#forever thankful chloe got me him

[sonny-whorezik]

i hope the dinosaur tapestry really ties these together

[wqnwoos]

⇢ pairing. chwe vernon x reader ⇢ summary. vernon loves music, and you love vernon. ⇢ genre. fluff, bffs2lovers, college!au ⇢ word count. approx. 2k ⇢ author’s note! happy (early) valentine’s day! i unfortunately wrote this last week which means it came so close to deletion at least 10 times, and so im posting it now to prevent that. thank you to alta @haologram for helping me brainstorm the playlist, i truly believe u are a gift to this world.

playlist. love language, kehlani / jasmine, dpr live / want u around, omar apollo & ruel / like i want you, giveon / thinkin bout you, frank ocean / best part, daniel caesar & h.e.r.

It’s closing in on two in the morning when you finally leave the library. Your phone’s been on do not disturb since you got there at seven, which feels like forever ago — as you exit, casting a sympathetic glance at the remaining two students still glued to their textbooks, you scroll quickly through your notifications. Two emails, a follow request, and a passive-aggressive threat from Duolingo.

You pull your coat tighter around you as you finally emerge through the last set of double doors — it’s freezing, and you’re just about to stow your hands deep into your pockets when your phone buzzes.

[2:03am] vernon 👽🖤 yo [2:03am] vernon 👽🖤 ur prob asleep but i made u smth [2:04am] vernon 👽🖤 https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4grGIbqG5VSvNpDLuwdG7X

Instinctively, you smile. You and Vernon have a bunch of playlists. A collaborative one, for when you’re together, driving or hanging out or whatever. Then he has one for you with all the songs he thinks you’ll like, and then you have one for him for the same reason. 

[2:05am] you another one?  [2:06am] vernon 👽🖤  yooo why are u still up dude [2:06am] you hypocrite 🫵 [2:06am] you but i’m walking home from the library rn

vernon 👽🖤  is calling . . .

“Dude,” he says, by way of greeting, and he doesn’t sound impressed.

“Dude,” you mimic exactly, biting back a smile at the sound of his voice.

“It’s two in the morning,” he sighs, and you can hear sheets rustling in the background. “Why are you walking home alone?”

“It’s not far, Vernon.” 

“It’s dark and it’s been snowing. You should have called me,” he reprimands without any heat. “I would’ve picked you up.”

“Well, it is two in the morning.” You cross the road, stepping over a patch of snow. “I assumed you’d be asleep, not curating another playlist.”

“Oh. Yeah, that — that was — have you opened it?” Vernon’s words trip over each other, and your lips turn up ever so slightly. God, he’s so sweet.

“What, are you nervous?” you tease, unable to resist. “I have, like, fifteen of your playlists saved already.”

“You haven’t opened it,” he infers, and exhales a little. “Okay, um, maybe you should… wait. Until the morning or something.”

“Yeah, right,” you snort. “I’m listening to it now! It’s going to keep me company on my way home. Talk to you later!”

And you hang up before he can protest, already scrolling to find the link he sent you.

The first thing you notice is the name — Love Language. Which makes your heart twist a little, until you realise it’s the name of the first song, and anyway, you and Vernon have made this joke a hundred times. His love language is making playlists, he does it for his friends all the time. You included — you especially. Like the time he’d eaten the last slice of a cake you’d bought, apparently because he thought it was free-for-all. You’d given him the silent treatment for a day and a half before he’d texted you a playlist link: 

I AM (IVE)

really (mimi bay)

Sorry (Justin Bieber)

About (SoKuen)

EATING (Sukihana)

The Cake (John Powell)

I Will (Remastered 2009) (The Beatles)

Buy (Cousines like Shit)

You (Basil Valdez)

MORE (j-hope)

Please Please Please (Sabrina Carpenter)

Forgive Me (Chloe x Halle)

It made you laugh, because Vernon always makes you laugh. A few months and a few playlists later, you were harbouring the biggest crush known to mankind.

That was three years ago. You and Vernon are seniors now, set to graduate next summer, and what was meant to be a harmless crush on a friend has turned into being completely, totally in love with your best friend. It wasn’t that serious until it suddenly was. It was butterflies in your stomach when you saw him, at first. Now it’s like a sigh of relief. It's more coming home. Which is a lot more dangerous, and a lot more painful.

You handle it, most days, but sometimes he’ll do something or say something that completely throws your perfectly regulated emotions into overdrive. He’ll laugh at a stupid joke you make, or he’ll grab your hand to make a point or he’ll tell you that you’re pretty, and your heart swells until it presses painfully against your ribs, hot and slippery and aching. Those days, you mostly go home just to lie on the floor, listen to the only playlist of yours that Vernon hasn’t seen.

The second thing you notice about the playlist Vernon made you is the cover. It’s you, you know it immediately, and you know exactly which day it was taken. You just didn’t know it was taken. But your best friend must’ve snapped a photo when you weren’t looking, because the cover is you, looking up at the cherry blossom tree that the two of you stumbled on during a late-night walk. It was maybe a little under a year ago, it was the night you realised you loved him, and it was the night you almost kissed.

You don’t know if he remembers it the same way you do. To you, that’s your biggest what if? moment. To him, it’s probably just another fun memory with his friend. His best friend, if you’re lucky.

It takes you a second, but you finally click play on the playlist — but the picture stares back at you, practically taunting you with the memory.

The two of you had been walking for twenty minutes, sharing airpods, until you’d seen the tree and gathered a pile of pink petals to dump over Vernon’s head; he’d realised what you were doing just a moment too late. Asshole, he’d said smilingly, brushing the petals off with two hands. Everything that happened next was cliché. He’d missed a spot, one pale petal still clinging to his hair; you reached your hand up to get it, and lingered a little too long, a little too close. You don’t think you’ve ever held eye contact for so long — it felt like forever and then some.

Until his eyes flicked downward. Only for a split second: if you’d blinked, you would’ve missed it, but you saw it, and it was enough to have you taking a step back. Not like this, you’d thought to yourself. You wouldn’t do anything like that. You wouldn’t throw years of friendship and an extended period of pining away so easily — you wouldn’t risk it over an impulse that Vernon was experiencing. If you couldn’t have all of him, you refused to even take one night. You’d rather not know than live with the memory.

You’re halfway through the second song when you finally snap out of the memory, and you can actually take a moment to glance at the rest of the playlist. To your surprise, it’s short — it’s only six songs — and more interestingly, you know all these songs. And Vernon knows you know them; some of them you recommended to him, some of them he’s sent to you already, and you’re still wondering what he’s thinking as the third song ends. 

Despite you claiming to be his best friend, you don’t always understand Vernon. Sometimes it’s little things, like how he fist bumps the cat on the street corner of his apartment. Sometimes it’s bigger, like the girl he dated last year. You didn’t understand that — or maybe you didn’t want to, because yes, you were well on your way to being in love with him, but he also didn’t tell you. You found out from Seungkwan (who was kind of triumphant about it, because he was always vying for the position of Vernon’s best friend, and he finally knew something you didn’t).

Mina was lovely. As if Vernon would date someone not lovely — he brought her to movie night after a month or so of them seeing each other, and she met your group of friends, and everyone loved her. Even you. And honestly, after excusing yourself to the bathroom to blink away your watery eyes, you convinced yourself that it was for the better: that this would be how you officially got over your best friend. So when Soonyoung asked you to go on a blind date with one of his friends the next week, you said yes. You and Wonwoo saw each other for about a month before you broke it off, and about a month after that, Vernon showed up at movie night without his girlfriend, and casually mentioned that they’d broken up.

Even the news of that didn’t do much to soothe you, because you’d quickly come to a conclusion while dating Wonwoo: that it would not be easy to get over your best friend. You knew you loved him now. You’d come to that realisation under the cherry blossom tree, a few months after both of your breakups, a year after you realised that you liked him like that in the first place. It’s been well over two years since you first fell for him, and you’ve been stuck there ever since — falling deeper and deeper because you refuse to pull yourself out.

Sometimes, on your most hopeful nights, you think that maybe Vernon could feel something too. Some nights he looks at you with a certain shine in his eyes, or when he hugs you he makes it last a little longer than usual. Some nights he opens his mouth to say something and the words get stuck in his throat, and he waves it off like nothing happened. Symptoms that are all too familiar.

Those nights are even worse, the ones where you go home and read too much into his every move, try in vain to stifle the hope that insists on clawing its way to your chest. Those nights are getting more and more frequent, and you don’t know how much longer you can handle it. Those nights, something in you is convinced he feels something, that maybe he could like you — on the very worst, you think he might even love you. But by the next morning, you’re dead certain that all you’ll ever be is a friend to him.

But now — today — you’re eight minutes away from home and nearly five songs in when it starts snowing, and at the same time, the cogs in your mind slowly start turning. You love these songs, Vernon knows you love these songs. You’re pretty sure they’re some of his favourites too; he’s always listening to them. And you’re so preoccupied with the realisation that’s sinking in, that same traitorous hope you’ve always shoved down stirring again in your chest, you barely even notice the snowflakes settling around you.

Because maybe you don’t always understand Vernon, but most of the time you do, even if it takes a little while — even if he has to spell things out for you, like his stupid cake playlist. Because that’s what he’s doing, you realise with a sudden jolt, looking at your favourite songs. Your favourite love songs. He’s spelling it out for you. That this is his love language; that he wants you; that he thinks about you; and as the last song finishes, just as you turn onto your street — if you love me, won’t you say something?

When you finally look up, you think you’re hallucinating. Because Vernon’s standing in front of your apartment building, holding an umbrella, and it startles you so much you actually stop in your tracks a few metres from him, blinking idiotically.

Vernon gives you a shy smile, charming and awkward. Your heart does the thing it always does when he looks at you like that; stutters, skips a beat, clenches tightly.

“You stopped replying to my texts,” he says, and the street’s empty enough that you can hear him, even from where you’re standing. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

You don’t say anything because what can you even say? Where do you even start? You don’t have words — but you tap quickly at your phone with a sudden idea, and you hear the ping of Vernon’s phone from where you’re standing. You move closer anyway, smiling at the familiar furrow of his brow as he glances between you and the phone he digs out of his pocket. And you see the exact moment he registers what you’ve sent him, the smile that spreads across his face.

[2:39am] you https://open.spotify.com/track/5oO3drDxtziYU2H1X23ZIp [love on the brain - rihanna]

You and Vernon first met at a party. Seungkwan had promised both of you, separately, that it wasn’t a party, more of a small gathering between his friends, but of course, Seungkwan’s definition of small doesn’t match yours. And so you were kind of hiding in a corner, nodding your head and mouthing subconsciously to Rihanna’s Love on the Brain; you’d turned your head a few inches, and Chwe Vernon was standing a few metres away, doing the exact same thing. You guys had accidentally made eye contact and split into matching embarrassed smiles, until he’d sat next to you. He’d offered you possibly the most awkward fist bump ever, pairing it with an even more awkward, “So, uh, got love on the brain?” You’d laughed, and that was it — the beginning of you and Vernon.

Now, he pockets his phone again, but holds the umbrella out over both of your heads, which only makes you giggle. “You brought an umbrella?”

“It’s snowing,” he shrugs, but his smile is wide, “It’s just like… colder rain.” 

“Stupid.” What’s more stupid is the smile you can’t peel off your face. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“Why didn’t you?” he counters, and you tilt your head with a sheepish smile. So many reasons, but one look at him and you forget them all.

“So,” he murmurs, slipping his free hand around your waist, “got love on the brain, hm?”

