#because of the funnel cake/cotton candy/caramel apples part

[ix-c-999]

sweetnsillygender

a gender that is both sweet and silly. it is additionally loving, caring, clowny, nostalgic, and honking. it is like a funnel cake at a carnival and smells like cotton candy and caramel apples.

this post has no DNI

[dourpeep]

You, kazu, & Xiao going to an amusement park and buying balloons so they don't lose each other (they learned from the mistakes that they made last time)

-no primogems

:x

when I said I was going to pass out again I didn't mean for another whopping three hours oops

BUT ANYWAY!!

(This is gonna be another doozy)

The three of you gathered in the front of the park, carefully making sure each of the three colorful balloons are tied to a wrist. Red, Green, and Yellow--each going to the matching person (though yours is yellow because Kazuha and Xiao agree it's a color that's bright and easily spotted...needless to say this probably has to do with what happened the last time-)

But boy are amusement parks fun!

It's very rare that the three of you go because Xiao's discomfort in crowds and Kazuha isn't too fond of the loud chaos, but finally you decide on a not-so-busy day.

With balloons secure and hands held tight, you make your way around, trying to decide what you want to do first- oh! The booth games are always fun, right? The perfect way to start off the fun! And it just so happens, you're dating two very adept men with keen eyes, so they're bound to do well!

You have to tug Xiao away before he can give the vendor a few choice words (these darts are hardly sharp enough to pierce those balloons-). To be fair...the really shouldn't be bouncing off the rubbery surface based off how hard he threw it.

Kazuha joins the two of you with a small stuffed plush in his arms. It's quickly forgotten when you both have to prevent your passionate love from speaking his mind. (Don't worry, the little prize is retrieved and not really forgotten as soon as you calm him down-)

So next is snacks!

Games sure do make you hungry and, though you haven't been out here long, you left close to lunch time so it only makes sense you go out and grab something yummy :DD

Some grilled fish, maybe funnel cake- certainly cotton candy or a caramel apple!

You're busy munching when you notice Kazuha eyeing your sweet treat. It turns out he's never tried it before, so you're quick to hold it out, a hand hovering under it. He leans in, taking a bite and humming in delight. It's really good! Not as cloying as he thought it'd be, especially with the deliciously crisp apple. You offer a bite to Xiao too because you know that he has a bit of a sweet tooth (not fooling anyone with how he's on his second funnel cake-).

In return, of course you get a little nibble of their foods of choice :>

But let's continue on-!

Next you make your way back towards the main part of the park, no longer hungry and now excited for rides. Xiao's keen on rollercoasters and thrill rides (that looks...really tall) while Kazuha points out the park's water-based rides. A lazy river and water pad? How surprising!

Since you've just eaten though, you decide to try out a few of the more calm rides.

It's fun, getting splashed by the cool water when the sun beams down on you, not having to worry much about having to dry off. Laughing, as Xiao gets caught under the waterfall (to be fair, he did have time to move to the opposite side of the raft), he smooths his now wet hair out of the way, tucking it behind his ear after ringing it out as best he can. You're about to tease him when the ride turns and you get soaked as well

Ahhh...you deserved that. No need to worry, though, because both Kazu and Xiao are quick to make sure you're not cold.

This is followed by the three of you running around the water pad and you squealing as you quickly maneuver right before Kazuha can catch you in his arms only to SMACK

Right into the solid chest of your other boyfriend. (booooo no fun)

BUT NOW!

Xiao's favorite part--the rollercoasters.

Not going to lie, you're going to really have to convince Kazuha that he won't be in any danger and instead will be safely buckled in secure.

Luckily, he's also an adventurous person so he'll try maybe a one or two of the thrill rides before deciding to sit out. If you also aren't one for rollercoasters (me), then even better! Xiao doesn't mind riding whatever he pleases as long as you and Kazuha are keeping each other company since the lines aren't that long. Also he always returns to two pairs of arms and a few kisses which is nice.

When they ask what you want to do, you shrug. Through the day, you've already done pretty much all that's available and, to absolutely be mushy, the one thing you really wanted was a nice date with your boyfriends!

They're soft, you're soft, everyone is soft and you return to the hotel tired but with so many new lovely memories.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Carnival date headcanons with kalim, cater, epel, jack, and malleus please?

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Kalim’s so excited to explore the carnival--he wants to see and do everything at least once, hauling you from one attraction to another with sparkling eyes. He can scarcely stay at a food or gaming stall for long without something else grabbing his attention and rushing over to it, your hand clasped in his.

Just as he wants to experience it all, Kalim also wants to taste it all. He’ll put down the Madol to buy a ton of snacks, and he insists on feeding it all to you! You just can’t say no to your boyfriend when he plucks off a tuft of cotton candy and holds it out to you, or stuffs some funnel cake in your mouth.

Kalim doesn’t mind the “kiddie” attractions; he treats them just the same as the more adrenaline pumping rides. He’ll jump around in a bouncy castle or spin around and around on the merry-go-round happily, a wide grin plastered on his face.

He doesn’t realize that carnival games tend to be rigged against you, so he just keeps shelling out money when he doesn’t win until he finally does! Kalim really wants to nab that grand prize for you though Jamil will scold him later for frivolously spending! When he finally does, he’s so proud of himself that he beams like the sun as he hands over a massive otter plush and claims a victory kiss.

Cater will want to take as many cool looking photos as he can to commemorate the date! That means lots of couple selfies sharing snacks, making silly faces in cute accessories, and posing with prizes from carnival booths.

He elects for something savory while you’re exploring the carnival! There’s nothing like a carton of nachos or fries drenched in cheese, shredded veggies, and greasy meat! Of course, it gets a bit messy to eat--but rather than use a napkin to wipe things up, Cater cheekily kisses your fingers and licks up the remains of your snack.

Cater likes the idea of playing carnival games, but he’s not very successful at winning them. In fact, he would rather use a ring for taking an aesthetic picture rather than play ring toss! (You get a lot of confused looks from the stall runners when he thanks them for lending him “props” for his MagiCam account.)

Instead of games, you visit the balloon artist, who twists up a crown for you--and though it looks goofy, Cater insists that it’s a piece befitting royalty! He drags you into the hall of mirrors, and you spend hours there in the maze, bouncing into a thousand of you and Cater in silly balloon crowns. When you finally find the exit, the sun is setting--the perfect backdrop for one final date selfie.

Epel wants to go on all the high excitement rides! No merry-go-round for you guys, it’s all about the roller coasters and bumper cars! He’ll let his hair down and scream as much as he wants as you’re plummeting from a drop or smashing his car against yours.

For a carnival snack, you share a caramel or candy apple--but because the apple’s so round, it’s hard for you to find a place to bite! Eventually, you and Epel agree to try chomping on the apple from opposite ends at the same time to keep the fruit from slipping around on its skewer. It kind of works, but the sticky sugar clings to your hair and Epel’s! You use a moistened napkin to help clean one another up before you chow down on your shared treat.

