage.” She explained.

Louis turned towards her confused, “Why?”

“No idea.” Samantha Jane sighed. “It’s Declan’s doing. Apparently, I’m a distraction.”

“Why the fuck is that man still around?” Louis crossed his arms over chest.

“You know how she is.” The woman sighed as she settled into a spot beside him. “The team thinks he’s good at his job and we’ve been mates since we were in nappies so he’s here for good.”

“Fucking bull shit, if you ask me,” Louis mumbled.

“At least that’s something we still agree on.” She said.

A small huddle formed near the stairs leading up to the stage. Microphones were being checked while a sea of people waited anxiously for Fearne and her band to take the stage. Louis almost couldn’t believe his eyes at the size of the crowd that had formed. If there was anyone that deserved that kind of recognition, it was her.

Before he could get caught up in the insanity of it all, Louis felt someone nudge him. The blonde woman beside him moved a bit closer to him before speaking in a low tone.

“Don’t know what you did, Lou.” She said placing a hand on his shoulder. “She came back like a bloody schoolgirl.”

“I-I-I didn’t do anything.” Louis sputtered.

“She was giddy, mate. I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen her genuinely happy.” Samantha Jane smiled.

“When you barely get any time off and are living out of a suitcase, I could see that bein’ true,” Louis said.

“She’s getting time off so it’ll be good for her.” She said.

“Until something pops up and she has to do it or Russell will be up her arse about it,” Louis said as he watched Declan appear across the stage.

“She needs new people around her but she won’t listen to me when I try to tell her.” Samantha Jane said sounding a bit disappointed. “I guess I did that to myself though.”

She cleared her throat hoping it would distract him from what she had said. “Anyways, I don’t know what today means or if this is going to be a reoccurring thing.”

Louis looked at her confused. “What are you on about?”

“She’s not as strong as she looks so if whatever this is going to be goes south again, you’re going to have to answer to me this time. Got it?” She stated with a bit of malice.

“Something has to happen before it can go south.” He shot back ignoring the thoughts in the back of his mind. He wasn’t going to go there. It was too soon.

“I know I’m jumping the gun but I can’t lose her again.” Samantha Jane said. “She’s all I’ve got.”

“Don’t worry, Sam. I wo—“ Louis started to say before he was drowned out by the screams of the crowd.

The fiery brunette who held a special place in his heart raced past him and took her place in the center of the stage.

“Glastonbury,” Fearne yelled out. “How the fuck are ya?”

A smug look formed on his face. She hadn’t changed a bit.

Samantha Jane leaned in and cupped her hand over his ear before she spoke. “Our girl has become one hell of a performer. You’re in for a treat.”

Samantha Jane was right. Fearne Phillips was one hell of a performer and Louis nearly regretted staying away from her music for the past few years. Her stage presence and artistry were truly one of a kind. She really was one of the greatest artists of their generation. Louis spent the entirety of her set absolutely buzzing. Music festivals were tough for him. It was a lot of work and very little play so when he got the opportunity to see a set he tried to make it count.

Oddly enough, watching his ex-girlfriend sing songs about him and their past had proven to be worth it. He followed Niall down the stairs as crew members rushed past them to start taking things down. Samantha Jane followed behind him typing away on her phone.

Niall opened his mouth to ask what was going to happen next but the leggy blonde in the back beat him to it.

“You lot stayin’ for Kooks?” Samantha Jane asked looking between the pair of men.

“Uh, yeah,” Louis responded without missing a beat.

Niall shot him a concerned look but Louis dismissed it.

“Boss Lady wants us to head over there and she’ll meet us there. That alright with you, Ni?” She asked focusing back on her phone.

Niall looked at Louis. “You sure bout this?”

“He survived the interview and the set. Tommo can do anythin’.” Samantha Jane teased.

“Oh fuck off,” Louis said with a laugh.

“Arch will be absolutely chuffed to see ya both.” She smiled slipping her phone into her bag. “Glad you said yes. Boss Lady wasn’t gonna let me walk by meself anyways.”

“She runs a tight ship.” Niall joked.

“You have no fucking idea.” She rolled her eyes.

The group of adults made their way out of the backstage area and onto the festival grounds. They had thirty minutes to walk across the field, reunite with their friends, and claim their spot.

As they reached their designated meet spot, Niall and Louis shared a look that was usually reserved for “on the air” moments. It was a way for Niall to check in on Louis without drawing other people’s attention. He signed that he was good allowing the Irishman to take a sigh of relief.

“So Nialler, gotta life or death question for ya. Are you single or what?” Samantha Jane asked.

“Why? You down?” Niall smirked causing a pretty serious blush to form on the young woman’s cheeks.

“She’d eat you alive, mate,” Louis said shaking his head.

Samantha Jane tilted her head to the side. “He could handle it.”