“Something like that,” you agree, and after three years of wanting and waiting, you finally kiss him.

a/n i linked the playlist vernon made at the top (yes i dug up one of my very old spotify accounts to do this). i have very mixed feelings about this one. it's kind of cheesy but so is most of my work, and anyway it's valentine's day!! so who cares!!! also once again this got a banner bc once again this picture inspired the whole thing. also wtf is up with tumblr ruining image quality!!!

perm taglist: @n4mj00nvq @eoieopda @som1ig @wondering-out-loud

@tokitosun @hannyoontify @sahazzy @dokyeomin

@icyminghao @smilehui @nicholasluvbot @lvlystars

@immabecreepin @hanniehaee @kokoiinuts @astrozuya

@yepimthatonequirkyteenager @qaramu @weird-bookworm @phenomenalgirl9

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@iamawkwardandshy @twilghtkoo @yuuyeonie @lllucere

@pearlesscentt

@sourkimchi @porridgesblog

[kailoraurelius]

Starlight

"Starlight" is defined as the light that stars produce. As a name, "Starlight" can represent dreams, aspirations, and a connection to the universe's infinite possibilities.

"You know, you can just say you hate me, dude."

Beca's sudden voice should break the still of the night, but it doesn't. It fits right in with the frost on the edges of the rooftop and the mist Chloe breathes out. She's lying in one of their sunbathing chairs, her favorite one with the yellow polka dots. Twisting her head a bit, she can see Beca is shutting the roof door, cutting off the faint sound of music and laughter from downstairs. The girls are really living up their final week in the Bella House. They've even invited the Trebles over and are, currently, having a rousing card tournament. Chloe's been judging who's winning by whether or not she can hear Amy doing a war cry.

"I don't hate you," Chloe says. "Why do you think that?"

"Because you know I hate heights and you're hiding up here." Beca pulls up the flaps of her oversized, black jacket so she can squint at the zipper as she slots it together. It's pretty dark up here, with only the light stringers from the backyard sending up a gentle glow. She misses once, curses quietly under her breath, then adds, "Don't make a short joke."

Chloe snorts. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Beca manages to make the zipper catch and yanks it all the way up to her chin in one quick move, then shoves her hands deep into the pockets. "Mhmm. And the hiding up here part?"

Shrugging, Chloe watches as Beca saunters over to her side. "I'm not hiding. Just wanted to get away for a few minutes." She motions above them. "The night sky is so pretty in winter."

Beca tilts her head back, taking in the view too. Then she sighs, a large puff of fog floating slowly away from them. "The stuff I do for pretty things. Shove over."

Chloe scooches to the side as Beca turns and lowers herself to lay down without removing her hands from her pockets. Chloe giggles, bracing her hands against Beca's back to keep her from falling. "Why were you looking for me?"

"'Ain't no party without a ginger', someone told me once."

"Oh my god, I was drunk! Let it go."

"Mm. I don't think I will, no. Thank you."

Chloe curls into Beca's side, wrapping her arms around Beca's elbow. "Really though." The warmth from Beca's body makes her realize just how cold it actually is out on the roof. She nuzzles even closer. "Why?"

Beca doesn't answer right away. She just stares up at the billions of lights above them. And Chloe stares at her. At the sharp line of her jaw, the curve of her cheekbone. The quirk at the corner of her lips when she finally speaks. "Jesse's had a few too many drinks. He made a joke about getting back together."

Chloe's stomach twists. An ugly, burning feeling. It isn't as strong as it used to be, when Beca and Jesse first became a thing. As they grew apart over the years, the feeling faded. "What did you do?"

"I thought of you." She says it quietly, in one breath, like a confession, and Chloe silently hopes.

"Oh." She's not sure what else to say. She knows what she wants to say. I love you and I have for forever. I love you and I don't want you to be with him again. I love you and I think you love me. Please love me. But she bites her lip and just continues to watch Beca watch the stars.

"Yeah. Oh." Beca huffs a laugh and Chloe feels the sound in the small jerk of her chest. "What's that Van Gogh quote about the stars? The one Jessica wrote on the fridge white board last week?"

Chloe blinks, thinking. "'I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream'. She got it from Emily's Quote of the Day calendar."

Beca nods thoughtfully. "He might have been onto something."

"You're dreaming right now?"

"Yeah."

"Care to share with the class?"

Beca shifts a bit and Chloe tries not to notice that they're now tilted a bit toward each other. Beca's eyes are still on the sky. But her shoulder is lightly brushing Chloe's chin now.

"I'm...dreaming of a vacation. Somewhere warm and chill."

"What else?" Chloe says, urging her to continue.

"I'm dreaming that we will never again go to Aubrey's resort."

Chloe snorts and knocks her knee against Beca's. "It was a great time."

"I'm still finding leaves in my clothes."

"What else are you dreaming of, nerd?"

"Mean. Uh, I'm dreaming of a damn good waffle in the morning. If my totally cool bestie feels up to making one?"

Chloe hums as if she's mulling it over. "Maybe some dreams can come true."

Beca looks at her then and Chloe stops breathing. They're so close. Closer than she thought they were. Beca's eyes are bright even in the dark.

"I hope so." There's something in the words. Something deeper than her joking before, something more real. Something that tastes like possibility.

Carefully, gently, Chloe says, "You say that like you have more dreams to tell me." The words fill the space between them. Hanging in the tension.

"And if I said I did?"

Chloe tightens her grip on Beca's elbow. "I'd say tell me."

Beca doesn't blink and there are stars in her eyes. "And if I said I dreamed of kissing you right now?"

And, in an instant, Chloe doesn't have to hope. She knows. "I'd say kiss me."

So Beca does. Right there on the roof of the Bella House. With frost in the air and laughter on the breeze. Chloe kisses her back with all the longing she's held onto for years. All the moments she's wanted to do exactly this colliding at once, hitting her so hard that she sees stars.

Even with her eyes closed, the night sky is so pretty.

[covenists]

Hey, I loved the lance fic you did for me, and was wondering if you do another one but like a soc media au (pref fluff). If you have time

Have a good day/night

-🪐

✦ INTERNET'S HEARTS, L. STROLL

a compilation of them being lovesick for each other on instagram.

₊˚⊹౨ৎ ⋆｡✦

lancestroll

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caption: spent some time to fly with lance. especially when kiko's around. what a great save bed 🛩️🫢

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[pinkpastels113]

romance is not dead (if you keep it just yours)

also on ao3

a/n:

for @mcrololo and @shikariix <33 did i listen to paris by taylor swift and enchanted on repeat the entire time while writing this?? maybe... also thanks for the idea/encouragement to write this based on this tumblr post @pyresrpgear!! hope you like this as well :))

People often forget that you can find romance in the most mundane of things, that love exists in the most simplest of gestures.

Chloe was getting some water at the fountain in the common area of Beca’s music label when one of these moments happened.

“Shoot your shot!”

Chloe turns at the sound of the man’s voice behind her. It belonged to one of Beca’s coworkers and she can just make out him slipping behind the wall of the opening to the common area with a subtle wink before her attention lands on Beca, her wife, walking towards her, her own water bottle in tow.

Chloe grins, as she always does when in the same vicinity as the love of her life. “Fancy meeting you here!”

Beca chuckles, nervously, and lifts a hand to rub it at the nape of her neck as if working up the courage to pop the following question:

“You’re really cute. Wanna go out with me?”

Her dark blue eyes are downcast, just like that time eight years ago when they were both in their twenties in university, high on the serotonin and adrenaline of yet another win with their Bellas, after a group hug, when Beca had also asked her out with the same expression, her bottom lip snagged between her teeth and a hopeful lift to her eyebrows. 

Chloe’s heart leaps in her chest in the exact same way back then, too, now, like she had been waiting forever for that feeling, that confirmation, that Beca liked her back in that all consuming, I-might-be-sick overwhelming way that Chloe had felt towards her best friend ever since she’d joined their silly little acapella group. 

(Even though Chloe considers herself a romantic– she had been reading romance novels ever since middle school, after all– she feels like Beca might just secretly be a bigger one.)

She sets aside her water cup, reaches forward and repeats the gesture with Beca’s, in favor of taking both of Beca’s hands in hers. Beca’s fingers were cold, so she threads them together and squeezes to breathe some warmth into them. 

“Yes. Of course I would love to go out with you.”

Beca’s face lit up, like a dang near Christmas tree, and her lips quirk into a huge relieved smile just like they did when Chloe had first said yes all those years ago as well. (Pft, as if Chloe could say no.) She returns Chloe’s squeeze. 

“Cool beans.”

And it may be cheesy, and corny, and just a tad bit dumb especially since both of their matching wedding rings are digging into their skins, but it still made Chloe’s day. She already knew that nothing would wipe that dopey grin off her face for the next twenty four hours, and she’s completely satisfied with that fact.

When they got home later that day, after dinner and they’re cuddling on the couch with the heater on and a movie playing in the background, Chloe talks about it, mentioning the shoot your shot comment.

“Was he new or something? What was that about?”

Beca snorts, burying her face into the crook of Chloe’s neck where her breath ghosts over Chloe’s collarbones, “Nah. I told him that I was about to ask out the hottie at the fountain and he’s simply encouraging me. He knows that we’re married, Chlo. Just cheering me on like the dork that he is.”

“Like the dork that you are, you mean,” Chloe corrects, pressing a soft kiss to the center of Beca’s forehead. She finds the whole thing incredibly cute, even though it was small and mundane.

Who says romance is dead just because you’re married? It survives even past death, unlike those classic vows for marriage.

[russellsppttemplates]

All right there (Lance Stroll)

You don't need much - just a relaxed Lance and a comfy bed

Note: english is not my first language. I was in the mood for some fluff 🤍 I always feel and know I have to put this - for those who are here and have stayed, thank you for being so patient and for staying - I hope this is good enough ✨️

Thank you so much to everyone who likes and reblogs, your feedback is appreciated 🤍 and I'm not taking requests right now, so if you have any ideas or concepts you want to share, feel free to send them in but know that I don't know when I'll be able to get to them!

my masterlist

Cw: alludes to media hate

Tag list: @myloverjk-blog @hiireadstuff @c-losur3 @sltwins

The sun was setting over the circuit, casting a warm golden hue across the paddock as the roar of the engines had subsided, leaving a peaceful moment after the adrenaline-fueled chaos of the race as all of the teams gathered their equipment and got it ready for transport for the next destination.

Lance had just secured a hard-fought points finish, climbing out of his car happy with the race but the exhaustion was evident on his face as a tired smile broke through, sending a wink your way before he was ushered to the media pen.

You were waiting for him at the lounge area of the hospitality, book in your hands to keep you busy considering Lawrence was in a meeting and, given that Chloe had just welcomed her baby boy, no one else from the family was around. It had been a challenging race, and you caught glimpses of the relentless media swirling around him, scrutinizing every aspect of his performance and character. Today’s finish was not just a good place on the grid - it was also a reminder that he belonged among the best in motorsport.

Lance dropped you a text telling you to meet him in his drivers' room, saying that he won't be long after this last interview.

From the moment he got out of the car, Lance couldn't wait to get to you, every interview seemingly taking longer than that the last one as the reporters made sure their message got through.

So, when he finally reached the room, the tension of the day melted away as he saw you look up at him. Lance pulled you into a hug, burying his face in your neck as you hugged him back, "I couldn’t have done it without you," he murmured, voice slightly muffled.

You pulled back just enough to smile up at him, your heart fluttering as you cupped his face, "you did it, Lance, you're proving all of them wrong".

