#i think it’d be funny if they had a crop top thing under that off shoulder cape. whoring it up under there….

[aroace-poly-show]

human loop designnnn :3 design choices ramble in tags

[mashiraostail]

Hiiii, i was wondering if i could request some vlad king and gang orca taking care of their s/o pets. Like if the reader was out of town and asked them to take care of their dogs👉👈 i feel like vlad is such a good doggy dad that the dogs play together and i feel like gang orca would be lost but doing his best and if he was taking care of a cat i like to think it would love being around him because cats love fish and he would just always have his s/o cat cuddling on his lap. Im sorry for ranting lol i love your work you're doing great💕

awwehehe this is so cute since you mentioned dogs for vlad and cats for kugo that's what i went with! also indulged myself and included kugo/ jiro/shoji content bc that seems like such a GOOD FUNNY AND WHOLESOME trio and i wanted more content than we got smh 

Sekijiro Kan/Vlad King: "Hey Sek, I need a huge favor.” You look up from your phone at the taller man who is currently scrunched into the corner of his couch scrutinizing a piece of paper with really terrible handwriting on it.  “Sounds dangerous.” He replies without looking up and you snort dropping to the cushion beside him.  “Only a little, but I think you’re good for it.”  “Alright then, so what’s the favor?” His eyes flick up to you. “I need to go visit a friend out of town.” You sigh, “she had a baby last month, I used to work with her husband and she asked if I wanted to spend some time back home with her for her birthday next week, I should be about five days.” You rest your hands on his knees, “so while I’m out there..would you mind watching Kilo for me? I hate to leave him behind but It’d be a pain to travel so far with him I know he hates trains.”  “That’s a huge favor?” He raises an eyebrow at you, “sure I can watch him. I bet they’ll get along fine.” He glances at his own dog curled up under a chair.  “But only If you can figure out what the hell Monoma tried to write here.”  For all intents and purposes, Kilo was a good dog, a little stupid, but a good dog nonetheless. To be honest, he’s really honored you trust him with the task, you’re the only person he’s met that seems to love your own dog as much as he loves his. Plus it also meant that Kilo had to like him a fair bit which was also a relief, as a dog owner he knew any potential partner was only as compatible with him as they were with his dog, and his dog loved you, he was sure you felt the same way, any partner that Kilo didn’t get along with would be impossible for you to get along with, he found it more than a little reassuring that Kilo seemed to enjoy his company. Past all that, and maybe even most important this was a perfect opportunity to introduce the two dogs. He was sure it was no secret to you but this wasn’t exactly a casual fling, with the way things were going it felt pretty inevitable that he’d ask if you wanted to move in together; but if the two didn’t get along well then..that’d be an issue. Though he was sure if things got tested out now you’d have some time to at least try to get the dogs to be comfortable with each other or hopefully think of some sort of workaround. In his eyes, this was a blessing for him as much as it was a favor to you.  “Are you sure you don’t mind keeping Kilo at your place?” Sekijiro is slightly embarrassed to say how early he arrived at this park, he wanted to tire his own dog out before introducing the pair, he’d advised you to do the same so you were walking to the park, you'd called him on your way.  “Of course I don’t mind babe.” He tosses a ball from his seat on the bench and watches his pudgy bulldog trot over to it, “it’ll be easier this way, right?”  “Yeah that’s true, I just don’t want Kilo wrecking any of your stuff, he always means well but he gets into trouble sometimes-”  “Don’t worry about it, he’ll be a model student by the time you get back.” He hears you laugh into the receiver at that. “I don’t doubt that, I’m almost there, I’ll see you in a few okay?”  “Yeah sure thing, can’t wait.” You huff out another laugh at him before hanging up.  “Sekijiro!” You chirp brightly at the sight of the man, he’s too busy taking you in to respond. Kilo’s trotting a foot or so in front of you on his leash, that old joke about dogs looking reminiscent of their owners was certainly true in your case, you both looked delighted to see him and beyond that, you were practically glowing... Maybe he just had a thing for people who were good with animals.  “Hey Sek?” You lean down in front of him.  “Hey! He welcomes Kilo between his knees, the mixed breed was a bit larger than his dog who was currently bounding back to him with a ball and sufficient slobber hanging from his mouth, the size difference in mind though Kilo was a hell of a lot less bulky, he was practically streamlined, Sekijiro had seen how fast the dog could run with his own eyes. He could see why you took so much pride in the dog, he was definitely beautiful his coat was long, wavy, and shiny and he had big blue eyes and admittedly the cutest pink nose and spotted tongue Sekijiro had ever seen.  “Thanks so much again for doing this I really-” An excited bark pulls your attention downwards, “look who it is!” You sing, crouching down to pet the panting dog, “you sure look tired. Sekijiro is working you too hard.” You frown at him as he hops up to rest his front paws on your thighs. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Sekijiro laughs, “but he is worn out, I guess Kilo is too though.” Kilo’s head is on his knee, the larger dog is panting too.  They seem to notice each other, and approach with a lazy curiosity. They sniff around each other for a bit but after that return to their respective activities, seemingly unbothered by each other and the proximity of the other dog to their owner. Kilo didn’t mind your cooing at Vlad’s dog who didn’t seem to mind Kilo’s head in his owner's lap. With that little bit of reassurance, you hand him Kilo’s leash and a bag of his stuff; food dish, some toys and treats and the like, and then you part ways after promising to call him when you get to your home town safely.  All in all the coming days are pretty uneventful, Kilo joins them on their daily walks, eats at the same time with no trouble, finds a comfortable place to sleep each night.  “Is Kilo alright?” Your voice is nervous in the receiver.  “He’s better than babe, seriously they’re getting along great.”  “God that’s such a relief.” You sigh, “the pictures you’ve sent are cute..gosh I miss him.” You pout a little. “Gee I miss you too babe.” He mutters it with a playful edge to his voice and you gasp,  “I was going to say I miss you too but forget it!”  “don’t be mean!” He complains back, “I was kidding! And anyway I miss you. How’s it been out there?”  You go off on your usual tangents before ending up back at square one.  “Oh! I called you for a reason actually!” You remember, “I’ll be a little bit late getting back on Sunday, one of the trains is going to be down so I’m taking a later one, I should be back around midnight now would you mind-”  “Of course not babe, I’ll get you from the station so-”  “No no! It’s okay you’ve already done so much that’s not what I was going to ask! I just wanted to be sure you wouldn’t mind keeping Kilo around for the extra time...I can get a taxi, seriously don’t wait up for me!”  “Well just come to my place when you get back right?”  “I wouldn’t wanna wake you up-”  “It’s been way too long since I saw you last, so I don’t mind, if you won’t let me pick you up from the station at least come right here.”  “You’re convincing.” You laugh a little, embarrassment heating up your face, “I guess that’s fine with me then...” A distant sounding voice pulls you away from the receiver, “Sek I have to go, I’ll call you again soon though!”  “Don’t worry about anything babe.” He reassures you as you hang up.  There is one minor spat over a rope toy but it’s resolved easily enough and the pair seem to get on swimmingly after that, even sharing a couch cushion and occasionally resting their heads on each other, they become incredibly fast friends, which is probably the biggest relief on the planet to Sekijiro. Watching the two of them play tug of war in his living room or witnessing their schemes to get leftovers off the counter on Thursday night essentially cement his vision of a future with you.  If you were being totally honest it was embarrassing how attractive you found Sekijiro getting along with your dog to be, you’d never got the obsession of handsome guys holding cute babies but seeing some of the photos he’d sent to you over the almost 6 days you were gone made butterflies crop up in your stomach the likes of which you’d only felt when he was actively trying to fluster you...but this seemed totally unintentional. To say you were incredibly eager to go home and see him (jump his bones) felt like an understatement. It’s past midnight when you get back and the place is mostly dark, you see a vaguely bulldog shaped blob partially under a blanket on the couch, but the snoring it emits gives away it’s identity easily. You leave your bag at the door and venture into the apartment, poking your nose into the bedroom.  Of course, Sekijiro is there, dead asleep on his back, and who’s with him but Kilo, his head resting on the blood hero’s chest one of his hands resting on top of it.  “Oh Vlad-” You coo, you practically sing it at him.  “Wha-whatsitwhat-” He rubs his face as he picks his head up, “oh, hey welcome back ‘s good to see you, missed you-”  “You’re so sweet-” You’re already at the side of his bed, leaning down and kissing him.  “What’s-” Sekijiro takes a minute to process everything before he realizes it’s Kilo’s head on his chest making you act like this.  “Oh no way, he’s been a total angel-”  “I’m so glad he likes you so much-” You murmur it between kisses, to his lips and various other spots on his cheeks and jaw, “you guys are adorable together.”  “I’m glad you think so-” He cuts himself off with a yawn and turns into your lips, kissing you again before speaking, “you weren’t kidding about that late train huh? It’s almost 1 AM, you must be exhausted, there’s plenty of room for you in here so come on.” 

Kugo Sakamata/Gang Orca: “Hey, Kugo...” You approach him from behind and wrap your arms around his shoulders, leaning against the back of the chair he’s sat in.  “Yes?” One hand comes up to cover your forearm the other stays dutifully at work.  “You love me, right?” You rest your head against his and he pricks up at the inquisition.  “Of course I do, why would you ask a question like that? Is something wrong?”  The way his hand subtly squeezes your arm isn’t lost on you.  “Hmm..no nothing's wrong.” You lean into him and close your eyes as he sighs good-naturedly. “Then what? Did you just want to hear me say it?” He leans back into you, “I guess I could entertain that...” His thumb swipes a long stroke over the skin of your forearm, “I love you, dear.” He can feel you prickle up at that behind him. “I love you too Kugo.” You squeeze him tighter and he huffs out a quiet laugh. “I’m glad to hear it. Now is that all you needed?” He puts his pen down to bring his other hand up to your arms, “I’m a bit busy. You’re welcome to stay there if you like though I just need to finish some paperwork and make a few phone calls. After that, we can do whatever you like for the night.”  “Well, now that you mention it there was just one more thing. I’ll be fast I promise.” Your hand slides underneath his lapel and into his jacket.  “Don’t worry I can make a bit of time for you then, what’s the matter?” You make eye contact with him through his darkened computer screen.  “My boss invited me to this big conference next week, it’s a pretty great opportunity and I could meet some important people..” You explain, biting your lip, “it could be really good for me to branch out even she thinks so, and getting some more experience will be great, and it’s pretty close to my hometown so I figured I'd stop in and see some old friends after I got done..It’d be about 5 or so days and I’d really like to go.” You sigh and he seems more than a little confused based on his reflection.   “That does sound like a great opportunity for you, you’re right..what’s the problem then? Do you need advice about something?” His confusion doesn’t quell even as you kiss his temple. “I probably will later but for now the problem is Luna.” “Your cat?” Kugo piques, “why is she a problem?”  You sigh, “if I’m not around no one will be there to feed her and make sure she stays out of trouble.”  “Oh is that it? That’s no problem at all dear, I can look after her for you. Is that what you were going to ask me?”  “You don’t mind?” You perk up, “I don’t want to trouble you...and I know I could just as easily leave a key under my mat and have a neighbor do it but I trust you so much more and-”  “It’s no trouble, really.” Kugo laughs a little, "I pass by your apartment all the time on patrols, I’m sure the interns won't mind if I make a stop and head up to check on her every now and again.”  “Oh! You can totally bring them up if they like cats!” He laughs at that too.  “Was that all?”  “Mhm.” You nod and use the motion to nestle into him a bit, “Thank you Kugo.”  ”It’s really my pleasure. Leave it to me, alright?”  All things considered, Kugo’s also pretty honored to be trusted with the task of watching your pet cat, he knows how much you love and worry about her, you dote on her all the time, and if the copious amount of photos you send him of her say anything she’s definitely your pride and joy. For the most part, you spent the bulk of your time with Kugo at his own home, due largely to the fact that he was larger than average and he existed a fair bit more comfortably there, but he paid you visits in your apartment from time to time and had met the cat, she seemed to like him plenty which was a relief as well.  You stop at Kugo’s before you leave and give him a list of things to double-check when he stops in, though you reassure him that there shouldn’t be any problems, Luna was pretty independent and mellow she didn’t like going outside so he didn’t have to worry about her escaping or anything like that. He tries to stop in at least 3 times a day, before, during, and after patrols, he knows that’s probably overkill, you spend all day at work and have never had an issue but he hates the idea of something happening to the feline on his watch. Plus even if he wouldn’t readily admit it he saw this as a perfect time to get on the cat's good side, you said she already loved him but he wasn’t convinced. He knew how much you loved her and any vision of your future that he had always featured the mellow feline so in his mind it was imperative they got on well. On top of that, he was glad you trusted him with something as small and delicate as Luna, she fits pretty comfortably in his hand and was as fragile as she was petit, but you never seemed off-put by the idea of him holding her or petting her, in fact, you encouraged it. The way you even wanted him near her when you weren’t around to supervise put him at ease about his strength and size, he always worried about breaking delicate things, but that wasn’t a worry you seemed to echo.  “Is something going on in that building?”  Shoji looks up at your complex as he pauses by it, “you’re stopping here a lot since yesterday.”  “Huh? Oh. Actually no... well nothing of importance to you. I’m...catsitting.” Jiro holds her breath the hold in the laugh, “Catsitting?”   “Yes...my partner is away at a work conference, the cat in question is theirs.” Kugo nods, “if you like cats you can come up and meet her, she’s actually quite friendly.”   Kugo was pretty used to Luna at this juncture, but whenever other people met her it was easy to see why you were so proud of her, she was quite the stunning cat, a long dark grey and black coat with big green eyes and a swishing tail, her paws were colored as if she was wearing boots.  “Wow...she’s really pretty, I’ve never seen a cat like this.” Jiro was crouched on the ground, stroking her neck.  “I was surprised too.” Kugo confesses, “they found her in a box on the side of the road about a year before we met. She was only a kitten then. Her name’s Luna.”  She seemed to like the pair equally alternating between them, rubbing against their legs and shuffling her head into their palms.  “She is very friendly.” Shoji remarks as she purrs at him, attempting to climb into his lap.  “She’s good at getting into trouble, but she usually means well. You can stay with her for a minute.” He sets off to double-check the usual; food, water, litterbox, the loose window that she’s always wiggling open despite having no desire to climb out of it, he waters a few plants and straightens up anything she knocked over as well. When he returns she's overturned on Shoji’s lap.  “You’re getting along well.” He swipes a pillow she’d knocked over up and replaces it on the couch.  “She’s really sweet!” Jiro is scratching her stomach. “I’m glad to hear it.”   “Hey..sorry if this is too personal or whatever but I didn’t know you were.. dating someone... We didn’t snoop or anything though!” She swears, holding both hands up, the cat looks disgruntled at the loss of attention.  “It’s alright I trust you.” Kugo waves her off, “Luna looks too comfortable anyways, you’ve clearly been petting her this whole time.” He adds with a small chuckle. At the sound of her name, she rolls over and winds around his feet, circling through his ankles and pawing at his pants until he lifts her up.  “To answer you though yes I am seeing someone.” He holds Luna with one hand, his ring and middle finger scratching the patch of grey fur on her chest.  “Are they a hero too?” She wonders, straightening up.  “No...no they’re not, I’m not very public about this sort of thing.”  Shoji contemplates that, “they have a nice apartment.”  “That is true, it’s a good job, and they do have a pretty keen eye for decorating” He agrees, looking around amicably.  “Have you guys been together for a long time?” Jiro blurts out before feeling color float up to her cheeks, “sorry I don’t mean to be rude... I just never pictured you like this I guess I’m curious-”  “It’s okay, most people don’t, and yes, we’ve been together a while now.” Kugo raises a hand to calm her, “but like I said before I’m not very public about things like this which is why you wouldn’t have heard..though either way, even when we do go out together... most people don’t assume I do that sort of thing, and to be frank, we aren’t the most...visually compatible pair..” He says that with a distinct fondness in his voice and then continues, “like you said, you don’t really picture me in this sort of light, most people don’t so hero gossip tabloids tend to leave me alone for the most part, I get a fair bit of freedom when it comes to this sort of thing because of that. There are probably plenty of photos of us together out there, though people usually assume they’re my manager or a secretary or just a friend.” Luna is purring loudly in his hand, her body largely slack against his chest. He walks her over to the couch and sets her down, which she warbles angrily at, “to be honest though I prefer it this way. I’m a private person.”  “That makes sense...well, their cat sure likes you.” Shoji points and Kugo chuckles.  “I’m fond of her myself.” Kugo admits, “everything is as it should be here so we can head out again, sorry for the tangent.” He scratches Luna’s neck and sighs, “as for you I’ll be back tonight. So try to behave until then, for my sake alright?”  Jiro tries not to laugh at the sight. “I didn’t think you’d actually bring them up! Did they like her?”  You sound delighted about it over the phone that night.  “I may have knocked a few intimidation points off of myself, but yes they thought she was cute.” He was sitting with her, contemplating staying the night here. He was embarrassed to say it but this was the longest you’d spent apart in a while and despite any appearances, he had gone soft and was starting to miss you, being around your stuff was nice even if he didn’t fit too well in your bed.  “I don’t think you’re very intimidating at all.” You peep back thoughtlessly. “Well, I’d sure hope not.” He chuckles and leans against the couch, “she’s been good too I was,..expecting her to break more.”  Truthfully Kugo wasn’t sure what he was expecting, he never had pets growing up and hero work didn’t give much free time to consider one, it took a day to get comfortable with her, and even now he was watching his every step for her. “I’m glad to hear that!” You laugh, “she’s a pretty great cat isn't she?”  “I have to agree..” Kugo wouldn’t mind having her around all the time, the longer he sat on your couch and contemplated it the more he realized he wouldn't mind having the both of you around all the time. Was this some sort of emotional sign to ask you to stay with him? He’d give that more thought at a later date.  “Kugo are you listening?” “Of course I am.” He was not. You don’t seem perturbed though, chuckling and then sighing fondly, “I’m gonna go shower then call it a night, I miss you two though.”  Kugo looks down at the cat on his lap and he nods, “we miss you too. I’ll be up for a bit longer so call or text me if you need anything.”  “You shouldn’t stay up so late Kugo it’s bad for you-”  “I know, I know, I’ll turn over a new leaf when you get back.”  “Sure you will.” You snort, “I love you Kugo.”  “I love you too, I’ll see you soon.”  You wanted to see Kugo first thing when you got back but you were so exhausted that you can’t help sulking to your own place, things had gone well enough but all the commotion and travel really drained you. You were sure it wasn’t anything spending some time or even a night with Kugo couldn’t fix though. When you shoulder your door open though there’s Kugo, sitting on your couch.  “Kugo, you’re here?” He’s holding some papers in one hand, the other is holding Luna’s back, keeping her against his chest.  “I was just checking in on her but every time I tried to leave she started..making a weird noise.”  “Weird like how?” You chuckle, suddenly feeling much better.  “Sort of like screaming. But cat-like. I sat down and she clawed her way up here, then fell asleep and almost fell off, but I caught her and she hasn’t moved since.”  “And... how long ago was that?”  “What time is it?” “Half-past 6.”  “2 hours ago. I didn’t want to wake her.”  “Kugo.” You laugh and sit beside him, “you’re so sweet.” You wrap both of your arms around one of his and lean into his shoulder, “I missed you so much.”  “I missed you too.” Kugo sets the papers down on the pile by the arm of the couch, “It's sort of embarrassing but I even stayed here a few nights because of it. I can’t remember the last time I went even 2 days without seeing you.” He appreciates the way you seem to melt into him at that.  “That’s not embarrassing it’s sweet, you’re so cute Kugo...” You lean up and kiss him, “such a big softie aren’t you?”  A soft hum is his reply as you pull away, “was she any trouble? Be honest.” “I was worried at first that I’d screw it up somehow but it went fine.” He confesses as he lifts the cat off his chest and she’s sleepy and limp in his big hand, purring contentedly.  “She was acting up the 2nd day but I think she was just confused about not seeing you. Then she got used to me and was alright.”  “That’s cute..” You yawn and clamber onto his lap, “god all that traveling tired me out...you’ve been stuck here for 2 hours but I might have to trap you a little longer to take a catnap of my own. I think Luna’s onto something...” You nestle into his shoulder, grateful to feel his arms come around you.  “Don’t worry about me.” He hums as Luna curls up in the sliver of space between your bodies, “I just want to finish reading over some things. Then I'll bring you both to bed.”  “You’ll stay tonight?” You yawn again and he hums, you can tell he’s smiling even though you can’t see him. “Would you like me to?”  You nod into his shoulder, “yeah, I would...”  “Alright then I will. Now go to sleep, you need it.” 

[lunarliza]

JJ Maybank Must Die | Chapter 5: Hair Dyes

fuckboy!JJ x Reader

series masterlist | prev. chapter | chapter one

JJ Maybank is the island’s most infamous fuckboy- not that you ever cared. But when a group of tourist girls come to your surf shop crying to you about him, you agree to help them plot revenge. Sabotage is all fun and games, until you find that the playboy you were sworn to ruin happens to be falling head over heels for you.

Yes, this is based on John Tucker Must Die lol

note: sexual-like content ahead. also pls keep in mind that this is just a playful haha funny story, this stuff isn’t meant to be taken seriously at all 

“So are you a virgin?” 

You scowled at the phone perched on your nightstand. 

“No,” you lied, continuing to paint your big toe. 

Oddly enough, after the whole nature-calling theatre debacle, JJ not only apologized profusely when the movie ended, but he actually pursued you even harder the week following. The universe really did work in mysterious ways.

He quadruple texted you during the day, sent you funny pictures of him lallygagging around the town with The Pogues, and called you every night until you both fell asleep. 

At first you found it clingy as hell, but seeing JJ in the girl-filter or watching videos of him pranking John B sleeping had you entertained enough to actually respond. 

Tonight’s phone topic was 21 Questions, and like the fuck boy he was, ‘what’s your favorite color’ turned dirty in a matter of minutes. 

“What’s your body count?” you asked, actually curious about what that figure might be. 

“Hm,” you could hear him smacking his lips, “To be honest, I don’t really know.”  

“Are you serious?” 

“Well,” he spluttered through the line, “I stopped keeping count after like 30. If I had to give a range it’d probably be from 50 to 70.” 

Your nose crinkled. “Charming.” 

Just then, you heard your mom’s voice echo from the front door, “Y/n! Package came in for you!” 

“One sec,” you told the blondie on the phone and waddled down the hall on your heels, careful of your wet toes. 

Ripping open the box, you gasped at the rows of assorted lacy thongs Annalise ordered yesterday to be sent to your house. You forgot rich people could afford express shipping. 

“Everything good?” JJ questioned through the line. 

“Yeah, uh, just a little shocked at how big the, uh, water bottle I ordered is.”

Your hand clawed through the stash, feeling how nice the silk and lace felt. No surprise, it was also a very expensive brand. You considered keeping a few for yourself. 

“Hm, interesting,” JJ responded, “Anyways, continuing our game, do you have any kinks, like in bed?” 

You held up a red g-string, inspecting the tiny bows lining the crotch area. “Yeah, I have a few.” 

------------------------------- On your next day off, JJ invited you to go fishing with him and his friends. He picked you up early to grab some equipment from the store. Afterwards, you both sprawled on his bed, waiting for the others to arrive. 

“Hey JJ?” you asked, hand tangled in his gold locks while he played some game on his phone. 

“Hm?” 

“So do you remember the other night when we talked about our kinks?” you asked as seductively as your inexperienced self could. 

He immediately halted his game, a sly smirk danced its way across his lips. “Yeah...” 

“Well,” you bit your lip, “I do have this one that just really turns me on.” 

“I’m listening,” he piped, running a hand up and down your thigh. 

You put on your best amateur sex-minx face, blinking up at him. “It’s a little weird though.” 

He shifted positions so he laid between your thighs, kissing up your exposed stomach from your crop-top. “I don’t care. If it gets you wet baby, I’m all for it.” 

“Okay then... I actually have a present for you.” 

Sliding out from under him, you scrambled through your bag and pulled out the red g-string. JJ whistled from his bed in response, leaning back on his arms at the edge.

“That’s sexy as fuck,” he dragged you closer by the back of your thighs, “Try it on for me real quick, before the rest of the Pogues get here.” 

“Oh no no no,” you hung the underwear out to him, “It’s for you.” 

JJ’s mouth went agape, his eyes nearly exploding. “What the fuck y/n?! Are you kidding me?” 

You pouted and sulked away with a huff. “I knew it! I knew you’d make fun of me! I thought I could trust you JJ!” You covered your face and wailed like a child who couldn’t get her way. If this wasn’t your Oscar-winning moment you didn’t know what was. 

“Hey, hey, hey, wait,” JJ cooed, stroking his hand up your shoulders behind you. “I didn’t mean it like that. I wasn’t making fun of you, I was just a little shocked that’s all.” 

“But you think it’s weird!” you cried out, refusing to meet his eyes. 

“Well,” he scratched the back of his head, “I mean... you really want me to wear it?” 

You sniffled and nodded. 

“And this turns you on?” 

You nodded again, facing him. “I just, I think it’s so sexy when a man can embrace his sexuality like this you know?” 

“I guess... do you just want me to try it on?” 

“That’d be nice,” you rubbed the side of your arm, “Maybe you could even wear it today when we go out? It’ll be under your shorts so no one will see.” 

“Are you kidding me? N-” 

Your puppy-dog eyes stopped him dead in his tracks, threatening to burst into tears again. Boy, was this guy putty in your hands. 

He sighed, swiping the underwear from your hand. “Fine, but we do not mention this to any of my friends, got it?” 

You quickly shook your head with an excited smile, knowing damn well the thong was high-cut.

Minutes later, he emerged from the bathroom, giving you a little show of his new undergarments. You had to admit, under all those baggy shorts laid a nice pair of perky buns. The sight of him trying to body roll on the floor made you fall back cackling at his Magic Mike attempts. 

Annalise definitely should’ve ordered a size up because his rising bulge was stretching out the lace that was clinging on for dear life. You had to shield your beet-red face. 