He gets pissed off while playing carnival games! The people running the game stalls tease Epel, calling him a little kid and implying he won’t be able to win a big prize no matter how hard he tries. Joke’s on them--Epel manages to score a win while they’re distracted laughing! With a snide grin, he lets you know that you can pick whatever prize you like from the stall.

At the end of the day, you’re both tuckered out and don’t feel like going on another roller coaster, so you agree for your final ride to be on the ferris wheel. You reach the apex and look out to see a shimmering sunset, the sky red like an apple and the sun like an wobbling yolk sinking into the horizon. Epel sneaks a shy peck on your cheek while you’re distracted--and that sets both your faces aflame.

Jack allows you to lead him around the carnival and determine which attractions and rides you want to engage with. He only intervenes when he thinks it’s a bad idea (like if you ate before trying to get onto a roller coaster) and will propose an safer alternative for the sake of your safety and wellbeing.

He’s not a fan when it comes to most carnival foods--they’re deep fried and dipped in too much sugar, and Jack insists he needs to stay in shape for Track and Field Club! You manage to convince him to grab a bag of popcorn to munch on throughout the day, and you take turns tossing pieces for the other to try and catch in your mouths.

Jack’s a beast (both literally and figuratively) when it comes to carnival games! He can score hoops, whack moles, dunk tanks/hit targets, and win tests of strength easily, netting you an entire army of new giant prize plushies!

You spend most of the date on your feet, but if they start to feel sore, Jack volunteers to give you a lift to let you rest. Be it princess carry or piggyback ride, he makes sure to handle you carefully as you thread through the carnival grounds with you clinging to him.

Wherever Malleus walks, the crowds instinctively part for him (whether in fear or in reverence, you’re not certain). This makes it far easier for the two of you to navigate the bustling carnival crowds, though if you ever do get separated, it’s not that hard to spot a tall, horned guy in the middle of a sea of people.

He’s fascinated by the variety of snacks offered at carnivals and spends a long time choosing what he’d like to eat. In the end, Malleus settles for his favorite: ice-cream! You follow suit, grabbing a different flavor than him--but curiosity gets the better of both of you, and you end up briefly exchanging cones to sample one another’s choices, resulting in indirect kisses!

The game stall employees call Malleus out for using his insane magical abilities to cheat (”Oi, oi, oi, you can’t just levitate the ball like that, young man!”), so he’s forced to play without them. Though Malleus is generally elegant, he lacks the skill needed to win any of the games. He does eventually accumulate enough attempts to get a pity prize, but he still gets gloomy and sulks about his loss.

Some of the kids at the carnival mistake Malleus for a costumed performer because of his horns and pointed ears! They swarm around him, asking for pictures and jokes or clinging to his legs, finding his regal way of speaking to be funny! You do eventually shoo them off, but that didn’t stop you from giggling when you saw one of the greatest magicians in the world getting mobbed by children--and taking it quite well, too!

[bunivys]

29. “Get on my shoulders, you’ll see better”

Thanks for sending this in! :)

This is set after part 4, a while after the revival of Sabrina.

The Greendale Fall fair returned the way it did every year, seemingly overnight. Apple bobbing stations, rigged games, and shoddy little rides soon swept into the empty patch of green near the center of town. The smell of cotton candy and fried dough seeped down the Mainstreet and into downtown, and the best part of it all was that it was one hundred percent mortal run, no pagans with ulterior motives anywhere in sight.

Sabrina danced around the thought for days, questioning whether to bring it up to Nick. Given that his last fair experience—with him still fresh out of Hell—had not gone so well, she thought the idea might turn him off.

But Nick caught her on their way out one morning, her mid-yawn and still sleepy, and asked, “So, that fair’s in town, right?”

“Right,” she’d said back, a bit hesitant.

“Want to go?”

It turned out Nick had never hated the idea of parading through a fair with her—he’d hated that he couldn’t enjoy it, that he’d had to pretend to be fine while he ached and burned all over. She could tell by the way his eyes lit up now as they stood in line to get caramel apples and funnel cakes, him jabbering on about all the weird things mortals ate.

“Elephant ears,” he whispered. “They make fun of witch diets, but eat elephant ears?”

Sabrina laughed. “They’re not real elephant ears, they’re made of dough.” And then she ordered one in place of a funnel cake to show him. Nick liked the taste more than the name and he stopped making fun of mortals long enough to devour the sugary dessert.

They raced through stalls of games next, trying their hands at various sorts. Sabrina knew the stalls were notorious for being rip-offs—she swore the cans were glued down and the balls too light to land—but somehow Nick snagged her a teddy bear nearly the size of her, and when she asked if he’d used a bit of magic in his favor, he just winked.

The Fright Club was set to play that night on the make-shift stage at the center of the fair, so they headed there. The sun had melted all the way behind the horizon at that point, leaving the sky a sheet of velvet black hovering over all of the glowing lights of the festival. They couldn’t make the stars out but the moon was plump and yellow, hanging above them like a guardian. It felt nice—her alive and Nick alright.

It turned out that their little high school band had caused quite a ruckus because, by the time they made it to the stage, the area was crowded with enough people that Nick and Sabrina were stuck in the back.

“Get on my shoulders,” Nick told her. “You’ll see better.”

Sabrina squeezed in by his side to let another couple pass by, Nick’s arm around her. She grinned. “You’re not much taller than me you know, not sure if that’ll help you any.”

“I’m tall enough to not have to hop up and down just to see,” Nick teased, pinching her side. “Go on, you know Theo will be pissed if you miss his drum solo.”

Up on Nick’s shoulders, she felt a bit invincible. His fingers on her thighs, the uproar of instruments as the Fright Club started up with their opener, the stuffiness of the crowd and the glow of the moon washing over her—it was the mundaneness of life that made it feel so magnificent. And it was what Sabrina had missed all that time she had been gone.

“How’s the view?” Nick asked, looking up at her. His eyes were soft, warm.

She smiled. “It’s perfect.”

[ellocentipede]

Arcana Craves Vanilla Reviews!

Vanilla Craves the Honor of Aphrodite

Scent description: Voluptuous melted caramel coils around softly whipped coconut creme. Sun-warmed Californian wild oranges are laced with honeyed cardamom, then dipped in vanilla beans, Muscovado sugar, and delicate ivory patchouli.

This is a gorgeous scent! The wild oranges are ripe and perfect--a little tart and natural and beautiful. The oranges are on a pillow of delicately cardamom-spiced vanilla and coconut cream, that’s rich and oh-so-very-slightly tropical. The caramel to my nose is barely there and not too sweet, and there’s a subtle grounding earthy element that must be the patchouli. Vanilla Craves the Honor of Aphrodite is a stunning luscious blend.

Vanilla Craves 90s Malls

Scent description: The scent of rebellious young punks and toothachingly sweet innocence. Bright fluorescent lights, glossy watermelon-flavored lip gloss, a ziplock baggie of fresh, green bud, and sticky vanilla-laced marshmallow treats.

