#i had a really bad habit of biting my fingers like some kind of sausage and im about to start picking it up

[themindbehindthejork]

this is going to end me

the texture. THE TEXTURE

I DON'T GET IT

I DON'T AJDF;SDGHu ajfd k;asd; GUUCKCKFGKCAKDFJ

im gonna crash out haAHHHHHHHHH

GFUKCIGNNGUA ;SDJF WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS

THIS IS ATTEMPT TWO AT FUCKING TEXTURE AND AHRUGHUHUGRHG

im done

also i've been working on repousse and that is also EXTREMELY INFURIATING but at least the colors are working.

i need to practice just coloring and texture digitally because this is getting out of hand

i feel like i've done it okay before though so it's like RUHGUHRGURGA WHY AREN'T YOU WORKING WHEN I WOULD LIKE TO CREATEEEE

this is not fair

[snarkwriteswrasslin]

shelter; adam page [two]

Notes: 

Originally posted on my main, and literally no one asked for this. I haven’t written a third part but.. I plan to keep this one going and so, it’s getting transferred to this blog. I swear, soon.. Soon I’ll write a third chapter to it. Hell,maybe even sooner than you think. ;P. 

Summary: 

It’s only been one night / day so far and already the tension -and awkward flirty close moments of lingering sexual tension, is so thick you can cut through it with a knife. A trip to the grocery store and lots of flirty bantering back and forth.

Pairing:

Adam Hangman Page x OFC, Birdie McGregor

Warning:

alcohol tw possible. mentions of sheltering in place / covid-19, kind of a slow burn to it and kind of not.

                             CHAPTER TWO : WHATS THE HARM

Having totally forgotten about Adam’s arrival back at the house the night before, I got up when I heard my alarm going off nearby. Yawning, I stretched my arms up and rubbed my eyes upon lowering them. For a few seconds I was scratching my head at the fact that I’d fallen asleep in the living room, but I ultimately shrugged it off, standing and quietly padding across the hallway and into the kitchen.

What I needed was caffeine.

And food, if the growling of my stomach was anything to go by.

I rummaged through the fridge, gathering ingredients for pancakes, eggs and bacon. I placed it all on the counter nearby, and I was digging out a mixing bowl when I thought I heard the door to Adam’s bedroom close and footsteps coming towards the kitchen. It hit me then, Adam had come home the night before.

And naturally, around the time he made it into the kitchen, I was remembering the soft press of rough lips against my forehead last night and I could feel my body heating up at the memory. I took a deep breath and tried like hell to get myself together.

Music… Music would take away the silence and drive out any possible tension that might be heavy between the two of us; again, we are practically strangers who just happen to be sharing a house.

But of course, the first song to play when I fired up the SiriusXM app on my cell phone?

An inherently sexual one from the bluegrass and folk station I’d been listening to the night before while grading the last of the actual papers I had to grade and making an online lesson plan for the new week approaching.

I think I played it off pretty well, humming along as I found my electric mixer, plugging it in, focusing intently on mixing the batter for chocolate chip pancakes. I didn’t dare look up though. I could just feel him in the room with me, watching me.

The song ended and the batter started to get smoother and I cut off the mixer, sitting it to the side, taking one of the attachments to lick clean. When I turned around to grab something, I found myself body to body with Adam and I gulped.

All I could do was try -and fail at not staring. He eyed me and chuckled softly. “You’re up early.” I finally managed to mutter. Adam shrugged and I caught him eyeing the other attachment that was still hooked to the mixer, sitting on top of the counter. I gave a soft laugh and turned a little, detaching it and holding it out to him.

He took it and I bit my lip as I watched his tongue trailing slowly over the curved bits of the attachment. After he’d licked it clean, he held it out, this soft sort of little smirk on his face as he did so. “Everythin’ okay, darlin?”

“I.. yeah. Yeah, everything is totally fine.” I tangled my fingers in my hair, dragging them through as I held his gaze. Adam chuckled and spoke up calmly. “Your bacon is burnin, woman.”

“What? No… Well fuck.” I groaned as I shook my head. Adam hurried over to the stove, grabbing the skillet and wrinkling his nose at the smell of burnt bacon while laughing. He made his way to the garbage, hurriedly tossing the burnt bacon down into the trash. All I could really do was stand there and laugh at myself.

And shake my head about it, of course.

I swear, sometimes this man can bring out my true inner awkwardness without so much as anything more than a smile.

My alarm started to go off again and I groaned as soon as I realized that meant it was 8:30 and time for me to get upstairs to my room, to my laptop. Because I had a classroom of students waiting for me on Zoom.

I opened the cabinets, rummaging around for the brightly colored Fiestaware plates I’d picked up a few months ago, taking a turquoise one and an orange one out, sitting them on the counter top. Adam was standing at the stove, apparently, he’d decided he just couldn’t eat breakfast without meat of some kind, so he was making sausage. Despite my trying not to, I found myself just sort of watching him. Thinking about how much more relaxed it was than I’d anticipated the night before when he got in. I’d been fearing there would be this overwhelming awkward tension between us, given how little we actually know about each other.

It was nice to discover that I was potentially wrong about the situation.

Adam happened to look up and over at me, catching me in mid stare. I quickly diverted my eyes, focusing on the growing pile of bacon on a navy blue plate sitting nearby and reaching out to take one. He reached out at the same time and our hands brushed and we both just sort of stared at each other for a second or two before Adam broke it in half, holding out one piece to me, sticking the other piece into his mouth and chewing it up.

“I make you nervous or somethin’, darlin?” Adam finally asked the question after the silence became too much for him.

… oh you have no idea, sir… and i’m watching your rodeos now and… every single time you tug at those jeans before you get onto your bull to ride, it does something to me… the thought came, but I shook my head quickly, taking another bite of the half of bacon he’d given me a second ago. “What makes you think that?”

“I don’t know, you just seem tense or something.” Adam muttered it quietly, glancing down at the countertop as if he were already assuming the worst. He looked up and over at me and I bit my lip, taking a sip of the coffee I’d just poured myself.

… really? I thought I was handling this pretty well, all things considered… I mulled it over as I finished eating the strip of bacon and finally, I sighed. “Probably just stress from everything going on right now. You definitely do not make me nervous. You’re probably about as scary as a box of kittens if I have to be honest, Mr. Page.”

“We’ve been livin here together for a while now. You can call me Adam.” he chuckled quietly, stepping a little closer and shaking his head as he stared down at me.

“Sorry, it’s just force of habit?” I apologized, shrugging as I studied him intently, smiling in the hopes it would reassure him.

I mean… Technically, I’m being honest. It’s not him that makes me nervous and flustered, it’s the way he makes me feel whenever we’re around each other. So technically, I reminded myself a second time, my nervous feelings have nothing at all to do with him.

“It’s okay.” Adam gave this gentle and teasing sort of smirk as he held out another piece of bacon to me. I took it, grateful to have something to shovel into my mouth and take my mind off of exactly what feelings his sudden closeness and presence  did stir up in me.

Definitely longing. Attraction. So many emotions I couldn’t quite put my fingers on just yet. I reached for some syrup to put on my pancakes and as I turned to do it, I found myself body to body with Adam in the middle of the kitchen. I gulped when I felt one of his hands brush against my hip and he bit his lip, nodding to the counter. “Somethin you need?”

“The maple syrup.” I managed to get it out, even as I felt his hand brush right against my skin again. If I were a lot bolder, I’d almost assume he was flirting with me. As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I shoved it right back out.

Because there’s no way he’s flirting right now. Nope. Not at all.

His laughter got my attention and as soon as I realized that I’d missed my pancakes and drizzled maple syrup haphazardly over my plate instead, I felt my cheeks heating. Cutting into the stack and dipping them in the syrup, I met his gaze boldly. “Bold of you to assume I didn’t do that on purpose, Mr… I mean Adam.”  I corrected myself quickly, remembering that me calling him Mr. Page apparently didn’t sit well with him.

He shrugged and took a bite of his own stack of pancakes and then a sip of orange juice, groaning as soon as he’d swallowed the juice down. “Is this real oranges?”

“Mhm. That’s how my grams always did it. Hand squeezed. Tastes better than a crapload of sugar, I think.”

“It really does.” Adam muttered through a mouthful.

“Shit. I need to finish this and get upstairs. I may be home but I’m still workin..” I muttered, mostly to myself. Adam nodded and took a few bites of his food, asking the question, “Think you might wanna help me out later? Gonna go check the cows.”

“Of course! Hey… if things get weird like I figure they will, dumbasses panic buying all the things.. Couldn’t hurt to think about a garden or something.” I threw out the suggestion, half expecting him to think I was crazy or in panic mode.

Panic mode he wouldn’t be entirely wrong about because I have been freaking out a little.. No, I’ve been freaking out a lot since this virus hit. Either way, I was more than a little surprised when he reached out, fluffing at my hair and nodding thoughtfully while giving me one of those bright grins of his. “It’s not a bad idea, actually. I can go to town later, pick up some things.”

