#dinner at eleven pm GET REAL

[saamaton]

eating falafels, roasted sweet potato fries and fresh mini tomatoes for dinner with fresh blueberries for dessert! i want to thank myself for this amazing opportunity, this food has saved me and life is great

[sunlitlemonade]

From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows:

the kick drop n. the moment you wake up from an immersive dream and have to abruptly recalibrate to the real world—unquitting your job, falling right back out of love, reburying your lost loved ones. In American football, the drop kick is when a player drops the ball and kicks it as it bounces off the ground, used as a method of restarting play.

—

16th August. 8:45 pm. 

“There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Cass stands beside him, silent and patient. 

“Happy birthday, kid,” he says and chokes on it, the unerasable love, the still-festering guilt. He closes his eyes for a second. 

Haltingly, which is uncharacteristic, Cass speaks to fill the heavy air. “No one talks about him. All I know is… he was the second Robin. And that the Joker ki—”

He cuts her off, the words an unnecessary reminder. The wound is ever-present and dear and he pokes at it like he can’t bear for it to heal. On this day though, every year since his passing, he shoves his hand inside and parses his fingers out with blood and the remains of his mangled heart trailing behind. 

“He would have been eighteen today. He loved cars and girls and getting into fights…. Neapolitan ice-cream and the colour green,” he pauses, gathering meagre strength. “And most of all he loved the thrill of being Robin.”

Robin gives me magic! 

—

16th August. 9 pm. 

Alfred sets dinner. Cass insists on helping. Alfred refuses. Cass doesn’t listen. 

He sits and watches. 

Finally they settle down and eat. He barely manages to stomach it. 

This is a spiral he knows well, he has memorised every curve. He knows exactly how deep he has managed to reach. 

He knows he can go far lower.

—

16th August. 9:25 pm.

The bedroom’s air is stale. He’s hardly spent much time here in the past week. He sees how quickly things grow old, how easily the air shrinks in a space closed-off and forgotten. 

His feet take him to his [dead] son’s room. [Dead. He’s dead. He died three years ago. He’s dead. He’s dead. He’s dead. He’s—]

He doesn’t open the door. He goes back to his room, shuts the door behind him. 

—

He wakes up to a pleasantly sunny day. He stretches luxuriously and hears footsteps bound up the stairs. It’s Tim. 

He pounds at the door and tells him to “Rise and shine!”. Before Bruce can answer, the door is thrown wide open and Ace bounds in, jumping on the bed like he owns it. First, he slobbers all over Bruce’s face with his tongue. Then, he sits back and looks at him expectantly. 

Absent-mindedly scratching him behind his ears, he raises a brow at Tim, who’s leaning against the threshold. “Good morning. You’re supposed to be at school.”

“And you were supposed to drop me off before your meeting today.”

…. He did promise that, didn’t he? He sighs and shoots him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry—”

Tim waves it off with a flippant gesture. “Oh, it’s fine. We had a presentation today, I’m glad I could skip. I had nothing ready.”

“Tim.” 

“What? I was busy, alright? Anyways, I’m grievously sick and Mrs. Wilkins feels bad for me so I have an extension.”

“Maybe you should use that time to complete your work instead of terrorising me.”

“I’m holding you accountable. You were the one supposed to be dropping me off!”

“Why didn’t you ask Jason?”

“He said he had to pick up Rena on his way to college and if he took a detour to drop me off he would be late.”

“That’s fair.”

“Want to know why I had to resort to even asking him? Take a wild guess.”

He sighs again. “Because I didn’t drop you off. I’m sorry, it was a really hectic day yesterday. We could get some donuts together later?”

“Hmm. Ace, come on, boy. Come here.”

“Where are you both going?”

“For a morning walk.”

“It’s eleven. It’s sunny.” 

“A midday walk then,” Tim replies, undeterred. “Besides, some sunshine once in a while might do you good.”

“That’s rich coming from you.”

Tim’s face scrunches up with barely concealed offence. “Hey! We don’t get any sunlight here as it is and I have time to kill today—”

“Untrue. You have pending work—”

His volume picks up to support the thin veil of ignorance and procrastination. “SO! I will be walking Ace today. Right now. Your meeting is in twenty minutes.”

“Fuck.” He could dump it on Lucius. He hears Ace’s excited barks as Tim takes him down the stairs. He has already failed at being an adult today. 

He fumbles into the meeting nearly an hour late and throws an airheaded smile to the room. It’s long, it’s boring, he signed up for it.  

By the time he gets back home it’s late in the evening. Talia is back too after a day of browsing gowns to dazzle every guest at Dick’s upcoming wedding. She presses her smile against the corner of his mouth and Bruce chases after it like he doesn’t get to kiss her everyday. 

“Found a dress?”

“I’m getting it custom-made.”

Of course she was. Thorny as her relationship with Dick was, Talia had taken to the preparations like a particularly invested fairy godmother pulling ideas, locations, caterers and gods knew what else from all around the world. So far, they had settled on New York (because Dick insisted), though they didn’t have the venue decided just yet, and a baker known for crafting beautiful cakes. 

They still had months to go but Talia wasn’t one to budge. She thought Bruce and Tim needed something better to wear for the reception whereas wholeheartedly approved of whatever Jason had decided upon. He had told her it was favouritism. She had only smiled and said Jason had good taste. 

He pulls her into a proper hug, sighing against her neck. Her nails scratch against his scalp slightly when her fingers sift through his hair. He presses her closer wanting to melt into one, they fit so perfectly. The rose brooch pin holding her dress together at her shoulder digs into his chest though and he pulls back. Sometimes being too close hurts. 

She kisses him once more before calling out to Cass, who was walking past making a mock gagging gesture, and steering her towards the staircase. 

Alfred passes by behind him and Bruce turns around to see him opening the doors for Jason. He spots the red convertible that's his son’s favourite parked near the fountain. 

Windswept curls and flushed cheeks, bright eyes and an even brighter smile. Bruce’s heart squeezes with affection so dangerously hard that he risks his ribs folding in on themselves. 

“Hey, old man.”

His smile is too large and loopy, he knows it. He can’t help it. “Jay.”

Hands shoved in his green jacket's pocket, Jason gets closer and his smile blooms into a grin to match Bruce’s own. “What’s got you smiling?”

“Nothing.”

A raised brow. He was so much like Bruce but only the best parts. Bruce couldn’t be more thankful. 

“Seriously, it’s nothing,” Bruce insists to avoid being called a sap. “How was college today?”

He started only a month back and had been loving it so far. Bruce still asked whenever he could because he couldn’t help but fret. 

Jason rolls his eyes but it’s half-hearted. “Good,” he says, then adds, “I went out with Rena after class.”

“Oh? Where?”

“Ah, well, we were only hanging out, got some ice-cream.”

“Uh-huh.” 

“Dad.”

His heart skips a giddy beat. Dad. 

“What? I’m happy for you.” It's a feeble act of innocence and Jason is obviously unimpressed by it. 

“She’s just a friend.”

“Yet you mention her without me having to prompt you.”

And oh, the grumpy pout on his face at that. His spitfire of a son could be the sweetest. 

“I just don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You’ll figure it out.”

A sardonic smile. “Sure. That’s helpful. Thanks.” 

“Listen, I don’t know how I got here either.”

“Talia pitied you.” 

Bruce ruffles his bedhead. “Brat.”

“You know it’s true.”

Bruce sighs. It seems like parents do a lot of sighing. “It is.” 

“Now that this is settled,” Alfred cuts in, “could you both make your way to the living room of the West Wing’s first floor? Master Timothy says it is movie night. Food will be served there.” 

Alfred hated having them eat anywhere that wasn’t the dining table. Tim must have practised puppy dog eyes. 

They reach the room and Jason immediately pushes Tim off the couch. Draping his lanky frame over the cushions, he grins down at his brother. Tim scowls at him. Jason nonchalantly toes his shoes off and lets them drop over the armrest’s side. Tim opens his mouth, undoubtedly about to start a fight when Bruce cuts in. 

“Tim.”

His son whips his face to him, an accusatory finger pointed at his older, unrepentant brother. Bruce smoothly makes his way to the couch, lifts Jason’s legs, plops down to slouch into the soft material and lets his legs fall over his lap. 

Tim’s jaw drops open. “Did you see—”

“Some trusted sources have informed me that you haven’t completed your work yet.”

“I have! Almost. I just need to cite my sources and shit—”

“Language.”

“It’s almost done. Did you not just see what he did?”

“I did and I think you deserve it after last week’s prank.”

“.... In my defence, that was funny. To me,” comes the petulant reply. 

“So was this. To me,” Bruce throws back, just as unapologetic. 

Jason’s shit-eating grin only widens as Tim accepts defeat and curls up at Bruce’s feet, letting his head rest against his thigh distractedly. He immediately recoils and glares at Jason. 

“You have smelly feet.”

Jason’s response is stretching his leg a bit further to bring his toes closer to Tim’s face. The younger boy gets up in annoyance and throws himself on the beanbag near the couch. “Keep…. those things away from me. Ugh.” 

Talia arrives with Cass and Jason instantly retracts his legs from his lap and straightens up to make space for them. Talia sits beside him while Cass occupies the other beanbag. 

This close, Bruce can see the way his eyes almost crinkle shut when he dimples at Talia. They talk in soft tones, discussing the colour of tablecloths and balloons and “oh, there has to be blue”. 

The movie starts and they quieten. Chatter picks up again because “that’s absolute nonsense!” and “shut up, bro, it’s not that deep”. Jason says something crass in return and Talia lets out a startled, full-bellied laugh before she swats his head and tells him to behave. 

He gets to have this. 

Time gets blurry at the edges like a long-forgotten song. At some undetermined time the movie is paused so everyone can carry plates full of food to the room and drag Alfred to watch the movie with them. Some undetermined time later Cass falls asleep and Tim gets up to fetch one of the blankets thrown over a chair pushed into the corner. He doesn’t take his eyes off the movie for a second, it’s a talent. Bruce motions for him to bring another along with him, noticing Jason's half-lidded eyes. 

Sure enough, his blinks get slower and slower. He snuggles into his side and even as he’s a little taller, if thinner, he makes it work somehow. Bruce rests an arm around him and watches his eyes droop shut. Summer has made his freckles reappear.  

Talia smiles when she catches his eyes over their son’s head. She covers him in the blanket Tim had gotten for them and refocuses on the movie. 

Jason’s warm breath ghosts over his clavicle, his curls brushing against his neck. He smells like the citrus shampoo Dick had recommended to them all. Bruce rubs his back soothingly, feeling his lips curve up with something bubbly in his chest.

The movie ends. Everyone on the screen is tearful but happy. 

Tim is sleepy too and Talia gently rouses Cass to take them both to their bedrooms. 

“Hey, Jay,” he whispers against his temple. “Hey, wake up.”

Jason doesn’t move.

“Jay? Wake up, buddy. Movie’s over.”

Jason doesn’t wake up.

There’s blood on his temple. Bruce pulls back. 

He wasn’t mistaken. There is actually blood sliding down to the knob of his jaw. 

He cups his face and shakes him. 

“Jay? Jason! Jason?” another hard shake. “Jason, please.” 

He stretches the soft skin under his eye to check his eyes, not knowing what to do. It’s not the perfect blue of a June sky. It’s glassy. 

He stands up to pick him up and notices, for the first time, that it’s not a blanket. It’s a cape, it’s a shroud. 

—

17th August. 4:17 am. 

Bruce palms are clammy. He picks his head up from the messy desk. The computer screen has gone blank. His bed remains undisturbed. 

There’s not even the ticking of a clock to keep him company, just the subtle white noise of the air conditioning unit. Heartbeat in his ears, breathe out of his lungs, he rises shakily. 

In the bathroom, he picks up the citrusy shampoo and puts it in the dustbin. He smashes his fist against the shower’s glass cubicle and kneels down with a bloody hand. 

[the entire thing is inspired by batman #790 (1937) also note that this is bruce's version of a perfect world, not mine. dick has commitment issues in my head & brutalia is best left at something melancholic & haunting. that's about it? happy birthday, jason! wish i had something about you but instead you ended up being a ghost for your dad here.... maybe i'll have something better cooked up next year? <3]

[kittykatkatelol2]

"The Letter" Jegulus Oneshot

prompt by @jegulus-microfic (prompt: letter)

-

James couldn't believe it.

'Oh god how I could have been so stupid???'

To have left the damned letter somewhere Regulus could find-

Gods he felt dumb.

James watched as Regulus read through the letter; oh how he wanted to crawl in a hole and never show his face ever again.

He felt sick to his stomach, watching Regulus read his love confession, that he thought he threw out.

'stupid stupid stupid gods how am I so dumb??'

* * *

'James Potter.. no way, no fucking way that boy loves me. No fucking way. This is one of their bullshit pranks so I can make a fucking fool of myself. No way in fucking hell could James fucking Potter love me.'

Regulus thought to himself, his face remaining blank as he continued to read through James's letter.

Regulus's disbelief continued to grow and grow, as he read.

He was convinced this was some sick joke.

That this was a prank of the sorts.

Something, anything, it just couldn't be real.. could it?

Regulus refused to get his hopes up.

He was not letting James fucking Potter of all people have that kind of hold on him.

* * *

'OH MY GODS WHAT IS THIS MAN THINKING??? DOES HE LOVE ME?? DOES HE HATE ME?? HOW DOES HE HIDE THIS SO WELL- OH FUCK HE'S WALKING OVER I'M SO SCREWED-'

"Oh heyyy Regulus- Um what's up-"

"What the fuck is this, Potter," Regulus spat at James, like his last name was some sort of curse; putting the letter in front of James's face.

'Shiittt-'

"I um-"

"Is this real, Potter? Or are you just fucking with me. Answer fucking truthfully." Regulus snapped at James, he was not having any games be played.

If it was a prank, Regulus would not be laughed at.

If it was real, Regulus- well, Regulus didn't want to think about what would happen if this was indeed real.

"I uh-"

"I am waiting, Potter."

James gulped, it was now or never.

"It was um.. it was real..." James mumbled, his eyes on the floor as he cheeks turned a light pink colour.

Regulus stood there, silently, trying to process what James had said.

"You.. you like me, Potter? In like a nonplatonic way?" Regulus asked hesitantly, his eyes fixed on James.

"...yeah."

Regulus was, for the first time in his life, speechless.

Regulus clears his throat, before speaking.

"I um.. okay," was all Regulus could say.

James felt his heart break.

Regulus didn't feel the same way..

"Well, um, I will see you around, Potter."

Regulus turned and left quickly.

James felt like crying.

Regulus, too, felt like crying.

James looked down in the letter in his hands, willing himself not to start crying at the dinner table.

Then he saw the writing change.

From a love confession in James's handwriting, to something else in Regulus's.

'Meet me underneath the Quidditch bleachers, tonight, eleven pm. We need to talk.'

. . .

It was eleven at night, as James walked to underneath the bleachers at the Quidditch stadium.

"Gods there you are, I was freezing my ass off waiting for you."

James nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden sound of Regulus's voice filling the otherwise silent night air.

"R-Regulus?"

"Yes, idiot. We need to talk."

James visibly gulped.

"A-about..?"

"Us."

James's eyebrows rose at that.

'Us? what does he mean "Us"??'

"I feel the same way, Potter. I.. I just don't like showing bullshit like love. Its complicated. But I assure you, once you know me, you won't love me."

Regulus pauses before continuing.

"But I am willing to give, um, us, a shot.. if you are."

James's mouth falls open.

He was not expecting this.

"I um, yeah, I'd love to give us a shot.. I- I didn't know you felt that way, Reg.."

Regulus shrugs.

"Hiding is what I do best. I'd be surprised if anyone guessed I ever liked you in any way other than 'obnoxious Gryffindor that hangs out with my brother'."

They both just kinda stand in silence, before Regulus walks over to James.

"May I?" Regulus asks, tilting his head up to properly face James; they were inches apart.

James nods and leans down before kissing Regulus.

"I have been wanting to do that for so fucking long."

Regulus mumbles as they pull apart after a minute or so.

"Me too."

The two stand in silence again.

"So what does this make us?"

"Complicated. I'm not ready for anything other than complicated."

James nods, he was perfectly fine with 'complicated', as long as he got to be with Regulus.

-

[Word count: 706]

[survey--s]

489.