Wow, this scent is straight out of my childhood. This takes me back to chewing endless amount of watermelon Hubba Bubba and slathering on Bonne Bell lip gloss. With some time I get the citrusy green of the bud (which is 100% NOT from my childhood, just to be clear!). This is such a happy and joyful blend, conjuring memories of the neon lights and pyramid candles in the Topkapi store!

Vanilla Craves Spring

Scent description: An absurdly delightful blend of two gourmand vanillas, young honeysuckle, pink bubblegum, white amber, a hint of galbanum, and a single drop of sweet mint.

Vanilla Craves Spring is my second favorite scent of all of the Craves! (Marshmallows Scatter is #1!) Spring is my favorite time of year, and Vanilla Craves Spring is a glorious homage to new life, light, and budding flora. Who would have thought that honeysuckle and bubblegum would smell so wonderful together? This bubblegum is pink, powdery, and fresh, like untouched Bazooka, and blends seamlessly with the waxy, heady, nectar-sweet honeysuckle. A kiss of green mint gives the scent some zip and freshness, and of course the smooth vanillas tie everything together to create a blend that smells like hope and happiness. Please do not be scared off the eclectic mix of notes in this blend. I’m no lover of mint or bubblegum, but this scent is more than the sum of its parts--it’s gorgeous and well worth a try. 

Vanilla Craves Terror

Scent description: Creamy vanilla with Arcana Wildcraft’s legendary Holy Terror (burning frankincense, sandalwood, deep myrrh, and dusty beeswax candles).

The frankincense and myrrh is in this one smells like Christmas Eve mass! The dustiness here is really lovely--it’s like a candlelit mass in a beautiful old church... with cookies. The vanilla is not prominent to my nose, but is like a binding agent that ties all of the other elements together. Vanilla Craves Terror is a cuddly, more approachable version of Holy Terror.

Vanilla Craves Sugar Cookies

Scent description: Warm sugar cookies are infused with three gourmand vanillas and a hint of vanilla musk.

Oh this does smell like warm sugar cookies! This is lovely. Warm, buttery, homemade sugar cookies with extra vanilla extract! Simple, yet cozy and wonderful.

Vanilla Craves Fireworks

Scent description: The scent of New Year's Eve. Rich black leather accord, incense-infused dark vanilla, and a splash of champagne.

This blend is magical. It really does smell like a festive winter night. The black leather is of the smooth and silky variety--it’s both cool and cozy and blends beautifully with the pop of champagne. I can’t stop smelling this one--my nose is glued to my wrist! I never go out anymore because of babies + pandemic, but this blend makes me yearn for a fun and carefree night out.

Vanilla Craves Snow Fairies

Scent description: Frozen honey with dry white musk, winter vanilla, opulent amber, snow, vodka, and a sliver of orris root.

Vanilla Craves Snow Fairies smells like snow! This is a fun and magical blend that manages to smell cool and cozy all at once. A crisp and cloudy white musk is kissed with vanilla and sweetened by a subdued honey and made elegant by a hint of orris (a la the glorious Celestite blend) and a smooth, rich amber. A touch of vodka creates the illusion of an icy, snow-covered vista. This is one of my favorites of this collection! It’s smooth and elegant, beautiful, and fun.

Vanilla Craves Warmth

Scent description: Our Garnet Grapefruit blended with dark, smoky, intoxicating vanilla.

I was a little confused when reading that Vanilla Craves Warmth features grapefruit, but now that I’ve tried it, it 100% makes sense. This opens with the most wonderful red, tart, juicy grapefruit note. I’ve loved every grapefruit scent that Julia has created--they’re all punchy and realistic in the best possible way, and Vanilla Craves Warmth is no different. Somehow when combined with this beautiful smoky vanilla, the grapefruit develops a warming quality, almost like burning embers. It’s an intoxicating scent, and a fun experience as well.

Vanilla Craves Mermaid Shoals

Scent description: A gourmand aquatic fantasy. An opening of warm, musky neroli leads to a heart of lemon biscotti, bright tangerine, sunlight glittering on blue water, vanilla, sea foam, briny seaweed absolute, and scattered rose petal incense.

Vanilla Craves Mermaid Shoals is another fine example of Julia’s expertise with aquatic and tropical scents, with some toothsome gourmand elements added to keep things interesting! This is the scent of eating orange creamsicles and iced lemon cookies on the most beautiful tropical beach. The creamsicle is perfection--smooth, sweet vanilla cream and juicy, tart tangerine--and the iced lemon cookies melt a bit in your fingers. The sea breeze carries the scents of sparkling, pearl-crusted foam, and a light hint of waxy pink blossoms. This is a fantasy indeed. An utterly beautiful scent!

Vanilla Craves Grind Shows

Scent description: The edible aromas of a traveling carnival overflowing with oddities and amusements. Vanilla-laced cotton candy, deep fried funnel cakes encrusted with powdered sugar, salty peanuts, kettle corn, and caramel-covered apples.

This scent is also reviewed in the Daydream Collection post, but I’m  including it here as well! Sweet kettle corn, pink cotton candy, and a pop of salty peanut! With time, the kettle corn wins out as the dominant note for me, and it’s wonderful. It smells so realistic that I feel like I’m sticking my nose into a bag of warm, freshly-popped, sweet and salty kettle corn. This is a wonderful and happy carnival scent that makes me yearn for our local fair.

Vanilla Craves Cocoa

Scent description: An elegant twist on chocolate and vanilla. Swanky white amber and sheer vanilla musk with our Hot Cocoa accord (a rich cocoa CO2 infusion melds with the finest dark chocolate and a mug full of fluffy white marshmallows).

Vanilla Craves Cocoa is so, so delicious. The Hot Cocoa layering note is my favorite chocolate scent (it smells like the perfect cup of frothy hot cocoa made with milk, coated in melty marshmallows), and Vanilla Craves Cocoa adds some complexity to it with the hint of opulent amber and kiss of diaphanous vanilla musk. It’s a beautiful scent, and I recommend it for even those who don’t typically love chocolate in perfumes.

Vanilla Craves Gingerbread

Scent description: Rich, gourmand vanilla with Arcana Wildcraft's Gingerbread accord (luxe golden ginger, gingerbread, warm ginger cookies, and delicately piped icing).

Well, this one was unexpected! I get fresh, candied ginger and a squeeze of bright, tart lemon. It smells like sparkling ginger candy or fresh, cool ginger beer. It’s bright and refreshing. With time the freshness of the ginger tames a bit, and I do get some festive, warm, bready goodness. This is artisanal gingerbread made with actual ginger, not the stuff from a box.

Arcana Craves perfumes may be found at https://arcanacraves.com/

[shurisneakers]

espresso [6]

Summary: In which your best friend’s brother begins to set you up on dates when you mention that you haven’t been in a relationship in years, but things don’t go as expected.

