#anyways looks like my calendar will be booked until the next month

[moonydustx]

So I have this thing...

I need more Law x Reader fics pleeeaassee (；ＴДＴ)

Anyway...

May I ask a reader (up to you what gender) reacting to law proposing to her? Which I doubt canon law would even do but I guess since it's fanfiction, who cares if it's Canon, right???

OMG, this is incredible, hold my hand and I'm with you on this, thank you so much for the request. In my HCs on the Law (I will still post them) I think if it was important for him to do it without even blinking. Surely it would be something more discreet, a small ceremony between just two? I don't know, I might be rambling too much.

Apologies because I didn't have much time to review and maybe I got carried away writing it. I hope you enjoy!

Important: italics are for flashbacks and character readings aloud.

The proposal - favorite moment (part 01)

Part 02 - Part 03

Law counted the minutes until night arrived, it was one of his favorite moments. That was when you would sneak around the submarine and end up knocking on the door on it. In most of these situations, you didn't get out anytime soon. He's not much of a follower on the calendar, celebrating each month together - and come to think of it, everything happened so naturally that it was decided on which day it started to be difficult for you to be a boyfriend.

Like so many other nights, you found yourself doing what was one of the only things Law could name as a hobby. You were nestled between his legs, your body resting on his chest as you attentively read another book. He found himself leaning against the wall, one of his hands resting on his body while with the other he tried to leaf through one of the new editions of Sora comics that he had picked up on the last island he visited.

He had already lost count of how many times the two of you had wasted hours tangled up in his bed reading and something else he was used to hearing you sniffle at something, like you were doing this time. His eyes looked away from the painting and went straight to where you were reading, just out of curiosity. The other times you were sniffling, he had found you reading about some character who died, some reunion, some couple who got together. This time, from what he could see, it was a marriage proposal.

He already knew it was an important topic for you. He also knew that if he had to choose to spend his entire life with someone, it would be you. Law had thought about the hypothesis a few times and when reading the small excerpt from the book, he let himself think about the idea.

"Wow." your feet were planted in front of an immense showcase. Dresses were stacked side by side in various sizes and textures, some with huge trains and others full of silk.

"Don't tell me you're one of those marriage freaks." Ikkaku planted himself next to you, next to Bepo.

"They are beautiful." the bear confirmed, touching the glass.

"Not freak…" you tried to find the words, you really didn't want to sound like a crazy person. "I mean, marriages are two people coming out in love to the world, to the government, to whatever god they may believe in or to no god at all, as if nothing could intervene or separate them."

"Okay, insane then." Shachi appeared behind you, mumbling.

"Actually, that's a nice way of thinking." Ikkaku replied to him, watching you just shrug. "And I won't deny it, they are beautiful dresses."

"Time to go." The captain's voice echoed closer than you imagined, as if he had been there the whole time listening.

Seeing the crew members move forward, agreeing to the captain's request, Law took a few seconds to evaluate the display that had distracted everyone. He could just be daydreaming, but one day you would look incredible wearing a dress like that along with the new name you would carry. Ms. Trafalgar.

From that day on, the idea of ​​proposing to you never left his mind, Law just needed to find the perfect opportunity and it appeared before his eyes.

"Okay…" your choked voice took him out of his reverie. "That's enough tears for today and I'm getting sleepy." you closed the book, turning towards him and snuggling even closer against Law's body.

"Do you mind if I keep reading some more?" he asked and you just mumbled no. His hand got tangled in your strands of hair and it didn't take long for unconsciousness to take you away.

Law gave himself a week to put the plan into practice. The small room at Polar Tang was tidier than usual however you could notice Law more tense than usual behind his back.

"Everything is fine?" you asked, quickly turning to face him. Law seemed distracted from the book in his hands.

"Everything amazing." his lips quickly touched the top of your head. It was now. All the other battles he had faced had not even come close to the anxiety he felt at that moment. "That book you were reading last week?"

"Ah, it's this one. I'm almost done. It's a period romance, princess, knight and all the little things that involves." you laughed, knowing that from your description he would hate the book. "There's no point trying to convince me to read Sora, this one is much cooler."

"So cool you were crying the last time you read it." he said in a teasing tone.

In a casually planned way, even if it went unnoticed in your eyes, he placed the comic he was reading on the bed.

"It's because he was so sweet to her, made an amazing statement."

"Really? Let me see." He moved even closer to your back, looking for space on your shoulder to follow the written words and find the perfect cue.

"Here. Can I read it?"

"Please." he asked, feeling his hands sweat cold.

"Of all the countries I've visited, I don't think I've ever found a home except in you. You've been my home, my safe haven." You started reading, already feeling yourself melting with those words. At the same time, Law took out a small box hidden behind one of the pillows. "So let me be the sword that protects you, the heart that loves you infinitely. I thought happiness would only find me in the next life until I found myself lost in you. What do you mean by that, my love? So, the The knight fell to his knees, the wounds of the battle he faced seemed not to bother him, not when Annya's eyes rested on him. Annya then heard the four words that carried a lifetime of promises…"

"Would you marry me?" Law's voice echoed alongside yours.

Before you could ask what he thought, a small black box appeared in your field of vision. Inside it, a golden ring with a small heart symbol glittered. The book fell from your hands, finding your lap, as you turned to your boyfriend.

"Law?" at that moment, your voice was not the most reliable. As shaky as she was, your vision was blurred by what you suspected were tears. Your hands covered your lips, still not believing what you were seeing.

"Maybe my sword heals you more than defends you, but that doesn't mean I'll let anyone hurt you in this world. You're my home, my safe haven and I can't wait for you to be my wife. I'd even kneel, but It's a little complicated." he smiled, seeing you still paralyzed on top of him. "So, would you marry me?"

"Yes." the first time came out as a whisper. "Yes Yes Yes!" with each new time the word left your lips, you allowed euphoria to take over your body.

Law took your hand, placing a small kiss before putting on the ring and repeating the gesture, as soon as the jewel was in the place where it belonged. His hands pulled you so your legs were around his waist.

"That's…" you even tried to speak, but it was impossible to put everything you felt at the moment into so few words. You saw him pull out a ring that was the same color as yours, without all the details. "Let me do it."

Before he could put it on his own finger, you took it from his hand and repeated the same thing he had done to you. He placed a small kiss between the tattooed fingers and let the jewelry take its rightful place.

"I don't believe." You looked at your hand and then at him. "Law, that was so amazing."

"You're incredible. I can't wait to see you become Mrs. Trafalgar. My beautiful, smart, a little crybaby…" he wiped away your tears, bringing a laugh from your lips. "My dear wife."

"I love you so much." you cupped his face, taking his lips to yours.

Even though it was full of emotions and promises, it was a calm kiss. Law, like you, wanted to record every second of that moment, every inch of skin kissed, every touch.

In the end, Law was also a marriage nut - just with his dear Lady Trafalgar.

----

Little extra:

Law was never a big fan of public displays of affection, but that morning he had made an exception. Seeing you happy, showing off your new ring and the promise of marriage, ideas of what to do on the date, honeymoon suggestions. He couldn’t deny it, it was amazing to see how happy you were with the whole situation.

His happiness was short-lived when he saw three sullen faces - one of them looking like a bear - sitting in front of him.

"So Law, my friend." Penguin began.

"Shut up, it's me."

"But I'm his best friend." Bepo grumbled.

"What do you want?" he asked, trying to understand what the three were discussing so much

"Which of the three of us will be the best man?" Shachi warned and Law watched the three in front of him cross their arms and wait for a response.

Before he could respond, Law felt two arms slide and lock around him.

"We haven't decided that yet guys. We can talk about it later." you asked and watched them begin to argue among themselves who would be what.

"Thanks." Law muttered, making you laugh. You bent down to his ear level.

"And you, I'll be waiting for you in the room. I got someone to cover my duties today, now I want to continue feeling what my dear fiancé can do for me." In contrast to the whispered and sexy voice that left your lips, you left a chaste kiss on Law's cheek and left towards the dorms.

[runa-falls]

Soo, (reffing to fluffer ff) how do you think the boys would react if they couldn't request you because you're working with somebody else or if they see you working with someone else?

ooooh shitttttt 🫢 alright, let's explore that shall we?

a/n: uhhh….i’m so sorry that this took so long omg 😭 i love you nonnie, i just forgor~ i'm making a second part to this where they find out reader was an amateur porn star before she became a fluffer :3 it's mostly all smut ngl, so anyway...

cw: explicit smut w/ jake only.. sry marc/steven hoes (18+), jealous!marc [angst, fluff], soft!steven [fluff[, out-of-pocket!jake [straight smut], inaccurate depiction of sex work, dirty talk, not proof-read!!

w/c: 1.7k [my baddd]

Fluffing for Others:

Being a fluffer was your job before you met the boys and you continued to do it after. The thing is, after you met the boys, you were so busy working with them that your already limited work schedule had no space for other clients.

But occasionally, one of your earlier clients will request you months in advance for a big project, and you have no reason to decline them (that is, until the boys convince you to stop working).

Marc [slight angst, fluff]:

"Sorry baby, I can't make it Tuesday, I have another client--"

Marc was just telling you about his next production that's set to film in the next few days.

Of course, he springs the gig on you just as it's about to happen.

He always does this, assuming you'd be free, and happy to join him. He never gives you more than a week to prepare, and usually you're fine with it. But this time, you're busy.

"Wait, another client?" You nod, but he's still not getting it, like he can't believe his ears. "Like a different client? Like an 'outside of this body' client?" You sigh.

Of course, he's reacting like this.

"Yes Marc, an old friend called and booked me for the week. I put it on the joint calendar, didn't you see it?" His eyebrows furrow as he takes in your words. "He's doing a movie length exclusive, so he called way in advance."

"But...but what about me?" He pouts -- literally pouts -- as he walks closer to you, backing you against the kitchen counter.

You raise a brow, "What about you?"

"What am I gonna do?" His hands hold you by the waist, pulling you close while he nuzzles his nose against your neck. He does this when he's trying to comfort himself -- buries his face against your body and holds you close.

He's so dramatic.

"Don't be so whiney, Marc. A girl's gotta work too." He hmphs in discontent as he hoists you onto the edge of the counter. You loop your arms around his neck easily and make him look at you. His soft brown eyes shyly meet yours, "I don't complain when you fuck your co-workers."

"That's--"

You send him a warning look, "I swear to god if you say it's different..."

"No, you're right, honey..." He's sheepish when he looks at you, realizing how his jealousy got the best of him once again. "I just...want you all to myself sometimes." You peck him on the cheek, then his jaw, then his neck, suppressing a smile as he leans into you with a sigh. He's so easy.

"I'm yours, baby." His hands squeeze at your waist at those words. He loves hearing you say that. Loves that you're here in his kitchen, always ready to receive his needy affection.

"So... are you free next week?"

You snort.

"Marc, you can't keep moving your productions for me. You could always find another back-up fluffer..."

"Not doing it without you." He mumbles, lips brushing against yours.

You lean into him and your noses nudge against each other. You're not quite kissing him, but when you're looking into his eyes like this, it feels just as intimate.

"Yeah, I'm free."

He grins, "Good. It's a date." He captures your lips in his and you wrap your legs around his hips to pull him closer.

---

Steven [fluff!]:

Telling Steven was pretty easy. He knew about it before you even told him, seeing it on the 'family calendar' that you forced each boy to join.

"You need a ride to production Monday? I could call you an early cab as we don't have a car and all. Don't want you to have to catch the bus."

Steven is lying next to you, having woken up in the body this morning. He's always been more of a morning person compared to the other boys, despite looking perpetually tired.

"Aw, thanks honey, but I'm fine. Their sending a company car since it's such a long filming schedule." You snuggle up closer to him, craving his warmth from the morning coolness that blows through the flat. He lets you settle against him, wrapping an arm around your torso.

"A company car? ...fancy."

"Anything is fancier than our usual walk and transit ride." You giggle against the thin fabric of his shirt, slightly muffling your words with how closely you cling to him.

Steven is dressed in Marc's pajamas: a tight undershirt and briefs, clothes you rarely get to see Steven in when he's fronting. Usually, he prefers looser clothing made of soft and comfy materials.

You can't complain though. Seeing Steven (unintentionally) show off his built body while acting all cozy and sweet makes you heat with want.

"You don't mind I'm working for other clients again?"

He tilts his head as if he's just now considering it.

"No, why would I? It's your job, just like how I have mine."

You pause, surprised by how cool he is with it.

"Oh...yeah."

“I actually thought you'd be doing this more often..." You look up at him, meeting his soft and sleepy gaze, "I mean, I thought everyone would be requesting you." He whispers, unsure if you'd appreciate his comments.

You hum, "I only had one company that hired me as a general assistant and only three regulars." You smile at him, remembering the first time you met him, "But then I met you guys, and you took over my whole life."

"...Then we met you, and now you're our life." Your heartbeat picks up at his words. It feels like something is squeezing at your chest in the most pleasant way possible.

Steven never realizes how poet and sweet he can be. You truly believe he just says whatever is on his mind.

"But you still work, and I still need to work..."

"You’re so beautiful, sweetheart, anyone would be lucky to be in your presence, let alone touched by you.”

You bite your bottom lip, hard.

How can he say such wonderful things? Make you feel so tender and loved that you could fall apart under his gentle gaze?

Intense emotions tighten in the back of your throat and all you can do is hold him closer, clutch him until he can feel what you're unable to voice.

"I love you, Steven. You know that right?" It's barely rasped out, but he hears it.

"Of course, darling." He pecks the top of your head, "You know I love you more, though."

A smile pulls at your lips, "Impossible. I love you so much you can't even comprehend it."

He chuckles before offering his rebuttal, "Well actually..."

---

Jake (NSFW 18+):

Jake took it as well as you thought he would...

His hand squeezes lightly at the sides of your throat, testing the waters as he continues to rapidly thrust into you. You wince as his fingers dig into the fresh bruises that he suckled into your skin earlier.

“Bet they wish they could fuck you like this...feel you quiver around their cock," You groan as he angles his cock to drag against the walls of your cunt, expertly nudging against that explosive spot inside of you. "But they can’t, because your mine, right honey?”

You nod wordlessly, barely able to comprehend what he said.

He buries himself deep inside of you with a huff and holds himself there until you're squirming under him. "Right?" He grits out, frustrated with your lack of response.

Your body shakes as his cock continues to press flush against the back of your cunt, sending sparks of overwhelming pleasure all over. You feel so full, completely stretched, and filled to the brim; you can barely move without crying out.

"Yes, yes, please, Jake, I'm yours--"

He pulls out briefly before swiftly pushing back in and it feels like you had the wind knock out of you. "That's right, baby, take it. Show 'em who you belong to."

You shutter out breathes as he works himself into your body, holding you down so you can't move a muscle without him knowing. Sloppy sounds remind you just how needy you are for him, how much you love it when he treats you like this.

Jake lets you go and work for clients, but he'll be damned if you go without his mark on you. Without a physical reminder that you're his.

It's not that he doesn't trust you, he just doesn't trust them.

You're the perfect woman, someone he couldn't resist when he was just a client to you. So how can he be sure your other clients won't try to woo you like he did?

"Fuck, honey," He growls, grinding his hips against yours, wanting to be as close to you as possible so he can cum deep inside of you. "You're so good to me, letting me do this when you gotta be on set in an hour..."

Your head is tilted back, and eyes are closed tight as you desperately try to hold back your orgasm, waiting for him. You whine as he rubs your clit, legs trembling around him.

"Please, Jake, cum for me...c-cum inside..."

"You gonna keep it all in for me, baby? Keep me stuffed inside of you as you jerk some loser off?" You cry, clenching around him as he coos at you, unable to hold back anymore.

"Mm... that’s right, honey, let go. Go ahead, soak me." He grunts when he feels you flutter around him and pushes in deeper, enjoying how tight you get when he talks dirty to you.

You writhe pathetically under him as you ride out your high, whimpering as he sharply fucks a few last thrusts into you before painting your walls with warmth. He fills you so much it starts to drip out of you as he pulls out.

His fingers push it back in before anymore could escape and ruin the couch under you. He hums thoughtfully as he fingers you, making sure you're all filled up for the day.

"Looks like you're ready for work." His eyes drift over your lust bitten lips, the marks covering your neck, and the mess at the center. He smirks, proud of his work.

"Thanks, baby." You smile sweetly.

You really do have the best boyfriends in the world...

[san-fics]

Happily Married

Felinette, 18+

(upcoming on Ao3, chapters 12-14 are published on Patreon)

Art credit @aspenaspid, original Tumblr post.

_________🔞__________

Marinette's appetite had improved—probably her body was trying to compensate and restore its strength after constant sex, which was exactly that, constant, at least that's how it felt, not that she objected or anything. Maybe she should have slowed down a bit with the food though, because it seemed like her hips were starting to round out a little, making her figure more feminine. But for now it was only noticeable while entering jeans, which she almost never wore anymore, so Marinette decided not to pay attention to it for now, so as not to invent problems that probably didn't really exist.

She couldn't help it for now, anyway: Felix wore her out so much in bed—again, not that she minded—that the next morning she was just terribly hungry, and the concept of “a portion that was too big for her” became blurred. So her relationship with food was what it was at the moment, sometimes a little weird even. For example, recently she was walking through the grocery store and suddenly had an unstoppable craving for pickled peaches...

Marinette hadn't even known pickled peaches existed before that day, but she'd bought a couple of jars and eaten one of them in one sitting as soon as she got home, chalking it up to her changing taste buds. After all, she'd never had to deal with a man's sperm before, much less in such large quantities, so who knew what else she might suddenly want to eat now that she'd added this new flavor to her collection, so to speak...

In the end, all the unusual changes in her boiled down to the fact that her man was too good to resist, Marinette explained to herself, feeling how sensitive her nipples had become. He handled her body so skillfully that it simply learned to react more sensitively to him. And as for the nipples... Felix paid so much attention to them, he loved to suck them and bite them slightly... of course they would become more sensitive with time!

And the fact that she became so tired at work was also only because they fucked until late last night, clearly (and every night, of course)... Marinette probably needed to buy one of those fitness bracelets to track the amount of sleep she was getting, otherwise, special treatment or not, she simply wouldn't be able to work soon!

...

“Always, my dear,” her mother-in-law responded. When Marinette finally released her, embarrassed by her emotional outburst, the woman continued as if nothing had happened. “Anyway, I came to take you to lunch. It’s already the beginning of the month, and you and I always discuss upcoming projects over lunch early on, remember?”

Marinette frowned, because yes, she did remember that, but it seemed so long ago that their last lunch happened… She looked at the calendar, realizing that it was indeed the third, meaning that it had been over a month since their similar discussion. But what was even more important was the unexpected realization that her period should have ended by now and she should have started the next strip of birth control pills, but…

Her period hadn’t even started yet.

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[indiekidsau]

Chap. 23-Club Day

The next chapter has arrived! Quick thing, I never wrote the DDLC girls before, but I still have fun writing this lovely fanfic. Also, I took a bit of a break from working on Indie Kids as I was working on another project that I hope to share soon (it’s a re-write to a fanfic I used to work on), other fanfics both new and recurring, and of course being busy again this month. I’m still gonna be busy until New Year's is over as this is the busiest time where I work. Ugh…

However, I do hope to share more Indie Kids stuff as I do want to work more on this series and go above and beyond with this story. Speaking of which, I did see the FNAF movie twice, and let’s just say I got some ideas from the movie that will happen in Indie Kids. I won’t say what they are, but if you liked the FNAF movie, I do hope you like what I have to offer.

