#from beyond the grave | QUEUE

[bornbreathless-archive]

@fiivvee from x

                                                            abject  HORROR  spread  over  five’s  face  as  he  both  recognized  the  voice  &&  immediately  put  together  the  implications  of  which  .  his  hand  dropped  the  pen  that  he  was  holding  ,  staring  up  at  char  with  slight  horror  ,  having  hoped  that  she  hadn’t  followed  ,  that  she  hadn’t  realized  he  had  gone  awol  ---  not  until  he  had  figured  out  this  ...  &&  make  it  BETTER  .  make  it  right  .  she  had  been  safe  in  the  commission  .  she  had  been  safe  &&  she  had  a  good  thing  going  for  her  ,  &&  a  solid  retirement  plan  in  place  .  a  glance  down  at  the  briefcase  she  was  holding  &&  then  the  portal  she  had  just  walked  out  of  .  his  expression  turned  from  horror  into  anger  &&  he  grabbed  her  elbow  .   ❝   what  the  HELL  are  you  doing  here  ?  ❞  he  seethed  ,  teeth  ground  together  &&  brows  dark  with  fury  .   ❝   how  the  hell  did  you  find  me  ?   ❞ 

"Well what kind of a hello is that? Don't I get a hug?"

Yes, she's just being a dick. She'd known he was going to be pissed at her from the moment she'd decided to come after him, but unfortunately for Five, his anger has never really been much of an impediment to...well, anything that Char has ever done. This fact is only bolstered by the way she continues to grin even as the portal shuts behind her.

She sets the - faintly buzzing, something to worry about in a minute - briefcase down on the table and pats the hand Five has tight around her elbow. "First of all, only an idiot wouldn't be able to figure out where you are. The apocalypse is in what, a week? Of course this is where you'd be. Secondly," and here she pauses, clearly relishing what she's about to ask, free hand gesturing to...well, to him. "What the fuck?"

[bornbreathless-archive]

There. Finally. An emotion, a reaction - typical that it would be mentioning Jon that would drag it out of him, and if she wasn't so tense already it would probably make her laugh. But now certainly isn't the time for laughter, is it? Not when Martin flickers and Char can at last put her finger on what feels so wrong about all of this.

"He really has got his claws into you, hasn't he?" The fire has dropped from her voice, and now she just sounds tired. Deflated. As if her worst fears have been confirmed, because they have and she's not sure she has the energy to fight against it any more.

But she has to try, right?

Char takes a breath, hand scrubbing harshly down her face before she speaks again, and her tone is soft this time. "I'm worried about you, Martin. We've already lost...so much and I don't want to lose you too, I can't-" She cuts herself off with a frustrated noise, takes a moment to recollect herself. "Just let me help you. Please."

"Just because you haven't seen me go visit Jon doesn't mean I haven't. Thanks for assuming things, though," Martin snaps back, a frown on his face. He thinks of that first day that Jon returned to the Institute, how dissatisfied he was with the length of his hair. Martin had cut it for him, then, with gentle hands and reassuring words that everything would be fine, even if he was the one of the only ones that was glad to see Jon. They've been distant ever since, by Martin's own design, but it's for Jon's own good. At least, that's what Martin tells himself.

The silence hangs heavy between them. It's clear that Martin isn't doing well, but it's to the point where he'd rather everyone leave him alone. If he's not seen, not heard, not bothered, well...all the better for him, he supposes.

"I don't know what you want me to say, Char. If all you've come here to do is lecture me or berate me, well, I get enough of that from Peter Lukas. I don't need to hear it from you, too," he grumbles, his form completely disappearing for a moment before he flickers back into view. "Are we done?"

[myrkulsapxstle]

today in things that make me laugh: ketheric is one of the few characters in bg3 without a british accent ( cursed with american )

[bornbreathless-archive]

@fiivvee from x

NESTLED  DEEP  AGAINST  HIS  BED  ,  ELECTRODES  POOLING  FROM  HIS  HEAD  AS  DAD  WATCHED  BRAINWAVES  ,  five  snoozed  soundly  .  whilst  his  siblings  at  times  dreamt  of  the  missions  they  had  already  been  on  &&  had  succeeded  in  (  or  sometimes  failed  )  five  was  able  to  push  most  of  it  aside   &&  sleep  in  relative  calm  .  a  personality  trait  that  his  siblings  often  envied  &&  were  not  happy  about  .   so  ,  being  woken  up  in  this  manner  was  often  not  UNEXPECTED  .  but  he  did  often  miss  being  waken  up  by  something  far  more  polite  .  

the  thwack  hit  his  face  &&  caused  him  to  roll  too  far  in  the  opposite  direction  of  his  bed  ,  falling  off  the  edge  ,  he  was  just  awake  enough  for  his  instincts  to  take  over  &&  for  his  body  to  blip  &&  now  stand  behind  char  .  “  if  you  do  that  again  i’m  telling  MOM  ,  ”  he  muttered  sleepily  ,  mornings  not  being  his  thing  .  

"Mom's the one who told me to do it," she replies, not missing a beat as she tosses the pillow onto the space that had up until a few seconds ago been filled with a sleeping Five. Sometimes his blips are unexpected, but this is certainly not one of them.

It's clear that Char has been awake for a while already when she spins on her heel and plops herself down on the edge of the bed, grinning wide at her sleepy brother. "Okay, so maybe she didn't explicitly say to hit you with a pillow, but she said to come wake you up for breakfast. It was implied, you know?"

[bothfeetinthegrave]

I'm just saying, Elwyn is a soft and reassuring being with a Welsh stutter.

❣ | Memes :: This One | Type Bingo Card

----

He's a little sad about not being held when it's cold, but also knows Elwyn well enough to know that there will undoubtedly be a cosy blanket and a hot beverage to hold onto with his name on it.

" You do have an interesting sound - both when you're talking and when you're thinking to yourself. It sounds like, um... birds ? Like, small ones. " Scarred hands carefully enclose a small, round invisible shape - a tiny creature held carefully.

[bledf1rst]

she nods once and takes the prints, splaying them out beneath the light of her lamp for closer scrutiny. there's a long, CONTEMPLATIVE pause that follows. like she's already realized something.

" . . . the blood splatters, " she begins, " they're irregular. inconsistent. there's no way they were caused with just a SINGLE weapon, " she traces a finger over the one of the photos, and the crease in her brow impossibly deepens, " it's- possible you're dealing with more than one assailant. or potentially someone who utilizes multiple weapons in a short span of time? do you know anyone like that? "

@redsleuthed / cont. [...]

[bornbreathless-archive]

She still hadn't expected for him to give in quite so easily, but she's not about to argue. Of course she hadn't expected him to choose the bed - god forbid he let himself have any kind of comfort for a couple of hours - but she's perfectly happy to take this as a win.

Char keeps a firm hold on Five until she's sure he's not going to collapse, before standing up straight. Thinking for a moment before she holds up a finger. "Wait here," she says, before disappearing from out the door.

She's not gone long before she reappears, though it might not be immediately obvious that it's her beneath the mountain of pillows and blankets she's buried under. "It's been years since I had a sleepover."

ᴄʜᴀʀ

She’s about to reply, some childish quip at being told not to be stupid, takes one to know one; definitely something that doesn’t even make sense, but the sight of Five standing and grabbing at the sofa cuts the words off in favour of crossing the room to support him herself.

“I’m well aware of that, thank you, but I think we both know there’s no way in hell you’re going to make it to your own room without being carried, and I doubt you’re going to let me carry you, so. It’s my room or the sofa. Take your pick.” Char thinks he should consider himself lucky she’s giving him the choice.

                                                                       he  let’s  himself  take  a  MINUTE  .  anyone  else  ,  he’d  be  saying  the  same  thing  ;  take  it  easy  .  stop  .  rest  .  but  there  was  always  an  exception  when  it  came  to  him  .  had  to  keep  moving  .  had  to  keep  going  .  never  resting  .  movement  .  he  couldn’t  be  in  one  place  for  too  long  because  he  didn’t  belong  anywhere  .  so  what  was  the  point  of  sticking  around  ?  five  closed  his  eyes  for  a  moment  ,  listening  to  char  basically  tell  him  off  .  &&  essentially  ,  she  gave  him  an  ultimatum  .  her  room  or  the  sofa  .  

much  to  his  CHAGRIN  ,  he  wasn’t  getting  out  of  this  one  lightly  .  char  wasn’t  going  to  give  up  without  a  fight  &&  even  though  they  were  more  or  less  the  same  height  &&  weight  ,  five  was  pretty  sure  char  could  take  him  in  a  fight  right  now  .  she  wouldn’t  normally  but  right  now  ,  yes  ,  ABSOLUTELY  she  could  .  

eyes  flickering  over  towards  her  .  he  grumbled  .  ❝  SOFA  .  ❞  before  settling  back  down  in  the  cushions  .  

[ryeonah]

tag dump ii

[raginglesbian2006]

Ne Me Quitte Pas

Alastor x angel!reader

Chapter 2: Among My Souvenirs

Chapter warnings: Heaven being a bitch, harassment from Adam

There's nothing left for me of days that used to be

I live in memory among my souvenirs

Some letters tied with blue, photograph or two

I see a rose from you among my souvenirs

Masterlist

The first thing you remember in your afterlife was the giant imposing golden gates that led you to the heavenly grounds.

You recall standing in a queue, waiting for your name to be called and gain your wings, halo, and a home in heaven. You could see people of various kinds- some short, some tall, most of them resembling creatures of all sorts. Only a few seemed to possess human-like features.

You looked back at where you came from. It was a bridge, a long one. You did not recall crossing it but saw people coming through it and joining the queue with a dazed look.

The person in front of you - someone resembling a bunny- yelped in excitement as their wings and halo were granted and they hopped off, passing through the gates into heaven.

You were next.

You looked up at the angel manning a register, standing in front of a tall podium. His fingers glided over the pages as he mumbled each name he saw before reaching your own.

Your name was called.

“Um…hi?” you said, rather awkwardly, “That’s me.”

“Hello!” the angel exclaimed, “My name is St. Peter. It is my delight to invite you to join the heavenly gardens that lay beyond this door! Congratulations on your journey here. Everyone in heaven is eager to meet you!”

You could feel a tingle at your back as soon as he said that. You waited for a while as your wings sprouted forth and a warmth settled atop your head. Your hands reached out to the warmth- you realized it was your halo.

