#i forgot what i tagged all the other ones as oops too sleepy

[jimmyjrsmusoems]

GAC pack - Texting? (I could imagine their group text being a little nuts 😭)

look at me!!!! i posted!!!!!

babs. thank you for this request. i feel like i grew so much as a writer from this. when i got it i was like "pshhh texting will be easy" i was so wrong!!!! this originally started out as like a 6k word gene & alex & zeke adventure and i hated it. i COULD NOT make it work. i was feeling so discouraged and i considered not doing it at all and then i was like. nobody is holding me at gunpoint to write it like this. and then i changed it and now i love it so much!!! so lesson learned i can stop writing something a certain way even if i love the idea (and i will definitely be recycling the original premise for something else)! okay i am running on like 45 minutes of sleep and a dr. pepper so that is all i will say ily byeeeeee

[honyakuninakunaru]

Support Found Amidst The Sky // Murr SSR Card Story

CHAPTER 1

Akira: "...My, it's already this late. I still haven't adapted to the way things are here, have I? A day goes by in the blink of an eye! I faced a lot of things today too. It's kind of a fresh experience though. The wizards are all very unique, but I've come to love them because of that, and I want to become dear friends with all of them."

???: "Knock-knock!"

Akira: "Hm?"

Akira: ("Is that supposed to be...the sound of knocking? They're vocalizing it though...")

Akira: "Is someone there?"

(Creak)

Murr: "Good evening, Master Sage!"

Akira: "Murr? What's up?"

Murr: "With me? A lot! Something's always up with me!"

Akira: "That's not what I meant... Let me rephrase that. Did something troublesome happen to you?"

Murr: "Mhm! Just now, Shylock and I were playing tag!"

Akira: "Tag?"

Murr: "Yep! He might find me soon, so will ya let me hide here for a while? Or would you rather join us instead? Wanna run from Shylock together?"

Akira: ("Now's my chance to get closer with Murr... But it's so late...")

Akira: "...Yawn."

Murr: "Oh?"

Akira: ("Oops...")

Murr: "That was a bi~g yawn just now! Are ya feelin' sleepy?"

Akira: "S-sorry. I was actually about to go to bed..."

Murr: "You're gonna sleep even if the moon is so pretty tonight? What a waste~ If I were you I'd stay up until the sun rises, y'know?"

Akira: "Until sunrise...? You sure are passionate, Murr..."

Murr: "Ahaha! Your eyelids are looking kinda heavy. If today won't do, then we're gonna play next time, when your eyes are properly open!"

(Footsteps)

Shylock: "Just when I was wondering where you could've gone."

Akira: "Shylock?"

Murr: "Shoot! He found me!"

Shylock: "Pardon the interruption, Master Sage. I will be retrieving this straggling cat, so please rest assured."

Murr: "Bye-bye, Master Sage! See ya tomorrow!"

────────────

(The next day) (Courtyard)

Akira: ("...Morning already? It's always so bright in this room...")

Murr: "Morning, Master Sage!"

Rutile: "Good morning!"

Akira: “Whoa! 

Akira: ("W-why are these two the first thing I see...and so up close!? Moreover, where...")

Murr: "You finally woke up!"

Akira: "G-good morning. Um...Why am I in the courtyard...?"

Murr: "I told ya we were gonna play today, yeah? That's why I carried ya over while you were asleep!"

CHAPTER 2

Akira: "Did Murr invite you too, Rutile...?"

Rutile: "Yes. This morning, Murr came up to me and asked me if I wanted to play with you two."

Murr: "He taught me a game from the Southern Country!"

Akira: "A game from the South?"

Murr: "Yup! I'm gathering games from different countries and studying their regional differences! The games from every country should differ at least a little, right? Just like the taste of fruits and songs alter depending on the area. Or they might be all the same!"

Akira: "I see...! What kind of games are common in the South, Rutile?"

Rutile: "Well, games for wizards tend to be a bit extreme in general."

Akira: ("Extreme!?")

Murr: "Ahaha! Master Sage, excitement is written all over your face! Will ya join us?"

Akira: "I'll try to keep up...!"

Akira: ("I'm getting the same feeling right before a ride on a roller coaster at an amusement park...")

Rutile: "There's this game from my childhood that I really liked... First, you draw several circles on the ground. Then, you jump through each one, and whoever runs through all of them and reaches the end, wins."

Murr: "And if ya lose?"

Rutile: "There's a punishment game!"

Akira: ("Huh, that sounds very similar to hopscotch.")

Akira: "There's a game just like this in my world, too."

Rutile: "Is that so? Then you should know how to play!"

Murr: "Hey, don'tcha think it will be more fun if we do it like this? <Eanul Lambru>!"

Akira: "Whoa...!"

Akira: ("The circles started floating...!")

Murr: "It's boring if you can only run on land!"

Akira: ("Mid-air hopscotch... Now that's pretty extreme!")

────────────

(Whoosh)

Rutile: "...All clear!"

(Whoosh)

Murr: "Ta-dah! I'm done, too!"

Akira: ("Wow, these two ran past me with such ease...")

Murr: "You're next, Master Sage!"

Akira: "A-alright!"

Akira: ("I've ridden on a broom before, but this is a bit too high... Just gotta make sure not to look down!")

Akira: "Here we go! ...Whoa!"

Akira: ("The difference in size and height of the circles makes it difficult to jump from one to another...!")

Akira: "And another one! ...A?"

Akira: ("Shit...! I'm falling!")

Murr: "<Eanul Lambru>!"

Rutile: "<Ortonik Setomaoje>! A-are you alright?"

Murr: "Your eyes are all wide!"

Akira: "...Pff...Ahaha!"

Rutile: "Master Sage?"

Akira: "I'm sorry. I ended up laughing at how scared I got just now."

Murr: "Did ya have fun?"

Akira: "Yeah, lots! Thank you for inviting me."

Murr: "There's another game in line, the fun's just starting!"

Rutile: "Another game?"

Murr: "Yep, yep! It’s the loser's punishment game!"

CHAPTER 3

Akira: "...Is this really a punishment game?"

Murr: "It is! You gotta take a stroll around the sky on my broom!"

Rutile: "I'm very happy to fly side by side with you, Master Sage."

Akira: ("...I was prepared for something more intense, but this will do.")

Murr: "Look! Over there! A flock of migrating birds!"

(Flap-flap)

Rutile: "Ah, you're right. I wonder where are they headed."

Murr: "We're gonna find out if we follow em! Let's go!"

Rutile: "While we're at it, how about we make it a race, Mister Murr? Let’s see who will catch up to the flock first."

Murr: "Sounds good! We're starting right now!"

Rutile: "Okay!"

Akira: "Wait─!"

(Whoosh)

Akira: ("T-the pace picked up all of a sudden!")

Rutile: "As expected of Mister Murr! But I won't lose─!"

Murr: "Ahaha! Faster, faster!"

Akira: ("Too fast, too fast...! How many kilometres per hour are we hitting?")

Murr: "Closing your eyes is a no-go, Master Sage! It's too early to be sleeping!"

Akira: ("Ah, he got me... No can do. I'll open them just a little...")

Akira: ("Whoa! Such a beautiful sunset...!")

Rutile: "Pretty, isn't it. It's as if the sky was set ablaze."

Akira: "Yeah... The whole city is bathed in orange hues, and it feels like you can touch the sun!"

Akira: ("So that's what a sunset looks like from the sky...")

Murr: "This is miles different from when you first rode on my broom, right, Master Sage? This time, we're having fun!"

Akira: ("He's right... Everything was a bit scary at the beginning. But now, I have trust in Murr and everyone else, because we are friends.")

Murr: "Hey, Master Sage?"

Akira: "Yes?"

Murr: "...Are you glad that you became friends with us?"

Akira: "Murr..."

Akira: ("Did he invite me because he noticed I wanted to become closer with everyone...?")

Rutile: "Come and hop on my broom next time, Master Sage!"

Akira: "Yes, by all means!"

Murr: "Let's see, who can I get to teach me new games tomorrow?"

Rutile: "Oh, how about the Northern Wizards? You might discover some interesting ones if you do!"

Murr: "I will! Sounds like fun!"

Akira: ("G-games of the North... Now those might be extreme...")

Murr: "Were ya nervous, back then, Master Sage? Or were ya excited?"

Akira: "Umm... Both, maybe?"

Murr: "Ahaha! That's the bestest feeling in the world!"

Anticipation and uneasiness link hands and dance wildly in my chest. I have a feeling that my days will continue with this everlasting touch of excitement.

No, I'm sure there will be more unusual affairs and wonderful events in the future. This feeling firmly settled within me, as I basked in the setting sun.

Relevant Conditions // Card Episode Story

(Murr's Room)

Akira: "Murr, what would you say is the best way to get along with you?"

Murr: "Do ya wanna be buddies, Master Sage?"

Akira: "Mhm. That's why I'd like to know if there's anything I can do..."

Murr: "I see. Then, I'll tell you!"

Akira: "I’m all ears!"

Murr: "The first thing you can do to get along with me, is play games! Games with me will get you super-duper excited! The more excited you are, the more we'll get along!"

Akira: "I see... Anything else?"

Murr: "You gotta know interesting stuff that I don't know of! If you have any stories about foreign games or strange creatures, I'd love to listen! Your world sounds like it's lots of fun!"

Akira: "Does that make you 'super-duper excited' as well?"

Murr: "You got it! I love that feeling!"

Akira: "Thank you, Murr, I'll keep that in mind."

Murr: "Ah! I forgot a real important thing!"

Akira: "Important?"

Murr: "Don't go imitating others! The way you are right now is best! That's the best way to become my friend. Don't forget that, Master Sage."

[sleepless-in-starbucks]

Losleep idea: the real reason logan wants thomas to have a good sleeping schedule is so he can have more cuddle time with remy

DO I SMELL A MINIFIC

“Thomas, please, you have to go to bed.”

Thomas didn’t turn his gaze from the tv screen as he answered Logan, “One more episode.”

“You’ve seen these all before!” Logan said incredulously, close to begging. His host was wrapped up in several blankets, watching the screen like he was a slave to it, the artificial light the only thing lighting up the otherwise pitch black room.

“But... just one more.” Thomas repeated, turning now from the screen only to attempt to use his puppy-eyes on Logan. If Logan wasn’t so certain Patton had already retired for the evening (or at this point- one am- in the morning), he would have said that was the moral side shining through.

But it was just Thomas. At this point, all the sides were asleep, even Virgil, who had been lulled out of his normally anxious state by the mindless watching of television. Only Logan was up, and as Thomas’s processing center, he would be up until Thomas finally went to bed.

Which seemed to be a battle he was never going to win at this rate.

“The puppy eyes will not work on me, Thomas.” Logan berated, eliciting a pouty frown from his host instead. Logan sighed. “Thomas, if you do not go to bed soon, you will not go to sleep at all tonight, and if you get no sleep you will be completely unprepared for the day tomorrow- or techincally today, now- and if you are unprepared for tomorrow you will get little to nothing done, and if-”

“Alright, alright, I get it.” Thomas said, one hand emerging from the blanket pile to wave off Logan. “I’ll go to bed now.”

“And you mean it this time?” Logan asked with a huff. “Unlike the last two times you said that?”

“...”

“Thomas.”

“Alright, yes I mean it!”

Logan sighed again, this one gratefully. “Thank you.” He said before sinking out, the sounds of Thomas turning off the tv assuring him he truly honestly meant it this time.

Down in the Commons, Logan flopped onto the couch, sighing and rubbing his temples. It had been a long day, and this two hour fight with his host to simply rest had not helped.

Logan was vaguely aware of Thomas’s continued nighttime routine, of him wetting his toothbrush and then putting it away again as if that actually made his teeth brushed, him kicking off his jeans and getting no further into his pajamas before he just fell on top of his bed, asleep in seconds, but the majority of Logan’s attention was focused on his headache. How did he even have a headache? He was a figment of someone else’s imagination, and it wasn’t like his host currently had a headache. So how did he?!

Something heavy fell on top of his shoulders, and before Logan could properly react he recognized the weight as the majority of someone's upper chest, arms wrapping loosely around his shoulders and smelling of espresso.

“Heya babes.” A voice drawled next to his ear. “Miss me?”

Logan relaxed into Remy’s grip immediately, letting out a breath that felt like it carried all of his tension out of him as well. “So, so much.” He admitted, too tired to be stoic or unattached. “Our host is a fool. I thought I wouldn’t see you until tomorrow night- or, by now, tonight.”

Remy chuckled as he briefly let go of Logan, the logical side missing his boyfriend’s warmth for only a moment before the other had slid over the couch and was once more pressing Logan against his chest. The angle was better this time for Logan to fully melt into him, leaning completely into Remy and cramming his face into Remy’s neck. “I was worried ‘bout that too, hun. Don’t tell anyone, though, kay? I have a reputation to maintain.”

“Mmhmmm.” Logan hummed into Remy’s neck. He moved his arms so they wrapped around Remy’s waist, pulling them even closer together. Remy just chuckled again, moving one of his hands to gently scratch Logan’s head, only causing Logan to press himself closer against the sleep function.

“Tired?” Logan hummed in agreement. “We should probably move them don’t you think, sweetheart? The couch isn’t the best place to fall asleep.”

“Don’t wanna move.” Logan mumbled, dignity slipping away with his quickly fading consciousness. Now that Thomas was asleep his processing center had no need to be awake, and Logan didn’t have the resolve to fight the natural urge to sleep in time with his host.

Remy shifted so that he was holding Logan a little bit away from him, his sunglasses not currently in the way of the soft adoration he was watching sleepy Logan with. In response, Logan tugged at him again, trying to bring him closer to him once more, trying to pull him back into the hug.

Softly, Remy pressed a kiss against Logan’s forehead before gently picking him up, letting Logan shift easily and curl into his chest as he carried him down the hall to Logan’s room (Remy didn’t techincally have one, as a simple function, but that was alright. It just meant he and Logan didn’t have to pick which room to sleep in).

He climbed into what was really their bed, not just Logan’s, not letting Logan go for a moment as he settled them down, barely wasting a second of thought before they were both in fuzzy pjs. He wrapped around his geeky boyfriend, happily pulling him once more against his chest.

For his part, Logan was equally happy to curl up once more against Remy, quickly drifting away enveloped in the comfortable, coffee-smelling warmth of sleepy, but never tired, love.

Almost forgot losleep tags oops: @blinksinbewilderment (for the morning) @sign-from-god-complex and @enderbird 

[cali-holland]

The Trouble With Hickeys- Tom Holland One Shot

Pairing: Tom Holland X Gyllenhaal!Reader

Requested by anon: hi !! is it possible if you can write a tom x gyllenhaal!reader. it’s a fun & interesting topic i’ve come across but no writing haha thanks so much !!

Prompt: It was only supposed to be for one night, but you found yourself continuously waking up on Tom’s chest in the morning… You only hope your father doesn’t catch on.

Word Count: 1100

Based On: Fallin’ All In You by Shawn Mendes

Tag List:  @gray-rose13   @cutefluffy89  @ria132love   @peterparkyourassonme​

Masterlist   Tom Holland Masterlist

*Gif is not mine*

~~~

“Tom, why is it so bright?” You mumbled, snuggling your head into his bare chest, trying to protect your sleepy eyes from the sunrise.

“Sorry, love, I forgot to close the blinds.” He let out a small laugh, which vibrated through to you.

“How early am I awake for this?” You asked, not daring to open your eyes.

“It’s eight.” Tom said, running his fingers up and down your spine.

“I have to go, don’t I?”

“You could stay.” He stated as you pulled yourself off his chest. You looked down at him and smiled, running a hand through his messy hair.

“We both know I can’t.” You leaned down and kissed him gently. Tom rolled you two over so that he was on top of you, and he pinned you down with his arms. You groaned with a laugh, “Tom.”

“You can’t leave if I force you to stay here.” He smirked, leaning down to pepper your neck with kisses.

“I have to go before my dad comes looking for me.” You said. You laughed as he groaned against your collarbone before he started to bite down, being sure to leave a mark. “My dad is going to kill me.”

“You’re 22 years old, and we’re still hiding from your dad?” Tom asked, looking down and admiring the new hickey you were now sporting.

“Now, I have to cover this up.” You sighed, playfully shoving him off of you. You got out of the bed and moved over to the hotel bathroom.

“I kinda like it.” Tom said from his spot on the bed. You rolled your eyes as you eyed the mark in the mirror.

“You’re getting one too.” You stated, walking back over to him.

“I’m not going to complain.” He teased. Sitting in his lap, you made sure to give him a matching hickey on his collarbone.

“Now we match.” You smirked, running your fingers over the hickey.

“Do you really have to go?” Tom pouted at you.

“Yes, we’ve been over this.” You said, giving him a quick kiss before climbing off of him. You changed into last night’s clothes and left with a swift goodbye. It’d been like this for two months now; you and Tom sneaking into each other’s trailers during the filming of Far From Home. You had both meant for it to happen only once, clearly you both failed.

The biggest problem you two faced was none other than your father, Jake Gyllenhaal.

