#i also very much love her deer tooth dress

[writteninlunarlight-years]

Hello again!! I would like to request another matchup, but this time it’s for an Original Character of mine for Hazbin Hotel. If that’s alright.

Name: Summer Hellfire

Pronouns: She/Her

Sexuality: Pansexual (Loves everybody!)

:ENFP-J

Age: 28

Appearance: She’s 5’11” and a Doe looking demon. She has antlers like Alastor, but instead of black they’re a white, cream color. She prefers to wear suits, like Charlie, but they’re more baby blue or a light color like that; she also likes to wear skirts as well. Her style is formal but cute. She has a black nose with a round maw. Her eyes are a lovely shade of emerald green. Her fur is soft and caramel color. While she has fur she also has shoulder-blade length hair that’s a natural beautiful wave. She also has three freckles on each of her cheeks.

Personality: Oooh, boy. For starters she’s absolute definition of sunshine and optimism. Living in hell but she’s the epitome of happiness. She’s a very caring woman and always think demons should be given the benefit of the doubt. She matches Charlie and her optimism. She as well believes that there’s some good inside everyone. She loves all but hesitant at letting people getting to know her at a deeper level (I’ll get to that in a sec). But, when you make her mad, upset or insult her friends, or harm someone she cares about, man, all Hell will break loose. She will show you what she’s really capable of. She might seem like all cupcakes and rainbows, but when you get on her bad side you better prey for Luci. She can get a bit emotional at times, and worries that she’s annoys everyone by coming off too strong or too overly friendly.

Likes: Has a very large sweet tooth and loves anything sugary. What people find a bit surprising is that she loves soury sweets the most. She loves spending time with her friends. She LOVES animals!!! She appreciates going out for a few parties but she tends to be a bit of a light weight. She for sure agrees with Alastor that you’re never fully dressed without a smile. Watching the sunset and exploring the other rings.

Dislikes: Liars. Just unnecessarily rude and disrespectful people. Being an optimist, she doesn’t care for debby-downers.

Background of her character:

Summer Hellfire was born in the Wrath Ring, shockingly. But never likes to talk about her childhood as she grew up in an orphanage. Her parents never died, no, they never cared for her or loved her; they sold her away to the orphanage, leaving her behind. That’s her greatest fear: To be unwanted, unloved. That’s why she gives everyone she meets a smile or a compliment, no matter where they’re from. She moved from one home to another, over and over, but no one wanted to keep her, making her fear grow and grow. When she was too old for the orphanage, aging out, she wandered Hell with no purpose. She aimlessly wandered around the ring of gluttony, hoping to get rid of her sorrows with sweet treats. That’s when she met Bee. The Deadly Sin took her in and she basically became her big sister, finally giving her a place to belong. The moment Summer caught wind of Charlie’s Hotel, she immediately took this opportunity to give demons something her parents never did, a chance. Summer still goes to Bee’s parties when she can and as well as keeps contact with Ozz. That’s how she met Fizz and the rest of the gang and Stolas.

Yeah, is that too much background? This just turned into a character organizer, my bad, I got a bit carried away with writing the character. Sorry, but hopefully this is enough to go off of for the matchup.

~~~~~ MATCHUPS ~~~~~

HAZBIN HOTEL OC!

Vox

~~~~~ HEADCANONS ~~~~~

Vox heard of you long before you appeared by Alastors side that day he challenged him.

You were well known by every overlord as you were a hell-born close to ring leaders and the daughter of hell for crying out loud.

When the name Summer Hellfire is whispered through the overlord meetings, he just had to get a look at you. Of course, that damn deer demon had to be right there too.

Not only did you witness him get severely beaten by Alastor, but he also had to hear your giggles broadcasted on the radio for all to hear when Alastor said his peace.

Vox chose the Vees purely out of political control, sex sells, fashion sells, and no one has the attention span to stop him. It was perfect, but here, you and Miss Sunshine Princess were taking away his revenue.

He couldn't tell if the feelings he had for you were from hate or lust. So he did what he did best: hacking into your life.

Through those months of observing from the sidelines, he learned so much about you. He honestly felt horrible the more he learned because he felt like he was robbing you of the opportunity to tell him yourself.

Vox also felt really alone, which is why he surrounded himself with social media in life and death. That way, he never had to be truly alone.

The day Alastor found out what he was up to and informed you was when Vox fell head over heels for you.

You were so elegant and beautiful, half-transformed, walking into his building and asking him if he wanted to 'dance with the devil.'

Instead, he humbly apologized and expressed his desire to get to know you. Though you were hesitant to forgive him, you did let him live unscathed.

From then on, Vox made it a point to meet you in person, even if Alastor was there with you. He was going to prove to you that he was far superior to the deer demon.

You were a big influence on him, and the other Vees weren't too keen on it. Without a big TV man, how would their media sell?

When they came after you, honestly, it was surprising that before Charlie or Alastor could come to your rescue, Vox was already taking punches for you.

Of course, you are a big girl and can handle yourself soon, sending the two other Vees on their way.

After witnessing the kindness Vox had hidden deep within him, you allowed him one date to wow you, or you were out.

Oh boy did he deliver, he may be ostrizied from the porn avenue and fashion streets but he had so many other places in hell to wow you with.

Luckily, giving this odd TV man a chance allowed you to find someone who not only cared about your views and story but also was willing to be redeemed.

~~~~~ BLURB ~~~~~

Vox was watching you on the big screen in his office. You were so beautiful and honestly a little too kind. He didn't mind; he thought it was a unique quality for you. Something about your kindness and pizzazz differed from that of the princess of hell. He had been carefully observing you and the others in the hotel for a few months now, making sure to avoid Alastor at all costs due to the Radio Demons' need to interfere. He was a decent man. He never watched you or any of your friends when you were indecent or when there were severe private matters at hand. However, he was mostly always looking at you when group meetings were held, or he was aimlessly scrolling.

It was getting harder and harder to hide his growing affection for you from the Vees's they always had to be around nagging, "Wathcing that Summer chick isn't finding out how to beat Alastor," "Are you forgetting the mission here? It to be the most powerful?" or even, "We only need us three no one else why are you so interested in her?". He honestly didn't know why other than you were just different, a warm light in a dark shit hole. That's when he noticed the distortions on the screen.....fffuck. Before he knew it, every TV was shut down, and static blared through the room. Alastor caught him.

Vox was trying to figure out how to control the damage. I mean, come on, you obviously were gonna hate him. You had to. That's when he heard the front door of his tower get busted open. Rushing out to the foyer, he saw you at the end of the stairs, half-transformed and honestly gorgeous. You looked ethereal and waaaaay too damn powerful for any of the people here to take on. "DO YOU WANT TO DANCE WITH THE DEVIL TV MAN?" He was taken aback by your straightforwardness before he realized you were just pissed, not actually asking that of him. He sank down to his knees and began to spew out apologies left and right about why he did what he did. Thank god the other Vees were out, and he could delete any possible media footage of this before it got out. You took pity on him for some reason, but from that moment on, he swore he would show you that he was the best for you.

~~~~~ EXTRA ~~~~~

( You and Vox were out on your first date; he was still scared and beaten from his fight but swore he was okay. Well, till it started raining)

Summer: Vox, the weather looks like it's getting bad. Why don't we head back?

Vox: Oh, a little water won't hurt me, dear. I'll be fine.

Summer: You still haven't healed fully yet. I don't think this is a good idea.

Vox: No, you told me about one date, so I will knock your socks off. I want this to work. I promised.

Summer: Vox literal sparks are shooting out of you when water touches the crack on your head. Let's head back and let you heal a little more. I'll give you another date.

Vox: (does the pointy finger thing) Promise?

[rdrthingies]

weekly tayen update ft. a commission from the lovely @theodoresart

tayen loves dancing, she learned a lot of different styles from her time staying in different tribes. Her first date with Javier consisted of him playing music as she danced around the fire as seen above!

[pbandjesse]

For some reason the backs of my legs hurt so bad today it was hard to sit or stand up. Laying down and sitting criss cross seem alright. But it did put a little damper on the day. Thankfully it was still a good day.

I slept alright. I felt really stressed when I got up because I had to go back to the dentist. James tried to make me feel better. They made a beautiful blackberry tart. And so I packed one of those in my little backpack. I also had to charge my phone so while I wanted to not bring my backpack I had a lot to hold.

I felt cute today though. I was in a good mood overall even if I was stressed. My legs were really bothering me. Like I couldn't touch my toes my hamstrings were so tight. But we headed out and I would mostly be okay. Except getting in and out of the car. That was tough.

Honestly the dentist went fine. The hygienist I had was lovely and really nice to me.

And the cleaning went okay. Honestly it hurt in places. She was very concerned about my oldest crowns because I like fully tried to get away from her when she tapped in it. Which is crazy because it doesn't hurt? Like I feel fine. But it wasn't horrible. I just wasn't having fun.

She was nice though. We talked about the wedding. I told her our venue has beautiful gothic architecture and she said if she could do it again she would wear a black wedding dress and I was like. Yes!!! My mom vetoed that. But I am walking down the aisle to MCR and she was like. You know I was listening to MCR this morning and they still slap. And I was like you are correct.

She also told me I was hardcore when I told her about the time I had to pull out my broken tooth bits with pliers. Got to keep them on their toes. Dentists.

But at least she didn't make me feel like crap. I did make more appointments to possibly get my one crown replaced but I don't expect I'll actually be able to afford that. Even with insurance I will be surprised.

It was a beautiful day though. And me and James were heading to the zoo!!

We got out there and there was a huge group out front but they were a homeschool group and so we were able to go around them and got in with no issue. Love a reciprocal ticket.

I almost got emotional looking at the prairie dogs again. There were babies!! They were squeezing! And jumping!! It was excellent.

And then we took the historical walk to the rest of the zoo. I really had fun. I dont know if I was showing it much. I was hungry. We would sit and I had my pastry. Enjoyed the nice weather and the lack of crowds. There were babies and nannies and parents and that was fine.

We didn't get to pet the goats but I did pet a donkey. Very soft ears. And we saw a lot of sleeping animals. I wish we saw the otters and bear more. But I got to see so many bats and tree frogs. We also just saw a free roaming deer. It was really just a lot of fun.

We were there for about an hour and a half. I was getting tired though. My legs hurt and I wanted to eat something. Their cafes weren't open today so after we saw the grizzly bear we headed out.

A nice security guard referred to us as king and queen and it made me smile. It was a beautiful day for real.

While we were walking back to the car we got the great news that the kilts are ready for pick up!!! Finally!! So I texted my mom and checked in with her. The plan now is I'm going to to visit my parents and pick up the kilts and do a sewing day with Jess and it just made me feel so much lighter. It had really stressed me out not knowing what was happening with the guys outfits. But things are good now. Hopefully the pick up goes smoothly.

Me and James headed to Hamden to go to Golden West for lunch. We got sandwiches. They have a lot vegan options so I was able to get a BLT and I enjoyed the half I ate. The whole thing was to big honestly. It was a good lunch.

We went to get gas for the car after that. And I just got so tired. My body hurt so much and I just desperately wanted to lay down.

We got back and I got changed and laid down. James rubbed the backs of my legs and it helped but sleeping helped more.

James went for a long bike ride while I slept. And when I woke up they were all smiley and it was just good to see their face.

We ordered pizza for dinner and just had a chill evening. Mostly just watching videos. I packed a little backpack and put out my totebag where I'm keeping my wedding dress. Jess says that is very me. But I'm all ready to go in the morning.

I took a bath with salt and bubbles to try to help my poor body. Helped a little. I also washed my hair and attempted to use my round hot brush to practice how I'm going to do my hair for the wedding and it's not perfect but it worked so well!! Made me feel so pretty and my hair felt so soft. I think with a little more practice this will be perfect. I also need to get some hair spray but that's not a huge deal.

Now me and James are in bed watching scary videos. I have a little juice. I am in a good mood.

I hope my trip to my parents is nice. I am looking forward to seeing them. I haven't seen my dad since his surgery. But he's home now and I am looking forward to spending some time with him and my mom.

I hope you all sleep well tonight. Goodnight everyone!!!

[sweetestlamb]

Rain On Me

A Motel Smut Fic 

Summary: The rumbling of the engine vibrates through her exhausted body, the fatigue from her aimless walk now catching up with her as she clings to the wide span of his torso. The rain leaves his thin cotton shirt plastered to the coiled muscle of his abdomen, those enticing abs she had only seen a glimpse off are tight and compact beneath her weather worn digits. 

Author's note: Sorry that this took a while, life has been a bit busy in the best way. I’m very excited to see so many others joining the fandom and writing fanfiction though, glad to be able to read stories from talented writers! I hope you guys enjoy this one, I had a harder time than usual with this smut, and the pov switches a few times because MY and GT had a lot to say and I just followed their lead. I can never write smut without a tinge of emotions so please excuse the excessive inner thoughts and inner monologues, I initially planned on just starting with the sex but I just love a build up. * Plays Ashanti’s “Rain On Me” 

Thank you for the beautiful header @essantial​ you’re the absolute best! 

The rumbling of the engine vibrates through her exhausted body, the fatigue from her aimless walk now catching up with her as she clings to the wide span of his torso. The rain leaves his thin cotton shirt plastered to the coiled muscle of his abdomen, those enticing abs she had only seen a glimpse off are tight and compact beneath her weather worn digits.

She hasn't the vaguest idea where he intends to bring them but she knows she'll follow him wherever he leads. Her heart had spattered to a stop just like the motorcycle's rumbling engine when she saw him approaching, his face chiseled and undeniably beautiful under the hard cascade of precipitation pouring from the skies. She'd never had a knight in shining armor, never had anyone try to protect her. She was hard, jagged and sharp, lashing out and wounding others before they could get close enough to harm her.

Yet.

There he'd been. Coming to save her even after snapping at her like a viper, acid dripping from the tip of his tongue as he crushed her under his foot like the empty can he'd compared her to. She had been too shocked to respond, to retaliate, to defend herself.

There was also that little voice that had awakened in her mind, advising her to think before she acted, a voice that frustratedly sounded like the very person who she itched to lash out at. The irony of her situation was not lost on her. He was both the one who tormented her and soothed her.

Ergo, she'd let his words slash her skin, hot tears boiling in her eyes as he rejected her once again. She hated herself for how devastated his words had left her, what he declared was no different from the thoughts that plagued her mind already. Was she just an empty can with no feelings? Loud and clattering, merely a hindrance to others who needed to be avoided at all cost? Was her father justified for squeezing the air from her lungs? If she had succumbed to death's inevitable call would she be doing the world a favor?

But, he had come to rescue her, and by extension of his act did that mean she was worth saving? Worth living?

"Get off. We're here." His curt words abruptly drag her back from her rumination, as he begins to slide off the bike, trying to pry her cold fingers from his immense warmth. "Let go." She tightens her hold fearing that if she releases he will abandon her, leaving her cold and alone. With a strong swipe he breaks her tight grip on his soaked shirt and stands up, long legs unfurling from their bent position on the bike.

"Come on."

He walks away before she obeys his direct command, and that's when she realizes where "here" is, a brightly lit motel, fluorescent light blinding in the dark fog left by the rain. After a slight pause, she hops off the bike following him through the glass door into the motel, the heat surrounds her almost immediately, her soaked body shivering underneath his sweater- the knight's armor.

The motel clerk perks up at their entrance, pushing the magazine he'd been reading to the side before welcoming them, "Hello, how can I help you?" His voice is inviting, much like a vendor selling goods on the streets.

Gang-tae flounders at the innocuous question, as she rolls her eyes, he routinely claims she's impulsive and needs to take time to think things through, yet he is the one that sped out on a motorcycle during a storm and now brought them to a motel only to act like a deer in headlights when asked a simple question.

She doesn't save him, watching him raptly along with the motel clerk. Curious about what he'll say next. Seconds pass as they both watch him awaiting an answer before finally, he solemnly turns to her, "Get a room here and wait out the rain. I'll ride home."

His words cut her like the blade of a sharpened knife, his presence was merely temporary, he'd had no plans of remaining with her, she was simply something to save and capriciously toss away before forming any attachment, insignificant. Anger and shame simmer in the pit of her churning stomach.

Poison curls around each syllable in her words, "I didn't ask you to bring me here, I was fine walking in the rain!" She spins around, with the full intention of marching right back into the rain and walking until her body is numb, longing to feel nothing and become the empty can he believes her to be.

His hand on her wrist halts her motion, "Stop being stubborn! You can't go back out there, it's too dangerous! Are you that fearless to travel outside in this weather by yourself? What if something happened to you and I wasn't there to--"

Her eyes widen at his shouted concerns, his grip on her wrist is hard as steel as his eyes pierce into her soul. Who is he to look at her like that and say those words to her? As if he cares about her.

She explodes.

Snatching her wrist from his hand she bulldozes into his space, eyeing with satisfaction as he retreats as she looms closer, one step forward, one step back.

"Why do you care if I'm out in this rain? Who cares if I put on a strip show outside like a crazy woman?" His eyes minutely twitch at the suggestion, something almost possessive flashing for only a second.

She misses it as her rant continues, "Are you angry? Does it bother you? Do you like me? Do you think you can handle it!" She barks each question into his face, until they collide with the machine, lights blaring in their sight, the crash from her hand slamming on its surface deafening in the otherwise silent hall.

It is dead quiet, only the sound of their breaths filling the air.