Niall shifted on his feet not realizing how much damage a gaze from Samantha Jane Wilkinson could cause.

“He’s my baby. You’d destroy him.” Louis said glancing over at his best friend. “Can’t be havin’ that.”

“I thought you were trying to get with Declan,” Niall asked finally finding his voice.

“No. He tried it on with me.” Samantha Jane said. “And then Fearnie but uh that didn’t go over too well.”

Louis stayed quiet. He always had a feeling that Declan was a bit smitten with his missus but he could never prove it. Hearing he tried something with Fearne after they split wasn’t surprising in the slightest.

“That’s a story for another day.” Samantha Jane said before clearing her throat. “So, you lads seeing anyone?”

“Do you ever keep it in your pants, SJ?” Archie Phillips called out catching everyone’s attention.

“Like you should be talking.” Samantha Jane said rolling her eyes.

“Not my fault, ladies love me,” Archie said smugly. “Unlike you.”

“Arch, leave her alone,” Fearne said hitting her brother across the stomach.

“Yeah. Leave me alone.” Samantha Jane retorted childishly.

“As you get older, you think to yourself that maybe today will be the day when they grow out of it. That maybe this will be the moment of clarity they need.” Archie said looking around the group. “But then it hits you, they’ll never change.”

“They are always going to be annoying little sisters.” Archie winked at Louis.

“Little sisters really are the worst.” Louis laughed as he moved towards the man.

“Bring it in bruv.” Archie smiled with outstretched arms.

“It’s been too long.” Louis smiled as the two men embraced.

“Tell me about it. You’re almost an old man now.” Archie said making the others laugh.

“Like he should be talking.” Samantha Jane mumbled.

“Oi, watch it, Sammy.” Archie glared.

“How the fuck is City at the top of the table?” Louis asked stepping away from the man who was like an older brother to him.

“Because United doesn’t know how to play football.” Archie deadpanned making his sister laugh.

“Let’s not talk football.” Samantha Jane sighed.

“Just because you guys picked a shit team—“ Fearne started to say before Louis cut her off.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Just because at the moment you’re doin’ well for yourself doesn’t mean you can be all high n’ mighty, Phillips.” Louis teased.

She threw her hands up in defense. “Sorry, didn’t know it was a touchy subject for ya.”

Louis rolled his eyes while the people around him laughed.

“Question for ya though, how are the Donny Rovers doin’?” She smirked knowing his other football team wasn’t doing too well either.

“Oh fuck you.” He shook his head.

“That was a low blow, Fearnie.” Archie sighed. “That’s the man’s pride and joy right there.”

“Seems to me Louis doesn’t know how to pick a football team.” Fearne smiled making Louis blush.

“You have one good season and you think you’re hot shit.” Louis shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“How many times has United won the title since Fergie left?” She shot back making Niall laugh.

Louis attempted to defend himself but he couldn’t. A pleased look formed on his ex-girlfriend’s face.

“We’ve got all night to watch you twos flirt with each other. I need me a pint. Anyone else keen?” Archie teased.

Everyone in their small group had agreed that a pint (or two) was needed.

“I’ll go with you to get one,” Fearne said quickly.

“It’s okay. Deco and the Irish One can come with me.” Archie said thinking on his feet. Keeping his sister safe was a top priority and having her walk around in a crowd of festival-goers didn’t seem like a good idea.

“You sure about this?” Niall asked looking over at Louis.

“Yeah. What he said.” Fearne said giving her brother a confused look.

“SJ can play minder. Make sure everything goes smoothly. No more football talk until we get back. Sound good?” Archie said giving his sister a reassuring look.

“I don’t know if that’s smart,” Declan said moving closer to Fearne. “Maybe I should stay back too.”

Louis kept his eyes on Fearne’s face. She was not having it.

“It’s fine. Go with Arch.” Louis said stepping in. “We’ll behave. We’re adults now.”

“I’ll take care of your babies.” Samantha Jane said catching onto what Louis was trying to do.  “We’ll be good, yeah?”

“Alright, let’s go boys,” Archie said turning around.

With that, Fearne Phillips found herself alone with her best friend and her ex-boyfriend. It was such a weird feeling. She never thought she’d get this moment again. She turned to say something but Samantha Jane just shook her head.

“What?” Fearne asked confused.

“He’s got to go.” Samantha Jane said with a serious look on her face.

“Sam, I can’t—“ Fearne sighed knowing what she was referring to.

“At least tell Arch. He deserves to know.” Samantha Jane said.

“We can talk about this later,” Fearne said glancing at Louis shyly.

“He knows you can take care of things on your own so why was he was so keen to stay?” Samantha Jane pointed out.

“Because I’m here,” Louis said. “He’s always been a jealous twat.”

“But he’s good at his job,” Fearne said as if that were a good enough reason.

“You deserve better than that,” Louis said with a sad smile.

