#i’m like. really busy right now between work and my brothers birthday | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

callofdudes · 4 months ago

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Call it your own what if bestie ☺️☺️

An alternate reality where Tommy, Beth and Joseph are still alive. Simon invites y/n back to Manchester to visit them and a huge amount of chaos unfolds between the two

I really really enjoy making this au with you @itsscromp and it's given me a bazillion and one ideas for it. It's kind of funny how in the reboot I imagine Simon and Tommy's complexions switcheroo-d. You've sucked me in, I was listening to Billie while I wrote this periodically.

Summary: When Joseph's birthday comes up, Simon takes leave to head home and spend time with them. With him, comes y/n with nothing better to do, looking to meet the family.

Riley family functions.

Simon didn’t speak about his family much. It was a private matter close to his heart, and after so many rough years he wasn’t ready to share that with the world. He'd been putting things back together with his brother, and for once in his life, things seemed to be working out in his favor.

Meeting you had changed something in him. When he was changed to 141 his barrier started to deplete just enough that you could wiggle your way into a friendship with the brute. And Simon wasn’t bad. Everyone feared him but the bravado he showed the world wasn’t what those closest to him saw.

You’d been his friend for a while, and Simon had never mentioned his family. Hell, you didn’t know if he even had a family. Given his whole identity and government shtick you almost assumed not.

Simon was in his little world, however. His nephew’s birthday was coming up and he’d promised Tommy he’d be there. So, he took his 30 days and before long started to pack. And that’s when you saw him.

“Where are you going, Lt?”

He grunted half-heartedly. “Not your business.” He zipped up his suitcase and pondered over what he might get Joseph. The little guy already had toys, and he wasn’t that old. A couple of years? It had been a while admittedly. Maybe he was 6 by now??

“Oh, come on. Don’t want to tell your buddy where you’re going??” You walked over and looked over what he was packing. Clothes, snacks? Paperwork?

“Ghost, where are you going?”

“Already answered you.” He grunted. You gave him a look as he left his room after packing up. You crossed your arms, and in his mind, Simon heard Beth chiding him for not being open with his friend. He could imagine her saying, “Invite your friend, I’m sure they’d love to hang out with you, and Joseph can get some more social time.”

“You’re not going to stop bugging me, are you?”

You considered and then shook your head. “Nuh uh.”

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Going back to my family for the month. Nephew’s birthday is coming up. They want me there.”

“Aw, you have a nephew??” You smiled, already walking faster to keep up with him. “How old is he?”

Simon shrugged. “Five, maybe six? But that’s givin’ the kid credit.”

You chuckled softly as you followed along. “So, you like your nephew??” You smirked upon seeing the little glint of warmth in his otherwise unresponsive irises.

“Yeah, I guess so.” He stopped and turned to you, catching you off guard with your stride. “Let me guess…”

“I’d love to meet your family; I could use a break.” You smiled. “If that isn’t too forward.”

He considered this, shifting back and forth from foot to foot. And eventually, he relented. “If your shit isn’t packed by tomorrow don’t bother coming.”

You smiled wide. “Right away lieutenant.” You winked and headed off.

A couple days later, Ghost found himself squished on a plane with you. His legs tucked in; his arms folded awkwardly as his elbows pressed into the hard armrest.

You were curled up similarly, Simon never spent enough money on these dumb flights to get him comfortably from base to Manchester.

“So, what are they like??” You asked to try and pass the time, turning to him.

Simon grumbled and shifted again. “They’re fine. Nephew’s a little ball of energy. Can never get that kid to relax. Beth, my brother’s wife is… Strong-willed. If you could put it that way.”

“Oh?? Strong, is she?”

He raised his eyebrows. “That’s an understatement. Not mean, but not afraid to call bullshit in her house.”

You nodded. An awkward moment passed between you, and then you frowned. “What... what about your brother??”

Simon was quiet throughout the flight. “He’s not bad. Can be an asshole, like every older brother.”

“Oh, so he’s older?”

Simon huffed. Seemingly annoyed he got stuck with the role of the younger sibling. Forced to live life vicariously through his brother.

“Yes…”

“Well, they sound very nice, it’ll be nice to meet them.” You reassured him. Simon didn’t talk about his family for the rest of the flight until the plane landed. You grabbed your bags from the terminal at the airport and headed to your cab.

Manchester was dark and gloomy by this point in the evening. Rain started to flick down on the windows and drip down from the rooftops.

You looked around, taking in some of the features of gloomy Manchester. The drive was quiet, the sound of the rain and the tires was the only noise between you both.

Finally, Simon lifted his head upon reaching a pale blue house, light pouring out from the window, soft white curtains fogging up any inside activities. The railing looked somewhat old, wrapped in Christmas lights that hadn’t been taken down yet.

“Is this it? It looks nice.” You spoke.

“Yeah, it is.” Simon paid the driver and got out into the rain. The pour got harder as you two flipped the trunk and got your bags.

“Lovely weather!” You said over the rain, seeing the wet cat look on Simon’s face. “Bloody hell.” He remembered times when Tommy would lock the house after he got home from school so Simon would have to sit out in the pouring rain until their father came home.

He walked up the wet steps, seeing the lilacs were growing nice. He stood at the door and knocked heavily after a moment of hesitation.

“Coming!” There was a call from inside, someone rushing to the door. A woman opened the door, looking around the same age as Simon. She smiled upon seeing the younger man, “Simon! Oh, my goodness, come in out of the rain.” Her chest-length hair tied back into a messy bun, a few strands falling into her face.

“Oh, and your friend, I assume?”

“Y/n. Yes. A friend.” Simon came in out of the rain, and you followed. Beth led the two of you into the house and instructed Simon where to put his bags for the time.

“Come in, get comfy. Tea? Coffee?” She turned back to you two with a polite, yet warm smile.

“Coffee please.” You spoke up, “Thank you.”

“Of course. Simon, I’m making you a London fog.”

Simon opened his mouth to speak before waving his hand with a curt dismissal. “Sure, fine. Do whatever the hell you want.”

You chuckled and sat on the couch. “This is nice.” You looked around once comfortable. The carpet was nice, and they had some decorations up. The house smelled of cinnamon and scented candles were set up in the kitchen. The soft beige color of the walls feels simple but not out of place, making it a warm atmosphere. Toys were scattered around the room where the Christmas tree was in the corner.

“Why is that bloody thing still up?” Simon grumbled.

“Maybe they haven’t had time to take it down?” You whispered to him, gently hitting his side. “Ease up.”

Simon huffed softly and crossed his arms. Beth hummed gently as she made drinks. “Thomas! Simon is here!” She called.

Simon’s thumb dug into his bicep; arms firmly crossed over his chest. He tried to ease the twist and pound inside his chest.

“Comin!” A voice called back.

Tommy wandered down the stairs, a little one clinging onto his pant leg. Tommy looked over at Simon and smiled a little. “Hey, you made it ok?”

“Hello, we did.”

Tommy looked toward you. “Oh?”

“Oh, y/n” You smiled, quickly rushing to introduce yourself. “Thomas. I see you’ve met my less handsome half.”

“Fuck off.”

“Don’t use that language around Joseph.” The two tossed words back like a mental game of ping pong. Passing off ideas to see how comfortable they could get invading each other’s space. But that was brothers, already poking each other's buttons as much as they could.

While they did, you smiled at the small boy clinging onto his dad. He peered over, looking at you.

You waved softly, but that only prompted him to hide more.

Beth returned with tea, giving Simon his London Fog, and your coffee. The mugs were warm and decorated with sayings like ‘best mom’ and ‘I wear this expression to work’.

“Here you are.”

“Thank you.” You brought your lips to the cup, hovering over the warm drink, blowing over the cup gently.

Tommy sat in the seat across from you and Simon. “How’s work been?”

“How do you think?” Simon replied.

Tommy shrugged. “I dunno. A pain?” He opened his arms when Joseph beckoned to be in his arms, allowing the little guy to climb onto his lap. Tommy gently patted Joseph’s back, “Well, I’m sure Joseph is happy you’re here.”

You saw Simon’s snippy attitude soften. Joseph looked over at him, nodding in agreement with his dad.

Simon took a sip of his tea. “Remind me, how old are you Joseph? One?”

Joseph went shy and shook his head against Tommy’s shoulder.

“Oh you’re not?? Hm, what about two?”

“No…” Joseph whispered with a soft smile.

Simon leaned back, propping up his leg so his ankle rested against his knee. “Ok, tell me if I’m warm?”

Joseph didn’t say anything, but Simon took it as a yes. “Ten??”

Joseph giggled a little, shaking his head.

“What about… Six?”

Joseph considered this, and Tommy leaned in to whisper, yes, he was turning six. Joseph nodded, looking over at Uncle Simon with a small smile now. Through his small smile, his gap-toothed expression was evident. It warmed your heart at how adorable the little guy was.

“You’re getting pretty old. Dad’ll start charging you rent soon.”

“Oh shush.” Beth gently scolded him.

“Gotta prepare him for when he’ll be pitching in for rent. That’s what we did when we were little-“

“What’s the rule about no trauma dumping on the first day?”

“No trauma dumping on the first day…” He muttered and sipped his tea.

“Sharp mind.” She teasingly patted his shoulder. She was like the firm older sister Simon didn’t have the dreaded experience with. He suffered enough with a brother, he couldn’t begin to imagine that with a sister.

He was glad Tommy didn’t find a pushover pill pusher, but she was like a ruler. Bend it too far and it snaps right back to hit you in your face. But she was a lovely woman regardless. She’d been the main middleman for the brother's continued talks, working toward tranquil redemption.

“Did you two get dinner??” She perked up, looking over at you.

“Oh, no we didn’t. It’s no problem though-“

She raised her hand and stood. “I’ve got leftovers from last night I can toss in the oven quick for ya.”

“Yes ma’am.” Simon didn’t argue this time.

While she did that you three talked together. Tommy asked you about how you enjoyed and dealt with working with Simon. The playful banter between the brothers made you chuckle in between serious conversations. Cheap quips and snide teasing.

Beth brought you two trays of cabbage rolls, and oh my goodness they were heavenly. The best cabbage rolls you’d had in your entire life.

“Oh, Beth,” You hummed, eagerly digging into more. Beth smiled proudly.

“Told her once, she should go on Master Chef.” Tommy said to Simon.

“You kiddin’? She’d make Ramsey cry.”

The two snickered, you and Simon finishing the last of the leftovers. The pace of the evening continued on.

Soon it was Joseph’s bedtime, and Beth went to tuck him in. Not before rushing for a quick hug from Uncle Simon, who squeezed him gently. “Go on, get some sleep, bubs.”

“Ok…”

He rushed to Mom, who picked him up and carried him to bed. You were the next to go, yawning and slumping into the comfy couch. “I think he’s onto something.”

“Tired too, huh?” Tommy nodded. “Well, you two had a long flight here. Best let you get some rest. The spare room is open, we’ve got an air mattress we can set up? Unless one of you wants the pull-out couch.”

“I can take the couch.” Simon muttered.

You wanted to fight it, but if Simon wasn’t comfortable sharing a space with you, you wouldn’t push.

Tommy nodded and got up. “Come on then, I’ll show you the spare room.”

You followed Tommy closely and made it to the bedroom. A queen bed with comfy blankets and a nightlight on the side desk.

“Thank you, for the hospitality.”

Tommy nodded. “Look, he may be an asshole. But any friend of Simon’s is a friend of ours… For the most part.”

You chuckled softly. “Goodnight Simon!” You called back, hearing him grunt in indignation.

Simon slept on the pull-out couch. Slept is a very loose term. It was sleep, and then periodically waking up when the house settled or just to do a once over of the shadowy, dark living room.

He survived the night in the house, around 6 he heard shuffling upstairs.

Beth opened one eye slowly, barely aware Tommy was leaving bed. “Thomas…” She reached out and grabbed his hand gently.

Tommy looked down at her, gently squeezing her hand. “I’m going to shower, not leaving yet.”

“I’ll make you breakfast…”

He gently shook his head, leaned down, and kissed her tenderly. “I’ll pick something up.” She hummed, resigning and shifting back asleep. Tommy grabbed his work clothes and went to have his shower. After which he cuddled her some more before heading downstairs.

Simon skulked over the counter, a cup of tea in hand. Tommy brushed his hair back, jumping slightly when he saw Simon. “Fuckin’ hell… Ugly mug in the mornin'" He muttered.

“You’re one to talk.”

“Skeleton lookin’ ass.”

“Suck up.”

“At least I have a wife.” Tommy grumbled.

“You can keep her.”

“I planned on it.”

The two nodded firmly. Tommy grabbed his work jacket and started to put on his boots. He grabbed his keys and went for the door, then sighed softly.

“Simon?”

Simon looked up from his cup. “Wot?”

“I’m… Glad you came to stay.”

Simon looked down again. He didn’t say anything, leaving Tommy in an awkward silence. “Alright…” Tommy inhaled deeply and stepped out the door.

When the door closed again, Simon’s shoulders dropped, and he continued to sip his tea.

He felt heavy at the table, letting the warm drink wash over his muscles, soothing each overactive muscle.

You were the next person up. After dressing you wandered out to the living room, spotting Simon clanking around as quietly as possible in the kitchen.

“Looking for food?”

“Forgot where Beth keeps her instant meals…”

You raised an eyebrow as he continued to roam around the cupboards and cabinets. You looked at the fridge and wandered over, inside were five or more stacked meal preps she’d done. “Had you checked in here?”

He perked up and looked at the fridge. A pause. “I was going there next.”

You couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m sure.” You pulled out the one labeled Tuna Salad and popped open the lid.

Simon took his meds in the meantime, and you served each a bowl. “She’ll be ok with this?”

Simon shrugged. “She usually doesn’t give a shit what I eat.”

You both sat at the table and ate in peaceful silence until Beth joined you. “Oh, Tuna Salad? That does sound good.” She went to the container, seeing there was still enough for her, Joseph, and Tommy when he got home.

She joined you at the table.

“Where’s Tommy?”

“He’s at work. But, he’ll be off early for Joseph’s birthday tomorrow.”

“That’s nice.”

Not long after, the little guy scuttled down the stairs and rushed over to Mum. “Mama…” He gently tugged her shirt.

“Hey baby.” And smiled at him.

“Where’s dad…?”

“Work baby, he’ll be home later. You hungry?”

He nodded, so she got up and served him a bowl of Tuna Salad. He poked at it, sticking his finger in the tuna and eating from his palm.

You chuckled softly, and Joseph’s gaze was on you. You looked down at your food, letting Joseph eat.

Beth gave him a soft look. “Did you tell Uncle Simon we got your electric train working?”

Joseph momentarily stopped mashing the food and looked up.

Simon took a sip of his tea. “You get it working?”

“Dad,” He made motions with his tuna and lettuce-covered hands. “Fixed it.”

“You gotta show me then. It looked pretty cool in the video.” That made Joseph smile. His toothy little smile, those two front teeth missing, giving him an adorable smile.

He rushed from the table, making Beth chuckle. He wiped his hands on his pajama pants, that she wasn’t too happy to see. He went to the living room and scrambled to get the electric train from under the tree.

Simon moved from the kitchen to the living room, squatting down while his nephew set up the tracks. They are all connected and could be rearranged to make different paths. The bottom of the connecting train’s rail piece was a small button.

Joseph pressed it, and the train started up. His smile remained bright, proud of his cool train.

Simon whistled softly, “Well look at that.”

Joseph pushed the button again and the train sped up a knot. Simon watched the train go in its circle, pistons trekking quickly over each wheel to keep it moving.

“What if we made it go underneath?”

“What?”

Simon looked around for visual representation and spotted a stack of Beth’s books. “Sorry.” He said half-heartedly and stacked them, putting one of the tracks across the staircase leveled books. “You think we could build it to go up?”

Joseph’s eyes lit up like saucers, nodding wildly. He scooted closer and Simon helped him build an extravagant track for his train.

You smiled, watching the inner child of such a harsh man shine through. “Is he always like this here?”

Beth hummed softly. "Eventually. Sometimes it takes him a bit. But that's Uncle Simon."

It was warm and lively. You joined them halfway through to see their progress. "Ooh, looks good."

"Thanks for the approval, Egg."

A heartbeat or two later you both heard explosive giggles. Simon smiled softly and looked at Joseph who laughed.

"What's so funny?" Your smile softened too.

Joseph's cheeks went red, hiccing and giggling. "Egg!"

The two of you chuckled too. "Yes, that's Egg."

"Cracks people up." You grinned. Simon said, "Oh, that was good."

"Right? I'm so quick with it."

Joseph was laughing in tears but managed to recover.

"I coined it for them."

"Thanks for that." Said sarcastically. “But the call signs aren’t technically supposed to be cool, and I don’t think I have the worst call sign on base.”

"You're welcome." Simon replied, taking all credit.

Your visit with the Riley family was fun. For Simon’s family, you didn’t expect them to be as lively as they were. Beth was Tommy a pair of incredible parents.

“Dada.” Joseph pointed out the window to a truck driving along the neighborhood, beckoning his father over. Tommy came over, kneeled beside Joseph, and watched the garbage truck go by. "Look at that, hey?" He smiled a little, admiring his son's happy expression. And they sat there watching the garbage men go down the street.

He'd sit with Mama Beth at the table as she cut his toasties for him. Pecking a soft kiss on his hair and helping him with anything he needed.

Joseph would sit on his dad's lap, cuddling with him and his stuffie as they watched Tommy's favorite cowboy movies or YouTube videos on cool machinery. Joseph loved it, and would usually fall asleep if it was late. His dad went upstairs and tucked him into bed.

Uncle Simon would continue to play with him and take Joseph out for adventures. Telling him his awful jokes and the PG version of his missions. Joseph saw him as the ultimate hero, aside from his parents.

Tommy was always there to have the occasional casual conversation, hated talking about his work. Beth would let you invade her kitchen and would not hesitate to put you in place if you got rowdy.

Whenever Simon and Tommy started to act like brothers do. The classic pranks like pink hair dye in the shampoo, laxatives in tea, and tearing off the moustache with duct tape, she's the one to end it. And they never fight Beth.

You were there to witness Simon and Tommy coming in after a game of football covered in mud. And the horror in her face when she was told they might have gotten tangled up in the plants... You've never seen Simon submit so easily. His sister-in-law is scary ok!?

But she was chill with you. You're her new favorite.

And then came Joseph's birthday. The brothers were rowdy. Of course they let the little guy sleep in, his birthday being on a Sunday.

Beth and Tommy got up to make Sunday breakfast and the rest of you periodically got up.

"Ew, Beth, what is that?" *Simon scrunched his nose.

She looked over at him before frowning. "My husband you dumbfuck."

Simon raised his eyebrows briefly. "Shoulda seen that coming..."

Tommy snickered, leaning over to give Beth a kiss while washing the strawberries. "That's my love." Beth smiled a little, nudging him back and stealing another kiss.

"Ok, ok we get it, you're in love." Simon said, his tone in a sarcastic drawl. "Ugh... Get a room."

"Yeah, you wish we would." Tommy gave Beth a light snack on the butt.

"Oi! Behave- both of you." Beth went slightly pink, shaking her head and reprimanding the two back into their place. The brothers continuing to mime mocking words at each other. Simon stuck out his tongue, Tommy flipped the middle finger.

Geez, it was like watching two middle school kids argue over the sandbox.

"Well, everyone seems lively today." You looked at Simon, nudging him to stop sticking out his tongue at his brother.

"Huh?" One Simon who had been very caught up in his young sibling antics. "Yes, yes very."

You chuckled and shook your head softly. Oh boy, you know he didn't hear a word you said.

And then the little guy came waddling in. "Mama...??" *He rubbed his tired eyes, going over to her and grabbing onto her side, hugging it.

"Good morning, baby. You sleep ok?" *She reached out, gently ruffling his soft hair.

"Mhm..."

"You ready for your birthday breakfast?" She asked, combing through his hair. "Mhm." *He replied.

Tommy and Beth got the table set and brought food over, serving Joseph up a plate of pancakes and whipped cream on top. Joseph muttered out a quick thank you before eagerly digging in. Consuming it like a black hole.

Simon smirked as Joseph inhaled his pancakes.

"Wow." You whispered.

"He inherited my appetite. It skips a generation." Simon replied with a smirk.

"Oh, does it now? Are Joseph's grandchildren going to get it?"

"Very likely. It's horrible."

"I feel so bad for them." You chuckled, smiling softly and grabbing a serving.

It was odd seeing Simon like this, but it was rather endearing as well. Simon was always this big strong man, and he still was, absolutely. But something about getting to see him domestic hot differently. Seeing how he got up with his brother, how gentle he was with his nephew, and the snarky little shit with his sister-in-law. You smiled as you watched them, saw how they interacted.

Joseph seemed equally as happy to have his family all in one place. And then Tommy brought a couple boxes to the table. "Ok bud, all yours."

Joseph looked at the boxes, eyeing them with stars in his pupils. He bounced in his chair and picked the top one up, early tearing into it to see what it was. He shrieked, his smile going wide. "Batman!?"

"Yep." Simon smiled proudly, watching Joseph pick up the Batman costume he'd ordered online. He was lucky it had reached their house in time.

"That's from uncle Simon." Beth said.

"Thank you!" He squirmed from his seat, eagerly to wrap his arms around his uncle. Simon gave Joseph a little assuring squeeze. "Any time, bubs."

Tommy pushed a present closer, and Joseph smiled at his parents. This was from them. He could feel it. So he broke it open, and looked inside, smiling warmly. A remote control car.

"You've done well with the train, so we figure it can't hurt to let you go 4-wheel drive."

Joseph smiled, waddled to hug both mum and dad. And they hugged him, of course.

And you felt like you couldn't come to their house without getting their son a gift.

So you slid it across the table, smiling at Joseph, who perked up and looked at it. Ooo.

He picked up the gift shyly. "Thank you..."

He looked it over before opening it up. He smiled, looking down at the bag of gummy worms.

"it's... Not much, but your uncle likes them, and I trusted his word that you did too."

Joseph took the bag, and looked at you, giving you a big, happy smile. "Thank you!"

It warmed your heart in a way you couldn't describe. There was nothing better than spending all the time with family. And Simon's family seemed wonderful.

(I wanted to explore with the family more, not sure if I did them heaps of justice but this project took a bit to come to me and I couldn't cram all my thoughts on the Riley's coherently into this without frying. But I want more for these three, I promise.)

#call of duty #simon ghost riley #ghost x reader #simon ghost riley x reader #riley family #ghost simon riley #simon riley #simon riley fluff #call of duty modern warfare 3 #Simon rileys Family #Beth Riley cod #Tommy Riley cod #Joseph Riley cod

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robinsegghead · 5 months ago

Text

Danny's Daycare Part 7

[Master List]

“This ain’t some weird trick, right?” Miguel asked for the fifth time since Danny had showed them their new place. Both boys had been shocked into silence upon entering the space, eventually following Danny around to see their rooms and bathroom.

Shaking his head, Danny swallowed his bite of pizza. “I bought the building with the intention of giving the apartments to people who needed them. You guys need a safe place to stay.”

Miguel eyed him warily, glancing at Jazz who’d been mostly quiet since they’d arrived, knowing they were overwhelmed. “We can’t stay here without pullin’ our weight. Wha’s rent like?”

Danny hummed, considering. Jazz looked at him in shock, thinking he was actually planning on charging the boys rent. Finally, Danny wiped his hands of the pizza grease, folded them on the table, and looked at both boys seriously. “Here’s the deal I’m proposing. You two live here until you’re at least eighteen AND,” He emphasized the word, so they knew he was serious. “have graduated from high school. That’s it. That’s the rent. You’ll be paying me back by getting an education.”

“But tha’s ridiculous!” Santiago shouted, clearly torn between confusion and hope. “Nobody gives nothin’ out for free! It just ain’t done!”

Sitting back, Danny contemplated what he’d need to say to help them understand his intentions. Jazz met his gaze and gave him a subtle nod, knowing what he was thinking about doing. “My parents,” Danny started. Jazz stood up, clearing away trash and dishes as he told a story neither wanted to relive. “didn’t pay me or my sister much attention.”

That was a safe start right? He didn’t need to explain the whole ghost thing or that they tortured him, just a bit of background. “They forgot my seventh birthday, too caught up in work to be bothered and after that it wasn’t occasional forgetfulness. Most days they didn’t know where I was, what I was up to, how I was doing in school, who my friends were, because they were too busy to care.

“That put a lot of responsibility on my shoulders and even more on my sister’s. She basically raised me.” He dipped his head in her direction as she put away the leftovers. “In my freshman year my grades began to suffer, and I struggled with really bad anxiety, but I didn’t have parents to help me with that, because they didn’t really know me as a person.”

Taking in a deep breath, Miguel looked between the Nightingales. “What’s that gotta do with us, though?”

“My sister, who spent her entire childhood taking care of everyone but herself,” He added with a smirk. “likes to remind me that I can’t help everyone, as much as I might try. But,” the two boys were watching him closely, absorbing his every word. “I can help some people. And I can help you. Don’t tell Jazz but I’m always trying to be more like her. And I think, if she had the resources I do, that she’d help you guys out.

“Let me help a couple of siblings who don’t have parents looking out for them.” Danny pleaded. “Please.”

Miguel and Santiago had a silent conversation, the air hung heavy in the room as they seemed to come to a decision. “A’ight man, you seem chill.” Miguel shrugged, the rest of the tension leaving his body.

It didn’t take long after that for the boys to start showing how tired they were. Jazz grabbed her stuff and headed out with a ‘I’ll call you tomorrow, brother’ thrown over her shoulder. Danny reminded the boys that he was across the hall and one door down and that if there was an emergency they could use their emergency key to get into his place. They’d seemed surprised by that, but Danny reminded them that he was, essentially, their guardian now, and he was there if they needed him.

“Tomorrow I’ll come by around ten and we can go get you guys some school supplies and anything else you want or need, yeah?” Danny asked, moving towards the door.

Miguel was pushing Santiago towards his room like a good older brother. “Sure, sounds good.”

For the first time in a while, Danny got a full night of sleep. This was the shocking realization he came to when he awoke to his alarm and felt rested. The first thing he did was search his fridge for food- he was starving- and remembered Red Hood’s little gifts. The chicken parm had been pretty good, and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a home cooked meal, even if he did have to reheat it.

Sticking the stew in a pot, Danny began the process of reheating another Red Hood MealTM and planned out the day mentally. They’d need to get some basic school supplies to start working on tutoring, they’d get more specific items when school actually started, but for now, calculators, notebooks, pens, pencils, and some workbooks would be fine.

After that they’d need to get the boys each a phone and at least one computer for them to share. It would be necessary for school anyways, hopefully he could convince them to just let him buy them each a laptop but that might be difficult.

Although it was Saturday, and he planned on Saturdays being tutoring days, Danny didn’t plan on working on any school stuff once they got home. They would certainly be overwhelmed by everything else going on and didn’t need one more thing to add to it. Plus, Danny needed to figure out exactly how to teach these kids everything they needed to know.

Had they ever gone to school? If so, what level had they gotten to? What were their learning styles? Who would he bring in to teach the subjects he sucked at? Like English- Danny was bad at the arts. English, Social sciences, even history, he wasn’t very good at.

Shaking his head, he dished out the stew and tried not to get caught up on the details. He was winging it, and maybe that was a bad thing when it came to kids, but it was better than what they’d had going on before, so he wouldn’t be too hard on himself.

(Who was he kidding? Danny was only ever hard on himself, and he only ever piled the work on until he was buried under an avalanche of paperwork and drama.)

The boy seemed almost surprised when he knocked on their door at ten AM sharp.

“You have a key, y’know.” Santiago muttered, closing the door behind Danny.

Danny frowned. “This is your home, Santiago. I’m not using my key unless there’s an emergency.” He offered a smile to Santiago’s contemplative face, before clapping his hands together. “All right, where’s that brother of yours?”

The younger boy frowned. “He wasn’t feeling too good.” Right. Because stab wounds don’t heal quickly, not for normal people- Danny you can’t just forget things like that! “Said we should go without ‘im.”

“Well that won’t do.” Danny sighed. “We need to get those supplies, but I don’t want to go without Miguel, do you?” Santiago shook his head hesitantly. “Then it’s settled. We will simply order everything we need and when Miguel’s feeling better we can go out. Have you eaten yet?”

Santiago shrugs, not meeting Danny’s eyes. So that’s a no. Without another word, Danny begins searching the fridge and cupboards for what he needed. He wasn’t much of a cook, there was a reason he hadn’t had a homemade meal in a long time, but he could do pancakes, and he knew he’d bought the ingredients for it too.

The younger boy just watched, silently, as Danny began measuring out flour.

“So,” Danny started, immediately regretting it and feeling just as awkward as he was in high school. “I did my best to get you guys the necessities. I don’t want to overwhelm you, but when I say that you can ask for anything, I mean anything.” He emphasized his words by looking Santiago directly in the eye until the boy looked away. “If you want a TV, tools for a hobby, books, literally anything, you just have to ask.”

The boy licked his lips, still not making eye contact but at least he nodded. They’d work on it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?

Danny tried again. “What do you do for fun, Santiago?”

The boy shrugged again, leaning against the counter and watching Danny closely.

“So you… want to help me?” He asked, hesitantly, maybe he was reading the boy wrong. But before he could rescind the offer or change the subject, the boy nodded slowly, moving closer to Danny. “Okay, first things first, you gotta wash your hands.”

The morning was filled with the smell of fresh pancakes and the quiet conversation between Danny and Santiago. At one point Miguel ventured out of his room and Danny gave him a stack of pancakes, drawing him into the conversation. Early afternoon Miguel moved from the living room back to his room to take a nap but not before Danny could change his bandages. There was something incredibly domestic about it. Danny didn’t think too hard about it.

He let Santiago help him pick out some school supplies online as well as a phone case and anything else that caught his eye- including a TV which Santiago assured him he ‘didn’t need especially because it had been three years since he’d seen a movie so what was even the point?’ which Danny thought was code for ‘a television is an absolute necessity’.

He bought the TV.

~~~

The rest of the weekend was spent making sure the boys felt comfortable and Miguel was healing well. He made an appointment with Dr. Thompkins for the following Saturday to check up on the boy and maybe get his stitches out depending on how everything was looking- Danny wasn’t a great judge of such things on humans anymore.

He’d pushed his own organs back inside himself, held his chest closed, snapped bones back into place-

Humans were fragile.

He was somewhat grateful he wasn’t that fragile anymore- though he was sporting a rather purple bruise under his left eye from yet another power nap. (He’d thought those were gone after his restful Friday night but apparently not.) It was fine, the bruise would be gone within a day or so and he’d be more careful to take his power naps on sleeping surfaces instead of while standing.

Miguel had insisted they’d be fine; that Danny didn’t need to take another day off of work to watch over them, and Danny (who’d promised not to act like their parent) had agreed. Still, he left a clone in his apartment to be there in case of an emergency.

Anxiety was a feeling Danny was familiar with, after much introspection in his adult life he’d come to the conclusion that he’d had anxiety since he was seven, but anxiety relating to children he was responsible for on this level was new, and terrifying. Of course he’d felt responsible for all of the people in Amity Park, and all of the ghosts he came across, but never had he been so completely responsible for the safety of two children who had no one else to depend on.

How he got into this situation escaped him. He’d never cared much for kids- Jazz said him not wanting kids was because he’d never been allowed to be a kid in the first place- and yet, here he was, with a daycare, four cats, and now two teenagers dependent on him.

Ancients help him…

When he got to the daycare there were already two families waiting outside to drop their kids off- should he open earlier? Quickly, he unlocked the doors, turned the power on, and signed the kids in for the day. He had a couple of hours before Mia showed up (and Ember had already told him she wouldn’t be coming in for a few days) so he cloned himself to entertain Clara, Maru, and Benji while he looked over paperwork.

It never ended.

There was a steady increase in kids, Danny had to get rid of his clone every time someone new showed up and then reclone himself after they left, and by the time Mia arrived he was managing fourteen kids by himself. Sort of. Obviously, with clones, he was fine albeit a little tired, but once Mia showed up it was just the two of them.

Nap time couldn’t come soon enough.

“They’re all out cold.” Mia whispered, closing the door to the nap room. “You look like you also need a nap.”

He dropped an armful of toys into the toy bin and sighed. “A nap sounds good but I can’t. I need to finally finish setting up the website for this place so we can hopefully start getting applications online.” He paused, feeling Mia’s concerned gaze on his back. “I want to extend the hours of this place.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I wish I was. Two families were waiting at the door this morning because we didn't open early enough for their needs.” He rubbed a tired hand across his brow and leaned against the nearest desk. “So… I need to hire some more people to maintain not only the hours we already have that are abysmally understaffed, but to open earlier. I haven’t been able to accept any new families recently either, we just can’t safely take care of anymore kids without more staff.”

Mia pursed her lips. “School’s just about out. I’ll be graduating and looking to work a bit more. I was going to bring it up anyways, but I’d like to work full time.”

He nodded, pulling out his phone to order food. “I can do that. You want to work earlier or later? And what do you want for lunch?”

“Earlier is better, Mama and I switch off cooking dinner so I don’t want to be home too late. What are you thinking? Thai kind of sounds good.” Mia took her usual spot in a bean bag towards the entrance of the room and pulled out the monitor set up to watch the kids.

Before Danny could respond, the bell rang. He and Mia shared looks, no one ever showed up in the middle of the day- not unless it was a last minute emergency. Mia made to move but Danny shook his head, and set his phone down. Someone needed to watch the kids while he saw who had shown up so late.

What he’d expected was a frazzled parent with a child, hoping to leave them here for a few hours because their babysitter had fallen through or they got called into work or some other reason most parents had.

What he did not expect to see was the very tall, very well built, Red Hood, holding a tupperware container. Before he could get a word out- which he wasn’t sure wouldn’t have simply been some kind of ‘wha?’ Red Hood tilted his head.

“Do you not eat or something?”

“Huh?”

Hood offered the food container. “Cause I’ve left you food a few times now and every time the old stuff is still there. If you think it’s poisoned I can take a bite first to prove it’s not.”

Danny’s jaw hung open, face screwed up in confusion, not really knowing what he was supposed to say. “Uh… I’ve been busy…” He took the container trying to ignore the stupid flutter in his stomach when their fingers brushed and noted how warm it was. “I had the chicken parmesan the other day and… uh the stew as well. They were really good- why are you leaving me food?”

The vigilante shrugged, hands on hips (which Danny tried very hard not to look at). “Think of it as a thank you for-” He glanced at the closed door. “What you did when we met. If you told people it was you I wouldn’t be the only person thanking you.”

Shaking his head, Danny set the container down. “You- YOU are thanking me for kill-” He looked at the door again. “For what happened?”

“Why’d you say it like that?”

Why’d he say it like that? Why’d he say it like that? “You- I-” Danny shut his mouth before he could accidentally reveal he’s the King of the Infinite Realms and that he had always wanted to meet the Red Hood to thank HIM. “No reason. Uh… well, you don’t have to do that, you know, if you don’t want to. I mean- it’s really good though! I appreciate it!”

A thought occurred to him. “How did you know I worked here?”

It was difficult to tell exactly what expression Hood was making sometimes, but he was pretty sure the bastard was smirking as he turned away and pushed the door open, pausing in the entrance. “It’s my job to find people of interest- and you are certainly a person of interest.”

Danny might have died again just a little bit.