After tidying everything and gathering your things, you made your way back to the hotel, glad that you only had to fly out in the morning. Lance flopped onto the bed, his body spent, and practically melted into the soft sheets, and as you settled beside him, kicking your trainers to the carpeted floor, he sighed contentedly, his eyelids drooping.

“Are you going to fall asleep on me?” you teased, running a hand through his tousled hair after a chuckle.

“Maybe just for a moment” he sighed, his breath evening out. You watched as his face relaxed, the stress of the day slowly vanishing as he succumbed to the calmer environment you found yourselves in.

You took this opportunity to grab your phone, heart racing as you tried be quick and capture this cozy moment. Even though you had the privilege of attending a race here and there, it wasn't often that you could get to be with your boyfriend like this, always rushing between flights, meetings and PR events.

You clicked a few pictures, focusing on the way his eyelashes brushed against his cheeks, how the corner of his mouth curled up just slightly in his sleep and how it was slighty agape. He looked so peaceful and vulnerable, like a gentle teddy bear and that was a sight you wanted to remember forever.

You couldn’t resist. Each photo you took made your affection for him swell even more as you tried to keep silent, failing when a small giggle escaped your lips as he shifted slightly, pulling the blankets closer to him and letting out a soft snore. Between each click of your camera, your thoughts lingered on how the media had portrayed him lately—unfairly and harshly. But here he was, just a man, working hard and achieving great things with each race he did.

With a grin, you opened your instagram app and began to upload the photos, writing a thoughtful caption that wouldn't get anyone in trouble (you certainly didn't want the PR team chasing you down) but one that would set the media straight. You posted the photos, each one showing Lance in his most endearing moments and ones that you were sure his fans would melt when they looked at them.

As you set your phone down, glancing back at him, you felt a warmth in your chest. The world may try to define who he was, constantly throwing harsh words at him and assumptions they had no business making, but you cherished the moments where the rest of world faded away.

With the fading light outside and the soft glow of the room, you settled in beside him, gently resting your head on his shoulder as you snuggled him, not caring about the fact that you were wearing your outside clothes on the bed, “sweet dreams, my love,” you whispered, not wanting to wake him.

Somewhere in his dreams, you hoped he knew just how much he was loved - both for his racing skill and for the love he brought into your life. For the giggles he got out of you, for the way your heart fluttered whenever he called you by your nickname you only allowed him to use, for the way he carefully picked up the pieces whenever it got too much.

And as the stars began to twinkle outside the hotel room window, you found comfort in the simplicity of being together, away from the glare of the cameras and the weight of expectation. You had it all right there.

[cuddlyfunk]

The Banishment of Chloe Munson

Not everyone is cruel.

In which Eddie Munson has a half-sister.

-Word Count: 530

A/N: I kind of took a break here for a while and kind of forgot I existed… But I’m back strong with more Eddie and Chloe

Enjoy!

Eddie figured Chloe was responsible enough to go play outside on her own. He’d have been happy enough to accompany her and play whatever she wanted. She was surprisingly imaginative with her storylines playing make-believe where he was a knight and she was a dragon and they play fought until they were both too tired to keep going.

But she had been more distant lately. More focused on other people.What they wanted. What they liked. She even made Eddie braid her hair because she said every other girl in her class had their hair done.

Even with her strange behavior, Eddie trusted her. So when she waltzed into the kitchen one cold Saturday afternoon and declared she was going to go play with other kids, he told her “stay close, put on a coat and be safe.”

That was the end of it.

Until she came home crying. 

And Chloe never cried.

Eddie immediately dropped what he was doing and rushed to the entryway where Chloe stood in her tattered grey coat, her hair already fraying from the braid he’d styled for her that morning.

“What’s up, Chlo?” He asked carefully, stepping closer to her and leaning down to look in her eyes.

Chloe deftly looked away, determinedly avoiding eye contact. She rubbed furiously at her still wet eyes, trembling as she tried to hold back tears, “nothin’. It’s ‘nothin, okay?”

“Yeah, sure seems like nothing,” he rolled his eyes, “come on, tell me.”

“They don’t want to play with me!” Chloe shouted suddenly, “they’re stupid. They say I play too rough and I smell weird.”

Eddie blinked at her. While maybe he should have expected this considering his own childhood, he’d hoped somehow it would be better for her. Ostracization started early it seemed.

“Oh. I could go talk to them, if you wanted.” He suggested hopefully. 

Chloe shook her head glumly, “no, they’re stupid. I don’t want to play with them anyways.” Her words were fierce, but she sounded more defeated. Maybe it was the crying.

Eddie patted her shoulder, “well, okay. If you really feel that way, you can play with me instead.” He stood up straight and held out his hand to her.

She watched him warily, wiping away the tears on her face with the ratty sleeve of her coat, “…why would I play with you?”

Eddie clutched his heart dramatically, “you offend me, fair maiden. I am a very nice person to play with, I’ll have you know.” He grinned at her, tilting his head towards his room. “Come on. You can draw with me if you’d like. Listen to some music. I’ve still got so many greats to educate you with.”

She hesitated. But it was inevitable in the end. She took his hand and nodded. 

And so they retreated into their own little world. Where no one could judge them. No one would mind the music being a little too loud, or if they talked a little louder.

The hurt wasn’t healed. The loneliness never forgotten. But for a moment it could be soothed.

For a moment they could just be them. Just Eddie and Chloe against the world. Always and forever. 

Thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed this, you can find more of my writing (specifically with Chloe) on the masterlist

Written on my phone and not proofread very well, sorry for mistakes!

[hockybish]

Jack had been somewhat enjoying a date with his current fling Chloé something or other, he didn't really know and he didn't really care, she wasn't going to last. The chick was tiktok famous or something to that effect. Chloé was kinda cute, but not as cute as ...

"Oh my god, Jack, it's her. It's really her, Flora Rae. She's so pretty. I want to be her. I bet she's super nice." Chloe pointed the popular actress who had just entered the little café.

... her

Flora Rae the famous actress. The girl Jack met when he was 18 on a trip to New York. They were young and in love. But he screwed that up after he said something he shouldn’t had.

"I'm going to introduce myself" The influencer traipsed over to where the actress. Jack could see them chatting animatedly and he sank in his seat when Chloé pointed over to him.

He knew he should have tried to stop Chloé, but he was just baffled that the girl who he still loved was there in the same restaurant as he was. She looked great. The past three years had done her well.

Three years. That was the last time he saw her. It had been three years since it happened.

Before he knew it Chloé came back in a huff. “She’s so rude.”

“What did she say?” Jack furrowed his brow. That wasn’t like her. Flora was never rude and didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Not even when pictures got leaked of her crying at a funeral.

“That’s just it nothing! She kept nodding her head but wouldn’t speak.”

They went back to their date and acted like nothing had happened. When Chloé had gone to the bathroom, Jack saw an opportunity to say something to her. Gathering the his courage he stood from the table and wandered over.

"Hi, Flora." He slid into the booth she was sitting in.

"Jack" She nodded, going back to playing with the food on her plate, suddenly loosing her appetite.

“You look good. I saw that movie you were in that just came out. It was really good.” He tried complimenting her.

“Um thanks I guess.” There was an awkward pause between them.

"I want to apologize." Jack swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbled. "What I said that night wasn't alright. I didn't mean it. You were fantastic. You were hurting, I was hurting. But that doesn't make it okay."

Flora could see he was being sincere with his apology. The words he had uttered that had ultimately ended their relationship were forever etched in her brain, and she wasn't ready to let it go yet.

"When was the last time you visited Callan? You know where he is right?" She fired back. Even though it had been years at the point, she wasn't ready to forgive how he had insinuated that she was a bad mother.

"That's what I thought" Flora mumbled when Jack shut his mouth. She thee a couple of bucks on the table and stood up. She was done. “Now if you’ll excuse me. I need to go. I want to get to the cemetery early tomorrow to see our son.”

Let me know what you think

[knight-princess]

Appreciation post for:

• Wererats. Fucked up little beasties. Do they turn into people on the full moon or did they used to be people, I can’t remember and Boorman certainly never explained. Look like roadkill and sincerely want to fuck you up. Two heads for some reason. Only appear once and are dope and real animatronics and everything I’m pretty sure

• “Chloe Allagash’s brave little man”, otherwise known just as Allagash. Insults extraordinaire. Spent like. ten years in a box pretending to be his best mate and was so committed to that bit he tried to sell it to his best mate’s other best mate and daughter. Gave up his life to fight trolls and save the gang. Hates olives. Iconic

• Madmartigan, who I spent far too long convinced was actually called Martigan and nicknamed “Mad” Martigan by all his mates. Also in a box when we meet him. Tries to feed roots to a newborn. Slays in pink. Souped up on the love potion, gains himself an enemies to lovers arc with the hot badass warrior queen

• Sorsha Tanthalos, said hot badass warrior, redemption arc speedrun, kiss in the middle of battle pro, stop listening to your evil mom and make your own choices queen. Pissed off that the dorky hot rogue confessed his undying love to her and it was just love potion. “‘I dwell in darkness without you’ and it went away???” Go off queen. You can fix that never fear. Dopest sword ever but also that would be so so sucky to get stabbed with because fuck that is a lot of serrations. Is it all that functional? Don’t know but it looks awesome. 10/10. Goes straight from being henchman to her evil mom to trying to run a whole kingdom, raise three kids and keep one of them from dying to fulfil the prophesy. Makes some dodgy decisions. Complains about it all to her (literal) captive audience. Saves her daughters life. Complicated queen

• Sorsha x Madmartigan. Enemies to lovers classic with all the fun twists. “Love her?!? I don’t love her! She kicked me in the face!” Oh you just wait buddy. Couple affirming kiss mid battle??? Oh fuck yeah, sign me the fuck up. “I dwell in darkness without you.” Wait. Was that foreshadowing

• Jade and Elora being besties. Unexpected and delightful. Elora calling her “J” nearly made me hit the cieling. You’re telling me they’ve got nicknames already??? Sign me the fuck up. I love it. Need more of it pls and thank you

• Lili of Cashmere. On the wyrms milk. Dresses like a Greek goddess. Known by the alias “the Crone” which she hates even tho she really is secretly a skeleton held together with goo and a love of drama (I’m reusing that description ok I enjoyed it too much the first time). Evil makeover specialist. A+ Lili I love you

• And last but not least, smart and sassy trolls. @lowkeyed1 is a lifesaver and provided me with the transcript for the episode bc I remembered they had some truly iconic lines but couldn’t for the life of me remember what they were. So we’ve got: “He’s not appealing, but he speaks his mind, and I suppose that’s something” of Sarris’s own brother. Of the Crone: “Is she the eldritch nightmare people make her out to be? Yes. But she has her positive qualities too.” Lol fair. The forever iconic “I deplore those who rouse rabble” and my personal favourite “yeah, cos when I said ‘I do’, what I really meant was ‘explain it to me like I’m an imbecile’.”

[halfincontextmagic]

Event Story: The Crimson ribbon for Désir | CH9

HEATHCLIFF — Hn….

SHINO — Heath!

AKIRA — Heath, are you ok…!?

The blue eyes that have just opened look around in a daze,

until they catch Shino’s gaze.

I can tell Shino’s body is stiff with nervousness.

Everyone swallowed, waiting for Heathcliff’s reaction….

HEATHCLIFF — Shino.

A warm smile emerged on his face.

SHINO — …Heath….

Shino’s dawn-like eyes swam, and closed.