Fearne felt her cheeks grow warm. She knew Louis was right but he didn’t know the whole story. In an attempt to change the subject, Fearne cleared her throat and threw a fabricated smile on her face before looking between Louis and her best friend.“Guess what this twat asked me today during the interview?”

“If he fucking brought up ‘Gap’, I’m gonna lose it.” Samantha Jane said looking over at Louis.

“Still thinks they are gonna play it.” Fearne laughed making Louis blush.

“You never know,” Louis said defending himself. “Today’s been a wild card of a day. Anything could happen.”

“Okay, Ellie Goulding.” Samantha Jane said rolling her eyes.

“I bet — “ Louis started to say but Fearne’s laughter stopped him.

“Fuck, I’ve actually missed this.” Samantha Jane said amazed by her own words. “You just like losing, don’t ya Tommo?”

“They don’t play it, I’ll buy you a pint,” Louis said sticking out his hand for Fearne to shake. “If they do, you owe me.”

“You could have spiced things up a bit, Lou. That was like child’s play.” Samantha Jane added.

Ignoring her best friends commentary, Fearne reached out and shook his hand. She noticed his fingers lingered against hers longer than they should have. It was interesting.

“Since you two are gettin’ on quite well, mind if I bail? I see an eight with a beard makin’ heart eyes at me.” Samantha Jane said nodding a guy standing nearby.

“Keep your phone on,” Fearne said looking over her shoulder at the group of people the stranger belonged to.

“Yes, Mum.” Samantha Jane said adjusting her top.

“No drugs,” Fearne said sternly.

“Yeah, yeah.” She said slipping her phone into her bag.

“I’m being serious SJ,” Fearne said grabbing onto her friend’s hand.

Samantha Jane looked her in the eye. “ No drugs. I promise.”

“Have fun.” Fearne nodded.

The blonde leaned in and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before disappearing into the crowd.

“I can send Niall after her when he gets back if you want me to.” Louis offered.

“If she’s not back after the set, I’ll take you up on that,” Fearne said with a soft smile.

Louis nodded as he moved a little closer to her. The pair of adults stayed silent as mobs of people moved around them. It was almost surreal. After all this time, they were going to be watching a band that had basically defined their relationship.

“I can see why Georgette is obsessed with your latest album,” Louis said breaking the silence.

“Oh Georgie, bless her.” Fearne smiled. Louis’ middle sister was always her favorite.

“Might have to pick myself up a copy of the ones I’ve missed.” He said with a smile.

“I think this next set is going to be much better than what you just watched,” Fearne said unable to accept his compliment. Louis has a very strong opinion when it came to music so knowing he approves of all the songs that were influenced by him was something she couldn’t quite comprehend.

“You’ve done well for yourself, kid,” Louis said softly.

“Thanks, Lou.” Fearne blushed.

A brief silence settled in once more as new groups formed around them. She moved a little closer to him. She could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to bring something up but he was holding back. Knowing him as well as she did, she knew it had to be serious because biting his tongue wasn’t one of Louis’ specialties.

“You alright?” Fearne nudged him gently.

“Ye-Yeah.” Louis stuttered. He cleared his throat letting her know he was lying. Fearne didn’t press the matter.

She just nodded as she looked up at him.“I’ve got like two more festival dates and then I’m off for a year. Can you believe it?”

“Fearne Phillips actually gets time off? Blasphemy.” Louis replied dryly.

“Shocking, I know.” She laughed.

“What are you gonna do?” He asked crossing his arms over his chest.

“Um, sleep.” She shrugged. “Haven’t had a year off since I started. I’m overdue on this whole sleep thing.”

“You’re right about that.” He laughed softly.

“I dunno what else. Maybe head home and get back to me Northern roots.” She said turning on her true accent.

“The North better prepare themselves.” He said.

Fearne giggled. “Been back recently?”

Louis shook his head. “No, but hope to soon.”

“I’m sure they’re missing ya.” She said.

“They get to hear me every afternoon so they aren’t missin’ me that much.” He said with a shrug.

It wasn’t long before a group of guys beside them recognized her. She sent a tight smile in their directions before moving closer to him. He moved to the other side of her body acting as a buffer from the group of men.

“Fifty quid, we get papped and sent to The Sun tomorrow.” She mumbled nodded to another group of people that had spotted them. Mobile phones were out and photos were being taken.

“Britain’s next It couple,” Louis said.

Fearne laughed. “Fearne Phillips reignites illicit tryst with scorned ex-lover Louis Tomlinson.”

“Louis Tomlinson smokes out pop star ex-girlfriend Fearne Phillips during festival love fest.” Louis rattled off.

“Remember when they thought we shagged in me car after that god awful trip back home?” She snorted remembering the unflattering paparazzi pictures.

“Never heard the end of that one.” He blushed.

