#im fine with sleeping on my current mattress for longer

[sodacowboy]

using a puff quilt made from flannel as a mattress topper because your mattress is a piece of shit in a room that regularly gets in the 75-85 range in the spring even with the window open is not an ideal solution if I’m being completely honest

[vodkanrainbows]

Xefros' Daymare

Well my dudes, I already wrote a fanfic about Dammek having a daymare, so this time Xefros is the one to have a daymare.

Some Background Information: This takes place after the events of Hiveswap, wherein Xefros and Dammek leave their lives on Alternia behind to start fresh (Joey is the one to persuade Xefros into coming back to Earth with her) and stay in Earth. They are now living at the Half-Harley Manor with Joey and Jude. Now that Dammek and Xefros don't have to do Dammek's rebellion, Dammek now devotes his life to spend time with Xefros and has learned how to treat him right (especially after getting yelled at by Joey).

Additional Notes: Dammek and Joey are kismesis, and Xefros and Dammek are no longer moirails, but matesprits instead.

Characters: Dammek, Xefros, Joey (mentioned), Jude (mentioned)

Ships: Xefros ❤ Dammek, Xefros ♦ Dammek (mentioned), Joey ♠ Dammek (mentioned)

Warnings: Red Dammek/Xefros, since some people don't like them being shipped red.

Story below the cut! Enjoy me writing at 4 in the morning :)

Ever since Joey was able to convince Xefros to come to live on Earth with her and her brother, Jude, he has been much happier with his now matesprit, Dammek. The two were able to reconcile after Xefros broke off their Moirallegiance for a few months. They recently got back to dating and officially became matesprites. Xefros had flushed feelings for Dammek since the very beginning, but decided to never tell him in fear of being told that Dammek didn't feel the same and would reject him. So Xefros was extremely surprised (and relieved) when Dammek revealed to Xefros that he indeed felt the same. Since they're no longer having to rebel against Trizza, Dammek now treats Xefros right and they spend a lot of time together.

---

It was a peaceful night at Half-Harley Manor. Everybody was asleep and the manor was a quiet as can be. Dammek and Xefros share a room together and share a bed. Dammek was sleeping just fine, but Xefros was whining softly under his breath in his sleep.

---

Dammek: xeFros, we have to talk.

Xefros: sure! what is it?

Dammek: so i've been thinking...

Dammek: about our relationship together.

Xefros' bloodpusher sank. Uh oh...

Xefros: oh... uh...

Xefros: really?? X:O

Dammek nodded.

Dammek: yes.

Dammek: i think...

Dammek paused for a sec, breaking eye contact with Xefros.

Dammek: we should break up.

Xefros covered his mouth in shock.

Xefros: what?

Xefros: w-why?

Dammek: xeFros, you know i like you a whole lot, but i'm not always gonna have time for you!

Xefros: b-but you said youd always have time for me...

Dammek: that was then, xeFros. things change, y'know?

Xefros' eyes started to well up, burgundy tears threatening to run down his cheeks.

Dammek: i'm sorry, xeFros, but we're done.

Xefros: dammek please

Xefros: dont you DARE leave me!

Xefros was full on crying now, grabbing Dammek by his hoodie sleeve. Dammek was refusing to make eye contact.

Xefros: i-i love you!!! im IN LOVE with you!

Xefros: please!

Xefros: i dont want you to go

Xefros: i love you, i love you, i love you, i love you, i love you, i lov-

Xefros was interrupted when Dammek suddenly yanked his arm out of Xefros' tight grip, which made Xefros fall backwards onto his back. Xefros yelped in pain.

Dammek was now crying as he leaned over Xefros' body currently on the ground.

Dammek: enough!

Dammek: i said we're done! what part of that are you not getting, huh?!

Dammek: just leave me alone, dammit!

Xefros was still laying on his back, looking up at Dammek with blurry vision. Burgundy tears are now violently falling down his cheeks and onto the ground below him. Xefros only whimpered in response to Dammek shouting at him.

Dammek: ...goodbye, xeFros.

Xefros' eyes widened when he heard this, swiftly jolting up into a sitting position, ignoring the pain in his possibly broken back. Xefros suddenly started to scream at Dammek's now disappearing form as Dammek was walking away from Xefros.

Xefros: DAMMEK!!!!