SHYLOCK — …Welcome back, Heathcliff.

BRADLEY — Looks like it was a safe success.

HEATHCLIFF — Ah…. The ribbon came off….

AKIRA — Shino’s the one who took it off, you know.

SHYLOCK — He used a spell of separation to lift the spell tied to your heart. A change like earlier shouldn't happen again.

HEATHCLIFF — Shino did….

I see.

Thank you, Shino.

SHINO — I didn’t do anything to deserve thanks. I only did what’s natural.

That aside, how are you feeling? Do you feel weird anywhere….

Slowly pulling his body up, Heathcliff gently held his right hand out.

His slim fingertips wrapped themselves around Shino’s right hand.

HEATHCLIFF — Aah, as I thought…. It’s red.

I’m sorry about earlier. It must’ve hurt when I slapped you back then.

Shino’s mouth hangs open to the question directed to him.

As if he were softening the tension from the string of a taut bow, Heathcliff continued, one word at a time:

HEATHCLIFF — …I, was so, so scared.

I thought, what if I stayed stuck like how I was earlier forever.

Because, even if I’d…managed to get out of here, in a state like that, Chloe and Mitile…, Rutile and Riquet and the others would surely get hurt.

So, I’m really glad.

…Thank you, Shino.

The things that spilled out of Heathcliff’s mouth were…all concerns about someone else.

His dislike to hurt anyone and his gentle, caring nature are what make him himself.

SHINO — ………….

Even in times like these, you still….

Shino squeezed Heathcliff’s hand back with his own free one,

in such a careful way that it was as though he were holding a jewel.

SHINO — Yeah, the Heath right now is the one I….¹⁴

HEATHCLIFF — Huh?

What is it, Shino. Did you say something, just now?

SHINO — No….

It’s nothing.

Suddenly, Saku-chan seemed to have noticed something and jumped into my chest.

And soon, the world around us lit up at once.

It was a softer, gentler light compared to when we’d come here.

AKIRA — This is….

BRADLEY — Looks like we can get back safe, huh.

SHYLOCK — I can sense that we’re getting closer to Sir Snow’s presence.

And when I’d thought we were once again enshrouded in an all-white world….

The next moment, we were back in the exhibition hall we were originally in.

SNOW — Sage!

MITILE — It’s Sir Sage!

CHLOE — And also everyone! Thank god~!

RUSTICA — I am glad everyone returned safely.

AKIRA — Sorry, everyone. We made you worry.

CHLOE — Hmhm! It’s nothing. You must’ve gotten through a bigger fright than us since you were the ones who got pulled into the box, right?

MITILE — Wasn’t it a daunting place inside? I hope you weren’t put through something horrible….

HEATHCLIFF — …We’re fine.

It looks like Shino solved the issue.

SHYLOCK — Yes, absolutely.

BRADLEY — Heh.

SHINO — Fufun. Pretty much.

RUSTICA — As expected of Shino. That is a brilliant achievement.

SNOW — I wasn’t too concerned, as Bradley and Shylock were also there but….

I see, so it's Shino. You’ve accomplished quite a feat.

BRADLEY — Hey, don’t give me the ‘you’re so useless’ look.

SHYLOCK — Fufu, it’s more gratifying to think of it as a youth with a bright future accomplishing a splendid achievement.

When I spontaneously looked at it, inside the red ribbon box, laid a canvas painted over with a thick layer of white.

Mr. Klaus picked it up with mixed feelings written all over his features and bowed down to us.

KLAUS — My most sincere, deepest apologies for putting my dear guests in danger this time.

How could I ever make it up to you….

HEATHCLIFF — Oh no…. Please raise your head.

SNOW — To wizards, this is a trivial matter. To the Sage’s Wizards, all the more so.

SHINO — Yeah. Strange phenomenons are a daily occurence.

MITILE — I don’t want this kind of routine but I also can’t deny it….

SNOW — That being said, we cannot let this painting as it is, however.

Everybody’s gaze gather on the painting in Mr. Klaus’ hands.

KLAUS — Ah….

At Snow’s words, Klaus’ fingers tighten their grip on the painting.

SNOW — Don’t fret. I won’t do anything such as burning it.

I’ll just cast a spell of purification so it won’t confine anyone else.

« Noscomnia »

The painting drifted away from Mr. Klaus’ hands, floating in the air.

A purifying light cloaks the snow-white painting.

And….

AKIRA — Huh…? Isn’t the white paint kind of coming off?

HEATHCLIFF — You’re right. Isn’t this….

What reveals itself to us is the sight of a young man smiling to us.

Golden hair and a pair of gentle blue eyes. He looked just a little bit like Heathcliff, I thought.

All around the young man were painted many fluttering ribbons.

KLAUS — I never thought—that something like this could….

I never thought…that I could ever see this painting in such a beautiful state….

Mr. Klaus took the canvas within his trembling fingers.

I could see the corners of his eyes, slightly wrinkled with age, blur with tears welling up.

CHLOE — …That’s, such a beautiful person.

To have someone like this model for you is so….

I feel like I can understand why that painter person spent decades searching for him.

RUSTICA — …I agree. The depiction of the light within the eyes of the smiling model is such a splendid work.

Does it indicate the true strength of the model’s heart, I wonder?¹⁵ However, his brows are bent, like he is troubled by something….

“Are you done painting soon? Let’s take a break. You’ll tire yourself out.”

…I can even feel that gentle concern he has for the artist, can’t you?

KLAUS — …!

…How—could you tell? It’s almost as if you were there to see, on the day this painting was made….

RUSTICA — I can tell. Because I can hear it from this painting:

My beloved is such a beautiful person. And it is not only beauty that is visible to the eye, but also the inside of his heart, all of it.

KLAUS — …hg.

…I see….

Just hearing these words….

…Makes me feel like there was a meaning in holding this exhibition.

MITILE — …Now that I think about it, Mr. Klaus. You said this painting was what inspired you to hold this exhibition, right?

SHINO — What did you mean by that?

TL/n: WELCOME TO HISUSHINO MISSED CONFESSION SCENE WHAT IN THE SHOUJO MANGA IS THIS !!!!! THANK YOU FOR MY LIFE

¹⁴ To explain my biased translation choice, original sentence says 「今のヒースが......。」 (ima no hiisu ga…….), so it could be "the you right now is the one.", "it has to be this you." However, I decided to make it a follow up to chapter 8 and 4th anniversary, where Shino says that this is the Heath he likes/loves, that the kind, overly considerate, unjudgemental Heath, is the one that made Shino love him. One of the reasons why I chose to translate it like this is the Japanese confession culture, (you know the one) where people tend to word it in this way: 「あなた(の事)が—......好きです。」 ʼanata (no koto) ga—... suki desu.ʼ (i, about you— i like you. [read: romantic ʼlikeʼ] ), and the way Shino words it in this chapter sounds...well, just like that. And I wanted to convey the way it sounds SO MUCH like he was about to confess his love to Heath. because it was definitely worded that way on purpose, since Mahoyaku is a fu-targeting media.

¹⁵ 「芯の力」 (read ʼshin no chikaraʼ) is very specifically the true strength, coming from the core of the person, from deep inside their heart.

←CH8 CH10→

↞CH1

✧INDEX✧

[enchantedchocolatebars]

Cheesecake Kisses 😚 🍰 ⭐ 🌙

😚 Original story 🍰

⭐️ Ao3 version 🌙

🦋 The blonde butterfly and her human boyfriend were both at the Diaz household, happily watching an all-day marathon of their favorite TV show while snacking on slices of strawberry shortcake. 🍰

Since Earth and Mewni were now merged into one, it meant that the two teens could be together forever, and being together meant more indoor dates like these.

Star ate the last cake crumb on her plate, but her sweet tooth was still craving for more.

Turning to Marco, she instantly switches her puppy dog eyes on. “Oh Marco, could you pretty please get me another slice of cake?” Star asked, holding her empty plate at him, frosting smeared on her face.

Marco chuckled at Star.

He found her childlike nature adorable.

“Uh, Star, you got a bit of frosting there on your face.” He points to his own face to emphasize.

"I do?” she asked. Her blue eyes gaze down and she sees white icing smeared on her mouth.

“Oh, I do!" Star giggled. "Hold on, I got this.” Wiping her lips with her arm only makes things worse as a frosting mustache was now apparent on her lips. Star smiles. “There! Better?”

Marco chuckles a second time.

“Hold on," he said, taking her plate as he stood up. "I’ll get you something to wipe your face off with.” Star smiles at him. “Okay, boo!” she beams brightly.

Marco takes off into the kitchen.

As soon as he was gone, Star quickly reaches into her dress pocket and pulls out a cheesecake-flavored and scented lip gloss.

She, Jackie, Chloe, Janna, Pony Head, and Starfan13 spent some girl time together in the mall the other day.

As the girls passed by a few stores, Star's eyes sparkled when she saw a store that sold the lip gloss.

She knew it would be a sweet and shiny treat for her lips.

After purchasing and testing it on her lips, she became extremely fond of it.

Twisting the small white cap off of the yellow container that was decorated with the same cakes as the product was named after, Star begins to spread the sweet and glossy goodness all across her top and bottom lips.

Adjusting the lid back on, Star puts the tube back in her pocket and rubs her lips together.

She then licks them.

A hum of delight came from the artificial cakey flavor. “Mmm, cheesecake.”

“I’m back!” Marco happily announced as he returned with the slice of cake for Star and a small napkin for her face. “A cake and napkin for the lady,” he spoke in a gentlemanly tone as handed the two items to Star.

“Why thank you, Mr. Diaz,” she giggled, wiping the sugar paste off her face.

“I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?! What is it?”

“Close your eyes. It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, ya silly goose!”

“Oh, right.”

Shutting his eyes, Marco smiles, eager to receive his girlfriend’s gift.

Star slowly leans in to kiss her boy.

As she does so, Marco’ s nose detects a sweet scent.

“Mmm, something smells good! Is my surprise something sweet?”

“Maaaaybe,” Star tee-hees before pressing her lips to his and pulling away in three seconds. “Sooo," she playfully began. "What did you think? Can you guess the flavor?”

Marco opens his eyes and licks his lips. “Hmm…is it…cheesecake?”

Star imitates an over the top announcer. “Ding, ding, ding! We have a winner, folks!”

The former squire snickered before leaning in to place a peck on his girlfriend’s cheek as they continued their marathon and cake eating.

You could say Star had a sweet tooth for two things: one being the slice of shortcake and two Marco’s lips. 🦋

[celestiall0tus]

Lady and the Scoundrel - Chapter 10 - Settling In

Beginning || Previous || Next

            “Chloe! There you are!” Memoria cheered.

            Chloe braced herself as Memoria scooped her up and swung her around. “It’s good to see you too, Memoria.”

            Memoria clicked. “Come. Come! Let’s get you settled in. We got your room all made up for you.”

            Chloe smiled as she followed Memoria inside. They walked through the manor to her room. She caught sight of Felix but ignored him. She knew she’d never be anything different in his eyes, so she wasn’t going to bother with him. She stepped into her room and sighed. It was about half the size of her room back at Le Grand Paris but had all the luxuries.

            “Do let me know if there’s anything you need. I had Amelie help with all this, but I still feel like something is missing from it,” Memoria remarked.

            Chloe hugged Memoria. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

            “You’re most welcome. I’ll leave you to get unpacked, then I was hoping we could go out. Have a nice lunch and maybe do some shopping.”

            “Sure, if you’re ok with Cheri joining us.”

            “Oh, of course. Which, she’s always welcome too.”

