#bass lessons near me

[livemusiccommunity01]

Affordable Music Lessons West Palm Beach

Live Music Community is a music school and recording studio that offers Affordable Music Lessons in West Palm Beach for all ages and levels. Our team of experienced and passionate teachers can help you learn to play any instrument, from piano to guitar to drums. We also offer a variety of group classes and workshops, as well as recording and livestreaming services. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, We can help you reach your musical goals. We offer flexible scheduling and affordable prices so you can find a lesson that fits your budget and lifestyle. Contact us today!

[sentientgolfball]

Devotion: Part 4

RAHH I cannot believe I've finally finished this little mini series. sniff. it makes me so happy

Read here or on Ao3

Pairing: Raindrop

Word Count: 13k

Tags: hurt/comfort, small emetophobia, CPR, bones, severe medical conditions/medical talk. I PROMISE its a happy ending

Summary: Dew goes through with the elemental transition. This is the result.

Rain knew something was wrong when Dew did not come to breakfast. His first clue should have been the death grip he had on him all night or the way he said good morning to him. Like it was the last time he ever would. But Rain did not listen to the feeling of a pit slowly opening in his stomach. He told himself he was reading too much into it. If something was wrong Dew would tell him. That was their deal after the night by the lake and Rain trusted him to keep it. 

The second clue was when Cardinal Copia came by the den with a multi ghoul who Rain did not know. He wore a shiny silver mask and the air around him was cold. They came for Dew, asking if he was ready to go. Rain had assumed it was for some Clergy thing, but then Dew asked for a moment alone. Rain pretended not to listen as he picked at his food in the kitchen. He heard Mountain crying. He had never heard him cry before. He heard Aether’s voice but could not make out what he said with how low it came out. The pit grew larger in his stomach as he waited to see if Dew would turn the corner and approach him next.

He waited. 

And he waited. 

Mountain and Aether returned at the same time he heard the door to the den click shut. He tried to ask where Dew was, but he could not quite get the words out properly. Aether told him Mist would be doing his bass lesson for the day. Something definitely was wrong. 

It was not until late in the afternoon he found out. He was walking alone back to the den after lessons. He was taking his normal route back, but when he passed the hall that leads to the summoning rooms he felt a pang in his chest. Something screamed at him to turn. To follow. He tried to shrug it off and continue walking but after one step he turned around. 

He had no idea what was calling to him, but it was near impossible to ignore. The closer he got the more urgent it felt. He started to walk faster. 

He smelled it before he heard it. 

The metallic scent of blood. 

The sharpness of fear. 

The rot of burning flesh. 

Before he could begin to make sense of these smells a loud scream cut through his thoughts. It was one he recognized. It was Dewdrop. 

His heart dropped to his stomach as he began to run as fast as his legs would allow towards the noise. He did not know what was happening but he knew Dew was hurt. He needed to help him. Save him. He needed to kill whoever thought they could touch him. 

He turned a corner sharply which led down a hall he had never seen before. At the end was a large metal door with sigils around the arch. It looked ancient, blackened with time. The moment it came into view he was slammed with a myriad of scents. They were so strong it nearly made him gag. He could hear Dew’s cries clearly. He could feel an intense heat. He ran. 

He ran despite his muscles screaming at him to stop. 

He ran despite his own fear. 

He ran because he could feel Dew dying. 

And then he stopped. 

Not because he wanted to, but because a large hand wrapped around his wrist and yanked  him into an alcove. Suddenly he was face to face with a deadly looking Mountain and Aether. 

“Don’t.” Was all the earth ghoul said. 

“Let me go! Dew is in there, I have to help him!” He pulls and pulls but Mountain’s grip stays strong. 

“We know. That’s why we can’t let you go,” Aether says flatly, though there is a gleam of something else. Something remorseful. But Rain does not care. Because all he heard was no. 

He snarls, baring his serrated fangs, “What do you mean you can’t?” 

“If you stop the ritual now he dies.” Mountain’s grip tightens to the point of pain. 

Rain does not feel it. His mind is too focused on everything else. Ritual? What ritual? Why are Mountain and Aether trying to stop him? Shouldn’t they be trying to help? What is happening to Dew? 

“Let me go.” 

“No.” 

He growls, rearing back best he can with his claws out with full intent to strike Mountain. He can worry about the consequences later. All that matters is saving Dew’s life.

He does not get that far though. His limbs suddenly feel as heavy as a stone dropped into a lake, sinking down and down until it hits the bottom. He is limp in Mountain’s arms. He screams at his body to move, but his muscles do not even twitch. Mountain fully picks him up and cradles him to his chest. Aether steps into his field of visions, a slight glow to his eyes under the sheen of wetness. 