The ring of the doorbell sent JJ scurrying to find his pants while you walked to the front to answer it. In came his friends- John B, Kiara, and Pope- who you greeted just as the blonde sauntered out of his room as if nothing was fishy was going on. 

“So, who’s ready to hit the water?” John B asked as the guys gathered up the fishing equipment. 

You followed the herd out to the docks where the famous HMS Pogue sat. JJ walked a little ahead of you and Kiara, casually picking at the wedgie through his shorts. Kiara scrunched her nose in disgust while you snorted and had to bite your lip from bursting out laughing.

Riding along the marsh, you chatted with Kiara on the back deck while the boys casted the net at the front. She raved all about the new tarot deck she bought and even practiced some palm readings on you. You didn’t know her very well, seeing as she attended the Kook school, but you were glad she was easy to get along with. 

“So what’s the deal with you and JJ?” she asked out of nowhere. From the corner of your eye, you could see Pope do a discreet double-take at her question.

“Um, I’m not really sure,” you answered, “We’re just hanging out, I guess.” 

“Well, you’re the first girl he’s ever brought to hang out with us,” she revealed, “Or even really hung out with in general, for that matter.” 

A sharp gasp from the boys snapped you both out of your conversation. There, at the tip of the boat, was JJ bending over the net with the prominent lacy bows of his g-string exhibited for the world to see. 

John B and Pope doubled over cackling like a pack of hyenas. “JJ what the actual fuck!” 

The blonde whipped upright instantly once he caught on, hand flying to cover his backside. His entire face went the brightest shade of red. “Shut the fuck up! Or I’ll kill you both!” 

Pope fell to the wooden floor of the deck, trying to regain his breath from the laughter as John B doubled over on top of him. 

“Stop it you guys!” Kiara scolded at the boys who were practically in tears. She had to hold back a few giggles herself. “If JJ wants to wear that then let him! I think it’s,” she accidentally snorted, “I think it’s cool!” 

JJ fastened his shorts and began play-fighting the hyenas. Meanwhile you filled your girls chat in on the hilarious scene, trying to muffle your own snickering. 

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

“You want to be a what when you grow up?” 

“A hairstylist,” you repeated through the phone. You hoped the pitch change in your voice wasn’t too much to give yourself away. Nevermind the fact that you knew nothing about hair as yours was always wet from surfing. 

“Uh okay,” JJ responded, “That was kinda unexpected but you do you I guess.”  

You slouched on the old-fashioned armchair in Annalise’s condo while your friends gathered around to listen in on yours and JJ’s call. A fit of snickers and shushes flew through the room as they tried to suppress their noise. 

“Yeah, I’ve been wanting to practice on people for a while now. I need to have experience to get into this beauty school I’ve been looking at,” you went on, “Do you think I could try something on you tomorrow?” 

You heard him scratch through the line. “Uh, why me? You don’t have any other friends that you could do it on?” 

“Because JJ! You’re like the only blonde I know. And I really want to perfect my bleaching skills. C’mon please! It’ll only be like a shade lighter. You’ll hardly even notice,” you promised in your well-rehearsed begging voice. 

“I’m not sure about this one, Y/n. It seems a little risky. Pope and John B are still ragging me for the underwear.” 

“Hmph,” you took the phone and held it closer to you, “Come onnnn JJ! I swear it’ll be fine. Please just do me this teensy little thing. I might even return the favor.” Your voice sang at the last bit.

He hiked in a long breath. “F-Fine. Just promise me it won’t be noticeable!” 

“Promise!” you cheered as the quad around you erupted in their silent happy dances. “Okay I’m going to go now, see you tomorrow before Sarah’s birthday Loverboy!” You sent him air kisses through the phone and hung up. 

“Men are so easy!” Sophia drawled, taking a huge bite of her ice cream pint. 

“You’re getting so good at this y/n!” Arabella pretend to wipe away tears, “I’m such a proud mama!” 

Maia whisked into her room and popped out seconds later, handing you a bottle of squeeze hair dye. “Here it is. Use it wisely young grasshopper.” 

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

You showed up to JJ’s house the next day. Thankfully, his dad was out a work so you had the entire house to yourself. Lord knows you needed it with the mild trauma you were about to put this boy through. 

You had JJ sit in the bathroom, away from the mirror with his head leaned back and eyes closed. Clumsily, you applied the dye like the Youtube video you watched the night before. Needless to say, you were getting it everywhere- on your clothes, JJ’s clothes, the counters. 

It was a disaster. But you played it cool, reminding JJ to keep his eyes shut or the dye will burn them. After wrapping his head in foil sheets and waiting 20 minutes, you bent him over the shower and washed everything out. 

Drying his still covered hair in the towel, you yanked it off him as he turned to the mirror and let out a deafening, ear-splitting shriek. 

“WHAT THE FUCK! OH MY GOD!” 

JJ looked like he was about to cry, horror-stricken, at his bright new bubblegum pink hair. 

“What the fuck is this?! What am I going to do?!” he paced back and forth in the clustered bathroom, “Sarah’s surprise party is tonight! John B’s gonna kill me if I don’t go! People can’t see me like this!” 

You bit your finger, glancing off to the side. “It was a mistake! I’m so sorry! It was supposed to be ash blonde but I might’ve gotten strawberry blonde instead.” 

JJ grabbed your shoulders, desperation drowning his eyes. “You have to fix this right now y/n! We have to be at the beach in an hour!” 

“You can’t bleach it again right now,” you protested, “You’ll fry your hair and then it’ll look like a bird’s nest!” 

“Then what are we going to do?! I can’t go outside like this!” 

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

“Chug! Chug! Chug!” 

Throwing your head back, you finished the remains of the beer and tossed the cup into a nearby bin. The small crowd yelped as you threw your hands up. 

JJ crept up behind you and lifted you in the air, spinning you around. “Fuck yeah y/n!” 

You patted on the backwards cap on his head and he let you back down, pecking your cheek. 

Minutes before you guys arrived, he was able to rummage through is drawers for a hat big enough to stuff his Strawberry Shortcake hair into. Some specks still peeked out underneath, but, in the dark, you couldn’t really tell the island’s golden boy was now a pink poodle. 

The birthday girl, Sarah Cameron, skipped over to the group around you and thanked everyone for coming. She had her fingers linked with her new boo and party organizer, John B, as she hugged all her friends. 

You met her briefly after the big ‘surprise’ chant when she first arrived. When she referred to you as ‘JJ’s girl’ in front of everyone, you blushed and ignored her comment even though her and basically all the girls there were wondering the same thing. 

If only they knew. 

In your peripheral, you spotted your sabotage squad casually stroll into the beach and blend in with the pack of dancing kids. It was time to initiate Plan D. 

As the party progressed, you clung onto JJ side due to the fact that you hardly knew anyone there. You sat in his lap during a few drinking games and he even held you up while you did a keg stand. 

You were both dancing tipsy for a bit near the bonfire. His hands roamed your body while you pressed your ass to his crotch. You giggled when he bent over and kissed up your neck. 

“It’s getting kind of crowded now,” you mentioned at the growing swarm of people. Word probably got out about the party which definitely drew the hordes of tourists that were arriving by the dozen. JJ hummed against your skin. 

“We could get out of here for a bit,” you suggested, “Maybe go for a little dip in the water?” 

You felt his ears perk. He eyed you questioningly while you sauntered away from him and the throng of people, motioning for him to follow.

And he did. Just like a lost puppy. 

Both of you moved to a secluded section of the beach. The waves were calmer, and the music from the party muffled against the sound of the water crashing. 

“What is your cute little ass up to now,” JJ teased as you peeled off your top to set on a rock, revealing a sexy push-up black bikini. Again, one of Maia’s. 

“Come on! Let’s swim for a bit,” you coaxed, slipping out of your shorts. He grinned when you backed towards the water.

Here goes nothing. 

Sultrily, you undid the back string of your bathing suit and flung it onto the sand. JJ’s lips parted slightly. You swore his spirit left his body for a moment. 

You bit your lip. Still locking eye contact, you discarded your bottoms next. 

Twirling your nude body around, ass in full view, you cocked your head back at the awestruck teenage boy. “What? Cat’s got your tongue? Are you gonna come in or just stand there?” 

You’d never seen anyone undress at the speed JJ did, sans hat and everything. “Oh my God!” you squealed at the sight of him stepping out of the pink thong you gave him, “I can’t believe you wear those still!” 

He darted towards you and the ocean, the smile on his face stretched all the way to his sculpted cheek bones. “Hey, you like them and they make my ass look good. It’s a win-win for everyone!”

You also couldn’t help but notice his, uh, junk that was swinging while he ran with you. One peep at it and everything clicked in your head as to why women were obsessed with him. It was a very pleasing sight. 

Knees deep in the water, his hands drew up your sides. He ogled at your bare body, radiated by nothing but the moon, and you shifted a bit to make sure his back was fully facing the shore. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he rasped, resting his hands just atop the swell of your butt. “Fuck,” he purred, “C’mere.” 

Bending down, he crashed his lips onto yours, stroking up and down your backside. With one eye open, you peeked towards the rocks where two dark shadows hunched over and scurried away swiftly. 

Turning your attention back to the kiss, you briskly pulled away and splashed him before he could react. 

“Oh you wanna play huh?” he taunted and lunged at you while you playfully shrieked. 

You giggled as he picked you up, hand under your neck and knees, spinning you around a few times before dropping you at a slightly deeper end. You floated back up and splashed at him again with all your might. 

JJ swam towards you and wrapped your legs around his waist under the water, only your heads above the water at this point. “You’re so fun,” he gushed, kissing you again, a little more forcefully this time. 

You two stayed that way for a bit until you heard the kids from the party faintly singing ‘Happy Birthday’. 

“Fuck!” you shouted before scrambling out the water with JJ on your trail. You were able to pick up your bikini from the sand and pull it on. But once you got back to the rock, the only thing left was a single pink thong. 

“Where the fuck did our clothes go?!” JJ hollered, outraged. 

“Oh my God!” you joined, “Maybe some raccoons took them!” 

Not even bothering with your preposterous presumption, he held his hands up to his head in stress. “What the fuck am I gonna do? I have to go back through the party to even get to the car! And I have fucking pink hair!” 

“Uhh, maybe you could swim through the water past them? I could meet you on the other side with a towel.” 

“Okay okay! Just hurry!” he urged, hurrying back into the water in just the skimpy underwear. 

You jogged back to the party that died down by quite a bit. Only close friends remained. 

“Where’s JJ?” Pope asked as you surveyed the area, “He missed the whole cake. We were looking for a lighter for ages.” 

You merely shrugged. “Not sure, maybe he left for a bit?” 

Pope glanced around, confused until a voice- Sophia’s voice- shrieked from the sides. “Oh my gosh is that JJ?!”

A few gasps emitted from the crowd as Arabella and Annalise shone their flashlights at the bubblegum head perched on top of the water. 

“JJ what the fuck are you doing?!” John B yelled, “And why the fuck is your hair pink?!”

JJ looked as if he’d seen a ghost. He laughed sheepishly, “Yeah about that I-” 

Before he could finish, the tide pulled out to reveal the fuchsia g-string on his hips. John B face palmed himself and shielded Sarah’s eyes from the indecent scene. 

The party exploded in laughter, Pope and Kiara fell to their knees on the sand, joining the mass.

Middle fingers in the air, JJ dashed through the roaring flock and to the car. “Fuck you all! But happy birthday Sarah!” 

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

note: hehehehhe. okay i had fun writing dis. pls msg me to be tagged!! 

chapter six

tags: @obxlife​​ @rudyypankow​​ @yeehaw87​​ @ilymarkchan​​ @jellyfishbeansontoast​​ @tangledinsparkles​​ @toloveortobeinlove​​ @pixelated-pogues​​ @normatural​​ @teamnick​​ @drizzlethatfalls​​ @hazelgirl355​ @wicked-laugh​ @jjmaybankswife​ @ponyboys-sunsets​ @5am-cigarette​ @everydayimfangirling​ @angvelics​ @poguecollins​ @xealia​ @floridabornandraised​ @girlsru1eboysdroo1​ @booksandshish​ @apoguecalledjj​ @bananasfromtarget​ @lulbabes @arthiriticcricket​ @lasnaro​ @aaleksmorozova​ @himarisolace​ @obxmxybxnk​ @lopineapples​ @x-lulu​ @danicarosaline​ @llvinlavidaloca​ @toofarawaytobreathe​ @llvinlavidaloca​ @danicarosaline​ @ilovejjmaybank​ @socialwriter​ @searchinfornarnia159​ @1-800-jjslut​ @jolomez​ @lopineapples​

[omni-scient-pan-da]

And They Were Oarmates

The Third Part of My Fic About The Oars by omni-scient-pan-da (One, Two, All)

For @i-have-all-these-freaking-uwus @burntuakrisp @wh33z @reaping-mae @jo-the-nerd @emo-bi-mess @taurianskies7 @the-dumbass-multishipper @pictures-that-are-kinda-cool @iprefertheterminsane @inkytrinket-irii

About six weeks had passed since Rowan set out on his journey to find his husband, and word was starting to get around that he was looking for a warlock with green magic.

Unfortuntely, he was no closer to finding Killian than he had been when he first started. Anytime he thought he’d found someone that could take him to the warlock, it turned out to be the wrong person. Every lead he had had led him to a dead end, but Rowan refused to give up hope. He’d do whatever it took to find his husband, even if it killed him. 

Right now though, things weren’t looking the greatest. Even if he hadn’t been worried about what was happening to Killian he had more pressing matters to focus on at the moment. 

Like the angry dragon that he’d accidentally stumbled upon.

Bright green fire shot past Rowan as he darted to the side of the cave. Holy shit, Rowan thought to himself. I didn’t realize dragons were so sensitive about being called warlocks.

It hadn’t seemed like an unreasonable assumption at the time, but if nothing else, this dragon really seemed to hate being confused for a warlock.

Rowan peaked around the corner, trying to gauge how far away the exit was. If he could just get past the dragon without being burned to a crisp, he could try and make a break for it. But of course, that would require him to actually be able to make it past the dragon.

“Look, I’m sorry I confused you for a warlock!” Rowan yelled, trying to reason with the dragon. “It won’t happen again!”

Green fire shot down the corridor once more and Rowan sighed. This was going to be difficult.

~

Killian fell to the ground, breathing heavily.

“Again,” the warlock commanded, glaring at him. 

“How many times is it going to take for you to realize I just can’t do magic?” Killian asked, wiping sweat from his brow as he pushed himself up off the ground into a sitting position. “It’s just not possible for me.”

The warlock smiled at him and suddenly Killian felt very very uneasy. The warlock never smiled, not unless he was about to do something Killian would absolutely despise.

“Everyone can do magic Killian,” the warlock sneered. “Maybe it’s just that you need a little more motivation.”

Green light sizzled through the air and all of a sudden the warlock was holding Killian’s ring in his hand. His wedding ring. The one thing that he had left to remind him of home, the one thing that still connected him to his husband, the one thing that gave him hope that he might actually find his way home.

“Isn’t it funny how something so small can give a person so much motivation?” the warlock asked, one corner of his mouth quirking up in a smirk. 

“Give it back you son of a bitch,” Killian ordered, trying to put all the force he could muster into his words, but even to his own ears his voice sounded hollow, shaky, and a little broken. He couldn’t take the ring, the ring was the one thing he had left.

“This little old thing?” the warlock asked innocently, twirling it in his hand. “Maybe having the metal on your person is what’s interfering with your magic.” He grinned sadistically and the palm holding the ring lit up in green flames.

Moving without thinking, Killian roared, lunging at the warlock. “YOU BASTARD!” he wound his arm up to punch the geezer in the gut, his own fist now alight with burning red angry magic as he swung. The only thing on his mind was how badly he needed to get that ring back, he had to have it, the warlock couldn’t take it from him, he needed it, he needed Rowan, he needed-

All of a sudden Killian flew back in the air before landing on the cold hard ground once more, his stomach on fire as if he had been the one to get hit and not the warlock.

In front of him the warlock laughed as green protection sigils flashed around him. “Reflection spells Killian, remember?”

Killian took a few deep breaths, trying to ignore the searing pain in his abdomen. “Give me the ring back or I’ll kill you.”

The warlock snorted. “As fun as it’d be to see you try, I think there are more important things at hand here, such as the fact that you can do magic.” he held up the ring, that sadistic grin of his plastered across his face once more. “And now I know exactly how to trigger it.”

~

After nearly getting burned to death by a dragon and numerous other failed attempts at finding his husband, Rowan was starting to get really fucking tired. He wasn’t giving up hope just yet, he couldn’t give up hope. Rowan couldn’t even begin to fathom how he was supposed to carry on without even the smallest slimmer of hope of finding Killian again.

But he was getting really really tired of all the traveling and time and energy it took for him to even find the smallest whisper of Killian, only for his plans to completely blow up in his face.

All he wanted was to find his husband, was that so terrible? Was he truly destined to endure a life of suffering without him? Constantly searching for a man that might not even want him anymore?

That was the worst part about this whole ordeal, the way Killian had acted in those last few precious moments before he had been stolen from Rowan. The warlock had to have done something to mess with Killian’s mind, right? There was no way Killian would’ve said or done those things of his own violition... 

Rowan shook his head as he walked, heading back into the inn where he had been staying for the past few nights, hoping he could get in quickly without the owner noticing that half his shirt had been scorched off. Luckily for him, Rowan had always been able to pull of a crop top.

Rowan pushed open the door to the inn, peaking his head inside to see if there was anyone in the lobby. Upon finding no one, he darted inside, thankful his room key had managed to survive his little skirmish with the dragon as he unlocked the door to his rented room and steped inside, sagging against the door as soon as it closed behind him.

“Just... Keep moving Rowan, keep moving and you’ll be fine,” he muttered to himself under his breath. “As long as you keep moving, you’ll find Killian eventually and then... And then...”

And then he really didn’t know what would happen next. He’d find some way to free Killian from that horrible warlock that had taken him? He didn’t know the first thing about magic, how was he supposed to defeat an all powerful warlock? And then of course came that nagging little voice in the back of his mind as he started to question whether or not Killian would even want him to come to his rescue...

Rowan sighed, pushing his doubts aside as he dug through his clothes to find a new shirt. He’d have to buy a new one to replace the one he’d ruined, but that could wait for another day. Right now he needed a drink and a long night’s rest before he decided which town to jump to next in search of his husband.

After changing clothes, Rowan headed out of his room once more, this time to the small tavern across the street from the inn. After taking a seat at the bar and ordering a drink he glanced around the room, looking for anyone that might have any clue where his husband could be.

“This is pointless... I’m never going to find him this way. I need to change strategies or... Or something or else I’m going to go insane.”

“They say talking to yourself is the first sign of madness, so I’d say you’re on the right track,” a voice perked up from behind him said.

Rowan jumped a little in his seat, turning around to find a cloaked woman standing behind him. “I um... I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you were standing there.”

The woman smiled slightly. “Don’t worry about it,” she replied. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time... You’re the one trying to find the Le Sorcier Vert, aren’t you?”

Rowan’s eye’s widened. “Do you know how to find him?” His heart was pounding in his chest and he didn’t dare to hope any more than he already was. He didn’t know if he could handle losing hope the way he’d lost Killian.

“I can do you one better,” the woman replied. “I know how to defeat him.

Author's Note: Okay alright it's been 3 months since I updated this but I have no concept of time, so once again, special thanks to @i-have-all-these-freaking-uwus for sending me an ask and motivating me to finish this thing! There WILL be a part 4 and when I post it you can find the link HERE and I'm thinking part four will be the finale? Who knows, but there should be an updated list with all available parts HERE that includes links to the whole series, and I promise, the story will definitely have a happy ending. As before, if you wanna be tagged when part 4 comes out, leave a comment below or reblog this because seriously, I will not work on this for ages unless I have external motivation. Thanks so much for reading this far, I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far!

[hazbincalifornia]

Choice

Chapter 24:  Blitzo goes back to work.

Warnings: As always, mpreg, and an IMP death relating to hanging.

Likes, replies, and reblogs are all appreciated, both here and on ao3!

Ao3 link

“Welcome back, Blitzo!” Millie smiled from her seat atop Loona’s desk as Blitzo threw the door to the office open. “I know it’s only been a couple of days, but I’m sure it-”

“Millz, love you to death, but put a sock in it before I do it for you,” he growled, eyes narrow and fists clenched tighter than a politician’s asshole as he chucked his already-drained iced coffee cup into the trash. Loona shuffled in behind him and dropped on the couch, pointedly focusing on her phone screen.

“Geez, who whizzed in your cereal? Something happen?” Millie blinked, bouncing herself up a bit on her seat to keep at his eye level. “Can we help?”

Moxxie emerged from Blitzo's office, shuffling papers. “We’ve managed the cases so far just fine, but I need you to sign off on-”

“You can sign my-” Blitzo sucked in a deep breath, pinching his forehead before letting it out. “Fine, everything’s fine.”

Moxxie raised an eyebrow. “I take it something went wrong. That, or you’re just sex-hungover. That can happen, you know-”

Millie cut him off with a click of her tongue, and his mouth snapped shut. “Moxxie, we don’t need the honeymoon story, I think somethin’s really wrong. He looks all slumpy, like a willow-weed in the r-”

“Can both of you lay off? I don't need the tag-team act right now.” Blitzo wove around Moxxie and his pile of paperwork to enter his office- the one that Moxxie shouldn't have been gallivanting in and out of. “You two deal with the client, I just really, really want to fucking shoot something, so tell me when the deal’s done, alright?”

Millie sucked in her cheek and Moxxie glanced over to her before his eyes flicked back to Blitzo, whose fingers twitched before he slammed the door in their faces.

_______________________

Three sharp knocks on the door. “Sir? It’s time to go, unless you want us to work by ourselves again. We’re more than capable-”

“No, I’m up, I’m up.” Blitzo scrubbed at his eyes- any attempts to fall asleep at his desk and make up for the complete lack of any kind of rest last night had been thoroughly thwarted by his brain going at a hundred miles an hour. (The coffee wasn’t to blame. Probably. He’d fallen asleep on way more than the piddly single one he’d downed in the past.) Mostly, it had been wanting to throttle Stolas mixed with wanting to throttle himself, and then imagining rapidly escalating scenarios of where he might be able to chuck the kid once they popped out. (Currently, he was at ‘trying to slingshot them up to Heaven just to see what they’d do with it.’ In all likelihood, it’d be crucifix batting practice.)

“It’s one that the client said might be suicidal, but she seemed quite self-important and thought that her boyfriend wouldn’t be able to live without her anyway, so I wouldn’t trust that.” The chair creaked as Blitzo got up, but if it was because it was a couple years old and salvaged from the back of the circus’s dump or because of the deadweight around his gut that had officially turned his shirt into a crop top was anybody’s guess. 

As he entered the main room, Moxxie was rubbing a cloth over the musical note on the side of his gun, and Millie fussed with a length of rope while humming to herself.

“I’unno sugar, the client said he was kinda hefty…”

“We have other options if it breaks, and clients often exaggerate that sort of thing. Besides, it just needs to hold him long enough to snap the neck, or at least asphyxiate him. Then they’ll just assume it broke after he died.”

“I’m just saying, it’s more cleanup.”

“Well, this is the kind of rope they can usually get topside, so I say we- oh, good, you’re here.” Moxxie pointed to the paper piled up on the coffee table. “I already did all the hard bits, I just need your signature.”

“Right, right. Signature. Got it. Then we get to go kill something, right?”

Moxxie glanced over at Millie, and the look they exchanged passed way more information than Blitzo’d ever be able to parse. Must be a marriage thing. Must be nice, too. Being able to know what each other was thinking and shit. Real useful.

“Yeah, hun, then we can go kill something. Nothing like some good ol’ violence to get the blood pumping, right?” Millie smiled as Blitzo dashed off a loopy B on each of the papers. Most of them were bills, a few were paychecks that he’d probably just forgotten in the mess of the past few months since Moxxie would know better than to try and slip extras in since it would destroy the budget anyway, there was one approving the repairs for the fire, right, right, this was why he let Moxxie handle all the boring shit, at least it was easy to just sign the dotted line- there. Done.

Blitzo cracked his knuckles, tail snapping in mid-air. “Right! Let’s go fuck somebody up!”

“There we go!” Millie gave a little laugh, punching his arm as Moxxie picked up the Grimoire and opened to the right page before drawing the circle with his free hand. Loona was still settled on the couch behind him, nursing a sports drink from the fridge and half-watching the three of them, head tilted slightly.

Moxxie nodded to the portal, setting the book down on the desk. “Right behind you, sir.”

____________________

The guy didn’t even fight back when they woke him up and strung him up. What a wuss. Hangings were usually fun since they squirmed and made funny noises while trying to break free if the neck didn't snap when the chair dropped, but it wasn’t nearly bloody enough for Blitzo’s taste today. Oh, sure, he’d clawed at the rope that had manufactured nylon sharp enough to carve out blood from under his nails, but his face was purpling at a rapid rate, so they probably didn’t have to do anything other than let gravity finish the job for them, especially considering his kicks were starting to slow anyway.

“You want to go watch some wrestling death-matches when we get back home? I heard they’re bringing the Big Boar in, he’s some sinner who was a lucador back in life. That’ll get some of that killer instinct out.” Millie gave a playful growl as she rummaged around in the target’s belongings. Blitzo watched her hips waggle for a moment before she made a little ‘hmmph’ at a pin-up cowgirl calendar.

“Hmm… tempting, Millz, tempting.”

“Pride wrestling’s more like good ol’ fashioned blood sport, especially when they get the guys that can regenerate limbs!” She ground her fist into her palm with an intense look. Moxxie rolled his eyes as Blitzo leaned against the wall.

“Pl-ease… sa...ve..” the human wheezed out before Moxxie poked at his stomach, and he coughed up blood directly on the little imp before falling limp. Moxxie grimaced, using the man’s somewhat-sweaty bedsheet nearby to clean himself off.

“Perhaps you could invite his highness? I remember him saying something about-”

“Nope,”  Blitzo snapped out immediately. “Not gonna fuckin’ happen.”

