#i hope he stays this excited about drumming forever

[locomotive-complicity]

still smiling all these years later ♡

[pascalssbabyy]

Birthday Interruptions

Pairing: Javi Gutiarrez x F!Reader

Rating: 18+ Explicit

Word Count: 2.9k

Summary: You’re Javi’s assistant and organise a party to celebrate his birthday. However, amongst all the music and entertainment, Javi’s too focused on unwrapping his birthday present early, which of course, happens to be you.

Warnings: 18+ SMUT, mdni, no use of y/n, no age mentioned, brief description of reader (she has hair that can be pulled and she also wears makeup), alcohol consumption, soft!Javi, but also slight dom!Javi, fingering, f!oral, P in V, unprotected sex, mirror sex, creampie, soft ending 🥹

I’m so excited to finally be sharing this with all of you! Javi Gutierrez has the warmest place in my heart and I had to write about him. Please let me know your thoughts and I hope you all enjoy this very smutty little drabble!

The biggest shoutout to @schnarfer for her continuous support and helping me with this! Forever grateful 💕

Javi’s been watching you all night.

And it wasn’t quick looks in your direction or subtle glances.

You’re standing in the corner of the room and the party’s already in full swing. Your eyes focus on the busy crowd, nervous palms smoothing out the creases in your dress and clutching onto your champagne flute. You slowly lift the glass up to your lips and take a sip, the mixture of fruity flavours and acidic bubbles bursting all over your tastebuds.

The sound of music and voices fills the open space. There’s a round of applause and laughter as it decorates the night sky, the clinking of bottles and the tapping of heels echoes in your ear drums, the scattering of fairy lights shining and displaying the beauty of Javi’s home.

You stay back and observe him while he weaves through the busy crowd. You breathe in heavily, smiling at the broadness of his back, his shoulders flexing and covered in a dark, forest green blazer, with his shirt unbuttoned underneath, revealing a glimpse of his sun-kissed chest. His hair was partially slicked back with gel, his beard neatly trimmed and soft curls resting on the nape of his neck.

You’re weak at the knees, unconsciously clenching your thighs together.

Lucas is standing next to you as you both delve into simple conversation. You’re trying so hard to concentrate, eyes reading and mapping out the movements of his lips to help understand the words that leave them, but you can’t. You need Javi. You have to have him, right now.

A warmth travels up your spine and the hairs on your arms stand up, the scent of vetiver and amber opening up your nostrils and filling your lungs. A large hand suddenly caresses your lower back, and you shiver.

Lucas’s eyes widen, raising his glass up in celebration. “Javi!” He says, his smile full and joyful. “Nice to finally see you, happy birthday my friend.”

“Thank you, Lucas,” Javi answers, also lifting his glass towards Lucas as they both take an honourable sip of their champagne. “Glad you could make it.”

“What, and miss this?” Lucas continues, moving his gaze over Javi’s shoulder and checking the crowd. “Place is looking great cousin, you’ve done a real good job.”

Javi chuckles, giving your hip a firm squeeze. “I wish I could say that I helped in making all of this happen but…then I’d be lying. It’s this one you should be complimenting.” Javi pulls you closer, his whole hand now wrapped around your waist and giving you a nudge, “Done all the planning and organising herself.”

Lucas raises his eyebrows and smirks at you. “She’s too good for you Javi.” He sneers, winking at you.

“She’s done an incredible job,” Javi applauds, “always working hard for me.”

Javi was never one for missing an opportunity to congratulate you on your efforts and hard work. He adored you; he knew how much of your life you put into him and his profession, and he loved showing you his appreciation.

This appreciation of course, would come in many different forms.

“You better have a birthday speech tucked away in that blazer Javi,” Lucas says, pulling you out of your daydream. “You know we’re all expecting one.”

Javi pauses, his hold on your waist dropping to the curve of your backside. “It’s funny you say that…” he says, his eyes darkening, “that’s the reason I came over here.”

He gives your ass a small squeeze.

“I do have a speech planned out, however…” He looks directly at you. “There are just parts of it I’m not too happy with. Thought I could run through my ideas with you.”

You nod with hidden urgency. “Of course Javi, that’s what I’m here for.”

A few moments later you’re both saying goodbye to Lucas and making your way towards the house, his hand gently ushering you through the crowd of people.

He stops in his tracks, lips ghosting over your ear.

“Go upstairs mi amor. I’ll be there in 5.”

🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎

Javi pushes the door open with a firm shove, his mouth attacking yours in a fervour and fingers threading through your hair as his strong frame leads you further into his bathroom, the back of your thighs hitting the marbled corner of his sink.

You gasp at the coldness on your fiery skin, lips parting and breaking away from his mouth. Javi is relentless, moving his kisses to your blushed cheeks and lower to your jaw and neck, sucking lightly on your skin that pulses rapidly against his lips and tongue.

Gripping onto his shoulders you throw your head back, giving him more access to you as you moan out his name and claw at his back. Your eyes flutter closed from his marking, his lips continuing to suck and teeth biting at your sweet spot.

You wish this could last the rest of the night, but Javi has people waiting for him, and soon, his guests will be wondering where he’d gone to. His absence away will lead to suspicion, and suspicion could lead with you both getting caught. It hurts, but this has to be quick, so with palms flat on his chest you force him away, fumbling with his belt buckle and frantic fingers yanking at his belt loops, his blown-out pupils watching you intensely.

“Javi.” You warn, “baby we have to be—”

“Quick,” He softly interrupts, “I know cariño, I know.”

Freeing his belt you pull down his zipper, your hand palming his growing cock over his boxers, feeling the hardening shape of him in your small hold.

“See what you do to me.” Javi murmurs, his lips skimming across your shoulder, “Can you feel how hard you make me. Bebé, you have no idea how badly I want you.”

Javi wraps his arms around your back, pressing his erection into your stomach and groaning at the relief it gives him. He’s so close, your body trapped between his grasp and the sink behind you.

“You’re so beautiful…” Javi says, his eyes raking over the top of your dress, the material tight against your breasts, hips and waist. “You look stunning in this dress querida.”

“It’s for you Javi. I wore it tonight, for you.”

He likes that. “Is that right?” He drags his eyes over your dress again and up to your lips. “You wore this dress for me? Is this my little birthday treat?”

Your heart quickens, and all you can do is stand there, motionless, staring at his mouth, licking your own in anticipation.

Javi smirks at you, cocking his eyebrows, his index finger follows the strap of your dress.

“Mmm, as much as I love this on you…” He murmurs, sliding the strap off your shoulder, the top of your breasts peeking out of the sweetheart neckline.

“I think it’ll be much prettier if I wasn’t on you at all. Don’t you think?”

You shudder.

He stares at you in wonder, his touch showing more of your bare and delicate skin. “You gonna be good and let me unwrap my birthday present?”

Yes. Fuck, please take it off.

Javi’s hands move to your half-covered breasts, squeezing them, swiping and pinching his digits over your nipples as they harden under his touch. He tugs at the thin strap that still rests on your shoulder, staring at your collarbone.

The material brushes lightly over your breasts and waist until it pools around your feet, kicking the fabric to the side with your heel.

“Fuck, look at you,” he gazes, taking all of you in, “and no bra too. You’re just begging for it, aren’t you hermosa.”

You’re already throbbing, body now completely bare except for the black thong that covers your sex. There’s a rush twisting in the pit of your core from the way you’re standing so exposed like this, so naked in front of him when he’s still fully clothed.

It excites you.

Reaching up to his blazer you remove it quickly, hungry eyes gaping at the spread of his chest and arms. You rub your thighs together, arousal seeping over your underwear and through the material, the fabric wrecked and sticking to your puffy folds and swollen clit.

You want him. You need him, now.

Javi’s hand follows the curve of your hips and inches closer to your anticipating sensitivity. He hooks his fingers under the waistband of your thong, wetting the tip of his digits with your juices.

You clutch onto his shirt, eyes widening and squealing at the sensation, moans leaving your mouth in erratic sobs of pleasure. Javi opens you up with two fingers and slips one past your entrance. Fuck you’re completely soaked for him, the squelching sound of your arousal filling the room as he curls his finger upwards and adds a second finger, moving them in a slow and almost painful rhythm.

“Always so wet bebé. I’ll never get enough of how messy this pussy gets for me.”

“Please, Javi.”

His eyes close, getting lost in the warmth and slickness of your walls hugging his fingers. “Cariño, I know I said we were gonna be quick but I need to savour this. I have to taste you.”

Javi’s on his knees before you can acknowledge his words, his fingers moving your thong to the side and mouth delving into your folds, his tongue and lips sucking on your clit.

He grunts into your pussy and inhales your scent, the tip of his tongue flicking against your bundle of nerves as he keeps your legs spread apart, your hands knotting and messing his hair as you rub your cunt on his face.

“You have the prettiest pussy,” You hear him say, his words muffled, “so sensitive bebé.”

He licks at your arousal that seeps out of you, collecting it all on his tongue, the tip of his fingers fucking you and stroking your g-spot.

“Fuck, Javi.” You whimper, eyes moving towards the bathroom door. “I don’t wanna wait—I need more. W-want you to fuck me. Give me your cock, please.”

He removes his lips from you with a final suck on your clit, rising back onto his feet and lowering his trousers and boxers in a fast and hasty motion. His cock bounces up to his stomach, his length throbbing, his head red and responsive and his slit weeping.

“Tasted so good cariño,” He breathes, his lips and moustache wet and glossy with your arousal. “You want me to fuck you now? You want me to fill you up?”

“Yes please.” You whimper, turning your body around and bracing your hands on the counter, opening your legs wider and bending your back, moving your ass closer to his cock. Your eyes watch his every move in the mirror.

He drags your panties down your legs before the tip of his cock notches at your entrance, rubbing his whole length along your pussy and covering himself with your sweetness.

“You know I love hearing those noises you make for me.” He coos, eyeing you in the reflection, “But I need you to be good and stay quiet. Think you can do that? Think you can behave when I fuck you like the good girl you are?”

“Y-yes Javi.” You choke out. “Please. Give it to me, I can be quiet, I’ll be so good—”

Your voice cuts off as Javi fills you in one deep thrust, his groin making contact with the curve of your ass. You gasp out in shock and surprise, eyes rolling back at the burning sting trickling down your skin.

“That’s it.” He praises, swirling his hips as his tip reaches deeper, “Feel me. Feel how much my cock fills this small cunt.”

Your breathing is quick, your walls pulsing around his length as you try to adjust to his large size.

“Fuck you’re tight,” Javi grits, fingers digging into your hips. “How am I supposed to last when you feel like this. You’re choking me baby.”

“Relax for me.”

He slowly pulls his length out when he feels your walls loosen around him, starting at a hurried pace and driving back into you hard.

It’s overwhelming. Your weight falls onto your elbows, the power of Javi’s movements causing tears to prick on your lash line, that coil in your stomach building up and spewing over.

“Taking me so well querida,” He purrs, “doing so good for me.”

Skin slaps against skin, hands gripping onto the marble counter as you lose yourself in him, your mind completely fogged and vision blurred by bliss.

Javi hauls you up and presses his chest against your back, holding onto your jaw with a firm grasp, directing your gaze so you’re watching yourself in the mirror.

“Look—“ Javi grunts. “Open your eyes and watch yourself hermosa. This cock fucks you good, don’t it. Can’t even speak she’s so fucked out. Shit—tell me how good I’m making you feel.“

“S-so good Javi. Feels so good.”

You fix your stare on the reflection in the mirror, your cheeks crimson and make-up smudged, your skin hot and hair knotty, Javi’s body continuing to move quickly and steady behind you.

“Fuck you’re so beautiful. Keep your eyes on me and watch how I fuck you. Wanna watch you come apart on my cock.”

Javi focuses on where you’re connected, his mouths agape as he groans out, watching his cock plunge into your spent cunt, his dick saturated and glistening, your juices running down his thighs and wetting the coarse hairs.

“Christ it just keeps coming bebé,” He chuckles breathlessly, “Shit you’re so wet, fucking perfecta.”

Javi lifts up your leg and rests your knee on the edge of the counter, his cock delving even further inside your walls.

“Fuck—Javi!” You shout, hand outstretched and holding onto the back of his neck.

He bites your earlobe and you can feel his smile on your skin. “So much for being quiet mi amor. You gonna let everyone know who’s fucking you this good? You gonna scream it out of everyone to hear?”

You suck on your bottom lip, mumbling your whines and moans as they threaten to pour over.

He touches you everywhere. His hands kneading and circling your hard nipples, his tongue licking your salty skin, fingers threading through your hair and yanking it into a makeshift ponytail.

“That’s it princesa,” Javi praises. “I can feel you’re close, sucking me so tight. You gonna come for me?“

“Yes…,” You cry out, “M’so close Javi. P-please don’t stop.”

“Never bebé. Never going another day without seeing you like this. Go on, show me how beautiful you are when you fall apart for me.”

Javi’s holds you steady when he knows your body’s about to shake and fall, his strong arms wrapping around and fingers lowering to toy with your clit and glide his digits through your slick folds.

“Oh fuck…Javi—”

Your climax hits you without any warning, body trembling and legs weak. Javi’s voice is warm and soft, coaxing you through your orgasm. You watch him in the reflection as you release more of yourself all over his length, coming with a silent cry and gushing on him with more of your juices.

“What did I do to deserve you,” Javi murmurs. “Shit, you feel heavenly.”

Javi’s temples drip with sweat, his curls falling onto the dampened skin of his forehead. His eyebrows furrow and his nose crinkles in concentration, his thrusts becoming sloppy, your walls pulling him closer to his own release.

“Buena niña. Fuck, I’m gonna come.“

“Inside,” You whisper, “Come inside me Javi.”

With one last shove of his cock, Javi’s hips still as he spills himself inside you, his thighs quivering and painting your walls with his hot come.

He chants your name, his body going limp and collapsing on you, his voice wavering and fanning across the back of your neck.

Javi stays nestled inside you, lips kissing your shoulder blade, his hot breath fanning across your skin and hands rubbing up and down your arms.

He winces when he pulls himself out of you, his come leaking out and dripping down your thighs.

He licks the inside of your mouth when you turn around to face him, gasping out at the feel of his fingers inching between your legs, collecting his come on his fingers and pushing it back inside you.

“Come on,” He sighs, “let’s clean ourselves up.”

You both freshen up and get redressed, fixing your make-up and the mascara that’s smudged under your eyes. The clanking of a belt buckle is heard behind you as you thread your fingers through your hair, removing the tangles from Javi’s tenacious grip.

You haven’t looked at Javi, and when your head perks up towards him, he’s already staring at you, his eyes wide and smile gentle.

“Fuck you’re gonna be trouble for me hermosa. You expect me to go back down after that?”

You roll your eyes, ignoring his words, but you can’t help the smile that appears on your face. “Did you really have a speech planned? Or was that an excuse to get us away from everyone?”

“I do have a speech planned,” he laughs, moving towards you and placing a kiss on the side of your cheek, staring back at you in the mirror. “I just really needed to have you to myself, just for a little while.”

You hum. “Well it definitely worked.”

“I knew it would,” he teases, flashing you the most joyful smile. “You just can’t get enough of me, can you.”

Slicking back the curls at the front of his face you kiss his lips one last time.

“Never. Happy Birthday Javi.”

[livelaughloveloak]

ᩡ A PEARL𓂃🦪

mini series

summary: where you move to the metkayina clan with the Sully's excited to finally be free from war and spend more time with Lo'ak but you find him slowly fading away from you.

a/n: Use of she/her pronouns. Reader is Navi. 1.4k words

You moved to the Metkayina clan with the Sully's in hopes that the sky people would not find you guys here. At first it was rough and different but you got through it with the help of Lo'ak's support. The same Lo'ak that would rest in your lap while you braid his hair. The Lo'ak that would give you handcrafted pieces that his mom helped him with. The Lo'ak that would make you help babysit Tuk with him. The Lo'ak that smiled every time you'd enter the room. That same lo'ak that loved and adored everything about you was right in front of you dancing with the chief's daughter. Tsireya was beautiful, gorgeous even. She was the sweetest girl in the whole clan, she had lots of boys swooning over her. Your heart aches knowing that Lo'ak might be a part of those boys.

You can't help but sit next to the firepit and watch them dance along with the other Navi. Today was a party to celebrate the hunting party's return. Everyone was cheering and having fun in their own little group yet here you were staring daggers into the duo not that far from you. "Y/n" a sudden voice was heard slightly muffled because of the banging of the drums. You turned your head only to be met with yellow eyes that belonged to Lo'ak's brother, Neteyam. "Neteyam" You stood up and expressed the next greeting with your hands. ‘i see you’

Neteyam only chuckled at the gesture then wrapped one of his arms around your shoulder. "Come on, no need for formalities, we've known eachother since we could walk." You mumbled a quick sorry and looked back at the sand beneath your feet. Of course just like Lo'ak you've known the other Sullys ever since you were little infants. Neytiri and your mom have always been the closest of friends but unfortunately your parents did not make out of the first war. You looked back up, eyes scanning the crowd to look for the two Navi although your heart hurts seeing them so close your curiosity got the best of you again.

After searching for what seems like forever you finally found the pair. Their arms were wrapped around each other, engulfing one another in a tight hug. Your eyes never left their direction which caused Neteyam to notice after he looked down to see why you were so silent. His eyes followed to where you were looking and frowned finally realizing why you've been so quiet these past days.

A loud sigh made you look away and instead look to your side to see the older Sully shaking his head in disapproval. "Staring at them again?" You looked down, obviously embarrassed that Neteyam caught you. "You know I can't help it, as much as it hurts" Neteyam let go of you letting his arms fall to his sides. You watched as he looked into your eyes trying to search for something to say. As soon as he opened his mouth to spit out whatever he was going to say a loud voice interrupted it. "Isn't this supposed to be a party?"

Your heart sank upon hearing the familiar voice that you once grew to love. You stayed quiet as Lo'ak grabbed a hold of your hand with Tsireya beside him. She was smiling at you. Oh that girl was too kind. "Come and quit sulking tsawksyul" Lo'ak has always called you that nickname. It meant 'sun lily' he started calling you it after you gifted him a beautiful blue flower with purple outlines. ‘it looks better when it's night time because glows just like you and me Lo'ak’ You were young at the time and never thought about what you would say much to your dismay now but you knew you meant every single word.

You looked behind your back to see Neteyam nodding and urging you to go dance with the same person you were sulking over. You huffed out a loud enough "fine" which made Lo'ak's ears twitch when he heard it. A grin growing ear to ear appeared on his face as he finally made you cave in and join them. As much as your heart hurt at Lo'ak constantly ignoring you for another girl that you thought was way more beautiful than you, you couldn't help but smile at him.

It didn't last long as Lo'ak suddenly dropped your hand and looked towards Tsireya. "Oh by the way this is Tsireya, she has taught me many things these past couple of days." That same grin that was given to you showed up but instead it was towards somebody else. You knew about Tsireya of course but you two never officially met since you always ran off whenever Lo'ak would catch you staring at them. ‘the same couple of days that you've been ignoring me’ you thought to yourself but still plastered a smile on your face and greeted Tsireya with a friendly wave.

You watched as the two smiled at each other. Oh ewya they are in love. That moment you felt like running away again not wanting to face your fears of Lo'ak choosing someone else as his mate. "Oh I'm sorry but I must be going now." You turned around in a hurry and walked off before they could even say anything. Your breath grew heavy as your eyesight went blurry from the tears. You struggled to get to your marui but soon enough you were laying in your hammock with hands over your eyes praying eywa to just let the day be over with.