~~~

“Good morning.” Your dad smiled at you as he sat in his chair, suited up as Mysterio.

“Morning.” You replied, casually adjusting your shirt to make sure that there was no chance of your hickey showing.

“How’d you sleep?” He asked innocently.

“As good as a trailer will let me sleep.” You teased. Before he could respond, he was cut off by Jon walking onto set with Tom trailing behind him in his new black suit.

“I just don’t understand why we can’t get that scene over with. It’s literally you taking your shirt off.” Jon said, looking over the filming schedule.

“Today’s not a good day for me to do shirtless scenes.” Tom replied, glancing over at you. You held back a laugh as you knew exactly why he couldn’t film that scene.

“What, did you get laid last night or something?” Your father joked. He let out a loud laugh as Tom’s face turned bright red.

“Really, Tom?” Jon sighed.

“We can just film it later, right?” Tom suggested, “I didn’t know it was going to be today.”

“Tom, next time, just don’t let her leave any marks.” He stated, “Okay, we’ll shoot the bar scene then.” Your dad got up to talk with Jon as an embarrassed Tom came over to you.

“Well, that was embarrassing.” Tom said and you laughed.

“Is one hickey really that bad?” You asked.

“Babe, you left so many marks all over my torso. I forgot about them until I changed.” It was your turn to blush.

“Oops?” You replied weakly.

“It’d be hot if Jon wasn’t mad at me for it.”

“So, I was thinking,” You started sweetly, “We should probably just come out and tell my dad about us.”

“Right after he mocks me for getting laid by you?” Tom raised his eyebrows at you.

“Okay, so maybe not tonight, but later then.”

“If that’s what you want, then I’m for it.”