“You don’t have to..” I trailed off and Adam shrugged, chuckling. “I’m here, might as well do somethin’ useful.”

I gave a nod and raked out my food into the compost bucket, sitting my dish in the sink. Adam did the same and after a few seconds, he spoke up again. “Thanks.”

“For what, exactly?” I raised a brow as I asked the question. All I do here is literally what he asks me to do and tries to pay me for. I dragged my fingers through my hair, taking another sip of coffee while I waited on him to answer my question.

“Not bailin out and going back to the city when all this shit broke.” Adam smiled at me and I nodded, shrugging. Honestly, I moved out here to escape the city. To clear my head.

To live that simpler life I enjoyed as a kid at my grandparents house over summer break.

And maybe, my mind saw fit to remind me, you sticking around has everything to do with a certain bull rider, hmm? - but of course, since I’m not willing to admit that and risk making things extremely awkward, I shoved that thought right out of my head.

“Like I said. It’s not a big deal. I wanted to get outta the city, there’s really nothing there for me.” - it wasn’t a lie either, all I left behind was a tiny and crappy apartment, a string of failed and bad relationships and teaching a group of kids who were so used to hearing they’d never amount to shit that they were preconditioned to not even attempting to learn and try to get themselves out of their situations. It was disheartening on a good day, downright depressing on a bad one. I sighed and gave him a smile.

“Hey.. If you really want to go into town and look into getting seeds and stuff, wait until I’m done with this Zoom class? I’d like to go too.”

Adam smiled, nodding. “Aren’t you late for your own class,ma’am?” he teased as he held my gaze and leaned in a little closer. When he trailed his thumb over the corner of my mouth I gave a soft giggle and he explained quietly, “You, umm.. Syrup.” and I thanked him for getting it, going silent for a second or two.

“Yeah, but I’m pretty sure a good half of them aren’t even up and functional yet. It’ll surprise me if anyone’s even signed into the classroom and waiting.” I gave a soft laugh and grabbed the rest of my coffee and Adam leaned out of the kitchen to holler down the hall after me jokingly, “Hey, teach! You might consider puttin on pants before you start your lesson, right?”

I looked down and palmed my face, biting my lip. “Fuck.”

Maybe he was right. Maybe I was really tense around him. I stopped at the top of the stairs, leaning against the hallway wall to really think about it. Now that we’re all sheltering in place I’m going to have to find some way to work around all the feelings this man stirs up in me. Otherwise, I’m going to lose my damn mind.

“Okay, tomorrow we’re going to start on time.” I was smiling as I signed off of Zoom, giving one last wave goodbye to the students who’d actually signed on to be in class. We’d mostly talked about how hard things were around our little rural area because of the shelter in place. Then we’d gone over a history lesson and done a little english.

I stood and stretched, turning to peek through the curtains out of my bedroom window. And I bit my lip as soon as I realized that the noise I’d been hearing earlier was apparently Adam, who’d gotten bored from the looks of it, and was going over a section of land with the tractor, breaking up dirt.

I gave a soft laugh, pressing my hand against the window and shaking my head. “I meant a little garden, sir.” I mumbled quietly as I made myself step away from the window and focused on throwing on some of my older jeans and one of my favorite old plaid shirts. I was tugging on my boots at the front door of the house when Adam walked in, sweaty and grimy. I wrinkled my nose at him and he chuckled. “First a beer, then shower. I know, darlin. Looks bad.”

“You’re a little burnt on your shoulders actually. How long have you been out there?”

“Long enough to get everything disked up and ready. Now all we gotta do is go into town and buy seeds and stuff.”

“Yeah, about that.. To clarify, I said garden.”

“And? That’s what I did, woman.”

“That’s a field, sir.” I gestured to the window, to the plot of land he’d just spent an entire half day plowing and preparing to plant. It was… definitely much bigger than your typical ‘garden’ plot. Not bigger than my grandparents, but they were also farmers too, and they liked to take produce down to market and sell it 2 to 3 times a year.

Adam was just a semi pro bull rider who rodeoed most of the year and raised cattle and horses or broke horses the rest.

“Not out here, it ain’t. I got the land, might as well put it to use, right?” Adam dragged his fingers through his hair, giving that lazy grin that was notorious for making my stomach flutter ever-so-slightly. “Sides.. Maybe if I can get it growin now and this thing lasts as long as people are talkin about, I can give the stuff we don’t use to some of the neighbors down the road or somethin.”

“Yeah, true.” I agreed and bit my lip, shaking myself out of deep thought when I remembered that he’d mentioned something to drink. I started to walk towards the kitchen where he’d vanished to but almost as soon as I hit the doorway, he was leaning in it lazily, staring down at me.

And me, being lost in the blue of his eyes, well.. I couldn’t do anything but stare right back. I cleared my throat and muttered quietly, “I was gonna grab a glass of tea.”

Adam stepped aside, but not quickly enough because we wound up brushing against each other in the doorframe. And again, I felt his hand lingering at my side subtly.

“I still say I make ya nervous, darlin.” Adam spoke up from where he stood as I poured my glass of tea after reaching the fridge. I gave a soft laugh, shrugging it off and I looked up, meeting his gaze. “I still argue you’re wrong, Adam.”

Adam coughed, but I heard him clearly say Bullshit as he did so. I gave a shrug and a teasing look as I took another sip of my tea. “Whether you believe me or not, Adam, that’s on you.”

He chuckled and took a few more quick sips of his long neck bottle before clearing his throat. “Should probably get showered so we can get goin. Curfew and all.”

“Yeah, this is true.” I answered, sitting down the glass I’d been drinking from and looking up at him.

“Days just seem to bleed into each other right now, ya know?” Adam mused and I nodded in agreement. They certainly did. Each one passing slower than the last. He’d only been here a day and a half. I’d been dealing with this part of it for almost four. I had the strong feeling that by the third day, the poor guy was going to be going stir-crazy.

And hopefully, just because we were now having to do the actual  cohabitating part of our arrangement, with him here now, things would  be just a little easier than I’d originally seen this whole thing going, when I thought Adam wouldn’t be coming back home until his usual and expected end of rodeo season.

Then again, I found myself thinking, literally no one ever saw any of this coming. And maybe I should just make the best of the situation, stop making it awkward, stop being so tense around Adam. This arrangement we had going did not have to be awkward at all.. Putting my own…. Attraction to the man aside, we could definitely be friends, there was no harm in that. I got it set firmly in my mind that rather than continuing to dwell on just how attracted to Adam I was, I was simply going to try for co-existing and hopefully, if I was lucky, making friends with him.

Given my luck in more recent years, -all of it bad, that was probably the far better thing to do.

Even as I made the decision, I got the distinct feeling that just trying to be friends was… Going to be a little more challenging than I thought.

Still, I thought to myself as I put the empty glass into the sink to wash later, I could at least try. That would definitely make this whole shelter in place scenario so much easier for both of us.

Adam was showering so I sat down at the dining table after going through the pantry and the fridge and the cabinets to see what we’d need to get us through for a few weeks. I’d just finished making my list when I heard him chuckle from behind me.

“Oh how cute, she’s makin a list.” Adam teased and I glanced up at him, poking out my tongue. “So I can get in, get what I know is needed and get out.”

“Where’s the fun in that though, hm?” Adam questioned, blue eyes fixed on me and gazing deep into my own. Almost as if he were definitely trying to distract me, which of course, it did work. I grumbled and tore the sheet of paper free from the magnetized notepad I usually kept on the door of the fridge and held it out. “Either way, fun or not, it is all stuff we’re going to need. So, if you don’t mind, hang onto that?” I asked, pretending to pout when he took the list and eyed it as if he were going to crumple it only to slip it in the pocket of faded blue jeans.

“I make no promises,darlin. If I see junk food, I’m buyin junk food.” Adam waved his hands and I couldn’t help but smile at it because it was just… Cute? Okay, that sounds so frickin cheesy… But it’s true? He looked cute. As if he were a kid, trying to tell his mother he hadn’t done something that his mother probably knew full well he had.

I eyed him and shook my head, laughing. “Okay, alright. It’d be nice to have a pint of ice cream later.” I grabbed my keys from the key rack on the iron ‘home’ key rack hanging beside the door and I turned to him, tossing them. “You’ve been staring at my car since I moved in. I know you want to drive it.”

He pretended to scoff for a second or two, but he quickly grabbed the keys from my hand, giving me that boyish smirk and sending my heart race again. “It’s just because I want to find out if Dodge really is a good company.. Ya know, being a Ford or Chevrolet guy myself for so long.”

“You do realize that Ford stands for Found On Road Dead, right?”