~~~

Miguel POV

It had been a week since he and Santi had moved into the apartment Danny had provided for them. A week since he’d been stabbed. Doc Thompkins had said he was healing well at the check up he’d had the night prior and he felt like he was. The first few days had been… frustrating. He’d moved into an entirely new place and instead of being able to assess the situation, search for threats, create escape plans, he’d been stuck in bed, eating homemade pancakes and taking washcloth baths.

Danny was… strange. He came over at least once a day, usually after work because he left so early in the mornings, and cooked a meal. Again, usually dinner because he came over in the evenings, but twice he’d come over, cooked dinner, cleaned the kitchen, and then cooked a meal for breakfast the following day before cleaning the kitchen again.

He asked about their days, what they needed, what they wanted, and didn’t act like their dad. It was refreshing and surprising but not once did Danny scold them, lay down ground rules, or try to tell them what to do. He acted like a friend.

Miguel hadn’t had a friend in a long time.

So on Friday night when Danny came over to make dinner and asked if Miguel felt well enough to go shopping the following day, he’d agreed. Well, he’d argued a bit- they didn’t need anything else Danny had given them more than he’d ever be able to repay! But the man was insistent that they needed more clothes and he wanted them to pick them out so he knew they actually liked them.

That’s how he found himself in a clothing store in the diamond district feeling wildly out of place trying on dozens of items of clothing.

“How about this one?” Danny held a shirt up to Santiago who examined it closely, felt it between his fingers, grimaced, and shook his head cautiously. “Got it, no polyester.” Danny put it back and moved on.

Miguel caught the incredulous look Santi sent his way and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile. Their father had been an angry man, one who didn’t take no for an answer and thought Santiago was trying to be difficult when he ‘acted special’. To say Miguel and Santiago were surprised that Danny accepted the no and moved on without any hint of anger was an understatement.

Danny held up a different shirt. “This one’s one hundred percent cotton.” Santi reached out carefully, felt the fabric, and nodded, a shy smile forcing its way onto his face. His brother pretended to be tough because that’s what the streets demanded from all who lived on them, but he’d always been a softy with a big brain and a bigger heart. If Miguel had been hesitant to accept Danny’s offer about school it had dissipated the second he thought of what it would mean for his brother’s future.

“I hope you’re finding some things for yourself, Miguel.” Danny teased.

Scoffing, Miguel held up the three shirts and two sweaters he’d picked out. “I know how to shop for clothes, Danny.”

Danny looked Miguel’s way with a retort clearly on the tip of his tongue, but his eyes were pulled away from Miguel and locked on someone else. “Damian?” He called, waving to someone a few aisles away.

Following the direction of Danny’s eyes, Miguel saw a boy about his age standing across the store. He wore a serious expression, not quite a scowl but close, and said something to the man next to him who was much older than the person Miguel thought was Damian. The pair made their way closer much to the boy’s disapproval.

Danny set down the clothes he’d been showing Santiago, and moved out of the aisles to greet Damian. “I thought that was you! Nice to see you again. I was actually going to let you know that Curiosity’s finished his meds and has made a full recovery!”

Ah. Danny had shown Miguel and Santiago his cats earlier in the week and mentioned that someone had been giving him advice on how to take care of them, especially the sick one. So this kid had been the one helping Danny?

“I’m glad I was able to be of assistance. The cats seem to be in good hands.” The boy dipped his head.

The older man gasped. “Why Dami- that was almost a compliment!” By the sound of his teasing, they were brothers. “I don’t know how you did it, but I think Damian might actually like you. My name’s Dick, by the way, pleasure to meet you.”

“On purpose?!”

The group turned to Santiago who was still watching the entire encounter from where he’d been looking at shirts. His brother’s eyes widened as he realized what he’d said and that he’d practically insulted a complete stranger based on their name. Luckily, Dick offered a smile and Danny laughed.

“Yes, on purpose.”

Danny held out his hand which Dick shook. “Danny Nightingale, Damian’s told me about you, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

Dick’s eyes widened. “You told your friend about me?”

“Tt. Relax Grayson, I simply mentioned you in passing. I didn’t think Nightingale would latch onto such information.”

Miguel exhaled quickly, suppressing a chuckle, but it was too late, he’d been noticed.

“Oh right! This is Miguel and Santiago.” Danny pointed at each of them and smiled. Miguel wished this encounter would be over. He didn’t enjoy meeting new people, it made his skin itch and his mouth dry out. As much as he disliked shopping for clothes and Danny spending way too much money on him, he disliked meeting new people even more. Danny seemed to sense this and did his best to finish things up. “We were just finishing up some clothes shopping before working on some stuff at home.”

Damian, sensing the dismissal, nodded once. “It was nice to see you again, Nightingale, do message me if you have any more animal related questions.” He grabbed Dick’s arm and began pulling him away, Dick grumbling about wanting to get to know Danny more as they left and Miguel released a sigh.