“I’m sorry.” Is all he says before they begin walking away from the metal door. Away from the screams and the scent of death. Away from Dew.

~~~

Three weeks have passed since Dew’s elemental transition. 

Three long weeks. 

He still is not awake. Rain still barely sleeps. He spends his nights by Dew’s infirmary bed, watching and waiting to see if something changes. To make sure nothing happens. To be here so he is not alone when he wakes up. 

Tonight is no different. He had finished his lessons with Mist for the day before heading back to the den to sleep while he could. He got a few hours in, but they were restless and full of nightmares. Just like every other day. He woke up a little after dinner and grabbed the Tupperware full of food with his name on it before he made his way down to the infirmary. 

This is his new routine. It is just normal for him now. It has to be this way. He could, in theory, visit during the day like everyone else, but he does not. He cannot. He refuses to face any of them. Not without Dew. 

Fuck, Dew. 

Rain stops reading when the lump in his throat threatens to choke him. It does not matter anyway, he is not paying attention to the story. Has not been for a while now. He just reads to pass the time. And some part of him hopes Dew can hear him even if he is unconscious. Hopes that maybe it brings him some kind of comfort knowing he is not alone. 

He sets the book down and stretches in his chair, rubbing his hand over his face. He pinches the bridge of his nose to fight off the sharp sting in the corners of his eyes. He keeps his gaze downward, staring at the pristine white floor. 

“Sorry Dew. You’ll have to wait till tomorrow to find out who killed the queen.” He swallows thickly and slowly lifts his head. 

It never gets any easier to look at him. His brain still has trouble understanding that it is him. That is because it does not look like Dew. Not his Dew. His Dew is loud and confident and always doing something with his hands. But this bandaged, catatonic body is his Dew. No matter how much he wants it to not be. 

He still remembers how it felt to see him for the first time after the ritual. It was not until the day after. He had been trapped in his room with Mountain the rest of the day prior. Aether had to rush to the infirmary when it ended. Something had gone wrong and they needed every quintessence ghoul before they lost him. Mountain had to physically restrain him so he did not follow. It took Rain a long, long time to calm down. Once he did though, Mountain finally began to explain everything to him. 

He had learned elemental transitions were more than just myth. That they were possible, but just as dangerous as the old ghoul tales said. He learned Dew was attempting to become fire for reasons even Mountain did not know. But he wanted to. And despite how hard he tried to convince him otherwise Dew wanted to. He learned about Delta. He learned about that strange multi ghoul from breakfast. A chimera they call Special. He learned about Mountain’s fight with Dew. He learned about Mountain’s regrets. 

Neither of them had slept that night. They stayed awake with each other, waiting for some kind of news from Aether. It did not come until early morning. The sound of Mountain’s phone ringing felt like a death knell. In one click of a button they would know whether or not Dew was still alive. Rain had to look away when he answered the call. He did not want to see the expression on Mountain’s face. He nearly cried when all he heard was a quiet he’s alive. 

Aether never ended up coming back to the den. He refused to leave Dew’s side now that he was finally stable. He said they could come visit though, but he would understand if they did not. He warned them it was an unpleasant scene. Looking back on it now, Rain almost wishes he had heeded the warning. Waited another day so he would not have to see Dew in the state that he did. But he did not. He could not. The moment he was told he could finally be near him again he was out the door. 

Mountain made him wait though. He wanted everyone to go down together. Rain did not protest only because he saw between the lines. He wanted to give everyone the chance to say goodbye. He wanted to protest. He wanted to run all the way down to the infirmary and hear Dew’s voice again. He wanted to scream at Mountain for being so pessimistic; don’t you want him to live? But he did not. He waited with as much patience as he could while Mountain gathered the rest of the pack. 

Nobody else knew what had happened, Dew had made sure of that. But they were not stupid. They had pieced together that something was wrong, much like Rain. Though the look on Multi’s face as they walked to the infirmary set off something in Rain. He looked guilty. He looked nervous. Not the same kind of nervous that everyone else was. Something else. It would be days before Rain finally found out why. 

When they arrived at the infirmary Aether was waiting for them at the front desk. He looked tired. His eyes were puffy and had dark circles under them. He reeked of burnt flesh and fear. There was a stain on his scrubs that he tried to hide but Rain saw it peeking out from under his white coat. In that moment he should have known what was waiting for him. But he continued on. He had to. He had to be with Dew. 

Aether explained to everyone what happened. Why Dew had been missing all of yesterday. Cumulus was horrified. Multi had a perfect mask of disbelief but Rain could see its cracks. Even Cirrus looked shaken. He gave them all the same warning he gave Mountain and Rain over the phone. He told them it was okay if they did not want to follow or if they needed to leave. He assured them Dew would understand. Rain did not believe him. 

They all trailed after Aether to a room in the very back of the infirmary, the closest one to Omega’s office. Rain had to stop himself from gagging as they approached. The scent of rot was strong and sour. It made his stomach churn. But he was told Dew is alive. He is alive and that is all that matters. It will be fine. It will be fine. 

He and Mountain were the last ones to enter the small room. The sight that greeted them made ice run through his veins. His ear rang. All he could do was stare as it burned itself into his memory. There on the bed was Dewdrop or rather Dewdrop’s body. He was alive in the physical sense, Rain could see the shallow rise and fall of his chest. But he was not alive. 

His eyes were closed and he was unmoving. Bandages covered his arms all the way up to his neck and down his torso. His tail was completely wrapped as well. Some were soaked through with who knows what. His skin looked raw. The parts of his fingers that Rain could see were charred black. His hair looked yellow, like a piece of paper left out in the sun for too long. His right horn was missing. There were blisters all over. There were needles in his arms and a mask over his face all connected to the beeping machines. 

Aether began to explain Dew’s condition. How the machines were helping to keep him stable. But Rain barely heard it. Everything had sounded muffled. He did not feel like he was in his body as he stared at Dew. It could not be him. This could not be real. This was just another nightmare. He would wake up and Dew would be right next to him telling him to go back to sleep. So why was he still there? Why was he not waking up? Dew would shake him awake if it got too bad, so why was he not waking up? 

He had felt lightheaded as reality began to creep up on him. He had run out of the room, out of the infirmary, so fast Mountain did not even have time to call his name. He ran and he ran and he ran until he was on the shore of the lake. How he got there was a blur, but he did not stop. He dove into the cool water and swam down until he found a giant tree trunk with a moss lined hole. He had spent the rest of the day there, curled up in Dewdrop’s nest. 

He sighs and stands from his chair. He stretches and winces when his back and shoulders pop. He does not think he will ever be able to forget seeing Dew like that. Even if…when he makes a full recovery that image will be burned into his mind. Although, he is looking much better than he was three weeks ago. Ghoulish healing can be thanked for that. His limbs are still charred black and his hair yellow, but they all figure that those are just traits of his new element. The gnarly blisters that covered seem to be fading. He is not totally bandaged anymore, just over the sensitive parts. Where his fins and gills used to be. Still has that tube and mask on though. 

Actually that reminds him. It is time to change his bandages. Rain walks over to the cabinet next to the door. He opens the top cupboard to grab the roll of gauze along with a small sponge. He wets the sponge in the sink and squeezes the excess water out before walking back over to Dew’s bed. 

Aether showed him how to do this the first time he caught him down here well into the night. Rain had asked him how he could stand to do this every day. Take care of someone he loved as if they were a normal patient when he did not know if they were going to live or die. Aether told him it is the worst he has ever felt. But he could not stop. Nothing would stop him from taking care of him. Because Aether knows he is strong. Aether knows he will get through this. He just needs time and a little bit of help. He told Rain it was the same reason he kept visiting even though he ran out of the room that first day. He knows Dew is still there and that he needs someone. Rain had offered a hand that night. Aether was a little hesitant at first, but ultimately gave in. Ever since then whenever he needs his bandages changed the task is left for Rain. 

He carefully begins to unwrap the old gauze from his arms. The sight of the sharp little ridges where his fins used to be never gets easier to look at. Not because his gorgeous colors are gone, the obsidian black that fades into the new honey color of his skin is just as breathtaking, but because Rain cannot imagine the pain. That is all he thinks about when he sees Dew. How much pain he must be in. And there is nothing Rain can do about it. Both Aether and Omega have assured him time and time again that Dew cannot feel anything in his state, but Rain finds no comfort in that thought. 

Rain sighs and begins to gently clean his skin, careful of the healing blisters, “The first thing we’re doing when you wake up is taking a shower. I’ve a brand new bottle of the shampoo you like.” 

They have not been able to wash Dew’s hair since the ritual. Rain knows he would hate that. Three weeks without a proper hair care routine. He would claw someone’s eye out if he knew. In the meantime though Rain has been using his allowance to stock up on all the products Dew likes to use. He wants him to have nice things whenever he wakes up. That and Rain has taken to using the half empty bottles sitting in Dew’s shower. Every time he pops the cap and gets a whiff of that sea lavender scent it is like Dew is with him again. He feels it is only fair to get him new products if Rain is going to selfishly use what he already has. 

After Rain is done cleaning his arm with the sponge, he sets it off to the side so he can rewrap it. He starts hand first, gently giving it a squeeze before methodically wrapping each finger. Aether said at this point the only things that need covered are the parts of him that are charred black. Rain takes it to heart, making sure not an inch is visible. The last thing he needs is Dew’s condition getting worse because he got lazy. 

When he finishes with the first arm he presses a kiss to his bandaged knuckles and repeats the process for the other. Unwrap, clean, rewrap, kiss. 

“There we go,” he brushes a stray piece of hair off Dew’s forehead, “nice and clean.” 

He gathers the roll of gauze and the sponge, walking back over to the cabinets and sink. He puts the roll away and sets the sponge out to dry. He zones out while he washes his hands. Everything has felt fuzzy since the day Rain heard his screams. It is like he is not even there, but his body knows what to do. If it were not for the little calendar on the human device he was given he would never know what day it was. They all feel the same. Nothing changes. His routine never changes. Dew never changes. 

Well for the most part. 

The sound of beeping snaps Rain back into reality. His stomach drops all the way back to the Pits. He has tuned out the noises all of the machines attached to Dew make. If he is hearing it then something is wrong. He runs over to his bedside without even turning the sink off. His heart pounds so hard he can hear it in his ears. He freezes with his hands hovering over Dew. His breath is quick as he snaps between staring at the monitor and back down to him. 

He waits. 

All he can do is wait. He has no idea what any of the numbers mean on the screens. He watches the green line at the very top as the waves spike. Which one did Aether say that was? Why can he not remember? He has to remember. He has to know what is wrong so he can fix it. He has to fix it. He has to help Dew. He has to protect Dew. He has to. He has to. He has to. 

He cannot breathe. 

He cannot think.

He feels cold. 

He feels hot. 

He. 

He pauses. 

His eyes refocus and he can see the line looks the same again. The slightly faster beeping has returned to normal. It really was just a spike. His heart rate just got a little faster and then went right back to normal. That is all it was. It is not anything more. If it was, Omega would have run in here by now. But it is still just him and Dew. 

He feels sick. 

He takes a few deep breaths before clamping his hand over his mouth and running out of the room. He makes a beeline for the bathroom that is across the hall. He bursts inside, hitting his knees in front of the toilet just in time. His body curls in on itself as he vomits. He spits a few times before finally lifting his head. He reaches up and flushes the toilet as he scoots over to lean against the wall. His gills flutter as he takes in air. He stares up at the ceiling but he does not see the plain white tile. He sees the day he heard the beeping for the first time. 

It had been about five days since the ritual. Not even a full week yet. His condition was still extremely fragile. Omega or Aether was constantly in the room, they did not dare to leave him without a quintessence ghoul close by. It was the second time Rain had come to visit after he ran out of the room on day one. Mountain had found him sitting alone on the shore of the lake, curled into a little ball while the waves lapped at his feet. He had asked if Rain wanted to join him on his visit to see Dew that day. Everything inside of him had screamed yes, but his body was frozen. The words were stuck. It has been like this since he saw Dew’s body. 

Mountain has been able to see right through him though. With Dew in the state that he is, Mountain has become the driftwood Rain clings to in the storm. So he hoisted Rain up, hugged him tight, and held his hand while they walked back to the Ministry. 

As they went, Rain asked him how he could do this. How could he just go in there and sit with his broken body? How he could stand the silence. Mountain had squeezed his hand and told him he hated every minute of it. He hated seeing Dew like that. Hated knowing he had tried to stop it and failed. Hated knowing one of the last things they had done before all of this was argue and fight. But he hated leaving him behind even more. He hated the idea of Dew being alone even more. He wanted to cry every time he saw him, and most times he did, but that would not stop him from being there for his little lily. Mountain’s words gave Rain a lot to think about. 

When they arrived at the infirmary, it was Aether who was on duty. That was not surprising. Rain was confident Aether would be here all hours if not for Omega forcing him to rest by taking the night shifts. He was in the middle of changing Dew’s IV bag when they walked in. He had given them a smile, but it did not reach his eyes. It was practiced. Something learned from dealing with patient after patient since his summoning. 

Mountain had given him a hug while Rain took his usual spot in the chair next to the window. He liked to look outside while he was in here. It was still so hard at the time to actually look at Dew. Whenever he did all he could see were the tubes and the needles. All he could hear was his cracked screams. All he could smell was rot. But he wanted to check on him. He always did. Staring out the window was his way of coping. 

Mountain and Aether had been talking in hushed voices next to Dew’s bed. Rain does not remember what they said. He does not remember if he was even listening in because of what happened next. 

It all happened so fast. 

Too fast. 

One moment he was staring at the cardinal that had perched on the tree branch close to the glass and the next his ears were pierced with a loud noise. He turned just as Aether shouted and Omega ran into the room. Mountain was plastered to the wall, staring at Dew with a mix of disbelief and horror. Rain had no idea what that sharp noise meant but he knew it was not good. He did not even have time to ask what was going on before Aether placed his palms on Dew’s chest and began to rhythmically press down. 

There were tears streaming down his face. 

He begged Dew to come back. 

The sound of cracking and popping as Aether pounded on his chest made Rain sick. He had finally realized what exactly happened. 

Dew died. 

His heart stopped. 

He was dead. 

Rain could not look away as Omega placed his hands over Aether’s. He could see their mouths moving but he did not hear their words. All he could hear was the ringing in his ears. He watched as sparks of purple flashed from Omega’s hands and through Dew’s body. He convulsed with it, twitching and arching up. The scent of ozone was so thick it had practically choked him. 

Another spark. 

Another twitch. 

Spark. 

Twitch. 

Spark. 

Twitch. 

One more spark and the sharp noise was gone. The sound of beeping Rain had yet to tune out returned. Omega had sighed and slowly pulled his shaking hands off of Dew. Aether had refused to let go. He had stopped pressing on Dew’s chest but he did not lift his hands. Omega had to pull him away. He had slumped so heavily against him Rain was certain he was going to fall over. He could tell Aether was crying by the way his shoulders shook but he could not hear his sobs. Everything had sounded muffled, like he was sitting at the bottom of the lake. The ringing only got louder as he watched bruises bloom on Dew’s chest. 

He had felt cold and clammy. He could feel sweat starting to prickle on his skin. He had looked up when he saw movement. Mountain and Aether were clinging to each other. Omega was approaching him. He had spoken to him but Rain did not hear the words. The last thing he remembered before his vision went black was Omega quickly reaching forward to stop him from falling out of his chair. 

When he had woken up he was in his room. He was alone. His head had still felt heavy, but nothing close to what it had been in the infirmary. He had been confused. He did not remember coming back here. He did not remember leaving Dew’s room. 

All at once it had come back to him. Dew. Dew had died. But he was not dead anymore right? Aether and Omega brought him back right? It was all so fuzzy. He needed to find out though. The uncertainty weighed on him. It felt like his skin was crawling. He could not lay in bed while he did not know if the ghoul he…cared for was still breathing. 

He wobbled on his feet when he stood, but he had to ignore it. He had to go find Mountain or Aether and figure out what had happened. 

When he opened his door and stepped into the hallway all he could smell was the sour scent of grief. It had hit him so hard he could not help but wrinkle his face in disgust. That only made him feel worse. If grief was so strong it was choking him then something was wrong. Luckily Aether’s room is right next to his so he did not have to go far. He stood outside of his door, but did not open it right away. He could hear crying and muffled voices. Despite himself he had pressed his finned ear to the door to figure out what was happening. 

He heard Mountain and Aether. Aether was crying so hard Rain had no idea how he was getting air in his lungs. Mountain was doing his best to comfort him, but his deep voice wavered with every word. He tried to remind him that he was alive. Omega got him back. It was obvious to Rain that he was saying it for both of their sakes. 

He could have entered the room. He could have sought out his own comfort from those two. The two people who cared about Dew just as much as him. More than him. But he did not. He had felt something gnawing in his stomach. Something that told him he was an outsider in this. That his grief was nothing in comparison to Aether and Mountain. And no one was there to challenge him. The one person who would have was unconscious in an infirmary bed. So Rain took it to heart. He changed his routine. He stopped going to visit Dew with Mountain. Stopped going during the day all together. That is why he spends his nights by Dew’s side now. 

A knock on the bathroom door frame pulls him from that memory. Quickly he is reminded of the taste of bile on his tongue. He wrinkles his nose and turns his head to see who came looking. He would expect Omega or maybe one of the human nurses, but who he sees is much better. A tall, slender figure with skin as white as snow and hair as black as ink. It clung to his face as if it was wet, but Rain knew if he touched it it would feel dry. It covered half of his face, leaving only one void like eye visible. His head felt like TV static before a raspy voice echoed in his mind. 

Are you okay? 

“Great, Delta. Everything is just great.” Rain turned his head to look back up at the ceiling again. 

You know I can tell when you lie. 

Rain grumbles. Of course he knew that. To be honest, he was kind of glad he could. Delta has been an unforeseen light in all of this. Just like himself, Delta only visits at night. He does not come often, but he does show up at least once a week. He still remembers the very first time he saw the ghoul he has only ever heard stories about. 

It was the third night in a row he had spent by Dew’s bed since he flatlined. There have been no other complications so far, but that did not stop the ever present cloud of worry that raged over Rain’s head. He was pretty sure he was starting to go crazy from it. Dark circles had begun to form under his eyes and it seemed like he had a headache more often than not. He was fatigued. He had barely slept since. Barely ate. All he wanted to do was watch Dew as if somehow his presence would stop anything else from happening. At the very least someone would be there if something did happen. 

But this was the third night. He was going to crash and he knew it. Still he fought it off, squeezing his eyes shut before opening again. Forcing himself to stay awake. Stay vigilant. He had stood up, figuring if he stayed in his chair any longer he would pass out. He had walked over to the window and stared out at the night. The moon was full. He was sure She was the only reason he had not collapsed yet. He stayed like that for a moment, staring at Her glow and the shining stars. He wondered if Dew could feel Her in his unconscious state. He wondered if he could feel Her at all, if there was any water left in him. 

He had sighed, knocked his horns against the glass, and then turned back around. He had jumped out of his skin when he did. A tall white figure with black hair and black eyes was staring down at Dew. Its head was tilted curiously. Rain was not sure if he had finally broken. If his mind was just making things up. For a brief moment he wondered if this is what Death looked like. 

Then it felt like there was static all around him and he heard a voice in his head. It assured him he was not Death, though Rain was not the first to think that. He told Rain he was the first ghoul, in Ministry history at least, to attempt an elemental transition. He was Delta. 

Rain was immediately cautious. He had heard the stories about Delta from Mountain. How the unstable quintessence in his body would jump out and shock people. He had no idea what would happen if Dew got shocked. Quint had brought him back and he was sure it could easily take him away. Delta had told him he would not be here if he thought he was going to be trouble. Rain told him to get out of his head. Delta asked him why he hurts himself. 

That had made Rain pause. He was not hurting himself? What was this crazy ghoul on about? He did not dignify him with a response, instead he had sat down with a huff and an eye roll. After staring at Dew for a moment longer, Delta had walked over to Rain. He stared down at him with those void like eyes. Completely silent. It made Rain squirm. When the silence had stretched for too long he snapped at Delta and told him to leave. 

Instead he just blinked slowly and asked him the same question. Rain was exhausted and drained and had no more patience left in him. To Hell with the stories about this ghoul he would make him leave. He has stood up with full intention to force Delta from the room. But then he heard his voice in his head again. 

You can’t take care of him if you’re dead. 

It had made Rain pause. He was sure Delta was threatening him and he called him out on it. Delta had just shook his head and began to tell Rain everything that was wrong with him physically. His cortisol levels were unbelievably high. Blood pressure as well. He could feel the hunger gnawing at his stomach and the heaviness of his head. He had also said the colors surrounding him looked bleak. He would not be surprised if Rain got sick in a few days. 

That is what made him realize what Delta had actually meant. If he did not take care of himself, he could not take care of Dew. Maybe it was because he had been exhausted or maybe it was because Delta was first to really check on him, but a thin sheen of tears coated his eyes. He had blinked them back and flopped down into his chair again. He does not remember what happened after that, but he does remember waking up in his bed with the lingering feeling of static on his skin. 

Ever since that night Delta has made it a point to check on Rain. He does not seem concerned with Dew’s condition which is both off putting but also comforting in a way. If the only other ghoul to have gone through this process is not worried, then that means he is fine right? 

Delta is now in the bathroom staring down at Rain. He pulls a little travel sized toothbrush from his pocket and hands it to him. He sighs and pulls himself up off the floor, taking it from him. He is beyond grateful that someone looks for him. Mountain would only ever seek him to ask if he wants to come with him to see Rain. Aether is never around, too busy taking care of Dew and the rest of the infirmary during the day. They are both kind to him, but they ask him how he is doing. Not really. If not for Delta visiting that night he probably would have run himself into the ground. 

What happened? Delta asks while he watches Rain brush his teeth. 

He spits into the sink, “Heard one of the machines beep. It just reminded me of…” 

He squeezes his eyes shut and grips the side of the porcelain with his free hand. He shakes his head and finishes cleaning the taste of bile from his mouth. When all he knows is mint he flips the faucet off and crosses the hall back into Dew’s room. Delta tails after him, though he does not step in all the way. Rain raises an eyebrow at him. 

I came to see Omega, but then I felt your distress and had to stop. 

Rain nods, “Well I appreciate it.” 

He really does. Even if he had not necessarily been coming to see Rain, he still made it a point to check on him. It made him feel less alone in the dark of the night. 

Delta stares at him for a moment before his voice echoes again, He dreams of you. 

Without another word he turns and goes to find Omega in his office. Rain blinks at the space he was standing and then looks over at Dew. This is not the first time Delta has said something like this. Talking as if he could hear or feel the things in Dew’s head. Rain did not know if he believed him or not. Neither Aether or Omega could hear his thoughts with their quintessence. They knew his consciousness was still in there, but they could not get anything discernible from it. 

Is Delta being truthful or is it just ramblings from a ghoul with a void where his soul should be? 

Despite the voice in the back of his head, Rain chose to believe him. It made him feel better to imagine that Dew was dreaming. It made it seem like he really was just sleeping rather than being trapped in this catatonic state. Maybe if he could dream then he could hear when Rain read to him and feel when he touched him. He hopes so. He knows how much Dew hates the silence. 

Now that Delta is gone, Rain is back to being alone. No, not alone. Dew is here. Dew is always here so he never spends his nights alone. Still, it best increasingly harder each night to fun ways to entertain himself while he watches over Dew. He does not like to read too much in one night, spread the story out a bit for both of them. That and his voice gets scratchy if he does for too long. He could play on that little human device, a phone he was told, but the screen hurts his eyes. It’s too bright. 

Instead of sitting and counting the ceiling tiles, there are thirty two, he digs through the bottom cabinets on the unit near the door. Ever since he has started to spend his nights down here, Omega has left things down here for him. Sometimes there are non-perishable snacks and water. Sometimes it is a book he thinks Rain will like. Sometimes it’s a note with a song recommendation to listen to on his phone. Rain appreciates the effort he goes through. Quite a lot. With Dew like this no one has really taken to showing him things about Topside. 

Mist became his bass instructor, but she is rather intense. He is not surprised, she is from The Deep after all. They are solitary ghouls by nature so he cannot even begin to imagine what being surrounded by a whole pack at all times is like for her.

 Their lessons are nothing like what it was with Dew. They fill the entire hour and half with exercises. The last fifteen minutes are saved to work him through songs on the setlist. He has learned a lot, he cannot deny this, but he misses the warmth from Dew. It feels rude to call her cold, but it really is the best word. She meets with him, gets right to work, and then says her farewells when it is over. Rain can tell this is something she is used to, teaching new ghouls. But that is where the problem lies. He is not necessarily a friend to her, but just another water ghoul that is still getting used to living in a different world. He is a job. 

Mountain and Aether are really the only ghouls he could rely on, but they are not there. Not entirely. They are kind of course, but with the stress of Dew’s condition it is easy to see the apprehension in their eyes. They are tired and Rain is not surprised neither of them feel like holding Rain’s hand and helping him navigate all this new stuff that has become second nature to them. He does not blame them, but a small part of them wishes they would just do something. Anything. It is the same part of him that hoped his family would welcome him back in when he was still in the Pits. It is naive. 

He could go to the older ghouls that he sees walking around, like Alpha or Chain or Ifrit, but he does not know them at all. At least with Aether and Mountain he sort of has an idea of who they are. But now that he has been spending time in the infirmary he knows Omega. Sure he was there at his summoning, but all he did was take a chunk out of the poor ghoul’s arm. He still does not know him very well and he does not force Rain to try. He still does something though. He still makes an attempt to show Rain things even if it is not directly. It is nice. 

Tonight Omega left a small empty sketchbook and some colored pencils. Rain smiles softly when he opens the cabinet and sees them. How he knows Rain likes art even though he has never said anything is beyond him, but he is glad. Probably some weird quintessence stuff, but he chooses not to think too hard about that. Instead Rain grabs the items and settles back down in his chair. 

“What should I draw?” He looks at Dew for a few seconds as if asking the question will magically make him wake. 

When he does not get a response he hums and opens the box of colored pencils. He takes out the orange one and taps it against the paper. He closes his eyes. He remembers the flowers that had sat on Dew’s nightstand until recently. They were bright oranges and yellows with little bits of black on the petals. He has no idea what they are called, but he thought they were gorgeous. They wilted so they are no longer in the room, but Rain thinks it cannot be too hard to draw them from memory. 

He takes a deep breath and then opens his eyes again. The colored pencils are sharp. Never been used before. Rain moves the tip of it across the paper carefully, as if it was as delicate as an actual flower. He tries to recall the shape of the vase and how many were in it. How they looked bunched together. 

He gets a basic sketch down before grabbing the red and the yellow pencils. He is not exactly looking to make a fully completed masterpiece, just something to add color into this room. Something more permanent than the handful of flowers that get left every few days. Rain hates seeing wilt. 

It is nice though. Having something to focus on besides the quiet and the drone of machines. Just for a moment it makes all the voices in his head stop. Just for a moment all that exists is the page in front of him and how he plans to fill it. Art has always been a passion of his, and a distraction. When he wants the world to disappear he finds a way to create his own. It is how he stays sane. It is his favorite thing about being Topside. Under the waves he was limited, though that certainly did not stop him. But up here he can draw and paint and write. He has plenty of ways to distract himself from everything. Dew’s fate. His loneliness. Whether he should trust this new pack or not. 

His love for Dew. 

The red colored pencil breaks and the wax tip rolls down the page and onto the floor. His eyes track it as it goes, rolling and rolling until it disappears under the infirmary bed. His hand tightens around the pencil until his knuckles are white. He heaves a sigh and drops it though before it breaks. 

His love for Dew. 

There is no denying that is what he feels, but he tries to not name it when he can help it. Something about that word just does not feel right on his tongue. It never has. He has loved and been loved many times in his unnatural life, but each time it ends with another piece of him missing. He thinks maybe, just maybe, if he calls this anything but love it will be different. He will not lose Dew if he never calls it what it is. 

He sighs and slumps in his chair, tossing his head back to stare at the ceiling. What was wrong with him? Spent nearly a decade alone in the ocean and he falls for the first ghoul who smiled at him when he popped out of the ground. Of course he did. He has always been a romantic at heart, it is why he has ended up in so many positions where he came to realize all he is is his status. 

Or. Was. 

Even when he was alone, exiled from his family, the other ghouls he ran into recognized him. His bioluminescent patterns made sure anyone with working eyes could see who he was. All that mattered was he had power and he was vulnerable. But up here that does not matter. Up here there are no nobles or royals or anything close to the sort. Up here he can just be Rain. Maybe that is why he is dumb enough to fall into Dew so easily. He cannot be after his status if he does not have one. 

Or maybe it is just Dew. 

Maybe it is too hard for him to resist his soft hair and big, bright eyes. Or the way his nose scrunches when he laughs. Or the way his fins flare when he is nervous or embarrassed. Or how when he blushes it covers his entire face and neck. Or how he always takes care of him without making him feel stupid. Or the way he shimmers when he sits in the sun. Or how he lets him cry after the nightmares. Or how when he smiles his fangs poke out from under his lip. Or how when he finally kissed him it was like he was seeing his lover for the first time in years. Or how when he—

Rain’s head snaps up when he hears movement from the hallway. He glances at the digital clock on the table by Dew’s bed to see it is almost three in the morning. Who could be out there? It is not Delta, Rain would have felt that strange feeling of static that seems to follow him. If Delta has not left yet then it cannot be Omega. That and Rain always makes sure to wait and come until after Omega has done his last check up for the night. 

Could someone else be visiting? In the middle of the night? He supposes that it is not totally out of the ordinary. Usually he is by himself in the darkness, but there have been a couple of times where he has encountered someone else. Other than Delta of course. But Delta has become welcome company. 

The first time he ran into another was only a few days ago. At the beginning of the week if he remembers correctly. He had been running late. He had overslept after his lessons with Mist and still felt groggy when he woke. He had stumbled out of bed in a hurry once he realized what time it was. There would be no real repercussions for being late, the schedule was his own after all, but it had made his stomach twist nonetheless. He had left so fast he completely forgot to grab his dinner from the fridge. 

When he got down to the infirmary the door to Dew’s room was ajar. He had paused to scent the air. The door was never just left open unless someone forgot to close it. He had crept closer, still searching for the scent. He wrinkled his snot when he finally caught it. That unmistakable sweet yet sour scent of humanity. But there was an undertone of something else. Something that smelled like the Pits. He stopped just outside the door to listen, he wanted to figure out who was in there with his Dewdrop. 

He turned his finned ears towards the crack. When he had heard the sound of the words of the Morning Star muttered in a thick accent he had realized who it was. It was that man, Cardinal Copia. His summoner. He had no idea why he was here when it was his fault Dew was like this. He was not stupid. It did not take Rain long to figure out the Cardinal had a hand in Dew’s ritual. It had made his blood boil knowing he was in there instead of Rain. 

But he had not moved from his spot. He had to gather information before he attacked. He was not a mindless beast. He perked his ears and focused in on the sound of his voice. 

Praying. He was praying. Not only was he praying to the Morning Star, but to Lord Buer. The great Lord of Healing. This had piqued Rain’s interest immensely. Why was the one who caused this begging for it to be undone? It was too late to realize his mistake. The damage had already been done. His remorse did nothing to quell the heat of anger in Rain’s body. Infernal Blessing be damned, Rain would risk banishment to get just one good hit in on the Cardinal. If Dew did not get to leave that room unscathed then neither should anyone else involved. 

He had been ready to push open the door with fang and claw barred when something else caught his attention. Crying. The Cardinal was crying. He finished his prayers with a choked off Nema. Rain had thought that was it. He was going to get up and leave and he could spend the night with Dew. Alone. But the Cardinal had stayed. He had sat there and apologized to Dew. Over and over again he had said it was his fault. He should have done something different. Should have waited. Should have had anyone else do it. Should have told the Clergy no. 

Rain still was not sure he trusted or even liked the Cardinal, but maybe he had less control than Rain initially thought. It was still fault though that Dew was like this and he would not forget this fact anytime soon. Even so, he had taken a deep breath and sheathed his claws and pushed the door open. 

Rain stands from his chair and shuffles over to the door, laying the sketchbook and colored pencils down on the little nightstand. Maybe he is just hearing things? Either way he might as well check. Maybe the Cardinal is coming back for another visit. Or one of the other ghouls. Part of him hopes it is neither of those options. 

He pokes his head into the hallway. Looking right he just sees Omega’s office door. It’s cracked open and there is a soft light spilling out. If he focuses he can hear Omega talking, presumably replaying to whatever Delta is saying. Looking to the right he jumps a little when he catches the gaze of a human. One he recognizes. He does not remember her name, but she is one of the ones who works here. She gives him a polite smile in greeting before heading into one of the other rooms that are occupied.

Rain returns the smile though he is sure it looks more like a grimace than anything. How out of it is he if he gets all antsy just from the nurse doing her rounds? He really needs to sleep more. Maybe he can start skipping his bass lessons? No he is confident Mist would just show up and drag him down to the practice rooms. But that is all there really is cut out. Maybe he could get away with it. He has gotten away with avoiding Multi’s incessant invitations to the group rehearsal time for the new ghouls. 

Multi. 

Rain scoots his chair closer to Dew’s bed and sits back down with a huff. There was something about that ghoul that Rain did not like. Even if he ignores the fact that Multi nearly killed both of them by trying to shove himself into the Light meant for Rain, there is still something that makes Rain’s fins itch. That blinding smile hides something. 

Though Rain has a bit of an idea what that could be. It was Multi who interrupted his time with Dew yesterday after all. Rain is still angry about it, but he did learn something valuable so he cannot be too upset. 

Same as before with the Cardinal, Rain had immediately noticed something was not right. The door was closed when he had arrived at his normal time, but that was not out of the ordinary. What was out of the ordinary was the musky scent of each of the elements. Ozone and petrichor and citrus and smoke and fresh dirt. A multi ghoul was in Dew’s room. And there was only one multi ghoul Rain knew. 

Once again Rain had pressed his ear to the door. Water ghouls may be known for their strong sense of smell, even by ghoul standards, but their hearing was a close second. He had held his breath to focus. To see if he could hear anything. 

He did. He had heard Multi’s deep, smooth voice clear as day. Though what he said Rain had yet to figure out the meaning. 

You have to wake up. I can’t take your place. Don’t make me do this, please Dewdrop. 

Rain was pissed when he first heard Multu say it and a day later he is still pissed. Take Dew’s place? What does that even mean? How could he possibly take Dew’s place? Mountain explained to him that each instrument is associated with an element, something about the humans wanting to preserve the balance, but Multi does not fit into any of them. Sure he has every element running through his veins, but if the whole point is to have a balance then he does not fit. So why the fuck does he think he can replace Dew? 

But fire and quintessence are Multi’s strongest elements. 

Fire. 

Would the humans do that? No they would not. They could not. Dew is going to wake up and he is going to be fine and they will make music together like he promised. It will be him. It will not be Multi. It will be Dew next to him. It has to be Dew. 

Dew cannot die. 

Dew has to wake up. 

Dew is going to wake up. 

He is going to wake up and he will not have any health problems and he will not be replaced and left to rot. He has to. How can Rain do any of this without him? None of these other ghouls care for Rain, not really, but Dew did. Does. He cares about Rain, he knows he does. He cannot go back to living in a world where he is alone. Not after bathing in Dew’s light. 

He cannot. 

He cannot. 

He cannot. 

He cannot. 

Rain grabs Dew’s hand, twining their fingers together despite how Dew still lays still, “Why won’t you come back to me? Please come back to me. I tried so hard, but I can’t take the silence anymore Dewdrop.” 

Rain pauses and takes a deep breath as tears well in his eyes. He brings their laced hands up to his mouth, pressing a kiss to Dew’s scarred knuckles. He is warm. Warmer than he has ever been. 

He lets out a shaky breath, “Dewdrop please. I don't. I can’t stay up here if you��”

The word gets stuck in his throat. He swallows thickly to clear it.

“I don’t belong up here. I don’t have a place Down Below either but at least I won’t have to watch as your scent fades and your room gets emptied. If you don’t come back to me I can’t stay. The only place I’ve ever belonged is with you. The only place I’ve ever truly felt at peace was next to you in your bed.” 

He drops his head, pressing their twined hands to his forehead, “I need you Dewdrop. I’ve never loved a ghoul like how I love you.” 

He has to stop as a sob wracks his body. He said it. Why did he say it? Every time he says it he ends up alone. Now he knows Dew is going to die. Because Rain is cursed to never have the one thing he has wanted most. Someone to give his heart to. Time and time again he has placed it in others’ hands and again and again they crush it in a bloody fist. He half expects Dew to flatline right this moment now that he said the words out loud. 

His shoulders shake as he openly cries. Nobody is around to hear him. Nobody is ever around. Rain is destined to be the lone ghoul for the rest of his unnatural existence. He cries and he cries and he cries as he finally accepts that Dew is gone. He is not coming back. Rain will never get to hear him laugh again. He will never get to hear him sing. He wanted to hear Dew’s song more than anything. But he never did. He cannot even carry it with him. Will not even be able to replicate it when they have to throw Dew’s body into the water. Dew is lost and Rain does not know what to do except to cry. 

He keeps their hands pressed to his forehead. If this is the last time he will feel Dew’s touch then he will commit it to memory. Those rough calluses and the points of his claws and his warm, leathery skin. 

He cries and he cries and he cries. 

He cries until there is nothing left, reduced to quiet sniffles as he sucks in air. The room is still all except for the sound of his deep breathing and the sound of machines. 

“Rainy baby?” A raspy voice croaks out, breaking the deafening silence. 

Rain freezes. 

He does not lift his head. 

No. 

There is no way. It is just a delusion. He is beyond exhausted and his mind finally snapped just like Delta said. 

He does not move. Not a muscle. Not even when he feels their fingers untangle and shaky hands trail down from his forehead to cup his cheek. Not even when warm, calloused fingers lift his head so dark blue can meet fiery orange and yellow. 

Dew’s eyes are half lidded and he looks just as exhausted as Rain. Even so, there is a little pinch between his brow, “Why’re you crying? Am I,” he coughs, “am I that ugly?” 

He gives Rain a crooked little smile, the best one he can muster. Rain feels like his body was dipped in Arctic waters. He just stares at Dew, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. 

“Rain?” Dew prompts, waiting for him to say or do anything. 

It is funny really. Rain spent the last three weeks thinking about what to do when Dew finally woke up and now that he has, he just freezes. There is not a single thought in his head. Part of him does not even believe this is real. He has to be making it up right? After all this time? Dew is finally here? 

He opens and closes his mouth a few times, like a fish out of water. He does not even get the chance to make a noise before the door to the room bursts open. Omega is there, hand still wrapped tight around the knob. He is breathing heavier than normal and his silver mask is nowhere in sight. His wide eyes scan Dew’s body before he finally steps into the room. 

“Dewdrop? Do you know where you are?” Omega says slowly as he walks over to the bedside, eyes never leaving Dew’s face. Like if he looks away he will be unconscious again. 

Dew closes his eyes and shakes his head to the best of his ability. The furrow only deepens, “Yeah yeah. ‘M in the infirmary. Recognize these ugly tiles anywhere.” 

“Good,” Omega clears his throat, “That’s good. Do you remember how you got here?” 

His eyes are still closed and he frowns as he tries to recall what happened, “I…the ritual. The ritual was yesterday. And I’m alive…so it’s because of the ritual right?” 

Omega and Rain lock eyes for a moment before he sighs, “Rain would you please give us a moment?” 

“No!” He says it so fast it surprises even himself, “I mean. I’d rather stay. If you’ll let me.” 

Omega offers him a sympathetic smile, “It will only take a minute. I need to run some quick tests and ask Dewdrop some questions. Just wait in the hall for me okay?” 

Rain swallows and looks over at Dew. His eyes are open again, but he is just staring at the ceiling. The last thing he wants to do is leave Dew now that he has him again, but he does not want to make things worse by staying. Omega said it would be quick. He will be back in here in no time right? 

Hesitantly he stands from the chair and makes his way into the hall. Dew’s eyes track him as he leaves. Rain glances back at him, gaze lingering for what feels like an eternity before cracking the door. He will not close it all the way. He needs to be able to peek in and see him. To hear him. To know he is really real and awake and alive. 

He jumps out his skin when he feels a hand on his shoulder. He quickly whips around to see Delta. His mind is most definitely playing tricks on him, but he swears he can see those void like eyes soften. It all hits him again and before he can even think he launches himself forward. Rain clings to Delta despite the shocks of quintessence. He tucks his nose against the jagged lichtenberg figure scars where his gills used to be. He does not cry, but he shakes like he is. He does not have the words to begin to describe what he is feeling, but he does know he needs someone, anyone. 

Delta is tense for a moment before very slowly wrapping his arms around Rain. He awkwardly reciprocates the hug, like it is the first time he has ever held someone else. He let’s Rain stay for a few more minutes before carefully pulling away, putting a bit of distance between them. 

His staticky voice echoes in Rain’s head, Sorry. If we touched for any longer it would probably start to kill you. 

For a creature that looks as unnatural as Delta, in this moment he almost looks timid. 

Rain just shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair, “It’s fine.” 

They stand there in awkward silence for a moment before Rain tries to speak up again, “Delta I—“ 

Before he can finish Omega opens the door and steps out in the hallway with them. Despite the thin sheen of wetness around his eyes his voice does not waiver when he speaks, “He is okay for now. In the morning I am going to run more in depth tests, but until then you may stay with him.” 

Rain does not need to be told twice. He spares one last glance at Delta who only nods at him as he comes to stand next to Omega. Rain gives him a quick nod back before slipping into the room and closing the door. At the noise, Dew turns to look at him and Rain’s chest feels tight. They just stare at each other. They stare and they stare and they stare. Rain’s breathing just grows faster and faster until he cannot take it anymore. He finally breaks the spell by running over to Dew so fast he nearly trips over his own feet. 

He practically flings himself at Dew, crushing him to his chest and burying his nose in his hair. Dew winces at the suddenness of it, but he makes no move to get Rain off. His arms shake as they wrap around Rain with all the strength he has left. He knows he probably should not be doing this with how fragile Dew’s condition has been, but right now he cannot find it in himself to care. Dew is hugging him back. He is moving and awake and speaking and alive. 

“I thought I lost you,” Rain says softly against the top of his head. 

Dew huffs a raspy little laugh, “Oh please. You’re gonna have to kill me yourself if you want me gone.” 

Rain does not respond. He just holds Dew, breathing in his scent. It is different. Under the sterile smell of the infirmary that clings to both of them is something else. It is warm, like cinnamon and campfire. It is nice. 

When the silence stretches for too long Dew speaks again, voice still cracked, “Too soon? Mega gave me an idea of what happened while I was…out.” 

Rain pulls away to look at him. He just smiles and shakes his head before crushing their lips together. He knows he really should not be doing this, but he cannot help himself. Mere moments ago he thought he would have to set Dew’s body to sea and now they are holding each other. He wants to tell Dew how much it hurt seeing him in such a state. How much he missed him. But he does not have the words. Even if he did he does not think they would get the point across. So he puts everything he has into this kiss. 

When they break Dew is grinning up at him, “So I take it you don’t think ugly?” 

“You’re as beautiful as the day I first laid eyes on you.” Rain cups his cheek, gently brushing his thumb over the new dark markings. Like ash and charcoal smeared on canvas. His mind briefly wanders to the unfinished sketch of Dew in his desk drawer. 

He is snapped from that train of thought by the feeling of wetness on his fingers thought. There are tears running down Dew’s face as he stares up at Rain. 

Rain gasps quietly, “Dew—“

“Sorry. I’m sorry I don’t. I was gone for so long but it wasn’t long for me and Omega told me everything and you stayed here and and…” 

His breathing is shallow as he goes on and on. The beeping of the machines gets a little faster as his heart rate picks up. Rain can feel himself getting choked up again at the sight, but he swallows it down. He just shakes his head and wipes Dew’s tears away. 

“Dewdrop. Shut up,” he says affectionately. 

He sniffs and blinks at Rain, “What?” 

“None of that matters. You’re awake now. I would have waited for forever but it hasn’t been forever. So just. Just be with me.” 

Truth be told it did feel like forever. Rain is not lying though. He would have waited by Dew’s side until the earth turned to dust if that is what it took. But Dew has no reason to apologize. He will not hear it. He has been around Delta enough now to know just because he is awake that does not mean this is all over. Their time could still very well be limited, so Rain does not want to spend it trading I’m sorry’s back and forth. He does not want to spend it listening to Dew beg for forgiveness when there is no resentment. He wants to spend it like this. Holding him and kissing him and telling him how he looks like the sun shining on the waters of the lake. 

Before Dew has the chance to say or do anything, the door bursts open. Rain jumps up from the bed on instinct, like he was caught doing something he should not. He stays close though as he whips his head around to see who or what caused the commotion. He keeps a hand on Dew’s shoulder, still desperate to feel his warmth. His life. 

When he turns, he is face to face with Aether and Mountain. They are both still in their pajamas and panting. There is a little sheen of sweat around Aether’s hairline. Their eyes still look heavy and bloodshot, like going from a dark room to a light room without time to adjust. 

Rain is tense as they rush over to the bedside. Despite how much he wants to stay by his side, he shuffles away as Aether and Mountain get close enough to touch Dew. Everything in his body screams to shield Dew from them. Do not let them get close. Flash his fangs and bite and snarl to keep them away. They cannot be around his Dewdrop when he is still so injured. But he stops himself. 

Barely. 

He has to bite his tongue so that the growl he can feel bubbling up does not become audible. Logically he knows they have more of a right to be here than him. He has only known Dew a fraction of the time Aether and Mountain have. But that does not stop the feeling. It does not stop the want, need, to keep Dew all to himself. So he just stands off near the door, giving those two as much time as they want with Dew. He is not stupid enough to invade their space. 

Aether stands on the left side of the bed while Mountain takes the right. They both hunch and crouch so they can be closer to him. Aether takes Dew’s hand and presses a kiss to his knuckles. 

“Dewdrop. My Dewdrop.” His voice is higher pitched, cracking under the weight of unshed tears. 

Dew looks almost confused, “It’s the middle of the night isn't it?” 

“Like that would stop us from coming to you,” Mountain twines his fingers with Dew’s other hand, “Omega called as soon as you woke up.” 

Dew just shakes his head, like he wants to protest. To come up with any reason why they should not be here, why they did not have to come right away. But he does not. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, but no words ever leave. Aether and Mountain continue to just stare at him, giving him all the time he needs. 

Finally, Dew slowly looks over at Aether. He moves his hand that is still intertwined with Mountain’s over his chest, “I’m sorry.” 

Rain looks away when he sees the first tear fall from Aether’s eye. This feels. Intimate. Like he should not be here. He hears Aether’s soft, shaky voice and he tries not to listen. He is almost certain he is not meant to hear his words. He instinctively turns back though when Mountain’s voice rumbles out. 

“You’re alive. That’s all I care about now.” 

Oh he wishes he had not. The sight makes his chest ache. They each have noses tucked under one side of Dew’s jaw, careful to avoid the bandages covering his gills while still getting as close as possible. Their huge frames completely cover Dew. Rain can only see his head poking out. Aether chuffs softly, trying to soothe Dew who started to cry again. Despite the severity of the situation, the scene before him is warm. It is full of time together that Rain will never understand. Echoes of a thousand I love you’s Rain will never hear. No words have been spoken yet Rain can see an entire story. 

A story he does not have a place in. Not really. Maybe one day sure, but right now he is just the new ghoul who shoved his way in without a care to the previous relationships. This moment is not for him. He wraps his arms tightly around himself as he debates whether or not he should just leave. He does not want to, he knows this, but the itch in the back of his brain that he is wrong is too much to ignore. 

His eyes drift over the scene before him until he finally notices Aether staring at him. They lock eyes for a moment and Rain feels his stomach jump. He wonders if Aether is going to kick him out. Wonders if maybe he will confirm everything he is thinking. He is a quintessence ghoul after all, it is not out of the realm of possibility that he just heard all of Rain’s thoughts. Rain swallows thickly as he waits, not sure what else to do. Last time this happened he was knocked out cold. He can feel the tiniest spark of fear as he waits for his verdict. 

But then Aether smiles at him. It is weary, but it is genuine. He holds his hand and motions for him to come closer. Rain hesitates for a moment. He is not sure he deserves this. But then Mountain looks over at him with something soft in his eyes and it is all over. He darts over and joins probably the most unconventional pile he has ever experienced. 

Dew gives him a tired little smile when he feels Rain rest his hand on his thigh. He lets out a sigh and closes his eyes, laying his back against his pillow once more. Aether must feel his confusion and panic because he pulls Rain just a little closer. 

“He’s just going to sleep. Don’t worry.” He says it for both their sakes. 

“He just spent three weeks asleep.” Rain shakes his head. 

Aether nods, “Not asleep. It’s a lot to explain, but I can guarantee you it wasn’t restful.” 

Silence hangs in the air for a moment before Rain speaks again. 

“Is he going to be okay?” 

“He will be.” Aether brushes a strand of hair out of Dew’s face. 

Rain smiles. Aether is right. Dew is going to be okay. More than. Because he has ghouls that would turn the earth to ash for him. Even if things are not okay and Dew ends up as damaged as Delta, he will be okay. Rain will not let Dew turn into ghost stories that get spread to all the new summons and Siblings. For as long as he is alive Rain will be by Dew’s side. His heart fell into Dew’s hands the moment he was pulled from the ground. He knows it will only stop beating when Dew’s does and by every ounce of power in his veins he will make sure that does not happen until the collapse of the universe. 

Because Dew deserves to be loved that long. 

