#i'm so sorry you're getting a rough sketch for today

[formelydailynowweeklykillersans]

Day seventeen: the aftermath (...why isn't he just killing me??)

Killer sans belongs to Rahafwabas

Color sans belongs to Superyoumna

[yuvany]

PAINT ME LIKE MONA LISA

𝐄𝐍𝐇𝐘𝐏𝐄𝐍 with an artist!reader

OT7 ENHYPEN x fem!reader . . . CONTENT / WARNING(S) : fluff + est relationship + not proofread . . WORD COUNT : 812 . CHECK MARK !!

( REBLOGS + FEEDBACK APPRECIATED !! )

𝗟𝗘𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗨𝗡𝗚

"Hee, don't move." You suddenly warn, your pencil balancing in between your fingers as you hold your palm up. "Please don't tell me a bomb is gonna detonate, babe." he jokes, and you chuckle, the sound of your pencil stratching the paper fills the room. "Are you drawing something?" He asks, and you hum. "Yup, wanna take a guess what i'm drawing?" You try to do this quickly while Heeseung is standing as still as he can. "Not sure. Care to tell me, pretty girl?" Heeseung itches his nose quickly, which goes unnoticed by you. "Obviously Mr.Handsome is my muse today."

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗝𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗘𝗢𝗡𝗚

Saw you placing a bowl of fruit on the table, adjusting it and looking at it from all angles. Jay starts getting interested in what you're doing, so he gets closer to you from his hiding spot behind a corner. You hum delighted and return to your seat, but see Jay standing there. "Hello?" You ask with a chuckle. "Hey, sweetness. What's going on here?" Jay asked. "Nothing much, just an art project for school, they want us to do realism." You go on and explain the assignment. "So, like in the movies?" He asks, referring to how most movies use a bowl of fruits. You nod your head, and Jay gives you a kiss on the cheek for good luck.

𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗝𝗔𝗘𝗬𝗨𝗡

Jake walks into your room and sees the painting resting on the floor, the paint still looking moist. It's like the canvas is whispering for him to come closer, because he does, his eyes observing each detail. Without noticing, Jake's finger gets closer to the canvas, brushing against the edge softly. "Aye! Don't touch!" You exclaimed upon entering your room and seeing him hunched on the floor. "sorry babe, but this is absolutely gorgous!" He says, a wide smile presenting itself on his lips. "Thank you, but you gotta be careful, babe." You laugh awkwardly, hunching down beside him to admire your art with him.

𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙆 𝙎𝙐𝙉𝙂𝙃𝙊𝙊𝙉

He sees you pull out a sketch book and a pen, his eyes glued to the movement of your wrist. "Are you drawing me?" He asks with a smirk as he poses jokingly. "You wish." You chuckle and turn the block around so that he can get a view of it. Sunghoon takes a while to look over the rough sketch, and you start to wonder if he's actually observing it, or just zoning-out. You raise and eyebrow, and he says, "You know, I am a much better view than a simple window." He glides his arm around your waist and pulls you in. "I'm sure you are." You say, pressing you lips to the corner of his mouth.

𝗞𝗜𝗠 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗢𝗢

You and him went to an art museum, his hands holding yours while you take your time to watch each exhibition before either taking a picture, which Sunoo knoows you'll use later as reference, or pulling out a small piece of paper form your bag and a pencil as you sketch the art while explaining the history behind the artworks. "That's really interesting." He says, and follows you around while you repeat the pattern of taking a photo, sketching and explaining. "Imagine if they one day put up your art, angel." he says in awe, and you reply, "then I'll tell them that the history of it is my love for you."

𝗬𝗔𝗡𝗚 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗚𝗪𝗢𝗡

He sees you curled up in bed with your art block on the bed as you sketch on it lazily while laying down, waiting for inspiration to flow into your head. Jungwon sees you through the door when he walks by, and walks back to make sure of what he saw. Naturally he walks in, catching your attention. You hum at the sight of him and he plops onto the floor after grabbing a pencil from your desk causing yiu to stop drawing and look at him confused. So far, you've only drawn sunflowers and fishes very sloppily. Jungwon sees them and tries to copy the best he could, but let's just say he did his best. "That's a cute one." You giggle, seeing his attempt.

𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗠𝗨𝗥𝗔 𝗥𝗜𝗞𝗜

Your first date with him was an artistic and creative one. He took you to an art cafe and challanged you to a paiting conset, but he underestimated you and drew a nice sunset instead, confident that he'd win the bet easily. "Times up!" He says with a smirk, and you smile brightly and let go off the brush. "Do you wanna go first?" You ask, and Riki shrugs. "Alright, but be prepared to be blown away." You clap the sight of his scenery, and he urges you to show yours. As you turn the canvas to him, his jaw drops and you chuckle. "So what do I win?" you ask after he was done gaping. "How about a kiss?" He asks, and delivers.

[satorusugurugurl]

Models

Pairing: Nude Model!Geto Suguru x Model!FAB!Reader

Word Count: 1,977

Warnings: Nudity, flirting, suggestiveness, fluffy goodness

A/N: This fluffy Friday idea had me giggling and kicking my legs. So intimate and sweet!! Nemsmkekdkdk!!

Nude life modeling.

It was easy, paid pretty well, and it helped you get money for essentials when your shitty part-time job didn't schedule you. All you were required to do was strip down to your birthday suit and pose for a bunch of art students to draw you. The sessions lasted between two to five hours, with breaks. Sitting around naked while posing was an easy way to make twenty dollars an hour.

After a rough week of hardly any tips at the coffee shop, you desperately needed to pick up a modeling gig for the weekend. You needed groceries, and you had been dying to buy the newest book of your favorite series that just came out. Luckily, an evening art class needed a female model. You jumped at the opportunity, not wanting to eat instant Ramen for the third time this week.

Trotting into the art studio, you found it empty, allowing you to change into a plain white robe before the students arrived. Just as you tied the sash around your waist, the door to the classroom opened. You turned around expecting to find the teacher, only to find the sexiest man you’ve ever seen in your life.

He had dark eyes and raven hair tied up into a bun. You could hear the music blaring through his headphones as he tossed his backpack onto the ground before pulling his shirt over his head. With a squeak, you covered your eyes as if you weren’t already in the nude yourself.

“E-excuse me!!” you screamed at the top of your lungs, “Excuse me!! I-I’m in here!!” when you heard the familiar sound of a belt unbuckling, you grabbed a sketchbook off one of the desks, chucking it to the ground in front of his feet.

The man before you jolted, quickly pulling his headphones out. His dark eyes met you for the first time since he entered. “Oh shit!” He hid behind one of the canvases in the classroom. “Fuck! Sorry! Sorry!” You felt like your whole face was on fire.

“N-No, it’s okay! Maybe I have the wrong classroom!”

“Are you here to model for Yaga’s class?” the stranger asked tentatively.

“Uhm, yeah.”

“You're in the right place.”

Slowly blinking, you watched as the stranger peeked his head out from behind the canvas. “I am?” Your eyes wander toward the shirt and belt on the ground before him. “Then why are you—?”

The stranger stepped out in all his shirtless glory. Fuck he was hot, he had muscles for days. While you undressed the rest of him with your eyes, he stepped towards you. His fingers nervously played with his gauges as he stood in front of you, giving you a better view of his body. His muscles and the curves of his body would be perfect for any art student to sketch. If you were good with a pencil, you would have sketched a picture of him because it would be rude to pull your phone out and snap a photo of the insanely hot man in front of you.

“Yaga is going over body movement between two individuals. Like couples and stuff.” He gestured between the two of you. “That’s why I'm here. I guess Yaga failed to mention that in his ad today.” The strange brushed strands of his black hair out of his face. “The other model who was supposed to be doing this with me got food poisoning, so he was on a bit of a time crunch trying to find somebody to take her place.”

“Oh—” your fingers scratch your cheek, “right, okay, so I've always done solo work.”

The dark-haired man hummed in understanding. “Right, sorry he didn’t specify that in the ad. If you’re uncomfortable with it, I can let him know. If we have to cancel the class, that’s fine..” that was probably the best thing to do. But your stomach growled, hungry for something other than instant noodles.

“Ugh, no, it's fine, I’ll do it.” Why you agreed to do it was beyond you. Posing with a stranger, a hot one at that, was one of the craziest things you'd done. “Is it like back-to-back poses? Or are we talking cringe-worthy 90s family picture poses?”

The man before you chuckled as he shook his head, a dusty shade of rose spread over his cheeks. “That has to be one of the funniest things I've ever heard while modeling.” he glanced at the small wooden stage in the vented room. “It shouldn't be too crazy. Probably just us laying down or something.”

“Ah, very cool mystery man.”

“Oh right, sorry.” He held his hand out to you. “I’m Geto Suguru.”

“Well, it's nice to meet you.” You introduced yourself before leaving the room to allow him to change. “Just come get me when you’re done.”

Once standing in the hall, you run your finger through your hair, tugging it gently. How did your simple modeling evening turn into an evening of modeling with the super hot guy? The more important question was how you were going to get through this entire evening being next to said hot stranger in the nude?!

Keep it together. You got this! You told yourself and attempted to ease your nerves. The following 3 to 4 hours would fly by fast, and then you would never see each other again. If you were lying on the floor next to each other? Naked. It wasn’t a super big deal. Just you and a stranger lying on the ground!

Two hours into the session, you stared directly into Geto’s eyes. “Geto,” you spoke softly, attempting not to distract the students around you.

“What’s up? Do you need a break?”

“No, I was just going to say I wish we were doing a 90s family photo pose. You know those kinds where you would sit on a stool, and I would awkwardly place my hands on one of your shoulders while we stare off into the distance?” Geto’s shoulders shook as he tried to contain his laughter.

You had to make fun of a situation like this. Where you were naked, straddling the hips of a nude man you didn't know, only having a thin cloth separating you from each other. It wasn't as awkward as you thought it would be. Thanks to Geto; he made it extremely comfortable for you. Asking for your consent before touching you, he often checked in to see how you were feeling. He was the perfect gentleman.

Geto also happens to be just your type. He was handsome, sweet, and had a killer body; you felt drunk off of his smell and touch. But would it be wrong to ask him out after doing a job together? You wanted to keep things strictly professional. Your stomach, unfortunately, didn’t get the same memo.

It grumbled helplessly, begging you to feed it something with value instead of instant noodles, protein bars, or candy. God, it was so loud you prayed Geto didn't hear it, that he was too focused on posing to notice your stomach’s begging pleas. You thought you might have been in the clear until Geto gently squeezed your hips, drawing your eyes towards him.

“Hungry?” he asked with a slight smirk.

“N-No.”

“Huh, because it sounds to me like you are.” You shift slightly as if moving would cause your stomach to growl at a softer volume. “W-Wait don—nngh.” Something thick and hard pressed firmly against your ass, making you squeak.

Geto groans, his fingers digging deeper into your hips, stopping you from moving any further. All you can do is stare at him. His eyes remain shut tight. Was he hard? Was he, this god-built man, popping a boner with you on top?

