#for real for real the music IS loud and you NEED earplugs

[fabcreature]

protip: when you go to a gig/concert/festival/etc and there's earplugs available, they're not for people with sensitive ears, they're for everyone

[mj0702]

The other Bronze - Part One

Here we go again 🤣 Thank you (as always) to Crush and Bubs

(the bad Spanish is courtesy of Google and if you find typos or anything please point them out to me 😉)

Y/n POV

You finally walked the last steps towards the door of your Sisters small house at the Outskirts of Barcelona. What you're doing in Barca on a random Friday Night? You wanted to surprise Lucy for her Birthday. It took a lot of begging to Mum and Dad to let you fly all on your own from Manchester to Barcelona and when you turned your phone on after landing, you had 26 missed calls and 15 messages already, the last one from your older Brother Jorge telling you to text him if the Plane crashed and you died – real Clown that one. You phoned Mum, telling her that the Flight was just a little delayed and that your still very much alive and not Shark food in the Ocean. You knew Lucy had training, so you stayed a little longer at the Airport, watching people, drinking Coffee. You found some nice company in a Girl, who waited for her Girlfriend and surprisingly spoke English. So know you're currently walking up the steps towards Lucy's front door, her spare key (which you got from Mum, in case Lucy wasn't home), my Earplugs blasting Music and you opened the door – boy what a mistake.

„Luuuucccyyyy!! Happy Birth... OH MY GOD MY EYES!!! OH EW!!“ you started to yell out in horror before spotting my Sister on her Couch. Naked. With another Girl on her knees in front of her, her head buried between your Sisters legs. You turned around as quick as you could, shutting the Door behind you. A few minutes later, some shuffling and swearing from the inside, said door got ripped open again.

„What are you doing here?“ Lucy asked you and you couldn't tell if she was pissed off or just annoyed.

„Surprise??“ you say, your back still facing her.

„Why do you have a Key to my Apartment? You can turn around by the way“ she sounded annoyed, which was good – annoyed is better than pissed off.

„Mum... I just saw things I never wanted to see ever“ you shrugged like it was self-explanatory. „Dear bloody Jesus“ your Sister huffed out, before grabbing your Arm, starting to pull you inside, as you tried to stop her by holding on to the Door frame

„I'm NOT going back in there again“ you say, gagging for good measure.

„Stop being difficult“ Lucy said, putting her arm around your Shoulders instead, having more leverage. Back inside you were sat down at the Kitchen table, the Girl from earlier just making some Coffee.

„I hope you sanitized that Table“ you mumbled, before looking at your Sister „No way you haven't fu...“

„If you finish that Sentence, I'll call Mum telling her that you broke that ugly Vase at Christmas three years ago“ Lucy narrowed her eyes at you, before turning to the Girl „Ona... this is my overly annoying baby Sister y/n... devils spawn... this is Ona, my Girlfriend“

You just looked at the Girl with a blank face nor knowing how to react to these news.

„Manners“ Lucy growled at you and slapped the back of your Head

„Hola“ you said to Ona, not really knowing what to think of her.

„Hola“ Ona smiled back, putting a cup of Coffee in front of you, which Lucy took away the instant it touched the Table „No hay café para ella“ she said to Ona, while ignoring your frustrated „Oi!!“.

„Por qué?“ the dark haired woman asked.

„Look at her.... she's already a pest, I don't need her caffeinated up“ Lucy answered, finally in English, while pointing at you.

„Aye you Arsepiece“ you huffed out, crossing your arms in front of your chest.

„You're English, not Scottish, ya wee shite“ your Sister grinned at you, but finally came over, ruffling you Hair, which is Lucy language for „I love you“.

“I was born in Scotland therefore I’m Scottish” you grumble out.

„I don't understand a word you two say“ Ona said confused, her spanish accent thick as she speaks english and Lucy laughed out loud

„All good...“. She then looks at you again „But seriously... what are you doing here?“.

„Wanted to surprise you for your Birthday... haven't seen you since the Euros“ you mumble a little embarrassed

„You... missed me“ Lucy smirked

„No... how could I miss your annoying Ass?“ you answered quickly and she KNEW she hit a nerve

„I missed you too, Devils Spawn“ she said, pulling you into a side hug

„You never told me you had a younger Sister, Lucia“ Ona said, smiling slightly at our interaction

You just raise an eyebrow at Lucy „Lucia? What have you done to fuck up so badly, that she uses your actual name?“

„Lucia is more common here, you daft punk...“ Lucy rolled her eyes at you still holding you to her side before answering her Girlfriend „I try to keep her away from the Spotlight“

„Oh...“ Ona said, like she understands, which you doubted „I'll leave you two to catch up, I'm going to go...“ she smiled

„Weren't you about to come a little while ago?“ you blurted out, which earned you a very hard punch to the shoulder courtesy of your lovely Sister

Ona just look confused, which causes you to laugh „You can explain that one, Kneeless... Bathroom that way?“.

As you renter the Kitchen, you see Lucy and Ona kissing in the Doorway. You comment it with a loud dry heaving sound. Lucy blindly throws a shoe at you, which misses by miles and you snap a photo of her. You can only see Lucys back and Onas Hands around her Neck, so it's obvious that there's someone else, but you can't see who. You sit back down at the Table, your Stomach starting to growl and you realize just how late it is. You shot up and run up to Lucy, grabbing her shirt, pulling hard successfully ending the make out session

„You have to phone Mum that I'm here, otherwise she'll send a search party and I'm already dead, because I didn't text her that I arrived safely“ you stumble over your words, because nothing is more scary than Mum Bronze in Mum Mode. Lucy rolled her eyes, pecking Onas lips again for a final goodbye, before pushing you back into the Apartment again

„You realize what I just gave up for you?“

„Multiple Orgasms, I know... I don't want to know, but I know... can I post a picture, saying I'm with you?“ you murmur the end of your question, knowing Lucy is very picky with private Pictures and even more, when you're involved

„Let me first call Mum, then let me check the Picture, then we decide what we get for dinner, okay?“ she pressed a Kiss to your temple, already her Phone in Hand, dailing Home.

She was on the Phone to Mum forever, apologizing telling her she was so happy to see you that we forgot to call her. Straight A+ lie, but if someone can pull it off, it's Lucy

„You owe me, Smol“ she said after ending the Call „Now show me that picture, so I can say No and we can go finding food, since my fridge is empty and I planned on eating something else tonight“ she grinned, as you start to dry heave again.

„Please... i REALLY don't want to think about it“ you say pained

Lucy laughed out loudly and you smiled. You really missed her.

„Show me the Picture“ she said, encouraging you, a smile playing around her lips, as you show her.

„That's a good one“ Lucy said after a minute of looking at it closely handing you the phone back „You can use that one... Just don't tag Ona please“

„I don't even know who she is“ you said looking apologetic „but I think she's nice“

Your Sister laughed again „She is... haven't felt like this since Keira“

„Why did you and Keira split up? I really liked her“ you said and Lucy looked at you for a second, really looked at YOU before answering

„We just fell out of Love... nobodies fault... it just happened and it wasn't fair to either of us to keep pretending“ Lucy said carefully, yet seriously, knowing that Topic was difficult for you

„As cliche as it sounds, but we're still friends and I know, Keira will be over the Moon seeing you again“. Truth is, when Lucy and Keira split up you refused to talk to your Sister for weeks, not grabbing fully why she would leave Keira. Keira who was a mixture between a big Sister and a Mother to you. Keira, who made you laugh, when you where sad. Keira, who carried you to bed, when you fell asleep during a Movie. Keira, who held you when you came crying into Lucys Bedroom, just woken up from a Nightmare. In the End, you was just too young to grab fully what was happening. Maybe not too young but you couldn’t understand the feelings behind it.

„Was it my fault?“ you whispered, always the nagging feeling at the back of your Head, that it was your fault they split up.

„What?“ Lucy asked confused „No... of course not! Y/n listen to me... it had NOTHING to do with you“

„But if I would have acted more grown up and not come running nearly every night..�� you stared and Lucy immediately knew what it was about

„Y/n... it had nothing to do with that... nothing! You went through something traumatic and we were honestly glad you trusted us enough to come to us or let us calm you down when you had a nightmare“ she said insistently, holding your look „You had nothing to do with what happened between Keira and I, do you understand me?“

„I just... I feel like it's my fault“ you look down, playing with your fingers

„It's not... and if you don't believe me, you can ask Keira...“ Lucy said, grabbing your Hands in hers, holding them tightly „It just happened“

You let her pull you into a hug and for the first time in a long time you felt safe and home.

„Thanks Luce“ you mumbled against her shoulder

„Always ya wee shite“ she said and you felt her smiling into your Hair.

Yes, even at 16 years old, Lucy is a whole Head bigger than you were. Your stomach growled again and Lucy laughed „What do you want to eat, I'll order“

„I'm in Spain... obviously I want Fish and Chips, Idiot... I want authentic spanish food“ you said sarcastically

„Smartass“ she rolled her eyes „We could also go out, whatever you want“

„It's YOUR Birthday... why do I have to choose? “ you said, honestly confused

„I was trying to be nice... I know a small little Restaurant, not too far from here“ she grinned at you

„Do I have to change for it?“ you asked, looking down at your button down shirt, ripped jeans and the baby blue chucks

„Other shoes and you're good to go“ Lucy said as she threw a pair of NIKEs your way „I'll just go change, don't do anything stupid“ she pointed her finger threatenly at you

„Never, my beloved Sister“ you say sarcastically.

While Lucy is changing, you decided against posting the picture of Lucy and Ona kissing online. You know your Sister values her privacy and even she gave you the ok, it didn't feel right – but that doesn't mean you couldn't send it to someone else... Keira.

Y/n: ~ inserts picture ~ It finally happened Kei... I walked in on her... thankfully I haven't eaten today, otherwise Lucy would have to clean that up too

Keira: You're in Barcelona, Bitsy?! Why didn't you tell me?

Y/n: Sure am... wish I wasn't tho... ehm... surprise?

Keira: I hope you didn't plan to fuck off without saying hi... and don't kid yourself, Bitsy... that definitely wasn't the first time you walked in on your Sister ;)

Y/n: of fucking course not... and how would you know that, Ms. Walsh?

Keira: Because I was there :p

After you read Keiras last Text, you threw your Phone to the other End of the Couch with a loud „EW!!“.

Lucy came running from the Bedroom, looking at you shocked „What happened?? Are you okay?“. „I walked in on you and Keira???“ you cried out in agony.

„What?“ Lucy looked at you confused. You showed her your Phone, which caused her to laugh – full on belly laugh „Oh yeah... I forgot about that“ Lucy laughed.

„I WALKED IN ON YOU AND KEIRA???“ you screeched horrified.

„Yep... multiple times actually“ Lucy grinned.