“Hey, hey.. No need in bein mean, darlin. Besides, your little sports car is probably just fast and not built to last.” Adam was stepping closer, staring down at me, biting his lip. If I were a lot more self assured, I’d almost want to say he was staring at my lips like… No, he didn’t want to kiss me.

He probably sees women who are so much prettier on the daily when he’s out being a rodeo star. He probably takes them back to his hotel, I found myself thinking next, having to clear my throat abruptly just to clear my mind and get the focus back on our outing. Adam’s hand lightly squeezed my side and he chuckled to himself, shaking his head.

“What?”

“It’s nothin. C’mon, let’s go get this done.” Adam was reaching out over my shoulder to push the front door open and when he brushed against me as he leaned in a little to do so, I looked up at him. “I warn you, it’s an absolute madhouse in town. And if you think we’re getting toilet paper or anything? Likely not.”

“Why toilet paper?” Adam questioned, a brow raised as he shook his head and muttered about some people and their overwhelming lack of common sense. I sighed and shrugged, making my way to my Challenger, standing by the passenger door as I tapped my foot and waited on him. When he finally got to the car, he eyed me. “You’re not in?”

“You have the key. City girl here, remember? I never just leave my car or the house unlocked… Speaking of… You did lock up the place… Right?”

“Darlin, we are in the middle of nowhere.” Adam pointed out, gazing at me before turning to look back at the front door to the house after he’d aimed my key fob at the car to unlock it. “Sides.. I can’t exactly lock up the barn and stables, all the valuable stuff is in there.”

“Doesn’t matter, Adam. The door needs to be locked. You never know what could happen.” I pointed it out mildly, going on to tell him that 3 times in a month my old apartment had actually been broken into before I left the city to move out here. He eyed me in concern and I quickly reassured with a shrug, “I wasn’t home for any of them, thankfully. Does piss me off knowing that given all the bigger scale crime though, actually doing something about it would’ve done nothing in the end.”

“You didn’t report it?” Adam gaped at me, shocked when I admitted that I hadn’t tried to actually get anything done about it. I almost wanted to cringe, thinking back about it because it was one of those things, ya know? Where you suck at defending yourself for the most part and getting fucked over becomes the norm. You just kind of let it ride, go with it and hope for the best down the road. If you’re wondering, yes. I did this a lot. And yeah, on occasion I do still do it. It’s just.. Easier… Not to be a troublemaker or make waves.

I opened my mouth and closed it again, giving a defeated sigh. Nothing I could say to explain it would make this any more logical, I could just see it in his eyes. He was genuinely confused as to why I didn’t try to report it.

“It’s not really friendly there like it is around here, okay? Besides, the cops have a lot more important things to worry about, like the actual murders and robberies that happen all the time.” I explained it away, but I felt it boiling at my gut all over again, the anger I’d felt all three occasions to coming back, discovering that a few possessions and some money were gone. The pathetic excuse and my lack of action was also still eating at me and this had taken place a year ago.

Adam cleared his throat and dug around, finding his house key as he muttered, “I’ll go lock the door. Can’t hurt.” and I gave him a relieved look, getting into the passenger side of the car. He hurried back down the brick front steps and got into the driver seat, taking off down the long dirt driveway. As we drove into town, I squirmed in my seat a little.

One, I’m not used to being a passenger in my car. Like at all. Two, I was starting to feel that thick tension creeping back in. The air seemed like it hung heavy with words not said. It was starting to get to me, so I guess that’s why I reached out, turning down the volume on the radio. Adam seemed to be off in his own mind too, because when I finally thought of something to say, “Looks like it’s gonna rain soon.” he muttered a quiet and thoughtful, “Probably so.” and swore under his breath because he’d just spent over half the day plowing up the ground and the rain might mess all that up now. I couldn’t help but give a quiet laugh.

“Just curious, darlin… Ain’t you got… Like… family or a man back in the city?” the question came totally out of the blue and when I glanced over, he was doing it again, giving me that look all over again.

“I don’t, actually. My parents and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms. As far as a relationship, haven’t really… Been in one of those for almost two years now. I..” I paused, biting my lip and taking a deep breath, “got burned really bad in the last one.”

Adam nodded, muttered quietly, “Me too.. On the relationship thing, I mean. Parents are livin in some retirement community out in Colorado. My dad’s idea.” Adam shrugged and reached out, turning the volume up just a little, leaving me to kind of sit there and puzzle out what he’d just admitted.

Okay, in what world is a hunky semi-pro bull rider not involved with at least one person? And he certainly seemed like a nice enough guy from the little we’d interacted since I moved into his house… It definitely made me wonder and it only further drove home the fact that maybe getting to know the man I’m cohabitating with isn’t a bad idea at all.

I mean… we should know a lot more about each other than we already do.

The local supermarket came into view and Adam pulled my car into one of the closer spots to the door, sitting there for a few seconds as if he wanted to say something else. When he finally did break the silence, it was to gently repeat something he’d said earlier in the morning.

“Ya know.. We’re stuck together in this. Wouldn’t hurt to get more comfortable around each other, I’d think.”

“No, it definitely wouldn’t.”

He smiled at me and then raised slightly in his seat, digging out my list, holding it out to me. “Your list, darlin.”

“Tease all you want, but when you’re back at the house and we actually have everything we need to last a while, you’ll see the reasoning there.” I laughed softly, taking the slip of paper from his hand. For a second or two, our fingertips brushed and I bit my lip. He did the same before answering with a shrug, “Won’t matter if I wanted a candy bar or somethin and we don’t have that.”

“You’ll get your junk, sir. Are we going in or are we just gonna sit out here and talk about it all night, cowboy?” I teased, almost wanting to cringe at the flirtatious tone in my voice while also praying to hell that Adam didn’t actually… Read that much into things, because it hadn’t really been intentional. My breath caught in my throat when he eyed me a second or two, this soft and laughing smirk on his face as he got out. I got out too, shutting the door behind me and Adam locked the car, extending his arm. I grabbed a cart and bit my lip when I felt his chest ever so slightly brushing into my back.

He chuckled softly next to my ear. “I still say I make you nervous.” he dared to say it and I bit down on my lip harder, taking a deep breath, turning slightly to look over my shoulder at him, my head shaking and a teasing grin on my face.

I mean… If he’s gonna tease me, why not, right?

“I do believe someone is ignoring social distancing protocols, sir.” I stepped from beneath the way he had his arms on either side of me, his hands on the cart handle and slunk over to the potatoes, grabbing a 5 lb. bag and returning with it, putting it into the cart, flashing him yet another little smile and laughing.

Adam chuckled, grabbing for a bag of apples near the fruits and vegetables, putting them into the cart. “Cute diversion. But I’m still goin by what I said earlier at the house. For some reason, I make you real nervous.”

“Nope.” I’d turned away, busying myself with buying ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise and when I turned back with the three bottles, I found myself body to bod with him again and he was staring down at me thoughtfully, reaching for two of the three bottles in my hand to sit them into the cart. He didn’t break his gaze a single time and I found my breath catching.

Something my grandma said to me once about her and Grandpa came rushing back to me and I mulled it over before quickly shoving it right out of my head.

I barely know Adam. This is just me, being awkward as fuck because I have always been awkward as fuck around men I’m attracted to. It has to be… Right?

But gazing up at him as he gazed right back, I suddenly wasn’t as confident in that as I’ve been up to this point. I mean… I keep feeling like he’s flirting with me. Like he feels truly comfortable around me and this is the real Adam… Not the Adam I’m used to seeing after a winning round at whatever rodeo he happens to be riding in on television when I watch. He’s not cocky, not intense.. He’s just.. A genuinely sweet and good guy. Funny, down to earth and charming.

I tried to get a grip of myself as he started to laugh quietly and reached out, taking the paper from my hand. “Maybe if each of us takes half…” he suggested and I swallowed hard, shaking my head, giving him a smile. “No, no. No. Today’s just been… Weird. I’m used to being alone when I do this. But this is fine, I’m having a good time. And for the last time, no… you do not make me nervous. Not even a little.” I said it in a rush and he chuckled, shrugging as he grabbed a jar of pickles and put them into the cart.

“Whatever you say, darlin. What’s next then?”

“Uh… You’re gonna love this. The mandatory junk food and quick meals.” I joked gently, making him laugh as he pointed out, “You do realize I can cook, right?”

“Yeah, but you’re in and out of hotels at least 100 plus days a year, so…”

“And yet, you nearly burnt down the kitchen just this morning.”

“Bite me.”

“Where, darlin?” Adam joked, again with that grin that I couldn’t tell whether he was being a tease or whether he was… Really flirting with me… Like he was into me.

Then again, I’ve never been good at deciphering cues or hints, to begin with. So, I don’t dare get my hopes up that high.

[gamesofmuggles]

Newt Scamander x Slytherin Princess

Requested : Can I request a slyhtherin reader falling in love with hufflepuff newt.but shes the slytherim princess so everyone’s confused at why she’s dating newt

Around 1600 words. 