Moxxie raised an eyebrow, dropping the sheets. “It was just a suggestion, sir. Had too much of him over the past few days?”

“You could say that,” Blitzo muttered, a hand resting on his stomach, and Millie's eyes softened.

“Aw, you could have said something. He ride you too hard?”

The fingers curled inwards, claws dragging above the surface and lighting it up red, forcing him away from his own skin. “Something along those lines, yeah. You two can drop this anytime, you know.”

“Well, at least the little one will be out of your hair soon,” Moxxie said. “Just a few more months, then I would imagine it’s just visitations now and then. You said that you’d already discussed things with him about custody, right?”

Blitzo swallowed, the hand raising up from his belly to rub at the back of his neck. “So, er, about that-”

The wood groaned as Moxxie took a step forward. “No. You didn’t.”

“Come on, Moxx, he was drooling over it, how the fuck was I supposed to know he wanted me to-”

Moxxie threw up his hands. “What have I told you? To think about what you’re doing! What do you do? Throw yourself-”

“Oh, you think this is my fault?”

“Of course it’s your fault!” Moxxie folded his arms. “What did I say when you were considering keeping it? That it was going to be a big responsibility! You barely can call Loona civilized and she’s somehow a legal adult, what in the seven rings would you fuck up if you had to raise an actual child?”

“Exactly! I don’t fucking want to!” Blitzo spat out with enough venom to make Moxxie’s fingers tighten on his arms. “That’s the point, I thought this was just going to be for a couple of months and then yeah, maybe getting to see them now and then wouldn't suck the worst ass if they turn out cool, but I’ve got other shit to do! I’m a busy guy, and I’d definitely fuck it-”

“Blitzo…” Millie reached out a hand before curling it into a loose fist in midair. “Hun, I’m sorry.”

“Yes. Thank you, Millie.”

“Although…” She gnawed on her lip for a moment, and he groaned.

“Don’t you start-”

“Why did you adopt Loona then? I’m genuinely wonderin’, that’s all. You love her to bits, why’s this different? If you hadn’t done that I wouldn’t be askin’, but… you like being a dad.”

“I…” He trailed off. There was a scuttering in the wall behind him, like a roach or some other grimy-grody pest, and a chill drilled down the vertebrae of his spine as a shiver ran through his bones. Why was the sweat dripping down his side cold, like condensation on the side of a frozen water bottle? Damned drafty house. “I wanted to be there for somebody, somebody that I chose to be, and that won't-" He cleared his throat, shaking his head to start over. "Anyway, she’s a good kid who's figuring her shit out and I like hanging out with her. I'm glad to be her dad. That's different."

“Why would this be so bad, then?” Millie repeated. 

Blitzo scoffed. “ ‘Cause I got Loona when she was older and I had to go through a buncha bullshit to sign the papers instead of just getting nutted in and having it sprung on me? That was an active effort, and teenagers are basically an entirely different species from babies, I’ve only had to clean up her shit a couple of times-”

“Did not need to know that,” Moxxie muttered.

“-Shut up Moxxie, but anyway, point is, Loonie was already walking and talking and has her own tastes and shit, most babies are just worthless little parasites until they’re, like, ten. I was a fuckin’ miserable little thing to deal with according to literally fucking everybody, so why the fuck would I want to inflict that on myself when I can help somebody that’s already gotten through most of the annoying phase? Plus, her sense of fashion kicks ass. Babies can't pick you out dope outfits." His tail snaked up and tapped his shoulder. "Point to me, excellent reasoning.”

“She’s still your daughter, and you still have to deal with a lot from-” Millie tried to continue, but Blitzo held up a hand.

“Look, it’s just different, okay? The apartment’s crowded enough. I’ll figure this out somehow.”

“...If you’re sure,” Millie said, shifting her weight on the creaky floorboards. “How did the prince take it?”

“Ugh, you really think I want to get deep into his little wah-wah I-thought-you-knew bullshittery?” Blitzo snorted. “I don’t give a shit what he thinks, he should have been upfront about the fact that I was going to be ruining both me and the squirt’s life instead of just being a fuckin’ incubator for cash. End of story.”

There was a nudge from inside of him that was much sharper than usual, and Blitzo’s eyes snapped down.

“Did you just fuckin’ bite me?”

[thegizka]

Rumors

ShikaTema Week 2020 - Day 3 - Outfit Swap

The premise for this is kind of whack, but I had a lot of fun writing it!

Genre:  Fluff

Word Count:  2,069

Read it on Ao3.

“This is probably the dumbest plan I’ve ever been part of,” Shikamaru groaned.

“It’ll work, though,” Ino promised, lounging on her couch and flipping through a magazine while her teammate paced around her living room.

“There are a thousand ways this could go wrong.”

“Hey.”  She shot him a pointed look.  “Do you want to be able to walk around with your secret girlfriend in peace or not?”

He sighed.  He and Temari had started dating a few months ago, stealing moments alone during official visits and joint missions.  Their positions in their respective villages made things complicated, so they’d agreed to keep a low profile.  Unfortunately that was easier said than done.  There were already more rumors about them swirling around Konoha than Shikamaru was comfortable with.

“You could always be open about it,” Ino had suggested.  “People are going to know eventually.”

“People knowing will be troublesome,” Shikamaru grumbled.

“It just seems like you’re putting a lot of work into something that will be irrelevant in a few months anyway.  But if you’re set on pretending your relationship is some scandalous secret, I guess I’ll help you out.”

Shikamaru didn’t want to admit that part of his motive for keeping their romance on the down low was selfishness.  He was falling in love, and it was exhilarating.  Those stolen moments with Temari were theirs alone, and he wanted to keep them to himself for as long as possible.  Plus it gave them time to work out how they would navigate their two lives in two separate villages.

“You guys should leave soon or you’ll run out of time,” Ino said loud enough for her voice to carry down the hallway to the room where Temari was changing.

“You just want us out of your hair so Sai can sneak in here,” Shikamaru teased, though he had been thinking they ought to head out soon, too.

“Oh please.”  Ino rolled her eyes, but she also didn’t deny his suggestion.  Shikamaru wouldn’t be surprised if Sai was already hiding somewhere in her apartment just waiting for them to leave.  Secrecy came naturally to him, and though Ino didn’t make any significant effort to hide their relationship, they largely remained under the radar of the village gossips.  Shikamaru was a little envious.

The sound of a door opening interrupted his thoughts.  A moment later, Temari stepped into the living room.  Shikamaru blinked, his eyebrows pulling together of their own accord because this was just...strange.  He knew Temari was standing in front of him.  The suspicious look she was giving him was certifiably her.  But he also had to remind part of his brain that she wasn’t Ino.

“What?” she demanded, troubled by his confused expression.  “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” he responded.  He made a conscious effort to relax his features while his mind untangled itself.

“He’s just tongue-tied because you look amazing!”  Ino set aside her magazine to get up and circle the other woman, inspecting her work.  “How does it feel?”

“It’s a little tight in some places.”  Temari pulled the crop top and rolled her shoulders.  Shikamaru tried not to inspect the places where it hugged her body too closely.  “This skirt is super comfortable, though.”

“I know, right?  I love it.”  Ino adjusted a few strands of Temari’s hair.  “What do you think of the wig?”

“It’s a lot of hair, but I can work with it for a few hours.  Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Oh yeah,” she laughed.  “Half of the village thinks Shikamaru and I ought to be dating already.  It’ll take some scrutiny off of you and Sai, which works for me.”

“You’ve always been an attention hog,” Shikamaru sighed.  She just stuck out her tongue at him and returned to the couch.

“Go on,” she said.  “You kids have fun.  Be responsible.  I’ll come pick up my clothes sometime tomorrow.”

“You have fun, too,” Temari called as they left.  “She was definitely telling us not to come back here tonight.”

“Trust me, you don’t want to see what she and Sai get up to.”

“You have no real idea of what they do together,” Temari declared with such confidence that he wondered how she could see straight through him.  “Otherwise you wouldn’t be so scared of finding out.”

“I’m sorry, would you want to walk in on one of your brothers passionately making out with someone--or worse?”

“No, but they wouldn’t allow themselves to get caught in such a situation in the first place.”

“Ino and Sai are skilled enough not to get caught, but I know Ino has less shame than you think.  I mean, she walks around in that outfit almost every day.”

“What’s wrong with this outfit?” Temari demanded, hands on her hips in a challenge.  It brought his attention to the smooth skin of her exposed abs.  Funny how it captured his attention now while it had never interested him when Ino wore that crop top.

“Nothing,” he gulped, forcing himself to look away.  “Come on.”

“You’re terrible,” she sighed, but she followed after him, slipping her hand into his.

“Hey-”

“What?” she challenged.  “The purpose of this getup is to be able to go around more freely, right?”  Temari leaned towards him to whisper in his ear.  “Let’s start a few rumors.”

“I’m the one who will have to live with these rumors,” he grumbled.  He was starting to think she was enjoying this a little too much.

“That’s the price you pay,” she grinned.  “Come on, let’s see how this goes.  It’d be a shame to let all of this effort go to waste.”

“What a drag,” Shikamaru muttered, but he didn’t pull away.

The success of this date depended on how precisely they could walk the line of being seen but not letting anyone get too close.  He had carefully planned a date that would let them make a few appearances at some public but less frequented locations.  Assuming they weren’t unlucky, they’d have just enough privacy to enjoy their time together without totally hiding.

They opted to grab dinner at a little food cart tucked just off of the main street.  Neither Ino nor Shikamaru frequented it, so they were unlikely to be particularly memorable.  The plan was to grab food and eat on a previously scouted rooftop so they could enjoy the sunset.  After the sun went down, they could wander the village or return to the Nara estate for the rest of the evening.

“Got everything?” Shikamaru asked, balancing a sandwich and both of their drinks.

“Yes, thank you.”  Temari grabbed a few extra napkins and then took her drink from him.  “Where to?”

“The school.”

“The school?  How romantic.”

“You’ll think so once you see the view.”

“Believe it or not, I have been on the Academy roof before.”

“But were you with such charming company?”

“We were planning the chunin exam, so-”

“Shikamaru!”

They had just enough time to exchange a surprised glance before turning to greet an enthusiastic Naruto with his wife just a step behind him.

“Hello Shikamaru.  Hi I-Ino?”  Hinata’s voice rose in surprise.  She looked between them, confused, but neither had time to explain before Naruto spoke.

“What are you two up to?”

“Just grabbing dinner,” Shikamaru said carefully.  He could tell Hinata had seen through them, but he wasn’t sure whether Naruto had caught on.

“We just got done at Ichiraku.  I’m stuffed.”  He laughed, and Hinata glanced at him with an amused smile.  They had only been married a few months, but there was a new brightness to them when they were together.  Nothing significant had changed between them, but there was a palpable difference.  It made Shikamaru wonder if he and Temari would get to experience that part of their relationship.

“Hey, where’s Chouji?” Naruto asked, glancing around.  “You three are always together.”

“He’s on a mission to Kumo for a few days.”  He’d been taking a lot of missions to Kumo recently.

“So it’s just you two.  That must be kind of weird.”

“It’s fine, actually.”

“Are you sure?”  Naruto turned to Temari with a significant look.  “Ino, you’re being awfully quiet.”

“I’m just hungry.”  Her voice was elevated from nerves or an attempt to mimic Ino, but she sounded strained.  Naruto frowned.

“Naruto,” Hinata said gently before he could comment further, “we should let them eat.  Besides, you wanted to look for some dessert, right?”

“Oh yeah.  Sorry Hinata, I forgot.  See you guys later!”

Shikamaru mouthed a “thank you” to Hinata as she and her husband turned to leave.  She just smiled before walking away with a final confused glance.

“Come on,” he sighed, heading towards the school again.  Temari giggled behind him.

“Naruto can be really dense, can’t he?”

“Lucky for us.”

“We’ll have to explain everything to Hinata, though.  I can only imagine what she thinks we’re up to.”

“Let’s just hope we don’t run into anyone else.  That was a bit too close for comfort.”

“I bet it’ll get a few rumors started, though,” she grinned as they climbed up onto the school’s roof.

“Only if Hinata doesn’t run interference.”  Shikamaru picked a spot near the western edge of the roof and sat.  Temari settled beside him, and they delved into their food.  A few moments of silence stretched between them while the sky was painted in gold and lavender.  A few clouds blushed in the setting sun.  They watched a pair of birds diving through the air in the distance.

“This is nice,” Temari sighed, leaning against him while she sipped her drink.

“Yeah.”  He wrapped his arm around her but flinched when his hand met the bare skin of her waist.  She just laughed.

“You’re so jumpy,” she teased, grabbing his hand and holding it in her own.  “Relax.  Enjoy the view.  Cuddle your girlfriend.  Take it easy like you always say you want to.”

He hummed and tried to just enjoy the moment.  That was the purpose of this whole charade, right?  Temari seemed to have no problem with it.  But every time he glanced at her, he had to look away.  It was just too uncomfortable.

“Is it really that bad?” she asked, jostling him with her shoulder.

“I can’t even look at you.  You don’t look bad,” he added hurriedly.  He had seen her covered in dirt and sweat and blood, and she still looked beautiful.  She always looked beautiful.  “I just get a headache because you’re not actually Ino and the dumb part of my brain thinks you are.”

“Oh my gosh, are you attracted to Ino?”

“No!  Definitely not.  But I am attracted to you, and right now you look a lot like her.”

“So you are attracted to her.”

“I’m not!”

“I’m just teasing you,” she smirked.  “To be honest, this is all a bit too strange.  It was funny to see Naruto’s reaction, but it’s not worth it if you’re not comfortable.”

“It’s not all bad,” he admitted, kissing her exposed shoulder, the closest he could bring himself to admitting that he liked the way the crop top fit her.  She cocked her eyebrow at him.

“Do you want to expand on that?”

“Maybe at home.”

“Alright then.”  Temari stood and stretched, giving Shikamaru a moment to admire the way the late evening sunlight struck the skin of her exposed stomach.  “Can we grab some dango on the way?”

“You don’t want to watch the rest of the sunset?”

“I’ve seen better.”

“So much for trying to be romantic,” he grumbled, gathering their food wrappers.  She turned and surprised him with a kiss on his cheek.

“It was a good date,” she said with a charming smile.  “Now come on, let’s see if we can start another rumor or two before it’s over.”

-----

“I can’t believe you two!” Chouji cried.  “I’m gone for five days and you break up with Temari and Sai and start dating each other?”

“You were dating Temari?”  Naruto blinked.

“Uh,” Shikamaru stuttered, and Ino burst out laughing.

“I don’t think you should laugh about this,” their teammate frowned.  “You should be ashamed for moving on so quickly after breaking their hearts.  And not telling me about it yourselves!  I had to hear it all from Naruto.”

“Sorry Chouji,” Ino giggled.  She shot Shikamaru a triumphant look.  “I’m just happy everything worked like it was supposed to.”

Shikamaru sighed.  “What a drag.”

[nebula-horizon]

🍺 Celeste and Jericho

Send a symbol for a drabble or thread [ Not Accepting! ]

🍺: Our muses drinking together

I listened to Lover is a day while writing this

((In Which Celeste gets dating advice while listening to Lo-fi))

   It was an unusually uncrowded night at the bar. Celeste had come alone without her friends just to see and talk to her favorite bartender. Having dressed up a little nicer than she usually did, but nothing too flashy especially with how she did her makeup. A tan colored sweater crop top and high waisted jean shorts were picked out as she hoped to get his attention, but she'd find out that her efforts were wasted. 

   Darius calling in sick? Who knew a workaholic like him would concede to a cold and call out for the day. Celeste sat on the bar stool she usually did as Darius's co-worker let her know the situation. Her shoulders slumped at the news -- it was hard to not feel like she wasted her time coming here since he was the only reason she liked going to this bar to begin with. The pastel haired woman sat there with her hands folded on the bar counter as she debated whether it was a good idea to go see him or if that would make her look desperate. She grumbled something in Tagalog before putting her head face down on the bar and her arms over her head.

   Thanks to the less rowdy energy in the bar tonight, Celeste's ears picked up on the chuckle coming from the person seated a couple seats away from her. She nervously peeked out  from under her arm at the source which was a young man with dark purple hair and one arm leaning against the bar. He had a rather chic look to him as he took a sip of his martini which is why Celeste was unsure if he was the one laughing at her. She sat straight up, looking from him and then around her.

   “Were you laughing at me?” she asked with a slight accusatory tone. The purple haired man gave another low chuckle which somewhat confirmed it. 

   “What’s not to laugh at? There’s something amusing about watching someone this grown up acting like a child.” he admitted. Celeste so badly wanted to pout and get defensive, but that would only prove this stranger’s point. 

   “I’m not childish,” she muttered looking away. “I just feel like I wasted my time coming here…”. Celeste sighed, it’s not like this guy would understand and besides, she just made herself sound desperate. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed him getting up. Oh great, she just embarrassed and weirded out yet another patron -- this was not the reputation she wanted to have at Darius’s workspace. 

   “Well, do you not go out to bars to drink?”. Celeste looked back up, only to find the same man she thought she weirded out seated on the bar stool right next to her. The pastel haired woman jumped back in her seat a bit causing the man to laugh at her again. Which in turn made her face flush with embarrassment. It’s a good thing that the lights in the club started slowly shifting colors to conceal her reddened cheeks. 

   “L-look… I don’t… I don’t drink.” she quietly stuttered. “I hate alcohol, it’s a personal preference, but I just don’t like getting even a little tipsy.”. Celeste sighed, listening to the Lo-fi music that started playing over the speakers. “I usually come to this bar specifically because I-I… I kind of have a small crush on one of the bartenders.” she admitted, using crush very loosely.

   “A crush, huh? Hahaha… How cute.”. Celeste didn’t know how to respond without sounding like a nervous and flustered mess. She noticed the stranger flagged down the bartender, before leaning towards her just a bit. “What’s your favorite drink here?” he asked, fully intending on ordering her something non-alcoholic. 

   “M-mango lemonade, why-”. And it just dawned on Celeste. “Wait no, you don’t have to buy me a drink, mister-”. He waved off her protests with a gloved hand as he went to order the drink, leaving Celeste covering her face. Once again, he gave her a smirk, tilting his head to the side acting as though he were confused at her little reactions. It was clear this girl didn’t fit in with the whole bar or club scene; like watching a fish out of water. "What are you even trying to do?" She asked him as though he had some kind of ulterior motives. Still hiding her face behind her hands, she was starting to feel flustered with this guy sitting right next to her this closely. 

   "What am I trying to do?" He repeated. "Well, I'm typically a busy man, but I figured I'd take some time to entertain myself.". Celeste moved her hands from her face as she watched the man sip some more on his martini. 

   "Is making girls feel embarrassed how you entertain yourself?". She huffed. 

   "Not exactly -- it's just mildly amusing seeing drunk people humiliate themselves. I've already seen quite a few tonight.". The bartender came back sliding over the fruity concoction to Celeste. "What’s your name?" The stranger asked. There was no way in hell she was giving this guy her real name. 

   “...Celeste, and you?”. She took a sip of her mango lemonade as she stared at him; the slow changing colorful neon lights of the club illuminating both of them. 

   “Jericho.”. He held a gloved hand out to shake hers and Celeste hesitantly reciprocated. “So do you only come here for this bartender?”. Despite being thirsty and infatuated by Darius, Celeste wasn’t going to let Jericho say it out loud. 

   “A-at first it wasn’t like that. I usually only like going out with friends because I like dancing.” She noticed him raising a brow when she said that, making her look away -- she hated when people stared at her like this. “Then I met Darius here while he was working… He was so nice to me. Protecting me from creepy men and talking with me when I felt scared to head to the dance floor. It’s like he could read me so easily when I was upset and he always knows how to make me smile when I need it.”. Celeste paused for a moment as she felt herself smile softly at the memory of their first meeting. Her mind taking in the music on the speakers as she almost got lost in thought.

♫Suffocated from the radiated air around us

Full of happiness we don't have

Brightness gone so dark

Without you girl♫

   She could feel Jericho’s stare on her, almost snapping her out of her trance. Shyly looking back to him to meet his electric blue gaze, Celeste gave a weak smile. 

   “Sorry, I’m rambling. I just… I know he wouldn’t date me.”. Jericho stared at her then at his empty martini glass, setting it down before leaning his arm against the bar as he spoke to the shy starry eyed girl across from him. It was so oddly comforting to let out her woes to a stranger because in her mind she wasn’t expecting to ever see him again after tonight.

   “And why not? You seem like a nice young lady,” he said, catching Celeste off guard. “Have you actually tried asking him out?”. That was a good question and in all honesty, she really hadn’t. There was something almost endearing with the way she thought about the question before looking down at her hands that she had firmly on her lap. “Heh, I’m guessing that’s a ‘No’?”. Jericho stared curiously as the shorter of the two sighed before she moved a strand of her pastel purple hair from her face and looked back at him. Her deep tan colored skin had the neon lights of the club illuminating it as the two of them had shades of blue and purple wash over them from spotlights.  

   “Yeah… You’re right, I haven’t tried asking him. I guess I’m just not confident enough in myself.”. Celeste watched as Jericho chuckled at her again. “H-hey come on, what’s so funny?”. 

   “Heh, nothing. It just seems so strange to me that a girl -- who’d willingly put herself out there and dance with such confidence in herself -- believes that she’s lacking in the ability to charm someone.” he stated. It seemed like Jericho was trying to insinuate something to boost her a bit, but was it a genuine compliment or was he just curious to see how she’d react out of boredom? It didn’t matter as Celeste hadn’t picked up on the tone in his voice.

   “Well… Yeah. I do think that. You don’t really think I’m actually charming or cute enough to boldly ask him out,  do you?” Celeste sighed. That smirk appeared on his face again except Celeste didn’t look away nervously from him again. Her eyes didn’t break eye contact with his own.

   “And what if I do?” he asked. “What if I thought you were cute in a demure way?”. Jericho said all this knowing very well she couldn’t respond properly -- it seemed like he was enjoying seeing her quickly become sheepish. Even under all the slow changing colored lights, he can tell her face was blushing at his words. “Haha, you should try asking this Darius fellow out,” he expressed with that laughter Celeste has now come to find sickly captivating. “I’m sure he’d love to see you blush in embarrassment when you attempt to.”. 

   There was a moment of peaceful silence between them besides the music on the speakers while Celeste quietly sipped on her mango lemonade drink till she was finished. 

   “Perhaps it was a good thing she wasn’t an alcohol drinker…” he thought to himself. Jericho saw as Celeste slowly stood up, hands fidgeting with the end of her sweater crop top anxiously. 

   “You’re right, I-I can’t ever know the answer if I never try shooting my shot, you know?” Celeste stammered. “Er… O-Okay! I’ll go home and call to see if I can visit him later…” she shyly said with a nod, Jericho’s words reassuring her. It was a little hard to find a proper response to being enamored by an utter stranger, yet Celeste wanted to give him some kind of thank you. Awkwardly holding her hand out again, the bracelet around her wrist jingling. “Thanks for listening to me… I-it was nice meeting you, Jericho.”.

   “The pleasure’s all mine.” he responded without missing a beat, shaking her hand once more.

   “U-um… D-do you think I’ll see you again sometime?” Celeste asked. She hadn’t noticed her hand lingered in his hold for a bit before pulling it back quickly. 

   “Perhaps you’ll see me again,” Jericho lied, knowing how dangerous it’d be if she found out what he did for a living. “Besides, I’m sure I won’t forget your face.”. He really had to get that last jab in, huh? It looked like his last little compliment worked as Celeste gave him one more shy sweet expression, only this time she was smiling. “See you, around, Celeste.”.

   “Y-yeah… see ya, Jericho…”. The starry eyed woman left in a hurry, covering her face with the sleeve of her sweater on her way out. Jericho grinned as she left before ordering another drink from the bartender. As the song came to it’s last chorus, he began humming along softly, thinking how nice it would be if he allowed himself to see her again .

♫Time changed

We're different

But my mind still says redundant things

Can I not think?

Will you love this part of me

My lover is a day I can't forget

Furthering my distance from you

Realistically I can't leave now

But I'm okay as long as you

Keep me from going crazy

Keep me from going crazy♫

[babyspiderling]

The Moonwalker and the Time-Traveler Prologue

California, 2020

 “Ms. L/N, I suggest you wake up for my class if you want to pass this course.” I blink up at my professor, it seems that I fell asleep during history class again. “I’m sorry Professor Berkley, I was up all last night with my roommate tinkering all night.” At that he softens, a grandfatherly look in his eye. “Oh Y/N, I understand, but if you truly want to be a history major, you have to stay awake! I will not simply give you a free pass while trying to adjust, just please, try to stay awake in my class.” Standing, I nod. “Yes sir. I’ll do my best.” After this, I am dismissed and head back to my dorm room to hopefully catch a nap. 

Kicking the door shut, I move to collapse onto my bed, but am blocked by whatever my engineering major roommate has built in the dorm for his latest project. “Seriously dude? Don’t you have a lab for this kind of stuff?” I kick off my shoes and do my best to move around it, finally, truly collapsing onto my bed. I fall asleep quickly, hopefully revisiting the dream I had during class. 

Lord knows how much later, I wake up to my roommate continuing to tinker on his project. Grumbling under my pillow, “Danny, don’t you have a lab for this shit? Why do you have to do it here, I’m sleeping in classes because of this!” He sheepishly lifts his head up to respond. “Uh, well, I uh… It’satimemachine.” Snapping my head up, I question “It’s a what?” Once again he looks shy and guilty. “It’s a, uh, Time Machine. Or at least that’s what I’m wanting it to be. I’m still working on it.” Well, I’m definitely awake now. “So, like, what’s the problem?” Finally putting down his tools, Danny turns to me, “It should work. I ran the simulations and used the one that worked. It’s just… not connecting I guess.” Glancing at the clock, it’s getting late. “Look Danny, I’m going to clean up some of my stuff. Go get some food. I know you haven’t eaten yet.” With a defeated sigh, Danny agrees and leaves the room. I slip into a pair of shorts and an old David Bowie tour shirt I had found at a thrift store. Picking up things here and there, folding abandoned pieces of laundry, I hum and bop around the room, dancing along to “Working Day and Night”, practicing turns and isolations to the beat. Taking a deep breath I prep and spin as fast and as long as I can, but my foot slips out from under me. I tumble to the floor, tripping over some cord. Oh well, it’s probably Danny's “mood lighting”, I plug it in and decide to check out the “Time Machine”. “Ground Control to Major Tom! Prepare for lift-off!” I press random buttons, dicking around and typing 1984, then some other buttons. “Huh, sucks it really doesn’t work. It’d be cool if you really could time travel.” Once again I trip over Danny’s junk on the floor of the project and slam into one last button I had yet to press. On the way down I hit my head, and the world went black as a whirring sound filled my ears. 

