#expect for one she's mostly likely bi but the closet is made of glass

[ildi-dragonheart]

the aroace urge to headcanon my favorite characters as somewhere within the aro/ace spectrums

[adrrianraines]

i know you

genre: romance, angst book: bloodbound pairings: adrian raines x mc song inspiration: i know you—skylar grey

disclaimer: character used is owned rightfully by pixelberry. all rights reserved. as usual, grammatical errors, spelling and etc. should be expected. because we’re hoes for smut i tried to write one but since i can’t write to save my life (smut moreso) here’s the best that i can produce. loveyou cooks @bi-cookie  also this was inspired because there are no current floating romantic fics for adrian and it saddened us to bits. please enjoy!

@bi-cookie @blccdbcund @adrianadmirer @adrianrainesworld @shelley-parah i tagged some adrian stans and mild fans i know!

"I’LL HAVE YOU KNOW, WHAT I SAW THERE... I DON’T APPRECIATE IT.” His stern voice cut through the thick atmosphere inside his car as he drove off through the still night of downtown Manhattan. Adrian had come to pick her up for some official council business only to see some other kind of business he certainly wasn’t pleased about.

A huff came out of her lips, body shifting slightly on her seat, fingers fiddling unconsciously upon the leather surface of the seat belt. She tilted her head a bit, giving him a glance, divine features being illuminated with each street lights they pass by.

“What exactly is it that you don’t appreciate?” Amy asked, brows furrowed in slight indignance.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him giving her a quick glance with a scowl plastered on his features as his grip on the stirring wheel tightened. However though, she remained silent, urging Adrian to answer.

There was a brief pause before she heard him pitch a strangled sigh, his shoulders slumping. The scowl on his face was adamantly replaced by statutory indifference. “I... Nothing.”

Scoffing at the usual answer he gives whenever he wanted to change the subject, Amy shook her head in dismay. “You see? This is what’s wrong here, Adrian. I can’t read you if you’re like this. How am I supposed to understand?”

She let out an exasperated noise as no further answers were provided by the other. However, the car slowly pulled down a curb to a stop. The silence was almost deafening she swore she heard crickets whistling in the air.

“Here we are.” With a cold, controlled voice, Adrian gestured over her window, showing that they successfully arrived home.

Her home. Her apartment. Not his suite nor his building.

With silent frustration and a very unpleasant mood, she gritted her teeth and threw a glare his way only to be answered by a slight cock of the head. He was about to open his mouth but she cut him off immediately with words she wished she never delivered. Words she actually never meant. “You know what, suit yourself. This is why I find Jax a better company than you.”

Without looking back, she got off the pristine sports car, slammed the door in his face and marched towards the entrance of her apartment building. With a soft click of the door and a sound of a car speeding away moments later, Amy released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding as she sunk to the floor quietly. Her vision welcomed her with nothing else but darkness.

Waking up to a blaring alarm was not how she imagined to find herself into as her body rolled over unfamiliar yet familiar surfaces. However, snippets of her rendezvous last night swallowed her as she shifted over to the side, seeing that nobody was there to convince her to get back to sleep while snuggling closer.

Adrian was not there.

She let out a weary huff whilst picking up her phone from the nightstand and cancelling another notification of her alarm. Squinting her eyes at the bright screen of her device, she clicked a few buttons and her message window popped up, advising her of some alerts she missed.

Lily... Lily... Kamilah... Jax... Jax...

Reading the names only made her stomach churn because there was not a single text message from Adrian. Deflated, she let her head fall back against the soft pillows, eyes now wide awake and rid of sleep. Maybe she overreacted last night?

A beep from her phone brought her back only to be disappointed to see that it wasn’t Adrian who’s calling. Obviously, he hasn’t spared an effort to contact her since.

“Hey,” she drawled, life obviously drained from her voice. Her ears perked in the soft sound of chuckle and buzzing background noises. “Where are you?”

“Eager now, are we?” Jax teased as he shuffled and moved to a quieter place. “Just wanna check on ya.”

“I’m still alive, Jax.” Amy joked only to find no humor in the statement. Alive, yes, physically. Emotionally? She felt dying a little.

“Ha-ha.” Jax humored as he cleared his throat. “So, uh... what’s up with you and Raines? You guys alright?”

Oh great.

“You could’ve just asked me a thousand questions and you had to ask that.” She sighed while sitting up, feet barely dangling on the wooden floor.

“No, seriously. He was pissed when he arrived. Dunno his deal but he shrugged me off.” Jax paused before sighing. “You know Amy, I stand by what I said. A lot of us lost important people over the course of our lives...” He drawled, unsure how to proceed. He took Amy’s silence on the other end to press forward. “It takes a little bit more patience to endure being... with us.”

“Yeah,” Amy breathed as she closed her eyes and mentally slapped herself for her tacky attitude. “I understand.”

He chuckled on the other line and spoke in a light tone, “Also could’ve sworn he might’ve been jealous last night.”

Choking on thin air and totally caught off guard by Jax’s statement, her eyes widened with realization.

Jealous? Was that the reason...? “Holy crap! I’m such an idiot!”

Jax laughed at the other line and she swore she almost saw him shaking his head. “I won’t go that far but you do seem a bit dense at times.”

“I need to go see Adrian,” She said in a hurry while running to her closet and pulling out a cardigan. “I just wish he’s not so mad at me.”

“Huh? What, hold on–”

“Bye Jax! Talk to you later!” Click.

Amy faced the mirror, smoothing her hair wild with curls from tossing and turning in her bed. The creases on her pajamas straightening as she ran a hand over them before putting on the cardigan.

Jealous? Was Adrian actually jealous?

Only one way to find out.

One taxi and elevator ride later, she found herself standing in front of his guest suite inside Raines Corporation, fingers shaking and hesitating to knock on the smooth wooden door. But before she can even debate her decision, there was a soft click and the door opened in front of her. On the doorway, Adrian stood sharply with nothing else but his pants on. His eyes bore with hers, carefully reading her mood before stepping aside to let some space.

“I heard you outside.” He said softly, tired eyes smiling a bit. “Come in.”

“Uh... hi?” Amy sheepishly smiled while taking tentative steps closer. Adrian distanced himself a bit, careful of not getting close as he moved to shut the door behind her. This gesture alarmed her in many ways as she slowly walked inside. Familiar scent knocked her senses awake, her body suddenly aching to feel Adrian this instant.

She jumped a bit when she heard him talk while taking long strides towards his kitchen counter. “Can I entertain you with something to drink?” Her eyes scanned the room and took note of a few discarded empty bottles of wine.

“Have you been drinking?” Her voice came out as a whisper, concern and worry overtaking her tone. She bit her lip, fighting from automatically throwing herself at him while nursing his wounds in the process. Enough of that. She needs to prove something first.

“Yes... I seem to be having a hard time falling asleep.” Adrian shrugged as he handed her a wineglass filled halfway. He drank his portion in one go before focusing on her. His stormy hues were now looking at her directly for the first time that night. “What brought you over, Amy?”

“I...” Carefully choosing her words, she took a deep breath before squaring her shoulders with renewed determination. Adrian quirked his brow and a small, playful smile tugged on the edge of his lips. But as quick as it arrived as quick as it went. Now, he looked blank and curious.

His silence urged her to speak.

“I wanted to apologize for... my unruly behavior last night.” She began, hands fumbling on the edge of the glass she’s holding. She slowly rocked the item as the contents gently sloshed around. “I’ve said words... I didn’t particularly mean. I take it back. I’m sorry.”