What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Making the bed and airing out the bedroom lol. Not very exciting I know but it’s stuff that needs doing.

What was the last thing you said aloud? Right cats, dinner time!

Have you bought anything new this week? Yeah, a new vacuum cleaner and a new waterproof jacket. Riveting stuff, I know lol.

Name one person who made you smile today. Susie.

What’s the last thing you had to drink? Coffee.

Ever go camping? Nah, it’s never been something that appeals to me. Maybe if we lived somewhere with guaranteed decent weather I would give it a go, but around here it just rains all the time haha.

What’s your favorite candy? Depends on my mood really.

Do you send messages on Facebook a lot? Yeah, most days but they’re not very interesting, it’s just often the easiest way to communicate as mobile signal can be really patchy around here. 

Have you ever gone to a strip club? No.

Last sporting event you watched? Uhh, I have no idea - maybe tennis? I’m not really into sports.

What were you doing at 8am this morning? Messing around on my phone in bed.

Anything you wish you could change? No, not really.

Do you go in at a fast food place or drive thru? We normally go in as it’s quicker, but it depends.

What do you think when you hear Australia? My family.

Who’s the last person you talked to on the phone? My mum, I think? I don’t really talk on the phone all that much.

Do you like Chinese food over pizza? It depends on my mood. I love a decent Chinese takeaway but the supermarket versions can be awful.

Do you have a tan? Ha, no.

Biggest annoyance in life right now? Period pains. I swear I ALWAYS get my period when I’m off work or due to do something fun lol.

Do any of your friends have children? Well, I wouldn’t really consider them my friends, but yeah.

Are you jealous of anyone? Anyone who has the time and money to own a horse on their own property.

Where is your dad? I assume he’s at home. I don’t live with my parents.

Any plans today? As little as possible as it’s my first proper day off work in weeks. So far I’ve just been messing about online, watching TV and catching up on some housework lol.

Do you drink your soda with a straw? Yeah, in restaurants and stuff, but we don’t really use straws at home.

Last song listened to? Behind the Wall by Tracy Chapman.

Do you take vitamins daily? No - we do have some in the cupboard but I never remember to take them lol.

Is anyone jealous of you? Not as far as I’m aware.

What are you doing tomorrow? I have a beach ride in the morning and then I’ll probably take a bath and just hang out at home as I suspect my legs will be like jelly haha.

What’s your favorite number? Thirteen.

Do you have a maid come in and clean your house? No, and tbh I wouldn’t want one - I don’t like the idea of someone touching my stuff and being in my home when I’m not there. I don’t mind cleaning though.

Can you say the alphabet backwards? I can’t say that I’ve ever tried.

Cedar Point or Six Flags? We don’t have either of those places here.

Have you ever slept in until 1 PM? Only a few times when I’ve been jetlagged. I like a lie-in but if I sleep too late I feel like I’ve wasted my day for some reason, even if I have no real plans.

Do you believe in love at first sight? No.

Do you like the show Viva La Bam? Haven’t heard of it.

How many kids do you want to have? Zero.

Have you ever gone behind your parents backs? Sure, I can’t imagine there are many adults alive who never lied to their parents lol.

Have you ever lost someone? Yeah.

Where did you get your worst scar from? Falling off the monkey bars when I was about eleven.

What time did you wake up today? 6am when Mike’s alarm went off but I didn’t get out of bed until about half eight.

Have you ever tried to erase someone from your memory? No, not really? I’ve tried to spend less time thinking about certain people though.

Last meal? Vegemite on toast.

Do you like coco pebbles the cereal? Are they like coco pops? If so, yeah, but my parents never bought cereal like that so I only ever got to have it on holiday or at sleepovers lol.

Last time you saw your father? Just before Christmas.

Last time you cried? When the vet said she thought Archie might have cancer. Thankfully it turned out to be a hystiocytoma and the medication cleared it up but I was SO worried as he’s only five.

When you get married what do you think you’ll put most of your focus and money into? I am married and are you talking about the wedding? Because ours was tiny and we spent more money on the honeymoon.

Would you freak out if you were to get pregnant by the last person you hooked up with? I’d be freaked out if I was pregnant in general.

When’s the last time something turned out better than expected? So, one of my customers has taken on their daughters’ spaniel puppy and they asked me to walk him with their two adult dogs - I was DREADING it as the collies can be a bit of a nightmare but actually the spaniel fits right in and they collies actually behave even better now.

Who in your life causes you the most stress or negative feelings? Nobody.

Have you ever had a teacher that also taught your parents? No, my parents weren’t educated in England.

What’s something you complain about frequently? Period pain, dog owners who can’t control their dogs, Mike not tidying up his mess after he’s been in the kitchen.

Do you have anything planned for the summer? Nah, it’s only April. I’ll probably be working most of the summer.

Do you walk fast or slow? It depends.

What form of public transport do you use most often? I don’t use public transport.

Is there any alcohol in the fridge? Yeah, Mike has some cider in there.

Is any part of you sad at all? No.

Who was the last person to disappoint you? I don’t remember.

Have you ever let someone go? Sure.

Are you a patient person? Not particularly.

Do you think you’ve changed over the past year? Sure, I don’t really think it’s possible to go a year without changing at all.

Is there something that happened in your past you hate talking about? No.

Your ex is sitting next to you, what do you do? I would probably just awkwardly ignore him lol.

Are you someone who worries too often? Not so much anymore.

Have you ever been completely alone with a boy in his room? I’m 34 and married - what do you think?

Do you ever think “what if” about anything? Sure, who doesn’t?

Is the last person you kissed older than you? He is indeed.

Does everyone deserve a second chance? No.

Are you emotionally strong? I mean, it depends. In some respects I am, in others...not so much.

Is there anyone you don’t wanna lose? Sure.

Are you the type of person who seeks out revenge? No.

Do you think two people can last forever? Until one of them dies, sure.

Do you like falling asleep listening to the rain? I like the idea of it, but the reality is that it just makes me want to pee, lol.

Is your current hair color your natural hair color? Yeah. Do you believe that the last person that you kissed cares for you? I know he does.

Are you happy with the choices you’ve made? Yes, for the most part. There’s nothing I would change, anyway.

Do you honestly have feelings for someone at the moment? I honestly do.

Have you ever slept in the same bed as the opposite sex? Of course.

Are there things in your life that you’ll never be able to get over? I mean, there are things in my life that will impact me forever.

Have you dated someone older than you? Yeah.

[ihni]

Birthday boy

In which Max is invited to a belated birthday party for Will, but she is only allowed to go if Billy goes with her.

Oh, and unbeknownst to her and just about everyone, it’s actually Billy’s birthday.