Warning: swearing, near panic attacks, angst (?)

A/N: this is my entry for the exuberant @odinhson‘s writing challenge thank you to @samingtonwilson for beta-ing this for me

here’s my ko-fi if you’d like to support my writing <333

Previous part- Part 5 || Espresso Masterlist

Becca: binch

Becca: if i don’t get my nourishment i will Wilt and Die

Becca: if i get out of this bed rn i will literally Cry

Becca: pls get me a coffee kind sir,,, i will be gr8ful

You: um

You: i’ll get it later ok lov u

Becca: wtf why

You: im going to meet fucky at the library

You: *bucky

Becca: youre going to meet my brother again?

You: yes he said he was studying there anyway so I could go meet him there

You: why

Becca: nothing it’s just

You: it’s just?

Becca: nvm it’s nothing go see that smelly bitch biscuit

Becca: but get me the drugs when u come back

_____________

The library was fairly populated for seven in the morning. And, though everyone looked like they could use at least a week’s worth of sleep, they trudged on.

Walking through the aisles, you let your fingers run over the spines of every book, relishing in the feel of their old leather under your touch. It didn’t take log before you found Bucky in the classics section, his back leaning against one of the bookshelves as he scanned the ones in front of him.

“Looking for something specific?” you asked quietly, making him snap his head towards you. He gave you a tired smile before reverting to his original state.

“The Catcher in the Rye. I wanted to borrow it again,” he sounded distant, like his mind was preoccupied.

“Again? You’ve read it more than once?”

“Three times,” he answered, eyes lighting up as he reached forward and grabbed an old, worn out book with a tearing paper cover. His fingers dusted it gently before he opened to the last page, his eyes skimming over the words.

“It’s your favourite book?”

 “I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite book, to be honest.” He flipped it, examining the cover from back to front. “Just the most memorable one. It sorta stuck with me throughout.”

“Why?” you asked curiously, watching as he flipped through the pages, seemingly searching for something within the lines.

“Don’t ask, it’s just gonna come off as pretentious as shit,” he chuckled, shking his head bemusedly, but you could detect a hint of something else behind his words. Bucky loved writing. He loved words. This book obviously meant a lot to him.

“I don’t know who hurt you Bucky Barnes, but I’d sure as fuck want to know why you love that book so much.” You heard a hush on the other side of the bookshelf, making you peep through the shelves only to catch the disapproving glare of the librarian who apparently caught you using unparliamentarily language.

“No one’s hurt me, it’s just-“ he paused to scratch the back of his neck awkwardly, letting his hand linger there. “I didn’t think anybody would care.”

“Oh.” You nudged his foot with yours, making him look at you in surprise. “Well, I care, so go ahead.”

He eyes never left yours and you could see a faint blush spread across his cheeks. Cute ass motherfucker.

Wait-

“Um, I guess it’s kinda because– the thing is– see, I–“ his mouth was moving at a speed much swifter than his brain, you could see it. It was like he had so much to say, almost too much. You gave him an encouraging smile as he took a deep breath to calm himself down before beginning again.

“I’ve read it three times. Every single time it means something different to me, you know? It’s like the words are familiar but everything’s changed,” he tried to convey what he was thinking, but it was clearly something hard to talk about because Bucky rarely ever ran out of words.

“‘Don’t ever tell anyone anything, if you do you start missing everybody.’,” he recited from memory finally showing you the page he stopped on. You shuffled closer to him, leaning on his shoulder to get a better look at the book in his hand. “It’s really hard for me to let others in. Everything becomes too intimate and when they decide to pack up and leave because they can’t handle my shit, it just—it hurts. It’s one of my favorite quotes.”

“It’s beautiful,” you said softly, as he looked at you for a few seconds in silence, not making an attempt to say anything.

“Right, so-“ he cleared his throat, pulling away to put the book back where it belonged. “His name’s Loki. He’s slightly difficult at first, but all he needs is just a little love and attention and he’s good to go.”

“Are we talking about a succulent or a person?” You remained where you were, feeling strangely lightheaded. Bucky glanced at the big clock overhead before returning to you.

“You’ll see.” He winked, shifting from one foot to another. “Now go! I have an hour to spend with calculus and you are going to be late for your first class.”

“You got a shift at the coffee shop today? I could come see you after,” you asked, facing him while walking backwards, your feet moving automatically.

“Not tonight, fam. I’m busy,” he said, looking down just for a second.

“Whatcha up to, barista boy? You got a hot date?” you teased him lightly, shoving your fists into your pockets, delaying your exit.

“I do, actually,” he fired back, making you freeze in your tracks.

“You’re going on a date?” you asked incredulously, your eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

“Yeah. Met an old friend of mine last week and we’re going out tonight.” He shrugged, giving you a half smile.

“Oh shits.” Well, that was new. It had been ages since Bucky had gone out with someone. “Use protection, ya nasty. Don’t want any mini versions of you running around.”

“Yeah, totally. We’re gonna go grab something to eat and fuck behind the church in my pickup truck.” He rolled his eyes, laughing to himself as you snorted.

“You’ve always been a huge part of the Jesus fandom,” you called out, grimacing when you heard the librarian hiss a ‘Quiet!’ at you again.

“Have fun, James. I’ll catch you later.” You shoved your hands further into your pockets, turning around and jogging out before he could get another word in.

_____________

You didn’t expect the goth version of Sabrina the Teenage Witch at the entrance of your building that evening, sporting a look of disdain with a hint of boredom, gracefully covered up with a smile. He was dressed to the nines in all black, which matched his dark hair and starkly contrasted his fair, almost too pale skin.

“You’re Y/N, I presume?” you could hear the remnants of an accent that wasn’t common to your area. He sounded tired but it looked like he was making an effort, so you weren’t completely put off.

You nodded, giving him a small smile. “Loki, right?”

“That’s me. Did James tell you where we’re going tonight?”

“Bucky doesn’t take the effort to tell me anything useful, so I’m pretty uninformed.” You followed him as he walked towards the gate of the compound, his fingers toying with the hem of his sweatshirt.

“That’s weird because I swear he asked me for everything ranging from my birth certificate to my social security number. He wouldn’t even give me your dorm address without it,” he said drily, his smile actually making him look really nice.

“Oh, wow.”

“Yeah, so there’s that carnival or a fair or something that’s come up. I figured we could go check it out.” He gestured to his car.

“Sounds fun.” You offered him a helpful smile, accepting his invitation without much hesitation. Maybe a distraction was exactly what you needed.

_____________

The whole fair was illuminated with lights from the different stalls and you could smell the calories in the air as kids ran around with cotton candy and popcorn and funnel cakes. The ratting of the roller coaster tracks and peals of laughter subconsciously made your heart lift and a grin settled on your face.

“What do you want to do first?” you asked loudly, trying to speak over the crowd.

“I don’t know. It’s so noisy. I wish everyone would just shut up.” He scrunched up his nose in disdain, leaving you to stare at him.