“Hmm.” Adrian hummed, strong muscular arms gripping the edge of the counter top tightly. His eyes closed as his eyebrows scrunched. Then, when he looked at her, his stare was filled with nothing but lament. “It’s not your fault, believe me. I somehow contributed to the cause of your upset mood. I’m sorry, too.”

“What of it? I’m sure I’m mostly at fault here, Adrian.” She argued, eyes now trying to lock his own. Her mouth searched for words but her mind forced her to stay quiet and let him speak his mind.

“It’s mine, Amy. I... may have imposed on you too much. Realizing that I, myself is the one who actually needs to sort out his emotions.” He sighed as he stood straight and walked over to where she was standing. “I didn’t mean to put you into a very promising position these past months.”

“Huh? Promising?” Unsure of what he meant, she asked. Her gaze darted to his arms as she felt him gently squeeze her shoulders, the look on his face an utter dismissal of matters. Without a moment’s notice, Adrian took the wineglass off her hand and placed it on top of a flat surface.

“This relationship... should’ve stayed where it was supposed to be in the very beginning.” Voice cracking and resolve trickling down, Adrian forced himself to look Amy in the eye, a flash of guilt, worry, sadness, pain, dismay and jealousy all mixed in one agonizing stare.

Feeling her heart ramming madly against her chest, she moved over to him and carefully locked their fingers together, holding Adrian’s gaze in hopes of negating whatever it was that he was going to say. She had a very bad feeling about this.

“Adrian, I don’t understand.”

“I... I should’ve strictly imposed that you and I stayed professional about everything. Not... not this mess that we’re in right now.” He gave her a longing look before removing his hand on her hold.

“Mess?” Amy repeated in complete and utter shock. Her eyes widened with fear upon realization of where this conversation was exactly heading. He’s cutting her off before anything serious even began!

“You think what we have is a mess?” She replied incredulously, the words sounding more ridiculous as she repeated it over. He remained silent as he turned around and distanced himself, avoiding her gaze in the process. She stalked towards him, angry stomps echoing in the marbled floor of the room.

Her hand gripped his lean biceps tightly, noticing the extra stress in his muscles. She felt Adrian shiver at the graze of her palm on his skin and that immediately caused her to feel tingles all over her body.

“Adrian. Look at me, please.” Amy pleaded as she walked around to face him. His eyes were tightly shut in control of something. She took this opportunity to cup his face into her hands all the while tiptoeing to plant a small kiss on his lips. Adrian blinked in surprise as their gazes met in one electrified moment.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I said all those words. I didn’t mean it. I value your companionship more than anyone else. I value your opinion above anyone else. I value you more than anyone else.” She reasoned out, fingers gently brushing his cheeks. Adrian heaved a shaky breath as his shoulders relaxed after a long tension. Gently, Amy wrapped her arms around his neck, planting yet again a feathery kiss.

“I... you as well. I feel strongly for you, Amy.” Adrian swallowed as he forced himself to hold back whatever he was feeling. He didn’t move to wrap his arms around her. He didn’t return the kiss. He didn’t devour her right then and there when she was so openly willing. It took all his willpower to restrain himself. “You’re different. You make me question my views. You challenge me. You push me to do the right things– things that I should’ve done and never lost track a long time ago. And I... I can’t afford to trap you with me. I wouldn’t wish that kind of life for you.”

“Oh Adrian...” Amy bit her bottom lip while brushing off wild locks of hair on his forehead. “You know I don’t think that way... you’re all I’m crazy about these days.”

There was a long pause as both of them stared into each other’s eyes before Adrian cut her short. He heaved a frustrated sigh as he stepped away from her, causing her resolve to crumble down in an instant. “You should go home. It’s late. I’ll arrange a car to drive you home.”

Mad, dejected, rejected and extremely upset, Amy whirled in front of him, tears threatening to spill from the corners of her eyes. She tried blinking them back but they wouldn’t listen. Fresh batch of hot tears streamed down her face, realizing that she’s been holding back since last night. There was a look of complete aghast on Adrian as he tentatively reached out to her only to catch himself midair.

“Fine. You wanna be that way? Then go ahead. You know what I think? You’re afraid to love because deep inside, you know you feel the same way that I do, Adrian.” She hissed while angrily wiping her wet cheeks. “And if you haven’t spelled it out yet, I’m in love with you... and now that might’ve been the worst decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.”

“Amy, wai–” But before he can even interject, she turned away sharply, the momentum of her movement knocked off the wineglass that sat atop a sidetable. Her hand was caught in the middle as fresh blots of blood dripped from the open wound in her hand. The sting was incredibly painful but her broken heart was even more so.

“Fuck,” she hissed while cradling her hand near her chest, unsure of where the pain is actually coming from. Chest or wound? Could be both. She sank to her knees while clutching her wound while trying to press it against her cardigan’s cloth, hoping the bleeding would at least stop. “Fuck this.”

“Amy!” In an instant, Adrian was on her side, a look of sorrow and regret reigning on his countenance. His eyes glistened with unwept tears as he crouched down to her level, hands gently tugging her injured hand. He looked at her for a moment, pained surrender flashing through his orbs as if he was asking for permission. “Let me see...” She only nodded as an answer and remained silent, too drained to retort nor argue. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you.”

Adrian tugged and gently removed her cardigan that was stained with blood. Weak and tired from the aftermath of their fight, she resigned herself in his presence, the twin pain of heartbreak and open wound weakening her state. Her eyes gently took all of Adrian in front of her, his stormy hues now blazing red in color. She felt herself shudder at the sight of this beautiful man in front of her – all reign and glory but soft and unassuming. His blazing red eyes locked with hers before his fangs protruded as he slowly dipped in to lick the blood off of her hand.

There was always a sensual reason about feeding with consent. And part of those reasons were probably having a VIP seat in watching a gorgeous man up close, licking her hand clean of blood all the while looking immaculately delectable.

“Amy...” Adrian’s gaze fleeted back to her, red eyes burning with carnal hunger and uncontrollable desire. He tore a slight wound on his skin and let his blood heal her wounds without tearing his gaze from her. His muscles flexed as he gently placed a kiss on the area of where the gash was slowly starting to patch up.

Her face flushed at how evident his lust shown. He hovered over her, both their bodies sinking low against the hard surface. He trailed light kisses from her fingers to her wrist to her arm and up to the crook of her neck, fangs grazing just ever lightly along the way. Amy inhaled sharply while she watched him ever so engrossed in kissing her skin. And when he was finally only inches away from her face, Adrian gave her a stare heated enough to melt even the sturdiest armor in existence.

“You’ve always fascinated me.” He breathed, lips now only inches away from hers. His gaze flicked from her eyes and to her lips and back again. There was a cocky smirk on his face as he used his index finger to tilt her chin up and meet his melting gaze upfront. “I’ve wanted you strongly enough that I’m afraid I will devour you clean, Amy... and nothing will be left of you.”

She released a rattled breath, raising her other arm to touch the side of his face. Whatever intensity he was giving right now, she was sure to return ten times fold. “Maybe... maybe I’m more willing to provide more than what I could give...”

And in one swift motion, she was now up against his body, legs wrapped around his waist, mouths syncing with one another in a fiery and passionate exchange of kisses.

[winter-soldatt]

Competetor [Bucky Barnes]

Summary

Bucky and you compete all the damn time. You compete at waking up earliest for heavens sake. Secretly for both of you it's because you wanna impress each other because of your huge ass crush on each other.

