#but i think the tree looks. alright? i dunno i've been staring at it too long to tell...

[ying-dawdles]

this piece gave me such a hard time but anyways here it is for you few spam followers! :>

(I posted this yesterday but then changed it a bit here and there so uh if you saw this already no you didn't-)

[panandinpain0]

My friend (that’s ur new title, u can’t relinquish it sorry HAHAHAH) can I ask for a prequel to Under the Willow Tree- what happened with that kiss I needs to know bro you can’t do me dirty like this 😭😭 fr tho feel free to put this one on the backburner

The Kiss

Coming right up mango! (I love my new title and you can take it from my cold dead hands)

(and I know, I'm super creative with titles)

@@@

Requested by: @mailmango

Ron Weasley x Male!Ravenclaw!Granger!Reader

---

Walking with some of his friends, (Y/N) was trying to decide what to do in his free period.

"-And my mother keeps trying to get me to date the neighbor boy, too! She just won't quit it!" Rylie Hops, a fellow Ravenclaw, exclaimed to (Y/N), who just now tuned into the conversation.

"What's the neighbor boy got that I don't have?" Cooper Brand flirted with Rylie, the Slytherin as cunning as they come.

Rolling his eyes, as he always found himself in the middle of their flirting, (Y/N) sighed and looked around. He spotted his older sister and her friends and decided it was time to leave the conversation (not that he was much part of it in the beginning).

"I'll see you guys later, yeah? I've got to go ask Hermione something," he cut Cooper off, not that he really cared.

"Oh, see you (Y/N)!" Cooper waved him off as he walked.

"I'll save you a seat at dinner!" Rylie called before turning back to Cooper.

Approaching the frizzy haired sixth year, (Y/N) waved to her.

"Hey 'Mione!"

"(Y/N), I thought you had Astronomy?" Hermione asked, gearing up to scold him for skipping a period.

"No, I had it just barely, it's my free period now. Cooper and Rylie are at it again so I figured I'd join you guys. Harry, Ron," he nodded to them in greeting.

"(Y/N)," Ron greeted back with a smile, Harry vaguely waving as he stared at someone across the courtyard.

"They're still at it?" Hermione questioned, looking back down at her book and twirling her quill. "You just need to tell them they like each other."

"It doesn't work like that, 'Mione. Cooper is in love with Rylie so he jokingly flirts with her because he thinks that's how he'll win her heart, but Rylie thinks they're just that; jokes! I think it's best to just leave them to figure it out on their own," (Y/N) replied, sitting on the bench next to Hermione and Ron, trying to avoid Harry (who was sitting on the ground in front of the bench for some reason).

"Love is so stupid," Hermione scoffed, shaking her head and writing something on her parchment.

"I don't know, it could be kind of fun!" Ron shrugged, looking at (Y/N). (Y/N) turned to look at him but Ron turned before he could get caught.

"How would you know?" Harry laughed, patting his friends shoe.

"Oh, what do you know about love, Harry?"

"Not enough..."

Leaning over to whisper to Ron, (Y/N) looked Harry up and down.

"What's up with him?" (Y/N) whispered.

"I dunno, I've been trying to pry it out of him for days, but no luck."

Whatever Harry had been looking at didn't seem to hold his interest anymore as he turned around to face his friends on the bench.

"(Y/N), you're really good at transfiguration, right?"

"What isn't he good at?" Ron asked rhetorically, missing (Y/N)'s surprised look.

"McGonagall loves you," Harry went on, Hermione hesitantly looking up from her book as she caught on to what he was saying.

"Um, I s'pose. Why?" (Y/N) replied with a head tilt.

"We need your help with something-"

"Are you sure we should be wrapping him up in all this?" Ron asked, his question going unheard.

"Meet us under the staircase by the One-Eyed-Witch statue after dinner, alright?" Harry continued.

"Uh... okay?" (Y/N) agreed, unsure as to what they'd need a fifth year for.

"You really don't have to if you don't want to," Ron reassured him, shaking his head at Harry's eagerness.

"It would help us loads, I know how you are with transfiguration, but Ron's right. Come if you want, it's okay if you don't," Hermione put a comforting hand on (Y/N)'s shoulder.

"I'll be there," (Y/N) shrugged.

...

"So, what do you need my help for?" (Y/N) asked as he got close enough to the trio under the staircase.

"We've planned this prank for Malfoy-"

"Hermione, you're planning a prank?" (Y/N) asked his sister incredulously, kind of impressed.

"I didn't want to but you know how I am with Malfoy," was her response.

"The point is we need a specific transfiguration spell that takes a lot of skill and concentration," Harry informed.

"Why can't Hermione do it?"

It was silent for a moment when Ron spoke up, "Because you're better than her at transfiguration."

With raised eyebrows, (Y/N) turned to his sister.

Hermione let out a sigh and rolled her eyes, "It's true. I've never told you but you are better than me at transfigurations, and I can't do the spell."

"Alright what's the spell?" (Y/N) chuckled.

Harry handed him a piece of paper with the information on it.

"Just look into it and practice it, we'll need you in a week," Harry told him, patting him on the shoulder. "Thanks, mate."

"It's not like I've got anything better to do." (Y/N) shrugged.

"Harry, look," Hermione whispered to her friend, pointing up the stairs. Whatever they saw had them running up them, but (Y/N) and Ron stayed where they were.

"A prank on the Slytherins, huh?" (Y/N) laughed as he put the slip of paper into his bag.

"Yeah, just Malfoy acting like the ferret he is," Ron joked back, leaning against the wall. (Y/N) joined him there, twiddling his thumbs.

Ron rubbed the back of his neck, glancing over at (Y/N) nervously.

"I've been thinking about what we were talking about the other day, in the courtyard..." Ron trailed off.

"What, Cooper and Rylie?"

"Yeah, the love thing. And I was wondering... have you ever been in love?"

Taken aback, (Y/N) blinked and gulped, trying to think.

"Uhm... I'd like to think so."

Ron nodded for a bit, looking deep in thought.

"Did they love you back?"

"I'm not sure... I haven't done anything about it. Yet."

"Oh. Well, what does it feel like?"

(Y/N) hummed in thought, "It hurts. I'm not sure if it's just because I don't know if he likes me back, or if being in love just hurts like this, but it hurts."

"'He'?"

(Y/N) nodded, looking at his shoes.

"Being in love, at least for me, is thinking about them. Not all of the time like some people say, but whenever you're life pauses for a moment... like you're outside and suddenly everything but the breeze stops and the sun is setting, it's tranquil. And the only thing I can think is that I want him there with me. Or when I make myself coffee I wonder how he likes his, or if he prefers tea instead...

And when he talks to me my heart feels like it's running right out of my chest, and I'm just so sure that my face is on fire, because that's what it feels like." (Y/N) turned to Ron, taking a deep breath.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Ron slowly cupped (Y/N)'s cheek, looking into his eyes to make sure it was okay. When he didn't object he took his hand with his free one and leaned in until their lips barely touched.

"I think so."

(Y/N) leaned forward and sealed the kiss, his free hand holding Ron's elbow. Their lips moved together, a partnership that would change their friendship forever. Ron couldn't believe he was doing this, not that he was thinking about much other than how sweet (Y/N) tasted on his lips, the cider on his mouth still lingering after dinner.

Butterflies swarmed (Y/N)'s stomach, violent and harsh compared to the daydream people write about.

"(Y/N)?" Hermione shouted as she walked down the stairs. "Ron?"

The boys gasped and pulled apart, (Y/N) wiping at his mouth before turning towards Hermione, clearing his throat.

He knew he looked like he'd just been making out with his big sisters best friend, but would she know that?

"Yeah, Hermione?" (Y/N) tried to hide the tremor in his voice.

"Aren't you two coming? Harry's run off after the Hufflepuff girl again and I can't find him."

