#but there were two new ones today who were specifically laughing about stans trying to refute

[unforth]

Some days I wish I could just look every Jiang Cheng stan in the eye and yell "STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS."

Look, there will never be anything in the text of any version of MDZS that will convince the antis that he's not tHe AnTaGoNiSt. There is no proving it to them. All attempts do is rile them up. Stop trying to engage. Block them and move on.

Like, I swear, sometimes the "JC defense squad" is almost as annoying as the antis. Not because they're wrong, I usually agree with them, but like. Please just stop. Antis are always gonna anti and arguments directed their way will always be wasted and it's just. Shut up. Please. JC-positive arguments directed at antis only incense and encourage them. Let them stew in their own toxic juices, show you love your character by ignoring them and doing your own thing.

[astaroth1357]

I don’t know if this’ll make the cut, but brothers with an MC wearing their (the brothers) clothes, and I’m talking full ensemble not just a random jacket or accessory (you can delete if you’re not comfortable of course)

So when left with the question of whether this was a full on clothing theft or a cosplay of some kind, I'm going with theft because that's just funnier to me. Just a little MC marching around in Beel's tent of an outfit… Hilarious. 🤭

MC Steals the Brothers’ Outfits

Lucifer 

It started out like any other morning, Lucifer woke up early in bed - as he always does - but when he rolled onto his side to stir the MC, he found their side of the bed empty… 

Normally, he’d have thrown up the alarm in an instant, but his mind was still groggy as he tried to recall what happened the night before… He could have sworn the MC slept over… unless…

MC: “Good morning, love.”

Their voice was enough to get him sitting up again and he uh… well he was not prepared for what he saw. The MC was sitting with their legs crossed at his desk, attempting to imitate his “I’m-in-Complete-Control-Here” energy as much as they possibly could, but with an added detail…

They were wearing his clothes. His favorite suit to be specific which was tailored to his much bigger frame, resulting in a frankly ridiculously ill-fitting look on their smaller human body...

MC: *picks up a poisoned apple off the desk, continuing their very best Lucifer-impression*  “You should get up, love. We have an early meeting today and we can’t keep Lord Diavolo waiting.”

The MC appeared to polish the apple with his sleeve for a moment before taking a bite, looking pleased with themselves before their eyes widened in complete horror. It only took a split second for them to spit the unchewed hunk of apple into a nearby waste basket and toss the apple away in panic.

MC: “Ah FUCK!! I forgot I can’t eat these!!! SHIT!!”

Their panic only grew as Lucifer could no longer hold in his laughter, the booming volume of which is enough to wake up all his brothers throughout the House.

MC: “Lucifer, don’t just sit there laughing!! Bring me some water or something!!! LUCIFER!!!”

Mammon

Look, Mammon always gets up late so not being able to find, like, any of his normal clothes was a serious problem! He’d already dug through half his closest and still couldn’t find anything!!

He had a photoshoot that he had to get to in less than hour and he still needed to take a shower, get dressed, get his stuff together, then bolt halfway across town before-

MC: *literally kicks open his door Kuzco-style* “Yo, yo, yo!! What’s up, Mammon??”

First off, the sudden loud bang of his door hitting the wall nearly scared him out of his skin, but before he could even yell at the MC for their weird entrance his brain had to process what they were wearing….

Good news! He found his missing clothes, the MC had thrown them on while he was sleeping - sunglasses and all - and now stood before him with a toothy grin on their face.

MC: “What's the problem, Mams? Lucifer got your tongu-EEEK!”

Apparently, they weren't expecting Mammon to literally lunge at them and capture them in a tight hug, practically lifting them off their feet with a laugh.

Mammon: “What'cha think your doin', MC?? I'm gonna need those back ya know?”

MC: *laughs loud and bright, throwing their arms around his neck* “I know, I know... But I wanted to surprise you!” *stops laughing suddenly and blinks* “Huh…”

Mammon watched the MC experimentally lift his glasses off their nose then put them back down, repeating the action several times before snickering.

Mammon: *frowns* “What's so funny?”

MC: “Nothing really but… Mammon, do you wear these just to make everything look like gold?”

Mammon actually had to pause before responding, pulling the MC closer with a devilish grin.

Mammon: “Nah… I ‘cause got all the gold I need right here~”

MC: *chuckles and nuzzles his cheek* “Nice save...”

Mammon: *his cheeks flush and he frowns* “I dunno what your talkin’ about... But could ya go put on a t-shirt or somethin’? They’re paying me big for this shoot and I really gotta go!”

Leviathan 

Another convention, another cosplay far too complex to ever hope to peel out of… Though Levi would never regret wearing his five piece Lord of Shadow cosplay, it’s a heavy thing and certainly not something he can change out of in a bathroom stall…

When he finally got back to the House, he wasn’t looking to do anything but drag his tired body back to his room and change into some more manageable clothes… but… well…

When Levi opened his door, he saw the MC sitting alone at his computer desk playing a game by themselves. That was all well and good but… WHY IN DIAVOLO’S BLACK HELL ARE THEY WEARING HIS CLOTHES???

When they heard the door, the MC whipped their head back and they both stared at each other in an awkward silence… His clothes didn’t even fit them right!-or maybe they did?? His mind was panicking because they had the collar of his shirt covering their mouth and it looked so moe it was actually ridiculous!

Levi: ……….

MC: ………….

MC: …. “I can explain.”

Levi: ……. “Y-yea?”

MC: “I was having trouble on this one level and you wouldn’t pick up the phone… so I thought ‘What would Levi do?’... and it escalated…”

Levi: “You think??”

Levi felt like he could die right there, but he wasn’t entirely sure if it was from embarrassment or happiness… On the one hand, the MC was  literally trying to be him in order to get better at video games - which was flatteringly adorable… And on the other, the MC is pretty much cosplaying as him, right in front of him… and looked so damn cute doing it too… 

MC: “Is this weird…? This is weird. I’m sorry, I’ll go change-”

Levi: NO-agh! *he throws a hand over his own mouth, surprised by how loud he just shouted* … “U-uh… no it’s fine…”

MC: “Okay...?”

MC: “But could you put your phone down? I think you’ve been taking pictures for the past two minutes…”

Levi looked down at his hand and sure enough he unconsciously pulled out his phone in camera mode and has been spamming the “Capture” button long enough to have his thumb cramping...

Levi: “Oh.” *stops for a moment, then seems to second guess himself*

Levi: “Uh… just one more?”

Satan

When you share a house with Mammon, you grow accustomed to not being able to find things from time to time, but an entire outfit?? 

When he woke up one morning to find that he couldn't find any of his normal clothes, he blamed Mammon right off the bat… 

I guess in hindsight, what would Mammon want with his jacket? But anger doesn't always jump to the most rational conclusion, you know?

After searching for "long enough," Satan stormed out of his bedroom on a warpath. He didn't stop his march until he was banging on Mammon’s door with a closed fist!

Satan: “Mammon!! What did you do with my clothes you useless, money-grubbing asshole!?”

When he didn’t get a reply, likely because Mammon was hiding in his closet or something, he was about to kick the door in when he felt a tap on his shoulder...

When he turned his head, much to his surprise, he found his missing clothes!... They were on the MC - right down to the single sleeve - and the MC met his eyes with a mischievous grin…

They had a book in their hands he recalled seeing once at the library: "101 Ways to Prank Your Partner," open like they'd been reading down the hallway.

MC: … Page 47.

They winked at him before bolting back down the hallway in a fit of giggles and oooh, it was on now.

Satan spent the morning chasing the MC through the House, both laughing and dashing around in reckless abandon. He really needed his clothes back and he wouldn’t mind an extra hour or two with the MC when he got them… 😏

Asmodeus 

Asmo isn’t exactly a morning person… Though he forces himself awake so he can perform his wake-up routine, by the time he comes to the table it’s a hit-or-miss on how irritable he’s going to be...

Of course, his favorite outfit suddenly disappearing from his massive closet did not help his mood in the slightest!

Who would take his clothes?? Well, that’s not even a question - surely plenty of his devoted, adoring stans would kill to even have his scarf, so maybe the better question was, “How??” Lucifer keeps all the doors and windows magically sealed at night! (He would know, having been locked out on numerous occasions)

Asmo was tearing through his closet, wracking his brain for any place he might have left his beloved outfit, before he heard someone clear their throat by his bedroom door.

What greeted him was a lovely look at the MC wearing the missing clothing in question, even with all the grace and style he would himself!

Asmo: *jaw-drops* “MC???”

MC: *smirks at his delight and winks at him* “Looking for something?”

They strutted into the room with the confidence of a mock fashion model and took a silly vogue pose in front of the closet, barely holding in a fit of laughter from their actions.

MC: “… Or just at me?”

Asmo, of course, snatched them right up in his arms with a delighted squeal.

Asmo: “Oh. My. Diavolo!! MC, you look just gorgeous!!!- Because you look like me, of course.” 🤭

MC: *laughs and cups his cheeks to pull him closer* “Who wouldn't want to be you, Asmo?”

Asmo: “So true… But you’re already perfect, my love~” 😘

And he went on to prove that to them all morning long...

Beelzebub 

Beel didn't even get the chance to notice his clothes were missing. He had a tournament the night before and was sleeping even harder than Belphie that morning...

What woke him up was the smell of food: scrambled shadowhawk eggs, hellboar bacon, pancakes with nightshade syrup…. 

Beel's stomach had him sitting up long before his eyes ever opened, drawn in by his nose alone.

MC: “Beeeeel. Wake up!”

Beel's eyes dragged open at their request and what he found had his mouth watering... The MC had brought him a dining cart with a complete breakfast spread, brimming with portions only Beel could ever finish, but for once he wasn’t looking at the food.

The MC, for whatever reason, had decided to put on his clothes… And keep in mind that Beel's built like an ox compared to almost anybody. They were absolutely swimming under all that fabric (thank the Devil for his suspenders…) 

MC: “Congratulations!!!”

They throw their arms up excitedly, making the unzipped jacket balloon out like a parachute behind them… It's a remarkably cute image.

Beel: *blinks* “Oh.” *he gets a little pink, still very confused* “What did I do exactly…?”

MC: “You won the championship last night, remember? Or did you forget already??”

The MC takes a step to the side and begins pointing at the plates on the cart.

MC: “I thought we'd celebrate with some breakfast! I brought you eggs, bacon, pancakes, toast, cereal-”

As they continued their list, Beel's hand naturally reached out towards the cart eagerly, before something finally clicked in his head. WHY were they wearing his clothes??

Beel: “Wait. MC, why are you wearing-...?”

MC *holds their hand up* “Hold on!”

MC: “-oatmeal, muffins, banana bread, annnd…” *they get onto the bed and plop down onto his lap with a grin*

MC: “Me! Congratulations, Beel!!”

They lean up to peck his cheek while his arms automatically wind around their waist. The combination of their scents already bringing out a different sort of hunger in him…

Let’s say if this is his reward, he'll never lose a game again. 😏

Belphegor 

Belphie was in the middle of his afterschool nap in the library. The day was exhausting, so he didn’t even bother changing uniforms… The couches there were comfortable and the space was quiet, really nothing should have woken him up...

But somehow, for whatever reason, something did. A tug… Something was chasing away his dreams by tugging on the cow pillow in his arms.

MC: “Beeelllppphie….”

The tugging did not cease and he half growled in response, still keeping his eyes firmly closed.

Belphie: “What now...?”

MC: “I need this…” *they tug on the corner of the pillow a little harder* “Can you let go please…?”

What kind of question is that?? No one takes away his favorite pillow!

Belphie: *hugs the pillow tighter* “Go away, I'm trying to nap…”

MC: “Noooo please…! I need it for something right now…!!”

They started really pulling on his pillow now and he only held on tighter in annoyance. Since they wouldn’t leave him alone, he finally opened his eyes.

Belphie: “MC! Why are… you..?”

His voice trailed off as he finally saw the MC standing there in his usual outfit. His cardigan was so long over their arms that they had to grasp his pillow through its sleeves...

While his drowsy mind tried to catch up, the MC snatched the pillow from his grasp with one swift yank.

MC: *grins* “Mine now!”

They turned to bolt out of the library, but Belphie snatched them by the waist and dragged them back to the couch with him.

Belphie: “Fine, but then I get a new pillow.” 😏

The MC yelped as he flopped on top of them, pulling them close like a body pillow and resting his head into the crook of their neck to enjoy the soothing smell of their scent mixed with his.

MC: “W-wait Belphie…!” *tries to wiggle out from under his surprisingly heavy deadweight* “I was just playing around…! Please don't fall asleep on me!!”

Belphie: *yawns and settles in, already drifting off* “Too late… G'night, MC…”

MC: “Belphie!!!” 😫

They could complain all they liked, he wasn’t going to let them go for a few hours. Cute or not, MC, nobody takes his pillow!

[yeolmae-s]

a chanbaek analysis from a veteran exo-l (part 2)

CLICK HERE TO READ PART ONE

Writing this was a bit harder in comparison to the first part, because I wanted to organize things into a neat timeline, but I ended up not having enough patience for it lol specially because both of ChanBaek's main archive blogs seem to have deleted their pages documenting each date of EXO's early years. Therefore I apologize in advance if this part is a bit more messy. Also, please don't forget that all of this is my opinion and I don't mean for any of it to be taken as truth!

I kind of want to jump from MAMA era directly into Wolf era, since we don't really have a lot of cover regarding their debut phase besides Chanyeol's overeagerness and Baekhyun's awkwardness towards it, so to sum it up, I felt as if Chanyeol was more confident and consistent on what he thought an idol should act like, while Baekhyun (sweet, innocent Baekhyun who was a trainee for less than a year!) was still unsure on how to act on camera.

On the few early variety shows/interviews EXO appeared on, the members always pointed out how funny Baekhyun was, how good he'd be at variety and at doing imitations, but he never really lived up to all the praise on camera, although off of it, he most likely was as good as his members claimed.

He was a bit stiff on his early days in comparison to what we see today, and that's normal, I guess, since he debuted really quickly, but when you compare him to Chanyeol the contrast is so interesting, because the latter was able to latch on to a persona as soon as the public gave him one, while to me, Baekhyun was still doubtful regarding what to put on display. In the end, deep inside, Baekhyun is a private person, and was even more so when he wasn't confident enough to talk to fans like he does today.

Once again, I’m sorry for not being able to upload the gifs directly into the post, so I’ll just link them like I did on my last one.

This is another one of the moments where Baek appears to tell Chanyeol to just. Hold on for a bit.

There's another one similar to this where Chanyeol does the same thing (try to whisper on Baekhyun's ear) and Baekhyun fake laughs and stares at a fan's camera right after. Then, his expression just goes blank. It's really interesting to watch because you can just see the gears spinning on Chanyeol's brain as he stares at Baekhyun for a second and clearly thinks alright, fanservice time, and leans in to whisper something: it happens so fast you just know it wasn't genuine whispering, just a playful interaction for the fans, and Baekhyun's direct stare to the camera as soon as it happens just confirms this for me. 

1: Chanyeol spots his target.

2: He’s really thinking this through.

3: Baek's in a perfect position for whispering-time, so he leans in and does his thing.

4: Baekhyun laughs.

5: And stares directly at a fan's camera.

6: Immediately regrets his life choices. Chanyeol looks pleased.

It's actually better to watch the whole thing, so I'll leave it here. (starts on 0:28!)

(Random note: on this date EXO perfomed a cover of H.O.T's We Are The Future, and I feel like a lot of new EXO-Ls have not seem it and I adore this performance, so I'll link it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1-z4s3fdgo)

Now let's jump on to Wolf era, shall we?

Wolf era

I can't help but laugh when I think about how wild 2013 was for both EXO and EXO-Ls. They had their first hit song (which was Growl, not Wolf) the fandom grew considerably, shippers where just discovering the cute ISAC moments between "BaekYeol" and "HunHan"... Or at least that's how everyone remembers most of what happened during that year.

Are we forgetting the rumoured ChanBaek fight?

Considering their past interactions on airports, SMTOWN concerts, ISAC and other events, ChanBaek was now widely known to be close to each other. Baekhyun even said Chanyeol was the one who made him open up, and both of them mentioned feeling this "connection" to each other as soon as they met (although jokingly).

After Mama, the fandom was content-less for a considerable period of time, and what most people did was sharing around old performances and repeat overused memes.  I think that in every fandom there is a period where fans establish their main inside jokes and basically just get together to create a collective line of thought for perceiving their idols. That being said, one of the most well established facts in the fandom was that Chanyeol and Baekhyun were close. That was a fact.But then Wolf came, and they suddenly were not. 

This gif is a good example of how awkward their interactions were. Not even my delusional shipping brain in 2013 was able to come up with an explanation for it.

They simply did not acknowledge each other at all, and Chanyeol appeared to be closer to Kyungsoo (I think Baekhyun interacted a lot with Tao, but that may have been during the Growl era, not Wolf. As I said before, I'm a Chanyeol stan guys, sorry lmao).

Point is, these two boys who seemed to be best friends suddenly were clearly distant from one another.

What added fuel to the fire of the rumours was their appearance on Sukira, a radio show, where Sehun cried because the members sometimes had fights. Here's a fanacc:

[130530] EXO at Sukira

Sehun cried because the members sometimes fight.

Sehun: "Let's be loyal to each other, don't fight, and go until the end"

D.O: "We've been under a lot of stress lately because of the comeback, so I wish we won't fight in the future and do our best"

Here's a video cut of this part of their interview. 

I think this ask on lets-talk-baekyeol, a popular ChanBaek analysis blog from back in the day, shows how curious a lot of fans were.

What happened back then?

There's really no answer for that. On my opinion, not even Chanyeol or Baekhyun could give us a concrete answer on it, because I don't think an actual fight happened. For me, it was most likely a personality clash, a disagreement that probably wasn't even voiced out loud, just both of them noticing how uncomfortable things got, if Baekhyun's reactions to Chanyeol's fanservice is any indication. I somehow doubt there was a specific episode that created this distance between them, specially because during Growl, they went back to being friends, although not as touchy on camera as before, as if one of them had established their limits (oh, I wonder who!), but I still have this feeling that all of this was unspoken, because unspoken things seem to be a pattern on ChanBaek's relationship (something I'll touch on later, hopefully).

But it was during Growl era that I noticed something else about Baekhyun.

Wolf era

EXO'S Showtime was a such a gift. I recommend reading lets-talk-baekyeol's blog for this. I don't really agree with everything they say they do present a lot of relevant points. I may repeat them here, since I noticed them myself as well, but credits for them nonetheless.

I remember finding the lack of ChanBaek interactions during the episodes really dissappointing, but considering the Wolf Era drought, this was better than nothing.

My 13 year old self was devastated when Baekhyun appeared so quiet during Chanyeol's birthday episode, and during a recent rewatch of it, I think realized why.

Baekhyun doesn't like superficial things. It's not that Chanyeol is insincere, but he's just better than Baekhyun is at handling people pleasing, even when he doesn't really mean what's he saying/doing. The Chanyeol birthday episode was heavily centered on Chanyeol's random admiration for Kai, which I think we can all agree that it was a little bit scripted or a really spur of the moment thing that they just ran along with and oh man. Baekhyun did not want to be part of it.

During ChanKai's hug, this is what he looked like on the background, and the poor boy even refused to eat cake. He's just in the back, which is weird, because he's such a talkative person and Chanyeol is one of his closest friends. The only moment where he seems to be genuinely comfortable is when Chanyeol blows the candle and it's really cute. To me, it seems that he was kind of embarrassed to witness so much acting from everyone else and was unable to participate because he struggles with things like this, but the moment Chanyeol blows his candles to comemorate his birthday seems sincere enough for him to fondly smile.

This ties in so well with everything from Mama Era. He's just unable to keep acting/people pleasing on the same easy way that Chanyeol does, but this time he's not as nervous about it as he was on his earlier-early days, where he probably felt pressured to actually do stuff. Now he just doesn't do **it, he just doesn't do something that he dislikes doing, and that sadly creates a distance between them on camera and probably on a deeper level in their relationship as well, because both are just realizing how different their perceptions over their jobs is.

There's also this moment that the mods on lets-talk-baekyeol pointed out.

On the Christmas episode, when the members leave the couch to go get their presents, Chanyeol stays seated while Baekhyun gets up to fetch his. This is the sitting arrangement before (almost) everyone got up:

But when Baekhyun comes back, there's free space next to Chanyeol, however he's hesitant to sit by his side. He actually hesitates and doesn't sit down. Jongdae even gives him a little push right after.

Baek just seems hesitant to do things on camera, to interact with Chanyeol in front of an audience. For this moment, I feel like he's afraid to sit next to Chanyeol and end up having to over act. It's not that Chanyeol himself makes him uncomfortable, but the image of the friendship that they ended up creating for fans demands a lot from him.

And when I say hesitant to do things on camera, I really do mean it, because when Baekhyun thinks he is not being recorded/seen, here's what he does:

Here and here.

Their relationship clearly changed, and I think the reason for it is actually simple: both of them were under the impression that they were compatible with each other when they actually were not. Their personalities are extremely different, even if the way they present themselves is sometimes similar. Wolf and Growl era was our way, as fans, of watching them navigate around each other and finding out how their relationship was supposed to work.

And you know what's nice about that? The members watched all of it unfold. Their reactions to some of ChanBaek's interaction is a gold mine when it comes to analyzing them, because they clearly know, just as we do, that their relationship is kind of complicated. But I want to talk about it on the next part.

I am sorry for cutting this off again! I don't know if the next part is going to be the last, because after Growl there's Overdose and we all know what happened on 2014 [coughs] dating scandal [coughs] god help me I don't want to talk about it [coughs] so there's a lot to uncover and I need time to organize stuff.

Thank you for reading!

[animationadventures]

Yesterday’s Lie was everything we hoped it would be!

Luz found her way back to the human realm, but not completely. She was able to see into it and talk to people, but she could not touch anything. To be fair, it was her and the house’s first attempt at building a portal door. I noticed that she tore off the thumb of Amity’s glove, so maybe that means they have four more chances to perfect the door and let her clear things up with her mom?

Once again, the show managed to surprise me. I thought that Creepy Luz was going to be some horrifying creature that Luz and Camila would have to confront together while clearing the air of where Luz has been the whole time and what she has been doing instead of attending camp. Creepy Luz is actually a greater basilisk- love the continuity reaching so far back to The First Day by the way- and she is a scared child looking for a safe haven from the Emperor’s Coven. I’ll admit that I did not recognize Michaela Dietz’s voice, my first impression was that they got the voice of Applejack and Rainbow Dash from MLP, Ashleigh Ball, to the voice instead, but I have since been corrected.

Through Luz and Vee’s, the greater basilisk’s name is Vee, trip around town to find magic for Vee to consume so she can continue masquerading as Luz, we got a greater glimpse at Luz’s home life. Her hometown is Gravesfield- how appropriate for a show exploring the demon realm and the horror genre- and Phillip Wittebane appears to have had a brother based on the town history, which raises a whole bunch of new questions regarding Belos and Hunter. Vee made friends at camp, and they seem to still enjoy their oddball hobbies like fortune telling, so maybe the camp would not have been so bad for Luz after all.

As it turns out, Camila is a veterinarian instead of a doctor or a nurse, which honestly makes a lot of sense since Luz probably brought a lot of wild animals like those snakes from the first episode home. She also came back and drove Vee, who had switched with Luz, to camp instead of having her wait for the bus.

Eda has made her mark in the human realm as a local legend, such as getting banned from a coffee shop for trying to buy stuff with a raccoon, and she made an impression on the villain of the episode, a local historian turned conspiracy theorist. I can’t believe they made a nod to the fan theory she was Stan from Gravity Falls’ ex-wife Marilyn, like they keep teasing us. She probably has a bunch of magic stuff scattered around that Vee and Camila will have to find to maintain Vee’s transformation.

Then we have the ending of the episode, which is a bittersweet note to finish the first half of the season on. Camila came to Vee’s rescue from the conspiracy nut and accepted her into her home, learned where Luz has been, and made Luz promise to stay in the human realm when she finally gets back. Luz is so happy and thriving in the demon realm, so for her to make that promise is a twist to the gut. Hopefully in time, Camila will see the support network Luz has now and release her from the promise like Amity did in Covention upon learning Luz could do magic in her own way.

Owl House is an amazing story. It has a cast of memorable, distinct characters; it has a creatively designed world with an equally inspired magic system. The show does everything exactly it’s supposed to- make you laugh, cry, and experience the whole spectrum of emotions. Not a lot of animated shows do that anymore, it’s all about cheap laughs from toilet humor and dumbing down the script so toddlers can understand what is going on.

Danny Phantom ended before it could reach its natural conclusion, and finished in a rushed mess. DuckTales ended before it could reach its natural conclusion, and finished with a sloppy finale and lots of hanging plot threads. Just two days ago, it came out that there were plans for a season 4 despite previous claims of intentions to finish with season 3. Infinity Train is currently in an unknown limbo, and could potentially end with Book 4 before reaching its natural conclusion with so many mysteries about how the train works still unanswered.

I refuse to let The Owl House suffer the same fate. You can help by sending letters, not emails, to Disney asking them for a full season four! It’s too late to extend season three, but there’s still a chance for more after that! Here’s the address:

DisneyTVA

811 Sonora Avenue

Glendale, CA

91201, USA

The USA part is only for international fans, so if you live in the States, you don’t need that part for the address. When writing your letter, remember to be polite and not accusatory or rude, because they will perceive anything sounding accusatory or rude as hate mail and throw it out without consideration. Also make sure to watch The Owl House on Disney + if you have it because they are watching the viewership numbers on there too.

Additionally, Rebecca Rose on Youtube has found some more specific addresses that might help make the push. These might be executives that have power over what gets renewed and what doesn’t. Write to them, tell them how much The Owl House means to you and what you like about it, but DO NOT accuse them of canceling the show and DO NOT be rude. Here’s the addresses she included in a video description about an The Owl House trend party:

Gary Marsh

811 Sonora Ave

Glendale, CA

91201

OR

Peter Rice

ABC Riverside Building, 2300 W Riverside Dr

Burbank, CA

91506

On Twitter and other sites, make sure to use #MoreTheOwlHouse in your tweets and other posts. There’s a trend party going on today to bring The Owl House to people’s attention and that we want more of it.

Looking forward to the second half of the season after the hiatus. Hopefully, it will not be as long as the wait between season one and season two was. Until next time!

Go Hexside!

[kazuharem]

“The Most Important Person” ↠ Lucien x MC [SMUT]

AO3 Link: Here

Pairing: Lucien x MC (Female)

Warnings: overstimulation, unprotected s&x, multiple orgasms, jealous!Lucien

Description: Jealous Lucien smut from “True Love Date.” That’s it

Summary: Lucien shows her just exactly who the most important person to him was.

Word Count: 4,013

Author’s Note: This is my entry for Day 6 of Kinktober. I used this Kinktober 2020 Prompt

Day 6: Free Use

Also, requested by Icy~ ^-^ Inspired by this little section from my "Partners in Pleasure" fic: The Lucien who had slammed her into the wall with a dangerous “Tell me,” hissed angrily through clenched teeth when she was asked about the most important person in her life. The Lucien who had tortured her so ardently that very night as he grit out a “You don’t want to make me jealous again, kitten,” before thoroughly ravaging her.