Mature: Kissing, Hella Profanity,

Word Count: 1333

Character: James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes

Side Note: I thought of the song Keep On by Kehlani when I writing this!

DISCLAIMER: I know not everyone is petite, short! It's just for the story! Xx. B yourself! Xx

_____

I grabbed my phone and immediately texted Bucky. "Haha, I'm up before your ass." I texted, my door opened. A throaty chuckle sounded, I sighed. "Damnit, why?" I got up and walked over to him,

"Do you even sleep Barnes? I'm pretty sure you don't need to." I complained. He chuckled. "I do actually, or I get cranky. It's like 5 am, what are you doing up anyway?" He asks. "It's competition Friday!" I say, he smiles. "We are still doing that?" He asks, I sigh. "So you don't mind if I get to the donut store first?" I ask, running to my closet and grabbing my clothes.

"Hell fucking no." He mutters and dashes for the elevator. A couple minutes later I follow behind, once I get out of the tower, I see him sprinting like a serial killer was behind him.

"Barnes! Wait up! I have short legs!" I say, he slows down, and turns around to wait for me. Jogging in place. "Your in much better shape than me, this is gonna be unfair." I complained, tying my shoes tightly. "Mhm, you run faster than me, even though your about a foot shorter." He says, I chuckled. "Hey,  don't bring my height into this, I didn't have veggies growing up, ok?" I say, he smiles.

"Your tying your shoes slightly tight." He smiles, and kneels down next to me. "I don't wanna trip, or worry about tripping." I say. "It'll slow me down."

"Sure it will, can I go now?" He asks, "calm down McEager." I say, he chuckled.

"We have to be even, put your right foot on this line." I say, we both put our feet on the line. He looks at me with this intimidating stare, I laugh. "You ready? 3, 2, 1, go!"

We both sprint off, I start off getting in front of him but he sooner or later gets in front of me. There's a gate, being NYC, he jumps up and climbs it, as do I, I just take a bit longer.

"Shit," He takes a breath after he got up it. I get off the gate and run past him. "Winded much?" I yell; he laughs and runs up to me, at my pace. "Not at all."

"I see the store, you better move those feet Barnes." I say, he chuckled. "Way ahead of you doll." He gets faster. "Don't call me that!" I yell, getting to his pace.

"Why not?" He asks, stopping at the busy street. "Because," I say, stopping abruptly next to him with my hands on my hips.

He looks down at me, and smiles. "I'm gonna call you doll for as long as I live." He says. "That's like another century!" I say, "hey, watch it doll." He says, I giggle. "Can we go now? Damn these fucking cars are getting on my goddamn nerves." I mutter, Bucky chuckled.

"We can now." He says, I follow behind him cutting between cars. I see the donut store and remember a faster detour. I take it, Bucky sticks to his route.

Somehow, in some supernatural way, he made it there before me, and already ordered for the tower. "Damn you Barnes." I say, winded. He smiles. "Do you wanna walk back?" He asks. "No, carry me." I say, "and hold donuts?" He asks. "Yes, I'm not that tall." I say, he sighs.

"Fine, but you hold the donuts." He says, I nod, and take the donuts from him. He scoops me up and holds me bridal style. "It's like a 15 minute walk doll." He says. "Well, I'm winded, isn't that McObvious?" I ask, he chuckled. "You just live for those MC jokes don't you." He says; I nod.

We stay mostly silent for the rest of the walk, Steve is waiting outside the tower with tony and Sam. "Barnes, Y/N, where were you two? Steve was worried Barnes wasn't in bed when he woke up." Tony jokes. "Fuck off stark." Bucky says, tony laughs.

"Tony, can you go a day without making gay jokes?" I ask, "last time I checked I'm bi, so FUCK off." I muttered, tony laughed. "That's different Y/N; bi-"

"don't get into it; it's a millennial trap." Some random guy says. "It is not!" I say offended. "Well; it is kinda a trap; if he says something unacceptable, he suddenly a homophobe." Peter says, coming out the glass doors.

"Are you trying to say something Peter?" I ask; he chuckled. "No; no I'm not I'm just saying, everyone makes mistakes?" Peter asks, "what mistake did I make?" Tony asks frustrated. "You tried my sexuality!" I say, "I did?" Tony asks. "Oh my- I'll see you guys inside."

I rush inside, Wanda, Bucky, and Natasha are eating the donuts. "Hey, leave some for me you assholes." I say, scooting next to Bucky in the couch. "I bought a hundred doll, calm down." Bucky says, "Bucky, stop calling me doll! I'm not plastic!" I say, Bucky chuckled.

"Y/N, if someone calls you doll it's a backhanded compliment." Natasha says. "Nat! That doesn't make it better!" I say, "I'm just saying," she says.

"According to the urban dictionary, it's slang for a pretty; but either dumb or expressionless woman; or it means your cute." Wanda says, looking down at her phone. "What?" I say, "well which one do you mean Barnes?" I ask, Bucky chuckles. "I don't know you tell me." He says. "What! Bucky!" I say, Natasha chuckled. "I need a shower," she left to her room.

"I need to make tea; I'm off today, I'll be in the kitchen." Wanda says, leaving me and Bucky alone. I still wanted a answer from him. "Bucky, just tell me I don't wanna guess, I hate guessing, I suck at guessing." I say, he smiles.

"You're actually stuck on this huh?" He asks, I nod. "I really am!" I say, he smiles. "It means your adorable, at least when I say it." He says, I blushed. "You think I'm adorable?" I ask, he nods. "Does that mean you like; like me?" I ask.

"Come here," He says, I raise a eyebrow. "Just come here," He says, chuckling. I get up and sit next to him.

He grabbed the last jelly donut. "This is your favourite right?" He asks, I nod. "I'm gonna eat it, what are you gonna do about that?" I asks, I try to grab it, he sticks half of it in his mouth.

"I'm confused, does this mean you like me?" I ask:

"Do you like me?" He asks. "I-I well, oh." I realized what I was supposed to do, or what he expected me to do:

I leaned in and clasped the other end of the donut with my mouth, pulling on it, and chewing it before

leaning into kiss him. "This is so weird." I say, within our kiss. "It was the only way I could think of getting it across without being a awkward mess." He says, after releasing from our kiss.

"Can you kiss me again?" I ask, "why in the hell would I do that?" He asks; and chuckles. "I'm kidding Y/N," He says, and leans into kiss me again, I grab his hair in a fistful. And kiss him back with lust.

"So this means you like me right?" I ask, he nods: "yes, this means I like you, doll:" he smiles and kisses me again. "I like you too, Barnes."

[marmelade-sky-reading]

Book Recs: Queer Lit (contemporary)

Sometimes you just need that gay fluff. These books are mostly feel-good, happy contemporary with a bit of drama, and mostly YA. If you have any good book recommendations about books with lesbian, bi, trans*, ace/aro etc. main characters, please let me know! 

There will be another post about queer fantasy books as well :)

Simon versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

The book that everyone seemed to have fallen in love with, especially after the movie has come out. And rightfully so. Simon versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda follows Simon, a highschooler, who has a secret: he’s gay. But that’s not Simon’s only secret: there’s also Blue, the mysterious closeted boy who goes to Simon’s school and Simon only knows through e-mails. When Simon’s classmate Martin dicovers Simon’s and Blue’s mails and starts blackmailing Simon with them, Simon’s secrets threaten to be revealed. 

Simon vs. is such a sweet book that deals with how hard it is to come out, and to come to terms with oneself. 