"We'll help you look," Ron agreed, nodding and running a had through his hair.

Hermione looked them up and down suspiciously for a moment, but turned around eventually anyways.

Not knowing what to do, or say, the boys silently followed after her- not looking at each other.

---

Was this good? I need more practice with kissing scenes :/

Hope this was a good prequel for you mango!

-Author Max <3

[doodle17]

Raz gaming for the first time with either playing Bendy or Legend of Zelda. I think that he'd enjoy some of the more horror based LoZ games like Majora's Mask or Twilight Princess, considering his love of Zombies. If he's playing Bendy he gets REALLY attached to the first Boris and because Tom's Boris is mean he gets sassy with Tom.

"Soooo.... it's like, a fantasy game?" Raz said looking at the TV as Adam handed him the controller. "Oh its WAY more than just some 'fantasy game', buddy!" Adam replied as he inserted the cartridge into the console. "Trust me, by the end of the day, you'll be a Zelda fanatic!" Raz looked at the controller, unsure, but nodded. "Alright then? I've always been more of a sci-fi, science fiction kind of guy but-" Adam pointed to the loading screen. "Just play the game mate."

"Hey! This is actually really fun!" Raz said happily as he solved another puzzle in the Deku Tree. Adam ruffled his hair. "See? I told you, you'd like it!" Adam said. Raz hummed as he moved the joystick around, the character running around awkwardly on the screen. "Pfft. That's because this one's easy." Lizzie said, suddenly appearing behind the boys. Adam jumped a bit. "If you want to have some real fun, try this one out."

She held up a cartridge. Adam rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I dunno, that one might be a little scary. The mask transformations still freak me out." Lizzie scoffed. "C'mon, I'm sure 'ol Razzle-dazzle over here has seen way worse." She held up the cartridge again and looked at Raz. "Whadya say buddy? Wanna play the real best Zelda game?" She looked at Adam smugly. He sighed. "I will not fight with you on this again." He said, but quickly muttered "Ocarina of time will always be better..." under his breath after. Raz shrugged. "I don't see what the harm is in trying another one out. I'll give it a shot." Lizzie gave him a high five. "Atta' kid!" She walked over to the console.

Raz stared in horror at the short terrifying mask transformation cutscene. He was already freaked out, but this seemed to push him over the edge. "Yeah, no. I'm done this is too freaky." Raz set the controller down. "Ah c'mon! We haven't even gotten the Zora mask yet!" Lizzie said. Adam shrugged. "I told you." She glared at him before folding her arms. "Okay, how about you try Twilight Princess?" She had a bit of hope in her voice. "What's it about?" Raz asked, looking over his shoulder. Adam sighed thoughtfully. "How do you feel about were-wolf transformations, unnerving animations and disturbing dream sequences?"

Raz inhaled through his teeth with an unsure look on his face. Lizzie furrowed her eyebrows. "Damn... Alright..." She groaned. She sat thoughtfully for a moment before perking up. "Hey, Raz! You ever heard of Bendy and the Ink Machine?-"

"NO." Adam interrupted.

[rogue-durin-16]

FIREWORKS AND STREAMERS

Request: I have been insecure about my curly hair lately and was wondering if you can you write something with one of the weasley twins where the reader is insecure about her curly hair and one of the twins makes her feel better.

Pairing: Fred Weasley x Hufflepuff!Reader

Genre: fluff

Tags:

Requested by: @wildcat1434

Fred Weasley: @whiskeyn-rain @lumos-solemn

Permanent taglist: @elia-the-bibliophile @randomparanoid @karlthecat15722 @thebutchersdaughtersblog

Warnings: none

A/N: So like, incoming fluff bc this idea was cute and sometimes I do be needing fluff, that's about it, enjoy <3

Rogue-durin-16 masterlist

The relationship between me and my hair had always been... Bumpy, you could say.

There were periods in which I would find it quite lovely; during those times I would let my curls free, showing them off with a proud demeanor, knowing my hair was unique. Those times began to turn less and less usual since the middle of third year, though they were still there.

However, after the summer prior to my sixth year, those moments had banished; I only wished to hide my hair, and my friends ended up noticing. They told me surely there would be a spell or potion able to change my hair.

As if they had summoned it, the next day in Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall introduced us to what seemed like my salvation; Crinus Muto, an advanced spell that modified the caster's hair with no restrictions.

My best friend advised me against using it, claiming it wouldn't help my insecurity— if only, it would worsen it.

I really wanted to do as she had told me and completely dismiss the spell's existence, but two nights after I had a big mental breakdown about it, caused by the most stupid thing ever.

"Is Weasley staring at you or am I blind?" One of my friends whispered, her eyes trained on the Gryffindor table.

I didn't even bother to look up, not wanting to know whether it was true or not, before responding with a quiet "You're blind."

"I mean, it's hard to tell with two rows of students between us but," She nudged me, urging me to avert my gaze from my dinner and redirect it to Fred. "it kinda looks like he's... staring."

Curiosity killed the cat, I guess. My eyes finally left my plate and were, in fact, met with Fred's brown ones. As soon as they met, though, he looked away, pretending to be focused on his food, just like I had been doing seconds ago.

"Of course he's staring." Hannah Abbot, who sat right in front of my friend, commented with her mouth full. "Have you seen your hair?" She swallowed her food, looking me up and down before adding, "No offense, but it's an absolute mess." My eyes opened widely in shock at her bluntness. "You should take care of it, really."

"Has someone ever told you you're an ill-mannered bitch, Hannah?" I heard my friend talking back at the younger girl while I got up and started to make my way out of the Great Hall.

Of course, I didn't see Fred shooting up and attempting to go after me; ultimately he decided to stay in his place, since he saw my friend walking out too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was very aware of all the pair of eyes that had been laid on me the very moment I entered the greenhouse where we would be doing the Herbology tasks.

When I had met my friends at the Hufflepuff common room that morning, I had received divided opinions about my straight hair. At first I had been very convinced that it looked way better than my curly hair, but seeing my friends' reaction, I wasn't that confident about it anymore.

I didn't have time to undo the spell before class, so I decided to go along with it and see how the day unfolded.

I took a deep breath, my eyes trained on the ground as I made my way to an empty seat; maybe there weren't that many people staring, maybe it was just my anxiety.

I finally gathered the courage and looked up, nervously scanning the glasshouse so I could shake off my fears.

There was only a couple of my peers staring, which would have put me at ease, if one of them wasn't Fred Weasley.

On top of it, of course, he wasn't even trying to be subtle, it was almost as if he wanted me to notice his judging eyes; I could feel his gaze on me for the entire class.

The instant Professor Sprout dismissed us, I shoved everything in my bag and left the greenhouse, thanking a couple of Gryffindors who complimented my hair on my way out.

Again, I didn't notice Fred leaving the class as soon as he could to run after me.

I threw my bag against a tree near the lake shore and, as I fell against it, I heard someone jogging in my direction.

"In a hurry to sit by the lake, Y/l/n?" I followed the tall ginger with my eyes while he circled me and sat down by me. "You alright?"

"I just needed a break from... People." I vaguely explained, focusing on the water instead of on the boy besides me.

"Understandable." He hesitated for a second before adding, "Do you want me to leave?"

"No, it's fine." I surprised myself at how calmed and collected I sounded, as if I wasn't chatting with my crush.

"What happened to your hair?" His genuinely curious inquiry took me aback, and I struggled to find something to answer.

"Why?" My heartbeat picked up, anxiety inundating me once more. "You don't like it?"

"It looks weird." Fred looked at me up and down with a grimace. "You don't... Look like yourself." I was about to enter fight or flight mode, but he seemed to notice, and panic made its way to his face. "But it doesn't matter what I think," he was quick to add, his eyes wide open as if he knew he had said something he should have not. "I mean— I think it shouldn't matter, if you like it, that's great— I mean, you don't need my opinion about that either!"