The heavenly gates opened wide to welcome you. Your eyes widened as you got a glimpse of the paradise that lay before you. It was…beautiful.

“Go on now, dearie!” St. Peter smiled wide, “Enjoy the rest of your afterlife!”

You took one step forward but paused. You looked at the angel.

“Before I go…I had a question.”

The angel tilted his head, “Of course, do go ahead.”

You turned back around and pointed at the bridge, “What…what exactly is that?”

St. Peter chuckled as he explained, “That, my dearie, is the bridge to heaven. After your judgment, you must cross the bridge to reach here. As you do, the memories of your mortal life fade with every step you take. Once you do take a step forward, you cannot go back.”

“Lose…my memories?” you asked, “Why…why do I have to lose my memories?”

“To prepare you for the reincarnation program of course!” St. Peter smiled, “There comes a time when every Winner is reincarnated into a new body to live their next life! It won’t fare well if they remember the memories of their past lives, now would it?”

He continued, “For those that do not want to be reincarnated, they get to live a carefree life in heaven- away from every bad memory that plagued their life when they were alive!”

You nodded, feeling an ache in your chest.

“If you don’t mind, I have another question.”

St. Peter gestured for you to speak.

“Can you tell me then,” you lifted your hand, your fingers holding a beautiful ring- it held a lovely little gem that shone red, “why I have this?”

St. Peter bent down and squinted his eyes to look at the object a little better. Then, he smiled and replied, “That must be a gift to you from someone who loved you dearly.”

He explained, “Everyone who comes to heaven is gifted with something or the other at their grave from people who love them the most. They are allowed to have that little token from their life as they enter the gates of heaven. Consider it a little reminder that they were loved, even though they have forgotten their memories.”

He took a deep breath and looked at you, “Is that all, dearie?”

“Yes,” you replied, “Thank you for clearing my queries.”

“It’s no problem at all!” he said, “Enjoy the fruits of your goodness. Welcome to heaven!”

Your hand clutched around the ring, the ruby digging into your skin as you finally walked through the gates of heaven.

You had stayed in heaven for quite a long while. You could’ve chosen to be reincarnated but you didn’t. It was as if something was stopping you from taking that step.

So you made the best of your time in heaven. You helped your neighbors, spoke kindly to those who passed by you, and volunteered to serve the people of heaven.

Everyone who met you fell in love with your gentle and kind demeanor and they praised you for the goodness of your heart.

You had to make a couple swerves when Adam caught wind of you. He would often pop out of nowhere when you were out and about on your daily tasks and try to get you to go on a date with him.

You were quite adamant (see what I did there?) on not letting your anger at his arrogance get the best of you and politely declined his offers, no matter how many times he tried to convince you. You had class, after all.

In about a few years since your arrival, one of the guardians of the Heavenly Grand Council stepped down from his role to finally retire and head towards reincarnation. The vacancy was to be filled by the collective vote of the residents of heaven.

It was safe to say that you had gained enough love and support from your fellow Winners that you were chosen as the next guardian to man the station left by your predecessor.

You were gifted a golden sword, crafted by the prince of heaven, Michael himself, when you ascended to your position. You still remember how you felt more powerful and how your wings enlarged and grew stronger, the moment you held your weapon in your hands.

And yet, at the moment, even if you had such a powerful item in your hands and were imbued with unspoken power, you thought of the ring that stayed on your finger as a more precious possession.

The sword gleamed in the light refracted by the glass dome that hung above you. The large empty hall echoed with every swish of your weapon.

With your memories compromised by heaven, you were left with a deep aching in your chest. An ache that pestered you since you entered through the heavenly gates. Throughout your years in heaven, you felt like a part of you was missing.

Between your duties as a guardian and the constant pestering from Adam, you thought you would be able to forget that pain. But you couldn’t. The worst thing about it was that you had no idea what was causing this. How could you know? The memories of your mortal life were taken from you, erased as soon as you stepped on that god-forsaken bridge.

The golden sword moved like lightning, as your movements became swifter and more precise. Your breath came out in uneven huffs as you elegantly moved your way around the lonely hall, slicing the air with your weapon.

Suddenly, there was a change- a slight gust of wind blew through. Someone was here. Someone with the agility and patience to move towards you without making a noise.

You paused in your ministrations, only momentarily, before you swung your tightly held sword at your intruder.

The tip of your blade was met by two large pairs of eyes, looking back at you, terrified.

"Molly?"

The female arachnid let out a puff of air in relief, as your sword turned itself into a staff- the latter holding the same regal air as the former.

"I have got to stop sneakin' up on ya, I swear!" Molly chuckled.

"I am sorry, dear," you hung your head in embarrassment as you tapped the end of your staff on the polished golden floors, "I do tend to get carried away sometimes."

Molly waved her hand in a gesture of dismissal.

"It's alright, sugar. It ain't your fault. I just gotta be more careful next time," she winked, playfully.

You let out a laugh in response. Your heavy heart felt a little lighter with such a jovial presence as she.

"So," you gestured to her to walk along with you, "To what do I owe the honor of you visiting?"

"Oh, I'm just a messenger!" Molly followed close behind you, as the two of you walked out of the large hall, " It's Emily who wanted to talk to you."

She leaned in closer and whispered to you, placing one of her hands over her mouth, "I hear there's a very special guest coming! I've been called to participate in the welcoming song by Sera! Can you believe it, sugar?"

Your brows scrunched up in confusion, "There's...a special guest? Coming to heaven?"

Molly nodded her head excitedly, "Mhm! But they won't tell us who it is. I reckon it's gonna be sweet ol' Em who's gonna let you in on that secret!"

You hummed, "Well, I best be off then, darling. I wish you all the best for your performance!"

The arachnid looked at you gleefully, and then with a tight hug, she left you to find your way to Emily.

Fortunately, even though Molly forgot to tell you where the younger seraph was, in the midst of her excitement, you knew exactly where to find her.

You saw Emily waving at you from one of the tables placed outside the quaint cafe you frequented. She had already ordered for the two of you- your cup steaming with a freshly made beverage.

"Greetings, Emily," you bowed your head out of courtesy. No matter how much you considered her a dear friend of yours, she was a seraph first and foremost.

Emily giggled and pulled you down to have you sit at the table, "You have no idea how much I've been wanting to tell you something!"

You glanced at the youngest seraphim, gently blowing over your hot beverage, "Well, I am here now so..." you trailed off.

Emily bounced in her seat, excitedly, "Ok, but you have to pinkie promise that you won't tell this to anyone," she raised her pinkie towards you.

Chuckling, you intertwined your little finger with hers, "I promise. Now don't keep me waiting."

"Theprincessofhelliscomingtovisitheaven!" Emily exclaimed as softly as she could, in a single breath.

Your eyes blinked owlishly at hers for a moment. Then, you burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, I thought you said the princess of hell is coming over to visit heaven," you wiped away a stray tear, taking a sip of your drink.

"No, that is exactly what I said," Emily stated.

You spat out your beverage in disbelief, "I'm sorry, WHAT!?"

Emily shushed you and awkwardly smiled at the patrons gawking at the two of you.

You immediately lowered your voice, "What do you mean the princess of hell is coming to heaven? I mean-what-why?" you stuttered through.

The younger seraphim looked at you with glee, "Oooh! She's here to propose her idea to Sera and me in front of the court!"

You titled your head in confusion, "Propose....what?" You took another sip of your beverage.

"Why, her idea to rehabilitate sinners, of course!"

You spat out your drink a second time.

Emily handed you a tissue as your wide eyes looked at her.

"The princess of hell," you said, taking the tissue and wiping your mouth, "is working on rehabilitating sinners," you made sure to sound out each syllable clearly, " and is coming to heaven to propose her idea?"

Emily clapped her hands, "Yes! Isn't it exciting?"

Your confusion remained.

"It is indeed...unexpected," you finally took a proper sip.

"Oh! And she's coming over tomorrow!"

You did nothing but nod your head. The princess of hell trying to get sinners into heaven? No matter how noble the cause was, it seemed rather...useless. Sinners were brought down to hell for a reason. Besides, what demon would even want to rehabilitate themselves? Was there any scope for success?

You continued listening to Emily rant about how excited she was at the prospect of meeting someone from hell, let alone, the daughter of the head honcho, herself.

Your thoughts remained on how important it was for you to attend this court hearing. There was a feeling in your chest that you may be able to find some semblance of an answer to the questions you have been withholding for so long.

After a long chat with Emily, you two bid each other adieu and you headed straight to your headquarters, wanting to get some work done before the busy day tomorrow. You knew if the princess of hell was coming over to heaven, things would not go as smoothly as one would hope.

You took your time to wander through the streets leading up to your destination, greeting every angel that passed you by.

Just then, out of the blue, your wings bristled at the sound of your name being called rather harshly.

“There you are!” a gruff voice exclaimed, approaching you, “You know how fucking hard it is to find you nowadays?”

You turned around with a pointed look.

“Adam,” you greeted him, “What a pleasure it is to meet you here.”

God knows you were lying.

“Yeah, yeah whatever,” he leaned in closer to you as you took a step back to create some distance, “There’s this concert coming around in a few days and I wanted to tell you to come with me.”

You raised an eyebrow, “I’m sorry…you wanted to tell me to come with you? Not ask?”

Adam let out a scoff, “Why would I ask? I mean, I know any bitch would want to come with me,” he leaned his face closer to yours, “including you.”

You pushed his face away with your finger and laughed.

“That is where you are wrong, Adam,” your teeth gritted as your anger bubbled through, “Despite the many times I have rejected your advances, you keep coming back to pester me.”

You took a step forward, and your eyes shone golden. Your figure grew bigger as your wings fluttered wide and the grip on your staff- which had now turned into the sword- tightened. You felt your third eye opening, right in the middle of your forehead- the eye resembling your normal ones, golden and terrifying.

Adam gulped and opened his mouth to say something but you interrupted.

“YOU CANNOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND,” your voice grew more frightening, “WHEN NO MEANS NO.”

After a few seconds, Adam let out a huff and turned around, leaving you be as he shouted, “Your loss, bitch.”

You reverted back to your normal self as you huffed out a sigh. You turned your sword back into your staff and held it in the crook of your arm, your hands fiddling with the ring that adorned your finger. When you calmed down, you snapped your fingers to open a portal that would transport you to your headquarters. You wished you had thought of taking the easy route before Adam had ruined your mood.

