#dib looks so majestic

[cdarkheartzero]

Alien!

@alt-zadr-b1tch3z , @aperfecttimeforscreaming

I love Mars attacks. I collect the cards, posters, figures and the like. When I saw “alien” as the theme, I KNEW what had to be done. Dib has never looked better.

[jaketsparrow]

Tending Part 5!

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x f! Reader

Word Count: 11.1K

A/N: Sorry I just had to tease you guys today and make you wait :) Again, I’m so very sorry this took a while, I just had a lot going on! I hope you enjoy the chaos of this chapter, my mind reallyyyy just went wild. 

Another special shout out to @gvfpal for being amazing and getting the first dibs on this piece! Thanks for always listening to my crazy ideas :) 

MINORS DNI

MENTIONS OF/ TW: Sexual content (of course), unprotected sex (Don’t do this!), angst, swearing, Dom! Jake, restraints, possible orgasm denial, impact play, etc, it’s filth. 

Masterpost

Driving lately has become a weird buffer zone in your life. Every time you get into the car your thoughts just start running. It feels like stepping out of your life momentarily; like you are closed off from your own world. It was like being in your own TV show and watching the recap of the last episode. It’s safe, isolating, and a place to let your thoughts just go. 

As usual, your thoughts go to Jake. He has consumed your entire mind. You were once happy being alone; in fact, you preferred it. Every man you’ve dated in the past year or so hasn’t been someone to take home to the family. Honestly, neither was Jake yet, but there was something different about him. Jake was different than any man you had been with, you felt like he did care for you, but he just didn’t know how. It was like he was a confused little kid who didn’t know whether to kick his mom or hug her when she came home from a long day away. 

You’ve never found yourself weak or needing a man, but Jesus fucking Christ, you needed Jake. Every time you’re in his presence you can’t help but feel your heart rate rise, feel the need growing between your legs… He just had this majestic siren song that you keep falling for. You’ve accepted at this point that Jake was right, he will never be the perfect boyfriend, let alone the perfect man. He was protective of you and did care for you, but he would never let you know that without a fight. 

“Pants off, now.” He commands. 

Oh.

Did he really just?... 

He’s standing over you with this stupid judging face. You don’t want to obey him, but your body is telling you other things. Your heartbeat has traveled from your chest down between your legs, pulsing at the thought of fucking him again. You feel frozen in this state of complete lust. Last night’s extravagance deprived you of his cock, and now… that’s all you want.

Clearly annoyed by your hesitation, Jake scoffs and reaches down to your waist. He wraps his arms around your midsection and lifts you over his shoulder. Your core cuts into his shoulders as he hoists you over him. You feel like a ragdoll trying to manipulate your way out of his grasp.

“Jake!” You whimper, trying to wiggle yourself into a more comfortable position.

“You really ought to learn to fucking listen to me.” His open palm meets your clothed ass, providing a cushioned, but still stinging smack. You yelp, quite loudly, surprised by his actions. He turns his head to look at your defeating position, “You’re in big fucking trouble now.” 

There he was. The Jake you have been craving. The Jake that surprised you your first night together. The Jake who you always secretly wanted, but were also a little scared of. This version of him was almost completely heartless, using you as he pleased. You become his plaything when this persona switches on. And you enjoy every minute of it. 

He loops his fingers underneath the waistband of your sweats and yanks them off in one vigorous pull. Your ass is now on full display. You reach below his shirt and rake your nails across his lower back, trying any means to rile him up further. 

Jake winces through gritted teeth, “You’re such a fucking whore.” 

“And you fucking love it,” You cry.

Another open-handed smack breaches your ass; another yelp fires out of you. This one is sure to leave a mark. 

“You’re gonna wish you were good.” 

He starts his walk to the bedroom, and you continue to try to wiggle free of him. His grip is firm on you and the position he’s burdened you with provides no leverage to win. Although you really don’t want to be set free, it’s more fun not to completely comply with 

his whims. 

He approaches the bed and throws you down with a brute but controlled force. Your head falls back into the mattress you neatly made not that long ago. You reach your hands out to brace yourself from breaking. The fabric bunching up in your fists. 

“Hey! I just made this!” You chime.

Speaking at that moment was something you instantly regretted. 

Jake is standing over you, breathing hot and heavy. The tension in the air is thick and you know what you have gotten yourself into now. His demeanor is fierce, brow furrowed and eyes glaring through you. His hands are balled up by his sides and you can see the rigidity in his body. Behind his eyes, his brain is wracking through plans of what to do with you, his disobedient girl. 

You slide your legs up and down the mattress, nervous and excited about what he is thinking of. You run your hands down your stomach, trying to entice him to do something, do anything to you. Anything he wanted. You slowly part your legs, presenting yourself to him. 

“No. You don’t deserve that.” He barks, “If you think any of this will be for your pleasure… You’re delusional.”

“...Jake.” You beg. 

He reaches down towards your head, sending his fingers through your scalp and to the back of your neck, whipping you up, tugging his fingers on your hair. He leans closer to your face, still hovering over you. 

“Not.” A harsh pull at the back of your head puts you eye to eye with his looming presence. “My,” Another wincing pull tearing at your scalp, “fucking name.”

Jake holds you in his grip, dominating you completely. You feel defenseless, like an injured bird, waiting for him to care for you, but he doesn’t. 

“Please! Please, sir!” You beg. 

He releases you from his grip and your neck snaps back up to its rightful place. 

“Color.” He demands. 

You look up to him, eyes fierce and ready. “Green.”

Jake grabs your jaw, resting his grip along the bone, “You are mine right now. I didn’t give everything up for you to be flirting with my fucking twin. Do you understand me?”

You nod your head vigorously, feeling the shame settling in you. Who knew you could feel ashamed and horny all at the same time. 

“Words.” He orders.

You swallow any shame and try your best to put it aside; it wouldn’t help you now.

 “Yes, sir.” You mewl.

His hands move to the side of your neck, holding your jaw firmly with his thumb. 

“You know what you should be doing right now.” 

He guides your eyes down to look at the growing bulge in his pants. He seems harder than ever before, completely drunk on his own control. You look up at him through heavy eyes, scared. You’ve been here before. You need to please him again. 

Jake releases his hand from your jaw and moves it to run his fingers through the top of your head, coaxing you to get started. Gently placing your hand on his cock, you try to gently stroke him through his clothes. 

He fists your hair into his fingers, “No, no teasing. You don’t get to do that right now.” 

There would be absolutely no option for control for you. No teasing, any brattiness would come with a consequence. Jake steps back and leaves a bare spot on the carpet in between you two. His hand pushes you forward, launching your feet onto the rug, and then onto your knees. He releases his hand from your scalp and starts unzipping his pants. 

You are completely silent; compliant with his wishes. Waiting for his instructions. Your head rises to watch his cock slide out from his boxer briefs. It was daunting to see him like this, completely full, swollen even, bigger than you ever thought he was before. His right-hand grips around the solid skin, slowly stroking. His other hand reaches out to grab your cheeks, holding your mouth open in an ‘o’ shape. 

Your eyes graze up his body to meet his eyes. The chocolate brown irises are almost unrecognizable in this position. His dominating stature shines over you, completely taking over you. You can feel your excitement growing beneath you, but there is nothing you can do about that. The warmth that was blossoming between your legs would be shut until your turn if you were even allowed one. 

He loosens his grip around your jaw, resting his hand under your chin. 

His velvety tone sweeps into the air, relinquishing any uncertainty you had, “If you need me to stop,” Three taps of his fingers rap gently across your jaw, “Just do that, okay? Tap three times.”

“I won’t need to stop.”

A complete surge of neediness consumes you. You need him, you need to make him feel special, to remind him that you were going to be the woman he would never forget. You take your hands from your lap and fly them to his body. One hand grips into his thigh and the other takes its position around the base of his shaft. You nearly knock him over in the act, sending him into pure bliss. Almost taking him out of his command, shocking him with your ability to be the whore he wanted you to be. 

“Fuck…” He cries. “My fucking little slut couldn’t even wait-”

You slide your mouth as far as you can down his shaft, gagging yourself on all of him. His body shudders below your hand and you feel proud of your ability to melt him as much as he does to you. 

It doesn’t take too many wet strokes for him to finally gather himself back. His hand reoccupies the back of your head, trying to chase that same feeling again. Your mouth is shoved with as much of him as you can take, almost too much to handle. It’s worth the praise, you tell yourself. Take all of him now, and get all the rewards you can. 

“You’re taking me so well.” He says in gravely tones. 

You truly weren’t, you were choking him down, barely hanging on. Tears streaming down your eyes. You try to shoot your best doe eyes up at him, begging for him to have enough. You were reaching your limit, pushing yourself to a new maximum. 

Your head kept bobbing rhythmically against him, trying to hold him deep in your throat. You were doing things you didn’t even know your body was capable of. 

“My best little whore looks so good down there, sucking my cock.”

A swift and hard push of the back of your head launches you as far as you can take Jake, knocking your nose into his lower stomach. 

Three taps.

Fuck. You did need to stop. 

Jake slides out of your mouth as you cough heavily, gasping for air. You collapse your head, trying to stabilize yourself. Deep breaths. 

Jake tucks himself back into his pants and tries to assess the situation. He bends down to you, bringing his face down to yours; sweeping the hair out of your face. The switch was flipped, he was going into protective mode. 

“Sunshine.” He whimpers. You try to hold back your coughs and lift your head to his. He pushes the last strand of hair out of your eyes, “Are you okay?”

You nod your head, holding your breath in fear that more wheezes are going to escape. One deep breath through your nose clears the burning tickle in your throat. 

“Yes, I’m okay. Keep going.” 

His face lights up with your permission. The classic Jake smirk runs across his lips, almost a full smile revealing his excitement. 

“Good girl.” 

The words melt you. Any bit of praise was going to keep you going; it was going to make you need him more. 

He lifts you slowly back onto the bed, trying his best to be gentle only for this moment. He sprawls you out onto your back and sits next to you. 

The slowdown of all the action, the passion, is getting to you. He’s treating you like a weak girl, but you weren’t. He just took you by surprise. You wouldn’t let that one moment take away the Jake you had been craving. 

“C’mon, are you going to fuck me?” The words sputter out of you, only half confident, but still ringing strong through the air. 

Jake snaps his neck to scowl at you. There it was. 

His arm travels to your neck, holding you in place, once again choking for air, “What if I’ve had enough of you today? What then?” 

What if? Would he still be here if he did?

“You fucking want it and you know it… You’ve been thinking of it since last night. Seeing my cunt all soaked and not getting to feel it for yourself.” 

Who the fuck just said that? A month ago those words wouldn’t have even been something you would be comfortable thinking, let alone saying out loud. 

Your vile words shock Jake as well; you can feel the grip on your neck waiver a moment as he processes. And then. Well.

“You think you fucking know it all? My little slut thinks she knows me better, huh? I think it’s you that’s been craving my cock. You could barely wait your turn to fucking choke on it. You’re dying for me to fuck you. You’ve been naughty, trying to get me to take you. Being a little whore in front of me. Now you can wait.”

Jake stands up, and for a moment you’re actually worried he’s about to walk out of the room. Instead, he reaches for your left ankle and yanks it to the corner of the bed, the sheets sliding you across the mattress. 

“Shirt off.” He orders, and you comply instantly. 

He rounds the edge of the bed and grabs your wrist next, pulling it up by the pillow you slept on last night. With his other hand, he reaches deep into the side of the mattress between the bed frame and pulls out a restraint. It’s a soft cuff with velcro to hold it together. He holds it out for you so you can see. 

“Green?” He asks, eager for your answer.

“Fucking yes.”

A rip of velcro and then the cuff is wrapped around your wrist. You softly tug at the restraint, noticing it wasn’t going to be easy to break out of it, but you guess that was the point. 

Two more rips and soon your ankles are loosely restrained to the corners of the frame. You have more movement with your legs than your hand, but still would not be able to break free of the cuffs. 

He walks around the bed to the other side, surveying your naked body. Taking in each inch with his gaze. He was going to be the predator, and you the helpless prey. 

One last rip of velcro and the other cuff wraps around your wrist. Once he’s satisfied with the cuffs, he walks over to stand directly in front of you, watching you test each limb for movement. 

“What if I just left you like this? Just stood here and watched you beg for my cock.” The words are cold and cruel. You can feel the fire, no, the need burning in you with the thought of not having him. 

“No! Please, please. I need you. I want you.” You beg mercilessly. 

“So much for all that back talk before, huh? ‘Please’” He mocks. “I’m not so convinced you’re ready to be good yet.”

The need is gathering through your stomach, down between your legs. There was no way to hide the slickness that was starting; he would be able to see all of you.  

“Please!” You gasp, “I can be good, I promise sir… Just please fuck me. Fuck me, Sir!”

“Hmmm…” He drops his hands down on the mattress, staring you down, watching you writhe through the desire. “You don’t deserve anything. Trying to make me upset, trying to tease me, such a fucking whore today.”

The words coming from him are completely a facade. He knows he wants this now. He’s in too deep. He loves to see you like this, completely helpless; completely his. You have more of a say in this than he wants you to know. But you know what to do. You know the games he likes to play. 

“Please, baby. I know. I was such a bad girl… I’m a dirty slut. I fucked up. You can be mad at me, please… please just take me, I want to make you happy.” 

He watches you for a brief moment, letting the pleads hang in the air. His eyes are lit with an insatiable lust. He wanted it. He wanted it bad. He may be able to mask it with his words, but his body tells a completely different story. He pushes himself off of the mattress and begins to undress himself. Teasing you with each reveal of his tanned skin. 

First his shirt. The edges of the fabric slowly climb their way up his gorgeous soft stomach. It was like a curtain lifting at the beginning of a show, each inch elevating your excitement for the first act. 

The silence was eating at you. What was he thinking? What was he going to do…

“Please, Please…” You implore. 

Next is his zipper, slowly sliding down to once again, reveal his bulging, practically jumping cock. The sight of it is sending you into a ferality. You pull against the restraints, trying to lift yourselves towards it. Paying no mind to the forces holding you back, you try to reach for him.  

“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” He growls, “So impatient.” 

Pleading moans erupt out of you. You feel like you’re being withheld from the thing you want most, well, because you are. You feel your core tightening. His sultry, teasing behavior is absolute torture. 

“I need you! I need it, please!” 

Slowly, the remainder of his clothes fall off of his body, revealing his perfect stature. His body looks like it’s carved with absolute perfection and care. Each edge is softly rounded, ready to be touched. 

He crawls across the bed, bringing his head close to your aching cunt. His breath permeates your skin. He reaches one finger up to your lower stomach, slowly dragging it from your navel to your clit. You’re whimpering with each movement he makes. 

“Is this...” He finally plants his finger firmly onto your bundle of nerves, shocking every muscle in your body, “What you want?” 

“Yes, yes, yes…” The words are echoing out of you, pressing for more. 

“You’ve been very good, surrendering to me. You know your a bad girl, right? That I’m being extremely forgiving for even taking you this far.” 

“Yes, sir…” 

His tongue crashes into you, at first wide and spreading you, then narrowing onto your needy clit. The first pass over you sends you into complete shock, you can’t do anything but feel. The restraints prevent you from being at all distracted by anything but his soft, precise movements. 

He builds his pace, tasting everything of you that he can. 

“Oh poor thing, you can’t even help it.” He teases, “You just have to take it all.” 

“I want it all…” It’s getting harder to even form sentences. All you can think about is his face on you, completely drenching you. His tongue exploring each fold, each sensitive spot. You feel the tightness, the excitement rushing through you. Your legs shaking, arms fighting against the restraints. Labored moans fighting their way out. 

“Oh, well that won’t do.” He stops everything, denying you the release you were feeling so close to, “I’m sorry sunshine, but this is for my pleasure. Remember?” 

You whine, exasperated cries spilling into the air. 

“Are you being ungrateful?” 

A flat-handed smack splays across your swollen cunt. You lift your neck to watch it all happen. The evil smirk splayed across Jake, the hand meeting your skin, the soft gasps escaping your lips. 

“Color?” He asks. 

You think for a moment, “Green.”

Another soft blow swats at you, absolutely wrecking your body. Each blow feels like a shock wave of filthy pleasure. 

“Fuck…” This moment felt so dirty. Felt so good. He always pushed you to new levels of pleasure. 

He wastes no time at this point. He can’t wait any further to feel you. He knows he can’t hold out on you any longer. 

Jake pushes himself up on the mattress and starts to slowly pump himself. A steady stream of spit falls from his lips onto his cock, lubricating himself. 

“Are you ready for this?” He asks, most likely not caring how ready you are, it just means he was ready. 

You nod your head, unable to even fathom the force he will bring to you. 

“Words.” He commands. 

You strain to focus yourself, “Please just fuck me.” 

He reaches over to the corners of the bed, releasing your ankles from the restraints, but leaving your hands in their disciplinary holds. 

He grabs your hips and lifts you to line up with him. His cock blows into you, straight to the hilt. You moan loudly, almost graphically. He squeezes his thumbs into your sides, stabilizing himself. Low grunts come through his gritted teeth.

He isn’t giving you any mercy, pounding himself into you. Each drill pushes further and further into you, breaking you in two. 

“Fuck, you feel so good,” You groan. 

“Yeah? My little slut likes getting fucked like this?” He asks. 

“She’d like it a lot more if you were harder,” You reply through choked breaths. 

You don’t need to beg much for this. 

“That’s why you’re my fucking favorite.” 

Jake assumes his hand on your neck, gripping you tightly. You thought he was going hard before, but this was unreal. Each pump into you provided a harsh blow to your body. It was calculated, menacing, everything you fucking wanted. 

You feel him fill you entirely, your cunt consuming every inch of his unyielding cock. You feel yourself already losing control, building to climax. He feels so good, better than ever before. You both feel confident in each other, and you both know how to get each other to the highest high. 

“Oh, you think you deserve to come?” 

Fuck. 

“Please!” You beg. “Please sure, please.” 

He looks deeply into your desperate eyes. He can see the absolute terror of being denied. You feel like maybe he might give in, might let you get there. You know how close you are and you can feel him getting there too. You risk it all. 

You wrap your legs around his waist, holding him into you, preventing him from escaping. 

“You fucking-” 

You both gasp in unison, reaching your orgasms just moments after the other. Jake lowers himself by your ear, uttering complete pornographic moans. It feels intimate to hear him like this, to hear how happy you’ve made him. 

Your body shudders underneath him, clenching around his softening body. Your restricting hold increases every tightening muscle in your core, lifting your back completely off of the mattress. Feelings of butterflies flurry through your body, starting from your satisfied cunt, down through your legs. 

You both mix within yourself, feeling your body flood with him. 

“You fucking slut.” He chokes out. 

You giggle in his ear, “Admit it, Jake, you fucking love it.” 

Instead of feeling excitement for your destination, you just feel uneasy. You could feel the sweat slickening the steering wheel the harder you gripped it. Deep down, there was a part of you that wished you didn’t agree to go see the band. 

The last time you interacted with Josh, it left Jake feeling jealous. He truly had no right to be jealous of you just making friends. But now, there was some lingering destructive intent. You wanted him to feel that way; as petty as that was of you. You were always the one chasing after Jake, begging him for attention, begging to be the only one. That morning with the twins was your opportunity to give him a taste of how it feels to be you. 

That point didn’t entirely come off to him, instead, the argument just led to more intense angry sex. That was always going to be the best way for you two to get in the mood. 

You hate knowing that Jake can get out of any argument by getting you fired up. At least you knew that all these arguments could in theory just be your foreplay, not ever real fights. It made you feel diminished, but then again, he would always find a way to make everything up to you by the end. 

Jake and his stupid, stupid apologies were going to kill you someday.

You both knew you had work that night, so Jake opted to drive you home so you could get ready. The morning and early afternoon flew by at his house. You were quite exhausted at that point and were ready to wash away the very sinful acts that still lingered on your skin. 

You didn’t have much time to prepare yourself for the shift and had to rush through your usual routine. Shower. Brush your teeth. Get dressed. Get out the door. The whole hour went by in a blur. 

And just as usual, you pull through the cavernous parking lot of fleets and find your always unoccupied spot in the back. You still manage to arrive before Jake, whose car was missing from the lot. You turn off the engine and head into the back door. The kitchen is busy, with loud clanging and shouts emerging from behind the hallway walls. 

You drop your bag and head out to the main floor. Chris is nowhere to be seen yet, and the only other employee you can see is… of course. Mariella. 

She’s wearing this shit-eating grin talking to the regulars. You feel a wave of disgust run over you and you have to try and control yourself from letting your emotions get the best of you. The last time you saw her she was trying to fuck up your relationship with Jake, and well… She succeeded. You can’t let her do that to you. You can’t let your jealousy burn through what you have with him. He chose you, and you chose him. 

Breathe through it, let it go, and kill that bitch with kindness. 

You walk to the bar and hop under the counter, joining her behind the bar. She doesn’t turn to acknowledge you as you clock in. It all feels so middle school. You pretend she doesn’t exist, and she’ll probably do the same. 

The dishwasher beeps and you run over to start emptying the glasses. She pops her head over to look at you briefly but turns back to continue flirting with the 40-year-old in front of her. 