I'm pretty sure every Lucien stan who is a writer have written some version of this. This is my take. Also, I've taken "overstimulation" as in "fucking brainless" which also translates to "too many damn orgasms" in my book. Enjoy!

[DISCLAIMER] As always, the characters, art, music do not belong to me. The only thing I own is the plot. Lines that are taken directly from the "True Love Date" will have * in front of the text.

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“If you don't mind, I'll walk that line Stuck on the bridge between us Gray areas and expectations But I'm not the one if we're honest But I wanna sleep next to you And I wanna come home to you I wanna hold hands with you I wanna be close to you”

Troye Sivan – “Talk Me Down”

*“So, Professor Lucien, is there anyone you’re crushing on here?” Kiki asks Lucien amidst boisterous cheering.

Lucien chuckles as he looks over at the girl, whose cheeks were blazing scarlet. “Yes,” the answer slips easily and naturally out of his mouth.

She ducks her head then, trying to tug her hand free from Lucien’s grasp, but he holds on tight. The crowd of her coworkers cheer and spin the bottle again. The neck of the bottle comes to a stop in front of Lucien again and everyone burst into loud exclamations once more.

“Who is it? Who?” Everyone clamors around Lucien in excitement, trying to force the answer from his lips.

He gazes back at her and her eyes skips from him, staring pointedly at the wall behind him. Lucien smiles amusedly and downs the shots, much to everyone’s disappointment. A wave of warmth spreads from his throat, blossoming outward from his chest.

Her coworkers continue to play until the bottle stops in front of her. “Finally, it’s the boss’s turn!” Kiki grins widely as the mood suddenly changes, everyone leaning forward in anticipation.

“Tell us who is the most important to you and why,” Willow announces after a dramatic pause. She winks at Kiki and adds, “Be specific.”

Lucien could hardly admit to himself how eagerly he awaits her response, stiffening up and holding his breath.

She sighs and chances a peek at Lucien, cheeks and ears turning a rosy shade of pink as she prepares herself. *“Because I got to know this someone…” she begins shyly, blushing harder. “He…showed me a brand new world. He’s gentle, but not pretentious. A mystery, but also clear as day.” She starts slowly, but her voice begins to pick up enthusiasm as she goes on. “He can see all of my thoughts and he teaches me the ways of the world.”

Lucien’s hand tightens on his glass as he desperately tries to swallow the prickly feelings that were threatening to engulf him. For some reason, he didn’t like where this is going. There was a thought that nagged at him in the back of his mind. He had seen her chatting cheerfully with that officer…that-Gavin. Had heard her burst into excited laughter when she was on the phone with Kiro. Had witnessed that damn CEO, Victor, picking her up in his stupidly expensive sports car. Could she be talking about any one of them?

She leans forward unknowingly, as she continues, *“When I meet setback, he’d guide me with patience and understanding.” Her voice has a tender lilt to it.

Lucien savagely downs the contents of his glass and sets it down before he could crush it. The warming effects of the alcohol disappears and all he could feel is the thudding of his heartbeat roaring in his ears. The only thought that rages through his mind is who, who, who?

*“He is…very important to me,” she concludes softly with a small sigh, a rare smile breaking through her features.

Her coworkers collectively release their breaths.

*“That was visceral! I bet the person isn’t here or else Boss wouldn’t have said all that!” Someone chimes teasingly.

“Yeah! You know how shy Boss is!” Another person laughs noisily.

The comments grate at Lucien’s ears and he grinds his jaw. A different kind of warmth, one that is white hot, courses through his veins.

“I really want to know who it is!” Kiki wonders aloud.

Lucien silently takes another shot, trying to quell the rage that was slowly building inside him. His vision starts to blur, but he pays it no mind.

She laughs quietly and shakes her head. “Let’s just continue the game,” she hastily directs their attention back to the bottle on the table.

Coming here tonight…was a bad idea, a thought pops up unbidden. Lucien tosses back another shot, missing the worried glance she throws in his direction.

The party continues, but Lucien’s mood worsens, along with the drunkenness of the crowd.

At some point, she slips to the bathroom and when Lucien couldn’t take the burning question any longer, he says some stupid excuse to her coworkers and leaves to go find her. The question bores a hole in Lucien’s mind as he stalks silently along the dimly lit hallway.

Who is this important person?

His fists clench and the scowl on his face deepens. The alcohol he had drunk earlier blurs all thought, all reason.

Remember your purpose, Ares. A voice whispers in his mind, but Lucien shoves it aside. He could care less about his purpose at this moment.

A sudden movement catches his eye and before any reasonable thought occurs, he’s pushing the girl against the wall, his hand grabbing her wrist.

*“What are you doi-“

*“That person who’s most important to you…Who is he? Tell me,” his mouth is moving before his brain registers the words. A look of confusion spreads across her face and Lucien presses harder against her. “Tell me!” Nothing but fiery rage runs through his entire body.

Her expression softens, “It’s you…” she says, but Lucien presses harder against her, only hearing a soft buzzing. “Lucien,” she calls his name and her words finally gets through the buzzing in his ears. “It’s you I was talking about,” she murmurs, smiling. “You’re very important to me…” Stunned, Lucien loosens his grip on her as he backs away. He hears his heartbeat thudding in his ears, a roaring that reverberates throughout him and she continues. “Everything I said was meant for you to hear but you misunderstood…”

The relief flooding through him was instantaneous and he nearly stumbles. There is nothing in his eyes except for the sight of her smiling face. “I’m sorry…did I hurt you?” Lucien asks as he drops her wrist.

“A little…but I’m okay,” She smiles, and Lucien rubs her wrist gently.

“I’m…sorry,” Lucien pulls her into his arms as he breathes a sigh of relief into her hair. It should’ve unnerved him with how relieved he felt, but Lucien couldn’t bring himself to care.

“Shall we go?” She asks, voice muffled into his chest, “I think I’ve had enough.”

He agrees readily and ignores the whispers of “Stupid. You’re a fool, Ares.”

The girl in his arms robs all reasonable thought, but Lucien thinks to himself that he prefers it that way as she slips her hand into his. His only colors in the world, he would follow her blindly wherever she goes.

They say goodbyes to her coworkers and Lucien fights the urge to claim when he sees a male coworker smiling at her. Kim, Lucien remembers.

The two of them chat a little too long for Lucien’s liking, and he walks up to the pair, offering the singer a tight smile. “Shall we go?” He asks the girl, his hand naturally finding purchase on her shoulder.

She nods cheerfully as she waves goodbye at Kim and allows herself  to be led away by Lucien. Lucien clenches the hand not holding hers.

Fool, a voice creeps up in the back of his mind again, but Lucien ignores it.

Lucien is silent in the cab ride home and he can feel her sneaking glances at him, questions as clear as day written on her face.

He could sense her reluctance to part as she squares her shoulders, physically preparing herself to say goodbye when they reach their respective doors. Gently, he places his hand on her shoulder, thumb rubbing a soothing circle as he maneuvers her to face him. “Come inside for some tea to sober up. You’ve drank a lot tonight.” Her eyes instantly light up and Lucien’s mouth curls up in an answering smile. He lets go of her shoulder to unlock his door. She follows him inside eagerly.

No sooner did the door close behind her, Lucien is tugging her into his arms. “Lucien, wha-mmph!” Her question is muffled by the sudden press of Lucien’s lips. “Lucien!” She gasps against his lips.

“Shh,” Lucien murmurs, taking her lower lip and biting down gently. “I’ve been wanting to do this ever since I saw you today.” The sudden confession renders her speechless, but she accepts his kiss, earning a pleased sound from Lucien. She tastes the sweetness of the wine he drank earlier, and a heady feeling fills her veins, as if she could get drunk on his lips alone. He kisses her slow and sweet, pulling her snug against his chest. “I’ve missed you, my little butterfly,” The hushed whisper floats between the languid presses of their lips.

“Lucien…” her arms automatically snake around his neck, pulling him closer to her. The tantalizing way she whispers his name sends heat rushing through Lucien’s body. “I’ve…missed you…too.”

Her admission makes him pause. Pulling away slightly, he peers into her beautiful eyes and swallows hard when he sees nothing but the reflection of himself. Her eyes had only him. Lucien tries to push down the prickly feelings he had been feeling throughout the entire night, but to no avail. He wanted to claim her, to make her his, so that she wouldn’t ever look at another man. “Butterfly…” he lets out a breath, the small puff of air hits her lips and she shivers. “Won’t you give yourself to me tonight?”

She gazes upwards at him, and Lucien knows he’s hopelessly and irrevocably fallen into her trap.

So much for the feeble attempt to stay away.

“Yes…” her voice is quiet, but Lucien hears it all the same. He tucks a finger under her chin and leans closer, their breaths mingling.

“Then would it be okay for me to have you however I like?” His words ghost over her lips and he could see her lips tremble from the sensation.

Her cheeks flush and Lucien’s eyes were dark. The unmistakable hunger swimming in his irises makes her swallow. “Have me…Lucien…”

With that invitation, Lucien surges forward, slotting his lips against hers. His tongue prods the seam of her lips, asking for permission. When he was granted, his tongue enters to taste her mouth as he slips a leg between her thighs, trapping her against the door. “Will you give all of you to me?” Lucien asks, fingers caressing her face.

She nods breathlessly, “Yes…I’m all yours...”

It was like a switch had flipped. Lucien grinds his leg against her as he presses a hungry kiss against her open mouth. She gasps at the friction and Lucien slips a hand under her blouse, teasing and tracing tantalizing circles on the heated skin. “That’s good to hear, kitten,” he growls against the shell of her ear before licking at her lobe, “Because you sure didn’t act that way earlier.” His lips trace blazing kisses along the span of her neck and his hand ducks under her skirt. “You’re already so wet,” he whispers silkily. “Naughty girl, don’t you know what I’m about to do to you?” He curls his finger into her as she arches against him with a whimper.

“Lu-Lucien,” she stammers as her knees buckle. She holds onto Lucien’s shoulders for dear life.

“Shh,” Lucien shushes her by laying the slick finger he had just buried inside her against her lips. “Look how drenched you are for me.” And only me, he adds silently as he dives back to attack her mouth, picking her up when he did so. He maneuvers them expertly into his bedroom, setting her down with care on the bed and undresses her reverently. Lucien shrugs off his turtleneck and takes a moment to admire the sight of her naked body, a stark contrast against the black sheets. “Look at you,” he sighs as he settles between her legs. “Look at how perfect you are.” Her entire body flushes the prettiest shade of pink and she averts her eyes. “Don’t hide from me,” Lucien chides as he kisses a trail up her thigh, across her stomach, between the valley of her breasts, up, up, and up until he comes to a stop in front of her lips. She sucks in a shaky breath and holds it as he watches her, violet eyes nearly black. “Do you trust me?” His question is electrifying, causing the blood in her veins to heat up. She nods slowly.

Much too trusting, Lucien thinks, if only she knew…

He pushes these thoughts away and presses a quick kiss against her lips before undoing his belt. Before she could ask what he’s doing, she feels warm leather wrap around her wrists. “Lucien…” Her hands are bound with his belt and he pulls her arms over her head.

“I’ll make you feel good, kitten,” he promises as he trails fiery kisses across her collarbone. “Like no one else ever did,” his words are muffled by her skin. He presses open-mouthed kisses on her chest, and she inhales. Lucien smiles as he slowly takes one of her breasts into his mouth, tongue running circles around the nipple. He makes a noise of approval when it receives sufficient stimulation. Lucien descends upon her other breast and she moans breathily. “You sound so nice,” he murmurs, voice muffled by her breast as he teases the sensitive skin, and it pebbles under his touch. He moves downward, tongue washing a lazy stripe across her belly and she shudders. “I’ve thought about this all night,” Lucien whispers when he reaches her inner thighs. “Actually I’ve thought about this for many nights. But particularly tonight,” he laps close to her heat and her breaths hitch. “I’ve thought about the way you would taste; how would you look when you’re in the throes of pleasure, pleasure that I have given you.” He doesn’t give her time to react to his words before he buries his head between her legs

“Lucien!” The sudden movement makes her jerk in surprise, but the belt prevents her from releasing her arms. Lucien holds her down as he pushes his tongue into her, and she moans helplessly.

“You taste absolutely divine, kitten,” his low voice is electrifying and sends sparks throughout her entire body. “Just like the way I imagined.”

She bucks into his mouth and he growls approvingly, fingers digging into her hips. His tongue delves faster, and her moans get steadily louder. “Lu-please, please.” She’s begging and Lucien doesn’t hesitate to suck at her swollen clit with relish.

Lucien works his tongue sinfully and she’s positively keening, “I need you to come into my mouth, kitten,” he says as her thighs begin to shake, squeezing his head. “Come on.”

He nips at her clit and all of a sudden, she’s coming hard, Lucien’s name spilling out in a broken cry from her lips. Lucien licks her quivering slit obscenely as she turns into a trembling mess.

“Beautiful,” Lucien breathes. He doesn’t give her time to relax before he’s sliding two tapered fingers into her wet folds, tongue lapping lazily at her sensitive nub.

“Lucien-ah!” She arches off the bed as he furiously pumps his fingers in and out of her. Her wrists strain against their bindings only to struggle helplessly with nowhere to go.

“I have to say, this is better than my imagination,” Lucien’s voice is deep, seductive, and lazy even.

“Lucien!” She whimpers and her walls clench on his fingers.

“You want to come?” Lucien tongues her clit, “Then come for me, beautiful girl.”

As if his command was a spell, Lucien watches, enraptured as she falls apart again, her fluttering walls clenching and unclenching his fingers. Her eyes rolling back in pleasure, her body arches only to fall back down onto the sheets. Lucien’s name is the only thing on her lips as she pants, dazed and quivering.

He quickly sheds his pants and crawls back to her, taking the incoherent girl in his arms. “You’re perfect,” he whispers before flipping her onto her stomach. “You’re perfect in every way.” He cages her in with his body and presses soft kisses along her shoulders. “Beautiful. I am forever awed by you,” He punctuates every word with a kiss.

She feels his throbbing length at her backside, and she whimpers, “Lu-Lucien…”

“Tell me you want me, kitten, tell me you want only me.” Lucien whispers into her as he hooks an arm under her stomach and holds her upright against him.

“I…want only you,” she gasps, hips unconsciously grinding against his cock and Lucien hisses.

“Good,” Lucien sounds pleased, “You don’t want to make me jealous again, kitten.”

That was the warning she receives before Lucien sheathes himself fully in her wet folds and she moans lowly, arching into Lucien’s chest.

“God…” Lucien bites back a curse as he begins to move, “You feel so good.”

She whimpers at the praise, hips struggling to keep pace with Lucien’s thrusts. “Lucien…Lucien…”

“Let it out, kitten,” Lucien growls into her ear as his other hand reaches between her legs, “Let me know who’s making you feel this good, who’s fucking you like this.” Every savage roll of his hips accompanies every word.

“Lucien!” She cries out, knowing that every thrust brings her closer to destruction.

“That’s right,” He hisses as he laps at her pressure point, “Only I can make you feel this good.”

The girl is sobbing and nodding deliriously as Lucien rams into her. “Yes-yes… only you… Lucien…” She’s chanting incoherently. “Please, please,” she doesn’t even know what she is begging for at this point.

Lucien pinches her swollen nub and suddenly the coil in her stomach springs free. She’s crying as she comes, her orgasm ripping through her body in pure pleasure. She falls against Lucien’s chest, the only thing keeping her upright was Lucien’s arm around her waist. “Beautiful,” Lucien whispers as he sits back, taking her with him. “You have no idea how beautiful you look right now, undone because of me.” He leans back and spins the boneless girl to face him. “You’re absolutely perfect, beautiful butterfly,” He murmurs reverently. “You’re mine. Mine alone.”

She only nods as her chest heaves. “Y-yours…” she chokes out.

Lucien rearranges her legs, so she was straddling him and pulls her tied hands to rest on his shoulders. Without warning, he grabs her hips and slips his cock within her folds again. A sharp cry escapes from her as he brings her hips down on his.

“Lucien… please,” she’s moaning as he repeatedly thrusts upward into her, fucking hiccupping sobs from her.

 “Come for me, kitten,” he growls as he holds her limp body against his chest. She’s too far gone to respond and shakes her head weakly as her body trembles from Lucien’s merciless onslaught. “You can do it,” he grits out, “Come for me. Only me.”

“Lu…” she chokes out, unable to form complete words. “Please,” The plea falls on deaf ears as Lucien relentlessly impales her on his cock. “I can’t…” Her words end with a broken sob.

“You can,” Lucien hisses as she clenches deliciously around his cock. “You’re doing so well, taking my cock like this…” He whispers praises as he continues to abuse her oversensitive bundle of nerves. “Won’t you come for me, butterfly? I want to feel you coming on my cock.” Lucien’s fond voice belies the filthy words.

“Lucien…Lucien…” she babbles his name in incomprehensible moans, head lolling to the side. Lucien follows her head and captures her gasping mouth in a heated kiss.

“Come for me, butterfly. Come. For. Me.”

And suddenly her body seizes before she trembles violently, the full force of her orgasm tipping her into Lucien’s chest as she twitches from the sheer pleasure coursing through her body. Lucien languidly fucks her through her orgasm as he presses kisses into her temple. Gasping, she struggles for breath, utterly boneless.

“You did such a good job,” Lucien groans into her hair as his hips slowly comes to a stop. He sits up and gently flips them so she’s on her back. Lucien removes the belt binding her wrists together. “You…are so beautiful…” he whispers as he leans down to press his lips everywhere he can reach. Lucien cups her face carefully, as if afraid she’d break, his thumbs swiping across her tearstained cheeks. “You are entirely perfect…So kind…So caring…You leave me in absolute awe.” The praises rain down like his kisses.

Shakily, she opens her eyes as Lucien’s words register themselves slowly in her dazed mind. He watches her, a look of unmistakable tenderness is on his face. “Lu…Lucien…” she pants as she reaches her freed wrists towards him. He leans in closer so she can wrap her arms around his neck.

“Do you know why I was away for all these weeks?” Lucien murmurs as she tries to kiss him sloppily. She mouths aimlessly at his chin, his neck and Lucien continues. “It was because I was scared and overwhelmed of my feelings for you…”

The hushed confession bade her pause, her eyes widening. “Lucien…” she whispers shakily and raises a hand to cup his face.

Lucien nuzzles into her touch, pressing soft kisses to her fingertips. “I’m…not a good man,” he says haltingly, and she opens her mouth to object, but Lucien shakes his head at her. “I’ve never pretended to be a good man in the first place…I didn’t have…good intentions….I don’t deserve you…”

“Stop,” she says, and Lucien closes his eyes, sighing. “Lucien. Stop.”

“You’re much too trusting,” Lucien murmurs and there is a touch of self-deprecation.

“Don’t say that again,” she implores, “You know how I feel about you. You know I made my choice.”

There is a light chuckle as Lucien opens his eyes again and she is floored by the infinite amount of love that pools in those violet irises. “You didn’t let me finish,” Lucien smiles, reaching up to caress her hair. “I may not be a good man, but what I feel for you…is absolutely sincere. That is something you can count on.” He says those words with finality, leaving no room for argument.

“Lucien…” she whispers and her eyes are teary again. He presses his forehead against hers, inhaling her scent.

“I’m sorry I got carried away…The thought of someone else having you…the thought of you looking at someone else…” Lucien’s voice drops off apologetically.

It’s her turn to shake her head as she embraces him tighter. “Lucien…I’m yours…I’m all yours…”

Lucien’s voice is hoarse with emotion as he speaks, pressing her into the mattress gently, “Then allow me to have you, to love you…”

“Absolutely,” She whispers against his lips and he begins to move, their fingers interlacing with each other as he sets a slow pace.

With every thrust he drives into her, she feels the amount of Lucien’s love for her. With every kiss he gasps against her lips, she knows that the kisses were cementing Lucien’s love, sealing his love deep within every inch of her, a secret branding that only the two of them know.

She comes first with Lucien’s name leaving her lips and she holds onto Lucien as he pants. His hips stutter to a stop as he gasps her name, spilling heat deep within her.

“I love you…I love you…” She murmurs when Lucien slumps forward into her, panting into her neck.

He shakily reaches for her as he rolls onto his back, taking a moment to catch his breath. And when he speaks, his voice is full of raw and pure emotion.

“I know I don’t deserve you…I’m not going to be any greedier and ask for forever, but…can I trouble you to stay with me at least a little longer?”

⊱ ──────ஓ๑♡๑ஓ ────── ⊰

For more of my work: 📖

[cali-holland]

Promises- Harrison Osterfield One Shot

Pairing: Harrison Osterfield X Reader

Prompt: You’re out of town for Harrison’s birthday, and nothing upsets him more than knowing he can’t be with you on his special day, but little does he know that you and Tom devised a little surprise.

Word Count: 2100

Warnings: idk probably some swearing, alcohol mentions, lil bit angsty

Masterlist   Harrison Osterfield Masterlist

*Pic is not mine*

~~~

Harrison let out a small sigh as he stretched his hands and slipped on a couple of his rings, finishing his look for tonight. He scanned over himself in the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of his button-up. He rolled them up to his elbows because you had told him that you loved it when guys- a.k.a. when he- would do that.

Not that that matters much since you couldn’t actually be there tonight. He let out another sigh, pouting at the nagging reminder.

His phone began to ring from his bed and he darted across the room, picking up the call without even looking to see who was calling.

“Hello?” He asked eagerly.

“I’ve been trying to reach you all day!” His mother scolded. Harrison bit back a groan; the only voice he wanted to hear over the phone right now was yours.

“You called me this morning.” He replied, before quickly adding, “I’m not complaining though. How are you, mum?”

“Am I not allowed to call my son twice on his birthday?” She questioned with a laugh, which made him chuckle in return. “I was going to ask if you’d heard from Y/N today yet.”

“No, but she’s been busy filming today.” Harrison defended you. You’d been away filming a new show in LA for the past few weeks, and, while it sucked for Harrison to not have his own girlfriend of nearly two years there for his birthday, he knew you were incredibly busy.

Before his mother could respond, his phone started to vibrate in his hands, informing him of an incoming call. A bright smile made its way onto his face as he saw your picture flashing over the screen.

“Gotta go, love you! Bye mum!” He quickly hung up the phone and answered your call.

“Happy birthday, Haz!” You exclaimed, cheerfully.

“Thank you, darling. I’ve missed you today.” Harrison answered, feeling a twinge of sadness strike his heart as he once again remembered just how far away you were from him.

“I miss you too, baby.” You replied, just as sadly. “Don’t worry, I’ll be home before you know it.”

“I’m counting down the days.” His eyes flickered over to the calendar by his door, your return date circled with a red pen. To say he was missing you and excited to reunite with you was a massive understatement. “How’s LA?”

“It’s,” You trailed off momentarily, “LA. Hot, kinda gross, but hey there’s good food.”

“You’ll have to show me all the best spots when I come visit you.” He said, pulling up his laptop to look at flights out there.

“When? I didn’t know you were coming out.” Your voice sounded scared for a moment, but Harrison assumed you were just distracted.

“Well, I’m not, but I want to.” He laughed lightly, but still frowned as he looked at the flights. Every flight from Heathrow to LAX was fully booked for the next few days- damn Americans trying to celebrate their own holiday this weekend.

“Why don’t we figure that out later? You’ve got a big night ahead of you, Mr. 24.” You teased, effectively changing the topic.

“God, I hope not. I specifically asked for a small party.” He laughed just at the thought of his party last year. It was anything but an intimate get together with friends and it got incredibly out of hand; Harrison, you, and most attendees didn’t remember a good part of that night. He certainly started 23 off with a bang.

“I have to go, but you have fun tonight, alright? I love you, Haz.” You said, a quiet sigh escaping your lips.

“I love you, too, Y/N.” And then the line went dead and he was brought back to the reality that was his birthday- time to celebrate alone in a crowded room.

The moment you hung up the phone, you dialed Tom’s number. As it rang, you fidgeted with the baseball cap on your head, pulling it down further.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a plane right now?” Tom asked immediately, a humorous tone hidden underneath his question.

“It got delayed.” You sighed, looking up at the board of flights. It seemed to be mocking you as the flight to Heathrow just kept getting pushed back.

“Really? How long?”

“I was supposed to leave an hour ago, but now they’ve pushed it back to 9.” You explained. You looked down at your watch and adjusted the blue neck pillow that you’d stolen from Harrison. This is what you get for thinking you could catch a quick break back home. When your schedule cleared up for the next few days, you jumped at the opportunity to fly home- the first available flight to London wasn’t supposed to land until the night Harrison’s birthday (a.k.a. right now), but now you’re just stuck in your Barcelona layover until the plane’s ready to go.

“So you’ll get here at like midnight? We’ll probably still be up.” He reassured you, “He’ll be so happy to see you, even if you don’t get here on time for his actual birthday.”

“I know, I just wanted to surprise him at the party. He already knows you’ve thrown a big one.” You laughed.

“If he’s gonna complain about my parties, then he can throw his own- and I’ll throw my own birthday party.” He huffed jokingly. He and Harrison had a thing going for the past few years where they’d plan each other’s birthday parties, just because they were both shit at planning stuff for themselves. If it wasn’t for Tom throwing Harrison a birthday party three years ago though, you and Harrison may have never met, so Tom made sure neither of you forgot that.

“Just make sure he’s fine until I get there. Make him actually enjoy the party.” You told him.

“So, set him up with a stranger?” Tom joked, and you scoffed.

“You’re the worst.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.” You replied.

“Just let me know when you take off and land.” He requested.

“Will do.” You hung up the phone and let out a small groan. It was going to be a long night for you. You looked down at the small silver promise ring on your right hand and trailed over it. It was a thin band with just a small heart in the middle; Harrison had given it to you for your first anniversary, promising to love you forever and to be there for you no matter what- and now you felt like the world was keeping you from being with him.

~~~

When Harrison got to the party venue, his suspicions were confirmed- it was another large party. He drank a little bit, nothing more than a couple rounds of shots and a beer or two; it was enough to get him buzzed, but not enough to make him elated. He was trying to play it off though, claiming he wasn’t in the drinking mood as his friends all got drunk around him.

“What’s up with you tonight?” A drunken Harry asked him, throwing an arm around his nearly sober friend’s shoulder.

“Just tired.” Harrison tried to shrug it off, but his friends knew better.

“It’s your birthday! Live it up!” His enthusiastic words came out slurred.

“He misses his girl.” Tom announced, and a blush spread over Harrison’s cheeks.

“She’s got you so whipped.” Tuwaine snickered.

“Shove off.” Harrison grumbled, running a hand through his hair and taking a drink of the beer he’d been nursing. He let out a yawn and looked at the clock, 12:01. His birthday was over, and he could justify leaving now. “Okay, I’m going to head out.”

“Wait, you can’t.” Tom said, trying to discreetly look at his phone as the others protested Harrison’s departure.

“I really appreciate tonight. I had a good time, but I just want to go home now, okay? You lot drink up for me.” He stood up, doing his best to sound cheerful.

“No, no, you can’t leave.” Tom insisted.

“Why not?” Harrison questioned. He watched as his friend’s jaw slackened and he had no response. Laughing in confusion, he brushed it off, “I’ll see you all at home.”

And with that, Harrison left, quickly getting himself a cab. Meanwhile, Tom texted you: ‘Change of plans: he went home, go there’.