(Just, you know, a little birthday angst to brighten your day ...)

~~~

”I don’t know …” Max’s mom is saying, hesitantly, looking at the hand-written birthday party invitation that Max just handed her. The one proclaiming ‘a full day of fun, DnD, dinner and a sleepover, starting on Friday March 29 from 3 pm’. Across the table, Neil has stopped eating.

“Who is going to be there?”

Max shrugs, and tries to make it look like she’s not squirming under his gaze. “Will, obviously … and, uh, Dustin, and Mike, and, uh, Lucas.”

This has Neil frowning. “All boys?”

“No!” Max adds, like she just forgot. “Jane too, my friend Jane. She’ll be there too.” She’s not sure if El will actually be there, but it’s a party for the Party, so she supposes that she will. Hopes that she will.

Neil hums at that, still not sounding convinced. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“But, it’s Will’s birthday party!” Max tries. “Will Byers? He was … really ill, last year, and his real birthday was last Friday but half of our friends were out of town then so his mom –“ She turns to her mom, catches her eye, “– Mrs Byers, you know her, right mom?”

“I mean … yes, but –”

“Mrs Byers said that we could celebrate him properly this week instead, and he really deserves it, mom, because he was really ill last year … and I really want to go!” She ignores Billy’s annoyed huff from beside her, and turn big pleading eyes on Neil. “Please?” She doesn’t turn to her mom – she knows that Neil is the one who will make the decision, even though he’s not even her real dad and shouldn’t have any say in this.

Billy shifts beside her, and Neil’s gaze briefly shifts to him, before going back to Max. “I’ll speak to this Byers woman,” he says, “and then we’ll see.” He picks up his knife and fork and resumes eating, and as if that’s a sign, the rest of them do the same. Max is the last to do it. She keeps glancing at the invitation – now placed on the table between Neil and her mom – and trying to catch her mom’s eyes to silently beg her for help. It’s no use; her mom is busy playing perfect housewife and carrying on a stilted conversation vaguely disguised as small talk.

After dinner, while Susan does the dishes and Billy dries them, Neil finds Joyce Byers’ number in the phone book and goes to make his call. Max knows better than to eavesdrop, and in an effort to present herself as a model daughter and to increase her chances of getting to go to the party, she spreads out her homework on the kitchen table; pretends to be immersed in solving equations when in reality she’s trying to hear what Neil is saying from the other room over the sound of clinking dishes and sloshing water.

A couple of minutes later, Neil comes back into the kitchen. When Max looks up, he gives her a benevolent nod. “You can go.”

Max shoots up from her chair, a big smile on her face. “Really? Thank you, I –“

“You can go to the party, but not the sleepover. I want you home at eleven, at the latest.”

Trying not to grimace, Max nods. It’s better than nothing.

“And of course, Billy will go with you.”

Someone drops a glass onto the counter. It doesn’t break, but the noise is loud in the sudden silence. Billy whirls around. “What?”

(Read the rest on AO3)

[ladylookslikeadude1]

Congratulations on 200!! For the prompt, because im weak to angst/hurt-comfort fics, what about one where Aizawa fucks up and unintentionally neglects Mido. It starts with getting home late to missing dates and forgetting things. Maybe because of a big year long case or maybe something with hizashi or oboro(to hurt more)but Mido feels thrown aside and forgotten. It adds up to Mido moving out and trying to leave because he wants to leave before being hurt again. Aizawa now trying to win him back.

So this is super super similar to the 'The Jealous Type' AU @rayshippouuchiha has going on, so I'm gonna absolutely suggest that you check out some of the bits that they've put out there! I've also written a prompt very similar to this already that I'm going to repost below. If this wasn't quite what you were thinking, let me know and I'll see what else I can wrangle up in that same vein!

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

Izuku tried to be reasonable.  He really did.  The first, fifth, even tenth time Shouta had to cancel a date because of either a patrol that went long, or his students, or something, he understood.  Every canceled date, every time dinner went cold with him at the table staring at a phone with no notifications, he understood.  Or he tried to, at least, and he felt like he succeeded as much as anyone could ask him to.  But this was just too much.

“Shouta.”  Izuku wanted to break something.  “I told you about this six months ago.  I reminded you last month, last week, and three days ago.  I could not have physically given you more of a heads up than I did.”

His boyfriend sighed, looking exhausted.  “Izuku, please.  It’s a class reunion.  I know it’s important to you, and I’m sorry, but this stakeout is important too.”

Izuku wanted to scream.  “Ok,” he said finally, exhausted with the entire situation.

“Izuku.”  Shouta’s voice was quiet as he pulled him into a hug.  “I really am sorry, I didn’t exactly plan for this to happen.”

“It’s fine,” Izuku said quietly.  It wasn’t.  It wasn't even close to fine, but he was so tired of trying to convince his boyfriend that he was at least as important as his job.

“Go by yourself,” Shouta encouraged.  “I want you to have fun.”

So Izuku did just that.  Where he normally would have declined the invite since Shouta couldn’t come, he accepted and went to the reunion.  And, to his surprise, he had a blast.  Dancing and drinking with his peers, he found an acceptance with them that had been lacking when they were younger-with Izuku far less anxious and more likely to laugh than burst into tears now, he and his old classmates enjoyed each others company for what Izuku was pretty sure was the first time ever.

Eventually, he found himself on a barstool, listening to his old classmate talk about her ex-husband.  “Eventually,” she said, looking viciously amused, “He made it so I was happier by myself than I was with him-and what was the point of staying married when I hit that point?”

That question echoed in Izuku’s head as he unlocked his door later that night.  Every canceled plan, every cold dinner and ignored request for a day spent together swirled in his head as he shut the door behind himself.  He wouldn’t be happy without Shouta.  But would he be less unhappy than he was now if they broke up?  That was the real question that he needed to answer.

“You’re back late,” Shouta murmured from the couch, something dark in his eyes that Izuku had never seen before. 

Glancing at the clock, Izuku hesitated.  It was a little past eleven PM, which was later than Izuku normally made it home, but not so late Shouta should be as angry as he seemed.  “I was having a lot of fun,” he finally said, slipping out of his shoes and socks and tossing his jacket on the hook.  “I didn’t expect you to be here, actually.”  It was why he’d drank so much-he’d expected to have the night to himself to be maudlin and grumpy, and then actually make a decision once he’d sobered up.

Shouta’s eyes narrowed.  “Oh?  Planning on bringing someone back here?”  He asked, so lightly Izuku thought he was hearing things for a second.

“I’m sorry, what?”  He asked sharply, the anger he normally kept tightly leashed starting to slip from his control.  

There was something mean in Shouta’s expression as he tipped his head to the side.  “The stakeout ended early,” he said evenly.  “I decided to surprise you by meeting up with you at the reunion.  Imagine my surprise to see you dancing with people you always said you couldn’t stand.  Or,” his voice sharpened as he stood finally, “Listening so intently to a woman talking about how leaving her man was the best thing she could have done for herself.”

Izuku could make an excuse.  He could talk about how the woman had needed a friendly ear, how he wasn’t capable of looking disinterested when someone was talking about their problems-but it would be a lie.  He’d been lying every time he told Shouta it was ok when something was canceled or the man forgot to call-Izuku was tired of lying. 

“She said some things I think I needed to hear,” he said after considering his options.

Shouta had never used his size against Izuku, but the way he stalked over to him, invading his personal space aggressively felt for the first time like he was trying to intimidate Izuku.  “Are you thinking about leaving me?”  He asked, his voice quiet and furious.

Izuku sighed, moving away from him and farther into the living room.  He’d never let the older man intimidate him before, and he wouldn’t start now.  “I don’t know Shouta.  I’m tired and tipsy, so I’m not in a great place to be making any sort of decision at the moment.”  He paused.  “But you said, when we first started dating, that all I ever had to do was tell you I was done-that you wouldn’t fight me on it if that was what I decided.  Is that still the case?”  Izuku was honestly curious, because with how angry Shouta was it didn’t seem like it anymore.

Shouta reached out and threaded his fingers through Izuku’s gently.  “No,” he said quietly.  “That’s not the case at all.”  He tugged Izuku closer, using his free hand to brush Izuku’s hair out of his face as he kissed him sweetly on the mouth.  “You’re mine,” he said softly.  

Izuku sighed, pulling back.  He’d heard that before, along with promises to make more time for him that never actually panned out.  “When you say something so often, it eventually loses its meaning,” he said drily, tugging his hand free.  “Have you eaten?”  He was pretty well done with this conversation at this point.  

“Izuku.”  

He’d never heard that tone from Shouta before, so he turned immediately and was caught by the flatly furious look the man leveled at him.  “Shouta,” he returned after a moment, too tired to try to parse what his boyfriend meant this time.

“Are you really thinking about leaving me because I couldn’t go to this reunion?”  He asked, shoving his hands in his pockets with a scowl.

Izuku leaned against the doorway.  “I’ll tell you what,” he said.  “If you can tell me when the last time you and I had an uninterrupted evening together was, I’ll apologize for even considering it.”

And he waited.  Watching Shouta’s face, he saw him go from confused and slightly irritated, to concerned, and finally to a little bit horrified.  

“I can’t even remember the last time we spent uninterrupted time together was, let alone an entire evening,” Shouta murmured after a long moment.  “I…didn’t realize it had been so long.”

Sighing, Izuku told him, “I’ve asked you so many times to just make some time for me.  But there’s just no room for me in your life.”  He paused.  “You keep saying I’m yours, and maybe I am.  But I’m yours like a toy that you put up on a shelf, refusing to let anyone touch, and forgot about until you realize it’s been years since you’ve even looked at it.”  He shrugged then.  “I’m tired of trying to make myself fit into your life Shouta, when I don’t see you making the same effort.  I’m just done.”

It was a relief to admit it.  The idea had been slowly forming for months at this point, and hearing the exhausted woman tonight admit that leaving a man who didn’t make her life better had been the best choice for her had been the push he’d needed to finally admit to himself that he just wasn’t willing to try anymore.

“No.”  Shouta’s voice was perfectly calm, as if he was talking about the weather.

“No?”  Izuku repeated, puzzled.  “I-you don’t get to tell me that I’m not done, Shouta.  That’s not really how this works.”

Shouta moved closer, silent and predatory.  “I’m sorry,” he murmured, “That I’ve made you feel like this.  I’m sorry that I haven’t been paying enough attention to what’s going on in our relationship.”  His eyes were dark as he reached out and pulled Izuku close again.  “But you have my complete, undivided attention now,” he said quietly, fingers digging in slightly to Izuku’s hips.

“I don’t need your undivided attention,” Izuku said slowly.  He was pretty sure there was something he was missing here, but Shouta was acting so out of character that he just couldn’t put his finger on what was off.  “I just wanted you to make some time for me.  And I don't’ know what could make this time so different than every other time you’ve said you’ll do better and then two days later you’re five hours late without a single text letting me know our plans have changed.”

Shouta hummed, maneuvering them over to the couch and sitting down, pulling Izuku down onto his lap. “You’ve never threatened to leave before,” he pointed out.

Izuku paused.  “I…don’t want you to feel like this is an ultimatum,” he said.  Shouta didn’t react well to ultimatums at all, and while Izuku would never be afraid Shouta would harm him physically he didn’t want to deal with the anger that came from ultimatums.  “That’s not what this is.”

“I know,” Shouta soothed, gentling the fingers digging into Izuku’s hips and instead cupping his hip while running his thumb over Izuku’s hip bone.  “You’ve never played those sorts of games, I didn’t think you would start now.  But you threatened to leave, and I saw you dancing with that man at your reunion looking like you were having more fun than I’ve seen you have in a while.  And then you were talking to the woman who was talking about how she was happier after leaving her husband…” Shouta trailed off.  

Izuku leaned against him, unable to hold himself stiff and still when Shouta was so warm and inviting right behind him, still rubbing soothing little circles on his hip.  “I love you so much,” he sighed, “But I don’t know if I can try again.  I’ve tried so many times.”

“I’ve made it hard on you,” Shouta agreed, hooking his chin on Izuku’s shoulder.  “I can make you happy Izuku, I just need you to try one more time.  Because I won’t let you go.  I can’t.  You’re mine,” he repeated, breath brushing against Izuku’s ear.  “I’ve neglected you, but I don’t do that anymore.  One more time,” he requested.

Letting out a shuddery little noise, Izuku shook his head slightly.  “I don’t think I can Shouta.”

“Well,” he said thoughtfully, making Izuku freeze at his completely reasonable tone.  “You could go ahead and leave me.  And then I could go behind you ruining the life of everyone who thinks they have a chance with you-starting with the man you were dancing with tonight.”  His tone had slid from totally reasonable to slightly vicious by the time he stopped speaking.

Izuku was completely still.  He should feel trapped, he knew.  He should be considering options to seriously walk away and protect himself-but honestly?  He felt wanted in a way he hadn’t for months at this point, and it made heat pool in his stomach.

“Ok,” he breathed out.  “One more time Shouta.”

The other man tumbled Izuku onto the couch, landing on top of him with one hand bracing him above Izuku.  “One more time,” Shouta agreed, and their kiss tasted like victory.  

[sunjaesol]

To everyone's surprise, Tim changed. He smiled more, hung out with the group off-duty more, opened his home for backyard barbeques and game nights and didn't shy away from praising his colleagues more. Hell, even Tim himself was surprised! Sure, his face naturally rested in a stoic scowl and he rolled his eyes at sentimentality and all those teeny boppers running around L.A. trying to become a big star (get a real job!), but... he felt it. That shift. Like he'd gone on a trip and returned home, only to find someone had fixed the sink and painted the walls a fresh coat. Someone cared for him, so now he didn't have to do it all by himself anymore.

But it hadn't been a painter or a plumber, it had been Lucy. And all she had to do was be there.

After their hug outside the room of his father at the hospice, Tim had surrendered to the fact that he very much loved Lucy and that he could do very little about it. It was just a fact at this point. Her teasing smiles became sexy instead of exasperating, her curiosity an invitation instead of a warning sign, her love something he could embrace — just like she held him. He brushed her hair back to whisper something in her ear at a rowdy bar, he grabbed her hand to help her up the steep parts on their Saturday hikes, he hugged her after impromptu taco trucks dinners. Before, he was afraid to cross a line, to jeopardise his (but especially her) professional career by giving into his feelings; HR not caring whether those feelings came from a genuine place or not.

But then she kissed his cheek outside Nevin's Cafe after he bought her a box of doughnuts when a tough day got her down and Tim figured he'd go through fire (again, again, again) if it meant she kept doing that. (As if Lucy would even let him touch fire. Their push and pull was as enigmatic as it was amusing.)

"You smile more, did you know that?" she noted one day.

Tim kept his eyes on the road, feigning indifference. "Yeah? I don't think so."

"You don't feel your cheek muscles being used more?" she deadpanned, causing his lips to effectively quirk into a tiny smile.

She let out a triumphant exclaim, as though proving her theory, which he later confirmed when he dropped her off after grabbing late-night tacos. (If someone asked Tim Bradford before adoring Lucy that he'd be getting food after eleven pm, he'd chortle and call them an idiot.) He kissed the taste of guac off her lips and whispered that, yes, he did smile more, and that she could guess why.

She only needed one guess to get it right.

[one-more-offbeat-anthem]

Today was the first day in weeks that Dean’s shifts at his two different jobs weren’t back-to-back, and Cas planned to make the most of it. It was going to be nice, he thought, to have a date night that didn’t happen at eleven pm (or at eight am, which made it less of a date night and more of a date morning). 

Cas wasn’t as good of a cook as Dean, but he had picked up a couple things, and he decided to make mac-n-cheese and pick up a pie from Dean’s favorite bakery. He even went to the effort of vacuuming their apartment (Cas was pretty sure that, before today, their vacuum had only been used once). 

“Heya Cas,” Dean called about fifteen minutes later, with a slam of their front door. “Where are you?”

“I’m in the kitchen,” Cas replied, with butterflies in his stomach. He and Dean had been together for four years and had lived together for two, but they seldom surprised each other like this, and what if he had gotten the wrong kind of pie and--

Dean stepped into the kitchen and immediately stopped in his tracks, taking a slow sweep of their table, actually set with real dishes instead of paper plates, and the pie on the counter, and then a grim expression came across his face. 

“What’s wrong?” Cas asked, his stomach dropping at the sight of Dean’s furrowed brow. “Dean?”

“Aw shit,” Dean said heavily, stepping around the kitchen island into Cas’ personal space. “Cas, we gotta talk.” 

Normally when Dean got this close, it meant he was going to kiss Cas, but he didn’t think that was what was going to happen right now. 

Cas backed himself up against the counter, fighting the very different kind of butterflies he was having now. “Okay. What do we need to talk about?”

“I, uh...” Dean swallowed, rubbed his hands together. “I don’t think we should date anymore.” 

“Oh.” The room suddenly got very blurry, and Cas tried to remember if he had done anything. Did he forget to take out the trash one too many times? Did Dean want to be with someone who had a “real job,” not a kindergarten teacher? (That had happened with an ex-boyfriend.) Or was Cas just boring? Did he--

“Hey, sweetheart, why are you crying?” Dean’s voice broke through Cas’ thoughts. He reached for Cas’ hands, but Cas yanked them away.

“You’re breaking up with me,” he choked out, “Why wouldn’t I be crying?”

“I’m--no, Cas, I’m not doing that. I’m--this was a bad idea.”

“You think?”

“Cas, it’s April Fool’s day--I was trying to...” Dean ran his hands through his hair. “I was trying to be funny about this because I was nervous but...” Dean looked up at Cas, fixing him with a stare. 

Cas wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“I was going to say,” Dean took a deep breath. “I don’t think we should date anymore because I want to get married.” 

“Oh.” 

Now Cas let Dean take his hands, and then Dean pulled him into his arms. “I’m sorry,” Dean said. “I didn’t mean to make you upset, I really didn’t think this through.”

“It’s okay now,” Cas replied. “But I’m going to hold this over you for the rest of time.” 

Dean pulled back to look at him. “So that’s a yes, then? You want to get married?”

“Absolutely.” Cas couldn’t think of anything he wanted to do more. 

