#fancy bunk beds for girls

[alexdaisykidsfurniture]

From Toddler to Teen: Designing a Room That Grows with Your Child

Designing a child’s room can be a delightful yet challenging task. As parents, we want to create a space that’s not only functional but also adaptable as our little ones grow from toddlers into teenagers. One versatile solution that stands out is the use of bunk beds. This guide will explore how to create a room that evolves with your child, with a particular focus on primary features like bunk beds, including options like bunk beds for girls and fancy bunk beds for girls.

The Versatility of Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are a fantastic investment for a child's room. They maximize space, providing extra room for play and study, and can be easily adjusted to suit the changing needs of a growing child. Starting with a toddler, a lower bunk can serve as a cozy and safe sleeping area, while the upper bunk can be used for storage or an extra sleeping space for an older sibling or a friend during sleepovers.

Transitioning Through the Years

As your child grows, the bunk beds can be adapted to their evolving needs. For instance, as your toddler becomes a school-aged child, the upper bunk can be converted into a study area with the addition of a desk, creating an excellent homework nook. Alternatively, you can transform it into a play area by adding some cushions and a canopy, making it a magical retreat for your child’s imagination.

Bunk Beds for Girls

When designing a room specifically for girls, there are many creative options to consider. Bunk beds for girls often feature charming designs and colors that can make the room feel special. Think about incorporating themes or favorite characters into the room’s design. A bunk bed for girls can also include additional elements like built-in bookshelves, fairy lights, or colorful curtains, making the space uniquely theirs.

Fancy Bunk Beds for Girls

For a touch of elegance, consider fancy bunk beds for girls. These beds often come with intricate designs, such as princess castles or Victorian-style frames, which can make the room feel like a fairy tale come to life. These fancy bunk beds for girls can also include practical features like storage drawers and trundle beds, which are perfect for sleepovers and keeping the room tidy.

Designing for the Teen Years

As your child transitions into their teenage years, their room will need to reflect their more mature tastes and requirements. The bunk bed can still play a pivotal role in this stage. The lower bunk can be converted into a sofa, creating a relaxing area for hanging out with friends, while the upper bunk remains a cozy sleeping area. Additionally, incorporating more sophisticated decor and color schemes will help the room grow with your teen's evolving style.

Conclusion

In conclusion, designing a room that grows with your child from toddler to teen is all about adaptability and smart choices. Bunk beds provide a perfect solution, offering versatility and practicality throughout the years. Whether you choose standard bunk beds, bunk beds for girls, or fancy bunk beds for girls, these adaptable pieces of furniture can transform a simple room into a dynamic, multifunctional space. By focusing on designs that can evolve with your child’s needs, you can create a room that is both functional and stylish for many years to come.

This Blog Is Originally Published At: https://alexdaisyy.blogspot.com/2024/06/from-toddler-to-teen-designing-room.html

[lillsisamarshmallow]

House Guests (14)

Summary: Y/n struggles to find a place to stay until a close friend offers to let her stay with her, and her two other hybrids. Y/n talks to her friend about how she’s been feeling and is left with more questions than answers. Having a place to stay is great, just one thing, there's only 1 bed...

Word count: 4.8k

Warnings: Eviction, Let me know if I missed any!

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“Evicted?”

“I don’t know what we’re going to do.” I explained to Seoyeon as I walked around to serve the customers. “I mean, there’s absolutely no way I will find someplace in just 2 days.”

Seoyeon stayed silent as I asked the older couple in front of me for their order, nodding as they spoke, I scribbled it down and gave them a polite smile before walking away to get another order.

“I mean, you're planning to move out anyway, right? I wish I could help but I don’t have enough room for all of you.” Seoyeon said, trailing behind me. “If it were just you then we could have bunked, but I don’t fancy 8 other people in my bed.”

I turned to face her just in time to see her grimace at the thought. I cracked a smile and laughed at her antics as I scribbled down another order before opening up the kitchen doors and pinning up the orders for the others to see.

“Yes, but I thought we would have a week or so to find some place. Not 3 days!” I exclaimed frustratedly, before quickly apologising. “Thanks, I’m sure I’ll figure something out, hopefully.”

As I walked back out from the kitchen the next person to walk in the front door was Jisoo, she looked around for a bit before spotting us next to the counter, her face brightened up as she made her way over to us. I smiled at seeing a good friend of mine.

“Hey!”

Me and Seoyeon, both gave her a quick hug before we started catching up while standing out of the way of the others.

“What? You’re getting evicted?” She asked, the shock clear on her face as her eyes widened and she looked at me questioningly. I grumbled and sighed before confirming the news and muttering about how we only had 2 days to find somewhere to stay.

“That’s terrible Y/n.” She sympathised and placed a hand on my left shoulder, pausing as the room seemed to fall quiet for a second. “You all could come stay with me until you find somewhere, if you’d like?” 

My eyes widened as I looked her in the eyes with surprise on my face. My saviour.

“Really? Are you sure that's okay? There are 8 of us…” I said still holding on to hope but understanding that she may not have realised just what she had suggested.

“Yeah, it might be a bit squishy though, but I'm sure you’ll all be fine.” She said with a large smile on her face, her eyes creasing because of it.

“Aww thank you so much!” I reached forwards and pulled her into a hug, she had just saved me the stress of not being able to find some place in such a short time and I was so grateful that she would do something like this. “Oh, will the girls mind us staying over? I don't want to bother them.”

“I’m sure they won't mind.” She said, still giggling as I pulled away.

“So, it’s settled then? Y/n and the boys can stay with you until Y/n is able to find somewhere more permanent.” I turned to face Seoyeon before nodding in her direction. I finished talking to the girls and went back to behind the counter to make Jisoo’s drink. I was practically bouncing with excitement as I went through the rest of the day, waiting until I could get everyone together to tell the boys of the news.

The next morning after telling the boys last night about our temporary accommodation and packing most of our stuff into a bag or 2 each, we had packed the bags into the car and all squished in, the ride to work felt long as I could hear the boys grumbling and arguing in the back about space and how much the other was taking up. Thankfully after arriving at work the day seemed to fly by quickly and it didn't take long before we were all squished back up in the car again and on our way to Jisoo’s.

“Next time remind me to transform so we don't have to be so close.” I heard someone grumbling, this caused me and Namjoon, who was sitting in the passenger seat, to laugh, we were the only ones who didn't have to share space due to the bags that also filled the car. At some point someone had started a game of guess who, but they would describe somebody and everyone else had to guess it, safe to say that me and Jimin were both terrible at this game, though I blamed Jungkook for his terrible impression of Ariana Grande by pulling his bunny ears up to look like a ponytail, I don't think anyone got that one right. We had to stop the game as it had just turned into the others discussing and teasing me and Jimin’s height, comparing us to baby chicks was the drawing line.

As we drove along on the way to Jisoo’s house I looked out towards the countryside, beautiful rolling hills and crop fields surrounded by forests. Jisoo didn't live too far out of town, but far enough, she said it was because she enjoyed the ‘quiet life’. 

I wanted to hopefully find some place like this, out of town and quiet, just me and my boys.

I turned down her driveway and the house came into view, it wasn't an overly large house, but it had a large yard surrounding it. It was an older house that she had done up before moving in. I pulled up to the side, making sure to leave space for the driveway before getting out of the car, stretching lightly before heading to open up the back, the bags and hybrids almost tumbled me over in their haste to leave the confined space making me huff before giggling, everyone came and grabbed their own bag and Jin closed the door.

We all walked in a line towards the door, stepping on the cute stepping stones that were surrounded by smaller white stones, Jisoo had many flowers surrounding her front yard, surprisingly her house wasn't overly big compared to the area she lived in, she didn't have very close neighbours and her driveway was quite long and away from the main road that led us here. I could sense Jimin tense behind me as we got closer to the house, but I just figured he was nervous.

Stepping off the cute stones and onto the wooden porch I walked up to the big white front door and raised my hand up. I knocked on the door 3 times before putting my hand down. I turned to see the boys behind me and I gave them an encouraging smile as I knew they were a bit nervous, I saw Yoongi and Jimin standing next to each other and sharing looks, Yoongi’s ears were perked up and his tail was swaying back and forth rapidly and flicking out, they both seemed to be on edge about something, but before I could ask I heard someone fumbling around on the other side of the door followed by footsteps, two pairs of them.

I turned back to face to door just as it began opening but before I could even say hello to Jisoo two blurs passed in front of her before attaching themselves to me, I giggled at their antics as I looked down to see two pairs of cat ears, a dark grey pair with shorter fur and a white pair with long fluffy fur.

“Y/n!”

“Hey girls.” I said as I felt their tails wrap around my legs like they usually would when they hugged someone. I would have hugged them back, but my hands were full with my bag of my stuff.

“Come on you two, at least let them inside first.” Jisoo laughed as she opened the door further and stepped out, I looked up and smiled at her as she had to practically pry the two hybrids off of me before bribing them so they would go inside. “They haven't shut up about you since I told them you’d be coming to stay for a few days.” She said as she reached to grab a bag from me before turning and making her way into the house.

I followed behind her with the boys hot on my trail, we walked past two hallways before making it into her living area, across from that was a large window almost the length of the wall which looked out into her back yard, her house was beautiful. She continued to take us on a small tour of the house as we made our way up the stairs to the second level.

“Thanks for letting us stay for a while, I'll keep looking for somewhere more permanent while we’re here.” I said to her as we made it to the top level of her home and took a right, walking past another large window.

Jisoo hummed at what I had said as we kept walking, the boys seemed to be sticking oddly close to me and glancing around a lot. What's going on? Finally, Jisoo opened a door into a room, it was a decently sized room with a large single bed to the left wall. It had basic things in it, a small desk opposite the bed complete with a comfy looking office chair, at the end of the bed was a large chair and small coffee table. I smiled at how Jisoo had even gone to the effort of setting up the room, assuming this one was mine since there was only one bed I walked over and placed my bag onto the bed.

“Okay, well I’ll go get some extra blankets and pillows for the rest of you.” She smiled as she headed towards the door. “There's a wardrobe where you guys can put your bags over there.” She pointed to the small sliding door that I hadn't noticed before.

“Wait, what about the other rooms?” I asked her confused as to why she’d have to bring extra pillows and blankets into this room as there was more than enough for just me on the bed already.

“Huh? There are no other rooms. I’m going to get more pillows and blankets for you all to make it more comfortable here. Do you not need any? I thought-”

“What?” I barely managed to stumble out practically speechless. She expects us all to sleep in here. There is no way we will all fit on that bed. I thought before saying it.

“Well, they’re hybrids, right?” She said as if she didn't see a problem.

“Clearly.” I looked at her like she was crazy as I spoke and thrusted my hands out towards the group of hybrids with varying animal parts, long tails, and large ears on top of their heads.

“So, they can transform.” She said it as though it was clear as day which made me think about how it was a pretty simple solution and I felt a bit silly for not thinking of it, but I had only ever seen Hobi and Yoongi in their animal forms. I wonder what the others look like? Suddenly I was excited to see what they would all look like in their animal forms and was fully on board with the idea. “Problem solved.”

“Hmm? Oh, yes!” I snapped out of my thoughts, I looked over to the boys to see how they felt about that idea and they all seemed to be okay with it, so Jisoo went to get the other blankets she was talking about and we all began to move around the room. I opened up the wardrobe and moved to walk inside, placing my bag onto the bench on the left side.

Soon enough we had moved everything around and Jisoo had returned with the blankets which she set down on the chair near the door before we all headed down to the living room. Most of the boys were walking around looking around the house, almost like they were scouting. I made my way to sit on the couch with Jisoo, but not long after sitting down we were ambushed by her two cat hybrids who had come out from hiding. We both laughed at their playfulness as they sat with us basically sprawling all over us and the couch.

“And how've you been, Jennie?” I asked the hybrid with the white cat ears who had her head resting in my lap and looking up at me with a big smile on her face. She went on about how she had been doing and how much she had missed seeing me, back when me and Jisoo used to live closer to each other I would visit them often after work and would stay some nights but after Jisoo moved out here and I moved into my apartment we didn't see each other as often.

“When’d you get hybrids?” Lisa purred as she sat half on Jisoo and half on Jennie, her dark grey ears peaked in interest, I told them that it was a few weeks ago when they moved in with me and how I had met them at the cafe but I didn't say how or why they had moved in with me. Both girls seemed to go quiet as something caught their gaze, I tilted my head backwards to see what it was, only to be met with an upwards view of Jungkook who seemed to look serious before balancing done at me and smiling, his long bunny ears flopping down along with his hair, I smiled back at him before he decided to look up again before making his way around the couch and squeezing his way between me and the side of the couch.

I giggled as I moved over slightly to give him more room but we were still close to each other, this caused Jennie to sit up straighter, she moved so that she was sitting on her knees next to me, she slouched slightly and laid her head on my shoulder, I looked back up at Jisoo as we began talking again, bringing up how we were thinking of opening a new cafe location. We kept talking for what felt like ages as the hybrids just sat with us, Jennie and Jungkook were hanging off of me which wasn't particularly normal, but I decided to let it go.

I could feel something on my thigh and guessed it was just Jennie's tail, she and Lisa had a habit of doing that. I kept talking with Jisoo as it was getting into the late evening and the conversation had now turned to the guy she was talking to recently.

“He took you there! Seriously?” I gasped as I moved my hand to cover my mouth. I felt something move on my lap, I probably spooked Jennie from my loud noise.

“Yep.” She said a matter of factly. “We have plans to head up to the mountains after christmas too.” She confessed with a large smile on her face and got giddy at the thought. I laughed at her actions as she went red in the face, the movement on my lap not stopping, I could feel Jennie’s tail lifting up and flicking around.

“Aww, that's so cute.” I cooed at her, as she gushed about her love life, I was listening to her intently, absorbed with how great this guy she was seeing sounded. Jennie would not stop moving the whole time. What’s going on with her? I glanced away from Jisoo and down to my thighs where she couldn't seem to stop moving her tail.

As my eyes landed on my thigh there was nothing out of the ordinary. I looked at Jennie with a questioning look, to which she just smiled like nothing was going on, I turned to Jungkook, and he acted just as clueless. What's with these two?

I brought my eyes back over to Jisoo as she too seemed puzzled as she looked from Jennie to Jungkook and then to my lap, she seemed to realise something that I had clearly missed, but before I could ask, she called Jennie over to sit with her, patting the spot besides her. Jennie seemed to hesitate before cautiously making her way over to the other girl.

“I know.” Jisoo continued the conversation like it had never stopped. “Are you seeing anyone Y/n?”

I felt Jungkook go still behind me as she asked the question, I sighed before answering her. “Nope, I'm not seeing anyone right now. You make me feel so single.” I whined only being half serious. “Honestly, a few months back I was hoping to find someone, but I haven't really thought about it recently. I guess life just got a bit hectic, maybe someday.” I laughed at the end before trailing off, Jisoo seemed to understand where I was coming from. I remember back in school she was always so terrible with guys, it was nice to see that she had found someone that she really liked.

It was later in the evening now, I had just walked out of the room after showering and decided to go exploring the house and maybe spend some time with Jisoo without the hybrids listening in on our conversations. I made my way down another hallway, there was minimal decoration in the hallways, the occasional cabinet with a decorative item on top. I kept traversing the house until I made it to another room, peering in, I could immediately tell it was Jisoo’s, the way it was decorated, and the colours used just screamed Jisoo. I tapped slightly on the door frame before poking my head in and slipping in and closing the door behind me. 

Jisoo turned to face me from her position on the bed and smiled as she looked at me, she swung her legs around so that she was now facing the middle of her bed and she indicated for me to sit down with her, I made my way over and crawled onto the bed before crossing my legs over each other to face her.

“What’s up?” She asked nicely.

“Hmm, nothing much really. The boys are taking turns showering so I thought I'd come here for a bit.” I confessed that I truly had no real reason to be here. Jisoo smiled again before flopping back onto her bed, I giggled before doing the same, her bed was soft and full of different blankets, we laid next to each other on her bed, when I turned to look at her she did the same. “Thank you for letting us stay here, really.”

“Of course, Y/n. Anything for you, we’re friends, right?” She laughed as she looked at me. I hummed agreeing with her but what she said reminded me of Jiyoon, someone who I thought was my friend. I tried to shake the thought from my mind and Jisoo seemed to pick up on it as she immediately changed the subject.

“So…You're into them, aren't you?” She said abruptly, making me choke on my own saliva at what she was suggesting.

“What? No, of course not…”

“Mhmm.” She hummed.

“No, I’m serious!” I laughed out before grabbing a pillow and hitting her with it, which caused her to laugh out loud. “I mean, they're all really nice and-” Despite how her question had made me feel, the overall atmosphere of the room was nice, comfortable, relaxing, I felt at ease, Jisoo’s aura was like no other in the way that she was always relaxed and calm and it reflected on to everyone around her, but she could also control the room and shut everybody up if she wanted to.