When Harrison got home, the tiny amount of alcohol he had consumed was all but gone out of his system. He thought about calling you, but he knew you were busy, you were always busy. Just as he was about to tug off his shirt, he heard someone clearing their throat from the hallway. He jumped, turning to the doorway to see you smiling there with a couple bags of luggage.

“Oh, don’t stop on my part. I want the show.” You teased. Harrison rushed over to you, wrapping his arms around you tightly.

“You’re here.” He breathed out, pulling back to look at you.

“I’m sorry I’m late.” You smiled before kissing him. He tugged you closer to him as he backed up to the bed, his lips never leaving yours. He sat down and you effortlessly climbed into his lap.

“Happy late birthday.” You said softly against his lips.

“You’re the best birthday present.” He stated. He went to capture your lips with his once again, but you moved back.

“I want to give you your gift first.” You told him.

“Well, I won’t say no to that.” Harrison winked, his hands running underneath your shirt and he leaned in to kiss you again, his teeth nibbling on your lower lip. You pulled away, laughing.

“Not that, Haz.” You shook your head at him, getting off his lap. He pouted playfully at you while you went over to your suitcase. You held a little box wrapped in blue paper, “This is your birthday gift.”

“Darling, you didn’t have to.” He said quietly, scooting back on the bed until he was comfortably sitting against the headboard. You climbed over the bed, sitting in front of him eagerly.

“Well, it took me months to find you this gift so you better like it.” You jokingly threatened, but both of you knew it was also serious; you always went out of your way to get him the most thoughtful gifts, that’s what he loved about you. He took the box from you and playfully shook it near his ear. You slapped his arm scoldingly as you both laughed at his childish actions.

Slowly, Harrison unwrapped the gift to reveal a standard, black ring box. He opened up the box and stared at the silver ring nestled in the middle with an unreadable expression. You felt your heart about to leap out of your chest, watching with bated breath as he slowly ran a finger over it. It was the inverse of your own promise ring, a thick band with a small heart taken out the middle.

“It took me a while to find a jeweller to make this, and I had to steal one of your rings to get the right size, but,” You trailed off, trying your best to read his face. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he took it out of the box to examine it further. “If you don’t like it, I can take it back. I just thought-“

“It’s a promise ring.” Harrison looked up from his new ring to the ring resting on your finger. With his free hand, he delicately slid your own promise ring off your finger and, smilingly, merged the two silver rings into one. He looked up at you with the most awestruck face, “Do you realize how incredible this is?”

“How incredible?” You teased, and he shook his head in disbelief, slipping your ring back on your finger and taking off one of his rings to put the new one on, both of you now sporting matching rings on the same fingers.

“This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.” He rested a hand on your cheek, cupping it lightly as he leaned over to kiss you. “I love you so much, Y/N.”

“I love you, too.” You smiled, “But you haven’t let me promise anything yet.”

“Okay, okay, go for it.” He laughed, and you gently started to trace over the ring on his hand.