            “She knows, but she wants to give me some space to learn. Doesn’t want me to use her a crutch outside of school too.”

            “Smart girl. You do need to learn to socialize with people. It is an integral skill for any young mortal to learn.”

            “I know. I… I think I’ll be ready. I just had to… adjust?”

            “That you did. It was a big shift, but you’re doing great. I’m proud of you, Chloe.”

            Chloe’s eyes misted over as she beamed. “Thank you.”

            “Always, Chloe. Now, get unpacked, then we can head out.”

            Chloe nodded and watched as Memoria left her. She happily sighed as she unpacked her luggage and put her clothes away. She organized her clothes in the clothes and dresser when she heard footsteps. She assumed it was Felix from the silence that came with them. Memoria and Amelie would have announced themselves long before now. She ignored him and continued to sort her clothes.

            Chloe stalled long enough before she turned to grab more of her clothes. She eyed Felix sitting in one of the armchairs in her room. She held his gaze for a moment before she looked away and continued to unpack. A few minutes of her ignoring him passed before he spoke up.

            “You’re really determined to keep ignoring me? That’s cute. You do realize you can’t ignore me forever. You’re stuck here for the holiday. That is if you don’t run back to that campus in a week, if you’re lucky.”

            Chloe didn’t answer.

            Felix tsked. “Honestly, Chloe, how long do you plan to keep up this ruse? We both know you’re going to lose your temper like most toddlers do, so just go off already. I could use some entertainment.”

            Chloe took a deep breath and remembered Barkk’s lessons on ignoring people. The best response is silence as they begin to unravel. They will throw everything at her, but only because they want a reaction. So long as she didn’t give them that, they would move on.

            Chloe moved to grab the last of her clothes, but Felix blocked her path. “Can I help you?”

            “So you can talk still. I thought your mum came back to-.”

            “Are you done? I need to finish unpacking, then I have a lunch date with Memoria and Cheri,” Chloe interrupted casually.

            Felix furrowed his brows. “What’s wrong with you?”

            “I should ask the same. You always seem to have the answer to everything. You should know what’s wrong with me, right?”

            Felix pursed his lips and didn’t answer. Chloe held her head high as she pushed past him and got the last of her clothes. She sorted them out and put them away before she headed for the door. He moved and blocked her exit.

            Chloe sighed and rolled her eyes. “What now?”

            “Where do you think you’re going? We aren’t done yet.”

            “Really? We, or you, because I’m certainly done tolerating your childish antics.”

            “What-? You didn’t call me childish.”

            “I did, and I’ll do it again because that’s how you’re acting. Now, please excuse me. I have a lunch date with Memoria, as I mentioned before. You’re welcome to come along if-.”

            “Like hell I will. Why would I want to be caught with you in public?”

            Chloe shrugged. “I offered. I’ll see you later, Felix.”

            Chloe pushed past Felix before he could get another word out. She listened for Memoria’s voice and followed it to the kitchen.

            “I’m ready!” Chloe announced.

            Memoria gasped and squeaked. “I’ll see you later, Amelie. I’m going to have lunch with Chloe and her school buddy. I’ll see you later, darling!”

            “Have fun, darling!” Amelie called back.

            Memoria and Chloe headed out of the manor. They talked down the sidewalk a short ways before Barkk joined them. Barkk squealed and tackled Chloe.

            “I saw the whole thing, Chloe! I’m so proud of you!”

            “Yeah, well, he was tame this time. I know he’s got much worse up his sleeve,” Chloe remarked.

            “Most people do, but this is huge! How do you feel knowing you succeeded?”

            “I… nervous? I didn’t go too far, did I? I wasn’t too sassy or-?”

            “Not at all. You handled it beautifully.”

            Chloe smiled. “Thanks, Barkk.”

            Memoria giggled. “Come along, girls. We have a now celebratory lunch to have followed with some shopping.”

            Barkk’s eyes lit up. “Shopping? Like clothes? Are we getting Chloe more clothes?”

            “Wait, I-!” Chloe started.

            “Yup! It’s time for a proper new wardrobe!” Memoria sang.

            Barkk yipped. “Yes! C’mon! Let’s ring in the end of a year and the start of a new one with a new you! Let’s go!”

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[signs-of-the-moon]

Moon High: Chapter 22

The shrill squawking of seagulls in the sky disturbed the slumber of the newly settled Oceanclan. Hazepaw roused from his nest, groggy and a little annoyed by the noise. But when he stretched and felt sand brush the sides of his paws, a bubble of excitement grew in his chest. That's right, we're back on the beach! He remembered and celebrated internally as he sat up to tidy his pelt. Grains of sand met his tongue, salty and earthy all at once. It felt like forever since he had so much sediment in his fur. It was comforting in a way. A sensation Hazepaw never knew he'd miss. But he'd never admit that to anyone. Instead it would remain his private joy as he got up and ready for whatever the day would bring. The sunlight outside the apprentice's den was shaded over by the protection of the Twoleg Settlement Bridge. Only the smallest of sunbeams managed to sneak their way through the cracks of the wooden ceiling. Hazepaw settled into one of those spots for a heartbeat, allowing the warmth to soak on his face and wake him. Once he was sufficiently alert, the fluffy white tom made his way to the fresh-kill pile. A few small fish and rodents lay within it. It was rather pitiful looking, and meant cats would need to go out and hunt soon. For now, Hazepaw chose three mice and carried them to the elder's den. Though he hated dealing with the old fools, he knew he'd have to feed them before taking anything for himself. Dolphintail was the first to be alerted of his presence underneath the old boat, the scent of prey luring her over. Though she didn't seem at all pleased that it was Hazepaw delivering today's breakfast. Still, the eldest of Oceanclan's ranks accepted the food she was offered, and carried it to another part of the den to be consumed. Closeby, Whisperpaw was working on taking ticks off of Chloe. The elders had gathered many during their time in the Forest Patch. Now that they were home, the old cats could be properly cleansed of the nasty little parasites. It seemed Whisperpaw was just finishing up as Hazepaw dropped a mouse at the elderly kittypet's paws.

"You couldn'ta brought a gull instead?" Chloe griped with an indignant tail lash. Hazepaw growled at the old she-cat in frustration, glaring at her sharply. Whisperpaw shook her head, silently begging him not to start a fight. After a heartbeat and a huff, Hazepaw backed away, delivering his last mouse to Oystersplash.

"Thank you," the elder mewed gratefully as he tucked into his meal. Hazepaw dipped his head to the old warrior, pleased to know at least one cat was satisfied. Then he padded back to where Whisperpaw was working. He still needed to speak with her and apologize, like Otterpaw wanted. Now was as good a time as any to make up.

"...I'm surprised you can stand to be in the same den as me right now," he remarked after watching Whisperpaw clean up for a few quiet moments. "You've been so skittish whenever I'm around."

Whisperpaw jolted at the sound of his voice, the fur on her spine standing a little. She continued to tidy up as they carried on a conversation, as if she were trying to distract herself. "Well, I can't avoid you forever..." she responded, her voice as quiet as ever. She glanced over her shoulder then back to a mousebile and tick soiled mossball she'd rolled up. "Besides. Otterpaw told me about the talk you two had."

"She did?" Hazepaw ears perked. Perhaps Otterpaw had done some of the hard part and talked Whisperpaw into hearing him out. "I...don't suppose she told you how sorry I am on my behalf, though, did she?" Hazepaw lifted his chin hopefully. Whisperpaw turned, tilting her head at him, unamused. She knew well what Hazepaw was talking about. But she clearly wanted to hear the words come out of his own muzzle. Hazepaw gave a disgruntled sigh. "Right. Ok. Well listen, Whisperpaw. I'm sorry for the way I treated you. It was uncalled for, and I really didn't mean any harm. I just wanted to help you since you've been struggling with your warrior training. But I see now the way I went about it was harsh. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me."

For a few heartbeats, Whisperpaw sat silently, expression unreadable. "I've always liked you, Hazepaw," she started, tail-tip wiggling anxiously, "but it scared me that you'd turned your bullying onto me. It hurt worse than the lashes you gave, I think. It's hard to forgive you."

Hazepaw lowered his head, shame and a bit of frustration burning beneath his pelt. "I know. I really didn't mean any harm though, honest. You're my friend. Probably my first ever," he confessed. He glanced between the elders, daring them to chime in. Luckily none of them spoke, instead ignoring the apprentices so they could have their moment in peace. "I just want you to be a great warrior. Especially with the huge pawprints you have to fill." He shifted to face the gray tabby she-cat. Then he lowered his voice so only she could hear him. "You're better than your littermates, and I know you can be a great leader for Oceanclan someday. I thought I could help you get there, by giving you some tough training. But it wasn't my place, and I hurt you. I regret it. I just want my friend back..." All of Hazepaw's words were spoken from the heart. But there was a small seed of gain planted in his speech. Though he did want Whisperpaw back as his friend, he also needed to stay in her good graces. If he upset Whisperpaw too greatly, he'd blow his chance at ever being Oceanclan's deputy. Then all the hard work he was putting in with Sea Breeze would be for nothing.

Whisperpaw twitched her whiskers. "I understand. But it doesn't erase the mistrust I feel for you. However, I don't want to lose your friendship either... I care for you, Hazepaw. But I need some time."

"I get it..." Hazepaw deflated, the hope inside him for reconciliation nearly snuffed out. He sat in silence for a few heartbeats, letting Whisperpaw's words soak in. She still liked him, at least. Not all was lost. Hazepaw would just have to work to prove he meant the words he'd spoken. Determination blazed in his belly, making the fluffy white tom swish his tail. I'll gain her trust back soon enough, Hazepaw thought confidently. He gave Whisperpaw a small smile, receiving a quiet yet apprehensive purr in return from her as she went back to caring for the elders. Not wanting to overstay his welcome, Hazepaw finally excused himself from the boat and emerged into the clearing of camp. Sandybreeze was padding nearby, her head moving in search of something. When her gaze fell upon Hazepaw, she trotted over to him. A heartbeat later, Otterpaw joined them.

"Just the cat I was looking for! You're coming with me to lead a fishing patrol." Fishing patrol? Excitement sprung up inside of Hazepaw at the prospect of fishing for the first time in what felt like forever.

"I'm coming too!" Otterpaw boasted, her joy nearly bursting out of her. Perhaps she was hyped up for the same reason. Or maybe she was looking forward to spending time with her aunt. Whisperpaw suddenly emerged from the elder's den; ears pricked, probably because of the tone in Otterpaw's voice.

"Can I...come too? Luckysong taught me a little about fishing," she mewed, glancing at Hazepaw apprehensively. She looked as though she were giving the request a second thought, regret on her features. Otterpaw brushed her tail along her friend's flank to reassure her.

Sandybreeze gave her whiskers a twitch. "I don't see why not. More paws catch more fish, after all. Come along, you three. Let's meet with the rest of the patrol."

The Oceanclan deputy led them to a pole at the edge of the Twoleg Settlement Bridge, towards the awaiting warriors. Urchinpaw was the first cat Hazepaw spotted. More importantly Troutwhisker, Seaweedfang, and Ripplesnout were there, too. They were the best fishers in Oceanclan. Surely the patrol would be bringing home lots of prey today! Hazepaw smirked with excitement, kneading his paws into the sand beneath them in anticipation.