Anyways big thanks to @gigilefache and @mun-auroralore for being my beta readers!

Enjoy!

It was a cool November day. Monika and the rest of the literature club were having a meeting before class started. 

“Alright girls, today is the day,” Monika said, staring at the calendar.

“What is today, Monika?” Sayori asked,

“The same special day we have every year, Sayori.” She turned to her literature club members. “Finding members for the Literature Club.”

The three members of the literature club looked at one another, looking back at the leader. 

“Like what we do and fail every year?” Natsuki asked.

Monika frowned at her friend’s negativity. “Natsuki, this year is going to be different! I can feel it!” she exclaimed. “There are more students this year, and we are bound to find new members!”

Natsuki wasn’t convinced and rolled her eyes. She then felt Sayori put a hand on her shoulder.

“Relax, Natsuki, Monika knows what she’s doing,” Sayori reassured her best friend.

“How can I relax?” Natsuki asked. “We’ve started this club since we first met 5 years ago, and it’s always just been the four of us!”

During this time, Yuri peered through her book, hiding her nervous expression. 

She knew she had someone she tried to invite to the literature club, however…

“Something wrong Yuri?” Monika asked.

Yuri jumped from her seat and dropped her book. “O-Oh, nothing,” she lied.

“I know that when you hide your face with your book, you're thinking of something,” Monika stated. 

“O-Oh. I-I mean there is someone I’ve been meaning to bring over to the literature club,” Yuri said.

Monika’s eyes widened as she got closer to her friend’s face. “Tell me!” she begged.

Yuri got nervous. “Well… It's someone in our homeroom class.”