~~~

Rain can barely breathe through the black fabric covering his mouth. He cannot tell what is louder, his pulse in his ears or the roar of the crowd waiting for them to come on stage. He is so sweaty already and they have not even done anything yet. His uniform clings to him and it just makes the feeling of unease that has settled in every part of him worse. 

He has tucked himself away in some dark corner backstage while everyone waits for the Cardinal. There is not much longer now. In a matter of minutes he is going to have to face thousands of humans and do what he was summoned for. Perform. Put on a good enough show that His message stays in their hearts. 

He feels like he is going to pass out. 

There is no way he can do this, why did he think he could do this? No amount of rehearsals could have possibly prepared him for this. His leg bounces so fast he is surprised the whole building is not shaking. He vaguely hears a techie call out another time check and his mind works a mile a minute. All he can think about is every little way in which he can fuck this up. 

He could trip and fall off the stage. He could miss his cue. He could flub every single note. His bass could just stop working. What if he moves too fast and his mask flies off? What if he does actually pass out? What if he loses control of his glamour? What if he—

“There you are. I was wondering where the fuck you ran off to.” Dew slides up beside him and puts a hand on his shoulder. 

He must be able to feel how tense he is because his blue glamoured eyes minutely soften behind his silver mask, “I brought water for you. Trust me you’re gonna need it, it gets hot as fuck out there.” 

Rain just silently shakes his head. He thinks if he puts anything in his body right now it will just come right back up. 

Dew hums and pulls Rain into an awkward side hug, “Nervous?” 

Rain nods. 

“Ah don’t be. You’ve got nothing to worry about. If those humans liked our music when it was me on bass then they’ll like anything.”

Dew chuckles but cuts himself when he realizes Rain is not laughing with him. He sighs, “I get it though. But trust me, you’ll be fine. You just gotta remember you’re not alone out there. If you fuck something up then I’d bet money someone else is also gonna fuck something up. We all fuck up together and then move on. It’s just a part of performing.” 

Rain looks at Dew while he speaks. He is not very eloquent, but the sentiment remains. He is not alone out there. Dew is gonna be out there with him. His whole pack is gonna be out there with him. He has been practicing for this for six months. He knows what he is doing. 

Dew must sense his change in demeanor because his eyes crinkle behind the mask. Rain is sure if he pulled the balaclava down all the way he would see a big, lopsided grin. 

“Thank you Dew.” 

“Ahhh don’t mention it,” he gives Rain a proper hug, squeezing him hard, “now come on there’s fruit in the green room and you need to eat so you don’t pass out and die.” 

Dew begins walking off, expecting Rain to follow. He waits a moment just to watch Dew leave. He smiles at the back of his head, rubbing a hand over his arm where Dew touched him. 

“I love you too Dewdrop,” he whispers. 

“Rainy come onnnnn! We don’t have forever!” Dew shouts over his shoulder when he realizes Rain has not followed him. 

Rain pushes off the equipment box he was using as a stool and rushes after him to catch up. He is glad Dew came looking for him. He probably would have stayed trapped in his own head if not for it. If not for Dew Rain would not be here. 

It has not been easy adjusting to a new life in a new world, but it means he gets to keep Dew by his side. As long as he has Dew’s hand to hold then he knows he will be okay. 

Always and forever. No matter what the future holds for him.

[thesixenthusiast]

ruby – eddie roundtree

part one (part two, part three, part four)

pairing: eddie rountree x fem!oc (may change to x reader) warnings: drinking/drugs (billy/daisy's addictions) word count: 1.6k author's note: please bear with me in this, if there's a few time mix ups just with the order of things, please do let me know but i'm trying to find an equal balance between the book and show and it's a little difficult lol

On October 4, 1977, Daisy Jones & The Six performed to a sold out crowd at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. They were one of the biggest bands in the world at the time, fresh off their award-winning, multi-platinum selling album “Aurora.” It would be their final performance. 

In the 20 years since, members of the band and their inner circle have refused to speak on the record about what happened… Until now.

–

THE RISE OF THE SIX (1966-1972)

The Six started out as a blues-rock band called the Dunne Brothers in the mid-sixties out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Billy and Graham Dunne were raised by single mother, Marlene Dunne, after their father, William Dunne Sr., left in 1954.

BILLY DUNNE (lead singer, The Six): I always dreamed of something different than the typical laid out career paths. When Graham first got the idea to start a band, I assumed it was just to win back his girlfriend. He was, what fourteen? The kid thought his life was over. [Laughs] I guess in retrospect, maybe it was a good idea. 

WARREN ROJAS (drummer, The Six): He was definitely trying to get his girlfriend back.

GRAHAM DUNNE (lead guitar, The Six): We were solid, fine for a while. When Chuck quit, we were out a bassist, which isn’t really something you can do without in a band. Billy originally wanted Eddie to switch to bass, but he wasn’t too keen on that. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE (rhythmic guitar, The Six): I was so sick of Billy trying to run the band, it wasn’t his band, or at least, it wasn’t supposed to be. 

WARREN ROJAS: There was this girl in my math class, her uncle owned a music store downtown, and she used to give lessons to kids on weekends, it was mostly just some scheme by her uncle to get people to buy guitars. 

BILLY DUNNE: She was a sophomore, a young sophomore at that, she wasn’t even 16 by the time she joined, I was a year out of high school and the rest of the boys are creeping on 17 and 18, she just didn’t fit. Warren gets all the boys on board before bringing the idea up to me so I look like the asshole if I say no, I wanted to say no too, but she was good and I didn’t have another option. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: She didn’t even show an interest in being in the band, she wasn’t begging us to give her a chance, we were near-stalking her at the music store, waiting for the perfect opportunity to hear her play and casually bring up that we happened to need a bassist.

JULIET OPAL (bassist/singer, The Six): They weren’t nearly as sly as they thought they were. I originally thought it was some attempt at stealing records or 8-tracks, y’know waiting until I wasn’t looking, but they kept coming back, seemingly just waiting for me to do something, what it was I didn’t know, but something. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: [Sighs] They decided I would be the one to talk to her. 

The shop’s bell rang, signaling the door had been opened, which swung Juliet’s attention away from the magazine she was skimming and up to the front of the store, peering through the aisles to see who entered. A boy, one she recognized from the creeping on her from the previous weeks, made himself visible and she was immediately on high alert. He approached the counter, swallowing nerves as he did, and cleared his throat. 

“Hi,” his voice was hoarse, she took the awkward silence as a moment to study him, he wore a striped shirt, loose jeans, and brown shoes, his hair could use a comb through. He extended his hand, “I’m Eddie, I think we go to school together.”

“Juliet,” she met his hand, “is that why you’re here, to tell me that we might go to school together? Or is there an ulterior motive, one that may explain why you and your friends have been spying on me the past week,” any speck of confidence Eddie had going into this was entirely gone. 

“I’m in a band with some friends and our bassist bailed on us pretty recently. My friend, Warren, he’s a junior like me, I think he’s in your math class, said he saw you play bass and that you were good. We just wanted to see you play before we formally asked.”

“Formally asked what?” She leaned up from her elbows that she had been propped on.

“Oh, to, uh, like,” he stopped himself, licking his lips and sighing, “would you want to maybe play bass for us?” His eyes instantly went to his shoes and he stuffed his hands inside his pockets. 

“Can I have a little more info maybe? It’s not personal, I just don’t know you, like at all and you could be the worst players for all I know.”

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: That one hurt, something about a younger kid who you have a solid five inches on insinuating that she’s better than you are, especially when you’re practically on your knees begging for her to help you out can feel like salt being rubbed into a fresh wound. 

JULIET OPAL: What else was I supposed to do? [Laughs] Just blindly follow the older boy who had been spying on me for a week to the alleged garage that he practices in with his alleged band and hope for the best? I paid attention in the stranger-danger assemblies, I knew better. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: I invited her back to Billy and Graham’s but she said she had to close up for her uncle. Once we were out in L.A. she told me she actually just didn’t wanna leave with me and in hindsight, I can’t say I blame her.

The following morning Juliet and the Dunne Brothers skipped their first period and met in the Dunne’s garage. Juliet studied the wads of scribbled sheet music Billy had handed to her without looking her in the eye and she didn’t miss the way Eddie rolled his eyes at his hostility, and Eddie didn’t miss the way her upper lip curled into a smile as she saw his reaction. 

After rifling through the stack of papers, she picked out one at random, and set it down on the table in front of her, leaning over to scan in a few times before pulling the strap of her guitar over her head. She looked over to the group of boys, standing huddled together with Billy noticeably further away and Warren nodded fervently at her with a grin overtaking her face. 

After she played through the song, Billy made her play another, and another, and two more after that ‘for safety.’ Once he had run out of excuses for her to keep playing, he asked her to step out of the garage so they could confer with each other. After seven minutes and two overheard “c’mon man”s from Warren, Juliet was invited back into the garage and to serve as a temporary bass for the band, just until Billy could come to his final decision. 

JULIET OPAL: He was stubborn even then, I’m honestly surprised he let me in.

BILLY DUNNE: I didn’t want to let her in the band. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: I wanted her in the band, I made sure Billy knew that.

JULIET OPAL: A week after I joined, we were playing a gig with​​ the Winters. 

The group stood backstage, listening to the music that was permeating into every corner of the room. Juliet stood sandwiched between Warren and Camila, listening to the band. They had a keyboardist, she caught Juliet’s eye once they had got backstage, when they finished playing and she got offstage, Juliet made a beeline for her, introducing herself. 

“I’m Karen,” she introduced herself, “you play with these guys?”

“Mhm, I’m on bass right now, but in an ideal world I’d steal Eddie over there’s job,” she pointed to him and he smiled back, nodding his head up at her, unknowingly, “I won’t though, kinda like him, at least more than I do Billy,” Karen nodded, opening her mouth to excuse herself from the conversation, “y’know I’ve been saying we need a keyboardist.”

“Have you now?” That piqued her interest she stopped in her tracks and smirked over her shoulder. 

“No,” she admitted, “but I’ve been thinking it.” Billy hollered her name, gesturing her over to the group, who were making their way onstage. She pulled a receipt with a phone number scribbled across it in black ink and handed it to Karen, “If you ever get sick of them, give me a call, I’ll put in a good word for you.”