„Oh god... I think I need to throw up? When... wait no... don't answer that“

Your Sister laughed again, throwing a coat towards you, silently telling you that you were leaving. „Is it okay, if I invite some people?“ she asked you, as you leave the Apartment.

„It's your Birthday, Luce – you can invite whoever you want“ you shrugged your Shoulders. „Whomever“ Lucy corrected you automaticly, before she pulled out her phone and send some texts. „Smartass“ you mumble as your Sister put her Arm around your Shoulders, manoeuvring you through the City.

Just as you rounded a corner into a small side road, someone shoulder checked you, turning around, yelling something in spanish at you. You looked at the guy confused, feeling Lucy going into protective Mode, making herself bigger by your Side. Before she could say anything, you looked at the Guy, yelling at him „Cállate la Boca, matildo hijo de puta!“

Your Sister looked shocked at you as does the Guy. You put on your best Bronze-Fightingface, before making a step towards him. Just as the Guy made up his mind and also took a step towards you, a Woman pushed right in between you two oozing confidence and started talking calmly to the Guy. She was pretty but damn – she was intimidating. The Guy talked back twice, before turning around, leaving the little alley

„What the Hell, Y/n??“ Lucy yelled at you „What the hell did you say to that guy? I understood ONE word and know it wasn't a compliment – and since when do you speak spanish?“

She then turned to the Woman „Hola Alexia... Gracias por interferir“

„Ningún problema“ the woman smiled at my Sister

„And you“ she turned to you „Where did you learn that?“

And there was that intimidating look again, which made you gulp. You grew up with Lucy Bronze, but this woman scared you. You pushed yourself behind your Sister, trying to hide

„Answer her“ Lucy pulled you out from behind her.

You just shook your Head and mumbled „She scares me Luce“

„Good“ your Sister mumbled „now answer her“

You shook your Head again. The woman looked at you and smiled slightly

„Excuse me. Hi, my name is Alexia, I'm a teammate and friend of your Sister“

You're still careful, not to stand to close to her „Hi... Y/n... I'm.. the Sister of my Sister“

This actually made her laugh, while Lucy groaned and started to rub her forehead embarrassed

„So... now that we know each other, where did you learn to offend spanish people? As much as I gathered, you don't speak spanish..“ Alexia said and immediately she got all scary again

„I... no... yes?“ You looked at her and tried to hide behind Lucy again, who groaned again. „Cariño.... my patience is wearing quite thin... you better start talking” Alexia said sweetly, but you knew it was a fair warning

“A girl at the Airport taught me... I just tried to order a coffee, which is SO hard in your country and the Barista didn't understand me and she kinda took over and ordered for me... as a thank you, I paid for hers... and we sat together as she waited for her Girlfriend and since we had time, she taught me some spanish” you stutter out

“Do you even know what you just said?” Alexia looked at you shocked

“ehrm... no... but the girl said I have to put on a Bitchface after saying it... she was cool...”

“Y/n... you just can't throw around spanish phrases, because SOMEONE told you” Lucy pressed.

“She look trustworthy” you defended yourself

“Cariño...” Alexia said softly “... don't EVER say that again, because you will get hurt in the process”

“Is it bad?” you ask unsure

“It is...” the Spanish woman said “... and if I ever find that Girl, that taught you, I will have a VERY serious talk with her... in spanish” she winked at you

“What are the Odds” you mumbled and Lucy looked at you

“What odds?” she asked you confused

“That girl just turned around the Corner” you said, pointing at a Girl, laughing loudly with some other girls

“I should have known” Alexia groaned out “María Pilar León Cebrián!!! Nosotras necesitamos hablar!!!” she yelled out

The Girl in questions Head snapped towards Alexias angry Voice, her laughter dying in her throat. She made eye contact with you, her eyes went comically wide and you could swear, you saw her mouthing the word “Fuck”, before slowly starting to walk backwards

“Oh please do” Alexia sneered, while walking towards Maria ��Please start running, so I can chase after you because after I caught you, I'm gonna drag your sorry Ass up to Nuo and let you run Laps until Training is over and then some more...”

You turned towards your Sister “Isn't Nuo Egg?” you ask confused

“Huevo is Egg.. Nuo is the Stadium where we train and play” Lucy explained

“Ah... and why is Alexia calling me Cariño ... is that some weird spanish name?” you said, still confused

This Time Lucy laughed out loud, while Alexia is “actively” having a word with Maria – she was outright yelling at the poor Girl. You actually did feel sorry for her. Maria looked very guilty, trying to explain, but not getting a word in.

“Cariño is a form of endearment... something like Honey”

“Excuse me?? She could have at least taken me out on a Date first” you huffed, but smiled.

“Are you causing trouble already?” a voice behind you said amused. You turned around and sprinted off, throwing yourself in the Womans arms.

“I missed you, Keira” you mumbled into her neck, while she's hugging you tightly

“I missed you too, Bitsy” she kissed your Hair, not breaking the contact

You felt safe in her arms. Lucy came over after getting over her initial shock of you just sprinting off

“For once, it wasn't her causing the Trouble... it was Mapí” Lucy said, nodding towards a still yelling Alexia with her head

“What a surprise – Mapí causing trouble... these two would absolutely cause havoc” Keira laughed, not letting go of you

“Take a guess, why Mapí is getting yelled at... they have met already” your Sister grinned

“Oh god” Keira groaned laughing “What has Mapí done?”

“She taught me spanish” you said proudly

“What did she teach...” the other english woman started before getting interrupted by Lucy “Don't!!!! Don't ask!”

Keira was a little taken aback, but didn't ask any further

“She taught me a phrase... apparently it's a bad one and I'm not allowed to say it again, otherwise the scary Woman will have my Ass” you said, still pressed into Keiras side

“Scary Woman?” Keira raised an eyebrow at Lucy

“Alexia” your Sister answered shrugging her shoulders

“Mapí would like to say something” said Woman stood behind you three, her hand grabbing the back of Marias neck, who looked like a kicked puppy

“Lamento mucho haberte enseñado algo malo” the smaller Woman mumbled, clearly not happy or comfortable with the situation

“En Inglés” Alexia rolled her eyes “As you maybe remember, little Bronze doesn't speak spanish”. “Su hermana lo hace - ella puede traducir” Maria said

“Maria” Alexia warned “Deja de ser difícil y discúlpate correctamente”

“I'm sorry for teaching you bad spanish” the younger woman huffed out annoyed

“It's...” you started, before Alexia interrupted you “And now we try to say that, like we really mean it” she said to Mapí, grabbing her neck a little tighter

“I'm sorry” the younger girl winced

“Very good” Alexia smiled, but everyone saw it was fake, before getting a stern face again “You still will run laps tomorrow”

“What??? I apologized” Mapí said shocked

“Still doesn't change the fact, that you nearly caused a fight – if I hadn't stepped in, she most like would have end up in the Hospital with a broken nose... or worse” Alexia said

“Oi!” you yelled out “I may be small, but I can hold myself, thank you very much”

“We” Alexia looked at you sternly “Will talk tomorrow”

You gulped again, making yourself smaller at Keiras side, who had watched the whole interaction with an amused grin on her face.

“Can we get food now?” you whispered into Keiras side

The Midfielder laughed loudly “Let's go” she said as she pulled you into the small Restaurant, everyone following you. You sat between Lucy and Alexia, Mapí to Alexias right, next to her her Girlfriend Ingrid, Keira was to Lucys left with one seat free in between them for when Ona would join.

“What's edible here?” you ask to no one particular, studying your menu.

“Should I order for you, Cariño?” Alexia ask, wanting to make you feel welcome and comfortable “If this is you aassuming that this is a date, then no...” you say distracted, still try to figure out the menu.

Alexia was taken aback, while your Sister laughed.

“But what is... potatoes braves?” you asked, looking up confused.

Mapí clutched her heart dramatically “My heart... my Heart burns... I think I have a heart attack.. is this what a heart attack feels? My poor Heart”

“What is her deal?” you asked your Sister, who already had tears in her eyes from laughing

“You just absolutely BUTCHERED her language and food” Keira said, her tone dry as usual still looking over the menu.

“But it says there...” you climbed on top of Lucy, your Knee pressing into her thigh, causing her to groan out in pain, to show Keira on the Menu “Potatoes braves... or something like that”

“Patatas Bravas” Keira corrected you “It is potatoes, but it's not called Potatoes and definitely not Braves..”

“Look at you, all fancy spanishing” you rolled your eyes at her, but she knew you didn't mean it.

“Could you please finally get off me?” Lucy groaned out, pushing you back on your chair “When did you get so heavy?”

“Are you calling me fat, Arse biscuits??” you challenged her by raising an eyebrow

“What if I do, Twat McFuckknuckle?” Lucy taking your bait, raising her eyebrow as well

“Stop it! Both of you, we have company AND in public” Keira said sharply, successfully interrupting your interaction “God the two of you – always trouble”

You kicked Lucys ankle lightly under the Table, she shoving you, pushing you successfully into Alexia.

“Sorry... she pushed me” you mumbled out, while shoving Lucy back.

Alexia looked at Keira “Are they always this violent towards each other?”

“Oh this isn't violent – this is actually them behaving” Keira smiled fake, watching you two shoving each other “Just wait till there's food on the Table – THEN it gets violent”.

Just as they were about to order, Ona joined the small Group, pressing a small Kiss to Lucys lips. You watched that interaction with a frown on your face. You cared deeply for Keira and assumed it wasn't easy on her watching her Ex and her new Girlfriend kissing right in front of her. You carefully looked at Keira, but saw her laughing with Ingrid, who changed seats for conversation purposes.

“What's this dark look on your face, Cariño?” Alexia whispered in your ear, unknowing to you, she always had an eye on you.

“Nothing” you said flatly, not wanting to start a scene “I'm just hungry”

It was your Sisters Birthday after all and she looked very happy with Ona.

“Dinner will be served soon, don't worry” the Barca captain said lightly, putting a hand on your bouncing knee.

“Ale?” Mapí asked from Alexias other side.

“Si?” the woman in question looked at her younger Teammate

“Can we swipe seats?” Mapí asked hopefully.

You look at her confused “You want to what?”

“Swipe seats... I take Alexias, she sits in my seat” the young spanish said

“Oh... OH... you mean swap...” you say as you realize what she wants “and they say I butcher a language”

“No” Alexia said sternly “before you ask, you two won't be anywhere unsupervised”

“Oi” you exclaim “I'm very capable of looking after myself”, while Mapí exclaimed something in spanish.

“No idea what she said, but she's right” you say, pointing at Mapí

“Enough” Alexia said sternly, both of you stop complaining immediately.

Keira looked impressed at Alexia, trying to hide her smirk. Lucy was in her own world with Ona, ignoring everything around her. Finally there was Food on the Table and before the Plagrabfor everyone even were placed on the Table, you and Mapí already starting to grab whatever you could reach. Alexia watched in horror, as you two just loading food on your own plates without waiting for the rest “Excuse me? María León... I know for a fact that you have manners and won't just load your plate with food without WAITING for everyone else – especially for the Woman who celebrates her birthday today... isn't that right, María?”

