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kreidewaltz · 4 years ago

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summer shivers | k.t.

pairing. kageyama tobio x f!reader

about. spending the day on the beach with your boyfriend. and the unfortunate events of meeting his former teammate lead to a silly competition of showing off each other's partner.

word count. 3.1k

genre & warnings. fluff, comedy, suggestive themes, timeskip, making out on the beach (covered w an umbrella), female petnames, drinking at the bar.

author's note. i played around and made this fic descriptive and uhm sorry not sorry for the amount of teasing and tension ??? i needed to transform my kags brainrot to a fic so yeah and thanks amy for the beta-ing ily

while you and your boyfriend are walking mindlessly around the beach, your feet are being tickled by the soft, brown sand below. your boyfriend's fingers loosely intertwine with yours as his thumb rubs over your hand, something he knows you love. the pale green polish covering your toenails is fading as time goes. it wasn't a pleasant thing to look at, but you adored this look more— a little messy and flawed.

"tobio? wanna rest or keep walking?"

he gives your hand a soft squeeze and your love-filled eyes fall on him, which results in heat spreading subtly to your cheeks, and the pounding of your chest gets a little out of hand. he has three buttons of his loose, pale blue shirt undone and is wearing a simple pair of khaki shorts, his raven colored hair looking like a mess because of the strong breeze that passes. both of you decided to go barefoot while strolling around, smiling at the other tourists, and fawning over the adorable babies you see on the beach and restaurants when you pass by.

"let's walk. i miss these moments with you. needed a break from games and everything," he murmurs as his gentle, soft gaze falls on you. and in that moment you stop walking and take your time to quietly admire your partner under the bright, monstrous sun, along with the fluffy, huge clouds floating beside the light. his other hand pushes some of your hair behind your ear, doing it with delicacy and letting his fingers leave a trail of adrenaline since his delicate touches twists your fragile heart and makes your toes curl involuntarily.

"mhm, okay. but... when did you become that smooth?" you look to the other side so he doesn’t witness the red madness happening in the apples of your cheeks. you try to the best of your ability to stop the wide grin blooming on your face. but he carefully threads his fingers on the back of your head, and you unconsciously bite your strawberry balmed lips as you stare at him again.

"i guess i learned from you. and the karasuno guys." his hand rests on your nape before it slides to your back. a low, heartwarming chuckle comes from your boyfriend as he watches you crumble under his soft gaze. you bury your head on his chest and gripping the hem of his shirt and letting out a series of breathless giggles. as you're occupied with tobio's warmth, you fail to notice him running a hand through his short, black hair, and the lovesick smile growing on his face. he tries to distract himself by playing with your hair, and basks in the lavender scent of the shampoo you have in the apartment you share. cupping your cheeks for a moment, he takes his utmost time to admire your ethereal face matching with the glowing sunlight in the background. he gives you a peck on your temple and wraps his hands around your petite body, not saying a single word. he’s just taking in your warmth and admiring the beautifully painted sun behind the both of you, mesmerizing and serene.

you know, he knows.

"what are you doing here?” tobio's hands settle on your waist as he narrows his ocean-like eyes across other figures, his former high school teammate with his girlfriend. he shakes his head in disbelief, running your hand on his bicep through his arms— which is a sight that diverts your attention every time. it's harder to not keep your eyes on his build when you're in that time of the month, and he has to begrudgingly indulge in your adorable whining and countless compliments about his physique.

back to the present time, seeing the tall blonde across from you with his newfound girlfriend- who you call your acquaintance because you were casual in school since you were classmates with her for a year. unfortunately, you’re a witness to how these two idiots’ feelings bloom into something complicated- you had to force them to meet after school. tsukishima didn’t thank you or anything but the way he carefully cares for her and treats her with respect, a little affection is more than enough for you. after all, he kind of helped you talk to kageyama when you were in first years.

"oh my! how is ms. kageyama doing?" she yelps as you slowly walk to her because her voice tends to get pretty loud. her hands tug you into a friendly hug as you pat her head, amazed with the little braids on the side of her head since it fits her. her outfits are simple yet eye-catching (in high school she wore bright hair clips), and has too many accessories on her hair. but somehow she can pull it off.

“tobio had a one week vacation.. and now we’re here.”

she loops your arms together and slowly walks towards the waves, relaxation coursing through your body as you inhale the ocean scent, and feel the softness of the sand even though the waters crash every time.

“that’s nice! don’t tell kei this because... his pride,” she rests her head on your shoulder and subtly puckers her lips on your back.- as you turn around your eyes land on your boyfriend and tsukishima bickering- and a stinging pain welcomes your head as you mindlessly cover your feet in sand. she giggles and you get the clue, so you keep your stare ahead, feeling all your worries away as you watch the waves and the cool breeze dance every so often.

“he’s gonna meet my fam later and he’s nervous!” her voice is laced with agitation as she jumps in place, and you raise your brows in amusement.

“ehhhh, that’s normal, duh.”

“no no wait! my family’s a little uptight with who i date.. because of my shitty relationships-”

“just say one night stands. i get it.” you cut her off and bite your lip to not laugh at the offended look on her face. you can’t forget that. she puts a hand over her chest and dramatically falls back, the sand messing her styled hair. she was curious about those things, and hooked up with a few men to get experience. but you’re glad she found tsukishima, because her past is what prevents her from having a good, long term relationship. but he stands beside her and gently takes care of her, and years later they’re together, ecstatic and it seems you can’t tear them apart.

it’s true what they say, the right one won’t leave.

with the huge, black umbrella covering the upper part of your body, you couldn't help but indulge in his soft, plush lips, which are nipping your own right now. his left hand is cupping your cheek, tilting your head to his desire so the gentle, yet passionate kiss dives in deeper- in all honesty it makes your knees weak. his dainty hands works its way under your baby pink sundress, and give your bare hips a soft squish.

"heh, never knew you're this naughty, tobio." you break away from the kiss, but your faces are near each other, running your fingers through his hair for a moment. you stare at his mesmerizing, blue eyes to regain consciousness because his fiery lips are hovering yours, easily getting hazy just from the feeling of his lips. the way he controls your body as you get lost and drown yourself to the pleasure, and how tingly and ecstatic you become when he finally, finally touches you bare. even if you're the one getting attacked with his star-struck kisses and feather-like touches all over your precious body, your pleasure-headed mind always asks for more.

"no.. no let's stop, angel." you capture his swollen, red lips in another sweet kiss and savor in his lips that are tasting like faint strawberries before breaking the kiss. if there's one thing you learned from being in a relationship with your boyfriend, you had to stop yourself, because those supposed study sessions for him to pass his exams or stacks of school works, always leads to kissing or even slow, heartwarming make out sessions on the beige couch in your living room. or quick, messy sessions in his bedroom because he's utterly distracted by you in your school uniform. and the next day you couldn't even blame each other because you both enjoyed it. after all, sometimes it ends with sleepy kisses and slow, burning touches while the only thing covering your bodies are his dark gray sheets.

"huh, you say that and keep pulling me closer." you thread your fingers with care through his hair, and run your fingernails on his scalp. his one hand supports his weight in order to not fall on top of you, his other busy with caressing your hips. you try your best to avoid squirming under his hold because the atmosphere you two put yourselves in is scorching hot. it makes your body sweat, your lungs tighten from suffocation but you keep swimming, so desperate for his touch and warmth that keeps you sane every time.

"shut.. up, tobio." panting for a moment, you clumsily push the umbrella above you to get some of the fresh air and the natural scent of the ocean across from you. you’re sitting up as you move ahead of him and plop yourself in your boyfriend’s arms.

"what's with earlier, tobio-chan? gettin' all antsy and... you had to give them a show by us kissing hard, all messy, and sloppy." fiddling with your fingers, you treasure the rose gold promise ring he bought for your second anniversary, which you never removed from your hand- even when the relationship is experiencing a tough road throughout the journey. he’s silent as he leaves a tender kiss on the top of your head, his other hand occupied with the necklace he’s loosely wearing- and instead of another pendant, he used the silver ring that matches with yours. there is a faint tint of rose gold on his, the design is simple- on the top part there are bits of diamonds that twinkle under the sun, and an infinity sign weaves through the band seamlessly.

it’s beautiful, tobio muses to himself as he threads your fingers together. the rose gold circlet on your ring finger looks so gorgeous. he appreciates this about you, being silent as you lose yourself in his warmth. if his doubts and the inner voices keep ringing in his head, all he'd do is take a glimpse of the gorgeous ring fitted on your finger perfectly and those thoughts dissipate from his head. they are exchanged with the happy, smiley thoughts of you that overlap.

"you kissed me back, who's at fault now, pretty angel?" before you could react and hit his bicep playfully, he tightens his embrace on your body, squishing you a little until you’ve settled and formed into a puddle because of his touch- your hands sliding on his arm. you’re not shaking your feet anymore deep on the brown, soft sand. he cocks his head to the right as his navy, blue eyes slowly close and with a turtle’s speed, he brushes his soft, tempting lips below your ear, nipping, and blowing on that spot he knows drives a whimper out of you.

tobio’s such a discreet bastard, you muse as you bury your head more to the crook of his neck and attempt to think of a payback to him later. because what he’s doing to you clouds your mind with hazy pleasure, and he hums lowly as he listens to your breathless symphony he couldn’t get enough of it.

“kags did change a lot, huh? probably because of you.” her hands are occupied with holding a small shot glass carefully as she moves her hand. her eyes are glued to the swaying of the tequila. a soft snort comes out of you— shaking your head instinctively because, if we're being honest, you bloomed differently because of your boyfriend. he's taught you so many things. from being passionate to that one thing you love, that there’s someone who is going to save you when you’re breaking, or that the display of affection isn’t equal to the love and adoration he’s feeling for you.

“i only helped him, don’t wanna make this all about me.” you take a big sip of your favorite cocktail, the cosmopolitan, mainly because of the blush pink color and the tinge of sweetness that suits your taste better. your boyfriends are on a journey to find the restroom and it has been a while. the loud, open bar the internet recommended is true to its word, the variety of colored lights flashing in an hour, the songs being played on the speakers are prominent, although you’d prefer if they turn the volume up because strangers are drunk and are pretty loud- like they didn’t need to prove they’re all over each other physically.

oh damn, they need to up their flirting game.

“what about tsukki? are you guys good?” you smoothly change the topic and inwardly sigh because you’re relieved she didn’t push the topic further. it’s not that you don’t want to talk about your boyfriend. your perspective is leaning on the realistic side and you don’t want to bore her with your life realizations- and you forbid yourself to sound like an old woman while telling about your real feelings and thoughts.

“yeah! even though he’s still snarky, and teases me before... he’s better now. you know, one time he asked, asked for cuddles! it’s so cute..”

"and i wonder why our classmates are so shocked when he displays affection–like, man–he's a human. he wants touch, his pride gets in the way!" your hands are moving around you to emphasize your opinion, and you smack her lightly on the head the second you hear chuckles coming out of her. you stand on your opinion though, the shield on his heart just needed a hard hit- and successfully she did that. slowly entering his heart and letting his mask crumble when he’s with her.

"right! still thankful for you that you pushed us to confess... or say some words." you roll your eyes playfully at her statement because you could witness their feelings for one another grow and grow– yet they keep their guard up and wait for the other to make the first move. their relationship reminded you of an anime you watched before, and you push them to confess after school, giving them encouraging words, but mainly you throw them playful threats.

"just say you confessed."

"whatever.. oh! remember the time you and kags were all over each other at the res—!" putting your hand over her mouth, muffle out her words in a rush before she can continue. heat blossoms to your neck as you reminisce that memory. it was supposed to be a chill, enjoyable double date even though your man and hers had this urge to be competitive on every thing you did. you ended in another restaurant (which was fancy and expensive). after the course meal, she ordered two wine bottles and tobio got tipsy. you were a bit tipsy but you could make out your surroundings, but the soberness came to a halt when he tugged you and gave you a hard kiss., it wasn’t the problem but- oh god his calloused hands kept moving around your body. for a moment you forgot you were in public and your friends are here—watching you. you pulled away for a moment and went to the bathroom, your happy face turned beet red, the realization coming in and making you more flustered if that was possible.

“what!? you got us tipsy. don’t even turn the tables when i actually saw,” you lower your voice on the end to make her panic which is evident in her eyes. you acting dramatic and slap a hand over your mouth as you shake your head, and your eyes focus on her, along with your finger pointing her body and let out your thoughts in the form of screeching and overreacting—-that’s what you’re good at—-she told you before in college. and your boyfriend instantly nods which resulted in a good old silent treatment for a few days.

“with my two own eyes, you are taking those kinds of photos for tsukishima!” a teasing smirk is forming on your face and you’re taking another sip of the cocktail. as you’re about to finish the drink, she hits your legs with her little black handbag while she squeals. before you could pay your petty revenge, your boyfriend and tsukishima’s voices make you tense on the wooden stools. making eye contact with her, you pray that they didn’t hear the last part of your conversation because they weren’t supposed to hear that. if they did, they’ll be so embarrassed.

"angel."

"baby."

turning around to see your boyfriend’s eyes on you, you get distracted by his dirty white long sleeves and the first two buttons that are open, and khaki shorts. he walks yet he never tears his dark gaze from you, his eyes now focusing on your tinted lips. his hand swiftly slides on your waist and you have to bite your lip to suppress your whimper since his hold on your body tightens. as for tsukishima, he whispers something to her and you know what’s going to happen.

"see you tom!! ‘bout to get punished again." you wave the couple a goodbye as you and tobio walk back to the hotel you’re staying in. while you’re going back, he gives a soft peck on your temple and holds your bag. he suddenly stops walking and pulls you away from the crowd. he cups your cheek, which is getting red as he faces you. you’re becoming flustered by the stupid smirk growing on his face and, he rests his chin on your shoulder. his breath fans on your ear before he murmurs, his voice getting husky which makes your knees weak.

“oh angel, just take me well, yeah?”

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c-atm · 4 years ago

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“So,” Heartberry started, “anyone has an idea of how to take this thing down cause I’m not crazy about being resprayed.” she leaned back with her legs crossed, sitting on Mister’s lap.

“We can’t ambush it, the thing always on guard, despite having one eye, ” Mister commented as he slumped in their recliner a little, “resilient thing too, just bounce everything off of that plum-colored skin of theirs.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. Never faced anything so docile but, oh so annoying.” Witchy groaned, throwing her hands up in agitation, before folding her arms over her breast, pouting with puffed blush crossed cheeks and steady brows.

The subject, how to take care of a demon who, despite being non-violent, leaves its victims comatose and foul-smelling.

So very foul-smelling.

They didn't know what it wanted. What's its purpose was, or if it even had one? Furthermore, it wouldn't tell them what it wanted...That or it couldn't.

There wasn't a mouth on its balloon-like, limbless single-eyed body, an eye that changes colors and showed a whole lot of expression based on its emotions.

It should have been an easy kill, but it did have a high payout for its defeat, for a good reason too.

It has escaped the six of them three times so far. Leaving them all unconscious and reeking. Not even Amy was a fan of the smell. So much so that she chose to abandon the hunt.

Three nights of undertaking this task.

Three nights of failing the task.

Three nights of smelling like literal defeat.

Defeat took a ninety-minute bath and shower to scrub off and put everyone on edge, even after a night of sleep.

None more than the resident witch.

She woke with her eyes glowed with prideful anger, even as Dapper pampered her a bit, massaging her shoulders and fixing his lady her favorite breakfast, which she did appreciate but was too in her pride to convey it. Still, for the sake of the morning, he let it be.

The afternoon though, things hit their boiling point when they began to plan for their next attempt.

"I think I might have an answer," Dapper came in with a book in his hand. He laid it open to a page with the despicable eggplant looking demon. "Our target defense is related to its focus. The more alert it is, the more invulnerable it is, and believe it or not, it's a bit of a punk...so it's always on alert. Though, you can't really blame it. It's a rare demon and a big payday."

"Ok, so how do we take care of it," Witchy asked with a glare.

"We have to distract it," Dapper announced with a smirk. "And what is its weakness, you ask." with a smirk, he pointed at a simple two-line description, which the three read.

"AHHH HAHAHA!" Mister threw his head back. "Ohh, well girls, looks like this is a job for you two."

Heartberry shook her head, "I knew it was looking at me strangely...Stop laughing." Her nostrils flared. "So...That's its weakness, so how do we exploit it."

"Photoshoot? Modeling? Music video!?" Mister chuckled, getting a headlock from his Connie.

"You know what? Fine." Witchy said coolly, getting off the couch and taking HB's hand and leading her out the room. "Going to pick up Amy, and we'll see you two in a couple of hours at that demon's base."

"My lady?"

He was answered with a slam of the front door, leaving the 'brothers' looking worried.

Two hours later, Dapper and Mister were waiting in the now abandoned apartment complex, waiting for their team.

"So what'd you think they came up with?" Mister asked, leaning back on a wall, eyes closed and hand in his pockets.

Dapper shrugged, looking a bit crushed." My lady is so damn prideful. Just hope she's not going to do something..Foolish for a win."

"She wouldn't be a 'Connie' if she took it on the chin, definitely if she feels she could win."

"Sis, stubborn as well, hmm?"

"Her most alluring trait." Mister smirked, opening his eyes and turning his head left, "speaking of alluring...Stars and Diamonds." He swooned.

Dapper looked over the same direction as Mister and arched an eye.

Heartberry, Amethyst, and the duo of Sarah and Biddy strutting towards them.

Dressed in flashy, flirty idol outfits.

Mister whistled as they walked up.

"Keep your eyes and tongue in your head, Mister," Heartberry teased as Mister playfully wrapped her loose plaid tie over his finger. "Schoolgirl style?"

"Yup, figured since it has a thing for the female form, we decided we'd appease its base emotions."

"I see devious." Mister flirted, "So..are you naughty or nice?"

"I'll show you later alone." She grinned, giving him a peck.

"Ummm-"

"Yes...Always." The purple demoness answered Sarah's and Biddy's question before they could ask.

"Quite the plan you came up with, ladies," Dapper smirked.

"It was actually trailblazer's suggestion." Sarah started." Alicia would have joined, but she was needed at the church."