"Well? Why aren't you answering? I want to know how you're feeling, I can't tell. Maybe it's because I'm a empty can." She states spitefully, watching regret swirl in the dark pools of his eyes, his wet rain curled fringe only distracting her for a split second.

She shows no mercy, mockingly pressing on, "Why are you being so quiet? Are you an empty can too?"

Despite the clear difference in their height, he shrinks under her wrath, cowering under the weight of the carefully placed venomous words.

"I...I..." He stutters out, incomplete sentences dangling in the air, she watches as his eye dart across her face before he looks over her shoulder and suddenly turns a fiery scarlet hue. His cheeks lighting up like a wildfire. He pushes past her arm cornering him in and she spins around to continue her tirade.

Before her eyes land on the motel clerk, shiny foiled contraception hanging from the tips of his fingers, mischievous smirk on his face.

"She'll take a room." He reaches into his pocket, pulling out his wallet and slamming down an indiscernible amount of money on the table.

The clerk begins to rattle off information about the quality of his "steamy hot" rooms and all the features available, mirrored rooms, costumes, handcuffs, and even a hot tub. She hears almost none of it, still stuck on his statement, she'll take a room.

The motel clerk passes the room key, glimpsing at them both, eyes pointedly lingering on Gang-tae as if trying to converse with him with just the shifting of his pupils, before mouthing, stay with her.

She doesn't give him a chance to answer, reject her again, he has hurt her enough today to last a lifetime.

The rolling sound of the zipping descending is loud as she pulls it down the length of her body, tugging the jacket swiftly from her body, ignoring the immediate chill that stabs her skin, shivers rushing through her body. Vehemently she throws the sweater at him, watching as he jumps back from the soaked material before his eyes land on her throat. He gasps at the sight.

She knows what he's seeing, can feel her father's hands still curled around her throat bruising the tender skin and marking her a monster. Something to be passionately murdered, snuffed out of existence.

If that was his sole purpose for coming she didn't need his fucking pity.

Snatching the key she storms off, absently listening as the clerk directs her to the location of her room. She strides down the winding maze of the hall, following the signs as they guide her until she sees her room door, 1J. Finally, she approaches the door, key already in hand.

Only to be stilled by a hand on her shoulder, twisting around in shock she's rendered speechless by the face that greets her.

She's never seen this man in her life but his smarmy smile instantly puts her on edge. A gold tooth glints back at her when his mouth curls up in a salacious grin, "What's a pretty little thing like you doing here all on your lonesome? You look like you could use some company." He boldly moves into her space, openly perusing her like goods, her skin crawls under his appraisal, her black undergarments peeking through the soaked white of her dress.

The desire to cover herself is colossal.

"Don't touch me." She shoves him away, snarling at his audacity, homicidal thoughts surging in her mind as she contemplates removing her shoe and bludgeoning him until he's an unrecognizable pulp on the dingy carpeted floor. 

He chuckles at her refusal, "Don't be like that. You should know that girls that look like you only come here for one reason. Don't play hard to get. I have money." He proudly pulls a few crumpled bills from the dark crevice of his pants, his hands encroach closer, intending to slip the money into the top of her dress.

She recoils from his grubby hands, voice raising with indignation and horror, "You think I'm a whore?! And you think you can pay for me with this measly amount of money? Get away from me you loser, use your hand like you have been all your life!" Her voice echoes off the walls and she watches the smirk melt off his face, giving way to pure distinguishable rage.

"You bitch! I'll show you your place!" His hand draws back, open palm flying toward her face. She stands still expecting the fire that will ignite on her cheek.

Only it never comes.

Her eyes which screwed shut in anticipation of the impact, flutter open only to see his broad back covering her completely. His hands are wrapped tightly around the wrist of the man, twitching in his grip as the man sputters out, "Who are you? Let go of me! This is none of your busine--aahh!!" He screams dropping to his knees as the pressure on his wrist increases, pain etched in every wrinkle of his putrid face.

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry, please let go. You're breaking my wrist, please!" The man pleads on the floor, pulling at Gang-Tae's hold, unable to pry even a finger loose, she watches as he squeezes even tighter, his own white knuckles standing out starkly against the burnt red of the man's wrist.

Then finally he releases him. Tosses his hand away with a short cry, when he speaks his voice is crushed glass, "Get out of here." The man clutches his tender flesh to his chest before scrambling away, too terrified to even look back at them as he runs away.

He turns to her with a penetrating glare, "Why are you standing in the hallway looking like that? Come let's go inside." He motions at her body at his first inquiry, eyes struggling to avoid her tempting figure that can be seen through the almost transparent dress.

She remains still, baffled by his sudden appearance before turning to open the door and watching dazedly as he enters the room, dragging her alongside.

She'd unaware of the internal battle that had raged his brain after her departure, his eyes had followed her longingly as she moved further and further away before disappearing out of his sight. He couldn't deny the fear that raked through his bones, yearning to protect her, he'd tried to leave only to stomp back in to the annoyingly cheerful smile of the motel clerk. Defeated, he'd asked for a second key and followed her down the hallway, only to see red and then black. His reaction had been visceral, immediate and uncontrollable. He'd yearned to beat that bastard to a unrecognizable pulp for daring to touch her.

Thinking of what would have happened had he not been there makes his skin crawl. He can't leave her alone in a place like this with suspicious characters like that lurking around every corner.

Despite his best efforts he couldn't stop the pull that she had on him, his body dragged into her powerful orbit. He watches her beautiful face, expressionless as she gazes at him, none of that fire that's usually directed his way. His eyes soften at the red markings that decorate her otherwise blemish free silken skin. His anger flares again.

"What are you doing here? I thought you left." Never one to stray away from a confrontation, she immediately begins her interrogation. Eyes narrowing into dangerous slits, tracking his every movement for signs of deceit.

At a lost at how to answer, he simply stands there, their eyes locked in a battle that has been fought many times since they crashed into each other's lives.

"I don't need your pity." She bites out, snarling at him.

Her fury ignites his own, "Good. You won't get any from me. I brought you here so I should stay. That's all."

Her eyes scream liar, liar, liar as they pierce into him but she doesn't question him any further. Stomping off to the what must be the bathroom before slamming the door shut. He sighs a short breath of relief before collapsing into the bed.

Without her there to distract him he openly glances around the room, cheeks burning when he notices what exactly he has willingly walked into. The entire ceiling is smooth clear glass, streak free and crystalline shiny. His own embarrassed face stares back at him, his lips opened in a small oh.

Something fuzzy and pink catches his attention in the reflection at the head of the bed, he turns to see what it is before flinching away in surprise. He falls off the bed during his jolt, butt plummeting into the floor.

His brains tumbles before resettling.

Hand cuffs. A pair of hand cuffs are attached to the metal bar of the bed post, one half closed as the other lays open in a fluffy pillow. He's only asked for a basic room, nothing special, his exact words. Yet there is nothing ordinary about this room. He mentally curses the motel clerk, that presumptuous instigator, he'd give him a piece of his mind when they left.

All the blood rushing to his head distracts him from hearing Mun-yeong's return. Steam wafts from the bathroom, completing her dramatic entrance, his heart thumps into his chest violently as he watches her step through the steamy fog.

God damn it.

Her long raven hair spills over a naked shoulder, wavy and damp, clinging to her skin as she approaches the bed. The only thing protecting her dignity is a comically small towel, barely reaching the middle of her thigh, putting miles of bare skin on display, her legs smooth and long, skin gleaming in the dim light.

His tongue is heavy and dry in his mouth as he gapes at her.

He juts his head up at the ceiling only to groan in frustration when her equally enticing reflection greets him. Stammering out, "Yah! Put--put some clothes on. You can't.... can't just leave the bathroom with a towel on!"

She smirks, "Why are you getting so worked up? You saw my clothes they're soaking wet, I couldn't put that back on. This towel was my only option, unless you preferred I came out naked." Her perfectly plucked eyebrow lifts at the provocative suggestion, he adamantly tries to obliterate all images of that very vision that rush to his mind. Other regions of his body similarly taking an interest with this conversation.

He doesn't respond to her obvious teasing remark. Primarily because he is overwhelmed, not used to being this turned on. He can't even deny that reality, not as the heat between his legs begins to perk up in interest, ignored for far too long.

Terrified he glances back at her, finding her enraptured in the ceiling , winking and smiling at her reflection, oblivious to his plight. Gratitude and relief both dance in harmony across his skin, he uses the diversion to quietly scamper to the bathroom. The door closing signaling a much needed reprieve. He lets out a sigh as he presses his head to the door, the wood cool against his hot face. In and out, in and out. He centers himself, tugging the strings of control back into there rightful place. Feeling the desire that bloomed in his loins fissure away until only smoke remains in its destruction.

Seeing her undergarments carelessly strewn across the floor almost undoes all the carefully constructed walls he built but he closes his eyes and hops into the shower, willing himself to think of nothing.

He did the best he could to wring the excess water from his clothes before dejectedly dragging the wet cold material back onto his now shower warm skin.

It's not the best solution but it is unthinkable to exit the bathroom in only a towel, knowing that she would be donning as little as well. If they were both in towels, it would be bad. Catastrophic, even.

He gives himself a pep talk sitting on the towel, praying for control and Mun-yeong's deep slumber that will last the remainder of the night. 

His second wish is not granted as he opens the bathroom door, stopping in his tracks at the inexplicable scene.

Her lips are sealed around something plastic held between her fingers, she blows into the object and it expands in her hands, he notices the phallic shape before realizing that she's blowing the condoms like balloons.

Where did she get condoms?

Why does she have condoms?

Why was she blowing them up like erotic balloon animals??

He sputters out, flailing his arms, "Wha--What are you doing?"

With a final puff of moist air, she pulls her lips away from the condom, tying it off and looking at him nonchalantly, "You were gone for a long while, I got bored." She shrugs, "Plus we won't be needing any condoms tonight."

Disappointment drops like lead his his stomach at her statement, he should be happy, should nod in agreement and be thankful that they are on the same page, she will not be seducing him or tempting him to lose control.

Good.

Great.

Fantastic.

His heart shouts liar liar liar as he tries to convince himself.

"I'm on birth control so we don't need these getting in the way. I want to feel every inch of you, I don't want anything in between us." She calmly detonates a bomb on him, all while undressing him with her eyes and leaving every little to his imagination in her attire. Tossing the condom to the side to land with all the others she has blown up. 

"I told you to stop. Stop saying things like that to me."

"Hypocrite. You're the one who brought me to a motel, you're the one that got jealous in the hallway, you're the one who came out in a storm to rescue me. Your actions scream as loud as my words. You want this too. You want me. Just admit it."'

Admit it.

His head is spinning from her accusation, his behavior has been nothing but confusing to him as well since the moment he raced out on the motorcycle, but hearing her lament everything so concisely forces him to face the truth. He had been the one to seek her out. Impetuously, searching for her as soon as he heard what happened, unable to stop himself from reacting. Why did she have this affect on him? What was it about her that called out to him so strongly? Why couldn't he control himself when she was involved?

All questions he wasn't ready to hear the answers to.

She wasn't wrong, he was a coward.

Wordlessly he sways to the bed, needing something solid to keep him afloat in the ocean of his thoughts.

The red circling her neck grabs his attention again and he whispers, "Are you okay? Does it hurt?"

Different emotions swirl in the haunting eyes and he fears she'll lash out at his question, coldly banishing it as the pity she shouted she didn't want from him.

She never does what he expects.

A humorless grin spreads across her face, "I'm alive. I'm fine. This wasn't the first time and it probably won't be the last. That man hates me and the feeling is mutual. You know what's funny, you're the first person to ask me if I'm okay. All of your little nurse friends just watched as he tried to kill me. Isn't that funny?"

It isn't funny. His hands clench in ire thinking about her gasping for life on the ground as no one came to her aide. Unable to fathom how her own father could be so cruel.

"That shouldn't have happened to you."

She looks at him dispassionately, fight leaving her eyes and her shoulders sagging.

"All monsters must die. Didn't you say that people like me should be avoided? Don't you think he was trying to do the world a favor by killi--"

"Shut up." He slams his hand over her mouth, rolling cross the expanse of the bed until they are a mere inches apart.

"You said you didn't want pity. So stop pitying yourself. What happened was wrong and you didn't deserve that."

Her eyes desperately search his face again, as she looks up at him, finding what they're looking for before he sees the sadness bleed from her eyes leaving room for something better, brighter.

It's only when her eyes shift to his lips that he realized how close they are.

Too close.

Moving his hand off her lips, he starts to lean back, scurrying back to safety. But she moves with him, towel shifting down with her upward movement, precariously close to falling and his eyes grow larger in fear.

Suddenly their positions are swapped and he's gazing up at her hovering over him, dark curtain of her hair tumbling over her shoulder and cocooning him. He aches to run his fingers through the locks.

"I don't want pity. But I do want your desire. You're looking at me like you want to eat me alive. Do it. Give me that."

His body constricts at the demanding request, shaking his head in arbitrary refusal, disregarding the heat and want that swells like a wave at her words.

"No. No... We shouldn't. I can't. Just go to sleep."

She brushes a hand through the wet fringe that frames his forehead, sliding through the wet locks, "You look delectable with your hair like this. I have to admit though, seeing you racing to come save me. I was quite smitten."

Pride unfurls in his chest.

Then she steals his breath.

The kiss isn't sudden or spontaneous, she smiles at him, a gorgeous smile that transforms her face from pretty to breathtaking, before she becomes to lean down, her eyes locked on his lips leaving no need for speculation. Her intentions couldn’t be clearer. 

He has ample time to move, reject her once again and only allow himself to have her in small manageable doses. Being around her is far more addicting than any drug.

He is too weak to follow through. 

The kiss is soft, softer than he expected from someone as unrestrained as her. Her hands are gentle on his face, caressing his cheeks as she presses her insistent lips into his. The kiss is nothing like he expected and thus it is perfect.

Just a kiss. He'll allow only one kiss. That should be enough to sate his hunger for her.

She starts to deepen the kiss, tongue poking at the tight seal of his mouth impatiently, then her fingers trail under his now slightly damp shirt, nails raking at the muscle that lays hidden, his mouth falls open at the new sensation. Wasting no time she licks into his mouth, moaning when she finally gets a taste of him. He suppresses an answering groan, light-headed as she overwhelms his sense, her scent and her taste coiling around him in an impenetrable wall.

He losses himself in the kiss, riding the high of finally tasting that mouth that has tormented him for too long. Letting her tongue swirl in his mouth, sinuously dancing with his own, until his lungs are burning .

When she begins to push his shirt further up his torso, baring his stomach, he jumps away from her touch and ultimately breaking their wet connection. Grabbing her wrists in his own shaking hands, he halts her movement, taking a deep measured breath.

"That's enough. I.... can't."

His control shudders at the sight of her above him, her eyes begin to slide open slowly as she falls back to earth, the passion that pours out from those eyes is enough to knock him off his high horse, her lips are kiss swollen and rosy wet, teasing him, tempting him. Her face is flushed as she pants, minty breath landing on his face with every exhale.

"Aren't you tired?" The tone of her voice is exasperated, at his bewildered expression she continues, "Of lying to yourself? Doesn't it get tiring never getting what you want?"

You're just a kid who wants to be loved.

I know you want to have fun.

She's the only one able to see right through him, reading him like he's an open book with pictures and startling him with her apt analysis, another reason he knows he should stay away from her, she will be his undoing, untimely demise.

"You want this. Tell me otherwise." She demands.

He wills his mouth to open and do what she says, deny his desires and sever this moment, the glint in her eyes informs him that this will be her final request, answer wisely.

He lays frozen, words lost in the jumble of his mind. Moving too fast for him to pluck them out and form a coherent sentence. Then she begins to move away, taking her delicious heat with her and his hand flies out instinctively, grabbing her towel covered waist his brain screaming no.

She stills, narrowed slits glaring down at him. Reading him again. Searching his face before she nods, "Okay. I'll take that control."

Slithering up his body, she catches his lips in another toe curling kiss, harder than before, all tongue and teeth, biting at his lip and demanding entry, he rushes to give it to her, weak at her passionate onslaught. This time he kisses back, wraps his tongue around hers and sucks, drunk on her flavor and ignoring the voice in his head that demands that he stop.

He feels her hands traveling up his chest, brushing on his nipples, before running up his arm and settling on his wrists, she lowers all her weight on him, knocking a shuddering breath from his overexerted lungs. The soft press of clothed breasts on his chest throwing his thoughts off kilter. In a flurry of movement, he feels her tug his wrist with both of her hands, something fuzzy curls around immobilizing him as his eyes snap open.

He pulls and meets resistance.

She draws away from him to watch his reaction, both of their eyes fixated on his wrist. He peers into the ceiling unable to look fully above his head and his pupils dilate as he sees what he already knew, felt on his skin.

Handcuffed.

Just as she promised she'd taken away his control.

A moan escapes his lips. She squirms in response to the sultry sound.

"I found something else when you were gone." She leans to the side of the bed, bending at the waist to retrieve something, rocking into his erection with the motion and he bites his tongue to contain his moan.

With an all knowing grin, she sits up grinding down into his hard length, throwing her head back, long hair whipping over her shoulder, wild and free.

He almost spills from that image, alone.

"Look." She offers what resembles a tiny remote with a cord connected to the bed, light vibrations start to buzz through the surface of the bed as she twists the dial.