“Harrison, I promise to always love you, to always share the best moments with you, to always be there for birthdays, and to always be yours.” You barely got the last word out before he kissed you again. It was by far his favorite birthday (or well morning after) yet, and it was all because of you and a couple promise rings.

~~~

Tag List: @viagracex​ @theamazingtomholland​ @Hellomoveonby @heyitsshrez @harrisonosterfieldhazmyheart​ @joyleenl​ @t-o-m-holland​ @lonikje​ @sleepybesson​

Harrison Tag List: @Calhtlland @tomkindholland​

[extremelyblackandwhite]

i wanna know what love is - 06

Pairing: rockstar! sebastian stan x writer!reader

Warnings: Y/N and Sebastian not bickering? shocking.

A/N: who else is going slightly insane due to quarantine (my problem is not being able to go outside and buy more snacks). let me know what you guys think, i love receiving your feedback always warms my heart listening to your opinions xx

Last Chapter // Next Chapter

Sebastian couldn’t sleep. He had never found it easier to sleep on the tour bus, every little sound from bus’ engine, drops of rain hitting the windows, the constant bumps on the road to Sherrie’s breathing made him hyperaware of everything around him. To add to injury, Sebastian also hated to be the only one awake in the middle of a loud silence, it always made his mind go places he liked to locked normally. He couldn’t drink as the boys had made it specifically forbidden to have alcohol in the bus due to a prior incident, couldn’t smoke as all his cigarettes were gone and couldn’t even watch TV as it would wake everyone on the bus. He was stuck with his mind which he didn’t like it.

He got up from his bed, shirtless only using plaid pj bottoms that he’d had since forever as seen by tiny hole around the knees, and went down the stairs to see what he could find in the fridge. He found more silence as he walked to the small fridge by the bedding area in hopes to find something to munch on. There was certainly loads of food in the fridge but he wanted something greasy. Right now what he wanted was a big greasy juicy burger and some fries so he could forget about his own thoughts. 

He sat back down in one of the lounge coaches looking around, maybe if he laid down in the coach he could fall asleep? That’s all he wanted right now but after a few minutes of twisting and turning he couldn’t fall asleep and let out a load groan before covering his own mouth, realising the other boys were sleeping on the same zone. His worry about waking someone up was about to die down until he heard a door slide from the far corner of the bus. His eyes scanned to the door of Y/N’s room were she was standing in her white and pink pjs. 

     - I’m sorry. - he blurted before the two could start bickering. - I can’t sleep.

     - Come in. - he gestured her arm towards her and he furrowed his brow at her. That was it, she was gonna finally murder him. Sebastian got up and walked over to her, entering her room as she closed the door before. She had certainly changed the room to her liking with a few polaroids stuck to the wall with blue tac and a few battery operated fairy lights. - You can stay in my room. Michael and Fred got me a second mattress so I don’t feel the bumpy road but I think I’ve grown immune to it. 

    - I’m not gonna take your bedroom. - he didn’t expect her to be nice to him. He knew she was a good girl with good intentions but he couldn’t wrap his mind around her allowing him to stay in, specially after the fight they’d had last night. - It’s your bedroom. 

    - I have some work to do. - she grabbed her laptop and notes. As per usual, she needed her daily notes compiled and sent to her editor and she was very behind in her work. - Besides, it’s your bus. 

    - Can I help? - maybe he didn’t want to sleep. He knew that for some reason he just couldn’t go to sleep, at least sober. He’d spent years and years of practicing to shut off his thoughts but lately all his thoughts seem to go back to his head. She however could not deny him, he looked like a lost puppy asking for stuff to do to avoid bedtime. - Please?

    - Fine. - she sat in the bed, inviting him to do the same and handed her a bunch of yellow notepad pages. - Just highlight what’s not filler. 

    - How will I know what it’s not filler? - he looked at what she had written so far. She was rather nice in her review, even trying to write something nice about him and for a moment he thought she didn’t hate him that much but then realised she had her end of the deal to follow.  His eyes skimmed over what she had written today, ignoring her constant typing on the laptop until they fell on a certain word on her pad. A certain name. He shot his head up to her. How did she even know about it? - Y/N.

    - Yeah. - she turned from her laptop to him, sleep engaged in her eyes already. 

    - Who told you about Melody? - he wasn’t mad and she didn’t know if she should worry or not. She was about to start to apologise like a big idiot but he stopped her by just sighing, looking to the paper and back to her. - The boys did it, didn’t they?

    - I’m so sorry. - there she was again, apologising. Whatever she did, she was always apologising. It pissed him off beyond no way. She was a reporter, a writer, it was her job to dig up dirt on people, yet she seemed to have not lost her spine again. - I’m not gonna run it, I just ... I just wrote it down, I was surprised you used to have a girlfriend.

   - Fiancée. - he corrected her and she was taken out by surprise. She could maybe picture him being faithful to a single woman in a dating like scenario but married? She couldn’t possibly imagine him as a married man. - 4 years, not 3 as you wrote in here.

   - You don’t need to talk about it if you don’t want to. - she was sweet and Sebastian couldn’t deny that. He knew there was two ways she could go about in her career, she would either be a failed writer or one of the best. He’d been in the business for ages, had seen various writers, reporters, paparazzi and knew what qualities led specifically to instant success and she lacked them. Maybe he didn’t know her well enough or maybe she was too new in the area to be spineless but he sure hoped she didn’t fall in the failed category. 

   - I don’t have a problem talking about it, sweetheart. - he placed the yellow papers on her bed. - I proposed, we were gonna get married and I ruined it. 

   - Is that why you’re a womaniser, now? - she blurted out, not even expecting to say it. However, it was late and she wasn’t thinking right again. 

   - Are you trying to psychoanalyse me, Wiley? - he raised his eyebrows at her making her hold in a laugh. She placed her hand over her chest to settle herself down while Sebastian stared at her with a tiny smile in his face. - Love is for suckers. Take that for me. 

  - I know that no need to teach me. - she gave him a smile that he knew way too well. It was a sad let’s smile about it situation smile which stunned him. Y/N looked like the type of girl that would meet a guy and follow him to the end of the times, a loyal girl. - I’ve had my own experience with love before. All I have to say is no thank you. 

  - What happened? - he knew he was being nosey but yet again, she was always snooping around on his business and it wasn’t like he was writing a piece on her. Besides, he was curious and the boys wanted them to stop bickering so maybe socialising apart from teasing each other to no end was a good idea. 

  - Met this guy while I was at my first year in university. Fell head over heels for him, my first kiss was with him and then he just stopped talking and a month after ghosting he dumped me over a post it stuck at my accommodation door. - she said trying to lighten up the mood but the memories of how her heart clenched when she saw the yellow note glued to the outside of her door saying he didn’t feel it, her eyes dropped to stare at her legs not wanting to hold any eye contact with anyone. 

  - What an idiot. - Sebastian made her laugh with that comment. - At least when I drop my one night stands I tell them, to their face. 

  - I don’t imagine it’s very exciting to date the human version of vanilla ice cream. 

  - Hey, you can’t bake banana split without vanilla ice cream. - Y/N burst out laughing, holding her hand onto her mouth. His eyes didn’t leave her figure, she looked so adorable laughing and trying to hide it using her hands. - He’s an idiot, Y/N. 

  - Thanks, Sebastian. That was really nice of you. 

  - I’m a nice person what can I say.

[hanscom]

reddie enemies to lovers

(I keep trying to convince myself to finish this, but it hasn’t happened yet and it’s been over a year since I started it. So here, have some hockey enemies to friends nonsense.

Fair warning: this is the same game as we all know and love, but the ins and outs of professional hockey detailed here are made up. I don’t know the specifics about what goes on off the ice, okay? Correct me if you must, but I highly encourage you to just embrace the fact that I don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about.

Also, I love you all, still and forever. Thanks for following me even after all this time.)

Pairing: Richie Tozier/Eddie Kaspbrak Rating: T Word count: 2,948

It’s cold in the arena.

It’s worse, down on the ice. The air is sharp and stinging on his face, in his lungs. His skates are steady under his feet. The lights are blazing overhead. He can’t smell much except the sweaty inside of his helmet, but he imagines it smells like popcorn and hoppy beer. It smells like game day. It smells like home.

Richie doesn’t think there could be anything better than this.

He’s skating backwards around the rink, gliding fast across the freshly buffed ice, content in the knowledge that no one is going to run into him. His team has gotten pretty good at working around him. They’re starting to become a pretty effortless unit, for the most part. It’s something Richie is pretty fucking proud of.

He whooshes past Ben and around one of the rookies, shouting joyful nonsense that echoes off the ice. They yell back at him, but he can’t make out the words over the sound of his skates and the blood rushing in his ears.

And then Stan skates out from the tunnel and into his way. Richie twists fast to the side, digging down, slowing to a quick stop. Ice sprays up under his blades. Stan, unimpressed as always, doesn’t move. “Are you done showing off?” he asks, his mouthguard hanging from his helmet. The only time he ever takes it out on the ice is to give Richie a hard time.

“What’s that?” Richie says. “I can’t hear you from down there.”

Stan is the smallest guy on the team. He’s almost a solid foot shorter than Richie, and he’s constantly sore as fuck about it. Richie doesn’t get it. If Stan were any bigger, any less quick on his feet, he wouldn’t be half the player he is. Stan’s a winger. His entire hockey career revolves around being fast. And, anyway, Richie’s kind of big for a centerman, but you don’t hear him bitching about it.

They’re close to the goal. Mike is standing there in the crease, suited up, his hulking equipment making him look massive. “Are we really doing this again?” he calls, but he’s laughing about it.

Richie digs his skates in, gliding an easy circle around the goal. “We sure are,” he says, grinning. “You know Stan plays a better game when he’s pissed off.”

“I could play a better game than you in a coma,” Stan shouts. His face is red, some combination of cold air and actual anger. Stan’s normally a pretty level-headed guy, but Richie gets under his skin, shakes him up, makes him mad. His game has gotten a thousand times more aggressive since they met. Bill sometimes jokes about putting him on defense, but he never will. Stan as Richie’s left wing is pretty much the only reason the Portland Pioneers ever score.

It’s not that their right wing is bad, exactly. He’s just… not good. Richie can say that. He’s not the captain, like Bill. He’s not even an alternate, like Stan and Ben. He doesn’t have to be diplomatic. He doesn’t have to play nice. Hockey’s not a nice sport. Hockey’s about being fast and smart and violent. Right winger Patrick Hockstetter might be mean as hell, but he’s also slow as fuck and dumb as a box of rocks. Richie can work with a lot of things, but he can’t fix stupid.

But Richie’s trying not to think about it. He doesn’t need to go into the game expecting Patrick to fuck it up for them (again). It’s bad luck. And Albany’s a good team. Richie has to focus if he’s going to pull this one out.

—

The Pioneers lose in overtime, which is devastating. Losing always sucks, but it’s even worse, watching Albany celebrate on their ice.

Afterward, the locker room is quiet for a long time, aside from the five minutes Coach spends yelling at them for their admittedly awful performance. When he retreats back to his office, the team slowly strips out of their equipment, made sluggish by defeat. They’re all tired. Richie is already starting to ache, his body finally registering all the time he spent up against the boards. Bill and Ben are in even worse shape. Both of them already have bruises blooming across their ribs, across their backs. Albany played rough. The Pioneers haven’t had to fight that dirty in a long time. It makes the loss feel even worse, somehow.

Richie has just finished dragging on his street clothes when Bill finally speaks up. He has changed into the full three-piece suit he wears to impress the media circus waiting outside for him, and his hair is still damp from the shower. He looks sort of ridiculous, standing there in full monkey costume in front of the team, who are all in various states of undress. But he’s still the captain, so when Bill tells them to listen up, they do.

“You guys played really hard tonight,” he says. He’s trying to sound light-hearted, uplifting, but Richie has known him for a long time now. He’s just as crushed by the loss as everyone else — probably more so. There’s a small waver in his voice that says it all. “I know this isn’t the outcome we wanted, but that doesn’t change how well you all played.”

Richie looks down. It’s sort of worse, knowing they did well but lost anyway. They gave it their all, but it wasn’t good enough. It fucking sucks. Richie sort of wants to punch something. He sort of wants to sleep for a few days straight.

He really, really, really wants a right winger who can shoot a decent shot.

It’s not a very charitable thought. Patrick has played worse games than this one. But Richie’s too tired to play nice, and he can’t stop replaying all the shots they missed, all the times he was open and so was the goal but the puck was nowhere to be found and neither was Patrick.

Richie thinks, without meaning to, about Albany’s right winger. Thinks about the way he had sped across the ice, faster than Richie, faster even than Stan. He’d played a good game. A damn good game. Richie sort of really hates him for it, which isn’t fair. It’s not that guy’s fault Richie doesn’t have a solid line. But he is most of the reason Albany scored and scored and scored again, so Richie reserves the right to hate him, just a little.

Stan and Mike ask him out for a drink, but he declines. He wouldn’t be good company, and besides, he’s beat. So he bids them goodbye and leaves out the back, ball cap pulled low over his eyes to hopefully deter anyone from recognizing him. It works. He gets home without incident, makes himself a late dinner, and flips on the TV to watch a few highlights, because he’s an obsessive masochist. Pittsburgh beats Chicago, then Nashville loses to Dallas, and then he’s watching himself skate furiously down the length of the Pioneers’ rink. He groans, but doesn’t fumble for the remote. Helplessly, hopelessly, he watches Patrick lag behind. He watches Albany’s defense wrestle the puck away without much of a fight. He watches that tiny fucking demon of a right winger swoop in, taking control of the puck with an ease Richie can’t help but admire. God, the guy’s good.

The announcers call him Eddie Kaspbrak. The name sounds familiar, in the way that all good players sound familiar. Richie can only watch so many highlights in a night without picking up on a few things, and this is clearly not the first beautiful pass Kaspbrak has ever made. Richie makes a face and finally shuts the television off. He doesn’t need to relive Kaspbrak’s seamless pass to center, that perfect shot down the crease, the way Mike’s knee guards slapped to the ice a split-second too late. It was hard enough to watch in real time.

One day, he’s going to have a right wing like Kaspbrak, who can keep up and knows how to bank a shot. But today isn’t that day, so he gives up and goes to bed, upset and pissed off and stoking his quiet, irrational grudge against Eddie Kaspbrak.

—

Trade negotiations roll around. Richie tries not to worry about it, but he does. Everyone does.

In the end, it’s Patrick. Which isn’t surprising, exactly, but feels so much like everything Richie has ever wanted that it scares him. He finds himself waiting for the other shoe to drop.

In late February, two weeks before the trade deadline, it does. Bill makes the announcement after a rough, sweaty afternoon practice. Richie is tired as fuck, still breathing heavy, but all the air jams up in his throat when Bill breaks the news.

The Portland Pioneers have acquired Eddie Kaspbrak.

—

Kaspbrak, in person and without all his gear, is even smaller than he looks on the ice.

He’s younger-looking than Richie expects. They’re the same age, but Richie has taken a few good hits over the years that have knocked his face a little out of whack. He has a crooked nose, twisted teeth. The entire left side of his jaw had to be painstakingly rebuilt three years ago when he took a puck to the face, which left his smile sort of lopsided.

Eddie doesn’t look like he’s ever taken a hit. He has a smooth, even face. Nice teeth. He’s good-looking, is all Richie’s saying. Richie didn’t expect it. He’s not sure why it catches him off-guard.

They meet for the first time off the ice the day the Pioneers are scheduled to play Carolina. Morning skate is optional, but Richie drags himself in anyway because Bill expects him to, and Richie’s a sucker who doesn’t want to disappoint his captain, even after all this time. It’s not even that early when he stumbles in but he feels bleary and sluggish, pulling on his gear without participating much in the locker talk. Stan tries to rile him up a few times, but gives up fast when Richie refuses to take the bait. Mike nudges him when he walks past. “Rough night?” he asks, grinning like he knows the answer. Richie spent his night with a microwaved pizza and the highlights reel, but that’s nobody’s damn business, so he shrugs.

And then Bill comes out of Coach’s office. The team doesn’t exactly snap to attention whenever he’s around, but the chatter dies down to a dull murmur. Especially when someone follows him out.

Kaspbrak is wearing street clothes — sneakers, jeans, a fucking polo shirt. Richie wonders if that’s the sort of thing he always wears or if he dressed up for them. He looks more comfortable than he probably should, standing in front of a group of strangers who, up until this point, have only known him as an opponent. He’s smiling. He is just — really good-looking. Richie is sort of hung up on it.

“This,” Bill announces, “is Eddie. He’s going to practice with us this morning.”

The season hasn’t even officially ended. Patrick got pulled from the roster when the trade was announced, but he’s still around. His locker’s not even empty. Richie doesn’t like the guy or anything, but that has to be a tough pill to swallow. Richie can’t even imagine what being replaced like that would feel like.

On the other hand, he really, really wants to get out on the ice with Kaspbrak. He wants to see what the guy can do, up close and personal.

It’s a tough thing, being both impressed and annoyed by the sight of someone. It’s made worse by the way Bill stares him down until he manages to force a smile in Eddie’s direction. Kaspbrak grins back at him, easy. His teeth are stupidly perfect. None of them are chipped or anything. Richie can’t remember the last time he met a hockey player with a perfect face. Something about it freaks him out.

Bill claps Eddie on the shoulder. “Welcome to the team,” he says. Most of the guys echo the sentiment. Richie mumbles something that sounds close enough and finishes lacing up his skates.

He doesn’t have to play nice with Kaspbrak. He just has to play well with Kaspbrak. There’s a big difference, and Richie is clinging stubbornly to it.

—

The thing is, Kaspbrak is really fucking good.

Richie knew. Of course he knew. He hardly ever lets the losses get to him, because God knows there have been too many to remember them all over the years, but he’s been hung up on the Albany game for months now. He’s watched the playback more than once, and has most of Albany’s season saved to his DVR.

But it’s different in person. Kaspbrak is so fast. So steady on his feet. Richie hasn’t been impressed by something as simple as skating since he was a kid, but the way Kaspbrak does it shakes him up. The guy skates like a dream. Richie is so jealous, and so impressed, and so fucking confused. He’s spent the better part of the season hating this guy, and now he’s here, gliding around Richie in wide circles, lapping Bill and Ben and even Stan, looking like maybe he’s not even making much of an effort.

Morning skate is easy, most of the time. Everyone wants to be at their best for that night’s game, and half the team didn’t even show. But Eddie throws the dynamic off, makes them all a little hot and hungry for some actual play, and before Richie knows it, Mike and his rookie are guarding opposing nets and Richie’s facing off with Bill, staring at him through the grate of his helmet, his mouthguard clenched between his teeth. It’s not a real scrimmage. They don’t have enough players to run a real game. But Richie doesn’t care, because Stan volunteered as Bill’s winger, which left Kaspbrak all for Richie. Richie can feel him, on his right, just outside the face-off circle. Richie has this weird, sudden urge to look back at him, but then the puck is on the ground and there’s no time.

Bill is a vicious center. He’s not as fast as Richie, but he’s stronger. There’s a reason he plays defense. His body is one solid line of muscle, and he’s not afraid of using it. He shoulder-checks Richie, almost knocks him off balance with the force of it, but Richie bares his teeth and refuses to give up ground. Bill is probably a better player than Richie is in the long run, but Richie is the best center the team has ever had. He wrestles the puck out of Bill’s reach and bears down on the ice, shooting across the rink. Eddie is ahead of him. Richie hasn’t had a winger faster than him in so long he almost forgets to make the pass.

Eddie doesn’t hesitate. He moves like a blur, so fast it’s hard to keep track of his stick against the puck, driving it effortlessly forward. Mike is braced in the crease, his big body held wide, but he’s just not quick enough. Eddie comes at him from the side, bent down, stick jumping from one side of the puck to the other. And then it’s over. One second, he’s barreling down the rink, and the next, the puck is in the net — a perfect backhand shot.

It’s just practice. There’s no cheering, no booming announcement, no music. But Richie feels the same way he always does, his pulse loud in his ears, his heart tight in his chest.

“Kaspbrak!” he roars. “You son of a bitch!”

Eddie has the kind of smile that could melt the ice. He looks so pleased, so proud. Richie skates to him and throws an arm around his shoulder, smacking his helmet.

“We went easy on you!” Stan shouts, because he’s a sore loser.

“You kidding?” Richie yells back. “You couldn’t have caught him if you tried!”

Eddie’s shoulders shake. Richie leans into him, grinning, thrilled beyond measure. They drift a little on the ice, aimless, anchored together.

“It won’t happen again,” Bill says. He’s a competitive motherfucker, which makes him a great player and an even better captain. It won’t be easy, getting the puck away from him again.

Eddie grins up at Richie like maybe he’s up for the challenge.

—

Eddie scores two more times. He insists that they don’t call it a hat trick, considering it’s just practice and he’s scared of jinxing it. Richie doesn’t care what they call it. All he knows is Eddie scored three fucking times, and he assisted all of them. He doesn’t even mind that he wasn’t the one to make the shots. It’s better, almost, watching Eddie do it.

Bill lets morning skate go longer than normal, probably hoping to pull out a single goal, but after awhile he finally calls them off the ice. Richie is dripping with sweat when he peels himself out of his equipment. He didn’t realize how hard he’d been working. It hadn’t felt like much, being out there on the ice, falling into Eddie’s rhythm, into his gravity.

Eddie hangs back while everyone files out, looking around like maybe he’s still taking everything in. His hair is wet from the shower and his face is flushed. Richie nudges him on his way out. “Sure you can’t play with us tonight?” he asks. It’s not possible, but it makes Eddie beam.

“Won’t be long,” Eddie assures him.

Richie doesn’t say so, but he can’t fucking wait.

[just-jordie-things]

The Prom Fic - Richie Tozier

word count: 6281 warnings: swearing, I think that’s it summary: Richie wants nothing more than to go to prom with the girl he likes, but (y/n) can’t stand school dances.  The Losers get involved and make things more difficult.  The answer is simple- Richie and (y/n) are just too stubborn to see it. ___

School dances, in (y/n’s) opinion, were lame.  Very lame.  With the shitty music from the teacher the school always hired to be a DJ, and the even shittier decorating done by the student council, and don’t even get her started on how everyone always acted while at a school dance.

The girls were at their judgiest.  If you didn’t get dressed up, then you were a piece of trash that couldn’t afford it.  But if you looked too good, then you were an attention whore.

And as for the guys, they were just as bad, if not worse.  You were expected to go with someone.  If you didn’t, you were laughed at, and undesirable.  But if you did go with someone, then you were expected to… reward… them.  This was high school.  No way in hell was that acceptable.

“Anyways.  I fucking hate dances, so no, I’m not planning on going to prom” (y/n) finished her rant.

Bill and Eddie, who’d casually asked her if she was planning on going, gave each other a concerned look, which didn’t go unnoticed by their female friend.

“Why?” She asked, setting down the orange she was peeling to give them her attention.  “You weren’t going to ask me, were you?” She asked teasingly, giggling at the idea.

“First of all, ouch, you’d be lucky to go with me, I’m the third nicest guy in our grade,” Eddie joked back, only making her laugh.  “Only behind Bill and Stan of course.  And second of all, no, I was just being polite and asking”

“Y-you’re really n-not gonna g-go?” Bill asked.

“No,” (y/n) shrugged.  “I’m just gonna hang out and enjoy a night off from the drama”

Bill frowned, but shrugged his shoulders.

“So you’re just gonna turn down everyone who asks you?” Eddie asks, and (y/n) narrowed her eyes at the boy.

“Yes?” She answers with a scoff.  “What, do I owe it to a guy to go with them because what, they plucked up the courage to ask me?”

“No!” Eddie practically shrieked.  “No, no of course not- no”

“What’s your guys’ big deal about it anyways? I’ve never gone to dances, it’s never bothered you before” She shrugs her shoulders, and picks apart her orange slices.

“It’s p-prom,” Bill says.  “W-we just thought y-you’d w-want to g-go”

“Right.  Because it’s so important” She spoke sarcastically.

Bill laughs nervously, and finally just let it go. ___

“So?” Richie asked Bill and Eddie when they came out of the cafeteria.  “Did you talk to her?”

Bill sighed, and nodded.  His silence was unsettling, and Richie just about shook his friend’s shoulders to beg for more information.

“Well? What’d she fuckin’ say? Does she want to go?”

“No she doesn’t wanna fucking go,” Eddie rolled his eyes.  “Jesus, Richie, she hates school functions.  I had to sit and listen to every little thing she hates about them the whole lunch period-”

“Did you ask about me?” Richie asked, not caring so much about Eddie’s waste of time.  “Did you tell her that I want to-”

“N-no,” Bill was the one to cut him off this time.  “Sh-she really doesn’t w-want to g-go, Richie,” He explained.  “If w-we’d said that y-you were interested, sh-she would have j-just been off-offended”

Richie furrowed his brows, not understanding at all.

You see, he’d had this crush on (y/n) for quite some time now- as in, he’s liked her since they were children.  She’s always been a special part of the Loser’s Club, and since the day Richie had met her he knew that she was special to him too.  There was a spark to her that brought out the best in him, something that made him always want to make her smile and laugh, and bring out the best in her as well.

It had been nine years of knowing her, and he still wasn’t sure how she felt about him.  She would blush and giggle when he’d flirt with her, and sometimes she’d flirt back, but even then he couldn’t tell if she was messing with him.  There had been multiple occasions where she’d cuddled up to him as well- during scary movies, or at the quarry when she gets cold- and Richie had to try not to read into it, because those seemed like valid reasons for cuddling.

However, (y/n) had never really hinted at feeling anything more than friendship.  And although her touches were like fire to his skin, he was pretty sure they were platonic.

And yet, this didn’t diminish his desire to take her to the prom.

He really, really wanted to ask her.  He wanted to dance with her, and hold her hand, and buy her a corsage- he’d never wanted any of these things before.  Before (y/n), he’d barely even paid attention to girls.  And now, he wanted nothing more than to live out the fantasy of holding her on the dance floor.

“She hates it that much?” He asked, disheartened at the news.

He’d known she didn’t particularly like school dances… but he’d hoped that she’d feel at least a little desire to go to the prom.  It was a high school tradition after all… and Richie had crossed his fingers that if she’d heard that he wanted to go with her, then she’d agree, but the look on Bill and Eddie’s faces told him there wasn’t a chance.

“Yeah…” Bill mumbled, trailing off awkwardly.

He felt bad, because he knew how badly Richie had wanted this.  But (y/n) had made it painfully clear about her own feelings.  He did wonder though, if she would have changed her mind had she known Richie wanted to ask her.

“M-maybe you should t-talk to her y-yourself,” Bill suggested.  “M-maybe she w-would want to g-go if she knew it was y-you taking her”

“Really? Cause it sounds like she fucking hates all men-” Eddie started, but Bill shoved his elbow into the shorter boy’s ribs to get him to shut up.

Richie shook his head, not knowing what else to say.

“Thanks for trying” He mumbled, not meaning to sound insincere, because he really did appreciate his friends talking to her for him.  He was just so disappointed by the news that (y/n) wanted nothing to do with the prom.

With that, he gave them a weak wave and said something about seeing them later in class, and then head off in the opposite direction.

He tried not to let it ruin his day, he tried to focus on anything, even his homework, to get (y/n) off his mind.  But it was damn near impossible when she was the center of all of his thoughts.  And barely a minute could pass before she crossed his mind. ___

On the other hand, (y/n) hadn’t thought too much about her lunch with Bill and Eddie.  It was odd that they’d practically interrogated her about the prom, but they were weird boys, and she brushed it off as just another strange boy thing.

Sure, she knew all her friends would be going, but just because your friends jump off a bridge, doesn’t mean you should too… right?

Shaking her head of the thought, she went back to putting her books away for the day.  There was no way she was going to have second thoughts about something as pointlessly mundane as prom.

She reminded herself of all the reasons she hated it.

Expensive dress you’ll only wear once.

The humiliating crowning of king and queen, reminding the entire senior class of their social status.  More specifically, their low spot on the totem of popularity.

The shitty food.  The shitty decorations.  The shitty music.

This seemed to do the trick, as she felt more uplifted about the situation.

Just as she was about to shut her locker and leave for the day, her eyes landed on a familiar face, and she waved the boy down.

Richie, still feeling disappointed, wanted to pretend he hadn’t seen her.  But her bright eyes met his and his feet were taking him to her before he could come up with an escape plan.

“Hey, trashmouth,” (y/n) grinned, shutting her locker and leaning against it.  “Barely saw you today, I thought maybe you ditched,”

Richie didn’t say anything, just chuckled and shook his head.

(y/n’s) brow furrowed for a moment at his odd silence, but she just as quickly neutralized her expression and leaned her back against her locker.

“But I knew you wouldn’t ditch without me” She adds as an afterthought, a smile tugging on her lips.

“Course not,” Richie answered.  “Wouldn’t be much fun”

Her smile seemed to widen, even though the kind words didn’t exactly come out as soft as they sounded.  He seemed bored, like he was itching to walk away from her, and she could tell.

“You alright?” (y/n) asked, because she wasn’t exactly one to tiptoe around the obvious.  “You seem off”

“It’s nothing,” Richie shook his head.  “Look I gotta get going, I told Mike I’d head out to his place after school.  I’ll catch up with you later”

And before (y/n) could call out for him to come back, or rush to catch up with him, Richie had practically darted away, taking long and fast strides towards the doors.

She couldn’t help but scoff for a moment, standing still at her locker while her mind whirled with thoughts of what the hell she could’ve done to make him ditch her like that.

Richie had never been upset with her before, and it knocked her off her feet to think he’d been pissed off by something she didn’t even know she’d done.

(Unfortunately it hadn’t even crossed her mind that his behavior was linked to the strange behavior of the other boys today.) ___

“And then he just- he just left me there,” (y/n) said with a frustrated groan.

Stan, who was equally frustrated, not for her sake, but because he was so very done with this conversation, rolled his eyes so far back into his head it actually kind of hurt.

“Can you believe that? He’s never been so pissed with me before, and I don’t even know what I did Stan”

The two always sat together in the library during their shared free period.  Usually they just helped each other out with their homework, but today, (y/n) was too preoccupied with Richie’s bullshit to even open up her backpack.  It dawned on Stan that if he didn’t get involved, then this ‘(y/n) and Richie’ drama would never be resolved.

“Probably wasn’t your fault,” Stan lied, knowing fully well why Richie was weird yesterday.  “I heard he got rejected”

“Rejected?” (y/n) repeated, her voice faltering a bit on the word.

Richie had asked someone out? Back up even further, he’d liked someone?

Her change in demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by Stan.  The way she blinked slowly, and shrunk back in her seat.  The way her voice quietened, and she’d barely even been able to say the word.  He could almost see the gears in her head spinning, wondering why Richie hadn’t told her this himself.

“Yeah,” He shrugged.  “I don’t know all the details.  He didn’t say much about it.  Just a girl he wanted to ask to the dance who said no”

Her eyes met his for a moment, and Stan hoped that she hadn’t put two and two together and realized he was bending the truth.  (y/n) was smart, she was smart enough to figure out he was talking about her.

But her jealousy betrayed her, and clouded the big picture, as all she could focus on was that Richie had liked someone.  Someone that wasn’t her, as she’d previously hoped thought.