"Calm down, I understand." I tried to reassure him, before his rambling drove the both of us crazy. "Can I tell you a secret?" He nodded with pursed lips, surely afraid he would fuck up if he spoke again. "I've been very insecure about my hair lately— like, very." I sighed. "My best friend told me not to straighten it, but last night I got a not so nice comment and—"

"So that's why you left?" I nodded, tugging my sleeves. Fred went silent for a moment, and then cleared his throat and scooted closer to me. "I know this won't do much, but I really love your hair. Kinda reminds me of fireworks and streamers." He gestured around his own head, mimicking the fireworks' movement. "Dunno I think is fun and pretty awesome." I raised my brows at him in surprise. "Like you."

"Aw, that's very sweet." He offered me a sheepish smile as I felt my cheeks blushing. "It does a lot, actually." I confessed, fidgeting with my rings. "I guess I kinda needed to hear something positive about my hair."

"Well, whenever you need to hear something positive about your hair," he pointed at himself. "I'm your man." He winked at me and I let out a chuckle. "I can also tell you positive things about you in general, but that has a price."

"And what is it?"

"You'll have to let me buy you a drink at The Three Broomsticks this Saturday." I tried not to let panic slip through my recently eased demeanor; was he asking me on a date? "And give me a kiss after." He wiggled his brows at me and my face turned red. "the kiss is negotiable."

I casted my gaze down, fixing it on my shoes, not sure of what I was supposed to say at that. His foot tapping mine snapped me out of my thoughts.

"So?" My eyes traveled to him once more, only to find his studying me already. "What do you say, Y/l/n?"

"Well," I shrugged, trying in vain to play nonchalant. "Seems like an affordable price, so it's fine by me."

"I'll pick you up after lunch, yeah?" Before I could agree, he gasped, his eyes going wide. "I'm a genius."

"Come again?" I frowned, confused as his sudden frantic behavior.

"Don't mind me, love." He jumped up and jogged towards the castle, leaving me puzzled in there. I was about to grab a book from my bag when Fred rushed back, crouched down and pecked my cheek. "Your hair's amazing." He assured me. "See you!" My fingertips graced my now flushed cheek as he headed off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was finishing my lunch when two towering redheads entered the Hall running; while George, slowed down, Fred made a beeline to the Hufflepuff table, his casual clothes already on.

"Ready?" He asked breathless.

"Yeah— you didn't have lunch, did you?" I pointed out, getting up to stand in front of him.

"No, but I'll eat something later—" his eyes roamed over my carefully picked outfit before stating, "You look... very pretty."

"Why, thank you." I offered him a smile and looked over my shoulder at the Gryffindor table, where his friends were very attentive to all we did. "You sure you don't wanna eat something?"

"Hundred percent." He tilted his head towards the gates. "shall we?" He prompted to walk before him, and it was then that I realized he had his hands behind his back. Once we were out in the yard, he tugged my hand and made me turn to him. "I made something for you."

"You didn't have to." Was the first thing that came to my mind when I heard his words. Then the wording dawned on me; he didn't get me something, he made me something. "What is it?"

"So, you know that I told you your hair reminded me of fireworks and streamers?" I nodded, not quite knowing where he was going with that. "Well—" he then showed me what his back was hiding; a delicate, tiny firecracker with my name written on the side. "George helped me so I could finish it on time."

"I'm—" at my loss of words, I could only let out a happy laugh. "This is so cute— am I supposed to ignite it?"

"Duh!" I gently pushed his shoulder in response to his teasing. "Do you know how to do it?"

"I've seen you do it plenty of times." I admitted, grabbing the firecracker with one hand and my wand with the other; it looked so pretty, it was a pity I'd have to ruin it.

With a brief firemaking spell, the firecracker set off. Fred pulled me back slightly before it happened, though.

I was in awe at the beautiful fireworks before us, which looked like a color-changing, expanding version of my hair.

When the colors died out, I turned to Fred, whose attention was already on me, awaiting for a reaction. Surely, he was not expecting the kiss he got, but he didn't complain either; while my hands rested on his chest, his traveled to cup my cheeks before I could pull away.

"So you liked it?" He questioned quietly against my lips.

"I loved it." I whispered back with a wide smile. "You're a sweetheart." I pecked his lips before retreating. Holding his hand in mines, I made my way back into the castle. "We're not leaving until you have lunch."

"You are a sweetheart." He responded, following my lead without offering resistance. "By the way, your hair looks gorgeous." The corners of my lips twisted into a bigger smile at the sweet words he spoke only for me to hear as we went back into the Great Hall.

Maybe my hair wasn't that bad after all.

[cherrykenobi]

snowy sunrise

pairing: leia organa x reader

warnings: sweet smooches & pure fluff :)

summary: mornings on hoth are breathtakingly beautiful - they pale in comparison to her.

note: a leia blurb because she is my favorite thing in the entire world and i miss her with my entire ass

You like snow - objectively speaking. 

Freshly fallen sheets of white blanket the ground and dust over trees and cities as far as the eye can see. It’s a wonder in its own right - and beautiful, you think. That was before relocating to Hoth.

You seem to tire of snow within the first week, spending a disproportionate amount of time staring out at Hoth’s monotonous terrain. It seems a bit bleak overall, but it’s around this time when you find it’s most appealing. Inside Echo Base, you watch as the sun rises amid hazy pinks and yellows. A snowstorm has just passed, leaving way for miles of porcelain snow on a vast, sprawling landscape. 

You lean against the window, breath fogging the transparisteel. The whole world seems to slow with the snowfall, quiet as if it sleeps alongside your cohorts. A cup of caf warms your hands and you revel in the silence - only for a moment, though.

“You’re up early,” Leia says, her voice barely piercing your bubble of calm. She’s just woken up herself, still in sleep clothes, hair in waves behind her back. Your heart flutters pleasantly at the sight.

“Haven't slept, actually.” You adjust your grip on the cup, feeling an odd urge to fiddle with your hands.

“Well, the caf certainly isn't helping.” She stands beside you and yawns, eyes still clouded with sleep. “What kept you up?”

“Nothing.” You say, watching Leia’s gaze fall to the horizon. Pinks and yellows fade and yield to dusty blues and dull greys. You hold out the cup, offering it to her. “Here, do you want it? I haven’t drinken any.” 

She glances at you briefly before taking the cup. “Thanks.”

Leia takes a sip. A stilted silence settles over you both, and you exhale deeply. She doesn’t say a word, only watching the window. Your eyes follow the curve of her forehead, the slope of her nose. (And if you look at her mouth for a few moments too long, it’s no one’s business but your own.)

Her head comes to rest on your shoulder after a while - she’s warm and the gesture makes you feel safe despite the rapid fluttering of your pulse. You look, almost desperately, back out at the landscape. The rising sun. Anything to calm that heart of yours, not to mention the crashing somersaults of your stomach.

“You should get some sleep.” Her voice is flowing honey, soothing and sweet. 

“I've got a meeting in a few hours, I can nap after.” Your tone is gentle and sleepy to match hers. Your heart has barely calmed itself, but you find comfort in laying your head atop hers.

“You sure? You sound like you're about to crash.”

“I’ll be fine, don't worry about it. Besides, you've already got Luke and Han to worry about.”

“I don't worry about ‘em, what makes you think that?” she asks, her tone a little sharper. You’re worried that you might’ve ruined the moment and quickly try to backpedal:

“You're always with them, that's all. Han seems to like you a lot, too.” Okay, the last bit might have been a mistake.

Leia pulls away, a scrunch in her brow and a twist to her lips. You miss the warmth immediately. “Who gave you that idea?”