“Geto.” You whisper, a smile tugging at your mouth.

“Please don’t.”

“Oh, so you can bring up my stomach growling, but I can’t bring up you hard co-“

Eyes snap open as he shushes you. “I’m sorry, I just think you’re cute and funny. I tried thinking about my grandma naked, but my brain would rather think of how good you feel in my lap.” He breathes out a minty sigh.

His candor had you blushing as you gripped his shoulder. You remain still like that until your stomach grows louder this time. Geto sputters out a laugh as you push yourself back an inch, rolling against his cock, causing a moan to break in through his laughter.

“Fuck, please stop doing that, or I’m gonna cum.”

“Already? Didn’t see you as a pre-mature ejaculator.”

“I’m not—-normally.”

“Says the guy who just said he was gonna cum.”

Geto cocks a pierced brow at you. “I’m like the energizer bunny; I can go all night.” The room feels hot, and it’s not from the lights on you, and it’s not from constricting clothing. The classroom is unbearably hot because of the building tension between you two.

“I doubt that.” You confess in a whisper, rolling your eyes. “How long do you last? Two minutes tops?”

He scoffed gently, kneading your hips. “Is that a challenge?” The urge to kiss and take him up on his challenge eats at you like acid. You inch closer, lips nearly touching, when someone clears their throat behind you.

The sound of them clearing their throat reminds you that you are not alone. The both of you are in the middle of a classroom modeling for a bunch of students. Students that can clearly see and possibly hear the conversation you two are having.

“Later.”

That single word puts a pin in your whole conversation. Geto’s erection goes down while your stomach continues to growl, winning the softest of chuckles from the man you're still straddling. Somehow, by the grace of the gods, you manage to make it through the entire class without your stomach eating itself or grinding down on Geto, much to your amazement.

With the class over, Geto lets you change in the main room while he uses the supply closet. You finish before him, grabbing your things, eyes darting towards the closet. How does one ask out a fellow nude model? Was it just the heat of the moment that had you hungry for his touch? Or was there something truly there between you?

The never-ending questions stopped as Geto stepped out, pushing his hair back, eyes scanning the room. The instant they find you, he’s crossing the floor faster, his backpack slung over his shoulder. There was something in his smile that made you weak in the knees.

“Do you like soba noodles?”

“Yeah, I do.” Your stomach growls in agreement.

A smile so smooth it gives the butter a run for its money graces Suguru’s face. “Let me take you out for dinner and a drink,” he starts heading for the door, “before that stomach gremlin decides to eat me instead of food.” Heart racing, you grab your things, joining his side, hands clasped behind your back.

“I hate to be the one to tell you this, Geto, but the chances of me eating you after dinner are high.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh yes, I'd say there is a ninety-five percent chance you’re on the menu for dessert if you want to come back to my apartment.”

“Funny, I was going to say there’s a ninety-eight percent chance I was going to eat you for dessert~”

Glancing up, you nearly stumble as Geto sticks his pierced tongue out. “Then maybe I’ll accept your challenge and prove I can last longer than two minutes.”

You smirk, licking your lips with a starved expression. “Show me what you got from the energizer bunny.”

Forever Tag List:

@darkstarlight82 @pandoness @nealeart @simp-plague @sugurubabe @chilichopsticks

[charmandabear]

11. Astarion x Reader 👀

We're not going to worry about how long it'll take me to answer these. We're not going to talk about it. Listen, I'm trying so hard to not make these into whole things, I just want to treat them like writing exercises, but I physically can't not finish smut once it's started.

From @astarionfreak's smut ask game ~ other entries

11. "I touched myself last night thinking about you." "I know."

Tags/Warnings: reader isn't gendered but has a vulva, blood/blood drinking, p in v sex, somewhat rough sex (reader gets a little feral in this one)

You're not subtle about it at all.

Every time he catches you staring, you quickly turn your head. At one point you even just shift your eyes, trying to pretend you're looking at something behind him. But there's no way he isn't at least a little suspicious.

Since the night you let Astarion bite you, the tension between the two of you has been palpable. Something about having him pressed down on top of you, his lips on your neck and his hand cradling your neck in a way that was disproportionately gentle set something on fire inside you. You really thought that you could just get over your little crush if you got it out of your system. Sate the need and you could go back to just being friends... Or whatever you are with him.

But it had the opposite effect. Now, his very presence turns you on. The wind catches his scent and you instinctively press your thighs together. He grins after making some sassy remark to Gale, and the glint of his fangs in the light makes your mouth go dry. You even need to suppress a moan when he gets a particularly impressive kill. You really hope no one heard that one.

So now, sitting around the campfire with the rest of your companions, you're just trying desperately to appear normal. You laugh absentmindedly at whatever joke Karlach just made while in your mind, Astarion's railing you up against a tree. It's only when you realize that Wyll has been trying to ask you a question for the past 90 seconds that you know you're too far gone to be in polite company.

"Sorry, I'm just a little out of it, long day," you make the excuse lamely. "I'm going to turn in a little early, I've got a bit of a headache."

"Do you want something for it?" Shadowheart asks with a frown. "I've got some herbal remedies that might help."

"I'm fine, I think I just need some rest." You force a smile onto your face. "'Night, all." You walk back to your tent stiffly, speeding up to cover the last few meters quickly. Your breath wracks through your body and your blood pounds in your ears. You've never - never - gotten this worked up over another person, never mind a man. Honestly, he's not even really your usual type, you'd normally be much more likely to pursue someone like Shadowheart. But she so clearly has a thing for Karlach, and that's not something you'd want to get in the way of.

But this pale, devastatingly handsome vampire elf has your desire in a chokehold.

You light a lantern inside your tent and take out your journal to sketch. You try to conjure some of the imagery you saw today to keep your brain off Astarion. Scratch and the owlbear cub playing. The terrifying harpies that almost lured one of the tiefling children. Astarion's blade dripping with harpy blood while his bright red eyes sparkle with mischief and the thrill of he kill.

Fucking hells.

You eventually put your journal away and lay down on your bedroll, staring at the ceiling of your tent while the others continue to chat and laugh outside. You listen to their conversation die down, their goodnights, and finally the distant sound of crickets and other nighttime fauna. Your eyes start to grow heavy, or at the very least bored of looking at the support rods in your tent.

You only realize that you've drifted to sleep when you're startled awake by a soft tapping on the canvas flap that separates you from the rest of camp.

"Y-yes?" Your voice is shakier than you'd like, although it's not like a vicious creature would politely knock on your makeshift door. The flap lifts up to reveal the literal last person you'd like to see right now.

"Hello, darling," Astarion grins in that irresistible way that he does. "I wanted to check in on our fearless leader. You've seemed dreadfully jumpy all day."

"Oh! Um." You can feel the heat rising in your cheeks. "I'm.. fine. Thank you, Astarion." You nod your head in a gesture of dismissal, but he doesn't move.

"Are you sure? You're positively flushed." His smile suggests he knows more than he's letting on. You chew on your lower lip to distract you from the growing ache between your legs.

"I'm perfectly fine, Astarion, thank you. Good night." You reach to close the tent flap but he holds onto it. Your fingers brush against his and it's like a jolt of lightning passes between your hands.

"I'm not buying it," he hums, dropping his voice. He pushes his way into your tent and you scramble backwards. The last thing you need is for him to touch you - you might not be able to control yourself if he does. "Now tell me, what's had you so hot and bothered all day?"

"N-nothing," you stammer, wishing you could just disappear on the spot. He raises an eyebrow and you backpedal. "Well, fine, I think something Gale cooked isn't sitting quite right with me. I was... embarrassed." The lie rings hollow even to you.

"Come now, love, we both know you're a terrible liar." He crawls towards you on his knees, a predator stalking his prey. Your breath catches in your throat. "Do you have something you need to confess?"

You're trapped. You've run out of room in the tent to back away, and Astarion has all but crawled on top of you. His scent is intoxicating and his eyes gleam in the low light. The words tumble out of your mouth before you can stop them.

"I touched myself last night thinking about you."

"I know." The grin that curls across his face is fiendish. Your heart threatens to beat out of your chest.

"You know?" Then you gasp suddenly. "The tadpole..."

Astarion lets out a bark of a laugh, loud enough that you're worried it might wake your other companions. "Darling, I didn't need a tadpole to figure that one out. Like I said, you're a terrible liar." He nudges his knee closer to the apex of your legs and you can feel your arousal making your underclothes wet. "What I want to know is, how did you picture me? My head between your legs? Did I have you on all fours in the forest? Or..." His lips ghost against yours now and your head feels dizzy with lust. "Or perhaps I had you pinned down in this very tent, taking my time as I had my way with you?"

Your instincts take over and you close the minimal distance between you, pulling him down on top of you as you ravage his lips. You claw at his clothing, no longer interested in maintaining decorum. He tears at the laces of your breeches, pulling them down below your hips and exposing your dripping cunt to the open air. A cry rips through your throat as he licks a thick stripe up your slit, and his chuckle rumbles deep in his chest. He pulls up on his knees and grins down at you, open and wanton, as he slips out of his pants.

"So very eager," he hums as he frees his cock, engorged and already dripping. A shudder runs through you as you see it, and you yank on his shirt and pull him down to meet you. You kiss him roughly, catching his lower lip in your teeth as you hook your leg around his waist.

"Shut the fuck up and fuck me, Astarion," you hiss through gritted teeth, and you groan loudly when he easily sinks in up to his base.

"Someone wants the whole of camp to hear," he growls in your ear as he begins to slowly thrust into you.

"Then you better make it quick so we don't wake them," you snarl in response, all pretenses having vanished. You tangle your fingers into his hair and press his face to your neck. You feel his lips stretch into a smile just before he sinks his fangs into you, the icy shard of pain melting into the heat of his mouth warming with your blood.

You jut your hips up into him, desperately chasing your release as he drinks his fill. He fucks into you, hard and messy, and before long you're feeling the pressure building in your core.

"Gods, Astarion, don't stop," you gasp hungrily in his ear, and he increases his pace to a punishing rhythm. You're starting to grow faint from blood loss just as your orgasm comes crashing down on you. Your walls clench and shudder around his length and he tears his mouth away from your neck, his expression wild and bloody. A few more broken ruts and you can feel him spilling inside you, the feeling his pulsing cock prolonging your own climax.

The two of you eventually still, covered in a sheen of sweat and panting heavily. Your ears strain to hear if there has been any disturbance in camp to indicate that your other companions heard anything. Outside your tent remains, thankfully, silent.

"Well then," Astarion exhales quickly as he slides out of you. "Darling, if it's going to be like that, then you just need to invite me next time."

[sleepy-rose-petals]

Hiii!!! If you're reading this, thank you SO SO SO SO SO MUCH for taking your time to read my fanfic of my Creepypasta oc, Bella!!! Of course, here are some questions I'll answer!

-What will this story contain?

The story will contain gore, cussing, violence, and some racist jokes, so be prepared!

-Will this oc date anyone?

No lol

-When do you post your chapter?

Every Wednesday!<3

-Will this be mary sue?