“Why didn’t he tell me?” She asked wearily.

Stan wanted to smile, he felt so damn proud.  (y/n) looked like she could just cry.  He couldn’t wait to tell the others of this accomplishment.

Richie, when you two pluck up the courage and get together, don’t forget to thank me for single handedly doing it for you, he thinks.

“What, does he not trust me?” She asks.  “Because clearly he told you guys.  Probably all you boys.  Probably Bev too!”

Oh fuck, Stan thinks.  

He’d thought too soon.

“Whatever.  Fuck him” (y/n) grumbled, and finally opened up her bag to retrieve her homework.

“Uh- maybe he just- didn’t get the chance, yet?” Stan desperately tries to fix his mistake.

“He had the chance yesterday.  He didn’t even bother,” (y/n) shakes her head, and begins to work on her Calculus sheet.  “Clearly we weren’t as fucking close as I thought” She adds, sounding less angry, and more sad.

She writes so hard on the paper that the tip of her pencil snaps, and rips through the sheet.  Her loud groan earns a ‘hush!’ from the librarian.

Stan fucked up.  He fucked up real bad.  

His pride instantly melted into guilt, and he knew he couldn’t do anything about it.  He couldn’t tell (y/n) the truth at this point, and later, when he knew Richie, or one of the others asks what’s wrong with her, he’ll have to admit what he did.

And that was just gonna piss Richie off more.

This was bad. ___

Richie was still let down by the fact that he wouldn’t be going to the prom with (y/n), but after a night talking to Mike, he felt a fraction of a bit better.

Mike was his go-to for talking about (y/n).  The others tended to just tease him, and while Ben was kinder, he always pushed Richie to make a move, which just wasn’t an option.  Mike, however, listened.  He listened to anything Richie had to share.  Even if it was just that her hair looked pretty today, or that he was so in love with her it hurt, Mike was there.

On multiple occasions, Mike had told Richie to stop being a pussy and ask her out.  He’d said it kindly, and he’d said it pleadingly, because some nights it was so obvious that Richie would just die if (y/n) were to fall for anyone else.

But after years of these talks, Mike knew Richie wouldn’t make a move.  It was harsh, sure, but it had been so long, and the boy’s feelings only grew stronger, and still, he never did anything about it.  He knew it must be painful, so he did what he could to help Richie vent about his hidden emotions, like the good friend he was.

So today, Richie felt like a part of the weight on his shoulders was lifted.  And with that, came the plan to find (y/n) and apologize for how he’d acted yesterday.  He knew he’d irked her, ditching her after school so abruptly, and he didn’t want any bad blood between them.  Ever.

That afternoon, he was the one to approach her at her locker.

When he appeared, leaning against the wall of metal doors next to her, she cast him a glance, and then hastily turned away.

“What?” She asked, the single word a snap on her tongue.

It caught Richie off guard.  He knew he hadn’t treated her fairly, but he didn’t think she’d be that pissed about it.

“I came to uh, apologize” He answered, sounding unsure, because the look on her face made him think that something else was wrong.  She couldn’t be this visibly upset with him over one little weird patch, could she?

“For what?” She snapped out again.

She threw her backpack over her shoulders rather forcefully, and then slammed her locker.

Richie opened his mouth to speak, but she was faster.

“For leaving me out, or for leaving me out and ditching me yesterday, jackass?”

The boy’s brow furrowed, and his mouth still hung open.

“What are you talking about?” He asked.

“Don’t bullshit me, I know you told everyone else about- well whoever the hell it was that you asked out,” Her voice lost it’s edge, as her disappointment sunk in instead.  “You really weren’t going to tell me about it? At all? Over some- some girl?”

There was a frown on her lips, and a curve in her brow, and he could see how much it saddened her.  Even though it was lost on him what had happened, and more importantly, who had told her this information.

“(y/n), I don’t know what you mean-”

“Fuck you,” The girl scoffed, shaking her head, and looking away so that he couldn’t see the way she’d started to tear up.  “Really.  Fuck you.  I thought- I really thought-” She let out a humorless, watery laugh as she shook her head, meeting his confused gaze for a moment.  “Just- just fuck you” She mumbled again.

When she walked away from him, her shoulder knocked into his arm, and she didn’t bother looking back at him as she stormed off.

As confused as Richie was about her outburst, all he could feel right now was anger, because someone gave her false information, and led her to believe that he’d not only kept secrets from her, but that he’d asked another girl out. ___

“What the fuck did you do!” Richie yelled as soon as he walked into the library.

Bill, Eddie, Stan, and Ben shared a free period and were always here at this time.  Richie also had a free period, but preferred to either smoke outside, ditch school, or hide out under the bleachers with (y/n).

The librarian, along with most of his peers in the library, shushed him noisily.  But he paid them no mind as he glared down at his friends.

“I know one of you fucking told (y/n) that I asked someone out, and now she thinks that I was avoiding her- and worse that I fucking like someone else- so fess the fuck up now beause I will find out either way and one of you has ruined my life!”

“Richard Tozier if you don’t lower your volume I will give you detention” The librarian warned.

Richie even glared at the older woman, but didn’t say anything as he looked back at the table of his friends.

“You asked someone out?” Ben, who was not caught up on the situation, asked.

“No I didn’t fucking-” Richie started to hiss, but Stan spoke up.

“I did,” He said right away.  “I told (y/n) that you were upset yesterday because you were rejected, which was technically true-”

“Fuck you, man!”

“I won’t warn you again, Mr Tozier”

“Why would you-?”

“She was hurt, what was I supposed to say?” Stan whisper screamed back.

“Literally any- fucking-thing else!”

“Okay- okay jesus would you calm down before you get us all banned from the library?” Eddie asked.  “Why don’t you just go explain it to her that you wanted to ask her-”

“That’s not exactly an option, Eds” Richie meant to snarl, but it came out more saddened than frustrated.

“Why not?” Ben asked.  “Just tell her the truth and ask her out.  She’ll understand”

“Maybe, but she’ll also hate me, and I don’t need to be rejected again,” Richie muttered.  “She probably already doesn’t want to be my friend anymore.  She thinks I.. I betrayed her”

“No she doesn’t,” Stan chirped in.  “She just doesn’t want you to go out with someone else.  She wants you to ask her”

He knew it was true, he’d seen the way she’d deflated when he insinuated Richie liked someone else.  She was just too stubborn and scared to admit that she liked Richie that way.

“No she doesn’t, you guys heard her,” Richie said, looking at Bill and Eddie.  “And now she wants even less to do with me.  Thanks a lot, guys.  Really”

This time, the way he said it was ingenuine, and on that note, he left the library.  Not without flipping off the table though.

The librarian saw this, but didn’t care enough to scold him for a third time because at least he was finally leaving. ___

(y/n) sat next to Beverly on her bed.  The two had been comfortable hanging out, mostly in silence, as Beverly read a book and (y/n) painted her toenails with a new red polish Bev had gotten.

It had been a few days since her blowout with Richie, and she hadn’t spoken to him since.  She saw him everywhere, though.  She swore she saw him around more now than she did before, and the thought bugged her.

There was no hiding the fact that she missed him.  She used to spend time with him like this, doing random things and not really talking to one another, but just enjoying the other’s company.  Not that she didn’t like hanging out with Beverly, she loved Bev.  

But it was different.

“Alright,” Beverly spoke up, after (y/n) had sighed for the umpteenth time.  “Time to spill.  What are you thinking about?”

(y/n) frowned, and paused in her toe-painting process to look over at Bev.

“Come on girl.  I know you’re thinking about Richie.  What’s going on?”

“I just…” (y/n) sighed.  “I’m mad, or- upset, not angry I just… I still miss him?” Beverly nodded, understanding the girl’s puzzlement.  “I don’t know what to do”

“Maybe just tell him you like him,” Bev said boldly.  “He’d like that”

(y/n) chuckled and shook her head, brushing off the comment as just a tease.

“Should I apologize?” She asked softly, going back to finishing her toes.

Beverly gave her a soft smile, and then laughed.

The sudden laughter caught (y/n) off guard, and she turned to her again.

“What?” She asked, while the other girl continued giggling.  “What?” She repeated, letting out a laugh of her own, simply because Beverly’s giggles were contagious.

“Babe.  Just go to the fucking Prom”

This caught her even more off guard- (y/n) swore she felt like Beverly was purposefully trying to confuse her.

“Wh- the prom?” (y/n) repeated.  “What’s that got to do with it-”

“Come on, (y/n/n),” Beverly chuckled with a shake of her head.  “Trust me.  It would just fix everything”

“Beverly, I-”

“-you hate the prom, I know,” Bev monotoned, before (y/n) could go on her rant.  “But as your friend, I feel like I should tell you that…”

She contemplated telling (y/n) the truth.  Because while she was her best friend, it wasn’t her truth to tell.  But she couldn’t watch (y/n) and Richie get torn apart over something so silly.  Neither of them deserved that.

“What?” (y/n) hummed.  It was troubling that she’d been quiet for so long.

Finally, the red head sighed, and continued.

“Richie wanted to take you,” She said, softly, unsurely.  “He wanted to go with you.  To prom”

(y/n’s) brow furrowed, and her jaw fell open slightly.  Beverly watched her entire reaction, the way her confusion washed over her features like a slow waterfall.

“He… Richie…” She shook her head, trying to clear the mess of thoughts that were clouding her mind.  “He did?”

Bev nodded, and (y/n) let out a small scoff.  The sound throws her off, and for a moment, she thinks that (y/n) is upset, appalled by the idea.

“I can’t… I can’t believe it” (y/n) mumbled.

There were a million questions running through her head, but Beverly wouldn’t be much help to answer them.

“Yeah, well, he-”

“I have to go,” (y/n) stood suddenly, capping the polish and shoving it haphazardly into Bev’s hands.  “I’ll call you later”

“W-what? Where are you going?” She asked, standing and following (y/n) while she was hastily going down the stairs, trying her best not to walk on her still wet-painted toes.  “(y/n)?”

“I have to go buy a dress!”

With that, she was running out the door, shoes in hand.

Beverly just shook her head, but there was an excited smile on her lips, wondering what was going to happen next.

Prom just got a hundred times more interesting. ___

“This fucking blows”

Richie’s comment was an angry mutter, and one that made his friends feel a bit bad for him.  He didn’t want to come, not after everything that’s happened.  But his friends had begged him.

He’d already bought the ticket, and rented the tux.  And it’s not like he had any other plans for the night.  So he thought, why not?

This is why not, he thought glumly to himself now.  Sitting alone at a table, only accompanied by his friend’s jackets, and Bev’s ridiculously tall heels.  She’d kicked them off as soon as they’d arrived.

An upbeat song was playing, and Richie felt like he was the only person not dancing.  Probably because he was.

As he looked out at his friends, and his peers, all he saw were smiling faces.  Not one frown, not one bored look.  Everyone was joyfully spinning and jumping to the music.

Richie decided to just stare down at his shoes.  Less disappointment there.

Except that he paid a lot for the fine shiny black leather.  And it was going to waste.

However, another pair of shoes joined his, standing directly in front of him.  A pretty pair of strappy black ones, which exposed red painted toes.

“Hey, trashmouth” A quiet, sweet voice spoke, and even when he looked up to see (y/n), he couldn’t believe she was standing right there in front of him.

Especially not here.  And especially not looking like that.

She was in a beautiful (y/f/c) gown, which hung just to her ankles.  It was strapless, and considerably low cut- at least, more low cut than anything he’d seen her wear before.  He’d never seen her look so… elegant.

Like a princess.

No, a queen.

“I thought you hated prom”

Admittedly, it’s not what he wanted to say, but it does the trick, because she lets out a humorless laugh, and glances around.

It was just what she expected.  Cheap pink and white streamers thrown and taped everywhere, matching balloons taped around doorways, and littered throughout the floor.  The song playing definitely wasn’t her style, and neither was most of the dancing she saw her peers doing out on the floor.

“I do,” She replies with a shrug of her shoulder, and looks back at him for a moment.

It surprises him when she takes a seat next to him.

“But I come with a peace offering,” She tells him with a small smile.  “Me.  I’m the peace offering.  Being here”

Richie laughs at that, and runs a hand through his curls.

“Am I supposed to be blessed by your presence?” He asks her, and she quirks an eyebrow back at him.

“Damn right you are,” She replies coolly.  “So are you gonna ask me to dance?”

Richie looked over at her, his brows raised, before glancing back out at the floor.

“You want to dance?” He asked, not an offer, but a comment of surprise.

“I thought you’d never ask,” She teased back, knowing full well that he hadn’t meant it that way.  “Come on, trashmouth” She said, sticking her hand out for him.

He thought it over for a minute, but ultimately, this was everything he was hoping for, so he took her hand, and pulled her up from the seat.

She smiled as he pulled her with him towards the dance floor.  Even in her heels, he still towered over her.

He let go of her hand when they found a decent open spot on the floor, and even though neither of them cared for the song playing they danced around as gleefully as though they had.

Richie looked really nice, in (y/n’s) opinion.  He always had a general… attractiveness… to him.  She could see it in his naturally perfect bone structure, and his dark eyes, the size of moons behind the dorky glasses.  Sure, Richie was maybe-sorta-kinda-cute, but tonight?

His lanky body moved in all directions as he danced around.  It was goofy, but it was adorable.

He looked beautiful.

She was smiling at him, although he couldn’t see, because he was too busy throwing himself around to notice her sudden stall in dancing.

Not until the song ended, did he realize she was just standing there.

“Well,” She sighed, smoothing her hands down the skirt of her dress.  “I’m going to go get a drink-”

“Hold on, hold on,” Richie speaks up before she could step away, and his hand reaches out to clasp around her wrist.  His hold his firm, but gentle.  

She could pull away if she wanted to.

“One more,” He says, quietly, and his other hand curls around her waist, pulling her in closer.

Africa by Toto is playing, a classic, and he knew that she loved this song.

Finally, a song playing that she actually liked.

“Just one more” He repeats, and she can’t help but nod.

Her hands timidly laid against his the front of his shoulders.  Despite her nerves, her eyes were locked on his, and she couldn’t bring herself to look away.  She could feel the warmth of his palms through the silky material of her dress, and she steps a little closer, until her front is almost pressed against his.

Her hands slid upwards, until she’s wrapped her arms around his neck, and she leaned her cheek into his shoulder.  She can’t help but shut her eyes, while they move slowly back and forth.

Everyone else on the dance floor was swinging and jumping, moving excitedly about the floor.  While (y/n) and Richie just held each other, and moved at their slowest pace.  There was nothing to be rushed, all they wanted was to enjoy holding onto each other for the next couple minutes.

“I’m sorry you got turned down,” (y/n) murmured.  “You’re a good time, Rich, I don’t know why she’s so dumb to say no to you”

He was quiet for a minute, lifting his head to look at her.  She was still leaning against his shoulder and her eyes were still closed.  She looked so content, comfortable, and it made his heart do a backflip.

“Well- um-” He chokes on his words, and ducks his head back down next to hers.

(y/n) opens her eyes, and leans her head off of him just far enough that she can look at him.  He’s having a hard time meeting her gaze.  She waits for him to finish his thought, even though it takes a moment.

“You know.  She hates prom, so, it was a long shot,”

Her heart starts to pound in her chest, and she wonders if Bev had been serious the other night, when she’d said that he wanted to ask her.

“But, you know” He shrugs, but he doesn’t say anything else.

“Know what?” (y/n) asks softly.

It feels like the room is getting smaller, like no one else is dancing around them, and they’re just two people, standing in the school gym, holding tightly to one another.

“Richie?” She calls in a whisper, and he hums as he looks down at her.

Her arms wrap more securely behind his neck, fingers gently carding through the curls that hung there.  She looks at him for a moment, biting down on her cheek, to keep from saying what she wants to say.  She didn’t want to blurt it out, but fuck, she wanted to say it so bad.

His brows are furrowed, because she’s taken a solid fifteen seconds- not that he’s counting- and she’s just looking at him.  Her eyes are rounded, and flickering over his features, but never leaving him.  And he can tell she’s literally biting back words, but she’ll crack.  She always does when she tries to keep something from him.  It’s almost impossible for her.

“Why didn’t you just ask me?”

The question came out so soft, as if it scared her more than it really did.

Richie let out a short sign, a weak smile tugging on his lips.

“It was easier for you to tell Bill and Eds that you hated everything about this than to have you say it to my face”

(y/n) frowned, and her brows crinkled together out of confusion, and hurt.

Didn’t he know that she would’ve gladly agreed to go with him?

“Richie-”

“It’s alright, (y/n/n), don’t worry about it”

This only made her frown deepen.

“Richie…” She mumbles, before chuckling.  “I would’ve said yes”

“Right” He replies sarcastically.

“No,” She’s still mumbling, but he understands her.  “Really, I would have.  Had you asked me,”

She leans up a little closer to him, and if she’d moved any closer, her nose would have bumped into his.  Richie’s tempted to close the distance between them right then and there, and for a second his eyes wander to her lips, thinking about how close they are, and it wouldn’t take much to kiss them-

“You should’ve just asked” She whispers, and shrugs her shoulder nonchalantly.

“You’re here now, aren’t you?” He asks smugly, and when his lips pull into a smirk, she giggles a bit.

“Yeah,” She sighs, and her fingers curl up further into his hair.  “So, now that you’ve got me here… what’re you gonna do?”

He chuckles down at her, because she was so cute when she tried to be smooth.

“I just want to dance with you” He said, wrapping his arms completely around her waist, keeping her snug against his chest.

She sighed, content, as she leaned against his shoulder again.  They somehow were able to move slower than before, just swaying gently back and forth, but neither of them had ever felt so comfortable.

He was singing, incredibly softly, into her ear.  Just a few lyrics to the song here and there.  But it was sweet, and it felt perfect.

Even when their song had ended, and another cheesy one started to play, they continued to sway.

“Here” Richie spoke up, loosening up his hold on her, and then taking her hand.

He spun her outwards, under his arm, and she let out a laugh that could only be described to sound like absolute glee, before he tugged her back towards him.

She grinned up at him, and then carded her hands back into his curls so that she could lean upwards and press her lips against his.

It took him by surprise, but he didn’t hesitate for a second before cupping his hands around her cheeks and kissing her back passionately.  Their dancing had stopped, and again, the rest of the room shrunk and disappeared.

When they parted, her eyes were shut for a solid minute, but she was smiling, and it made Richie grin.

“Hey, (y/n)?”

She opened her eyes, and hummed back in question.

“Will you go to prom with me?”

She burst out laughing, nodding her head in agreement.

“Of course,” She said sweetly.  “But I won’t buy a dress, I’ll wear something old”

“Fine” Richie chuckles with a shake of his head.  He drops his hands from her face to place them on her waist again.

“And you can forget about dancing, it’s stupid” She adds, grinning wide at him while he nods.

“Not even one dance?”

“No way.  You have two left feet,” She says, in that same sweet tone.  “Who wants to dance with a guy who’s gonna step on your toes?”

Richie was still laughing, and he shook his head again.

“You still agreed to go, so…” He cocks his head to the side, giving her a grin that made her stomach do a flip.

“Well then there must be some kind of redeeming quality about you” She hummed, a timid smile on her lips.

She’s blushing, and it’s his favorite sight in the whole world.

“One more dance, though?” He asked, and (y/n) nodded, her arms wrapping around his neck again while he spun them both around a bit more enthusiastically than before.

“You can kinda dance for having two left feet-”

“Beep beep”

(y/n) laughs, and tries her best to feign offense but she’s giggling so much that it’s kinda hard to be convincing.

“You don’t get to beep beep me, that’s not how it works!”

“I think it works however I want it to work,” He teases.  “If you’re not still mad, want to get ice cream later?”

“Sounds good” (y/n) agreed, and swiftly leaned up to kiss his cheek. ___

They danced until eventually they got kicked out, because everyone left, everything was being cleaned up, and the music Richie was playing off his phone, and that was the breaking point for the chaperones.

They later got kicked out of the ice cream parlor too, for starting a mini food fight, and were stuck walking around town.  Everywhere had closed, it was the middle of the night, and they were both still in their prom attire.

Except now there were a few ice cream stains splattered on them.

“Where to now?” (y/n) asked, while Richie dramatically swung their hands between them.

“I don’t know, where do you want to go?” He asked, and she shrugged.

“Anywhere” She answered, softly, as she looked up at him.

“Anywhere?” He repeats.  “Because I know a great strip club-”

“Beep beep, Richie,” She says through a chuckle, and squeezes his hand as she walks closer to him.  “And yeah.  Anywhere”

(They end up throwing rocks into the quarry, but moral of the story is they stick together and live happily ever after)

___

raise your hand if you wish you’d gone to prom with richie tozier 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️ xoxo ~ jordie

[msjr0119]

A Second Chance

Prologue

Book: The Royal Romance

Series Pairings: Liam x Riley (Flashbacks), Drake x Hana (Flashbacks), Drake x Riley (Present Time- Friendship?).

*All characters belong to Pixelberry apart from Bethany Hughes-Rhys*

Please do not read this series if you are under 18 or if you are affected by any of the below trigger warnings. By doing so, you are consenting that you are over 18.

Warnings: Mention of suicide (past tense), Grief, Depression, Mention of two characters death. Slight adult language.

A/N: So this is a follow up to my ‘Hold On’ series. I was really confused when @kacie-0156 requested for me to do this as she is a Liam Stan. I still don’t understand 🤷‍♀️ but I’ll try my best! Thank you Kacie for the moodboard that you have provided. 💕❤️ The series takes part over two decades after ‘Hold On’ finished.

Song Inspiration: One Sweet Day, Mariah Carey Ft Boyz II Men

Word Count: 3,200

Tags, off the top of my head- as always if you want to be removed/added don’t hestitate in asking me: @pedudley @kacie-0156 @annekebbphotography @yukinagato2012 @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @kimmiedoo5 @bascmve01 @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @lodberg @cmestrella @axwalker @hopefulmoonobject @notoriouscs @rafasgirl23415 @walker7519 @drakewalker04

*****

It had been six months since that day. The day that the Queen of Cordonia realised that her fairytale life had been snatched away from her in an instant. Today was the first day in which she had made an effort with her appearance. Upon her arrival she could sense that all her friends were eager to pounce on her, demanding to know that she was okay. Interrogate her. Keeping that stoic expression, she avoided conversations with her close friends- instead just remained civil with her children and people such as Francesco. Keeping a speech minimal, she thanked everyone for coming before returning to her quarters. Alone. This had been a common occurrence- keeping herself guarded. Not allowing anyone to break down the walls that she had built up.

Jackson noticed that his Auntie had been specifically quiet since that day six months ago. Walking over towards Princess Ayah and Prince Louis, they both smiled softly - however provided sorrow in their eyes.

“Is your Mom okay?” Ayah shook her head. Not really knowing how to explain the mask that Riley was wearing to hide her true feelings.

“She’s not coping, Jackson. I’m scared that she’s going to do something stupid. Before we existed, she tried to end her life in New York. My Father didn’t want to tell us about it, but he did one night to explain how much of a fighter our Mom is. She isn’t talking to anyone apart from us and her Godchildren. Whenever any of her friends try to talk to her, she shuns them away. Maybe Uncle Drake could try and talk to her again? Because you know....” Jackson didn’t need Ayah to continue that sentence, he knew full well what she was about to say.

“I’ll go and mention it to him. Don’t worry about Aunt Ri. She has everyone here, supporting her.” Kissing the Princess on the cheek, he scrutinised the room for his father. Jackson Walker adored his ‘cousins’ and ‘Auntie’- even though they wasn’t blood, he felt as if they were.

******

“Brooks....” Feeling like this was a waste of time, Drake decided that the best option was to walk away, as she wasn’t responding. Jackson placed a comforting hand onto his father’s shoulder, suggesting that Drake should leave. Feeling like a failure, to Ayah who believed that they would get her Mom to open up to them- Jackson decided to try himself. Listening to his son’s advise, Drake left in a swift motion- frustrated that he couldn’t persuade her to come out of her hovel and just talk.

“Aunt Ri?” Jackson said softly as he knocked on the door. Riley knew she was being stubborn whenever a visitor would knock on the door- but for some reason she could never ignore her children, or her friends children.

“Jackson.” Smiling at his Auntie, he pulled her in for a tight hug. “What can I do for you?”

“Have a walk? Or just a little talk with me? We all miss you, and we want to help you through it. Dad just wants to help too. You could help each other?”

“You’re only twenty one Jackson, you should be out with your friends- enjoying life. Don’t take a minute for granted. You should be living each day as if it’s your last.” Listening to her words, he knew what she was referring to. His heart sunk, the usual poised Queen stood in front of him was absolutely broken even if she tried to conceal it. “I miss him so much Jackson, and I miss your Mom too. Each day that goes by, doesn’t get any easier. I need to be strong for Ayah, Louis and Ellie but truth be told- they are so much stronger than I am.”

“Aunt Ri, everything will get better in time. Uncle Liam loved you- as did my Mom. They would both want you to be happy, being the strong woman that you are. Please don’t stay up here on your own. If you need anything, dont hesistate to let anyone know. Whether that’s to watch a film, or to go for a cronut, a walk in the maze? It’s Dad’s birthday party tomorrow night- fifty. The old fart. It would be good to see you there. Ayah is going with Louis, El, Uncle Leo and Aunt Beth.”

“I’ll see how I feel. Thank you for the talk Jackson. You remind me so much of your Mom, caring- thinking about everyone.”

“Shame I look like my Dad then.” Riley laughed as the young man winked at her. “I love you, Aunt Ri.”

*****

Drake woke up the following morning, not really in the mood to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. However he knew that he needed to make the effort. Mainly due to the blood, sweat and guts that Maxwell had put in to organising it. It had been six months since he had said goodbye to his wife and best friend- the King. The traumatic events from that night still haunted him- the grief was still lingering every second of each day that went by. But what was also breaking his heart was how Riley was coping with the loss of her husband and her friend. Ever since the funeral, the Queen had ignored her friends, barely acknowledged their existence- keeping herself to herself.

Making himself look presentable, he headed over to Ramsford with Jackson.

*****

“Speech, speech, speech....” Maxwell shouted, peer pressuring Drake to make a speech. The last speech was the eulogy he spoke at Hana’s funeral. He wasn’t confident when it came to speaking in front of crowds, but he believed the sooner he did it the sooner it would be over and done with.

“Well what can I say? I’m an old man now. I’d like to thank you all for coming today, drinking whiskey in honour of me... you all know me too well. I know it’s been six months, they say that time gets easier but it really doesn’t. I wish that three other people could be here by my side celebrating this milestone with me; my wife Hana, my best friend Liam and our Queen.” Lifting his tumbler of whiskey up into the air, the others followed suit. Drake closed his eyes for a brief second, imagining the happier times with Liam, Riley and Hana- imagining that this was just some awful nightmare that he couldn’t escape or wake up from. But no this was reality. He had lost his best friend and wife to a successful assassination. Opening his eyes, the room was mute- all eyes focusing towards the doorway.

“Brooks?” Riley raised her drink in to the air as she smiled softly towards him. Placing the empty glass on the table next to her, she turned around and headed towards the balcony needing a bit of fresh air. Following her, he just wanted to make sure that she was okay- that she was coping. Even though he knew that she wasn’t. He never imagined that she would turn up, due to her personality recently.

“Hey.” Drake nervously said, as he watched her staring up to the starry sky- her eyes fixated on the brightest one.

“Hey, old man. Happy birthday!”

“Less with the old man cheeky... you’ll be catching up soon...”

“Maybe, but you’ll still be older than me. I got you a present, I wasn’t sure if I was coming or not- it’s too predictable but I’m sure you’ll make use of it.” Handing him the bag, he shook his head whilst laughing. “I’m far too predictable, I’m going to be turning into whiskey with the amount that people have bought me. Thank you, Riley.”

“No need to thank me. Enjoy the rest of your party.”

“Are you leaving?”

“I’m going to mingle with everyone, I’ve not been myself- hiding away from everyone. Seen as though I’ve made the effort, I may as well make the most of it.” Drake smiled at her. Their past was complicated to say the least- but they had put that behind them. But now he felt the need to protect her, something that he didn’t do when they was together- he owed it to himself as well as to Liam.

“It’s good to see you out and about. If you need anything- just let me know.”

“I just need my friends and children. Which I already have. I needed my husband. I still do. I miss him so much.”

“So do I. You’re not alone. I miss Hana, I know you do too. You have myself and Jackson, your children- who aren’t children anymore. You know what I mean. Leo, Beth, the Beaumont’s, Liv.”

*****

Jackson, Ayah, Louis and Ellie all walked towards the balcony- Jackson put his arm in front of them all to prevent them going any further, noticing that his Dad and Aunt was too close.

“And what are you all doing?”

“Aunt Liv! You made us jump.” Ayah said, as she tried to catch her breath.

“Oh hell no.” Leo commented as he joined in spying on Drake and Riley. “Do you think they are going to grieve together and do more?”

“Uncle Leo! That’s our Mom and our Uncle that you’re talking about.”

“Oh kids, they were together well before they married their spouses. They were even due to have a baby until this jerk called Nate beat myself and Riley to a pulp.” Shrugging his shoulders, the young adults looked at other confused as to why this was such a big secret kept from them.

*****

“I know I have you all. I am grateful for that.” Pulling her closer to him, he held her in his embrace. Hearing her whimpers, and feeling the tears drip onto him- his grip became tight. Not in a hurtful way, more of a protective type of way.

“You are an amazing Queen, you are doing a fabulous job.”

“I’m stepping down, Drake. Louis is taking over from me.”

“Louis? Ayah is the Crown Princess. She’s the eldest.”

“History is repeating itself. She abdicated from her duties last week. Louis’s social season begins at the end of the week.”

“You’re putting him through a social season. Jesus Brooks why?”

“He decided it, not me. I didn’t want my children to go through what Liam- What we all went through. I can’t rule without Liam, and I’m not remarrying. Don’t tell anyone that I told you, I’m going to do a statement. I can trust you, right? You’re one of my closest friends.” What we went through. The social season of hell.

“Of course you can trust me.” Cupping her cheeks, he said this with sincerity surrounding his eyes.

“I.. I should go.” Kissing her softly on the cheek, she inhaled sharply. Her heart began to flutter, Drake wasn’t Liam- but having someone this close to her for the first time in months felt unusual. Someone who she loved once upon a time.

“Look after yourself, Brooks. We are all here for you. Always.”

****

Riley did Drake’s usual trick throughout the party- ‘people watching’. She had some conversations with her friends but kept it minimal. The common questions and phrases spoken in these conversations included Liam. Deep down she knew that it was good to talk about him, but for her it was still so raw.

Maxwell bounded up towards her, very intoxicated. “Your majesty. You look absolutely beautiful. I’ve missed you.”

“Thank you. I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry.”

“Blossom, don’t apologise.”

“I have to. I haven’t been myself since I - we lost Liam. And Hana.”

“Come on, lets get out of here for a bit...” Holding his hand out towards her, she remained standing dormant.

“I’m actually going to head to Valtoria.”

“Stay here. You still have a room here. It’s yours...” Pausing for a second, she couldn’t help but smile at the man stood in front of her with the goofy smile. “How is Drake coping?” Maxwell was unsure as to why she asked this.

“Erm, he has a few quiet days. The therapy is helping him though. He blames himself for what happened that night... but you know Drake, he always wears that scowl to cover his true emotions. I know you’ve probably heard this a million times, but Liam and Hana wouldn’t want either of you to be unhappy. A little birdy told me that Louis is beginning a social season. Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have supported you!”

“DRAKE TOLD YOU?” Not realising how loud she was, Drake made his way over to them. Wondering why his name was mentioned. Wondering why Riley’s quiet tone of voice had raised all of a sudden.