“Attractive?”

I threw the pillow at her this time as she interrupted me, my mouth hung open at what she had said before I yelled her name in frustration.

“No, they're all really nice and kind, they're great, but I just…” I paused. “I don't want them to feel like they have to, you know? Because I helped them? And I don't want to get between whatever they have and ruin anything.” I bit my lip as I spoke about how I was feeling. It was true, I didn't know much about hybrids, but I knew that pack bonds were like no other, something shared between people, and I didn’t want to disrupt that. “Besides, I'm not a hybrid so it would probably be weird for them anyways.”

Jisoo didn't say anything as she just stared into my eyes before a smirk formed on her face causing me to become confused. “So, you do find them attractive?” She said,

“What? Well… I don't know…” I stuttered, not exactly knowing how to answer her question truthfully. “I guess?”

“So, that's a yes.” She stated like it was a fact rather than a question. I stayed quiet at her statement because I'd be lying if I said she was wrong, I did find them attractive, and they kept catching me checking them out, but was that weird? They have their own pack and-

Jisoo broke me from my thoughts, and she snapped her fingers in front of me before giving me a knowing smirk, she knew I was thinking about them. My face heated up as I realised she was right, I most definitely did find them attractive and she knew it, I tried to hide it with one of her many blankets that she had on her bed, I groaned out in embarrassment as I heard Jisoo start laughing.

“It’s not funny.” The mumble travelled through the blankets as I kept my face covered, I felt Jisoo place her hand on my shoulder, I sighed before slowly bringing my face out from the blanket and looking at her defeatedly, I was met with a bright smile as her eyes creased.

“It’s fine, Y/n.” She assured me as she propped herself onto her elbows. “Who knows, maybe they like you too.” She grinned at me.

I couldn't take it anymore, I swung myself up from the bed, almost falling off in the process, after gaining my balance I made for the door, whipping it open, desperate to get out of the room and Jisoo’s presence, as I walked out the door trying to cover my face from embarrassment I walked straight into someone.

“Sorry.” I mumbled to the brunette cat hybrid before I speed walked away and down the hall, I could hear Jisoo giggles taunting me. As I made my way back towards the room, I started thinking about what Jisoo said.

Do I like them? No, it's just because I spend so much time with them. Right? Do they…like me? My thoughts were interrupted as I opened the door into the room only to see 7 pairs of eyes look at me, the same eyes I was used to feeling bore into my skin, but not in the same bodies I was used to seeing. All my thoughts left my mind as I looked at all the animals in the room.

I couldn't contain the smile that pulled on my lips at the sight. Almost immediately a golden retriever dog made its way over to me, Jimin. I closed the door behind me and sunk down onto my knees in front of him. His long golden fur felt so soft as I reached out to pet him, he stood closer to me, placing his front paws on my thighs, I started petting him and scratching his ears as he looked at me with bright eyes, and a doggish smile.

I felt something hit my head and a weight on my hair, I reached up and cupped my hands around something small, bringing my hands in front of me and opening them I saw a small little sugar glider.

“Oh my goodness.”

I gasped at how cute the small animal was, his big brown eyes stared into mine as I gushed over him, cooing at his cuteness as he reached his little paws up to my face and held my nose for a second before my attention was stolen away as I saw a brown bunny hop his way over to me on my left. I felt Jin move out of my hands and make his way up to my shoulder as I reached out for the small bunny rabbit and scooped him into my arms, he put his little paws against my chest as he looked up at me.

“You guys are so cute.” I chuckled as I used one finger to pet Jungkook on his face, between his ears and over his little bunny cheeks.

My arms felt like jelly and my jaw slack as I was overwhelmed with just how cute the boys were in their animal forms, Jungkook was making a humming noise as I held him close to my chest with one hand, ruffling the fur near his neck, while my other hand was scratching Jimin gently on his head as he rested his head on my thighs. I looked up from the 2 boys in my lap to see a dark blob on the bed with 2 glowing eyes, I turn over to the desk to see that others, Hoseok’s vibrant orange fur stood out as he sat on the top of the desk as he looked down at me, looking below him, I spotted 2, much larger, animals.

Taehyung's silky jet-black fur made him almost unnoticeable in the dark shadow under the desk, I could see his tail flickering about and I could feel his eyes boring into me making a shiver run down my spine and my hair stand up. I had to drag my eyes away from his before they caught onto the last hybrid. Namjoon's wolf form was large, larger than any wolf I'd seen, his fur was long and a dark shade of grey with lighter greys mixed in on the ends. If I didn't know better, I’d say I could also see some scars where the fur wasn't as thick, his wolf eyes stared into mine, he stood where he was, almost like he was worried and waiting for me to make the first move.

I let go of the two smaller hybrids that were in my lap before sitting up slightly and crawling my way towards the larger hybrids. As I came face to face with the large wolf I sat back on my knees in front of him, so close I could feel his breaths fanning over me. I slowly reached up my right hand up to him, I watched as it sunk into his thick fur, he was so soft, I felt his body relax slightly as he gave me a weird wolfy grin before I pulled myself up towards him and wrapped my arms around his neck bringing him closer to me as I began to pet him and raised one hand up to scratch his ear.

He seemed to melt at that as he fully leaned into my touch causing me to giggle at him, he kept rubbing and nudging his wet nose into my neck and face, playing around. Taehyung made his way over to us from his position under the desk, forcefully pushing Namjoon’s head out of my hands and replacing it with his own, I moved my hands down to the side of his feline face, I gave him a cheeky smile to which he just snorted at me.

Taehyung's fur was smooth and soft, I rang my hands over his coat and down his back as I moved my legs to sit cross legged. I was filled with excitement and wonder, my previous thoughts forgotten, I'm sure the boys could tell as they all seemed just as happy as I was. Taehyung didn't get much attention because Namjoon was shoving him away with his wet nose and taking his place once again. I laughed out loud at how playful they were, hybrid or animal, they all acted the same.

Soon enough the others had also moved over and were fighting for attention. The night continued as we played around, the moonlight shining through the window and the warm glow from the lights accompanied by the carefree energy. It wasn't until later in the night when we finally got to bed, everyone laying out across the room, using the extra blankets and pillows to make things more comfortable, it was weird not having Hobi in the bed, I had gotten used to sleeping beside him, but with a cat on my chest, a dog at my feet and a rabbit that keeps almost suffocating me, I was glad that we didn't all share the single bed in the room. 

A/n: Another week another chapter! 1 day late, but that's fine. I really loved the idea of Y/n sharing a bed with the hybrids in animal form, it was just so cute in my head, I have a cat but he has no interest in sleeping in the bed 🥲 I realised while planning this chapter that the only hybrids you seen have are the boys, so I thought to give Jisoo some hybrids too! Also! If you ever have any questions about the series, even things like back stories for character or maybe some ideas that I've scrapped, feel free to send me an ask about it because I'd love to answer any questions. 😃 I hope you all have a lovely day or night and thankyou all for reading! 💜

[kiraman]

516.

Snippets of Vi's life in prison as she grows from a girl into a woman. / word count: 4,182 / blood, death, violence cw

i.

She looks up when the cell door rattles. Despite the deep dark bruise she can feel blooming on her left cheek, the crack in her jaw that makes her whole face ache like it's being split in half every time she inhales, she musters every drop of bitterness in her blood to say, with an impeccable tone of cheery hostility, "back for more? can't get enough of me?"

She has been a Stillwater Bay prisoner for five years and eight months when the nameless soldier standing guard that is now leaning heavily against her cell door says, “I knew you... when you were a kid. I knew your father... Vander?”

Vi stares up at the ceiling, watching the lightbulb overhead ripple red, hating the lazily-amused tinge to his voice.

"congrats. so did I." she dead-pans, and does not look at him, her eyes are hard and on the ceiling, her hand curled into a fist at her side on the bed, and she can smell the salt tang of her unwashed sheets,  her knuckles (thin-skinned, still healing) cracked and bleeding all over them. She's got blood on her mouth, too, a tooth missing, and the old scar on her upper lip is throbbing. She does not mind it; she sinks her teeth in it and bites, listens to the slow rhythm of the guard's breath, the low chuckle that escapes his throat at her sneer.

"he was a good man. a decent man. You could count on him to make things right. He saw reason." the guard won't take a hint, won't go away, and Vi snorts, does not ask what reason means to people like him whose whole life has been a smooth trail, does not even wanna know. Her eyes are on the ceiling and her hand is bleeding on the bed and she digs her nails into her torn palm, blood gushing from the wound and sinks them deeper, her teeth snagging her lower lip.

She hears the fizz and flicker of the fluorescent lamp overhead, feels the sweat that is trickling down her back and soaking the waistband of her trousers; she can smell the hot blood spouting between her nails, the ripe heat of the air that's drenching her cell, the reek of her bed.

“What happened to you?” the enforcer asks, holds onto the bars of her cell door. “I mean—fuck, you were a cute kid, a good kid. Vander was proud of you.” and she can't stand the shape of her father's name in his mouth, she wants to tear it from his tongue, does not wanna hear it, not from someone like him, another asshole criminal in a fancy suit, biting off more than he can chew, thinking that he somehow knows anything about them, just because he didn't kill her people, didn't shoot them dead, didn't drag Vander away into a cell like they had done to her; he still came for them like the mouth of a gun held to their head, still pushed them deeper into the cold dark mouth of their death, stripped them off their freedom, their choice, him and his asshole friends, every last one of them.

How fucking pathetic, to think that she will give a fuck about what he has to say about her, or Vander or what he thinks be knows about them.

Vi opens her eyes, watches the ripple of the fluorescent light overhead, like the shimmer of heat, like water. Her hand curls into a fist, blood leaking through her fingers, hot and thick in her palm. Her sheets are crimson next to her thigh, they stick to her gloves. Under the top bunk, someone has scratched be well in tiny handwriting. She blinks at it.

She says, finally, “you've no idea what you're talking about.”

ii.

Perhaps she should have tattooed a chemical hazard label right across her mouth: this woman is highly reactive, warning; contents under pressure, will explode right into your face if pushed the wrong way.

She's got one ear scarred from where she launched herself at some asshole cutting in line in the chow hall, and got his teeth in her face. He had gotten her fist in his throat and her nails in his left eye, and she had been sent to solitary confinement for a month.

She's got a bruise twice the size of her hand on her left thigh, another sprawling black and purple across her lower back.

She doesn't remember the last time she's eaten more than soupy, green slop and dry bread.

She doesn’t remember what it is like to feel the sun;  all that she knows is the soreness of touch and the pain of every breath, blood on her hands and broken bones. Her fists fly when someone touches her food, shoves her out of their way, sneers at her; she picks fights with every last one of them, every last little bitch they haul off whatever little hole Silco's got them working in and stuff them in her block; she's got thunder in her blood and she is angry, she is furious, years of being shoved into cold, dark places have left her dark and cold herself, her body scarred and bruised; every bone, every surface of flesh, aches.

Her senses are simultaneously numbed as well as in overdrive; she's got a warning in her mouth and her eyes are sharp like the blunt edge of her knuckles, a fist through a drywall.

They throw her in solitary at the drop of a hat, for the slightest reason; it's like she's got eyes stuck on her back 24/7 and she can't throw them off, they are a hand around her throat, choking the air out of her: she breathes the wrong way, does not show up at work, stares at a guard a little too long, a little too hard, and it's over; they steal her meals, stall her in the maintenance room until she's missed dinner, or outdoors time, and the dark, deep anger inside of her flares up and explodes; she's always one step away from flying off the handle, but takes the taunting anyway, takes the beatings and the sneers and the laughter, because she's got to, won't bend for them, won't fold herself into something smaller. She gives as much and as violent as she gets; she's on her way to the chow hall, once, when a guard forcefully steps in her way and sneers, blows his cigarette smoke in her face, patting her down, a sudden inspection, but she's done nothing, she's worked all day at their maintenance room, and she's hungry, she's fucking starving, and he is in her way, his hands on her waist, on her thigh; her fist flies before her mind registers what it's doing, and it's her knuckles, hard and bloodied, smashing through his teeth, a feral, crippling blow to his throat, and he is howling in pain, reeling back in shocked agony, blood gushing down his chin; "fuck you!"  Her entire body heaves as long, shrill, dark screams pour out of her throat, "fuck you, fuck you, fuck you!" and she now uses one hand to grab onto his shirt, her other hand curled into a hard fist that plunges into his face over and over again. She heaves forward once more and topples over him as they crash onto the floor with her on top of him, and her fist is a dark, black blur in his face. "fuck you!" her hand is numb and aching, scarlet with blood, "fuck you!" her eyes are blurry and heat consumes her. Her whole body is shaking, her other hand furiously clutching at his throat as she lands blow after blow into his face, and then, there are hands on her shoulders, grabbing at her, a foot in her side, kicking out viciously and she screams, like a wild, feral animal, she bucks against them, growling and shoving at them as they drag her down the halls and push her into some cold dark cell. Her cheek smacks the wet floor. She moans, feels the hard sharp edge of a boot in her side, and a dark rivulet, meaty and viscous, slips from her mouth. There are hands and boots all over her and her body is burning with the pain of them, her head is spinning and she cries out, a long, shrill, deafening wail of pure, hot rage, swimming on her elbows on the wet tiles, dragging herself to the corner. She hears the steel door be slammed shut with a clang.

She lays on the freezing floor curled up in a ball and screams, clutches at the tiles furtively, her throat raw and gutted, making clogged snorkeling noises.

She passes out.

It’s an image that she has replayed a thousand times in her mind — a glimpse into her safe haven, a recollection that invokes a cosmic sensation of solitude and mental quiet.  Though they seek to break her:  in mind, in body, and in spirit, when her mind is at its wit’s end, she thinks of her, of that moment just before dawn, Powder and herself sitting on that rooftop, watching the lights of the city blink like fireflies and laughing; her little sister's hand in hers; Vander, a warm, soft shadow at their backs, and she is well.

She can do anything.

Take care of Powder. Protect the family.

She gasps awake, her heartbeat shattered in her throat.

She sways on her feet and, groans, slapping her hand around in search of the bed. She can't find it, and she blinks furiously, eyes straining against the darkness that's swallowing her up. There's no bed in the cell, and she slumps against the wall, a pathetic, pained little whimper spilling from her lips.

She's no longer herself, she is anger trapped in tissue-paper skin, netted between bones like gunpowder— balanced on the precipice between death and the silent vastness of her guilt.

I can't. I can't... I couldn't. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry,

she answers him in her head, and passes out again.

This time, no one comes for her, the both of them dead and gone; even the ghosts that haunt her dreams abandon her, she's well and truly all alone.

iii.

She sits on the edge of her bed and peers at herself in the cracked mirror, her hands on her ear, needle piercing into the shell of it, splitting it open. Her cellmate stands at her back, looks down at her, says, "let me do it" and Vi shoves her hand away, says "I'll do it."

Blood trickles down her wrist and she can feel the sharp ache of the hole she is puncturing open. She can feel her cellmate's breath against the back of her neck, and when she feels her hands on her now, carefully sliding the earring through the fresh piercing, Vi does not flinch away. She pours alcohol over her ear and Vi hisses through her teeth and bangs her fist against the wall, and that earns her strange laughter from her, a flick in her cheek. "there. pretty." she says, and Vi snorts, meets her eyes in the mirror. "lets do your nose." she says and when she reaches for the needle, Vi lets her pry it from her hand.

iv.

Something about her feels wrong as she makes her way from her cell to the gym down at rec like she’s more storm than woman, a danger-zone high-risk disaster area, full of sharp bone slabs and a dark snarl on her lips, rough calloused hands swathed up in wraps soaked through with blood. Her lower lip is split but it’s healed over, congealed dark blood in the corner of it.

She takes her anger out to the walls and the punching bags; but she does not stop there; she takes it out to anyone bold enough to get on her bad side, give her a look she does not like, sound a little too condescending for her liking when answering a question she's asked or demanding that they return something they've taken or she believes they've taken from her; she takes it out on the assholes at chow hall that cut in line, to the prick that steals Zeri's smokes, and the guard that gets too handsy with Janna.

She doesn't mind the solitary anymore; if anything, she almost welcomes it. Whatever they throw at her, she takes and gives back twice as much.

The next time a guard gets all up in her face, she does not hesitate.

She swings at them with everything that she's got.

v.

The only time she finds herself actively pouring every last ounce of willpower she's got in her to behave and stay out of trouble is when she starts working on her tats. She doesn't wanna fuck this one up, doesn't wanna have to spend half a month in solitary, tattoos half finished, or worse, ruined in her hurry to get them done before they throw her equipment out.