Xefros: NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO DAMMEK PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DONT LEAVE ME PLEASE!

Xefros stopped screaming when he realized Dammek probably can't hear him anymore. He lie back onto his back as he cried silently to himself.

---

Xefros awoke with a scream.

Xefros: DAMMEK!!!!!!!!

Suddenly, Dammek started moving frantically in the bed, jumping to his feet.

Dammek: xeFros?! what the Fuck happened?!

Xefros was crying.

Xefros: d-dammek?

Dammek turned around to look at Xefros with wide eyes. Dammek got back up into the bed and nestled next to his matesprit. Dammek grabbed Xefros and held on tight.

Dammek: yeah, i'm right here babe

Dammek: what happened?

Dammek: tell me everything, ok?

Xefros was still crying, but he felt a little better with Dammek holding him tightly.

Xefros: i...

Xefros: i had a daymare

Dammek pulled back from Xefros slightly, looking at Xefros with his beautiful eyes. He had no sunglasses on, which gave Xefros a good chance to look into his eyes, which were glowing green because of the pitch darkness that they are sitting in. Xefros is the only one Dammek allows to see him without his trademark shades on. Dammek is extremely insecure about his eyes, which is why he wears them, but Xefros thinks Dammek's eyes are beautiful. Xefros even prefers seeing Dammek without the shades on. "my eyes are only for you, baby," Dammek has told Xefros.

Dammek: a daymare? about what?

Xefros: y-you dumped me...

Dammek: ...what?

Xefros nodded.

Xefros: you said you no longer had time for me...

Xefros: i-i tried to atop you from leaving me a-and you...

Xefros had to gulp and take a deep breath. Dammek rubbed Xefros arms up and down in reassurance.

Dammek: it's okay. tell me more baby.

Xefros: ...y-you started to scream at me telling me to leave you alone and i screamed and screamed for you but you wouldnt come back no matter how loud i screamed...

Xefros: i just...

Xefros: dont want you to leave me!!!!

Dammek jumped at Xefros' sudden shouting, but quickly recovered and sat up a little and straddled Xefros' lap. Dammek put one finger underneath Xefros' chin, forcing Xefros took look at him. Dammek was scowling.

Dammek: hey.

Dammek: look at me, baby. listen carefully For me, ok?

Xefros nodded.

Dammek: xeF, you know that'll never happen. i'll always have time for you. i will not leave your side, no matter what happens.

Dammek: i am not perFect, but i really am trying. i love you so much, always have. even when i was treating you like shit.

Dammek: of course joey would try and convince you that i didn't care about you, and you believed her and you dumped me. you realized that we were meant to be together, so you came back to me and we started the relationship from Fresh.

Dammek: but joey was right about one thing. i was not a good moirail to you. sure i cared about you, but i was too caught up in that stupid rebellion to give you the time we should've spent together. i was selFish. i was bossy and put you through dangerous shit, not caring about the consequences. i hurt you so many Fucking times but you never realized it because of how much you looked up to me. i took advantage of that because i knew you'd always come back to me. jude helped me realize a lot of things, xeFros. he helped me realize that a TRUE Friend wouldn't do the things i did to you. i am glad i came to earth. if the portal wouldn't have activated, we would still be rebelling and i'd still be treating you like shit. hell, we wouldn't even be matesprits right now!

Dammek: so in short, i was a shitty person who didn't treat you right.

Dammek released Xefros chin, putting his hand on Xefros' waist.

Dammek: you are literally the best person in my liFe, you always have been. even back then.

Dammek: i love you so Fucking much, baby. you have no idea.

Suddenly, Xefros shifted and pushed Dammek down into the bed and into the mattress. Xefros was covering Dammek's face in kisses. Dammek laughed.

Dammek: xeFros!!

Xefros made his way from Dammek's face to Dammek's throat, splaying kisses all over there too. Dammek gasped a little, wrapping his arms around Xefros with a growl and bared fangs, as if to protect him. Joey and Jude didn't wake up to Xefros' screams. Dammek didn't really have a reason to growl and show of his fangs like that since Joey and Jude mean no harm at all. He still kinda thinks Joey means harm, but he guesses this is normal since they're now in a black relationship. But Dammek still does this whenever anyone harms his friends.