“No one, I just… have eyes.” You reply quietly. “He looks at you like a little puppy every time you're not lookin’ at him. Why, is there something there?” 

“No, I don't like him like that.” She huffs, putting her cup down. “He isn't my type, you know.”

“Alright, defensive.”

“I'm not being defensive, I’m just saying.”

“Fine, we won't talk about him anymore.”

“Fine.”

A beat of silence passes. “So is there anyone you do like?”

Leia calls your name in indignation, a flush rising to her cheeks - it only interests you further.

“Well, who is it?”

“Mind your own business, that's who.”

“Will you tell me about them?” 

“It’s not important, quit being so nosy.” Speaking of nosy, you’re nearly nose to nose with her. You’d very much like to move the stray hair from her cheek. 

“I'm not being nosy, I’m just curious!” You almost forget to reply, looking at that strand of hair.

“Well, be curious about something else!”

You sigh a bit, face feeling impossibly hot. “You know what you are? You’re feisty.”

“Oh, yeah? Then what are you?” She asks, brow raising.

You ponder on it briefly. “Courageous.”

“Please,” Leia says, looking you in the eyes. “name one courageous thing you’ve done in your life.”

You hold her gaze as steadily as you can, steeling yourself. 

“This.” The word barely passes your lips before your mouth is on hers - and it’s nice. 

Really, really nice. Like the rhythmic purring of an x-wing’s starting engine. Like sparks in the dead of night, flickering behind your eyes, fire on her fingertips as she grabs your cheek, your waist.

She pulls away first, and not harshly - her eyes are the richest soil, boring into yours, deep and dark and captivating. 

“Right, s’that answer your question?” Leia murmurs, staying close. 

You can’t keep the stupid grin stretching across your face. “I dunno,” you whisper, and you think your cheeks are going to hurt later with the sheer elation thrumming inside you. “you’ll have to make your point a little more clear.”

“What, you want another kiss?” 

“Didn’t wanna say it out loud,” you giggle - honest to god giggle - and swipe the bit of hair off her cheek before kissing her again. She tastes like caf and sleep and something tangibly sweet.

A moment of clarity passes over you. “I like you too, by the way.” You blurt, lamely.

She looks at you then, doe-eyed. Lets it hang for a moment - and then laughs, and stars, it sounds like gentle rainfall and the tinkling of bells and fills you with such warmth that you scoop her up into your arms, smiling into every kiss you press onto her skin. The look on her face is soft and familiar and brighter than any sunrise you’ll ever see.

“Yeah,” she says, beaming. “I figured.”

tags for the babes: @corellians-only @valkyrieofthehighfae @libradusk @cptnrex501

[julilihatfun]

In case you're still looking for prompts: I've always been a sucker for appendicitis. It starts out so basic and simple that you just ignore it, but then it rapidly warps into something possible life-threatening. So, Geralt and Jaskier on the road, and then Jaskier gets appendicitis. Also, thank you so much for writing these nice stories

Thank you so much for this prompt - it was really interesting to write, because appendicitis was so much more dangerous back then, but I did some research and I hope, that this came out somewhat realistic. :D

___________________________________

“Okay ow.”, Jaskier says when he bends down to pick up some of the coins thrown at them. “Fuck.”

“What?”, Geralt snaps, bent down beside him.

And Jaskier shrugs and frowns as he straightens back up, leaving Geralt to do the rest of the work. “Dunno. Muscle cramp or something?”

The Witcher has the audacity to snort. “From all the hard work?”

Jaskier gasps, still only watching Geralt crawl around the pubs floor, not wanting to risk another spike of pain. Instead, he dramatically flails his arms with an indignant ‘HEY!’. He hears Geralt snort again.

“I’ll have you know that me and my many muscles work very hard!”, he then snaps, waving his arms around some more – for extra credibility and theatrics (and he does not care the least that Geralt does not even see the show he puts on because he is too busy roaming the ground for coins; Jaskier is an artist and he lives and breathes the drama!).

“I don’t see you and your many muscles working at all at the moment.”, Geralt huffs.

Jaskier pouts. “Well, we’re resting!”

Geralt rolls his eyes, puts the last couple of coins into his bag and finally stands. “Come on, we need to leave.”

“Alright Mr. Serious.”, Jaskier japes. “Right when you think they’re starting to loosen up…”

“Jaskier!”

“Fine! Fine.” Jaskier throws his lute around his shoulders, wincing to himself when his stomach twinges in pain again. “I’m coming!”

“You know, we could try to rest properly for once.”, Jaskier says as he watches Geralt strap his bags to Roach. “Maybe you would be less grumpy then?”

Geralt grunts. “I’m rested.”

“Well I’m still terribly exhausted!”, Jaskier complains and only when he has announced this, he notices that god – it’s so true. He actually is bone tired.

“You can stay here. Rest properly.”

Jaskier gasps in mock hurt. “And miss out on our newest adventure? Impossible!”, he says. “Besides, I can’t leave you alone. You would miss me terribly!”

“Yeah. Terribly.” Geralts voice is dust-dry with sarcasm, but Jaskier acts like he does not notice that. “AHA. I knew it! You do like me.”

Geralt only rolls his eyes and saddles Roach, swinging himself onto her back with grace. “Shut up and get going.”

Jaskier grins at Geralts back and runs to catch up with his Witcher and Roach. The few steps leave him abnormally winded and his stomach starts to hurt again.

Only this time, the pain does not go away.

Powering through it is easy at first. He’s had far worse before. But it is kind of annoying and Jaskier decides that he has the right to complain. A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved after all.

“Geralt, my tummy hurts.”, he announces.

The Witcher throws a look over his shoulder that does not show any of the concern that Jaskier would like to receive. “You did have a big dinner.”

“Are you belittling me?”

“Jaskier, please just walk. We will set up camp in an hour or two anyways.”

“Yeah, yeah…”, Jaskier mutters, getting back to strumming his lute. He is not really in the mood to sing, but he thinks that he might have overstrained Geralt’s nerves.

And when they finally arrive at a clearing by the river they have been following, Geralt stopping Roach and telling Jaskier to get settled, the bard feels more than just mild discomfort.

When Geralt orders him to grab firewood, his movements are sluggish and uncoordinated.

“The fuck’s wrong with you, bard?”, Geralt growls, clearly on edge.

Jaskier grimaces in displeasure. “Stomach.”, he groans. “Got worse.”

“Worse how?”, Geralt frowns. Jaskier shrugs. “Just hurts.”

The Witcher watches him for a moment. “Maybe you’re just hungry?”, he guesses and Jaskier snorts.

“What, despite my big dinner?”, he snaps, sitting down on a tree stump and curling in on himself. “And if you mention food again, you’re in for a lot of trouble.”

“Can’t be so bad if you’re still able to poke fun at me.”, Geralt decides, but kneels down in front of Jaskier anyways, pressing his palm to the bards neck. “Hm. You are a bit warm.”

“Burning.”, Jaskier laments. “Horribly sick and in need of weeks’ worth of rest!”

Geralt snorts and hands him his waterskin. “Just lie down, drink this and then sleep. You’ll be fine.”

“Right.”, Jaskier agrees, downing every last drop of water greedily, before flopping down without even bothering to lay out his sleeping mat and closing his eyes with a groan.

Geralt huffs fondly and throws a blanket over the bards shivering body, tucking the edges in carefully before getting started on the fire.

He won’t worry just yet. It most likely is some sort of stomach bug and Jaskier will probably be over the worst come morning.

Geralt decides that it is time to worry when Jaskier gasps awake in the middle of the night. At first, the Witcher guesses that this is due to a nightmare – something the bard struggles with quite a lot – but he springs to his feet when Jaskier lets out a howl of pain.

“Jaskier!”, Geralt says, crouching down by the bards head. And even without actually touching Jaskier, he can feel the heat radiating off of his body.