When you reached your office, you were greeted by Oliver, your assistant.

“Greetings, your grace!” he bowed his head as soon as he saw you.

“Oliver,” you started, making your way to your desk, “How many times do I have to tell you that you don’t need to use honorifics with me?”

You had met Oliver not too long ago. He seemed to have lived a long and happy life. Despite his old age, he was very sprightly and efficient in organizing the mess that was your paperwork and reports.

Whenever he smiled, your mind was put at ease. You felt safe in his presence. You considered him your dearest friend, your confidante, and most importantly, a person you could talk to without the fear of judgment.

You felt as if you knew him already before you two even had the chance to meet.

Oliver shrugged, “You’re too humble for your own good. Embrace your title! Feel the power you possess!”

You chuckled at his theatrics- your unfortunate encounter with Adam long forgotten.

Oliver continued, “You look like you have a lot on your mind, though.”

“You are the only one who can see right through me, Oliver,” you sighed as you leaned against your chair.

“I’m not supposed to say this to anyone…but let’s just say a very…interesting guest is going to make an appearance tomorrow.”

You fiddled with the ring on your finger once more.

There was a lot of hustle and bustle at the court today.

As you sat down at your assigned place, you politely greeted your fellow guardians and waited eagerly for the session to commence. Several feet below you, you could see two figures making their way to their station. They were not angels, by what you could tell.

One had strikingly blonde hair and a painfully nervous demeanor to her walk, the other had moth-like features and flowing gray hair with a large red bow at the back.

There was, however, something about the moth demon that was familiar to you. You just couldn’t point out what.

Adam and Lute arrived and sat at their respective places, and soon after, followed Sera and Emily. The trial then began.

Throughout the trial, you could see your previous expectations of the princess crumbling before you. You had assumed she had wanted to reach heaven on the false pretense of rehabilitation just to cause havoc here. But you were pleasantly surprised to see before you, an heir, who wanted to desperately help her people.

When you were allowed to take a glimpse at one of the candidates participating in the princess’ efforts of rehabilitation, you could see how he was steering away from the bad decisions he made earlier that night and stood up for his friends, even going as far as putting himself in danger.

You could also see he resembled a certain arachnid you knew.

Despite the evidence provided, Sera refused to budge and that is when Adam foolishly revealed his plans for extermination. Hearing this, Emily intervened asking Sera if she had any idea about this. Sera confirmed that she did and had allowed it for the safety of heaven.

You could’ve stood up and interjected but you didn't. You were frozen in your seat. You could hear your fellow council members whisper and chatter amongst themselves but you couldn’t bring yourself to participate.

Heaven was supposed to be this paradise where everyone was good and helped each other, out of the purity of their heart. It wasn’t supposed to be the hand behind mass genocides taking place every year.

The trial ended with the princess and her companion- who was revealed to be an angel, an exterminator to be specific- thrown out of heaven through a portal.

You immediately teleported yourself to Sera’s office. She was already present at her desk as soon as the trial ended.

“With all due respect, your Highness,” you started, “What in the actual fuck was that?”

Sera’s glare pierced through you, “Watch how you speak with me, guardian.”

“Why is one of the protectors of heaven willingly participating in exterminations- the likes of which seem completely unrequired?” you said, ignoring her threat.

“If you must know,” Sera gritted her teeth, “It was to protect heaven from the uprising in hell.”

Your eyes widened at the information. You spoke again, “And who…or what gave you the idea that there was an uprising going on in hell?”

You flinched as Sera shifted into her true form and leaned in closer to you, looking at you with every bit of anger and terror.

“You are not to question my decisions, guardian,” she started, “Leave. Immediately.”

You took a step back, your eyes not leaving Sera’s before you turned around and walked out of her office, shutting the door behind you.

When you were outside, you saw Emily in front of you. She seemed distressed, her eyes watering with every second that passed.

“Oh, darling,” you stretched out your arms, letting the younger seraph fall into them and cry into your shoulder, “It’s alright.”

“I- I didn’t know,” she struggled, her tears making it difficult for her to speak, “I-If I d-did…”

You gently shushed her as you ran a hand through her hair.

“I know…I know…”

You held the crying seraph in your arms till her trembling stopped.

You sighed as you finished the last of your paperwork.

Today was supposed to be extermination day.

Adam and Lute, along with their slew of exterminators, were going to go down and kill off staggering amounts of hell’s population and despite the powers you possessed, you could do nothing about it.

You’ve never felt so utterly helpless.

“Oliver, I’ll go deliver these reports to Sera.”

After a nod from him, you transported yourself to the front of Sera’s office with a snap of your fingers. You still remember the last time you came here. With a deep breath, you pushed the huge golden doors open.

“Your Highness, I have the reports…”

Your voice trailed off as your eyes saw what lay before you.

It was a snake like creature looking back at you with an awkward smile on his face. You could see his halo glowing atop his head.

You had seen him before.

You recalled the time of the trial when Princess Charlie was showing the court the progress being made by a certain Angel Dust towards redemption. During that, you could also see the other patrons of the hotel.

One of which…was the snake that stood before you.

Your mouth gaped open as your eyes flitted over to Emily’s gleeful look and Sera’s terrified one.

“It worked,” you whispered.

Sera quickly regained her poise and said, “Emily, would you please go ahead to help this…” she looked at the snake, “...new…resident settle in?”

Emily jumped out of her seat and excitedly nodded, “Of course! Right this way, umm…what was your name again?”

“Sir..Pentious,” the snake hissed out hesitantly, “Where…where am I exactly?”

Emily giggled out, “You’re in heaven! Welcome!” she said as she walked towards the door, “Oh, Princess Charlie would be so proud of you!”

“I’m sorry…who?”

Emily stopped and looked back at Pentious, her smile diminishing. She shifted her eyes to you and you looked at her helplessly.

“Right…” she mumbled out, before opening the door.

“Emily,” Sera called out.

The younger seraphim turned her head towards her.

“Not a word,” Sera reminded her, “Not a word until we figure this out.”

Emily nodded her head somberly and stepped out of the office, the new resident of heaven slithering closely behind her.

Sera let out a sigh and rested one hand against her head, cradling it as she leaned forward on her desk.

You flew towards her desk, after recomposing yourself, putting the reports you had intended to give to her atop the table.

You were about to turn around, leaving her in her lonesome before she called out your name.

“Yes, your Highness?” you asked.

“…I need you to do a job for me…” 

You burst into your office, startled to see Molly having a chat with Oliver as he rearranged your files. Amid her rant, you caught her eye and she turned to you happily. However, her smile faded seeing the distressed look on your face. She stood up, approaching you.

“Sugar,” she started, “Are you okay?”

“I..” you paused, “I’m fine.”

You continued, moving past the arachnid, “Oliver, I need your help packing my stuff.”

Oliver turned towards you with a confused look on his face, his hands laden with files.

“Pack?” he questioned, “Where are you going?”

“To hell,” you said, averting your eyes.

You heard a thump as Oliver lost his grip on the files and Molly gasped.

“To hell?” the female arachnid shook you by the shoulders, “What do you mean to hell!?”

Oliver approached you with the same curiosity. You sighed and explained, “Sera tasked me with going to hell to oversee some…business...”

Molly looked at you incredulously, “What…what- why?”

You gently lifted her hands away from you, “Look, I can’t say much. It’s confidential information but…” you paused, looking at her worried face, “I promise you, I will be fine and back in no time.”

Molly let out a sigh. Even though she looked conflicted she nodded her head, looking at you with a smile.

Oliver interjected, “And…what exactly made you…accept this task? She could’ve asked anyone, couldn’t she?”

You recalled your conversation with Sera. She had told you to oversee the working of the Hazbin Hotel and to send her daily reports on your findings.

━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━

“You’re sending me there…to spy on them?” you had asked.

Sera hadn’t looked at you. Instead, she continued, “The balance between good and evil is being compromised,” she let out a sigh, “I need you to go there to help restore it.”

“And…why me?”

“Because you happened to see the new arrival and you witnessed the trial. I cannot risk anyone else knowing,” She ended.

She turned to look at you, her eyes fierce and her stance imposing.

“This is a command from the High Seraphim,” she started, “I hope you know that.”

━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━═━

You looked towards Oliver, “How can I defy her Highness’ orders?”

He did not look convinced so you had to continue, “And because…” you looked at both Molly and Oliver, “I have a feeling I might find answers there…”

Your fingers brushed over the ring once in an effort to comfort yourself. Suddenly, you felt a pat on your shoulder and your eyes found Oliver’s. He smiled, his aged face giving a wise look to him.

“As long as you’re safe,” he said, “That is all we could ask for.”

You smiled and hugged the two of them, holding them close. Their embrace helped cool your anxious heart as you let yourself loose in their warmth.

You had no clue what to look forward to when you were to reach hell. But you knew, you had to take that step…for your own sake.

Your eyes widened at the sight of the hotel. It looked absolutely beautiful and grand-a place fit for the princess of hell.

You turned around to see the portal fizzing out, the remnants of your home disappearing before your eyes. You took a deep breath and forced a smile to your face, knocking on the large doors of the hotel.

You waited for a while before you saw the doors open, revealing a one-eyed demon who was dressed casually. Her eye flitted up to your halo and before you could get a word in, she slammed the door in your face.

You let out an indignant gasp and your eyes scrunched at this treatment. You were about to open the doors yourself but were interrupted by the Princess of Hell opening it for you.

She looked at you with wide eyes and you sensed that she was going to shut the doors once again but you stopped her, holding the door with your hand.

“I’ve come here by the orders of the High Seraphim… to give the hotel her blessings and oversee its welfare on her behalf.”

The princess’ eyes widened and a smile overtook her features. She eagerly pulled you by the arm and into the hotel, before excitedly exclaiming, “Welcome to the Hazbin Hotel!”

Oh boy, you were in for a ride.