Without you asking, you gain a "title" in the school. The Slytherin Princess. Alright you descend from a powerful family of Wizards, and you were like pretty good in class. Also very generous and helping, not that ugly looking but that title was too, freaking much. Your ambition was definitely what send you to Slytherin, you didn't know what sleeping was, and you always ask for more task at your charge. Everybody made sure you have your favorite spot in class, for the Quidditch game, you always found a little note at breakfast in the morning, and even if all that seems wonderful, people were pretty boring to you. You knew everybody in the school, well the interesting one. That kid that was blocked in a painting, the one hanging out with the ghosts, that girl who succeed to stupefix someone in the second year, someone who blew up the toilet, the kid always hanging out with magical creature. It was an other night of watching the corridor, does Prefect sleep? 

"Don't move" as you heard the voice behind you, you could feel a little tickling on your hand. Without moving your body you turn your head slightly to the left side. Your favorite ring. Diamond and Emerald was delicately slipping through your fingers. The reason why? A Niffler. A real one although a baby you presume was holding to it. His weight pushing the ring to the edge of your finger. "I had an awful night trying to catch that little buddy" the voice come closer. There could be only one person to do this. Newt Scamander. "Quick," you said watching the Nifler nearly at the end of his quest. He jumps to catch the little animal in his hands. With a bright smile he looked at you, you were not amused. At all. You ran your eyes to look at him. His freckles made him look younger. "I believe this is yours" he tickled the Nifler to get your rings back. With an awkward gesture, he presented it to you, then tried to put it on your fingers and scuff and presented it to you again. You grab it and put it as his place. "Mister Scamander, where this Nifler come from?" "My.. room?" he said trying to break the awkward silence. You rolled your eyes to him. "You can't have him around" "I know, he just, well he lost his mother so.." You sigh and saw the little nose of the animal picking from Newt pocket. Fuck it that was cute. "FINE, keep it until he can manage to live by himself" Newt smiled at you and you again rolled your eyes, despite being popular you weren't that good at socialization. But as you did the minimum everybody thought you are the kindest. "Go on then," you said not wanting to report him and he jogged back to his common room.

You were struggling, like really struggling in front of your Magical Creature paper, you suspected the creature to feel your lack of empathy for them and then acting all kind of weird. You leave your paper on the making to grab breakfast, you read the paper alone when you found your solution. All the Hufflepuff was looking at you in direction of their table. "Scamander" Newt chocked on his sausage and blushed. "I need you" you seat next to him, a leg on each side of the bench. "For the paper for Magical Creature," you add, waiting desperately for him to speak. "Ok" "See you tonight then, meet me here" You returned to your work, leaving Newt being questioned by his house fellow.

As you watched the clock tick you noticed he had 10 min late. He was impossible. The moment you wanted to go back he arrived, a bunch of books again his chest, and a mess in this hair the usual. You raised an eyebrow. "Sorry" "Yeah come on it's ok" You seated at a table during the study hour. As you explain your problem to him, you noticed he had trouble looking people in the eye. "I just don't know the difference between these two braids, their basically the same!" He laughed "No their note" With a quick drawing, he shows you the subtitle differences between them. "This is way too difficult" "How's so?" You glanced at him. "You are the best in transfiguration, and you think distinguishing two creatures is difficult?" You blushed a little bit, open your mouth ready to fire him, but instead took a deep breath, he had definitely pushed his boundaries to say that. "They feel I don't like them" "Well, yeah. We are the one killing them usually" you freeze to that, biting your nails nervously and old habit. "I never thought I would see that" you both turn to Melissa, you hated. H A T E D her. "You flirting with the wrong Scamander, while Theseus is out dare being a hero" That was by far the cruelest thing someone could say. "Fuck off" "My pleasure" "Oh I would burn that bitch to the.." you turn but Newt was gone, leaving only the sketches on the table.

You close your cape as you step outside of the castle, you knew he would be somewhere, as you needed some fresh air too. You descend the brick step towards the forest, he was seated against a tree stump. "Want me to end that girl reputation?" you said seating with your legs crossed. "Listen, that was stupid and I'm sure you are.." "I know you don't mean wrong but you just couldn't understand" he cut you. "I think I know perfectly" "How? I'm sure you're the proud of your family" "I'm the proud of the Headmaster, I'm the proud of the Transfiguration teacher but I sure ain't no proud to my family" "But why?" this time Newt was looking at you and you were the one avoiding it. "They only care about themselves, all my efforts didn't lead to nothing, I did it for nothing." "Are you kidding? You're a powerful witch, and kind.. and" You smiled at him, as he searches his words. "Thank you Newt" "I'm heading home, you staying here?" you asked standing up. "Yeah, I'm gonna check on some.. people" "Sure you are," you said coming closer to him and tightening his scarf. "I'll see you around"

This new friendship was truly new to both of you, he was getting the attention he deserved and you, true support no one ever gave you. You noticed something changed in you when you saw him arrived late in class, and his shirt was upon up because he didn't have the time, and you smiled widely at that. After this mortified introspection you felt a lot shyer around him. Was he thinking the same? after all, you spent all your time together.

It was winter and you visited Hogwmades, you were freezing to death. "Here you can take my scarf" he pulled around your neck the Hufflepuff colors, and it was not that bad. "You're not cold?" "I'm used to spend hours outside" "Let's go get a drink" When you entered the Tavern and seat at a table, you heard some whispers around you. "I think you're right, she dating him" "But why this makes no sense" You feel your cheeks burned, Newt wasn't paying attention to it, too busy looking at you. "We leaving," you said when the drinks arrive. "Oh, why?" You took his hands and lead him outside. "People were talking again" "I'm sorry," he said drawing circles in the snow with his foot. "For what?" "Because you spend your time with me" he looked so sad that you never felt so much down in your life. "How could you imagine that I care about them?" "I feel like sometimes I'm not at the right place" "Excuse me?" "No, it's not like.." you unroll his scarf and angrily gave him before returning alone to the castle, the fact that he didn't feel comfortable around you, or thought that your friendship was not something you were proud hurt you.

You couldn't focus on your homework, in front of your eyes a piece of paper flew to you and landed on your books. "Astronomy tower" you knew his handwriting by heart and you hesitated a moment before joining the high tower. "Hello?" you inquired. "I'm sorry" a hand in his pocket, the other one holding a sunflower he never looked more vulnerable and kissable. "That's for you" you grab the flower and smiled. "Thank you." "Listen, If I ever did something that could upset you or make you feel uncomfortable I want you to tell me," you asked your voice a little broke. "In the contract, this has been the best year" "I think we should give what the people want," you said mischevious "What is that?" "A couple," you said coming closer to him. He did the first step at your surprised and kissed you, his smell was the most reassuring thing ever and it feels truly like home. And everybody could shut up.

Notes : Sltyhertin Princess gif from /megaraprynce / not my edit 

[boogiewrites]

A Girl Walks Into A Bar 2

Characters: Declan Harp x Bella (OFC)

Word Count: 3600+

Summary: Frontier Modern AU. Declan is a bar owner and local urban legend with a reputation he’d like to leave in the past. Bella is a rough around the edges, low key sweetheart that isn’t from his part of town. After meeting with the help of some bad luck and perhaps a touch of fate, how far will their undeniable chemistry take them until their histories catch up with them?

Warnings/Tags: Language.

Positive feedback is MUCH appreciated! Reblogs, likes, asks and comments feed me to write more! Let me know if you’d like tagged in my work.

Click on my screenname then go to Mobile Masterlist in my bio for my other works and chapters. (Had to do this since Tumblr killed links, sorry.)

You lay in your bed for over an hour looking at your phone. You weren't surprised you were having trouble sleeping, the two of you were very old and close friends at this point. With there being a man you barely knew in your living room, just on the other side of the wall you were staring at, you were even less surprised you couldn't sleep.

So you kick off your covers and move quietly to your door, your feet in thick knee socks, wearing leggings and a pulling a large hoodie over you before you click open your door. You peak your head around the corner of the wall, trying not to be obvious.

He's sound asleep, looking entirely unbothered and you found it comforting in a way. At least he felt safe around you, that was something. What you'd give to be able to fall asleep in a strangers house without reservation. But if you looked like him you'd be scared of less too. It's not like you'd learned to defend yourself and worked out just for the vanity of it, after all. From the intimidating vibe the men outside the bar were giving you, you're guessing that he looked the way he did for many of the same reasons.

You see you haven't woken him and when a small snore and grunt make their appearance your nerves ease as you see he has no intention of doing anything besides sleeping and he's apparently doing well in his endeavors currently. You rest your hip against the doorway, watching him.