The next couple of days you did what felt right and that was to ignore Lo'ak the best you can. You cringed at it of course but how else would you be able to stay happy? You didn't really converse with the other Sully's as well except for tuk and kiri with the exception of Neteyam at times you'd bump into him. Other than that you'd find yourself busy with weaving or writing in the book Norm gave you when you said that you wanted to learn how to read and write in English. In fact that was what you were during now.

Laying down on your stomach ontop of a mat inside your marui with your journal in front of you and makeshift pencil in your hand you were lost in the words and scribbles that you wrote down. You stopped ever so often to read your writing and look for any possible errors or mistakes you've made. Often you found yourself writing about Lo'ak like you were a little kid with a celebrity crush. You'd rant about how you felt in this book like as if it was an actual person. You dropped your pencil and ripped the page you were writing on out of your journal. You looked at it once more and sighed.

Your ears suddenly twitched at the sound of footsteps nearing your home, you wasted no time and quickly shoved the piece of paper in the book and closed it shut before standing up. You turned around and watched as a familiar figure made it's way towards you. "Ma tsawksyul" Lo'ak stopped infront of you with the same grin be had on yesterday night at the party. "My mother is asking for your assistance with weaving a new hammock" He watched as you nodded and walked off to the corner of your marui to pick up your weaving supplies. "I'll be on my way then."

You bowed your head not wanting to have a longer conversation than needed. You tried your best to look forward and ignore his gaze on you. His eyes followed you as you walked away towards his family's shared home. "She's never that quiet." Lo'ak mumbled to himself and looked around your smaller sizes home, eyes stopping once he found a black journal laid on the floor. He was fighting his strong urge to peak through it knowing that it was wrong and that he should respect your privacy. He finally decided just let it go and turned around before stopping again. He scoffed "Ah what harm could it cause, she won't even find out"

Lo'ak sat down and picked up your journal then a piece of paper fell out which caught his attention. He hesitated before opening it. ‘english? Since when did she learn how to write in English’ Lo'ak knew the bare minimum because of his dad which was good enough to understand what you wrote. He opened his mouth and read your note a loud but only loud enough for him to hear. "Still wondering why you kept looking at the stars when you said you only had eyes for the moon" The Navi boy was even more confused by now. Moon? Stars? Whatever did you mean by that he wondered. Lo'ak thought and thought but his mind just went blank. ‘i'll just ask somebody else’ He put down your book and left the marui with the piece of paper in his hands.

[deterioratingxprisons]

Austin Butler!Elvis Fanfic: Smut 18+ 18+ 18+!!!!!

I made this for a friend who has become infatuated with the movie 'Elvis'. I haven't seen much of it except that one scene with the door and the woman shows up in the beginning and he loses his v-card to her... (not specified but it's implied. Or at least I took it that way...) Anywho, I hope you enjoy. This babygirl 'slut me out eyed' boy is too pretty for words.

word count: 2,310

“I don’t even go out, mama, I stay in. You know, it gets lonesome.” Then it was spoken as the truth. He had a commitment to his girlfriend back home, a commitment to wait until marriage that he had promised to both God and Dixie. Really, it was mainly to appease his momma. She was big about purity, almost a little too interested in her son’s life and who he was or wasn’t having sex with. She was just worried, he had debated, and it made it all the more rewarding despite the boredom plaguing his evenings. He missed home. He missed his girlfriend. He missed his momma.

That was enough to appease his worrying mother, and she quieted down her sniffling and asked him when he would be home. Again… For the umpteenth time. This conversation was a broken record that Elvis seemingly could not toss in the trash and play a new one, even when he would begin the call with excitement about playing a show that night. It was always about his chastity or ruining his life or not being home in ‘forever’. Seriously, could he not catch a break? He was touring for his family for godsake! To feed them! To give them the best money could afford. Money took work. Work took time away from home. 

“Alright momma, I’ll call you tomorrow.” Elvis finally cut the conversation after another long winded rambling from his mother, giving his best and offering one last ‘I miss you’. These calls, no matter how frustrating at times, was his favorite part of the evening. It was someone he could talk to, that he could gush about his tours and hear the words ‘I’m proud of you, booby.’ She was always proud of him. 

The next person on his list to phone was Dixie, the note still sticking to the dialer with a heart dotting the ‘i’. Fingers drummed against his exposed chest, the hotel’s room offering little to no circulation for such a warm evening in Florida. Make up left over from the show smudged underneath tired eyes glazing over whilst lost in thought over the woman left at home. Plenty of times he had fantisized about what their first time would be together. Wedding night, lost in the passion of committed love until they finally relinquished their virginities to one another in a beautiful union. The smile he had lit on his face remained for a moment longer with his finger tips brushing abstractly over his stomach, growing impatient and finally reaching towards the phone to call her-

The door interrupted his movements, halted for a moment as his head whipped towards the sound of knuckles tapping against wood. Elvis huffed loudly, eyes rolling upon his way to tell off his bandmate for pestering him for the fourth time that night! How many times did Elvis have to tell his companion that he was not interested in joining them downstairs for a ‘meet and greet’. 

“Quit knockin’ on my door, Scotty-” The intended tone of annoyance was void of much sincerity, for his resolve was quickly turned into curious quandary at the unfamiliar, very feminine, face smiling from behind the door. There were few times when he was stunned speechles, and with an arm propped in a mid lean against the opened door, this was one of those times. The singer blinked back his surprise, though it did little to mask the awe scrawled across parted lips. She was…. Gorgeous. He would have spoke; in fact, he was opening his mouth to question whether or not this woman had the right room (surely she was mixed up, for why would she ever be stopped on his doorstep?) when her small smile slipped into a sly grin. 

With a playful giggle, she pushed herself from the frame she leaned against, batting her pretty eyes and welcomed herself inside. There was plenty of room to, and he made no moves to block her entry. If you asked him later why he hadn’t, he would have played it off as a friendly gesture towards his fans… in reality, the sheer shock of having a woman so boldly presenting herself had thrown him for a loop. Fame came with perks, apparently, ones he was still trying to navigate through. Now, this beautiful woman certainly couldn’t have known he had a girlfriend back home… But even if she did, would it have mattered? Truly? He wouldn’t worry himself about the ‘what ifs’. Not at that moment. 

A minute passed where he was stuck at the door, turning inches to follow her trail of floral perfume until she stood in the middle of his room. She hummed, raising a brow, “Well, aren’t ya gonna shut it?” Teeth tore at a plush pink bottom lip, fingers tracing the curves of her body to rise over her chest. Reality struck, the young man moving to obey her implied order. The door shut, his feet acting upon their own accord while being drawn closer. “I’m a big fan of yours, Elvis…” 

“You are?” Such a question seemed unnecessary all too late, but what was he to say? A sheepish smile flashed across a smooth jaw, itchingly curious to ask the purpose for this visit. Elvis didn’t have to wonder for long, for he could quickly piece two and two together as well manicured fingers trailed slowly across her collarbone and teased the strap of her dress down. That and her suggestive little smirk led him to collect all the data he needed to swallow his nerves and stutter over his tongue, “I mean, thank you,” 

He had been taught it wasn’t polite to stare, though that evening he took a night off from his book of etitque. He couldn’t help but stare, entranced by the siren’s movements so seamlessly capturing his gaze. The other strap was led off of her shoulder, hands pulling gently at the fabric hugging her body with resentment to have to be released from something so divine. A step was taken closer to the singer, exposing flesh and a sultry black set of neglige. It became apparent that she had come prepared. If only Elvis might have been informed prior to a minute ago. Maybe then he would have done anything but allow flies to collect in his mouth from his jaw dropping to the floor. 

“Wow…” He breathed, gaze flickering back towards the women to catch her pleased smile of his reaction. Her hand was offered, wiggling fingers to further tempt him into her web and walk backwards towards the direction of the bed. For him? Could this really be happening? Oh, he should say no. He needed to leave immediately and call Dixie. He hadn’t called her yet! She would be wondering where he was… what happened to him… if he had made it to the hotel safely…. He should not be keeping one step away from the woman, allowing his other hand to speak on its own accord and confirm that her skin was soft. 

How quick he was, how eager to follow her to bed, exploring a mix of mesh stockings and soft skin trailing up her knee towards her parting thighs, pulling him in. Her own hands slid underneath his shirt, accepting his kiss with a giggle while helping him shed his layers. He’d kissed before, yes, but not like this. It was hungry and passionate and so full of… life. It was exciting and intoxicating, blurring clarity enough to where he could move without fear. Time slowed, it sped up, it stopped altogether where the only thing he knew was her lips sealed against his own. Okay… it was time to end this. He needed to stop before he regretted more of his decisions, went too far and tarnished what he had been waiting for with Dixie…

A moan slipped from his lips prompted by the woman’s hands trailing lower down his chest, the other working the rest of his shirt off and tossing it to the ground. She pressed her palm into the clothed erection growing within his trousers, biting back an amused giggling with a teasing lift of her hips to roll into his own. “Elvis,” She gasped, unbeknownst to her that this was not a common occurrence. This wasn’t an occurrence at all for the virgin, and yet he instinctively sought out the delictable roll of friction once more. 

“Oh…Baby,” he didn’t know her name, and he hardly pictured that she would share it now with the way she quickly pawed at his pants to remove them. The name fell off of his lips once more, lips nipping at her neck with his own greedy handfuls of her full breasts to knead. It came as a minor shock for only a moment how quickly he subconsciously grew accustomed to listening to his needs and desires, grinding the bulge of arousal against her thigh with labored pants. To pull away was a dreadful thought he only endured for a moment to maneuver from his pants and underwear fully. His companion was more than willing to push and tease her panties from her body, grabbing his shoulders for another needy kiss with wandering hands fisting in his messy dark hair. 

Her impatience was a blessing in disguise, giving him a cover without having to admit his inexperience. Lifted hips and a stroking hand guided him towards her entrance, swallowing his moans and baited breaths until she too parted from their sloppy kiss at the promise of something to fill her. Impressive girth pushed past slick folds, and his own impatience prompted him to chase the tight warmth with an improved jolt of his hips. She gasped, digging her nails into his scalp that ended in a breathy laugh and a beg for more. 

“Please, fuck me-” 

He knew enough to raise his hips and seek another exhilarating thrust within her walls, and his rhythm sputtered with a promising start. It was foreign but not unfamiliar. He wasn’t a complete prude to deny himself the taste of self-indulgence. Elvis had snuck the dirty magazine into the house which he used to look at when he was alone late at night in his room. Picturing the pretty women in the images stroking his cock again and again until he’d found the rhythm he enjoyed most. Now it seemed to be more tricky, for wasn’t he too supposed to make this woman feel good? That part had never crossed his mind, and now it was all he could think about while trying to decide on what she might like. Was he doing it right? Was she enjoying it? Did she regret coming here? 

It was hard to think much more about it because he was in a euphoric dream. Better than anything he could do himself, that tight warmth pooling within taught abdominal muscle reminded him to slow down or else he would ruin it all and cum too fast. He slowed his rushed pace, and that was when he first noticed the shifting tone in the woman’s moan… It was more authentic, less scripted? It was a serenade of music he’d never heard before, pulling at her hips, tightening his grip with a resolve to pull more of that sweet chorus from her lips. “God, you feel so good,” He panted, dipping closer to her ear with sloppy kisses nipping at her neck. 

His hips arched, wracking the woman with a shudder of pleasure to her very core. “Oh! Right there,” She begged, squeezing her legs around his waist. Tonight was not at all how she expected it to go. Yes, sure, she showed up with the confidence of a woman who knew what she wanted, but never would she expect THE Elvis Presley to want the same. It was a one in a million chance, and she just happened to be lucky that night. If she would have known she was taking the future king’s cherry… well, she would have never shut up about it. 

She sought out his lips, guiding his lips back to her own with a breathy moan greeting swollen lips. There was just a little more she needed to get there… slipping her hand between them to glide down her frame being groped and explored by the singer to relieve further tension. Her index circled her swollen bundle of nerves, bucking her hips in time with his own as their bodies created their own orchestra of passion. Words were not needed, no lyrics to be sung save for the harmonic gasps and pleasured sighs resounding from both her and Elvis. 

He lasted much longer than most men she had spent the night with, impressed with his self control and eagerness to please. She noticed his delayed thrusts when he came too close to the impending release, and she was ever more excited when he guided her hand away from herself so he could replicate her movements. Guiding his other hand to her breast, she felt that building itch of her orgasm approaching, clutching her hand over his when they both finally teetered over the edge and crashed head first into the blinding climax. 

She doubted anyone would believe her if she said she had fucked Elvis Presley, but then again, she didn’t have much inclination to share this night with anyone else. Limbs tangled in the sheets, bodies comfortably pressed together in a muggy heat, her ear listened to the soft thump of his heartbeat in the aftermath of their evening. His fingers etched designs and shapes into her skin, comfortable silence filling the atmosphere while she littered his chest in kisses and adoration. A smile befell her lips, one akin to a lazy grin adorning his lips. That night he hadn’t called Dixie… But she was the furthest thing from his mind.

[starscelly]

a pleasure to ask more about the flying stars, i love hearing about it! 💚 i love the imagery of them with a long list of names they are debating for their band with only slightly mild hysteria of being up too late whether on some bighuge whiteboard or on a notes app like a baby names list before throwing their hands up, throwing a (hopefully metaphorical!) dart and introducing themselves as a different name every other night and taking audience feedback (getting a crowd of twenty something people to shout out if they prefer shooting stars or seeing stars) i think its so funny that they only realize that roope and robo go absolutely wild after they start performing 😭 five injured, microphone dead, still waiting for the crowd to pass robo back to them, divine inspiration struck for their band name at a show under an overpass and they still gotta pack their gear back up! i know you mention players as staff or assistance or a friend but are there other players involved in the scene? could be performing, could be a fan!

DEEPLY SORRY I LEFT THIS IN MY INBOX FOR SOO LONG.... forgive me. i love discussing the boys i just take forever to ruminate on my thoughts for them <3 i hope the long ass answer makes up for it omg

and oh yes at one point when theyre still figuring out the name they for Sure just start running a bit before shows "WE'RE THE [mumble unintelligible grumbling] STARS!" "hope you're excited to see the [WET COUGH] stars!" "... and with our dearest otter on the drums, WE are YOUR [loud clanging and banging from drumset] STARS!"

also hello "still waiting for the crowd to pass robo back to them" is so funny and so true. he's lost a shoe and ty is trying to drag him back to the stage but somebody has like a death grip on him and onstage otter and roope are frantically looking for something to write the name down with before they forget (miro wrote it in his notes app like the second one of them said it but he's staying quiet about it)

AND YES SO. delly harls are strictly Helping Out. delly by virtue of being otter's best friend/roommate BUT harls was like Into the punk scene!!! and really liked their sound (definitely NOTHING to do with any looks........) and befriended del who introduced him to the band etc etc so he was a fan turned roadie!

and wyatt DOES help run their merch table but he is ALSO a guitarist and singer . his stuff leans a little more like. indie rock than Heavier Punk like the flying stars play but he's a Friend of the Band (dating delly and always at his and otter's apartment because he's renting a room in Normal Dude joe pavelski's family home and is NOT bringing his boyfriend back there) and to seem more Professional they just have him perform as an opener ! because he is very good! though he honestly just ends up playing acoustic covers of popular punk/emo songs half the time the crowds are very endeared by his boyish swag.

i have ALSOOO played with the idea of him eventually Gaining Bandmates. which would probably end up being stank mav and nils! but i just havent fully decided their like. Instruments. i think one of them on keyboard would be kinda fun but grain of salt lol. i also want lian in here somewhere but i need him to get nhl time/more ahl time before i can flesh out those vibes.

AND I DONT THINK I EVER TALKED ABOUT THIS IM JUST REALIZING???? BUT MENTOR BAND!!!! disbanded mentor band but well. they all were fans of [insert tbd band name here actually maybe this is why i never talked about it] who were like. kinda on the cusp of fame? like were probably one album away from Making It before everything kinda crashed down. and it consisted of segs (vocals), klinger (guitar), esa (bass), bish (drums). their breakup was kinda messy and somewhat rooted in like. the very anti sellout culture of punk. to summarize it with like Minimal Detail (bc i would love to make a whole Thing abt it lowkey):

klinger out of nowhere is like. i have to go. there's better opportunities for me in california i know it (which was a Fucking Lie there was Drama with their manager but he didnt know how to or really want to articulate it and just wanted to get far away and his best offer was coming from california) which obviously everyone in the band IMMEDIATELY jumped on him like. what the fuck youre such a sellout we started this band as friends and youre leaving us for better opportunities?? in fucking california?? they were also all already like. on edge and stressed from the level of fame they were starting to get. so it was messy. and then him and esa had a messy breakup ofc. they're all cordial now but it lead to the immediate disbanding of the. band. because esa and tyler wanted to bring in other guitarists but bish refused to play with randos he wanted to play with his FRIENDS and it just. never worked out. so now esa tyler bish (and sometimes klinger when hes in town but . he tries to avoid being in town) spend their days working relatively normal ass jobs and going to flying stars shows and being like Don’t Be Us Don’t Go Sell Out Don’t Run From Feelings. and you know their asses are Listening to that Advice.

^ somehow that was the abbreviated version just trust me

[heard-nsfw-is-back]

Here's what I've got as the "beginning" for jumanji!steddie. I just watched it recently so it's like in my mind and I'm ok I'll shut up just look I'm very excited and I'll talk about it forever just here ok bye.

Eddie Munson was on his bike, heading home from school. He'd just seen Steve home, they had been talking about class and what they were going to do for the summer. He was so preoccupied about how he was going to see Steve and what plans to make that he didn't see Billy Hargrove and 4 of his little minions following him. It wasn't until he was halfway to his father's factory that he heard Billy yelling. "I'm gonna get you Freak!" Eddie jumped a little and started pedaling as fast as he could. He just needed to get to the factory. There were too many workers there and Billy wouldn't risk getting caught by them. He hoped anyway.

He hoped correctly. He just made it inside, panting and shaking from fear and pain. "Wait till you get out! You can't hide forever!" Eddie scoffed as the door shut behind him. "Watch me." He muttered and trudged up the stairs. Maybe he could convince his father to drive him home. It was busy and loud and Eddie's head was starting to hurt, but it was safe. He made his way over to Jim Hopper who was probably the coolest adult he knew.

"Hey Jim." Hopper looked up from fine eyelets he was fixing. "Oh hey Eddie. What are you doing out here." Eddie shrugged. "Nothing just thought I'd come by." Jim made a face. "Right sure." Heavy sarcasm with just a splash of an eye roll. Honestly Eddie would be offended if it wasn't so funny. "Oh hey wait listen! I'm working on something. It's going to be amazing." Jim sat up from his chair and walked over to a box. He pulled out some sneakers and held it proudly to Eddie.

"Sneakers. Wow the ingenuity really gets to me on an emotional level." "Can it." Jim bit and hit the sneakers on the table. They lit up and Eddie whistled, actually impressed. "Ok that's pretty cool." The voice of Eddie's father cut through. "What's Billy Hargrove and his buddies doing down there. Is that my son's bike? Is he here?!" Eddie stifled a groan. Damn. There goes his chance of getting a ride home. "Here Pop." His father walked over. "I know you're not hiding up here. I didn't raise a coward." Bull, Eddie thought. It's not cowardly to avoid a fight with 5 other guys!

His father must have seen his thoughts on his face. "You've got to stand up for yourself! Grow up! We've all had to." Eddie nodded, holding back furious words and tears. "Now get home. It's not safe in here for you." He dismissed Eddie, who walked out to Billy and his friends hiding behind a tree. The beat him up, splitting his lip and making his arms hurt. "You stay away from Steve! You hear me? That's my boyfriend!" Eddie pulled himself up. "We're just friends." He insisted. Billy got on his bike. "Not anymore you're not." He laughed and they were off.