You’re extremely annoyed, but continue to complete your chores; well technically hers. Where the fuck is Jake? And why the fuck is she still behind the bar? 

“Hey girl,” Hearing her voice is like the equivalent of drinking lemon juice. It’s bitter, soured, and ultimately- unpleasant. 

You don’t even bother to look back at her, instead zeroing in on the steamy glasses. 

“So,” She starts, “I hope I didn’t fuck things up with you and Jake.” 

You snap your head to look at her, trying your best to display how uncomfortable you are in her presence. 

She’s so fake. Of course, she hopes she fucked things up. She manipulated you with the perfect words to turn on Jake. You continue to pull the glasses out of the dishwasher, lining them up on the counter to be put away.

“No things are fine. We talked it out. He said he’s done with all the temporary girls.” You glare back at her. 

Being petty is fun. 

“Aw, well I’m so glad to hear it babes,” She rests her hand on your shoulder and breezes past you out from behind the bar. “Oh and don’t worry, I closed out all my tabs.” 

The rage is filling in you. You felt brave at this moment, ready to settle any sort of anger you felt with her. 

“Mariella.” She stops to turn, just a few feet away from the counter. You stride over to the corner of the bar, separating you two with the counter. “What you did…” Your voice and bravery is starting to trail off when the reality of the situation was setting in, “What you did was fucked up. You knew I liked him before you did anything with him. When I finally got my chance you chose to be a backstabber and try to kill my dream. That’s not what friends do.”

Her face hasn’t changed through any of your words. A scowl is burned across her brow, “Who said we were friends?” 

Her words take you back. You thought you had been friends. You had worked at Fleets together for over a year now and had spent many nights together drinking and complaining about the shithole bar. Now she was denying it all? 

No. You can’t let her keep getting to you. You can’t let her make you second guess yourself anymore. 

“No, you don’t get to do that to me anymore Mariella. You don’t get to make me feel like shit. So what you had Jake first? So what you don’t want to be my friend? I am not jealous of you anymore, and you can’t make me feel second class just because your tits are bigger and you can seduce any of these losers in this bar. I won. I get Jake.” 

Mariella bursts out laughing, almost in tears. “Whatever! You won! Great for you. Hope you enjoy it all. Good luck with that mess of a human! I hope you’re very happy together.” 

She continues laughing to herself as she walks into the back office. 

That wasn’t the satisfying ending you wanted. 

You pull into a spot in front of the venue. The parking lot was dimly lit and full of cars. People lingered in front of the door, chatting, sharing cigarettes, waiting for something exciting to happen. 

The band had already been here for an hour or so setting up; probably having some pre-show drinks to loosen up. Even though they don’t go on for another twenty or so minutes, you decide it is better to leave earlier than to just sit idly waiting in your apartment. But now that you were here, and were early, you don’t want to go in until it’s time for their set to start. 

You feel your heart climbing into your throat. You truly didn’t think you would still get anxious over these things, but after everything that’s happened this week, it feels like walking on glass. 

You press your hands into your face and try to regulate the fear permeating through you. You try your best to flush it away, remembering you’re only here to support the band. You can’t let Jake’s jealousy control you forever. Whatever happens, happens. 

Jake walks through the back and heads towards the bar. As soon as he sees you a huge smile appears on his face. Was he actually happy to see you, or was he just thinking about what you both did just hours before? Either way, you smile back. The cheerful appearance of him is making you blush. Everything starts to feel real like never before. 

The back office door opens again and you see Mariella waltz out to the back. Chris appears in the doorway, making direct eye contact with you. Shit. Did she just tattle on you for being mean to her? Why does every interaction with her feel like high school all over again? 

Chris brings his hand up to wave you towards him, one finger inching in his direction. An audible sigh escapes your lips. Jake jostles to the bar and hops over the counter with incredible agility. 

“What the fuck?” You ask, completely perplexed at his insane amount of energy. 

He laughs, knowing how strange his action must have been. He walks past you, quickly uttering, “You make me feel like a whole new man baby.”

You would be inclined to jump onto him and mount him right there if you knew your boss wasn’t also staring you down from the other room. You try your best to acknowledge Jake, while still slipping away. 

“Oh good, you needed a new personality,” You joke, slipping out from the bar, “One sec, I’ll be right back.” 

“Screw you!” He sarcastically jeers from the POS system. 

You awkwardly jog over to the office door, letting yourself in. Chris is already back in his seat at his corner desk. He looks defeated, and well, really annoyed. His hand is sprawled across the right side of his face, holding his shaking head. You close the door behind you, trying to make him aware of your presence. 

“Sit,” he barks, pointing at the spare dining room seat opposite to him. 

You gingerly sit down on the cold wooden chair and try to sit up straight, holding yourself as professionally as you can. 

“What the fuck is going on?” His words cut the air. 

What situation is he even talking about?

“With?” You ask, surveying for him to give you more. 

Chris sighs and leans back into his chair, resting his clasped hands over his beer belly, “Listen, you’ve always been a fine employee. You show up, you do what you need to, and you leave. But I don’t deal with fucking drama. I don’t deal with he said she said, she’s dating him, he’s into her, bullshit. That’s why I put the rules in place.”

Ohhh what the fuck? What the hell is he even talking about? Mariella totally fucking tattled on you- to your boss of all people! 

You angle yourself forward, your face painted with confusion, “Okay, first off, I don’t know what to say to any of that, second of all, what rule?” 

“The no dating other employees rule.” The what? Chris continues, “Jake knew about it... I had a conversation with him about it. And yet we still have bullshit! And I really don’t fucking want bullshit.”

“Hold on, hold on,” You brace your hands out, trying to slow Chris, “Why am I just hearing of this rule now?”

Chris drops his hands, “I dont know. I just… I thought you were a lesbian.”

Your face drops and utter shock goes through your body. “Chris-”

“What? You were always hanging around Mariella and never had a boyfriend and only flirted with the ladies.” He throws his hands up trying to save this conversation he has so clearly lost. 

“Chris… Just because I’m not trying to suck face with the forty-year-old alcoholics out there, does not mean I’m a fucking lesbian.” You bury your face in your hands, completely over this entire interaction, “You have to tell all the employees the rules. Even if I was gay, what if I dated one of the other girls here?” 

“Listen… I don’t know why I didn’t tell you, okay? But bottom line, Jake knew.”

“Okay,” You trail off, “So…? Sounds like you’re getting at something else here Chris.”

Chris squares himself, leaning his hands into his thighs, “Well… Either you two,” he motions with hands a cut across his throat, “You know, end it. Or, one of you has to go. We’ve had struggles with this in the past. You both are great bartenders, but that can all change when you start getting into little spats and fighting in the bar.”

Little does he fucking know… 

“So, you want me to end my relationship, which I don’t even know if it is a real relationship or not-”

Chris moans, “God. I don’t care what it is-”

“Or you want me to quit?” The words feel sour and morose. 

Chris stands up, trying to get out of the unpleasant exchange. He walks over to rest his hand on your shoulder. A sad, looming expression dawns on him. 

“Doesn’t have to be you, kid.”

He goes to open the door, letting the light of the bar flood through the office. You can feel the tears forming in your eyes. A slight choke sits at the back of your throat. Everything that has to do with Jake and you always is a fucking disaster.

Why does everything have to be so hard? Why can’t you just have it easy? Why can’t Jake just be yours and you be his? What does everyone have against you two? Is this a bigger sign that maybe he just can’t be with you?...

“Chris,” You beg, “Can I just talk to him for a few minutes?”

He shakes his fist and tries his hardest to let go of any frustration, “Fine, but make it quick I hate that regular.”

And the same as he did with you, he waves Jake over to the office. Jake tilts his head like a sad puppy and quickly jogs out from behind the bartop. He strolls into the hallway, and Chris brushes past him to go take his place. 

The tears are still welling in your eyes and you can’t quite regulate your breathing. The frustration and anger you feel for Chris’ stupid policy is mixing with the dissatisfaction of Jake once again withholding information from you. 

“Sunshine?” He asks confused. 

You grab his hand and pry him into the office, closing the door behind him.

“Sit,” You plead. 

Now the roles were reversed. You try your best to compose yourself and consume all the sad emotions that were begging you to crawl out. 

Jake sits in the same chair as you did, “What?-”

“Jake.” Breathe. Don’t take it too far, “Did Chris inform you of a certain… No dating other employees rule?” 

He shifts awkwardly in the chair, obviously trying to avoid the interrogation, “Well, yeah, but-”

“Please… Please don’t say we’re not in one, because that will fucking kill me right now.” Your voice is breaking.

He sinks back into the chair. For the first time, he seems… hurt.

“I wasn’t going to-”

“Jake if you knew, why didn’t you tell me? Now I’ve got Chris telling me one of us has to quit or we… or we… you know…”

He runs his hand through his hair and turns to face you head-on. He reaches out for your hands, and you half haphazardly return them into his grasp. 

“I didn’t want you to not consider us an option. So I didn’t say anything.”

You take your hands back from him, quickly planting them on your hips, “So you think putting my job at risk is perfectly fine? All this behind my back shit is getting pretty old Jake, and we’ve barely even been at this a few weeks.” 

He drops his head, catching the crown of his hair in his fingertips, “What the hell did you want me to do?” 

You throw your hands in the air, fumbling to even find the right answer, “I don’t know Jake! But we could’ve tried to figure this out together before I was once again blindsided by something you hid from me! Because of your mistakes, Mariella came tattling to Chris-”

He lifts his head, staring you down. His eyes are sincere yet concerned. A look you’ve never seen from him, “She what?” 

“I told her to fuck off. I finally stood up for myself and she came in here to tattle.”

Jake closes his eyes and clenches his fists softly, “She’s not the kind you attack with words sunshine.”

You shake your head, not even believing that he’s telling you that you shouldn’t have stood up for yourself, “Jake that’s beside the fucking point. Because of you now I have to choose between walking away from my job or you.” 

“You’re not seriously going to choose are you?” 

“Doesn’t sound like I have a choice. I don’t want to. I want you, but I also need a fucking job. And right now you’ve pissed me off again.” 

“Again, what the fuck was I supposed to do? Do you wish I did nothing at all?”

“No,” You retort, quick to remind him you did want this. 

He rises to his feet, trying to establish some sort of control in the conversation, “Okay, so what then? You knew we were going to be all or nothing, or at least I did. I knew I had to have you, I didn’t think the rule was going to be held up.” 

“Jake.”

He rests his hands on your shoulders, “No, don’t fucking choose. What’s he going to do?”  

“Jake I’m pretty sure he’s going to fire one of us if we don’t pick. And we’re both on thin ice here so it will ultimately be whoever he likes more…” 

Jake shakes his head and drops his hands off of you, beginning to turn towards the door, “Can’t believe it. That you’re even considering it. After everything.” 

You grab his wrist, “After what Jake? After you finally decided you wanted to be with me? After I sat waiting months for you? After you fucked my friend? After you avoided this whole situation? After what?”

He snaps his wrist back to his side and reaches for the door handle. He shoots one last distraught glance back before heading back out into the hallway. 

It was about halfway through their set before Josh jumped off the stage to rush to you. He had been waiting for the right moment to run over to you all night. Shooting you happy glances, singing to you from the stage, and even ushering Jake over to the side you were sitting on so you could see him better. 

He waited until the worst possible moment to rush over to you, during one of Jake’s solos. 

He was worse than you when it came to pushing Jake. You could push him and get away with it, you knew it was all an act. But with Josh… He thought it was all a fun game, not realizing later that you would have to defend his actions like they were your own. 

Josh grabs your hand to lift you out of your seat, so eager to get you on your feet. The chair that you previously occupied clatters behind you. The crowd is completely distracted by Josh, and well, you. He swoops you close to him and soon your feet are moving along to the beat, jumping around with Josh in a flurry of happiness. 

Usually, you only had the enjoyment of watching live music, never participating in it. Here, you were now a part of this moment with them, and the one you wanted most to be happy for you, would clearly find this all too much. 

Josh grabs your hand and spins you around him, moving charismatically, so smoothly; quite romantically. If people were looking, they might think that Josh was the one you were with. Jake’s playing gets more technical with each moment, trying to win back the crowd’s attention, but everyone is watching his twin and you, swirling in a passionate dance on the bar floor. 

A smile is lit across your face; you’ve never had this much fun before, ever. There’s just enough whiskey in your system to completely evaporate any fear, or really notice the crowd cheering you on. You lower your hand across Josh’s waist, and he matches you, squeezing into your hip. You both circle each other, intoxicated in the glow of the moment. 

Jake’s solo slowly clamors to an end, and Josh realizes his cue to run back to the stage. He drops his hand from you and places a fragile kiss on your cheek before rushing back up to the mic. 

The crowd erupts in drunken cheers and you turn to notice the gathering they had made around the floor. They’re on their feet, clapping, enthusiastic about the thrilling moment. You awkwardly curtsey to the group and make your way back to your seat, picking it back up off the ground. 

The spirit of the moment quickly is burned when you look up and see Jake is not matching your excitement. A looming, angered glare is searing through any happiness you feel. He’s barely paying attention to the music, instead, steaming on the side of the stage. Gripping the guitar so tightly you fear it would break with any tighter hold. 

Shit. 

“Chris, can… I’m sorry can we just work this shift and figure it out tonight? I just want to do my job right now.”

Another classic Chris grunt and he waves you off, “Go. It’s gotta happen though. One of the choices.”

“Yes, yes I know,” You grovel, hoping that if you can’t come to a decision, he won’t be picking you to go. 

You rush back over to the bar and continue the chores you had left earlier. Of course, Chris didn’t bother picking up any slack, and neither did Jake. 

The thoughts are unraveling in your mind now. The control you had tried to exert is slowly withering away. Even though you had felt far more tough lately, you still couldn’t completely swallow the soft, emotional side of you. 

What the hell kind of choice is this? Lose your job or lose the boy you fought everything and everyone to have? Why does the universe fucking hate you?! 

Your body felt weighed, completely exhausted by all the drama and all the decisions. If you didn’t have responsibilities outside of this relationship, you would instantly pick Jake, but you can’t risk not having any income. You were a girl alone. No rich mommy or daddy to come to save you when you needed it most. You had given all of that up. No friends that could save you, they were miles away back home. You hate to admit it, but you were truly alone here. 

Sure, you had people, but no one that would be willing to take in a stray. Jake had his brother, he had more than you. It wasn’t fair to compare, but you were thinking it. 

He doesn’t seem to want to give you up either, at least that’s how it feels. He was heartbroken; defeated in that office. Just as sad as you. 

“Coming through-” Jake strides past you, holding onto three drinks, carefully balancing them in his hands, until he’s not. 

You turn to move, not realizing how close he was to you and knock your arm into his, sending the drinks flying over the front of your shirt. 

“Fuck!” You exclaim. 

Jake matches your sentiment, “Oh, shit.” 

You quickly run to grab a rag from the shelves behind the counter, trying to soak up the sticky liquid as fast as you can, before any stains set in. 

“Foul!” Yells one of the nasty regulars.

“Dude, shut up.” Jake retorts, rushing over to assist you, “I’m sorry, I should’ve-”

“It’s fine.” You don’t mean to be harsh, but in that moment all you could do was try to get him away. You didn’t want to think about him, about the situation, about any of it. You just wanted to get back to work. 

“This is Danny, and this is Sam,” Josh introduces the two other members of the band. 

You all gathered around the corner booth at the bar after the set. Jake had been avoiding you, taking his time to pack all of his things. The other boys were far less concerned with cleaning up, and headed straight to the bar, well straight to you. 

“Ohhh, so you’re the mysterious girl we’ve been hearing all about, huh?” Sam crosses his arms over his chest, surveying you, trying to be funny. 

“Oh yes, I’m very mysterious,” You joke back. 

Josh chuckles, “She isn’t one bit mysterious Sam, Jake is just always very vague with his lover’s darling. He doesn’t like to kiss and tell.”

You swallow back a large gulp of Jameson Ginger, “Oh yeah. I’m well aware.” 

Danny echoes into the conversation, trying to eagerly get in, “So how long have you two?...”

“Not long.”

“Oh,” Sam ponders, “I thought. Well, he’s been talking about a bartender for a-”

Josh shoots Sam a concerned look, trying to shut him up.

He knew? Did he know about Mariella? 

“Oh no, I’m not the only bartender,” Your comment is snide and condescending. You hope it’s not making a fool of yourself, but you want everyone to know the games Jake likes to play. 

You feel the alcohol finally hitting you now, maybe you didn’t realize it before, but standing with them for that short few moments was turning your mind into rubber. 

“Sam, c’mon. He’s your brother, you know how he is.” Danny whispers to Sam. 

Shit. Not another brother. 

“Was.” You correct, holding your finger out at Danny, “Let’s hope it’s was.” 

“Yes Mama,” Josh puts his hand on your shoulder, he turns to face the boys, “We like her, so we’re going to hope it’s ‘was’.”

“Where did he even go?” You ask, slurring your words slightly. 

Sam shrugs his shoulders, and is the first to sit in the booth, “I don’t know but I’m not waiting around for him to have any fun!”

“I like your thinking!” Josh exclaims, jumping in the booth beside Sam. 

Danny corrals on the other side of Sam, and Josh pats the empty seat next to him. Fuck. 

You cautiously slide into the booth next to Josh, trying to leave ample space between the two of you. 

The boys are like classic best friends. Danny and Sam seem to have a great bond, completely forgetting the fact that they aren’t blood brothers. They act like they’ve known each other their whole life. Their outfits are almost matching, both in patterned jeans and snug-fitting plain shirts. Their hair is just about the same length, except Danny’s is curly and wild, and Sam’s is sleek and flowing; similar to Jake's.

Josh is clearly the eccentric one of the group, sporting some sort of animal skin vest and low-rise dark wash jeans. He has on so much jewelry it jingles with each movement he makes. He’s practically wearing a tambourine with all the clangs. 

They all speak amongst themselves, raving about the set, the crowd, parts they think they nailed, and parts they want to work on more. It was a nice break for you to just enjoy being there with them, getting to know them just by watching. You were picking their brains without them even realizing that you were doing so. 

The two brothers fake-bickered with each other. Similar to how Josh and Jake would torment each other, but in a much more playful and innocent manner. You could see Jake in both of them, in different ways. Josh, well because they were twins, they shared eerily identical expressions. Josh just carried all of them in a more lighthearted way. Sam, on the other hand, you could see Jake’s sass within him. 

Just as you are finally ready to find a way to sneak into their fun, a presence joins you at the booth. You can feel the heat radiating off of him as he slides into the spot next to you, pushing everyone further down in the booth. His hand reaches over to your thigh, grasping it tightly, marking his territory. 

“Hi, Sunshine.” He grits through labored breaths. 

“Welcome!” Josh roars, “Glad to finally see you joining us!”

“Well, someone had to talk to the manager- who by the way, was very impressed by our performance. He wants us back next month.” Jake says these words as if they aren’t even exciting at all. 

“Oh! That’s awesome!” You cheer, looking around at all the boys. 

Their faces light up with victory, and they immediately start cheers-ing each other. 

Josh nudges your shoulder, “It was most definitely our dancing Mama! That energy got the whole crowd going! You’re our good luck charm.” 

You blush at Josh’s kind words, “Wherever you guys go, I’ll be there to cheer you on…” 

You drop your hand to the table, showing the boys you’re in this with them. They all take turns grabbing your arm and showing their appreciation. 

“Yeah, they really loved you.” Jake sneers. 

The sarcasm is lost on Sam, who pipes up, “Yeah they were all cheering for you guys! It was awesome, they stayed standing the rest of the set!”

Danny nudges Sam and whispers in his ear. Danny is like Sam’s conscious, warning him of all the sourness that is happening at the table. Sam awkwardly smiles. 

Jake pulls your drink from your loose grip and finishes the remainder of it. You shoot him a disgusted glance, furrowing your brow harder than you thought you possibly could. 

The boys all sit in silence, watching this awkward interaction.

Josh is quick to break the ice, like always, “So next time, maybe we can coordinate something? A little moment just for us?”

You turn to him, trying to warn him not to say that in front of Jake. But it’s too late for that. Jake grips your thigh, hard, nearly breaking through your jeans. 

“It’s not her band.” He snaps. 

“Yes Jake, I know it’s not my band,” You crack. 

“I liked your dancing!” Danny encourages, “You were really good!”

You grin back at Danny, thanking him with your expression. 

Josh jumps back into his own conversation, “Ok, but imagine, if we did that spinning thing again, but we lined it up with-” 

“Maybe you can take up one of your solos to dance with her.” Jake is being completely rude. You know the cause of it all. You know why he’s so ill-mannered. You try your best to forgive him but know there’s too much brash to go unnoticed by the others. 

“Josh, let’s think about this another time, okay? Let’s enjoy the victory of the night for now,” You turn to Jake, “Jake, we were just playing around okay?”

Jake rolls his eyes and leans back into the booth. He takes his hand from your thigh and rests both of his wrists on the table, fiddling with the callouses on his fingers. Josh nods his head and finally gets the point. 

Danny jumps up from the booth, excusing himself to go grab some more drinks. The table’s vibe has completely changed, instead of excited conversation, it’s mute. Sam is paying attention to the music playing over the speakers, tapping along to the beat. Josh is trying to get his drink down as fast as he can. And Jake… Is being Jake. 