“Do you always carry around drug store receipts with your phone number on them?”

“You never know who you might meet,” she shrugged and started sprinting towards the stage before calling out over her shoulder, “worked out this time. Wish me luck!”

KAREN SIRKO (keyboardist, The Six): She was so.. vivacious, so full of life. She apoke about a million miles a minute, if I wasn’t fully interested in what she was saying, I don’t think I would’ve caught a word of it. You have this young girl talking your ear off, she seems entirely sure of herself, but also still feels a need to prove to you that she deserves to be there.

JULIET OPAL: I liked Karen, how could I not? And based on the way events would play out, clearly I wasn’t the only one. 

WARREN ROJAS: It was a great gig, Julie did great, not that we weren’t expecting her to, we were just worried about her, she had never done anything in front of a crowd before, but she did everything that actually counted right. 

EDDIE ROUNDTREE: On the drive home she sat next to me and she told me I played well, then she leaned in and kinda whispered and she thanked me. She thanked me for being the one to ask her to join because she would’ve said no to anyone else. [Smiles]

[those70scomics]

Fictober Day 9: "don't listen to me, listen to them"

That '70s Show Fanfiction

Hyde paced W.B.'s office at Grooves's headquarters. Angie was present, as was Jackie. She'd taken time off from her busy-as-hell schedule for this meeting.

"It's a dumb idea," he said. "I shouldn't have even brought it up."

"It's not dumb, and I'm happy that you told us about it." W.B. grasped Hyde's arm, stopping him near W.B.'s desk. "You're turning twenty-nine in less than two months. You're engaged. You should want more."

Angie's facial expression showed that she'd been waiting for this day. "I dreamt of running a record store since I was a kid. Then of running all of Grooves someday, and now I'm the company's senior VP of operations. You're allowed to pursue your dreams, too."

"I've already got more than I ever freakin' dreamed." Hyde glanced back at Jackie, who'd remained silent so far. "It ain't fair to to risk it all."

"You don't think creating Grooves was a risk?" W.B. said. I was married to Angie's mother, who was pregnant with Angie. We needed the security of a regular paycheck, but her mom wanted me to be happy. And my risk eventually paid off more than anybody could've imagined."

Hyde gestured in defeat. "I can't imagine this workin'."

Jackie stepped toward him and touched his hand. "Neither can I."

"Exactly."

"But don't listen to me. Listen to them."

Hyde stared at her. "Who the hell are you, and what've you done with my chick."

"Steven." She jostled his hand. "I'm redesigning my whole spring collection. I can't imagine that working either, but I'm doing it anyway. This time next year on October ninth, 1990, you'll have put out your first record on your own label."

"A sub label of Grooves Records, of course," Angie said with a smirk.

Hyde bowed his head and hunched his shoulders. "That's nepotism."

"That's expanding the family business." W.B. patted Hyde's back. "I'm not taking an opportunity away from anyone else. You've earned this. The demos you've played me, you have the ear, son."

Hyde sat in the closest chair. His legs were shaking from what was being said, being offered.

"You've been apprenticing under Frankie Branch to learn audio engineering, music production, for how long?" W.B. continued. "Picked up the guitar expertly in three years of lessons and learned as much by listening to songs. Taught yourself bass guitar. Became Cam's favorite drum student, and that's saying a lot."

Angie gazed at the high ceiling and shook her head. "Edna and Bud gave you no chance to realize you have perfect pitch. You didn't understand what you were capable of. You've had to play catch-up in your mid-twenties."

Jackie stood in front of Hyde and rubbed his arms over his long sleeves. "Your childhood was stolen from you. You once told me all the doors were locked for you but one. Your family, your true family, has unlocked so many. You've walked through a lot. Don't shut this door and walk away."

Hyde covered his face in his hands. His emotions were getting to him, breaking through his defenses. As a kid, Formans' folks signed Forman up for jazz guitar lessons, which he abandoned. Only the acoustic guitar remained, and Hyde played that thing every second he could at the Formans' house.

He used Forman's beginners' workbook to learn tabs that were printed alongside sheet music. Hyde couldn't read music for shit, but tabs he got. Songs on the radio, on records, stuck in his skull like recordings. He figured out how to play the guitar parts himself and, back then, had no clue why could do that.

He understood now.

"Son, are you all right?" W.B. said.

Hyde raised his head and wiped his eyes. "Yeah. Just ... when ya don't believe something's possible for you for so damn long -- and then it happens? Kind of a mind fuck."

"So you'll start your label?" Jackie smiled at him with such hope, such support, he would've fallen in love with her if he hadn't already fallen twelve years ago.

"Yup."

Jackie cheered, and W.B. congratulated him in a proud, fatherly way Hyde was still growing used to.

"What are you going to call it?" Angie said.

Hyde grinned. "Burn-Out Records."

[nevadas-night-time-novelist]

Continuation of this ask

Conductor x reader Deliberator x reader

CONDUCTOR

He was the rhythm of life, the Conductor, spinning his baton and making melodies out of hopeless noise. He and his brothers and sister kept the world in order, or as much order as they could when up against Improbability.

The Employers lived on a split plane or reality, comparable to heaven in some aspects, except not even good souls could wander this realm, only the Employers could inhabit this place.

And yet to every rule, there was an exception, that being you. Cold marble tiles lay beneath your feet as you sat in contentment in the garden, lazily reading a book while lounging on an iron bench, which had been given plush cushions for your enjoyment.

Catching the fancy of these godly being was near impossible, and yet you'd managed to attract the maestro of life, black and blue wrapped rightly around your fingers. Flicking the page, you set the book down and took a sip of your tea, Romulus raising his furry head to look at you, before setting it back down.

Of course, the Employers had pets, Rom being the pet wolf of one you rarely saw but often heard screaming at Auditor for some unknown reason. He would often lay around in the garden when you were about, seemingly keeping an eye on you, as did his counterpart.

Remus darted down, plucking loose fluffy tufts from Rom and flapping back into the large apple tree at the centre of the garden, letting out a caw now and then.

A sweet bass melody echoed around, Conductor was drawing near. He had a habit of humming as he walked, the deep vibrations calming the environment around. Rom looked up, letting out a "urf" while getting to his feet, Remus flying over and landing on his head.

Your lover would always shoo the pair away when he came to see you, and by now, they'd learned to leave before he even arrived.

His slight heels clicked on the floor, while you continued to read. "My muse," He spoke with a low tone, his voice naturally deep. "how radiant you look today, bathed in the light."

"Hello Connie," You set your book down, laying the bookmark in and closing it, giving him your full attention. "thank you love." He took your hand, placing a kiss on the back of your palm.

To everyone, he was the Conductor. To you, he was Connie. Anyone else who'd care call him your nickname for him would be taught a valuable lesson. "Muse, my dear, my inspiration is currently lacking. Allow me if you will to share your space and soak in your glory to fuel my passions."

Under his angry, stern exterior was a hopeless old-timey romantic. To anyone else, he'd command, but to you, oh you, he'd beg at your feet for your adoration. "Of course, you know I love to spend time with you Connie."

Conductor swept you into his arms, taking your place on the bench with you resting on top of him, your head resting on his chest, you could hear the drumbeat that was his heart. Everything in him was music, even the faint blue veins in his black arms looked like sheet music, little notes formed into them as well. They made up the same melody he always hummed.

He was a busy being, it was rare the two of you spent a long amount of time together, so every second you got was precious. Absentmindedly, you traced patterns along his sternum, relaxing both of you.

"I am a little troubled." He looked at you, half lidded blue eyes. "Stygian was talking with me earlier. He brought up a decently valid point. You... Are still a mortal, at the end of the day, and I don't feel I spend enough time with you." Conductor sighed, even in melancholy, he was so beautiful.

"I don't bring it up to you frighten you. Steeg says you've still got plenty of time on your side. Yet he reminded me that.... In the grand scheme of things, your life is but a blink compared to mine. And it worries me." You looked into his sad eyes, sparkles of stars reminding you why you loved him.

"Connie... I know we're vastly different, but that's what I love about us. I know I won't live nearly as long as you, but that makes the time we spend together even more precious, doesn't it?" You continued to rub his chest, and he sighed longingly.

"Muse, you always soothe my worries." Conductor leaned down, kissing the top of your head. "My love for you grows deeper and deeper, I will devote as much life to you as I can from now on."

You shifted your position, chest to chest with Conductor now, and you peppered his face in kisses, a smile breaking across his face, before turning to gorgeous laughter. "Better my love?"

Conductor kissed your lips, rubbing your cheek with adoration. "You always make my life better, my muse." He needed reminding of it now and then, how fragile your body always was compared to his. Yet when your time came, he'd turn to Stygian again, finding your reincarnated S-3LF over and over, as he had for centuries. In many lifetimes he loved you, and he'd continue to love you for many, many more.

DELIBERATOR

Decision making was a good quality of yours, you would swiftly and continuously end up making the correct choice anytime one happened. Your friends even joked you were blessed by some sort of god because of your skill, and they weren't far off the truth.

Deliberator spent much of his free time watching over this curious mortal, he'd become a little obsessed, gifting them with the power of foresight, watching them scurry around their silly man-made city like a mouse.

He knew fine well he and his kin weren't really meant to mess with the life below them, but each still bent the rules and dipped their toes into mortal life now and then, one off experiments to see how the life reacted. Yet Deli found himself coming back to this one, he couldn't put a finger on why though.

Frequently he'd transform, hiding his Employer appearance to a grunt, blending in as best as he could, but some things, such as his glowing white eyes, couldn't be changed. He'd hide them with shades, even then, they'd glow slightly.

Deli sat alone at a table, pretending to read a newspaper at the booth he occupied while keeping a close eye on you at work. A small and homey diner, which prided itself on good and fast service.

"There you are hon," You smiled, setting down a fat stack of pancakes in front of the frequent customer. He was quiet, rarely ever speaking a word to you, but he tipped generously and was fairly handsome. Salt and pepper hair, sunglasses, dressed in a pressed suit and white shirt, looking like an aged businessman.

You topped off his coffee, leaving enough room for him to throw in the multiple cubes of sugar into the black liquid. "anything else I can get you?"

He set his newspaper down and gestured at the space across from him. "Perhaps a moment of your time?" That was a strange and unexpected request, yet curiosity found yourself humouring him. Deli fought off a smile, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. Of course you would, he knew you'd always make the correct decision.

"Well it's not something on the menu, but I guess I can take a couple minutes break." It wasn't too busy right now anyway, everyone else busy in talking, drinking and eating.

"You seem to have adept judgement." He tipped the entire container of syrup onto his pancakes. "Help me with something I've been mulling over."

You looked at his pile of sugar and held back a laugh. "Is it that you've been wondering if you should ask for a second syrup cup when you eat here?"

"Ah, heh. No, something else. But perhaps I should. From all the things your kind had invented, processed sugar is no doubt the peak of your creations." Deli slipped up there, and he knew you'd picked up on it. "If by some chance, a higher power was looking down and observing you, what would you think?"

Sitting across from him, your eyes meeting the dark shades covering his own, you pondered for a moment. "Like a god? Can't say I'm too religious, but it'd be pretty neat I suppose. But I'd have to wonder why they'd take time from their busy day to humour me."

"Maybe because I see something in you." Deli shoved a mouthful of sugary goodness into his maw.

"You see something in me? What, you're telling me you're some kinda god or something? Pretty far-fetched. Did you happen to break out of Seeking?" You tilted your head, trying to decipher the clues he's dropping, but it's not making sense.

Deliberator set down his fork and took off his shades, revealing white eyes filled with intricate and beautiful abstract patterns, dark grey shapes shifting infinitely in glowing ivory. "No, I do believe I am some form of god to your kind." You stared at him, and the silence around you settled in.

Glancing around, you and your regular still seated in the booth, yet the diner and all else was gone. The pair of you in the comfortable seat lost in the inky black nothing. "Wha-what the hell is this?" Perhaps you'd gone mad too.

Looking back to the stranger, his disguise had faded, showing his Nevadian form. Pluming black fire, black geometric shapes surrounded in milk white lines floating off his body and turning to nothing. "It's uncouth for my kin to take such a deep interest in the world we watch over, and yet something draws me to you. Allow me to properly introduce myself,"

He set down a white glowing set of scales on the table, perpetually equally balanced. "Your kin calls me Deliberator, and I oversee balance and justice in your world. And you, my curious little friend, just so happen to be precisely what I'm searching for."

His hands took yours, and the vast emptiness filled with stars around you. "Another being of balance, one of keen and sound mind. It takes me centuries to find those worthy of my time, there are so few. You have no idea how long I have yearned to find you."

Fear, curiosity, wonder all filled your mind. This had to be a hallucination or something. There's no chance in hell any of what was currently occurring was real. "This... Has got to be the weirdest dream I've had yet. Until a few minutes ago it felt so real. When do I wake up from this?"

Deli spun you around, showing off the world, his world, the things he sees, feels and lives in every moment. "Perhaps when you open your mind to me, see things from a new perspective. It's a lot to ask, a leap from your familiar into the unknowns of godhood, but you'll behold such wonderful sights, experience things you could never have comprehended.

The universe exists on a knife's edge, judgement to maintain balance is needed. I trust in you to uphold that, if you'll take on the burden."

Decision making... A fine quality you upheld over and over, each time making the correct choice...

"With you? I will."

[intothecometverse]

in honor of february ending, here's what i manifested this month!

🐬 this one time i was practicing a bit later than usual and i was like FUCK ION WANNA EAT DINNER AND THEN GO TO ORCHESTRA REHEARSAL WITHIN HALF AN HOUR THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME and then i got an email for the rehearsal schedule and i got at least half an hour more than usual until i had to come. funny enough i was thinking to myself like plz don't make me come until later plz plz plz plz plz plz and then i got the email for the rehearsal schedule so yippe

🐬 going on to that i had to fucking take a shit and ended up arriving to the rehearsal room ON THE DOT (which is late for orchestra standards 💔) but luckily there were still ppl waiting outside while the conductor was dealing with the basses and cellos only (which was the reason why ppl who weren't basses and cellows didn't have to come until half an hour later) so i wasn't late woo! and on my walk there (i was speed walking lol) i was affirming to myself i'm not gonna be late im not gonna be late there are still gon' be ppl waiting outside then boom that happened??? like im god hello??

🐬 having dinner + getting to go on a mini walk with my goth sp (i asked them and they said yes)

🐬 also manifesting conversations with my goth sp just by thinking about experiencing it seconds beforehand

🐬 oh ja and i also manifested being released early from orchestra rehearsals thru just thinking abt it seconds before too 😭😭

🐬 manifested seeing another sp during my regular day activities (their dorm room is around the corner from mine so we see each other a lot xD) like whenever i think abt them boom they pop up 😭. manifesting interactions next 𓆩♡𓆪

🐬 (me personally i think this was my most putting-my-foot-down manifesting moment) i overate one time and felt like throwing up, like i was feeling ALL the symptoms i usually do before i throw up so i was like "I'm not gonna throw up im not gonna throw up, remember who's in control. I AM in control, nothing else! the 3d will conform, because i said so, IT'S GOING TO CONFORM, NOW" and then i felt fine, just like that :D

🐬 not needing to get out of bed and take a piss one night when i was rly tired (affirmed "i don't need to piss" until i fell asleep 😭)

🐬 my room being opened one night when i got locked out at like 1/2 am

🐬 my grade in jazz history being raised from a D to a B- (and hopefully an A by the end of the quarter)

🐬 also i have all As in all my other classes

🐬 getting to have a fun hangout before February ended lol

🐬 having friends my age who live in dorms near me xD

🐬 my eczema getting healed without special ointment or anything

🐬 birf control (technically manifested it way back in December bc that was when i got a confirmed appointment but wtv. i got the implant this month so xD)

🐬 clearer skin

🐬 i have super long hair and the ends didn't dry out (technically this is like a continuous manifestation but i just wanted to mention it. basically I've been affirming "the ends of my hair is immune to split ends and drying out as it gets longer" and it worked!)

🐬 being better at trumpet :D (i told my trumpet teacher how much i practiced during one lesson, and continued to play during our lesson even when i surpassed my usual amount of time playing during an average day and he said I've gotten stronger due to playing for so long yet still sounding relatively fresh. and recently I've kept playing for longer amounts of time during the day and I've still been fine so yippe

what i'm looking for manifesting-wise in march:

🦞 shifting lmao

🦞 being successful in my job

🦞 being successful in all areas of life actually

🦞 getting to hang out with both sps + them getting along as friends so we could be a whole trio :3

🦞 my sps texting me first along with me texting them first (like yk how they say it should be like a 50/50 thing with who starts the convos and shit)

🦞 supernatural shit like powers, wings, horns, and like those king sombra kinda smoky eyes

🦞 WORLD. PEACE.

hope this inspired you, and remember, anything is possible, and u are loved!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

[sonofarathorn]

Lessons Learned

Pairing: Frat Boy!Billy Russo x F!Reader Word Count: 1.8k Warnings: Smut (18+ only). Mentions of Alcohol. Unprotected Sex. Spanking. Orgasm Denial. A/N: Here is my fashionably late submission for @33max's writing challenge. I've had this concept in my head for quite a few months, so it was very fun getting to finally write it.

SUMMER OF CUM: DAY TWO - ORGASM DENIAL

The frat house is loud, and packed to the brim. People in varying stages of sobriety laugh and talk in small groups, their fingers wrapped around red Solo cups and silver cans of cheap beer. Music blares from large speakers, and sweaty bodies twist and grind, spellbound by the pounding bass.

You can hear people standing outside the bedroom door, laughing and talking. Constantly in competition with the trashy pop; shouting for their anecdotes, gripes, and flirts to be heard. 

It’s not the most ideal time or place to fuck. Hidden in Billy’s shared room with a crowd of people just outside. Bent over his lofted twin bed, hoping the squeak of the springs can’t be heard over the din of the party. 

Not that you can really complain about time and place, it’s your fault you’re in this position…literally. 

You just had to dance with Brad–or was his name Noah? Had to let Brad-Or-Noah feel you up while you grinded against him. And had to throw heavy-lidded looks and smirks Billy’s way the entire time. 

Well, you poke a bear, you deal with the consequences. The consequences: being fucked into the mattress while 50 Cent played in the background.  

Not that you were complaining. This was the kind of trouble you loved to get yourself into. The kind of trouble that would leave your legs like jelly, and your body filled with a warm, gooey feeling. The kind of trouble that would instantly replay in your mind with just a glance at the shallow teeth marks on your shoulder, and the tender bruises etched into your hips and thighs in the shape of ten perfect fingerprints. 

“Fuck, Billy,” you mumble, as he rolls you onto your stomach. 

Billy groans, and pushes the folds of your dress higher up your body. His hands slide up your side, and he squeezes your breasts. “You just had to wear this dress, didn’t you?” He asks, tweaking your nipples. “You know what it does to me.” 

Yeah, him and every other guy and girl in the near vicinity. 

“Think you did it on purpose,” Billy says through gritted teeth. “Just like I think you danced with Jason on purpose too.” 

“Oh, was that his name?” You ask, smirking at Billy over your shoulder. “I just picked the second hottest guy in the room.” 

You’re rewarded with a sharp smack to your ass. You bite your bottom lip, muffling the cry that rips from your throat. Billy smirks, and spanks you again. This time you can’t help the reedy moan that leaves your lips. 

Fuck, you loved getting him all riled up. 

“Ya trying to make me jealous, baby?” He rubs the sting away. 

“Depends. Is it working?” You raise an eyebrow. 

“No,” he says, cooly, and his hand slides around your body to tease the waistband of your underwear. “Can’t be jealous of him. He doesn’t have you in his bed right now, does he?” 

“You don’t really have me in your bed either. More like bed-adjacent.” You grab his wrist and press his fingers firmly against your clit.

Billy chuckles and rubs slow circles, earning him a small moan from you. “That’s the game we’re playing tonight?” His other hand slides up your back and fists in your hair. 

You groan when he tugs your head back. “What game?”

“The game where your mouth gets you into trouble, and I have to punish you for it.” He nips your ear and your clit throbs. “Keep talking, sweetheart. We’ve got all night.” He lets you fall forward again. 

Your cheek hits the cool comforter. “Just wanted your attention.” 

“Easier ways to do that, honey. Could’ve just asked me to dance.” He deftly unbuckles his belt and pulls it through the loops of his jeans. 

“It’s more fun this way.” 

Billy hums and pops the button of his jeans. “That right? How so?” 

“Cuz I get to see that cute little furrow between your eyebrows when you frown,” you say and Billy scoffs. “The one you’re wearing right now. And then you try to play it off, but I know deep down you want to grab my arm and drag me to some back room. And well...look at us now.” 

“Y’know me so well, huh?” Billy rocks his hips forward, pushing his half-hard cock against your ass.

You grind back, smiling at the small huff he lets out. “Mm-hm. It’s why we work so well together.” 

He’s quiet for a moment, and you know the thoughts he’s cycling through. The drunken one night stand your junior year of college that turned into a series of late night trysts by second semester. What started as stress relief evolved into a routine of sorts. Have a bad day. Text Billy. Fuck Billy. Feel better. Rinse and repeat. And vice versa. It was hard not to get addicted to the familiarity of it. 

Billy shakes it off after a second, that easygoing mask he wears so well slipping right back into place. He pushes his jeans and boxers down to his ankles. “And what am I thinking now?” He spits into his palm and slowly strokes his cock. 

“You want to fuck me.” You grin.