“Tom, come on.” Jon called out to him, trying his best not to sound mildly irritated. Tom gave you a quick smile before leaving for the bar set.

~~~

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” You asked Tom as the two of you walked to your trailer.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be? It’s just Jake, right? He’s not that scary.” Tom replied, attempting to sound completely at ease with the situation at hand.

“Because in this instance, he’s my protective dad and not your funny co-star.” You stated.

“If he kills me, he kills me.” He said, taking your hand in his, “I’d rather appreciate not having to watch you leave every morning, though, so we should probably tell him.”

“I won’t have to sneak out early? What a concept.” You laughed, entering your trailer. Tom sat beside you in the small booth inside as the two of you waited for your dad to arrive. A few moments later, the door opened and in he walked.

“Tom? Wasn’t expecting you to be here. Is your back healed yet?” He said teasingly, sitting across from the two of you.

“About that.” You spoke up, turning his attention to you. “I’m kind of dating Tom.” You bit your lip anxiously as you felt Tom tense beside you.

“What- are you serious right now?” Your dad asked, raising his eyebrows and looking between you and Tom. His eyes landed on Tom, “So, Y/N, you’re the girl that left all of those hickeys- on Tom?”

“Yes.” You replied sheepishly. Your face turned red with embarrassment as you watched him process the information.

“Okay.” He paused, “That’s okay.”

“You’re not going to kill me or anything?” Tom clarified.

“Well, if you hurt my daughter, you bet your ass I will kill you, but, if she’s happy with you, then that’s fine.” He smiled over at you. You felt Tom’s body relax into the seat.

“Thank you, dad. We wanted to tell you before word got out.” You stated.

“I understand.” Your dad got up to leave the trailer. Standing in the doorway, he turned back to look at Tom. “You better not be leaving any marks on her, Holland.” He said in a threatening tone.

“Of course not.” Tom replied, nodding his head. Your dad left the trailer and your boyfriend turned to you.

“That went well.” You said.

“Except I do plan on giving you many more hickeys.” Tom smirked over at you, leaning in to give you a kiss.

“Maybe just lay off for now. We’ve already gotten in trouble once for them.” You teased.

[fics-not-tragedies]

In a Week: Chapter 7 🌲

I feel like a poser writing about walks in the woods when I wasn’t even in a stupid park since like summer. Somehow I forgot how it’s like to be in a place inhabited by the wild. Also I forgot how weeks work, Thursday was yesterday, oops.

Words:  2619; Warnings: none, but really, none; Summary: Andrew and Flo wander back into the woods to retrieve the missing pieces of clothing they’ve left by the creek last night.

Hozier tag list:

@letoursilencebreaktonight​​​​​​​​​​​​; @angelpeachamber​​​​​​​​​​​​; @sgt-morgan​​​​​​​​​​​​; @julessbrown​​​​​​​​​​​​;

Monday, 10:15am

“Are you sure you’re done with the coffee?” Flo teased as they stood from the breakfast table, nodding to his three empty cups as she tucked her chair in slightly. She was feeling full, content, more at ease than she prepared herself for today and when she looked at Andrew, his sleepy smile and scrunched up face, she reminded herself just how much fun she was having.

Fun.

She rolled the word around in her head for a while - it was like she already forgotten how it worked.

“I needed it, em, quite desperately this morning” he grumbled back, half smiling, still achy, pushing his glasses back on to cover his eyes as he stood, “…don’t be too judgy…”

“I’m not judging you” she laughed, her hair fanning over her shoulders as they shook, “Besides, I think I ate more than you ever did in that one breakfast sitting.”

“Quite impressive” he replied, like he really meant it.

Andrew thought about pressing his hand against the small of her back to guide her out of the restaurant, anything to touch her again, but she was already ahead of him, her strides nearly twice the speed of his. Then, sensing his sluggishness, she turned her head to look over her shoulder, indicating for him to hurry up with a wiggle of her finger. He huffed. At her side again, he raised his eyebrows from under his glasses, as they thanked waiters and shuffled out of the restaurant, passing the bar and back out into the lobby.

Andrew had been relatively calm until this point. It was only when she turned to him with an expectant look on her face that he realized he didn’t actually have a plan. He’d spent an hour or two last night before he could fall asleep, alcohol keeping him awake, trying to put together the perfect week for Flo - the complete stranger who he had somehow come to know more deeply than logically possible. This week was about her, everything was suddenly about her and his original intention of resting and taking some time alone had been thrown out the window.

But now she was waiting for his green light, the curious tone of her expression making him nervous. She demanded so much from him, without actually asking for anything. He had ideas, parts of the days sculpted out roughly in his head, but they weren’t perfect yet. Andrew decided to buy himself some time, give her the option to pick something first, whatever she wanted.

“So, em, what’s on the agenda today, love? What do you want to do?”

“Do I have to plan everything today?” Flo replied, pulling her jumper sleeves to her palms and crossing her arms with indecisiveness, “You promised me a wonderful week, remember?”

“I’ve got few things planned for, em, later but you gotta pick first. Your move.”

Flo thought hard for a moment and Andrew laughed when he saw the idea strike her, her expression too obviously plastered on her face. He loved how easy she was to read, how he could tell that she cared when she said she didn’t, how he knew when she was hungry or thirsty or when she was feeling insecure.

“Okay, fine” without further explanation, she grabbed his arm to drag him down one of the corridors feathering off from the lobby, down to the back patio, her march determined now that she just settled on an idea.

“Wait, em, where we going?” Andrew chuckled, his free hand quickly scooping back the hair that had come loose in the movement.

“The woods” she announced, the suggestion from earlier at breakfast too good to resist. So what if she had to resist Andrew again? She could do it. Right? Right?

“Oh-” Andrew drawled, “then I think we’ll need something to, em, distract those wild animals, I don’t think they’d, em, be scared of your underwear.”

Monday, 10:25am

She bit her lip when he again kept moving in silence, a few steps ahead of her as always when he took the lead, navigating through the woods like he spend here his entire life in here. Flo shook her head as he turned another left and ran a hand through his hair which was falling into his face. The woods looked much different in day time.

They were passing by the branches she saw last night and they look quite familiar or it was just a false impression, because to her all of the trees really looked the same. Andrew pushed apart the thick bushes, just like he did last night and she silently followed him, watching him push them further apart and she moved onto the patch of green grass covered in small flowers walking carefully, passing under his long arms quickly and stopping at the tiny meadow by the creek.

All of the clothes they’ve left there were still laying under the small bush close to the creek. They were still damp, from the rain that were pouring in the night, but they were still in the exact spot they were laid and there wasn’t any sign of animals tracks near them.

“Looks like you were right” Flo said, picking up her underwear and pushing it deep into the back pocket of her jeans, “boars doesn’t fancy lace lingerie.”

Andrew couldn’t help, but laughed a little, wrinkles appearing at the top of his nose.

Monday, 10:35am

He picked up his flannel shirt and tied it around his waist, tucking the sleeves into his pockets, so they wouldn’t disturb his movements. Fixing the sunglasses back onto his face he sat down onto the grass right by the shrub and inhaled the fresh air deeply.

“Don’t you ever think about smoking in here” Flo scolded him before he even had the chance to think about the pack of cigarettes that longed in his pocket.

“I’m not…” he mumbled, turning his head to look at her. She was kneeling by the tranquil water, her hand dipped into it, stirring the surface. The water was cold, but it was the pleasant kind of cold, the one you yearn for in the hot summer.

Flo tilted her head just to have a better look at Andrew, the smug smile on his lips never disappeared whenever she was close to her. There was something in that woman that captivated him fully. He felt like she owned his soul, even though he knew her only for one day now.

“You really seem like the man of the woods” she giggled a little, playing with the water again, feeling how it cools her fingers.

“I just simply like being here” he ran his hand through the grass, feeling the damp soil under his palm that didn’t had the chance to become dry in the harsh summer sun, “I like, em, the sounds of the forest, the birds sing so beautifully…”

“Probably not as beautifully as you do” she was smiling widely at him, brushing the strands of her fair hair from her face, while her other hand was still playing with the creek’s water.

“The birds are much more beautiful in every field.”

“No, you’re just too humble, Andrew…”

Monday, 10:40am

A wild creature roared from the opposite side of the creek, striding towards them. It was a boar, a huge one, streaks of dark fur well visible on its both sides. It roared at them again and they both quickly stood up, Andrew arm extended towards her and she gently grabbed his large hand, her fingers entwined with his somehow like Flo always did it, the gesture automatic.

He pulled her closer as they started to back off slowly, trying not to annoy the boar even more.

“Just… be calm” Andrew mumbled, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

“It’s just a boar, it can’t eat us!” She raised her voice a little and the boar roared at them even louder, moving towards them.

“You ever climbed a tree?” He pulled her closer, his long arm languidly wrapping around her shoulders, like somehow he tried to shield her with his own body from the dangerous creature.

“No, never…”

“Then it’ll be your first time” Andrew quickly turned around, pushing Flo to the front with his arm and started to running through the forest with her pressed firmly to his side, “come one, love, let’s climb that one!” his long finger pointed to one tree that was few meters away from them and they ran to it as fast as they can.

Monday, 10:45am

“I think we’ll have to, em, spend few moments up in here” Andrew said, looking down at the boar family that was looking for a full course meal in the ground right below the tree they were both sat on.

“At least we have our clothes back” Flo held onto the thick branch she was seated on, trying not to fall onto the ground right between the boars.

“I can tell you’ve never climbed a tree before” he chuckled a little, seeing how she clutched with her whole body to the mossy trunk of the tall tree they both climbed for safety.

“And I’ve never run through a forest desperately trying to escape a really annoyed boar” she added, looking up at him. He was few branches above her, sitting on a particularly wide one with such ease, looking like he was comfortably hurdled up in a leather arm chair rather than on a really big piece of a still living wood. His curls looked absolutely stunning in the morning sun, the different shades of auburn and maroon visible only now, in the once-a-lifetime experience and she was living through it now. Those black-hued sunglasses were back on his nose, but it felt like somehow he was reading her mind, because when she thought how badly she wanted to see his muddy eyes he just simply took them off and stuffed them into the pocket of his flannel shirt.

“Come here” he stretched his long arm for her to hold onto and she carefully stood up, her body trembling and he held his hand like it was a lifebuoy. After she threw her underwear into the back pocket of her jeans, she took few small steps and looked up at him again, letting out a shaky breath, before she decided to move upwards, “Don’t worry, I got you, honey.”

His both arms were wrapped around her waist now, carefully helping her onto the branch he was sitting on. When she finally hopped onto the wood next to him she felt exhausted, sweat dripping down her back, her breath caught in her throat. Flo rested her forehead against his arm for a moment, but only for a brief one, every touch they exchanged was sending shivers all over her body and she was frightened she’d fall to the ground.

“You should teach people how to climb, really” she breathed, breaking the silence that fell between them like the thick morning fog.

“It comes naturally to me” he flashed her a wide smile and she was glad she still held his hand, because that damned smile would be the reason of her quite literal downfall.

“You sit here like the king of this forest… perhaps you really are a fae” she raised her eyebrow at him, receiving a small giggle as a response, his nose wrinkling as he tried not to laugh out loud.

“Those boars don’t look like they want to listen to me” he stretched out his long neck to look under the tree, only to see them digging in the ground closer to the trunk of the tree they were sitting on.

“If you’d use your charm on them I’m sure they’ll listen” Flo changed her position, trying to balance herself on the branch, clutching his arm tightly. The sleeves of his flannel were rolled up and she could feel his hot skin under her fingertips, dying inside just to caress it, just to touch him in more proper manner, feel more of his skin, “... maybe if you’d sing them a song they’ll go away, but since you’re like a Snow White it could summon more of them” she laughed a little, fixing her straw hair behind her ears and Andrew couldn’t help and joined her, the sound of their giggles filling the forest.

“If you’d like, I could, em, sing you something… if you want to, of course. I don’t have my guitar here with me, but, em, I can go acapella, just for you” he looked at her, tilting his head to the side, seeing how she tried to nest her on the branch, before she finally pressed her back against the trunk, legs hanging from both sides of the branch they were sat on.

“No man ever sang to me while sitting on the tree, so I think I’ll take that opportunity” she winked at him and it seemed like his face turned an even darker shade of pink, “Do you have any songs about woods, Andrew?” Flo asked and her question somehow felt like a challenge to him.

“I have a few of songs about woods, which one do you want?”

“Surprise me, Andy”

“Flo…” he breathed out, before clearing his throat and awkwardly pulling one leg up and onto the branch, then leaning closer to her.

She could feel the tension that grew between them with every minute they spend together. And she couldn’t deny the fact that there was something wondrous about the man that shared the branch with her. Somehow his eyes seemed like the perfect shade of green that reminded her of that kind of muddy bog water she’d like to drown herself, yet she never planned to become his version of Ophelia.

“My head was warm

My skin was soaked

I called your name 'til the fever broke

When I awoke

The moon still hung

The night so black

That the darkness hums”

His words, like the most precious poetry, leaving his mouth, the dulcet tone of his voice filling the air hypnotizing her somehow. It seemed like every time he sang Flo was catapulted to another realm, with him as the guide that showed her the wonders of other world.

“I raised myself

My legs were weak

I prayed my mind be good to me

An awful noise filled the air

I heard a scream

In the woods somewhere”

There was only his voice and the occasional chirping from birds that had nests above their heads. Andrew’s eyes were half closed, she noticed how his lower lip trembled slightly with the last word of every verse.

“A woman's voice

I quickly ran

Into the trees

With empty hands”

A fox it was

He shook afraid

I spoke no words, no sound he made”

The way he sang was much more than captivating. She could stay on that branch with him forever, listening to the peculiar, yet overly pleasant way, every letter rolled of his tongue and entwined with the sound of silence.

“What if I kissed you now, Andrew?” She mumbled under her breath, the thought slipping out of her mind and coming up onto the surface, her face in a quite appealing shade of crimson.

“What?” his eyes grew wider, the muddy greens staring right into hers.

“I think they’re gone…”

“Who?” He asked her, pulled back to Earth from his singing haze.

“The boars, Andrew” Flo said, before slowly moving down the tree.

“Oh-” he hoped she’d repeat herself, say that again, but louder, for him to hear properly, for him to answer that question, “yes, they’re gone now.”

Miss Florence, I’d feel honored to kiss you back.

[jamiebluewind]

A Flame In The Dark: Chapter 2

Fandom: Dimension 20, Fantasy High

Word Count: 3575

Perspective: Riz

Chapter 1 (sorry it wont format!): https://jamiebluewind.tumblr.com/post/189152152044/a-flame-in-the-dark-chapter-1

Notes: Hurt/Comfort. This chapter is much fluffier than the last, but still mind the tags! Special thanks to my beta readers @plutosfury and @winterpower98

Characters: Riz Gukgak, Fig Faeth, Adaine Abernant, Tracker O'Shaughnessey, Sandra Lynn Faeth, Cathilda Ceíli, Boggy the Froggy, and unnamed OC (implied Fabian, Kristen, Gorgug, and Ragh)

Chapter Warnings: cursing, violence mention, murder mention, abuse mention, healed injuries, child abuse mention, child neglect, recovering from starvation, dark themes, trauma, bugs as food (please message me if I missed any)

Summary: The group makes it back to camp, Riz still cradling their guest.

*****

Check out this awesome art inspired by Chapter 1!

https://jamiebluewind.tumblr.com/post/189168730249/winterpower98-drew-some-doodles-of-the-little

https://plutosfury.tumblr.com/post/189155204080/i-was-told-by-a-certain-someone-cough

*****

By the time they reached camp, Riz's arms were aching. He was never the strongest one in the group and the sleeping child in his arms had tested what little strength he did have. It wasn't a weight thing. She was actually very light (if he was honest, she probably weighed less than his briefcase). It was just a combination of things. Post battle fatigue. Hiking for a couple hours. Tired muscles holding something in an odd position. It was worth it though. She looked like she hadn't slept in a long time and needed a nap more than he needed arms that didn't hate him.

He had actually been planning on getting her some food out of his pack after she was healed. She would be hungry then and the food would be less likely to come back up. What he hadn't planned on was her dozing off in his arms. He wondered what had been going on in her little body that Fig's magic had targeted. Whatever it was, the relief she felt was enough to make her fall asleep so hard that she was dead to the world. It took both arms to carry her after that.

He shifted, leaning his body back so that more of her weight was on his chest, and held her awkwardly for a moment while he placed his now free hand on a nearby rock to help him sit down. Normally he would try to find something to sit on to keep from messing up his clothes, but he was tired and filthy and out of fucks. He let out a breath, his throbbing feet grateful for the relief. He shifted the child a bit to give his arms a break too. She didn't seem to mind... or even wiggle for that matter. Riz got a little chuckle out of it.

The others were off getting everything set up for the night. Tracker was preping the moon haven. The campfire crackled to life as they got out various supplies. Quiet chatter filled the air.

Adaine stood nearby, leaning against a tree. She was quiet, only occasionally adding to the chatter or shaking her head at their friends' antics. The spell she'd been working on for most of the hike was probably ready, but left uncast. Riz smiled. She was probably holding it until the child woke up. She had always been the braincell of the group. He wasn't sure why he was surprised.

Riz wasn't sure how long he had been lost in thought when the smell of food cooking hit him. He felt her twitch and looked down to see a little nose twitch, followed by sleepy eyes blinking open. There was a tiny jump as she took in her surroundings and her brain caught up with what was going on.

[Good morning], Riz said with a smile. She looked up at him with her eyes barely open and yawned. [You up for something to eat?]