His mood has been absolutely horrible. All because you chose to have fun. How rude of you.

“Hey,” You poke at him, “You don’t need to be like this right now. You have so much to celebrate!” 

“Oh yeah, let me celebrate that my girlfriend wants to be around everyone here but me.” He growls under a low breath. 

“Jake,” You comfort, “I came here for you, I’m excited for you.” 

“No.” Jake raises himself, and turns his head, angling towards you, “I do believe Josh, is the one that invited you. And if I’m not mistaken, you two were the ones dancing during my solo. Oh and also, it wasn’t you that came to see me after I finished up, it was the drunk old bar manager.” 

“Jake…” This time it isn’t you trying to calm him down, it’s Josh. He’s protecting you. 

“Fuck you Josh, you do this shit on purpose, trying to piss me off.” 

The tension is starting between the two, and you’re quite sure those heavy sips weren’t helping the situation at all. 

“Hey! Need I remind you, who was the one who-”

“Shut up.” 

You glance your head between the two of them, confused. Jake drops his head and turns away from Josh. Josh swirls the ice around in his cup, trying to avoid eye contact with you. 

“Josh…” You pry, “What did you do?” 

“Don’t,” Jake interjects, trying to hold off Josh. 

What the hell was going on? What sort of fucked up twin telepathy was happening. 

“No, no,” You scold, “Maybe I should ask what the fuck you did Jake? Huh?” 

Sam slowly tries to crawl out of the booth, avoiding whatever is about to go down. 

Josh crosses his arm, trying to yield to Jake, “He did nothing.” 

“Okay?” Your voice is shaky, trying to understand if this even involved you. This drunk version of you was trying any way to find out more. “Clearly someone did something.” 

Jake lifts his head, staring down Josh, almost pleading with his eyes to keep quiet. 

“Josh…”

You turn yourself to block Jake’s eyeline, lining yourself up with Josh. 

“Is it about me?” You ask, imploring. Hoping that his answer would be no. 

Josh sighs and drops his arms, bracing himself on either side of his legs. He takes a long breath. 

His silence confirms it all for you. 

Jake echoes in your ear, “Don’t worry about it.”

You scowl back to Jake, “No more hiding shit Jake.” 

He reaches his hand up to his mouth, trying to find the right words to say. Before he even has a chance, Josh lets it spill out. 

“Jake wasn’t going to go back to you.” 

He could have stabbed you in that moment and the feeling would have been the same. 

“Fuck! Josh!” Jake yelps. 

Your heart drops. Jake fighting him is proof enough that what Josh said was true. You turn to Jake, tears welling in your eyes. 

“What…” You push Jake’s shoulder, “the fuck,” another push, “does that mean?”

You feel your whole body shaking with anxiety. The alcohol is climbing up your throat; tears starting to fall from your eyes. 

Josh grabs your hand, trying to prevent you from hitting Jake any further. 

“Mama, listen. He just didn’t think you wanted him anymore. I went over to talk to him about it and told him he should try again.” 

You turn to snap at Josh but feel horrible even thinking about being mean to him. He was honest with you, trying to help. 

“So, but…” You feel absolutely defeated, “So if you hadn’t said anything he wouldn’t have…?”

Jake turns completely away from the two of you, dropping his head into his hands, trying to breathe through it. 

“You fucking ruin everything, Josh. You always get to be the sun. You always get to save the day.” 

You turn to Jake, cautious to defend Josh, “Jake you need to tell me what happened.” 

Jake doesn’t turn back to you. Josh tries to grab your hand one last time, silently asking you to go easy on Jake. 

“Why wouldn’t you come back?” Your voice is breaking completely now. The rush of emotions is piling through you, breaking your heart all over again. 

Knowing he didn’t want to come back felt like it was all your fault. You were the one who turned him away before knowing the entire story. But also, you had a right to be upset. The juxtaposition of it all was fucking with you. Who was right? 

Jake is still silent, holding himself up in his palms. You turn back to Josh, begging for any sort of help. His hands rest on his cheeks, realization setting in of what he did. He went too far. Twins weren’t meant to be this damaging to each other. The public tension of it all was awkward, pushing each other too far. 

“What’d I miss!” Danny perkily walks over to the table, holding everyone’s choice of drinks. Sam’s trying to hide behind him, knowing what situation he left. 

You pout through the tears, showing Danny that he didn’t miss anything too good. 

You rise from your seat, standing on the wooden bench, climbing over Josh to leave the booth. You pat the two best friends on the shoulder, apologizing through silent chokes of your tears. 

Sam gingerly hands you your next round, placing the glass in your hand, and patting your knuckles. You awkwardly smile back at him, thanking him for the drink. 

You take a hefty swig and place the remainder of the drink in front of Jake, “Here… Unlike you, I don’t like putting good things to waste.”

The boys all wince through their teeth, and Jake jolts up to scowl at the boys. 

You secretly run past the booth and into the dark bathroom in the back of the bar. 

The shift is by no means easy. The two of you are in the worst rhythm you’ve ever had. Even on your first shift together, it was like magic. You could almost sense each other coming, you were good at trading off tasks. Tonight…. Was not that. 

Jake screwed up three orders, and you took two more drinks to the chest. Each time exclaims were made between the both of you, and patrons took it upon themselves to call out. The understanding for your bodies that you had just hours earlier was completely gone, completely out of sync. 

Usually, it would just be you struggling with your own thoughts, but you could tell the weight of the situation was sitting heavy on Jake. You had left things in a horrible, but justified place. You didn’t exactly feel bad for what you said, because, well it was the truth. So what Jake had to give up a booty call? You were the one that got the shit end of the stick every time. 

The bathroom was full of women. They were all slightly older than you, and mostly concerned with their friends who were far too drunk, or paying attention to how their makeup was holding up. 

You snuck through them, trying to find the one empty stall. You closed the door behind you and quickly locked it, stowing yourself away. The echoes of their voices melted with the loud music vibrating on the walls. 

Fuck.

What the hell? 

He couldn’t even look at you. 

He couldn’t even admit it. 

Why wouldn’t he come back? 

Well… You did kind of end that last night on bad terms. During that entire week, you wanted to run back to him; but you didn’t. He just needed a push. But what if he never got that push? What if he never showed up to tell you what actually happened… 

He never even tried to explain himself at the bar. He just kept trying to get you going. He can’t admit when he’s wrong. Does he have to be persuaded into being nice? Not entirely. Not all the time… 

Chris is about ready to lock up. He does his usual survey of all the surfaces, walking laps around each table, around the counters, really just pretending to look at everything. There really weren’t any expectations for the cleanliness of each table. He was actually just waiting for one of us to say something to him. For one of us to have decided. 

It was the stupidest fucking rule known to man. It’s a bar. People are bound to start fucking each other. Thats life. 

Jake and you had not broached the subject any further. There was no time and no further discussion to be had yet. It was the worst decision for either of you to make. It was utterly ridiculous. You didn’t expect Jake to give up his job either and almost started to believe that this was some sort of ending.

You tried not to think about it too much. Tried not to let that reality set in until you knew it for a fact. 

One last swipe of the counter, and you had completely cleaned up. Jake on the other hand was sweeping the floors, trying not to clean up in the same area. You try your hardest not to keep staring at him, but you want so badly for him to look at you. You want to figure this out… together. 

He places the large broom at the corner of the bar and strides over to Chris. You’re watching it play out in front of your eyes like a movie. You pretend to be distracted at the POS, but sneaking glances over your shoulder. 

Chris runs his hand over Jake’s shoulder and gives him a firm shake. Jake drops his head and nods. Reaching up to pat Chris’ hand. And just like that it’s over. 

What… What happened? 

Jake strides out of the bar, avoiding your eye contact, and slowly disappearing into the hallway. 

Oh, what the fuck? 

This is it. This is the end. Jake is giving you up. This wouldn’t be a romance novel. He wouldn’t run to you and lift you up, he wasn’t going to kiss you like no one was watching. He was just going to walk away, again. 

You throw your hands up, staring down Chris, trying to emulate ‘what the fuck’ with your body language. 

Chris mopes over to the counter, dragging out the moment as long as possible. He plops himself down on the stool in front of you, clasping his hands on the bar. 

“Go home. See you on Monday this week, kid.” 

So wait… He just… 

“Wait… What the fuck just happened?” You’re completely flustered, almost not believing what this means. 

“Jake quit. Go home. Talk to him.” 

TAGLIST (ILY GUYS!!!) Sorry if I missed anyone!

@gvfmarge @takenbythemadness @heckingfrick @gvfpal @sanguinebats @giraffehippy @anythingforjtk @lipstickitty @pinkandsleepy1934 @gretavansara @ohgodthefeeling-gvf @jakekiszkasbuttsweat @milkgemini @violet-hayes

[the-actual-ocean]

Hello! Ever wonder who does the ocean? That's us! While, technically, we aren't in direct contact with the people who are actually in charge of the ocean, we have assumed the role of keeping it interesting!

Blog, ask, and mod info below the cut!

// We are all minors! Thought I'd add this before the read more.

Feel free to send us asks about what to throw/edit into the ocean! You can simply send us an image or name in the ask box with signatures to specify what format you want the post to be in! they're right below this! and next to those signatures? examples!! of the posts!!

-[Chuck] "An image of a rock, please -[Chuck]." This will have the provided image or description being hastily edited to appear as though they are being thrown into the ocean, or perhaps off a dock!

-[Swim] "adam sandler -[Swim]." This will have the provided image or description being edited into the ocean, and maybe even included a school of said image or description. maybe.

look at him. so majestic in his natural habitat.

-[Amalgamation] "Dany Devito bigfin squid -[Amalgamation]" This will have the chosen subject be horribly amalgamated onto a sea creature or oceanic feature! they will be in extreme pain!

Mod Info:

Hello! I'm the creator of the blog, and you can refer to me as Juno. You can discern my posts from the other mods through my boring, regular writing, and I'll probably be the only one not to swear. I go by he/him, and I will always take the chance to brag about how I got to make that one part of space, or how I have the most squids to my name. I'll also be able to be recognised with my tag, being #{J}.

hello i am the purple one. i called dibs on purple whilst we were coming up with the idea of this blog, so you will be able to recognise me by my colour and tag: #〔L〕. my name is Liv (i am the only one here who has not changed their name because i couldnt find anything that suited me) and i go by she/her, and ill probably mention penguins a lot. i know they dont live in the ocean, but they come here often so theyre like a family friend. i also like manatees, so they might get a few mentions from me, idk yet. im also probably recognisable through my lack of punctuation apart from commas and full stops, so do whatever you want with that information. i also actually spawned in the ocean, so despite my lack of qualification, im allowed to be here as its sort of a form of compensation for the mistake.

Hello. I'm salt, which for legal reasons is not my name but I'm not expanding on that. I'm not sure what happened. I got here by . I go by they/them. It'll probably b quite easy to distinguish me from the others as I use punctuation incorrectly or not at all nd shorten word that don't typically need to be shortened. Another way will probably be my dramatic response to references I understand. When I post, I'll use red and my tag will be #S♣. I also really like sharks. I love sharks. I'm not responsible for them, but I will take credit for them.

[anonymoosen]

ZIMPAI SHIZPOST STORY PART 5: REALISATION 🤯⁉️

(WE’RE GETTING REAAAL CLOSE TO THE LAST PART GUYS-)

(THE LAST PART WILL BE RLLY SHORT CUZ THIS ONE IS PRETTY LONG KSSKDK)

Our lovely majestic tsundere green lizard boi ELEEEGANTLY pranced over to Dib-chans house with the cherry blossom petals blowing as intensely as ever.

“DEEEB-STINKKK BAH-KAAAHH!! I HAVE RETURNED AND- BLEHHH WHY DO THESE PINK FLOWER THINGIES KEEP HITTING MY FACE!?!”

Dib-chan immediately crashed through his own window from his room and landed on top of Zimpai, “accidentally” pinning him to the ground like that romantic move a lot of people use in movies.

The big headed boy giggled cutely with the usual sparkles in his eyes, “Ooooh woopsiess!! I totaaally didn’t know this cliche romantic trope would happen!!”

The alien rolled his and blushed deeply from the close proxZIMity and the way his crush’s voice sounded like the most adorable thing in the whole world— even cuter than their old class pet hamster, Peepi! (hehehehe peepeepoopoo)

Wait- NO! This is a disease! A CURSE!! The Dib-thing wanted me to fall prey into his hands this whole time!! Zim immediately shook his head and pushed Dib away. Dib-chan looked to the ground and wondered worriedly if he had gone too far in invading the invader’s personal space.

(HELP I JUST DOODLED THIS ON MAH PHONE SO BADLY 5 MIN AGO-)

Zim-kun tried not to feel bad about Dib looking a bit saddened and growled, “GRRR YOU’LL NEVER CURSE ME WITH THAT STYOOPID FEELING!”

Dib sighed and tried to hold back his once again returning sparkling anime tears. Of course it was one sided. Of course he got rejected by even the most annoying alien in the world. Who would even want some creepy weirdo like Dib?

Meanwhile, Gaz was eating popcorn while the whole cheesy but slightly angsty in a way Fanfiction scene played out. “Why are they acting even stupider than usual?” The whatever-colour-her-hair-is girl asked out loud. The question was then answered by a familiar British voice. “Innit!” Gaz blinked.

“Uh- what?”

“WAIT WHERE DID THAT BRITISH STEREOTYPE OF A WORD COME FROM- I MEAN-” The dark purple / indigo / dark blue (HELP IM BAD AT COLORS) alien girl continued, “Ahem, I meant that this whole anime stupidity Fanfiction scene was all part of my revenge plan! MuahahahAAHAHAAHHA!!”

Gaz face palmed. Was the hideous not-so-new girl, Tak, the one who she once viewed as the biggest threat to earth, THIS pathetic??

“Dude- you’re STILL plotting your revenge on these idiots? And you’re doing it by zapping them with some in-real-life-anime gun thingy??” Gaz asked, trying not to sound slightly intrigued by this. Tak saw the undeniable interest in Gaz’s eyes and smugly nodded. The shorter of the two gave up and shrugged. At least she had some show to watch! (even though it was too cheesy and stupid for her liking sometimes)

Back to the main drama going on, Zim noticed Dib trying to hold his tears and gulped. Why the heck did he even feel bad about his ENEMY?? He’s supposed to HATE that big headed dork! The dorkiest dork ever! The cutest- WAIT-

The alien tried to look away. However, it couldn’t be helped. The so-called ‘curse’ was too strong, like the big-headed boy was a magnet pulling Zim’s eyes to look at his adorable face.

Could it beeeee… that the feeling Zimpai was feeling…

WASN’T a curse?!11!1?! hOW ShoCKiNG-

NO!! (Z)IMPOSSIBLEEE!! Invaders needed NO ONEEEE!

…But no one is perfect, and Dib can be his no one-

“LIEEESSS!” The alien desperately screeched out loud on the top of his lungs (or whatever aliens had). Dib raised an eyebrow in confusion, distracting him from the overwhelming sadness he was trying to hide. “I…uhhh- didn’t say anything…?”

———

WELP ZIM IS SLOWLY (SO FRIGGIN SLOWLY) REALISING HIS FEELINGS FOR DOBBLE DIBBY BOO BOO BEAR MIGHT BE REAAL!1!1!1 HOW UNEXPECTEDDD!1!1!

(HELP ME IM RUNNING OUTTA IDEAS SO IM MAKING THIS A VERY VERY SLOW PROGRESS FOR THEM FIRKFK)

———-

FIRST

PREV

NEXT

[silly-shady]

Eeee! The Lunar Dragon got tiny too!

What are the non-Dib reactions to this?

(Drawn by @redscorpiocat)

Curiosity: Awwww. Such a cute, and majestic, little thing

Andrés: Wow.... They're so small.

Camillaron squeals, as she scoops up and pulls Dib into a cuddle. This is mainly Coalette's doing, btw.

Malice Barbshard: Oh my, what happened here? The Dib dragon is so small now!

Mrs. TruffleBerre: Awwws, how cute!

Lora Smoothswirl: Now ain't that something? Seems like somebody cast a fun spell on Dib

Norah Potablette: Hehe, just look at my dear sibling! They are a cute baby dragon now!

Noel is the most excited to squeeze the baby Dib dragon in a hug!

Princess Nillacream: Awwww! Such a precious little dragon!- That's my sibling!

Gaia Screamsicle: Wow. Cute and cool! Right?!

Jeanette Vendella: Wow, that is so epic!!!

Keaton Peckpique: That is bizarre, sick- A lot of words, but... Our head hurts trying to figure out the right words... [It is loud in their head]

Miss Malt Shake: Aww.... So adorable

Tatiana DoubleBatter: So cute- and awesome!

Gianni Macchiato: Look at that. Such a sweet and tiny thing

Dropped-It Delphine: SO CUTE!!!!

Dalgona: Aww! Hmm... I wonder if baby dragons might bite people they like, like how I do

Idris: Oh my- What happened to Dib? Hahah! They are s'o thmol now!

Paradox: Well... It's cute, but what's the point in this?- REALLY?! Can't you appreciate anything?!?

Nalix: Well, I wonder who pulled this trickery on Dib, right? Hehe

Kaneko: Well, how cute!- GAH! They are just so precious!!!

Stella: AWWW!!! They're so tiny!

Dissonance: Heh. I wonder what you guys did to make him this small. They're not so tiny anymore!

Nabil: Hmm... Now, how did that happen exactly?- I don't know, but the end result is cute

[panting.... Still more non-Dib fusions....]

Charity Cremebleich: Oh wow, that's neat!

Thorina Oberweis: So. CUTE! They are so adorable!

Toni Crumblecomb: Aw! Just look at how they are looking at us. So cute!

Melanoplus Anbeißen: Awww. If there wasn't a sentient person behind that dragon, I'd keep them, haha!

Jesse Coldfoam: Hehe, awws!

Heidi Marshoni: Hahah! They are so cute, and so small!

Yellow Brick Road: Oh wow, that's some wicked magic they had cast on them! So cute though

Talia Spicefroth: Hmm~ So precious

Zenchie: Aww! That is so adorable and cool!

*faints*

[anonymoosen]

AHDHSJDDJKRKD ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS AAAAND MY FAVORITE SHIP?? IM GONNA CRY- THE COLORING HERE IS SO CLEAN AND LIKE IT GIVES ME SOME CALMING VIBE HERE- IDK HOW TO DESCRIBE IT BUT LIKE YE I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! HOW DO U KEEP DRAWING DIB AS A PRETTY BOI?? LIKE HE LOOKS SO MAJESTIC HERE AND I LOVE HOW U DRAW SIDE VIEWS TOO- AND ALSO ZIMMMM!1!1!1! I LOVE HIS EXPRESSIONS SO MUCH AND HE LOOKS SO CUTE TOO- THE WAY HE TURNS AWAY THO AAHHFDJFJDJFJDJFEIFI THEYRE SUCH CUTE BOYS HEREEEE I LOVE THE MOMENT U GAVE THEM IN THIS DRAWING

Francis Forever - Mitski

"I don't need the world to see

That i've been the best I can be, but"

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

The D&D gang from “Stranger Things” play “The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes”. Reasoning behind each members’ character selections:

1) Since El isn’t familiar with video games, she and Mike play together. They come up with a compromise where El gets to pick their player character and the dialogue while Mike does the QTEs. When Mike asks El who should they play as, El picks Jason Kolchek since Jason looked the most like Mike. 

(cue blushing from Mike while the group giggles at his embarrassment)

2) Lucas Sinclair picks Nick Kay because he called dibs on any black character in the game. Even if that weren’t the case, Lucas says Nick looked the coolest out of the playable characters anyways. 

3) Dustin Henderson, after looking through the remaining three characters, picks Eric King because he was the coolest looking out of them. Also, it’s TOTALLY NOT because Eric kinda looked like Steve Harrington but without his majestic hair.

4) Will Byers picks Salim Othman and says that he chose him because he liked the character’s helmet. It’s totally not because he didn’t want to play as a girl, he swears.

5) Max Mayfield, being last to pick, ends up with Rachel King. However, Max says that she was going to pick Rachel anyways since she prefers playing as badass female characters. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Body count of this playthrough:

1) Jason Kolchek: Survives because of El picking the good dialogue options and Mike having good reaction time on the QTEs. El mainly picked the empathetic dialogue since “friends don’t lie”. 

2) Nick Kay: Survives because of Lucas’ gamer skills and choosing the good dialogue options 

3) Eric King: Dies because of Dustin messing up his QTEs. Dustin whines that the game is busted while the group playfully laughs at him.

4) Salim Othman: Will Byers stops playing after the vampires show up due to the fact that the aliens looked too much like the Demogorgon. So after Dustin’s character died, Will gave the controller to him. With Dustin in control of Salim, Dustin manages to redeem himself by making sure Salim survived the game. 

5) Rachel King: Dies because of Max panicking during the parasite sequence and choosing options that led to Rachel’s death

Overall: 3 alive, 2 dead 

[rissynicole]

DTIYS Contest Winners!

I’m still reeling from how much love this DTIYS received, and so thankful for all the amazing people who participated, boosted, and sent me well-wishes following Parade’s 1,000th kudos. Once again, thank you so, so, so much.