Eddie kicked some grass that had the bad misfortune of growing there and threw some rocks. If he wasn't so close to the factory he'd be making some pretty inventive curses right now. He decided to wait a little longer for Billy to really get far, and take the long way home, just to play it safe. Not for the first time he cursed being so much smaller than everyone. It wasn't fair. His father and mother were so tall and even Steve was almost a foot taller. Thinking about Steve was upsetting. He never made Eddie feel like a freak. Or point out how his father threw their name around. Steve's family was also pretty affluent. But he never acted like it much.

Eddie's eye was starting to sting. It would probably bruise at this point. He was walking past a construction site when he heard strange drumming. Rhythmic, but it sounded muffled. He looked around for a radio and followed it. It got louder and louder until he climbed up to a wall of dirt in the foundation. He dug his fingers in and shoveled until he felt a box. Eddie brushed it clear and a small handle came loose. He tugged at it until a crate fell out. It was locked and had chains around it. "Cool!" He whispered and looked around and found a shovel. With a few hits to a lock the chains fell apart and Eddie opened it to a bunch of sand and a board that had pictures and a single word in beautiful font. JUMANJI.

[gaiakoraidon]

2023 Christmas and Chopper Birthday Special: My Brother, the Reindeer

AN: Merry Christmas everyone, and I wish a happy birthday to my beloved Tony Tony Chopper from One Piece! I had the idea to write not only a Christmas special for the whole crew, but also a birthday special for my shapeshifting Reindeer son Chopper. I'm very happy that Netflix's live action adaptation of the legendary anime and manga got into this wonderful series this year since a lot of good things were happening in its community. Oda should be proud of how far his series has come and with the fans both old and new to support him along the way! Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas this year, and here's to me celebrating Chopper's birthday for the first time; art by me!

As a quick add on, I'm making Meloetta's Relic Song the lullaby Mirai hums or sings to Chopper cause it's such a beautiful, underrated tune!

Five years ago....

She heard the tiny footsteps come to her doorstep as she laid there in her bed curled up to stay warm from the cold temperatures outside of Drum Castle. Mirai sat up as she watched Chopper open the door to her bedroom with a saddened look on his face. He was clutching his hooves in a nervous way as he stepped inside. "Chops, why are you up this late at night?" Mirai asked in a groggy way as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Chopper nodded, but then said, "I couldn't sleep. I was wondering if I could sleep with you tonight?" Mirai smiled and nodded, gesturing Chopper to climb onto her bed. Kureah usually didn't mind this, since she loved both of her "kids" dearly and often smiled whenever she checked on them at night, seeing them snoozing together like siblings. Chopper's eyes lit up as he giggled and climbed up onto Mirai's bed, the hybrid helping him up as she sat him on her lap and stroked his head.

"Now now Choppy, what happened?" Mirai asked him. "Well...I was having a bad dream that I couldn't find you, and I thought I lost you and...and..." Chopper sniffled as he spoke, not knowing what else to say as he placed his head on Mirai's chest. Stroking his back, Mirai then said, "I'm not going anywhere, Chops. I'm always going to be by you, but if something were to happen to me, or if you can't find me..." Chopper looked back up at Mirai, a few tears still in his eyes and Mirai placed her hand on his chest. "I'll forever be here. In your heart. Just like how you'll be in mine if something were to happen to you."

He then nodded in response, thanking Mirai for cheering him up as he hugged her, Mirai soon stroking his back again as she repaid his thank you. After the hug, Mirai then said, "Christmas is coming up, and so is your special day." She smiled, making a lightbulb flash in his head. "You're right. It's not too far away," he replied. He then giggled to himself when he thought about his birthday coming up. Mirai always did something special for him every year to show how much she loved him as a sibling. Mirai heard her brother's giggles and couldn't help but giggle herself.

"You think Mother will do something for Christmas this year like with what she did last year?" Mirai then asked Chopper, looking back up at her. He shrugged in response, saying, "You mean Doctress? Maybe. Who knows?" Mirai nodded again. It was always surpring to find out that Kureah would do Christmas at the castle for the three of them. It was a way to show how much she loved them.

Mirai then yawned as she fell back on her bed, almost making Chopper fall off. She did gesture Chopper to get under her bed covers, and he did just that, getting warm by the warmth of the covers. "Sleep well Chopper. See you tomorrow...and also for Christmas and your birthday," the hybrid said as she shut her eyes.

Chopper also wished Mirai a goodnight as he laid there and looked up at the ceiling, arms out of the bed covers. He smiled to himself, excited to see what Mirai would do for him this year as moonlight poured into the bedroom Mirai called home.

-----------------

Now

Chopper woke up with a smile on his face. Today was finally the day. Not only was it Christmas, but his birthday too. The one thing he loved about Christmas was that his friends always celebrated both Christmas and his birthday on the same day, and they always did something special for him, not just his Mirai. Giggling, he said to himself, "It's my birthday! I can't wait to see what Mirai and the others will do for me this year!"

He slipped out of his sleeping cot with a smile on his face as he walked over to a calendar in the men's corridor room on the Thousand Sunny, taking a pen and marking off another day on it, circling today's day. On it happened to be a cake with Chopper's face on it, signaling that it was his birthday, and not just Christmas. He couldn't help but smile as he changed into some conformable clothes and placed his hat on as he left the men's room to enter the main deck of the Sunny, the warm sun hitting his face, the waters soothing his ears.

Many of the members who were already out wished their reindeer friend a happy birthday as he made his way to the women's corridor room to go see Mirai. Luffy had actually given him permission to go sleep with Mirai whenever he felt like it, since he always liked sleeping with her. He felt both safe, warm, and even touched whenever his Mirai was by his side. "Hey Mirai!" Chopper exclaimed as he poked his head into the women's room. When he noticed that it was empty, he hesitated before looking around the rest of the room. "Mirai?" he asked again as he searched.

"Mirai?" Chopper asked a final time as he walked around the Sunny, leaving the women's room. He soon heard her speak from the kitchen. "Yes, Sanji, that's what I meant. I want this cotton candy cake done before dinner tonight. You think you can get it done?" Mirai asked from the kitchen. She was striking a conversation with the Straw Hat cook, Sanji. "Of course I can Mirai dear. Anything for you and for the birthday boy today," he replied. "Oh thank you. You're a lifesaver!" the hybrid then answered. Chopper walked into the kitchen and saw the two of them talking.

"Mirai! Sanji!" he exclaimed with a wave. Both of them saw him and replied back with a hello. When he asked what they were up to, Mirai replied with, "Oh, nothing much. Sanji actually was thinking about some new recipes for dinner this year as well as a way to prevent Luffy from inhaling the turkey like how he did last year." Rolling his eyes, Sanji said, "You know he inhaled the turkey last Thanksgiving." Chopper shuddered hearing Sanji speak that, since he remembered that day as well.

After hesitating, the reindeer then asked, "Um, Mirai? Could I ask you something?" Mirai turned back to Chopper and said, "Choppy, can you wait for a little bit? Once me and Sanji are done discussing things I'll talk with you, ok?" Chopper hesitated again, soon nodding softly as he heard his sister say, "Now where were we? Oh yeah, the recipe ideas." The reindeer could hear Mirai say something to Sanji, but he couldn't exactly tell what as he left the kitchen a bit disappointed. He closed the door behind him as cook and hybrid began to talk.

Chopper made his way back to the office he and Mirai worked at as he sat at his desk, sighing. Surely she didn't forget. Right? he thought as he laid his head on his desk, moaning. Chopper knew that his sister would never forget his special day. The same applied with the rest of the Straw Hats. Usopp eventually walked into the doctor's office to check on the reindeer. "Chopper? Are you alright? I just came to check on you," the sniper said to his friend. Ears twitching, Chopper looked up at Usopp and said, "Yeah. I'm fine." He sighed. "Do you think Mirai forgot?"

Usopp sat on the doctor's bed as Chopper span his chair around to face him. The lightbulb clicked when Usopp understood what Chopper meant. "Your birthday? Of course no! We never forget each other's birthdays! I bet Mirai is working very hard to make your special day as wonderful as usual, just like how we're all working hard to make Christmas wonderful again!" he exclaimed. This made Chopper feel better as he sighed, hoofed hands over his chest. He knew she wouldn't forget. Looking at Usopp, Chopper thanked Usopp for the encouragement as the two left the doctor's office together.

They arrived on the main deck, and Chopper forgot to take in all of the hard work the crew had done to make the Sunny very festive. She was covered in Christmas lights, long tuffs of cotton were on most of her rims, and even a tree was on her main deck, centered around the eleven of them: the captain and his ten crew members. It was just what he wanted when he first made the Straw Hats. There were even gifts under the themed tree, with a huge pile of gifts for Chopper. His Christmas presents were also technically his birthday ones, since they celebrated his birthday and Christmas on the same day. Mirai only got him two things. One for Christmas, and the other for his birthday. A special thing for showing him how much she loved him.

"I forgot how much love and effort we put into decorating Sunny," Chopper told Usopp, who replied, "Yeah. Same here. In the end, I can say it was all worth it with how in the Christmas spirit she looks!" What Chopper didn't know that Sanji, by Mirai's request, was making a cotton candy cake for him. She couldn't wait to see his reaction when it got presented during dinner. It filled her heart with joy even more knowing that she told the others, and they loved the idea.

As a tradition, the other Straw Hats all did their own things with Chopper to show how much they appreciated him as a crew member, saving Mirai's for last. Luffy was first, telling Chopper how much he liked him as a best friend, and even let him wear Luffy's hat. Chopper laughed happily at this response. Nami let Chopper help in on her map, and the reindeer enjoyed it a lot, even striking a conversation with her too. Zoro took his training day off to chill with the reindeer he called a brother, just telling him some fighting tips. Usopp and Chopper both had a snipping contest, Chopper turning into a human close to Mirai and Usopp's age to actually hold and shoot the spare snipe Usopp had. Even if he wasn't the best at it, he still had fun.

Sanji was done with the cake by the time Chopper came to see him, for it was hidden in the freezer. Chopper helped out in the kitchen for a day with Sanji, and the cook smiled whenever he looked at the reindeer having fun. Chopper got to play a card game with Robin, since the two of them always liked playing board and card games whenever she was free. After all, he saw her as a mother figure. On a usual term, Franky and Chopper usually goofed around, the reindeer always marveling at Franky's upgrades he did to himself over the past two years. Franky even wished Chopper a "super" birthday, making the reindeer blush and do an embarrassment dance in response. Seeing him as a father figure, it was no shock that the reindeer always saw the cyborg shipwright as an idol.

Brook happened to play Chopper and Mirai's favorite song, and it made the reindeer sigh happily as the notes soothed his ears. He always remembered hearing Brook play it during Mirai's birthday too, the day where he got to do something for her. Finally, Jinbei had plotted something with Chopper. Even they were simple stories, Chopper enjoyed each and every one of them, becoming interested by the moment. 

When everything was done, Chopper returned to the main deck, a smile across his face. He was grateful to have not only his adoptive sister, but the rest of the Straw Hat pirates with him. He didn't know what he'd do without them. They were like his true family, and he was just so happy to have them. "Hey! You guys better not of started gift opening without me!" Mirai shouted from inside the doctor's office as she ran out of the door. "Hey Mirai! We were about to-" Luffy was cut off by Nami slapping him from the back of his head, making him dizzy. Jinbei's eyes widened in shock as he slowly backed away from the enraged Nami. Mirai summoned her wings as she rejoined the others.

When Luffy woke back up, he told Mirai his full sentence: "We were about to begin, well, until you showed up!" He laughed afterwards, making Nami roll her eyes. Robin reassured her that everything was alright. "Since it's tradition..." Zoro started. "The birthday boy opens his presents first!" Luffy shouted, jumping into the air. "Yes. That's true," Robin added with a smile. Chopper's eyes lit up as he turned back to his friends and smiled at them. "You guys are so cool!! Thank you all!!" he shouted. With that, the gifts were handed out, and Mirai smiled as she watched her brother open his gifts in delight. He even liked the first gifts Mirai got for him: a purple scaled bracelet that looked like her dragon scales and a mini pouch for his Rumble Balls. Since he had gifted her a cherry blossom one, the hybrid thought it was fair to get him one that matched hers; since she had a pouch for her Rumble Balls, she thought getting Chopper one for his would be adorable.

"Was the pouch your idea? I mean, I never thought about storing my own Rumble Balls in a pouch..." Chopper asked Mirai as he looked at the pouch, admiring the painting of the small face silhouette of his Monster Point on it. "Yes. It was my idea! Well it's the picture since I did paint it. Me and Usopp were talking about it. Glad you like it!" the hybrid finished with a smile. Chopper's eyes lit up when he heard Mirai say she painted the picture on the pouch. "It's wonderful. Thank you!" he exclaimed. She told him you're welcome with a smile on her face.

Chopper opened the rest of the gifts his friends had gotten him as squealed in delight when he opened Robin's gift, which was a bucketful of cotton candy. Mirai usually was the one who got him the goods, but Robin was also good at that kind of stuff too. After thanking everyone for the gifts, Chopper watched as the rest of his friends opened the gifts they got from everyone else. He even decided to try on the scarf Nami got him this year, and it was cozy to the touch. He actually got Mirai a picture frame this year, and she knew just what to put in it. It was a selfie she, Chopper, and Law took before they left Punk Hazard to go set off to Dressrosa. She missed her friend, and decided to send him a Christmas card when it was all done.

Everyone was happy with who got what, but as soon as they were done, Usopp happened to spot something up ahead. He cleared his vision, and he discovered that it was an island in the distance. He shouted, "ISLAND AHEAD!", catching the attention of the crew as they turned to the direction of the island. They could see it plain as day as the festive Thousand Sunny sailed to it. "Now this is what I'm calling a perfect place for dinner!" Sanji exclaimed with a smile as the others looked ahead. "It's perfect! Can't wait to get this party rolling even more!" Luffy exclaimed. Mirai picked Chopper up and cradled him into her arms, smiling and gasping at the island they were headed.

The Sunny soon stopped at the island and made anchor. It was a perfect one too: silence surrounded the crew as lush greenery and the sound of the ocean soothed them. Dinner was getting sat up as Luffy, Usopp, Chopper, and even Mirai all chilled and played together. Luffy was thinking about the turkey, for his mouth drooled. Chopper and Mirai looked at each other and smirked, knowing that Sanji had something planed to stop him from causing ruckus. They didn't see Sanji looking over at Luffy with a smirk as well.

During the time the four played, Chopper turned into his animal Walk Point form and gestured Mirai on his back, causing her to yelp as the boys shouted from behind. "Hey! That's cheating!" Luffy exclaimed. Usopp said something similar to Luffy as Chopper laughed and stopped, Mirai clutching onto his furry mane, still freaked out. "Got you all!" he exclaimed still laughing. The dragon hybrid was panting heavily, still shocked by what Chopper just did to her.

The reindeer's ears twitched as he noticed Mirai's face. "Are you alright?" he asked her. Mirai nodded, sighing. "Yeah. That was...shocking," she said, soon collapsing off of his back and passing out. The three boys gasped in shock at this. Chopper started panicking as he shifted back to normal and ran all across Mirai, making sure she was still breathing and had a pulse. Usopp had to ask Chopper to cut it out, only telling him that Mirai was passed out. Once the reindeer hear this, he sighed in relief.

"Christmas dinner is ready everyone!" Sanji shouted from afar. The three boys noticed the cook waving his hands up in the air to get their attention. Everyone else had gotten the news too, and Luffy's eyes lit up over the turkey on the table. Chopper sweated in a nerve racked bit as he watched his best friend and captain drool over the meat before him. "Come on you guys! Let's eat!" Luffy exclaimed as he jumped up in excitement and rushed over to the dinner table. Usopp chased after him, Chopper explaining that he'd catch up to them later. After all, he had plans to carry Mirai back to the others on his own.

Usopp asked Chopper if he was going to be alright, and the reindeer replied with, "I'll be fine. No worries." The sniper sighed in relief as he rejoined the others, Chopper waving him off. Seeing his "sister" knocked out from the shock reminded him of that day twelve years ago when he found a younger Mirai knocked out on the shore of the Sakura Kingdom, formerly called the Drum Kingdom. He remembered taking her back to the castle he called home, watching his mistress take her in with open arms, and the three of them becoming a family. 

He smiled, shifted into his humanoid Heavy Point, and picked up Mirai, taking her back to the Sunny. He could still tell that she was breathing by seeing her chest rising up and down, and gasped a bit when she clutched onto his chest, smiling. "So...warm..." she murmured. Chopper happened to remember the younger six year old Mirai saying that when he first carried her back to the old castle, his body heat keeping her warm. He still couldn't help but smile at her as he returned to the Sunny, just like how he couldn't keep his eyes off of her when he first encountered her. He even got a bit of deja vu just thinking about that day that changed his life.

The other Straw Hats were at the dinner table, but some were worried about the two missing members. "Hey Luffy, have you seen Chopper and Mirai? I thought they'd be with you and Usopp," Franky asked Luffy, worried about the two of them. Luffy looked up and eyed Franky, who still looked worried. "Chopper said he'd catch up. He kind of accidently knocked Mirai out while we were having fun," Luffy explained. Franky hesitated, but then said under his breath, "Fair point." This gave Brook the perfect opportunity to strike his iconic joke. "Surely she wouldn't mind me seeing-"

That was interrupted by Nami slapping him in the face really hard, causing Luffy, Usopp, and even Jinbei to all jump in shock. "NO SHE WOULD NOT YOU DINGDONG!" Nami yelled in fury. Chopper's voice was heard in the distance as he exclaimed, "Sorry for the hold up guys! I'm back!" The group all saw him return with the knocked out Mirai still holding onto his chest. Sanji started getting a bit jealous over seeing the sight before him. "Oh come on why does he get to have all the fun?!" the cook yelled in an angerly way. By the time he said that, Mirai woke up and saw the others looking at her and Chopper.

"Oh good, you're up! Sorry if I scared you. Just wanted to have fun," he explained to her. Mirai looked up to see his face, soon smiling again with a nervous laugh. "You're forgiven, but please warn me next time if you do that again," she replied, a small redness forming on her face from where she was in his embrace. Afterwards, she hugged him once he put her down. "I can't stay mad at you Chops!" she finally exclaimed as Chopper reclaimed her hug. Afterwards, Mirai exclaimed, "Let's eat!" as she rushed towards the table, Chopper shifting back to his smaller normal form as he screamed from behind. Everyone laughed in advance as he caught up to his "sister".

Dinner went perfectly normal to Mirai's shock. Luffy was about to inhale the whole turkey, but Sanji's plan worked out well by giving Luffy a full second turkey to inhale and enjoy. This let everyone enjoy the turkey Sanji worked so hard to make instead of having Luffy eat the whole thing. Some new recipes he made happened to include green bean casserole, a dish Mirai remembered her parents make before she found and ate her Devil Fruit, along with some of his original dishes that he made for the dinner. The food was still wonderful as always, but when dessert rolled around, Sanji knew his que had come.

He left the table and headed back to the Sunny's kitchen. "Hey Mirai, where's Sanji going?" he asked her. Mirai giggled and said, "You'll see when he comes back." Chopper was just confused, but the other Straw Hats knew about the birthday cake Mirai requested Sanji to make for her "brother". Soon after, his voice was heard: "My darling dragon Mirai told me that a certain doctor has a birthday today, so here's a little something she requested for me to make. From us and the rest of the Straw Hats, happy birthday Chopper!"