Taglist: @yumiburrito , @candyladycry , @sleepykittycx, @fairyv-ice , @sonatabee @preciousbabypeter, @mo-0-o

[istarveforplatonicptnstuff]

Chameleon, as your psychology professor (Anxiety ridden reader)

- You heard about the mysterious professor that everyone’s been talking about… Not only being famous for being bizarre, she was also famous for her mature looks, so of course you are going to hear the occasional thirst from the others as well… 🧎‍♀️ Regardless, you wind up becoming her student when the first semester rolls around. People are very jealous at the fact that you get to be in her class… Stink, first impressions are long-lasting so you better not mess up! - You bumped into her accidentally on the way to her class… Yikes, clumsy you…! You were beyond mortified 😰 at the piles of paperwork that you had to pick up, your brain was technically not braining the moment you decide to ignore reality and get in your head… Mood. 😪 Well, you’re about to enter that realm now because on the inside, you are a bundle of nerves, but on the outside? You were basically picking the papers up as fast as you can while mumbling apologies… Girl, same. 🤝 You were so focused on the task ahead while overthinking about the whole situation as well, wow ✨multitasking✨, you didn’t notice her helping you out and as well as observing your behavior… - “Calm yourself. I do not bite…” Is what she said, and you impulsively thought that she might as well do that… Rebecca reads your mind and smiles at the thought. You are funny. Slayed 💅 “I assume you are a new student here or…?” That was your queue to answer her, finally snapping out of your anxious state. She was satisfied with your answer, but she noticed that you were heading in the same class that she is going as well… “Are you one of my students in lecture hall ___?” You immediately went stiff at the mention of the class you were supposed to go. Goodbye 😞 Your career was over before it even started…! 😫 You just wanted to crawl in your grave at the sudden realization that she probably was, your professor… You couldn’t look up to see her being amused at your thoughts… In fact, you haven’t even looked up to see her for the first time… Whoops 😊 - And when you finally do, now you were very, very conscious of the way she looked… Exactly how those people described her. Wow. You just had to ruin your first impression with your college professor… You forced a shaky smile in an attempt to hide your pitiful state. Babes, I fear there is no coming back from this… But thank God before your professor could even leave another comment, the bell rang. - Immediately shooting up and giving her the papers that you picked up for her… You comically just really left her and she was like Oh…! 🤨 Now, that’s how you make an impression sis! You were sweating 🥵bullets on the way to the lecture hall, like GIRL, you were WORKING 💪, so HARD that you almost girlbossed too close to the sun from the incident 😭. - Girlie arrived a few moments after you, and start the class. Miss maam had you shaking like a leaf 🍃, at the back of the class though, I am not that cruel enough to put you in a spotlight sis 💅 - When it was your turn to introduce yourself, you felt like you might as well jump off the window due to how many… People were staring, and even her, who was anticipating for your introduction… Sis was looking at you like you were some tiny puzzle that stuck out from the rest of the class… After your introduction, she commented on how interesting your background was, slay? But that didn’t help at all when she was the person you bumped into and your mind kept going back at the encounter… Help. - The rest of the class went surprisingly smooth… If not for the fact that she was STARING 👁👄👁 at you at every opportunity, like GIRL you were sitting at the back of the class, why is she staring at you, when she can stare at the people in the front? 😰 Your anxiety level went ↘⬅🔁⬆↪↙↖↕↔⤵ - After the class, you were going through SPEED 🚅 levels of sonic, my girl you were RUSHING to get out of there asap! You were going to BOOK it 🏃‍♀️💨 Until, you hear her call your name and asked you to stay behind. Life does not unfortunately get better for you, poor unfortunate soul... 😇

- So, you wind up staring at the ceiling, finding the ceiling more appealing than the sight of your professor, staring. 😰 Bestie, you just wanted to get out of there and never come back again… You hear her clear her throat, and so you immediately meet her eye, she gives you a motherly smile… ☺One that made you want to die, because how could you deserve such a thing, when you bumped into her…? You were losing it on the inside, babes you’re fine, she’s here for you, and I’m here to support you as well…! In the background, of course! 💅 - She looks entertained at the prospect of a new student that has a rather interesting mind to dissect… She probably sees you as some sort of a new patient to have some fun conversations with… She wanted to see if she can alleviate your anxiousness by the power of psychology rather than the usual hypnosis. And so, she talked to you about how the experience was being on her class and if you had any feedback that you can provide so that it may help her out as well… You were now short-circuiting with all these, overwhelming developments that was suddenly happening… You ended up embarrassingly stuttering the whole time, trying to communicate that the experience was fine…! But you, on the other hand? Was not. On the inside. 💀 - She again, gives you that same smile, that makes you want to jump of the window because, what did YOU do??? 😩 While you were being a confused mess, she decided that she wanted to talk to you again, and ended the conversation with “I hope to have an exchange with you again. You may now go.” You didn’t hear the first part of the sentence; you only heard the words “go” and you ZOOMED 🏃‍♀️💨 out of the lecture hall just like that. Leaving, a very entertained Rebecca.

An: I wrote this before the nursing student intern, but I ended up finishing that one first before this... This... Is so unserious. With the random emojis 😶 there will be another part of this, and a fic as well if I am able to come up with ideas, till then!

[olderthannetfic]

I know with social media the way it is, and how horrible the us political climate is, that this sort of response to Audrey as an OTW candidate was probably just a ticking time bomb. But damn, I went to her actual Twitter, and honestly? She seems like one of those old-style, fiscal conservative Republicans who may want to change things from within the party, however unlikely that may be. She literally pointed out how small govt means less govt messing with our rights, and how the current Republican national party is hypocritical about that.

So many of her typical tweetings (?) are pretty socially progressive. If she's in deep south Missouri, it may be that she had to run Republican for any chance of changing things for the better in her local area.

I do not support Republicans as a whole. I think they ARE dragging the country to a horrific, fundamentalist grave. But she is an individual, and from what I can tell, supportive of lgbtq rights and freedom of speech on the internet. I likely would not have voted for her anyway, but nothing she has done or said so far has earned her the hate and vitriol she has received over such a short period.

Tiffany was ALSO not a CCP spy working for the Chinese govt. She was literally not even in confirmed to BE in China for fucks sake. Chinese people have been leaving the country in droves! Was she a good fit for the board? Hell no! But she wasn't voted in, was she?

I'm just so exhausted of people assuming the absolute worst and going on a hate campaign based off their own misinformed assumptions. This is not helping anyone see the "left" or "proshippers" or whatever our "side" is, as reasonable, helpful people.

I'm exhausted of defending people whose positions I don't even agree with, because the people I do "agree" with are acting so abhorrently.

What are your thoughts on this?

--

Yeah, that's my read on her in the context of local US politics. Running as an independent and then a Republican where she is is typical of people with her type of platform. It doesn't make her Fundie Satan.

Like Tiffany, there are plenty of different reasons not to vote for her, so we don't need to worry so much about the minutia of her political stances. Only if she were a great candidate but with a couple of red flags would we need to dig into this.

Like I said last year, working for OTW means having people assume the worst constantly and come for you with pitchforks. There are reasons it's not attractive above and beyond internal mismanagement. It's hard to get enough people to run for Board to even have a contested election. We usually do these days, but in the past, we often didn't. It was just people taking turns to jump on the grenade.

This kind of response to someone agreeing to the worst job in OTW just reaffirms that it's not worth it and discourages future candidates.

I think everyone should chillax and vote in somebody else.

ETA: and while this has been sitting in the queue, it has become a moot point anyway.

[ameagrice]

Genesis

chapter two

summary: a grand plan your best friend devises turns on its head, leading the both of you to serious danger.

For as long as you could remember, all there was, was FEDRA.

And for as long as you could remember, there was Rudy Wilson. A funny boy with a mop of copper hair, always unkept and knotted, and despite his habit to get in trouble every other day at school, he was happy, and he was your best friend. You always had (and supposed you always would) do everything together, even if it got you into trouble.

Which, unfortunately for you, happened quite a lot.

“How many times do I have to tell you?l Fields sighed exhaustedly, tapping his hand on his desk at every word. “Do not follow in that boy’s footsteps. You’re digging your own grave.”

You blink up at the ceiling, and then out of the window, behind Lieutenant Fields and his mop of curly hair. He was fairly young, and fairly fond of you—something you weren’t sure you should be happy about. Extra attention never had been a priority.

His muffled words came into full focus when he snapped his fingers in front of your face. “Are you listening to me right now?”

You snapped, face fierce. “Yes. And I don’t need a lecture.”

“Who would you rather? Me, or the old hag down the hall?” He leaned forward, and you caught the green in his eyes.

You didn’t answer him directly. “Come on. I didn’t do anything wrong. Can I just go?”

He paused, remaining quiet for a second. Then, “Get into a fight like that again because your little friend can’t take care of himself, and you’re out. You’ve had five warnings.” He paused, and eyed you carefully. “You’ve got potential. Buckets of it. Don’t waste it.

Now, get out of my office.”

A single bell rang all over the building, indicating the most anticipated time of the day: lunch time, at exactly twelve-forty. You swung open the office door, pulling it shut behind you. And, as you stepped out into the hallway, so did the troublemaker you called your best friend.

Directly in front of you, with scarlet cheeks and a sharp smile, stood Rudy Wilson, at attention.

“You got Fields,” he smirked. “Lucky.”

“I’m starting to think you have a thing for her,” you nodded at the door of the second most terrifying Lieutenant of FEDRA school.

Rudy shrugged, setting off down the hallway. Already the sound of other students yelling from floors below was getting louder.

“I love her to pieces,” Rudy sang, humming. He wiggled his eyebrows at you. “Especially all those wrinkles.”

“You’re disgusting.”

Descending the next two floors, you landed on ground level, and promptly joined the lunch queue, forming against the walls of the gymnasium.

If you had known that day would be your last normal one with your best friend, you might have talked more. You might have cracked another joke at Rudy’s expense, or even thanked Lieutenant Fields for always letting you off lightly. But nobody ever really knows when the last day of something will arrive, and it’s only when the wheels are turning and time is ticking that you start to realise you ought to have done more.

Your alarm clock reads two-past midnight when Rudy’s shadow forms on the fire escape just beyond your dormitory window. You didn’t even miss the warmth of your bed, when it came to escapades with Rudy.

“I’ve got something to show you, later,” he explained through a mouth full of potato at lunch. You’d nodded, excited at the prospect of another secret outing.

You climbed out of bed, and reached under it for your best shoes: an old pair of green lace-ups, and your backpack. Without a blip, you descended the fire escape together.

“You gonna tell me where we’re going?” You asked, climbing slowly down the ladder.

He hummed dramatically. “Maybe.”

“Is it somewhere I’ve been before?” You glanced down, wondering. He simply shook his head.

“Surprisingly, no.”

That final night together, Rudy was dressed in faded jeans, almost grey in colour, a too-big black tee tucked into his too-small pants, and a black jacket. His copper hair had been pushed back from running his fingers through it so often, and his sharp face was alight with the glee of childish mischievousness.

Past piles of rubble, past mountains of ash you walked, remains of the fireflies’ failed attempts at overruling FEDRA. Some of the buildings were only partially blown up last night, some still crumbling from months ago, and you were forced to slow your sneaking lest you wanted the rubble to bring you down with it. The air smelled of fire and dirt, the stars way up there watching two teens enjoy the beginning of their last night together. Rudy led the way, crouching behind buildings and signs when lights in the lookout towers came too close for comfort.

Eventually, you arrived at your destination.

Sceptically, you eyed the large, domed building. It was bathed in darkness, the outline barely visible in the dimmed light of street lamps.

“The mall?” You raised a brow. Rudy’s spindly figure, walking ahead, turned in a swift spin, grinning. “But…you know what’s in there, right?”

“I know what isn’t in there, more like. Now hurry up; we’re on a tight schedule.”

You followed after him promptly. “You're tellin’ me. You do know I have to be up in three hours for drill, right? I know you have the luxury of not having to be a part of that these days, but some of us haven’t been recruited by the fireflies.”

He waved his hand at you, unbothered. “Pffft. I do far more exciting things than drills with the fireflies.”

“Like what? Shooting people?”

“Hey,” he elbowed you. “You’ll be shooting people too, soon.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. “Yeah, but for good reason.”

Rudy groaned loudly. “Jesus, you do far too much kissing FEDRA’s ass.”

“Shut up and lead the way, you terrorist.”

Rudy made a start by climbing a well-established path up to the roof, using mismatched ladder parts and old boxes. His fluid movements told you, he’d been here before.

“For somewhere that’s full of infected, it’s sure lacking security,” you commented, looking up. Rudy, agile as a spider and already halfway up a bit of roof, jammed his foot against a hold and lowered his hands to help you up. His sharp smile appeared, canines slightly longer than the rest of his smile.

“Like I said before,” his deepening voice, not quite there yet, rang loudly in the dead of night. “It’s not full of infected. In fact, it never was. I’ve been working on your birthday surprise for months now, amongst other things. Lemme tell you; we’re very safe here.”

“Famous last words,” you jumped your brows. He imitated your words, sticking out his tongue.

Up the roof you went, growing ever more nervous. The night was cooler than the day—so warm today, in fact, that it thundered all afternoon. September’s cooler climate was fast approaching, thank goodness. Your hands slipped a little bit, making your way up. Thoughts ran amok. Sure, Rudy said it was safe, but how could he know for certain? The thrill of doing something new began to overtake the sense of anxiety, however, and you didn’t contemplate the infected for long.

You crouched beside Rudy, whose eyes narrowed into the dark below, searching. Water from this afternoon’s rain slipped through a gap in the roof, spattering and echoing across something down below in the dark.

“Right,” Rudy cleared his throat, grabbing your arm forcefully. “Down you go.”

Without warning, he pushed you over the edge, down the hole. You screamed, heart falling to your stomach, but you didn’t fall far. Instead of landing on concrete, you…bounced?

An old mattress cushioned your fall. Above, Rudy laughed.

Safe to say, you chewed his ear off when he landed, too.

Inside, everything had rotted. From the mattress you landed on, to the metal stairs Rudy told you to ascend; all slimy, all gross. Your ears honed in on the small sounds, listening for signs of infected;

Nothing.

“Okay,” Rudy shrugged his pack up his back. “It’s just up these stairs. But first I gotta…”

Halfway up the staircase, he reached up for a corroded metal box, nimble fingers twisting a small latch until the door swung. Inside sat a set of switches, none labelled. This didn’t matter to Rudy, who flicked them all down. You expected some sort of commotion—but nothing in the air changed.

“Oh, no way!” He had flicked a switch, and waved his hand. A sign above the door—albeit a bit rotted—came to life in vivid red. “But how?”

“Did you see those blocks of buildings earlier, on the roof?” You nodded. “Marlene told me FEDRA is starting to open them up. More people are coming into the QZ, so they need more housing. They obviously need lighting, so when they connected them up to the mains, they connected this place, too. Who knows if they meant to do it—I’m just glad they did. Makes for a great birthday present.”

You nodded along, in wonder and wondering. “But—if the lights are on, won’t somebody see? They’ll know we’re here.”

“How will they?” He scoffed. Rudy led the way up to a set of double doors. Old, yellowed stickers remained set across them: TEAM MEMBERS ONLY. “You saw this place from the outside. It’s one big, blacked out dome. People think it’s full of infected, civvies won’t come this far, and FEDRA don’t know a thing about it being connected to the mains. We’ll be alright.”

You trusted Rudy. Really, you did. In all of your shenanigans, Rudy was the instigator. Something about this huge, quiet mall sat your nerves on edge, however. You’d wandered to the old park on the far side of the QZ, and walked the streets at all hours of the night, but the sheer size of the mall, stepping inside, made you feel uneasy.

Despite this, it was also amazing.

Neon colours and bright lights illuminated the vast space. The stores themselves had long since been abandoned, rummaged through and almost destroyed. What seemed to be fake plants here and there provided a sense of life you didn’t often feel in the zone. You tried to picture the stores full, the place clean and busy.

Some stores, like Jane Norman, and Victoria’s Secret, still displayed clothes and shoes, and for some reason hadn’t been looted as well as the others, which were empty, storefront signs flickering, half-lit.

“Wait for it,” Rudy said, out of the blue. You frowned. Wait for what?

All of a sudden, music began playing quietly all over the mall, a little crackly but there. An upbeat song you’d never heard before, but loved instantly. The lights, the music, the stores…it was one thing to read old books where the characters went shopping, or had a girls trip. But to actually set food inside of the setting (albeit, very different from how they were originally written), was a strange feeling.

Your head snapped to Rudy. You were all smiles, and Rudy shoved you.

“Knew you’d like it,” he coyly brushed you off. “Come on! There’s something even better this way.”

The ‘something even better’ happened to be an escalator. You’d read about these moving staircases in books, but actually standing on one? Whole. Different. Experience.

“Hey!” Rudy called, laughing. “Look at me!” His long legs marched backwards on the escalator, which was rolling down to the floor below. Rudy remained in place, as if he were marching on air. You couldn’t help but laugh, and make your way down to the next floor by sliding down the escalator rails.

This floor had been used for restaurants and smaller stores. Rudy plumed ahead, nattering on about needing new shoes. You took your time exploring a bookstore. Some of them had rotted, full of brown mould, and were tipped face-down, pages bent. But the ones you saved, you shoved in your backpack. Only two, but more than you’d held in a while.

“I feel bad,” you told Rudy, kneeling, zipping up your backpack of new books.

He pocketed something you didn’t see. “Nobody’s gonna know. Like, ever. Take what you want. It’s your birthday.”

“I’m gonna use that explanation for the rest of my life,” you raised a brow. “It’s my birthday. Stealing is acceptable and excused.”

A plastic water bottle. A pair of socks. Books, jeans, and a sweater. Your shoulders ached with the weight in your pack.

Rudy had been quiet for a while, allowing you to explore. Now, he smiled excitedly, buzzing in place.

“And now, the finale,” he proclaimed dramatically, waving his arms. “This way, madam.”

You walked another floor. This far away, the music playing was almost inaudible.

At the end of the hallway, Rudy proudly beamed.

“Welcome to the carousel,” Rudy waved his hand. “Right this way, your ladyship.”

“No. Fucking. Way. Dude!”

All smiles, you approached the glowing amusement, shining in the dark. Horses painted with sashes of every colour sat at varying heights, lights reflecting in the mirrors.

“Your horse awaits.” Rudy climbed up onto the ride, pushing open the small door in the centre of it. He whacked something a few times, and the ride began to move, going around slowly. You hurried to join him.

“I’m afraid this is the final amusement,” he proclaimed dramatically, rolling his eyes. You couldn’t help giggling at him. “However, we have been here for two hours, and you have to be up for drill in thirty minutes. So!” He clapped his hands, and climbed the horse beside yours.

Music from so long ago, sweet and lyricless, played softly as the carousel turned. Your horses moved with the music, up and down gently. You closed your eyes, remembering this feeling of utter calm. Rudy at your side, the cold of the pole you held, and the jingling, old-worldly music. The warmth of the evening, and the knowledge that the two of you were completely alone.

The sudden jolt of the carousel almost sent you careening off your horse. Rudy exclaimed, and the carousel slowed to a stop, the music falling short. Rudy groaned, sliding of his horse.

“Awh, come on!”

A few whacks of the console later, the ride was done. Rudy came out sheepishly, shrugging. “I think we broke it.”

Despite the ride’s end, you couldn’t help smiling, climbing down. “I think you broke it. I’m not sure you’re supposed to hit electricals.”

“Whatever, loser. Wanna get going?”

As much as you enjoyed your night looting and exploring, you did need to get going. “Sure. Although I don’t appreciate having to do drill on no sleep.”

He scoffed, and then quietened. “But, did you enjoy your birthday surprise?”

He’d never admit that he was conscious of his actions. That wasn’t Rudy.

“Yeah,” you said. “Thank you, Rudy.”

You walked back the way you came. A couple of times, you thought you heard crashing, but when you mentioned this to Rudy, he shook his head.

“Just the ride breaking down,” he waved it off. “Let’s just get out of here.”

For somebody who swore the mall was safe, Rudy appeared to be on edge. He kept looking back after every noise, prompting you to walk faster.

“You’re gonna miss drill,” was his excuse.

The final time, you couldn’t deny the noise. Clicking, and groaning. An inhuman noise from just down the mall. Growing louder.

You blinked at him, fearfully. For a second, you swear your heart stopped.

Rudy had grown pale. His brown eyes looked black in his very white face. He gulped. “Don’t panic. We’re fine. We’re—”

It had been closer than you both thought it was. Out of the shadows, something snarled, and it burst forth, running at you with unnatural speed. It’s head was split open by the fungus you’d only seen pictures of, and it was more horrifying in person. Dried blood stuck to its clothes, and dribbled from its mouth. It shrieked and screeched as it stumbled towards you, and in a frantic hurry, you screamed.

Rudy snatched up your arm and yanked you along desperately. “Don’t try to fight it! Fucking run! Go!”