The night is biting cold, you can feel it creeping into the house from the window, the heater balancing out the warmth of the room. You can see him in the warm orange glow of the light of it, his relaxed face looks soft, despite the hair that covered it and the scar marking his brow. He looked hard but not menacing, which seems like a very difficult thing to achieve for a man looking the way he did. You wouldn't deny he was handsome, how could you? It was the heat that rose to your face when your eyes first met that made you admit it to yourself. You were working on trying to admit when you found a man attractive, having learned too many lessons the hard way in your youth, you now found it hard to trust men. Well, hard to trust just about anyone. You'd buried yourself in your hobbies which turned into a career, keeping your head low, focusing on yourself and being independent of your past. Perhaps you needed to start working on a new phase of accepting new people into your life. This polite and kind man seemed like a decent place to start. His friendship would even come with a bar, and thus even more new people to meet. You weren't sure if you were ready to make new friends, but a part of you knew that you would never be fully ready and perhaps the universe was intervening, making you walk into that bar yesterday to give you a push in a new direction.

You eventually fall asleep, telling yourself this Declan Harp wasn't going to kill you, he wasn't going to try anything in the middle of the night and you eventually grew tired, meditating to tell yourself it was okay to relax enough to fall asleep. And eventually, you did.

You wake up to your work alarm and you groan, smacking at the phone in annoyance. Work? No. Not today. Not after yesterday, not with this snow. You call Karen and tell you aren't coming in. She doesn't seem surprised in the least. Apparently, the weather was bad where she was too, there'd already been cancellations on appointments today so she wasn't worried, it's not like you missed work often anyway.

You still didn't hey nearly enough sleep, but you were used to functioning at this capacity. At just before nine you creak your door open, peaking out just the same as the night before, but now you could see a lamp was on. He'd already put up the bed, bless him, sitting snuggly on the couch with a blanket over him, scrolling through his phone.

You move into his view, running your fingers through your sleep-tousled hair before stretching and tugging back down your hoodie.

"Mornin' Bells." his voice is deep and gritty and sounds like honey being poured over whiskey stones looks. You let out an involuntary grunt as it hits your ears, clearing your throat to cover your reaction.

"Morning, Dec." you grumble, another yawn coming as you walk slowly into the kitchen. You figure if he can already manipulate your name, that you could do that same to his. He doesn't seem to mind as you can feel him watching you walk by.

He doesn't mind the nickname, but he's actually gotten distracted by how you look this morning. It having been dark in the bar and through the night, and you wearing layers he didn't get a close look at you. But now, sunlight in through the frosty panes he couldn't help but follow your lower half as you stomped sleepily across the room. Seeing a clearly strong thickness in your thighs that rested under an ass of the same description, just peaking out from beneath the bottom of your hoodie. "I didn't keep you waiting too long did I?" you say a little louder, your own voice deep and slow from sleep still.

"Nah." you hear groaned as the couch makes a similar noise as he rises.

"Not been up even thirty minutes. Just checking my phone out of habit." he shrugs, but you don't see it, pushing his phone into his pocket, wearing a tank top that you guessed was under his t-shirt from last night and his jeans.

"Mmmph." you nod in response, hearing him walk into the kitchen. "Want breakfast?" you ask, your eyes half-lidded and blinking slowly.

"After those sandwiches last night I'd be an idiot to say no."

"Mmm." your lips purse as you rest your hands on the counter, leaning against it. "Flattery, huh?" you let out a low rumbling chuckle. "This early?" you quirk your head at him.

"You warned me you'd be mean this morning..." he raises a brow and you know he's being a wonderfully intuitive person, making sure he defused any situation before it even started.

You give him a closed mouth smile. "So you're smart too, huh?" you finally give a laugh, another low rumble from your chest as you move to the fridge.

"My actions would usually speak against that." he grins, looking down at the wooden floor. "But I won't turn down a compliment." his head shakes slightly, his hair moving back and forth over his face as it hangs down.

"Breakfast burrito alright?" you ask, looking at the contents of the fridge and finding yourself not wanting to make anything from scratch.

"Fuck yeah. Sure." his voice is full of amusement and more than a bit of hunger.

You lean into the freezer, picking the pre-made burritos out of their container, all individually wrapped, part of your meal prep you tried to keep up with. "Big boy like you'll eat two I imagine." an amused smile on your lips as you push the buttons on the toaster oven to heat them up. "You make these too?" his voice sounds impressed.

"Yeah, I like to make them ahead of time. Easy to grab before I go work out in the mornings."

"Ah. Makes sense." he gives a thoughtful nod, finally moving from his position of leaning on the doorway to the table. "What's in 'em?" he asks, chin in his hand, watching you move about the kitchen, starting the coffee.

"Uhh...lots of veggies." you nod. "Eggs, goat cheese, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, pork sausage, some salsa." you name off things as you back and forth from the counters on opposite sides of the room, one with your coffee, tea and appliances, the other with the stove, toaster oven and sink, the fridge sitting daunting between the two, cabinets on either side of it.

"Sounds almost healthy." he laughs, still low and easy going, rumbling around his chest before escaping from his smiling lips.

"Could be a lot worse." you nod and sit a glass of water in front of him, sitting in the chair closest to him at the round table that took up one half of the kitchen. You look out the double patios doors for a moment, your fenced in backyard covered in deep snow. "I figure...with as much as I drink sometimes, and my tendency to eat really unhealthy greasy junk food late at night, I can try to eat well the rest of the time." you look over to him and shrug, rising when the coffee pot beeps.

"Not a bad approach. I feel like somedays I only work out because I eat so much." he laughs at himself, chin still in his hand as his eyes follow you.

"Can't relate." you laugh with a shake of your head. You make your coffee, setting it on the table. "How ya take it?"

"Fuck it, just black this morning."  you give a stern nod and comply.

"Take your coffee much like yourself." you chuckle to yourself, his brow furrows in amused question at you as you sit down. "Straightforward. Dark. Strong." you let out a laugh, your nose wrinkling as you take a sip.

"What's your's say then?" he asks with a quirked eyebrow.

You hum in thought, looking into your mug. "Bitter base with enough artificial sweetener to make it tolerable." you let out the first shoulder-shaking laugh of the day.

A grin spreads across his face. "I heard artificial sweetener is bad for you, you know." he says with no scolding, still teasing you.

"Alright, mom." you chuckle into your mug. "I'll be sure to add my emotional shortcomings to my list of things to work on. Try for more raw sugar and less aspartame." you smirk.

"Oh shit, I didn't mean it like that." you can see his posture stiffen.

"Don't worry Declan, no offense taken." you shake your head and give him a genuinely warm smile that eases his nerves. "Stick around me long enough you'll start to understand my fucked up sense of humor. I'm always like this." you grin at yourself, standing to get the burritos from the small oven after it dings.

You slide the plate in front of him, just as last night he doesn't hesitate to attack your offering. "So you meal prep...and you said you work out..." he says between bites." Do you do competitions or anything like that?" he asks.

You grin as he makes contented noises as he eats. "Oh, no." you laugh. "I just like lifting weights. I like being strong." you nod, taking a bite yourself now. "You clearly workout, you do competitions?"

He laughs, a mouthful of food before forgetting his manners. "Nah." he shakes his head. "Kind've comes with the tough guy territory," he explains with a slight shrug. "Bar owner, ex-member of a biker gang. People try to start shit with me a lot." he rolls his eyes.

"Makes sense." you add to show you're listening. "Ex biker? I didn't think they let people out of those things?"

"Well these guys did. After all the shit I've done for them, sorry, all the shit I still do for them, " he chuckles, "You tell them you want out, they listen." his eyebrows raise with his explanation. So he certainly seemed to be someone you wouldn't want to fuck with and his words back up this theory. He was becoming more and more intriguing the more he spoke. "I saw the vests and patches on the guys out front that gave me a hard time, I was hoping I wasn't going to walk in and someone tries to make me ride bitch with them." you joke.

"Oh ignore them." he moves his hand dismissively. "They like to act all tough but they won't give you any trouble. Not with me around anyway. One of them so much as insults you, you let me know. I'll set 'em straight." he gives you a friendly wink.

"What if I'd rather set them straight myself?" you grin.

"Well if you think you can take them, go for it babe." he chuckles, "I won't stop ya."

"They behave better when you're around?"

"Yeah. They know I don't want all the violent bullshit in my bar. Not like I can totally avoid it, kind've comes with the territory.  We get too much flack as is with stereotypes. Don't want to attract the wrong kind of people ya know? I don't' want to deal with that bullshit anymore."

"Very smart and professional of you." you say supportively.

"Can I get that in writing? You do reviews?" he laughs, finishing his burritos. Taking down two in the time it took you to eat one.

"The Trading Post. 5 stars. Personal chauffeur service. Personal attention and great fuckin' music. If you love the smell of years of liquor being spilled into old wood floors, you've found your new local." you let out a slight giggle.

He opens his mouth to retaliate against your comments.