She's been given a sketchbook and a pen at one of the art classes this Piltie (that Vi vehemently thinks fancies herself some sort of noble saviour) holds every week down at the rec, and although she does not actively participate, sometimes she'll sit and silently watch them work with a snarling smirk draped across her lips, chugging coffee (she's put too much milk in it and it's burnt but she chugs it all down anyway) and when Noble Lady who fancies herself a saviour of poor misguided souls looks her way, tries to catch her eye, Vi pretends she does not see it. She's been staying up at night in her bed, scribbling away in it until she passes out, pen in hand, sketchbook sprawled open next to her pillow. When she runs out of pages, she scowls and doesn't say anything, but she doesn't take her sketchbook down at the rec anymore. She shoves her hands into her pockets or chugs down black coffee, standing against the wall, pretending she's not there for the class.

Somehow, a brand new sketchbook shows up on her bed. She does not question it, won't look a horse in the mouth.

She's got so much art in her that she doodles on her hands until it spills up her wrists and on her kneecaps with their little goosebumps, ink splashing onto her neck and arms and even her back, the part of it that she can reach.

Something's snapping in her mind, synapses flashing, and for the first time in years, she feels alive, she's crackling with it, the fire, the want, the exhilaration.

She gets down to work: makes a tattoo machine from the motor of a portable record player she steals from rec. The barrel for the needle is made from a hollowed out pen. She scoops the plastic out and fills the tube with sooty, thick ink she's made out of burnt plastic, makes the outer case of the pen shorter by cutting it in half. A sharpened guitar string from Zeri's old guitar is what she uses as a needle, shoves it through the barrel and connects it to the motor.

She sets to work. For days, she sits in her little cell and plunges the needle through her skin, feels its sweet, sharp kiss as she moves it along her arms.

When Zeri silently comes to sit next to her on the floor and eyes her doodles in her sketchbook, Vi gives her a strange look. Zeri offers to do the parts of her back she cannot reach, and Vi tells her to fuck off.

Later, when their cell block's dark and quite and there's only an hour of light left before they're forced back into their cells to sleep, she slips into Zeri's cell and leans against the doorframe, watches her bury her nose deeper into her book, sprawled across her bed.

She says, "Sooo..." and strange, sly bashfulness pauses on her lips, frothing at the corners of her heart-shaped mouth, tugging gently at the seam of her lips. "You still wanna help, little one?"

She does.

vi.

She remembers this one time when she was 9. Powder had been sick, burning with a fever that had been refusing to abate for days, and she had helplessly sat on the floor by her bed and had sellotaped her entire hand for some unholy reason, probably because she had been going fucking stir crazy with worry and guilt that she could not make this right, she could not punch the hurt away and Pow had been whimpering in her sleep, calling for their mother and Vi, mother and Vi, and Vi could have never given her mother but she had sat there curled up close to her and whispered that she was there, she wasn't going anywhere, she was never going to leave her, it would be okay.

She had sat fuming in her helplessness, had sellotaped her hand from her elbow right down to her fingers, and then, she had just knelt there, at the side of Powder's bed, sobbing because she had been terrified that she would never get out of it, she couldn't move her hand, couldn't even lift her fingers enough to touch Powder, and she had sat there and sobbed into her little sister's sheets until Vander had come in to find her crying and had had to cut her out with scissors, and to this day she could still remember him patting her head, telling her that it was going to be okay. "Why'd you trap yourself?" he had laughed, ruffling her hair.

Vi hadn't given him an answer.

It comes back to her one morning as she stares at her ruined cell after a sudden inspection (she had been the only one in the whole cell block to be marked for it, then again, she had kind of been expecting it after beating those assholes up with the barbell and her fists down at the courtyard during mandatory exercise; she had come to know now it was common procedure after a malfeasance— huh, what a ridiculous fucking word to use to say that she's beaten some dick's face into a bloody pulp), her whole life scattered along the floor: her wraps, her pencils, the few clothes she's got, an empty can of beer that she has been using to spill the ink she makes out of burnt plastic cups she steals from the chow hall to draw.

She cries over her torn sketchbook with a laugh in her throat, alone in her cell.

vii.

Pink, they keep calling her.

Pink, they sneer it at her like it's her name.

Pink, and Kid, and 516, sometimes just "five one' six" or "five sixteen!" like she's some dusty file shelved away in their cabinet that they suddenly need to spread open and read through, nothing more than the color of her hair, a number, an age.

She's pretending to sweep the floor when it happens, a chore she's never willing to do. The constant flicker of the lightbulb overhead is pissing her off, and she lifts the broom and taps it hard, shaking it back and forth. The buzzing stops.

Someone howls into the silence, a bloodcurdling, dark shriek of terror.

The block is flooded with enforcers, and she stands in the hallway in numb confusion, and gasps when they drag a dead girl from a cell.

She can hear the wet, slick noises her body makes when they drag her out into the hallway, blood streaking the floor like a ribbon tied to her throat.

Someone tries to pump the life back into her heart, but she doesn't come back.

Vi watches the red ribbon of blood around her throat, blinking hard.

They ask for her name, and no one gives it to them, but they keep asking. The air ripples, filled with the metallic stench of death. A fly buzzes around her ear.

There's a rough, hard hand on her shoulder, and she's shoved back, spit splattering against her cheek, and she's shaken out of her daze. She growls out "I don't know." teeth snapping.

"two ninety." someone calls the girl on the floor. She's two ninety to them. "She's dead." She's two ninety to everyone. She doesn't know her name... She never asked.

"hey, grab her legs. Help me pick her up" one of the wardens says to the other.

"Hey! Hey! Five sixteen! clean up the mess!" They bark in her ear, and as she watches her broom swirl the last of the girl's blood on the floor, something inside of her snaps.

She's got a fucking name.

The next time she walks down that hallway, she stops to stare at the floor, the fading crimson stain that has soaked through the tiles, won't ever be completely scrubbed off as though some part of the world is refusing to forget her.

Her name had been Alys.

Vi's name's tattooed on her left cheek.

viii.

“you can be so nice when you want to.” her hands are on Vi's lap, they are sitting in her bed, in her cell, and Vi is painting her nails with delicate strokes of the brush. Her teeth have left bright marks on her lips from the searing tangibility of her concentration. Her patience astounds the other girl, she's never seen Vi hold still for more than ten seconds at a time, yet here she is, brush in hand, lips pinched; the detail is so miniscule and there are small red marks on her skin where Vi has pinched her for fidgeting. Vi's eyebrows have long since been furrowed into harsh lines, so drawn, she's cocooned herself with her thoughts. Her voice is absent when she responds, noticeably lacking in any interest.

"Hey! You gonna let me do this, Miss Chatty, or not?"  Vi taps her leg once. “Keep still.” Is all she says.

There’s a fleeting smile in her eyes. 

ix.

"hey" she smirks her way to where this massive dude is standing, broom in hand, sweeping the floor. He doesn't recognise her, that much she can immediately tell by the way his eyes (dark, cold eyes, eyes with teeth) sweep over her like she's something he needs to scrub clean too, and sudden, furious anger swells up like a flood in her throat. She swallows.

"I didn't know they locked up little kids."

Her cheek spasms.

"funny. They don't."

He just stares at her meaningfully, like she's some kind of a joke, and laughs. Sharklike, his missing teeth feel like they make the bark harsh.

"you gonna give me what I want, or we gonna have to add another missing tooth to your fucking collection?" Vi growls.

He blinks, his eyes empty and on her, like the barrel of a gun held to her teeth.

She's been his shadow, sleek, unassuming, watching him for days now; he's got answers and she will not walk away from him without them.

He pats his thigh, and Vi knows what he's got stashed away there, has watched him use it on another dude at mesh, unblinkingly chewing down her dry bread as her eyes trailed after his every little move like a hook, sinking into the prey.

"I know what you're in for. I know who you and your little friend work for. So." Easy way or hard way, goes unsaid, she cracks her fingers hard, violently rolls her left shoulder into a slow shrug. "Where's my fucking sister?"

"I've no idea what you're talking about." A shrug, more laughter. Rotten, yellow teeth.

"bet you fucking do."

"Don’t let ugly words touch those sweet lips baby, I’ll wipe your mouth clean."

Her fists clench, her mouth twitching spasmodically, "and I'll color you purple." she plunges forward, follows her anger like a fishing line. She cuts out safety and speeds towards the ocean of her fury.

When they drag her away from him, she's laughing, her hands are numb and aching, crimson with blood.

"I got all I wanted." She hisses in triumph, and they have to rip her off of him, but she doesn't struggle when they haul her off, clawing at her back, shove her back into her cell block. Her laughter spills like gasoline through the hallways, waking everyone up, even the air is thrumming with it, sharp and hot.

That night, before she sleeps, she adds the spiked knuckles she's stolen from him in the collection, under her bed.

"fifty-two..." she whispers, and tosses the t-shirt that she was wearing the day they had brought her here, back over the weapons, shielding them from view. They'll be fucking gone next time they toss her cell, but for now, no one's gonna get their hands on them.

Her head feels lighter when she lays her body down on her bed.

She stares at the tally marks on her wall until she falls asleep.

[llovedletters]

𝜗𝜚 sticky fingers .ᐟ

currently playing ❛ why do you let me stay here? ❜ in which: ❛ connor loves to take things that aren't his, and when one of your siblings things goes missing, they feel the need to bother you instead of him. ❜

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pairing: ❛ connor stoll x daughterofaphrodie!reader ❜ warnings: ❛ connor is very very bad for stealing (don't steal), use of y/n, cursing, i think thats it ❜ requested by ❛ @daystarpoet ❜

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"y/n have you seen my brush from mom? swear to the gods i had them in my room before i left but i can't find them anywhere." silena stood at the foot of your bed, pulling your eyes away from the book in your hand. "i don't mean to be that person but... connor was over earlier so i was just wondering if you knew anything about it."

"i'll go ask him silena just," you exhaled before dog-earing your book page, a bad habit on your part. "you know how he is."

"i know i know. just wish he took the less important stuff is all."

your feet drag you over to the hermes cabin, the door wide open and full of life.

you spot travis, but no connor.

"travis! have you seen connor? i think he took silena's stuff and i just don't want any more drama between --" your sentence is cut off with a laugh from travis.

"hi pretty girl, fancy seeing you here." connor's voice heard above all the noise.

you turn your head, allowing a soft smile to spread on your face. "what did i say about taking people's things?"

"but i didn't?"

"are you lying?"

his eyes flick to your left before meeting yours again. "why would i lie to you?"

"connor!"

"but i swear i didn't do it y/n/n!" he laughs a little before giving you 'the puppy dog eyes' and walking over to his bunk.

there laid your sister's brush and a few other of your siblings things, looking the same as the last time you saw them. a sigh escapes your lips, his hand making it's way to the crook of your neck.

"i just don't want them to hate you..." he's hums at your low tone, leaning down to hear better over the noise. "i don't want them to hate you because you take their stuff, i know you mean well."

"look, if it makes you feel better... i'll lay off your siblings. girlfriend tax."

"oh i don't care that you steal, i just hate that they come to me about it."

"and that's why i love you."

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A LETTER FROM LAY!

first connor imagine!! i lurv him!!

[storiesofsvu]

Learn to Share

Emily Prentiss x reader warnings: language, alcohol consumption, smut, dirty talk, some dom/sub dynamics, nothing too crazy this time lol. Covers the "only one bed" square for xmas bingo and the "forced proximity" for @resanoona 3k bingo! Also covers a prompt requested by anon.

It was honestly a miracle that the BAU had managed to not only wrap their last case, but get home, finalize paperwork and have nothing else come up before Christmas Eve. Everyone was beyond thankful for that since it was the night of the annual Christmas at Rossi’s party, nothing too fancy, or too huge, usually just the team and any respective partners that wanted to come maybe a few extra agents or assistants that helped them out majorly through the year. The evening was full of laughter, amazing food, fancy wines, expensive bourbons and an all around sense of family and quality relaxation time.

Once dinner was finished, dishes were left for the morning and the party would end up spreading its way through the house. There were often cigars being smoked out back, Dave wandering through the rooms showing off any new fancy things he’d collected over the year or telling stories of his wild days. As the night wore on and the candles began to burn low the crowd would begin to dwindle, people slipping off into the night after a quiet goodbye and Merry Christmas, knowing they had family to see early the next morning. Eventually it was only Dave, Spencer, Tara, you and Emily left in the living room, fresh glasses of wine poured, alcohol flowing through your veins, keeping you warm and relaxed, helping everyone let go a little bit more than normal. Dave always extended the offer from dinner to everyone able to stay overnight, considering just how much alcohol he had provided it was the smart choice. Spencer was tipsily rambling on about one theory or another, pulling laughter from the girls as Rossi drained his glass, letting out a small groan as he stood from the couch.

“It’s late. You kids know where the guest rooms are.”

There was a chorus of goodnights as he reminded everyone they were more than welcome to stay as long as they wanted and breakfast would be available in the morning before he disappeared down the hall. Spencer’s theory finally wrapped up a bit later and Tara finished her drink, moving to put her wine glass in the sink.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Emily protested with a laugh and Tara chuckled.

“There’s four of us and only three rooms, I just bunked with Reid all week, it’s not happening again tonight. Besides, you two had private suites, learn to share.” She teased.

Emily let out a mock offended scoff as Spencer tried to object and you laughed rolling your eyes at Tara as she flashed the group a smile and a wave along with good night. It didn’t take much longer before you were yawning, doing your best not to lean into Emily’s shoulder as you finished your drink.

“Guys…” you started, “never thought I’d be this person, but I think it’s bedtime for me.” You sat up stretching your body out with a soft groan, “see you in the morning.” You shot Emily a lingering look as you moved from the couch, your glass finding home on the kitchen island before you wandered down the hall.

You would forever and always be thankful for Rossi and his level of hospitality extending beyond anyone you’d ever experienced. There were unopened toothbrush packages and makeup wipes in the en suite you were able to help yourself to, along with some cozy clothes stashed in the guest room’s closet. You simply tugged down a comfy cotton t-shirt, pulling it over your bare body before plugging in your phone and letting out a happy sigh as you shifted under the covers.

You weren’t surprised at the small murmur of voices in the hallway before the light flicked off, the sound of the other guest room door clicking shut and the door to your guest room opened, Emily slipping through it with a grin on her face, the soft lamplight washing her in a golden glow.

“You coming for a sleepover?” You greeted with a grin and she laughed quietly.

“You heard Tara.” Her hands moved to her shirt, sliding down the buttons she undid them, “apparently it’s our turn to share.”

“If only they knew just how much sharing we had done this week.” You purred, sitting up as you shifted onto your knees and Emily chuckled.

“Are you gonna be quiet this time?” She raised a brow, beginning to crawl up the bed, “because I’ll only touch you if you’re quiet…. I don’t want you to risk waking anyone up again.”

“I’ll be good.” Your breath caught in your throat, “I promise…”

“Good.” One of her hands wrapped around the back of your head, pulling her to you, her lips brushing against yours when she spoke, “such a shame there’s only one bed.”

“It is a king… could build a wall of pillows?” You offered with a grin and Emily chuckled, her breath warm on your skin.

“I was thinking we could take advantage of it….”

“Hmm… I do like the sound of that better.” You barely had moment to let out a huff of a laugh before Emily’s lips were on you. Your hands fell to her bare waist, wrapping around her and pulling her body tight to you while her hand wove into your hair.

The kiss built up, starting slow, a familiar dance between all too familiar lips until Emily’s tongue slid across the seam of your lips, her teeth nipping into your lower lip and you groaned. She took the opportunity to sink her tongue into your mouth, exploring every inch of you she could while her free hand started to toy with the hem of the shirt you had on. Your hands drifted upward, swiftly un doing her bra and she tossed it to the floor before her hands tickled up your bare thighs, tugging at the hem of your shirt. The kiss broke long enough for her to pull the garment over your head and it joined the growing pile on the floor.

“So fucking gorgeous.” She cooed, nudging you backwards towards the pillows, “lie back for me baby.”

You did as she asked, getting comfortable on the bed as she stepped off it to rid herself of the rest of her clothing, smirking at the way your eyes lingered on her body as if you were trying to memorize every inch. A hand on the mattress she settled over you, lips meeting yours again, this kiss deeper than the last while her hand snuck between your legs. The tips of her fingers began to play with your pussy, trailing through them feather light, teasing you, leaving you whining for more.

“Quiet…” she warned, “can’t have us getting caught…”

“Sorry M’am.” You murmured in return as Emily kissed across your jaw, her lips trailing down your neck, teeth scratching at your skin ever so lightly until she bit deeply into your pulse point and your hand flew to your mouth to muffle the gasp escaping your lips.

“That’s my good girl.” Her lips curved into a grin against your skin as they trailed across your body, her tongue swiping across your collarbone before her lips wrapped around a nipple, sucking it into her mouth while her tongue flicked across it. Her finger tips continuing to tease you, the heel of her hand randomly pressing against your clit as your hips rocked upwards in need of more.