OH GOD I HOPE NOT

-Is this based on real events?

Ye

-What's your writing skills?

I am a Beginner writer, so no criticism!

-How old are you?

Weird question, but I am twelve!

-Pronouns?

She/her

~~~~~~~~~

Okay, without further ado, Enjoy!!

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 1

"Hey Bella, what'cha got there?"

I looked up to see a blonde haired girl leaning above me, her blue eyes boring into mine.

I smiled at her politely, feeling some sense of relief that I was actually approachable.

Maybe I'd make a friend today!

"Oh, nothing really! Why?" I couldn't keep down the smile that tugged my lips.

The girl's smile didn't falter, but her gaze flicked to her friends, as if to share a private joke.

Then she laughed—a soft, airy sound that only made me feel smaller.

"Awh, you're so energetic! Like a dog." she said with mock sweetness.

My smile drooped and my grip on my notebook tightened and to me, her words left a bitter sensation in the back of my throat.

"Oh..Then why are you here?" I asked, my voice bitter.

"Because, silly, this school's about making connections! And since you and your sister are new here, I thought we should be friends." She tilted her head, her expression softening with what could only be fake sympathy. "Especially since you're one of the smartest kids in class."

My heart seemed to drop to my stomach as a weird, depressing emotion crawled it's way into my body.

I know this isn't nice of me to say, but with each word that came out of her thin, glossified lips felt like sandpaper against my ears.

"But..My sister is sick right now, and you haven't talked to me at all until today."

Her eye seemed to twitch at my statement, but her smile didn't budge.

"Well then I can just be friends with you!" She sat next to me, making me instinctively move away."So, What are you up to? You drawing some cute doodles?"

The disappointment and betrayal I felt was suddenly overwhelmed with hatred and resentment, and I instinctively put my sketchbook to my chest so she wouldn't snatch it away.

"Uhm..I guess so? It's just some sketches."

Her blue eyes glinted with malicious intent.

"Coolness! So..Can we see them?"I shook my head and smiled back, now holding onto my sketch-book like a lifeline.

"No thank you."

"Awh Maddie," One of her friends said in a mock concern, barrely able to suppress their grin. "You're scaring the poor thing!"

Heat crept up from my back and the bitter feeling in my throat just grew.

How the HELL was I supposed to talk to OTHER PEOPLE?!

I pressed my back against the end of the concrete bench so I was as far away from her as possible as she and her other friend argued about 'talking to newbies'.

This girl was really getting on my nerves.

Maddie then looked side to side before turning over to her friends a deadpanned expression.

"Are the supervisors gone?"

One of her minions nodded and Maddie sighed with relief before turning to look over at me.

"Good, now, we just need to talk with you! M'kay?"

I pressed myself at the arm of the bench, just wishing it could swallow me whole.

"No thanks. I'm not really good at talking."

Her eyes narrowed and she snickered, making me want to punch her.

"Who said we were giving you a choice?"

Before I could really process what was happening, two of her friends yanked me up and against the wall, causing me to grunt. Maddie smiled at me coyly, her eyes as sweet as a snake.

"Oh Bella, you really thought we could be friends?" She asked, amusement detectable in her voice.

I frowned. "Sorry, but since when were we friends?"

Maddie scowled.

"Okay can you shut her up?!"

I yelped when I felt a rough impact hit my stomach and squirmed in the other people's grip. The glaring sun didn't help the dizziness I felt, not only from pain, but also from Humiliation.

She crossed her arms and tsked like I was a reckless child.

She turned her head over to a friend of hers.

"I wish we could kill her..If that was even legal. What was that one kid that went missing?" She asked.

One of her friends, a girl with dirty blonde hair hummed in thought.

"Ben I think?" Her friend replied, tilting her head.

Maddie nodded, her smirk growing.

"Oh yeah! The kid who was obsessed with that weird game! I think his father drowned him or something for a cult ritual." Her last words ended with laughing.

The dizziness in my head grew but I could feel my anger rising in my chest.

"Why are you laughing about that? He was only twelve!" I spat, writhing in their grip.

Maddie raised a brow.

"And?"

My eyes widened in shock. Did this girl have no heart?

"'And?' HE WAS ONLY A YEAR OLDER THAN US! You sick–"

I was cut off when I felt a stinging sensation on my cheek and saw her friends release me via dropping me on the ground.

The only thing I could do was grab my notebook to protect my upper body before she kicked my chest. I cried out in pain as she laughed again.

"God, you're so pathetic. Do I need to slap you again?" She asked, yanking my hair up so I can look at her plastic face.

I winced in pain and felt even more dizzier with how much pain I felt.

If you were actually so smart, you would know that the losers of this economy should die. It's a shame you and your sister are still alive. It should've been you guys who died instead. If you guys did die, then your parents would probably throw a party."

"Awh, too bad they’re foreigners and too poor to even host a party!” One of the girls added, giggling.

My eyes widened in shock and somehow, before I could stop myself, I jerked away from her and slapped her across the face.

The minions let out a yell of shock and scattered, probably to tell the teacher or something.

Maddie gasped and delicately touched her face before she clenched her fists and glared at me.

"You... You hit me!"

Registering what I'd done, my eyes widened and I took a step back.

"I'm so sorry Maddie! I..."

She glared at me.

"I literally Cannot hear your groveling right now. You're so fucking quiet!"

My words faltered as I stared down at her. Wait... Why am I apologizing to her?

She's a bitch!

"You know what? I am groveling. Fine, here's your fucking apology." I muttered, stepping on her chest.

"I'M SORRY YOUR SUCH A BITCH!" I shouted before laughing. "You really thought you could say those things and GET AWAY WITH IT?!"

"BELLA!"

I turned and saw the principal, a woman with tan skin, brown eyes, and black hair tied in a bun glaring at me. The sun reflected off her outfit, which was a white T-shirt that said "Kindness is cool!", a black jacket, jeans, and red sneakers.

I felt myself panic.

(Lord above, kill me now.)

"Wait I—I can explain—"

"No. I've seen what I need to see." She spat, crossing her arms.

Behind her, the other girls looked terrified and some were producing crocodile tears, which just made me feel more guilty.

"What are you doing to this poor girl?"

I rolled my eyes and motioned to the pathetic slob on the ground.

"She started it! She was calling me these names and—"

"That doesn't matter! You know we don't hurt people!"

Her gaze softened as her friends carried her like she was a doll.

"She's a monster!" Maddie sobbed.

Oh please, spare me the sob story.

Alas, her other friends consoled her as they carried her to the Nurse's office.

"Awh, that's sweet." The principal noted with a soft smile before she turned to me like I just slurred her entire bloodline.

She then pointed to the hallway, which probably meant 'follow me to my office.'

Ugh, Americans. They either are the most clicky, two-faced, horny pacifists you've ever met or they're highly Christian assholes who want to solve everything with guns or violence.

Anyway, once the door was closed, she sighed in irritation and pinched her temples.

"Bella." I bowed my head at her.

"Mrs. Stanfer."

She huffed. "Do I need to call your mother and tell her what you've done?"

A million thoughts ran through my head and I immediately shook my head.

"No thank you."

I didn't want to be yelled at.

Not again.

Mrs. Stanfer sighed and laced her hands, frowning at me.

"Look, I don't know if the schools back in Thailand taught you anything—"

"I was born here."

She seemed surprised.

"Actually?"

"Yes."

She rolled her eyes.

"Well, that's irrelevant." She muttered and pulled out a cigarette, lighting it with a match and exhaling a huff of smoke.

I coughed as the smoke seemed to weave around me, which made her laugh.

I waved the smoke away from me, coughing.

"Isn't smoking a bad influe—"

"Anyways, why did you hit Maddie?" Mrs. Stanfer questioned, inhaling a huff of smoke.

I forced a smile and dug my nails into my jeans.

"It was self-defense."

She chuckled and exhaled smoke, causing me to cough.

"'Self-defense?' She was on the floor crying."

I took a breath to calm myself and then pointed to the bruises on my arm and upper chest.

"Ma'am, with all due respect, she kicked me."

She took a huff of smoke, clearly bored.

"Mhm."

"In the chest!"

"That's cute, but what if you just created those yourself to make it seem like you're the victim?"

I stared at her, not believing what she said.

With all due respect, how the absolute FUCK was I supposed to injure myself?

Wait... How was that even possible?

Would I have to punch myself in the chest or something?

I let out a laugh of disbelief.

"Why would I do that?"

Mrs. Stanfer shrugged.

"I don't know, because you bully her."

I paused at that, scrunching my nose.

"How does... What?"

She exhaled smoke and placed her cigarette on the ashtray.

"Look, I don't want to play these games, so I'll be fair and simple. Her parents are going to pick her up."

I tilted my head.

"And?"

"And you're going to be picked up by your parents because this behavior is unacceptable." She said simply, giving me a smile.

(Link to Chapter 2:https://www.tumblr.com/sleepy-rose-petals/772990242025291776/mood-mask-chapter-2-bella-we-need-to-talk-was)

[aidenlyons]

Jake does go to Aiden's, the full force of the last few hours settling on him and leaving him buzzing with belated adrenaline.

When he gets up to Aiden's room, Jake pulls him into an intense kiss.

A: Wow, what was that for?

J: No reason. Missed you. I need a reason?

A: No, I guess not. Just surprised me. Good practice?

J: Yeah! Jensen Foster was there today. He talked to us and then put us through a practice like his team would do, gave us some pointers. It was amazing, Aiden.

A: That's great! So what did you think about him? I mean, they say you should never meet your heroes..

Jake laughs and then scoops Aiden up, making the smaller man yelp in surprise.

J: I tried to keep my cool. I wasn't sure at first, but he really knows his stuff! I mean, he should after so many years playing at his level, but...

A: I'm glad he didn't disappoint. You seem really pumped up, what else happened?

J: You know when I was texting you? Jensen had stayed behind I guess, and he saw me and came to talk to me.

A: What'd he say?

J: He thinks I have talent. Some rough edges, bad habits probably, but he definitely thinks I could go pro! Can you believe it! He said that to me.

Jake nearly vibrates with excitement, holding Aiden off the ground almost effortlessly.

A: I always knew it, Jake. You're really good. Amazing.

J: It's just so amazing to hear it from someone like him though. I was trying so hard through practice, I really wanted him to be impressed with us.

A: And it sounds like he was. I'm so happy for you, Jake. But...

J: But? What is it, babe?

A: You can put me down now.

J: Oh. Hah. Right. Sorry.

Jake gently puts Aiden down on his feet again and then pulls him into a hug.

J: Thanks for always believing in me, Aiden.

A: I only tell you the truth. But you're welcome. Just repaying the favor, you know?

J: Speaking of.. how are your paintings coming?

Aiden laughs lightly, a little nervously, and tightens his hold on Jake.

A: Good. I think. I've got maybe three paintings done? They didn't say how many they wanted, so I'm trying to get as many done as I can.

A: This is one of the ones I've been working on, I know it's kind of abstract...

J: It's interesting. Do you always sketch them out first and then paint over?

A: Not always, just when I have something in particular in mind.

J: You're going to do great, Aiden. I know it.

[paleparearchive]

SummerTime Melancholy ~ The Night Flowers I Look Up At With You

Giotto's Scenario

Chapter 1 ( 1 - 2 - 3 )

(1/5)

Giotto: Oh no, I only got a few days 'til the event…

(It's an event sponsored by a salon I often deal with. I wanna do what I'm asked to, but I wanna do it well.)

I think it’s ‘cause of the quantity, since new pieces are brought in every day.

(The sales pitch for this painting contest is that a critique by a working artist must be attached to each entry.)

It's nice to see so many aspiring young painters out there. I wanna go straight to that enthusiasm.

(However, no matter how many days go by, the number of entries that have yet to be judged is still a problem…)