"How did you guys get roped into this?" The demon Steven questioned.

"I was promised a piece of the reward and amusement." Biddy announced, plainly, " so far, I am amused."

"Same." Sarah nodded affirmatively.

"Dapper." HB called, getting the demon's attention, "around the corner."

Dapper didn't need any more than that as she morphed into a shadow, rushing to his lady's side.

He found her standing behind the corner, a cloak over her.

"My lady?"

Witchy leaped, red-face as Dapper formed himself from the darkness. "The hell, Steven. Give me a heart attack, why don't you?"

"Sorry." The half-demon offered, looking at his lady, " So? What are you doing over here?"

"Attempting to preserve my pride." She mumbled, "this is so stupid." She rubbed her temples with a groan before slamming her first to the wall.

"I really don't get why you are so angry, My lady?"

"I don't like to lose."

"I know." He chuckled

"This demon beat me four times."

"Four? We only confronted it three times."

"I'm not talking just in battle!" She growled." I mean …" Witchy clenched her fist. " You know what, trash the plan."

"This was your idea!" Shocks evident in Dapper's voice.

"I'm retracting it then!"

"Why? It's a good plan!"

"Why? I'm not some...Cosplaying, dallying, cutesy, pop-idol, centerfold!!" The fiery witch roared upwards,

"I'm a demon hunter! A witch! A warrior! A CONNIE MAHESWARAN!!" She continued, a flare of outrage literally coming from her mouth.

"Spitting fire, My lady."

He received a smoke conjuring snort as a response before she turned her back to him, her cheeky face pout returning, even as he interlaced his fingers around her stomach and pulled her to his chest, though it slipped a bit when she felt the rumble of his best from him chuckle on her back.

"Don't you think you're a bit too proud?"

"No! not at all!" She argued. "This thing has made a mockery of us. I mean, come on. Look what we've been subjected to." She groaned, leaning back into him. "Three nights of foul-smelling defeats from this one-eyed demon eggplant that won the genetic lottery in terms of defense and attentiveness, whose weakness is the 'allure of the fairer sex.' How am I supposed to feel knowing that this was the thing that beat me...Beat us."

"It hasn't beaten us," Dapper looked at his flame. "We're still here, ready to do what we do best."

"But what we do best won't work, as long as it's on guard, we can't kill it, and all we have to do is get sprayed and humiliated again." Witchy retorted, "even against the likes of Stevonnie and Steven squared. It just repels everything before blowing us away in a noxious fume." The witch sighed in chagrin." And to cater to its taste...A demon's taste...How disgraceful."

"That's kind of offensive, Connie," Dapper stated, slightly crossed. "I'm half-demon, you know."

The witch's face flushed, shamed at her callousness. "Sorry, my dapper devil. I didn't mean it like that." She gave him a quick peck. "It's just this whole 'honeypot' plan. It's humiliating."

Sometimes it's a requirement." Dapper joked yet spoke truthfully, "you've been at this job long enough to know that, and you used you womanly wiles before, so why is this so different?"

"Because it might not work, and I don't want to look bad in front of you again, " Witchy admitted looking down. "Especially against this do nothing demon, who can't attack more than letting out a nauseating gas."

Dapper kissed her crown gently, "My beautiful, prideful flame. You really let this plant sink its roots into you." Dapper laughed a bit before kissing her temple.

"How are you laughing? How can you find even the most smidge of humor out of this situation?"

"The fact that this plant isn't threatening the populace helps." The demon admitted, "Annoying them to the point of abandoning their home for the time, but at least they're unharmed."

"True, it's more menace than monster, but that makes it all the more shameful." The witch complained, "we've battled true nightmares and won without breaking a sweat, and yet the thing that gave us trouble can't even speak! It's frustrating!"

"Irony at its finest." Dapper jest.

"I want to win." Witchy declared. " I want to prevail over this creature; I have to..."determination in her voice.

"Well, then. We should join the others. We're holding the op-"

Dapper words fell short as Witchy's lips met his in an appreciative kiss. He was only slightly shocked for a moment before reciprocating. It all lasted a tongue-twisting, cheek caressing, hip holding, lip popping seven seconds before breaking off with a gentle -Chu-.

Dapper, a bit dizzy, turned upwards and breathed out a small heart-shaped fume. "Talk about your hot kisses."

"Pfft!" Witchy snorted before laughing into his chest. Holding him by the shoulder blades as he did. "Thank you," She whispered, adoring.

"For what?"

"Letting me vent, without judgment." She reached up, kissing his left cheek, "For making my favorite breakfast and massaging my shoulders." She kissed his right, "for dealing with my attitude in stride.

"It's no problem, My lady." He soothed, "I know your irritation comes from your convictions, your need never to let your people down." He kissed her forehead, "one of your most attractive qualities."

"Still."

"Still nothing. You are fine, not like you did anything insulting." He grinned, "You were just a sulky little witch."

"And impulsive." She sighed, " whatever. It is what it is." Witchy surrendered as she walked out of his grasp, peeling off her cloak and making Dapper jaw drop.

She was wearing a dark blue collared crop top with purple plaid trim around the hem and collared with a loose-fitting blue and purple stripe tie, a pair of high thighs navy suspender shorts, some dark purple knee-highs, and black collared booties. Every curve that she hid was on full display, and Dapper was burning the visage in his mind forever.

Reaching to her back left pocket, she pulled out a hair clip shaped like one of Dapper's broaches as well as a tube lip gloss.

"Mind helping me?" She tossed him the tube before clipping her hair in a left side ponytail. Dapper nodded before taking Witchy chin in his left hand and slowly stroked the gloss across pressed the lips, giving them a shimmer. "Hmm, might have given you too much."

Before the witch could complain, her partner gave her a tingling, suckling upon the brims of her mouth.

It was sweet, swift, and soothing, precisely what his lady needed as he felt her relax under his kiss.

"Better?" He asked, reapplying the gloss again, getting a breath of calmness and appreciation.

"Yeah." She felt herself grinning, " you could have asked for a kiss, though."

"True, but kissing 'a idol' off guard was too good to pass." He gave her a playful and wolfish grin, making her blush and push him away.

"Gods no. I'm no idol."

"You're my idol." He whispered, pressing his head to hers.

Witchy pursed her mouth, pouting a bit." Well. I guess that's fine…" she gave him a quick peck. "but only yours."

"Does that mean there is a chance I'd get to see you in this outfit again?"

"I'm more than likely going to end up burning this attire once we are done." She shrugged, teasing before backing away, turning, and walking towards the corner. "Come on, I'm sure the others are impatient and probably starting to head up to the roof."

"Of course," Dapper said, staring at his lady's confident stride before following behind her; idolizing the prideful fiery witch and all her perfect imperfection, as he always did.

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writing-high · 4 years ago

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Craftsmanship- Character List

Meet the characters of Craftsmanship! These are random models I found on google that fit the description. On the rare chance that one of them don’t like people using their image, I’ll take it down. All credit to the artists who created the outfits! Enjoy!

Theodore “Theo” Ashdown

Theo is the military leader of Eprya. The boy, at only 18, has made a name for himself like nobody has ever seen. Everyone knows his name, everyone knows his skill, nobody knows his story. While he appears confident at first glance, the boy is actually quite frightened of the world. After losing his parents to a heated argument and losing his twin sister the same way, the boy trusts almost nobody. The only person he truly calls his friend is Elias, the only person who followed him every step of the way.

Theo is seen as the kings apprentice. The boy has no interest in ever taking over the kings rule. However, when a problem arises and the nation of Eprya chooses to overthrow the ruler, will Theo have a choice when the whole country is looking to him for guidance?

When a revolution arises, with Theo and Elias at the center of it all, what will happen when two teens need to becomes the craftsmen of a new nation?

This is what he’s expected to wear when he’s working under the king. This is the official male uniform!

This is his combat uniform! When he’s fighting or training his team, this is what he’s expected to wear! Just picture the outfit in black, red, and navy instead of the colors below.

Finally, this is what his sword and dagger looks like!

Elias Fletcher

Elias Fletcher is the 18- year- old archer. With a bitter spot towards the king, Elias just wants to be heard. He sees behind the kings lies and is a key player during revolution. The boy is Theo’s biggest supporter. He fully believes that his best friend would be an amazing ruler, if only he put himself out there. Elias is Theo’s right hand man and, to an extent, the nation looks up to him just as much as they do Theo.

The nation understands that the two are a package deal, they bring different things to the table. While Theo is skilled with swords, daggers, and words, Elias is trained with bows, arrows, and detail keeping. Elias lost his family at a young age, causing him to bring himself back from nothing. He was poor and mistreated, he knows how the world works.

Now, with being at the center of a revolution, Elias is ready to stand his ground.

This is the outfit Elias wears when teaching his archery classes as well as when he’s fighting! As Elias hates the king and refuses to work for him first hand, he doesn’t need to wear the government uniform. Like above, imagine the outfit is red, navy, and black!

Below is the bow Theo crafted for Elias!

The arrows as well.

Poppy Taylor

Poppy is the nations armourer as well as seamstress. Poppy is very close to both Theo and Elias as they all bonded over being in such a high position at such a young age. Poppy is 17 and lives with her father and younger brother.

She is the first person to bring up a possible revolution to the two boys. While she knows that it would be a lot for the two to handle, she has no doubt they’d be able to do it.

Poppy is a kind hearted person who believes in everyone. She is a favorite among the people of Eprya.

Poppy can commonly be found in outfits like this. She’ll never be in specific colors as she doesn’t technically work for government.

Poppy doesn’t carry any weapons on her as she’s doesn’t believe in inflicting pain on anyone else, however, she can’t stop anyone else from doing so. She usually works in the background, commonly being the brains of the operations.

Amis Eymer

Amis is the boy Theo chooses to mentor. After seeing himself in the 15-year-old, Theo forms a soft spot for him. While Amis is shy and feels as though he can’t do anything right, Theo is determined to prove him wrong.

Amis is kind hearted and believes in everyone. Although he’s insecure, he tries hard to show a stronger side of himself. He has dreams of being just as successful as Theo, taking over his position when the older boy inevitable take a higher position in their new government.

Before Theo picks Amis as a successor, he wears this outfit. Everyone who is training under Theo wears the same uniform. Again, the colors are supposed to be black, red, and navy.

However, Theo wanted to be able to easily pick Amis out in a crowd, so he had a new uniform created for him only. The idea was for it to make Amis believe he was apart of something bigger than himself. The colors pictured below are the actual colors of the outfit.

This is the sword Theo made custom to Amis.

Addy Becc

Our last character is Addy! Addy is the 15-year-old successor of Elias. Addy stuck out to the older boy once he realized how talented she was at such a young age. He too her under his wing once he realized she was like him and had no family left to take care of her.

Elias made a promise to be a big brother to the orphaned girl. Addy and Amis quickly become a dynamic duo, causing ruckus around their town, and being a powerful pair. While they’ve been trained differently, the two use their differences to their advantages, making Theo and Elias Proud.

Addy doesn’t have an archery outfit as she wasn’t originally being taught by Elias, he found her. He has this outfit made for her later on. The colors pictured below are the actual colors of the outfit.

This is the bow Theo crafted for her upon Elias’ request!

And her custom arrows.

Other than the king, that’s everyone! Like I stated above, if any of the models have an issue with this, their pictures will be taken down. However, I found all of these on google so I believe it will be fine and I doubt anyone will see this story anyway.

Character Playlists coming soon!

#character design #characters #OC #story character #stories #original story #fantasy #medieval #medieval realism #magical realism #author #small author #writer #story #writing #book #original book #original writing

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megabadbunny · 6 years ago

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so after sketching out the doodle for this post upon the request of the lovely @chiaroscuroverse, I decided it was high time I finally got started on something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now. Thusly, I present to y’all the first installment of my sketch series New Who Companions in (Mostly) Historically-Accurate Period Costumes! :D

(clicky on the smaller images above to embiggen; clicky the read-more for costume history facts and assorted nerditude for each design!)

So long story short, I’m a big ol’ fashion history nerd, studied a good chunk of fashion history in the Western world during ye olde college days, and sometimes I like to think about what our New Who companions might have worn if they wanted to go mostly-historically-accurate in their old-world adventures. Below are some descriptions of what those costumes could have looked like, and a little bit of the historical context surrounding the ensembles. Thanks for joining me on this sartorial nerd-journey! <3

Fig. 1: Donna Noble, The Fires of Pompeii (Roman Empire, 79 AD)

So Donna’s original costume, while very pretty, is not accurate in any way; I can only imagine the designer was held back by some untold constraints (i.e. this costume is either constructed based on stylistic requests from Catherine Tate or it’s the product of executive meddling). Here, Donna wears a stola, i.e. a dress-like garment fastened with fibulae clasps and held in place with a girdle high above the waist. This garment would technically be worn by a married woman, to sort of show off her wealth and worth, but I figure Donna don’t give no shits about that, just give her the pretty dress already. She’s also wearing a palla, a shawl Roman women wore when going about their business outside. You would typically see the palla wrapped around the woman’s body to both accentuate her curves where desired, to hide her features when wanted (women might draw the hood close to the face to hide from unwanted male gazes), and to keep the material from dragging along the ground. The volume of fabric in the shawl signified a woman’s status; the more fabric, the wealthier the lady. Donna’s garments are fashioned from the finest material available, being linens imported from Egypt and silks imported from China.

Fig. 3: Bill Potts, The Eaters of Light (Scotland, c. 100 AD)

So, finding solid details on how women dressed in this time and place was fun,* but I did my best to sort of piece things together into a design that would make sense given the convergent influences and the materials (cloth/fibers, dyes, equipment) available in the area at the time. Basically, you’ve got a tunic cinched at the waist, and a woven cloak on top sporting a Pictish-type design, and simple jewelry fashioned from alloys that were commonplace at the time. Bill’s brooch and belt would definitely be met with approval from the other ladies; only peasant-women left the house without a belt.

* It was not fun. It was frustrating.

Fig. 2: Rose Tyler, The Stone Rose spinoff novel (Rome, 120 AD)

Rose’s garments and hair are intentionally sculptural in design, inspired by a series of Roman statues built around the time the story is set (I figured it was appropriate given the book’s plot!). Here she is wearing half of her Fortuna costume, on her way to save the Doctor (obv). Typically, a not-yet-married woman would only need to wear one layer (as unmarried women were, shall we say, low on the priority list in terms of Roman fashion), but here, on her way to being immortalized as the great Fortuna, an exception has been made for Rose; Marcia’s servants have draped, wrapped, and pinned some very fine material over Rose’s close-fitting tunica. Rose is also shown with a mantle, for covering her hair in public. Both Donna and Rose would have had their hair curled using a calamistrum, or an early curling iron, which varied in shape and style, but in this case likely would have actually been made of iron, and warmed over hot coals.

Fig. 4: Clara Oswald, Robot of Sherwood (England, 1190 AD)

Okay, so why did they make this look like a Halloween costume? It’s just, this episode clearly had a budget, the designer clearly did their homework, so who made what decision and where and when that led us to this? I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s a nice Halloween costume! Like, one you would have to rent instead of buy, because she is le pricey. But I’m curious to know why the designer ventured so close to the actual periodwear without actually committing to it. Like the sleeves—the flare at the elbow suggests the overdress, or bliaut, is of French design, except those sleeves ain’t near big enough, neither in terms of volume or length. Sometimes these sleeves were so long, women would have to knot them to keep them from dragging the ground. If you don’t wanna deal with big sleeves for your action heroine, that’s fine, just go with a more English design, which forewent the exaggerated trumpet-shape in favor of something more subtle. The current shape just looks weird—like, it’s halfway there, but got tired and gave up. Then you’ve got the front-lacing on the bodice; this is a nope, and only enhances the Halloween/fancy dress look. Dresses would fasten on the side or in the back; if you were upper-class, you might be looking at a modesty panel to hide the lacing in the case of the latter. The hair is another instance of halfway-there; the top half is pretty good, with its center-part and the wraparound braid, but the loose bottom portion and the salon-curls are a big no-no. Curls weren’t really in vogue in the area at the time; ladies’ hair was worn long and braided, both to keep it out of the way and to show off elaborate styles. And last but certainly not least, why the heck is Clara’s circlet shaped the way it is? It’s like they took a necklace, situated it with a bunch of slack in the chain, and stuck it to her forehead using spirit gum. Would noble ladies have worn circlets/coronets at the time? Sure! Would they have been shaped (or stuck-on???) like that? Nope! The original ensemble is full of potential but it feels like someone somewhere along the decision-making process looked at the original, better design, said, “Eh, can you modernize (read: sex) that up for me?” and then this was born. Again, it’s not horrible, just, it could have been so much more.

/rant

Fig. 5: Amy Pond, Vampires of Venice (Italy, 1580 AD)

So I realize there’s a class difference between what Amy wore in the show and what’s depicted here, but I figured the upper-class depiction made more sense, given the fashions of the other young ladies accepted into Calvieri’s school. (That being said, Amy’s original outfit still isn’t quite there; this shows an example or two of what a working-class woman would wear at the time.) On the right, Amy is wearing a velvet gown over a petticoat; even though the color and bodice-shape denote a heavy Spanish influence, the dress would have been referred to as a French gown due to its fitted shape. Were Amy to go whole-hog and give herself some true mid-sixteenth-century hair, the front would be short, and regularly wound into tight, compact little curls, while the back was kept long, for elaborate braids and updos. That’s right--the sixteenth century was technically full of mullets. Mullets everywhere.