"Looks like all of 'em," Ripplesnout, noted. Sandybreeze nodded in agreement then flicked her ear, prompting the patrol to head across the beach. A strong breeze ruffled their pelts as they walked, the chill making Hazepaw shiver. Though every day Greenleaf drew closer, Newleaf kept its grip on the world with stone strengthened claws. Hazepaw wished to feel warmth soak his fur at last, in the way cats described the hottest season doing. Then it would make swimming and fishing in the ocean more fun. Though the sand felt nice and hot, with the sun beating down upon the shore. If they'd had a moment, Hazepaw would have rolled around on it to heat him up. He knew once he got in the water the world would feel cold again. Maybe he could do it later, to prepare himself for swimming. For now, though, Hazepaw kept pace with his clanmates, straining his ears to catch the sound of the nearing ocean. As they padded along, Urchinpaw, Otterpaw, and Whisperpaw chatted idly beside him.

"Do you think we'll see any Twolegs while we're out here..?" Whisperpaw wondered, voice quivering a little.

"Doubt it." Urchinpaw shook out his pelt. "It's still too cold for them. Without any fur, the ocean is too much for them to handle in Newleaf."

"But look." Otterpaw gestured to some prints in the sand, leading up to then away from the shoreline. They were close in shape to Twoleg's lower paws. Yet there were none of the creatures in sight. "Appears two were here."

"Well they're long gone now," Minnowjaw assured in with his muzzle in the air. "They musta realized they weren't cut out for the beach beyond the Twoleg Madness season."

"And thank the Moon for that! We don't want those bumbling beasts around when we hunt. They'll scare off all the fish with their splashing," added Troutwhisker. The other cats nodded in agreement, pressing forward on their journey. Hazepaw smelled it before he saw it. The crisp, salty, tangy scent of the ocean was a glorious and unmistakable aroma. It made his mouth water. Energy surged through the fluffy white tom's limbs as he restrained himself from rushing to the seafoam. But Otterpaw beat him to the lunge, bursting away from the patrol to chase the strangely docile waves nearby.

"Race you to the water!" She called over her shoulder to her denmates. A darkness loomed within this part of ocean--something eerie that Hazepaw had never experienced before. In a flash, Sandybreeze rushed after her niece, rounding her to block the way just before Otterpaw managed to touch the water. She ushered the brown she-cat back to the approaching patrol, receiving an earful upon return.

"Are you fish-brained?" Snapped Minnowjaw.

"What made you think you could just run over and dive into the ocean like that? Have you no sense!?" Ripplesnout spat. Otterpaw lowered her ears in shame.

"Pipe down! These 'Paws still have a lot to learn about ocean safety," Sandybreeze growled at the warriors. Then her attention returned to Otterpaw. "From now on, be wary of calm, dark water. And never try to swim in it," she warned her niece more placidly. She didn't seem as angered by Otterpaw's actions as the other warriors.

"But why?" Asked Otterpaw, voice a bit wobbly. Whisperpaw moved to flank her.

"The ocean will pull you in and drown you, if you do. It's because of its jealousy, you see. The ocean is in love with the Moon. But they separated long ago. And so, sometimes the ocean takes out its resentment on us." Hazepaw recalled fables about Silverpelt, sometimes referred to simply as Moon. She was a mother-like figure to cats in most. While in some, she was a stubborn, vain character who only focused on herself. But she was an important figure in the Land's Star's history. Especially for Oceanclan. She was the reason cats existed in the first place.

"But why would it do that?" Urchinpaw lashed his tail with curiosity. "And why do we swim in the ocean if it just wants to kill us?"

"Because the ocean is part of our history. Just as it is part of Silverpelt's. And though it can be a great threat; the ocean is also our greatest ally. Swimming in it builds muscle, making us stronger than the other clans. It also provides us an endless supply of food, so that we never go hungry," Sandybreeze explained. "The ocean loves us as much as the Moon does. It just allows its resentment to cloud its judgment at times. That's why the water is dark, when the ocean aims to suck a cat under."

Hazepaw let out a thoughtful hum. This sounded like something Moonpaw would be interested in. Perhaps he could find out more about the ocean and Moon, so he could have a story to bring back to her? "Why is the ocean jealous of us?" Hazepaw questioned.

Sandybreeze let out a small purr. "Its more jealous of the partnership between the Sun and Moon than us. But because cats are a byproduct of that alliance, the ocean tends to hold resentment towards us as well."

"Can you tell me more? About the ocean and Moon?" Hazepaw's voice was hopeful. Tonight he planned to bring the story back Moonpaw, if he could.

"That's an elder's job. If you want to hear tales of ancient spirits, ask some of them later." Hazepaw was disappointed by Sandybreeze's response. He thought by the way she was explaining things, that she would be more interested in sharing her knowledge of ancient drama. But Sandybreeze was nothing if not a serious cat. Though she believed the stories told to her in youth, she wasn't the sort to waste time discussing useless information. She'd rather teach Hazepaw the truly important lessons of life. And though Hazepaw was grateful for his mentor's teachings, he did wish she could be a little more relaxed on some occasions. Still, there was no use getting his pelt ruffled now, over her not indulging him with some tale of whimsy. The patrol moved on from the shadowy area of the ocean, to a part of the beach where the waves acted more typically. Here the water was bright and blue. If they drew close enough, they may even be able to see to the bottom through the froth.

"You 'Paws go and fish over that way. The three of us will be fishing in the less rocky parts of the shore," Troutwhisker instructed expertly, gesturing with her smokey tail.

"How come we can't go swimming with you?" Hazepaw complained.

"Because you aren't strong enough yet to withstand the waves. You'll practice when Greenleaf comes. For now, work of perfecting your form," Sandybreeze responded, nodding her head to her companions to lead them away. Hazepaw growled, lashing his tail in frustration. He was sure he was strong enough to fish with the warriors! As he moved to follow after them, pain suddenly rippled through his muscles. Hazepaw cursed under his breath. Between cleaning up the temporary camp, the journey back home, and training with Sea Breeze in dreams last night, Hazepaw's body had grown a bit achey and sore. The walk to the beach hadn't helped his muscles much either. If he hadn't been pushing himself so hard, he'd be strong enough now to prove his mentor wrong. Instead, he conceded to his own limits and followed Otterpaw, Whisperpaw, and Urchinpaw over to the rocks. The waves crashed rhythmically against them, spraying the boulders with the momentum. The water was at the perfect level, deep enough to be inviting to fish, but low enough that it would not consume the rocks with each rolling wave. Hazepaw was the first to climb onto one of the slippery stones, beckoning his companions with a swish of his tail. Otterpaw jumped to join Hazepaw on his rock. While Urchinpaw settled on one of his own closeby. Whisperpaw perched on a stone between them. In the ocean surrounding the rocks, little fish swam with the current; weaving in and out of crevices, in-between seaweed and other little plants. They had no idea that they were being hunted. The conditions were perfect for a successful catch. Otterpaw was the first to give it a try, her paw raised and poised for an attack. Hazepaw observed her with delayed breath as the brown molly's lightning fast reflexes led to her successful strike. A pretty silver fish flopped on the stone between them, it's mouth gaped and shut as it tried to take breath from the air. Hazepaw grabbed it by its gills and bit hard, tasting it's delicious juices gush over his tongue. He had to resist the urge to bite down harder, realizing now he hadn't eaten before they went out today. As he sat up with a lick of his lips, the fluffy white tom wished he could take this fish as his own. But on a hunting patrol, warriors were not permitted to eat. So he slid the now deceased creature aside, taking his turn to make a catch. Hazepaw watched the water carefully, narrowing his eyes to focus on the scaly critters below. As another paddled closer to the rock, Hazepaw struck out, hooking the fish and pulling it to the surface. This time Otterpaw made the killing blow, thanking Starclan quietly for the prey before casting a paw out again. The two apprentices took turns like this for a while, successfully snagging quite a few fish between them by the time Hazepaw turned to check on Urchinpaw. The wiry black tom appeared to be struggling. Though his pelt was moist and his fishing paw soggy, not a single fish was set beside him on his rock. His face was twisted in frustration as he glared down at the water, before he once again tried to scoop something. This time he managed to pull up a fish, but he fumbled as the creature flopped for it's life. It managed to flip out of Urchinpaw's paws in the air, hurtling back down to the water. Urchinpaw scrambled to grab it, before it inevitably escaped back into the deep blue depts. With a splash, Hazepaw watched as the fish disappeared beneath the current. Urchinpaw cursed to himself and thrashed his tail, muttering something about giving up already. Whisperpaw giggled at his attempt. Hazepaw and Otterpaw exchanged a look. Then he stood, leaping onto the stone beside Urchinpaw.

"Let me show you how it's done," Hazepaw offered, shaping his paw like a hook with claws extended. He flicked an ear, urging Urchinpaw to copy. Urchinpaw did as instructed, mimicking his friend's moves. "I saw you leaning while you hunted. The fish will get spooked by your shadow if you do that. Even if they just see your fur, it'll startle them," Hazepaw explained.

"I saw you do it, though," Urchinpaw growled.

"That's 'cause fish are too stupid to differentiate objects from their colors. They see white and think clouds. Black, however? Means predator." Urchinpaw let out a chirp of understanding and nodded.

"Kinkfoot taught me darker colored cats have to be more strategic. Instead of striking the closest fish to your rock, you have to judge which fish will swim into your range," Otterpaw chimed in. She motioned for Hazepaw to switch places with her, then jumped to Urchinpaw's side. "Watch me." Otterpaw demonstrated what she had spoken of, stalking a rather large blue-ish colored fish as it swam into her reach. Carefully Otterpaw eyed the creature until she determined it was close enough to scoop. With an expert paw, Otterpaw pulled the fish out of the sea, leaving it beside Urchinpaw to kill. The wiry black tom gladly nipped it, then sat upright to try the technique for himself. It took two more tries before he was successful. But after finally getting a fish of his own, Urchinpaw seemed to find his groove. The four apprentices together managed to catch a sizable pile of ocean prey. Otterpaw had caught the biggest; the blue-ish one from her demonstration. Though Whisperpaw had surprised them all with the bonefish she'd snagged. Their fishing patrol would surely be pleased to see how successful they'd all been. Though their next challenge was figuring out how to carry all their fish to the warriors.

"I saw some Twoleg netting float past not long ago," Urchinpaw mentioned, running off to track it down. Hazepaw, Whisperpaw, and Otterpaw followed.

"Oh sweet," Hazepaw mewed.

"Well done!" Otterpaw commended once the oddly weaved vines had been found. The net was partially washed on the sand, making it easier for them to grab. Hazepaw stepped into the water to untangle the rest from the rocks, dipping his muzzle under the ocean's surface. As he did so, he felt a searing pain on his nose and shot up with a screech. A crab had clamped down on him with it's claw. Otterpaw and Urchinpaw laughed as he struggled for freedom, while Whisperpaw watched on with concern. Though the cackles of the others were infectious enough to have her stifling some giggles of her own. Hazepaw pawed at the brownish-red crustacean, trying to force it to release it's grip. Instead the crab pinched harder. Hazepaw laid down and shook his head, trying to pull it off himself with both paws. As he yanked, a rock fell suddenly on the creature; once, then twice, cracking open it's shell and killing it. Hazepaw looked up. Whisperpaw was holding the rock between her paws, glaring down at the crab to ensure it was dead. Hazepaw sat up.

"Uh, thanks," he mumbled.