(Dinner maybe got cold after that, but it didn’t really matter. That’s why microwaves were invented.) 

[firstelevens]

and another: sam and bucky, "bum"

The harebrained Craigslist ad inspired AU continues.

---

It’s only 3 PM and Sam has already successfully horrified most of the friends and family who join him and Sarah for Thanksgiving every year.

Their concerned glances and pained smiles have made him feel vaguely guilty all day, but he’s been coping by reminding himself just how relieved everyone will be when they find out that he’s single again. He’s doing them a favor, really: showing them the possibilities, Ghost-of-Christmas-Future-style, and then neatly waving them away.

When the guilt subsides for a bit, Sam actually kind of has fun watching it all unfold. He’s not sure anyone has ever committed to the role of ‘bum’ with as much conviction as Bucky Barnes.

He’d rolled up at eleven in the restaurant’s catering van, which was exactly as loud and hideous as promised. Miss Dorothea from down the road had smiled at Sam all indulgently and said how nice it was that his man had showed up early to help. There had been a rumble of agreement, and then Bucky had stepped out of the van in a muscle tank, a backwards baseball cap, and the douchiest aviators Sam had seen since his last tour.

Thanksgiving at the Wilsons’ has always been a Sunday best kind of affair, and Sam had to bite back a grin at the immediate murmur of disapproval as the guests watched Bucky saunter to the front door.

They’d made their rounds of the house, Sam taking care to make sure that everybody knew his incorrectly-attired, too-self-centered-for-small-talk boyfriend was called Bucky, of all things. By the time they’d made their way to the porch, there were at least three hushed conversations going about how sometimes, being single for a while was the right choice.

Bucky’s been parked on the porch for most of the afternoon, decidedly not helping out around the kitchen the way everyone else is and loudly asking Sam for another drink whenever someone else is within earshot.

Sam is heading over to check up on him when the door to the porch opens, admitting a giggling AJ and Cass. He dodges fast enough to avoid getting clipped by Cass’s elbow, then catches the door on the backswing and slips outside. Bucky has a small smile on his face--a real one, that is, not the lazy smirk he’s been wearing all afternoon or the wry half-grin Sam’s used to.

Studiously ignoring the unexpected fluttering low in his belly, Sam reaches over and plucks Bucky’s beer bottle from his hands, taking a long pull from it before handing it back. The answering noise of offense is definitely not something he finds cute, he tells himself.

He leans against the porch railing and nods at Bucky’s right hand, the pink scrapes across his knuckles still raw-looking. “That’s a nice touch, by the way. They probably all think you’re a cage fighter.”

Bucky snorts, glancing down at it. “What, you don’t think I’d seem as dangerous if they knew these were from punching the ice cream maker at work?”

“Why the fuck would you punch an ice cream maker, Barnes?” asks Sam, instead of following through on his impulse to take Bucky’s hand and get a better look at the injury.

A shrug. “It wasn’t working and dinner service started in ten minutes.”

Sam raises an eyebrow. “Did it help?”

“Only in that it got my dumb ass out of the way so Morita could unplug it and then start it up again.”

That surprises a real laugh out of him, and when Bucky looks up at Sam through his eyelashes, his face looks vaguely pleased.

Before Sam can parse that further, the creaky floorboard just behind the door creaks, and in a split second, Bucky has yanked Sam by the arm, pulling at just the right angle for Sam to land squarely in his lap.

His hands instinctively come up to grip Bucky’s (very bare, extremely well-muscled) shoulders, his mouth hanging open just a little bit in surprise. When Sam’s old friend Leila steps through the door, she immediately giggles at the sight of them.

“Sarah said to say dinner’s ready, but I’ll leave y’all to it,” she says, throwing a wink Sam’s way.

He feels his face get warm as she heads back in, but he’s slightly distracted by the blush that’s appeared on Bucky’s face. He opens his mouth to say something--what, he’s not sure, but something--when Sarah’s voice carries through the half-closed door.

“I know my brother is not letting all this food go cold because he’s too busy necking with his new man to come to the table on time.”

Bucky’s face shutters: the softness that had been there before is suddenly gone, and as the two of them scramble to their feet and head inside, Sam finds himself worried that he won’t get to see it again.

[harlowhockeystick]

Nolan- would do something simple and at home, he'd plan an at home date night and even though he said he didn't wanna marriage at all or any time soon his mind changes instantly the more time he spends with princess. He goes intimate and chooses to just have it be them. When the time comes and he gets on his knee in front of her she's tearing up but not hysterical like he thought she'd be, because all along she knew it would happen. She knew he loved her and they were meant to be, the ring is literally a dream. It's diamonds on top of diamonds and she's obsessed

Sidney- the man would be a fucking nervous wreck, he knows she's young but she's mature and he loves her. Her family is involved and so is his, it's done at the park where they went after their first date, she's got a feeling he was gonna do it too so when he's giving his speech she's already crying which makes him cry then he just takes out the box and she just sobs. It's a perfect ring, classy with one diamond in the middle. He's so proud because he picked it out all on his own

Nate-Now for sure he'd involve Penny, he tells her he's proposing and what that means and she is SO happy. They come up with a plan, something fun to throw her off but ultimately she also knows something's going on because once they get to where Nate's proposing Penny just holds her hands in hers and tells her she loves her so so much and appreciates her and Nate comes from the back and gets down on his knee and pours his heart out to her, like his voice cracks and everything and Penny is just all "Will you be my bonus mommy now for real ?" and it's just a cry fest between them. Nate gets a one of a kind ring, he went big on it

all of these are true. so fitting, esp for nolan. he knows that whether or not it's on top of the eiffel tower or it's eleven pm and they're in their pj's, she's gonna say yes. and yes nolan gets her a fucking rock. sidney def talks to all her friends/sister/mom about it to make sure he's got it all right. and he'd have a little speech prepared too, and halfway through he's got tears rolling down his cheeks so finally he just asks the question. and tbh i don't think nate would have penny there, he'd want it to be between just the two of them for that moment, but if they go to dinner after she's there for sure.

[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia CH 11

“Did I meet your friends last night?” Kirby asked as he unwrapped his crunchwrap in the driver's seat.

“uuh...kinda? Like Toby was with me when I gave you the Surge but you sorta just ran off with it.” you pause as you sip a bit of your Baja Blast. “Like a fucking gremlin.”

Kirby lets out a snort and lettuce drops from his mouth. He tries to hide his messy eating behind his hand. Failing miserably, you can't help but laugh at your friend.

“Wha' bout the other two? Kieth said you ditched 'em.” For a man who was trying to cover up his mouth he sure had the audacity to try and talk with his mouth full.

“They're Toby's roommates, I haven't talked to them too much.” he nods as you speak.

“Well I promise I'll be more...together,” he makes a sort of questioning sound as he debates if that was the word he was looking for. He can't really think of anything else so he settles for 'together'. “next weekend. They are coming right?”

After a brief pause he gets his mind back in place, “This weekend, picnic's this weekend.” You chuckle.

“Toby said they'd stop by. Don't think any are really people people.”

“People people?”

“Yup” not going to let Kirby rile you up as he often tries. Not that he could with his current brain power. Sleep haze still has him in it's hold despite being “up” for about an hour now.

Out of everyone in your friend group Kirby is probably the one you're closest to. Along with being a fellow Ace he's an ambivert and you two just instantly clicked over dumb D grade monster movies. He jokes you guys must be long lost siblings. Well he only started the sibling thing because multiple Hornets or other members of the committee kept thinking you guys were dating. Since then Kirby takes to purposefully calling you some variation of sibling when he shows any type of affection. It seems even just being referenced to being in a relationship squicks him out. You don't mind though you'd always wanted an older brother and Kirby is the exact type you would've wished for. The funny dork who was super easy to get along with.

Even when he steals your nachos...like he is now.

“I'm starting to understand the Cain Instinct.” you say looking him dead in the eyes. He lets out a roar of laughter and reminds you he bought “breakfast”.

“Dad tax and all that.”

“You're not my dad! Ugly ass doodoo head.”

“Is that what that kid said? I don't think that's right.” another thing you share is constantly referencing vines or tiktok sounds.

This of course led to an argument of what the kid actually said in the vine. Both of you were determined to get home and look it up to prove the other wrong.

After your breakfast Kirby started the truck as you put all the trash into the Taco Bell bag. You switch on his stereo much to his chagrin. Kirby got a CD stuck in the radio and now the only thing he can listen to is a meme mix tape he made back in high school. It was funny the first two months for him and now he prays that the novelty will ware off on you soon.

Though it has been a few weeks since he last drove you anywhere, and what can he say Discord is always a bop.

Kirby drops you off without much fanfare, you both agree to seeing each other next week at the picnic. Is it ironic that you want to call out for him to get some more sleep? Like you are the one who's been up since five AM and it's now eleven. But you have a medical condition, Kirby is just over worked and stressed beyond Hell and back.

Getting inside you have nothing really planned for today and while you could start heading out to thrifts to find something formal for Jo's recital you really don't feel like it. Productivity wise you've already had a pretty busy weekend so no one can really judge you for taking it easy and just merging with the couch for the rest of it. Even you, you can be so tough on yourself sometimes.

British Bake Off is just the thing you need to enjoy the rest of your weekend. A calming low stress but funny baking show. Just turn your brain off and lose yourself in the soothing monotone of the judges. It's nearly six in the evening when you finally shake off your lazy day haze.

Getting up, bakers still baking, you start making a simple dinner. Fried egg on toast sounds good. Also a good balance to your supreme nacho breakfast from this morning. Dressing one slice of toast in butter and the other with butter, a little mayo, and a dash of Tabasco before placing the egg on it. You head back to eat and continue watching the competition. Your meal fills you and gives the energy you need to continue “leisureing”.

After an hour you get up and wash the dishes from earlier. And while you have no energy to actually play any of your video games right now you do want to log in for your dailies.

A quick trip to your bedroom has you grabbing your laptop before returning back to the comfort of your living room. Couch calling you to it's cozy embrace. You half pay attention to what you're doing as you set up your laptop, muscles running on muscle memory more than any conscious effort on your part. You hadn't even noticed your hands flickering across the board and logging into your email.

By the time you do realize you aren't on your game's site you see you have a new email. It's from Barclay.

'Coming to ask for my help?' you think a little too smug that you'd been right about the cooking being too much for the man.

However, that wasn't what he was messaging you about. It seems he and Leo had been talking and the old man mentioned what your plans for cooking were.

Shortie,

Leo says you're making forager's pie for the picnic. Seasons ripe for ramps and mushrooms. You in for a little adventure through new unexplored territory?

...I'm hunting some lobster mushrooms, could use a hand or two Will share the bounty. ~Barclay sent 12:04 PM

An olive branch in hopes you weren't too sore about his rejection from earlier this week. The message and sentiment is lost on you since you got over that Thursday.

The idea of new terrain makes you a bit uneasy, however lobster mushrooms were pretty good and forage finds were really rare. Barclay grew up in these woods he probably knew what he was doing, not to mention he could easily know where to find ramps. Their flavor would really up your pie game. It's settled you're in for a forage date with big foot as your guide.

Am in Big Feet. When are we going? Sent 7:20 PM

Like with most things a waiting game began, down sides to living in a radio quiet community people weren't as attached to electronics because of the limited capabilities. But now that you know Barclay is emailing you, you can check your phone more often. Shutting down your laptop you close it before sliding it under your coffee table as you slide down the couch getting comfy.

It was two hours before Barclay got back to you.

Fantastic! Does Tuesday work? ~Barclay sent 9:42 PM

Barclay must be in a rush to get those mushrooms. You'd been thinking Thursday or Friday at the latest for the freshest mushrooms. Maybe he didn't need them for the picnic but a personal project. From what Jake has told you Barclay often falls into spells of testing out new ideas with the strangest of ingredients. With varying results but mainly positive ones.

Yea sure. Meet at the lodge after my shift? Sent 9:50 PM

Perfect see you then. ~Barclay sent 9:52 PM

Oki Sent 9:52 PM

Now that that has been settled you are free to continue your chill Sunday. Losing yourself to the lulling voices of the judges you hardly notice as you drift off. Warm in your throw blanket cocoon and cozy on the plush of your couch.

You jolt up right panting after being woken up by a loud bang. Or at least you thought you'd heard a bang, Sometimes auditory hallucinations came to you in your sleep no matter how well rested you were. The room around you is dark as the light from your TV is dimmed with Netflix's 'Are you still watching?' pop up mocking you for your marathon.

Without thinking you hit 'yes' and the bake off resumes. With the brightness restored you can see your living room and hallway are completely undisturbed. An auditory hallucination must have pulled you out of sleep. Nothing more, after all your stalker wouldn't get sloppy now, it's only been three weeks.

'That you know of.' seems to whisper and embed itself in your mind.

Shaking off the worrying thought you look at your phone to see it's now quarter till one. You are hungry and don't feel like cooking. Thankfully you have emergency white castles and fries in your freezer for this exact need. Getting up you go to the kitchen to microwave your food. Popping the fries in first you decide to head to the bathroom before that becomes a problem for you.

Before you go down the hallway you do end up grabbing the bat next to the bookshelf. The whisper from earlier clearly hasn't done much to settle your nerves after your rude awakening. Protection in hand you have a little less anxiety about walking down the dark hallway. You'd have to look into installing one of those cheap wall lamps from Home Depot to help you out in situations like this. Either that or a night light in your bathroom, you can probably get the night light done quicker. Maybe Leo sells them, you'll have to check next week.

You made it back to the kitchen after your bathroom break without any surprises, real or imaginary, jumping out at you. Replacing the fries inside your microwave with sliders, you snack on a few while you wait for the rest of your meal.

It's probably paranoia but you can't blame yourself for it as you continue to keep an ear out for any sound of abnormal movement within your home, as you eat and have the bake show low enough to catch the sounds of another person. None come, and you finish your food without incident. You're willing to chalk the noise up to a hallucination and your paranoia as valid but not necessary in this moment. Without much more thought you place your empty plate on the coffee table and curl back up in your throw blanket. Just like before you don't catch yourself as you fall asleep. This time you don't wake up until your phone alarm goes off for you to start your week and head to work.

The week has been much less dramatic than last week had been. But then again it is only Tuesday and you literally have gay brunch this Sunday. There will definitely be some sort of theatrics this week. Whether they come from homosexuals or your stalker is up to God.

Then later today you'll be going foraging with Barclay. And while that isn't anything dramatic it will be an adventure and, you hope, really fun! Your excitement has been tangible all day and you couldn't hold yourself back from focusing only on the clock in the shop all day. Even giddier than normal for the strike of five. With the energy rushing through you it amped up your tics but thankfully you hadn't hurt yourself in your excitement.

Even Nate is beginning to playfully tease you about your “date” with Barclay.

Great he must've been talking to Little Jo. What is it with this family and wanting you to date the lodge owner? Do you just look like the lead in a Hallmark Christmas movie that moved to a small town in order to feel the joy of the holidays? You could definitely get into the role but you don't think Barclay would be the main love interest for you.

Honestly he'd probably be the one all the viewers cheered for but you'd personally go for the puppy dog partner that has a scarred past. You have a type and your type is emotionally wounded and needing of love. That thought had made you chuckle as you and Nate closed up the store for the day.

Nate kept looking over at you throughout the day, and when he heard you giggle to yourself at closing he couldn't help the fond smile that came over his features. He could feel how his brows lifted themselves from their normally furrowed or downward tilt. He'd have let you leave early had it not been for the new procedures Big Jo had set. It's not often that your excitement shows so visibly. It's not often that the Cowell family has seen you happy like this.

But Nate understands it's not the crush that Little Jo seems to think it is, it's something more bittersweet. It's the excitement that comes from finally waning off of being isolated for so long. And boy does Nate understand that feeling. If he had to guess Nate would say you've been alone for most of your life even if you don't act like it. You need these little hangouts with your friends. So he does his fastest close yet. You both are out the door by five after and he bids you goodnight as you head to your respective cars.

With the close tonight being so quick you made it to the lodge and parked in the half full lot just before five thirty. Getting out of your car you noticed a familiar duo sitting on the stoop of the lodge.

'Something's wrong.' is the only thought you have as you walk towards the lodge.

“Hey stranger.” the brunette looks up to you at your greeting.

In this light you can just catch the slight movement of his pupils in his dark eyes as they widen in surprise.

“oh...hey?” he seems confused to see you here. Must not be used to living in a small town yet. He'll learn soon enough that you run into everyone all the time here. Sometimes multiple times a week as it would seem.

“You good?” motioning towards the hand on the back of his neck.

“Yea, fucking Bri-an Mrrow thought I needed this.” Toby moves his hand to show an ice pack that you assume he's been holding to the back of his neck.

“Heat sickness?”

“Nah, the RV's AC busted. I can probably fix it by the end of the week.” you nod.

That makes sense, after all CIPA affects thermal regulation, at least from a basic skim. You really need to get on that deep dive to make sure you're prepared for irregular injury prevention with Toby. Speaking of, the boy in front of you is just sitting here with Connor, why? Even if he's here to get a room at the lodge why didn't he just go in? Connor is a service dog after all not like anyone could turn him away. So why was Toby just sitting out here, especially if Brian thought he needed an ice pack to the neck to keep cool?