The bed trembles and shakes beneath them rocking them along with the waves of vibrations.

"What are you going to do to me?" He whispers, fear and anticipation fighting for domination.

With a shark like grin she replies, "Take you apart and put you back together."

Immediately she sets off on her mission, openly appreciating his body, tongue dragging across her lips as she takes in the alluring vision of him at her mercy. He watches utterly captivated as she runs her hands up her own body, briefly pausing to mold her hands around her breasts, squeezing them and moaning deeply.

His mouth is arid dry, tongue turning to sandpaper at the seductive picture.

Then she tugs at the seal of the towel, loosening its hold, one strong pull is all that is necessary to have it tumbling off her body and cascading to the bed, baring every inch of her body to his ravenous eyes that dart from the soft swell of breasts down to the smooth mound of her naked sex.

Again, she takes herself in hand, pinching at her dark pebbled nipples, groaning at the pain before comforting herself with a gentle swipe of her thumb. His free hand cries out to join her in this endeavor.

"Touch me." Before the words have even settled in the air, she's capturing his free hand and bringing it to her chest, soft, hot, fuck, the only words left in his vocabulary as his hand becomes full of her. After a moment's hesitation, he squeezes the soft flesh in his hands, eyes locked on the tight furl of her nipple. His touch his soft, revered.

In absolute disbelief at the precious gift is he being given.

"Harder." His hand responds to her cry, tightening his hold and viciously tweaking her peak, eyes darkening at the way she rolls along his body, smearing her wetness across the plane of his stomach. He can feel her heady warmth sizzling on his skin, fingers longing to run through the drenched folds and tease her hidden jewel.

"Watch me." He falters at her words, grabbing her waist when she starts to slide off his body, wordlessly begging her to stay. She pushes his hand away smiling at his worry and dismay, laying flat on her back next to him, "Look at me." When he twists his head, wincing at the twinge from the pull of the hard metal on his wrist, he finds her eyes averted to the ceiling, he meets her eyes there.

Entranced as she slowly brings a finger to her mouth, lips wrapping around the digit, she opens her mouth showing him the way her tongue laps and soaks it, before pulling it out with a filthy wet pop. The finger trails down her body, pinching her nipples but their journey continues until they reach her center. He watches her reflection dazed as she uses two fingers to spread her lips open, bringing her feet flat on the bed to give him an optimal view. His heart beat skyrockets pounding in his chest as all the blood rushes to his cock.

With a deep seated moan, she takes two fingers and plunges into her wet center, her puffy lips giving away to the press, widening at the invasion. She shoves in until her fingers disappear into the depth, before dragging them out and fucking back deeply, her voice slices through the white noise sloshing in his brain.

"Gang-tae, I need you."

She fingers herself, in, out, in, out, eyes screwed shut from her pleasure.

He smacks her hand out of the way, control all but decimated, mashed to smithereens,before rubbing across her wet folds her moan setting him on fire before he mimics her movement, showing two fingers into the tight grip of her pussy. His rigid erection jumps at the thought of taking its place, her wet heat wrapping around him.

The vibration of the bed bounces her on his fingers, knocking her back on to his digits every time he withdraws. She bodily rides his hand, "More, more, more." He presses a third finger in, forcing her walls open sighing as the flesh gives under the pressure.

Ramming into her he watches her face twists in pleasure in the mirror, his own lust blown eyes greeting him as he watches her. She grabs her breasts, squeezing them as his fingers plunge into her steadily and powerfully.

Grabbing the reins of his desire he presses a fourth finger into her, his thumb accidentally rubbing across her clit and the most beautiful sight plays out in the mirror. Mun-yeong twists violently on the bed, bucking away from his fingers but he chases her, shoving the fingers back in and purposely massaging at her observing as she falls over the edge, orgasmic screams drawn from her mouth.

Her juices drown his fingers as she quakes apart on the bed, his eyes drink in the sensual sight of her fluttering lips around his soaked fingers.

He slowly drills into her lax hole, lost in her heat before she grabs his wrist. She takes three deep breaths, naked chest rising and laying before she turns towards him, eyes dancing.

"You're a fast learner." He reddens under her open praise. "Your turn."

His turn? She answers his wordless question by crawling into his space, and he's momentarily blinded by her beauty. Her face and body a work of art, all clean lines and soft curves, petite and tight. Her hand tugging at his pants drag him away from his musings.

"What are you doing?"

"Shhhh no more talking unless you're saying my name, asking for more or moaning. I already told you what I'm doing tonight."

Taking you apart and putting you back together.

He shudders at her words and then at her daring fingers, tugging his now unbuttoned and unzipped pants off his hip. The cold air slams into his overheated erection, doing nothing to change its stiffness or ardor.

"Beautiful." Dismissing his blush, she grabs him through the soft stretch of his boxers, stroking teasingly from root to tip. Watching a dark stain form at the tip as she massages the head.

She strokes him through the cloth a few more times, avidly tracking his face, "So handsome." She whispers it under her breath, clearly not intended for his ears and he heats up at the open awe in her voice.

Nothing could prepare him for the pleasure that overwhelms him when she extracts his length from its clothed prison. It stands at attention, thick and veiny in her hand, clear fluid pooling at the red tip and spilling down the sides.

The beds vibrations pushes his erection into her grip and he groans twisting his hips up, desperate for her touch. "I got you." The promise laced in her words cause his eyes to water, he's usually the protector no one has ever supported him, he rapidly blinks the tears away shame faced. 

She misses his emotional riposte, her eyes locked on his erection jutting out and almost too thick for her hand to circumvent fully.

Using both hands she strokes him, using the leaking fluid from gathering on his cock to ease her journey, he pants in response, "Please." His pleads fall from his lips, desperation annihilating any reservations that lingered, he's completely on board now watching her burst apart from his fingers ripping the last tendrils of control from his grasp.

She doesn't leave him wanting, eagerly bending her head to pop the tip of his erection into her mouth, lips curling around the tip and swallowing the liquid pooled there.

His toes curl as she hums at the first taste of him on her tongue, vibrations hitting him from both ends now, the bed and her mouth. His head spins from the new sensations, he has never felt anything like this, scarcely even finding comfort in his own hands. Hard to find moments alone while sharing a space with his brother.

She sucks him in ever deeper, his hand slams on the bed, handcuff forcing his body to pull taut as he tries to prevent himself from thrusting into her mouth. It's a fruitless battle, she slurps and bobs on his cock, dismantling him down to a molecular level. Every atom of his body is screaming her name, he doesn't notice when it falls from his tongue, "Ughhh Mun-yeong!"

His cries emboldens her, she loosens her mouth sinking the rest of the length down his erection until her lips are flush against the root. His eyes slam shut, spots bursting behind his closed eyelids, he thrusts up powerfully his cock slipping down her throat and euphoria batters at his brain.

He's powerless as he bursts apart, release shooting into her waiting mouth, expecting her to pull off he's further deconstructed as she happily hums, swallowing each drop as it explodes in her mouth.

The tight suction of her mouth is too much following his release and he weakly tries to pull free, his cock slides out of her mouth, with a final suck of his tip she lets him fall from her mouth.

"Delicious."

Her voice is raspy and rough, the tone causes his dick to twitch feebly.

He feels fatigue begin to form after his earth shaking orgasm, his first with someone else. His eyes drift close as he falls into a deep slumber. He's vaguely cognizant of a wet material wiping across his skin and a blanket being tugged over his now chilled body.

"Rest for now."

He obeys, sleeping finding him easily.

                               ********************************************    

She watches him sleep, peaceful for once, all the worries missing from his handsome face. Her body tingles in memory of what they've done. His fingers in her most intimate places, his cum thick and hot on her tongue, his salty flavor still lingering on her tongue. His orgasm had surprised her but it was a pleasant surprise, she had greedily taken everything he had to offer, hungry for more. 

His flaccid cock lays innocently on his thigh now, taunting her, it had been anything but innocent plundering her mouth earlier. She's been watching him sleep for a few minutes, a boom of thunder waking her from her slumber and she'd been unable to fall back into the sandman's clutches.

Instead she watched him sleep, taking in every delicious inch of his body, that gorgeous face with a chiseled jaw and wide inviting lips, his hair curled beautifully from the rain, the wide berth of his shoulders and the solid stretch of his chest which tampers into his narrow waist that is all set atop long thick thighs and legs.

His dick twitches and she glances up to see if he's awake, his eyes are moving rapidly beneath his closed lids, in the throes of a dream it appears.

"Must be a good dream." She ponders as his erection swells under her watchful gaze.

He thrusts up, handcuffs clanging at his sudden movement, as he starts to pump into the air. His lips falling open as he moans incoherently before she hears something that causes her to moisten, "Mun-yeong..."

He's dreaming of her. From the movement of his hips, it's apparent what fantasy he is living out, she shifts next to him, prepared to make it a reality.

Glancing up at the mirror, she ponders her next move before looking at him fucking the air and reaching a decision. She crawls over him, legs straddling his thighs her back to his front, her breasts jiggling in her reflection.

She grinds down onto his upward thrust, his tip catching on her moist folds, hands on his chest she presses back harder, letting his cock run through her wetness, moaning as the head rubs against her hidden bead.

She hears the moment he snaps back into reality, his hand immediately grabbing at her waist, she looks up into the mirror smiling at his glossy eyes that burn a hole in her face.

Before he can ask her asinine questions as he's wont to do, she reaches behind herself, firmly gripping his cock and leans her back onto his shoulder, he watches the stretch of her body as she puts herself on display for his pleasure.

With steady hands, she guides him to her opening, he can see everything in the reflection, her folds glistening as she presses the head in, his eyes slam shut at the feeling.

"Open your eyes. I want you to watch."

Her voice leaves no room for argument. He has no desire to.

He watches as his cock slowly disappears into her wet hole inch by inch, all of the air in his body suspended, she widens her stance as the fattest part of his length pulls at her walls before he feels her loosen and sink onto him, fully. He is drowning in the vision of his cock spearing into her tight heat, he might never breathe again.

The tightest vice around his length, borderline painful.

The continuous vibrations from the bed mildly rocks him into her, but after a pause she draws off, only the tip remaining before slamming back down onto him, the dual sensation of simultaneously watching her sink onto him and feeling her overloads his sense.

She rides him languidly, hips gyrating in dizzying circles as she undulates on his length, his arm shoots out to wrap across her flat stomach, pressing her incredibly closer to him, his abs rubbing against her back. Her back curves into his hold as she plants her feet harder into the bed, her hole spread wide as he pistons into her. Vivid obscene images reflected by the mirror, he can't look away.

He blindly finds her breasts, squeezing and groping at them in turns, pulling and pinching at the taut nipples.

"Gang-tae, harder, deeper." She demands, he rams up into her, length drilling into her spread hole, sinking deeper and deeper, slamming into her so hard that the echoes of his hips meeting her ass cheeks bounce off the walls.

"I'm too close.." He warns her, visages of his dream still plaguing his thoughts, he'd been lost in a fantasy, one of many wet dreams featuring the temptress wild in his arms. They'd been brutally fucking in the rain, cold raindrops sizzling off their skin as he pushed her over the handle of the bike and slammed into her over and over again. Her cries lost under the booming thunder that roared in the skies.

Pleasure beyond his knowledge had dragged him from that scintillating dream, only to be met by an equally enticing reality.

He woke up already on the edge, unprepared for her attack.

She begins to grind faster, reaching one hand down into the hidden depths of her center, rubbing at her clit in perfect synchronization with the motion of their fucking.

Grabbing her impossibly tighter he shoves up, pushing his cock as deep as it can go, her cries music to his ears, as he slams in out in out in out. Her walls clench around him, her fingers a flurry of rapid movement on her bead, he never slows down, driving deeper and faster, until wetness gushes out of her and coats him, her body bows tight into his hold. 

For the second time tonight, his brain oozes out of his dick. Hot load exploding into her depth as his eyes finally leave the mirror and screw close as he rides the wave of his second orgasm. Unable to fight it with her walls squeezing him and demanding that he fill them, fill her up with his cum. 

She collapses onto his body, milking the last drops of his release.

With a deep shuddering breath, she pulls off his softening length, rolling to her side of the bed, pushing her hair out of her eyes, resembling a siren luring men to their doom.

"Wow."

He agrees, holy fuck wow.

Their eyes meet again in the mirror.

"You like watching." It's not a question so he doesn't deign it with a reply. They'd both seen first hand just how much he enjoyed watching.

"Aren't you full of surprises." She preens, slipping from the bed, comfortable in her nudity. His eyes follow her every movement, he could look at her forever.

She disappears for a moment after the flush of a toilet, reappearing with another wet towel, carefully cleaning him once more. It feels oddly intimate despite all they've done tonight, the lines between lust and affection blurring.

He attempts to turn onto his side before remembering the constraint on his wrist, he pulls at it before glancing at her.

"Take these off."

She blinks at him, "Oh. I didn't see a key."

He blinks owlishly in return, "What? You put this on before finding a key!" Voice raising an octave at the tail end of his question, disbelief furrowing his brows and dragging his lips into a hard line.

"I had to. You wouldn't have given in otherwise. It's your fault, you're too stubborn." She scoffs folding her arms defiantly, he tries his damnest not to ogle her naked breasts that are pushed up with the motion.

He fails spectacularly.

"I guess I could go to the front desk and ask for a spare key."

He thinks of her white dress, now transparent from the rain and then her standing in that little towel. Those are the only things she could wear to the front desk and the thought of her walking around in either of those options makes his blood boil. Especially remembering that piece of scum who had tried to assault her.

"No."

"Why not?" She stares at him in confusion.

"I said no." He doesn't elaborate, avoiding eye contact.

With a shrug she cuddles into his side, naked body warm against him.

"Okay I'll keep you locked up like my love slave. " He tries to glare at her but he can't muster up the energy, exhausted, shuffling until he finds a comfortable position with his arm locked over his head, it's not an easy feat but eventually he finds a spot.

Their eyes drift close, exertion catching up with them.

Rain pattering away on the window, thunder rumbling in the distance.

He feels movement next to his head and then a soft press against his lip, fleeting and gone as quickly as it came.

His heart stutters at the implications. He tries not to think, fearing the storm that is brewing between them.

Sleeps finds him unarmed, taking him to a land where they can be together. He dreads the morning knowing he'll have to push her away, erect the fortress that surrounds his heart once more.

He doesn't have the time or luxury to have what he wants.

Moonlight streams in through the window, illuminating the key that lies innocuously on the floor, hidden under their discarded clothes. 

[athingthatwantsvirginia]

If James Bond Was Bruce Springsteen

PART FORTY-FOUR OF THE DO YOU SEE HER FACE? SERIES

Pairing: Jess Mariano x Original Character (Ella Stevens)

Warnings: plentiful pop culture references

Word Count: 2.6K

Summary: Ella tries to focus on the future.

A/N: Surprise! Here’s the epilogue way earlier than I thought! Seriously, I have loved writing this story. Thank you so much to everyone who went on this journey with me. I hope you enjoy this chapter :)

five years later

Biting at the inside of her cheek, Ella struggled to keep her eyes open. One hand was on her stomach, and her free hand went to her mouth. Ever since getting pregnant, the nervous nail-biting was nonstop. She didn’t know exactly why, and she didn’t know exactly how to get it to stop, either. After Jess finished another passage, he cast her a glance and frowned when he saw her fingers resting on her lips. He scoffed and gently reached over to bring her nails from her teeth.

“You need to quit that, Eleanor,” he said.

Rolling her eyes, Ella shifted and readjusted her position with her head on his shoulder as he read. “Fine. I’m sorry. I’m just nervous to see your mom tonight.”

“Why?” he asked, furrowing his brows.

She sighed. Things had been tense between Jess and his mother as of late, since she had accidentally landed in a religious cult with her husband and daughter. They had managed to escape before being totally brainwashed, but the incident left a bad taste in Jess’s mouth. It reminded him a bit too much of his childhood, and the thought of Doula having to experience any of what he had made his insides squirm. The atmosphere of frustration had resulted in Ella and Jess waiting as long as possible to tell Liz and TJ about the pregnancy. Seeing them at Luke and Lorelai’s wedding was simply inevitable, and the news would be obvious. Ella was a little over four months along, and had a clearly pregnant belly, which showed in the simple gray dress printed with small black flowers she was wearing. Jess, Ella knew, was more likely worried about exposing his own baby to Liz, even before she was born.

Ella shrugged. “I don’t know. I just don’t want seeing her to make you too upset. We’re the ones who get to decide how involved she is.”

Jess let a small smile across his lips. He leaned down to kiss the crown of Ella’s head. “Don’t worry about me, honey. I know.”

“Okay,” she said in earnest. “Just let me know if that changes.”

“Will do, Stevens.” Then, he shut the book, saving his place with his finger, and looked over at her inquisitively. Her eyes were tired, and she was a little pale. “You can sleep if you want to. We don’t have to be at Liz and TJ’s any specific time. No one here is gonna care if you rest for a little while.”

“Maybe, Mariano,” she said, running her hand over her stomach absently. “I just hate being so tired during the day.”

“Hey, at least the puking finally stopped,” Jess said with an opportunistic chuckle.

Letting her eyes flutter shut, she laughed with him. “That’s true.” Up until two weeks earlier had seen Ella constantly slammed with morning sickness. The tide was recently changing to crazy cravings, barbeque sauce on top of a banana being the highlight of the last week.