"Don't mention it," was all that the gray tabby said in response, turning away to drag the net and crab back to their prey with Urchinpaw. Otterpaw came over to Hazepaw to lick the pain away from his nose. She purred, too, as if trying to soothe him. Heat instantly rose in Hazepaw's pelt from the gesture. It was sweet; almost too sweet for someone like Otterpaw. Moonpaw was more likely to show him such a kindness, especially after they'd spend some time apart. Maybe that was how Otterpaw felt too. Since she hadn't been speaking with Hazepaw for nearly a half moon, perhaps she felt a need to make up for it; by showing she still cared. Or maybe she was making up for the curtness of Whisperpaw. Still, Hazepaw wasn't going to question her actions, even if they did confuse him a little. This is... nice, Hazepaw thought. Then after a few moments he jerked away, too flustered to handle anymore.

"Feel better?" Otterpaw tilted her head. Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and Hazepaw thought he felt his heart skip a beat.

"Ye..yeah," he murmured. Then he turned with a rush, motioning for Otterpaw to follow back to the rocks. The warriors were waiting for them upon their return. They were already singing the praises of Whisperpaw as she showed off the crab she'd killed, and the net Urchinpaw found. Sandybreeze approached Hazepaw, commending him on his efforts.

"I can smell which of the fish you caught. You've learned well, it seems," she praised. "And that also goes for you three," she added then whisked her tail. "Though, Urchinpaw, I will have to speak with Silverdrop about giving you another lesson or two." Urchinpaw lowered his head respectfully, grumbling in frustration under his breath. Hazepaw nudged him with a shoulder to warn him to be quiet. Otterpaw moved to touch noses with her aunt then sat beside Whisperpaw who was putting fish into the net.

"We best be heading home, before the sun starts to make the fish rot," Troutwhisker grunted. Seaweedfang nodded in agreement, helping load prey into the net.

On the trek back to camp, Hazepaw reflected on the day. Pride puffed his his chest from a job well done. His stomach growled as he anticipated the tasty meal he'd get to enjoy at home soon. And his mind began to wander to the fun he had with his friends. A longing soon grew in his chest; a familiar feeling he gained only when he missed Moonpaw. Hazepaw wished she could have been there with him, fishing and laughing along with his denmates. Would she have soothed him after the crab attacked him, like Otterpaw had? Or killed the stupid thing, like Whisperpaw? Hazepaw bet today would have been even more enjoyable if he'd gotten to spend it with her. He'd begun to feel this way a lot, whenever he'd spend a couple of days away from her. And now, with the entirety of Oceanclan's territory between them, Hazepaw wished even more that they were in the same clan. It was in that moment he suddenly decided; I need to see Moonpaw again.

[intothewickedwood]

🐈‍⬛ 🌻 😇 👥️ 🎶 for the ask game <3

Thank you so much for the asks! <3 :D

🐈‍⬛ animal

My favourite animal is a cheetah! I'm just so impressed by their speed and how they run. If I had a mutant power, I'd want it to be super speed. So I want them to teach me there ways!

😇 blorbo

Right now, my The Wilds hyperfixation is so strong I can think of practically nothing else (oopsie). But yes! I love all the Wilds girls but Toni Shalifoe is my favourite <3. Honestly, she might have taken the crown of favourite character of all time at this point. Just gaaah. Such a softie underneath all that understandable anger. Cares so much for those she loves. I love her and all the layers of her character.

Before I watched the Wilds I got really into Legacies again (by finally watching s3 and s4). Absolutely obsessed with Lizzie Saltzman! Very relatable in some regards. Absolutely hilarious! Has so much pain and so many deep insecurities.

Alice Jones from Once Upon A Time, (my beloved) <3! A silly who has suffered too much!!

Chelsea Daniels from That's So Raven. She's so endearing to me. The silliest of sillies. Raven is a very close second, though.

Natalie Goodman from Next To Normal. Relatable in an ansty way.

Peter Simmonds from Bare: A Pop Opera. So relatable. A Cinnamon Roll <3.

Kate Dalton from We Are The Tigers. Sarcasm queen.

Vincent Lin From Adamandi. They may be a murderous blorbo. But they're my murderous blorbo.

Circe from Epic: The Musical. She's just so cool.

Draculaura from Monster High. Again, so cool and I love how much she loves her friends.

Chloe Sullivan from Smallville. Big influence on me growing up. Though I probably shouldn't have been watching Smallville at 9. She just cared so much about those she loved.

Simon Tudor from Jeopardy. His character development is everything <3.

Cloe From Bratz. The biggest drama queen ever and I love her for it.

Kurt Wagner from X-Men Evolution (and just x-men in general). He's such a silly guy.

Shalimar Fox from Mutant X. The most badass, protective queen to ever.

And that's all I can think of, but they're in no particular order. Except Toni. Toni gets the number 1 blorbo badge.

🌻 flower

I don't know much about flowers but I really like the look of Plumeria.

👥️ otp

So many! I shall limit myself to one per show.

Shoni!! (from The Wilds). I think they have made it to number 1 otp status!

Snowing from Once Upon A Time. But also shout out to Curious Archer!

Mizzie from Legacies! Still can't believe they got to be endgame!! I thought it was just gonna be hopes and dreams but the way I screamed my head off!! I love an unrequited love storyline but I love it even more when it then becomes requited. He thought the world of her and then she realised she felt the same about him too and it was beautiful and I cried (and screamed).

Natalie x Henry from Next To Normal. He's just so supportive of her and would do anything to make sure she's okay and that makes me want to cry into my cereal.

Peter x Jason from Bare: A Pop Opera. Everything hurts. But their chemistry was of the charts and they were so in love and I am in pain.

Cheer Wives from We Are The Tigers. They were sooooo bad for each other but needed each other? It was a mess but I was so very there for it.

Quincent from Adamandi. I am once again in so much pain. I can't get over how beautiful the lyrics they sang were when referencing each other.

Freffy from Skins. The way he cared for Effy D,:. He would haved moved mountains just to make her smile. My heart will forever be broken over what happened to Freddie. He deserved so much better.

Dracudeen. Just the whole of 'This is Not How Or Story Goes.' There was no hetrosexual explanation for that and Clawdeen nearly died to save her!

Chlark from Smallville. Next to Simon x Chrissie, they were one of my first otps. No one did friendship like them. But I always wanted it to be more. That whole unrequited thing that was never really given a chance to become requited.

Edited to add: Chlavis! I now one cannot have 2 otps that include the same character but I always go back and forth between which I like best. Chlavis' story was so intense and traumatic but at least it ended up being requited this time around! Extremely requited!

Simon x Chrissie. Tfw the two most terrible people you'd never wanted to be stranded in the wilderness with have the most beautiful, unrushed character development and learn to care for people other than themselves as they slowly fall in love, when there was merely the shallowest one-sided crush you ever did see there before. The way they became heroes <3. And the way Simon just didn't know how to be without Chrissie but persisted in trying to save her when chances were beyond slim. I miss them so much and need to rewatch <3.

Harlan x Cyrus. They had so much chemistry and genuinely had a connection and now we'll never know what happened to them. I wish we got to know them better. Darn you Amazon!

Cloe x Jade from Bratz. It was more of a case of all the unwritten fanfiction I had in my head for them as an 11 year old. But I only let it get as gay as Monster High 2 at the time, which is actually very incredibly gay, so I don't know who my brain was trying to fool.

Lance x Kitty from X-Men Evolution. They had a really interesting connection and were drawn to each other.

🎶 musical artist

I mostly listen to musical theatre songs but my favourite band has always been S Club 7. I'm not sure I have an overall favourite solo artist. Maybe James Morrison!

Thank you again for the asks! They were such a blast to answer!

[anonymousewrites]

Adolescent Antichrist (Book 4) Chapter Sixteen

Father Figure! Lucifer x Teen! Reader

Chapter Sixteen: Adults Continue to be Clueless

Summary: (Y/N) learns about the prophecy and finally gets a win after everything going wrong.

            “You know, I really don’t like it when you get this serious,” said (Y/N) as they sat down across from Lucifer on the couch. “It’s very out of character.” They looked at Em beside them. “Don’t you agree?”

            “I don’t think I can make fun of my boss,” replied the demon.

            “Well, I can, and I think he’s ridiculous, but he should stay ridiculous because that’s who he is,” said (Y/N) with absolute confidence.

            “Thank you for that,” said Lucifer, pleased. “I do prefer having fun.” He cleared his throat. “But, uh, we do need to have a talk.”

            “This feels very official.” Eve grinned. “How exciting! I’ve never had a serious talk like this in forever.”

            (Y/N) and Em exchanged looks. Leave it to Eve to think serious topics could prove new and exciting. They were considering giving her some sort of wakeup call. (Or, (Y/N) was, and Em would create an alibi).

            “Yes, well, this is going to be hard.” Lucifer sat down. “The Detective spoke to Father Kinley.”

            “The crazy priest who tried to kill you and me?” said (Y/N).

            “Yes,” said Lucifer, heart clenching at the memory.

            Em’s eyes narrowed, and she clenched their fists. She hated that she hadn’t been there to help (Y/N).

            “What did he do this time?” asked (Y/N).

            “Kinley spoke about a prophecy,” said Lucifer. “Now…I have already accidentally participated in half of the prophecy, and although I don’t believe in prophecies, I’d prefer not to accidentally finish this one.”

            “What is the prophecy?” asked Eve, leaning forward in interest.

            Lucifer cleared his throat. “ ‘When the Devil walks the Earth and finds his first love, evil shall be released.’ ”

            “Yikes,” said (Y/N).

            “What does that mean?” asked Em. “I mean, some people think gay people are evil.”

            “Well they already got released a long time ago,” snickered (Y/N). “I mean, we’re running around.”

            Em snorted and grinned.

            “I’d prefer not to find out what it means,” sighed Lucifer. “And since I’m already ‘walking the Earth,’ I just need to handle the rest. Unfortunately, it does seem quite legit, so…” He looked at Eve. They had to break up.

            “Wow,” said Eve. “I had a feeling…Or maybe I just knew all along.”

            Is she actually going to understand? thought (Y/N).

            “Knew what?” asked Lucifer in confusion.

            “That you love me!” said Eve, smiling brightly.

            Never mind, adults continue to be clueless.

            “Right…and how exactly did you end up there?” said Lucifer.

            “The prophecy, silly!” said Eve. “I mean, if you believe it to be true, then ‘when the Devil walks the Earth and meets his first love’ means you consider me your first love. Ergo, you love me!”

            (Y/N) and Em looked at each other incredulously. They both disagreed with that conclusion. However, they did so for different reasons. (Y/N) thought that Chloe was Lucifer’s love and supported that. Em, though, considered (Y/N) to be Lucifer’s first love. After all, love didn’t have to be romantic, and the first human, first being, that Lucifer ever cared for was (Y/N). Em had seen the changes Lucifer went for to be a better person and a proper father for (Y/N). If that wasn’t love, she wasn’t sure what was.

            Lucifer stared in astonishment at Eve as she grinned, leaned up, and kissed him. (Y/N) and Em pretended to throw up.

            “Oh, my god, I can’t believe that you said it first,” said Em giddily. “I’ve been dying to say it for so long.”

            “Have you?” said Lucifer. “Interesting that you should focus on that part of the prophecy.”

            “Yeah, how about the ‘evil will be released’ part. I think that’s pretty important,” said (Y/N). “You know, just a little bit concerning.”

            “Yes, precisely,” said Lucifer. “And as that is the relevant bit, I’m afraid that means that you and I, Eve, need to, you know…break up.”

            (Y/N)’s eyes widened, and Em grabbed their hand before they celebrated in front of everyone.

            “No,” said Eve, smiling.

            “No?” repeated Lucifer in confusion. He looked at (Y/N) for help, and they shrugged.