Any hint that she was tired was gone in an instant. Her ears perked up and she looked at him with wide eyes. She looked so much like a puppy at meal time that Riz was surprised that she didn't start pawing at his shirt! [You can't have a lot at one time], he told her. Her brows lowered as she gave him an angry pout. [BUT, I'll make sure you get a lot of small meals to keep from overloading your stomach and you can have as much to drink as you want.] After a moment of deliberation, her faced relaxed. He supposed that was as close as he was gonna get to her agreeing with him.

Riz looked towards the campfire and the food cooking over it. It smelled good sure, but a little too heavy and vegetable filled for a goblin who's gone without food for a while. At least he knew how to get her what she needed.

"Hey Adaine," he called out. The elf looked away from the group and over towards Riz. "Could you come over here real quick?"

Adaine leaned up, wiping invisible dust off her legs before she made her way over towards the pair. She slowed as she approached, making eye contact with the child. Oops. He almost forgot. [This is 'Adaine'], Riz told the child. [I need her to come over here. Is that okay?]

The child looked at Adaine and then back at Riz. She watched Adaine as she carefully made her way over and sat down across from them. The child didn't seem to mind Adaine's presence. She looked more curious than anything. Riz wondered if it was a magical ability from Boggy or Adaine herself.

"I have a spell ready for her," Adaine said. She looked at the child as she spoke to Riz, her voice a steady calming tone. "I'll need to use it before I can do anything else. It will allow her to understand us, but only for an hour. I have to touch her for it to work."

Riz nodded and looked down. He rolled the words over in his brain, trying to figure out the best way to phrase it. ['Adaine' can... make you understand what everybody is saying for a little while if you let her touch you. It's kinda like what 'Fig' did, only 'Adaine' doesn't need music to make it work.]

The child was still a moment as she regarded Adaine. Then, she reached out a hand. Adaine slowly reached out, closing the distance. As she touched the small hand, her eyes shone with a blue light. It only lated a moment. The child examined her hand and looked back up at Adaine.

"Hello," Adaine said with a soft smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The child's eyes grew wide as she stared at Adaine. She blinked several times.

"My name is Adaine Abernant," she said to the child. Riz wanted to laugh at how formal she sounded. "I would like to be your friend, if you'll let me of course." The child only responded with more blinking.

"I want to try something," Adaine continued, "just to be sure that you can understand me. I don't want you to feel obligated to talk. You should feel comfortable around us. So all you have to do is nod," she said as she nodded, "or shake your head," she said, demonstrating. "A nod means yes. A head shake means no. Do you understand?" There was a pause followed by a single curt nod. There was a reason that Adaine was the braines of the party. "Fantastic," she said with a smile.

"Now," Adaine said, turning her attention towards Riz, "I understand that there was something you wanted to ask me?"

Riz had almost let it slip his mind. "We need to get some fluids in her," he said. "Some food too. Could you get her some of that electrolyte stuff for kids to start?"

Adaine nodded and reached in her pocket. She pulled out a plain water bottle filled with slightly thick liquid and handed it to the child. The child tilted her head and reached out, sticking her hand in Adaine's pocket only to jerk a bit and lean over farther, speading the pocket open to look inside. Adaine hid a laugh behind her hand.

"It's a magical jacket," Adaine told her. "I can pull things I want out of it... as long as they aren't too expensive." Adaine blinked and looked like she had an idea. "I'll pull out a few things for you if you let me get you cleaned up first."

The child considered for a moment and then nodded. Adaine cast prestidigatation. Riz was thankful that he was in range.

The child's hair seemed to expand as the weight of the mud was lifted.  Her tangle of curls were redish-orange at the base, but transitioned into a pale orange at the end. It was like she was suddenly haloed by a mass of warm flame.

The color of her skin was also a surprise. Before, she had reminded him of a caramel latte, but underneath the dirt and grime was something closer to butterscotch. It was a warm yellow-orange that complemented her bright hair.

The child held up a hand to examine her clean skin. Riz cursed himself for being too perceptive. Without the dirt in the way, he could see scars litterered across her skin. Some were faded and small. Others looked like they must have been deep when they were fresh. He felt the rage trying to bubble up in him again as he silently wished that he had taken his time killing that bastard. Breathe in. And out. Just be grateful he's dead now. And in hell. Definitely in hell... where Bill Seacaster is. Huh. Maybe Fabian's dad would be willing to double murder him? The thought helped him relax a little.

"Much better," Adaine said with a nod. "I'll get you some better clothes after you've had something to eat. Oh Riz?" she asked.

"Hum?" Riz answered, still a bit lost in thought.

"What would be safe for her to eat?" Adaine asked. "I'm honestly unfamiliar with goblin dietary needs and you always seem willing to eat anything, so I'm at a bit of a loss."

Riz thought back to all the times he was sick as a kid. What food his mom would fix. What to avoid. "Probably meat with no salt and not a lot of fat," he said. "Chicken. Ham. That kind of thing. Maybe some rice... oh!" he said and then blushed. This was gonna be a little embarrassing to explain. "A lot of goblin moms make this dish when their kids get sick. It's... kinda like a rice ball?" He screwed his face. "No. Not exactly. But similar enough I guess. It is a ball of rice. Sometimes the rice is mixed with cricket flour, but not always. They also have this... bug filling. Like a puree of earthworms, crickets, meal worms... it's easy on our stomachs and has a lot of protein. Plants too, but they have already been broken down, so they wont bother us when we have a sick stomach. We... call them bug balls."

Riz stopped and looked up at Adaine. He expected to see her wrinkling her nose as most people do, but she looked more curious than anything. She thought for a moment before reaching her hand in her pocket and pulled out what looked to be three bug balls. She looked over at the child, about to say something when a little hand bolted out and grabbed one. It was gone in a flash. "I was going to say that maybe Riz should test these first," she said, covering up the remaining two to avoid them being snatched up as well, "but I guess you made that decision for me." She shook her head, unable to hide her smile. "Riz?" she asked, holding out one of the remaining balls, "Would you mind?"

Riz took the bug ball and bit down. It was hard not to inhale his food like he normally did, but he needed to make sure they were made right. "Not bad," he said as he ate the rest in a blink of an eye. "Maybe a little less salt? At least until she's feeling better." He looked down at the kid eyeing the remaining ball. "You can have the other one later," he told her. She pouted. "We gotta make sure your stomach handles the first one okay." He picked up the sports bottle and handed it to her, "For now, have some of this."

She looked at the bottle and tilted her head. Riz fought the urge to facepalm when he realized she wouldn't know what to do with it. "Like this," Riz said as he pulled a drink from the bottle and then handed it to her. She examined the bottle, took a drink,... and then made a terrible face, shaking her head at the bottle.

Adaine laughed. "I don't believe she's used to sweets," she said, pulling another water bottle out of her pocket. "This one," she said, pointing to the new bottle, "is just plain water. I'll refill it as much as you like, but I would also like you to finish the other bottle... if you can."

The child hesitantly took the new bottle and took a sip before nearly sucking it dry, squeezing the bottle to make the water come out faster. Adaine pulled a large container of water out of her pocket and refilled the bottle before handing it back to her.

"Could I share some tea with her later?" Adaine asked. Amber eyes looked at her, waiting on an explanation. "Oh! Hum..." she said, pausing to think. "Tea is like... well... you take hot water and mix special flowers or leaves with it to make it taste different." The child's brows furrowed at this. "It can also do stuff like... help you sleep or keep you awake. It depends on the flower or leaf." A nod followed.

"I don't see why not," Riz answered. "Just... maybe avoid the sugar."

A cheeky grin spread across Adaine's face. "I was planning on her actually drinking it, Riz," she said with a smirk.

The child handed Adaine the empty water bottle. She refilled it again and handed it back. The child put it back to her mouth and lazily sucked at the bottle, her desperation mostly gone.

Adaine looked at the child, studying something for a few moments before reaching into her coat. She pulled out a handfull of solid colored cloth and held it up for inspection. It was a simple sleeveless sundress. Instead of the fiery color Riz was expecting it to be, the dress was closer to a cornflower blue mixed with a splash of green. It looked soft, contrasting the rough burlap tunic she was currently wearing. The bottom hung losely, reminding Riz of a flower petal. There was a decent sized half moon pocket in the center of the chest, stitching dividing it into two smaller sections.

"Well?" Adaine asked, looking from the dress to the child. "What do you think?" Adaine was met with wide eyes and an enthusiastic nod. "Well then, let's get you out of those rags and into something fancy!"

The child stood up and took off her borrowed hat, placing it gently on Riz's lap. She grabbed the bottom of her tunic and Riz barely had time to look away before she pulled it off.

He realized then that the others had been watching the three of them as the group of teens made little sounds of surprise before turning their heads, save Fig who just said "huh." which he found a little weird. The adults mostly seemed to get a laugh out of it.

There was a beat of silence. "Oh..." Adaine said. "Hum, well. Oh Riz?" Adaine sounded nervous. "Do um... do goblins normally have tails?"

"Um... no?" Riz answered, a little confused. "I mean, it's a recessive trait. It CAN happen, but it's kinda rare. It's usually just a nub though. Why?" Riz asked. "Does she have one?"

"Yes..." Adaine answered, trailing off. "It's a very nice tail," she said sweetly, probably to the child. "Arms up please!"

"Dude," Fig said. She had moved closer and seemed to be staring at the child. "It aint a nub. It's long enough for her to wear it like a belt!" Riz's eyes went wide. I mean, sure it was possible. There were a few tribes scattered about that had them. He had just never seen one in person.

"Dude... you look so cool!" Fig said enthusiastically. "I hope if I ever grow a tail, it looks as cool as yours. You should leave it out. Show it off."

"Is it safe for me to look now?" Riz asked, still facing away.

"Oh!" Adaine answered. "Sorry Riz. Yes. You can look now."

Riz turned around and looked at the child. The dress fit her well, the bottom hanging lose and moving as she twisted softly side to side. Her hands were stuffed in pockets hidden in the folds of the dress, her shoulders hunched forward. The dress hung past her knees. A slinder tail hung down past the end of the dress, curling up to avoid the ground. The tail twitched slightly, maybe from anxiety over having it exposed, maybe just because of nerves in general. Riz tried not to imagine why she would feel the need to hide it under her clothes. He failed.

"You look great!" Riz said with a bit too much enthusiasm. "I like all the pockets. And it looks soft." She smiled just a crack and nodded as she continued to sway and watch the dress move.

"It cool," Fig said, tapping her chin, "but it could be cooler." She pulled out her bag and started digging for... something. Amber eyes watched her as she pulled out random jewelry, shaking her head and muttering to herself as she went. "Ah ha!" she said as she came up triumphant. She held up a necklace with a long dark chain. Hanging below it was an orange teardrop pendant, sparkling in the light. "Bought this back on Leviathan," she stated as she looked towards the child. "It was practically MADE for you. You want?"

The child paused before responding with an enthusiastic nod. Fig walked over and crouched down before handing over the necklace. The child held it up, examining the stone. Fig stayed crouched as she looked, waiting until amber eyes met hers. "You're supposed to wear it," Fig said pointing at the necklace. She was answered with a curious gaze as the child's head tilted to the side.

"Here," Fig said "I'll show you." She took the necklace from tiny hands and put it over the child's head. Despite the long chain, it couldn't get past her massive tangle of hair. It just sat there on top of her curls like a hair accessory. "Holy shit you have a lot of hair!" Fig said with a laugh. She reached out and tossled it a bit with her fingers. The child didn't seem to mind.

"Well," Fig said, patting her thigh, "that didn't work. Let me just..." Fig trailed off as she undid the clasp and put the chain around the child's neck before fastening it back together. "There we go!" she said, once again triumphant. "Looks great on ya kid."

Fig wasn't lying. The fiery stone suited her. She also seemed to love the way the light shined through it and the smooth texture.

While watching her, he caught Adaine fumbling for something out if the corner of his eye. He looked over just in time to see her pull out a large sunhat. "I noticed that the light seems to bother your eyes," she said. "Would this help?"

Tiny hands took the hat and examined it before nodding and placing it on her head. The hair inside the hat squished down to fit, making the hair outside the hat stick out. She adjusted the rim a bit and sighed happily. She nodded at Adaine again. Adaine smiled back.

"Would you like to meet Boggy?" Adaine asked. The child tilted her head. Adaine took out her frog and placed him in the child's lap. He let out a soft ribbit.

"No no no no no..." Riz yelped as he jumped up to place his hand between Boggy and the child's open mouth. "Boggy is not food," Riz clarified. He tried to ignore Adaine's eyes going wide over her pet nearly becoming someone's dinner. "He's a pet." She tilted her head. "Oh, um..." he took a moment to try and think of a way to explain. "A pet is... an animal that you... love? Love. Yeah. And um... they are like a friend. They help you out like... well Boggy helps Adaine not get upset and Baxter," he said, pointing to the griffin, "he can fly and stuff." God he was bad at this.

Somehow, she seemed to get the message. She put her hand on top of the frog. He croaked happily. She looked over at Riz and back at Boggy, the corners of her mouth tilted up slightly. She then started 'petting' the frog. At least, that's what Riz thought she was doing as she repeatedly slapped the frog's back. Boggy didn't seem to mind the rough treatment though, his body squishing and wiggling with the movement. Her eyes sparkled. A little sound escaped from her. It was rough and quiet, but it was without a doubt a giggle. Riz wondered if it was possible to die from cute.

The child stoped in the middle of a 'pet' and scrunched her face in concentration before going back to abusing Boggy. Sandra Lynn and Cathilda hummed in the background like they knew something the others didn't. "Did you remember to put her in pull ups?" Sandra Lynn asked.

"Um... no?" Adaine answered back, a bit confused. Riz however had already connected the dots.

"Well then," Cathilda said, "it's a good thing ya have prestidigatation dear because otherwise that would be a proper mess!"

They looked down at the muddy spot forming on the ground, quickly followed by a very distinct smell.

"Welcome to potty training kids!" Sandra Lynn yelled. She was enjoying this entirely too much.

*****

[james-bucky-barnackle]

Two Night Stand (Part 12)

Synopsis: (AU) You found yourself at a club drinking away to forget about the stress of your shitty job as the assistant of the biggest Editor in New York, and end up hooking up with the man of your dreams only to wake up to a nightmare when you find out he’s the son of your boss.

PART 11 | 2NS Masterlist

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader

Word Count: 1,162

A/N: I’m back, and it’s short, I’m sorry! I’m rereading all the chapters and studying them so I make any unnecessary plot holes. It’s been a while since I’ve updated it. Thank you to everyone who’s read it and is reading it!

“You’re kidding me,” I stare at Pietro who’s pulled all of us to the fire exit. He’s wearing a face mask covering the bottom half of his face. “You’ll get caught.”

“I won’t, it’s like you don’t even know me.” He fixes himself, stretching his arms, and jumping up and down.

“You still remember your way around… right?” Wanda asks, reminding both of us that it’s been years since Pietro stayed here, and although he’s fast, he’s not exactly good with directions.

“How hard can it be? It’s just a bunch of streets…” he slows down, realizing his weakness, “with buildings that look the same.”

“You sure this will work, right?” Bucky interrupts.

“Of course, JB.” He snaps his neck side to side, and smirks. “Unless you want the most obvious choice.”

“No one’s fake dating, Y/N!” Bucky snaps. My eyes grow wide as Wanda and I look at each other, snickering. Bucky grabs my hand and rubs his thumb. “Sorry, didn’t mean to shout. Just no more fake dating, god this is exhausting.”

“Whatever you say, JB.” Pietro replies. “You guys ready?”

“Uhm, errr. What other choice do we have?”

“I need to get to school! Today’s the bake sale!”

“Let’s get to our positions!” Pietro mimics military commands as Bucky shakes his head clearly unamused. He kisses my forehead before he makes his way towards the window by the fire exit. I’ve put on a gray hoodie and some sunglasses on, and nod towards the door. Pietro opens the door for me and I make my way down the stairs. I see a couple of teens with their cameras up and I lower my head. What the hell? I might need a new apartment… if only I could afford it. Pietro closes the door behind me and proceeds with part two. I slowly make my way down the stairs and Nick is nowhere to be found. Thank God.

I peep through the glass by the door and see the sea of cameras flashing in broad daylight. Okay, it’s time. By now, Wanda has positioned herself by the window, and should open the blinds just enough so that the paparazzi will look up. Bucky will have run out the balcony stairs and hopefully has gone out safely. Pietro on the other hand, Pietro… He would’ve already started preparing for his act.

“New York City! Have you ever seen the fastest man in the world run?” Pietro shouts running to the paparazzi and pausing in front of them to jog in place, Wanda takes this as her cue and opens the blinds up my bed room.

“She’s opening her window!” One of the media person shouts. Everyone whips their heads up and this is my time to exit the apartment. I hear loud snapping, screams of my name telling Wanda to look at the camera and show her face. I walk like I’m in a walkathon.

“Buddy, can you move?!” One of the guys shove Pietro, failing miserably.

“Move over!” someone else shouts. By then, phase two would begin.

“What are you doing?”

“What is he doing?”

Oh my god, this is phase two?! Pietro starts kicking off his shoes, I bite my lip looking at him from the next block behind a tree. He then pulls his sweater over, then his shirt. By this time, Bucky should be getting down the fire exit stairs. I look at my phone, anxious if I should check on him when I hear one of the paparazzi’s shout.

“Hey! Give me that!” Pietro has run off, naked, with three cameras in hand, the rest talking photos of his butt naked body running in broad daylight. Good morning to everyone, I guess.

I hug the bottom of my sleeves tight and start walking away, Wanda will have to get out on her own, her red hair will be enough for the paparazzi to give up. I hope the paparazzi doesn’t see or recognize her to be my roommate in my Instagram posts. Gosh this is such a mess. Now, I have to drop by the office wardrobe to change into something more decent and I haven’t even showered. I wonder if Bucky got out okay.

“Y/L/N!” I hear my name called, I look around and see a black Subaru slow down by the street. I pull my hoodie, how smart are these photo hogging – “it’s Steve! Get in!” What? I peep down my sunglasses and I see his blue eyes through the small crack in his window. He waves me over and I quickly get in.

“Hey! How did you-“ I get cut off, “Bucky!”