Whatever by SJ Goslee

Mika Tate is just a normal high school dude, with stoner friends and a crappy band. Well, until his girlfriend breaks up with him because she thinks he’s gay. And until he discovers that his sworn enemy, Rook, suddenly starts smiling at him all the time. 

Basically, a gay stoner high school story. It’s a little cliché in parts, but it’s great for when you just want to switch off your brain and enjoy a fun, fluffy book.

Boy meets Boy by David Levithan

Paul lives in a world where the cheerleaders ride Harleys, the homecoming queen is a Drag Queen and the gay-straight alliance teaches the straight kids how to dance. Paul himself is tangled in the chaotic lifes of his friends, the leftover of his relationship with his ex Kyle, and Noah- who Paul’s completely blown it with. 

Since it’s basically set in gay utopia, this book is one for the heart- there’s barely any coming-out trouble or homophobia, all there is is fluff. Highly recommended if you just want to smile a lot while reading. 

Almost like being in Love by Steve Kluger

High school jock and high school nerd fall in love, spend one amazing summer- and then embark for different colleges and later, their adult lives. 

Twenty years later, Travis still thinks that Craig is “the one that got away”- and sets out to find him. 

This is basically a fossil of gay literature. It’s written in the form of diary entries, letters and mails, which can sometimes be a little confusing. 

Centre of my World by Andreas Steinhöfel

I���ve already mentioned this book in another post- it’s my favourite book of all time (psst- there’s a movie, too!).

Phil lives with his eccentric mother Glass and his strange twin sister Dianne... -and a whole lot of secrets in his pasts that Glass refuses to reveal. For example the twins’ father’s name. As a result of that, Phil keeps looking- for answers, perspective and an identity. And then, Nicholas, the new guy in Phil’s grade, shows up and threatens to cause even more chaos in Phil’s life. 

This book is pure magic. As the story goes along, we also learn about Phil’s poetically strange past, about his family and about how hard it is to grow when you’re not sure about your own roots. Love the representation: gay, bi and lesbian!

Aristotle and Dante discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante meet at the swimming pool, and at first, it seems like they’re as different as they can be: Ari is an angry teen with a brother in prison who no-one ever talks about and a father who suffers from PTSD, and Dante is a know-it-all with a strange way of looking at the world and parents who love him to death. But as they start spending more time together, they discover that being alike isn’t the key to a life-changing friendship.

This book has a very special writing style. I personally loved it (and the audiobook is read by Lin Manuel Miranda!). This, to me, is the very definition of gay contemporary. 

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Henry Montague is supposed to be a true gentleman- born into a wealthy family, educated at the finest boarding schools of Great Britain... but Monty prefers drinking, gambling and a long string of lovers over manners and hard work. When he embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, Monty hopes for pleasure and fun- but then his father reveals to him that his little sister Felicity is going to accompany him...and that he expects Monty to take over the family estate upon return. And those are not the only issues threatening Monty’s joy about the trip: he’s also harbouring an enormous crush on his best friend Percy who’s coming along. When questionable decisions turn the trip into a dangerous manhunt, Monty, Percy and Felicity find themselves on an adventure they didn’t sign up for.

This is such a weird book, but I loved it. It made me laugh, but also kept me on the edge of my seat a lot of times. Basically, this adventure literature with added gayness. Also- representation: gay, bi, aro/ace characters! 

One Man Guy by Michael Barakiva

Alek Khederian should have guessed something was wrong when his parents took him to a restaurant. Everyone knows that Armenians never eat out. Between bouts of interrogating the waitress and criticizing the menu, Alek’s parents announce that he’ll be attending summer school in order to bring up his grades. Alek is sure this experience will be the perfect hellish end to his hellish freshman year of high school. He never could’ve predicted that he’d meet someone like Ethan.

Ethan is everything Alek wishes he were: confident, free-spirited, and irreverent. He can’t believe a guy this cool wants to be his friend. And before long, it seems like Ethan wants to be more than friends. Alek has never thought about having a boyfriend—he’s barely ever had a girlfriend—but maybe it’s time to think again.

Very fluffy, perfect for high school-aged people! It has some tropes that kind of threw me off, but all in all, it was pretty cute. 

[love-killed-the-superstar]

IT’S HERE!!! SOME DOMESTIC IRMA/CORNELIA GOODNESS TO HEAL YOUR SOULS, HAPPY FEMSLASH FEBRUARY

Title: The Frying Pan Conversation Pairing: Cornelia/Irma Chapter: 1 - road trips and stars Summary: “What, you mean you can't just up and introduce me as your banging girlfriend?” “No, Irma,” Cornelia said through gritted teeth, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Because up until today they think I've been dating an aspiring future botanist from State U, not the girl who once snorted orange juice out of her nose during a Boy Comet marathon.” (Cornelia and Irma spend Christmas with the Hales.)

Read on AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/13743063/chapters/31578714

Irma stared out of the window groggily as Cornelia took her sweet time loading two large suitcases and a handbag into the back of the car. She'd taken the liberty of shoving everything she needed into her signature teal suitcase and a tote bag with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles design on it, since it was to be expected that Cornelia would be bringing home so much junk for a two-week period.

A rapping of knuckles against the glass dragged her out of her daze, and she rolled down the window.

“Morning, Corny,” she drawled, rubbing one eye sleepily. “I've been driving since six and without the sweet remedy of coffee, so you'll have to take over until we hit the next pit stop.”

“As someone who had the sensibility to prepare coffee beforehand, I'll rise to that challenge,” Cornelia said with a smirk, tucking a strand of hair behind one ear. She leaned down, planted a wet one smack in the middle of Irma's forehead, then yanked on the door handle. “Now get out so we can swap over.”

“Only because that was the darned cutest wake up call ever,” Irma agreed with a yawn, stepping out of the car and into Cornelia's arms. Her girlfriend was ready for the Heatherfield winter, in a moss green shawl and mulberry-coloured dirndl skirt. Her cute winter ankle boots, cuffed with faux fur the colour of soot, added an extra two inches, leaving Irma squinting up at her in bemusement. “Are you ever not wearing earth tones? And how am I supposed to kiss you back when I'm at eye level with your boobs?”

“You're creative, you'll figure something out,” Cornelia said lightly, far too chipper for so early in the morning. She spun Irma around, effectively taking her place beside the car, and plopped down in the driver's seat. Irma climbed onto her lap immediately despite protests.

“You're right, I did. I can finally get to your face.” Irma pulled her into a kiss, as messy as it was sleep-deprived, and grinned as she pulled back. “Course, I could have just kissed your tits instead.”

“Through this shawl?” Cornelia raised her eyebrows. “Nice try. It's cashmere.”

“Well, cash it in for some sweet Irma kisses, because they're incoming.” She puckered her lips for effect, and Cornelia hastily clapped a hand over her mouth. In the ongoing struggle, Irma's butt cheek leaned against the wheel, honking the horn twice before Cornelia forcibly pushed her into the passenger seat, giggling helplessly.

“Irma! I'm sure my neighbours don't want to be awoken by your butt on the steering wheel,” she chastised, but she was grinning from ear to ear. Irma rolled her eyes, still giggling like a fool, and fastened her seatbelt.

“Spoilsport. Anyway, I'm gonna catch some sleep, so no singing along to the alphabet song while I'm snoozing, okay?”

“Where you get the impression that I'd be listening to anything but classical, I'll never know,” Cornelia responded nonchalantly, grabbing her flask of coffee from the cup holder and offering it out to her. “Here, some coffee and a short nap and you'll be right as rain.”