Fig. 6: Rose Tyler, A Groatsworth of Wit spinoff comic (England, 1592)

ok but the design in the comic, just

I don’t even understand why the artist drew it this way. It doesn’t make sense, not from a costume history perspective and not even from a design/fudging-the-details-for-the-sake-of-modern-sensibilities perspective. (Also from a perspective-perspective; dude’s having some major issues figuring out how foreshortening works, but that’s neither here nor there I suppose.) It would actually be way faster to focus on what this gown does right instead of wrong. So, let’s see here: it has a lace collar, which was a thing. It has a structured, paneled bodice; also a thing. Full layered skirt, that’s good. And, that’s officially it. The rest of this design is garbage. Like, why the eff is she wearing a ruffle as some kind of low-slung belt? Is that supposed to be cartridge pleating? What century are those sleeves supposed to be from? (Do those outer sleeves even? Show up in any century to speak of, outside of my nightmares???) If you’re going to do a lace cuff at the end of the fitted sleeve, why not do it right (i.e. like the way they actually looked at the time, which was usually in a cone shape flaring out from the wrist to the elbow)? Why would the artist imagine that Rose would go to the trouble of pouring herself into this 80’s-teal monstrosity without bothering to do anything to her hair except for a ponytail? What the fuck is up with the fucking boob lace??? See, I know the artist can draw actual historically accurate outfits, because Shakespeare in this comic looks fine. His shit’s pretty accurate. But for some reason, when it came to Rose’s dress, it’s like the artist lost their goddamn mind. (Don’t even get me started on the jewelry and accents, not if there’s a loving god in this universe)

Fig. 7: Martha Jones, The Shakespeare Code (England, 1599)

So Martha has herself a lovely heavy brocade gown, trimmed in sable, accented with soft leather gloves, and topped with a cartwheel ruff round the neck. (Don’t worry; I imagine the TARDIS only carries ethically-harvested furs, like they’re grown in a lab somewhere or collected after critters have had a long and prosperous life or the hairs are vacuumed up and reconstituted by some futuristic device, etc. etc.) Elizabethan sumptuary laws dictated that folks had to dress according to social class, so depending on what your social class was, you may not have been legally permitted to wear things like silks, certain colors, certain furs, and more. Fashion was such a surging industry and indicator of wealth that, at the time, you had higher-ups selling huge swaths of land in order to have the money to dress themselves as well as possible--it was seriously that important to be fashionable. Martha’s garments indicate that she has pretty high social standing, given the materials used. Also, she wears a pretty bitchin’ hat.

Fig. 8: Yazmin Khan, The Witchfinders (England, 1612)

Yazmin’s dress sports a fashionably high-necked bodice featuring embroidered linen silk, topped with a standing collar and “wings” at the shoulders. The dark hues shown here were super-popular at the time due to a surge of obsession with melancholia in arts and literature. Yaz also wears a “Cavalier” style hat, accented with an ostrich feather. Her outfit is basically a riding-habit/hunting-habit, constructed with ease of movement in mind.

Fig. 9: Mickey Smith, Rose Tyler, and Reinette Poisson i.e. Madame de Pompadour, The Girl in the Fireplace (France, 1758)

Setting aside my many issues with this episode’s story/plot, the bugaboos I have with Reinette’s original costume design in the show are relatively minor, and I imagine can mostly be explained-away with stuff like “this is what the BBC already had on hand” and “goddamn that’s pretty.” Both pretty salient points! But I do think it’s interesting that the designer(s) went the way they did--Madame de Pompadour was actually famously not in favor of glittering gems (actually, she supposedly donated palace jewels to the French treasury more than once to help out during times of war); she tended to prefer fairly simple pearls as embellishment, instead. She also wasn’t really into big hair; obviously the styles shown here on Ms. Myles aren’t exactly Marie-Antoinette-big, but they’re definitely more voluminous and modernized than the styles the real-life MdP typically sported, which usually consisted of a slight pomp and fairly close-knit curls framing the face. (It’s also interesting that Moffat wrote her with such a heavy innuendo for sex/romance, because rumor had it she didn’t really actually enjoy things in the bedroom all that much, instead preferring to pull political strings, promote the arts, patronize motherfucking Voltaire!!!, help design architecture!!!, and keep the king constantly entertained and distracted so he literally didn’t royally fuck everything up. She was a very busy lady! Also she like. Paid contractors and artists on time? Instead of dicking them over with “credit” bullshit like other wealthy patrons??? Sorry she was just WAY more awesome than the show gave her credit for!) Anyhoo, long story short, Rose and MdP are shown here wearing gowns and hairstyles that are heavily inspired by those worn by the real-life MdP wore in some of her many many portraits.

Thanks for tuning in to my giant costume nerdfest; see you next time for part 2! <3 <3 <3

#donna noble #bill potts #rose tyler #clara oswald #amy pond #martha jones #yazmin khan #mickey smith #madame de pompadour #doctor who fanart #donna noble fanart #bill potts fanart #rose tyler fanart #clara oswald fanart #amy pond fanart #martha jones fanart #yazmin khan fanart #mickey smith fanart #madame de pompadour fanart #man i wanna post this right meow but the timing #al;kdsjflsakdjf #anyhoo this has been a lot of fun to work on #and this is the first time i've drawn amy! so that's fun #also this is an interesting illustration of How Colors Look Very Different On Different Computer Monitors #this computer (the ol' at-homer) is more saturated than my iphone or work computer so we'll seeeee how the colors turn out elsewhere lol #anyhoo more commentary in the read-more in the post #thanks for checking the post out! <3 #mbb draws

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hellanoragami-blog · 6 years ago

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Chapter 79.2 Thoughts

Heeeey guys. I’m up really early this morning, so I’ve decided to try to dissect the chapter. There is a lot of interesting things to cover, but overall I really liked it. It has a lot of pain and worry tied to it, though. A big thanks to @fast-moon for a speedy translation!

In the continuation of chapter 79, we’ve picked up directly where we left off. Hiyori has begun to read through her journal, only to find that almost all of them relate to Yato in some way or another. (It seamlessly ties into a discussion that Ami and Yama are having behind her, lol.)

But things take a serious turn, because Yama explains that Fujisaki has simply disappeared, and so has his father, apparently. Father is--we know--currently resting and recovering from the toll taken on his body. But what about Fujisaki’s father? Where did he go, and what are his concerns about his son’s injuries? Is that why he’s suddenly disappeared?

I wonder if perhaps we’ll see Father claiming another form, soon. With Bishamon now knowing his face, and the nuisance posed in further involving Fujisaki’s family, I feel as if Father wouldn’t want to gamble the risks of keeping his current body. (It’s confusing, because we’ve never actually seen Fujisaki’s father, nor do we know much about the relationship he has with his son. It makes it hard to pin down what exactly he’d be doing in this situation regarding his child’s injuries.)

Hey, look! Tenjin’s riding an Ox! Oh, wait. It’s just his regalia? Cool! We now know what forms two of his shinki take, as well as their alternate names. I don’t have much to say about that. But his conversation with Hiyori is different. As suspected, literally everyone know about Hiyori’s feelings but her--even Tenjin! She goes on to ask him, the one who would know most out of anyone, whether it’s true or not that Gods can love humans.

I kind of already figured his answer, and I was right in thinking that their way of loving is just different than human love. But it’s not inherently a good thing for a God to love a human. As he said, they get drawn more to the near shore.

The more attached Yato gets to Hiyori, the more he’d be willing to do to ensure her happiness and safety. This includes wreaking havoc upon whatever threat to her that he sees. (Think back to the Bishamon arc, where he was fully prepared to kill a fellow God under the false assumption that she had harmed Hiyori.)

Also- pg. 25, Amaterasu’s watching. ;)

Tenjin does have a valid point, regardless if we agree with it or not. Gods aren’t inherently the same as humans; they simply take the form of man. Just as Amaterasu is the sun, and Tsukuyomi is the moon. “Is pledging (romantic) love to something that isn’t a person a particularly logical act?”

In a non-biased context, the answer is of course, no.

Even with Tenjin urging her to cut ties with Yato, it’s simply out of her hands now. Yato is the only one who could do that, and with their fates tied, they’re stuck together. Maybe it’s inevitable that Hiyori will forget Yato, but it wouldn’t be permanent. That’s hinted in the fact that she’s able to recount this tale to us.

At the end of chapter 1, Hiyori uses the words, “Soon, Yato would meet me.” This implies that everything that is currently being told has already happened. The story already has an ending, and we’re being shown the story through her narrative. Already, this is kind of obvious by the small hints throughout the manga; the most popular one being when she isn’t able to recognize Yukine as a human spirit the way Yato can.

Hiyori’s description:

Yato’s description:

Again, notice Hiyori’s usage of past tense versus Yato’s use of present tense. Although we are also being shown what she’s telling us, we’re also shown things that she personally didn’t see, and this comes from Yato. Could he also be telling the story alongside her? I’m interested to find out. It may mean that they will in fact meet again. It certainly gives me hope!

Now! Onto some (mostly) lighthearted scenes!

We shift attention to Yukine and Nora, who are playing a game of badminton. But things go horribly wrong when Nora runs right into a trash bin, and ends up getting covered in rubbish. Yukine must have had the idea to take her back to Kofuku’s for a bath, conveniently able to do so because the Goddess of poverty is away in takamagahara to strike fear into the heart of Takemikazuchi for repair costs.

Nora is completely in awe of the place, exploring things she’s never seen before. It looks like a child’s wonderland, to her. (Notice she thinks almost everything in Kofuku’s house is a toy. ...To be fair, there are a LOT of toys in Kofuku’s bathroom.)

In fact, most of what we see of her in this chapter reminds me a lot of what we see in Yato: not a lot of experience in the way of doing things age-appropriately, and having a very naive approach to some things. (Seeing her with that shower shield around her face reminded me of a frilled dragon. Cute!) We also see two names on her, one on her hip, and the other on her arm. These were identified by fast-moon to be the names belonging to Ebisu and Take.

Clue One that things are not entirely as they seem. I don’t entirely distrust her just yet, though. She drops her hitaikakushi in the bath, and she gives it a look of what appears to be contempt. Does that mean that she’s growing more and more unhappy with who/what she was before? Or is it regret over her involvement in a possible plan executed by Father? She folds it not-so-neatly in her hands, and the scene changes to show Yukine attempting to cook.

It’s obvious that he’s still struggling with his feelings over the situation. But hopefully, it’s not enough to be hurting Yato. Next, Nora rejoins Yukine for dinner. (In a very cute outfit, nonetheless. Adachitoka, are you trying to kill me with cuteness?? Lol.) Yukine next suggests they study together, and Nora says something that really seems to hit a nerve with Yukine.

“Dead people, studying? It’s pointless.”

Ahh. So it’s hinted that Yukine isn’t entirely accepting of the way things are, after all. Whether he realizes it or not, the fact that those words bothered him to that extent just shows that he knows it’s true, deep down. Trying to emulate a life that a living person would is essentially pointless, and he knows it. But it’s what makes him feel happy and fulfilled with what he has.

That texture, though.

We know by now, that when this texture overlay is used, it either foreshadows a topic resurfacing in a Big, Negative way, or when a character realizes something that could end up leading to a key event of sorts.

In short, this page felt very serious and ominous, and it kind of worries me. The word ‘promise’ is also used quite a bit here, which feels a little suspicious in itself. It’s also kind of scary, because Yukine just unintentionally showed Nora one of his biggest weak points. I hope it’s not going to be used against him later.

Nora, please. I’m beggin u girl. Have a change of heart.

It does look like she’s having a change of heart regarding Yukine learning the God’s Greatest Secret, though. Before, she wanted to destroy him with it. But now she wants to make sure he doesn’t get near it. Which he agrees to... but we know it’s going to happen, eventually. Sad to say, he’s already been inflicted with liberation. So learning about his past is inevitable.

Yukine reveals his worries about stinging Yato, which is important; at least he realizes that it’s bad to be getting his emotions involved like this. But Yato’s not around for him to talk to, and that makes all the difference. And with Yato being hit by both Yukine and Kazuma’s shitty feelings, it’s bringing him great distress and discomfort.

(Also quick note, I’m curious as to why the name plate says Iki. Iki would be Takamasa’s last name, wouldn’t it? Unless he took Sayuri’s name instead. Uncommon, but some people do it here in the US. Do people do that in Japan as well? I’m going to assume it’s the case for now anyway, since it’s Hiyori’s maternal grandmother’s house.)

Alas... Father. What are you doing in front of Hiyori’s grandmother’s house? How did you even find out where it was? (If he followed her home, that’s just creepy.) What I wanna draw attention to, though, are the blank pages of her journal. Blank pages. Blank. I hope it’s just the newest pages that haven’t been written in yet!

But... I feel very certain that Father is influencing something here, just from Hiyori’s mention of her body feeling heavy. (Yes, I think it was Hiyori’s dialogue, despite it showing Yato; particularly with the way it follows up in her POV in the next box.) Part of me is worried that the page is implying that Father is leaving, and he’s already set something into motion. I hope I’m wrong.

Hiyori... please hold on to your memories.

#nana discusses noragami #noragami #this wasn't as long as my previous analyses but I covered what I felt like I needed to #noragami spoilers

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zpidey-sense · 7 years ago

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i need to dance with you [gert yorkes x chase stein]

Pairing: Pre purple hair gert yorkes x just beginning at lacrosse chase stein

Description: coping with someone’s death is hard and different for everyone, but sometimes you just need someone’s support to get you through it.

Words: 4.215! oops, i always get carried away!

Warnings: underage drinking, swears, bad words, and such. (don’t do underage drinking, and if you do please be careful)

Note: my first gertxchase (we really need a ship name) piece of writing! I’m obsessed with them since i read the comics back then and now the freaking show, which is amazing, is making my feels get messier. I hope you like it, if you do it would be nice to see some love! thanks for reading you, loves!

my masterlist!

Three months and a half.

Today it was three months and a half since Amy died, and no one was okay, not even a little close from okay. Even though no one said it out loud, it was just noticeable in their actions.

It was that or maybe the undeniable fact that people change with time. And yes, people change but not from one day to another, so the most probable thing that was happening was the first option, and so it was like that how no one was really okay.

It started when Alex didn't show up at her funeral, not even sent a single text message to them giving some kind of explanation as why he didn’t go, and every time someone tried to reach out for him on the halls he just disappeared in the crowd of students. Since that moment everything started to go down.

The second person to drift apart from the group was Nico, she started to do it slowly and then just all at once. After that day she went to school with black lipstick instead of her usual pink lipgloss, it was a cool change, Gert thought, it was fine but the they noticed everything was different now when Nico flipped off Karolina when she tried to say hi to her. Since that day no one really tried to get close or say something at least it was for the classes, she started to go to school every day with more and more black on her outfits.

And more the black she wore, the more she got away from everyone.

Then it was Karolina, she soon stopped answering their messages in the groupchat that they created which, by the way, was slowly dying. It was a fact that the more she kept ignoring her phone and them, the more she got involved in the church, and also the more Gert said those comments that made her and Karolina fight over and over, so just like that Karolina stopped talking to them in person as well.

The fourth person to leave was Molly, she just had as an excuse her dance classes and how hard she needed to study to get good grades. So she just kept dishing them for her classes or study dates she had with her classmates, Gert knew that sometimes she said she had one of those things but instead she just locked herself on her room to listen music, really loud music.

But Gert didn’t say nothing, because they were sisters and sisters kept secrets.

So for some really short time it was just Gert and Chase. And they both liked it, even though none of them said it out loud. The time they spent together consisted on them watching the stars from his rooftop and sometimes from hers, and just being quiet. Also, sometimes it involved long chats that could last till 5 am and so they both showed up at school really tired. But it was okay, they liked it.

That wouldn’t last long though and they both knew it.

So one day the inevitable just happened. Both of them didn’t answer anymore and their chat went from the top to the bottom where neither of them could remember or see it. So both of them forgot about their little getaways to their rooftops and soon started to do other stuff, seeing other people, and then that escalated pretty quickly to not acknowledging each other at all.

Chase soon tried for The Lacrosse Team and Gert in the other hand went on a really different path, one that is really different from what we know now.

She started partying, and really hard. With people that didn’t care how she felt or how she was doing on her daily life. And she really didn’t care about that, as long as she had a drink on her hand she was okay.

But the truth was that she wasn’t doing okay. She was lost, like all of them.

But she didn’t care and neither of them seemed to do so, at least not like before. Except for Molly of course, because honestly she was always worried about her, but she still didn’t tell Dale and Stacey because at the end of the day they were sisters and sisters kept secrets.

So it was another night, and that of course meant another party. Gert could go days sleepless and that was tiring for sure, but she could do it. She always could pull it off.

Tonight was the perfect night to go out because Dale and Stacey were out of the city, they were currently in San Diego or something like that was what they said to Gert and Molly after they received a message and practically ran out of the house.

Anyway, that meant they were going to skip their family movie night. So that meant Gert could go out without needing any excuse.

And it was normal for them at this point since they have been missing The Big Movie Night, how Dale liked to call it, with many excuses since weeks ago... or well, since Amy died, and it wasn’t a coincidence.

‘’So you’re going out tonight as well’’, Molly said entering the room as she put her hair in a ponytail.

‘’Yep’’, Gert responded short and sure as she took off her glasses and started to work on her eyeliner. With that answer Molly just nodded and kept looking at her.

Maybe she was just 12 going on 13, but she understood... the most of it at least. She got that Gert needed to distract herself like Molly herself did with her dance classes, and instead of that it was parties.

Deep inside she just wishes Gert got another hobbie like poetry or maybe singing, not partying like crazy until she forgot her name, but Molly was no one to judge that unfortunately.

‘’I’m getting tired of my long hair’’, Gert commented after some minutes while brushing her hair and looking at Molly through her mirror. Her little sister was looking at her with big eyes, just quiet and maybe... worried.

Worried for her, she knew that look.

‘’I think it’s pretty, but if you want I could help you change it’’, as to this Gert smiled.

‘’I think that’s amazing Mols’’, Molly smiled and got up from her bed, thinking on getting her laptop to see what kind of style she wanted. But as soon as she heard a car pulling over in front of their house she just stopped.

‘’But I think that has to wait until tomorrow’’, Gert saw how Molly’s smile dropped and decided not to pay it attention, grabbing her stuff and putting them on her bag. Even though it hurt her.

‘’Sure’’, Molly said a bit disappointed but not saying it out loud. Gert knew she was, and really deep inside she felt the same way.

‘’So... I guess see you tomorrow, Mols’’ Gert said smiling a bit as she opened her window and put a leg outside it.

‘’Gert, you don’t have to do that... Dale and Stacey aren’t here’’.