Waking up, I find myself in a room about the size of mine, decorated much like my side of the dorm, with a funky retro feeling to it. “Danny, this isn’t funny, I get it, I’m gullible for believing the machine was real. Now how the Hell did you change all this so quick… and get rid of the machine?” I continue searching the room for Danny, and realise that the sun had already risen hours ago. I may have been out for longer than I thought, and come crashing into a body. Awesome! Now I can really teach that boy a lesson for pulling that. “Hey, what are you doing in my dorm? Nice shirt by the way, I was at the Anaheim show a couple months ago. That’s where you got the shirt, right?” I blink at the guy my age, still processing the amount of denim and hair products he has decided to use for the day. “What? Oh, uh, my shirt. Wait, did you say you saw him in Anaheim a couple months ago? What year are you from?” He knits his brows together. “1984. Are you ok? Did you get a bad hit or something? Do I need to call someone for you?” I space myself from him, the stimulation of this whole situation too much. “No, no I’m ok. What’s today’s date?” His eyes are still filled with concern as he replies with January 26th 1984, and that I’m still at University of Redlands, just 36 years before I attend. “Wait, January 26th, why does that sound so familiar? I hear Beat It blare down the hall and I can practically see the light bulb above my head. “Do you know how to get to the Shrine Auditorium?” 

We zip down the highway on Tyler’s motorcycle, making a trip down to L.A. He had me explain my whole ordeal to him before he just drove me to a random concert venue. It took a bit to convince him, but the second I pulled my smartphone out he was on board. He pulls off to a strip mall and helps me dismount. “Wait, why are we at a mall? I need to get to that venue before security secures it.” He just rolls his eyes. “If you want to get in and stay in without too much attention, you need to look a little bit different. Time to fit in.” He drags me into store after store, and I finally piece together a “Bad” inspired outfit. A black crop top slips off one shoulder, leather pants pull tight around my legs and hips, a blood red leather jacket drapes my shoulders, and matching leather boots clutch my feet. “Tyler, this is too much. I can’t even pay you back.” He rolls his eyes and pays for the clothes, letting me keep my own hoops and rings. “Look, just meeting a time traveler is cool, dressing one is even better. When you get back home and you still want to pay me back, we’ll figure it out. Let’s get you to the moonwalker himself.” 

As we pull into the parking lot for the venue, there isn’t another soul in sight. “Hey, here’s my address, if you ever want to mail me, or just let me know that you’re doing ok.” He hands me a slip of paper, and I hug him tightly. “Thank you Tyler, I am forever in your debt. If you’re anywhere near the university in 2020, let me know.” With that, he rides back home into the sunset, and I sneak into the venue before security shows up. 

It’s a good thing I like the song Billie Jean, because I have heard it about 72 times in the last hour. During sound check alone I almost lost my mind, with just the baseline intro playing for 30 minutes. As I hear the cue from the director that it is time to actually film the commercial. I hear “Take One!” in the distance and I ditch my jacket behind a stack of crates, my phone hidden in the pocket. I find the side entrance of the stage as take 3 is anounced. I crouch down in a runners position at take 5, launching myself at take 6. Michael nears the pyrotechnic and I slam my body into his as it goes off, now missing him by inches. There are screams of terror and shock as we fly through the air, now spun so that I land on my back, Michael on top of me. His brothers quickly help him up and off of me as I am seized by security, doing my best to put as little weight on my now injured ankle as possible. I raise my hands in surrender, trying to think my way out of this. “Look! Look, I can explain all of this, including how I knew that this take wasn’t going to go well. Let me explain and I will never try to contact any of you again!” Everyone around me exchanges glances, deciding whether to trust me or not. Tito steps forward, his eyes full of scrutiny. “Alright girl, explain.” I sigh and grimace in pain. “I can’t do it out here. Too many people. And my evidence of my claims are in my jacket backstage.” He glances back at Michael, nodding in response to his younger brother. I am escorted backstage, am allowed to sit down to relieve my ankle, and I start my story. “I’m from the future, 36 years in the future to be a bit more specific. I’m not crazy.” Michael crouches down in front of me, “If you’re really a time traveler I would love to talk about the future with you!” He’s nudged and given a look from his older brothers, and his smile is dimmed a bit. “But if you’re from the future, wouldn’t you know songs I haven’t released yet?” I nod my head, but I get hit with the issue of Thriller already being released and the “Bad” sessions not yet started for at least another 6 months, if not more. I flip through the collection of Michael songs I know by heart, trying to find one he’s recorded but not yet released. “Oh! I know about “Love never felt so good”! The one you recorded with Paul Anka! I can sing it for you!” I start at the chorus, my brain too frazzled to remember it’s entirety. Everyone else who knows about the song exchanges looks, one brother even shouting questions of how I knew it. “It’s on my phone, and I’m from the future. All your music’s been released. Well, almost all of it. There’s still tracks from your upcoming session that I have yet to find. Here, I can show you.” Lifting myself from my seat, I reach to retrieve my jacket from behind the crates. Everyone watches me with baited breath, wanting to see what the time traveler will pull out next. I pull out my phone and search for the Xscape album. I press play on the original track and Michael's voice rings out from the speaker. I switch it up to “Working Day and Night”, what I was listening to before I got here. 

“Look, I can play you anything you’ve already recorded. I just can’t play you anything you haven’t done yet. Those are the rules.” Michael escorts me back to his dressing room to ask me questions about the future since I am no longer seen as crazy. “Are there flying cars ? What about people living in space? Are there aliens?” I giggle at his excitement. “Well, we do have people living in space, it isn’t commercialized yet, so you and I couldn’t go. We don’t have flying cars, but we do have self driving ones. And there are no known aliens yet. Music is accessible though. If I had any service in 1984, I could play you any song any time from anyone. I could listen to “Wanna be Startin Somethin’” for 3 days straight if I wanted to. All I’d have to do is type it in and press play.” His eyes sparkle in awe of the future. He opens his mouth to ask more questions, but Jermaine and another man enters the room before he can get a word out, “Come on Mike, we need to finish the commercial. This is an EMT we had on site, he’s here to fix her ankle.” As Michael leaves his seat, I grab his hand. “Please, don’t let them turn the pyrotechnics back on. Please.” He nods and pats my hand before leaving the room. The EMT removes my new boots and my ankle swells before my eyes, no longer constrained in the tight leather. We make small talk as he works until the commercial is done recording. 

[blackdogblues]

I had a few ideas on how Maren and Miraak end up teaming up, BUT I think this is the one I’m going to go with. Enjoy!

  Solstheim’s beach was utterly quiet. Snowflakes drifted in the early dawn like ash, crusting the mantle of Maren’s cloak and her hair and lashes with frost. 

 She hadn’t thought to make this journey again--at least as a willing, autonomous individual, and not a kicking and screaming hostage. The month she’d spent on the island had been grueling, devastating not only for her pride, but for her mental and physical well-being. She’d left Solstheim that first time a wreck, nursing injury on top of injury, so weak she could barely cling to the edge of the boat to empty the contents of her stomach.

 And now she was here. Again. Because duty demanded that she set aside everything--everything--in favor of her people.

 Fuck the people, she thought sourly, drawing her cloak around her. 

 And it was only going to get worse--because she wasn’t here for the island.

 She was here for the woman she’d left on it.

---

 A Lurch lay tangled in its own entrails on the beach, its ink-black blood seeping down the sand and into the rolling tide. Cultists lay dotted all around it. 

 Someone’s been busy. 

 Maren crossed the beach to inspect the bodies. The Lurch had been cut hip to hip; its guts spilled out of its abdomen in a heap and tangled in its legs. Maren went over to one of the cultists and turned him over with her boot.

 Scorched.

 She was on the right track.

 She continued to poke around the bodies, and found a few droplets of blood about five feet away from them; and then more another ten feet. The tracks that matched them had been erased, but whoever had done the deed wasn’t thorough enough. Maren followed the scant trail up the beach and into the treeline. 

 She lost the trail several times, but a bit of poking around finally took her to a narrow fault in the side of a rocky hill, just big enough for someone to slip through sideways. She peered in, squinting against the darkness.

 ”FUS!”

 Air slammed into Maren’s back and knocked her flat against the cave wall. Before she could recover, a hand fisted in her hair and yanked her head back, and she felt the kiss of a blade against her throat.

 “Hello, Dragonborn.”

 Miraak’s voice was low and sonorous in her ear. She didn’t bother with struggling--Miraak may have gotten the drop on her, but in doing so she’d ended up right where Maren wanted her.

 Miraak’s hand moved from Maren’s hair to jerk her hands behind her back and encircle her wrists, which, again, she didn’t struggle against. 

 “How good of you to join me,” she said. “I thought I was going to have to hunt you down myself--but here you are.” She tested her hold on Maren’s wrist with a harsh yank that sent pain shooting through her shoulder blades. “Pliant, too. What an occasion.”

 Maren grit her teeth.

 “You can stop fellating yourself. I didn’t come here to fight.”

 “Oh? Choice words from someone who has already lost.”

 Maren answered her by slamming the heel of her boot down on Miraak’s foot. She grunted, but that was all.

 “Funny,” Miraak growled. 

 “You think so? ‘Cause next part is going to be fucking hilarious.” Maren craned her neck to look over her shoulder at Miraak. “I want to cut a deal.”

 The silence was palpable. Then Miraak spun her around and pressed the tip of her sword to her neck.

 “Tell me,” Miraak said calmly. “Why should I help you? I seem to recall that you not only ruined my plans, but stole one of my dragons, slaughtered another, and left me to rot on this wretched waste of an island.”

 “I saved your life,” Maren reminded her.

 “And what a life that turned out to be.”

 Miraak’s voice was a low, bitter snarl--and why not? She looked like shit. Her robes were tattered and dirty, caked with blood and sand, and Maren was willing to bet she was still recovering from the wound Hermaeus Mora had left behind. 

 She pursed her lips.

 “You want something.”

 “Everyone wants something, elf. Say something intelligent.”

 If she didn’t think it’d get her trachea cut right out of her neck, Maren would’ve punched her in the throat.

 “I mean, you want something I can give you.”

 “And what would that be?” Miraak said darkly.

 “Freedom,” Maren said simply.

 “I have freedom.”

 Maren looked pointedly at the Lurch corpse that lay dismembered on the beach with cultists to match.

 “Hermaeus Mora doesn’t let go of what is his,” she said. “Even if he was going to discard you in the end. Your soul is still promised to him, and he’s going to collect.”

 “And?”

 “And I can fix that.” Taking a chance, she pushed away the point of Miraak’s sword with her finger and stepped closer. She barely came up to her collarbone. “I can trade my soul for yours.”

 Miraak lowered her sword. Slowly tilted her head.

 “Oh?” she said. Her tone had changed completely. “And what would possibly inspire you to make such a sacrifice? Even your altruism has its limits.”

 “You have no idea where my limits lie,” Maren said. She took a deep breath. “I need your help.”

 “Unsurprising.”

 “Dragons are running amok in Skyrim, burning everything they can reach. A new dragon cult has started to crop up in the further reaches and grows stronger with every passing day. I am outnumbered, Miraak. I can’t do this on my own, and I’m not going to let my country burn because I’m too prideful to ask for help.”

 Miraak’s mask offered no expression, no foothold with which to gauge her reaction. 

 “Let me see if I understand you correctly… you want me to traipse along after you across the petty, squabbling waste of a country Skyrim has become--a petty, squabbling waste that has forgotten me completely, as I am sure you are well aware--to clean up the mess your ineptitude has given way to?” 

 “In exchange for freeing your soul, yes,” Maren said. 

 Miraak chuckled. “I think not.”

 Maren’s stomach sank. If she were being truthful, she wasn’t exactly optimistic when she’d boarded the Northern Maiden, but actually being shot down was… 

 “Fine,” she said, turning away. “Just remember, Miraak. Eternity is a long time.”

 Miraak said nothing as she left.

---

  She came to her during the night.

 Maren wasn’t at all surprised that Miraak had been able to find her camp so easily--she knew this island like the proverbial back of her hand, and their souls were, for better or worse, mirrors of each other.

 Maybe that was how Maren sensed her. She woke from the throes of half-sleep and felt her presence as a dark, physical thing in the little alcove she’d taken shelter in. She opened her eyes.

 “I will come, Dragonborn,” Miraak said quietly. “On the condition that you make the deal with Hermaeus Mora before I do.”

 Maren snorted and sat up.

 “I’m not a fool, Miraak. Don’t play me for one.”

 “I could say the same to you.”

 Maren scrutinized her.

 “We’ll make a blood pact,” she said at last. “I assume you’ve heard of one?” Miraak scoffed and knelt in front of her.

 “Don’t insult me. I have drunk from fonts of knowledge you could only dream of.”

 Maren rolled her eyes. She took off her glove and pressed the blade to her palm, grimacing as it pierced the skin. Droplets of blood beaded up under the blade, sparkling like jewels in the dim firelight. She beckoned for Miraak to extend her hand. Miraak held her hand out, palm up, and Maren made short work of it with the knife. 

 “Miraak, do you swear on--”

 “Words are unnecessary,” Miraak said, cutting across her. “We both know what we want.”

 “Very well.”

 The clasped their hands together, smearing the blood between their palms. The magic was subtle, but strong. Maren felt it sweep through her, a rolling wave through her bloodstream, as ancient and pulsing and inexorable as the sea. She felt Miraak’s blood in hers, hers in Miraak’s, mixing together, becoming one, single thing, binding them to each other. For a moment she thought she could feel the shape of Miraak’s soul, feel its edges, its power, and she reached out with her senses, searching--

 And then it was over. 

 Miraak pulled away; Maren dug through her medicine bag for a short length of gauze to tie around her hand.

 When she looked up, Miraak was gone.

[clericbyers]

And Mike starts thinking stuff like, "I wonder if Will would tilt my chin up to kiss me," and, "was his jawline always that good?" and, "I wonder what being trapped between him and a wall would be like?" and fuck, he's so gay and so in love

IM SISKCKKKKKDJDKSJBFUCKCKFJ YOU CANT...YOU CANT COME INTO MY HOUSE WITH THISSSSS I WILL DIE!!!!

—————

“Oh,” is the only Mike can say when Will pulls him into a tight hug against his chest. “You’re tall,” is the next thing his brain manages to let his mouth spew out midst the confusion.

Will laughs and, oh, his voice is so deep, what the fuck. “I kinda hit my growth spurt during these past few months.”

“Kinda?” Mike steps back because the height difference is just enough now where he has to look up if he’s that close and it’s so weird, it’s so unusual and crazy that Mike just stands there and blinks repeatedly. “You...you look different.”

“Yeah?” Will runs a hand through his shortened hair and grins. “Mom went all out with giving me a new look once I grew out of practically everything.”

Mike swallows a deep breath and chokes on it. “Nice. It’s nice. You look nice.”

“Thanks.” Will steps from the door and motions for Mike to make his way inside. “How have things been for you back in Hawkins?”

“Uh, good.” he mumbles distractedly, “Lucas and Dustin and Max miss you a lot. They said hi and hopefully next time, it’ll be all of us coming up here instead of just me.”

“Wonderful!” Will cheers, stuffing his hands in his pants’ pockets as he makes his way to Mike’s side. Oh god, he’s stupid tall, Mike’s gonna go weak in the knees. “I’m glad you were able to make it at least.”

“Wouldn’t miss visiting you for the world.”

Will grins and it’s so familiar despite how different he looks and Mike’s heart jumps into his throat. The brunette pats Mike’s back and then leads him toward the kitchen where he pours a couple glasses of orange juice. “I just got back from the store actually; I wanted to get some snacks before you came by.”

“Yeah?” Mike squeaks into his cup as his mind flashes back to the hot guy in the store and he’s really having a hard time accepting that guy was Will. Fuck, he’s so stupidly in love with his friend he doesn’t even need to know it was Will to still be so head over heels. “That’s, uh, that’s funny. I was at the store too picking up some candy.”

“Oh really? Wow, I didn’t even see you there.”

Mike shrugs and stares into his half empty glass. “Different isles I guess.”

“Small world, huh?” Will slouches against the kitchen counter so casually, leaning back on his arm behind him with his legs straightened out before him. Mike stares at Will’s legs and then flushes when Will coughs to get his attention. “Is everything alright with you?”

“I’m good,” Mike laughs hoarsely. Just having a bit of a panic as it sinks in with every passing second how fucking in love with you I am but that’s neither here nor there! “You wanna show me around the house?”

“It’d be my pleasure.”

Mike watches Will as he walks by him and when Mike has to tilt his head up, he belatedly wonders if Will would have to tilt his head up by his chin to kiss him. A deep blush consumes Mike’s cheeks and he pats at his face angrily before following Will down the hallway. The house is quaint, similar enough to the house the Byers’ had in Hawkins in terms of size but definitely much better furnished and painted. Mike likes it, it screams ‘Byers’ to him and he’s just so happy that the new home fits the family and doesn’t feel like a temporary fix.

Will leads Mike through various rooms and he’s chatting about something to do with school but Mike’s not really paying attention. His thoughts are straggling bits of data warped around the sharp curvature of Will’s jawline. Was his jawline always that good? Mike shakes his head and tries to concentrate on Will’s words again, but his voice is so deep, like way more than before, and Mike cannot emotionally handle it every time Will says his name.

“Mike,” Will mentions and it’s only Mike’s lack of concentration on his breathing pattern (ie, not breathing) that stops him from releasing a low groan, “Do you wanna hang in my room for a bit before my mom and Jonathan get back? It’ll be a couple hours anyway. I can show you some of the new gear I’ve got.”

Mike in Will’s room has long since been pushing at Mike’s ‘don’t let him know you like him’ buttons. Mike in this Will’s room is equivalent to slapping the red button labeled ‘eject Mike’s common sense’ until it breaks. Mike, with a giant crush on his best friend, in said best friend’s room alone while dealing with the inability to deny his crush any longer is just asking for a death sentence. So, of course Mike says yes.

He sits himself at Will’s desk as Will heads over to his dresser and starts pulling out various shirts and whatnot. Mike takes a moment to gather his breath, tells his stupid heart to stop being an idiot, and then lets his eyes wander about the room. Will is talking again but this time Mike is actually listening--well, until Will starts pulling off his shirt to slip on a new one he wants to show Mike and Mike nearly falls out his chair from the shock of it all.

“Will!” he cries out, face so red he can feel the heat in his cheeks scalding him.

Will, who is still wriggling his way into the garment, makes a muffled noise. “What? I’m just trying to show you how this shirt fits.”

“I know, but, you can’t just,” Mike motions vaguely, “take off your shirt without a warning at least!”

Will’s head pops out from the collar hole and he runs a hand through his hair to straighten it out. “It’s not a big deal, we’re both boys here.”

Mike wants to scream. “You’re right,” he starts as he glances over at Will, “but still, you don’t see me taking off my shirts and--fucking hell, Will.”

“You like it?” Will turns in a circle and laughs. “It’s kinda popular at school and I really don’t wear this often but,” he pulls at the bottom of the white crop top and shrugs, “it looks good.”

Death sentence canceled; this is more like jail for life where jail is Mike’s never ending mixture of love, attraction, and devotion toward Will Byers. “Mmhmm,” Mike hums at a high pitch, trying his best not to stare. “Yeah. It’s a good cut.”

Will gives Mike two thumbs up and then returns to sifting through his dresser drawers for more clothing. Mike is about to die right here in this chair and never make it back to Hawkins. He’d be fine with that really. Seems like the best option at the moment at least. Will decides he’s had enough with looking through clothes though and plops himself on his bed across from where Mike is seated.

“What do you wanna do while we wait?”

We could discover what it’s like for you to pin me up against a wall if you’d like. Mike shakes his head and inwardly berates himself. “I’m fine chilling here. Just relaxing with you is nice. It was a long ride.”

Will nods. “I can understand that.” He pats beside himself a couple times. “Sit here with me though; that chair isn’t too comfortable after a while.”

“Uh, I’m good here.”

“What? It’s just a bed.”

Mike would laugh if he didn’t know he’d sound like a gurgling baby doing so. “But you’re on it.”

“And?” Will rolls his eyes. “I can scoot over if you need more room.”

“No, Will, I can’t.” Mike rubs his hands over his face. There’s a panic settling in his chest again; he can’t do this. He can’t face loving Will head on like this; it’s all too overwhelming. “I think--I think I need some fresh air.”

Before Will can say another word, Mike bolts from the room and makes his way downstairs toward the backyard. His mind is a mess, he can hear Will calling after him, his heart is thumping in his chest so fast, his hands are sweaty and he feels like either crying or screaming. Or maybe both at the same time. Either way, Mike doesn’t actually get very far down the hall because while Mike has long legs, he’s not athletic and Will has longer legs and was always more athletic than Mike.

So Will catches up to Mike, grabs him by the wrist and turns Mike around until he’s got the shorter boy pressed up against the wall with one arm up above his head. Will hovers over Mike with concern written in his vibrant green eyes. Mike can’t break eye contact and he probably wouldn’t even if he could. There are so many unspoken words in Will’s eyes, something that hasn’t changed despite everything else about him. There’s a comfort Mike can find in that, in looking into Will’s eyes and seeing the same gaze he fell in love with all those years ago looking right back at him unchanged.

Mike looks up into those familiar eyes, ignores the slight twinge in his neck caused from looking up, and smiles warmly. The panic is gone when he’s between Will and the wall, pressed close but still not close enough. There’s nothing but comfort here before Will, nowhere to escape literally and figuratively. He has to face this head on after all.

In a fit of courage, Mike leans up on his toes and whispers lightly against Will’s parted lips, “I’m in love with you.”

Will takes his unoccupied hand to Mike’s chin and tilts his head just enough. Mike’s knees are so fucking weak, he’s going to collapse under Will’s handlings of him. The taller boy rubs his thumb against Mike’s freckled cheek and smiles. “I’m in love with you, too, Mike.”

Will closes the gap between them in a single motion, pressing Mike against the wall with a hunger Mike never thought he’d get to taste. Mike gasps into the kiss and takes everything he can from it, wrapping his arms around Will’s neck as the other boy slides his hands down to Mike’s waist. He doesn’t know how long they stand there pressed up against the wall kissing like if they stop they’ll never get the chance again. All Mike knows is that he now knows that Will does have to tilt Mike’s chin to kiss him, Will’s jawline has always been this good, and wow, being pressed up against a wall by Will Byers is probably the second best thing he’s ever done in his life.

[moneyshvt]

☆ . · . simay barlas, twenty-two, female, she / her . · . ☆ AYLA CLEARWATER lives in that huge mansion over there! no, not that one. look for THE LARGE NATURAL STONE FOUNTAIN and that’ll be it. the SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHER has offered occasional glimpses of LIGHT GREEN walls and an impressive collection of EMPTY PICTURE FRAMES in the background of social media posts, but all of that is nothing compared to seeing the opulence in person. they’ve remained CLEVER as ever since moving to tercet court one year ago, but it seems like they might’ve gotten a little more of NARCISSISTIC too. maybe that’s why they’re rumored to have such a FRIENDLY relationship with everyone else who lives on this street. ☆ . · . ooc info: ollie, they/them, 21, est . · . ☆

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

— she was adopted when she was just under two years old from turkey, so the clearwaters have always felt like her family to her. she knew the greater part of growing up that she was adopted, it just never was an issue for her. it was a fact, but it really wasn’t an important fact. she has no desire to try to find her birth parents or family, though she has visited turkey.

—  the clearwaters are a triple threat in sports : her grandfather retired mlb player and coach, her father a retired prominent defenseman in the nhl and current dartmouth men’s hockey coach, and her older brother ( 26 ) is making a splash in his third year in the nfl as a wide receiver.  however, her parents made sure she and her brother had a ( fairly ) average “middle class” bringing up, though they had their fair share of money in the bank. didn’t have to struggle, really, but didn’t get everything she wanted either. had a summer job scooping ice cream for two years in high school.

— grew up in norwich, vt, real big on nature and hiking and all that jazz and lowkey misses it in the heart of la.

— when she was ten she got one of those kid’s polaroid cameras ( u know the ones where the film is only a little bigger than a postage stamp ) and she was obsessed. she worked her way up through cameras over the years, having a natural eye for it.

— one of the first games she ever shot was one of her brother’s high school football games which sounds sweet but it was actually because she was so bored out of her mind and wanted something to do. needless to say, though, that was the start of it. some might say it was kind of inevitable she gravitated toward sports somehow — she was a clearwater at heart. since then she has gained a lot of knowledge and respect for all different kinds of sports.

— for college she was torn between dartmouth and nyu. she ultimately chose nyu because it was somewhere new.

— she went to nyu for advertising and photography, shooting various nyu sports teams while she was there and throughout her years, managed to shoot a few rangers, knicks, and yankees games as well. she held two summer internships with the yankees ( on her own merits or because of her family name, she may never truly know ) and ultimately graduated from nyu a year early.

— she then spent the better part of a year after graduation road tripping as you do and ended up in california. it’s all about who you know, and in picking up a favor for a friend in cali she stumbled into the perfect opportunity. from there she landed a role on the company that handles the photography for staples center and other notable teams, most notably the kings, lakers, and dodgers ( photography company based on this irl one ).