Sanji walked down from the Sunny with the cotton candy birthday cake in his hands. It was a two layered cake that happened to be decorated with chocolate balls on the edges and buttercream icing all around it while it was mostly cotton candy on the top parts of the layers with hints of sprinkles. Chopper couldn't believe what he saw as his eyes lit up in excitement, his mouth now drooling. "For me?! Wow, you guys are the best!" he shouted in happiness. Sanji smiled as he placed the cake in the middle of the table and rejoined the others.

Chopper looked at the cake again and let out a small gasp as he cracked his hooves and drooled again, taking the first slice from the cake as he moaned happily from shoving the first bite in his mouth. "Oh it's so good!" he exclaimed. After this, everyone else tried the cake out. Even Mirai loved the sweet and tangy taste the cake had. It reminded her of the whole coconut cream pies Sanji would make for her birthday. "Sanji really did a good one this time!" Usopp exclaimed as he finished his cake slice. Luffy agreed when he was done with his, the Straw Hats all having a good dinner as they chatted and had fun.

When dinner ended, and everything was cleaned up, it was time for Mirai's special thing. She reached her hand out to Chopper, who gladly took it with a smile as she held him in her arms. "This gift is something I've wanted to do for a long time. It's a dance...the two of us. I've enjoyed performing my mini shows to all of you, and now...I feel like you and me should do one together, even if I've tossed you around for a few moments during some of them," she told him.

Chopper gasped in shock as he looked up at her. "Dance...? Us?" he asked in confusion. "I...I'm not that much of one..." Brook spoke up, "But now, you will be one Chopper." He approached with his violin in hand, Franky with his guitar. "I bet you remember those times you and her danced together on the Sunny," the cyborg then said. Chopper nodded, saying, "Yeah but-" soon to be cut of by Mirai who then said, "You'll do great. After all, it's a special dance for the two of us. To show how much I appreciate you as my sib and mentor. I'm so grateful to have you." 

Both Franky and Brook were in playing positions as Chopper jumped out of Mirai's hands, soon shifting into the human teen form, his eyes sparkling from happiness. The two started dancing together, Franky and Brook playing a very special tune: a lullaby Mirai always hummed or sung to Chopper whenever he couldn't sleep or after having a bad dream. Her real mother was the one who hummed it to her, and Mirai still kept the song close to her heart, soon passing it down to Chopper. He would even hum it to himself to calm himself down whenever things were rough or when Mirai wasn't with him, even humming it to a Dragon Point Mirai to help keep her sane. She still had sudden outbursts in the form even if she could control it.

"I recognize this tune. It's that lullaby you would sing to me," Chopper said in shock as his ears caught the familiar tune. "You're correct. I actually requested Brook to play it for us here, and Franky wanted to help, so I got him on the fun too," Mirai replied with a smile. "It's wonderful. Thanks...Sis," Chopper then said, Mirai tearing up a bit after hearing him call her sis. The group happened to laugh at Luffy and Usopp dancing around as both Sakura Kingdom siblings danced to their song. Franky was trying not to cry as he strummed to the tune Brook was playing. 

In the flames that appeared around the crew that Mirai formed, memories of their past adventures returned, forming in the fire. First meeting on the former Drum Island, their journey with Vivi in Alabasta, the arrival on Skypiea and Sabaody, reuniting after two years and going to Fishman Island, even first forming the alliance with Law and seeing each other again on Zou. The many memories, both good and bad, made Chopper happy as he watched the images on the flames change as he danced with his Mirai.

When the song ended, the two embraced in a hug again, Brook and Franky placing their instruments down, even if Franky bursted into tears. "Oh, that song was just beautiful! You two are the best, Mirai and Chopper!" Franky cried. Mirai mouthed a thank you to Brook for playing the song, and he nodded back in response. Mirai could feel her reindeer sib shifting again, so she let go of him as he returned to normal again. "That was...actually fun. Thank you for that. It was wonderful," he said. Mirai replied back with a welcome, cherry blossoms soon flowing around them and the crew. They happened to look over and see a few lone sakura trees on the island, making them both smile as Mirai picked up Chopper again.

"Well, I can confirm that this was a wonderful Christmas and birthday celebration for you Chopper," Mirai breathed in awe as the crew watched the sakura trees blow the cherry blossom petals towards them. "Yeah. The best one I'll never forget!" Chopper exclaimed, making the Straw Hats crack up. Mirai rubbed his head, wings coming from her back as she wrapped them around the reindeer in a loving embrace. Once again, it was not only another fun and beautiful Straw Hat Christmas, but also a fun and amazing birthday celebration for Chopper, the crew's doctor and mentor to Mirai. It really was a great Christmas day that they'd never forget.

[bricommissions]

Here I am to help your blog! Hehehe...hi, my name's Iris. I'm an adult, but I'm chirpy and weird. Despite being an adult, I act much like a child at times, finding ways to make work fun, making weird noises and other stuff to make myself or others laugh.

I have a hard time getting social cues: I usually miss it a lot but do my best to watch for those cues.

I don't like it when people yell at me (makes me close to crying) I also don't like it when we have a scheduled time of leaving or something and suddenly it changes.

I like to sleep and dream; listen to music, play games, draw, and many more.

Buuuut, I can easily get overwhelmed witj many people, and despite my chirpiness, I have a bit of a low social battery so I just shut down.

I suffer from depression and generalized anxiety disorder- I am also super picky about food textures and clothing textures. If something isn't right, I won't eat or wear it. But I do my best to if it's a gift or something-

I'm kind, sweet, a dork, and can get super excited easily, but can get shy like- hiding behind someone or just resting my head on one of my family's shoulders.

I get startled easily so I usually squeak or make noises like that- (I literally got picked to play the mouse in one of our videos because of my squeaking so much- lol xD)

And if you need more information, lemme know!

Also, genshun impact please.

Have a good day!

hello there, iris !! thank you for sending something in to help out & i hope you're having a good day/evening/night as well <3

DRUM ROLL, PLEASE . . .

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

i'd ship you with : ARATAKI ITTO !!

who better to be silly with than arataki numero uno itto himself ?! you both have a tendency to act like kids, but that's not a bad thing; it just means you have more fun than others do. despite both of you being adults, you're able to have fun as if time is non-existent & you're both forever young together.

for sake of story, let's say you're living in inazuma city. whether you have temporary residence or you permanently live there is up to you. if you live in inazuma city, you're bound to run into the famed arataki itto at some point. he's pretty hard to miss when he's usually causing such a ruckus !! the first time you meet, he's running at you frantically. it's all because of the ambitious little onikabuto skittering your way. you squeak as you do when startled.

it halts at your feet & stays there since it seems to like you. itto has since skidded to a stop & calmly walked up to you since he's just... in shock. he's never seen one of his onikabuto run up to a complete stranger like this before.

a little sheepish, he introduces himself to you as the one & oni, doing his very best to impress you since you have energy that onikabutos seem to like. you two hit it off pretty quickly, actually. you have a lot in common & simply vibe together since you have similar mannerisms. as the night goes on, you both become a lovable duo of huge dorks. you don't really get why people are so wary of him; he's a sweetheart just like you.

you make an immediate friend in that goofy oni, so you hang out quite often. he understands that you have anxiety, so he'll always make sure to check on you when you seem to be feeling anxious. whenever you're in need of defending or feel shy. you can always stand behind him; he'll puff that muscular chest out & keep you safe !!

since you like games, itto introduces you to genius invocation tcg, onikabuto battles, & more. whenever you play these games with him or the gang, the night is full of endless fun. speaking of the arataki gang, he ends up inviting you to join it. he's blushing a little when he does. it isn't until the gang members themselves point out that itto likes you in a non-platonic way that it all clicks for him.

you continue to hang out with him as usual, but the moments feel more tender. there's shy glances from not just your end, but itto's as well. blushing cheeks, hands brushing together, flirtatious laughter. it isn't long before you both become something more than friends thanks to the gang being itto's wing-people. when they hear the news, they support you both fully & sigh with relief that you both FINALLY got together !!

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

THANK YOU FOR READING !!

if you are unsatisfied with the results, feel free to shoot me an ask or im !!

if you'd like to receive one of these yourself, they are still open at the moment. please refer to THIS POST if you're interested. they just come out a bit slowly since they're lengthy.

if you liked my writing, please consider commissioning me !! it is my only source of income at the moment. i offering writing commissions such as custom character x reader fics, comfort character emails, ship fics, general fics, & more <3

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

[astorythatwritesitself]

2) Anything that you'd like to write but feel like you're unable to? 10) Top three favourite fic tropes. 19) Share a snippet from a wip without giving any context for it.

2: Honestly? ... everything. The imposter syndrome is real and intense and permeates like. Everything, especially writing |D A good third of why I take forever to do much is it takes so long to get over the 'ah fuck I'm a fraud' hurdle to even try putting the words down. It's also why I'm so intense on wanting feedback like. Genuinely. Grade me tell me what I'm doing wrong or right so I know what actually works cause lord knows I can't judge this myself lol

But for a more specific answer: That vaporwave post-apocalyptic furry thing I've been kicking around in my head for a few weeks now.

10: Mutual pining, hurt/comfort or whump, straight on angst.

19:

[Adrian's] immediate instinct was to shrug off the question and leave, but something stopped her halfway out the door. What [Thane] had said about his health, what she'd been thinking about this whole mission- 

Neither of them would be alive, this time next year.

Adrian stood up a little straighter, hoping she didn't also look like she'd been sucker-punched upside the head; had she been that tense since- god, even that first time she'd awoken to Wilson and Miranda talking over her? She'd been clenching her teeth then and ever since waking up for real.

 Thane had no connection to her past. No specialized knowledge that might be withheld if he lost faith in her; no gulf of experience one way or the other that left her feeling she owed him more than basic competence. Their conversations so far made it apparent he wasn't the most social, not many - if any?- friends, and (unless she was wildly off, always possible), he didn't seem… spiteful, like he'd spread anything around for shits and giggles. 

And... in his own words. He'd abandoned people, before. A dying man who didn't care about anyone, and had no one to care about him when he was gone; what did he have to gain, knowing Commander Shepard was a wreck?

What did she have to lose, in talking openly to someone like that?

The door had barely closed- she wasn't even consciously aware of deciding to stay- when the words spilled forth: "Have you heard about Akuze?"

Shit shit shit no-

“A human colony lost to thresher maws,” Thane said. “An Alliance platoon was lost, with-” He paused. Adrian could only glance at him as she sat down across the small table, enough to see the rapid double-blink as the pieces fell into place. “Only one known survivor. ‘The Shepard Memorial-' " The last three words were clipped, an eerie echo of the soundbite that had been floating around news stations for the last couple of weeks.

“Yeah.” The word was half a sigh. Adrian clasped her hands together on the tabletop, focusing on them as she spoke. “Not- not the only survivor as it turns out though, found there was another one a couple months-” Her voice caught, and she gave herself a slight shake. “-years ago. But yes, I’m- I was involved.”

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, squeezing her hands together, nails just biting into her skin. Good, kept her focused. “A colony had gone dark. It was- at the time it was the closest Alliance-funded colony to Terminus space, so they ordered a full platoon. Just in case. "Akuze was quiet, though, that was what bugged us. Ten years and there hadn’t been any reports of… violence. No slavers, no mercs or pirates - the most exciting news out of the place was that it was perfect for apple trees, for god's sake." She raked a hand through her hair, shaking her head. ". We figured it was a comms issue. Fifty men just in case it was dangerous, but it most likely wasn’t, so… good field test for a fresh officer.”

“You.” 

Adrian nodded. Thane’s voice sounded far away, nearly lost under the thunder of fifty marines drumming their fists on the table or tapping out on the floor, dozens of voices raised in some song whose lyrics she couldn’t remember - just the voices. The elation of responsibility, Shelly and Dreyfus' arms around her shoulders rocking her back and forth in time with the beat, heavy and warm and so real, even nearly ten years gone.

Her eyes snapped open, and she thought she saw something move. Thought she caught a glimpse of green - but Thane hadn’t moved much, only to lean forward, hands folded under his chin, looking something alarmingly close to concerned- 

“Me. Right.” She forced her eyes to meet his, or at least focus on some point close enough to fake it; forced her breath to remain even. “We had been on the ground for about… fifteen hours? Not too long, but enough to find the settlement was… gone. I mean, gone, gone- no houses. No sign of fields, no people or animals, not even bodies. Just-” For a second, the cramped room vanished, she was looking out over that flat, barren plain ringed by hills, trying to figure out what to do next.  “We were prepared for a lot of things, but not… not nothing. Not like that.”

[aq2003]

i made this post watching wedding of river song but now that i've watched all of nuwho here's my assessment of all the finales lol

rtd1 era

bad wolf/parting of ways made me go into a temporary doctor who divorce where i went and watched a whole other show bc i knew if i jumped into ten's run immediately i would have hated him forever

doomsday gave me brain damage. literally no other way to describe it other than it gave me brain damage and i realized that the show could actually genuinely wreck me

utopia/sound of drums/last of the timelords is great! obviously raisin ten/jesus fairy ten in LOTTL is goofy but on the rewatch i can appreciate what's being done there. ten can be earth's savior but he still loses in the ways that matter to him in the end bc everybody leaves him and he can't even say he doesn't deserve that. martha is the real savior, the better doctor, and she's the one that walks away in the end in a better place. it's very good

i thought stolen earth/journey's end was slightly weak bc of the banger after banger of series 4 and how many self-serving cameos it had however upon returning i can appreciate the doctordonna brain damage above all else. i love u doctordonna forever

end of time made me cry so hard multiple times both of the times i watched it. worst episode ever i hate you rtd i hate you david tennant you will pay for your crimes

moffat era

i have an irrational anger towards pandorica opens/the big bang bc pandorica builds up so much to the doctor getting trapped in the Cube. and then he doesn't fucking get trapped. in the Cube. exclusively made for HIM. WHAT is AMY doing there. the last bit of the big bang re: amy bringing eleven back and eleven dancing at her wedding is v sweet though

i hated wedding of river song so much i made the original post

angels in manhattan is okay re: the tragedy, eleven's characterization however i don't like how amy has never really had a lot of agency throughout the story and her last decision is made exclusively to be w/ rory. the fact we're back to the "she has two choose between these two men in her life!!" of s5 is so. urgh

the 50th specials are so incredibly bad it's honestly impressive how much it feels specifically crafted for me to hate it

dark water/death in heaven... i love the setup and i love missy however when the show intentionally sets up clara/danny as "clara isn't actually super devoted to him she just loves the idea of having two lives she can control and getting what she wants" i don't really feel anything about them being together

hell bent can stay :)

i'm too angry at world enough and time/the doctor falls to judge them in any way that is close to fair

i hope twice upon a time explodes in a large fire

chibnall era

truly and honestly gun to my head i could not tell you anything about the plot of battle of ranskoor av kolos. it has completely left my mind. like a duck gliding on water

ascension of the cybermen/the timeless children is bad and i can see why ppl hated the timeless child retcon so much. the episodes are not amazing but dhawan!master slays so tremendously i love you babygirl

i could also not tell you anything about the plot of the vanquishers other than the fact flux started off mildly interesting to me and lost me completely as it went on

power of the doctor is mildly entertaining and i love u jodie i love u sacha but it is really sad—and i am speaking purely about my own emotional reaction to the episode—that the most exciting part to me was fourteen showing up. i'm so sorry guys

rtd2

the giggle gave me brain damage

rtd's finales are badly stacked conflicts that are suddenly solved by deus ex machina (but that doesn't matter bc it's filled with genuinely beautiful & heartwrenching character writing that will make you forget about everything) and moffat's finales are convoluted nonsense that make you confused as to what the fuck you're even watching. technically neither of these are good but between these two poisons i will pick the former every time

[hearts-hunger]

sunshine daydream — chapter three

Read on AO3 | Masterlist

chapter one | chapter two

Series Summary: Friends can go on platonic vacations to cosy lakeside cabins, right?

Chapter Summary: You're stuck at the cabin when the storm comes early, but neither of you can find it in you to mind.

Pairings: Sam Kiszka x Reader | Genre: angst, fluff, friends to lovers, mutual pining | Word Count: 4k | Chapter Warnings: none!

A/N: At long last, I've finally written more Sammy and Birdie! I'm so happy and excited to share this chapter (and the next one) with y'all. Thank you so much for your patience — this last month has been a rollercoaster, and you've all been so sweet in the midst of it. I love y'all very much, and I hope this new chapter is worth the wait! ♡

When Sam’s alarm went off in the early morning, it had already started to rain.

You reached over him to turn his alarm off, wondering how on earth he ever got up on time when he was such a notoriously heavy sleeper. Danny and the twins were forever taking on the role of being Sam’s personal alarm clock, and though they’d done their fair share of good-natured grumbling about it, you couldn’t bring yourself to mind gently easing him awake.

“Sammy,” you cooed, brushing his hair back from his face in the dim, grey light. He stirred at your voice, and his face tipped up towards your touch; you felt a flood of affection for him, all gentle as he was in sleep, and foolishly wished that you could wake up like this every morning for the rest of your life.

“Sammy,” you said again. “Time to get up, love.”

His eyes fluttered open, and you melted at the drowsy smile he gave you.

“Birdie,” he said, his voice hoarse and sweet. His expression was so open for a moment that you knew how happy he was to wake up to you, and you couldn’t have stopped the butterflies you felt if you’d tried.

“Good morning,” you said softly.

He smiled. “Morning.”

He came to wakefulness by degrees, and you couldn’t make yourself draw away from him. These moments of quiet intimacy were fleeting, you knew, and you cherished them as much as you could.

“My alarm go off?” he asked, and you nodded. He turned to look towards the window, and he sighed when he saw the rain pattering against the glass.

“Storm came earlier than I thought,” he said. He looked back to you and gave you a crooked smile. “Guess we’re stuck.”

You hummed in agreement. “Guess so.”

He snuggled back down, and you gave a soft laugh at how quickly he fell back asleep. You wondered if he hadn’t wanted to be caught by the storm and have to stay at the cabin. You certainly didn’t mind.

You couldn’t stay in bed with him, though, not least because you couldn’t stop trying to justify just kissing him. Bucking up your courage and kissing his pretty, sleep-softened mouth, waking him again with gentleness and love. But you shouldn’t — you couldn’t.

You got out of bed and padded downstairs after you got dressed, putting on a pot of coffee as you got a good look at the heavy rain. You could hardly see the lake through it, but it drummed a comforting rhythm on the roof and made your little cabin all the more cosy.

When your coffee was made, you went out onto the porch to enjoy the rain. You would have loved to go out in it, but thunder rumbled in the distance; you curled up on the loveseat and settled for watching the downpour. You’d almost started to doze again when you heard the door open, and you looked up to see Sam dressed and cradling a mug of coffee.

“I figured you came out here to watch the rain,” he said affectionately. He sat next to you and took a cigarette from the pack he’d left on the side table last night.

“You mind if I smoke?” he asked.

You shook your head. He lit a cigarette, and you sat in companionable silence for a few minutes until he started to hum a familiar tune.

“What song is that?” you asked. “Did you write it?”

He smiled. “No, but I wish I had. It’s ’Sugar Magnolia’ by the Grateful Dead. We listened to it last night, remember?”

You did, and you blushed when you thought of how Sam had danced with you while he sang it to you. Your blush burned hotter when you thought of everything else that had followed.

He exhaled a ribbon of smoke. “When they played it live, they would sometimes do this little... bonus song, I guess, that went with it. Added more lyrics to ‘Sunshine Daydream’ bit.”

“How does it go?”

He thought for a moment. “Something like... now come on over sweetly, ride out singing, ‘I got you in the morning sunshine’.”

His singing voice was gravelly so early in the morning, and you liked him singing a love song to you more than you should have.