It didn’t take long for Monika and the rest of the literature club to figure out who Yuri was talking about. With a smile, they decided to go approach this student and ask them to join their literature club.

~~~~~

Alice Angel was putting her stuff away in her locker- 

And just before she could head to class, the Literature Club had circled her, blocking her way. 

Alice yelped seeing the four surround her. 

“Please don’t scare me like that,” Alice whispered.

Sayori giggled. “Sorry, Alice. We’re just here to ask if you want to join the literature club?” she asked.

“Literature Club?” Alice asked. “You mean the meet-ups Yuri has been inviting me to?”

Yuri nodded. “It’s Club Day today and I was wondering if you would like to join us?”

“Sorry. I can’t. I’m already part of the Drama Club,” Alice replied.

“W-What!?” Natsuki exclaimed.

“B-But you can still join the Literature Club, right?” Monika asked, stuttering a bit.

Alice shook her head. “Sorry, maybe next time,” she said as she left to head to the homeroom.

Monika groaned, feeling like she wanted to slam her head on the lockers.

Sayori patted Monika on the shoulder. “Don’t worry Monika, when Club Day starts I’m sure we’ll find some new members when Club Day starts,” she reassured her friend.

Monika sighed. “I hope.”

What the four didn't notice was that Bow Kid was watching them from a distance. She took a deep breath and was ready to walk over to them when the bell rang suddenly. Bow sighed and looked back, seeing the Literature Club leave for their homeroom.

“Maybe later,” Bow whispered, walking towards her homeroom class.

Halfway through homeroom, everyone was excited about signing up and joining clubs, eager to do so during the lunch period. 

Bow sighed, she wanted to join the literature club, but was nervous due to being younger than the rest of the girls in it.

“So…” 

Hat Kid spoke up, snapping Bow Kid out of her thoughts. 

“What club have you thought of joining?” Hat Kid asked.

“Oh… I don’t know yet,” Bow Kid lied. 

She couldn’t tell Hat. She was too nervous.

“Well, I’m joining two clubs! Astronomy Club and the Soccer Team!” Hat Kid exclaimed.

Bow Kid chuckled. “Why two?” she asked.

“Astronomy Club is only on Wednesdays, but I also wanted to do sports- and good news, soccer is all week!” Hat Kid explained.

Bow Kid smiled. “That’s good.”

“Also, if you don’t know what club to join, you can join me for either-or! It’ll be fun!” Hat Kid exclaimed.

“Um… sure.” Bow Kid replied.

Hat Kid smiled. 

Soon the bell rang, and the kids dashed out of the classroom and went to the gymnasium to sign up for clubs.

At the gymnasium, the literature club got serious as they got their booth prepped to the nines for Club Day. Sayori had beautiful posters ready, Natsuki got cupcakes in the hopes to reel in potential members, Yuri held a banner that had the Literature Club logo written on it, and Monika sat front and center with a clipboard in hand.

“Alright girls, let’s do this!” Monika exclaimed.

Soon, the students flooded into the gymnasium, saw all the clubs, and quickly went over to the clubs they wanted to join. 

Once Bow Kid was there, she saw the Literature Club up ahead and took a deep breath before taking the first step.

After a few steps, Bow Kid ran out of the gymnasium and into the hallways, hoping to just stay in Mr. Prince’s class till Club Day was over. While running, she didn’t realize she had run into Vanessa and fell on the ground.

“Bow!” Vanessa exclaimed, kneeling down to help the young girl up. “Are you okay?”

Bow groaned as she held onto her teacher’s hand as she got up. “Y-Yeah. I’m fine,” she replied. Bow kneeled down to grab her stuff. 

Vanessa kneeled down and helped Bow gather her stuff, then handed it to her.

“Thanks,” Bow said.

“Why are you running?” Vanessa asked.

The girl sighed. “So I want to join Monika’s literature club, for Club Day,” Bow began, “but I’m scared that they won’t let me in.”

“How so?”

“Well, I’m the youngest out of the four of them, so I know they're going to not take me seriously,” Bow Kid explained. “Plus I don’t think my stories are good enough for them.”

Vanessa frowned at the young-girl but gave a small smile as she put her hand on the young girl’s shoulder. “That doesn’t mean you should give up,” Vanessa said. “Bow, I’ve seen the work you’ve put into your writing, and it’s amazing.”

Bow smiled, knowing her teacher was right. “I did work hard on it, and got an A,” she added.

“See!” Vanessa exclaimed. “Your stuff is good! I’m sure the Literature Club would like it!” 

“But what if they don’t let me in?” Bow asked.

“Then start your own club!” Vanessa answered, loud and proud. “I’ll be willing to join!”

Bow smiled, feeling less anxious about Club Day. “Thanks for making me feel better, Miss Queene.”

“Anytime. You're free to talk to me, Lucas, or Miss Drew if you need anything.” 

“Okay.” 

Bow then hugged Vanessa-which shocked the teacher. A smile formed on her face as she hugged the young girl back. 

The two let go as Bow Kid ran back to the gymnasium to see the literature club and sign up before it was too late.

By the time Bow made it back to the gymnasium, everyone had left to go to their next class- except for the Literature Club, who was cleaning up their booth.

Natsuki sighed. “Looks like we're not getting new members, again.”

“Hey, cheer up!” Sayori exclaimed. “I’m sure someone will come and join the club before the school year ends!” She gave a nervous chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood.

The three members of the literature club glared at Sayori-who went quiet and groaned, seeing no one was laughing.

Yuri looked at the clock and saw it was a few more minutes before class. “Well let’s clean up before we head to the next class,” she said, taking down a poster.

“Um…”

The literature club turned to see Bow Kid standing there and looking nervous. The latter was trying to think of what to say to the Literature Club, even though she had her confidence built up, she felt a bit nervous to speak up.

“Isn’t that the little girl in Miss Queene’s English class?” Natsuki asked.

“Yeah, Bow Kid,” Yuri answered. 

“A-Are you still looking for new members?” Bow Kid asked.

The literature club looked at one another before facing Bow.

 “Y-Yeah. Why? Were you thinking of joining?” Monika asked.

Bow Kid nodded. “I-I know I’m younger than all of you, but I’ve been interested in joining for a while,” she said, giving a sheepish smile.

The literature club thought for a bit-which made Bow Kid nervous again. 

“I-If you don’t want me, then I’ll just go. Good luck.”

Bow was ready to leave until Sayori spoke up.

“Wait!” Sayori exclaimed. 

Bow and the rest of the literature club turned to face her. 

“I mean we do want you,” Sayori said, “it’s been so long since we got a new member.”

Bow smiled, hearing they would allow her to join the club.

“However, we now have to limit our stories to being kid-friendly,” Monika suggested.

“It’s fine. I can read anything,” Bow Kid reassured the leader of the literature club.

“Well, if you say so. I’ll just warn you ahead of time.”

“Fine by me.”

Soon the gym door opened, and Alice Angel came in. “Hi girls, is it too late to join?” she asked.

Monika and the rest of the girls smiled when they spotted the angel. 

Monika went over to Alice. “What made you change your mind?” she asked.

“Turns out Drama Club is only Monday through Wednesday. I figured since your club is all four days, I could use that spare day to spend time with you girls,” Alice Angel explained.

“Perfect!” Monika exclaimed. She then turned to her three members. “Looks like we got two new members in the club.”

“Finally!” Natsuki exclaimed.

The girls laughed- but were soon cut off by the sound of the bell. Knowing they had to head to leave the booth, they decided to talk and share a laugh as they left for their next class.

[ireceived-p8250000]

September 30-October 6, 2012:

By the way, Abby has already given birth, and it's her birthday this week. I had considered visiting her since I visited her frequently during her pregnancy, but I feel like I don't want to maintain a connection with her anymore. It's draining to have or keep more friends. Also, I am her only friend now as most of ours are away. Krenzyl is also in UC, but she has new friends too, and I don't like Abby's friends.

Anyway, I went to their house on Sunday and just dropped off a gift before leaving. I told her I'm very busy due to school, and she acted like I'm at fault. I explained that I'm very serious about my studies because I cannot afford to fail. She understood and thanked me for the gift. She wanted me to become the godmother, so I agreed, but only for the ceremony.

This week marks the end of the month, and exams are coming up in two weeks again. I learned a lot this week. Math statistics, though, is so difficult, so I practiced a lot to grasp it. I bought a new statistics book in addition to the required one and downloaded practice sheets. Basically, I need to practice a lot. NatSci 2 is easy for me. I met a new classmate who is half Japanese and half Filipino, and I call him Barbie because his real name is Ken. I also became close with Samuel, especially after discovering we share the same taste in music like The Script, so I sit beside him in Math Statistics, NatSci, and English 3.

Back at home, Dad is now fond of watching debates on ANC, so we often discuss that. Also, things are getting crazy in the country with the RH Bill being opposed by the secular community, Chinese hacking of government sites with DDoS attacks, and cybercrime bills floating around and misunderstood due to lack of comprehension. I have strong opinions about the RH Bill, but I prefer not to talk about it; I just blogged about it on my WordPress.

I'm exhausted this week. Also, it's my period, so I went home and vomited. Mom thought I drank beer, but it's just my annoying dysmenorrhea acting up again. So, peace out this week.

I asked Mom for 5,000 pesos for a camera, and she immediately approved it because my birthday is coming up. I also asked for a more expensive one as my Christmas gift. I pleaded until she finally said yes. However, she warned me that I'm already too spoiled. I don't think so. Mom promised that we will go shopping next week; I even marked it on our calendar. I overheard them discussing buying so much for me this year, but Dad said it's okay because my grades are good. Mom also told me that I should change my glasses soon since they look broken.

[makahimetenshi]

Two separated ways - Chapter 5 - Arthur Maxson x Female Sole Survivor x Paladin Danse Fallout 4 Fanfic

This is the continuation of the fifth drabble called How i meet your mother and the story of how Arya Maxson was conceived which originally comes from my drabbles uploaded in Two separated ways, and I might do a fifth and six part even. Im already writing the fifth part, it was a mistake to separate the porn chapter from the normal one since I have so much borderline anyway.

If you are very very very delighted with one fic and want a continuation I didn’t write or post you can donate me at least $5 bucks, most of this fics have next chapters I don’t finish because lack of motivation but hey a $5 is a $5, I see a few reviews and comments that fics that are abandoned months laters receive comments of wanting to know what happens next. Here it is, I finished my handling with you all, enjoy the fic

Its been days since his “negotiation” with Sentinel Nora and they haven’t spoke to each other at all. She was around walking and working in DC, in the Citadel, but didn’t talk to him at all, and he neither do honestly.

They cross looks sometimes but nothing more. Maybe he dodget a bullet like Dane said, maybe he  avoided a redflag by pulling out, of course it wasn’t intelligent from his side to…agree.

It wasn’t something a gentleman do but he used her, that’s the simple true, tricked her just for sex and then never call again, not even for that dinner.

Until a week later he found on his schedule a reunion with the Sentinel, she booked on his calendar…

One week later he found himself nervous to see her again, specially after well not giving her his part of the agreement, it wasn’t neither specified what was the subject of the reunion, the motive…but in any case he put on his best underwear last night after a shower, just for…precaution.

The door was open by his guards and the sentinel in her black suit appeared, with a laser rifle on her back and…and odd and horrible smell

-Oh my god its it molerat blood? –ask Arthur seeing the wet stains on her suit, she nodded –what happened?

-Under the bridge 100 mts above there’s no raiders anymore taking it every fucking time we clean it because we left mines  on the floor…but when some fool trespass the warning signs and explodes the scattering parts attracts  molerats- yeah he recognized the smell of that creatures blood, kinda special, he rag his nose a bit trying to unsuccessfully hide his discomfort at the smell while she serene talked- difficult to believe or not the molerats knows better how to avoid the traps than the humans, so the place gets  infestated of molerats eating between the mines, they spread diseases so better to fumigate the place time by time

The smell in the air was becoming umbereable to keep breathing, he cant hide anymore his discomfort and wasn’t planning in hiding it anymore to keep decorum nono he was too old for that

-Sentinel you should bathe first and then we have the reunion, Ill move…

-Indeed, I heard the elders quarters have a big and comfortable bathtub  -he stop in his place at hearing that, she had such a serene face  while talking but then it was all silence and he look at her and she has a small red smirk  in her lips.

Did she just…? Ohhhhhhh

He stood there in silence, he was hella surprised and taked off guard and she was there so confident and serene.

Like flirting to the elder in his quarters was nothing to worry about.

And heck yeah it was working! Sure…sure…

-What can I say? The rank has its benefits- he mumble, noticing he has been standing there a while without moving because the position on his feets hurts. Both were adults and he gets flustered like a teen around her when she moks him-Sure, ill prepare the water…make yourself comfortable –he said trying to hide his nerviosism, damn he was a prey under her control, difficult to resist and think at all…

-Yeah this boots takes a lot of time to take off, we don’t wanna have them on again don’t we? –Arthur  quickly ran to the bathroom at hearing that mermaid call and open the  water, staring to mix it with the hot and cold to make it comfortable even tho that womans bathe in hot water.

Okay okay she was going to try again…he supposed this could happen…an he was glad it was happening honestly, he had good time, but it worries a bit being so unsure of her intentions…

He sat at the edge of the tub and look at the water filing and raising level, then breath out getting lost in his thoughts while he unlaced his own boots with his fingers too, after all better get prepared.

She wanted to get impregnated…and he wasn’t so sure about it, so soon with someone he knows too little, of course he was going to pull out again, will she allow it? She should know he wont cum inside today no matter if she purposely seeks for it again, or even pleads, but the sentinel is too successful and has too much pride to even think on pleading, nono, there’s something else in her head, she knows he is not going to cum inside today or in some near future then…why? What are her intentions?

What’s her plan? She is not exactly looking for just a partner…

Of course cuming outside its not a warranty that she isn’t going to get pregnant, he is well aware of that, she could get pregnant just by doing it despite cuming outside, and doing it a second time knowing it puts his head in conflict, he…well doesn’t exactly likes the idea of being pressured by the council to have a son but the sentinel is a great match for that purpose, so a child with her wasn’t exactly the problem, if it happens with her well…nothing to waste I guess. But the reality was scary, having a child with a woman he doesn’t know her intentions and even was warned about her odd behavior by the man who spend the last 10 years at her side…

Her reputation, achievements, resources, wealth, education and history in the brotherhood makes her a perfect fit for him, the partner someother will say he deserves…the part that she was a faction leader and someone apparently very rich…also her plans  of possessing the Tempenny tower heck yeah she already ran the business of the Pittsburg forge!

Oh no everything sounded so good but he was so aware that it was dangerous, maybe it was his dick talking…

-Elder –a pair of arms hug him from behind, the man was so startled by being lost in his own thoughts that he slipped from where he was sitting and fell completely into the water of the bathtub, also pushing Nora who fell on top of him, both getting soaked, specially the elder with his coat.

-Jesus Christ don’t do that! –said a very altered elder looking around still very disorientated how did she sneak so perfectly!? Didn’t hear her at all!

But Nora didn’t seem to mind about his distress and confusion, in fact…

-Oh im so sorry elder –she said getting on top of him moving her legs around his hips placing an arm at his side using the floor of the bathub as support and the other arm at the side of his head against the wall. Arthur look at her with some…surprise…terror…she didn’t seem bothered by getting wet at all. Subhuman. –I just wanna ask you if you could give me a hand with the zipper of my suit, seems a bit stuck

The man blinked and swallowed hard.

But it’s a front zipper…

Bold, a bold move, even he wouldn’t do it, and she had so much confidence!

Was she really rejected by Danse? She acted like someone who was never rejected before…

His body was completely submerged in the water while at their bare feets the water from the tap keep falling.

Still in shock he tried to move his shoulders, his coat felt so heavy now soaked…

-Only if you help me with my coat –the way she smiled at him made a cold shiver run on his spine, would she really allow him to cum outside? The sentinel wasn't the type of person who stopped when she didn't get what she wanted.

Slowly, like she wanted to keep his eyes on her, she sat on his hips moving her thighs slowly backwards, raising her chest while her hands moved to his neck and shoulders, holding on the edges of the now soaking coat –you got me all wet elder –she said with a velvety whisper, his cheeks blushed so hard at hearing it, it sounded so hot-its only fair I do the same

He bite on the insides of his cheek and his hands posed on her thighs, squeezing a bit under the water, loving the sensation of the suit so stretched against her skin, then moved up to her stomach touching everywhere, giving her tickles when they leave the water, and then all the way up the zipper to her neck.

-I mean it seriously –he said placing some fingers on the zipper and the other hand completely surrounding her neck, feeling it very thinn, looking directly on her eyes- don’t ever try to scare me again sentinel –she swallowed understanding the menace, and nodded

-Alright –she said now pushing the coat down his shoulders, the man watched the slow motion and then the hand on the zipper moved down, showing her bare chest and this time…she had a bra, oh my didn’t he said something about the appropriate way of dressing? Good she take notes.

Later on, he pulled out again.

But she didn’t say anything about it, just dry with a towel coming out the bathub, dress and leave like nothing happened, the fact that she didn’t say anything was important, not word, just dress with a small smile…and leave.

Oh he knew she was planning something, he didn’t understand what yet

Should he ask Danse?

But the sequence repeated again, and they sleep together, well not exactly sleep because they did it in the food storage of the ring B exactly…oh its hard to keep a boner in the cold environment, and she didn’t even cum, she just swallow his seed down her throat…

I mean it was expected because there wasn't much they could do in there, it wasn't a comfortable place but he was hella surprised for the fact that she…swallow, he didn’t even get the chance to touch her because she was there pulling his underwear down to blow him by her own initiative.

Was she really that into him? He thought she only wanted to get pregnant and that’s all but today they crossed looks in a hallway totally by coincidence, walked towards each other after holding gaze at far for more seconds they were proud  and she…suggested…to hold his hand…and he grab it and move the woman somewhere else, they ended up making up all the way until getting inside the food storage.

When he heard the swallow the hand behind her head tangled between her black locks moved to her chin, holding it, moving her head slowly up

-Look at me –he order, and she did, locking their eyes together. Doesn’t she look amazing? With her eyes red and watery- Do you mind if we still have that dinner I mentioned the first time?

She looked…surprised, and cute with her cheeks red.

-Oh –from a brief moment he saw what apparently was shame in the moment she moved up a hand to clean a string of saliva going down her mouth- yeah okay

The same answer hu?

-Up –again he order, and she did, when she was standing in front of him he placed both hands under her cheeks and deeply kiss her, tongue going inside and everything, tasting himself in her saliva, playing with the tongue that satisfied him a few moments ago. The kiss intensified until both needed to separate for breathing, even him broke the kiss to gain some air but smiled satisfied at seeing her shaking her legs  -ill wait for you in my quarters at 9 to dinner, there’s something you want I should know?

-I like pasterys, I steal some donuts from the kitchen a few times and they were delicious

Silence, he looked at her kinda pissed off.

-Those were my donuts –at hearing that she laughed a bit- I specially order the 6 box for me –well well that’s why some of his orders came with 5 donuts instead of 6!

-You could give me the name of the baker and we are good

-Oh im giving you something else tonight –at saying that she froze with a small  unprepared shy smile, was that surprise? Did she also liked it daring and bold?

-Ill dress for the occasion then

-Inside my quarters comfortable and simple

-Better than the flight suits

At hearing that, now he blushed

At 9 Nora was in his door wearing a Casual outfit and he open the door wearing…a Bathrobe

-Food just arrived –he informed happy to see her laugh  to his very thoughtful outfit

-What is this a naked man? –she said laughing but then catch the fact that he didn’t get it –you know It is said to work 2 out of 3 times…-still he apparently didn’t get it, maybe he didn’t do it because of that- never mind it’s a prewar joke

-Don’t have me standing in my undies in public in front of the sentinel please –she went inside the room an close the door, doing a bold move to stand on her toes and kiss him in the cheek, just that, leaving the man stupid and frozen in his place- can we eat first? Its still warm and the drinks…

-Sure –she said with a very…nice, really nice smile, Arthur liked that smile.

Each one sat on their side of the table, Nora the first thing she did was serve them both a little whiskey.

-Glad we are talking –he said with confidence, he felt confident, like this was going really…well…confusing, but good, felt comfortable around such a beautiful woman, she had a strong presence that gives the idea of eating men up but at least him was growing comfortable around, at least what he can manage.

Or maybe he was imagining things from pure lust.

-So you are the type of guy who cool his whisky? –she ask at feeling the bottle cold.

-Not exactly, I just didn’t know how you like it and cool it in case of anything.

-Mmm i prefer to drink it at room temperature

-Strong

-Yeah –she smiled and then pick up her knife to cut on her Ribeye steak

-I have a doubt –he says and she looks at him, eating- how are you planning to buy the Tenpenny Tower? Allistair was 80 when I was 10, im surprised he lived until now

-For strange it seems I don’t, I know people who surpassed that age –the man raised an eyebrow confused also picking his knife- lets just say I have the paperwork done already

-I don’t get it

-Do you want to enter in details? –mmm maybe not, not dinning, he denied with his head.

-Im just surprised, even I don’t have my life planned like that to retire

-Do you plan to retire?

-Well no

-What if i…-a hand sneak in the tablecloth picking up one of his hands all suddenly, the hand with a knife- bought your retirement elder?

Silence, but despite everything she keep composure, she keep her smile.

-I don’t think that would be easy at all, im a Maxson –she keep smiling at him, in silence, no, he wasn’t ready for this conversation, too green, didn’t trust her enough

-You may be right, I would need more years of savings for another person retirement, it took me a lot to secure mine

-But are you planning in keeping the Tenpenny Tower as a residential place?

-The old gag made it his business until now, I think is a pretty solid model, self-sustainable, also I like places were people can be…just people…ill keep it that way

-You said you had a rich family back then doesn’t? –she nodded, chewing on her steak-why did they do for living?

-My grandfather owned the Grey Tortoise company

Arthur cutlery fall from his hands at hearing that completely shocked

-You are kidding –she raised her shoulders, didn’t expect such surprised reaction, she didn’t think he would recognize that name.

-No, im not

-The cigarette company? –she nodded, keep eating- no fucking way

-I had nothing to do with  my father heritage, that was all for my brothers –Arthur picked up his cutlery again and cut on his meat- after all he had a football team as family, didn’t exactly need another lawyer on his accounts, pay my career and weeding to keep me away from the company

-Wait you said your father was a politician –he asked recomposing and starting to eat.