“Geralt.”, Jaskier whimpers, clutching his stomach with both hands in clear desperation. “Please.”

“Alright, you need to breathe.”, he instructs, for a lack of better advise.

And when he has got Jaskier calmed down a bit, he stands to walk over to his bag, ignoring Roaches questioning stare – the horse hates being awoken at night – and fishes in there for a small glass vial.

Then, Geralt kneels back down by Jaskiers side, helping the bard sit. Jaskier is trembling and moaning and the hand that Geralt has on his back is immediately damp with the bards sweat. “Well try this, it’s safe for humans and should ease the pain.”, he says, holding out the vial filled with lilac liquid.

Jaskiers hands shake so much, that Geralt has to assist him, but its pointless anyways in the end, because he can only hold it down for a mere minute before bringing everything back up.

“Right.”, Geralt says, aiming for evenly, after the retching has passed, having to support nearly all of Jaskiers weight. The bard’s breath it still hitching in silent sobs of pain and Geralt is really starting to worry now. “We won’t try that again, then.”

Jaskier shudders, hands still clawing at his stomach. Geralt has seen Jaskier have stomach ailments before, but it has never been like this. And he does not know what to do.

The Witcher takes one of Jaskiers hand in his in an attempt to comfort him, and Jaskiers grabs on for dear life. They sit like that for a while and right when Geralt hopes that things might start looking up now, Jaskiers breathing grows ragged and he whimpers, thrashing around in Geralts hold in a desperate effort to escape the pain.

“Help.”, Jaskier pleads, when this does not work, delirious with pain. “Geralt, please.”

“I… I don’t know how.”, Geralt breathes, gripping Jaskiers hand tightly. “But we will find someone that does.”, he says. “I promise, Jask. Just sit tight.”

Problem is: when Geralt heaves Jaskier onto Roach and tries to get the fuck to a nearby town as fast as possible, the jostling makes the bard scream in pain and Geralt definitely cannot deal with that.

So he gets Jaskier down and then watches him throw up again, while Jaskier sobs and moans and pleads for Geralt to do something, anything, to make this go away.

And all Geralt can do is hold him and mutter empty reassurances, while he grows more and more desperate himself.

Morning comes and Jaskier somehow gets even worse; Geralt wishes for a miracle then.

“Side sickness.”, someone says behind him, and Geralt is not the slightest bit surprised when he sees Yennefer standing there – weirder things have happened.

“Hm?”

“Your bard.” Yennefer nods towards Jaskier, who is still half propped-up against Geralts torso, face grey and sweaty, whimpering in pain. “Has side sickness.”

She eyes Geralt questioningly then. “Is that why you called for me?”

“I… guess so?”, Geralt says, despite not really recalling having called her at all.

She looks torn, suddenly. “Well, I can’t help you, Geralt. There is no cure.”, she says.

“There has to be something.”, Geralt growls.

Yennefer shakes her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Yen!”, Geralt snaps, instinctively tightening his hold on Jaskier, making the bard gasp.

There is heavy silence for a moment. Then, the sorceress kneels down next to Geralt and Jaskier, putting her hand on the bards right side.

Geralt watches her questioningly as she puts her other hand on Jaskiers cheek, catching his attention.

“Jaskier, I’m sorry but I will have to press down now.”, she says, gentler than Geralt has ever heard her speak to the bard before.

“Ngggh- n- noo…”, Jaskier moans weakly, trying to bat her hand away.

He trashes in Geralts hold a second later, when Yennefer actually does press down, whimpering.

When Yennefer lets go not long after, he screams out in pain, hands automatically moving to his side while he curls in on himself.

“Yen!”, Geralt roars, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“Definitely side sickness, then.”, the sorceress says, looking troubled.

Geralt grips his bards’ shoulder as the smaller man still experiences the aftershocks of intense pain and looks at Yennefer pleadingly. “Please do something.”

She takes a deep breath, watching Jaskier whimper and tremble, and lets it out in a sigh. “I… There is something I once read, but it’s-“

“Do it!”

“Geralt! It’s highly experimental.”

But as she watches Geralt fret over the bard, eyes heavy with worry and desperation, she thinks that she might favours the risk of having more blood on her hands over having to watch Geralt’s little friend die without having even tried.

“Fine. He has to lie on his back.”, she instructs Geralt as she stands up to hold the blade of the sharpest knife she carries with her into the flames of the dying fire.

Behind her, she hears Jaskier crying out again over Geralt’s hysteric attempt at reassuring him and when she turns around again, Jaskier is flat on his back, his head propped up on Geralt’s lap.

“What- What are you doing?!”, Geralt asks in horror as she moves up Jaskiers sweat-soaked shirt and draws an even line on his lover abdomen with a piece of burned wood.

“I have to…”, she hesitates as Jaskiers fever-bright eyes settle on her. “… cut it out.”

Geralt’s eyes widen slightly, mouth already opening in protest, but Yennefer interrupts him. “Jaskier, I will put you to sleep for this.”

She expects the bard to protest as well, but he just releases a shuddering breath. “Jus’ make it stop.”, he whispers weakly. “Please.”

Geralt finds Jaskiers hand again, looking deep into Jaskiers eyes. “You’ll be fine.”, he promises emptily. “It’ll be okay.”

Jaskier lets out a hollow, pained laugh. “Get… it… out… ‘lready.”, he whimpers, feels Yennefer’s hand over his eyes and then… nothing.

When he comes to, his first sensation is lingering pain in his stomach, but it’s not nearly as bad as it was before.

He cracks his eyes open hesitantly, the previous events slowly starting to filter back in. The first thing he sees is Geralts head, looming over him.

Jaskier flinches back slightly, groaning when there is a sharp pain in his side.

“Easy.”, Geralt soothes, gently and caring (and Jaskier is SO confused right now) and straightens the blanket that the bard is wrapped into before handing Jaskier his waterskin again. “Drink something.”

Geralt props him up carefully and Jaskier takes a few sips, leaning heavily against Geralt.

“Soooo… what happened?”, Jaskier asks casually, while he rubs his sore stomach absentmindedly.

Geralt sighs. “Something in your stomach was… terribly infected. Very painful and even more dangerous. Yennefer got it out and that helped… you’ve been asleep the past two days. We got really lucky, Jask.”

“Wow.”, Jaskier breathes.

“Yeah…”

“Some proper rest at last, and I’m not even conscious for it.”

Geralt snorts, slapping him on the shoulder lightly.

“You know, I always knew.”, Jaskier says tiredly, dreamily.

“Knew that your own body would decide to turn against you?”

“That you liiiike me.”, Jaskier sing-songs happily, snuggling into Geralts chest even though the motion hurts quite a bit.

Geralt groans in frustration, but out of the corner of his eye, Jaskier can see him smiling fondly, before he falls asleep again.

[jinxthequeergirl]

Dream Come True

Steve harrington x Hopper! Reader (coraline AU)

Summary: escaping your everyday life after you move to live with your father couldn't have been something you wanted more, luckily for you you are given the chance

Warning: swearing, Horror themes like idk It's Coraline i think that speaks for itself no?