She sunk lower on your body, lips leaving little kisses and love bites on your hips and thighs until she was settled between your legs. Her hand ran up your cunt, smearing wetness across it while her fingers widened, spreading you open for her and you let out a breathy sigh. It was only a moment later her mouth was on you, kissing at your folds, tongue slipping as deep into as you could and you bit back a moan, your fingers clenching into the bedspread. Emily continued to eagerly lap at your pussy, groaning into it, the vibrations pulling quiet whimpers from you as she buried herself between your legs. You were doing your absolute best to keep quiet, knowing just how easy it would be to be overheard by any of the others. But when Emily’s hand snuck up to join her mouth, her lips shifted up wrapping around your clit and she sucked, hard and you weren’t expecting it.

“Oh fuck!” The moan left your lips before you even realized and even faster Emily’s hand and mouth left your cunt, instead, her teeth quickly and sharply bit into your thigh, “oww!” You hissed in a whisper and she raised an unimpressed brow in your direction when she looked up at you. “That hurt!”

“And you had one rule sweetheart.” She husked back, “shame I can’t spank you, that certainly would call attention to what we were up to. Guess you’ll have to get that punishment tomorrow night. Now…another outburst like that and I’m shoving your panties in that dirty little mouth of yours, understood?”

“Yes ma’am…” your breath caught in your throat, hitching when her mouth returned to your pussy, slowly licking through you before gently wrapping around your clit once more. You tugged your lip into your teeth, holding back any noises aside from quiet whimpers as Emily’s fingers sunk into your pussy. She let out a quiet groan at the feeling of you tightly wrapping around her, how wet you already were, juices slicking her fingers within seconds. She twisted and curled them within you until she found that sensitive spot and your hips jolted up off the bed, a soft gasp leaving your lips and she smirked against your body.

“Right there?” She murmured, pressing on the spot again and you nodded, eyes tightly scrunching shut, “you like it when I touch you here?”

“Oh god Em!” It was barely above a whisper, a shuddering breath following it as she continued to brush against the spot, chuckling softly before her mouth returned to your swollen nub.

Her lips wrapped around it, sucking it into her mouth while her tongue flicked patterns against it, harder and faster until you were trembling under her. Her fingers worked in tandem, feeling the way your cunt began to flutter around her, your clit pulsing in her mouth in the same rhythm. Fire was burning through you, your body shivering with each touch of Emily’s fingers or mouth, each pass of either bringing you more and more pleasure. You let out a muffled cry when the fire broke the surface, biting down so hard on your lip you swore you’d broken the skin. Emily’s lips slipped from your clit when you orgasm hit, watching the way your juices lightly dribbled out of you, leaking down her wrist as your body shook on the bed.

“That’s my good girl… so pretty…” She praised before her fingers slipped out of you and she delicately licked around your pussy, cleaning up the smeared juices before she crawled back over you, straddling your hips and she extended her slicked fingers to you. You eagerly accepted them into your mouth, lips wrapping around them as you sucked them clean. “Taste so good sweetheart, thought I should share.”

“Thank you.” You breathed out and she chuckled at the way you dropped back against the pillows.

“Oh I’m not done. I know you can handle another one.” She sat up on her knees, shifting lower on your body as she swatted at your hip, “roll over.”

You did as she asked and she grasped at your hips, pulling you up on your knees while your head remained buried the pillows. Her knee nudged at your leg, shoving yours further apart so she was able to settle between them, a hand running up your back, pressing you into the pillows and you let out a quiet groan. Her free hand trailed up the inside of your leg, fingers brushing through your still dripping pussy before her thumb sunk in as deep as it could and moaned softly into the pillows. Your hips began to rock back onto her hand, fucking yourself on her digits as you moved and she leant over you, pressing a kiss to the small of your back.

“That’s my good girl.” Her fingers pinched your clit before they swapped places with her thumb, sinking deep into your cunt. With each thrust of her hand her hips rocked forward, body meeting yours as your hips thrusted back, eager for more, for her fingers to find that spot within you again. “Just like that… you keep fucking yourself on my fingers alright sweetheart?”

“Need more…” you whined softly and she huffed a laugh out, fingers curling within you as she picked up the pace, her body rocking into yours with more force, fingers moving faster and going as deep as they could into your wetness.

“I guess you’ve been good enough for a bit of a reward.” She purred, her free hand moving from your hip to the bag you hadn’t even noticed her bring into the room.

Your head dropped onto your arms, chest beginning to heave as your cunt fluttered around her fingers, your body burned, ached to be stuffed with her cock, but you knew that wasn’t going to be able to happen tonight. Though, you couldn’t really complain about that, Emily was just as good with her hands and mouth and judging by the punishment comment earlier, you would get everything you desired in the very near future. Her hand crooked within you, finding your g-spot once again and the pillows muffled your cry as your fingers tightened into the bedspread. You barely heard the click of the small vibrator being turned on but you certainly felt it as Emily pressed it onto your clit.

“Fuck…” you muttered, your hips jolting back towards her as it began to rub at your body.

“Give me another one, I know you’ve got it in you.” She practically growled, her fingers flicking faster within you as she turned the vibe up a notch and you gasped. She could see the sheen of sweat glimmering on your skin as pleasure rocked through you, your thighs had began to shake, your hips faltering as you continued to try to fuck yourself on her hand.

She picked up the pace of her hand, making sure she was giving you everything she could, pressing the vibrator harder against your throbbing clit before she turned it up to the highest speed. It was quiet, but the room was full of dirty noises, your squelching pussy, juices leaking down your thighs and onto Emily’s wrist, the quiet cries and whimpers muffled into the pillows as you tried to not moan, the whir of the vibrator.

“You’re almost there, I can feel it baby, let go for me.” She cooed, fingers brushing right over the sensitive spot, pressing harder and lingering for a second longer than the last thrust and you couldn’t help it, your orgasm tore through you like a wildfire.

“Oh fuck Emily!” The cry was louder than you’d intended and you winced the best you could as your body dropped to the mattress, shaking and trembling with pleasure. Emily clicked the vibrator off, her fingers slowing down, gently fucking you through your orgasm, watching the way your body twitched as she did so before she finally pulled them from you, sucking them clean. “Sorry.” You whimpered, little shivers and soft cries leaving you as pleasure surged through your nerves.

Emily’s hand softly ran up and down your back, nails scratching into your hair ever so softly as you continued to come down from your peak, a whimper escaping your lips whenever her nails traced over a sensitive spot of your body. A quiet knock on the door made both of you jump, Emily beginning to scramble to get the both of you under the covers as Spencer’s soft voice floated through the air.

“Is someone crying?” He asked and you stifled a laugh as Emily struggled to come up with an answer quickly.

“I—uh, accidentally elbowed her in the face, we’re fine.”

“You sure?” He asked quietly and you let out a quiet shriek at the sound of the doorknob turning.

“Yup!” You called back quickly, “totally fine, just hit the cheek. Serves me right for being a blanket hog.”

“…okay…” He replied and the two of you held your breath until his footsteps faded down the hallway. You heard his bedroom door click shut and a fit of quiet giggles took over you as Emily scowled down at you, swatting at your ass.

“I told you to be quiet.”

“Well then I guess I’m getting extra spankings for Christmas.” Your eyes sparkled with excitement as you looked up at her and she playfully rolled her eyes.

“Damn right you fucking are.”

__________

@svulife-rl @ssa-sapphic @mickey-gomez @clarawatson @yesterdaysgone @hbkpop @cabotfan42 @momlifebehard @alexusonfire @melindawarnersgf @itisdoctortoyousir @emilyprentiss4life @andreasvu @softgamerking @httpjupiterbby @somethingimaginative17 @temilyrights @alexxavicry @leelizzzle @mysticfalls01 @anya-casablanca @daddy-heather-dunbar @evilregal2002 @aliensaurusrex @alcabots @7thavenger @rustyzebra @ilovemycrayons @mandy-asimp @thegrantwater @leftoverenvy @kades95 @loverllyhurtswithoutyou @disneyfan624 @bluetodie @borg-queer

[janewaykove]

Title: Hope

Characters: Red/fem!reader

Rating: M

Warning: Sex stuff.

It's been several months since you'd become an inmate at Lichfield prison. Your bunkmate was the one thing that made it almost worthwhile. Red wasn't very easy to get along with at first, but you took a fancy to her rather quickly. But lately, she had lost her flare. Not only had she had a falling out with her prison family, she also didn't have any funds coming in from the outside. Her kitchen was no longer hers and she had no way to pay for hair care. Her once wild colored and styled hair was now flat and showing its gray roots.

As you sat sideways in your bunk enjoying the silence and flipping through a magazine, Red sauntered in and got into her bed, propping herself up with pillows and sighing heavily as she cracked open her book. No one else was in the area and it was peaceful, all except for that sigh.

"Rough day?" you inquired.

"Isn't it always?" she answered, not looking up from her book.

"I find it helps to focus on certain things," you said.

"And by that, you mean me?" She knew how you felt about her. You had admitted your feelings for her just days ago. She was flattered but assured you that she didn't swing that way. "It's never gonna happen." She looked over her book and over the frames of her glasses to make eye contact with you when she said it.

"I could take your mind off things for a while. Just saying." Before you finished the sentence, she was back to her book.

****

Days before, you had told her your feelings. You spilled it all. Put it all onto the table. You told her you didn't want anything in return and you only wanted to please her and make her happy. You said you'd do anything for, and to, her. Day or night. That you didn't ever expect her to have feelings for you in that way. And you meant it. She told you you're a nice girl and she cares for you as she cares for the other members of her family there, but that was the extent of it.

Only hours after that discussion, Red found herself isolated from her family. She didn't know if they'd ever forgive her for what she'd done. It was an accident brought on by pride and a need to protect what was hers, but either way, she was on her own. She did feel lucky to have you in her life, though. It was nice to have a friend when everyone else turned their backs on her.

****

Red turned the page in her book and grimaced as she shifted a bit in the bed.

"You okay?" you asked.

"Just a cramp in my neck is all," she replied.

"You know I can massage your shoulders for you if you want." You had offered her back rubs and massages before but she declined, figuring you were hoping it would lead to more.

"No, thank you," she once again denied.

"Red, I'm not trying to seduce you." You tossed your magazine onto the bed. "I'll keep it completely professional."

She looked over at you and pursed her lips as if struggling hard to think it over. "You'll keep your hands on my shoulders, nowhere else, and you won't try anything funny? And no strings attached?"

"Deal!" You hopped up and walked over to her bed. She sat up slowly and you sat beside her as she turned away to give you access to her shoulders.

She turned back to face you before you started and double-checked, "No funny business?"

You gently turned her and promised you'd behave. You began rubbing her shoulders with very little pressure, not wanting to hurt her.

"You'll have to do better than that," she said. "You feel like a little bird hopping across my shoulders."

You laughed and applied more pressure. She responded by dropping her shoulders and head and exhaling loudly. You could feel the tension in her shoulders and up around her neck area. You kneaded your thumbs into the knots and she let out a loud moan. "Did I hurt you?" you asked, stopping the massage.

"No. No, don't stop," she insisted. "It feels good."

You continued the massage, pleased that she was enjoying it.

After a few minutes, you could feel the knots had loosened up considerably. You informed her of this.

"Still not loose enough for what you want me to do," she teased.

"I don't want you to do anything, you know. I wanna do things to you. There's a difference." You wished you hadn't said it, but she brought it up. You didn't want her to think you were trying anything.

"Out of curiosity," she started, "Why do you want to do things for me if you get nothing in return?"

You realized she was genuinely interested in an answer. "Because I like you."

"I know," she said. "But why, if you know I'll never like you back in that way? Why would you still want to make me happy but not yourself?"

"Because making you happy would make me happy. Knowing I was making you feel good, makes me feel good. And I can still hold onto hope that you'd come around some day." You laughed, making sure she knew you weren't completely serious.

She let out another moan as you increased the pressure a bit. "Aah, that feels so fucking good. You've got magic fingers"

Her accent when she said that made electric tingles shoot through your body. "Hey, I tried to tell you," you joked. "Just think of all you're missing out on. I do a mean breast massage."

You expected things to get awkward, having maybe crossed a line there, but quite the opposite. "Maybe, you could give me a small sample. Just out of curiosity. And only one breast, to start."

Her request shocked you, but you wasted no time granting it. You kept one hand working on her shoulder and the other you reached around, under her arm and seeked out her breast. You slid your hand onto her right breast and firmly, but gently, carassed it. You could hear her breath catch for a moment and she instinctively placed her hand on yours and squeezed to increase the pressure of your own hand. She leaned her head back towards yours. Her soft hair was touching your face and you calmly, and deeply, inhaled the scent. But you couldn't let yourself get too carried away. This could end at any moment.

"You were right," she said breathlessly. "I have been missing out. Use both hands."

At first you thought she meant to use both hands on her shoulders and you started to pull your hand from her chest, but she held onto your hand. Then you understood what she meant.

You reached your other hand around and cupped her other breast. You massaged them both, and she guided your hands. You never tried to put your hands up under her shirt. Everything was through the shirt and bra. It didn't matter. This was more than you had hoped for.

"Red?" you asked, feeling a bit brave. She grunted in response. "Can I kiss your neck?" Another grunt, followed by a broken sentence about not caring what you do.

You nuzzled your face in the side of her neck and kissed it. Her skin was soft. You wanted to do much more but you settled for this. She was giving you so much already.

A distant sound of people coming in made you both break away from this new happy place. You composed yourselves and tried to look normal sitting there. People walked by and took no notice.

"Thank you," she said as you were about to stand to make your way back to your own bed. Her voice was soft and sincere and you responded with a smile and a nod.

After you'd gone back your bed, she got up to make her way out to use the bathroom. Before rounding the corner, she looked back at you and said, "And don't give up that hope. You never know." She winked and was out of sight, leaving you to your imagination.

****

That night, when the lights were out and everyone was asleep, you woke up to the shadowy figure of Red leaning over you. Startled, you pulled back slightly and gasped. She put a finger on your lips and hushed you. Then she leaned closer and whispered in your ear, "Would you like to help me with something?" You nodded in agreement. "I just had a very erotic dream that's left me, shall we say, wanting a proper ending. If you're still willing to please me in any way?" She didn't have to ask twice.

She made her way back to her bed. She was wearing an oversized night shirt, socks and panties. You quietly followed her to her bed and waited for her to lay down. She put her knees up to allow you to remove her panties, but kept the night shirt on. She didn't wanna be too exposed.

Making certain, you whispered, "Are you sure about this?" She nodded, giving you the go-ahead.

You leaned down and positioned yourself between her legs, trying hard to take in the view, but failing because of the darkness. You began kissing and licking her inner thighs, alternating back and forth. You worried when you didn't hear her making any sounds. You pictured her just lying there wondering what she'd gotten herself into. Waiting for her to snap her legs shut and push you away. But the higher you went, the more you felt her body change. She felt tense, but also relaxed. Tense with anticipation but relaxed from finally giving in to desires.

When you reached the entrance that you'd so longed for, so hungered to taste, you paused.

"What's the matter?" she whispered, sounding impatient and possibly worried that you didn't find her as attractive as you'd thought.

"Just savoring the moment," you whispered back. You couldn't see it, but she smiled at your words.

You slowly began licking her already moist slit, thinking it must have been some dream. You wondered briefly if it was about you, but figured it had most likely been about her and a man. It didn't matter. You slipped your tongue into her. She tasted better than you could have thought she would. You could feel her tensing as you worked your tongue. She was trying hard not to make any noise. You wished you could be alone with her. Somewhere far away from this place. Somewhere that she could be as loud as she wanted. You yearned to make her moan, to make her scream with pleasure. But then this wouldn't be happening if you weren't both in here, so you didn't complain any further.

You focused your attention on her clit. It wasn't huge, but it wasn't small, either. It was just right. And as you sucked on it and flicked your tongue across it, she reached down and grabbed your hair pulling your face harder against her. You loved this. The way she was guiding you. The way she was showing you that she wanted more. And you gave it to her. You would always give her whatever she wants.

You slipped two fingers inside of her easily. Then a third with no resistance. She grinded against your hand and your face. It had been so long for her. She needed this and you could tell. You were more than happy to give it to her. Her breath was harder now, you could hear tiny whimpers as she did all she could not to be verbal. She pushed your head away. You sat up, wondering what was wrong and realized she was close to climaxing. She didn't wanna lose control and wake anyone when she did.

You lifted her shirt higher, pushing it up to her chest and wadding the material. She wasn't concerned with exposing herself too much now as she had been before. She realized what you were doing. She took the wadded material of the shirt and placed it in her mouth, her bare breasts now showing in the tiny bit of available light. She looked gorgeous. Now with a makeshift gag, she was ready to be finished.