A couple minutes later, with Jess back to his reading, Ella did end up dozing off. She was cozy on the Gilmore couch, wrapped in a black cardigan over her soft, worn dress. The autumn chill had just arrived in the Northeast, and Ella had yet to adjust to it once more all the way. The air smelled crisp and familiar in Stars Hollow. It was the first time they had been back in over a year, busy trying to get pregnant, and then freaking out once they finally did. But distance had indeed made the heart grow fonder. Ella was happy to be able to see everyone again, and the idea that she was free to leave whenever she wanted, guilt-free, made the trip infinitely more enjoyable. The little blue house was finally sold to a young new family over eighteen months prior.

She floated back to reality at the sound of Luke’s heavy footfalls down the stairs. Opening her eyes, she didn’t move. Instead, she watched with Jess as Luke descended from the upstairs in his wedding suit. They’d barely arrived for the visit when Lue had raced upstairs with self-conscious requests for honest opinions. Then, he’d remained upstairs for twenty minutes fussing over himself before finally returning. Ella fought back a laugh as he came down, but he did in fact look decent in the suit. A fond smirk came over Jess’s face as he shut the book with a snap, putting it beside him.

“Well, where’s Right Said Fred when you need ‘em?” he drawled dryly.

Ella snorted, finally raising her head from Jess’s shoulder. “I second that.”

Luke barely noticed their compliments, instead fiddling with the small silk square meant to go in his pocket. “The guy who sold me this suit put this thing in the box. I don’t know what the hell to do with it.”

“It’s a pocket square,” Jess explained, brows furrowed. Even he knew that one after being forced to wear a tux at the launch party for Dave Eggers’ collection at Truncheon last year. “Do the math.”

“Oh,” Luke said, looking down at it. Realization dawned on his face and he put the pocket square in its rightful place. “Oh, it looks kind of nice.”

“Sure does, boss,” Ella said, biting back giggles. Luke was like a deer in headlights.

“So, this is the big outfit for tomorrow,” Luke announced, finally turning to them and putting his arms up to show them the look. “Get it all out now.”

“I like it. You look like James Bond if James Bond was also Bruce Springsteen,” Ella said.

“That’s what it is!” Jess said with mock excitement and wide eyes, pointing to Ella.

“But, I think it’ll make Lorelai’s whole life, Luke. Seriously,” she said with more sincerity, almost pride.

“Thanks, kid,” he said shyly. Then, he looked at his nephew. “Jess?”

Jess paused for a moment, then stood up and spoke with gravity. “Turn around?”

“Jess,” Luke said, sighing in exasperation.

Raising his eyebrows expectantly, Jess gestured in a circle. “Turn.”

Luke did as Jess said, spinning in a slow circle. “Well?”

“You are a very handsome man,” Jess answered.

Luke rolled his eyes. “All right.”

“I mean, very hot,” Jess continued emphatically.

“I got it,” Luke said.

Jess chose not to take the hint. “Rande Gerber hot.”

“Enough, Jess,” Luke warned.

Jess’s face softened with sincerity. “Hey. You look good.”

“Yeah?” Luke asked, surprised.

Jess clapped Luke on the shoulder and then went to sit back next to his wife. “I only do sincere once, man.”

“Right, thanks,” Luke replied.

Ella laughed, feeling nostalgic but not letting it overtake her. Since finding out about the pregnancy, Ella had been trying to focus on the future instead of the past. Even if it scared her a little. She was overjoyed at the idea she was going to get to see Luke and Lorelai marry. Before the conversation could go in any other direction, Kirk rushed into the house unannounced, taking a seat on the armchair opposite Ella and Jess. He put his head in his hands and gave a distressed groan.

“Luke! Everything is under control!” Kirk screeched.

“What happened to knocking, Kirk?” Luke asked.

“Yeah!” Jess said ardently, picking up his book again. “What if we were naked?”

Ella nudged him playfully with her elbow as a soft, sly smirk came over his face.

“Don’t say that,” Luke admonished him.

Kirk shot up and headed in the direction of the downstairs bathroom.

“Where are you going?” Luke asked.

Ella watched from her spot, her head back on Jess’s shoulder, as Kirk shouted about how he was going to throw up because he had messed up the wedding decorations at the gazebo, where the ceremony was to take place the following day. In the midst of the argument, Lorelai wandered in from the kitchen with a Pop Tart in her hands. She wordlessly handed one to Ella, who had been telling Lorelai about her recent sweet tooth during their frequent phone calls. Smiling gratefully, Ella raised her head and threw the wrapper away in the bin next to her as the scene unfolded in front of her.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Luke asked.

“I live here,” Lorelai said plainly. “You look hot.”

“Rande Gerber hot,” Jess chimed in without looking up from his reading.

Ella snorted a laugh.

“Yeah.” Lorelai continued munching on her pastry.

“You’re supposed to be at the Inn!” Luke insisted. Lorelai was meant to be spending the day at the Dragonfly, before Luke, Jess, and Ella departed to sleep in the apartment above the diner for the night.

“I was,” Lorelai said. “They don’t have Pop Tarts.”

“Get outta here!” Luke exclaimed.

“Why?” Lorelai’s brow crinkled.

“I’m not supposed to see you before the wedding,” Luke explained. “It’s bad luck.”

“Oh, are we doing that?” Lorelai asked.

The confusion went on, as Rory entered the room as well and was equally surprised Luke wanted to partake in the superstitious tradition. The two Gilmore women pretended to leave lamely before Luke gave into letting Lorelai stay. At talk of pizza for dinner, Ella’s stomach growled, despite her having just finished the Pop Tart. Jess heard it and chuckled, standing and putting his book in his back pocket before holding his hand out for her to grab.

“We should get going. Liz is making dinner and we won’t have the heart to leave if you threaten pizza,” Jess said.

“You sure? There’s still time to back out,” Lorelai said.

Ella sighed, tucking her hair behind her ear after rising. “No, I think we’re stealing enough thunder telling her the night before your wedding, let alone the day of.”

“Well, considering you didn’t tell anyone you got engaged until after you got married,” Luke said gruffly, “she probably won’t be as shocked as you think she will.”

“Agreed,” Lorelai said, nodding.

They both still threw in the occasional jab about Jess and Ella’s elopement, having missed it. Mostly, it was good-natured. Mostly.

“You guys got copies of all the pictures!” Jess said defensively.

Ella could only laugh along with Rory.

“Yeah, and you can keep Liz’s thunder,” Lorelai assured her, back on topic. “I don’t think I’m interested in it.”

Ella laughed, but followed with her hand back in Jess’s grasp as he went over to the doorway. “We should be back in a couple hours.”

“Hopefully,” Jess added, sullen.

“Hey, look alive, Mister Sunshine,” Ella teased.

He rolled his eyes playfully as he grabbed their coats and Ella’s bag. Lorelai, Luke, and Rory began bidding them goodbye (while Kirk lay on the couch, wailing and wallowing). Ella’s smile faltered a bit as she looked at Rory. They spoke semi-regularly, but it was sometimes very hard for Ella to bite her tongue. Rory was floundering in her career, burnt out from her intensity in school, and back to sleeping with unavailable men. Her affair with Logan, who was engaged, had been going on for a while, and Ella tried not to judge her. Instead, she just felt sad that her childhood friend was struggling. Rory had experienced meltdowns over bad grades even when they were in kindergarten. She had just begun working as the editor of the Stars Hollow Gazette, though, which Ella thought might actually be perfect for Rory. She hoped things would brighten up soon.

Jess held Ella’s coat up for her to put on chivalrously.

It made Ella roll her eyes at how adorable he was. If she didn’t know it was only because of what a good dad he was already becoming, it would have been irritating. But she couldn’t help the way her heart glowed at the thought. He was a natural with kids. Always had been, even when he had no experience. And after the baby came, Jess and Ella were going to split time off, since Ella didn’t want to miss the summer semester at the University. Both of them would be part-time, and Ella was glad for both herself, and also, the baby. She was lucky Truncheon had finally picked up enough speed for significant taking of prolonged leave.

“It’s only a couple blocks, Jess. I think I’ll just carry it. I’ll be fine.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “That’s what you said last time. Then you got a fever!”

“God, you have no concept of weather! You can’t get sick from it! We’ve been over this!” she argued warily. “It was a coincidence! And it was just a cold, anyway!”

“Seems like a pretty big coincidence,” he said.

“Yeah, seems like it,” she retorted flatly.

He sighed. “C’mon, Elle. Help me out. What’s the point in risking it?”

After a calculating look, she finally relented and turned, slipping her arms into the plaid peacoat’s sleeves. “Okay. But I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing this for you, James Dean.”

She faced him again, and shot him a look, as she pulled her blonde waves from beneath her collar.

“Thank you so much,” Jess deadpanned.

“And, for Rhiannon,” she added, putting a hand to her stomach again with the extra layer on.

Jess was donning his jean jacket, and he scoffed. “C’mon, Elle.”

“Rhiannon?” Lorelai asked.

“I’m trying to convince him,” Ella said, tilting her head to her husband.

“I just think it’s a bit of a mouthful,” Jess said, shrugging.

“But we can call her ‘Annie’ for short, like I said,” Ella continued, unwilling to back down. The name had been on her mind forever. And they had already decided the baby’s middle name would be ‘Sophia.’

Jess sighed through his nose, then glanced at her earnestly. For once, Ella saw him actually consider it. Very seriously. Fleetwood Mac still wasn’t his favorite, but as he looked at her back in the Gilmore house, a reflection of who she had been over a decade earlier, he could hear her playing the song on Miss Patty’s piano the night of their first Thanksgiving together so vividly. It was like he was there again. And his eyes shone with love. It seemed he might like the name for their daughter after all.

“Maybe,” he said finally.

She smiled widely, dimples showing and hazel eyes dancing. “Progress. I’ll take what I can get, cutie.”

“See you guys later?” Jess said, eyebrows raised at the other three.

They uttered various confirmations and Jess turned to open the door as Lorelai came up behind them, blowing a kiss. Ella and Jess walked out the door, hand-in-hand, towards the dark green Volvo, which now seemed like it had been their car forever. As they descended the front porch steps, orange leaves crunching under their feet in the yard, they talked amongst themselves.

“I can’t believe I finally converted you to good taste, Mariano!” Ella teased. “Your daughter’s gonna be named after a Stevie Nicks song!”

Jess scoffed. “Yeah, right. Like you’re anywhere close to indoctrinating me, Stevens.”

“So, you’re not denying the name thing, then?” she asked.

“No, I’m not denying the name thing,” Jess answered after a moment.

Ella pressed a kiss to his cheek. He rolled his eyes, but eventually became genuine, turning her head with a gentle hand on her chin so he could kiss her on the lips just before they made it to the car. From the doorway, Rory shook her head and laughed at their familiar brand of bickering.

“Guess some things never change,” Lorelai said, chuckling with her daughter.

Luke smiled fondly from behind the two women, while Ella and Jess prepared to drive away. He watched them go. “Yeah. I guess not.”

[calumance]

Love is electrifying - C.H.

Warnings: tooth rotting fluff, a sprinkling of cussing.

Word Count: 3k

Summary: First dates are terrifying, and they’re especially terrifying when you don’t even know who you’re going on a date with, but sometimes blind dates can end up being the best dates.

A/N: HELLO! This was originally a request that was sent to me, however I got incredibly carried away and ended up making a oneshot out of it. You can find the original request here. Also I apologize that it took me so long to get this posted. PHEW I hope this is worth the wait, I’m excited to share this with you!! Feedback and requests are always welcomed!!! (Want to be added to my tag list? Let me know!)

Masterlist

        The clock was ticking closer to the time your date was supposed to be picking you up. As you stood in front of the mirror, assessing the outfit you chose, you started to question why you ever agreed to go in a date with someone you’d never met before. Maybe it was for the thrill, the adrenaline rush, or maybe it was because Sierra literally begged you to give him a chance. You rolled your eyes and shook your head remembering that day.

        Sierra had been your best friend since middle school, it wasn’t until after high school the two of you split. She stayed in your hometown for college while you went north to New York for college. Even though you didn’t see each other every day, you made a point to talk to each other. Whether it was a good morning text, or a text ranting about the irritating professor you or she encountered. The distance between the two of you grew as her musical career started to take off, and so did your more nine-to-five career.

        It wasn’t until you received a transfer notice that you mustered up the guts to call Sierra. She squealed when she heard you were moving to Los Angeles, and babbled about how much she missed you and couldn’t wait to have sleep overs again. You had laughed and your stomach filled with excitement as you realized that even though the friendship was distant, nothing actually changed. When you landed in Los Angeles, she was the first one to greet you, her arms open wide and a smile spread across her face. When you wrapped your arms around her, you knew you were home.

        It took about a week for her to start bugging you about your love life. You were out getting lunch on a Saturday afternoon, her hair tied up in cute space buns, sunglasses covering her eyes. The way she dressed for a Saturday lunch made you look like you were dressed to be featured on the ‘People of Walmart’ website. Sierra dropped her fork to her plate and looked at you over the top of her sunglasses, “So you’re telling me that you haven’t dated anyone since high school?” The look on her face said there was no way she would ever believe you.

        You shrugged and stabbed mindlessly at the food on your plate, “I mean, there was a couple of meaningless things in college, but nothing serious.” When you looked up at Sierra, she had leaned back in her chair and pushed her sunglasses back up to the top of her nose. The wheels in her mind were turning and your furrowed your eyebrows. “What?” You asked feeling as if there was a storm brewing in her mind.

        She snapped her head back towards you as a mischievous grin spread across her lips. You reared back, terrified of what she was about to say. Before saying anything, she leaned forward, crossing her arms on the table and licked her lips. She wiggles in her chair as the same grin came back to her face, “What if I set you up on a blind date?” Your heart raced in your chest and you kicked your lips and stared at her like a deer in the headlights. “I have this friend, I think he’d be perfect for you.”

        Friend? Her friends were almost all A and B list celebrities, who in the hell did she want to set you up with? You shook your head and laughed a sarcastic laugh, “No, Sierra. There’s no way that I am worthy enough to date any of your friends.” The blood rising in your face finally reached the top of your ears as you looked around seeing if there was anyone around that you didn’t want to hear your next thought, “I mean you’re dating Luke Hemmings for fucks sake.” She shrugged and gave you a look that proved she didn’t see this as anything other than normal. Not wanting to explain how someone like you dating someone of her status was weird, you just sighed. “Will you at least tell me who it is.” She grinned in satisfaction and responded by raising her eyebrows and sticking a fork full of food in her mouth.

        It’s five minutes until your date is supposed to pick you up and Sierra has yet to tell you who she set you up with. The nervousness running through your veins starting to buzz the more the clock ticks. You had tried to call Sierra multiple times, but she never answered. Two days ago when you asked her how he was going to know your address she simply responded with “I know where you live.” Her voicemail answered again as your hands trembled, the nerves finally taking over the thrill of the unknown. You cursed at your phone just as the doorbell rang.

        The sound made your skin crawl, and your stomach jump into your throat. Slowly, you dropped your phone into your bag and made your way to the door. Your fingers pressed to the door as you stood on your toes and tried to peek out the peep hole. The peep hole was dirty and smudged so all you could see was the blurry outline of a person standing on the other side. Your fingers wrapped around the door knob as you took a deep breath and tried to calm your heart. The door creaked as you opened it, your eyes finally landing on the man on the other side. Immediately you recognized him, “Oh, fuck,” slipping off your tongue. Calum let out a soft laugh and looked down at his feet. If he said anything to you, the sound was muffled by the intense beating in your chest. You closed your eyes and placed your hand on your forehead, “That wasn’t supposed to come out of my head, I’m sorry.”

        Calum laughed again and raised his eyebrows, lifting his head slightly to look at you. “It’s good, haven’t gotten that reaction in a long time.” He lifted his head fully and tucked his hands into his pockets. His hair was combed back and to the side, giving him a slight pompadour style. His normal curls that you’ve seen in pictures being tamed by the gel. A black leather jacket was pulled over white button up which was loosely hanging over his black jeans. The outfit was topped off with a pair of old black high top converse. You snickered at the half effort he put into his outfit, but somehow he still looked more put together than you. “I made us reservations at a restaurant not too far from here, are you ready?” His brown eyes looked at you with a shimmer, a shimmer that told you that he was safe, safer than most blind dates. With a nod, you reach for the door handle and stepped out and shut the door behind you.

        The car ride was quiet, only glances were stolen. The butterflies in your stomach unable to calm down, making you feel more than nauseous. As you looked over at him, he looked at you, your eyes connecting. The heat in your cheeks caused you to turn away and touch your face to see if you’re were physically hot. Beside you, Calum cleared his throat and loosened his grip in the steering wheel. “You look very nice, by the way.” He said, causing you to turn your attention back to him.

        Again your cheeks felt hot as he smiled at you. Your stomach did a flip as you ducked your head and swallowed the lump that was quickly forming in your throat. “Thank you, you too,” was all you were able to choke out. Your eyes widened as you looked out the window, embarrassed that that was the only thing you could get out. Calum let out a soft chuckle, but didn’t say anything else.