— she moved into tercet court not long after she knew she would be in la for much of the time being. it’s definitely not her house, considering she makes just enough to live on. it’s a family home, purchased initially by her father who’d wanted to sink some money into tangible assets instead of the stock market and to have a west-coast home available for the family. hey, worked out pretty well for her.

— she has predominately been tasked with shooting the kings the past year or so, though she started with shooting dodgers games last summer and is doing so this summer as well. she’s also shot a handful of lakers’ games when a friend needs someone to cover. three of her photos so far have been used in large ads and banners in the city ( including most recently her current MONEY SHOT of the game winning goal in a come back win ) --- very cool moment for her. several others have been used by local publications and websites.

— she does a little freelance work as well ; mostly for friends or friends of friends, though she’s been considering lately trying to make her skills and business available in a more professional manner. she does do a lot of photographing for herself --- a lot of candids ; she thinks they capture the true spirit of a person moreso than when they’re posing or prepared for a photo. but not in a creepy way --- she’s been the victim of the paps enough times by association with her family to know the correct boundaries and limits.

𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐂

— lowkey loves playing games with the paps, though she’s probably the only one that finds it funny. as a photographer herself she has a good eye for where they’re hiding and will also snap photos of them in turn just for her own amusement.

— she hopes someday to be the team photographer for a team, hopefully in one of the “big four” ( nfl, nhl, nba, mlb )

— she played field hockey and lacrosse through high school.

— ayla thinks she’s better at shooting people. part of what she loves about being a sports photographer is how active and unpredictable it is to shoot a game. she’s had to learn a lot to try to predict what she can.

— very much a morning person. has never had a problem waking up in the morning. who’s jealous bc i am. goes for a run at sunrise, and has showered, gotten ready for the day, and is at a local cafe shop editing photos / making graphics and drinking an iced mocha by 8. truly couldn’t be me...

— so desperately wants to be that girl with tons of cute aesthetic plants in her apartment but tragically plants always die in her care no matter what she does. probably has gotten one of those tiny tabletop sand zen gardens to make herself feel better tho she still keeps trying with plants. so far the only ones that have lived any length of time are the air plants.

— she really wants a greyhound but is afraid to make the commitment to actually adopting one.

— her personal insta ( the non-sports one ) has a modest following. a few thousand, probs.

— she has struggled a bit with people who think her opportunities have only arisen because of her family pedigree ( which some have gone so far to tell her they’re “not her family” --- which, don’t even go there, lads... ), and that has made ayla work all that much harder to prove that she’d gotten where she has on her own merits.

— she has a rule ( and in the case of the nhl there is a rule enforced by a signed contract ) about not getting involved with anyone she shoots ; it’s considered a conflict of interest. i imagine she has a really good relationship with the players though --- probably doesn’t hurt that she is pretty. at least one of them have hired her to shoot their wedding this summer even though she is wildly under qualified.

𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘

alya is a chill and laidback person at heart. her approach to the fame attached to her due to her father and brother has been to laugh it off good-naturedly. she’s generally well liked, with a hint of sass and humor. she comes across as a bit of an air-head at times, but that’s part due to a persona she put on from a young age. she has an observant eye that drew to her photography in the first place and will often allow her to draw certain conclusions about people. she’s well versed in all the sports she shoots, something that tends to surprise a lot of people, but how is she supposed to be good at her job if she isn’t ? if she gets bothered during games she typically shuts people down with wide eyes and some obscure bit of knowledge in her cute, raspy lil voice. dareisay... elle woods, what like it’s hard ? energy ??

a few of her downfalls include her narcissism and need to be liked. she looks to look and feel pretty, by her own standards, and is a queen of the self-timer and remote self photography : has two instas because of it -- one for her sports photography and one that’s a “personal” and mostly just pictures of herself. her need to be liked is something she doesn’t even realize. she likes to be seen in a positive light.

𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄

alya stands at 5′4″ with a slim but athletic build. her hair is naturally brown, but is dyed to have blonde highlights. she does not need glasses or contacts and has no tattoos.

she’s almost always wearing the same pair of beat up timberland’s she’s owned since freshman year of college. she likes to be able to move easily ( bc homegirl absolutely cannot walk in heels at all ). despite what the tabloids like to call her unfortunate choice in footwear, she likes to look cute, often pairing them with short, flowy sundresses or skirts + crop tops. when she shoots games, however, she’s dressed rather practically in skinny jeans, a crop top, and a cardigan. her hair is often kept down and loose, or in a messy bun.

𝐎𝐎𝐂

it me. ollie again. i also play fitz ( miguel bernardeau fc ). yes the overlap between fitz and ayla is not great but i truly only know one thing that that one thing is hockey asldfalsdjf sO. if y’all seeing me rping with myself on the dash bc i think it’d be fun to bounce fitz and ayla off each other mind ur own business...

[xb-squaredx]

The Unwritten “Rules” of Smash Bros. Speculation

Super Smash Bros. has become one of the most ambitious crossovers in all of gaming, featuring characters from seemingly endless franchises duking it out. With each new installment, fans eagerly make the cases for their preferred choices, and with the advent of DLC, even after the game launches fans still speculate as to who will join the battle. The most recent title, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, is no exception. As of this writing, we have six more DLC characters incoming for Ultimate, and speculation is in full swing. While it IS fun to speculate, attempting to narrow an almost infinite number of choices down to just six is quite the undertaking, so I thought it’d be more interesting to instead look at the arguments people often have for or against certain inclusions. I aim to compile the “rules” of who can and cannot get into Smash Bros. and see which rules hold water and which ones are on thin ice. Let’s begin!

NINTENDO ONLY

I’ll start with what was once one of the most binding rules for speculation. Smash Bros. was at one time, a celebration and collection of solely Nintendo-owned IPs, and despite fans pleas, various other characters from other companies surely couldn’t join in the fun. At least, until Brawl. Snake from the Metal Gear franchise and Sonic the Hedgehog himself made the leap from dream to reality as they were added to the roster and from that day onwards, nothing has ever been the same. In fact, we’re at a point now where most wish lists are populated almost entirely by third-party characters. It’s safe to say that this particular rule WAS broken and should be casted aside, however in its place another, similar rule has cropped up.

FRIENDLY RELATIONS

OK, so Nintendo doesn’t need to own the character in question…but they damn well better have been on a Nintendo console! The better the relationship between Nintendo and the game/franchise in question, the better chance they have of appearing in Smash, at least according to some people. Looking at our guests in general, this rule DOES seem to hold some water. Snake is a tad of a stretch, as the bulk of the Metal Gear Solid games aren’t on Nintendo platforms, though Twin Snakes exists, and the original Metal Gear was on the NES, so you could make an argument for him. Sonic, Mega Man, Simon and Pac-Man have made plenty of appearances on Nintendo consoles and while Microsoft owns Banjo now, he got his start with Nintendo. But then we have Cloud and Joker, who throw a wrench into the works. Both characters at the time of their playable debut had only appeared in spinoffs on Nintendo systems, with the games they made their ACTUAL debut in not appearing on any Nintendo console. Cloud famously made his debut in the first Final Fantasy game to NOT be on a Nintendo system. Over the years however, Cloud would appear in cameos in smaller spinoffs, as early as the Game Boy Advance as a summon in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories, and as per Sakurai’s own explanation, Cloud is meant to be a rep for the franchise on the whole, and there were indeed six other games Nintendo had on their consoles as “justification.” For Joker however, the Persona series stuck to Sony platforms, though the series they spun off from, Shin Megami Tensei, DID have tied to Nintendo, and the spinoff Persona Q was released as a 3DS title, so he gets in…BARELY.

I do find it interesting to note that, even if fans might not hold belief in this “rule,” other developers seem to respect it. When asked if Dante from the Devil May Cry series could see a playable appearance in Smash, Capcom instead stated that his own games would have to be on Switch first…and then a few months later, they put Devil May Cry 1 on Switch. Is this merely a coincidence? Maybe, but it’s pretty funny all the same. So far this rule has been bent, not broken, but I think it’s only a matter of time. This of course isn’t the only “rule” that’s open to some wiggle-room.

2 SEXY 2 VIOLENT

Nintendo is a family-friendly company and while they DO occasionally opt for more mature titles, they seem to put a lot of importance on casting a wide net and not going for too many ratings above T for Teen, or the rough equivalent in Europe and Japan. So when it comes to Smash, which is in part a celebration of all of Nintendo (plus guests), it pays to make sure THAT game keeps a similar rating. So any character addition that could jeopardize that rating is immediately suspect in the eyes of fans, and I’m inclined to agree. Throughout Smash’s life, we’ve seen how Nintendo and Sakurai have had to bow to the almighty ratings board. Items like the Ray Gun are designed to be as cartoonish as possible, and while this IS a game about smacking people around with punches, kicks, tail swipes and the like, it’s often presented in a very over-the-top manner to lower the impact. Now, there’s plenty of ways to play up the more cartoonish aspects of violence for new playable reps, but there seem to be limits. Bayonetta can’t use her gory Torture Attacks, for one, and when it comes to firearms, the series is a little gun-shy with depicting them. Snake famously only uses explosives, despite firearms being pretty common in his games. However in recent years we’ve seen some deviations from this. Bayonetta is allowed to use her guns, and Joker himself prominently uses his own gun. Granted, Bayonetta’s firing magic bullets and technically Joker’s using a model gun, but they’re still more realistic than the standard Smash shooter. So while it’s POSSIBLE to see the likes of the Mortal Kombat cast or the Doomslayer himself, I also wouldn’t hold my breath.

(Credit to @LetItMelo on Twitter)

God forbid you show any skin either! If a character is overtly sexual in their design, there’s a good chance they’ll be excluded from all the smashing going on, and we’ve seen this in various different forms throughout the series. Following the onslaught of horny players using the in-game camera to look under character’s skirts and the like in Melee and Brawl, female character models now have nothing but darkness underneath skirts and dresses. Or you can be like Rosalina and have the entire universe there. Even non-playable characters can’t escape alteration or even outright removal. Data suggests that the Fire Emblem character Tharja was supposed to be a trophy in the 3DS version of Smash 4, however the trophy does not exist in-game and the fact that her outfit is mostly a sheer bodysuit likely has something to do with it. In Ultimate in particular, the Xenoblade character Mythra had her Spirit altered; her boob window was removed and she gained tights on her otherwise bare legs. And this was just for some 2D art! Then there’s the case of Mai Shiranui, who was excluded from making a cameo on Terry Bogard’s stage, despite the multitude of other SNK character cameos and her status as one of the more recognizable SNK characters. In the Japanese version of Terry’s showcase video, Sakurai specifically states that the ratings board prevented them from including her.

But Bayonetta got in! And sure, she did, but with some concessions made. Her Wicked Weaves no longer leave her naked, only losing part of her outfit, and her more sexual traits are downplayed. There’s also Zero Suit Samus’ uh…let’s say alluring design, so there’s clearly wiggle room here, but at the same time both characters in question are still relatively covered up. I’m not saying it’s impossible for a Senran Kagura or Dead or Alive character to make the leap to playable status but I AM saying that they’d probably have to cover up or get some breast reduction surgery before they can make their debut. Still, ratings are not set in stone and over time, things change and gray areas emerge. With that in mind, I suppose we might as well take a look at one of the murkier, unclear “rules” fans have invented.

HE’S AN ASSIST, GET OVER IT

Being a playable character isn’t the ONLY way to be represented in Super Smash Bros. of course, and throughout the years we’ve seen various ways to get in on the fun. Stages, items, trophies, assists, Spirits, and Mii costumes all exist as ways to make a nod to virtually any franchise under the sun, but the question remains…if you’re already represented in such a way, do you have a shot at being made playable? Looking across the games, the answer would seem to be “Maybe in the next game.” Pit was a trophy in Melee before being brought back (and redesigned) for Brawl. The likes of Little Mac, Dark Samus and Isabelle have been Assist Trophies in one game, only to become playable in the next, and while Chrom and King K. Rool were Mii costumes in Smash 4 they’re playable in Ultimate. So far, we haven’t seen a single character make the playable jump in the same game, even with the option of DLC, but is it really such an impossibility?

Looking at items, like the Assist Trophies or even the Pokeball items, there are times when certain items won’t spawn, so it’s not too much of a stretch to say that, if Waluigi was chosen as a playable character, you couldn’t just find a way to keep his Assist Trophy from popping up in a match. This seems to happen in stages too; if a Link is playable in the Spirit Tracks stage, another character conducts the train. To run counter to that though, Ridley being made playable (and scaled down) is likely the biggest reason that the Pyrosphere stage didn’t make the return in Ultimate. That being said…Chrom is playable now, but he’s still part of both Robin’s Final Smash AND their win screens so…who can say what the actual edict is here?

Spirits are definitely a strange issue; if we take it as fact that if you have a Spirit in the game already, you can’t be made playable…that essentially means that 99% of Nintendo’s stable are ineligible and that just doesn’t seem right to me. Why limit yourself that much? Your only remaining options are brand new games that come out after Ultimate, though we’ve also had DLC spirits added in to promote a lot of these games. I’d like to assume that, at the very least, if you get in as a DLC Spirit, it’s unlikely that you’d be made playable later on. We have cases like the random Resident Evil Spirit event that casually gave us the most popular villain (Wesker) and the three most iconic protagonists of the series (Jill, Leon and Chris), which would make me question what a Resident Evil Spirit Board for a potential DLC character would look like. Why add that franchise in AHEAD of their playable appearance? Overall, I’d argue that a character with a Spirit in the base game has a chance of being made into playable DLC…but it’s a slight chance.

But then we have costumes…and this is where it can get interesting. Characters that are already playable can have costumes based off of them, as the likes of Link and Samus demonstrate, and even in the case of someone like Chrom who finally made the leap to playable, his costume still exists. But it’s the third-party costumes that garner the most attention. At launch, none of the third-party costumes from Smash 4 were in Ultimate, though as the Fighter’s Pass has doled out characters, these costumes have been slowly brought back, alongside new ones. At present, all of Namco’s costumes have yet to be seen, as well as the costume of one oft-requested puppet, Geno. Does this mean Namco will get a DLC rep, or that Geno will finally make the dreams of many fans come true? Anything’s possible, but there are no guarantees. As we can see with the likes of Sans and Cuphead, it’s also possible for characters to be added in as more elaborate costumes than your typical Mii flair. It certainly seems more likely to me that, say, Shantae could get a special Mii costume, even when she’s already a Spirit in the base game, and this might apply to other fan favorites too. On the whole though, there’s just a lot that’s up in the air regarding this particular rule. Nothing has contradicted it yet, but I can’t say I’d rule anything out in this case. If there’s ONE stipulation we have gotten confirmation on MULTIPLE times however, it’s this next “rule.”

NO GOKU ALLOWED

Smash Bros. celebrates video games, end of story, so all the cries to add in X character from some other form of media are ultimately fruitless. Sakurai won’t add Son Goku from Dragon Ball, and we won’t get Iron Man or Shrek. At present, the only characters that aren’t strictly FROM a video game, are at least intimately related TO video games. Both R.O.B. and Mr. Game&Watch are basically mascots for the NES and Game&Watch systems respectively, and they’re deeply tied to Nintendo’s own history as it is, so no one really bats an eye at their inclusion. Aside from kinda “tainting” the pureness of the series by introducing something that’s not a video game, there’s also licensing issues to consider…as well as the fact that it’d be a Pandora’s box the likes of which we’d never recover from. If Goku got in, then why not George Costanza or Spongebob or Walter White? It’d never end and the series would lose its identity.

There are still, however, a few characters that fans desperately want in the game, and they have this rule to contend with first. Geralt of the Witcher series is brought up as a possible inclusion, however the character originates from books. While the games have certainly gained notoriety and in some cases have surpassed the books in the public consciousness, that doesn’t change the fact that Geralt isn’t strictly a video game character. Oddly enough, however, he’s made the rounds in a lot of different video games over the past few years. He’s available as a character customization option in Daemon X Machina for one, a Switch-exclusive mecha game from 2019, and also in 2019 he was a guest character in Soulcalibur VI. Granted, that series has already seen guests from other mediums, like from the Spawn comics or characters from the Star Wars series. His appearance in Monster Hunter: World is also pretty unexpected, so it wouldn’t be completely out of nowhere to expect him to eventually make it to gaming’s biggest crossover, but I have my doubts. There’s also Sora from the Kingdom Hearts series, and while he DID originate in a video game, he is co-owned by Disney, and is closely tied to their properties as a result. Now, it’s not as if Nintendo hasn’t had a relationship with Disney; plenty of Disney games have appeared on Nintendo systems, but including Sora in Smash would either mean erasing any connections to the Disney characters in his games, or adapting them and subsequently breaking this massive rule and causing pandemonium! OK, it’s not as serious as all that, but it’d be a…delicate deal at any rate. Disney is pretty protective of their IPs, and Sora is also co-owned by Square Enix who is also pretty protective and hard to work with…Cloud barely got back into Smash Ultimate for one thing, and the rights for all that Dragon Quest music couldn’t have been cheap, so I feel like Nintendo wouldn’t be willing to go in on this a third time, especially with Disney’s involvement. But…miracles can happen, I suppose.

LITERALLY WHO?!

For our last “rule” here, I want to tackle one of the more subjective stipulations: relevancy. When it comes to shooting down character choices, you’ll often hear things like “that series hasn’t had a new entry in YEARS, so why would they promote that?!” or “that puppet’s been in one niche game that no one knows about!” It is true that characters in Smash do tend to promote newer games, as the likes of Roy, Corrin, Byleth, Joker and Hero show. I mean, why ELSE is the hero from Dragon Quest XI the default costume, other than that he’s the new hotness? But I think it’s clear at this point, especially when it comes to Ultimate, that being relevant isn’t everything. King K. Rool hasn’t been used in well over a decade, but he was added due to fan demand. A similar thing can be said for Banjo, as Microsoft hasn’t exactly used that IP in a while, and many would argue that Minecraft is a much more relevant rep from Microsoft if anything.

You’ll see people complain about certain inclusions with the argument that “no one knows who that character is!” but often that just demonstrates the complainer’s own bubble. Many in the West might not have gone CRAZY when Hero was announced, but Japan LOVES Dragon Quest and its inclusion is HUGE. Sakurai himself even notes this when going over Terry Bogard and SNK’s own history in the arcades. Relevancy only matters so much; if fans want them, and they bring something new and fun to the table, they have a chance. So this rule, as far as I’m concerned, isn’t one to take seriously. One man’s niche is another’s mainstream, really.

CONCLUSION

At the end of the day, Super Smash Bros. frequently makes dreams come true and breaks through any preconceived notions regarding who can and cannot smash, so I do find it somewhat of a fool’s errand to compile these “rules” and act like they’re the gospel. In truth, Nintendo and Sakurai can do whatever they want, and with enough time and money, anything is possible. There was once a time when we thought Sonic or Banjo fighting Mario and Link was a pipe dream, or hell…the entire concept of Nintendo all-stars all in one place was pretty farfetched over 20 years ago, but look at where we are now. As the old saying goes, rules are made to be broken…so clearly our next 6 characters are Doomslayer, Kasumi from DOA, Waluigi, Geno, Sora and Hank Hill. Yup. And I for one will be INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED if that is not the case!

In all seriousness, speculate away, because at the end of the day, it’s pretty fun and harmless by itself! Just…hype responsibly, OK?

Happy Smashing

-B

[cherryblossomyu]

smut where winwin is your roomate and he has a secret crush on you?

{ WINWIN ROOMMATE SMUT }

word count: 4,024

How did two awfully quiet and shy people end up living together? Both you and Winwin weren’t completely sure on how it happened either but here you two were, two years into your college lives keeping one another company inside and out of the shared space. 

Thinking back on it, you had concluded that this came to be probably because of your own actions. Rent was way too expensive for you to handle by yourself and Winwin, or now you call him Sicheng, was the best and really only suitable person you could see yourself living with. He was overall a quiet guy who tended to his own business and as long as he didn’t make a mess, you were going to be fine. 

“Hey Y/N! Let’s go, or you can go to class on your own” Sicheng’s voice called from the living room.

“Leave without me then!” you replied grabbing your backpack and walked into the living room to meet him. You guys went through this process quite often actually. He would call for you and threaten to leave without you but he would never actually go through with that plan. 

“Thanks, you are too kind for waiting for me” you slipped your shoes on and heard him laugh lightly.

“One of these days I’m gonna be gone before you come out here”

“Sure sure, you would never leave without me” you were more than sure about this but the boy kept refuting and the whole car drive to school was spent bickering. 

Your phone clocks read 11:28AM when you finally arrived on campus. “Want to meet after your 11:45?” he asked as he walked with you to the lecture hall. 

“Sure! Have fun in doc” you said with a laugh.

“You’re too funny” he said with a roll of his eyes, ‘All the professor talks about is how she’s an adjunct professor, I have learned zilch” 

“Oh poor thing” you feigned a pout.

“I hope your class is hell too!” he replied, flashing a smile which made you laugh before you both parted ways.

Plopping yourself down into one of the desks at the back of class, you took out your notebook, pencil, and clicker as your professor came in and started his lecture on the various viruses that you’d have to know. Unlike Sicheng, you actually found interest in your class and took notes diligently, answering the questions on the screen with your clicker whenever needed and never getting them incorrect. So overall the hour passed by quickly for you while on the other side of the campus, Sicheng’s head was resting on one hand, the other flipping his pencil as the time with his professor seemed to never end.

For the nth time, he heard her say “My position at this college isn’t permanent! Once this semester is over, I’m kicked out and they’re going to look for someone to replace me. Being an adjunct teacher is truly hard and most people don’t know about this”

He was more than annoyed with this rant that occurred everyday. In a class where he should be learning about the struggles minorities have in America, he learned about the struggles of just one woman instead. He really could’ve skipped the class everyday but he needed it to graduate and he knew it’d upset you if he didn’t attend since he did have to pay for the class. The only thing keeping him from not getting out of the class in that instant was the fact that you were going to meet him for lunch afterwards. You were his motivation for a lot of things, school being one of them. 

Two years ago, he would’ve never imagined that the girl he had moved in with would be anything more than someone he’d see when he came home from a day of classes. Now seven hundred and thirty days later, maybe he had a small crush on his roommate. Over that duration of time, he learned how kind, sweet, and humorous you really were under that mask of quietness. Plus, you were quite cute to him. He loved how your eyes smiled whenever you did and seeing you become excited over even the tiniest thing made him melt.  You had warmed truly warmed up to him. 

Even with all the thoughts of you, class went on and hundreds of eye rolls later, class had finally ended and he was more than prepared to get out of there. He was the first one to turn his desk over even before the professor had said “See you all tomorrow!”

Finally exiting the class, he was surprised to see you sitting outside on one of the planters using your phone. “You finished early today” he said as he approached you.

“Yes, and should I be surprised that you were the first one out of there?”

“I’m always out of there first” he said and you laughed as you got up. 

“So where do you want to eat? I’ll treat you today since your doc class is so terrible” 

“Let’s get sushi”

“Ok sounds good”

Getting into the car, the drive was relatively short since you were in the heart of the city and you were inside the restaurant and seated in no time. Placing your orders was easy as well since Sicheng wasn’t one to switch up or deviate from what he liked and you ordered your favorite bento box.

“By the way, are you busy tonight Y/N?” Sicheng asked while stuffing his mouth with the appetizers on the table. 

“Mm, no I don’t have any plans. Why?” you asked as you mirrored his actions, chopsticks reaching for the food on the nearest plate.

“Well Yuta told me that he’s having a party at his place and he thinks we should go”

“Huh?” you raised your eyebrow at the statement. “You? Winwin? Dong Sicheng, wants to go to a college party? I don’t believe it. What did Yuta put you up to?”

“I haven’t been put up to anything! I just want to go to at least one and you’re coming, no objections”

Fully aware that you weren’t going to be able to get out of this, you agreed to go and though he smiled, you didn’t know that he was actually so much more happy than his smile communicated. The food had also come out once that conversation was over so you two ate up, the food disappearing a bit too quickly. 

After paying for the bill, you two drove back to campus for the last two remaining classes you both had to go to. 

“I’ll come get you after my physics class” 

“Ok, see you then! Don’t get too bored in physics”

“Oh trust me, I’d rather be there for ten hours than be in doc for one hour” he said before you two parted ways to your respective classes.

Sixty minutes in one class passed by in what seemed like the blink of an eye and it wasn’t long until your second class was over either and you got to leave the lecture hall to be greeted by Sicheng. 

“It’s five now, you have three hours to get ready and then we are out the door, got it?” he said to you as you walked to the parking lot.

“I do not need three hours to get ready Mr. Sicheng” 

“Says the girl who actually took three hours to get ready to go out just last week”

“Oh shut up” you said and hit his arm lightly. 

You did stick to what you said though. The whole process of showering, putting on a light layer of makeup, and changing only took two and a half hours! Stepping out of your room, you grabbed a pair of heels to wear when you made it to the shoe closet. “I’m ready, let’s go!” you said and double checked the contents in the small bag you were holding. 

When Sicheng looked up, his eyes ogled at your outfit. It wasn’t even anything too crazy but he was so used to you wearing jeans and over sized sweaters everyday that seeing you in tight black jeans and a loose baby blue silk cropped tank top was something else. The whole outfit made you look absolutely delicious, your chest was practically on display for him and when you bent over to put your heels on, he had realized how nicely those jeans hugged your ass. The whole situation made him gulp and he mentally cursed at you for looking so nice. 

“Are you glued to the floor?” you asked as you crossed your arms, now having a look at the boy you noticed that he had put on a different look for tonight just as you had. He was clad in ripped black jeans paired with a red and black striped shirt, graphic tee slipped over that. 

“Yeah, yeah sorry I was.. I zoned out” he said as he shuffled over to you and put his shoes on. “Let’s go” 

Thankfully, Yuta’s frat house wasn’t too far from yours so you had been able to walk which was nice since neither you nor Sicheng were going to want to even attempt driving home afterwards. When you arrived after a short walk, loud music in the poorly lit house greeted you both and Sicheng’s nose scrunched up at mixed smell of sweat and alcohol which made you chuckle. “See, I told you this wasn’t your crowd” you said close to his ear so that he could hear. The proximity had made goosebumps appear on his skin but his clothes hid that from your sight. 