“At least, that’s how I think it goes,” he said.

The silence that fell over you then was sweet and shy, and you felt like you had when you were in grade school, sitting as closely to Sam as you could at lunch, shoulders pressed together, stealing little glances at him.

“So,” he said, patting his thigh. “There’s not a ton to do while we’re stuck inside. Sorry this vacation turned out to be... kinda boring.”

You smiled. “I’m having a great time,” you said truthfully. “I don’t mind staying in. We’ll do a puzzle or something.”

He wrinkled his nose. “A puzzle?”

You laughed. “You’re good at puzzles.”

“Maybe,” he conceded. “But I’d rather go through all our options before we resort to that.”

You talked for a while about what you might do to fill the hours of the quiet, rainy day, enjoying your coffee and sharing a few cigarettes before you went back inside. You cooked breakfast together; when you were done, despite his earlier protest, Sam dug around until he found a beautiful, thousand-piece puzzle and started it at the coffee table in the living room.

“I thought you said no puzzles,” you said, sitting on the floor opposite him.

“Yeah, well. I must love you or something.”

You tried to keep your beaming grin in check.

“Or something,” you agreed.

He worked on the puzzle with you for a while, and when he grew tired of it, he found a guitar and settled on the couch to play. You hummed along with the familiar tunes he played, working from the border he’d all but completed for you.

“Ah, shit.”

You looked up at him and saw that the discordant twang just before had been a string breaking in the middle of the song. You smiled.

“Maybe you shouldn’t shred so much,” you advised, though he’d been playing a soft Bob Dylan song.

He smirked. “Right.” He laid the guitar in his lap. “This guitar hasn’t been played in forever. It probably needs a whole new set of strings.”

“Do you have any?”

He unwound the broken string. “Uh... maybe? Go check that drawer over there with the other instruments.”

“Hm... Do I hear a ’please’ in there somewhere?”

“Birdie, my sunshine, light of my life — will you, pretty please with a cherry on top, go see if there’s a set of strings over there?”

You smiled. “Fine, I guess.”

You went over to the far corner of the living room, a space dedicated to miscellaneous instruments and paraphernalia, including a dulcimer and a mandolin hanging on the wall.

“How long has your family had these?” you asked, glancing your fingers over the mandolin’s decorative scroll.

“Long as I can remember,” he said.

“They’re pretty.” The Kiszka clan seemed to have an eye for beautiful instruments, and you thought fondly of the music room at Mama and Papa Kiszka’s you’d spent countless hours hanging out in with Sam and the boys.

You looked back at Sam, who was diligently removing the string from the bridge of the beautiful, caramel colored guitar.

“Are you going to have a music room in your new apartment?” you asked.

He gave a thoughtful hum. “Probably.” He looked up and gave you a smile. “You’ll have to come help me decorate it, birdie. Make it all nice and pretty.”

Part of you ached a little at the thought of decorating Sam’s apartment with him.

“I will if you want me to,” you said, trying for a smile back.

You rifled through the drawer for a set of strings, sifting through dozens of capos and picks and slides.

“Aha!” you said triumphantly, holding the packet up for him to see.

“Good work,” he said. You brought them back over and sat on the coffee table across from him, careful of the puzzle, your knees bumping against his.

You watched as he put the new string on the guitar, and you tried not to focus too much on his hands.

“There we go,” he said, strumming the guitar to double-check that it was in tune. “Any requests?”

“Make something up,” you said. “Let’s see how talented the great Sam Kiszka is.”

He chuckled and leaned back against the couch, lazily strumming as he thought of what he wanted to play. He started to pick out a bluesy, melancholy tune; before long, he was completely immersed in his playing, and you watched as concentration tugged on his features.

“You really just made that up off the cuff?” you asked when he’d played through a complicated, beautiful riff.

His gaze flickered to you, and he gave you a bemused smile. “Yeah. You said to.”

You gave a soft laugh. “I know.” You shook your head. “You don’t need me to tell you this, but... you’re very talented, Sam.”

His smile was warm and kind. “Thank you, birdie. You’re awful sweet, you know that?”

You felt your cheeks warm. “Well, I try.”

He continued to play as you looked out the window behind him, watching the way the rain made everything hazy and soft.

“Birdie.”

You pulled your gaze back to him. “Hm?”

The corner of his mouth tipped up. “What if I said we should go play in the rain?”

“During a storm?”

He shrugged. “It hasn’t thundered for a while.”

You couldn’t remember if that was true or not. The storm was supposed to get worse as the day wore on, but right now, it just seemed like any other summer shower.

He set the guitar aside and stood, offering you his hand.

“Come on,” he said, giving you an impish smile. “You want to go out in it, don’t you?”

You huffed. “Maybe.”

He grinned. “I knew it. I’ll bring you back inside as soon as it starts thundering, ok?”

After a few more seconds of deliberation for good measure, you took his hand and let him lead you out to the porch.

“We’re going for the trees,” he said, nodding towards the woods. “Ready?”

He smiled at you, and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“Ready.”

With your hand safely in his grip, you both started to run as soon as you got off the porch steps. You shrieked and laughed at how quickly you were drenched in the downpour; even though the trees weren’t that far from the cabin, you were soaked to the bone by the time you made it to them. He didn’t let go when you reached the shelter of the woods, pulling you close under the limbs of a giant, old tree that protected you from most of the rain.

“Hi,” he said, breathless, grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

You beamed at him. “Hi.” He was so close, his arms wrapped around your waist, his cheeks flushed; you brushed his hair back from his face and watched as a raindrop fell down the curve of his jaw.

“This is better than staying inside, isn’t it?” he asked.

“If we don’t get struck by lightning.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you, birdie,” he said confidently. “I’ll fight the lightning off with my bare hands. Real masculine-type stuff.”

You laughed, and his smile was so sincere and warm that it made you weak in the knees.

“I love making you laugh,” he said. “You know that?”

You looked up at him, almost dizzy with how much you loved him. You swallowed.

“I want...” I want you to kiss me. You trailed off, unable to give voice to it.

He met your eyes. “What do you want, birdie?”

You warmed under his gaze. “I want you to sing for me.” Not a lie, but not the truth, either.

His expression flickered, but he didn’t let go of you.

“Okay,” he said. “What do you want me to sing?”

“My song.”

His smile was more genuine then. “Your song?” he said. “Which one would that be?”

You pulled away and crossed your arms over your chest, playing at being upset with him.

“The one you danced me to yesterday and sang to me this morning,” you reminded him.

“Ah,” he said seriously. “That one.”

He gently uncrossed your arms and took both of your hands in his, giving you a warm smile. “I remember, birdie.”

“I guess it can be your song too,” you said. “If you want.”

“Sammy and birdie’s song?” he asked.

You felt close to tears at the thought, for some reason. “Yeah. Will you sing it?”

“Sure I will, if you want me to.”

He tugged you closer to him, and you went willingly, putting your arms back around his neck. Rain still fell gently on the two of you, and the space between you was as warm and heady as the summer storm.

“Caught up in sunlight, come on out singing.” His voice was gentle, sweet. “I’ll walk you in the sunshine. Come on honey, come along with me.”

“Where are we going?” you asked.

He smiled. “Anywhere you want, sweetheart.”

You flushed at the pet name, feeling something tight and wild and nervous in the center of your chest. You looked up at him, studying his face in the grey light; he was so beautiful, and he was looking at you with nothing but tenderness.

“Sam?” you said.

“Yes, birdie.”

Your gaze flitted to the soft bow of his lips, then back up to his eyes.

Oh, you loved him. You tipped your face up towards him, your lips parting; his breath was warm as it fanned over your cheek, and your eyes fluttered shut as you felt his hand squeeze your waist.

“Wait.”

You were surprised when the word hung between you, unmistakably in your voice. But why had you said it?

Your pounding heart was the answer, followed quickly by the sharp and contemptuous voice echoing in your head.

Does he want to kiss you? The voice held a tighter grip on you than Sam did with his warm, gentle hands. Is he doing it just so he doesn’t hurt your feelings?

You blushed and tried to pull away from him. You were almost surprised when he let you.

“Unbelievable,” he said, and his voice was completely different than it had been just a moment before, exasperated and hurt.

He shook his head. “I’m not gonna play this little game with you any more, alright? I get it. Message received.”

“What little game?” you protested, uncomfortably warm with embarrassment and confusion.

He took a step back from you.

“Whatever this is,” he said. “I’m done letting you string me along.”

Your eyes widened. “String you along?”

He scowled. “Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

You had no idea what he was talking about. Stringing him along would imply that he... that he liked you, that you knew, that you’d been intentionally using it against him.

Your whole body burned hot.

“I’m not stringing you along,” you said. “I don’t — I didn’t want to — ”

“Didn’t want to what?” He brushed his damp curls back from his face, impatient and frustrated. “Didn’t want to kiss me? Or maybe you did, for a second, and then you thought better of it like you did yesterday morning.”

“What are you talking about?” you demanded, feeling icy panic in the pit of your stomach. “I never said I wanted to kiss you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, right, I forgot. You were too drunk to remember anything, right? Especially not how you asked me to kiss you.”

“You’re lying,” you snapped, defensive and overwhelmed with embarrassment.

“You think I would lie about something like that?” he shot back. “I’ve been waiting to hear you ask me that since the fifth grade, birdie. If I was going to make shit up to get you to kiss me, I would have done it a lot sooner.”

You felt like all the breath had been knocked out of you.

“You want to kiss me?” you asked.

He just looked at you for a moment, torn between incredulity and exasperation.

“Of course I want to kiss you,” he said finally, like it should have been the most obvious thing in the world. “You know that. And I’m an idiot for trying as many times as I have, because every time I start to think you want me to, you pull away from me.”

He ran his hand over his face. “But you don’t have to worry about second-guessing it any more,” he said. “Like I said, you’ve been very clear this time. I won’t try it again.”

You couldn’t think of anything intelligent to say, and the hold he had on his frustration quickly grew more and more tenuous in the silence.

“You want to kiss me,” you said again.

He tossed his hands up. “Yes, I want to kiss you! For god’s sake, birdie, I want to marry you! I want to have seven dogs and a farm and a whole bunch of kids running around, and I want it with you!”

He took you by the shoulders and gave you a little shake, trying to make you listen.

“Don’t you get it?” he asked. “I’ve loved you since the day I met you. And I’ve been trying to tell you every single day since then.”

He gentled when you didn't say anything. “What do you think this whole vacation was for, birdie?”

You felt lightheaded, and latched onto the only thing you could handle at the moment.

“I thought it was supposed to be a friend thing,” you said weakly.

“Danny’s my friend too,” he said. “You don’t see me taking him on romantic cabin vacations for just the two of us, do you? And what about skinny dipping? Did you think that was just a friend thing, too?”

You blushed deeply. “I didn’t... I mean, I didn’t want to assume anything.”

He gave you a dry look, and it was so like him that you couldn’t help but give him a wobbly smile.

“I got naked for you, birdie,” he said. “I think it’s safe to assume whatever you want to.”

“I got naked for you too,” you countered. “But you didn’t assume anything.”

He moved his hands to run gently up and down your arms. “I didn’t know what to think, to be honest. I thought... I thought you knew what I was trying to do, and that you were just shy. But when you suddenly got so upset about it, I knew I’d misjudged.”

You thought of the night before through that lens. Sam had been trying to romance you, like you’d wanted him to. You knew now that he always had been, for much longer than you could have ever dared hope.

You looked up at him.

“You didn’t misjudge,” you said, and you blushed vividly when he looked at you with wide-eyed wonder.

“I didn’t?” he asked.

You shook your head, and you were so bashful that you hid your face in your hands.

“Hey.” He caught your wrists in a gentle grip and pulled your hands down. “It's ok, birdie. Look at me.”

You did as he said, and there was nothing in his expression but gentleness.

“I never meant to make you feel like I was stringing you along,” you said, the words spilling out before you could stop them. “I hate that I hurt you without even knowing. I’ve wanted to tell you for forever, Sam, but I've never been brave enough. I kept pulling away because I didn’t want to screw things up if this was as one-sided as I thought it was. I just... never could have hoped you were in love with me like I am with you.”

His breath caught. “You’re in love with me?”

You looked over his beloved face. “More than I could ever say, Sam. I love you.”

He gave a heavy, lovesick sigh and leaned his head against yours. “Oh, birdie.”

You felt every bit of tension drain out of him as he pressed closer to you, and you felt like you were finally home after so many years of wandering.

“Did I really ask you to kiss me?” you asked after a moment. “I don’t remember.”

His smile was rueful as he lifted his head.

“You did. I told you to ask me again when you were sober.”

“Oh.”

You touched your hands to his chest, pulling a little at his soaked shirt; you felt calm, completely at peace.

“Well, I’m sober now,” you said. You gave him a shy smile. “So, Sam... will you kiss me?”

Before the words were even out of your mouth, he’d pressed his mouth to yours, and you were utterly lost under his touch. You crumpled his shirt in your hands as he took his time with you, kissing you as if he’d been waiting his whole life to do it. You made a little noise in your throat, high and wanting, and he melted against you.

“Birdie,” he breathed, like you were the most precious thing in the world.

You pressed as close to him as you could. “I love you, Sam.”

His breath came like a half-sob, joyful and desperate, and you felt his smile. “I love you, birdie.”

The rain fell heavier as he kissed you, and both of you were so lost in the other that nothing could have pulled you away. You put your arms around his neck; he hugged you close and kissed you breathless, even as thunder started to roll across the lake.

When you came up for air, neither of you could stop grinning. You framed his face with your hands, brushing your thumb over his cheek.

“Seven dogs and a farm and a whole bunch of kids, huh?” you asked.

He pinked. “Yeah, well, the kids are negotiable. The dogs aren’t.”

You laughed out loud, and he kissed you again.

“I’ll marry you,” you said. “Just get a ring and ask me for real, next time.”

He pulled back to look at your face. “You’re kidding, right?”

You smiled. “You were the one who brought it up, sweetheart.”

He looked a little punch-drunk, and you took pity on him.

“But we have the rest of our lives,” you said. “And no matter what the future looks like, I know I want it to be with you. We have plenty of time to figure out the rest.”

He beamed at you, and you knew that no matter what you said, neither of you would want to wait too long to get started on your future together.

“I love you,” he said. “I can’t believe you love me.”

“You can’t believe it?” you teased. “Imagine my surprise, when I thought you were asking me to skinny dip as friends?”

He laughed and kissed your nose. “Yeah, I guess you’ve got me beat.”

You kissed him, then, and he was pliant and willing at your every touch. You felt an incredible thrill at knowing he loved you, knowing with absolute certainty that he loved you every bit as much as you loved him.

“I would ask you to go skinny dipping again,” he said after a while, brushing his knuckle over the tiger’s eye where it rested against your chest. “And not just as friends, this time. But I guess it’s not the best weather for it, huh?”

“It’s good weather for staying in bed,” you said.

He hummed in agreement as he kissed you again. “That’s a very good point, birdie.”

You giggled when he wouldn’t stop kissing your face, even though the rain had started to fall hard enough that the trees gave little shelter from it.

“Come on, before we drown,” you said. You kissed his collarbone. “Take me to bed or lose me forever.”

He smiled and put his big hands to your face, brushing away the rain. “Is that what we’re doing now? Quoting Top Gun?”

You gave him a cheeky grin. “You don’t like it?”

“I didn’t say that.” He cradled your face in his hands and kissed you. “I’ll take you to bed if you want me to.”

You sighed against his mouth. “I want you to.”

You felt his smile.

“Don’t have to tell me twice, birdie.”

Read the next chapter here!

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[nanamisflowerfield]

︵✿︵︵✿︵︵✿︵︵✿︵︵✿︵︵✿︵︵✿︵

It was a big day, well at least for Idia. After all it was his crush’s birthday! Scared and excited, he tried to prepare a gift for his beloved crush in secret.

︶✿︶︶✿︶︶✿︶︶✿︶︶✿︶︶✿︶︶✿︶

@teashopwritingzz I know I don’t have to do it, but I really really really wanted to give at least one small present to you! Because you totally deserve it!🥺❤️ Happy belated Birthday! I know that yesterday was your birthday, but I wasn‘t online yesterday due the post+ demonstration! D: I still hope that you had a wonderful day yesterday and today and the whole week! Stay safe and healthy too!!

Idia took a deep breath, staring at the list of gift ideas that you might like, but a small voice back in his head kept telling him, that you would never like any of those gifts. “I’m sure that (Y/N) (L/N) will like it!” His younger brother always said, but the tall dorm leader of Ignihyde was still pouting at his thoughts. If you would reject any of those, you would also reject his feelings. It would be like a critical hit, getting it from the most greatest SSR character ever. “If you are still unsure, you can watch them. Maybe you will figure out what (Y/N) (L/N) will like.” Ortho advised his big bro, who glanced over his shoulder to the only person he might listen to at this very important situation. “Maybe you are right…” Idia’s gaze wandered from his brother to the list he had on his phone. Headphones, phonecases, games, books and more were listed on it, but would you liked them?

“Owww! My paw!” Grim cursed the ground, after he fell down from the bed, being accidentally pushed down by you. “Sorry, Grim.” Apologizing by petting him on the head and promising to give him a can of tuna later, he halfheartly accepted your apology, walking with you to school for another mayhap exciting school day. “I will only accept it, because it’s your birthday.” The cat-like friend of yours, fummed, watching the Heartslabyul duo walk into your direction to greet you and wish you a happy birthday. “Trey-senpai even baked a cake.” Deuce told you, getting elbowed by Ace, who groaned at him that the birthday party should be a surprise, only to spoil it himself. “A surprise party…? I’m probably not invited…” Idia watched the screen, his eyes never leaving you, hopeful to get any informations of what you might wish for, while his fingers tipped on his keyboard, coding something he always had on mind.

As you wrote on paper everything important professor Crewel told the class, Ace drummed with his finger on the table, while Grim was half sleeping next to you and Deuce tried his best to be a perfect student. “Hey, can you read the list of invited students later on? Did we invite every friend of yours?” Deuce whispered to you, getting harsh words of the professor for interrupting the lesson. But every time Crewel watched away, you read all names of your friends on it, only noticing that one name was missing. The person you wanted to see not only through screen. Idia Shroud. But maybe he couldn’t come over or doesn’t want to for being such a shy and yet adorable being.

Surprisingly the day went on like every other day. You laughed, had fun, talked to your friends and went to the Heartslabyul garden, while wearing shiny bright white clothes to show the whole school that it was indeed your birthday, like many other students had to wear on theirs. It was a bit embarrassing to talk with plenty of students about your birthday, but it still made you happy nonetheless, even when you still hoped to talk on specific student of NRC on this very day. But he didn’t came, so maybe you should get your little present from him by visiting Idia. “That’s a great party, guys. Thank you all so much, but I will be gone for a short time.” You smiled at your friends, watching them having fun, eating delicious food and talking to each other.

Idia yelped as he heard a knock on the door. Wasn’t everyone gone and having fun right now? Who was knocking on the door? Arguing with Ortho with mere stares, the younger Shroud walked to the door, opening it to your delight and Idia’s dismay, as he stared at the door opening more and more and then- oh no, by the great seven, was it truly you?! You were supposed to be at your party, having the time of your life with your dear friends and not be here! Why were you here?!

Like a good child, Ortho greeted you, standing next to the door to give you some space to walk through the door to Idia’s room. While you were smiling at the Shroud brothers, Idia was sitting on his chair, turning around to hide his blushing face that got warmer by every second you stood there and talked to Ortho. The tips of his hair and ears were dusted cheek and he was sure, that some might compare to him to fresh cherries!