        As Calum pulled into the parking spot, you started to grab your bag and take off your seat belt. “Stay right there.” Calum said, a soft smile spread across his lips. Your eyebrows furrowed as you released the seat belt and watched Calum jog around the front of the car to the passenger side. He popped the door open and held out his hand. Reluctantly you placed your hands in his, immediately a bolt of lightning running from your fingertips to your shoulder. He helped you out of the car then shut the door behind you. As soon as he let go of your hand, you looked at it and flexed your fingers. As he walked away from you, shooting you a quick smile and shoving his hands in his pockets, you couldn’t help but wonder if he felt it too.

        Calum opened the door and stood off to the side, allowing you to walk into the restaurant first. A soft ‘thank you’ fell from your lips before you stepped to the side and let Calum be the first to walk up to the hostess. She welcomed him with a warm smile, and he returned it before giving his last name. You continued to stand behind him, your arms awkwardly crossed in an attempt to hide in nervousness. As the hostess left the stand, Calum turned towards you and held out his hand. Afraid of what his touch would feel like, you hesitated. As you placed your hand in his, you flinched, but it didn’t stop to lightning from shooting through your whole body again. A sigh escaped your chest as the tingling dissolved and Calum pulled you to the table.

        Even though the waiter had just finished dropping off your glass of wine, the sound of Calum slapping the menu down on the table made you jump. He chuckled and apologized for scaring you, “Sierra has told me a lot about you.” He said as he folded his hands together. As he leaned forward placing his arms on the top of the table, he wiggled in his seat, readjusting his position.

        The smile sitting on his lips lit some sort of fire in your stomach. A fire that you haven’t felt in a long time, a fire that caused you to hastily reach forward for your glass of wine and wash the majority of the liquid down, hoping to give you some sort of liquid courage. You raised your eyebrows and made a face that was caused by the bitterness of the liquid in your glass, “That’s funny because up until the point I opened the door I had no idea who she set me up with.” You gulped, but you weren’t sure if it was because of the lump that was forming again, or if it was from the dryness the wine left. The glass made a quiet thump as you set it on the clothed table, “What exactly did she tell you?” You asked while using your pointer finger, middle finger and thumb to twist the stem, spinning the glass on the table.

        Calum cleared his throat as your gaze met his. From under the table you could tell that his leg was bouncing in nervousness. You tried your best to relax since it was obvious your nerves were wearing off on him. “She told me you two grew up together, and she also told me that you were one of the sweetest, polite, shy, beautiful people she’s ever met.” He grinned and the nerves in your body start to buzz again, but you composed yourself and swallowed everything down.

        A question sat in the back of your mind, a question that you weren’t sure was appropriate to ask someone you met only an hour ago, “was she right?” It slipped out, and almost immediately you regretted it. You could feel the bile sitting in your throat; you shook your head and looked down at the glass that you were still nervously turning between your fingers.

        A sly grin stretched across Calum’s lips as he sat back and copied your actions by turning his glass while it sat on the table. He glanced up at you and you felt your stomach jump into your throat. He slowly started to nod, “So far.” He said while dropping his gaze back to his glass. The butterflies filled your stomach and your cheeks flushed a bright red. You lowered your head to hide the flirtatious smile that was slowly starting to stretch across your face.

        As dinner played on, your nerves started to relax. There was nothing really to be nervous about, from what you could tell Calum was just as normal as you were, aside from the whole rockstar thing. He didn’t act like a rockstar, when you had asked him why he didn’t go out and party like most rock stars, his smile faded and he shook his head, “those days are in the past, the old me, you could say,” he said as a smirk pulled at his lips as he referenced his own song. A chuckle rumbled in your chest as you lowered you head and nodded in understanding.

        The car ride back to your place was less quiet than the one on the way to dinner. This time it was full of laughter and ‘get to know you’ questions. When Calum pulled up in front of your house, you swallowed. The night had gone so well that you didn’t want it to be over, you wanted this feeling to last forever. You ducked your head as you looked at your hands and fiddled with the strap of your bag. The thought of inviting him in crossed your mind, but you knew if he came in then it would lead to more, breaking your rule of no sex on the first date. It wasn’t because you think he would push for it, but more because you weren’t sure if you could control yourself. There was just something about him; he was sweet and polite, but at the same time of the most attractive humans you’d ever laid your eyes on. Calum cleared his throat jolting you out of your thoughts. “I had a really good time tonight.” He said sheepishly with a nod.

        Your heart raced as you nodded in agreement, “I had a really good time tonight, too.” Your hands trembled in your lap as you thought about the possibility of him kissing you. Instead of looking at Calum, you directed your attention back to your house. As you reached for the door handle, you felt as if everything were in slow motion. Your palms felt sweaty as you turned to Calum to bid him goodnight and saw the look in his eyes telling you how badly he wanted to kiss you. But there was something in your gut telling you to leave, so you popped the door handle and ran towards your front door, without saying another word to him.

        Once you were on the other side of the door, you let out a breath and pressed your back to the door. The chill of the door against your skin causing shivers to run up and down your spine. The feeling of wanting to burst into tears suddenly overcame you as you fumbled for your phone in a desperate attempt to call Sierra. When she answered, you broke, the tears started to fall, even though you really had no reason to cry. “Why didn’t you tell me you were setting me up with Calum? If I had known I never would have agreed,” you cried, “He deserves more than me, I made a fool of myself going out with someone as elite as him.” Your chest heaved, no matter how normal he acted and how normal everything felt, the fact of the matter was he wasn’t normal at all.

        For a moment Sierra was at a loss for words, giving you time to calm down. “Elite? What are you even talking about, darling, he’s as normal as you and I. So he has a successful music career, that does not change who he is, and it definitely shouldn’t change how you see him. When you were with him, did you feel like you were with someone famous, or did you feel like you were the only people in the world?” You thought about dinner and how you felt, really you hadn’t noticed the other people in the room. Once your nerves started to relax the only other person who made an appearance in your vision was the waiter. Before you could answer, Sierra continued to babble about how crazy you sounded, but what actually caught your attention was the sound of a light knock on your front door.

        The tears immediately stopped as your eyebrows furrowed. Without saying another word to your best friend, you ended the call then slowly made your way to the door. As badly as you wanted to peek out the peep hole to see who it was, there was a feeling in the pit of your stomach telling you that you already knew who it was. Your fingers delicately wrapped around the doorknob as you twisted it to open the door. Calum had his hand on the back of his neck, and the other dug deep into his pocket. Although your eyes were locked, neither of you said anything, but somehow you knew you were thinking the same thing. “I don’t want the night to be over,” Calum breathed out before lifting his hands to either side of your face and hastily pressed his lips against yours. The same bolt of lightning jolted through your body, this time much stronger, causing you to inhale a sharp breath. At first you hesitated to kiss him back, but when the reality of how badly you didn’t want the night to end either, you balled the material of his t-shirt in your fists and pressed against him. As his lips moved against yours, you couldn’t help but think that breaking your personal rule this one time won’t be such a bad thing.

************

Tag list: @mantlereid​ @notinthesameguey​ @viiirg0​ @wheniminouterspace​ @thinkofmehlgh​ @another-lonely-heart​ @limer-encia​ @itsmytimetoodream​ @babyoria​ @treatallwithkindness​

[bellakitse]

Ooh I love this prompt list! How about “Ah, the puppy dog face. Check mate, huh?”

Pancakes and Coffee Syrup

Opening the bathroom door again, he stops, freezing like a deer caught in the headlights when he finds his boyfriend’s father standing just outside the bathroom. From the way he’s dressed, it’s obvious he’s just come home from the overnight TK told him he was on.

“Good morning, Carlos,” he greets him calmly. Like this is a regular occurrence for them to run into each other outside his bathroom, and instead, not the first time ever that Carlos has spent the night in his house.

*

Carlos spends the night at the Strand household, Owen makes him breakfast in the morning.

30 days of Tarlos - Day 15

Carlos wakes up with a pleasantly warm body next to him. He opens his eyes to find soft green walls instead of his dark navy ones; it takes him a moment to realize he’s not in his bed, and therefore, not his apartment. The night before comes back to him in flashes like a dream. He remembers showing up at the Strand household, TK opening the door with a mischievous grin on his face before he pulled him in by his shirt, his mouth on Carlos’ before he could even say hello.

They’d stumbled towards his bedroom, touching and giggling like schoolboys as they kissed any inch of skin they could reach. When they got to his room, TK had pushed him on the bed, and all Carlos could do was watch in awe as this beautiful man smiled down at him. His green eyes shining as they crinkled at the corners before he climbed into his lap, stealing his breath with every kiss he gave him.

They’d spent the night making love, taking turns pressing into the deepest parts of their bodies until they shook with pleasure.

Carlos has always enjoyed sex, and knows he’s a good and considerate lover who knows how to please his partners. Yet he can honestly say he’s never had sex like the kind of sex he has with TK before. Everything is heightened with TK; his want and need for him are more intense than he’s ever felt with anyone else.

He looks down at the man in question; there are locks of soft brown hair in his face as TK sleeps with his head on his chest, his mouth parted in his sleep to the point that there is a small trail of drool from the corner of his mouth.

Carlos rolls his eyes at himself when he finds it adorable, he’s stupidly gone on this guy, but there’s nothing he can do when his heart thumps funnily over him.

He starts to move, shifting from under TK slowly and quietly, he’s unable to stop his smile when TK whines in his sleep and tries to cling to him. He considers staying for a moment, but he really needs to pee.

He heads for the bathroom to relieve himself. After washing his hands, he splashes some water in his face and steals some mouthwash.

Opening the bathroom door again, he stops, freezing like a deer caught in the headlights when he finds his boyfriend’s father standing just outside the bathroom. From the way he’s dressed, it’s obvious he’s just come home from the overnight TK told him he was on.

“Good morning, Carlos,” he greets him calmly. Like this is a regular occurrence for them to run into each other outside his bathroom, and instead, not the first time ever that Carlos has spent the night in his house.

“Captain Strand,” he croaks out, swallowing hard under the embarrassment he feels at getting caught half-dressed by his boyfriend’s father.

“I think if you and TK have progressed to having sleepovers here, instead of just at your apartment, you can call me Owen,” he says with an easy smile.

“Right, of course,” he answers, trying to be polite. “I’m going to get my clothes and get out of here; I’m sure you want to get some sleep, sir.”

“Are you saying if you stayed, I wouldn’t get sleep?” Owen questions, there is an amused twinkle in his eyes that makes Carlos wince. “Is that how loud you and my son are? I’m not going to get any complaints from the neighbors, am I?”

Carlos stares at him, his mind going completely blank.

How do you even answer that?

If it’s with honesty, then the answer to that would be yes, he and TK are very vocal in bed, but even though it’s obvious Owen is messing with him, he’s pretty sure that’s not the answer the man wants.

“Uhh – “ he tries, but nothing else comes out.

Owen chuckles amused with himself, and with him, it seems.

“I’m joking,” he assures him. “I don’t want to know at all if that’s the case.

Carlos presses his lips together and gives him a nod.

“I don’t go to sleep right away after an overnight,” Owen starts, he jerks his head towards the rest of the house. “I was going to make some breakfast. TK will get up when he smells the food. Why don’t you join me?” Owen continues with a smile and then looks at him up and down. “After you put some pants on, of course.”

Carlos can feel his face go hot from the root of his hair to his chest; it doesn’t help that Owen’s mouth twitches like he’s seconds away from laughing. He nods one more time.

“Good,” Owen says pleased, clapping his hands once. “I’ll see you in the kitchen.”

Carlos goes back into TK’s bedroom; his boyfriend is now spread out like a starfish, still dead to the world as he sleeps. He considers waking him up in a moment of panic, but in the end, with a sigh, decides against it. He puts on his clothes from the night before, grateful that his shirt didn’t have any buttons for TK to snap off in his usual impatience to get Carlos out of his clothes.

Walking over to TK, he leans down to press a kiss on the side of his face, smiling at the soft sound TK makes in his sleep before taking a deep breath as he leaves the room.

He likes Captain Strand, both professionally and personally, just because he also happens to be the father of the man he’s quickly falling in love with, doesn't mean he needs to be afraid.

Walking into the kitchen, he finds Owen stirring ingredients in a bowl.

“Do you like blueberry pancakes?” he asks, looking up from what he’s doing.

“Yes, I do,” he answers; honestly, he likes any type of pancakes.

“Great,” Owen says with a smile. “Blueberry for you and me, then, TK isn’t really a fan, he prefers – “

“ – Banana chocolate chip,” he says, shrugging when Owen looks over at him surprised. “I’ve made breakfast for him when he spends the night; he has a sweet tooth in the morning.”

Owen nods, the corners of his mouth quirk upward. “He does,” he says softly. “When we lived in the city, he would have a donut, a Danish or a bear claw, and some frosted monstrosity he likes to call coffee every morning. Even when it’s plain black coffee, he puts some kind of flavored syrup in it.”

Carlos makes a face as he agrees with him. “I know, there is caramel, french vanilla and hazelnut in my cupboards now," he tells him. “I dragged him to the store the other day to buy some things for dinner, and he was eyeing a bubble gum flavored syrup, I had to put my foot down.”

“Did he pout?” Owen asks, grinning when he rolls his eyes. “You caved, didn’t you?”

“He gave me the puppy dog face,” he explains, scowling when Owen laughs.

“Ah, the puppy dog face,” Owen chuckles, shaking his head. “Checkmate, huh?”

Carlos lets out a loud sigh, even though he doesn’t mean it. He has no problem caving to TK; he likes to make him smile, even if it’s over something gross like bubble gum syrup.

“Don’t feel bad, kid,” Owen says as he starts to pour the batter on a skillet. “TK perfected that face before the age of two, he’s a pro, and we’re all suckers for it.”

“That would explain why he’s so good at it,” he murmurs. “He makes it, and I find myself saying yes to whatever he wants.”

“He gets that from his mother,” Owen explains as he looks back at him with a sympathetic face. “It’s the green eyes; she has them too. She would turn them on me, and I would be putty in her hands.”

Carlos smiles at the tidbit of information; he doesn’t know much about TK’s mom. He doesn’t speak much about her, except when he does, he does it with deep affection, so he knows they’re close, maybe not as much as TK and his dad, but it’s obvious he loves her.

“Accept your fate now,” Owen continues as he warns him. “It makes life easier.”

“I have,” he answers, he stops for a moment before continuing, his heart jumping as he speaks. “Fact is, your son has me wrapped around his little finger.”

Owen looks at him for a moment, studying him, and Carlos lets him, not hiding away from the man’s scrutiny. He doesn’t want to hide his feelings from TK’s dad; he wants him to know how much he cares for his son and that he’s not going anywhere.

“From what I can see, the feeling is mutual,” Owen starts to say, giving him a meaningful look as he turns serious. “You know about New York and before we came here?”

Carlos nods, swallowing hard as he remembers TK telling him everything the night of the solar flares. TK didn’t want to start anything with him before Carlos knew what he was getting into, he told him about his ex, the pills, and the OD before asking him if he still wanted to be with him. Carlos had gotten out a broken yes before pulling TK into a tight hug, grateful that life hadn’t taken him away before he got a chance to know him, to love him.

“I didn’t think my son would be happy anytime soon after that,” Owen tells him quietly, the pain he feels for TK etched into every line of his face. He gives him a small smile after a moment of quiet between them. “But he lights up when he’s around you, doesn’t matter where, at the firehouse, the bar or a call, you show up, and he smiles. I don’t have the words to thank you enough for that.”

Carlos opens his mouth, trying to find the words around the lump in his throat. He wants to tell Owen that he doesn’t need to thank him, that it’s his privilege and honor to make TK happy. He wants to say to him that it’s all he wants to do, to make TK smile and joyful. He wants to tell him that he’s the one that’s grateful because having TK in his life is a blessing, one he’s thankful for every day.

He wants to tell the man before him that he’s in love with his son.

The look Owen gives him tells him he doesn’t need to say any of it, Owen already knows.

A moment later, Owen looks over his shoulder, a smile on his face, and that’s all the warning Carlos gets before arms wrap around his waist.

“I thought you had left,” TK mumbles into his back, his voice still thick with sleep. “But then I saw your shoes.”

Carlos turns, lifting his arm over TK’s head to wrap it around him, bringing him to his side. He looks down as TK cuddles into his chest and sees he still has his eyes mostly closed. “Your dad offered to make me pancakes.”

TK cracks open an eye, looking over at his father suspiciously. “Banana chocolate chip?” he questions, getting an eye roll back from Owen.

“For you, yes,” his dad tells him. “Carlos and I will be having blueberry pancakes.”

“Weirdos,” TK mumbles, now leaning more heavily on him.

“How about I get you some coffee,” he suggests walking TK over to the kitchen table and sitting him down.

“Hmm, yes,” TK moans appreciatively. “With two pumps of hazelnut, please.”

Carlos shakes his head at him before turning towards the coffee machine, Owen points at one of the cabinets where Carlos finds familiar bottles of coffee syrups. With two pumps into the coffee, he turns back to TK, who is finally looking more awake.

He smiles brightly at him as he gives him his coffee. TK takes a sip, letting out another pleased sound.

“Good?” he asks, smirking down at him.

TK bobs his head as he reaches for his shirt, tugging him down as he tilts his head up. Carlos lets him, closing his eyes as TK gives him a light kiss.

“Sweet, just like you,” he says, grinning up at him. Looking over at his dad as he starts serving the plates, he lowers his voice. “Everything okay? He didn’t give you a hard time, right?”