Xefros stopped kissing Dammek's neck. Dammek still has his arms around Xefros. Damnek buries his head in Xefros' neck, purring.

Xefros: thanks, dammek

Xefros: i feel so much better now...

Dammek's reply was slightly muffled, but Xefros understands him anyways.

Dammek: anything for you, baby.

Dammek and Xefros part.

Dammek: wanna go back to bed?

Xefros: sure

Dammek smiled as he got under the covers with Xefros. Dammek opened his arms for Xefros so they can cuddle. Xefros purrs and quickly accepts Dammek's embrace. Dammek pulls Xefros close to him, kissing Xefros on the lips. They locked lips for a few seconds before they broke the kiss. Xefros buries his face into Dammek's neck before finally closing his eyes and falling asleep. Xefros is so grateful to have Dammek in his life.

[reggies-eyeliner]

okay okay hi! this is me asking for a (jatp) matchup (off anon bc we’re taking a Risk!) male or female is fine shsjsh okay okay. could i also please get a band/song matchup? 🥺👉👈

i’m an istp scorpio, 5’7” with purple hair and brown eyes, fair skinned too (well im a lil paler but—)! im probably rather obnoxious. im sarcastic and stubborn, and i probably listen to music nearly 24/7. i like to write even if i rarely ever have any ideas, and i love to watch movies (horror is my fave genre but i love pretty much any!). i probably watch way too many cooking competition shows considering i do not cook. i stay up until morning and sleep in until,,,who knows when?? i *love* board games, especially clue. im not always verbal with my affection but i’ll make my friends cupcakes and playlists and give them gifts all the time so it evens out— tho i do NOT trust people at first but once i am friends with someone, im vv impossible to get rid of 🤷🏻‍♀️ i drink a lot of coffee and i think im funnier than i probably am. somehow vv energetic and not at all?? kind of loud and i tend to ramble (like right nOw—) have been called aggressive but rly im just,,,go big or go home!! all or nothing!!

as for the band/song matchup! my emoji aesthetic would probably be 😈🎃✨🔮🌙🕯🎧💫 my fave jatp song is between now or never and wake up i think! fave genre? like music? probably pop rock or alternative. and my style, if we’re talking clothes, is a lot of skinny jeans, t-shirts, any and all jackets, boots, and converse. we wanna look stylish but still comfy. as for extracurriculars, i was in drama at one point and also latin club but other than that?? i don’t do anything shsjsshj okay i THINK that was everything?? so sorry this is rly long!! tysm for your time and have a great,,,week?? month! and thank you again!!

Hey @julies-molina!! I’m so so sorry that this took longer than expected, but I hope you’re doing amazing ^^ AND WHAT PURPLE HAIR THAT SOUNDS SO CUTE OMG WHAT???? Oh yeah and make sure to hydrate and get lots of rest, stay safe!

I match this lovely person with...

Julie Molina!

TO THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY THINKING, “BLAH BLAH SHUT UP YOU ONLY SAW HER USERNAME AND-”

nO

NOOOOO

You two ooze chemistry, and I have very lovely headcanons, ideas, and facts to EFFING PROVE IT- Right, so you and Julie! To begin with, I think she’d definitely be able to look past how “obnoxious” or “stubborn,” you think you are, and she wouldn’t mind it at all! In fact, she almost welcomes it, because I literally can’t imagine Julie dating someone who isn’t expressive. She sees your faults as more of ways that you’re more you than ever, so she truly doesn’t care! And the fact that you listen to music 24/7? UH, YES QUEEN?? Istg, every time Julie sees that you have some sort of fancy headphones on, she’ll instantly take em off, yeet them onto her ears and ask, “Watchu listening to?” She loves it whenever she sees you vibing to different songs on your own, and even though you think it’s a bit silly, she loves it! The fact that you’re capable of doing so much is almost comforting or welcoming to her, so does she care at all that you might not have ideas? No, of course not! She loves to peer over your shoulder and help you with whatever you’re working on. And more than anything, your ideal date together would definitely be this: coming back after a very long night of karaoke, a bit of swimming, a bunch of food, and then just plopping onto the mattress and binge-watching horror movies. I have no idea why, but I can see both of you popping some Sprite brought to you by JATP, and no matter what you watch, she’ll make sure to watch with you! And definitely, the morning after, you two would binge watch Master Chef or the Great British Cooking show, and then try your best to recreate every single one. Never ends well most of the time, but hey, it’s fun! And no matter how you may act, she adores it whenever she sees you dancing or acting like the chaotic crackhead she loves. Julie will make sure that you two are literally the best friend couple, so you can confide in anything with her. All she wants is for you to feel safe, comforted, and loved!