“How about grabbing something to eat first? I’m starving,” you suggested, earning a nod from him as you both made your way down to where most of the food stalls were.

Churros, funnel cake, caramel apples, popcorn and just about everything deep fried was put on display and it smelled pretty fucking great.

“D’you want to try out the hypertension or diabetes on a stick?” you laughed, eyeing everything separately.

“Uh—“ he paused, flinching. “I think I’m good.”

“Not even cotton candy?”

“Definitely not.” He shook his head, eyebrows crinkled in disgust.

“Well, okay, man.” You shrugged, not letting his preferences stop you from going ahead and buying the first thing that caught your eye and had your mouth watering.

He followed you silently through the entire process, only passing an occasional comment on how greasy it was or how unhealthy it was. You took it as a personal challenge to count how many times he nearly gagged.

“Rides or stalls?” You could already predict the kind of night you were in for and at this point you were too tired to not have fun with it.

“Rides, I suppose. We’re too old for the stalls.” He clicked his tongue, putting his hands into the pockets of his skinny jeans, staring disapprovingly at you.

“Oh, you are so right. Papa forbade me from playing games lest I fall victim to pride and immaturity. So pleased that throwing balls into holes is age restricted.” You threw some more popcorn into your mouth, feeling his stare burn into your face as you looked at him without any emotion.

“Didn’t you grow out of them after you turned, I don’t know, fifteen? How old are you?”

“You’re absolutely correct. We should hit the rides soon. I may not last fifteen minutes more. I’m practically decomposing as we speak.” You grinned at him making your way to the roller coaster, leaving him to match your pace.

“Roller coasters?” He called after you, rushing to catch up.

“Yes. Do you not like them?”

If this somehow greasier Tommy Wiseau said anything worse, you swore you literally would tear-

“I just think they’re too jumpy. And erratic. And noisy.”

You spun around wildly to face him, mouth dropping open. “What exactly did you expect from a fair, Lucky?”

“Loki.”

“Gesundheit. Have you ever been to a fair before or-“

You were just about to launch into a large rant when someone’s grip on your shoulder cut you off.

“Mario? What are you doing here?” The all-too-familiar voice made you instantly calm down as your best friend’s brother, your lord and savior, stepped near one of the most annoying people you could have met.

Which would be met with a more enthusiastic response had it not been for the presence of a girl with the most curly red hair accompanying him. She had her arm around his waist whilst his was secured around her shoulders and you immediately felt your words die down in your throat.

“Ah, James. We were just on our date.” He narrowed his eyes at you and you rolled yours at him, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Hey, man. I thought you were taking her to that restaurant down the road?” he questioned as the girl with him sent you a smile. Of course she’d have dimples.

“Thor told me this would better fit her,” Loki replied wearily.

“Wait a minute- you know Thor?”

“Know him?” Loki scoffed. “He’s my brother.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“Given, we’re adopted siblings but I have to put up with his nonsense regardless.”

“Oh my fucking God, you’re the bitchy drama goth brother Thor talks about.”

“Bitchy drama goth— you’re lucky you got set up with me and not our sister.”

“I guess this date went super well?” Bucky piped up before you both clawed each other’s throats out.

“Simply wonderful.”

“Great.” He smiled awkwardly, before seemingly remembering who he had with him. “Oh shits, yeah—this is Dolores. Dot. Doll. I don’t know-“

“Dot is fine.” She smiled again, extending her hand in a shake. She had a flower tucked into her ear, matching the colour of her long skirt. Of course she did.

“This is Y/N, my sister’s best friend and that’s Loki,” Bucky introduced live-action Merida to you, as she gracefully replied with a small nod.

“You guys done?” Dot asked, switching her gaze between Loki and you.

“Yup, just finished. Loki was about to drop me off at my place. How about you?” You ignored your date altogether, instead focusing on how relaxed Bucky looked, none of his usual creases to be seen on his face. You liked it.

“I think we’ll hang around for a bit more. What do you say?” She looked up at him and Bucky nodded, a soft smile taking over his face.

“Sounds good to me. Text me when you get home, okay?” he reminded you, suddenly meeting your gaze. Your eyebrows furrowed at the intensity with which he was looking at you, but you gave him a thumbs up, agreeing.

“See ya tomorrow, Mario. Get home safe, please?” He waved one more time, as did Dolores, before they both made their way into the crowd, but not before Bucky threw you one more glance over his shoulder.

“Are you this hostile with every person your friends date or only James?” Loki sniggered from besides you, earning a sharp glare.

“One more word from you Severus and I will buy the oiliest piece of funnel cake and shove it down your throat.

But his words didn’t go over your head. You knew exactly what he was talking about and apparently it was so glaringly obvious that even others could see it.

Yikes.

Part 7

[marshmallowatheart]

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (Part 28)

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27)

"Vee, we've been looking for you guys," Wallace announces when he spots the pseudo-couple. He's got his pink cotton candy in hand and his blue slushie in the other.

"Dude, did Logan win all that?" Darrell asks, he has his own stick with blue cotton candy and a candy apple for Logan in his hand. He stares at Veronica in awe, she's got six mini bears stuffed in her bag, peaking through the edges and one stuffed under her arm as she digs into a plate full of funnel cake.

Veronica hums, nodding with her mouth full as she gestures to Logan who's still playing this ring tossing game because he wants the big prize which is a brown bear holding a cliched big red heart wit with the words 'I Wuv You Beary Much' etched onto it. She'd told him he didn't have to, that he's won her more than enough bears but he's determined to add the 'ultimate prize' to this collection.

Meanwhile Heather gaps at her sister, she's not entirely surprised that Veronica is eating something else but she had to stand in a whole other line to get her the caramel popcorn and she's stuffing her face with funnel cake?

"You're eating funnel cake and we got you caramel popcorn," Heather lets out frustrate as she tosses the packet to Veronica.

Veronica gives her sister a look as she barely catches the packet since her hands are already occupied. "I got hungry and they smelled really good," she defends not regretting her decision one bit and shoves the packet of caramelized corn into her already bulging bag.

"I had to stand in a whole other line for it," the little blonde complains and Veronica lets out a sorry look, promising that she's going to eat it later and that Heather's effort would not be in vain.

The young Mars girl rolls her eyes but moves closer to her sister and gets a whiff of the came. Her annoyance fades away as she stares at the chocolatey goodness and concedes, "They do smell good, can I have a bite?"

Veronica eyes her sister and reluctantly decides, "Only one."

Heather beams, taking in a large bite and Veronica sighs because Heather's got a big mouth and she definitely just cheated her way by chewing off at least two and a half regular sized bites there.

"Okay, Logan?" Veronica calls for his attention since everyone is now gathered together and waiting. "We need to get moving."

He glances back at her, handing her a small white unicorn key chain and bargains, "One more try."