“I texted him as soon as the whole thing started.” I hug him tight, almost leap into his lap… oh who am I kidding, I leaped hard into his lap.

“This is Peggy,” Steve continues, and my cheeks heat up. “Peggy, this is Y/N.” I loosen my arm around Bucky, embarrassed at my sudden outburst, but he pulls me closer and buries his head in my neck.

“oof! Hi Peggy.” I say, feeling Bucky’s breath on my skin. He’s obviously still sleepy, as am I to be honest.

“Huge crowd you guys have.” Peggy says, and I shrug.

“Might have to move into a new apartment after this, change my name, hair, get a nose job maybe?”

“Shhhh.” Bucky nuzzles into me, pulling me closer.

“You can stay in my hotel for the time being.” Peggy offers and I’m very flattered but confused. She doesn’t even know me, I don’t even know her. Although this has become a general concern, I am not about to bombard her with my issues.

“She’ll stay in mine.” Bucky pulls away and straightens.

“Uhm, I don’t think that’s smart.”

“Y/N’s right, Buck.” Steve laughs.

“What do you suggest?”

“Peggy’s would be smart.”

“I’m thankful for the offer but I’ll have to pass, I’m sure you’ll miss your privacy. I’ll find somewhere to crash in later.” I’m already making a mental note to ask Nat. The list of things I owe her has been piling up.

__________________________________________________________

So much for coming to work early and “borrowing” clothes from the wardrobe department, Peggy has let me borrow one of her free-sized dresses. These look uhm, too posh for my taste, but it’ll have to do considering I even had the opportunity of showering before heading to the office. The moment I get to the office I’m already scrolling through memos and things that needed to be done today when Peter rushes to my side with his iPad.

“Have you seen this, Ms. Y/N?!”

“What?” I get a closer look at the image he’s showing me, “Oh god.”

It’s a photo of me and Thor, beside a photo of Bucky and the girl in the orange camisole, with a cut out of Dolores’ candid, doodled on with “oops.”

I read the title saying, “Dolores Wang or Y/N Y/L/N? Who really is she?” I think I’m going to faint.

____________________________________________________________

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[mouseymatchmaker]

Batboys call Batmom “mom” for the first time

If I can request, can you make a Bruce Wayne x Reader, and it's about how all four boys call her mom/mother/any other mom names for the first time?

Requested by: anonymouse

Hope you enjoy this sweetie! Heaven knows I did :D These were meant to be shorter... Oops... :P I got carried away... So these are most about the scenarios when they first call batmom by a mothering name as opposed to batmom’s reaction... Hope that’s okay!

Tag list: @cattwomannn (If you want to be tagged in anything I write, just let me know, it doesn’t necessarily have to be for this fandom :D)

Dick:

Y/N clapped with the rest of the crowd as they watched the performers take a bow. She had taken Dick to see a circus performance that was taking place in Gotham. She had know that he loved being part of the circus, the familiarity of it, the family that had been made within it’s community and that he missed it dearly. Also, since Bruce had taken on Dick as his ward, the two of them had never managed to spend any time with just the two of them to build on their relationship. So, here they were. Bonding over Dick’s passionate love for acrobatics and the circus.

“Did you enjoy that Dick?” Y/N asked as they left the tent.

“Yeah! It was great! I mean, they weren’t as good as the circus I’m from but they were amazing!” Dick gushed as he walked with her. Y/N knew she couldn’t replace his mother, hell she didn’t want to. But she would be damned if she left him without a maternal figure. Y/N was content with Dick just accepting her into his life.

Dick chatted all the way to the car and for most of the journey back to the mansion, explaining every little detail and trick that the acrobats could use to their advantage. Y/N listened, enraptured by the boy’s passion. As they got closer to the house, Y/N noticed Dick’s head drooping and his voice slowing. A gentle smile made it’s way onto her face. He was still so new at being a vigilante alongside Bruce. The sleep pattern, or lack of, was taking it’s toll on him.

Once the car was parked, Y/N walked to Dick’s side of the car and gently picked him up. The boy was practically dead to the world. As she carried him through the mansion, Y/N spotted Bruce approaching them. “No patrol for him tonight” she said softly.

“No. I think not” Bruce replied, smoothing over the boys hair.

Together, they took Dick to his room, took his shoes and coat of before tucking him in. One eye opened blearily and he gave them a dopey sleepy smile.

“-ove you Mom… -ove you Dad” he murmured sleepily before rolling over. Y/N stared, stunned. Dick was just too pure for them.

Jason:

Frantic with worry, Y/N made her way down to the batcave. Jason and Batman had been on patrol and they’d had a run in with Scarecrow. Jason, in his recklessness, had taken the full brunt of a dose of Fear Toxin. It had reacted within a few minutes. Scarecrow had gotten away as Batman had to subdue Jason and get him back to the Batcave. Before Y/N had been informed, by Alfred, an antidote had been hastily made and administered. But the boy was still twisting and turning in whatever nightmare he was having.

“He’ll just have to see it through to the end Y/N” Bruce said calmly as he pulled his cowl back on. Though his voice may have been calm, Y/N saw he was furious in his eyes. With Jason and with Scarecrow. Though Jason may get a lecture on recklessness, Y/N knew that the fear toxin was punishment enough. It was Scarecrow who was going to get the punishment tonight.

“Stay safe and keep away from that goddamn toxin!” she warned Bruce before leaving the batcave. Apparently Jason was sweating the toxin out and was therefore running a high fever. They didn’t want to administer anything else into his system in case it reacted badly. So, Y/N and Alfred were on watch duty for the night. Y/N knocked on Jason’s door and stepped inside

“Go get some sleep Alfred. I’ll take over until morning” She offered as she walked over to the bed. Jason was pasty and beaded with sweat; his lips were parted and his breath was labored. Alfred agreed, taking one last worried look at the boy before leaving.

“You know where to find me Miss, if anything goes wrong”

Y/N nodded her understanding and took Alfred’s seat next to Jason. Blearily opening his eyes, Jason looked at her sadly.

“Did I do something bad mama?” He asked weakly, his lower lip wobbling as if he was about to cry. Y/N felt her heart reach out to him.

“Are they mad?” he asked again. His eye glassy, as if he wasn’t really seeing her. Shaking her head, Y/N reached out and smoothed the damp hair away from his forehead.

“No, they’re just worried about you angel… Just sleep now and get better” she cooed as she picked up a rag and dipping it in the cool bowl of water Alfred had provided. She would watch over her little boy until he was better.

Tim:

Today was a day of celebration! Tim was tying the knot! Or at least, he would be once he finally got over his nerves. He had less than half an hour until he got in the car and made his way to the venue to get married. It wasn’t like he was particularly unsure about this, he knew he loved them and wanted to be with them. It was more to do with the fact that what if he did something wrong? Forgot his vows? What if he became so nervous he forgot their name?! If he tripped and ripped their dress?

Tim groaned as he sat on his bed. He’d wanted time to himself, to breath, so he’d sent his groomsmen off to fix any minor issues that had arisen. There was no one here to calm him down or give him any words of comfort. His heart hammered against his chest. Or was that the door? It was the door!

“C-” Tim coughed “Come in” he called. The door opened and standing on the other side was Y/N. His heart lifted a little. Y/N had been a beacon of light in his life in dark times. In fact, she had been the one to help him pick out a ring, sort out the proposal and then kept his brothers away from ruining it. Above all else, Y/N had also saved his life once. Never had he see her so mad that she launched herself at a villain with a battle ax. Whilst he’d been assured the villain lived, they’d never heard from him since. He owed Y/N so much.

“Hey… The car’s going to get here soon and Dick’s demanding a photo with all the groomsmen before you go” she said softly as she walked over to him. Y/N always knew when something was wrong.

“Right. I’ll be ready to go… soon” Tim replied, his throat tight.

“What’s wrong sweetie?”

“What if I mess up? What if they leave me at the altar?! What if-” he rambled his worried to her, his hands wringing together in nerves. Eventually, a soft hand stilled his own.

“Baby… They would never do that to you. As for your vows, tell them exactly what you feel about them and your union together. You can’t go wrong if it’s from your heart. And if you do say something wrong, I can always ask Dick to be very dramatic with his own crying to cover any mistakes!” Y/N said softly to Tim, bringing him in for a hug.

“Thanks mom. You’ve always been there for me”

“And I always will be Timmy”

Damian:

Y/N twisted her hair as she sat in the car.

“What’s wrong?” Bruce asked as he drove.

“I… I guess I don’t know how to talk to Damian once we get back. After all, we got married and went on our honeymoon. And even though we got Damian’s blessing, I feel like something was… Left out, like he didn’t want to burden us…” she replied. Bruce hummed in thought. It couldn’t have been easy for Damian, to be left behind while his father had gone on his honeymoon. And even though Y/N and Damian got on pretty well, she was now in his life as a step-mother. Something that perhaps Damian had never anticipated.

“Well, speak to him when you get back. Just the two of you. I’m pretty sure that if he didn’t like me marrying you, he’d have made that known by now” Bruce suggested as they pulled up the driveway. Y/N knew Bruce was right; the issue wasn’t Damian not liking the marriage. It was something else.

“Welcome back Mr and Mrs Wayne” Alfred greeted as they stepped out the car. “Hi Alfred! You wouldn’t know where Damian is, do you?” Y/N asked. She wanted this sorted as soon as possible.

“I believe he’s in his room” Alfred responded, taking her coat from her.

“‘I’ll be back soon” Y/N said to Bruce. No doubt he’d go straight to the batcave and see how everything went during his absence. Y/N made her way up the stairs towards Damian’s room; once there, she knocked on the door.

“Enter” came the prompt and curt response. Y/N smiled to herself. She’d missed him.

“Hey, Damian” she said softly as she stepped into the room. The boy seemed quite surprised to see her. “Your father and I just got back” Y/N couldn’t help notice the slight wince the boy made when she spoke.

“Dami, what’s wrong?” She asked worriedly, sitting beside him on the bed. Damian looked like he was debating on telling her before shaking his head. “Dami…” she said softly as she reach over to hug him.

“Do you want me as your son?” He asked, his tone sharp as if forcing it out. Y/N looked at him surprised. So that had been what was bothering him.

“You’re already my son. And not just by law” she cut him off before he could point that out. “I love you as my son and I will treat you as my son. Whether you came from my womb or not has no impact on my love for you!” She assured him. Damian’s face crumpled a little, as if he wanted to cry, but no such thing happened. He simply nestled his head between her shoulder and neck.

“Thank you mother”

[kingdenbro]

There’s No Us

summary: Sometimes the people that we fall in love with aren’t the right ones for us. Sometimes the people who teach us what love means are also the ones who teach us when it’s right to let go. And sometimes letting go means letting go when you’re both still helplessly in love.

word count: 6,685

warnings: break-up; implied sexual content; referenced homophobia; mental breakdowns 

author’s note: dan here! i loved this concept but i kind of ruined it, yikes. i’m not too pleased with it or the ending but whatever is floating thy goat. hope you guys enjoy! also, this is unbeta’d so all mistakes are my own, oops!

tag list: @rememberingtozier ; can you believe i’m cool enough wowowow

”I’m sorry,” Bill said, his voice gentle and unwavering. His legs dangled over the edge of the cliff of the quarry as he casted his gaze down to the still water below. His feet pressed downwards as the heels of his worn sneakers grinded against the rough surface of the rocks. His heart hung heavy in his chest, the weight of the unspoken words crushing his shoulders. He took a drag of the cigarette glued into his right hand, letting the smoke slowly bleed out of his mouth before stating it again. “I’m sorry, Stan.”

“Don’t be,” Stan whispered. He sat within arm’s reach of Bill but they felt so far apart. Stan looked up to meet Bill’s own eyes but was met with the bowed head of shame. The curly-haired boy wasn’t sure of what to say or do. Everything, in this very moment, was being exposed and torn apart for what it truly was. The night silence hung between the two boys, vacant and open and ready for them to speak. After a few minutes had past, Stan ran his hands up and down his jean-clad thighs nervously before his voice broke out into a stutter. “D-Do you remember?”

Bill leaned against his own desk, arms folded over his chest as he took a deep breath inwards. Stan was sitting on the edge of  his bed, fingers wound in the rich navy blue comforter. Stan was the perfect contrast to Bill’s dreary and dark room, lightly littered with crumbled balls of paper. The boy, with his iron-pressed beige shorts and pale  polo shirt, gave Bill a sense of familiarity and home.

“W-Wuh-What’s up?” Bill asked after fifteen minutes of pure silence had passed. It was ticking onwards to twelve in the morning and Bill knew that Stan had a set schedule at a set time. He'd try to help the boy in order to get him out and into his system. Stan began to tap his index finger and his thumb together in a series of three's. Three rapid taps, a second of silence, followed by three slower taps. It was something that Bill had noticed the boy did whenever he got extremely nervous. Bill pursed his lips momentarily before taking a deep breath and pushing himself off of the desk and moving to sit next to Stan. The other quickly flinched, his hands covering his face before he inhaled shakily and let them fall.

‘Something's wrong,’ Bill noted as he gently placed his hand on Stan's thigh. ‘Something's really, really wrong.’ Stan drew in a shuddering breath before looking up at Bill and the elder noticed the tears that were forming in the corners of Stan's eyes. His hazel eyes were glassy and distant as if he was trapped replaying something over and over again in his head.  Bill frowned, rubbing his thumb soothingly along the top of Stan's thigh, gentle yet steady enough. Stan let his eyes flutter shut and leaned towards Bill for a couple moments, the tension in his body dissipating.

"My parents kicked me out." His voice was barely above a whisper. "They kicked me out and I just... I came here." Bill stopped his movements and kept his eyes level with Stan's.

"W-W-Why did they k-kih-kick you out?"

"They found out I'm gay." Bill's breath hitched in his throat, letting out a vocal hiss. Stan shrunk his shoulders, folding himself inwards and he let out a soft whimper. A tear slipped down his cheek but he was quick to brush it away, fearing that Bill would say or do something.  He was disgusting, that much Stan knew. Why else would they do that to their only son?

"That's it?"

"No..  They found out something else. They found out about this guy and they-" Stan's voice broke off with a whimper and Bill reached upwards to snake his arms around Stan's torso to pull him closer. They sat there with Bill's chin resting on top of Stan's head and Stan's trembling hands clutched into Bill's shirt. Quiet cries filled the nightly air, slowly faltering as soon as Stan took a deep breath. He pulled away from Bill and began tapping once again. Taptaptap.. tap-tap-tap. "Richie wrote me a note in AP History. It said something along the lines of 'damn Uris, stare the boy down any longer and you'll cream your pants' or something along those lines." Stan let out a soft chuckle at the memory of his best friend's wiggling eyebrows as he flushed a deep red. "I guess I forgot to toss it and Father found it when he went into my room.  Then, uh, things happened." His voice cracked and let out a shaky sigh. "Things happened and I'm here now."

"There's some p-p-pajamas of yours in the clos-s-set. Change into t-them and we'll watch a mo-o-ov-vie." Bill changed the subject, nodding his head towards the closet in the far corner of his bedroom. He had clothes suited for every Loser packed away in some area of his bedroom. Richie, Eddie, and Mike all had a shared drawer in Bill's dresser. Ben and Beverly shared a tote that was tucked away beneath Bill's bed and Stan, meticulous about the state of his clothing, had it hung in Bill's closet. Bill watched as Stan moved out of the bedroom, probably aiming for the bathroom. He glanced over at the clock that blared a bright red '12:46 AM' and sighed deeply.  He moved to pull his sheet and blanket downwards and slid into the right side of the bed, closest to the wall before plopping his head down on his pillow and staring up at the ceiling. His parents wouldn't bother him about Stan in the morning. They didn't really care about what he did in his free time - or any time, really. As long as he wasn't causing them stress or dead, they really couldn't care less about his state.

"Bill?" Stan whispered, startling Bill into looking into his direction. Stan looked nervous as Bill stared at him expectantly. Bill knew what Stan was referencing so he held his arms open and watched as his best friend relaxed. Stan slowly climbed into the bed, facing Bill with his hands folded beneath his head just like a pillow. Bill chuckled, turning fully onto his side with one arm folded over his torso and the other tucked beneath his pillow. The two boys sat there in silence, letting the emotions locked in their eyes speak for them.

“So… No m-mm-movies?” Bill asked as Stan's eyes began to glass over with exhaustion. He let out a soft huff of air, signaling a slight sound of laughter. Bill moved his arm from his torso to push a strand of Stan’s hair out of his face. “I'll take that as a no. Goodnight, S-St-S-Stan.” Stan let out a soft noise of content, his lips twitching at the light touches that Bill let linger on his skin and made no move to pull away. Bill smiled softly at his friend, his heart clenching at the idea of how much pain Stan was going through. The struggle of just merely having OCD was hard enough. Now, Stan didn't have the strength or energy or place to soothe the urge of his compulsions. He was accepting his sexuality but that meant the rejection and heartbreak of those who he thought would love him forever. Then there was the basic stress of friendships, of school, of everything. Bill let out a soft sigh and dropped his hand back down to land on the bed. He was truly aching for his friend.

When Stan woke up the next morning, he was tucked snugly into Bill’s torso, his leg slipping between Bill’s own. Stan attempted to pull away, ashamed, but Bill, with his feigned sleepiness, pulled him back in. Perhaps they could pretend, just for a moment, that things would be okay. Just for a moment.

"Remember what, ex-ex-eeh-exactly?" Bill asked, lifting his head to look at Stan. Stan was staring up at the sky, his eyes narrowed and face relaxed in a saddened frown.  Raindrops began to trickle down from the skies, a few drops landing on Stan's flushed cheeks. Bill looked over the boy, staring as if this was going to be the last time he met with Stan and he didn't want to forget /anything/ about the boy he once loved. Stan's curls framed his face perfectly, clearly taking a strange form of leaning to the right from how often the boy ran his hand through his hair. His hands were resting behind him, supporting his weight as he remained in the same position. His knuckles were bruised and scabbed from a fight that no one suspected. No one suspected that Stan would throw the first punch. Or the last. Bill's frown deepened at the thought of Stan mirroring his own trait of jumping into a fight rather than acknowledging the feelings behind it. The sleeves of the hoodie that Bill gave him ended just before the knuckles, illuminating the boy's frail frame. The hoodie was a pure black one with the words 'Derry High Athletics' embroidered in large, white font on the front. On the back of the hoodie, the number 7 and Bill's last name were embroidered in thick white font. It was Bill's baseball hoodie that Stan had clung onto. A sense of pride and possession exploded in his chest at the sight followed quickly by sadness. Bill's eyes grew damp as he remembered that Stan wouldn't want to wear the hoodie anymore. Not when it branded him with something that he didn't want.