So i don't know if im going to end up making this a series or not but hey if this does really well then I might, but just this is so long so i might have to.

~~~~~

In front of you sat a small box with many opportunities, two small glossy black buttons, thread and the promise of freedom...

You watched the rain drops race down the window intently as your father drove you home from the headwear store. you'd only been In Hawkins for only half a month, having to move there with your father after your mom died. And you had only spent the time unpacking, today you had finally convinced your dad to take you to get supplies so you could really make your new rooms more like you.

The car bounced slightly causing your head to lift and hit the window. "Ow!"

"Sorry pot hole..." Hopper said glancing over to you. "You alright?"

"Yea...but guess it takes a while to figure out if you have brain damage or not.." You muttered sitting straight in the car seat, crossing your arms over your chest.

"C'mon don't be that way...you get to redecorate your room..that must be exciting for you? Give you something to do while we wait for the rain to clear up. "I guess..." You perked up at a new idea popping into your head.

"Maybe I can start a garden in the front too? Make it look pretty? I have a garden box so we wouldn't need anything, el can help me too!?" You said almost as a question seeing if he would go along with the idea.

"Sure... Sounds good, just wait till the rain clears up so you aren't bringing mud in." You frowned lightly, ut had been raining for the past three days without any sign of stopping soon. "Yea...sure."

The car came to a slow stop infront of the house. "I'll help you get this stuff inside and make you lunch but I've got to go back to work." You nodded as you got out of the car.

You'd begun by rearanging the few things of furniture in the room,while hopper set to work at making you a lunch. You starting with the dresser dragging it across the room to set it in its new place.

You dusted off your hands and turned your attention to look at the new space you made, stopping once it was caught by something on the wall where the dresser once was.

"Hello..." You slid across the floor and dragged your fingers across the outline of a small door in the wall.

"Hey Dad!?" You yelled getting up to look for him. "Whats up?"

"What this?" You asked now running your finger over the key hole. "Do you have the key!?" You asked hopefully turing to look up at him in the dokr way. He shook his head and shrugged. "I...maybe? I'm not sure...if i did it's probably boared up! They're would be no point."

You rolled your eyes. "Now Food in on the counter your sister is with Mike so make sure to call in about an hour to check on her-"

"Can you please look for a key?" You cut in. He sighed pinching the bridge of his nose. "I can, but I'm late so just finish unpacking and setting up and I'll look for it when I come back." You huffed but nodded and started to finish setting up your room.

After about an hour and a half you'd finished painting, unpacking and decorating your room, you had finished. Even had lunch and called El just like hopper had asked. Now you simpily sat in your room staring at the photo of your previous bestfriends that sat on the bedside table.

Back in New York with your mom you never had to worry about being bored, all your friends where their and there where places to go. Hawkins was diffrent, granted you where still adjusting but that didn't make it any less difficult.

The phone rang snapping you of of your thoughts. You hustled across the house to puck it up. "Hello?"

"Y/n! Thank god you picked up! Just the girl I was looking for!"

"Hey Robin,whats up?"

"Not much, I was just wondering since the rains cleared up would you be intrested in taking a tour of Hawkins with me and Steve?"

You thought about it for a moment, The first day you'd mobed here and met everyone they where the two you'd hit it off with, well You did with Robin anyways so you didn't see why you couldn't get out.

"Yea...I'd love to!"

"Cool! We'll be there in a few."

"So what does one do around here?" You asked following beside Robin And Steve down the sidewalk. "Well there's the arcade... " steve started but quickly trailed off. "There are some shops around town." Robin added.

"Is there like, i dunno a mall maybe? A movie theater at least?"

"Movie theater yes, mall not so much."

"It a...it burned down." Steve informed. "Oh...wow..." You followed them through town, going in and out of every store that was open.

"So Steve...." You attempted to start while looking through a clothing Rack in a thrift store.

"Got a girlfriend?"

"Uh no..no ya know I'm kinda just testing the waters...seeing if theres anyone worth dating around here."

"And?" You asked not looking up at him, you could clearly tell he was trying to act cool around you.

"And?" He repeated your question.

"Is there?...anyone worth dating around here?"

"Nah none that are really my type." He said nonchalantly fixing his hair in the mirror across from him. "Wow...are you always this increadibly douchie? Or are you like this just for me?" You asked leaning on clothing rack to look at him better.

"What I'm not...I'm not being-"

"You kinda where Harrington." Robin said from across the store earing a chuckle from you. His face flushed and he pretened to look at a jacket that seemingly caught his attention. "Ah don't be that way stevie...it's sooo charming, I'm practically swooning for you." You said sarcastically. "Shut up!"

The sun was hanging low through the trees casting that late afternoon orange glow upon the three of you as you walked back home.

"This place is...pretty boring...how do you guys manage?"

"Hawkins isn't all bad...besides It's a lot more exciting than you would think." Robin said while offering you some of her candy. "You just gotta...know where to look."

"Sometimes the intresting things find you." Steve said stopping once your house came into view. "If you say so...thanks for showing me around."

"No problem, maybe we can hang out again soon." She offered as you started to continue forward. "Yea! That would be great!" They both waved to you as you stepped into the house shutting the door.

You placed a few of the nick nacks you'd bought onto the top of your dresser for decoration, glancing at something that wasn't there before. A glossy black key.

You plucked it from its spot on the dresser and turned to the small door quickly slidding across the floor once again to get to the door. You hestitantly dragged the key across the outline of the door ripping the wall paper open before slipping the key inside.

It slid in perfectly, giving you some sort of relife as it clicked open, you pulled it open being met with nithing but brick.

"Damn..." You huffed and shut the door and placed the key back ontop of the dresser.

Something yanked you from your sleep suddenly and you lied awake, a sliver of silver moonlight hitting your face through the curtains as you did so.

It was quiet as you lied there except for an ever so faint sound of humming that you just barrely missed. You stayed still fir a second trying to pin point the sound, it continued for a while as you did so softly floating through the air from an unknown source, you finally gave in and tossed the covers off and stood up from your bed moving around the room to find it stopping when your foot hit something on the ground.

"What the hell!?" Jumping back slightly at the contact you looked down seeing a long greyish green vine across your bedroom floor. "What the hell..." You repeared examining it closer you followed it with your gaze seeing it came from the small opening of the little door a slight glow came from it along with little white particals that floated up into the air around it.

You moved carefully over to it kneeling next to it careful to avoide the vine protruding from it, as you did you could hear the humming closer now. You pulled the door open getting a blast of air blown back into your face along with a bright glow. You gasped slightly watching a tunnle appear almost instantly infront of you.

The humming slightly louder now. With out a second thought you climbed through, eventually met with another door which you easily pushed open and found yourself crawling through only to see you'd cralwed back into your bedroom. "Huh?" The humming was louder, unmistakable too, you knew that song. You looked at your bedroom door seeing the light from the living room shining in.

"Dad!?" You stood up and exited the room being greeted by the smell of food cooking. "Dad? What are you do-" you stopped a few feet from the counter seeing him move around the kitchen

"Hey sweet pea! You're just in time for dinner!" You gulped thickly when he turned to face you. "Oh god...I must be mistaken...you aren't my dad...my dad-" it was him but, diffrent. He seemed plaer yet more lively.

"Doesn't cook?" He asked guesturing to the freshly cooked meal. You couldn't help but stumble back a little bit as he approached you with a light hearted laugh. "Well thats because I'm your other father dear! Well better father"

"Other...Father?...wha-"

"Why don't you get your mom and Tell her dinner is ready!"

"Mom?

"Well your Mother of course silly! I actually think she's in the garden out front." He pushed you forward lightly and you glanced back cautiously before going to the front door.