You resumed your position and continued working her pussy with your fingers and devouring her clit with your mouth. It only took seconds more to bring her to orgasm. The shirt came in handy and muffled most of her sounds as she writhed beneath you, her muscles clenching around you. You eagerly licked and sucked every drop from her.

When you were done, you wanted to kiss her, but knew that would be too much. You were on your way to leave and go back to your bed when she grabbed your wrist and pulled you down close to her. "I know we've talked about how I won't do this in return," she whispered, "but perhaps I can get a hold of a cucumber and we can improvise from there."

The idea that she wanted to reciprocate in some way, to make you happy as well, that was what warmed your heart. You wouldn't make her do anything she didn't wanna do, but the fact that she was willing to try and to make you happy, that was the real treat. And maybe this was all because you were the only friend she had now and she wanted to keep you. But you refused to let yourself dwell on that thought.

You rubbed her arm as she let you go and told her you would enjoy her suggestion, but it wasn't necessary. "I'm quite happy with the arrangement as it is," you assured her. She was too exhausted to debate it.

With you both now drifting off to sleep in your own beds, you each couldn't help wonder what to tomorrow would bring. Another massage? Stolen cucumber? A kiss? Whatever it was, you couldn't wait to find out.

The end.

[lychgate]

Is your cat laying on American Girl Courtney’s bunk bed by chance?? If so, slay your cat is so fancy

he absolutely is, tragedy that the american girl store near me is closing down but that did mean their shit was all 20% off so i went ham and got all the furniture id been carnally staring down for like 4 years now

[edenityy]

( chapter thirteen ! )

"Hey, can I take the top bunk?"

On the ground of Noah's Ark Circus, there is a small tent, one of many, that houses the members desperate to give a performance. Inside that small tent are Leah, Ciel, and Doll, claiming their beds and settling on for the night.

A separate small bed was moved into the sparse tent, despite the tight fit of three people rather than the preferable two. Doll was gracious enough to let the fatigued Leah Barrett have it, who shivers in her clothes amidst the cold February air and reluctantly keeps her eyes open.

"Go ahead," Ciel looks up at Doll who's already climbing the ladder. "I think I prefer the bottom anyway."

Sparing a glance for his fiancé, Ciel watches as she sets up her bed. Leah's efforts don't exactly show in her work though, as her bed looks nothing like what Anna is capable of preparing.

Once settled on her bed, Doll leans down on her arm to glance at the pair. "S'been on my mind for a while. You two speak some pretty fancy upper-class English, don'tcha?"

"Pardon?" Ciel asks, hearing the rustles behind him of Leah changing her clothes. "R.. Really? It's probably because we've been working in a house since we were little.." he tries to explain.

Placing a nightgown over her head, the brunette removes the pieces of clothing from underneath to not expose herself, regardless of how tedious it is. Leah's attempts at tying it are also a bit futile, leaving the fabric to loosely fall off her shoulders with some movements.

"Blimey. Anyhoo, you just gimme a shout if there's somethin' you ain't 'ettin! There's a long life of circus ahead of you!" Doll smiles brightly before excitedly shuffling some items around. "Oh righ', wanna 'ave some sweets? Them's from the popular Funtom Company! What'd you like, caramel, milk, or strawberry flavored?" she asks, holding out an assortment of lollipops between her fingers.

A weary smile crosses the Phantomhive's face. "Well um, I'll take caramel.."

Doll smiles before her eyes drift to Leah, sitting with an expressionless face as she looks at the floor. "What about you, Diamond? Want one?" she smiles, watching the Barrett lift her head to look at her.

For a mere moment, Leah's eyes seem to sparkle, but they are quick to dim down when her eyes trail lower to her stomach and thighs. "I'm alright.."

"Are you su—?" Despite Doll's kind attempts at trying to include the girl, she's cut off when Leah lies down and turns to face the tent wall, ignoring any further words directed at her.

Brushing off the encounter, Ciel and Doll enjoy their treats until they sleep for the night, trying to combat the February cold.

"..ah.."

"..Le.."

"Leah.."

"Leah!"

Currently shaking awake his fiancé in the dead of night, a nearby candle sits beside Ciel on the floor as he tries to keep his whisper yelling to a minimum. What would normally be no surprise to a servant, the young Earl is learning for the first time that Leah is a hassle to wake up.

A firm hand keeps a grip on the girl's shoulder underneath the fabric of her nightgown, Ciel's fingers rubbing against the lace details and silk. Shaking with a bit more purpose, he glances back to make sure Doll is still fast asleep, noting how she almost snores.

Shifting in her spot on the bed, Leah's eyes blink slowly as she tries to adjust to the darkness, as well as the small light flickering a few feet away from her. She brings a thin hand to her face and gently rubs her eyes, finally awake with a not-so-welcome reaction for her fiancé.

Trailing her blue eyes up Ciel's form, she settles on his face, and amidst her moment of recollecting her thoughts, Leah moves back with a quiet gasp.

"What are you doing?" she whispers harshly, grasping at the blanket to cover her body.

Ciel removes his hand from her shoulder. "We must talk. How are we meant to get into those tents?"

"I don't know, now get away from my bed! I'm in my nightwear, this is beyond scandalous!" Leah knits her brows.

"You don't need to prove your virtue to me. Now is not the time for that," the Phantomhive complains.

Fighting back a scoff, Leah purses her lips. "This is not about my virtue. If anyone were to see—"

"No one is going to see!" Ciel cuts off.

"I am an unmarried lady in my nightwear with my fiancé far too close to my bed. The thought alone is terrible so unless you plan on marrying me in this very moment, get back to your side of the room!" her voice speeds up towards the end of her sentence, slight anger flowing through her words.

Taking a moment to stare in exasperation, Ciel grabs his candle and reluctantly moves back to his bed. "You are so stubborn!" he complains.

"You are just as stubborn. And you wake me up at an ungodly hour and choose to complain about my behavior?!" Leah hisses, feeling irritated after being awoken.

The betrothed teenagers silently stare at each other for a long few moments, taking in their features in the dimly lit tent. Clearing his throat, Ciel glances away when he notes the glimmer in Leah's eye or how the candlelight shines on her pale skin.

"Just.. go back to sleep. We'll talk about this tomorrow," he stammers, rearranging his blankets in preparation to lay down again.

Slowly lowering the sheets from her form, Leah shivers when a wave of cold air hits her cheek. "You couldn't have considered that before you woke me?"

"Sleep!" Ciel almost breaks his whisper before blowing out the candle, listening to Leah's shuffling as she gets beneath her blankets.

Letting silence fall upon them, the pair get as comfortable as they can in the atmosphere they are struggling to become accustomed to, falling asleep as they listen to Doll's snores.

— ౨ৎ —

"Get up, Diamond!"

Standing atop Leah's bed, Doll bounces and repeatedly hits the girl with a pillow. After about three minutes of effort, it finally pays off when an irritated huff leaves the one being bounced around.

"What is wrong with you?!" Leah barks, sitting up in her place on the bed.

Dropping the pillow beside her feet, Doll hops down. "You got work t' do!" she stares with furrowed brows.

Holding back a nasty remark, the young Barrett reluctantly swings her legs off the side of the bed and stands, forcing her body to wake up. Waddling over to a corner, she crouches and pieces together an outfit while pouting at the muted colors.

Working quickly, Leah manages to wrangle on her clothes as Doll works on getting Ciel up. Her dress is a simple shade of off-white, accompanied by some browns, a grey scarf, and a brown coat. 'I want to go home.'

"Whatcha talkin' about, Smile?! I said, get up!" Doll raises her voice in response to the Phantomhive's mumbling, acknowledging the sound of Leah shuffling around behind her.

Sitting up with a scream, Ciel scrambles to get his eyepatch on before Doll is capable of seeing anything. However, he is unlucky enough to not notice Leah who sees a quick flash of magenta move before her eyes with a tilt of her head.

"Newcomers 'ave t' get up early an' prepare breakfast!" placing a hand on her hip, Doll stares down at Ciel. "You ain't got the time t' snooze!"

Hardly taking a moment to question the strange color she saw, Leah chalks it up to being tired and reluctantly leaves the tent. Stepping out into the cold air, she immediately shivers when a gust of wind blows by her, pushing her hair to the side and making her capable of seeing clouds of breath.

Doll is quick to follow behind, standing beside the taller girl outside the tent and giving a small smile. Glancing down, Leah flashes a feigned one but maintains a soft look.

This moment is short lived sadly, as Doll groans in annoyance. "You're slow, Smile! We're gonna leave you behind!" she yells, waving her fist.

"I'm going now!" Ciel sweats and tries not to yell back, still half-dressed and getting himself together.

Trudging through the circus grounds, Ciel and Leah struggle to hold overflowing wooden buckets filled with vegetables. The sound of voices fills their ears as they tremble, the Barrett nearly dropping carrots in failed attempts to simultaneously combat the cold that tries to seep through her coat.

'All that sword training and it didn't make me any stronger? What happened to that strength I had when I sent that man to the ground..' she puffs out her cheeks in thought, keeping a steady pace beside her fiancé who glares at the ground.

"What is your outfit?"

Flicking their heads around, the two nobles are greeted by Sebastian who smirks at Ciel's choice of attire. The boy is wearing a buttoned shirt — not buttoned properly — an unbuttoned coat, pants that expose his calves, shoes just barely tied properly, and unkempt hair. Even Leah managed to make herself more presentable.

"It seems that you remain unaccustomed to changing clothes on your own," Sebastian feigns a chuckle.

Turning his head back around, Ciel releases a sound of discontent at his butler's words. "I was hurrying."

"Oh dear," quickening his pace, Sebastian grabs ahold of the strings to Ciel's eyepatch. He carefully undoes the knot and replaces it with his signature one. "You are going to have a difficult time untying a dead knot on your own."

All around them, people gawk at the scene, Leah included, as they watch Ciel's face flush at the interaction and many eyes that watch him. Watching on the side opposite Leah, Doll bursts out laughing.

"Smile, Black ain't your mum!" she shows her teeth, the crowd joining in on the laughter.

Ciel stomps his foot. "No! It's— a habit.. Well, no just sometimes.." he struggles to find an explanation.

Glancing beside him, he watches Sebastian carefully rearrange Leah's attire and fix her scarf much to his dismay. The Barrett — wanting some semblance of home — gladly takes the help.

"Sebastian! Don't treat us as your master while we're here!" Ciel keeps himself a few steps ahead of the demon, trying to keep his voice low. "Leave us be!"

Finishing up his work on Leah, Sebastian closes his eyes in a way to internally bow. "Understood. I shall at once," he whispers.

— ౨ৎ —

Off in a corner on the circus grounds, the betrothed teens sit on boxes and work hard to prepare the vegetables they were given for breakfast. They have spent the last fifteen minutes simply peeling the potatoes and carrots, albeit terribly, but the young Barrett has moved on to chopping the carrots the best she can.

"I hate this. Why must you drag me into everything," Leah complains, doing everything she can to not cut her smooth hands.

Shifting his attention to his fiancé, Ciel gives her a look of disbelief. "I did not drag you into anything! This is all Sebastian's fault," he grumbles.

"You know, when I always come along with you on your little adventures it is because I want to spend time with you but this is not what—" Leah is cut off by Doll waltzing over.

"Smile, what're ya plannin' on makin' from them potatoes with peels thicker than the meat?" she asks before glancing down at a small piece of potato in the blue-haired boy's hand. "Smile! Whaddya think you're doin'?! You peeled that many?!" Doll shouts.

Staring with wide eyes and clenched teeth, Ciel's face flushes in embarrassment once more. "I— I'm sorry!" he apologizes loudly.

Doll reaches down and plucks the piece of potato from Ciel's hand. "Cor blimey, what part of this can we eat..?" Her eyes trail over to the carrots Leah cut. "Well, at least those aren't as bad."

Placing a hand to his chin in thought, Sebastian trains his gaze to the floor until he has an idea.

"It cannot be helped. I shall deep fry them as they are into crisps and make them into fish and chips," he picks up the bucket of potatoes from Ciel's side and begins to walk off.

Leah and Ciel both watch as Doll's eyes light up in excitement, walking off with the butler. "Cor! I love those!"

"This cannot be worth it.." Leah complains, standing from her spot on the box to follow behind them.

— ౨ৎ —

It's not long before Sebastian is capable of fixing the aristocrat's mistakes, serving breakfast in the mess tent with a welcoming smile on his face. The tent is filled with lively chatter as the people eat or fight for food.

Entering the mess tent with quick steps is Doll, dragging Ciel and Leah behind her as she forces them to follow.

"Look, we're going!" Doll acts mildly concerned.

Ciel, struggling to keep up while being dragged, hardly notices that his fiancé manages to slip from the girl's grip. "Going where..?"

"If we don't hurry we'll miss the meat!" she takes the Phantomhive into the crowd of people and shoves her way through. "Hey! Outta my way!" Doll shouts.

Left behind, Leah watches as the people fight to get what food they want for the morning. She stares at the food for a moment — at least what she can see through the bodies — and feels a sharp pang of hunger hit her stomach. Swallowing air, the Barrett walks off to one of the tables and sits with shaking hands, nervously rubbing her fingers as she waits for Ciel to return to her side.

Thankfully for the noble, there isn't much waiting that needs to be done as just within a few minutes, Doll and Ciel both take a seat at the table. Glancing beside her, she notes how Ciel is in shambles, lightly shaking with disheveled clothes and hair that is somehow worse than before.

"What? Looks like you only got bread in the end," Doll stares down at Ciel's bare plate before noticing there is nothing in front of Leah. "Diamond! You didn't get anything at all?" her smile almost drops.

"Yeah.."

"I'm not hungry."

Doll quickly slaps the smile back on her face, brushing off the aristocrat's words. Swooping her fork down to her plate, she begins to load some of her pile onto Ciel's plate.

"Well, that's that. I'll share some of my grub with you! You're skin 'n bones so eat up!" Doll hardly pays any attention to Ciel's thanks and shoves a fork puncturing some potatoes towards Leah's mouth. "You too, Diamond!"

Pressing her lips into a thin line, Leah diverts her head to the right. "I'm not hungry.." she lies, trying not to cry at the food in front of her face.

Ciel lifts his head to observe his fiancé's face. He doesn't understand why exactly she acts so strange around food, but he feels a small itch of concern.

"There ain't no way you ain't hungry! I didn't see you eat anything yesterday, you gotta be—" Doll doesn't have the chance to finish her sentence before Leah manages to run out of the tent. She turns to Ciel. "What's her problem?"

Keeping a light run, the young Barrett leaves the mess tent behind her until she finds a secluded area of the circus grounds. Coming to a slow stop, she listens to people pass by her spot while she attempts to not cry — until she does.

Placing a shaky hand over her mouth, Leah allows a stream of tears to slowly fall from her eyes and does her best to keep her breathing in check. However, it's hard for the girl as she nearly hyperventilates. This crying doesn't get to last long though, frantically wiping her tears at the sound of someone's footsteps getting much too close for her liking.

Stepping around the corner is none other than Joker, looking down at the brunette in surprise. "Oi, lass. What're ya doin' back here?" he asks before noticing the wet gleam on her tinted cheeks. "Are ya alright?"

Running the back side of her fingers across her cheeks, Leah tries to hide the embarrassment she feels at being caught crying. "I'm alright.." she whispers with an undeniable voice crack.

"Are ya sure? You can talk to me," Joker tries to persuade the girl but only receives a noise of discontent in return.

"I don't want to talk about it.." the Barrett clenches her teeth and wipes the last of her tears, struggling to meet the man in the eye.

Looking down with soft eyes, Joker places his real hand on Leah's head and gently rubs. "Well if ya need any help, just come to me or Doll." he reminds. "Why don't ya take a moment and go practice? Get yer mind off things."

A cold gust of wind blows over the pair, causing the brunette to wrap her scarf around herself tighter. Disregarding her wishes of wanting to go home and be in the warmth, Leah speeds off with a nod towards the practice tent and reluctantly walks into the chatter of the other future performers.

Dragging her eyes across the faces of the people, she feels a wave of anxiety at the prospect of interacting with any other them. Whether it be her lacking social skills or not wanting to get close, Leah instead chooses a spot off to the side for herself, trying to think of what she could practice.

'Well I can't do contortions in this dress..' she puffs her cheeks out in thought until she notices one of the balls used to balance. 'That'll do.'

Leah spends most of her time practicing trying to get atop the ball until she is capable, roughly getting an idea of how she is meant to balance. There was a temptation to run over when she caught a glimpse of Doll and Ciel, but she had decided against it after her small outburst from hardly even an hour ago.

Shakily balancing on a ball, her peace gets interrupted by a familiar tuft of ginger.

"Diamond! Could ya take these towels to the shower area? Ya don't gotta step inside, just leave it near the entrance," Joker asks, training his gaze on the Barrett who is trying her best at the circus antics.