“Sorry guys.” Danny apologized. “Let’s finish up and get food on the way home, yeah?”

~~~

When they got home Miguel and Santiago put their bags in their rooms and joined Danny in the kitchen. He looked… exhausted. To be fair, they all did, but Danny hadn’t been homeless or recently stabbed (as far as Miguel was aware) so he didn’t really have a great excuse. Before he could say anything, Danny clapped his hands together.

“So I’m thinking while we eat lunch we can touch on some school stuff just for a bit, and then we can all relax.” Santiago straightened up a bit, some of the exhaustion disappearing from his face and Miguel couldn’t help but smile. As the boys grabbed their boxes of takeout Danny grabbed them drinks. He’d already learned that Miguel liked coke and Santiago liked grape juice and had continued to supply them both with it.

“I don’ know how you’re gonna catch us up on three years of schoolin’.” Miguel said honestly, Santiago’s shoulders drooped slightly.

Danny took a bite of his food and considered what Miguel said. That was something about him Miguel liked a lot. He always seemed to think before speaking- at least, when it was something important.

“Well I’m really good at math and science so I should be able to figure out a good way to catch you guys up, it’s the arts we have to worry about. English, history, that kind of thing. Now, tests suck, I know.” He took a sip of his coffee- he drank way too much of that stuff. “But I want you each to take a few placement tests so I can understand where you’re going to be starting. Then I’ll put together a plan to get you back to the levels you would be at before the entrance exams at Gotham Academy.”

Miguel groaned. “Man tests suck.”

“I know.” Danny assured. “But these aren’t graded. I don’t care how well you do, I want to know what you don’t know so I can help you learn it. This is a judgment free zone- always.” He looked at the two seriously, Miguel’s skin itched. “I’ll just have you take two today, how's that? And you can do the other two tomorrow while I plan around the ones you take today?”

That seemed fair. He thought it seemed fair. While taking the placement tests he wasn’t so sure anymore. His brain hurt almost immediately and he wondered why he was really doing this. He wasn’t going to pass high school, he’d never been very smart and when Danny realized he wasn’t smart enough to get a good job he’d just be back on the streets again.

His brother let out a happy sound as he solved one of the science problems and moved onto the next one.

Taking a deep breath, Miguel remembered why he was doing this. Just because he’d fail out and end up back on the streets didn’t mean his brother had to. His brother was smart, smarter than him, and he’d be damned if he held Santi back from getting into Gotham University someday.

He could do this. For Santi, he thought he could do anything.

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#fanfiction #danny phantom #danny phantom/jason todd #danny's daycare #dp x dc #dead on main #dick grayson #damian wayne

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lalune9x · 2 months ago

Text

SCTIR Translation - Chapter 399: Sunset (3)

[NOVEL SPOILERS] Story context: The cast was sent into a dungeon based on the pre-regression world. Pre-regression dungeon versions of the characters appear. Han Yoojin's leg was injured during his kidnapping in China. He met the dungeon version of Sung Hyunje in the preceding chapters and vowed to treat the real version well for 3 minutes the next time they met.

“I’m not the last…” Sung Hyunje uncharacteristically trailed off. His golden eyes widened slightly as they shifted between me and my pre-regression self. His habitual smile deepened, and he brought his gloved fingers to lightly touch his lips. Oh, great, he’s definitely intrigued. Let’s see, it’s 26 minutes past the hour now. “There are two Han Yoojins. I guess I can take one with me.”

Chapter translation under the cut.

---

[1:57:35 until sunset]

A message window appeared, kindly informing me of the remaining time. Since it was only visible to me, the others took out timers from their inventories to synchronize the time.

"Almost two hours—that’s plenty of time. Did they make the sun set slower on purpose?"

We had heard about there being a nice hotel in Gangnam. It took about ten minutes for us to reach Gangnam Station, clearing out weaker hunters along the way. With no traffic and no need to stop for signals, even riding the motorcycle at a leisurely pace got us there quickly. Traffic congestion really is the problem.

Whoosh—!

Water shot up from Exit 1 of Gangnam Station. This time it surged higher than ever before, forming massive letters in the sky.

[HERE!]

The letters inside were made of yellow ice, and the edges were mixed with blue and green, making the icy sign stand out. Yoon Yoon approached the sign and began covering it with glow-in-the-dark stickers from his pocket. The sky had grown quite dark, so the stickers emitted a faint glow.

Hunters from all over Seoul would be gathering here soon. We’d have to pick a hotel a bit farther away.

We walked to a nearby bus stop, and I sat down on the bench. My pre-regression self also sat down, placing the cake box on his lap, keeping a slight distance from me.

"Aren’t you hungry?" Yoohyun scanned the surroundings as he spoke. "Do you think there will be any ingredients left at the hotel? If there’s something you want to eat, I can go find a market since we have plenty of time."

"There’s a burger place over there," I replied.

"It’s cold, so wouldn’t something warm be better?"

My brother ignored my suggestion. What was wrong with burgers? Sure, they’re not the healthiest option, but they’ve got meat and vegetables. If you skip the fries and soda, they’re a relatively balanced meal.

"...Are you really making your little brother cook for you?"

The dungeon version of me looked at me as if I were a terrible person. Hey, I used to handle the cooking before Yoohyun left home—back then, he was still young. He’s still young now, but…

"Yoohyun wants to do it, okay?"

"He’s twenty, right? Even if he’s working, shouldn’t you be taking care of him until he at least graduates from college?"

"Of course, I do that the majority of the time!"

"I do it because I want to," Yoohyun interjected. "I like taking care of hyung."

At Yoohyun’s words, my pre-regression self fell silent. Then he glanced up at Yerim and Yoon Yoon, who were busy decorating the ice sign. Even though his build was buffer than mine, my other self’s figure bundled up in the padded black parka somehow looked small.

It must feel incredibly strange for him in many ways. And yet, he wouldn’t want to show any weakness. I was quite stubborn too.

"Still, from my perspective, Yoohyun, tomorrow is your birthday. Until tomorrow, um… I guess it would be okay. So…" my other self trailed off.

"That’s true. Hey, let’s stop by a mart and get some seaweed," I spoke lightly on purpose.

Yoohyun looked at me and my other self thoughtfully, then nodded.

"Alright. And hyung, things will be the same tomorrow too."

Despite the faint smile on his lips and in his eyes, Yoohyun’s voice was firm. No matter what happened, my little brother wouldn’t let go of either of us easily.

"Ajussi! Tons of Hunters are coming this way!"

Yerim shouted, waving her arms. She had been making a large ice bear. It was a bit misshapen, but I was pretty sure it was a teddy bear.

"Which direction?"

"Over there!"

As soon as Yerim pointed, Yoohyun moved. He dashed toward the front of the building in an instant and swiftly drew his sword. With his gained momentum, the blade sliced through the building as smoothly as flowing water.

Giiiiing─!

A sharp hum from the sword rang through the air, vibrating fiercely. A deep blue flame trailed the sword’s path, melting and corroding the lower part of the building in the direction he intended to bring it down. With a loud crash, the building began to tilt. Yoohyun spun around, swinging his sword again, which had now transformed into a flaming whip. The black blade battered the side of the building.

With a heavy groan, the massive structure leaned precariously to one side. Before the first building had even fully crumbled, Yoohyun was already moving toward another. He seemed intent on blocking the wide, eight-lane street with the debris.

By clearing away the tall buildings that blocked the view and using the rubble to block the alleys, it would make it easier to prevent any hunters from slipping past us.

"Hunter Park Yerim."

"Yep, it’s my turn this time, right? Yoon Yoon! Let’s go to the Ajussis."

It seemed like they were planning to deal with the hunters properly this time, rather than just tying them up like when we first arrived. That’s not the sort of task I would want Yerim to do, and Yoon Yoon disliked blood, so it would be better for Yoohyun to handle it. Still, it showed that Yoohyun cared about Yerim.

"Ajussi, you’re praising Han Yoohyun again in your head, aren’t you?"

Yerim flew over to me, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. How did she know?

"Not exactly. But Yerim, did something happen?"

"Yeah, actually." Yerim glanced at my pre-regression self, who was sitting beside her, then grinned widely. "I met the most amazing person in the world."

"Huh? An amazing person?"

"Yeah. So I might end up liking that person more than you, Ajussi. Is that okay?"

"Well, that’s up to you, Yerim.… But who is it?"

I was genuinely curious. Someone Yerim held in such high regard—was it perhaps Hyuna-ssi? Or maybe Soyoung-ssi, who was practically the Sesung Guild Leader at this point?

"Uh, it’s a bit embarrassing to tell you now, so I’ll tell you later."

"Embarrassing?"

"That’s just how it is sometimes!"

What on earth had happened? Yoon Yoon, beside her, was covering his mouth with both hands. So Yoon Yoon knew. I could easily coax it out of him, but that wouldn’t be right. I was curious, but I decided it was better to wait until Yerim told me herself.

But I was really curious. Who could it be? Hopefully, it wasn’t someone strange…

"Yerim, that ring is new, isn’t it?" I asked.

"I got it from that person!"

"What? You got a ring?"

Who is it, really?! Well, it was probably just an item, but still, who gave her a ring?! A ring—a pair of matching rings. Who had one? Rings, bracelets, and accessories like that were easy to hide, so people rarely showed them off. There was no benefit to revealing their effects to others. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t recall who might’ve had such an item.

"It’s just an item, right?"

"Yeah, it’s SS-Rank!"

Yerim proudly showed off her ringed hand. I nudged my pre-regression self, but he didn’t seem to know either.

"Oh, and I’m going to college," she added.

"Of course, you should."

"I’m going to study properly. Not just be a college student in name only, like my guild leader."

…Wow. Whoever influenced her must be truly amazing. To convince her, who once said there was no need for S-rank hunters to have good test scores, to voluntarily talk about studying? This person deserved the title of ‘Perfect Caregiver.’

Yerim mentioned she was thinking of studying architecture. Studying hard was definitely a good idea. You never know how the world might change, so having a backup plan aside from being a Hunter was a smart move.

In the meantime, the acrid smell of burning started wafting over from behind the collapsed buildings. Smoke rose into the sky, accompanied by faint screams. It was a battlefield. Though, dungeons always were.

"The others should be arriving soon."

They were late. Surely it wasn’t because this dungeon wasn’t limited to Seoul, or something, right? What if Noah had ended up in France? Director Song is from Seoul, but who knows about Sung Hyunje. Did he start in Seoul, or was he somewhere else before coming to Korea because he considered it a suitable base? What if he was off in some place like Italy right now?

"By the way, Ajussi! Peace can’t read letters, right? Probably…?"

"Peace didn’t come into the dungeon."

"Oh, that’s a relief."

"Misters Kim! What do you want to drink?"

Yoon Yoon, who had disappeared for a moment, returned with a vending machine he had ripped out. He seemed to enjoy taking whatever he wanted from places that had no owners. He shouldn’t do that outside, though.

"Ajussi, your hands look cold. Should I warm up a can of coffee for you?"

"Huh? I’m fine."

"Not you, the other Ajussi."

Oh, right. She meant my pre-regression self. Now that I looked at him, holding a cake box without gloves for so long had left his fingertips slightly pink. It wasn’t anything serious, though.

"I’m fine, too," my other self said.

"You’re not fine. Here, there’s some rice punch too."

Yerim pulled out a dagger and neatly sliced open the side of the vending machine. Then she created a large water orb. She dipped cans of coffee, rice punch, and honey water into the warm sphere of water. Meanwhile, Yoon Yoon was shaking up a can of soda and popping it open, spraying it everywhere. It’s not good to play with food.

"I’ll have coffee, please," I said.

"You’ll have honey water, Ajussi."

"No, I want coffee."

"It has ginseng in it too. Should I give you honey water too, Ajussi?" she asked my other self.

He quickly shook his head. "I’m healthy."

"No, you’re not. Yerim, give him honey water too. He always drinks instant coffee at home."

The real problem was the alcohol, but I didn’t want to mention that in front of Yerim. In the end, both versions of me ended up with honey water, each with a tiny bit of ginseng. I took off my gloves and wrapped my hands around the warm bottle. Sitting at a bus stop like this, it almost felt like we’d gone back to the time before the dungeons appeared.

"I used to buy hot drinks from vending machines on my way home from work sometimes."

"I’d fidget with it until it went cold."

"For a while, I hated taking the bus because it reminded me of my little brother. Even though I told him not to come pick me up in the winter so many times, he never listened."

"…Yeah, I remember that. It feels like ages ago."

Both of us unconsciously twisted off the bottle caps at the same time, took a sip, and grimaced. It tasted weird. We put the caps back on and just held the bottles to warm our hands again.

"Ah! Han Yoohyun! The ice is melting! My puppy!"

Yerim shouted as she flew into the air. Wasn’t it a teddy bear?

"I worked hard on that! It’s different from just letters… Huh? Ajussi, there are more Hunters coming this way! Should I go?"

"If they’re far away, leave them. Yoohyun will take care of it soon enough—"

Boom! A loud noise echoed. I quickly used the Drill Sergeant skill on Yerim. Her vision sharpened as a bright light flashed in the distance. Golden electricity leaped wildly across the black asphalt road, like crashing waves, scattering brilliant light everywhere.

Then, with a rushing sound, chains extended, wrapping around the streetlights on both sides of the road. The previously unlit lamps suddenly blazed with light before exploding with a loud bang. Even though the lamps weren’t working, the electric surge seemed to have amplified the power, causing an especially large explosion.

"I see someone has arrived."

I set the honey water bottle down on the bench and stood up. My past self also rose to his feet.

Seeing those chains in action meant it was the present-day Sung Hyunje, and it seemed there had been no serious problems. Yoohyun returned first, stepping over the collapsed building. Sung Hyunje followed behind. His eyes looked fine.

"I’m not the last…" Sung Hyunje uncharacteristically trailed off.

His golden eyes widened slightly as they shifted between me and my pre-regression self. His habitual smile deepened, and he brought his gloved fingers to lightly touch his lips. Oh, great, he’s definitely intrigued. Let’s see, it’s 26 minutes past the hour now.

"There are two Han Yoojins. I guess I can take one with me."

What the heck was he saying? But since three minutes hadn’t passed yet, I kept my thoughts to myself. Yoohyun moved behind us, ready to shield us at any moment.

"All of hyung belongs to me."

Yoohyun, what are you saying now?

"Yoohyun, you shouldn’t say things like that about people."

"But I belong to hyung too."

— ‘That’s right, Hyung! As they say, it’s ‘give and take’!’

Yilin said the last part in English. Where did you even learn that, Yilin?

"Of course, Han Yoohyun belongs to Han Yoojin. But I have a share in Han Yoojin too, don’t I? After all, we’re partners."

"Partners?" my pre-regression self muttered quietly.

Sung Hyunje’s words prompted Yerim to join in as well.

"Me too! You can have as many Han Yoohyuns as you want, Ajussi, but I also have a share in you! We’re in a guardian and ward, protector and protected relationship."

"Oh? Then me too! I’m contractually tied with Captain Kim!" Yoon Yoon chimed in.

The way they were talking made it sound like I was some kind of debtor. And the three minutes still hadn’t passed. These were the longest three minutes ever. So I smiled at Sung Hyunje.

"Really, Sung Hyunje-ssi. Of course, we’re business partners. Ah, this is the 29-year-old me. And this person here is my kind partner, Sung Hyunje-ssi. He’s the Sesung Guild Leader, as you well know."

My gentle and soft voice made Sung Hyunje, Yerim, Yoohyun, and even my pre-regression self give me a strange look.

"Hyung, are you sick? Did you get hit by some weird skill?"

"Ajussi, you’re the same one who was with us earlier, right? You didn’t just change into his clothes?"

"I’m fine. And yes, I’m the same. Sung Hyunje-ssi, you’re unharmed, right? Thank you for dealing with those other hunters. As always, you’re very reliable… Okay, three minutes are up."

Finally, I was free. I grabbed my other self’s arm and warned him.

"He’s dangerous, so be careful."

"…What?"

"I’m talking about the Sesung Guild Leader."

"I won’t deny that." Sung Hyunje smiled even more gently as he looked at me—both versions of me. "But my dear Han Yoojin-gun, if we make it out of here safely, won’t your other self need a place to stay?"

"We have an empty room at my place. And even more at Haeyeon Guild."

"That might be difficult." Sung Hyunje’s voice lowered. "The closer people are, the more they compare themselves to one another. Colleagues, relatives, friends, spouses, siblings. The more they interact and live in similar environments, the more they unconsciously measure who is better or worse. But if they’re the same person…"

…It wouldn’t just be about distinguishing between them; discrimination would inevitably arise, too. There was a clear difference between what my past self and I could do. Sung Hyunje was right; it would be a harsh environment for me.

Of course, we still didn’t know if we’d make it out safely. But he wasn’t wrong.

"So, are you saying you’d take care of my pre-regression self, Sung Hyunje-ssi? Be realistic. Right now, you’re interested because this is novel for you, but how long will that last?"

The connection to me was deep enough for strong emotions to be shared, so perhaps Sung Hyunje might really be sensing the me inside the dungeon. Naturally, he was intrigued. I pulled my past self closer, protectively. He wasn’t weaker than me, but he allowed himself to be pulled along.

"Don’t be fooled by that kind-looking face. The Sesung Guild Leader is notorious for losing interest after just a few months. There are countless victims."

"As you say, I can’t promise that my interest will last forever."

"There, see?"

"But I do promise that I won’t ever cease providing protection and more than adequate care."

"Why should I believe that?"

"For what it’s worth, I take pride in the trust my guild members place in me."

Well, that’s true. Suddenly, the image of the Sung Hyunje from the dungeon flashed through my mind. He had taken responsibility for his guild to the end. In whatever way he could.

"So, you’re saying you’ll take him into Sesung Guild."

"It seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Since my other self was still technically me, joining Sesung Guild wouldn’t be a bad deal. It would strengthen the bond between Sesung and the breeding facility, and I could even be used as leverage if necessary. For my pre-regression self, it would be much better to adapt to a completely new environment rather than being thrust into the slightly familiar yet unfamiliar world of the breeding facility.

However…

"I decline."

It was my pre-regression self who spoke. Though he seemed nervous, avoiding direct eye contact with Sung Hyunje, his tone was resolute.

"I don’t understand why everyone insists that I need to be protected. I’ve always been able to take care of myself. I always will. The same goes for you. I’ll live my life as I see fit."

His final words were steady, without a hint of hesitation. That’s right, this is who I was. I’d unconsciously started to see my past self as weaker just because my own circumstances had improved. But I had always been like this.

And so, Sung Hyunje had now been rejected twice. But since both rejections came from the same person, what could he really do?

#sctir #the s classes that i raised #s classes that i raised #my s class hunters #내가 키운 s급들 #novel translation #jinjae

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theitgirlnetwork · 1 year ago

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Chapter 10: I Want Her

Charlotte's Club Outfit:

Charlotte's Baseball Outfit (Except Pretend it's a Cubs Jersey:

A Pic of People Being Subjected to Charlotte and Lip PDA:

Note: Hiii! This took longer than I thought, apologies, but here it is! It's a little shorter but when I'm less busy we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming. Thank you so much for all of the love I've been receiving on this, it means the world. I hope you all continue to enjoy reading :) <3 Also hopefully I got this damn tag list right this time. Let me know if you wanna be added!

Taglist: @comeonatmebruh @heavenly1927 @th3h0nkz @yezzyyae

“So, you don’t think he’d like a flask with a drunk Mickey Mouse on it?”

Lip chuckles as he balances his phone between his shoulder and his ear. His hands are busy jotting down a string algorithm for one of his bosses that he’d figured out and memorized earlier that morning. “I think Mickey would like us to buy him some shots while we’re out tonight. And I think Mickey deserves nothing but us showing the fuck up.”

“Aww,” Charlotte whines on the other line, Lip can basically hear the pout he knows is on her face. “I wanna give him something to open. Knowing you Gallaghers Ian’s probably just giving him dick for his birthday. He can’t unwrap that. Unless I pick up a bow for him to put on it.”

“Uh, really don’t want to think about you helpin’ my brother put a bow on his dick for his boyfriend, babe.” Lip sniffs, curling his lip up in distaste.

“Such a prude.” she chirps.

Lip ignores her, finishing up what he’s doing and ripping it from the notepad, going back to his computer to check his work. Suddenly, there’s a knock at his office door. It’s so weird for him to say, his office. Well, it's his and the other paid intern’s office to share. All of the poor fucks working for free share cubicles downstairs and the real employees get their own offices on Lip’s floor. But it’s mostly his, the other guy’s uncle is one of the big bosses and he rarely actually comes to work and normally when he does, it’s to play foosball with the other trust fund babies before going to happy hour. “Yeah?”

The door swings open and Eric comes strolling in, tossing a foam stress ball back and forth between his hands, the same douchebag look he always has is painted on his face. “Hey, Gallagher, you got time for a quick favor?”

“Uh, yeah. One sec,” Lip brings one hand to the phone, holding it sturdily against his ear. “Charlotte, I gotta go.” He tries to ignore the immediate irritation at the way Eric straightens when he hears Charlotte’s name.

“Ooh, Charlotte, huh? Someone important must be in the room.” she jokes.

“Oh, shit, the girlfriend. Put her on speaker.”

“I’m,” the blond tries and achieves, albeit poorly, to contain his temper. “I’m not putting her on speaker, man.”

“No, bubba, it’s okay, I’ll say hi.” her sweet voice intercedes. Lip curses under his breath before putting the phone on speaker. “Hi, I’m Phillip’s girlfriend, Charlotte.”

Eric pulls up one of the extra seats of the room, leaning into the phone rested on Lip’s desk. “Nice to meet you, I’m Eric, Gallagher’s boss.”

Lip scoffs disbelievingly, shaking his head, looking away. He could tolerate shitheads like Eric all day, but with his girlfriend watching? It was a whole new ball game. “Aye-”

“For now,” Charlotte hums on the other side of the line. “But my baby is a genius, he’ll be running that place soon.”

Both Eric and Lip go silent for a moment, the latter trying to work away the smug smile that starts to spread on his face. Eric blinks before schooling an easy look on his own face and offering a laugh that’s a little too loud. “Yeah, I believe it.”

There’s an awkward silence where Lip just watches Eric rock between his two feet, staring at the phone on the desk, waiting for Charlotte to take back what she said, compliment him to even things out, or just politely hang up. He smirks, ducking his head at the fact that this dickhead just doesn’t know his girl. Charlotte would ride an awkward silence until the wheels fell off. Simply because she doesn’t think to fill it. That’s just who she is, she doesn’t fill silence, she doesn’t laugh at jokes she doesn’t think are funny and her fake smile looks more like an awkward grimace.

After a minute passes Lip decides to take mercy on the poor guy and hang up. “Uh, bunny, I gotta get back to work, alright? I’ll meet you at the house when I get off.”

“‘Kay!” she chirps. “Love you.”

“Yeah, love you too.” Lip leans on the small wooden desk and waits for Eric to recover from the uncomfortable moment. “You, uh, needed something?”

“Right! Right, I did. Do. I need you to run some diagnostics on a program my dad sent over, I’d do it, but there’s so much on my desk right now, and you’re the only one who's as fast as me.”

“Sure,” Lip shrugs. “Send it over.”

Eric claps his hands together, a wider smile on his face as he turns to leave. The man stops mid-step, turning to face the blond again. “Hey, Gallagher, what’re you doing this weekend?”

“It’s my brother’s boyfriend’s birthday tonight so I’m gonna go to that. After that, I'll probably just find something to do with my girl, why?”

“You like baseball?” Eric asks. “Cubs are playing, me and some of the guys are going. You should come.”

Lip tries to look disinterested. He knows however much the tickets are he couldn’t pay it unless he dipped into the money he and Charlotte had been saving, and even then, it wouldn’t be enough to sit where these rich pricks sit unless he emptied the damn jar. “I dunno.”

“C’mon man, my dad already bought the tickets. It’s team bonding and shit.” Eric continues, leaning against the door frame. “It’s on Sunday, there’ll be beer and baseball, what more do you need to know? You can even bring your girl, everyone else does when we go. Except the ugly fuckers who don’t have one.”

“Alright, I’ll uh, talk to Charlotte.” Lip says noncommittally, eyeing the other man as he nods, turning away and exiting the office. “‘Fuckin’ weirdo.”

Ian used to worry about his brother a lot. Really. See, Lip is the oldest brother, and he’s never stepped out of that role. Despite coming off as a pretentious, narcissistic asshole, his big brother was actually a decent person. He cares about his family. When they were younger and Monica and Frank were in and out, Fiona and Lip had to grow up quickly. Everyone always talks about how Fiona stepped up. How she became their mom, but no one talks about how even though he was only a couple years older than Ian, Lip became their dad. For the younger kids, Lip is the only steady father figure they know.

And being real, the kid has fuckin’ issues with women. Probably Monica’s fault, and all of their mommy issues manifested in different ways, Lip and Carl just have the misfortune of being straight. Between that raging bitch Karen who literally got off on fucking shit up for him, that old bag he was fucking at school, that one rich crazy bitch, and Mandy, Lip had been through the ringer. Not that most of that chaos wasn’t self-made. Ian wasn’t blind, he knows his brother is a slut.

So, when sweet, prissy, little Charlotte Fisher rolled into town with her big innocent brown eyes, wide smile and soft hands that would tell anyone she’s never worked a day in her life, Ian had been nervous. She’s nice, their little siblings love her, and he thought his brother would absolutely ruin her. Sometimes he still does think that.

But as time goes on, his mind has started to change. Lip has never called a girl his girlfriend outside of trying to get her into bed before. He’s never walked around with a polaroid picture of a girl in his wallet. He’s never tried this hard. This shit might be for real and Ian is happy about it.

Now, he and Mickey have an actual couple to hang out with.

“Last one.” Lip takes a deep drag from the blunt between his fingers, turning his head in the direction away from Charlotte as he blows out the smoke. He passes the blunt back to Mickey before walking a couple steps away where his girlfriend stands, wrapping his arms around her to share the warmth as she shivers. “Told you you’d be cold. Gonna catch fuckin’ pneumonia.”

“The cold doesn’t make p-people sick. G-germs do.” she sasses, leaning into him, letting out a small sneeze. “Don’t say anything.”

“Too worried about being cute. Should’ve made you put some fuckin’ clothes on.”

“Nah,” Mickey says, flicking the burnt leftovers of the blunt to the ground, walking over. “Princess here is our ticket to free drinks, she’s dressed the part.”

“We’re not pimpin’ my fuckin’ girlfriend, Mickey.”

“Isn’t she gonna start strippin’ like, next week? What’s the difference?”

“Oh-kay.” Ian interrupts, throwing his arm around Mickey’s shoulder, pulling him closer to him, “Let’s go in.”

“Wait,” Charlotte pauses, before they can start walking up the street to the bar. “Is, um, is Mandy coming? Because, you’re her brother and I don’t wanna, like,” she gestures between her and Lip, “rub it in, you know?”

“Nah, you’re good. M’seein’ her tomorrow, shithead has to work tonight.” Mickey shrugs. “Now, I’m sick of standin’ here talkin’, it’s my fuckin’ birthday and I’m fuckin’ sober, it’s ridiculous.”

The group makes their way into the busy bar. It was one of the few nights they had a DJ instead of a live band which was likely the reason it was so busy. Mickey and Ian shove their way through the crowd, Charlotte right behind them with Lip’s arm around her waist, hand resting on her stomach, holding her to him.

Once they find a spot with a little space, Mickey turns around and nudges Charlotte. “C’mon princess, this pussy already said he’s not drinkin’ cause he thinks he needs to watch me or somethin’, go shot for shot with me.”

Before the woman can even answer her boyfriend’s free hand is cupping her jaw, guiding her to look back at him, pulling her into a kiss. The word ‘no’ mumbled against her lips. She pouts, and the pair mumble amongst themselves as Ian and Mickey watch. After a few moments Lip rolls his eyes and nods, kissing her lips again before letting her go.

Charlotte bounces excitedly, grinning at Mickey. “Kay, you wanna see something cool?” Without letting him answer, she straightens, rolling her shoulders back and putting an arch in her back as she walks a little ways away to the bar where a couple of guys are standing. She leans forward on the bar, poking her butt out a little as she looks around, appearing bored.

It’s not long before one of the guys turns to her and starts talking, leaning down to whisper in her ear as his friends behind him stare at her ass. Ian turns his head to look at Lip, who is looking away from his girlfriend, the muscle in his jaw working overtime.

A couple moments later, Charlotte was coming shuffling back with three shots and a beer balanced in her hands, a bright smile on her face. “Drinks on me gentlemen.” she says, passing two shots to Ian, one for him, one for Mickey and handing Lip the beer. Lip’s finger slips through her back belt loop, tugging the girl to him again as he locks eyes with the guys who've purchased them over her head, sipping the beer they’d just paid for.

“Bottoms up, princess.” Mickey says, bring his glass to Charlotte’s before tossing it back. The men chuckle as the girl sputters and gags at the taste, one eye twitching with discomfort. Lip runs his hand along her side soothingly.

“Yuck, I don’t want any more of those.”

Charlotte had several more. Three and a half. She didn’t get a chance to finish the last shot before Lip wrestled it from her hands, slamming it down on the bar and pulling her away from it.

She, Mickey and Ian had done their fair share of dancing. It mostly consisted of Ian and Charlotte taking turns grinding on Mickey to irritate him and the two men occasionally stepping away to dance with each other, only pausing to scare off whatever guy that was trying to get Charlotte to give them the time of day. Lip lingered at the bar, offering them supportive nods and nursing his beer. He’d chosen not to drink too much considering he’d already smoked and his girlfriend was currently slurring her words together as she stumbled her way over to him.

“Hi, bubba.” she hums over the loud music, swaying to the side a little as Lip’s arm shoots out to balance her, pulling her to him. He nudges her nose with his before looking at her wide smile and lidded eyes.

“Hi, baby. Havin’ fun?” He smiles.

“Yeah.” she tosses her arms around his neck leaning into him. “Stop laughin’ at me.”

“M’not, c’mon.”

“You haven’t danced with me at all, let’s go over there.” she whines, pulling at him and pouting.

Lip taps her lightly on the back of the thigh, “Stop whining” he murmurs in her ear before turning her so her back is against his front. Lip slides his hands down Charlotte’s sides to her hips, pulling her close to him. “I don’t dance.”

The woman in front of him rolls her eyes, placing one hand over his and the other going to the back of his head, burying in the hair at his nape. She turns her head so she can look at him with a sleepy smile. “You do with me.”

Lip leans back on the bar, wetting his lips as he watches Charlotte roll her ass back against him, grinding on his dick. His blue eyes shift between her ass and trying to get a glimpse of her face, one of his hands moving to the gap in the back of her jeans, grabbing the space there to guide her movements, biting back a groan when she bends in further, arching in front of him.

“Gettin’ sick of this place, ready to go birthday boy?” Ian asks as Mickey yawns. His mission was accomplished, he’d taken his boyfriend out, showed him a good time for his birthday. Tomorrow they’d do the family vibe, with cake, streamers, and his one sane sibling. He slings his arm around him and goes to guide him over to his brother and his girlfriend. The last he’d seen the pair they’d been basically fucking through their clothes against the bar.

The redhead pauses in his steps, laughing disbelievingly at the sight in front of him.

A couple feet away is his brother, his girlfriend in his arms. The pair are quietly laughing and leaning back and forth to whisper in each other’s ears. His brother’s stance is relaxed, the only thing tense on him is his grip on his swaying drunk girlfriend, an easy smile that Ian hasn’t seen in a long time on Lip’s face. If he didn’t know better he’d say he seemed happy. Charlotte’s hands cup his face as she drunkenly presses kisses all over his face, leaving pink lip stains all over his mouth, cheeks and neck.

Ian didn’t want to break up the scene but he’d really needed to get Mickey home. Once he’s rounded up the group, he and Lip guide their drunken partners to the car, ushering them in, and shushing Mickey’s slurred curses. After he drives Ian and Mickey to Mickey’s home Lip pulls off with a still very drunk but now a lot less rowdy Charlotte in the passenger seat, promising to return the car the next day.

Ian watches as his older brother climbs into the driver’s seat of the car, checking the girl’s seatbelt and brushing the hair out of her face tenderly before the drive into the night. As much as he’d felt bad for Mandy he’d known that she and his brother would never work. Ian loves her, but Lip didn’t. Not the way she wanted. He couldn’t convince her of that. But Ian almost wishes that she’d seen Lip tonight. He was a different person when he was with Charlotte, not so bitter. Not acting like he was walking around with the weight of the world on his shoulders. As crazy and fucked up he is, Ian knows Mickey is what’s best for him. He’s starting to think Charlotte is what’s best for Lip.

“Fuckin’ Frank.” Fiona huffs, ripping her covers off at the sound of her front door opening. She’d bet all of the dollars she doesn’t fucking have that it’s him. Either way, him or whatever idiot decided to try to rob them were gonna get a bat to the face. She eases down the stairs, wooden weapon in her hand as she flicks the light on. “Jesus, Lip!”

“Shut the fuck up!” he whisper-yells. Slung over his shoulder is a giggling, very likely drunk Charlotte.

“Shit, is Lottie drunk? Good going genius she’s not supposed to drink ‘til her birthday.” Fiona hisses, running a hand over her hair and dropping the bat onto the couch.

“Well, Mickey decided they’d share today.” Lip grumbles, adjusting his girlfriend on his shoulder before pushing past his sister and going up the stairs, rolling his eyes as he feels her following closely behind.

Lip rests Charlotte softly on the bed, looking sighing as she flops backward. “No baby,” he pulls her up by her arms. “Up.”

Fiona leans in the doorway and watches in shock as her little brother cares for the girl on the bed in front of him. She’d never seen him be so gentle with anyone they weren’t related to. He chuckles lightly as he encourages the still giggling girl to lift her arms, tugging her tight t-shirt up and over her head, reaching around and unhooking her bra before digging in his drawer and pulling out one of his bigger shirts to pull over her head. “Pass me one of your wipes if you’re gonna stand there.”

“Oh-” Fiona had forgotten herself, so shocked by the scene, she quickly walks over to the bathroom, grabbing her pack of makeup wipes and handing them to her brother.

Lip takes the wipes and crouches in front of the girl, resting his hands on her knees. “Wanna go wash your face or are wipes good for now. Can you get up?” Charlotte’s eyes are clearly heavy, she leans her forehead against his, giggling as she shakes her head no, rubbing their heads together. “No? Okay, eyes closed, bunny, or it’ll burn.” The woman whimpers and struggles drunkenly as he drags the cold wipe across her face. Blue eyes sharp with focus as he tries to get every bit off. When he’s satisfied that he’d gotten all he could he kisses her lips before pushing off of the floor and reaching under his pillow, producing a light pink scarf. “Stay still, you know m’not good at this part.”

“Don’t wan’it.” she whines.

“You’re drunk, and you’re gonna be pissed tomorrow, if I don’t put this shit on you. Sit still.” Lip cups her jaw, giving her a serious look, only to be met with a wide grin. Fiona chuckles behind them, shrugging when her brother cuts his eyes at her.

“She’s gonna need aspirin and water for tomorrow.” Fiona offers.

“Yeah, I fuckin’ know, I’ve had her chugging water since the bar-ow!”

Both Gallagher siblings look down to a now half asleep Charlotte, clean faced with her scarf tied as neatly as Lip could manage on her head, hanging slightly to one side. Her hand is up, offending fingers suspended in the air after pinching Lip’s arm roughly. “Ow.” she mocks, her eyes closing. “Be nice. She’s helping, trying to help me.” she slurs.

Lip rolls his eyes, offering a gruff, ‘sorry’ to his sister, as he nudges his girlfriend to lie down in the bed, kissing her forehead. “‘M’fuckin’ helpin’ you, brat.”

Another hand reaches out, this time to roughly tap him on the cheek. “Thank you, bubba.”

Fiona snickers again. “Bubba?”

Lip huffs, now starting to get himself ready for bed, flicking his sister off as a cue for her to exit. Fiona quietly closes the door behind her and returns to her room.

As she climbs into bed, she thinks to herself about all of the times she’d been embarrassed about her brothers’ behavior with women and men alike. They were sluts, the both of them, minus Liam and Carl. And often selfish, rude and disrespectful. But now they’d both found people who made them better. Who taught them how to care for people the right way, outside of the family. She was happy to watch them experience young love, no catches, no conditions, no reason to be hard all the time. They’d found people who looked at them like they were worth something. Worth everything. Fiona resolves to herself that she would find that for herself and hope her remaining siblings would do the same. She hated not being able to chat with V about the extent of Lip and Charlotte’s relationship. But maybe it was worth it. Maybe Charlotte and Mickey were. Even if they are extra mouths to feed.

Eric takes a sip of his beer and nods along with another dull conversation with his coworkers that he was forced to pretend he was friends with. They’d been here for fifteen minutes and thus far, two of them had disappeared to do coke in the bathroom, several of them had fought with their girlfriends/wives/fiancés and the rest had been droning on and on about the stock exchange, something that he truly knows nothing about. His fucking accountant handles that shit for him. He was bored and annoyed to say the least. The game hadn’t started yet and Rebecca had been a bitch all morning. She was mad because she didn’t feel like coming to sit through a baseball game, despite the fact that they’d not only have a box but an open bar pre-paid for. The only thing that got her dressed was a promise to take her out for sushi after. Eric fucking hates sushi.

Really, he was waiting on Gallagher. He’d actually been surprised with how much he liked Lip. He figured they’d have nothing to talk about, but the guy was pretty quiet in general. He was a great listener, and when he did say shit, it was actually important. Sure he seemed a little wound-up but he’d heard from his dad that their family friend, Ms. Helene helped him get this job because he’s broke and has got like, a family of 9 or something. Eric found the little snippets of Lip’s life he shared interesting. Like…well…his hot sister who’d stopped by for lunch one day. And his even hotter girlfriend he has a picture of on his desk, next to the picture of the 5,000 kids he lives with.

Lip shows up with Charlotte fifteen minutes before the game is about to start. The pair walk up, hand in hand, matching pace with his easy strides and her peppy steps. When they approach one of the guys from legal (Eric thinks) says what they’re all thinking under his breath. “Goddamn.”