"That was all meant to be a compliment." you push your chin into your chest.

"Ah, I see." he nods slowly. "Good thing you came in then, wouldn't want to lose you to one of those gentrified gastro pub's that keep popping up."

"Now my friend Charlotte, that's more her scene," you explain, taking the plates to the sink. "She took me to one once, not my style." you shake your head, "I like dives. I like age and grit and rough around the edges. Dark and rugged...that's more my style."

You turn to face him, he's already standing, stretching and letting out a roar of a groan as he does so. You can't help but notice the line of skin exposed from the raising of his shirt, warm tan skin with a light dusting of hair that you blink rapidly to forget. Don't go getting distracted by a nice body, that's never done anyone a bit of good. Even though this body seemed to have a good brain inside it, you'd wait to hold judgment until you'd known the man at least 24 hours.

You look at the clock on the wall as he smacks his lips and rubs his neck.

"Salt truck should've ran by now. Let's see the verdict, shall we?" you shrug and walk past him to the window in the living room. "Good news!" you lilt, turning quickly to let him know the roads were salted but he's already towering over you, peaking out of the curtains above your head. Jesus, he was tall. You bet he was around a foot taller than you and you can't help but feel physically intimidated standing in his shadow. Who would be stupid enough to mess with this guy?

"House arrest over." he laughs.

"Salt trucks ran, sun's out, you've got four-wheel drive...you should make your break to freedom before another front moves in." you look up at him with big blinking eyes, he meets them with a warm smile, seeming to study your face for a moment before moving to the couch to grab his t-shirt.

"You need a ride anywhere?" he asks, pulling on his boots.

"Thanks but no." you shake your head. "I'm not going anywhere today." you frown but not in a sad way as you move to the front door.

"Well...in case you do..." he says, leaning over the small desk in the hallway by the door, scribbling down something. "There's my number. The buses suck shit in my part of town so don't think you're gonna be bothering me."

"Written down instead of texted. Old fashioned. I like it." you give him an approving nod. You pull your phone from your pocket, entering in the number and texting him your name. He puts on his coat, seeing the numerous locks on your front door, trying not to be obvious as he thought about why'd you have so many. Three deadbolts seemed a bit much but...you were a woman who lived alone.

"I'm not as cool as you so I just texted it to you." you shrug.

He flicks the screen with his thumb. "Bella Fiore." he grins. "So that other half is Italian huh?" That explains the olive complexion and dark hair he thought. He'd known you were half Irish but only the light freckles on your cheeks that he could see now that you weren't wearing makeup, and your green eyes gave any illusion to the heritage.

"Afraid so." you grin.

"Well..." he lowers his head almost as if he were bowing. "Thank you, for letting me stay. For real. And you fed me...twice! So I owe you." he chuckles. He brings you in for an unexpected hug, but you certainly weren't going to fight him. You'd seen him do the same to the girl the night before so you still don't feel like he's being forward with you.

"Just repaying you for dealing with and taking care of my drunk ass last night." you say, noticing that distinctly masculine smell that's unique to every man, his being particularly pleasant to your senses as your fae rests on the soft leather of his coat.

He let's go, an inviting smile on his lips as he looks down at you. "I don't get many people as cool as you coming into the bar so don't be a stranger, alright?"

"And miss out on more of that Ale? Don't be stupid, Declan." you give him the same kinda smile back before unlocking the door and opening it for him. "You be careful!" you say loudly, holding your hand over your eyes to shield it from the white reflecting off the snow-covered street. He waves before getting in his truck to leave and you watch him depart from the living room window.

The house felt oddly empty now. "Oh hello baby." you coo as Robert appears, rubbing against your ankles. "Got distracted feeding someone else and left you out huh?" you baby talk him, scratching under his chin as you carry him to the kitchen. He meows and purrs, not seeming to be angry about it.

So you feed the cat and place the heater back in your room. You sit on the edge of the bed, wondering how to spend your unexpected day off. You figure you'll check in with Charlotte, your oldest and best friend.

"Hello?" you hear the usual weariness in her voice, having just had a baby.

"Hey mama." you try to sound cheerful to offset her exhaustion.

"Hey." you hear her yawn.

"Didn't wake you up did it?"

"Ugh, no. I've not been to sleep."

"Sam being a booger still?"

"He's not stopped since conception." she hums in amusement at herself.

"I had a great night and I thought you might want to hear about it."

"Please. Yes. Let me pretend I'm not covered in spit up and breast milk and that I've showered in the past two days. because I have a life still."

She had been living vicariously through you as of late. It had been the other way around previously. She'd found a banker, a nice enough dude to marry her and those were all things that felt not in the cards for you. Rich guys she tried to set you up with just really didn't seem down with what you were offering, but then again, you weren't really looking to be anyone's wife. You'd agree to a blind date and it'd end amicably but there'd never been any follow-up. Rough around the edges was a polite phrase you'd heard one too many times now to describe yourself.

"Well I went to a new bar, I'll have to take you eventually, it's rustic and strangely endearing."  you pick at the cat hair that's gathered on your hoodie from where you carried Robert around. "And I met this really nice guy."

"You're kidding." she says flatly.

"Nope. He even stayed the night last night." you say suggestively, purposely leading her on and she bites the bait hook, line and sinker.

"HE WHAT?!" she shouts. You hear the baby start crying. "Oops." she says in a tone that shows she's only disappointed with herself. ------- Declan arrives back at the bar, Mike's already there dealing with deliveries.

"Back late I see." his eyebrows raise as he looks down on a clipboard.

"Got snowed in." he gruffs out.

"Mmmm Hmmm. Yeah, sure ya did." he chuckles.

"I very literally did." he responds flatly.

"And how was the girl? What was her name again?"

"Bella." he says, a small smile on his face as he takes his coat off and hangs it on a hook in the back room.

"Ah. Bella. Pretty name for a pretty girl." he says, checking off his list. "And how did Miss Bella treat ya last night Mr. Harp?" he grins.

"Nothing happened that would warrant that tone being used." he shoves his shoulder as he passes him with a chuckle, moving over to a pile of boxes.

"If nothing happened then how was she? Not had a woman we didn't already know in this bar for ages. You two seemed to get along really well, actually." he inquires.

"She's..." he pauses, a tilt of his head in thought. " She's really nice actually. And cool." his eyes narrow in thought.

"Oh goodness, nice and cool? Such aggressive descriptors from you about a woman." Mike cackles.

"Shut up Mike." he grunts, still grinning to himself as he lifting the boxes to carry to the walk-in fridge.

@vale0413

[beckytailweaver]

[FIC] I wrote a Coco thing! In the name of Destiny!

I guess for now this is the UnbornAU, but it could also be named Destiny.  Or maybe I should call it Unborn Destiny...

Anyway!!

This whole Coco AU is kind of based on This Post but it also incorporates a bunch of other loose bits that don’t fit anywhere else and looked cool. There’s not much actually written down, but it seems to be a pretty solid collection of concepts in my head that rolled together well, so...I’ll see where this goes. Suggestions and thoughts are welcome.

Thus, for your reading pleasure (I hope), a brief random Unborn Destiny scenelet apropos of nothing. (No pizzas were harmed in the making of this ficbit.)

Unborn Destiny clip (Setting: Land of the Living, Rivera house courtyard, early afternoon)

Miguel glanced from Héctor to the slice of pizza and back again, his smile fading.  Pensive, he held it out to his grandfather.  "You want some?"

"Ay, didn't we just go over this?"  Héctor reached over and swiped at the bitten slice, bony hand passing through the boy's with no other sensation than a touch of slightly-too-cool air and the faintest tingle.  "I'm a little insubstantial on this side of the bridge, mijo.  Besides, it has your spit on it," he complained good-naturedly.

"We're family, we have the same germs," Miguel groused back, some of his good humor returning.  "I just feel bad eating in front of you when you've got nothing."

"I'm not gonna starve to death, Chamaco."  Behind his joking grin, the skeleton had that softly fond look in his eyes that he got whenever his family went out of their way for him.  Like after a year it was still amazing and he didn't expect it all the time.

Miguel loved that look and mourned it at the same time.  "I know that, but Abuelita says it's not nice to eat in front of people without inviting them."

"Such a polite boy."  Chuckling, Héctor ruffled Miguel's hair—or pretended to, and maybe it only flicked in a slightly cool hint of breeze as he ducked away.  "Anyway, I couldn't eat it even if I could touch it.  Where would it go?"

Perplexed, Miguel watched a bony finger run up and down the empty ribcage like a clattery xylophone, softly musical.  "Wait, we ate at Mamá Imelda's house, I've seen you eat and drink before...!"