"Us." Stan finally said, his eyes open and now turning to look back at Bill. They maintained eye contact, blue getting lost in hazel, before Stan gave a smile. A smile filled with fond memories and an aching heart. "Y'know the us before all this. Before all the screaming and the fighting. Before the stress of moving, of graduating, of all this. The us that was so in love and so, so happy." A lump swelled at the lump of Bill’s throat as he nodded in agreement. His eyes flickered to Stan’s fingers drumming against the damp rocks and he felt a compulsion to hold his hand.

“I-”

“Don’t.” Stan pulled his feet from over the edge and folded them beneath himself, pushing his hands off the ground to rest against his thighs. He shook his head and let the curls fall into his face to cover his eyes before drawing a deep breath. “Don’t do that.” His voice wavered.

Bill watched Stan with admiration every single time that the boy wasn’t looking. All their friends teased Bill for being so fucking in love and refusing to admit it to Stan (who stared at him just the same). Stan was laughing loudly, his cheeks tinted pink from the sun’s rays. Richie was next to him, his fingers clutched in his other hands. He was dramatically reenacting a scenario from his earlier shift at the theatre. Bill was drowning out his friends voice, focusing on the way that Stan's face bore every emotion he was feeling.

“Billiam!” Richie shouted, throwing his shoe at the other boy. Bill, with startled red cheeks, looked up to his grumpy friend. Richie towered over Bill’s sitting frame, arms folded over his chest. “Stop watching him and pay attention to me!” Bill shifted his eyes to the side, his lips curled in a displeased smile. He turned his eyes back to his friend and began watching him, Stan's figure sitting in the corner of his eyes.

“I've got to go home,” Eddie whined, rolling his eyes as Richie pouted about being interrupted. It was obvious how much Eddie hated being home; it was almost as bad as Bill’s dislike. Richie turned on his heel and chirped at Eddie.

“We mustn't delay the venture any longer, my good maiden!” Richie extended his arm to Eddie who just shoved it out of the way and mumbled ‘shut up’. Richie turned to Mike with an over-exaggerated defeated look on his face, clearly trying to will the boy into tagging along. Mike sighed quietly and pushed himself to his feet, allowing Richie to pull him up. He swung an arm around Richie’s shoulders and walked towards Eddie, smiling at the small boy who was ranting about something. If anyone noticed the way Richie’s shoulders relaxed and he stopped needlessly chattering, no one said anything.

“I'm going to put get ice cream!” Stan suddenly spoke, pushing himself off the rocks of the quarry. He turned to Ben and Beverly, blushing at the wink Bev gave him. “Does anyone want to come along?”

“Mm, no.” Beverly glanced up at Stan before nodding her head towards Ben. “Mister Hanscom here promised me a sneak peek into his journals so I must hold him to that. You and Bill enjoy yourselves.”

Bill opened his mouth to argue with Beverly before Stan turned to him with hopeful eyes. “You wanna come?”  The sound of Bill jumping off the rocks was answer enough for Stan. He waved goodbye to the couple before turning to Bill.

“You don't have to come. I know Bev made it seem like you do.”  Stan's voice held a hint of sadness. Bill shook his head, knocking his shoulder against Stan’s with a wide grin.

“I'm coming,” he confirmed before picking his bike up off the ground. He turned to watch Stan climb on to his own bike before shouting, “Away we go, Silver!” Stan let out a quick burst of laughter before speeding past Bill, shouting something along the lines of ‘Last Loser pays!’ The two boys biked down to the Derry Waterside, a local restaurant that the Losers frequented. When they got there, the smile of familiarity grew on Bill’s face. Here he was, sitting in a place of good memories with the one person he loved most.

“Let's go,” Stan called, setting his bike against the side of the building as Bill dropped his own down onto the pavement of the parking lot. Bill scrunched his face at Stan's rolling eyes, wishing he clued make a witty comment in response. Nothing was coming to mind other than the fact than Stan was hanging out with him because he wanted to. “Bill, C’mon!” Bill snapped out of his trance before following Stan.

They were greeted by a shout of their names, the owner of the shop smiling fondly as he saw the two boys. “Where's the rest of ya’?” The owner Demetrius asked. “Thought ‘ere was seven.” The Waterside was frequently filled with small families and young teenagers on dates but Demetrius always got to know his frequent customers. He referred to Stan as the respectful one, Bill as the leader, Bev as the troublemaker, Ben as the kind one, Mike as the surprisingly patient one, and Richie as Hurricane Tozier. The nickname he used for Eddie, although often in private, was Drama Queen.

“The others are momentarily busy, sir. Bill and I were just hoping for some ice cream.” Bill nodded lamely at Stan’s words, admiring as the boy interacted with their older friend. Stan was flawless and impeccable, his maturity and respect for elders oozing through his very presence. He slapped a handful of quarters onto the counter before turning to Bill.

“Do you mind if we take our ice cream cones to go? I don’t really feel like staying here today.” Bill shook his head before walking towards the counter, giving Demetrius a gentle smile as he handed them their ice cream cones. A chocolate-strawberry mix for Bill and a french vanilla for Stan. Demetrius took the change with a gentle shake of his head and bidded the two boys a good day. They called out to the older man before leaving the restaurant, Bill already with ice cream on the tip of his nose.

“Whaddya wa-anna d-d-do?” Stan turned to Bill, reaching a finger out to swipe the small blob of ice cream off the boy’s nose. Stan looked ridiculously perfect in the moment. His tongue was swiping along the ice cream cone, keeping it a fair distance to not spill it over his clothing. His dumb, dumb ironed thigh shorts and his meticulously ironed button up. Bill stared in admiration, thoughts rolling over his mind on a constant run. When the shorter boy pulled his finger back to stare at it momentarily, Bill blurted his train of thoughts out.

“Date me.” Two simple words. Two simple words that made the world freeze. Stan looked up with melting ice cream on the tip of his tongue, eyes wide with Bill’s melted ice cream still coating his finger. He stared at Bill, mouth dropped in shock as the other boy’s cheeks flamed with red. Bill opened his mouth to counter his statement before Stan nodded.

“Yes-” Stan couldn’t finish his statement without blushing furiously so he turned his gaze to the ice cream cone he was currently eating. They stood there, Stan with red cheeks and Bill with a sudden urge to jump for joy. When Stan refused to look up at Bill calling his name, Bill couldn’t help but to frown.

“Am I s-so irres-si-sistibile that you can’t even l-l-look at me?” Bill joked and Stan swiped his finger across his face with a stifled laugh.

¤

“You didn’t le-let me f-f-finish,” Bill countered, his lips curling into a slight pout. He kicked his legs back repeatedly against the cliff, the feeling of his heels crashing painfully against the rocks distracting him from the pain that burrowed in his chest. Stan shook his head, a light chuckle slipping from between his lips.

“I don't have to, baby.” The pet name twisted in Bill’s chest but he blinked the growing tears away. Stan wasn't often keen on using sappy pet names except he knew how it always made Bill feel loved and feel safer - how everything always felt a little more bearable to him. The realization of everything was finally beginning to settle into his bones and everything in Bill screamed to run. He clenched his eyes shut before feeling Stan’s freezing hand against his flushed cheeks. He felt the fingers slowly turn his face to meet Stan’s eyes. The boy was a mere few centimetres away, reminding Bill of all the times they sat this way. “I know you, William. I know you'll apologize because you think this entire thing is your fault and I know you'll shut down on me.”

“Talk to me, Billy.” Stan’s voice was level and firm as he stared at the lump in the bed. Bill had his blanket pulled taut over his frame, leaving a small gap for fresh air. An empty bag of  chocolate chips was on his night table along with a half empty bottle of cough syrup. Stan stood over Bill with a frown,  his arms folded over his chest. They hadn't seen each other in days because Bill would refuse to let anyone in. He would avoid them in school, deliberately taking paths that he knew the Losers took. It just meant he had a few run-ins with a newer set of bullies.

“Bill.” Stan's voice was now growing impatient and Bill could almost see him tap against his forearm. After a few moments, Stan tucked his hands into the small opening and yanked it up. Bill was curled up in a ball, his arms curled around his torso, hugging himself. Stan winced at the scent of stale sweat but took a deep breath before slipping to lay next to Bill. He pulled the blanket over himself as well, leaving them nowhere to be except with each other.

“You're shutting me out,” Stan whispered, reaching over to run his thumb along Bill’s cheek. Bill turned his head to burrow into the sheets but Stan prevented him from rolling away. He grabbed Bill by his forearms and yanked him closer, rolling onto his back in the middle of doing so. After a few minutes of struggled grunts and unintentional smacks to the face, Stan had Bill completely on top of him and had his hands around the boy’s torso. Bill’s head was tucked into the crook of Stan’s neck, his chest pressed against Stan’s and his legs intertwined with Stan’s. Stan slipped a hand beneath Bill’s too-large shirt and began to draw small shapes on the small of the back, soothing the trembling boy. “Please don’t shut me out, Billy.”

Bill broke.

Tears began streaming down his cheeks as broken sobs slipped from his lips and he cried into Stan’s neck. Stan pressed his lips to his boyfriend’s head and whispered soft reassurances of love and happiness. They stayed there, Bill clinging onto Stan for dear life and Stan refusing to move.

“I-I-It hu-urts,” Bill whined, his throat hoarse and his stutter worse. He moved his hands to the base of Stan’s neck, twirling the stray strands between his fingertips. Stan wasn't one for having people touch hi s hair but judging from the sedated looking he gave Bill, it was okay this time around. Stan let out a gentle hum as Bill struggled around his words, cursing his stutter for getting worse when he was upset. “I h-h-heh-hate being s-s-so u-u-u-unwanted b-by t-t-t-them.”

“I know, Bill.” Stan sighed gently, sliding his hand up to the centre of Bill's back. He dug his nails into the flesh and began scratching lightly. “And I know it's not the same but we're here. Richie and Mike and Beverly and Ben and Eddie. And me. I'm here for as long as you want me to be here, baby.”

Bill's cheeks flared up a crimson red as he moved his hand blindly to jab Stan in the side. Stan squealed loudly, immediately jolting causing Bill to slide down to his left side. Bill laughed loudly, his eyes narrowing as a wide grin stretched across his face.

“Did you just stab me?” Stan shrieked, causing Bill to let out an effeminate giggle. He buried his face in Stan's shoulder, stretching his arms across the boy’s waist before mumbling.

“Stop c-ceh-calling m-m-me baby.” Stan angled his head awkwardly to look at Bill, noting the twitching smile and flushed cheeks before shaking his head.

“No, I don't think I will.” Bill let out a whine in protest but he failed to disguise the growing smile on his face. “I think my Billy likes being called baby. In fact, I think he likes pet names, don't you?” Bill's cheeks flushed darker as he nodded. Stan chuckled lightly before pulling himself away from Bill, wrinkling his nose.

“As much as I like cuddling you, you need to shower. C’mon,  shower and I'll make you breakfast.” Bill nodded in defeat, letting Stan drag him out of the bed. Truth be told, he knew he looked and smelt terrible. His hair stuck up in wild directions and the right side of his face was still caked in dried blood from an altercation with a bully a few days ago. He hadn't showered or brushed his teeth in days - he just didn't have the energy or motivation to do so. Stan pulled him into the bathroom, pressed a kiss to his forehead and closed the door.

When Bill walked into the kitchen in fresh, clean clothes, he was greeted with the sight of Stan pouring him his favourite cereal. He smiled fondly before walking over to press a kiss to the curly-haired boy’s cheek.

“You're w-wearing my s-s-s-shirt,” Bill commented, smirking. Stan was wearing his faded black shirt and it hung down to the middle of this thighs, making Bill snort at the image it created out of context.

“Get your mind out of the gutter, Bill,” Stan scolded as he turned to hand Bill the bowl of cereal. “I knew I was going to have to drag you out so I had to wear something that could get damaged.”

“I know.” Bill took the bowl and before he could turn around, Stab pulled him into a sweet, gentle kiss. It was over as quickly as it started. Bill chased after Stan’s lips blindly, eyes still closed. Stan slipped two fingers over Bill’s lips, shaking his head.

“Eat your food, Denbrough. Then we need to talk.”

“Yeah yeah, princess.” Bill didn't miss the way Stan’s cheeks grew to match the colour of his shirt.

“It's not the right time,” Bill said after a few minutes of silence, his hand lifting to curl around Stan’s.

“Nor are we the right people.” Stan’s voice was cold and drained of emotions and both of them froze at the harshness of what he said. Bill’s eyes filled with shame and Stan slowly caressed his thumb along the redhead’s cheekbone. “At least, not right now. Not with my..” Stan’s voice cracked and he pulled himself away from Bill’s gaze to look down at the water of the quarry. After he had recollected himself, he looked at Bill and took a deep breath. “Not with my hyper fixations and your inability to just let yourself love.”

”This is bullshit!” Stan screamed, raising his hands to yank at the hair on the sides of his head. He was pacing in Bill’s living room, his throat raw. Bill was sitting on the counter adjacent adjacent to his living room. He stared at Stan, arms folded over his chest and face void of emotions.

“S-So it's t-t-true.”

“No, Bill, you don't get to say that.” Stan's hazel eyes were brimmed with tears and his normally kept hair was sticking out in wild directions. His shirt was untucked and unbuttoned to the third button, creating a mixed image for Bill to look at. Here was his boyfriend, normally kept together and calm, whining and looking he just walked out of a frat house. Bill pursed his lips, tilting his head before shaking it and tensing up even more. Stan stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to reply. They were fighting over Bill’s accusation of Stan finding better people to be with and Stan was defending his position of hanging out with Mike and Ben. Stan had stormed into Bill’s house, eyes dark as he demanded to know why his boyfriend was ignoring him.

“It's true.”

“You don't get to do that! Not when I've been trying to see you for days and you've been blowing me off and hanging out with Bev and Richie to get drunk, high - I don’t know! I'm sorry I didn't tell you but they're my friends too.” Stan was a few feet away from Bill, his chest rising and falling. He looked frantic, all of his pent up emotions finally spilling out. Stan wasn’t normally one to talk but he was working on it. Working on his biggest fear of being open just to be close to Bill. And Bill was just shutting down, ignoring everything that Stan was trying to say. To say at the very least, they were terrible at communication. Stan just wanted the confirmation of Bill loving him back and Bill just wanted the confirmation of Stan wanting him and not just using him for his own personal gain.

“Whatever.”

“This isn't fair, Bill! You don't get to do this! We all have issues and you're using yours to blame me!” Bill’s eyes grew dark as he moved towards Stan with balled up fists. His thoughts shut down and he bit down on his tongue, the bitter taste of blood quickly filling the insides of his mouth.

“I get it. It's hard to talk, I know. But I can't be the only one trying to talk. If that’s how things are going to be then we’re not going to work!”

The next few moments skipped by in a blur, ending with Stan pressed against the wall and Bill’s hands pressed against Stan’s chest. He didn’t say anything, his words burning at the tip of his tongue. Stan had fear flashing in his eyes and Bill let go, staggering backwards. A lump swelled up in his throat and he felt like a monster. He pulled himself back to reality and ran out of his front door, full sprint, ignoring Stan’s cries of his name. He was suffocating and he wasn’t sure what he was going to do. He was a terrible person and didn’t deserve Stan.

Not if he was willing to do something that could have come close to hurting him.

”You know I-”

“I know. You did and maybe you still do and I know I did, I do, and I will always-” Stan pulled his hand away from Bill’s cheek and sighed. A stray tear slipped down Stan’s cheeks as he took a deep breath. “I will always love you.” Bill glanced over with a scrunched face before Stan gave him a sad smile. After what felt like eternity, Stan stood up and began to nibble on the peeling skin on his lip.

“Staaann, “ Bill whined pathetically, clenching his eyes shut as he felt his boyfriend’s arms tuck around his waist. Bill was working on a painting while Stan was across the room, working on scholarship applications.

“I've missed you,” Stan mumbled, his face hidden by Bill’s overalls. “and I can't help it when you look so good.” For a sweaty, tired mess, Bill did look good. He had black overalls on, the strap of the left side slipping down his arm. His shirt was tattered, a once vibrant orange was now a pale red. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off the paint splatters over his forearms. He had paint smeared across his cheeks and his fingertips, both dried and wet. Bill turned around to look at Stan who was staring back up with a sympathetic smile.

“You're just s-s-saying that,” Bill commented, rolling his eyes as Stan shook his head. The shorter boy rocked up onto his tippy-toes to slide an arm around Bill’s neck while the other was left to curl into the front of the overalls. Stan shook his head once again, tilting his head and raising his eyebrows.

Bill dipped down,  his paint-covered fingers curling around Stan’s waist. He slid his hands beneath the fabric of Stan’s t-shirt, greeted by a band of skin that was flaming hot. His lips hovered over his boyfriend's for a few moments before Stan let a whine out and pulled Bill down hastily. Their lips molded together perfectly, filled with desperation and sexual tension. Stan flicked his tongue along Bill’s lower lip, making the boy gasp out in shock. Their tongues slipped  against each other and Bill moved backwards, stumbling towards the bed. The reminder of his parents not being home - god knows where they went - blared at the back of his mind and Bill grinned against Stan’s lips.

“Yes,” Stan breathed against Bill’s smile before pulling away. His knees hit the edge of the bed. “Please, just yes.” Bill guided his boyfriend down gently, pressing his lips to Stan’s exposed neck. The quiet whimper that slipped from Stan's lip was enough to give Bill the courage he needed.

“I've missed you.” There it was. Bill wasn’t referring to the sappy, in-love Stan that he had for the months they first started dating or the gentle, quiet Stan who encouraged him through the beginning of twelfth grade. He was referring to his friend, the one who taught him how to whistle and the one who showed Bill the hidden closet in their elementary school. As much as he fell in love with Stan, he missed what they used to have. He missed the friendship that was balanced perfectly, with Stan’s maturity and Bill’s slight attitude of recklessness. He missed the young childhood innocence that they pretended to have, indulging in the memories of the past.

”I've missed you too, baby. See you later?” Stan was standing above Bill, hands shoved into the pockets of the hoodie.

“Yeah.”

Bill’s loud laughter filled Stan’s bedroom, causing Stan to slip a hand over his redhead boyfriend’s mouth. He giggled in response, watching the way Bill’s blue eyes were filling with joy and Stan couldn’t feel more in love with him. They were standing in the middle of his bedroom, Bill with his shirt off and plaid pajama bottoms on and Stan with his matching striped blue pj’s on. The soft lull of Stan’s radio was flowing through the room, falling faintly on the boys’ ears.