As if the universe heard your question and decided to give you an answer, Aubrey opened the door and poked her head out.

“Thanks for letting me put up Dr. Harris Bonkers. I'll keep him in my room during your stay.” Oh that makes sense Aubrey's rabbit normally has the run of the lodge. Even if Connor's a service dog and well trained Dr. Bonkers is still a prey animal with a weak heart. Seeing Connor may have stressed the poor rabbit out, if not nearly given him a heart attack.

Her russet eyes land on you when she opens the door wider to, you assume, let Toby and Connor in. They widen and Aubrey rushes in to hug you before stopping short as if remembering you don't appreciate physical contact.

“Hey YN! I didn't know you were coming over.” She says a little awkwardly mid pose for a hug.

You won't be saving her from the situation. With a smile, that she can't see, you nod.

“Barclay's taking me foraging today.”

Aubrey nods while lowering her arms and takes a few steps back so you and Toby can enter the lodge. The large foyer of the wooden chalet always looks bigger thanks to the deep red tones in it's color palette. From the dark cherry stained wood to the red rugs and table liners. Always feels a lot warmer too, but in a homey sense not the overbearing swelter of heat sense. You can't wait to see what it's like in the winter. Probably so cozy and welcoming with a fire roaring and the murmur of residents and tourist mingling over the winter festivities. There's a swell in your chest at the thought...it seems nice, you hope you're right.

'Hope you see it.' is the dark whisper that taints your thoughts.

You notice Brian and Tim are over at the counter talking to Barclay who is nodding along sympathetically to the trio's plight. He catches your eye and motions for you to wait. You'd been planning to, after all he's currently working.

Turning to Toby you see he looks a bit paler than normal, which should be a difficult feat. Aubrey had left you both, though you aren't sure if she'll be coming back with her girlfriend Dani in a moment or not. You decide to lead Toby over to the obnoxiously plush couch in the den.

It's not like the lodge is off limits to those who aren't guests, and seeing as most of it's workers live here their friends frequently come around thus using the amenities. After sitting on the couch Toby grabs at Connor's ears and starts shaking them. He isn't being rough with them despite the jerky movements and Connor seems to lean into the pet.

Just from what you can gather it seems like Toby has some pretty bad social anxiety. You really aren't sure of what you could do to help. He calmed down at the movie night with a distraction...oh that reminds you, you fell asleep on him. Figuratively and literally.

“I'm sorry for falling asleep on you.” probably not the most tactful or elegant way of bringing this up.

Toby takes a minute to register you words. Not taking his eyes off Connor or ceasing his movements he says, “Eh.” as he gives a muted shrug and continues, “Your friend...Kirby...gave you a ride right?” He said Kirby's name like a question. You'd have to formally introduce the two at some point. Probably this weekend.

“Yea, he's sorry about being a weirdo Saturday, said he'd be more “present” this weekend.”

Toby doesn't say anything more and you let a silence fall over you two. It isn't awkward, at least to you, and you're content to just sit and wait for a while. However, it doesn't take long before Tim, Brian, and Barclay are all entering the den.

“Knew they'd be here,” Barclay says to the other two, “Sorry 'bout the wait YN, Jake's comin' down to give these guys a tour an' set them up. We'll leave when he gets down.” you nod and give the other two a muted wave 'hello'.

It isn't long before Jake is sliding down the banister and leading the group out of the room before Barclay can get on to him about his juvenile behavior. Sighing at the twenty-three year old's antics Barclay turns to you and looks at what you're wearing. Hiking boots and jeans, perfect but one thing is missing.

“C'mon let's go get duct taped.”

“Duct taped?”

“Yup, keeps ticks from climbing up you.”

So you make your way to his office where he sticks duct tape, sticky side up, around each ankle and just above and below your knees. All while explaining how if a tick started to try and climb up you the tape would make them stick and stay there. You'd end up with less ticks on your torso and hopefully none at all.

In no time the two of your were in the forest two baskets in hand and hunting for your immobile prey. The ramps were super easy to find and the first you knocked off the hunt list. Barlcay said they grow in the same area every year, knowing this you may have to come and grab some the next time they're in season. You can already taste how good your forager's pie tastes with the new earthy tones. Actual mushrooms were much harder to find, aside from the lobster mushrooms you were really only looking for some hedgehog mushrooms. They aren't rare or extremely difficult to find but you two aren't having any luck.

Barclay suggested a spot just past a little pond, and while you didn't find mushrooms you did find some Black Raspberry bushes. Not one to let ingredients go to waste Barclay starts picking some, and you grab some too. Maybe baking an easy Black Raspberry cobbler will be your consolation prize. Though Barclay isn't as placated as you are with the unexpected find. The man is still on the hunt for his lobster mushrooms. So you continue scouring the path and a little bit off it in search.

“We should head back, it's dark.” you state plainly after a few hours of searching and remaining mushroom less.

Barclay agrees, but makes the comment that he'll probably come out again in a day or two.

“If I find any I'll still give you some or helping out today.”

“It's fine I've got my treasures right here.” You shrug it off, because while you are a bit disappointed, you still have ramps and the opportunity to make cobbler. It's not all bad. Barclay on the other hand, you know, will not be letting this go so you expect he'll hand you a container of mushrooms sometime in the coming month if not this weekend.

Getting back to the lodge Barclay helps you cut off the duct tape and disposes of it and the hitch hikers you picked up. He sends you off to shower and check for stragglers before he would allow you to go home. Thankfully you had the foresight to bring a change of clothes and after retrieving them from your trunk you do as you're told.

Barclay was right you hadn't had a single tick on you and you feel much better after a shower. Getting out you already smell the alluring aroma of Barclay's kitchen. You must have taken a bit longer than you intended if he was already done with his own shower and already cooking for the lodge. Heading downstairs with your duffle bag in tow, you are stopped by Dani at the door.

You haven't seen her in a bit so the two of you catch up and have a chat. After a bit Aubrey comes in with a Tupperware container of grilled salmon and veggies over rice.

“Oh I see, you were a diversion.” you said looking at Dani as you take the container. Dani gives a sheepish smile before running off to the dinning room, and after sending you a coy smile of her own Aubrey follows after.

You know you're more than welcome to join them, but you really don't have the battery for that and just want to decompress at home.

“Thank you!” you call out into the lodge, only leaving after hearing the distant chuckles drifting through the hall.

Opening the door you run right into someone. Looking up you see Toby, but he isn't wearing a mask. Instead he's wearing a large bandage on his face to cover the hole. In his hands is a box of similar bandages. Guess if they're staying for a bit he'll need them around the others.

Should you mention the others wouldn't say anything? That this whole place was like Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, but for the misfits or the weird and disowned? You aren't really sure it's your place. And you aren't really sure you're comfortable with how comfortable you've gotten with Toby. You're probably crossing some boundary by over analyzing him so much. And he doesn't even know you're doing it.

Toby knocks you out of your head when he backs away and gives you space to exit the lodge.

“Get home safe.” it falls out of his mouth so easily.

You've noticed he has a habit of saying that...why? There you go over analyzing him, you need to stop. Shaking yourself from your thoughts this time you look at Toby with a smile.

“I will...I think you'll like it here.” when you're in your car you want to slam your head on the steering wheel but Toby is still watching. Why did you say that, you're so weird.

[justaluckybitch]

Adventures In Babysitting (NSFW)

Rating: +18 (Explicit) / Smut

Relationships: Kevin Jonas/Reader

Original Post (Part of my “Me & Mr. Jonas” collection

Notes:  English is not my first language so if you see any grammatical errors please tell me in the comments. It you have requests just leave in the comments. 

 I am babysitting for the Jonas family, I have been taking care of their daughters all day for a week and go home at night. They are my neighbors and my mom said it was okay, so here I am. This morning, Daniele, the mother called me and said she would need to travel, asked me to take care of the children until 10:00 pm, which was the time when her husband came home, the children sleep early and I was usually already home at 8:00 pm, but I accepted, she said she would be back the next day, said goodbye to the children and left. I helped the girls with their homework, watched TV, they had dinner and were ready to sleep. I put them to bed at their usual time, read a story and soon they were asleep, so I went down to wait at the living room while watching TV. At around 9:30 pm I heard a car being parked, turned off the TV and got ready to go home. Mr. Jonas appeared in the room, wearing a white shirt and black pants, as handsome as ever. "Good night Y/N, how are you?" He smiled. "I'm fine, Mr. Jonas, and you?" I replied coughing. He approached "Better now ... I got home" he sat on the couch. "No problem?" I shook my head saying no, "Great ... do you need to go now? Don't you want to stay a while, talk ...?" He asked me to sit next to him on the couch. "I imagine you must be tired, we both worked all day, so I thought we could have a drink and talk" he grinned and I agreed and sat down. "I can stay a few more minutes." "Great ..." he got up, going to a small bar in the corner of the room "... are you old enough to drink?" "I'm old enough to do many things, Mr. Jonas" I laugh, but I regret it, realizing that it was very inappropriate. "I bet you are..." he winks and pours me a drink "so ... I think you might already have a boyfriend, am I right?" "Not really Mr. Jonas, I'm not seeing anyone, I'm looking for someone special" I take a sip and feel my cheeks turn red. He notices and smiles "don't be shy... if i were a few years younger and single, i would apply". I gasp, nervous... this is not happening, this is not happening, he is a married man... "So... how did you and your wife meet? You guys have been dating since you were teenagers, right?" I try to change the subject, but I end up going the wrong way. "Yes ... I love her, she is amazing... but... we have been married for eleven years now, things get a little cold sometimes..." he says slowly, without taking his eyes off of me. "So, your marriage isn't going well?" "Actually things are great, I learned to solve these things very well" he learns his body, getting closer, my heart starts to beat faster. "So... You mean that..." "What I mean ..." he interrupts me "... I am a man, I have needs, desires, fantasies..." he takes a lock of hair from my face and puts it behind my ear . "What kind of fantasies?" I ask, trying not to stutter, my heart beating faster and faster. "Well ..." he grins devilishly, getting a little closer "now, for example, I'm imagining ... my neighbor's little girl, naked in my bed..." I try to say something, but he continues "...me feeling her soft skin, her scent... " he continues, speaking softly, in a seductive tone "...kissing and licking her body, feeling her little mouth on my dick, me fucking her mouth hard until she chokes..." every word of him makes me more nervous and wishing he would do it with me "...so she would sit on my lap, shaking her beautiful little ass with my dick inside her, then I would fuck her tight pussy and she would scream like a slut, loving every inch of my dick inside her... then i would come in her pussy and she would go home with my cum dripping from her... knowing that now she is mine... this is my fantasy ... what do you think?" I swallow hard, trying to look less nervous, taking the courage out of nowhere to say, "I think... she would love to be yours" I lean, our faces dangerously close, feeling his breath as he bites his lip. "I knew you would be my little bitch the moment I saw you..." he kisses me, his tongue aggressively invade my mouth in search of mine, his beard bothers me a little, but I don't care. He pulls me onto his lap, placing his hands on my ass. I roll my ass feeling his erection through our pants. He smiles and slaps my ass. He drops his kisses down my neck, pulling my shirt up, taking it off. His hands grip my breasts over the bra. He takes off my bra and starts kissing my breasts, licking and taking light bites on one of my nipples as he pinches and squeezes the other with his fingers. "You have wonderful breasts Y/N, I could suck them all day". Mr. Jonas sucking and licking my breasts is the best feeling I've ever felt in my life. "I'm going to take you to a more comfortable place" he says and gets up, holding me in his arms, carrying me up the stairs leading me to his room. He throws me on the bed and unzips my pants, takes it off and throws it on the floor, he bites his lip and takes off my panties, stopping for a moment to admire my naked body. "You are beautiful ..." he lays over me and kisses me, he kisses my whole body until reaches my vagina. He sucks and lightly bites my clitoris. Making me go crazy. "Has any man ever made you feel this way, love?" He asks and continues to suck my pussy, without taking his eyes off of me. "No, Mr. Jonas ..." I speak in moans "only you are capable of that" he smiles and continues his work. He starts to fuck me with a finger while he licks my clitoris. He adds a second finger and I feel more and more impatient to have him inside me. His fingers accelerate and go deeper, and I feel my legs weak, before I can think in something I come in his mouth, he smiles, licking my cum. "Your taste is magnificent, love... but that was only the first" Mister Jonas stops what he was doing and gets up. Keeping eye contact with me, he starts unbuttoning his shirt, showing his hot body. I bite my lip watching the scene. He tosses his shirt on the floor and starts taking off his pants "do you like what you see, baby?" I shake my head and he continues to undress, he finally takes off his underwear, revealing his erect dick. "On your knees, love" he orders and I get off the bed and kneel in front of him. He takes my hand and guides it to his dick, I waste no time and start sucking. He pulls my hair and starts to force my head against his dick. I choke and he stops, he holds my head and starts to stick his dick in and out of my mouth, stopping when I choke. He fucks my mouth for a few minutes until he lets go and lets me suck as I please. I lick his entire length, suck his balls, while he groans. "Yes... like that... my love, suck your man like a real whore... My little bitch" I keep sucking until he stops me and carries me back to bed. He stops in front of me, stroking himself. "Ready, little bitch?" He asks. "For you always, Mr. Jonas" I reply and he rubs the head of his cock in my entrance, I feel my legs tremble around his hips. He rubs a few times before starting to force, entering slowly. Feeling every inch of him drives me crazy. He closes his eyes and throws his head back, also enjoying every second. "So tight ..." "Just for you, Mr. Jonas" I moan and calling his name. "Yeah... say the name of it's owner... The owner of this tight pussy" He groans loudly, every time I call him that. He stops for a second and makes me turn around, getting on four on the bed. Soon I feel him coming in again and fucking me harder and faster. I moan even louder and he slaps my ass. "Scream bitch, nobody can hear you here, scream as you want... Scream like the little bitch you are" I hold the sheets with my hands, trying to stay as he fucks me with all his strength, reaching my g spot, I feel my legs week once again, my second orgasm comes and I scream his name as loud as I can. He fucks me for a few more minutes until he finally comes inside me, grunting like an animal. We fall side by side on the bed. "That was amazing, Mr. Jonas" I kiss his mouth, rubbing his chest. "Yes, it was ... you're probably the hottest girl I've ever had sex with" he smiles and kisses me again. He runs his fingers over my pussy, wetting them with his cum "Is there a problem with that?" "No, I use contraception," I reply. "Great ... because I always want to do this" he puts his finger in my mouth for me to suck. "I want to do it again" I bite my lip, looking him in the eye. "Believe me love, you're going to work a lot for me, for a long time... I think I'll give you a raise" he laughs. "I'm going to love this, Mr. Jonas" "I love it when you call me that ..." he smacks my ass "but now, when we're alone, I'm just going to be Mr. Jonas in bed ... out of it you can call me Kevin" "Okay ... Mr. Jonas" I laugh and give him one more kiss "I need to go" "Yes, go home with my cum dripping from your pussy, while your parents don't even imagine the whore you are" he laughs and slaps my ass again.

[cafedanslanuit]

Hello! 12, Mystic Messenger, Jumin/reader

thanks for requesting! i hope you like it <3 @juminhan4ever

series: 500 followers event

pairing: Jumin x Reader [Mystic Messenger]

note: tw for alcoholism. set one year after V’s route.

song: Animal I Have Become - Three Days Grace

So what if you can see the darkest side of me? No one will ever change this animal I have become. Help me believe it’s not the real me

The first sign that startled you was during a dinner for two you had shared in his penthouse. While you were making conversation, he excused himself to bring another bottle of wine. That was when you realized he had emptied a bottle of wine by himself. His speech wasn’t slurred, his hand movement still practised and elegant when he eventually sent you out for the night. You let that slide, thinking he must have a higher tolerance to alcohol than you did, considering you hadn’t even finished your glass.

But then Jaehee had texted you out of the blue, confessing she had found an empty bottle of wine on the floor of Jumin’s car. Driver Kim made it sure to clean it every day after dropping Jumin home, so someone must have drank it the same day she found it. Taking into consideration the only person who had rode that car was her boss and it was only 10 am, she couldn’t help but get concerned.

You asked Jaehee to send Jumin away for at least half an hour while you searched inside his office. She did as told and guarded the door while you looked around. Aside from the photo of V, Rika and Jumin that made your heart clench due to everything that went down the past year, there wasn’t anything out of the blue. You sat on his chair and kicked the desk in frustration. A cling noise made you alert. You had checked the drawers and it was only filled with papers, where was that noise coming from? A few minutes later, you found a false bottom drawer, were there were at least five wine bottled hidden from sight. You left everything as you found it and then quietly left his office, telling Jaehee you would get back to her later. You wanted to confront Jumin by yourself, at least for the first time.

Jumin was, according to your quick online research, a functioning alcoholic. C&R was rising even when its resources had been used to the fight against Mint Eye. But ever since Jihyun had gone away, you could tell Jumin had changed. The news they couldn’t find a body in Rika’s apartment and Jumin’s failure to arrest the members of Mint Eye had taken a toll on him and now you felt dumb for not noticing his hobby had turned into an addiction. That’s why you decided to wait for him in his penthouse until he came back from work. As soon as you heard the door opening, you knew you were coming into a war. But it was all worth it if you could save him.