The woman is wearing a cropped, long sleeved black top with low hanging black pants, her sparkling belly button ring on display. Over top is a button down jersey she’s left open and on her head is a matching Cubs hat, her long, silky black hair hanging down over her shoulders.

Lip is wearing a similar outfit, but with a black fitted sweater, his larger fingers intertwined with her smaller manicured ones.

Eric forces himself to stop ogling the girl, clapping his hands together and welcoming them over. “Gallagher! You made it, glad you came.”

“Uh, thanks for having us.” he pulls the girl closer by her waist, obviously noticing the eyes on her. “This is my girlfriend, Charlotte.”

“Hi, nice to meet you.” The girl says sweetly, offering him a smile as she leans into her boyfriend.

Eric urges his eyes to stay on her face, and off of their body language. But the way Lip’s thumb is rubbing along the skin on the girl’s waist, the way she’s staring up at him so adoringly, Eric felt like he was being excluded from something, despite fully being part of this conversation.

He doesn’t realize he hadn’t spoken until Lip takes it upon himself to introduce him. “Bunny, this is Eric.”

“Oh, uh yeah, I’m Eric, I uh-” he remembers her negative reaction to him referring to himself as Lip’s boss and flounders for an alternative. “I work with Lip.”

“Yeah, he told me.” she chirps, rocking on her feet a little. “Thanks for inviting us. I’ve never gone to a baseball game. I’m gonna try my best to keep up, Phillip tried his best to explain to me on the way here.”

“Aw really? Well, my girlfriend Becca is an old pro, I drag her here all the time, she’ll teach you the ropes of how to keep occupied while we watch the game. Go join the ladies, she’s the one looking like she didn’t know she was coming here in slacks.” Eric smiles. His smile drops slightly as he watches the couple exchange a look.

Lip tilts his head downward, lowering his voice to a murmur Eric strains his ears to hear. “Do you wanna go?”

Charlotte mulls it over for a second before shrugging and patting his chest. “Yeah, it’s fine, hang with the guys, I’ll come back over if you miss me too much.”

“Yeah, whatever, brat, go make nice.” The blond banters back, patting his girlfriend’s ass as he kisses her before playfully shoving her in the direction of the women gathered around the drinks. Lip sidesteps a little, blocking the crowd of men staring at the woman’s ass as she makes her way over to the other girls. “You, uh, guys make bets already?”

Trevor, some guy from…marketing (Eric swears he’s seen him on that floor) sighs, “No, thank God you brought it up-”

Suddenly, they’re a very lively bunch, placing bets that Lip is apparently calling, pulling off his own hat and placing the money in it. Eric tries to focus on the fun and Lip’s apparent godlike memory that allows him to remember who said what, but his eyes keep drifting. He watches as every couple of minutes, Charlotte and Lip look at each other, checking in without saying a word before returning to their respective groups. Once, Charlotte had come over to bring Lip a beer once she’d noticed all the other guys had one. The only time Rebecca had come over was when she wanted money for a fresh pretzel and even then, Charlotte had been in tow. Apparently, the two women had been getting along well. Becca had demanded enough money to get Charlotte a pretzel too, to which Gallagher immediately reached in his wallet and produced money Eric knew he didn’t have to spare, and gave it to the woman. When they’d come back, Eric’s girlfriend had a pretzel she was already eating and Lip’s had chicken tenders and fries for them to share.

As the game got more interesting and the men started shouting and getting excited, the women grew antsy, Charlotte included. Seth’s girlfriend was really intrigued by the game, but that may have also been because she’s into baseball players. Becca was posted up in the corner, on the phone with the restaurant she wanted to go to and Charlotte was standing behind Lip’s chair, hands on his shoulders.

“Come sit, baby.” he says, patting his lap. Charlotte huffs as she makes her way around the front, plopping down in his lap and resting her cheek against his. “Lemme hear it.”

“I’m bored.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah and this game is long and you didn’t mention that.”

“You done?”

“No, and it’s cold.” Charlotte sighs. “Now, I’m done.”

“Now you’re done. Cool, I can go back to watchin’ now or what?”

Oof. Eric thinks, waiting for her to start yelling, throwing a fit until Lip offers her something to calm down. That’s what they all want, he thinks. Instead, her brows furrow and she glances at Eric before grabbing the color of Lip’s shirt, tugging his ear to her lips to whisper into it.

Blue eyes go wide for a moment before a ‘uh, fuck yeah, I wanna do that.’ is murmured and she’s hopping off of his lap. “Uh, hey man, we’ll be right back, do we need a code to get back in or…”

“Oh, no, man you’re good. You guys okay? If you need something they’ll bring it in here if we call down-”

“I left something I need in the car.” Charlotte intercepts, pulling at Lip again, leading him out of the suite. Moments later Rebecca sits down in Lip’s seat next to Eric, letting out a sigh.

“So, Phillip’s girlfriend gets to leave and I don’t?”

30 minutes later and the pair comes back, looking relatively the same, despite being slightly disheveled and what appears to be a fresh hickey blooming on Charlotte’s neck. The game is almost over and immediately Lip gets back into wheeling and dealing. He starts settling up on bets while Charlotte collects the numbers of the other girls.

“No seriously, we need to keep in touch.” Rebecca smiles, hugging the girl tightly.

“Yeah, girl, I’d love that, we should hang out soon.” Charlotte hugs back. “Maybe we’ll even let Phillip and Eric come on our date.”

“Maybe, but we’re gonna have to hang out without prying ears too. I’ve been watching you two, you’ve got to tell me what type of shit you’re pulling in the bedroom, you’ve got blondie wrapped around your finger. Eric told me you’ve only known each other a couple of months and at this rate you’ll end up with a ring before me.”

“I…I’m sure that’s not true.” Charlotte says quietly, letting her eyes travel over to her man, unsurprised that he looks over to her as soon as she reaches him, eyes locking. They’ve been in sync like that a lot lately. “How long have you two been together?”

“Since high school,” The girl huffs. “He’s dragging his feet as all men do. I mean, I’ve played my part, even got mommy and daddy’s approval. On both sides. We’re all fucking waiting on him. You’re smart, getting in on the ground up, not picking one that was born with a golden spoon shoved down his throat. But my parents wouldn’t settle for less. Guess yours are trusting the process.”

“Um, exc-” Before Charlotte can finish, Eric gestures Rebecca over and the girl pats her arm one more time before going to her boyfriend. Charlotte makes her way over to Lip, thoughts heavy. They are getting more serious. Despite being together for a short amount of time, she can’t imagine her life without him now. She’d been dodging the concept of introducing him to her parents for a while because she knew how’d they’d act. She’d seen a live demo of it with Kev. They’d treat him like white trash, the last thing Charlotte thought of him as. They’d be condescending, and mean. But it’d happen eventually, because…well she doesn’t plan on going anywhere, and she hopes he doesn’t plan to either.

After everyone gets separated in the crowd of people leaving the game, Eric waits on the sidewalk for the car he’d called for him and Rebecca. She was babbling about something or another he didn’t care about when he saw Charlotte and Lip. The woman is giggling loudly as the man tickles her, the two of them damn near bumping people every few seconds as if no one else was here.

“I’m never going to a game with you again” the girl breathes, gasping in air as he stops tickling and starts holding her hand.

Eric watches as Lip rolls his eyes, pulling her into him as he walks her to the passenger side of some old, beat up truck. “Yeah, okay,” he laughs, opening the door for her, “I can hear you now when I try to go without you, ‘bubba, please, take me with you, I’ll be bored without you,’” he mocks.

“I don’t sound like that.”

“No?” he snorts, closing her door and going around to the driver’s side.

As he watches them interact Eric can’t help but think, he wants what they have. There’s a small pang of jealousy that rings in his chest. But it isn’t until he watches Charlotte lean over to manually unlock the door on the driver’s side so Lip can get in that an even more intrusive thought enters his mind.

I want her.

#lip gallagher #lip gallagher x oc #lip gallagher x reader #oc #fiona gallagher #ian gallagher #kevin ball #shameless #veronica fisher #gallagher #love #charlotte fisher #better #ian x mickey #mickey milkovich

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andreafmn · 2 years ago

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Collision | Chapter 17

Word Count: 3.2K Story Description: (Y/N) Uley is back home after being away for four years. Her life is at its first standstill and she is taking this time to find out who she is without school. But she never thought that coming back to the reservation would turn her whole life around. In the midst of secrets and mystery, a man crashes into (Y/N)’s and her life will never be the same. Chapter: 17/? A/N: I really hoped I would be able to also write for Speak today, but couldn't finish on time and wanted to post as I had scheduled. If I finish the chapter this week, I'll post it, but y'all will probably have to wait two weeks more 😬😬Anywho, prepare for some feels... you've been warned. My content will always be free, but if you’re feeling particularly generous, you can leave a tip on any of my posts to support me and my love of writing or buy me a coffee Follow 😊 -> TikTok • Instagram • Business If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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Chapter 17

It wasn’t hard to figure out that Sam was planning a surprise party for her, especially when Jared had let it slip when she was over at her brother’s home. Accident or not, (Y/N) knew just what had been arranged for her 19th birthday.

“I swear, Sam. I had no idea she was here,” Jared had said.

“Don’t you have supernatural senses, Cameron?” (Y/N) laughed. “You should have known about it.”

“I’m not supposed to be on guard when we’re in the house,” he whined. “This is the place where we’re supposed to be relaxed and unaware. This is our safe space.”

“Technically, you should always be paying attention to your surroundings,” Sam responded. “That’s literally your job.”

“Also, when is she not here, dude?” Paul added with a chuckle. “If she’s not at work, she’s here.”

“I have other friends,” she grumbled, settling on the seat next to Paul. “Speaking of, are they invited to my party?”

“They would be if it weren’t for Paul,” Jared teased. “Can’t trust him not to go off at any given point when there are other people involved.”

“So, it’s only gonna be you guys, Emily and Kim? What a party,” (Y/N) laughed. “What about mom? Is she invited?”

Sam’s face contorted in an uncomfortable scowl. He knew the question would come. The obvious tension that existed between Sam and Allison Uley had been growing for almost a year, and the youngest Uley’s arrival only worked to cement the strain that had grown between mother and son.

“Okay, here’s what we can do,” Sam started. “We’ll have the party at the beach. A nice bonfire in a big open space where everyone can be. Paul will be on his best behavior and if anything happens, we’ll just leave.”

“Why does everything have to be so weird now?” she groaned. “This whole secret keeping just makes things harder.”

“Says the girl whose ex is a literal bloodsucker,” Jared chuckled without thinking. But as soon as he heard the words slip by his tongue, regret painted across his face. “Shit, (Y/N), I didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s fine, Jared,” she smiled comfortingly. “You’re very right. It’s completely flabbergasting that my ex and his whole family are vampires. But I guess I dodged that bullet.”

After that afternoon, the Uley pack had set to prepare for (Y/N)’s first birthday back at the reservation. Everyone in town was happy to attend the bonfire. It was no secret that the Uley girl was loved around town. Even in her absence, all anyone could sing were high praises for her. So it was no surprise when the RSVPs started rolling in.

Quickly, the small gathering had turned into a party for the whole reservation. People were offering to bring plates of food and appetizers for the crowd that was forming, they offered their grilling and bonfire-making services, swiftly making Sam’s job simply inviting people and setting the time.

And somehow in the four days that were left, a whole town party was being set up. It was a stark contrast to the bonfire that had been set only two months before when the Cullens had left Forks. That one had been a fierce celebration as their ancestral enemies had finally left the land. Now, they were celebrating the life of one of their own — her achievements and her future endeavors. A joyous occasion in honor of a valuable member of their community.

At least, it was meant to be joyous, and (Y/N) knew that. She knew she should have been excited to be amongst her people. The same people that had seen her grow and had grown alongside her. The very people she knew she could count on whenever she might need them. She knew all that.

But it was such a bittersweet moment. She was constantly surrounded by people that loved her, but there was something missing. There was someone missing.

He had come into her life and, in so little time, he flipped it on its feet. He had made her believe that every decision, every moment, every second of her existence had led her to that instance —had led her to him.

And as swiftly as he had barreled into her life, he was fine. He had taken every promise, every declaration, every whisper of love with him. And it had left her with an emptiness that couldn’t be filled by anyone else. (Y/N) could only focus on herself —her career, her friendship, her family. But never again would she focus on love. Not when she knew how it could drastically transform her journey.

“Hi, honey,” her mother said as she peeked into her room. She had been staring at her reflection for what felt like hours, even if she knew it had barely been minutes. “You look beautiful.”

“Thanks, mom,” she smiled. “So do you.”

Allison had chosen a long dark red dress, her black jacket toning down the color even more. She had braided her hair and had put on makeup, but (Y/N) could see the years on her face. She could see having to raise two children on her own, having to work two jobs to keep the lights on, the pain of losing her son, the knowledge that one day she could lose her daughter as well. It was all the secrets and the hardships that she had gone through, that her family had put her through.

Those were the moments when (Y/N) wanted to tell her everything, every single detail that had derailed her mother’s life without her knowledge. She wanted to confess that she wasn’t alone in her pain, that the hurt she had carried most of her life was shared between each of the Uley family members. Instead, all she could do was remain quiet.

“Are you excited for tonight?”

“For the most part,” (Y/N) admitted. “It might be just a tad overwhelming. Heard through the grapevine that almost the whole rez is gonna be there.”

“You’ve gone to many bonfires, honey,” she chuckled. “What’s different about this one?”

“That I’m the guest of honor, mom,” the girl chuckled softly. “I’m gonna be the center of attention and that feels weird.”

“Well, I’ll be right there next to you, holding your hand.”

“Thanks, mom. I would never be where I am without you.”

Her mother smiled brightly, wrapping her arms around her tightly. “Oh, sweetheart that’s all you,” she said. “You’ve gotten this far because you’re bright and talented, and so hardworking.”

“And because I’ve had a mom that made all of that possible,” (Y/N) added. “I love you, mom.”

“I love you too, honey, more than you could ever know,” Allison smiled as she released her daughter. “And I have something for you. I wanna do it here, where it’s just you and me.”

The woman reached into her pocket, pulled out a black box, and handed it to her daughter. She followed expectantly every move, excitement filling her. Inside rested a crescent moon pendant that was engraved. As soon as her eyes fell on the necklace, tears formed in the corner of the girl’s eyes.

“Is this your pendant, mom?”

“Yes, honey,” she smiled. “It had been my mother’s, and her mother’s before her, and so on. I have been holding onto it until I felt it was time to pass it down to you. And I think there is no better time than now.”

“Oh, mom, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted this necklace,” (Y/N) said. “But I’ve always wondered, what do the markings mean?”

“After hardship comes ease,” her mother responded. “It’s what my mother would always say and I know how much you might need that reassurance now. Hard times pass, my darling. Even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.”

“I know, mom,” the younger Uley breathed, melting into her mother’s touch as Allison placed a comforting hand on her cheek. “I just wish that time came sooner rather than later.”

“Give time to time, (Y/N). We can’t rush things.”

“I know,” she sighed. “And I’m trying. I really am.”

“I’m sure of that, my darling,” Allison said. “But tonight is about you and not about what has happened or has stopped happening. We’re gonna celebrate your birthday and forget these past couple of months. Use tonight as your time to unwind and prepare yourself for what comes next.”

“I will. I just need a couple of minutes to finish getting ready.”

“Alright, honey. Let me know when you’re done and we’ll go down to the beach.”

As soon as her mother was out of the room, (Y/N) went back to perceiving herself. She stared at the bags that had formed under her eyes, the long restless nights evident on her face. Her fingers traced where her cheeks had seemed to hollow after months of terrible eating habits. She gawked at the lost gleam in her eyes, the emptiness that peeked behind her pupils.

She was a completely different girl than the one that had come back to La Push, and in a few months, she would be another her. There was a (Y/N) before him. There was a (Y/N) during him. And there would now be a (Y/N) after him. Even if she had not planned for it, she would have to do it.

“It’s now or never,” she whispered to herself.

As she left her room, (Y/N) gave herself a once over. She smoothed down her navy-blue dress and put on a jacket. She was determined to put every sad thought, every bad moment to the back of her mind. He would never again be the reason she wouldn’t enjoy life.

Before she could reach the beach, she could hear the whispered commotion. Even if she knew the party was happening, she was still surprised. Where she was expecting a small group of her friends, it seemed like the whole town had come out to celebrate. As soon as she was close enough, everyone turned and yelled, “Surprise!”

Everyone she knew welcomed her with a smile on their face. People came up to her wishing her a happy birthday and telling her how glad they were she was back home. Even Charlie Swan had popped in for a bit, congratulating her and asking if she’d go by to see Bella. They gave her hugs and kisses, wishing her blessings for the coming years. It was the warmth of a community that she had not felt for four years, giving her a feeling of belonging she had no idea she craved.

“I think more people turned up to your birthday than for the last community bonfire,” Paul said as he joined her side and sat on a piece of driftwood. The party was in full swing already. Plates of food had been passed out, children were playing, teenagers were talking, and the pack was keeping to themselves. “Hope you were still surprised.”

“I was,” (Y/N) smiled. “Didn’t think many people would care. I mean, it’s just my birthday. Not even a huge milestone. Just nineteen.”

“I think you’re underestimating just how much the people here love you. And any year is a milestone in my book,” he offered. “You made it another year. That’s an accomplishment in itself.”

“I also got approved by the board at UW to start taking aptitude tests,” she confessed. “I’ll spend the better part of December and January taking all kinds of exams to be able to slide into the next round of rotations.”

“Holy shit, (Y/N), that’s amazing!” Paul exclaimed as he twirled her in a tight hug. “It’s almost a miracle.”

“I know,” she added. “I don’t know what out there in the universe is looking out for me, but I’m glad it is. I honestly thought it would never happen. But I got the call yesterday afternoon. It’s really happening.”

“Well, they’re lucky to have you. I can’t think of anyone that would be a better doctor than you.”

“You’re just saying that, Paul,” she chuckled. “But I’m thankful for that vote of confidence. I’m just glad things seem to be moving forward. I really thought I’d be stuck in the same place for a while there.”

“I knew you’d make it out eventually,” he smiled. “Also, I got you something. And I promise it’s not sex coupons. I know I can get that for free.”

“You’re about to get those privileges revoked if you keep talking like that,” she laughed in response. “But I’ll grant you that comment because it seems Sam did not hear you.”

Paul laughed loudly, making a few heads snap back toward them. “But it’s something serious,” he continued as he handed her a wrapped box that had been resting by his feet. “It took me a while to get it, but I hope you like it.”

(Y/N) took hold of the box, carefully ripping away the neat wrapping paper —a job she was sure had been done by Emily. Inside the box, in perfect condition and wrapped in plastic, was a first edition of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. She ran her hands over the cover. She studied the spine. She inspected every single detail of the book, and it was perfect.

“Oh my god, Paul, it’s absolutely beautiful,” she joyfully cried. “But this must have cost you an arm and a leg. You shouldn’t have spent that on me.”

“I wanted to,” he beamed. “I know how much you like books so I asked Kim if she could help me get you something special.”

“It’s more than special, Paul. It’s a one-of-a-kind gift,” she smiled as she engulfed him in a hug. “I love it so much.”

“It’s as special a gift as you are,” he continued. Paul raised his hand to her cheek, tucking behind her ear a loose piece of hair. “Also, you look beautiful tonight. I don’t think I’ve told you that yet.”

“Thanks,” she replied, feeling the unnatural warmth of his skin seep onto hers. “I’m glad you’re here, Paul. And I’m grateful that you’re my friend.”

“For better or worse, (Y/N),” Paul added. “You know I’ll always be by your side.”

“You better mean that, dude. Cause I’ll hold you to it.”

“So will I,” Sam’s voice startled them. “You might be a part of my pack, but that’s my little sister right there.”

“By a couple of months at best, Sammy,” (Y/N) grumbled. “And I can handle myself perfectly. Thank you very much.”

“Doesn’t mean I won’t always be looking out for you, (Y/N),” he smiled. “Now, come on. It’s time for cake.”

The rest of the night went by quickly. They sang her happy birthday, they passed around cake, and they told stories by the fire. The same stories she had heard since she was just a little kid. The same stories that related the lives of the ancestors of their tribe. The same stories she knew were anything but fiction.

One second, she was staring at the figures that were dancing in the fire, showing her the past. The next, she was heading back home, a heap of presents overfilling her arms. “I’m so tired,” (Y/N) whined to her mother. “I could sleep for two weeks if I could.”

“Unfortunately, you can’t,” Allison chuckled. “But at least you’ve got the rest of this week.”

They laughed in unison, knowing that the least she would do was actually rest. The only time she would probably have a full night’s rest was that night and it would have been out of pure social exhaustion.

But mother and daughter stopped dead in their tracks when they reached the front door of their house. Right in front of the wooden door were three presents elegantly wrapped in silver paper, the same paper she had seen days before her world fell apart.

“I’m guessing those are for you,” her mother said. “Do you know who could have sent them?”

“Maybe they’re from the team at the hospital,” (Y/N) thought quickly. “They couldn’t make it tonight because they were pulling double shifts.”

“That was nice of them,” Allison responded, accepting her daughter’s answer. “That wrapping paper is beautiful.”

“Yeah,” she choked out. “Can you help me bring them up to my room, please?”

“Of course, darling.” The woman took the three boxes under one arm and opened the door before following her daughter up the stairs. “Alright, (Y/N). Well, I’m going to bed because I have an early shift tomorrow and I’m pretty beat. But, happy birthday, sweetheart.”

“Thanks, mom. Good night.”

“Night, honey.”

Allison left the room, shutting the door behind her and (Y/N) felt she could finally let go. She felt her blood run cold inside her body, her limbs trembling at the realization of just who had sent those presents. Even though they had ripped themselves from her life, they somehow kept appearing.

With shaking hands, she opened the first gift that was tagged with a note that said From Rosalie. It was a leather notebook, the cover engraved with the words: Dr. (Y/N) Uley. And on the first page, in beautiful calligraphy, she wrote: I may not be the one who sees the future, but I know you have a bright future ahead of you. Love, Rose.

The next one was labeled From The Cullens. It was a small black box that stored a necklace with the Cullen crest engraved onto a circle charm –small and modern. And it was attached to a note that said: Already part of the family.

(Y/N) could feel the warm tears stream down her cheeks. Her lungs ached at the shortness of air, filling as best as they could as she sobbed quietly. She knew the gifts weren’t sent with malice. A high probability that they had been ordered long before everything had gone awry. But it didn’t stop the wrenching of her heart.

There was only one box left and she knew exactly who it was from. She took the long box in her hand, ripping away the paper violently. She was surprised that it had some weight to it, her mind trying to anticipate what could have been inside before she raised the lid.

On a bed of sating rested a silver stethoscope with blue rubber. Engraved on the instrument's bell, in beautiful cursive letters, it read: Dr. Uley-Cullen. In addition, a card that read For our future.

Those couple of words completely broke (Y/N) down. She fell to her knees, feeling as if the weight of the past few months fell upon her. She muffled her shrieks with her pillow, not wanting to alarm her mother.

Suddenly, everything she thought she had started to get over rose to the surface and hollowness filled her core. As the tears kept falling, she could feel the painful hole in her chest grow deeper and deeper.

He had planned a future for them. A future where she was a part of their family. A future where they would take on the world, together. Yet he had thrown it all away in a second, without another thought. Without ever looking back. He had built everything so high to let it all topple down.

He had left her to pick up the pieces of her broken heart and rebuild a life on her own. And that was the only thing she would allow him to have. She would create a life for herself, by herself, and she would prove to him that she was bigger than her heartbreak.

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cerealmonster15 · 2 months ago

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For hurt/comfort prompts I REALLY like 22 so... [churning the gears around in my mind] omg..... A bit of an ambitious prompt maybe but the tweels with azul from their childhood maybe 🙏 like saving him from bullies 🥺

shoutout to this anon from july of 2023 and im only now getting to it in october of 2024 sdkfsdkl i dont remember what the prompt was or the post this went with lol, but i remember asking for suggestions that i may or may not do and then i figured this would just be one of the ones i didnt get to - but then it kept lurking in my mind every now and then. and then just now when i was in the shower i had an idea. so here is a fic about tiny octotrio children.

[ao3 link] [See ao3 for more tags/notes]

Summary: During their childhood, Jade and Floyd make it a habit to see what that funny octopus from their class is doing by himself all the time. Azul just wants to be left alone to his studying, but sometimes a pair of troublesome twins can come with its benefits.

Word count: 828

“I told you to leave me alone!” Young Azul’s voice squeaked out in what was otherwise a quiet, ocean night. “I’m busy, so go away!”

“But we’re sooo booored,” Floyd complained, coming up to swim circles around the octopus pot that his classmate was hiding away inside.

“What are you working on today?” Jade asked, attempting to peek inside the dark, shadowy opening - Earning him a frantic SMACK from a stray tendril.

“None of your business!” Azul insisted. “G-go bother the others! I’m sure they’ve sent you in the first place, anyway.”

“Huh?” Floyd bonked his head against the side of the pot. “What’ve the other kids got to do with us?”

“Don’t play dumb. I know you’ve heard exactly what the other kids say, and I’m not repeating it just so you can laugh at me!”

“Do you have any more of those shells with your spells drawn on?” Jade asked, completely ignoring Azul’s protests. “I wanted to get a closer look at your research practice.”

“Yeah, c’mon out, Octy!” Floyd insisted, swimming over next to Jade to try and stick his head in the opening. “It’s no fun in this teeny-tiny pot, is it? Hehe, should I come see?”

“NO!” Azul shrieked, shoving Floyd out of his pot with another forceful tendril’s push. “Stay out! Don’t you have somewhere better to be, anyway?!”

“Like where?” Jade asked, giggling at how far his brother glided backwards from such an intense push.

“Prince Rielle’s having his birthday party right now, isn’t he?” Azul answered. “Go bother him instead.”

“Uh, who’s that?” Floyd asked, swimming right back to the front of the pot, completely undeterred by Azul’s shove.

“Are you stupid?!” This time, Azul’s face briefly peeked back out at the twins from the shadow. “He’s in our CLASS. Everyone was invited to his stupid party, so just go already!”

He quickly retreated back into the shadows of his pot before either twin could get too close.

Jade attempted a different tactic of swimming up above the octopus pot and allowing his tail to dangle down in front of the opening. “Why aren’t you there, then?”

Something that sounded like a blend between a grumble and a sob came from the pot in response. “I don’t want to. The others will just complain that I’ll ruin Prince Rielle’s party with my ink.”

“Oh.” Floyd followed his brother’s example and started poking his tail into the pot. “Who gives a shit about that?”

Azul gasped, caught off guard by his classmate’s blunt, unique choice of words.

“Oh, Floyd,” Jade giggled again, “you really should watch your language.”

Azul couldn’t see his face, but he was sure that Jade was smiling. He reached his tendrils out and tightly wrapped them around the tips of their intrusive tails, preparing to toss them away once more.

“Hehe, you’re pretty good at squeezing!” Floyd said, attempting to entwine his tail with Azul’s tendril and tried to match his squeezing strength.

“He has a very firm grip,” Jade agreed.

Just as Azul was going to launch the eels off his pot, he froze, hearing more voices approaching.

“Oooh, is the octopus crying in his pot again today?” The voice of another kid from class called out. “Careful, you two, or you’ll get caught in his gross ink storm!”

Azul quickly released the twins and pulled his tentacles back into the deep recesses of his pot. Maybe if he didn’t say anything, they’d just go away…

“Aww, just when things were getting good…” Floyd said, sounding quite disappointed that Azul did not end up launching him across the ocean as anticipated. He let out a loud, dramatic sigh, then addressed the approaching kids. “Hey, what’re you doin’ here? Don’tcha have a party to be at or whatever?”

“We’re on our way,” another kid answered, “but you’re not bringing him with you, are ya?”

“He’s only going to spoil the fun!” Whined a third.

“Oh, spoil the fun?” Repeated Jade. He turned to face his brother, a grin spreading across his face. “But we were just having so much fun moments ago, weren’t we, Floyd?”

Floyd grinned back. “Yeah, we were, Jade… It’s too bad a few dumasses came to ruin it, huh?”

The twins swam away from the pot, and towards the small group.

“Guess we’ll just have to make our own fun - but I don’t think we’ll find that at the party,” Floyd said. “Hey, Jade- Whaddaya say we try out one of those grippy-shove-punch things Octy was doing earlier, huh?”

“I think that would be very fun,” Jade agreed.

Their other classmates shrieked, swimming as fast and as far away as they could from the octopus pot as the twins chased them, laughing gleefully. Azul slowly poked his head out of the pot as the noise died down, spotting the others thrashing about way off in the distance.

Perhaps not every classmate Azul had would need to face his vengeance, when the time came.

#cereal writes #twst #twisted wonderland #azul ashengrotto #floyd leech #jade leech

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thisantithesis · 1 year ago

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library au pt 3???? 861 words (pt. 1) (pt. 2)

Two weeks.

Two weeks is all it took before Regulus saw James again. He was working his usual shift, reorganizing the historical fiction section of the library after students all but ransacked the shelves trying to look for whatever book it was they needed, when one of the freshmen also working that day came up to him saying Ms. Pince wanted to see him up at the front.

He sighed and put down the book he was holding, counting down the minutes before he was able to go outside to the statue garden again. Regulus liked to sit there and sketch the statues from different angles. Each day they looked a bit different, from snow having melted off or freshly fallen throughout the previous night, so he sat there and tried to capture their likeness as best he could.

Of course he hadn’t forgotten what happened in the garden not ten days prior, that short interaction with James all but burned into Regulus’ brain. He still couldn’t wrap his mind around the vitriol he heard in James’ voice that night, especially because it was aimed at him. He wasn't saying it wasn’t deserved–lord knows he deserved much worse than that–but it was almost like there were two different versions of James in his brain now; one before Regulus’ 21st birthday, and one after.

He couldn’t really blame James, though. He was sure that if he were to waltz right back into his brother’s life right then, Sirius wouldn’t have even recognized him. Which was probably for the best., honestly.

Regulus was still lost in thought when he approached the front desk, which was the only reason why he hadn’t immediately seen who was standing right next to it. “You called for me, Ms. Pince?”

The woman turned around, her severe stare landing on Regulus over her glasses. “Ah yes, Mr. Black. Since you are my longest standing student helper here, I was hoping that you could help show Mr. Potter how we do things here. He will only be working with us for a short period of time, but I expect him to know his way around nonetheless."

Complete dread washed down Regulus' spine in that moment, his head slowly turning around to look at the person standing to his right. Sure enough, James Potter himself was standing there in the flesh, with a look on his face that clearly showed his disdain for the situation. He tried to put on his usual charming smile for the librarian, but Regulus could see through his bullshit a mile away.

“I take it you boys already know each other?” she asked them with a raised brow whe neither of them spoke up, looking between the twp boys as if ready for a fight to erupt at any given second.

James looked away and cleared his throat, breaking the weird staring contest he and Regulus found themselves in. “Ah, uhm, yes, we do. I’m... friends with his brother.”

“Good! Then I can leave you to your own devices. Mr. Potter, if you would please sign these papers before you start. They are just to confirm the amount of hours you will be working with us over the next six weeks.”

James nodded and bent down over the paper, reading the text and chewing at the end of the pen in his hand. Regulus scrunched his nose at the action, a bit disgusted that he would put a publicly-used object in his mouth, but ultimately turned back towards the librarian. “Ms. Pince, are you sure there’s no one else that can show him around? I was already busy with the historical fiction section and there’s still so much left to do.”

Regulus wasn’t one to complain about things, usually taking them on the chin and simply pushing through so he could get them done as soon as possible, but he would've rather been caught dead before spending six weeks teaching James Potter of all people how to stack books. He was ready to forget their interaction two weeks ago and move on like nothing happened, but clearly the universe wasn’t done fucking with him.

How utterly perfect.

Most likely having heard Regulus, James tried and failed to hide his laugh, but Regulus could see his smug smile tucked away behind his palm. Rolling his eyes, he turned back to Ms. Pince, praying and hoping she would (unknowingly) help him out just this once.

“I’m sorry Mr. Black, but you are the person best suited for the job. If you have any quarrels with each other, I suggest you get them sorted out now as I expect them to not interfere with your work,” she said with an air of finality before promptly turning around and walking back into her office.

Regulus barely held back a scoff at her expectations. Yeah, not bloody likely.

“Well Black, might as well get this over with, yeah?” James said with a smug look on his face, one Regulus was moments away from wiping off with a swift punch to his cheekbone.

Instead he curled his fingers into a fist, wishing he could be literally anybody else in that moment.

#and we're back!!#i truly have no ide where i'm going with this #regulus black #james potter #jegulus #sunseeker #starchaser #james x regulus #marauders #marauders era #library au #m writes

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keggerk · 11 months ago

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Does this app get used by anyone anymore?

If it doesn’t, cool, free place to put my thoughts.

If it does, I hope whoever’s reading is doing well.

It’s been a long time since I felt like writing anything here so here’s a little life update.

My roommate moved out about 6 months ago. I miss having him here sometimes, but I’m so happy for him and his girlfriend. I love that man like my own brother and it’s so amazing to see them doing life together.

My job has been nuts. I’ve finally reached a level in my career where I have sway, I can make a difference in my company, in others lives. I genuinely enjoy the work I’ve been doing and I’m so excited when I hear that the work we do has helped someone improve their business. A client sent me a watch as a thank you. I cried.

I’m finally getting out there and seeing the world. Granted, I’ve been limited to this country, but Portugal is coming up soon. It’s hard to believe 3 years ago I’d never been on a plane. I flew over 30,000 miles last year. Sure it was mostly for work, but it’s exciting nonetheless.

The downside with a lot of work travel: dating has been tough. There’s been a few times I genuinely thought things were going somewhere, but the timing just hasn’t been right. At the end of the day: the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.

Outside of work, I’ve loved being an uncle. My niece is adorable and too smart to believe for a 4 year old. Spoiling her with gifts for Christmas and her birthday has been fun, and that smile when she says “Uncle Joey!” Takes all the stress away. I’m so glad my relationship with my sister has improved over the years. My family in general. I’ve never been closer with Tiffany, and I’m glad we’ve gotten to this point.

Same goes with Suzie, albeit to a much lesser extent. I don’t see her enough, but I think that’s mostly because she lives in the city and she’s engaged. That’s okay though. She’s actually happy and I’m so glad. Her fiance is dope and I actually like this dude a lot.

Dads good. He’s working from home, thank god. His new condo can be a pain at times, but I think he genuinely loves having a place he can truly call his own finally. When grandpa died, I was really worried. When Jeff died, I really didn’t know what was going to happen. Knowing he has a safe, comfortable, accessible place brings such peace of mind. He’s losing weight too, which is phenomenal. His aches and pains were getting to be a problem, and the fact he’s finally addressing it and taking care of himself is massive.

I’ve been reading a ton. I’ve already read 3 books this year, looking to read 30 by the end of 2024. It’s been a nice way to unwind after work. My healths been improved over the past year. I’ve been able to stop seeing the cardiologist every 3 months finally.

I play in a darts league every week on a team with my sister, brother in law, and some family friends. It’s been a nice hobby. Between that and baseball card collecting, I’ve been able to keep my hobbies safe and relatively cost-aware lol.

My friends are all in a bit of a transition period. It’s strange. If someone had told me I’d be in the most stable position of most of my friends a few years ago I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m happy to be here for support for all of them. I’m excited to see what these next chapters will be.

All in all though, I’m happy. I find myself smiling in moments to myself sometimes. It’s a nice change of pace.

“Now I am quietly waiting for the catastrophe of my personality to seem beautiful again, and interesting, and modern… It may be the coldest day of the year, what does he think of that? I mean, what do I? And if I do, perhaps I am myself again.” - Frank O’Hara

#me #personal #journal

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shawnjacksonsbs · 2 years ago