“You’re quite s-s-so-something, Stanley Uris.” Bill reached up to grab his boyfriend’s waist, pulling him closer. Stan shook his head, a frown on his lips before he slipped his hands onto Bill’s shoulders. Stan dropped his head to rest in the crook of Bill’s neck, a smile growing on his face. He felt the blush begin to flare up his cheeks and the tip of his ears, making it harder for him to focus on the warmth of Bill’s arms around him.

“I could say the same, William Denbrough.” Stan pulled away from the crook of Bill’s neck and stared at the older boy with a gentle smile, amusement filling his eyes as Bill began to sway with the music. Stan shook his head but allowed to let himself follow Bill’s movements.

Here they were, eleven at night, swaying in Stan’s bedroom as the rest of the house stood in silence.

“You know I-I-I l-” Bill’s mouth clamped shut and he took a deep breath in, attempting to will himself into saying the words he truly wanted to say. Despite his issues with love and abandonment, he wanted to let Stan know how he truly felt. He took a deep breath and pushed himself to say the words.

“I l-l-love y-you,“ Bill managed to get out, startling Stan. Stan looked up with wide eyes, his hands slipping from Bill’s shoulders. Bill frantically searched his mind for an apology but the words refused to leave his throat. Stan’s face of shock twisted into one of pure glee as he leapt closer to Bill, pressing his lips against Bill’s as he moved to cup his cheeks.

The kiss was soft and sweet with a hint of desperation. Bill melted into Stan, letting the shorter boy take the lead. When Stan pulled away, lips swollen and wet, Bill couldn't help but to smile back.

“I love you too, Bill.”

The Losers haven’t seen each other in weeks. Richie was cooping himself up in his bedroom, driving his fingertips to bloody stumps as he awaited an acceptance letter. Eddie was locked in his house, grounded for walking into the house at three in the morning with the glassy look of a high. Mike was busy caring for a pregnant pig that was due any day, whining about wanting to be anywhere but. Bev and Ben were tucked away in the corners of the library, eyes scanning over “OPEN HOUSE” sections of the New York Times. Stan also locked himself in his bedroom, causing the Tozier parents to grow with worry over their two sons. And Bill was simply being Bill. He was trapped between the what-should’ve-beens and what-really-is, making himself barely existing in the present. It wasn’t until he got a frantic phone call from Richie saying that everyone needed to meet up. So, the date was planned for the following Sunday.

The Sunday that marked a month since Bill last saw Stan. A month since they had that conversation.

When the Sunday rolled around, Bill was sure to be the first one to show up at the Quarry. He situated himself against the rocks away from the cliff, maintaining a heavy gaze on the spot where he and Stan once sat. He glanced away at the sound of Mike walking towards him, eyes bright and voice loud. He had his shoulder bag thrown over his shoulder and a Biology 12 textbook clutched in his hands. Bill raised an eyebrow but didn’t bother to question him. Ben came by shortly after, three cups of slushies in his hands with Beverly hot on his trail with four cups in a tray. They sat in a small circle, laughter filling the air as Ben began telling a story about the little kids that he coached soccer too. Bill couldn’t help but to let his worries slip away, allowing himself to sink into a sense of deja vu. Eddie finally came running over, his cheeks flushed as he struggled to catch his breath. He explained that his mother was relentless about letting him out but he fought back and ran out when she wasn’t looking. Ben held up a slightly melted slushed drink with a sly smirk at the way Eddie rolled his eyes. Then, after ten minutes, Richie came barreling down the road with Stan close by. Richie was grinning cheek to cheek, two pieces of paper clutched in his fists with Stan coming by with a stifled grin on his face.

“Listen up, Losers!” Richie shouted, taking the slushie out of Eddie’s hands as he sat next to the boy. Stan moved to sit next to Mike and Beverly, quietly thanking her as she handed him his own drink before glancing up at Bill. He looked terrible with dark bags beneath his eyes but the smile he gave Bill was one of contentment and happiness. It told Bill that despite everything, they were okay. They were just fine.

“Billy!” Richie whined, throwing a rock in Bill’s direction. Bill flinched, his fists raising in defense before glaring at Richie who now had his own slushie. Richie rolled his eyes before looking over at Bill with a knowing look in his eyes. “Now, Big Bill, if you’d just listen instead of moping, Stanny and I have news to share!”

“Stan?” Bill questioned, looking at the other curly-haired boy who, with pink tinted cheeks, shrugged. Bill turned his gaze back to Richie who held up the two pieces of paper up in either hand; a letter from Richie’s dream school in one hand and one from Stan’s dream school in the other. “We got accepted!” The entire Losers Club exploded with joy, Eddie squealing and wrapping his arms tightly around Richie’s waist while Ben clapped him on the back. Bev and Mike wrapped their arms around Stan, startling the boy to freezing before clearing his throat. He finally relaxed into their touch before smiling and staring at Bill.

‘Ristken,’ Stan mouthed, referencing to the letter clutched in Richie’s hand. ‘Full scholarship.’ Bill’s face twisted into a wider smile, remembering all of the times that him and Stan talked about leaving Derry and moving to their dream schools. Bill nodded before moving towards Richie to wrap him up in a hug. They all exchanged their congratulations and hugs before situating themselves back into an attempted, listening to the different stories that they’ve all missed through the past few weeks. Beverly was sitting in front of Ben, her back flushed against Ben’s chest as her feet rested on Richie’s lap. Richie was fiddling with Eddie’s hair who in turn was throwing pieces of grass at Bill. Bill was pressed up against a rock, his arms folded over his chest as he remained away from the group and its copious amounts of physical affection. Mike tapped his foot against Bill’s knee, raising an eyebrow and twitched his head to get Bill to move closer. Bill let out a gentle sigh before sliding to the end of Mike, letting the boy rest his feet on his own lap. Mike resting his head on Stan’s lap and Stan was running his fingers along Mike’s scalp. Bill glanced over at Stan once more and Stan gave him a soft smile, tilting his head slightly. The redhead let his eyes drop to Stan’s currently unusual outfit; he was wearing Richie’s jean jacket covered in patches with a hoodie beneath it.

Bill’s hoodie, to be specific.

Bill’s eyes flashed back up to meet Stan’s eyes and suddenly, everything was okay. Bill felt it; everything was going to be okay.

Sure, they weren't Bill&Stan but they were still Bill and Stan.

[ondownthemountain]

Been a year

Kinda wanna write about this in a non-urgent way.

I’ve been home for the summer, and it’s been nice. I get to do so much stand-up and practice so much martial arts with my oldest friends. I eat burritos and hug my grandparents and went rafting and watched a meteor shower with my brothers.

And when I feel motivated I go for a run. I did it a few times this summer. I feel like if I don’t watch it I’ll “get fat.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that. But I wanna stay lean.

Anyway.

Being home is hard. Not just because there’s no privacy, because I worry I’m the only one who cares about maintaining my oldest friendships, because my mom is raging and rude and my dad is a jello cup of shame. All that is tough, but it’s always tough. 

What’s really hard, what hits me like a dump truck, what makes my ears hot and my lungs as tight and empty as a crushed up bottle of water, are the memories.

Memories of my ex. First love.

I don’t want to be with her, first off. Let’s get that out of the way. Being with her would mean letting go of a lot of stuff we’ve both worked really hard to build.

Doesn’t mean I don’t remember her, though. And last year, when I was living here, we... crossed paths... just for a few months. And it was surreal, it was a tornado, and it didn’t end on good terms. 

And for months, even as I was faraway in Boston, the guilt would come up and squeeze me, and I wouldn’t be able to smell, or see, or breathe, and I’d black out, or fall asleep, or need to squinch shut my eyes and count and think and do something. Like picture my little brother, when he was a fat baby, gurgling in the bath. Something like that. Pure, you know? To bring me back.

Anyway. Being here is tough because the last time I was here... she was my world. I haven’t lived here and not had her be, you know, it. My lens, my friend, my hope. Literally, not since like, 2009. 

It’s exhausting. I love my hometown so much and I wanna be able to walk around and see it unvarnished by my love for her. But instead of My High School, it’s The Old C Building Stairwell Where We Cuddled and I Skipped Track. Instead of Nations, chill late nite burger joint, it’s Diner Where Her Dad Took Me to Eat Pie and Talk Politics While She Sulked, Where She Hugged Me Just Last Year.

My mom always lashes out at me, tongue dripping venom, when I come home. 

“Why do you want to come home? To see your brothers? Your friends? I’m reeeaally worried that they’re holding you back.”

And I tell her that is my reason-- which is true-- and that they could never hold me back-- which is true-- but that’s not the full truth. Because half the reason I’m so insistent on coming back is to normalize the place I’m from, the place I love. So I live here, and it’s my life, free and independent and replete with memories that do not. revolve. around. her.

So anyway. I’ve been running.

I ran from my house up to Panoramic couple weeks ago. Pretty far, and I fuckin did it. And it was easy til I started to crest the hill.

Because I rounded the first bend and could hear her teasing me as we drove down it in 2012. I could smell the weed on her breath as she, chill as fuck, drove us down around that tight curve in 2011.

And I muscle past that bend, and the next, and then on the long brown grey stretch before the next big hill I remember driving, just last year, my right hand clenching hers, as neither of us looked at each other and she talked slow and even and told me about the bad things that happened to her in college, when she was away, when we weren’t talking.

And it hits, not just the memory but the shame. I should’ve pulled over and hugged her. I should’ve listened harder. I should’ve left, then and there, knowing I’d just hurt her again. Should’ve done anything but keep driving, holding her hand.

The red-hand of that shame, raspy and rough, claws at my larynx. Doesn’t make cresting this hill any easier. But I push on, on and up, thinking if maybe I can see the violets and agave plants of the hillcrest, the ones I took a picture of my girlfriend in front of just last month, I’ll be here, in the new memories--

But no dice. Instead it’s me and her, sitting just on the other side of the railing, in the dead straw grass, smoking. Me angry, her sad. 2 days before we go back to college. And break up for the final time. 

And she turns her head sideways, and looks at me with her little slit eyes, and exhales out the thinnest stream of smoke. I’m cold, I have my plaid-shirt’s sleeves rolled down and buttoned, but again, she’s chill as fuck, and she looks and gulps and pauses and says--

“You look really cute with your sleeves rolled down. I can’t believe I never knew that. You always rolled em up. But you look so cute with your sleeves rolled down.”

Back here in 2017 I’m hacking and coughing. That weedsmoke. Shit. 

I run harder now, harder even though I’m tired, down the side of the hillcrest to the big rock. Think about my girlfriend-- my current one-- and my best friends sitting here, planning jokes and feeling free. I have to think about it. Have to, as I cradle my hot head and cough up phlegm. That’ll keep me here.

                                                                   *

That run was rough. Didn’t try to run anything in the hills again til today. 

I knew I needed to work off the soreness from rafting and knew I wanted to feel fast, feel free-- also knew that I needed a hill to really get that feeling. Like back in high school, when I ran with Eugenio. I saw him last night. He said I was the best friend he ever had. Smartest guy, too.

Yeah, that’s right. Fuck it. I’m gonna run a hill. Like he and I used to, together.

But I know what it means. The only hill to run, the only route I know that’ll let me make it to work in time to finish this memo, is Indian Rock.

Indian Rock. Where we first kissed.

Yes, I’d kissed another girl up there before her, and yes I kissed like 3 girls there after and yes it’s just a rock, but... it still feels like hers. Sometimes. She used to live right next to it, you know. Sometimes in high school I’d run that route and just bump into her. Sometimes I ran it on purpose. Knowing, just knowing, she’d be out walking and I’d see her.

I know I won’t now, though. She moved, and probably avoids that place anyway. Her friends aren’t really the pipe-n-burrito type anymore and she probably just has bad memories of me there anyway. Still, though. I’m kinda scared I’ll see her.

Fuck it, though. I’m gonna run it.

And I lace up my shoes and go--

and it’s instant. Boom, my old house, where we had our first time. Boom, the school, where she refused to show me her stories and I showed her mine. Boom, the park she met me in one night, warm, in january, and I, unbothered for once, dozed off up on a tree branch like an ocelot, waiting for her.

Boom, the corner she left me on with our first public kiss-- good luck-- before I ran off to rehearsal for some silent play where I played a rabbit. Boom, the street we walked-- walked up to her house. And the one time where we walked on different streets, parallel, and I beat her to her house and she called me, angry, cuz she was still a few blocks back, waiting where I forgot I’d said I’d meet her.

You see what I mean? It’s exhausting. Relentless. Every crunch of grass, every smooth slap of my feet against the deep black pavement reminds me, in a rhythm-- you fucked up. you fucked up. you fucked up. you hurt her, hurt her, hurt her. Weak, weak, weak.

And I try to steady myself. Focus on my form. Remember the track team trading jabs, the seniors teasing me, as I struggled to keep up on this route, to even make it halfway to the rock. Remember my coach telling me the middle of the street was actually a softer impact than the sidewalk. Remember picking my little brother, the gurgly one, from school-- his elementary is on this street.

But like one of those insistent radio stations that follows you, even after you cross county lines, she came back. Cuz I remember how fast I’d tear up this trail to get to her house, and how fast I’d tear down from her place once I realized I was late for my brother, for practice, for something. 

Remember being so cut, nine pack abs and bleeding all the time from my own brittle skin, my pimples on my chest, her nails on my back, remember never feeling tired and always feeling ready and showing up at her place sweaty and licking each other clean and man I had never felt so alive! And when you’re a law student, and you’re always sleepy, and you’re outta shape, man oh man is it tough to feel that alive.

But I keep running, dude, cuz I’m gonna feel alive. Alive alive, on my terms, alive. Believe it.

A right, a left, and there it is; the tunnel, and the giant stone stairs.

I hit the stairs like a bullet, like some kinda bug. Scuttle up em, fast. And now I’m smiling cuz I remember taking Robert and Mateo up here and showing them just how fast I was, after one semester on the team. Remember them getting tired and stopping on these steps. Remember how they convinced me to pee off em. We tagged every bus that came out the tunnel.

And then, the traffic circle. If I make the first right, I’ll end up at her old house.

It’s my first time up here in a long, long time.

And being up here I kinda start thinking. Bout how we said we’d always love each other. How we’d carry each other inside.

This is the intersection where Eugenio had to carry me home, crying, when she wouldn’t say bye to me before leaving to college. The intersection where, a year later, her dad paid me n my boys to help them move, and his old red truck stalled in the intersection, and he said “Oops!” in a way that made everyone crack up and just, like magic, started that shit up again.

I’m remembering all these memories and I’m like, dude. I don’t hate her.

I always knew but never said. This time I said it, tasting the dried salt on my lips from running, from sweating. 

Hm.

Why do all these memories sting me? Slice into me, slice in a way that makes me wish some assassin, some riptide blade, would actually come slice me in those some places, those same ways, to deaden the pain?

Cuz I hurt her. Cuz I know she hates me. Cuz I know she wants nothing to do with me ever again. 

Right? I insisted she love me and when she finally tried to I discarded her love. Over. and over. again. 

That’s it. That’s only why it hurts. Not because she hurt me. Cuz she did. She did. She lied and kept secrets and kept me a secret and, and... it never changed a thing. At least about what I felt for her.

And I jog along, and cut in front of some green van, and it’s like, hm. She stabbed me a hundred times and all I can think about is the hundred times I stabbed her. Hm.

I run and run and run, up the hill to Indian Rock.

I love this run, dude. Even before I knew she lived up here, I loved it. The slope, it’s so strong. Gradual, graceful, challenging but good. I loved it. Come to think of it, I think that’s what made it so special, when I finally learned where she lived. Cuz I already loved the run.

Something about the air, the smell of eucalyptus, the dark grey clouds and the mist just fill me up and I realize.

She doesn’t hate me.

She might’ve lied about a couple things but she never lied about how she felt about me. She refused to tell me she loved me til she meant it. And then she did mean it. And when she said always she meant it. And when she said no more, it’s too much, she meant it. And I did too. I did too.

I get to the rock. It’s beautiful. Towering and jagged and grey, and I climb it. Pick my way up dainty, taking the narrow ways, the ways only kids can fit. 

And I hop and jump and get to the top. And there’s a ton of fog but way far away, by just its belly, I see the Golden Gate Bridge.

Yeah. Yeah, we had some firsts up here. 

So did a lot of kids.

Looking down the slope of the rock I see some cans. An empty case of Bud. I shuffle down the rock, grab the cardboard case, and make my way about the rock, picking up all the loose cans. It’s only about four.

Then I climb down the rock, the way I came. Check the secret cave underneath, pick up one more can and a swisher wrapper. 

I go to the garbage can and dump it. There’s in’n’out in the garbage can. Makes me smile. The closest in’n’out is miles away. That means some kids really knew that they wanted for a perfect night. Those burgers, those shakes, and this view. Must’ve been nice. 

For real. It makes me grin. Teeth and everything.

I turn and run downhill.

After a while, running became about her. It started off as a way to show how good I was. How fast and in control. And then, for a sweet spot in the middle, it was brotherhood, and connection to my town, and nature. And then after her, through her, it became about being primal. About pushing my limits and craving red meat.

I used to love to run to her place. I loved running everywhere. Running like that meant I was burning fat away, clean, and shredding up my abs and my whole body so that I was ready to be held, to be washed.

Running, running to her, meant being and becoming strong for her, meant never tiring, never getting sore.

And my feet swirl over and over like a bicycle, like my friend’s hands when he practices wing chun, like two trout. I roll down the hill.

And it makes me smile because running still means the same thing. Running here, running through the same old memories... it’s still being strong. It’s still loving her, by being strong.

But this time, I’m not running to her, like she wanted. I’m running forward, like she wants. Like I want. Like everyone who loves me wants. I run up here, and I run back, and it means being strong, strong as I always was, and it mean running forward, finding something new.

I run up and I feel her and I run back and I feel her  like sweat flying off my brow behind me as I run and I feel nothing, hold nothing, carry nothing. I’m running forward and I’m being and learning and staying strong. For me. For everyone. 