Your voices echoed, the sound of the infected screaming echoing with you. Your heart pumped viciously, throat and chest burning with exertion. FEDRA school provided the basics in saving your hide—doing the real thing happened to be much, much harder. You grasped your switchblade from your pocket, flipping it open.

The Infected caught your hair. Yanked you down.

Your chin smacked the floor, and pain radiated through your face. The deafening shriek it let out rang in your ears as harsh blows from its erratic hands pounded your head. All you could do was try to crawl away.

Rudy yelled, another weight added to the mix. You were released momentarily. You looked up; your switchblade lay halfway across from where you lay, breathing deeply. A little away from you, a sharp knife stuck out of the Infected’s neck, blood leaking out. Rudy fought with all his might, kicking, punching. You found your feet, trying to hurry and save Rudy, but it was like you were stuck in jelly, everything felt weird. Rudy howled in pain, the Infected screamed, and your knife lay in your hand once again.

With a strange determination, you ran over, grabbed the Infected by the shirt, and drove your blade into it with a fury that frightened you. Again and again, until it grew quiet and motionless.

All was quiet. The scuffle of your shoes, rounding the dead Infected, felt jarring.

Rudy was breathless. You were breathless.

“Oh shit. Holy fuck.”

Pure shock. Adrenaline ran through your veins, and your whole body shook. Rudy’s eyes didn’t meet your eyes. His whole face fell.

On the floor, they rested midway. You slowed down, and directed your eyes in the direction his were.

There, on your wrist, lay a bleeding wound in the shape of teeth. The sight made you woozy, forcing you to sit down before you fell down.

The despair hit quickly. “Oh, not today. Not my birthday.”

Rudy huffed a tearful laugh. “Any other day is fine?”

You wanted to pretend it didn’t hurt and walk out of here to the parade yard. Truthfully, the bite really fucking hurt. If you didn’t wrap it up soon, you’d bleed more than you liked.

“Are you okay?” You asked.

Rudy took a minute. Then he pulled up the too-big jacket, and revealed a similar bite on his wrist. The bone looked swollen and bruised, and bled profusely.

You moved over to your best friend, and together you warmed up, still shaking.

“I don’t want to be like that. I don’t—” he choked tearfully, dark eyes on the Infected. “I don’t want to be like that. End it. I’ll do the same. For you.”

As if Rudy predicted it, he declined first. The twitching a half hour or so after the accident. By now, your classmates would be asking around for you. Not long after the twitching did Rudy cry in pain. You couldn’t do it then.

Only when there was no sign of Rudy left, that was when you got on with it.

You really didn’t want to think about what would happen to you. Or rather, what wasn’t happening.

Hours passed, you’d stopped the bleeding, but nothing more had occurred. The skin around the bite had bruised, and turned puffy, but…you hadn’t changed. And it was well past the change time. So what the hell happened?

You decided to move. You couldn’t sit any longer with Rudy’s body, especially now there was a chance there was more than one Infected.

You shared a final look with Rudy, eyes closed like he was just fast asleep.

They caught you on your way out—Fireflies.

—

CHAPTER THREE

[heyidkyay]

Who can say no to bridezilla? |

Part Three

Just gonna say this now, this story actually has a mind of its own. I started part three and got carried away with the ending so expect a fourth, maybe even fifth part😬

So beyond grateful to everyone who showed the last two parts any love, it means a lot!! Hope you enjoy this next bit too:)

Summary: With no date to your sister's wedding, what are you to do? No worries though, she's already got it covered, well, sort of...

Masterlist

^found this picture and couldn't not use it

--

The party was now practically in full swing, but all I could really do was watch on from the sidelines. That guilt from earlier was still very much eating away at me, only now it had been accompanied by the sudden stress of my extremely complicated feelings towards Matty.

My sister had somehow managed to successfully avoid me since our previous conversation, dipping and diving amongst the throng of guests to evade my piercing stare. And I’d tried to keep my mind off of it all, really I had, but it was only proving to grow harder as the night went on.

“Here you are, my lady.” Came Matty’s sarky voice from over my shoulder as he handed me another tall glass. “Vodka coke, as promised.”

I smiled in appreciation as he dropped into the seat beside me, “Thank you. Was there much of a queue?”

Matty wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “Nah, just got caught up chatting with your nana. Has plenty of stories to tell, that one.”

I choked a little on the sip I’d just taken and immediately snapped my head back towards the bar, where, sure enough, my nana was still sat. She gave a knowing little wave and wink when she spotted me and I raised an eyebrow in turn. 

“Everything she’s ever told you is a lie.” I declared wholeheartedly, knowing first hand just how little filter the woman held. 

I’d grown up having to bare witness to it, after all. At family get-togethers, during every Christmas party, at the plethora of weddings… And now that I was older, I’d come to quickly realise that it wasn’t the fact that she was oblivious to what she was doing or saying really, she simply just did not give a single fuck. She said what came to mind, and no one could tell her differently. 

Headstrong was a word often used to describe her, a big gossip too- but to me, she honestly was the definition of stubborn to a fault. I loved that about her though. Albeit having said that, I also tended to get the brunt of it whenever she’d decide to spin a tale or two about my spotted past. 

Nana really was the best of the best, and I’d defend her to the grave, but she was also the biggest shit-stirrer I’d ever met. Knew it too. 

Matty snorted, his eyebrows raised in delight. “Well, that was a reaction and a half.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, “What did she tell you?”

He hummed, deciding to drag it out as he necked a fair bit of his wine.

“Healy.” I demanded, giving him an unimpressed stare.

Matty laughed and rolled his eyes, but he was wearing a shit-eating grin when he tugged his chair in closer to mine. God, he smelt good. 

I had to refocus my attention though when his eyes met mine, shimmering with mirth.

“Might’ve mentioned the time you shit yourself stood in the deli queue at Asda’s.” 

My eyes widened on their own accord, and I had to place my drink down to make sure that I didn’t down it then and there. That woman.

He’d said it with so much confidence too, and used this little shrug that told me he was far too thrilled with the newfound information he'd been gifted.

“I was four!”

Matty scoffed at my argument, apparently pleased with the fact that he could get me all wound up so quickly. 

“Also told me about that time you showed up to your cousin’s birthday party completely plastered, thinking no one would be none the wiser. Think she mentioned that he’d just turned four that day, too.”

I groaned, recalling that very day clearly in the forefront of my mind and slapped a hand over my face to hide my sudden humiliation. I swivelled round in my chair to send the woman in question a well deserved glare, which she paid no mind to. Of course.  

“I can’t believe her. The smarmy cow.”

I turned back upon hearing Matty’s heightened laughter and pouted. 

“Don’t laugh, you dickhead! I was mortified afterwards. I thought I’d played it off so well! Proper chuffed with myself that next morning. Only to then get a few choice words off my uncle that same afternoon.” I pursed my lips at the reminder. “Turns out tricking a bunch of kids into swearing like a couple of sailors is only funny when you’re hammered or have an actual sense of humour. Mum wasn’t too impressed either.” 

“Nana was though.” Matty countered with a delighted little chuckle. I rolled my eyes.

“Nana’s a gossip.” I responded in kind. “Who should know by now that what goes around comes around!”

I yelled that last part over my shoulder, and chose to ignore the strange looks I garnered in favour of throwing a knowing look at the woman in question. 

“I’m near seventy-four, dollface! No hide nor hair off of my back what you tell people as long as you let ‘em know I was havin’ a good time!” Nana called back in that strong Yorkshire accent of hers. She raised her glass in cheers.

I couldn’t help my breathy chuckle, and neither could Matty as it would seem, who was still laughing happily away beside me.

“Should’ve known she’d’ve put her hearing aids in.” I shook my head in complete levity, toying with a small smile, “Doesn’t want to miss a single thing said in a place like this, but ask her where she put the tele remote during a run of Corrie, well…”

“Fucking love your family.” Matty grinned at me, and I watched with baited breath as he just continued to glance around the rest of the venue as though he’d said nothing of the sort at all.

I inhaled quietly once his attention was then captured by someone he knew in passing, and shook off the strange feeling I’d felt as I finally downed the rest of that drink. 

—

“Hann! Hann, mate!” Matty called over the shitty dubstep remix that was currently playing. I was just behind him, giggling at the sight he made. He’d no care in the world for anyone who was currently stood in his way as he waved haphazardly, wanting to garner the attention of his best mate.

We’d actually spent the better part of our time stood waiting in line for the buffet just shitting all over the DJ’s set, both claiming that we could’ve done a much fucking better job with just a Spotify playlist on hand. 

But you win some, you lose some, I supposed. Though, I’d still be lording it over Adam’s head for the rest of forever- he was meant to be some sort of hotshot musician from what little I knew of his job, and he’d actually paid for this knobhead to spin a couple of early 2000’s records at his reception party and call it a day. 

I was still chuckling away at the thought when I noticed the man in question wandering over to us with a big, fuck-off grin on his face.

“Mate!” Adam greeted cheerily as he tugged Matty into a one armed hug, pulling me along with the pair of them too, seeing as I was still holding onto Matty’s hand.

Matty had only taken it as we were parting our way through the crowds, but I realised now, that neither one of us had yet to let go.

Adam seemed to realise it then too, if the way his eyes travelled between our intertwined hands and my surprised face was anything to go by. Though, I noted that Matty stayed blissfully unaware in his slight tipsy state. 

Thankfully Adam was mature enough to leave it be. For now, I could only suppose. Knowing that my sister would probably be the first one he’d let know. Oh, how I was looking forward to that conversation.

“Both having a good time?” Adam asked us as I let myself be roped into a hug from him as well.

“Been great, man.” Matty answered with a grin, pulling my hand with his again as he further exaggerated his point. “Can’t believe you’ve actually gone and done it! Locked that shit down, Hann. Don’t know whether to congratulate or console you.”

Adam’s mouth quirked to the left as he watched his mate with an indulgent expression. “Don’t be a wanker. Just let me enjoy this one night before you start getting all jealous on me.”

“Jealous? Ha, funny one, mate.” Matty retorted in good jest.

I rolled my eyes at the pair of them before I looked towards my new brother-in-law. “I’m gonna choose to offer my congrats here, but remember that if you upset my sister, I’ll do more than just hurt you.”

“Ooh, tell me more.” Matty said in a teasing tone, whilst Adam opted to ignore my date, simply raising his hands up at me to feign surrender.