You opened the door and stepped outside being greeted by a beautifully bright garden. "Holy sh-"

"Watch your mouth young lady!" You jumped turning tonthe voice and and gulping.

"Oh my god....mom!?" You stopped and covered your mouth feeling tears briming in your eyes.

"Hello sweet pea!" She opened her arms and you instantly ran to her and hugged her. You could tell just like with your father she was diffrent but couldn't exactly tell whatbwas diffrent.

"You...your alive!"

"Well of course I am! Oh come look at this!"

She pulled away taking your hand and pulling you down the steps of the pourch into the flower filled front yard.

She held your shoulders as you watched the flowers practically bloom before you. "I planted them just this afternoon! Our faviorte!" It was true the flowers before you where always both you and your mothers faviorte.

"They're beautiful mom! Oh!" You turned to her with a smile. "Dad said dinner was ready and sent me to get you."

"Oh! We don't wanna keep him waiting!" She said giggling with you and guiding you back to the house.

"There they are!" Hopper yelled setting the last of the food on the table. "Thirsty?" Your mom asked as you sat down. "Mmm you know I could go for a purple cow!"

"Coming right up!" She knocked on the table lightly the lights above lowered themselves offering you said drink, along with extra grape soda and vanilla icecream just incase.

"Wow thank you!" You said taking the drink and extras. Hopper placed a plate infront of you. "Here comes the Gravey train choochoo!" You mom said earning a laugh from both you and your dad.

A toy train in fact made its way across the table stopping infront of you to dump gravey on your plate.

"Mmh! This is so good!" Youbsaid stuffing your mouth full of food. "More?" Hopper asked.

"No thank you I'm stuffed." You said leaning back and taking a last sip of your icecream float.

Hopper took the plate from you and your mother placed a cake before you that read 'Welcome home'

"Home?"

"We've been expecting you for a while!" Hopper said.

"Wow...uh..really?"

"Of course! You beling here! With your family!"

You smiled lightly.

"Thanks...but It's late...I should go to bed.."

"Oh of course!" You stood up and they both followed you to your bedroom. You crawled into bed and they took turns kissing your forhead and wishing you a goodnight. You slowly drifted off to sleep peacefully.

"It was so weird!" You said throwing a rock into the water infront of you.

"Well it was just a dream, nothing to freak about." Robin shrugged.

"Yea I mean your mom was there it couldn't have been real..."

You and robin both glared at Steve. "I...well thats not what I meant..." He gulped slinging his own rock into the water.

"He's right though." You said softly. "But it just...it felt so real! The food the...feeling! But I woke up and the door was all bricked up again..."

"That's just further proof it was only a dream." Robin said as you sat beside her.

"Yea..." It was already late afternoon and you had decided to stay out until the sun had set well into night.

Steve had dropped robin off at her house and so you sat alone with him in his car as he took you home.

"Sorry about what i said...about your mom..."

He said finally. "No...it's ok...like i said you where right...it's just a dream..." He frowned slightly, you could tell he was beating himself up about it.

In all honestly you hadn't gotten off on the best of feet with him but it's wasn't so awful to be around him, he just had a hard time telling when to open his mouth and when to keep it shut. But you liked him.

"Well here we are." He said pulling up to the house. "Thank." You said with a smile before getting out and going inside.

"Hey kid!" Hopper said happily as you stepped inside.

"Hey!" You smiled. "Oh hey, sorry I never got around to finding that key for you."

"Thats ok I found it"

El stood in the door way with a concerned look. "What are you-" you hurried to your room and pulled the key out and showed him.

"You where right though...there was nothing there." You shrugged going back to your room.

"Bad place." You jumped at El's voice behind you. "What?"

"Don't keep going there it's a bad place..." She said quietly. "What bad place?"

"El! Its Mike's on the phone!" El quickly left to take the phone.

"Bad place?..."

[madphantom]

Goodbye Eddie Goodbye

Chapter 9 - Free

"Those were...five minutes...under...water...!", Winslow gasped as he broke through the surface of the water.

Eddie dove up next to him and spat out a litre of water. "Sorry, I thought it would be less!", he apologized. A water plant was tangled up in his black hair. "Jesus, that was not the cleanest water I've seen in my life. I hope your...um...bug bites don't infect."

Winslow didn't even bother answering. He saw a faint light at the end of the canal. Eddie turned his head and saw it too. His eyes widened. "Light!"

Winslow started swimming. Eddie followed. Winslow was a bit faster. And then he reached the sewer grate.

The sun hit Winslow's wrecked face with all it's might. He gasped. He'd forgotten how beautiful it had been. He smiled.

Eddie next to him looked like a child on Christmas. "Oh dear God," he whispered. "Sunlight."

Then, suddenly, he froze. "Oh shit."

Winslow turned his head. "Hm?"

"My diary." Eddie looked like he'd just received the news that he'd died. "It must've gotten wet."

Winslow suddenly grinned as he pulled a tightly closed plastic bag out of the pocket of his coat. "You really think I'm that stupid?"

Eddie stared at him. Then at the plastic bag. Then back at Winslow.

"Oh my God I love you!", he then yelled and hugged him. Winslow laughed.

Eddie let go and stepped back. "Right. Now all we have to do is get out of here." He turned to Winslow. "You don't happen to have something to break the bars here, do you?"

"Just this spine," Winslow said, taking one out of the inside pocket of his coat.

"WHY WOULD YOU TAKE A-" Eddie broke off and took a deep breath. "Alright. It'll have to do."

Five minutes later they were wading through a small river surrounded by trees. Eddie laughed. "Oh my God! I can't believe it! We got out of there! This is insane!" He jumped on the bank of the river, knelt down and touched the grass. "Oh my God." His wet hair was hanging into his freckled face and he still had a water plant tangled up in it. He looked insanely overjoyed.

Winslow sat down next to him and thoughtfully stared at the blue sky. The sun kind of hurt his eyes. He wondered where to go now.

Eddie put a flower into Winslow's wet hair and sat down next to him. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Winslow shook his head. "Nothing, I just...I dunno what to do now."

"Hey, that's not a problem." Eddie chuckled. "Having your jaw broken by some biker dudes that were supposed to be your bodyguards, that's a problem. Being trapped in a cellar full of corpses, that's a problem. Starving to death and then realizing your way out was right in front of you, that's a problem. This is not a problem."

"That's reassuring," Winslow said.

"I'm the greatest motivation, right?" Eddie beamed.

Winslow suddenly felt a sharp pain in the side of his face. "Ouch!"

Eddie frowned. "What is it?"

"I think a few bugs used me as a taxi...!"

"Show me." Eddie slid over and wiped back Winslow's wet hair. His eyes abruptly widened and his face turned green.

"What is it?", Winslow asked. "I mean, my vision on that eye got worse and worse in the past few days, but to be honest I thought it was the stress..."

Eddie stared into the empty eye socket from which a wiggly maggot greeted him. "Uhm. Yeah. Stress." He slid back onto the grass, wondering how to give the news to his odd new companion. This was a new situation for Eddie. He'd had a fairly ordinary life before dying.

Winslow was rummaging in the pockets of his trenchcoat. He pulled out a bubblegum wrapper with something scribbled on it.

"What's that?", Eddie asked.

"A friend's address," Winslow replied. "I think I'll try to find her. Are you coming with me?"

Eddie shrugged his shoulders. "Why not?"

[blueriverhayes]

[2] Alone (Daryl Dixon)

This is a reminder: this is an AU, so I'm not exactly following the storyline of the show. That's why some characters are alive, others are dead, and they're still at the farm.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

Eva couldn't help but feel nauseated as she followed Rick out of the forest, away from her camp, and closer to his. It had been three years since the epidemic spread, and since then Eva hadn't been able to trust anybody except for herself. She wanted to trust Rick, but she just couldn't.

"I don't think I ever caught your name," Rick said, breaking the silence.

"Evelyn. But I usually go by Eva."

"So, Eva," Rick said, smiling, "you been alone this whole time?"

Eva tried to push down the sick feeling in her stomach as memories of what happened flooded her mind.

"No. I was with my best friend at the beginning. He didn't make it."

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

"Eva, get ready! We have to go, now!" Shep yelled from his bedroom. He was packing a duffel bag in his room while Eva sat in the living room of his apartment, her eyes transfixed on the television. She was watching the local news channel, where they were showing live footage of a. . . well, a zombie.

"Evelyn! Now!"