“Sorry to disturb you-“ You started, getting interrupted by Ortho, who dragged you into the room, telling you that you would never disturb any of those two. “Oh… Uhm… Alright.” With the same smile that Idia fell for, your eyes stared at his back. Oh, how much you had wishes to hold the introverted boy in your embrace, pat him and give him the love and affection he deserved. “I-I-It’s… alright…” Idia sputtered and stuttered, trying to avoid your gaze in fear that you might tease him for having a crush on you. He just couldn’t help himself. You were such a lovely person. So nice, helpful and that smile. He could babble around, what a great person you were in his boring shut-in life. That you were like the light in his dark life. A total ultra super duper rare card in the gacha games he keeps playing, being frustrated that he couldn’t get those cards, but at least could look at them on photos. “Am I creepy…?” Idia mumbled to himself, forgetting your presence for a second until you asked him to repeat it, after not able to hear it. “N-Nothing!”

Fortunately or mayhap even unfortunately, Ortho knew of Idia’s feelings and how much he had took a liking towards you, which is why he had asked you, why you were in the Ignihyde dorm. “Oh… I wanted to get my present.” The blue-haired tall student turned around, nearly shrieking in fear that you figured out, that he wanted to give you a gift as well like plenty of your friends, who unfortunately had gifted you many presents he had listed a couple weeks ago. “My present would be… to spend more time with you, Idia.” Your gaze wandered to the ground as your cheeks got warmer by your mere words and wish you had, not realizing that Idia’s face was mirroring yours at the same time your words had left your mouth.

That was a gift that he would love to give you every day as long as you wanted to have him by his side. His mouth opened slightly, wanting to talk, before you had asked him what he was programming right now as you took a look at the codes, ignoring the fact that a humming Ortho left the room, so he might not disturb you two love birds. “A g-game… I’m trying to make a small game I had in mind for quite some time.” He answered, staring at it once again.

“Have you finished it already?“ The bluehead nodded. “May I play it?” Mumbling a few words here and there, Idia hoped that his hair hide his flustered face, but he nonetheless let you sit next to him and play his selfmade game, even though he feared that you would reach the end of it and find out about his big secret he never wanted to reveal to you.

“Another level up. Great!~” You cheered, playing the rpg of Idia’s even though your friends might miss you during your birthday party. You should get back, but you couldn’t stop playing the game, after all you has nearly reach the endboss! “Is that a giant cat? He reminds me of Grim.” You chuckled, trying to defeat the endboss with the spells of the protagonist named Hadia. It was a cute game.

The plot of it was like plenty of other rpgs. The protagonist Hadia, a royal guy fell in love with Readi, a sweet princess who got kidnapped by the evil cat-monster Grimopy. Grimopy tried to be the strongest wizard and king and had plenty of henchmen like Dice and Acepo, which were quite strong enemies. Hadia had to train a lot and even gained the help of different wizards like Lio, a sleepy lion, Otto, a cute robot. Then there were Ralice, Tri, Phone-Addicted Rabbit, who still had no name, because Idia couldn’t find a good fitting name for the character. Marteus, Kala, Azure and many other characters and all of them reminded you of your friends. That meant that Hadis was probably Idia and the lovely princess Readi was… you. “Cute game.” You whispered to yourself, using the last spell to defeat the boss, watching the end scene of the rpg.

Hadis was rushing through the castle until he found his beloved princess. When he leaned down to kiss her awake with the kiss of true love, she woke up and they confessed their loves, swearing to each other to be together forever until they lives will end.

“I think I have a new ship.” You giggled, pointing at the protagonists, while you looked at Idia, the blushing mess. “I’m really glad that they are together. They are perfect and cute together. So sweet. I hope that my Hadis likes me as much as he does…” You commented, shutting his computer down, while Idia clenched his fists, knowing that you finally know about his feelings. “Come. We have to go to a party, Idia.” You smiled at the marveled dorm leader. “P-Party?!” Faster than he could expect it, you grabbed his hand in yours, pulling him away from his room towards the garden of the Heartslabyul dorm. “Oh, I like you too, my Hadis.” - “I-I like you too… my Readi.” With the other hand of his, he tried to hide his red face as you chuckled at him, happy that you finally can call him yours.

[trashbag-baby666]

Cherry Bomb-Hunter Sylvester X Fem OC

Chapter Four.

Hunter and Dahlia helped Kevin carry his new drum set into his small room and then set it up.

Kevin was excited but she could see before they left that he didn't know where to start.

"I think I gotta go home, I need to get my dog." Dahlia sighed looking at Hunter as he pulled out of the parking lot for Kevin's apartment complex.

"Oh shit really? Is your dad still mad?" Hunter frowned and grabbed onto Dahlia's hand quickly.

"I don't know, I haven't talked to him since Friday night." Dahlia scrunched her eyebrows and pursed her lips. "I hope he isn't too mad."

"Well if you need a ride or a place to crash you know who to call." Hunter rubbed his thumb on the back of her hand.

"Thanks love," Dahlia gave him a thankful smile but turned and looked out the window the other day. Her smile faltered into a frown as he drove her home.

She just needed to keep everything straight for a while. Well until she could tell both parties her secrets without hell freezing over.

Hunter turned his music on letting Black Sabbath roar through the speakers. Dahlia held Hunter's hand for the rest of the way home.

Once they arrived Dahlia let out a long deep breath. She looked over at Hunter, a frown on her face and her green eyes pleading with him to just run away.

"It'll be okay love," Hunter sighed and unbuckled and hugged her tight, Dahlia leaned into his grip.

"I hope," Dahlia pulled away and gave him a quick peck as she grabbed her bag out of the back.

"Love you, Dahlia waved.

"Love you too," Hunter pulled out leaving Dahlia standing in her driveway alone. Dahlia sighed and walked to the front door pulling her keys from her pocket. She grabbed out her house key and opened the door.

"Dad?" Dahlia called out, "Doctor Feelgood?"

Dahlia sighed and went upstairs. She opened the white door and stepped into her room. She slugged her backpack onto the ground and pulled out her sketchbook. She grabbed out her pencil bag and began to sketch out Hunter's face. His defined eyebrows, the way his nose stuck out perfectly, the way his hair parted perfectly. Dahlia could go on forever about how Hunter was so perfect.

Dahlia dumped out her colored pencils on the bed and picked up a black one starting to blend everything right in his hair. She smiled looking down at the portrait. She could probably draw Hunter from memory.

"Dahlia?" She heard her dad call from downstairs.

She sighed, tossing her sketchbook to the side and got up. She opened her door and came down the stairs and leaned over the railing of the staircase.

"Yes?" She raised her eyebrows.

"Fuck," her dad jumped slightly, "I was just making sure it was you and not someone trying to rob us, the door was unlocked."

Mr. Nix sat on the bench by the big double doors and took off his running shoes. Doc came bolting towards Dahlia, his harness still on and his leash dragging behind him.

"Hello there!" She smiled, scooping him up, "Did your grandpa take you for a walk?" Dahlia giggled petting the dog before slipping him out of his harness. Doc barked and wagged his tail.

"You came home." Mr. Nix looked over at Dahlia with a smile on his face.

"I really only came home to get Doc," Dahlia shrugged.

"Oh," Mr. Nix sighed, his mouth falling into an 'O' shape, "At least stay for dinner?"

"Sure,"Dahlia sighed.

"Great," Mr. Nix disappeared into the kitchen and Dahlia looked down at where Doc was sitting in her lap as she sat on the stairs.

"Come on Doc," Dahlia went up the stairs Doc followed after her.

     Dahlia saw the text from her dad that dinner was done. Dahlia rolled her eyes and got up off her bed grabbing her blue water bottle off the side table. Returning down the stairs, She let Doc out into the gated backyard and left the glass door open.

"What'd you make?" She walked into the kitchen.

"Chili," Mr. Nix hummed as he poured the thick soup out of the ladle and into his bowl, "There's cornbread on the table."

"Okay," Dahlia sighed, walking over to the stove grabbing a bowl and scooping some in. Dahlia sat down across the circular table from Mr. Nix. They both ate in silence the sound of the metal spoon hitting the ceramic bowl filling the area.

After they finished Dahlia loaded the dishwasher, got Doc from outside and went back upstairs. She'd just stay at home for the night.

[helloalycia]

The Wrong Lifetime – Two // Wanda Maximoff

chapter one | story masterlist | main masterlist | wattpad | chapter three

author’s note: thank you so much for the feedback on chapter one, everyone! i really appreciate and I’m glad you’re excited for more. hope you enjoy :)

"What do you think of this one?"

I pulled a face, shaking my head. My brother sighed dramatically before moving along the display cabinet, searching for the perfect ring.

Just as he'd said at dinner the other night, we were browsing engagement rings for Wanda, and I was (obviously) hating every second of it. My parents thought it would be good to help Y/B/N whilst also getting me more involved in the whole wedding thing; and I couldn't exactly say no to them, so here I was, half interested in what we were doing.

"What if I can't find anything?" Y/B/N asked, chewing the inside of his cheek as he continued to look. "This is the third jewellers we've been to, Y/N."

Figuring it was time to actually make an effort and be a supportive sister, I rested a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "You'll find something," I told him confidently. "It just needs to come to you, y'know? She'll love anything you pick."

He smiled at me. "Thanks. I just don't want to disappoint her. The last thing I want to worry about is her hating the ring."

I chuckled, rounding the cabinet to get a look at a different display. "I doubt she'll hate any of this. Girls love jewellery. This is pretty good jewellery."

"Y/N, you hate jewellery," he pointed out with amusement, and I rolled my eyes playfully.

"I don't hate it," I defended. "I'm just not a fan of shopping for it."

He snickered as he continued to peruse the cabinets. "Well, Wanda seems to love it. D'you see how many rings she was wearing that night?"

I breathed out through my nose, definitely remembering. It was hard to forget when her ring-adorned fingers were brushing the top of my hand every few minutes. But obviously I wasn't going to say that to Y/B/N, so I hummed in response.

It went quiet as I tried to find a ring that would suffice. Rings weren't my taste, personally. I was more of a necklace person, so this was just as difficult for me as it was for Y/B/N. They all looked similar to me though, upon closer inspection, had different engravings and patterns in the gold and silver bands.

"So, what did you think of Wanda's brother?" Y/B/N asked, earning my attention.

He was smiling cheekily as he awaited a response.

"Pietro?" I asked with creased brows. He nodded and I continued, "He was nice, I guess. Has a sense of humour."

My brother gave me a knowing look as he looked at the glass display once again. "He's unmarried you know."

"No, thank you," I answered instantly, not particularly fond of discussing my potential marital future with my brother.

"Oh, don't be like that, Y/N," he said with a laugh. "I'm just looking out for you!"

I drummed my fingers on the cabinet top. "Well, I didn't ask you to. I'm perfectly content as I am."

Y/B/N cocked his head to the side as he glanced at me. "You know you can't stay unmarried forever." I opened my mouth to say something, but he was quick to continue. "And no, not because a woman should marry no matter what. But rather because you will most definitely give mum a heart attack."

I closed my mouth, trying to come up with a response, but my shoulders sank at the truth to his words. He half-smiled when he knew I knew he was right.

"I don't want to think about this now," I decided, waving my hand. "Ring. Look. Now."

He laughed again but nodded and stayed quiet. We both continued to have a look around until I was surprisingly certain that I'd found the perfect ring. There was a case filled with rings holding precious gemstones and a particular one stood out to me.

"Hey, Y/B/N, come here," I called him over, eyes never leaving the ring as I moved closer to inspect it. "What about this one?"

Pointing to the glass case, I chose an elegant silver band with a small, non-dominating emerald gemstone sat on top. It wasn't too flashy nor too plain and something told me that it might just be Wanda's taste.

"It'll match her eyes," I said, watching him as he leaned forward to get a better look. "She'll love it."

My brother seemed confused as he straightened up. "I thought her eyes were brown."

I rolled my eyes, taking a step back. "Fine, get a brown ring."

He tried not to laugh as he raised his hands with defeat. "Okay, okay, I believe you, no need for the sarcasm!" He proceeded to call the shopkeeper over to get the ring and glanced at me once more. "You're one hundred percent sure she's got green eyes?"

"Well, they're hazel, but this will definitely compliment them," I assured him, making him shrug as he looked back to the shopkeeper.

To my own dismay, I was certain her eyes were hazel. They were very inviting and the dinner the other night was evidence of that, as I found myself unable to look away whenever she found my gaze. Hopefully she'd like the ring, I guess.

—

The bothersome thing about my brother's engagement was just how many celebrations that followed. A week after the dinner came the engagement party, a celebratory evening with all of our family and friends and my brother's many admirers. The Maximoffs invited their friends, too, sadly not having any extended family to invite as it was only them here in England.

It was an expensive affair, but so was everything when it came to my brother. There was food, drinks, dancing, gifts and much more for the newly-engaged couple, and I once again found myself dressed in an uncomfortable dress of my mother's choice.

If that wasn't enough of a punishment, I was also reunited with my extended family whom only showed their faces on glamorous occasions such as this one. It's not that I didn't like them, but I felt like I rarely knew them, especially when they shared stories from when they used to see me as a baby and expected me to remember the memory like it was yesterday.

I found myself victim to yet another relative at the start of the evening. This time, it was one of my aunties from my father's side whom I vaguely recognised from my childhood. She'd found me by the snacks table where I was recovering from a previous encounter with a cousin of mine, and immediately began pulling my cheeks and reminiscing on how chubby and cute they were when I was – you guessed it – a baby.

"Auntie, I think that–"

"So grown up, but still so cute!" she gushed, cutting me off and proceeding to yank my cheeks so hard that they began to hurt.

I winced, trying to back away, but she dragged me closer by the face, making me groan with displeasure. 

"Y/N, there you are!"

The only reason I knew it was Wanda who called for me was because of her Russian accent, otherwise I was still unable to turn and check because my auntie had me trapped. When Wanda came into sight, stopping by the two of us, my auntie finally let go, now distracted by the brunette. I exhaled gratefully, hands rubbing my cheeks to relieve the ache. I had no doubts they were red from the pinching. God, I hated family reunions.

"I'm very sorry to interrupt," Wanda apologised with an endearing smile as she looked to my auntie, "but please may I steal Y/N away from you for a moment?"

My auntie nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, dear! You're family now! Do whatever you like."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as she said that. Wanda flashed her a final smile before tugging me away, near some deserted high table.

"What did you need?" I asked, quirking a brow.

She was looking around the room when I asked her, before her eyes focused on me. Unlike me, she seemed very comfortable in this environment, and the dress she wore was perfect for her. A scarlet-coloured gown that put anybody else's clothes here to shame. Did she just look good in everything or something?

"I didn't actually need anything," she answered, licking her lips. "I just saw your auntie harassing you and figured you'd like the escape."

Surprised at her observant nature, I cleared my throat and relaxed my shoulders. "Oh, well thanks."

She smiled widely, teeth shining and eyes sparkling and I was now beginning to think she truly had no flaws.

"You look beautiful tonight by the way," she said, and there was nobody around to hear it which made me think she wasn't trying to kiss up like I'd assumed initially.

"Thanks," I returned with a small smile. "I– er– so do you. Is that your favourite colour?"

She was wearing a similar colour the first night we met, so I could only assume it was. Which was a good choice, since she looked good in it.

She glanced down at her dress and nodded. "Something like that."

I leaned on the table as I watched her curiously. "Shouldn't you be with Y/B/N?"

Looking back up, she grinned mischievously. "You trying to get rid of me already?"

Shaking my head, I tried to find the words to say that I wasn't and she'd misinterpreted, but she was doing that thing again where she wouldn't look away first, her eyes glowing with amusement. If I wasn't certain before today that her eyes were a bright hazel colour, I definitely was now.

"I'm kidding," she finally said, laughter spilling from her lips. It was a sweet sound and I suddenly envied my brother for being able to hear it whenever he pleased.

"I just thought that you would be together since it's your engagement party," I explained, a little more flustered than I'd wanted to be.

Her lips pressed together in a suppressed smile as she nodded behind me. I spun around, following her gaze, and spotted my brother across the room charming some guests with, no doubt, another epic tale of his career.

"He seems to be doing fine on his own, milaya," Wanda whispered into my ear, making me freeze at the warmth of her breath tickling my skin.

Shivers ran down my spine as she was close enough for her perfume to infiltrate my nose. Swallowing hard, trying not to be very much attracted to her accent when she spoke English but also Russian, I took a moment to breathe out and clear my head of thoughts containing the Maximoff woman. When I was sure I was okay, I craned my neck to speak to her, only to feel my mouth go dry.

She was stood very close to me still, a teasing smirk on her lips. Up close, her eyes were intoxicating, drawing me in and making me forget where we were and what we were talking about.

"Do I make you nervous, Y/N?" she asked quietly, feigning innocence, her accent thicker than usual.

My lips parted as I tried to say something, but her eyes were distracting and her lips were curved upwards perfectly and I suddenly forgot how to speak English.

She chuckled, stepping back slightly, and I wiped my sweaty palms on my dress as Wanda watched me with amusement.

"Your mother is calling you," she said, nodding behind me. And then I heard my mother indeed calling my name. "I'll leave you to it. Try not to fall victim to another family member."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, eyes falling to her mouth as she bit her lower lip to contain a smile. What was she getting out of this? Did she find joy in making me flustered or was she actually flirting right now? The latter couldn't be possible... she was going to marry my brother. This was her engagement party for crying out loud! She was definitely enjoying making me stumble over myself.

"Right," I spoke, finally finding my words.

With a quick nod, I looked away and followed the sound of my mother's voice. I was unsure why I felt the need to look over my shoulder, but when I did, I saw Wanda watching me still, eyes gleaming even with the distance. I looked away instantly, hoping this weird, flirtatious behaviour of hers would cease soon. I wasn't sure I could take anymore of it.

—

The evening was going well following Wanda's (what I was now calling) tormenting. I stuck to myself when my mother wasn't dragging me around, forcing me to mingle with family friends.

Tucked in the corner with a book I'd managed to sneak along was a good pastime, until halfway through the evening, everybody was brought to the front of the room for an announcement. I almost missed it if it weren't for Pietro finding me and trying not to laugh at my complete disconnect from the event around me.

"They're exchanging the rings," he told me, pulling me from my table and to the front. "Family's got to be there. Including you, Y/N."

I rushed to put my bookmark between my pages as he tugged me along, finally stopping by the front of the crowd alongside our mothers. Standing before everyone were our fathers and the engaged couple themselves, all smiling and putting on the perfect show.

"We are privileged to announce the engagement and union of my beloved daughter, Wanda Maximoff, and everybody's favourite author, Y/B/N Y/L/N," Oleg announced proudly, glass of champagne in his hand.

Both Y/B/N and Wanda exchanged smiles before looking out to everyone. When my brother's eyes met mine, I smiled encouragingly, and when Wanda's eyes met mine, my smile faded as she grinned my way, eyes saying a thousand things, none of which I could decipher.

"They will now present each other with the rings," my dad said, making the crowd chatter excitedly amongst themselves.

All eyes were on the couple as they presented their rings. Wanda had gotten Y/B/N a plain silver band, perfect for the guy who wasn't a fan of jewellery, and he wore it with pride. Then Y/B/N offered up the ring we'd picked in the store and Wanda's smile was as wide as ever when she saw it.

He placed it on her ring finger and she studied it once more, the emerald sparkling under the light and making all the women in the crowd jealous. She pulled him in for a grateful hug, pressing a kiss to his cheek, and I found myself looking away, not particularly a fan of them getting cosy.

"Gross, right?" Pietro asked, nudging me in the arm slightly. He was trying not to laugh as he avoided looking at the couple up front. "Like, we get it, you're engaged."