Veronica grabs it as she nods, lets him pay and then butts him out of the way. It's a fact that these games are rigged so you couldn't win the big prizes so she tilts her head and bats her lashes at the booth attendant. "Hey," she's chirps, pearly white smile and her voice a pitch higher. "If I hit the bulls eye three times in a row, would that win me the bear? I know it's totally a different game but I mean it is the same booth, right?"

"Sure, blondie," he smirks. "If you can hit three bulls eye in a row. You can have any bear you like, sweetheart."

Veronica gives him a tight smile and hands Logan her bag and funnel cake - which Heather quickly snatches and begins to finish off.

Darrell hands Logan the candy apple that they'd got for him, Logan thanks him with a smile and begins to munch on it as Veronica takes the lead in trying to win the bear.

She's become accustomed to having people underestimate her and she's learned to use this to her advantage - be it in getting information or bargaining her way to winning bears that hold hearts that say 'I Wuv You Beary Much' for her fake boyfriend.

"How is this fair?" Logan grumbles as she hits one bulls eye after another. "I have to do ring tossing and she gets away with darts?"

Veronica gives the guy a bright smile as he hands her the bear, he's looking at her with an expression that's a mix between impressed and shocked and Veronica feels satisfied.

"Here ya go," she hands the brown bear to Logan. "You can name her after me."

He chuckles, he'd been trying to win the bear for her but he accepts the gifted prize with a smile. He glances at the bear, his thump grazes over the heart and he grins.

"Oooh, Ophelia is here," Heather chirps, she shoves the now empty plate into Veronica's bare hands and skips towards her best friend with Darrell following behind her.

Veronica sighs and grumbles, "She finished the cake."

Logan arches his brow and points out, "You make cake all the time."

"It's carnival cake, Logan," she emphasizes like there's some magic added into their baked goods and food that don't exist in the ordinary world. "It's once a year cake."

"We can buy more," he suggests, the stall is right there and the line isn't really that long so he could easily get her another piece of cake.

"Nah," she shakes her head. "I really want a chocolate shake and corn dogs," she muses, hunger building up in her stomach once again.

"Corn dogs and shakes, coming up," he nods, as though he was a waiter taking her order and she chuckles, hooking her arm around his offered one.

--vm--

In the next hour, Georgia joins them, leaving Wallace a giddy mess every time she praised him for winning her something and Ryan joined soon after thus completing the newly formed fabulous foursome.

"Yo, Vee, doesn't this make me look like a G?" Darrell poses with sunglasses and his hands crossed as he leans backwards completing his image.

Veronica looks at him, lips pursed, unsure of what exactly he means by 'G' but bobs her head to appease him anyway.

Logan chuckles at the interaction and Heather's brows furrow, shaking her head. "Why would you want to be a letter that's only worth two points in scrabble?"

Veronica tries to hold back her laugh as Heather and Darrell continue to bicker. Ophelia and Ryan talk amongst themselves in the background, not so silently laughing at their friends.

"So think the kids will like a go at the bumper cars?" Logan asks, staring at the ride across them.

A grin spreads across her face and she teases, "Do you want a go at the bumper cars?"

He shrugs, slight grin on his mouth and casually answers, "I wouldn't hate it."

She laughs, clearly seeing that he would very much enjoy a go at it and roughly ten minutes later, they're all settling into four different cars; Heather and Ophelia, Darrell and Ryan, Veronica and Georgia, finally Logan and Wallace.

Heather has her hands on the wheel and Ophelia is kicking back, whispering in Heather's ears and the duo giggle wildly.

Darrell and Ryan have both their hands on their wheel, eagerly anticipating the start of the game as they grin wickedly at all the players they know.

Veronica and Georgia have their hands on their wheel too, Georgia smiling widely, having fun just playing while Veronica grins staring directly at Logan. She arches a brow, challenging and he's smirking at her, holding her gaze and wholeheartedly accepting her challenge with Wallace beside him and their hands steady on the wheel, he's fully prepared to go head to head with her - bumper car to bumper car.

The other seats fill up rather quickly and it slowly starts up. Veronica's grin widens and they accelerated headfirst into Logan and Wallace, laughing loudly, thoroughly enjoying getting the first hit in.

Heather comes from behind and swings into Veronica and the rest of the three minutes the gang spends knocking each other, screaming and laughing manically as they enjoy the ride.

--vm--

The kids go on ride after ride with Wallace and Georgia while Veronica finally gets to eat her foot long meat stuffed sandwich. She's satisfied herself with her share of rides, bumper cars, horse carousel and rollercoasters. Now, all she wants to do is satisfy her hunger ever since they entered the carnival.

Logan watches her with amusement, he's got his own foot long meat stuffed sandwich at her instance that he has to try this once a year carnival only sandwich.

It doesn't take much to persuade him because it smells delicious, looks tempting as hell and Veronica is excited beyond compare - an excitement she's only ever shown for Italian food. So it's fair to say that he's game for going to town with this long ass sandwich.

It's the look on her face when she takes the first bite, eyes closed, mouth stuff and relaxed in pleasure that he never wants to forget. She slightly moans at the taste of it, it's been a year since she's had this sandwich and it tastes even better than before.

Logan seriously consider buying this stall and keeping it for their sandwich needs just so that he can hear her moan again but honestly he wishes he could hear her moan in a different context.

He takes his first bite and he gets it; the meat is soft and easy to bite into, marinated with spicy sauce that's just right enough to give him a tinge of the flavour and not burn his mouth, even the lettuce tastes good combined with all the other ingredients and the Fresh roll is so fresh, he could eat it plain. He doesn't know what else is in there, there's different textures with subtle favours and all he can do is savour the flavour and enjoy it.

"It's good, right?" Veronica voices out between bites.

He hums out his agreement, his mouth still stuffed and when he swallows, he verbalized, "So good."

She smiles, simply letting herself enjoy sitting across Logan and eating one of the best meals that the carnival offers as they listen to live bands play in the background.

It's ridiculous that he looks so good while he's eating a rather messy meal and she chuckles when he notices that the sauce is dripping and he has to back away fast or lick it off.

It's strange how all her ordinary days have gotten better with Logan in it and how ordinary moments hold such significant fondness in her brain. She wants to tell him just how much he's come to mean to her and how she kind of wants to kiss the sauce right of his messy lips.

--vm--

It's almost time for them to leave, the stars shin bright over the moonlit sky, and tomorrow is school. Everyone is watching the magic performance on stage but Veronica finds her sister with her shoulders sagging as she stands in front of the gaming booth with a fishing net in hand.

"Heather? You okay?" Veronica asks as she comes to stand beside her little sister.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Heather rebuffs as she stares at the yellow little ducks floating on a kiddies pool waiting to be caught.

Veronica cocks her head as she stares at her sister with a quizzical look on her face. "Because you're losing at the easiest game ever invented," she points out.

"It's tricky," she defends with no actual vindication in her voice. "What if I get a prize I don't want?"