I wonder if I'm spendin' too much time judgin' one work…

(But a critique that only points out the obvious might nip young sprouts in the bud. I wanna praise and develop their good points.)

–In this work, the rough sketch is somethin’ to work on, but the colors are nice and the theme’s original… Also, oh–

Salon owner: Hey, Giotto. I came to check on you. How’s it going? How’s the works’ review proceeding?

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(2/5)

Giotto: Ah, greetings…

Salon owner: Wait, you're not done at all! What's this all about? This is…

Just a quick glance at the work and a quick comment! You're a successful artist, you can do it, right?

Giotto: Right, but a coarse critique could nip young sprouts in the bud… I wanna develop the good points of the artist through their painting. They can draw this much now. If they continue like this, they'll get better. And yet, I can't let my critique cause ‘em to break their brush–

Salon owner: Hey hey, what are you talking about! More entries will be coming in the future, you know? I don't want you to spend so much time on one that you won’t be able to look at the others! Everyone is waiting for your critiques.

Giotto: H-Huuh…

(... W-Will there be more of ‘em?)

Salon owner: Now that you understand, I’ll ask you to do it more quickly next time! I'll be back to check up on you!

Giotto: … I'll try my best.

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(3/5)

Giotto: (Nothin' decreases as the days go by, only work tasks pile up.)

–I wanna paint a picture… How long haven't I been paintin’?

(As an artist, I'm happy to be in the public eye and to be relied upon. However, I feel like I’m forgettin’ myself as a painter. I need some time to face myself.)

I serve as a judge for competitions and show up at various painting events. I wonder if I will be able to go easy on my job soon…

Salon owner: –Giotto, is this a good time?

Giotto: Ah, yes?

(Ugh. I'm afraid I'm gonna get another scolding 'bout the progress of the critique.)

If it’s 'bout the reviews, I'm still workin’ on 'em–

Salon owner: No, that's not what I’m talking about today. I need you to perform at the noon part of the event.

Giotto: Ya mean the live painting?

Salon owner: Exactly. There will be a fireworks display at night, but I'd like a successful painter like you to make the noon session a great success. I've also asked you to be a judge for the painting competition, so it’s just right, yeah?

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(4/5)

Giotto: I’m sorry, but I have other work to do as well, so I–

Salon owner: Huh!? Don't tell me you're going to turn it down!? I thought you would've accepted the offer without a second thought… I've also asked Raffaello to be your live painting partner.

Giotto: Raffaello?

(That guy also shows up in a lot of places, it must be tough for him…)

Salon owner: Well, don't be in such a hurry to give me an answer. You have a day to think about it.

Giotto: H-Huh…

Salon owner: I expect to hear a positive answer the next time I come back. Well then…

Giotto: (Even if he told me to think ‘bout it, what can I do?)

Hmm… I’m plannin’ on turnin’ it down, maybe I should consult with Raffaello directly?

(It sounds like he's been gettin' calls from everywhere, maybe he can give me advice with a similar situation.)

For now, I’ll just get today’s work done. I’m gonna make it in time for the event!

✦•┈๑⋅⋯ ⋯⋅๑┈•✦

(5/5)

Raffaello: … Sigh.

Giotto: Raffaellooo, ya there?

Raffaello: ! Giotto-san, welcome. Do you need something from me?

Giotto: Yeah. I’ve got somethin' I need to talk to ya ‘bout, can ya spare me some time?

Raffaello: You want to talk to me? … Actually– no.

Giotto: Oh? What’s wrong?

(Somethin' seems off here. Could it be something's botherin' Raffaello too?)

What’s troublin' ya? If you've got somethin' stuck in your chest, I'm here to listen!

Raffaello: Ah, well… That is right. I do not feel comfortable talking about it here, so can we go somewhere else?

Giotto: Oh? Yeah, fine for me. I'd also appreciate it if we could sit back and relax, instead of standin' around. Since we’re here, why don't we go out for a drink?

Raffaello: Yes, that would be nice. Then, how about the bar?

Giotto: Okay. Then I'll look for a place and make a reservation for a table. Why don't we meet up directly at the bar?

Raffaello: Of course. Then, the time–

[cakessecretblog]

R 8/27

i once saw someone say, "my final act of love is leaving you alone", and i pretend like that's what i did for you, i tried so hard for years to prove how much i loved you. I know you did too, i know how hard you tried, i promise.

i know how i showed my love was different from most, i know i wasn't the most stable, caring or affectionate. i hate myself every day for the things i did wrong. i spend a lot of time dwelling, wondering why i cant go back and change it all.

i put on an old shirt today, it smelled like us. or what i imagine the smell we grew to create. isn't it funny to think that the time we spent was literally washed away?

its hard not you check on you, its been months, so many people blocked, removed, so many people i had to give up on. i simply want my own peace, yet i find myself on lonely nights like this thinking of you. i honestly don't even know what you're up to, or if you & her are even still together.

the other night i had a gut wrenching thought, that you might marry her and you might dance to the song i wanted for us. god that tore me apart.

i think you'd be proud of me if you could see me now. some days i catch myself thinking about reasons to text you. i think to myself, "does he not reach out because he hasn't given me a second thought, or is it because i don't reach out and he thinks its for the best to leave it alone?" and i guess its just a projection of how i feel, but the ladder is easier on the mind.

I've also done a lot of things not even i am proud of. i wont go into specifics, but its taken a lot of trail and error to get to where i am now, and I'm still not good enough.

I've made a lot of new friends, a lot of people have become important in my life without me even realizing. clearly, I've stayed single. but its not that i didn't try. I did, over and over and over. i meet someone that i like, and then on a random tuesday when the sun is bright in my eyes and i slept a little too late that morning, i fucking hate them. men, women, doesn't matter. nobody, no body, is good enough.

i cant tell if I'm lonely, or scared to be alone. some days i feel like if i don't start dating soon, it'll be a big topic of discussion at your families dinner table. "look at poor [redacted] and her inability to love and be loved, we always knew she was a nutcase" i wonder how many of those sessions you and her have sat in on and laughed over. does it bond you closer together?

i'm unsure if you know, but our son passed away this month. if you didn't know, im sorry you found out this way, i swear on my life i wanted you there. i just fucking couldn't bring myself to make that call. please forgive me. my inability to face you stole your last moments with our boy. i was also, petrified, that you wouldn't even care, our lives are so far separate now, would a call have even went through? on the other hand, if you know, why didn't you say something? no one did. you, your siblings, your parents. my heartache was nothing to bat an eye over.

theres so much i have to say to you. six long months of me alone in my room, just asking question after question. i feel like i could keep typing for hours, but everything would get redundant. i need time to think about the things i say.

what i really wanted to say at the end of the day is, i wish i could talk to you, but i hope i never see you again. and i love you. and i wish you were dead. and i wish we had the life we envisioned. a few weeks ago, flipping through my old sketch books i found a page, from 2020. it was a rough sketch of our first apartment together, and both of our hand writings.

oh god, i miss you so much.

[lover-i-lover]

Headache

I yawn, sitting up in bed. A splitting headache is the first thing I'm met with it. Fuck. This is gonna a rough day. I get out of bed, the ultra white walls not helping my headache. I grab my Camp Jupiter shirt, then remember that I'm at Camp half-blood, and get a Camp half-blood shirt out instead. I get dressed and head out to breakfast. I eat half heartly. Not really hungry but I force it down. I'm half asleep at my table, I almost fall into my food several times. The sun's too bright and it's annoying my eyes even more. Only now do I realize, I forgot my glasses. After breakfast I take the short way back to my cabin and get them. But the short way is still way too fucking long. I take the short cut to the arts and crafts area, the sun getting in my eyes all the way. I take the only open chair and listen to the teacher. No one bothers me about being late. The teacher bring in up a Aphrodite boy, getting him to lazy about in a round chair with a white fluffy blanket. Great, paint. This is gonna be messy. I grab a pencil and try to sketch the scene. I set down the canvas for a second, holding my head. I take a deep breath, and pick up the pencil again. Continuing to sketch for a while. I shift so I'm not getting the sun in my eye as much. I move on to the paint. I'm in a haze for the rest of class, looking up, painting, stopping, getting some water, looking up again, painting again, stopping again, and getting more water. The class ends, and my painting is finished. It looks okay, it's good, considering the state I'm in. There's paint all over my hands, so I head to sink and scrub it off. "Are you okay?" It's an Athena camper, She looks worried. "I've got a bad headache" Only after saying that, do I realize that I'm taking to Annabeth. Fucking shit man, this is really bad. "What you got after this?" She asks. "Um, I've got, um" I rub my eyes. "Wall climbing" I say finally. "Maybe you should stop by the infirmary first" She says. "No, it's only other thing I have today" I mutter.

"Oh right, you're still on half days, cause of the whole temple design thing. Just make sure you stop by the infirmary after" "I will" She gently pats my shoulder and walks away. I head of to the climbing wall, which is also too fucking far away, I just wanna go back to bed and hide from the sun. Does Apollo hate me or something, with glint of it, my headache becomes worse. This can not be normal. I just need to get through this class, and go back to bed. I should get this check out. I mean it's not the first time, but it's definitely the worst one I've had. I drag myself to the climbing wall. I'm put with the Ares kids and the Dionysus kid i can't remember the name of. As we go about class, I'm more clumsy then usual, I lose my footing, I fall, and I can't seem to focus. Chiron pulls me off to the side, halfway through class. "Is something wrong?" He asks. "Sorry, I'm off my game today, I've got a real bad headache, just looking at the sun or light makes it worse" I mutter. "I think it'd be better if you just go to the infirmary before you get seriously injured" I can't even look at him, He's standing in the sun. "Yeah, okay" i murmur and leave for the infirmary. My body's a bit heavy, it's hard to walk, my head is ponding, and I'm sweating in the summer heat. It's feels like I've been shot through my forehead. I was suppose to draw up some more temples today, but in this state, I won't be able to do anything. I think I'll have to lay with my head buried into my pillow. The Zeus cabin doesn't have curtains, so the sun just streams in though the windows. I come up on the step of the big house, stopping at a pillar, holding onto for a second to balance myself. Then push on. I'm seen by Will, who's quite concerned. "You say, the sun makes it worse?" He asks. "Mhm, the sun, any sort of noise, focusing on anything that's written" I wave my hand around a bit as I explain.

"Okay" Will says, making his voice low and soft. "I don't think that's headache, I think you might have migraines" "What?" I ask. "Um, A migraine is, i guess a more intense headache that you can't really do a lot about. You should just find a quite, and dark room to lay in" "That's all I can do?" "Sorry" He whispers. "Where I am suppose to find that, my cabin is the fucking opposite" I grunt. "I'm really sorry" Will repeats. "Would you like me to get Nico?" Will asks. I nod and Wil leaves me alone on the cot. I fell back on it and close my eyes. I haven't seen Nico all morning, seeing him now is the only real thing I want. I want his arms around me, I crave his touch, his touch wouldn't make it go away, but having him around during times like these is the only thing that makes me feel better. I wanna be held and be only with him. I throw my arm over my eyes, incasing myself in darkness. The rustling of the infirmary around me. I shuffle on my side and curl in on myself. Pain blooming out from head. It's almost like my head is made of metal that's being overheated. I'm sweating more then ever, My clothes are sticking to my skin. There are gently fingers on my hand, grazing up my wrist. I peal my eyes open, seeing Nico crouched down in front of me. "Let's get you to my cabin, that's dark and quite" He whispers to me. I mumble out a sound for yes, sitting up and getting out of the cot. Nico links my arm with his, lending me outside. He halts us just outside the door of the big house. Pulling me to the side so we wouldn't be in the way of anyone wanting to leave. He wraps his arms around me, and I relax into his touch. Letting my head drop onto his shoulder. He runs his hand up and down my back. "I'm sorry you have to through this" He whispers twisting his head and presses a light kiss on the place where my shoulder meets my neck.

I snuggle into his skin. That underworldly, pomegranate smell. He's the only one who has that smell. He pulls back from me, linking his arm with mine. I keep my eyes on the ground as he walks us to the Hades cabin. He hums lowlily as he unlocks the door, he grabs my hand and guides me into the dark cabin. It's not completely dark but darker then mine. It's not the first time he's bought me back here when I'm having a day like this. It's actually the norm when I'm having a headache- no a migraine. He sits me down on his bed, and he goes around drawing the curtains. I take off my shoes, Nico always insists on it, He's told me it's just a thing from his childhood, he says it's makes living here easier for him. I get comfortable in his bed, laying down on the right side, which had become my side. The Hades cabin is the prefect place to be on a day like this. It's a good while away from the other cabins and a fucking long while away from mine. So it's pretty quite. I've started spending the night here more often, especially on days like this. My head hurts so bad. I vaguely see Nico bend down to take off his own shoes. I relax into the soft mattress. I close my eyes, hoping to get some sleep. I hear Nico shed his jacket and lay down with me. The bed creaking a bit under his weight. I peak my eyes open a tiny bit, turning on my side. He's laying on his side too. His eyes are gently, gazing at me with love. I tug on his shirt, a small hint we've made. He shuffles over, gentle arms wrap around me. I shift down a little, laying my head in the crook of his neck. I breath in his sent, relaxing into his hold. He slips his hand under my shirt, resting his surprisingly warm hand on my lower back. I snuggle my face into the skin of his neck. The pain doesn't go away, but having Nico around is a good distraction. The soft, gentle touch's of his hands, the light brushes of his fingers.

This is the best distraction I've found so far. And a good reason to spend more time with Nico. I shift a little. A hand runs through my out grown hair. Almost petting my hair as a small consolation. I've been in this pain for about 3 or so hours now. It should be over when I wake up again. My body goes completely limp in his arms. Even through the pain, I slowly fall asleep. I open my eyes a couple of times, but they're too heavy, and they fall closed again. It only feels like a couple of seconds, but when I fully wake up, it's getting dark outside. Nico's by the door, talking in a very hushed tone with who I think might be Annabeth. I yawn and sit up, there's a very small buzz in my head. The migraine's gone, replaced by a very very slight headache. They both fall quite and look back to me. They don't say anything, but the question is still there. "I'm okay" I murmur, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. "Is the migraine gone?" Nico whispers. "Mhm" I mumble, pulling the covers off and almost rolling out of bed. "What time is it?" I murmur, clinging to Nico's arm. Annabeth chuckles. "6:30, dinner time" she says. I shiver a bit in the summer air. Nico slings his arm around me. "You cold?" "A bit" I say. Nico lends me his coat, which is a bit too big on him, which means it fits me perfectly. And we all head off to dinner. It's open seating, which is unusual, but I'm happy to be able to sit with Nico. Sitting at the Hades table, I'm reminded why I don't like to take naps. Because I'm tired, clumsy, and quite clingy. When Nico's like this, I think it's cute. But when I'm like this I find it weird. Nico on the other hand, finds it quite adorable. We go through the normal routine of dinner, offering food to the gods, and we sit down to eat. I eat half heartly, almost falling into my food at time, Nico catches me every time. Gently grabbing my face to steady me, eventually deciding it was better to keep an arm around my shoulders.

"You okay?" He asks. "Yeah, yeah, just tired" I mumble, setting my plate aside, and leaning into his side. Nico chuckles lightly, smiling a bit. "What?" "You slept for 6 hours Hon" He squeezes me gently. "Huh" I mumble. I does not feel like that. I smile as Nico drags me to the campfire. He's not a big fan of the sing along at the camp fire, but he knows I'm love it, So he pulls me along to find a spot to sit. We take a spot in the dark, so we can snuggle if we want. Which, of course I want. Nico's normally not a cuddler, but he doesn't stop me when I snuggle up to him. I lay my head on his shoulder. Leaning into his side. He leans over, plating a light kiss on my forehead. The pain's gone away all together. I still haven't fully woken up. Nico always says that I take a while to wake up, normally about an hour. I smile, snuggling into his neck. Looking back on tonight, I feel a slightly embarrassed about I was acting. But right now, in the moment of tonight. I'm happily sitting by Nico, cuddling into his side. He wraps an arm around my shoulder. He snuggles his head against mine, whispering. "You are being adorable" He kisses the top of my head and sits up again. I hum in agreement, shifting a bit. Nico's offered a marshmallow, he takes it, sticks it on a stick, and spins it by the fire. I'm later told that I was offered one too, but I don't recall it. I'm half asleep on the bench by beside him. At some point, some how, Nico get me to move onto his lap. It's not really a thing we do, but tonight it's okay, tonight it's just another sigh of affection that no one comments on. I would never normally do that. One, I'd be worried about crushing him, because he's smaller then me. Two, I'd be worried about what everyone around us would say. But in this state, I'm not even sure who's around us, I'm just tired and happy to be in my boyfriends lap. We should do this more.

I let myself lean back on his chest, lacing my finger with his hand, the hand that was laying on my thigh. He squeezes my hand. Nico leans his head up, resting his head on my shoulder. I vaguely see him pull the marshmallow off the stick with some crackers. It' gotten very dark, and more quite. Some people have left. I hear him eat it, almost slowly, carefully. I shift a back a little, Nico shifts a bit. He wraps an arm about my hips. Gently pulling me back, until I'm fully sat against his chest. He plants a kiss on my neck. A small, I love you. A small, you're mine. A small, I love having this with you. I make some sort of embarrassing noise. I'm almost asleep in his lap, I don't really remember the rest of the night. I smile. Nico rustles me a bit, he's asking me something. "Wha?" I yawn. I rub the sleep out of my eyes. "I think we'd better get you to bed" He chuckles. "What, no I'm fine" I mumble. Nico shift me a bit, leaning up to whisper in my ear. "Baby, it's bedtime" He places his teeth onto my ear. Ready to bite if I don't comply. I hear a small whine slip pass my lips. There a chuckle next to my ear, and he pulls back. He gently pats my thigh, and I know he wants me to move. I shuffle to my feet and he get's to his feet too. I cling to his arm as we walk back to the cabins. He's got an arm around me, holding me tightly against his side. Nico yawns and pulls me along to my cabin, which is the closest. He takes the key from around my neck and he unlocks my door. We're not suppose to have keys, but we do. He pulls me into the now dark cabin, flicking on the light. I close the door behind me. Pulling my heavy body to my bed. We both shed our clothes, stripping down to our underwear. The summer sun had baked the inside of the cabin, making it incredibly hot. We get in bed, laying on either side. Refusing to lay with a blanket because of the heat. "I love days like these" I murmur. "What? you were in pain for most of the day" He says. He turns on his side, and I turn too. "Not that, I mean, spending almost the whole day together, like this"

"I wanna have this more"

"I'd like that too"

[hajimeiwaswife]

THE WAY I LOVED YOU

Word count: 4,2K

Wanings: angst (but fluff, too)

Summary: You weren't over the love Childe provided you, even when you were engaged to Albedo years later.

A blue, pink and mauve sky garnished the surroundings of the Stormbearer Mountains. The summery breeze, warm as the light of the bright sun, comforted those who walked along the path of fallen leaves, wild flowers and the smell of mint. A beautiful landscape presented itself for sore eyes to see.

A certain Alchemist was working on his new masterpiece, relaxing under the few rays of light that came with dusk, painting the one he considered the most beautiful person to ever put a foot on Teyvat. Mixing the colours of nature, he portraited on the sketch book the view he had of his fiancée and the scenery, all of it worthy of a cheesy romance novel and a fantasy book.

"How much time do you need?" Y/N asked in a tired tone, trying not to shift her position, "I'm getting crumps on my face from smiling."

The man didn't answer at the moment, considering for a brief time her question and filling a space on the page that still needed his attention. At last, he looked at her and smiled at the image he had the honour of witnessing. The girl, dressed in a summer white and blue dress, was slightly pouting at the lack of talking from his part. Her hair danced with the wind and he thanked Barbatos for letting him see her golden locks fly around her face.

"Just a little more, my love," he answered, his attention shifting back to the drawing in front of him.

"You said that an hour ago," the girl sighed, putting a smile again on her face so she didn't disrupt her lover from painting her, "I thought you wanted to go see Sucrose before the sun came down. Oh! And also, you promised Klee you'd visit her."

He hummed, immersed in the way her features took a hardened expression when she tried to remember something that needed to be done. Brows furrowed and fore finger on her right cheek, she looked at him in search of a comment from the Alchemist.

"Albedo! Are you listening to me?"

"You're so beautiful." mumbled the man, lost in her and the blush that was forming on her visage.

Shameless and, at the same time, honest and shy. That was Albedo, the one she was engaged to. Such an honourable and good man, someone who loved her as much as the Sea loved its waves, as much as the birds loved the Wind, as much as a Dwelling loved the warmth of the fire. He gave her his everything and from the bottom of his own person, and she was grateful for it.

"I'm sorry" he promptly said, coughing on his palm to hide the evident embarrassment he felt, "It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable."

At that, she couldn't help but laugh. He was such a beautiful person, always searching her comfort and well-being before anyone else's, always taking care of her and looking for her. A pure soul, she would venture to affirm.

"Don't be silly, sweetheart," Y/N chuckled, positioning once again for him to portray her, "you know I love it when you compliment me. Now, c'mon, finish before the sun falls."

"As you wish."

One more hour of dirtying their hands in paint and observing the marvellous dusk that came upon them, they left to visit Sucrose, who was willing to tell Albedo about her advances in the research they both were working on.

"That's impressive, Sucrose," Albedo praised the girl, reading the documents and correcting those things he found could be improved.

Y/N turned off the conversation, not really interested in the depths of the Alchemy. She respected what the husband to be and her friend did for a life and she couldn't be prouder, but that didn't mean she wanted to hear the endless conversations about properties a flower could have.

After saying goodbye to the little Alchemist, they both headed to say hello to little Klee, who was mad at them for coming so late, it was already her time for bed and, as she said, 'We can't go bomb fishing!', followed by a 'Do you not love Klee?' Reassuring the little bomb crazy kid was more draining than she could imagine, but she did it for Albedo, nonetheless.