Eva snapped out of her trance and grabbed her suitcase, following Shep out of his apartment building. Outside, it was nothing but widespread panic. Feeling claustrophobic, she grabbed Shep's shirt and closed her eyes, not opening them again until they reached his car.

"The majority of the people are going to try to take the highway out of here. I think we'll have better luck on the backroads, if we can get there," Shep said, maneuvering his car through the crowds of people.

Eva tried to block out the horrifying screams that filled the air, but nothing she did helped. She looked out of her window and watched the people running around, screaming, but when she saw what they were all running from, she couldn't help but let out a scream herself. Right in front of Shep's car was an elderly woman with a metal pipe sticking out of her chest. Eva watched as she stumbled around, grabbing the nearest person and taking a bite out of their arm.

"Eva," Shep said, "Eva, look at me."

Eva slowly turned away from the window and looked at her closest friend. Shep stayed focus on the road, winding in and out of traffic as they made their way closer to the less crowded backroads just outside the city.

"I know you're scared. I am, too. But we can't afford to be, not now. I love you, Eva, and I'll always have your back. But you've gotta calm down, or you'll get one of us killed."

And that's exactly what happened.

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"Sorry to hear that," Rick said, coming to a stop at the edge of the trees. Eva stopped beside him and looked out into the clearing ahead. She could see a large white house with an even bigger barn beside it. The house was surrounded by huge, beautiful fields, and in the middle of one of the fields was an RV and a handful of tents. There were maybe a dozen or so people milling about, laughing amongst one another, when Eva heard something she never thought she would hear again. The sound was coming from inside the house, and Eva watched as a small lady with short hair walked out, holding something in her arms.

"Is that. . . is that a. . ." Eva started, pointing at the woman. Her eyes began to water as the sound of a baby crying continued to fill the air.

"A baby," Rick said, with so much pride in his voice that Eva knew that the baby was his. "Her name's Judith. You wanna see her?"

Eva looked back at Rick and softly nodded her head. She thought she would never see another baby again, and it was almost too much for her. She didn't know something so pure and beautiful could exist in this new world.

Hesitantly, Eva followed Rick as he made his way to the woman holding Judith. She tried to ignore all the stares and looks people were giving her, until she caught sight of Daryl looking her way. He was standing beside a small tent that was pitched away from the others. Eva subconsciously stopped walking and held Daryl's stare for a beat before Rick called.

"This is Eva," Rick whispered in Judith's ear, smiling as Eva walked up to him. The baby gurgled and waved her hands as Eva walked up to her. Rick handed the baby over and Eva hesitantly took her into her arms and began whispering little nothings into her ear.

"Hi, baby," she said, rocking Judith from side to side, "you're so beautiful. You know that? So pretty." Eva almost lost herself in Judith before a boy, maybe thirteen or so, walked up.

"Who's this?" The boy asked Rick.

"This is Eva. Eva, this is my boy, Carl. Eva's thinking about staying here."

Carl looked up at Eva and smiled. "It'll be nice to have some more help with the chores."

Eva smiled down at the boy and handed Judith back to Rick.

"Well, that's if I decide to stay. Still haven't made my mind up yet." Eva looked around the camp again and saw how happy and almost carefree everybody seemed. She missed that feeling.

"Why dont I introduce you to everybody?" Rick asked, walking towards the tents. "Everybody! I got someone I want ya'll to meet!" Within seconds, everybody formed a semi-circle around Eva, Rick, and Carl, and Eva noticed how different everybody seemed. There was that small woman who stood beside a menacing-looking Daryl, an older man with a beard and half a leg missing, an Asain kid standing awfully close to a pretty brunette, and a woman with dreads that had a sword on her back. They all looked so different, but it was obvious that they all shared a close bond.

"Eva, this is Carol, Glenn, Maggie, Beth, Hershel, Michonne, and you've already met Daryl. Everyone, this is Eva. She's considering staying with us," Rick introduced everybody, pointing out who was who, while everybody took their turn saying hello to Eva. Well, everybody except Daryl, who was already making his way back to his isolated tent.

"Nice to meet you, Eva," Carol said with a sweet smile, offering her hand for a shake.

"Nice to meet you, too," Eva took Carol's hand and noticed how calloused it was. "I've never seen a camp with so many people in it. How long have y'all been together?"

"Rick, Daryl, and I have been together since the beginning. We've lost a lot of people, but we met more along the way." Eva saw the look in Carol's eyes and decided not to ask any more questions about her past. "Here, let me help you set up. We don't have another tent, but I can fix something up for you." Carol smiled and led Eva to the RV.

"Aren't you worried?" Eva asked as Carol handed her a stack of blankets.

"Worried about what?"

"Worried that I'll kill you all in your sleep and take everything you have."

Eva was shocked when Carol looked at her and started laughing. "I'd like to see you try," she said, and Eva left it at that. "Here, nobody's claimed this spot. You can stay here for the night."

Eva looked around where her and Carol were standing. She noticed that she was right in the middle of the camp, surrounded by the RV and other tents. So far, the people hadn't given her a reason not to trust them, but she just couldn't shake the bad feeling. And like Shep taught her, better safe than sorry.

"Actually, could I set up over there?" Eva asked, pointing to an empty field that was nearly half a mile away from everybody else.

"Are you worried?" Carol asked, a knowing smile on her face.

"A little."

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After Carol helped Eva set up her makeshift tent, which was just a blanket propped up on a couple sticks, a few people came by and said hello, but other than that she spent the rest of the day alone. Once the sun started going down, she built a small fire and watched as the bigger group sat around their own, sharing a meal. Eva could hear their laughter and voices from her camp, but couldn't make out what they were saying. She could imagine, though. She used to have those same conversations with Shep.

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"I can't believe you ate dog food!" Eva almost couldn't breathe for how hard she was laughing.

"Listen, twenty bucks is twenty bucks. Plus, it was chicken flavor," Shep said, grinning down at Eva.

It had been nearly a month since they left Atlanta, and since then they had only encountered a handful of the dead. Even though Eva was scared out of her mind most of the time, Shep was good at making Eva forget all of it. He was good at making her laugh.

"You're an idiot," Eva sighed, laying her head on Shep's shoulder. It had to have been past midnight, and the fire they made earlier was dying out, but they both couldn't sleep.

"Eva?" Shep said, nearly a whisper, and Eva could sense the change of tone.

"Hm?"

"I'm scared."

Eva sat back up when Shep said this, turning to her side to get a better look at him. Eva knew that Shep had to be scared, but this was the first time that he admitted it since they left Atlanta.

"I'm scared, too. But we've made it this far. And we'll make it to the end. We're going to make it." Eva brushed Shep's shaggy hair out of his eyes and saw that what she said didn't make him feel better.

"Evelyn, I wasn't built for this world. If you weren't with me, I'd already be gone. And if something were to happen to you-" Shep choked on his words, bringing his hands up to cover his face.

"Sheppard!" Eva scolded, "Stop that! Nothing is happening to either of us! You can't think like that. It's just like you said - we can't afford to be scared. We're gonna be alright. We're both going to make it out of this."

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

The sound of a twig snapping woke Eva out of her daydream, and she turned around to see Daryl looking down at her.

"You stayin'?" He asked, not meeting her eyes.

"Dunno yet." Eva turned back and looked down at her dwindling fire. Daryl hadn't spoken a word to her since that day in the forest, so she was uneasy with him standing over her like he was. Just as she was about to politely ask him to leave, her stomach growled.

"We got food, ya know," Daryl mumbled, and Eva could sense how uncomfortable he was. She was, too.

"Yeah, I know. Rick gave me some."

"Then you should eat."

Eva just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't want to eat any of the food Rick gave her in case she decided not to stay, and she didn't feel comfortable eating with the group yet. After a few moments of awkward silence, Eva turned around to see if Daryl was still there. He was.

"Do you need anything?" Eva asked, not unkindly.

"Naw." And then he walked away.

《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》《《》》

Part 3: