#do they just sit in Crystal's apartment while she's sleeping

[panaceatthedisco]

It's been over a month and I'm still wondering where the boys go/what they do at night

[lvrcpid]

young, dumb and broke - modern!au

includes : reader is gn! use of they/them pronouns. DAD TSU’TEY AGENDA!! most of the kids are 17 with lo’ak being 16 (i had to keep the age gap), i STRUGGLED writing for 14-15 year old freshman. sfw!!

high school with modern!avatar headcannons

lo’ak:

— rizz master

— only messes with tsireya though

— we love a loyal king don’t we ladies

— since y/n can drive, he’s constantly asking them for rides

— “PLEASE Y/N NETEYAM SAID NO-“

— “shut up and get in the car.”

— definitely on the basketball team

— points to tsireya and says “this one’s for you baby” AND MISSES 🤭

— he probably has good grades just is a big class clown. like no seriously his jokes are hilarious even the teachers laugh.

— speaking of teachers all of his teachers love him. he’s really respectful (THANK YOU JAKEY POOH!!)

— he’s so trifling

— def would go around quoting “GIRL WHERE YOU GOING- MMMMWAH!!!”

neteyam:

— tries to be mysterious but fails miserably

— probably one of the popular kids but he’s not a jerk about it

— FOOTBALL CAPTAIN. NO MORE CHITCHAT.

— def makes y/n wear his jersey at his games

— gets sad when you can’t come

— “what do you mean you’re busy 🥺”

— homeboy is SMART im talking straight A’s type smart.

— definitely plans on going D1

— has a smalllllllll (BIG) crush on y/n but he’s too punk to tell them

kiri :

— actually mysterious

— keeps to herself

— definitely has one friend group

— science is definitely her favorite topic

— hates hates HATES school lunch. she gives it away each time

— crystal necklaces all day

— def has a job and bought those expensive ass sony headphones

— her converse game is strong. i’m talking every single color for every single outfit

— hangs in the bathroom with her friends

— along with her brothers, her teachers love her

ao’nung:

— RIZZ MASTER.

— seriously his rizz with y/n makes them fold all the time.

— basketball captain anyone??

— probably drives to school

— C average in his classes , he’s just lazy

— “y/n are you coming to my game?”

— “WHAT DO YOU MEAN NETEYAM HAS A GAME- FUCK HIM-“

— as you can see he also gets upset when you can’t come to his games

— probably has a few fights on his record

— always messing with your hair in class

— you look at him like this 😡 while he’s over there like 😈

— always leaving campus to get food (he gets you some so it’s no biggie)

— brags to neteyam that you came to his practice

— “HAHA THEY CAME TO MINE AND NOT YOURS”

— also has a big crush on y/n and it’s obvious, you just choose to play dumb

tsireya :

— class president. argue with the wall.

— Y/N’S BEST FRIENDDDDD

— her brothers wingwoman fr

— probably is in a dance club after school

— tutors people in her free time (side hustle queen)

— probably also drives to school but just rides with her brother to save gas

— probably wears outfits inspired by clueless

— hands lo’ak his water bottle after practice

— she’s such a sweetheart

— she invites a girl who was alone at a table to sit with her and her friends

y/n:

— Y2K KING/QUEEN

— no literally your style is to die for

— definitely sleeping all the time but still manages to get good grades

— your dad is apart of the pta. along with tonowari and jake. PTA DADS!!

— you probably wear lots of bracelets.

— you give them away as your way of flirting

— (neteyam and ao’nung definitely have a few of them on their wrists)

— chilling with kiri and tsireya in the bathrooms

— going home and immediately going to sleep.

— probably getting written up a few times for walking out of class

— your parents weren’t happy about this :/

bonus!

tuk:

— our girl definitely rocks the newest light up sneakers

— “my mommy got me these” *stomps foot on the playground*

— gets her teachers gifts for holidays

— has a fruit by the foot for lunch all the time

— her lunch box is definitely all sparkling

— MONKEY BARS MASTER.

— probably went to the nurse a few times cause her pride got the best of her and she fell

— definitely not the type to fake sick. she loves seeing her friends

— she’s the leader of her friend group but she’s not mean (neteyam DUPE!!)

— neytiri could send her to school with her hair one way and itll come back looking a MESS.

— at least she had fun!!

TAGLIST: @zatarias-pandora

[detta-pica]

Satoru’s workshop is separated from the front of the shop by an appropriately witchy bead curtain. The heavy wooden table on which he prepares charms is positioned strategically so that he can see the counter, the entrance, and most of the shelves through the wide doorway. He handles orders that have been piling up for a couple of days while Megumi deals with walk-ins. Shadow is a white bunny today, sitting so still on the counter that he looks like he might be taxidermied. They work in silence. Things have been a bit tense since Tsumiki’s reappearance. Satoru tried talking at first, which got them absolutely nowhere, so he figures it’s best to give Megumi some space. Satoru puts the finishing touches on a protection charm he’s working into a silverware set. It’s going to neutralise most allergens, while also helping with less serious ailments like reflux or indigestion. Shoko should be the one handling an order like this, but she’s had her hands full recently with minor injuries striking people seemingly at random. The few hours she spent in Satoru’s guest bedroom might be the only real sleep she’s gotten all week. Satoru gently deposits the silverware into a cut crystal bowl filled with mountain water and fresh herbs, wipes his hands dry, and joins Megumi up front just as the boy flips the sign by the door from open to closed. “You up for takeout, Megumi? I have a craving for burgers, personally.” “No, thank you.” Megumi collects his books--he likes to do his homework while the shop is quiet--into his bag, then picks up Shadow. “I’m not like you, Gojo-sensei. You don’t need to make sure I remember to eat.” Truly, Megumi is an old man in a kid’s body. This used to only be true sometimes, but since the beginning of Tsumiki’s hospital stay, Megumi has become even more responsible. He studies hard, never misses a shift at the shop, takes care of his and Tsumiki’s apartment, and has Shoko send him regular reports on his sister’s condition. He hasn’t beaten up a single punk in over a month. It’s concerning. “Can’t I spend time with my precious apprentice?” Satoru shakes his head sadly. “It’s like you don’t love me anymore.” “I’m here every day. You take up a solid eighty percent of my social life. What more do you want?” “That’s just sad, Megumi. You need friends your age.” Megumi puts his jacket on with aggressive efficiency. “I get together with Yaga-sensei’s apprentices every month. I meet every requirement we’ve agreed on, so please respect it when I take time for myself.” He stomps out of the shop, but closes the door gently. The lock snaps shut on its own.

Another sneak peek at the next present-time part of stsg witch AU. I'm slowly getting back into the rhythm of writing in this verse.

[armpirate]

Anti-romantic || JJk | Ch. 35

Pairings: Boxer!Jungkook x fem!reader || Enemies to lovers, neighbors

Genre: smut, angst, fluff, curse, illegal boxing, violence

Warnings: fuckboy!Jungkook x reader, smut, dirty talk, curse, mention of tarot and fate

Summary: Jungkook had always been carefree when it came to love. He always believed he was worth sharing himself with everyone, and thought it was selfish of him to ever think of keeping himself exclusive to just one person.

And maybe that was exactly what got him into the big problem he was in.

A curse that kept him away from love didn't seem an issue for him. The fact that his ex-girlfriend thought he'd be affected by the idea of the girls he slept with running away from him after sex was ridiculous. She actually did him a favor, and took a burden away from him.

At least that was what he thought at first.

He had never found himself thinking of the possibility of repeating with neither of his hook ups, because they disappeared before he was able to even think about it. But when he makes the mistake of sleeping with the sexy neighbor that lives in front of him, he finds himself hoping to get the chance for a second round every time their paths cross.

Y/n hated him the second he set foot inside the building by the way he started making her life a miserable mess for no reason. Sleeping with him was a big mistake she wasn't thinking of repeating. At least not until he came up with the excuse that she rejected him for a curse. Not only she thought he was annoying, but she was also convinced he was crazy. 

There was no way she could take him seriously.

Aprox. time of reading: 14 minutes

Previous || Next

MASTERLIST

Y/n and Jungkook sat cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, surrounded by a mess of old books, crystals, and candles. They'd been at it for hours, flipping through pages and trying out different spells from the damned book that got them in that trouble.

They first tried with the solution that was given in the page behind his spell, but he didn't feel anything, so they tried with the different solutions that kept coming up throughout the different spells for different things, even if they had nothing to do with what he wanted to erase.

—This one says you have to meditate under a full moon —Y/n read out loud, holding up a page with a dubious-looking diagram.

—Naked? —he arched his eyebrows with a malicious smile, earning an eye roll from her before dropping the book to her lap.

—Well, if you want to... It's up to you.

—Should we both do it together so it gets more power?

—You're making me regret helping you —she assured him, narrowing her eyes while dropping her head.

—I was just thinking of ways to make it work —he shrugged.

—You should eat a sprig of parsley while you do it —she commented, ignoring his approach.

Since he first stepped inside her place, it became impossible for her to concentrate on what they were there for. Jungkook always had a look, a smile, a comment... anything that completely diverted them from what they were doing. That was why they spent the entirety of her Saturday sitting on the floor, in front of a book and a bunch of snacks, with several sheets of paper displayed around them with weird sketches.

—I'd rather stay cursed than do that —he snorted, leaning back on his hands.

—That's how bad you want to date me, I see —the book made a dry sound that echoed in the room through the silence as she closed it.

—Wait, no, I'll do it —Jungkook smiled, trying to stop her from getting up—. I'll eat a whole tree if I have to.

—The sprig of parsley is enough —Y/n clicked her tongue, going back to her place while looking through the pages—. I still don't understand, what did you feel when you think the curse was thrown on you?

—I mean, it wasn't the moment Carly said those words, but later that night —he frowned—. It was like something was opening up my chest and taking my heart out.

His hand flew to his chest just by remembering the sensation, and how hopeless he felt. For a second, Jungkook felt like he was dying and there was no turning back. He even saw the way his life played through his eyes like a movie. It was so frustrating... and scary.

—You, so used to treating girls like objects, will be burdened by the pain of being treated the same way. Love will be an unknown word in your dictionary from now on so when you find The One, you will be repaid with everything you've been giving others —Y/n pursed her lips, repeating the same words that were said to him, for the seventh time that day—. You did hurt her enough for her to go these lengths. My ex is so lucky I don't believe in this.

—I wasn't even dating her. I can't imagine what she'd have done if we had dated —he scoffed.

Y/n looked over at him when he spoke, and something in her made her believe there was no point for Jungkook to just lie about that. He was so shameless, that he probably would've admitted his crime with grace and would've pretended to play it as if it weren't a big deal.

—You didn't once think of dating her? Or anyone? —she asked.

No.

That was the clearest answer he had in his mind.

Not the way he wanted to date Y/n and do all those silly things he had watched in movies.

He didn't know if it was indirectly related to the way he saw his parents' relationship end, or how scared he was of someone hurting him the way his mother hurted his father. It frightened him to see himself the same way he had always seen a person that seemed indestructible. He wasn't curious about love, because he was sure what it'd led to.

But Y/n slowly got in his life, so subtly and quietly that he didn't realize until it was too late. Every push and pull, every clap back, every witty answer led to a kiss, a hug, a smile that he kept looking forward to. And, for the first time in his life, he was curious about love, he was looking forward to sharing everything about him and receiving everything she wanted to share. Heartbreak didn't even have a place in his head when it came to her.

—I bet it makes you feel so proud to know you're the first —he teased her.

And last.

—Considering you barely have any firsts available, it feels more like one of those discounts with a countdown.

—That... I don't know what to think of that —his eyes moved to the table, losing his gaze there as he tried to look into her response—. Did you call me cheap?

—It sounds like it, but I promise it wasn't my intention —she giggled, moving her hands up while looking for peace—. You didn't answer my question.

—No, I didn't —he sighed—. I was in those flings, but at the same time I wasn't. I didn't want to be alone, but I didn't want to be with someone either —he puckered his lips—. All of them knew I didn't want anything serious, even Carly did. At least I made sure to make it clear when she asked after our third hook up.

With his perspective, Y/n thought that there was nothing wrong with what Jungkook was doing. He was honest with those girls. Morally and health-wise, she could doubt his choices, but, at the same time, he was honest with his feelings and intentions -which was more than what most of the men in her life had been.

—Maybe I should've stopped seeing her when she started getting too attached.

—Maybe —she smiled—. I think it's important that you're seeing it from the outside, and that you're finally able to sympathize with what those girls were feeling. It's one step forward, actually. And you're doing more than a lot of people are able to —she scoffed.

Admitting one's mistakes was always the biggest crash on someone's ego, yet Jungkook was admitting his in front of hers with no excuses, not a "but..." to back him up.

She blinked, getting herself out of her own thoughts before looking down, eyes on the book while pushing it over the table with a gentle movement.

—We've tried everything. This is hopeless.

He gave her a small, reassuring smile, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand.

—I appreciate you going all out for me, but maybe it's not something we can just... you know, undo like this.

—Honestly, while doing all of this I was thinking... You like me, I like you, I'm still here —Jungkook's eyes were attentive to her—. What if you aren't cursed and that thing on your chest was just a gas crying to get out?

Omitting her joke, Jungkook thought that maybe she was right. She didn't run away, she didn't leave, nothing got in between them ever since they met each other. Maybe all those girls left because they weren't meant to stay, and he just related them to the curse because it was an excuse that seemed logical while he escaped commitment.

—First of all, I don't fart.

Y/n had to hold back the laugh that was about to come out with that denial.

—I remember you there's a thick hole in our shared wall, bed to bed, and let me tell you those girls' moans weren't the only thing that made me lose sleep. I've heard you more than once.

—And you're still after me? See how this is love?

Y/n smirked, shaking her head with his comment.

—You might be right —he sighed—. Could be this gave me a better excuse to act the way I did. Probably, if the curse was real, you'd have moved out in a matter of days.

—Or I'd have died the day you tried to poison me —she calmly stated, collecting all of the sheets that were at her reach.

—For how long will you remind me? —he arched his pierced eyebrow.

—Oh, darling. You have a lot of dates ahead to make up to me —she squeezed his cheek.

—What about today?

—Today?

—You, me, a motorbike, some sandwiches...

—Only if I'm the one who drives —she conditioned.

—I can't promise I'll be able to keep my hands to myself.

—I didn't tell you to —she smiled at him, leaving the book back on the shelf.

The pan of guilt he felt, knowing there was so much more he wasn't telling her, slowly vanished when she looked back at him from the door frame to her room. He swallowed down the urge to spill everything right then, to be as honest as he had always tried to be with everyone, but he kept quiet.

Maybe Y/n didn't need to know about how brutal he was in some fights at the beginning, or how that got him in one more scare. Maybe Y/n didn't need to know about Mortal Blow or that side of him ever in her life.

Her back vibrated with her giggle when Jungkook snuggled to her like a schoolgirl, wrapping his arms around her body, palms on her belly -as if he hadn't had his hands holding her breasts just five minutes back-, with his helmet taking up most of her back.

It didn't surprise him how well she drove, and he wasn't sure he wanted to ask her how she learnt to drive -because he knew it was going to relate directly to the ex boyfriend she mentioned the other day-, and he didn't really want to deal with that thought when he was just getting to enjoy himself.

He came up with the idea of going on a picnic, he prepared their lunch, but Y/n was the one who thought of the place. She had a good idea up her sleeve, which led them to a small lake nearby.

The park was filled with groups of friends cackling, lying a few meters away from them; couples kissed and got touchy on the grass, while others drove the swan-shaped boats in the lake; families walking around, swinging their kid by their arms as if making them fly over the ground.

And suddenly, a thought got so deep in his head, being so realistic, that Jungkook lost touch with reality until Y/n called him out.

His doe eyes were already big enough, but they always got bigger when Jungkook got immersed in his own thoughts. And at that moment, he looked exactly like that, with a small smile curving up his face.

—Tell me you aren't imagining what those people would look like if they fell.

He blinked, finally looking at her to realize how serious his thoughts were when it came to her. He never thought of being in a serious relationship, and there he was: daydreaming of getting to have a family with her when they weren't even dating.

—Wouldn't it be funny? —he lied, backing himself up.

—Oh Jeon, I just hope I'm there the day karma bites your ass —she mumbled, taking a sip to her sprite.

—Tss, hope you know you'll be the one cheering me up when that happens —he replied back with a cheeky smile.

Jungkook bent slightly over her, a hand behind her back on the grass, while his lips approached her so dangerously she held her breath without noticing.

—Let's hop on one of those boats —she hurriedly suggested, getting up from the ground when their lips barely touched.

Jungkook was so devilishly attractive, that she wasn't sure she'd be able to contain herself once they started kissing. Even looking back to him, when he was still lying on the floor, playing with his lip ring as he smirked, was driving her close to insanity.

Even when he complained, causing his accent to become thicker, he made her knees go weak.

—Forty dollars for an hour —he clicked his tongue, saving his wallet back in his back pocket—. For that amount I can build the boat myself.

—The question is whether it'd float when you got to the middle of the lake —she chuckled, stepping on the boat first.

Jungkook eyed it suspiciously, stepping at the edge to check on it

—You seriously think this is safe?

Y/n laughed, feet already on the pedals.

—Come on, you can take down five guys in a ring, but you're worried about a swan boat?

He rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile as they began pedaling out onto the lake. It was a peaceful scene -the soft lapping of the water, the muffled sound from the people around them, and her skin shining so bright under the golden sun.

For a while, they floated in relative peace, until Y/n nudged Jungkook with her elbow.

—We made it to the middle, it does float, at least.

As if on cue, the boat wobbled slightly, when Jungkook's baggy jeans got stuck in one of the pedals, causing him to shift his weight -just a little too much.

—Wait, wait... —Y/n's warning came too late.

With a yelp, Jungkook lost his balance despite her trying to reach for his arm, tipping over the side of the boat and splashing into the water. For a second, there was nothing but stunned silence, and then Y/n burst out laughing.

Jungkook surfaced, drenched, with a look of pure disbelief.

—I fucking knew it.

—Are you okay? —Y/n called between giggles, leaning over the edge to offer him a hand.

He glared at her, though the corners of his mouth were twitching.

—I'm never trusting a swan boat again —he gasped—. Shit, I might get a stomach cramp now.

—Yeah, over a ham sandwich. You're okay, get back on the boat.

Y/n held tight on the boat, as Jungkook effortlessly pulled his body up the water to sit back in his place. He shook his head fast, trying to get rid of a lot of the wetness in his locks.

—I know I've called you a dog a few many times, but it wasn't for you to take it literally —she huffed, trying to cover up herself with her arm .

—Shit, my phone —he whined, taking the device out of his front pocket.

—And your wallet —she reminded him.

Jungkook, now soaked and glaring playfully at Y/n, shook his head with a grin.

—You're lucky I'm in a good mood today, but still get ready to deal with the consequences.

—Uhh, I'm so scared —she dared him, face getting closer to his—. Let's get back home, you'll need that hot shower.

He was surprised when instead of going back to sitting properly, she kissed him so naturally and sweetly that his heart skipped a hard and loud beat.

It was a quiet afternoon, the kind where time seemed to move slowly. Y/n had stepped out to get groceries, leaving Jungkook alone in her apartment while he took a shower and drained his clothes. He wandered aimlessly, his gaze drifting over her neatly organized bookshelves and the cozy decor.

Pictures of Mitchell and her mother, only her mother, Y/n with a group of friends... all of them were placed over one of the shelves. As he passed by one of the pictures she had with Jason, strange folding caught his eye. He leaned closer, picking it up. He wished he hadn't let curiosity get over him, so he'd have just seen her with Jason, laughing, arms around each other, looking carefree and happy. But just her and Jason.

As he unfolded the picture, his heart dropped to his feet and his breathing was cut in his throat.

He recognized the other man that was next to Y/n, and that she kept hidden behind the frame.

A memory flickered in his mind. He'd seen that face before. In a darker, more painful context. The underground gym, the rough-and-tumble fighters. The young man in the picture was the same one he'd seen at the club years ago, the same one he once beated, almost, to death, before he left that gym they shared.

Noah wasn't only a competitor, but also a trainee when the other gym went bankrupt.

His stomach twisted as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut. Y/n's brother hadn't just been some random fighter. He'd been someone Jungkook had trained with, someone he knew pretty well since he was the one who set some fights for him when he wasn't able to attend.

And, suddenly, the scariest thought flashed his mind. Was he the one who possibly sent him to his final fight?

The guilt washed over him in waves, threatening to drown him, as everything around him kept going in circles.

Jungkook sank down onto the couch, his hands trembling. All that time, he'd been searching for answers about the curse and helping Y/n with her investigation, not realizing he was a part of the very story she was unraveling. If she found out the truth... everything would change. Every step forward they had taken would disappear in front of him.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He had to keep it from her, at least for a while. He couldn't bear to lose her -not when things were finally going right between them. Not when she'd just started opening up, letting him in.

Y/n's cheerful humming drifted in from the hallway as she returned, and Jungkook hastily put the picture back, forcing a smile as she entered the room.

—Hey, you —she greeted, setting down a bag of groceries and grinning at him—. What did I tell you about sitting your wet ass on my couch?

—Right —Jungkook stood up, his heart still pounding, maybe even harder when seeing her.

He took the chance when Y/n went to the kitchen to leave the picture back to where it was, before she could even notice he had seen it.

—Where's your cocky answer? —she frowned— Fuck, are you sick?

Her concerned eyes moved over him, when her hand touched his face to check on his temperature.

—Yeah, I am sick of being away from you —he quickly answered.

He pulled her into a playful hug, burying his face in her hair as he tried to push away the turmoil in his mind. He'd figure it out somehow -how to tell her, how to make things right. But for now, he would just hold onto the moment, hoping he could keep their happiness intact a little while longer.

If Y/n ever managed to convince him about the curse not being real and not working out, that new discovery just proved to him he was indeed cursed. And he needed to work that thing out before telling her anything. 

Taglist: @jk97bam @ttanniett

[fountainpenguin]

Riddle watches New Wish - Post #11

Starting with Weird Science.

TWO people named Grey participated in this show?

Cosmo: Ooh, what a tasty-looking dinner! I love potatoes! Me: Cosmo, aren't you allergic to potato skins? Cosmo: /eats the lightbulb. Me: ... Carry on.

Really cool hallway angle! Also:

angry.

Those dance and voting posters have been up for quite a while, which seems unusual for a school. Did we really skip several weeks forward in time with Episode 3, then everything is crammed in tight after that? Where's that dang moon? I need it.

Seriously, Sneezy Hawkins dance has been up since Hazel arrived, and it's been many weeks since then.

Cosmo and Wanda altering the laws of science in order to make her science project work is hilarious. Of course they would.

How many music rooms does 1 school need?

Hazel's class is near the entrance of school, 2nd floor. If you look at the school's front, she's on the right-hand side.

JORGEN'S BACK!! Time to wreck Hazel for altering physics.

Basically Hazel, with no sense of self-preservation: Jorgen, I tried using magic to cheat a competition. Jorgen internally: I'm very mad and also disappointed.

Dev is the grumpiest little meditator. Doesn't even chant, smh. Why does his bag say "Mediocre," are we gonna talk about that?

Hazel's parents are so caring.

Mystery She Wished

Oh, noir? I was just thinking about noir earlier toda- WANING CRESCENT!

Hazel and her dad watching movies together is cute. She likes scary movies and he likes the paranormal- They're a perfect pair.

"I have to charge my ghost crystals" okay Dad.

Cracking up at Hazel interviewing Wanda for her mystery. Big "Where's Wanda?" vibes.

I was sitting here like "Why is she asking Wanda?" and then I was like "Oh yeah, she still lives here. She lives across the hall. She pays rent." I like that Hazel thinks she's on bad terms with the landlady.

I said in Post 10 that I was sad we hadn't seen more of Cosmo and Wanda's life in the apartment because I felt like we were missing opportunities to engage with the environment (and see them struggling to be human). This is exactly what I wanted.

Cosmo: Unless... I did it and framed Wanda?

Okay, now you're just being meta. I was gonna not tell readers that you're responsible for Wanda's disappearance in "Where's Wanda?" and that's why it's funny Hazel's interviewing you two, but... that's WAY funny they put that in there.

Those are some... weird stares. Why do they look different than the other characters? Is it the eyes? Also, this guy sounds like Daran Norris.

I like how Cosmo and Wanda still have their crowns while in pencil and notepad disguise.

Hazel talking about how she had to sleep to recover from the mystery "and also because I'm 10 and can't set my own bedtime."

Hazel is being so weird to this poor kid. That's her first introduction to him; that's hilarious. He's probably a twin since he doesn't recognize her on their second conversation.

OG series Elvis? MARK CHANG??

Hazel's parents: We're going to dinner with the new family. Hazel: They're cannibals and I'm gonna die.

/staring intensely: "We always follow social norms and blend in! :)" What the heck is wrong with this guy? These two are totally aliens. Is that why Mark's picture was on the conspiracy board?

I like how Hazel's stuck in mystery mode until she solves the mystery because she wished to be like SDFKJSDFISOKJD OH NO-

Okay. She wished to be like the detectives on TV, who didn't use magic to solve their mysteries, and I should really pause before typing, but in my mind I was like "There's literally no way they're going to put an Easter egg in this pantry."

... Oh. I 100% thought I spotted the aliens from "So Totally Spaced Out" who were defeated by eating them, but upon rewinding and pausing, that looks like a regular rabbit.

Now I'm disappointed.

Twins! I was right. Also, this is a really dark episode for a show that still, this many episodes in, refuses to give me the child abuse I'm craving.

This is how normal people eat with guests.

... The twist is that they're doomsday preppers? I thought that was obvious? They said they were preparing for the end of the world and they were stockpiling supplies for that. Maybe I'm too old for this episode- I didn't know that was unclear to Hazel sdfklj. The plot twist at the end is still going to be they're aliens, I'm sure of it.

(It was not; there was no twist, although the parents did dump all their food on the ground. I fear we will never know who was there.)

Prime Meridian Love

Hazel's into both manga and anime! Nice. We might've heard about the manga earlier, but I forgot.

Jasmine: Don't tell us the whole story! I want to be surprised when I read it. Me, liveblogging: Uh-oh.

Finally a school dance after all those posters since Episode 1! ... Not the same dance! I'm dying inside.

She's totally gonna wish her manga fish crush into reality. Question is... Are we about to get a "can't wish away true love" plot, or totally different drama?

omfg, he's dying because he's a fish. That's not the direction I thought this was going. I could've sworn his wall poster depicts him on a cliff? I'll have to review when we're back in her room.

Kennueth: I will not fall for your siren song >:(

Whoops. Also, confirmation that humans can't know about magic!

Oh no, he's going to be obsessed with his own book and try to see the ending? Is that it? ...... No? Hm. I guess he's fine with it.

I don't have anything to say about this screenshot, but it should be appreciated.

FAIRY WORLD! ... I don't love that we're skipping straight to it? And now we're montaging through it? This is her second onscreen time and her first was at the dreary DMV, assuming I'm watching in the correct order. We don't get to see her being wowed? I'm kinda disappointed.

Oh, we're back in her room. That makes me sad. Also... I guess it's more common for 10-year-olds to have crushes than I thought, considering Timmy had one too. I should really look this up.

-> Oh, it is. Maybe I need to re-tune my allo characters; I always assumed crushes come with puberty, but apparently not.

Oh boy, Dev's about to be annihilated by a tall fish guy. I enjoy his expressions and tiny hands. Also, I really like how we sometimes get to see his eyes over his glasses since we didn't get that with the Pixies.

He looks like he's wearing the necklace from the manga. Is he a fan of the series and is he going to attend Hazel's book club since her friends couldn't? Finally friend?? (I doubt it).

Oh wait, maybe he will.

Hazel: ?? Are you a Super Meridian-head? :) Dev at a school dance:

"Get off my back about it!!" okay, goof.

I like how Kennueth described Dev's robotic companions as "metallic birds."

sldkfjsdljf, hang on, pause pause pause. Is Kennueth spoiling plot points Hazel doesn't know about and we're going to loop back to how her friends didn't enjoy her spoiling the manga? That's great!

Wanda dog-ears books... Good to know. I'm glad she's still implied to be a terrible librarian. Cosmo won't even share his books.

Hazel: Our friendship is more important than any book club! Me, who saw Mikey Munroe weasel a speedboat out of Bunsen with very similar words: Are we being for real right now?

sdlkfj, Hazel hitting him with the "I think we work best just as friends. I'm only 10." Okay, that's hilarious.

Hazel did not get upset about spoilers and Dev did not come to book club :(

Hey, this is related to nothing as I get my snack, but what was Poof doing during his parents' 10k-year vacation? I assume he went with them. He was in boarding school during Season 10 and maybe he still is, but... hm. Where's my boy? I know he's still canon; his picture's in Episode 1.

I'm gettin' nervous. -> Me, unfortunately didn't get more than 3 episodes into "Fairly Odder" and doesn't know if he showed up there.

Okay, but... Cosmo and Wanda wouldn't leave behind their son who's faced multiple kidnapping attempts, including from Jorgen: the man who wanted to yoink Poof and not let him visit his parents for centuries... right?

They wouldn't take their son away from Timmy, the brother he grew up with, and then ALSO ditch their son. Right?

Please tell me we're not going to get Poof with issues. I know I was confused in Liveblog 10 about the lack of child trauma in this show, but I didn't mean him.

-> Has given Aged-Up Poof more issues than literally any other character in my fanfics.

[witherhusbandsislife]

Emptober, Day 1: Siblings

Prompt: Siblings

Characters: Fwhip and Gem

Season: 1

Time: Before Xornoth, when they were still teens and not yet rulers of their respective empires

Wordcount: 2564

~~~

Fwhip fidgeted in his seat, hands twisting and untwisting in his shirt.

He didn’t want to do this. Gem had run away on her own without even telling him she was going. If she didn’t care enough to tell him, then he didn’t care enough to see her after years being apart. 

But their parents had decided they needed to reconcile, and so Fwhip had no choice but to go to the stupid meeting and sit in the stupid chair and drink stupid tea while Gem sat right there across from him, chatting with their parents and smiling and happy as if she hadn’t vanished for three years and then reappeared as the apprentice and heir to the High Wizard, as if she hadn’t abandoned him for years and left him to sleep alone in his room every night wondering what happened to his sister, staring at her empty bed across the room from his. 

Did she really not care? Was this all just normal to her, just a completely normal thing to run away without a word and leave your family and then come back as if you had just gone to the store and returned? Was it some sort of tradition in the Crystal Cliffs that she saw happen everyday, or did she just not care about them. 

Did she not care about him? Did she just forget her brother, go on happily to be a wizard without a second thought for her twin brother? 

They had been two halves of the same whole, near-identical ginger twins with only the eyes and hair length to tell them apart. Fwhip had thought they’d be together forever, ruling as the twin Count and Countess of the Grimlands, and then she had just left, and his whole life crumbled.

And now, three years later, just as he had finally adjusted to living with the gaping hole inside him that used to be filled by Gem’s smiles and whispers and random fun facts she’d wake him up at all hours of the night to tell him and sarcastic comments as she watched him try out his newest experiment or her defense when one went wrong and their parents chastised him, or any of the billion things they had done together, lived together, been more than just Fwhip and Gem, but one person split into two bodies who were never apart?

“What do you think, Fwhip?”

He blinked, focusing on the other three people at the table, and Gem, who had asked him the question, a smile on her face. A smile. What had they even been talking about, magic? 

“I don’t care.” He stood up, shoving his chair back roughly and almost making it fall over. “I’m leaving.” 

The calls of his parents (but not Gem), echoed in his ears as he stormed out, slamming the door to the sitting room behind him. 

It didn’t take him long to make his way to the, in his opinion, best part of the castle. Taking the steps down to the basement two at a time, he kicked the door shut, grabbing his goggles from one of his many cluttered desks of his lab and putting them back on his head. Gem could keep having her stupid small talk about her stupid magic with their stupid parents. If she didn’t care, then neither did he. He didn’t care. 

Grabbing one of his random projects, he swore when the delicate circuit snapped in half, broken in his grip. In a rush of rage, he flung it at the wall, the already broken sheet shattering into smaller fragments and falling to the floor with the impact. 

“Why did you break it? You could’ve fixed it.”

Fwhip spun around at the words, glaring at his sister, almost exactly the same as she was three years ago, the same green dress she always loved tailored to fit her new height, the exact same as his, and eyes just as bright and inquisitive as before. The only differences were the purple shawl over it, the emblem of the Crystal Cliffs Academy embroidered on, and the stupid giant wizard hat that she seemed determined to wear everywhere, even though she wasn’t even a full wizard yet. 

“What are you doing here?” Fwhip said, hating the way his voice wobbled instead of being harsh. “Go away. I don’t want to see you.”

He turned away, blinking fast to force his tears away. He would not care. She didn’t care, he didn’t care. He didn’t care, he didn’t care, he didn’t care.

“Fwhip”- her hand landed on his shoulder, stopping him and making him turn back around to face her- “what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” he snapped, reveling in the way her eyes widened at the venom in his tone and ignoring the small part of him that wanted to just hug her and cry into her familiar green dress and ginger hair so similar to his. She had always kept it cut shorter when she lived here, closer to a bob instead of the long braids she had now. 

“What’s wrong is that you LEFT! You left, disappeared without even telling anyone you were leaving, and then you just come back, three years later, like nothing happened, like everythings okay?” He wiped at his eyes furiously, moisture streaking across his face and the back of his hand.  

“You can’t just come back after leaving everyone like that! You can’t just pretend everything is fine and happy, like you didn’t run away, like you didn’t-” He cut himself off. He didn’t care, and neither did she. There wasn’t a point.

Gem stared at him, shock fading into- was that pity?

“Oh, Fwhip…” she began. He tore his arm out of her grip, backing up several steps and forcing his voice to level out, the tears falling faster down his cheeks and dripping off his chin. He ignored them. 

“Don’t do that. Don’t pity me,” he snarled at her. “I don’t care. You don’t care, and neither do I. Just- just leave. It was so easy for you the first time.” 

His voice broke on the last words, and he gave up and buried his face in his hands, his half-dragon wings instinctively spreading around him to hide his stupid face and stupid tears from Gem. 

Suddenly, something wrapped around him, pressing his wings back. Fwhip stumbled, startled, and fell right into Gem’s arms, her warmth and smell of her sensible cotton dress and clean hair (it didn’t smell like sweetberries anymore, she had to have a new shampoo, it smelled like snow and pine needles now), and he flinched at the familiarity, trying to back away before he broke down even more and gave in to the urge to just hug her back and hold on to Gem and never let go so she couldn’t leave and she’d stay with him forever. 

Gem only hugged him harder, leading them both over to a small cot Fwhip had installed in the corner upon the insistence of his parents after he kept collapsing on the floor from exhaustion when he forgot to sleep or refused to leave his lab. 

He had spent months down here, sleeping in the cot and having his food delivered to the door after Gem had left. He hadn’t wanted to go and see his room, see all the hallways and rooms and places he and Gem had lived and played and been together in, the gaping wound of her absence ripping him apart from the inside. So he locked the door to the outside and buried himself in his machines, tinkering and building and occasionally destroying when his pain and anger got the best of him and he couldn’t shove it all down anymore, until he got better at suppressing it all and put all his feelings and pain about Gem’s leaving (because that’s what it really all was about, he cared and her absence ripped a hole open inside him that had never healed) and he could face the world again. 

“Oh, Fwhip, I’m so sorry. I didn’t- I thought you’d be fine, you had your machines and I- Oh, Fwhip.” 

She kept hugging him, and eventually he gave in and let himself hug her back, mushed his face into her shoulder and cried, shoulders shaking with the force of his silent sobs. Gem held him the entire while, rubbing his back and just being there, like she hadn’t been for so long, and it only made him cry harder, a billion repressed emotions from three years all surfacing together and pouring out in a wave of grief and pain and loneliness. 

Eventually, what could have been minutes or hours or years later, the tears abated and he pulled back, wiping his face, and staring at her, at his older sister, technically his twin but she was born first, he had always been the baby brother to her 3 minutes older, even if he had refused to admit it whenever she had teased him about being younger. 

“Why,” he finally said, voice unsteady. “Why didn’t you tell me, or ever send anything, or stayed, or anything? Why, Gem?”

His voice wobbled when he said her name, the first time he had said it since she came back, since his parents had given him the letter, stamped with the emblem of the Crystal Cliffs and Gem’s name on the envelope, ever since he opened it and saw the words, a formal request for the First Apprentice of the High Wizard, Gemini Tay, to visit her home and family in the upcoming school break. 

Her chin trembled, eyes bright with unshed tears. “You never checked our secret spot, didn’t you?”

Fwhip blinked. The secret spot. The western tower, where they had been playing years ago and had stumbled into a secret room, clearly forgotten and abandoned for decades, if not centuries. They had promptly claimed it as their own and turned it into their secret twins-only spot, with only a little help from a few servants who was promised to keep it a secret, the children not seeing the knowing looks the adults passed each other when they weren’t looking, too busy arguing about what color the walls would be (“purple is so much prettier, do you want the walls to look like someone covered them in blood?” “Yes, who wouldn't want that?”) 

He had so many memories there, of afternoons spent tinkering while Gem read or sleepovers where they had decided to have an ‘adventure’ and sneak out to sleep in the tower instead of their bedroom. They had even had a code language, and a little box for leaving messages so they could communicate super-secret like spies.

“The- the secret spot?” he asked slowly. “Why would I go there?”

Gem got up, and for one terrifying moment Fwhip thought she was leaving, that he hadn’t answered right and that he failed and she was going to leave and never come back, but she just went to where they had been standing, dropping down to dig in the bag that she had been carrying with her, that Fwhip hadn’t even noticed she had. 

Pulling a bunch of something out of the bag, she returned to sit next to him again, spreading… letters? across the bed in between them, hundreds of them at the very least. 

‘I made two copies of each one- one to send to you, and one for me to keep,” she said softly, unfolding one and giving it to him. 

“Mother and Father couldn’t know where I had gone, you know they never agreed with me going to the Academy, that’s why I ran away. Magic is my calling, Fwhip, just like tinkering was yours. Not learning how to use it was smothering me, I had to go,” she said, still holding out the letter even as Fwhip stared at it, not moving to take it.

“I couldn’t tell you,” she whispered, and he looked up at her, tears blurring his vision again. “I couldn’t, Fwhip, you would have told them and they would have made me come back. I know you, you’d have told them so that you could have me back. I didn’t realize it would hurt you so much, that you wouldn’t go to the secret spot anymore.”

“What does the secret spot have to do with anything?” Fwhip asked, hands firmly knotted into his shirt in a further refusal to grab the letter. He didn’t want to look, didn’t want to admit what he knew was true in the edges of his mind.

“I wrote so many,” Gem whispered, her tears finally overflowing and spilling down her face. “I sent one every week, even though you never replied. Even if you hated me, even if you didn’t want to talk, I still sent them.”

She put the letter down, on top of the pile of others, what had to be only a few out of the whole, if she had sent one every week for three years. Slowly, hesitantly, he picked the letter up, unfolding it and blinking hard, making his vision clear so he could see the writing, taking a moment to remember their old code, deciphering it and beginning to scan the words, eyes watering as he read, Gem’s voice clear in his head as she rambled about this and that, talking about a test that she had passed and a homework she had forgotten about, a classmate that annoyed her, just little things, but things about her, about her new life. The letter ended with a simple question, one he could see Gem writing over and over, ending each letter with a simple, How are you, Fwhip?

She did care. She cared. She cared enough to write letters every week for years, even if he never responded, just to tell him she was okay and tell him about her new life. 

He dropped the letter, grabbing Gem and yanking her into a hug, clinging onto his twin sister as hard as he could as they both cried together, two halves a whole broken apart and reunited. 

They would have to talk more later, compare stories and explain why he had never replied, make plans to see each other more, to make sure they didn’t drift apart again, neither of them would survive that, Fwhip knew. 

But for now, they just hugged, and held on to each other, finally reunited and together. Fwhip would do anything for her, for his older twin sister, for his best friend, for the person he knew as well as he knew himself, even with years of separation between them. 

He would never let anything or anyone get in the way of the two of them ever again, no matter what. 

Years later, faced with an awful choice between Sausage, his best friend and love, and Gem, his sister, his first friend, the one person he swore to protect and care for above all others, to sacrifice to the demon, he chose Sausage. He would always choose to save Gem, no matter what. 

Months after that, when Scott ‘accidentally’ hurt Gem, he hunts him down and even when he couldn’t find him, left traps and painful revenge behind to make him pay. Even if it was an accident. No one hurts Gem, ever.

He would not lose her again. Never again. 

[souls-page]

Page 33

“Why do you wish to find out when you die?” Edwin asked Niko, letting himself ask, not because it had been lingering too long in his head, but because it was far simpler just to ask Niko, everything was simpler with her, easier.

Her head rested on his shoulder, her hand holding his arm, he wondered if she could actually feel him, because as much as he wanted to feel her he couldn’t, he felt her weight, and felt her hold on him tighten before softening again, but he doesn’t feel her warmth that he knows she has

“Because I just want to” Niko replied, simple straightforward, he glanced down at her before looking straight ahead again, resting his head on hers, hoping that she could feel him, that him being here brought her comfort,

“I don't really know what I would do if I actually found out when I’d die, but I think it would bring me some comfort to know when” She said, voice soft, somehow even when the topic was heavy, she could find a way to make it feel like it isn’t, he’s thankful for her of that, never once has he said anything he didn’t want to, never once had it been hard for him to say anything to her

Never with her

“That's odd, most people don’t seek out when they die” He said

“Well, I’m not most people” She replied a smile on her lips, tone soft but fond

“No, no you aren’t” He agreed, a small smile on his face before letting the silence stretch, as they both dangled their feet on the edge of the building, letting the wind pass by them, one feeling the coldness of the wind more than the other

The memory is slightly blurred now, two weeks have passed, and somehow it’s still not fully clicking in his head, He still somehow expects Niko to show up at the agency,

This is not possible considering they never told her where it is, but somehow he just does, he expects her to just show up, with that smile of hers

And on nights like these when they aren’t as busy, on when Crystal is asleep in her apartment and he and Charles are left alone in the room with Charlie being out, He can’t help but think of her, and he knows that Charles knows what he’s thinking

Niko’s books are put on the shelves nearest to the desk, at arm's length for Edwin, and on nights like these he doesn’t know whether he’s thankful to see them there, or saddened by the reminder that they offer

But on nights like these, he’ll always reach out and take one of them, and Charles's presence helps, he talks and sits near him, when he’s sitting at the desk or beckons Edwin over to the couch

Sometimes they both read, sometimes Edwin reads while Charles is just there and sometimes Edwin just reads to Charles, and it helps.

Sometimes more than others, the presence of someone while dealing with the loss of another. In hindsight it's weird, he’d never truly gotten this attached to someone else before, no one other than Charles, but now there's Niko, but Niko’s gone.

He closes the book after realizing that Charles has gone to sleep, they never needed it but he always chooses to do so, he looks so peaceful lying down on their couch, and he can’t help but think about when Charles died

He choose to stay with Edwin, but he can’t help but think about how the past thirty years would’ve been if he didn’t. He sighs and shakes his head, too many emotions for today, he sets the book down somewhere near, and for once he closes his eyes letting the quiet lull of the night lead him to sleep.

[sagesolsticewrites]

Sleepy for Ruthie & scrunch for Juliet 🫶

oh gosh well this request has been sitting in my inbox for like a month but I finally finished it! So so sorry for the delay, darling Nonnie, and thank you so much for your patience!

kiss prompts

[ sleepy ] for a half-awake kiss - Ruthie x Benny

The door of Benny’s apartment swings open to reveal an exhausted but smiling Ruthie, blush pink Pyrex in her hands.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Benny beams, stepping aside to let her in.

“Hi,” she says, shifting up onto her toes to press a kiss to his cheek as she passes, “Long time no see.”

“I know, it’s been forever,” he laughs, knowing full well she was here just last week, “What’d you bring this time?”

“Samosas,” she beams, gesturing excitedly with the Pyrex, and Benny smiles, though it doesn’t escape his notice that there’s something slightly less cheerful about her demeanor today.

“How are things at the hotel?” He asks in what he hopes is a casual manner, following her into the kitchen, “You said a while ago that business wasn’t great, is it getting better?”

“You remembered?” Ruthie pauses as she removes a pastry, in the middle of moving it to a plate.

“Of course,” he says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

Ruthie ducks her chin in an attempt to hide her growing smile, busying herself with plating another samosa.

“It’s actually gotten really busy,” she says happily, “I… don’t really remember the last time I slept? I’ve been doing laundry and making beds and cleaning practically all the time to try to keep up with the guests, but if it means business is good and my parents have one less thing to worry about, then…” she trails off with a shrug.

Now that she’s said it, Benny can see tiredness etched into every line of her face, the poorly hidden dark purple bags under her eyes now crystal clear even through her ever cheerful smile.

“And you still came here?” He asks, frowning slightly as he steps closer to scan over her face.

“Of course,” her brow furrows, “I wanted to see you, and how can I keep up with my lessons if I skip a week, hm? Besides,” she says through a yawn that utterly destroys the point she’s trying to make, “I’m not that tired, I promise.”

“Sweetheart— Ruthie, look at me honey, please?”

Ruthie looks up from where she’s sweeping crumbs off the counter, still very much in cleaning mode, as Benny takes her hand and guides her to the living room.

“We’re gonna skip the lesson today.”

“Wait, what?”

Ruthie frowns. She’d been practicing her Italian all week to keep it fresh in her mind for today— she’d made very good progress since Benny had offered to teach her more than the simple phrases Val had taught her in a rushed, impromptu lesson, and she wanted to keep improving.

“Vika,” Benny sighs, thumb stroking gently along the back of her hand as they sit, “You need rest, honey. Lesson for today? Vai a dormire.”

“Vai…” Furrows appear in Ruthie’s forehead, adorable as always, as she tries to translate.

Benny brushes a kiss to her forehead, wonders if she knows he can feel how much she’s leaning on him, if she’s aware of how heavy-lidded her eyes are.

“Go to sleep, sweetheart.” He murmurs, moving to kneel beside the sofa and shifting a pillow under her head as she lays down despite her protests.

“Benny—” she mumbles, stubborn even when she’s half asleep.

He leans in, silencing her tired protests with a gentle kiss, “I promise I’ll wake you when it’s time for you to go home.”

Finally, finally, she relaxes, eyes closing as she gives his hand a gentle squeeze.

“Th’nk you, Benny.”

“Dormi bene, sweetheart.”

[ scrunch ] for a kiss on the nose - Juliet x Brady

“Honey, are you almost ready?” Juliet calls from her vanity, checking that the Victory Red on her lips is still immaculate before slipping into her heels.

“Ready, sweetheart,” John says from behind her, and the sight of him in the mirror has her beaming before she turns to look at him properly.

John Brady stands there beaming in one of his nicer suits, ready for the first proper date night they’ve had since their daughter was born.

“Oh, Johnny,” she breathes, standing to get a better look, her hand coming to rest gently on his chest, “You look very handsome, darling.”

He always did, of course, but the suit was a welcome change from the usual somewhat creased button downs he wore, as was the neatly combed hair from the usual rumpled brown waves (caused by a certain six-month-old finding endless fascination with her father’s hair).

“And you,” her husband smiles, arms winding around her waist, “Look as beautiful as ever, Mrs. Brady.”

Even after over a year of marriage, a thrill still runs through her at both the compliment and the use of her married name.

Smiling, Juliet leans up for a kiss, but John pulls back slightly.

“I don’t think I can bring myself to mess this up just yet,” he says, eyes soft as his thumb traces along the edge of her red-painted lip, “So I think I’ll just…”

He leans in and pecks her nose, eliciting a delighted giggle from his wife.

“As sweet as that was,” Juliet teases with a raised eyebrow before her eyes turn pleading, “Please kiss me properly, John Brady.”

Captain John Brady — who once threatened to “smash the living shit” out of the pilot who was taking up his slot in a formation while in the air with no regard for the very expensive planes that would be damaged by this action — is helpless against his wife’s doe eyes.

Grinning, he leans down to press his lips tenderly to hers, his heart going soft at the sigh that escapes her as he pulls away.

“Better?”

“Much,” she grins, thumb swiping over his lips to rub away the Victory Red that transferred from her own, “Shall we?”

They step out to the living room, greeted with the sight of Rosie Rosenthal playing with his newest niece.

“Thank you so much again, Rosie,” Juliet smiles, “We really appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” Rosie grins, “You know I’ll never pass up a chance to hang out with this little peanut.”

Little Olivia lets out a delighted giggle as her Uncle Rosie tickles her, reaching for his pomaded curls.

“Wait, no, not the hair—”

Once he’s disentangled Olivia’s tiny fingers from his hair, he lifts her into his arms with an ease that comes from months of practice with Little Croz.

“Say bye to Mommy and Daddy, peanut!” Rosie lifts her little hand to wave at them as the Bradys make their way into the foyer.

“We should be back around 10,” Jules calls as John attempts to herd her out the door, “And don’t hesitate to call us if you need to!”

“Or your mother!” John calls with a grin from his place by the car door.

“I’ve gotten better, I swear!” Rosie replies, playfully exasperated, “Have fun, you two.”

“You too, Rosie,” John grins at the same time as Juliet says “Be good for your uncle, Livvy!”

The couple says their final goodbyes and heads out, John Brady leaning over at a red light to press a kiss to his wife’s nose.

“What was that for?” Juliet laughs.

Her husband smiles and shrugs, turning his attention to the road as the light changes.

“Just because.”

[final-girl96]

Broken World: Chapter Five

The Quarry

We slowly drove up the winding dirt road that led back to the quarry. In the distance, you could see a crystal clear blue lake. It was so beautiful and looked so peaceful. It was almost like the world wasn't falling apart, the dead pouring from its seams, ripping and tearing to get out so they could grab any living thing with their decaying hands and rip their rotting teeth into its flesh.

Shortly after, as we grew closer and closer to the camp that sat just up on the hill from the lake, an RV came into view. An umbrella sat over a folding chair, and that chair sat the speck of a person, who slowly started to stand. The closer we got, the more I could see. There were a few cars parked behind the RV, tents scattered around in a little tent city. A couple of places had fire pits, one for cooking, one for the group to sit around. A separate firepit sat separate from the others a little ways.

People started to gather as Glenn came to a stop. An older man with a white beard and a bucket hat stood in the front with two blonde women off to the side. On his other side stood a man with dark hair wearing a gray tee shirt with some kind of symbol on the left breast. A dark-haired woman with a small boy standing behind her stood not far from him. "They're all nice people. You'll fit in just fine," Glenn said before getting out of the car. The hair haired man and the man with the white beard walked over to him.

I sighed, looking down at my lap. My badge hung from a chain around my neck. The only time I ever took it off was when I would clean up and go to sleep. It was somewhat of a security blanket for me, I suppose. It was something that told me I was going to be okay and I could survive this mess. But it was also a reminder of the reason I didn't have the one person I wished was by my side. I had to remind myself that I worked hard to get this badge and Daryl Dixon could go fuck himself.

I looked back up to see the dark haired man pointing at me. Glenn turned around and gave me a small smile, nodding his head to come over and meet everyone. I took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped out into the Georgia heat. I walked over beside Glenn and looked at the dark-haired man in front of me. He looked down at my badge and then back up at me. "You're a cop?" He asked. I looked at the symbol on his shirt. It was for a police department in Kings County.

"I was a detective," I said. He nodded his head. "I'm Officer Shane Walsh," he held out his hand and I shook it. "YN Stone. I hope you don't mind Glenn bringing me back with him. I did bring some guns and ammo, along with some food and water." The man with the white beard came to stand in front of me and shook my hand. "I'm Dale. You're more than welcome." His soft smile helped put me a ease. He seemed like he was the reason of the group. The person who gave purpose and hope to everyone.

Dale introduced me to everyone, Andrea and Amy, who were sisters. The Morales family, Sophia and Carol, and Carol's husband Ed, whom I got a bad vibe from. Jim, Jacquie, and T-Dog. A few others in the camp and then finally Lori and her son Carl. I learned Lori's husband and Shane's best friend were also a cop. He had been shot a few weeks before everything happened and was in a comma went shit went down. Shane tried to go back for him, but there was nothing he could do with all the machines he was hooked to, and then the hospital was bombed.

They had an extra tent available for me to use, which I was grateful for. I looked around while I helped unpack the supplie Glenn and I brought back. I noticed a truck that looked oddly familiar, but I just shook my head and put it out of my mind. There were apparently two other people, but they were out hunting for the group. That night, we sat around the fire and exchanged stories, and I was asked a lot of questions.

"So you were a detective?" Andrea asked. I learned that she was a civil rights lawyer before the outbreak. I nodded my head, "Yes. I was a homicide detective," I said. "You're kind of young, aren't you?" She asked. I chuckled and looked down at my lap. "Um…yeah, I'm only twenty-six. I had to work really hard to get where I was. But it was a dream of mine, and I wasn't going to stop until I made it happen." After a while, everyone went to bed, and Shane climbed on top of the rv to keep watch.

I lay on the cot in my tent, staring up at the canvas ceiling. It's been a while since I had any kind of interaction with people. It felt nice not to be alone. I was so grateful that Glenn showed up. Everyone here seemed super nice. Well, apart from Ed, Carol's husband. Carol is a sweet woman but very timid. One look at Ed told me he wasn't a good man. I could also sense secrets in the group. Especially between Shane and Lori.

I shook my head to clear my mind. My fingers curled around my badge, and I closed my eyes. I don't know how long I laid there like that, but eventually, I fell asleep. It wasn't a deep sleep, I've never been one to sleep too deeply. I was a light sleeper and woke up at any nose I heard. It was going to take some time getting used to sleeping in a tent outside so close to the woods.

I know they said that walkers don't come up this way, but one day, they'll run out of food in the city and start looking for more elsewhere. I tossed and turned on my cot for a couple hours, trying to get some kind of sleep, and when I failed, I sat up and left the tent. The air was a lot cooler now that it was dark. But by the time the sun came up, it would be warm again and only get warmer as the day went on.

I looked over at the RV to now see Dale sitting in the chair on top of it. I slowly walked over and climbed the ladder on the back of the rv, climbing to the top. "Mind if I join you? I couldn't sleep," I whispered, not wanting to wake anyone sleeping inside. He gave me a soft, kind smile and nodded his head. I walked over and sat near him. I dangled my legs over the side of the rv and looked out over the lake. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" I hummed in response. "It really is. I don't think I've ever seen such blue water before," I said. We sat in a comfortable silence until the sun started to come up.

[xfangheartx]

How I would go about Full Moon and Apology Tour.

Since I can't seem to get it out of my head, I just thought I'd share my take on how Full Moon and Apology Tour would go.

SPOILERS UNDER THE CUT! Enjoy.

Instead of Stolas just springing the crystal on Blitzø, he calls him in advance and tells him that they don't have to have their usual "transactions". Instead, he tells him that he wants to trade the grimoire for a present he got him.

When Blitzø gets there and gets the Asmodean Crystal and Stolas confesses his feelings for him, Blitzø thanks him for the gift, but tells him he needs time to think about things first.

Blitzø is left feeling confused and miserable, so Fizz decides to take him out so he can blow off some steam. Blitzø ends up meeting a cute incubus guy (not the "Better Than Blitzo" Guy who I have affectionately named Brian), and at first, things are fun, but then, as they're getting in bed, Blitzø realizes that he can't sleep with him with Stolas on his mind...and even worse, his self-hate issues start coming out again.

Blitzø ultimately calls Stolas and tells him that he does love him, but he can't be with him because of that.

Stolas is confused and heartbroken by this, and Blitzø, unfortunately, doesn't explain things any further.

Taking this as a sign that they're broken up, Stolas decides to go to Verosika's party if only to get back at Blitzø.

Of course, Blitzø goes there when he finds out about the party, but instead of trying to make Stolas leave, he just quietly follows him around in disguise.

When he hears Stolas sing about him, Blitzø realizes that he really needs to work on himself before he can even think of being with Stolas at all.

Verosika spots Blitzø, who tells her that he's genuinely sorry and explains to her that if he can't love himself, how is he supposed to love anybody?

Verosika realizes that Blitzø really means to change and she decides to wish him luck when he reveals that he's going to be getting some professional help.

As he sadly watches Stolas dance with Brian, he quietly hopes that he'll be happy before he leaves.

As for Stolas, he and Brian decide to go upstairs and have a little fun of their own, but just as they're about to, Stolas starts crying as he realizes that he can't do it because Brian isn't the same as Blitzø, someone who Stolas knows.

He goes out and starts crying on the stairs, and as Verosika sits with him, Stolas explains that he just wanted Blitzø to fall in love with him after he got him the crystal. Instead, what he got was even more strife and heartache and he was tired of it.

However, when he starts listing off all the times he called Blitzø all those pet names, Verosika realizes that Stolas had messed up, as well, making him realize that while he hadn't intended to, he hurt Blitzø just as much as Blitzø had hurt him.

It hits Stolas that he also needs to change how he acts. It's not enough that he and Blitzø have decided not to make every meeting they have about having sex. They have to work on themselves before they can even begin to have a true relationship.

Not just that, but Stolas also needs to change the way he treats imps and lesser demons in general, or else Blitzø will think that he's not even trying when he is.

For now, they decide to stay apart and heal until they feel ready, even if it takes a while.

[jazziwritesthings]

Connected Part 2

This is purely a work of fiction.

Pairing: Bang Chan x Reader, Reader x ot8 Platonic

Word Count: 1,893

Warnings: No warnings. Angst and Fluff.

*************

The door flung open and Chan lifted his head to make eye contact with the person storming into his room, “Hey Min.” There wasn’t much Chan could do before Seungmin was standing over him with anger and frustration written all over his adorable features. “What the hell happened?!” 

This question left Chan confused, “ What do you mean?” Taking his time to sit up on his bed he patted the space next to himself indicating for Seungmin to sit beside him. The younger boy did not move from his spot. “Y/n has been avoiding me for two weeks now and you were the last person to talk to her before she rushed out on us when we were out for her birthday.” Chan nodded as he listened to the younger boy. “It’s not really my place to tell you. Min.” Seungmin groaned as he flopped onto Chan’s bed. He started ranting about how he just missed his best friend, becoming so frustrated that tears formed in his eyes and his sadness was evident in his voice. Chan slowly reached out and rubbed a soothing hand up and down Seungmin’s back. Slowly his breath evened out and Chan realized Min had fallen asleep. He gently picked Min up and walked across the hall to the apartment where Min lived. Walking in, Lino spotted the pair and shot Chan questioning eyes. Chan walked past him and into Min’s room before setting him gently on his bed and taking off his shoes and tucking him in. He gently closed the door before walking into the living area and plopping down next to Lino on the couch. All it took was for Lino to turn to Chan for him to spill. “He’s super upset because Y/n has been ignoring him and it’s all my fault.” Lino's eyes grew confused, “ What do you mean by, it’s all your fault?” Chan dropped his head and placed his hand gently on the handprints that splayed across his chest. He didn’t have to say anything. It all became crystal clear. “She’s your soulmate?” He needed to hear the confirmation from his best friend. Chan just nodded his head, too tired for words. Without too much thought Lino got up and started putting on his shoes. “Where are you going?” Chan slowly lifted and turned his head to where Lino now stood.  “I’m going to fix this mess.” Without another word Lino left the apartment and made his way to yours. 

*****

You were brought out of your sleep by an incessant knocking on your door. Groaning you slowly rolled out of bed, grabbing your phone and seeing it was nearing 1am. There were only a handful of people who would be here at this time. Trudging to the door you pulled it open to see Lino. Letting go of the door and turning around you walked to the couch and sat while Lino made his way in and closed the door. He turned and looked at you. You were a mess if you were being honest. “ You look like shit.” you let out a small laugh, “Thanks.” He sat down beside you. You leaned back and rested against his side, your head on his collarbone. “What's been going on?” he prompts from you as he absentmindedly draws shapes on your opposite shoulder. You huffed and closed your eyes. “My brain is fighting me.” You let out, barely above a whisper. But due to the quiet nature of your apartment he heard it loud and clear. “Care to explain?” Resituating yourself so you could look at him he saw an unfamiliar look in your eyes. “Chris is my soulmate.” He nodded. While moving to grab your hands from your lap. He began playing with your fingers. “He told you right?” He nodded while focusing on your hands. “Is that what's causing you to ignore all of us?” You groaned letting yourself relax as he held your hands in his. “ I don't mean to.”  He nodded, prompting you to go on. “ All I could think about as a teenager was the possibility of having a soulmate. Then when it happened I was so excited. I guess I just didn’t expect to find them so soon, and I definitely wasn’t expecting it to be one of my best friends.” He looked up at your face, noticing your tears. Dropping your hands he reached up and wiped them away with his thumbs, “ That's not all of it.” You shook your head feeling the tears falling faster. “ I had never even thought of my soulmate being an idol. I get enough shit from people just for being friends with you guys. I don’t think I can handle what comes with being with an idol.” He gently pulls you into his lap as you bury your face in his shoulder letting the sobs wrack your body. 

It took a little while but eventually you calmed down enough to say, “I don’t know what to do.” He nodded and continued to rub your back. “I don’t completely understand the whole soulmate thing, given I haven't found mine yet. But you know Chan as well as I do.” This caused you to nod and lean back until you could look him in the face, “I do. And that's how I know he deserves so much better.” You noticed the shift in his face immediately, reading only anger, “Lino.” He shook his head at you, his face beginning to redden, “Any man would be lucky to have you. Do you understand?” You just frowned at him causing him to go on, “Y/n, you are amazing! If anything, Chan doesn’t deserve you! Do you get how much we all love you? How funny you are or how sweet you can be? You're so thoughtful it’s irritating!” This caused you to laugh a little, “There she is.” He pulled you into a tight hug, “Please don’t ignore us anymore.” You nodded as he moved you onto the couch, “Call Min in the morning. Please.” You nodded as he walked to the door and pulled on his shoes. He nodded once at you before opening the door and leaving. You got up from the couch and wandered back to your bed, climbing under the covers. You grabbed your phone from the nightstand and sent a quick text, “Call me when you see this.” Before easily falling back to sleep. 

*****

Your eyes scanned the cafe until they landed on your best friend. He was oblivious to the fact that you walked in so you made your way over to the table he was sitting at. He only looked at you once you sat down. It caused a grin to erupt on his face. “Hey Min.” He gently nudged a drink towards you. Smiling, you thank him as you take a sip of your favorite. “Nuna, are you mad at me? Did one of the guys do something?” you shook your head and reached across the table to grab his hand. He let you play with his fingers as you thought of the best way to say it. “I found my soulmate Min.” His smile got even bigger, if that was possible, “What?! Well, who is it?” You stared down at the table and took a deep breath, “It’s Chirs.” His smile faltered a little, “Wait, like Channie Hyung?” You nodded your head as his hand retracted from yours. “Min?” He had a look on his face that you couldn’t place. “Okay.” it sounded more like he was talking to himself then to you, “Okay? So we’re okay?” He nodded looking into your eyes, “We’re always okay. I can’t live without you, y’know?” You nodded and smiled, “Right back at you.” He kept staring at you, “But you aren’t.” Min could read you like a book, and it was something you were grateful for. “I don’t know. I guess I should talk to him.” Min nods, “You wanna come with me?” You nodded as you stood.

*****

You stood outside of the 3Racha dorm with Min behind you. You knocked. Which you felt stupid for after you did it, deciding to let yourself in. Min waved as you closed the door. Bin looked up from his spot, “Y/n!” He stood up and made his way to hug you, “What’s up?” You released his hug, “Chris here?” He nodded and pointed towards the hall. Making your way to his room you knocked on the door, “yeah?” His voice came from inside. “Chris? It’s Y/n.” You heard noise from inside before the door opened, “Hey!” He motioned for you to come in and closed the door behind you. He sat down on his bed and gestured to his desk chair. You sat down pulling the sleeves of your hoodie over your hands and sitting cross legged. It was quiet for a few minutes while neither of you said anything. “I’m sorry.” You blurted out. A look of surprise took over his features, “What do you have to be sorry for?” Looking at the floor you gestured between the two0 of you. “You mean the soulmate thing?” You nodded before his hands grabbed the armrests and pulled the chair until you were sitting directly in front of him. “Y/n. It’s not like you made us soulmates. Plus, there's no reason to be sorry for that.” You had no choice but to look into his eyes. “I’m scared.” He dropped his hand into your lap gently grabbing at yours. It was a habit all the guys knew you had. You always focused and felt more grounded when you had something to do with your hands. Only this time it caused you to burst into tears, “I don’t deserve you.” You uttered through your sobs. Without thinking he grabbed your legs and pulled you into his lap. You wrapped your legs around his waist as you wrapped your arms around his neck and cried into his shoulder. “Y/n, if anything, I don’t deserve you. You are the sweetest most selfless person I know. Even now you're upset that I didn’t get to choose my soulmate.” He gave you a gentle squeeze before pulling away a bit to be able to see your face. “If you want my opinion. I think I got incredibly lucky in the soulmate department. I couldn’t ask for anyone better. Besides, you’re already one of my best friends. I’d be lost without you.” You were staring at him not believing any of the words he was saying. You shook your head as a hiccup startled you both. He gently grabbed your face with both his hands forcing you to look into his eyes. “Have I ever lied to you?” This caused you to shake your head no. “Then why do you think I’m lying right now?” You couldn’t form a thought with his hands still on your face, so you just shrugged. “Y/n. I’m going to wait for you, okay? You can take as long as you want until you think I deserve you, but I’m going to wait for you. I will always choose you; do you understand?” Nodding again he pulled you into a hug, “Don’t go disappearing on us like that again.” You wrapped your arms around him, relishing in the comfort he provides, “I won’t. I promise.” 

A/N: If you read it, please tell me what you think. Also, more?

[oldestenemy]

“Concerned for my safety.” The wizard echoes, fingers tightening around the spyglass they’ve been using in place of a wand for the past year. “Where was your concern for my safety when you sent me off to fight a war singlehanded and alone?” Their tone is soft. Conversational. Merle Ambrose does not flinch.

“Please, tell me what happened, do not spare a single detail.”

And they don’t.

They weave the felling of the shadow palace as it ought to be weaved, in darkness and blood and discarded web. In unmade worlds and the snapping of tree roots. In opponents twice their size, half their skill, in winning through bared teeth and broken skin.

They do, in fact, spare Ambrose a single detail.

They do not tell him about their request to Raven.

They do not tell him how it felt to watch the shapeless winds of the void between worlds tear Morganthe apart.

She had been his apprentice, once upon a time.

The wizard can offer him that one, singular kindness.

If nothing else.

“This news of Old Cob is troubling, but we shall just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. New adventures for us all, yes?”

“Am I free to go?” They do not hide the chill or bitterness in the words. “It’s over.”

Merle Ambrose does not flinch.

“Yes, yes you may go, please get some rest. You have earned it.”

~*~

The wizard does not get some rest.

“Professor Drake?”

It’s off hours.

Cyrus Drake is in the Myth tower, where they had once dueled him, years ago now—before they were sent to the heat and tragedy that was Dragonspyre.

“I was not informed of your return.” It’s formal, it always is, but the wizard manages a half smile. “I am pleased to see you have made it back predominantly unharmed.”

“Are you free?”

“I am.”

“Can I show you something?” Cyrus’ lip curls in a way that the wizard recognizes, and they correct themself before he can patronize them. “May I show you something?”

Words are important in Myth magic. To nobody more than Cyrus Drake, who seemed too often to wonder if things would be different, had he only found the right words.

“Are you meant to be resting?”

“I am always meant to be resting or fighting. This is as close to rest as I’m going to get for a while.” They respond, allowing the hollow tone to take over their voice. Allowing the empty spaces where they had freshly leeched magic show. “Once we’re there, we can sit, I’ll drink tea, pretend I’m doing well.”

The wizard takes Cyrus to their castle. The myth castle. The castle sitting atop a cyclops that might be alive and might not be. The one crawling with automatons and unicorns and every wayward sprite they’ve ever picked up. Where the small green dragon they’d tamed in Avalon sleeps by the river when they do not ride it. Where they host the trophies of the times when victory tasted sweet and real.

The castle that houses Malistaire’s memorial.

Cyrus doesn’t ask why they made it.

Doesn’t balk at it.

Does run his hand along the edge of the stone, and the carved relief of Malistaire and Sylvia.

“When did you make this?”

“After,” The wizard says softly, “just after—you sent me to the dorms and, well I ran to Northguard, I couldn’t rest, couldn’t stop—”

“—I understand.”

They sit together.

They drink Hespermint tea and listen to the breathing of the cyclops above.

Eventually, the wizard has calmed their nerves enough to voice the thing that is weighing on them.

“I don’t want one for her.” They say softly, staring at the memorial, at the fresh flowers, the crystals bursting from the earth. “I wanted her dead. I wanted to hurt her. It’s—I’m not a kid anymore, I can’t pretend I’m doing this without understanding, I wanted to make her feel like I did, I wanted to make her pay—but I—I’m not supposed to.” They are going to cry and they don’t want to, they blink it back, grip on their teacup far too tight. “I chased power I shouldn’t have—I messed up again and let out a—a monster—I couldn’t think beyond wanting revenge for Azteca, for Pacal and Zaylin and Tezcat and Neza—for watching Dyvim die and for having to swallow Shadow and—” A sob is working its way up their throat and if they aren’t careful this will shatter them.

“You spent two months in the burrows and barrows of Khrysalis.” Cyrus interjects as the wizard gulps down air, “Isolated again from your classmates, your friends, those who can ground you. It is… easy, to get swept up in the tide of getting even. Especially when one is alone.”

“You didn’t.” They manage to mumble.

“Ah, but I am rarely left to my own. I have… children to teach, collegues who deign to check on me at irritating hours, and an apprentice who has flourished despite having been unable to appear in class more than twice a term, too busy getting themselves dragged into oncoming conflict.”

The wizard’s gaze snaps up at the word apprentice.

“I would have done more for you if it were in my power to do.”

He’s being nice.

He’s not supposed to be nice.

He’s Cyrus Drake.

He’s supposed to be lethal and logical and at best polite, but not nice.

The wizard laughs, and it’s hiding a sob.

Read the rest here <3

[ask-healthy-light]

The warning Stygian gave about the possible future danger of such a tiny Pup did not sit right with anybody else, least of all the Princesses who first came across him, so they merely thanked Stygian for his help, but said no more; and not even Celestia's concerned questions to her Sister and Niece were answered by either of the two, so she sighed, and asked them to be careful with the small Pup.

With Stygian's words echoing within their mind, Luna and Nox did not know what to do, especially as looked down at the Pink Pup who had fallen asleep on her lap, with what appeared to be a smile upon its face; and since she did not dare disturb it as it rested, figuring it was the first time it had rested in days, she did not move, and asked Nox if she could return to the Market to meet with her.

Not long after, Luna saw Nox approaching her in the distance, and she smiled warmly to her Daughter as she walked over, before she stopped some distance away, and began rubbing the sides of her head; but Nox smiled to her Mother in return as she slowly moved towards her with small steps, repeatedly telling herself she was just hearing her instinct, which was not what she truly thought of the Pup.

Eventually, although the hairs on her neck stood upright, and she knew not whether this was through deep hatred or fear towards Curs, Nox made it to within speaking distance of Luna, and, from behind one of the nearby stalls, she asked her what she wanted to talk about; but as she briefly looked at the small Pup on her lap, Luna told her that something did not feel right about Stygian's warnings.

She slowly admitted that she knew not whence these thoughts and feelings of doubt had come, but she figured that this small Pup was in the Empire for a reason; since others from the subgroup of their race are rarely, if ever, found above ground, let alone anywhere outside of Equestria, and it could not possibly have survived on its own for a very long time, it could be looking for its own Family.

Perhaps, Luna continued, it would be wise to return to the Palace, and to take the Pink Pup thither with them, as they could regroup with the others, and collectively think of a plan to get the tuned crystal pendant to Sombra and Star; and apart form this, not only would the small Pink Pup be safe, but together, they could look for the Family it belonged to, if not adopt it into their own Family.

A warm smile grew upon Nox's face as she nodded to her Mother, and approached, seemingly unbothered by the Pink Pup, until she stopped moving a few paces short of her Mother, and the Diamond Cur, and recoiled; for although she had managed to get used to the sight and scent of the Pup, she struggled to convince her own mind it was innocent and harmless, and admitted that it would take her a while.

Nevertheless, she agreed to her Mother's plan, and asked her if there was anything she could do for her at the moment, as she figured she would not be able to move without startling the sleeping Pup; and Luna sighed in a lighthearted manner, before her ears perked up, and she asked Nox if she could bring a board and a pillow, which would allow her to lift the Pup without waking it up by accident.

With a firm nod, Nox flew off, and returned some time later, wearing a bright blush and a shy smile on her face, and holding the board and pillow her Mother had asked for in her arms, while a big bag floated behind her; and Luna merely raised an eyebrow to her Daughter as a smile grew upon her face once again, which only drastically brightened Nox's blush, as she gave Luna what she had asked for.

The smile on Luna's face did not fade as she cautiously slid the board between the Pup and her lap, lifting it enough for her to slide out from underneath it, before she replaced it with the pillow a moment later; and after Luna stretched her legs and her back, she sweetly thanked Nox for her help, before she placed the Pink Pup and pillow on her back, supported by her wings, and left the Market.

To her relief, the sight of the sleeping, innocent, and small Pup greatly reassured Nox's mind…

(Thanks for reading! And if you enjoyed, please reblog! Thanks in advance!)

Send an ask or request! | Start at the beginning! | Next part!

Featuring: Nox Lunarwing from @nox-lunarwing

[thecollectionsof]

a bed built for two

leave the light on part 2 because i've been having trouble sleeping lately and don't we all need some comfy nighttime vibes?

Crystal loves the nighttime, she always has. The calmness and quiet of the darkened world, the feeling of being the only person awake and having free reign to do what she wanted without judgement, the look of muted string lights being the only source of light in her bedroom. The warm blankets, late night snacks, and now, Gigi.

Gigi came over some nights, and Crystal went to the apartment Gigi shared with Jackie other nights, but conflicting schedules means they reserve their nights for each other, whether it be going out or staying in. 

She’s at Gigi’s tonight, and Gigi has apparently decided to listen to recordings of calming songs on the piano while she works today rather than working in silence like she normally does. This doesn’t bother Crystal, not at all, but with the gentle sound of Gigi’s pencil moving along the page as she sketches and the rain pattering on the roof, she feels like she could drift off to sleep at any moment.

“Getting tired, Crys?” Gigi doesn’t lift her head from her sketchbook, her hair coming down around her face like a curtain from the way she hunches over the paper. Crystal knows that it’s only a matter of time before she gathers it in a hair clip, or maybe a slicked-back ponytail—she isn’t sure which. 

“Yeah,” she yawns out, standing from where she was sprawled across the couch and stretching her hands above her head, cracking her back. Gigi looks over this time, and Crystal catches the fond look she’s giving her, the small smile on her lips that remains even when she returns her attention to the design in front of her. “You coming?”

Gigi hums. “Nah, I wanna get this done before tomorrow. You go ahead, I’ll join you in a bit.” She reaches out her hand, so Crystal takes it and tangles their fingers together, giving it a gentle squeeze, stepping closer to drop a kiss on the crown of Gigi’s head.

“Don’t work too long, Geege, your bed’s too lonely without you.”

Gigi’s gaze lifts again, the smile on her face growing softer. “Get out of here, you dork,” she waves her off, but even in the low light Crystal can see a blush dusting her cheeks, her face getting red. 

So she does. She pads down the hallway with socked feet, stopping momentarily at Jakcie’s open door. Jackie is on Facetime with her girlfriend, a nightly occurrence, but she still smiles and waves when she sees Crystal. Crystal waves back.

“Tell Jan hi for me!” she calls over her shoulder as she continues to the bathroom, slipping inside and suddenly being thankful that they had already changed into their pajamas. It doesn’t take her long to get ready for bed, brushing her teeth and quickly washing her face before heading to Gigi’s room, switching on the string lights that she had helped Gigi hang up a few months ago when she realized that Gigi only had overhead lighting in her room. 

She slips into Gigi’s bed just as she starts to hear movement from the other room. It takes her almost no time at all to start waiting for her to come join her, feeling dwarfed by being the only thing other than pillows and blankets on the queen sized bed. At least she had stuffed animals to cuddle when she felt lonely in bed, but Gigi’s childhood stuffed animal was sitting on a shelf in a place of honor next to a scrap of fabric from her first sewing project as a child and a participation trophy for bowling that she had gotten when she was nine.

Gigi had told her the story of the trophy so many times, Crystal thought that she must have it memorized by now. The elated feeling she got when the people running it handed her a “girl trophy” because they had run out of the “boy trophies” had helped her discover that she was trans in the first place, so there the trophy sat, in a place of honor.

Speaking of Gigi, she should be here by now. Crystal was tired, but she didn’t want to fall asleep, not when it meant that she fell asleep without cuddling anything. Without cuddling Gigi.

It’s not all too much longer until the door opens, letting Gigi into the room. She tucks herself under the covers easily, letting Crystal scooch closer and tangle their legs together. Her phone is still playing the music as she goes to plug it in, but Crystal doesn’t mind—the songs are soothing, the perfect ones to listen to at night. She recognizes some from a playlist she had made many, many nights ago in the comfort of her bed on a night that was particularly full of yearning, a playlist called songs that sound like love. 

A playlist that reminded her of Gigi.

“Finally,” Crystal hears herself mutter, but she doesn’t stop herself. It was true, she had missed Gigi’s presence even in the few minutes they were apart. “Missed you.”

Gigi’s giggle makes her feel lighter, and she lets her eyes fall shut, trying to memorize the sound. “Didn’t want to sprawl out and take my whole bed for yourself?” she asks, and the grin is audible in her voice. Crystal shakes her head.

“No. The bed is too big for just me. I need you here or it doesn’t feel right.” The sleepy confession is out of her before she can think about the words, but yet again she finds that she doesn’t want to take them back. They’re true, after all, even if they’re very forward.

“Oh.” It’s quiet, taken aback in a way that makes Crystal crack her eyes open again. Gigi has her mouth open, just a little, lost for words. She closes it, thinks for a second, then responds. “I want you here all the time.”

A bolt of affection rushes through her, butterflies in her stomach announcing their presence by fluttering as if their lives depended on it. 

I want you here all the time. 

Crystal doesn’t know how to reply, doesn’t know if she can. She settles on inching forward again, her eyes falling shut once more and a hum leaving her lips involuntarily. Gigi reaches out and brushes a curl behind her ear, and she sighs, content. 

“G’night, Geege,” she says, after a few minutes of letting the rain and gentle piano and sound of Gigi’s breathing lull her to sleep. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Crys. Sweet dreams.”

Crystal loves the nighttime, and falling asleep while cuddling with Gigi only makes her love it even more.

[skzhocomments]

I can read your smile - Choi Minho SHINee Fanfic - Chapter 8 - We are the sea and the sky

Story masterlist - please consult it for the summary of the story, trigger warnings etc.

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Chapter 7 | Chapter 9

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Chapter 8 - We are the sea and the sky

word count: 2.4k words

~third person POV~

"Psst. Wake up."

"What happened?" Crystal opened her eyes and saw Minho hover above her, his face mere millimetres away. How did he get in here? She went to sleep with Jude and Lydia.

"Shh. Don't be loud, you're gonna wake up the others." He whispered.

It was still dark, so Crystal couldn't understand what Minho was doing. She actually couldn't understand anything, because she just woke up, and she was tired as fuck. What time was it?

"Go freshen up and get changed in your swimsuit. 5 minutes, my car. I'll wait for you. Don't be late, we have to hurry up." He spoke quickly, then left the room in a hurry, and Crystal was confused as heck.

Still, she followed his instructions as in a trance, brushed her teeth, put on her swimsuit and some clothes, brushed her hair in a rush and was out in the 5-minute time frame Minho gave her.

It was very chilly, and she noticed it was just shy of 6 AM. He was waiting for her in the car, and to her pleasant surprise, the seats were heated, and it was warm inside.

"Morning." He smiled. "You made it."

"Of course. What's up? Why did you wake me up so early?" Crystal smiled back lazily. The sleep still hasn't worn off her face, but her heart was beating fast. Too fast for her liking. Remembering last night's events didn't help too much either.

"I promised you something." He said. "A long while ago. And I'm gonna make that happen right now."

He started driving. The streets were empty and slow tunes were playing on the radio.

"This place is beautiful." Crystal said absent-mindedly, and he hummed.

"The city?"

"Yea... looks cute, with all these perfect white picket fence houses. I wonder who lives in them."

"I think most are vacation homes."

"Oh. It's a shame though, to have such a nice house and not live in it..." She yawned.

After about 20 minutes, they reached their destination, and Crystal was excited to see the outline of waves crashing against the rocks far away, and the sea kissing the sand and retreating.

"We're here." Minho smiled, and helped her out of the car, grabbing a small basket from the trunk.

"Oh my God! The sea!" She spoke excitedly, then pointed to the basket. "What is that for?"

"You'll see in a second." He grabbed her hand and dragged her on the beach through the sand, motioning her to take off her shoes.

The sand was cold against her feet, but it was pleasant, and Minho's hand was warm in hers.

The beach was otherwise empty, which was not surprising, considering the early hour. Minho was probably the only crazy enough person who would wake up so early after drinking the whole night.

A few metres away from the water, Minho finally stopped walking and removed his hand from Crystal's, taking two blankets out of the basket. The first one, he placed on the sand, and he made Crystal sit down.

He sat down next to her as well and covered both of them with the second blanket.

"The sun should rise in about 15 minutes." He spoke, and Crystal leaned her head on his shoulder.

"I can already see the outline." She pointed to the horizon, where a thin orange line was beginning to form just where the sky met the water.

Crystal found it so heartbreaking. From far away, it looked like the sea could kiss the sky. They seemed so close, barely distinguishable from the other, as if they became one. But they are actually thousands of kilometres apart. They can never be close. They can only love the other from a distance, yearning for the other's touch. What a tragic fate for a pair of lovers who would meet every day but would never get close enough to understand each other.

Minho and Crystal sat in silence and listened to the waves crashing on the shore, and saw the night become morning, the sky once dark blue starting to be a burning orange.