-Yes, when my first brother turned 15 he introduced him to the company, trying to make him heir, never giving him any money that he wasn’t producing by his own work, there’s a big age difference between my brothers and me, I was the last and only daughter –she sighted, it wasn’t never easy talking about this- when 3 of my brothers started doing profit on the company my father moved to the politics, confident that they would do a good job at keeping our fortune so he can explore other fields, and apparently they did with his guidance because the other 4 brothers were working full time on the family company doing profits in no time

-Sounds like the whole family was compenetrated with making money –well Nora also had the spark for business and making money apparently, runs on her family.

-It took them their youth, I had my son when I was 34 without any hurry enjoying at maximum my marriage,  none of my brothers had wives, their lifes were just the company or my father politics career to make money, none had children, I was the first one in the family to give my father a grandchildren, his legacy fall on my son shoulders…that didn’t last much of course – Well the bombs, they took your land and now you're left all alone.

Not precisely alone, she had her family, until…she didn’t have it anymore

So she has an inherited and completely  natural talent for business, lit.

-And your last name Howard?

-From my husband Nate, my father introduced us, both meet in campaign for the war and we fell for the other instantly, we stick together a lot of years before my son –she said still eating on her steak

That is nice, getting to know each other over time, she wasn’t giving him the same treatment but he understand that she is running out of time to having a baby…

-Well I dont have much memorys of my mother and father but they were pretty important too –said Arthur drinking a bit on his whisky

-Its clearly not the same picture –she said trying to laugh a bit for the ridiculous

-For the money?

-No, our childhoods at least were completely different

-What do you mean?

The woman left the cutlery on the plate with a very loud noise and a face of disgust.

-I was in the top notch of the world  and then the world goes boom boom, and you…well never actually knew any better than this.

There it was, the things Danse mention. She hates everything. Despises the wastelands

-I carry with pride the  education I have because even if I didn’t experience it I knew that some time ago there was…a better –he said chewing on his food, not exactly pissed from the conversation, just chatting

-I suppose the history  is the better the wastelands can offer to people –Nora realized she was breaking the good mood of the night by whining so much about something so broad and abstract like life itself so she just take another sip of whisky and shut the fuck up but before…she realized something else, one last time, she needed this out of her chest like a need, a huge realization-we are kinda the last ones of our lineages doesn’t?

Nora realized not even her son was the last one, but her.

Arthur open his eyes and stop in his place, he was about to eat a piece of meat and…

It was true.

Of course hers wasn’t as important for the history as him but…

-But we are doing the best this world can offer us to not disappoint our forefathers

Silence, she closed her eyes and sighted, taking some seconds to think with her eyes in the darkness- You are doing a good job elder

He smiled.

-Please, call me Arthur –he said drinking on his glass of whisky.

-Will you call me Nora?

-Well it would be weird calling the mother of my child for her title doesn’t? impractical at least

Hearing that make the woman blush, sheeeeeeeez, didn’t expect it, she drink her full glass and then pick up the bottle to serve some more with a smile looking elsewere.

-Slowdown Arthur – oh that was his name on her lips, it sounded…good - we still have the dessert – she said with her red lips against the edges of the glass

If the two of them procreate and have a child…both were going to join and save their heritages. Well, Noras one was fucked up and pretty much loose all except for what she built until now but his…He had time but she…was running out time.

-Hows dinner then Nora? –he ask with a smile seeing her laugh.

-Better than Grilled radroach for sure 

-Nothing hard to beat then, I have a box of  Fudge fusion donuts so this time you can ask and not steal from me

-Who says im the type who ask for things? –she say that as a joke but for some reason it disturbed a bit the man making his eyebrow twitch as he bite on his meat.

That’s right, he didn’t know her that much. Lets not forget that.

After a while, Nora was clearing the table and gathering the dishes from the small dinner they had. Arthur was looking for the box of donuts and some paper napkins.

-Leave them in the bathroom, ill clean later –she nodded, the image of her in that casual outfit carrying the dishes give him a strange feeling of peace he never felt before, she looked like one of that prewar posters of the perfect wives.

She obeys without saying much, Arthur was preparing the table again until he look behind his back and there she was, looking at him directly stranding.

-Im sorry, I wanted to surprise you and then I remember what you say

-Yeah –he sat, patting on the chair next to him for her to sit-its because im the elder, im not allowed to relax and low my defense, you are really lucky that I didn’t knock you down that day

-You couldn’t knock me down even if you wanted –she say that joking but then pay attention and he wasn’t playing

-I mean it, its not a game for me, im prepared for an attack all times, my position is very important and a lot of people rely in my safety to keep the brotherhood on…

-Alright, I understand, its really that instinctive to have a bad reaction? –Nora sat on the chair next to him

-I could hurt you badly, because of my training to save my life in any case I will not hesitate –he didn’t exactly know if he was opening up because he felt…nice around or menacing her, stating some points, the warnings Danse gave him come to his mind now he was unsure of what his posture was around her. It confuses him, in one note he was comfortable and in another he didn’t know anything or why was she doing this.

-Then I suppose I should make you keep your eyes on me –she said placing a soft hand on his knee, just his naked knee.

He froze, and smiled nervous, getting aroused  with a very heavy heat in his chest all suddenly.

-I wont loose you from sight for sure

She was very flirtatious, maybe to seduce him, dindt actually know her that much to know if she was like that with Danse. For what he understand, she persued him in a very pitiful way and didn’t work, was this a new fenme fatale method? Using all her charms at all cost?

Damn he should really talk to him.

Both started to eat their donuts talking, just talking, it was nice to chat, but it was pretty obvious that on both sides they were closing distances, sitting up better and accommodating themselves to get closer to each other.

In no time they were making out, tasting the chocolate chips into the others mouth, savoring the crumbs on the others tongue, feeling the greasy texture of frosting in the walls of their mouths. When stealing the others breath Nora lean her back against the table, but Arthur quickly stand up and pick up her hands up to his chest.

-What…?-she ask with a smile and a few chocolate crumbs in the side of her mouth.

-We have the bed this time –for some reason her entire face shine, and stand, Arthur guided her hands to the bed but she was the one pushing him to sit in the mattress soon enough, holding on his shoulders loosing the bathrobe down his back, using these for support at the same time that her legs were positioned next to his thighs to sit on top.

-Do you want me to sleep here tonight? –she ask leaning her head to a side to take her hair out of the way.

-Im not letting you sleep –the woman breath in and bite on her lip, leaning down to kiss him deeply on the lips. Arthur corresponded to intensify the kiss more.

They spend the night, and this time, sleep together, at least a bit, until it was five and she wanted to get out from his quarters so nobody can see her walking so close.

Again, he pulled out, but this time they shared bed, his bed.

When she closed silently the door he keeps looking in direction were she disappeared, like he was missing something.

What were her intentions?

This situation had been dragging on.

He was very aware of what her objective was, they both were because they talked about it constantly, but they were not achieving it because he did not let himself and she was not pressuring or forcing him to accomplish it. But the reality was that they were delaying him and he didn't understand why she didn't look for him more.

[bookboxaddict]

Alchemy of Us

So I DID actually get the FairyLoot November box. It arrived recently, and… it was a bit of a mixed bag.

The first item I saw when I unboxed it was a set of hanging pouches. This was actually a SUPER nice item — I’ve been eyeing OwlCrate’s organizer for a very long time. I desperately need more things to maximize my room’s storage space. And I did like the alchemical designs on it, though it feels… like the designer maybe didn’t understand East Asian culture; the spoiler card said it was inspired by the featured book, but I didn’t fully get that vibe from it. The art style just feels… off, and a lot of the alchemical depictions seem very western. Where are the five elements? Their relationships to one another in a pentagram?

That said, I’m really glad I got this item. I hung it up immediately and have been putting things into it. Admittedly right now it’s just a temporary placeholder location for some of my odds and ends; I can’t utilize it efficiently until I categorize all my tlotchkes and figure out locations for each category. Which WILL happen! …Someday!!

The next item was a lanyard and card carrier. It’s inspired by Vampire Academy, and it feels a little… young? I was actually happy when I heard there’d be a VA fandom item; I haven’t read the book yet, but I got the ebook on a discount, and the first couple of chapters are interesting so far. And vampire things tend to have gothic aesthetics with red and black, which are colors I look good in, so accessories in those shades would likely match what I wear. But I can’t see myself wearing this lanyard around my neck…

Then again, I recently got a phone case that doesn’t have room for ID cards or anything, and I don’t like carrying a bag around (too femme), but I don’t want to just stick a credit card in my pocket, either. So maybe I’ll use the case. It still feels a little… tacky, though. It’s not made from the best quality material, either, though I suppose I shouldn’t expect it to be, at this price. I’m also not sure what it has to do with alchemy, although maybe I’ll have to finish the book to find out.

Another disappointing item was the hidden book, except… this was less disappointing than I’d thought it would be. When I heard November would have a hidden book, I considered if I wanted to skip it instead of October (the theme reveal was early this year), but I really wanted the featured book of the month. I already have too many books, though; the last thing I need is a fake book taking up space a real book could be occupying. But! This one is actually super lightweight, and could fit on the precarious top of one of my flimsier shelves, where I’ve put a bunch of non-book items. And since it’s hollow, I can store tlotchkes in it. So maybe it’ll be useful after all. It’s designed like an alchemy textbook, which I appreciate, since it’s in keeping with the theme.

The last item was a Sarah J Maas calendar. I have a strange relationship with Sarah J Maas, where her stuff occupies the same niche as Taco Bell for me — yes, I know it’s terrible; yes, I see all the flaws and ways in which it’s not at proper Mexican cuisine. Yes, it’s garbage. But sometimes I want garbage. It’s hard to explain. Anyway, her stuff is just the right kind of bad for me to enjoy when I want to read something bad. I don’t know how I’ll feel about the calendar, but if it has nice art, then I’ll probably appreciate it.

Finally, the book! This single-handedly made me glad I’d gotten the box, regardless of how I feel about the items!!! I’d been so excited for it when I heard the announcement, and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

This month’s book was The Scarlet Alchemist, an Eastern fantasy set during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. The author is clearly writing from a place of knowledge and cultural immersion, though I do have a bone to pick about referring to Chinese languages as ‘dialects’. They are LANGUAGES. Anyway, the cover is beautiful, I love the gold foiling on the hard case, and the EDGES!!! They’re painted with an image from the cover! It’s BEAUTIFUL. A+ customizations. I picked it up and thought I’d maybe read the first page, but accidentally devoured the first seven chapters immediately and had to commit to cutting myself off after chapter ten. It was SO good. And very nostalgic, of the China that I’d never been in and that never actually existed, but that I always thought I’d come from. I also really love that there’s so much more eastern fantasy in YA these days; it’s about time! The genre had been so white for a very long time. It is bittersweet, though; every time I see a new one I’m reminded that I could be adding to the ranks of Eastern fantasy novels, and instead I’m… writing things that anyone could write.

This month also had two nice tarot cards, but there was nothing that said who the characters were. It’s very annoying — surely the cards are more valuable as collector’s items if the fandoms are known?

Overall, I’m a little disappointed in the other items (especially since there are only four! The five-item boxes feel richer…), but VERY glad for the pouches and the book. This was maybe a solid 3.5/5 box.

[jamesandmatthew]

PART 2, chapter 2.

Matthew was feeling terrible. Worse than usual.

He had no money, he was too sad to spend time with the people he knew and he hated his housemate.

But the rent was cheap and the bills were the same amount each month so there weren't any surprise expenses. He just had to put up with it. There was no way he could afford to move anywhere else anyway.

His medication didn't seem to be working much lately and he spent most of his time hiding in his room in bed.

Jerking guys off or going to the library or book shops to read seemed to be the only things on his calendar outside his bedroom lately. 

Between messages asking for sex, he got a message from a fellow sub asking if they could hang out.

Matthew wasn't sure about it and left it on read for two weeks until he realised he had no sub friends and thought that maybe having someone to chat about activities would be good. He was feeling alienated.

He agreed to meet him for a coffee.

Oscar was a perky cheerful bisexual guy around his age who had a job so he happily paid for their coffees, which Matthew was very grateful for.

By the end of it Matthew wanted to see him again. They had a lot in common.

The next meeting they got drunk together and Matthew invited him home after last drinks.

*

Matthew closed his bedroom door and Oscar was immediately against him leaning him up against the door kissing him hungrily.

Matthew turned his face away.

"Sorry," Matthew mumbled.

Oscar backed away. 

"Shit I thought you wanted…"

"It's ok. It's just… not my thing…I don't…kiss people unless…but I'll happily suck your cock!"

Oscar looked questioningly at him as Matthew went to the bed.

"I like kissing," Oscar told him.

Matthew looked away, uncomfortable.

"Do you want your cock sucked?" Matthew asked.

"...yes."

Matthew patted the bed.

"Then get in!"

Oscar scrambled to get into bed.

"Can I.. .touch you? Do you like being touched?"

Matthew gave him a confused look.

"You know…genitals...and chest?"

"You are very sweet for asking. Yes. More than welcome to touch my genitals."

"... and what do you call it? Like I know some trans guys have different words for it. I don't want to say the wrong word and upset you."

"..oh. You can call it my cock. I don't have a word for…"

"Can I touch your cock?...and inside?"

"Yep. Yes please. And my chest? Yes."

"Excellent. I've been with a guy that didnt want either part touched so I wanted to check with you incase we start...you know. I don't want to make you uncomfortable at all."

Matthew kissed his cheek.

"You are very sweet. Thank you for asking."

*

Oscar and Matthew talked all night about their lives. Their situations and shared sub horror stories and embarrassing moments.

They made each other laugh.

By the end Matthew felt he was smitten with Oscar. He was very sweet, gentle and kind and he trusted him. He was so glad he made a friend.

He was glad Oscar had refused full sex when offered. Matthew just wanted to take advantage of meeting someone he liked incase he didn't see him again. Matthew had given him a blow job though and afterwards Oscar stayed to chat.

He was relieved he didn't flee afterwards and was more interested in chatting and the blow job didn't change the friendliness. Oscar seemed to genuinely want to spend time with him. It lightened his head a little.

*

"My housemate chucked out a few slices of pizza in the bin last week," Matthew told him, covering his face. "I saw the box in the bin and I went to put it in the recycling and saw the pizza in it and I… oh god… I ate them!"

Oscar started laughing. "That's so gross!"

"I was starving! Starving!"

"You'd never get me so hungry to eat bin pizza!"

Matthew started laughing. "I ate bin pizza!"

Matthew laid down still laughing. "It did hurt my stomach a lot afterwards."

"I bet."

Oscar laid down on his side next to him.

"You do gross things to eat."

"Yeah…yeah I do. I think the best one was pissing on someone for a pub meal."

"Eeewww!"

"Not ewww. He was lovely. He just wanted to drink piss. That's easy. I'd happy piss on people for food. It's so easy. Drink a lot of pints, and I mean a lot of pints, get drunk, piss on them. Easy. I'd prefer doing that. So much better than wanking someone or gobbies. Or sex."

"...what's the worst thing you've done?"

"I think the worst one was I let a guy finger me for a packet of cigarettes," Matthew told him glumly.

"In a restaurant?"

"No, in an alley. I was broke and I really wanted a cigarette. I was so miserable and so broke. I thought why not let him do that. I let him choke me too because I just ...wanted something. Weirdly to feel alive. Choking to feel alive!"

Oscar's eyes went wide as he listened. 

"A stranger in a dark alley," Matthew continued. "What the fuck was I doing? Dangerous, dangerous shit. For some cigarettes!"

Oscar took his hand.

"Was that the only time?"

Matthew was silent for a moment.

"No."

"People do weird things when they're miserable."

Matthew nodded. "I certainly do."

"Is that….is that why you like being… a sub?" Oscar hesitated to ask.

"No. No no no. God no. All that makes me happy. That's the good sexual stuff. That makes me feel so happy afterwards.  The other stuff just makes me feel worse. I'm now used to it, im not so stressed about it. But yeah...I feel weird afterwards. That was just to punish myself because I felt awful I think. I felt like nothing - and not in the stubby way. That's different. So different.  That was just...bleak. I think i wanted to die? Everything felt terrible so I did terrible things to feel worse…I think."

Oscar grabbed him and hugged him.

Matthew let him and started sniffing.

*

A few days later Matthew received a delivery of foodstuffs, money and many packets of cigarettes. Pasta sauces, frozen vegetables, tins of fruits and vegetables , tins of kippers, stews and soups, prawn dumplings, sachets of curries, various noodles and pastas, meats, frozen prawns, milk, cheeses, cereals, pastries , chocolates and wine. 

He was confused by it but the delivery person said his name and address was on it. The delivery had no name of who ordered and paid.

Matthew assumed it was Oscar. It had to be as last time he saw him he told him what he did for good meals, and how much he missed various foods, especially seafood.

He thanked Oscar but he acted confused. Oscar said he didn't order it.

Matthew assumed he was pretending, to avoid his gratitude.

*

Oscar told him he didn't mind about Matthew's body but didn't push for anything more. Matthew stopped offering him sexual favours.

They continued seeing each other enjoying each other's company and confiding in eachother.

Sometimes Oscar didn't return his calls for long periods of time, but came back apologising for it, and they were back to normal, spending time talking until early hours of the morning.

Matthew was happy to find someone that didn't demand anything from him and he didn't demand anything in return.

Things were going well with Oscar. He felt comfortable with him, and felt quite close to him.

He liked the way Oscar was so sweet and kind to him. To Matthew, he was adorable. He started to feel protective of him, like he was a little animal he had to sooth and look after.

He was attracted to him but felt it was wrong to push anything on Oscar.  

Oscar liked cuddles and so Matthew slowly learned to like them too.

He started to slightly appreciate kisses a little more and started to understand the appeal a bit. He was aware of how strange it made him feel. He didn't like kissing, but his curiousity of them let Oscar kiss him. To him, kisses were permission and encouragement, but to Oscar they were displays of affection. Kisses didn't mean the thing to do during foreplay but were an act by themselves.

They felt more intimate than sex ever had. That frightened him and made him panic.

[ordin-arily]

Ghosts, Goblins, and Good-for-Nothings

i was intending to keep my tumblr for requests alone but please enjoy this halloween drabble in the spirit of spooky season! 🎃🖤

Notes: fem reader, 2nd person pov, language, mentions of street harassment 

Halloween is on a Monday this year. It’s not great for trick-or-treaters—never is on a school night—but for every other enthused fan of the holiday? This means three days of non-stop festivities.

Saturday in its entirety is booked to the brim with plans for pumpkin carving, hayrides, costume contests and, later in the night, throwing back October 31st-themed shots 'til you puke orange and purple sparkles.

Sunday morning is for recovery and what Leo dubbed Boo-zy Brunch in the group chat. Pumpkin Pancakes, Candy Corn Crêpes, Witch’s Brew (re: coffee), AHH-vocado Ghost, and Devilled Eggs are all on the revamped menu at Pepe’s for the season—and how could you possibly do without a few Bloody Marys? (The words come from Mikey because you can fair just fine without that tomato juice concoction monstrosity. And, come to think of it, you’ll probably be so hungover the mere smell of alcohol will be enough to deter you regardless of the potion it comes mixed in.)

Sunday afternoon is reserved for horror movie marathoning and engorging on the candy meant for some infant-sized ghosts, goblins, and ghouls ringing your doorbell the following evening, which is a dangerous game because they promise tricks without the tempting of treats.

These plans had been months in the making and you couldn’t have been looking forward to it more. Still, this left you with a vacant slot on Friday night. The spot blinked at you on your calendar mockingly, like a neon sign on its last leg. How could you not have plans with anyone else?

In hindsight, you probably should have begun asking around a little earlier than the day of. You love the Mad Dogs—obviously—but two back-to-back days are probably about all the celebrations you can manage.

You send out a few texts after class and plan to try some more on your commute home.

Nothing of the sort transpires.

You end up walking through your front door sort of dazed and out of it, lost somewhere inside yourself.

You’re not sure how much time passes where you sit motionless on your couch, feeling just as trapped as you did on the subway fifteen minutes ago. Eventually, you get up to change clothes. You fish out your favourite seasonal crewneck from a bottom drawer. It’s soft and comforting and it has the words Halloweentown University plastered across it with an outline of the famed pumpkin at the centre. It’s your best attempt at saving face, if only for yourself.

You peel out of stiff jeans next and replace them with plaid sleep shorts. It’s not the most cohesive outfit—especially not with a full face of makeup and all your jewelry still on from the day—but it makes you feel better than you did before so you leave it on.

Your feet shuffle slowly, numbly, one foot in front of the other until you reach your living room couch again and smooth your fingers over your phone screen absently. It’s already dark out with only one sliver of teal haloing the horizon. You mull over sending out another text.

If you’re being honest with yourself, there’s only one person you really want to see. It’s becoming more and more of a regular occurrence and you try not to beat yourself up over it too much. He’s good at making people laugh and you like to laugh.

The odds of him being free this short notice are slim but you shoot him a message anyway and stare off into space until his response comes.

Miraculously, he thinks an early movie marathon at your place is an awesome idea and asks if you’ve already eaten. You lie and he tells you great, he’ll just bring snacks then.

Somehow, that little text bubble makes it easier to breathe (and think and move) and you get up to toss a bag of popcorn in the microwave. You wonder if he’ll beat the timer.

Leo, never one to lose a challenge, indeed proves successful. His circle of cerulean light appears just six seconds before your microwave bellows at you.

You're pouring the bag out into a large bowl as you greet him in the most uplifting manner you can muster. You fall into light, engaged conversation—mostly about the snacks he opted to bring—and, before long, the two of you end up buried alive in wrappers, Cheeto dust, and popcorn kernels.

You try to keep concentration on the TV screen, you do. Leo's laughing and making comments that you would find downright hysterical—possibly some of his best material yet—if you had it in you to listen, but your mind continues to derail, veer off course, sink into terribly murky waters below.

You’re drowning by the time he pulls you up to surface.