“No, Louis did. Drake knew?”

“I knew what? Brooks, are you okay?”

“About Louis becoming King... I assumed you told Max. I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.” The two men pulled her in for a hug, as she eventually broke down uncontrollably crying. “Don’t apologise blossom. For anything.” Maxwell whispered.

“I’m going to go to my room. Thank you for inviting me, both of you.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” After Maxwell asked this, Drake decided to leave the two of them. Before he could escape, Riley grabbed his hand- forcing him to turn to face her.

“Drake?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we talk upstairs? Alone. I have realised that I should talk to someone. Someone who is going through the same emotions... I won’t keep you for too long, it’s your party. I just feel if I don’t do this now, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to do it.”

“Of course we can talk. For as long as you need to.” The friends all overheard Riley’s request including her children. All smiling softly, knowing that this was the first step she was taking to get out of the depression. To grieve with some support. To move on from her husbands death but to keep his memory alive. Baby steps.

****

Drake sat down on the edge of the bed as Riley poured him a whiskey.

“Who’d have imagined we’d have been here, in this situation. Didn’t Kiara and Nate put us through enough shit?” Laughing nervously, she wasn’t sure how to begin this difficult conversation.

“But that shit, led us both to begin families with our loved ones. You have to think of it that way..”

“True.” There was an awkward silence due to Riley’s lack of response.

“Why have you been avoiding us all?” Not wanting to sound harsh, but he needed to know. Deep down he had an inkling as to why. He just needed this confirmation, so everybody could help in the best possible way.

“I couldn’t cope. I lost the love of my life unexpectedly. Seeing you all reminded me of him. I’d go to bed, holding my wedding photo- snuggling into Liam’s clothes. It still hasn’t sunk in. I’m so sorry that I’ve ignored you all...”

“We understand, we had just hoped that you would have let us help you. I’ve been the same. If it wasn’t for those morons downstairs, I think I’d have drunk whiskey all day every day to blank the pain.. we both loved Liam and Hana, and they both loved us dearly.” In sync, the two of them briefly closed their eyes- images of their spouses flashing through their mind.

“Louis suggested starting the social season to keep my mind off of things. But it’s just going to bring memories back. Of us. Of everybody.”

“It may be a good thing? We are all going to support you both.” Snuggling close to him, she felt his arm go around her waist. “Why did Ayah abdicate?”

“She’s... she’s... oh god, Drake... this is so embarrassing...”

“What?”

“She’s her father’s double. Insisting that she doesn’t want a political marriage, that she wants to marry for love. Ayah started a relationship with.....” Drake’s brain began functioning. His first thought was his son, Jackson. If it was Jackson, he knew that people would criticise her choice- due to his commoner blood that ran through his veins.

“Who?” He eventually questioned, not quite knowing if he wanted to hear the answer or not.

“Theo...” Riley shrugged her shoulders as his jaw practically hit the floor.

“You’re having me on... aren’t you?”

“No. I wish I was... honestly... I’m hoping it’s just a fling. But you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Looking down towards the floor, she bit her lip as she was referring to him. Referring to their past. Hoping that he wouldn’t realise.

“No you can’t help who you fall in love with..” Pausing, he decided to make a joke out of it. “You know if he hurts her- her Uncle’s won’t hold back. I’m pretty sure Liam’s spirit won’t either.”

“None of you will touch him. I’ll beat you all to it!” Providing that infamous cocky smirk, Drake shook his head- he hadn’t seen it painted on her face in what seemed like an eternity. Caressing her cheek, they both locked eyes.

“Of course you will... it’s good to see you smile.”

“I agree. Thank you. I should let you get back to your party.”

“I’m ready for bed, I can’t hack it anymore. I’m not a spring chicken anymore.” Standing up, he mimicked walking with an invisible walking stick- causing her to throw her head back laughing.

“No, you’re an old grumpy marshmallow now.”

“Queen bossy pants. Night, Brooks.” Turning to leave, it was a brief conversation- a conversation that everyone had wanted to start with all those months ago. Finally she had opened up, even if it wasn’t much. Hoping that this was the first move to gaining closure on Liam’s death.

“Drake, wait!”

“What?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Thank you for the talk.”

“No worries. You know where to find me or any of us for that matter. I love you, Ri.”

“I love you, too.”

****

Once Drake had left, she got under the duvet- making a quick phone call. As soon as the voicemail message began, tears ran down her cheek like a waterfall. Unable to stop.

Hello. You have reached Liam, but I am unavailable at the moment. Sorry for my beautiful wife, my Queen- giggling in the background. If you need me, leave a message and I’ll get back to you soon.

Even though she was crying, she still managed to let out a little laugh- this was his personal phone for his friends, but now it was a regular call she made on a daily basis.

“Hey, handsome. It’s me again. The giggling wife. I’ve actually laughed for the first time today, Drake the old man turned fifty. Of course he was drinking whiskey. I know I say this everytime I ring you, but I miss you so fucking much Li. I love you so much. My biggest regret was not telling you that the day you left us. So I’m making up for it now. Now it's too late to hold you 'Cause you've flown away. But that doesn’t stop my imagination from believing that you are here. Never had I imagined living without your smile, and I know you're shining down on me from heaven. I hope you and Hana are celebrating up there. I know eventually we'll be together. One sweet day. Until we meet again. I love you, my King.”

[sinner-as-saint]

As Long As You’re With Me

SEBASTIAN STAN meeting your parents HEADCANON

Requested by anon: “Hey I was wondering if I could get a fic or head cannon about the reader going home for like Christmas or thanksgiving and Sebastian goes with them. Sebastian is close to readers parents age (age gap) and she’s worried her parents are going to criticize her for it. Also the readers parents are slightly mentally abusive (Criticize her for all of her decisions, body) And Sebastian comforting her throughout the time their there and afterwards. Thank you and I understand if you aren’t ok with this.”

 Themes: age gap, ANGST, fluff, really rude parents

  A/N: I hope you like this anon, ily :)

  ·        Your hands were slightly shaking out of nervousness as you opened the front door to enter your home, which you and your boyfriend bought a year ago. You called out his name and his reply came from the bathroom, saying he’ll be out in a minute.

 ·        You set your bags on the coffee table in the living room and threw your body on the couch near the very cozy fireplace. New York was really cold during December, especially around Christmas. And your body was not only shaking because of the cold, but also because of the phone call conversation you just had with your parents.

 ·        You were an only child, but surprisingly, you weren’t that close with your parents. Mainly because growing up, they were always away due to work – both of them being neurosurgeons. And ever since you moved out, 3 years ago, you had the habit of spending Christmas with your friends, and boyfriend. But this time, your parents wanted you to come home for the holiday.

 ·        “Your father and I would very much like to meet that boy you’re constantly seen with. So, bring him along, will you? Your father doesn’t like him very much, I thought I should let you know. You know how he is, and how little he trusts these famous people. Anyways, we hope on seeing you for Christmas, honey. By the way, don’t you think he’s a little too old for you?” your mom’s words worried you. A lot actually.

 ·        You weren’t worried about what your parents would think, because they were never very supportive of anything that you did. They even tried forcing you to be a medical student but you managed to opt for being a fashion designer instead. And needless to say, your dad was not happy to hear that.

 ·        What you were worried for though, was the way they would treat Sebastian if he went home with you. Your parents were very quick to judge. And they would never approve of your relationship if they ever found out about the age gap between you and Seb.

 ·        While you were lost in your thoughts, you didn’t seem to notice the arms that wrapped around you tightly, pulling you in for a kiss.

 ·        The feeling of his lips on yours dragged you back to reality. His arms wrapped around your waist tightly as he pressed his body into yours. His beard scratched your skin slightly but you were used to it by now. Your hands moved to his neck and you pulled him closer. He smiled into the kiss.

 ·        “Hi baby, you’re back early. Everything alright?” he asked, breaking the kiss and attaching his lips to your neck, after getting rid of your soft woolen scarf. You panicked, trying your best to break the news to him.

 ·        “Yeah. Yeah everything’s fine, it’s just that, uh, my mom called me today,” you spoke faintly and he stopped, pulled back and looked at you attentively, hoping not to see any signs of sadness on your face because he knew how your mother was.

 ·        He remembered the last time your mom called, a day after your birthday which was a couple of months ago. She didn’t call to say she was sorry that she missed your birthday party or anything, she called because pictures of you and Seb celebrating was all over social media. And while the fans thought you both were the most adorable couple to ever exist, your mom called to tell you that, “being a well-known designer, your dress was hideous darling. And what’s happening to you, your cheeks are getting chubby. Maintain your figure for God’s sake.” And after she ended the call, you cried for hours.

 ·        Sebastian never met your parents, but given how they treated you, he was sure that they weren’t going to like him either.

 ·        “What did she say? Baby, are you okay?” he asked with a worried tone. And you tried your best to give him a smile.

 ·        “I’m fine. She, uh, they want us to come home for Christmas. And she specifically asked me to bring you along. It’s okay if you don’t want to, I mean, you know how they are and-,”

 ·        “Babe, of course I’ll come with you. Yes, I know how they are, but we’ve been dating for more than 2 years now, I have to meet your parents at some point, right? So, when do we leave?” he was being polite, but you could see the nervousness in his eyes as well.

 ·        “Seb, my parents are quick to judge and they’re very arrogant people. They’re gonna ask a bunch of questions that you won’t be comfortable with and I don’t want you to feel disrespected. I can call her back and say that we already have plans and that we c-,”

 ·        He cut you off by saying, “No, please don’t do that. That’ll give them another reason to dislike me. I’ll be fine, I promise. Baby, I’m used to criticism. As long as you’re with me, we’ll deal with them, together.”

 ·        2 days later, you ended up in front of the closed gate of your parents’ lavish home. They were well off, hence the arrogance which luckily, they couldn’t pass down to you.

 ·        “This is it. Wow, cool place to grow up in. I grew up in a small apartment in Romania,” he teased and you slapped his bicep, which made him laugh.

 ·        “Sebastian!” you whined as you tried to lighten up, but just thinking about what would happen once you were inside those doors, worried you terribly. You loved Sebastian, with all your heart. And you weren’t sure how you were gonna handle the situation if your parents treated him with disrespect regarding his age, or his family background or his job.

 ·        Once passed the doors, the butler let you in and the sight and the smell brought you back to your childhood. It was always like this, empty spacious home with a butler and a maid. Inside, it was silent. The faint smell of jasmine signaled that your mom was somewhere nearby.

 ·        You called out and soon heard the echo of a pair of heels walking towards you, you turned around and your mother smiled at you. She gave you a quick hug then gave one to Seb.

 ·        “Ah, so you’re the reason why my daughter never leaves New York. I see. What’s your name?” you mom asked, politely, but you saw right through her façade. Her voice was a bit too sweet.

 ·        “Sebastian, ma’am. Sebastian Stan,” he replied, politely, giving you a reassuring look.

 ·        “Well, come right this way. I’ll show you to your room. We’re expecting some close friends tonight as well, and dinner is at 8:30, don’t be late. And y/n, I left an outfit for you in the closet, wear that please and spare us your fashion honey,” your mom tried to be funny but she wasn’t. And her words hurt you, but you just shook your head and followed her silently.

 ·        As she talked, Seb grabbed your hand and gave it a firm squeeze – letting you know that he was here and that you shouldn’t take whatever your mother said at heart. You gave him a faint smile in return.

 ·        “Where’s dad?” you asked, as your mom stopped at a bedroom door and opened it allowing you and Seb inside first before she entered as well.

 ·        “Your father’s at work. He’s a busy man, with a real job you know. He doesn’t get paid by simply being in front of a camera honey. He’ll be home before dinner though, you can meet him then. Anyways, I’ll let you two freshen up. Oh and y/n, remember, wear what’s in the closet, please,” with her words laced with insults, your mother finally left the room and you turned to Seb with tears slowly building up in your eyes.

 ·        “See? This is exactly why we shouldn’t have come here. I shouldn’t have known they would treat you like this. And dad’s not even here yet, he’s worse than mom. Babe, I’m so sorry,” you hugged him tightly, placed your head on his chest and cried silently.

 ·        He sighed. And lifted your chin up so he could look you in the eyes. He smiled down at you.

 ·        “Hey, a girl’s parents are usually harsh when they first meet the boyfriend, aren’t they? We just have to make it through dinner, then we can leave. And I won’t leave before meeting your dad. Don’t cry baby, she’s your mom, maybe she’s just looking out for you. I didn’t mind her words one bit and you shouldn’t either,” he cooed, holding your face in both his hands, kissing your forehead.

 ·        He was so gentle. And so undeserving of the bitter way your parents were gonna treat him at dinner. You could already feel the insults that would come his way from your dad, and he wasn’t even here yet. Your dad was a very strict man, and while you lived under his roof, you were not allowed to have a boyfriend. He never allowed you to sleep over at a friend’s house. He even had a driver drop you off and pick you up from wherever you went. He was very controlling, tough and authoritative and had a big ego – the complete opposite of what Seb was. And that was perhaps why you were drawn to Sebastian’s soft and gentle nature when you first met him, because the comfort it provided was new to you.

 ·        You two had a least 2 hours before you had to go down in the dining area. And you were reluctantly getting ready, and so was Sebastian. You were both lost in your thoughts, and neither of you spoke much.

 ·        At 8:30 sharp, you both made your way down to the dining room. You spotted a couple of your parents’ friends and greeted them, introducing them to Sebastian who never once left your side. Yet, you still couldn’t see your dad, nor your mom.

 ·        You just sat and had a casual conversation with the people who were over at your house, with Seb occasionally chiming in, when you saw that dinner was being served but your parents were still nowhere to be found.

 ·        “I’ll go and check up on them, babe, I’ll be right back,” you whispered in Seb’s ear and made your way upstairs again.

 ·        You soon found yourself standing outside your dad’s study room, and you could hear your parents’ muffled voices and it sounded like they were arguing. You took a deep breath and knocked twice. The arguing stopped, and in no time your mom opened the door, grabbed your hand and pulled you in before shutting the door behind you.

 ·        “What’s going on? Everyone’s waiting for you downstairs and Sebastian and I-,”

 ·        You got cut off by your dad’s booming voice, “Please tell me you are not dating someone who is 16 years older than you are! 16 years!” you could see the annoyance in his eyes.

 ·        “Why does it matter how old he is, dad? I came home after 3 years and this is the first thing you say to me! Unbelievable!” your anger was getting the best of you too. “And I don’t remember ever telling either of you about his age, so why do you care?”

 ·        “He’s too old for you, honey. You’re 22 years old for God’s sake. You’re barely an adult while he has grey in his beard.” Your mother added.

 ·        “He’s closer to my age than yours! And what does he do anyways? Movies? Is that the life you want? I wanted you to settle down with a real man, with a real job. Not some blue eyed nobody who will promise you forever then leave you for another woman. It’s how these movie people are,” your dad’s words caused tears to roll down your cheeks.

 ·        “You haven’t even met him yet, how can you judge someone without meeting him first?” you sobbed, thanking God that Seb was not in the room to hear this.

 ·        “I’ve done my research, okay. You’re my only child, I had people look into him ever since you were rumored to be seen with him. He’s a nobody from-,”

 ·        “Dad! That’s enough!” you shouted loudly, not caring about whether or not people could hear you.

 ·        “Don’t raise your voice at me, girl! I’m your father and you will respect me!” he shouted back at you. You stared at him in disbelief.

 ·        “And you will respect the man I love. Ever since I was little I’ve done everything I could to make you proud. But you never once thought that I was enough. Sebastian is an amazing person who paved his own way to the success he has now. He didn’t inherit a luxurious life like you and I did, he actually worked for it. And you’re the one talking about being a real man? He’s more of a man than you could ever be, at least he doesn’t cheat on me behind my back like you do to mom-,” you words came to a stop as a hand smacked across your cheek.

 ·        You were sure that you would find your mom’s hand print on your face even the next day. You looked at her with tears in your eyes, and some falling down your face.

 ·        “I love him, please accept that. If you can’t then, I really don’t care. But just know that he treats me better than either one of you did all these years. And he’s a thousand times better than the egomaniacal narcissists you’ve become,” you spoke in a low voice, hot tears running down your face.

 ·        Your mother left the room without another word. And your dad followed her out silently as well. While you stood there, in the middle of your dad’s study room, crying your eyes out.

 ·        Only a couple of seconds later, you heard knocking on the door. You were unable to move so another few moments later, the door opened to reveal Sebastian. He stood there with a worried face and an emotion in his eyes which you didn’t quite understand.

 ·        Your body froze. What if he heard? You thought.

 ·        “How much of that did you hear?” you asked facing him with your teary face, your voice hoarse because of how hard you cried just a few minutes ago.

 ·        “All of it,” he simply replied and you ran into his arms. You held him tightly as you cried your heart out. “I’m so sorry, I told you it was a bad idea to come here. Mom and dad are-,”

 ·        “Shh, stop crying. I don’t care what they think. All I want is you, and I’m lucky enough to have you with me,” he spoke as he closed the door behind him, entering the room. You felt safe in his embrace. You could stay in his arms forever.

 ·        “But dad said horrible things and I-,”

 ·        You stopped talking once Seb got on one knee in front of you. Your mouth opened in shock as you had trouble wrapping your head around what was happening.

 ·        He looked up at you with a smile on his face, “Well, this isn’t exactly where and how I planned on proposing to you but I’ve been roaming around with this ring for a while now. Y/n Y/l/n, I love you with all my heart. You are perfect in every way. You make me a better person. These past 2 years with you have been the best days of my life. And I know I’m not perfect but you still make me feel like I am. I feel complete when I’m with you. And I never knew I couldn’t live without you until you went to Paris for 3 weeks last year while I stayed back in New York. All I wanted to do was to feel you in my arms and kiss you and tell you how much I love you. I will protect you with my life. I will try to be the best partner I can be because you deserve only the best,”

 ·        While he spoke, you felt a warmth wash over you due to the sound of his words and his soothing words. And he wasn’t even done yet.

 ·        “I would be more than happy to change your last name and give you mine because honestly, it suits you better. And maybe then I could prove to your parents that I’m not that bad of a choice. Y/n, will you please do me the honors and marry me?” he finished and you were still crying.

 ·        You managed to choke out a faint ‘yes’ among all the tears and after slipping the ring on your finger, he stood up, wiped your tears and captured your lips in a loving kiss.

 ·        “I thought I’d ask your parents for their blessings before marrying you but, given the circumstances, I’m not sure your dad would give his daughter away to this blue eyed nobody from Romania who acts in movies he doesn’t like,” he had the nerve to joke.

 ·        You sobbed again and hit him on the chest, “Seb! Stop saying that! You’re not a nobody. You’re the strongest person I know, you make me happy and make me feel safe. And if that’s not enough for them then I don’t care. I just want you,” you whispered against his cheek as you hugged him tightly.

 ·        You both flew to New York that night itself. And then it began; the fairy tale life every one dreams of as a kid. You were lucky enough to have one, to share one with the one you loved the most in the world.

[wolfpawn]

I Hate You, I Love You, Chapter 145

Chapter Summary - Tom and Danielle play online Scrabble as Tom confesses his thoughts on Danielle's answer, prompting Ben to call in Sophie to aid them, though Sophie is less the comforting ear and more the forward talking and admittedly selfish friend.

Previous Chapter

Rating - Mature (some chapters contain smut)

Triggers - references to Tom Hiddleston’s work with the #MeToo Movement. That chapter will be tagged accordingly.

authors Note - I have been working on this for the last 3 years, it is currently 180+ chapters long.  This will be updated daily, so long as I can get time to do so, obviously.

Apparently, Tom is a self-professed Scrabble lover and is apparently (again, according to him) quite good at it. I used this because I was playing it the other night and was able to use batata, much to the annoyance of my competition ;D I thought it a cute addition for Tom and Elle.

Copyright for the photo is the owners, not mine. All image rights belong to their owners

tags: @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog @jessibelle-nerdy-mum @nonsensicalobsessions @damalseer @hiddlesbitch1 @winterisakiller @fairlightswiftly @salempoe @wolfsmom1 @black-ninja-blade

Tom chuckled at his phone screen.

'Dare I ask?' He turned his head slightly to see Ben beside him. The men waiting boredly for the next part of their press tour to start.

'Elle sent me a link yesterday, we are playing Scrabble between work since.'

'Tom, I say this as a friend and with great caring for you, but you two have to be the biggest pair of nerds I have ever met.' Ben grinned playfully. Tom gave him a bemused glare. 'So, who's winning?'

'I am.'

'I take it she is not taking such lying down?'

'That goes without saying.'

'What is she doing now?'

'If I knew that, I could predict the game and guarantee victory.'

'I meant workwise, Smartass.'

'She is just back from a meeting in LA. She has two days of office work, then she has to go to France for five days of on-set work.'

'She's a busy woman.' Ben smiled. 'Is she coming to the London premiere, Sophie is.'

'I asked her, I have her space reserved, Luke is preparing as though she is, but we'll see.'

'You don't sound overly confident.'

'I was talking to Luke this morning, who is also liaising with her regarding it all and he believes the same as I do, that she is incredibly overwhelmed with the idea. He thinks she sounds terrified. I think she will refuse to go.'

'Do you want me to ask Sophie to talk to her about it?' Ben offered, knowing that his wife would gladly do so.

'No...I don't think she would like that. She may perceive it as me trying to pressure her into going. I want her to want to be there.'

'I'll tell her specifically not to make it seem like an attempt to do that, but just to talk to her in general, face to face, as two women in the same situation.'

Tom thought about it for a moment. 'Please stipulate that the goal is not to make an attempt to force her to go, that's not fair to her. It may mean she will never want to go to an event again. Just ask her to see if she is interested or not and to see if it is something simple she is fretting over or if it is more complex.'

'We are home for two days because of this anyway, so that gives you two days to talk things over with her when you're there, but until then, Sophie can lend an understanding ear.'

'Thank you, Ben.' Tom smiled before looking at his phone. 'I'm just worried about.....Batata?'

'Excuse me?' Ben looked at him with a look of utter confusion on his face.

'That can't be a regulation word, can it?'

'What are you on about?'

'Batata, that's surely not a word.'

Finally realising Tom was referring to a word that Danielle had used in their game, Ben shrugged. 'I have no idea.' He confessed. 'I certainly never heard of it.'

'It's another word for sweet potatoes, apparently.' Both men looked at Tom Holland, who was looking at his phone having Googled the word. 'And yeah, it's recognised in Scrabble, all editions.'

'Damn, she's good.' Tom growled in annoyance as he looked at the extra points he accumulated from her word going over particular squares.

'Do they do this often?' Tom Holland asked Ben, who was chuckling to himself as he sat down closer the younger Brit.

'Well, online Scrabble is new, but generally, this is par for the course with them.' Ben answered.

'So...what's their deal?'

'How do you mean?'

'Well, he doesn't really talk about her to anyone but you, so...are they not going out long or something?'

'He has been seeing Danielle for over a year and a half, they live together, have pets together and are very serious. She doesn't like the limelight so she doesn't like to be referenced too often and Sophie and I know her and see her a lot so of course, he would talk about her with me. I think she met Hemsworth too, but other than that, I don't think she knows anyone on this.'

'Is she an actress?'

'No, not her scene.'

'Where's she from?'

'Ireland.'

'Hey, my mum's from there.'

'You can tell her that next week.' Ben smiled.

'What does she do?'

'Cheat at Scrabble with made-up words.' Tom growled, his attention still on his phone.

Ben shook his head at Tom's comment. 'She is a partner in a Set Safety Management firm, she's a safety officer.' He informed Holland.

'Cool.' With his curiosity sated, the younger Tom went back to the chat he had been involved in with his phone.

Shaking his head slightly took out his own phone and contacted his wife.

*

Danielle looked suspiciously at her phone, wondering why Sophie was so adamant on them meeting. She agreed and started to tidy her office for the end of the day and ready to meet the other woman. When she entered the house and walked into the kitchen, she looked around. 'Where's Kit?'

'Ben's parents have him. Sadly someone was feeling terribly clingy today and didn't want to go.'

'Well, of course, Mam's are great fun and when they have people around it's even more fun.' Danielle smiled playfully at Hal who gurgled happily.

'Where are your "babies"?' Sophie asked, knowing that Danielle deplored dogs being referred to as children.

'My dogs are in Kennels. I was away and with being so busy today and tomorrow and going then again the day after, I thought they'd be best to stay there. They love it there.'

'So are you back in time for the premiere then?'

'Yeah.' Danielle answered cautiously.

'Are you going to go?'

'I said I would consider it.' Danielle watched Sophie for her reaction.

'You should, it will be interesting, especially when the cast were all doing the photos and autographs, I have no idea who is going though.'

'Tom, Ben, Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Paul Bethany, Letitia Wright, Elizabeth Olsen, the Russo's.' Danielle listed, thinking through the names as she said the.

'How do you know that?'

'Tom told me, they're all being swapped around to do different things with other members of the cast so of course they know where they are personally going so they were talking about who would be in London.'

'So, come.' Sophie pleaded.

'Has Tom put you up to this?'

'No, I was specifically told not to badger you about it in any manner, merely to see if you seemed interested or not.'

'Yet, here we are and you are very much pressuring me.' Danielle pointed out.

'Yep, are you coming?'

'So why are you badgering me?'

'Because I want you there.' Danielle laughed at her honesty. 'So what is worrying you about it all?'

'It's terrifying. I mean, Early Man was almost a casual affair, this is one of the most anticipated films of all time.'

'Yes.'

'Being involved in such an event is something I am not entirely sure I want to be part of.'

'But Tom...'

'Tom has to be there, yes. But that's because it's his job to be there, not mine.'

'But you have chosen to be with him, and this is what that entails from time to time.'

'I tend to not do most of the public stuff, you were by Ben's side from the start, a year and a half in and I've only done Early Man.'

'Elle, no one would ever force you to do something like this, especially Tom, but I think he and Ben are very similar in a lot of ways. And I find, with Ben, that if he asks specifically about me going to an event with him, then he genuinely wants me there, for whatever reason he has personally, be it as support or just because. If he asks specifically and not just s general statement, it matters to him if I go or not.'

Danielle bit her lips together and thought about what Sophie said, knowing that Tom was incredibly similar to Ben in that manner.

[et-lesailes]

lockdown lust

pairing: johnny storm x reader

word count: 3270

summary: video chatting with your best friend johnny during quarantine turns a bit steamy.

themes: smut

taglist: @evanstush​​, @tanyam93​​, @bval-1​​, @wonderwinchester​​, @patzammit​​, @rohaintahquil​​, @deidrashouseofpain​​, @sammyslonglostshoe​​, @jadedhillon​​, @bohemian-barbie​​, @whysparker​​, @sebastian-i-stan​​, @sebabestianstan101​​, @lille-kattunge​​, @teller258316​​, @peach-acid​​, @allsortsofinterests​​, @xoxabs88xox​​, @heyiamthatbitch​​, @cptn-sgrogers​​, @heyyouwiththeassbutt​​, @bangtan-serendipity​​, @troublermalik​​, @beardburnsupersoldiers​​, @bookish-shristi​​, @kind-sober-fullydressed​​,  @gingerninjaprincess16​​, @straightforwardly​​,  @denisemarieangelina​​,  @frencchfries​​, @xlanawriter​​, @littlemoistcarrot​​, @pottxrwolff​​, @arianatheangelworld​​, @ifuseekamyevans​​, @southerngracela​​, @nsfwsebbie​​, @rororo06​​, @savemesteeb​​, @raveviolet​​, @inactivewhore​​, @hurricanerinwrites​​, @captainamerica-is-bae​​, @shaddixlife​​, @tessa-bl​​, @marvelouspottering​​, @pppsssyyyccchhhiiiccc​​, @thegetawaywriter​​, @dwights-new-plague​​​, @rynabarnesrogers​​​, @fckdeusername​​​

notes: man i wish my quarantine was going like this. graphic creds go to the @thewritingdoll​, also patreon saw this first! click here to join :)

You’re laying on your side on your bed, dressed in a simple tank top and shorts with your sports bra just barely peeking out from either side of your shirt, clicking through YouTube video after YouTube video on your laptop. Ever since being unemployed thanks to the pandemic, each day is the same as the previous. Wake up, eat breakfast, watch TV, play some video games, eat lunch, read, try and teach yourself a new language, sit outside on the deck for a bit, eat dinner… you’re slowly going crazy not having anything productive to do, but it at least helps being able to chat with your friends via FaceTime and Zoom. It’s rather depressing being alone and stuck at home, but one of your best friends in particular manages to help quite a lot. Even though Johnny’s going just as crazy as you are, he’s still his fun loving, goofy, and energetic self, and it’s safe to say he knows how to cheer you up whenever you’re feeling the quarantine blues.

A notification pops up on your screen indicating that he’s video calling you, and you gladly answer. “Hey there, gorgeous.” He greets you in his typical flirtatious fashion- as usual, he’s shirtless (you’re assuming also only in underwear) and lounging back in his bed with a beer in one hand. “Fuck, I’m so bored. What are you up to?” You laugh softly, sighing as you look at the YouTube videos on the side of your screen. “Literally nothing. Honestly considering just going to sleep because I have nothing else to do.” 

“You know what I miss?” he suddenly speaks up rather than responding to you, taking a swig of his beer. “Sex. No, I miss even just touching a girl. Like even if it’s a fucking handshake. I’m starting to think I should have just picked a quarantine girlfriend so I could get some action.” You blink and laugh, shaking your head to yourself though you can’t help but admit you understand the feeling. “I’m not gonna lie, I definitely miss the feeling of having someone in the bed with me.” You don’t have a boyfriend, but you did sometimes have a fling every now and then. As Johnny said, though, it’s not just about sex. You simply miss the comforting, reassuring feeling of having a male’s arms wrapped around you, pulling you close to his body in his slumber. 

“Yeah? So have you been masturbating a lot?” he asks bluntly, and you laugh; you and Johnny are extremely close, and so questions like these never throw you off or make you uncomfortable. “Kind of, yeah, but I’m sure nowhere near as much as you.” You tease with a smirk, and he snickers in return. “Touche, darling. I can’t help it, okay? I have a high sex drive.” He suddenly arches a brow, lifting his drink up slightly. “Hello, why am I the only one drinking? Go get some alcohol, c’mon!” You roll your eyes fondly at his severe ADD, but nod your head. “Alright, alright, be right back.”

You return a few moments later with a glass of wine, settling into your previous position laying on your side and propped up on your elbow, sipping from your glass. “Happy now?” you ask, and he scoffs playfully. “Wine? What are you, forty?” You blink and laugh loudly, making a face. “Beer makes my stomach feel weird! It’s all… carby or whatever.” He hums thoughtfully before reaching out of the frame to pick up something- a bottle of liquor. “Okay, what about shots?”