‘’Right!’’, Gert said while getting blushed and then locking the window again. ‘’I’m used to it, bye Mols. Take care! I’ll be back s...’’

‘’Soon’’, Molly finished for her as she walked outside her room. ‘’Take care, Gert’’

And then she just closed her door. Gert wanted to go after her and give her a big hug, but the car that was waiting for her honked its klaxon so she just walked out of the house and got in.

She quickly said hi and everyone said it back to her, but no one even smiling or at least not really smiling at her. They were there just on the same ride to the same party. Not friends, not smiles, just same objective.

Going there to forget stuff.

Chase in the other hand was getting a handle of how was to be a member of The Lacrosse Team. And it was hard, more than he ever imagined, but most of his teammates said it was because it was the beginning. But he knew it doesn’t get easier in any way, he just needed to get used to it.

He was just finishing his, now daily, training on his room when Daniel, one of his teammates invited him to a party that was going down near his house. It was already pretty late at night and his parents weren’t in the city, in fact they weren’t going to be in the house as of tomorrow afternoon so he just took a shower and decided to go.

One of the things he learnt about being in The Lacrosse Team from Atlas Academy is that if you missed one of the parties you were getting an invitation on, you would be losing an important spot on the team.

Because it wasn’t all about sports, but also popularity. And he didn’t want to lose and be forgotten.

Not again.

So he arrived there on a Lyft after some time, he in fact didn’t know the neighbourhood but as soon as he arrived he knew the house of the party was from someone on their school because every person he spotted on there he has at least seen them on his classes or the halls.

So he started to walk in the house saying hi to some people and getting ignored by most of them. He wasn’t an official member of the team yet, so he was still unknown, or at least only known as ‘’the son of the big mind, Victor Stein’’, he was known as a shadow.

But soon, he knew he wasn’t going to be one anymore. He was going to be his own, big person and he was going to make sure of it.

‘’Chase!’’, he turned around and smiled looking at Daniel and his other teammates back there, so he just walked over there and took the drink he was being offered.

At first he wasn’t really comfortable in that group, but the more the drinks and the girls kept making their way to him the more he was getting comfortable. In fact, after some time he found himself really enjoying it and didn’t see it as a ‘’duty’’ anymore. He cold quickly get used to it.

It didn’t last long until one of those girls dragged him upstairs, and it was not like he was going to stop her.

At first Gert got annoyed at her... party friends? booze mates?... at those people because they didn’t tell her it was going to be a party from someone in the same school as them. So they just left her there alone, saying they didn’t like complainers.

They usually went to other parties, not like these.

She didn’t like anyone on that school, so it was obvious that she was mad at the beginning. In fact she didn’t want to be seen with them, she just didn’t want to do anything to with them.

But she forgot about it just as fast as she got mad some minutes before.

After drinking 5 or 6, she already forgot how many, cups of whatever drink they were serving at the party she didn’t care about who she was with or who she danced with anymore, and eventually who she kissed as well.

It was just another night in her life, another one she was pretty sure she wasn’t going to remember really well, or more like at all.

Chase was a little bit dizzy, but actually okay. He could walk straight and the way he talked was still pretty normal. So he could say he was okay.

He was pulling his jeans back up on their place as he saw Chelsea get out of the room they entered some minutes ago with a smile, he got her number and she left him with some hickeys so he could remember her and in fact he wasn’t going to forget her soon.

After some seconds he just got out of the room and went back to the party. Pretty much everyone was wasted, and how they could not? He saw how they poured every kind of alcohol possible in a huge bowl and that was everyone’s drink. He saw many bottles that went from vodka, tequila, to beer, ron and even whisky.

It was crazy.

His teammates where nowhere to be found and so he decided to go to the backyard to take some air, the party was going pretty wild and the house was about the explode just as the backyard was.

But even in the most crowded of all the places he couldn’t have missed out that laugh. It was unique and bubbly, and he knew it too well to not recognise it.

It was Gert’s.

And what was she doing there?

He walked closer to wherever she was and over there, he could see her, she didn’t have her glasses on and her hair was now pulled on an unusual bun for her, but it was her and she was smiling and laughing. And he knew he missed that because his chest felt tighter with emotion at the same time he felt hollow.

He found himself smiling at her but that changed quickly as he noticed she was with two other girls who had the intention of throwing her into the pool. Gert was laughing but just because she was drunk as fuck.

He has never seen her like that, in fact he didn’t know she even liked to be at parties and less to get drunk. That drunk.

Before those girls, who were definitely less drunk than Gert, threw her at the pool Chase ran towards them and held her just as she was going to get pushed.

‘’Hey, hey. I don’t think that’s a good idea’’, he said as the both girls looked at him bad.

‘’Boring!’’, one of them shouted at Chase and then just jumped to the pool. Some seconds later many people joined her making a huge mess.

He just rolled his eyes and looked at Gert that was looking at him with huge puppy eyes, her hands were kind of above his while trying to push him away but not even trying hard enough. So he just turned her around.

‘’Gert?’’, he asked confused.

‘’Chase!’’, she just smiled and it looked like it was the first time she smiled for real after days, and the next thing she did was hug him as hard as she could.

‘’Gert’’, he just smiled and hugged her back, now kinda moving side to side. He really missed that.

‘’I can’t believe you’re here!’’, she said getting away slowly and smiling again.

‘’I... What a-’’, but she interrupted him.

‘’I want to dance with you... I need to dance with you’’, she said slowly and on a way he has never ever heard her talk before.

So she just pulled him closer as she put her hands on the back of his neck, pressing their foreheads together because they were the same height and slowly playing with the end of his hair as they swung slowly, kind of following the music that was playing back in the house.

He couldn’t help but smile as he kinda pulled her closer and placed his hands on her low back, he has never seen Gert this relaxed before and he definitely loved it. So he couldn’t help but accept her request as they just swung back and forth slowly in the same place.

After some seconds she just took his hand and started to walk slowly, pulling him to the house as they just smiled and looked at each other. She was walking backwards so he was taking care that she didn’t fall.

‘’Come on, let’s get more drinks Stein, I need to forget and dance’’, she said on an innocent way as she pulled him.

In that moment he knew something bad was up. To forget? that wasn’t the Gert he knew and liked, at all.

‘’Gert, I think you’re fine as you are, you don’t need more alcohol’’, he said trying to stop her.

‘’Aw, come on Chase’’, she said trying to pull him again.

But he just stopped walking, making her almost fall down but Chase quickly pulled her into his body, making them get definitely closer than they were before. They could feel their breath against their skins. They were finally as close as they both always wanted to be, but were always afraid of doing.

Her smile was little but it was there, Chase on the other hand couldn’t stop smiling. He’s always liked Gert, since he could remember he did but could never make a move on her. And Gert always stopped herself because of her anxiety and panic, but now it was her chance.

She slowly caressed his nose with hers and got even closer, the whole world seemed to stop when he could feel just a little bit of her lips touching his. They were barely touching, just one inch more and they would be kissing for real, and they knew what they had to do so they just closed their eyes immediately.

Chase was about to do the first movement, he caressed her nose once more and was just about to lean totally in when she just suddenly leaned back, getting away instantly from him.

He was confused so he just opened his eyes while still holding her by her waist, she was giving him her back while bending down, she was in fact throwing up all the alcohol she consumed that night. So that was the moment he knew that she needed to go home right now and rest, because she looked exhausted.

He knew she was exhausted.

‘’Okay, let’s get you home, babe’’, he said while caressing her back on a slow way.

‘’Yes’’, she whispered immediately, not even refusing..

‘’Gert, how do you feel?’’, he asked making her sit on the copilot seat.

‘’Fucking horrible, how do you think future-jock’’, she said on a sarcastic way and then drinking more of her cold water.

Chase couldn’t help but smile as he heard her sarcastic ways come back, now that sounded more like the Gert he knew and still liked.

‘’Alright’’, he nodded saying no while still smiling and got inside the car, it was David’s car and he was kind enough to get out of the party to give her a ride to her house.

The ride was pretty quiet and not even that long, they all were quiet except for the fact that David was mumbling a song but on a really quiet way. Gert seemed fine and Chase was fine with that.

‘’That’s the house’’ Chase and Gert said both at the same time while pointing at the house. It all seemed so peaceful.

‘’Alright’’, David laughed as he pulled over. ‘’You’re home sweet home’’.

‘’Thank you, David’’, she said with a little smile as she looked at him. ‘’Really’’.

‘’It’s fine’’, he winked at her and she quickly looked away. Chase knew she was blushing and he just rolled his eyes looking how she got out of the car.

‘’Eh... thanks’’, and she just started to walk to the door as David just laughed.

‘’I’m going to get her to her room, she might be still a little dizzy’’, Chase said quickly as he looked at him.

‘’Don’t worry bro, I can wait’’, he said smiling. ‘’Go, I think she is waiting for you’’

He looked back and in fact she was looking at Chase, waiting for him in the middle of the way. Chase just smiled and got out of the car, walking towards her.

‘’I just wanted to thank you for taking me home’’, she said starting to walk with him. ‘’I don’t remember anything of the night and...’’, she messed her hair that was not in a bun anymore and sighed, ‘’I think I should stop doing this’’.

Chase blushed as he heard her. ‘’Since how long have you been doing this?’’

‘’I think... Uh... Two months ago’’, she said looking at him with big eyes. He recalled it, and that was the last time they actually talked.

‘’Woah’’, that was the only thing he could say. ‘’I-I... I didn’t know’’

‘’Only Molly knows’’, she rolls her eyes and looks at him again as they stop in front of the door. ‘’I didn’t want anyone to know... I don’t want to do this anymore... and I think this is not the right way to cope with...’’

‘’With Amy’’, he finished for her and they both nodded as they got in.

None of them talked on their way to her room. And it wasn’t uncomfortable, it was actually the opposite. But they got in and she just went to look for her pijamas. They didn’t talk until she broke the silence some minutes later.

‘’Don’t... don’t go yet’’, he nodded as she got in her bathroom.

It was just a couple of minutes and Gert was back already, with her glasses and all. And he couldn’t help but smile because she looked so pretty. Exhausted, but pretty.

‘’I’m also coping with the fact that I lost more people’’, Chase stopped smiling and he knew what she meant by that.

‘’I think we all are, on different ways’’, she nodded and then just sat next to him.

Just some seconds passed as they just sat there, close to each other and someway making it better. But he saw the time on her night table and realised it was super late, or early. But he needed to go.

‘’You need to sleep’’, he said looking at Gert and getting up.

‘’And I guess you need to go’’, Gert said as she looked at him. She wanted to tell him that he needed to stay, she needed him to stay but couldn’t say it outloud.

‘’It’s late.’’

‘’Or early’’, he smiled at her and just nodded.

He wanted to stay, it felt like the right thing but again they didn’t really talk anymore so it would also feel weird the next day. So he just got closer and kissed her forehead on a really soft way, maybe kinda long. But it wasn’t a problem.

‘’Take care, Gert’’

‘’Take care, Chase’’, she answered on a little voice.

So they just smiled at each other for the last time and he left her house. Both weirdy content with each other but still extremely hollow on the inside, like a piece of them was missing.

Because there was in fact a piece of them missing within each other.

‘’How do you feel?’’, Molly asked Gert as she came to her bed with one of those healthy milkshakes Stacey taught her how to make.

‘’I’ve been better, but I’ve been worse’’, she took the milkshake and drank most of it in record time.

‘’I heard someone bringing you in’’, Molly said with a smile as she sat on the bed. ‘’Tell me, was he or she cute?’’

‘’Oh my god’’, Gert blushed and then just laughed. ‘’I-I think it was Chase’’

Gert said confused as she remembered only bits of her night, a slow dance with Chase, too many making out sessions with a lot of people, a short car ride with Chase and another guy... but Chase. She looked at Molly when she started laughing.

‘’Come on! As if you haven’t seen how he ignores you always you walk past him’’, Gert rolled her eyes as Molly laughed again and got up from her bed. ‘’Whoever it was, they left a letter right there’’

‘’What’’, Gert turned around to find a piece of paper lying on her night table. It read for Gert.

‘’I leave you now, Dale and Stacey will come back soon and I need to finish my homework. You should at least take a shower to see if you fix that dead face’’, Molly just left her room laughing as Gert just smiled and rolled her eyes.

She just took the letter as soon as she left and couldn’t help but smile. It was Chase’s handwriting.

Gert, I bet it must be confusing for you right now as to why I left you a letter. Well I hope you remember but last night I took you home. We talked and you told me you’ve been doing this for a while, you also told me you wanted to stop and if you don’t remember I want to remind you that you said it. Because I think you deserve better, I think you’re hurting yourself and that... I don’t like it. Please take care of yourself.

Love, C.S.

Gert couldn’t stop smiling now. She in fact remembered what she said to Chase and it was true... she couldn’t keep doing that to herself. To Molly neither. She deserved better and she knew it, because there were better ways to cope with the death of Amy even if it was by herself.

‘’Molly! Remember what I said about my hair yesterday?’’, Gert screamed getting up instantly and going to the bathroom.

‘’Yup!’’, she screamed back.

‘’Get ready! We are going to get hair dye from the store!’’

This wasn’t sponsored by Lyft! I’m just joking I just see them on every episode of Marvel’s Runaways lol! I hope you liked it! Thanks for reading!

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jouska-the-deer · 7 years ago

Text

A Short Quiz

Chapter 24: A Thoughtful Gift

Glass doors gently shut behind Amy as she slowly stepped forward, making her way further into the community center she received directions to a week ago. In her hands was a small box covered in shiny red wrapping paper that was neatly tied together with a yellow ribbon. On the top, there was a tiny label reading “to Sonic, from Amy.” The ‘to’ and ‘from’ were already printed on the label, while the names were written in easy-to-read cursive with a red pen. Above the “i” in Sonic’s name was a little heart instead of a dot.

In stark contrast to the near emptiness in the lobby, the liveliness of a party could be heard through a set of doors to her right, so Amy made her way over. Just before she pressed on the metal bar that would allow the door to open, Amy took a deep breath, noticing that her heart was racing. “It’ll be fine,” she quietly assured herself. “I’m sure he’ll love it, even if it’s nothing fancy…” Her arm gently nudged the bar, her feet refusing to push further. “Maybe I should also get him another gift. He is my boyfriend now, so-” Suddenly, a jumble of thoughts raced through her mind.

‘Wait, he never actually said he was my boyfriend now. It kind of sounded like it, but I don’t think he made it anything official. Would he even be comfortable if I brought it up around people? I can’t exactly ask him now, though. But what if-’

Suddenly, the door swung open, a burst of noise flooding through.

“There you are! I was wondering when you were gonna show up!”

Amy’s heart pounded, taken by surprise not only by the onslaught of movement and noise, but the sight of Sonic happily smiling as he looked down at the gift in her hands.

“Cool, you got me something. Well, I guess that’s kind of expected at my birthday party, but it’s the thought that counts, right?”

“Uh, huh.”

Sonic gave her a confused look.

“Well uh, anyway, there’s a gift table over by the corner. You can set it down there while you go chat with everyone. Manic and Sonia are opening their gifts first, then I’ll open mine- Oh!” Sonic smiled widely. “I’ll have to introduce you to them! And my mom. But first, how about I show you where the table is?”

“...Okay.”

Another confused look, then Sonic was by Amy’s side with an arm on her back gently nudging her forward.

“It’s over here,” he said, both of them making their way through a bunch of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Cheeks growing redder, Amy couldn’t stop thinking about Sonic’s hand on her back, or the whole boyfriend/girlfriend situation. Since the middle of a birthday party wasn’t exactly the best time or place to talk about it, she tried pushing the subject out of her mind.

Once the gift table was in sight, Amy felt a small amount of relief, mostly from Sonic no longer holding his hand on her back. As nice as it was, it still made her heart race faster than she could handle at the moment.

Knuckles was leaning on the wall to the left of the gifts, glancing at them occasionally while chatting to Espio.

“Just set it with the rest.” Sonic gestured to the stack of presents on the right side of the table, and Amy promptly set his gift down with the others. To the left, Amy could see another stack of presents mostly covered in elegant wrapping paper and ribbon, and past that a smaller stack of gifts that looked more cheaply decorated, but equally wrapped with care. In both piles were a couple odd gifts out that looked wrapped in more moderately priced looking decorations. Amy hummed with curiosity, the party drowning out the sound.

“Alright! Stay right here for a sec. I’ve gotta find everyone before I can introduce you to them. I’ll be right back.” Instantly, Sonic was out of sight.

With a glance back to the left wall, Amy noticed that Espio walked away, leaving Knuckles alone while he continued looking at the gift table. She walked over.

“Hi, Knuckles.”

“Hey, Amy! It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you.”

“It has. Anything new happen on Angel Island?”

“Not really. Well, Rouge has been trying to take the chaos emerald I hid, but she’s definitely not finding it anytime soon. Other than that, it’s been peaceful as always.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Amy couldn’t help but notice that Knuckles was continuing to glance at the presents every so often.

“So, what are you doing?”

“Guarding the gift table.”

“...Why?”

“Uh…” Knuckles scratched his head, looking down in thought for a second. “Well, I’m not sure if I should be telling you this, but there is someone here that could steal them.”

“Rouge?” Amy asked.

“Maybe. Sonia’s gifts do look like something she’d like, but I don’t think even she would sink low enough to steal somebody’s birthday presents for fun.”

That was the only thief Amy could think of that would be at the party.

“Then… who?”

Again, Knuckles looked down in thought, an uneasy expression on his face.

“Well, don’t go telling everyone this, but it’s mostly Manic that I have to worry about.”

“Manic? Isn’t he Sonic’s brother? Why would he want to steal the presents?”

“Sonic said he’s kind of got a problem where he feels like he needs to steal stuff. But he also said not to worry about it too much because he’d probably return everything if he was caught. His friends don’t have very clean records either, but Sonic said he knows they wouldn’t do anything.”

“If he said you don’t have to worry about it, then why are you here?”

“It would sorta sour the mood if people heard about someone trying to steal presents, and I’m just here to make sure nothing messes up the party.”

“But, don’t you find it boring?”

“I’m doing fine. Plus, everyone keeps coming over to me to talk. I’m still having a great time.”