The screen is paused and you have to focus on it for a few seconds to remember you’re supposed to be enthralled in the campy 80s thriller he picked out. Leo’s eyes are trailed on you, like he’s gathering all the info he can just by sizing you up.

“Sorry, what?” you have to ask.

Leo’s brows knit further. “I asked what was wrong. You seem… I dunno, distracted.”

He’s right. You hadn’t even noticed him grab the remote to pause the film, forget trying to recount any of the plot.

He’s been observing you for the last little while—the way you seem so far away.

Hollow stares don’t suit you.

You shrink a little. “No. Sorry. I’m good. Just, uh… It was a long day, you know?”

He throws an arm around the back of the couch and angles his body more openly toward you. A silent invite.

You sit there in the dark for a long moment. The silver glow reflecting off the colour of his skin makes for something supernaturally beautiful but this observation is merely a form of stalling.

A small, defeated breath wilts your posture. “Some guy kept taking pictures of me on the subway today and, honestly, I’ve just been kind of mentally fucked by it. It’s so stupid but I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“He did what?”

You have to fixate your gaze on one of the empty bowls on your coffee table to keep your face from twisting, but the tears are already forming and they don’t yield for anyone.

April is tougher and more resilient than you—you know this—but you kind of take pride in coming in a close second. You’re loud about injustice and rant and rave about pet peeves all the time. Mostly for comedic purposes, sure, but you like to think you’ve got a backbone built from the same stuff as hers. A similar brand of gall that has the two of you teaming up to fight… whatever it is that needs to be fought, really. Suddenly, you wonder, not without a payload of shame, if maybe April’s been doing most of the heavy lifting this whole time.

“I should’ve put my hand around his neck and told him to delete them but I just sat there like an idiot until it was time for me to get off."

You can feel the mascara and eyeliner getting into your eyes and it makes all of this a lot more uncomfortable. Though, still not quite as uncomfortable as you felt today so you decide this is fine.

Your fingers reach high to tug at the elastic holding your half-up bun in place, if only to give yourself something to do.

You don’t get to fuss a ton before Leo’s wrapping you up in a hug. “Don’t call yourself that."

You blink slowly and heave a shattered sigh into his shoulder.

“That’s messed up,” he continues. “And if you can paint me a portrait, I’ll hunt that creepo down and kick his ass.”

“I wish I’d done something,” you mumble.

He pulls back and doesn’t say anything for a long moment, sort of like he’s weighing the words in his mind. “That’s not... your responsibility. You don’t have to manage the shitty things people do to you.”

You're not anticipating that out of him but, weirdly, it's what you need to hear. You nod, unexpectedly entranced by all this.

“Don’t worry about him, okay? Donnie’s insane with this kind of stuff. He’s got facial recognition tech better than the CIA's and he can tap into any electronic device in the state, probably the country. He'll track the phone and wipe it clean in under an hour without even moving from that stupid-comfortable gaming chair he never lets any of us sit in.” His voice goes sort of bitter at the tail end there and it makes you giggle.

Leo smiles at you.

“C’mere.” And then he’s hauling you in close, incentivizing you to lie down with him, willing some of that tension out of your shivering frame. (You hadn't realized you were shaking so badly until his palms came up to rub warmth up and down the length of your arms.)

You stay there for a little while as Leo starts the movie back up. Neither of you is really watching but that’s okay. You feel better knowing justice is afoot, even if that makes you some vindictive low-road traveller.

“I wish I could go everywhere with you. Be your little bodyguard.”

You snicker. “You just want to wear aviators and an earpiece.”

“Come on…!” Leo whines. “I’d look so cool! And you’d get 24/7 personalized security. All I’m seein’ are wins here.”

You hum. “I’m inclined to agree, Nardo.” There’s a space of silence where you have to keep from replaying the incident in your mind per Leo’s request. (He told you not to worry and you intend to follow through on that.) He must sense your labours, though, because he goes on with his scenario.

“Eh, scuze me, Mr. Sleazy Scumbag, sir, no flash photography,” he proclaims, voice getting somehow more nasally than usual. “I know it’s hard to resist capturing such model-like energy but I’ll have to ask you to exercise some self-restraint.”

You put on your best manly impression, voice descending somewhere that is comically deep and husky. “Uh, I’m trying to exercise my personal liberties, here, my dude. It’s my constitutional right—nay, my duty—on this earth to harass women and be a colossal piece of shit.”

“Sir, I won’t ask you again.”

“Oh yeah? What are you gonna do about it, tough guy?”

You’re not sure what kind of response you’re expecting but it is nowhere near one that includes being tackled to the floor and pinned down in an ambush taking the form of hellish tickles. You laugh and squirm, only marginally resentful over how easily this boy manages to lift your spirits.

He shows you mercy quickly enough, declaring, “See, I don’t even have to use violence to take down my opponents. God, I’m good.” And then he’s leaning down, whispering secretively to you: “But I wouldn’t be nearly as friendly with that clown. Trust me.”

“I do,” you tell him, and Leo has to hide the surprised elation that glosses over his face.

You grin and grab for his cheeks with your palms. “You’re so important to me.”

For someone who talks all the time, it's unbelievable that he can’t find the right words to reply. In lieu of anything verbal, a chaste peck finds its way to your forehead. (Well, it’s not like that isn’t a welcome response.)

“I should go wash my face,” you shrug sheepishly from under him. “Bet I look like a raccoon right now.” (You might have to play the lottery if it turns out your undoubtedly smudged makeup has somehow slid itself back into place.)

“Prettiest raccoon I’ve ever seen.”

“You’re sweet.”

Leo pauses the TV once again as he waits for you and the screen goes into sleep mode, transposing stock images of landscapes he’s finding it difficult to trust are real places that exist.

In this lapse, he takes the opportunity to look around. Tiny pumpkin fairy lights are strung up along the cupboards in your kitchen. Next to him, the napkins are patterned with ghosts and bats. Your bowls are colour-coordinated. The one harbouring the Doritos he brought is forest green, sporting the cartoony face of Frankenstein’s monster. There’s another with Dracula and a third violet one that doesn’t at all fit in with the others. There's just some random, unknown witch on it. Leo’s bottom lip juts out disappointedly.

A platter of chocolate-covered pretzels sits off to the side of your small table and Leo helps himself to one. And then another and a few more, until he ends up unveiling the eyeball motif on the ceramic. There are scarecrows on the matching one on the other side of the table, that one brandishing the fluffiest sugar cookies he’s ever tasted.

You’ve got werewolf coasters and pumpkin pillows and, upon further inspection, Leo finds that even your throw blanket is littered with dancing skeletons. He grins. It’s just so like you.

And then, while you’re still in the bathroom, he sends out a few texts.

***

You’re at the lair bright and early on Saturday morning and you come bearing orange-frosted cupcakes and pumpkin-spiced lattes. The turtles and April cheer in unison when they spot your goodies. It doesn't take very long at all before you're learning they’ve got surprises of their own.

The first is impossible to miss; the Hamato home is thoroughly decked out in Halloween memorabilia, including a few extravagant displays that look like they belong in the annual fun fair’s haunted house (an event that was, at the last minute, added to tomorrow’s evening agenda).

“Guys!” you squeal excitedly, taking it all in. “The lair looks incredible!”

You’re, like, fully hopping from one foot to the other, bouncing on the tips of your toes, and Leo could not find it more adorable.

Donnie outs his brother almost immediately. “It was Leo’s idea.”

Mikey’s parading around the kitchen with oven mitts on. “We’re baking pumpkin bread too!”

“Also Leo’s idea!” Donnie interjects, sliding his way over.

“And we managed to swap tickets for the forest hay ride,” April announces buoyantly from her seat, picking at the bowl of kettle corn in the centre of the table. You’d tried for those tickets initially but they’d been completely sold out so you’d had to settle for the farm route instead.

You’re about to ask how they managed to swing that when:

“Leo was on the phone with them for over an hour…” Donnie volunteers.

Raph, who’s sitting on the floor hunched over a pumpkin and getting a head start on carving offers yet another headline of terrific news: “Oh! And we’re VIP tonight. Drinks are free and we get to judge the costume contest.”

Leo’s hand wraps its way over Donnie’s mouth before the boy can so much as inhale. “I think she gets it,” he bites out through gritted teeth.

Even behind Leo’s hand-muzzle, Donnie looks entirely too smug.

Raph and April glance at you, grinning from ear to ear. Judging by this reaction, you’d say your expression has to be somewhere between awed and flabbergasted.

You don’t know what to say.

April helps you out. “Donnie’s being annoying about it but, yeah, Leo really does deserve all the credit for this.”

You watch Leo’s head turn mechanically in her direction, the stiffest grin etched into his face. It takes everything in you not to laugh. It’s strange, though. Leo’s the type to seek credit even where it’s not due so this feels suspiciously out of character.

“Oh, Leonardo…” you singsong jubilantly. “Might I have a word?”

His gaze whips up at you and he nods, shyer than you know him to be.

“Don’t take too long!” Mikey calls, removing the pan from the oven as you branch off to another room. “It’s better when it’s still warm!”

You end up in the projector room near the pile of pumpkins you’re set to carve today. Leo sucks in a pitted breath but you start before he can.

“I don’t even know how to thank you. You didn’t have to do all this.”

Leo’s shoulders come up to his jaw and fall back down slowly. “I wanted to make up for what happened. And I know you love Halloween so…”

“That’s insanely thoughtful, Leo. Thank you.”

“Oh, and I made sure Donnie caught the guy. Saw the pictures with my own two eyeballers. They were gorgeous, by the way, as always, but they have been eradicated from that perv's cellular device along with his entire camera roll and every password, contact, song, and app." He gives you a little bow. Theatrics are always in full bloom with him. It makes you smile. "We also may have leaked his bank information online but that's because Donnie's cynical and I have no self-control.”

“How am I supposed to return this kind of favour, huh? I’m gonna be buying you pizza for the rest of my life.”

Leo waves you off before picking up a pumpkin. You do the same, mostly to give yourself something to fidget with.

“You could… uh, go on a date with me instead. Like a… yeah, a date.”

Your head tilts to the side. You’ve always felt there might be something more between the two of you but you weren’t confident either of you would ever act on it. It’s hard to tell if he’s being sincere now.

You venture an answer: “One measly date in exchange for a whole weekend of fun? You’re not making this a very tough decision.”

Leo smirks at you, lip caught by his teeth. “Then say yes.”

“Yes. On one condition.”

“Anything.”

“I get to plan it. You’ve done so much, let me take this one.”

Leo slumps in relief and nods at you, eyes filled with stars. You giggle and tap your pumpkin to his, an extra pep in your step as you start off on a walk back to the others.

The rest of the weekend might just be the greatest of, like, your whole freaking life. It’s impossibly fun and chaotic, and you go home each night with your cheeks hurting from smiling so wide and your throat raw from laughter.

Everything is wonderfully spooky and delightfully festive and, come Monday night, you and Leo spend a rooftop dinner on a decorative picnic blanket mottled with broomsticks and pointy hats. You laugh and chat and cling wine glasses together, watching the sun go down and the streets below fill with costumes. Later, you’ll hand out candy and watch family-friendly classics but, for now, you dither in the wind and kiss underneath the stars.

***

[sunnyjenolvr]

jaehyun x reader | g: fluff | wc: 998 | cw: none

[8:50PM]

“Oh fuck,” Jaehyun curses when he looks at the date on his phone. Rolling out of bed he immediately scrambles to get ready. It was already 3PM, surely by now you must’ve been mad. Today was yours and Jaehyun’s 6 month anniversary — which he had forgotten. He had been so caught up with work that he completely missed today being your anniversary and all he had was his gift for you. To him, this wasn’t enough. He wanted to plan a whole day with you, filling every hour with something that would keep you on your toes. When he checks his phone again after getting dressed, he sees a message from you and he warily opens it, hoping you aren’t upset.

You [3:22PM]: Yo you wanna go to the art museum next weekend? My work gave me two free tickets to the new exhibition that just opened up downtown.

Huh, you aren’t mad? You were always someone who was straightforward so if you were mad at him for forgetting your anniversary surely you would’ve said something by now. Not sure what to say exactly, he responds to your initial text.

Jaehyun [3:22PM]: I’d love to

Before Jaehyun says anything else, he opens up his phone to search for your favorite restaurant in the middle of the city. Maybe I can still make this up to her. The restaurant was expensive and had many Michelin stars so they were usually super booked but just his luck, when he checked the reservations there was one spot still open for 8:30PM and Jaehyun quickly reserved the spot. Switching back to messages, he sends another text.

Jaehyun [3:25PM]: Hey, I booked dinner reservations for us at Julia’s tonight. I'll pick you up around 5 and we can do a little shopping before dinner

You [3:26PM]: I’m not sure if I can make it Jae :(

You [3:26PM]: I have so many errands to run today and I woke up so late that I haven’t even left the house yet but I can definitely meet you at the restaurant if that’s okay.

Oh my god you totally forgot. Jaehyun’s not sure whether to feel hurt or relieved that you also didn’t remember, but he guesses he has no right to be hurt when he forgot about it too. Jaehyun still wants to spend as much time as possible with you so he offers to pick you up to go run errands to which you agree like you always do.

Running errands together was a thing you and Jaehyun did often as your busy lives didn’t always allow extravagant dates that can take up a whole calendar day. Jaehyun was incredibly patient too. Always willing to sit in clothing stores ready to offer advice and compliments the minute you step out of the dressing room, helping you choose what kind of cereal to get for your pantry, and of course never forgetting to bring you your coffee when he comes and picks you up.

The day goes smoothly as the two of you are driving around the city and getting things done. When you had finally finished all that you need to do, Jaehyun offers to take you dress shopping. You were a little bit suspicious at first when he took you to an expensive dress shop but simply shrugged it off since Jaehyun loved to spoil you spontaneously anyway. You barely spent any time in there anyway because the minute you stepped in, a silver silk mini dress immediately caught your attention and you were fast to try it on. Stepping out of the dressing room, Jaehyun was quick to adorn you with compliments and he happily purchases it for you before you could even usher out a single word. He drops you off at home and leaves to go back to his place to get ready and you do the same. When Jaehyun picks you up again at 8, you are wearing the new dress he bought you and he swears you looked even more beautiful with it on than you did two hours ago.

It wasn’t until you’re sitting in the middle of the dim lit restaurant enjoying your meal that the sudden realization hits you.

“Oh my god.” You breathe out, putting your fork and knife down, face in utter shock.

“What? Are you okay?” Jaehyun immediately asks, hand grabbing yours from across the table.

“I totally forgot about today. I'm so sorry Jae.” You apologize. “Today was our six month anniversary and I completely forgot I can’t believe it slipped my mind.”

“Hey hey hey.” He comforts, “It’s okay.”

“No it’s not. Six month anniversaries are like huge! And I completely forgot about it because I was too engrossed in work. I promise I’ll make it up to you. I'm so, so sorry.”

“Can I be honest with you?” You meet Jaehyun’s brown doe eyes when he speaks. “I completely forgot about today too.”

“You’re kidding.” You laugh. “Oh my god we’re both horrible aren’t we?”

“I was so scared that you were mad at me but when you told me you had to run errands I realized you forgot too and you don’t know how relieved that made me. I’m sorry I forgot though work was also crazy for me, that new promotion is killing me I swear.” Not once does Jaehyun break eye contact with you, continuing to stare at you lovingly while his hand softly encases yours.

“Is this why you bought me that dress and somehow managed to get us a reservation on the same day at a restaurant that is always booked?” You ask.

“Hey I always buy you things.” Jaehyun jokingly gets upset. “It’s like the universe loves me. When I checked the reservations they had one table open for two.”

“I love you.” You say softly to him.

“Happy six month anniversary, love.” Jaehyun gently kisses the back of your hand before letting it go for the two of you to continue enjoying your meal.

a/n: jaehyun would never forget anniversaries </3 pls leave feedback!!

[celestialrry]

stood up

3.5k

hello everyone!!!! I've been awol for literally weeks because i had absolutely NO motivation to write but i finally finished this piece ˊᗜˋ so YAY. ALSOO thank you for following me, liking, and reblogging my pieces (it encourages me somuchsothankyouireallyappreciateit-- and remember reblogging really helps us writers :))) )  here’s a hug for all ur patience and feel free to send me asks or requests i love talking to you guys! ε(♡'-')з

summary: Harry keeps standing Y/N up. (request from @ballerinrry! thank u love)

warnings: cursing, mentions of alcohol and sex, angsty but with a happy ending cause for some reason i can never let them end on a bad note

Y/N was excited.

It had been a while since Harry had asked her to go on a date, it was always the other way around recently. She couldn’t blame him though, Y/N knew just how busy Harry always was, and it wasn’t like he was purposefully not asking her to go do things, he just had a lot on his plate.

That’s what she kept telling herself anyways. 

It’s what she told herself when it had been 2 weeks since they had even eaten a meal together, and given the fact that just a few months ago Harry had come back to London for a while, that was rare. So, Y/N asked him to grab lunch on a Saturday while they were lying in bed together, and when he agreed, but failed to show up, leaving Y/N sitting at the cafe, her lips morphed into a frown and her eyes not focusing on the phone in front of her, she told herself he was simply booked up with meetings and studio time and such. 

Thats what he told her when he got into bed that night to apologize for accidentally standing her up. She forgave him, of course, and suggested they could just get dinner the next week. He agreed, even walked around to his calander her to show her he was marking the date off in his calendar with a heart, her first initial, and 7:00 PM etched into the little box with red sharpie. 

So, the week passed with quick kisses of good mornings and good nights, and while Harry was gone Y/N had on a black dress she had been excited to wear for a while now, with those little mini silver heels and a coat strung over her shoulders as she sat on her couch waiting for Harry to swing by to pick her up. She shot him a text that simply asked “You otw? xx”

He was not.

It took about 30 minutes of waiting on their couch to realize he was standing her up, again. And it took until the next morning for Harry to see her text (his phone had been on do not disturb while he was at the studio and he ended up spending the night at Sarah and Mitch’s after a few beers), and for the guilt to seep through his veins. 

He apologized, again. And Y/N forgave him, again. 

Only until it got to the point where Y/N no longer remembered the amount of times Harry had stood her up, for being at the studio, or sleeping after a meeting, or simply just not paying attention to his phone, she knew there was a problem. 

Harry was fully aware of the problem too. He knew that this was no way to ever treat a partner, and if someone was doing this to him, he’d dump them— well, he’s never been one to end a relationship unless it was necessary, so that’s an exaggeration, but it’s the principle of the thing. 

Which is why when he got home one day around 11 PM, gave her a kiss to the forehead after she sat up in their bed to give him a hug, and a soft  “Can we talk?” escaped her lips, he knew he had to fix this. So he asked her if they could talk over dinner the next night, he just wanted to sleep but also wanted to fix things with his girl, asking her if she was free of course, before telling her he’s gonna make a reservation at that nice restaurant the two of them used to go to quite often, because “it’s been a while since I’ve taken my favorite girl out”.

A grin broke out on her face because he had asked her! And if Harry was planning it, there’s no way he’d cancel or stand her up. 

 So yeah, Y/N was excited.

She woke up that morning with a smile on her face, and something akin to a what she thinks a rainbow would feel like running through her veins. It had only been a few months since she’d last been on a date with her boyfriend of almost 2 years and a half in person, and she was going to make the most of it. Because after this date, things would change. They’d spend more time together again and it would be like this little bump (that neither had acknowledged) never happened.

Y/N did, well, everything to prepare. Took a long shower, shaved, put on that coconut lotion Harry likes— he tended to dig his face in her neck when he smelled it while holding her—, brushed her teeth more than 3 times, dug in her closet to find that one patterned soft purple dress she bought ages ago but never had a change to wear it, until now, put on those really cute heels Harry said he liked once (“Looks like something you’d wear on a runway pet, I love ‘em.”), and even styled her hair differently than normal.

He had told her he would swing by at 8 on the dot after the studio, and soon enough, it was 8, with no sign from the man who made the promise himself. Y/N thought maybe there was traffic, he was just running late, texted him a quick, “Can’t wait to see you!! xxx” and put her phone on the coffee table, waiting on their couch. 

8 turned to 9, 9 turned to 10, 10 turned to 11, and soon it was midnight. Y/N doesn’t think she’d ever felt more empty than how she felt then, walking to their shared room of a year, slipping off her heels and tossing them towards the closet, as well as pulling her dress over herself and letting it fall to the floor behind her, grabbing that one t-shirt she always wears when she needs comfort (which just happened to an extra 2018 Live on Tour shirt Harry had laying around that she snatched just 3 months into them dating), and flopping into bed.  

She couldn’t fall asleep, and instead spent her time curled up in their bedsheets, a steady flow of tears making their way down her blush covered cheeks.

。:°ஐ

Harry usually didn’t make mistakes.

Sure, he had his moments, grabbing the wrong coffee off the counter when his name was called at the cafe, forgetting to text Jeff that he actually couldn’t make it to a meeting that was scheduled in a few hours. Just little things, things that didn’t matter that much, and could always be fixed. He didn’t usually make mistakes that weren’t easy to fix. He just wasn’t that kind of guy.

Until, he was.

Harry loved Y/N. He loved having her around, loved spending time with her, loved loving on her, loved kissing her, loved touching her, loved the way she went about almost everything. He was so in love with her, that hurting her was out of the question. He never wanted to be the one to make her cry, make her bottom lip quiver before the tears rushed out like he’d seen many times before, due to movies, his songs (which as sadistic as it sounds was an ego builder to have someone so close to him so affected by the music he wrote), her school work, or even her friends that weren’t being so nice.

In fact, he was so in love with her, even being so afraid of commitment (it took him over a year of them dating to ask her to move in), all he wanted to do was blurt out those 4 dreaded words. “Will you marry me?” It was a bond for life, and he was terrified of that, but with Y/N all he wanted to do was spend the rest of his living days with her.

When Harry had come back from being in L.A. for so long and finally being in the same city as his girlfriend back at their home, all they did was spend time together. Every time he saw Y/N all he wanted to do was say those 4 words that he hadn’t even fully come to terms with himself. It was dangerous, and Harry’s self control when it came to Y/N was lacking, so he simply did was every normal person would do in his situation.

He stood her up. 