“Wouldn’t dare.” He assured with a fond smile.

“Holding you to it.”

It was then that two more grown men came barrelling over- I say grown, but in reality it was like watching a bunch of ginormous kids kicking and scuffling with each other to get the first turn on the swing-set as they all embraced one another. I couldn’t hide my amusement.

“And who’s this beauty?” The one with the buzzcut encouraged, only noticing me when he’d slung an arm around Matty’s neck.

I looked him over then as I smiled at his compliment, I could see why he felt so confident in his approach, he was a right stunner. From the rolled up sleeves of his shirt which exposed the many tattoos that dotted his arms, to the slight smirk his pouty lips held as he watched me.

“This is y/n, y/s/n’s older sister.” Adam introduced us with a tilt of his chin, “And y/n, that idiot over there with the big gob is George, the bearded one's Ross.”

“I like it. Very manly.” I said, gesturing to Ross’s beard. Matty’s face twisted slightly when Ross smiled back at me with an appreciative nod, but before he could get a word in edge ways, George was speaking again, half-dangling over Matty to get a better look at me. 

“We’ve met the once before, haven’t we? ‘Round Hann’s that one New Years, no?”

My face brightened at the sudden realisation, “Ah, yeah! You’re the weirdo who pulled out every pot in y/s/n’s kitchen to recreate that old Beach Boys song.”

Matty snorted beside me, whilst Adam laughed at the vivid memory.

“And if I recall, you also got so shitfaced that night that you actually ended up putting yourself to bed before the clock’s even struck twelve.”

My date and his friends all cackled at that, but George made a slight hissing sound as he inhaled sharply, holding a hand over his heart. 

“Way to humiliate me there, cupcake, could’ve just left them with the knowledge of my sick rendition of I Get Around, but you had to go and start a war.”

I grinned in retort as I shrugged, “Learn to hold your drink better and I wouldn’t have to show you up, babe.”

George smirked, eyeing me closer now.

“Oi, no, no, no. You can fuck right off! She’s my date tonight, G.” Matty informed the drummer, elbowing the giant to shrug him off his shoulder. 

George relented with a soft chuckle and sly smile. “Is that so? Reckon you’d have a ton more fun with me though.”

Adam shook his head, chuckling, whilst Matty and George started to scuffle.

My eyes widened briefly when they nearly went headfirst into the dessert table, but luckily they were quickly saved by Ross who redirected them onto the dance floor.

“Are they always like this?” I found myself asking Adam, watching as the trio interrupted a group of younger girls with all their pissing about. It was like looking at the live adaptation of a human bowling ball.

“Yeah.” Was all he offered, which made me laugh, and we both continued to watch the free show from the sidelines.

“Go on, Matty. Defend my honour!” I hollered over towards them, unable to help myself, and was rewarded with the sight of my date popping back up out of the brawl he’d created like a meerkat, wearing a comical grin.

I winced slightly when a strong arm tugged him right back down though.

“Someone should film this.” I overheard someone murmur somewhere off to my right, and I was quick to agree before the voice continued, “Imagine how much The Sun would give for an all inclusive on this.”

I frowned, confused, but continued to listen as best I could whilst I watched.

“Oh yeah, I can already see the headlines.” Came another excited voice, this one chuckling as they prattled off, “Matty Healy ruins guitarist’s wedding! Jealousy or just another downward drug spiral?”

Anger blew through me at that, and although I was bewildered by what they were saying, I couldn’t stop myself from immediately jumping to Matty's defence.

“What did you just say?”

The person in question was some guy I didn’t recognise, but he looked rather surprised by my sudden appearance. He fish mouthed for a moment before he just scoffed out a small laugh.

“No, go on.” I goaded with a narrow eyed stare, “I’m sure everyone here's desperate to hear what you have to say now.”

He rolled his eyes at me which only proved to aggravate me further. I was about to take another step forwards when a gentle hand took my shoulder.

“What’s happening here?” Came Adam’s familiar voice and I watched in satisfaction as the idiot before me stuttered slightly.

“Just making a joke, man.”

“Is that what you call it then?” I spat back, feeling Adam’s grip falter a little. “‘Cause it didn’t sound too funny to me.”

“What'd he say?” Adam attempted to intervene.

“Something about an article, or whatever. Wanting to make some money off of the lads just messing about.” I told Adam, still staring the twat down. “Made it out like Matty was off his head on something.”

Adam looked almost as pissed as I was in that moment, but then the man himself arrived, with George, Ross, and my sister trailing just behind. Matty seemed to have sobered up a bit at the sudden seriousness that must’ve overcome the rest of the party, as he came to a standstill by me, using his body to shield me somewhat from the opposing man.

“What’s gone on?” He demanded, eyes hard.

“Nothing.” The guy claimed, shrugging the whole thing off, but Matty was having none of it.

“Come off it, mate. You look stupid enough to start on my girl, but don’t lie straight to my face when I can see you’ve upset her.” Matty derided, then he turned to me, voice strikingly much softer. “Tell me what’s been said please, darling.”

I swallowed, surprised by the subdued attention Matty was now giving me, as well as how he’d chosen to handle the idiot.

I quickly recovered though, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. “I didn’t understand much of it, but he was spouting some nasty shit about you.”

Matty’s brow furrowed but he looked to Adam when the groom leant in nearer. “Tabloids and crap, claiming he could make a quick quid.”

“Shit stirring, you mean.” I said, scowling at the guy who’d drawn up quite the crowd. “Tried to make it seem like you were ruining Adam’s big day, spouting shit about how you were jealous, high or whatever.”

Matty merely chuckled, amused by it all, and I really should’ve known he’d react like that.

���Ad?” My sister called out then, pushing through the sea of onlookers to understand just what was going on. I instantly felt bad for having made a scene.

“I’m so sorry, y/s/n.”

She shook her head at me, waving my worries away as she took her husband’s hand. She looked back to him again.

“Just someone being an arse, babe.” Adam spoke and pulled her into his side to comfort her before he nodded over towards Ross. “Mate, grab that security guard for us.”

Ross did so, whilst George and, surprisingly, Jamie had the same idea to usher the fucker out. 

“Take Thing Two with you whilst you’re at it, Jim.” I added, jerking my head over to where the lad’s friend had shied away from the commotion. He winced at the sudden attention I’d attracted.

My cousin dipped his head once at me and squeezed my shoulder in passing as he hauled the guy and his mate outside the venue with George.

Matty drew me in near, his careful hand in mine. “You alright? Got pretty wound up there, sweetheart.”

I exhaled and tried let go of whatever anger I had left, but my body was still trembling slightly with adrenaline as I nodded at him. Matty soothed that thought with a gentle caress up my arms, ducking his head to catch my eye.

He raised a brow.

I gifted him a small smile as I softly shook my head, biting the inside of my cheek when he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry. He just really pissed me off.”

“Don’t have to get all riled up on my account, darling. Had a lot worse said, trust me.”

I frowned, “I couldn’t not say anything, Matty, he was being a right prick towards you.”

My chest tightened at the fond, albeit exasperated, smile Matty gave me then. “I appreciate it, but I’d rather have you enjoying yourself than occupying your time with twats like that, yeah? Ain’t worth it.”

I knew he was right, but it still didn’t sit right with me. “You don’t deserve that though, not with how hard you’ve worked, with how hard you’re still trying.”

Because he was. Recovery was a fucking hard road. And I only knew about it due to the fact that he'd been pretty open about it all with me- proud of the fact too, of how far he’d come since then. To hear someone just slag him off like that, it irritated me beyond belief, especially when it was said as some sort of sick joke, without him around to even defend himself.

“You’re lovely, you know that?” Matty commented then with an endeared little grin that threw me so off guard I felt like I’d been pulled through a blackhole. But before I could do or say anything, Matty was wrapping up the scene. “Alright, you fuckers! Party’s over- or well, party’s back on, I guess. So you can all sod off and stick your noses elsewhere now.”

I snorted out an ugly sort of laugh that had my sister’s brows raising before she merely chuckled. “Should’ve known that something like this was bound to happen. Surprised it held off as long as it did actually, especially with you around.”

I narrowed my eyes at her but did end up giving her a sheepish sort of smile. “I said I was sorry.”

She laughed again, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, and you can make it up to me by getting your arse out on that dance floor, alright? Don’t think that I haven’t noticed you avoiding it.”

“Avoiding it?” Matty asked, glancing between the two of us, “What do you mean?”

“She means to say that I’m shit at dancing. Like, beyond bad." I tell him myself, wanting to just quickly sweep it under the rug. "It’s why I’ve not gotten up yet.”

Matty, being his dramatic self, let his mouth drop wide open. I rolled my eyes at the theatrics before I pressed my knuckle under his chin to shut it back up again.

“I don’t believe you.” He said.

I furrowed my brow with a faint chuckle. “What is there to not believe? Don’t for one second think that you can get me to prove that I’m a shitty dancer, Matty.”

The man simply smiled at me, and he looked so smug when he clasped my wrists and begun to lead me towards the dance floor.

“No, Matty.” I deadpanned. “There's no way I’m dancing.”

“We’ll see.”

I gave him a humourless look. “No, we won’t. There's not a chance in hell.”

By that point we’d already made it onto the borders of the dance floor, where everyone else had seemingly wandered back towards after the argument had been doused out. Matty was still grinning as he bopped his head up and down, taking turns to move my stiff arms back and forth. It only brightened when the DJ finally put on a decent tune, increasing his enthusiasm by a tenfold.

“Come on, don’t be that person.” He drawled, taking the piss now. “You know you want to.”

I attempted to send him another dirty look, but it was overshadowed by the tiny lilt my mouth made, giving me away.

“Ah, see! Knew you loved it.”

I threw my head back lightly and groaned, unable to hide my smile now as I laughed more freely, letting him move us in whatever way he pleased. And it wasn’t half bad once I let myself get pretty into it, deciding to just say ‘fuck it’ and enjoy a dance for once. 

Matty wasn’t too shabby a dancer either. In all honesty, he really did look so effortless dancing across from me, the way he pranced about, hips moving madly, as though his soul purpose was to simply perform. I loved watching him.

That reminded me— but as I went to ask my unanticipated question, the song changed. Or slowed, rather. 

I was a little surprised at first when Matty’s arms encircled me to wind themselves around my waist, but I just followed his lead, lifting my hands to rest on his shoulders.