I had an incredibly hard time picking winners for this. As in, I sat up in bed last night just clicking through them all, agonizing over which three to choose. They’re all so beautiful, and they all came from sweet, dear friends of mine. I had 10 entries and, more than anything, I just wanted to be able to award something to everyone. 

This is what I eventually decided I wanted to do: just as I said before, I will be choosing three winners, in no particular order. Those winners can request a 1,000—1,200 word one-shot. Anything they want, as long as I’m comfortable with it! However, for all other entries, if you give me a short prompt of your choice, I’ll write a drabble for you! (My drabbles usually go a tad over the usual 100 words).

Just to be clear, this is not a burden for me, and it is something I very much want to do for my friends. It might take me a hot minute to get through everything, but that’s only because I want to make sure I’m not rushing my writing. I’m going to tackle this by first DMing the winners to ask them what they would like me to write for them. Then, once those one-shots are done, I’ll start reaching out to the rest of the contestants to get their prompts.

Alright! I’m going to put this under the cut, because I got rambly. 

Without further ado, here are the winners! 

@kovablue 

(kovablue’s art)

Okay, I’ve absolutely not made it a secret that I adore your art, but I did not expect you to draw something for this DTIYS! Seeing my boys in your style almost made me choke up. They’re positively amazing. I can’t even narrow down what my favorite part of this drawing is. The composition, the colors, the way you drew the planet and galaxy in the background… it’s all so beautiful.

@cozymochi

(cozymochi’s art)

Cozy! I don’t even know what to say. You’ve been such a kind and supportive friend to me for so long. Also, your art is so amazing, it gives me heart palpitations. This one almost did me in lol. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and I can’t stop staring at it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you 100% nailed the expressions on Zim and Dib. As in, you totally understood what I was thinking when I wrote that scene and drew it in the most beautiful way imaginable. I love it so much. 

@rllyaangrlly

(rllyaangrlly’s art)

Brit! My shitposting, zagr-loving, art-drawing, majestic buckaroo. Seeing your picture for this DTIYS seriously made my whole day. I love it to absolute pieces. Every time I zoom in to look at the boys’ faces, I want to start squealing. They look fantastic, and I still can’t get over how Dib’s legs are all pulled up to his chest. Poor guy has zero room in that ship. It’s incredible, and I am beyond grateful for your friendship. You’ve definitely made this fandom a wonderful place to be. 

Honorable Mentions

@0palite

(0palite’s art)

Opal! You were the first entry into this contest, and it really gave me the optimism I needed when I started to let my low self-esteem get the best of me. Seeing this scene drawn in your beautiful style really kept me going, and I absolutely adore it. Thank you so much for being so amazing.

@i-like-pink-lolzz

(i-like-pink-lolzz’s art)

Okay, I know you just drew yours for fun and not for the contest, but I really wanted to include you in the honorable mentions. I know that you really enjoyed Parade, and it really means the world to me. Your drawings, memes, and asks have been such a boon to my confidence lately, and I appreciate it all beyond words. You’re an incredible friend, Pink, and I am endlessly thankful for that.

@poppun-chan

(poppun-chan’s art)

I love seeing your art so much, Poppun. The way you drew the boys was positively adorable, and I’m still not over how soft and pretty the shading is. Thank you so much for drawing them and for being such an amazing friend.

@faithfulwhispers

(faithfulwhisper’s art)

Oh Faith, I’m absolutely in love with Zim and Dib in your style. You just have this way of making Dib look so sweet and charismatic, while Zim always manages to look like a smug little bastard. Even in this scene, you can see those traits shining through, and I think it only manages to add to the resounding message at the end of Parade that, with time and healing, things will be okay for them. This is such a beautiful picture, and your galaxy in the background is one of my favorites out of all the entries. Those shades of red are breathtaking. 

@reptile-ruler

(reptile-ruler’s art)

Your style is so amazing, and I still can’t get over it. The way you drew Zim’s and Dib’s expressions is so sweet, and I keep going back just to look at them. Absolutely lovely. And all the different shades of purple you used are gorgeous! It really makes yours stand out, and I love it so much.

@dana-chan-the-control-brain

(dana-chan-the-control-brain’s art)

I was seriously so thrilled to see that you drew this scene, Dana! I know you’ve been busy, both with fandom projects and irl stuff. It meant the world to me to see this scene in your style! I love the mix of colors you used in this. Seriously, that plum-purple color you used for the galaxy is my favorite color ever. And the way you drew Irk is gorgeous! The rings are perfect, and I think your interpretation of what it looks like is one of my all time favorites. Thank you so much, again. You’re such an amazing friend, and I don’t take that for granted. 

@ittybittybumblebee

(ittybittybumblebee’s art)

Bee! I remember following you ages ago, and seeing your art style change and grow is one of the most inspiring things on my dashboard. I can see your confidence increase, your characters get more and more expressive, and your color choices get more adventurous. This picture is so beautiful, I can’t even nail down just one thing that’s my favorite. The pops of bright colors, the soft shading! It’s all incredible! I love it so much. 

Thank you all, again, everyone. I can’t explain just how much it means to me that I have such amazing friends, readers, and people who fit both those two categories. You all mean the world to me, and I love you so much. 

[nota-deviant]

Chapter 1

Dib sighed as he looked down at the shiny bar he had just wiped clean. Another day another..well..day. nothing much happened in his town, nothing that he had been able to look for at least. Dib basically lived in his bar, working under his father who was barely ever there and always working on new drinks to 'help people' or he's made up something and grew too sick to even come and bartend in his own saloon. 

He set the raggedy old cloth down onto the table and grumbled, resting his head on his hand before quickly sitting up when the first people started coming in. The saloon usually was filled to the brim with gruff looking men trying to act tough and gambling all their money away in games of poker, Dib was the only one that stood out. He was tall and lanky, having not grown any hair on his face and instead having Carmel colored freckles splattered around. He was in his mid 20s and felt like he was wasting his life away, serving drinks and every once and awhile hooking up with a guy or gal for the night. Today had seemed like a slow one, what Dib wasn't prepared for was the sight of a short yet bulky looking creature walking in. He said nothing, glancing up from his spot sorting drinks and could make out dark green skin in the room with splotches of lighter green on his face..like Dibs own freckles. He looked quickly back down again when more people walked in, standing when he heard the squeak of the cushioned barstool Inferno of him. He was going to have to oil that later.

Dib stood and suddenly he had made eye contact with the creature, long locks of black hair reaching down to his chin and wearing, atleast what Dib thought, a hideous magenta vest with a dark grey dress shirt underneath.

"How may I help you?"

Dib asked casually, keeping eye contact with the other and examining the brief sight of sharp teeth when the other spoke

"A shot of whiskey- actually make it a bottle, today has been rough"

Dib chuckled and crouched down, grabbing a bottle and speaking

"The day has just started, you must be a busy man"

"You could say that"

Dib cracked a smile at the vague comment, crouching down to grab bottles and letting hid mind race. It was quite boring where he worked besides some bar fights here and there, so Dib took this as an opportunity to solve a mystery and maybe put some excitement into his life. The man stood back up and set down the green glass bottle in front of the stranger, leaning against the counter as they grabbed it and popped open the top

"So stranger, I've never seen you before"

Dib took note of stray people walking in and immediately walking out after seeing the green skinned weirdo

"I tend to keep a low profile, but I'm sure you've heard my name before"

They said, holding out the bottle in a majestic pose

"Mmmm...jog my memory would you?"

Dib couldn't help but hold in a chuckled at the disappointed look on the others face

"I'll have you know that I'm one of the most well known Mafia bosses around"

That sparked Dibs memory

"Well that seemed to get a reaction out of you"

Zim grinned and took another chug of his bottle, staring at Dibs dumbfounded face in amusement

"Zim Ira? In my bar?"

Dib laughed and held his head. It wasn't exactly a mystery he could solve but it was good enough

"You've got to be kidding me"

"I'm not!-"

"I mean I knew people admired his work but to go this far?"

"Would you shut up!-"

"The ugly suit too"

Dib was about to comment again but stopped at the sound of glass breaking, whiskey spilling on the floor and the scarce people in the room looking over to the bar

"I told you to shut up boy"

A broken glass bottle was held up to Dibs face, the broken glass tip barely touching his nose as Zim glared at him

"Now get me another whiskey bottle before I get it myself and use your skull as a cup"

Dib nodded timidly and picked up another bottle, setting it down and getting the cap thrown at his glasses. They hung off his nose for a second before being pushed back up

"You-"

"Don't talk human, I don't want to be burdened by your pathetic noises"

Dib shut up and looked to the side, trying to bring his focus onto something..literally anything. He soon brought his eyes back to Zim. The man was about average height, maybe a little taller. He could see the freckles on his skin more clearly now and noticed that they weren’t just one shade of green but different shades both darker and lighter than his base shade. His hair was shiny and looked unnaturally oily, a wig perhaps? That left Dib to wonder what was underneath it. A bare head? Antenna? Horns?

"Quit your staring"

Dib was snapped out of his thoughts and looked back to Zims eyes. They were a light yellow with a light shade of pink underneath. The iris was a purple color..unique for anyone and something he hadn't seen before

"Oh uh...sorry"

Dib apologized, averting his eyes and looking down at the bar. He'd clean it if it weren't for the fact he could already see his reflection in the mahogany surface. What was he supposed to do now?

"Listen this is my bar and you're-"

A finger pressed against Dibs lips, a clawed one he noted, and he grumbled. Zim was about to say something but the doors opened and a high voice squealed

"Zim!"

A silver haird boy looking to be about 12 to 14 ran over and hugged the man

"Gir! You're not allowed to be in here!"

Zim pushed the boy away but they only persisted. Their clothing looked about the same as the Mafia bosses except the vest was a silver instead of a ugly dark magenta

"Oh is this your brother?"

Dib teased, Zim hissing and picking up the boy

"Go stand outside Gir now"

"But Tak said she wanted to see you!"

Dib took note of how Zik froze and composed himself, clearing his throat and narrowing his eyes at Dib

"Put it on a tab"

He ordered before taking the younger hand gently and walking him out of the bar

(I've never wrote something completely on my own before so be nice to me please🤲)

[tideswept]

@dreaminghour I am a silly, silly goose, and will welcome all raw, crunchy vegetables to the gathering. (dibs on the cucumbers)

YES PLEAES GIVE give the quiani give sexy instructor man mr. jinn yes yes give everything. but hmm titles. I assume this might have something to do with Qui's punkness? If it's The Magnetic Fields, may I recommend a peek at Save A Secret for the Moon from the same band?

@wibzenadarksiderwithasoftheart that looks so pretty and majestic. really nice angle!

Uhh I'm writing terrible badman Obi-Wan filth, is that anything? 👀👀 -----

@sassinake welcome, pull up a chair, orient yourself to this cozy November of this crazy-ass year. (at least the lighting in WBW is pretty banging.)

---

@klnghen DO NOT LET THE LACK OF AN AIR FRYER DETER YOU, FRIEND. Greatness can be yours! (I mean, it's hella unhealthy to fry the chips but... worth it.)

so how are we all doing mutuals (and anyone who wanders in from the cold hi welcome)

what are we all working on

what are we all vibing to

who deserves our eternal emnity?

let us talk amongst ourselves like we're the Golden Girls and someone brought a cheesecake.

No. Five cheesecakes. And muffins. And a fancy charcuterie board. And some Cheetos and nachos. Maybe some samosas.

(We approve of all food in this household.)

[saintheartwing]

Breaking Dawn, Part Four:  HOLD ON HOPE

The entities of emotion were, to many a race, creation deities. They had beget many a species, including the Irken race, a race born from a union of Intelligence and Will.

And now the species born from Hope was poised to end the Irken race. High above the planet Irk, aiding the Resisty ships as countless others formed a blockade to cut off Irk from the rest of the galaxy, it appeared as though all of Irk's hopes laid in the Wing, the host to Hope, herself an Irken...

"Please." She insisted, clasping her hands together, getting on bent knee before the Meekrob race as the "lighties" hovered before her. The rest of the Resisty stood behind her, Lard Nar frowning slightly. He had had reservations originally about having her join his crew, but she'd proven invaluable, gentle, and above all, considerate. She had owed the Resisty a debt after they'd saved her life...and she'd repaid it time and time again. Now she asked for clemency...

"Can't we give them half a year?" Lard Nar finally asked. "...I don't like the idea of giving the Irkens much time, but just a few months to surrender?" He went on, waving his hands in the air. "It's only fair."

"Would THEY give YOUR race the same mercy?" The leader of the Meekrob growled in its ethereal voice. Sarong was not a kindly being by nature. "DID they give your race half a year to submit before they pitilessly invaded, foul little BUGS that they are?"

"...aren't we supposed to be better than the bugs?" A third voice spoke up, as they turned to see two people stepping off a teleportal pad, dusting themselves off. "The Massive's been moved. Sold. Fresh off the market and on it's way to a very, VERY happy customer."

"Well, THAT would put a smile on my face had I a face!" Sarong laughed. "...alright. I'll give the Irkens a MONTH to surrender to our blockade, to come over to our way of thinking. Get the message out." The phantom-esque glowing being demanded, turning his head to his people as they moved along with the Resisty to the communications relay. "I sincerely HOPE...for your people's sake...they do the smart thing and give in." Sarong told the Wing.

"I have faith that they will make the right choice in the end." The Wing said as she stood up, nodding firmly, moving majestically back to her quarters as she laid down on her bed, noticing her room's communication was going off. She picked up the phone, listening intently. "Yes?"

"...milady, it's me."

The Wing's eyes went wide as the Entity of Hope shimmered overhead. "Turn up the volume, quick." It asked.

"What's happening?"

"The worst, that's what. My friends tapped into your powers with the Exemplar rings. I NEED access to Hope. I need a way to break a hold that Two has over Earth's Avatar of Will, Dilbert Membrane. Otherwise he won't have a fighting chance and...and kids are gonna die."

"I'll be happy to assist, but what of the Entity of Will? Have you contacted it?"

"I don't know where it IS, only you, Compassion and Love are on my speed dial...I don't suppose any others have appeared that could be of help?"

"...the Entity of Corrupted Passion, Rage. He's appeared, but he...he won't help. Not yet. We need to have faith in Sude, who is still bonding with his own host."

"They need to hurry. YOU need to hurry."

"I'll do what I can. I must ask though...you'll need a deputy to assist you. Dib is the Pillar of Will on Earth, is he not?"

"And Gaz is Rage, yes. And you wanna know if there's one for Hope on the Base Planet? Yes. And you know him."

"Who?"

"Skoodge."

The Wing chuckled. "Oh, Skoodge, that dear little soldier. Such a cheery soul. Always looking forward, always devoted. Yes...yes, I don't think we need to worry, Frequency..."

The Wing and Entity of Hope, Psyche, smiled.

"ALL WILL BE WELL.”

Dib paced around in front of his classroom, sighing as he held his hands behind his back, chewing his lip. The Principal had announced that everyone was to leave the school building in an orderly fashion, one class at a time due to a bomb scare.

Naturally, everyone thought Dib or his sister had something to do with it. Mostly because Zim and his weird "cousin", Skoodge, wasn't in class to be pointed and hissed at. M"Alright. I am about to tell you the explanation but if I know you all...and I DO..."

He rolled his eyes at this. "You're all so ignorant you won't believe it. So here goes. A psychotic alien forced a magical kind of ring on me and my sister. He turned us into Manchurian agents that would have decimated the school around lunchtime due to a trigger he put in us. I'm still not entirely sure why. But you aren't buying ANY of that, are you?"

All of the class looked at each other, blinked, and most of them broke out into laughter. Gretchen just sighed, leaning back in her chair, head hung low as Dib sighed and pinched the space between his eyes, chewing on his lip again. "...all right, fine. Nevermind. Moot point, anyhow." God they're all IDIOTS! I'm surrounded by ID! I! OTS!

"Moot point indeed." A voice, filled with snarling rage, a faint laugh lingering in the air called out.

KRUCHA-THROOOOOM! The wall was practically shattered as Two barreled through it, encased in a red energy aura, slamming Dib through the wall on the other side, windows and wall shattering. Soon the class, in fact, the whole school was watching as Dib was sent sprawling across the football field of the High Skool, Two standing tall, fists clenched as red energy rippled from his body.

"Ah, RAGE." Two laughed. "The "Passion" turned dark just like "Diligence" became "Avarice"! A step up, in my humble opinion. See, unlike Miyu, who's off to visit my daddy dearest here in town, I don't "want it all". Nah. I think smaller. I'll just settle for my existence restored to stability as your world is transformed into MINE."

He leapt through the air, fist flying, but Dib managed to roll out of the way, Two growling angrily. "Forgot, I gave you until after lunch to have most of your will back...and I DO suppose stripping any chance you have of fighting back against me would be cheating." Two mused as Dib leaped to his feet, pointing his ring at Two.

"GO!" He yelled out.

Tiny little sparks jutted out, wisps of green slipping to the ground...but nothing. Nothing happened.

"Then again..." Two laughed, his knee going squarely into Dib's gut, knocking Dib to the football field's grass below as he cracked his neck before delivering ANOTHER kick to Dib's side, "I also have kept you from using your ring. So it's hardly a fair fight. I LIKE these odds."

THWUH-THWUCK! Dib was rolled over onto his side as Two knelt down, grabbing his throat. "I...am going to beat you so...so...badly. I'll make this last. And then, after I've stopped by this lovely Chinese restaurant in town for some noodles..." The alien leered, his golden eyes glittering like a dark fire. "I'm going to come back, have you and your sister burn this whole place down with everyone in it, and make sure you're conscious through it all. See, I WAS going to strip your consciousness from your body after this, but frankly...I think me leaving you helpless, trapped inside your own body has a certain poetic CRUELTY to it, wouldn't you say?"

He sniggered darkly, throttling Dib with his clawed hands. "Ooh, I LOVE me when I'm NASTY."

KRA-THROOMP! Two was knocked clean through the air as Gaz lowered the bench she'd carried from the end of the football field, folding her arms down at Dib. "Get up, you idiot. If ANYBODY'S gonna kick your ass, it's me and me alone."

"Thanks, Gaz!" Dib said, laughing with relief as he stood up and made to hug his dear sister, arms stretching wide. I-"

"If you get REMOTELY sentimental I'm feeding you your own nose." Gaz said swiftly, Dib shutting up and turning to face Two as he stood up, nursing a bleeding head as he frowned at them.

"Gaz...almost forgot about you. You know..." He rubbed his chin. "...you look so much like my great aunt, at least, from what the old photo albums showed of her. How'd she die again? Lab accident?"

Gaz turned pale at this. Not with fear, though. This was pure, undiluted grief running through her as Two dusted himself off.

How does he know about Mom? Dib thought.

It had been an ordinary day. Well...as ordinary as life with Prof. Membrane GETS. Peggy Membrane was listening to him speak about his latest invention in his laboratory as Dib, age 7, and Gaz, age 5, stood nearby in the Professor's considerably larger-on-the-inside-than-it-was-the-outside garage laboratory was lighted up.

"How uh...how does...this...um..." Dib asked again as Prof. Membrane strode by him, a strange, bulbous helmet atop his head as he fiddled around with a screwdriver and a control pad in his long, black-gloved hands. He was wearing his large labcoat...he ALWAYS wore his labcoat in the lab, but never in the house, thank God. Peggy always said it smelled too much like plastic.

"Compression technology." The professor laughed. "Shrinking something very, very, VERY big and compacting it into a pocket dimension, I'M A

GENIUS!" He hovered in the air, lightning splitting the air around him as Peggy quickly snatched Gaz away from an accidental bolt that almost singed her hair. "Sorry, I've GOT to be more careful about where I gloat, my dear." Matthew Membrane told "Pegster", taking the helmet off and motioning for his family to come by a table with several vats nearby labeled "DANGEROUS: EXPLODING CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS! DO! NOT! OPEN! SUPER-SERIOUSLY!" written over them.

"What's that?" Peggy inquired, pointing at his latest invention, what appeared to be some kind of mechanical clip for the hair. "You told me your invention was SMALL and unassuming but...you DO know somebody's already invented these Bluetooth things, right?" Peggy laughed.

"My dear, it's a device that lets me speak any language! Even to animals!" Prof. Membrane laughed, pulling on a lever nearby as several cages filled with animals popped up from beneath the floor, all of them looking at the family.

"Ooh, big kitty!" Gaz said, pointing at the tiger as Dib looked at a snake. It began to hiss, it's eyes almost...glowing?

Prof. Membrane quickly led Dib away from the cage, the snake cursing under its breath as Membrane held the strange, segmented clip up, giving it to Peggy. "Put it in your hair. It will transmit signals to your brain, to the part centering around language recognition. All barriers are broken down INSTANTLY! The aftereffects have been odd...something of a shared link...I talked with that bunny yesterday and after that I kept thumping my foot against the ground for half an hour."

Peggy put the clip in her hair and stared at said bunny as it chuckled. "Ooh, have I got a carrot for YOU!" It said, giggling immaturely.

"OH!" Peggy clasped the sides of her face with her hands, gasping. "You little!" She waved her finger at it and took the clip off. "Maybe I should go find a nice CAT or something to talk to." She told her husband. "Here you go, Matt."