He shakes his head. “Too easy.” He pulls your underwear to the side, and runs two fingers through the slick gathered on your cunt.

“Yeah, but you were thinking it.”  

Billy pulls your hips back to meet his. “You got me there,” he mumbles. “Can’t really blame me when you look like this.” He slowly thrusts into you. 

Your fingers twist into the material of his green and grey comforter, a low, drawn out, moan sliding out into the room. His cock feels amazing, filling you with a warmth that makes your toes curl. You bite your bottom lip, letting the little ripples of pleasure roll over you as Billy stretches you open.

“Fu-uck, you feel good,” he huffs in your ear. Billy curls himself over your body, trailing light kisses up and down your neck as he fills you with deep thrusts. “Love this fucking pussy.” 

You whine his name quietly. 

 “All that hard work you put into getting here, and now you’re quiet.” He bites your shoulder. “Don’t get all shy on me now, baby. You did it. You got my attention, now what?” 

“Fuck me,” you mumble. 

Billy raises an eyebrow. “What was that? Can’t hear you, sweetheart,” he teases.  

“Want you to fuck me.” You say clearer. 

“Me?” Billy asks, pulling all the way out just to thrust back into you sharply. “You sure, baby? Sure you don’t want Jason or some other guy out there to fuck you instead?” 

You shake your head. 

He clicks his tongue. “Use your words.”

“No. I don’t.” 

“Who do you want, honey? Who makes you feel good, always leave you wanting more?” His fingers find your clit again. 

“You.” 

The bed frame shakes and squeals as Billy fucks into you harder. “Say it louder.” 

You hesitate and look up, eyes fixed on the very unlocked door across the room, and the drunk co-eds that linger beyond it.  

Billy tugs your head back gently, lips ghosting over your jaw. “I don’t fucking care who's out there. I wanna hear you say it.” He rubs your clit harder. “You want me or one of those assholes?”

“You,” you cry, squeezing your eyes shut. “I want you.”

You’d be mortally embarrassed of the volume of the sounds you're making if you could think of anything other than the way Billy’s cock rubs against that heavenly spot inside of you. He always knows how to work your body, doing exactly what it took to turn you on, while other guys you’d been with fumbled around ineptly until you faked an orgasm just to get it over with.  

 But not with Billy. Billy never left you anything but satisfied. 

“Why me? Why not Jason?” He asks, as if reading your mind. 

“Because you fuck me s’good. S’fucking good.” you babble, your voice rising. 

Billy groans loudly. “Yeah I do.” He bites your shoulder. “It’s my cock you love, right? Feels good, don’t it?”

“Yes. Oh fuck. I love it when you fuck me, Billy.”

“That’s it, baby. Say my fucking name.” Billy groans. “Sounds so pretty when you say it like that. All fucked out and shit.” He buries his face into your neck. “Goddammit. You’re gonna make me come.” 

Your cunt clenches at Billy’s words and he snaps his hips forward with a groan. 

“Christ. You want my come, sweetheart? “ He groans low and gravelly in your ears, the rhythm of his thrusts growing more erratic.

“Please,” you nod, your own pleasure growing more intense. Bright and bubbling up inside of you, starting low in your stomach and spreading out to the tip of your fingers. Right there, just waiting for you to reach out and take it.  

And just when you’re about to surrender to it, Billy pulls out.

“Shit,” he moans, wrapping a fist around his cock and stroking himself. 

You whine at the sudden loss of contact, and fit a hand between your thighs. 

Billy’s hand comes down on your butt with a crack! “Don’t,” he snaps. “Don’t you dare touch yourself.”

“What the fuck, Billy? I was so close.”

“I know.” His raspy chuckle is cut off by another groan. “I told you your mouth was going to get you in trouble. You think you can tease me all night and get away with it? Oh, honey.” He shakes his head. “You hurt my feelings, and you didn’t even say sorry. Can’t have that.” 

“I’m sor–” 

“Too late for that, baby.” His squeezes his eyes shut as he tumbles over the edge. “You gambled and lost. Shoulda–fuck–shoulda just asked me to dance.” 

He comes with a deep rumble, spilling all over his hand and over your ass. Billy slumps against the bed beside you, a devilish grin on his face. He takes his hat off and brushes the strands of hair from his face. 

You frown at him, still partly in shock from your ruined orgasm. Anger replaces surprise as your heartbeat settles down in your chest. Your wide eyes turned to slits.

Billy brushes his thumb over your pouting bottom lip. “Aw, honey. Don’t be mad at me. Had to teach you a lesson.”

“You're a dick.” You fix your underwear and dress. “And just so you know, I’m just gonna go home and get off anyways.” 

"Gonna use that vibrator I got you?" Billy asks.

"None of your fucking business," You scoff.

“Yeah? Who are you gonna think about?” He crosses his arms over his chest.

“Definitely not you,” You snap, even though it was complete bullshit. 

Billy smirks, catching you in the lie. “It won’t feel as good as me.” He tucks himself back into his jeans and buttons them up. 

He’s right.

“I hate you,” you say, but there’s no real malice. Only mild annoyance. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe even earlier.” He wraps his arm around your waist and pulls you close. Billy slots his lips against yours, his tongue darting out to tease yours. He pulls away slowly, tugging your bottom lip between his teeth. 

“Text me if you need me,” he whispers. 

Then he’s walking out the door, leaving you frustrated as hell.

Asshole.

[askingkyborg]

//nonaskYALLIMSOSORRYIDONTUSEMYMAINITHURTSMYBRAINTOHAVEMORETHANONETHING

WAIAWUAUWAUWAIT I WANT IN ON THE AU STUFF!!!

Here me out :

band au and human au and highschool au. Garage band au. I have thoughts.

bart, kyborg, and mudd are all seniors in high school. Gumgum is a first year/im not from amrica i dont know what thats called.

Bart is sad because its his last year of highschool and he still hasnt made his dream band- hes not been dragged down by gumgum, but he was so focused on him he didnt get around to it- so he decides to wait after the schools music practices and find people to sign up, his only recruit being gumgum on the drums so far. at the same time as this, mudd and kyborg are wrapping up their music classes- piano for mudd and violin for kyborg. They arent friends by any stretch, and mudd straight up doesn't like Kyborg *side note hes usually refered to as ky for the beginning half of it and i'll explain why in a second*, but they happen to be walking close together when bart spots them. Bart and mudd had hung out a few times, bart having taught mudd a few bass guitar things, and so he leaps at the chance. mudd only decides to because hes spent so long being proper (taking piano lessons he hates, coming from a rich and uptight family) he wants to try a hint of rebellion.

kyborg, in an effort to seem cool, asks to join, hiding his violin and saying he can play electric guitar (hes good but hes not as great as he hams himself up to be) .

thus the band "the infinights" is formed.

~~~~~~other character specific stuff~~~~~~

mudd: before joining the band he had black hair but bart helped him dye it. Made his parents mad, but it made him really really, and eventually the other infinights convinced him to tell his parents he wanted to quit piano. Also has epilepsy and memory issues gumgum: gumgum is excited about the band, but it makes him sad as time goes on to know their all going to graduate before him. hes in a foster home, but he doesnt like it, so he spends all his time hanging out in barts flat.

bart: adores having a band. Worked in a near reverse of mudd because managing it all actually taught him to be a bit more responsible. Shared an orphanage with gumgum when they were little, till he found his parents, and had him and gumgum live with him till bart moved out senior year and gumgum got taken to a foster home, the finns a bit too old to handle their chaos. kyborg: is neutral about the band. He likes music, but electric guitar isnt his usual pace, so hes hesitant. Violin was his life until his mother died, and hes working on exploring his other interests. He doesnt show anyone hes missing an arm till a practice where hes having bad phantom pains and has to tell them. Was homeless until highschool, struggling to pay for a small apartment.

Additional:

dr ahem: dr ahem is an inventor that had been scrounging for cash, and decided to let a garage band use his facilities to practice, that became a sensation until they deformed. One night coming home he saw them playing a gig and new they'd be a success and offered his guidance to them. brink: a member of paralytes new band the everguards- thinks hes cool because hes in a band with college kids- plays the drums (its later revealed that he actually plays the trumpet and was just forced to play the drums (spectrils old roll) to make luz happy). He messes around with kyborg- and is the only one in the whole school that knows about kyborgs arm.

inku: works for a corrupt business under a man named entropa. Barts parents were both musicians, good ones too, so with the help of hugh manor manages to trap them both in what seemed like a never ending business contract in order to keep themselves a float financially. Not wanting bart to have to bare not having them be around, they tearfully put him up for adoption and continued working under her.

Quadron: a burglar, vague partners with entropa but really just doing the stealing thing. Was born without arms, and dr ahem spent all his money on making him prosthetics- but this sank his brother into heavy debt and into a heavier depression. He started stealing to make money for them, but eventually it became a vent for his frustration with life. One burglary was towards a comfortable house, but they fought back- so he killed the whole family besides a young kydelious, who instead got shot in the arm near fatally. Qudron ran, lighting the place ablaze- but a while later dr ahem brought a child missing an arm into their home. Kydelious. Seeing quadron sent the kid into a panic, and he fled off into the wilderness.

and yeah! Thats most of it!

[eli-the-bass-guy]

After three days of hard fishing in places that would have the capacity to produce nine of the ten bass in the Georgia Bass Slam I caught four qualifying bass and learned a lot of lessons. My friend and I collectively caught six unique bass species but neither of us obtained five eight inch long specimens of the required fish.

Species obtained between the two of us: Tallapoosa, Bartram's, Largemouth, Spotted, Smallmouth (too small), Shadow Bass (not part of the slam).

Lessons learned:

1. Georgia creeks and rivers can hold a lot of water but are generally flat and fast moving and wide for their size. It is difficult to find pockets containing fish of size. We were wade fishing in every place and some obviously required a watercraft of some sort for longer navigation to find the fish.

2. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources black bass species map is not a good guide. Some of the places on that map were way too shallow at the spots indicated to have fish near the locations. An example of this is the Murder Creek spot for Altamaha bass. Where indicated on the map, this spot is basically a drainage ditch cesspool and a significant hike downstream would be required to find clean and fishable waters.

3. Completing this slam in three days was perhaps an unreasonable goal. However, it was a really fun experience and exposed me to some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen such as the Watkins Mill Bridge which was built in 1885, the gorgeous Mossy Creek area and the Dub Denman Canoe Trail launch sites.

Largemouth bass on the Oconee (no Altamaha’s caught).

The most beautiful sunfish I’ve ever seen caught on Little River.

Bartram’s bass. Note the gorgeous orange tips on the fins. Truly a majestic fish.

My friend’s Bartram’s bass. Beautiful tiger stripes.

[shingekinosimpson]

You Had Me At B Minor: Chapter 13

First | Previous

Pairing: Jean Kirschtein x Marco Bodt

Other relationships: Reibert, Springles, Historia x Ymir, Levi x Hange, a smidge of Jearmin

Rating: Mature

Summary: Jean's band needs a new bass player. Cue freckled Jesus.

Warnings/tags: Long fic, slow burn, Jean POV, friends to lovers, British AU with cannon locations, northern Jean, Unsigned band AU, nonbinary Armin, I promise there will be smut eventually! drinking, mentions of death, descriptions of domestic violence, panic attacks, see start of each chapter for more specific trigger warnings

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

Trigger warnings: n/a

Who am I, darling to you? Who am I? Going to tell you stories of mine Who am I?

Oh, who am I, darling for you? Who am I? Could be a burden in time, lonely Who am I, to you?

And who am I, darling for you? Who am I? Will be a burden Who am I, darling to you? Who am I?

“I got the job!”

“Wh-what??”

“I got the job!!”

“Yes!! Shit that’s amazing, I knew you would!”

“I didn’t! I thought my lesson went a bit wrong but they said I had lots of good things in there and they really liked how I was with the kids and…fuck. I can’t believe I actually got it!”

God I could listen to his voice all day.

I may not have seen Marco as much as I would like this week – nowhere near as much – but I’ve heard that voice plenty. So much so that I swear I can hear the difference between a small smile and a big smile. And let me tell you, that is a wide-ass fucking grin Marco is sporting right now.

Probably matches the one I’m wearing. I’m so fucking pleased for him. The number of times this poor guy’s rang me this week in a total stress and in need of a distraction has almost reached double figures. Not that I mind in the slightest. Although it was pretty eye-opening finding out how much pressure Marco puts on himself, how desperately he wants a steady job so he can give more support to his mam and sister. Even though I’m sure they’d be the first to tell him not to worry. It's a big relief knowing he can stop stressing so much now.

“I’m so fucking happy for you. What did your mam say when you told her? Did she scream in Italian like you said?”

“I haven’t told her yet. I literally just got off the phone with the head teacher. She probably will though.”

“…So…am I the first person you’ve told?”

“Erm, yeah,” he chuckles. “I guess.” It’s a good job I’m sitting down, otherwise that information might’ve floored me. A flush of heat rushes over my cheeks and chest and I grip my phone a little tighter, coyly chewing my lip. He just landed a permanent job and the first thing he does is ring me.

“I mean, you did say to ring you as soon as I heard,” Marco adds.

“Damn right I did!”

“Though now you mention it, I probably should give my mum a ring,” he says with a nervous laugh.

“Probably. I’ll speak to you later though yeah?”

“Yeah okay. Later then.”

“Later. And well done again. You’re gonna be amazing I know it.”

“O-okay.” That’s definitely his blushing voice. “Speak soon.”

As soon as he hangs up, I start typing a message.

HeresJeany:

By the way I am 100% taking you out for food tomorrow to celebrate! :P

He still hasn’t taken up my offer from last week, with him being so busy and all. I hope he doesn’t already have plans.

_________________________________

I've just chucked some chips and fish fingers in the oven (I can't be arsed to cook a proper meal) when my phone starts to ring, the picture of me and Marco where I look like a pineapple flashing up on the screen.

“It's like you knew I was making a fish finger sandwich. Well the answer is no, you can't have any.”

“Aw not even a bite?” he asks, snickering at my blunt greeting.

“Nope. All for me.”

He hums through another chuckle before speaking. “Soooo about food tomorrow. Do you want the good news or the bad news?”

“Err, both I guess?” Okay, I know we're going away to Dauper in like, two days, but I'll still be gutted if he's not free for food. I am seriously craving some Marco time, especially after how touchy-feely he was the last time we hung out together. “What's up?"

“So the good news is we can have food tomorrow.”

Phew!

“Bad news is my mum is going all out cooking a family meal and she is absolutely insisting that you join us.”

What?

“Which basically means you don't have a choice.”

“Err...okay?”

The tips of my ears prickle with nervous energy. Family dinners always fill me with a sense of dread, especially since that disastrous one with Hitch a couple of years ago. I know there's no way Marco's family would be like them, and I've already met Mia but still, there's a formality to these things that sets me on edge.

“You sure? You don't actually have to I was only kidding…but my mum is really keen to meet my friends and... I’d really like it if you came.”

Oh fuck. His voice sounded really adorable there.

“N-no that sounds great! Tell her thanks for the invite that's really nice of her. So erm, what time should I come over?”

“Is six okay?”

“Yeah fine. Do you want me to bring anything or...Oh what do I need to wear? Do I need to wear something smart?”

He barks a laugh at that question. “No absolutely not. Wear anything you like. Though maybe don't risk the Moomin Vans or I might steal them.”

“Haha, okay.”

“Okay. I'll let you get back to your fish fingers.” His voice sounds so gorgeous I kind of don't want him to. “Speak to you later.”

“Okay later then. Bye.”

“Bye Jean.”

_________________________________

I pull the handbrake and toot the horn when I get to Marco's. After finding out he was planning to get the bus, I absolutely insisted on picking him up.

Butterflies are already starting to flip in my stomach in anticipation of seeing him. On one hand, I cannot wait to hang out with him again (it’s pretty much all I’ve thought about the last few days), but I won’t lie, the coward in me wants to run for the hills.

Last weekend was just so…I don’t even know how to describe it. I still have to pinch myself whenever I think about it. The way he was with me felt different. All the touching and blushing. There was just so much fucking joy in his eyes and in his laugh and I felt like I was a big part of that…maybe even the cause of that.

There have been moments when I’ve felt certain of that fact, to the point where I daydream telling him how I feel – what I’ll say, where I’ll say it, what he might say back…But then there have been other moments…moments where I’ve imagined Marco pulling away from me, backtracking on his affections and playing it all off as a bit of fun or drunken silliness…

The front door opens and I look over, my stomach landing with a ker-thump…

Wait, what the actual fuck???

I roll the window down as fast as I can while my eyes start bugging out of my head. “Marco what the hell!?”

WHY?? Why is he wearing a blazer with a fucking shirt and tie!?

He turns to me looking perplexed. “What?”

“What d'you mean 'WHAT'? Why are you dressed like that? You said I didn't have to dress up!”

“I’m not dressed up. I’m just dressed for a family meal. I thought it was obvious you needed to dress like this,” he says sounding a bit hurt.

“Of course it's not obvious! Why do you think I asked!? Shit, I need to go home and get changed. I don't even know if-”

Marco doubles over and starts howling with laughter.

“Oh my god,” he chokes with his hands on his knees. “Your face! Could you be anymore freaked out?”

He descends into wheezy chuckles again holding his stomach.

“Oh my god. You bastard.”

“I'm sorry. I just thought it was cute when you asked about wearing something smart and I couldn't resist.”

My grumpiness can't help but lessen at the word ‘cute’. Not to mention how cute he looks giggling away at me.

“I'll go get changed. Two seconds,” he says turning back.

That little shit. As if he actually came out dressed like that just to mess with me. At least I get a nice view of his arse in smart pants and his nipped in waist as I watch him retreat.

“If you don't come down here looking like a hobo, I'm gonna be seriously pissed!”

I’m treated to one more cheeky smile as he closes the door. My smile stretches so wide my cheeks ache. Fuck. I like him so much.

When he returns, he's definitely dressed way down compared to before but that does nothing to stop my butterflies making themselves known again, twirling and somersaulting like they’re caught in a tornado. He's wearing ripped black skinny jeans and a grey Superdry hoody. That's it. That's literally it. But christ does he look fucking sexy. His thighs and his shoulders and oh my god he just turned to lock the door and look at his arse nnggghhhhh!!

“Better?” he asks with a sunshine smile as he practically skips towards the car.

“Much better,” I answer honestly.

He buckles up and we set off with only ten minutes to spare.

“I am absolutely blaming you if we’re late,” I huff.

“We won't be late. Why are you getting so stressed?” Marco asks with an amused look.

“Because I don't want to make a shit impression.”

“You're really that bothered?”

“Of course I am, they're your family.”

There's a weight to those words I wish wasn't there. Marco considers me from the passenger seat, a warm smile on his face. I don’t realise I’m holding my breath until he speaks.

“You've got nothing to worry about Jean. My family likes you plenty.”

“I've only met Mia remember? Your family don't know me.”

“Okay but they know of you. How you helped out with Mia, how you've helped me...” He looks down at his lap with a blush, picking at the threads near his exposed knee. “My mum's been pestering me to bring you over for a while.”

“She has?”

“Well yeah, I talk about you all the time and she wants to meet-” He stops to clear his throat, brow furrowed. “I mean, she knows how you helped me find Mia that time so, yeah...like I said you've got nothing to worry about, so can you please calm your tits?”

My ears flush hearing he's talked about me with his mam, and all good things by the sound of it. I chew my lip around the huge smile trying to burst across my face, not wanting to look like a complete dork.

“Okay. Calm tiddies from now on. I promise.”

I let the smile out anyway and Marco mirrors it.

To my great relief we’re not super late, arriving one minute after six to be precise. I’m sure with some parents that would result in a passive aggressive comment or just an outright scolding when they answer the door. That is absolutely not what happens when Marco’s mam welcomes us.

“Marcorsetto! Come here my baby boy! Mwah, mwah, mwah!”

Marco’s mam can’t be much over five foot but that doesn’t stop her from pulling his face down for some serious smooches.

Not gonna lie - it’s adorable. She reminds me of Connie’s mam and I instantly like her.

Fuck, I hope she likes me.

She cups Marco’s cheeks with a big smile and then turns to me. “Jean! I’m Gianna. It’s so nice to finally meet you!”

I’m a little (a lot) unprepared for the huge hug I find myself in. The air in my lungs leaves me with an oof but I quickly recover with a chuckle.

“You too! Thanks for inviting me.”

“Oooh molto bello!” she says over my shoulder, making Marco turn crimson.

“Mum!!”

“Hahaha! Come in! Come in! Help yourselves to slippers if you like!” she says disappearing down the passage towards the kitchen.

“Marcorsetto?” I ask, toeing off my shoes.

“Orsetto means ‘little bear’ in Italian.”

“Okay that might be the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Marco slides on some fluffy bunny slippers but I opt for the far more sensible tartan pair. I follow him down the hall towards the kitchen, where a number of voices are chatting animatedly.

“How in the hell? That one’s rigged. It must be!” says a gruff voice.

“It’s not! Here you bloody well use it!”

Opening the door, two things come into focus. The first thing is all the noise – laughter mostly, accompanied by something sizzling loudly on the hob and a classic disco tune dancing out of the radio in the corner. The second thing is the incredible smell. A mix of garlic and onion and herbs and other delicious things I can’t quite put my finger on.

I feel my stomach grumble, like it knows it’s in for a good time.

“Hello bonny lad!” says a stocky man with slightly greying, light brown hair.

He rises from his seat to give Marco a quick hug. The lady next to him – a dead-ringer for Marco’s mam – also stands, her eyes soft when she pulls Marco towards her.

“Hello Marco sweetheart!”

“Hi! You both okay?”

They nod and hum, both throwing a smile and a sideways glance in my direction.

“This is my friend Jean,” Marco beams making my stomach flip. “Jean, this is my Uncle Dave and Aunty Maxine.”

“Good to meet you son!” Uncle Dave smiles giving my hand a warm shake.

“Call me Max,” his Aunty replies, slipping a delicate hand in mine for a moment.

I greet them both in turn and take a seat next to Mia, offering her a quick ‘hi’. She quietly returns it, giving me what I think is a genuine smile before looking up at her Uncle Dave.

“C’mon then! You’ve got the rigged one so you shouldn’t have a problem now.”

Dave gives a hearty laugh, holding a small red counter between thumb and forefinger.

“Oh jeez,” Marco moans. “Tiddlywinks again Dave? You know she can’t be beaten.”

That explains the random assortment of things on the table – a red cup, counters of different colours and sizes and a few small, plastic animals - the kind you’d get in a Christmas cracker.

“Right then, this is the one I can feel it,” Dave smirks.

He presses the edge of his counter to another and it pings across the table, missing the red cup by quite a margin.

“Bollocks,” Dave grumbles, causing everyone to laugh. “Haway boys see if you can beat her. An entire pound coin is riding on this game!”

Marco grabs a small plastic spider with a weird tab sticking out of its arse. He presses his finger to the tab and the spider jumps forward, grazing the edge of the red cup before landing on the table.

“Oh, so close! C’mon Jean, see if you can get one in,” Maxine says excitedly.

I consider the options before me.

“I’ll try my luck with Mr Froggy I guess.”

I grab the green plastic frog and place it in front of me, deciding the best angle. I notice Marco and Mia sharing a smile but think nothing of it…

“JESUS!”

…Until the plastic frog flies a fucking mile and they both burst out laughing.

“Oh god I’m so sorry!”

The fucking frog has flown over to the kitchen bench and plopped right into the fucking salad bowl. I jump up and rush over to pick it out, muttering a million apologies to Gianna.

She laughs warmly, grabbing it before I get the chance. “It’s fine Jean darling don’t panic. You two!” she snaps, throwing the frog in Marco and Mia’s general direction. “You could have warned the poor boy!”

Marco gets his giggles under control and pats me on the shoulder when I sit down. “Sorry. The frog is notoriously hard to control. It always goes flying no matter how softly you try to do it.”

“And you just let me choose it without saying anything! Some friend you are,” I say shoving him in the shoulder.

“Wicked boy,” Gianna smiles, swatting Marco with a tea towel.

“He’s a menace!” I laugh. “Have you heard what he did to me when I picked him up?”

I tell the tale of Marco winding me up with his bloody suit, much to the amusement of everyone else.

“Oh Marco you are awful!” Gianna says with a laugh. “Right clear the table then. This will be ready soon. Marco darling, can you grab the bread from the oven? Mia, help me with the plates, would you sweetie?”

“Anything I can do to help?” I ask.

“No Jean darling you’re our guest! You just relax,” Gianna insists.

“Can I tempt you with some wine Jean?” Maxine asks, pouring herself a glass of red.

“Oh, yes please. Just a small one though. I’m driving.”

Plates and bowls start appearing on the table – bread fresh from the oven and oil for dipping, tomatoes and mozzarella, and something else I’m not quite sure of.

“Wow. This looks amazing. Is that hummus?”

“It’s mashed cannellini beans with garlic and a bit of lemon,” Gianna smiles. “Here, try it on some bread, it’s delicious!”

Literally everything is delicious. Marco was right about his mam being an amazing cook. And I can’t believe all this is just the starter. Everyone quietens during the first part of the meal, enjoying the food too much to bother with conversation, but it soon picks back up again when the last few bits disappear from our plates.

Dave and Maxine have plenty of questions for Marco about his new job. He gets so enthusiastic talking about all the ideas he has for his new class. It’s nice listening to him interact with Dave and Maxine – he’s clearly very fond of them and I can tell they have a lot of love for him too. They both come across as genuinely lovely people and it warms my heart to know that, despite his past, Marco has a loving family he can rely on.

“Alright dig in everyone!” Gianna smiles after presenting us with the main course – mushroom risotto.

“Mmm, wow, this is really good,” I mumble around a mouthful of heaven.

It is literally the best mushroom risotto I’ve ever tasted in my life. I’m not even that into mushroom risotto, but I would happily have this one every day of the week.

“Thank you dear! You can come back anytime,” Gianna replies with a wink.

Now I see where Marco gets his cheeky nature from.

“How’s the band going Marco?” Maxine asks after we’ve all been tucking in for a while. “Your mum was telling me you’ve had a couple of gigs.”

“Yeah, good thanks,” he says scratching his neck. “I’ve managed to remember most of the songs so far, so that’s good.”

Like hell am I gonna sit here and let him be so modest.

“He’s doing more than good. Your nephew is one seriously talented man,” I say, more to Marco than Maxine.

“A seriously talented man you say!” Maxine beams.

“He’s overexaggerating,” Marco smiles, nudging my shoulder and blushing prettily.

“I’m definitely not! None of us can believe our luck he joined. We’ve never sounded better.”

Marco’s cheeks flush a deeper shade of red but I just smile. I’m only telling the truth after all.

“Aww how lovely! My clever boy,” Gianna gushes, smooching the top of his head as she gets up to grab another bottle of wine.

“Well that’s good to know…because I have a bit of a proposition for you boys,” Maxine grins. “You know your cousin Sara’s wedding is coming up? In June?”

“Yeah,” Marco replies.

“Well the band they booked for the evening have cancelled. Would you boys be interested? No pressure but I said I’d ask.”

“You guys have done weddings before right?” Marco asks, turning to me.

“Yeah, we have. They’ve always been a good laugh.”

“I’ve no idea what songs they’d like but if you send her a message on Facebook, I’m sure she’ll be happy to give you the details,” Maxine continues.

“Okay I’ll get in touch with her. What do you reckon Jean? Will Connie and Eren be interested?”

“I’m sure they would be up for it. Hey, maybe by June I’ll have finally convinced you to start singing,” I grin.

“Doubtful,” he smiles, rolling his eyes at me.

“Thank you!” Mia suddenly pipes up, gesturing at me. “See Marco, how many times have I said you should be singing?”

“He’s got a good voice, hasn’t he?” I say to Mia. Good to know I’m not the only one who’s told him so.

“Yeah! He always used to beat me on Singstar. He’s well good.”

“Oh, what was that song you used to sing so beautifully together?” Gianna ponders. “The ‘hold on for one more day’ song.”

“Ah, Wilson Phillips,” Mia answers.

“Yes! Oh I used to love it when you sang that together.”

“Well, maybe Sara will want it at the wedding if Marco’s that good!” Dave laughs.

“Listen if you heard this guy sing,” Marco says gesturing to me, “you wouldn’t be praising my singing abilities.”

I’m almost derailed by his compliment but I power through. “There’s always room for more singers in the band Marco, and we’d be daft not to make use of your voice from time to time.”

He hums, wilting under my and Mia’s staring. “I’ll think about it.”

“You bloody better,” Mia mumbles, smirking at Marco.

Gianna gets up starts clearing the table, asking Maxine a million questions about the wedding as she places our dishes in the sink. Marco makes a start on washing them and Mia soon gets up to help him dry. They speak in hushed voices as they work side by side so I can’t hear what they’re saying, but at one point Marco grabs the tea towel out of Mia’s hand and slaps her playfully on the head with it.

Then dessert starts appearing on the table – chocolate ganache with shortbread, strawberries and orange segments to share. I wasn’t sure I’d want any dessert after the filling risotto but oh man does it look good. Gianna recommends smoothing some ganache onto the shortbread and topping it with an orange segment so I go for that first.

Marco smiles when I hum contentedly. “It’s good right?”

“Sooo good.”

“I hear you’re heading off on holiday tomorrow boys,” Dave comments with a grin.

“Yeah. Our friend’s grandma is lending us her holiday cottage for the weekend,” Marco replies with a smile in my direction, making my ears prickle.

“Oh nice. Good friend to have. Just the two of you is it?” Dave beams.

“N-no,” Marco splutters turning red, which makes me turn red. Even more so when Mia tries to cover up her snort with a cough. “There’s about ten of us going.”

Marco takes a sip of water, so he doesn’t notice Maxine’s death glare or Dave bewilderedly mouthing ‘what!?’ It’s kind of funny actually, like seeing what Connie and Sasha will be like in 30 years.

“Whereabouts is the cottage you’re all staying in?” Maxine asks, trying to ease some of the tension.

“Dauper,” Marco replies.

“Ooooh lovely! Gorgeous part of the world Dauper. We’ve been a couple of times. Have you ever been Jean?”

“No. Looking forward to it though. The dark skies are meant to be great there.”

“Oh yes, the night sky is beautiful in that area! Oh Dave, what was the name of that pub? The one where you had that gorgeous trout…”

Dave and Maxine give us all their best tips for where to go and what to do. Hearing them talk about it so merrily gets me even more excited for the trip.

After practically licking my bowl clean, I excuse myself to go to the bathroom. I find Katniss snoozing on the landing.

“Hey baby girl!”

She indulges me in some head scritches, before sleepily rolling over for some tummy love. I slip my phone out of my pocket to snap some cheeky pics, though my desperate need to pee stops it turning into a full photo shoot. I’ve just finished up in the bathroom and cracked open the door when I hear Dave’s voice downstairs in the hall.

“Max! C’mere I can’t find it.”

A few seconds later I hear Maxine. “You never bloody can despite it being right in front of your face! There! Look! In the front pocket like I said…I’ll bloody kill you for embarrassing Marco.”

“Wha-? How’s it embarrassing to ask if you’re going on holiday with your boyfriend?”

“They’re not boyfriends!” Max whispers exasperatedly.

“I thought Gianna said they were?”

“No! They’re just friends!”

“Oh bloody hell. Put my foot right in it there then,” Dave grumbles.

“Gianna said she thought they might become boyfriends. She says Marco talks about him all the time.”

“Oh yeah, that was it…Well you can see why I thought they were already an item. They’d make a lovely couple wouldn’t they?”

“Yeah…a right handsome pair. Oh, I hope they do. Jean seems so lovely.”

I’ve literally frozen to the spot. I dare not move, or even breathe for that matter.

As if I’ve got Marco’s flesh and blood rooting for me! Holy shit!

I couldn’t help but wonder what Gianna thought when Marco let slip he talks to her about me. At worst, I thought she might be wary of me hurting him like so many others before. At best, I hoped she’d be grateful Marco had found a good friend. To hear she thinks there might be something more than friendship though…I’m just…Gyaahhh!!!

Worrying my absence might start to become suspicious, I close the bathroom door loud enough to make my presence known and head down the stairs. Dave and Max quickly hush up at the sound.

“Alright dear?” Maxine smiles.

“Just grabbing my insulin pen! Needed a bit of a top-up after helping myself to too much dessert!” Dave laughs.

I smile widely; I really can’t help it after what I’ve just heard. “Bet it was worth it though. That chocolate ganache was insane.”

“Bloody gorgeou-”

A series of giggles and a surge in volume makes us all turn our heads towards the kitchen. We share an inquisitive smirk, heading to investigate what’s so funny.

The three Bodts are dancing up a storm around the kitchen table. Marco’s toing and froing between his mam and Mia, waltzing and spinning them as they sing along to George Michael and Aretha Franklin.

Maxine and Dave both laugh and smile but my lips only twitch slightly. My smile is soft and tender as a bittersweet tug in my stomach sends warmth throughout my body. I was right when I said Connie, Eren and I were lucky to have found such a talented bassist, but the bigger truth of how lucky I am to have found Marco fills me to the brim as I watch him laugh and smile.

He looks radiant and just…impossibly beautiful.

“Show them how it’s done Maxy!”

Dave takes hold of Maxine and they begin to sway back and forth. After a few beats, they break apart and grab a hold of the nearest person – Mia and Gianna – and start dancing with them.

Emboldened by Dave and Maxine’s earlier conversation, I take a step forward and sweep into Marco’s space, my fingers slipping into his palm as I lead him in a twirl. He chuckles and returns the favour, spinning me away and pulling me back. My hand finds a hold in the dip of his waist on instinct, and I rock him side to side, not caring one little bit for the goofy grin on my face or the glowing looks I get from Marco’s family.

And then he sings and the warm fuzzies in my chest increase tenfold.

“So we were draaaawwwn tooogether through destinyyyyyy…ooh boy. Ooh!

I know this loooove weeee share was meant to beeeee. Oh!

Knew you were waiting! WooOoooh, yeah!”

The rest of his family are singing too but I the only sound I hear is him. I beam and laugh at the way he hits the high notes, doing his best over-the-top popstar impression.

“Oh, when the valley was low. No, it didn't stop meeeee, no!

Knew you were waiting! Knew you were waiting for me!”

I’m giddy when he spins me away and tugs me back into his orbit. He laughs and something flashes in his eyes when they meet mine. He pulls me close enough to meet the warmth of his torso as the song draws to a close. Our embrace only lasts for a moment, but it leaves me lightheaded and breathless. I reach out a hand to steady myself on a chair as we all break apart.

“Always knew I’d married into a family of crackerjacks!” Dave chortles, giving Mia a quick tickle on her side before sitting down. “Reckon me and Jean should run for the hills while we still have a chance!”

“I dunno,” I grin, taking my seat next to Marco. “Reckon the food is worth the craziness.”

“Ooooh you’re definitely allowed back again you little charmer!” Gianna coos, squidging my shoulders (to my absolute delight). “Phew! I need a brew after that. Shall I put a pot of tea on?”

Max helps Gianna sort out the cups and teapot while Mia and Dave start setting out the tiddlywinks again. I look at Marco with a coy smile, still a little dazed from the moment we shared.

“I promise we’re not always this mental,” he smiles quietly. “But now you know, if that song ever comes on the radio, it’s pretty much a given we’ll all drop everything and start dancing.”

“Fine by me. I love a good twirl around the kitchen now and then,” I smirk, resting my head on my hand.

It makes Marco blush for some reason, though maybe he's just flushing from all the dancing.

“Why that song?” I ask.

“Well my mum used to play it a lot when we were younger,” he starts, keeping his voice low, “but once it was the three of us, I noticed...when she played it, she started actually singing along with it. I’d never heard her sing before. So I started joining in and then eventually Mia did too and it kind of escalated from there.”

Once again, I'm in awe of Marco and his family. In awe of how they’ve found the strength to sing and laugh after everything they've endured. In awe of how much love and warmth they extend to everyone around them when they could so easily have closed themselves off. They're amazing.

“You fancy another round boys?” Dave asks, wiggling a tiddlywink in our direction. 

We stay another hour or so, sharing a few laughs and silly stories as all the delicious food settles in our stomachs.

After bidding the rest of Marco's family goodbye, his mam follows us to the door to see us out.

“You will come again won’t you Jean?”

“I’m literally booking in for every Sunday! Can’t remember the last time I was so well fed,” I reply.

“Oh you’re more than welcome dear. Thank you so much for coming.”

She pulls me into a squishy hug and then turns to Marco, pulling him down to reach her.

“Love you baby boy. Have the best time this weekend okay? You deserve it sweetheart.”

“Love you. I will, don’t worry,” he says with a sleepy smile, resting his head on her shoulder a moment.

Too cute.

“Drive safe Jean okay?” Gianna smiles.

“I will. Gotta get this precious cargo there in one piece,” I grin, giving Marco a playful squeeze on the shoulders.

I run around to the driver’s side as Marco slumps into the passenger seat. We bid Gianna another farewell and pull out into the road. Marco settles back with a contented sigh, gazing sleepily out the window.

“...I really like your family,” I say after a moment.

Marco's gaze jerks towards me, a look of surprise on his face, but it quickly softens into a smile.

“Yeah,” he breathes. “I like them too.”

“I can't believe how much your Aunty Max looks like your mam!”

“I know. Apparently they'd always get mistaken for twins when they were kids.”

Marco tells me more about his aunty and uncle during the drive; the shenanigans Dave gets up to at family parties and the jumpers Max makes for them every Christmas.

We pull up outside Marco’s much sooner than I would like. Luckily he doesn't seem to notice, continuing his story about the time Dave ended up in A&E, after losing a fight with a goose that took a disliking to him.

We giggle and laugh with our heads resting against the back of our seats, our general sleepiness starting to take over.

He looks over at the front door and sighs. “Guess I should head in,” he says with a sad smile, unbuckling his seat belt. “Thanks again for the lift.”

“Anytime.”

I pause. Secretly hoping he invites me in to hang out. I know he won't though. It's late and we've got a long drive tomorrow...Still though.

“So erm, d'you..?” he starts and I hold my breath.

“Do you...still wanna pick us up at eleven tomorrow?”

“Oh. Erm...yeah 'course. Eleven still works for me.”

I make a point of ignoring the disappointment I feel in the pit of my stomach.

“Okay cool,” he says climbing out of the car. It feels like he has something else to say. “See you tomorrow then. Drive home safe.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow,” I reply, trying to work out what expression I can see in his features, but it changes into a sweet smile before I get the chance.

He turns with a wave of his hand and I release a pent-up breath. My chest and stomach twist as I watch him head inside. It's not exactly an unpleasant feeling though.

I replay so many parts of this evening in my head on the drive home, but when my head finally hits the pillow, it's the voice of Dave that sends me to sleep with a smile.

'They'd make a lovely couple wouldn’t they?'

_________________________________

Connie helps me load up the car before waving me off (with an actual fucking hanky he got from god knows where) with an obnoxiously loud 'Farewell my beloved!'

Due to a couple of other people booking time off, there was absolutely no way Connie could get away from work before 8pm tonight, so he's joining us later. I feel bad knowing he’ll be on his own for the journey. I would have offered to go with him but that would have meant making Eren and Marco late too and it seemed silly not to make the most of our stay.

I park my car outside Eren and Marco’s and give the horn a quick toot, rolling the window down so I can lean on my elbow while I wait. My phone beeps after less than a minute. I’m expecting something silly from Marco but it’s from Eren.

Jaegermeister:

Good fucking luck

What the hell?

HeresJeany:

???????

Jaegermeister:

>:-)

Before I tap out another reply, the front door opens and the meaning behind Eren’s message becomes all too clear.

“Morning!” Marco says cheerfully.

He’s got his hair tied back again. A few wavy tendrils are escaping from where it’s loosely pulled back…It looks really fucking good.

“Hey you,” I smile, not really bothering to hide the affection in my tone.

“Good morning my favourite douche!” Eren squawks obnoxiously, appearing behind Marco with a shit-eating grin.

“Your smelly ass needs one!”

My reply doesn’t faze him in the slightest.

“You doing alright?” he asks with a knowing smirk I’m glad Marco can’t see.

I decide to ignore him, jumping out of the car to open the boot for Marco.

After loading up their bags, I connect my phone to the car stereo. It takes nearly three hours to get to Dauper, but the music I've put together for the journey is a veritable 90s/00s wet dream of a playlist so we’re in for a good time.

Marco catches my eye and smiles as he recognises the opening bars of Sabotage by the Beastie Boys surging through the speakers. I smirk back before checking on Eren.

"We all clunk-clicked back there?"

"Yes Mam."

"Right let's go then."

After our rendezvous with everyone at Sasha’s, we head off – Mikasa taking Sasha, Armin and Historia in one car with Bert and Reiner in the other. The busy streets of Trost gradually fall away as we make our way to the motorway. There's a buzz in the car that affirms just how excited we all are for the trip. Between sing-alongs, taking the piss out of shitty drivers and sniggering at weird place names, the journey goes by quickly. Even the heavy rain we hit half an hour in doesn’t dampen our spirits.

Marco is especially animated, twisting in his seat to laugh and joke or reaching forward to turn the music up every time of one his favourites comes on (which is often!). The whole car vibrates when Goon Squad by Deftones gets turned up a notch and we all sing (scream) the lyrics as we clear the last of the rain clouds.

“I feel like ‘Goon Squad’ would be a good name for us if we ever decide to become vigilantes and fight crime,” Eren says as the next song starts and we catch our breath.

“Maybe for you two,” I tease. “I think Captain Kirschtein and the Goon Squad sounds better though.”

“You fucking wish.”

“Hmm, I don’t think I know this one,” Marco says nodding at the stereo.

I cock an eyebrow at him as the persistent riff of Good Morning, Captain starts up again. “How can a total 90s dweeb like you not know Slint?”

He looks at me blankly. “Slint?”

“Oh my god. Spiderland? Are you kidding me?? Right, you need to listen to this song.”

Eren starts babbling away to Marco about the album and how the band originally wanted it to be instrumental, that is until I turn and smack him on the leg.

“Okay OW!”

“Well fucking shut up! You can tell him when the song’s over!”

Crashing cymbals and guttural guitars fill the car as Marco taps out the rhythm on his knee. When the song reaches its crescendo, he looks over at me.

“Oh man, I think I have a new band boner!”

I laugh, because it’s obviously a joke, but he says it with such a salacious grin that I blurt out, “Wait, seriously?”

All he does in reply is stick his tongue between his teeth and waggle his eyebrows at me.

Shit that’s hot.

I cover how flustered it makes me with a chuckle and focus on the road. My imagination starts running wild though, and I can’t help the way my gaze slides over to Marco’s crotch just to have a cheeky look.

“Saw that.”

My eyes snap up to Eren in the mirror.

“Saw what?” Marco asks, thankfully oblivious.

“You didn’t see shit Jaeger.”

He chuckles, very obviously pleased with catching me red-handed.

Despite all the singing and chatting, Eren still manages to conk out about two hours into the journey. Never in my life have I known this guy stay awake on a long car trip.

“Oh, man down,” Marco smiles quietly looking back at Eren.

My eyes flit up to the mirror and I see his reflection; slumped down into his hoody and gently rocking with the car’s movement. I turn the music down a little. I don’t really need to – Eren could sleep through the apocalypse – but Marco’s hushed voice makes me feel like I should.

After a few songs, I notice Marco glancing at me out of the corner of my eye, his mouth opening and closing as if he wants to say something. Eventually he clears his throat and speaks.

“Hey I meant to ask…” he trails off, looking oddly awkward all of a sudden.

“Yeah?”

He scratches his neck and looks out of his window instead of at me.

“I know you and Connie are roomies but…I figured he might be sharing with Sasha so…I was thinking it might be nice if - I mean I don't know what the sleeping arrangements are at this place but," his eyes flit over to me as he babbles and stutters. "Do you...do you maybewannasharearoomwithme?”

Ba-dump.

I’ve thought about it. Obviously I've thought about where I might be sleeping - where he might be sleeping - but I figured people would just pair off when we got there and that Eren would somehow wingman me to make sure I share with Marco.

What I didn't think about was Marco just coming straight out and asking me!

Shit. How do I answer this without completely giving myself away or making it weird?

“E-Err,” I stammer, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.

“We don't have to!" he backtracks when I fail to answer. “If you've already arranged something with Eren or Armin or whoev-”

My determination not to screw this up brings confidence surging back to my voice in an instant. If he’s got the guts to ask me, there’s no way I’m going to ruin it by losing my cool.

“We can share a room.”

“…Yeah?” Marco asks with a slight tone of disbelief.

“Yeah ‘course we can share a room. It'll be fun,” I add with a big smile to show him I’m not just being polite.

“Okay...cool,” Marco replies.

The way he ducks his head to hide his own smile and blush makes me giddy, though that feeling is definitely coupled with weird mixture of nervousness and anticipation. My stomach starts flipping at the thought of what might be whispered and confessed in the dark, when we're wrapped in soft blankets and sleepiness has lifted our filters…

Then a short but incredibly loud snort from Eren snaps me back to the present. Marco and I both lock eyes before breaking into hysterics.

“What the hell!?” I laugh, with Marco wheezing beside me.

“Huh? Wha?” Eren murmurs, squinting at us with sleepy eyes and wiping the drool from his chin.

_________________________________

By late afternoon we reach Dauper. After staying within close range of each other on the motorway, we all manage to take the exit at the same time and follow Sasha’s car as it weaves its way along the narrow, grass-lined roads.

The higher we climb, the more beautiful the scenery becomes. The houses become less frequent and older in style, broken up by farmers’ fields, rolling hills and the occasional mill.

“Deer! Oh my god there’s deer in that field!” Marco says excitedly, causing Eren to press his face up at the window and gawk.

There’s so much wildlife here. Aside from the deer we also spot a huge flock of geese flying in a V-formation above us, a fox zipping across a field and we narrowly miss hitting a pheasant that thought it was a good idea to stand in the middle of the road.

After a couple of tight turns and an awkward encounter with a tractor, we pull onto the cobbled lane with the cottage at the end. The car judders and wobbles as we follow Sasha, with Bert and Reiner behind us. Eventually, we stop outside a stone building with blue pastel windows and a yellow door.

“Wow. This looks nice,” Marco says with bright eyes after we climb out of the car.

It really does.

Armin gasps from the open door of Sasha’s car, looking at the driveway. “How am I going to get to the door? My Vans are going to get ruined!”

The rain stopped over an hour ago, but it must’ve been especially heavy in Dauper if the puddles around us are anything to go by. My eyes travel down Armin’s all-black outfit to the new lilac Vans on their feet. Yep. Those kicks are gonna be fucked.

Marco chuckles beside me and asks, “Why are you wearing them for a trip to the countryside? I thought you were smart!”

“Typical bloody PhD student – all those brains and no common sense,” Eren grumbles heading in Armin’s direction.

“I’ve got sensible clothes in my bag! I just wanted to be comfy for the journey. Plus their cute as fuck,” Armin adds with a cheeky grin that makes me smile.

“Alright c’mere princess.”

Eren sweeps Armin off their feet, earning a loud laugh from Sasha and a whoop from Historia.

“Eren!” Armin cries with a smile.

“Do you want your shoes to get muddy or not?” He starts heading to the door and calls over his shoulder, “Can someone get my bags? Hands are a bit full of idiot here!”

“Yeah I got ‘em,” I laugh, bending over my seat to reach into the back.

When I straighten up, I feel eyes on me and turn to see Marco, a red blush blooming on his face as he quickly looks down.

Erm…?

“H-here, let me take the guitars for you,” he says reaching out his hand, still not meeting my eyes.

“Oh, thanks.”

Was he…was he checking me out just now??

I walk around to the open boot, purposely (and unnecessarily) bending over again to get my own guitar.

“You threatening us with a good time Kirschtein?” Reiner barks behind us, laughing as he walks past with Bert in tow.

“You wish!” I yell as I dig around in the boot.

I look back at Marco with a sly grin, straightening up to give him mine and Eren’s guitars, but keeping my back arched so my ass sticks out.

“Here you go,” I say, my tongue poking slightly between my teeth.

“Thanks,” he replies, ducking his head with a smirk, the blush on his cheeks intensifying.

Excitement sparks through me as I watch him walk away. As if I just flirted with him! And he didn’t seem to mind!

I follow him along the yellow gravel path, lined with daisies and bluebells. The back door opens straight onto the kitchen, which is an impressive mix of exposed stone, patterned tiles and rich blue cabinets. My eyes follow the old, wooden beams across the ceiling, down to a large dining table at the opposite end.

“Woah. This place is stunning!” Marco chirps, turning in a slow circle as he takes it all in.

Cute.

He cranes his head to look up the staircase beside the back door.

“Should we put our bags in a room or-”

“Guys come see how cosy the living room is!” Armin yells, appearing in the doorway opposite us.

They reach forward and grab Marco’s hand before we’ve even had a chance to reply, dragging him through the door. I follow them both with a smile.

Wow. It certainly is cosy in here, though way bigger than I was expecting; they must have knocked down a wall down at some point. There are rugs all over the floor, cushions and throws all over the furniture and bookshelves all over the walls. Aside from the TV mounted on the wall, everything has a comforting, old-timey feel to it. The beams across the ceiling match the ones in the kitchen, but there’s no exposed stone from what I can see. Instead, a rich navy colour covers the walls.

Everyone’s in the living room now, except Sasha, but she soon makes her presence known.

“Hey guys?” she calls from the kitchen.

“Yeaaah?” a few of us reply.

She appears in the doorway with a look that spells ‘trouble’.

“Bedrooms are first come first serve and I may have forgot to mention, some are waaay nicer than others…Bagsie the master bedroom!” she cries racing off.

Everyone silently glances at each other before bursting into action. There’s a massive crush as we all try to fit through the doorway at once. Thankfully I hadn’t sat down yet so I get through quickly, heading for the staircase just ahead of everyone else.

I’ll get us a good room Marco don’t you wor- “Ahh!!”

Someone pulls my ankle and I land flat on the stairs. I look up to see Mikasa long-jumping over me and racing up the rest of the steps.

“Go Kasa!” Armin shouts somewhere behind me.

I try to get my legs back under me before I’m trampled. Luckily, the next thing I feel is a pair of warm hands hooking under my arms and lifting me up.

“Man down!” Marco laughs. “C’mon Jean we can do thi- Ahhh!”

Marco collapses on top of me as Eren scrambles over both of us.

“Eren! You fucking tool! Mikasa’s already won you a room!” I squawk.

Someone else tries to get passed us but Marco gets up before they manage it.

“Not so fast Bertie boy!” Marco cries, blocking Bert’s path. “Go on Jean! Go!”

I leave Marco to wrestle the giant and hop up the rest of the stairs two at a time. I dive left but quickly back up when I see the bunk beds against the wall – No fucking thank you! Footsteps thunder up the stairs so I take my chances with the first room on the right.

Oh thank fuck.

I hop up onto the double bed, claiming it as my own and more than willing to fight if anyone tries to take it from me.

Bert sticks his head in the door muttering a quick ‘shit’ when he sees me sitting on the bed. There’s a commotion further down hall. I really want to go look when I hear Sasha screaming ‘Mikasa! Put me down!’ but I dare not leave my spot.

“Bunk beds!? No fucking thank you!” Historia’s voice. I have an awful feeling about where this is going. “Haha! Give it up Kirschtein! This room is mine!”

She runs towards me, with a manic grin, trying to grab my legs so she can pull me off.

“No no no! Marco! Help!”

Historia and I both laugh and giggle as she tries to get a hold on me. I keep her at bay with the two pillows I’ve grabbed, just long enough for Marco to come in and save the day.

“Waahhh!”

Distracted by our battle for the bed, she doesn’t realise Marco’s behind her until he’s lifting her up over his shoulder.

“Oh no you don’t!” he laughs carrying her out as her little legs wiggle and kick.

He plops her on the floor, runs back inside and closes the door. I hop over to join him, both of us laughing as we brace ourselves, ready for someone to push it open. Luckily no one does and we slump down to the floor after a minute or two, our faces flushed from all the excitement.

“Seems like we’re safe for now,” I smile, leaning my head against the door.

“Yeah,” Marco replies taking in his surroundings. “Hey this room is pretty nice. Good job.”

It is now that I look at it. It’s not super big and the window doesn’t let much light in, but the peachy paint, wall tapestries and salt lamps create a really snug, mellow vibe.

“Aw look, they’re cute,” Marco says pointing up.

I smile at his reaction, looking up to see a dozen little crochet plant pots hanging from a wooden beam, woven flowers sitting inside each one. They do look very sweet all dangling there above the bed.

“My grandma used to crochet stuff for me, when she was alive,” I smile.

“Oh yeah?” He tilts his head to look at me.

“Yeah, lots of bonnets when I was a baby, then toys. She was really good at animals. I had a whole farmyard at one point. My favourite was Buchwald the horse.”

“Buchwald?” Marco laughs, his breath tickling my cheek.

“Yeah, she was half German and she often gave them German names. His mane was really cool. It was made of this thick but super soft wool or something. I used to like running my fingers through it.”

“Oh I had a toy I used to do that with! Mine was a lion though. Rory - you know because…lions roar.”

An unattractive snort escapes me and he chuckles softly, his eyes not just looking at me, but seeming to take in my whole face. I wish I had the willpower to stay where I am, but I get a little flustered at our close proximity and get up, grabbing one of the cushions and a throw that’s fallen off the bed as I go.

“You reckon it’s safe to get our bags now?” he asks.

“Maybe, don’t let your guard down completely though. Hey Marco, look at this.”

I’d never even heard of this book until Marco gave it to me so I don’t know what the chances are of finding another copy here of all places but there it is – What we see in the stars – the book Marco gifted me after our visit to Trost museum, sitting on the stone windowsill.

“Oh wow!” Marco says when he sees what I’m holding.

Butterflies start flipping in my stomach. He reaches out and I swear I feel it hum with energy or some shit when he takes it from me. My pulse quickens. He holds it with a soft smile, glancing at the other star themed trinkets on the windowsill.

“Weird. It’s like we were meant to have this room,” he says with an awkward laugh.

Asddfghhjkl!! I was thinking it, but I didn’t think he’d actually fucking say it!

I nervously laugh too, my face turning crimson.

“Haha, yeah. Maybe it’s a good omen for some stargazing tonight.”

Then as if to say, ‘we’ll see about that’ Mother Nature decides to fuck me over – the gentle pitter-patter outside turns into a downpour, hammering against the window.

“Well fuck.”

“Yeah. Looks like we’re staying in tonight.”

_________________________________

After unpacking, nobody is in the mood to brave the rain for the sake of the pub, so we decide to have a night in; everyone’s brought some food for a buffet anyway. I have a quick shower, stick my comfy clothes on and then head downstairs to join everyone.

Eren and Armin are gathered around the woodburning fireplace, constructing a pile of logs and kindling. There’s a spot on the sofa next to Marco with my name on it. I sit next to him with a smile and a sigh, sinking into the plush green velvet.

“Do you guys even know what you’re doing?” Historia asks, looking rather regal sitting in a Chesterfield wingback chair.

“Well, I’m a man so I assume it’s in my DNA somewhere,” Eren smirks, knowing fine well he’s going to wind Historia up with that comment.

“That is the biggest load of bullshit I have ever heard! Penises are not valid qualifications for fire building!” she protests.

“What about penises?” Reiner grins suddenly appearing in the doorway, earning a very big eyeroll from me.

“Yes!” Eren cries when the tiniest of fires flickers into existence, both arms in the air. “AND JESUS WEPT! FOR MAN HAD CREATED FIRE!” It flickers out the moment he stops speaking. “…Shit.”

Historia is beside herself, hanging over the arm of the chair and cackling at Eren’s disappointed face.

“Well you bloody have a go then!” he snaps.

“I’ve never lit a fire before and I’m not arrogant enough to just assume I can,” Historia snaps back.

“Maybe there’s a book somewhere explaining how to do it,” Armin suggests.

“Min we are NOT reading a book to find out how to do something as basic as light a fire,” Eren says with a huff.

Reiner and Bert opt for the biggest armchair, the shorter pulling the other one into his lap and twining their legs together.

“Thanks again for switching Historia,” Bert smiles.

“No worries. Though I’m sad I won’t get to see one of you trying to fit into that top bunk.”

“You’re too nice Historia. I’d have paid good money to see Bert sleeping in that with his big legs hanging off the end,” Marco smirks.

“Glad we didn’t come begging to you then,” Reiner says, throwing a cushion at Marco.

Once Eren and Armin (though mainly Mikasa) finally get the fire going we help out with food and before long, there are all kinds of tasty things to pick at on the dining table. Although not everything makes it there (Sasha insists on ‘testing’ everything before we lay it out). The homemade stuff looks especially good – some bread from Armin, a chickpea dahl from Historia and a pasta salad courtesy of Marco’s mam.

After everyone’s first plateful, we decide to dig out some board games for the evening’s entertainment. Though it takes us a while to agree on which one to play.

“We’ve got to play Monopoly,” states Armin. “It’s a classic!”

“Yeah, no. I’d rather not stay up until 4am mortgaging all my properties because you’ve somehow fucked me over again,” Eren glares.

“Let’s split into teams and start with something simple,” suggests Sasha. “Ooh! And whichever team wins the most games gets to snuggle Maggie!” she grins, grabbing a tiny highland cow from a nearby shelf and holding it aloft like a scene from the Lion King.

After a game of Boggle descends into ‘which team can make the dirtiest words’, we play an insanely intense game of Jenga, followed by a much less stress-inducing game of Pictionary. Whatever we play though, Marco and I have an absolute ball. Everything seems to make us laugh way more than usual and our desire to team up for everything creates lots of opportunities for playful touch. At one point, when he wins us a wedge in Trivial Pursuit, I squeeze his arm for a ‘well done’ and he boops me on the nose.

Cue me melting into a puddle on the rug.

By the time most of the buffet has gone, each team has one win a piece, so Eren demands a game of strip poker to decide the overall winner.

“Okay hands up who actually knows how to play poker,” Historia asks with an eyeroll in Eren’s direction.

Only Eren and Reiner put their hands up.

“Okay fine, fucking…Strip Go Fish then!” Eren smiles.

It’s such a ridiculous idea that we all agree to give it a go. However, we all quickly catch on to the fact that we’re all targeting Eren. By the time everyone’s had their first turn, he’s lost both socks and his t-shirt.

“Hey Eren, got any threes?” I grin.

“No! Go fucking fish bitch!”

I curse and pick up a card.

“Hey Eren?”

“For fucksake Marco.”

“Got any Jacks?”

“Fucking hell. YES,” he grouses, causing everyone to break into hysterics again as he shimmies out of his jeans and sits huffily in just his underwear. “Right my fucking turn. Sasha, you got any sixes?”

“Ugh. Yes,” Sasha grouses handing them over. “Da-da da daaaah! DA-da da daaaah…” she sings while seductively taking off her sock.

Reiner’s turn.

“Hey Eren?”

“Jesus Christ no.”

“You got any…aces?”

“…Oh you absolute anus face.”

Everyone simultaneously cheers and screeches with laughter, knowing Eren has no choice but to get naked.

“Why are you all so desperate to see me naked!?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” Mikasa deadpans. “Serves you right for suggesting it.”

“C’mon Eren! Time to show us the goods!

“Off! Off! Off! Off!”

We all tap a drumroll on our legs as Eren reaches into his underwear to cup his junk with one hand and pulls them down with the other. When they reach the floor, the sound we make is deafening – Thank fuck there are no neighbours to worry about!

He sits down with a shit-eating grin. “Well at least you can’t all pick on me anymore.”

We continue the game until Sasha notices a set of headlights moving past the window – Connie is finally here. She gets up to meet him and returns moments later with a seriously tired looking Connie trailing behind her.

“Hey!” We all say, greeting him almost in unison.

“Hey!...Why the fuck is Eren naked?”

That sets us all off laughing again but we eventually compose ourselves enough to fill Connie in on all the details. Sasha offers to show Connie where he’s staying and we decide to give up on Go Fish, letting Eren put his clothes back on. Armin and Historia offer to make everyone a hot chocolate and we all settle into various cosy spots around the room.

I sneak a peek out the window for the hundredth time that evening. The rain has stopped but it’s still overcast. Not one fucking star in the sky.

Marco must sense my frustration when I sit down next to him with a huff.

"Still cloudy huh?"

"Yeah. Not even a patch of sky on show."

He taps at his phone. "Weather's meant to get better. Maybe we'll get lucky with the sky tomorrow night."

"Yeah I hope so. It would be shit to come out here and not see a single fucking star.” I look up to find Marco smiling at me. “Though I guess, there are other good things about being here.”

His eyes twinkle and there’s a pause - probably just a second but it feels like much longer.

“The hot chocolate?” he smiles cocking an eyebrow.

“Yes the hot chocolate, definitely the hot chocolate.”

“I figured.”

“Yeah.”

“Mmmhmm.”

We jostle each other in the shoulder with a giggle.

“Here you go!” Armin appears with two steaming mugs for us.

They beam at me when I take mine and I can’t help but smile back. It can’t all be in my head if Armin’s noticed too. Things between Marco and I have definitely shifted. Only ever so slightly, but enough to make my heart skip a beat at the possibilities of what it could mean…

Blushing, I take a sip of my drink and smile. Marco does the same before covering his mouth for a big yawn.

God, he looks so cute when his eyes get all scrunched up like that.

“You doing okay there sleeping beauty?”

Another yawn hits him straight after the first making me snort.

“Oof. Yeah sorry. I think this week’s catching up with me. I didn’t sleep too well the night before my interview and I’m still feeling it.”

“Aw. Don’t force yourself to stay up. No-one will mind if you wanna head off to bed.”

“Yeah I know but” - another big yawn cuts him off – “I don’t really want to…I’m having a good time.”

His sleepy eyes find mine and he smiles, so so softly…I can hardly bare to look at him but I’m powerless to stop.

If I kissed him right now, he’d taste of hot chocolate.

He looks down at his drink and takes a nice long sip. After setting his mug down he pulls out his hair tie and cards his fingers through his roots, shaking out his wavy tendrils, and then leans his head back against the sofa with a contented sigh.

It’s not even fair how gorgeous he looked doing that.

I shuffle along and close the tiny gap between our sides. Marco, understanding my intention, lets his head fall to my shoulder. He snuggles his cheek against the fabric of my t-shirt and settles down with a deep exhale.

I’ve just closed my eyes to enjoy the moment when Historia clears her throat, catching everyone’s attention.

“Soooo…anyone else noticed Sasha still hasn’t come back?”

“Oh?...Oh! Yeah, you’re right,” Eren answers.

We all share a moment of squeeing like excited schoolgirls, everyone sharing the hope that Sasha and Connie might finally become official. I feel relieved knowing Mikasa and Historia feel the same way. Sasha must have said something to them about wanting things to go in that direction.

After another half hour or so, the warmth of the hot chocolate starts to make everyone pretty sleepy so we all decide to get ready for bed. Marco grumbles when I nudge him awake from his doze, but his face immediately softens when he remembers where he is.

“C’mon buddy. Bedtime.”

I let Marco brush his teeth and use the bathroom first, and by the time I return he’s flat out asleep.

Doing my best not to disturb him, I climb under the covers and lie on my side facing him. I remember the last time we slept in the same bed and how nervous I felt. I remember how simultaneously over-the-moon and terrified I was. How my heart pounded in my chest.

This time I feel completely at peace. I let a goofy grin take over my face and breathe with Marco, watching his peaceful face with every inhale and exhale. I brush his hair out of his face and marvel at how steady my movements are, how unbothered I am by the prospect of him waking up and catching me. My eyes start to soften as I think about waking up next to him tomorrow and how much I’m looking forward to it…

_________________________________

“Jean…Hey Jean.”

There’s a warm hand on my arm, switching between stroking my skin and gently rocking me.

“Jean wake up,” the soft voice continues…Marco’s voice…and Marco’s fingers brushing my hair off my forehead.

“Hmm?” I scrunch up my eyes and roll over.

“Hey, you awake?”

“Y-yeah,” I manage, blinking my eyes until they adjust.

Marco’s sitting beside me on the bed, looking over me.

“What’s up? Are you okay?”

“Yeah sorry to wake you, it’s just…I just got up to pee and noticed the clouds have gone. You wanna go look at the stars?”

“Oh, erm,” it takes me a moment to process his words, but excitement sparks through me when my brain finally catches up. “Yeah definitely. Just err, gimme a sec to get changed.”

We shuffle about in the dark as we try to find our warmer clothes, the odd whispered giggle filling the silence when we inevitably bump into furniture or each other. Once we’re wrapped up nice and warm, I creak the bedroom door open, and we sneak downstairs as quietly as possible. I chance a look out the kitchen window when we reach the backdoor and see a starry patch of sky between the outline of two trees. My breath hitches in anticipation as I feel around for the torch hanging by the door frame.

“Marco, do me a favour,” I whisper, turning to him.

“Hmm?”

“Don't look up until I say so. Trust me it will be way better.”

“Alright.” I hear rather than see his smile.

“Okay let's go.”

The latch makes a soft click as I open the door and, thankfully, the hinges don’t squeak when I swing it open.

Cold air greets us, carrying that unique scent of rain, soil and pine needles you only ever get on a rainy day in the countryside. We step over the threshold and follow the light of my torch.

“Eep!” There's a loud crunch in the gravel as Marco grabs my shoulder. “I can't see where the dips are!” he giggles in a hushed voice.

“Here you numpty, hold my hand.”

Our palms slot together and I almost have to pinch myself over how warm and comforting and right they feel. I squeeze Marco’s hand as I tug him forward, navigating around the puddles until we reach the narrow road. There are less trees to block the view a few yards further down – the perfect viewing spot.

“We can just walk in a straight line from here so I’m gonna turn the torch off. Remember not to look up yet though.”

“Okay,” he replies giving my hand a quick squeeze.

I pocket the torch and wait a few seconds for our eyes to adjust to the darkness. Once I can make out my feet next to the grassy verge, I start walking.

“Hoo-hoo.”

“Aah!”

An owl flapping and hooting makes us both jump out of our skin and we grab each other, wheezing and giggling like a couple of idiots.

“Jesus fucking Christ!” Marco whisper-shouts. “What the hell?”

“C-come on,” I laugh. “It’s not much further.”

This time I lace our fingers together, stroking my thumb over the back of his hand as I pull us further into the darkness. I feel his thumb do the same.

“Okay this should do. You ready?” I ask bouncing a little on the balls of my feet.

“Y-yeah,” he chuckles.

“Okay…look up.”

A sharp intake of breath punctuates the night air as we gasp at the sight before us. A canopy of lights, each unique in their depth and glow, consumes the sky above our heads.

“Oh my g-god.”

“I know.”

I will never get over this view. Never. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen it before; the sheer depth of the universe always knocks me for six. All this beautiful light filling the sky, despite having started its journey thousands, or even millions of years ago. It’s as if the starlight has travelled just for us, to create this perfect moment. I squeeze Marco’s hand tightly as I start to recognise some familiar sparkles.

“Look, you see that bright star there?” I ask, leaning into his space and pointing at the sky. “That’s Rigel. It’s the bottom of my favourite constellation Orion. See there, that’s Orion’s belt.”

“Oh yeah! Is that reddish one part of Orion?”

“Yeah that’s Betelgeuse! It’s a collapsing star! Oh and can you see those ones next to it?”

“Mmhmm.”

“That’s the constellation Gemini – that super bright star at the head of it is called Pollux. Oh, and that zigzagging cluster is Cassiopeia. And then if you go further up you can see the big dipper. It’s the one that’s kind of shaped like-”

I stop when I realise Marco’s gaze is no longer following the end of my finger. A million galaxies shine above his head but he’s looking at me. I can see them all reflected in his eyes, just like that time in the planetarium except even more breathtakingly beautiful. His thumb starts stroking my hand again as he takes a step closer.

“Jean…”

“…Yeah?”

His other hand moves to my waist and I forget how to breathe.

He closes the gap between us, so much so that I feel his breath tickle my skin…and then his lips touch mine.

It’s brief, barely even a peck before he draws back a fraction, only a whisper of space between us. He releases a shallow breath. My heart yammers in my chest. A heavy second passes between us, but then, when I squeeze his hand and start stroking his knuckles, he leans forward and finds my lips again.

The grip he has on my waist tightens as he untangles our fingers and holds the back of my head, pulling me closer to him. My own hands snake over his back, holding him just as tightly as I tilt my head and melt against his soft lips.

And then his tongue finds mine and I die on the spot.

Oh my god. I’m kissing him. I’m kissing Marco. I’M KISSING MARCO!

AND. I. CANNOT. GET. ENOUGH.

I feel overwhelmed and utterly insatiable all at once. Like, I know I’m kissing him, but I wish I was kissing him more somehow. I’m kissing him and I wish I was kissing him and I never want to stop kissing him…

…But he stops kissing me.

“Jean, wait I’m sorry I can’t…I don’t know if…I don’t know if I…”

I freeze.

“I mean…I want to kiss you, but…I can’t do this if it’s just a one-time thing okay? I don’t…I don’t want this to be something casual that we joke about at the next band practice like it was nothing. I-I…I like you, okay? I’ve liked you for a long time…longer than I should have…”

Fuck.

This is it. This is the moment. These are the words I’ve been longing to hear but never dared to believe I actually would. Holy fuck! But…the way he said them…

He doesn’t know. How can he not know?

How can he not know how much he means to me? How can he not know how much affection floods my body when I look at him? How I have to remind myself to breathe when he touches me. How my heart scorches me from the inside out every time we’ve ever said goodbye.

“J-Jean?” His voice breaks and my heart breaks with it.

I step forward and reach for his hands on instinct. There’s still a warmth to them, despite the chilly night air.

I’ve rehearsed this fantasy a thousand times in my head, but nothing prepares me for the real thing. I don’t know where to begin, whether it’s even possible to make him understand the depth of my adoration.

He squeezes my fingers ever so slightly, like he’s scared anything more might break me, but his delicate touch is all the courage I need to start speaking.

“Marco…you were never a ‘one-time’ option for me.”

His breath hitches, eyes sparkling as he lifts his head to look at me again.

“I like you too okay? Like, A LOT. I think…I think you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met and I you’re my favourite person to spend time with, but it’s been getting harder and harder because of how much I want to touch you all the time and kiss you and stroke your hair and-”

I puff out a breath and gather my thoughts. The darkness makes it easier to say what I want to say.

“I don’t want this to be a ‘one-time’ thing either. I want…I want everything with you.”

He steps forward, kisses me again and all the stars above our heads turn supernova.

[fictionkinfessions]

Here's a long one, a whole week catch-up of new kintype. Riz "The Ball" Gukgak, Licensed Private Eye, at your service.

It was only a matter of time before someone finally got my nerd ass into DND one way or another. However I didn't expect it to come with a new kintype, and definitely not this one. Not when Fig is RIGHT there. I had IRL friends guessing which of the Bad Kids I was before I confirmed it, they ALL thought I would be Fig. An anarchist tiefling bard checks all the boxes, I even play bass, kinning Fig would make the most sense. Nope, I'm the dweeb who carries a briefcase everywhere and somehow that also makes sense.

I only just discovered Dimension 20 a month or so ago, and I found out I kin from Fantasy High literally last week, just before finishing freshman year. Now that was a relatively good note to START off on (no I am in fact not doing good anymore I'm now beginning what I've gathered is apparently the "Traumatize The Whole Party And Especially Riz" season, but I'll get to that later) and despite the horrors to come, the first few days of settling into this kintype were the best I've ever had. Already had the right clothes to try dressing like myself again, got my first set of dice, painted a little trinket box to keep them in, impulse-bought a magnifying glass. I've been slipping into my old mannerisms and behaviours ridiculously fast.

I already have a gaggle of sourcemates near (system full of FH fictives who dragged me into the quicksand with them) so I get to hug my friends. Fabian is calling me The Ball again (constantly). It has spread and now at least two other friends are also calling me that, one of them doesn't even know the context. I do have an actual name thank you just in case you forgot (no, it is not The Ball) but I can't say I'm mad about it, it's affirmation and I've been being affirmed left, right and centre. And also enabled. I'm getting to investigate shit. There have been so many nonsense made-up crimes to solve. There have been so many bits. And the bit spirals out of control beyond anyone's comprehension so fast. And I have had SO MUCH FUCKING FUN. Overall, very positive experience. Usually finding out a new kintype is a very painful thing to come to terms with and often puts me in deep denial at first, plus days of a lot of crying and processing, the first days are usually the worst and they HURT. But this one was just very comfortable and enjoyable to really lean into right off the bat.

And that's probably because I did not have the Problems yet but the Problems start now. It was easy when I didn't have to care about the Problems yet. But now I know the Problems are coming. And NOW the hurt gets to start. As I said, I have just started sophomore year and. Ahahahehghgehgghdgh. GREAT start there, greeeeat way to end episode one. That. That sure is. Sure is some fuckin' cliffhanger there. To put right before the episode I've been told "I'm sorry in advance" about several times. The one in which I know a certain character's introduced whom I am NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING.

I have not gotten that far into episode 2 yet and am trying my best to avoid spoilers, so there are only 2 things about Baron that I think I know. One, they seem to have some sort of fixation on me. Two, I would really REALLY rather they not. I have no idea what their whole deal is yet but I'm already very afraid of them even before I knew who I was. just. as an instinctive reaction to them and. hhhhhhghgeghggh thAT'S SO GREAT I'M SO NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING.

I don't know why they set off alarm bells even pre kin awareness (other than the fact that they just look creepy as all hell) but I'm NOT continuing the episode right now, it's 20 minutes to midnight, this is... not the time to find out, I've already learned my lesson to not face kin horrors past 9, this is the time to try and salvage the sleep schedule that exploded to pieces this weekend before sleeping starts to feel not quite so normal and safe anymore.

- Riz Gukgak (#sparkler🔥🎇)

c

[catboyolli]

#now we know that only allu gets the yoga lessons and that he's not keen on sharing those with others 😌

okay thanks for making me imagine them having some...private yoga sessions 😳👀

that also reminds me of this one fic idea I had a while ago, of them being gym buddies (=fuck buddies) and Olli being a yoga instructor and inviting Aleksi to one of his evening yoga classes, and as Olli is talking the class through their final meditation (in which they're all just lying down with their eyes closed in a dim-lighted gym hall) he sits next to Aleksi and maybe pets him a little (because he's allowed to (because they're fuck buddies)), nothing spicy you know, since they're in public, but after the class in the gym instructors' private showers however... 😏

listen, Allu's ass would look amazing in yoga pants and Olli is quite bendy, have you seen how he plays that bass sometimes? 😳😌 no doubt that Allu could get some private 'lessons' to help with his flexibility, after all he needs it since he's probably 24/7 sitting on a chair doing the music production thingy

and about that fic idea 😳😳😳😳😳 ughhh yes, i love it 😳💗💘💖 Allu trying extra hard to contain himself because they're in public, for fuck's sake, Olli! but Olli has seen how deep into the meditation the rest of the class is in, and the thrill of being discovered fuels their lust for what comes after in the showers or in whoever's bed they're spending that night 💖

Olli wouldn't have mercy on teasing his student, especially since that would make Allu be a bit more ruthless in his "punishment" 🤭 and since the class already know how clumsy and silly their instructor is, he doesn't need to explain the bruises near his hips that show up when his shirt rides up a bit while stretching, yknow?? 😌

[debbiedeane]

Website: https://www.debbiedeane.com/

Address: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Debbie Deane hails from a musical world without boundaries, where singer-songwriters and top-tier jazz musicians breathe the same creative air. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Debbie grew up listening to Carole King, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and Steely Dan. As a teenager she explored the fertile ground of the Great American Songbook. Introduced to folk, funk and fusion by her older brother, she studied the great divas of the jazz and pop worlds developing an intense interest in jazz harmony. Music was the ultimate refuge.

After earning a degree in English Literature from Harvard, Debbie embarked on a career in music. She studied jazz intensively at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, honing the piano skills that she continues to display as a singer-songwriter. At first her songwriting and singing came as an afterthought, but then took center stage.

In her performing and recording life, Debbie had the good fortune to work with  acclaimed jazz musicians who share her interest in quality songwriting — people like drummer Brian Blade and the late, great bass player Jeff Andrews.  Moving back to Brooklyn, she lived in a ""jazz den"" with some of the city’s most promising jazz musicians, including saxophonists Seamus Blake and Terry Deane, drummer Marc Miralta and pianists John Stetch and George Colligan. ""Everyone came through our place,"" says Debbie. ""The people I’ve played with, they’re all my friends and they’ve known me, they’ve been my roommates and people I went to school with."" Their presence on Debbie’s recordings and at her live shows is a powerful endorsement.

Debbie continues to gig extensively in New York and beyond.

Piano Lessons:

Debbie Deane has been a piano teacher for over 20 years. She teaches out of her home in Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn, specializing in kids ages 6 and up.  

She teaches the fundamentals and basics - scales, reading music, music theory, and playing by ear. Her students play a lot of songs. Each student is different, and she tailors lessons accordingly. As a result, she teaches all styles of music. She does have a soft spot for Bach and Beethoven, so everyone has to try classical, which is great for technique.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieDeaneMusic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiedeanemusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@debbiedeane8771/

Keywords: brooklyn piano teacher piano teacher brooklyn the piano teacher piano teacher piano teacher near me piano teaching online piano teacher jazz piano teacher near me best piano teacher near me piano teacher reviews private piano teacher piano teacher for adults near me the piano teacher review best way to teach yourself piano find piano teacher near me jazz piano teacher teach piano online piano music teacher piano lessons brooklyn piano lessons brooklyn ny adult piano lessons brooklyn piano lessons bay ridge brooklyn piano lessons williamsburg brooklyn private piano lessons brooklyn piano lessons near me piano lessons piano lesson piano lesson near me online piano lessons adult piano lessons near me piano lessons for kids piano lessons online private group piano lessons piano lessons for adults piano lessons for adults near me piano lessons for beginners piano lessons near me for adults piano lessons for kids near me the piano lesson broadway review adult piano lessons online piano lesson private piano lessons near me best online piano lessons

[tonalartmusic]

Violin Lessons For Adults Near Me

lessons in all instruments and levels of music. Find classes for adults and children in piano, guitar, violin, clarinet, ukulele, saxophone, bass, voice, drums, and more. Learn from skilled, qualified teachers of the arts.

Violin Lessons For Adults Near Me

[usmusiclessons]

Discover how guitar classes can boost your child’s confidence and creativity. Learn what to look for in a guitar program near you to ensure the perfect fit for their musical journey.

Link:Explore the benefits here

[musicarenagh]

J.J. Chamberlain Strumming Through Life and Music With 'Tired of Christmas' Hey folks, get ready to meet J.J. Chamberlain, the musician behind the track "Tired of Christmas," a song that speaks to anyone tired of the crazy holiday commercialism. This tune is all about wanting Christmas to be more about chilling with family and friends, you know? He's all about the real stuff in life, pulling inspiration from everything around him. Growing up, music was like the soundtrack to his family life, from his dad's painting sessions accompanied by tunes to his grandpa's jazz singing during family gatherings. No fancy music school for this guy—he taught himself. J.J. Chamberlain is heavily inspired by Kurt Cobain, he picked up the guitar and never looked back. J.J.'s not just about music, He's super passionate about fairness for everyone and loves diving into some good food and coffee. He's got big plans, though. A whole album in the works and some cool collabs.  J.J.'s all about connecting with fans and making tunes that really hit home. So, grab a seat, and let's dive into J.J.'s world of music, life, and everything in between. Listen to Tired Of Christmas below https://open.spotify.com/track/0DJvvf8BltQaz9BD9c5pyP Follow J.J. Chamberlain on Spotify Bandcamp What is your stage name? J.J. Chamberlain Is there a story behind your stage name? Not really, it’s my initials but when I first released Tired of Christmas, a lot of the streaming services put it out on the wrong profile as there was already an artist called John Chamberlain. There are probably still some platforms that have it out under the wrong artist, but if you see Tired of Christmas, just know that it’s MINE! Where do you find inspiration? I think the answer to that is life. There’s always something happening, I’m a really busy person, but I go through phases of prolific songwriting and it’s usually when I’m working through something. Possibly why my lyrics can be a little…emotional. What was the role of music in the early years of your life? It was everything. I remember my parents playing records while they cooked. That’s how I first discovered a lot of the music that I still listen to today. I associate Tom Waits with the smell of frying onions. He’d probably like it that way too. Are you from a musical or artistic family? Yeah, my Dad is a painter who has been quite active in recent years. He also plays guitar. My Grandfather was a singer in jazz bands and on Christmases gone by I remember the whole family singing old folk and traditional Irish songs. My brother plays bass with me in 2 bands (Box Time and Love Barons). It’s woven throughout my family, both historically and currently. Who inspired you to be a part of the music industry? I’ve always wanted to be in a band since I can remember, but never thought I’d end up being a songwriter. There are two people that continue to inspire me to write and create, neither of whom are still with us, sadly. One is my former friend and bandmate Lanfranco, I write a lot for him. There’s even a song dedicated to him that I’ll be putting out in the near future. The other is my Uncle Will, who was just the coolest musician I ever knew. There’s not much he couldn’t do. He and my Dad had me playing one-note solos in their band when I was 4 years old. How did you learn to sing/write/to play? I’m self taught. I had violin lessons as a kid and then I discovered Kurt Cobain, before long I was playing guitar every day and night. [caption id="attachment_53407" align="alignnone" width="402"] I’m self taught. I had violin lessons as a kid and then I discovered Kurt Cobain[/caption] What was the first concert that you ever went to and who did you see perform? My Dad was in a band called The Expanding Wallets and I’m pretty sure I was at his gigs before I was even born. My parents used to take me to festivals as a child. When I was a teenager, my first big concert was seeing The Rolling Stones at Wembley. I’d never seen anything like it.

How could you describe your music? Bittersweet, happy-sad diary entries mostly. Sometimes I write angry songs but somehow they turn out upbeat. My lyrics often contradict the mood of the music. This is what happens if you bring your kids up on Punk-Rock, people! Describe your creative process. Depends really. In the past I used to write a guitar part first and then try to fit words and melodies to it, but recently I’ve flipped it and I’m often writing the lyrics before anything else. I don’t know why it happened but my brain decided it was a better idea and I actually think I’ve written some of my best songs since. It’s a quick way to fix a bad mood, write down your feelings about someone or something that has upset you, leave it and come back to it with new energy later on. What is your main inspiration? Hard to pinpoint, but I think it mostly comes from seeing other musicians perform live. I love watching everything from grassroots music events to big artists at the top of their game. It always makes me hungry to put stuff out there and get on a stage myself. What musician do you admire most and why? Hard to name any single musician here. I always loved Frank Zappa for having the guts to create his own label when all the majors turned him down. He was a true DIY artist. I really admire Mark Oliver Everett or ‘E’ from Eels for the same reason. The idea that everything can be done from home is inspiring. Did your style evolve since the beginning of your career? Massively. I was always the lead guitarist in other people’s projects until I formed Box Time and started writing my own songs which helped me to have the confidence to be a frontman. Who do you see as your main competitor? I don’t see other artists as competition, I think we’re all here to support each other in this game. If anything, the odds are stacked against us in terms of the way that the industry is structured. This is why we all need to help each other wherever we can. I’ve had some overwhelming support from some great artists recently and I’ll give that back however I can. What are your interests outside of music? I’m passionate about neurodiversity and equal rights. Also food, and coffee! If it wasn't a music career, what would you be doing? It would still be something in music. Maybe Film. I used to enjoy taking part in independent film projects. What is the biggest problem you have encountered in the journey of music? There are lots of little bumps in the road. I think the big problem in grassroots live music is promoters that are still operating with ticket systems that are practically pay to play. The problem lies mainly in London and major cities but the cut that bands take is so small compared to the money they earn for these promoters, and the “promotion” that takes place is often as little as a short Instagram story that lasts a day in return. If you could change one thing in the music industry, what would it be? The biggest issue at the moment is the closure of music venues. This is often down to decisions made by the government and the lack of finances. The arts aren’t taken as seriously as they should be. In the pandemic, the biggest insult to the arts was the government advising us all to “retrain.” That tells you everything you need to know about their attitude. Why did you choose this as the title of this project? I’m not a Grinch, or a Scrooge, or a Christmas curmudgeon. I’ve had a tough year in my personal life and although I can usually overlook the ever increasing prematurity of the Christmas hype, I just felt that this year I could do without it. I’m very much looking forward to Christmas itself, but I feel that we’re diluting Christmas by celebrating it too early with hyper-consumerism. What are your plans for the coming months? I’ve written a lot of songs, I’m now selecting and ordering tracks for my debut album which I plan to finish recording and mixing in 2024. There’ll be more singles too, but the album is my priority. https://open.spotify.com/artist/0DXE8u70H90Rdug8UM5rdL?si=DAEHl2MjR_GwiAEz576nSg

Do you have any artistic collaboration plans Yes actually, as I mentioned I play in two active bands separately, but there’s another exciting new project on the way in the coming year. I’ll reveal more on my socials so keep an eye out! What message would you like to give to your fans? Just how grateful I am to anyone who has listened to my song and especially anyone who has decided to revisit it for more. I’ve always felt musically capable, but I never felt capable of writing and recording music that I felt ready to release, until now. To know that there are people out there who genuinely liked my music is an amazing feeling.