Carlos shakes his head as he thinks back to everything Owen just said to him, he looks over at the man to find him watching them with a soft look on his face. When he catches his eyes, he sees the joy and, once again, gratitude in his expression. Looking at TK, he sees the care for him in his.

“No, sweetheart,” he says, leaning down to kiss his forehead. “He was great.”

TK smiles brightly at him in response, happy just like Owen said, and it fills him with warmth to know he’s the cause.

“Everything is great.”

[carrottuan93]

Haven’t met you yet | Mark

Masterlist (3/4) | part1 - part2 - part4

Starring: MK x You

Tags: Mark Tuan, Fluff, Destiny, Waiting, Christmas, Bookworm, Nerd, Love, Fate

Total WC: 2194

You nearly puked your guts out to the sight of Jackson sticking to Eunhee and hugging her like forever has been robbed from them. You failed to confide to your best friend about what happened to you in the last 24 hours. So as not to spoil their couple time together, you chose to not disturb them and just mingle with all the kids in the sweet treats section. You love kids so much you play Santa and distributed macarons to each one of them. As expected, most of your close friends and guests brought their own boyfriends, if not, their own husbands and it was a nice show to witness, with sarcasm aside. Thanks to Jackson’s little cousins, they keep you entertained with their bubbly personality.

 “One with the kids, sure you’re missing the party in the adult section, no?” The sight of a guy clad in a formal white dress shirt, tucked in a black denim pants partnered with a classic chuck taylor, and a gray winter coat, welcomed your eyes. Guys who dress fashionably is such a head turner for you.

“Actually, they keep me company so I’m having fun to be honest.” You replied, feeling all the weird sensation cascading across your spine. You feel a bit nauseous whenever guys approach you. You don’t know if you even want to be with a guy right now, after your embarrassing experience last night.

 “My cousins here are a bunch of nuisance, you’ll get tired of them soon.” He picked one matcha macaron from the aisle and took a bite of it. You observed his expression. A smile crept up to his face and you caught sight of Eunhee in a distant, gossiping to Jackson that you’re having a moment with his cousin. You certainly know that they’re mentally pairing you up already and you are growing nervous about the plans that they are possibly plotting behind your back.

 “You like it? I bought them all the way from a café near my workplace that sells classic macarons just like the original ones from Paris.” He nodded in approval as you watch him took another piece, this time it’s strawberry. That’s your favorite flavor among the rest and you can really tell that the sweet tooth runs on Jackson’s bloodline by how his cousins, from the little chubby ones and the grown up beside you, munch on your favorite treat.

 “I never really eat macarons, but you introduced me into it. You deserve a recognition, uhm?” He lifted his hand for a handshake. He doesn’t know your name yet so you took his hand and introduced yourself right away.

 “It’s Y/n, Eunhee’s best friend. Thank you for the recognition by the way. Well, you come here with a date?” You’re mentally tiptoeing above the thin ice. It’s better to assume that this cute guy over here is already taken, I mean with his looks, he's totally a charmer, you thought to yourself.

 “I didn’t bring anyone with me, so I assume you also come along on your own, no?” Green light. Okay, you need to calm down. This isn’t like any of your past blind dates but first meetups are usually nerve wracking and scary so you played the innocent heroine that you are and chose to just go with the flow seeing how Eunhee and Jackson are staring at you maliciously from Mark’s back, you know they were able to receive the death notes you are sending them via telepathy.

 “That explains it.” It’s not that you had a thing with cute guys, but maybe you just discovered it right now. You can tell he’s a decent one, a cool and random Asian-American import from the west and maybe if you’re an ice cream, you already turned into liquid by the way he stares at you.

 “I don’t know anything about you yet, but would you trust a complete stranger to celebrate your Christmas eve with? If you’re up for it, we’ll leave this party right away because I can tell that you’re going to get sick from all these couples outnumbering us.” Have you been a good girl this year? You didn’t include this guy on your Christmas list but Santa rewarded you without even asking for it.

 “I’m putting my trust on you knowing that Jackson is a good guy so does his cousin. I'll sue him and he’ll answer for the damages and fines in case you failed to bring me back in good shape.” You both let out a hefty chuckle earning glares from your best friend and her boyfriend. You’ve decided to pursue your spontaneous trip with Mark and the next thing you know you’re already closing the front door upon your exit even before the two of them could react to your great and grand escape.

  ----

  He took you on a ride away from the busy and bustling streets of Seoul. You're thrilled to find out that he actually brought you to Namsan Tower, the highest peak in the city. You're awed expression cannot suffice the picturesque panoramic scenery of Seoul unfolding in front of your very eyes when you entered the observatory on the top most floor. You were unable to talk all of a sudden and your heart is brimming with unexplained strings of emotion as you kept on taking pictures and videos of the breathtaking place that sent your eyes into a food coma.

 "I only went to N tower once, or maybe twice but that was during the day and I have no idea that this is how it looks at night. It's a miss, nobody will be able to witness this scene on a Christmas eve the way we're seeing it right now." You forgot about your shameful episodes of last night's happenings and your worries disappeared in just an instant.

 "I kind of paid for tonight's reservation when I arrived here in Korea a week ago, with the hopes of spending Christmas only to myself. Consider yourself lucky, you've managed to join me on this one-time event. Heck, the price I paid for is totally worth it. Come here and try this." He urged you to look on the telescope, and to your surprise, you're taking in every aspect of the city in a bird's eye perspective. Everything you look at is really stunning. Like you never really imagined that perfection exists for real until tonight and you're experiencing it with a random guy whom you've only met an hour ago. Your eyes met his and you wished you aren't redder than a rotten tomato for looking like a lost deer caught on a headlight.

 "The view here is really pretty.” He gave you a smile, too charming for your own consumption.

“It really is.” He’s even prettier than the view. You can only sense your guy-o-meter raising for Mark. Good lord, is this a sign? Your mind is now ready to tick the ideal guy boxes on your list.

 “We shouldn't keep this New York style pizza from waiting while it is hot.” He chuckled, like the cute kid that he is. There is something with his unique laugh that you really don’t mind hearing at all. Is he older than me? Please, I don’t want to date someone younger than me.

 “Okay, sure kid.” You followed him as he sat on the ground in a dimly lit room radiating a romantic atmosphere under the starry and chilly skies of Seoul. This is not a date, but a friendly escape out of boredom planned by two single hearts on a Christmas eve. As if you’re two partners in crime, sitting on one of the highest skyscrapers in town, while sharing a box of pizza. It’s just that you aren’t Bonnie and neither he is your Clyde but you're loving the idea of him as someone whom you can rely on.

 “I’m older than you, silly.” The sight of a wine bottle behind him caught your attention and wondered where it came from. He noticed you eyeing the prize so he did the honor and poured you a glass of wine while you’re devouring your slice of pizza. You never imagined that eating pizza is too romantic and one for the books.

 “Any proof that you’re actually above 25? Cause you really look young. With that face, you can qualify for a student discount on public transports and still save money for your commute.” You want to make sure that he’s at least 5 years older than you. You prefer dating someone older than you because they always say that a guy's maturity is a year delayed for his age.

 “Trust me, I just know. I’m old enough to buy a house and enter into casinos, I guess.” He gave you a wink and you felt a gush of strong wind blew your senses away. He’s totally a Romeo and you took a swig of wine while observing him secretly.

 “So you’re a gambler? I might have been spending my time with some kind of a mafia leader and still have no clue about it.” He’s laughing at it again. I might have a talent with making cute guys laugh and that’s an asset I only discovered right now.

 “What, no! But my dad is a big spender in casinos. My duty is to look out for him and take him home before he could even bet our fortune with his leisure. I could always hear him say ‘It has gotta be all or nothing’. He’s born for taking risks and maybe I got that gene from him that’s why.” He stretched his legs and sat like he’s on a photoshoot. He’s not a model but he can beat the professional ones even without the need for screening.

 “What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your life so far?” You folded your legs as you watch him wonder with his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He poured a glass for himself and you noticed that he used the same glass that you drink on.

 “I believe we’re taking risks everyday in our lives. The only difference is the distance of our leap towards taking or not taking chances at all. Like when you’re playing a game, everything starts with equal opportunities. It’s a race to the witch mountain. The first one to gamble takes it all. You gotta be the predator of every tournament and you gotta be the last one standing in a survival of the fittest. If you’re brave enough to take the earliest start, you can use that advantage to ace your end game. It’s all about timing and investing. Win or lose streak. There is no such thing as a grey area when it comes to taking risks. You don’t get to tie with anybody. Either you’ll win or lose. You just have to trust your instincts and roll your dice like everyday is your last day on earth. If I go for something, I go all in. No half-baked decisions. Because my father taught me that risks equates to rewards and I’m all up for the extremes of both worlds. That’s the one thing I’m best at. I know how to play the game nice and fair because I know how to measure the corners of a square and even the distance around the circle which is not visible to the naked eye. After all, he considers me as his lucky charm. That explains my presence to his endless casino nights. And he hardly ever loses if I’m with him. Sure, Pops are probably waiting for me at our doorstep in LA right now. Too bad, his son is on the other side of the world, taking his own risk of a lifetime.” You left with no words to say. He’s too deep, a food for the soul. Guys like him are the ones that can be displayed in museums. He’s a delicate art and nobody should be allowed to touch him but the curator. And you’d want to take that role.

 “What if you lose? If you go all in and you lose everything all at once? Have you experienced it already?” you asked, admiring the tiny mole sitting under his left eye. You decided to take your second glass of wine.

 “The best thing about losing is that you’ve tried. I don’t take failures as an excuse for not trying again and taking another risk the next day. If I lose, so what? That only means you’re brave because you grow stronger with every fall that you take. Like a bamboo tree, it only bends but it doesn’t break. Life is all about swimming against the current of uncertainties and finding yourself floating on top of your insecurities.” As if he’s summarizing all the lessons in life, you’d always want to go for the front seat. He’s a walking self-help book, and maybe Mark Manson’s book of ‘the subtle art of not giving a fuck’ would have to sit longer in my shelf for the meantime. I got a risk-taker author Mark, right here and I got nothing to worry about.

[thisisthepartwhereyou]

BEASTARS MINI-STORY # 2: “Alea Iacta Est” by JCL

We are in an office somewhere in the Horns Conglomerate. Juno is standing behind a changing screen, changing her clothes.

JUNO: "You know Louis, it was very nice of you to have a tailor design an outfit just for me."

Louis is standing nearby with his arms behind his back, staring in the opposite direction with a bored expression.

LOUIS: "Don't think too much about it. Many of my father's most important clients will be present at this event, so I can't take you with me and have you look anyhow."

This prompts Juno to stick her head above the screen with an agitated expression.

JUNO: "Anyhow?! Since when have I looked just 'anyhow?!'"

LOUIS: "You misunderstand me. Appearences are everything on these kind of events, as they leave everlasting impressions that could prove to be very helpful later in life. That's basically what these occasions are for: Looking presentable and making valuable connections."

Juno's ears drop at this.

JUNO: "Sounds a bit self-centered for what is supposed to be a charity event..."

Louis gives off an amused little smile.

LOUIS: "Held by shallow and stuffy people, who'll look good as they handle donations entrusted to them by those who has more money than they know what to do with. They call it a charity, but really, it´s just a celebration of ego".

Louis looks over his shoulder, and then notices that Juno is giving him a sad expression. His smile dims and he looks away.

LOUIS: "... But if the money still goes to those in need, who cares if it's for egotistical reasons?"

Juno looks happier at this notion. Louis clears his throat.

LOUIS: "Ehum, anyway, you probably don't have to worry about blending in. This dress is designed to ease them in to you. If they can accept you on first sight, you can act as unrefined as you like. You can act pretty much as you always do."

Juno's expression turns to that of intense annoyance. She clearly didn't like the therm "unrefined" or the implication that she needs to be "eased in to."

JUNO: "Is that how it works for you I wonder, with them pretty suits you wear...!"

She mutters as she sinks back behind the screen. Louis give the changing screen a nervous glance, as he clearly sensed the venom in Juno's tone.

LOUIS: (Did I say something wrong?)

Then he sighs.

LOUIS: (Perhaps it was a bad idea to invite her in the first place?) --- We enter a flashback, seeing the events that lead up to this whole situation.

LOUIS: (The Horns Conglomerate has been a major contributor to this charity for years; it's higher ups are always expected to attend. As the sole heir to the company I can't just skip it)

For starters, we see Louis adoptive father, Oguma, talking to him with a serious expression.

OGUMA: "It is expected of you to be accompanied by a female. If you arrive by yourself it could be misinterpreted as a weakness, especially considering your age. It is unfortunate that Azuki had to leave to continue with her studies, but you can surely bring someone else for the sake of custom."

LOUIS: (It's a good thing that it doesn't have to be a romantic partner) --- LOUIS: (I am also quite glad I didn't have to ask Azuki. That would have been uncomfortable.)

We then go to Azuki, Louis fiance, who is outside a fancy-looking private school in what appears to be midwestern Europe. She does not look happy as she is looking through her textbook, with a noticable, popping vein on her forehead.

AZUKI: "Hmph!" --- LOUIS: (And I can't ask Haru either, considering she's with Legosi)

We are now in Legosi's apartment in the hidden condo. They're sitting at opposite ends of the dinnertable, while Legosi seems to be adjusting a broken tooth with gum, giving off numerous musical melodies though his mouth. Haru looks on with a fascinated expression.

HARU: "Wow, it's like you have a whole backup band in there." --- LOUIS: (I guess through the process of elimination, Juno was the most logical candidate)

Now we're in a café. We see Juno sitting at a table across Louis while drinking from a juicecarton with a straw.  

JUNO: "A charity event?"

LOUIS: (She is a great dancer, has good manners, is considered all around pleasant company by people around her...)

Juno stops sipping from the juice and grabs Louis by the hand. Her tail is wagging and her eyes are gleaming with excitement.

JUNO: "Is that like a party? You're inviting me to come to a party with you?! I've never even been invited to one before!"

Louis looks tense and waves dismissively with his free hand.

LOUIS: "Just as a friend though! I am still engaged you know."

LOUIS: (Considering the complicated feelings that has grown between us, this may indeed have been a bad idea) --- We're back in the present time in the office of the Horns Conglomerate.

LOUIS: (Though, if anybody at the gala thinks we're a couple, I can just explain that we used to be in the drama club together) "Are you finished soon?"

JUNO: "Okay, okay, keep your shirt on!"

Juno walks out from behind the screen. She is wearing a pure white dress with a long skirt, reminiscent of the one worn by Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch (1955), with a see-through shoal draped over her shoulders. Juno gives Louis a cheeky look, hand on hip and everything.

JUNO: "Well? How's this for anyhow?"

Louis stares at her with a stunned expression, like a deer caught in the headlights.

LOUIS: "It is...!" (If I admit that she looks absolutely radiant, she'll take full advantage of it) "It is quite good. Though it is a bit different from what I commissioned from the tailor." (Good, keep up a strong front and deflect the subject)

JUNO: "Well I had to ask for a few modifications. I don't think the original design was meant for a canine; it would have been too restrictive to move in. Also, considering this is a formal affair, I don't want to look like a little lost girl. With this I look more like a young woman who knows where she's at, don't you think?"

Louis gives off a little smile.

LOUIS: "Well, I suppose..." (I guess she does have a good feel for these kind of things. Impressive for someone who claims she has never been to a party before)

JUNO: "Oh, I almost forgot!"

Juno suddenly spins around, revealing that the dress has an exposed back.

JUNO: "What do you think about the back?"

Louis eyes pops out of his skull, like a lovestruck character from a Tex Avery-cartoon.

LOUIS: "Nuh-"(BACK! NAKED BACK! BACK NAKED!)

JUNO: "It's not too daring, is it? The tailor insisted that this was the norm for women on these charities."

LOUIS: "D-Did he now?" (That perverted little BASTARD! Forget the drama club angle, there isn't going to be a single animal in the building who'll think she's just an aquiantence with an outfit like that!)

JUNO: "I mean I think it should be appropriate enough with the shoal."

Juno lets the shoal over her shoulders drop a bit, which further seems to excite Louis. Louis stretches his hands out in front him, approaching Juno like he was zombie or something.

LOUIS: (What is this unnatural desire? I am losing control, my hands are moving by themselves... I want her, I want her NOW!)

Louis hands grab ahold of Juno's shoulders. She looks surprised.

JUNO: "S-Senpai?"

LOUIS: (CRAP! I've lost control, my desire for her is overflowing my common sense...! I need to think of something quick...! Something... Something UNSEXY!)

Louis summons the unsexiest memory he can think of: Legosi in drag. It works like a charm and he simply pulls the shoal back up to Juno's shoulders.

LOUIS: (I have to thank Legosi next time I see him) "If you keep it up at this level, I think it'll be fine."

Juno smiles at this, unaware of what Louis almost did.

JUNO: "Really? And it still works with what you're wearing?"

LOUIS: "A white dress should work just fine with a black tux."

JUNO: "Do you have it here?"

LOUIS: "Sorry, it's at the cleaner." (Actually I have it in my father's office, I just don't want to partially unclothe myself after this)

JUNO: "Aww that's too bad...! I would have loved to see how you look in it.'

LOUIS: "You will soon enough. Now, if that is all, how about lunch?"

Louis turns around to look at his phone. As he does this, Juno notices something: Louis tail is wagging.

