#guess where caly came from

[brionysea]

.

[mechaknight-98]

Undaunted (NSFW) ft Sejeong

Author’s note: when I started this piece it was meant to be a fun romp but because Mr. Riordan has tied so much of being a half-blood to being neuro divergent a lot of old wounds invariably brought up and I had a lot to say… more so than usual. So bear with me on this one it’s a long one. 13 k words or so.

I always thought that isolation suited me more than unity or coalitions, believing I could handle anything alone. I've never been more glad to be proven wrong.

Sejeong and I were recent acquaintances. I had been working as a videographer for her entertainment company for four weeks now, spending hours on photo shoots, behind-the-scenes videos, and assisting with music videos and audition tapes. She was bubbly and energetic, a bit much for my taste, but she didn't push me too hard, so I continued working with her. I respected her dedication to her craft—whether acting, modeling, brand ambassadorship or singing—as she always strived to embody each role with utmost dedication. It was inspiring.

At the end of an early day's shoot, she approached me for the first time with genuine interest. Aware that my stern demeanor often kept others at bay, Sejeong boldly asked, "You're Val, right?" I nodded slowly, skepticism palpable. Sejeong smiled warmly and said, "Great, you're coming for coffee with me after this."

Her determined look made it clear that refusal wasn't an option. Before agreeing, I needed to understand her motives.

"Sure, but on one condition," I replied. "You tell me why."

Sejeong tilted her head, maintaining her innocent smile. "Because, silly, we've been working together for months, and I don't even know your name," she said matter-of-factly.

I narrowed my eyes; Sejeong mirrored me, realizing her oversight.

"I barely know yours either," she retorted. "Plus, what if there's an emergency and you need to be found? I think they'll need more information than tall stocky African American man,” Sejeong expanded

Her response eased my skepticism. I followed her to a nearby coffee shop where she remained bubbly and smiling throughout—concerning traits in my experience. People like that were either hiding immense pain or were super evil. As we ordered, she insisted on paying.

"I'm sorry, I just have bad luck when I don't pay for meals," she explained.

I shrugged, "It's no big deal. Plus, this isn't a meal. I got a hot chocolate, and you got coffee."

Sejeong relaxed at my logic. As we sat down, she steepled her hands and asked, "So, tell me about yourself."

This was the first time I took a good look at her, and she was stunning. Despite being a couple of years older, she exuded an aura of ease that made me feel oddly comfortable like I could drop my guard. So, I acquiesced to her prodding.

"Just a normal guy from Cali, I guess. Mom, Dad, and two sisters."

"Oh, are you the oldest, youngest, or middle child?" she inquired.

"I'm in the middle," I responded.

"Cool. I'm the youngest," Sejeong shared. I nodded, surprising her.

"Wait, you know?" she asked, puzzled.

"I did my research before joining the company. Plus, I'm a casual K-pop fan, and you're considered royalty," I explained. Sejeong smiled.

"So, are you a fan of mine too?" she teased.

I shrugged, "I like your acting, but your music isn't my thing."

Realizing too late that I should have been more tactful, I tried to clarify, "Not that it's bad objectively; it's just not my taste."

This only seemed to make it worse, and Sejeong began to pout. "So, you hate my music?" she asked, hurt.

As the situation escalated, I searched for a way to salvage it. Thankfully, a blonde angel came to my rescue.

"Unnie, leave this poor guy alone. Can't you see he's flustered?" Somi intervened as she approached our table. Beside her was a young man in our age range named Ivan. Sejeong turned to Somi, smiling.

"Ah, Somi, can't I have a little fun?" she teased, hugging her friend. Ivan and Somi joined us, and the atmosphere shifted from a business introduction to a casual hangout among friends. Feeling out of place, I listened as Ivan, Somi, and Sejeong chatted and bantered like old friends.

As they talked, a server brought over a plate of food "on the house." While they were engrossed in their conversation, I managed to sneak a few bites, hoping to leave some for them. After ten minutes of rapid Korean dialogue, I excused myself to the restroom. Inside, I splashed water on my face, trying to clear my head.

"When you go back out there, you're going to tell them, 'Hey, something came up, and I have to head home,'" I rehearsed aloud. I failed to notice other occupants in the restroom, but I did hear the telltale rattling of a hydra's tail. Turning back, I found a Lernaean Hydra staring at me.

We locked eyes, and I tried to defuse the situation. "Hey, let's not fight. We can casually cross paths and not kill each other," I proposed, but the hydra lunged at me anyway. I dodged its attack and summoned the "Pyretic Claws of the Storm Beast," slashing at the hydra’s heads until I managed to defeat it. The hydra attempted to regenerate from burning stumps until it finally exploded with a loud "pop," leaving me covered in its guts and slime.

Behind where the hydra stood, Sejeong, Ivan, and Somi stared at me with intrigue.

"You're a demigod, like us," Sejeong declared.

Over the next few days, Sejeong insisted on introducing me to her other demigod friends. These meet-ups usually came with a free meal, so I reluctantly accepted. The friends included two more couples: Levi and Heejin, and Gahyeon and Preston. Levi and Preston were friends of Ivan. I tried to keep my distance both emotionally and physically, but Sejeong always pushed me back into the center. Her reasoning was always along the lines that demigods shouldn’t be alone. Rationally, it made sense; I just didn’t like it. My dad had intentionally raised me away from all of this when my mother left, so I was conflicted. After meeting everyone, we started doing group hangs, the first of which was today.

When we reached the outside of Somi and Ivan’s apartment, I stood frozen. Sejeong noticed and smiled at me.

“Everything alright, Vally?” she asked. I remained silent, prompting her to furrow her brows.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I don’t like this, but I can’t place why. Everything about crossing this threshold makes my skin crawl and makes me want to smash something,” I responded.

Sejeong listened and then asked, “Weren’t you raised around demigods?”

I shook my head. I had met others before but never more than a handful of times. Sejeong’s eyes widened as she listened, prompting her to ask, “Wait, so you’ve survived all this time with no training and no support? Do you even know your godly parent?”

I resisted the urge to scoff. My situation was unique, despite being normal for me, so scoffing at her served no purpose.

“Yes, Seji. My mother claimed me before I went to college and gave me the ‘Claws of the Storm Beast.’ She told me, ‘You’re on your own. I can’t protect you anymore,’” I explained.

Sejeong looked befuddled before asking, “Who the hell is your mom? That sounds terrible.”

I thought about lying but realized it would serve no purpose, so I told the complicated and strange truth. “My mom is Zeus. Long story short, Hera thought a good punishment for his sins would be to live as a woman for a few years. During one of those years, Zeus met my dad, who was separated from his wife, the lady I refer to as my mom, and they had me. She dropped me off with my dad and came back occasionally to chat with him until he reconciled with his wife.”

I watched as Sejeong’s brain broke hearing that. I didn’t blame her; the same thing happened to me when I first heard it.

When she recovered, she asked, “How have you been surviving all this time without being trained? And what is the ‘Fangs of the Storm Dragon’ you mentioned?”

Her response seemed odd to me, but I humored her. “I learned to fight from TV, specifically wrestling and action hero shows. The ‘fangs of the Storm Dragon’ is my weapon, given to me by my mom. It was designed and crafted by my mom with elements from each major betrayer god.”

Sejeong nodded and said, “We are getting you trained as soon as possible.”

I raised an eyebrow, confused as to why Sejeong didn’t respond further, which frustrated me. I had told her all this stuff about me, yet I still didn’t have much information about her. Before she could open the door, I asked about her godly parent and how she survived. She was so taken aback by my story that she was super open about hers.

“My dad is Loki. He claimed me when I was young, but I was already training with other demigods at that point,” she answered.

I nodded at the foreign concepts and feigned understanding of what that was like, yet I remained frozen still.

Sejeong smiled then said, “Tell you what Vally if you come with me right now I'll let you be alone all next week.” I know her words were meant to comfort but they brought a sense of unease within me as I found myself saying,

“No! I like spending time with you…I have grown accustomed to you being around.” I said the rational part of my mind says she still has the potential to be a highly dangerous individual but my emotions presented an intense dichotomy.

Sejeong smiled at me and then said, “If you wanted to date me you could have asked.” she smiled as she watched me short-circuit for a few seconds before opening the door and leading me inside my hand in hers.

The atmosphere in the room is jovial, with friends hanging out and goofing off. It is oddly charming. Sejeong leads me to a spot next to her as we huddle around a hot pot. I take out the Kobe beef and other various meats I brought, along with some veggies and a couple of sushi rolls for palate diversity.

Ivan, Somi’s boyfriend and son of Bacchus, says merrily, “You brought all this for us? Dude, you are the best.”

A smile creeps onto my face. “Well, yeah. Someone has to make sure you don’t poison us with alcohol.”

Sejeong turns to me and cracks a smile. “Oh, was that a joke I heard? I thought Mr. Serious didn’t understand jokes.”

I look at her and reply, “Well, maybe you just aren’t funny?”

Somi, daughter of Aphrodite, laughs, putting me further at ease. Heejin, the daughter of Tsukuyomi laughs too, and stares at me. Not in a particularly menacing or emotionally charged way, but in a very observant way, as if she is trying to figure me out.

Eventually, she asks the question I think she’s been wanting to. “So, Val, who is your godly parent?” The room grows silent. Feeding on the excitement and atmosphere, I reply, “Take a guess.”

Sejeong laughs before telling them that they would never guess it, even with a million hints. I agree but give them the first one.

“She is not who you think it would be.”

Sejeong compliments my hint, saying how good it was as the group begins to guess.

“Morrigan. You kinda radiate her energy as a scary powerhouse,” Levi, son of Tyr says.

I shake my head.

Gahyeon, daughter of Daji, says, “Hmm, well then, my guess is Izanami.”

I shake my head again, surprising everyone. I see Preston, son of Minerva, eyeing me intently.

“It’s your mom, correct?” he asks.

I nod.

“What pantheon?”

“Greek,” I respond.

Preston eyes me, then says, “Huh, you seem way too powerful to be just the son of a Greek goddess. We thought you were stronger than that. Based on how you carry yourself and the static always around you, I’d say Zeus, but that can’t be right.”

At this point, Sejeong loses it. She begins laughing uncontrollably and smiling, making everyone present look at her. Then it clicks.

“Your mom is Zeus,” Somi says. She pauses, then adds, “Yes, we love a girl boss.”

I turn to Sejeong, confused, but she is all smiles.

“How?” Heejin asks, baffled.

“Well, I—” I begin to answer, but time seems to slow down until the air stops. I look around to see everything frozen.

“So, you finally found a home?” an older, feminine voice rang out, instantly recognizable. My fists clenched and my jaw tightened, mirroring the way she used to stand when preparing for a confrontation.

I turned to face my mother. She looked older than the last time I saw her, but still undeniably her: dark skin like mine, long dark brown hair streaked with white, and those piercing gray eyes. Her stance was identical to mine, a stance of readiness and defiance. Everything I hated about myself reflected in me.

“How have you been, DuVal?” she asked, her tone calm yet fierce. It was a voice I had often used to mask my vulnerabilities. I stared in silence, feeling a storm of emotions rise within me. Her gaze held a mix of emotions—bottled rage, the same rage I saw in myself, always simmering just beneath the surface.

“I see you’ve found a home.” Her words were careful, layered with meaning. I kept my guard up, watching her eyes flick from me to Somi, then Heejin, and finally to Sejeong. When her gaze returned to me, it was with a knowing look.

“This one, she’s the one you like,” my mother said confidently.

My fists tightened, my eyes never leaving hers. “Why are you here, Zeus? To remind me of all the times you weren’t?”

She sighed, a mixture of sadness and frustration in her expression. “I know I haven’t been the mother you needed. My actions—or lack of them—have caused you pain. But I’ve always watched over you, DuVal. Always.”

“Watching from a distance isn’t the same as being there,” I retorted, my voice rising. “You left me to fend for myself, to figure out who I am and what I’m supposed to do. And now you just show up, expecting what? Gratitude?”

Her eyes softened. “What was I to do? Beg your father not to break you despite being adamant about making you like everyone else? I don't beg. I told him the ramifications of pursuing ‘rearing for your special needs,’ but he didn't listen. No matter how many teachers and mentors I sent your way, dropping hints about embracing your heritage, he ignored me. Only your mother listened.”

I tensed. “I didn’t agree with my dad on a lot of things, but I believe he did his best.”

“He didn’t know what I was or what it would cost,” I added.

“You believe that? Then why would he root you so deeply in his faith despite having met me and our chats? Why only mention me when he kicked you out? Has he ever apologized for that? If this is about abandonment, he’s as guilty as I am. No, this goes deeper. You hate me because I remind you of all your failed attempts to be normal, despite knowing you’re not. Well, let me be the bigger person and say, ‘I’m sorry I burdened you with such gifts.’”

“Do you expect me to be grateful for this condescending apology?”

“I don’t expect gratitude. I know I don’t deserve it. But you need to understand the weight of your heritage. There are threats on the horizon, and your power is needed.”

I shook my head, the storm inside me brewing. “I’m nothing like you. I don’t want to be.”

“You don’t believe that. I see it in your heart and your eyes. Your appetites are like mine. We share the drive to lead, and to have power. You just refuse yourself. Why not let yourself run wild and let experience temper you? It will be the only way you will learn control.”

Her words brought a splitting headache as my rage and emotions threatened to spill out. Zeus looked to Sejeong and said, “Have you even kissed her yet? Or are you fighting your attraction to her as well?”

Her words were scathing. I thought of a clever comeback, but she was always quicker. “I mean, she is your type—cute face, bubbly personality, sizable assets, and older than you. Why haven’t you made a move?” she prodded.

“Shut up,” I said.

“If you just let yourself be free, you wouldn’t stumble over your words like that.” She bemoaned, “Stop holding back,” she demanded.

She stepped closer, her presence both comforting and overwhelming. “You are more like me than you realize. The strength, the rage, the desire to protect those you care about. It’s all there, DuVal. Embrace it.”

I shook my head defiantly. “Oh really? So you expect me to believe your heart doesn’t ache that she���s not yours. Maybe I should take her.” I broke for a moment, I admit she was pressing all my buttons.

“Touch her and I’ll rip your throat out. She’s mine!” I growled, and my mother was all smiles.

“See how good that felt? I could feel the conviction, the passion, the courage in your words there. Surely it felt good to tell me off, to stake your claim, didn’t it?”

I stood straight and readjusted my posture, and my mother groaned.

The room seemed to pulse with her words, the static in the air intensifying. I glanced at Sejeong, her frozen smile a stark reminder of what was at stake. Could I turn my back on this part of myself?

“I don’t need your help,” I said, though the conviction in my voice wavered.

“Perhaps not,” she replied softly. “But you need to know the truth. The path you’re on is fraught with danger, and you can’t face it alone. Think about it, DuVal. Think about who you want to be.”

I clenched my fists, feeling the energy crackle around me. “I want to be someone different. Someone better.”

“You can be better, DuVal. Better than me. But not by denying who you are. Our power, our drive, it’s a part of us. Channel it, control it, and it will make you stronger. You’ve always had the potential to surpass me, but you have to stop fighting yourself.”

She reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. The touch was electric, a jolt that sent shivers down my spine. “Embrace the storm within you. Use it to protect those you love. Don’t let fear hold you back.”

I looked into her eyes, seeing a reflection of my struggle. The same determination, the same intensity. “I don’t want to be like you, but I can’t deny what I am.”

“Then don’t deny it. Use it. Be the leader you’re meant to be, not the one you think you should be. Lead with your heart and your passion. It’s not a weakness, it’s your greatest strength.”

I took a deep breath, the storm inside me calming slightly. “I’ll think about it.”

“That’s all I ask,” she said, her voice softening. “Just remember, you’re not alone in this. You have people who care about you, and who will stand by you. Don’t push them away.”

As she stepped back, I felt a strange sense of relief and a flicker of hope. Maybe I could find a way to balance the storm within me, to use my power for something good. But it would take time, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to fully embrace that part of myself.

“Think about it, DuVal. Think about who you want to be,” she repeated, her eyes locking with mine one last time before she turned and walked away.

I stood there, the static in the air slowly dissipating, and looked at Sejeong. She gave me a reassuring smile,

With that, time resumed. The room filled with laughter and conversation once more, but my mind was a whirlwind of confusion and unresolved emotions. Noticing my change in temperament, Sejeong squeezed my hand, grounding me in the moment. I had a lot to consider, and even more to decide. So I did the thing I knew best.

“I have to go. I just remembered I had something to do,” I said to everyone. Sejeong stood up in front of me as I tried to leave.

“DuVal, what happened? You were cracking jokes and having fun, and now you have to leave. What gives?” The rest of the group surrounded me. Their faces showed concern, but I couldn't tell if it was genuine or not. I tried to get around Sejeong, not realizing at the time that the children of Loki could shapeshift. One moment I was trying to politely get around her, the next I was facing a polar bear. At that moment, I would have rather dealt with Sejeong.

I began to suppress my surging fight response but was failing, as evidenced by the manifestation of "Abyssal Claws of the Storm Beast" in my hands. Realizing her tactics weren’t working, Sejeong did the smartest thing: she shifted back to her normal form and brought me down to her level, hugging me. My heart stilled as the storm inside me began to fade. She tilted my face up from her chest and, with a wicked smile, said, “Feeling better? Or do you need more time cuddling with Samantha and Rachel?” All the tension and emotional turmoil I was processing disappeared at that moment. I stood up and smiled at her. She smiled back before guiding me back to the party.

A few days later, we wrapped filming for a major project, and Sejeong took me back to her place. She booted up her PS5 and started playing FF7 Rebirth. I watched her play but didn’t try to backseat game her. I smiled as she triumphed over a particularly grueling boss in the middle of the game. She looked over to me with a smile, but the fatigue was getting to both of us. I felt my eyes droop and my head fall. The last thing I remembered was her saying, “Omomo.”

I dreamed I was overlooking a vast expanse of sky, the scene cautiously calming. I turned to see my mom. She was smiling, but her presence stirred the emotions I had been burying deep inside. My eye twitched involuntarily.

“Why do you hate yourself so much?” Zeus asked, her voice gentle yet piercing.

“What?” I responded, taken aback.

“You wallow in self-loathing. It’s concerning, yet you hide it well. Why?”

“I don’t understand,” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat.

“Every time we talk, I can see into you, just as you can see into me. I see your hatred of yourself for not being like others, for feeling destined for destruction rather than creation. You wish you could tear yourself apart every day, but you can’t because your body won’t let you. You repress the ferocious, fervent, royal side of you because you’re ashamed of it. Shame others taught you. You are a king. Why do you let them diminish you?”

“That’s a very out-of-touch way to view people,” I retorted, but Zeus wasn’t swayed.

“You and I both know these people don’t want to lead themselves. They want a wise and tested leader to guide them, to make the hard choices so they can live freely and safely. So what are they if not peasants?”

Her words hit me harder than I expected. I wasn’t ready for this confrontation.

“Oh, you weren’t expecting your mother to challenge you like this, were you? Well, buckle up. This is just the beginning. You endure these miserable and intolerable creatures who engage with you as if they’re your equals and bear their injustices, yet wonder why they don’t accept you. No matter how much you defang and claw yourself, the truth remains: you aren’t like them. They know it and will continue to remind you of that fact. So why bother with them?”

“Because a true leader…” I began, but Zeus cut me off.

“A true leader leads ahead of the pack, where it is the loneliest. Stop acting like one of them. You’re better than them. You and that girl are better than this. You should be running the world together. That much is certain.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked, frustration boiling over.

“Because you crave validation from sources that can’t give you the praise you seek. These people are not your peers, no matter how much you want them to be. So stand proud and ferocious. Let your rage and power out. Stop holding back because others can’t see your intentions. Let your desires guide you, not your mind. Your mind will only blind you, telling you who you need to be to survive, not who you are meant to be to thrive.”

I sat there, feeling competing desires rise within me, a storm of emotions I’d been trying to suppress.

“Don’t shame yourself for what you want. Want it, Chase it, but don't meander with the sheep it will only weaken you.”

I stared at my mother, her words slicing through the barriers I had meticulously built around my heart. The storm within me raged, conflicting desires crashing like thunder and lightning. I felt the familiar pull of shame, but also a strange, burgeoning sense of clarity.

“Mom, it’s not that simple,” I said, my voice barely a whisper. “I can’t just embrace this…this side of me. It’s dangerous. It’s destructive.”

Zeus’ expression softened, but her eyes remained fierce. “Dangerous? Destructive? DuVal, you are my son. You carry the tempest within you, but you also hold the power to control it. You are not just a force of destruction; you are a beacon of potential, of leadership, of hope.”

I shook my head, the weight of her expectations pressing down on me. “You don’t understand. I don’t want to be a monster. I don’t want to hurt people.”

“And you won’t,” she replied firmly. “You have the heart of a protector. But denying your true nature only weakens you, and makes you vulnerable. You need to find balance, to harness your power without letting it consume you.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the air crackle with the tension of my emotions. “How? How do I do that?”

Zeus stepped closer, her presence overwhelming yet comforting. “By accepting who you are, all of who you are. You are both human and divine. Embrace your heritage, not as a burden, but as a gift. Let those you care about see the real you, not the mask you wear to hide your fears.”

I felt a tear slip down my cheek, mingling with the faint sparks of static. “But what if they reject me? What if they can’t handle it?”

She gently wiped the tear away, her touch warm and grounding. “True friends, true allies, will stand by you, no matter what. And those who don’t? They were never meant to be part of your journey.”

I closed my eyes, letting her words sink in. The storm within me began to calm, not because it was gone, but because I was starting to accept it as a part of me. “I’ll try, Mom. I’ll try to be who I’m meant to be.”

Zeus smiled a rare, genuine smile that filled me with a sense of hope. “That’s all I ask. Remember, you are not alone in this. We are connected, you and I. And there is strength in that connection.”

As her image began to fade, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. The dream dissolved, and I woke up in Sejeong’s apartment. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the room.

Sejeong was still asleep, her face serene. I watched her for a moment, feeling a surge of affection and gratitude. She had seen a glimpse of my true self and hadn’t turned away. Maybe, just maybe, I could learn to embrace all parts of myself and find the balance I so desperately needed.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed and made my way to the window. (unsure how I got there from the couch) The sky was clear, a soft blue expanse stretching out before me. For the first time in a long while, I felt a spark of hope, a flicker of possibility. I didn’t have all the answers, but I had a direction, and a path to follow.

The decision to be honest with those who mattered most felt like a heavy weight lifting from my shoulders. I returned to Sejeong, lying peacefully in her sleep. Despite her serene appearance, she began to shuffle uncomfortably, her hand reaching out as if searching for something. On instinct, I took her hand, and the frown that had creased her face melted back into her typical smile.

I stayed with her like that for a while, watching her breathe and feeling the warmth of her hand in mine. When she finally woke, her eyes met mine with a clarity that took my breath away.

“Sejeong,” I said softly, my heart pounding.

“Yeah, Val?” she responded, her voice still thick with sleep.

“I like you,” I confessed, the words tumbling out with a mix of anxiety and relief.

Sejeong’s lips curved into a playful smile. “Well, are you going to do something about it?”

Without hesitating, I cupped her cheeks in my hands and kissed her. Her lips tasted faintly of the spicy ramen we’d shared earlier, a perfect mix of heat and comfort. As our kiss deepened, my mind began to blank out, and all I could focus on was the insatiable desire coursing through me.

Her hands moved to my shoulders, pulling me closer. The intensity of the moment seemed to charge the air around us. Static electricity crackled, making the tiny hairs on my arms stand on end. Sejeong’s touch was grounding, pulling me back even as my emotions threatened to overwhelm me.

When we finally pulled apart, her eyes were bright, a mix of amusement and something deeper. “That’s more like it,” she teased, her fingers tracing the lines of my jaw.

I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in days. “There’s so much I need to tell you, Sejeong. About my mother, about what’s coming. But right now, I just wanted you to know how I feel.”

She nodded, her expression turning serious. “We’ll face whatever comes together, Val. But you don’t have to carry everything on your own. I’m here with you, every step of the way.”

Her words settled something inside me, a reassurance that I wasn’t alone. We stayed like that, wrapped in each other’s arms, as the world outside continued to turn. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Sejeong smiles, but right now I think I need a bit more of your affection.

Sejeong’s eyes narrow as she brings me in for another kiss.

“Don’t think,” she said and my brain cleared of all thoughts the only thing that remained was lust and affection for her in the moment. She gave me a sexy and sultry look that made me want to see how far I could bury my dick into any of her holes. She goes in for another kiss then says, “Come on Val bare your fangs . Hunt! Let it all just this once,” she said instead of fighting my instincts and urges I run with them I tear into Sejeong’s hoodie and eventually we stand naked in front of each other.

I marvel at her bush. Which causes her to be uncharacteristically shy. When she tries to hide though I spread her legs open and plunge my dick inside of her pussy. Sejeong moans as I spear her, her eyes look up to mine and she smiles, “take me,” she implores me. I begin to thrust gently in and out of her. Hoping to find a tempo she likes. I emphasized slow and deep strokes as she seemed to like when I touched her womb. Her pussy envelops me with the most pleasant feeling of tightness that I can’t help but continue pleasing her. I watch as she comes undone from the pressure and she reaches her peak.

She moans and then looks up at me with a wild look in her eyes before pushing me to be under her. She begins to bounce on my rod with the fury of ten suns.

“Yes, Yes, fuck yes,” she moans as I feel her walls tighten to milk me for all I’m worth. The longer I last the more ferocious she becomes and eventually I lose to her and she has me cum all over her tits. She smiles before taking a long lurid lick and saying, “Delicious,”

The next day, I woke up in a muddled haze that cleared slightly when I saw Sejeong sleeping comfortably beside me. She looked serene, and I smiled, realizing just how much I loved her. That intense feeling was one of the many things my father had said we shared: the capacity to feel deeply.

As if sensing my thoughts, Sejeong turned to me with a bright smile. "Morning, handsome," she said. Her bright eyes looked into mine, and she leaned in to kiss me. I followed her lead, savoring the moment. "Okay, time to get up," she said.

"Okay," I responded. We got ready, and I made her coffee just the way she liked it. We watched the sunrise from a bench near Sejeong's apartment, and as the dawn broke, I felt a familiar presence.

I turned to see my mother approaching slowly but with intent. When she came into view, she appraised Sejeong and me. Sejeong looked at Zeus, then at me, and said, "I see the resemblance. That steely gaze, the commanding aura. You must be Zeus, although last time we met, you looked a little different."

Zeus looked at Sejeong, confused. "Daughter of Loki? How so?"

Sejeong laughed. "Oh, so that way of speaking is genetic. Well, Queen of the Skies, you had less of this," she pointed to her chest, "and you had something between your legs."

My mom looked up, and Sejeong laughed again. "Wow, Val got a lot from you," Sejeong chuckled. I turned to her, and she explained, "When you recollect Zeus, you look away as your mind goes over the memory."

I laughed. "Are you enjoying this?"

"Oh yes. I love seeing my boyfriend puzzled. He just has the cutest focused face."

"Boyfriend?"

"You're surprised? You've been at my beck and call for the past few weeks, and we've gone on three dates. We are boyfriend and girlfriend," Sejeong asserted. I gave a worried look.

"Am I that readable?"

"Not at first glance, but after seeing your heart and all your quirks, I've thumbed through your book a few times."

I groaned, making Sejeong laugh. "Come on, Vally, just accept it."

When she said that, Zeus chuckled. "You remind me of Val's father with that."

I turned to her, on guard. Sejeong noticed and squeezed my hand to calm me down.

"What do you mean?" Sejeong asked for me.

"Well, the playful teasing and compassion, for starters. But this makes me realize, Val," Zeus chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement and pride. "You know, our taste in partners is remarkably similar. I see so much of what I admire in Sejeong. She's strong, yet kind. Fiercely independent but deeply loyal. Just like your father."

I clenched my fist, my mom's praise for my father hitting a nerve. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't hold back. "If he was so great, then why did you leave him and me?" The sky darkened lightly at my comment. Zeus's intense glare bore into my eyes, but I didn't back down.

Zeus sighed, sitting down next to us. "It's complicated, Val. Your father and I... we had different paths, different destinies."

Sejeong, sensing the importance of the conversation, moved closer, her hand finding mine for support. Zeus noticed the gesture and smiled faintly.

"Your father was a good man, Val. Strong, principled, but also... mortal. Our worlds were too different. As a god, I have responsibilities and burdens he could never fully understand or share. And I could never be the partner he needed because of those obligations."

I frowned, trying to piece together the fragments of my childhood memories. "But you loved him, right? Why wasn't that enough?"

Zeus nodded, her eyes softening with a hint of sadness. "Love is powerful, but it's not always enough to bridge such vast differences. Our relationship put him in danger and exposed him to things no mortal should endure. And as much as I loved him, I couldn't let my presence continue to put him at risk. It wasn't fair to him, or you."

My jaw tightened, but I didn't interrupt. Sejeong squeezed my hand gently, offering silent support.

"I had to make a choice," Zeus continued, her voice heavy with the weight of her words. "I chose to protect him by leaving, hoping it would allow him to live a safer, more stable life. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but I believed it was the right one."

"Much like you with that Ishtar priestess. Speaking of, how did the curse turn out?" Zeus asked.

"It's been removed, thanks," I responded coldly. Zeus laughed.

"Good," she said with a smile. Sejeong, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "It's clear that your father loved you both, Val. But sometimes, love means making sacrifices for the greater good, even if it hurts."

I turned to Sejeong, her words resonating deeply. Then I looked back at Zeus, a sense of resolution beginning to form. "I understand now. It doesn't make it any less painful, but I get why you did what you did."

Zeus reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Thank you, Val. And remember, even though I had to leave, I never stopped caring about you. I never stopped watching over you."

“So, this is the famous Sejeong,” Zeus said, her voice carrying that familiar mix of calm and intensity. Sejeong looked up, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of Zeus. I could see her assessing my mother, taking in the same dark skin, the long brown hair streaked with white, and those piercing gray eyes that seemed to see right through you.

“Yes, and you must be Zeus,” Sejeong replied, her voice steady but her eyes flickering with curiosity and something akin to recognition.

Zeus smiled, a small, knowing smile that sent a chill down my spine. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet the woman who’s managed to capture my son’s heart.”

Sejeong glanced at me, then back at Zeus. “The pleasure is mine. I’ve heard… a lot about you.”

“I’m sure you have,” Zeus said, her gaze shifting to me. “DuVal has always been quite the storyteller.”

I could see Sejeong studying us both, her eyes darting between Zeus and me. She had a keen eye for detail, and I knew she was picking up on the similarities—the way we both stood with a certain tension, the way our eyes could pierce through someone’s defenses, the way our voices carried a similar weight.

“You two move the same way,” Sejeong observed, her tone curious. “It’s like watching a reflection.”

Zeus chuckled softly. “Well, he is my son. Some things are bound to be inherited.”

Sejeong nodded, but her eyes narrowed slightly as she continued to watch us. “But there are differences too. Val is… softer, I think. More willing to show his vulnerabilities.”

Zeus’s smile faded slightly. “Is that so? I always thought strength came from hiding one’s weaknesses.”

Sejeong shook her head. “No, I believe true strength comes from embracing them. From being honest about who you are.”

Zeus looked at Sejeong with a new level of respect. “You’re wise beyond your years, Sejeong. Perhaps you’re the influence DuVal needs.”

Sejeong smiled a warm and genuine smile that seemed to light up the porch. “Maybe we’re what each other needs.”

I felt a swell of pride at Sejeong’s words, but also a pang of something else—fear, perhaps, that she would see too much of Zeus in me.

Zeus stepped closer, her eyes fixed on Sejeong. “Tell me, Sejeong, what do you see when you look at DuVal?”

Sejeong didn’t hesitate. “I see someone who’s struggled, who’s faced immense challenges, but who’s still kind and caring. Someone who’s trying to find his place in the world.”

Zeus nodded slowly. “And do you see the same in me?”

Sejeong paused, her eyes thoughtful. “I see someone who’s powerful, but who’s perhaps forgotten what it’s like to be vulnerable. Someone who’s built walls to protect themselves.”

Zeus’s gaze softened for a moment, a rare display of vulnerability. “You’re very perceptive, Sejeong. DuVal is lucky to have you.”

Sejeong smiled again. “And he’s lucky to have you, too. Even if he doesn’t always see it that way.”

I looked at Zeus, seeing a flicker of something in her eyes—pride, maybe, or a hint of the love she rarely showed. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to give me hope.

Zeus smiled faintly, her gaze lingering on Sejeong. “You have your father’s eyes, but your mother’s spirit.”

Sejeong tilted her head slightly, a question in her eyes. “You knew my father?”

“Oh yes,” Zeus chuckled softly, “I’ve known Loki for eons. He’s quite the trickster, your father. Always up to some mischief or another.”

Sejeong raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement playing on her lips. “And how do I compare?”

Zeus studied Sejeong for a moment, her gaze thoughtful. “You are different from Loki in many ways. He revels in chaos and thrives on unpredictability. You, on the other hand, bring a sense of stability and clarity.”

Sejeong nodded thoughtfully. “I suppose I inherited my mother’s influence. She valued honesty and integrity above all else.”

“That balance serves you well,” Zeus noted, a hint of approval in her voice. “Loki may be a master of illusions, but you see through them. That’s a rare gift.”

Sejeong smiled warmly, a genuine expression that softened the tension between them. “Thank you. I try to use it wisely.”

Zeus nodded, her gaze shifting to me. “And DuVal? How does Sejeong influence you?”

I glanced at Sejeong, feeling a swell of pride and admiration. “She… grounds me. She sees through my walls and challenges me to be better.”

Zeus’s eyes softened, a hint of maternal pride flickering across her features. “You’ve chosen well, DuVal.”

Sejeong looked between us, sensing the unspoken history and emotions. “There’s a lot you two share,” she remarked softly. “But there are also differences.”

“Yes,” Zeus agreed, her gaze returning to Sejeong. “You are a blend of both worlds, Sejeong. Your father’s mischief tempered by your mother’s wisdom. It’s a potent combination.”

Sejeong smiled gratefully, acknowledging the complexity of her heritage. “I’ve learned to embrace both sides. It’s what makes me who I am.”

Zeus nodded and got up. she turned to us and asked, "So what's next for you two love birds?"

"I am taking my feral boyfriend to Camp Half-blood to hopefully make him less feral,"

"Good luck He's worse than Heracles in that regard."

"it will be fine."

True to her word, four days later I was flying back to the States with Sejeong to help with counseling at the camp. The camp had grown tenfold, now housing a myriad of pantheons and incorporating their various practices and traditions. We arrived a few days early, along with the rest of our half-blood friends.

On the taxi ride from the airport to camp, Levi leaned over and warned me, “So, um, we might have spilled the beans about you coming with us, and, uh... well, the Huntresses are coming because Thalia wants to meet her ‘little brother.’ I know you aren’t comfortable with the spotlight, so I figured you should know.”

Sejeong groaned. “I told you all not to tell anyone. I wanted only Chiron to know to avoid the circus.”

“To be fair, we told everyone he was coming before you told us not to,” Somi pointed out.

“I told you all not to do it in the same call,” Sejeong said, exasperated.

“Yes, but it was 5 minutes, 54 seconds, and 32 microseconds later. I had already told my entire cabin by that point,” Heejin replied.

Sejeong rolled her eyes, annoyed at her friends' lack of restraint.

When we got to camp, I noticed an immediate change in my attitude, posture, and temperament. I felt an overwhelming hostility. Sejeong picked up on this and squeezed my hand, hoping to calm me. Instead, it only intensified the rising desire I had for her. I managed to squeak out, “Seji I don’t like this place it gives me weird vibes.,” Sejeong nodded and then said

“It will be okay Vally we’ll get through this one day at a time.” As we enter the camp there is a huge crowd waiting for us. I can feel the gazes and hushed whispers as we pass through. The first to approach us was a dark-haired green-eyed young man a little older than me, and a blonde-haired girl with piercing gray eyes who walked with him.

“Hi, I’m Percy Jackson,” the dark-haired man said, “this is Annabeth Chase.” Sejeong walks over to Percy and Annabeth to give them a big hug. Percy and Annabeth happily received the hug before saying to Sejeong, “Long time no see,” Sejeong nodded before mentioning how she had become quite famous. Percy and Annabeth seemed proud and pleased by this. They looked behind Sejeong where I stood,

“You must be Duval,” Annabeth said. I nod and she laughs

“You don’t look much like Zeus,” Percy says bluntly. I chuckled before responding

“Well can’t control that,” I responded Percy and Annabeth laughed before leading me to the Councilor’s cabin. When we get inside they lead me to the room and bed I’ll be in for the next few weeks.

After I set my stuff down I headed outside to hang out with Sejeong. I noticed quite a few of the crowd were still following, which made me more uncomfortable, but Sejeong shooed them away. As we approached the Loki cabin, its unique design became more pronounced. Twisting vines intertwined with intricate carvings of mythical creatures adorned the wooden structure, giving it an air of mystery and whimsy. Sejeong knocked on the door, and we waited for a response. The sounds of laughter and chatter could be heard from within.

The door creaked open, and Asumi stood there with a bright smile. "Sejeong! It's so good to see you!"

Sejeong stepped forward, embracing her half-sister warmly. "Asumi! I've missed you. How have you been?"

Asumi stepped back, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Come in, come in! We have so much to catch up on."

I followed them into the cabin, feeling slightly out of place but curious. The interior was just as eclectic as the exterior, with colorful tapestries, mismatched furniture, and an assortment of trinkets and oddities scattered about. It was a lively space, reflecting the playful nature of its inhabitants.

Sejeong and Asumi settled onto a worn but comfortable-looking couch, and I hovered nearby, unsure of where to sit. I decided to perch on the edge of a nearby armchair, trying not to intrude too much.

"So, what's the latest gossip?" Sejeong asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Asumi leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Well, you won't believe what happened last week. Marcus from the Hermes cabin pulled the most epic prank on the Ares campers. He switched all their weapons with rubber replicas. The look on their faces when they tried to practice was priceless!"

Sejeong laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Classic Marcus. What else?"

Asumi glanced at me briefly, then continued, "And then there’s been talk about the new arrivals. Everyone’s buzzing about a certain son of Zeus who's causing quite a stir."

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I looked down at my hands, pretending to be fascinated by a loose thread on my shirt. Sejeong reached over and gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Yeah, that's DuVal," Sejeong said, glancing at me with a smile. "He's been handling the attention pretty well, all things considered."

Asumi's gaze softened as she looked at me again. "Well, it's not every day we get someone like you here. It's a lot to take in, I bet."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Just trying to find my way, you know?"

Sejeong and Asumi continued their conversation, discussing various camp activities and the latest drama among the campers. I listened attentively, occasionally chiming in when they mentioned someone I had met or an event I had attended. Despite feeling like a bit of an outsider, I found myself enjoying the lively banter and the sense of camaraderie between the sisters.

As the afternoon wore on, more campers filtered in and out of the cabin, each one stopping to say hello and share a laugh. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and I started to relax, feeling more like part of the group.

At one point, Asumi excused herself to grab some snacks from the kitchen, leaving Sejeong and me alone for a moment. Sejeong leaned closer, her voice low. "Are you okay? I know this is a lot."

I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm good. It’s nice to see you with your family. You seem so happy."

Sejeong's eyes softened. "I am. And I want you to feel welcome here too."

Before I could respond, Asumi returned with a tray of cookies and drinks. "Here we go! Help yourselves."

We spent the next hour chatting, munching on cookies, and sipping on lemonade. The initial awkwardness I had felt began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of belonging. Asumi was genuinely kind and welcoming, and I appreciated how she made an effort to include me in their conversation.

Eventually, it was time to head back. As we stood to leave, Asumi gave me a warm hug. "It was great to meet you, DuVal. Don't be a stranger, okay?"

I returned the hug, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, Asumi. I'll be back."

Sejeong and I got ready to leave the cabin, as we were walking back towards the door. She looked up at me, a satisfied smile on her face. "See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?"

I shook my head, smiling. "No, it was nice. Your sister’s great. Thanks for bringing me along."

Sejeong slipped her arm through mine, and as we were about to leave, I heard a familiar voice screech out, "DuVal?"

My face landed directly into my palm as I hoped that the voice wasn't who I thought it was. I turned around to see Cassandra—my ex-girlfriend, daughter of Loki, and Exalted of Ishtar. She looked at me with disdain, but with Sejeong here, she tried to mediate.

"Oh, you know Val?" Sejeong asked Cassandra, surprised.

"Know him? I used to date this motherfucker," Cassandra said lividly.

I shrugged, trying to remain nonchalant, though I could feel the tension in the air.

"Don't you shrug at me like you didn't do anything! We were together for two years, and you left me when it got hard."

I chose my next words extremely carefully so I didn't set her off. "Cassie, we were emotionally abusive to each other, by your admission. You kept pushing me away. I got tired of it and lashed out. I felt bad, I apologized, and do you remember what you said?"

"Don't you dare bring that up! It's not my fault you didn't remember correctly."

"See, you say that, but...you know what? Forget it. I don't care anymore. Let's go back to ignoring each other," I replied.

Cassandra slapped me, and I held my tongue. Fighting the urge to retaliate, I turned to leave the cabin.

"That's it, run away like you always do," was the last thing I heard.

I tried to be the bigger person. Please believe me when I say that.

"I can't believe I cared so deeply for something so pitiful," I muttered, looking at her with a mix of disdain and apathy. It all hit me at once—the hurt, the anger, the realization of how toxic our relationship had been. Sure, we had some good times, but as we got closer, she pushed me further away.

I walked out of the cabin into the afternoon, where it was sprinkling. The gentle rain was oddly soothing as I tried to put as much distance as possible between Cassandra and me. I could hear Sejeong yell something from the cabin, then slam the door before chasing after me. She was visibly shaken by whatever had happened. When she caught up to me, she said, "Tell me what happened. All of it."

So I did. I told her how we met in college, bonded over shared trauma, and how we fell apart after I transferred. I explained how our relationship began to deteriorate, how Cassandra's indecision and emotional turmoil led to every relationship of hers degrading over time, and how every boy she got entangled with ended up hating her. I didn't, though. I felt bad until I just didn't feel anything anymore. The only thing that hurt was the good memories we had, but even those had faded.

I made sure not to paint myself as just the good guy. I was honest about how I was a significant part of the reason it fell apart. I had my faults and failings.

Sejeong looked at me intensely, seeing me for the flawed person I was. She hesitated, then said, "I am going to need some time to process this. Can I talk to you later?"

I nodded, and she gave me a small smile before walking away.

I watched her retreating figure, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. The rain had picked up slightly, each drop feeling like a small pinprick against my skin. I walked aimlessly, trying to clear my head.

Eventually, I found myself at the edge of a small grove, the canopy of trees offering some shelter from the rain. I sat on a fallen log, replaying the confrontation with Cassandra over and over in my mind. The bitterness in her voice, the sting of her slap—it all felt too fresh, too raw.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but reflect on the cycles of pain and anger that seemed to define my past relationships. Cassandra was a stark reminder of a time when I was lost, unsure of myself, and reactive. But now, with Sejeong, I wanted something different. I wanted to be better. I skipped Lunch and Dinner as I sat there trying to get back to my calm but I just couldn't do it. while I go over my time with Cassandra I remember Zeus and my dad both saying before I got entangled with her that she was bad news.

Hunger got the best of me, so I headed to the mess hall for dinner. On the way back, I grabbed my cap to hide my face, not wanting to draw any more attention. Once inside, I found a quiet corner away from prying eyes and sat down. Following the rituals of all the other campers, I began to eat, enjoying the rare moment of silence.

That was until someone approached me. I looked up to see a stunning Native American young woman with the coolest green eyes I had ever seen.

"You're a new face," she said politely.

I chuckled and replied, "I guess that's correct. DuVal, but my friends call me Val, and we are friends now."

The young lady smiled. "Val... I like it. The name's Piper." Piper reached out her hand. I took it and shook it. She smiled again before sitting next to me.

"You know, you don't look like a child of Zeus," she observed.

I chuckled. "Well, Zeus was very different when she was my mom."

"Oh, Zeus is your mom. That's wild, but I kind of see it."

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, I used to date Jason Grace before he died a few years back," Piper said, her face growing somber.

I gulped uneasily until Piper smiled. "Ah, don't worry about it. It's not your fault. You didn't know," she said reassuringly.

I shrugged, and Piper laughed before asking, "Not a big talker, eh?"

I nodded. "Fair enough," she said, looking down at my hands and then back at my face. "Are you okay? Your hands are trembling."

I looked down and noticed she was right. "A little nervous is all," I replied, my voice shaking as I heard the whispers around me.

"It's him. The Orphan. The Child of Zeus. Where's Sejeong? Why is he all alone? Why is he so quiet?" The whispers were quickly silenced when I stood up to leave. As I did, I accidentally bumped into Thalia. The remains of my food spilled all over her, and she looked up at me. When our eyes met, we both recognized each other.

"Oh, you," she said. I held my tongue.

"So, you're the big shot everyone is talking about."

"I am so sorry. I'll get something to clean that right up," I stammered.

Thalia looked at me with a focused expression. "No, it's fine," she said, though it didn't seem like it. "Come on, sit with me and the Huntresses. I want to meet my new 'little brother.'"

My mind raced as I found myself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Reluctantly, I sat down with Thalia. The Huntresses eyed me curiously as I put my hands down by my legs to stop them from shaking.

"So, tell me about yourself. I've only heard bits and pieces," Thalia said.

"Um, I do photography and videography," I replied.

"Oh, okay. And how long have you known you were a half-blood or that there were others like us?"

"Uh... I knew since I graduated high school a few years ago, but I didn't know about this community until deep into the pandemic when I was constantly hounded by monsters," I explained.

Thalia furrowed her brow. "Is everything okay, brother? You seem uncomfortable."

"I... I don't know. I don't belong here," I said, standing up to leave.

"Sit. We aren't done," Thalia said firmly. Her Huntress friends surrounded me, so I sat back down.

"What's wrong? What's got you so shaken?" Thalia asked, her tone softening. Despite her warning, I attempted to excuse myself again. This time, lightning struck in front of me, and the rest of the camp faded away. I turned back to see my mother, Zeus, staring back at me.

“Why are you running?” she asked pointedly.

“My children don’t run away,” she accused.

“Yes, we do. Jason ran from Piper, Thalia ran away from you, and you ran from every responsibility you didn’t want,” I retorted.

Zeus's eyes glared at me, but I wasn’t going to cower.

“I hide and run from everyone because deep down I know no one will truly like me or understand me. That’s the burden of power and knowledge. When you truly have agency and the strength to make wise choices, people resent you. The cowardly judge you and I’m sick of hiding behind a handicap. I’m sick of reducing myself so others can feel at peace.”

Zeus looked at me, surprised. “I never knew you felt that way.”

“Please, I’m your son. I want everything I can grasp and things I can’t, but my father taught me restraint and control. Do you know what it’s like to have the fathomless desire to take anything you want but need the wisdom to know why you can’t? The part of you that’s inside me wants everything under the sky as mine but the human part of me holds me back and I’m sick of fighting myself, but I can’t because the world is too small..”

Zeus looked at me with wide eyes, “so what are you going to do about it?”

“Let the part of you that’s inside of me out and take what I want,” I said.

Zeus' eyes narrowed as she stared into mine and she asked, “What do you want now,”

“To not be bothered,” I said, and as I finished talking the camp faded back into the light and I realized that everyone was staring at me. I figured they must have seen that whole exchange based on their expressions. I roll my eyes and then go to leave when Thalia stops me this time by throwing her javelin. I sigh and then she says,

“Please stay. I just want to talk,” the punk-like edge she had in her voice was gone and was replaced by a genuine feeling of concern. I sigh and say,

“Can we do it elsewhere without so many eyes?” Thalia looks to the rest of her huntresses and they nod so she nods back to me. I nod back and we agree to meet at one of the hills privately after dinner.

I go to our designated meeting area after leaving the mess hall, and wonder why I had that vision with Zeus earlier. She had to have known why I was like this right? I think to myself. A few moments later. Thalia comes from the bushes and smiles at me. I give her a thumbs up and she sits next to me.

“Crazy right?” She says breaking the silence. I nod and say

“Look I’m sorry for my outburst earlier I've just been in a bad headspace since I got here,”

“No, I get it. the scrutiny everyone has with watching you hoping you mess up I completely understand. Jason, Percy, me, and now you all feel it,” Thalia said contemplating.

“I just wish I could create some space where I could be me and not stand out ya know?” I responded somberly. Thalia nodded and eventually responded

“You remind me a lot of Jason. You are more reserved like he was but also I sense a hesitance in your presence that he never walked with. It's interesting,” she said. I smiled as we sat looking up at the stars silently just enjoying the time. Eventually, we go our separate ways and I turn in for the night.

After lunch, I found myself alone. The crowds that had been trailing me since my arrival had finally dispersed, and my friends were all busy catching up with their own family and friends. Thalia wouldn’t be arriving until tonight, so I couldn't meet her just yet. With time on my hands, I decided to explore the camp to get a better feel for it.

My wandering eventually led me to a secluded waterfall area. The serene sound of rushing water was a welcome contrast to the bustling camp. The air was cool and misty, and the sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I could sense the presence of others nearby, but no one approached me. I was content with the solitude until a feminine voice broke through the tranquil sound of the waterfall.

“You know it’s dangerous to be this far out alone. Anyone could do bad things to you.” The voice was calm yet carried an underlying authority.

I turned to see an older woman standing a few feet away. Her gaze was strikingly similar to Zeus's but carried a more "maternal" quality. Her presence was commanding yet oddly comforting.

“I like to think that I don’t invite that type of challenge,” I replied, meeting her gaze. “I try to put good in the world and hope to get good back.”

Her expression softened at my words. “I’ve never known a child of Zeus to be so introspective.”

“Well, not all of us can be reckless heroes like Jason, Perseus, Heracles, or the legendary Thalia,” I said with a hint of a smile, feeling a bit more at ease.

The woman’s gaze focused on me, her eyes searching. “Something tells me that’s not your style.”

I nodded. “Nope. I’d much rather enact a strategy that guarantees victory with minimal collateral damage. Huge battles usually mean no one truly wins.”

She smiled, a genuine warmth radiating from her. “May I see?” she asked, pointing to the camera hanging around my neck.

I shrugged and handed it to her. She carefully examined the photos, her eyes lighting up with appreciation. “You have quite the eye for capturing life in motion.”

I couldn’t help but grin with pride. “Thank you, Hera.”

Hera looked up at me, pleasantly surprised. “Hm, you’re smarter than you look,” she admitted, the atmosphere around her shifting from intense to gentle.

“I try my best,” I replied modestly.

“You’ve surprised me, DuVal. I thought you’d be like the rest of my husband’s children, but you’re not. Stay that way; it will serve you well.”

“Thank you,” I said, genuinely touched by her words. “I intend to.”

Hera handed back my camera and sat beside me on the rock, the sound of the waterfall creating a soothing backdrop. “Tell me, DuVal, what drives you? What makes you different?”

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, the roar of the waterfall filling the silence. “I think it’s the understanding that power isn’t just about strength. It’s about knowing when to use it and when to hold back. It’s about empathy and restraint.”

Hera nodded, a thoughtful look in her eyes. “A child of Zeus practicing restraint? You are truly an anomaly, DuVal. You remind me of the best parts of Zeus. His intelligence, his strategic mind... but you also have something more. A kindness, perhaps. Why is it that you share these qualities and the others don’t?”

I looked at her, trying to read the emotions behind her words. “I don’t know. For me, I’ve always been like this. Blame Ultraman, I guess. I appreciate the kind words, though. It’s been an interesting time these last few weeks reconciling with my mom.”

“Oh, that’s right. Zeus had you when he was a woman,” Hera recollected. “That was a peculiar time. I thought it a grand punishment and that he would learn respect for me. To some degree he did, but all it did was drive a wedge further between us. I suppose that’s what led to him or her, at the time, meeting your father.”

She smiled, a mix of pride, sorrow, and nostalgia in her expression. “I believe you are on the right path. And remember, DuVal, it’s not just about what you inherit but what you choose to become.”

As we sat there, I felt a strange sense of connection with Hera. Despite her initial antagonism, there was a bond forming—a mutual understanding and respect. The weight of her words settled over me, heavy yet reassuring.

“Sadly, that’s already been decided. I became a monster,” I said sadly, the reality of my past actions pressing down on me.

Hera’s head tilted, confused. “Why do you think that? Because you don’t have a place with them?” She gestured to the camp. “Just because you weren’t raised like they were doesn’t make you a monster. You move with a gentleness and wisdom that I don’t see others move with. Just earlier today, with the other daughter of Loki, you chose the softer path when you easily could have returned all the venom she sent you.”

“Ah, Cassandra isn’t bad, and besides, that would be begging for more bad to come my way,” I replied.

Hera smiled. “You’ve surprised me, DuVal. I thought you’d be like the rest of my husband’s children, but you’re not. Stay that way; it will serve you well.”

“Thank you,” I said, genuinely touched by her words. “I intend to.”

Hera’s eyes twinkled with a rare warmth. “You’ve earned it. Now, go and make the most of it.”

With that, she stood and began to walk away, leaving me with a renewed sense of purpose. As I watched her go, I knew that this moment had changed something fundamental in me. I wasn’t just the son of Zeus; I was my person, ready to forge my path.

Suddenly, Hera paused and turned back towards me, a contemplative look on her face. “DuVal, one more thing.”

“Yes?” I replied, curious about what else she had to say.

“Your perspective on avoiding unnecessary battles, on protecting others... that’s something I’ve seen too little of among the gods. It’s a quality that will make you a better leader and, perhaps, in time, a better god.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The idea of becoming a god had always been an abstract concept, something far off and intangible. But hearing it from Hera made it feel more real, more possible, and honestly, the idea repulsed me.

“I’ll do my best to live up to that,” I said, my voice steady.

Hera nodded, satisfied. “I have no doubt you will.” With that, she turned and disappeared into the trees, leaving me alone with my thoughts. A little while later I walked back to the councilor’s cabin where a new camera and a note waited for me.

“A hero is more than the weapon they wield. A leader is more than those they control. If you are truly a monster then maybe a monster is needed to guide us out of the night and into the dawn.” I chuckled as I read the note before I heard Sejeong behind me.

“Ooh, what’s that ?” She asked noticing the camera

“A gift I think,” I responded

Sejeong smiled as she closed the distance between us “Ooh a gift from who?”

“Hera I think.” Sejeong laughs as she looks at the camera before handing it to me to add it to my bag.

“You love that camera bag huh,” Sejeong noted

“Why do you say that?”

“I never see you without it.”

“Well I have approximately 5 grand stored in here,” Sejeong eyes popped as she heard the number

“I understand then,” she said with a smile before removing said bag to pounce on me and bombard me with kisses. I happily accepted her advances and let her conduct her “affection train” on me. Her kisses began to shift from chaste to hungry.

Sejeong lifted her shirt revealing her breasts. They were remarkable as always I palm both and began to kiss her more but something was off. I could tell something was eating at her. Like she was forcing herself to do this. As if trying to find her footing, but she couldn’t,

“What’s wrong,” I asked

“It’s nothing. it’s just,” Sejeong started

“Cassandra?” I finished. Sejeong nodded

After she had enough, she cuddled next to me and asked a peculiar question, her voice barely above a whisper, “DuVal, am I a bad person?”

I looked into Sejeong's eyes, seeing the vulnerability and self-doubt reflected there. I understood what she meant by this, the weight of her lineage and the expectations placed upon her. I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully.

“Sejeong, due to the position you are in, absolutely not. You’ve been trying your best under difficult circumstances, and that’s all anyone can ask for. I understand,” I said softly, my voice steady with conviction.

Tears welled in her eyes, and she leaned into me, seeking comfort. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly. “You are not a bad person, Sejeong. You have a kind heart, and you care deeply. That’s what matters.”

She sniffled, burying her face in my chest. “Thank you, Val. I needed to hear that.”

As we sat there, the room growing quieter, I felt a sense of finality settling over us. The weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings hung in the air. This was the end of our romantic relationship, but not the end of our connection.

I gently lifted her chin, making her look into my eyes. “Sejeong, you’ll always have a special place in my heart. We may not be together in the same way, but I’ll always be here for you. As a friend, as someone who understands.”

She nodded, a small, sad smile forming on her lips. “I feel the same way, Val. Thank you for being here, for understanding.”

We sat in silence for a while, just holding each other. The unspoken promise of continued support and friendship lingered between us, a comforting presence amid our parting.

Eventually, she pulled away slightly, wiping her tears. “I should go,” she said softly. “But this isn’t goodbye.”

“No, it’s not,” I agreed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll still see each other, still be there for each other.”

With one last hug, she got up and left the room. I watched her go, feeling a mixture of sadness and relief. This was the right decision, for both of us. As I sat alone, I took a deep breath, letting the emotions wash over me. This was the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another.

End of Part I

[ripleyresonance]

Sweet Enough to Eat pt 2

Sugar Mommy Rhea! x OC

Part 1

Thank you guys so much for all of the love on the first chapter. Typically I am a one-shot Sm*t kind of girl but let's see where this story takes us. And don't worry I will still post some one-shots in between.

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As the two sat across from each other at a quaint cafe Cali’s mind was racing. She looked down at her freshly manicured nails tracing the outline of her stiletto acrylics with her thumb as Rhea sat down. 

“I ordered you a mimosa...I know it's 2 pm but I say we celebrate our new…relationship.” Rhea smiled. 

Cali blinked a couple of times studying the woman's face to see any doubt and yet the woman was dead serious. 

“So I was thinking we could talk about the…finer details?” Rhea winked finally pulling Cali out of her shock.

Cali was a lot of things but when it came down to “business” she could put everything else aside. 

“My weekly fee is 3k but if you do monthly I can let it slide to 10k,” Cali said taking a sip from her glass. 

Rhea laughed causing Cali to lift an eyebrow. 

“Sweet girl, I don't know what these other “Mami’s” gave you but I don't have a “Limit”. You like it I get it no question asked,” Rhea said.

“So I can tell you I want a Gucci bag because my head hurts and boom you get it?” Cali questioned.  

“I think that is a pretty valid reason to buy a bag” Rhea shrugged. 

Cali’s mood shifted a bit…maybe she wanted to emphasize the sugar aspect of this relationship. 

“And you expect me to be… “available” all the time? Cali whispered admittedly afraid of the answer. 

“Available?” Rhea repeated.

“Like in the sugar capacity?” Cali said looking into Rhea's eyes as hers went wide.

“Oh god no that's not what I meant, I meant it in more of the way that you should be able to have everything you want without strings attached…well, I guess some strings because I want you to travel with me sometimes or be there when I come home but not make you think you have to have sex with me for it! It is not like I would mind I mean look at you, you are stunning but if we did that I would rather it be”- Rhea studdered as Cali burst out laughing. 

Rhea seemed very flirty and direct from all their interactions so far so seeing her loose composure made her comfortable again. 

“Alright then no sugar…for now. Any other terms you would like?” Cali smiled at her seemingly making Rhea blush. 

“Let's start the deal by making the contract last a year. Therefore if you don't like it or I don't like it we can go our separate ways. I just expect you to show up for me when I ask and I will give you the world. Can you do that for me, pretty girl?” Rhea smiled extending her hand. 

Cali returned the smile placing her hand in Rheas as she lightly kissed Cali’s hand sealing the deal. 

Cali rolled her eyes that time making the Australian laugh. 

“What the hell was that for you can’t already be exasperated with me,” Rhea said.

“Sorry, you just go from so smooth and flirty to the most fuck boy gestures.” Cali laughed causing Rhea to gasp dramatically.

“I will have you know that women usually love gestures like that,” Rhea said.

“So you have done that to other women…like I said, fuckboy.” Cali playfully waved her off as she stood up. 

“And yet, it seems like you like that,” Rhea said pulling her into her lap. “Cali” Rhea whispered in her ear. 

Cali felt her cheeks heating up as she playfully pushed her shoulder. 

‘Hey hey! No sugar for you, YOUR rule.” Cali said standing up and fixing her skirt. 

“Plus I saw this bracelet in a window we passed move it “Mami”. Cali grinned. 

The two spent the day together Cali buying an impressive amount of stuff. To be honest she was not the most high-maintenance sugar baby. But after not having funds for a few months she went a little crazy. She started feeling bad as Rhea made her fifth trip from her car to Cali’s apartment. 

“I'm so sorry it’s such a mess in here,” Cali said frantically, trying to clean up some magazines on the ground and a pizza box on her table. 

Cali had originally been given this apartment by one of her sugar mommy’s. It was beautiful. It had a loft that was covered with plants. As the sun went down you could see the golden light reflecting off of every potted plant making a mix of colors shine through the apartment. But something about the large space seemed…cold. 

Rhea watched as Cali frantically ran around. She made a note to herself of the look on her face of embarrassment as she tried to hide her mess. And Rhea found it adorable.

“Please sit anywhere you like I think I have a cabernet I flew in a while ago from France,” Cali said grabbing two wine glasses. 

“It’s a nice place,” Rhea remarked.

“I know right? I have had some wild nights here..some mornings too.” Cali laughed. 

“It just seems so…” Rhea trailed off

“Luxurious, sophisticated, stunning?” Cali smiled strolling over with the wine.

“Lonely” Rhea whispered making Cali pause. 

“It’s not that bad! I am told I throw the best parties everyone talks about them the next day.” Cali cleared her throat setting the glasses down. 

“But when they leave…” Rhea prodded. 

“What is this the pity party or something? I said I was lonely last night because I was drunk and look It led me to you.” Cali winked trying to change the subject. 

“And we are both the better for it.” Rhea conceded. 

Cali smiled at the response picking up her wine glass to toast. 

“To a new relationship,” Cali stated. 

‘To new beginnings.” Rhea said as they lightly clinked their glasses. 

Cali made sure to cover her emotions with particular care but Rhea noticed immediately something she couldn’t hide from. 

No matter how many parties she had, bodies rushed in and out of the apartment. Cali tried to hide it by liking nice things, but she wanted someone to see her for who she was. 

In that moment Rhea made it a priority. In this year she would see it. She would see Cali’s true self. 

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Let me know if you would like to be added to the tag list going forward!

Tag list:@bdalas, @babybatlover,@asherlilwitch,@littlemiss-fanficlover,@eepyslut,@cakeiloki,

[s-4pphics]

scent of the pine. finale (e.w.)

it took me almost 90k words to realize i am in fact not a good proofreader 

wc;cw: 8k, sistersbestfriend!ellie, gutarist/producer!ellie, violinist!oc, age gap(three years), all ocs r black coded <3, some angst, light smut sorry whores😓 MDNI, fingering, eating out no olive garden, dirty talk, mentions of squirting, finger sucking, more love and more sad😐, underage smoking/drinking, corny

You were back home, standing in front of your sister’s apartment door with a small happy birthday! teddy bear. 

You were finally seeing your sister for the first time in months, and while you were elated to finally speak to her, you were horrified to spill that you and Ellie were together and happy. 

You could still hear your best friend's gentle consoling before she left after you handed her two small baggies of potent bud before dropping you off: Girl… this is family we’re talking about; you’re freaking out for no reason! 

You hadn’t knocked on her door yet; You just stood there as your nerves skyrocketed, making sure to take deep breaths and reassure yourself that she didn’t despise you. 

She reached out! She wants to see you! Everything is going to be fine!

You tried to convince yourself to believe it, but anxiety was still building in the pit of your stomach. What would she say? What would you say? Was this teddy bear enough to be a peace offering? Did she even want peace with you! You should’ve brought her fucking weed like you did your friends! 

Just knock! Just knock, just knock, just knock! —

The door pulling open gently scared you. You looked into your sister’s… exhausted eyes for the first time since you fought. You could’ve broken down at the sight of her right then, but you held your composure. For her sake. She looked seconds away from breaking. 

It's like she hadn’t slept in weeks: dark, half-lidded eyes, pajamas askew, hair matted, her nails weren’t even done! She was a complete wreck, and guilt washed over you in a drowning wave. Don’t cry, don’t cry—

“… Hey.” 

She spoke first in a broken tone, and it crash-landed you back down to Earth. You took a deep breath before whispering, “Hi.” 

You watched her look down at the stuffed animal in your hands, and a pitiful smile appeared on her face, “That for me?”

You could only nod stiffly as you clenched the furry object’s side in your hands. She nodded back before moving to the side to allow you entry. You swiftly inspected her space from where you stood: it was clean—which was a good sign!—but it felt dull. The silence made it feel lifeless, unlived in. It didn’t feel like the home you came to know when you spent nights here. 

You gently brushed past her and she shut the door behind you before walking into her kitchen. You kicked your shoes off as she took a seat at the small dining table, and you followed, sitting directly across from her and propping your small gift against the wall. 

“It’s cute, thank you,” she said softly as her eyes flicked between you and the bear. 

“Of course.” 

Your sister's eyes closed briefly at your response as she twiddled with her crossed hands. She looked so… tense, a bit on edge, and it made your heart pound nervously. 

“Guess we got some things to talk about.” 

You nodded at her and took a deep breath. Tell her! You need to tell her!

“Ellie’n I are together… like dating,” you said abruptly, but with confidence. Your sister’s eyes darted around the room as she nodded slowly. She looked at you again, her expression unreadable. 

“How long.” 

Your eyes connected with the table, staring holes through the glass and into the floor as your voice cracked, “We, um… I saw her last year on New Years… like, for the first time since everything happened. Uh, at the bar, she was there. And we’ve been… talking ever since. But uh, now we’re dating… like officia—“

“How was Cali.” 

She cut you off quietly. Confusion rushed through you at her genuinely curious tone. You were shitting bricks all the way over here and now she’s asking how your trip went? “F-Fine? It was fun.” 

You heard her hum quietly, “Does mom know about you two?” 

… Where was she going with all this? 

“Um, not yet. She will soon, I guess.” 

You didn’t look at her, but you heard her sigh heavily after some silence passed, “Still love her? Even after everything?” 

You looked up at her, staring into her casted eyes and nodded surely, no hesitation. She looked down into her lap and shifted in her seat. 

She was silent for a while, the only sound filling the quaint room being her jittery tapping on the table and your unsteady breaths. The anticipation for her response was killing you. 

I love you so much. Please don’t make me choose. She makes me so happy. I love you!

Her voice cracked as she spoke. You almost didn’t hear her, but your ears were too perked, too eager. Her barely coherent words made your heart pause in your chest. 

“Me, too.” 

You couldn’t stop the shock in your expression before your tears built. The last time your sister and Ellie saw each other, she nearly ripped her head off her body. And now she’s saying that she misses her? What the hell is going on?!

“W-What d’you mean?” you choked out, your head shaking in confusion.

Tears fell down her face as she propped her chin up with her hand, her gaze cast downward like she was embarrassed, “I really miss h-her.” 

“… But, but you almost— “

“I know,” you’ve never heard her sound so unsure. “I know what I said, I know what I did but I can’t help it! Whenever I see her, I wanna cry. I miss her so fu-fucking bad.” 

She was hysterically sobbing at this point, and you instantly got up out of your seat to comfort her. You wrapped your arms around her near trembling frame, and her arms came around to wrap around your hips as she cried into your stomach, wailing out apologies to you. You couldn’t verbally console her over your own choked wails, but you hope she knows you’d forgiven her months ago. 

It sounded like she was unleashing weeks of pent-up emotions, and all you could do was hold her tightly. 

You were here for her in any way she needed. 

You and your sister moved to the couch after she calmed down. 

“I was just so… angry. And sad. I felt so cornered when I walked in because everyone was staring at me and… I went into defense-mode immediately. I had, like… tunnel vision on her,” she explained as she picked at the loose threads of the cushion. “I regretted it the second I got in my car… but it doesn’t even matter, now.” 

You shook your head, “Why wouldn’t that matter?” 

She shrugged, “Do you seriously think she’s gonna give a fuck about me feeling bad for almost beating the shit outta her? She’s probably put a restraining order on me the second it happen—“

“No, she didn’t! That’s not true,” you said incessantly. “D’you seriously think I would lie about her wanting to apologize to you? She misses you just as bad as you miss her, regardless of whatever the hell happened that night!” 

You could tell your sister didn’t believe you fully, but you saw a smidge of hopefulness shine in her eyes when she looked up at your reasoning. You continued, “You weren’t there for the conversations we had about you. She misses you. Everyone fucking misses you! You’re just… stubborn and you… don’t get that for whatever reason.”

You sighed, “Me talking to them behind your back wasn’t right, and I know that. I… we still feel terrible about it! But… we’re not your enemies. They all want you happy a-and present just as badly as I do! Especially Dina.” 

You saw tears jerk in her eyes at the mention of the brown-eyed girl, a sad smile appearing on her face, “She texted me happy birthday earlier.” 

“Because she cares!” You placed your hands on your sister's slouched shoulders as you forced her to stare deeply into your eyes. “Please promise me that you’ll talk to Ellie. No matter what the outcome is.” 

Silence filled the room, and your heart pounded in your ears. 

Please. Please, please please—

“… I promise.” 

You sighed in relief and pulled her into the tightest hug you could manage. She fell back onto the couch, and you climbed on top of her. She huffed out a laugh as you kissed all over her cheeks and head. 

“When did you get so persuasive,” she snickered at you, trying to dodge your affection. 

You smiled through your dry cheeks. “I don’t know, I’m just that great, I guess!”

She laughed harder before looking up at you with admiration, “I love you. So much.”

You saw her eyes glisten, just like yours did… again. Just two crybabies!

“I love you more.” 

It was almost midnight when your sister dropped you off at your mom’s house. 

You spent the rest of the day with her: you both laughed, cried, apologized, you even told her about your YouTube channel. She was shocked, then joyous, then pissed! 

Why the fuck didn’t you tell me, I coulda ran your likes up ages ago! 

You sent her your channel, and she laughed at your name as she subscribed. You hoped she, and all your other supporters, enjoyed the gift you planned to post soon. 

Before you left Los Angeles, Ellie handed you a small, green flash drive before you went into the security check. She instructed you to wait till you get home to listen to it. And don’t tell me what you think, I’m shy!

You were so tempted to inspect the drive on the plane, but you refrained. You were finally back in your room after making up with your sibling, plugging the drive into your laptop on your bed with heavy anticipation. 

Multiple files popped up with different titles like uhh take 1, lalalala, trash this lol, and skippideedoobop. You were very… confused, but you couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped you as you went through the silly names she gave her documents.  

Until you reached the last one titled i luv u. 

You opened it curiously, and your laptop's media player popped up. You pressed the large, blue play button in the middle of your screen, your girlfriend’s raspy voice filling the silent space of your room. You instantly smiled.

“Hiii… I literally just realized how awkward this is, what the fuck,” she laughed; She sounded so nervous. “Uhh, so… I made you something. Wrote you something, I guess. I’ve been working on it for a while but, like… I’m a pussy and I never told you.” 

Her sheepish laughs surrounded you, “I was gonna be gay’n give it to you on your birthday but… I couldn’t wait that long, I was too fuckin’ nervous. You’re coming to Cali in a few days, and I finally finished it so I could give it to you when you get here… sooo, yeah, please don’t fucking laugh… I love you.” 

Tears were already falling down your face at her gentle tone, but when the strums of her acoustic started up, you sobbed. 

You listened closely to the melodies as you cried, her soft voice confessing words of her affection and adoration for you. The entire song was almost seven minutes, some parts of it being filled with her declarations of how much she missed you when you left, while others were simply emotional thrums from her instrument. Your eyes squeezed shut as your tears fell.

The song ended quicker than you liked, so you replayed it. And then replayed it again. And then again. 

Your eyes were red, and your nose was running when you finally closed the audio tab and inspected the other files. They were filled with all the other versions of her song that she “trashed”. Some takes were of her cringing when her voice cracked or screaming when one of her strings broke. Motherfucking son of a bi— before the audio cut off. You laughed wetly. 

But then you checked the dates for when the files were made, and your tears started back up again. 

They dated all the way back to January. She’d been working on this for almost seven months, and it tore your heart to pieces in the best way possible. 

You sobbed quietly—your mom was sleeping! — and your body shook as your love for her rocked you. 

You yearned for her terribly when she wasn’t with you, and it hurt even more knowing that she felt the same. 

Your cries calmed eventually, and you reached for your phone to open the texts between you and your girlfriend. 

You sent her a message before plopping back down onto your pillows, new tears seeping into your hairline. 

i love you more. 

Ellie returned at the start of August, and you were so thrilled to finally see her. 

You, Dina, and Jesse were parked in front of her terminal as you excitedly waited for her—and Duchess! — to walk through the automatic doors. 

Your girlfriend, Marcus, and Isaiah appeared ten minutes later with their bags and tired eyes. Ellie was clad in a black beanie and sweats, black carrier in hand. She rubbed her eyes with her free hand before looking up. Your gaze met hers through the backseat window and she instantly cheesed wide, her aura instantly brightening. You jumped out of the car with a bright grin, and she gently sat Duchess down before you pulled her into a tight hug. You breathed her in like she did you and sighed in content. 

“Missed you so bad, baby,” she whispered in your ear, gripping you tight. 

“Missed you, too, El.” 

“Damn, can I get a fucking hug. I drove!” 

Jesse's voice cut through your small moment, and you laughed into Ellie’s neck before pulling away. You watched as Isaiah and Marcus dapped him up and hugged Dina. 

“C’mere, prick,” she huffed with an eye roll as she pulled him in, hugging Dina immediately after as Jesse put her bags in his car. 

You all jumped into the car, Marcus, Isaiah, Duchess, you and your girlfriend snuggled in the backseat as you smacked kisses on her cheek, nuzzling into her neck as she kissed your forehead. You could hear soft shuffling in the carrier in Ellie’s lap. Baby was awake!

You inhaled her scent the entire drive to her apartment. 

You helped Ellie bring her bags in as Jesse complained about not being invited inside. 

Dina flicked him on the forehead with an eyeroll, saying Let them have their alone time! as you and Ellie snickered, waving goofily as they drove off!

She carefully held a snoozing Duchess in her carrier as you rolled her bag onto the elevator and into her home. 

You set her bag to the side and refilled Duchess’s food and water bowls. She set the occupied carrier on the floor and smacked quiet kisses at her kitty, waking her up gently so she could eat and sleep properly. The tired baby walked to her designated area by the window and ate comfortably. 

Ellie was grabbing water from the fridge as you made your way over to her stealthily. You pressed your front against her back, trapping her against the counter as you hugged her. 

“You’re clingy,” she said gently as she relaxed against you. 

“Shut up, I missed you,” you snickered before kissing her neck. “You tired?” 

She nodded before turning in your grasp to face you, setting her bottle down to wrap her arms around your neck. She kissed your lips lightly before speaking quietly, “You coming to the bar on Friday?” 

You grinned, “Duh.” 

She hummed and kissed you again. You cheesed slyly against her lips, “Can’t believe you made me a song.” 

She pulled away, her arms untangling from around you as she rolled her eyes, “Oh my fucking god— “

You giggled, wrapping your arms around her neck to pull her back to you, “I cried so fucking hard! I listened to it a hundred times in one day!” 

“Didn't I tell you not to tell me that,” her face was so red, her head thrown back as she stared at the ceiling. 

You kissed her exposed neck again, and again before looking at her with sincerity, “I loved it so much, baby. Thank you.” 

She smiled shyly and brushed her nose against yours, “Course. I love you.” 

“Love you more,” and you kissed her again. She sighed through her nose, and you playfully licked her bottom lip as you giggled happily. You felt her squirm against you slightly at the gesture before grabbing the back of your neck to deepen the kiss. Your body felt hotter immediately, your tongues slowly sliding against each other, her arms wrapping around your hips to pull you closer. 

She grinded into you, and you pushed into her just as eagerly. You slid your hands down her body and grabbed her hips to hold her still as you bucked into her harder. She was completely pushed against the edge of the counter. 

You detached from her lips to suck on her neck, and you felt her slide the strap of your tank down to press eager kisses on your exposed shoulder, nipping the skin and making you jerk. You grabbed her sweatshirt and lifted it up, and she helped you pull it over her head, tossing it to the kitchen floor. You took her nipple into your mouth, and she released a shocked squeak. You swirled your tongue around the sensitive skin as she squirmed, arching her back to get close to your mouth. She was letting out small gasps and choked moans into the air around you. Her nipples were so sensitive! 

She whined your name out, “Baby, fuck— “

You pulled away and checked on her, “Good?” 

“Yes, fuck, keep touching me, m’—I’m getting so wet.” 

She moaned aloud when you sucked the bud back into your mouth and tweaked her other, rolling it between your index finger and thumb.

You moved to suck on her other nipple, and your hand moved down to cup her cunt through her sweats. You pressed your palm into her clit, and she mewled out your name as she jerked into your hand. 

You pulled away from her tits completely and dropped to your knees, her clothed pussy right in front of your face.

“Gonna… put you to bed?” you said shakily, looking up at her for approval and… fuck, she looks so sexy looking down at you like that—

She snickered quietly, “Yeah? Gonna tuck me in, too?”

You lightly slapped her thigh and sent her a glare, making her giggle before she leaned back against the counter and resting her hands on the edge. 

She gawked at you before speaking, “You know what I noticed?” 

“Hm?” 

“I think you secretly love giving me head,” she whispered as she quirked a brow at you.

“W-What makes you say that?” you challenged unsteadily. 

She smirked and licked her lips, “You just get so into it, like making me cum like that makes you happy.” 

“… So what if it does.” 

“That’s so fuckin’ hot,” she subtly moved her hips close to your face. You looked back up at her, and she brought her hand down to pat your cheek as she cooed at you. “Meant it when I said you’re good at it. M’so lucky.” 

A shiver went down your spine, and she chuckled, “Take my pants off, baby.” 

You tore them down her legs with her underwear and she laughed giddily at you, stepping out of them, and kicking them to the side. You were immediately met with her cunt, and your mouth watered at her glistening wetness. You squirmed from where you sat, and you gripped her scarred thighs for support. 

The closer you got, the more you smelled her, and it made you drip in your panties; You want her to smother you! You looked up and held her eyes before leaning forward and lightly swiping her clit. She bit her lip and jerked above you. 

“You’re so fuckin’ cute.” You heard her mutter, and you eagerly sucked her clit into your mouth. 

You whined at her taste and her glossy eyes fluttered, her breath getting heavier. Your nails dug into her soft thighs, and her head fell back, her hand grabbing your shoulder for support. 

Her unique taste flooded your tongue as you slurped her slick, flicking your tongue all over her twitchy nub. You traveled a bit lower, the tip of your tongue massaging the space right below her clit and you felt her nails dig into your shoulder when her hips jerked. 

“Ffuck, baby, right there,” she gasped out as she spread her legs wider. “Feels s’fuckin’ good.” 

You wrapped your arm around one of her legs when you felt her wobble to steady her, kissing her clit gently before pulling away. You ignored her whines of complaint and made sure she was pressed up against the counter, brought your hand to her pussy, and rubbed her clit gently. You watched her the whole time, her whole body twitching; she’s so cute!

You slid your hand down to her entrance, and she mindlessly spread her legs even wider. You slowly slid your pointer finger inside her, her plush walls swallowing you the deeper you slid. You curled up and nudged that patchy spot, and her grip on you tightened, the softness trapping you inside. Her breathing was heavy, but she squealed when you sucked her clit back into your mouth. 

You hummed against her and slid your middle in, fucking into her harder, her moans of pleasure and squelchy sounds from her pussy shaking the walls. 

You pulled back from her cunt and slurrily whispered, “Good, Ellie? Okay?” 

“Yes, baby, yesyesyes, gonna make me cum s’fuckin’ fast— “ 

You licked deeply into her again, her clit jumping on your tongue as she clenched down on you. She lifted a leg and threw it over your shoulder so you could push in deeper.  

You dazedly whispered against her, “Wan’ your cum, daddy, please? “

“M’right there, baby, keep fucking me like tha— “

Her words cut off when you shoved your ring finger in her pussy and fucked into her hard, making sure to prod where you know would get her there. She shouted, her body trembling against you and the counter. Her hand on your shoulder slammed back down on the counter as she desperately grabbed at its edge, and she came. Her walls milked your fingers as wetness leaked all over them and your tongue, and you happily drank it all. 

She was fucking up into your face as she cried your name and curses and how much she loved you, and your heart pounded in your chest. 

You fucked her until she was shaking, and her thighs squeezed around your hand. She slumped against the counter as you kissed her thighs, trying to catch her breath as the aftershocks ran through her. You pulled out as she released your hand from between her legs. She grabbed your arm and pulled you up to lick your fingers clean like she always did before kissing you. 

Your tongue glided over hers as she sucked on it, tasting herself and moaning into your mouth. You smiled into the kiss before pulling away. She smirked and chased your mouth with hers, but you held her shoulders. 

You smiled shyly, “Alright. You can go to bed now.” 

She looked at you like you just spoke a different language before a strong arm wrapped around your hips and yanked you to her chest. 

Her lips brushed against your ear as she spoke raspily, “You know how long it’s been since I made you squirt on my face? Go lay the fuck down.” 

Your face burned with excitement as she nodded towards the couch. You gave her one more fiery kiss before you felt a smack on your ass. You squealed and bolted towards the couch as she followed close behind. 

You were so glad she was home. 

It was nine at night, and your sister was incredibly nervous. 

Before she dropped you off at your mom’s, you forced her to unblock Ellie on all social media and instructed you to meet up with her as soon as possible. 

It’s been dragged out enough! Make things right with her. 

She received a text from you an hour ago, and her heart jerked in her chest when she read it.

shes back. do ur thing. 

She’d unblocked Ellie months ago, and now she was staring at her unsent text of hey. r u busy tomorrow night? i was hoping we could talk if ur willing. 

She nibbled at her lip nervously, her finger mindlessly tapping on the back of her phone. You were so sure in your claims that Ellie was ready to talk, but what if she suddenly started second guessing? What if she was too late? 

She sighed and pressed the small, blue arrow on her screen before her nerves talked her out of it, the small, delivered message popping up under the blue text. She realized that Ellie probably never blocked her, and it made tears form in her eyes. 

She babysat her phone for hours as she waited for a reply from her, trying to distract herself in any way she could. She retwisted her hair, painted her nails, and made dinner. She hasn’t touched her flute in years, letting it sit in the back of her dark closet in its case, but she impulsively pulled it out of its dusty corner to clean and polish it. She pounced with every ding! she heard from her phone, and released a sigh of disappointment when she saw that the texts weren’t from Ellie. 

It was midnight when she threw her phone on her pillow with a sigh of fuck this, rolling over to go to cry herself to sleep for the third time this week. Tears of disappointment were pricking in her closed eyes as she resigned for the night. 

Ding! 

She almost flew into the air when she heard the last text alert ring through her phone. She flipped so fast, gripping her phone tightly and immediately unlocking it when she saw her best friend’s contact.

hi. i’m more than willing lol. can i come over? 

Your sister didn't care if she seemed desperate and instantly replied with her consent and address, her mind racing, yes, yes, please, of course you can!

She cried herself to sleep as planned, but her heart was filled with relief. With hope for tomorrow.  

Ellie put her phone down on her nightstand and turned to look at your sleeping form. 

You looked so warm, so at peace, and her heart nearly burst in her chest with love for you. She gently brought her hand up to caress your cheek before leaning down to kiss it. You subconsciously moved closer to her in your rest, and she smiled to herself and nuzzled closer to you until you relaxed again. She could see Duchess adjusting her position by your feet out the corner of her eye.

She wasn’t shocked when your sister reached out to her due to the conversations that she had with you earlier that day, but she was still pleased when she did. 

Ellie missed her greatly, and she couldn’t wait to see her. 

Ellie got you breakfast before dropping you off at your mom’s the next morning. She kissed you so many times before you exited her car; You missed her already. 

You ate the remainder of your bagel sandwich as you opened your laptop on your desk. You pulled up your YouTube channel and inspected your drafts. 

You had a few videos saved that you never posted: you released the snort at the one of you and Arya drunkenly dancing as she blew into her clarinet completely out of tune last year. She really convinced you to title it #1 queefers, and you’re so happy you never posted it. 

You finally looked at your untitled video of you playing your own composed work. You rewatched the draft twice to ensure it was the way you wanted it. 

Your fingers tapped against your desk as you thought of a title for the clip. 

You started typing as your heart pounded. You can’t ignore the nerves in your body, both from excitement and anxiety. But you promised to do this for yourself.

You pressed the publish button, and your video immediately started rendering. 

Pines in Spring by me :) was posted ten minutes later. 

You shut your computer and sighed in relief. 

Your sister was pacing around her living room as she waited for Ellie to arrive. 

The tension in her body had not eased up since she woke up. 

She was trying to rehearse her apologies, trying to think of ways to express her emotions without coming in too strong, but her heart overridden all her attempts: I’m sorry for almost swinging on you, I never meant to hurt you(even though I did!), I miss you so much, I should’ve listened to you that day, I love you I love you I love you—

A knock came from the other side of her door, and she released a shaky sigh. She clenched and unclenched her fists and tried to shake the nerves out her hands before walking towards the door. 

She unlocked her door and grabbed the handle, twisting it and pulling it open. 

A just as antsy looking Ellie appeared in front of her, and all she could do was take her in. 

She was dressed in a green hoodie and sweatpants, her hands in her pockets as she looked down at her dirty shoes nervously. 

Ellie looked up into her eyes, and your sister nearly cried when she spoke. 

“Hi.” 

Your sister breathed in before exhaling a whisper, “Hi, Ellie.”

She saw Ellie’s shoulders relax when she spoke, pulling a small baggie of rolled blunts out of her jacket pocket as a peace offering. She couldn’t get over how alike you two were.

Your sister's eyes teared up at the gesture and she moved on autopilot, stepping out of her house and pulling Ellie into a bone-crushing hug. 

Ellie tensed before she relaxed in her grasp, her arms immediately wrapping around your sister’s waist to hold her just as tightly. 

Your sister released a choked sob into her shoulder, and Ellie did the same. 

They both wept loudly in each other arms, whispering soft imsorrys and imissedyousomuchs to each other. 

They didn’t let go of each other until an elderly woman walked past them awkwardly. It took everything in your sister’s power to not scream out a mind ya business at her judgmental stares. 

They’d only let go of each for twenty seconds before Ellie started crying again, grabbing your sibling, and pulling her close. Your sister’s own sobs picked up again. 

They missed each other terribly, and they were so glad to finally be in each other’s gentle holds again. 

Ellie and your sister were both extremely high on her sofa. 

After their bouts of snot-nosed apologies and heartfelt sobs, they calmed down, went inside, and talked about everything while they smoked down two blunts. Your sister expressed her immediate regret and embarrassment after that night at the bar, and even though Ellie accepted her expressions of regret and understood her reaction, she still felt awful about it. 

That guilt ate her alive for months, and there were sometimes where she couldn’t even look at you without being reminded of the trainwreck she caused, and now she was sitting in front of a comforting Ellie with a heavy heart. 

“Are we… d’you think everything’s gonna go back to how it was before?” 

Your sister was nervous for Ellie’s answer: even though the tension had calmed immensely between them, she could tell that Ellie was still being careful around her, and it upset her greatly. 

Ellie exhaled her puff of smoke before speaking in between light coughs, “I think so… maybe not immediately, but… yeah.” 

She passed the blunt to your sister before continuing, “Dina misses you like fuckin’ crazy. Won't shut up about it.” 

Your sister snorted a sad laugh before inhaling the blunt, “She’s too sweet for her own good, I avoided her like the plague for so long.” 

Ellie teased with a small smile, “Yeah, she hates you for that.” 

“Can’t blame her,” she whispered sadly before puffing again.

Ellie must’ve sensed the dejection in your sister’s voice because she immediately scooted closer, throwing an arm around her shoulder, “Sorry, that was fucked— “

“Don’t needa apologize, it’s true,” she passed the blunt to a consoling Ellie, shaking her head as she looked at the wall. “Like… I dunno, now that we’re here it… everything that happened feels so fucking stupid. We would’ve been… fine if I would’ve just listen—“

“Don’t beat yourself up about that shit anymore. I fucked up just as much as you did. It’s not all on you,” Ellie scolded her, bumping her leg against hers in soft punishment. 

Your sister was still in her head, so Ellie changed the subject, “Guess who misses the fuck outta you.” 

“Hm?” 

Ellie puffed on the roach before stubbing it out on the ashtray on the table, and teasing grin spreading across her face, “Isaiaaah.” 

Your sister giggled lightly as Ellie laughed, smoke leaving her nose, “He’s so corny. Tell him not to call me anymore.” 

Ellie laughed harder, “Bro, he’s fucking obsessed with you, y’know that, right? Everyone got drunk one night’n all he could say was I miss my giiirl, I need my giiirl.” 

Your sister laughed hard at her deep mimics, “He’s so fuckin’ stupid. I want his kids.” 

Ellie moved away from your sister as she cringed. “Gross. What the fuck.” 

“Shut the fuck up!” her eyebrows shot down in mock offense. “I didn’t say shit when my sister told me y’all were canoodling. Keep it cute.” 

Ellie tsked as she blushed, scratching her head, “… C’mon, dude.” 

She chuckled. “Exactly.” 

They sat in comfortable silence before your sister spoke. 

“Y’know she still loved you even after everything happened?” 

“… She told me, yeah.” 

Your sibling nodded stiffly. She turned to look at Ellie, her tone becoming more serious. 

“Be… good to her, please. She’s fragile,” she demanded quietly. 

“M’gonna. I’m in just as deep as her,” Ellie said without any hesitation, her tone just as sincere as yours had been a few days ago. It made your sister hopeful that everything would be fine. 

“Alright, El.” 

Your sister mumbled a c’mere and Ellie listened, grabbing another blunt and her lighter from the table before resting her head on your sister's lap. Ellie sparked it for both of them. 

They shared it in silence, basking in each other’s forgiveness. 

Friday came, and you were so excited. 

Ellie invited everyone over to pregame after her rehearsal at the bar, and you, your best friends, and your sister were all getting ready. 

The weather was incredible, and you were ready to slut it up! 

Arya had no problem encouraging your whorish behavior, driving you and your friends almost an hour into the city to shop at the designated harlot boutique! 

You and all your friends had their titties out, six-inch heels on, wigs laid. The whole nine yards! The five of you were already three shots in, and you were feeling fuzzy! You didn’t know how you were going to walk in these damn shoes. 

Starr was putting her lashes on in your sister’s bathroom while Arya joyfully patted her ass to trademark usa, your sister was rolling her blunt, and Kris was pouring up… again. 

“Girl, if you’re gonna be stumblin’ like that then you shouldn’t wear those. You’re gonna break your neck.”

You shut down your best friend’s warnings as you waddled past the bathroom and down the hallway, “Excuse you! I got it, thanks! I just needa… practice.”

“Bitch, we leave in half an hour!” Starr commented. 

“I know! Stop talking to me so I can focus!” 

You stumbled all the way to the kitchen where your sister was sitting at her table, sealing her and your girlfriend’s blunts and sticking them in a small baggie. 

“You look good, twin.” 

You looked up from your shoes at your sister, her soft eyes sparkling. You couldn’t help the smile that spread on your face as you walked closer to her, wrapping your arms around her frame and kissing her forehead. 

“You look good, too,” you said with a content expression. “I love you.” 

“Love you more.” 

You were so, so happy. 

The Uber pulled up in front of Ellie’s apartment building, and you nearly tripped and fell on the curb with how quickly you jumped out the car. 

Thank god your sister brought shorter heels for you! 

You could see your girlfriend’s… sexy ass in the glass door waiting for you all inside. She was posted up against the wall, clad in a tailored, silk, black button up, —her nipples were peeking through… you were going to die—her Cubans on her neck and wrist, and her black jeans and chucks on. She finally got a fresh pair!

You waved your arms around to get her attention through the glass, and she perked up the second she saw you. She ran over to open the doors for you all with a bright grin and flushed cheeks, making sure to give you a smacking kiss on the cheek before greeting your friends and sister in giant hugs. 

She interlocked your fingers and guided you all to the elevator, your friends rambling about how much fun they were going to have as Ellie kissed your shoulder. You caught your sister staring fondly at you and your girlfriend before jumping into your friend's conversation. Your face burned red-hot.

When the doors opened, you and Ellie bolted down the hall and into Ellie’s place, your friends and sister following close behind. Her speaker was already blasting, your new friends, Dina, and Jesse were all around her apartment taking shots and blowing smoke out the window.

They all looked up when they heard the front door shut, and everything went still. 

All their gazes were locked behind you, and you immediately stiffened, your hand tightening around Ellie’s. She squeezed yours tighter.

You turned to check on your sibling, and she looked so nervous. She locked eyes with you and shook her head quickly before looking forward again. You were too drunk to comprehend what that meant, but you were down to do whatever!

You’d been so focused on your sister’s reaction that you hadn’t heard a very drunk, sobbing Dina stomp over to engulf your sibling in the tightest hug you’d ever seen, Jesse following close behind to mimic his girlfriend. You could’ve cried then, but Arya spent too long on your makeup!

You could see Isaiah shifting on his feet out the corner of your eye, and you looked at him. You sent him a nod towards your sibling, and the tension in his shoulders relaxed a bit as he slowly walked towards her. 

“Would I ruin the moment if I took a shot right now?” Kris asked from behind you. You turned and met her pulled down brows and pout. You and Arya chuckled before shaking your head no, gesturing towards the coffee table where all the liquor was—Casamigos, holy fuck. 

Your three friends walked over towards the lively area, introducing themselves to Ellie's friends and filling their small glasses. You returned your gaze to your sibling; Isaiah had pulled your sister away from everyone, the two of them standing by the kitchen and talking softly. You felt Ellie release your hand to gently grab your face in her hands. 

Your eyes locked with her sparkling ones, “Give ‘em a minute. They’ll be fine.” 

You nodded softly. 

“Wanna drink?”

You sighed heavily at the temptation, and she laughed, her head plopping onto your bare shoulder before kissing it. And kissing it. And kissed it again—

“Not again, El, please.” 

Her tongue gave the sensitive skin a kitty-lick with a smirk, and you shivered and slapped her arm softly. She giggled before letting up. 

She led you over to the coffee table, immediately handing you a small, filled glass. 

You looked over to your sister again. Her and Isaiah were… smiling. Laughing! Your eyes swiftly shut in relief before you threw the liquid back. 

Glee exploded in your heart. 

Tonight was going to be great!

“Okay, okay! Just one more!” 

You were all in the middle of… an incredibly raunchy game of Never Have I Ever, and you wanted it to end expeditiously! Why was your best friend enjoying this so much!

You rested tiredly against Ellies shoulder as she kissed your forehead, and everyone sighed at Arya’s demands for another round. 

“Never have I ever…” she slurred. “had… had sex— “

Starr cut in with an eye roll, “Bro— “

“M’not done, thank you very much!” 

Marcus laughed, “I'm kinda curious, not gon’ lie.”

“Pleeease don’t encourage her!” Kris defended as Dina and your sister laughed, Isaiah shaking his head. “We’ll never fuckin’ leave!” 

“Y’all are some fu—hiccup—fuckin’ haters, wow.” 

Everyone laughed at her grumbling before their playful banter took over. You shook your head as you poured another shot for yourself. 

After Arya’s attempts to persuade everyone to cheer her on while she shot-gunned three beers in a row failed, Isaiah ordered the biggest Uber XL he could find, and you all made your way to the bar.

You were squished between Ellie and Starr in the backseat, your sister, Isaiah, and Jesse were in front of you, Dina propped on her boyfriend’s lap while Marcus talked the driver’s ear off. 

The lights got brighter the later it got, the streets packed with people looking for entertainment. 

You felt Ellie's fingers brush against the bare skin of your thigh, and you playfully glared at her and forced her hand back into her own lap by her wrist. She wasn’t getting you this time!

After twenty minutes of holding your girlfriend’s arms down so she wouldn’t touch you, the car parked in front of the bar, the line around the corner. 

Everyone slurred out thank yous to the driver as you all exited the vehicle, and you were immediately hit when the bouts of excitement as Ellie walked behind you, her hand in yours. The people in line were screaming to get her attention, wailing out her name and pulling their phones out. 

You turned to watch her interact with the clubgoers. Ellie waved at them goofily, jumping and swinging her free arm around like a squid. You smiled and gently pulled your girlfriend onto the sidewalk and up to the entrance. You felt her wrap her arms around your waist and rested her chin on your shoulder.

The security at the door dapped up Marcus and Isaiah, allowing access to your friends, fist-bumping Ellie as she passed by. 

You were instantly hit with excitement as the energy of the bar hit you: people were dancing under the dim purple and blue lights, playing their instruments on the small stage, drinking, showing off their artwork. Your sister and friends dove into the active crowd, melding into the high-spiritedness of the space.

You missed this environment so much, and you were so glad that the people you loved most were here with you. 

Ellie pulled away and spun you, connecting her lips to yours in a gentle kiss. She pulled away and brushed her nose against yours, and you couldn’t stop the wide smile from spreading across your face. 

She led you to the bar, Elijah, and a few other tenders that you recognized from previous nights handing out drinks to the attendees. 

The second he saw the two of you, he grinned widely, whispering to one of the tenders before running from behind the bar to smother you both in a hug. 

“I missed y’all so much, what the fuck!” He shouted over the live music. You smiled, yelling the same back to him as you hugged him closer before he pulled back. 

He looked at you with excitement, yelling something incoherently. Your brows furrowed in confusion.

“What?!” 

He leaned in closer to you, “Dude, you went fucking viral! Did you not see?!” 

You pulled away with a head shake and looked at Ellie, who seemed just as shocked as you were. Elijah pulled out his phone and scrolled wildly before turning the screen towards you and your girlfriend. 

Your YouTube video was playing on the screen, your eyes searching the display, and you nearly passed out when you saw the view count. 

How was it already at 734k?! And how were there so many likes?! You just posted it a few days ago, what the fuck!

Ellie’s jaw was wide open as Elijah jumped excitedly, shaking you by the shoulder. Your heart was pounding in your chest, but it wasn’t… what you were used to. 

You didn’t feel anxious or uncomfortable. You felt… confused, but warm. Delight washed over you as tears jerked in your eyes. People actually… liked something you made! You almost didn’t believe it. 

You felt Ellie’s calloused hands on your cheek, turning you to face her, a thrilled expression on her face as she caressed you. She was saying something, but you couldn’t hear as your heart thudded in your ears, a dazed smile on your face. 

Elijah embraced you in another hug, and you felt Ellie press kisses your head.

You could see all your friends dancing and laughing over his shoulder; they looked so joyous and bright, shining like stars in the sky as they huddled close together. 

You locked eyes with your sister in Isaiah’s grasp, and you smiled harder. You watched a light grin grow on her face as she mouthed I love you, and you did the same. 

Later into the night, someone drunkenly asked you what key you played Pines in Spring in on your channel.

You just as drunkenly replied D minor!

You’d never hugged a stranger in your life, but that night you did.

FOUR MONTHS LATER 

You were twenty and staring into an audience of three hundred people. 

Everything around you moved in slow motion. 

The lights of the stage you stood on shined upon you to an almost blinding degree. The people were smiling, clapping, and drunkenly waving their phone’s flashlights as they stared at you in anticipation as your professor introduced you. You would be getting your degree! 

You weren’t anxious, your breathing was normal. Your heart was beating, but not at a restless, agonizing pace that you were used to growing up. It was steady, and you were… smiling. You felt excited!

You gazed at the audience, and locked eyes with your mother’s encouraging, watery ones, then your sister’s, your best friends’, then the love of your life. She grinned, and you could see the tears glistening in her eyes. She mouthed a swift I love you and sent you two thumbs up. 

You only smiled brighter as your inspiration for your song happily spurred you on, and you waved the hand you held your bow in at her excitedly. She only smiled harder, and you saw her cheeks glisten. 

You shut your eyes, adjusted the violin that rested on your shoulder, and brought your bow back to its correct positioning above the strings. 

You’d been dreaming of this moment since you were three. You could almost see the pictures of your younger self giddily holding the small violin toy that you were gifted with years ago. 

Every struggle you faced, every loss you’ve endured, and every relationship you gained was for this moment. All the support you had around you got you here. Your resilience got you here, and you were immensely proud of what you’ve become. 

You took one last check at your fingers positioning, ensuring your chords were correct. 

You took a deep breath and released it when you slid your utensil across the high-pitched strands. 

The first notes of Pines in Spring played, and your future became brighter. 

a/n: hello… i am very sad that this is over. lol

for anyone that cares, this is the first actual story that i’ve ever finished, and i am very crushed that its done. i planned this whole thing completely out of impulse and i’m very grateful that people like… cared enough to finish it. i wanted to test my writing chops and i kinda ate like a little bit ngl a lil nibble LOOOOOL i’m joking pls 

but i can’t believe i had a fucking tag list for this like i cry everyday when i think about it i love yall @fandomshitpostingqueen , @elsivy , @nymphetkoo , @sawaagyapong , @amitycat , @nil-eena , @onallfoursforellie , @letsreadsomesins-shallwe , @gold-dustwomxn

if u read this story in any way i love u. if u liked it in any way i love u even more LOL

i needa proof reader tumblr editors aint cutting it rs 

ceosdaughter!ellie coming soon i saw that poll🤭😜

bye

[caradecema]

Again// Twisters

Part 1

Summary: A love-hate relationship between a cold, could careless, Scott and happy, carefree Marian. The two of them are on different sides when it comes to chasing Tornadoes.

What could happen between the two of them when Tyler Owens is playing Cupid.

{Scott x OC fem}

Part 1, Part 2, Part3, Part4, Part 5

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It had been 5 years since Marian left Oklahoma for California to continue her studies at Stanford. But now five years later she was back in Oklahoma to continue her studies during her summer break. 

Taking a deep breath Marian smiled at the smell. "Ma, I'll be back later" Marian shouted when she saw the red truck that belonged to her best friend Tyler Owens. The truck was quick to come to a stop the familiar whistle of Tyler made her smile when he hopped off his truck and ran to her picking her up and twirling her around. "Glad to have you back Litte one" Tyler spoke his grin never leaving his lips as he placed her down. "Glad to be back gringo" Marian told him.

"So how is the big city treating you these past few years?" Tyler asked opening the door for her before heading to his side. "Good, met a lot of people," Marian told him causing Tyler to laugh "And fuck them" Marian laughed with him. "That too, I was able to get one of the tablets from work and from what I can see June is going to be packed with Tornados," Marian told Tyler who nodded. "Are we surprised?" 

"Are the others waiting on us already?" Marian asked making Tyler nod as the two of them made their way to meet up with the others. "Are you staying until the end of summer or only a few weeks?" Tyler asked lowering the music so that the two could speak without shouting. "I need to head back to Cali sometime in July," Marian told him making Tyler nod. "I guess we are going to have to make this month exciting for you Little one," Marian smiled at him.

It wasn't long for them to arrive where the others were at. When they did everyone smiled as they brought Marian into a hug telling her how happy they were that she was back even tho it was only for a few weeks. 

"Want anything from the store?" Marian asked wanting some snacks for the road. Boone was the first to speak "Unos takis, por fa" Marian nodded as she headed inside. (Some takis please)

When she came down she saw more people in the parking lot of the gas station. Looking around she saw Storm Par... she had heard of them in one of her meetings. Not truly paying much attention she made her way to the others. "Here you go" Boone nodded as he grabbed the bag of takis and placed it in his back pocket. "Where is Tyler?" Marian asked when she noticed he was gone. "Talking to the brunette over there" Lily spoke pointing to Tyler and the woman he spoke with.

Marian laughed knowing Tyler would fuck anything with two legs if he had the chance. "Mar?" Marian looked at the familiar nickname that not many used. Taking a look around she saw "Shit, Javi" Marian smiled as she made her way to the older boy who brought her into a hug. 

"How are you?" Marian asked as she patted Javi on the arm. "I'm good, what are you doing here?" He asked before turning to the tall black hair guy next to him. "This is Scott by the way, Scott this is Marian an old classmate of mine" Javi spoke.

"Nice to meet you Scott" Marian smiled looking at him waiting for him to shake her hand when he didn't she brought it down a scowl on her face as she cursed him off in Spanish "Melolengo cabron! (No translation in English)" Javi let out a laugh patting Scott on the arm "Don't mind him, he's a man of little words" Marian nodded. "I would get your boyfriend if I was you, it seems Kate might steal him from you" Scott spoke as he went back to chewing on his gum.

"Kate... the Kate?" Marian asked when she saw the girl making Javi nod. "I'll get going see you on the road" Marian smiled as she headed off opening her sprite before shouting at Tyler to hurry up.

"Well let's go" Javi spoke as Scott began to shout at the earpiece for everyone to hurry up and pack up.

"What was that about?" Marian smirked when she saw Tyler looking for Kate. "She said that one over there would be our winner but I think she was fucking with us," Tyler told her as they took off into the road. 

"The one she told you is going to die down soon, look" Marian spoke as she showed him the tablet Tyler gave her a look as he looked down his hand resting on her shoulder as she showed him how the wind was going the opposite way meaning it would die down soon.

"Well let's get going, little one" Tyler smiled as he opened the door for her making her laugh as she got inside the truck with his help. "Ok buckle up" Tyler spoke turning back to the British guy in the back.

"What's wrong with grumpy?" Marian asked as she clicked away on her tablet as Tyler spoke to the cameras. "You mean clipboard? Don't mind him he doesn't smile or talk much" Tyler told her as he pressed the gas laughing as they passed, Javi. 

Looking up Marian made eye contact with Scott the man more than likely glaring at her from behind his glasses as he chewed his gum. Marian couldn't help but kiss her middle finger before flipping him off as Tyler passed them.

They had taken a left and so had Storm par. The two of them began to get close to the tornado as Storm Par separated from them. Marian rolled down her window and smiled. Oh, how she missed the thrill of this. "We have about 5 minutes before it dies down, I want to say," Marian told them when she saw the wind pattern begin to change. 

"Got it!" Tyler shouted as he got in front of the Tornado making Ben shout as they all began to put their seat bells on.

When they came out they were laughing and more when Ben threw up. Looking up Marian saw Scott looking their way a smirk formed on her lips as she kissed her palm and blew it his way making Scott roll his eyes as he turned to help Javi on something making Marian smirk. "We should find a motel to pass the night shouldn't we?" The others nodded as they got back in the truck and headed out.

When they made it to a hotel they all separated and made their way to their own room. Around 11 Marian left to go down to the bar where almost everyone was when she arrived Tyler shouted at her to join them making her smile as she sat next to him. 

"How was your first day back?' Tyler asked as he asked for a drink his hand wrapping around her body. "Good, I forgot how fun this is," Marian told him as she down her shot before turning around when she heard the doors to the bar open reviling Storm Par.

"if it isn't Storm par! Come to delight us with your presence?" Tyler shouted making many in the group grunt as they took their seats. Marian smirked when she saw Scott enter his eye on her making her laugh as she blew a kiss his way. 

"Please for the love of god tell me you do not find that man attractive?' Tyler begged whispering in her ear so that no one would hear them. Marian did not say much as she down another shot. "The same can be said for Kate?" Tyler didn't say much after that.

"Are they a thing?" Kate asked Javi the boy gave her a look before shrugging. "No, idea... but from what I remember she goes for beefier guys, and they have to have black unkempt hair," Javi told her as he eyed Scott. 

"Still I wouldn't go after him Kate he fucks anything with two legs" Javi warn her. Scott on the other hand kept his grip on his beer his brain trying to decipher if Tyler and Marian were a thing. By the way, Owens kept her close the entire time and she didn't look bothered they might.

"Here you go, love" The woman from the dinner spoke as she gave Scott a shot. Scott gave her a look as he looked down at the shot, his eyes went straight to Mar the girl already looking at him with a grin as she raised her own shot before downing it and winking at him. Javi looked down trying to hide his laugh as he saw the lost look on Scott who down his own shot in confusion.

Around 2 everyone began to leave back to their own rooms smiling and laughing at one another. Marian had pushed Tyler causing him to stumble out of the door. "That ain't nice, Little one," Tyler whined as he grabbed her hand and stood up. 

"Off you go" Marian smiled as she left him in his room before heading off to her own. Before she went inside she took a look at the clear night a small whistle leaving her lips at how pretty the sky looked.

"Not sleeping with your boyfriend tonight?' the cold voice of Scott made her turn a grin on her lips as she laid back in the railings. "Nah, maybe tomorrow I'll ride him until he can't walk" Marian laughed at her own stupid joke. Scott gave her a look making her smile at him "You should smile more, maybe you'll get laid" She told him before turning around and heading to her room. Scott gave her a look as he opened the door next to her.

Why am I attracted to assholes?

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

[roxygen22]

Still Here (Chapter 3)

Summary: You have a chance to catch up with Timothée over lunch.

Catch up on previous chapters here.

<><><><><>

You didn't have to wait long to see Timothée again. You crossed paths at the pharmacy three days later, where you were shopping for toiletries and other sundries for you and Madison. There was something oddly...final...about buying full-size shampoos and conditioners, instead of the travel-size bottles you packed in California. Like you had finally accepted that you would be here for a while.

You spotted Timothée's distinguishable curly dark hair over on the next aisle. Your heart stuttered. You had hoped not to run into anyone you knew, especially someone with whom you shared a complicated past. Who was I kidding? This isn't a crowded Target in Cali where you can just blend in. You took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Should I say hello? Should I put down my stuff and come back later? [Y/N], stop it. You can't run away from this. It's a small town, and you are here for the foreseeable future. May as well embrace it. Besides, it may be nice to have a friend again, if he's willing after things ended.

You looked up at the signage above to see what was there. You didn't want to embarrass him if he was shopping for something...personal. Ah, shaving accessories. Nothing embarrassing about that. You smiled, briefly reminiscing how the boy you knew could never grow a full beard despite how desperately he wanted to.

You worked up the courage to go say hello. You intentionally came up behind him as payback for startling you earlier in the grocery store. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you were stalking me, Timothée Chalamet."

He quickly spun around, initially looking over your head before looking down to meet your eyes. His big, lopsided grin sent your heart into palpitations again, just as it did over a decade ago. "Well well well, I could say the same about you, [Y/N] [maiden name], or, umm, I guess it isn't [maiden name] anymore," he fumbled and grimaced.

"It is. I'm divorced," you forced out. You still weren't used to saying it out loud. You watched as a whole range of emotions swept over his face before landing on sad, pitying look.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I wondered if that may be the case when you said you moved back in with your folks. You know, I run into your mother from time to time in town. It was through her that I knew you had gotten married and had a baby. She was always happy to show off pictures." He paused to chuckle. "But she didn't say anything about the, uh..." He gestured awkwardly with his hands.

"Yeah, well, my parents aren't big fans of the d-word. It was a very recent development, too, one they have not yet come to embrace despite not being big fans of Michael." You suddenly found your sneakers very interesting, unable to make eye contact with Timothée.

"Well, hey, I'm just here to grab my dad's meds. I was thinking about swinging by the diner to grab a bite to eat before driving back. Would you like to join me?"

"Uh, sure. Maddy is hanging out with my parents and they aren't expecting me back immediately. Might be nice to have adult conversation again." You chuckled. The two of you paid for your items and walked across the street to the restaurant.

Timothée, ever the gentleman, opened the door for you. Everyone looked up at the sound of the metal bells hitting the glass. Whispers started floating around as soon as you stepped foot inside.

"Is that [Y/N] [L/N]?' "I thought she was in California." "Maybe she's just visiting her family?"

You ducked your head as you felt your cheeks heat up in embarrassment. You followed Timothée to a table in the corner and sat with your back to the rest of the diner, not wanting to see the curious looks. It was somewhat reassuring, though, to know that you still bore enough resemblance to your former self that people recognized you. You hardly recognized yourself in the mirror anymore.

Right as you got settled in your seat, you heard footsteps stop beside you. You raised your head to see that your server was also someone you knew from high school, Amanda. You smiled and softly said hello.

"They said it was you, but I didn't believe them. How are you doing, honey? Where is that baby of yours? Your mom hasn't been by lately to show off any pictures." Only after her barrage of questions did she look across the table. "Hey, Timothée."

"Hey, Mandy," he replied quietly.

"Oh, she's hanging out with my parents while I did some shopping. She's not a baby anymore, though." You pulled out your phone to show Amanda a recent photo.

"She looks just like you, [Y/N]! And they are always babies, no matter how old they get. How old is she? Looks about 9 or 10. I have a 12 year old, almost 13. Practically a teenager!" Amanda pulled her phone out of her apron to show you her lock screen.

"He's very handsome," you offered with a friendly smile.

"How long are you in town for?" she asked.

"Uh, well, I'm not sure. However long it takes to get back on my feet. I recently got divorced, so I am trying to figure out what's next," you replied solemnly as you traced the patterns on the paisley tablecloth with your finger. You were trying (and probably failing) not to give away how incredibly overwhelmed you were feeling. You were grateful when Timothée interrupted the exchange.

"Hey, Mandy, what's the special today?"

"Oh, of course! You are here for a reason, after all. I was so eager to see if it was really [Y/N] that I forgot the menus. I'll be right back." She patted your shoulder before retreating. She returned as quickly as you could mouth "thank you" to him.

The two of you silently scanned the menu and then placed your orders. As you waited on the food, you easily fell into conversation about high school, then your time in California. You had forgotten how easy it was to talk to Timothée. You gleefully showed him pictures on your phone of your favorite landmarks and landscapes until you accidentally swiped to a photo of you, Madison, and Michael together at one of the national parks. The reminders of the fleeting happy times were painful.

Sensing the shift, Timothée grabbed your hand. You felt lightning surge throughout your body from his touch. He squeezed once and then let go just as quickly when he spotted Amanda heading to your table with your orders. You looked up and saw the smirk on her face as she eyed the two of you.

"Enjoy! I'll come back to check on you in a bit."

You turned to look at Timothée. "You know we are going to be the hot gossip for at least the next week, right?" you said playfully.

"Let them talk. There are worse rumors than being spotted with you." He cleared his throat, then popped a French fry in his mouth. "So, was there anything you missed about Tennessee?"

You, you thought automatically. "I eventually came to miss how much simpler things feel here. How life slows down in the woods and the mountains. In LA, everyone is always in a hurry. There is so much traffic. There were so many people, yet it was so lonely. Michael was really my only friend there." You went on, and Timothée listened intently as you provided a high-level retelling of what brought you back.

"...and so I packed up our clothes and a few belongings and drove out here. I got into town about two weeks ago and have been laying low with my tail between my legs." You stared down at your now empty plate in shame.

"Does he stay in touch with Madison?"

"No. He barely saw her after we separated, and he hasn't reached out since we left the state. But she's convinced that he's going to send for her to come live with him once he's settled in his new house in Sacramento with his girlfriend."

He shook his head. "You deserve better than that. SHE deserves better than that." You detected a hint of anger and disgust in his tone.

"Yeah, well, unfortunately, we are both paying the price for my poor decision-making." Your voice was thick with remorse. "She doesn't deserve to pay for my mistakes."

"[Y/N], you can't do that to yourself. You were young. All you can do is make the best of now." Amanda came by and set the check down on the table. You were grateful for her timing because you weren't sure what to say next. Your fingers brushed his as you both reached for the ticket.

"Please, let me get this," he said assertively. "I invited you to join me, remember?" He slid his credit card and the check over to Amanda, whose face was all grin. People were definitely going to hear about this.

You narrowed your eyes with playful scorn. "Fine, as long as you let me get it next time," you rebutted before fully thinking it through.

"Next time, eh?" His eyes lit up as he cocked his head to the side.

You blushed. Whoops. "Umm, yeah, next time. All we talked about was me today. We didn't even get to what you have been up to for the past 10+ years!"

"Fair enough, though that won't take long to tell," Timothée shrugged and signed the receipt after Amanda returned. You both stood and walked out the door to make your way back to the pharmacy parking lot.

"You still have the same truck!" you exclaimed. You jogged the rest of the way and ran your fingers across the emblem on the front. You and he made a lot of...memories...in that truck.

"Yep. Restoring her became somewhat of a hobby when I came back from Texas."

"Texas?" You never knew he left town. From what you remembered, he had never planned on going anywhere, especially not that far.

"A story for another day. Next time, remember?" he smirked.

"Well, maybe we should actually make plans for a next time instead of just hoping we run into each other in town. Here." You handed Timothée your phone. "Plug in your number so we can chat."

This time it was his turn to blush. He took the device from you and called himself. "So I can save your number as well," he offered.

You recognized the digits when you had your phone back in hand. "You never changed your number."

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

You laughed softly. "Fair enough."

"Well, I better get going. It was good to see you again, [Y/N]."

Timothée opened his arms for a hug, which you reciprocated. For a moment, all was right in the world with your head on his chest. I missed this. But I can't want this right now, you lectured yourself. You stepped back and gave him space to get into his truck. He rolled down his window to say goodbye once more.

"Tell your folks I said hello, please," you called out over the noise of the engine. His smile fell just briefly.

"You do the same."

<><><><><>

Chapter 4

Masterlist

Tag List: @croatianprincess

[missadangel]

Little Bird in a Cage (Javier Peña x Reader)

Part 5 : Fire on Fire -WARNING! +18-

Gifs din-jarring - djo

---------------------------- All episodes here ------------------------

"Are you going somewhere?"

You were startled by your father's voice, oh why the hell he was at home at this hour?

It has been a long time since you meet Javi -except you ran into each other the other night- so it was almost impossible to get ready at home and get out of the house at night, so you wanted to sneak out early.

"Y/N? I asked you a question."

You immediately turned to him.

"Yeah dad, well tonight we're having a sleepover with the girls."

You bit your lip nervously, hoping your lie wouldn't come out.

“Okay those girls have a name?”

You cleared your throat.

“Caroline, Maria and her sister. We will be at Caroline’s home.”

Surprisingly, he looked like convinced.

"Hm, well luckily I caught you before you leave then, come with me."

He made a gesture with hand.

"But dad, I-"

"It won't take much of your time."

You followed him into the garden obligingly. Wondering what coming next.

One guy was sitting on al fresco chairs in the garden where you were hosting your guests usually.  

"Honey, you remember Felipe, don't you?"

"Yes," you said and shook hands with him.

He was your childhood friend, but he had been in another city for a long time. You wondered why he is here now.

“How are you Y/N?”

“Thanks, I’m good.”

"Felipe came back to Cali last week, so I invited him over. You know, he is the Attorney General in Santa Marta now, right? Well done."

Your father always doing that shit. He speaks on someone’s behalf all the time.

You hated it.

"Yeah? Congratulations," you said, pretending to be look like impressed.

“Y/N is a great painter, she had many exhibitions though. Also her senior year in college, having good marks in university.”

“Father lemme talk for myself please,” you were annoyed.

Well what the hell was that?

Your father, who normally didn't come to your exhibitions -because he is too busy- suddenly became your favorite fan.

“That is great,” Felipe said smiling at you. He was so shy and boring you wanted to run away.

Also, he couldn't take his eyes off you, suddenly you smelled something fishy, narrowed your eyes. The way your father praised you to him there, which wasn't something he did a lot, so he was definitely planning something.

When he left, your father spilled the beans. It pissed you off when he says he wants you to marry Felipe.

Why was he always like that? You were so tired of him pressuring you all the time. But you didn’t want to think this right now. You left your father and all the other negative things behind and ran out of the house.

Tonight is special.

------

You had to convince Javi that he was in love with you even he's stubborn enough to hide his feelings.

That's why you went to the hairdresser to be perfectly prepared.

Your wanted hairstylist to make your hair like a side part with cascading curls, which letting other shoulder open.

Then when it comes to the makeup, attractive eyes and red lips was the best choice.

“Oh my, Y/N!”

It was Caroline, you both were surprised.

Your make up was done when Caroline came near you, her eyes looking at you super curiously, her mouth was wide open.

“What are you doing here? Are you going to a wedding or you're going to be a model?”

“No, I,” you bit your lip, what could you say?

“Or a date???” she touched you with her elbow, laughing.

“I mean, yes,” you smiled back, embarrassed.

“Oh my god you never tell me anything, I thought I was your best friend? So that's why you rejected Hugo that night, why didn't you say so? And who was it? Is he from college? Do I know him?”

With every question she got more and more curious.

“Caroline, slow down, please, I'll tell you, but keep this between us, okay?”

You sat on the seats in the waiting room.

She was the only person you could tell, so it made sense to spill your guts to her. Better than a boring psychologist, I guess.

Once you took the kidnapping part out and – especially terrifying parts - and told her everything that had happened, you felt a sense of relief after that.

Unlike your father and the psychologist, Caroline didn't judge you, she even felt sorry for you. More than that, she supported you.

“Some men are like that, they can't open up or deny. But do you think tonight will be effective? I mean, some men never call even after they get what they want. You said he’s older than you so is he a nice guy? Are you sure he has feelings for you?”

“I'm sure,” you said, more like hoping.

“Then get dressed and blow his mind.”

You nodded with smile. You were angry with yourself for not telling Caroline at the first place.

You went into the dressing room to put on the sexiest dress you've ever worn. When you got out from cabinet slowly, looking stunning.

"Slutty,” said the woman who did your hair. Other women in the hair saloon also staring at you.

Caroline clapping her hands happily, “And God created woman.”

"Stop, please,” you blushed, covering your mouth with your hand. “It's not too much, is it?"

"Depends on what you want, honey, but it's more than enough to make any men get hard," she blinked then bursting out laughing.

"Good," you said as you looked at yourself in the mirror, you couldn't wait to see Javi's face when he notices you.

As she was looking at you from behind, Caroline's body suddenly shook and she has to sit down.

“Are you all right? What's wrong?”

“Well, I'm very tired today, I think I'll get my hair done later. Don't worry about me, don't be late for your appointment, please.”

“Are you sure? Do you need a ride?”

“No, I'll take a cab, please go and call me for the details later,” she smiled with a wink.

You were worried for her but she convinced you that she’s fine.

“Okay then, see you later, bye.”

“Bye Y/N. Good luck.”

You put on a long black velvet jacket over the dress and left. Your heart was pounding in excitement.

---

You weren't the only one who was getting ready diligently. Javi stayed in front of the mirror a little too long to be more attractive than usual. He fastened the belt of the dark jeans which he wore under his black shirt. After fixing his hair for the last time, he applied his perfume on his neck. He was all gussied up with his leather jacket too.

He was the one who first to arrived at the hotel, where you first met, that night. Almost all the women stared at him as he walked through the entrance. He went to the bar and ordered a drink. He looked around and then checked his watch. He had his elbow on the table, propping up his chin, waiting for you, and becoming impatient.

When he was having another drink when he realized the men next to him laughing each other and pointing at something. He even heard a whistle. Before Javi could turn his head, you put a hand on his shoulder and leaned towards him.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long," your voice was soft as velvet.

Javi didn't know what to say for a moment because you left his jaw dropping. He quickly cleared his throat, "No, I just got here."

You liked the crack in his voice, you pushed your hair back with one hand so that he could see your shoulder and your necklace.

“If you're the one making me wait, it doesn't matter, baby, I'll wait forever,” he whispered in your ear, feeling his breathe on your face, mesmerizing.

“Hmm I am very eager, I’m not like you,” also whispered in his ear.

He smiled, and ordered a drink for you.

“You are a very beautiful young woman, May I ask your name?”

You sniggered. “I’m Y/N. And your name is? I think I have a guess.

"Come on, don't expect me to introduce myself as Juan."

"But back then you said that name.”

He rolled his eyes.

"Please, but at the time I was just making it up. Why don't you call me, Javi?" he blinked.

“Nice to meet you then.”

“Say it.”

“Say what?”

“My name, say it. I want you to say my name.” he was looking at you the most seductive way.

“Javi,” you said softly, your voice was like a lullaby to him.

He smiled and keep staring at you as he enjoy his drink. It was impossible for him to look somewhere else anyways.

But he suddenly realized he wasn't the only one.

Javi finished his drink and asked for another. He didn't like that all eyes were on you, especially the guys staring inappropriately.

"Don't you think it's a bit much," he glanced at your dress, almost angry.

You took a sip of your drink.

"Why are you so tense? Are you jealous?”

He rolled his eyes. ”Just saying.”

“Oh I see. And I am just asking.”

You locked your eyes on his.

"You're a very bad girl," he murmured.

When you looked into his eyes, you could see all his feelings as you both continued this ridiculous game.

"Hey honey, wanna join us?"

You both turned that way, and saw two men were laughing at each other, one of them quite drunk.

“How about you get out of here and come some other place with us?”

Javi got pissed, almost furious.

"Lady is with me, so the exit is that way," he gestured with his head.

The threatening tone in his voice was enough to make them leave. The other men at the bar also minded their own business after that.

That was so sexy.

"That's very kind of you, It was Juan right?" you smirked.

He hissed, “Please don’t ever say that fucking name.”

You touched his cheek, caressing slowly making him calmer.

It worked perfectly.

"Javi, you know we should just skip this part, get straight to the point, don’t you think?”

“Agreed,” he giggled, drinking his drink smiling. “Shall we spend the rest of the night in my apartment? It's not far from here. What do you think?”

His piercing gaze shone directly towards you.

“I'd love to,” you said, almost whispering.

You could feel your blood rushing through your veins and you were getting more and more impatient.

------

Javi opened the car door for you to get in. You could smell cigarettes and leather inside of his car. He kept looking at you during the ride, and you wished this ride would never end.

You realized that you missed this place, memories came back to you.

He opens car door for you.

“My lady,” he said and extending his hand.

You smiled as you taking his hand, “Mr. Peña.”

As you going up the stairs together he was still holding your hand.

Javi approached the door, took his key out of his pocket, opened the door and gestured for you to enter.

“Please come in.”

You smiled at him while walking inside. You remembered all the things that happened the last time you were here. Javi closed the door and took his jacket off, throwing a chair.

As soon as you looked at his bed your body started to feel hot.

With a super quick move Javi grabbed you by arm and made you turned to him and wrapped his arms around your waist, pulled you towards him. Before you even breathe with your mouth, he pressed his lips to yours and started kissing you roughly. His taste was like a drug, you needed him, trembling to have more. Your body was on fire. Your lips was boiling under his lips.

Fire on fire.

The heat was getting higher, spreading all over your body, especially in the very center of your womanhood. His hands were under your dress, rubbing your thighs, squeezing.

He picks you up and takes you to the bed while taking off your jacket and letting it fall to the floor, you breaking the kiss.

“You are very handy.”

"You haven't seen anything yet, baby," he said and kept kissing you.

You began unbuttoning the black shirt he was wearing, taking it off roughly and throwing it on the floor. He was moving you again as he all but ripped your dress off. You unbuckled his belt pulling it loose pulling his pants down to floor. He moved closer to you and started kissing your chest, while he undid your fancy bra tossing it to the side, pressing his now bare chest against your own it was like electricity and fire.

Having him against you, having him kiss you, having him touch you with his big hands and long fingers was a bliss, feeling like heaven.

As he began to rub your nipples, he started kissing one of them and licking it with his hot tongue, you moaning with pleasure.

“I want you Javi,” you whispered. “Can’t wait much longer.”

“You’re very eager.”

“I told you so,” giggling at him.

Then he pulls your panties down to your knees, nearly ripping them in the process, you also helped him to take off his underwear, you both are all naked now, together, discovering every inches of your bodies.

Then you moved a little away from him and went to the head of the bed. Javi crawled over to you, his eyes locked on yours, like a hunter approaching his prey.

You bit your lip in excitement but you resist opening your legs.

"Show me what you got, baby," he licked his lips then moving them from your knees down to your thighs.

You let him spread your legs with his hands, you were already getting impatient, and wet enough.

You tensed as his warm hand touched your womanhood, you startled involuntarily but you wanted him to do it more. As he pressed his finger deep inside you, you started to make cat-like sounds.

"Is this your first time?"

"What, no, of course not," you panted. "It's just, it's been a long time."

He smirked and grabbed you around the waist pulling you closer to him as he pushes his cock in, slowly.

"I haven't done it in a while either," he said, breathing heavily.

"Liar," you moaned, laughing. He grinned.

This time he started to pushing it deeper. You gasped at the feel of him inside of you, clenching the pillow you laid your head on. Both of your breathing became more rapid, when he pushed his cock almost completely then push back to go deeper. He repeated, and then repeated again. Soon he was combining his force with a faster pace. You moaning like meowing, eyes closed trying to feel him all the way, he was proud of himself for the feeling he caused. Smiling with confidence at the top of you, kissing you meanwhile, you wanted him to go deeper into your pussy, wrapping your legs around his hips pulling towards you, he liked that and gave what you desired.

You came twice for him but Javi hasn’t finish yet, this time he pulled you up to his lap by grabbing your hips, your legs begin shaking uncontrollably like you’re having a seizure and then you’re howling, your back aching so violently that Javi has to wrap his arms around your waist to keep you from falling off his lap. His fast, hard pace slowed down and he rode his orgasm out inside of you. He eased himself down, to lay on top of you, catching his breath, before sliding himself out of you and falling to lay next to you, both of you breathing heavily.

"Wow, that was fucking amazing," you said, panting.

“Indeed,” he sighed while kissing your neck. “You’re amazing, baby.”

You stayed for a while to savor the moment.

As you both breathing regularly, he got up and took a cigarette out of his jacket pocket and lit it quickly, then came back to bed. With his free hand he pulled you towards him and covered your body with the sheets then himself. You were resting your head on his chest, breathing in his smell mixed with cigarette smoke. While he moves his fingers through your hair and and then also his lips, you fell into a peaceful sleep.

---------------------------- All episodes here ------------------------

[withacapitalp]

Because the girlies really loved my last post about Argyle (and I can't remember if I put this here or not) have some more unconditional jargyle love

“I got a job today,” 

All conversation halted as over a dozens pairs of eyes turned to stare at him. Argyle gave them all a half smile and shoving some more vegetables in his mouth. 

“A job?” Jonathan managed to sputter out, looking at Argyle like he was from another planet. He did that a lot, always had, so it didn't really bug him.

Argyle was fine with being weird.  

“Hawkins Pizza! Gino wants me to start on Thursday, earlier if I can. They reallllllly need the help,” Argyle said with a disappointed shake of his head, taking another bite of broccoli and telling them the whole story. 

He had gone in on an impulse while he was waiting to pick up Robin and Steve from work. He had just wanted a slice, maybe to pick some up for dinner tonight so Joyce didn’t have to cook, but he had walked into a waking nightmare. Half baked mushy dough, tomato sauce that tasted like it came right out of a jar, and a cheese blend that had zero stringiness. 

They didn’t even have pineapple. It was a complete travesty.

The owner hadn’t appreciated his observations at first, even threatened to kick him out, but he had managed to swing the man around by offering to make him a real pizza. 

Twenty five minutes later Argyle had a job offer and a super nice new boss. Turns out the dude was way chill, just overwhelmed by being one of three restaurants left standing after the earthquake. But good pizza made everyone feel better. It was one of the reasons Argyle had loved being at Surfer Boy so much. 

“Y’all won’t be able to handle the sick ass pies I’m about to be slinging,” He said with a lazy shaka and a chuckle. 

Everyone was still looking at him, but not with as much confusion. They all congratulated him,  lowly going back to the conversations they had been having before. 

Well everyone except Jonathan, but that guy was always zonked out. 

“You’re staying?” Jonathan finally asked. 

“As long as its still cool for me to crash on your couch, my guy,” Argyle answered. Shoot. He probably should have asked that first before taking the job, but he had just been excited to get to start making pizzas again. Being in Hawkins wasn’t anything like Cali, and he had jumped at the chance for something just a little bit familiar. 

“Of course it is. Stay as long as you want,” Jonathan answered automatically, not missing a beat, “I just- I-“

Jonathan cut himself off with an irritated sigh, turning to stare down at his plate. Argyle let him have the moment, bopping his head along to the music playing in his head and happily spacing out. 

Jonny needed things like this, moments where he could debate whatever was going on inside. His best friend was ‘cerebral’ as his abuela would put it- he needed time in his head to find the right thing to say. 

Or he needed time to find the courage to say he wanted to say without fear. Either way, Argyle didn’t mind waiting. 

“I guess I just didn’t expect you to want to stay,” Jonathan mumbled out, still keeping his eyes on his plate and not his best friend, “I mean given how insane everything is,” 

It was insane. It was all insane.

Two weeks ago they had been hitting golfballs into old cars and talking about how Jonathan needed to get his shit together, and now they were sitting in the living room of an abandoned cabin halfway across the country, surrounded by people who had only taken ten days to feel like family to him. 

It was insane that Jonathan’s little sister could move stuff with her mind, and there was apparently an alternate dimension full of hell beasts that were determined to break into their world and destroy everything. It was insane that he had known nothing about the guy he swore was his best friend, and it was insane that Argyle still managed to find a way to love him through all of it. 

But sometimes insane was a good thing.

“Where else would I wanna be?” Argyle said instead with an easy grin, slinging an arm around Jonathan’s shoulder and leaning into his best friend’s space. 

[arriansarchive]

HI:D can I request a Will Byers (Season 4?) Like they just came back from Cali to Hawkins and he saw how much change one of his best friend's (the male reader) went through, like taller and deeper voice and stuff. And basically just all fluff cause my boy Will deserves love 😔 thaaanks<3

Will Byers/Tall!Male!Reader

UGH I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

I guess since we knew Will that we're part of the party so I just did that

Will does deserve all the fluff I agree heavily

I did basically the entire scene of the time where the pizza van comes to the Wheelers (sorry if it's a different house it's been a second since I've watch season 4)

And okay I didn't remember the exact dialogue and like hell I'm searching up the entire script, so ur gonna have to deal with noncanon dialogue

I'm actually really proud of this sooo happy days yes yes?

OKAY THANK YOU THIS IS SUCH A GOOD PROMPT UR AMAZING

Summary: Look above my little silly notes

Your eyes drooped slightly as the boxes seemed to pile up in front of you. You were beginning to get tired of boxes. Literally.

Steve tried to talk to you a few times, but you didn't really answer with enough worthwhile effort to keep him interested.

You felt a light tap on your shoulder. "Hey, Y/N, are you okay?" You turned around to see Dustin talking to you for what seemed like the millionth time. "You seem a little off."

"I'm just stressed and getting kind of annoyed that no one can see or understand that." You grunted, lifting a particularly heavy box in your arms.

He got a defeated look on his face as he was probably asked to do this by some other idiot trying to snoop, but you brushed it off with a shake of your head.

You wondered who would actually be okay about something like this. You got told Max was in a coma, Eddie's probably dead as well. It seemed stupid to you that everyone was acting like nothing happened.

Karen Wheeler looked over your shoulder and said something nobody was expecting. "Did someone order a pizza?"

Eyebrows were raised and furrowed as people looked back from their boxes. What looked like a pizza van was ripping down the street at a fast pace.

It came to skirting stop, and one of the doors flew open. You were more confused then you liked to admit; did anyone order a pizza?

Your eyes widened from their previously sleepy state whenever you saw Eleven, Will, Jonathan, a random guy you didn't know, and Mike step out of the side door.

The gaze that was originally fixed on the guy you didn't know switched immediately to Will. He's been your best friend for years, and you had missed him very much.

He met your awed stare with a giant, warm grin. A grin that you had longed for ever since he left a year ago. Phonecalls weren't enough to satisfy you.

"Will!" You called out, a smile matching his present on your face.

"Y/N!" He sounded relieved, but his eyes were red and a little puffy.

Will pulled you into a tight hug whenever he got close enough. You felt sparks light up in your stomach, and it felt like they were going to leak over into your mouth and out.

He was warm. It felt like being wrapped in safeness itself.

You had met Will around two years old; your two mother's were good friends throughout highschool and adulthood.

He soon introduced Mike to you, and everyone got along well. Lucas and Dustin came along later. Everything was good for a while.

Will looked up at you, seemingly in surprise. His eyebrows were up high, and his mouth was open wide.

"How did you get so tall in just a year?" He asked with shock.

As if your eyes were deceiving you before you realized that Will was quite a bit shorter than you now. He smiled up at you happily.

"I guess I didn't notice." You mumbled.

He giggled and it made your heart race a little faster. "Your voice is deeper too!"

You smiled widely at him, digging your head down into the crook of his neck. "Damn, I've missed you so much, Will."

"I've missed you too."

You hugged for a while longer before pulling away. He offered to help you with your boxes, and you gladly accepted the help, momentarily forgetting the peril you all were in.

[bycalililies]

Love In Distance, a Cloud x Aerith story by Cali Lilies

Aerith Gainsborough peered through the dancing Gold Saucer crowd, sliding a hand across her brow to improve her focus.

“Why does everyone split up whenever we come here?”

In the corner of the group she saw Cid, the jovial pilot, attempt to cut a rug. She grinned.

“At least he’s giving it a go.”

She had little interest in speaking with Cid, at least at the moment. To solve this particular dilemma, she needed someone specific. Someone who really knew her.

Her fingers nervously quaked. The first time the party arrived at the Saucer from Corel Village, it blew by in an instant. She got to know the lay of the place thanks to traveling around with Cloud that night. Wonderment Square, the Chocobo Races, the photo of Jessie outside the theater. Her eyes were still recovering from the visual overstimulation.

Yet, none of those places were her fondest memory; it was the sound of his voice instead, the feeling of that barrier between them starting to crack. She felt her heart beat increasingly faster but as Cait Sith turned up with bad news, she knew their night was over. In the hours that followed, she questioned everything when it came to her heart: Where she stood, what she wanted. Just as she was doing again now.

It was why she needed help. Help that only a four-legged Watcher of the Vale could provide.

“Now if I were Red, where would I be…”

She listed off the possibilities in her head. She was willing to traverse the entire Saucer if need be, but why not try to narrow it down? She knew he wouldn’t be at the Event Square or back at the Hotel…

Soon, her mind settled on a singular spot: The races. Red joked back in Gongaga that he’d love to run against the birds with Cait as his jockey, if they’d ever let him. He liked to watch regardless. He was fascinated by chocobos; she stifled a laugh whenever she’d see him riding one out in the wild.

As she took the conveyor up into the racing lobby, her hands trembled more. Why was she more nervous about this than the fiends out at Mt. Nibel, or the impending journey to the Temple?

She knew her answer; she just wasn’t sure it was right.

“How are the birds?”

She smiled at him as she spoke. He sat facing a throng of chocobos being shown off to a group of eager tourists.

“So energetic,” he exclaimed, voice full of wonder. “I wish we could harness some of it.”

The sound of Red’s natural voice still slightly unnerved her. It was silly, but there was something about his previous manner of speaking that felt so wise. Like there was intention and weight behind every word.

“Do you have a minute? I could go for some of your advice.”

He nodded.

“Wanna go somewhere not as noisy?”

“Is there a place not as noisy here?”

Red laughed, and the two settled on an area a good twenty feet away, straddling the left wall of the room. There was no escaping the constant chatter, but they were separate enough from the louder patrons and the occasional “kwehs” of a bird desperate for attention.

She took a seat, and he rested on his hind quarters to face her intently.

“So it’s about Cloud…” she said with hesitation still in her voice.

His left eyebrow raised a centimeter.

“Is something wrong? I can run and find the others.”

“No. Don’t. The thing is, I think I like him.”

“Really? Consider me shocked!”

She didn’t know how to read sarcasm on his face; luckily, she didn’t need to in order to figure this one out.

“It’s that obvious?”

“You do ask to fight next to him a lot.”

“Yeah,” she blushed. “I guess I can’t help it. Even though I should. Let someone else have a turn, you know?”

He chuckled but remained quiet. He had learned through the journey so far that if he gave his companions room to breathe, they’d eventually speak their mind.

“I wanna go out with him tonight. There’s a showing of Loveless in a couple of hours, and we didn’t get to ride the Skywheel last time.”

“Go for it! You don’t need my help for that.”

“It’s just that … I’m afraid.”

The very thought of that caused Red’s ears to inch back on his skull. Aerith, afraid?

“He won’t say no if you ask.”

“That’s exactly what I’m worried about…”

–

“You can’t fall in love with me. Even if you think you have … It’s not real.”

When she said it, she meant it. It didn’t matter if she loved Cloud or was starting to love Cloud. 

At first, she thought he was someone else. She knew from the moment he fell from the sky that the memories would come flooding back. Did she like Cloud, or did she like him? 

Then, they traveled through Sector 5. Sure, he was moody, but there was a charm underneath the scowls. She loved it when he laughed or tried to flirt, rare as it was. She saw how he looked at her when she walked up in that gaudy red dress for Corneo.

But he couldn’t fall in love with her and no, he shouldn’t get a say in it. She had to keep it at bay. She smiled, thanked him for all his help and vowed to cherish every moment they had. They could love each other, but in another way.

She reiterated it to herself like a mantra when he arrived at the Shinra Building to rescue her, or when they wrestled with fate on their way out of Midgar. Eventually, the reminders turned to lies. 

When she saw him standing below the clock tower, she felt the butterflies she tried to deny. He tried to keep his own feelings low-key, but she knew they were there, slowly bubbling underneath the steely-eyed surface. His feelings. Not someone else’s. What she so vividly feared.

The illusions and the lies flickered away. A reality remained she could no longer ignore. 

–

“I’ve tried to distract myself from how I feel, I really have. I know what we’re fighting against. How important it is.”

Aerith and Red XIII had made their way back out into Park Central, desperate to avoid a slowly-brewing shouting match between bird-betters in the lobby. They ventured up multiple flights of stairs, close to the entrance to Speed Square. From there, they ducked down quietly under a massive decorative palm tree.

“But why deny yourself entirely? You should feel however you feel.”

“It’s just not that simple.” She looked down despondently, her radiant eyes feeling a sudden shade darker.

“It's like I'm drowning in guilt. That I shouldn’t get to feel this way. That I’m selfish.”

“I know I haven’t known you that long, but you seem like the least selfish person I know. Remember when you stayed up with me after I got sick from eating that meat in the Grasslands?”

“Oh, how could I forget,” she said with a laugh, before turning serious again in a matter of seconds.

“I just know my actions could hurt other people, even if I don't mean to.”

-

Zack.

She used to think about him by the hour. Now, it varied. He’d done nothing wrong and here she was, thinking of someone else with a buster sword. Someone wearing similar clothes.  How hurt would he be?

At first, she thought it’d be a lot, but with every footstep out of Midgar she started to know more and more of the real Cloud, as hard as he was at times to find. He wasn’t Zack, and she wasn’t replacing him with some carbon copy of his personality.

Zack would understand. He wanted her to be happy. Time passes, and people evolve. That’s okay.

Tifa.

She knew there were feelings there dating all the way to when she was little. Tifa told her as much! She already felt bad enough saying what she did about the clock-tower date in front of her. (Sure, it was barely a date, and they were so rudely interrupted.)

Tifa was wonderful: Strong and powerful, but with a delicate and kind interior. She was shy, quiet. A surprising contradiction. Any guy would be lucky to have her. Aerith saw the way Rude from the Turks looked at her, not that Tifa would be interested … or that it would be a good match at all. 

She never wanted Tifa to think she was openly pursuing someone she cared about. Fate had already placed the party in dozens of dire situations; this was among the most cruel. She never expected to have these feelings. It started fun, and maybe a little flirty. But now? She thought about him the moment she opened her eyes to the moment her head hit the pillow. Tifa often slept in the same room, mere feet away; Aerith wondered if her ritual was the same.

The Planet. Sephiroth. 

Sometimes it felt like there were two choices put before her: Save everyone, or follow her heart. She would never choose the second; she couldn’t. But why couldn’t she have both? Why not at least try?

–

“And then there’s the biggest problem of all…”

Red started up at Aerith intently, working to process not just her dilemma, but all of its various complications. She had put far more thought into this already than he’d ever considered.

“I don’t even have to say his name, do I?”

“No.”

“I want him to know how I feel, but I know what comes with it.”

“Him feeling the same?”

“Yeah, and if he does, all of it could hurt so much worse.”

Aerith looked past the tree and around the corner, just in case anyone was closing in on their vicinity.

“Have you felt any memories come back since we left Midgar? Any visions?”

“No. Can’t say that I have.”

“Something bad is going to happen. The Whispers can’t take that feeling from me, no matter how hard they try.”

She took a deep breath, summoning the courage to continue her thought.

“The closer Cloud and I get, the worse it will be if I go. If something happens to me.”

“Well, does something have to happen to you?”

She nodded.

“It might, and then what? Cloud may need to save the planet, and if he’s spending his time thinking of me, will he be able to?”

Red rose up on all fours, and paced in a half-circle around her as she crouched down.

“You have immersed yourself in quite the quagmire,” he said in his serious voice, giving her a playful grin at the end. She responded with a faint smile, knowing he was trying to make her feel better.

“Gramps used to tell me that there can be love in distance. That you can be thousands of miles away and still feel them at your side. It’s how he cared for me while still focusing on his work. I think it’s how he cared for a lot of people.”

He stopped pacing and faced her head-on.

“We’re going to be here overnight, so why not take advantage? If you don’t, Cloud may never know what that love feels like at all.”

“And if I go…”

“He’ll still feel you at his side. He may even feel you more than if you were here and still quiet.”

He then spoke as softly and sincerely as he could muster.

“You’ve talked about embracing moments as long as I’ve known you. I think it’s time you take your own advice. It’s one date. Tomorrow, we can all be heroes and save the Planet.”

“And tonight, I can just be Aerith with Cloud.”

He grinned, accidentally exposing his sharp front teeth.

“Out of everyone, why did you come to me for advice? I’m hardly the most experienced.”

She patted him softly on the back.

“Because you know what I was, and I know who you were. We’re both searching for the parts of us that we forgot.”

–

Aerith never spent much time thinking too far ahead. Back in Midgar, there was always the risk that someday, Shinra would take her back. Now, there was Sephiroth and a sinking feeling of doom she could not escape.

One night at the inn in Cosmo Canyon, Tifa asked her what she wanted to do when all of this was over, before explaining her dream of re-opening Seventh Heaven with new cocktails inspired by her adventures. Aerith said she’d visit, but when it came to plans of her own, she found herself drawing a blank.

“I … I don’t know. I’ll figure it out when I get there, I guess.”

In the days since she ruminated on an answer. She saw Sector 5, she saw Cloud, and she saw the church. Did she see another date? A kiss? A wedding? How far did she want to take this? In her heart of hearts she wanted all of those things someday, with a fancy dress and flowers as far as the eye could see.

When was that day? Where was that day? Sealed away within the corner of her mind, entertained by a version of her who was not always around to share in the morning.

If I can’t have those things, what do I have? I have now. I know what I want. Why let Dream Aerith have all the fun?

She eagerly hopped down the stairs from Speed Square, waving to Barrett as he walked up towards the arena.

“Where are you goin’?” he bellowed.

“You’ll see! Working on a surprise.” She hurried along, and she could hear Barrett yell “well, don’t let me stop you!” from behind. She could have used the Fast-Travel Moogle, but she still embraced the lights and sounds humming in all directions. The commotion reminded her of the slums and she welcomed it.

Maybe he’ll remember me no matter what happens, but I want him to remember all of me. Not just the smiles on the surface.

She made a beeline to the entrance of Event Square and hopped on the conveyor.

I keep saying I’ll tell him someday. Sure, I could promise myself to tell him how I feel tomorrow or next week. But if I do it now? There is no reason to look for tomorrow, and there are no promises to keep. I won’t need them.

“Two tickets to Loveless, please!”

She practically shouted it to the counter attendant, who, as he pulled out the tickets, came to a startling revelation based on her physical description.

“Oh! I have been instructed to give these to you for free, along with a message from Dio: ‘A friend of the Saucer is a friend to me! Relax, and enjoy some of the Saucer’s finest entertainment before your battle in the morning.’”

As she walked away, another attendant standing to the side beckoned her over.

“Miss! Did you know? There’s a songwriting competition tonight. You can have your moment in the spotlight, as your song will be heard by all in attendance at tonight’s show.”

“Wow.” Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“Absolutely! Entries close in an hour and a half, so you better get to work.”

“Ok! I’m on it.” Almost instinctively, she bolted out of the Event Square, tickets in hand. She’d never written a song before, let alone in such a terrifyingly-short amount of time; luckily, she thought she had an idea…

–

The upside-down receptionist at the Ghost Hotel was kind enough to offer a pen; Vincent tracked down a sheet of paper in seconds. He liked him; he didn’t ask many questions. Maybe he didn’t care for answers.

Now, where to write a song…

Could she go up to her room? Maybe, but there was no time to waste.

As she took a seat near the stairwell and uncapped her pen, messages echoed through her mind. There can be love in great distance, just as there can be miles between those mere inches away. Her words were the catalyst to hold them together.

Aerith felt all of her fears relax as she clenched onto the parchment, and began to lovingly write the first words. 

[ballroomfitz]

Build Me Up Buttercup- A Fallout New Vegas One-Shot

Dr. Alex Richards/Male Courier 6

On a quiet night at Camp Forlorn Hope, Dean joins Dr. Alex Richards for a cigarette

Camp Forlorn Hope was quiet for once that night (or as quiet as anywhere in the Mojave could get) and Dean couldn’t sleep. Boone was sleeping for once, and Dean couldn’t shake the paranoia that came without at least one of them having their guard up. He could stand to be more trusting, he supposed, but then again, the last time he relied on the kindness of strangers, it got him a bullet in the brain. 

He wandered lethargically through the camp, whistling a song from long before the war he’d caught on some morning radio show or another.

“What’re you doing up so late, handsome?”

Dean turned around. Dr. Richards was sitting on a rough wooden plank, his face lit only by a lit cigarette. Dean shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep.”

“Tell me about it.”

Dean sat down. “Spare a cig?”

Richards handed Dean a cigarette. “C’mere.” He carefully leaned in, with a lit cigarette in his mouth, and touched the tip of his cigarette to Dean’s. Dean closed his eyes, trying to take a moment

Richards pulled back and laughed. “Chrisssakes, are you wearing cologne?”

Dean laughed, a little embarrassed. “Found some herbs growing by the highway on my way from Primm. Keep ‘em in my coat pocket.”

“Unbelievable,” Richards shook his head with a smile. “Well, just wait it out. Believe me, you spend enough time out here, vanity goes out the window fast.”

“Guess so,” said Dean. “But I gotta hold on to the little things, just so I don’t lose myself.”

Richards looked out at the sky, thick with smog. “I used to wear cologne. Real stuff, from the bottle. I used to get my suits tailored. Used to go out dancing, even.”

“You still dance?”

“Maybe when the war’s over, honey.”

“I’ve heard Cali’s good for that,” said Dean. “Dancing.”

Richards smirked. “God, has the cruising dried up around here. No pun intended.”

“Do you have anyone waiting for you back home?” said Dean.  

Richards smiled bitterly. “I did. He used to write every week. Silly little love notes I’d hide in my cot to look at when I got lonely. After a few months, though, they dried up,” Richards flicked some ash off his cigarette. “I like to think he’s moved on, for his sake. How about you, handsome?” 

“I could never hold on to anyone for long,” said Dean. “Boyfriends, girlfriends- somehow we always seemed to drift apart once the novelty wore off,” Dean paused. “But it gets lonely out here, don’t it?”

“You have no idea,” sighed Richards. 

“Heard through the grapevine the NCR isn’t the most accommodating,” said Dean. “For boys like us.”

“You heard right, more or less. Though it depends where they stick you. Out here? Not a chance.”

“Don’t your superiors mind?” said Dean. “Let’s call a spade a spade, you’re not exactly discreet.”

“What are they going to do?” said Richards. “Discharge their only halfway competent medic? Maybe if I stop being useful.”

“You ever wish you’d stay behind?”

Richards stopped and blew out a puff of smoke. “I won’t put on some kind of show of self-sacrifice for you,” said Richards. “Every goddamn day. I thought I was here to serve my country. To defend glorious democracy. What a joke, what a sick fucking joke. But if it wasn’t me, it’d have to be someone else. And I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.” 

Richards took a drag of his cigarette and closed his eyes. “But I try not to dwell on it. Sounds awful, but they all melt together at a certain point. But God, some things . . . Two years ago, I had to amputate the leg of this kid, Christ, he couldn’t’ve been a day older than nineteen. I had to use the last of the morphine to knock him out, he wouldn’t stop bawling,” Richards sighed. “And they posted him up in the watchtower, figured he was still good for something if he could hold a gun. I told them they’d be crazy not to send him home, they said he wasn’t on the front lines so he’d be fine,” Richards kept his gunpowder green eyes fixed on the horizon. “They killed him, they killed that kid. They told his girlfriend and his parents that he’d died in combat, they let them imagine he’d gone down in some big heroic stand. Kid died for nothing, he got shot by a Legion sniper before he even had the chance to see him,” Richards rubbed his temples. “God. Yeah, I do, I do wish I’d stayed behind.”

Dean leaned over to touch Richards’ hand. Richards looked at him and took a long drag of what was left of his cigarette, before he flicked the butt on the ground. Richards grabbed the back of Dean’s head and pulled him in hard for a kiss. Dean leaned forward hungrily, feeling his rough, stubbly chin, keeping an iron grip on the neck of Richards’ shirt. Richards slowly pulled away and gently ran his calloused thumb along Dean’s cheek. “In another life, buttercup. In another life.”

[cthomashoodstory]

Best Years but Not in the Same Way (30)

Calum Hood x Reader

Previous Part

I’m sorry it took me 3 years to continue this story. i hope someone still wants to read this story. enjoy!

Masterlist

-

After all these Long Distances drama, finally he came home to LA. But you didn’t immediately meet him because you were busy at studio, helping Justin again with his song called Forever. You know Calum didn’t really like it but you did it anyway, because it was your work and you like to help friend.

It’s 10 p.m. and you texted Calum.

You said goodbye to the people on the studio, and also Justin. You just waved at him and left the building. Second time you met him still awkward, at least for you.

-

You checked your schedule at your laptop and today was the day you had a video meeting with Andrew Watt. He invited you to help him and his friends to write a song. He didn’t mention who his friends was but you guessed one of them is Ali Tamposi.

You waited for him to call you and you also eat your breakfast. Not long enough he finally called you. You answered his calls and his face was on your screen alongside with Ali, your guessed was right, Ryan Tedder and also you saw someone very familiar. It was Luke.

“Aye Palvin.” Andrew greeted you. You smiled and waved to the camera. “I asked her to help us writing because… i didn’t know anyone else.” He laughed and we also laughed.

You furrowed your eyebrows. “Luke hi!? Why are you here?” You asked him. “Is Luke going solo?” Then you asked the rest of them hoping they would answer.

“No I’m not. It’s 5sos’ project.” Luke gave you a smile and you returned it.

“Cool!” you said. “So, thank you so much for letting me be the part of this project.”

They’re all happy seeing you joining this meeting.

“So i have wrote the lyric and i want to share with you all.” Ryan began to play chords on his guitar and sang the lyric. After he finished, he continued to explain. “The concept is where you hurt someone and you’re kind of making them a promise that although i’ve hurt you and there’s like this dark cloud over us right now, I’m gonna give you the best years of my life.”

You nodded.

“Wow i think it’s a beautiful romantic promise and statement to make.” Luke nodded also.

After hours and hours passed by, we finished the verses, the pre chorus. And then Andrew started played the guitar to match the lyrics. “This is so beautiful. Guys thank you so much for helping. I’ll take it from here.” Meeting is over and it was 6 P.M. right now. You called Calum right away.

“Hello?” Said Calum from the other side. He sounded different.

“Hello Cal,” you greeted him happily even though he didn’t respond the same. “Where are you? I just finished meeting with Andrew.”

“Oh. I’m outside. I’m meeting my friends.” He answered as short as he could.

You sighed slowly. His attitude became like this since he knew you’ve been working with Justin for his upcoming album. Almost a month since early august. On one side you glad you fixed the friendship you had with Justin. Because deep down you just want to live in peace and had no more hate feeling to him. And also you felt a strong connection with Justin when you wrote songs together. Not in a romantic way. But the other side, it tore Calum apart. You knew the consequences of having Justin again in your life and you still took it anyway. And now look what you have done. Slowly you and Calum distance to each other.

“Oh, okay. How’s the Teeth promo doing?” You asked him again try to reduce your ego.

“Great, it was great.”

You tried to hold your tears. “Alright, have fun Cali.” You decided to end the conversation because you couldn’t handle his bitterness.

“Bye.”

You ended up crying on your bed without him knowing your hearts hurt so bad.

-

Today is September 1st and you got an email from Justin. It was an invitation to his wedding day with Hailey on September 30. You sighed as you saw this digital invitation shown so beautifully on your laptop screen. Suddenly you mind did a flashback to the sick old memory. But it dispersed when you got a video call from Michael.

“Hey hey miss B,” Michael greeted. “What you doing girl.”

You grinned confusely. “Hey dude, just sit on my couch doing nothing. What’s up Mike?” When you asked him, out from nowhere, Calum joined the video call.

“Hey Cal.” Mike waved his hand to Calum.

Calum frowned. “What’s with this meeting, dude?” He sounded almost pissed with Michael because he had been avoided any video call or meeting with you directly.

“Stop it both of you.” Michael snapped. “I knew you two had been avoiding each other for over a month. I love you two and i don’t want anything bad happened to you guys. Cal you better make it up or i will be so mad at you. Alright, I’m out. Bye.” He left the call and it leave you only with Calum.

You gulped. You could see his faced were so pissed. You were so ready if he said he wanted to break up.

“Cal…,” you paused. “What happened to us? We haven’t seen each other for a month.”

“I’m busy with the promo. We’ve been doing this for years, Saara. I’m busy with my band and you’re busy at the studio, that’s it.” He avoided any eye contact with you.

You wiped your tears. “Don’t you Saara me, Cal.” Your heart shattered when he called you by name. “I knew we’ve been doing this for years, but we communicated through calls, video calls, we talked.” “If you have something to talk to me please tell me now.”

His face turned into sad. “Fine. I still can’t accept the fact you still involved with Justin. After all this years he hurted you, i waited for you to heal your feelings from him, just for you to go back with him?”

“I’m not going to back to him. I’m with you now, Cal. Please. It was just an album work i swear to God. I’m returning favors to Poo Bear. I owe him so much until i am today, that’s why i accepted his request to be part of Justin’s album. That’s it.” You explained to him hardly because you were crying.

“I’m outside.”

You left the laptop and opened the door immediately. You saw him stood there with his phone on his left hand and a bucket of roses on his right hand. You hugged him immediately and cried on his chest. “Please don’t leave me.” You said it while sobbing.

“If i leave you i wouldn’t give you this flowers.” You pulled the hug and you took the flowers. “I love you so much that i don’t want to lose you again. and I’m sorry this situation went too far.”

You nodded and kisses him.

-

to be continued

Next Part

[reigningqueenofwords]

Cyber Tag

Pairing: Dean x Reader

Part 2 of the Games We Play

For some reason, getting on at the same time lately had been difficult. You’d be logging off, just to see his name pop up, and vise versa. Sure, you would have loved to stay and chat, but you had work to do. So, you left each other little in game presents and notes.

Theinastus- Haven’t seen you on lately. I miss our flirting. Did you replace me with someone real? *gasps* I bought you a pie. I hope you like it!

-K

It wasn’t much, but it was something to let him know that you were thinking of him. You waited a few more minutes before calling it a night.

Dean groaned as he rolled over. “Remind me never to do that again.” He told his brother without opening his eyes.

Sam chuckled. “Which part? Going shot for shot with half the damn bar? Accepting drinks from a few hot chicks? Or getting up on stage and singing Girls Just Want to Have Fun. Which, by the way, I have on my phone.” He grinned.

“God, you suck.” He yawned, getting up. “Any new cases yet?” They’d just finished up in that town- hence the active drinking last night. None of which he remembered after the first hour. Which was probably a good thing.

“No, but I’m looking.” He shrugged, his eyes never leaving the laptop.

Finally, that evening, Dean felt well enough to keep his eyes open and logged on. He smiled softly at your note and sent you one in return.

Kanestinia-

You spoil me. I love me some pie. Did you know they make apple pie moonshine? Good stuff. Two birds with one stone. Anyways, I miss it, too. I’d never replace you! Did you replace me? I hope not. I bought you a rose, until we chat again.

-T

Hitting send, he went off to work on some quests.

This went on for three weeks until you finally saw him online. You were about to click his name when he sent you a message.

Theinastus- MY CYBER LOVE! Kanestinia- My cyber husband<3 Theinastus- I’ve missed you :( Kanestinia- And I, you. Theinastus- Busy life, I take it? Kanestinia- You have no idea. A lot of traveling- like 4 states or something? I lost track… Theinastus- We did a lot, too. What states?

That was brave. Neither of them ever discussed locations they were in before. But, he was feeling brave.

Kanestinia- Cali, Washington, Oregon, etc… that area. You? Theinastus- Holy shit. We might have passed each other! Or even spoken. How crazy is that? Kanestinia- That’s insane!!!

You stared at the screen, wondering what were the possibilities that the two of you were in the same states, at the same time, and had spoken? Slim, right?

Theinastus- Where are you headed next? Kanestinia- Nevada. Theinastus- …Boulder City.   Kanestinia- How’d you know?!? Theinastus- Lucky guess. Care to dress up like your character so I know it’s you if I see you? Or a sexy school girl? Kanestinia- You wish lol :P Theinastus- More like dream ;)   Kanestinia- Awe, shucks, you’re making me blush.

After a couple randoms together, you forced yourself to get off and get some sleep. You wanted to leave first thing in the morning, and that wouldn’t happen if you let yourself stay up flirting all night with him.

Dean had a silly smile on his face as Sam came out of the bathroom, hair wet from a shower. “She send you pictures or something?”

“No, nothing like that.” He grinned. She’s going to be in Boulder City.”

Sam’s eyebrows went up. “Really? Did you ask her out?!” He grinned, as his brother deserved to be happy.

With a sigh, Dean shook his head. “No. I’ve told you, I won’t.”

“They why are you out here grinning like a love-sick teenager?”

“Because, she’s been in the last few places we’ve been, and she’ll be in the next one, too. For a bite, we’re under the exact same sky.”

Sam stared at him. “Are you sure she isn’t a hunter, too?! And I think you should go find someone to go home with. Let them deal with you like this. It’s weird.” He teased.

When you realized how long it had been since you brought a man home from the bar, you sighed. You’d been so focused on your virtual man, that you neglected real life. It was your last night in Boulder, and you decided to have a couple drinks.

You walked in wearing a black t-shirt, cut off shorts, and sneakers. No need to doll it up too much. Your hair was left out, and your makeup minimal. You went straight to the bar and ordered a beer, and a shot.

“Two beers, please.” A tall man with hazel eyes ordered from a couple seats down.

Your eyes ran over him and you smirked. Taking your shot, you winked at him.

When he grinned, all you saw were pearly whites, and dimples. “Hi, I’m Sam.” He moved over and held out his hand.

“Y/N/N.” You shook it. “Nice to meet you, Sam.”

“Can I get you another shot?” He offered.

You sipped your beer, your eyes still on his. “Only if I get a dance out of you.” You countered.

“Why don’t you join me and my brother at our table? We can have a couple beers, and I’ll dance with you as much as you’d like to.”

Sliding off your stool, your body brushed against his. “Lead the way, handsome.” You chuckled, grabbing your beer.

[seasy33]

Twinyards Timeline

A long time ago, I had the idea that I was going to write a pre-canon, Nicky-centric fic so I combed through the books to create a (mostly) comprehensive Twinyard/Nicky timeline. The fic didn't work out, but I thought I would share the timeline bc I think it's cool to see it all written out (if somebody else already did this... welp, guess I wasted an afternoon lmao)

I did this to the best of my knowledge of the books, but there's a very real possibility that I got some things wrong (so don't judge me too harshly)

Aaron and Andrew were born in San Jose, California (November 4th, 1986)

Tilda immediately gives them up for adoption

One week later, she takes one of them back —Aaron (whether she choose him on purpose or not is debatable)

According to Nicky, from Aaron, Tilda was neglectful but not specifically violent (up until Andrew came into the picture and they moved to SC, but that comes later)

Meanwhile, Andrew goes through 12 foster houses in 11 years

At age 11, he gets picked up by Cass Spear

He stays with the Spears for two years (in Oakland, I think?) up until Aaron comes into the picture

A couple of days after Aaron turns 13 (November 4th, 1999), Tilda takes him along on a date to a game in Oakland where he accidentally meets Higgins (who knows *Andrew* through the PAL program and mistakes Aaron for him)

Higgins figures something's up, gets Tilda's number, gives it to Andrew’s foster mom (Cass) hoping to reunite the twins/ Cass calls next day/ Tilda refuses any meet-up

Aaron listened in on the call, fights with Tilda, calls Higgins/the PAL coordinators behind her back to pass his info to Andrew

Two weeks later, Andrew sends a letter (“fuck you, go away”)

Cass sends Aaron another letter saying try again in spring (“holidays are rough, lots of changes at the house”)

In March, before Aaron can try again, Andrew goes to juvie

Two months later (it's May, 2000, the twins are 13 and Nicky is just turning 17 (May 23rd, 1983)), Tilda and Aaron move to South Carolina

(It’s at this point that Tilda got angry and got into drinking more (and drugs too))

Nicky goes to Germany for his senior year (2000-2001) and is only around Aaron for a couple months/weeks? before he's gone

Aaron gets into a lot of trouble during this time, fights in school, drugs, general asshole, starts playing Exy (to get out of the house) (Nicky's mother sends Nicky letters about Aaron's "traumatized rebellion" while he's in Germany)

Nicky comes back to SC very briefly for graduation, turns 18, presumably comes back out of the closet to his parents and they 'disown' him, (“Dad hasn’t let me set foot in it since I came back out the closet”), so he moves back to Germany to live with Erik

(just to clarify, we're at the point now where it's five years ago from TRK, when Nicky is telling the story of how the twins first met; two years after the original letter, so the twins are now 15)

Luther finds out about Andrew, goes to Cali, interviews Cass and sees Andrew in juvie

A month later, Luther flies Aaron to Andrew in juvie (Andrew sees bruises, gets motivated to get out)

A year later (16 now), Andrew makes early parole and gets out, Tilda is forced by Luther to take him in, (“A years-long campaign”), and they all now live together in SC

Five months after being in South Carolina with their mother, Tilda dies in a car accident

The night Tilda dies, Aaron and Tilda get into a fight (it's actually Andrew, Aaron was at a study session for Andrew)

Andrew (as Aaron) shows up to Hemmicks’ house, they see the bruises and shit, call Tilda over to confront her, she storms off with Andrew in tow, he kills her ("she went over the median into oncoming traffic and wasn't wearing her seatbelt")

Nicky comes back to SC when he hears the news (depending on what time of the year this all happens, which is never specified, Nicky is either 19 years old or 20, and the twins 16 or 17), he moves in with the twins the day after the funeral

Andrew forces Aaron through withdrawal (in the old house they lived in with Tilda (?))

Nicky buys the Columbia house (Luther cosigned, Erik helps, too) and they all move in

Nicky starts as a host at Sweetie’s

Hears about Eden's Twilight, bothers the workers until he gets a gig as a bar-back, then gets Aaron and Andrew part-time gigs as dishwashers and food-prep

At 17, Andrew saves Nicky when four men jump him outside Eden’s Twilight, he gets put on the mandatory drugs

Okay that's as far as I'll go hahaha I spent way too much time on this as it is. I think I might have messed up some of the ages because it's hard to tell when in the books all it says is 'two years ago' or 'three years ago' so i might be wrong on some of that. but yeah. a mostly comprehensive timeline (i hope)!

[sleepdeprivedsimp234]

~I present to you wonderful beings, (drumroll please 🥁🥁🥁) Louisiana doing the "Giving my bf my hand to see what he does" challenge with the Main 6 cuz I f*ckin’ love this ship~

(Or essentially just Loui being a blushy-flustered mess—)

=======================================================================

First up: Florida

Louisiana walked into the kitchen where Florida was leaning on the counter with his phone. He stood next to Florida and also leant on the counter, but he left enough space in between them so that he could put his hand out in the space between.

"Hey amor~" Florida said, looking down at Loui with a flirty/loving gaze that made the smaller blush a bit. He looked down at Loui’s hand, which was being held out in between them?? "What’re ya doin’ amor? My hand is right here silly." He said with a slight chuckle before holding up his own hand for the younger to see. When Loui didn’t react, he smirked, grabbed Loui’s hand, and spun him around before dipping him close to the ground. He laughed a bit at the smaller’s small squeak of surprise and kissed him on the cheek.

=======================================================================

Next up: Texas

Honestly Loui didn’t know what to expect when he decided to put his hand out for his taller bf to take. Would he be confused? Would he hold his hand? He didn’t know. What he most definitely did not expect, was for Texas to f*ckin’ grab his hand a place a gentle kiss on top of it.

Texas laughed when his smaller bf started blushing and smiling like a little dork. He picked him up for a second and gave him a quick peck on the lips, laughing again when Loui tried hiding his face in his chest.

=======================================================================

Third up: New York

Loui noticed that York had been acting a bit strange during the meeting earlier and decided to go check on him to make sure everything was alright. He managed to sneak past the rest of the NE to get to NY’s room, and was relieved to find his door unlocked. He quietly snuck in, closed the door behind him, and jumped onto York’s bed where the Empire State was laying completely zoned out.

And because he was zoned out, he definitely didn’t expect the Pelican State to jump on him, and nearly let out a small shriek when he did.

"Oop- sorry Cher, didn’t mean to scare ya." Loui said, though York could tell that Loui meant to scare him. The smaller just laid there with his head on the older’s torso and smiled at him sweetly.

"It’s fine I guess."

"Are ya aight doe? Ya looked a bit off at da meetin’ today."

"I’m fine Mags, the smoke has just been fogging up my mind and I’ve been zoning out a bit lately. Nothin’ to worry about."

"Are ya sure?"

"Yep."

"Okay den."

Loui crawled over to the taller and laid next to him, an arm wrapped around his waist and his chin on top of York’s hair. After a couple of minutes, he remembered the challenge thing he was trying out with his bf’s and put his hand out where York could clearly see it.

York looked a little confused at first, but after a few seconds he just grabbed Loui’s entire arm and cuddled it like a damn teddy bear. Loui barely managed to keep himself from squealing at the adorable-ness coming from the normally stoic Empire State.

=======================================================================

Number 4: California

California was sitting on the couch with his switch when Loui came into the living room and laid his head on the taller’s lap and smiled slightly at the taller.

"Pfft- Hello to you too Mags." chuckled the Golden State. He gently ran his thumb over the side of Loui’s face before turning back to his game. A few minutes later, he felt something on his shoulder. He looked out of the corner of his eye and saw the smaller’s hand resting palm-up on his shoulder. Cali snorted slightly before grabbing the younger’s hand, planting a gentle kiss on top of it, and holding it close as he continued playing his game.

And once again, Louisiana was left a blushing mess.

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And finally: Gov

It was around 3am, and Louisiana honestly didn’t feel like traumatizing the rest of the household that night, so he decided to accompany his workaholic of a boyfriend, who was still up doing work. He quietly sat next to where Gov worked and scrolled through his phone.

That’s when he decided to take this as the opportunity to put his hand right next Gov’s to see what he would do. He noted how the older jumped a little bit, but nearly melted when Gov grabbed his daintier hand and held it in his bigger/more-muscular hands and gently ran his thumb over his hand with a small smile.

=======================================================================

@simpyfrog hehe I did the thing >:D

[captainx-camino]

I got to Experience Los Angeles Comic Con with my best friends in the entire world over my birthday weekend

We hit the road early in the morning on Thursday the 30th to form the Cross Guild (and Luffy) trip of a lifetime.

We picked up our bestie Fate (Mihawk) first and then headed out to Yeti's house to load up Mama Croc's Minivan.

I wore all the hats before loading them into the car, where we finally started the drive to Cali around 7-8am.

At some point we stopped at Eddie World, where my partner and I bought new friends, bat and platypus plushies we respectively named Jeff and Kiki.

On the 30th as a special gift for my birthday weekend, we stopped at Forest Lawn Cemetery to visit Dwight Frye.

This was an extremely emotional experience for me. I got to tell him how much me and my friends all appreciate his work and how much we all still love him and three little grass spiders crawled out onto the grave to say hello.

I also gave him a rose for everyone I know who wanted to pay their respects, which I truly believe made him happy.

I also cried like a bitch, but that's beside the point. It was incredibly special, the man is one of my heroes.

After that absolute emotional break mb, it still wasn't yet time to check into the hotel, so we swung by Little Tokyo for an early dinner (we each paid for dinner one of the four nights we were there, which was so much fun) I could not have asked for better people to spend my con weekend with.

The hotel was TINY. Like, you had to turn sideways to walk around the bed tiny, but we somehow managed to not kill each other despite sharing a room with no privacy or space (which is just a testament to our friendship tbh)

But, we all managed to make it work and we successfully got our room settled and sorted, picked up our badges Friday around noon (LACC did a fantastic job with their ADA stuff, despite a small hiccup with the stickers.)

We got to be Robin and Raven for the short day, did some shopping (I got some great birthday presents from everyone) and then my Rayray did a shoot in the room, which came out AMAZING.

ON THIS, THE DAY OF MY BIRTHDAY

December 2nd finally arrived! It's my birthday, I got to cosplay as my favorite character, my partner was my other favorite character, and my whole crew cosplayed One Piece with me!

My bestie Fate got to attend Thankmas in the morning, and then we all got back together to get a group photo with Jamie Campbell Bower (and I got a special solo one because it was my birthday)

He was so sweet and nice, and he almost killed me when he called me gorgeous. The picture was me freaking out a little, but it's fine. Lol He made my entire life.

The last day of con, I had also gotten the opportunity to get Jamie's signature - to which I decided to get my fanart of Henry and Eddie/Kas signed by him.

Not only did he specifically choose a pen that complimented the art (because he wanted it to look nice - I love him) but he asked if it was him and Joseph Quinn to which I said yes, it's Henry and Eddie, and he told me it was SEXY. He also wished me a happy birthday and told me I don't look a day over 19, which was wonderful since I'm 33. So, ya know...

Jamie Campbell Bower thinks my art is sexy and that I still look young and fresh. That's my accomplishment in life, I guess. Pretty good accomplishment, if you ask me...

And now Jamie also has a copy of this piece, which I hope he loves.

It truly has been the best birthday I've ever had and I couldn't have asked to spend it with better people.

I already miss my Cross Guild and I can't wait for the next event we attend together.

I never hoped to have friends as wonderful as I do in adult life. I love them so much and they love me just as much back. It's been so amazing having them in my life, I can't even begin to express how grateful I am.