Jumin had never looked so distraught and furious when you told him he seemed to have an alcohol problem. He repeated it was just wine, and only the best kind. He mentioned C&R was doing great and he never missed any of his work meetings. He didn’t seem to listen to any word you were saying, angrily giving you evidence that he was fine, even if you knew he wasn’t. You took few steps until you were inches away from his face and inhaled deeply.

“Jumin, your breath stinks of alcohol. And it’s 6 pm on a Tuesday. How much have you drunk today?”

“I’m fine, why do you keep--”

“How much, Jumin?” you insisted. Jumin’s expression faltered and looked away from your face. After accepting you weren’t going to get an answer, you sighed. “Yeah. I figured that much”

“What do you want from me? I am doing what I can. C&R was in danger after the incident with Mint Eye and now we’re rising again. I don’t know why it’s a problem”

“It’s a problem because everyone relied on you. Me included. I…” you sighed. “You were the one in charge the intelligence unit. You were the one who lost your two best friends in the span of six months. And now you’re supposed to lead your company back to the top. The only problem there is that you’re doing it on your own.”

“What else am I supposed to do?” he asked, with a tired expression.

“Let me help” you said, taking Jumin’s hand and squeezing it. You weren’t sure if he actually blushed or it was just the warm colors from the sunset outside the penthouse’s windows.

“You know about management?” Jumin asked, this time his voice much softer and with a hint of humour that made you smile. You let go of his hand and put a strand of hair behind your ear.

“I don’t, sorry. But I do want to be by your side through all this. I’ve been told I’m good at being supportive” you shrugged. Jumin smiled softly and you felt like you could breathe again. You closed the space between the two of you and hugged him, burying your face on the crook of his neck. Even if he did smell like alcohol, his perfume definitely made up for it.

Suddenly, you felt him tense again and before you could ask, he put his hands on your shoulders and pushed you away. You furrowed your eyebrows.

“You shouldn’t do that, it’s not proper. You’re waiting for Jihyun” he reminded you with a stern voice. You took his hands off your shoulders but didn’t try to take his hand again. Crossing your arms in front of your chest, you looked at him.

“Yeah” you sighed “Kind of? I mean, I really hope he’s okay wherever he is. But it’s been a year and we only knew each other for eleven days. I care about Jihyun a lot, sure... But this isn’t about him? You’ve been a good friend to me these past year. And not only to me, but to everyone else at the RFA as well. So if he decides to return, I’ll celebrate his recovery, really. But I’m no longer… waiting for him, I guess” you shrugged.

Jumin stayed in silence for what it felt an eternity. You certainly weren’t expecting that topic to come up when you decided to confront Jumin about his drinking. You may or may have not had been experiencing different kind of feelings whenever you two had friendly dinner dates, but had refused to act on it, knowing your past history with Jihyun would make it complicated for him, even if you had stopped receiving letters for the past four months. But some days, whenever Jumin chuckled at one of your jokes, you were hopeful. Maybe, one day…

No. Not now.

“You don’t have to think about that now” you assured him, scratching the back of your head. “Right now, we should just focus on you. Maybe we could start by setting an appointment with a therapist? Then we can go from there” you suggested.

Jumin took a deep breath and looked back at you once more. He cracked up the tiniest of smiles and nodded. Good. You both could figure out where to go next, as long as he knew he didn’t have to do things alone anymore.

[haileygarciasunshine]

Second Chances

Pairing: Billy Hargrove x Reader

Word Count: 2,743

Warnings: Swearing, altered turn of events, a tab bit steamy, drinking, abuse

I wanted to give something new a try🤷‍♀️

*Takes place after the battle of Star court.

After the events at Starcourt, everyone had drastically changed. The party gained a few new members. Both Robin and Erica, had joined. Max was pushing for her brother Billy to join, but the party wasn’t sure about him. After, what had happened it was like Billy did a complete 180.

Since, Billy came to Hawkins, he was never a quiet or caring type of person. That summer, changed him, and everyone else. Seemingly enough, you were the only person to see a real change in Billy. He was searching for a place he belonged. You believed he belonged with the party but still had trust issues. It took a few months for things to get back to normal, or as normal as things were going to get.

Today, was another “typical” type of day with the party. Everyone, was hanging out at the Palace Arcade today, including you and Billy. Which was surprising since Billy, had never stuck around before. You were currently talking to Keith, before you were pulled out of your conversation.

“Hi, Y/N.” A smooth husky voice, suddenly sounded.

Greeting him with a soft smile you began, “Hey, Billy.”

With a sudden burst of confidence, you wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. He stiffed at the sudden contact, just as you were about to pull away, he wound his arms tightly around your waist holding you close, burning his face in your neck. Billy held you, as if his life depended on it.

A few days passed, since the encounter. It was Friday night, movie night with everyone. Max was running late, and there was an argument about what movie we were going to rent.

A soft knock on your front door sounded. Once you opened the door, you were shocked to find Max and Billy standing at your front door.

“Y/N!” Max’s voluminous voice erupted, “I hope you don’t mind, I brought Billy.”

“Of course not! Please, come on.”

Max raced to the living room, where the rest of the party was. As Billy shut the door, he immediately shoved his hands in his pockets, looking down at his feet.

Just as you were about to say something, Dustin ran into you, throwing his arms around you saying, “I think we’ve decided what movies we want to rent! Can we go bother Steve and Robin now?”

Chuckling lightly you responded, “Sure, get everyone in the car okay?”

Dustin took off corralling the rest of the group to your car, Billy in-tow when you lead him to your car. The car ride to the video store, was filled with laughs, and off key singing from the kids. The more time went by, the more Billy visibly relaxed and was comfortable.

Just as you arrived, the back doors flew open, and five teenagers went running into the store.

“They’re not letting any grass grow under their feet.”

“Did you just make a joke?”

For the first time, you saw the beautiful man laugh, “I guess I did.”

Existing the car, Billy held the door open for you to enter the video store, a rosey pink tint danced across your face. Before either of you could say something about it, Max and El, ran up to you and dragged you in the direction of the romance films. Glancing behind you, you could see Dustin go up to Billy and gently tug on his wrist, unsure if there would be any repercussions. Once, he deemed there wouldn’t be, he pulled Billy in the direction of the action films. A soft smile, danced along your lips.

The two movies everyone agreed on was ‘Footloose,’ and ‘Indiana Jones.’

“I didn’t peg you for a chick flick kinda girl, Y/N.”

Turning your head slightly at the man next you scoffed jokingly, “Oh please Billy. Every girl, whether she wants to admit it or not, a soft spot for chick flicks.”

Over the next few weeks, Billy was around more and more. Not that you minded, having another big kid around was nice. You had come to learn, that Billy was a shy teddy bear. Max had invited you and El over, for dinner.

When you arrived, Billy opened the door and pulled you in for a tight embrace. His shampoo, and cologne scent overwhelming your senses. He surprised you, by placing a chaste kiss on your cheek.

Fear was evident on his face. As he was trying to justify his actions, Max flung her body at yours greeting you excitedly.

“Y/N! You’re here!”

Laughing at her reaction you started, “Of course I am kiddo. Anything, for you.”

She grabbed your hand, leading you away to her bedroom. You shot an apologetic glance at Billy, and in a spur of the moment action your hand quickly gripped his wrist pulling him along with you to Max’s room.

The three of you were having a grand ole time in Max’s room. Max and Eleven, were lipsyncing along to the new Madonna album. While, you and Billy were situated comfortably on the floor by Max’s bed. Without even noticing, you were leaning against Billy.

“You like this garbage?” Billy teased.

His comment made you let out a hardy laugh, “Oh, sorry it’s not rock and roll garbage.” You teased back.

Just as you were turning you head to glance at Billy, he was doing the same. That’s when you realized how close you actually were. His breath fanning across your lips, the smell of spearmint and mouth wash suddenly, becoming the most intoxicating smell.

Billy’s surprisingly soft gaze caught yours, unexpectedly. The world falling away, leaving the two of you, in Max’s room. The sudden urge to kiss him, overwhelmed you. Both of you leaning in, leaving a fraction of a space between you, closing your eyes, with need coursing through your veins.

“Y/N! El’s never heard of Wonder Woman!”

Both of you jumping away from each other, afraid of getting caught.

“Hm? Oh uh, wow that’s crazy!”

“We have to teach her about Wonder Woman and her greatness!”

Nodding, your thoughts filled with what almost happened, between you and Billy.

Both you and Billy, tried to act like nothing almost happened, for the sake of your group of mutual friends. Billy had grown more affectionate towards you, wrapping his jacket around your shoulders whenever you were cold or might be cold, he didn’t pull away when your hands lightly brushed against his.

It was Halloween weekend, and Tina was throwing a Halloween Bash with the slogan of ‘Let’s get Sheet Faced,’. Initially, you weren’t planning on going, but free booze sounded really tempting, so you talked Jonathon into going with you.

Neither of you nor Jonathon dressed up for the Halloween party. Immediately upon stepping foot in Tina’s house, you went in search of drinks. It didn’t take long before you were beyond buzzed. Jonathon was some where with Nancy, but you couldn’t be bothered to care, since they’ve been pinning for each other since the dawn of time.

Suddenly, Tommy appeared out of nowhere and cornered you.

“So, Y/N. You and Hargrove, Huh?”

You tried to maneuver around him, but his hand grabbed your bicep with such a force, there would be a bruise tomorrow.

“If you want a real man, I’ll show you a real man.”

With that Tommy grabbed you and pushed you down the stairs following you closely. Your eyes darting around in search of someone to help you, only to be met with emptiness.

Billy didn’t want to go to Tina’s Halloween party. But, someone had told him, you were going to be there. He desperately, wanted to talk about what had almost been. He had developed feelings for you, but you were way out of his league. You were kind, almost top of the class, Max loved you. You had been the only one to vouch for Billy and for him to get a second chance. He wanted to protect you and keep you safe, that was the least he could do as a friend, and as someone who cared about you, in a different way.

He couldn’t pin point it, but he had a bad feeling all day. It wasn’t until around 8:30 pm he decided to jump in his Camero, and show up to Tina’s party. Once he stepped foot in Tina’s house, he was immediately searching for you. He went outside by the pool, upstairs, the garage, the kitchen. Deciding he should find Jonathon, he knew something wasn’t right. The only place he didn’t, check was the basement.

Tommy was currently, trying to shove his tongue in your mouth. You had turned your head, so his tongue met your cheek, Tommy either didn’t care or didn’t notice that you turned your head. His hands were roaming all over your body. For a moment, they were roughly gripping your hips so hard, you knew that there would be a bruise there tomorrow to show where his hands had been. Then they roughly, groped you through your shirt, before traveling up to roughly grab a hold of your neck. All the while, you were trying to use all your strength to push him off. After each attempt, you were slowly starting to give up.

The familiar scent, that had overwhelmed your senses in Max’s room, were creating a comforting aroma for you in Tina’s basement. It wasn’t long after, that the weight of Tommy, was lifted from you, causing you to feel relieved. Steve, had grabbed Tommy, by the back of his neck taking him back up stairs.

It wasn’t until Tommy was gone, that you felt the weight of the situation. Slowly, you slid down the wall that Tommy had pushed you against. Suddenly, you sobriety, hit you like a ton of bricks. Tears had begun to spill out from your eyes, creating streams down your cheeks. Billy was hit with a sudden wave of guiltiness. He moved so that he was sitting next to you. Once, he was comfortable, he placed his arms around you and pulled you into his lap. He tucked your head under his chin, slightly rocking the both of you. His smooth voice, whispering sweet nothings to you. Kissing the top of your head over and over again.

When you decided you were ready to leave, Billy took off his black leather jacket and placed it around your shoulders, causing a soft smile to make its way across your lips. He took your hand in his, leading you back to his car and getting you home safely.

After a few days went by, neither you or Billy spoke about the events that had happened at Tina’s party. Although, Billy had begun to act strange around you. Max had asked you over for a ‘Girls Night,’ which, you excitedly, agreed to. You and the girls were in the living room watching, ‘Ferris Buellers Day off.’ When Billy suddenly walked in. 

“Hey, Girls. Mind if I steal, Y/N, for a bit?”

“No, not at all.” They both responded in unison. 

Billy took your hand in his, and lead you to his bedroom. Once, he opened his bedroom door, you were met with flower pedals all over the floor and candles throughout his room.

Your jaw fell slightly, and a small gasp fell from your lips.

“Did you do all this?” You asked in awe.

He hummed in response, walking up behind you, placing his hands lightly on your hips, resting his head on your shoulder.

“Why?”

He said in confidence, “Because you like this mushy stuff and I like you.” He placed, a feather light kiss to your cheek. 

“You like me?” You asked in disbelief. 

He chuckled gently, “Isn’t it obvious?”

Twirling you around, so you were face to face, his eyes had a twinkle, of something you couldn’t recognize. 

“Will you go on a date with me?”

“Yes!”

“How about tomorrow at seven?”

“Sounds like a date to me.”

He pulled you closer to him, so that your hips were touching. Your hands, knotting themselves in his surprisingly soft hair, while your breath was mixing with his, fanning across his face. Billy moved his face closer to yours so that your noses were brushing. 

His husky voice, barely audible asked, “Can I kiss you?”

With a slight nod, his lips slightly brushed against yours, softly, almost as if you were made of porcelain that he didn’t want to break. The heat that was in your stomach, swiftly made it’s way to your chest, letting the butterflies in your stomach flutter. The kiss was short and sweet, not nearly long enough to fill the craving that only he could curve. The taste of spearmint, lingering on your lips once he pulled away.

This time, it was you who took charge of the kiss. Mashing your lips to his hungrily, you caught him by surprise, hearing his breath get caught in his throat, that you so badly, wanted to leave marks on. It didn’t take him long, to respond with the same hunger that you had given him. Your hands made their way around his collar, then slowly, down his chest. With each agonizingly slow touch, was an agonizingly slow button that was undone. You could feel Billy, growing impatient. 

Grabbing his shirt, he ripped it open not caring that the buttons flew everywhere. While, he was taking the remainder of his shirt off, you quickly took of your blouse and threw it somewhere in his room. His hands found your hips pulling you to him again, kissing each other with the same amount of passion. 

Walking you backwards, you fell on top of his bed, pulling him with you. Billy, made himself comfortable in between your legs, letting his hands roam over your legs, wrapping them around his waist, without breaking the kiss. Pulling your bottom lip in between his teeth, a moan had escaped from the back of your throat without your approval. Billy, opened your mouth, sliding his tongue in. He was kissing you like no other boy had before, with a sense of gentleness yet a hint of rough dominance. 

You hands he become anchored in his hair, keeping your grip firm on him, in case he were to disappear. Both of your tongues were battling back and forth as if they were wrestlers, trying to win in a ring match. Heat had began to rise to your cheeks as your breathing began less even.

Billy, moved his mouth off of yours, placing kiss along your cheek, then to your jaw, before settling upon your throat. His tongue leaving a trail, to your collar bone. Sucking, and biting his way to your chest, he left a trail of black and blue love bights in his wake. All the while, you were moaning beneath him, gripping the blanket you were currently on top of, before clawing his back sure to leave scratch marks the next day. Billy didn’t seem to care. 

He was caught by surprise, when you rolled over, causing him to be beneath you. Straddling his hips, your lips were back on his. It was your turn to, sneak your tongue into his mouth, enticing a low growl from the man under you.

Placing kisses, along his chin, you lightly pushed his shoulders for him to lay back. Making your way down to his Adam’s apple, you began sucking and nipping lightly. His moans were coming out as strangled cries,. He threw his head back against the bed in pleasure, his eyes rolling into the back of his head, one of his hands was clutching the blankets, while the other was in your hair holding you to him. Making your way down, to his chest, you left a trail of your own black and blue bruises. 

As things were heating up, you were interrupted by a knock on his door. He groaned in frustration. Seizing the chance, you made your way to his ear, and lightly blew in it. Tracing your tongue around the outer shell of his ear.

“Yes?” His voice came out high pitched, clearing his throat he attempted to question the person again.

“Me and El are going to stay at Mike’s tonight. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

Once the front door, slammed shut. Billy Rolled over, so that he was on top of you. Capturing your wrists lightly in his hands, pinning you to the bed.

“You don’t play fair princess.”

[finallyaniguana]

Watch The Eyes: Paris [7]

[6]    masterpost    ao3    [8]

She hadn't realized how long she had sat there considering the information she learned until her mother knocked on the underside of her trapdoor.

In the meantime of waiting for shock to kick in, she had been texting Adrien to fill her in on the fifteen minutes she'd missed. Apparently not much.

Minou: idk he didnt say anything

Bug: honestly I didnt either. I mean how do you explain to a person you've never met that you are currently in their brothers body???

Minou: oh! Also your eyes changed color I think

Minou: I wasn't sure because it changed back pretty quick after I noticed but yeah

Bug: really?!? What color were they??

Minou: they were green. Like mine but a bit darker

Bug: omg

Minou: what?!?

Bug: Andre was right lol

Minou: 😹😹

Her mother called her name from the other side of the trapdoor.

"Coming, Maman!" she called, clicking off her computer power.

She took one glance back at the dark screen before turning to go enjoy her birthday dinner. She had to inform her parents.

Ten minutes later, all sitting together, Marinette broached the soulmate conversation.

Perhaps a bit more blunt that she meant.

"I'm going to meet my soulmate this year," she stated simply.

Her papa almost choked. Her mother was a bit calmer.

"How do you know that?" she asked incredulously.