The afternoon turned into the late hours of the night, lilac sky was now dark and adorned with stars. The Alchemist had intertwined his fingers with Y/N's, sighing in content, allowing himself to relax at the warmth of her hand and the serenity reigning in Mondstadt.

"Maybe we should head home, you seem exhausted," commented Albedo after watching his fiancée yawn for the third time in ten minutes.

"That would be great, actually." Y/N yawned again, gaining a quiet chuckle from the man next to her.

No one talked again, everything already said until the moment to bid goodnight when they laid in bed. Albedo, being the reserved man he was, kept himself in his side of the bed, not too confident to spoon his girl still.

The silence was only accompanied by Albedo's soft snores. Darkness decorated the walls of the room in the AM. The sense of being trapped growing inside Y/N as she thought of the implications of her new life. She was engaged to an incredible man, who told her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her every single day; who went with her on strolls and made her laugh; who could teach her more than she could ever imagine; who appreciated her as she was.

Still, she felt nothing. At all.

She liked Albedo, that was clear. Who wouldn't like Albedo? He was the perfect man. On more than one occasion, Y/N had Amber and Barbara drooling about how lucky she was to be with someone like him. She knew she was the luckiest girl in Teyvat, most women simped over Diluc or Albedo. But, at the same time, she only felt guilt for being with him without actually loving him.

Anxiety growing on her, she decided to stand up. She walked out of the room, being careful not to disrupt Albedo's sleep, and headed to the transport point, she needed to be away from any form of human activity, she felt like shouting and hitting the first thing she could see. Breathing becoming a very tedious task as she approached the device, opting to go to Mt. Aocang. If she was going to wake someone up, she preferred an Adeptus who wouldn't ask more than any nosy human.

The wind, colder than that afternoon, calmed her to the point her lungs could take the oxygen she had been trying to get for minutes. The orange leaves obscured by the night reminded her of the hair she used to love so much. The hair of that man she had once despised, then loved, and then lost.

He, who claimed to be brave enough to enter her heart, had been the one to take it and keep it even until those days. Y/N noticed how her breathing became irregular again, she was used to it, every time she thought about the Harbinger. That repulsive, irresponsible, dishonest, cunning, intelligent and breath-taking man she couldn't forget. How had she let it come so far?

Albedo gave her everything, yet her heart yearned Childe's love. How pathetic.

"Fuck you, Childe!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, not caring for the Adepti, not caring for those who could hear her cursing the Harbinger Tartaglia at 2 a.m. a Thursday night. "You ruined me, you motherfucker!"

So many fights, so many make outs, so much love making, so many nights under the stars trying to comprehend their feelings for the other. All of that for nothing. Like the bitter cold of Snezhnaya they froze, their hearts on their sleeves, light that came from the satellite above turned off.

"You know, sometimes I feel like you don't like me that much." she remembered him saying, his characteristic smirk on his face, "It's true we had our... abrasions, but girlie, c'mon, don't be so stiff."

She could clearly see in her mind how his hands came to her waist, grabbing her in a gentle but at the same time rough grip. A shivered down her spine, in the present and in the pass, and she was sure she would feel it in the future, too.

"How am I supposed to trust you, Harbinger?" she had said, crossing her arms after pulling away from him.

"Easy, trusting me."

And she did. She felt like a fool for allowing him to be so near, to had felt love from him, for loving him.

"Are you feeling okay? You look pale, my love," Albedo commented, a hand of his on the forehead of his lover, a worried expression on his face.

"Yes, Albedo, don't worry, I didn't sleep too well last night," Y/N reassured him, smiling slightly at her fiancé.

The Alchemist hummed, nodding to himself and returning to his work. The girl had returned to their room after a couple of hours in Mt. Aocang, praying for Albedo to not had noticed her absence. Apparently, he didn't. Had he noticed he would had already asked about it, or so she thought.

"I was thinking about visiting Liyue today, there are some materials there I need for my research," Albedo said after some minutes, looking at her, "I was wondering if you'd like to come."

Y/N's heart dropped. She had to say yes, how could she say no to Albedo? He wanted to spend time with her while still working, an effort she really appreciated. But, going to Liyue? What if he was there? Strolling those streets the two of them had travelled a thousand times.

But his gaze was still on her, waiting patiently for a reply. Doubtfully, she considered all her options: not going and upsetting Albedo; going and crossing him; going and being unable to continue due to the memories. No option was good, she had to choose between her fiancé's well-being and hers. 'He's made so any sacrifices for me'.

"I would love to, love."

Merchants selling, people buying, contracts being signed. That was Liyue in all its glory. Red, green and blue being the most recurrent colour themes on the walls, roofs and gardens, a gift to anyone who wanted to visit a paradise.

Albedo was buying some materials while Y/N stood next to him, not looking at anyone's face in case Childe decided to make one of his classic appearances. She grabbed Albedo's sleeve as a way to comfort herself, reassuring one time and one time again that she didn't have that much of bad luck to cross him in such a huge city.

She turned her head to look around at last, brave to see the stores and Liyue's people. Many of them knew who she was, having helped most of them at least in one occasion, great people with beautiful and peaceful lives. She had that now, at Albedo's side. But why did she feel like it wasn't what she wanted?

The red mask in one of the stalls froze her in her place, it looked identical to Childe's. She knew it wasn't his, of course, he was too involved in the Fatui and too wealthy to pledge his mask, but it made her remember him and one of the many memories she had with him in Liyue, again.

"Girlie, don't be like that" Childe exclaimed, smiling at her with bravado, "You don't have to feign you don't want that bracelet."

"I don't want it," repeated her for the third time, growing irritated.

"I have enough money to buy it for you, darling," the Harbinger insisted, taking her left hand in one of his and kissing her knuckles.

"How charming," she murmured ironically, rolling her eyes and pulling her hand out of his grasp.

"I know," he smirked, going after her, "and I also know how much you love when I act like a gentleman."

"How would you know that if you've never acted like one?" she snorted, watching his expression turn into an offended one.

"I'm a gentleman, you just can't appreciate my efforts to woo you," he replied with a pout.

"Aw, little Childe can't take a no for an answer," Y/N continued to tease him, smiling slightly at his spoiled brat's act.

"Very well, little lady, you're not having that bracelet," he stamped and turn away from her, walking without a real direction.

"Not that I wanted it!" she shouted at the distance.

Needless to say, she found the bracelet in her purse that night with a cheesy note that claimed 'To my favourite and stubborn traveller, with love, Childe'.

She still had it in her wrist, accompanying her wherever she went, reminding her of the stupid man that gifted it to her. Golden with Snezhnaya patterns, orange jewelry decorating the surface of the material. Albedo never said anything about it, never asked, and she was grateful for it, he knew to respect her space.

Her fiancé had just finished purchasing what he needed, looking at her with a loving gaze. She felt nothing, only appreciation, and she felt awful for not returning his feelings at their best, he deserved to be loved and spoiled. However, she missed him, she missed what they had.

The grey sky announced the storm that was coming, thunder and lightning appearing to give a performance of nature power. She had fought, walked, ran and danced in rain. She had danced, kissed and loved. But nothing of it with Albedo.

"Now a step to the left" instructed Childe, grabbing her waist with his left hand and her hand with his right one, "and now turn around... That's it! Perfect! You're a natural."

"Stop lying," she laughed, following what he was saying and dancing with him in a forgotten valley in some old ruins, "I can't dance for the love of Barbatos."

"I think you're really good, almost seductive," he purred, kissing her jaw and going down her neck, "seeing you move your hips like that just" an animalistic growl came from the back of his throat.

"Okay, calm down big guy, we're not fucking here."

The sound of thunder interrupted his reply, confusing them both for a moment. Suddenly, rain poured and soaked them wet. Y/N looked for somewhere they could go to shelter from the storm, but Childe just laughed and started making her dance again.

"What the hell are you doing, pee-brain!" she exclaimed, desperate.

"Dancing with you under the rain. Isn't it romantic?" he asked, smug as always.

"Romantic until we catch a hypothermia."

He didn't budge. Swaying them both with the dark landscape behind them, leaves flying around, wind aggressive. But nothing mattered as they looked at each other; love, affection and lust hidden in their souls, wanting nothing more than to indulge to the other and become one. How can anyone love this much? How can feelings root that deep? Childe was the only answer to those questions.

With nothing but a soft caress to her cheek, he smashed his lips on hers, kissing her while the rain accentuated the wet sounds. Everything with him was wild, but so addictive she couldn't help but coming undone, indulging to everything he asked silently from her. A kiss in the rain never felt so good.

"I'll be right back, I just need to drop this at Mingxing Jewelry," Albedo said, giving her a peck before leaving.

She stood there for a few moments, wondering what she could do white she waited for her lover. The rain was nearing Liyue Harbor, Albedo had told her he needed to do a couple of things more before going to the transport point to return home. She felt like throwing up, not a single spot in the city did not remind her of the love of her life, including their ugliest moments as a couple.

"How could you!?" Y/N screamed, feeling completely devastated and deceived.

"I had to! I'm sorry, okay?"

"No! It's not okay!" his indifference was breaking her heart, looking at him with disappointment, "Again! You did it again!"

"I was ordered to!" he shouted, his voice the same tone as hers, wrath in his eyes, "I have a job and you knew about it when you decided to fuck me!"

"What the hell, Childe!" she cried, "First of all, you nearly destroy Liyue! Again! Not only once but twice!" she was tired, everything was going down in front of her and she didn't want to watch it come to ruins, "And fuck you? You mean love you?"

"Love, sex, everything's the same, isn't it?" he replied, calmer and returning to his indifferent tone.

"W-what do you mean?" the fuming storm stopped to bring an eye of the hurricane, waiting patiently to unleash the tsunami over them.

"What you heard; I don't find a difference between the two concepts."

"You're lying," she murmured, unbelieving. How could he say that when an hour ago he was looking at her with so much love? Was it all an act? No, you can't feign feelings so deep.

"You're just too fool to see it, girlie," his smirk appeared, making her shake in fear, fear of losing what she cared about, "confusing terms and assuming things without asking."

"You're lying." she repeated, more to herself than for him to hear. He sighed, as if he was done with her.

"Think what you want. Now, there are people waiting for me. Until next time, girlie."

The shattering of her heart served up as the soundtrack of his departure. The leaves that had been once so vibrant and full of colour now danced around her in muted tones, mocking her. That was it, the end of their love. The palace the resembled their union fell into pieces, she needed to let go of him. The words he said cut deeper than a knife, made her feel cold. But how could she let go if she still loved him?

"So now you're with the Alchemist," a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, making her turn to the source of it.

There he was. Orange hair and piercing blue eyes. His smirk wasn't present in the portray he displayed of himself, walking as the noble man he said he was. Her heart raced for the first time in years, asking her for indulgence, for permission to feel.