Mapí looked down on her plate guilty, before starting to put the food back.

“I thought so” Alexia said, still a mad undertone in her voice

You on the other Hand didn't care one bit. You grew up in the Bronze household. You snooze, you loose. You threw a little fried something into your mouth, chewing happily. That was until the spiciness kicked in. Your eyes went wide, tears starting to form in your eyes and you started to have problems to breath. As always, you turned to Keira for help, throwing food at her to get her attention.

“Y/n please... I didn't raise you for years so you start throwing food in public” the Woman said, turning to you before realizing what was happening. Once she saw you in your distressed state, she immediately came over, pulling you out of your chair and out of the restaurant. Lucy finally noticed her surroundings, as Keira pulled you outside. She jumped up, following the two of you outside

“What happened?” Lucy asked worried, seeing you having difficulties to breath and tears streaming down your face.

“I don't know. She suddenly started to throw food at me, I actually was about to tell her off, but saw her having problems to breath and got her out” Keira gave Lucy a rundown, while keeping you upright

“It's okay, Bitsy... calm down” Keira started to talk to you in a low, soothing voice “Take a deep breath for me”

You tried to follow her instructions, but with no luck. Lucy finally sprung into action grabbing you by your shoulders, making you look at her

“Did you eat something?”

You nod, still trying your hardest to breath.

“Spicy?”

You nod again, thankful that your Sister keeps a cool head.

“You're doing good, Bubs... Do you know what you've eaten?”

You shake your head.

“Okay... we can work with that” Lucy said, a small reassuring smile on her lips, turning to Keira “Could you get something dairy.. milk... yoghurt... whatever”

“Sure” Keira smiled before disparaging inside the Restaurant.

“It's okay, Bubs... it's going to get better soon, I promise – just... don't shovel everything into your gob without asking next time.. these guys here are absolutely unholy when it comes to spicy food”. Just as your Sisters calm voice started to work on your nerves, Keira appeared with a glass of milk AND yoghurt

“Drink Bitsy” she smiled assuringly at you, pushing the glass of milk into your hands.

You took a sip and immediately felt your tight chest loosen up. Greedily you drowned the whole glass, feeling better with every gulp.

“Fuck” was the first word, that left your mouth after you regain your breathing again.

“You okay now, Bubs?” Lucy asked concerned.

“Getting there” you said, leaning forward, your hands on your knees “But I think I need to throw up”

Lucy pulled you upright quickly “Are you serious?”

“Yep” you breathed deeply, your stomach on a wrath for torturing it

“I'm getting you home right now” your Sister said seriously “Spicy is one thing, but your stomach is normally made of steel, that's not normal”

You just groaned

“Stay” Keira said to your Sister “It's your Birthday – I'll take her to my Place and have an eye on her... you stay and enjoy your evening, okay?”

“I can't ask that of you, Kei” Lucy said softly

“You're not asking... I'm offering” Keira smiled softly “If she feels up for it, we can meet for brunch or lately at training”

“Thank you” Lucy whispered, hugging her Ex-Girlfriend before turning to you “You behave... be good for Keira”

You nod before Keira wraps you into a hug, leading you away.

As soon as you're out of earshot and view, Keira let go of you and grinned knowingly “You can stop pretending now...”

You looked at her shocked “How did you know?”

“I was always able to tell... your sister is right, you have a stomach made of steel... your whole face changed after you drank the milk and I knew you're alright again... what I don't know is why you put on a show” the english Woman smirked at you, as she called you out

“Didn't want you to put up with Lucy and her new One being all lovey-dovey all evening... and I didn't want to put up with it either” you mumble caught.

Keira started to laugh loudly “Oh Bitsy... I see that lovey-dovey every day... it's okay for me... Lucy deserves to be happy...”

You looked at Keira and she knew there was more to it.

“What's wrong, Bitsy?” she ask lovingly

“I feel like it's my fault you broke up...” you mumble, having a hard deja-vu

“Oh sweetheart... no it's not... Lucy and I just grew apart. It happens and it's nobodies fault, especially not yours... but there's more, isn't it?” Keira said softly

“I don't like the new one” you mumble out, looking down embarrassed

“Why? Ona is a good person, she's good to and for your Sister”

“She looks like she doesn't even need to shave” you exclaimed.

Keira bursted out laughing “You're one of a kind, Bitsy... trust me... Ona is a good Person and she's good for Lucy... I know you're always struggling with change, but please.. give Ona a chance, she'll surprise you”

“M'kay” you mumble.

You arrived at Keiras Apartment, she let you both in before setting up her guest room for you. You went on exploring Keiras home. You were about to open a cabinet as she called from the guest room “Don't you dare open my Cabinets... I love you but you're a clutz”.

You quickly let go of the handle, looking at the pictures hanging on the wall instead. You spotted one of yourself and Lucy, sound asleep on your Couch in Manchester. You laid on top of Lucy, while she was sprawled out under you, her right arm over your back, holding you safely, her knee carefully placed on some pillows, her glasses askew on her face, your hand fisted in her shirt.

“I love that picture” Keiras voice soft behind you “I came back from training, wondering why she hadn't answered my texts about dinner... I walked in and both of you were softly snoring on the Couch. Your leg was so close to her freshly operated knee, that I was afraid you'd hurt it, if you move and I tried to lift you off her, but both of you started to stir as soon as I moved you. So I just let you sleep – after I took a picture. I think Lucy slept for another hour and you slept for nearly three more hours”

Keiras voice was soft and full of love, that you started crying silently. Another picture showed Lucy and Keira in a park, you asleep in between them. You pointed at the picture, your back still facing her.

“London” Keira said understanding you even without words “Our first anniversary.. She planned this whole Weekend to the brim, with fancy Restaurant, Musical Show, Sightseeing... everything... then your parents got so sick with the flu, that we took you with us... her plans went so fast out the window” Keira laughed quietly “but we improvised and instead of fancy restaurant we did pick-nick in Hyde Park – and I wouldn't change it for the world. You were so done after a day of exploring the city and all of the sights, that you were out like light as soon as you sat down”

You pointed at the next picture, again the three of you.

“You can't remember this one?” she asks you surprised.

“I do” you whisper “but... please”

“Paris” Keira said softly “Third anniversary.. Lucy just joined Lyon and invited me over to France for our anniversary She told me, she has the weekend off and wanted to take me to Paris – I honestly thought she would propose... Somehow you heard Lucy talking to your mum and begged her to let you come as well. It was the first time you two were separated and everyone could see that it was so hard on you. Lucy said as long as I'm okay with it, you could come. I remember you being so over the top with your nerves, that you ran around the Airport like a maniac... I lost you twice” Keira chuckled “and as soon as we started, you were out like a light again. In Paris, I had do carry you off the Plane, because you wouldn't wake up – and I still had to get our luggage AND carry you. It took me forever and Lucy was starting to panic that I bailed until she saw me, packed like a Donkey holding onto your sleeping form, dragging our bags behind me. And what did she do? She first smiled and then laughed – but it was the most beautiful sound in the world to me”

“Do you miss her?” you asked quietly.

“Of course I do” Keira answered honestly.

“Do you still love her?”

“I love her, yes... but I'm not IN love with her” she said.

You finally turned around, hugging her tightly.

“I miss you at home... so much” you mumble into her shoulder, tears rolling down your cheeks. Keira held you tightly “Oh sweet girl.. I miss you too – I really do”

You stayed like this for a moment, before your eyes grew heavy and Keira carefully walked the two of you towards the Guest bedroom, not letting go of you. You held onto her for dear life, letting her guide you.

As Keira kicked the door of the Guest room open, you mumble into her shoulder “Don't wanna sleep alone”

The english Woman chuckled lightly “I thought so... I just thought I'd offer, just in case... being a good host and everything”

She guided you towards her own Bedroom and sat you down on the Bed. You already were half asleep and whined tiredly as Keira let go of you. She smiled at your hunched over form

“Hush you... I need to change and get ready for bed – you too by the way”

You whined again “too much effort”

“Come on” Keira pulled at your Shirt “Teeth, Face, Change”

You felt like being Seven all over again.

“Nooooo” you whined out.

“Don't start... I'm not Lucy, I'm not a push-over... seven years of me in your life should have taught you that” Keira said severe.

You huffed heavy-hearted, before pushing off the Bed, shuffling towards the bathroom.

Keira smiled to herself “Still a big baby”.

After both of you went through your nightly Routine, with Keira basically brushing your teeth for you and changed your button down shirt with a normal shirt to sleep in, you made it into bed, where you immediately cuddled into Keiras arms and closed your Eyes. The older Woman kissed the Crown of your Head as she mumbled sweet nothings into the dark room, knowing you'd fall asleep in an instant.

Part 2 follows... at some point 😅

[steveshairychest]

Time travel au where Steve is the last one to go through the gate in Eddie's trailer, except when he comes out, he's not in his Hawkins anymore. Instead of being greeted by the sight of his friends safe and sound and Wayne's mug collection, he's standing in some random guys trailer.

He gets shoved out the front door and into the strange new world that is undoubtedly Hawkins, but not the Hawkins he remembers.

Everything feels wrong. The people look strange in their weird clothes and a lady across the park screams into a flat rectangle in her hand. The trailers look the same but there's something about them that's definitely wrong. Some guy blows smoke in his face while walking past and instead of the gross smell of cigarette he was expecting, it smells sweet, almost like strawberries. He's so fucking confused. He knows he's causing a scene by walking around gaping at everything, but what else is he supposed to do? Steal a car and drive off? He's never seen cars like this in his entire life!! Do they even work the same way?!

Maybe he has a concussion. Maybe this is his version of a vecna hallucination.

And then things only get more confusing when a little girl runs over to him and beams up at Steve like they've been best friends forever. "Hi, Mr Harrington! Why are you here?" She can't be older than 9.

Why does this little girl know him? He stares at her and his confusion must show because she tilts her head and frowns. "Are you okay, Mr Harrington?"

She keeps calling him Mr Harrington, is he a teacher here? Oh god, does that mean there's another version of himself running around here?! Wherever here is.

"I'm... fine. I'm just a little lost." He walks away before he scares the poor girl with his rising hysterics. Steve knows these roads like the back of his hand, he's driven them his entire life, but he takes a million wrong turns because there's suddenly so many new streets he's never even heard of. Where there should be a huge clearing, there is now a building so high Steve swears it touches the sky and the tree him and Robin used to have picnics under is now gone and replaced with a parking lot filled with more weird cars.