"Well... this afternoon, right before lunch, I was standing at my desk getting ready to go to the park with Alya and Adrien and Nino, you know? For my birthday! When all of a sudden my vision went black and when it came back a second later I was in a whole other place! And! It was six hours earlier. When I spoke I was talking in a boy's voice. I was super confused and the guy I was talking to in the new building was worried about me -or I guess whoever I was supposed to be- because he -me- was acting different. Sooo, I was there for about fifteen minutes before the world went black again and I was back in Paris but I was now in the park which means I moved! Which means someone else was walking in my shoes. At first I was worried I was losing my mind but when I got home I looked it up. It's an actual soul bond! Not alot of people have it so there's not too much information about it but it's real I swear! That means I'm going to meet him at some point during this year," she finished, breathless.

Her parents faces were shocked, absorbing the information their daughter had just spilled over.

"Marinette..." her father began.

She looked at him, worried about what he was going to say.

"That's amazing! Tell me all about him! I want to know everything!" he gushed.

"Tom, calm down!" Sabine laughed at her husband's antics.

Marinette visibly relaxed. She was worried for a moment her parents might not believe her. For years they had been concerned she may not have a soulmate. It's always difficult for those people. It's a very empty feeling. But now, at sixteen, finally evidence.

"Well, papa, I don't know what he looks like, really. Because I was in his shoes. But I think he has an older brother? Black hair? I mean... it was only fifteen minutes so I didn't really get to look around."

She couldn't help but think of the mask he wore. She knew there were other heroes out there... could her soulmate maybe know one? She would have to talk to the local superhero expert, Alya.

"Honey, didn't you say the time was different?" her mother asked.

"Oh! Yes... I think so. I'm pretty sure it was 6:30 am when I left there and 12:30 pm when I got back," the girl related.

"The United States, maybe?" Tom said.

Her mother nodded in agreement.

"The essay you wrote... wasn't that trip to the US, Marinette?"

Her eyes widened in realization.

"I must win the contest then! If I'm going to meet my soul mate in the United States that must mean my essay won!" Marinette jumped up, stars in her eyes.

"Well we don't know that for sure, sweetie. What if he comes here?" her father reminded.

Marinette sat back down, practically shaking with excitement. She knew her father was right but she had a feeling that she had the right the answer. How else would their paths cross?

"There must have been hundreds of kids who applied for this trip. We'll just have to see, won't we?"   her maman smiled at her daughter.

~

Gotham

Bruce sat at the computer in the Batcave. He pretended not to notice when his youngest slowly approached his chair. He knew from three separate sources that Damian was acting strangely that morning. If Damian hadn't come to him by eleven that night he would have gone to see him. The emotional things weren't his strong suit, but he'd be damned before he let whatever had rattled his usual straight demeanor son go unresolved.

"Father?"

Just from hearing his voice Bruce could immediately tell it was serious. There was significant hesitation. As though he would rather be doing anything and everything else right now.

He turned his chair around to face his son. Damian's face was guarded. Nervous.

"Yes?" he asked.

He fiddled with the paper in his hand. It appeared to be a sheet of Tim's research, judging by its meticulous organization. Damian followed his father's gaze to the paper which he then slowly raised to hand to him. Bruce gently took it from his hand and began to read it through. Damian had a few additional notes written in the margins, listing out specific dangers of this apparent soulmate bond .

"Soul mate bond research," he stated.

Looking up at Damian, "I thought you wanted nothing to do with soulmates."

He squirmed uncomfortably under the Batman's string gaze. Bruce had never seen him act like this.

"I fear..." he was choosing his words carefully. " I may not have a choice, anymore."

Bruce looked back down at the research in his hand. He lifted it up slightly in acknowledgment.

"Did... did this happen?" he asked gently.

Damian nodded, face newly steeled in his neutral angry expression.

"Would you like to find her?"

His mouth tightened. Something else was wrong other than finding a soulmate you always claimed you never wanted.

"I don't think I can."

He blinked in surprise.

"Because...?"

"I was in here when it happened."

Bruce pulled in a sharp breath. Damian observed his father, worried he may be upset. This was, after all, a great breach of security.

"The universe is out to get us, I suppose," Bruce said at last. "What were you doing?"

"Sparring with Nightwing," Damian answered.

"In costume?" he asked.

The boy nodded his confirmation.

Bruce sighed a deep, bone tired sigh. He leaned back in his chair. He was silent for several moments, Damian's apprehension growing.

'This is it. I have failed-' Bruce cut off his train of thought suddenly.

"You know, I never meant for this to go as far as it did. I thought it would just be me for a few years tossing criminals into jail then moving on with my life. This is so much bigger than back then. I don't want my secret keep you from being happy, Damian. I'm glad you told me. But I don't want you to think your priority is keeping a secret I never wanted other people to keep in the first place. I'm certain the universe would have picked out a trustworthy soulmate for you. If you want, talk to the others about it. Make a plan. Maybe run it by Dick first, since she would have seen him. I know you've always said you don't want a soulmate. But... if you really want to find this girl, you will have my support. Don't hold yourself back on my account."

Damian was shocked to say the least. He was expecting a lecture on security or something along those lines. Not... support?

"Just... let me know how you'd like to proceed. If at all."

He stared at his father, still seated in his chair, before nodding slowly. He want to outright refuse to find this girl, but that emptiness he felt before started gnawing on him. He was filled with a desperation so unlike him, he would have thought he was facing psychic attack if he hadn't also felt a feeling of rightness. Yes. He had to find her. Identity be damned.

"I'll speak to Grayson."

taglist: (CLOSED)

@vixen-uchiha @worlds-tiniest-spook-pastry @violatiger8 @mochinek0 @constancetruggle @yamadochie @seraphichana @captainmac6 @nataladriana9 @iggy-of-fans @riarkle-felinettelove

[raspberrymaple]

Midnight Down Town

Chapter One: Lucky Tapes

Summary:

"A nonconventional belief in poker is everyone has an ability that allows them to stand their ground. Whether it be wit, luck, or the ability to bluff, the idea of staying in the game manifests the nickname of a ‘Stand’. A user of a ‘Stand’ is typically defined by their own strategies, therefore creating their own self-reflection in the game. The belief is so popular amongst professional and amateur card players, they even give their ‘Stands’ names.

Joseph Joestar is a casino owner in Los Angeles, California, 1989. With a reputable name such as “The Stardust Casino”, he gains popularity downtown. But he faces problems when another casino opens across the street: “The World”, owned by one Dio Brando. It’s formidable staff and popularity poise a challenge. However, the “Stardust Crusaders” the nickname given by Joseph for the employees, were ready for anything."

“Jotaro! Aren’t you going to have dinner?” Came the sweet voice of Holly Kujo, calling out to her son as he passed by the kitchen. Jotaro Kujo looked over his mother's shoulder and saw she had prepared a meatloaf for them. The aromantic smell of the meat made Jotaro pause and salivate at it. His mother made the best meals. “Your father won't be home until later but you can at least see him. Do you have to be at work on time, Jotaro? Your grandpa won't mind.”

Her son shuffled away, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. He wore a large, dark coat that exposed his light shirt under and rippled about his legs. Accompanying it was a hat that blended into his black hair, a red coke bottle cap, and the letter 'J' pinned on the front.

"I gotta pick up Kakyoin. Can I get a couple of slices for later, mom?”  He asked, opening the fridge. The boy pulled out a couple of cold glass bottles of Coke, slipping them into his jacket pocket. He spun a pair of shining keys on his finger.

Holly Kujo placed her hands on her hips, adamant toward this, but nodded. She turned to take off a couple of slices of the meatloaf, placing them in a small plastic container. Jotaro took it from her hands and pressed a kiss to her forehead. It seemed to brighten her up, but he had turned away a second later to adjust his hat. It made his mother sigh.

“I still don't know why you wear that coat in summer, JoJo. And put on your helmet! Tell Kakyoin I said hi!” She called after him, but he didn't listen. His mother slumped against the counter as he walked out of the door, hiding the container in his coat pocket just like the bottles.

Jotaro was hit with the afternoon sun as he stepped out of the house. It was a large, two-story home, painted white. The front lane extended out far, the front of the house lined with red roses. To the left was the garage. As he stepped off the porch, his eyes trailed on the city. It was beautiful. He didn't expect anything else from it.

Jotaro's grandfather owned a casino. He found his grandfather annoying, but he was offered a job there and took it. Jotaro and his mom were typically alone, as his dad was a musician and traveled often, so Jotaro wanted to get out of the house. He never liked it when Sadao Kujo came home. His father would try to be friendly, but his absence annoyed Jotaro.

The teenager stepped into the open garage, his eyes landing on his motorcycle. It was only about four years old, but Jotaro had snagged it only last year. It was a Kawasaki Ninja 600R, one of the best in the brand. It was red and black, great colors for Jotaro. As he settled into its seat, he took off his hat and put his helmet on. He had two, typically, one for him, the other for Kakyoin.

Noriaki Kakyoin had been his friend for a few years now, and he knew him for five. They met in eighth grade and went to the same high school. Kakyoin's personality wasn't very similar to Jotaro's, but they felt they had to stick together. They even gave each other nicknames that they used privately: Kakyoin was Nori, and Jotaro was JoJo. Even though everyone called him JoJo,  Kakyoin was the only one he cared about enough to give a nickname to. Jotaro was half Japanese, and Kakyoin was full Japanese. Jotaro had lived in America all of his life, but Kakyoin said he moved here when he was eleven from Japan. His friend did admit it was a cultural shock, so Jotaro acted like a crutch to help him learn.

As he twisted the grip to lightly apply the throttle, Jotaro kicked up the center stand. With a secondary helmet resting on his lap, he drove out of the garage and onto the street. The wind whistled along his body, thrashing about the end of his coat.

He had been working at this job since the beginning of the year. It was early summer break now, but he continues to work in the afternoon. The casino was open all hours, however, it was busy later in the day. Los Angeles wasn't known for its casinos, but The Stardust was one of the most popular. Hundreds of men and women frequented it weekly.

Jotaro could ride forever. The sun was on the horizon as he rode down Beverly Hills to the city outlined by its gold rays. The golden city. Kakyoin lived closer to the city, but his parents were also traveling agents and had money. He lived well off, and typically alone from his parent’s trips. Kakyoin used to go on trips with them, but after he got a job he said he didn’t want to anymore. They had their arguments but ultimately agreed since he was close to becoming an adult.

He came to a screeching halt in front of a blue one-story home. It had a long stretch of the lawn as well, but it was gated and surrounded by dark green hedges. Flowers and vines snaked through the hedges. Sitting on the step of the sidewalk, his legs extended out, was Kakyoin. Jotaro pulled off his helmet, his short black hair poking out over his forehead. He looked down at Kakyoin with blue-green eyes.

“Hey, Nori. Ready to go?” He asked the other teenager. Kakyoin looked up from the game in his hands. It was a Zelda & Watch game, a Nintendo brand, Jotaro assumed from the logo on the back. Kakyoin was a redhead, with a long, twisting curl poking out from his head hanging as a bang. His hair was short and straight in the back, pointing down as spikes. His eyes were a striking shade of violet against his pale skin, and dark circles lined under his long eyelashes.

Kakyoin gave Jotaro a broad smile, sliding the game into his jacket pocket as he bounced to his feet. He wore a dark blue jacket, with a large stripe of green across the chest, and another stripe of white on his shoulders. Kakyoin adapted to the fashion quickly, and his pale, slightly defined stomach showed in a white crop top. His high waisted pants were cinched snugly around his waist with a gold belt. His white Adidas shoes scuffed against the ground as he got up.

“Sure, JoJo! Where's my helmet?” Kakyoin asked, sliding in the space behind Jotaro. The teenager checked his watch, noticing the time was five pm. Their shift began at five-thirty.

Jotaro took the helmet from his lap, handing it back to Kakyoin over his shoulder. They had matching black helmets with a red stripe down the sides. When Kakyoin clipped it in, his red bangs poking out, Jotaro started up the motorcycle again.

“Hey, JoJo we better get there on time so—WOAH!” Kakyoin wrapped his arms tightly about Jotaro when they took off, a puff of smoke from the screech of the wheels rising up behind them. Kakyoin frowned, pressing his cheek against his back. "You could have warned me!"

Jotaro glanced over his shoulder. Even if he was a serious person, he was still a dumb kid. He grinned lightly. “It's more fun this way, Nori.”

As they left the suburban scene and drove into the city, the noises and lights increased.  The roar of cars, the flashes of music, all drowned out Kakyoin's thoughts. Splotches of color danced across Kakyoin's vision as Jotaro sped along, their bodies pressed close to the vehicle. Every time he cranked the engine, it purred beautifully in response. Jotaro fed off the thrill of its speed, and since Kakyoin rode so frequently with Jotaro, so did he. And Jotaro rode fast because he didn't care about the rules.

But he did care about getting a ticket. Kakyoin exhaled softly when they came to a slow halt in front of a bright, red stoplight. For some reason, he was out of breath, but the warmth of his friend was relaxing. Jotaro looked back at him again.

“We're almost there.” He stated quietly, then fired up again. Kakyoin gripped tightly to his jacket. Jotaro was a lot taller than him. He stood about six foot five, while Kakyoin was just a couple inches off of six feet. Jotaro had a wider frame than him as well, dwarfing Kakyoin when they stood next to each other. He did admit he was jealous of Jotaro. He could fight just about anyone and win—and he did fight. Typically he didn't pick the fights, they came to him. Jotaro was like that.

The casino was on the outskirts of the main business center in Los Angeles and in Hollywood. It was as grand as the Joestar name. Joseph Joestar had begun as a realtor, and he adopted money from a family friend who passed away. It left him with the Speedwagon Foundation, who donated mainly to charity in Robert E.O Speedwagon’s name. Speedwagon was a close family friend, who struck rich in America. But he passed away in a heart attack, giving his money to Joseph.

Joseph Joestar could be in the least, to Kakyoin, ‘charming’. During his venture in real estate, he decided to invest in a casino. It took several years, but he owned the casino in 1979. Ten years later, it was still going just as strong. The "Stardust" casino was famous for attracting rich people in Hollywood and tourists.

“Hey, we're here,” Jotaro said, swinging his leg to get over the bike. They were behind the casino, where all of the staff parked. He flipped out the center stand, then pulled off his helmet. Kakyoin followed, setting his helmet down. As he did he noticed something engraved at the base in the back of the helmet. Why hadn't he seen this before? 'Nori', it read. He smiled.

“Did you do this? It's cute. It makes me feel like that's my helmet.” Kakyoin said, observing the scratches in lettering. It may be a bit crude but still worth the effort. Jotaro rolled his eyes and picked up the helmet to settle it in its usual spot, on the motorcycle's handlebars. The staff parking lot was usually gated, so he didn't have much to worry about. And with their nicknames on the helmets, he could find the guy and beat him up.

“Well yeah, 'cause it is your helmet. I don't let anyone else ride with me, Nori.” Jotaro muttered, taking a seat on the sidewalk. “There are ten minutes before we gotta change. I brought some drinks. Have you eaten?”

Kakyoin took a seat next to him, shaking his head lightly. He pulled out the small console again, flipping it open. Jotaro pulled out the bottles of Coke, then the plastic container. Kakyoin peeked around his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.

“What’s that?” He asked as Jotaro cracked open the tinted green glass bottles, handing one out to Kakyoin. He sipped it, enjoying the refreshing taste of a cool drink.

“Just some meatloaf my mom made. Do you want a slice?” Jotaro asked, offering the still warm food to Kakyoin. Kakyoin shook his head again, though his stomach rumbled in response. Jotaro raised an eyebrow. “C’mon, you love my mom’s cooking.”

His friend sighed, wrapping his arms around his body and slouching forward.

“Don’t feel like eating.” Came a null response from Kakyoin. He was rather skinny, but Jotaro knew he could eat a lot. Jotaro rolled his eyes, picking off a chunk of the meatloaf and holding it out to Kakyoin’s nose. The boy sniffed the food tentatively, but even he couldn’t ignore the delicious smell of Holly’s cooking.

Jotaro’s mouth quirked at the corner when Kakyoin took the piece, nibbling it quietly. He was smiling now, always happy to accept food. Especially from Jotaro’s mom. When Jotaro offered him the rest of the slice, he took it like a feral beast, eating away and washing it down with the Coke. When he was done, he still felt hungry, but it was bearable.

“Wow, I haven’t eaten since yesterday. I did shower, though. A gamer has to at least stay clean!” Kakyoin declared, his bottle clinking to the concrete. Jotaro pulled out a pack of camels and a lighter, his lips curled in a frown.

“How long have your parents been out on the trip?” He asked, placing a cigarette between his teeth. Jotaro flicked the lighter to life, lighting the end of the fag. As he stuffed the lighter away, he heard Kakyoin sigh slowly. Kakyoin looked down at his hands and began to count his slender, pale fingers.

“Maybe a week and a couple of days. So nine days. They go on trips this often anyways. What day is it again?” He asked, his eyes following a curling trail of white smoke as Jotaro exhaled. He took out the cigarette, pinching it between his fingers to think.

“Today is the 27th of July. Why—” Jotaro turned to see Kakyoin tense up, his fingers curling on his knees. His wide mouth formed a frown, his purple eyes shifting to his feet. Realization struck. “Oh. It’s your birthday tomorrow. Sorry, Nori.”

Kakyoin stood up, shuffling his hands in his coat pockets. He began to pace along the edge of the sidewalk, his eyes focused on the path before his feet. He spoke in a quiet, almost defeated voice.

“It’s ok. I mean, they’ve missed my birthday before. It just sucks because it’s my eighteenth birthday. I at least thought they would stay for this. Well, I make my own money. I can buy myself some uh…cupcakes or some shit, maybe. Hey, can I have a smoke?” Jotaro blinked when he asked out of the blue, but the cigarette was plucked from his mouth. Kakyoin pressed it between his lips, inhaling slowly, then exhaling the smoke to the sky. He watched it disappear into the air slowly.

“Hey, I could have lit one for you,” Jotaro grumbled, but his friend only laughed.

“Doesn’t matter, we’ve known each other for five years. We finished high school together, Jotaro. We shared drinks and food before. But hey, I can leave my family, can’t I? Will they even notice I’m gone?” Kakyoin wondered aloud, breathing out more of that white smoke. It glinted with orange in the sunset. Jotaro rolled his eyes.