A smile appeared on my lips as I glanced at the silver-haired publisher, appreciating his attempt to make me laugh.

"Gross indeed," I agreed.

He rolled his eyes playfully before looking forward again, watching as my father continued to make a speech about how great it was to unify our families.

I listened in, though I'd heard the same spiel several times at home when they'd initiated the idea in the first place. Judging from the look on Pietro's face, he'd heard the same, and I was glad it wasn't just me who felt icky about this whole thing.

This evening couldn't end any sooner.

—

"I just don't understand why I need to go," I complained to my mother.

She was sat before her mirror, finishing applying her makeup and looking presentable for the girl's trip she'd planned for Iryna, Wanda, herself and I.

"Because you're going to become Wanda's sister-in-law and we are all going to become a family," she said like it was obvious, not bothering to look my way. "It'll be fun, Y/N."

I groaned quietly, leaning against the doorframe. A servant fussed around my mother's room, tidying up the mess of clothes she'd left in her wake from picking an outfit. I watched her with boredom, knowing I'd take that job over today's plans any day.

"You might make a new friend with Wanda," my mum continued delightfully. "Wouldn't that be nice?"

I tensed my jaw, eyes narrowing into the window ahead. "Yeah, really nice, mum."

"Good, now go and w–" she began, but was cut off when the doorbell rang from downstairs. Waving her hand, she said, "Go greet the Maximoffs whilst I finish up here, dear."

I sighed, straightening up. "Do I have a choice?"

"Don't forget to smile!" she called after me.

Making my way downstairs, I saw one of our servants opening the door and greeting the Maximoffs politely before letting them inside. Upon spotting me descending the staircase, Iryna smiled brightly.

"Y/N, dear, how lovely to see you!" she exclaimed, and when I got to the bottom, she pulled me in for a surprise hug. "How are you doing this morning, my dear?"

After recovering from the surprise hug, ignoring the way Wanda stifled laughter from behind her mother, I stepped back and gave the older woman a genuine smile.

"I'm doing good, Miss Maximoff," I said, and when she gave me a stern look, I backtracked, remembering her words from the engagement party a few nights ago. "Iryna– right, sorry. I'm doing good. And yourself?"

"Very good now that we're here," she said cheerfully, before nodding for Wanda to join her side. "Wan, what are you doing there? Come and give your sister-in-law a hug the right way!"

I gulped as Wanda did as her mother said, stepping forward without hesitation and pulling me in for a quick hug. Not wanting to look like an idiot, I wrapped my arms around her torso, hoping I wasn't as stiff as I felt. Once again, she smelt really good and I forgot how to breathe.

"Good morning, milaya," she muttered in my ear before pulling away with a harmless smile.

"Morning," I got out, being sure to avoid her gaze as I looked back to her mother. "Can I offer either of you a cup of tea? Or a drink? My mother is just finishing getting ready."

"No need, Y/N!" my mum called as she walked down the stairs behind me. Wearing an apologetic smile, she looked to Iryna and Wanda. "Sorry about that, ladies. I'm all ready to go if you are."

After sharing a greeting with them, my mum led us all outside to the carriage that was waiting to take us into town. We got in and were soon on our way to have the time of our life! (Cue the sarcasm).

"So, Y/N," Iryna said, and I looked up to see her sat beside Wanda who was sat opposite me. "What are your thoughts on this whole engagement? It was quite the affair the other night!"

I forced a smile as I nodded respectfully. "It was a great evening, Iryna. A great start to a successful marriage, I'm sure."

That seemed to start Iryna on a tangent about the engagement and how lovely the evening was and all of the new family members she met on our side. A sigh escaped my lips as I practically relived it with her retelling, making my mum nudge me in the arm gently but scoldingly.

"...and the ring!" Iryna enthused, not noticing my disinterest. "Don't get me started on the ring. Is there anything Y/B/N isn't good at?"

I could name a few things, yes.

With difficulty, I pressed my lips together to stop myself from cracking a knowing smile. Iryna told Wanda to hold out her hand so she could take another look, and as she did, it was the first time I'd seen the ring up close since she'd been given it. I glanced between the ring and her eyes and knew I'd made the right decision.

My mother began to shower Wanda in compliments – "Oh, it matches your eyes, dear! It's like it's meant to be!" – as I sat back and wished we'd arrive at the shops already.

"Between us ladies," my mum said playfully to Wanda, "is it good enough or did you expect something better?"

Wanda chuckled, shaking her head. "I didn't have any expectations, Y/M/N. I would have been happy with whatever Y/B/N picked. But this... this is absolutely stunning. He clearly put a lot of thought into it."

Yes, of course he did. So thoughtful, isn't he? Especially his attention to detail, like when he remembered the colour of your eyes.

Oh, wait.

After what felt like forever, we finally reached the shops and could escape that shrinking carriage for a few minutes before heading into a dress shop to suffocate yet again.

As usual, I followed my mother around like a lost puppy, letting her take the lead with picking some clothes. She was deep into conversation with Iryna, the two of them bonding instantly as they talked about their interests and marriage and their children's engagement.

At one point, I left them to it, resorting to browsing through a rack that had some pretty pastel dresses hanging from it. I didn't have plans to buy anything since I didn't need anything, but it didn't hurt to look.

"Hey," Wanda's voice echoed from behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder to see her joining my side.

"Hey," I replied, continuing to look through the dresses.

She browsed through the rack also, going through each dress slowly as she smiled to herself. "So, you don't like shopping I take it."

I hummed in agreement. "Not really."

She nodded, continuing her browsing. "You don't like parties either. Or dinners." I hummed again and she continued, "And you don't like it when your brother gets all the attention."

I hummed subconsciously, before realising what she said. Stopping my browsing, I looked to her with furrowed brows. "I never said that."

Mischief dancing in her eyes, she glanced me way and winked playfully. "You didn't need to."

Clenching my jaw slightly, I busied myself with going through the hangers, hoping the heat creeping up my neck would disperse. I wasn't going to let Wanda get to me yet again. It was like she had some kind of magic spell on me, making me unable to think straight whenever she was in my vicinity.

"I know you picked my ring by the way," she said after a moment of silence.

I licked my lips and played dumb, not looking her way. "What do you mean? Y/B/N chose it."

She snickered. "I know it was you, Y/N. No man in the world is that thoughtful."

I stayed quiet, figuring it was my best option. She seemed to find this entertaining as she turned to face me, leaning against the rack and watching me curiously.

"I must ask though. Why emerald?"

Fingers playing with the fabric of the dress before me, I shrugged nonchalantly. "Why not?"

She laughed, and it was the second time she'd done so so freely, making the pit of my stomach flip uncontrollably at the sound.

"You don't seem like the type to just do things," she observed. "There had to be a reason. Please enlighten me."

Once again, I shrugged as I made sure not to look her way. I wasn't planning to get sucked in by her killer eyes yet again.

"I'm not blind," I told her casually. "I saw it and remembered that you have hazel eyes that sometimes look green. I thought it would suit you. A mere artistic observation."

"Ah, I see," she said with a nod, playing along. "Well, you have good taste. Thank you. I adore it."

"It was nothing," I assured her, hoping she couldn't hear my heart beating ever-so-quickly in my chest. The longer she watched me, the more flustered I got.

Suddenly, she stepped forward, her hand resting on the small of my back. The simplest of touches had me paralysed, at a loss for words, frozen in place. Mentally I knew that it wasn't right that she made me react like this. But my body wouldn't listen to my brain and Wanda seemed to realise that, clearly revelling in my misery.

"So, you remembered my eye colour after just two meetings, huh?" she asked lightheartedly, leaning in, her hand still pressed to my back gently.

Finally finding the ability to stand my ground, I said, "I'm very observant," and I turned to look at her to show her that whatever game she was playing wasn't going to work anymore. Of course, that was a huge mistake, because as soon as my eyes locked with hers, I lost all resolve.

"That you are," she noted with a smirk, before her hand dropped to her side and she nodded to the long-forgotten dress in my hand. "You should get it. It suits you."

And with that comment, she left me alone to join our mothers yet again. I breathed out shakily, realising that Wanda Maximoff was becoming a bigger issue than I thought. 

After purchasing some new dresses from several stores (no, I didn't buy the dress Wanda wanted me to), the four of us stopped by a café for a spot of lunch. Despite the flustered mess I became whenever Wanda gave me more attention than we both know she should have, I was having an okay time.

Iryna was very sweet, wanting to get to know me since we would be family soon, and made me feel at ease whenever she could. My mother was too distracted by her and Wanda's presence to tell me off for complaining, and it was just genuinely kind of nice to get out.

I was drinking a cup of tea as we waited for our food order when my mum tried to get the details on Wanda's newly-planned date with my brother in a few days.

"You're going to the theatre, right?" she asked Wanda eagerly, as if she didn't already know everything anyway.

Y/B/N had talked about this literally last night at dinner. It was to be Wanda's and his first official date, and the first real opportunity away from family and prying eyes to get to know each other better.

"Yes, he got tickets to see a new play I've never heard of," she admitted with a chuckle. "It'll be a chance to get to know him better. The only things I know of him are what my family have told me and what I've learnt from everyone around us."

Iryna smiled as she watched her daughter, whilst my mother waved her hand optimistically.

"Oh, I'm sure the date will go splendidly," she assured Wanda. "It's no secret that you're both very attractive, young adults. If there are no sparks between you, then we're all done for."

At this comment, Iryna and my mother both erupted into laughter, like it was some kind of joke that only middle-aged women seemed to get. I raised my eyebrows and dropped them behind a cup of tea, figuring it was best to stay quiet.

"I'm sure it will," Wanda said in agreement, though her voice was quieter, unable to be heard behind their laughter.

Surprisingly, I found myself intrigued by this rarely seen version of Wanda. It was a similar version to the one I'd seen the night of the dinner, when I showed her around upstairs and the conversation of my brother crept in. It wasn't hard to forget her ability to dance around the question to whether she liked him or not.

And now, she seemed to wear a false smile as she mulled over their date. I guess it was strange to see since I naturally figured she'd want to marry him – pretty much any woman in the city did – but maybe that wasn't the case.

"...tell her what he's like," my mother insisted, pulling me away from my observation. "You're his sister. Who better than you to give her an idea?"

Realising what she was saying, I tried not to choke on my tea. I lowered the cup and shook my head calmly, though the intent was very much urgent.

"She should just see," I said uncertainly. "I mean, what better way to know than to just speak to him?"

One deathly glance from my mother and I straightened up, looking to the Maximoffs before me.

"But if I was to say something," I continued smoothly, making my mother relax at my words, "I'd say that my brother has always been a very respectful man. He's kind-hearted and he's caring."

Iryna was hanging onto my every word whilst Wanda stared at me but seemed elsewhere.

"And he's really excited to get to know you better, Wanda," I said truthfully, looking to the oddly-quiet brunette with a small reassuring smile. "He really likes you."

Iryna mentioned something about Y/B/N being just the man her Wanda deserves, but I was barely paying attention as I looked to the girl in question. She returned my smile, void of teasing or mischief like usual, and nodded quickly before looking down to her own cup of tea.

She was certainly a strange one.

[missmitchieg]

Hey, Don't Die

It started out as a joke.

It was always supposed to be a joke.

The boys weren't supposed to die on him. But he forgot to say it. It wasn't his fault! He got distracted by the pretty girl in front of him and their favorite little inside joke just slipped his mind. So he didn't say it, and now the boys were gone.

Or maybe it was his fault they were gone. Sure, maybe it was a coincidence that every time he did say it, they didn't die on him and the one time he didn't say it, they went and died. Or maybe it was some weird fortune or good luck charm.

Whatever it was, Bobby didn't think he would ever be able to escape that positively heart wrenching, soul crushing guilt of how he should have said it, or how he should have been there to run and call for an ambulance.

The first time he said it was to Luke. It was a joke. It was funny. Luke made a comment at the end of the day that he was going to his parents' house to sleep because his bed didn't give him that neck crick that his couch did.

With a laugh, Bobby patted Luke's shoulder and gave a little squeeze. "Alright. Don't die out there, though."

Luke cackled at that and shook his head, giving him a half hug. "I'll try, buddy. Love you."

"I love you, too."

They kept that joke going for a couple of weeks.

The next one he made the joke to was Alex. It was still a joke. It was still funny. Alex was just going to make a quick pizza run and come back.

"Be quick. Don't die." Bobby told him.

Alex smiled and ruffled Bobby's hair the way he knew he hated, waving as he walked out. "I won't, bro."

"You better not. Love you."

"Love you."

Then came Reggie. It was still a joke. It was still funny. They were on a 'friend date', as Reggie called it, to the aquarium. Bobby, Luke and Alex all wanted to watch the great whites in the shark tunnel, but Reggie wanted to go look at the jellyfish in the opposite direction of the sharks.

"Alright. We'll meet back up by the clown fish, then. Don't die alone in there." Bobby smiled and patted Reggie's cheek.

"I won't, Bobins." Reggie chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, giving his best friend a sweet smile. "Love you."

"I love you, too."

It had sort of become their thing after a while. One or two or all of them would go off somewhere without 'their Bobble' and Bobby would always, always tell them, whether it was with a smile or a faux serious look on his face. "Don't die."

Then came that day. July twenty second, nineteen ninety five. Bobby had been distracted by a very pretty girl with curly hair and sparkly eyes and had just forgotten to tell his boys his usual comment of "Hey. Don't die out there. I love you.", so he hadn't said it. And then he got a call. A call to tell him that his band, his best friends, his boys, were gone forever.

He was horrified when he realized what had happened.

What he didn't say.

What he didn't do.

He had broken down about it to his parents, who promptly suggested that he go to therapy about it. Something about how it wasn't healthy to think this way and he did nothing wrong and he couldn't have known what would happen and he needed to talk to someone about it. So he did. He went and he talked about the boys and how it hurt that they were gone and they were never coming back. But he never told his therapist about their thing, about what he would say to them when they left his sight.

He had also managed to become a rock star by means of some sleazy contract he hadn't been given the chance to read properly giving ownership of Luke's music to some company and Bobby had been forced to record the songs and pass them off as his own and keep the true writer a secret.

It was fine. Luke was gone. He wasn't ever going to find out what the contract had roped Bobby into. So he did it. Just not without a few breakdowns in between song recordings and e-mails to his therapist about emergency sessions. But it was fine.

So he went on like that, taking his boys' music and recording it in between breakdowns and therapy sessions and becoming a mega famous rock star, just like he had managed to convince himself his boys would want him to.

He grew up and had a kid. A little girl named Carrie, who was his absolute little pride and joy. A little girl who was never going to live in a garage, or eat out of the back of a beat up car, or get food poisoning, or anything that could harm her. She was going to have only the best health care and knowledge he could buy and teach her and she wasn't going to die.

The first time he had told her the thing, she was a little toddler, going to day care for the first time. She had been excited to go to day care and meet new friends to play with and he had been a wreck thinking of all the things that could happen if he didn't remember to tell her. So he made a mental note to not forget before he walked out the door to go to work.

He had walked inside with a little curly haired toddler on his hip and, with a smile, said to his little girl: "Carrie, love, daddy's gonna go to work now. You're gonna stay here a while and I'll pick you up when I'm done working. I love you. Don't die here."

Carrie had giggled at that and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Love you, daddy!" She said before he let her down and she ran off to bang on a brightly colored toy drum.

Bobby winced as he felt his heart clench in his chest at the sight of his little girl playing a drum, just like his old best friend. He bit his lip as he clenched and unclenched his fists and walked out to the car to go to the studio, where he would try and write a song as good as Luke's old music again.

No matter how hard he tried to channel the guitarist, he just couldn't. He couldn't write like Luke, because he wasn't Luke. And Luke wasn't there to help him. Wasn't there to chuckle and suggest a clever slant rhyme, or a metaphor that would work, or a cool melody that sounded like something Luke would write, but also that Bobby, no, that Trevor could play in his sleep.

He groaned in frustration as he and his team of four other writers just couldn't come to an agreement about which rhyme scheme to use for this song, and kept glancing at the clock until it was the time to go and pick up his baby from day care.

He walked inside and looked around for Carrie, hoping, praying that saying the thing worked, that he hadn't lost his little girl like he lost his boys. "Care-bear? Baby?"

"Daddy!" Carrie giggled and got up from where she was sitting on the floor watching a little curly haired girl slam her fingers against toy piano keys, running up to him. "Hi, daddy!"

Oh, thank God. "Carrie, there you are! My little girl! Oh!" He cooed as he scooped her up into his arms and hugged her tightly to his chest, pressing kisses to the top of her tiny, giggling head.

"Aww!"

"That's so sweet."

"Oh, what a good daddy!"

Trevor looked up and chuckled, shaking his head. "I just love my little girl so much. Come on, baby. Let's go home. We're having that yummy pasta you like for dinner."

"Yay!"

After that, saying the thing became his and Carrie's thing, just like it was his and his boys' thing. He would drop Carrie off somewhere or Carrie would be on her way to the bus stop to go to school, and Trevor would send her off with an "I love you. Don't die.", and his daughter would smile and salute.

"Daddy, I'm going to my friend, Julie's!"

"Ok! Have fun and don't die! Love you!"

"Dad, I'm going to school!"

"Don't die at school! Love you!"

"Dad, can I go to Flynn and Julie's sleepover on Saturday?"

"Sure, just don't die."

And they went on like that for years.

Carrie always thought it was 'just one of dad's funny quirks'. An 'overprotective dad' thing. Sort of like Marlin from that cute kids movie, Finding Nemo. Carrie would go somewhere without him for a period of time, and Trevor would worry endlessly until she came back, completely unharmed. Then came the hugs and kisses and comments of "There's my favorite girl!" from him.

Little did she know just how much her father was suffering. Little did she know just how worried he was when she would leave, how relieved he was when it sank in that she was fine, that it had worked again, just like it always did.

So sure, maybe it wasn't necessarily 'normal' to say that every time his daughter was out of his sight for any amount of time. Maybe he was still a little traumatized. Maybe he should bring it up to his therapist. But he was fine. He was fine, as long as she was fine.

He ended up admitting it to his therapist mid-session. "So I do this thing with my daughter." He started. "Whenever she goes somewhere without me, I always tell her, 'don't die, I love you'. It's-" He coughed and cleared his throat taking a sip of water to will the sudden lump in his throat away. "It's... Something I used to say to my friends before they died."

Dr. Born nodded and wrote something down quickly, gesturing for him to go on.

"I always tell her. I never forget to. Because the one time I did forget... Well." Trevor made a kind of 'you know, I just told you' gesture and shifted, pushing his hair out of his eyes like his Reggie used to.

"I see."

"I guess I think... If I don't tell her, something will happen. Something will hurt her, a-and she'll disappear like my boys did."

"That sounds quite stressful." Dr. Born had said, in his non judgemental, caring therapist voice.

"It is." Trevor admitted, a familiar anxiety bubbling up in his chest. "Because what if I forget one day? What if I forget one day-"

"Trevor." Dr. Born said, sensing an unhelpful anxiety spiral coming on.

"-and Carrie gets hurt? What if I forget to say it to her just one time and-"

"Trevor."

"that's the last time I ever see my little girl, just because I forgot to tell her not to die-"

"Trevor!"

Trevor winced at that and stopped fidgeting with the toy Dr. Born had advised him to buy for his anxiety years ago now, looking up at him. "Sorry."

"Clearly, you were very affected by the death of your dear friends." Dr. Born noted. "But, why didn't you mention saying that to your friends or your daughter before?"

Trevor frowned at the question and looked down, wringing his hands. "I... Don't know. I guess that part hurt too much to talk about, or think about." He said with a tilt of his head.

Dr. Horn hummed at that and nodded his understanding, taking another note.