"What the fuck? What the fuck?!" Steve finally makes it to where his house should be and there's... nothing. It's just a block of land for sale. It tips him over the edge. He can't remember the last time he cried but right now he is balling and hiccuping as he stumbled down the street he grew up on. But it's wrong. It's all so wrong. People drive past and give him weird looks, a lady even stops jogging and takes out the tiny earplugs that play music so loud Steve can hear it, and asks if he's OK. "No, I'm not. This isn't real. This isn't real!"

It has to be vecna. He's got him. That's why he's stuck in this nightmare. "You have to play music! Give me your plug things! Make them play anything! Get me out of here." The woman refuses and does nothing but stand there in shock as Steve sinks down to the sidewalk and starts singing Everybody Wants to Rule The World as loud as he can.

"I'm calling 911. You need help." Steve doesn't hear her. He's singing so loud people are starting to come out of their houses to see what's going on but that doesn't matter to him. This isn't real. Vecna has him and he needs to get out.

When the ambulance pulls up, Steve's run out of tears. He's cried himself dry and he's resigned to the fact that any minute now, Vecna is going to snap his arms and legs. "I'm ready." He says quietly to no one but himself. He'd rather it be him than any of his friends. He knows they are probably watching him and trying to bring him back but it's too late. He can't hear the music they're playing.

"Steve?" A familiar voice drags him out of his own head, but it can't be real. He heard that voice take its final breath just mere minutes ago, he can still feel his drying blood under his fingernails. Steve lifts his head and there he is, it's Eddie, no doubt about it. His long hair is tied up in a bun and his eyes are sparkling with worry as he crouches down in front of Steve. It's then that Steve realises Eddie is in full paramedic gear and he's pulling all sorts of things out of a bag to check on Steve.

"Eddie, you're alive." He whispers in disbelief as Eddie checks him for any head injuries. "Where are we? How do we leave?"

Eddie pulls back and there's panic behind his eyes as he slowly helps Steve to his feet and gestures to his partner to grab the stretcher. "Steve, love, I need you to tell me what happened. Why aren't you at work?"

At work? What is Eddie going on about? And did he just call Steve love?!!

"Eddie, this isn't real. I need to leave. I can't stay here with you." He says it slowly so that Eddie understands. He may be some figment of Steve's weird dream imagination and he doesn't want to freak the poor guy out by telling him he's actually dead.

Eddie breathes in and out, his hands a little shaky as he helps Steve onto the ambulance stretcher. His partner helps get Steve set up in the back of the ambulance before they're driving off. Eddie reaches out and holds Steve's hand gently, the gesture surprising but not unwelcome. "Steve, baby, this is very much real life. You're in Hawkins. It's March 21st, 2023. Your name is Steve Harrington, remember?"

"Wait, what?!" Steve tries to sit up but Eddie gently pushes him back down. They hit a bump in the road and Eddie swears softly under his breath about his partner's driving. "It's not 1986?!" He's panicking. He can feel his heart rate spike and his breathing starts to quicken. Eddie tells him to stay calm and just breathe in and out but Steve can't hear him.

Maybe this really isn't Vecna. He'd be dead by now if Vecna had him and Eddie's touch feels too real to be a dream.

Before he knows it, his vision is going spotty and then he's out; the panic and absolute absurdity of it all finally getting to him.

"You'll be okay, Stevie."

Except this isn't the Steve Eddie knows and loves. His Steve, his darling husband, is currently having a dilemma of his own back in 1986.

[indecentpause]

OC in Fifteen

tagged by @oh-no-another-idea! thank!

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

we're doing Josselin from The Black & Blues!

1. “I didn’t [like concerts] as much before, because it was too loud and overstimulating, but once Frankie suggested earplugs it got a lot easier, and now I really love it!”

2. “Sorry,” he says again, and he closes his eyes and tilts his head down. “Sorry. For being sorry? Sorry. I get caught up in circles when this happens so I’m just gonna say I’m glad you got out.”

3. “I promise, the joy of being with you is worth eight dollars. Or sixteen, as the case may be.”

4. “I just wanted a minute or two alone with you. We don’t have to do anything. I just missed you. I missed you a lot.”

5. When you give it to Josselin, he says, “You made this for me? Even though you were so busy and tired all the time?”

6. “Josselin throws his arms around you and buries his face in your shoulder. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I don’t–”

7. "What a coincidence,” he says, and he’s finally smiling again, a real smile, that big, bright beam you love so much. “I have a sexy boyfriend who’s about to impress me with his musical skills.”

8. He wraps his arms around himself, like he’s cold suddenly, or afraid. “I have trouble eating in home kitchens. Even my own. That’s why I always have takeout containers and stuff around. I just. I never told you because we always go out for meals and. And it’s weird. It’s weird and embarrassing. I don’t even trust my own cooking, or Frankie’s. Because what if it’s made wrong? What if someone gets sick? What if–”

9. “Okay,” he says. “Okay. If you need a minute, that’s fine. Okay? Just sit here with me and breathe."

10. He kisses the side of your thumb again and says, “Yeah. There is. When I was a kid they thought I had [an anxiety disorder] until they realized I’m just autistic and was overstimulated all the time. You always feel anxious?”

11. Josselin’s hand tightens on yours and he says gently, “Meara. Those are two, like, textbook reasons to talk to a therapist.”

12. “How could you [know]?” he shrugs a shoulder and says, “I never told you. I can’t expect you to read my mind.”

13. “Let me help you clean [the scratch wounds],” Josselin insists. “Do you want to take a shower or do you just want me to get a clean towel and some soapy water?”

14. “Call me if you need me. My insomnia’s been pretty bad recently, so if I’m awake and you’re awake we may as well be awake together.”

15. “Don’t ever hit yourself. Don’t ever, ever do anything to hurt yourself.”

tagging @the-golden-comet @revenantlore @winterandwords @willtheweaver to share fifteen-ish lines of dialogue!

[n7punk]

once again scheduled for after the tour is over but bruh. the Burn the Witch tour.

number 1 thing i will say is that the flashing lights were. flashing. there were a lot of them. i think i was standing at the only place i could have survived the show, actually, near the stage so i could see but off to the side so the lights weren't really aimed at me. so that was a damper but i actually did okay because my migraines mostly operate based on Vibes rather than specific triggers. it is to the point where im unsure about going to another of their shows tho. in all honesty i probably will if i can afford it at the time but otherwise i will take it as a sign lmao.

okay to the tour itself tho.

i hadn't heard of bruses before the tour announcement, so i checked her out when i bought tickets and was like "nice, but not my thing". she was really good live tho so i might give her another chance. she.... was falling over drunk though. like she was only vertical on a technicality. i thought she might be doing a bit but no she was definitely drunk. also she played tic tac toe with the audience which was fun and unexpected but i dont know Where that came from lmao.

pale waves i already knew and liked some songs from (found them through She's My Religion) and they were good but honestly had less stage presence. like, wasted as she was, bruses was Tuned In. honestly they might have only seemed a little plain because they were following That. honestly hoping bruses is an alcoholic so this doesn't end up outing which show i was at lmao.

and then pvris. they were amazing. of course they were. it's a headbanger concert for sure. i had to keep one foot rooted to the ground at all times and i still almost fell over twice dancing. it was so hype. i didn't cry like i did with xana but its a different vibe you know. and also just a much bigger and louder show.

the Loud was a problem because i forgot my earplugs and didn't realize they had them at merch (i made a beeline for the stage because i saw there was a great spot and wanted to get it). definitely a show you need earplugs for, lesson learned. tour merch was actually reasonably priced as far as tour merch goes, if a little boring. xana had more fun shirts (sex tour labeling aside). the shirts didn't even say burn the witch on them! but i still got one because i like having something from shows and posters just so aren't my thing

also lynn was cuter than i expected in real life, and i mean in a puppies and rainbows way and not an attraction way. like i dont watch interviews or whatever so despite following them for ten years ive never really seen her outside of music videos where she's always serious but she was just really happy and sweet. which is like. a good way to be surprised rather than alcoholism but yeah it Was still a surprise.

anyway, lights/sound were too much, but overall a great show, even if standing room only is a Challenge, i also never want to go back to arena shows because you can actually like. see the stage and feel like you're part of it with smaller venues. so i'll take the trade off of foot pain

[sizebrained]

Sam Takes Cob to Their First College Party, Part 4 (G/T July 24 - Quaff)

Even though I just started sharing any of g/t writing, it seems like there's a minor holiday going on for g/t fanatics (and I missed Mermay, the fomo is real).

So I wanted to try and add something for #g/t july using @gianttol 's lovely prompts list. I had to look up what "quaff" meant and then realized I'm literally at the perfect spot to give it a go.

CW: Adult themes & language, drinking, drugs, and suggestive unintentional flirting. ***

It was too loud. Even stowed away in Sam's front pocket of her overalls. Sam kept checking on Cob every thirty seconds.

Her huge face and bright green eyes looked increasingly worried to Cob whenever the enormous human girl filled the sky over the pocket with every peek down.

This wasn't what Sam was thinking this would be like when she promised her tiny borrower stowaway a good time. She didn't really consider how the "tiny" part made everything so different compared to Sam’s perception.

Sam thought the music filling the house party was perfect. It was soft enough that Sam didn't even have to bend over to have a conversation with all of the shorter people at the party. Cob tried to keep a stiff upper lip as their sister said, but it was hard to when both of their hands had to cover their ears to avoid any pain.

It's even louder than Sam and Ben yelling at each other in here...Cob thought. Then Cob felt Sam walking suddenly, hearing a door close. It was much, much quieter. Sam had slipped outside and was leaning on the railing of the back steps. She looked into the crowded house through the glass. Sam opened her pocket again and leaned down to Cob. "It's really loud in there for you isn't it babe?" Sam asked Cob. "No! No no...it's...yeah...It’s really really loud. It hurts actually.” Cob finally admitted disappointed.

But surprisingly, Sam grinned down at them. "Here." She said revealing a paper napkin from another pocket and holding it down for Cob.

“I should have thought of this sooner.” She added feeling bad for the little cutie before continuing.

“About half the team doesn't drink or take anything. I didn't want someone sober to look over and see me lowering this into my front pocket and notice little bits taken off. They might think I had a pet or something and want to see." Sam made a sound in her throat as Cob peeled off such small pieces. She realized someone would have had to have superhuman eyesight to have noticed so little of the napkin missing.

She was thoughtless again and her fear was misplaced. Cob suffered longer than they had needed to because Sam didn't get it. God they're so tiny, I'm surprised Ben even noticed one...Sam thought as Cob stuffed their ears and gave the big girl two thumbs up. "Better?" Sam asked speaking up to test it.

Cob felt the pleasant shaking of Sam's big voice fill their body from being against Sam's chest in the pocket.

It didn't hurt and felt pleasant the way Cob liked. Their tail stood straight up behind them then dropped and swished a few times. Cob was about to answer when Sam jumped in place. Her big palm wiped down over the pocket, pushing Cob down to the bottom in one quick motion. "Is what better?" Avery, the setter, asked. Looking eye level at the bigger, seated girl out back.