            “Lucifer, I see what you’re doing,” said Eve.

            “Do you?” said Lucifer doubtfully.

            “Yes, you’re scared,” said Eve gently. “ ‘Cause you’ve been hurt before.” She smiled at Lucifer. “You don’t have to worry, okay? I promise you that I will never, ever, ever give up on you. You know why?”

            “Surprise me,” sighed Lucifer.

            “Because I love you, too,” said Eve. She smiled, kissed Lucifer on the cheek, and left.

            Lucifer stared after her. “Shit.”

            “Shit indeed,” said (Y/N), crossing their arms.

            They were more than a little frustrated about Eve not taking this seriously and completely ignoring that she and Lucifer needed to break ((Y/N) was deciding to put all the love issues aside. They could only deal with one piece of drama at a time).

            “You need to just straight up tell her you want to break up with her,” said (Y/N).

            Em nodded. “A straightforward approach is best with people like Eve.”

            “Oblivious people,” clarified (Y/N). They brightened. “You could bring her to Linda. If she can get through to you, she can get through to Eve.”

            “I’ll pretend I’m not offended by that because it’s a good idea,” said Lucifer cheerfully. He sighed. “And I need a good idea.”

            “Good luck,” said (Y/N), waving as Lucifer walked off to call Linda and try to get this handled as soon as possible.

            “It’s a good idea, but it’s not gonna work,” said Em.

            “You’re right, but we’ve got to try everything we can,” said (Y/N).

            “Do you really think Eve is Lucifer’s first love?” asked Em.

            “Not at all,” said (Y/N) instantly.

            “You could not have said that faster,” said Em with a grin.

            (Y/N) shrugged. “I mean, it’s super obvious Lucifer is in love with Chloe. He’s just having one of his insecure moments, so Eve swooped in.”

            Em looked at them out of the corner of her eye. So, even you’re being oblivious. Even (Y/N) had their bad days, and it seemed that for once they weren’t seeing what was going on. Lucifer loved them. Yes, he loved Chloe, but he loved (Y/N) as his child, and that was stronger and had come much sooner than him loving Chloe. He had always been attracted to her and cared for her, but (Y/N) was his first love—his first bit of true family on Earth.

            “Right…” said Em.

            “What?” asked (Y/N).

            “Nothing, you’re just amusing,” said Em, grinning and shaking their head.

            “What does that mean?” demanded (Y/N).

            “Nothing, Birdie, don’t worry,” said Em. They looked at (Y/N). “But do you mind if I keep watch?”

            “Keep watch?” (Y/N) looked at her in confusion.

            “The prophecy does worry me,” said Em. “Lucifer obviously doesn’t love Eve, so if the prophecy does end up being true, there could be some danger.” Em gazed at them. “And I don’t want you to get hurt.”

            (Y/N) turned pink. Their crush worried about them? Holy Hell, (Y/N) knew they were overdue some wins in their life, but they weren’t expecting that. “I mean, I don’t—I can handle myself, but, uh, I wouldn’t say no to hanging out.”

            Em grinned. “You can’t get away from me if you tried.”

            “Yeah, yeah,” said (Y/N), turning away.

            “Don’t get mad, Birdie, it’s just the truth,” said Em, slinging an arm around (Y/N)’s shoulders as they left together.

            “One day I’m going to send you straight back to hell,” said (Y/N).

            Em just smirked. “No, you won’t.”

            “Shut up.”

l

            “Birdie!”

            (Y/N) groaned as they were woken up and kept their eyes tightly closed. “If evil hasn’t been released on earth yet, I’m not getting out.”

            “What if I said we have a solution to the Eve and Lucifer issue?” said Em, sitting down on (Y/N)’s bed.

            That made (Y/N) open their eyes, but they didn’t move. “Have they broken up?”

            “Not yet, the Linda idea backfired. She and Eve get along too well,” said Em.

            “Damn,” muttered (Y/N).

            “But I saw something interesting down in Lux,” said Em.

            “You were in Lux?”

            “I don’t have to sleep, and I get bored,” said Em, shrugging. “Also, I steal snacks.”

            “I’m not getting up if you’ve just found snacks. That’s for like three am, and it’s barely one,” said (Y/N).

            “I found Eve and Maze talking in Lux, and they were getting pretty close,” said Em, getting to the point.

            (Y/N) sat up. “Please tell me it looked gay.”

            “It was so gay,” promised Em.

            “So do we think we can push them together?” asked (Y/N). “I mean, I don’t like Lucifer and Eve, but her and Maze…I can get behind that. It gets her out of my hair, and it’s about time Maze gets some love. Eve needs some, too.”

            “I thought you didn’t like her,” said Em, amused.

            “I don’t, but I don’t think she deserves to be lonely forever,” said (Y/N). They yawned. “So, what do we do to help this along?”

            “Get Lucifer and Eve to properly break up, then get Eve and Maze to spend more time together to discover themselves.” Em shrugged. “Then they find self-love and love in each other and it’s all happily ever after.”

            “And we don’t have to deal with the drama anymore!” said (Y/N). They grinned. “Fantastic! It’s about time I get a win.” They rolled out of bed and stretched. “Time to get Lucifer to break up with her.”

            “Now?” said Em.

            “Lucifer is probably up right now having an existential crisis, so it’ll be good to break him out of that and finally stop this stupid relationship,” said (Y/N) eagerly.

            “I thought you wanted to sleep,” said Em in amusement.

            “Listen, Em, it’s worth losing a little sleep if I can handle this all.” They sighed dreamily. “Then I can sleep in tomorrow.”

            They walked upstairs into the penthouse and paused when they saw Eve and Lucifer already talking on the balcony. Em and (Y/N) glanced at each other questioningly.

            “Eve, I want to break up with you,” said Lucifer. “I should’ve said it straightaway.”

            “I don’t…understand,” said Eve. “I’ve been trying so hard to please you. I’ve made friends with all your friends.”

            “Yeah, see, that’s just it,” said Lucifer gently. “You shouldn’t have to change for anyone. And neither should I. Eve, I have been trying so hard to make you happy, too, trying to be someone I’m not. Or at least someone I don’t want to be anymore. And you deserve to be with someone that wants what you want.”

            “I want to be with you!” cried Eve.

            “And I don’t like who I am with you!” said Lucifer. He swallowed. “I don’t.” He was ashamed. (Y/N) had been disappointed in him, and he refused to let down his kid.

            “I—You don’t mean it,” said Eve.

            “I do,” said Lucifer.

            “I’m just…I’m going to give you some time. And then we can talk again. And we’ll be fine!” said Eve. She swallowed as Lucifer’s expression didn’t change. She reached up to touch his cheek, and he stepped back. Eve looked down and walked away before anything else could go wrong.

            She arrived at the elevator and looked at (Y/N) and Em.

            “You’ll find someone,” said (Y/N). They weren’t just saying that because they thought she and Maze would be cute. They were being truthful. They did think Eve would find the right person for her, and she’d discover who she was outside of dating people.

            “I…Thank you,” murmured Eve quietly. She could see (Y/N) was being kind. They were abrasive and rough around the edges to everyone almost all the time, but they were being soft. Eve wouldn’t take it for granted. She walked past and left the penthouse.

            (Y/N) gazed at where Lucifer stood, and Em nudged them forward. “Go on, talk to him. I know you want to.”

            “Right,” said (Y/N), walking out to him. “Hey.” They nudged him slightly.

            “Ah, (Y/N). I thought you’d be asleep right now,” said Lucifer.

            “No.” (Y/N) shrugged and looked at him. “Are you okay?”

            “I’m not sure,” admitted Lucifer.

            “You did the right thing,” said (Y/N). “You guys deserve to be in relationships with the right people for you.”

            Lucifer shook his head. “I don’t…That isn’t what I did this for. At least not for the most part.” He looked at them. “I want you to know that I don’t want to become who I was before I knew you. I’m not…I’m not going to become a bad parent.” A bad father to you.

            “I know. I trust you,” said (Y/N), smiling at him. “You haven’t let me down before. I don’t think you’ll start now.”

            Lucifer smiled softly. “I won’t.” I’ll be a proper father to you.

            He reached out and pulled (Y/N) into a hug. (Y/N) smiled and hugged him back. Things were starting to look up. After all, Lucifer and Eve weren’t dating anymore. There was no prophecy to threaten them anymore. (Y/N) would be safe.

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Second Chances

Masterlist.

Chloe looked over Emma’s work and then put it in her backpack. She got her lunch out of the fridge and put the lunch box in her bag as well. Emma liked taking lunch instead of eating the school lunch. She said the school served icky stuff.

“Okay run and brush your teeth really well and then we’ll go.” Chloe said.

Emma ran upstairs and brushed her teeth. She quickly came down so she could tell Grammy and grandpa goodbye. She got hugs from them all and then Chloe, Beth and Emma left. Chloe and Beth took one car because they worked the same shift.

“Okay Emma, give me a kiss and run in.” Chloe told her. “I love you. Have a fun day.”

“Hey don’t forget Aunt Beth.” Beth teased her. “I need a kiss too.” She said laughing.

Emma kissed them both and then she ran inside. She loved school. She had lots of friends and got good grades. She was very smart.

Chloe had difficulty in school and had to study harder than most to get decent grades. Emma must have gotten her smarts from her father. Michael was very smart. Chloe could see parts of Michael in Emma and it was a struggle to block it out. Block out the fact that he tried to kill her. Something she was working on in therapy.

The girls got to work and checked in. They had only been there a short while when Alan stopped in. He came and gave Chloe a single red rose.

“Hi. I thought I would grab a bite before work and see my pretty lady.” He told her.

“I thought you had a meeting this morning.” Chloe asked him.

“I do, but I have a moment to eat first.” He replied.

“What would you like?” Chloe asked.

“I’ll have two sunny side eggs, bacon and toast. And of course a pot of coffee.” Alan said.

“Coming right up.” Chloe said walking away.

She put the rose in a vase with some water. Sometimes it was hard for Chloe when he showered her with affection so much. She wasn’t used to it and it made her feel awkward. Though she knew he didn’t mean to make her feel that way.

“Order up.” yelled Chris, the cook.

Chloe went and picked up Alan’s order and took it to him.

“Here you go. Enjoy your meal, hon.” She told him.

“Thank you. It looks good as always.” He told her. “Can I get a bit more coffee?”

“Sure. I’ll be right back with a pot.” Chloe said, walking to the coffee urn. She quickly returned.

The diner was starting to fill up. Beth and Chloe both had all their tables full. They both were running like crazy. They both liked when it was busy. It made the day go quicker and the tips were nice.

“Good morning.” Chloe said to her first table. “What can I get for you?”

“I’d like some grits and whole wheat toast. As well as an orange juice..” said Martha Smithfield. Stan, Martha’s husband, was deciding between an omelet or over easy eggs.

“I’ll take a ham and cheese omelet with toast.” He finally decided.

“Okay. Thank you. It will just be a moment.” Chloe told them. “Would you like coffee?”

“Yes, please,” said Stan.

The morning rush seemed to go on forever. Alan got up and paid for his meal. He gave Chloe a hug and said they would talk later. “Let me know where you want to go. I’ll be in the office all day.” He told her.

“I’ll call as soon as I take my morning break.” Chloe told him.

She got back to taking orders and delivering food. It was keeping them very busy. It would slow down soon and they could take their breaks.

Chloe had no idea where to go for dinner. It wasn’t like there were many options in Maple Falls. There was a nice steak house that she liked. Maybe they could go there.