Releasing a breath through her nose, Leah gently drops from the ball and takes a look at the towels in Joker's arms. "I suppose.." she replies, allowing the taller male to hand her the towels.

Setting off with a nod, the teenager keeps a steady pace and is once again forced to combat the cold, her naturally cold hands make it feel worse. Leah is far from content but takes deep breaths to prevent herself from throwing a fit or breaking down in front of a crowd.

The girl is certain she is close to the shower area when she hears a louder group of chatter, preparing to divert her eyes but the voices take her attention.

"Wait.. Please stop that!"

"But you're gonna catcha cold like that! C'mon!"

"Stop th—"

The young Barrett, being nosy, purses her lips while she listens to the voices, recognizing the sound of Doll and Ciel. She forces herself to divert her eyes though, reminding herself that she is a lady in far too close of proximity to undressed men. Leaning down, she places the towels on a nearby box and her eyes trail off against her will, landing on the mark now visible on Ciel's exposed back.

Pausing at the sight, Leah's breath hitches as she stares in confusion. This feeling worsens when her fiancé runs directly past her, leaving Doll behind him who desperately chases after him for only a few moments. Leah shakes her head and drops the towels down, lightly jogging in the hopes of catching up with Ciel.

'What was that on his back..? I've never seen anything like that before.' she thinks, giving Doll and the shower area one last look as she walks off.

At first, Leah struggles to find the boy, only being able to use a general idea of where he could have run. It's not until she can hear voices in the distance that she's almost certain she's found him.

"Anyways, we just need to investigate the troupe's tents and we can go home," Ciel says, allowing Sebastian to begin unbuttoning his shirt.

"I thought that you were patiently aiming to be promoted through the troupe?" questions the butler.

Tilting her head, Leah follows the voices to a secluded area.

"I can't mention something that takes so long—"

Turning the corner, the betrothed teens come face to face. Initially, there is silence until the Barrett's eyes trail down, noticing that Ciel is lacking a shirt. With widened eyes, she begins to scream.

Slapping her hands over her eyes, Leah begins to back away from her fiancé who now stares at her with an incredulous look. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she repeats, running away from the scene.

'No one can know about my time here! I shall die before this becomes known to anyone else!' Leah fights back her thoughts with a shake of her head, swallowing loudly as she tries to calm her thoughts and lightly flushed face.

— ౨ৎ —

Later that night, Leah recovers from the oh-so-scandalous scene and is found in a tent, working alongside Ciel and Sebastian to ready the circus troupes for tonight's performance. Both of the teenagers are finally given a window to take a break, the brunette's eye nearly twitching from the constant requests she had been subjected to moments prior.

"Ah.." Ciel sits down on a stool beside her with w plop. "Excuse me.. What should we do while the show is going on—" sharply turning his head around the room, the boy realizes that only a few people remain in the tent.

Standing up at this revelation, Ciel takes ahold of Leah's wrist running towards Sebastian who stands near William at a clothing rack. "Sebastian! His mark missed! We don't know when the next chance will come. Let's get through investigating that tent now! Have it be over within ten minutes!" he orders.

"Please don't pull me up so fast.. Anemia, remember? I may faint," Leah tries to remind her fiancé who now tries to tug her without as much force, noting how her face somehow manages to appear more pale than usual.

Fighting the feeling of lightheadedness, the trio move quickly but they only manage to make it a couple of feet from the tent before they are caught.

"Black! Miss Wendy twist'd 'er ankle, so she can't appear in the performance 'nymore. So Black, please go out in 'er place." Joker approaches them from behind, carrying Wendy on his back with Peter by his side. The show'll be fine if you do it, Black, so I beg of ye. It'll be yer turn shortly, so please get ready soon!"

Sebastian looks down and releases a huff of air, listening to Ciel groan beside him. "'Tis a pity, Young Master. We'll have to wait for another chance." he waits for a response but is surprised to meet silence. "Young Master?"

"We don't need to sneak into that place for long. On top of that, now might be the only time when that person is not in there. Leah and I have time. The tough part is just the venomous snakes," Ciel walks over or a paper taped to a board showing the day's schedule. "According to the program, your debut will end at nineteen-fifty and the encore at twenty. You'll catch all of the snakes in five minutes from now, then appear in the show. Finish your debut at nineteen-fifty, and once you've gone into the back and released all of the snakes, you'll return for the encore. I'll investigate the rest. Let's go!"

Turning around with haste, Ciel runs for the tents with Leah in his shadow who occasionally stops to catch her breath. Now approaching the first-string member's tents, they come to a stop.

Placing an arm out in front of Leah, the Phantomhive stops her from moving any further. "Wait until we are finished. I don't want you to get hurt," he warns, knowing that his true intention is so his fiancé won't question Sebastian on his capabilities.

Giving an exasperated look, the young Barrett doesn't bother fighting, allowing the men to take a few minutes to handle the snakes before she follows in after them.

"All right. You go straight to the show tent. You'll be suspended if you're tardy," Ciel orders.

"Certainly, Sir," making his way to the entrance of the tent, Sebastian opens the flap and looks back. "I will be back at once."

Both of the teens fall upon a comfortable silence and move about the grounds, picking one of the first tents to graze their eyes. Entering, they notice a lack of decor but corsets hang up from the top of the tent, signifying Beast's quarters.

Walking in with quiet steps, Ciel walks towards a suitcase with a framed photo sitting atop it. "This tent looks quite austere." he picks up the photo. "Hm? A photo of children? Are they from the troupe?"

Leah glances down at the photo as well and recognizes some of the familiar faces. "I shall play lookout for you as you search!" she announces.

"You complain about never being told anything but deliberately put yourself in a position where you won't get to learn about our situation?" Ciel questions, turning to show a raised brow.

"Oh, hush! I don't care anymore, I just want to go home.. before any more of my dignity is taken from me," sighs Leah, walking out of the tent and crouching in a corner covered in shadows.

Most of Leah's time spent waiting in the shadows is bleak. The only comfort she receives is the sound of crickets or the trees rustling, saving her from the silence of her thoughts. It's not until she notices Beast approaching her tent that she starts to panic, realizing Ciel is about to be discovered.

Stepping out from the hiding spot, Leah sprints Beast's direction and tries to flag her down. "Excuse me! I need help!" she lies.

Beast turns her head with knitted brows and clenches the blanket covering her chest tighter. "What are you doing over here?"

"I um— got lost! I needed to find the show tent but I fear I just have no sense of direction!" Leah tries to explain, raising her voice to alarm Ciel so he can hide.

Giving a blank stare, Beast turns to point a finger in the tent's general direction. "Over that way," she says.

"Thank you so much!" stutters the Barrett as she runs past her and ducks past another corner once she knows Beast has entered her tent.

Leah continues her lookout once more, knowing it's nearly over when she catches a look at Sebastian leaving the tent to return for the encore. But that means that she now has to panic upon hearing the voices of the first-string members getting louder and runs for Ciel who leaves Beast's tent, ducking behind two boxes to get past the circus troupes.

The pair stay silent to not give their location, the brunette staring at Ciel who appears lost in thought. However, this silence is breached when Doll shines a lantern over their heads, staring down at their crouching figures with wide eyes and face devoid of any expression.

"Hey. What're you doin' there?"

[maxverstappensflatbrim]

Show Me Yours | Matty Healy [16]

chapter sixteen, act two: anobrain

masterlist

December 8th 2013

It was exactly as he said, he took her to see a band of his friends on the smaller stage in the afternoon, then they went to a fancy restaurant, had a fancy meal and he walked her back.

She invited him up, he said no, but promised to see her the next day.

She smiles watching him leave down the corridor, she doesn’t notice Matty leaning against his doorframe.

“No shag?”

She closes her eyes briefly with a sigh, before turning around to him, “No, Matty, no shag.” She says, turning and knocking on the door.

“Afraid he won’t beat the first time?”

She pauses, hand stilling above the door and she glances over at him. He seems to realise what he’d said at the same time as her and he stands a little straighter, “Sorry, I… I don’t know where that came from.”

“What are you doing?”

“What?”

She sighs, “What are you doing, Matty? Why are you here right now?”

He clears his throat and kicks his door open a little wider, “I knew you didn’t have a key, Ross went back to some girls hotel. He’s not in there.”

She sighs with a nod, “Uh, which rooms Ad’s?”

“Adam, George, John and Zishaun had to stay in the hotel across the street, remember? Rooms were double booked.”

“Who are you bunking with?” She asks, arms wrapped around herself.

“Last night Jamie but his missus came out here to surprise him so they’re across the way too.”

“So… no one?”

Again he shows the kicked open door and she sighs, “Will you walk me across? Please?”

He looks down at himself, he’s got no shirt on and has some old joggers with holes in questionable places, then he lifts an imaginary watch to his face, “It’s three in the morning.”

“Please?”

“No.”

“Matt-”

“Just, get in.” He says holding it open, “I have a bed and some clothes.”

She waits for a few seconds in the hallway, then sighs and steps inside despite her better judgement.

Matty watches her as she kicks her shoes off, lining them up neatly against one wall as his lay kicked on top of each other just beside them.

He watches her hand flex as she pauses looking at them, desperate to fix them and line them up beside her own. A task she would usually just complete without much thought.

Instead she lets her fidgeting hand fall to the bag on her shoulder and only glances back at the shoes twice. The first as she places the little black leather bag onto the table where Matty’s tote bag resides and then again as she moves to the mirror to untie her hair from the half up half down braid style she’d made George do for her that morning.

When she turns around again Matty is lying against the headboard, phone in hand and there’s a t-shirt and boxers on the end of the bed.

The t-shirt is again, one of hers, an old Fiona Apple t-shirt from when she played in London back in 2006.

She doesn’t comment on it this time, she closes the bathroom door until it clicks, takes off the long sundress she’s wearing and changes into the clothes.

Her neatly folded clothes are placed on the floor beside his closed suitcase and as she stands she risks a glance at his shoes.

She pauses slightly, feeling his eyes on the back of her head she acts as if she was just tying her hair up. Acting as if it wasn’t the fact that his shoes are now lined up against the wall beside her own that momentarily froze her.

As she messes about with her hair, trying to tame it into her bobble her eyes glance across the vanity before her.

Cigarettes, lighters, his wallet, some loose change and a CD with the receipt on top lay scattered around. But what catches her eye is the book.

‘Show me yours, Tommie McDuff’

She lets her finger trace the cover, a picture of herself that Matty had taken one day when the band had performed in Brighton.

She flicks at a few of the post bits and book tabs sticking out the side, one on almost every page.

She pushes her finger open to the page where a piece of paper sticks out the top but as she hears the sheets rustling as Matty moves in the bed she pauses and steps back.

Once her curly hair is tied back she lies on the bed with her back to him, reaching to flick off the lamp beside her.

Matty’s lamp is still on, and remains on for almost ten minutes as he sits up in the bed staring at the wall in front of him.

“Tom?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you uh,” He pauses as he shifts down, still laying on top of the covers, “Have a nice night? Nice date?”

Her jaw wiggles as she thinks over his question, “I did.”

“Good. Callum-”

“Caleb.”

“I know me and the guys are giving him shit, but, he seems… alright.”

“He is alright.” She tells him quietly.

Matty turns over so he’s lying on his side, he reaches out and tugs on one of her curly strands of hair, “You gonna go on another date?”

“I’m not sure, he gave me his number last time. So, maybe I’ll text him.”

Matty nods and as he does he shifts a little closer to her, away from the edge of the bed, “You should.”

She chews on her bottom lip, eyes falling closed as he moves to play with more strands, her hand grips her pillow, anchoring herself down so she won’t turn around.

She wants to turn and scream at him. Tell him it could be him she’s going on dates with, him who’s making her happy, him that she calls ‘alright’ when friends ask, whereas in reality he’s fucking amazing and she’s playing it down so the smile won’t ache her cheeks.

But Matty doesn’t want that.

It’s toxic really, how hurt she feels from his words and actions yet she wouldn't even consider doing anything of the kind that might mean he’s not in her life.

The logical part of her is telling her to leave, go across the road to the other hotel. Leave behind her friendship with him to fully move on, to recover, to heal.

They were never together but she knows this is what heartbreak feels like. Her first broken heart given to her by none other than her best friend, Matthew Healy.

She'd rather lie here now and suffer than not be able to see him every day. Not be able to watch him perform. Not have him.

“Goodnight, Roddy.”

Matty eyes practically become hearts as he stares at her back, he lets go of her hair, back of his hand brushing down her shoulder.

His eyes water as he stares at the back of her head.

‘You’ll ruin her.’

“Goodnight, Baby.”

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆

December 9th 2013

Matty woke up to an empty bed, the little fancy notepad and pen that the hotel had on the bedside table was on her pillow and he picked it up to read it.

‘I called Ross to come open up for me, got that second date after all. Thank you, see you later -Tommie x’

He sighs, thumb running over the ink and it smudges, it’s fresh.

For some reason he finds himself standing quickly, stumbling over himself as he gets up on barely awake legs.

It's then he hears voices outside, no, her voice.

He rips the door open and steps out almost bumping into someone, “Sorry, mate.”

He steps back quickly, hitting into the closed door behind him and shakes his head to try and wake himself up.

Tommie’s brows furrow, “You alright, Matty?”

He nods quickly and gestures to her hotel room door behind her, “Ross still in there?”

She nods and he does too, still standing there awkwardly. She smiles at him a little timidly then turns to Caleb, “Uh, the Ubers downstairs can you go on down? I’ll sort him out then meet you down there.”

He smiles and leans into place a quick kiss on her cheek, one that has her cheeks reddening and head bowing down.

Her hair is straightened today, Matty notes, she must’ve just done it quickly, he can still see one strand trying to curl since she’d obviously rushed.

She turns back to him and tilts her head to her shoulder, “You alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, uh, last night I gave Ross my- wallet. Yeah, Ross has my wallet, and I wanted to go to that cafe next door. Get a drink and that.”

She steps forward, hand on his arm, “Are you sure, Matt? I’ve been so worried about you lately, I mean, you look like shit.”

“Thanks.”

She rolls her eyes, “You know what I mean? What’s wrong?”

Her touch is too much, the soft skin of her fingertips, roughened by years of guitar, burns his arm and he steps back, moving his arm to run a hand through his hair.

“We’re okay?”

Her brows furrow and she nods, her lips tug upwards, it takes every single cell in her body to make the smile look real. “We’re okay.”

But the effort is worth it when she watches his shoulders drop in relief. She turns away, he calls after her.

“Yeah?”

“I am sorry, I want you to know that.”

She nods, “I know… I’ll meet you guys there later, alright?”

“See you later.”

She starts walking down the hallway slowly and he quickly calls after her, “Tommie?”

She turns as she presses the button for the lift and steps back to see him better, “Yeah?”

“He’s a good guy, but still, be careful, yeah?”

She lets her lips curl and nods before stepping into the metal box and letting it take her downstairs.

Matty groans loudly, muttering different ways to call himself idiot under his breath as he runs his hands down his face.

He turns back to open his hotel room door but ends up walking right into it with the realisation he never grabbed his key card.

“Shit.”

Turning to the door opposite he hits his first against it, “Ross?”

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆

“Hey.”

Caleb catches her hand as she goes to walk the few steps up to the hotel, she turns, skirt moving with her movement, “You guys were… outstanding today.”

“Outstanding?”

She walks backwards and he nods from a few steps below moving in time with her, her right foot his left foot, her left his right.

“Amazing.” The hand still in his hold is raised and his lips place a delicate kiss upon her skin. “Phenomenal.”

“Tell me more.”

He follows her through the hotel, muttering compliments which he finishes with a kiss on different parts of her body.

Astonishing. Her shoulder.

Stunning. Her cheek.

Breathtaking. Her jaw.

He finishes by muttering his praises of her and her dress, his lips on hers as he walks her out of the open doors and down the hallway towards her room.

He has her up against the door, hand not moving from their place that he’s settled them comfortably on her hips.

“Ross is at that girl's place again.”

She moves so her hand can get into the pocket of her skirt- something that when she had discovered that morning on their date she had gushed about for at least two hours, later showing the rest of the guys when she got to them and any random passer buyer who would listen- then she presents her key card and slides it back until she here's the door click.

He takes it upon himself to push it open, using one strong arm to sweep her up against him as she moves her to the bed furthest from the door.

He could tell that's the one she's using from how much more put together than the other it is.

Clothes are scattered before the door is even closed and he's on top of her, pulling back once to hear her approval before continuing.

It's fast.

It feels like it lasts three minutes with him on top of her, his head buried in her neck as he tells her how good she feels.

She lays there, legs around his waist, hands in his hair but face stoic as she stares at the ceiling.

She compares everything to Matty.

His touch, his lips, his words, the pace, the feel. Everything.