Sam was alone talking to herself. It wasn't like her.

Avery was holding a plastic cup and shot glass, offering it to Sam.

Cob stayed at the bottom and took out their makeshift earplugs, afraid they'd been spotted, listening to make sure.

Sam took the shot and beer in a bigger cup from Avery with a grin, trying to seem normal in case Avery saw anything. Avery knew her knew too well. "Oh it was just a little loud in there..."

Sam stayed put afraid that if she stood, it'd give Avery a clear view of her front pocket and the tiny person hiding inside. Sam downed the shot, keeping the little plastic glass in one hand, then sipped the beer. Avery looked confused before saying, "You're always like the loudest person at these things?"

Avery stopped in case something was wrong that she didn't know about. She also hoped they could hook up again tonight and didn’t want to ruin her chances.

"Thank you by the way. For earlier, I was worried they were going to arrest you or something. I think the guy was more embarrassed than anything else. Pressing charges against you probably would have made it worse for him." Sam took another sip saying, “No worries. It didn't seem like anyone else was going to do anything, and I'd had enough so..."

Sam said with a pause before adding, "Max is pissed. Obviously." "I didn't tell her I swear!" Avery said looking panicked. "I know. I know. She saw it on the news, apparently someone noticed me walk through the game in the middle of a point and it got some shitty little writeup on the internet.” Sam said making Avery look relieved.

“And then Max got an alert because it mentioned the team. One person's phone recorded it, but the video was so shaky and blurry from where they were sitting you couldn't really see anything."

Sam sighed taking another sip, wishing she had another shot while thinking of her ex's texts that had made her accidentally scare Cob. "Big yikes." Avery only offered.

It made Sam grin and laugh. At her size, Sam was used to being in the spotlight. It made her think of Ben today, and the thought of everyone paying even more attention to him suddenly made her feel worried. "Don't stay out here too long? It's been a minute." Avery said touching Sam's cheek.

The bigger girl leaned into the hand for a lingering moment and nodded. Then Avery left Sam outside alone, unknowingly with Cob. Sam sighed and poured some of her beer into the shot glass filling it to the brim shakily. Then she stood with her back against the door to block anyone from opening it.

She set her down her beer and held her palm next to her front pocket. She held the shot glass on the other side of her palm. "Coast is clear. Come out and take a sip." Sam said down at Cob. Cob climbed up to the top of Sam's pocket and onto her large hand, seeing the huge container, the shot glass, of gold liquid bubbling. "It's just me so you can..."

Sam was explaining as Cob leaped into it headfirst.

Sam jumped in place exclaiming, "Oh fuck! Babe! No! I said a sip not a dip!" Cob's upper body was submerged into the shot glass up to their stomach, tail swishing wildly behind them. The liquid was cold and the bubbles felt amazing as they greddily gulped it down.

Sam panicked and shifted in place. Then she tipped the shot glass out onto her open hand. Cob spilled out. Cob was flat on their ass in Sam's hand soaking wet. They wiped their face and paused before they let out a small burp.

“So good..." they groaned. Sam pulled the paper napkin back out from her other pocket and started dabbing Cob and her hand off. "Babe we gotta work on our listening skills. Jesus...Hazel is gonna kill me." Sam said trying to soak everything up. "I'm not telling her are you?" Cob said looking up mischieviousy before their face got covered and pushed back with a napkin corner. When Cob's face was free again they shouted out, "Can we get some more? I think I really like beer..." Sam exhaled puffing her cheeks out as she did. "Yea me too, but let's see how you do with what's in your body for bit. Ok babe?" Cob looked disappointed while Sam reached down to the rail and picked up her own beer chugging it. She wasn't used to having to look after someone else like this.

After her day, it was going to be a longer night than she'd expected. Cob waited excitedly as she got slipped back into Sam's front pocket. She landed at the bottom and felt a little woozy.

Sam went back into the party.

*** End Part 4

Happy GT July to all who celebrate!

[silyabeeodess]

FusionFall Headcanons: Sonic Scorpions

It isn't just instruments from the Sunny Bridge's Auditorium that've catered to their numbers. Marquee Row in itself is largely a massive entertainment district, so there would naturally be several music-related businesses, from orchestra shops to set-ups at local bars and clubs. According to their description, these monsters have even taken instruments from basic garage bands. They're smaller in number than other fusion monsters, but halting their creation would almost require halting music altogether--an impossibility simply due to how big a of role it is to the human experience. Especially during the war, music is integral for keeping up morale. Fuse knows this, and so targeting travelling groups that play for Earth's army isn't out of the question either.

From military usage to crowd-control, acoustic weaponry isn't anything new. While the Sonic Scorpions can't exactly do the same damage as these weapons due to their lack of sophisticated tech (being made up of literal instruments), they nevertheless can still cause some injury through noise alone. We see this evident in the mission "How to Date a Fusion (Part 3 of 5)," in which Belladonna/Buttercup sends us to battle them in her place due to just how much her head hurts while fighting them. Granted, given how I like to view Belladonna as a doppelganger to Buttercup rather than Buttercup herself, this could've been an excuse for Belladonna not to fight period since she just can't match the real Buttercup's ability and it would be like tossing a lamb at a bunch of wolves. Nevertheless, it's still worth keeping in mind, especially given the racket we do hear the Sonic Scorpions make in-game while fighting them ourselves. Other than damage to the ears and nerves, the loud sounds made can also cause psychological distress, which can be a turning factor mid-combat. They might not be able to create sound waves capable of knocking you over, but they can create a noise that forces you to naturally tense up/freeze when a decisive strike is needed. Earplugs are highly advised whenever you face these monsters.

Because of this use of sound as a weapon, the Sonic Scorpions are pretty adept at facing multiple combatants at a time. They have no control of the direction of the sound waves, the chaotic clatter booming across wide areas--the amps on their tails increasing that range. Beyond soldiers, this has greatly affected anyone living in or near Marquee Row where the Sonic Scorpions roam. Their constant noise increases stress, a loss of sleep, and illnesses caused from both. As such, there's a heavy focus on culling these fusion monsters in-particular despite their fewer numbers and lower threat level compared to others.

While they are the bane of most anyone living in Marquee Row, there is a silver-lining to all of their racket: It's impossible for them to act stealthily. The instruments attached to their bodies clamor with every movement, so people always know in-advance when one of them spawns/approaches--with fusion fighters then quickly dispatched to handle them as a result.

Despite having a "stinger" like a real scorpion's, physical attacks are pretty rare. More likely, as seen from their in-game animations, these monsters will attack by firing fusion matter from their mouths with the stingers playing a more secondary role. This actually falls in-line with the attacks of real-life scorpions, as when they are capable of taking down their prey without poison, then they'll just hold them down. The Sonic Scorpions can fire fusion matter from their tails as well, but it is too blunt at the tip for a direct injection and new fighters will often focus so much on avoiding the tail that the other attack pattern lands with greater success.

This can make them a bit tricky to fight, as you have to pay attention to attacks from both high and low: The stinger looming above you and the face lower to the ground. Whether a nano or fellow soldier, it is good to have a spotter when you fight them if only to call out when these monsters switch up where they aim from.

Also like many real scorpions, their hard exoskeleton can be tough to break. Flattening themselves may be pointless due to their huge size compared to humans, but sharp weapons still work much better than blunt weapons against them. If you have to fight melee, use a sword.

A third trait of theirs taken from real scorpions is their increased activity at night. Rather than because of nocturnal hunting though, it's due to how and why they were created. The spawns that came from them witnessed much of the nightlife of Marquee Row--when it's time to party and bands are in full-swing, ripe for swiping material from. Again, one of their main purposes is also to keep people up at night, so parading through the streets in the earliest hours of the day is typical for them.

[betslumbur]

BET Slumbur Earplug FAQs

To better understand how this new BET Slumbur Earplug works, here we prepared most frequently asked questions for you.

Q1. What are BET SLUMBUR Real Noise-reducing earplugs?

A1. Real Noise-reducing earplugs are innovative devices designed to block or dampen unwanted sound, providing users with a quieter environment and protecting their hearing.

Q2. How do BET SLUMBUR earplugs work?

A2.noise reduction in a specific target frequency, providing users with quiet in noisy environments. Block out the unwanted sounds but keep the sound that needs your attention.

Q3.What are the benefits of using BET SLUMBUR earplugs?

A3.Using our real noise-reducing earplugs offers a multitude of benefits, including: ● Protection of hearing from potential damage caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises. ● Improved focus and concentration by minimizing distractions in noisy surroundings. ● Enhanced sleep quality by creating a quieter environment conducive to restful sleep. ● Reduced anxiety and stress levels by minimizing the impact of external noise. ● Elevated enjoyment of music or audio in noisy environments by reducing interference from surrounding sounds.

Q4.Are these BET SLUMBUR earplugs comfortable to wear?

A4.Absolutely! We understand that comfort is key when it comes to earplugs. That's why we offer four sizes of ear tips, allowing users to select the best fit for their ear size. This ensures optimal comfort and provides the ultimate noise-reduction experience. Moreover, our earplugs can swiftly balance ear pressure in just 15 seconds. It is pressure-free even if you are a side sleeper.

Q5.How do I clean and maintain the BET SLUMBUR earplugs?

A5.Cleaning and maintaining our earplugs is simple. Just wash them with water, and please remember to remove the filter before washing. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners, as they may damage the earplugs.

Q6.What are the Difference among SLEEP, ENJOY and ENJOY PRO?

A6.The main difference is the supported noise-reducing frequency among the BET SLUMBUR SLEEP, ENJOY and ENJOY PRO earplugs. You can choose your perfect fit

BET SLUMBUR SLEEP Earplugs - SNR: 32 dB (NRR: 19.1 dB) BET SLUMBUR ENJOY Earplugs - SNR: 28 dB (NRR: 16 dB) BET SLUMBUR ENJOY PRO Earplugs - SNR: 24 dB (NRR: 13 dB)

Q7.What sizes are available?

A7. What sizes are available? Our real noise-reducing earplugs come in 4 sizes (including S, M, L, and XL) to ensure a comfortable and secure fit for users of all ages. We recommend you try all sizes and then find the appropriate size with the best comfort for your ears. S=10mm; M=11mm; L=12mm; XL=13mm

Q8.A warranty or guarantee is included?

A8.Yes, we stand behind the quality of our products. We offer a 36-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. If you encounter any issues with your earplugs, please contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you.

[bestmusiciansearplugs]

Best Earplugs and Protection For Musicians

Music is the heart and soul of many, and for musicians, it's not just a passion; it's a way of life. However, constant exposure to loud music and instruments can lead to irreversible hearing damage, making ear protection a top priority. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of ear protection for musicians and provide a comprehensive guide to selecting the best earplugs to preserve your hearing without compromising on sound quality.