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Ultimately, "it's all me. (Not to be confused with "it's all about me." Lol no lol). Your "It's" are all you just the same as mine are all me. 4-22-23

"Once you open your eyes to the pattern . . .

Remember you're the one who wrote the list of priorities. You certainly have the power to implement them" - Dr. Richard Carlson

*Side note

The pic attached is a note, in its raw original state. It's to show that sometimes my feelers are too much for the minute that I'm writing it, so I'm trying to be sure to not forget every part of it.

For the ones I might edit later, like this one. Lol

**Another important Side note

Dollar bucks are a thing from Bluey. If you haven't already seen at least one or two of their episodes, you should. If you have any kind of human intellect and emotional range whatsoever, you'll enjoy it. . .with or without kids. Promise.

I messed up.

Explain

(So. . .what had happened was, I left part of the material off a pretty large job. Therefore the estimate, which was already squeezed pretty tight, was off. We, of course, won the bid, and I ended up finding my error.)

1500 dollar bucks worth of messed up.

In our infancy.

(It’s not a mistake I make regularly. Its actually quite rare, but. . .whatever. It’s uncomfortable to say the least. Its not a company killing mistake, but only because we generated enough revenue between several jobs to cover the difference in cost. It will come out in the end, of course which hinders the profit side, but $1500 on $17,500 can be . . . worked around and wrote off in different places. Thanks to and for, my salesmen/business colleagues/friends/brothers for landing 2 pretty sizeable jobs.

I was actually told I am allowed some grace. . .

I do put my everything into this company. Playing every position or helping is something of a hobby of mine, that’s kills endurance with office work. lol

(Here's where you guys who read these entries throw a life preserver (or a word of encouragement or two). C'mon guys, I need to know you can help me. Lol no lol

I always talk about wanting to hire a "me" to work with me. You know someone who will work hard, with the same work ethic, knowledge, etc etc.

But I don't know if I could do that. You know, like really work for me. I might be an asshole to work for.

I mean, trying to live up to my expectations is a lot for anyone, including me. I set the bar pretty high.

I mean, I'm pretty sure my kid thinks so, so . . . Lol no lol

Struggling with deciding whether to plan to work through weekends to cover up coming bad weather days or to do family related thing.

I'm back n forth in my head constantly. My heart seems to be leaning one way, obviously, whether it's gonna cost me in the long run or not. Lol

I also tell myself that as long as I don't make a habit or doing this or that, then it's not letting the one side over shadow the other.

I can write my story however I want. There is no destiny or karma at work here.

As I write, I know I'm going to choose family, then rush to fill in work stuff(s), so I don't know what I'm on about.

I imagine a lot of copying and pasting is in my future. As I'm not going to have a ton of time to edit this before I post.

Story time will probably be a straight punch through as well, but as long as I'm still doing both . . . there’s no failing them, or me.

And its 4-20-23 (Happy High Day mofos), a Thursday, we just went and picked up my oldest son, (I don't know) and we got to see the girls for a minute.

Bonus.

If I hadn't already decided about taking Saturday off to see them, it's definitely sealed now. Lol

Sunday still going to be a catch all for work. Eh, maybe more than that but yeah.

I might just see if I can get another note or two in here before I post, and call it good for the week.

We'll see.

*Well nothing new to report.

I took the day off, as we figured I would. My oldest son, pretty much been asleep the whole time he’s been here, but no expectations this time. It’s not a get right forever plan. So . . .

And a very special Happy Birthday to my stepdaughter. She deserves the world, but I'm sure she'll settle for a happy, stress free family life, which she also deserves! And to her old man, whose birthday lunch is being combined with today. Lol

I’m still trying to decide if I should pull my granddaughter off to the side before the tournament and teach the crane technique. I mean . . .”If do right, no can defense.”

Please let’s keep encouraging each other, against all odds, to be the love, light, and kindness the world needs. Keep sharing your laughter too. That will never change either!! Light the way with it!

Until next week;

"A friend of mine taught me a powerful lesson that I always try to remember. He said, "In reality, you vote with your actions, not your words." This means that while I can tell you that my friends and family are important to me, I can write well-intended lists, and I can even become defensive in my well-thought-out excuses, ultimately, the measure of what's most important to me is how I spend my time and energy. " - Dr. Richard Carlson

P.S. I'm pretty sure he watched me before . . .maybe not even in my old life. Lol no lol

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rafescoke · 3 years ago

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i’m sooo obsessed with your entire page holy moly. if you’re taking requests can i get kinda an angst one where the reader is with jj and finds out him and kie have been doing stuff behind her back, and the rest of the group knew the whole time? so she ends up getting close to rafe and hanging out with his friends so it eventually ends up with rafe x reader??? sorry that’s so long lol pls never stop writing, i love your fics too much <3

All I Ask ; Rafe Cameron

masterlist

#Part 1

#Part 2

Pairing: Rafe Cameron x reader x JJ Maybank

Summary: Reader finds herself in the arms of her best friend’s brother after finding her boyfriend cheating on her

Warnings: Cheating, substance, mentions of sex, jealous Rafe, JJ & Kie being an asshole

A/N: Thank you so much for the amount of love I received from my last two works! It has been so overwhelming and I love each one of you with all my heart <3

p.s, my request box is always open! Send random ideas and I’ll turn them into a fic <33

p.p.s, so sorry if this isn’t my best work :(

“Come on, (Y/N), don’t be a party pooper!”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes as she pulled her best friend aside from all the commotion, “Sarah. I’m serious. I feel like he’s cheating on me.”

“He’s not!” Sarah groaned, and when (Y/N) gave her a look, she sighed. “I’m serious. He loves you too much, okay? Look, tomorrow’s your birthday, right? I’m sure JJ’s just ignoring you as a part of your birthday surprise.”

(Y/N) wanted to believe her so bad, but she couldn’t deny the strong feeling growing inside her. Ever since a month ago, JJ wasn’t there for her like always. When she tried to hold him in the van or at the Chateau, he would flinch and scoot away from her. She didn’t know what to do anymore.

“Look-” Sarah cupped her face, her eyes boring into hers. “I promise that he’s not cheating on you. Can you please let this go? How about you go and find him, have a smoke, and then come back to me with the verdict?”

(Y/N) hummed back in response, thinking about what Sarah had just told her. When she first moved to Obx from the city 4 years ago, she had been spending most of her time with the other kooks. When she bumped onto JJ one particular evening while he was too busy mowing down her lawn, that was when most of her happiest days started.

(Y/N) made her way towards the far end of the beach where JJ and the other pogues were hanging out, her feet lightly patting against the hot sand. (Y/N) took a deep breath when she saw the love of her life laughing on a log, and quickly walked towards him.

“Hey,” she started, sitting on the empty space beside him. JJ shifted, giving her more space, and muttered a quick ‘hi’ back. He offered her a beer, to which she shook her head to, and he shrugged before downing the whole content.

“You’ve got some beer here,” (Y/N) said, leaning forward to wipe the tiny droplet on his chin. JJ hurtled backwards as if on cue, and quickly wiped the stain with the back of his hand. (Y/N) stared at him, being caught off guard, but decided to not create any drama.

“You really don’t have to do that,” (Y/N) muttered, wrapping her cardigan over her tighter. The cold night air swept over her, causing her hair to fall over her shoulders. She didn’t bother to fix it as she watched JJ scoffed, the fire in front of them reflecting on the surface of his blue eyes.

“Do what? Wipe my mouth? Come on, (Y/N), it’s really not that big of a deal,” JJ sighed. He didn’t even bother to hold her hand, to reassure her that it’s really okay, and instead he continued his conversation with John B about some kind of a movie. She noticed Pope looking at their way, but he quickly turned to look at the waves when she returned his gaze.

“Do you want to smoke?” she tried again, this time with her hands on his lap. He didn’t move, and (Y/N) took this as a good sign, her heart fluttering happily.

It’s progress.

“You sure?” he asked, fumbling with his back pocket to reach for his extra blunt. When he grasped the rolled up herbs between his fingers, he handed it to her, smiling when she scooted closer. He lighted it for her, watching her took a deep huff before blowing the smoke.

“That’s good?” he asked before taking a blow for himself. He felt his heavy mind getting lighter, the weight he has been holding since forever slowly lifting into the air. He laughed, and turned to look at the state of the girl beside him.

“Thank you, baby,” (Y/N) smiled, this time with her head on his shoulder. She saw Pope looking at them with some kind of a heavy look again, but just like before, he turned away before she could ask him anything.

“Pope?”

Pope’s attention from the crashing waves turned completely to (Y/N), his eyes wide and his mind panicking. His eyes glanced to the blonde boy beside her for a second, but it settled back to her. “Yes?”

“You’re okay? You keep looking at me. Is there anything that you want to tell me?”

“Me?” he pointed to his chest, and when he saw the look on JJ’s face, he laughed, making an action of swatting his hands against the air. “Oh no. I was just thinking about something else. I guess I involuntarily looked at you.”

(Y/N) laughed with him, her head still on JJ’s shoulder, her eyes slowly squinting against the glowing fire that seemed to be too bright. She turned to whisper to JJ, “Can we go home?”

“Tonight? But It’s Bonfire night. We can’t leave yet,” he protested, glancing at both of his friends for help. Pope, not wanting to spend anymore time with them anymore, quickly stood up from his seat and walked towards the main space of the party.

“I’m gonna go with Pope, okay? Find Sarah. Go and talk to her? I’ll call you later,” JJ quickly added, standing up from his seat, stirring (Y/N) from her previous position. She sighed, her head still woozy, but she didn’t want to think about the possibility of him cheating on her.

He wanted her first, it’s just not possible for him to suddenly lose feelings for her. The countless times he would tell her that he loves her, that she’s the only girl he will ever mark as his, and now nothing?

She groaned, kicking the sand, all while the muffled music thrumming against her eardrums. She turned to look at John B, the only guy left with her, and opened her mouth to say something.

“Do you see the problem, John B?” she asked, her voice slow. When he didn’t reply, she sighed again, this time standing up from her seat to return to the ongoing party. “This is exactly the fucking problem.”

She didn’t understand; why is everyone treating her differently? What did she do? She sacrificed almost everything to be apart of their group, including her relationship with her kook friends. At that moment, she longed for her bedroom, where she knew she will be totally safe, all cuddled up with Netflix to enjoy.

“If it isn’t the princess,” a voice said from behind her back, and (Y/N) rolled her eyes before turning to look at the source. The tall figure of Rafe Cameron loomed over her, and (Y/N) tried to block his scent of cigarette and expensive cologne. She never really stopped liking his smell.

The Camerons and her family are business partners, and that was the core reason for her family to move to Obx in the middle of July 4 years ago. Meeting Sarah and her siblings for the first time, she couldn’t deny the strong attraction she felt towards the oldest sibling, but she had thought of it as nothing more than a silly crush and tried to focus more on her relationship with a certain blonde boy living on the other side of the island.

“You can take a picture, it’ll last longer that way,” he smiled, and (Y/N) groaned when she could hear the amused tone lacing in his gruff voice. She made to walk away, but was halted by Rafe’s fingers around her wrist.

“Come on, I was just playing. That’s not the way to treat an old friend,” he laughed, letting go of her. He looked around her, noticing her odd behaviour, and suppressed his smile. “Where’s the boyfriend?”

“I don’t know,” she finally replied, and returned the gesture of looking around him. “Where’s the girlfriend?”

Rafe laughed, throwing his head back as his hair messily slicked to the back. “Girlfriend? I don’t do girlfriends. Come on, (Y/N), you know that.”

“Not a surprise,” she said in a singing tone, giving her attention towards the dancing bodies next to the speaker. “Look, Rafe, just say whatever you want to say to me, okay? I’m tired of trying to figure out what people wanted to say to me.”

“I just want to make a conversation,” he shrugged, chugging down his beer before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His actions reminded her of JJ, and she quickly looked away when she felt a pang of hurt across her heart.

“Uh-oh, I know that look,” Rafe said, tugging her chin to force her to look at him. (Y/N) grunted, feeling his cold skin against hers, but she let him stare into her eyes before quickly pulling away. “Yeah. It’s that look you’ll put when you’re worried about something. What’s up?”

“Rafe, it’s really nothing,” she sighed, scooting away from the boy. She looked around again, and her eyes landed on a certain blonde boy, and she could feel her heart soaring up again. Rafe’s eyes followed her gaze, and when he saw JJ, he turned to look away.

“I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

“Yeah, whatever,” Rafe replied, already making his way towards the keg station. (Y/N) noticed the change in his behaviour, seeing how cold he turned, but decided not to mention it. She was being cold towards him first, so she guessed it was fair for him to be acting that way.

Rafe didn’t understand how blind she could be. Couldn’t she notice the pattern of the girls he fucked? How they all looked so similar to her?

He scoffed, sipping from his red cup as he watched her walk towards the boy that stole her from him. Everything was going perfect; they were hanging out almost every day; just her and Rafe, either it was in his swimming pool or (Y/N)’s hot tub. When her father had hired JJ Maybank to mower his lawn, that was when everything went downhill.

“Cameron,” a voice greeted from beside him, and when he turned to look at the figure, he expressed a sly smirk.

One more person that looked like her.

. . .

JJ’s phone was beside her.

She kept telling herself no, that she should trust him since they are in a relationship, but her brain was yelling for her to go through his phone.

He’s cheating on you.

She groaned, unable to contain herself anymore as she grabbed his phone, looking around briefly before typing his passcode.

The phone vibrated in her hands as she failed to guess his passcode, and she frowned before the screen. It had been her birthday’s date, so why wouldn’t it open? She tried again with their anniversary date, and again, was met with the same fate.

“What the fuck?” she said to no one in particular, and sighed before trying out random numbers. Lastly, she pressed all 1, not thinking much of it and already accepting her defeat. She exclaimed in happiness when his home screen appeared with his background a picture of a dog.

(Y/N) frowned again, remembering how it used to be a picture of them, but decided to not question it as their picture had been replaced by a dog instead of something else. She went through his Instagram, scroling down the many direct messages, through his Imessages; where he texts the pogues a lot and through his Snapchat, only finding their private pictures in his ‘my eyes only’.

She released the breath she didn’t realise she was holding, shutting the phone off and letting it lay in its previous position. She smiled, secretly cursing at herself for ever doubting JJ. He must’ve been busy with his life, just-

Ding!

Involuntarily, (Y/N) picked up the phone and watched as Kie’s name appeared. She typed in his passcode quickly, trying to see what she needs so that she could try and help her with anything in case if it’s urgent. Her heart stopped for a minute when she saw her text.

Kie: You’re sleeping with her tonight?

Why would she even text him that?

(Y/N) sat up straighter, her fingers gliding across the screen in a swift motion.

wdym?

She watched as the typing signal appeared, biting the insides of her cheeks. She looked at the direction of the toilet again, hearing the blonde boy humming to a Nirvana song. She looked at the screen again.

Kie: You promised me you would be with me tonight

Kie: Just us two

Oh my god.

She could feel the hot tears coming in, but her bathroom door creaked open, so she threw the phone back to its initial position and cleared her throat, looking to the ceiling and randomly muttering words to herself.

“Huh?” JJ asked, looking at the direction she pointed. He saw nothing, and looked back to her.

“I said white’s not the color anymore. I think I’m changing it to grey. What do you think?” She asked, feeling her throat hurting. She cleared her throat again as JJ stared at the ceiling one more time, his face all scrunched up.

“I think grey’s okay?” He said, but it was more to a question. He took his phone and sat beside her, shielding his screen from her. She watched him from the corners of her eyes, silently interpreting his strange demeanor.

She cursed when it finally hit her; she hadn’t delete her text to Kie.

She bit her lips, curling her toes and randomly tracing circles on her lap. She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t see clearly, she couldn’t think.

How could she forgot to delete that one, single text?

“I have to go,” JJ stood up, slipping his phone into his pocket. (Y/N) looked at him, ready to ask if she could follow, but halted her action when he put a hand up.

“I’m seeing John B. Something about, um, Sarah stuff. Just me and Pope. The boys,” he muttered, clearly trying to tell her that he wouldn’t be bringing her to the Chateau. (Y/N) nodded, feeling her heart sank, because she finally understood everything;

The glances he would give to Kie in the HMS Pogue, the brief moments where he would put his hands around Kie’s waist when he tries to slip in between her and someone, the flirtatious laugh he’ll emit when she makes a joke - it all made sense.

(Y/N) used to think that it was all just friendly behaviour and how he had known her longer hence it must’ve been normal for best friends to do that. One thing that (Y/N) likes about herself is how she’s able to guess things correctly -

But she had never wanted to be so wrong about something before.

“You’re okay by yourself tonight?”

“Huh?” She finally looked up to him, seeing his blue eyes staring straight into her boring ones. “Yeah. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” he smiled, proceeding towards the open window to exit her bedroom. (Y/N) ‘s father would never give his blessings towards this relationship, so he had to enter and exit his girlfriend’s room through the window.

He hesitated before reaching the seating girl, placing a soft but immediate kiss on her cheeks. (Y/N) smiled weakly in return, not trusting herself to say anything.

How could he?

Ten minutes after his departure, (Y/N) quickly grabbed her father’s car keys before fleeing after a particular black motorcycle. She didn’t even think about turning the car radio on, and her mind was set on only one thing; JJ and Kie.

When she arrived at the Chateau, her fingers trembling and her hair all over the place from the wind while she was driving down the road, forgetting to close the window, she quickly made her way to their usual hanging out place.

Before she could enter the room, Pope’s voice interrupted her actions.

“(Y/N)? What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, his eyes widening. He looked at her palm around the doorknob, and let out a nervous laugh. “You’re looking for JJ? He’s not here.”

She gets it now.

“Pope, I know,” was all she said before opening the door.

She felt her world shattering right after she was greeted with the sight of Kie on JJ’s lap, running her fingers through his blonde locks while she kissed him tenderly like (Y/N) always did. John B and Sarah were right next to him, cheering him on, but stopped when they finally looked up to the looming figure.

“Oh my god,” Kie exclaimed, pushing herself off JJ and fixing her hair. (Y/N) made a look, disgust filling every inch of her body as she quickly walked away from the scene, not wanting to hear any apologies or explanation.

None of that mattered to her; she just wanted to go home.

“(Y/N)!” she heard him yell, but she exited the Chateau as fast as her feet could take her, not stopping to look at him. She cursed when she couldn’t find the right key to open her door, her fingernails clanking against the metal.

“It was a dare!” JJ said, right after he reached her. He watched as she didn’t pay any attention towards him, still fumbling for her keys. “I swear! The kiss was just a dare!”

“Was the text a dare as well?” she asked, finally putting the right key into the keyhole and stepping into the car. JJ cursed and stepped aside, feeling drained and tired from the screaming.

Of course he didn’t send the ‘wdym’. He never like short forms, only using them when he is in the toilet and typing with his left hand. Why didn’t he realised this sooner?

“I’m sorry,” he said, but before he could say anything else, the girl drove straight towards the exit, away from him.

The worst part of all wasn’t about not having a chance to explain himself to get out of the mess he made, but it was when he saw the pained look on her face.

“Fuck!” he yelled, kicking a stone and making his way back towards the Chateau.

(Y/N) fingers scrolled down the many contacts in her phone as she tried to focus on the road simultaneously, and finally stopping when she reached the letter ‘R’ contacts.

She tapped on the first name under the R letter, putting the phone call on speaker and placing her phone on her lap. She shuddered, suddenly remembering the way she had found JJ and Kie in, but shook her head when his voice filled the atmosphere.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Rafe.”

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boogiewrites · 2 years ago

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Seeing Stars Part 13 | Eddie Munson

Summary: The one where Eddie realizes he's in love. Star's birthday leads to a night Eddie will never forget. Star feels something growing between them, but her conscious self isn't ready to unpack that yet. Fluff, banter, gifts, guitar, and two goobers healing each other.

Part 1 if you missed it!

NSFW - CW: use of gay slur in reference to being called that, conversations about sexuality, p in v sex, use of pet names, mentions of past abuse/trauma from a bad relationship (not in detail), drug use.

The cold was starting to steadily set in, moving into November. The days were short and the general energy was that of a post-Halloween lull. The group in their hoodies and sweaters were eating the last of the clearance Halloween candy they’d all nabbed around the lunch table.

“Is there anything going on this weekend?”

“No. Nothing until after Thanksgiving.”

“Any movies come out?”

“I don’t know if I can watch Nightmare on Elm Street 2 again, I’ve seen it twice in a week.”

“There’s that Transylvania one coming out I think?”

“You wanna go see that?”

“Is there anything besides going to the movies? I’m broke.”

“I miss when Steve worked at the mall.” Dustin sighed.

“I miss never paying to see a movie,” Mike added.

“And getting into the rated R ones.”

“He worked at the movie theatre? And now family video? Does he have a thing for film?” Star asked.

“No, he worked at the ice cream place in the food court.”

“Scoops? With the boats and the sailor uniforms?” Star pouted at the cuteness of the mental image.

“I miss the free ice cream too.” Mike groaned.

“That is too cute.” She cooed. “Steve in that little sailor get up? Ugh, I’d pay to see that.” she giggled.

“You’ve been to the mall?” Eddie asked, quickly side-lining her thoughts of how Steve’s body might look in tight polyester.

“Uh yeah duh.” She said obviously.

“You’ve never told me you’d been to the mall.”

“I’m not going to take you with me when I go buy underwear, Eddie.” She chuckled and the group mirrored her response. “Or talk to you about it.”

“You should. I’ll go. Happily.” He flirted shamelessly and she snorted.

“Guys are bored to tears waiting on girls when they shop.”

“Nothing is boring about the combination of girls and underwear,” Jeff added in with a laugh.

“Really?” Star turned with genuine confusion on her face.

“You sound surprised?”

“Well,… an ex did nothing but gripe and complain the whole time. Even in Victoria's Secret.”

“If you ever want a guy around that would NOT be bored by that, I volunteer.” Garrett grinned. Eddie shot him a glare and Star rolled her eyes.

“I think Eddie called dibs,” Star smirked at him, snapping his head her way with the mildest flush to his cheeks.

“I did?” He rapidly blinked “ I did.” He agreed. The range of emotions quickly passed over his face and everyone at the table watched him lose his cool and fumble the opportunity to flirt. “I would but there is something already happening this weekend.” Star looked at him with a raised brow. “I know I’ll be busy because it’s someone's birthday.” He leaned in with a cheesy grin.

“Yeah! It’s Robbie’s birthday!” Star quickly said, lightly kicking Eddie’s leg under the table. He swished his head towards her, confused.

“You’re… hanging out with Star’s older brother for his birthday?” the guys were suspicious.

“Robbie got a… old junker he wants to fix up and he thought it’d be a good opportunity to teach Eddie some stuff. Right?” Star leaned towards him, staring intensely into his eyes.

“Y-yeah. Right. I needed some uh, experience working on something besides my van and Uncle Wayne’s truck ya know?”

“Your brother wants to hang out with Eddie? On his birthday?” A flat question.

“It’s just any other day for him. He’s never been big on birthdays.”

“Must run in the family,” Eddie muttered.

“Why wouldn’t you tell them it’s your birthday?” Eddie hissed to Star in the hallway.

“I don’t like it when people make a big deal about it.”

“Bullshit.” Eddie scoffed.

“I don’t! I didn’t want to entertain or anything on my birthday, I wanted to enjoy myself and my few precious days off of work and school.”

“Oh.” he didn’t do a good job at hiding his disappointment. “I uh… thought we’d do something together actually.” he sheepishly added, looking to the ground as they walked through the hall.

“We can do something,” she stated evidently.

“But you said-?”

“I meant the whole group or having to play hostess, you know? I don’t feel like I have to keep you entertained when you’re around. It’s not work.” she explained with an animated hand.

“Weird way to call me easy.” he quipped with a smile.

“I can always jingle some keys in front of your face if you get bored. Or throw a cat toy across the floor. That’ll keep you going for a good half hour.” she smirked.

“You’re lucky it’s almost your birthday or I’d make you pay for that remark.” -

Eddie awoke with a moan leaving his throat he wasn’t sure he’d ever heard from himself before. It reminded him of a sound Star might make. His thoughts turned to her as they often did nowadays. He quickly recalled the dream he’d been having, lifting his covers to find himself painfully hard and tacky under his sheets. He looked at the dim light coming through the window covered by his band’s show banner. He frowned at the car that was now running whose backfiring had woken him up from one of the best dreams he’d had all year. In the daze of half sleep, he felt like he could still smell her, some intoxicating mix of patchouli and vanilla. Instead of laying on top of her, face buried in her tits and her limbs wrapped around him like a snake he was face first in his pillow, his hand with her panties still tangled in his fingers the same way he’d fallen asleep after jerking off.

It was early for Eddie to be awake and even earlier for a Saturday. But he had things to do today. He peeled himself out of bed, the well-loved pair of Star's panties going back into their hiding place of shoved into the back of his nightstand drawer. His dick taunts him with its proud sway as he sits on the edge of his bed and rubs his face. He let out a wail and smacked his cheeks.

“Guess I gotta kill you before I can get anything done.” He said to the pulsing attention whore between his legs. He needed to behave today, it wasn’t about him or what his cock wanted. He’d jerk off in the shower. At least he wouldn’t have to clean anything up that way.

Star awoke to Moon meowing in her face, perched on her chest. She opened one eye and then glared before shutting them tightly again.

“I was having a good dream.” She complained.

“Mrow.”

“What do you care what it was about?”

“Mrow.”

“Maybe it was about him.”

“Mrrrrl.”

“Yeah again,” Star answered defiantly, finally opening her eyes and giving up her fight against slipping back into the steamy dream.

“Merp.” Ozzy chirped in from the floor, big eyes looking up at his adopted mother.

“Don’t you start. I thought you liked him.”

Moon purred, leaning her head to bonk it again Star's face.

“Yeah, you’re cute. I know. I’ve left you inside with uncle Robbie a lot.” Star sighed and pet the cat to return the affection. “It’s cold out here and I don’t want you alone without heat for too long.”

“Mrow. Awow.” Moon sassed back.

“What? I can’t cuddle up naked with a man and keep warm? You’ve got Ozzy.�� The black cat with a chip in its ear let out a loud meow and walked back and forth next to her bed. “You don’t get to judge me for keeping warm by my own methods out here while you’re in there with a damn fireplace getting your butthole licked. ” Star talked to the fat white fluff of a cat in her hands, her paws dangling.

“Mrrrrrr.” She swished her tail but made no attempts to move.

“Maybe I am jealous.” Star laughed. “Speaking of.” Star plopped the cat into the floor. “I guess I need to get this birthday started right.”

“Mew.” Ozzy kindly requested.

“Yes, your food first then the manifestation orgasm. I know.”

Eddie was greeted with a friendly scent of nag champa, one he could recognize because of Star. A jingle of bells announced his presence.

“Hello again, Eddie.” The woman with a warm demeanor and motherly smile said from across the shop, looking up from her book. “How’s that lapis working out for you?” He walked among the imports, the pipes, and stones to the small worn counter in the back where a register older than him sat.

“How do you remember that?”

“Not many guys that look like you come in for crystals. They mainly want pipes.” She grinned.

“I’ve bought both.” He chuckled.

“And you’re a good customer so of course, I’d remember you.” She reassured him.

“I wanted to get both today actually.”

“Sure I didn’t give you pyrite on accident?” She asked with a wink. “Big spender today, huh?”

“Pyrite.” He stopped to think, his eyes wandered as he thought. “Pyrite. Pyro. Fire. Shiney. That’s the gold-looking one for money.” He finally finds his answer. “Oh, I get the joke now.” He nods in understanding.

“You’ve been studying?”

“Kinda. I’ve mostly looked at Star’s collection. She’s got one in her money bowl. So it’s easy to remember.”

“Tell her to buy one from me and it’ll work better.” She joked.

“I’m seeing her today. I will.” He gave one of those soft genuine smiles she liked seeing on anyone. Eddie had deep, good energy. “This is my first stop because I know it'll be my most expensive.”

“What are we thinking? Is the lapis working out? Need any more selenite? I’ve got some full moon water if you’re interested.” He could tell she was excited to be talking about her work, Star did the same thing when he’d listen to her.

“I'm just a baby here I’m not ready for all that.” He chuckled. “I’m here, trusting my choice of what to buy Star for her birthday. I finally figured out what to get her so I guess that’s a good sign.

“I’d say so. I always struggle with figuring out what to get people.”

“I’m starting with a pipe. I already know which, the sunflower one.”

“The lapis is certainly working.” She declared happily and moved to pull the glass yellow sunflower-tipped smoking pipe from the case. “She’s mentioned this one being cute before.”

“That or I’m around her so much I just know her now.”

“Either way it’s intuition. What else?”

“Rose quartz. For sure.” He nodded.

“Lovely love stone.” She lilted and grinned.

“She mentioned something the other day and it was…. Well, it was something bad about herself. So I wanted to get something to help her with that. She gets too hard on herself.”

“That would definitely help.” She almost floated across the divider and went to a very pink section of the wall. “Are we thinking statue? For the altar? We’ve got jewelry of course. Rings?” She perked up. “Or is that a little too on the nose?” She winked. “Lots of choices.” She stood proudly in front of the selection and watched Eddie’s borderline pout appear.

“Guess this is the real test of intuition.” He sighed.

Eddie smelled his cologne as he hopped out of the van. He stopped to look at his shirt and wonder if he’d put on too much. Maybe the entire outfit of freshly washed clothes was weak compared to the built-in cigarette smell of his usual jeans. He couldn’t exactly pinpoint his motive for cleaning up today. He figured it was better safe than sorry. After all, his current jerk-off fantasy where Star asked him to do nasty shit in bed as a birthday favor could happen. Right?

He looked at himself in his rearview mirror, sighing when he wasn’t sure what he was trying to fix precisely as he fussed with his hair. He threw his backpack over his shoulder, fetched his guitar, and headed towards the vibrating air stream trailer.

The small window provided a clear view from the right angle. It wasn’t the first time Eddie had been sneaky and watched Star before knocking. The bass was unmistakable, Sunshine Of Your Love, one that even he’d learned on the bass. He watched Star turn into view, singing and dancing as she always was it seemed. She checked her earrings, her hair teased up and fluffy. She tossed it behind her shoulders in time with the music, leaning one toward her mirror and then the other to the beat. Her collar bones flexed, and Eddie’s eyes quickly moved down to see the black dress she was wearing. He wanted to press his face to the glass to see how it looked past her hips. She moved sultry to the psychedelic groove, hips moving like a pendulum, and Eddie was enchanted. That was until the song winded down and she shook her head back and forth to the beat of the drum. She laughed and smoothed her hair, lighting what was either a cigarette or a joint. She smoked and sighed, hips wavering to a keyboard-heavy witchy-sounding song Eddie didn’t know.

He knocked and heard her call him in.

“It’s unlocked!” She smoothed the front of her dress down, wondering how she should stand, and promptly forgot how she would normally. She scrambled until the last second when his eyes landed on her and she’d chosen a hand to her hip and a joint to her shining lips.

“Hey.” He stuttered out, looking at everything but her face. His word was short and cut off. Her heart raced as she waited for more but it didn’t arrive. She couldn’t read his expression and the lingering quiet as she’d turned down the stereo made her feel nervous. “Uhm.” Eddie rubbed the back of his neck, his face contorted into what she thought was a disappointing wince. “You-uh that dress is…” his eyebrows went high and she felt so small.

“It’s too much isn’t it?” She looked down and he saw her face sink as much as his heart did as he watched her confidence drain from her lightly painted face. “I like to get dressed up on my birthday and I thought it looked so good on Madonna when I saw it.” she spoke so fast her words fell on top of one another, rubbing together as she swallowed audibly and took a little gasp of breath. “-so I tried to find one like it as a present to myself, you know, and I thought it’d look good on me. But it looks dumb, doesn’t it? It’s not me. I knew black and lace were too hard. I’m not edgy I shouldn't be such a try-hard.“

“WOAH Woah.” Eddie approached her with open palms, lowering his bag and sitting his guitar in the kitchen booth. “Slow down sweetheart.” He put his hands on her bare arms. “You look amazing.” He said with a hard brow.

“Oh.” She blinked with wide eyes and Eddie tried to look into the depth of them to understand why she switched modes so quickly. “You looked like you didn’t like it or something.”

“Why do you give a shit if I like it? You like it right?”

“Yeah. I was - AM a little nervous about it. I don’t usually wear all black and anything lacey and silky except my nightgowns.”

“If you like it it doesn’t matter what I think.” He reminded her. He saw the recognition come across her eyes and she nodded, chewing her lip.

“You’re right.” She frowned and looked down at herself. “Sorry, I-“ she shook her head, trying to pinpoint where the trigger had come from. She quickly realized it came from the same place most of them did. “It’s… an old habit.” She sighed. “I used to get dressed up a lot. For no reason. And I loved it. I still do.” She admitted. “But then I had it used against me and it turned into me feeling bad every time and I stopped.” Eddie let his hands leave her arms as he nodded knowingly. “I think I’m doing so well and then something like this happens. Also, my birthday is an emotional day in general so maybe I’m just… wound tight?” She looked to the joint in her hand. “That’s why I’ve got this.” She chuckled and took a drag.

“You look great. You always do.” He quietly comforted her. “And this year you don’t have to feel bad on your birthday. Happy Birthday, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a soft smile and he saw her shoulders start to relax. “We’re the same age for a few months.”

“Getting old on me.” He grinned and she playfully shoved him. “Getting wiser.” He bobbed. “Which is what’s really important.”

“When you’re my voice of reason I don’t know how I feel about it.” She kidded.

“Ah but I am also an enabler!” He grinned and moved back to his backpack, sitting it on the kitchen table. “Of bad decisions!” He beamed as he held out a baggy of weed and dropped it onto her kitchen counter. “That’s some good shit from California.” He pointed to the baggie.

“I’m waiting to see the bad decision?” She picked up the baggie to look at the bright nuggets inside.

“You want your presents now?” He asked with an eager gleam in his eye.

“You got me presents?” She pouted adoringly.

“Of course I did!” He sounded slightly offended.

“I’m so impatient. You know this.” She held out grabby hands.

“Okay so- first.” He held out a tube-shaped wrapper. It was painted newspaper, she’d seen it before. A yellow ribbon wrapped around it. A bow with tendrils tickled her fingers as she unveiled the mostly yellow sunflower bowl.

“This is from town!” She said excitedly. “This one is so cute! Is this for me?”

“If you’re the birthday girl it is.”

“I am!” She cheered. “Thank you, you didn’t have to. Really.” She cooed and moved to wrap her arms around him. He smelled good. She pressed her nose into the soft flannel of his shirt.

“You’re welcome but I’m not done yet.”

“Is the next present telling me what you’re wearing because it’s very nice.” She said distracted, looking at the place on his shoulder she’d just left.

“It’s uh some black bottle. And some of that oil you gave me.”

“I’m a genius.” She smiled and he returned the expression as he saw she was back to feeling like herself. “You might smell as good as I look.”

“Never.” He choked out a laugh. “Not possible.”

“Go on.” She rolled her eyes and flung a hand at him.

“I also got you- US wine.” He held out a glass bottle like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. “I don’t know shit about it. I got this one because it had a yellow label and you like yellow.”

“I do like yellow. And wine. I haven’t had any since I moved.”

“I don’t know if you remember it but you talked about at-“

“Our Halloween party yeah.” She smiled warmly, holding the bottle and looking it over. He paused for a moment to sit in the odd fuzzy feeling he got from her referring to the party as “our”.

“I’ve never had it. I don’t know how old grapes could be good so I also got a 40.” He yanked the familiar cheap bottle out and moved to the fridge.

“Oh my god, Eddie you spent too much. You didn’t need to get all this stuff.” She whined as he took the bottle from her hands to place it in her small refrigerator.

“Save it you martyr, it’s your birthday. I get to spoil you for once. You’re the working girl and always feeding me and funding our bullshit and it takes a hit out of my masculinity so let me do something nice for you.” he walked past her and tapped the button of her nose and she demurely smiled.

She liked the idea of someone spoiling her.

“Besides- the next few things-“

“Few? As in multiple? EDDIE!” She quickly shifted back to scolding.

“If you’d let me finish I was going to say the next few things didn’t cost anything.”

“Good save.” She muttered with a faux judgemental smirk.

“First. A new mixtape.” He smacked it into her hands in its decorated case. ‘Nov. 84-85’ it read with flowers and stars doodled. A tiny rendition of her D and D characters' great club and face adorned the inside jacket. “I know we didn’t meet until July but, I put my favorite songs that came out from your birthday last year to today. Since you didn’t have me around to show you good music for the first half of the year I figured I’d make you a tape with all the stuff you would have loved if you’d moved here sooner.”

Star felt a flip in her stomach. Eddie felt the same as he saw the way she looked the tape over, smiling at his drawings and being so gentle as she touched it. He then felt the same thing she had earlier, a concern he’d fucked up when she looked like she might cry for a split second.