"Yes, yes, you saw it," Héctor agreed, making calming gestures.  "But that—" He pointed at the slice of pizza and its missing bite, still dangling in Miguel's hand. "—is real food, made of bread and cheese and sausage and...who knows what else they put in that thing.  Anyway.  What you see me eating—" A gesture at his own body again, the hollow slats of ribs and the slim tower of spine like a lone tree, as if to emphasize the lack of anything resembling organs.  "—is the same as everything else in the Land of the Dead: A memory."

"You're eating memories."  Miguel wrinkled his nose, pondering the concept.  "So...it's like when you take your offerings from the ofrenda or the cemetery...or when you took your guitar.  A...an echo. A reflection."

"Yes!  Well, kind of.  Mostly," Héctor nodded, still smiling.  "The dead don't need to eat—it's just a nice thing to do now and then.  So it's very sweet of you to offer, mijo, and you have my thanks, but it's really not necessary."

Nodding absently, Miguel stared down at the pizza slice.  "A memory..."

"So finish up before it gets cold, Chamaco!"

Head tilting, Miguel took hold of the crust of his slice with both hands. He focused on the pizza itself, on the smell and the taste, the texture of the cheese and the warmth of the bread.  Then he reached inside for that same inside-out-upside-down cold warmth that bloomed under his heart when he flipped through the borders of the world.

With both hands he pulled apart, and the world spun a little bit for an instant, but the pizza slice didn't tear.

There was a brief clatter of ethereal bone.  "Dios mío—!"

When Miguel looked up again, his skeletal grandfather had startled into one of those artistic pretzels that happened when the current range of motion in his strongly-remembered form tangled with his mind's perception of how his limbs should be able to move after decades of loose-jointed neglect.  His eyes were rather huge.

"Papá Héctor, are you okay?"

"Am I okay?  What you just did—are you okay?"  Disentangling his limbs with the ease of long habit, Héctor gestured expressively at the pizza in his grandson's hands.  "That—that—I don't think that's supposed to happen!"

In his left hand, Miguel still held his slice of pizza, untouched.  In his right...an identical slice, down to the missing bite, translucent and softly glowing a pale yellow.  The cool tingle in his fingers was stronger than ever, almost like his hand had gone to sleep.

"Well," Miguel grinned, holding up the ghostly slice, "it worked.  Here you go!"

Héctor gaped at him.  "You just—without even Día de Muertos—and no cempasúchil—and you just say 'Here you go' like it's—"

"You said it worked like memory, so that's what I tried!  Like the cemetery!"  Miguel pushed the ghost pizza at his grandfather again.  "And...you need to take this 'cause it's kind of starting to make my hand hurt—"

With a yelp, Héctor lurched forward and scooped the memory-food out of the boy's hand.  This time, Miguel could almost feel the brush of warm-cool finger bones, hard and not quite smooth.

Clutching the pizza gingerly as if it might be a grenade, Héctor watched him shake out his fingers. "Are you all right?  Let me see—are there bones?  Did you—?"

"It's fine, it's fine!"  Miguel waved him off; the tingling ache was fading already, leaving only cold fingers.  "I think it was just a bit much, being on this side and trying to hold something from yours."

"This was a lot more than just picking up a leftover piece of Pan de Muertos, Chamaco."  Héctor looked far more worried than impressed.  "You just...out of nothing.  There's supposed to be Día de Muertos and a lot of marigold petals for that to work."

"It wasn't nothing, it was memory," Miguel insisted, holding up his own cooling slice.  "But I'm glad it worked, because now I don't have to eat alone."

"Ayy, this kid...!"  The skeleton threw up his hands, almost tossing the ghost pizza.  "Doing hopscotch on the border between worlds, playing with ancient magic like a toy, and he's worried about me getting lunch..."

"Aren't you going to try it?"  Grinning, Miguel took another big bite of his own.

Héctor stared flatly at him.

"I'm just saying," Miguel went on after swallowing, unrepentant, "after all this effort, it would be a shame if you didn't even taste it."

Rolling his eyes with an affectionate I've-got-your-number,-kid snort, Héctor examined the ghostly pizza for a moment before taking a very careful bite.

"Well?"

The skeleton chewed thoughtfully and swallowed.  "...it's pretty good, actually."

Miguel's face split into a beaming smile.

"But it's still got your spit on it."

"We're family, we have the same germs!"

(end...for now)

[bandasaruswrx]

part one: underestimated silence - gang!shawn

Word Count: 2883

A/N: warning to all readers, please know this story will be filled with potential triggers and will contain things such a drugs, violence with mentions of blood, and bad behavior. there will be quite a bit of foul language. you have been warned. DO NOT read if you are going to complain about any of that. give me constructive criticism if anything, i always appreciate any kind of feedback. let me know how you like the first part of this series!  

*Shawn’s Point of View*

You know when someone has nothing better to do with their lives than talk shit about someone else like it’s going to solve anything? When they seem to believe that opening their big mouth and fueling violent altercation is better than just keeping it zipped and going about their day? Pathetic, right? I’m no saint, but I’m not one to waste my time on someone of no use or meaning to me. Just not worth my precious time. Most days I try to be the bigger man and walk away. You really think I’m going to waste my time on someone constantly downgrading me and clouding my mind with nothing but derogatory comments? No way, Jose. However, I’m a firm believer of you get what you give.

Like I said, I’m no saint, sometimes their ruthless slander cracks something in me and I just loose control over myself. You get what you give, you punch a 5’9 well built, 28 year old man for talking shit about your family right in center of the face, of course you’re going to get punched in the eye. Violence is a two - way street.

“Shawn! Shawn! Stop, get off of him, he’s had enough! They aren’t worth this much of our time.” Shawn’s best friend, Stephen yelled, prying Shawn off the big mouthed man. Shawn recoiled into Stephen’s tug, heavily panting from the rush of adrenaline and anger swimming through his body.

“You’re lucky he was here to stop me.” Shawn warned before storming off into the barely lit streets. Stephen jogged after Shawn while the man who just got a assbeating from a man smaller than him yelled more than likely degrading statements in Spanish as he recollected himself.

“Dude…” Stephen began when he had caught up to Shawn, making him scuff and roll his eyes. “Are you okay?” He asked concerned about his best friend, not really phased by the reason they were on the move. The men took quick, large steps as they headed towards their apartment to give up the mischief for the night.

“I’m fine.” Shawn stated sharply, clearly irritated. The guys were use to seeing each other like this when you find yourself at home with the menacing group of the world, you get used to seeing your partner beat up and shut down. Stephen huffed and pulled out a cigarette.

“Want one?” he asked, lighting his own. Shawn glanced over and got a little excited when he figured out what his friend was referring to.

“Oh my god, yes, please,” Shawn grabbed the one Stephen was handing him, along with the lighter, “Fuck.” Shawn whispered after taking his first puff. He brought the cigarette up to his lips once more and took a drag. The potent smoke filling his lungs made him feel a tad bit better, he knew cancer sticks weren’t exactly the best medicine. However, at this time and place he couldn’t care less.

As Shawn and Stephen arrived to their surprisingly spacious apartment, they immediately were drowning with exhaustion. It had been an incredibly long day, that’s for sure. “Goodnight dude, make sure you clean that up before you go to bed. Do you need any help?” Stephen offered, wanting to be reassured his best friends wasn’t in need of any assistance. “Nah, I’m going to take a shower so I’ll be fine. Thanks for offering tho bro, I appreciate it. Goodnight.” Shawn responded, giving his thoughtful friend a small smile.

Stephen returned the gesture and headed to his room, beyond ready to jump in bed and begin counting sheep. Shawn made a trip to the kitchen, reaching into the fridge he pulled out a Gatorade and headed to his room. Shawn was lucky enough to call the master bedroom with the attached bathroom his own and he never took that for granted because to him it was such a luxury.

As Shawn closed his bedroom door behind him, he tore off his shirt and threw it across the room where it landed just beside his laundry basket. He groaned and shrugged it off, “Oh well.” he mumbled. He walked straight into the bathroom intending to turn on the water, when he walked past the mirror and stopped. He closely observed the wounds inflicted on his face. He scoffed, “Great. Just what I need, another day of Professors and complete strangers asking me what happened and if I’m okay,” he shook his head, “No, no Teach, I just fell off my bike. Guess next time I shouldn’t be out riding so late.” He mocked his prediction of something he’ll have to be saying a lot tomorrow. He gently rubbed his finger across a huge gash underneath his ridiculous black eye with a painful hiss. Rolling his eyes he returned back to his previous intention of turning on the shower, and began thinking about how shitty his day went. You wouldn’t think fighting someone in a random alley what feels like everyday is considered normal, but for Shawn it was. After adjusting the water’s temperature to his preference, he got undressed and hopped into the shower. The hot water worked its calming magic as it descended all over his body.