You look at him in amusement and disbelief, but honestly, you actually feel a little sympathy for him. He just wants company; he’s an incredibly social guy who absolutely loves going out, clubbing, dancing, and meeting new people- of course he just wants a drinking buddy right now. “Alright, alright, I literally just settled down but I’ll get out of bed again just for you.” You wrinkle your nose at him and he cheers happily, pumping his fist in the air. “Hell yeah, that’s my girl! Hurry now before my buzz dies down.” You chuckle softly and get up again, setting your wine down and going back to the kitchen to retrieve a bottle of fruit flavored rum. It’s probably going to be a long night if Johnny’s this hyped up already, but you’re actually looking forward to it. You really do love talking to him, especially during this period of time.

An hour flies by without you even realizing it. You’ve been drinking with Johnny the whole time, laughing and chatting and joking around with each other as you usually do; there’s no one who can make you smile as much as he does. His enthusiasm and rowdiness is contagious- you’ve felt so groggy and lazy during these lockdown days, but he always knows how to snap you right back. 

“Hey, Y/N.” Johnny reaches over to grab another can of beer from the table and you catch even more of a view of his rippling abs. “Yeah?” you ask, wondering just how much you’ve drank to actually be checking Johnny out. You can acknowledge he’s an attractive guy, but he’s only been a friend to you all this time- for some reason, you never really entertained the thought of anything more. Perhaps because you’ve seen the way he is with women; not necessarily bad or toxic, but not exactly boyfriend material either. 

“Let’s play a game.” He suggests, giving you a little smirk. “How about Never Have I Ever?” You blink but smile, nodding your head. “Alright, sure. Wanna start?” He suddenly lifts a hand, shaking his head. “Uh uh uh, hold on. This version of the game has a catch.” He downs the rest of his beer before wiping his lips with the back of his hand, grinning at you mischievously. “For every single thing you have done, you have to take off an article of clothing.” 

“What? You know, like, everything I’ve done!” you argue in amusement, and he grins, wiggling his eyebrows. “And you know everything I’ve done. So? C’mon, it’ll be fun. But we can’t do stupid stuff, like “Never have I ever kissed a girl” or “watched hardcore porn”. It has to be more specific.”

You roll your eyes but find yourself agreeing. “Okay. Fine. Shouldn’t you, like, maybe put on clothes first though? You know, so you actually have something to take off?” He blinks and looks down at his half naked body before laughing loudly. “Oh yeah, good point!” You watch as he stands up, eyes directly met with his boxers as he goes to grab a shirt, pants, and even socks and a watch. “You are ridiculous,” you remark, taking a sip of your wine though giggling nonetheless. As always, he knows just how to make you laugh. 

“Alright, I’ll start.” Johnny gets himself comfortable again, dressed in a simple wifebeater and basketball shorts. “Never have I ever… gotten so drunk as a freshman at a college party that I ended up making my really handsome best friend carry me all the way back to my dorm.” You blink and laugh loudly making a face, whining playfully, “Johnny! God, you didn’t even go to school there, why were you there anyways?”

“To carry your ass back home. Now go on, get stripping.” You scoff but take off your tank top, revealing your patterned sports bra underneath. You see him staring and for some reason, you actually feel… excited. This has to be the alcohol, right? You clear your throat, tossing the top aside. “My turn. Never have I ever had sex with someone new five minutes after breaking up with my significant other.” You fire bluntly, the corner of your lips tugging upwards. He laughs, shaking his head to himself. “In my defense, we had only been dating for two weeks, and she went psycho on me. You remember! Right?”

“Just take off the shirt, Johnny.” You laugh, and he arches a brow, playfully retorting, “Wow, bossy. I like it, baby.” He lifts off the wifebeater revealing his abs once again, and you force yourself not to look at them- you know he’d make a comment otherwise. “If we’re going to bring sexcapades into this,” he murmurs thoughtfully, “never have I ever been caught hooking up in a movie theater.” You immediately blush, hiding your face. “Why did I ever tell you about that? It was barely hooking up, it was just making out! And you’ve done that several times at the movies, there’s no way you haven’t.”

“I have, but I’ve never been caught.” He winks and nods towards you. “So, the bra?” You roll your eyes and shake your head, shifting yourself so you’re sitting up on your knees to wiggle out of your shorts. You’re thankful you at least put on some cute underwear today, looking down at the sky blue material with little tiny icons of penguins on it. Johnny shamelessly looks too, chuckling softly. “Wow. Those are fucking precious.” He barely bites on his lip though as he keeps staring, and you feel yourself blushing deeper, quickly settling yourself back down again. 

It’s obvious where this game’s heading. Both of you know it. You don’t know if it’s because of the alcohol, or the fact that you’re just extremely sex deprived, but you’re completely fine with how this night will end. It’s just a fun little game. Nothing wrong with that.

“My turn.” You snap him out of whatever daydream is running through his head, raising an eyebrow. “Never have I ever dated a freaking supermodel.”

“Is that jealousy I hear in your voice, Y/N?” he teases, but easily kicks off his basketball shorts. “No. Also why aren’t you just taking off your socks and the watch first?” you ask, and he grins, shrugging playfully. “I’m perfectly fine with just chilling with my dick out wearing nothing but a few accessories. What’s wrong with that?” You shake your head to yourself, though you can’t help but find the thought hilarious. How this boy became so bold and confident, you have no idea, but you have to admit it’s even a bit inspirational at times.

“Okay,” Johnny begins, taking a drink of his beer. He looks more excited now, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Never have I ever had sex with a long term significant other.” You blink and make a soft incredulous noise. “You’ve never even had a long term significant other!”

“That’s right, baby girl! Which is it gonna be, the bra or the panties?” 

“Neither.” You smirk and bring your feet into view, wiggling your toes in the fuzzy socks you had been wearing. “I’m guessing someone here doesn’t have a foot fetish at least, because you didn’t even notice that I’m wearing socks.” Johnny groans in playful annoyance as you take them off, crossing his arms. “Fine, you got me there. Your turn.”

You have to pause for a second. Not to think of what you’re going to say- God, you know Johnny better than he does, you could write a book of all the bullshit he pulls. No, you have to pause because this is where things are going to start getting intense. You’re going to see your best friend naked, and he’s going to see you naked. Both of you are horny out of your minds. Both of you are intoxicated. Do you really want to go through with this? 

“Hello? You there?” he asks impatiently, in classic Johnny fashion. You swear the boy has the attention span of a turkey.

“Never have I ever had a wet dream about my best friend.” You suddenly speak, looking at him intently- he looks at you in surprise for a few moments, but before he can move, you’re suddenly the one slowly lifting your sports bra up and over your head, your breasts moving up with it before lightly bouncing down.

He’s completely speechless, his eyes on your chest as if he’s never seen boobs before, his facial expression getting more and more serious from shock. “Holy…” he finally mumbles, nibbling on his lip. You’ve never seen him look so hungry, so full of desire, and it’s only turning you on. There’s a certain thrill and adrenaline rush that comes with getting intimate with someone you’re “not supposed” to, and you’re definitely feeling that buzz right now. 

“Well?” you ask softly, tilting your head to one side. “I have. Have you?” You’re taking a big chance here, but considering what a sleazeball Johnny can be, you’re certain it’s had to have happened at least once. He looks at you for a few moments before slowly smirking, moving his hands down…

… only to take off his socks. Your expression is one of complete disbelief as you’re about to ask him if he’s actually serious, but then he goes to take off his watch. After that, he moves his hands to the hem of his boxers and pushes them down- his erection jumps up, tall and thick, and you can feel the heat in your core simply from looking at it. He lounges back against his headboard, completely nude, his chest visibly heaving slightly from excitement.

You clear your throat trying not to be too obvious about staring at it. “Why’d you… um… why did you take more than one thing off?”

He leans over and he’s out of the frame for a second. You hear the sound of hands rubbing together. Lotion. “Because I’ve had more than one wet dream.” He answers simply upon returning, keeping his eyes on you as he slowly wraps his hand around his cock. “Do you want to hear about one?” You widen your eyes, now only paying attention to this shaft at this point, watching him pump himself slowly. Fuck, you’re so turned on right now. “Yes,” you breathe out, starting to shift uncomfortably as you subconsciously rub your thighs together.

“In the dream you were dating that dumb ex of yours. I can’t even remember his fucking name anymore. The one I hated, you know who I’m talking about.” Johnny begins, eyes briefly roaming your body on his screen. “I came over one day and he was out somewhere. You were wearing this sexy ass lingerie, to surprise him when he got back. When I walked in, you just immediately jumped up on me without realizing it was me- when you did, you looked all shocked, but I just kept holding you in my arms.” He breathes heavier, starting to pump faster. “We start kissing. Making out. My tongue’s practically down your fucking throat, my hands squeezing your perfect ass, I bring you into the bedroom.”

Your cheeks feel flushed and your own breaths are becoming a little more uneven, completely focused on everything he’s saying. “Then what?” you whisper; you don’t even realize your hand is moving to your breast. He lets out a groan simply from watching you, continuing, “I push you down on your hands and knees on the bed and slap your ass so hard, it leaves a mark. I tell you that you belong to me now, and that I don’t care if your boyfriend has to watch us fuck for me to prove that.” He stares at you as you start massaging your breast, watching in awe as your fingers pinch your nipple ever-so-slightly. “Fuck, you like this, don’t you baby girl? After that, I finger fuck you over and over again, I make you cum so goddamn many times. You’re fucking screaming by the end of it, you’re still on your hands and knees like a good girl, your face is against the mattress and your perky little butt’s up in the air for me. You fucking love every second of it.” He grits his teeth slightly as he keeps pumping, eyes dark with lust. “Then you want to know what happens next?”

“Y-yes, yes Johnny, please,” you practically moan, now practically trying to squeeze your thighs together to relieve the frustration. “Then take off your panties,” he suddenly demands, and you instantly obey, wiggling them off your legs. “Sit up so I can see your pussy,” he growls huskily. You adjust the laptop so that it’s in front of you, sitting and leaning back with your legs spread so that your bare entrance is in view, resting yourself on your elbows breathlessly. “I’m so fucking wet, Johnny,” you whine, moving your hand down your torso and using your fingers to start rubbing yourself. “Please, please keep going…”

“God damn,” he groans deeply, the mere noise in itself making you shiver in pleasure. “After I have you cumming over and over again, I grab your hair and thrust inside you, holding your ass and smacking it whenever I fucking want.” You let out a moan as you push one finger inside, tilting your head back. “Your tight little pussy felt so fucking good around me, babe. I had my big dick poking out your goddamn belly from how hard and deep I fucked you. I was tugging your hair, choking you, spanking you, playing with those perfect tits- you made the perfect little fuckdoll, so obedient, so damn needy.” He smirks, hand moving up and down faster, staring at you play with yourself as he murmurs, “Just like how you are now, hm?”

“Fuck, Johnny,” you whine breathlessly, pushing another finger in and pumping even faster. “I need you right now, o-oh… oh my God. I need your big dick inside me right fucking now…”

“Holy shit, Y/N,” he groans just from hearing you, rolling his neck to one side and shutting his eyes, head tilted upwards. “Would you cum all over my dick, just like you did in my dream?” You gasp, nodding immediately, lips parted and cheeks pink. “Yes! Yes… fuck… I want you to cum inside me, too…” He grins wider, chest heaving as he watches you weakly, hand working his long length intensely. “I can definitely do that, baby girl… o-ooh fuck, I’m close… I’m going to fucking cum right now…!”

“Me too!” you cry out, leaning against the headboard and rubbing hard; it’s not long before Johnny gets a view of you releasing, and the sight is enough to set him off with a loud groan- you can’t help but stare at how much he cums, wishing you could be there to taste all of it. 

“God damn.” He slowly exhales, leaning back entirely. “That was… wow. I fucking needed that.” He barely straightens up to grab a tissue from his nightstand, cleaning his mess but glancing up at you breathing heavily. “And especially with you. You’re so hot, Y/N, I’ve wanted to fuck you ever since I met you.” You widen your eyes surprised, trying to catch your breath as you stare at him. “What? Really…? I… I didn’t think you saw me like that, we were always just such… best friends.”

“Yeah. That’s why I didn’t do anything.” He admits, carelessly tossing the tissue aside, but you’re too shocked to even show any disgust. “You’re the only girl friend I’ve had. I didn’t want to treat you like everyone else. But fuck, it’s been hard.” He pauses and nods towards his length, “This has been too, every time I’m around you.”

Despite the otherwise serious conversation, you can’t help but laugh, even feeling somewhat flattered. You move to sit more comfortably, biting your lip. “Well then,” you mumble tilting your head, “maybe on the next video call I can tell you about my dream…”

[youarejesting]

BTS365 Prompts

[Masterlist] Please tag me in your work if you use my prompts. I want to see your work. Ever your Jester.

Warning: talk of death and near death. I am an OT7 Stan but have never really felt like a strong urge to write about JK until his prompt I want to continue his and Tae’s. 🤔🤔🤔

Tell me your birthday and I will tag you on your special day!

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           April 9th - 15th

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Kim Seokjin: Siblings

Your best friend invited you to his house for a sleepover, you were excited but when you knocked on the door bag in hand it opened to a young man a couple of years older than you. He was handsome. And you didn’t know what to say. 

“Jin your friend is here” “Y/n come in”  “Who is that?” “That’s my older brother” Jin led you inside and to his room, “why do you ask?” “He is hot obvs”

“Oh” Jin felt kind of disappointed, another person had fallen in love with his brother and here he was in love with his clueless best friend.  “I’m just going to pee, don’t play the movie without me” you ran off ducking past Jin’s brother and you paused in the hall wanting to see what he thought about you?”

“Hey did you tell her?” “Tell her what?” “That you are madly in love with her and have been for years” “I can’t she just met you?” “What does that mean?”

“It means she is in love with you now everyone loves my handsome brother” you went to the bathroom and tried to ignore what you heard, your best friend loves you they were just joking maybe they weren’t talking about you you realised they didn’t even use your name. Yeah, you had just met his brother but maybe they had a visitor earlier today.

You sighed you had taken the floor for sleeping, you couldn’t sleep with all those thoughts but with the uncertainty that they were actually talking about you, you felt a wave of relaxation. 

You climbed into the bed next to Jin and laid your head on his wide shoulder. It was in his sleep he said ‘I love you y/n’ it was as clear as day. Heart racing you turned burying your face into his chest and hugging him tightly. Who were you kidding you loved him and you hoped like hell he had meant you.

Min Yoongi: Barbershop

Yoongi worked at a barbershop, it wasn’t a hard job. He liked it because he never had to speak to women. Unless of course, a mother was bringing her son in which case he wouldn’t make eye contact and would request another staff member would take over. Yoongi had nothing against women but he got nervous around him his cheeks would burn the brightest red and he would stutter his way through the conversation. Then he would continue with his day beating himself up about what he should have said.

He was just finishing up some guy’s hair cut and his coworker grinned, “Hey I am going to get some coffee and lunch what do you want and I will bring it back?” “Uh coffee and something good” he shrugged “Alright, you think you will be okay?” “I am an adult, I can deal with it, I am not going to burn the place down”

He had spoken too soon, a girl came in. Long legs in a beautiful dress that fell so pretty over your hips curvaceous hips. Yoongi felt warm already focusing on the mirror and talking to his current client about booking in again. The client new Yoongi well enough to know his condition around women.

“Yes I will book again for a month” he teased the two went to the counter to pay subtly watching you scan the service price list. “You have a great day Yoongi” “Yeah see you round Hobi”  “Maybe you could ask her on a date?” Hoseok whispered earning a sprit from the spray bottle of Yoongi’s hip.

You approached and he starred at the computer cheeks pinked as he asked you politely questions, “I am just wanting to reshave the sides of my head” 

He looked up shocked from his nervousness you lifted both sides of your hair to reveal that they were indeed shorter than the rest. He thought that was pretty badass and yet you still looked unbelievably cute with it.

“Right this way?” he began and you started asking him questions and his heart was thumping loudly and his cheeks were darkening some more. “Sorry, I am not good at talking well to others” “More specifically pretty women?” a regular stepped in and sat right next to you in the chair “The prettier the girl is the darker his cheeks get, I have never seen him this flustered”

“that’s enough” you scolded the man “My hair is on the line here don’t embarrass him further. “Tell me about her she must have been really pretty”

Jung Hoseok: Grilled cheese

You had been in Korea for two years now and working with the BigHit company as a backup dancer for concerts and things. Working alongside the TXT boys and one afternoon you stayed in the dance studio practising choreography when your phone started ringing. It was your sister back in your home country. She wanted to check on how you were doing and tell you about news from home, but all you could focus on was that she was eating a grilled cheese sandwich and your mouth watered. 

After talking for a little too long, you hung up and went to go through the choreography one last time before you had to leave back to your apartment. You didn’t realise you were crying homesick until the music stopped. The door opened and you didn’t bother turning from your hunched position on the floor openly sobbing into your hands. “Hey, are you okay?”

Looking up you saw him Jung Hoseok better known as Jhope was standing their dressed ready for practice and you realised you had definitely stayed too long. Scrambling to your feet you wiped at your eyes, apologizing and packing up your things. He grabbed your arm and stopped you from running off, you looked at his shoes unable to look him in the eyes. He was handsome and way out of your league. 

“Tell me what has you so upset?” No coherent words escaped your mouth as you sobbed into your hands, Jhope pulled you into his chest and wrapped his arms around you. The only word you had gotten out clearly in your whines was ‘Grilled cheese’ he didn’t mean to laugh but it just burst out of him. “Grilled cheese? I am so sorry that’s just really funny to hear someone cry over”

Understanding what he meant you were reduced to fits of giggles as well and you wiped your eyes, looking up at him. The tip of your nose was red. “I am sorry I miss home and I just wanted comfort food” He pulled out his phone and grinned down at you as he ordered some grilled cheese sandwiches and told you to show him what you had been practising.

Kim Namjoon: Scrabble

“Quixotic” Namjoon smiled at his wife, this was not how you expected to start your honeymoon but you could tell he was nervous. “Okay, Yeet” You made a throwing action with your arm and Namjoon looked up at you he wasn’t amused.

“That’s not a word baby” “We pretended yours was a word” “It is a word it means not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic and I think you are being a bit quixotic with your supposed words” He laughed at you and you wanted to through the board.

“I think you are being a bit quixotic if you think we are going to do anything tonight, you just took your rights to see what is under my dress and yeet them out the window” “Baby, no don’t be like that” He frowned “You can have yeet, we can add slang words if you want”

“What I want is to stop playing and spend some time with my husband who I married today, goddamn it Joon, I am still in my wedding dress, I wanted you to take it off me” “Oh, Let me just yeet this game out of the way” scrabble tiles were sent flying.

Park Jimin: High

Jimin came home after a long day at work his best friend Taehyung on the floor with his roommate. The two of giggling and eating snacks while watching a documentary about a carpet company. He could smell the funky smell that was weed.

“That looks so freaking soft” Taehyung snickered slapping the tv screen. “It’s trapped behind some forcefield but it looks like I could just touch it” “That one looks like your hair” you pointed to the back of his head as he was in front of the tv, he jumped back as the screen changed to a machine cutting and rolling carpet and you looked amazed, “Why is everything moving so slow?”

“It’s spinning carpet”  “Tae there is carpet on your head and it feels so shaggy?” you were both now playing in each others hair.

“What the hell are you doing!” Pausing you both looked at each other “Tae I think I just heard god?” “God sounds like Jimin” “That’s because I am Jimin” you both turned and your eyes lit up happily

“Jimin is god, and his hair is made of the softest carpet!” You both tackled Jimin and ran your hands all over him, “Jimin god can I kiss you?” “Oh me too me too” Tae shouted and he rolled his eyes at the two of you.

Kim Taehyung: The Law

How the hell did you get here? One moment you were jokingly trying on a wedding dresses with your best friend who was soon to be married when a guy in a fancy suit asked if you would help him get out of an arranged marriage by pretending you were married. He said he just needed a few photos and your name and number encase he needed to follow up with anything. You agreed but here you were having dinner with his family who said they wanted to invite you home for Christmas and you really couldn’t refuse. 

Except here you were on a farm super confused. You were led to his room and you blushed to unpack into the spare drawers and he kept throwing you guilty looks. His parents and siblings were super nice and they taught you how to cook and clean it was a good time. It was raining heavily and a long way to walk back across the farm so you laid a blanket over the bales of straw and got comfy. He sang some strange songs and told funny stories and the rain didn’t let up. Falling asleep you woke to his coat around you both and his arms tightly around you. Your marriage wasn’t binding by law but for now, you wished it was.

Jeon Jungkook: Sky (I am making into a social media story) [Read me]

You were in a car accident you couldn’t feel your legs they were pinned and some part of the engine had broken through into the cabin and pierced straight into your lung. You felt tired and it was hard to breathe. 

Waking with a start you realized it was all a dream, a memory from the past, you were alive and healthy, the rain outside was strong and caused an ache in your old wounds. Flattening your palm to your rib cage you took a shaky breath. There was a sound on your balcony and your dog cloudy was barking. You walked over to the balcony to see a man standing on the railing like he was going to jump.

You froze for a moment before throwing the door open. “Excuse me, sir” He turned to face you, he had a handsome face and his hair slicked back. His eyes brushed over your form and he smirked. 

“If only you were the poor soul I was taking tonight, cause damn girl” he turned back away and touched his earpiece, “Yoongi where is this guy I am collecting” “I am sorry who are you taking and where? Are you a kidnapper? What’s with the outfit? And why my balcony?” You were seriously confused running a hand through your hair. He froze shoulders tensing up and he turned jumping long black wings thrown out as he landed inches from your face. “Oh”

“Can you see me?” “Ahhh no?” you said looking away from him, he was tall towering over you, he grabbed your cheeks in his hand pulling your face back to his. “When you lie you should try to be more believable love, can you see me?” “What am I supposed to say?” he looked at your figure up and down with glowing eyes and you slapped tried to cover yourself, he lifted your little nightgown and looked at your ribcage he touched the large scar. 

“You were supposed to die that day, I wonder wha-” You slapped him across the face, pulling your nightdress back down and he smirked leaning back on the railing. “I have seen worse, then your lace knickers love” 

He caught your wrist before you could slap him again and he turned. You followed his gaze and saw something big fall behind him, it was like everything went slow motion and you saw a face horrified falling from the sky.

“We will continue this conversation later, I have a soul to collect”

[zambie-trashart]

Boys Be Falling Like Dominoes

Summary: He was always so nice, when did he become... this?

Warnings: angst, dark fic, homophobia

.......................................

To say Eddie hated Richie would be entirely false. Richie was his best friend, keyword was, there was a time when Eddie would want nothing more than to seek refuge in the taller boy’s arms but now it was different.

Richie had come out... as gay. Richie had beat the shit out of Henry Bowers. Richie had sworn to protect Eddie.

During that process, Richie had become an asshole and pulled Eddie away from the Losers away from his friends.

Eddie got fed up with Richie thinking that he knew everything and blew up on him.

“You really think that you don’t need me, fine but don’t come running to me when you need help... or do. Let’s see how long you can last without me sweetheart,” Richie said yanking Eddie’s head back to make eye contact with him before walking away.

Eddie crawled back to his friends who agreed that Richie needed to be put back in his place.

“I c-could always puh-punch him again,” Bill suggested and the whole table laughed.

“I’ve tried everything guys,” Eddie said head falling in his arms and Beverly moved closer to Eddie.

“Not everything,” she said and the others started to catch on. “Today my dear boy, we are goign shopping for something very important.” Eddie just raised an eyebrow and continued eating his lunch until he heard a loud obnoxious laugh across the cafeteria.

Richie

“That was a good one, IF ONLY I had someone special to sit with me at lunch,” Richie said. He really had changed, glasses for contacts, Hawaiian shirts for leather jackets, shorts for black ripped jeans. He was a classic high school bad boy now.

After school, Beverly pulled Eddie into a clothing store and picked out a bunch of stuff for him to try on. If Sonia wasn’t out of town, she would have had a coronary. Eddie was perfect and he was going to drive Richie into crawling back to them not the other way around.

The two walked over to Bill’s house but he wasn’t there. The two heard noises from behind them and Eddie screamed when Bill picked him up thinking it was It coming back around way too many years early.

“WHAT THE FUCK BILL!” Eddie yelled and Bill was laughing next to Stan and Mike, Ben just stood there with his head down smiling.

“New kid says he’ll do it. He doesn’t care that you know who might you know what,” Mike said not really agreeing with Beverly’s plan but he knew to trust the girl.

“Perfect, we’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Eddie walked home with Bev and laid down, she was sleeping over but on the couch downstairs.

“Eddie? Eddie? Eddie!” Eddie looked up and saw Richie laying over him. He was in the arcade, how did he get there? “You ok? You passed out.” Richie felt his head with the back of his hand. “You look ok, were you just trying to scare me Eds cause it wasn’t funny,” Richie said with his arms crossed after helping Eddie up.

“Yeah cause you clearly know funny,” Eddie said laughing.

“There he is, so I was thinking, maybe we could...” Richie was cut off by yelling in the distance.

“Hey freak! Yeah that’s right I’m talking to you! Listen here you little gay bitch, get out of this fucking town or me and my boys are gonna kill you and your little boyfriend!” Henry yelled.

Richie looked angry, he had never been angry around Bowers before. Richie punched him in the face tackled him and kicked, punched, and spit on him as Eddie just covered his mouth. Richie got off of Bowers and the others had ran away, Richie was covered in blood but Bowers was still breathing and that’s what counted. Eddie didn’t want Richie to be a killer even a killer of a killer.

“Ri-Richie, wha-what did you do?” Eddie started backing away from his friend.

“He’ll never mess with us again, come on let’s get you home, we don’t want Mrs. K to worry.” Richie dragged Eddie away holding him close.

Eddie shot up straight in bed looking around before sighing. Richie wasn’t in his room but Beverly was sleeping on a pile of blankets on the floor next to Eddie’s bed. She must have had a nightmare too. Just like that Bev started to wake up and she looked up at Eddie who was staring at the wall in front of him in deep thought.

“Hey, ready to go to school?” she asked getting up and opening Eddie’s closet.

“You’re the one who picked out the clothes, I still don’t see how they’re going to get the old Richie back. I don’t think we’ll ever get the old Richie back.”

The two got dressed ate and walked out of the house to see Bill, Mike, Ben, Stan, and someone else on their bikes outside waiting for them.

“This is Dave, he’s hanging with us Losers for a while,” Mike said smiling.

“Oh, um cool, I’m Eddie.” Dave just smiled and nodded. Eddie and Beverly got on their bikes and rode to school. Richie was standing at the entrance and looked down and The Losers who were chaining their bikes but more specifically, he was looking at Eddie... and the new kid who was helping him chain his bike.

Eddie looked small and confused when he looked up and saw Richie starring at him from a distance. Eddie looked new in an adorable sort of way, fitted jeans, collard shirt, and gray sweater leaving his button up exposed as it fell around his body to his mid thigh and... Richie had to look away before he burned that image in his head. 

It made sense that Eddie was all bundled up it was nearing the end of March but Richie didn’t want to see him bundled up next to the new kid who didn’t know the rules that every other boy in the school knew.

1.) Don’t mess with Richie, he’s a psycho. 2.) Don’t talk about Henry Bowers in front of Richie. 3.) Don’t stare at Eddie Kaspbrak in fact, don’t talk to him.

This new kid didn’t know the rules and he was going to have to be taught them in the worst possible way.

Dave escorted Eddie to all of his classes. He had to admit that breaking the rules that the boys told him in the locker room i=on his first day felt kind of good and seeing Eddie smile and laugh felt good too.

“Listen kid, there are three rules in this school, don’t fuck with Richie cause he’ll kill you, never talk about Henry Bowers in the school, and never and I mean never talk to or look at Eddie Kaspbrak, he’s Richie’s and that’s the reason why Henry Bowers was put in surgery for two whole months. If you don’t want to break any bones, follow the rules.” the boy nodded along.

“Who’s Eddie?” Dave asked and the other guys all laughed.

“Well since you’ll never get to see him we might as well just tell you that he’s a small kid that Richie is always protecting with his life, he’s cute but he has a temper. Haven’t seen that kid lose it since Richie beat up Henry though.” The bell rang and Dave knew that he was scared of Richie.

“Dave? Dave? Dave!” Eddie was waving his hands in Dave’s face and must have been trying to tell him something.

“Oh, sorry Eddie, I kind of got lost in my head there for a second,” Dave said scratching the back of his head.

“Yeah, I figured. Be careful not to space out too much though otherwise you’re going to start hitting people and making jokes about my mom and I don’t want that,” Eddie said smiling slightly.

“Is that what Richie did?” Dave asked and Eddie turned bright red and lowered his head.

“Um... I don’t really wanna talk about him,” Eddie said and his voice was a little shaky.

“That’s fine, that’s perfectly fine.”

Richie was watching from across the hall when Beverly snuck up behind him.

“I know you’re jealous of the new kid but they just met so you can take a chill pill and stop glaring at him like it’s gonna set his head on fire.” Richie just glared at her. “Oh no so scary.”

“Listen Marsh, I know you had something to do with what happened to Eddie’s wardrobe and why that boy isn’t following the rules that I have my boys tell new kids but you need to stay out of this from now on. What’s happening with me and Eddie needs to stay with me and Eddie. He needs to crawl back to me and if that means that I need to do something about it then that means I’m going to do something about it.”

Richie told three of his strongest followers that he needed some help with something. They followed Eddie home when he was alone and jumped him and Richie watched from behind a tree as they spoke.

“Dude what about Richie?” 

“Who cares, we finally get to take down the little loser who Richie seemed to care about so much?” 

“Since when did we care so much about taking down Eddie?”

Questions floated up in the air as Eddie struggled and tears started to roll down his cheeks as a hand covered his mouth. Richie watched as two held him and one got ready to punch him. Eddie’s muffled screams sent Richie back.

“Richie? What if one day I don’t come back? What if one day Bowers really does get me?” Eddie asked hugging his knees and looking up at Richie.

“I won’t let him, I’ll kick his ass and anyone else who tires to hurt you. I will never let anyone touch you.” Richie put his arm around Eddie’s shoulders. “Eddie, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it Richie?” Eddie said looking at him.

“I think I like guys, not like older guys but guys my age.” Richie looked away nervously.

“Me too.”

Richie came out from behind the tree and the boys looked at him and Eddie screamed.

“Richie! Richie help please!” Eddie squirmed.

“Put. Him. Down.” The three dropped Eddie and ran away. Eddie ran up to Richie and wrapped his arms and legs around him. “Eddie, this is why I told you that I want to be the one to look out for you.”