“You know…” she let out a noisy exhale. “Sometimes I wish I’d moved here sooner.” She confessed. She kept her eyes on the cassette and its scribbled tracklist. She didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t used to someone being so thoughtful when it came to her. Not someone like Eddie. Not someone she cared about like she did him. She didn’t want to say aloud she wished she’d met him sooner. Or wished she’d not had to have gone through the last year of her life. Everything felt so much harder before Eddie came along. She realized she’d been quiet for too long.

Eddie hadn’t noticed the lingering silence. He was too busy having his own rivaling inner crisis to the situation he’d introduced. If they weren’t avoiding eye contact with one another they’d have seen the mutual expressions of fear and curiosity. Eddie was sweating, his mind falling down a rabbit hole. Where would they be if she had been here a year earlier? What would she be like if she hadn’t gone through… whatever her ex had done? Would she even like him if she hadn’t gone through that? Was it for the best things worked out this way? Would he have graduated? Would they even be friends? Would they have dated? Would it have been a mistake that ended in flames? Were they better off as friends? Could they have been the exception to The Munson Doctrine which states no relationship can end well? Was he even thinking about this in the past tense anymore?

“I feel like I missed out on a lot.” She held up the tape. “You know, without your divine guidance and all.” She smiled, avoiding eye contact.

“Yeah.” He huffed out, his spiraling stream of thought forced into stability again. “That was the idea behind it.” He bobbed and looked to the floor. “Next year the whole playlist can be our favorites instead of just mine.” The sentiment was felt and appreciated. But unfortunately not explored.

“I’m already looking forward to it.” She said without even the slightest allusion to sarcasm. Their eyes finally met, neither was brave enough to hold it for too long. She tucked a hair behind her ear and looked away. “You mind if I put it in now?”

“No, please do.” He shooed her in the direction of her stereo with his hands. He took a deep breath, rubbing his face. A smack to the forehead told his brain to get its shit together while she had her back turned.

“Metallica. Nice” she bounced in approval, moving back to the kitchenette booth, her hands in front of her as she picked her nails.

“Creeping death ep was released in November last year. Their new album comes out early next year. I’m so fucking stoked about it.” He was immediately distracted by a musical hyper fixation from his emotions.

“I know. It’s only the 100th time you’ve mentioned it.” She gave him a gentle smile, seeing his eyes widen and his posture perk up.

“I’m doing that thing again aren’t I? Shit,” he muttered. The thing in question was not being able to shut up about his interests when he was excited. They were both guilty of it from time to time so both understood the compulsion.

“You know I don’t mind. It’s cute when you’re excited about something.” she shook her head, dismissing his concern he was annoying. Her eyes grew a bit more half-lidded, the joint almost half gone working away at it on her own. The high was fuzzing around her and he could tell.

“Maybe I’m not annoying you because you’re high,” he suggested.

“It helps.” she shrugged, a face not giving her playfulness until it finally broke with a giggle. “You’re also bestowing gifts upon me. What am I gonna do? Be a dick? No.” she leaned against the booth’s edge. “Like I said. It’s cute. I like it. Please continue.” she bowed forward, a hand sweeping out. He couldn't help but smile, as he noticed her picking up on his mannerisms and using them for herself. She put him at ease, a rustling in his stomach he still felt afraid of, but the smile on her face distracted him enough to continue without feeling like an awkward nerd.

“You like me being awkward or the gifts?” he leaned forward to clarify but a smile twitched in the corner of his mouth breaking his attempted seriousness.

“Both.” she nodded after a pause of consideration.

“Okay because this next one is a combination of both.” he gave a forced smile and wide eyes. She observed him pull his wallet out, her brow lowered with curiosity. Her expression only deepened as he pulled out an orange card. He held it between his teeth as he put his wallet back up before holding it up on display. She recognized it as a monopoly card.

“Get out of jail free card? You know those don’t work in real life, right?” she started to giggle.

“No shit.” Eddie gasped. “Wayne and I started this thing when I was younger. It’s a favor. Whoever has the card, gets to ask a favor of the other person, and they can’t say no. But you have to give over the card when you ask for the favor.”

“That’s the cutest shit I’ve ever heard.” she pouted as if mocking him but she was entirely serious. “I get my own card?”

“Yeah, this is a new one.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“I stole it.” he grinned.

“From where?”

“A monopoly set.” She put her hands to her hips.

“No shit.”

“From school. Don’t worry about it.” he flicked her nose with the card.

“Do you have the one you use with Wayne?”

“He’s got it right now.”

“Oh! What was the favor you asked?” her eyes lit up.

“Jesus, so many questions. None of your beeswax, Ramona.” he laughed.

“Who the hell is Ramona?”

“Did you not read as a kid?” it was his turn to put his hand to his hips.

“Not especially.” she shrugged.

“It’s from a book, don’t worry about it.”

“I feel like I hear that a lot from you.” She pursed her lips.

“Focus Star!” he laughed, shaking the card in her face.

“Right. This adorable, wholesome, heartfelt PBS level shit.” she attempted to snatch it from his hand and he yanked it away, a teasing smile on his face when she scowled. She put the joint out and held out her hand. “I’m glad I’m super high because I would be emotional otherwise. This is… honestly adorable doesn’t do it justice. Thank you. I feel like I’m a member of the Munson family now or something.” There was no sarcasm to be found when she took it and looked it over.

“Not quite.” a quick nervous huff escaped him at the embarrassing thought that popped into his head as he heard her words. “I’m sure I’ll regret it. But when you don’t have a lot of money you get creative.”

“You probably will.” another giggle, her tongue peeping out of her mouth as she smiled. She tucked it away into her wallet and returned to Eddie. “It’s perfect. I can’t deal with you when you’re so… fuckin’....sweet like this. I don’t know what to do with you.” She walked up to him, putting her hands to the sides of his face in a fluid motion, with no hesitation. “I love it when you let that big brain of yours get creative.” she shook his head and he openly swooned, a happy sigh as he leaned into her hands.

“You’re so nice when you’re high.” he dopily smiled.

“I’m always nice.” she scrunched her nose then leaned in to bite his.

“You’re always weird.” he laughed and rubbed his nose. “You feral child.”

“You love it, shut up.” she smiled and pulled the zipper of his backpack to look inside it.

Eddie opened his mouth to speak, he did love it.

“What else is in your bag of tricks Mary Poppins?” her eyes dilated dark when she looked up at him. The red from being stoned in the whites somehow made the green in her eyes even brighter. He shut his slack jaw before proving himself more awkward.

“I might’ve got Steve to look up your most rented movies for me, so I have those to watch.”

“Invading a girl's privacy.” She chuckled as he dug to pull them out. “What if I’d had some nasty pornos on there? I might not want you to know what I’m into in secret.” Her tone was entirely not serious.

“They don’t have pornos at Family Video” Eddie snorted. “Besides you “borrow” mine so I know exactly what you’re into.” He leaned down into her face to give her a goofy smile.

“I don’t know. I might have some things you don’t know about.” She piped.

“You expect me to believe a girl who rented The Muppet Movie SIX times is into some dark immoral kinky shit? I don’t think so.” He held up the video to mock her.

“It’s my comfort movie! I loved it as a kid.” She grabbed it away and hugged it to her chest. “I do feel a bit exposed now. For real!”

“At least Spinal Tap and the Dark Crystal are cool.”

“I like Jim Henson.” She sulked. “The way they make the puppets is amazing!” She declared defensively.

“I’m not shitting on Jim Henson, I like the Dark Crystal too, you won’t hear any complaints from me about it.”

“Don’t you have comfort movies from when you were a kid?”

“Of course.”

“Like what?”

“The Hobbit.”

“That feels obvious.” She giggled.

“I read more than watched stuff as a kid.”

“I do know you like Disney movies.” She teased.

“Yeah, it turns out I have a heart and animated animals make me cry. And you like puppets and anything Don Bluth has touched makes you cry. Turns out we’re both human after all.”

“He’s a genius.” She said with conviction and wide eyes. “We should watch-“

“No. I’m not watching The Secret of Nimh again Star, you’ve bribed me into watching it 4 times already.”

“But it’s my birthday!” She moped.

“Fuck.” He groaned. “I am willing to watch The Muppet Movie.” He said with a chop of his hand. “I know you’ve watched Nimh recently. Would you really rather watch it?”

“Since Nimh would annoy you more I kinda want it.” She scrunched her nose and laughed like a goblin.

“I have to bend to your whims today. That’s how it works for you, right? I’ll watch the damn movie again.”

“I’m just fucking with you.” She poked his stomach. “You’re fun when you’re all flustered.”

“Fun for who?” He laughed with bewildered eyes.

“Me.” A swift response. “Your cheeks get all pink and your hair moves around a lot and gets those fuzzy flyaways.” She reached up to straighten one out and he smacked her hand away which made her laugh. “And your voice cracks like you’re going through puberty. I find it very amusing.”

“You’re the devil.” He said bluntly and she fell into a fit of giggles.

“Good thing you’re a satanist then huh?” She came back with a wink. “Since it’s my birthday you’re worshipping me today too so bow down mother fucker!” She cackled.

“I won’t waste my time pointing out the inaccuracies of what you just said because I KNOW you know you’re wrong.” His cheeks were warm as they fell into their playful banter of fake anger. “And you’re fucking with me because you want to get a rise out of me!” He grabbed her sides to tickle her and she screamed and bolted for her bed. “You find it amusing when I’m annoyed? What if I find it amusing to tickle you until you piss yourself?”

“And I thought I had the secret kinks.” She wiggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue, her soft body still bouncing from her leap onto her bed on her knees.

“That’s not-! Star!” He griped and she started another round of stoned laughter. “You’re so god damn ridiculous.” He declared as he laughed.

“I know.” She sighed, wiping the corner of her eye. “It’s one of my favorite things about myself now.”

“Mine too.” He replied warmly, still chuckling as he dug through his bag for what he wanted to show her next.

She hummed contently, sitting on her knees. Eddie made her feel so pleased when she was high. She wanted to pinch his cheeks for being so sweet. She felt a new compulsion to squeeze him until he popped when he would compliment her. She didn’t quite understand it.

“This. This isn’t a birthday present for you. But it is important and exciting all the same because it’s how I planned to start our evening. Smoke while we order some pizza, then eat ourselves stupid and drink and watch puppets. Or whatever you wanna do because it’s your birthday but- that was the loose plan.” He saw her tilt her head as he spoke. “The record store FINALLY got my order in!” He held out the cassette like he was shoving a sword. “Iron Maiden. Live After Death. Recorded during their World Slavery tour in California and London. Over an hour and a half of pure face melting metal!” He was so excited it took him a moment to register Star's expression.

“Oh!” It sounded as forced as it felt in the moment. A knee-jerk reaction she immediately regretted. “That’s what we’re doing tonight?” She asked, brows high and hiding her disappointment. Not as well as she thought. She tried to cover. “That's… finally came in, huh?” She said with a bounce and a smile.

She watched Eddie falter, the pure joy fading as he witnessed her reaction. She felt her stomach drop.

“You’re disappointed.” He said without meaning to be so blunt about it.

“No! I’m just… surprised.”

“You don’t want to listen to this do you?” his voice deepened and his face fell expressionless.

“Of course I do.” That was a genuine answer. He interrupted her and she closed her mouth before continuing.

“Shit.” He muttered, looking at the cassette and she rose to stand again, not being able to handle Eddie’s dejected face.

“Eddie I really don’t mind.” It was true. She didn’t.

“I’m so stupid.” He sighed, his hands falling to his side.

“What? No, you’re not.” She squeaked in offense.

“It’s your birthday. Look at you for Christ's sake. You’re all dressed up. I’m so stupid I should’ve known you’d wanna go OUT or something.” He was frustrated for real this time, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “I got so excited about getting this in and getting to listen to it I didn’t even-“ he took a deep breath and noisily exhaled. “You don’t want to spend your 19th birthday holed up with me listening to one of MY favorite bands while you look like a fucking movie star and should be out getting shown off and spoiled.” Star's chest ached at his words, the way his shoulders fell and his back hunched. “You said you wanted to do nothing for your birthday. You didn’t want to host and wanted to enjoy your time off but I took that too literally didn’t I? You like to get out and party and I’m not used to thinking like that. I’m sorry, Star. I fucked it all up.”

“Eddie, honey. You are being entirely too hard on yourself. As usual.” She voiced before reaching him and taking his hands into hers. “Now listen to me. The only thing I’m upset about right now is that you’re so upset. “ she squoze his hands. “I did think we’d go out and do something.” She frowned slightly but it was quickly covered with conviction. “Nothing significant though. Like… Maybe ice cream or a movie or the thrift shop. Eddie, you get so hung up on thinking buying me things or experiences is what I want.” He met her eyes then. She saw right through him. “ But it’s not. I get it, I do. You don’t think all I want is to buy you the things that make you excited too? Guitars and cars and concert tickets?” She smiled and took his face into her hands. “But I can’t. We can’t. Because that’s not our life. And that’s okay. We know the value in other things don’t we?” He fluttered his lashes and felt his cheeks burn. He nodded ever so slightly. “I get dressed up every birthday now. It’s a… sort of ritual I do to celebrate myself. Whether I knew we were going out or not I’d be dressed like this, okay?” She waited for another nod as his glassy eyes stayed to hers. “And you’re wrong about another thing.” She smiled and mushed his cheeks. “There’s not much I’d rather do than be holed up with you. I don’t need to go out to have fun anymore. Not since I met you.” His stressed-out expression faded with every delicate word she spoke. Her bright eyes bore into his dark ones, asserting herself. “I didn’t know you could have fun doing nothing until I met you. Then all of a sudden I understood why people wanted to stay in and hang out. Why people enjoyed others' company so much. I’ve never had someone like you before. I’ve never had someone who just fucking GETS me, you know? And I don’t want you to think that I would EVER prefer the life I used to have of partying, fake friends, and bad decisions over doing anything with you.” Star's words hit them both hard. Poor Star had realized she’d never had a real friend before.

And Eddie, he felt so seen it was like he was stripped bare. She was right. They’d never had someone before that felt like they truly understood them. She saw his shame of being poor, and she didn’t pretend like it didn’t exist or give him the bullshit of oh one day you’ll not be poor anymore. There was plenty magical and whimsical about Star, but her outlook on what the world was and the place people like them had in it wasn’t one of them. And he loved her cynicism for such things. Her dark humor and her ability to be uncomfortably real with him. Just like she was right now.

Star was compelled to take Eddie with his big sad cow eyes into her arms. She wrapped around his neck and pulled him close. She could feel something in the way Eddie's hands gripped across her body before wrapping her up against him and raising her to her tiptoes. He'd needed the validation.

“I’m not upset. I promise.” She kissed the side of his head and squeezed her arms tight. “I assumed something and I made an ass of u and me.” She chuckled. She felt him weakly smile against her. She let him go and he released her, leaving his hands on her hips as she left hers on his chest. “And don’t ever let me hear you call yourself stupid again.” She pinched his chin. “Got it?”

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded as she held his chin. “I didn’t mean to be so dramatic.” He muttered. “I just get so… my mood shifts so fast sometimes. I thought I’d fucked up your birthday. You trusted me with spending it with you and figuring out what to do and I just-.” He blew a raspberry with his tongue.

“I know, hun. You've just been around my dramatic ass too long.” She gave him a quick soft kiss that made him sigh and close his eyes. “If you’re involved it can’t be that fucked up.” She reassured him. Despite the draft from around the door he stood close to, he felt warm all over when she looked at him. “Let's start the evening by getting you good and stoned so we can both be chill and happy again and we’ll listen to Iron Maiden and do fuck all. Sound good to you? Because it sounds great to me.“

“Sounds perfect.”

Full of wine and pizza Star was sat on a blanket and pillows on the floor with crossed legs. With a full stomach, she’d forgone the dress sooner than she’d wanted to. But the stomach wants what the stomach wants. And being extended from pizza and alcohol was what she wanted tonight. She’d compromised with a black silky nightgown that looked similar enough to the dress but was loose and soft. Stars priority now lay with being comfortable. A smoking ashtray sat between her and Eddie, the bowl he’d gifted her being used already. He’d taken the bed, sat on the edge, guitar on his legs. He was rewinding the Iron Maiden cassette they’d just listened to and he’d picked away on his guitar the whole time. Star had enjoyed watching him and getting drunk.

“I wanna do somethin’.” Her half-baked thought tumbled out of her mouth. Eddie stopped and his hand naturally returned to his guitar. He blinked slowly, waiting for her to continue.

“I can’t read minds. I wish I could. Or wait no, Ew, I take that back.” The flow of thought from being high and sipping away at a 40 made an unfiltered appearance.

“It’s my birthday you have to say yes.” She wore a mischievous smile, and leaned back on her hands, holding herself up with locked elbows.

“I can’t agree if I don’t know what to.”

“That’s the catch.”

“Or you could tell me?”

“Say yes and I’ll show you instead.” She wiggled her brows at him, sticking her tongue out ever so slightly.

“Mmm.” A deep chesty hum. “This feels like a trap.”

“Move your guitar to the side for a second.” She wiggled to her knees and scooted towards him.

“One second? That’s the faith you have in me?” He smirked.

“I’m not fucking you, silly.” She shook her head and stopped between his legs.

“Does it rhyme with fucking?” His brows went high as her hands rest on his thighs.

“No.” She shortly answered before reaching up to touch his hair.

“If you’re gonna touch the merchandise you gotta pay sweetheart.” He held his hands up.

“I want to see your hair pulled back.” she took a spare scrunchie off her nightstand.

“Why?” His chin pushed back into his neck and he made a disgusted face that unintentionally made Star laugh.

“Because I’ve never seen it!” She raised her voice slightly.

“You can see my face. There’s nothing special going on under there.”

“C’mon.”

“Let me see you with your hair pulled back then!”

“You have seen my hair styled every sort of way, Eddie. Don’t you want it out of your face while you play?”

“Doesn’t bother me.” He shrugged. “You don’t gotta mess with it.”

“You love it when I play with your hair.”

“Playing with it and putting it up are very different.” She leaned in and put her lips to Eddie’s with no pressure.

“Lemme do it.” She demanded with a playful growl.

“Ugh fine. Happy Birthday. You don’t get any of the other stuff I had planned for you.”

“You’re a dirty bitch pulling that on me.” She said sassily as she began gently pulling his hair back. Her response made Eddie laugh hard and it quickly turned into a cough.

“Views nice I gotta admit.” He grinned with his face directly in Star's chest as she raised her arms to pull his hair up into a messy bun on his head.

“I’ll whip 'em out and distract you next time so you won’t be such a baby about it. I’m already done!” She leaned back and Eddie snapped at her chest with his teeth as she pulled away.

“Should’ve asked for tits in return.” He tsked.

“Next time. I get a freebie on birthdays.” She sat back on her feet and looked him over. He blankly stared back. “Ugh.” She finally said, shaking her head.

“I don’t have to let you be mean because it’s your birthday.” His brow furrowed as his hand moved to tear the bun out.

“No!” She grabbed his wrist. “I wasn’t insulting you! I’m annoyed at how good you look. I wish I looked that good with my hair pulled back.” He blinked in surprise with a look of suspicion on his face. “I’m serious!” She pulled down a few stands and ruffled his bangs. “You’ve got a nice long neck and flat ears. Solid jawline. You’re pretty, pretty boy.” She smiled looking into his eyes after pulling curls down around his hairline.

“You’re drunk.” He grinned.

“So?” She started giggling. “I’m high too what about it?” She challenged back with her nose to his before laughing and pulling away. “I wish my neck was that long and my ears were nice and flat. Mine stick out.” She tucked her teased hair behind her ears and he’d never noticed them being prominent before. “I’m jealous.” She admitted.

“Fuck off.” He grinned and rolled his eyes.

“I am!”

“Have you SEEN you?” He leaned forward and barked back at her.

“Every day of my life! And I’ve always thought pretty men were just so, ugh I don’t know. I just want to BE like that, ya know?” She moaned. “If I were pretty like you I’d be dropping panties left and right.”

“I am historically documented to be not good at getting women.” He laughed.

“What’s your reject rate for girls? Like 50/50 at the worst?”

“0 for 0.” He grinned. “You can’t lose if you don’t play.” He tapped his temple.

“You’re full of shit.” She groaned loudly.

“What about you?” He quickly talks over her.

“My rate? For girls?” She wiggled and bat her lashes.

“Oh yeah tell me about all the girls you’ve been with.” He joked.

“Only a few have said no, actually.”

“Well, no shit look at you. What guy would say no to you?”

“No.” She shook her head. “With girls.” he leaned her head forward to emphasize what she meant.

Eddie rapidly blinked and made sure he was not more inebriated than he thought.

“With… girls. Like with girls?” He stumbles around his words.

“Yeah? Girls are nice. At a bar, you usually know you’re there to fuck anyway.” She said it so casually his face contorted in confusion.

“You’ve… fucked… girls?”

“Yeah haven’t you?” She mocked.

“You’d know.” He nervously laughed. “But seriously?”

“Why is that so hard to believe? I know there’s more out gay people in Chicago than here but you aren’t small-minded you know girls fuck girls and guys fuck guys.”

“I just didn’t…. Think about it I guess.” His thousand-yard stare went past her as his mind swirled around behind his eyes.

“You’re gonna now though aren’t you?” She smirked and a bright smile lit his face back up.

“Yeah probably.” A deep dumb laugh escaped him. “So you're at a what-? 80% yes rate with girls.”

“I’d say more like over 90%.” She nodded.

“Christ. You got me beat.” He admitted. “What about guys? It has to be-“

“Does it count if the guy was gay and I didn’t know?” She interrupted.

“Nope.”

“Then like 99.9999%.” She nodded enthusiastically. “What about you?”

“I can’t compete with that. You’ll know what a loser Virgin I am if I tell you.”

“I already know what a loser Virgin you are Eddie.” She chortled with an adorable scrunched nose.

“That’s what you wanna hear from the girl you’re fucking.” He said in a self-deprecating, sarcastic tone.

“You KNOW I’m joking. I hope. You get all squirmy if I talk about how sexy I think you are or say nice things about you. Figured you’d prefer I call you a loser Virgin since it’s the opposite of what you are.”

“I am a loser but not a virgin. I’ve not slept with that many people though.” He admitted shyly.

“Nothing wrong with that. I guess it’d be higher if you didn’t get rejected as much?”

“Ouch.” He grabbed his chest.

“You said it!” She laughed.

“I know but I can say that! You can’t!”

“What is it then? Do you have a 1% success rate? How bad could it be? You don’t ask a bunch of people out so you’re picky I guess. Couldn’t be that many.” She tried to stroke his ego a bit.

“Okay like 50/50. Well… maybe more? Some came onto me so how do I count that?”

“As a win, you whore.” She laughed.

“Okay then like 70%?”

“SEE! Told you!”

“You’re only right because it’s your birthday. Shut it.” He palmed her face and pushed her back gently.

“What about your rate with guys then?” She again said things so casually he barely even thought silently to himself. If he’d been drinking he would’ve choked.

“W-me? Guys?”

“Yeah?” She tilted her head like a puppy. “I told you both my girl and guy scores.”

“I uh-“ he looked down and his cheeks turned bright red. The smile on Star's face grew painfully large.

“You HAVE been with a guy!” She jolted up in posture with her eureka moment.

“I- I said nothing.” He shook his head defensively.

“Are you embarrassed? Oh, you sweet boy don’t be embarrassed!” She cooed and held his face to make him look at her. “Is it a secret? I guess it has to be. Oh my god, do I know him? Is it one of the Hellfire guys? I mean Gareth would be pretty cute if he wasn’t such a little shit.”

“No! No not any of them.” He quickly shook his head. “But I don’t… nobody talks about this stuff as openly as you do. I don’t want anyone to know. I guess I didn’t want you to know either. I didn’t want you to think of me differently or think I was gay or something?” He looked so confused she couldn’t help but kiss him right on the lips.

“It only makes me think more highly of you to be perfectly honest. I know what it’s like being attracted to both. I like that you know that too. And I never thought you were gay… not with how you fuck me.” She laughed with her chest and put her forehead to his. “But I’ll keep your secret. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you. I don’t talk about it. I get called a fag enough as it is ya know?”

“I thought you liking Accept so much was suspicious, to be honest.” A nervous laugh left Eddie and he blushed again.

“I mean I like the music. It’s not just about-“

“Leather daddies?” She smirked.

“Yeah, that feels a bit on the nose doesn’t it?”

“Just a bit.” She taunted. “I’m glad you got to experience that. I think more people should. Don’t knock it til you try it.”

“I mean I didn’t… do IT.” He hunched over and lowered his voice.

“Even though it’s my birthday you can say no... but can I ask about it? Was it one time? Aw did you have a boyfriend that'd be so fuckin cute."

“No.” He huffed out a laugh and looked away, cheeks pink again. “A guy at show up north. Eyeballing me and it just sorta happened. He looked at me like he knew. He was older. We got in the back of his band's van while they partied and we… fooled around.”

“That’s hot.” Star nodded.

“Hot?” His voice cracked.

“You being the blushing bride and having some- I’m assuming an attractive guy feeling you up in the back of a van all lusty and horned up with adrenaline after a show.”

“When you say it like that yeah. I guess it was… hot.”

“I mean I know I wanna fuck you after watching you play. I swear your guitar neck is connected to my pussy sometimes.” Eddie’s eyes grew wide watching Star speak without a filter. The wine and California weed were working. "And you look so mean and bad and focused and ugh your focused face is so sexy. Have I told you that? I should. And your fingers are just straight up fucking that guitar and Christ.” She fanned herself. “And you’re all sweaty after and your hair gets curlier and black and ugh, you’re so happy. And I just wanna tear you to pieces! Drag you somewhere dark and secluded like some cheetah and sink my teeth into you.” Eddies eyes go black as he watched her sigh and flutter her lashes while she openly fantasized about him, to him.

“You should.” His dry mouth blurts out.

“I should, shouldn't I? I should probably do a lot of things I don't. I’m wasted enough to say this all out loud. Whoops.” She sat back and had a fit of giggles. “Holy fuck this weed is good.” She panted and fanned her nightgown. “Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?” She snorted. “It’d be both of us to be fair.” She turned to lower the space heaters output. “I’m here talking about my wet dreams and you were being serious I’m so sorry. I know it’s bullshit when someone says sorry I’m just drunk but fuck I’m a bit- a lot very much not sober.” She nodded and blinked with a blank stare at nothing in particular. “But I’m having a great time!” She perked right back up.

“You could tell me any wet dream, fantasy whatever the hell you wanna call it anytime sweetheart. I’ll never complain.”

“Getting me wine is the way to do it. I’m a whore on the wine. The W stands for whore.”

“Wouldn’t that just be alcohol in general? He smirked.

“Nope. I can get sad or cry or fight or get horny or sleepy too.” she counted off on her fingers.

“Fair point, I think I’ve seen all those sides.”

“Bet horny is your favorite.” She wiggled her tongue at him.

“I like this right now actually. You just… saying things you normally don’t.”

“Talking about sex is fun isn’t it?” She wrinkled her nose as if she was being naughty. “What about you? You got any juicy fantasies to share? Anything you wanna get off your chest big boy?”

“I don’t know if I like you calling me that or if I think it’s funny.”

“I could call you horse cock instead if you like.” They both cackled and fell on each a bit, her arm and face on his leg and him hunched over her.

“Big boy is fine.”

“Good. I like it. And pretty boy. Ohhhh and puppy. Oh! Speaking of, how do you feel about collars?”

“Collars?”

“You know, leather and a buckle. Around your neck? I saw those handcuffs in your room you bad boy don’t act like you don’t know what a collar is.”

“When did you find those?” He smirked.

“When I was looking for some cassettes.” She shrugged

“Sneaky girl.”

“A little.” She smiled broadly with a hum.

“I’m cool with collars. Are you?”

“Never tried it but I want to.”

“Noted.” He smirked. “What else are you into?”

“I think it’s your turn to answer. I’ve blabbed enough. Your turn.”

“I would like to use the handcuffs on you.”

“I’d like that too.” she giggled and bit the end of her finger.

“Have you before?”

“Nope.” she popped the word out of her lips.

“Blindfold?” He inquired with a raised brow.

“Haven’t done it before but wholeheartedly a yes.”

“You done any bondage?”

“Not really no.”

“That’s surprising.”

“Why?” She tilted her head curiously.

“You come off so confident and experienced I guess I assumed you had done more than I had.”

“I do that on purpose.” She nodded. “Apart from the more basic BDSM like - we know I like the spanking and light choking and general roughness. But no tied up or uh the power play stuff? I knew people who went to the BDSM clubs but I was too chicken shit. Gimp suits are scary.” Eddie laughed at how her eyes were wide and large.

“Yeah, that’s a lot. I like a good power struggle. Either way.”

“Is there anything you haven’t done?”

“Oh tons. I’ve only dipped a toe in BDSM. Mostly as the person being tied up. Had a few girls that wanted to be tied to the bedpost, that whole thing ya know? And it’s fun. Turns out I like inflicting pain.”

“And I love having a red welted ass the next day.”

“I won’t lie I was so god damn happy when you asked me to hit you- spank you like that.”

“Thank you for obliging.” She winked and pouted her lips with a kiss sound. “I’d be down to play sometime. With the spanking or any of the other stuff. I’d love to try it.” She sounded like someone talking about going out to try a new restaurant. He was again fascinated by how she openly discussed things that he hadn’t known he felt internalized shame about.

“Then we will. You seem to like to be hurt and I like to give you what you want.” He smiled in an oddly wholesome way. She immediately returned it.

“Tell me a secret, Eddie. A sexy one. Call it another present.”

“Trying to get the good stuff huh? BDSM not enough for you?”

“It’s plenty but I’m curious. I wanna know everything about you. I find you fascinating.” She said earnestly.

“You want a real secret? As in something I’m ashamed of or-?”

“Oh god please yes I would love that.” He chuckled at her exaggerated reaction. “I’ll share one of mine if you share one of yours. Make it even. But it has to be a GOOD one! I’m not saying my thing without something good from you.” She insisted with a pointed finger.

“Okay. I can do that. Deal.”

“On the count of three?”

“At the same time? We’ll just talk over each other.” He laughed.

“We say it then discuss. Get it out there first.”

“Okay deal.” Star proceeds to do a Rock Paper Scissors style count down with her hand.

Eddie blurted out with a wince, “I use a pair of your panties to jerk off.”

Star hid her face and quickly said.

“I like anal.”

“WHAT?!” They both shouted.

“You WHAT?” Eddie’s smile was so big.

“You took my-!!” Star was both elated and annoyed. She gasped and got in Eddie's face. “You pervert.” Her tone was not that of someone mad at the news.

“Me?” He held his hand to his chest. “Little miss butt stuff over here.”

“When you cum so hard your eyes cross from me fingering your asshole I’ll remind you of that!” She laughed, her eyes bright and her voice loud. “Take a thumb in the ass while you’re getting railed and then judge me, bitch.” She said inches from his face and he dissolved into laughter. “You panty raiding sonofabitch. I was wondering where they went! And you’ve been…” she smirked. “Oh, you’re naughty!” She tsked and tapped his nose.

“You’re not mad?”

“No.” She lilted. “You see the thing is, I’m also a dirty little pervert so thinking about you jerking off with my panties strangled around your dick is doing it for me. Dirty birdy.” She cooed and wiggled her hips. “That suits you so well. Squirreling away with my panties and hiding them.” He’d blushed more tonight than he had the whole time he’d known her. “Do you wrap them around your dick or do you like to smell them and jerk off?” She leaned into his personal space, something Eddie was usually guilty of.

“It started with just taking them to be bad. If you found them I thought you’d be really cute, all mad about it. But yeah, I smelled them at first and jerked off. Cause fuck, you smell so good to me Star. Then they stopped smelling like you and I started cumming in them.” Star eyes drifted dreamily across his face as he spoke.

“You are making me discover all sorts of new things about myself, Eddie.” Her voice was breathy as she watched him lick his lips.

“I-I liked cumming inside them at first because it was like I’d finished inside you and I’d seeped out of you while you wore the panties. Like you’d taken them off and given them to me to show me how much I’d filled you up.” Star's mouth hung open and she gawked. Her bloodshot half-lidded eyes watched Eddie's plush lips say the most erotic things she’d ever heard a man say to her. This was more intimate than dirty talk and she was floored. She eventually blinked out of her trance as Eddie gazed at her lustful face.

“Holy shit.” She leaned away and took a deep breath. “The more you let me inside that big brain of yours the more I like it.” She whispered. “I think that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve never thought of that before.”

“Really?” He quietly asked. Still feeling a hint of uncertainty about how honest he was being.

“You liking my smell that much. I love the way you smell.” Eddie saw her eyes involuntarily roll back when she spoke. “I’ve whiffed your shirts while you’re not around. Right in the armpits. I don’t even care. You smell like a man and I can’t explain it but it makes me feral and knowing you’re just as nasty as I am is….” She let out a tiny whimper as she sighed. “Fuck it’s good. You could’ve only told me this for my birthday and I would’ve been happy, to be honest.”

“You’re a cheap date.” He smirked and she smiled something more wholesome.

“I never claimed not to be.”

“I can stop here. And not give you any of the other things I had planned.”

“More? Maybe an orgasm? From a thumb in my ass while you fuck me from behind?” She smirked.

“We are both too wasted for that right now.” He snorted. “Remember the last time I tried to make you cum after you’d drank too much? You fell asleep before it happened and my hand and jaw were sore for two days.” He grinned and she again bent over with giggles.

“I do vaguely recall that.” She nodded. She sighed, composing herself as she smiled softly up at Eddie.

“This would be a good time to drink water.” He nodded and slapped his thighs with his hands. “Have a cigarette. Smoke some more and then I’ll finish you off.”

“Hmm?” She perked up.

“Finish you off with your present for tonight?” He cheesed as he stood and she pouted. He took a large step past her and she bit his calf through his denim. “Feral woman! Found in the woods! Raised by raccoons!” He declared loudly as he cackled, she held his leg and kept her mouth on him as he shook his leg, holding onto her counter. “Release me, foul beast!” He boomed between laughter. “Back! Back I say!” She growled and made a high-pitched sound much like an angry cat. She took her mouth off him but promptly wrapped her arms and legs around his one leg. He drug her across the trailer floor as they laughed until happy tears fell down their cheeks.

Two movies and the rest of the pizza later the night was growing old and it was hours past Star's birthday. She sat on the floor again, her little nest now filled with pillows and blankets. She sat at Eddie’s feet with her hands around a steaming mug of tea, her eyes closed with a peaceful smile as music played. They were winding down, Eddie with the biggest glass Star had full of water as he watched her sway away back and forth. He had one move left for tonight. He wasn’t going to tire her out the usual way.

“I had one more thing for your birthday tonight.”

“Mm?” She fluttered her eyes open from enjoying herself.

“I know you fall asleep to Fleetwood Mac a lot.”

“You do?”

“I can hear it in the background when we’re on the phone.” He grins. “So how about I play it for you instead tonight?” She sat her mug down after a big sip, out of the way on a table.

“You learned a Fleetwood Mac song?”

“Yes.” He nodded once hard. “For you, for your birthday. More than one song actually.”

“Eddie.” She pouted but it was full of admiration.

“Uncle Wayne didn’t know what the hell was going on.” He chuckled. “He eventually asked me why the hell I was playing this kind of music. He had to have heard me playing it for hours the poor guy.” He chuckled. “What do you want to hear? I’ve got all your favs off of Rumors.”

“I thought you hated them.”

“Hate is such a strong word isn’t it?” He asked dramatically. “At first they annoyed me for some reason then you loved them so I had to give you shit about it because you got so worked up over it every time. Then I listened to them and they aren't bad. The Chain, all things considered, goes pretty hard.”

“It would seem getting a rise out of me is your motive for most of your behavior.”

“I’m an asshole what can I say?”

“An asshole who learns the songs off my favorite album for my birthday.” She said it so softly she didn’t have to further explain the sentiment behind it.

“One in the same.” He bowed with his upper body behind his guitar. “How about I’ll start with this one? You do that dumb little dance to this one. You might as well stand.” He holds out his hand and tugs her to her feet. “Because I know you’re gonna dance.” She beamed at him, feet hopped up to land on the floor. The beginning of You Make Loving Fun began and her hand went to her chest. Her shoulders moved as they always did, hearing the funky best in her head. She bobbed her head back and forth, moving somewhat like a chicken to the beat.

“Sweet, wonderful you.” She sang like a bird on her tiptoes and hands open wide. “You make me happy with the things you do.” She tapped Eddie's nose and if she’d been any less high or drunk, or not so caught up in her own emotions at the moment she’d have seen the way Eddie looked at her went a little deeper than usual. She grabbed her shawl off the coat hanger and put it on, arms out and spinning, the fringe tickling her body as she bounced. She was still mostly hip as that was the way she was put together, but she hopped and tapped her toes and swayed instead of the more suggestive moves she usually did. This was her dancing for herself. It was the root of what made her happy about moving her body to music. Eddie could swear she glowed in the low light of her altar candles and incense. He could see enough to find his chords but he knew them from memory by now. He’d been practicing for weeks. “I never did believe in miracles. But I have a feeling it’s time to try.” With her hands to her chest clutching the dark silk in her grip as she sang he wondered if she ever felt like this about him when she listened to the words.