Everyone else around us seemed to be doing the same thing, or something of the sort, and I watched as a few more couples got up to join us.

I smiled past Matty’s ear at the sight of my sister and Adam, who, in that moment, couldn’t have looked more in love. And then at my pops who was twirling my nana about without a care in the world, his smile making him look twenty years younger. 

I let myself rest my cheek against the jut of Matty’s shoulder to simply take in the entire day. A gentle smile limned my lips.

“Thank you for today.” I muttered softly as the chorus started, “I’ve had the best time.”

I felt Matty’s hold tighten around me slightly as he pulled us closer during a turn.

“What, even with that arsehole from earlier?” He joked quietly into my ear and I chuckled.

“What was up with that anyway?” I couldn't help but ask him, pulling away to look at his face. I watched as he blinked, wearing a significant look on his face that I couldn’t quite place. 

“You really don’t know?” Matty said, though he’d phrased it less like a question and more like a revelation. More to himself, than me. He shook his head faintly as surprise worked its way across his features. “Honestly thought you’d clocked on when I first turned up.”

“Clocked onto what?” I questioned, more confused now than I was before. Mostly by his reaction.

“Just my job, really.” He replied, and for the first time he looked a little abashed. It threw me a bit. “I’m in a band.”

Ah, well that made a bit more sense. The lingering looks. The pointed lenses. The whispers and pointing. The obvious gawking I’d tried not to ponder too much on. And then what the lad from earlier had said about The Sun Newspaper. Realising that now made the situation all the more worse in my head. 

I questioned, internally, whether it changed anything.

I mean, it was like Matty had said, it was just his job. But whilst most worked the usual nine to five, he had this big, interesting job that probably took him all over the globe.

It was a little daunting, in truth. And I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d agreed to this whole facade in the first place, knowing he definitely had his pick of the lot. Whether that was generally speaking, because everyone could easily see that he was a charmer, but also from the dozens of girls he probably had dying for his attention.

“A band…” I prolonged.

He hummed, eyes picking apart my reaction.

I quirked my lip, brightening slightly, “Is it a big one?”

He wore a wry smile then, and his squinted brown eyes flickered between both of mine.

“Massive.”

I just had to laugh then, and so as I shook my head, I pulled him in closer, fingertips finding the hair at the nape of his neck.

“Don’t think you can be that famous- I’ve never even heard of you.” I commented playfully, though it was mostly the truth. I say mostly because if they were as big as those boys had made them out to be, then I figured I’d had to have heard a song or two of theirs in passing.

Matty heightened his reaction- like always, as I’d come to quickly realise- and gasped, not loud enough to be overheard, just so that it would make me laugh and roll my eyes. He smiled when I did. 

“I’m hurt. Well, and truly, hurt.”

“Reckon you’ll get over it, rockstar.”

“And if I don’t?” He quipped, an eyebrow raised in retaliation.

I pretended to mull it over. “Then you’d best find some groupie to boost that ego of yours.”

“Why are you so nasty to me?”

I laughed loudly at that, too loudly actually, and had to quickly duck my head to hide my face in Matty’s chest when people’s heads darted towards the sudden noise.

“Are they still looking?” I questioned after a moment passed, my voice muffled by the man’s tailored suit jacket.

“Yeah, they’re all pointing and laughing too.”

I shook my head at him and felt the soft rumble of his chuckle from where my forehead was now pressed to his chest. 

When I poked my head back out, I flashed him a bashful smile and had to actually make the effort not to let my gaze linger too long on his mouth or his eyes. Instead, I let myself survey the surrounding crowd.

My mum was on the dance floor now, I found, scolding and rolling her eyes at Jamie, who seemed to have two left feet and was galloping them around the dance floor.

George wasn’t too far away either, dancing the night away with Gracie, my overly-enthusiastic six year old niece. He winked when he caught me looking and mouthed the words, ‘You’ve pulled, cupcake!’.

I bit my lip to conceal my sudden amusement then mouthed back, ‘Fuck off!’.

He just cackled and little Gracie started rattling away again, regaining his focus.

Adam, it appeared, had whisked my sister off somewhere, because they were no longer anywhere in sight. I only hoped that they’d found a decent place to shag because porcelain did your arse no favours when you were getting railed against the nearest bathroom sink.

“What’re you thinking about?” Matty asked, drawing me back to the present by pinching my hip. I tugged on the ends of his hair in retort. He just smirked, “Careful, sweetheart, I quite like that.”

“You’re insufferable.” I snickered, but answered his question when I looked back at him. “Honestly?”

He nodded.

“Was just thinking about the last time I had sex in a bathroom.”

Matty visibly fought down a giant grin at that. 

“That bad of a date, am I? Or are you just hoping I’ll offer up the chance to improve?”

I gaped a bit, not having expected him to be so forward, but then again, I couldn’t really blame him when I’d started it. 

“Keep on wishing there, Healy. You’d be so lucky.” I scoffed with a sarky sort of smile.

He looked me up and down slowly as he hummed his appraisal. “Doubt I'd say no.”

I rolled my eyes at him and tugged again at the ends of his hair. Harder this time.

“Ow. Kinky.”

I had to swat him then, because even as I laughed I couldn’t let him get away with it.

When I’d calmed somewhat and found Matty to still be staring at me with that humoured grin of his, I gently shook my head.

“I just meant that-”, then I exhaled a small chuckle, “I merely noticed that the newly weds had disappeared and took a wild guess on what their current whereabouts might be.”

“Ah, I see.” I watched as Matty’s eyes trailed the rest of the room. “Reckon they’re going at it 'round the back.”

With a snort, I couldn't help but ask, “Why’d you say that?”

He shrugged, “Fire exit door over there by the DJ booth leads out there- be my first choice after seeing the queue to the toilets.”

I glanced back and found that he was correct, a line of seven or so people were all waiting to use the bathroom and the slit in the tent was discreet enough to slip out of unseen. It was also close enough to where the couple had just been seen dancing.

“Hm, and if I were to drop a certain kind of hint? Where would you head to next.” What could I say? I was intrigued.

“Chapel.” He said without a second thought.

I raised my brows at him. “Really?”

He hummed, linking his hands behind my back to bring us that much closer. And grinned, “Reckon it could be sexy- could play at being a nun... Or I could be your choir boy-”

I cut him off right there with a hand to his mouth.

I rebuked him with a small shake of my head but couldn’t hold back my amusement. “You’re actually so bad, you know that? Almost as bad as nana.”

Matty unwound his hands so that he could pull mine away from his lips, but he didn’t let go afterwards, simply held them together against his chest. And if I concentrated hard enough, I could just about feel the rhythm of his heartbeat.

“No one outranks your nana.” Matty assured me, “That woman’s got a hell of a vocabulary on her.”

Lightly laughing, I looked down at our paired hands, at how Matty’s thumb kept running over the back of my own and I wondered whether he felt it too.

“Oi, Healy!” Someone called out, breaking the moment, “I thought that was you!”

And just like that, as I looked up and caught sight of the goddess of a girl headed straight towards us, I knew that I’d just let myself get far too caught up in the moment.

Part Four>

[bornbreathless-archive]

Yo five and char for the brotp

@fiivvee

who steals french fries off the other’s plate

I feel like they're both guilty of it. Char is just doing it to be annoying and Five easily prevents her from doing it, Five does it because he actually realises he's hungry when he sees Char eating, and she only puts up a token resistance because the dude needs to eat, damn it.

who jokingly moves in for the kiss when someone asks if they’re a couple

Neither. It's actually way more funny for both of them to say that they're twins, actually. Bonus points when they're no longer the same age.

who has to bust or bail the other out of jail

When they have their powers, it's Five busting Char out. If they don't have their powers, it's Char bailing Five out.

who gives the other advice/comfort about dating issues

God they'd both be awful at it, but it doesn't stop either of them from trying.

who shamelessly cheats at games by reaching over to cover the other’s eyes

Char. Five is way more subtle when he cheats.

who immediately calls dibs on the top bunk

Char but Five blips onto it before she even finishes speaking.

who starts and who wins the pillow fights

Char starts them, they're about evenly matched in terms of wins but only because there's a house rule of no blipping, otherwise Five wins every time.

who says “your pants would look better on their floor” to the other’s potential crush

Char, but only because she knows it would annoy him. Obviously this realistically only happens during their time at the commission together because she's not going to make that joke about her little big brother, and it's not like there's a lot of people for either of them to be flirting with in the apocalypse. Oh god actually she'd definitely say it to Delores wouldn't she. rip Five

[bothfeetinthegrave]

"buy me one and I'll call it even!"

| Memes :: This One | Kingdom Hearts 358 / 2 Days Starters

----

Even for what?

" I didn't buy this, they just didn't see me. "

It was perhaps alarming what sorts of things you could just pick up and walk off with when the living didn't want to see you. Grabbing food from a stall had been mostly wishful thinking; he'd not needed to eat or drink since waking up this way months, years ago - in fact most things turned his stomach - but it still felt strange and unnatural to not do so. Unnatural or otherwise, unfortunately, this time was no different. As delicious as roast squid could be, just the smell of this made his stomach twist, and it would be wasteful to do anything other than give it to someone else who could actually eat it.

" Here, " careful, scarred hands handed the snack over to the unusually warm presence sitting next to him, the person currently speaking, " I uh.... can't actually have this."

[countlessrealities]

Hello, everyone!

First of all, I APOLOGISE to all the people who have been waiting for replies to our usual ongoing threads. It's been two weeks since I've worked on any of them and I'm very aware that I've been keeping y'all waiting 😔

....Same goes with a couple of asks I promised and Discord / IMs replies 😫

I have some IRL stuff ongoing and it's making it very hard for me to focus or coax myself into being coherent with replies. That's why I've been focusing on the Valentine's threads and the casual stuff for my newest muses. It's easier and it doesn't really add to my drafts load. And it doesn't force extra interpersonal communication on me (I love my field, but I'm an introvert forced to deal with tons of people every day and that's been taking a huge toll on me...plus I'm not happy if I don't go about and beyond, so I basically dig my grave every time I go to work).

That said, I'll do my best to start queueing replies starting from next Monday. I'll probably keep the queue slow (one thread per day) till I'll have caught up, but I'm hoping to resume my normal posting schedule soon 🤞

Thank you to everyone for your patience! 🙏