Irma took a swig, spent the next few minutes complaining about Cornelia's shit taste in coffee, and curled up in the passenger seat, insisting on wearing Cornelia's cashmere shawl to snooze in.

“If you drool on it, I'm holding you accountable for dry-cleaning,” she warned, but her tone held no malice and Irma made a point to give it a wet kiss before curling up against the window and drifting off.

…

“Hey, you're getting spit on my shawl.”

Irma was nudged awake with a playful left hook to the chin, and she groaned as light seeped into her vision. The morning sun was already higher in the sky, and making its presence known by proceeding to blind her.

“Ugh, what time is it?” she groaned, shielding her eyes with one hand and wiping at her mouth with the other.

“Half ten. At this rate, we'll make it to my parents' cabin for mid-afternoon.” Cornelia climbed back into the driver's seat and thrust a wrapped sandwich into Irma's face. “Here, I picked you up a breakfast sandwich.”

Irma took in the scent of bacon and egg, and immediately her mouth began to water all over again.

“Oh man! Cornelia, have I ever mentioned what a goddess you are?”

“Once or twice,” she remarked with a smirk, unwrapping her own breakfast bagel. “Mostly after cunnilingus.”

“Cornelia Elizabeth Hale, that mouth!” Irma swatted at her arm playfully, before tucking into her sandwich. She eyed Cornelia's bagel. “You still veggie?”

“Yep,” she said distractedly. “Thinking of going vegan for my new year's resolution, but finding vegan alternatives in service stops seems like a pain.”

“You pansexuals and your crazy dietary choices,” Irma grumbled, an impeccable impression of her father, shaking her head. Cornelia grinned.

“That's a thing?”

“Read it on Twitter.”

“Oh, so you're stereotyping me now?”

“When don't I stereotype you, blondie?” Irma teased with a wink. “You do realise if you go vegan my dad is never gonna cook for you again? He puts cheese and butter in everything.”

“That's fine,” Cornelia said with a shrug. “I'm sure Anna will bend over backwards searching for vegan cookbooks. Chris will hate me for it, but he hates me anyway.”

“It's possible he doesn't hate you,” Irma countered. “He just doesn't like that he has to deal with two annoying big sisters now instead of just one.”

“An understandable dilemma,” Cornelia agreed. She took a few moments to finish her bite of bagel before continuing. “I'm sure it can't be easy knowing his sister's dating the hottest girl in the universe. He'll end up having to settle for less no matter what.”

“Narcissist. Anyway, since I came out my dad and Anna keep trying to land home the point with Chris. Like, 'if you bring a boy home instead of a girl, it's no biggie, okay?' Part of me thinks its endearing, but mostly I'm just offended that Chris is getting an easy ride and not taking full advantage of their newly opened minds.”

“Ah, well, he'd have to have those leanings in the first place to take advantage of them,” Cornelia pointed out, chewing thoughtfully. “And from the looks of things, Chris is as straight as a goal post.”

“I mean, he's thirteen and still thinks girls are gross, so there's hope yet.” Irma shrugged. “What about Lillian? Think she's gonna be psyched that you're dating me?”

“If disappointment could be a more powerful emotion, she'd probably be feeling that?” Cornelia suggested with a grin. “I mean... she got on pretty good with Peter. Who knows what she'll say to know I left Heatherfield's cutest surfer to date... Heatherfield's second cutest surfer.”

Irma balled up her wrapped and threw it at Cornelia with a scoff.

“Rude! And hey, I may not be beach hunk material, but I'm beach chunk, and that's a very attractive quality.”

Cornelia reached over to pinch Irma's cheek playfully.

“That's right. Peter could slice beef with that jawline. I much prefer these chubby cheeks.”

“You mock, but I have many selfies with lipstick-covered cheeks in my evidence locker,” Irma retorted. “You do love these chubby cheeks and I can prove it too!”

Cornelia leaned over and pressed a kiss to the cheek in question.

“You don't need to prove anything,” she replied, an impish grin on her face. Irma's eyes narrowed and she stretched across to kiss Cornelia squarely on the nose.

“Let's just agree that we're both adorable and call a truce. Got any of that disgusting coffee left?”

Cornelia reached into the cup holder and presented a brandless fair trade coffee cup proudly.

“Why waste my coffee on your ruined taste buds when I could just overload you with sugar instead?”

Irma clapped her hands against her cheek with a squeal, before gripping the coffee cup like a life preserve.

“Cornelia, you are an angel among women everywhere, you know that? The best girlfriend a girl could friend! Ellen and Portia who?”

“Your excitement over pit stop coffee is just a little bit sad.”

Irma shot her a glare that soon melted into a grin as she took a gleeful sip.

“You put in three sugars? Corny, now you're just spoiling me!”

“What can I say, I'm a renaissance woman.” She took a sip of her own coffee and buckled herself back in. “I don't mind driving for a bit longer, but we'll switch at lunch time, okay?”

“Dealio. Man, you're the coolest. Did you forget to pack the stick that's normally in your butt?”

“Don't push it, dear, or I'll throw your coffee out of the window.”

As Cornelia pulled out of the parking lot and onto the junction, Irma pulled the shawl a little tighter around her and sipped her coffee. She was gradually feeling like herself again, and not some subhuman creature who'd been stomping around since 5:30 that morning. Cornelia had on some kind of smooth jazz radio station, blasting that good and horny Dionne Warwick song that Cornelia put onto every custom playlist she sent to Irma, and Irma felt the need to shake up the momentum of the car a little. Wordlessly she plugged in her iPod and began switching through tracks.

“Irma!” Cornelia protested. “I was listening to that!”

“You mean you don't want to pop your pussy to Karmilla's latest single?” Irma asked, eyes popping in disbelief. “Man, you'll love her new stuff now she's publicly come out, it's like her entire discography suddenly makes ten times more sense in the context of the metaphysical closet.”

“Karmilla's gay?” Cornelia asked in disbelief. “Since when?”

“Bi,” Irma corrected. “Since like, last March? How is this news to you?”

“Ahh. I don't know, I'm still stuck on Dionne Warwick after all this time.”

“Fair enough. Well my darling Corny, in fifty years when you catch up with contemporary music again, give Karmilla's upcoming album a listen, so far it's really angsty and gay. And also uplifting and gay.” “Sounds like a blast.”

Irma scrolled to Karmilla's latest song, Claim To Closet Fame, and let the first few bars wash over them in a blissful silence.

Then she started wailing about kissing down a woman's chest in a darkroom, and Cornelia grimaced.

“Her passion is a bit scary.”

Irma shrugged.

“Passion is passion, babe.”

“So,” Cornelia said quickly, not wanting to press the issue of their clashing music tastes any further, “this is going to be a very important winter break.”

“Uh huh.” Irma sat up a little straighter. “Our darling Cornelia's ready to jump out of the closet and scare her parents half to death over an awkward dinner where they'll be paranoid she's gonna tell them she's pregnant or dying or flunking her degree instead of just making the frying pan joke over a face-time call and being done with it.”

With a deep sigh through her nose, Cornelia pushed her hair back. “It's not that simple. First is the idea of explaining pansexuality to my parents, who by the way, still think there's only two sexual orientations and being bisexual is a one-foot-out-of-the-closet situation. So brace yourself for that.”

“Noted. Go on.”