“Well, okay…”

Knuckles began to look concerned.

“...Uh, just ignore what I said about Manic and his friends. I’ve met Manic, and he means well, even if he looks pretty shady. I’m sure his friends are nice too. Sonic probably wouldn’t have helped organize this whole thing if that wasn’t the case.”

“Um, alright.”

Amy suddenly felt a quick tap on her shoulder. Her heart raced again as she turned around.

“Sorry that it took so long. I can’t exactly rush through the crowd without running into someone. I know where Sonia, Manic, and my mom are now.”

“Okay.”

Sonic’s ears lowered a bit.

“Are you, doing alright? You’re kinda not saying much…”

Putting on a smile, Amy nodded her head.

“Sorry. I’m just, spacing out a bit. I’m fine, though.”

“Alright... Say something if you need anything, okay?”

Amy nodded again.

“Cool. Now, follow me. You’ve gotta meet everyone.”

After Amy waved ‘goodbye’ to Knuckles, they both began to make their way through the crowd. Every few seconds, Sonic would look behind him to make sure Amy was still there.

“Just a little further. They said they’d stay over by the snack tables for a bit.”

Sure enough, as the tables came into view, so did a group of three hedgehogs that fit the vague descriptions Sonic gave Amy a while before the party. Sonic walked ahead.

“Hey guys! This is- Amy.”

Sonic’s sentence dropped awkwardly in the middle like he was about to say something but didn’t. He quickly gestured in her direction as she walked closer. Amy waved.

“I’m Sonic’s sister, Sonia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The dark pink hedgehog stepped forward, extending her hand. As she shook it, Amy immediately noticed her firm handshake, along with her long, lavish, purple gloves. Her whole outfit was fancy. She appeared to be wearing a short dress divided into two colors. The red top half was sleeveless and open backed to accommodate her quills, while the bottom was purple and ended around her mid thighs. Dividing the two halves was a golden belt with a small oval-shaped white gemstone in the center.

“It’s nice to meet you too,” Amy replied. Sonia had the same green eyes that Sonic had, and a similarly shaped but slightly shorter nose too. Some of her quills appeared to be pulled forward to form bangs, similar to Amy’s, though they were longer and fuller.

As Sonia stepped back, the light green hedgehog that was standing next to her pointed to himself with his thumb.

“I’m Manic,” he said with a grin, “Sonic’s brother.”

He was similar to Sonic in appearance, in that he had a bare peach chest and long head quills, though the similarities ended there. Like Sonia, he had some of his quills sticking out to form bangs, but they were very messy. His eyes were gold in color, similar to the two piercings in his left ear. For attire, he wore a loose red vest, white gloves with black spiked wristbands, and red shoes with white tips and laces. Amy briefly thought to herself that Manic looked like someone you’d see in a punk rock band.

“Hi,” she said, waving to him cheerfully.

Suddenly, a familiar voice could be heard through the crowd.

“Sonic!”

He looked up, seeing Tails flying above everybody while trying to get his attention.

“Uh, keep talking,” Sonic said quickly, “I’ll probably be back soon.”

With that, he disappeared again.

When Amy returned her focus to Sonic’s siblings and mother, she noticed the remaining lavender colored hedgehog calmly stepping forward.

“Hello. My name is Aleena. I’m Sonic’s mom.”

Like Sonia, she too had bangs, but they were longer and kept out of her face with a gold-colored headband. Aleena’s quills were noticeably long, their length reaching well below her waist. Her eyes were golden like Manic’s and her nose was the same shape as Sonia’s.

“Hi. It’s great to finally meet you.”

When it came to Aleena’s outfit, it stood out against Manic and Sonia’s in that, it didn’t really stand out. While Sonia’s clothes looked very regal and Manic’s very punk, Aleena’s looked more plain and unassuming. An off-white long-sleeved turtleneck shirt and a long white skirt. Her outfit did have some nice looking accessories though. Along with her gold headband, was a gold necklace, bracelets, and a yellow belt.

“So, how long have you known Sonic?” Aleena asked.

“I’ll place a bet on eight years,” Manic commented.

“Nobody would be foolish enough to bet against you on that,” Sonia replied.

Amy stood in surprise for a moment. “How’d you know?”

“Easy,” Manic said. “Pretty much everyone we’ve asked said they’ve met him around seven or eight years ago, and since Sonic talks about you like you’re one of his oldest friends, it’s obvious it’s been eight.”

“Oh.” Amy looked back to Aleena. “Why did you want to know?”

“Well, to be honest, none of us have any idea what his life was like before he became famous, and he won’t tell us.”

“Really? That’s kind of strange…”

“I’m assuming you know nothing either?”

“No. I’ve never really thought about it. All I know about is that he didn’t meet you guys until a few years ago. Sorry.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure he’ll tell us one day.”

Manic crossed his arms. “Or he’ll just keep trying to be all mysterious while leaving us in the dark.”

“Stop being so pessimistic,” Sonia scolded.

“I’m just saying, it’s kinda freaky how nobody knows what happened to him between eight and fifteen. Not even his best friend. It’s like he’s trying to hide something.”

“Wait. ‘Eight and fifteen’?” Amy said. “What happened when he was eight?”

“He ran from our foster home after Manic was adopted,” Sonia answered. “He was still too fast to chase after, even when he was young, so it’s not like anyone could stop him from leaving. We know he took flying lessons at fourteen, but before then, nothing.”

Aleena sighed. “I shouldn’t be asking you about his life anyway. There’s probably a good reason why he won’t say anything, and I really should respect that. It’s just… it would be nice to know how he was all those years. I may not have been there most of his life, but I still want to know if he was okay.”

Amy stood in thought for a moment, trying to think of something meaningful to say.

“Well… I’m sure he’ll talk about it someday. It may take a little time, but he’ll open up to you if you’re patient with him. He doesn’t like sharing personal stuff too much, so he’ll only talk if he’s comfortable.”

Sonia chuckled. “It sounds to me like you have personal experience with that.”

Cheeks becoming bright red, Amy tried coming up with a response. “W-Well- you know- I’ve been his friend for a while, so- so um…”

“I’m back!”

Sonic slipped out of the crowd back into the sight of Amy and his family. “Did I miss anything good?”

“Not really, but I think we have,” Manic said with a smirk. “It seems like you and Amy are a lot closer than you made it sound.”

“Uh… what?”

“D-Don’t worry about it!” Amy blurted out. “I-It’s not like what he’s making it sound like! He- he’s taking stuff out of- out of context! I- I mean unless- I mean- u-uh…” With her breaths heavy and cheeks red, Amy’s physical state wasn’t helping her with whatever argument she was trying to make.

“You alright, Amy?” Sonic asked, paying no attention to his siblings.

“Huh? Um, yes. Yes. I’m fine. I just… I need something to drink. Like, water.”

“We’ve only got sugary stuff in here, I can help you to the water fountain in the hall if you want.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

“Okay, just, follow me.”

Amy turned to Sonia, Manic, and Aleena and waved ‘bye’ as Sonic led her back through the crowd.

Once they were at the set of double doors leading into the hallway, Sonic opened a door for her.

“You should be able to see it from here,” Sonic said as he pointed down the hall.

Sure enough, Amy was able to see the water fountain as she stepped into the hallway.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

“Hey! Sonic!” another voice called from the crowd.

Sonic glanced behind him for a second, then back at Amy.

“I could just ignore him for now, and just wait until you’re back.”

With a gentle smile, Amy nudged him back into the party.

“Go. It’s your birthday party, your friends are going to want to talk to you.”

“You sure? I wouldn’t mind waiting here for you.”

“Sonic! Over here!” the voice called again.

“I’m sure.”

“Alright…”

Sonic stepped back into the party as Amy began moving closer to the water fountain. Once the door closed and Sonic was out of sight, she leaned back against the wall with a relieved sigh.

The confusion behind how Sonic saw their relationship loomed above her at all times, and his family bringing the subject up didn’t help to ease her mind. What also didn't help is that they had to bring it up while Sonic was around, possibly making him uncomfortable. Now she wasn't even sure if it would be a good idea to be near him with other people around, considering there was always the risk of someone figuring out that something was up and trying to get them to talk about it. She knew she had to talk to Sonic regarding everything soon, but for now, she’d just have to remain in the dark.

With a deep breath, Amy opened the doors and walked into the party again. Instead of walking back into the crowd, she stayed beside the walls as she looked for somebody more familiar to talk to. Hopefully, someone that wouldn’t question her and Sonic’s relationship.

“Amy! Long time no see.”

She looked up, noticing Vector hanging out in the corner with a can of soda.

“Hi, Vector. It has been a while, huh?”

“Yeah. How have you been?”

“Great! How about you, and the detective agency?”

“Good and good. Great for the second one, actually.” Vector began to pull something out of his hammerspace. “Look, we’ve got new business cards!” He held up the card to Amy, which had a phone number neatly typed on it along with other forms of contact.

“Cool.”

“You can keep it if you want, I’ve got plenty.”

“Oh, thanks,” she said as she took the card from him. “So, you’ve been getting more cases then?”

“Yep! Cards aren’t the only things we’ve got letting everyone know we exist. Espio set up a website, and now we’ve got people from all over asking for help! Sometimes the police will even give us a call when they’re stumped on something.”

“That’s impressive.”

“What’s more impressive is all the money we’ve been getting from all these cases! I’ve been getting enough to get my landlord to stop complaining and then some!”

“Vector,” Espio said to get his attention, appearing out of nowhere and surprising Amy. Vector didn’t seem fazed whatsoever.

“What’s up?”

“Charmy is about to drink ten cans of soda and he won’t listen when I tell him he shouldn’t.”

“What?! Why does he want to do that?!”

“I’m not sure, but I think someone may have dared him.”

“Ugh. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” Vector turned to Amy. “I’ve gotta go. Give me a call if you need something!”

“Okay. Bye.”

Quickly, Vector and Espio stormed off to put an end to whatever Charmy got into. Amy was about to continue walking along the wall, but curiosity got the best of her and she began toward the snack area to see what was going on.

Sure enough, Charmy was there chugging a can of soda, with Vector trying and failing to take it away from him. His ability to fly definitely made Vector’s efforts more difficult, but thankfully, Tails was able to fly up and take it from him.

“Well, his behavior sure hasn’t seemed to have changed at all,” Amy commented to herself. “But he definitely looks a lot older than when I last saw him…”

“You sound a lot older when you say that,” Cream abruptly commented closeby. Amy jumped in surprise.

“Cream?! When did you get here?”

“I’ve been at the party the whole time.” She chuckled. “I’ve been standing here longer than you too.”

“Huh. I must not have noticed.” Then, Amy crossed her arms. “Wait, what do you mean by ‘I sound older’?”

“I’m just saying. Usually, it’s somebody’s grandparents that talk about how big kids have gotten.”

Amy was silent for a moment. “Still, I haven’t seen him for years, so I’m allowed to say that.”

“I know. I just think it’s funny.”

They both watched as Charmy flew down with crossed arms and a pout, getting an earful of Vector telling him how sick he could have gotten if he drank any more.

“I wonder why he did it,” Amy pondered.

“I’m sure Vector will find out eventually. Maybe you could ask him once he does.”

“Yeah.”

Cream turned her attention to Amy.

“So, has Sonic figured out his feelings yet, or are you guys still awkwardly saying nothing about what happened.”

Amy stood frozen for a moment, not expecting that question so abruptly. Since she still wasn’t even sure if Sonic considered her his girlfriend, she didn’t have a good answer. “Um, well, I um…” Plus, they technically resolved the whole kissing thing, but again, nothing was official, and Amy had no clue if Sonic wanted anyone knowing about what happened the night before. “Um…”

“Amy?”

“Um, the noise… it’s… making it hard to think.”

Cream crossed her arms and smirked. “Sure it is,” she remarked sarcastically. “So, are you going to tell me what’s going on, or will I have to guess?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Alright everyone!” Tails called from above. The room became slightly quieter. “Sonic, Manic, and Sonia will be opening their gifts now. Walk over to the gift table if you want to watch. Make sure to leave them some space though.”

Amy tried to slip away but was caught by Cream immediately.

“Where are you going?” she asked incriminatingly.

“Um, to the… gift table.”

“You mean the one that’s that way,” she said while pointing in a completely different direction to where Amy was headed. Amy chuckled nervously.

“Whoops. Heh heh, forgot where it was.”

“While everyone was walking to the same place?” Cream asked rhetorically.

“...Yes?”

Cream rolled her eyes and stepped over to Amy.

“What’s going on with you? And be honest this time.”

Amy whined quietly but complied.

“I… don’t know what’s going on between me and Sonic. Let’s just say, some stuff happened, things are a little different, and I’m not sure how Sonic is feeling about everything right now.”

Cream tilted her head. “He seemed pretty fine when I saw him today.”

“It’s complicated.” Amy sighed and looked away. “Also, I’m a little worried that he won’t like my gift…”

“Why wouldn’t he? Didn’t you put a lot of work into it?”

“Yeah, but… I mean… I feel like I should have done more. It’s not really that much…”

“Amy, I’m sure he’ll love it.” Reassuringly placing a hand on Amy’s shoulder, she hoped she could get her point across. It didn’t appear to be working, though.

“I’m sorry, but, you don’t understand. I… I can’t explain it though, but, it was too late to get him another gift, a better one, but I feel like I should have. I can’t say why, but, well, I think I owe him a gift more special now, and, um…” Amy looked at Cream, who appeared deep in thought. “Cream?”

“Are…” She paused for a moment but continued. “Are you two, together now?”

“What?!” Amy’s cheeks went bright red and she backed away. “What makes you- I mean- why do- how-” Ears back, posture more closed off, breathing heavy, she again wasn’t doing a great job of conveying what she wanted.

Quickly, Cream walked forward to calm her. “It’s okay. I’ll keep it a secret if that’s what you’re worried about.

“I- I- Well, he um-” Lost for words, Amy completely gave up at trying to continue whatever her scrambled thoughts were trying to say. She let out a defeated whine.

“Amy,” Cream put her hands on Amy’s shoulders, “Sonic will love your gift, and everything will be sorted out with you two eventually. You guys will just have to keep talking to each other, alright?”

Amy nodded.

“Good.” Cream looked at the guests gathering near the corner of the room, where one of the triplets had begun unwrapping gifts. “Let’s go watch them, okay? Everything will be fine.”

With a deep breath, Amy tried to calm her nerves, managing to do so a small amount. With a nod, they both made their way to gift table.

The crowd was very compact, so they had a difficult time making any progress in reaching the front where they could easily see. Cream offered to hold Amy above the crowd so she could watch the siblings unwrap, but Amy refused, stating that she didn’t want to be seen by Sonic. Once again, Cream insisted everything would be fine, but Amy was adamant at hiding this time. Reluctantly, Cream chose to fly above Amy so she could see while Amy would simply listen to what was being said through a microphone that was set up at the gift table.

Sonia unwrapped her gifts first, politely thanking everyone who gave her something. Next was Manic, who did the same, but in less formal manner.

When it was Sonic’s turn to open gifts, a looming feeling of dread was held over Amy with every consecutive present he opened. Each gift was one more gift closer to Amy’s, and she had no idea when he’d get to hers. She kept her head low as he read out his friends’ names and thanked them for the gifts, holding her breath each time she heard him pause to grab another present.

“Alright. This one’s from… Amy!”

She felt dizzy for a moment as her name was called, her head sinking lower.

“Where is she, anyway? Amy?”

“Over here!” everyone heard from above. Amy looked up in horror at Cream, who so willingly gave away where she was.

The crowd parted a small amount so Amy could make her way to the front to watch Sonic unwrap her gift. Feeling obligated to, she nervously stepped forward.

“What’s up? How’ve you… been.” Sonic’s smile faded as he saw the timid behavior Amy was displaying. He set the gift back down and walked over to her.

“Amy,” he said softly, “are you alright?”

She looked away. “I’m, okay,” she quietly responded.

Sonic tapped on her shoulder, getting her to look at him. “I don’t know what’s going on, but try to cheer up, alright? It’s a birthday party. We’re supposed to be happy.”

“...Okay.”

Smiling to lighten the mood, Sonic managed to get her to smile as well. “See. That’s the spirit.” He jogged back over to the gift table, picking up her gift once again and beginning to open it.

Once the yellow ribbon and shiny red paper were removed, he opened the box to get a look at what was inside. Once he did, he could really tell the hard work that went into its creation. It wasn’t something bought from a store, it was a lot more personal and thoughtfully crafted.

What he found inside was a bracelet, comprised of many unique little trinkets attached to a sturdy white string. Each trinket was red in color and shaped like one of his favorite things. There was one shaped like a chili dog, another like a guitar, another like a flower, another like a pair of his favorite running shoes, and the list could go on for a while. From what Sonic could tell, they were all made from a type of sturdy plastic that was red itself, instead of painted that way. For a moment he wondered how Amy created them, but then figured he could ask her later. In between each trinket were a few normal beads, which complimented the rest of the bracelet.

Sonic looked from the gift to Amy, his smile fading a small amount. She was looking away, appearing to be upset about something. Looking back down at the bracelet, Sonic’s smile grew again.

Amy felt a tap on her shoulder, soon noticing Sonic standing in front of her with a gentle smile.

“Thanks, Amy,” he said with a thumbs up, revealing the bracelet around his wrist. “It looks great!”

“I-I’m glad you like it,” she quietly said as her cheeks went red.

With that, Sonic walked back to the table, grabbing the next gift to open.

Cream flew down and landed near Amy, giving her shoulder a nudge.

“I told you he’d love it.”

“Y-Yeah.”

They continued to watch Sonic open gifts until he was done, then separated afterward. Cream went off to find more people to chat with, and Amy went back to sticking near the walls and talking to any familiar faces she saw. This went on for a while, and she had the chance to talk to many people she hadn’t seen for ages. She had a pleasant conversation with Blaze and Silver before feeling a little parched, heading to the snack table again afterward. Thankfully, it appeared that Sonia, Manic, and Aleena were no longer standing where they were when she last talked to them, so she wouldn’t have to worry about them seeing her as she went to get a drink.