"Yes," was the first thing she said after some minutes processing what was happening. Childe was there, in front of her, "yes, I'm with Albedo."

"I see," he commented, uninterested. She thought that was all the interaction they would have, that he would go away again and leave her live her life, but she had to know better, "even if you can't forget me, you allow yourself to be with someone else?"

"What is it to you?" Y/N felt offended, who did he think he was to reprimand her in such a dirty way? He couldn't know she wasn't over him, could he?

"It's unfair for both of you. You see, love shouldn't feel like you owe something to someone just because they love you." Childe said, his gaze falling at the bracelet for a couple of seconds before looking at the landscape, "You're fooling him and yourself."

"And what would you know about love?" the question came in a bitter tone. She was angry, how dare he talk about love when he did her so wrong? When he hurt her so much?

"Touché." Childe gave her a sincere smile that reached his eyes, it was breath-taking. Y/N felt her stomach twirl and her heart jump at the sight of such a beautiful scenario, "Glad to see you well, Y/N. See ya!"

And like that, he left the place as if he hadn't turned her world around again. She missed him, she admitted to herself that she missed him. She missed his wild nature, his odd conversations, the mystery wrapping around him. She couldn't forgive him, but she couldn't live without him, either. That's the way she loved him.

Once Albedo returned from his errands, they both went to the transport point to return to Mondstadt. The way back was silent, but not a comfortable one as they always had, there was some tension lingering in between them. She wanted to attribute it to the tension she had been carrying since her encounter with Childe, but deep down she knew there was something else.

When they entered their house, they both changed into their sleeping garments without sharing a word, waiting for the other to be the first one to break the silence. Y/N didn't have it in her to be the brave one in the situation at hand, so, finally, Albedo spoke.

"I know you're not over him," he said, calmly, but there was jealousy in his tone.

She was surprised to hear him say those words. She never mentioned Childe before, less being in a relationship with him. She wanted to feel fear, the same one she felt when her argument with Childe broke them apart, but she felt nothing at all. Why? Why couldn't she be in love with a man life him?

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Y/N." Albedo sighed, sitting at the edge of their shared bed.

"B-but", she stuttered, searching for words, "H-how do you know...?"

"There were rumours... some years ago, about the 'traveller' being with one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. It was during your time at Liyue."

She nodded, understanding, but really not understanding anything, "Did you believe them?"

"I can't say yes, but I can't say no, either." Albedo looked at her, he didn't look angry, and that made her feel a little bit better. "I just couldn't know if it was true or not because I wasn't there."

"I see." another moment of silence followed. She took a deep breath and looked at him in the eyes, "Why do you say that I'm not over him, though?"

"There are so many signs, you aren't the subtlest person, love." he chuckled, "The bracelet has Snezhnaya patterns and you haven't taken it out in all these years. I can only assume it was a present from Tartaglia."

Y/N nodded again, impressed with how observant Albedo was and with his deduction skills. She wished for the hundredth time that day that she would have fell in love with him and not with the Harbinger.

"I'm so sorry-" she began, but was quickly interrupted by her fiancé.

"Don't." he commanded, "That's not the only thing that gave you away."

"What do you mean?"

"Your late night trips."

'He knew' she thought, searching for any clues that could tell her when he had discovered it, but there were none. 'He has known all this time.'

"Why haven't you said anything?" she asked.

"I wanted to give you space," he began, "I must admit, however, that at first I thought you were cheating on me."

"I would never-" she was interrupted again, a kind gaze on his eyes.

"I know, I know. I realized when you came home smelling like grass and mint and not with the cologne of another man."

It was silent again, Y/N tried to find anything she could say to make him feel better, but she couldn't even understand himself. Why isn't she feeling her heart shattering? She knew why, but she didn't want to indulge in that feeling.

"I'm so sorry, Albedo. I really am."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not." those words sounded identical to the ones she had directed to Childe once upon a time.

"I am aware that you don't love me the way I love you."

"Albedo-"

"But it's okay, I can love both of us enough to fill that gap."

She was at a loss of words. Had she heard it right? What did he mean? Albedo was so calm, so ethereal, looking at her fondly even when he knew she didn't feel the same. He was going to marry a woman that didn't want him the same way she wanted her. And even though he was aware of that, he was smiling.

"Why?" she wondered out loud.

"Because that's how it works, that's the way I love you, until you can return my feelings."

The leaves that danced aggressively at the other side of the window stayed still, processing the scene going on in the room of the Alchemist and the Traveller. Their colour coming back to a vibrant one, giving her hope of being able to love again, to feel something.

Her love with Childe was like the Sun and the Moon, so in love they were crazy for each other, but impossible and unworkable. But, Albedo loved her like the Sea loved its waves, like the birds loved the Wind, like a Dwelling loved the warmth of the fire, and she was going to return it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but she would. And when she did, she would love him as much as the Leaves loved their trees, as much as the Lake loved the rain that floods it, as much as the Horizon loved dusk.

She bid goodbye to Childe that night, leaving the bracelet in the drawer in her nightstand. Adorning her hand only was the ring Albedo had gifted her.

"See you, Childe," she murmured at 2 a.m. before falling in her slumber.

[jokerhappylover]

With Arthur when he gets fired

You usually get up from bed feeling lazy and today wasn't different. It was about 8 AM, you woke up still feeling kind of tired, then you went to the kitchen to prepare your breakfast. After eating you went back to your bedroom to watch the news.

Subway murders. That was the fisrt new. It happened last night at Wall Street's subway station, the victims were three young men, and the most curious thing about it was that the suspect was someone wearing a clown make up or mask.

You fisrt got worried when you heard the word "murders", it's really sad and worrying that things like that happen in the city, but at the clown part you just heard yourself saying "what?", like, was that what they actually said?... Sometimes you think that you've seen everything in Gotham, especially crimes, Gotham was a rough and violent place unfortunately, but a killer clown? That's new.

Speaking of clowns, you had to start getting ready to work or otherwise you could get late. You worked at Haha's as a party clown, your clown name was 'Lovely', you wore pink clothes and make up, and pink roller skates, the children loved your character and you usually had someone else with you at the parties and places you'd visit. Carnival, his clown name was Carnival. The person under the make up was your favorite person at Haha's, Arthur Fleck.

You got ready and left the house, and you had no choice but taking the subway, it was something that you did everyday but today it felt a little different.

You arrived at Haha's, you got there a little later than usual, but no one seemed to notice, your boss Hoyt was at his office and the rest of the guys didn't even see you entering the place. All of your coworkers seemed already there. Randall was half-dressed as a clown and sitting with Gary, and other guys were around a small table drinking coffee. Then you see Arthur near the lockers, you were already wondering if he hadn't come yet, but he was there, and seeing he was there already made you feel better, he was speacil, unfortunately the clowns at Haha's wouldn't treat him so well.

You started putting your things on a table and you hear noises of things falling, when you look around you see some of Arthur's things on the floor, you first thought that maybe they had fallen from his locker, but then you realized he was taking them from the locker by dropping them on the floor, did something bad happened? Why was him doing that? Maybe it was nothing but you had a bad feeling, you were worried about him.

Then you heard Gary saying "Hey Art, I heard what happend - I'm sorry man". Gary seemed a good person and it was nice from him to say that, but you was just getting more worried, what happened after all?!?!

Then Randall says "Yeah, doesn't seem fair, to get fired like that"... WHAT? FIRED? You couldn't believe those words. Why?! How?! No, please no!! It couldn't be real, your eyes were already watering.

Arthur looked hard at Randall for a moment. Randall had always treated Arthur like if he liked him, saying Arthur was his boy and stuff but he didn't sound so real, it didn't sound like he actually cared Arthur got fired, and you were already thinking he was being fake, not only now but all this time. Maybe it wasn't nice from you to think that about other people, but Arthur had so many nicknames there, they would make fun of him... You didn't like the way he was treated for no reason.

Arthur kept cleaning his locker out, now he was stuffing all of his clown gear into a brown shopping bag. You were feeling so bad, it hurted even more to see him taking all him stuff to leave... Forever... It was almost too bad to be true.

Then one of the clowns said "Did you really bring a gun to the children hospital? Why would you do that for?" Wait, what? A gun? What's even going on here? You were getting confused and more worried.

Then you hear "So is that part of your act? If your dancing doesn't do the trick, you just gonna shoot yourself?" and a lot of laughters. The guys there were so rude and ignorant, not even when Arthur gets fired they would stop making fun of him.

Then Arthur finally says something.

"Why don't you ask Randall about it? It was his gun."

"What?" Randall said.

"I still own you for that, don't I?" Arthur answered.

Wait, you remembered of something. Some days ago while you were getting into your clown look, Arthur was sitting next to the lockers alone and Randall came, and you saw him giving something to Arthur, he laughed, it seemed like Arthur didn't want to accept it and it was a secret between them. Was that it? A gun? It all seemed to make sense.

Randall didn't like what Arthur said, he seemed really upset about it and asked Arthur to stop, he was already leaving and made a noise with his trumpet and dropped it.

You were so upset about all this situation.

Arthur came back saying "Oh no, I forgot to punch out!" and literally punched the clock and it fell on the floor, Arthur laughed. It was obvious that he wasn't okay, but you loved his attitude and couldn't help but smile after he did that and give a little laugh.

But it was a serious situation, and you were already at Arthur's side, you've always been. You take his trumpet and follow him.

He's already outside the building. "Arthur!!", you call him. He stops walking and looks at you, you got closer, with a sad look at your face. .

You show him his trumpet which he had left behind, you were giving it back to him like if he had forgotten it.

"You left this" You said. You didn't even know what words to say, you knew that he left it behind on purpose, you just wanted to be there for him, you wanted him to know that he was not alone, you were on his side

He looks at it for a second, takes it saying "Thank you" and put it in the bag. "But I guess I don't need these things anymore." he said.

You were really upset at Randall and the rest of the clows for acting like they did, but the most important thing to worry about was Arthur, and it made you really sad to think of how he was fired while being such a good clown. You just loved seeing him dancing, he was the cutest and best clown you've seen, and also the fact that he said he was always told his purpose in life was bringing joy and laughter to the world, and he knew since he was a a little boy that he wanted to be a comedian, and he's always put so much energy in bringing happiness... His story as a part clown couldn't end like that.

"Don't say that. This is not the end of the story, Arthur, we're gonna solve this problem."