“Ah it’s Y/N and Dong Sicheng!” Yuta yelled as he made his way towards you and ushered you in through the masses of people. “I’m glad that Sicheng didn’t chicken out for once and he even brought you!” the male yelled once again. “Whether I came or not, I doubt you’d remember in the morning” Sicheng said making you laugh.

“Well help yourselves to drinks and there’s a rule you two need to follow! Have fun and find me if you need me!” Yuta finished before walking back into the crowd and you both lost him fairly quickly.

Though Sicheng had only taken his eyes off of you for a second, when they looked at you once again he found that you were pouring alcohol into two cups. “For you” you said and handed one of the cups to him. 

He thanked you as he eyed the liquid in the cup and you gulped down yours and reached for the bottle again. Trying to mirror you, he took a few sips of the alcohol but was not a fan of the taste. He didn’t understand how people drank this and partied like this every weekend but pushed away the thought when you had walked away from where the drinks were and to a beer pong table. 

“Wanna play?” one of Yuta’s friends, Johnny, asked you as he poured random amounts of vodka into the red plastic cups on the table. 

“Sure!” you were only two drinks into the night, why not have more? is the mindset you were currently in. 

“Dope, grab a partner then” Johnny said and you immediately grabbed Sicheng. 

“Play with me” 

“No, I don’t like to drink plus those balls are going into the cup. That’s not sanitary”

“Oh come on! Please Sicheng” you whined and clung onto his arm.

He sighed before finally agreeing and walking up to one end of the table. 

“Ok! Just throw the balls into the cups and if you make it in, you gotta drink all the vodka inside” Johnny explained, putting emphasis on the word “all” before calling for the game to begin. 

Johnny and Taeyong started, each having one ball they bounced it off the table and attempted to have it land in one of the six cups. Taeyong’s ball successfully landed in one causing the two boys to cheer as Taeyong made his way over to your end and drinking contents before setting the cup off to the side. 

It was your turn and your aim was spot on, the ball landing in one of the cups and you clapped your hands and walked over to Taeyong and Johnny to retrieve the cup. Chugging down the vodka burned your throat but you didn’t mind. Now Sicheng’s turn, he tried to do exactly what he saw the rest of you do but failed when the ping pong ball hit the side of a cup rather than making it in.

“It’s ok, you have next round” you said to him and smiled.

The game went on and if it weren’t for you, both you and Winwin would have lost horribly to Taeyong and Johnny. Because you were the only one who successfully got the ball in, you drank way too much alcohol than you probably should have and it was obvious that it was kicking in. 

“Good game you guys!” you said to the other two boys before attempting to walk back to the table where drinks were. When you tripped on your own feet, Sicheng was there to catch you. “Woah, you good?” he asked. 

“Mhm” you replied through giggles, “I just want another- wow” you had straightened up now and were looking at your friend’s face. “Have you always been this hot?” 

“Me?” 

“Yes you, Mr. Sicheng”

“You’re drunk Y/N, you don’t know what you’re saying” he said trying to change the topic.

“Drunk or not, I have eyes and I know that you are attractive”

“No more drinks for tonight, let’s go home, yeah?” he proposed with his hands still on your waist.

“Whatever you want” you slurred back as he helped you make your way through the crowds and outside of the house. 

The walk back home was more than a struggle for you. Not being able to walk straight had you pouting and whining for him to help you.

He sighed before lowering his body slightly, “Ok, hop on”

“Really?!” Though you asked, it wasn’t like you were going to wait for a “Yes” from him. You immediately got on his back and spoke about him the rest of the way home. 

“You know you’re really cute, have I told you that?” 

“That’s maybe the tenth time you’ve told me tonight” he replied with a small laugh. He was glad that you didn’t catch the blush appearing on his cheeks.

“Well it’s true!” 

Babbling about him didn’t end upon arrival at home though. Placing you on your bed, Sicheng went into your closet and found you a pair of pajamas as he listened to you speak on and on. 

“Here, change and go to bed” 

“Help me change” you whined to him.

“I can’t do that Y/N”

“Don’t act like you weren’t eyeing me up and down earlier, you’d love to undress me” you boldly said causing Sicheng to feel like a deer caught in headlights.

“I wasn’t eyeing you” 

For the second time tonight, he was lying but he didn’t know that you knew of it this whole time.

“Liar, liar pants on fire” you said as you took off the tank top and bra you were wearing right in front of him. He knew he should’ve left the room by now but he quickly drank in the sight of you like this before saying “good night” and walking to his room. 

He changed out of his clothes, glad to finally be wearing something that didn’t reek but when he slumped into bed and tried to sleep, he twisted and turned as the images of you tonight flashed in his head.

Blood rushed to his cock and he knew that unless the problem that had grown in his pants was resolved, he would never get any sleep. Pulling down his pants just enough, he took his cock out and slowly began to pump it, shutting his eyes at the feeling. Oh how he would’ve loved for his hands to be replaced by yours or your mouth. You bending over to put on your heels earlier transformed into the image of him bending you over and fucking you senseless and you undressing became the fantasy of you stripping and begging for him to have his way with you. 

“Ah, fuck” he shut his eyes tightly as his hand started moving quickly up and down his length and he focused on giving pleasure to his tip as the white spurts of cum landed on his shirt leaving him heavily breathing. 

Discarding his shirt, he grabbed a new one before pulling up his blanket and got some sleep in.

When Sicheng woke up the next morning, he groaned at the sunlight that streamed in through the blinds. Feeling groggy as ever, he knew he had to get up and made himself hygienically presentable since he could hear you cooking in the kitchen. 

“Morning” Sicheng said to you as he was presented with a plate of breakfast. He was praying that you’d forgotten the events of last night but if you knew that he was looking at you for a little too long sober and remembered that fact while drunk, that detail probably didn’t leave your mind now.

“Morning, did you sleep well?” you asked and spooned some of the eggs into your mouth. 

“Yeah I did, you?”

“I did, I just needed an advil this morning”“Sorry I should’ve put one beside the bed”

“Aw no don’t worry about it! You had to deal with my nonsense last night. I’m such a lightweight it’s embarrassing but hey, whatever I said to you last night I mean it” 

The fact that you admitted that so easily shocked Sicheng. “You do know what you said right?” he asked raising his brow, he never knew when you were toying with him even after living with you for so long. 

“Yeah, something about you being super hot right? Alcohol doesn’t make for forget everything”

He nearly choked when he heard you say that. “Y-yeah that”

“No need to be shy Sicheng, I mean don’t you think the same about me?” When you didn’t get a reply, you decided to see how far you could push his buttons. “I bet you’d love to just bend me over the counter right now and fuck me, ah I won’t lie that sounds great” you said as you walked towards him and pushed his chair out just enough to sit on his lap. Wrapping your arms around his neck, you slowly began to grind yourself down on his lap.

“If you don’t stop now, don’t expect me to stop later” he growled into your ear.

“Oh, please don’t stop” you said as you bit your lip too caught up in trying to get off.

Clearing the plates off the table, he picked you up off his lap and placed you on the cold counter. “You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to do this” he said as he pulled down your shorts, admiring the wet spot on your panties before pulling those down too.

“Do you always get this wet for me Y/N?” he teased and brought his fingers to swipe up your folds, your essence collecting on his two fingers. “You were so bold earlier, why so quiet now hm?”

This was not the same man you had moved in with two years ago, the once quiet guy had become so bold and dominating and the switch made you feel as if your lower regions were going to start making a mess on the table. 

The light smack delivered to your pussy drew you out of your thoughts and made you shut your legs together and moan.

“Spread your legs for me again baby, you love to display yourself like this don’t you? Be my personal little whore”

All the dirty words made you blush but you did as he asked, spreading your legs for him and he licked his lips before lowering his face down to your cunt, inserting two fingers into you to simply get a reaction. Your back arched off the table at the slow motions. 

“Fuck Sicheng, please go faster” you pleaded, every movement seemed to be keep you from your release. “Please, I want you so bad- ah!” your eyes screwed shut when he added his tongue. It started off with a lick up your folds but after that, he had himself attached to your clit, sucking on it and giving it kitten licks whenever he felt like it. Your fingers tangled themselves in his hair, giving soft tugs and in response he moaned, the vibrations added in with everything else caused you to cum all over his tongue and he made sure that every drop of your sweet release made it into his mouth, finishing off by letting his tongue dive back into your folds before finally pulling away and leaving you a shaking mess on the table. 

“Has anyone ever told you how good you taste Y/N? Oh, you’re like honey” he murmured against your lips before connecting them in a kiss. You pulled his body closer to yours and he was practically on the table with you now, your chests touching. When he finally pulled away for air, a string of saliva connected you both. 

“You’ve been so good baby, do you think you can be a good girl and take my cock?” he was back to his teasing once again as he took his cock out and slid the tip of his length up and down your slit and pushed his tip in the slightest bit.

“Yes! Please Sicheng, I’ll take your cock like a good girl”

“That’s right you will” he said with a grunt and slowly pushed himself inside of you, your walls enveloping around him in the best ways possible. “Fuck you’re so tight”

His cock was only halfway inside of you but you swear that this is the best you’ve ever felt.

“Your pussy was made for this cock, huh?” he asked and you frantically nodded, small whimpers making their way past your lips as he pushed in and out of your cunt, thrusting himself in just a bit more each time.

“Don’t hold back Y/N, let the neighbors know who’s making you feel this good” he said and put his hands on your waist. His thrusts became a bit sloppier now that he got his whole cock inside of your pussy and you couldn’t hold back, the moans ripping from your throat at how he was hitting you in all the right places. When you had clenched around him he let out a sound that could’ve had you release right there and then. “Fuck baby do that again” and you did so, clenching your walls around him whenever he bottomed out inside of you.

“I’m gonna cum Sicheng, please let me cum” you begged when you swear you were seeing stars. 

“Cum baby, cum all over this cock” he growled, “thank you”’s being said a million times as you came. However he didn’t stop and continued to fuck you, the over stimulation became overwhelming and you came another time before he finally did. His cream filled you up and you felt it leak out of your cunt when he pulled out.

“You came three times” he said and laughed lightly as he grabbed a cloth nearby and ran it underneath warm water to wipe your body down. When we went to wipe the cum that had leaked out of you, he gently brought the cloth up your slit causing you to shut your legs. “I’m sensitive” you said embarrassed and looked down at the ground. The dominant Sicheng disappeared now and he apologized as he helped you off the table, making sure that you were stable before taking his hands off of you. 

“You’re okay right?” he asked, the worry obvious in his voice. 

“Don’t worry I’m fine Sicheng” you replied, “But wow, you really do stick to what you say. You didn’t stop once you started”

“I’m a man who sticks to my words” 

[thrandilf]

Plot Relevant Red Ch 5

Valerius was late for work in the first time in his administrative career, but every smooth thrust of Lucio inside him made it more and more difficult to care.

He sighed and occasionally moaned, the idea of missing work for a late morning bout of mischief made the whole thing even more arousing. Lucio was almost nonstop grinning, but Valerius was quick to pull him in for kiss after kiss every time Lucio threatened to speak. Lucio’s fangs grazed his tongue every few kisses, which Lucio turned into an excuse to kiss deeper. Valerius soaked in every touch and press of their bodies together, savoring how warm he was under the blankets. Their tongues languidly tangled together and Valerius ‘hmmmed’, hot and absorbed in sensation. It wasn’t a chase to an end, or a fit of passion as much as it was casually melding together into making love. When they finally finished, Valerius kept Lucio close. He rolled onto his side and brought Lucio in for a last kiss as they cuddled. “I think I must be at least two hours late.”

“How naughty of you.” Lucio beamed at him.

“Maybe a bit of trouble is fun to get into,” admitted Valerius, making no move to get up yet. He pulled enough overtime to warrant a bit of a break, although his morning wasn’t necessarily restful. A part of him was screaming that such a lack of punctuality was unforgivable- but also so wasn’t having to work past midnight? He stroked Lucio’s blond hair and sighed deeply, satisfied and calmed. It’d been a long time since he’d slept so late as to see bright sunlight streaming into a bedroom. “Can’t make a habit of it, though. I’m sure Nadia’s not happy with me. My staff probably thinks I’ve died.”

“You wanna tell them you have a sore throat?” Lucio wiggled his eyebrows and Valerius abruptly got out of bed with a snort. “Hey!”

“You’re the only one who’s going to be doing any sucking around here.”

“A vampire joke, very funny.” Valerius busied himself with getting dressed and ready for work, practicing an unapologetic look in the mirror for whoever pointed out his tardiness. Lucio got dressed in a puffy sleeved, low cut shirt and stood by the mirror to wash his face and tend to his makeup as Valerius braided his hair. It was startlingly domestic, having a lie in and then getting dressed side by side. Lucio grinned as he reapplied his eyeliner. “Do you like horseback riding? There’s a full moon in a couple days, a ride at sunset would be oh so romantic. You know how to ride?”

“I’d be disowned by now if I wasn’t at least somewhat educated in proper dressage.”

Lucio rolled his eyes. “Noble brat- so yes?”

Valerius tied a ribbon around the end of his braid. “It sounds lovely. I have a horse in the palace stables of my own.” It had been awhile since he’s ridden, but Valerius had no doubt he’d manage a pleasure ride out in the fields. He checked himself in the mirror again and made sure he looked perfectly composed. “I’ll arrange time for it.”

“I thought this morning would prove that you don’t have to arrange time for anything.” Lucio casually examined his eyeliner sharpness. “You’re late- no one’s dying or anything. You don’t have to sacrifice so much.”

“It’s a matter of pride. Responsibility.” Valerius huffed, his usual businesslike edge back in his voice. “We are not the same, Lucio. Don’t make me regret our morning together.”

Lucio frowned and gently took Valerius’s shoulder. Valerius was upset, he could tell. Their moments alone were when Valerius could let go, be someone without burdens or expectations. Lucio didn’t want anything to ruin that. “Hey. You worked something like 15 hours yesterday, maybe more for all I know. You were up late, exhausted, overwhelmed, and deserved a break. I let you sleep. I wanted you to get some rest and enjoy yourself. I know I’m irreverent, but not to you.”

Valerius sighed. He turned to Lucio and accepted a kiss. “Alright, I don’t regret it. I’m defensive about my station, is all.”

“I know.”

“Speaking of defensiveness- why can you see yourself in a mirror? Are you that weak of a vampire? How embarrassing.”

“Hey!” Lucio scowled at Valerius’s sly smirk. He scuffled his feet. “It’s not a real silver mirror. Shameful, I know.”

Valerius gave Lucio a fleeting kiss. “Practicality- I like this morsel of it.” He gave Lucio a firmer kiss, reassuring him despite his jabs and quips. “I’ll meet you in a couple days at sunset by the stables for our evening ride.”

Lucio gave him a fanged smile. “I’ll leave you in the dust.”

“Oh?” Valerius laughed. “We’ll see about that.”

Lucio had been right that Valerius’s late entrance to his office hadn’t yielded any more trouble than a few concerned employees and a slightly bigger stack of paperwork, nothing he couldn’t handle. Valerius poured himself a glass of wine to have with what had become lunch instead of breakfast with a sigh. Nothing would be able to convince him that fulfilling his duties were pointless, but his despair ran deeper. There was only so much he could do.

Vesuvia had an entire district flooded, a half broken economy, and no genuine public education system after it had sunk down in the flooded area. The previous Count’s death had left a vacuum, and Lucio had barely stabilized a sinking ship by having people like Valerius pail out as many problems as those that constantly filled in. Valerius drank straight from the wine bottle in his agitation, old problems and worries haunting him while he did all he could for the day to day issues of security and diplomacy. For God’s sake, their postal service only limped along as it did because his consulate stepped in to take over the department.

And none of the court did a thing about it. Nadia spent her days in her tower or library, busying herself with this or that but effectively locked out of power by Lucio. Every single courtier barely did anything. It was a messy process to revoke titles (as Valerius knew from studying it desperately and obsessively) and it seemed as though he’d be stuck with Valdemar, Volta, Vulgora, and Vlastomil for a long time. Their inefficiency was the root of Valerius’s problems. Food strangely disappeared. Murders went unsolved or even encouraged. The court system itself was an unjust wreck and Valerius had been tempted many times to simply snap Vlastomil’s neck himself like the stem of a wineglass for his incompetence.

As romantic as Lucio wanted to be, Valerius couldn’t separate his work life and love life. It was all his life. Valerius knew something had to change, and soon. He rubbed his forehead as a headache brewed inside his skull. Lucio had information and power. His heart couldn’t let Lucio hold out any longer- something had to give before Valerius snapped.

-~-

The orange rays of sunset lit up the palace gardens in a warm glow. Valerius had yet another horrible workday, but couldn’t wait to go riding. The evening was looking to be the most promising part of his entire week. He’d changed into riding gear and made his way to the stables, pleased to see his horse was already groomed and saddled. The seal brown horse had a beautiful black and brown tinted coat and a gentle disposition. Valerius approached where she was tethered and waiting by a mounting block and affectionately pet her nose, smiling as she turned her head to look at him. “Hello, Dolcetto. It’s been too long, hm?”

While Valerius knew his mare was properly cared for and exercised like all palace horses, he still wished he had more time to spend. He rubbed Dolcetto’s neck and smiled as she bumped her head against his shoulder. Perhaps the only thing everyone could agree on was that the palace would be a dreary place without all of their resident animals.

Mercedes and Melchior barked from behind Valerius and he turned to see Lucio and his dogs behind him. Mercedes wagged her tail and sniffed Dolcetto’s legs as the horse happily ignored her. Lucio stared at Valerius. “Pretty horse- and- uh.” Lucio swallowed hard. “How long have you had that outfit and never worn it?”

While Lucio was in his own version of dressed down in a loose layered tunic reminiscent of his mercenary days, Valerius was far more formal. He had his hair in a strict French braid trailing down his back. Valerius’s riding jacket was pure black with gold buttons and tailored to fit his frame tightly, along with a white dress shirt with only a respectable amount of shirt ruffle poking out of his jacket top, light breeches, knee high black boots, and black gloves. Valerius raised his eyebrows. “Oh, you like it? I don’t wear equestrian garments in my office.”

“Hhhhng. It’s. It’s really-“ Lucio swallowed, endearingly flustered. Melchior tugged on Lucio’s belt with an impatient yip as Lucio stared starstruck at Valerius. “You look good. God, add a riding crop to that look and I’d be on my knees, just for you.”

Valerius’s voice was smooth and smug. “Really? I’ll keep that in mind. Now, love-“ Valerius eyed Lucio up and down. He looked good. No sense in inflating Lucio’s ego. “How about you prove you have an ounce of proper posture and instruction, and I’ll see about smuggling a riding crop out of here.”

Lucio was still internally drooling too much to even listen enough to be offended. “Yes- yes you do that.” His eyes very clearly roved over Valerius’s backside and the outlined curve of his spine as Valerius checked his tack, as if Lucio hadn’t seen him undressed several times. “Mercedes and Melchior are coming with us- they love going for a run.”

“Aren’t you worried they could possibly take off?” Valerius had always wondered how such misbehaved dogs could manage to love Lucio so unconditionally. “Sighthounds can get carried away.”

“They’re my familiars!” Lucio grinned and Mercedes and Melchior obediently sat at his feet with their tongues out, tails thumping happily.

Valerius thought about pointing out that you had to possess magic in order to have a familiar, but reminded himself that he really didn’t know what Lucio could do. Vampires were technically magical, he supposed. “Alright, if you’re sure.” He pet Dolcetto’s ears and posed by her with a grin. “You better give us a good run, Lucio.”

Lucio jogged away to lead out his own horse. “Ha! Smell ya later!”

Valerius was still trying to reconcile himself with the fact that the subject of his desire said such low class phrases as he untied Dolcetto and mounted the horse easily. He took the reins in both hands and balanced himself in the saddle, a rare smile of delight on his face as he adjusted to the creature’s walking movement beneath him. He relaxed and kept his back straight, moving fluidly with his mount as they walked out of the stables and then waited for Lucio.

Lucio’s horse was exactly what Valerius expected. Lucio sat haughtily on a pure white stallion, comfortable in what was a heavily engraved bulky leather saddle, foreign to Valerius with a deep seat, a couple small canvas bags attacked to it, and a saddle horn that Lucio kept his armored hand close to, the reins lazily held in one hand on his thigh. Lucio came up beside him and gestured out to the rapidly dying sunset. “There’s a short trail through the forest to take before we get to the fields. Just figure you’d better know where we’re going cause you’re gonna get let behind.”

“By the looks of your poor posture and how desperately you cling to that atrocious saddle, you’ll fall off first.”

“Hey!” Lucio glared. “It’s far more functional than yours. Ever spent an entire day tracking down thieves and runaway war criminals in a country you’ve never even been? Didn’t think so.”

“I ride properly, and am closer to my horse.” It didn’t matter if Lucio had a point- Valerius loved to argue. “My saddle is lighter and less cumbersome. If you need to jump over anything you’ll probably jab that horn into your stomach. So we’ll see who’s the best rider.” As if to add to Valerius’s smugness about properness, Lucio’s stallion turned tried to nuzzle Dolcetto’s shoulder with a neigh. She laid her ears back and snorted, achieving such a witheringly disinterested look that the stallion turned away and walked forward again.

“She takes after you, by that display.” Lucio straightened up and pointed his heels down in his stirrups. Something came over him, as the young moonlight of early evening glowed on his white steed and blond hair, casting Lucio into an ethereal light. For once, Valerius could clearly see the proud bandit lord in the Count. It was beyond his usual grandstanding about his greatness in the palace halls- he radiated confidence and authority, eyes glistening with excitement for a hunt under the moon. Valerius found himself drawn to Lucio all over again, the vampire in his element under the starlit night sky.

Lucio grinned as Mercedes and Melchior barked and ran in front of them, already taking off to the forest. “I’ve ridden into battle and led hunts against creatures you can’t even imagine. I am the son of the greatest clan queen of the southern mountains!” Lucio urged his horse into a gallop with a war cry and Valerius followed, wind whistling in his ears as his eyes adjusted to the silver light.

Despite his teasing, Valerius had a grudging respect as he raced after Lucio. Lucio’s horse could definitely outrun his with sheer strength. Following the stallion and hounds was like chasing clouds across the pastures. Cool wind whipped at his braid and Valerius laughed, steadily catching up enough to keep them in sight but not being so reckless as to speed ahead. Mercedes and Melchior reached the forest first and wove into the underbrush. Lucio slowed to a brisk trot and Valerius followed, trusting his horse’s eyes better than his own. They breezed through the dim silhouettes of trees, occasionally ducking under low hanging branches.

The forest air was cool and refreshing, a stark difference to the lightly perfumed aura the gardens had. Valerius breathed deeply. No part of Vesuvia was any less gorgeous to him. The palace was splendid in its own right, but the untouched nature around it was just as much home. Riding out west would bring them to his ancestral estate, a vineyard nestled in with other farmlands in the country’s breadbasket. He longed for it somedays, but knew where his place was.

The forest broke into the open expanse of field at Vesuvia’s border and the dogs howled, bolting ahead at something only they could see. Lucio whooped and followed, his stallion flying over the wild grasses. Valerius lightly urged Dolcetto on and she was instantly galloping after Lucio. Valerius leaned toward into her easy canter and focused on her movement and following Lucio with a clearer mind than he’d had in months, stresses and headaches left far behind.

Mercedes and Melchior howled and both dogs converged on a spot within the high grasses. Lucio caught up and circled around the dogs as they snarled and attacked something Valerius couldn’t see. He followed Lucio in loosely surrounding the dogs, slowing down until they were just at a walk. Lucio grinned proudly and looked at Mercedes and Melchior, growling and standing over what Valerius could only see as a shapeless mound of fur. Mercedes and Melchior’s muzzles were drenched in blood. “Ah, raccoon.”

“How vile.” Valerius curled his lip at the bestial display of violence.

“I love animals, but don’t shed tears over that thing.” Lucio came to a full stop as he spoke. “If that raccoon had its way, it’d claw my dogs’ eyes out.” Mercedes and Melchior whimpered at the thought. Lucio looked around and guided his horse towards a small grove of trees. “Picnic time!”

Valerius followed Lucio and dismounted by the cluster of trees. He took the bridle bit out of Dolcetto’s mouth and tied her to a tree far enough away from Lucio’s horse that they couldn’t bother each other. Valerius affectionately patted her neck as Lucio tended to his horse and laid out a blanket for them to sit on. Dolcetto nuzzled Valerius’s stomach and then grazed calmly by their blanket. Valerius reclined on the blanket spread a small ways away from the tree and sighed, gazing up at the night sky. “It’s beautiful out here.” He propped himself up on his elbows and glanced at Lucio.

Lucio pet his horse’s ears and chuckled as his horse blew his hair all over his face. “Whatever, Excalibur. You love me.” Lucio patted his thigh and the dogs bounded up to him. “Watch our horses, okay? Good dogs!”

“Excalibur? Really?” Valerius was pleased as Lucio sat down beside him, close enough their thighs touched.

“Yes, duh! He’s a perfect majestic horse. Nothing less.” Mercedes and Melchior each sat near one of their mounts, ears perked up as they kept watch. Valerius had to admire Lucio’s bond to them. Lucio handed him a small bag with slices of fruit, meats, and cheese to nibble on. Valerius gratefully took a few bites and hummed with satisfaction, only mildly disappointed that he didn’t have a wine to pair with them. Lucio held Valerius’s waist with his human arm when he was done eating. “Indulge me?”

“My favorite pastime.” Valerius turned his body and rested his hand on Lucio’s cheek, bringing him in for a gentle kiss. Their lips melted together and Lucio didn’t move back, continuing to softly press against Valerius and hold him close. Lucio broke the kissing after a few minutes, the two warm and breathing with passion, the cool night refreshing them instantly. “Lucio.”

“Hm?”