As Amy reached into the cooler sitting on the floor for a can of cherry soda, she overheard a conversation going on not too far away from her. Both voices were familiar. One of them made her freeze.

“Have ya seen Amy anywhere around here? I can’t seem to find her for some reason.”

“I think I saw her talking to Silver a little while ago, but other than that, no. Sorry, Sonic.”

“That’s alright, Tails. I’m sure I’ll find her eventually.”

“Want me to fly up and see if I can spot her?”

A jolt of fear ran through Amy’s head, causing her to dive under the closeby table in a panic to evade Sonic’s sights. Thankfully, the tablecloth covering it stretched pretty far down, leaving only a couple inch gap between the fabric and ground. She heard Sonic pause before giving an answer.

“I think I’ll be able to find her myself. Thanks anyway.”

“No problem. See you later.”

“Later Tails.”

Amy tried her best to keep her breathing and heart rate under control as she set her can of soda down and lowered her head to the floor, trying to see out of the small gap under the cloth’s edge. She saw the familiar set of red shoes on the floor making their way to the snack table, causing Amy to panic once again. Sonic went to the cooler, the sound of ice being pushed around for a moment before he was moving again. What Amy expected was for him to just walk away with his drink, but of course, that didn’t happen. Instead, those red shoes made their way to the back of the table, the side facing the close by wall.

Everything that’s happened in Amy’s life told her to expect the unexpected, but even then, she couldn’t have possibly expected to hear a couple knocks on the table leg. She looked over at the noise, seeing the tablecloth lifted a small amount so Sonic could peek under.

“Mind if I join you?”

Amy shook her head, partly frozen as Sonic slid under the table with her.

Sonic’s voice was soft, but still loud enough to be heard by Amy despite the noise of the party.

“Heh. I haven’t hidden under a table like this since I was a kid. Feels cozy in here.”

All Amy could do was nod, finding no words for what was going on. She focused on the can of root beer in Sonic set down by his feet, not feeling the strength to look at his face at the moment.

Sonic let a little time pass, Amy’s heavy breathing and pounding heart relaxing in the meantime. Once she looked up at his face, he gave her a calm smile.

“Have you talked to Blaze yet? I heard you talked to Silver and wondered if you got the chance before the party’s over.”

She nodded.

“That’s good. Have you been having fun?”

She nodded again.

“Great.”

It went quiet again. Sonic lowered his head and looked away awkwardly as Amy did the same. A distressed sigh left Sonic’s lips as he began fidgeting, absentmindedly occupying his hands while he tried thinking of something else to say. He glanced down at his hands, his attention being caught by what he’d been doing.

Instead of picking at the fabric of his glove and causing it to wear like usual, he was rolling one of the beads of his bracelet around its section of string. He let out a silent laugh, continuing to look over the gift.

“Thanks again for the bracelet, Amy. I really like it.”

Amy turned her head to look at Sonic, opening her mouth to say something, but shutting it soon after. Sonic looked at her again with a soft smile.

“You know a lot more about me now. It’s hard to believe that, not too long ago, I was mad at how little you seemed to know about me.” Moving the can of root beer off to the side, Sonic pulled himself a little closer to Amy. “I’m really glad you took the time to get to know me, and I’m glad that I got to learn more about you too. It’s been a lot of fun.”

Amy began to smile a small amount, her cheeks showing a hint of blush. Sonic continued.

“Amy… I know you’ve been trying to avoid me since after you talked to Sonia and Manic, and I just want you to know that I care about you a lot. There’s nothing that could change my mind. Okay?”

A shaky breath left Amy’s lips, and she nodded.

“And you know that you can tell me if something’s wrong, right?”

“...Yeah.”

“And, you know I’d do everything I can to help?”

“Y-Yeah. I know.”

“So… why have you been avoiding me?”

Bringing her head down, Amy turned away again. Sonic placed his hand on her shoulder, feeling her hand on his arm a moment after. Amy’s hand slid up until it was at Sonic’s shoulder, and they pulled each other into an embrace. Slowly, Sonic rubbed Amy’s back as she released a shaky breath.

“I- I just- Are we-? I don’t-”

Her words ended, leaving the air only filled with the background noise of the party. Sonic’s cheek rubbed against Amy’s as he briefly leaned up to plant a kiss on her forehead.

“It’s alright Amy. Just take a sec to figure out what you wanna say. I don’t mind.”

The arms around him held a little tighter. After a moment to breathe, and think, Amy spoke again.

“I don’t know… how you see our relationship. I didn’t want to assume you felt the same way as me… that you wanted it to be something serious.” Amy paused, the hands rubbing her back helping to soothe her mind somewhat. “I didn’t know if you’d want me next to you around other people. I… I didn’t want to risk ruining whatever we have so soon. I don’t…”

Sonic heard Amy inhale with a shudder. He leaned back to look at her directly, noticing that she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

“Amy…”

“I don’t- I don’t want you to break up with me before I know if we’re even really together.”

“Amy.” Sonic pulled her into a hug again, trying his best to console her as she tried her best not to cry. “I’m not going to leave you. I’ve said it already, but I care about you a lot, and I really mean it.” Hearing a relieved sigh, he pulled back to see Amy’s face again. “And… about the relationship thing…” Sonic took a moment to think.

“You want to be my girlfriend, right?” Amy nodded. “And I want to be your boyfriend, so we’re boyfriend and girlfriend. Does that help clear things up a little?” She nodded again, this time with a smile. “Good.”

The noise of someone reaching into the cooler reminded them of where they were.

“Look, I uh, I know we need to talk about this stuff a bit more, but if I don’t get back to the party people are gonna start wondering where I am.” Amy lowered her head, but Sonic gently raised it again with a couple fingers on her chin. “How about you meet me by the front entrance after the party’s over? We can sort some stuff out there. Sound good?” With a couple nods from Amy, Sonic smiled. “Cool. I’m gonna get back to the party, I’ll see you later.”

Sonic pushed himself back and grabbed his soda, turning to leave the way he entered, before stopping a moment.

“Actually…” He looked back at Amy. “Would you… uh, could I…” His cheeks went red. “Geez, this was easier yester- I mean technically, earlier today. Heh heh.” Amy tilted her head, and Sonic scratched his quills. “Could we, kiss? Maybe? Before I head back?”

Amy blushed as much as Sonic. “O-Of course.”

“Okay, cool.” Sonic took a breath, leaning forward and sharing a kiss with Amy. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile before he pulled away. “L-Later. Amy.”

Sonic peeked under the cloth and then crawled out, walking away and merging into the crowd like he was there the whole time. Soon after, Amy crawled out as well, feeling a little better, but still confused about many things.

#Sonic Fanfiction #Sonic Fan Fiction #Sonamy #Amy Rose #Sonic the Hedgehog #Knuckles the Echidna #Espio the Chameleon #Manic the Hedgehog #Sonia the Hedgehog #Tails the Fox #Miles Tails Prower #Aleena the Hedgehog #Vector the Crocodile #Cream the Rabbit #I'm not going to include the characters that don't actually say anything...#Also crud I forgot about Cheese... Uh... I don't know... he was sick and stayed home with Vanilla... who was also sick... yeah...#Listen... I've been working on this for over 3 months I'm allowed to forget about a couple characters.#I doubt anyone will even notice. Cheese is basically just 'aww' fuel in this fic and I don't think Vanilla's done anything in ASQ.#Shipping #Food #Food Mention #All fics I make after this will have the word counts at the top because this is rediculous.#This has over 6000 words! No wonder why it's taken me so long!#Hope you like the title because I'm not spending any longer thinking about it.

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closeyoureyes-andimagine · 7 years ago

Text

Willing, For You (Vinny Mauro Imagine: Full Length Story)

Vinny Mauro x Character (Amy)

First Person POV

Warnings: Language, a little bit of fluff, slightly sexual content (no details of sex, but it is mentioned)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: I wrote this in the future. I know he is 24, not 25. I wrote this as if this is next year, when I’d be 21. Also, no, my name is not Amy. LOL.

I’m a huge fan of Motionless in White. I have been for about 6 years. I’m also a huge fan of their drummer, Vinny Mauro. I think he’s extremely attractive.

He posted on his Instagram story today that he is in Philly, where I live. MIW isn’t on tour right now; he’s just visiting friends here. I thought long and hard about semi-stalking to find out where he is so I can “accidentally run into him”, but decided against it. He’s here on his small break from tour to see friends. Let me not intrude and be super fucking weird about it.

I made plans to distract myself from the fact that he is probably super close to where I am. I decided to do a little retail and food therapy all by myself. It was a lovely day. It’s July, but it wasn’t too hot like last summer. I put on a cute outfit and was having a great hair and makeup day. Why not hit the town?

I Ubered to a good spot in a place called Center City. It’s basically “downtown”. There’s a shit ton of stores and other businesses and a lot of great restaurants, fancy and casual. I started walking around, checking out boutiques and hitting up a few chain stores like Sephora, H&M, and Urban Outfitters.

My ex, who is still my best friend, works at the Urban Outfitters up here. When I walked in, I immediately went down to the men’s section where he works. I saw a dude with his back facing me, and I thought it was my ex. I tapped on his shoulder and said, jokingly, “Hey, do you guys sell dildos here?” When the dude turned around, I was genuinely shocked (and embarrassed).

It was fucking Vinny Mauro.

“I don’t work here,” he giggled with wide eyes considering I just asked about fucking DILDOS.

“I-I... I’m sorry. I swore you were my friend who works here. Y’all are twins from the back. Also, I know you don’t work here. You’re Vinny Mauro, and I’m a huge fan of you,” I giggled back.

“Oh, cool! Hi! I’m Vinny,” he shook my hand in response. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Amy. I was obviously just fucking around about the dildos, by the way.”

He smiled at me and gave a little laugh. I didn’t want to ask for a picture. I felt bad. I felt like I was bothering him and I didn’t want to come off as a fangirl.

“Well, hey, I’ll leave you be. It was really nice meeting you! Sorry for being annoying,” I reluctantly said.

“Wait!” He exclaimed. “Do you wanna take a picture or something before you go?”

“Oh yeah, sure,” I said, pretending like that didn’t even cross my mind. “I didn’t want to be a bother!”

We took a few selfies. He looked cute in every one of them, of course.

“Thank you so much,” I said shyly. “I appreciate it. Okay, NOW I’ll leave you be!”

He hugged me, thanked me for being a fan, and I went on my way. I looked around for my ex, only to find out that he wasn’t even working that day. Awkward.

I went to the book section. Urban has a great selection of books, in my opinion. I was really zoned out looking at what I haven’t seen before when I heard a familiar voice.

“Amy?” It was Vinny.

“Oh, hey! What’s up?”

“I was wondering if maybe you’d wanna go grab some food or coffee or something.”

I was shocked, and probably looking at him with my jaw 6 feet underground. “Of course, I’d love that.”

We left Urban. He asked if I knew of any good coffee shops and I offered up the one that I’ve been interested in trying that I heard great reviews about. We looked it up on Yelp, and he agreed to check it out. It was actually pretty close, and since it was a nice day, we decided to walk instead of Ubering anywhere.

On our walk, we got to know each other. He asked me a bunch of questions about myself, and I asked him things that we all, as fans, didn’t already know. Like what he does when he’s home from tour, what he looks forward to most when traveling, etc. When we finally arrived at the coffee shop and got our orders, we sat outside and talked more.

“Wait, you really wrote fanfiction about me? HAHA, that’s amazing. Lemme read it!” He laughed so hard.

I was so embarrassed! “NO WAY! It’s like every other one you’ve probably read already - tons of rough sex and embarrassing descriptions of what it felt like,” I admitted.

He laughed but didn’t seem at all creeped out. He thought it was genuinely entertaining. THANK GOD.

“The thing about fanfiction is, like... I’m not really like that. I’m definitely not that forward with girls and I have little to no game whatsoever. So it’s really funny to see the way people imagine me when they’re writing these stories,” He said, looking down, as if him admitting his game with women sucked dick hurt his ego.

“What? Little to no game? You haven’t even TRIED game on me and I’m already won over,” I flirted, smirking a little.

He looked shocked by what I said. “Really?”

“Well... Yeah, honestly. And no, it’s not because you’re like... Famous.”

He smiled. “Then what is it?”

I took a long breath before answering. “I can tell when people are cool. You are cool. You seem like a good, down to earth kind of dude. We don’t get a lot of those around here. I feel super comfortable talking to you and would love to do that for forever.” I laughed to make myself sound less creepy.

He smiled again. This time, even bigger. “That’s really sweet. Thank you,” he replied softly. “It’s nice to know you see me like that.”

“It is?” I questioned.

“Yeah. I feel the same way about you. I didn’t know you at all earlier, but after talking to you for 5 seconds, I wanted more. That’s why I asked you to hang out. It felt different than a normal fan encounter.” That was actually something I took as a huge compliment. I always say that when I meet “celebrities”, I want them to think, hey, she wasn’t insane and obsessed. She was normal and cool. And I seemed to have accomplished that with Vinny.

“Well, good. That is actually really nice to hear.”

He smiled at me even more. I smiled back. We were silent for what felt like ages but what really was .2 seconds.

“Wanna get out of here?” Vinny asked.

“Sure. Where to, my liege?”

He ordered an Uber and took me to his AirBNB. At first I was super nervous. I haven’t been alone with a guy I’m attracted to in like... Almost 2 years. After walking inside, sitting down, and turning the TV on, I was relaxed.

We talked more about our lives. It got deep pretty fast, and I loved being so open with him. It felt easy and super normal, almost as if we’ve known each other for years. At one point, he asked me about my last relationship and why it ended, to which I answered, “we weren’t clicking as a couple. Friendship was at the forefront of it all, so we called it off. It’s so much better that way. No pain.”

He smiled when I said that. He said it was super mature of me to think of it that way, which I never considered it to be before.

After we finished talking about my ex, he inched closer to me, placing his hand on my thigh. He looked down at his hand and then flicked his eyes back up to mine.

“I like you, Amy,” he sighed. “I don’t want to be too forward, but I also don’t wanna miss any chances.”

I stuttered a little until I could form a sentence. “It’s not too forward. Please take the chances I’m offering you. I approve.” I said seriously, but still being a little funny to make him feel comfortable.

He leaned into me. He moved his hand to my face. His fingers traced the perimeter, continuing into my hair. He very lightly tugged, not to jerk my head back, but just to put that sort of intense energy out there. I loved it.

I looked at his soft lips, back up to his eyes, back down, back up... I continued doing so until he couldn’t take it anymore and gently, but passionately, put his lips on mine. He was being careful but at the same time, rough. It was a nice in-between feeling.

His hands left my face and trailed down my shoulders to my waist and lower back. His fingertips tickled each part of me on the way down, causing me to shiver. I smiled into the kiss. He felt me smile, so he followed suit. It was pretty adorable.

He pulled me closer and closer until, eventually, I was straddling him. It wasn’t sexual, which was interesting. It was loving; tender, even. His hands never went lower than my waist. They never grabbed my breasts. They stayed in safe places with little tickles and squeezes here and there. After a while, he pulled away, looked into my eyes. His were sparkling.

“Can I be forward?” He asked.

“Of course,” I replied, excitedly.

“I literally am buzzing. I feel sparks.” He smiled while he said it, as if he was in shock that he felt that with someone who is practically a stranger.

I didn’t know how to respond. The truth was that I was feeling the same way. Even though he just said it, I didn’t know if I should, as well. I felt nervous to admit it. I didn’t want to seem to forward the same way he didn’t. But I conceded.

“Vinny,” I started, somewhat breathless. “I feel the same way. I never felt like that kissing someone before.”

“Me either,” he confessed. “I kinda want to ride this wave out. But I have to be completely blunt and forward with you, okay?”

I was nervous to hear what followed that set up.

“I’m 25. Even though I tour all over, I still am looking for something more serious. Exclusive. Real. I know we just met, but are you willing to see where this goes and take it in that direction?” He looked at me very intensely, awaiting my response. I knew what my answer was, but was slightly hesitant.

I took a deep breath, exhaled, and began. “Yes. I am willing. I would want nothing more than that. I’m willing to accept that sort of lifestyle for you. I really can feel that this is something good we got here, already, even after a few hours of being with each other. Is that weird?”

He smirked. “No. It’s not weird. It’s a connection,” he insisted. I was happy to hear him say those words.

We kissed again. This time, more intensely until it led to something more heated.

*a few hours later*

It was getting late. He had to meet up with some friends, and I had to head home and shower. I had some shows to catch up on my DVR. Big plans, I know.

I thanked Vinny about a thousand times for hanging out.

“So... What now?” I asked, checking up on his previous want to continue our rela-uh... Whatever this is right now.

We finally exchanged numbers and all of our social media usernames.

“I’ll text you later. My plan is to see you whenever it’s possible. I want to know you more and see where we end up. I feel good about us.” He answered.

I was grinning from ear to ear. “That sounds lovely.”

I got in his car. He drove me to my house, opening my car door for me when we arrived. He led me to my front door, hugging my waist and kissing my neck before letting me go.

“Thank you,” he said. “I’m happy.”

“I am, too,” I hummed. I hugged him again, kissing the side of his forehead.

We said our goodbyes. I was sad to see him go, but was ecstatic knowing that this wasn’t the end. There was much more to come, and I couldn’t wait to see the story unfold. This was such an unexpected chain of events with the most beautiful ending. I watched him as he got back into the driver’s seat of his Buick. He looked back at me, smiled, honked twice, and slowly drove away into the night.

I went inside and shut the door behind me, slowly sliding down to the floor. I grinned up at the sky. I didn’t know how I couldn’t sleep when Vinny was going to be running through my mind for the rest of eternity.

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revisitingstoneybrook · 4 years ago

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#6 Kristy’s Big Day: Chapter 3

Time to break up all the wedding stuff with a BSC meeting!

Kristy is so busy helping her mom that she almost forgets, oh shit, she has a BSC meeting. She races across the street to Claudia's and *GASP* it's 5:36! She's late for her own meeting! Does she give herself a Look? Anyway, she sits down and makes sure to get a good, long look at everyone since she'll be moving soon. To another neighborhood. And she's going to remain in the BSC. I think this was just a segue into what is normally a Chapter 2.