LOUIS: "I feel like I could eat a whole three-course meal right now..."

JUNO: "Alea iacta est."

Juno mumbles this at a very low volume. Louis gives her a questioning look.

LOUIS: "Hm?"

Juno quickly turns on full cheerful-mode.

JUNO: "I said I'd like that too! Your treat as always?"

Louis sweatdrops at this.

LOUIS: "Sure..."

JUNO: (I'm onto you. Your tail, your appetite, it's the same for me. Who would've guessed that a deer would show the same signs as a carnivore?)

LOUIS: "You may want to change though. That might a little too extravagant for the cafeteria."

JUNO: "Alright. You go ahead, I'll come as soon as I can." (You better watch your step, senpai)

Louis proceeds to walk out of the room, while Juno goes behind the screen to change back to her regular clothes. Juno gives off a sly expression; this is what she's been waiting for.

JUNO: (The die is cast)

THE END

[dreamstormdragon]

Elemental Archer: Chapter 1 Preview

On this Hallows Eve I’ve decided to share since it comes out December 15th, the next chapter for Elemental Archer: So, please enjoy.

Chapter 1: The Huntress Routine

The forest was quiet. Only the sounds of the birds and squirrels greeted the hunter as she entered it.

Vala looked around, listening closely, her left ear twitching a bit as she did so, gazing at the dirt, spotting tracks leading farther in.

Kneeling down, she examined the tracks, seeing they were recent and moved onward.

The young elf kept her gait careful and steady, ensuring she would not alert her prey that she was approaching and intending to take it out.

It was not long before she found what it was.

A deer grazed at a patch of grass, its ears twitching, listening for any approaching predators.

Steady Vala. Make no sound.

Vala swiftly drew her trusted bow off her back, lining an arrow up, taking aim.

She took a deep breath to relax herself, letting it out slowly before releasing the arrow as it flew swift and true as she always knew it to.

It was over in an instant.

And so another hunt ends.

It always seemed to take forever though to drag her kills home. It would take longer if she had cut down the deer first but she didn’t feel like getting covered in blood and it would take too long anyway. Either way she looked at it, more time was wasted and she had no interest in that.

She wrapped the deer up in the tarp she used for her bigger kills and moved onward, leaving no evidence she was ever there aside from one less deer.

The forest gradually faded into houses, spaced out enough to give one another privacy and room to grow their gardens as most Earth Tribe elves did.

A few of her neighbors greeted her. Some whistled at the size of her latest kill.

“How many did that take you?” One known as Sabra asked as she passed.

Vala hid the pride that she felt.

“One.” She smirked a bit.

“Very good, young huntress. Onward with you now.” He grinned.

This was her life. As part of the Earth Tribe, she was a hunter ever since she was old enough to hold her bow. There were other hunters, plenty of them but she still took pride in it. Aside from hunting for her own family’s needs, she also sold the meat she brought in. Everything was used up in respect of the animal that it once was.

The horns would go to a Fire Tribe elf known as Etu who was a skilled blacksmith. The man seemed to be able to turn almost anything into a weapon. The hide, they’d tan themselves at home and make use of it as a blanket or if it wasn’t enough, new boots for the winter.

Vala adjusted her grip on the wrapped up deer, trying to keep her focus.

Two goals were in mind:

Get the thing home before her mother started dinner.

Take a nap for a solid two hours before being enlisted to help break down the animal. For as much as Vala loved hunting and bringing home the meat they consumed, it didn’t mean she liked butchering it.

As she grimaced, feeling the weight on her shoulder, something picked up the slack as she felt  considerably less of the load.

Glancing back behind her, she groaned. Clad in hunter's garb and a sword on his back was a boy she knew all too well. From his black hair to his green eyes that seemed to always have a look of mischief in them and the way he towered over her.

“Well hey there, cutie.” He greeted, a playful grin on his face.

Vala gave an audible groan of dismay, trying to move faster in hopes of dislodging him.

“Niiick, what do you want?”

Nick gave a hurt look, flattening his ears, easily matching her stride. “

What? I’m just being helpful.”

“No, you want something.” The shorter of the two retorted, scoffing a bit. Nick smirked as he took note of a few glances they were getting.

“Mm-hm. Not like we haven’t known each other since we were little. Trained together. Hunted together. Vala, we’re practically made for each other.”

He could see her tense up, practically able to see the irritated look on her face. Those were the rumors that flew around their village. It all started ever since they were children, even if a good chunk of the time it was rough housing and making trouble for the adults.

“I swear, one of these days, you're going to go hungry cause I won’t sell you ANYTHING.” She rolled her eyes, momentarily hoping they’d fall right out of her head so she’d have an excuse to leave him there.

Nick laughed, throwing his head back, letting his grip on the tarp slip a bit as Vala stumbled from the sudden weight.

“Mm-hm. Sure shorty. Sure.”

At that, the girl froze and Nick felt a sense of dread.

Maybe that was a bad thing to say.

And do.

Vala slowly turned to him, an eerie grin on her face, her eyes holding a look he couldn’t quite read.

“Five seconds before you join the deer in the tarp.”

“I would. In fact, I really want to run right now. But…” Nick gestured to the load they were carrying. “I’d be a real jerk to leave you to carry this. Since you're so small and all.”

She growled in response, saying nothing else.

It wasn’t long, however, until they were able to get it to her house and around the back where the door to the ice cellar was. Vala looked in the tarp to be sure the horns were still intact before easing it down into it.

Nick leaned against it once the door was closed, giving her a genuine smile.

“You know I mess with you because I care, right?”  

She rolled her eyes, not returning it.

“You know I don’t like it when you do that. It’s annoying.” She murmured, kicking the dirt a little.

Nick gave a shrug, closing his eyes, enjoying a breeze that passed through.

“Is it?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

Vala gave him a cross look.

“It is.” She said flatly. “And right now, I don’t wanna be around other people.”

Vala did tend to be more of a loner at times. Especially when she was hunting. Very rarely did she join the hunting parties, unlike Nick. They were very different in that regard.

However, it didn’t mean she hated being around the others.

“You mean so you can take your earned luxury of a long nap?” Nick smirked, elbowing her a bit.

She did the same back to him.

“A long nap and then, when I wake up, I’ll go to the bakery and grab some rolls to go with dinner tonight.”

“Mm-hm. Totally not so you can stare and fantasize about swimming in a lake made out of the custard tarts in the window.”

“I do not have a sweet tooth.” She denied. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

“You’ll court me one day.” He called to her as she walked away.

“Not on your life!”

oooooo

As she had told, Vala did spend a good few hours resting before being awoken by the sound of the bedroom door opening.

“Mm…?” She yawned, rubbing her right eye, her ear on that side twitching a bit.

There was a younger girl in the room, her hair cut just above her shoulders, a light golden brown compared to Vala’s dark brown hair. Her green eyes had an amused look in them.

“Hi there, Sister.” She giggled. “You up, finally?”

Vala nodded, stretching.

“Yeah, I’m up. How long have I been out for?”

“Enough that Mom already started on that deer. We’re having stew tonight…  Which means…” she smirked. “You get to go get the bread that goes with it.”

“Why me?”

“Because I help with dinner. You brought it home.”

Vala scrunched her nose up, sighing. She also knew if her mother was already out there working then she better get out there herself.

“Aireth, I wish you would let me nap more.” She remarked, grabbing the clothes she had worn the day before, not wanting to get her hunting garb dirty. It was just an undershirt and a pair of worn in slacks she usually slept in but it would do.

Aireth giggled, giving a shrug.

“I would, but then I’d have to do it.” She said, giving a cheeky look.

“Yeah, no. No baby sister of mine is butchering a deer.”

Vala didn’t take too long with getting dressed before hurrying out behind her house.

The home her family resided in was a bit more out of the way than the others mostly for the amount of space they had. Vala’s tribe, the Earth Tribe, had connections with nature, which manifested in their magic and their gifts.

Due to this, Aireth was able to create an expansive garden that looped around the side of the house, parted only by plants making a living trail of vines the fourteen year old had been working on for years. At the back of the house were several rigs for drying meat out and a device made for canning food safely.

Vala spotted her mother, Enya, smiling when she saw her. Her mother was hard at work, her nearly white blond hair piled into a bun on the back of her head.

“Mother!” She called, shoving on some gloves she had grabbed, picking up one of the knives laid out. “So, what do you think?”

Enya looked over to her eldest, a smile coming to her face.

“It’s worthy of selling the meat on its own. We’ll keep a small portion for ourselves but this will be perfect for selling or trading.” She responded. “Now, you ready to help me with the worst part?”

Vala cringed. She was not. She would rather go back to the woods or go to the bakery but it was part of her responsibility.

“Yes, Mother.”

“Atta girl.”

Vala and Enya got to work, keeping quiet, neither wanting to talk while doing this task.

Normally, Vala wouldn’t be doing this. It was a new normal. Usually, her father would’ve been doing this with Enya and helping portion off the meat.

The girl frowned, remembering him.

Dad…

“Vala?”

She looked up, seeing Enya giving her a concerned look.

“What’s on your mind?”

Vala chewed her bottom lip a bit, not wanting to answer.

“Nothing of importance. Not right now.” She murmured.

Enya raised an eyebrow but decided now was not the time for this kind of discussion.

After it was done, Vala got cleaned up, getting ready to head out.

“Aireth, I’m going to the marketplace. You wanna come with? I know Markus wanted some of your blueberries for his muffin recipe.”

Aireth hurried to catch up, a basket in hand with said fruit, an excited smile on her face.

“Of course! C’mon, Sis!”

Vala couldn’t help but smile, hurrying to keep up with her sister and doing so with ease.

The marketplace was full of different shops of all kinds from seemingly every tribe.  

From weapon shops, to fish mongers to the bakery Vala wouldn’t admit she loved visiting.

“Oh, it smells so good here.” Aireth sighed happily as she looked around them. No matter how old she got, it was still nice to visit and see anything new the shops had to offer.

Vala nodded in agreement, biting her lip as she saw a small child being picked up by their father.

“Hey, Aireth… Do you still think about him?”

She gave her sister a weirded outlook before it seemed to click. She looked down, her stride slowing a bit.

“Trying not to…”

Vala cringed, feeling guilt crop up. She hated seeing Aireth like that.

“I’m sorry. I know you and Dad were close too.”

“I miss him… but we don’t know for sure if he’s gone for good.”

It had been almost a year since their father Aiden went into the woods for a night time hunt and never returned. It was hard on the girls and their mother… but as much as it hurt them and how much they missed him, they had to carry on. They still had to help out and they still had to live.

Vala nodded, sighing heavily, kicking a pebble out of her way, perking up as she saw the bakery come into view.

She saw a young man around her age removing a loaf of bread from the oven, a content look on his face.

“And Markus is working his magic as always” Vala licked her lips, practically running in.

“Hey! I’m the one delivering something here!” Aireth called after Vala, hot on her heels, the sisters nearly slamming into the counter.

“Oof!”

Markus laughed, his blue eyes alit with amusement at the sight. He set the bread onto a cooling rack, taking off his oven mitts.

“And so comes the Lennox sisters barreling in like a stampede of kelpie.” He remarked, propping his chin up on his hand. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Aireth held out her basket.

“You wanted these, right? They’re finally ripe.”

“I just want to stare at the custard tarts.” Vala added, her eyes already trailing to the dessert she could see cooling next to the rack the bread was on.

Markus chuckled, looking the berries over, nodding in approval.

“These will do perfectly, thank you.” He looked to Vala and nodded to one of the tarts. “You take that as payment. I think it’d be torture to send her out of here without one.”

Aireth nodded, giggling.

“I’d hear about it all the way home for sure.”

“And we can’t have that. What else?”

“Either some good hard rolls or something really crusty. It’s to go with stew.”

Markus nodded as he filled a sack with several well sized rolls and wrapping one of the custard tarts in a paper satchel, tying it shut tightly.

“Your mom’s famous stew, huh? I hope you’ll sell some this time when you set up your stand during the Moonlit Bazaar.”

Vala and Aireth shared a laugh.

“We’ll see. If we can convince her to part with more of this catch than the last.” Aireth said.

“I’m sure finding another deer wouldn’t be hard.” Markus smirked. “If your sister accepts help dragging one home instead of doing it herself.”

Vala felt her face heat up as she put her money on the counter, taking their food.

“Oh be quiet, Markus. I get plenty of help. I made use out of Nick, didn’t I?”

“Use? Or making him think you needed help?” He teased. “Wouldn’t want him to think you're a pansy, right?”

“I know I’m not one. Markus, you can admit it to me if you are though.” Vala teased back.

“Mm-no. Now begone with you two!” He gave a dramatic wave of his hand. “And bring me some stew!”

“Maybe.” The sisters laughed hurrying out.

Vala held their groceries close, not wanting to drop anything.  

“Markus is really nice - even if he thinks that.”

“Thinks what? About the stew?”

“No. About…” Vala trailed off, seeing Nick in one of the weapon shop windows. He took notice of her and grinned, blowing her a kiss dramatically as she growled audibly. “HIM.”

“Vala, he’s not worth it.”

Vala grumbled to herself the whole way home.

“If he shows up during the Moonlit Bazaar he’ll set up right next to ours if we get there early.”

“He won’t. Nick never does.”

“Yeah. Across from us is more likely.”

Aireth sighed as Vala ranted to herself.

This was nothing new.

oooooo

The woods were silent. Not even the songs from the birds could be heard.

Vala moved slowly, following the tracks in the dirt, her eyes shifting from the ground to the area around them.

“Sister.”

She turned around, seeing a face poking out from behind a tree.

“Aireth?”

What was she doing here? Aireth didn’t like hunting that much. She preferred to forage or garden.

The girl disappeared behind the tree.

Vala walked briskly over to it, peering behind the tree, seeing nothing was there.

“Sister.” Called the voice of her sibling farther away, Vala seeing the same glimpse as before.

“Aireth, cut it out.”

Vala picked up her pace.

“I mean it!”

The younger elf disappeared as Vala heard movement just behind her, whirling around, catching a glimpse of a figure moving oddly across the way. It looked a bit like her sister… but it didn’t look like her all the same.

“Ssssiiissster…”

The creature disappeared once more, prompting Vala to draw her bow and arrow.

It wasn’t Aireth.

It wasn’t.

She felt something behind her as she froze, feeling fear start to crop up.

She heard something whisper in her ear.

“Vala.”

ooooooooo

And that’s all for now. Final preview chapter will come out next month. Stay tuned!

[miscellaneousfanfictionslut]

Harry Potter Appearances 1 // By The Book

By The Book // Harry Potter Appearances 1

          I’m in a book club and we started talking about the problems of the Harry Potter movies and one of the main issues we all had was some of the appearances of the characters. Which gave me the idea to do this little thing called “By The Book” where I talk about how I envisioned characters based off of their book appearances. Marauders included.

Gryffindors

Harry Potter:

“ Harry had always been small and skinny for his age. … Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees, black hair, and bright green eyes. He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Scotch tape... The only thing Harry liked about his own appearance was a very thin scar on his forehead that was shaped like a bolt of lightning. “

I imagined Harry (in the first book) to be extremely small, almost as if he was a first grader and being very petite. His hair in my head would be like, three times the size of his head, and would be curly, jet black, and messy. His eyes were described as almost once so I thought of them like that and of course, bright green.

Further in the book, however, I imagined him a bit different. He kept his messy, wild, jet black curly hair but his wieght and height had changed. I think this is because characters is further books described him as “tall” so I imagined him as taller and more strong looking. Probably around 5′6 during his fifth year.

Ronald Weasley:

“ tall, thin and gangling, with freckles, big hands and feet, and a long nose. firey red hair “

A lot of people say that Ron isn’t attractive, which with how people draw him I can see why. However, I always imagined him to be much more handsome than Harry. I imagined him very tall and lanky, small, and very boyish looking. His hands and feet were very large and freckles covered everything on his body. My favorite part of him was always his hair, because I took “firey red hair” literally and thus led me to think his hair was fire engine red.

His appearance never really changed much for me, he just got taller and his hands and feet just got bigger over the years.

Hermione Granger:

“ She had a bossy sort of voice, lots of bushy brown hair, and rather large front teeth. “

I think Hermione appearance was a major let down for me, as it was constantly said that she had bushy hair and large front teeth. If anybody is wonder why she didn’t have large front teeth it is because Emma could not talk well with them in, I imagine that was like having dracula vangs in.

Though back to the point, I imagined Hermione to have large, frizzy, bushy brown hair that was, like Harry, three times the size of her head. Her teeth I imagined weren’t very big actually, I don’t know why but I considered them normal, which now thinking about it was probably because my two front teeth are bucked. We don’t get much about her body size unlike the boys (tall, small, skinny, lanky, etc.) but I always seen her as more tall but on the heavier size.

When she was older in book four, I imagined her to not had grown much and her to be skinner than before.

Fred & George Weasley:

“ shorter and stockier than Percy and Ron, who were both long and lanky fiery red hair, freckles “

I kind of ignored the book with their appearance and imagined them more like how they were casted. Taller and lanky like Ron, and they had the trademark freckles along with the feiry red hair I loved.

Something noticable that I changed and outcasted them from the Weasley family was their eyes, I imagined everyone in the Weasley family to have blue eyes except Fred and George.