Valerius stroked Lucio’s hair and sat up, facing Lucio. He had a feeling Lucio already knew the questions that burned in his mind. Lucio didn’t blurt out his secrets, so Valerius sighed. “You know I need information. I know this has spiraled far from being a casual affair, but I am the Consul and head of the court as much as I am your lover.”

“I know.” Lucio sighed, also leaning back to bask in the moonlight. “I’ll answer what I can. It wasn’t safe to try explaining anything at the palace.”

Valerius tried to come up with a question good enough to break into the dam of uncertainty and problems he had. Only one was good enough. “What the fuck?”

Lucio laughed, genuinely amused and threw back his head. Valerius’s own mouth twitched into a smile as he realized he very much liked seeing himself let down all his guard. Lucio laid back on his human hand to look up at the moon. “I don’t know everything, you have to believe me. What I can tell you, though, is that none of the other courtiers are human. I’m the most human of the lot, while whatever Valdemar is is too horrifying to speak of.”

“Why are they allowed to serve?! We should-“

Lucio cut him off. “Vlastomil was the first one I ever met. I didn’t know what human shape he’d take, or that I’d be stuck with the idiot for the foreseeable future. He’s a demon of pestilence, and believe me, I’d kill him if I could.” Lucio made a disgusted face. “My people paid tribute to local demons. We feared and revered them. I don’t think anyone actually used the word demon. Spirit, small god, a hunter or perhaps a guardian- doesn’t matter. I asked him for help, and now I’m stuck with him. There’s no way to get out of having these people around us unless I die or someone powerful beyond human capabilities takes them out. I’m sorry.”

Valerius let it soak in. “Volta? Vulgora?”

“Demons too. I don’t think they’ve always been. They must’ve been human once.” Lucio frowned. “Volta is the youngest I think. She isn’t very threatening, but there’s not too much point to killing her.”

Valerius didn’t think he was up to dealing with demons. He scowled, hating the idea he’d still be helpless in all this. “And you?”

“I’m like a vampire, but I wasn’t bit and turned by one.” Lucio made a face. “It’s why sunlight isn’t a death sentence, and why I need so little blood and can pass for human. Silver is the only real problem I have. I’ve made some sketchy choices, and this is what happened to me.”

“No chance of you elaborating?”

Lucio sighed again. “Beings of power offered me deals, and none of them were ever for free. Bits of me were taken away, things I didn’t even notice at the time. Everything will work out- I know it will, but I can’t alter my course. I literally can’t.”

Valerius glared at Lucio and Lucio flinched back. “How do you KNOW everything will be fine? What the hell are you thinking?! Our country is a mess! Did a witch tell you their cards fell to your favor so you’re wandering about doing nothing but let our people suffer?!”

Lucio scowled. “Shut up. You don’t want to get tangled in this. You really don’t. I’m only telling you so you get why I need you to stay out of it!”

“What about Nadia?”

Lucio’s face darkened. “What about her?”

“I need her. You do too, if you’re being honest.”

“No. She’ll-“

Valerius interrupted, passion overtaking his voice. “What are you scared of, success? Nadia is the best of us! She could rule far more efficiently than even I ever could! Nadia could have our people prospering. This city could look how it used to!”

“She’ll overthrow me!” Lucio snarled. Despair crossed his face and he narrowed his eyes. “I am as much your lover as I am your Count, citizen Valerius. Don’t you fucking forget it!”

Valerius recoiled at the threat but stood his ground. “She is Countess! She has the same right and power as you by your marriage to her! Both of you have to work, together. I am not suggesting treason, My Most Highest Lord~” he mocked with a sneer. “Nadia could help. I need her to help! Dysfunction is the reason why I pull the hours I do! If I can’t do anything about my fellow courtiers, than at least I can appeal to who CAN help me! I don’t give a damn about your pride!”

“Wow, you’d let a foreigner marry onto the Count’s seat and just take it, huh? I earned my place!”

“You married her! You married her for an advantage you wont even use?!” shouted Valerius.

Lucio looked like he still wanted to argue but backed down. “Alright. Perhaps I can delegate to her. Help out with the smaller things.” Lucio shook his head. “But that’s it. She’d take Vesuvia from me, and I’d have no way to hold onto what power I have over the court. I can’t let that happen.”

Valerius inwardly seethed. Nadia would be a better ruler, he knew it. She’d do everything he needed, secure their nation for good. He mentally rehearsed a delightfully simple plot to overthrow Lucio and escort Nadia to her solo role as Countess with Valerius as her right hand, but he stopped in the middle of it.

Valerius had never wanted anyone like he wanted Lucio. Their time together, the bond they so comfortably fit into, a possible future fiancé his parents couldn’t refuse to see the benefits of- all irreplaceable factors. There was no better place for him than with the Count in his arms. It was one thing Valerius’s newly smitten heart and forever ambitious mind agreed on. He pushed thoughts of (justifiable) treason out of his mind and kissed Lucio instead. Lucio relaxed into it, thinking Valerius was satisfied. It was a rough compromise. Valerius didn’t like anything he’d heard except that Lucio had no chance of accidentally turning him into a vampire. “Alright,” he murmured, looking into Lucio’s eyes. “Thank you. I appreciate what I’ve gained. Nadia will not supersede either of us.”

Lucio nodded. He stroked Valerius’s face and gave him an uncharacteristically chaste kiss. “Alright, you got to get all personal with me. What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Can’t a guy be curious? Our backgrounds couldn’t have been more different, unless you’re gonna reveal that you’ve been a secret master forager and hunter all this time.”

Valerius smiled. The change of subject was somewhat forced, but he understood the cue to move on. He didn’t want to spoil anything they had, and he had to admit he was coming out of their argument with more than he lost. “True. Like I said before, I was born into nobility. All of my family is somewhere somewhat prominent and successful. I have a brother working as a history professor and curator of artifacts in Prakra, cousins involved in trade with Nevivon, and a sister managing the home estate and vineyard. My parents are wealthy and retired from office- one paints, one tends to travel.

“My childhood is mostly a blur of lessons. My education was the only thing that mattered. Cuisine, etiquette, music theory, history, art, language, business management, law, and equestrian lessons were all I did. I had private tutors and studied every day unless I was sick.”

“Geez, you didn’t even have a childhood.”

Valerius shrugged. He’d never thought about what being a child was supposed to be like. “I succeeded, as is what’s expected of me. It’s hardly a punishment to have fine food every day and horses to ride any time I wanted.”

“But before you met me you never just did your own thing? Like I’m exhausted imagining having someone try to tell me things like, every day.” Valerius bit back the comment that many people tried to do just that and Lucio rarely listened. Lucio stared into the sky. “If my knees weren’t covered in grass stains or my clothes dirty and soaked from playing in the snow, then it was a waste of a day. Being taught anything indoors was horrible.”

“I was an introverted child. My free time was mainly spent reading.”

Lucio chuckled. “You’re cute when you read! You look like you’re plotting someone’s murder while smirking about it.” Valerius chuffed with amusement. He brought Lucio in for a kiss and savored their moonlit embrace. Lucio gave Valerius a sultry look when he pulled away, eyes hooded as he licked his lips. “Now, this is your chance to see if you really object to having passionate-“

“For the LAST time, I refuse to copulate outside!” exclaimed Valerius as Lucio howled with laughter. They might’ve stayed longer if Excalibur hadn’t decided that Lucio’s hair looked delicious and tried to graze his head, turning Lucio’s laughter into a dismayed shriek.

The ride back home was more subdued than the exhilarating race to the wilderness. Mercedes and Melchior trotted ahead but acted more as guides than hunters. With the slower pace, Lucio’s stallion Excalibur was fully aware that he was being followed by a mare and pranced and posed in front of Valerius, bouncing Lucio ridiculously up and down in his seat and weaving around, to Valerius’s delight.

“Really?” Lucio made no real effort to rein Excalibur in and turned to face Valerius, his supernatural eyes fully able to see Valerius’s smug expression in the dark. “Your mare is a bad influence.”

Excalibur tossed his head with a whinny and Valerius kept grinning. “He takes after you.”

-~-

Valerius was thoroughly tired by the time their horses were safely housed back in the stables (with a few loud protests from Excalibur) and gratefully sank into a warm bath back at the palace. Lucio, for all his usual flirtations, insisted Valerius bathe alone. He suspected Lucio didn’t enjoy baths with his prosthetic, or was too embarrassed to take it off.

He closed his eyes and leaned against the edge of the bath, thoughts swirling in his head as the mineral salts in the water soaked into him pleasantly. Progress was progress, no matter how small. The knowledge Lucio had given him had to help. He hazily opened his eyes and frowned at a spot on the bright walls of the bath that he knew didn’t belong. Valerius rubbed his eyes and groaned at the sight of a bug crawling on the wall. He blearily stood up and realized it was some kind of exotic, large red beetle. It crawled out the open window and Valerius latched it shut without a second thought.

[blacksheep28]

Walmart

Orange turned to Shannon and gave her finger guns. “here we are.” He gestured to the Walmart.

Shannon stopped immediately and pulled into a parking spot regardless. "Orange... This is not the mall. I trusted you to direct us, dude," she sighed, faking hurt.

Orange snorted. “they do sell clothes here right?” “YOU SHOULD LET ME NAVIGATE,” Blue advised.

"I mean-- They do, I've gotten comfy and cheap pants here, but it's really up to you guys where you wanna shop," she shrugged. "And since you and Blue haven't even been in to a Walmart before... I don't think you're ready for its horrors."

“THE MAGNIFICENT SANS CAN TAKE ON ANYTHING!” Blue declared loudly.

Shannon stared back at him for a long, silent minute before letting out a sigh and unstrapping her seat belt. "Don't say I didn't warn you, guys."

Blue cheered in triumph, while Orange slouched deeper into his seat.  He did not see this going well.  Bill just chuckled, while Papyrus hopped out.  "COME ON P-ORANGE!" "you can go without me," Orange said. "WE'RE GETTING YOU CLOTHES! WE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT YOU!"

"You directed us here, buddy, you made your bed, now lie in it," she smiled, stepping out of the car and readjusting her clothes. "Let's go, Dreamsicle." Shannon immediately went for Bill's hand again, already too familiar with how he liked to wander and get lost.

Bill chuckled, accepting the hand holding good naturedly.  Orange groaned, and slumped out of his seat.  Somehow.  For a skeleton he was very flexible.  Blue bounced with excitement.  "ONWARDS! TO NEW DISCOVERIES!"

Papyrus strolled along with the group, occasionally waving at the humans they passed who stared at the skeletons.  He was very popular with humans on the surface.

In Ikea, they had far less chances of bad encounters. In a Wal Mart? Shannon reflexively walked a little closer to the skeletons, just in case. At least she was familiar with the store this time, and led the boys right back to men’s clothing. “Alright. Blue, Orange, roam free. Except don’t, maybe stick to this area. Easy to get lost.”

Some of the people stared, others walked away.  One actually hurried their kids off away from the skeletons.  Blue began to walk through the clothing section efficiently, picking out different pants and shirts and examining them.  Orange just stood there and watched lazily.  "PA-ORANGE! DO YOU WANT ME TO PICK YOUR CLOTHES TOO?" Blue offered.  

"that'd be great bro," Orange replied. "THIS WOULD LOOK GREAT ON YOU," Papyrus offered, holding up a crop top with BAE written on it.

Shannon kept her hold on Bill, watching with an ever anxious eye and following along at a decent pace. She pointed out a few shirts she thought would flatter Blue, both his frame and coloring. “Oh, that’s perfect,” she grinned. “You gotta try that one on, Orange.”

Orange chuckled good naturedly and accepted the top.  "alright."  The section slowly cleared of humans, save for one or two that were bold enough to stick around and were giving Shannon funny looks.  Orange finally put in some effort, digging through the hoodies.  He pulled out a rather comfortable looking orange one with a bone on it saying I Found This Humerous. "YOU ARE NOT GETTING THAT!" Blue said, appalled. "you don't find it rib tickling?" Orange asked.  Papyrus rolled his eyes.  Bill chuckled.  "tibia honest," Bill threw in, "it tickled my funny bone."

She giggled softly, both excited and amused to see the shirt on him. Shannon tried to ignore the looks, recognizing that they were there, and then promptly attempting to shove down the anxiety they instilled. "You know," she started, holding back more laughter, "He at least put some backbone into finding it, I'll give him that." "NYEH!" Papyrus screeched in agony.  "I THOUGHT YOU WERE ABOVE THAT FRIEND!"  Why would she betray him like that?  Bill cracked up laughing, Orange standing with a little pleased grin on his face.  Blue looked deeply disappointed.  "WE ARE TRYING TO SHOP HERE, NOT RUIN THINGS WITH PUNS," Blue pointed out.

A darker red appeared on her cheeks, but Shannon still smiled. "Hey, I'm not perfect," she shot back in her defense. "And what's ruined, Blue? All the stuff still seems to be perfectly intact, unless your magic eyes can see something I don't."

Blue opened his mouth, and was forced to stop as he realized she was right.  So he huffed and went back to looking through the clothes instead.  Orange idly picked at a few items himself until both were loaded with a full wardrobe. "ALRIGHT, WHERE'S THE TAILOR?" Blue asked cheerfully. "don't have one," Bill answered. Blue blanked.  "WHAT?"

"Tailor?" she echoed, tilting her head slightly. Did they really tailor their clothes before? "I mean-- I'm sure you could find one to take clothes in, but it'd probably be expensive. Humans just... Make clothes and hope for the best. If you have a non standard body type, good luck!" Shannon half smiled with a shrug. "That's why we try things on. But be glad that you're guys, your clothes usually use standard measurements, at least."

"HUMANS ARE VERY STRANGE," Papyrus said.  "THEY SIMPLY BUY CLOTHES WITHOUT HAVING THEM FITTED!  AS IF ONE SIZE WOULD FIT EVERYONE!"  He looked sideways at Shannon.  "THEY ARE VERY SIMILAR TO EACH OTHER AT FIRST GLANCE..."

"don't worry bout it," Bill assured Blue and Orange.  "i can help take in anything if it's necessary." "i could help with that too, i suppose," Orange mumbled. "SHANNON, DO YOU NEED HELP WITH YOUR CLOTHES TOO?" Papyrus asked gently.

Shannon tried not to choke, feeling herself flush despite the innocence of the offer. "That's-- Uh, thanks Paps, but that takes a lot of time and effort." And very personal measurements being taken. "I'll be alright. But frankly I am hurt you think I need the help," she sniffed, trying to tease and move on from that thought.

"OH NO HUMAN!" Papyrus rushed over to pat Shannon and assure her.  "YOU HAVE GOOD TASTE! YOU ARE QUITE FASHIONABLE! I SIMPLY OFFERED AS HUMANS SEEM TO LACK IN PROVIDING SUCH TO YOU."

"I-- Thanks, Paps," she murmured, reddening further and trying to hide under his hand. "Why don't we, uh, why don't we go try these clothes on, boys?" Shannon suggested with a gesture towards the changing rooms.

"ALRIGHT," Papyrus agreed.  Blue lead the way, and the WalMart employee blanched at seeing such a large group of skeletons approach him.  "The skeleton wars have started!" he shrieked.  He stumbled in his haste to run. "SKELETON WARS?" Blue asked in confusion.  Bill and Orange smiled flatly in the direction the employee had fled.

Shannon's lips pursed for a split second before she smiled at Blue, patting his shoulder gently. "Humans are dumb," she sighed. "Let me go find someone else, we need a key to open the doors. Bill, Paps, can you keep an eye on things for a second?"

"sure thing," Bill said softly.  Papyrus nodded his head.  "YOUR GUARD IS ON THE JOB!"  He saluted and went to stand on a chair, peering around the store.

She ran off to find a manager-- Both to get the keys for their use and to report the employee that had run off, with a too sweet smile.

"Yes?" the manager asked politely, fixing Shannon with a customer service smile.

"Your changing rooms guy ran off because my friends are monsters," she said evenly. "So A. we need a key to try on clothes, B. I wanna file a formal complaint."

The manager sighed.  "Very well ma'am."  He dug around for a moment before pulling out a complaint form.  "Please fill this out then."

She blinked at the form and pulled a pen from her purse, quickly scribbling out the information and handing it back. "Thank you. Now, would someone help us in fitting rooms, please?"

He stuffed the filled out form back into his desk and picked up the phone.  "Janet.  I need someone down at the changing rooms.  Yeah, I know.  I know.  He left.  Monsters.  No, I get that.  K."  He looked up at her.  "Someone will meet you down there.

Shannon gave another thanks, although she bristled at his tone. At least he helped at all. Papyrus went on alert as a human similar to the one who had run away approached.  "HELLO! ARE YOU HERE TO HELP US?"  The employee shivered slightly.  The skeleton was so tall and loud.  "Uh, yeah."

She hauled her ass back to the fitting rooms and smiled at her skeletal group. "Blue, Orange, you ready?"

"YESSIREE!" Blue cheered.  Orange bobbed his head.  The nervous employee unlocked two of the doors for the skeletons to go into and they began to mix and match the outfits.  Bill dozed off leaning on Papyrus as they waited. "THESE CLOTHES ARE STRANGE," Blue commented. "YOU GET USED TO IT," Papyrus assured him.  "AND DON'T FORGET WE WILL BE FIXING IT AT HOME." "There's something wrong with the clothes?" the employee muttered in confusion.

Shannon relaxed a bit when the employee didn't just run away on sight, throwing her a gentle smile. "If you really hate how something fits, you don't have to get it," she explained to Blue and Orange. "Usually my advice would be if you don't love it, don't get it, but that's kinda moot if Bill and Orange are gonna take stuff in, anyway."

"ALRIGHT! DONE!"  Blue came out wearing a black shirt with the planets on it and a pair of tan capris that hugged tight to his hip bones and loose around his leg bones.  Orange stepped out looking almost exactly the same as when he went in, except with the new hoodie on.

"You look cute, Blue," she smiled in approval, letting her eyes roam over him and take in the entire outfit. "I like that cut of pants on you, too." Shannon slid her gaze over to Orange and just threw out finger guns, grinning. "Hot."

Orange finger gunned back.  Blue posed.  "MWEHEHEH! SUCCESS!"

It took every ounce of self control for her to not just drop everything she was doing and fawn over the little skeleton. "Oh my god," she breathed, holding herself back. "You are seriously too cute."

Blue colored slightly before pushing it back.  "I AM A ROYAL GUARD IN TRAINING," he reminded her.  Orange just smirked.  He agreed his bro was cute.

"Yeah, so? Puppies in police academy are still cute too," she smiled, watching his face turn colors. "You're a cute little puppy, Blue!"

Blue scrubbed at his face.  "LET'S-LET'S GO."  He was a little offended that it seemed Shannon wasn't taking him seriously, but he did enjoy the compliments.  How should he react?  Papyrus cheerfully helped with the clothes, Bill slipping and falling over as his support moved away, still sleeping.

Shannon jumped to help Bill up back to his feet, fretting over him slightly. "You okay there?" she asked softly, letting the skeleton lean on her.

Bill blinked awake.  "heh. looks like i fell for you."

She almost fell down herself, just barely catching the two of them. "I-- Ha, good one," Shannon mumbled as red spread all the way to her ears. "Okay boys, are we all set?"

All the skeletons looked at Shannon, admiring how pretty she looked with her face flushed.  Blue definitely appreciated that the tables were turned on her.  Maybe he should flirt with her to keep her off balance.  He certainly would like seeing more reactions like that. "SEEMS SO," Papyrus remarked. "i'm good," Orange agreed.  Blue nodded eagerly.

"Great, then let's uh, let's go." She was eager to move away from Bill's stupid joke and her reaction to it. "Come on, science guy." Shannon led them back towards checkout, but not without slowing down and whispering to Blue and Orange. "Check the sight out on your left," her eyes slid in that direction. There was a girl wearing a bikini top and sweatpants, mismatched flip flop and Ugg boot, buying several bottles of alcohol.

The group checked it out.  "DOES SHE NEED HELP?" Blue wondered.

Papyrus split off from the group and headed towards the lady.  "HELLO HUMAN!"

The girl looked up at Papyrus and sucked what few teeth she had in her mouth. “The fuck do you want, monster weirdo?” she snapped at him. Shannon immediately stepped forwards to put Papyrus out of harm’s way, hoping to just slip back to their own checkout lane. "DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE?" he asked gallantly.  Bill smiled watching his brother, but there was something in his stance that was a little more stiff than normal.

“Not from your kind I don’t,” she huffed, flipping Papyrus the bird. “Get the fuck away from me before I call the cops!” Shannon grabbed Papyrus’ hand, trying to tug firmly at him. “Let’s just go, Paps, there’s nothing you can do to help human garbage,” she insisted, pulling decidedly away from the encounter. “Dirty monster fucker!”

Papyrus hesitated, but let Shannon pull him away.  "WILL SHE BE ALRIGHT?" he asked Shannon. Bill hung back, watching the human until Papyrus was far enough away he knew she wouldn't be able to do anything before following. "SHE WAS NOT VERY NICE," Blue stated reluctantly.

“Doesn’t matter. She’s not worth a second thought,” she said firmly, her brows furrowed. “That’s...putting it mildly Blue, but yeah.”

"OF COURSE SHE'S WORTH IT," Papyrus protested.  "SHE'S A PERSON." Bill slipped up beside Papyrus and leaned on his brother.  "don't worry too much over it.  i'm sure the humans know how to help her better than we do."

Shannon's lips pursed. It was sweet that Papyrus was so optimistic and wanted to see the good in people, but... Still, who was she to crush his spirit? "Like I said, don't worry about it, Paps."

They paid for the clothes, a little quieter than when they'd first gotten in.  "hey, why don't you take shotgun on the way back?" Bill suggested to Papyrus. "REALLY?" Papyrus asked. Blue wanted to protest, but closed his mouth.  Sitting up front would probably just lead to him getting flustered.  He wanted a chance to impress Shannon, not make himself look more cute and flustered.

"Yeah, why not? It's not a real, proper trip until my guard sits up front with me," Shannon smiled, pulling out her keys. "Speaking of this trip, did we need to extend it anywhere else?"

"WE'RE GOOD!" Blue assured her.  Papyrus beamed widely at Shannon.  "I WILL MAKE THE GREATEST OF NAVIGATORS!"

She laughed softly and opened up the car, sliding in. "I'm sure you will, Paps. Then we'll take you boys home, and I'll help you start with piecing the beds together. Sound good?"

"THAT SOUNDS GREAT!" Papyrus exclaimed. "you sure you don't have anywhere you need to be? like picking up meds?" Orange asked.

"Don't worry about me," she waved a hand, "I missed a dose, no big deal. It's not like it'll clear out of my system that quickly, just gotta make sure I take it tomorrow. Sweet of you, though."

"yeah, but keeping up with my brother isn't easy," Bill said gently.  "and there's twice as many of us now." "might get sucked into another sleepover," Orange teased. "THAT WOULD BE NICE," Blue agreed happily.  Papyrus nodded his head.  "YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!"

Shannon was tempted to stare in her rearview for a minute, startled by their kindness and the way they were so eager to be in her presence. That was... New. "Uh-- I mean, like I said, I don't really have a life and I don't have work tomorrow, so I could in all theory? I'd have to stop by my place for a couple of things, though."

"exactly our point," Bill laughed.

"So... I guess we'll make a stop at my place?" Shannon felt a little nervous about that. Her place could be a little cleaner, but a depression streak had hit lately. "I'll make it fast."

"THAT SOUNDS GREAT!" Papyrus cheered.

She plugged her own phone into the AUX cord and hummed her response, letting her shuffle function pick a song. It just so happened to choose 'Obsessed', by Mariah Carey. "I know my way back to my place, Paps, so don't worry about directions just yet."

The group listened to the song curiously as they drove down.  "interesting pick," Bill said.

"I'LL JUST GUIDE US ALL HOME," Papyrus said cheerfully.

"Shuffle is a very unforgiving mistress," she grinned shyly at Bill. "But it is a good song. And you go right ahead, big guy, do as you please."

Bill chuckled.

[yesyesyoumae]

You’re at a party and the only person you know is Stevie

“I think you’re at the wrong party, 85 and a half”

Tagging→ @yesyesyoumae @streetsmartstevie

Location→ a really weird house party somewhere in NewYork City

Date→ August 25, 2018

Summary→ Based on the Meme Monday prompt Mae received:“You’re at a party and the only person you know is Stevie.”

STEVIE

Stevie wasn’t sure why she was at this party to beginwith. Most of her nights were pretty lowkey, just in case she had to run someearly deliveries. It was nice that she didn’t ever have to worry about workingearly shifts at the shop, but closing up was usually exhausting. Taking a sipfrom her cup, Stevie glanced around the party. A courier friend of hers hadinvited her to this, but she couldn’t find him anywhere. Which was fine by her,she was happy to drink their free booze and listen to their crap music.

MAE

Mae had always been the social butterfly. Sure, shestill had introverted qualities, but for the most part she didn’t mind beingaround people. Mae wasn’t sure whose party this was, or why she was here tobegin with, but a coworker from Gymboree had practically begged her to come tothis party and Mae couldn’t say no. However, she couldn’t find her coworkeranywhere and Mae didn’t know anyone at the party. For someone who begged Mae tocome for the sake of company, she surely lacked it. Mae walked around with adrink in hand, hoping to run into at least one familiar face.Mae suddenly caught sight of pink streaks and a grumpy face she knew well. Maesmiled. While Stevie wasn’t exactly her top choice to hang with, it’d have todo. Besides, they were getting somewhere and Mae was hoping to get Stevie tolike her. Because Mae wanted everyone to like her because why shouldn’t they? Maewaved at Stevie and felt her cheeks turn red when Stevie didn’t wave back. Thegirl hasn’t seen her, but that still didn’t make Mae feel any better knowingsome people caught Mae in this embarrassing act. “Should I leave? I should leave.What if this gets even more embarrassing? People won’t stop staring—shit.” Mae thoughtto herself, smiling tightly at the people around her as she stood around,unsure of what to do as she slowly made her way over to Stevie. “Hi!” Maesmiled. “Funny running into you here! I think you’re at the wrong party, 85 anda half.” Mae joked, chuckling at her lame joke.