Star didn’t think much about her voice. IT hit where she wanted it but she had no aspirations like Eddie. He however loved to hear Star sing. He’d crack jokes with Robbie about her hit-and-miss high or low notes but he didn’t mean it. “I never did believe in the ways of magic. But I’m beginning to wonder why.” The song would be better suited for him to be singing to her. But he knew she wouldn’t be able to help herself. He was happily her audience as much as she was for him with his guitar. “It would be different and you know it will.” It felt different, he’d thought when he learned the words. Maybe he hadn’t been far enough in when he first listened to this music. Maybe he hadn’t been deep enough into this magic and miracles that they spoke of. “You. You make loving fun.” They seemed to know what they were talking about. He thought feeling like this for someone would be hard. He thought it would hurt and feel like work. But it was fun. Star spun, a tambourine now in her hand keeping beat to her hip. Her eyes were closed and she was lost in it. Exactly what he’d wanted. He wanted to make her happy. He did it without having to try. If she wasn’t he felt like he failed somehow. It wasn’t a burden or a responsibility to him to do it. He’d played the role of protector so many times but it never felt like this. He’d realized that wasn’t what their relationship was like he'd originally thought. He knew she was capable of taking care of herself. He didn’t think she needed him. But god, did he need her. “And I don’t have to tell you but you’re the only one.” He smiled as he watched her spin and sing, the flare of her nightgown twirling out and rising.

The song dies down and she stops to catch her breath, panting but radiating with joy he caused.

“How about one more before bed?” She bit her lip and nodded enthusiastically.

“Please.” She requested with her hands on her knees.

“Okay, keep this beat for me.” He tapped his foot and she quickly followed. Within the first few plucks she screamed and jumped up and down.

“EDDIE!” She squealed with her hands flailing, her pink painted toenails gripping into the blankets on the floor to jump up and down. He looked at the guitar, his smile hurt with the force in which it took over his face.

“Listen to the wind blow. Watch the sun rise.” Her hair was soft as she shook her head back and forth. Her whole body moved to the steady beat. Half bent she slapped her thigh, the tambourine on her hip, and stomped with one foot on the floor. She looked like she was head-banging but somehow made it her own. “And if you don’t love me now. You’ll never love me again”. She shouted so loudly it competed with the amp. Her face wrinkled with force, her hair over her face. Chorus after chorus ended, she stood gasping in front of him, hearing the bass in her head, a wicked smile that he stared right back into her fearlessly as his fingers moved quicker and quicker into the solo. She was so excited for him, shouting YES, nods turning into headbangs. She shouted the repeated lyrics and he couldn’t help but sing with her. “Chain, keep us together.” End ended with the satisfying hum of his fingers dragging across the strings through his amp. She let herself fall to the floor, chest heaving and laughing in the feedback of the amp. “I didn’t know how much I loved that solo until I heard you play it.” She panted with her arm over her head, having just pushed her hair out of her face. She lay crumpled and gazing up at him as he stood to secure his guitar and turn off the amp. His stomach flipped at her words.

“And that.” He said definitively as he stood over her. “Is the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He bent over and put his hands on his knees, looking down at her.

“I am nice.” She smiled with flushed cheeks. “To you.” She added with a wrinkle of her nose. “How can I not be when you do things like this for me?” She moved to sit up on her hip. “You’re so good, Eddie. Who needs concert tickets when I’ve got you?”

“That’s… foreplay for a guitar player.” He wagged his finger at her and she grinned.

“It would get your fingers all warmed up.” He reached down his hand as he stood to yank her up into his chest. “I like it when you play me like one of your guitars. Especially if it’s your favorite. I know I could never get handled the way you handle her. That’s your wife.” She giggled. “I’m just your mistress.”

“You jealous of a guitar?” He asked with a tease in his deep, comforting tone. He brushed Star's hair back out of her face as he looked her over. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, cheeks and chest flushed with pink splotches. She had a sheen of sweat on her skin, glistening with joy as she spoke animatedly.

“Nah.” She shook her head. “I don’t really wanna be hung up and then only brought down when you wanna finger me.” They both let out their unique corny laughs. She snorted and giggled, he let out long exhales of sound deep from his chest.

“Yeah I don’t tuck her into bed do I?” He cooed and turned them, her feet following wherever he lead.

“You’re staying right?” He saw it. A flash of horror in her eyes at the thought he might not be staying. He craved that. Nothing felt better than seeing proof that she wanted him. He might even be bold enough tonight to say she needed him there.

“I’d course I am, sweetie.” He kissed her forehead. “I was gonna say I tuck you in instead of her.”

“Can’t tuck me in if you’re in the bed with me.” She tiptoed up on unsteady feet and kissed his cheek as he threw some pillows off the bed. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she looked at him from only a few inches away, studying him.

“Sure you can.”

“How? You gotta be out to tuck in.” She asked genuinely, watching his hands as if he was doing a magic trick she might be able to figure out.

“I’ll show you.” He bumped his forehead lightly to hers. “You get comfy, get into whatever you’re gonna sleep in.” She steadied her before he left her side. He locked the door, cracked a window, and turned down the heater. With the candles all out it was so quiet you could hear yourself breathe. “Drink your water.” He loosely motioned as she wiggled into the bed.

“Yes sir.” She mumbled and grabbed it with two hands like a child.

Eddie stripped down, chuckling when Star whistled at him as he took off his pants.

“Hubba hubba awooga.” She said as they were spelled and not as the sounds they represented. He winked and tucked the loose hairs behind his ears. He’d kept his hair loosely pulled back. “Oh don’t you wink you, dirty bastard.” She giggled as he jumped into bed on top of her, a threat to squish her before sliding beside her, his back to the wall.

“You good? Am I tucking you in now?”

“Can I ask one last birthday favor?” She looked at him with big eyes.

“Anything you want.” He answered.

“I wanna be little spoon.” Her chin nodded upward with excitement.

“Get in here.” He growled and yanked her in with a tiny oomph.

“I like holding you and having your head in my tits but I think I wanna be held tonight.”

“Sweet soft baby girl.” He teased, rubbing his nose into her crown.

“Shush.” She giggled and wrapped her arms around him, her face to his chest.

“Just have to get you situated. Are your feet covered? Not gonna lose them to frostbite? Or monsters?” She answered by bringing her freezing feet against his fuzzy calves and he made a growling sound she’d never heard before. “Jesus Christ your feet are like ice!” His voice cracked as he tried not to jerk away. “You are from the center of the rings of hell. Are you sure you don’t want socks? I was joking about frostbite earlier but now…”

“Nope. I’ve got you.” She interrupted him. “And your fuzzy legs.” She hummed happily and snuggled up, sliding a thigh between his legs. “You can keep me warm.” She murmured and he couldn’t bring himself to care about the icy talons currently rubbing his own feet and legs like a cricket. “I like it when you keep me warm.” She said tenderly.

“I like when I keep you warm too.” He said in a exhale as he started to settle, making sure she was tucked in before finally getting his arm around her body curled up to his. She was being very affectionate. Nuzzling her nose into the almost there chest hair, her hand held him in a grip he could feel. He felt her soft hand hot to his back, almost clutching him. Her other, tucked up and by her face. He slid his arm under her head and with the other felt the silk of her nightgown against his rough fingertips. only A muffled howl of the wind, a rustle of leaves heard from the outside. Inside a quiet buzzed, breathing growing slower and quieter.

“Did you have a good birthday, Star?” He asked, his face buried in her pungent hair.

“Best birthday ever.” She hummed and smiled, pressing a kiss to his chest. “Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad you liked it.” He kissed her head.

“I like this.” She mumbled.

“I like this too.” He whispered, his hand rubbing strands of her hair between his fingers as it fell down her back. She was already so still, she always shut right down when he’d hold her like this. She was out quick. Eddie stayed awake for a little while, he wanted to soak in this feeling, not willing to let it leave as he slept. The warmth of her against him, her steady breathing, and the softest small sounds he’d ever heard from her as she dreamt lulled him into the safety of sleep where he was met with dreams that for once, had a hard time rivaling how good he had it when he was awake.

Eddie had his turn waking up to have to pee in the middle of the night. He heard Star whine in her sleep once he removed his body from hers. He leaned down and kissed the sleeping cherub on her pouted lips. When he returned she somehow managed to keep repeating the sweetest sounds he’d ever heard. They floated in a haze of sleep, bodies heavy from it and still seeking comfort without the burdensome worry consciousness brought.

Star moaned his name softly, a plea for him in her sleep. He answered her by pulling her against his chest, his hand soaking up the warmth of her skin, not having been drained by the cold crisp air outside their sanctuary of blankets.

“M’here babe.” He answered her, again wrapping their bodies together. He kissed her neck and shoulder, burying his face there with a heavy sigh. He got to fall asleep with barely a barrier between their skin. Their dreams were deliciously indulgent and not hindered by the boundaries being awake put on them.

The rose quartz Eddie brought her was still in his pocket waiting for its moment to be shared. That didn’t stop it from influencing them. Eddie had kept it on him all day before. Thinking about it, rubbing it in his hands, worrying at it with his mouth. It was in tune with him and what he needed. And by proxy, it also assured Star was feeling its influence. It made sure they had some of the most loving, peaceful, and gentle dreams either had ever had. It gave them what they needed as they slept. It gave them each other.

Stars' dreams grew more intense as the morning settled in. Her sleep talking and moans only added to Eddie’s dreams until a cry awoke him. He’d happily incorporated the sounds of her moans and his name but even asleep Eddie came when Star called.

A gasp that turned into a deep inhale pulled Eddie from unconsciousness. He could feel Star in his arms, her body subtly moving in response to her dreams. The first thing he heard was a soft mewl from Star. What a perfect way to wake up, he thought. His arm that was tucked under the pillow she rest on bent up to join his other to envelop her. His tattooed forearm against her collar bones, the partially asleep hand clasping over her shoulder to pull her close. His other snaked under her extended arm which was straight out and grasping for something with little twitches of her fingers. Words that didn’t make it past her lips hummed in her mouth as he squeezed her, curling his body fully against hers. He pushed his face into the warm soft skin of her back and shoulder. A cuddle and a nuzzle of his nose as he breathed her in. He kissed without looking where his lips landed. Small, lingering kisses that left his lips sticking to her body, the skin seemingly caching against the fuzz of her and refusing to let go. His nose led the way as he traveled up her shoulder to her nape and buried his face with a grunt. The arm Star was laying on sought Eddie out, her dream self demanding more of him as her awake hand clasped itself around his forearm. In her dream, it was clutching with nails and desperate. But in reality, it was a soft caress.

“Eddie.” It was barely legible, only escaping from the strength of her exhale, parting her lips.

“Mmm.” He kissed her neck, his nose mashed against her as he stayed in a sleepy haze, soaking her in.

“I du-“

“What is it, baby?” His voice was gritty from sleep. He walked a trail of 3 kisses to the side of her neck, his body slowly waking up.

Her reply was a whimper that stuck in her throat.

“Sugar.” He whispered against her neck. He kissed her again, then one to her ear. “Use your words.” He felt her body shiver in his arms. He blinked his eyes open, he lifted his head to see Star's eyes moving behind their lids. He smiled, closed-lipped and deepening the lines on his face. Her face never looked softer than it did in the mornings. There were no worry lines between her brows or tension around her mouth. He saw how her cheeks rounded out and the natural shape of her lips. The late morning light seeped through the faded curtains. She looked golden with her warm-toned hair and skin. Her lips twitched and her lashes fluttered the longer he watched her. A round-tipped nose wiggled like a bunny as she huffed out sounds and almost words. He used the arm under her chin to brush back her hair off her face and neck so he could see all of her. He kissed her cheek and a sort of happy sound escaped her.

“Eddie.” She felt the warmth from the kiss in her dream.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” He exhaled onto her peach fuzzy soft cheek.

“Eddie.” She exhaled, her body losing its tension. He felt a warm fuzzy feeling in his chest when she relaxed at the sound of him.

“What is it, beautiful?” He asked her, kissing her temple.

“Fren.” Eddie smiled and looked down at her face now frowning. Just looking at her made his face hurt from smiling. Watching her like this made his chest hurt more. He didn’t recall a time before his face hurt so much as it had after she’d shown up.

“You’re dreaming baby. You’re fine. I’m here.” He quietly reassured her in her ear. Another kiss on her cheek. “Sleep.” He lightly dragged his lips up to her temple where several kisses were planted around her hairline. He savored the freedom he felt with her asleep in his arms. He was free to smooch and caress, to call her the things he longed to when she was awake. He shut his eyes, his brow creased as she whined his name. He pressed his face into her hair, feeling pain in his chest now.

“Ed.” She sighed, her face nuzzling into her pillow. “Don’t go.”

He made an involuntary sound. One light and painful.

“I need y-...” Her chest rose and fell at a slowly rising pace. “Don’t you...” she paused and a “...please.” Wrenched his heart in his chest.

“Star.” He clutched her tightly, pushing his face against her head. The presentation of the idea of her dreaming of him was enough to make him swoon. The idea she would have dreams where she begged him not to go. That she told him she needed him? It made the oddest feeling grow in Eddie’s head. He wanted to cry. Even asleep she somehow cut him down to his most vulnerable. The idea that she could need him as much as he knew that he needed her was like a punch to the gut. Eddie knew how to handle negative emotions. He could handle anger like the veteran he was of the emotion. But good feelings? Wholesome ones with pure intentions like joy and belonging he couldn’t process as well. He struggled to know how to communicate them. But he could. He had before. But love? Romantic love? The big IN love? That was a new one. It made him nauseous. That intimidating emotion he didn’t know what to do about. “Star, baby I’m here.” He kissed her ear. “I’m not going anywhere.” He shook his head, concerned that the pressure with which he pushed himself against her might hurt her. He felt like he might burst out of his skin. “Ever.” He promised.

“Friends.” She sounded as upset as he felt. “We don-“ She shook her head, her breathing picking up. “Not like that.” She insisted in broken words.

“Shhh.” He hushed her, kissing her temple. “You’re alright baby, calm down.” He cradled her and tried to learn how to deal with the emotional weight of having the girl he was in love with in his arms and upset.

“They don’t say it.” Her words came clearer. “Look!” She whimpered. “Not like that. Friends don’t. Not like that.” She blubbered and he sat up, looking down at her now distraught face.

“You’re having a bad dream, sweetheart that’s all.” He spoke so softly into her ear. “Eddie’s here baby. Calm down. It’s okay.”

“I’ll f-“ he felt her hand squeeze him back. Her other was clutching a pillow. “I’ll fuck it up.” A sob broke from her throat and Eddie’s heart dropped.

“Star? Baby wake up.” He tapped her cheek.

“Leave.” Her bottom lip quivered like a child’s about to cry. “Don’t. Too good.” She shook her head.

“Star.” He didn’t want to jar her awake. “It’s your Eddie. Come back now. I can’t take you being upset. Stop it.”

“No. Not until she listens.” She answered with an eerily sober-sounding voice.

“What the fuck? Star?” He raised his voice and she gasped awake. Her hands found his arm immediately and latched on. Wide confused eyes rapidly blinked, adjusting to her consciousness. “Are you okay?” She focused on Eddie’s face hovering over hers. He watched the fear disappear from her eyes as they met his.

Star looked up through blurry eyes to see Eddies handsome face surrounded by a halo of hair. Then she noticed he was looking at her, touching her face, his thumb rubbing her cheek.

“Mmm.” A soft smile, the opposite of a few moments ago appeared as she took a deep breath. “Eddie.” The word shaped her lips into a smile. “You look pretty.” She closed her eyes and smacked her lips, nuzzling into his hand.

“Star, are you awake?” He asked with a nervous laugh in his voice.

“Yeah?”

“You don’t sound so sure.” He let out a nervous chuckle and kissed her forehead.

“Sleeby.” She mumbled. He opened his mouth to ask what the hell kind of dream she was having to be crying upset and writhing against him and now she was a little lamb without a care in the world.

“You were talking in your sleep.”

“Oh. Sorry.” She grumped.

“Nah, it’s okay.” He quickly comforted her with a tone that was far sweeter than it had to be. “You feel okay?”

“Not bad.” She reached up to touch his face with her fingertips

“You wanna go back to sleep?” He asked her, brushing the hair that had become unruly during her struggle away from her face.

“Mmm.” She hummed again at the feeling of him kissing her fingertips as they moved across his lips. “No.” She was quiet for a moment as they both looked each other over. She made a small grunt of sound, as she leaned forward to kiss him. Her thoughts weren’t fully back to this plane of existence yet and she did it without thinking. “I had a dream about you.” She sighed as she let her head hit the pillow again.

“I had one about you too,” he admitted. The sun glinted in his big brown eyes, and his smile sparkled down at her as he watched her stretch and smile.

“Good dream?”

“The best.” He leaned down to kiss her while her eyes were closed a noise of surprise escaped her. “You have a good dream about me?”

“Very.” a mischievous lilt to her giggle forced him to kiss her cheek. She had flashes of an earlier dream, Eddie on top of her and her not having a care in the world about it. “We were back home. In Chicago. And we were in bed. Like this. And you were…” she grinned and her cheeks pinked. Eddie leaned down to kiss her lips this time.

“We were doing that in my dream too.” He confessed as they lightly, lazily pecked away at one another’s mouths.

“It was…” she took an indulgent sigh and let out a moan. “Warm.” Her head turned back to forward, laying back on the pillow as she lay on her side against Eddie.

“Like we are now?” He asked, snuggling back in behind her, a kiss on her head.

“Yeah.” She snuggled against him. “And very nice. Slow. I’ve never had it slow before.” She shook her head.

An odd mix of pity and triumph ran through Eddie. In a single sleepy sentence, he knew no one had treated her gently. He felt the rush of superiority knowing that not only could he give it to her, but he’d also be her first. He wasn’t the type to relish in the construct of virginity but his jealousy bask in the thought that he’d be the one to show her something first. That no matter what happened between them, she’d always remember the guy that touched her gently for the first time.

“Do you… want it slow?” A simple question. She batted open her eyes and he watched her think. She looked around in thought, brows and mouth giving away just how fully she was considering his question. He appreciated the rather adorable effort.

“I’ve never had it before.” She repeated. “I don’t know.”

“You liked it in your dream. What was good about it?” He was rather not sneakily trying to figure out what she dreamed about.

Star didn’t know where to begin unpacking the significance of the dream. She attempted to simplify the answer as much as she could with her not fully functional brain.

“Because it was us.” Eddie felt the pang in his chest again. “And you always make me feel good.” She turned her face to say it more directly to him despite them not facing each other.

“Do you want me to make you feel good?.” His thinly veiled attempt to have an outlet for his demanding affections wasn’t noticed by Star. She felt his hand that had been idle around her stir, moving to her chest.

“Do you want to right now?”

“I always want to.” He blurted. “But you know I’ve wanted morning sex. You’re always running away to work on me. But I’ve got you for 2 more days.” He gave a loud kiss on her cheek and squeezed her. She hummed and smiled.

“Yes, you do.” She happily let him hold her against him.

“I’ve got you all to myself.” He said with a nuzzle of his nose into her warm vanilla-smelling skin. He tensed and tried to hide it as soon as he remembered she was no longer sleep talking and heard what he was saying. He had to pull back on his honesty. He looked down to see no worry on Star's face. She hadn’t cared he said it, she found it cute. She wasn't overthinking everything like he was. “I think I might keep you in this bed with me for the next two days.” He lightly bit the shell of her ear.

“Mmm sounds good.”

“We would have plenty of time for me to take it slow.” He promised in her ear with a quiet voice.

“Do YOU want it slow?”

“I want you.” An honest that was simple as it was complicated now. “Any way I can have you.”

“You’re being cute this morning.” She pat his forearm around her chest.

“So are you.” Another kiss on her head. “Every morning.” Another.

“You’re being too nice,” she mumbled with a smile.

“I can always be nicer.” he nuzzled into her neck and let his hand seek out her breast.

“Mmm.” she hummed happily and let out a single huff of a laugh. “I bet you can, pretty boy.” Her voice was back to how it was when she was awake and at ease. A deeper feminine sound that he enjoyed getting to hear no matter what she was saying. “If you were wanting that morning sex, you’re going the right way about it.” a smug smile sat on her face as his lips started kissing her neck. His hand grasped her chest with intention. She moved her arm up giving him free access.

“I do want it,” he says right into her ear. His voice was deep and needy. “Can I fuck you slow, sweetheart? Like in your dream?” She answered with a nod and a push back of her ass against him. He dipped his hips just under her ass, letting his half-hard cock nuzzle right between her plush cheeks. He raised the hem of her nightgown, knowing nothing was under it. He let his hand rest on her jaw, his thumb gentle against her lips as his free arm, not under her, was allowed to roam. Still under the protection of covers, both their skin was pliant and warm. Her feet unconsciously rubbed together as she let herself relax and feel good, knowing she was well taken care of in his arms. She let the intense emotional repercussions of her dream fade out of memory, and tuned into the present.

His hand groped at her chest, not only her breasts but squeezing her ribs when he’d latch onto a spot on her neck and kiss, feeling her hips undulate against him. Every pinch of her nipples made her lightly buck back on him, eliciting a moan from them both. Eddie took only a heartbeat's time to pull down his boxers and free himself, his hand back under her nightgown and targeting her now hard and ever-growing sensitive nipples.

With the velvet skin of his cock slowly pushing its way between her cheeks he became increasingly desperate. He mirrored every sound she made, every closed mouth moan to the needful exhales of ‘yes’. She felt her body ache as he teased pressure, his precum easing his way between her legs. They found a rhythm, a smooth back and forth as he inches closer to breaking through to her pink center.

“You feel so good and I’m not even inside you.” He said through a delicate kiss to her ear. Star held his thumb between her teeth, her tongue lapping at the pad when she had the urge to kiss him.

“You’re so close.” She sighed. “I can almost feel you.” Eddie kept worrying away at her nipples, breathing into her ear and kissing her shoulder.

“You’re so soft.” He moaned, his forehead pressing into her shoulder as his hand moved to grope her chest again. His hips pushed forward harder, not faster. They kept a tantalizingly slow slide against one another.

“You’re so hard.” A deep sultry chuckle left her throat and Eddie moaned, his tongue lapping at her shoulder. She arched her back as sharply as she could manage. She trailed her hand down her body, over his veined hands that grasped at her desperately. She reached her hip and lifted her gown. With a spread hand she lifted the weight of her cheek, and Eddie slid past the barrier of external skin and into the hot wet center of her pussy lips. He stuttered and groaned. A helpless sound before she felt him start kissing her neck again. She swung her hips back and forth, covering him in her essence and making him whimper.

“Star.” He whispered, his lean hip muscles tensing as his body sought out her insides. She sucked his thumb into her mouth before she spoke.

“I’m wet from my dream about you.”

He grunted and bucked, his tongue out of his mouth as he lapped at her neck.

“I want you so bad it hurts.” Her brow creased at the throb and ache of her pussy as he teased it.

“You want me?” He asked, mashing against her ear. She reached back to take a handful of soft curls into her hand.

“Of course, I want you, Eddie.” She indulged him. He was being so loving and desperate and embodied the puppy energy she loved from him.

“Tell me?” He softly requested.

“I need you, Eddie. So bad. I’m so wet because of you. Please.”

He shuddered, pushing another finger into her mouth before his other hand slid to her hip to adjust himself to push into her. He looked down to greedily take in the sight of shining on her ass and thighs from slick. With a grunt, he grabbed himself and pressed forward. He entered her with a pleasant pop.

Star fully exhaled, her body slumping as she felt him fill her. He wasted no time pulling his fingers from her hungry mouth and pulling her tight with his pinned arm. He settled on her chest, fingers attached to a nipple again. He concealed his whole face into the bend of her neck. He kissed without any thought behind it, wet and breathy he covers her hairline and cheek with needful presses.

“That’s what I needed.” She whispered, her face turning to hide in her pillow. He let her move on her own, taking him as she pleased. He felt her relax, his pussy sucking him inside and welcoming him. He held out until she moaned, then his hips started moving on their own. Her breathing started to pick up as she focused on the feeling on his body of lean muscle flexing against her own. He pulled out as far as he could without leaving the comfort of her then slowly filled her again. He was steady and strong and it was making her weaker by the second. He came up for air, gasping as his face contorted and he let out a gritty moan. He felt Star tighten around him, a bounce back of her ass onto him, encouraging the sound. She buried her face, encouraged to indulge by her tightly gripped hand bringing him back down to her. He moved his hand to her lower stomach, holding her as he pumped his hips. “A little lower.” She giggled, raising her leg to give him access.

“Yes.” He moaned, throwing her leg behind him as his fingers dove between her legs to circle four fingers on her soaked clit. Star arched and far bed and cried out.

“Yes!” She mewled, her head arched back. He put his fingers back into her mouth and she moaned deep from her stomach as she suckled away at them. “So deep.” He kept his steady pace, he filled her slowly and purposefully. She tried turning her head to face him and she cried for more after a brief neck-stretching kiss. She wanted more.

“I can’t reach you and stay inside you.”

“Kiss me.” She pleaded, her eyes screwing shut as she felt a new kind of build of pleasure inside her. “I don’t care where just put your mouth on me.” He latched to her neck and she moaned and shuddered.

“I don’t wanna leave a mark.” He painted out, sweating from intensity but not exertion.

“I don’t care.” She cried.

“You want-?”

“Mark me up I don’t fucking care, Eddie.” She cried out and he whined into the muscle of her neck. He’d wanted to sneakily lay claim to her before. Leave a hickey, and let anyone else know she was with someone who wasn’t them. But now? He felt like an animal, some beast marking his territory as he felt his emotion surge. She sucked hard on his fingers, the tips red and spit pooling into his hand. He lapped at her like the puppy that he was, he bit and sucked and she yearned for more. “Harder.” She demanded.

“You’re gonna cum from me giving you this dick nice and slow.” He instructed in her ear. She bucked her hips with a whine of distress. He kissed her cheek before latching to her shoulder and sucking, his eyes rolling back in his head. “Loosen up for me. Take all of me. You’re so tense, sweetheart.” She took a few deep breaths, disappointed he didn’t give in but still enamored with the pain his mouth caused on her skin. “That’s a good girl.” His finger kept swiping and swirling in the mess of wetness, not even feeling friction from her soft bush of hair anymore. “Relax and get fucked how you need it. I’ll make you cum, don’t worry.” She shook again, her hand white-knuckled from the grip in his hair of her awkwardly bent arm. Her legs were spread as wide as they could, he could feel her strong hip muscle quivering from force. Her feet kneaded the bed, trying to find purchase to move, to demand a different pace but she couldn’t find it. “Stop struggling, Star. I’m not going to stop. Relax.” He said again. She caved in with a pout, letting her muscles loosen. “You’re so tight around me Star. You feel so good but I need you to open up that perfect pussy for me okay? Open up your pussy and take me, Star. Let me make you cum like this.” None of his words felt like orders but wishes he was asking her to grant.

“Ugh!” It was half cry of frustration and half of pleasure. She stopped moving, let her muscle settle, and as soon as she felt how deep he could go when she let her pussy open up. Instead of trying to stay so tight, he had to fight to get inside her, she moaned from her stomach in a new way.

“Fuck that’s it, fucking perfect. Focus on how good it feels. I’m filling you up so well, you feel it? My cock bottoming out inside you? You take my cock like you were made to, you feel it?”

“Holy shit.” She managed to get out.

“That’s my good girl, open that sweet pussy up.”

“Yes.” She wept, a tear promising to fall from her eyes. She moaned another deep unique moan.

“Open it up and take me, Star. God damn it you feel so fucking good.” He groaned out between clenched teeth.

“I am. Fuck, I am.” She pleaded, looking down to see his hand soaked and focusing on the obscene sounds her body made as he pushed into her. She pulled her hand free from his hair, slapping to her thigh to hold up and open her legs to take him even deeper.

“That’s it. You want it so bad don’t you? Tell me.”

“I wanna cum so bad.” She let out a broken sob. “It feels so good. I’m right there but I just… can’t…” he shushed her and kisses her cheek. “I need it. I wanna cum on your cock.” She squealed.

“Relax and you will.” He whispered in her ear. “Just let it feel good, it’s not about cumming. Just enjoy it feeling good.”

“Just enjoy it.” She whispered back, her brow low and again calming her body. She was so used to fast and hard and cumming being the entire point. Now she was wrapped in his arms, he pulled her onto her back more to be able to kiss her. Her leg was high and bouncing as he was deep inside her. A push in, a drag out. Two separate motions instead of the blur of movement they’d done together before. She let herself focus on the kiss. Deep and slow like his cock, their tongues explored and probed. She held his face and he helped her reach her peak by focusing on her nipples again. Soon she was floating, her body being rocked and held, kissed and caressed with care. “Oh my.” Left her mouth without her putting forth the effort. Her body felt heavy, her eyes began to rapidly blink.

“That’s a good girl. I feel you, Star. You’re doing so good. So good.” He buried his face into her neck again, he felt her startle, a hand slapped his arm as she gasped.

“Eddie?” She sounded like she didn’t know what was happening so he rose to look at her. With teary eyes, her lips trembled as she begged him for something he couldn’t place with her eyes. She nodded.

“Yeah?” He nuzzled his nose to hers, feeling the deep muscle spasms beginning in her stomach.

She nodded again and a tear fell from her eyes as she screwed them shut. She seized up, her head lifting, her forehead to his lips. Her legs came to her chest, her stomach a rock-hard muscle as she didn’t make a sound for a moment. All that could be heard was the wet squelch of her body wrenching his cock. Eddie’s mouth fell open, his eyes rolling in their sockets. It was more intense than the usual pulse and grip. He could feel her whole body as it washed over her in waves. The usual quick pulses into calm was nowhere to be found. She managed a strangled gasp, her eyes rolled back to white. She drowned in wave after wave of her whole body tingling and feeling the pleasure. Her nipples were screamingly sensitive, and her clit felt like a blood-filled beacon with how every pulse made it jolt her with pleasure.

She gasped exhaustively, her eyes moving to meet his. She was surprised and lost, he saw it in a second.

“Don’t stop.” She creaked out, her lips pouting exaggeratedly. “I’m… it’s…” she choked out a sob.

“I’m not gonna stop. You’re doing so good. Keep cumming baby.” He pumped her at the same rhythm, fighting to stay inside her as she squeezed. His fingers zeroed in and caressed her throbbing clit. He could feel her pulse under his hands. She let out a loud growl from her red face. Eddie knew enough to understand that the really good orgasms weren’t some flowery moaning lovely thing. They could hurt. They were grunts and groans and drool and tears. He watched her in awe as she struggled, he was thrilled to be the one to give her this.

She stayed there for a short while, until she cried out again, her back arching and her head hitting the pillow. With a rush she came around him again, her body tensing and pushing and it proved too much. Eddie didn’t dare ruin her moment, as he came with the same unattractive sound as she did. A stern brow was pressed to her head as she wheezed. She whimpered and whined, arms shaking and grabbing for him. He clamored gracelessly, his hips moving on their accord as they kissed filthily. Tears and spit traveled over their faces, lips sucked and tongues tasted the salt from their skin. They panted into each other mouths, as Star tapped Eddie’s arm to beg for mercy.

His hand left her puffy pussy and grabbed her face. They collided, her turning to him to wrap her leg around him and he quickly smacked her ass before sinking his nails into her smooth skin. A makeout -as rough as the sex had been slow- followed. Neither recalled having kissed someone like this, certainly not sober. Some desperation they’d both been denying bubbled to the surface.

In the haze of post orgasm, there was a clarity that hit Star. She remembered something from her dream. Something she felt in her gut as they gasped and bit and scratched and cried into each other’s mouths. Friends, she remembered hearing. Friends don’t do this. Not like this.

“Honey, I’m home!” Eddie announced loudly, kicking her trailer door open with arm fulls of groceries.

“Eddie!” She scolded and jumped at the intrusion. “You’ll break my door!”

“I appreciate your faith in my muscle strength but these spaghetti noodles aren’t gonna break your door.”

“Your legs are not spaghetti noodles.” She corrected with a roll of her eyes, hopping up to shut the door behind him. “Did someone say something about your legs? Is it because your jeans are tight?” She walked up to him and stood by her kitchen counter, her face looking particularly adorable to Eddie as her face frowned. “I will fight someone if they made you feel bad about wearing those jeans. You look so good in those.” She so diligently insists, looking up to see Eddie smug. He leaned in to kiss her and her face softened.

“I know you would, badass.” His tone has the same effect as if he’s ruffled her hair.

“I would!”

“I know. That’s why I said it!” He laughed.

“Good!” She nodded and looked at the things left on the counter. “We cooking now?”

“I am cooking now yes.”

“Are you sure? I can help. I’m a good cook.”

“I know you are and I’m going to prove that I can make something besides cereal for you.”

“I don’t know if the insurance is up to date on this thing so please don’t burn down my house.”

“Oh, ye of little faith. I am a one-trick pony when it comes to cooking. I can one thing really well.”

“With a block of fake cheese?” She picked up the dropped the heavy brick on the counter.

“Trust the process! Shoo!”

Star sat on her bed which still smelled like sex from that morning. She was still feeling pleasantly tired and Eddie had been in a great mood the whole day. He’d run out to get groceries after an argument about him being able to cook while Star had made them breakfast.

He’d barreled off in his lumbering van and picked up a bag of clothes and other things to hold him over for a few days. He hadn’t been joking about staying with her the entire time she was off. And now he especially didn’t want to leave her. He felt different. Conflicted, sure but lighter too. The truth was heavy but knowing it made it easier to carry. He was in love with his best friend. Not ideal by any stretch but with their non-traditional sort of relationship it also was a whole hell of a lot better than it could be. He knew better than to tell her. Not now anyway. Maybe soon. Maybe one day. When she didn’t seem to be so haunted by her past. He felt cautiously optimistic.

In a lame attempt to prove his worth of being relationship material he had agreed to make dinner. Eddie's confidence in the kitchen was not high. But he was capable if he could focus long enough. He’d made this meal, 100s? Thousands of times? It got him through his time alone when he was younger. It served him well now. And he proudly presented it to her steaming hot out of the pot.

“Munson Mac.” He cheerfully proclaimed as a very ooey, gooey, melty greasy bowl of bright orange noodles were poured in front of Star. Your fork, Milady.” He bowed and held it out to her to take.

“It smells good.” She waited for him to settle into the opposite side of the kitchenette booth. He stared at her for a moment. “You’re excited about this aren’t you?”

“Yes. Put me out of my misery and try it!” He scooted the bowl closer to her.

Star seriously considered acting like it was bad then psyche!-ing him. She wasn’t cruel enough to make those big brown eyes look sad on purpose. The fact that it was surprisingly good made it hard to act like she didn’t like it with how hungry she was.

“Verdict?”

“I will admit I am surprised at how good it is.”

“YES!” He hit the table with both hands. “Fuck yeah.” He nodded enthusiastically before shoveling it into his mouth.

“You even seasoned it.”

“Of course I did.” He looked offended.

“I mean, white people usually don’t.” She laughed.

“Poor people do!” He corrected with a shake of his spoon. “We can’t afford the good shit so we have to flavor the cheap stuff to make it edible.”

“That explains the block of cheese.”

“Exactly.”

He continued about how many cheeses were in it and how he used a whole stick of butter. Stars eyes got wide at the confession. That would explain why it was tasty. Eddie suspected the cheap and easy-to-get ingredients had kept him from starving sometimes as a kid. You need the calories from a whole stick of butter when it’s the only thing you’ll eat all day.

She went back for another bowl and not just because she knew it’d make him happy. He took her second empty bowl and started washing up. She sat with her extended stomach and watched him curiously.

“You do dishes too?”

“Yeah? If you don’t you get ants. Or gnats. I hate those fuckers. Oh hell, I sound like Wayne.” He laughed.

“I don’t know if… apart from Robbie I don’t know that I’ve witnessed any of my- any guys I knew do dishes without being asked. Or begged.”

“Grow up alone. Or see your mom have a breakdown or an argument over the dishes not being done as a kid. You’ll start doing it yourself to keep the peace.” He said it too casually. Star frowned at his explanation. She rolled up her sleeves and stood next to him, she took them to dry.

“You don’t have to do it alone.” She offered, using an embroidered tea towel to help.

“I know.” He looked down at her bright eyes that showed she felt bad for him “That's what I’ve got you for now right?” He nodded his chin up and the sentiment made her smile.

“I’d rather vacuum actually.”

“I’ll take out the garbage if you do laundry.” He grinned.

“I’ll wash it if you put your own up.”

“Deal.” She smiled back and they finish the dishes in silence. “You know what? There is something you can help me out with.” He said as he leaned against the table.

“Shoot.” She said, mirroring him against the counter. He ignored his compulsion to stare at the multiple hickeys he’d left on her neck and shoulder. With her hair up it was like she was teasing him. He shook his head to force out the distraction.

“I was wondering. About these crystals?” He took the ones she’d left in his van out of his pocket and held them out in his open hand. He saw her eyes go wide.

“Looks like, some black tourmaline and selenite, a rose quartz.” She said fingering the stones. “Good protection stones.”

“You wanna know where I found them?” He smirked.

“I’m sorry.” She blurted out. “I should’ve asked first but I wanted to put protection stones in your van because you drive like a maniac and I worry about you.” the words all came out fast. His smile was obnoxiously cocky. He moved over to her, put the stones in his pocket, and kissed her. A hand to her waist and another to her face before landing it.