Claudia's going around her room, trying to find where she hid a large bag of M&M's. Oooh, outfit description! She was wearing one of her usual outrageous outfits: a black leotard and skintight red pants under a white shirt that was so big it looked like a lab coat. Claudia's a wonderful artist and she had decorated the shirt herself, covering it with designs painted in acrylic. She had pinned her long, black hair back at the sides with red clips.

Geez, what's with all the relatively normal Claudia outfits in books I've been snarking lately? Give me vegetable shirts and watermelon-themed outfits! Though...how do they know she's wearing a leotard? Is she wearing it over the pants? Yikes. And what kind of designs are painted on there? Hopefully, nothing with words. And...that's it? Only like 2 paragraphs? No stuff about how Janine's a real, live genius, and Claudia’s a real, live moron?

Wow, and only one paragraph for Mary Anne. Only thing about her ‘background’ we're told is how her hair is brushed out and looks shiny and full and until a few months ago, was in braids. Why can't all Chapter 2's be like this? There's nothing about Stacey's diabeetus either. She isn't even described as sophisticated; Kristy just says she and Claudia enjoy looking good.

Sort of outfit description - Kristy says Stacey's hair is permed (of course) and she's wearing purple nail polish and Swatch accessories. Ok...I was less than a year old when this book was released, I have almost no recollection of the 80s...when she says Swatch accessories, does she mean like the watches

Kristy compares Stacey to a 13-year-old Madonna. There's a dirty joke in there somewhere. She adds after that If Claudia weren't Japanese, she'd look a little like Madonna too. Well, Madonna's appropriated Japanese culture since this book was written, so according to Kristy...is this Claudia?

I think Claudia would find a way to rock a mini-kimono. Especially because she looks good in everything!

Dawn's introduced as Mary Anne *other* best friend. You'd never know she was a California Girl, or omgsoindividual by reading this paragraph. Kristy drools a bit over her hair, saying it's amazing and hopes Dawn never cuts or changes it. Will you settle for her braiding and gelling it up in Dawn's Big Date?

Claudia finds the M&M's in a box under her bed labeled STILL LIFS AND PORTRITS. There's our Claudia. As she gives out the candy, Stacey says they got one phone call before Kristy came in, which went, “Hello, this is Marmee March. I need a sitter for Amy tonight, someone who has experience with little women.” Sam. I wonder if he's ever called before saying he needs a sitter for Ivan Uglibutt or Hugh Jazz.

They get down to business and Stacey reports that they have $17.25 in the treasury. Wow, they're rolling in it! And will be even after they have to start paying Charlie! Since no one needs stuff for their Kid-Kits, Claudia moves for an end-of-school party. Of course she would.

Mary Anne notices Kristy's being as quiet as she usually is and asks what's wrong. Kristy tells them she has good news and bad news. Good news is she's going to be a bridesmaid! The rest of the club reacts in unison like Mary Anne, sighing dreamily. Bad news...the wedding's going to be in two and a half weeks and they're moving in July. Mary Anne freaks out and looks like she might cry. But when does she not look like she's going to cry? While Mary Anne struggles to keep the faucet of tears from going on full blast, Dawn exclaims that Kristy's so lucky she's going to be a bridesmaid! Patience Dawn, your time will come as well...

Before anything else can be said, the phone rings and Mary Anne gets assigned to watch Charlotte. When that's done with, Stacey wants to hear more about the wedding. Kristy says she's known since Saturday, but...*GASP* how is going to explain away the reason she didn't call them up right away and tell them? She says it's because she still isn't too keen on her mom marrying Watson the Millionaire and says the other girls would never understand. And we get some foreshadowing to book #30 because Kristy mentions that Richard and Sharon are dating and Mary Anne would “die with pleasure” if they got married.

Kristy finally says she never said anything because she thought the wedding was still a long way off. Mary Anne looks skeptical but there's no bitch fights of how God forbid she didn't call the BSC up right away and tell them the good news or invite them over so they'd be there to hear about it first-hand. Stacey ignores all this and wants Kristy to cut to the chase - what is she wearing? Is it sophisticated enough? They're cut off by the phone again, this time it's Mrs. Pike and she only needs one sitter for two members of the Pike army, Claire and Margo. Phew, no Mallory. Dawn gets the job and breathes a sigh of relief that she won't be sitting for or with Mallory. Because everyone hates Mallory.

Stacey isn't available because she's going to New York to see her doctor. Oh, now we hear about the diabeetus. And no (ew, ick) because injections aren't even mentioned. Just that she has to keep on a special diet. Wow, this is like the ultimate Chapter 2, only it's in Chapter 3.

As soon as Dawn hangs up, Kristy starts up again talking about her bridesmaid gown. She says the gown's going to be short-sleeved, with an empire waist (well, she doesn't use that term, but the way she describes makes it sound like it's going to be empire waist) and a ribbon sash. The girls “oooooooh” in admiration and when Mary Anne asks what color, Kristy says she and Karen get to choose. Dawn says pink, Kristy says it's too cutesy. Claudia suggests green, Kristy acts like she suggested they wear one of her creations. Hey, I think green would make a lovely color! Mary Anne's choice is yellow and everyone agrees that would be perfect. Stacey never threw her two cents in; she'd probably say black, since that's oh-so-sophisticated.

Kristy adds in that she gets to wear heels, the dyeable kind to match the dress and everyone’s all excited about the wedding. Claudia's especially happy because it's a week after school ends. Stacey asks if anything special happens at the end of school in Stoneybrook and they tell her about the Final Fling. Claudia makes a face “as if she'd accidentally taken a swallow of sour milk” while talking about report cards.

As for the dance, since this is Before Logan, Mary Anne decides she isn't going by herself. Claudia looks at Kristy “as if I'd asked if she was going to the dance with Winnie the Pooh” when she mentions Trevor Sandbourne and Claudia laughs it off, saying he's probably dating his poetry now. BURN! Kristy says she'll go if Alan asks her. She and Alan always had such a love-hate relationship. And Stacey's going with Pete “Am I a Cool Kid or a Dork?” Black. Since Dawn's such an individual, she's still deciding if she'll go stag or not. And....that's the last we hear of the Final Fling, thankfully.

#babysitters club #kristy's big day #kristy thomas #bsc #snark

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caddyxjellyby · 7 years ago

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Alcott Readathon 2018: An Old-Fashioned Girl (1869)

Alcott’s third or fourth depending on how you count Good Wives novel, featuring cane-shaking, a menage a trois, and America’s favorite fighting Frenchman. Polly Arrives Fanny tells Tom to pick up Polly from the station. Tom says "She'll think you cared more about your frizzles than your friends, and she'll be about right, too." Fanny says "If I was the President, I'd make a law to shut up all boys till they were grown; for they certainly are the most provoking toads in the world." I wonder what Tom means by wearing a thingumbob? A veil maybe? The naughty boy tells Polly the hack-driver is tipsy so he won’t have to sit with her. It boggles my mind that a fourteen year old would refer to herself as a “little girl.” I suppose back them children didn’t have to bend over backwards to be taken seriously. That is, if you refer to yourself as a little girl people won’t take you seriously. But if they just do it as a given you don’t bend over backwards to earn it. Polly sings for Madam Shaw, the grandmother, and they talk about how they were brought up properly unlike the Shaw siblings. Madam Shaw doesn’t approve of children calling their father Papa. What the fuck. I bet “the old man” would make her spontaneously combust. The girls see a vulgar play; Polly doesn’t understand half the jokes, and the girls on stage are dressed as jockeys, which I think means wearing trousers. Scandalous. Madam Shaw praises her innocence.

New Fashions

Apparently eyeglasses were trendy in 1869. Polly follows Fanny to school, where the girls gossip about Carrie who ran away with an Italian music teacher.

Fanny: "I like to read about such things; but it's so inconvenient to have it happen right here, because it makes it harder for us. I wish you could have heard my papa go on. He threatened to send a maid to school with me every day, as they do in New York, to be sure I come all right. Did you ever?"

Belle: "That's because it came out that Carrie used to forge excuses in her mamma's name, and go promenading with her Oreste, when they thought her safe at school. Oh, wasn't she a sly minx?"

Trix: "I think a little fun is all right; and there's no need of making a talk, if, now and then, some one does run off like Carrie. Boys do as they like; and I don't see why girls need to be kept so dreadfully close. I'd like to see anybody watching and guarding me!" GO TRIX KEEPING GIRLS THE SLIGHTEST BIT “CLOSER’ THAN BOYS IS PSYCHOLOGICALLY HARMFUL AND DISRESPECTFUL. ...I have a lot of feels about gender and child-rearing, okay? Okay. The constant ads for the Blockers movie keep bringing it to mind. (Kathryn Newton, the most recent Amy March, is in it.) The Bostonians gush over some exciting novels; Polly doesn’t know them. Polly: "My mother says a real gentleman is as polite to a little girl as to a woman; so I like Mr. Sydney best, because he was kind to me." I want that embroidered. “Polly was not a model girl by any means” Sure, Louisa. The kids say ain’t a lot. Creosote sent my mind straight to Discworld. Polly’s Troubles Polly wished the children would be kinder to grandma; but it was not for her to tell them so, although it troubled her a good deal, and she could only try to make up for it by being as dutiful and affectionate as if their grandma was her own. Awww. The fact that they name their sleds is adorable. Me, I’ve never been a person to name inanimate objects, other than occasionally referring to something as the precious. Fan reads Lady Audley’s Secret. "I shouldn't think you'd make him laugh, when he's always making you cwy," observed Maud, who had just come in. Good one, Maud. Little Things Polly is a perfect child who can do no wrong, except spend some money on bronze boots instead of presents for her family. We learn that she has a dead brother named Jimmy. They studied Latin together so she helps Tom with his. Tom falls off his new velocipede and hits his head. Polly holds it while a doctor gives him stitches. Scrapes AFTER being unusually good, children are apt to turn short round and refresh themselves by acting like Sancho. For a week after Tom's mishap, the young folks were quite angelic, so much so that grandma said she was afraid "something was going to happen to them." I kind of loathe this line of thinking? If you want children to be good, don’t insult them by not trusting them. Polly, if you’ve never had to lie to your parents then you know you have good parents, and not everybody is like you. A boy sends Fanny flowers and that’s unacceptable. “I'll send you to school in a Canadian convent,” says Mr. Shaw. Oh boy. Tom dresses up in Fanny’s outfit, then they and Maud look at Polly’s journal, which is full of sketches of the family and friends, and Polly’s thoughts on Fan. If she would be as she was when I first knew her, I should love her just the same; but she isn't kind to me; and though she is always talking about politeness, I don't think it is polite to treat company as she does me. She thinks I am odd and countrified, and I dare say I am; but I shouldn't laugh at a girl's clothes because she was poor, or keep her out of the way because she didn't do just as other girls do here. I see her make fun of me, and I can't feel as I did; and I'd go home, only it would seem ungrateful to Mr. Shaw and grandma, and I do love them dearly." Grandma Tom was reposing on the sofa with his boots in the air, absorbed in one of those delightful books in which boys are cast away on desert islands, where every known fruit, vegetable and flower is in its prime all the year round; or, lost in boundless forests, where the young heroes have thrilling adventures, kill impossible beasts, and, when the author's invention gives out, suddenly find their way home, laden with tiger skins, tame buffaloes and other pleasing trophies of their prowess. The Shaw kids find Polly up in Grandma’s room, listening to her stories. They’re like you never told us that story and Grandma’s like you never asked. "At eight o'clock on the appointed evening, several of us professed great weariness, and went to our room, leaving the rest sewing virtuously with Miss Cotton, who read Hannah More's Sacred Dramas aloud, in a way that fitted the listeners for bed as well as a dose of opium would have done.”Surprisingly snarky Grandma. "Wait for your turn, Tommy. Now, Polly, dear, what will you have?" said grandma, looking, so lively and happy, that it was very evident "reminiscing" did her good. "Let mine come last, and tell one for Tom next," said Polly, looking round, and beckoning him nearer. Oh come on now Polly. Tom wants to shoot cats? Okay. Polly asks about a glove; Grandma tells the story of Lafayette kissing the glove with his picture on it and then kissing her on the cheek to avoid that. Grandma’s Aunt was married to John Hancock, just like Abigail Alcott’s grand-aunt was married to him in real life. Also she thinks leg o’mutton sleeves are beautiful and becoming. Let’s not hold it against her. Colonel May, that’s LMA’s grandfather. Next we go even further back in history - Grandma produces a letter “written by Anne Boleyn before her marriage to Henry VIII, and now in the possession of a celebrated antiquarian.” How she acquired this letter is not explained, and it does seem to be the original letter and not a copy. Good-by [sic] We get it, Louisa, you think fancy clothes are sinful. They hold a going-away party for Polly, inviting some girls to keep Maud out of the way and Tom’s school-friends, Rumple, Sherry, and Spider. Polly and Tom open the redowa; he’s bad at keeping time to the music, like me. She doesn’t know how to dance the German so she plays with the little girls in the library. Aww, they snuck presents for her family in Polly’s trunk. Six Years Afterward "WHAT do you think Polly is going to do this winter?" exclaimed Fanny, looking up from the letter she had been eagerly reading. She’s returning to Boston to teach music. Mr. Shaw respects her for being independent. Tom says she’s pretty in a moment of foreshadowing. Madam Shaw has died. "Where did you learn so much worldly wisdom, Polly?" asked Mr. Shaw, as his wife fell back in her chair, and took out her salts, as if this discovery had been too much for her. "I learnt it here, sir," answered Polly, laughing. "I used to think patronage and things of that sort very disagreeable and not worth having, but I've got wiser, and to a certain extent I'm glad to use whatever advantages I have in my power, if they can be honestly got." What is this, the Shaws doing something good for once? Holy hell! “You must come and see my pets, Maud, for my cat and bird live together as happily as brother and sister," said Polly, turning to Maud, who devoured every word she said. "That's not saying much for them," muttered Tom, feeling that Polly ought to address more of her conversation to him. Geez, Tom, entitled much? Tom is engaged to Trix. Polly keeps bees at her country home. It must be so nice to be able to clean without the paranoia that you’re going to get mocked for doing it wrong. All hail living alone! Lessons Polly finds her drudgery a bit harder than she expected but her pupils love her. She found Fanny enduring torment under the hands of the hair-dresser, who was doing his best to spoil her hair, and distort her head with a mass of curls, braids, frizzles, and puffs; for though I discreetly refrain from any particular description, still, judging from the present fashions, I think one may venture to predict that six years hence they would be something frightful. The problem with writing books set in the future. Polly comes home one day to find her landlady, Miss Mills, sewing a dress for Jane, who also lives in the boarding-house and tried to kill herself because she couldn’t find work that paid enough for the rent. Polly goes to visit Jane. Brothers and Sisters Polly’s brother Will visits her every Sunday and they’re BFFs. Tom hates being called Carrots; I want an Anne of Green Gables crossover. Maud informs him that Polly thinks he’s handsomer than Mr. Sydney. "Don't make such a noise, my head aches dreadfully," said Fanny, fretfully. "Girls' heads always do ache," answered Tom, subsiding from a roar into a chuckle. Um, fuck you Tom. He suspects Trix of wearing makeup because she won’t let him kiss her cheek, only “an unsatisfactory peck at her lips.” That’s less satisfying than the cheek? Whatever you say, Tom. Fanny confirms it. He doesn’t approve. Will arrives to take Maud to Polly’s; LMA gets a dig in: “They were very good friends, but led entirely different lives, Will being a "dig," and Tom a "bird," or, in plain English, one was a hard student, and the other a jolly young gentleman. Tom had rather patronized Will, who didn't like it, and showed that he didn't by refusing to borrow money of him, or accept any of his invitations to join the clubs and societies to which Tom belonged. So Shaw let Milton alone, and he got on very well in his own way, doggedly sticking to his books, and resisting all temptations but those of certain libraries, athletic games, and such inexpensive pleasures as were within his means; for this benighted youth had not yet discovered that college nowadays is a place in which to "sky-lark," not to study.” We'll see more of that when we get to Jo’s Boys. Polly talks better than other girls who are coquettes. Seriously. Jesus Christ. Maud has “a talent for betraying trifles which people preferred should not be mentioned in public” and “a queer way of going on with her own thoughts, and suddenly coming out with whatever lay uppermost, regardless of time, place, or company.” Huh. Needles and Tongues Fanny’s sewing circle meets at the Shaw house. Polly listens to them gossip. “Another divulged the awful fact that Carrie P.' s wedding presents were half of them hired for the occasion.” That’s pretty funny. Polly and Trix butt heads over giving charity. “[Trix] felt the same antagonism toward Polly, that Polly did toward her; and, being less generous, took satisfaction in plaguing her. Polly did not know that the secret of this was the fact that Tom often held her up as a model for his fiance to follow, which caused that young lady to dislike her more than ever.” I am not entirely unsympathetic to Trix. Polly tells them about Jane and they’re very moved and resolve to hire her for sewing. Forbidden Fruit Polly, Fanny, and Tom go to the opera. Polly buys new gloves for the occasion and their dog chews them up and she’s like serves me right for buying something I didn’t need. Her new bonnet survives, though, and Tom mentions how becoming it is. "Dress that girl up, and she'd be a raving, tearing beauty," he whispers to Maud, and Polly overhears. A bit of sarcastic fourth wall breaking: I deeply regret being obliged to shock the eyes and ears of such of my readers as have a prejudice in favor of pure English by expressions like the above, but, having rashly undertaken to write a little story about Young America, for Young America, I feel bound to depict my honored patrons as faithfully as my limited powers permit. Otherwise, I must expect the crushing criticism, "Well, I dare say it's all very prim and proper, but it isn't a bit like us," and never hope to arrive at the distinction of finding the covers of "An Old-Fashioned Girl" the dirtiest in the library. Polly wears her hair down, holy shit. Maud comments on what a lovely bride she would be, Tom refers to her as “Mrs. Sydney,” and Fan goes to the carriage “in an usually lofty manner.” Love triangle ahoy. And who should appear at the opera but Arthur Sydney? Polly, on her reaction to heartbreak: "That's not my way either," she said decidedly. "I'd try to outlive it, and if I could n't, I'd try to be the better for it. Disappointment needn't make a woman a fool." Sounds like Rosamund. We are reminded that French novels are evil, and Polly calls Tom a modern Beau Brummel. The Sunny Side Fanny and Tom discuss Polly/Sydney. Tom thinks being a fine lady wouldn’t suit her; Fanny disagrees. Tom realizes his sister likes Sydney and says nothing about it. Polly introduces Fanny to her friends Becky and Bess, two artists who live together. Becky is sculpting “the coming woman” and needs to put a symbol in her hands. Fanny suggests a queen’s sceptre, Polly a man’s helping hand, and Bess a child. Becky turns those down. Kate, an accidentally successful author, suggests a ballot-box. They have a lunch of sardines, oranges, crackers, and cheese, on mismatched plates which one 1860s reviewer found too unfeminine to be realistic. We learn that "Bess is to be married in the spring, and Becky is to live with her." Kate wants to put Polly in a book. Very funny.