She tossed it back to him and he stepped back to catch it...

And he went knocking into a plank that had a small vat of "Exploding Chemical Compounds" placed on the other end. Like a catapult, the small vat was launched through the air at a stunned Peggy as Dib looked up in horror, eyes widening, Gaz's mouth beginning to open in a gasp as Matthew Membrane watched most of his wife become a sloughed pile of flesh...

He never took off the lab coat after that...there was always a tiny bit of Peggy still lingering on the edges of his collar...

A tiny bit of Peggy lingering in his heart.

In ALL of their hearts...

"Do you know what rage TRULY is? The most powerful kind of hatred ISN'T born from ignorance or prejudice or from a perceived threat. Oh no." The alien waved a claw in the air. "Those are Fear in disguise. The real fire that fuels the burning hatred of rage...is personal loss. That's why I wear the red."

Two held his fist up as Gaz and Dib readied themselves, Gaz shaking angrily. "You lost your mother, you must have felt so unhappy, so ANGRY. You didn't understand. Why, why did it have to happen? And I think you blamed your father...and a tiny bit of you blamed your brother, because neither one of them were strong enough to help."

Gaz opened her mouth to say something, but then closed her eyes and clenched her fists, holding them tightly to her sides. "...that's...it wasn't MY fault...somebody had to...somebody had to take the blame. I LOVED...her." She whispered out. "...I LOVED her so...so much..."

"...my own mother is slowly dying. WILL die if my world isn't returned." Two told them softly.

"Then you know how I felt. Then you know that if I had the power...I would have done anything, ANYTHING to get her back." Gaz asked in her dark, accusing tone. "I have that power now...you FORCED it on me, but with you dead and gone, and me with this power..."

She held up her ring, grinning coldly. "I WILL find a way. I'm smart, and I'm tough...and there's not a kid in the world who wouldn't burn it all down if it meant getting back his mommy."

"Oh, Gaz..." Two whispered softly, almost sadly. "You couldn't have described me any better."

And with that, he launched himself at them, claws held high.

...

...

...

... "So..." Nick inquired, his county-boy accent thick and homely as he sat down on the pink, fluffy couch with the squat Irken Invader Skoodge at Zim's house, Zim having gone off to the Radioshack to pick up "supplies" as GIR did his own "private thing" in the laboratory. "If Mr. Billingsly is the sleaziest, number one backstabbing lover in all the town, why's he defending this gal off the street? Reckon it don't make no sense." He asked Skoodge, who was, before you ask, NOT in any disguise.

Oh no, Invader Skoodge, short, fat and cuddly Invader Skoodge, was "au naturale", ladies and gents...well, except for the clothes he was wearing, his usual maroon Invader's attire with that mysterious splotch lingering on his stomach.

"It's because before he got amnesia, William Billingsly was the sleaziest number-one LAWYER in Dawson County!" Skoodge explained, waving a gloved hand in the air as Nick passed the chocolate-covered popcorn GIR had made over to him, Skoodge tossing a handful into his mouth.

He liked having the human over. It got so boring, just being stuck in Zim's basement. This way he could talk about human soap operas like "Kissy-Kissy-Boo-Boo" AND wrestling programs like "Skull Squisher" all he wanted and with somebody who wasn't too "busy" or "stupid" to care about either one. Plus, in the event he ever said too much about Irken culture, he'd just erase Nick's memories with a little mini-squid Zim had developed to be attached to people's heads.

...again.

Yeah, he'd tested out a LOT of things on Nick and-oh. Skoodge grimly frowned as Nick took off his cap, scratching at the...

He couldn't bear to look at it. Skoodge looked away, almost puking up the popcorn he'd gobbled down as Nick decided to use the bathroom, promising to come back with soda from the kitchen as Skoodge sighed, turning his head slowly back to the television. Nice kid, that Nick. Stupid, yeah, but nice. Even before what Zim had done to him.

...that had been...

Skoodge was a trained and experienced invader. He did not ever take his job personally, and he understood that Dib had his own duty to save the planet just as he had a duty to help Zim take it over. It was, on an intellectual level, sad. In another time and place, he might have been capable of being friends with the humans. It was somewhat sad he never could be. There was a lot about this world he liked. And he was beginning to fall into an enjoyable rhythm, just staying here on Earth, hanging out.

Maybe...one day...maybe this would feel like his real home. Maybe one day he'd fine that thing he needed to make him want to stay forever. Maybe one day he WOULD be friends, and there wouldn't be a need for this back-and-forth, and they could just...BE. He was fine with waiting. He was good at that...the waiting and the hoping.

Heck, truth be told, even ZIM was beginning to fall into a steady pattern. A new plan every week instead of every day, and there was a faint camaraderie between he and the Dib-human. Sometimes, Skoodge, he could swear Zim LIKED being continuously beaten. LIKED being stuck here, constantly plotting.

Heck, GIR liked Earth plenty, Skoodge thought to himself as he snuck over to the linen closet and pulled it open, a monitor revealing what was occurring in the laboratory downstairs. GIR was dancing around, a disco ball hanging overhead as lights sprayed around, the little robot posing and singing as he strutted his stuff.

Can't read my, can't read my, No he can't read my Poker Face!

"She aint' got to love nobody!" GIR sang out, waving his butt in the air before he whipped around, holding his arms behind his head and shaking his groove thing.

Can't read my, can't read my, No he can't read my Poker Face!

Yep, nothing changed around here, Skoodge thought to himself as he closed the door, returning to the couch and turning back to the television. The state of normalcy: sitting and waiting for something to happen, and usually, it did. In the end. Things tended to work out in the end, Skoodge thought to himself as he popped some more chocolate popcorn in his mouth. He just had to keep where he was. Stay happy. Keep believing...

He stiffened suddenly, as a voice called out to him, a faint accent lingering in it as he slowly turned his head, looking upon a blue-furred being that had stepped into the living room. It wore a blue cap with a strange white symbol on it's head, and blue shorts to match with a special ring in one hand...a ring with a blue symbol upon it that was being offered to him. To HIM.

"Skoodge of Irk." Frequency said cheerily. "Stoic ol' Skoodge. You have the ability to feel great hope."

He put the ring in Skoodge's hand and Skoodge slowly slipped it on, eyes widening. It felt so natural...like he'd been missing a limb all his life, forced to wear a prosthetic but now gaining back his old hand...

Meanwhile, a maroon-eyed, green-skinned being, Invader Zim himself, was walking back from Radio Shack to his house, his arms filled with sacks full to the brim of technical material he needed for his latest plan.

"Brilliant, BRILLIANT! I'll transform pigs into half-human slaves, rounding up humans and overriding their genetic code with my own glorious Irken DNA!" Zim laughed to himself. "Irken and human fused together and at my command, I'll build a new Irken Empire right here on Planet Earth!"

He blinked suddenly, frowning as he put down his bags and scratched his head. "Wait. I'm TALKING TO MYSELF...vrik na tishanti!" He cursed. "I'm becoming too much like the Dib-Stink." He sighed and reached into his maroon outfit, pulling out a small notepad from within. "And have I already done something like this lately? Better check the list."

He took out a pen that popped up from his PAK, flipping through the notebook. "Hmm. Fiddle with gravity in school...launching chickens into outer space...replacing organs with STUFF...launching COWS into outer space...launching GHOST INSPECTORS into outer space...oh. "Turn dogs into dog-people". Ah, DOGS, not pigs. Yep, this'll work!"

"Observation: You always had a knack for such ideas. Insanely brilliant...they called you mad." A metallic, yet distinctly feminine voice rang out, making Zim whip his head in its direction as he saw a robotic female approach him, black-outfit making her look VERY slim, with a red helm over her head and tipless white gloves showing off almost Irken-like long clawed fingers. "But madness is merely genius to a small mind, and when compared to you, most organics have small minds."

"...what ARE you? Explain yourself!" Zim demanded angrily, pointing at her. "Tell Zim!"

"Explanation: I have an offer for you." The woman said. "I am Miyu. I ask this..."

She held up a ring in her finger...a faint orange glow to it.

"Join my corps."

...

...

...

...The kids of the school were watching, their teachers unable to get them to leave as they saw Gaz and Dib struggling with Two, who kept flinging them around the football field, kicking and punching them whenever they got close enough. Dib had managed to bust one of Two's cheek bones, and Gaz had delivered, WAS delivering-

"YOOOOOWWW-OOOOOOH-HOOOO-HOOOO-HOOOO!"

Ooooch. Gaz fought DIRTY. Two staggered back, flailing out with his ring as a medieval torture rack attached itself via energy construct to Gaz, trying to stretch her out as Dib struggled to break her free, Two cradling his sore crotch. "Y-you dirty little...GAAAAH..."He muttered out.

"You're just going to stand there and watch them suffer like that?" Gretchen asked the others as Ms. Bitters calmly looked up from her copy of "Beyond Good and Evil", "harrumphed" and went back to reading. The rest of the class looked around at each other, almost hesitant.

"We can't just stand here and WATCH!" Gretchen insisted angrily, waving her arms in the air. "We've gotta DO something! ANYTHING to help them!"

"That thing can shoot finger-beams. What're WE gonna do?" The Letter M asked, scratching his head as Poonchy nodding in agreement.

"Oooooh. He just made a shark." Zita called out as Dib yelled for his life, climbing one of the football poles as Two danced in victory, Gaz being beaten up by a cheer-leading team he'd summoned forth with his ring, Gaz swearing to rip off Two's head and make him eat it later. Somehow.

She could do it, you know! She TOTALLY could!

"GRAAAAH!" Gretchen tugged at her hair, exiting the room and stomping out into the hallway-

Running into a beautiful-looking being who was standing by the Guidance Counselor. Her eyes widened as the Guidance Counselor nodded at the angel.

"This is her."

"I'm surprised you figured it out."

"I spent years around the Entity of Love. I know souls filled with it. And her love for Dib has marked her."

The Beautiful Angel stepped forward, putting something in Gretchen's hand. "You won't remember us. Nobody in this school will remember us, my friend will make sure of that. But when the time comes, you'll know what to do inside your heart." The Beautiful Angel crooned, taking Gretchen's cheek and kissing her on the forehead before leaving, Gretchen moving the ring in her hand to her pocket as the Guidance Counselor took her shoulder.

It was as if a veil that had been placed over her eyes was ripped away. "Wh-what was I doing?" She asked, scratching her head as Mr. Thildari moved her back to the class.

"I THINK you were watching THAT." Mr. Thildari said cheerily, pointing outside the opened-up walls as two forms descended from the sky on blue wings, Dib gasping as a green blaze swirled around him, power coursing through his body. Now he was returned to his once-heroic form, standing tall and proud, his Will reasserted over the ring as Two snarled furiously, turning on Frequency.

"You! And...and YOU?" He gasped, seeing Skoodge as Skoodge smiled over in a surprised Dib and Gaz's direction.

"Power levels at 104%...119%...124%..." Dib's ring called out as Skoodge gave Dib the best thumbs up he could.

"Don't worry, Dib-Thing. Hope's wings have always lifted Will higher than it could ever soar. Trust me...All will be well." Skoodge spoke kindly, comfortingly.

And did he look IMPRESSIVE. A cloth covering the top of his head and forehead, with the white symbol of Hope emblazoned upon it. His outfit was vaguely Shamanic...long robe-like shirt to wear, exposing his arms, tipless gloves, plain, simple...and above all, he looked so peaceful and comforted. So SMUG, almost.

"So you've betrayed us?" Two growled at Frequency.

"What can I say, dude?" Frequency laughed, holding his ring up with Dib and Skoodge. "Except...COWABUNGAAAAAA!"

With that, an ENORMOUS blue wave of energy shot forth from Frequency's ring, formed like a tidal wave that SLAMMED into Zerinim Two Jookiba with all the fury of an ocean, as Dib now launched his OWN shark at Two, the pointy nose JAMMING into Two's chest, making him gasp in pain as he was sent spiraling through the air, knocked around by the wave...

Skoodge leaped forward, forming an enormous pair of hands that suddenly pinned Two to the ground, a pair of hands that rapidly became attached to the energy construct of a professional wrestler.

"And now Rodrick has his evil twin Rodrick in a Leg Hold!" Skoodge laughed, the wrestler slamming Two into the ground over and over before tossing him through the goal posts.

"TOUCHDOWN!" Gaz laughed, racing towards Two and kicking him squarely in the face, knocking him through the air and towards the school, right in the direction of Ms. Bitters.

"Huh?" She looked up just in time.

KA-THRUNCKA!

Everyone let out a simultaneous "Ewwwww" and stepped away as Two stood up, dusting himself off and looking down beneath him at what he'd landed on. He stuck his worm-like tongue out, stepping off and watching as Ms. Bitters' feet curled up, the rest of her body melting away as she let out a final sigh of "What a woooorld".

"It's over." Dib said, cracking his knuckles as Skoodge, Frequency, Gaz and he approached Two, who growled and reached into his vest, pulling out a small capsule-like computer.

"You'll never control Dib again, not with ME here, brah." Frequency proclaimed. "And you ain't gonna get to GAZ, either. We've spoken with the Big Bad behind it himself and he's given the ALL clear. Try to take her over again, you get a wipe out!"

"No. It's just BEGINNING." Two growled out. "EMERGENCY TEMPORAL SHIFT."

With a WHOOMP, he was gone, vanished from sight as the class looked from the wreckage to Dib, who scratched the back of his head. Were they FINALLY going to believe him now about the aliens thing?

"I guess...you're all wondering about all of that, right?" He asked.

"It's a gang war, you see." Mr. Thildari said quickly, stepping forward and waving a hand in the air. "Dib informed me that members of a gang who were INSANELY jealous of our school since it's so amazing, especially the clean bathrooms..."

"Oh yeah, yeah."

"Absolutely.

"Of course." Everyone agreed, nodding their heads.

"So they prepared to carry out an attack and decided to beat up Dib because he was the most noticeable of us all with his big head. Luckily Dib's friends here were skilled enough to fend them off with the fancy technological equipment that Prof. Membrane loaned his son and his friends in the event something strange like this ever happened. Isn't that right, Gaz?" Mr. Thildari wanted to know.

Gaz shrugged. "Yeah. Whatever."

"Oh, yes, YES." Gretchen said quickly. "Oh, Dib and I have talked about this before when we're alone! Some people have mace in their pockets, he's got super-tech!" She lied with a smile, quickly putting one arm around his and grinning.

"Er...yeah! Big, bad, rival gangs! It was all a rival gang." Dib decided quickly, gulping nervously. "DEFINITELY not aliens! And these guys are just in costumes cuz they were going to a party at my house later this afternoon. Costume party. Really private affair and stuff. Right, Gaz?"

"Yeah. Costume party. I mean, you can see the zipper!" Gaz chuckled, pointing at Skoodge's teeth as he grinned.

"Well, I think Gretchen had best inform the principal of our little...predicament...with your teacher." Mr. Thildari told the class. "And I think that perhaps I should drive you home, Dilbert, Gazeline...it's been a long, long day and I think we could all use a break, especially you two..."

...

...

...

... "I can't BELIEVE they bought it. I can't believe TWO bought it! One of the worst performances of my career and he didn't doubt it for a second." Frequency laughed, slapping his knee as Skoodge poured everyone some soda using GIR, who opened up his mouth. Gaz then closed GIR up and moved him over her chips, pulling down on an arm as nacho cheese was squirted down onto her snack. "I don't even know what the Entity of Rage LOOKS like! Ha! This is off...the...HOOK!"

"Hope, huh?" Dib inquired, looking Skoodge over as he calmly sipped some Diet-Poopsi, nodding sagely.

"Yes. Our Exemplar Rings gain power from the Entities of Emotions, and I was meant to wield Hope the way you were meant to wield Will, and Gaz was meant to wield Rage." Skoodge explained.

"Meant to? Entities?" Dib asked.

"What...ARE you?" Zim inquired, eyes widening at the ring in Miyu's hand.

"I suppose I should explain." Frequency admitted, sitting in a chair nearby as GIR clapped his hands together, beaming.

"It's STORYTIME?" GIR asked cheerily, hopping up and down.

"Uh...yep."

"Ooh, does it involve monkeys?"

Skoodge snorted, looking over in Dib and Gaz's directions as Gaz growled. "What's THAT supposed to mean?"

Frequency laughed and chuckled slightly, holding out his ring as an series of images began to form for them all, GIR's eyes widening. "Oooooooh. Laser liiiiights..."

"In the beginning, there was just one universe planned for creation. What happened...was something quite different. There was a...change...in the nature of the cosmos." Mr. Thildari explained calmly.

"Instead of ONE universe being made, a multiverse was created." Miyu went on. "Endless parallel worlds, similar in some ways, bizarrely different in others, were formed. All were occupying the same space, but vibrating at entirely different frequencies."

"Like two cars parked side by side in the same parking lot...or sometimes right on top of one another, with nobody realizing." The guidance counselor suggested.

"And there were entities, beings of INCREDIBLE power, that watched over all of this and spread the power of emotions through the universe." Miyu murmured. "The first was entity of Life, Sude, of the Seraphi race."

Zim blinked. "The Seraphi?" Wait, the Irken race had SENT invaders in the direction of the soc-called home of the Seraphi, the planet Allforce. What had happened to them? Had they becme dragon chow? They'd never heard from the fools again...

"I know what you're thinking. The race did not perform things such as that. They were the kind who offered laughter and joy up to their God instead of blood rituals. They simply sent Irken laughter to Sude."

Zim raised a non-existent eyebrow. "...wait...you mean?"

FIVE HUNDRED YEARS AGO...

"WE'LL TICKLE YOU FOREVER!" One brown and yellow-horned draconic being exclaimed as he held a giant feather up from a box, the tied-up Irken nearby gulping as his friends were held in place. "Prepare to enter the unbearable world of COOCHY-COOCHY-COO!"

PRESENT...

"ANNNNYHOW, the next was the entity of Passion, Chulainn. He's turned all nasty and dark when he became "Rage". Frequency went on with a sad expression flickering across his face. "Poor dude. Then we got the pretty lil' entity of Hope, Psyche. She's cute, in a weird way." He added, tilting his head to the side. "Kinda...looks like a butterfly. I think she IS that, a big, alien butterfly."

"And I spent many years conversing with the Entity of Love before I came here." Mr. Thildari explained, putting one hand to his chest. "Jourmungdr sent me here to the Base Earth to keep an eye on the planet and those within. It said this place was too important to be ignored. I've been keeping up a guise, with the Entity taking my place back at my home planet without anybody noticing."

"This world...this MUDBALL is...actually important?" Zim scratched his head. "How?"

"EVERYTHING in the multiverse stems from the material found in this base Earth." Skoodge interjected. "Remember when he talked about the "parking lot" analogy? Think of your world as an original model of car, and every other car in the lot is a rip-off or copy of that original." Skoodge went on as visible models of the many parallel Earths floated around.

"Without this world, there won't BE any other parallel Earths. No more stories of Zim and Dib and Gaz and GIR. This world is the cornerstone upon which the multiverse of Universe I-Z spins..." Miyu went on, gesticulating in the air. "Within this world...there's the POTENTIAL to remake the world that was tragically lost."

"They want to bring it back. If one tried to sacrifice enough of this world, Earth B-S will return. The people of this world will be, well...they get folded into the historical fabric. Become reborn anew, I guess you could say..." Frequency admitted.

"I'll DIE?"

"Answer: You'll become BETTER." Miyu informed him waving a clawed finger in the air. "You will reach your physical and mental peak, and will become a being both feared, loved and admired across the universe. And it is not just you. GIR, Minimoose, they'll be better too. People will respect you, Zim, be amazed at what you've become. I would never not lie..."

She gently took his shoulder, smiling at him as the visor on her helmet lifted up, and Zim's eyes widened in surprise. "To my own father."

"I...I need to...think about this." Zim mumbled.

"Statement: I shall do you one better." Miyu informed him as he pocketed his ring. "I will take you to your wife. I think you'll be more than pleasantly surprised."

Zim's eyes bugged out, mouth flopping open. "Zim has a WHAT?"

[justal0wk3yg4mer]

Things I’ve Said:Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order (Some Spoilers)

My words                                                                                                                  *Player/My actions*                                                                                                   Character dialogue 

Okay I know this is a scrapyard and some of y’all are depressed AF but this is gorgous!!

I wanna touch his hair.

Cal,while your leaning in relatable, I don’t like it.

Bigass pile of clankers and a couple of clone helmets.........sounds about right.

What a sweet, wholesome, and mentally scared boy.

*Pushes button like 20 times* Why the fuck can’t I open the damn door *turns Cal around* OOOHHhhhhh SSSHHHiiiTtttttt.

THANOS?!?!?!

*Second Sister unsheathes her saber* SHE’S A THOT!

Don’t worry dude, these are stormtroopers, they can’t shoot. *Gets shot* Motherf*uckers!

Y’all look nice and all but 100% they’re hiding some stuff.

Oh shit that thing has an eyeball!

BD, Cal and I can both agree that we would die for you.

Be still my beating heart.

Yo, I’m about to go Link on these pots.

*Sees electric pipes* Yeah. Sure. I’ll hit that with my lightsaber. I’m young.