[aspeckof-stardust]

the 100 ask game

Tagged like over a month ago oops I didn’t mean to take this long by the amazing Kat | @viviansternwood​, thanks love <3 

1. What station on the Ark would you be from?

Apparently Mecha was formed from the AEB spaceship so probably Mecha?

*AEB is like the Brazilian NASA

2. What would you get arrested for on the Ark?

Probably for arguing with authority or some shit like that. I don’t take things at face value.

3. Would you take off your wristband when you landed on the ground?

Nah, I’d probably try to find a way to make it possible for me to read the vital signals it was detecting.

4. What would the necklace Finn would make for you look like? (Clarke: deer/Raven: a raven duh..)

Finn is a douchebag and I doubt I would ever get along with him, but anyways, I have several owl necklaces, so probably an owl.

5. If you could resurrect any MINOR character who would it be?

Zeke love of my life

6. Create a squad of 5 characters to go on missions with. Who are they?

Raven, Miller, Monty, Bellamy, Clarke.

7. What Grounder Clan would you belong to you?

I will say Trishana just because I like me some pretty glowing forest

8. What would your name be in Trigedasleng? (example: Octavia=Okteivia…just make it up!)

I think my name is already spelled like it’s spoken? idk

9. Thoughts on Finn? Some people hate him, and others love him, so I’m curious

I... I cannot remember my first impression of him. I also binged the first 2 seasons, so I never really got to form an opinion on him, I guess. But he is an asshole, no questions asked there.

10. Be honest. How willing would you have been to take the chip without knowing all the horrible things it does?

I don’t think I would.

11. What character do you relate to most?

Monty, probably. Or Raven, to a certain extent.

12. What character do you like the least?

Abby and Kane have been around for longer than they are needed at this point tbh and I never liked Gaia that much either, and Niylah just feels kinda ooc to me

13. Describe your delinquent outfit. (Would you wear something like Murphy’s jacket with the spikey red shoulder patch or have a trademark like Jasper’s goggles? Be creative, yet practical)

I wear a lot of black pants, and I have a biker style jacket that I tend to wear when it gets colder mine is suede though not leather. Oh, and colorful headbands if we are going for practical, I have a lot of hair I need to keep off my face.

14. Favorite type of mutant animal?

Mutant insects!!! They were never really shown but gimme all the bugs

15. What would your job be on the Ark?

I would probably be a scientist or teach science.

16. Would you have willingly pumped Ontari’s heart if Abby asked?

Sure

17. If Lexa wasn’t Heda, but she was still alive then who would have made the best commander?

I wasn’t her biggest fan, but Luna would have made a good commander

18. How would you act if you ate the hallucinogenic nuts like Jasper and Monty?

I’m a sleepy drunk, so maybe I would get sleepy? Or just like super absent-minded?

19. How would you have dealt with Charlotte’s crime? A more John Murphy approach or Bellamy Blake approach?

Bellamy Blake approach, definitely.

20. Who should have been the Chancellor, if anyone?

Honestly? I cannot picture anyone as a truly good Chancellor. Maybe David Miller? He seemed to have his head on the right place.

21. Would you have been on Pike’s side like Bellamy or on Kane’s side? Or Clarke in Polis?

Kane’s side.

22. Mount Weather had a lot of modern commodities. (example: Maya’s Ipod) What is the one thing you would snatch while there?

An Ipod, or some other sort of electronic device.

23. What would your Grounder tattoos look like? Hairstyle? War paint?

War paint around the eyes I would say, and then hairstyle a lot of braids probably, and tattoos... probably some sort of pattern using thin lines.

24. Favorite quote?

I’M TERRIBLE at remembering quotes y’all

25. If all of the characters were in the Hunger Games, who would have the best shot at winning?

Octavia or Echo

26. Least favorite ship? Favorite canon ship? Favorite non canon ship? NOT INCLUDING CL OR BC OR BE

Least - idk I’m not particularly against any ships

Fave - Memori or Zaven

Non canon - MINTY WE WERE SO ROBBED YALL

27. A song that should be included in the next season? If there had to be another guest star like Shawn Mendes on the show, who would you want to make a cameo?

Can we get Stephen King to make a cameo lol he watches the show right so that would probably be funny

As for a song, idk I don’t think I listen to the kind of music that matches The 100 vibe

28. What would you do if you were stuck in the bunker with Murphy for all that time?

Sleep... I feel like there must have been books in that bunker, so read them all and reread them all. 

29. You’re an extra that gets killed off. How do you die?

Let’s be real, my glasses get broken and I can’t see shit without them, so I fall off a cliff or something very stupid like that.

30. A character you’d like to learn more about and get flashbacks of?

Echo, the founders of Sanctum. I wish we had learnt more about Luna and her conclave class or maybe had seen a flashback with Costia. Grounder culture in general? There was a lot of build up around it, but not that much telling, let alone showing.

31. A character you’d bang?

Raven, LINDSEY MORGAN IS A GODDESS and I’m a mere mortal

32. Would you stay in the Bunker? Go up to Space? Or live on your own in Eden?

SPAAAAAAAACE

33. In the Bunker, would you follow Octavia? What would you do to pass the time underground?

Probably I mean, I definitely wouldn’t want to die. I don’t know what I would do to pass time though.

34. What crime would you commit in the Bunker that lands you in the fighting pits?

Again, speaking against authority aka Octavia? 

35. Up in Space, who would you bond with first? Who would be the most difficult for you to get along with?

Emori!! And Echo I think it would be hard for me to get along with.

36. How long do you think you would last on Earth by yourself?

Less than a day, I was born and raised in the city, I don’t do outdoors well

37. When the Eligius ship lands what do you do?

Hide and wait out

38. Favorite Eligius character? Least favorite?

Fave - Zeke. Diyoza is growing on me this season too

Least fave - McCreary?

39. Would you Spacewalk?

Yassssss

40. Would you prefer to eat Windshield Bugs, Space Algae, or Bunker Meat?

Space algae

41. Would you start a war for the last spot of green on earth? What would your solution be to avoid it?

Sharing is caring

42. Would you rather dig out flesh-eating worms or stick thumb drives into bullet holes?

Either or?

43. Are you willing to poison your sister for the Traitor Who You Love? What would you do to stop Octavia?

This is a very subjective question, like if I knew my brother I don’t have a sister would recover from the poisoning, then maybe, otherwise I might just imprison them or something.

44. Would you go to sleep in cryo or stay awake like Marper?

Cryo

45. Who are you waking up first to explore the new planet?

The 5 I mentioned for my explorer team

I won’t tag anyone because we are well into the season... again I didn’t mean to take this long but I forgot I had this on my drafts 🤷‍♀️

[hamil-tonn-of-trash]

Hamfam Snow Adventures

Prompt: One November morning, it snows for the first time the hamfam is united in New York. Two weeks later, we initially decided to go sledding in the mountains.

Words: 2247

Warnings: Cursing, sarcastic humor, your dirty mind.

Notes: Now I’m not the best writer in the world and I cannot write endings for the life of me but I love you all so much and I want to express that. Also if I am unsure of your pronouns I just wrote ���they/them if you want your pronouns changed let me know so I can edit the story. Also I skimmed over this and didn’t heavily proofread this so there may be errors. Also I hope this isn’t too much about me because I’m trying to avoid that. The portrayal may be a little inaccurate but I tried my best.

More important notes: If I didn’t mention you personally, it just means that I haven’t taken the time to get to know you. All of you are amazing, special snowflakes!! This is based off of the fic that Ams @sasstran wrote, make sure to check it out for a better idea of what’s going on! It’s worth it, they’re an amazing writer.

Tags: @its-the-hamfam @thatuglydino @5secondsofhamilton @sasstran @secretschuylersister @musicalmiranda @psychedemigod @building-palaces-from-paragraphs @starfreckledlaurens @casual-hamiltrash @hamiltrashtothemax @piercethemarti @matt10nt I probably forgot a whole bunch of people sorry!

When I first moved to New York, my mind was blown by the immensely rich culture, the glitzy, flashy lights of Broadway, the accents and the most exciting: the snow.

The first time it snowed when we moved here was two weeks ago. I am usually a heavy sleeper but the honks and whooshes of the taxis, the constant echoes of people taking outside and the unfamiliarity of the place wakes me up every night around three A.M. I figured that trying to coax myself back to sleep wasn’t going to work so I sat up and stared out the window into the city that never seemed to sleep. Something had changed around me, something was not the same. (You catch the Wicked reference? Sorry not sorry)

The drizzling of soft flakes floated down from the heavens and I bolted out of bed. Ecstatic to go scream to my best friends about the snow. I busted open the door to Poppy’s bedroom, sprinted over to her and shook her until she woke up. “POPPY HOLY SHIT IT’S SNOWING OUTSIDE!!’” (I whispered this urgently, I’m not THAT insane) Poppy blinked in confusion and replied: “Brandy, it’s three in the morning and you almost dislocated my left arm to wake me up only to tell me that’s IT’S SNOWING?!!!!”

“Uhhhhhh yeah I mean it’s exciting I guess?” I answered blankly.

A grin crossed Poppy’s face and she chuckled “WELL THIS IS A FUCKING MILESTONE I’LL GET MY CAMERA AND WE’LL TAKE PICTURES OKAY?”

“Okay.”

After getting dressed we decided to not wake anybody else up because last time we woke the entire group up to announce that we were going mini-golfing, Gee practically killed us. Quietly giggling we attempted to tiptoe out of the apartment complex. Yet, another soul was awake in those blissful, shadowy hours. Taylor emerged from her apartment with her arms crossed with a smirk.

“Are you guys trying to sneak out?” She inquired.

“No, it’s just snowing outside and we want pictures labeled: ‘First Snow’.” Poppy explained and Taylor nodded and went back into her apartment. An awkward moment of silence filled the empty hallway. Momentarily, Taylor and Rebekah reappeared dressed in their winter gear and we finally stepped outside into the crisp, frigid air adorned by snowflakes swirling around like ballerinas on a stage.

Rebekah and Taylor sat on the entrance steps and hugged while Poppy started snapping pictures and I simply stared at it in awe. I stuck out my tongue to taste the flavorless, icy flecks until Poppy shook me out of it.

“Earth to Brandy? Time for a group photo!” I sat down next to Rebekah and Taylor and Poppy asked a stranger to take it for us. I’m pretty sure Poppy gave the guy an extensive tutorial on how to take a fucking photo because when he was about to take the picture he said:

“Say ‘Hamfam’!”

We thanked the man and sent him on his way and we chilled on the doorsteps to an apartment where the rest of our family slept until we got sleepy and fell back asleep.

——————————-

November 26, 2021 9:26 AM

That moment was captured and taped into our scrap book to be kept forever but now we were all going to go for a day trip up in the mountains to go sledding. Well at least almost all of us, the rest had work or school related stuff going on so they couldn’t come with us. It took us months to find a date that would accommodate to all of our work schedules but it’s hard when you have fifty people. We all loaded up into three separate cars (with some people sitting on other’s laps) and got comfy for the long drive.

Maaike, Dorian, Gianna, Julia and I all piled into Gianna’s little blue car. Ams, Sage, Hunter, Taylor, Rebekah, Cass, Psy, and Shy crowded into Taylor’s comfy, shiny SUV. Gee, Marti, Poppy, Lea, Ari and Zoe took a cheap Chevy convertible that we all chipped in to buy as a community car. Mainly because we were blacklisted from cab services for asking all the cab drivers to play musical’s.

The second Gianna started the car “Alexander Hamilton” stared playing. Gianna was bobbing her head to the beat while the rest of us were going insane and banging our head manically as we drove through the heavy New York traffic. Once “Farmer Refuted” came on Maaike and I thought that Gianna was having a stroke or something because she almost hit a stop sign and almost got into an accident with a taxi. “GIANNA!” Julia screamed into her face as Gianna suddenly snapped back into reality. “Oh sorry guys, I was thinking about Thayne’s butt.” I leaned over to Dorian and whispered: “She hasn’t changed one bit since 2017.” Dorian nodded in agreement and laughed a little.

“BRANDY! SCOOCH YOUR FUCKING ASS OVER I HAVE NO ROOM.” Maaike screeched and the rest was cursing in Dutch. It should be noted that we go ballistic and playfully attack at each other but we never actually fight. I moved and Julia whipped out her Milky Way.

Gianna’s eyes widened and she reached for it and joked. “YOU KNOW WHO LOVED MILKY WAYS? BenNAY WOOOOOOOOOOO!”

“You aren’t getting any from me.” Julia smirked and devoured the entire bar in front of Gianna’s face. “Also, you’re not paying attention to the road Gianna.”

“Oops.” ——————————–

12:43 PM

After a very long two hours of driving and watching the scenery change we reached our destination. A winter wonderland perfect for a group of angsty long-term Hamilton fans who came from Hawaii to Austria. When I opened the car door, a blast of freezing winds pierced my skin and I already started to crave the warmth of the desert sun.

But the warmth of spending time with my family felt warmer than a fire.

Gee looked exhausted from the drive but there was still a spark of excitement under that. Psy and Shy loaded out the sleds from the trunk and we started to search for a nice hill without too many pointy sticks that would impale one of us. Sage and Hunter sang the lyrics to “A Winter’s Ball” and Cass snapped that it wasn’t even winter yet which caused Sage to chuck a small stick at Cass but ended up missing by about two feet. “A Winter’s Ball’ turned into singing holiday carols in like five different languages.

Eventually, we found a damn hill and we all voted that Ari and Zoe got to go first for actually cleaning up their apartments (including their roommate’s spaces). They both mounted the sled and out of the blue, Hunter forcefully pushed them down the hill at full speed. “WHAT THE FUCK!” Zoe exclaimed as the sled almost slapped a nearby tree. The wind whipped their faces as we all gasped in shock. The sled slowed down and they shot us synchronized glares but then they laughed and gestured for another group to ride down.

I have no clue if letting three sleds go down at once is safe but it happened. Marti and Dorian collided and they rolled down and high-dived and Ams was the ultimate sled GOD. They’re taking this sled by the reigns making the hamfam envy them insane-ly!!! With amazing steer and a calm conscious, Ams beat all of us in the first round. I wish I could tell you what was happening in their brain!

It was Shy and I’s turn now and to be honest, I was pretty nervous because the last time I went sledding I had a breakdown…yeah long story. Shy waved me over to join them and then merrily we roll along a huge ass hill. A rush of adrenaline kicked in and I think it was the same for Shy because I felt them perk up a little. The sled raked against the thin layer of snow as we both felt the friction of the snow and the raft building up until suddenly it turned over and I felt myself tumble in the frozen abyss (headfirst into the abyss). I don’t think either of us were Elsa because one, we are not magically immune to the cold, and two, we are both from not-so-cold places. The cold bothers everyone except for Ams because Ams is magical (well yeah and they’re from Finland). I dug my way out and I looked up to see my friends gasping and still laughing from the epic sled fail.

“Are you two alright?” Zoe said, shocked.

“IT’S COLD!!!!!!!!!!!!” I whined and shakily stood up. Where Shy had already got up.

“Okay, sledding isn’t too safe because Marti has a bruise on her forehead and that sled is in pieces…Anybody have ideas for something a little safer?” Rebekah asked. A smirk appeared on Gianna’s face and her eyebrows were raised. This couldn’t be good, I knew that look. Gianna had an idea. “SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!!!”

Within only a few moments, the entire situation was in turmoil. Everybody was violently chucking humongous snowballs at each other. Cass hit three people in one shot by throwing multiple snowballs at once. Poppy was aimlessly propelling lumps of snow that mostly hit trees. I think Dorian, Taylor and Lea teamed up and approached a small group of people who were huddled up in fear and completely wrecked them. Gianna somehow climbed a tree and was forcefully flinging white balls of mush at everyone’s head. I watched as Rebekah tripped over a stick and Ams ambushed her by lightly putting the snowball on top of her head and they both laughed and hugged. As I was trying to escape the chaos I found Ari behind a tree catching up on another TV show on her phone.

“Move over dumbass.” I laughed as Ari rose an eyebrow at me and I felt a cold sensation splatter across my face and I realized that I had fallen for one of Ari’s tricks. I cracked up and I might’ve cried, I don’t know. “That HURT!” I stuttered as I barley held in my laughter. “Your fault…dumbass.” Ari responds with a quick “that was so satisfying” under her breath.

“HE WILL NEVER BE SATISFIED, SATISFIED, SATISFIEEEEEEEDD!” Hunter bellowed.

“NON-STOP.” Maaike yelled.

A couple seconds later the entire group was surrounding us and singing non-stop harmonies.

“I love you guys.” I cried with tears of happiness (and pain from that damn snowball) rushing down my face. It got all corny with agreements and cuddles until Julia piped up:

“I’m hungry, is there food nearby?”

“YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WITH FOOD!!” Gianna raged in fake anger.

“So??” Julia protested.

“CHILDREN CALM DOWN!” Marti intervened. “It’s been decided by the rest of us silently that we will go down to the lodge and eat food!” We nodded and loaded up the cars and drove a little further down the mountain to a lodge with a heater (thank god) and home cooked meals. We practically took up half the restaurant and we all got hot drinks and ate comfort foods. Some people got fried chicken, hamburgers, baked potatoes and macoroni and cheese. We feasted and it took about twenty minutes to split the check and the waiter got super impatient with us because two glasses were spilled and we treaded snow into the restaurant but we didn’t really care either way. While everyone was having a blast I couldn’t help but watch the snow flutter against the windows with a beauty I was unfamiliar with.

The drive back was full of Gianna’s short attention span, show tunes, and screwing around with friends (you fucking perv not that way!). It was around 10:30 when we got back and after relaxing and unwinding there was a problem. Nobody else was there. It was like Roanoke because there was zero traces of where the rest of them went. They shouldn’t have work this late and even if a couple did overtime it wouldn’t be EVERYONE. Psy called all of us over from the unsuccessful search party and showed us a note somebody had wrote.

“Since you decided to have your own fun time, so did we. We’ll be back eventually ;))))”

“Oh shit.” We all sighed in unison.

——————————– A check in on the rest of the fam 11:01/ 23:01 PM

There was a local bar called “The Spin” where approximately thirty Hamilton nerds were hanging out for the night. Some of them drank plain old beer, some drank cocktails and the underage ones drank soft drinks (how the fuck did they get in?). Jo raised a small glass for a toast and said: “YOYOYOYOOOOO IT’S BEEN A-MA-ZIIINNNNG TONIGHT!!”

Reiley continued the toast by saying: “WE TROLLED THEM OUT OF THEIR MINDS!!”

“YUP!” Shannon said as they played footsie with Rosey and Grace under the table.

“LET’S GET EVEN MORE FUCKING DRUNK OR SUGAR HIGH FAM!!!” Vanna screamed and eventually the bar owners left while this group of drunk nerds happily sang show tunes and decided to come back in the morning when they’re gone.

One of the owners left the door open and snowflakes crept into the bar. For just a moment, within everybody’s hearts from the steps of an apartment complex to a flashy bar miles away, there was a feeling, a knowing of interconnectedness between every single one of them.