She closes her eyes, letting her mind wonder, thinking of that night in LA until he’s pulling back to look at her, “Did you finish already?”

She bites her lip and nods, faking being out of breath as her lashes flutter, “Yeah… yeah, Ma- Yeah.”

“Did you just almost call me mate?” He chuckles.

She licks her lips and nods quickly, brows raised as he laughs and pulls her closer.

taglist

@thereisaplaceintheheart

@indierockgirrl

@sofaritsalrightt

@julezs-bl0g

@eaglestar31

@sophinthealpss

@if-my-heart-bleeds

@befrwime

-let me know if you want to be added :)

-I'm going to be taking a bit of a break from posting to focus on writing the next couple of parts, plus I'm going on holiday and need to sort a few personal things out

-thank you for reading, Mac :)

[maxiscoolongg]

"What! I cant do that!?"

💌; Chooch Bambalazi

Warnings: (Metion of; Drugs, Drinking, smoking,) yelling, y/n being trashmouthy

———

"Really! Drugs, drinking, and smoking!?" My dad yelled "Oh don't act like your all goody to shoes!" I yelled back at him "Your going around sleeping in other women's beds! And I'm worse then you!? You dickwad" I yelled grabbing my bag and walking to my cab that was taking me to military school. I have no clue why I'm going to boys school, it's stupid it's idiotic. I don't wanna be surrounded by men who smells like ass while I sleep! As I got there I instantly got stares but then a old guy started talking and I zoned out on all of it because I didn't give a shit at this point.

We had to shoot guns which was pretty fun. I saw two guys flip over and I chuckled. Then when we got our haircuts I saw I guy with a blad spot and me and this guy made eye contact then I turned around "nice haircut man" I said laughing then me and the guy who made eye contact ran away once it was our turns "What's your name?" I asked once we stopped running "you can call me ike. My full name is something else" he said as I shook his hand "y/n at your service." I said sarcastically

"Good to know y/n"

——

Then we got to our rooms. There was three boys infront of us following another guy who was leading us to our room "Where's the pool?" One asked "Yeah, smells like jock straps in here," the other said as I rolled my eye's placing my bag on a top bunk "What a dump" a guy with brown hair said "you mean there's no color TV?" One asked again "Can't believe I'm saying here for 7 months with you guys." I said rolling my eyes laying on the top bunk "Alright you barracks rats.. shape up and get your gear sorted, and he'll be in," the guy who leaded us said "May I asked who will be in mr" I asked confused "l-liceman" he said before walking away

"Whos liceman?" "Who cares" the brown haired guy said as I put my hand up "Me?" I asked as the guy scoffed "My names Oliver holt. I'm from Michigan" Olvier said as the brown haired boy said "That's not my fault" I chuckled then ike walked to Oliver "Eisenhower MacArthur" he said as I grinned "You were right that is a long name" I said in a mutter "Is that a history lesson or a name?" Oliver said shaking ikes hand and patting his shoulder, then ike walked over to a guy who talks fancy "Is your father in the army?" Mr.Fancy said "No he's a sadist, why do think he gave me this name? Just call me ike" Ike said to Mr.fancy "Hash" "No thanks maybe after dinner" ike said to him "No. My name is hash, it's easier to say then El Hashid Amier, Jr." Hash said as ike chuckled "its easy to smoke to" ike said jokingly as I chuckled

"Don't you think so?" Hash asked the browned haired guy who was sitting on the bottom bunk "I'm taking this top bunk. Anybody got objections?" The guy said as I made a confused face as he just ignored Hash "I didn't catch your name." "I didn't throw it" browned hair guy said. Hash chuckled sarcastically then dropping his smile "Hold on a second, don't you think since there's only three top bunks, why don't we draw straws, make it democratic" "Draw this" the brown haired guy said pointing the middle finger at Oliver. "Hey! Watch it no name" I said getting off my bunk and walking over to the brown haired guy staring up at him as we were inches apart hash put his arm inbeetwerm us "Hey, take it easy if we're going to be living together we got to try to get along" ike said

"Hey wait, let me tell you guys something we're not living together, see I'm by myself I don't wanna be here, I wanna do my work and get out." He said getting on the top bunk I rolled my eye's and went to my bunk and climbed on it as well "Here he comes!" The guy who leaded us to our room said as I sat up letting my feet dangling off the edge on the top bunk "Ten hut!" The guy who I assume lice man is said. They all got in a line expect for me liceman looked at me daggers "Get down from there girl." Liceman said as I rolled my eye's and got off standing beside Mr.no-name "Welcome gentleman and women, my name is Major Vaughn Liceman. And I'd like us to be friends. Weinberg can be very lonley place without friends, I know. I was 7 years old when i first came to the academy. I didn't have any friends, nobody liked me whose bunk is this?" Liceman said touching my bunk

"Mine" I said bitterly as he walked to me looking down at me "Don't you mean, 'Mine sir" I looked at him confused then looked at Mr.no-name and he shrugged as I rolled my eye's "Mine, sir?" I asked slightly confused "Say it again" "Mine sir." I said annoyed "Say it again!" "Mine sir!" I said even more annoyed he then started blabing about something that I don't care about, then he said something about not being friends which he walked out after talking about ripping hashs balls off. Ike walked to his bunk and I jumped on my top bunk, "He seemed nice right?" I said to them "Are you death or blind or just both" No name said to me "That guy did not want to be friends. "No shit." Me and Mr.no name said

[1967-shades-of-gray]

"Paul McCartney reveals raunchy Beatles sex stories in GQ interview"

By Adam Wallis Global News Posted September 12, 2018 11:28 am Updated September 12, 2018 11:31 am

Article text in above link or below the cut because I was laughing very hard at this and I don't trust it not to be deleted eventually.

There are also some nice (obviously SFW, don't get your hopes up lmao) pictures in the article linked above. :)

NOTE: This article contains content that may be offensive to some readers. Please read at your own discretion.

In a brand-new, steamy GQ profile, Sir Paul McCartney dove right into the nitty-gritty and recalled raunchy sexual adventures he shared with his former bandmates.

The Beatles bassist and co-lead singer sat down for an in-depth interview with the magazine, digging deep into his personal life. These anecdotes include (but are not limited to): a threesome in Vegas, the story of George Harrison losing his virginity and masturbating with John Lennon at his house.

(Where’s Ringo Starr in all of this?)

For those of us with less-sordid tastes, there are also juicy, non-sexual stories from his time with The Beatles, his childhood upbringing, his recent offer from Kanye West and his brand new album, Egypt Station.

Although 76-year-old McCartney was too shy to go into too much detail, he was quite happy to share enough just to paint a picture of his intimate times from back in the early Beatles days.

McCartney recalled exploring his manhood with Lennon and his friends by masturbating together at his house.

“Instead of just getting roaring drunk and partying… We were all just in these chairs, and the lights were out, and somebody started masturbating, so we all did… But, you know, it was just the kind of thing you didn’t think much of. Yeah, it’s quite raunchy when you think about it… But it was good harmless fun. It didn’t hurt anyone.”

It was something that he claims “was a one-off, or maybe it was like a two-off. It wasn’t a big thing.” While doing the act, they would shout names to either encourage or distract one another.

McCartney also reminisced about the time they all kept quiet as they shared barracks “like army buddies” at the age of 17. (This was pre-Beatlemania.)They split two bunks and a bed. If one of the teens brought a girl home, they would take the bed for the evening. McCartney called it “forced closeness.” On one of these particular nights, Harrison lost his virginity. McCartney recounts the lads all huddled together and cheered for him as it happened. They even applauded when it was over.“We were always very close and on top of each other, which meant you could totally read each other,” McCartney explained, highlighting why the Liverpudlians reached the heights of fame — because there were very few boundaries between them.

A Beatles trip to Vegas landed McCartney in a threesome — something he said he always wanted to try.

“There was once were the tour guy said, ‘You’re going to Vegas, guys — you want a hooker?’ We were all, ‘Yeah!’ And I requested two… It was a wonderful experience. But that’s the closest I ever came to an orgy… See, the thing is, in the next room I think the guys might have ordered something else off the menu… I think maybe John experienced a bit more of that than I did. Tell you the truth, I just didn’t fancy it, that kind of thing.”

The sexcapade story goes, according to McCartney, that Lennon was asked to sleep with a woman who was married while the husband watched.In comparison to his late bandmate, McCartney questioned, “Am I too sensible? I don’t know. Mine wasn’t particularly crazy but it was a lot of fun.”

It wasn’t all randy throwbacks in this profile, however. McCartney was also asked about his interactions with Blur/Gorillaz mastermind Damon Albarn, after he accused Kanye West of looping him into an “abusive collaboration.” (This was in reference to McCartney’s appearance in the FourFiveSeconds video featuring Rihanna.)“I love the respect someone like Damon is attributing to me,” he said. But he politely pushed aside Albarn’s comments by admitting he wouldn’t have listened to him if he initially advised against the collaborative effort.“If I want to go somewhere else from where I normally go or where I’m expected to go, I’ll go.”

Upon being asked about West, McCartney revealed how he had to turn the rapper down when he offered to produce his next album. He “very kindly offered to produce this album… Then I thought, no, I kind of knew what direction I wanted to go in. And I knew that would be very different from where Kanye would go with it.”McCartney is currently celebrating yet another successful solo album debut. Egypt Station was released last Friday, his first album in five years.

[alexdaisykidsfurniture]

Ergonomic Furniture for Kids: Prioritizing Comfort and Posture in Their Bedrooms

As parents, ensuring the comfort and health of our children is a top priority. One critical aspect often overlooked is the importance of ergonomic furniture in kids' bedrooms. With children spending considerable time in their rooms, whether studying, playing, or sleeping, it is essential to choose furniture that supports their posture and overall well-being. One popular and functional choice for kids' rooms, especially for girls, is fancy bunk beds. Here's why ergonomic furniture, including fancy bunk beds for girls, should be a priority in their bedrooms.

The Importance of Ergonomics in Kids' Furniture

Ergonomics involves designing furniture that supports the natural posture and movements of the body. For kids, who are still growing and developing, ergonomic furniture is crucial for several reasons:

1. Posture Support: Proper posture support can prevent issues like back pain, neck strain, and other musculoskeletal problems.

2. Comfort: Ergonomically designed furniture ensures comfort during prolonged use, whether it's for studying, reading, or sleeping.

3. Health Benefits: Good posture promotes better breathing, circulation, and overall physical health.

4. Enhanced Focus and Productivity: Comfortable and supportive furniture can help kids concentrate better on their activities.

Ergonomic Furniture Options for Kids

1. Fancy Bunk Beds for Girls

Fancy bunk beds are not just about aesthetics; they can also be highly functional and ergonomic. Here’s why fancy bunk beds for girls are an excellent choice:

Space-Saving Design: Bunk beds maximize the use of vertical space, freeing up floor space for other activities or furniture.

Integrated Storage: Many fancy bunk beds come with built-in storage solutions such as drawers and shelves, reducing clutter and keeping the room organized.

Safety and Comfort: Ergonomically designed bunk beds ensure safety with sturdy rails and easy-to-climb ladders, while comfortable mattresses support good posture during sleep.

Versatile Use: Some bunk beds are designed to be converted into separate beds as children grow, offering long-term usability.

2. Adjustable Desks and Chairs

An adjustable desk and chair set is essential for a growing child. Features to look for include:

Height Adjustability: The desk and chair should be adjustable to accommodate the child’s growth, ensuring that they can sit comfortably with feet flat on the floor and elbows at a 90-degree angle.

Proper Back Support: The chair should offer good lumbar support to maintain the natural curve of the spine.

- Spacious Desk Area: A spacious desk allows for comfortable study sessions without hunching or straining.

3. Ergonomic Study Lamps

Good lighting is crucial for avoiding eye strain. Ergonomic study lamps with adjustable brightness and angles can create a comfortable reading and study environment.

Tips for Choosing Ergonomic Furniture

1. Involve Your Child: Let your child try out furniture pieces to see what feels comfortable to them. Their input is invaluable in choosing the right furniture.

2. Check for Adjustability: Look for furniture that can be adjusted to fit your child’s current size and can grow with them.

3. Prioritize Quality: Invest in high-quality furniture that provides good support and durability. Ergonomic furniture is an investment in your child’s health and well-being.

4. Consider Multifunctional Pieces: Furniture that serves multiple purposes can be more ergonomic and space-efficient.

Conclusion

Choosing ergonomic furniture by Alex daisy for your child’s bedroom is an investment in their comfort, health, and overall well-being. Fancy bunk beds for girls not only add a touch of elegance to the room but also offer practical benefits like space-saving design and integrated storage. Coupled with adjustable desks and chairs, these pieces ensure that your child’s room is both stylish and supportive of their physical development. As you explore options at kids' furniture stores or shop for kids' furniture online, keep ergonomics at the forefront to create a safe, comfortable, and productive environment for your child.

[littlestsnicket]

title: in the city of golden towers by limerental

word count: 11.8k

cahir&fringilla&merlin the cat; post season 2 fic; cahir and fringilla are demoted and sent back to the capital as punishment for their failures.

irreverent and quietly domestic, but doesn’t pull any punches and is poignant and serious when it needs to be. it’s orb pondering sorcerers to deeply meaningful contemplations on friendship with someone who’s never really had a friend. contains my favorite fringilla headcanons: our girl loves complicated taxes and fancy stationary.

excerpt:

“Yes, what a truly compassionate woman she is. Her cat has an ocean view, while we sleep in a shoebox.”

Assire’s third bedroom was too tiny and cluttered for more than one bed, but the sorceress had most graciously solved that problem by magicking up a second narrow mattress on a rickety structure atop the other, smiling apologetically all the while. Fringilla eyed the steep ladder with distaste and suspicion.

“I suppose top bunk is the safer option,” said Fringilla, “seeing as this entire structure is likely to collapse in the night.”

“If you crush me to death, I will haunt you, Fringilla.”

"You already haunt me. Of all the Nilfgaardians across this wretched Continent, it had to be you sharing my room."

"It's my room. And I'm not actually a Nilfgaardian. My family comes from Vicovaro."

"Vicovaro is Nilfgaard, you utter pedant. The entire Continent will be, if all goes as we–" Fringilla cut herself off. There was no we any longer. Cahir was not her partner, and she had no place in Emhyr's plans. Not unless by some miracle she could win his favor once more, but she was unlikely to have any opportunity to do so dusting orbs and translating archaic books in the high tower of the Academy.

[missmeasured]

Miss Measured's Bedtime Stories

I was telling myself a story to fall asleep to, I do this every night. Sometimes I repeat them. (SOTS readers I used to tell myself Blackfeet every night for about ten years.) I think I'm going to start sharing some of my bedtime stories I tell myself. So maybe this will be a part one...

This first one is about travelling with Severus on a train. You're on a mission, I've left it up to you to decide what team they are on a mission for. You're pretending to be married and when a man starts acting like a creep to you, you find yourself having to ask your fake husband to help you out. His surprisingly defensive response leaves you a little... turned on.

Snape x Reader (called 'wife/girl' no body parts mentioned) Rating: Mature

Untitled Train Day Dream

You can’t remember if this is your third mission with Severus Snape or your fourth. All you know is you work well together and compared to everyone else you would choose him again as a mission companion without question. This one seems like it will be a long haul. A lot of travelling the old fashioned way over distances too far to apparate. That’s how you came to be on this train in the middle of some European forest. The trees look black as the night outside the windows you can see absolutely nothing. 

The mission had several goals, small and big, a lot to do, to keep track of. You were travelling under fake names and in the guise of being a married couple. Not so much for this leg of the journey but later it would matter, in old parts of the world where you did not go alone into a hotel room with a man who was not your husband. You needed to stop spinning your fake rings around your finger, but it was currently soothing you. 

During dinner a man had been staring at you from across the dining car. When he smiled at you he just looked wrong, his mouth had too many teeth angling for position in the frame of his lips. His eyes never left you, but in the dining car Severus had his back to him and you didn’t want to risk trying to whisper about it when the man might read on your lips what you were trying to say. So you ignored him and held your mug of tea a little closer and played cards with your fake husband to pass the time.

The trip was booked at the last moment and for this part of the journey there had been no compartments available that would suit pretending to be married, so you were making do with two berths. He had taken the lower bed and you were going to be on the top bed. The little ladder to yours in front of his. 

While Severus was brushing his teeth, that man slunk up and began to talk to you. Talking was not a crime in and of itself but he had waited until your feet were up on your ladder and you were digging in your suitcase for your nightclothes. The way he positioned his feet blocked your escape down the ladder. You were forced to make niceties with the traveller who kept looking at your suitcase like he was hoping to see something lacey fly out of it for his viewing pleasure. He licked his teeth when it was your turn to talk. He made your skin crawl. Your escape came when you said “I think my husband is almost done in the lavatory if that’s what you were coming this way for.” The man eventually takes his leave when that door opens and you shiver off his presence. 