“I know.” He whispered and grinned.

“You just wanted a confession?”

“I knew it had to be you.” He shook his head. “But when I took them to the shop downtown I asked the lady what they were and I learned a lot.”

“You did?”

“I was… I don’t know. flattered? Glad they weren't out there to kill me?”

“You aren’t mad at me?”

“Psh, no. It’s sweet really. I can use all the help I can get. We both know this.” He admits. “I learned about the stones and I mean, it was easy to get you to talk about them. So I looked into it for myself. So I figured, why not return the favor?”

“You… you’ve been learning about crystals?” Her voice cracked in her throat in a well-timed crack of honesty in her voice.

“I have.” He nodded, his hands back in his pockets. “And the moon.” Her eyes went wide as her head tilted.

“Why?” She couldn’t think of a better way to ask.

“Because you love it. Because I think you’re into something. I’m not one to follow any tenets blindly, but the magic part of LeVayan beliefs was always a little… unattainable. With the drama and the robes and the ritualistic orgies. But the way you talk about it, and do it? It makes sense to me. It’s not loud and big and showy. It’s quiet and consistent and intimate. Without the need for orgies. But if you ever need someone for sex magic, I’m your guy.” He added quickly and winked making her laugh.

“I’ll ask you first.” She nodded.

“Good. I see things happen that you talk about. The coincidence and serendipity of it all. And I thought this girl knows what’s up. This feels… for lack of a better word, it feels real when you do it.”

Star fluttered her lashes unintentionally. She fiddled with the stone around her neck nervously. She was feeling emotional at his observations and openness. Her work was sacred to her, and feeling so seen and heard was making her feel things she hadn’t expected.

“Thank you.” She quietly answered.

“Which is why I started reading, talking to the people at the shop. And I decided that if you were so thoughtful as to want to help me, protect me in some way. That I should do the same for you, you know?” He shrugged. He was pulling off the casual approach well even though his palms were sweating. “So I thought about what I thought you needed help with the most. And I don’t think I’m being… impolite when I say I noticed that sometimes you get… well, scared. You flinch at any sound or interruption. You get mad or sad over things that seem like they’re normal.” He softened his voice. “Wayne was in the war ya know? And I know what PTSD is and I know that means bad things happened to you in the past. Things so bad that they stay with you even after they’re over. And they haunt you and make things harder. They make you mean to yourself and believe things that aren’t true. And I see you get upset, or down on yourself. I know it’s something you have to heal. And I can’t do that for you, I can’t make the things that already happened to you go away. I would if I could but- I can’t.” He sighed and reached out and took her hand. She had tears in her eyes. “So I found what crystal I thought would work best for that. I know you love rose quartz but it makes so much sense to me now that I know what it does and why you have so many of them. And I know you probably don’t need another or another necklace in general but you tell me all the time that intention is everything. So I thought that if my intention with this was for you to be able to heal then I should get it for you anyway. And once I saw this one. I had to.” He held up a star-shaped rose quartz. A soft leather cord looped through a hole to make it a necklace. Star's chest heaved for a moment, holding in a sob. “Oh my god babe did I totally fuck up? I’m SO sorry!” He grabbed her face, the necklace dangling from his hand and she put her hands over his.

“You did the opposite of fuck up.” She smiled and it made tears run down her cheeks. “You’re so good to me.” The dam broke and she started crying and he pulled her against him. He fought tears of his own as she quietly cried in his arms. “I don’t deserve you.” She wept into his shirt, her arms too tight around his middle.

“You- you deserve better than me.” He rasped out. “This is what I want to help you with. You deserve the world, Star. I want you to see that.” It only made her cry harder.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry for.” He rubbed her back and kissed her head. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m the one that should be sorry.”

“It’s good. I think I needed to. It’s been a while.” he rubbed her back as she settled. She sounded less strained as she pulled away, wiping her face with her too long sleeves. “I'm sorry. That was just… the nicest thing anyone's said or done for me. You’re such a lovely person. I can’t even begin to explain how much what you said and what-“ she looked at the necklace in his hand. “-That means to me.”

“It’s all true.” He said softly, wiping her face before holding up the necklace. “You wanna wear it?” She nodded with a sniffle. She looked down to toy with it.

“I'm never gonna take it off.” She promised, braving to look into his eyes that she found were also wet. “Oh no, honey.” She chuckled, wiping his eyes for him.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset.” He whispered bashfully.

“I don’t like it when you’re upset either. I hate it. It hurts.”

“It does doesn’t it?” He winced with realization. “We’re a mess aren't we?” He huffed out a soft laugh. She nodded and he put his hand to her face, thumbs wiping away the remaining tears.

“We are.” She laughed and nodded before he leaned in to kiss her. “At least we can be a mess together.”

“One big mess instead of two slightly smaller ones.” He mused against her lips and her laugh eased any ache he’d had in his chest. “You like it right?” He touched the pendant on her chest.

“I love it.” She said happily with the fading stuffiness of her nose passing. She held his hands and hopped to kiss him to emphasize her point.

“So do I.” He exhaled before wrapping his arms around her waist to bring her close. Her hands clasped to his jaw as they shared a slow kiss, feet raised with the force he pulled her toward him. Her toes balanced on the floor and one foot popped out as he took her breath away for the second time that day. Perhaps he’d go for a third before the night was over.

PART 14

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versadies · 3 years ago

Note

Hey hey!! I've been following you for a while now and I love your work sm aaa

Saw the event, I love soulmate au's 😩‼ as a gemini, may I request a gemini prompt + kaeya? Up to you who the enemy is, I trust you ^ ^

-🦚 @pavo-ocell-me

someday, one day (hc scenario)

penpal: omg hi !! im glad u love my work, i hope this is to ur liking 🙌

prompt: gemini the twins, enemy-lover soulmate au

pairing/s: kaeya x gn!reader

sypnosis: when you thought he was your enemy but is actually your lover.

includes: spoilers on diluc and kaeya's backstory, spoilers on genshin's official webtoon, violence, physical pain, burns, arguing, enthusiastic!diluc (pls take note that its canon that he USED to be like all the other pyro characters b4 his father's death.),

when you first met diluc, it felt like he was your knight in shining armor.

the first time you two met was when you accidentally fell down from your balcony after leaning too much on the railing and diluc managed to catch you bridal-style whilst he was on patrol around the city as a knight.

it truly was romantic– and a near-death experience for you.

so when you found out that his name is imprinted on your wrist, you felt ecstatic, and so did he.

since then, you two were known as the youngest soulmates who had found each other in mondstadt, people admiring your relationship with envy and happiness.

of course, you and diluc were a happy couple. although you would be lying if you said diluc is overall your type, you managed to find yourself falling in love with the man.

when crepus, diluc's father, found out about diluc's once-in-a-lifetime moment, he simply laughs and pats you and his son by your backs with a proud smile.

"by the time my son turns 18, we better make arrangements of your wedding! it's a ragnvindr tradition, after all." he comments eagerly. you honestly weren't sure if the man was joking or not.

it didn't take long before you meet his dear brother, kaeya.

when you find out his brother's name is the same as the one that's imprinted on your other wrist, being surprised is far from your reaction.

"don't worry about it, y/n." diluc reassures you one night as the two of you stroll around the city together. "i'll make sure nothing will go wrong between you and my brother. besides, you always have me, right?"

if diluc hadn't tried what he said, perhaps things would've gone differently than now.

in fear of being enemies with your future brother-in-law, you decided to avoid kaeya like a plague, giving the young man apologetic looks whenever you walk away from his presence.

as much as you're avoiding the man, you couldn't imagine hating on kaeya. every night, you always think of what can make kaeya your enemy. what is there to hate him? he's funny, chivalrous, everything that screams your type of men.

wait.. type?

your heart drops from the moment you started thinking romantic things about diluc's brother, looking behind you to see your soulmate sleeping soundly with a frown plastered on your face.

is diluc really your lover?

doubts started to cross your mind. what if diluc isn't your soulmate? what is there to prove that kaeya is your enemy? are you just overthinking things?

"i can't think about this." you murmured to yourself, pulling up your comforter before laying back down on your bed and try to fall asleep.

"i have a wedding to worry about next year."

just as you said, you did try not to think about the possibilities you have with the two brothers, distracting yourself with tasks and dates with your lover, who's quite oblivious to your problems going on inside your head.

unnoticed by you, you weren't the only one who has been burdened with your thoughts.

by the time diluc's birthday has arrived, the two of you started to get excited from your future wedding, excited to finally marry each other after years of spending your adolescence together.

you didn't expect an inconvenience during diluc and crepus's trip.

you didn't expect crepus trying to save diluc from a monster using something that no one but snezhnaya has ever heard of.

you didn't expect crepus asking diluc to put him out of his misery.

you didn't expect diluc to come strolling back to your shared home with blood stained in his clothing at a late hour.

you never, ever, expected your lover to fight his own brother when he took a visit.

and you did not expect your lover to plan on leaving you and everyone.

"what do you mean you're... you're leaving?" you ask in disbelief, staring at diluc as though he has two heads. "can't i go with you–?"

"no, this journey will be too dangerous for you–"

"this applies to you as well! you're not an immortal or some god–"

"i can do this on my own, y/n." he says with his eyes narrowed. you couldn't help but scoff in disbelief. this isn't the diluc you know and loved.

"but diluc.. isn't this too much? your father... i know crepus's death is too much but, why can't you stay?" you whispered, cupping his cheeks. "what about our wedding? the life you and i planned after your bi–"

"my father died and you're seriously thinking about our wedding?!" diluc forces your hands away from his face, glaring at you. "why can't you understand that i'm trying to find out the truth on this delusion–"

"i do understand!" you yelled out. "i do understand that you want to do this for him but what about monstadt? the knights? what about your brother–"

"HE'S NOT MY BROTHER!" he yelled, lashing out at you as you screamed in surprise when you saw fire in front of you, immediately covering your face with your arms out of reflex.

you didn't notice how your lover's eyes widens on what he did,

you couldn't notice him, not when you're too focused on the huge burns on your arms.

"oh my god..." diluc murmurs, slowly taking a few steps back as he takes a look of what he did, ignoring the sudden presence of adelaide and elzer, who both gasped from the scene.

your eyes starts to water from the intense pain, trying not to cry out and scream your heart out in fear of making your lover feel regret. you could honestly care less on what diluc is doing, all you could think about was the intense burns from your arms.

suddenly, the door was slammed open by kaeya– who was wet from the rain outside.

"what the hell did you do to them?!" kaeya exclaims, running towards you with a shocked look on his face. "i'll take you to the cathedral alright? the sisters will heal you." he whispers, wiping off the tears from your face as he wraps his arm around your shoulder and takes you towards the doors.

before diluc could let out a word from his mouth, kaeya gives him a glare.

"you may hate me for what happened," kaeya says.

"but for celestia's sake, don't ever come to them or call them your lover ever again."

that was the last time you saw diluc.

you eventually find out from the chattering nuns that the man had already left monstadt with no news of when he'll return, causing everyone to pity you and for diluc about what happened.

you were thankful that no one except the nuns found out about the incident of your arms.

throughout your stay in the cathedral, you usually find kaeya beside you, keeping an eye on you with a concerned look on his face. you honestly couldn't imagine what would've happened if the man didn't storm inside dawn winery. would diluc actually try to help you later on and leave? would you have suffered more with your injuries as he stands by watching you in disbelief?

whatever outcome you could think of, your heart ached from them all.

would diluc stayed had he been the one who tries to take care of your injuries?

either way, you knew the man is no longer the one you fell in love with from those years ago.

as years grew by, so did your friendship with kaeya.

although it was awkward from the start, you eventually warmed up to the man who you thought is your enemy, feeling more comfortable with him than before.

the two of you started having careers by then, with you having a successful career whilst kaeya becomes the calvary captain of the knights of favonius.

although the two of you are busy, you agreed to always meet each other at night in angel's share, where you drink the night away and talk about anything that comes out of your minds.

there wasn't a day when you thought about diluc.

thankfully, your burns weren't too severe and is slowly fading away throughout the years. but that doesn't mean the memories you had from it disappeared as well.

ever since that dreadful night, you started having nightmares about the incident, always finding yourself sitting up from your bed with a scared look on your face.

you wished you didn't want to see diluc this way, but you honestly couldn't bare to face him if he ever comes back to the city.

you don't see him as a lover or a friend. all he is to you at this very moment is your nightmare.

your nightmares simply washes away when kaeya comes up in your mind.

whenever you think about your so-called destined enemy, you felt comforted and safe. it was understandable really! you were touched by how he took care of you regardless of you being his "enemy".

however... now that you could think about it, the calvary captain has a lot more common with you than diluc himself. the fact that his brother made you laugh a lot and supported you in many ways made you started thinking that maybe diluc really isn't your destined lover.

your heart skips a beat from the thought of kaeya being your true lover, the smile you wore never fading away.

perhaps when you're finally starting to move on from the relationship you had with diluc, maybe... just maybe, kaeya could be the one you've been hoping for.

you started to sleep more peacefully, excited for the future that awaits.

somewhere in the calvary captain's home, the man is dreaming and hoping of you too.

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ktmarison · 2 years ago

Text

black monday sentence starters. season one.

‘ wear this. for good luck on your interviews. ’

‘ you be sure to tell (name) that i knocked the glaze off the donut. ’

‘ want to do some cocaine ? ’

‘ i’m really surprised a ladies’ man such as yourself doesn’t know his cups. these are c’s, baby. ’

‘ i was born in a toilet and left on the stairs of a church. ’

‘ i woke up in a $1,500 a night fuck pad after a $5,000 park avenue fuck-a-thon. ’

‘ get the fuck out of my face. ’

‘ god chose me to choose you. ‘

‘ i’m gonna take us to the promise land. ’

‘ happy birthday. i know it’s the same shit every year, but what do you get the guy who has everything, right ? ’

‘ scusi ! i seem to have come down with a bad case of the first days. ’

‘ i may have picked the wrong career. ’

‘ joking’s kind of my strong suit. ’

‘ what are my weakness ? that’s a great question. i can only think of three: caring too much, working too hard, and caring too much. and i just repeated myself, so that’s four weaknesses, ‘cause that’s a repeating weakness. ’

‘ wait, now i forget, which one of you is a virgin and which one of you ain’t ever been laid before ? ’

‘ why don’t you two stop fucking each other for five minutes ��? ’

‘ you’re making us late for our stand up comedy class. ’

‘ this is your thing, i don’t wanna do the talking at the same time. ’

‘ go out and buy yourself something really expensive, because we got a lot to celebrate tonight. a lot. ’

‘ between you and me, i’m kinda hot on the street. ’

‘ i’m willing to lose a million a day to prevent her from ever being employed for the rest of her natural or unnatural fucking life, whichever comes first. ’

‘ are you calling me a fucking coke head ? ’

‘ by the way, you got a chick’s name. ’

‘ are we talking house money or summer-house money ? ’

‘ remember that screenplay i wrote in college ? hear me out. what if we go to l.a.--- ‘

‘ but you know what ? we don’t need money to be happy. ’

‘ should we have sex really quick ? because i am super jazzed. ’

‘ you’re the motherfucker that ruined my life. ’

‘ shut the fuck up. you think you scare me ? my dad beat me everyday of my life until he died. ’

‘ he literally died of a heart attack while beating me. ’

‘ why do you want a shitty honda ? ’

‘ that’s a lot of blood for a little guy. ’

‘ you’re the worst trader in manhattan since the indians. ’

‘ never walk away from a dollar that makes sense. ’

‘ i’m sorry i was so hard on you today. i just. . . you know, i just want you to be okay. ’

‘ i remember when your birthday used to be just sticking a candle in some apple pie. ’

‘ thanks, dick. ’

‘ so what was the plan ? you were gonna land a big, juicy job and then run over there and propose to her ? ’

‘ if you don’t do this, you’re going to regret it for the rest of your life. ’

‘ you didn’t do so bad today. ’

‘ you know, nobody’s yelled at me like that since 1973. ’

‘ i would love to fuck with you. ’

‘ you know, let’s just go home. i’m beat. ’

‘ i don’t care what anybody says, okay ? al pacino’s performance in scarface was bad. ’

‘ while nancy reagan is telling everybody that aids is no big whoop, i went long on condoms because i knew that shit had legs. ’

‘ i think the word for that is i’m a fucking genius. ’

‘ i'm engaged. and also a good person. . . . that didn’t come out right. ’

‘ he is gonna smack the handsome off that kid. ’

‘ i get it. haze the new guy. just like a cappella camp. ’

‘ you call this hazing ? tell it to my frat brother next time you’re in heaven. ’

‘ hey, (name) ! i need you to suck my dick ! ’

‘ i thought we stopped having sex when i dumped your ass, but somehow you’re still fucking me. ’

‘ go cry in a stall or something, okay ? this is a place of business. ’

‘ this guy can’t even get pranked right, he’s a fucking idiot ! ’

‘ . . . but that’s insider trading. ’

‘ i didn’t even know this day could get any fucking better ! ’

‘ i mean, you could call it a dog-shit stock, or i could call your wife and tell her all about that trip you and your nanny took down to sunny bora-bortion, you remember that ? ’

‘ need ? i did not say the n-word. ’

‘ consider it my apology. ’

‘ i didn’t hate your plan. i hated that you didn’t tell me. ’

‘ yeah, they’ll fuck you, but they’re not gonna hire you. ’

‘ you need me, (name). it’s okay to say it. ’

‘ so ? that’s unethical ! but maybe the guy making holocaust jokes maybe wouldn’t understand that. ’

‘ before you judge me, marriage is a marathon. you’ll see. ’

‘ really ? that’s your fucking closer after blowing up my life ? ’

‘ how’s the jizz biz, kid ? hey, you got carpal tunnel yet ? ‘

‘ good lord, are you trying to hide behind a lamp ? ’

‘ don’t you remember when you used to be me ? uncorrupted ? ’

‘ isn’t that the kind of tortured hero shit you guys jack off to ? ’

‘ i’m as good at pulling out as mohammad ali is at boxing. ’

‘ i wanna form a father-son relationship with him so i can get close enough to stab him in the back. ’

‘ why can’t you just jerk off like a regular guy ? ’

‘ parenting is just like dating, but with no sex. ’

‘ everyone i love is dead. ’

‘ i’m not even a citizen, i think, so. . . ’

‘ the guy’s unhinged, i walked in the other day to him masturbating to hockey’s hardest hits volume three. ’

‘ i should be more like you: bitchy. ’

‘ i look forward to seeing you all day long tomorrow. you and me, holding hands, watching our boy become a bar mitzvah. ’

‘ you aren’t the other man. you are the only man, okay ? ’

‘ i hate when you call them mom and dad. it feels incesty. ’

‘ this is the hottest ticket in town, and we got killer seats. ’

‘ i never even open a menu. i just order the most expensive shit, you know ? keeps it exciting. ’

‘ i prefer my ground beef cooked and with cheese and on a bun. ’

‘ i’m from a town with one restaurant. this world, it’s very overwhelming to me. ’

‘ i kind of grew up like you, you know ? but instead of one restaurant, i had no parents. ’

‘ i wanna share everything with you: a place in chelsea, a portmanteau. ’

‘ don’t you want to be happy ? ’

‘ i am happy. i fucking love my family. what, do you want me to leave them for you ? for sex ? ’

‘ i’ll give you something to blow on. ’

‘ of course i know dolly parton, who do you think bought her those cans ? . . . i’m joking, god did. ’

‘ don’t throw the whole baby out with the bathwater. ’

‘ real money is honest money, okay ? ’

‘ i don’t get it. you just said you were proud of me. ’

‘ don’t bring your mother’s porn into this. ’

‘ most of the time, i just walk around that office feeling like one of those chickens my dad used to make me cut the head off of. ’

‘ should i try some ? ’

‘ you don’t know what i can handle. ’

‘ i feel more successful already. ’

‘ the moon is so much brighter when you’re on cocaine. ’

‘ have you ever had sex with a guy with a huge promotion ? ’

‘ i would rather fuck my father. my mom too. ’

‘ you listen to me, (name). you’re going to prison. maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, and probably for the rest of your life. and i’m not going to let you take me and our beautiful family down with you. ’

‘ i’d know those legs anywhere. ’

‘ you are the only person in my life that i can’t live without. ’

‘ this might be the cocaine talking, but can we get some more cocaine ? ’

‘ is this a child wedding ? ’

‘ i’m not getting a real ‘i’ve made a huge mistake and i’m rushing back to my fiance’ vibe off him. ’

‘ he’s just making cash for the first time. i mean, you remember the moneymoon phase. ’

‘ he’ll get sick of this shit. ’

‘ it’s like when they caught me smoking. they locked me in the closet, they made me smoke a whole carton of cigarettes until i didn’t want another cigarette as long as i live. ’

‘ fuck that bitch. ’

‘ the guy will do anything for a buck. ’

‘ let’s just talk to the kid about the power of love. ’

‘ it’s so weird calling a chick a boss. it’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to me. ’

‘ is it me, or is he getting weirder ? ’

‘ it’s so cool you live in a hotel. you’re like eloise. ’

‘ how are you ? i can’t imagine how hard it must be to be apart from the love of your life. ’

‘ sometimes it’s brave to be alone. instead of, you know, settling for the first lame-ass doctor that you lay eyes on that satisfies your parents but not you. ’

‘ and word on the street ? this guy is hung like a hose. '

‘ i mean, i know i broke up with her, but i didn’t expect this this soon. ’

‘ hey, bring us a bottle of wine, yeah ? ’

‘ i thought we were gonna get busy. ’

‘ i’m so full, i can hardly move. but you can do stuff to me if you’d like. ’

‘ maybe i’d loosen up if we’d have sex again. yeah, then we can clean up all the laundry that we knocked over when we had sex in the hall. ’

‘ how’d she meet someone so fast ? ’

‘ it’s a sit-com that takes place in a nazi concentration camp. ’

‘ you look incredible ! ’

‘ i haven’t acted since college. and the upenn gezette called my performance as otto frank the worst thing to happen to anne frank. ’

‘ hey, honey. listen, i’m not comin’ home. but i wanna let you know i’ve never loved anyone as much as i loved your sister. ’

‘ you were right, i fucked your sister ! ’

‘ was it just me or was that movie about racism really, really racist ? ’

‘ i just wanted to say you’re a piece of shit and i’ve always hated you. ’

‘ i know it didn’t work, but honeypot or not, i had a really great time tonight. ’

‘ i don’t want things to be awkward between us, (name), and i’m hoping that eventually you and i could be friends. ’

‘ for once in my life, i need to focus on myself. ’

‘ tell me that you just brought (name) here to make me jealous. ’

‘ oh my god, she’s so hot. a part of me didn’t know whether i should be jealous of her or of you.’

‘ i didn’t want to disappoint you, and honestly sometimes you can be a bit scary. ’

‘ that was a long time ago. and remember ? i’m kinda married. ’

‘ this thing’s bad luck. ever since i put it on you, it’s kicked off a series of disastrous events, okay ? this thing is cursed. ’

‘ now i see where this guy gets his fashion sense from. ’

‘ i feel like i’m lucy, you know, and the football ? or. . . maybe i’m charlie brown. i don’t know. or maybe i’m the football. ’

‘ this is supposed to be one of the most romantic spots in the city. ’

‘ show us your tits ! ’

‘ she’s got me on a strict wedding diet of maltodextrin, carrageenan, and phosphates. ’

‘ was it just me or was that meeting really odd ? ’

‘ it sucks. i mean, soon we’re not even gonna be able to flirt. ’

‘ it was just a drunken accident. just like my little brother. ’

‘ you kissed your brother too ? ’

‘ my parents thought they were done having kids, and then they were using the rhythm method and somebody got off beat. ’

‘ is that what i think it is ? i’m legitimately asking that question because i did not understand that. ’

‘ what are you chicks squealing about ? ’

‘ this guy is like the willy wonka of money ! ’

‘ he’s getting a pube to big for his briefs and i know just the guy to take him down. ’

‘ listen up, motherfuckers ! i am your god now ! ’

‘ this weekend is not about work, okay ? ’

‘ pick a menu. any menu. or we could live dangerously and play a little take out roulette. ’

‘ have fun, enjoy yourself ! try not to die ! ’

‘ he was a leo, i’m a cancer, so we were incompatible. ’

‘ i know how women work. i know women stuff, i have amazing women’s intuition. ’

‘ why do you let them bully you ? ’

‘ i know you don’t have a lot of work experience, but there is a chain of command that needs to be respected. ’

‘ and then afterwards, we’re gonna go home, and i’m gonna twist you into a hot pretzel and inject you with my nacho ch--- i’m sorry. ’

‘ i can’t stand these evil twinkies. ’

‘ the only reason we’re here is because they need a sucker. ’

‘ trust me. they are going to fuck us, okay ? ’

' i don’t know how they do their milk here, but i love it. ’

‘ he hates you, you hate him. i hate that i love your outfits. ’

‘ look, the only thing that he has ever been right about is that we would never do a deal that doesn’t fuck him like a brother. ’

‘ our reservation was an hour ago. ’

‘ i’m going to count to three. one. . . two. . . oh my god, you are fucked. two and a half ! ’

‘ so, good news, bad news. um, i finally got rid of that tie you hated, but it kind of broke the shredder in the process. ’

‘ i’m sorry i ruined our weekend. ’

‘ (name), i am obsessed with you. ’

‘ from now on, no one’s pushing me around. except for you. you can push my ass around. ’

‘ you’re a smart woman, which we would normally find repulsive, but we’d be willing to overlook that for money. ’

‘ six months, tops. he’ll be broke, in jail, dead, or all three. ’

‘ i mean, it should be the rush of my life, right ? but i’m. . . i’m distracted. i keep losing focus. ’

‘ i lived my whole life like that. money over everything and everyone. and look where i am now. ’

‘ are you telling me that after all these years, now you’re saying that money doesn’t matter, that it’s all about love ? ‘

‘ you’re dumb. that’s it, i just figured it out: you’re fucking dumb. ’

‘ everything i am, was, will be is about money. ’

‘ no one gives a shit about you. except yourself. ’

‘ you know what you can do ? get us a case of whiskey older than i am. you and i will drink this pathetic bitch out of your head. ’

‘ that was cool. you just touched me and you meant it. i love that. ’

‘ tell me the truth. i’m the first visitor he’s had in months, right ? ‘

‘ you’re my partner, and i’m sorry if i haven’t always treated you that way. you deserve better. ’

‘ i trust you and i hope someday you’ll be able to trust me again. ’

‘ your days of bullying me for no reason are over, alright ? ’

‘ i don’t want to use that information against you, but if you don’t stop fucking with me, i will tell everyone, and i’ll start with your family. maybe your kids first. ’

‘ that’s fucking rich, coming from you. ’

‘ when you didn’t show up, it just reminded me of all the times you let me down, and so i got drunk and stupid. ’

‘ how the fuck could you be so fucking stupid ? ’

‘ oh my god, that’s a dead body ! what the fuck did you do ? ’

‘ i'm so overwhelmed. i mean, we don’t even have a honeymoon spot. ’

‘ well, i’ve only been on a plane twice, so they all sound exciting. ’

‘ i want a honeymoon place that is so exotic and so special that none of my friends have been there, like a country that’s just been overthrown. ’

‘ favorite colors can change. from now on, mine is. . . gunmetal gray. or camo. ’

‘ i haven’t eaten in four days, but you know what ? i’m gonna make an exception for tonight. ’

‘ oh mama, i’m gonna force myself on that fucking cake. ’

‘ that’s a scary way to phrase that. ’

‘ you’re a gay. it’s so obvious. ’

‘ uh, it’s not obvious to me ! ’

‘ it’s pronounced uruguay. ’

‘ hey, listen, speaking of using condoms, what do you say we. . . stop using condoms ? ’

‘ i’m sorry i get all weird about this stuff. ’

‘ i’m so ready. i’m gonna call my mom. ’

‘ hold on, i know i’m cute, but i’m still a he. ’

‘ what am i ? a fucking teacher ? ’

‘ what is this, open mic night ? shut the fuck up. ’

‘ you were right. picking stocks is a lot easier when you already know what’s gonna happen. ’

‘ what the fuck has been up with you ? you’ve just--- you’ve been, uh, nice. ’

‘ suck my dick. . . oh, and that’s a figure of speech, not an invitation. ’

‘ i hope you’re right, because trust me, you don’t wanna be me. ’

‘ i’m so excited for our family road trip ! in just six short hours, we’ll be making smores and memories. ’

‘ i’m a serial killer ? you’re drinking a blizzard next to a fucking dead person. ’

‘ are you okay ? i mean, you didn’t even dump any fruit punch in that vodka. ’

‘ at first i thought you said something that made me wanna stab you. ’

‘ or, we skip your place just come back to my place, and have some gay sex. ’

‘ why don’t you shut your faces, you fucking whores ? ’

‘ you’re so smart and so together, and i trust you more than i trust myself right now. ’

‘ while you’ve been in here getting shit-faced, our reputation’s out there, getting butt-fucked in front of a live studio audience. ’

‘ i’m bad at parties. ’

‘ i tried everything to make this work because i love you. ’

‘ do you even want to get married ? huh ? ’

‘ payback’s a bitch, and i’m the son of one. ’

‘ you’re a winter, not a spring. ’

‘ oh my god, did you pierce your ear with your tie pin ? ’

‘ i’m really confused right now. ’

‘ a little white lie never hurt anybody. ’

‘ is nair supposed to burn my eyes from this distance ? ‘

‘ every newlywed’s parents buy them an apartment. duh. ’

‘ the only thing you should work on is letting yourself be happy. ’

‘ if you agree with all that, blink. ’

‘ we all have our hobbies. mine is astronomy, yours is lying to me. ’

‘ in what world is it okay to kidnap someone ? ’

‘ well, i’m sorry that i have a policy about never apologizing to white people. ’

‘ i hope you like your nothing burger with nothing on it, because this ? is nothing. ’

‘ no white dicks for me after labor day. ’

‘ call me ma’am again. i want you to. ’

‘ it’s not a fucking prank, okay ? ’

‘ please do not shoot my dumbass friend. ’

‘ come on, you got to try to sell that punch better. ’

‘ god’s a funny fuck, isn’t he ? ’

‘ oh my god, i guess that is super fucked up. ’

‘ we cheated death ! . . .what do we do now ? ’

‘ not to mention he was out all night with some prostitute, probably. ’

‘ haven’t you ever fallen out of love, (name) ? you know, you keep holding on, hoping to get that feeling back, but the tighter you grip it, the further away it gets. and then one day you wake up, and you’re two totally different people, and you wonder how you even got together in the first place. ’

‘ why are you so invested in my relationship ? ’

‘ when i said we were friends, that was true, i meant that, but the truth is, i’ve been playing you, kid. ’

‘ you’re gonna break her heart anyway. i mean, why not give her the wedding of her dreams first ? ’

‘ fuck you. i’m gonna tell (name) everything. ’

‘ she’s probably gonna die. ’

‘ i hate to ask this, but could (name) have done this ? ’

‘ he is crazy, but what would make you think he would kidnap a person ? ’

‘ are you okay ? i--- i wanna get into all of this with you. ’

‘ what do i tell the police when they ask me about him ? ’

‘ the police will think i’m involved because who would believe i had no clue for months ? i can’t go to prison. ’

‘ you can stay strong for nine hours, can’t you ? ’

‘ i don’t want to marry her, but that doesn’t mean i want her ripped into chunks. ’

‘ what’d you do, you crazy fuck ? ! ’

‘ i ain’t just talking the talk. you hear me ? ’

‘ extra, extra ! no one gives a shit about black folks ! ’

‘ i’m (name), and people call me. but only if they’re very lucky. ’

‘ (name) is a fighter. just ask the last delivery driver who forgot our duck sauce. ’

‘ what’s the age cut off for that milk carton thingy ? ’

‘ it could just be a classic new york snatch, kill, chop, and dump. ’

‘ don’t you have any clues other than bitch boy here ? ’

‘ let me just say, on the record, ew. ’

‘ i’m not sure a square like you could handle it. ’

‘ we were out partying last night and we got into this debate about who has the biggest balls on the street, which led to a dick-measuring contest, which led to a pissing contest, which led to a sword fight, which led to a cockfight, which led to me being up six grand. ’

‘ i have a charades party to get to, but i can’t until you start talking. ’

‘ i suppose (name) does have an undeniable raw sexuality, but i don’t know what that has to do with this. ’

‘ this is madness. the whole world’s gone upside-down and your solution is to make upside-down cake ? ’

‘ we couldn’t have gotten through this without money. ’

‘ no press is bad press. ’

‘ jesus. i guess i deserve that on some level, but jesus. ’

‘ can i get back to paying my respects ? ’

‘ did we kill that bottle ? ’

‘ i genuinely like the kid. i mean, we almost died together. that’s gotta count for something. ’

‘ he wasn’t gonna marry (name) because. . . well, because he’s in love with me. and i think that i am falling for him too. ’

' they say he wants my money, but he won't get shit. '

‘ can i get your autograph ? '

‘ i’m not afraid of love. i’m not ! ’

‘ i was gonna propose, okay ? i had the goddamn ring and everything. ’

' you want me to sign a prenup ? '

‘ if you wanna go, we can go. ’

‘ they don’t always leave with the ones they came in with. ’

‘ you’d have to be one dumb hick fuck to be messing around with your girlfriend when you’re about to marry someone else. ’

‘ fuck ‘em all. ’

‘ it doesn’t fucking matter ! ’

‘ you got some balls ? you fucking prove it ! ’

‘ he has treated you like a son ! sure, in the way that dads are super cold to their sons to try to get them to stop acting like such pussies, but still. '

‘ i’m pretty sure this wedding is fucked anyways. ’

‘ i think this wedding has been fucked for a long time. ’

‘ my plan did not involve you fucking him. ’

‘ thank god i didn’t propose to you. ’

‘ i should’ve known. maybe i sort of did. ’

‘ you are the smartest person i’ve ever known. ’

‘ i know this is a shame wedding, but i have been dreaming about this day since i was a little girl, so please, just give me this. ’

‘ are they dancing ��to the national anthem ? ’

‘ do republicans hate america ? because this is like a dance version of burning the flag. ’

‘ shut the fuck up. you know the saying isn’t an endless stream of bullshit and bad puns is the soul of wit, right ? ’

‘ you don’t wanna be my friend, don’t be my friend. who cares ? ’

‘ i knew you were full of shit, but i didn’t think you were all shit. ’

‘ wow. you really have crossed all the way over to the dark side. ’

‘ i learned it by watching you, dad. ’

‘ part of me wants to give you a big old hug. a bigger part of me wants to beat the dog shit out of you in front of all your friends and fake family. ’

‘ that’s cute, but this isn’t a negotiation. ’

‘ now if you’ll excuse me, i have to go do the fucking hokey-pokey. ’

‘ you’re a selfish piece of shit. ’

‘ i mean, this marriage has always been bullshit on some level anyway. ’

‘ just like theatre camp, i’m always getting fucked by gay guys. ’

‘ duh, (name)’s gay. my hubby likes chubby. ’

‘ these mind games that you’re pulling ? it’s getting sad. ’

‘ wanna commit a murder ? let’s do it, i’m in. ’

‘ yeah, of course (name)’s gay. i thought everyone knew that. ’

‘ maybe we just have better gay radar than you. ’

‘ i’m back, baby ! i gotta do some coke. ’

‘ why is he dating me ? ’

‘ i swear i’m gonna kill that motherfucker. ’

‘ now, i know i’ve been shitty to you in the past, and the recent past, and this morning, but it’s gotta be you and me now, okay ? together. ’

‘ how could i forget you ? you’re my first. and my wife. ’

‘ it’s okay to be confused. ’

‘ i do love you. ’

‘ oh, i need to say it too ? i thought it was implied. ’

‘ (name) was feeling all lovey dovey, you know ? kissing my neck and feeling me up, grabbing my--- ’

‘ i had to pretend i found a lump just so i could get out of there without punching him in his lying-ass face. ’

‘ i can’t believe that you didn’t know he was gay. ’

‘ you dated a girl for an entire year without realizing she was deaf ! ’

‘ can you believe it ? we got him trapped in a classic catch-69. ’

‘ i would have never got here without you. i can’t think of anybody i’d rather to celebrate with. ’

‘ if i don’t show, you better call the fucking morgue. ’

‘ it’s over, (name). you can never fix this. ’

‘ (name) is a piece of shit. and he’s not your friend. ’

‘ what has he ever done for you ? ’

‘ i gotta tell you, it’s been amazing to watch your evolution from punk-ass bitch to cold-ass mofo. ’

‘ wakey wakey, you fucking lightweight. ’

‘ you’re dead. welcome to hell ! ’

‘ i cried for the first time since reagan got shot and didn’t die. ’

‘ let’s all party until we die ! ’

‘ can i talk to you in private ? ’

‘ i’ll try anything twice. ’

‘ i’m worried about you, (name). talk to me. i got a feeling i’m the only person you can talk to about this. ’

‘ it’s like when i first got to the city, i kept seeing these ads for the mcdonald’s mcrib. do you know that thing ? it’s like a rack of ribs on a bun, except it’s not. it’s something called restructured meat product, and they pressurize it into the shape of ribs, bones and all. it doesn’t make sense. the bones aren’t real. and i guess sometimes that’s... that’s how i feel. like i’ve been pressed into this shape that doesn’t make sense to me. ’

‘ i don’t know what i feel. but i feel it in my bones. ’

‘ that’s whats so great about new york. you can be who you are. and you’ll figure out who that is. ’

‘ should we order some ribs ? ’

‘ i can’t believe how fucked everyone is. ’

‘ i know you knew, you’re too smart not too. ’

‘ for someone so smart, you have a real blind spot for (name). ’

‘ he acts like the only reason you got anywhere is because you slept with him. ’

‘ i’m not a fucking pussy anymore. ’

‘ i deserved it from him, but from you ? jesus christ, how could you do this shit ? what a punk move. ’

‘ let me get my camcorder, ‘cause i love it when mommy and daddy fight. ’

‘ i mean, what’s 100 mill when you can make two ? ’

‘ just having a bit of an out-of-money experience. ’

‘ you guys have any fucking idea what you’ve done ? ’

‘ people are gonna lose their fucking houses. their jobs. their livelihoods. their fucking everything. ’

’ you just broke the fucking world. ’

‘ i think you’re exaggerating. ’

‘ nobody screws us but us. ’

‘ i mean, all siblings take baths together. ’

‘ you always said that if i wanted something from you, i had to take it. ’

‘ i love you. but you know that already. so what is there even left to say ? ’

‘ nothing about you is real. you are all bullshit. ’

‘ i don’t know what to believe. ’

‘ you think i came here for your pathetic fucking birthday ? ’

‘ goddamn it, kid, you’re embarrassing yourself. ’

‘ you’re not my son. if you were my son, you wouldn’t have fucked up like this. ’

‘ i haven’t felt this close to you since we ate our brother in the womb. ’

‘ i know you think you lost everything, but you haven’t. ’

‘ you’re the only one in this room full of fucking snakes that never fucked me over. ’

‘ it turns out your the best friend i got in the world. jesus christ, i love you, man. ’

‘ fuck me ? fuck you ! ’

‘ it was a little bumpy, but i think we stuck the landing. ’

#black monday rp #rp memes #rp sentence prompts #rp sentence meme #sentence starters #rp sentence starters #sentence starter memes #meme #ask meme #roleplay meme #askbox #ask sentence meme

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