Many more times than he could count, and of course he felt like the shittiest person in the world— shittiest boyfriend in the world—but at least now she can’t possibly be under the impression that he wanted to marry her, which is what he wanted. Or thought he wanted, until Sarah called him up one day after he had stood Y/N up for dinner the night before and told him off. Told Harry just how fucking terrible he made Y/N feel, how unwanted she thought she was, how she felt like they were loosing their relationship, and Harry didn’t know what to do with himself. (Of course Y/N had sobbed to Sarah about it over the phone while she was drunk off the wine she opened 40 minutes after Harry said he would be there, so she really didn’t even remember the conversation).

And later that day Harry had come home, heard her wavering voice asking if they could talk, and decided in his head he would tell her how he felt, how sorry he was, and how he wanted to be with her forever and love her forever if she allowed him. He had a few expectations for their dinner, that Y/N would probably tell him how he’s made her feel, and Harry would apologize, tell her why he did it, explain he thought it was no excuse, then tell her he plans on marrying her (obviously not proposing just yet, but finally bringing up the conversation they had never had even though they were in a serious committed relationship) and they’d go back home, have the most amazing sex ever, and forget about the whole thing. 

What Harry didn’t expect was to get a call from Jeff around 5 asking him to come to the studio to fix few vocals, then end up nailing down 2 songs in one night, go to a bar with the band to celebrate, get drunk, then pass out at Mitch and Sarahs flat. 

But that’s what happened, according to Mitch, who woke Harry up the very next morning. 

“Good morning man, wakey wakey,” Mitch’s teasing tone echoed through Harry’s (what felt like full of vodka) brain as he groaned and squinted his eyes. “Why are you waking me up at this hour in the morning?” Harry asked drearily, sighing and simultaneously regretting last night as a whole because the last thing he wanted to do while hungover was be up before at least 9 AM.

“We’ve gotta go to meet with Jeff about tour in like a hour, H” Mitch stated .

At Mitch’s words Harry sat up on their couch, eyes wide in fear. “Wait mate, I thought tha’ meeting was on Wednesday.”

“It is Wednesday H, god how drunk did we let you get last night…” Mitch said, beginning to recount some of Harry’s antics the night before. Harry however, couldn’t hear a thing with the blood pumping through his ears. If today was Wednesday, that meant yesterday was Tuesday, and he went and got trashed at a bar with his friends Tuesday night when— when he was supposed to be on a date with Y/N, when he was supposed to confess his intentions, when he was supposed to apologize for standing her up over and over, yet instead he went and did it again.

Now this, this was a mistake.

“…H. H. Harry? Are you there?” Mitch’s voice came back into focus and Harry shook his head. “I- fuck, I was supposed to take Y/N out last night.” Harry said, his voice trembling.

‘I’m sure she’ll forgive you, it’s just one night.” Mitch tried to make Harry feel better. He knew Y/N was a very forgiving person, she would get over this in no time.

“No, she won’t. I-I’ve stood her up for the past month and a half, Mitch.”

At these words, Mitch stands straight up  making pained eye contact with Sarah in the kitchen who was overhearing most of this conversation with her eyes wide. She had no idea it was this bad. “Month and a half? I thought it was just that one time a few weeks ago, Harry what the hell is wrong with you?” Harry simply shook his head and didn’t reply. He had absolutely no idea how to make it up to her. “I-fuck, I don’t know Mitch!” Harry raised his voice. “I need to see her and apologize, now.” Harry said, standing up and rushing over to the front door and slipping on his shoes. 

“This meeting is mandatory Harry, as much as I want you to see her too, she’d probably still asleep, and I don’t think this can be solved in under an hour.” Mitch said calmly, already knowing Harry was close to walking out his door. Harry stayed silent for a moment, weighing the options. Either go apologize to his girlfriend, or prioritize himself over her again. 

“We can do it another day, I’m sorry, but I have to go see her, tell Jeff I feel sick.” And he walked out without another word.

。:°ஐ

The morning after Harry stood Y/N up again was brutal. 

She stayed up all night, replaying moments with Harry in her head, analyzing if he wanted to be there with her, wondering if maybe he felt like he had to stay with her out of pity. It was torture, and the pain seemed to turn into numbness as time went by, and eventually the sun came up, and she stayed in bed, her motivation lost.

A loud crash and “Fuck!” woke her up, swollen eyes fluttering open to the invasive noise. Y/N furrowed her brows, her mind connecting everything that happened yesterday and unfortunately reminding her of the unbearable pain she went through the night before. A groan escaped her lips as she sat up and flung her legs out of her bed sheets that had been flung off the bed in the middle of the night.  She began grumbling to herself as she made her way downstairs, ready to tell Harry off for making so much noise.

Her mouth stopped moving, and instead remained in limbo as her eyes met Harry’s. His mouth opened to speak, but his words were caught in his throat as he saw the state she was in. It was when her mouth pressed into a line that he could begin talking. “Y/N, baby, please I know you don’t wanna see me or talk t’me right now but I’m so fuckin’ sorry, love. So so sorry, it was an accident, I went t’ the studio to fix a few things then got hung up on the songs and by the time we went to celebrate I completely lost track of time, and I was too drunk to drive home so I crashed at Mitch’s.”

Her mouth fell open at his words. Everything was happening too fast. Hearing that he stood her up to drink at a fucking bar to celebrate himself, then coming home and accidentally knocking over a glass in their kitchen (which she put together was the crash earlier after seeing the shards of broken glass on the floor) frustrated her to no end. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him any longer, and Harry had stopped talking after realizing what he just admitted to her. Without another glance, instead of looking at Y/N’s tear stained face, all he saw was her back, walking up the stairs to their room. 

“Fuck,” He said to himself before following her up the pink stairs. “Y/N, love wait-please, I’m so sorry, I just need to talk to you, I need to explain myself, please.” He begged as she shut their bedroom door in his face, his voice turning into a desperate whine at the end. 

。:°ஐ

It’s been 3 days since then, and she hasn’t spoken to him. He would leave in the mornings, kissing her forehead and mumbling an “I love you” and telling her exactly what time he’d be home, before leaving and coming back on time to find an empty plate in the sink and her lying in their bed, whether it be reading, scrolling on her phone, or typing on her laptop. He would apologize many times, reaching his hand out for hers and she would simply situate herself in their bed and lay down, back turned to him. 

Harry just couldn’t take it anymore. 

It was when she had finally let him kiss her forehead goodnight that he decided to take his chance. “Y/N.” He spoke softly, with no response or anything to indicate she heard him. “Baby, can we please talk- or I’ll talk and you listen, I just- I really need to say some things.” 

She was still faced away from him when he leaned against their headboard and he decided to keep going. 

“I- um. I’m sure you know how sorry I am, but I really am- sorry I mean. Not just for tonight but for every other time I’ve stood you up. I’m so sorry for not showing you how much you matter to me, and how much the things you do matter to me.”

It was then that she slowly sat up next to him and looked at him, eyes begging him to continue. He blushed at her intense eye-contact that he had barely gotten over the past few days and took a breath, opting to look at his hands fidgeting in his lap.

“We’ve been together for 2 and almost a half years, which is the longest relationship I’ve been in, and it’s no excuse to treat you this way, but I had just been thinking about how things progress even further than now,” He coughs. “Which is marriage, and when I finally came home, all I wanted to do was ask you to marry me- I don’t- m’not proposing right now, I just- I got really scared because wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone is crazy to me,

I’ve never thought that way about anyone else until you, I didn’t even really want to get married before you, and I started to distance myself before I ended up telling you this, but obviously that blew up in my face.” He chuckled a bit, locking eyes with her unreadable ones for a moment and lifting a hand to run through his hair. “What I’m trying to say, is that I love you, so so much, and I plan on marrying you— obviously if you want to too, of course— and I’m so sorry for trying to make you think that I didn’t care about you anymore or love you any less, because it’s the complete opposite of that.”

His eyes were watery now, as he started down at his interlocked fingers, and his eyes widened when her hand was gently placed over his own. “Harry,” Y/N began. “Look at me, please.” 

His head lifted to see her facing him, her brows knitted and a small smile on her face. “I forgive you, okay? I could tell you were kind of scared of commitment when we first started dating, and I wish I could say your reason for standing me up is surprising but it’s not.” They both chuckled a bit at this. “I- I’m still upset at you, I need you to know that, because 2 months of thinking the love of your life is avoiding you doesn’t feel all too great, so you suck for that,” she said, planting a quick kiss to his cheek which quickly turned pink. “But Harry, even if you asked me to marry you a year ago I would have said yes. I love you, so much, and I plan on spending the rest of my life with you as well. I’m sorry for giving you the silent treatment, it was… unnecessary and immature. So, thank you for apologizing. I love you.” She confessed again.

“S’okay, I deserved it, and I love you too. Maybe even more. So um, we’re okay?” Harry asked, a hopeful smile on his face. 

She nodded with a smile and pulled him into a much needed hug and pulled away only for him to bring her into an even more needed kiss. “If you ever try to pull that shit again, I’m breaking up with you.” She laughed and he tackled her into the sheets hiding his face in her neck.

“Duly noted, love. Duly noted.”

[rosiehunterwolf]

stuck with you (through bright and blue)

Prompts: Protective

Word Count: 4,400

Characters: The squad

Timeline: Pre-movie movie!verse

Trigger Warnings: Manipulation, Toxic Friendship

Summary: Kai only wants two things: to protect Lloyd, and to give him the best birthday ever. Unfortunately, Lloyd seems hell-bent on making that as difficult as possible. Kai’s always prided himself on achieving the impossible, but dealing with human emotions is much more complicated than beating up Garmadon’s generals or shooting enemies with fire, as he quickly learns. Movie!verse

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Tumblr work under the cut

“Woah, it looks like a massacre in here.”

At the sound of Cole’s voice, Kai, Jay, Lloyd, and Zane looked up from the map they had sprawled out across the table. Red pen was everywhere, circling different buildings and connecting them with lines.

“We’re having trouble finding a venue for Lloyd’s party,” Zane explained.

Nya rolled her eyes. “It’s not that hard! Just pick somewhere!” She held a hand out, shaking her phone. “We have five days until his birthday. Most places require at least that many to book a reservation. If we don’t decide today, we’ll have nowhere to go.”

“We can’t just pick anywhere,” Kai insisted. “It has to be perfect!”

“Why don’t we just go to the arcade?”

“It’s always so busy there.”

“It’s a Wednesday night! How many people are going to be there?”

“Trust me,” Jay said, “It’s still busy. It always is.”

Cole peered at the map. “Why’d you cross off the movie theater? Isn’t there a new Starfarer movie Lloyd’s been wanting to see?”

Kai shook his head. “Tickets sold out in like five hours. By the time school was over and we got over there, they were all gone.”

Jay frowned, running his fingers along one of the major streets. “What’s your favorite restaurant, Lloyd?”

“A restaurant? Are you serious?” Cole laughed. “We’d get kicked out in ten minutes.”

“Why can’t we just do it at my place?” Lloyd murmured. “I don’t need anything big deal.”

Kai frowned. “Your apartment isn’t that big, Lloyd. And I don’t want to bother your mom with all the decorations and stuff.”

Lloyd shrugged, looking down. “It doesn’t need to be big.”

“If you really want something simple,” Nya said, “why don’t we just do it at the warehouse? It’ll just be us, but there’s lots of space.”

Zane nodded. “That space would suffice. We would just have to ask Master Wu.”

“That is, if you’re certain that’s what you want.” Nya looked at Lloyd closely. “You sure you don’t want to do anything else?”

Lloyd nodded.

“Positive, bud?” Kai pushed. “Because it’s your birthday. We don’t mind at all.”

“I’m fine,” Lloyd insisted, getting to his feet. “It’s just another day on the calendar. Don’t make such a big fuss.”

The ninja fell silent.

“Lloyd,” Nya murmured, “it is a big deal to us.”

“Sorry. I’m just tired. And I’ve got homework. I should go.”

“Lloyd, wait-”

The green ninja pulled away from Kai’s outstretched hand. “I’m fine, Kai. I just have to go. Call me if you need anything.”

---

When they went back to school on Monday, their teachers loaded them with assignments, and Kai didn’t have a spare minute to talk to Lloyd in their shared classes. He couldn’t even talk at lunch because Lloyd had to make up a test. He kept his eyes peeled for his friend every time he was in the hallways, but if there was one thing Lloyd was good at, it was not being seen.

At the end of the school day, Nya texted him to meet up near their lockers. He got there and found her huddled around her locker with Cole, Jay, and Zane.

Kai walked over to them. “What’s going on? Where’s Lloyd?”

“He said he’d catch up with us later, which is why now is the perfect time for party preparation,” Jay said, gesturing towards Nya, who had a fiercely determined look on her face and was tightly clutching a clipboard. “Apparently she’s been waiting her whole life for this.”

“Alright.” Nya looked up from her clipboard. “I’ve already got streamers and gift wrap at home. What about you guys?”

“I’ve got a banner ordered with his name on it,” Cole said. “And of course, the shark tablecloths-”

Jay blinked. “Sharks?”

“Yeah. He loves sharks.”

“No, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong! We’re getting the dragon ones! He loves dragons!”

“Well, yeah, duh, but he’d obviously like the shark one better.”

“Are you kidding? Sharks would remind him of his dad’s mechs!” “Yeah, well, dragons remind him of his mech, which also reminds him of fighting his dad.”

“Totally not the same, plus dragons are way cooler-”

“Okay, we’re going with the Starfarer ones, then,” Nya grumbled. “What about balloons? Who’s covering-”

“I have balloons,” Zane interrupted. “Two hundred and seventy-five of them.”

They gawked at him.

“Zane… why do you have so many balloons just lying around?” Jay asked.

“They are new! In the package! I can blow them up for Lloyd’s birthday party-”

“Shhhhh!” Four pairs of hands immediately pushed over his mouth, silencing him, even though they were the only ones in the very empty hallway.

“No one can find out,” Cole insisted. “This is Lloyd’s special day. We’re not about to let anyone ruin it.”

“Okay, so Zane’s got the balloons.” Nya ticked another item off the list. “What about the cake? I have most of the ingredients to make one at home, but I’m completely lacking the baking skills.”

Cole nodded. “I can bake a cake. What’s his favorite kind?”

“Lloyd likes that Funfetti one,” Kai murmured.

Cole’s nose wrinkled. “I’m not baking a box mix. I can get him the rainbow sprinkles, though, and make a homemade one.”

“Okay, sounds good. Jay, could you pick up some confetti before his birthday? And Zane, we need some fun paper plates.”

“Zane, you should get shark ones.”

“No, dragons!” “Zane will pick out whichever plates he likes,” Nya snapped.

“What about gifts?” Jay asked. “What are you guys getting?”

“I’m not telling you,” Nya yelped. “I have the best gift ever and I don’t want you stealing any ideas.”

“I’ve been setting aside pieces of my allowance for a month,” Cole grinned. “It’s gonna be sweet.”

Jay blinked at him expectantly, and Cole smirked. “I’m not telling you, either, blabbermouth.”

“Blabbermouth?” he yelped. “I can keep secrets perfectly fine, thank you.”

“Oh yeah? What about that time you nearly gave away all of our ninja identities?”

“Or-” Zane added, “when he and Lloyd were working on those surprise mech upgrades and he accidentally said something in front of Kai and Nya?”

“Oh, remember when he spoiled the finale of Cole’s favorite show?” Nya grinned. “Cole was pissed.”

“Okay, okay, so there were a few times,” Jay spluttered. “But those were a while ago! I have many more secrets that I have kept than I haven’t.”

Cole crossed his arms, smirking. “Name one.”

“Well, there was that one time, where I- hey!” He stopped, glaring at Cole. “You’re trying to trick me into telling you a secret!”

“And it very nearly worked. So no. You can’t know.”

Nya shrugged. “Sorry, Jay. He’s right. When you have a secret, you get nervous. And when you’re nervous, you talk. A lot. It would only be a matter of time before you spilled everything to Lloyd.”

“Fine,” Jay muttered. “Keep your secrets.”

Kai jumped slightly as Nya elbowed him, and she frowned. “You okay? You’ve been really quiet.”

Kai shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “Is it just me, or… did Lloyd seem like he doesn’t really want a birthday party?”

The others went quiet.

“We’re not going to not give him a party,” Nya insisted. “You know how he gets. He never wants anyone to make a fuss.” Her brow furrowed. “It’s like he still can’t get it into his skull that we care about him.”

“I mean, of course I want to, it’s just… we can’t force him to do anything he doesn’t want.” Kai bit his lip. “It’s been a rough past few months for him. I just want him to be happy.”

“We all do,” Cole agreed. “Lloyd deserves a night just about him, for once.”

Zane frowned. “But how are we supposed to give him the party that he wants if he won’t tell us what he wants?”

“Let me try to talk to him,” Kai said. “He might open up more if it’s just one of us there.”

---

Lloyd, in fact, did not want to talk.

He was more open during their classes the next day, and held casual conversation with him, but forcefully avoided the topic of his birthday whenever Kai brought it up.

He huffed with frustration. What kind of kid didn’t want to celebrate their birthday? He wished Lloyd would just tell him what was going on.

He wasn’t going to, though, so naturally, the next best thing was to follow him.

He wouldn’t call it spying- just finding another way of obtaining information when Lloyd refused to give it himself. Besides, he was doing this to help Lloyd, not to hurt him.

Kai jerked himself out of his thoughts as Lloyd nearly slipped from his view. He gritted his teeth, refocusing on him. Lloyd wasn’t an easy person to follow, either.

When he finally caught up to him, keeping a reasonable distance, of course, Lloyd was hovering near his locker. An unfamiliar, dark-haired kid was leaning against it, laughing at something as Lloyd smiled uneasily. Kai edged closer, his frown deepening.

“Where’s the spike head? And the rest of your gang?”

“Kai?” Lloyd shifted. “I dunno. He probably had homework and stuff to do.”

The guy shrugged. “I kind of found him annoying, anyway. You realize no one could ever get to you when your friends were around, right?”

“I guess that’s… kind of the point.”

“You can’t spend your whole life letting them protect you. If you block out any person who hurts you, you block out anyone who could potentially be a friend, too.” The guy smiled in a way that made Kai wanted to chuck himself between Lloyd and the guy.

“That’s… that’s the thing. No one wants to be nice to me.”

“Spare me the sob story,” the guy rolled his eyes. “I know your dad sucks, but at least you have one.”

Lloyd flinched. “Sorry.”

The guy laughed, putting a hand on his shoulder and shoving him. “Stop being so jumpy, will ya? No wonder kids pick on you, you’re as harmless as a flea.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Lloyd blinked. “I can’t hit them back, or I’ll be in more trouble than I already am.”

“You don’t need to hit them, just show them you’re not a total coward! Maybe if you actually listen to them instead of cringing away, things might change.”

“Listen to them? Are you saying they’re right?”

“What does it matter if they’re right? Look, Lloyd, you’ve already got it hard enough as it is, and you’re making everything more difficult. You’d be so much cooler if you actually hung out with important people and not the outcast-losers you’ve stationed yourself with.”

For the first time since the conversation had started, Lloyd appeared indignant. “They’re not- I mean, you’re not-”

The guy laughed. “See? You can’t even get a word out. You’re so pathetic. You don’t even need the fact that you’re Garmadon’s son to get picked on, you already got it all set up for the torment-”

Kai wasn’t aware of himself pushing forward, he just was, and suddenly he was gripping the guy by the collar of his shirt, a pair of wide, brown eyes staring fearfully up into his.

“Who do you think you are and what the hell are you doing?”

“I… um, I…” the guy swallowed, his throat running dry.

“You treating my best friend like a piece of shit?” Kai shook him. “Are you?”

“I’m sorry!” The guy squirmed. “I didn’t really mean it, we were just joking around, he says that kind of stuff to me all the time!”

“Really? Lloyd. Says that. You sure we’re talking about the same person? Because I do not take nicely to liars.”

The guy squirmed harder. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry! Just please let me go, I’ll never bother you again!” Kai shot him the fiercest glare he could muster. “You better not.” He stepped back, dropping the kid, and he took off like a bullet.

Turning back to Lloyd, he saw his friend was staring at the fleeing boy with wide, disbelieving eyes, but it quickly dissipated to anger as he turned to Kai. “What the heck did you do that for?”

Kai’s eyes widened. “I was protecting you? From a bully?” Lloyd’s eyes flashed, and Kai actually took a step back. “I don’t need you to protect me! I can fight my own battles!”

Before Kai could even say anything, Lloyd was storming down the hallway and disappearing around the corner.

Kai just stood there for a moment, in shock. What was that all about? Hadn’t he done the same thing for Lloyd a dozen times? Why would defending him ever be bad?

A buzz in his pocket interrupted his thoughts. Kai pulled out his phone to see a new message in the chat from his sister.

irondragonfangirl: how r things going with lloyd

MasterofFiyaaaaa: honestly? i think i made it worse

irondragonfangirl: well u better find a way to fix it soon because his bday’s TOMORROW

MasterofFiyaaaaa: yeah i’ll find a way through to him

MasterofFiyaaaaa: i just hope he listens

irondragonfangirl: don’t worry

irondragonfangirl: he will

irondragonfangirl: just make sure u remember to listen to him too

irondragonfangirl: i have a feeling we haven’t been doing that enough

irondragonfangirl: i feel terrible

MasterofFiyaaaaa: yeah me too

MasterofFiyaaaaa: we’ll make it up to him though

MasterofFiyaaaaa: right?

irondragonfangirl: sure as long as cole doesn’t burn this cake

irondragonfangirl: seriously y did we let him bake it

irondragonfangirl: if i dont respond in the next hour just assume his house burnt down and im dead

MasterofFiyaaaaa: can i have your motorcycle if you die

irondragonfangirl: shut up

---

Kai spent an hour looking for Lloyd after their confrontation, but he couldn’t find him anywhere, and Lloyd, unsurprisingly, hadn’t answered any of the twenty-some texts Kai had sent him, either. Eventually, he had to give up looking for him and resigned to speaking to him at school tomorrow.

His birthday.

In the first class they had together, Lloyd avoided looking at him, and Kai felt an ache in his chest. Today was his birthday. He knew things weren’t going to turn out like he had imagined, but he wanted them to at least be better than this.

Swallowing back his nerves, Kai walked over to him, where he was doodling something in his notebook.

Kai cleared his throat. “Um. Lloyd?”

Lloyd looked up, an expression flashing across his face that Kai couldn’t read, but he didn’t immediately leave or turn away from him, which Kai took as a good sign.

“Happy birthday, dude.”

Lloyd smiled tentatively back. “Thanks.”

Things didn’t go immediately back to normal after that- there was still a tension between them, and Lloyd wasn’t saying much more than a couple sentences at a time, firmly avoiding the topic of the previous day- but at least it was back to a level where Kai didn’t feel absolutely horrible for ruining his day. Lunch, at least, got a smile out of him- as well as a bunch of embarrassed blushing as Nya stabbed a candle into his brownie (they couldn’t actually light it, lighters weren’t allowed on campus) and they insisted on singing to him so off-key that Cole looked like he wanted to punch them.

When the last bell finally rang, Kai headed over to Lloyd’s locker, hoping they could talk now that there weren’t other kids around, but he wasn’t there.

Kai relented, pulling out his phone.

MasterofFiyaaaaa: Lloyd? i know youre upset but can we plz talk?

He held his breath, staring at the screen intensely, as if that would make Lloyd respond.

While he was waiting, a message from a group chat popped up.

irondragonfangirl: what’s taking so long jay, we need those decorations

jaybird123: eta 5 mins

jaybird123: i literally just left class how’d you get there so fast

jaybird123: wait you didn’t use the tunnels did you

irondragonfangirl: no me and cole are bringing the CAKE remember?

irondragonfangirl: im not taking that through the tunnel

irondragonfangirl: we didnt spend 3 hrs on that for it to get squished