Veronica arches a brow. "Yeah because all these prizes sure are for winners," she rolls out. "Let's see, a pack of cards, Rubix cube, one dollar knock off Barbie doll, marbles, plastic headband that has razor sharp teeth that bite into your skull?"

"One can never have too many marbles," Heather dryly remarks. "Lessons learned from Home Alone," she twitches her head a bit to the side and decidingly grabs a yellow duck with her fishing net.

The attendant looks under the caught duck and hands her a Rubix cube which Heather takes with a quick thank you. Veronica supposes of the lot of toys, it's one of the better ones to have won.

Heather tears apart the plastic packet, handing the wasted plastic to her sister as she twists the colours of the cube and Veronica silently walks with beside her as she wonders if ice cream would cheer her up. Ice cream always did the trick.

"Ophelia likes Ryan," the little girl confesses, her eyes still on her Rubix cube as she jumbles up the colours.

"Really?" Veronica's brows shoot up at the new piece of information. "I thought she liked Darrell."

"I thought so too," her sister quietly admits and Veronica offers her a sympathetic smile but Heather's eyes are still on the cube and Veronica's not really sure how to have this conversation with her sister.

"Do you like Ryan too?" The older Mars girl asks even though she knows the answer - has known the answer ever since she mentioned Ryan to Heather only to have her turn into a stuttering mess.

"Of course not," she denies weakly. "I just told you that Ophelia likes him."

They're walking aimlessly and Veronica thinks that any discussion about boys need to have comfort food involved so she directs them to the opposite end where there's seemingly endless choices of once in a year carnival food lies in wait.

It's a sad fact that she's been in Heather's shoes and she still doesn't know what's the right choice to make. She'd thought she'd made the right choice in avoiding Logan, in not telling Lilly about the kiss, in squashing her feelings. But she still lost her best friend.

She wonders how things would have worked out if they were simply honest. She wonders if she could have mustered the courage to be brave enough to do so. She wonders if she has the courage now to be brave enough to tell Logan how she really feels.

She's been waiting for the philosophical other shoe to drop, for Logan to go back to Lilly, for Lilly to successfully break them up or for Logan to make it clear that this has all been fake. But she's the only one drawing lines only to cross them.

Veronica's ordering mini-doughnuts with caramelized and chocolate toppings, she eyes other stalls but she decides to keep it light since she's been eating a lot.

"You know," she starts once she has the tray of mini-doughnuts in her hand. "When I was your age, my friend liked someone and I liked him too," she confesses, offering her sister a doughnut from the tray.

"Really?" She asks, intrigued at the story her sister seems to be about to tell as she accepts one of the caramelized mini-doughnuts.

"Yeah," Veronica lets out as she chews. "I think the only thing I regret about it is not being able to be honest about my feelings," she admits.

Like Logan, she has what if'd their past in every possible way. What if she told him she liked him? What if he told her he liked her? What if she didn't avoid him? What if he saw the way she blushed every time she looked at him and thought about the feel of his lips on hers? What if she'd told Lilly about the kiss? What if she told Lilly she liked Logan? Would any one of those scenarios have made a difference? Would all of them have? Would things be better or worse now? Would they still have come to be who they were now? Would she and Logan have broken up like how Lilly and him broke up?

"I think if I were I wouldn't have lost my friend and I wouldn't have waited five years to be with the guy," she says even though she's not really with the guy.

"Logan?" Heather whispers his name with a small gasp.

"Logan," Veronica confirms and they're silent for a moment and Veronica wonders if five years from now would she be thinking up scenarios about the boy that has once again captured her heart?

She doesn't want Logan to end up on her what if list again. She doesn't want to live this life of what ifs and what could have been or think.

"Was the girl Duncan's sister?" Heather breaks the silence.

"Yeah," she sighs. "There was a lot of miscommunication and far too many feelings for twelve year old girls to know how to handle by themselves."

"You guys hate each other now," comes the doubtful voice of Heather.

"Years of feeling like someone you trusted betrayed you can manifest into something really ugly," Veronica deducts, thoughts of Lilly and her as two little girls fresh in her mind. "I don't want that to happen to you. You should talk to her and be honest about your feelings."

"You don't think she'll hate me like Lilly hates you?" She bluntly outs forth because even though she's become friends with everyone in her class but the one she values most is Ophelia, they've been friends for as long as she can remember and she can't picture her life without her.

"I think if I were honest with Lilly instead of ignoring it all or if Lilly told me how she felt about me instead of being so passive aggressive about it all things might have been different."

It's the first time Veronica admits that something could have been done to salvage their friendship. She wonders if Lilly knew that she wasn't the only one that felt betrayal. She wonders if Lilly knew her tough skin didn't just come from losing her mother. She wonders if Lilly knows the worst punishment wasn't that she was parading Logan around but it was losing her. She wonders if Lilly's ever regretted not having her around anymore.

"Do you regret letting her have Logan?"

"That wasn't my choice to make. You can't let someone have someone else," Veronica tries to explain. "People aren't possession. It was his choice to make no matter what the circumstances. I liked him back then but if he hadn't made all of the choices that he's made, experienced all of these things that led him up to me, would he still be this person that I've come to love wholeheartedly?"

Heather stares up at her sister with unwavering awe in her big hazel eyes. "You love him?"

"I really do," Veronica nods, a little smile curling in place and it's the first time that she's admitted out lout that she loves Logan and it feels so much different that thinking it. It feels so much more real. "I think that whatever choice you make, you're gonna be okay," she assures her sister. "You're really smart and you're really tough and you've got me no matter what."

Heather nods, appreciating her sister's words and wanting to know more because it feels like she's finally been let into this trust circle with this boy talk. "Did you tell him that you love him?"

Veronica shakes her head no. She doesn't explain that she's afraid of being honest because of her own insecurities. She doesn't explain how often she forgets that other people exist and finds herself falling more in love with him. She doesn't explain how the person she loves might still love someone else.

"I think he loves you too," Heather says with depth Veronica can't believe she's hearing. "He looks at you a lot, Ronica," she adds with an insightful look in her eye. "When you're not paying attention. He looks at you to see if you're having a good time."

"He does?" She blinks in surprise, the observation from her little sister makes her fluttery.

Heather nods and Veronica's lips curve into a silly smile. She loves him and the possibility that he loves her back makes her feel warm and glowy inside. She thinks that maybe it's time for her to be honest about her feelings, to finally take a chance and give him all the love that consumes her. She doesn't want him to be another what if in her life. She doesn't want him to be the one that got away. She doesn't want him being her fake boyfriend anymore. She wants the real thing. She wants to share all her real firsts with him and be loved in return. She wants to give herself this chance that she's always denied herself from having. She wants him. She wants Logan.

[blackpalaladin]

Chills and Thrills

Based off THIS post.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Pairing: R76 Gabe is just finishing up the bloody touches of his make-up when Ana rounds the corner, clipboard in hand. She’s already dressed up in her pirate costume, Gabe notes as he sets his sponge down.