STEVIE

Stevie was absorbed in her phone, thumbing throughInstagram as she reluctantly bobbed her head to the beat of the music. Okay,maybe the music wasn’t that bad. But, if they played some annoying pop song,she was outta there. Taking a sip from her cup, she continued to check out thevarious tattoos that some of her idols had done. Squinting at one of thepictures, she zoomed in to get a good look at the back piece one of them haddone. Damn, that was cool. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to get a back piecedone just yet, but this was giving her some ideas. When Stevie heard someonesay hello to her, she glanced up, startled. Her expression of surprise quickly turnedinto bored irritation as she realized that it was Mae, cheerful as always.“Hey, Gymboree. Isn’t it a bit past your bedtime?” She asked, takinganother drink from the red cup in her left hand.

MAE

Mae laughed at Stevie’s response and hummed. “Funny.”Mae nodded. “I’m actually 21 and perfectly of age to be here. Mentally I mightbe seven and three quarters.” Mae said, slyly trying to take a seat next toStevie but quickly realizing she was going to fail in being any kinds of coolwhen she nearly forward after some random guy pushed past her. Mae blushed asshe quickly took a seat next to Stevie and chuckled awkwardly. “You didn’t seethat.” Mae mumbled. “So,” she turned to Stevie. “You don’t seem like the partytype, what brings you here? Could’ve sworn it’s bingo night at the retirementhome.” Mae smiled cheekily.

STEVIE

Twenty-one? Stevie choked on her drink– what? Mae wasolder than her? It wasn’t by much, but still. “You’re 21? You’re beingserious, right?” Stevie asked. Maybe she was joking. She just didn’t seemlike she was older. Watching as some dude bumped into Mae, Stevie glared athim, “Watch it, asshole!” She called after him, but he wandered off,probably too gone to hear her. Which was just sad, the party hadn’t even beengoing for that long. “Nah, I saw it.” She said while Mae settled intothe chair beside her. Raising an eyebrow at her question, Stevie shrugged.“I like parties. I like alcohol and parties have that.” She saidbefore continuing, “But, I’m here cuz one of the other bike couriersinvited me. He’s cool and I actually like hanging out with him. Problem is, hedipped the second we got here cuz the girl he’s got a thing for is here.”Stevie said, choosing to ignore the retirement home jab. “What aboutyou?” Stevie asked over the rim of her cup.

MAE

Mae hummed and nodded. “Yup! Wanna see my ID?” Maeasked excitedly as she reached into her jacket for her wallet. “My abuela saysI have the baby face going. When I’m not wearing make-up I look like a 15 yearold, it’s nice.” Mae shrugged. Mae shook her head. “It’s okay. He probablydidn’t see. I’m tiny, so I’m hard to find.” Mae joked with a laugh as sheturned her body and listened to Stevie talking, taking a sip of her drink andhumming. “A coworker of mine from Gymboree begged me to come to keep hercompany but I don’t know if she ever showed up or she didn’t need me at theend. “Mae shrugged. “I know she came here for a guy she’s into—might’ve beenyour guy.” Mae chuckled. “That would be so cute. Kindaromantic, if ya ask me.” Mae shrugged, sitting cross legged on the chair. Maechewed on her lip for a few seconds before humming. “I like your shirt. It’scute.” Mae smiled softly.

STEVIE

Stevie shook her head, “I believe you, I guess.You don’t need to prove it to me.” She said, waving away Mae. Laughing ather comment, Stevie nodded, “I can actually relate to that one, Gymboree.I pretty much have to wear make up all the time or people don’t take meseriously. And hey, if you’re tiny, what the hell am I? You’re not that muchshorter then me.” She said, a bit peeved. She’d always been one of theshortest people around and it kinda sucked sometimes. Mostly because she had todeal with people thinking she was weak and stuff, just because she was a shortgirl. Listening to Mae’s story, Stevie let out a snort. “That’s somethingout of a rom com. That stuff doesn’t happen in real life. And, knowing myfriend, he’s just looking for a hook up.” She said. At Mae’s compliment,Stevie glanced down at her plain black t-shirt. “Uh… thanks. Walmartspecial.” She said, with a wry grin.

MAE

Mae stuck out her tongue playfully and laughed. “Whatabout you? 21 too? Or are you feeling 22?” Mae joked, singing the “22” likeTaylor Swift’s catchy tune. Mae shrugged. “Point is you’re taller and see theworld from a taller place than me.” Mae chuckled. “I like the name a lot, bythe way—Gymboree.” Mae smiled softly. Mae pouted. “Hey, you never know! I liketo think that life can be like a cheesy rom-com if we try hard enough!” Maedefended. “You can find love too even at 85 and a half.” Mae teased with asmirk. Mae blushed at Stevie’s response to her compliment and chuckled.“Walmart has so many deals, huh? I’m more of a Target girl myself.” Maemumbled. Mae felt a little intimidated by Stevie. Stevie was definitelyinfinitely cooler than her and Mae was just…Mae. “It’s still a cute shirt.”Mae said softly.

STEVIE

Stevie shook her head, “Nope, not saying.”She said, not willing to admit that she was younger than her. At least she hadthe advantage of being, what.. half an inch taller? What a privilege. Watchingthe people around them, Stevie snorted as she watched some guy get totallyblown off by a girl. He was shooting way out of his league, what did he expect?Glancing over at Mae, she frowned. “Well, guess I’ve gotta come up with adifferent name. What’s the point of a scathing nickname if you like it.”She said. Stevie leaned back in her chair, folding one leg over the other asshe relaxed. “Nah, I’m good. I’m just,” She paused, sniffing fordramatic effect, “not the same ever since The War.” Stevie laughed.Stevie watched the way Mae mumbled– she was pretty clearly embarrassed. Didthat make Stevie feel bad? No. Okay, well, maybe just a little. “Thanks.Your shirt is pretty cool too.” Stevie said, gesturing to Mae’s top.“It, uh, looks nice on you.”

MAE

Mae pouted. “Why not? Share! I won’t judge.” Maeassured with a smile. Mae shook her head. “No, we’re keeping it! Gymboree istoo great to get rid of.” Mae told her. It matched my identity completely.” Maenodded. “It’s here to stay.” Mae watched Stevie before bursting into a fit ofgiggles at Stevie’s response. Mae laughed way more than she should’ve, but itwas just too funny. “Speaking of the war was Captain Crunch your general orsomething? I always imagine Captain Crunch in this scenario.” Mae said with agrin. Some things Mae said sometimes made absolutely zero sense, but that wasMae in a nutshell: she made no sense. Mae blushed at the compliment, lookingdown at her top. “I like crop tops during the summer.” Mae hummed as she lookedaround and scrunched up her nose at a group of guys being obnoxious androughhousing with one another. This was definitely not Mae’s scene. Mae lookedover at Stevie. “I looked around the house already and they have an old, smallplayground in the backyard. That’s the coolest part of the house, honestly.”Mae told Stevie. “Wanna see?” She asked excitedly.

STEVIE

“Nah, I’m good. You’re just going to have to livewith the mystery.” Stevie replied easily. Mae’s banter, while a bit hardto follow, was funny at the very least. A small smile quirked against her lipsas Mae erupted into laughter. It wasn’t that funny, but at least Mae thought itwas. “Nope, he was in charge of the other division. I served under CaptainKangaroo. War was hell, but at least we were hoppy.” Stevie joked, amusedby the dumb pun. Stevie nodded– she hadn’t been lying that Mae looked good inthe shirt. She looked really good. Looking away, she finished off the last ofher drink and set the cup down on the empty chair to her other side.“They’ve got a playground here? That’s weird.” Stevie said, butshrugged. Standing up, she dusted off her jeans and nodded. “Let me get adrink first, but yeah. I’m down.”

MAE

Mae frowned. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever beentold in my entire life.” Mae said dramatically, looking down and realizing shewas sitting cross legged while wearing a skirt and blushed as she stretched outher legs. “Whoops.” Mae laughed, shaking her head. Mae continued giggling atStevie’s ongoing joke and hummed. “Hoppy.” Mae giggled again. “You’re funny.”She told Stevie. “What about the division? I hope you had a good one. Who wasyour right hand person?” Mae asked, tilting her head with an amused smile. “Ihope you had Donald Duck in it. He matches you.” She teased. “Plus he wears asailor outfit so he had to be part of the war effort.” Mae pointed out. Maenodded. “It’s a weird house. They got a room of cabbage patch dolls too. Kindacreepy.” Mae scrunched up her nose before grinning when Stevie agreed andnodded. “I need a drink too.” Mae said softly as she stood up and fixed herskirt. Due to her large assets Mae usually had to fix her skirt since it rodeup so easily.

STEVIE

Taking a look down at Mae, Stevie quickly averted hereyes, suddenly very aware of Mae’s legs. She’d been raised not to stare atpeople, particularly when there was that much skin showing. She gesturedtowards the kitchen and continued speaking as they threaded their way throughthe other people who were in various stages of drunkenness. “I served onthe front line with Rin Tin Tin. Great guy, excellent nose.” She noddedseriously as she examined the bottles set out on the counter. Looking up, shenoticed a few girls bickering loudly in the hallway– that was going to endpoorly, she knew it. Nope, she didn’t want to have to make a return trip here.“Why do you say I’m like Donald Duck? I don’t have a speech impediment.”She said while she mulled over whether or not she should be polite or anasshole. Eh, she’d been polite enough. Grabbing the half full bottle of honeywhiskey and some cups, Stevie waited for Mae to fix herself a drink before shetilted her head towards the door to the backyard. “Cabbage patch kids?What the fuck even is this party?” She asked, confused. “This placeis weird as hell. I really wouldn’t be surprised if we were in some weirdalternate dimension or something.”

MAE

Mae followed Stevie, pushing her way through severaldrunken individuals. After a particular push, Mae reached out and clutched ontoStevie’s hand as they reached the kitchen. “Sorry.” Mae blushed. “I was beingcrowded.” Mae chuckled, still not having let go of Stevie’s hand beforereleasing it suddenly and blushing as she rubbed the back of her neck. Maehummed. “I bet he received plenty of medals and treats.” Mae smiled as shechuckled. “He’s grumpy like you. Always ready to argue and fight. It’s whatmade you a great soldier, Stevie.” Mae teased as she fixed herself a quickvodka mixed with lemonade—she worked with what she had. Mae followed Stevie outto the backyard, letting out a sigh of relief when the environment grewsignificantly quieter. Mae took a sip of her drink as she walked over to thesmall swing set and sat down on the tiny slide. “It’s a party I’m never comingback to.” Mae joked with a laugh.

STEVIE

Stevie was startled when Mae grabbed her hand andresisted the urge to pull away from the other girl. She didn’t really likepeople holding onto her, particularly when she didn’t know them. Luckily, Maelet go on her own. “It’s fine.” Stevie said with an indifferentshrug. The party was weird and crazy, so she couldn’t blame Mae for not wantingto get lost. “I’m not always ready to–” Realizing that she was doingjust what Mae was saying, she shut her mouth, fuming a little bit at beingplayed. She wasn’t that argumentative. She just liked playing devil’s advocate topeople’s dumb ideas. “I’m not grumpy.” Stevie amended her statementbefore taking a sip of honey whiskey straight from the bottle. “Yeah, I’mright there with you.” Stevie said as she tentatively tested the swingbefore sitting down. “How the hell did our friends even hear about thisplace?”

MAE

Mae smirked and took a sip of her drink when she sawStevie make her point. Mae shrugged. “I have no idea. I don’t go to a lot ofparties, honestly. But this only makes me want to go to them less.” Maechuckled as she took another sip of her drink. “Maybe our friends might besoulmates if they like these kind of weird parties.” Mae smiled. “Guess this isa rom-com after all, huh?” She smirked, tilting her head. Mae stared at Steviefor a few moments, taking in the girl in front of her. Stevie was definitely abeautiful girl, no doubt. Mae’s stare lingered longer than it should’ve and Maeblushed as she looked away and shifted her attention to the loose threadhanging on her skirt. “I saw a little of your tattoo on your shoulder.” Maenodded to Stevie’s shoulder. “What is it?” She asked, her eyes shifting back toStevie.

STEVIE

Stevie was a bit surprised by Mae’s answer– Maeseemed like the type who would like parties. Who knew. “Really? Why’sthat? Don’t like dancing and people getting all rowdy?” She asked, a wrysmile on her face as she took another pull from the bottle, enjoying thepleasant feeling of the alcohol that washed over her. “Nope, they’re notsoul mates and this is not a rom com.” She shook her head. Just thethought of it made her want to laugh. That sorta shit didn’t happen in reallife. And even if it did, it was stuff that happened to other people. At Mae’scomment, Stevie frowned and looked over at her. “It’s a couple of roses.No color, just black and white with shading.”

MAE

Mae shook her head. “No, I love dancing. It’sthe only reason I’ll even agree to go to a party.” Mae smiled. “But it’s onlyfun when I’m with people I know. Plus, I can think of so many other things todo than partying.” Mae nodded. Mae shrugged. “You never know. Sometimes the mostunexpected people wind up being your soulmates.” Mae told her. Mae wasdefinitely a hopeless romantic and firmly believed that somewhere out there wasthe love of her life just waiting for her to come and shake up her world. Maeleaned closer. “Can I see?” Mae asked with a soft smile.

STEVIE

Stevie nodded. That much made sense. Mae wasdefinitely the upbeat type so go figure that she enjoyed dancing. “Fairenough. What other things are better options than going to a party?”Stevie asked. She could already come up with a few ideas on her own; sitting athome playing video games, teasing the cat, going to a dive bar or a pool hall,exploring the city at night. Fun stuff like that. “Gross. You actuallybelieve in that kinda soulmate stuff?” She said, crinkling her nose at thethought of it. Soulmates were for people too interested in the idea of being inlove. Blinking in surprise at Mae’s request, Stevie shrugged. Because of it’ssize, there was no real easy way to tug down the collar of her shirt, so shesettled for pulling her t-shirt over her head. Twisting a bit so Mae could seeit, Stevie spoke up, “It took about four and a half hours for my friend todo.”

MAE

Mae hummed as she took a sip of her drink and thoughtfor a few moments. “Writing a song or two, playing with Duck, going outdancing, used bookstores, and the beach is definitely the best one. I love thebeach.” Mae smiled as she chuckled when Stevie scrunched up her nose. “Well yougotta believe in something, and I rather believe in something beautiful.” Maeshrugged. “I take it you’re not a believer of that kinda stuff?” Mae asked.Mae’s eyes widened when Stevie took off her t shirt and felt her cheeks heatup. “O-oh. Cool.” Mae laughed awkwardly, trying hard not to stare as much asshe wanted to. Mae cleared her throat as she stood up to get a better look atit. “I like it.” Mae said softly. Mae stayed quiet for a few seconds. “I likeroses.” Mae hummed. “Can I… touch it?” Mae asked, blushing at the request.Mae didn’t mean anything by it, but she was just curious about what it felt totouch a tattoo.

STEVIE

“Bookstores, huh? Wouldn’t have pegged you as abookworm.” Stevie said. She didn’t particularly like books much herself.After struggling through high school, she only associated reading with schooland that was something she just didn’t want to subject herself to.“Nope.” She replied, popping the P for emphasis. Believing in stufflike that was dangerous; it only set you up for disappointment in the future.Nodding at Mae’s comment, Stevie spoke up, “Yeah. I like flowers. Naturein general, but flowers are pretty.” She said. Glancing back at Mae,Stevie let out a long suffering sigh. “Sure, why not.”

MAE

“I’m all sorts of intellectual.” Mae winked beforegiggling. “My abuela was always short on money so she took me to the library asa way to make me feel like I was getting something so it just kinda stuck.” Maeshrugged. Mae pouted. “I’ll believe for you.” Mae told her. “I have enoughfaith for the both of us.” Mae smiled. Mae nodded. “Flowers are gorgeous.” Maeagreed. “I don’t know if I’m the nature type, though. I grew up in New York mywhole life. Not a lot of room for experiencing nature.” Mae chuckled. Maechewed on her lip. “Okay, grumpy.” Mae teased before tracing the outer part ofthe tattoo with her finger. “It’s beautiful. I’ve always wanted to get atattoo.” Mae mumbled. “Something pretty like this.”

STEVIE

“Uh huh. I don’t doubt that.” Listening toMae talk about her grandma taking her to the library, Stevie could relate.Money had always been short in the Evans household, so they had to make theirown entertainment. But, instead of books, Stevie had always preferred runningaround outside, getting into trouble. Just doing something.“Whatever.” Stevie said dismissively. She didn’t really need Mae’sbelief and neither did the world. Life wasn’t some kind of fairytale andbelieving that it was wouldn’t change anything. “Makes sense. I’m fromNashville and there was a lot of country around us.” She said. Squirmingat Mae’s touch, Stevie shifted away and pulled her shirt back on. “Ohyeah? What would you want to get?” She asked, always interested in hearingwhat people wanted to get

MAE

Mae nodded. “I don’t read as much as I use to. I reada bunch of picture books, though.” Mae chuckled. “I’m practically an expert.”Mae flipped her hair before laughing. Mae looked over at Stevie. “Who hurtyou?” Mae asked with a teasing smile. “Don’t be such a downer.” Mae moved herhand away and blushed when Stevie shifted away. Mae settled back down on theslide and thought for a seconds. “Okay, well, I’m Cuban. I grew up with myCuban grandmother and so that’s all I know. There’s a flower in Cuba that wecall ‘mariposa.’ It means butterfly. It’s the national flower and I’d get it asan homage to my grandma and where I come from. I’d get it somewhere like myribs if I was brave.” Mae shared with a soft smile.

STEVIE

“Of course you do.” Stevie laughed, shakingher head. Kids. Gross. Mae must be some kind of saint or a psycho if she couldactually handle being around sticky little toddlers all the time. Stevie barelyliked teenagers and she’d only recently grown out of being one. “I’m not adowner. I’m a realist.” She said as she cuffed the sleeves of her t-shirtso they lay tight against her biceps. She needed to do more arm workouts if shewanted to get that sleeve any time soon… Nodding, Stevie replied, “Iknow what a mariposa is. A dude at the shop I work out, he draws those a lot.But uh… hope you know what you’re getting into. If you’re a tattoo virgin,the ribs is a ballsy place to get tattooed for the first time.” She said,grimacing a bit. She’d seen plenty of people bitch out because of the pain.

MAE

Mae nodded. “And absolutely no one can compete with myrendition of ‘twinkle twinkle little star.’” Mae giggled. “Oh and don’t eventry to attempt to sing ‘itsy bitsy spider,’ I have the lyrics and handchoreography down to a ‘T’.” Mae shared with a proud smile. Mae loved beingaround kids. They were easier to be around than people her age. All they wantedwere simple things in life. As you got older, things weren’t as simple anymoreand adults demanded much out of each other. Mae took a sip of her drink. “Ithink love is a realistic concept. Even living some cheesy rom-com scenes inreal life. You just have to find the right person.” Mae argued. Mae flinched atthe thought of getting the tattoo on her ribs. “I know. That’s why I said if Iwas brave.” Mae chuckled. “I would also get a cute little tattoo on my anklelike a heart or a cute daisy. Maybe an ocean wave. I really do love the beachand there’s a love quote I really like that talks about the ocean.” Mae musedwith a soft smile. “I can see you’re so judging me.”Mae took a sip of her drink.

STEVIE

Stevie raised her hands, not wanting to provoke Maeinto singing anything. “Nope, I’ll trust you on that one. Don’t need toprove it to me.” She said before taking another drink from the bottle.Capping it before she drank more than she should, she set it down on the groundnext to her. Stevie knew her limits and if she wanted to be good to bike home,she needed to cut herself off now. “Sure, love might be a realisticconcept. But, the rom com kind of love isn’t real. It’s just some kind of…easily digestible version of love. Like, what happens to those folks after thebutterflies are gone?” She replied. At Mae’s other ideas for a tattoo,Stevie shook her head. “Hold on now, I’m not judging you. I don’t judgepeople for what they get. Usually. But, look,” Pushing her hair up andaway from her ear, she showed Mae the olive branch behind her ear, “Behindthe ear tattoos are about as basic as they come, so I’m not judging you foryour heart tattoo.” She let her hair fall back down, running her fingersthrough the tangled locks a few times. “Besides, it’s not as bad as allthe dudes who get barbed wire around their biceps.”

MAE

Mae laughed. “Were your kindergarten days not as greatas they could’ve been?” Mae teased with a pout. Mae finished her drink andlistened to Stevie’s argument. “If it’s real love, the butterflies won’t everstop. I don’t know, I think people get into a certain part of theirrelationship where they get too comfortable and don’t even try to maintain thesparks. So rom-com love is definitely possible if you make an effort to giveyour partner the feeling like they’re in one.” Mae retorted. Mae turned to lookat the tattoo and smiled. “Awww it’s cute!” Mae exclaimed. “I like it.” Maehummed before doing a dramatic sigh. “Wow guess I’ll have to hide my barbedwire tattoo. Have you seen these bad boys?” Mae took off her jacket and flexedher arms. “I think they need two barbed wires.Make it a metaphor. My arms are high security prisons. They’re hard to escape.”Mae threw a punch into the air before laughing.

STEVIE

“No, they were fine, I think. I don’t reallyremember kindergarten. Does anyone?” She asked, hoping that most peopledidn’t have those memories. It’d be just like her to be one of the dumb littlekids who didn’t remember when they were five. Seeing that Mae had finished herdrink, Stevie leaned back and held up the bottle of honey whiskey, “Youwant any of this?” She shook the bottle, letting what little was leftsplash around the sides of the glass. “Sure, whatever you say.”Stevie said, not wanting to argue with Mae on this. It didn’t really matter,Stevie was happy with being single. It was nice and neat that way, not havingto worry about what someone else wanted. “Thanks.” She said beforequirking an eyebrow at Mae’s antics. Unimpressed, she tilted her head.“Barbed wire tattoos are already a metaphor. Like, they’re a pretty strongsymbol for Jesus. You’re not some born again Christian, are you?”

MAE

Mae shrugged. “My abuela said I cried my first day.”Mae chuckled. “Did you? Or were you always a toughie?” Mae teased. Mae lookedat the bottle for a few seconds. She hadn’t had much to drink and she wasplanning on taking an Uber back home. Mae reached out and took the bottle.“Thanks.” Mae said as she opened it and took a sip of it. “There’s nothing likethe satisfaction of legally consuming a drink. I know I won’t get in trouble.Which is good.” Mae chuckled. “Unless I streak—which I won’t. I’m not drunkenough.” She laughed. Mae hummed. “Agree ti disagree?” Mae looked at Stevie.“Or tired of this debate? Because…I was right?” Mae smirked. Mae giggled atStevie’s unimpressed look. Inside, she was feeling a little upset that shecouldn’t seem to get Stevie to like her, but she’d keep trying anyway. “I wasactually raised Catholic. And my metaphor is way better. I don’t think Jesusdigs the edginess of the tattoo.” Mae chuckled.

STEVIE

Stevie shifted on the swing. “I dunno. My folksjust dropped me off, no real fanfare around it. Actually, Sam might have walkedme to school. Like I said, I don’t remember much as a little kid.” Shereplied. Nodding as Mae talked about legal drinking, Stevie just kept quiet.“None of the above. You obviously have your thoughts, I have mine, andneither of us are changing our minds.” Stevie looked at Mae and shook herhead, “Fair enough, I guess. Don’t trust me, the one training to be atattoo artist.”

MAE

Mae hummed. “I’m an only child, so I only had myabuela.” Mae shrugged. Mae shrugged. “Fair enough I guess.” Mae mumbled beforechuckling. “I think you’ll make a great tattoo artist.” Mae said. “Maybe youcan do my first tattoo.” Mae offered. “I don’t know when I’ll do it, but whenthat time comes, you can put those skills to work.” Mae chuckled as she drank alittle more from the bottle. “I hope I don’t have a hangover tomorrow. Thelittle munchkins won’t be very kind to it.” Mae laughed as she leaned back alittle.

STEVIE

“Gotcha.” A part of Stevie was curious as towhy Mae didn’t mention a mom or a dad, but she figured it was best not to pry.She didn’t like It when people poked their noses into her family life and, whenboth of her sisters were practically living in the same neighborhood… it washard to avoid. Leaning back in the swing. Stevie looked up at the hazy New Yorknight sky. She couldn’t see a single star, just some planes. Gross. At Mae’swords about tattoo, Stevie slipped out of the swing, landing hard on her ass.“No, no, no, no. I’ve had enough people ask me to do that. I’m nottattooing you. Particularly not if it’s your first one.” Stevie said asshe scrambled back to her feet. Dusting grass from her pants, Stevie glancedover at her. “Jesus, why would you go party if you knew that you wereworking with gremlins in the morning? That sounds awful.” She said, notrealizing how rude her tone was.

MAE

Mae looked at Stevie and raised an eyebrow before nodding,putting on a soft smile despite the comment hurting her feelings a little.“You’re right. I should probably…go. Now. Yeah.” Mae nodded as she stood up,dusting off her skirt and clearing her throat. Mae didn’t know if her presenceor not was wanted by Stevie, but she didn’t want to stick around to annoy her.She’d find a way to get Stevie to like her—somehow. “Cool seeing youand…uh…cool party.” Mae nodded.

STEVIE

Stevie watched as Mae stood up. Rubbing the back ofher neck, she shook her head. Ah shit. She’d fucked things up, hadn’t she? Footmeet mouth, that was something that she really needed to get into her head. “Yeah…see you around sometime?” She asked. Stevie wasn’t sure why it botheredher to see Mae go like this, but it did. Stevie didn’t want her to feel likeshe didn’t like her or anything.

MAE

Mae smiled and nodded. “Yeah, maybe I’ll see youaround.” Mae said softly before getting on her phone and ordering an Uber. “I’mgonna—yeah.” Mae gestured to her leaving before walking away to the front ofthe house while contemplating what it was about her that made her so unlikeableto Stevie and what Mae could do to fix that problem.