Once Shawn finished cleaning up, he dried off and put on some fresh boxers. Shawn reached over his bedside table for a small white bottle labeled ‘Ibuprofen.’ He knew all this fighting was getting out of hand, but he knew for the sake of his family and his own future, he was going to have to stay one step ahead of them. After screwing off the lid and dumping a few in his hand, he threw them in his mouth and washed them down with the Gatorade. Feeling the liquid replenish his mouth, he closed the bottle and checked the time on his phone. 2:47 am.

“Tomorrow’s going to fucking suck.” he sighed, putting his face in his hands before running them through his hair. “Might as well get it over with faster.” He mumbled to himself, double checking the alarm set for exactly 45 minutes before his first class begins. Pulling the blanket over his barely dressed body, he rolled over and placed his head on his favorite pillow. Falling asleep was no issue, once his eyelids were closed he drifted off into a paradise of darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Hey, Lylia? Have you seen my Fall Out Boy shirt?” You asked, scavenging through a hamper of clean clothes. “You really expect me to know which one you’re referring too?” Lylia shouted with a laugh, her voice seeming to be getting closer. Soon she appeared in your doorway, all ready for the day, a half eaten sausage link stabbed on a fork in her hand. “I made breakfast, by the way so hurry your ass up so that you have enough time to eat.” You glanced over at her, envying her incredible energy for so early in the morning. “The black crop top,” you began, making her scuff, “the one with their little logo on it.” you finished, adding more detail. She scanned your overall look, a habit of hers. You stood their anticipating her response as she stared at your in your ripped jeans with fishnets peaking through and only a super cute bra on.

“Oh!” She squeaked, running off. You figured she had it because around here there was no difference between Y/N’s and Lylia’s clothes, you guys shared practically everything. As you awaited her return with your shirt, you took one last look in the mirror. There was a party a few hours after school, and you wanted to make sure you didn’t have to worry about getting ready later so you made sure your makeup was on point for the night. It would be easier on you to just have to freshen up rather than rush a full face of makeup later. Picking up some hair spray, you set in place your head of curls and positioned them to your liking.

Out of nowhere you feel something being thrown at you and spin around to see Lylia standing there with a smirk. “It’s clean, don’t worry.” You gave her a skeptical look and picked the shirt up off the ground, giving it a quick sniffle to confirm her statement. After being confident the shirt didn’t smell like disgusting sweat, you put on the small shirt. “Oooooo, girl you are serving looks for days!” Lylia complemented, making you giggle. “Thanks, Ly.” You smiled, reaching over to grab some perfume. “Of course, now come get some food. Also I’m sparking up this blunt, so let’s get going.” You watched as she happily galloped away. A few squirts of perfume later you slipped on your combat boots and grabbed your over the shoulder bag filled with all your school shit from off your dresser. Unplugging your phone, you head out of your bedroom and out to the kitchen, hearing the flick of the lighter get louder and the smell get stronger.

“Serve yourself up a plate of food and come hit this.” Lylia says, taking a puff a few times as a smirk grows on her face and smoke surrounds her. You noticed the plate of pancakes placed to the right on the stove, accompanied by a plate half filled with eggs and the other with bacon and sausage. You happily made your plate and sat next to your best friend of almost 5 years. “Thanks for cooking, I appreciate it.” You praised, taking a big bite of your pancakes. Your blood red headed best friend gave a kind laugh, “Psh, of course. Thank you for rolling spectacular blunts.” You both begin laughing, “Teamwork.” You insist, putting your hand out for a fist bump, she meets you in the middle and hands you the blunt afterwards. You smile as you take a puff, admiring your work, and taking a minute to appreciate your food.

This was almost daily routine for you guys, Lylia would always make sure there was tasty food for actual meals and quick munchies for little stomach filler around the house. Most mornings she would cook you guys some kind of amazing breakfast, if she didn’t the only reason would be because there had been leftovers from the previous morning. Your morning job, on the other hand was to make sure there was a pre rolled prepared by meal time for a quick smoke sesh, just before the two of you headed out to the first class.

“Ready to go, Y/N? Class starts in 15!” You heard Ly yell. “Yes! I’m coming!” You responded, emerging from your bathroom having just finished brushing your teeth. “Let’s roll out!” You said, following Lylia out the door.

Confusion struck you and Lylia upon arriving to your classroom, normally there was a few people already seated but everyone was standing up, looking bored & rather zombie like. “What’s going on?” you asked a friendly man by the name of Colin, standing next to you. He turned his attention toward you, “Professor is giving us a new seating chart for the new semester, I guess.” He explained. Lylia and you nodded in acknowledgement. “Damnit, I hope I don’t get sat next to Gold Digger.” You heard Lylia groan from beside you, referring to the nerdy guy in class who seemed to believe there’s a treasure chest hidden up his nose and was not shy about his search. “I’m pretty sure that’s what everyone’s hoping right now.” You laughed, Colin and Lylia nodding in agreement.

“Alright, alright everyone,” Professor Englandou came into the room, a clipboard in his hand, “let’s get you seated and hop on the train of learning new things.” He began pointing to seats and reading off classmates names. The upside of this class was that it was very small, only sixteen students so it was a very intimate, laid back class to begin with every other day. The setup of the classroom was structured to benefit partner projects. Each table sat a pair of students, and there were only two rows of four. “Lylia, Stephen.” You heard the Professor call out pointing to the second row on the right side. Lylia and you exchanged glances before she started to reluctantly walk to her new seat.

The seats were starting to fill up quickly and only a few students remained standing. “Y/N, Shawn.” Professor called, pointing to the third row on the same side as Lylia, yet not directly behind her. You mentally thanked your Professor for not sticking you with Booger Boy and basically behind your only real friend in this class. As you made yourself comfortable in your new seat, you noticed no one was left standing, yet no one occupied the seat next to you. Your professor scanned the new seating setup and looked rather proud of himself, he took a deep breath and was about to speak before the door swung open and appeared a troubled looking young man.

“Mendes,” he sighed, “nice of you to join us. Your new seat is located next to Miss. Y/N. Now everyone, it’s my pleasure to continue you all the next chapter of our Forensics journey, welcome to ‘Forensic DNA Analysis.’” Your Professor resumed class as your new table mate made his way over. You immediately noticed his injured face and as much as your instincts told you to do something, you pretended like he wasn’t even there. This wasn’t the first time he’s come to class with his face looking like a rotten cantaloupe. As he sat he quietly mumbled, “Hey.” You responded with a quick smile his way and a quiet, “Hi.” You both focused your attention on your Professor, invested in what he has to say.

“Now, for the last 45 minutes I have an assignment I’d like you all to work on. Flip to page 139 in your books and answers questions 1-35, all in my format. All answers will be found in the first chapter so don’t be telling me you can’t find the answer. You know the rules, don’t even bother handing it in if it’s not in the correct format. If you need any help, give me a holler. If you don’t want to work right now, that’s your loss bud.” Professor Englandou explained, the whole class pulled out their book and began getting the work done. Everyone in the room wanting to take advantage of the free time and felt extremely eager to get this assignment done so they don’t have to worry about it later.

As you finish question 10, out of habit you begin looking around the room. You observe everyone putting most all of their focus into their written work, your guys land on the mysterious man beside you who was only on question 5. Your eyes darted up to his face, cautious of being caught. You noticed he was dozing off, the dark circles under his eyes showed further proof that he clearly hadn’t been getting enough sleep. There’s been countless rumors spread around campus about him, all negative of course. Mainly about drugs. There’s only trait most seem to care about, and that is how attractive someone is. He was an attractive guy, ladies were crazy for him, despite the intimidation, they lusted for him.

You noticed the gash just below his eye had been bleeding for a bit, him being completely unaware. You noticed there was only 5 minutes of class left and began quietly putting your work away. Afterwards you searched for some first aid stuff you always keep handy. You pulled out a singular disinfectant wipe along with a bandaid. Quickly you set the two important pieces of care on his books, making sure not to wake him knowing he wasn’t in a deep state of sleep. You turned back, collecting your stuff making sure you were ready to bolt out the door as soon as Professor announced dismissal. Lylia was turned around and had seen what you had did for the curly haired brunette next to you, instantly you knew she was bound to have a smirk plastered on her face the rest of the day.

“Alright class looks like it’s 12:30, enjoy the rest of your day and don’t forget that assignment is due Thursday first thing, set it in the basket on your way in the door.” Professor warned as students fought to be the first one out the door. Shawn woke up at the sound of the teacher’s voice and took a minute to collect himself once again. Just as he noticed the drips of blood on his paper, he was surprised to see the disinfectant wipe packet and a large bandaid. His face was confused, he glanced and up and made lightening quick eye contact with you before Lylia and yourself exited the classroom. He smiled a bit to himself, grateful for the simple, kind gesture. As he collected his stuff in his backpack, he didn’t notice the Professor watching him from behind his desk. Shawn was too focused on getting out of the classroom and off campus to notice his Professor watching the tall young man who rarely ever showed up to class with positive energy or good vibe around him, leave with a slight smile on his face.