irondragonfangirl: i told the nurse i wasn’t feeling well so i could go home early

irondragonfangirl: why didnt YOU take them

jaybird123: i couldn’t exactly discreetly smuggle all these decorations into my locker

jaybird123: mmm cake. is it good?

irondragonfangirl: don’t even THINK about it, that’s not until Lloyd gets here

jaybird123: but im hungryyyy

jaybird123: do i need to pick up anything for dinner?

rock’n’cole: nah it’s cool, we just found out lloyd’s favorite chinese restaurant, the Bamboo Dragon, delivers so we’re gonna order from there

jaybird123: my mouth is watering already

ZaneJulien:0xD;): Jay, you shouldn’t text while driving.

jaybird123: tell nya to get off my case then!

irondragonfangirl: exCUSE me zane you are supposed to be putting up those balloons right now why are YOU on your phone

ZaneJulien:0xD;): Why are you texting me? We are in the same room.

irondragonfangirl: why are YOU texting ME

rock’n’cole: would you guys just stop being dumb and come help me

irondragonfangirl: great now you got cole in on it too

rock’n’cole: would you two just GET OFF YOUR PHONES

Kai was interrupted from whatever turn the conversation was going to take next when he finally got another notification.

thegreendragon: ok. you know where i’ll be

Kai blinked, turning towards the doors and pushing through them, walking out onto the school lawn. The main feature was the football stadium, although there were other things as well- large trees, garden patches for the science classes, picnic tables for eating lunch outside, if the weather permitted. And- although the students were too old for recess, now- there was still a small swing set- a simple, rusty thing, with only two swings, but it served its purpose. Sitting on one of them, gently rocking, was Lloyd.

Kai made his way over, sitting down beside him in the other swing.

“So, uh… can we talk? About yesterday?”

Lloyd nodded, and Kai titled his head at him, trying to gauge his thoughts. “Who was that kid?”

Lloyd breathed out slowly. “His name is Brad. He was my best- and only- friend in elementary school, but we were separated when I moved away. Brad’s family just recently moved to Ninjago City, and I… I was hoping to reconnect with him.”

Kai ignored the twinge of jealousy at the words “best friends.” Lloyd was allowed to have other people than him in his life, and things had obviously changed since then, anyway.

“I’m sorry, Lloyd. I didn’t mean to interrupt anything, but from what I saw… Brad was being a jerk to you.”

Lloyd shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, I… he’s changed since we were kids. The efforts at rekindling our friendship honestly aren’t going so well. That’s… that’s why I was in a bad mood. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. You were only trying to do something nice for me.” “Don’t worry about me. But this Brad kid… anyone who treats you like that doesn’t deserve to be your friend.”

“I know, I just…” Lloyd sighed, running his fingers through his hair. “I was so eager to make a friend other than you guys…” His eyes widened as he processed his own words. “Not there’s anything wrong with you guys, it’s just- I just wanted to actually earn someone who wasn’t friends with me because of a shared occupation.”

Kai elbowed him. “Hey. This whole ninja thing may be what got us introduced to each other, but we’re not friends with you because you’re one of the ninja. We’re your friends because we love you as a person. As Lloyd, not the green ninja.”

Lloyd sniffed, giving him a soft smile. “Thanks, Kai. I’m glad I have you to protect me.”

“You don’t need protection, but you’re stuck with me as a best friend, so you’re going to get it, anyway.”

Lloyd laughed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

His phone buzzed, and he quickly checked it.

irondragonfangirl: the party’s all set up, now the only thing missing is lloyd. did you get to talk to him?

MasterofFiyaaaaa: yeah, we’re cool now. on our way

Kai turned back to Lloyd. “C’mon, green machine. Let’s go enjoy your birthday.”

Lloyd blinked at him. “Huh?”

“Your party, remember? The one Nya and the guys have spent the whole week planning? Or is there some other celebration I don’t know about?”

Lloyd shook his head. “No, no, it’s just- I thought I messed it all up.”

“Don’t worry, we got it under control.”

“Really?”

“This is our teammates you’re talking about! Stubborn as mules. They’re not giving up on you that easily.”

“I… thank you. Thank you guys.”

“You can tell them yourself. We’re going to this party, and we’re going to have fun!”

---

Kai had to admit, he was impressed with what the others had been able to pull off in such a short amount of time.

It was nothing huge or extravagant, but it was a nice little party, and Lloyd seemed to like it better like that, anyway.

They were barely through the doors of the warehouse when Jay was launching himself into Lloyd’s arms, pulling him into a tight hug, the others close behind.

“Happy birthday!” they cheered.

Lloyd hugged them back, laughing. “Thanks, guys, I didn’t- I didn’t expect all this!”

“Are you kidding?” Nya put her hands on her hips, grinning. “We’re pulling out all the stops for our baby bro.”

Lloyd’s smile briefly flickered to a scowl. “I’m not a baby.”

“To us, you always will be,” Kai said, slinging an arm around his shoulders and ruffling his hair. Lloyd squirmed away, although he was unable to hide the grin on his face.

“Wow, this place really looks different.” Lloyd gazed around at the warehouse with wide eyes. They had pushed aside training equipment to make room for tables and chairs, and green and gold streamers decorated the walls, adorned by multicolored balloons. Someone had plugged a gaming console into the TV, as well as a DVD player next to a box of DVDs- which must’ve been Jay’s, he was the only person Kai knew, apart from Master Wu, who even had DVDs anymore- because Kai still hadn’t been able to convince Master Wu to buy them Netflix on the warehouse’s TV, getting the TV there in the first place had been hard enough as it was. On the far end was a buffet table, filled with rice, chicken, dumplings, and other Chinese staples from the Bamboo Dragon- as well as a beautiful, heavily frosted cake in the center of it all. It was decorated with rainbow sprinkles, making it completely and uniquely Lloyd.

Lloyd’s eyes were on the cake too, his eyes wide. “Cole! It looks amazing! I never knew you were so good at making cakes!”

Cole shrugged, trying to hide his smile. “I’ve had some experience.”

“Hey! What makes you think Cole made it?” Nya sniffed.

Cole blinked. “I did.”

“Well, I helped.”

Cole snorted. “Don’t know if you could call it that. From my point of view, it seems like I was doing most of the work while you were busy texting your boo.”

Both Nya and Jay turned scarlet.

“I was not,” Nya spluttered. “I was making preparations for Lloyd’s party!” “Yeah, yeah, whatever you have to tell yourself.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions too hastily,” Jay said, turning to walk over to the cake. “The true judge of quality will be how good it tastes.”

Nya stuck an arm in front of him. “Not so fast, mister! Dinner first.”

After laughing, playing games, and eating, they insisted on opening presents. Lloyd was all smiles and gratitude with each one, which ended up sparking a debate between the others about whose gift he liked best.

“He totally loved my gift!” “Nuh-uh! Did you see the way he smiled a little differently on mine?”

“Jay, you literally gave him a book. Why would he be excited about that?”

“Not just any book! A first edition Starfarer collector’s comic from when my parents were kids, and in mint condition, too!”

“Why would you want some dusty old comic when you could have the newest Starfarer video game?” Kai argued. “It took forever for me to find one of these, they were sold out everywhere.”

“Starfarer this, Starfarer that,” Cole sighed. “I don’t understand how he could possibly need any more Starfarer things. The record I engraved for him is way more personable and unique.”

“You guys are thinking about this all wrong! You should’ve gotten him a katana like me, something that he actually needs and uses.”

“Statistically, Lloyd spends more time drawing than any other hobby,” Zane said. “Which means my gift of an art book and new set of pencils is logically the best fit.”

“Clearly you guys all have it wrong in the head-”

“Guys, relax,” Lloyd laughed. “I loved all your gifts equally.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Jay… it means exactly what you think it means.”

“You can’t even pick one gift?”

Lloyd shook his head. “No way. These are all amazing. Thank you, guys. Really.” His gaze met Kai’s for a long beat. “For everything.”

“Of course. But, just to make things clear, you did like mine the most, right? You’re just saying you liked them equally, so that you didn’t make the others feel bad?”

Lloyd smacked his forehead as the others burst into protest again, and Kai shot him a sharp-edged grin. “I can do this all night.”

Eventually, Lloyd got them to stop bickering- the mention of cake got them all quiet pretty quickly- and after divvying it up, they went over to the couch and played the video game Kai had gotten him. He quickly lost track of time, but time didn’t matter. Even if it meant they would be tired for school the next day, seeing Lloyd like this- half sprawled over his teammates, brow scrunched in concentration as he mashed buttons on his controller, hints of frosting on his lips as he tried and failed miserably to bite back his laughter- it was worth it. He looked happier than Kai had seen him in weeks.

For that, he could even contain himself from bragging about how Lloyd obviously liked his gift best.

[mxvladdy]

Ey, could you make food source reactions for Mammon & Levi like you did with the others?

I've read it like 3 times now, they're all so sweet and believable you did a great job!

You got it Fam! Glad you like them so much lol. (I got a lot more angsty with Mammon than I thought I would but I love him sooooo)

Mammon

This poor man. He gets to spend so little time alone with you. He has to make every second count. Between the hustling, modeling, and running from Lucifer, he’s a pretty busy guy. 

So he plans date nights. Just you, him, and his leather couch. Ya ain’t goin’ nowhere, ya hear? He looks forward to this every month. He pins it on his calendar too just so he doesn’t double book himself. 

Now, don’t get me wrong. Just cause he plans this doesn’t mean he necessarily has a plan. Not that you care. Most of his activities turn into trouble anyway, even when he is not trying.  

 Sometimes he teaches you how to play cards (also shows you human ways to cheat-just in case you need it). The hours are spent pleasantly sitting in his lap while he teaches you how to count cards.

But, most nights, he just wants to talk. He enjoys his time with you. You and him cuddling and chatting away the hours before passing out for the night. 

He has a lot of things he wants to know about you. To him, he feels like if he knows you better than the other brothers he’s won. 

Won what? Idk, your affection? Approval? He already has it, but he is insecure about his place in your heart regardless. 

This evening starts out like any other. Mammon dashing to the kitchens to pilfer some snacks and drinks before Beel can steal them all, and you bring your cute self over to his room. 

You two toss back a few drinks and spend some time looking over his latest photo shoots before going on to the main event. Tonight you brought one of your favorite human card games. It was like 20 questions, but some questions were more risque than others. Was it meant for more than two players? Yes, but whatever- Mammon wants to play it so you are.

You both are relaxed and drowsy by the time you start playing. Your stomachs are full of junk, and the morning moons are just on the horizon. It’s the perfect mixture for loose lips and secrets, before falling asleep in each other's arms. 

You pick easy cards first, jumping from silly innocent questions to one that made him blush from ear to ear. The hours pass quickly and Mammon’s answers become more slurred and accented as he tires out. 

He was on the verge of sleep when you ask,  “What’s your favorite dish?” 

It was a slip of the tongue, a long-lost memory pulled up from the dregs of his exhausted mind. He remembers a savory dish Barbatos use to make way back when. He can still smell the savory smoky spices mixing with the fresh vegetables and meat- Oh shit.

He feels you stiffen and he ain’t sleepy anymore, that’s for sure. Immediately up and apologizes. He stumbles over himself in his haste to explain himself. 

You spend the rest of the evening with him in your arms trying to comfort him as he tearfully swears he hasn’t eaten a person in a couple of hundred years. 

Mini Fic

He regrets it the moment the words slip out. His sleepy remark hangs out in the chilly air of his room. He feels you jerk in his arms as if punched. “Shit! I-I didn’t mean.” Mouth agape, he backtracks, tongue working faster than his overtaxed brain. He looks down at your head on his chest. 

Your eyes are wide. Their surprise reflected in the bright blue moonlight. His heart sinks to his stomach. Gods, he ruined it. “I’m sorry- I.”  Pushing you off of his chest he goes to grab his shirt and redress, ignoring the prickling heat growing at the corner of his eyes. He could sleep somewhere else tonight. You could have the room if you wanted, or at least give you a minute to flee in terror from the demon that masqueraded as your friend. He can’t look at you. Hells, he was too ashamed to even glance in your direction. What kind of idiot let’s slip that? They even had a council meeting about this very thing before you arrived. 

So lost in his panic he doesn’t notice you trying to get his attention. It wasn’t until you forcefully grab his arm did he hear you. “It’s ok Mammon.” You engulf him in your warm and comforting scent. Strong arms dragging him back to the crumpled sheets of his bed. Your soft fingers wipe at the silent tears streaking down his cheeks. 

He dislodges himself from your light grasp to rub at his own eyes. “How can ya’ say that?” Where was your sense of self-preservation? Ain’t humans supposed to be aware of such dangers? The irony wasn’t lost on him though. Being your ‘protector’ and all.

You shuffle closer, hellbent on comforting. His pack mark hums gently on his chest when you touch it. As much as his body wanted to run, your pact mark cemented him to his seat. He sits while you fuss over him slowly breathing through his mouth to calm his racing heart. He can’t help but drift closer to you when he feels your hand on the top of his head. When had he become so weak for you? 

“Well-How can I not?” You shrug. He closes his eyes when you start ruffling his fringe. “You’ve been nothing but sweet to me. Yes, you have,” You cut him off firmly before he can object. “Always my number one anyway.” That pulls a wet chuckle from your demon. His eyes clear up at your admission. “I trust you Mammon, honestly. I mean, I kinda knew that you’ve probably eaten a human or two in your life. Knowing, and knowing are more different than I thought.” 

 Mammon cages you in his arms, his nose brushing along your neck and jawline. “Damn-.” He huffs covering you in his warm body, arms tight around your sides. “I’m sorry. I ruined tonight.” Mammon sighs into your skin. 

You hug him back. “Nonsense, if you want to get technical I think you won this game. I can’t top that answer.” You push away with a wide yawn. “Now can we go back to bed?” With a nod, he flops over pulling you down with him. You bully your way into his arms again. Sighing constantly you snuggle in for the night, ready to drift off. His eyelids began to feel heavy again too. Your soft weight on him like a security blanket. He listens to your slowly beating heart, matching his breathing to yours. The rhythmic thumps working to calm him better than his noise machine. He basks in your presence, rubbing his broad hand down your back for a moment before you speak again.

“Hey, Mammon.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Do you think I would taste good?” 

Leviathan 

Awkward boy. Of course, he has had his fair share of humans. Not particularly his favorite through. A lot of the time it wasn’t on purpose. His demon form is big and sometimes more than just fish and other demons get swallowed up. Course when that happened, they weren’t exactly fresh either. Bleh-just thinking about it makes his stomach turn. 

No, he never got a taste for it, even when it was served in the royal palace. The memories of the sea are still pretty vivid. It never really crosses his mind anymore. Till you bring it up.

He invites you over for a game night. A new VR game he had been saving up for just dropped and he had to play it with you.

It was a horror stealth game. Heavy on critical thinking and solving puzzles in real-time.

Your two characters were on a race against time against a flesh eating cult that had invaded a small village. He thought it was a fun concept and you both liked horror games. He didn’t notice how quiet you had gotten until you had set your controller down. 

You ask during a loading screen after a pretty graphic cut scene of a npc getting caught. How realistic was that cut scene? Had he ever eaten a human before?

Boy is a brighter pink than Ruri-chan’s signature outfit (and twice as cute lbr) 

He gets so flustered that he misses the start of the next round and gets you both eaten. 

He doesn’t take conflict well. Like at all. He much rather slink off into his fish tank and hide than answer you. In fact, that sounds like an excellent idea.  

He slithers back out of his tank hours later thinking you had left or found a better brother to hang out with. Yucky people eaters like him aren’t good company for humans. 

You jump him the minute his feet are back on solid ground. Have an answer now you must! Yrssss. 

Mini Fic

“L-Let go!” Levi shrieks, caught in your sneak attack. He locks up when you jump him, all four of your limbs wrapping around his soaking body like an octopus. 

“No!” You squeeze him harder taking full advantage of the fact that he won’t remove you himself. You feel the heat of his blush through his soaked clothes as you cling closer. If he could blush any harder you were pretty sure steam would be wafting off of him. 

“Why do you want to know anyway?” He wiggles gently, trying to loosen your tight grip. 

“Morbid curiosity.” Well, at least you were honest. He was still going to say no, you didn’t need to know that about him. He opens his mouth to shut you down but makes the mistake of looking at you. The words die when he catches the pout growing on your face. Oh no- his one weakness. Your way your lower lip pops out adorably, accompanied by slightly puffed-out cheeks. It was a one-two punch to his defenses. 

“I-they weren’t on purpose.” He pleads. Nevermore in his life did he wish he could turn into a mist-like his brother. He feels you slip off of him. Your bare feet don’t make a sound on his carpeted floor. “It just happened sometimes.” He admits. You accept it for a few seconds before his words fully hit you.

“Wait? How do you accidentally eat someone?” You ask incredulously. “All though- that’s something Beel might do.” You ponder the logistics and step back to give him some space.

He rights himself, wicking the moisture from his coat and pants with magic until he is completely dry again. You start asking a dozen more questions in rapid fire. It was enough to make his head spin. You were too curious for your own good. “Ever heard of basking whales?”  

You blink. 

Levi sighs and waves a hand to himself.  “When I lived in the ocean… I’m big ya know. I kinda would just open my mouth and swallow. Whatever I caught I ate.” He waits for you to get the jest. Most of the time it was smaller fish and aquatic mammals. When a demon encroached on his territory he would eat them too. The dead were meant for his army, but sometimes they got sucked into.

Instead of nodding in understatement, you cover your mouth with the palm of your hand and snort. His eyes grow big and his blush turns brighter. You were spending way too much time with Asmo. “No-Not like that!” His flailing only makes you laugh harder. Great, as if he didn’t want to die of embarrassment already.

“Well word it better, nerd.” You laugh retreating back to the mound of pillows you claimed for gaming, VR headset in hand. “Come on, we have to start over now- thanks to someone.”

“You started it!” Levi shoots back grabbing up his gear as well. He fiddles with it for a moment before glancing back at you. You were oblivious to inner turmoil over this admission. A naval admiral was one thing. Humans had them too, that wasn’t too much for you to comprehend. Being a devil was easy enough to understand too, at least in his mind. But eating people? Shouldn’t you be more concerned? “So-that’s it?”

You look up questioningly. “What’s it?” 

He raises a purple brow. “You have nothing else to say? I just admitted to eating people!” 

“Not really.” You shrug. “I can’t get too pressed about it. It’s not like you are human. I’m like what-at the bottom of the food chain to you, right?” Levi nods. “See! So no point stressing over it. ‘Sides, you haven’t munched on me yet.” You turn your attention back to the screen, flicking your controller to wake his flat-screen back up. “Unless~” He gulps at the sly eyebrow wiggle you throw at him, the shit eating grin that accompanied it only made him worry.  “Perhaps you just have an appetite for seamen.” 

Your peals of laughter mix with his shrill yelps of objection, as he tackles you. His previous worries were completely forgotten by your teasing. 

[lizbotw]

it’s only sharing a disgustingly sweet milkshake at the local college town diner after both of your evening classes that suna graciously provides the answers to the math homework.

the spongy pencil eraser is easy for you to sink your teeth into as you puzzle over his handwriting. “you know,” you mumble around the nib, trying to figure out if that’s a 5 or a 6, “i never know why you do this to me every week.” this time the drink with two plastic straws floating in an unhealthy heaping of whip cream is a syrupy strawberry flavor.

rintarou tips forward to sip at one of them and in your peripheral, chunky pink-coated fruit pieces travel up the clear tube and disappear between his lips. he releases the straw with an annoying ah that makes you frown, even if you weren’t concentrating in the first place. “aw, don’t tell me you don’t like hanging out with me.” he feigns hurt.

a well placed sip of your own allows you to avoid having to answer that—you have a personal rule of never being sappy in the presence of calculus. if you didn’t like him, suna knows you wouldn’t be hanging out with him—there are just some things you can’t do, even if it’s for the sake of your grade. none of this has to be said out loud of course, but he decides to be annoying and ask anyway.

actually—well... maybe hanging out is... not exactly how this appears to bystanders.

sharing a drink like this, you two probably look more like a couple on a (terribly cheap) afternoon date, rather than two broke college students that split meals to save money and believe that sharing answers for homework isn’t cheating, it’s collaboration.

ha, as if it would ever be different—things like the former never come true. maybe in movies, but that’s about where the line is drawn.

as if he knows what you’re thinking, suna raises an eyebrow at you over the glass, a smile playing on his lips—the same stupid look he always gives you. it feels particularly worse this evening.

it’s hard to avoid eye contact with him mere inches away, but you manage when a car painted a very interesting shade of red rumbles past the fingerprint covered window. you’re grateful for the distraction.

the subject changes when you realize suna has terrible taste when it comes to ordering milkshakes. “what flavor is this?” you spit out the word as though the very concept of calling this a real flavor is more disgusting than the drink itself, smacking your lips and screwing up your face at the excessively saccharine, artificial strawberry aftertaste.

this is no ordinary strawberry milkshake. no, this is a so-bad-only-suna-rintarou-would-order-something-this-horrible-(and-not-necessarily-on-purpose-either) strawberry milkshake.

“valentine’s valor,” he states matter-of-factly like those words mean anything to you. you stare at him until he elaborates. “their valentine’s special,” he clarifies and is gifted with a sarcastic thumbs-up from you in thanks—it is pointedly ignored and suna slings an arm over back of his seat. “dunno the exact flavor though. forgot.”

it tastes like the embodiment of pink, you decide. valentine’s valor. what a stupid name. there are a million and one better words that start with v... you can name at least five with a little thinking. you should ask them to hire you as part of their marketing team, you decide.

maybe it’s fitting title though. you certainly need valor to even think about taking another sip of that... concoction—which you do because you are obsessed with getting your money’s worth.

“valentine’s day was half a week ago?” your mental calendar helpfully supplies.

the clatter of pans in the back kitchen somehow mingles charmingly with the way rintarou throws his head back to laugh—a scene straight out of a movie really. you decide you hate him in the moment. “right you are. want a prize?” ugh. you stick your tongue out at his tone.

great. as if to add insult to injury, of course you’re sharing an out-of-date love holiday special with suna of all people. valentine’s was four days ago and this is where you are on a thursday night. the sticky upholstery of the booth seat, ripped and fraying at the corners, squeaks and groans and attaches itself to the fabric of your jeans as you shift around, suddenly hot. what a strange situation to be in, you think. this has to be a metaphor for life—then again, you’d been thinking this whole... thing has been a metaphor anyway.

yup, ever since suna sat next to you in a calculus II lecture all those fated months ago and took pity on how much you fucking sucked at math, up until the present where he takes slightly less pity on you but does enjoy emptying your dorm mini-fridge and making you pay for his milkshakes—all of it. this entire thing with him. one big stupid metaphor.