Nipped in the Bud Polly inner monologues about how she can’t love Arthur Sydney as a wife should, so she ought to tell him before he proposes. Particularly since he and Fan would suit each other. She changes her route home so as to avoid meeting him, then he sees her coming home from Fanny’s one day and they talk. He says that Fanny hasn’t improved with her years and Polly defends her friend. “She puts on that dashing air before people to hide her real self. But I know her better; and I assure you that she does improve; she tries to mend her faults, though she won't own it, and will surprise you someday, by the amount of heart and sense and goodness she has got." Breakers Ahead Tom gets expelled for knocking down the Chapel watchmen. At least he didn’t need that degree for a job. And Mr. Shaw’s business has failed, and Tom has acquired a significant amount of debt. Oh no. Polly comforts him and then Fanny, who doesn’t actually need much comforting, being glad for the distraction from her unrequited love. Indian cake . . . is that cornbread? A Dress Parade The big house was given up as soon as possible and the little house taken; being made comfortable with the furniture Madam left there when she went to live with her son. The old-fashioned things had been let with the house, and now seemed almost like a gift from Grandma, doubly precious in these troublous times. At the auction, several persons tried to show the family that, though they had lost their fortune, friends still remained, for one bid in Fanny's piano, and sent it to her; another secured certain luxurious articles for Mrs. Shaw's comfort; and a third saved such of Mr. Shaw's books as he valued most, for he had kept his word and given up everything, with the most punctilious integrity. Maud enjoys herself learning to housewife. Polly gives Fanny advice on freshening her wardrobe, such as turning her grey suit. Fanny used to give Maud her old dresses for tableaux. Polly’s story is based on real life. From LMA’s ”Recollections of My Childhood”: People wondered at our frolics, but enjoyed them; and droll stories are still told of the adventures of those days. Mr. Emerson and Margaret Fuller were visiting my parents one afternoon; and the conversation having turned to the ever-interesting subject of education, Miss Fuller said,-- "Well, Mr. Alcott, you have been able to carry out your methods in your own family, and I should like to see your model children." She did in a few moments,--for as the guests stood on the doorsteps a wild uproar approached, and round the corner of the house came a wheelbarrow holding baby May arrayed as a queen; I was the horse, bitted and bridled, and driven by my elder sister Anna, while Lizzie played dog and barked as loud as her gentle voice permitted. All were shouting, and wild with fun, which, however, came to a sudden end as we espied the stately group before us, for my foot tripped, and down we all went in a laughing heap, while my mother put a climax to the joke by saying with a dramatic wave of the hand,-- "Here are the model children, Miss Fuller!" Playing Grandmother Tom has a harder time than his sisters. He’s too bad at business to help his father so he hangs out with Mrs. Shaw. "I'd cut away to Australia if it wasn't for mother; anything, anywhere to get out of the way of people who know me. I never can right myself here, with all the fellows watching, and laying wagers whether I sink or swim. Hang Greek and Latin! wish I'd learned a trade, and had something to fall back upon. Haven't a blessed thing now, but decent French and my fists.” Oh my gosh I think Tom’s a millennial. Polly teaches Maud how to make raisin cake for Tom’s birthday. He receives two letters: one from Trix dumping him, and one from Arthur Sydney saying that’s he’s paid Tom’s debts. Tom, unwilling to owe him, decides to go West, young man, like Polly’s brother Ned. The Woman Who Did Not Dare POLLY wrote enthusiastically, Ned answered satisfactorily, and after much corresponding, talking, and planning, it was decided that Tom should go West. Never mind what the business was; it suffices to say that it was a good beginning for a young man like Tom, who, having been born and bred in the most conservative class of the most conceited city in New England, needed just the healthy, hearty, social influences of the West to widen his views and make a man of him. Polly goes home for the summer, Maud to the shore with Belle, and Fan stays home. I’m pretty sure Polly lives in Concord. Does she know the Marches? She returns to Boston in the fall and Fanny says have you been sick? No, it’s love. Polly gives vague answers and Fan replies that she thinks Sydney is starting to like her. She shows Polly a photo Tom sent and Polly’s face makes her go Aha. Winter passes, and in May Fan and Sydney get engaged. Tom’s Success "Come, Philander, let us be a marching, Every one his true love a searching," would be the most appropriate motto for this chapter, because, intimidated by the threats, denunciations, and complaints showered upon me in consequence of taking the liberty to end a certain story as I liked, I now yield to the amiable desire of giving satisfaction, and, at the risk of outraging all the unities, intend to pair off everybody I can lay my hands on. Tom comes home and tells Polly he loves her. "Now, Tom, how could I know you loved me when you went away and never said a word?" she began, in a tenderly reproachful tone, thinking of the hard year she had spent. "And how could I have the courage to say a word, when I had nothing on the face of the earth to offer you but my worthless self?" answered Tom, warmly. "That was all I wanted!" whispered Polly, in a tone which caused him to feel that the race of angels was not entirely extinct. I suppose if I liked Tom more the romance might work for me but I don’t and it doesn’t. Neither pairing seems to happen naturally, the narrative forces them together. Will marries Jane and Maud remains a spinster, “[keeping] house for her father in the most delightful manner.” The End and I’m glad of it! Next is Little Men.

#an old fashioned girl #louisa may alcott #alcott readathon 2018

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sweetlysilent · 7 years ago

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Harsh Words Pt. 2

Requested By: A lot of people

Pairing: Peter Parker x Reader

Description: You and Peter were what you would call “frenemies,” you despised him, but he wanted to win you back, that is until he found out you were the new villain in Queens, the one he’s been fighting.

Warnings: Swearing, could still possibly be triggering for some people, beware ending, pls don’t hate me oh no

Word Count: 2,995

Tags:

@kaylaleslie1120 @sweetbadheart @valecerron @randisnotonfire @looking-for-my-pixie-dust @timmers18 @hocotom @multifics

@davros2004 @fragilefrances @everythinguncharted @j-k-aesthetics @5foot2butdontmesswither @yoyococo18 @freyyia

I hope I tagged everyone omg, sorry if I missed you!

A/N: AHHHH SO MANY PEOPLE LOVED HARSH WORDS PART ONE!! I’m mind blown how much you all enjoyed it, I really wasn’t expecting it to blow up as much as it did, so I’m truly honored and appreciative that you all took the time to read what I wrote and left amazing comments that made my day, therefore, I love you all. Also, I left it on a really intense cliff hanger, that way if people liked it enough again, I’d do a part three if requested enough. :)

Part one

There was never a moment where Peter would have thought you two would stop being best friends, but what topped that was seeing you that night, holding those people hostage.

You were the most down to earth, kind hearted person Peter had ever known, and to see you being this dark, dangerous, well, villain, broke him inside.

“Peter, I brought you some ice, now would you like to tell me what happened?” Aunt may questioned, handing him ice wrapped in a cloth for his black eye that was forming.

“It was nothing really, I’m just really clumsy May, you know this.” Peter mumbled, thanking her for the ice, before placing it on his throbbing eye, which he had you to thank for.

May didn’t look convinced but she let it go, not wanting to stress Peter out anymore than he already was.

It had been almost a full month since the hostage incident, Peter remembered it perfectly, his Spidey senses were tingling, he swung to where he sensed the issue, finding the villain he had been fighting against for weeks.

There was a moment where he thought something felt off, but he pushed it to the back of his head, he should have listened.

He knew the second he heard your voice, but he didn’t want to believe it, he didn’t want to believe it was you, so he did the only thing that could prove him wrong, to prove to himself that it wasn’t you, so he asked the most simple question.

“Who are you?”

What happened after that was a bit of a blur, he remembers hearing the laugh, your laugh, and then getting hit a few times.

He remembers holding his stomach in pain, glancing up to see you backing away into the darkness, hearing his name fall off your lips, and it was then that he had to face reality, it really was you.

After that was more than a blur, it was disbelief, he remembers his heart pounding erratically in his chest, before flying through his window, scaring the shit out of Ned who looked just as panicked once he saw Peter’s face.

But it was the moment that Peter told Ned everything that happened, that it hit him that this was all really happening, that it was you, his ex-best friend that was now his enemy.

The only difference was, he wasn’t going down without a fight, he said he’d win you back, and he meant every word.

Three months had passed since the incident between you and Peter, you’d give him glares in the hallways, as he gladly returned them, Ned would awkwardly look between the both of you, while Liz and Michelle would help boost your ego even more.

Liz and Michelle had become your all time best friends, you all did every thing together, whether it was going shopping, eating, even movie nights, you all did it all.

However, there were moments where you missed the old times, where it would be Peter, Ned and you, doing all those things together.

But, things happen, people change.

You were in your first period, of course, the class with Peter and Ned, you made sure to sit as far away from the two of them as possible, as they did the same.

“Okay, good morning class! Today we will be doing a fun little experiment, but to do it, you need a partner,” Mr. Scott started, but waved his hands seeing everyone automatically trying to pair up, “But I will be assigning partners, I know how you all get when you’re with your friends.” He eyed everyone, pointing his fingers, making some of your classmates laugh.

“Alright, lets start with Ned and Amy,” He trailed off, Ned giving Peter a wide eyed look, and then your name was called, “Y/N and… Ah! Yes, Peter!” He smiled cheerfully, as you looked across the room at Peter.

He could have paired you up with anyone, LITERALLY ANYONE and he chose Peter, just your luck.

Mr. Scott soon dismissed everyone once they had a partner, but you and Peter just sat at your desks, refusing to move first.

“Y/N, Peter, get to work.” Mr. Scott scolded, making you roll your eyes, as you gave Peter a look, basically implying ’get your ass over here before I throw a chair at you.’

Peter let out a huff, before grabbing his belongings and moving to your desk, the feeling of satisfaction running through your body as he slumped into the seat next to you.

You glanced at him, observing his features, something you hadn’t done in a while, you hated to admit it, but he looked good, like really good.

“Alright so um.. Lets just get this over with.” Peter muttered, making you nod and start the experiment.

You two didn’t talk the entire time, actually getting the experiment done for once, unlike last time, that is until halfway through.

“You want to tell me what you’re up to?” Peter muttered, his eyes never leaving the bubbling liquid in front of them.

“In you dreams Parker.” You muttered back, putting another chemical into the liquid in front of you.

“How’d you know I dream about you?” Peter whispered jokingly, making you freeze for a moment, making Peter smirk slightly.

“You know what I meant you dumbass.” You grumbled, placing another chemical into the beaker.

You both then went back to silence, until Peter broke it, again.

“You’re so much better than this you know.” Peter pressed on, making you roll your eyes, something he caught out of the corner of his.

“Like you’re one to talk.” You huffed, making his head turn slightly, looking at you in bewilderment.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Peter fired back, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“A few months ago, you ruined my life, and now that it’s happening to you, you don’t like it, ironic isn’t it?” You smiled, looking at the brunette haired boy, watching as his face scrunched up in anger.

“I won’t let you hurt anyone Y/N, no matter what.” Peter spoke lowly, making you smirk and let out a laugh.

“What makes you so sure Peter?” You raised your eyebrows, moving closer to him, his heart beating rapidly in his chest, his breathing becoming heavier.

“Because I know you, and I know somewhere deep down in there,” His hands motioned all around you, “That my best friend is still in there, and she’s hurt, because I hurt her, when all she did was care about me.” Peter declared, and for a split second he saw something change in your eyes, but quickly disappeared.

You blinked a few times, turning your focus back to the experiment, this time, satisfaction was going through Peter’s body, not yours.

The school day ended quicker than you anticipated, Peter’s words still swarming your head, you couldn’t get them out, no matter how hard you tried.

Everywhere you walked, Peter was there, watching you, making sure you didn’t harm anyone, which made you anxious.

Until you arrived home, and you put your outfit on, your mask hiding your face, and the confidence and darkness returned to you.

You weren’t sure how this happened really, after Peter broke your heart you needed an outlet, and what better way than to cause a ton more issues for the one and only Spider-Man?

You went out your window, and before you knew it, you were causing so much commotion, and you were positive Spider-Man was on your trail, which only made it even more of a thrill.

The thing was though, you didn’t actually harm anyone, you never laid a finger on one person, you just did enough to cause an issue to trigger his Spider-Man senses.

You were now running, mainly from Spider-Man himself, you knew he was around, it was late, making it the perfect time for Mr. crime fighting spider to appear.

You ran to a familiar place crowded with people, making them all get on the ground, your threats coming out harsher than you intended, and sure enough, Spider-Man appeared.

“I thought I told you, I wouldn’t let you hurt anyone, therefore, you need to step back before this gets ugly.” Spider-Man threatened, making you laugh darkly, sending chills down his spine.

What was happening to you?

“I guess you don’t pay attention much do you?” You crossed your arms, looking at the masked figure in front of you, before motioning around you.

You were on the boating dock, people on the ground, shaking in fear, unsure of what you would do.

Spider-Man took a look around, his eyes widening on the mask, it was the dock where he cut the boat in half, guilt instantly hitting him, and you knew it did.

“P-Please don’t h-hurt us..” One of the hostages choked out, making your heart break the slightest bit, before you went back to your alter ego.

“This needs to end, now.” Spider-Man growled out, he knew exactly what you were up to now, the dock, the people, everything clicked.

You were using his own fear against him.

“Everyone get out of here now!” Spider-Man shouted as he shot a web at you, but you dodged it swiftly, as everyone started running, getting out of there as quick as they could.

“Did you really think this would work? Huh!” Spider-Man shouted, clearly angry, making you grin through your mask.

“Didn’t it?” You shot back, making him freeze for a moment, which you took as your opportunity to attack him.

You caught him off guard, hitting him in the stomach and face, as he groaned in pain, holding his stomach.

“This can either go two ways..” He groaned out, webbing your arm and yanking you down to the ground.

“Either we fight until one of us can’t anymore, or we settle this the way we should of months ago.” Spider-Man shouted through his mask, and for a moment you wanted to take the second option, but you held a grudge, and you weren’t giving up that easy.

You stood back up, a few feet away from him, before charging at him, he shot webs at you, some hitting you and some not, and you made sure to hit him a few times before he hit you back, knocking you to the ground.

“Please, d-don’t do this..” He groaned out, as you slowly stood back up, you knew you were going to be severely bruised in the morning.

“Don’t you get it!” You shouted, ripping your mask off, revealing cuts and bruises already forming, as your eyes started watering.

“I want to forgive you so bad.” You choked out, a tear slipping down your cheek, as you watched him slowly slip his mask off also.

“Then why don’t you?” He pressed on, watching you sadly, he hadn’t seen you this vulnerable since that day in the cafeteria where he humiliated you in front of everyone.

“Because you broke my heart Peter.” You whispered, tears now falling down your cheeks, your lip trembling.

Peter stood there shocked, were you implying you liked him? Or more so, loved him?

“Y/N.. I didn’t.. I-I didn’t know..” Peter stammered, trying to find the right words as you laughed bitterly.

“Maybe once you cared about me, but after you shut me out, all of that went to hell, I was alone Peter, I had nobody.” You looked at him angrily, more tears falling down your face.

“I-I told you, I-I thought I was p-protecting you!” Peter tried to defend himself, stepping forward slightly, but you stepped back, raising a finger at him.

“No, Peter,” You took a deep breath, “You chose that day what you wanted, and it was clear, you didn’t want me.” You gave a sad smile, shrugging your shoulders as Peter shook his head frantically.

“No, Y/N, that’s not true at all!” He shouted, running his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth.

“How am I supposed to believe you Peter?” You choked out, watching the brunette haired boy in front of you.

“Because, if you give me another chance, I can prove it to you, I-I can be a better person, your person.” Peter’s spoke softly, his own eyes starting to tear up as he observed you carefully, his heart beating so hard you could hear it.

“Promise me.” You whispered, shutting your eyes tightly, and for a second you heard nothing, until he breathed out the words you’ve wanted to hear.

“I promise Y/N.” Peter whispered back, and for a moment the old you was back, and Peter recognized his best friend again.

But then a loud sound filled the air, something, or someone flew through the air, shooting into a building, making it catch on fire.

You flinched, watching in horror as the building started to become more and more dangerous.

“Peter.” You whispered, looking at him wide eyed, you were right in the path for the building.

His eyes widened, realizing what was going to happen, you stood there, your body trembling in fear, you screamed at your legs to move, but they didn’t.

And then it happened, a loud explosion erupted, echoing throughout the dark sky.

Peter started sprinting to you, the sound of the building falling getting louder, metal and dust starting to cloud the air.

“Y/N!” Peter shouted, his eyes searching frantically for you, his legs burning from running so hard.

You tried to run, the best you could, before making eye contact with Peter, your eyes filled with fear, as was Peter’s.

“Peter!” You screamed, as he ran to you, pushing everything he had left in him to get to you, he had to get to you.

The air was getting worse, and before he knew it, the building fell completely, and so did his heart.

His eyes searched for you, his mind moving at warp speed, this couldn’t happen, not now, not after everything that’s happened.

And then there was silence, Peter’s heart breaking at the scene, he was too late.

That night in Queens, it was as if time stopped, and all that was heard was Spider-Man’s strangled sobs and screams.

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