“Then we'll have to go through the stages of my parents asking if they did something wrong, if I've been in a toxic relationship, if I'm just confused, and all of that fun stuff. And they'll say, 'Peter is such a nice boy, why would you choose to be gay?' which brings us right on back to point one.”

“So this will be a circular conversation. Understood.”

“And then, finally, we'll tell them that we're in a relationship. But I need them to understand my identity first and foremost, Irma. You can understand.”

Irma shrugged. As far as coming out had gone, being gay and dragging Cornelia along to Heatherfield Pride as her girlfriend had been one and the same, but she got the jist.

“What, you mean you can't just up and introduce me as your banging girlfriend?”

“No, Irma,” Cornelia said through gritted teeth, gripping the steering wheel tightly. “Because up until today they think I've been dating an aspiring future botanist from State U, not the girl who once snorted orange juice out of her nose during a Boy Comet marathon.”

“No fair, that was one time and I was thirteen!” protested Irma, throwing up her hands in disbelief. “You can't hold that over me forever!”

“I don't, but they'll remember because it was my mother's couch that had orange juice stains on that never quite went away,” Cornelia pointed out tiredly. Irma groaned dramatically and flopped back in her seat, hand thrown over her face.

“Are they ever gonna approve of me being your girlfriend?” she grumbled. “I don't fancy marrying into a family that thinks I'm some good-for-nothing slob.”

“Of course they don't think that!” Cornelia said quickly, switching lanes to let a FedEx van pass. “Sure, they probably aren't expecting mystery botanist guy to be... well, you. But once they get over the fact that you're a woman, I'm sure things will settle down! I mean, my mother can be a little critical, but Lillian is just as messy as you, if not worse, and my dad adores her. Besides, he finds your jokes funny.”

“That's because he doesn't know I'm banging his daughter!” Irma exclaimed, huffing. Cornelia blushed a little and rolled her eyes.

“You're being ridiculous. First of all, my parents don't need to know we're having sex.”

“Oh yeah, because that isn't immediately the conclusion they'll jump to when you tell them since we're supposed to be sharing a pull out couch for the trip!”

“We didn't just immediately jump into sex when we got together, if you recall,” Cornelia continued, eyes trained on the road ahead. “I'm sure my parents won't mind us sharing the couch. Besides, I doubt we'd be able to without breaking it, that thing is horribly flimsy.”

“I'm amazed our darling princess Cornelia hasn't protested against the couch more,” Irma remarked, shooting her a playful look. “Remember when we went on vacation together that one summer? We had to force you into a sleeping bag!”

“The guest bedroom only has a single bed, which Lillian is taking, and they weren't expecting us to join them over winter break, so it was the couch either way.”

“Well, when we go on to my place after the first week, we can share my bed. Dad and Anna made me tidy up my room, you'll be pleased to know, and Anna sat me down for a talk about 'being safe, even with a girl'. Which was super fun, by the way.”

Cornelia snorted out a laugh.

“Your cop dad isn't gonna arrest me for propositioning his daughter, is he?”

“Part of him was relieved, actually,” Irma recalled with a gleeful expression. She cleared her throat, doing her best Tom Lair impression. “'I can't say I'm not surprised, but a woman will treat you properly. Men can be animals.' Honest to god, he said that. As if you're the most pristine girl in Heatherfield.”

“He's only relieved because you had such bad taste in men,” Cornelia replied, mouth crinkling upwards mischievously. “I've had the pleasure of getting to know a few gentlemen in my time.”

“Yeah, well, there's a reason I had such bad taste in guys, you know!” Irma retorted. “Every time one would so much as smile at me I got the wrong end of the stick, little did I know.”

“All tall beautiful blondes,” Cornelia mused. Her smile broke out into a grin as bright as the sun outside, and she clasped the wheel with new energy. “My my, Irma Lair, you sure do have a type, don't you?”

Irma blushed to the roots of her hair.

“Oh, come on! This is – this is bullying, harassment, defamation-”

“It's the truth! Remember Andrew Hornby?”

“Oh my god, please don't bring up Andrew Hornby at a time like this.”

Cornelia's eyes twinkled with mischief. “What was it now? You almost exposed yourself as a guardian by sneaking out to a party transformed, wooed Andrew Hornby, and when he tried making a move on you...”

“If you finish this story, I swear to god-”

“That's right! You turned him into a frog!”

Irma, face bright red, butted her head against the window in defeat.

“I'll turn you into a frog if you don't put a sock in it, Corny!”

As their playful bickering continued, Cornelia's phone started to buzz.

“Irma, get that for me,” she ordered, eyes trained on the road.

“Sure, your highness,” Irma drawled, rolling her eyes and reaching for Cornelia's sleek rose gold smartphone. She unlocked it with ease (Irma's birthday, could this girl get any lamer?) and the screen lit up. “Hay Lin's calling.”

“Patch her through, I guess. And put her on speaker!”

Irma swiped and held the phone up, rolling down the window a crack to let some breeze in. The cold was biting, instantly earning a complaint from Cornelia, but it just felt like another authentic piece of Hay Lin that Irma wanted in the car with them at that moment.

“Hey guys! Are you there yet? And is that Karmilla I hear?”

Claim To Closet Fame was on its third loop.

“We still have about four hours to go,” Cornelia supplied, “and Irma, change the damn track already.”

Irma switched it over to the B-side track, Sensual Orientations.

“Hay Lin, I'd just like to announce how hurt I am that you called Cornelia first when I'm your top contact,” Irma declared, hoping her pout could be heard down the phone.

“Irma, I tried your phone but you never picked up!” Hay Lin retorted. There was some shuffling, and her voice sounded slightly further away than before. “Bear with me, I'm moving boxes.”

Irma fished around for her phone, noting the three missed calls with a heavy sigh.

“You're right. I'm just a terrible friend.”

“Nope, you're just terrible at leaving your phone off of silent.”

“Your hidden pink is a weapon; So shoot me into heaven,” sang Karmilla.

“Irma, is this one about sex too?” Cornelia complained.

“Just wait until you get to the pussy rap, Cornelia,” cackled Hay Lin from down the line. “Me and Irma have been practicing in our free time.”

“If we get that far I'll hang up,” Cornelia warned, shaking her head in dismay.

Irma stuck her tongue out, before gleefully turning her attention back to the phone.

“So what's this call about anyway, Hay Lin?”

“I thought you could use a practice model for when you and Cornelia make your big announcement!” Hay Lin chirped. “If Cornelia's parents are as hard to convince as I've been told.”

“When they find out the first thing they'll ask is which one of us is the man in the relationship,” Cornelia deadpanned. Hay Lin burst out laughing.

“Well, of course they're gonna assume it's me,” Irma grumbled, “just because I wear sports bras and read comic books and can burp up to F in the alphabet.”

“Well, hit me with your perfectly crafted coming out speech,” Hay Lin interrupted cheerfully, with a thump as she lowered the boxes. “I'll give you a worst case scenario so you'll feel better!”

“This is never gonna work,” Irma giggled.

“I'm not doing this.”

“Come oooooon,” Hay Lin whinged, and Irma joined in. “Do iiiiit.”

“Fine, fine!” Cornelia exhaled. “Ugh, here goes. Mother, Father, I've been meaning to say this for a while. I'm pansexual. It means that I, that I feel attraction so people regardless of their gender.”

Hay Lin cleared her throat, impersonating Harold Hale to the best of her ability. “Preposterous! Which one's the man and which is the woman, my darling Cornelia?!”

Irma snorted.

“Why would he be asking that if he doesn't know Cornelia's boning me yet?” Irma pointed out.