Ginny Weasley:

“ a long mane of red hair and when her jaw sets her resemblance to Fred and George is striking “

I somewhat ignored the description we’re given. I imagined her to look much more girly, a very soft jaw with large light blue eyes. Less freckles than Fred, George, or Ron that just set over her nose. I still saw her with long, firey, silky red hair, however.

When she got older I imagined her to be very petite, I had an image set in my mind of her Quidditch gear being too big on her and falling off at times.

Lavender Brown:

We never really got a description.

Lavender had more personality than physiology. Over the time I read about her I did get an imagine in my mind as I obsess over details. I imagined her with a heart shaped face that had a very stuck out chin, long wavy ginger hair, big and round blue eyes, a small button nose, big lips, and tan skin. I don’t know where I got it but here were some of my reasons as a child (which is when I first read the books)

Lavender talked a lot so a big mouth went with the phrase “Lavender Brown has a big mouth.”

She often begged or got upset so puppy like eyes made sense.

I liked long hair, and I liked gingers.

Seamus Finnigan:

I could not find his description, if he had one it was most likely small.

I kind envisioned him to look like the dumb blond type and I for some odd reason always seen him as ugly. I might of thought that because I didn’t like his character though.

Neville Longbottom:

“ round faced short and plump and blond “

Neville wasn’t a character that stuck out to me until I reread the books as an adult. When I was a child I imagined him as like Dudley but more handsome. He had short blond hair, was short but taller than Harry, and plump. I saw him with freckles but when I reread the books I never imagined him like that.

When he was older I imagined him very tall, almost like Ron, his blond hair was longer and the freckles were gone.

Adult Gryffindors/ Marauders:

James Potter:

He was my first crush of the book series. I imagined him like Harry but always saw him as cuter. He was very tall and muscular looking, much like Harry was when he grew up. I saw him with a strong jaw and ocean blue eyes and of course, jet black messy curly hair.

I think a good way to describe his hair would be like young Tom Riddle (another crush of young me).

I would like to mention his Animagi form, I imagined him as a very large deer with horns the size of trash cans (sort of like Hagrids’ hands).

Sirius Black:

His appearance obvious changes a lot from his young self to Prisoner Of Azkaban self. So let us start with young Sirius, I imagined him to have long hair for what a guy would typically be considered. Probably to his shoulder and very black but not jet black like James. His eyes were almond shaped and light grey with playfulness in them. I imagined him to be one inch shorter than James, standing at 5′9 while James is 6ft.

Also, I had this strange fascination with him dressing in romantic goth styled clothing, I don’t know why but he gave me that vibe when he was young.

“ He had a gaunt, sunken face, waxy skin, yellow teeth, and long, matted hair. “

When we first see him I imagined him to be as he was described, very skinny with sunken face that brought out his high cheekbones (find the positives, Bella) his skin being waxy and looking tired. His teeth yellow and crooked from them being ground against and his once long, silky hair being to his waist and matted. I had this vision of him having scratch marks and scars all over his body, almost as if he was self harming.

Remus Lupin:

My favorite Marauder! I related to him the most out of the Marauders due to his mature and nerdy nature but onward to the appearance. Young Remus, I imagined him to be tall and lanky like Ron, I think he was the tallest. He has a thin face and a soft jar making him appear less manly than James and Sirius but more boyish like Peter. His hair would be a chestnut brown, soft and shaggy, with curls in it ending a little below his jaw. I always made his eyes chestnut brown with a hazel like ring around them. Also, his scars would be on his cheek, across his eye and through his eyebrow, and then another one starting at his chin and ending at his neck.

“ The stranger was wearing an extremely shabby set of wizard's robes that had been darned in several places. He looked ill and exhausted. Though quite young, his light brown hair was flecked with grey. “

I imagined him a lot like how he was described. Wearing shaggy robes that were a leather like brown and had patches sewn into it, all of them being different colors and patterns. He loss that boyish look and looked much older than he was, probably due to me visioning him to have wrinkled or aged skin and bags under his eyes. His chestnut hair did have grey hairs scattered throughout and he had grew scruff that also had grew in it.

Peter Pettigrew:

People tend to make Peter ugly, which as his character is described (physically and personality-wise) but I always thought of the Marauders all being handsome or even a little pretty. While I envisioned him being the least attractive I never saw him as ugly. I pictured him, when he was young, being the shortest maybe even shorter than Harry. His eyes would be smaller than average but a pretty light green. His nose was pointed but long and his lips were small and thin. His teeth were much like Hermiones’ being bucked.

Lily Evans:

I always thought Lily to be the second prettiest girl in the Harry Potter franchise (my first being a certain looney Ravenclaw). I imagined her to be very petite but taller than Peter and shorter than Sirius. Her hair was medium and thick, it was auburn but had streaks of firey ginger highlights. Her eyes were almond shaped and bright green like Harrys, her skin was milky and clear.

When she got older I imagined her to be taller but the three boys still taller than her. Her auburn hair would be longer and often kept in a ponytail due to baby hair pulling on it, her green eyes still seeming perfect and full of life despite the bad circumstances. She would grow out of her petite form and have a curvier more woman like body.

Molly Wobbles Weasley:

“ short, plump, and kindly-looking woman sabor-tooth tiger when mad “

Molly was one of my favourite characters because of her nature, she reminded me a lot of my mother. I always pictured her as a short, plump, woman who had curly short firey red hair. Her eyes being a light, kind looking shade of blue with periwinkle specs. I always liked to picture her smile because I felt like she would have plump lips and nice white teeth and a kind smile.

“ June and August of 1995 she lost a good deal of weight and appeared paler, though she seemed to get a healthier look back by the next year “

After her wieght loss I still pictured her as plump looking woman but I did change some of her features that stayed the same. I pictured her with her hair much shorter almost to the end of her jaw and still curling up, I gave her straight bangs that were side swept onto both sides and gave her an age spot from the sun.

Authur Weasley:

“ Arthur had bright red hair, though he was balding by the early 1990s. He wore glasses and had blue eyes, and also possessed the tall, thin build inherited by his sons “

For some reason I made every son of his taller than him, I wanted him to be the same height of Molly. I made his eyes around light blue shade, his hair the same fiery red but thin and balding. I imagined his glasses to be thick and round.

In the later books I gave him a hunch back but kept his other features the same.

Did you not see a character you wanted to? Please know that this is just the first ‘By The Book’ I am sorting by houses as it is easier, I’ll eventually get to Professors, and more secondary characters. I will likely be doing Slytherin or Ravenclaw next so keep an eye out for that.

[theclydesdalerussian]

The bae over at @theprixrity​ wanted not one, but ALL the headcanon questions about Russian Mama. So here, I present to you: 

Manya Volkov: in Grave Detail

What does their bedroom look like?

Her room is rather plain. When she was given a home in Alexandria she honestly had no clue what to do with it, all she knew was she hated American Suburbia. So, she made it her own the best she could, the collections of animal skulls and all the windows open for Vladik to poke his head through. As for her bedroom she refuses to wash the bed sheets. More animal skulls and her weapons lying around.

Do they have any daily rituals?

Manya wakes up as soon as the sun does out of habit of being outside. When she was outside she would pack up her things and travel, maybe stop by a pond or stream and get a drink of water or hunt for fish. Travel mostly, till the sun starts to go down to which she settles. Makes a small fire, maybe cooks her fresh kill and rest, roughly 9 at night. Now in Alexandria however it’s slightly different. She still gets up early(unless she has certain company over *cough* then she can sleep a little longer), Brushing her teeth is important...maybe a shower if she can not simply stand herself. Go downstairs, make some coffee, then go outside to spend time with Vladik or go for a run. Then she stays in the home she was provided, read her worn down book after a meal. Then sleeps, again right at 9...again unless she has company that wants to annoy her.

Do they exercise, and if so, what do they do? How often?

In this New World, limited food and getting away from walkers can be quite the weight loss program. She was never one to gain weight anyhow, but having the hot Southern sun beat on you every day can take it’s toll. 

What would they do if they needed to make dinner but the kitchen was busy?

Rarely a problem, a simple fire outside always did the trick with her. She had to do it in her travels...so going back to her feral roots is a breeze if not preferred.

Cleanliness habits (personal, workspace, etc.)

Despite her rather rough exterior she does keep her rest home rather tidy. A sweep of the floor or a wash of some dishes. No big deal.

Eating habits and sample daily menu

Again, with the New World comes a new eating habit. Survival ran through her veins, so hunting for woodland creatures with some pecans or berries always kept her from starvation. In fact, when she first started traveling she in fact went to some abandoned places and grabbed some canned foods. This is still true for her settlement in the safe zone. Eating normal food is odd for her now, while still enjoyable. Though one could see she lost some table manners as she eats with a animal edge to her.

Favorite way to waste time and feelings surrounding wasting time

Manya is not one to waste time, she is either traveling somewhere or hunting something. But, she has learned to take a step back and enjoy some things...only to quickly go back to the task at hand.

Favorite indulgence and feelings surrounding indulging

Manya never thought it was possible to indulge in things again. However, she does have her book and the Walkman she found to remind her she was still alive and in the present. As more things are presented to her, she took up cross stitching from one of the older women in Alexandria.

Makeup?

None, she never wore make up before the Apocalypse and she sure as shit doesn’t wear it now.

Neuroses? Do they recognize them as such?

One could argue that Manya suffers from PTSD due to her environment. Having to worry about her and her family’s safety from The Russian Mob where she had to use a gun at a young age. Experiencing the hysteria and panic when Walkers started forming, the feeling of being the only person on earth only to find people that either wanted to take advantage of her or kill her. She however does not think so, she adapts and survives...that’s how it’s always been. Not being able to trust people is their problem.

Intellectual pursuits?

Manya was in college studying law, she was always someone that sought knowledge. A Documentary enthusiast as well as books was a big stimulation for her.

Favorite book genre?

Manya likes all kinds of books, her favorite...and one she carries around is actually a Russian print of Animal Farm. Which, of course would explain her need to nick name people after animals.

Sexual Orientation? And, regardless of own orientation, thoughts on sexual orientation in general?

Manya is in fact bisexual, while homosexuality is actually frowned upon in her country Manya never felt the need to come out to anyone. She is attracted to both men and women, and love them both equally. She did feel, in the New World and in America in general the feeling she could be much more free to express these feelings if those said feelings did arise.

Physical abnormalities? (Both visible and not, including injuries/disabilities, long-term illnesses, food-intolerances, etc.)

Manya suffered an injury on her back when she was very young. Long story short she tried to climb under a rusty fence and got severely scratched. She also wears some scaring from her travels but never feels the need to hide them.

Biggest and smallest short term goal?

Biggest short term goal is to find out about her family, the idea of their death is very real to her. But as long as they didn’t suffer then she could live with that. The smallest one, at the time, was to go to New York. Or somewhere out of the South...course that never happened.

Biggest and smallest long term goal?

Now living in Alexandira Manya’s goals have changed. She still wants to know about her family yes, but now keeping the people inside those walls safe became her top goal. She also wants to be able to be normal for once, maybe not the normal she once knew...but normal enough for the new world.

Preferred mode of dress and rituals surrounding dress

Manya’s style of choice is simple. Boots, jeans, a shirt or tank top, and a flannel shirt. In the winter time she made herself a fur blanket out of deer. Underneath the clothes however she dawns Victoria’s Secret, it was a thing from the American girls she worked with in Sea World and it was all she had. All her clothes were things she found to fit. She’s comfortable in them, and aims to stick to it.

Favorite beverage?

Manya loves her booze, Vodka obviously though she took a love for the American whiskey and beer. But water is universal.

What do they think about before falling asleep at night?

Her family mostly, the goal she sought to know about them. The people of Alexandria and what one or more may have done on that particular day. Is Vladik resting okay? Jesus this big redneck snores like a bear.

Childhood illnesses? Any interesting stories behind them?

The typical chicken pox, she remembered she wanted to scratch so badly. It got so bad her mother had to stuff her underneath her covers to basically sweat it off and not scratch.

Turn-ons? Turn-offs?

Turn Ons: Bravery, No Bullshit, Southern American Culture Turn Offs: Liars, Bullshitters, Loud Mouths

Given a blank piece of paper, a pencil, and nothing to do, what would happen?

Probably draw some shapes and such. Write some lyrics that she likes.

How organized are they? How does this organization/disorganization manifest in their everyday life?

She likes organization, not in a compulsive way but more along the lines of something appealing to the eye. It has to have a flow in her mind.

Is there one subject of study that they excel at? Or do they even care about intellectual pursuits at all?

She knows some things about justice and law as well as obscure facts no one really cares about. She also picked up some knowledge in being in the woods, the different plants and wildlife.

How do they see themselves 5 years from today?

Still alive? That’s a big deal. That annoying Negan person destroyed for good.

Do they have any plans for the future? Any contingency plans if things don’t workout?

Not really, Manya pretty much lives for today since tomorrow is never promised. She still plans to know what happened with her family, and while settling in some safe zone with a redneck was not in the cards...she seems to be handling it okay.

What is their biggest regret?

Not being able to get home sooner, even though she knew she wouldn’t have stood a chance in getting there. She wished she could hug her family longer, tell them how much she loved them. Especially her father...she misses him the most.

Who do they see as their best friend? Their worst enemy?

She calls Michonne “Sister”, she also developed a friendship with Jesus. But Vladik has, and will always be her companion. Enemies however...that Foghorn Leghorn, loud mouth Negan is on up there. And that rat looking Dwight...his death would be slow as far as she is concerned.

Reaction to sudden extrapersonal disaster (eg The house is on fire! What do they do?)

During the hysteria of Walkers Manya was such in a panic she ran to a hiding place and stayed low until it was dead quiet. Now, if something happens she is right there on the front line. Fighting tooth and nail for the safety of others.

Reaction to sudden intrapersonal disaster (eg close family member suddenly dies)

Having someone close to her is dangerous for her well being. For if they died she loses it. For example, when she had to see Daryl be dragged to the van to head to The Sanctuary Manya screamed out, having to have two people hold her back. She was even told her scream was terrifying, she sounded like an dying animal. It happened again, seeing him in that sweater outfit...how she couldn’t talk to him. That she was not able to say goodbye to him, she had to leave. She walked toward the nearest tree and just destroyed it with her machete. All the while screaming to the top of her lungs. Needless to say if anyone killed someone she loved in front of her they will rule the day they ever do.

Most prized possession?

While she considers him more of a companion then a possession, Vladik her horse is something she hold the most dear.

Thoughts on material possessions in general?

If you have it, cherish it. That’s her way of thinking. Don’t flaunt it around, everyone had lost so much so whatever you do have you better enjoy it.

Concept of home and family?

Home and family is important to her. Her father taught her without family you have nothing. At the time her home and family was Vladik and the woods, but after much resistance she calls Alexandria and the people in her new home and family. One she is deeply protective of.

Thoughts on privacy? (Are they a private person, or are they prone to ‘TMI’?)

Manya is a deeply private person. Her distrust in people make her a hard shell to crack. But, if she feels she could trust you she slowly opens and confides in you.

What activities do they enjoy, but consider to be a waste of time?

She does like shooting Walkers, yes they are dangerous but Manya finds them very dumb.

What makes them feel guilty?

Not being able to save people she swore to protect. If anyone gets hurt or kidnapped under her watch she feels deeply responsible.

Are they more analytical or more emotional in their decision-making?

She keeps a pretty level head in decision making. She analyzes everything to the very detail.

Would they consider themselves a Type A or Type B personality?

She is a Type A trying to learn to be Type B

What recharges them when they’re feeling drained?

Cigarettes, give the girl some cancer sticks!

Would you say that they have a superiority-complex? Inferiority-complex? Neither?

Neither, she is a happy middle.

How misanthropic are they?

Roughly an 7 or 8. She makes some exceptions.

Hobbies?

Walker killing, hunting, cross stitching, busting a redneck’s balls

How far did they get in formal education? What are their views on formal education vs self-education?

She attended Pushkin Leningrad State University and was in her second to third year before she went to America under the J1 Program. She finds education important, but more along the lines of common sense.

Religion?

Manya is deeply atheist. She hated the Church when she was in Russia and she sure as shit does not believe in God more so now. 

Superstitions or views on the occult?

Manya does not believe in such things. However she does appreciate the teachings of the occult when it comes to nature. In fact she collected and wore a deer skull in her travels because she knew how easily freaked out people could be.

Do they express their thoughts through words or deeds?

More along deeds first and words later.

If they were to fall in love, who (or what) is their ideal?

Manya responds to people who are kind, to have the heart of a lion as they say. Someone who sees her as a equal, not some frigid thing. But apparently she has a thing for rednecks which is actually hilarious considering how low she used to think of them.

How do they express love?

Manya has a hard time expressing feelings. In fact she would deny it, even get very pissed about it. But what she does not realize is she sort of makes it obvious, she may laugh and cover her mouth(a sign of shyness). She may become softer, less of a ice queen. Even if it comes to words she does not say it right away. She may say something like “You’ve gotten under my skin and it’s pissing me off”, which means “I’ve fallen in love with you and I don’t know how to deal with that.”

If this person were to get into a fist fight, what is their fighting style like?

Being sort of on the short side jumping on someone’s back and putting them in a choke hold seems to be the go to if weapons are off the table. A choke hold and bashing their head in.

Is this person afraid of dying? Why or why not?

No, in fact she would die as long as someone stays alive. Tomorrow is never given, if it’s her time to die it’s her time to die. She accepted it a long time ago.