You collect your nightclothes and your tooth brush and wait for the lavatory to be free, positioning yourself in your bunk so you can see when that man is gone back to his own and it’s clear. Still, when you open the door to head to bed after you finish, he is back again blocking your path once more. He leans over you with his ‘fancy meeting you here’ routine. When you once again evade him you walk over to your bunks and find Severus’ curtain already closed. “Husband?” You ask.

One half of the bed curtains open by magic to reveal him tucked in and reading under the lamp on the wall of the berth. “Yes, wife?” He asks as he looks up.

You perch on the edge of his bed and lean in so you can whisper about the man. He has thoroughly creeped you out now and you think you ought to tell Severus in case he tries something. “Get in here.” Severus instructs, pulling back his blankets. You see the lavatory door starting to move at the end of the train car so you hop in as your fake husband suggested, and let him pull you in against his chest. He rubs your back and from that position you get to look up and watch your pretend husband glare at the man pointedly as he makes his way back to his bed.

“Do you want to stay down here? Or we could switch bunks in case he comes sniffing around. I know several defensive charms I could put around your bed to keep you safe.”

“I hate to ask you but can I stay for a few minutes until I calm down?”

“Of course.” He answered and his bed curtains closed themselves again. You count your breathing as you rest your head on him. You should probably stop cuddling the poor man but the bed is small and where else are you going to go? You read his book since it’s open to your eyes as well, something about historical potions ingredients. It makes you feel sleepy.

When he closes the book he places it in the little storage nook you know you are going to have to shift and maybe now is the time you should take your leave. You’re about to suggest you should go but then you smell that man’s cologne. He's outside the curtains you’re sure. You tell Severus, sitting up and brushing his hair behind his ear, your lips making contact with his ear so you don’t have to make a noise louder than a breath in order to explain. 

Severus switched off his lamp and you both peer at the shadows of something moving in the corridor. Could be anyone walking to the lavatory, but it isn’t. You hear the distinct noise of the broken latch on your suitcase and you almost fling the curtain open to hex this asshole right that second, but Severus is moving and suddenly he’s on top of you. He presses his fingers to your mouth to tell you to be quiet. 

He runs his wand all along the seam of the bed curtains. You want to tell him to stop, don’t just defend the bed, he’s likley up there stealing your underthings as we speak, but he keeps those fingers over your mouth while he works. Finally he leans down to whisper in your ear. Your fake husband’s weight on top of you is pressing you into the mattress, his leg between your legs, he comes down on his elbows and says “Trap.” In your ear and you are confused and make a face then realise in the dark he cannot see it.

You’re about to whisper ‘What?’ back to him but he puts a finger over your lips again. Something inside of you clenches at having his hands all over your lips, it's a strange kind of feeling. He hasn't touched you very much before tonight. In the dark you take inventory of this feeling, the weight of him, you remember him rubbing your back while he played the protective husband. 

Nothing could prepare you for your fake husband suddenly groaning, a sound purely sexual, inches from your face. “Yes…” he hissed. “Just like that. Oh good girl…” he moaned and you laid under him, eyes wide. What the fuck was he doing?

He quieted for a moment, pushing up off you to get a better view of the length of light at the top of the curtain. There was a shadow the approximate width of a man, no longer by the ladder. 

“Oh yes, you are my good girl, aren’t you? You do that trick so well, my love. Yes darling.” Severus moaned. The shadow moved, contemplated. You understood now, Severus was tempting the man to try to peek inside. 

You thought maybe you should help. So you let out a little closed mouth moan of excitement. Your mission partner took his finger off your mouth. He leaned back down and groaned “Yes… a little more. That’s my girl.” Him saying these things was making something happen inside you you hadn’t expected. You were getting a little too excited by his fake moans. His knee between yours was too enjoyable. 

You use your inappropriate excitement to fuel a slightly louder moan. That clinches it, the corner of the curtain slides on its track and then the man screams. The curtains fly open so you can watch the set of brass teeth the curtain rod had grown chomp down on his hand. Blood started spilling as he clasped at it and looked at you with hatred in his eyes.

“Let that teach you to keep to yourself. Accio stolen items.” Severus casts and several pairs of your underthings come flying out of the man's pockets and into your mission partner’s hands. “If you come near my wife again I’ll end you.” Severus threatens and then magics the curtains shut again and the lights on. 

“For you.” He hands off your items, which you shove into your robe pocket with ample embarrassment. “If it’s alright with you, I think you should stay down here just in case he has ideas. That way it's easy to wake me if you need an escort to the water closet. I don't want you alone on this train until we are free of him.”

“You are a very protective fake husband.” You tease.

“You are a very cherished mission partner.” He smiles. He climbs under the covers again. “Now. Does my wife want to be the little spoon or the big one?” He asks.

“Little.” You answer, and as his arm wraps around you and pulls you in you find yourself still affected by his deception from before. The way he had said good girl painted a picture in your mind you were having trouble shaking. The way it sounded in his voice had vibrated deep into your bones and now as your ass was pressed into his lap for the night you found yourself thinking about having sex with him. You needed to clear your mind of these thoughts about your mission partner. You two had a job to get done. 

A few minutes pass of thinking quietly in the dark. Trying not to let yourself enjoy this cuddle too much. It was just necessary, the bed was too small to lay side by side. You can't get comfortable, you’re fidgeting and probably keeping him awake in the process. 

“Stop wiggling.” He scolds and his lips are much closer to your ear than you anticipated. 

“Sorry.” You whisper. “I’m not trying to keep you up. My heart is racing.”

“I’m not worried about being kept up.”

“Sorry, I’ll keep still.” You repeat and clench your muscles into stiffness. It doesn't occur to you for several moments what he could be worried about if it's not about being kept awake. “This trip was so rushed I didn't really think about what it means to play a convincing married couple.” You whisper.

“It's a bit late to try and pass as siblings.” He laughs. “Why? What kind of convincing do you think we need to do?” 

“Do you think… we should practise kissing. Just incase?” You turn your body slightly, rolling in place, wishing you could make out his face in the dark for his reaction. 

“Oh little wife, I thought you might never ask.”

I'm picturing berths like Some Like it Hot. So that was the story I fell asleep to! Want more bedtime short stories? Let me know!

Sending love as usual to @5everus for beta reading my every silly thought.

[mysticnightmarewrites]

the night we met - Ch. 6

When nightmares leave Arya tossing and turning, she finds herself at Gendry's door. His roommates are lovably obnoxious, and Arya finds the comfort she so needed. But so quickly after, Gendry finds himself facing the memory he'd been both waiting for and dreading: the night they met.

Read Ch. 1-5 on Tumblr

SONG: "The Night We Met" by Lord Huron PAIRING: Arya/Gendry LENGTH: 1.6k words WARNINGS: Minors DNI

Nighttime sprung up around me, but it wasn’t that night. Not yet. An owl was hooting from a tree, the sound filtering through my open window, which was letting the springtime breeze into the dorm room. But there was a different sound drifting in from the other side – a dull, repetitive knock breaking the midnight stillness. It was quiet enough not to wake anyone up, except for the three boys on the other side of the door who had, up till then, been fast asleep.

“What’s ‘at?” the scrawny blond boy mumbled, turning over in his bed.

The other boy sat up and threw his pillow at me, and I almost went to duck, but the pillow passed right through me, hitting my old self square on the face.

“What was that for?” I’d grumbled.

“Get the fucking door, you tosser. It’s probably that girl you’re sweet on.”

“Hot Pie, her name’s Arya, I’m not sweet on her, and why on earth would she be showing up here at,” I checked the golden watch Arya had gotten me for Yuletide, “1 a.m.?”

Still, I watched myself get up and crack open the door. The second I saw Arya’s face, I knew something was horribly, terribly wrong. Her cheeks were stained with tears, and her hair looked like she had hastily tied it up after hours of tossing and turning in bed. Immediately, I stepped through the door and left it cracked behind me.

“What’s the matter?”

It took her a moment to get words out. “You remember how I said I was having nightmares. About the thing.” I could tell she was censoring herself, just in case the other boys in the room could overhear.

I nodded.

“They won’t go away tonight. I wasn’t sure where else to go.”

There had been so many times I’d wanted to hug Arya, and she had hugged me a few of them, but I wasn’t sure it was the right time to, and it took everything in me to hold back.

“I’d let you in, but I’m not sure Hot Pie or Lommy would appreciate that.”

“What the fuck’s a Lommy?”

It hadn’t taken more than a second after she spoke the words that the blond boy was pulling the door open wide. “I’m a Lommy, thank you very much. You must be Arya. Gendry’s had quite a lot to say about you to Hot Pie and I.”

I had looked back at him with panic in my eyes, not wanting him to reveal the depth of my feelings to my best friend. It had been so long since that day that the whole thing almost made me laugh to see it play out again. Those had been some dark times, but they had been simpler too. When it was only the specters of our dead and absent fathers that haunted us, and not the ghosts of lovers past.

“Oh for seven’s sake, just invite her in. There’s leftover pie in the minifridge,” the boy with the curly brown hair called out from his bunk.

“Wouldn’t that be a cold pie?” Arya asked as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

The night passed slowly as the three of us handed around the giant plate of pie and took turns shooting arrows at orcs on Lommy’s fancy gaming laptop. Hot Pie had fallen back asleep minutes after the empty pie dish got abandoned at the foot of his bed, and Lommy had followed suit soon after, leaving me and Arya lying shoulder to shoulder on my small bed.

“I don’t think I can go home for spring break,” she whispered in the darkness. “It was hard enough at Yuletide.”

“Well, I have this classmate, Pod.”

“Pod? Your friends sure have the strangest names.”

“It’s short for Podrick.”

She giggled in spite of herself, and I playfully put a finger to her lips. “Shh, they’re sleeping. Anyway, he’s going to King's Landing. He offered me a ride – I grew up there. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you came with. Sansa’s going to uni there right?” Arya nodded. “Well, what do you say? If I text him in the morning, I think there’ll still be time to work things out.”

“Let’s do it! It’d be nice to see Sansa.”

“We should introduce Pod to her. I’m sure he’d enjoy seeing Sansa too. Just, you know, for different reasons.”

“What about you?” she asked, almost timid.

“Oh, shove off. Gendry only has eyes for you,” Hot Pie grumbled from his bunk.

I had rolled my eyes and almost caught the hint of a smile on her face. “Of course I’d like to see Sansa. She’s my favorite person’s sister.”

“Hey, I thought I was your favorite person,” Lommy said, annoyed.

“That’s it, go to bed everyone,” I said, turning off the small lamp by my bed.

I drifted away that night as swiftly and as sweetly as I remembered, and I found myself drifting away quickly once more, the old gods taking me back through the scenes of our first year in uni as we became inseparable. I watched as Arya and I sat together studying in the library, though with much less kissing this time. An unbearable urge to look at her whenever she was looking down at her book had held me captive every time we tried to study together. There were all the times we went hiking too, just the two of us, along the empty river, contemplating life. One by one the memories drifted past, faster and faster, until the current pulled me to the very beginning of everything. To the making of my joy and the making of my pain.

The grassy hill was green and warm, aglow with summer, even on a northern night. So this was it. The night we met. We'd escaped out the back of the manor and sped off on my motorcycle, out into the rolling hills, stopping when my tank started to get low. Our fingertips played with the grass as we watched the sun slip slowly below the horizon, bathing us in red and gold. And like the sun, I could see the light in Arya's eyes fading.

"Just a week ago, Dad and I were getting ice cream and packing me up for uni. It doesn't feel real."

"I know." Arya could tell I meant it, too, even though I hadn't had it in me yet to tell her about my own loss.

"He was going to drop me off at school next month," she sighed.

"I'm renting a van. I could come pick you up."

"You'd do that for some random girl you just met?"

"I'd do it for you." A small spark returned to her eyes as the stars twinkled above. "Have you ever been to a bar?"

"Me? Gods no. Mom would have my head for that."

"You're 18 though? You're legal."

"'It's not a good look for a politician's daughter. Why can’t you be more like Sansa?'" she said, doing a scarily accurate impression of Catelyn Stark.

"There's a dive bar in the town over. We could stop by on the way to the petrol station?"

Arya rose to her feet and put out a hand to help me up. "Let's do it."

We headed back for the bike, and as I handed her the helmet, she whispered in my ear. "Thank you." That was the first time of many she gave me butterflies.

The words echoed in my head now. I'd heard them before both recently and a lifetime ago. Flashing through the darkness, I saw Arya's smiling face and gray eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you," she'd said when ending things. At the time, I had thought she was just thanking me for letting her go easy. But now, recognizing the earnestness in her voice, it took on a different meaning. With a sting of guilt, I realized she had been thanking me for the whole of it. Everything we'd ever been to each other. For loving her, for liking her, for just being there for her. Thanking me for everything all happening in the first place.

My heart felt like it was breaking apart all over again, and my body felt like it was still spread out on the soft summer grass. After all this time, after all the memories I had walked through, it was finally time to let her go. I sighed. It was for the best. For me. For her. She had probably felt as much pain as I had when things had ended. It was something I couldn't see through my own grief. Now, I could spare us both. And I could finally do the one thing I never could when we were together. Set her free.

Once again, I stood in front of the Stark manor. The shadow of my past self directly in front of me.

"Don't go in," I whispered into my ear. "Please don't go in. Please!" I begged. It seemed, for a moment, that my past self could hear me. It took seconds longer for me to ring the doorbell than it had the first time around, but ring the doorbell I did. Almost as if I had confused the hesitation with what I had already been facing the first time around. I had never been anywhere so high class before.

The door opened, and it was the youngest member of the Stark family I met first. Rickon was so small then, just a ball of curly red hair.

He welcomed me in silently, and it wasn’t until later that I learned how out of character that had been for him. It was funny, all the little ways grief changed you.

The house was filled with people, despite a clear sign pointing people to the godswood, which lay beyond a grand door at the end of the hall.

As soon as I opened the door, there she was, and my heart fell into my stomach. It was time.

[stitchandani]

What did Lilo and Mertle’s college dorm look like and how did Lilo and her friends react to exam results in a funny headcanon?

Doverstar

I’ve answered the first question before, but let me see if I can give the bite-sized version; it changes styles and looks over the 4 years the girls live there -

Mertle and Lilo’s dorm had polished brown wooden walls and flooring, two twin beds instead of bunk beds (like a hotel room, actually; Honolulu U. is fancy and Mertle would never have accepted bunk beds anyway), a side table each. One desk by the single window, a small bathroom, and the carpet is sage green, patterned with dark green palm fronds! Lilo had a carved wooden Elvis lamp Stitch made her on her bedside table, and her side of the room is way messier than Mertle’s. Tons of pictures of the CHGH and her family all over the wall above her bed, of course, as well as photos of tourists in their unnatural habitat. Lilo had her own custom-made galactic laptop, like Jumba’s, but orange. Mertle’s side of the room was usually all matching colors and very neat, with a shelf of hula trophies and the latest magazines stacked on the desk. Lilo’s side had old note sheets crumpled everywhere, all colors of the rainbow decorating it, and her Earth Ambassador badge was pinned to the headboard of her bed.

As for exam results, it’s not really grounds for humor, but I’ll tell you about it if you want! Teresa is the most studious of the bunch, so she’s never freaking out regardless of grades. She usually gets positive feedback, unless she’s had a bad hair day, and those are the days her exams take a hit. Elena bakes treats if she gets a good result, and every time she gets a bad result she goes and cleans and reorganizes her dorm room like an insane person, giving her plenty of time to vent any frustrations. Teresa hates that (they’re roommates). Yuki doesn’t go to the same college, but she’s by far the worst student among them - that’s okay, though, because she’s great at hockey and other athletics and that’s what she’s in school for anyway. Victoria is the coolest head of the group, and she’s very mid when it comes to studying or reacting to grades. She’s very mature about it - she does her best and if she doesn’t get great results, she chalks it up to her own flaws and resolves to improve next time (but she’s much more focused on her music and creative endeavors than any exams coming up). Mertle is the queen of panicking - and the queen of bragging if she succeeds! She’s the biggest headache over exams. Zeke gets really good grades if he remembers to study and if he remembers to show up. He’s not quite as mature as his gal pals in that respect, but he’s great musically, and like Yuki with sports, that’s where his goals lie really.

Lilo is a bad student. Lilo is a horrible student. Lilo chews her pens and comes at exam questions at baffling angles that make professors re-read her answers a dozen times and scratch their heads. Lilo is late to every test. Lilo tries really hard to do well at exams, but she’s got a lot on her plate between the will-they-won’t-they going on with herself and Zeke, Mertle’s daily freakouts, trying to keep up with whatever Stitch is doing in the BRB 9,000, and any responsibilities being the Ambassador for Earth has.