“Irma!” snapped Cornelia.

“Sorry, sorry,” Hay Lin apologised, undeterred. “Got into the part too much. Let me try again. Ahem. Cornelia, what does this mean? Are you saying you're a... a lesbian?!”

“This is painful,” complained Cornelia. “I refuse to take this any further.”

“So you are a lesbian??”

“Hay Lin!”

“Aw, I'm only teasing,” Hay Lin said cheerily, unapologetic. “They'll be fine once they get past the initial shock of it all. I mean, it's the 21st century! Times are changing! And for all you know, they could be really chill. I mean, my parents used to hate me watching Hell's Kitchen but now they tune into it with me!”

“That's not the same thing and you know it, Hay Lin!” Cornelia snapped. She huffed and took a moment to compose herself. “Anyway, you're probably right. I'm sure things will sort themselves out after the initial shock, and then-”

“Stop, stop!” Irma interrupted suddenly, waving her hand around. Cornelia frowned, eyes darting between her girlfriend and the road ahead.

“What are you-”

“You feel it in your pussy like I feel it in my bones! You investigate my labia like Sherlock Holmes!” chorused Irma and Hay Lin at a deafening volume, as Karmilla began to belt out her rap verse.

“No,” Cornelia snapped. “No, no, we're not doing this, guys, we're not doing this!”

“When you're kissing down my thighs I never felt so high, so do whatever you please, 'cause when I cum I'm gonna fly!”

“ENOUGH!!”

…

The sun was beginning to sink lower in the sky as they pulled up the driveway, not quite sunset yet. After exhausting Karmilla's album Cornelia had switched it to some station playing cheesy 90s hits, which had resulted in a passionate sing-along born out of pure nostalgia for childhood road trips as Irma had taken over the final stretch in the driver's seat.

She awkwardly parked behind Mr Hale's chevy camaro, the speakers blaring out the last few lines of Breakfast At Tiffany's as they sat stationary. Her own car felt a little redundant in comparison.

“Your dad has good taste,” Irma said with a wolf-whistle. “How come he hasn't bought you a car yet?”

“He's waiting for my birthday,” Cornelia said with a shrug. “I told him I was interested in a prius. Mom told him that was too pricey for my first car, of course.”

“You have your dad wrapped around your finger, he'll hand it over to you gift-wrapped.” Irma leaned in for a quick peck on the cheek, and instinctively Cornelia moved away.

“Irma, please,” she said quietly, a sigh just beyond her lips. “We... we have to be careful.”

Irma rolled her eyes and leaned against the steering wheel.

“I know. Just, don't leave it too late, okay? The sooner you rip off the band-aid the better. At least they'll have the whole of Christmas to get over it, y'know?”

Cornelia nodded, reaching across to squeezed Irma's arm.

“Shall we do this?”

“Christmas break with the Hales,” Irma drawled. “Can't wait.”

Cornelia's parents looked poised and stylish as ever when they answered the door, and Harold wasted no time in sweeping Cornelia up into a tight hug while Elizabeth smiled and nodded poliely at Irma.

“Oh, how have you been, sweetheart?” Harold asked, rocking her a little in his arms. “Any trouble getting here? Feeling all right?”

“Dad, I'm fine,” Cornelia insisted, pulling away slowly. “And the journey went smoothly. Irma picked me up on time and we didn't hit any traffic.”

“Good, that's good.” He patted her shoulder as Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

“They're both over twenty now, dear, perfectly capable of getting here in one piece. It's good to see you, Irma. Please allow us to pay you for the fuel, ferrying our daughter over here.”

Irma opened her mouth, but Cornelia cut in quickly.

“Mother, that isn't necessary!”

“Hey, I want some money back if it's up for grabs,” Irma hissed in her ear.

Elizabeth shook her head. “No no, I insist. It's so lovely of you to join us. I was a little worried all of your school friends would be tagging along. We wouldn't have the room, frankly.” Irma glanced at Cornelia.

“They were busy,” Cornelia said quickly. She shifted the suitcase she was holding and Harold instinctively reached for it. “Will and Taranee are studying and Hay Lin's helping her parents.”

“And mystery botanist man couldn't join?” Harold asked with a wink, hoisting the case out of her arms.

Cornelia blushed, refusing to look at Irma, and hurriedly choked out, “No, he could not!”

“Oh Harold, don't tease,” Elizabeth scolded, as he heaved the suitcase inside. “Come inside now, girls, it's chilly out.”

Irma drank in the sight with eyes as wide as saucers. The Hales had a swish set up, the cabin rustic yet elegant, with creams and cornflower blues somehow blending seamlessly with rich reds and golds. It sure beat the beach cabin she and her family visited every summer, that much was for sure. Her dad had a habit of hanging up those dumb singing fish plaques, as opposed to the deer head as a proud centrepiece in the Hales family cabin.

“This place is amazing,” Irma breathed.

“It's something, all right,” Cornelia sighed, a little off put by the hunting trophy herself. “Was that a gift from Uncle Edward, Dad?”

“Sure was! You know what they called me whenever my old man took us hunting? Tree Hugger Harold,” her father said with an awkward chuckle. “Could never bring myself to pull the trigger, myself. He spent a few days here before we made the journey, so we haven't had the chance to take it down yet...”

“Don't take it down, it's cool!” interrupted Lillian, dashing out of the guest bedroom with a scarf in hand. “I want to make him wear this when we decorate!”

“That isn't very tasteful, Lillian,” Elizabeth chastised, but Harold let out a hearty laugh and scooped her up into his arms.

“I suppose he won't have any complaints, will he?”

“You ever heard a disembodied deer head bitch about wearing a snowman scarf?” Irma muttered to Cornelia, who stifled a guffaw behind her hand. She waved hesitantly at Lillian. “Hey there, Lil.”

Lillian gave back a mechanical wave.

“Hi Irma.”

As usual, they had nothing to say to each other. Irma scratched the back of her head awkwardly.

After a beat of awkward silence, Cornelia pulled her over to one side.

“Here, let me take your coat.”

“Your sister is as sociable towards me as always,” Irma joked, shimmying out of her jacket and leaning into Cornelia's touch for a few moments before moving back.

“She's doing that teenager thing where she hates talking to anyone who isn't behind a gaming headset,” Cornelia remarked, hanging the jacket up beside the coats of the other family members. It felt a little like assimilation into the lives of the Hales, and filled Irma with a strange sense of gratitude, even if at the end of the day it only boiled down to them saving a hook for her coat. “Chris must be like that too?”

“Yeah, but he's been that way since he was eight,” pointed out Irma, shaking her head. “Every time I try and worm a conversation out of him he tells me he's busy. You know the PS4 was a gift for both of us?”

Cornelia cracked a grin and pinched Irma's cheek playfully.

“You poor thing. We'll reclaim it when we go to yours, Alchemy mentioned she lent you a few games that I'd enjoy too.”

“Yeah! You like horror, right? There's Until Dawn, Outlast... oh man, and The Evil Within! That one's gory!”

“I don't know about that...”

…

“So, I noticed this place is devoid of decorations,” Irma commented, as they set about laying the table. Dinner was almost ready, and Cornelia's parents were insistent on taking care of the cooking for tonight since they had spent the day driving.

“They have a thing about it being unlucky to decorate unless we're all helping,” Cornelia explained with a sigh, distributing the silverware to each place mat. “We'll start on it tomorrow.”

“Cutting it a little close, don't you think?”