Ear Protection For Musicians

Hearing damage is a real problem that most people tend to overlook.

According to the World Health Organization, the growing rates of hearing loss across the globe need to be fixed with safer listening strategies for the reduction of exposure to loud sounds in recreational settings.

How can we enjoy listening to loud music but keep our ears healthy at the same time? The dilemma is true for music consumers and music creators alike. 

Turning down the volume on your headphones or using really great earplugs could work easily for an audience member or even a musician.

Still, musicians need to plan a bit harder when it comes to how they should protect their ears in loud environments like festivals, studios, and clubs.

When you're on stage singing, you need to be able to still hear the music and hear yourself well when you dampen the sound hitting your eardrums.

It's a bit of a challenge, but I want to share some tips on how I make it work when I sing and need protection. 

Tips For Ear Protection

Take regular breaks:

Give your ears some time to recover after being exposed to loud music. Take short breaks during rehearsals or performances to give your ears a rest and prevent overexposure to loud sounds.

Use a sound meter app:

Consider using a sound meter app on your smartphone to monitor the noise levels around you. This can help you gauge when the sound is too loud and take necessary precautions to protect your ears.

Adjust the volume levels:

If you have control over the sound system, make sure to adjust the volume levels appropriately. Aim for a balance where you can hear the music and yourself clearly without it being excessively loud.

Invest in custom-molded earplugs:

Custom-molded earplugs are designed specifically for your ears, providing a comfortable fit and better protection. They can be more expensive, but offer superior sound quality and are a worthwhile investment if you perform regularly.

Practice good vocal technique:

You can reduce the strain on your voice and minimize the need to sing louder to hear yourself. This can prevent vocal fatigue and the temptation to increase the volume, protecting your vocal health and reducing the risk of hearing damage.

Conclusion

As musicians, protecting our hearing is crucial for a sustainable and fulfilling career. The sound shield, represented by high-quality earplugs, not only safeguards us from hearing damage but also ensures we can continue to enjoy the beauty of music for years to come. Whether you're a professional musician or an aspiring artist, prioritize your hearing health by investing in the best earplugs that strike the perfect balance between protection and sound fidelity. Let's play it safe and let the music live on, If you want to know more, Click here

[thomastjacobs]

Why Every Musician Needs High Quality Earplugs

Your hearing is one of your most valuable resources if you're a musician. However, the continual exposure to loud music during practices, plays, and concerts can seriously jeopardise the health of your ears. High-quality musician earplugs are useful in this situation.

This blog post will discuss the value of utilising high-quality ear protection, how they vary from ordinary earplugs, and the many advantages they provide. You'll see at the end of this essay why purchasing top-notch earplugs is a crucial move in protecting your hearing without sacrificing your enjoyment of music.

The Nature of Musician Hearing Risks

Music is a beautiful art form, but the decibel levels in live performances can be incredibly high. Regular exposure to loud music can lead to irreversible hearing damage, causing issues like tinnitus and hearing loss.

We'll delve into the specific hearing risks that musicians face and how this makes high-quality earplugs an indispensable accessory for every musician.

Understanding High Quality Musician Earplugs

Unlike traditional foam earplugs that block out all sound indiscriminately, high quality musician earplugs are designed to preserve the clarity of music while reducing the overall volume.

We'll explain how these earplugs use advanced technology to maintain the integrity of the music while protecting your ears from harmful sound levels.

Advantages of High Quality Earplugs over Regular Earplugs

Regular earplugs may seem like a convenient option, but they can negatively impact the music you create and experience during performances.

We'll compare the benefits of high quality musician earplugs to standard earplugs, focusing on sound fidelity, comfort, and customization options.

Custom Made Musician Earplugs

One size doesn't fit all when it comes to ear protection. Custom made musician earplugs offer an ideal solution as they are moulded to fit your ears perfectly, providing maximum comfort and noise reduction.

We'll explore the process of getting custom earplugs made, their advantages, and why they are worth the investment.

Balancing Hearing Protection and Performance

Many musicians worry that using earplugs might hinder their performance or their ability to interact with bandmates during live shows.

We'll discuss strategies to strike a balance between protecting your hearing and maintaining a strong musical performance, ensuring that musicians can deliver their best without compromising their hearing health.

Hearing Preservation as a Long-Term Investment

Hearing damage is often cumulative and irreversible. We'll highlight the long-term consequences of neglecting hearing protection and emphasise how high-quality earplugs are a wise investment in your future as a musician.

Prominent Musicians Advocating for Hearing Protection

Some of the world's most renowned musicians have faced hearing issues due to prolonged exposure to loud music. We'll cite real-life examples of famous musicians who have experienced hearing damage and how they have become advocates for hearing protection, further reinforcing the importance of musician earplugs.

Selecting the Right Earplugs for Your Needs

Choosing the right pair of musician earplugs can be overwhelming with the plethora of options available. We'll provide a step-by-step guide to help musicians identify their specific needs, understand the different types of earplugs, and make an informed decision when purchasing high-quality earplugs.

Overcoming Stigma and Misconceptions

Some musicians may still perceive wearing earplugs as a sign of weakness or a hindrance to artistic expression. We'll address common misconceptions and stigmas surrounding ear protection, emphasising that it's a smart and responsible choice for musicians who want to enjoy a long and fulfilling career in music.

Conclusion

Finally, a vital piece of equipment for every musician is a good pair of earplugs. These earplugs guarantee that musicians can indulge in their passion for music while preserving their hearing health for years to come since they offer superior hearing protection without degrading the sound of the music.

As a musician, keep in mind that your hearing is irreplaceable; purchasing high-quality earplugs is a little thing to pay to protect this important sense. To keep the music alive, let's make a wise choice and safeguard our hearing. Visit the website for more information.

[happiiest]

🔊🎧🎶

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Rook, Leona, and Idia with a S/O that just treats life like a musical? Like they just burst out into songs when the mood strikes 🎵 and even in public, too!

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Rook is your biggest fan, the most adoring member of your audience. While others may look on and stare at you like you’re a complete weirdo, Rook adores your impromptu performances, often bursting out into cheers and fervent applause whenever you sing.

He’ll sing along with you sometimes harmonizing beautifully, and other times waiting his turn to sing the chorus. Even if Rook doesn’t know the exact lyrics, that won’t stop him! He’ll just come up with them on the fly, not wanting to miss a single chance to sing with his beloved.

Rook takes it one step further and ropes you in for dances, too! If you’re going to sing about your day or how you’re feeling, then your feet can join in, too! “Dancing is a language that is felt instead of heard,” he chuckles, his voice remaining melodic as he pulls you near. “You can whisper and shout shout without so much as a word—like so🎵” A twirl, a dip, and you continue in the dance.

Your mutual love of musicals is a great source of ideas for romantic outings. Rook takes you to a number of musicals and operas. You lean against one another as you take in the dazzling performances set upon the stage, and, when you’re leaving the venue, you’ll often find yourself humming to new songs—and Rook hums along with you.

There’s something almost magical to your relationship with Rook. His smiles, his touches, his unconditional support and starstruck expressions when he gazes at you—it’s like you’re in a musical yourself, with Rook as your romantic co-star.

If one were to describe your couple dynamic, it would be that of a comedy duo. You’re the funny man, and Leona’s the (unintentional) straight man to your humor—in this case, all of your musical antics. (You might belt out a tune at any point in the day, and Leona’s usually there to groan and interrupt the song to ask why you’re singing in the first place.)

He does the thing where he’ll glance away and try to focus on something else to distract himself if you’re being particularly loud. Normally, he’d snap at the noisemaker to shut up, but the merciful part of Leona’s telling him to just let you have your fun and get it out of your system. Better that you do it now than later, after all.

You’re a bad influence on Cheka, or so Leona says. His nephew’s been catching on to your habit and now frequently sings about how he “just can’t wait to be king”, among other things (which really grinds Leona’s gears). Cheka has even started convincing his school mates to do the same. “Tch. At the very least, you could keep a sock in it around those furballs,” Leona tells you. “The last thing I need is an army of kids singing at me.”

If he has something on hand (like a book or a pillow), he’ll use those to try and drown out the sound. (Later on, when he realizes the singing won’t stop anytime soon, Leona invests in a pair of earplugs and keeps them in his pocket in case he needs them.)

Generally, he finds your habit annoying, but he can be more lenient about it depending on the mood of a particular song. For example, Leona hates peppy and upbeat songs or lyrics that talk about how great everything is—but he’ll allow for a lullaby or two, particularly if you sing it for him while his head is resting in your lap.

It gives Idia a real scare whenever you start singing. He doesn’t care if you sing, but he dislikes it when you it while he’s around, as it tends to attract all kinds of unwanted attention. Idia just wants to shrink into his jacket and die when the heat of others’ eyes are directed his way. “H-Hey, can you cut that out? People are... P-People are staring and judging us!”

He’s usually off in his own world, thanks to his headphones. Idia makes the frequent mistake of seeing your mouth moving, removing his headphones to hear what you’re saying to him, then realizing it’s just you singing again and quickly replacing his headphones, embarrassed.

Your character quirk brings him distress in public spaces, but he doesn’t mind them when you’re alone—that’s when Idia’s full otaku can come out and he can unabashedly root for you (complete with a headband and light sticks). It’s like you’re putting on a private performance for a super passionate fan!

Idia tries to rationalize your... outbursts... to himself. Sometimes idols do flash performances on the street, right? Maybe that’s what your singing is all about. Or maybe it’s like those shows where the protag has to transform and sing to fight their enemies. Or are you recreating those epic anime fight scenes where the theme song swells in the background?

He shares the music that he loves with you in private, usually his favorite idol groups or even musical adaptations of popular anime and manga. It blends your different interests nicely, and gives you a chance to connect and see one another’s perspective.

[all-learners-express]

Key Supplies & Tips Depending on Your Learning Style(s)

Photo Credit

───────────────────────────────

***There are plenty of tips out there, these are just a few ones I listed. Please know you can always mix methods up, don't just stick to the category that you resulted under. Try new things!

════╡Visual╞════

Highlighters, colored pens, and gel pens

Post-it notes, get multiple colors.

Tabs.

Colorful dividers in their binder to remember where everything is at instantly.

Flashcards

Maps, charts, diagrams, models, or pictures

Watch audiovisuals

Notebooks

Textbooks

Having handouts

Planner to write directions/steps down

Write out checklists of needed formulas, commonly misspelled words, etc.

Write down material on slips of paper and move them around into proper sequence. (Can be done on PC too)

Use the chalkboard/whiteboard to note important information

════╡Aural (audio/music)/Verbal (Linguistic)╞════

Audiobooks

Text Audio reading/writing stites

Use sites like Youtube to better understand a listen

For flashcards use Quizlet to hear the terms being said

Voice recording app → if you need to brainstorm ideas talk about them

Use a talking calculator

Engage in conversation about the subject matter

Ask for oral summaries of material

Have them put the material to a rhythm or tune and rehearse it aloud → this can really increase memorization.