Was that drugs?! BD, baby, did you give Cal drugs?

A purge trooper? Nah, y’all are just edgy. 

Purge Trooper: “Yes! Harder!”....................fuck edgy you’re just a masochist.

I’m a fucking genius! *Got the missile launcher trooper to blow himself up.*

No! I don’t want to deal with you! *Yeets purge trooper off a cliff*

Cal: “Haven’t gotten myself killed yet.” *I began to laugh hysterically after he said this.*

Handsome boy!

Fucking purge trooper.

Is that a spider web? *Looks around more* Is that a BIG spider web?! Please no, I’m terrified of spiders.

That’s not a spider and I don’t care what this game calls it, that thing is satan itself.

FREE THE WOOKIES!!!!!

RRRrrrrraaGGGgggg *My dumbass wookie sound*

Cal no, no crushing on the Second Sister.

Did I seriously get captured?

Where the fuck is Boba Fett? I’m surprised that he isn’t here getting a couple of hits in.

Aw, he was worried. I’m so glad Greez.............it was the plants wasn’t it?

Don’t you dare hurt that beautiful creature! 

I get to fly it?!? Really? *tears up* You beautiful majestic creature.

*Meets Ninth Sister* How many of you bitches are there?!

Dathomir has a red what? Cal honey, no. Do you know what happens to redheads in normal sunlight?

I’m fucking scared of the nightbrothers. And they aren’t even scary, they just jump out of no where and scare me.

I don’t like that old man. Staring at Cal all weird.

You need to chill there Merrin.

Okay, this is not witchcraft. That’s fucking voodoo.

Yeah here, raise the dead bodies of your slain ancestors and have them get re-slained in the name of revenge. WTF.

Dathomir has been a lovely mix of ‘I need a stim’ and ‘I need a save point’.

Why is there a save point here? Like I’m not complaining but, it’s a little odd. *Flashes to a memory with young Cal on a ship and sees a clone.* No. No, please no. I’m not ready.

Clone: “Heard we were getting new orders soon.” No no no no no no no.

*Clone and Cal high-five* Please no, please don’t make me watch this.

Japal: “The Clones have betrayed us!” Nooooooooooooo you don’t understand *cries*.

Okay, I know this is sad but Japal, that was amazing!

My poor baby

You know, I didn’t ask for this scene nor did I want my heart ripped in two, Now look at me. I’m emotional and Cal broke his saber.

Told you the old man was bad news. Bad jedi.

 We’re going to Ilum? Dibs on a purple or yellow crystal. 

Yoda would be like ‘Mh, thick he is. Solve the puzzle he cannot.’

 *BD plays Cordova’s last message and trusts Cal* This. This, I needed. I am a happy emotional wreck.

He is so fucking pretty. Cal do you understand how pretty you are?

BBROOooooo! Split Saber!

I hear the fighting music going on but I really want to explore..........fuck it on with the fight.

Old man’s speech is really borderline pervy. Like chill Herbert.

Merrin I thought we were cool? Call off your horde of undead.

*Inquisitor Cal appears* Oh fuck he’s hot in black.

Not gonna lie. Kinda disappointed that Trilla has on purple eye-shadow and not like red or black. I don’t know why that’s important right now since she’s trying to kill me but, it’s the little things.

*Customizing my saber* Dolovite? Is that a red? *selects it* Oh fuck yes! 

AAAHHHH! My boy gonna be a Jedi Knight!

Please make this reference. Never tell me the odds! Greez: “My moneys on you kid.” Well fuck Hans, why’d you never say anything like that?

Be still my beating heart...............wait, haven’t I already said this?

 Vader is on that ship *Me trying to be funny.........several minutes later* Holy Shit! :D                                                                                                   *Attacks Cal and begins to fuck up the station* D:

Okay, now I am legitimately scared, we need to leave right now. *Vader appears* AAAHHH! 

Cere listen.........Listen.........LIsten.........LISTEN!

I really think y’all should just destroy the Holocron, if it’s still whole then anyone can get the list and-- *Cal slices it in half* --you wonderful man.

OMG. Cal. You saved Luke and Leia. You saved the saviors of the universe!

(And while all this was going on there was a tally of every time I said ‘What was/is that’ and yes I kept up with it. Here is the final score.)

 ‘What was/is that’ Tally: 294

[space-blue]

The first short story I ever wrote

This story was my very first entry to the monthly competitions. It was my first ever English short story. Though it’s very tempting to edit it, I like to keep it exactly as I once posted it, so I can look back and see my own progress over time.

Hades didn't know how he felt about the sight in front of him. His life had led him to some of the most desolate places on the continent, and he had learnt to appreciate dreariness in a landscape. If you kept morals out, anything could become beautiful.

But the ruin of a city's Plant was something else. The vitreous building, still majestic despite its downfall, was marked by soot. Massive metal beams and towering shards of molten materials stabbed the ground around its broken frame. Fire had killed that Plant. Nothing spoke of slow and painful death like the carcass of a Plant. It meant no filtered water, no recycled earth. No uncontaminated food. Despite his twisted tastes, Hades couldn't find it in him to appreciate the view. Instead he shouldered his bag and went in search of a lookout, internally seething against his employer. It wasn't an assassin they should have sent out here but a recovery crew. The life of his target most certainly wasn't worth more than the smallest piece that could be salvaged from the Plant. His employer must be ill informed. The town had been doomed years ago in that fire.

He stayed in his lookout for two days before he spotted his first sign of human life. Gray shadow on grayer background. Proof people were still surviving. He sat in his concrete lair, charging his gun, screwing his silencer on. Maybe after all his target was alive. When he saw a second human in the distance, he took to the streets. For several hours he walked in expanding circles, hugging shadows, progressing through debris. The kid reached him before Hades could sense him. Instant brownie points earned. This respect was all that saved the child from getting his head blasted, as Hades stood, gripping his pack, grimly staring at the sheepish youth holding on to the other end of it. Hades shook the straps violently, jolting the kid off against the pile of trash sheltering them. However the kid stood his ground, cooly assessing the older man.

"Are you a Rogue?" the child asked, eyes suddenly sparkling. "Why? Are you a Rogue killer?" Hades scowled. The kid only groaned, turning his attention back to the pack. Hades had seen rogue killers younger than this kid. Considering that the ones who could claim the kill had first dibs on the rogue's belongings, people got motivated. In such ruined cities all thieves or scavengers, even simple shady strangers, would fall under the Rogue denomination. Of course Hades fell into other categories as well. Spy, thief, murderer. Gun for hire. Hopelessly for the locals, he would probably prove too hard a kill even if the entire town set after him.

"You've gotta be one though no?" The kid went on, "Not like people come to visit here no more."

"Your English is dreadful." Hades replied.

The kid shrugged, unconcerned. The sound of upset rubble clicked in the air and in an instant the kid fell forward, arms bent, fingers splayed to smoothly catch his weight. He landed soundlessly next to Hades, who had spontaneously crouched, palming his gun under his coat. He was impressed by the kid's reflexes. "Smart brat" he whispered. "Them dumb ones don't grow old." Hades waited, scanning the ruined street and staying stone-still, even after a scrawny fox dashed away, offering a possible explanation for the noise that had startled them. One didn't survive by being dismissive. As they finally relaxed, Hades made up his mind. "What's your name kid?" "Aki. What's yours?" "Hades" Aki frowned, his little dirty nose creasing in concentration. "Heard it before I think but… never met you" Hades laughed at that. "You probably heard it in old stories." "Stories about you?" "No. A very long time ago, some people believed in a God called Hades. They left many stories about their gods." The kid gaped, his jaw falling open in complete amazement. "You've got a god's name?! Dust me!" he was so enthusiastic that Hades resolved to keep the nature of his namesake's godly business to himself. No need to dampen the mood. "Aki, sorry to cut the fun but I've been traveling for days to get here. I've got a message for the town's Master Engineer. I didn't know the Plant had died. Is he still alive?" Aki nodded. "Could you take me to him?" Hades asked. The child stood up and dusted his thick gloves on his hips. "Canna do that if you're a Rogue." "I'm no Rogue." The kid shrugged again. Obviously the gesture was some local equivalent for "I don't care what you say". Hades opened his pack with a sigh and made a show of digging through his belongings under the suddenly burning gaze of the youth. He felt bad. Why bother with this kid? Hades had never had to invent a cover story before. Why talk to the rare people who got in his way when he could simply kill them? But if the kid led him to the Master Engineer, he'd speed Hades' work by days… And betray his Master. Anyway he wasn't lying was he? He was a traveller. He had a message to deliver. Bullet message between the eyes.

"Here, that's from Beiry. A shell, the home of a creature that lives in the sea. That's dried fruit paste. They make it in Sakarof, ten days walk West of here. It's sweet. And that's my old mister, you could plug it on your mask. It vibrates when the levels get too high. You pick. I give you the one you want to bring me to your Master Engineer." It was an easy bargain. The kid was quick in making decisions and wisely chose the mister over the rest. Aki might look twelve, but Hades suspected him to be older. The scraggy body poking under the layers of protective clothing spoke of years with too little food. He glanced down at his own chest, peeking under his combi at jutting ribs. He looked almost as malnourished as the child. That's what you got for spending weeks walking through the zone on stupid contracts.

Aki proved to be intense company. He needed frequent breaks and paced their movements in order to always rest in a shelter he was familiar with. He would then indulge in a stream of breathless chatter. He explained how the ruins of the town were mapped, took them to the water works, pointed at shelters, led the way to the cemetery field and cross-questioned Hades about the ways of other town-people, and if any around had pretty girls. He told him everything he remembered about the day their own Plant burnt. He was all around the single most bubbly, optimistic, good humoured zone dweller Hades had ever met. It baffled him. "You're a very trustful brat to tell a stranger all this." "It's my mom's doin' you know? It's how she saved the town too, when the Plant died on us." "What do you mean?" "You know of Master no? She's no leader, weird specialty too. Old tech, she used to study. When the Plant died, everyone was just feeling like it should be someone's fault, so they got after her." "Your Master Engineer is a woman?" Aki nodded. Hades was surprised, but waved at Aki to continue. "Like I said, my mom always went 'Aki, there is no trustin' no one these days, so you'll have to make a choice each time, and start trusting. Better live with treason than never trustin' no one'. That's what she went yelling at people who were after the Master, too. And she did good on that. None of us would be living but for the Master." Hades' curiosity was definitely piqued.

Aki had led them towards the edge of the town, walking along the hazy border between concrete and wilderness. He finally went up a slope, creeping to the top and hid behind a boulder, pointing down around it.

For the second time that week, Hades didn't know how to feel about the sight in front of him. Aki sniggered. Underground buildings poked out of the earth, next to three long, half buried glasshouses, complete with lead sheeting. A century old model. People where going around, caring for plants grown on aeroponic beds. "Dust me to Hell" Hades muttered, "your Master specialized in 21st century tech?" Aki nodded vigorously. "We're still twenty-two people, eight years after. She's teaching us good."

The Master, easily identifiable by her combi, appeared by a glasshouse, patiently showing another woman how to coil a water cable. And here he had come, to this impossible, hidden little village of hope, the god of Death he was, to put a bullet in that woman's head, crop it off and carry it to a ruthless employer. One bullet, twenty-two deaths. Hades felt sick. Dust it all! He turned to Aki, yanking him close. "Kid, in that cemetery, didn't you say you buried someone recently?"

~~ March 2015 – theme : Rogues

[purplesurveys]

817

Does it make you nervous when someone does something dangerous showing off? If it’s something supposed to be taken seriously, like an athlete doing a risky ice skating spin, then I’d be nervous in that I don’t want them to fail. But if it’s someone doing something rather foolish like doing a moonsault off a roof or putting out a candle with their bare fingers, the mischievous side of me will silently half-wish something goes wrong haha. Have you ever had to take a pee test? You mean a urinalysis? Yeah. Angela’s doctor mom suspected I had UTI a few weeks ago so she had written up a recommendation for me to take a ‘pee test,’ as you put it. Have you ever had to supply someone with clean pee? I mean, I did for the aforementioned urinalysis lol. And what do you mean by clean pee? How is that different from dirty pee? Lmao Are you a bit of a nerd? Guh, I loved calling myself this is a teenager...because...y’know...I was a teenager and wanted to sound cool and ~not like the other girls~ lol but I was definitely trying too hard at the time. I don’t consider myself a nerd now and I don’t think I ever was. Are you in charge of cleaning anything in your household? Just my own dishes for the most part, but that’s it.

Are you good at HTML? At one point I was, because it was once a common practice on Tumblr to customize your themes, add your own pages, and basically just mix up your blog. I dunno if normal Tumblr still does this haha but if I tried to do this today I’d be rusty for sure. Ever carved/written anything on a park bench? Nope. I always feel like I’d get caught. Most interesting place you've ever visited? I’d say Shanghai was the most interesting mostly because it was SO incredibly first-world and the whole place was just so modern, so technologically forward and the experience was so jarring considering the dumpsite I live in. It was very daunting seeing all the bright lights, people dressing up so well, luxury shops on every corner, and how rich their nightlife was. Have you ever had anything tailored? Yes, my lola knows how to do that so whenever I need my clothes adjusted I’d just ask her to do it. Fan of Walton Ford artwork? Ever even heard of him? Nope, haven’t heard of him. Do you keep your eyebrows more thick or thin? I never get my eyebrows done; I don’t find it necessary. They’re naturally on the thick side, but from years of trichotillomania and plucking my left eyebrows, the hair eventually never 100% came back and the end of that eyebrow has juuuust a bit of a bald patch on it. It’s only noticeable for those who know about my trich, but still. What color is your bedroom door? It’s brown, but the bottom part sports a lot of chipped-off paint due to my dog scratching on it to get in and out of my room for the last twelve years.   Do you value your personal space, or do you hate being alone? I value both since I tend to need either at different points. Have you ever been hunting? Never.  Your take on one-night stands? Are they okay? You do you, and it’s definitely okay. It’s just not my thing. Do you always wear a bra? Not when I’m at home. I for sure haven’t worn one in a while due to the pandemic forcing me to stay home, but I did wear a bra when I went to the hospital a couple of weeks ago. Felt so weird lol. Do you have a wrist watch? No. I always lose them under my watch (hehe) so I just stopped wearing them altogether so that I don’t keep wasting my parents’ money :/ Do you usually jog or go for walks? I’ll sometimes go for walks, but for leisure. I don’t think of them as workouts at all. Could you be happier? Yeah, I think this is how most of us, if not all of us, feel.

Don't you just love aerial views? Like...from airplanes? Yessss, I love them a lot. When my dad books flights for us I always call dibs on a window seat as I never get tired of seeing cities and towns from the sky. Do you own a pair of Dr. Martins? As far as I know it’s Martens, and no I don’t. I’ve always thought they were too chunky for my liking. Do you like wine? Hate it, I never liked its bitter taste. My girlfriend and some of my aunts love wine though so sometimes I’ll have a glass or two and pretend to like it so I can spend time with them haha. Do you scrapbook? Nope. We do have scrapbooks at home, but it was my mom who made all of them for mine and my siblings’ baby photos. Have you ever been told not to do something you desperately wanted to do? Of course. ^ did you listen? Not always. Why are the angry birds so mad at the pigs? ...I don’t care. I never played the game actually. Would you feel bad about breaking up with a kid on his birthday? Kid sounds weird in this sentence lol, and yeah I’d say that’s a pretty shitty thing to do. There are 365 days in a year and unless my significant other has been an abusive shithead, I’d pick a date other than their birthday to break up with them. Have you ever sung anyone the happy birthday song? On their birthday, I guess...? How many followers do you have on Twitter? At the moment, 722. Do you like Hello Kitty? Not really. Have you ever won on one of those grabber machine things? Not that I can recall. My sister has always been the one better at those than me, she wins something every time. Though there was one time I was at the arcade and was just fucking around with the claw machines until I saw a kimono-wearing Hello Kitty left behind in one of them; I figured someone won it but didn’t want it, so I gleefully took it and gave it to my sister who’s super into Hello Kitty AND anything Japanese haha. Is there an actual word for those? I call it the claw machine. Have you seen the movie Remember Me? I never have but I remember wanting to because Robert Pattinson is in it, heh. Do you like thunderstorms? Love them. I can see myself living somewhere where it rains all year round. Have you ever been horseback-riding? I’ve ridden a horse before but I don’t think it counts as horseback-riding? It was part of the itinerary on one of our trips to Tagaytay nearly a decade ago, and a skilled rider was maneuvering the horse for me. I was like 12 and didn’t know any better, but today I absolutely wouldn’t take part in some tourist attraction thing that would use and tire out animals. Have you ever seen your naked back? I’ve had to turn around and look at it in the mirror a few times because I have scoliosis and I had wanted to see the point where my back starts to curve. Are you gonna French kiss your hubby at your wedding? Noooooo. I hate doing PDA myself so I’ll likely be sheepish at my own wedding actually, considering the fact that I wanna invite like 400 people lol. Do you think girls generally look better with their natural hair color? I don’t base attractiveness off of hair color, so I don’t really care. Who is the last person you held hands with? Gabie. Was ages ago though. Would you agree that wedding cake is so much better than any other cake? (: I mean, wedding cake isn’t even a type of cake lol. I think cheesecake is the superior cake, though. Do you feel awkward with strangers in elevators? Not at all. It’s a lot more awkward if I know the person but am not close with them or don’t know them all that well, so then I’d have to spend the next few seconds figuring out if I wanna make small talk or just ignore them altogether. Do you cuss excessively when you're upset? I can cuss excessively regardless of my mood. I don’t do it as much as I did when I was a teenager, but my potty mouth will still slip out every now and then. Would you rather cheat and tell your other about it or be cheated on? Eugh, this is an awful question. Can we just go with no cheating? Do you own a pair of shorts that could be mistaken for underwear? I don’t think so. Have you ever felt free after losing something once important to you? Yeah, I was recently reading my old survey answers from 2015 when my breakup was fresh, and apparently I was a super happy camper who felt free as fuck when Gab and I had broken things off so I guess that’s one example lol. Have you ever been to a rave? Nope, no raves for me. How many bananas have you ever eaten in a row? I’ve only eaten a whole banana once my whole life and that was a few weeks ago when I had a fever. Mom said it’ll be good for my body so I was made to eat one for breakfast. It wasn’t all that bad, but it will still take a whole lot for me to have to eat another banana. Have you ever felt like you can burn the world down? I’ve never been that angry before, no. Can you read/speak in any language(s) other than English? Yuh, Filipino is my first language.

Have you ever had sex outside? I’ve had it outside but we were still hidden, like inside a car lol if that still counts. Have you ever been outside naked? ^ Same situation. Do you like guys with long, brown, shaggy, flippy hair? If it looks majestically taken care of, yep. Do you have a beauty mark? I don’t. Have you ever been in a shrubbery maze? No. I’ve been terrified of them ever since watching The Shining, and I don’t think I’ll ever be up to entering one since I hate getting lost. Do you think you're the best thing that's happened to someone? I dunno. I don’t really need this big of a validation, so it’s genuinely fine if no one thinks of me in this way. Is the best thing that's ever happened to you a person? Yes, but also a dog. What's your boyfriend's style, or what style tends to attract you? I’ve observed that Gab jumps from one style to another. Some days she’ll dress like a sophisticated aunt and wear nice flowy dresses, other days she’ll opt to look a bit tomboyish and wear a graphic or tie-dye t-shirt and jeans. Do you know anyone who works in a cafe? Yeah, my cousin Bia. How many songs do you think you know all of the lyrics do? Hundreds is a safe guess. Do you enjoy jazz or blues music? I enjoy both, but I like jazz a tad bit more.

What's the most emotionally painful thing you've ever been through? Finding out about Nacho. My grandpa’s death hurt as hell too, but back then I had no choice but to harden up and force myself to be ok and focus because I had an insanely important college entrance exam coming up five days after his passing, and I couldn’t afford to get distracted. With the news of Nacho, I was doing nothing that night and I was completely vulnerable when it hit me. How many band t-shirts do you own that are black? I only have one band t-shirt, and it’s black. Can you make a clover shape with your tongue? Nope. Would you agree that Beck is a musical genius? (: Beyoncé lost to him for Album of the Year at the Grammys for her 2013 album which she highkey should’ve won, so he’s kinda on my shitlist for that looooool Do you ever feel like the main people in your life don't know you at all? No. I wear my heart on my sleeve for the most part, so I don’t have to worry about that. Do you like Ben Folds? I’ve never heard of him. Do you watch The Voice? Nope. Do you have a protective father? To an extent. He hates catcallers and always tells me to tell him if there are any around when we’re out so he can beat them up. He’s not crazy protective to the point of being possessive or overly strict though. Have you ever worn a headdress? Just for school productions when we would represent cultures that have headdresses.

Last thing that caused you to get sick? A UTI. What's the biggest misconception about you, personally? It annoys me to no goddamn end when people say or assume that I’m fake. It’s called being polite and civil even around people I don’t like which I’m pretty sure is more mature than fake, dude. Have you ever seriously thought you loved someone without telling them? No. Are you squeamish? About certain things. I hate watching clips of people having their bones break or get dislocated, people passing out, too much blood, among other stuff.