He looks at you for about three seconds. He seemed to feel like you cared about him, but wasn't sure or didn't know why, he didn't have anyone close to him, someone to support him, so that was kind of unusual to him.

"Y/N... I'm fired, okay? I messed up and I'm fired, it's over."

"No, it's not. I'm not gonna let this end like that." you gave a pause and completed "I can talk to Hoyt and..." he interrupted you.

"He would never hire me back, he was really angry and yelling at me when he fired me after the children hospital thing. I'm 100% fired". He seemed hopeless. "I'm a party clown with A GUN" he completed.

"You mean Randall's gun?"

He just looks at you, like if he was surprised by the fact that believed him, that he wasn't alone.

You take a breathe and says "Look... I know it was his gun, he gave the gun to you, didn't he? I saw everything, I know it's all Randall's fault".

He just looks at you once again, this time with a little smile/smirk at his face, starting to realize you two were together at this, you two against them. Then he looks at something behind you, you turn around and you see Randall next to you, he came right at the moment when you said that.

"Nice, Y/N is on your side! Look Arthur, what was all that about? Why would you say that?" Randall said.

"What?" Arthur asked

"That it was my idea about the gun. That subway situation ain't no joke, you know, they got sketches of clowns on front of every newspaper-" Randall answered.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Randall" Arthur said.

Randall answered with "Right. Okay. I just want to make sure you got your head on straight".

Arthur looked at him and smiled. "My head's right there" he said.

Randall nodded saying "Good, I don't even know if you did it but there's no need to draw any attention to yourself. Y'know? Or we both are in trouble".

Arthur asked "What are you worried about? You didn't commit the crime at the subway did you?"

"Of course I didn't" Randall answered.

"You didn't shoot one point blank in the head, the other one twice in the chest, before chasing the third one down and shooting him three times in the back, right?" Arthur completed. He gave so many details that worried/scared you a little bit.

Arthur puts his fingers forming a gun to Randall's head, and stares straight at him. Then he leaves singing 'Send in the Clowns'. You've never seen him like that, it was like a mix of being upset and confident at the same time... something feels different. He seemed so upset about all that, it made you really sad, you'd definitely do something about it.

Randall just looks at you, he doesn't really know what to do or say, only hopes you don't do anything against him.

Then Hoyt leaves the building too and found you and Randall, also sees Arthur, already far from Haha's building. While you watch Arthur far away, slowly disappearing, you hear him asking "Why are you two here when you both should be inside the building, already in full clown look? What's going on here?"

"Nothing." Randall answers and enters the building again.

"What about you, Y/N? What you doing here? You didn't even put your clown clothes yet or started applying you make up" Hoyt asks you. You don't even know what to say.

"I was.. I was just... Trying to figure out what happened to Arthur..." You answered.

"Well, not your business. Now go get ready" he answered, he's usually not patient.

"I'm sorry Hoyt, but I have to talk to you about it. Arthur didn't do anything wrong sir. I know what happened but it wasn't his fault, it was Randall's gun"

"Look Y/N, blaming Randall in order to defend Arthur is ridiculous. I get if you two are friends but to be against Randall because he told me more about Arthur is wrong of your part, you know that."

"What did Randall told you?"

"Arthur tried to convince me it was a prop, but that's bullshit, and also, Randall told me Arthur tried to buy a .38 off him last week"

"No he didn't! He didn't buy it, he didn't even want the gun-"

"Y/N, stop it. Don't make me fire you too."

You felt almost hopeless... He just doesn't listen. But then you hear yourself say:

"Well... If you're not going to give Arthur a second chance, then fine, fire me. We two or any of us."

That was wild and risky... You knew that your clown was children's favorite, also, the only roller skater clown, and for those reasons you were important and you belevied maybe Hoyt wouldn't want to fire you, you were very good at what you do and it'd be hard to find another clown like you, but in fact you were risking losing your job, but it was for Arthur, you did that for him, and for you too 'cause you were tired of Hoyt, Randall and all the rest of the people at Haha's.

"This is ridiculous Y/N." he said.

"It's up to you to decide. But if Arthur is really fired, I am leaving too". Your heart was racing while saying that.

Hoyt didn't know what to do, he didn't want to loose the only roller skater clown, also the most successful one, but he would not give Arthur a second chance. He lost his temper and gave you his answer.

"Okay, if that's how you want it, fired."

You close you eyes, take a breathe and answers "Okay" with a little smile on the face, not sure if it's a positive or sad one.

Then you entered the building, took your stuff and left the place to go home. You had just lost your job, it was for a good cause and you were proud of standing up for Arthur, but you knew you loved being a clown and it'd be hard to find another job like that, it'd be hard to simply find another job.

At home you tried to call Arthur during the afternoon but he didn't pick up, so you tried later at night.

"Y/N?" He finally picked up.

"Hey Arthur, how are you?". You didn't even know how you'd tell him what you did.

"I'm calling to tell you that I talked to Hoyt". You completed.

"You did? And how did it go?" he asked you

"I... I'm... Fired too". You answered

"What?". He thinks it's his fault, he knew that talking to Hoyt wouldn't solve the problem, but he couldn't believe you had lost your job because of that, and he felt guilty.

"Y/N, I... I'm sorry if I made that happen, this is really unfair, you didn't had anything to do with this, why would Hoyt do that? I-" he completed. He couldn't believe it ended up like this to you, and it sounded like he was upset or/and angry at himself because he thought it was his fault, you defend him and gets fired too.

"No Arthur, it's not your fault!! I made him fire me". you said

"You.. You what?" He doesn't understand why you'd do that, he's confused

"I told him that if he wasn't going to give you a second chance, he would had to fire me too. I made him choose between me AND you or none of us".

Arthur stays quiet for 2 or 3 seconds, he couldn't believe you actually did that for him. Then he says "W-why? Why would you do that? Y/N... You lost your job because of me!"

"I know, and I did this because I'm on your side, and I'm tired of Hoyt and all those guys being like that, and of all these unfair situations. And we WILL gonna find another job, another agency or something like that, okay? Together"

"Y/N, I... No one has ever done something like that for me or even supported me, I don't know what to say... Thank you so much".

You smiled at him and said "Maybe we could even do some presentations at the streets until we find a job. What do you say, Carnival?"

"I think it's a great idea, Lovely!"

[saveahorse-ride-a-cowboy]

Anakin sheds many happy tears the day he receives your letter, clearing his schedule for the rest of the evening so he can sit down, read it through a few times, and then write back.

Lili,

I'm so glad to hear from you, you have no idea. I... can't believe you thought I would ever ask you for a divorce- that is certainly something I'd do in person. But it's nothing I ever intend on doing. You're stuck with me, Lili. I hate to tell you.

Being a Jedi is definitely... I'm really thankful for the opportunity and I'm honored that Qui-Gon thought I was special enough to pick up. But I do really miss home. I miss the suns, I miss home, I miss the food, I miss you and mom. Kit. Mala. I miss everything about home. I get so homesick sometimes that I don't know what to do with myself.

It's cold here. Much colder. I shiver at night sometimes, even under two blankets. I wish you were here. We always did make each other so very warm despite the harsh desert coldness.

But enough complaining, I guess. In all seriousness, being a Jedi is really awesome. It makes me feel good to be a hero and to see peoples' faces light up when they see the good that we do. And my lightsaber is really cool. It's blue, with a beautiful handle- I'll send you a sketch of it maybe.

I have a few friends here. Aayla, Ben, Quin, Orin, and a few others. Some are... not so kind. They call me names and say things about mom that I could never have even imagined. But it's okay. I just don't really go anywhere alone anymore.

You've sent me so much to discuss- I don't know where to begin.... I'm sorry, I might just send a bunch of questions asking for specifics. You don't have to answer all of them:

I'm really sorry to hear of your mom passing... she was a wonderful lady and I miss her as if she was my own mother. What happened, if you don't mind me asking?

Who proposed to you? Anyone that I would know?

My mother is free? I'm so happy to hear that, though I admit I'm... sort of wary of her having a new family. What if she forgets about me? What if she likes her new children better than me?

Does my mom think about me often? I hope so. I think about you two all the time, sometimes so heavily that I can't focus on anything else.

How often do the slaves come into town? I'm afraid it'll only be so long before the humans don't win, and they're eliminated once the Tuskens get even angrier.

Today I found the best piece of starfruit I think I've ever had in my life. I cried when it was all gone. I will send you some starfruit soon, I promise.

I send you all my love, hugs, kisses, and everything in between. Please write back soon. I can't wait to hear from you.

Ani <3

He packs up the letter along with several sketches of his- a lightsaber hilt, a robot he built recently, Ben drinking tea in the morning, a Coruscanti sunrise & sunset pair, and one of you.

The letter arrives in about two weeks due to a mailing malfunction that set everyone's deliveries back massively.

I smile excitedly as Deval delivers this letter, opening the envelope excitedly to read, even at the counter at the store. 

Before I leave, I sneak into the back and steal a few envelopes of my own and some nice paper so that I can write him back, 

The letter doesn’t arrive for a month as I spend my spare time knitting him a rough, Bantha wool blanket, packing it in a box that is half falling apart before sending it with the letter,

Ani,

Your life as a Jedi sounds as wonderful as Kit and I used to say it was when we were little. Speaking of Jedi, you stole my Kenobi card, I’d like it back, Kit is bullying me about it. I have spent my time knitting you this blanket in hopes that it helps your cold nights. There’s nothing warmer than bantha wool and I didn’t know if you had any on Coruscant.

I love your lightsaber sketch! It is so pretty! It is crazy to me to think you fight and learn with that every day. I believe you are far more learned and fancy than I could ever be. I am glad you have friends and I vote you punch the bullies. That’s what Kit does!

On to your questions: 

My mom died a month after you stopped writing, it was sudden. They say she had a stroke. I woke up one morning and she didn’t and that was that. Shmi watched me for three years before she left a few months ago. 

I don’t believe you’d know who proposed to me, but it was a depur. He apparently has a thing… for children… yeah. I think I threw up several times that night. 

Your mom thinks of you every single moment, of every single day. I wish I was lying, because the years of ‘I wonder what Ani is doing’ really became annoying. Kidding! Don’t worry, they don’t want any more kids and Owen is cool, but he couldn’t replace you. You’ve got different energies. 

The Tuskens come in to town probably once a month now. My depur has given me a blaster to carry on me, as if that would even help. Kit walks me home every night now, though.

I have never had starfruit and I admit I don’t know what it is. I looked in the markets for it but apparently Tatooine does not get shipments of it. 

Your drawing of me was so very sweet, but I believe it is my duty to tell you that I no longer look eight. ;). I am glad you remember my face well enough to draw me, though. I’ve put t on my wall, right next to the sketch of Kenobi since he is my celebrity crush. I mean, his hair is gorgeous. Gods.

I once again have enjoyed reading your words and I hope you write back again soon, I’m sorry my response to you took a month and a half. I hope you weren’t worried!

Speed to your wings!

Affectionately, 

Lili