"My parents told me to go to therapy to talk about losing the boys, and how much that was affecting me." Trevor started. "I didn't have the capacity, I guess, to talk about that, so I stuck to the boys."

Dr. Horn nodded again, still giving him the most understanding, non judgemental look.

"And I-I guess I just convinced myself telling Carrie that was normal. That worrying if I didn't tell her that, I would end up losing her like my boys, was normal." Trevor continued. "That saying it or not saying it was sort of like a telling of what was to come. Because until now, it has been." He explained. "Because every time I said it, the boys lived. The one time I didn't, they ended up in an ambulance. Every time I say it to Carrie, she comes home safe. What if it happens again?"

Dr. Horn nodded again and hummed, looking for the best way to reply to Trevor. "I won't lie and say that's a normal train of thought, or necessarily true."

Trevor sighed but nodded. "Fair enough."

"But I also know it would negatively affect you to just stop saying it cold turkey."

Trevor nodded again.

"I think, whenever you decide you're ready, and you don't have to be ready the exact next time that Carrie goes somewhere, you should try texting it to her when she's already out the door. And eventually stop saying it altogether."

Trevor considered the thought and nodded slowly, wringing the toy in his hands. "I- Should I tell my daughter what I'm doing? It might be weird for her to be so used to hearing that every time she leaves to suddenly not hearing it."

"Oh, good thinking. I think you should tell her. Though, I'll warn you, she might ask about why you're suddenly cutting out a tradition between the two of you."

Trevor nodded, scratching his neck. "What will she think of me when I tell her about it?"

"You'll never know until you tell her."

So he did. Six months after the fact. He sat Carrie down and explained to her that their 'fun dad joke' was going to change a little soon. He explained why he would always say it and about the boys. He explained that it was going to stop.

Carrie sat and listened intently as she processed what her father was telling her, giving him the tightest hug she ever had after he had finished, both of them in tears. She couldn't believe that her father had just been living with that pain for years, and mentally preparing himself for it to stop for months. Knowing all of this, Carrie Wilson was the most confident she had ever been that her father was the strongest man she ever knew.

So she walked out one day, just to get some fro-yo with the girls, and waited for a text from her father when she didn't hear their thing said out loud. It came when she was two steps out the door.

The next time came just the next day, when Carrie was on her way to school. Carrie didn't hear it out loud, so she waited for a text. It came five steps out the door.

The next time came when Carrie had a performance that Trevor couldn't be at. It was in the same direction as the studio, so he drove her to the venue, and Carrie felt a sad smile stretch onto her face as she heard him say, "I love you. Don't die."

Two weeks later, Carrie was going to a sleepover at Julie's for the first time in a long time. She smiled as this time, she made it all the way to the car before she got a text saying their thing.

Almost a month later, Carrie grinned as she walked out to go to school and didn't hear it, and never got a text. She came home that day, no feeling of sickness coming on or bruise in sight. She was fine.

And he was fine, too.

[heliads]

Forever Separated

Based on this request: “Reader is Luke’s girlfriend in the 90’s and is at the gig at the Orpheum and hit by a drunk driver and dies instantly. She and the boys come back as ghosts 25 years later. She’s there for everything that goes down with Julie, Willie, and Caleb.”

masterlist

Your fingers tap absentmindedly on the steering wheel as you careen through the streets. It’s late now, the beacons of headlights guiding you down the asphalt. There’s a grin on your face that won’t seem to go away- your boys are playing at the Orpheum tonight. The Orpheum. That’s been their dream for what feels like forever. It doesn’t even seem true.

By your boys, you mean Sunset Curve, of course. The motley collection of four teenage boys with dreams bigger than the world and the need for a chance to prove themselves. You stumbled across them at a small jazz club, at what had been one of their first performances. It hadn’t been long after that when you had become a friend of the bandmates, and an even shorter time before you fell in love with Luke. When you started dating, it felt like everything was finally falling into place.

You had always known that they would make it, even when they seemed to doubt it themselves. You knew they had gathered regrets over the years- Reggie with the fracturing of his family, Alex with his parents’ lack of acceptance of him, and Luke with the way he’d run out on his mother. You had seen it in their faces- if their band never got off of the ground, they would continue to doubt themselves for the rest of their lives. There had been times when you thought that it might be over for good, that they’d be done for before they even got the chance to get started. Yet here you are now, driving towards their gig at the Orpheum.

You’re only a couple of streets away. You’re practically shivering with anticipation at the thought of it- all of their dreams and hopes, finally come to fruition. You, however, are running a little late despite your best interests, and so your foot involuntarily presses down on the gas. You’re not speeding, always careful to follow traffic laws, just making sure you’re not going to be as late as you fear.

It only seems fitting that something would go wrong on this night of nights. Thinking back, you’re almost glad it happened to you and not someone else. You had this awful feeling that something was going to happen to ruin this gig, and maybe if it happened to you it would protect the boys and let their show run on uninterrupted. When you pass through the intersection, this thought may have protected you.

When you see the truck out of the corner of your eye, you continue driving. You know it will stop, it has to. Maybe it’s the way you’re eager to see your boys again, or the fact that the light has been green for a long time now and there’s no way the driver could miss the glaring red in front of him. Maybe it’s just because you feel sheltered by this bubble of hope that comes with seeing the boy you love play at the Orpheum. Regardless, there is nothing you can do to avoid the truck, and you keep expecting that it will stop until it is inches away from you. Then you finally realize that there’s no getting out of this, and it is only then that it is too late to act.

You’ve seen car crashes in the movies. They’re always a blazing whirl of headlights and screeching tires, a hailstorm of broken glass that reflects the light in the most beautiful arc around you. It will be slow, like time itself crawls to a stop, just in time for your head to fly back in a graceful motion. Then it will speed up again, and just like that it will be over.

This is nothing like that. It is over an instant, no beautifully devastating moments. You’re not a marionette to be hung delicately in the air, your strings are cut within seconds. You do not have time to see the poetry in your last moments, they’re already over. All you manage to see is a quick glimpse of a bottle resting in the driver’s hands, a tremendous impact like the very shaking of the earth, and then there is nothing at all. No orchestras reach a momentum, no lens flares pierce the night. There is everything, and then there is nothing. It is painfully ordinary.

There is one feeling that seems to surround it all. A pain, numb at first and then growing to a fever pitch. You don’t know when you wake up, only that it is much later. There’s someone dressed in a paramedic’s uniform standing over you, the piercing din of an ambulance somewhere behind you. You want to form words together and ask who it’s for, but the answer comes to you the second you realize you can’t move a muscle. It is for you. You are the one in need of saving.

The paramedic is standing over you, shouting something about a drunk driver and two casualties, the driver and the girl right here. You want to stand up, to shout to the world that you’re alive and fine. But for some reason, you can’t move at all. You can’t say anything except feel the last of your pulse die from your veins. Distantly, you feel a raw anguish creeping up in your throat. Luke and the others are still waiting for you at the Orpheum. Who will tell them that you’re gone?

It should have been over then. You died, certainly. You bled out on the streets and ceased to draw breath. Indeed, you had the classic fading of color and acceptance of the darkness just like everyone else. It appears that you will only have access to the clichés of the stories in death. It’s oddly fitting. Regardless of the beauty of it, you died. End of story.

Or at least, it should have been the end. Yet, you find yourself standing again, waiting at the back of a crowded room. You stare at your hands, at your body, which appears unharmed. Your eyes travel from yourself to the people in front of you. Your parents sit in chairs, their backs to you. They’re looking over a photo album, crying softly. “She was so young. She could have done so much more. I miss her, even though it’s been so long.”

You step forward, but the ground makes no sound underneath your feet. “Y/N wouldn’t want you to be sad. She would want you to remember her with happiness, not with tears, right?” Your mother nods sadly. “I can’t seem to help it, though.” An icy chill runs through your veins as you realize what’s happened. All you can think about is that you need to get away from here, somewhere where you won’t be surrounded by people mourning your death.

And then you’re gone. One minute you’re in your home, the next minute you’re standing on the sidewalk outside. Although you look around frantically, no one notices your sudden appearance. No one, that is, except one boy. He’s riding a skateboard, long dark hair tucked underneath a helmet. He stops suddenly, staring at you. “Hey, you just poofed here out of nowhere. You’re a ghost?”

You stare at him. “You can see me?” He nods. “You must be new to this ghost business if you’ve got questions. I’m Willie, by the way.” You smile weakly at him. “Y/N. I guess I would have to be a ghost if I died in the accident.” Willie winces. “Ooh, accidents. Those hurt. I died around the early 80s, a couple of decades ago, so I know what you mean.” You stare at him. “The 80s weren’t a couple of decades ago. They were recent.”

Willie shakes his head. “Sorry, man. You must have only been brought back as a ghost recently. It’s the 2020s right now.” You shake your head slowly. “That means it’s been 30 years since I died. How is that possible?” Willie places a hand on your shoulder, and for some reason the gesture is surprisingly comforting. “Hey, not a whole lot about the ghost stuff makes sense. If you want to talk about it, though, I’m here.” You smile at him. “I’d like that a lot, actually.”

Willie ends up becoming a fast friend. He explains everything there is to know about ghosts, and the two of you have fun messing around with your ghost abilities, whatever those are. It’s nice to have someone who understands about the ghost business, and you find that in leaps and bounds with Willie.

One day, you’re lying on a grassy hill admiring the clouds when Willie poofs into existence next to you. For some reason, he looks almost flushed with excitement, cheeks pink with thrill. “You won’t believe who I met. The cutest guy. He’s a new ghost, too.” You grin over at him. “Already making moves? You’re unreal.” Willie rolls his eyes. “I played it safe. We had a nice chat. He seems very cool, in a band or something. I think he plays the drums. Alex, was in a band called Sunset Curve. I think that’s a good name for a band, and I’ve heard a lot of bad ones.”

You sit up suddenly, all thoughts of the bright afternoon sun quickly abandoned. “What did you say? About Sunset Curve?” Willie frowns. “That’s the guy’s band. Or, it was until he died. He’s about our age, played in a band called Sunset Curve.” You shake your head slowly. “That makes no sense. They should have grown up a long time ago.” Willie still seems confused, so you clarify. “I know Alex,  and I know the rest of his bandmates. I was friends with them until I died.” You fix him with a sudden purposeful look. “I need you to bring me to meet these guys.”

Willie has to ask around, but eventually he finds Alex and discovers that they’re staying in their old studio, now inhabited by the Molina family. You thank him, setting off as soon as you can. As you stand outside the doors to the studio, you find yourself suddenly nervous. Will they want to see you? Will they understand what happened?

The faint sounds of music drifting out from the doors is what convinces you. It sounds just like them, like this is another afternoon from the 90s when you’re meeting up with Luke and the others. You gather your courage and knock twice on the doors, then push them open. You stand for a moment in the doorway, staring. The boys stare back at you. It’s funny- everyone looks the exact same, even though everything has changed.

Then there’s a voice from the back of the room. It’s quiet, as if he’s afraid to say anything lest the moment be fractured away into nothingness. “Y/N?” Luke steps forward, disbelief warring with hope in his eyes. You nod slowly. “Luke?” Luke stands still for a moment longer, then runs forward, wrapping you in his arms and pulling you close. You tuck your head into the space between his head and his shoulder, letting yourself relax once more.

After what could be ten seconds or ten minutes, Luke reluctantly pulls away. He cups your face in his hand, just staring with awe. “How are you here? We died- you weren’t at the Orpheum-” You laugh bitterly. “I died too. There was a drunk driver on the road, he hit me when I was just a couple of blocks away. I was so close, that was the worst part.” Luke nods slowly. “I remember hearing sirens. I didn’t know it was you.”

Something like guilt passes over his face, and you hurriedly shake your head. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known. I guess you died some time after that?” Luke nods. “Just before the show. We never got to play.” A sad sigh rips from his chest, and you pull him close again. It isn’t fair, not at all. He shouldn’t have died, you shouldn’t have died. He should not have been robbed of this chance to live the dream he always wanted.

There’s the sound of a throat clearing from across the room. “You know, we’re here too. Not just Luke.” You look up, laughing. “Sorry, Reggie, Alex. Love you guys too. I’m glad we can all be dead together.” Alex flashes you a thumbs up from across the room. “Me too, Y/N. Me too.” Luke laughs now, albeit reluctantly. You squeeze his hand one more time, then step into the room, greeting the other boys. 

Your gaze falls upon a figure you don’t recognize- a girl, about your age if not a year younger. She has dark, curly hair and a fascinated smile. “Hi, I’m Y/N.” The girl startles. “Julie. Julie Molina. It’s nice to meet you- you must be the girl Luke keeps talking about.” You toss a grin Luke’s way. “You’ve been talking about me?” Luke moves to deny this, but Reggie speaks up loudly. “So often. You have no idea. He’s been very sad.”

Luke glares at his friend, but you just grin, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Well, it’s nice to feel wanted.” Luke beams at you, still thrilled that you’re here again. “Trust me, you are. I can’t believe you get to stay with me.”

Neither can you, actually. Somehow, despite the fact that you died and came back again, Luke did the same, and you can be with him again. You’ve lost everything- your family, your future, your life, but you still have him. It feels impossible, but it’s true.

This isn’t to say that life is smooth sailing from here. It turns out Luke, Alex, and Reggie have gotten themselves tangled in the mess that is Caleb’s club, and they’ve got the stamps to prove it. You find yourself holding Luke close while he spasms from jolt after jolt, forcing smiles to pretend like it doesn’t kill you every time he’s in pain. You also have to defend Willie to the rest, as he’s been your friend for a while and would never knowingly betray them. You have a feeling that Alex is pretty happy to hear this.

At last, you find the way to save Luke and save the boys- another performance at the Orpheum, this time as their unfinished business. Standing outside the building, staring up at the blinking neon signs, you can’t help but feel some strange feeling in the pit of your stomach. This feels like a sick twist of deja vu. This is how you died- waiting for the boys’ performance at the Orpheum. Staying here now, in the same position but after you’ve died, feels somehow wrong.

You try to shake the thoughts from your head, slipping inside the building to go find Luke, Julie, and the others. This isn’t like that night, you can’t die twice. Everything is going to be fine. Yet when you walk in the dressing room and catch sight of a panicked Flynn trying to calm a visibly shaken Julie, you have a feeling that things aren’t exactly smooth sailing.

Julie looks up when she sees you appear in the room. “Y/N, it’s good to see you. Have you seen Luke and the boys?” You shake your head, a crease forming between your brows. “No, not since I left the studio to let you say your goodbyes. Have they not shown up?” Julie sinks back down in a chair, hands pressed to her temples. “Not at all.” You slump against a wall. This feels like history repeating itself again- you dead, the boys not showing up to their performance at the Orpheum. No matter how many times you tell a story, it tends to end the same way.

Distraught, you wander back through the building to attempt to find the boys, but your search is to no avail. They’re nowhere to be found. You stumble through the auditorium just to see Julie taking the stage. You have a brief, wild hope that she’s managed to find them, but then you see the red rims of her teary eyes and hear the goodbye she issues to the crowd. If they haven’t shown up, then that means-

You try to distract yourself by listening to Julie sing. It brings a smile to your face in spite of yourself. Julie is a bright firecracker of a girl, and it’s been wonderful to get to know her. At least you know you have her at the end of this. Yet when the beat drops, Alex appears in a flash of sparks. You stand up, pressing forward through the crowd as if your proximity will do anything more to bring them back. Yes- there goes Reggie, and there’s Luke struggling to flicker back into existence. You send out a silent plea: bring him back, please. You can’t do this without him. 

Then he’s back again, and you feel like your heart might burst. He flashes you a grin, as if to promise that nothing could separate you again. You smile back at him, finally letting yourself relax. He’s here, it’s okay. It’s all okay. When the song ends, you watch through joyful eyes as the boys stand next to Julie, clasping hands before taking a bow. There’s something wrong, though, something wrong when they disappear. Usually, you can loosely sense them when they poof away, but this time there’s nothing. Nothing at all. It’s like they’ve been erased away from the song of their lives.

There’s something pounding in the back of your heart, and you poof away to Julie’s rooms backstage. She appears there seconds later, as if she’s been expecting you. She runs over to you, stopping a few feet away as she remembers she can’t touch you or hug you as a ghost. “Tell me they’re still here. They didn’t just cross over.” You shake your head slowly. “I can’t feel them. They’re not in the building anymore. Julie, I think they’re gone.”

She nods slowly, fighting a losing battle to keep the tears at bay. “I’m so sorry, Y/N. So sorry. You just found Luke again, and now he’s gone.” You force a smile. “It’s alright. We’re just ghosts, remember? We’ve been running on borrowed time all along. I’ll meet you at the studio, alright? We can say our goodbyes.” Julie nods. “I’ll see you then.” You give her one last wave, then poof out.

You reappear outside the doors of the studio. You can’t quite bring yourself to go in, to face the empty stillness of the studio and know that the boy you love isn’t there. What are you supposed to do now? You have no idea what your unfinished business could possibly be. Most likely, you’re going to live out your endless days as a ghost, not noticed by anyone except Julie and Willie and whatever other ghosts you manage to find, forever haunted by the knowledge that the one person you’re looking for the most will never appear around the corner, never be waiting for you again. It’s like you’re back to that car crash, knowing you’ll be separated by death once more.

You hear the sound of a car pulling into the driveway and straighten up. Seconds later, Julie appears down the path, and you nod at her slowly. “Are you ready to do this?” She sighs. “It seems fitting to say goodbye, even if they aren’t here.” She pushes open the doors, letting the darkness wash over the two of you. She looks over at you. “I don’t know what to do.” You smile gently. “There’s no script. I have a feeling they’ll be able to hear you. Just say what you wish you got to say before they left.”

Julie nods. “I’m glad I got to meet you guys, and grateful to you for everything. You got me back into music, and I’ll never be able to let go of it again. I thought I’d never play after my mom, but you convinced me that I could. Thank you.” There’s a muffled voice from the back of the room, one that’s quickly shushed by two annoyed boys. “You’re welcome.” You stare. “Reggie?” You’d know him anywhere- you’ve heard that voice in band practices for the last couple of decades, even if it doesn’t feel that way.

Julie runs over to turn on the light, and your hand flies to your mouth as you see the boys crumpled in a heap on the floor, in obvious pain. “Did it not work? Did you not cross over?” Luke shakes his head, gently extricating himself from the heap of band members on the ground to stumble over to you. You catch him before he falls, holding him upright. “We won’t play with Caleb, that’s a promise. It’s not worth it like that.” You cup his face in your hands. “I don’t want to let you go. Not yet.”

Luke laughs quietly. “I’m not sure we had a choice. I love you, Y/N, no matter what. You know that, right?” You nod, letting your head fall against his shoulder. “I know.” You feel one last jolt rack his body, and somehow you know that this will be the last. This is it, the moment when he truly dies. You fling your arms around him, holding him close one last time. If you can’t have the future with him you had always planned, you can at least have this moment.

Your eyes are squeezed shut, waiting for the moment when he disappears from you forever. Yet it doesn’t come. You open your eyes carefully, then stare at him. “Luke, you’re- I think you’re glowing.” Sure enough, he’s surrounded by this golden haze of light. He smiles at you, chuckling slightly in awe. “I feel good. Strong, like I haven’t felt in a while.” Alex stands up too, as does Reggie. “Actually, I feel better too. I think you saved us. Both of you.”

You laugh incredulously. “Really? You’re not going away?” Luke presses a kiss to your cheek. “Never again. I’m not leaving you ever again.” You beam at him. “Good. I don’t intend to be with anyone else.” He laughs at that, pulling you in for a kiss. For once, you know that he’s here to stay.