Have reminding words.

Reciting things out loud.

════╡Physical (Hands-On)╞════

Write out checklists of materials to be learned or looked for

Trace words and diagrams on paper

Use textured paper and experiment with different sizes of pens, pencils, and crayons to write down information

Use role-play or dramatize concepts. Students can move objects around to dramatize a concept or act out the concept themselves.

Envision a scene in which the material to be learned is being used or acted out somehow. For example, you could imagine being a character in a novel.

Take notes (on paper, word processor, in textbooks) while reading or listening.

Use some form of body movement (snapping fingers, pacing, mouthing ideas) while reciting the material to be learned.

You can even implement hand signals as indicators of what terms mean.

════╡Logical (mathematical)╞════

Break down the material into smaller segments and find what links them together.

Look for the patterns and relationships between bits of information to maximize your understanding.

Relate patterns in the material to patterns you see in real life. If you have a personal experience that mirrors that pattern it will help you make sense of it.

Use your class notes and rewrite them to line up topics sequentially—especially helpful if your professor jumps from topic to topic during lectures. You can also list or number these.

Use charts, graphs, and outlines. Organize them based on the relationships/sequences you see.

════╡Social (interpersonal)╞════

Work with friends/Groups.

Be in a study group/Have a study buddy.

Talk out/share your ideas with someone to get you thinking.

Make sure to spend most of your studying time with someone to help you learn, share, and experience.

════╡Solitary (Intrapersonal)╞════

Pick a place to study where you feel comfortable. Try to be somewhere that isn’t around friends because it is harder to focus.

Keep a set of earplugs/headphones or earbuds. (if you find outside noise distracting)

Play music that is quiet or even white noise through earphones if there is outside noise.

Make an agenda/To-do list. 

Watch videos or listen to podcasts on a topic to deepen your understanding. 

Make outlines, flashcards, graphs, charts, diagrams or drawings that allow you to plan and organize

════╡Additional Links╞════

all works.

navigation.

════╡Credits╞════

© all-learners-express // all photos belong to the owner unless stated. All information presented is credible unless stated. Suggestions are provided from all-learners-express.com as well as credible sources, and the advice of educators.

─────────────────────────────

-> Next Post

[matchmakerecorner]

Hi and im sorry to inform you but im going to abuse my power to send multiple matchups because my indecisive self cant pick a fandom and i like having detailed matches for each one (I’ll probably just send like two four at most lol)

Id like a romantic project sekai matchup please. My pronouns are she,her. Im 5’2 hour glass shaped African American, with black hair, and blackish brown eyes.Im straight, but Im an ally :). I’m told I’m kind, smart, funny, responsible, polite, respectful, obedient, thoughtful, considerate, empathetic, caring, protective, nerdy and compassionate, but im also anxious, fearful, awkward, shy, clumsy, emotional, moody, indecisive, highly sensitive, an introvert, have low confidence and self esteem issues. I like animals, books, reading, writing, fantasy, magic, sci fi, anime, cartoons, music, video games, friends, alone time, helping others, taking personality quizzes, learning, bread, and sweets. I dislike spiders, loud sounds, people who harm others, not being listened to, people i care about not caring for themselves, losing people, disappointing/letting down people, failing, math, tests, certain foods and textures, things with weird holes and patterns. Extra stuff about me is that: I pace a lot, i sing when no one is around, and im clumsy.

Thank you also sorry for making this a giant wall of text i usually have em seperated into categories but i dont feel like writing the same thing multiple times and tumblr wont let me copy and paste in that format.

🐇 | I have decided to match you with...

☆ Tsukasa can be pretty loud, but he always makes sure to tone things down around you. Whenever it's your both of you, he's calm, and he likes to just sit there and quietly enjoy the moment.

☆ He's very confident in himself and others, so you can bet he'll be showering you with compliments and will encourage you to be more confident. He of course won't force this, confidence takes a while! But he'll be with you through your whole journey. All he wants is for you to love and be proud of yourself.

☆ Since you dislike loud sounds, he always makes sure you know what show he's doing. If it's a calmer, more sentimental one, and you want to go, he'll make sure to bring you earplugs or something that'll block noise for when the show's over. The audience at their shows are quite loud, after all. Sometimes the venue allows him to reserve you a seat at the end of a row so you won't be surrounded.

☆ Tsukasa is a big brother, so he's naturally very caring. He'll be there to comfort you whenever you need, and he always knows just the right things to say.

☆ He also dislikes spiders, so whenever there is one near both of you, and there's not another person with you... Let's just say maybe if you encourage him enough he'll kill it for you. If you kill a spider or any kind of insect for him, you'll probably be his hero for life.

☆ Sometimes, Tsukasa will ask you to help him with script reading. (He does this on every play, but for the louder ones, he makes sure to act as if it were the real thing just so you can enjoy it and he can see that beautiful smile of yours.)

☆ He makes sure to remember as much as he can about you. Your dislikes, likes, hobbies... As said before, his whole goal is to see people smile. At first it was for Saki, but now he also does as much as he can for you as well.

☆ He actually really enjoys seeing you get protective. Rui sometimes makes him do some really crazy and scary things, so he's always grateful when you tell Rui to leave him alone.

☆ Tsukasa probably walked in on you singing once and was left in awe. Sometimes he encourages you to sing when it's just the two of you. He'll even play piano or sing with you if you want him to!

☆ Since you said that you're a bit clumsy, Tsukasa probably keeps a hold on your hand whenever you're out together and also offers to help you carry anything he sees you struggling with. He won't be annoying and try to carry everything you have. Unless you ask him to, then he'll be more than happy to help.

The Other Option(s):

Akito: He enjoys sweets just as much as you do, and he's also not too fond of loud places. You both probably like to listen to music while you just eat your favorite sweets together!

.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜

A/n: No worries, go ahead and abuse the multiple matchup thing as much as you'd like! I hope you like the results! You gave me so much to work with and I enjoyed writing this. If you don't like your results I can ways rematchmake you. All you need to do is send an ask!

Fun fact: I absolutely adore Tsukasa, he's my favorite project sekai character along with Kohane. When I read your matchup for the first time, I was like, "maybe she'd work well with him?" and suddenly got very excited because I barely get to write for him ;;

.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜・.・゜゜

| Teleportation: The Map Room | Matchmaking |

[msmarvelouswinchester]

Irresistibly Yours

Chapter 2 - Noise Complaint

Summary - Y/N Y/L/N moves to NYC in hopes for a fresh start after a nasty breakup. There she meets her neighbor, the cynical lawyer, Dean Winchester. A love-hate relationship starts evolving between them ever since they met in the elevator one morning but a desperate situation and a string of lies forces the two friendly rivals to go on a date or rather a fake date. Will sparks fly between them when Dean gets to know Y/N real and up close? Will Y/N finally find her Prince Charming in the grumpy, workaholic, divorce lawyer?

Pairing - Lawyer!Dean Winchester x Y/N

Warning - None expect meanie Dean (Suspicious, isn’t it?)

WC - 2154

Square Filled - Don't put me in this position ( @anyfandomgoesbingo​ )

A/N - I promise the next chapter will have more of Dean and more conflict! This is just the beginning of a very long ride. Enjoy!

Beta’d by @miss-nerd95​

Dividers by @firefly-graphics​

Series Masterlist               Masterlist 

The silence in the cab on her way back to her apartment gave her the quality time she needed to think. In a few weeks, Meg was getting married and now, since they knew, Y/N had to show up with her 'boyfriend’. She racked her brain, scrambling to come up with a good excuse because it was all a big lie.

Every time, however, she reached two conclusions - either make a fool of herself and admit that she lied or tell everyone that she broke up and be the one person at the wedding that everyone looks down on with pitiful eyes.

There was a third option, which was risque as hell too, cause Y/N barely knew the man and their first meeting did not go so well, but there was definitely something about him that made her blush every time she thought of him.The way he carried himself and the dominating vibes he gave off, sent shivers down her spine. Maybe he wasn't a morning person and she did start blabbering in the elevator the minute she stepped in. She swallowed hard when she remembered the way her name rolled off his tongue. ‘How did he know?’ She wondered.

As Y/N boarded the elevator, she thought about how, she wanted nothing more than to see a certain green-eyed man again. She had been residing in this complex for almost three months but she had never seen the man before. Maybe he was new here, in this apartment building, who knew? Mind plagued by millions of thoughts, Y/N trudged down the empty hallway to her cosy little home.

“Who invented these fucking heels?” She grumbled as she freed her feet out of the painful, yet pretty high heels when she reached the comfort of her own home. Shrugging her coat off, she relaxed as her ass hit the soft mattress of the couch.

“I need a date in seven weeks.” She said, making a mental note of the wedding date. This was the only wedding she ever looked forward to attending where she knew she wouldn't have to face the constant stream of questions involving her dating life and a particular man. All she ever wanted was to be with her close friend on the best day of her life.

“First dress fitting - tomorrow at 10.” Her phone lit up with an incoming text and groaning, she dropped her head backwards. Y/N couldn't even skip the wedding if she wanted to. She was one of the bridesmaids and it wouldn't be fair to both Meg and Cas, if she didn't attend it. A smile graced her frowning face when she remembered the time Cas proposed to her friend on Valentine's Day. Cliche- Y/N would say, but deep down, she knew she just wanted what Cas and Meg had.

A sigh left her lips as she got up, still in her work clothes. She put on some light music as she went into the bathroom to freshen up. After the long, tiring day she had, a warm bath and a Ryan Gosling movie were very much needed. Quickly stripping off, she stepped into the tub. She leaned her head backwards, closing her eyes, as the warm water soothed her aching body and her troubled mind.

“Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone,” Y/N sang along the song, slightly off tune but she didn't care, as she stepped out of the bathroom after some time. She let go of the towel wrapped around her body and stepped into a pair of comfortable pjs. Getting a box cold pizza out from her refrigerator, she turned up the volume of the music playing in her apartment.

“He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring, and said,” Y/N yelled out the chorus when she started to heat up the pizza. Her private singing session, however, was cut short by a sudden knock on the door. She grudgingly pressed pause as she walked up to the door to find out the unwanted visitor.

“Excuse me- Ms L/N?” As soon as she opened the door, she was met by a very familiar, deep baritone that had been haunting her.

“Dean Winchester. And please, call me Y/N,” she breathed out. The formality in Dean’s voice made her cringe. Her eyes fell as she took in the man in front.

Dean had gotten rid of the dapper grey suit and slipped into a much laid back look. A black polo t-shirt fitted over his body and plain blue jeans hugging his bowlegs perfectly. The look on his face mirrored the one from the morning and Y/N wondered if he would look better with a smile on. Her train of thoughts were again rudely interrupted by the man speaking.

“I assume you're having somewhat of a casual evening,” Dean said, his hands waving to point at her pjs, making her suddenly self-conscious of her clothing state.