“I know Richie but I’m tired of being treated like a doll. I know how to fight my own battles if you just give me a chance.” Eddie buried his head in Richie’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry that you feel that way, I just... I love you too much to see you get hurt.” Eddie stopped breathing for a second and his heart beat was like a drum.

“You love me?” Eddie asked planting his two feet back on the ground.

“Yeah, I love you, I’ve loved you since before I told you about being gay Eddie. I knew for sure when you told me that you did too.” Richie looked deep into Eddie’s eyes. Eddie pulled away and ran. Richie watched for a few seconds before running after him but lost him a few minutes later.

Eddie banged on Bill’s front door as hard as he could and Bill walked down the stairs and looked at Eddie who’s shirt was untucked and hair was all disheveled and slightly curly.

“What ha-happened to you?” Bill stuttered ushering Eddie inside.

“I was attacked by three football players and then Richie comes out and scares them away so I hugged him cause I was scared then he tells me he loves me and I didn’t know what to say cause duh I’ve hated him for the past month but he’s protective and I can’t help that but then I ran off and he started chasing me and...” Bill stared and Eddie before interrupting him.

“EDDIE! C-calm down, you’re guh-going to f-fast,” Bill laughed. “S-so Richie likes y-you and you like h-him. What’s the b-big deal?” Bill asked.

“He hurts people and I don’t want to be hurt,” Eddie said looking down.

“He won’t hurt you.”

Eddie walked home and laid in bed for hours thinking of what he was going to say to Richie the next day but heard tapping on his window around ten p.m. He opened the window and say Richie looking at him.

“If you’re here to kill me then make it quick,” Eddie said opening the window. Richie just walked across the room to Eddie and pulled him in by the back of his neck and connected their lips.

Eddie felt like something in his throat was trying to get out but was just stuck there and slowly fingered his way up to Richie’s shoulders and Richie wound an arm around Eddie’s waist keeping his other hand firmly around the nape of Eddie’s neck.

Richie pulled back. “If you want me to stop just tell me.” Richie whispered against Eddie’s lips. Eddie just shook his head as Richie just pulled him in again lips becoming one. It just felt right. Richie was feeling brave as always and tried to kiss him deeper but Eddie just pushed him away breathing deeply.

“Stop, don’t try that again Richie, you scare me. You went from the loser who jokes about having sex with my mom to this protective popular kid who beats people up.” Richie just pushed Eddie his back hitting the wall behind him before striding over and holding him by the shoulders.

“You don’t get to decide how I act Eddie dearest. If I say that I want to protect you then I get to protect you, you don’t get a say in this,” Richie snarled and Eddie hit his head on the wall behind him trying to get away from his old friend.

Eddie went to push at Richie’s shoulders but he grabbed the smaller’s wrists and pushed them down. 

“Such a shame that we couldn’t do this nicely but when is anything ever easy with you?” Richie’s eyes narrowed and Eddie’s fear began to grow stronger. 

Richie leaned in and Eddie tried to move his head but Richie had him right where he wanted him. Eddie kept his lips tightly sealed but Richie knew this game. He squeezed Eddie’s side allowing him to kiss deeper. Eddie struggled before figuring out that there were two ways this could go down, he could grow a pair and make it stop or he could give in and let Richie do what ever he wanted to him. The later sounded tempting especially since Eddie liked Richie but the first sounded better for the situation he was in.

Yeah, tongues were kind of gross but blood is even grosser. Eddie took a deep breath before biting Richie’s tongue making him back up a little still holding Eddie and Eddie kicked him in the dick making Richie back up even further before Eddie ran out of his room and out of the house not looking back all the way to Beverly’s.

“Holy shit Eddie!” Beverly yelled and her aunt came down the stairs and looked at the disheveled boy who was panting in their living room.

“How do you think I feel, Richie just climbed in my window to play a game of tonsil hockey,” Eddie said and Beverly pulled him into her room.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?” Beverly asked jumping up and down a little excited.

“Yeah, I got fucking mouth raped by a psycho,” Eddie said looking at her in expectation.

“You made him weak, he got a taste of Eddie Kaspbrak and now he’ll do anything to get more, even...” 

“Act like his old self again, Bev that’s genius!” Eddie said shaking her shoulders.

Eddie walked into school the next morning smiling all the way past Richie and to his locker where Dave was waiting for him.

“Can I help you with something Dave?” Eddie asked and Dave looked at Eddie nervously.

“Yeah so I was wondering if...” Dave was cut off by a loud farting noise from down the hall and Richie stood there smirking.

“Looks like Dave is feeling a little gassy,” Richie said a Dave turned bright red while the rest of the group laughed.

“you wanted to go on a date?” Dave finished and Richie growled when Eddie nodded smiling.

“Oh well Dave, I hope you know he made out with me last night so you don’t get your hopes up on a kid who can’t keep it in his pants,” Richie said and the whole hall gasped. Eddie stood up straight mouth in a tight line as he walked over to Richie and slapped him in the face.

“Fuck. Off. Trashmouth.” Richie just watched as Eddie spun on his heel and walked away with Dave.

“I hate it when he leaves but I love watching him go.” Richie’s friends laughed and walked away and Beverly walked up behind him again.

“I know that you want to protect him from the world but this isn’t the way to do it. You have to earn his trust again and that won’t happen overnight Richie,” Beverly said and Richie just nodded.

“Have you ever been in love Marsh?” Richie asked and Beverly just nodded thinking about Bill and Ben. “You would protect him with your life, you would become someone else so he would love you...”

“I wouldn’t change for the worst Richie, I would change to help him while not losing who I am. So you don’t have to lose who you are either. You’re still good on the inside Richie and we all know that except for Eddie. Show Eddie that your still that same kid who would make sure that he’s ok or that would make fun of his friends, he likes that you not this one.”

Richie stood in silence as Beverly walked away. Richie didn’t feel threatened by this Dave guy so that meant that he had time. He could think of something that would make Eddie love him like that again.

Richie met up with some of the biggest bullies in the school for a little talk two days later.

“If I hear so much as a freak or sarcastic remark from any of you in the hallways I will personally make you look like Bowers and that is a fucking promise.” Everyone at the table nodded it was pathetic that juniors and seniors would bow down to some freshman who had on;y showcased his true power once.

Bill looked at Eddie as he walked across the cafeteria getting whistles from random boys and didn’t seem to understand that he was backed into a wall by his once closest friend and got a tongue shoved down his throat.

“Y-you really l-let Richie k-kiss you?” Bill asked again and Eddie looked down shuddering. Tell me to stop. 

“Sort of I guess. He kissed me and told me to tell him when to stop. I drew the line at swapping spit but he didn’t like that I tongue blocked him I guess and backed me up into a wall.” Eddie exhaled heavily at the thought of Richie’s hands grabbing his wrists pushing him against the wall.

Beverly just sighed and Stan hit his head against the table. They both knew that Dave wasn’t enough to threaten Richie’s spot in Eddie’s heart anymore. Only a Loser could make him feel like he was being bumped out just enough to get him to come back.

“Hey Bill do you mind studying with Eddie after school I have plans this afternoon that I forgot about?” Beverly asked winking at Bill who understood. They were going to have to play this up.

“Sure, I d-don’t mind at a-all,” Bill said wrapping an arm around Eddie.

Eddie just laughed at his friends not noticing Richie staring at him and Bill. Bill had just made Richie’s list. The girls that were sitting by Richie were staring to notice Richie’s jealousy.

“Who wants to go on a date with Bill?” Richie asked the girls and a few raised their hands. “You, what’s your name?” Richie asked a red-head girl who looked a little like Beverly.

“Jessica,” the girl said and Richie just nodded at her and pointed to Bill’s table and she walked over.

“Yeah, I mean the thing is I don’t find math hard I just find it weird you know what I mean?” Eddie asked Bill who was nodding along.

“Yeah, th-that’s why I wa-want to write ba-books,” Bill said and noticed a girl behind him.

“Hi, Bill I’m Jessica and I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out after school today,” Jessica asked fluttering her eyelashes.

“Sorry I ha-have plans after s-school and I’m n-not really in-interested,” Bill said turning back to his table and Jessica just walked away and Beverly gave her the finger sticking her tongue out.

“What a bitch,” Beverly said and Stan nodded along. Stan had always liked Bill and Bill had always liked Stan and for that reason neither of the two had ever officially gone out with anyone but now Eddie was going to be spending an afternoon with Bill studying and Stan knew that nothing would happen but it still made him a little jealous.

Eddie sat on the ground outside of the school waiting for Bill and heard footsteps behind him and the person just sighed before sitting down next to him.

“I wish you knew how sorry I am. I wish you knew how much I really do love you Eds. I just... I’ve wanted you since I knew what love was but when Bowers tried to kill us something inside of me just clicked for the first time and I knew that I would do anything for you.”

Eddie and Richie ran away from Bowers’ body panting outside of Eddie’s house. Eddie hugged Richie tight crying.

“What if he comes back for us? What if he sneaks through my window when I think it’s you? What if...” Richie grabbed Eddie’s face making him look at him.

“I’ll never let that happen.”

“Richie?” Eddie asked looking over to Richie who was looking up at the sun still talking.

“Yeah?” Richie looked over at Eddie who hugged him tight wanting to never let go.

“I love you too, I don’t know why but I love you but I don’t want to be hurt like you’ve been hurting people for the past month since Bowers. I don’t need your protection either, I can protect myself and I made that pretty clear when I kicked a clown in the face. What I’m trying to say Richie is that I love you but not this you, the old you the one that would make jokes and laugh at them while looking for any sort of reaction from anyone.” Eddie stared at the ground laughing at himself.

“Hey, look at me. I told all of the bullies in the school to fuck off and I’m going to try to be better Eddie I promise. So do you still love me or was this some sort of past confession?” Richie asked smiling at Eddie who was smiling so brightly that he thought his face would rip in half.

“Yeah, I think I could still love you,” Eddie said getting up to walk away but Richie just laughed and pulled him back and Eddie laughed falling back into his lap. “So you’re really going to change and sit with all of us again?” Eddie asked and Richie nodded.

“Might take a bit to not want to snap anyone who looks at you’s neck but hey the things I’ll do for love,” Richie said. “So, are you really studying with Billy boy tonight or do you wanna go somewhere?” Richie asked and Eddie laughed.

“We can go somewhere Richie.”

Stan sat alone in the cafeteria waiting for the rest of the Losers to decide what they wanted for lunch. Richie walked over with Eddie laughing at something stupid that he had said. It was the last day of school and Richie was planning on driving Eddie around all summer and maybe taking him out of the state. Stan was going to spend the summer with Bill learning how to play baseball in some out of state camp. Beverly was going to New Jersey for the summer and Ben was going with her. The only Loser that was staying there was Mike who had no plans.

They never came back until one day Richie was on stage and his fiance was in the back and he got a phone call in the middle of the performance. It was Mike from Derry. Everything flashed back to Eddie like it had just happened.

Eddie I’ll protect you. Eddie I love you. Eddie I’m gay. Eddie listen to me. Eddie please be ok.

They would go fight a clown and only one would come back.

.......................................

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY. I said it was angst sooooooo you shouldn’t have expected Eddie to live at the end.

Honk honk squad: @lisa-cherrybomb

[hunter-the-sad-skeleton]

Finished Chapter One! Putting It Under Read More Because It’s Like, 21 Pages In Google Docs.(Reblogs And Opinions Appreciated!)Taglist: @bccfggffbgv, @new-account-sam-christy-456, Hope Ya Don’t Mind The Tags-Feel Free To Ask To Be Added Or Removed From The Taglist!

Chapter 1: “Into the Inkwell!”

“Today, another batch of Ink was stolen, alongside machine parts. We have no clue who’s committing the thefts, but we’re constantly on the lookout for any clues or suspects.” The TV broadcast.

“Ink and Machine part theft? Why those specific items?” Dipper hummed, confused.

“Maybe it’s a rogue cartoonist out to get revenge on the world that scorned them! The world that decided that they were not worthy to press comics or cartoons to the world!” Mabel guessed.

“Or it could be that they’re creating a machine that relies on Ink for fuel.” Dipper suggested.

“Hey kids, whatcha watching?” Stan asked, leaning in.

“The news.” Dipper said, pointing at the current newscast on the television screen. Stan looked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yada yada, Ink stolen, yada yada, machine parts, yada yada….” Stan read. Stan froze as he read over the broadcast again. “Ink and Machine parts?! That sounds like…” Stan trailed off.

“Sounds like what, Grunkle Stan?” Dipper asked. Stan shook his head.

“Nothing, Dipper. Nothing at all. Just thought I had an idea is all.” Stan declined.

(Flashback.)

“Heya, Ford, can I get your opinion on somethin’?” Hunter asked nervously.

“What is it?” Ford asked, turning to look at Hunter, crouching down to look her in the eyes.

“We-Well, I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I got a blueprint idea and I-I wanted your input if that’s okay with you…?” Hunter asked. Ford laughed, standing up.

“Of course! I’m glad you’re willing to give inventing a try!” Ford smiled. Hunter sheepishly handed the blueprints over, Ford reading them over, eyes narrowing as he read them.

“Hunter,” Ford started, tearing his eyes away from the paper. “Is this,” He said, pointing at the paper. “A machine that’s meant to use Ink as a power source?” Ford asked.

“We-Well, yeah, i-i-i-is that too weird…?” Hunter asked sheepishly, shifting where she was standing.

“Weird? Of course not!” Ford scolded. Hunter’s face heated up in embarrassment. “It’s inGENIOUS!!!!” Ford grinned. Hunter felt hope bubbling in her stomach. “But I’m already seeing one problem with the build here,” Ford said, unrolling the blueprints. “See, the way this is set up, it’s going to be expensive to use because of the sheer amount of Ink needed to power it, even if you just need a small print!” Ford explained.

“Y-Yeah, I tend to dream big…!” Hunter chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck nervously.

“Hunter, my dear, that is preCISELY the kind of dreaming that I encourage!” Ford grinned.

“I-I’m not interrupting anything important, a-am I?” Hunter asked. Ford shook his head.

“No, no, no! It’s PERFECTLY fine, Hunts!” Ford grinned.

“So how could I improve the build of this thing?” Hunter asked.

“Well, you could start by downsizing it a bit,” Ford started. “With the specific Ink you want to power this thing, it’d be outright UNaffordable if you kept it this size! Maybe make it the size of...oh...An average printer! That’d be an affordable amount of Ink AND it’d be a HUGE space saver!” Ford suggested. Hunter nodded, taking notes.

(Timeskip a few hours.)

“Oh! Sorry! I forgot to ask! What’re you planning to use this for?” Ford asked. Hunter winced quietly, sweating nervously. “Hunts?” Ford asked, worried at the reaction.

“I wanted to bring my cartoons to life…!” Hunter explained nervously.

“By printing them into a comic book! Hunter, you’re a genius!!” Ford exclaimed.

“I….I wasn’t being metaphorical, F-Fordsy….” Hunter frowned. Ford tilted his head, confused. “I-I...I meant LITERALLY…” Hunter grimaced.

“WHAT?!?” Ford gasped. “Hunter, you mean to tell me that your plans for this thing are to PLAY GOD?!?” Ford snapped.

“I-I know how that sounds, b-but-” Hunter started.

“No, don’t say ANYTHING MORE. I’ve helped you with this plan ENOUGH. I refuse to help someone who thinks that they can play God. The door is behind you.” Ford sneered.

“Fordsy, I-I-” Hunter started.

“DOOR.” Ford frowned.

“Ford, I-I-” Hunter restarted.

“DOOR, OUT, NOW.” Ford ordered.

“Ford, I’m sor-” Hunter started.

“GET OUT BEFORE I THROW YOU OUT, HUNTER!!!!” Ford yelled, pointing at the door. Hunter winced, picking her backpack and blueprints up and heading out the door before any more harm was done.

“Is everythin’ okay out here, Pines?” Fiddleford asked.

Ford sighed heavily. “Someone I knew that I THOUGHT was my friend was trying to use science for playing God.” Ford frowned. Ford shook his head. “Let’s get back to work on the portal. Where are we at for schematics, Fids?” Ford asked.

(Present day.)

“Grunkle Stan?” Dipper called. Stan shook himself out of it, coming back to reality.

“I’m fine, kids, what happened?” Stan asked.

“Ya just sorta...Spaced out a bit there, are you okay?” Mabel asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine, sweetheart! No need to worry!” Stan laughed. Mabel and Dipper looked at each other, swapping worried looks.

“Grunkle Stan, do you have any idea who the criminal could be?” Dipper asked. Stan froze. He could know, but he didn’t want to risk anything.

“No. I don’t.” Stan declined.

“Hmm…” Dipper hummed.

“Mystery twin investigation?” Mabel suggested.

“Mystery twin investigation.” Dipper nodded.

“Be careful, you two!! I gotta getcha home in one piece!!” Stan reminded as the two ran out.

Stan sighed, walking to his room and pulling out a photo with three smiling kids in it. “It couldn’t be you, right bud…?” Stan thought.

(Flashback)

“Heya, Stan, can uh...can we talk really quick…?” Hunter asked, pacing in place nervously.

“Yeah, sure, what’s on your mind, Tiny?” Stan asked.

“Well, I’ve been hopping around the states with ya for a while now, yeah..?” Hunter asked sheepishly.

“Yeah, is something wrong?” Stan asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Weell….” Hunter winced.

“Hunter, I’m pretty much your brother at this point, is something wrong?” Stan asked, knowing by now how to tell when Hunter was nervous.

“I…….I don’t know how to say this…” Hunter coughed.

“Tell it to me straight, Sister. I won’t get mad!” Stan assured.

Hunter’s eyes filled with hope. Finally! She could speak her mind without judgement! “Well, I got a letter from someone and I uh...It’s telling me to meet ‘em there, so uh…” Hunter stammered.

“Oh! Ya want me to take ya there?” Stan asked. Hunter’s stomach dropped. It called for just her.

“No! I mean, I wouldn’t object! I mean! Uh...Words are hard!” Hunter grimaced.

“It’s okay, Sis! Ya don’t know how to drive yet, so I’m sorta your taxi!” Stan grinned. “We can head out first thing in the morning tomorrow!” Stan beamed.

Hunter hesitantly nodded. She’d have to sneak out at night. Good thing Stan was a heavy sleeper.

(That night)

Hunter packed her stuff in her backpack, sneaking out and starting the trek to the assigned meetup spot. It’d take her about a week on foot while it’d take maybe a day by car, but she didn’t wanna risk anything. On foot was better. Less awkward.

(A week later at the meetup spot.)

Hunter knocked on the wood door. Maybe wearing shorts was a bad idea. How was she supposed to know it’d be cold there?! The door opened and Hunter stood with her shoulders squared, standing upright.

“Hunter, I’m glad you could make it. Are you alone?” Ford asked, looking around.

“Yeah, it’s just me, Ford.” Hunter assured. Ford sighed in relief, moving so Hunter could walk inside the shack.

“Sorry, I’m just...More careful now. Don’t want to risk anything.” Ford sighed.

“Dude, it’s...It’s okay. I get it.” Hunter assured.

“Well, let me show you what I called you here for.” Ford said, gesturing for Hunter to follow. Hunter followed behind him, holding her backpack tightly.

“What is this place…?” Hunter asked, looking around at all the gadgets and gizmos.

“This,” Ford said, hitting a light switch. “Is my laboratory where I keep all my experiments and inventions.” Ford said, sitting down at a desk.

“Whoa…” Hunter gasped.

“Speaking of experiments..” Ford started, making eye contact with Hunter that she didn’t dare break, for fear of death. “How’s...YOURS coming along?” Ford grimaced.

“Oh, that...It’s coming along okay, just need to fix the kinks and stuff! I sorta had one successful byproduct, but he sorta-” Hunter started.

“Wait, it WORKED?!?” Ford snapped.

“Yeah! It DID, for your information!” Hunter snapped back.

“How?!? That should be IMPOSSIBLE!” Ford groaned.

“I had a little outside help, Sixer!!” Hunter snapped, slamming her hands over her mouth afterwards, horror washing over her as she took note of Ford’s facial expression.

“No. no you did NOT just say what I THINK you just said! You did NOT JUST SAY WHAT I THINK YOU SAID!” Ford snapped.

“What?!? What do YOU think happened?!?” Hunter snapped.

“I THINK YOU MADE A DEAL WITH A DEMON!!!” Ford yelled.

“BILL WASN’T A HORRIBLE GUY!! HE UNDERSTOOD MY PLANS AND HELPED ME FIGURE IT OUT AND GET IT TO WORK!!!!” Hunter snapped.

“WHY DIDN’T YOU COME TO ME?!?” Ford demanded.

“BECAUSE I KNEW THAT YOU’D YELL AT ME!!!” Hunter yelled.

“WELL, IT HAPPENED ANYWAY!!” Ford bit back.

“AT LEAST WITH BILL, I HAD A FRIEND, OKAY?!?” Hunter snapped, temper slowly losing itself.

“Do NOT-” Ford started.

“NO, YOU GOT TO TALK, NOW IT IS MY TURN!!! I WENT TO BILL BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WOULD HELP ME!!! I DIDN’T WANT TO, BUT YOU LEFT ME NO CHOICE!!” Hunter snapped.

“BECAUSE IT’S WRON-” Ford started.

“IS IT WRONG TO WANT SOMEBODY TO HUG AND CUDDLE WITH WHEN YOU’RE FEELING SAD?!?” Hunter demanded.

“YOU HAVE STANLEY!” Ford objected.

“I DON’T WANNA INCONVENIENCE HIM WITH MY PROBLEMS!!” Hunter shouted.

“YOU’RE PROBABLY BLOWING THIS OUT OF PROPORTION!!” Ford snapped.

“I ALMOST WOULDN’T HAVE MADE IT IF THAT ONE BYPRODUCT DIDN’T SURVIVE, FORD!!!” Hunter snapped, last thread breaking.

“...what…?” Ford gasped.

“I was so convinced I was a failure that I planned that day if the trial run didn’t work, I’d just...I-I’d…” Hunter hiccupped.

“Hunter, I-I had no idea…!” Ford apologized.

“I-It stills hurts sometimes...” Hunter smiled sadly.

“Hunter, I’m sorry, I really had no idea-” Ford started.

“I...I gotta go...I have to go deal with some stuff.” Hunter said, getting up and hurrying to leave.

(Present day.)

“People who saw the suspect say that they wore a hoodie, but they couldn’t make much else out because it was dark…” Dipper hummed.

“Well, Robbie wears a hoodie!” Mabel suggested.

“...................Not him.” Dipper said.

“You’re right, too far fetched, Dipper.” Mabel nodded.

“Who else wears a hoodie…” Dipper hummed.

“I dunno, hoodies ARE popular here.” Mabel said.

“Yeah...That’s annoying…” Dipper sighed.

“Hmm….” Mabel hummed.

“Mabel, am I the only one who finds it weird how Stan just spaced out as he read the headlines on the news?” Dipper asked.

“It is a LITTLE suspicious...But I doubt he knows anything!” Mabel shrugged comically.

“Yeah...Maybe I can ask him later…” Dipper sighed.

“Oh! Someone new that we haven’t met yet!” Mabel gawked.

“Really?!” Dipper gasped, eyes wide.

“Yeah, look!” Mabel said, pointing at someone walking by the apartment block. “Let’s go say hi!” Mabel said, speeding off.

“Mabel, wait!” Dipper said, hurrying after her.

The person walked up to the door, grabbing their bag and key for the door. “Hiya!” Mabel greeted, making them jolt in surprise.

“Mabel, slow down!” Dipper said, catching up.

“Oh, uh, Hi…?” They greeted nervously.

“I’m Mabel! This is my brother, Dipper! We saw you walking by and wanted to say hi!” Mabel grinned. The person dripped nervously.

“Isn’t that lovely…?” They said sheepishly.

“Mabel, come on, we can’t just say hello to everyone…! I am so sorry about her, she gets excited when she sees a person she’s never met before.” Dipper apologized.

“O-Oh, no, i-i-it’s fine..!” They said.

“What’s your name, stranger?” Mabel asked. They dripped more in worry.

“Uh...H...Hunter.” Hunter said shyly.

“Hunter! That’s a nice name!” Mabel grinned.

“Mabel…!” Dipper urged.

“Whoops! Gotta go! If ya wanna see us, just go to the Mystery Shack just up the road and ask for Mabel and Dipper Pines!” Mabel said, waving goodbye and following Dipper. Hunter froze, hurrying inside with everything she had, closing and locking the door behind her as she got in.

“Pines...that can’t be coincidence…” Hunter muttered to herself, putting her bag down and going to grab a picture frame from a shelf. “Maybe...Maybe...Maybe not…” Hunter hummed.

(At the shack.)

“Grunkle Stan! We met someone new today!” Mabel announced.

“Yowza!!” Stan yelped, jumping slightly at the surprise yelling.

“Oops! Sorry, didn’t mean to spook ya!” Mabel grinned.

“Who’d ya meet?” Stan asked.

“Just someone named Hunter. They seemed shifty, couldn’t see their face since they had their hoodie hood up.” Dipper said.

“Hunter? Hoodie?” Stan repeated under his breath.

“Yeah, what about it?” Dipper asked.

“Nothing, nothing. Where’d ya meet em?” Stan asked.

(At Hunter’s apartment.)

Stan knocked on the door, waiting for someone to answer. After a few minutes, the door opened, Hunter answering.

“Yello?” Hunter asked.

“Hunter, is that you?” Stan asked.

“Wait...STANLEY? Stanley Pines?” Hunter asked.

“The one and only~!” Stan grinned.

“When I heard Mipper and Dabel-” Hunter started.

“Dipper and Mabel.” Stan corrected.

“I stan corrected. Dipper and Mabel said they were Pines family, I thought it was just a coincidence! I didn’t think you were ACTUALLY living here! Not after…” Hunter trailed off.

“Yeesh, don’t remind me…” Stan grimaced.

(Flashback.)

“Hunter, it’ll be okay, I promise! In and out, nothin more!” Stan assured.

“I dunno…” Hunter mumbled. Stan knocked, shrugging.

“WHO ARE YOU?!? HAVE YOU COME TO TAKE MY EYES?!?” Ford snapped, opening the door, crossbow at the ready. Hunter yelped, Stan getting in front of her in case Ford decided to open fire.

“....Well THAT’S a friendly welcome.” Stan said sarcastically.

“Stanley...Hunter.” Ford frowned. Ford put the crossbow away, moving aside. “Sorry I called you here unexpectedly, I just needed someone-” Ford started.

“AHEM.” Stan cleared his throat, gesturing towards Hunter.

“TWO someones to do something for me.” Ford corrected.

“What is it?” Stan asked.

“I’m about to show you something none of you will believe.” Ford said, opening the way to the basement.

“Ehhh, I’ve been around the world. I’m sure I’ll understand!” Stan smiled.

Ford took the two down to the basement to the portal. “I understand NOTHING about this.” Stan said.

“It’s an interdimensional portal that acts as a gateway to various alternate worlds. I created it to unlock the mysteries of the universe, but it can be used for TERRIBLE destruction. The way to activate it is located in the three journals I have written. The first one has already been hidden,” Ford started, walking over to a table and picking up two journals. “I am giving the last ones to you two, as I trust only you two with them.” Ford explained, handing them to Hunter and Stan.

“O-Okay…!” Hunter nodded.

“Wait, so what do we do with them?” Stan asked, confused.

“Stan, remember when we were kids and we wanted to go on a boat around the world?” Ford asked. Stan grinned expectantly. “I want you two to get on a boat, take these with you, and sail as far away as possible-to the ends of the earth-and BURY them.” Ford explained, Stan’s grin fading away as he finished.

“What?!? That’s it?!? You FINALLY wanna see me-US-after ten YEARS only to tell us to get as far away from you as POSSIBLE?!” Stan snapped.

“St-Stan, i-i-it’s okay, I-I’m okay with this…!” Hunter stammered.

“Nuh uh, no WAY, Tiny!! We haven’t seen each other in YEARS and he just wants me gone as soon as I see him again?!? I thought we were family!!” Stan snapped.

“Stanley, you don’t understand what I’m up against! What I’ve BEEN through!” Ford stressed.

“NO, YA DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT WE’VE BEEN THROUGH, SIXER!!! HUNTER AND I HAVE BEEN TO PRISON IN THREE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, WE CAN’T STAY IN A SINGLE COUNTRY FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS SO WE’RE CONSTANTLY ON THE MOVE, WE HAVE MORE FAKE IDS THAN IS PROBABLY HEALTHY, AND-OH YEAH-MY FAMILY HATES ME BECAUSE I’M A FAILURE, STANFORD!!! MEANWHILE, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?! LIVIN’ IT UP IN YOUR FANCY HOUSE IN THE WOODS, SELFISHLY HOARDING YOUR COLLEGE MONEY BECAUSE YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT YOURSELF!!” Stan snapped.

“I’M selfish? I’M SELFISH, Stanley?! How can you say that after costing me my DREAM SCHOOL?!” Ford snapped. “I’m giving you a chance to do the FIRST WORTHWHILE THING in your life, and you won’t even listen!!” Ford snapped. Hunter whimpered, trying to get in between the two.

“G-Guys, st-stop it…!” Hunter begged. Stan picked Hunter up, moving her out of the way and plopping her down on her butt. “Hey!!” Hunter peeped.

“WELL LISTEN TO THIS; YA WANT ME TO GET RID OF THIS BOOK?! FINE, I’LL GET RID OF IT RIGHT NOW!!” Stan said, pulling out a lighter and holding the journal over it.

“No! You don’t understand!!!” Ford yelped.

“YOU SAID YA WANTED ME TO HAVE IT, SO I’LL DO WHAT I WANT WITH IT!!!” Stan snapped.

“No, my research!!!” Ford panicked, tackling Stan, the two fighting over the journal, Stan tripping Ford and grabbing the journal, eventually running into the next room, hitting some machinery, and starting to activate the portal.

“G-Guys, please calm down!” Hunter objected.

“STAY OUT OF THIS, TINY!!! THIS IS JUST BETWEEN ME AND HIM!!!” Stan shouted.

“Stanley, give it back!” Ford snapped.

“IF YA WANT IT BACK, YOU’RE GONNA HAFTA TRY HARDER THAN THAT!!” Stan snapped.

“G-Guys, please…!!” Hunter begged.

“YA LEFT ME BEHIND, YOU JERK!!! IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE US FOREVER, YOU RUINED MY LIFE!!!” Stan snapped.

Hunter whimpered in worry, trying to figure out how to stop them fighting.

“You ruined your own life!!” Ford said, shoving Stanley back, pushing him into a piece of machinery, Stan yelling in pain as it burned his back.

“STAN!!!!” Hunter and Ford yelped in unison.

“Stanley, oh my gosh, I-I-I-I’m so sorry, a-are you alrigh-?” Ford asked, getting cut off by Stan punching him and knocking him back towards the portal, hitting the lever to finish activating the portal.

“Some brother YOU turned out to be…” Stan frowned, slowly walking towards Ford.

“Stan, calm down!! You’re hurt!!” Hunter begged.

“You care about your dumb mysteries more than your own family? WELL THEN YOU CAN HAVE ‘EM!!” Stan snapped, shoving the journal back into Ford’s arms, sending him floating off.

“No!!” Ford cried out, panic showing in his voice.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hey, what’s going on?” Stan asked, panic rising.

“Ford!!” Hunter yelped.

“Hey, hey, Stanford!!” Stan yelped, going after Ford.

“Stanley!! Stanley help me!!!” Ford yelped.

“Oh no-WHAT DO I DO?!” Stan asked in a panic.

“Stanley-DO SOMETHING!!” Ford panicked, tossing the journal back out. “STANLEY!!!-” Ford started, getting cut off as the portal closed as he was sucked in, room flooding with a bright light as it closed.

Stan slowly got up, rubbing his head as he registered what happened. “Stanford…?” Stan called, only getting the sound of a glasses frame hitting the stone cold ground in response. Stan was confused, shock hitting as he remembered, running up to the portal frame.

“STANFORD, COME BACK!! I-I-I DIDN’T MEAN IT!!” Stan said, smacking the frame in hopes of reactivating it. Stan ran over to the lever that activated it originally, pulling on it in an attempt to reactivate it. “I JUST GOT HIM BACK, I-I CAN’T LOSE HIM AGAIN!! COME ON!!!” Stan stammered. Stan stopped trying, looking back at the portal frame. “STANFORD!!!!” Stan called.

“He’s gone, Stanley.” Hunter said coldly.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! This is one of his pranks! He’s gonna come out any second now!” Stan said, chuckling nervously.

“This is STANFORD, Stanley. He doesn’t joke about mystery stuff.” Hunter said, voice flat as paper.

“Awww, come on, Hunty…! Ya don’t need to keep me in the dark, you two got m-” Stan started.

“THIS IS SERIOUS, STANLEY PINES!!!” Hunter snapped.

“Hunter, come on, I was just-” Stan started.

“YOU FOUGHT YOUR OWN BROTHER WHO LOVED YOU WITH EVERY FIBER OF HIS BEING AND SENT HIM TO WHO KNOWS WHERE, ALL FOR WHAT PURPOSE?!? OH YEAH, TO BE PETTY!!” Hunter snapped.

Stan frowned. “I didn’t mean to-” Stan started.

“AND YET IT HAPPENED ANYWAY!!” Hunter snapped, Stan looking at the floor. “HE REACHED OUT TO YOU, AND FOR WHAT? YOU TO BACKSTAB HIM FOR NO REASON?! YEAH, SOME BROTHER!” Hunter growled.

“At least I’M not being a big old bee with an itch about it!!!” Stan bit back.

“AT LEAST I’M NOT THE ONE WHO PROBABLY KILLED HIS OWN BROTHER!!!” Hunter snapped.

“YA KNOW WHAT?!? FINE!!! I ALMOST WISH ME AND FORD LEFT YA WITH THOSE PARENTS OF YOURS!!!! THEN MAYBE I WOULDN’T BE FEELING AS HORRIBLE RIGHT NOW!!!” Stan snapped.

“............Heh……….Just as I thought….Just when I thought you couldn’t stoop any lower….You fall down further….” Hunter laughed sadly.

���Hunter, wait, that didn’t come out righ-” Stant started.

“NO, IT’S FINE!!! I KNOW I’M WORTHLESS AND A FAILURE!! I KNOW I SHOULDA DIED LONG AGO!!! I KNOW I’M NOT WORTH A DARN!!” Hunter laughed sadly.

“Hunter, please-I-I-I’m sorry, I-I-I’ll make it up to ya-” Stan started.

“NO NEED, STANLEY!! YOU’RE FINE!!” Hunter snapped. “NOW, IF YOU’LL EXCUSE ME,” Hunter said, picking up the second journal. “I HAVE A DUTY TO TEND TO.” Hunter scowled, making eye contact to make sure Stan knew how she felt, sending chills down his spine.

(Present day)

“I...never really saw ya after that…” Stan frowned.

“I think it was understandable why.” Hunter said.

“So…” Stan said.

“So….” Hunter trailed off.

“I’m….I’m sorry.” Stan apologized. Hunter perked up, confused.

“Sorry? For what?” Hunter asked.

“What I...said, that night, I had no place sayin’ those things, especially to you, someone I consider...Family.” Stan winced.

“Stan, I said stuff like that too, I had far LESS of a place to say those things, you REALLY didn’t mean to…!” Hunter peeped.

“Jeez, can a guy get sappy for five seconds?” Stan teased.

“I dunno, can a gal have a chance at having a normal life for five seconds?” Hunter teased back.

“Hey, uh, sorry if this sounds weird or anything, but uh, you never made any motions to shake hands, is everything like...Okay?” Stan asked. Hunter dripped nervously.

“Yep! Fine I’m!” Hunter lied.

“That was sad.” Stan said blankly.

“I….Well…” Hunter stammered.

“Ya sure you’re okay?” Stan asked. Hunter knew he should know, but she didn’t want to hurt him.

“I’m sure, your concern IS appreciated, though.” Hunter smiled.

“Well, before I head back to the Mystery Shack, one handshake, for old time’s sake?” Stan asked sheepishly. Hunter hesitated a moment before nodding, holding her hand out, Stan eagerly taking it for a handshake.

“Ew….Your hand feels a lot more...Goopy than usual.” Stan grimaced.

“Ya caught me baking.” Hunter lied.

“Ah! Baking! Good luck with that!” Stan waved. Hunter nodded, waving before closing the door.

As Stan walked home, he noticed the batter was black and almost Ink looking. He could ask about that some other day.