“I wanted to put up the tree days ago but Dad wouldn't let me,” Lillian huffed, sitting herself down and throwing her napkin across her lap before whipping out her phone. She began furiously texting, and Cornelia and Irma exchanged wry smiles.

“I did tell them that they didn't have to wait,” Cornelia said with a shrug, as they took their seats beside one another. “It's not my fault Mom and Dad are superstitious.”

“Wouldn't have pegged them as the type,” Irma remarked. She laced her fingers through Cornelia's, carefully obscured by the tablecloth, and flashed her a cheeky grin. “You don't take after them much, do you, Corny?”

Cornelia squeezed her hand firmly, holding her gaze.

“We lead different lives,” she said simply.

Elizabeth and Harold swept in briskly, setting down dishes of marinated cabbage, roast potatoes and a large portion of roast beef (as if an afterthought, Elizabeth hurriedly brought out a plate of vegetarian sausages for Cornelia). Harold poured everyone a glass of wine, and Irma couldn't help but wonder how Cornelia's parents kept up the gig of acting sophisticated all the time, even in the comfort of their own home.

They murmured a few words of thanks, before plating everyone up.

“So Irma, you're doing a teaching degree?” Elizabeth asked politely, as the family began to tuck in.

“Er, that's right. Not sure what subject I want to teach yet, maybe math or geography...”

“I think that will suit you marvellously,” Harold praised, in between bites of cabbage. “Teachers do far more than set homework, you know. They inspire! They set you upon your life path! Why, if I hadn't had such a passionate math tutor as a young man...”

Irma tuned out, glancing over at Cornelia. They'd gone over her plan multiple times during the drive, to the point where it was practically scripted, but as they sat there munching on potatoes, it became painfully obvious that Cornelia was frozen to the spot, wanting to cling to this moment of her parents' blissful ignorance for as long as she could. It wasn't like she could reach over to hold her hand with Elizabeth watching them both like a hawk, anyway. All she could do at this point was try and push Cornelia in the right direction.

“...and I simply wouldn't be the man I am today if I hadn't followed his advice and gone to the college he'd suggested,” Harold finished with a proud smile.

“Well, the college I'm attending isn't prestigious or anything, but I'm doing pretty well,” Irma said sheepishly, taking a sip of wine. It was dry and bitter, clinging to her tongue like sandpaper.

“That's what counts, my dear. And Cornelia, my sweet girl! How are your classes going? And how is your mystery chap?”

“About that,” Irma began, glancing over at Cornelia nervously.

“Classes are going well,” Cornelia said quickly. “And... he's, um... he's doing well, too.”

Irma gaped at her.

“Well, that's good,” Elizabeth murmured. “Though I do wish you'd tell us more about him. His age? Does he work?”

“We've only been out a few times,” Cornelia said quickly. “There's not much to tell.”

“Is he a good kisser?” Lillian piped up with a sly grin.

“Lillian!” Cornelia snapped.

“Well, talking to you about your boyfriend is like pulling teeth!”

“Stop arguing, you two!”

As the bickering continued, both parents intervening, Irma miserably chewed through her food, knowing the topic wouldn't be broached tonight.

…

After the plates had been cleared and Lillian had retreated to her room, Irma and Cornelia took to sitting out on the porch, staring up at the stars that were so much clearer than from the Heatherfield cityscape. It was freezing out there, their breath visible in puffs, but there was something tranquil about it too. As an added bonus, Cornelia knew her parents wouldn't be able to stand the cold and would grant them some privacy.

“Hey, Corny. I love you.”

Cornelia's eyes flickered over to Irma. She was looking pretty frost-bitten, with only a thin blanket thrown over her lap and cradling a cup of cocoa like a lifeline, but her eyes were filled with a tender warmth that had Cornelia melting instantly.

“Even though I didn't follow through like I promised?” she said softly, self-doubt creeping in as the winter stars twinkled overhead. Irma scoffed.

“Honey, I know a thing or two about how hard it is to say it to your parents. You gotta take it at your own pace.”

“I'll do it tomorrow,” Cornelia promised, mouth pulled into a resolute grimace. “I won't back down.”

“Simmer down, earth guardian, this isn't like going to battle against some otherworldly lizard villain,” Irma teased. “Do this when you're ready, not because you feel like you owe me.” She paused. “Of course, that's something else I love about you. You tackle everything with the same determination. Cramming for exams, kicking alien butt, giving me hickeys...”

“Irma, that was one time!” she admonished, face pink with indignation. She lowered her gaze, cheeks pinkening from more than the cold. “Where's this all coming from?”

Irma shrugged.

“Not sure, really. Could be my heart, but then, my clit's aching, so...”

“Irma!” Cornelia squeaked, reaching over to shove her playfully. Irma erupted into giggles, pushing caramel curls away from her face.

“Hey, I've been waiting months to see you again, and you're telling me we can't even have sex for another week because the fucking camp bed won't be able to stand it. You can't blame me for feeling horny.”

“Self control, please?” Cornelia huffed, but she was smiling. “My parents could be listening in for all you know.”

“Your dad is helping himself to some scotch and your mom is watching Law and Order,” Irma pointed out, rolling her eyes. “I think we're safe.”

“My mother's so nosy, she'll be checking up on us any minute now,” Cornelia continued, taking a sip of cocoa. “Anyway, I love you too. Not that you need reminding.”

“Hey, you're hard to read sometimes,” Irma defended. “And anxiety can be a real bitch. I'm one of those needy types who craves constant validation, you know how it is.”

Cornelia pulled a face.

“Constant validation? I'm not qualified enough. You'll have to demand it from me or I'll never remember to say anything at all.”

“The hell kind of girlfriend are you?” Irma uncrossed her legs and stuck her foot out from beneath the blanket to lightly nudge Cornelia's knee. “Be nice to me, my self-esteem is shit.”

“Though why, I can't imagine,” Cornelia said softly, shaking her head. “I mean, you're beautiful, you're intelligent, you have a wonderful sense of humour, aside from being annoying and inappropriate at times... there's just so many things to like. I can't understand why you'd devalue yourself.”

Irma rested her chin in her hand dreamily. “Well, hot damn. This is why I need you complimenting me all the time, you're a fucking natural at it.”

Cornelia blushed. “It's hardly my fault you're so easy to compliment, is it?”

“Even when you're sassing me it's complimentary,” Irma exclaimed in disbelief, snorting.

She scooted her chair closer to Cornelia's, almost spilling her cocoa in the process, if not for the advantage of Cornelia's telekinesis on their side keeping it in check. She threw the blanket over the both of them and rested her head against Cornelia's shoulder.

“I will tell them,” Cornelia said gently, as they stared up at the sky of stars. “It's not that I'm ashamed of you, Irma. It's just... harder than I thought it would be, now I'm face to face with them.”

“For the last time, Corny, you don't gotta justify yourself,” Irma scolded, pulling her in closer. “What kind of girlfriend would I be if I got worked up over something like this? You said it yourself, this is about you, not just our relationship. So stop beating yourself up every two seconds just because you're not sticking to the plan, it's the first damn day!”

Cornelia huffed out a laugh and pressed a quick kiss to the top of Irma's head.

“I love you, dork.”

“I love you, blondie.”

As they huddled under the blanket, basking in the crispness of the cold night air, Elizabeth peered at them through the window. She opened her mouth to speak, but something compelled her to stay silent. Instead she watched, with uncomfortable curiosity, as Irma and Cornelia's hands clasped together.

Wordlessly, she left them to it.