[ghostlywritten]

One Belgian Summer Night

Words: 6k+

My first and last requested imagine. I hope it’s up to your expectations @footballlover1904

Warnings: No angst this time. That’s a first.

I stared out of the window of the shuttle bus. We were currently at the front of the airport in Belgium, just freshly landed and dead tired.

Sighing I watched the bus driver check the attendance list along with my professor when I got a nudge in the side.

“You excited? We are finally here!” Natalie, one of my dearest friends from university, spoke up with a wide grin. She was one of those who never got tired, no matter how long the trip was.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes and yawning heartily. I couldn’t wait to reach the hotel and just dump myself into bed.

“You think we will be able to do some sightseeing today?” Leanne’s head popped between the seats with big inquiring eyes.

“Oh shut up, I just wanna sleep,” Selene grumbled from behind and I mentally hugged her for agreeing with me. That was the group dynamics, two lazy heads and two crazy heads that dragged the lazy heads around without their will. But in the end, it was always nice and I wouldn’t change a single thing in our friendship.

“Come on, just around the hotel at least!” Natalie whined as the bus finally rolled.

-

“Wow,” Leanne breathed out when we arrived at the hotel. And she was right to do so. The building looked like a freaking castle.

“I feel like a princess going to a ball,” Natalie sighed blissfully.

“You are a bit underdressed for that, aren’t you?” I teased, though I couldn’t deny, this hotel gave off a majestic feeling.

“How can the university afford that?” Leanne wondered.

“How can we afford that?” Selene remarked and we chuckled. Well paid internships, that’s how we could.

“Alright peeps, gather outside of the bus,” our professor called out with a cheerful smile, “We will head inside from there and sign you into rooms of four.”

Stepping out of the heated bus I welcomed the breeze that cooled my body like a fresh shower. Which I needed badly. “Get your bags and let’s go!”

Huffing and puffing we carried our load inside, a group of men heading out the door just as we walked inside. I didn’t bother looking at them as we passed them but didn’t fail to hear Natalie’s excited squeal ‘Cute boys!’, rolling my eyes with a smile.

We checked in and went up to our room. It was lovely, to say the least. A bright room with warm colours of brown and beige decoration, giving you a homey feeling.

“I wouldn’t mind staying here for longer than a week,” Selene commented with an approving nod as she dumped her bag on the first bed, claiming it at hers. I took the one next to hers and immediately called dibs on the one shower we had to share.

-

“Anna,” a voice reached my ears as I snuggled deeper into the pillow, trying to reach that blissful state of sleep again. To no avail.

“Anna wake up!” I was shaken out of my stupor until I eventually got pushed out of the cloudy surface and onto the hard ground.

“Ouch, what was that for?” I groaned, drowsily.

“You weren’t going to wake up any other way,” Natalie said cheerfully, “I know from experience.”

“Yeah, now get up. Dinner is ready,” Selene said just as her stomach grumbled as if on cue.

“Just a few more minutes,” I whined, my right cheek throbbing slightly from the kiss with the floor. Couldn’t say that was a first.

“No, I’m hungry,” Selene whined back.

“Do you want me to splash you with cold water again?” Leanne asked from the bathroom and I immediately shot up, “I’m up, I’m up.”

Dragging myself to where Leanne was I pushed her away from the sink unceremoniously to which she merely giggled, patting my grumpy head. I washed my face quickly to wake up from that wonderful nap, grimacing at my bare face in the mirror. Well, I wasn’t trying to impress anybody anyways.

Dressing up in simple jeans and a stuffed in black tank top we headed out, meeting up with a few other classmates who were on their way to dinner as well.

“Hey girls, have you heard?” Matt greeted us four as he fell into step next to Selene, trying to catch her attention, “The Belgium National Team is rumored to be staying here.”

“What?” I exclaimed, my eyes bulging in shock.

“Yeah!” Matt grinned, “They’re supposedly here to practice for the upcoming World Cup.”

“Oh my god,” I breathed and the others sighed in exasperation, “Maybe we can watch them during training?” I asked Matt hopefully. That would be a highlight on this trip. I couldn’t afford tickets for the actual games or even a flight to Russia, so this would be a really nice compensation for it.

“Possibly, I’ve already located their training grounds,” Matt said, proceeding to get his phone out when Selene cut in.

“Sounds boring and I’m too hungry for boring conversations,” she butted in, fastening her pace when she saw the double doors that would lead to the restaurant.

Matt’s smile faltered as he watched after her longingly and Natalie patted his back, “Better luck next time, buddy.”

The tall boy sighed, ruffling his hair, “You think she will ever notice me?”

“It’s hard to tell,” Leanne mused, “Selene’s very good in hiding her feelings.”

“You can join us at our table,” I offered generously and of course not because I wished to know more about the training grounds.

“Really?” Matt’s eyes lit up and we nodded, proceeding to follow Selene into the dining hall; a spacious room with a warm interior. I certainly wouldn’t mind coming back here again.

Piling up some food from the buffet we settled down at a table in the middle near a window, immediately digging in. Whilst Selene, Leanne and Natalie talked about the trip’s schedule and what the professor had in mind Matt and I discussed ways of getting out of said schedule to watch the Belgium team practice instead.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be full of viewers, so we gotta head there early,” Matt concluded just as some noise at the entrance door caught his attention, his eyes widening, “Oh my god, it’s really them!”

“Huh?” I mumbled through my mouthful of delicious noodles and he pointed at something behind me. Looking over my shoulder I barely managed to keep the food in my mouth as I quickly swallowed and coughed violently.

Natalie patted my back absently as she observed the group of men trailing in, each of them grabbing a plate for themselves. “They’re not bad.”

“Not at all,” Leanne sighed dreamily, “I can see why you are into football, Anna.”

I narrowed my eyes at them, “It’s not because of that.”

“Suuuuuree,” all three of my girl friends said, causing Matt to chuckle. I rolled my eyes, turning back to my food as if to prove them wrong, “So what if they’re here? It’s not like they’re going to play here in the dining hall. Because that’s the only thing interesting about them,” I pointed out with my fork held up and they nodded, still unconvinced. I decided to ignore the itching urge to turn around and observe them along with my friends and just continued to eat.

“Oh my god,” Natalie whispered and I looked at her, confused.

“Oh my god,” Leanne whispered as well and I frowned when even Selene raised an eyebrow.

“What? What’s going?!”

“They’re coming over,” Matt almost yelled, causing the other three to slap his arm. Their simultaneous movements even creeped me out sometimes.

“Be cool,” Leanne hissed, pretending to nurse her drink and I silently laughed at how they tried to stay natural. Wasn’t this supposed to be the other way around? Like me freaking out? I dared a glimpse over my shoulder and noticed five of them had taken a seat around the table next to us with the others further away.

I immediately recognised each player. De Bruyne, Lukaku, the Hazard Brothers and Fellaini with his awesome hair.

“They’re really cute even from up close,” Natalie whispered and I raised an eyebrow at her, “What? TV usually makes everyone look more attractive than they are.”

“You should focus more on your studies than watching TV,” Selene commented offhandedly.

“Oh please, as if you’re not interested in them.”

“Absolutely not. I’d rather eat my food in peace.” Matt grinned happily at that and I chuckled slightly before continuing with my own food. Uproars of laughter from behind me caught my attention once in a while as we ate in peaceful silence, causing our lips to twitch. It was quite contagious.

“His laugh is so funny,” Natalie giggled.

“Whose?”

“The one with the awesome hair.”

“That’s Fellaini,” I informed her and she nodded in thanks. “He’s really cute.”

I looked over at him and agreed, his smile was sweet. Though I blanched as I realised a pair of light blue eyes met mine when I tried to indiscreetly observe them. He stared at me with a crease on his forehead and I quickly turned back to my table, turning scarlet. Why was he frowning at me?

“Hey, is there something on my face?” I asked the others, wiping my mouth from any possible crumbles.

“Except for that large red bruise on your cheek that is slightly swelling actually,” Selene replied.

“Thanks for that, Nat,” I grumbled with a glare towards said person.

“You’re welcome,” she said cheerfully.

“So embarrassing,” I muttered to myself as I sunk down in the chair, placing a hand on the red cheek.

Finishing up our dinner we got up to get our dishes away when Natalie asked, “Can’t we wait until they’re done, too?”

“Jesus, don’t get desperate,” Selene reprimanded, “You don’t even watch football.”

“I do!” Natalie insisted, “Anna always makes me watch the Cramps League.”

“Champion’s League,” I corrected.

“Yeah, that.”

“Let’s just go,” Leanne said, getting up.

“Yeah, we got a week to see them,” Matt added and we finally went to get rid of our dishes. I was last to place my plate in the rack when a throat clearing from behind me caught my attention.

Turning around, my eyes widened when the one Eden Hazard stood behind me with the same frown as before on his face.

“U-um...,” I stuttered, almost dropping the plate in my hand, “Can I...help you?”

“Yeah, I just wanted to ask,” he started, his smooth voice unknowingly calming my nerves, “Are you alright?”

“What?” I looked at him incredulously.

“Your cheek,” he said, pointing at the red spot.

“My- oh!” I chuckled, touching the bruise gingerly, “Yeah, it’s all good.”

“Are you sure? I mean, if you need help...,” he trailed off, his eyes lingering on Matt, who along with the others were inconspicuously trying to watch you two, “...from anyone...”

“Oh god, no!” I burst out in laughter and he looked at me confused, “I’m not- He would never- Really, it’s all good.”

He nodded, relieved but still a little unconvinced. “I just fell off the bed. Natalie pushed me because I wouldn’t get up.”

Eden chuckled, the crease on his forehead disappearing entirely now. “That’s a relief then. I couldn’t stop thinking about it all dinner.”

“That’s cute,” I said and immediately bit my tongue in embarrassment. He blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I mean- nevermind. Thank you for your concern.”

“No problem. Enjoy your night,” he said, turning to head back to his table with a small wave. I inwardly pouted that the conversation ended and went to walk to my friends when he called out again, “I’m Eden by the way!”

Laughing I glanced at him over my shoulder, “Anna.”

He grinned before he left.

“What on earth happened?” Natalie asked as soon as I got to them.

“I’m not sure,” I said thoughtfully, “I think, he thought that Matt is abusing me because of my bruise.”

“What?!” Matt’s eyes widened in horror. “I would never!”

“I know and I told him. It’s all good,” I reassured him and he sighed in relief.

“So he was worried about a stranger? How cute,” Leanne commented as we all got out.

I nodded, failing to tell them how hard my heart was racing even now.

-

The next few days went by in the same pattern. We ate breakfast, we went sightseeing around Brussels, which was a beautiful city by the way and got some free time in the late afternoon for ourselves before dinner, where we always met the National Team.

I had only made eye contact a few times with Eden after our conversation to which he always smiled slightly in greeting, causing me to smile back and quickly look down at my food.

“Have you noticed that they always choose a table close to ours?” Matt noted as the team settled down at the tables around us yet again on the third evening.

“They do, don’t they?!” Natalie asked excitedly, causing us all to raise our eyebrows, “So when do we get to watch them train?”

“Eh, you actually want to go?” I asked surprised.

“Of course, Anna! I love football!” she said louder than necessary. I saw a certain afro-haired player look up and grin our way and quickly kicked Natalie under the table.

“Calm your boobs, you are being weird again,” Leanne said, hiding behind her drink.

Natalie flipped her hair, “That’s my charming, man-winning point.”

“Sure.”

“To answer your question,” Matt spoke up, “I think we will be able to watch them train tomorrow if we get up early. We don’t have to meet up with our prof before 2 in the afternoon.”

“That’s great!”

“I suggest you take the back entrance if you wanna watch us train,” Fellaini’s head butted into our table with a pearl-white grin, “The front entrance is always filled with press and fans, you won’t be able to see anything from there.”

Natalie choked on the sip she was going to take from her drink, coughing as delicately as she could.

“E-ehm,” Matt stammered, going red and we all stared at the Belgium player, not having expected any of them to pay attention to us.

“Hi, sorry for listening in on your conversation,” Fellaini continued, “I couldn’t help but overhear your plans for tomorrow.”

“It’s fine and not rude at all,” Selene said as cool as ever, wincing when a few kicks hit her under the table.

Lukaku chuckled, turning around as well. “You’re funny. Not from around here, I’m guessing?”

“Oh no,” Leanne spoke up, the rest of us too star-struck or indifferent in Selene’s case to answer, “We are just here for a week as a college trip.”

“That’s cool. I suggest going to the Hard Rock Cafe downtown. The burgers are sick!”

“I’m sure they’ve been to a Hard Rock Cafe already since it’s not the only one in this world,” Fellaini countered, rolling his eyes, “You should suggest some sightseeing spots.”

“I’m just saying, you get hungry at some point. It’s good to know a great place for burgers,” Lukaku defended himself and we chuckled slightly at their banter.

“Guys, where are even your manners?” Chadli chided as he turned around in his chair as well, “You haven’t even introduced yourself. I’m Nacer Chadli.”

“Marouane Fellaini.”

“Romelu Lukaku.”

“Kevin De Bruyne.”

I gaped as each of the team that was around us started introducing themselves, either having listened to our conversation or jokingly being pushed by the others to do so.

“Axel Witsel,” the last one around finally said, his smile welcoming.

“Believe me, I know,” Matt finally burst like an excited kid, his grin stretching from ear to ear, “I’m a big fan of the Belgium Team. I’m sure you gonna win this World Cup.”

“Yeah, you are really good,” I commented and they smiled.

“Thanks. We hope we get far in this,” Lukaku said.

“It would be an honour to get the Cup for our country for the first time,” De Bruyne added and they all nodded in agreement.

“Well, our country is not playing anyways, so we gonna root for you,” Natalie said in her ever-so cheerful voice, causing them to chuckle.

“Will you be in Russia to watch some games?” Chadli inquired.

“No, we can’t unfortunately,” I said sadly, “but we will be cheering you on from the couch in our apartment.” He chuckled, thanking again. I let my eyes trail over his shoulder, catching sight of some other players, who were too far away to join the sudden conversation. Eden’s gaze caught mine yet again and he smiled, nodding in silent greeting.

I smiled back, fighting the blush on my cheeks as I tuned back into the conversation, chatting up a storm with some players about what strategies could be best used and what the other national team’s strengths and weaknesses were.

“Wow, you know quite a lot,” Fellaini commented, grinning.

“Yeah, I grew up with big, football-obsessed brothers. It was only a matter of time,” I said with a shrug.

“So, what’s your favourite team? Besides Belgium and your country?” Lukaku asked curiously.

“Chelsea fan through and through,” I replied proudly.

"Really?"

“Eden plays in that team!” Chadli exclaimed and I blushed as said person perked up at the mention of his name.

“I know,” I mumbled timidly and they grinned knowingly.

“Would you like me to call him over and get you an autograph?” Fellaini asked with a good-natured smile but I quickly shook my head.

“No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t wanna bother him,” I waved off.

“Too late,” Chadli remarked, looking up at something behind me just when-

“Someone said my name?” Eden asked and I turned around to see him hovering behind my seat with a gentle smile.

“Guilty,” Chadli said, grinning, “We got a Chelsea fan here we would like to introduce to you,” he continued, pointing at me.

Eden raised an eyebrow, “Are you now?”

“Yeah, this is An-”

“Anna, I know,” Eden cut off, pulling a chair over to sit down where he stood.

“Oh, you know each other already?”

“Yeah, we briefly talked a few nights ago,” I explained, “He thought my friend was abusing me.”

Chadli’s eyes widened.

“It’s all good, it was just a misunderstanding,” I quickly reassured and he nodded.

“But you failed to mention that you’re a die-hard Chelsea fan,” Eden said with a cheeky grin to which I raised an eyebrow. No one ever said die-hard. “So am I your favourite player?”

“Actually no. It’s Alonso.”

Eden furrowed his eyebrows. “Marcos?”

“Yeah. And Luiz, but he doesn’t play for Chelsea anymore.”

“So you’re into defensive players?”

“It was just my position whenever we played football in school or just for fun,” I told him.

“Ah I can’t compete there,” Eden said, remorsefully.

“I even have Luiz’ jersey,” I said, beaming proudly, “It’s one of my biggest treasures.”

Eden smiled at me and I looked away, flustered. For a second I had forgotten I was talking to a star football player.

We continued talking about other players, past matches of Chelsea as well as the World Cup until late in the night when the staff asked us to leave because they were closing up.

“Damn you, Eden, you took up all of Anna’s time,” Lukaku complained, “I wasn’t done talking to her about our first opponent.”

“You can talk another time, she’s not running away,” Eden said, rolling his playfully, “Right, Anna?”

“Not for another four days at least,” I responded jokingly and his smile faded slightly.

“Will you be leaving then?”

“Yeah, the trip is only set for a week,” I said with a regretful smile. I already knew I was going to miss this place.

“Well, then sorry Romelu, she is going to run away from you,” Eden joked to which the other striker tackled him, a play fight erupting between the two with the rest of us laughing.

-

The next morning we woke up early and quickly ate breakfast before heading out to the training grounds.

As Fellaini had said, the place was filled with people trying to catch a glimpse of the players and we heeded his advice and went to the second entrance.

“This is a way better spot,” Matt said, joyfully and we settled against the bars that defined the training grounds. I could see the players warming up by themselves, running some rounds. They probably started a few minutes ago. I immediately spotted Eden in a bright orange west, dribbling a ball skillfully.

Sighing to myself I quietly admired his talent, the way his body moved fast and deliberately slow at the perfect time, tricking his opponent.

“He is quite handsome, isn’t he?” Natalie said, imitating my pose as she giggled.

I rolled my eyes, “I wasn’t looking at that.” Not at all.

“Sure, you didn’t,” she said,” You know you can admit it. I see the way your eyes turn into hearts whenever you look at him.”

“They do not!” I protested immediately, “I’m just admiring his talent, that’s it.”

“Yeah and I’m only admiring Fellaini’s talent,” Natalie replied sarcastically.

“Ok, no one’s going to believe that when you say it,” I said with my hand held up, “But I’ve been watching football since forever so I have a valid reason to actually be here.”

“And why don’t you admire the skills of the other players?”

“I do!”

“You don’t!”

“How would you know, being all starstruck yourself?”

“Pfft, at least I can admit it when I have a crush.”

I rolled my eyes again, feeling like they would get stuck sometime during this trip. “I give up.”

Natalie laughed, patting my shoulder, “It’s all good. Seems like you caught his eye yourself, anyway,” she remarked, pointing to the field. Following her finger with my eyes I met Eden’s figure, who was glancing over. I couldn’t tell where exactly he was looking at but just focused on him, freezing on my spot. Should I look away? Should I keep staring? Was he even seeing me or something else?

I was put out of the spot however when he got hit on the head by a football, snapping him out of his stare. Uproars of laughter could be heard from the field and a few chuckles around us as his brother Thorgen jogged over, talking to him with a smirk on his face.

I watched Eden shake his head and glance over one more time before he headed towards his assigned spot.

The rest of the training went without incident and soon the coach indicated the end of today’s session. The fans applauded and some of the players bowed mockingly, whilst others simply collapsed, exhausted.

“They really have to work that hard every day, huh?” Selene commented and we all nodded.

“And only one can win the World Cup? That’s so sad,” Leanne said, passionately.

Matt rolled his eyes, “Only the best can win. That’s how competition works.”

“Well, competitions suck then.”

“Let’s get back,” I quickly interrupted Matt, who was going to protest. I had given up that discussion with my friends long ago. “We have to meet up with the others.”

“Yeah, better leave- oh hey!” Natalie spoke, her voice getting higher at the end. Confused, I turned to her only to see a few players approaching us steadily with beaming grins; Fellaini, Lukaku and Eden.

“Hey girls and guy, you made it,” Lukaku said, high-fiving each of us as a greeting along with the others. I smiled shyly when I clapped Eden’s hand, who returned it with a gentle one of his own.

“Did you enjoy watching us suffer?” Fellaini joked, causing us to chuckle.

“It was very amusing, yes,” I answered with a grin and they all made a face, “It’s all gonna be worth it when you win, though.”

“Woah, someone’s very sure of it,” Lukaku commented cheerfully, “We better not be disappointing her, right Ed?”

Eden stared at him wide-eyed, glancing at me but quickly looking away. “Yeah, right. We don’t wanna disappoint our fans and country.”

I smiled at him, nodding and he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Well, we’ve got to go now,” Matt cut in, “See you guys at dinner?”

“Yeah, what are you up to today?” Fellaini asked, leaning on the bar right in front of Natalie, who was going as red as their strips.

“We gonna go downtown and visit some sightseeing spots,” Leanne replied and Lukaku’s eyes lit up.

“You should go to the Hard Rock Cafe!” he suggested just like last night and we laughed at his enthusiasm.

“Yeah, we’ll definitely do that.”

“Can we...tag along?” he asked hopefully and Eden elbowed him. “Dude, don’t be pushy,” he scolded, smiling apologetically at us.

Matt shook his head, starstruck,” No, we don’t mind at all! And I’m sure the others wouldn’t either!”

“See, they don’t mind!” Lukaku cheered, “Can we meet you at the hotel?”

“If you can make it to the front in half an hour, yes,” Selene stated and they nodded eagerly.