Soon enough, a ball of fire emerged from the sea, and the whole sight was probably the most beautiful thing Crystal has ever seen.

"I love it." She spoke quietly, and Minho simply nodded, pressing the arm that was holding the blanket tightly against her back.

"We have one more thing we must do, since we're here." He said. "When you're ready."

"Which is?" She raised a brow.

"Take off your clothes."

He glanced directly in her eyes as he said this, leaving Crystal dumbfounded.

"You're so straight forward!" She joked. Of course, she knew he was talking about being left in the swimsuit, but the way he phrased it was... questionable, to say the least.

He winked in response and stood up, taking off his T-shirt and trousers.

Yesterday at the pool, she tried not to focus too much on how his body looked, but it was hard not to do so now, when he was the only person around her – and also the only one she cared to see. Not even the sea seemed interesting enough now, with Minho almost naked in front of her.

She tried to stop herself from being a creep and staring, and she followed suit and took off her clothes.

"It's so cold!" She whined.

"I know." He laughed in response. "Are you ready, though?"

"Don't tell me you want us to swim." She chuckled.

"Why else would've I asked you to put on your swimsuit?"

"But Minho, it's freezing."

"Oh, stop complaining! Let's go." He handed her his hand, and she took it once more, and they started running together towards the water.

It was cold. So cold, that as soon as her feet made contact with it, Crystal stopped and protested that she couldn't go any further.

Minho laughed at her and turned around, grabbing her waist and scooping her up so she didn't have a choice but to go in the water with him.

She held on tight to his body and both laughed and laughed when a wave would come high enough to brush on their abdomens, and once they were far enough from the shore, Minho suddenly squatted, so that the water engulfed both of them completely.

"Fuckkk, it's so cold! I'm gonna get sick!" Crystal laughed.

"We're gonna drink tea when we get out. Now show me what you've learnt yesterday." Minho encouraged her and watched as she tried to swim.

"How is this?" The girl boasted while swimming around sloppily.

"Not bad."

"Not bad?! I'm literally a pro?!"

"Yea, yea, sure you are!" Minho teased her. "At least your head's above water."

"Don't make me splash you, Ming!"

"Are you threatening me?!" He gasped, and Crystal splashed him with a laugh.

He started running towards her in water and she tried to swim away, but he caught her quite quickly. He grabbed her waist and threw her underwater, then helped her up again.

"I can't believe you did that!" She laughed. "You're taking advantage of the fact that you're taller!"

"I mean, it's a good advantage to have." He shrugged with a laugh, so she jumped on him, trying to bring him underwater as well.

Of course, she was unsuccessful, so she ended up being held by him above water, her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

~Crystal's POV~

We looked into each other's eyes for what felt like forever, and everything around us disappeared. It didn't matter that I was seeing the sea for the first time, or that the sun just began to shine over us in its beautiful orange tones, or that night became day. All that mattered was Minho, and the fact that he was looking at me the same way I was looking at him. Seeing that he might just have the same feelings as I do gave me courage, and I was captivated by him, so a logical thought came to mind. I had to lean in and kiss him.

And I did it.

I leaned in, but the outcome wasn't as I expected, for Minho didn't seem to be on the same page. His expression contorted with an emotion I couldn't quite read – guilt, perhaps? – and he cleared his throat and moved his head away, averting his gaze.

He rejected me.

Why?

I couldn't understand.

Did I read the room wrong? Tonight, and today as well.

I apparently did.

Otherwise, why wouldn't he kiss me?

It was all in my head.

Fuck.

I felt tears pricking the corners of my eyes as overthinking got the better of me, but I couldn't show this to Minho. Instead, I detached myself from him, and he spoke after clearing his throat once more.

"We should probably get out. We're gonna catch a cold."

Oh, so now you're worried about catching a cold?

I wanted to laugh.

"Yea, it's cold as fuck." Was all I said, and I was trying my hardest to keep my composure and not break down in front of him.

I couldn't believe I was so stupid to mistake friendship for something more.

All he did last night, keeping me in his arms, coming here with me holding my hand – everything was out of friendship.

I am so fucking stupid.

That's what you get for getting carried away, Crystal.

We headed back to the basket and he pulled out two big towels for us to wipe the water off and a thermos full of boiling hot tea. It did nothing to warm me up, though.

Afterwards, we headed to the car. Before leaving the beach, I glanced at the horizon one more time, and it now reminded me of me and Minho.

I am the sea, and he is the sky, and we could only appear this close, but we are actually miles apart, and we're never going to be together.

What a devastating thought.

~

We stayed silent the whole way home, listening to music. It seemed way longer than when we came. It was like it was not ending, while all I wanted to do was to get out of the damn car and run away from him and from my feelings that were eating me inside out.

I started to feel a weird atmosphere settling down between us, and I cursed myself once again for being so stupid and thinking he actually had feelings for me.

When we reached the house, we said goodbye and headed to our rooms to fall back asleep, since everyone else was still sleeping and probably wouldn't wake up until noon.

Of course, I couldn't fall back asleep. Instead, I headed to the bathroom and let myself cry as quietly as possible, so as to not wake up Lydia and Jude, and tried my hardest to forget that I let my heart be swayed away by Minho. 

I fell in love, but I didn't look back to see if he was looking back at me, and now I'm paying the price at almost 8AM on the bathroom floor.

Why the fuck am I so sensitive?

We are just roommates, or maybe friends.

We've always been just that.

I simply have to forget the way his hands felt on my waist, on my thigh, or on my cheeks.

Easy enough to do.

~

"Woah, Taemin! So many gifts!" Kai exclaimed as the birthday boy started opening up his presents, going thoroughly through each of the bags and boxes and thanking whoever bought him the gift properly.

"Right! I'll invite y'all to my birthday too! I want to open this many gifts!" Jude spoke and watched Taemin fondly.

"Dude, you literally always get more gifts than this, because you invite the whole damn university." Lydia side-eyed her. "Like, remember your birthday last year?"

"Shut up!" Jude crossed her hands over her chest.

"What, is it not true?" Lydia rolled her eyes.

"Whatever." Jude rolled her eyes as well, and I started laughing.

"Which reminds me." Lydia started up. "I've been to Taemin's birthday, and to Jude's. Crystal, when is your birthday?"

"My birthday?" I chuckled nervously. "Why?"

"What do you mean why? We have to know, as your friends."

"It really doesn't matter that much." I tried to shrug it off, but Lydia wouldn't back down.

"Yes, it does. We have to celebrate, and give you gifts. I bet you'd be more grateful than this piece of work here." She pointed to Jude, who scoffed.

"I've never celebrated it or received gifts. It's not that important to me."

"What?! That's- no way!" Jude stood up and came in front of me. It seems like I really had no way out. "What do you mean you've never received gifts?!"

"I just didn't. It's not a big deal." I laughed it off.

"Tell me when's your birthday- now!"

"What's up girls?" Key and Minho approached us, bringing us some of Taemin's cake. We took the plates from their hands and tasted it – it was chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream.

"Crystal just told us she's never celebrated her birthday or gotten any gifts!"

"Never?!" Key gasped.

"Oh my God, it's really not such a big deal!" I replied, this time annoyed, my mouth full of cake. We all started to laugh at that.

Minho's presence made me feel bad. It felt like he was staring at me, and my emotions were all over the place because of him, so I would've appreciated it if he gave me some space to mourn my feelings at least.

"So, when's your birthday? Just tell us!" Lydia started again, and I sighed. Since there's no way out, I might just as well tell them.

"It was last month, on the 15th. Happy?" I asked annoyed, but still smiled.

"It was?!" Jude exclaimed and I rolled my eyes. I really wasn't in the mood for this.

Everything annoyed me. Jude's exaggerated remarks, Lydia's insistence, Minho being here, even the fucking songs in the background were annoying. They all just made me feel worse and worse, and the worse I felt, the more I had to smile to cover it up. Having to pretend to be happy was getting tiring.

'I wish you roses' by Kali Uchis started playing, and that just made everything more painful.

'Never thought I would be without you, I wish you love, I wish you well, I wish you roses while you can still smell them.'

Why the fuck did it have to be a break-up song?

Fucking Jimin and his sad ass playlists. I cursed inside my head.

I smiled and assured Jude that we're going to celebrate next year and that I'm looking forward to it, now that I know that she wants us to meet up on my birthday, and both she and Lydia seemed satisfied by the outcome. Key and Minho didn't say anything, and I also didn't include them in any way, because why would I?

I tried to celebrate with Minho. He didn't want that either.

And he didn't want to kiss me, which still hurt.

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Chapter 7 | Chapter 9

[thelustybraavosimaid]

"Why do you go above and beyond?" She asked him once. "You're making us look bad, and you know you're not getting paid any more than the rest of us. Why not slow down a bit?"

"Can't do that, missy," he told her, smiling. "Too much on my plate. I'll—"

"I know, I know," she said with a chuckle. "You'll rest when you're dead."

Those words lingered in Angela's mind. She lifted her gaze to watch the charming grin set off the sparkle in his blue eyes in the photo of him. In the casket, though, his grin was reduced to smoothed-out laugh lines and his eyes were closed.

There he was. Peaceful in his eternal slumber.

But his untimely death led to wave upon wave of sorrow, the sadness so thick and heavy that it felt as if a physical blue aura hung in the funeral home.

"We are gathered here today to mourn the death of one of our community's hardest working members," the priest said. "Alexander Monroe was a bright spot in all of our lives, quick to laugh and easy to love..."

Sitting in silence on the pew, the realisation that she'd never see Alex again after this day hit her hard. For years they had been close, best buddies long before they had begun working together. Quick to laugh and easy to love, Priest Matthews's words echoed, and that was true enough, but Alex was more. He was larger than life with a beautiful, generous soul, and losing him would be hard to cope with for a long while.

The evening whirled by, and with soft mumbled excuses she retreated home, back to the recesses of her apartment. Picking up a bottle of whiskey, she swirled the amber liquid and sighed.

A drink, she thought, for old time's sake. From the cabinet she picked out two elaborate crystal glasses and dropped two ice cubes in each before pouring herself a hefty portion of alcohol. Naturally, she poured Alex his own. Angela imagined him sitting to the opposite of her, telling her about his day as they sat polishing off the rest of their favourite whiskey. It wasn't long before she was falling into a numb, dreamless sleep at the table.

At the crack of dawn, Angela woke, finding her friend's cup had been drained and left in the sink. She figured she drank his half, though she didn't remember doing so.

Nor had she remembered getting up at all.

She shrugged her shoulders, trying not to think much of it.

The days passed to a couple weeks, and each time she dragged herself out of bed, showered, drank and slept. Rinse and repeat, rinse and repeat. At work every morning, she found herself glancing up at the door to Alex's office. It was always closed, as if waiting to grant entrance to some worthy, rightful person. Alex had been with the company since its inception, though. She wondered if anyone could ever really take his place.

Today was different, though.

The door to his office was wide open and someone was in there.

She was curious about who it could be, since none of the managers announced that someone had filled his position, but whoever it was, he was...very familiar. He had a dangerously similar tumble of dark curls, and the broadness of his back filled his shirt just as she knew it would. His veined hands gripped vanilla folders, organising them in that particular way Alex had.

Then he faced her, and the world crawled to a stop. Brilliant blues stared back at her, and he cocked his head as a light smile tugged at his full lips. The cup of coffee she had dropped to the floor in a moment's notice; the dark stain spread onto the carpet and splashed her leg with droplets of hot liquid. The higher ups will have her head if she doesn't clean this mess, but that was the furthest thing from her mind.

It was Alex.

It was Alex!

How in the fuck was he here?

"Hey, Angie! There you are. I need your assistance sorting out this report. The numbers look a little strange..." She barely registered the words. She just stared at him. Alex stood from behind his desk, took a few steps forward, and sat at the edge of it. He was watching her patiently. Kindly. He looked so deeply at peace that she inwardly shivered.

"Angie? What are you looking at?" Joseph followed her gaze and saw nothing, though noted that what files were on the desk were neatly assorted and a cabinet was opened. He rose a sandy brown eyebrow. "Still missing him, huh? We're still looking at potential prospects for that position."

Angela found her voice, blinking. "You—you're not seeing him?" She motioned to his back, bent as he finished his organisation, humming A Day in the Life by The Beatles.

His favourite song.

"Seeing who?"

"Alex!"

"Alex?" Joseph turned again, quicker this time. "What? No," he trailed off, cocking an eyebrow. His eyes were full of concern as he reached out, his palm warming her shoulder. "Angie, we were at his funeral."

"I know that, but—!"

"Are you sure you're okay?" Her manager interrupted. "Maybe you should take the day off, you look exhausted."

"No, I—!" She cut herself off, exasperated. "What the hell, you don't see him? He's literally at his desk!"

Joe held up his hands. "Look, I get that you still miss him given how close the two of you were, but I promise you there's no one in there, Angela." He furrowed his brow. "I think you really should take the rest of the day off."

"But...but I..." Joe folded his arms, and Angela sighed in defeat. She scoffed and shook her head as he paced away, but not before he ordered her to go home. Her brown eyes found Alex. He was still watching her, giving a wave as if she hadn't been at his funeral two weeks ago.

All he did was smile at her, that big, radiant, toothy grin.

"Too much on my plate," he said, yawning as he stretched. "I'll rest when I'm dead."

Your friend always said “I’ll rest when I’m dead,” so much that it became his catchphrase. He says it again today when he came into work, going about his daily routine. This normally wouldn’t be concerning, if not for the fact that you attended his funeral two weeks ago.