“Nori. Come on. They just forgot, or their flight was delayed. Gimme the damn cigarette. You’re gonna regret smoking.” Jotaro warned, setting down his Coke bottle. When he stood he was much taller than Kakyoin. The fellow teenager was grinning, a sort of fake smile plastered on his face. He wasn’t happy. Jotaro gritted his teeth. “Nori, are you even fuckin’ listening? Here, after our shift, we can go to a 7-11 and buy you some cheap shit.”

Jotaro flinched when Kakyoin set the cigarette back in his mouth, his face brought close to Jotaro’s. His purple eyes were dark, almost unreadable as he stared at him, his face slacked into a passive state. Jotaro had to remind himself sometimes of how batshit crazy Kakyoin could be. He wasn’t violent in the slightest, but his actions could be considered unorthodox. His ideas were more sinister—Jotaro just punched people. If Kakyoin wanted to genuinely hurt someone, Jotaro didn’t doubt it would be in the worst psychological way possible. He was clever enough to. And even then he couldn’t detach himself from Kakyoin, even with that personality clash.

Kakyoin turned back around, bending down to get his Coke bottle and Watch game. When he stood up, he pocketed the small game. Jotaro observed the Coke bottle bounce between his hands, then lift above his head and with the jerk of an arm, fly across the parking lot. It shattered on impact with the asphalt, green glass soaring in every direction. The cap rolled in a smooth circle before clattering against the ground.

Jotaro watched Kakyoin’s shoulders sag, that hollow look on his face returning to a red shade of guilt along his cheeks. Kakyoin pressed his hand to his eyes, distress visible on his face with how he grit his white teeth. His lips were chapped and red from the number of times he bit them.

“Fucking hell. God, Jotaro, I’m sorry. It’s just…a lot. I don’t know how you deal with your dad always being gone.” Kakyoin muttered, looking over at Jotaro. The slight clench in Jotaro’s jaw made him pause. “Right. You don’t. I’m sorry. Fuck. Aw shit, look at the time.”

Jotaro glanced at his own watch with the comment. They only had a couple of minutes left. He sighed, jerking his thumb over to the backdoor. Inside they could hear the pump of music, maybe even a laugh or two. It was never quiet here, not with an accommodated hotel and several restaurants. The fact they snagged jobs here was phenomenal.

“We’ll talk about this later. C’mon, let’s go, Nori.” Jotaro pats his shoulder, letting his hand linger there. When he turned to walk away, Kakyoin stood there for a moment. In the sunlight, the orange warmth across his face highlighted his tired, dark eyes. He nodded and followed Jotaro, a slight scuff to his step.

The back rooms weren’t as grand as the actual hotel. They were completely fine, but to put it simply, they were boring. The locker room was for them to get changed and put their stuff away, and assigned by gender. There were faculty bathrooms as well, and even showers. What was nice was the break room, where everyone could eat and take a break. It was generously stocked with food, and even had a couch and television.

When they punched in, the pair headed to the locker room. Neither of them really decorated their lockers—they did that at school already, and they were done with high school. Jotaro was already eighteen, having his birthday on February 3rd already. He got used to Sadao Kujo not being there, but his family, Kakyoin, and a couple of other friends from the casino were.

The bang of Kakyoin’s locker door hitting the other lockers arose Jotaro from his thoughts. The other boy had pulled his jacket off, the console tucked inside. Folded on the bench was his work clothes. Kakyoin was a waiter and a golden tag with his first name rested on the pile. As he slipped his crop top over his head, he picked up a white undershirt. Jotaro’s eyes hesitantly lingered on his arms, but he pulled his gaze away.

“You can look. I haven’t tried since they left, by the way. I told you I wouldn’t. None of these are fresh…” Kakyoin’s quiet voice rose up again when he finished tugging his undershirt over his head. Jotaro felt the warmth of a body next to him, and Kakyoin’s arm filled his gaze. Typically, the boy wore sweaters or thin long-sleeved shirts. His left arm was the victim of his pain. Each scar was at the top of his forearm, dark against his light skin. Little red hairs dotted his arm. Jotaro sighed.

“Good. Don’t do that shit again. I don’t want to remember the last time…” He frowned, pushing aside Kakyoin’s arm and standing up. Jotaro typically wore what was considered a traditional Japanese school uniform because of the coat. But under it was a red rock band shirt and a pair of ripped black jeans. Jotaro realized wearing shoes with platforms made him uncomfortably taller, so he stuck with simple black high tops.

“I won’t, I promise. I…I’m really sorry you had to see that.” Kakyoin responded softly, then turned away. They got dressed. Jotaro wore a white collared shirt with a light blue tie under it. Slipped onto this were a blue dress jacket and equal blue pants. A belt with a silver star-shaped buckle kept the pants to his body. His grandfather let him keep his hat.

“Why do they make you wear gloves again?” Jotaro asked his friend, looking into the mirror Kakyoin put inside his locker. Two gold studs glinted from his ears. Kakyoin, who had finished getting ready, slipped on the gloves. He also wore a white collared shirt and black pants, but a shiny green vest over it and a green tie. His belt was gold.

“Just for sanitary reasons. Didn’t they give you gloves too? Aren’t the slot machines unsanitary?” Kakyoin replied with a question, patting his body over for everything. Jotaro shrugged.

“They didn’t fit me.”

“What? Really? You never told me. I guess that makes sense.” Kakyoin pursed his lips, tapping his finger to them. When he was sure he had everything, he closed his locker, pressing his forehead to it. He almost seemed adamant to go out. “Well, time to put on a happy face and suck up to middle-aged white people. I wonder how many times I’ll get called exotic.”

Jotaro chuckled, shutting his locker in return. He held out his arm to Kakyoin, letting himself grin slightly. “Really? Let’s count today. I’m taller, and my eyes are blue, but I don’t look white and I have a Japanese name. I’ll get more.”

Kakyoin grinned, gripping Jotaro’s extended hand, their elbows bumping together. “Yeah but I’m full Japanese and a natural redhead. My eyes are even purple, JoJo. But I’ll be counting—and winning.”

With another quiet laugh between them, the feelings of regret and sadness slowly melted away. Kakyoin’s fingers lingered in the spaces between Jotaro’s, though he could barely feel the warmth of his skin. The smile they shared lasted for a beat too long, but Jotaro pulled away.

“Okay,” He said, his voice dropping to a pressing tone, “Let’s go.”

“Noriaki, was it? You look so tired for such a cute young man, hun.” The woman he was serving said, taking a sip of her margarita. He flashed his white smile, setting down a couple of other drinks to the rest of the people at the table. This woman was in her mid to late forties, and she donned a necklace of pretty pearls that she fondled lovingly.

God, he was sick of this shit already. Suckering up to the guests was annoying enough, but the ones who flirted with him, man or woman, were revolting. Especially since they all found him so ‘exotic.’

“Well, to be frank ma'am…serving customers was so tiring, until I met you, of course. Say, what's your name, young lady?” Kakyoin asked politely, pressing his platter to his chest and taking her hand. He lightly grazed his red lips against the wrinkling skin on the back of her hand, his eyes glimmering with a charming playfulness. The woman put her hand to her mouth to laugh into it, her face turning rosy. Her husband fumed.

“Oh my, you're quite the exotic little flirt, dearie. My name is Margeret. How old are you, honey?” She asked, but Kakyoin pulled back to press his finger to his red lips. If he wasn’t so good at acting, he might have screamed.

“That's my little secret, Miss Margaret, but you’re free to guess. Enjoy your drinks!" Kakyoin winked, turning to snake between the poker tables. The woman watched him go, murmuring something to her husband, who was grumbling quietly about how wives shouldn’t flirt in front of their husbands.

Well, he could certainly catch someone’s eye. With the confident way he walked and the bounce of his vibrant hair, almost anyone he passed by did a double-take. Kakyoin did have a rather feminine face, his cheekbones set high and his lips a light red, which begged the opinion he was a woman. But he was too tall, his voice too deep, and the bags under his eyes showed he didn’t take care of himself.

“Hey, Kakyoin!” Another chipper voice penetrated the chatter of gambling men and women, causing Kakyoin to turn his head. He was greeted with one of the other casino employees, a pit boss named Muhammed Avdol. The man wore a black suit, a pendant of the casino's colorful logo on his exposed front. His gold medallion earrings glinted in from the lights above. His dark hair was smoothed back and pulled into a low ponytail. Wise, amber eyes, and a big smile shone against his darker skin.

"Oh, hi Avdol. How are the tables?" Kakyoin questioned, smiling at him. Avdol crossed his arms, glancing over his shoulder. His eyes were focused on a specific silver-haired dealer who was laughing with his table.

"Well, they're…good. But I just wanted to tell you that your break is in five minutes, so you can take the time off now. Its Jotaro's too, so tell him. By the way, how is Jotaro?" Avdol answered, his nails tapping lightly against his forearms. Kakyoin shrugged, tucking back a strand of loose red hair. He looked around, wondering if in this crowd he could even spot his friend.

"We aren't really near each other since you're not allowed to have food and drink at the slot machines, so I wouldn’t know. He is well, though. I'll go tell him, ok?" Kakyoin bowed quickly to Avdol, though his face burned when he did. Avdol was maybe five or six years older than him, and he was used to saying bye to older people that way. Avdol chuckled, though he didn't mind.

"Alright. Happy birthday, by the way, Kakyoin!" Avdol called after Kakyoin as he hurried away, smiling to himself. At least Avdol remembered. It had been a couple of hours now, meaning it was break time. He had a thirty-minute break period from seven-thirty to eight. And then he worked for three more hours.

After setting down his tray in the kitchen, Kakyoin set off to find Jotaro. There were three slot machine rooms, and Jotaro worked at the last one. It wasn’t terribly far from Kakyoin, but he didn’t interact with Jotaro often. Maybe it was for the best. They had a habit of goofing off together, even if they were young adults.

It took awhile for Kakyoin to find him. He knew where Jotaro was stationed, but there were also a lot of people on the slot machines. He weaved through a group of young women, whose eyes followed Kakyoin as he walked away. He was a tall teenager, so it was no wonder he was looked at so often. And he was a Japanese redhead. That was something. 

When he found Jotaro, he remembered the bet. A total of twenty men and women had called him exotic or unusual. A man had even told him he liked them special, which only made him want to punch the guy. If there was anyone that wanted to have him, well…

“Jotaro! There you are!” Kakyoin exclaimed, hurrying up to his friend. Jotaro was standing alone, his back against one of the slot machines and arms crossed. He looked down at Kakyoin, raising an eyebrow.

“Why are you here?” He asked sharply, his eyes focused on Kakyoin from below his wide-brimmed hat. Kakyoin rolled his eyes.

“Just look at the time. Break starts in a couple of minutes. Avdol said we could just go now. I think he’s too easy on us, frankly. Just because we’re barely adults. Or, you are at least. Let’s go!” Kakyoin insisted, taking Jotaro’s arm and tugging him away. The older teen sighed but followed after him.

Despite the arguments, Jotaro had been Kakyoin’s first kiss. They had been playing a game with a couple of ‘friends’ once, and their mistake was letting girls join the party. Girls obsessed over Jotaro, and even Kakyoin. They were both popular, but when they were at school they didn’t really talk to anyone but each other. But one of the girls had come up with a game of truth or dare, and Kakyoin was dared to kiss his friend.

Well, he thought, it was typically the girls that kissed each other that was wanted, wasn’t it? He had laughed and shaken his head, explaining how strange that would be, but to Jotaro he guessed not. Because Jotaro had kissed him square on the mouth. It wasn’t a big deal, right? The girls had laughed, the other guys said ew, whatever. This was their sophomore year of high school.

But Kakyoin thought about kissing Jotaro again. And he did. He kissed Jotaro a few times, actually. None of them were accidents, but each time he tried to brush it off by saying he was just feeling lonely. Kakyoin was always lonely. There was no excuse, even if he tried to rub it off as one. But right now he was too annoyed to care, and he was way too attracted to him.

So as Kakyoin pulled his friend into the empty breakroom, he did it again. His hands were gripping the front of Jotaro’s suit jacket, pulling him down so he could slam their lips together. Jotaro tensed up, but that feeling of want after Kakyoin had simply ignored his past actions, was too much to bear. He pulled him closer, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist as his head spun, dizzy with the feeling of warmth. Jotaro reached to slam the door shut, pressing Kakyoin to it as their lips stayed locked.

When his friend pulled away, panting quietly, he wiped his lips. “God, you’re a bad kisser,” Kakyoin muttered sourly, gaining a rile from Jotaro that made him grin. The other teen narrowed his eyes, flicking Kakyoin on the nose. It made the redhead wince and grab his nose, rubbing it lightly.

“Whatever. Why now? Aren’t we just friends?” Jotaro replied in a bitter tone, letting go of Kakyoin to walk to the fridge. The breakroom had an additional kitchen to it. As Jotaro pulled out a couple of cans of soda, he genuinely wondered if Kakyoin was crazy. The guy spent weeks, maybe even months, not kissing Jotaro, and then decided one day he wanted to. It was almost unbearable. Even then, it was for the best. Jotaro was an adult, and Kakyoin was still a teenager. He suddenly regretted kissing him.

Kakyoin laughed, leaning against the wall next to the door. He had his arms crossed, his heels planted firmly to the ground.

“Well not after that, no. And why now? I want to. Do you have a problem with that?” He taunted, tilting his hip out to the side. Jotaro sighed. Ok, maybe he wasn’t crazy, just an asshole sometimes. As much as Jotaro wanted to punch his clever ass, he was still Kakyoin’s friend. Or, well, closer than that. He didn’t know half the time because half of the time Kakyoin was just insane.

Jotaro turned to him, glaring from beneath his hat. He stalked up to Kakyoin, shoving the can in front of his face. Kakyoin tilted his head away, gritting his teeth at the coolness pressed on his cheek. “You’re not eighteen. That’s my problem, Nori. I don’t like it. So you’re just going to have to wait for a few hours.”

Kakyoin scoffed in return. He yanked the can from Jotaro, cracking it open and walking past him. With a heavy sigh, he plopped down on the couch, mansplaining. His heel tapped erratically on the ground as he took a sip of the soda.

“Aren’t we just a happy pair of fags…” The redhead grumbled, letting his eyes dart around the room anywhere but Jotaro. Jotaro rolled his eyes, taking a seat at the small table in the kitchen. They were already a dysfunctional pair, something like romantic feelings would just make it worse. Jotaro set the can down and rubbed his tired eyes. Why did he take this job?

The breakroom door opened, and a laughing pair of men walked in. He recognized those individual laughs; one was loud and boisterous, the other watered down and hearty. He lifted his head to see who it was.

Jean-Pierre Polnareff was even more annoying than Kakyoin. He was a tall Frenchman with a big smile and too blue eyes. His silver hair was shaped like a cylinder, piling high above his head. Two earrings, each shaped like half a broken red heart piece, bounced along with his movements. He wore a black button-up, a silver vest fit snugly over his body. His laugh was infectious, but it ticked Jotaro off.

“Hey, Jotaro!” Polnareff yelled, even though Jotaro was only a few meters away. He exhaled quietly, waving a hand to say hi, and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. There was a small ‘tsk’ and the pack was pulled from his hands by Polnareff’s boyfriend, Avdol. Avdol was the pit boss, meaning he controlled everything at the poker tables, or ‘pits’. It was from what Jotaro remembered since he didn’t normally see any of these three.

“Jotaro, what did Mr. Joestar say about smoking indoors?” Avdol tutored, resting a hand upon his hip. From the couch, Kakyoin snickered and sunk into the comfort of the cushions. Jotaro whipped around to flip off the gremlin. He then glanced at Avdol, grumbling quietly to himself.

“Shut up, I’ll smoke outside. Give me those.” Jotaro swiped the camels from Avdol, rising to his feet. At the end of the day, Jotaro was still taller than the rest of them. He wasn’t as muscled as Polnareff, but he was less stout than Avdol. Even then, he wasn’t as lanky as Kakyoin, who was too busy stretching out on the couch like a noodle. Avdol watched him shrug past, dipping his hands in his jacket pockets.

“Kakyoin! Aren’t you two friends? Don’t leave him alone!” Polnareff complained, taking a seat at the table. Avdol walked over to the fridge, taking out two glasses of chilled beer. When he returned to the table, Polnareff’s face lit up and he happily took one. “Mon dieu! Merci, my flame, your kindness is impeccable.”

With a slight chuckle from Avdol, Kakyoin groaned and got up.

“Why don’t you two go bother him?”

“Because I want alone time with Jean, obviously,” Avdol stated, taking a mouthful of beer. Polnareff grinned lightly, taking his partner’s hand and twining their fingers together.

“Is that so? Because I know a good storage room next to the bathrooms—”

The abrupt slam of the door behind Kakyoin made the two flinch, Polnareff looking over his shoulder in a slight surprise as he was interrupted. Well, at least he was gone now. Avdol looked at his boyfriend and elevated an eyebrow.

“Did they fight?”

Kakyoin walked out to see Jotaro kicking rocks, a cigarette between his lips. He stood by the door for a little, watching him rear his leg back and send the stones flying from the force of his shoe. The moon cast a silver light upon Jotaro’s face, the slight red spark of the cigarette butt the only warm light outside. When Jotaro was done, he turned and flinched at the sight of Kakyoin.

“What the fuck—you scared the shit out of me, Nori. Why are you out here?” He questioned, facing away from his companion. Kakyoin watched white smoke billow out around his figure and follow a path into the sky. In the distance, he could hear the roar of the freeway, a sound he would never adjust to.

“They wanted alone time…” He mumbled, crossing his arms and dipping his head down. There was some dejected feeling in his chest, maybe it was from being refused. Or maybe it was because it was cold. “Hey, JoJo? It’s freezing. We should go inside before the break ends.”

Jotaro turned around again, pulling the cigarette from his mouth. He nodded, heading back to the door. He looked down at Kakyoin, then bent forward. Jotaro could hear Kakyoin’s breath catch as he brought his face close. Their lips could almost brush, just barely, if he leaned any closer.

“Midnight.”

“Huh?”

“I’ll kiss you at midnight. You’ll be eighteen then, right? Then it should be fine for me to kiss you.” Jotaro stated, flicking his eyes around Kakyoin’s face to observe the changes in his expression. The other teenager sucked in a soft breath, biting the inside of his cheeks. He nodded, looking away. His cheeks glowed.

“Yeah. Fine.” Kakyoin confirmed, then peeled himself off the wall. He glanced at Jotaro, who was as stone-cold as ever, and his lips mashed together in a weird, nervous smile. Jotaro only dropped the cigarette he was holding to smash it under his heel. He noticed Kakyoin lingering by the door and raised an eyebrow.

“What? It’s not like we’re having sex. It’s just a kiss.” He said, kicking away the squished cigarette. Kakyoin chuckled. God, what a strange smile. It's as if Kakyoin was trying his best to hold back all of his gushy feelings and failing.

“Of ‘course not, JoJo! Unless you want to—”

“Shut up.”

----

Haha I posted this on AO3 around a month ago, and my friend (@arrivederciroque , follow her) suggested I put it here. Hope you enjoyed.