the specifics of how you came to have a routine like this are certainly murky, but two things are for certain—one, your calculus grade is certainly a lot better than it would have been otherwise, and two, you have one friend more than you did at the start of the school year. (that last one is kind of a big deal, you think. the college social scene is brutal. the word friend has started to become more disappointing than exhilarating lately though.)

rin reaches to your left to pick at the fries you’d ordered as a side—you’ve learned not to try and stop him. “also,” he adds, mouth full, “you’re totally getting me a new pencil after this.” yes, true, the pencil you’re currently leaving frustrated teeth marks all over isn’t yours. very easy to forget in the moment. you’ve probably destroyed 15 of his pencils by now for the 15 weeks of the last semester—only 7 so far for the current one. you do the mental math.

instead of drawing in the sharp lines of the differential equation that should be going in the question box, you lightly trace in the curves of a 2 and then another one next to it in the corner of the worksheet, graphite underlining them both in one swoop. the horribly thin paper of the school library’s printer is scratchy as you write but soon you flip the pencil over and under your fingers to tap the eraser (that has seen better days) just below what you wrote. “this is pencil number 22.”

suna leans over to look at the number as if you hadn’t just told him what it said. what an idiot. “glad you’re keeping count.” he settles back into his seat. “when can i expect my reimbursement?”

“you’re funny,” you say, without a hint of humor in your voice. the pretty 22 you had written now has flower petals growing off of the sides as you get distracted doodling along the edges of your work. it’s quiet for a moment as he watches you, or maybe as he takes the chance while you’re distracted to shove more french fries down his throat—either option is plausible and you don’t lift your eyes to check.

something occurs to you.

“rin.” you take an extended pause in between the words as you continue drawing, just to annoy him. you don’t continue speaking until he grumbles in acknowledgment (you try to hide your smile). “do you ever doodle in your notebooks?” now that you thought about it, suna was surprisingly pretty straight-laced when it came to class—you couldn’t ever recall him ever slacking off to the degree that meant his pages were filled with hearts and stars and flowers and suns and atomically inaccurate animals and tiny people in different colored ink. your work was always certainly the more vibrant out of the two (perhaps that could explain your grades and how you understand like... nothing in your lectures, but you decide correlation does not equal causation).

“waste of time,” he says around another mouthful of fries, another one already halfway there to his mouth.

suna is also surprisingly negative at times—but the blue book flipped open to his homework says maybe he’s just a liar though. you squint at it.

“it’s still pretty early but we probably should get out of here soon,” suna says, pulling his phone out from his pocket to check the time and leaning his elbows on the table. “i’ll walk you back. your roomie doesn’t leave the gym until 9—before you ask, yes i’ve been keeping track. it’s not stalking if it’s for my own sake.”—rin is, of course, referring to the long standing rivalry between him and your (very nice, might you add) roommate you don’t really understand but which has cumulated in him deciding he would avoid them as much as humanly possible purely out of spite. (“the only person i like in dorm 302 is you,” he’d told you one time and the throwaway sentence maybe made your heart flutter more than it probably should’ve.)

the bell above the front door jingles behind you as another patron enters. rin glances up at the sound and then returns to his phone with a bored bat of his eyes, probably scrolling through twitter or replying to texts, and picking at his teeth with a toothpick (where did he even get that?).

you try to get back to work (copying) but something in your gut tells you there’s more to his notebook than the messy handwriting and crossed out words that meet the eye.

with suna distracted, you take the chance to carefully slide the book towards you and then, in a single quick swipe, pull it into your lap under the table, already leafing to the back pages—everyone knows that’s where the real secrets are—not sure what to expect. a flash of color makes you pause and you flip back to a page that has the corner folded into a tiny, crisp triangle.

whatever you were thinking suna had stashed in the back of his calculus notebook certainly does not match up with what’s staring you in the face currently. sparkly, gel-inked hearts in neon colors glitter under the fluorescent overheads. in each of them, written in capital letters neater than you thought possible for suna, is your initials, a small plus sign in the middle, and then S.R. (for none other than suna rinatoru) next to it. it instantly makes sense to you. “rin, what the fuck.” one side of the book dangles from your hand, pages fluttering, and you hold it up for him to see, other hand flying to cover your mouth because you don’t know whether to laugh or pretend to be mortified or what.

it’s very amusing to watch how suna goes from a disinterested stare, to widened eyes, to reaching over the heaps of school supplies to attempt to grab the book from you, frantic. you hold it just out of reach. “what are you—” an old lady at a table shushes him when he half-screams. “—give that back,” suna whisper-yells instead in the greatest verbal equivalent of tiny caps you’ve ever heard.

“not a chance.”

he looks like he wants to lunge across the table and pry his prized possession from your meddling hands, but also has half the mind not to make a scene. getting kicked out and then subsequently banned from his favorite diner all on a noise complaint and disorderly conduct accusation was not ideal.

you hum, flip back to your place, and observe the drawings covering the lined pages. you shoot him a venomous smirk over the edge of the cover, one that’s more theatrics than anything, and say with all the satisfaction of someone who knows they have all the power, “oh, this is gold.” he deflates and you feel grateful he doesn’t see right through your facade because oh man are you sweating inside right now. what the fuck? no way suna rintarou is drawing little hearts with both of your initials in it like a lovesick middle schooler. no fucking way. you almost want to tell him that you did the same thing once when the thoughts about him had gotten especially bad (you felt guilty afterwards though, thinking you never had a chance with him, but... now... if he’s doing the same—well, that kind of changes everything).

suna is utterly defeated you think—doesn’t even try to defend himself, just slumps in his seat with a groan. you at least expected a “i can explain!” from him, a last attempt at dignity, not the resigned “i’m never going to live this down, am i?” he mumbles after a few seconds. well, either works for you.

“nope,” you quip, maybe a little too cheerfully because the response you receive is a distressed wail and him banging his head against the table. the old lady shushes him again. you chuckle at that (it feels a little wobbly though because once again, freaking out here) and flip the page. you stop.

this one has similar perfect little hearts drawn all over it, but there are other things. cute, standard shaky drawings of misshapen dogs and volleyballs and other things you never thought suna would take it upon himself to create but all of which make sense are there. but there’s something else. little scribbles in the corners with your last name swapped with his and even him trying out his name with your last one—all of them are scratched out but not so much you can’t read them. a list on the right in a very tiny font that makes you think he was embarrassed even penning the words is titled “date ideas?” (the question mark is in red and the dot is a heart) and has several popular spots around town written down in the local lingo of unofficial names for them.

“listen... please let’s forget about this.” rin’s voice is muffled and he’s still faceplanted. “it’s fine if you don’t... you know... yeah.” if you don’t feel that way, he means. true, the doodles were a pretty good indication of his feelings.

what to do...

well... you take pity on him, let your lips upturn and your eyes soften to reflect the sentiment, and shut the book with a quiet thud. you slide it back across the table from where it came and back to him silently. you give it a resounding pat when suna peeks up at you, expression saying it all—he was so going to get you back for this. you stick your tongue out—acceptance of the challenge. and just like that, you’re friends again—maybe that’s what’s so great about suna.

as you get ready to leave and slowly begin the trek back to the dorm buildings with him, street lamps glimmering a pasty yellow, there’s no awkward tension, no need to ask questions, no verbal wonderings about what ifs between you two. it’s just joking and shoving each other around and challenges to see who can run to the next tree the fastest in the middle of the chilly february night. you know, maybe for now you’ll keep your own thoughts a secret.

[ruffboijuliaburnsides]

Hi! Obviously ignore this if I'm asking something too personal, but you've mentioned that you're in the process of converting to judaism and I've been wondering how did you start? I've done a good bit of research and think it's something I'm interested in, but I have no idea what the actual process of conversion looks like, much less where to begin. Obviously feel free to ignore, or send me towards someone else, but thought I'd ask!

Hey no worries, anon! So, I will preface this by being forthcoming and saying I got partway through the conversion process, was forced to move, and ended up in a different part of the country with only one shul nearby whose rabbi (and community) are… very unfriendly to converts. They don’t SAY they are, but a few months of attendance and a handful of meetings with the rabbi with regards to conversion really hammered home that neither my wife nor I felt even remotely comfortable converting here, considering it’s a very personal and often vulnerable process, and wherein you have to actually like… trust and communicate with the rabbi you’re working with. So my conversion, while I still consider it “in progress”, is in an indefinite stall until we can move somewhere else or can reliably get to the next closest shul, which we currently cannot for various reasons.

ANYWAY. I started by doing a lot of research. Mostly I was just looking into… all kinds of religion, including Islam actually, because I missed the community and the structure and the spiritual anchors of my very conservative evangelical christian upbringing, but I didn’t like or want to return to the actual, y’know…. beliefs and tenets of Christianity. I found Judaism and just… the more I read and researched about the beliefs and the general culture of questioning and grappling with things within it, the more I felt like I’d found a people who I could understand, and a religion that understood me and would allow for me to be uncomfortable and question why things are taught certain ways and so forth. Which was one of many things that drove me away from Christianity, as I was not good at the whole “blind faith” thing. (they insist it’s not blind, but if you’re not supposed to question god then… what else IS it?)

At that point we were living in upstate new york, and the nearest reform shul was very small, did not have a permanent rabbi (there was one for a number of local communities that cycled around every few weeks), and really while they were officially reform they seemed to as a community have a practice and beliefs a lot closer to something like reconstructionist or humanist Judaism. I went to shabbat services on fridays there for a few months, and they were very nice but said they were very much not a usual reform congregation and that I should probably actually convert somewhere with a permanent rabbi and that was a bit more traditional, but that in the meantime they were more than happy to have me attend services and events with them. They were very sweet and I did appreciate that opportunity to accustom myself to the general pacing and content of a friday night shabbat service.

At that point we get to the part that you’re actually asking about, and I’m sorry if you’re just like “OH MY GOSH MAGS PLS JUST GET TO THE POINT” which is when we moved back down to Florida and I actually properly started the conversion process with a rabbi! I started out emailing the local shul and saying that I had just moved to the area, I was not Jewish but was interested in possibly converting and had been attending services at a very small shul up north, and is it all right if I attend a few shabbat services while I consider converting? I will say, I have never been told “no please don’t attend” about going to shabbat services, but especially with the world the way it is, and me being new and not knowing anyone in the community or having anyone to vouch for me, I prefer to ask beforehand so that they know to expect someone new who is reaching out and less likely to be a threat.

Anyway after a couple of weeks at that shul, I already loved the people and could tell I would get on pretty well with the rabbi, so I emailed her again about setting up a meeting to discuss converting. We had the meeting, talked about why I wanted to convert, what would be required of me, etc. She got me set up with a book list and some books from the shul library, gave me a reading assignment and asked me to write down any thoughts or questions I had, along with some other things that were kind of reading comprehension stuff, and told me to email her when I had finished so we could have another meeting. She also stipulated that she would have me live and practice through a full year of the Jewish calendar at minimum before she’d declare me ready to go to the mikvah, and we’d meet regularly, I’d do a lot of reading, I needed to attend a beginning hebrew class for adults that would be starting again over the summer, attend services (both weekly and holiday) as much as possible, and engage as much as possible in the community. (I really loved them. I was a soloist in the Purim spiel that year and I had friends and once I’d finished converting and could join the synagogue I’d already been needled to join their tiny choir and it was just a great group of people.)

Aaaand then we had to move due to things outside our control, and I couldn’t attend as often due to being a heck of a drive away (in a car with no A/C, in Florida, in the summer) so I tried to shift over to a closer shul whose rabbi my old rabbi knew, but it was High Holy Days and then he was travelling for some studies and couldn’t start doing anything like conversion until that was all over, and then we had to move again and now we’re here and have a very unfriendly rabbi and congregation, so we don’t attend services right now.

…………all this to say: you’ve done some research and you think you’re interested. Next step is to find the nearest shul that is of the movement you want to convert in, and call or email them and just let the rabbi know where you’re at and ask if you can attend some services respectfully to see if you still feel drawn to Judaism when engaging with it directly. If so, let the rabbi know, set up a meeting, and go from there. It’ll take time, a year at the LEAST and usually longer even if you DON’T have the sort of issues I’m currently having, but if HaShem is calling you home, it’s worth it.

(and if your rabbi requires to you take any classes or what-not, most organizations that run them that require you to pay some kind of fee offer scholarships or reduced tuition if you’re not financially able to enroll in them initially, so be sure to reach out about stuff like that, too.)

[thatgirlwholikestowritestories]

The Summer I Fucked Up (Ch 25)

A Conrad predominant retelling of The Summer I Turned Pretty TV show and book series.

Did you read the books and want to understand what was going on in that little noggin of his? Read my fic to find out that this man has zero thoughts

Chapter list

CONRAD

When Conrad got the invite to Laurel’s 50th, he’d responded immediately. Of course, he would go. When he talked with Laurel and she asked if he was coming, he reassured her he would be there. However, the problem was that there was too much time in between when Conrad accepted the invite and when it was actually time to go. He had too much time to think.

He was resolved to go, it was the right thing to do, but when he found himself in front of the airport- bag and ticket in hand- he couldn’t step inside. Belly would be there. Conrad would have to see her.

It wasn’t like Christmas where neither of them had been expecting to see each other, and then they just got to enjoy each other’s silent company in private. No, it wouldn’t be like that at all. Conrad had had too much time to psych himself out. It was hard enough to be around her when he couldn’t have her, but at the party, Jere would be there. Conrad would have to seal up his true emotions and keep them from playing out on his face. He would be forced to watch them be together and in love and he would start to hate Jere again. He’d moved to California just to avoid it.

Seeing Belly at Christmas really cemented what Agnes had said to him. He still loved Belly. Not just a little bit. A lot, with his entirety.  Except there was nothing for it anymore. He would have to be content with loving Belly from afar and in secret. He hadn’t been ready to give Belly all of him when she’d needed it, and now he was, she was happy and in love with someone else—his brother, of all people. But she deserved it, Jeremiah could give her so much more than what Conrad offered. Now and then.

So, his feet would not move. They were frozen.

“Come on, Conrad. Just one foot in front of the other, you’ve been doing it since you were one.” He begged under his breath.

Then his body listened. One foot in front of the other and Conrad was back in the cab, heading back to his house.

He hated that he wouldn’t be there for Laurel, especially since he’d come to rely on her. He’d call her later. He’d say something came up at the lab he was working at part-time. It wouldn’t make up for it, but he’d send her flowers. Red zinnias. Susannah had mentioned once that those were Laurel’s favourite. He hoped it would be enough for her to forgive him.

He wouldn’t disappoint her next time.

“The women’s shelter is dedicating a garden to your mum.” Adam told him. It was unusual for his father to call him, so when he did Conrad picked up. “They’re unveiling it in June, will you come? Laurel and the kids are also coming.”

Conrad looked at his calendar. It was in two months. After missing Laurel’s birthday last month, he was more inclined to give in. “I think I should be done with my exams by then, but I won’t be sure until closer to the date.”

His father hesitated on the other end of the line. “It’d be nice to see you. We haven’t seen you since Christmas.”

Conrad flinched slightly at the memory. Not the memory of Christmas with his family. No, the other Christmas memories.

When Conrad didn’t say anything immediately, Adam cleared his throat on the other end, “Anyways, I’ll send you all the details. It might give you a chance to see Susannah’s headstone too now that it’s up. Jere was going to come up during spring break and go check it out with me, but he’s going to Cabo with his friends.”

Conrad wondered what Belly would be doing if Jere was away with his friends. Cabo didn’t really seem like her thing.

“I’ll let you know when I know, Dad.”

And that was the end of the call.

Conrad had tried to make it on time. Sometimes, he really felt like the world was against him. He sped down all the way to Cousins hoping the plane delay wouldn’t make him a liar to Laurel again. It had been a couple weeks since they spoke, and she’d asked if he was going to be there. He said he would, but he’d said he would be at her 50th too.

He arrived late, as he expected, cursing under his breath but choose to stay at the back of the room rather than take the seat saved for him at the front. No one noticed him.

He spotted her there. She didn’t see him either.

It was surreal seeing Belly again. Christmas had seemed like this out of world, out of time, kind of experience where everything had been the same as it had always been and different in every way all at the same time. Looking at her now from the back of the crowded room in a lavender dress that his mother would’ve gushed over, she looked grown up. At Christmas he hadn’t noticed, but now he could see it. The way she dressed, the way she’d done her hair, the way she sat. She’d grown up and he had missed it. He might not even know her anymore, grown up Belly.

But then he noticed the little Band-Aid on her ankle, and he recognised her again. She was Belly.

Conrad listened as the presenter spoke about his mum, and then Jere went up there and thanked them for this memorial. He knew that his mother would have loved it all—would have loved it more if he had been up there too.

When Jere finished up, he went and took a seat next to Belly and held her hand. The muscles in his stomach clenched and he moved to hide behind a woman.

Conrad closed his eyes. It was a mistake coming here. He knew he’d react like this. He knew he had no right to. But his vision spotted.

They spotted him eventually, after the speeches. Well, she spotted him first. Her eyes left Jere’s and met his. Belly stopped and stared; her mouth slightly agape. Conrad felt like it was only them in that moment, and he lifted a hand in a wave. She returned the gesture.

She shook out of it when Jere cleared his throat next to her.

Then they were all on him like flies. His father. Laurel. Steven. Jere was slow, but he came over too. They all embraced and greeted him.

Belly was last.

“Hi.”

“Hi.” He opened his arms wide.

It was a dare; they both knew it. With a little hesitation, she stepped into his arms and crushed her in his arms, lifting her off the ground. God, it was nice. She squealed, tugging at the hem of her skirt, and everyone laughed. Everyone except Jere who stared at him with an uncharacteristic straight face. When he set her back down, Belly moved closer to Jere, and Conrad ignored the way his heart panged.

“Conrad’s glad to have his little sister around again,” His father said, jovially.

Conrad flinched inwardly. His dad must not have known they dated too.

“How have you been, little sis?” Conrad asked, part mocking, part mischievous.

“Great,” She said, looking at Jeremiah. “We’re really great.”

Jere looked at his phone and said. “I’m starving.”

Laurel cut in then. “Let’s get some pictures by the garden before we go.”

So, they did, and it felt like all the old summers where the mums had taken their photos together when they first got to Cousins for the summer.

At lunch, they’d only just sat at the table and Belly had already buttered and stuffed a whole bread roll into her mouth, and Conrad smiled inwardly. Grown up Belly was turning out to be very similar to the regular Belly he knew.

He watched Steven mouth Pig to her.

She sneered. “I didn’t eat breakfast.”

Adam advised her that he’d ordered a bunch of appetizers, and they talked about how she could start calling him Adam now.

Steven turned to him and asked, “So why don’t you ever leave California?”

The reason was sitting just a couple seats down the table.

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, for, like, the first time since you left, practically.” Steven nudged him and lowered his voice. “You got a girl out there?”

“No,” Conrad said. He didn’t let his eyes drift over to Belly, who was also listening to the conversation. “No girl.”

The champagne arrived then, and they all toasted Susannah and being able to share the day together.

He was laughing with Steven about the fact he was currently in trouble with Shayla because he’d used all her expensive shampoo as body wash when Jere announced he had something to say. All eyes turned to Jeremiah, and out of the corner of his eye, Conrad could see Belly shifting in her seat.

“I’ll just go ahead and warn you—it’s really good news.” Jeremiah flashed a smile at everyone. “I asked Belly to marry me, and she said yes. She said yes! We’re getting married this August!”

It was like all the air had been sucked out of the room. He knew his face was blank. He’d received enough bad news in the past to make sure that his emotions never displayed on his face until he was ready. Even when he was surprised. So surprised.

Belly. Marrying his brother. The only girl who had ever really understood him. The only girl he’d loved deeply. That girl-his girl-was marrying his brother.

Blink, Conrad. Breathe, Conrad. If he didn’t think it, he wasn’t sure he would do it.

That’s when the fighting started. Laurel asking if she was pregnant. Belly swearing she wasn’t, they just wanted to get married. Laurel saying they were too young. Jeremiah saying they love each other and want to be together. Laurel accusing Adam of knowing, but him just thinking they were joking. Jere saying they weren’t. Laurel telling them they aren’t getting married while they’re both in school. Maybe after they graduate according to his father.

This was all happening around Conrad. Blinking and breathing. That was all he could focus on right now. A few times in his life, Conrad had felt like the rug had been pulled out from under his feet. He was glad that he had been sitting. His legs didn’t feel like they could hold his weight right now. His heart felt like it wasn’t beating but it felt like it was beating too fast too.

Then they were all standing up, leaving, and Conrad followed suit.

Steven whispered, “Holy shit, man. This is crazy. Did you know about this?”

“No.” It was all he could manage.

Outside, he hugged Laurel goodbye on instinct and hopped in his car like he was in a trance.

He drove 10 minutes before Conrad had to stop and throw up.

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