So that’s how we winded up going sightseeing with almost half of the Belgium National Team that ‘tagged’ along. The professor was slightly peeved at the additional ‘students’ since we were already a handful, but he was too polite to tell them off.

And we managed to see some cool places that hadn’t been on the many tourist pages; ‘secret spots’ as Fellaini had called them.

During the lunch break, we sat in a booth at the Hard Rock Cafe, me squished together between Natalie and Eden, eating some of the wonderful burgers.

“Told you these are great,” Lukaku said proudly as we all silently enjoyed the food.

Hyper-aware of Eden pressed to my side, I didn’t focus much on the food the whole time but rather on his warmth and intoxicating scent.

-

“It’s too bad you guys are leaving in a few days,” Chadli said at dinner as we all retold what we had done today, sharing the funny moments. For example, how Lukaku got pushed into a lake after complaining about the heat for the umpteenth time.

“Yeah, we really enjoyed this trip,” Leanne commented, taking a bite out of her chicken.

“I wouldn’t mind coming here again,” Selene even said, causing us all to nod.

“When will you be leaving?” Eden asked quietly.

“In about three days,” I replied, smiling ruefully. He nodded, looking down.

“We should spend the rest of the days together,” Fellaini suggested, glancing at Natalie, “To make sure, this trip will be unforgettable for you.”

“It already is,” Matt remarked with a grin as wide as a kid’s during Christmas’ Eve.

“We could go to another restaurant for dinner,” Eden suggested, looking at me, “There’s good one downtown.”

“Hard Rock Cafe?” I asked and he laughed.

“No, an even better one,” he promised, “Restaurant Vincent, a bit of regional food. What do you think?”

“Sounds great. I’ve never eaten Belgian food before,” I beamed and he smiled cheerily, proceeding to discuss the typical dishes of this country.

-

“I have a feeling that Eden was trying to ask you alone to this dinner,” Natalie said that night as we were getting ready for bed.

“Why would you think that?” I asked confused.

“Here, take a look at the restaurant,” Natalie said, showing up her phone. “It’s so fancy. Perfect for dates.”

“That’s ridiculous,” I stated, “He just wants to show us the fine side of Belgium; being a citizen and all.”

“If you say so,” Natalie said, unconvinced.

“It does seem a little suspicious,” Leanne commented as well, “Either way, we gotta dress up all fancy for it.”

“We don’t have anything fancy with us,” Selene argued, opening the lid of her bag and peeking in.

“We’ve got summer dresses,” Natalie suggested, “They’ll have to do.”

“Or we could go shopping,” Leanne said hopefully, to which we immediately threw our pillows at her. There was no way anyone would ever want to go shopping with Leanne, she would take ages. “Summer dresses then.”

-

I chose a light blue dress with white sandals, feeling a little underdressed. It was okay though, the others had a similar attire on. Brushing my hair, I left them in waves and put on some light make-up.

We went downstairs where Lukaku, Fellaini, Chadli and of course Eden waited, dressed smartly in black pants and white shirts. I blushed under the latter’s gaze, tugging on a hair strand self-consciously and reprimanding myself for not dressing up some more.

“You look beautiful,” Eden commented, immediately coughing right after in embarrassment.

“Thanks, you too,” I mumbled, glaring at the other girls, who were winking quite obviously.

“Come on, lovebirds. Let’s go,” Chadli said loudly, clapping Eden’s back who like me glared at his friends. “I’m hungry!”

Lukaku and Eden both had their car outs at the front since we couldn’t fit all in one and the drive was spent chatting animatedly. I wondered when we had become so comfortable with the football team in such a short amount of time. Seeing them everyday kind of cured one from their star appeal and they didn’t seem so far away from us normal people. They were just as normal as us at the end of the day.

I laughed at the tale of how Chadli got soy sauce all over him on the dinner night where he originally wanted to propose to his now-wife and how he had to do it with a big brown stain on his white shirt.

“It was so embarrassing, I thought she would say no,” he recalled, a silly grin on his face as he reminisced the memory, “I’m one lucky guy.” I smiled, hoping that one day I would find a man, who would say this whilst being with me.

“We’re here,” Eden announced, shutting off his car in front of a fancy restaurant. It looked even better than on photos. Staring at the interior with awe from outside I barely noticed how he got out and rounded the car to open my door. “M’lady,” he said with a bow, chuckling to himself. I giggled, taking his offered hand and stepped out of the car, “Why thank you, kind sir.”

“Everything for the pretty lady in blue.” I blushed at his words, ducking my head so he wouldn’t see. He laughed quietly, offering his arm chivalrously as we walked inside with the others.

“Wow, it’s really nice here,” I breathed as I looked around, barely registering Eden’s beaming smile.

“I hope you’ll like the food as much as the interior.”

“I know I will,” Selene commented from next to us, her eyes lingering on each passing table with dishes on. I laughed and elbowed her to stop her goggling at the food, she was too hungry all the time.

Settling down at a big table in front of a window, I enjoyed the view of the landscape quietly for a second as the others talked whilst waiting for the food.

“What are you thinking about?” Eden asked, turning around next to me.

I smiled, shrugging slightly, “Just mindless thinking. I’m enjoying this here.” He smiled back, tugging a strand of my wavy hair behind my ear. “I’m glad you do. I wasn’t sure if you would like it here.”

“Are you kidding? This is really beautiful here. And we’ve all become such great friends in such a short time, too. It’s really the best trip ever,” I said earnestly and he nodded. “Yeah, I thought it was strange at first, how we got along so fast,” he commented, “I’m usually not this trusting and more of an introvert,” he admitted shyly and I swooned at how cute he was when he got bashful.

“Well, I’m glad you got to trust us,” I said happily.

He smiled, “I feel like I still don’t know you that well while you already know everything about me though.”

“I know everything about you?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in skepticism.

“Well, everything interesting about me, that’s it.”

“I doubt that. I’m sure there are still a lot of things I would find very interesting about you,” I argued and he stared at me for a while, a chuckle leaving his lips.

“Alright, but I still wanna know more about you first. What’s your favourite colour?”

“Seriously?” I laughed, “That’s such a cliche question.”

He shrugged, smiling cheekily, “We don’t wanna start with the hard questions right at the beginning now, do we?”

“What would be a hard question?”

“How many kids?” I burst out in laughter and he joined in, running a hand through his hair.

“You’re something else, aren’t you?” I commented.

“I’ll try,” he said with a modest shrug, causing another fit of giggles from me.

“Well, to answer your question; blue.”

“Mine’s green.”

“And two.”

“Two what?” he asked, confused.

“Two kids,” I explained.

“Ah. I want eleven.”

My eyes widened. “What?!”

“Yeah, I want a whole football team,” he said, laughing, “They gonna beat every team, being trained by me.”

I shook my head with a chuckle, “You’re crazy.”

“Only a little.”

Dinner got served and the conversations were flowing, though Eden and I mostly stuck to talking to each other with the others only butting in once in a while. It felt like I was getting to know him in a deeper way than before even though we didn’t share any secrets with each other. He talked about his family a lot, his little brother who was also on the team, how he got worried Thorgen would get mad at him for having a starting berth on the team when he didn’t. In turn, I told him about my family and how I felt like I was the least favourite one out of all my siblings. Things like that got us a lot closer and we almost forgot to actually eat the dishes as they had almost turned cold.

“This was really delicious,” I commented as we got out of the diner. The staff had asked us kindly to leave and only then did we realise how long we had stayed. Luckily, we were university students so there was no curfew for us.

“I’m glad you liked it,” Eden said relieved, opening the car door for me.

“We liked it, too. Thanks for asking,” Natalie chimed in from next to Fellaini, playful sarcasm in her tone.

“Ah, I’m glad,” Eden said, scratching his head embarrassed and I shot Natalie a scolding look to which she only stuck her tongue out.

“Come on, we should get you girls home or the parents will hate us,” Lukaku joked, unlocking his car that was behind Eden’s. Time flies when you have fun and I was a bit disappointed at how fast we arrived back at the hotel. Stepping out of the car, I shivered slightly at the cool summer night breeze but enjoyed the fresh air as the days were almost too hot to endure.

“Thank you guys for taking us to that wonderful restaurant,” Leanne said gratefully.

“Yeah, it was the best evening of this trip,” Matt said, still fully excited.

The guys chuckled, “It was really cool, we should do this again before you guys leave.”

“Definitely.”

Good nights were being said and I thanked each of them again for the evening as well before proceeding to walk into the hotel as it was getting quite cold now.

“Hey, Anna,” Eden called out quietly, holding me back by the arm. I turned my head to look at him, questioningly. “Yes?”

He let go of my arm, tugging his hands into his front pockets in a shy manner, “Would you like to take a walk around the hotel?”

“Sure,” I answered, maybe too fast and he sighed inwardly in relief whilst I informed the girls quickly, not without receiving a few suggestive winks though.

Rolling my eyes at their behaviour, I fell into step beside Eden and we walked towards the back of the hotel in a comfortable silence. There was a small lake at the back where I had spent lazy afternoons with the girls and Matt during the first days. Eden led the way over, speaking up when we were strolling beside the calming waves of the water, “I really enjoyed this evening.

Training was getting stressful the past weeks and we were all a bit tense,” he explained quietly, matching the calm atmosphere around us. I closed my eyes to enjoy his soothing voice more along with the occasional breeze and the sound of the small waves. “Since we started talking to you guys, we got to relax again and practice felt less like work and more like fun again after a long time.

I guess, what I’m trying to say is; thank you,” he ended, looking down at his shoes, kicking a pebble a few meters away.

I smiled at his words, “There’s no need for thanks, Eden. We didn’t even do anything. We should thank you guys for actually talking to us.”

Eden chuckled, stopping his walk and turning to the lake. I stopped beside him as well, looking up at the moon that shone down on us. It was full. “It’s sad to think about how you’ll leave soon,” he whispered so quietly I almost didn’t catch it. Almost. My heart fluttered at his words and I smiled shyly though I felt sad myself.

“Yeah, it was nice to be here.”

“This won’t be the last time I’m seeing you, right?” he asked, the tiniest bit of desperation in his voice that made my chest ache.

“I’m sure I will visit again,” I said and he took my hand, holding it for the rest of the Belgian summer night.

End

Help me Get Coffee Support?

[crimes-and-gelato]

Hit Me with Your Best Shot

It’s not an uncommon occurrence for a patient under heavy dosage of anaesthesia to have temporary side effects on them like: no brain to mouth filter, short amnesia, blindness, overly emotional, etc. It gets quite insane sometimes.

Bucky’s been working as a nurse for seven years and he’d view these occurrences as normal, even when he’s more often victimised by this so called ever-present Human Crazy Reaction to Substance, as Clint would put it. But he didn’t expect that the famous Tony Stark would be prey to this as well.

Well, that’s interesting.

He arrives in the room after Colonel Rhodes, Tony’s best friend, called for him when Tony wakes up.

‘How are you feeling, Tones?’ Bucky hears the Colonel asks the genius. ‘Don’t worry. Barnes is on his way.’

‘Like –’ Tony starts but stops when he sees Bucky entering. ‘Well, hello there, gorgeous.’ He winks. Fucking. Winks.

‘Are you okay?’ Bucky asks worriedly and scans the other man’s face for anything out of place. He even goes to investigate the IV.

‘I am now,’ Tony answers, dripping with sensuality and smiles up at Bucky.

On the other side of the bed Bucky can hear Jim’s frustrated groan.

‘So, tell me, gorgeous, do you have a name or is it Angel?’ Tony continues, ignoring his best friend and giving Bucky a suggestive once-over. ‘Cos you sure look like one.’

Sure the whole flirting isn’t new because hello, genius, playboy, billionaire, philanthropist Tony Stark here. Only that it doesn’t feel like Tony’s merely just dallying.

Bucky turns to Tony’s best friend with a silent question as to how this all happened. But of course, side effect. And Rhodey’s only reply is his own confuse What the fuck is happening face.

Since, the other James is of no help, Bucky puts it into his own hand to confirm his theory.

He occupies the empty chair next to the bed and says, ‘Tony, don’t you remember? It’s me James your –’

Tony interrupts him by putting his good finger against Bucky’s lips, shaking his head a bit. ‘Baby steps, darling,’ he murmurs. ‘I’m Tony, your future over-a-cup-of-coffee date, because I have a feeling you like coffee. And how fortunate that I love coffee.’ He adds another charming smile.

Bucky’s taken aback, alright. All he manages to do is stare at Tony with disbelief. He doubts the engineer can bullshit him and Rhodey this much.

‘Would you look at that?’ Tony continues, unconscious to the growing incredulity of his best friend and Bucky. ‘We already have something in common. Interesting, isn’t it?’ His face breaks out into another smile. And for a moment Bucky can’t help but be reminded how gorgeous Tony is. ‘It’s like fate.’

He should really shed some light on Tony. But Bucky’s too busy being blinded by how radiant Tony’s smile is. And it’s physically, mentally, and emotionally impossible to ignore something so majestic.

‘So, what do you say, honey bear?’ Tony wiggles his eyebrows with a sly smile. ‘How about we go grab that coffee right now and I promise to walk you home after and maybe try to steal a kiss or two.’ He pauses and looks at Bucky thoughtfully with those huge, soft, brown eyes. ‘With your consent of course because I am down for that.’

In all honesty, Bucky’s waiting for the genius to suddenly pull the rug under him and yell ‘You’ve been Punk’d, James.’ For as much as the surreal-ness of the whole thing is, it’s above what he had been expecting.

Bucky directs his glance back to the Colonel once again, hoping for some aid with the situation. Only that Rhodey’s too busy silently snickering and recording the whole of Tony’s monologue with his phone, probably for blackmail material in the future.

He sighs tiredly and in defeat. ‘Uhmm… I don’t think coffee would be a good idea, doll.’

‘Why not?’ Tony asks with a pout. ‘Is it me? Was it something I said? Because if you want to take this slowly… that I can do as well.’ He smiles hopefully, only it’s not as radiant as the one from before.

Taken from experience, Bucky knows that fragile smile, having his own insecurity to battle with. It’s not hard to notice when you’ve looked closer.

‘It’s not that,’ he assures quickly, not wanting for the unpleasant smile to settle on Tony’s lips any longer. All Bucky meant of the sentence is to point out that a cup of coffee – a date, really – is out of question because Tony’s currently in the hospital and about to undergo surgery. He isn’t able to stop himself from reaching out on Tony’s good hand to dampen whatever insecurity that had lingered.

Tony stares at their hands, the small smile on his lips softly turning into something more genuine. And Bucky counts that as a win. Not even bothering to pull his hand back.

‘Hey, I know this all seemed too fast, but you’re just so beautiful that I can’t help myself,’ Tony explains tenderly, his past bravado coming back with each word. ‘And you seem like the type to give nice hugs and cuddle. And that right there is the standard for me.’

‘Of course, it is,’ Bucky agrees sarcastically, rolling his eyes, even. The fond smile tugging on his lips ruins his plan to mock.

‘And sass as fuck, too.’ Tony chuckles, amused. ‘You’re certainly the man for me.’

If Bucky’s cheeks turns slightly red it’s not because he’s blushing. It’s basically anything but that. He catches himself before the blu—before it can go any further because he has responsibilities in hand.

He’s a professional for crying out loud. He clears his throat and turns back again to Tony’s best friend for help. And the Colonel isn’t really planning on helping because it seems like he’s even miming for Bucky to continue playing along.

The black man’s eyes are full of mischievous glee as he endures to film Tony and Bucky’s interaction.

Bucky lets another long-suffering sigh because these two are bunch of ridiculous idiots. Not that he’s going to say that outloud to the Colonel’s face. Nope, he still likes to continue living, thank you very much.

‘I don’t think you understand the situation, sweetheart,’ he says, on the verge of spilling the truth to the genius.

Tony looks confuse for a second or two before he says, ‘Of course I understand perfectly well. I’m a genius, remember? Five PhDs and all that.’ He smirks and winks. ‘I understand very much how I’m irrevocably attracted to you, and honestly, if it won’t seem like a rude thing to do, I’d grab you right now and kiss you.’ His eyes gazes at Bucky’s lips at the mention of the deed and unconsciously licks his lips.

No one should blame Bucky for mirroring Tony’s action, because good god does the man had the most attractive lips he had laid eyes on. Full bottom lips that would be so great to bite on and pull and tease and lick.

Now, Bucky can’t stop staring at Tony’s lips. All sense of professionalism gone. He is so fucked.

‘But, unfortunately, the laws of our land prevents me from doing so before getting to know you first,’ Tony continues, eyes back on Bucky’s own, holding equal sincerity and mischief. ‘Because I would love to get to know you. And maybe even marry you.’

‘What?’ Bucky’s caught off guard once again. He blinks rapidly as if trying to unsee what he has heard, which is such a ridiculous anatomy reaction.

The other James in the room snickers not-so-quietly because he’s an asshole apparently.

It’s not Bucky’s fault if the Colonel’s fit of giggles triggered him to glare at the military man.

‘I mean, I’m definitely not letting you go after all your amazing qualities,’ Tony states. ‘Although, I have to warn you that I may not be the best husband.’

There’s another sad smile on Tony’s mouth that Bucky is so tempted to kiss away. Or maybe punch the person who had created the engineer’s insecurities.

‘I’m sure you’ll be perfect, doll,’ he assures him and grazes his thumb softly on Tony’s knuckles.

‘Are you really agreeing to marry me?’ The way that Tony’s eyes lit up could have powered the whole hospital. And that’s saying something since it’s a big hospital.

Bucky takes it as another win for him. Or it could be actually the drugs that’s causing the emotional imbalance in Tony’s system.

‘Damn! I’m one lucky son of a bitch.’ The genius is grinning from ear to ear. ‘No take backs, okay?’

‘I call dibs on being best man,’ Rhodey announces, deeming it the only time he wants to be helpful.

‘Definitely, platypus,’ Tony agrees, turning his head to his friend like he’s only remembered him there. But his eyes doesn’t stray long on the other man, his attention moves back to Bucky like the nurse had hung the moon and the stars and all the other planet in the solar system. ‘Is it settle then?’

Not that Bucky will say no to the proposal with Tony’s awful big, beautiful eyes on him. Who will even deny those eyes anything?

‘God, you’ll look amazing in an all black tux.’ Tony rakes his gaze over Bucky, already lost in his fantasy of the nurse in the tux and his eyes suggest that he’s not far from thinking of Bucky out of the said tux as well.

And honestly, Bucky doesn’t mind being out of the tux as well. Not that he’s going to tell Tony that.

‘I mean, you do look amazing in this…’ The engineer gestures vaguely to Bucky’s scrubs.

Bucky chuckles at that. ‘And I already know you’re handsome in a suit.’

‘You betcha,’ Tony agrees and throws another charismatic smile. ‘I do have the perfect white Armani suit with black lapels in mind. It’ll be a sunset wedding by the cliff with lots and lots of fairy lights and all the cheesy romantic stuff. Maybe candles, too.’ He suddenly pulls Bucky’s hands and kisses it, making Bucky not-blush once again. He sniffs on the warm skin and moans quietly. ‘Hmmm… Sandalwood scent, maybe? You smell like one. What do you think, cupcake?’

What does he think? He can’t, because Bucky’s brain had short-circuited upon the touch of Tony’s soft lip on his skin. And that low moan? That shoved every logic thoughts in his brain into the gutter, because hearing that noise from Tony Stark pulls a Pavlovian reaction out of him.

He wants to hear it again. He wants to jump into the bed with Tony and hear those mewling sounds whispered into his ears.

And then there’s that warm look on Tony’s face again, all directed on Bucky. Tony’s open concern on what Bucky wants.

‘I can’t fucking wait to marry you,’ Tony confesses affectionately, and softly squeezes Bucky’s hand.

Bucky swallows heavily because he’s scared he might say something stupid like how he feels the same because that would be insane. But deep in his heart he wants to say yes, knowing a day will never come that he will not be able to deny this generous, beautiful man anything he will ever ask Bucky of.

‘It should be one hell of a coffee cup, sweetheart,’ he jokes instead.

‘I promise,’ Tony vows solemnly.

————————————————————

————————————————————

Epilogue

It’s been two weeks since his surgery. And Tony’s healing up all well. The only thing that still hurt is his pride because his husband and best friend are little shits.

The thorn that wounds him is Rhodey’s video of him while he was high as fuck on drugs before his operation. It’s already been on their secured group chat with friends, no thanks to JARVIS because even his own child betrayed him. A travesty.

‘It’s not funny anymore,’ he complains.

‘Come on, doll.’ Bucky kisses his temple soothingly. ‘You know it is.’

Tony only pouts and glares at his husband when Bucky doesn’t even have the modesty to hide his amuse chuckle on Tony’s expense.

‘You have to thank Odin, Thor, and all the gods on Asgard that you’re pretty because I’m still mad at you, or else you’ll be sleeping on the couch for a week,’ he threatens mildly, as if he can sleep without Bucky next to him.

‘Thank, Odin, alright,’ Bucky agrees, and pulls him into a side cuddle, making sure he doesn’t bother Tony’s still healing leg.

And Tony wants to reprimand Bucky’s patronising tone. But his lips are busy being kissed by his wonderful and menacing husband.

Fin.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/15781986/chapters/36718377