“We got into some trouble, didn’t we?” She said looking up at him with a happy look on her face.

“Wouldn’t change it for the world though.” He nodded.

“Maybe less fighting,” Fearne said softly. “But I agree.”

“But the fighting brought us closer.” He said with a sigh.

“You are right about that.” She said with a nod. No matter how bad the fight was, no one went to bed angry.

“I wanna see you when you get back from being home,” Louis said leaning in close. He didn’t know why those words chose that moment to escape from his mouth but he was happy that they did. “Might be too forward but I don’t give a fuck.”

“Why’s that?” Fearne asked confused.

“Your accent gets thicker and you get more annoyed with the City.” He said smugly.

She laughed to herself. “Yeah, you’re right about that.”

Before Louis got the chance to confirm plans, someone nudged him. He turned to find Fearne’s brother with two fresh pints in his hand. He graciously took one before making room for the other boys to join in.

“No tears? No blood? No fightin’?” Archie asked looking confused. “You lot alright?”

“Fuck off, Arch.” Fearne sighed. “We’re capable of being friends. We’re adults now.”

“Where’d SJ go?” Declan asked handing Fearne the extra pint in his hand.

“Off to suck some fella’s face off,” Fearne explained.

“But she --” Archie started to say sounding worried.

“She promised she wouldn’t,” Fearne said knowing what her brother was going to ask.

“I offered to send Ni after her,” Louis said before taking a sip of his drink.

“She’ll be fine boys.” Fearne faked a smile. “Let’s focus on the show.”

“You’re too trusting, Fearnie,” Declan said. “She comes back on one, that’s on you.”

The young woman opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. It wasn’t worth the argument. Instead, she gripped her drink a little tighter and made her way to an open area that was away from her friends. She didn’t need the boys to ruin the rest of her night by making her feel guilty for trusting Samantha Jane. Unlike them, she always Samantha Jane the benefit of the doubt — even if she didn’t always deserve it.

Without a word, Louis moved from his spot beside Archie and took up the space beside his ex-girlfriend. Her body was tense until she realized it was him. Her actions didn’t go unnoticed. When he focused on Fearne’s face, he knew something wasn’t right.

Louis leaned in close. “She’s gonna be fine.”

“Even if she wasn’t, it’s not like they are gonna be the ones helping her when she’s coming off a bad trip. Or holding her hair back when she’s spewing her guts out or keeping her hydrated the next day.” She mumbled. “It’s not like they actually give a shit.”

“She’s lucky to have you.” He said sincerely.

Fearne could feel her cheeks grow warm. “Actually, I’m lucky to have her.”

“That’s true. I know this isn’t me place but I uh meant what I said earlier about Deco. You deserve better.” He said taking a sip of his drink. “He’s a fucking twat.”

“Biggest twat on the fuckin’ planet,” Fearne mumbled. “But you didn’t hear it from me.”

Louis laughed making her smile. The lights went out on stage alerting the entire crowd that things were about to kick off. Archie and the boys made their way over to where Fearne and Louis had been standing. A bit of mindless chatter began amongst them as they waited for the show to begin.

Intro music began sending a wave of electricity throughout the crowd. Fearne felt herself move closer to Louis. She couldn’t believe this was happening. After all this time, they were back together and about to watch their favorite band.

“Lou.” She said nudging him.

“Hmm.” He mumbled looking over at her.

The look in his eye was something she’d never forget. Louis had a way of making her feel like the most important person in the world whenever she spoke. It was something she had missed.

“I’m glad we ran into each other.” She said.

His cheeks grew warm from the sincerity in her voice.

“Past few years, everyone has asked me what I thought would happen if we saw each other again and this has honestly been better than anything I could ever imagine.” She admitted.

“I guess it was a good thing that Matty nearly shit himself.” Louis joked making her laugh.

“Thankin’ me lucky stars for that.” She winked.

“Mum isn’t going to believe the day I’ve had.” He said with a smile.

Before anything else could be said, the kick drum kicked in causing the crowd to roar with excitement.

The rest of the night felt like a dream. She couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. She was surrounded by good food, good music, and good people. A few more drinks were shared before everyone parted ways for the night.

Fearne Phillips didn’t know how it happened but she felt rejuvenated. It could have been because her work duties were over. It could have been the fact that her vacation was only two weeks away. It could have been the small reunion with a man who made up so many memories from her past. She didn’t know.

She did know that she wasn’t the same person as she was when she woke up that morning. That was something to be happy about.

As she got ready for bed that night, her phone buzzed on the counter of the caravan’s bathroom. On the screen was a number she hadn’t recognized but the message gave the sender away.

Tuesday. Stags Head. Lunch is on me even though you lost, loser. x

A goofy grin formed on her face. She quickly shot back a reply before adding his new number to her phone.

Maybe being friends with Louis wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.