“Gabby, you’re on the window tonight.” She waves the clipboard at him.

Gabe scowls, “Not again.”

Ana pauses in the doorway, the eyebrow above her eyepatch rising, “Why not?”

“I did the window last night.” Gabe complains, pushing away from the vanity and searching for his jacket, “I put on this costume specifically to be in the hand-on hallway.” He pulls his black tattered trench coat over his shoulders and smooths out the lines.

Ana eyes him from his distressed black boots, up the messy elegance of his costume, to the gory ruin of his costume makeup. He knows he looks a sight, undead skin and bloody fangs and he even salt-and-peppered his hair!

“You will make a truly terrifying vampire, Gabriel.” Ana points the clipboard at him, “From the window.” her boots thump down the corridor of the changing rooms and Gabriel deflates with a sigh.

He hates working the windows. No one can appreciate all the hard work that goes into his costumes if the bottom half of it is hidden. Which it will be, because all the peephole windows give just enough of a glimpse to scare the pants off passerby, but only for a moment. Gabe likes to slink and follow and haunt his victims.

“Tough luck, eh, Reyes?” McCree passes by the open door to his room, dressed to the nine’s in his Van Helsing costume. He waves his glowing hand in Gabe’s direction before sauntering off towards his part of the haunted house.

Gabe checks his make-up in the mirror one last time before heaving a sigh and heading for his own part of the house.

He slinks down the hallways, whispering hello’s to the actors waiting for their prey behind curtains and doorways. His window is near the center of the haunted house, just past the asylum and before the haunted hospital room. Right smack dab in the ‘horror icon’ portion of the house.

He finds a his window with a quick smoothing of his hand across the boards. The trap cord is hanging to the right of it and the peephole is in the center. He leans forward to check the hallway.

It’s completely black-light lite. There are old, weather pictures hanging haphazardly on the walls and the carpet is old and blood stained. Gabe’s heart does a little sigh at the sight and waits patiently for his first victims.

He goes through fourteen easy scares before coming to his first challenge.

Most people who come through in groups are easy pickings, mostly girls clinging to each other or their boyfriends, older kids making fun of the props, or in rare cases, children. Which Gabe patiently waits out because he’s not interested in starring in a six year olds recurring nightmare.

But there there are those groups of people. Early twenties, two girls leading the way, arms locked together and determined frowns on their faces as they march down the hall. Then two guys bringing up the rear, one wearing a Jason mask, hands stuffed casually into his front pockets. The other was Gabe’s golden ticket for the evening.

Blonde hair, all-white hoodie with the football team’s logo on the front and built like a running back. He’s wearing a relaxed grin and is chatting down at Jason-mask dude as the girls pass Gabriel up.

Guys like tall, blonde and gorgeous are the hardest to scare. They are the literal backbone of the groups, with relaxing voices and assuring ‘it’s just a prop, Abigail’ words after every scare.

Gabriel’s favorite past time is scaring the bejesus out these dudes and turning the group into one big, screaming mess.

He’s done it before and goddamn it, he’ll do it again.

He waits until just the right moment to drop the seemingly innocent portrait in the hallway, hissing dangerously as the wood slams down with a loud snap. Jason-mask screams and spins backwards.

Blondie leaps backwards into the opposite wall, blue eyes wide and arm pulled back.

Oh shit, Gabe tries not to break character as that hand curls into a fist, I’m finally going to walk out of here with a black eye.

Except, the hand relaxes almost as quickly as it tensed up, curling behind the dudes head as he leans back into the wall. A combat boot props up against the bottom of Gabe’s portrait and a slow, easy smirk pulls at the corners of blondie’s mouth.

“So, come here often?” He asks with a gravel-thick voice.

It takes all of Gabriel’s willpower not to drop his jaw at the smooth transition from ‘fucking terrified’ to ‘wanna grab a drink later?’.

Instead, he shrugs and still in character hisses, “Only on weekends in October.”

The girls let out peals of laughter up ahead and Jason-mask slaps the blonde on his shoulder as he eases out of his reclined pose. He gives Gabe a finger-gun and a wink before strolling off after his friends.

Gabe shuts his window and presses his forehead against the wood - defeated.

Much later in the evening, when Olivia strolls up in with neon-colored blood splattered all over her face and neck to relieve him, Gabe heads out for the actual fair. Ana gives him a wink from her spot at the front door of the house and he sneers at her in return.

Gabe beelines for the fried oreo stand, mouth watering and stomach rumbling at the mixed scents of turkey legs and funnel cakes. Kids are squealing around him, covered in face-paint and cotton candy. The rides are full of shouting adults and nauseous teenagers.

Gabe closes his eyes and takes it all in, swaying on his feet as he waits in line. When he opens his eyes to step forward, the patron at the window turns around and Gabe comes face to face with his failed scare.

The blonde is holding a lemonade and a nut-sprinkled caramel apple. Gone is the white hoodie and in its place is a black t-shirt with a silver scythe on the front that reads ‘Fear the Reaper’. Gabe’s insides melt.

Blondie points at him with his caramel-apple hand and grins, “Welcome back to the land of the living.”

“Ha ha.” Gabriel’s heard that one before.

Blondie just laughs and bites into his apple, chews thoughtfully, “You almost had me.”

Gabe crosses his arms over his chest, “Don’t get cocky, boyscout.” He waves a hand out, “You wouldn’t have been so tough if your friends hadn’t been there.”

Blondie just holds that casual smile and bites into his apple again. Those blue eyes rake down Gabriel’s form, “Shame the window hid most of your costume, looks great. One of the best ones I’ve seen all night.”

Of course it is, Gabe thinks smugly, Halloween is his holiday.

“Thanks.” He leaves the blonde for a second to place his order. He’s half-expecting the dude to be gone by the time he pays, takes the powdered-sugar goodness out of the attendants hands, and turns back around.

Except the blonde is still there, polishing off his apple and tossing the stick in a nearby trashcan. Gabe watches him lick the remaining sticky caramel from his fingers and a sliver of arousal simmers down his spine at the sight.

The blonde face lights up when Gabe walks back over with his fried oreos.

“Where are your friends?” Gabe glances around the blonde’s big body, searching for the Jason-masked dude and the women.

“Lucio wanted to try and catch a frog at one of the booths and the girls followed.” Blondie jerks a thumb towards the carnival booths. He waits a beat as they stand there awkwardly, blondie clears throat, “Name’s Jack.”

“Gabe.” He replies, taking a bite out of an oreo.

Jack rocks on his feet, takes a noisy sip from his lemonade, blue eyes focused solely on Gabe. Kinda like has something to ask or to say. It’s almost unnerving, kinda creepy, and just a little bit hot. Gabe’s growing impatient and horny.

Jack seems to make up his mind after a minute of silence, leans forward, “Ever made out in corn maze?”

Gabe groans around a bite of his oreo, “I thought you’d never ask.”