“Y-yeah. How may I help you?” She asked, genuinely curious.

“See, I moved in the apartment right beside you a few days ago, and I think you might have noticed sometime or the other that there are other people living in this building as well,” Dean said, his face not imparting any sort of emotions, “You might be having a casual evening but I can assure you that there's at least one person who is certainly not. Turn the music level down.”

Y/N’s mouth fell open at Dean’s words but she wasn't going to turn down the volume just because a man turned up at her door, asking her to do so. His words were sharp, but his tone was downright rude, and it was definitely not because he wasn't a morning person. The least he could have done was ask her nicely.

“Well, listen here pal, no one's having a problem, other than you. So you can go back to your room, put on some earplugs and do whatever the heck you were doing before you decided to make my day more awful,” Y/N said, taking a threatening stance with hands on her hips, a deep frown on her face.

“I'll file a noise complaint report against you.” Dean warned with his pointer finger right in front of her eyes.

“It's just music. Learn to appreciate the little things in life.” She said while rolling her eyes.

“I'm a very busy man and I got work to do, alright? And speaking about music, play something actually good like Zeppelin and people will personally come up to thank you. This song is not even a classic.” Dean spat back.

“Believe me or not, everyone is a Swiftie at heart.” She smirked with a sarcastic shrug. Dean’s lips twitched in anger as his face grew more rigid before he said, “If you don't lower the volume, expect a noise complaint report delivered with your newspaper tomorrow.” He walked away before Y/N had a chance to even think of a comeback.

Glancing over his shoulder, Dean went inside his own apartment room right beside Y/N’s. She glared at the empty hallway before swinging her door shut and walked back to her room towards her amazon echo, turning the music down anyway. She couldn't risk getting a report filed against her, and the man appeared to be dead serious about what he threatened to do.

“Stupid Dean Winchester.” She grumbled.

Squinting at the clock, Y/N woke up the next morning to loud bangs on her door. 7:30 am, it read. Removing the covers, she immediately shivered when the cool air hit her bare legs.

Hair still a mess, she grabbed her robe from the nearby chair, putting it on along with her slippers before she warily made her way to the door. “Dean will be complaining now for sure.” She grumbled as she unlocked her door to reveal her friend standing on the other side in a dishevelled state, eyes red like a mad woman.

“Meg?” Her face scrunched up in confusion as the said woman shoved past her into her apartment. “You’re wearing your shirt inside out.” Y/N closed the door behind her as Meg took a seat on the couch.

“Can I have some water?” Y/N dumbfoundedly nodded at her friend’s request and went to her kitchen to retrieve a glassful. Handing the glass over to her, she sat down next to the brunette who gulped down the entire glass of water in one go. Setting the utensil down on the wooden coffee table in front, she turned towards Y/N with slightly glossy eyes as she spoke, “I don’t want to go and finalise the dresses.”

Her words elicited a laugh from Y/N before she said, “Okay, bridezilla, we can reschedule it. Cas should better watch out!” She chuckled out the last words.

“No, y-you don’t understand!” Meg grabbed her friend’s hands, surprising the latter, “I don’t want to try the dress on at all.” Y/N was utterly surprised over her friend's outburst.

“Honey, you have a wedding in less than two months.” Y/N cooed as a few drops of tears rolled down the bride-to-be’s cheeks. “Meg, talk to me. Did something happen between you two?”

The woman shook her head, letting the other lady in the room know that she didn't have to kick Cas’ ass to her relief, but it confused her even further. Since their engagement five months ago, Meg had been over the moon and had started planning every minute detail with high precision and finesse for her big day.

“What if I'm making a huge mistake?”

“Don’t put me in this position. You know how I am when it comes to-”

“But I need to know, and I trust you.”

Y/N pressed her lips into a thin line before she said, “Cas is the best thing that has ever happened to you-”

“You barely even knew me when I started to go out with him. We have only been together for fifteen months - five of which I have spent being engaged to him. What if I regret this later?” Meg's words were correct. Y/N used to barely talk to her when she had started dating Cas, but all through those eighteen months, as she slowly got to know the pair well enough, she knew that they were clearly meant to be in it for the long haul.

“But I have never seen you regret your decision to be with Cas even once… so why start now?.” Y/N politely answered, her hands letting go of her distraught friend's iron-clad grasp and reaching out to soothe her.

“Sometimes even if you have been with your man for what feels like forever, marrying him might seem to be the worst decision you can ever make, but it doesn't matter how long you have been with him. When you know, you know. Follow your heart.” Meg looked up at her as she mulled her words over before speaking.

“I love him.” She said.

“Then go, be with him.” Y/N smiled. Crisis averted.

A smile started to appear on Meg’s tear stained face as her eyes twinkled with a suggestive glimmer in them. Fiddling with her sparkling ring, she said, “Dean’s good for you. Don't let him go.”

Y/N was taken aback by her friend's supposition. She sat up straight in her seat as heat crept up her neck. Her mind was stuck in a turmoil as she tried to come up with an appropriate response.

“He’s not-Dean is not-” She stuttered, the words got stuck in her throat when she tried to think of a decent excuse. Maybe, this was the universe giving her a chance to take back everything she had said before, but the disheartened look on her friend’s face made her rethink her decision. After all, a little white lie never hurt anybody. “Yeah, he is a good man.” Meg smiled as Y/N played her into the deception game once again.

“Will he be at the wedding?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What are you waiting for? Unless he is a figment of your imagination, ask him! I want to meet this certain Dean Winchester.” Meg giggled.

“I don’t have such vivid imaginations, Meg.” Y/N let out a nervous chuckle. She was now being given an ample amount of opportunities to tell the truth, then why was it so hard for her to deny everything she had said? Maybe she liked living in this utopian world where for once, no one deemed her as the broken, pathetic girl who failed to make a man stay. Maybe deep down, she wanted this damn lie to be true.

“I’ll ask him but you do know how men are about weddings.” She replied, having no knowledge of how to keep her end of the promise.

Chapter 3

Feedback is highly appreciated

If you want to be tagged in the series, lemme know!

[mochacoffee]

(For @racketghost 's 13 Days of Halloween prompt: costumes)

The music is loud. Loud and tonally inconsistent, like Gabriel cannot decide whether he wants his party guests to experience seasonal festivity or imminent doom.

As if Aziraphale needs further cause to regret his costume, its lack of pockets is the sole reason he’s stranded here without earplugs or a pocket watch. That pocket watch is his only companion at these events ⁠— his one reminder that he is not, in fact, trapped in purgatory. Despite everything, time does pass.

Or at least, Aziraphale hopes it does. There is a concerning lack of evidence now. Gabriel’s penthouse is devoid of wall clocks, devoid of wall anything except some abstract art that would look more at home in a Marriott hotel lobby.

And with that thought, Aziraphale’s last spark of resistance fizzles out.

He will need to speak to someone.

He looks around until he spots a redhead in sunglasses and tight black clothes. The kind of person who would definitely have a cellular phone, and could definitely tell him the time, or at the very least connect him to some riveting hold music.

Aziraphale takes a breath and approaches him.

"Pardon me, do you happen to have the time?"

The man turns. He stares at Aziraphale blankly for a few seconds before answering, "Huh?"

"The time?"

"Oh. Yeah, um.” He lifts his wrist in a feat against physics to glance at what appears to be a microwave on a leather strap ⁠— only it must be a watch, because he looks up and says, "Nine."

"Nine exactly?"

"Nine exactly.”

Aziraphale’s face crumples.

The man raises an eyebrow. "You don’t look too pleased."

"It’s just— no, it’s nothing. I’m sorry to have bothered you." 

Aziraphale turns slightly before he feels a hand on his arm, a gentle request to stay. He stares at the point of contact.

The man shoves his hand back into his pocket. 

"Listen. I mean, go if you want. But you look like you’re having a miserable time, and we happen to have that in common, so you may as well chat with me about it."

Aziraphale hesitates, then drops his shoulders. "Well if you must know, I am technically obligated to be here. Gabriel makes all his employees come to his parties. But I’m allowed to leave in half an hour ⁠— presumably that’s when all the trendy folks arrive."

“You mean to imply that white robes and fuzzy halos aren’t cool?” says the stranger, lightly pulling Aziraphale’s halo with an elegant finger to send it bouncing. 

"Apparently not,” Aziraphale grumbles, his earlier pique returning. “It was meant to be a group costume, but all my colleagues showed up wearing pastel suits! They say it’s some ‘modern reimagining’ of the angel. But I must have missed the email, and now I just look silly. It’s humiliating.”

“You look like an angel. And the costume isn’t half-bad either.”

Aziraphale’s heart flips. He smiles, then rakes his gaze down the man’s body with no effort to hide it. “And what are you supposed to be?”

The man pulls off his sunglasses, folding them into the collar of his Henley and exposing a peek of chest hair. It’s so distracting Aziraphale does not immediately notice his piercing yellow contacts with slitted pupils.

“Demon,” he says. 

“The serpent tattoo is a nice touch.”

The man winks. “That bit’s real.”

“I see.” Aziraphale should not be so attracted to that; he really shouldn’t. A face tattoo. Honestly. 

The man puts his drink down on a nearby table. “Crowley.”

“Pardon?”

“My name’s Crowley.”

“Crowley,” Aziraphale repeats, liking the shape of it, the way the sound feels in his mouth. “I’m Aziraphale.”

Crowley glances at his wrist then leans in. “Tell you what. It’s 9:15. I live downstairs, so I can make sure to run into Gabriel tomorrow. Why don’t we both get out of here and I’ll tell him I saw you leave at ten.”

“Oh, I could kiss you⁠.”

Crowley grins, bright and sincere. 

And Aziraphale can’t help himself. “Do you know, you have the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen.”

Crowley blushes immediately, launching into a series of consonants that never quite land on a particular word. It’s devastatingly adorable.

“I mean it,” Aziraphale continues, emboldened. “And I don’t want to go if I’m missing an evening I could have spent with you. I’ll stay as long as you can tolerate hearing this Ghostbunkers bebop over and over.”

Crowley runs a hand through his hair. Aziraphale wants desperately to touch it. 

“Come with me.”

“Hm?”

“Come with me to my flat downstairs. We don’t have to⁠— I mean, we can just, just put on a film or something. If you like.”

Aziraphale is nodding, doesn’t know how long he’s been nodding, cannot stop nodding. “Yes. I would very much like.”

------

“Hey, angel,” says Crowley, sliding a glass of orange juice across the kitchen island.

“Mm?”

“You know, I had a wonderful time last night, and I would love to keep seeing you. But…” He takes Aziraphale’s hand. “There’s something you should know.”

Aziraphale pales. “What is it?”

“If you lined up everyone in the whole world and asked them to describe the Ghostbusters theme, nobody — at all — would say 'bebop.'"

(AO3 link)