Band Matchup!

YOUR ROLE IN THE BAND WOULD BE: The one who carries the entire crew without you even noticing it. I’m like 90 percent sure that you have no frickin idea how amazing it is to have you on my dash?? You’re always bringing things to life and constantly reblogging content that I love, and you’re honestly the sweetest person in the band. I definitely think that you’d be amazing friends with Alex, so you two would start jamming out in the middle, while Reggie and Luke did that very manly face-to-face rocking, and Julie led the song, and you two would just vibe. I think that by the end, the entire band ought to realize how much life you bring onto the stage! They make sure to appreciate you more than enough though <3333

Song Matchup:

THE SONG THAT I’M GETTING VIBES FROM YOU IS: Now or Never!

I’ve always seen you as something very much linked to Now or Never-- you showed up at the very start, brought the world to life, but also spread a message in between.

Don't look down 'Cause we're still rising Up right now And even if we hit the ground We'll still fly Keep dreaming like we'll live forever But live it like it's now or never

From what I think, I think that you’re honestly one of the sweetest, kindest people on here of all time, and you don’t get enough credit for that! I feel bad for anyone who hasn’t interacted with you yet because they certainly haven’t met someone as kind as you like honestly 🥺🥺 ilysm!!

I’m sorry if this was too short! Have an amazing rest of your whatever-time-it-is! <333

Requests are open, matchups are currently closed :) <3

<hugs!!> ilysm, stay safe!!

[detectivecutiepantsandhisbabyfox]

29 for mazlek cause it sounds like such a hoe thing to say

This took longer than planned, probably because it’s longer than planned. Ive put it under a read more. I hope you like it anon. 

If anyone is triggered by illness, Joe is unwell in this - not seriously though. But there is talk of vomiting so avoid it if that's triggering for you. 

29. What do you mean you’re sick, you’re supposed to be my partner in crime.

Joe’s phone buzzed continuously on his bedside locker, the sound puncturing his temples like a drill.

His stomach rolled as he moved to lie on his side and attempted to reach his phone; memories of last night spent with his head in the toilet flooding back and causing him to flee from his bed for what felt like the millionth time in the last twelve hours. 

As he re-emerged from his bathroom; making a mental note to buy more cleaning products, he heard keys rattling in his front door.

“Joe!” His best friends voice made his head hurt, even from downstairs. 

Walking as slowly as possible so not to jostle his stomach, he peeped round his door and croaked “Up here.”

His voice was shot after last night, throat burning from throwing up so much. 

“Rami” God he sounded pathetic,

“Can you bring me water.......please?”

“You okay?” Rami shouted; Joe heard the water run as he made his way back to bed before he keeled over. Closing his eyes he could distantly hear Rami moving around downstairs.

“Joe?” He peeped open one eye and saw Rami standing over him; beautifully dressed as always, concern etching his face. 

“You look awful Joey.” He handed him the water. Joe sat up gingerly and took a few sips; immediately regretting it as his stomach cramped up.

“Sorry......I........” he dashed into the bathroom again, pushing past Rami on the way. 

“You alright?........want me to come in?” Rami hovered by the bathroom door.

“No.....god no” Joe managed to get out. There was no way he wanted Rami of all people watching him throw up. 

While Joe hugged the toilet, Rami eyed his sheets suspiciously; he could tell Joe had slept fitfully. The duvet was twisted and the bottom sheet had come off the corner of the mattress. By the time Joe emerged from the bathroom, Rami had fresh, clean sheets on his bed and had put the others in a pile by the door. He’d put them in the wash later. 

“You didn’t have to do that.” Joe mumbled weakly, as he slipped between the fresh, cool sheets; sighing as he closed his eyes.

Rami’s hand pressed gently against his forehead, “You’re not burning up......do you think it’s something you ate?” He sat down on the edge of the bed, pulling at a loose thread on Joe’s grey duvet. 

“Dunno.......too sick to go today though.... I’m sorry.” Joe’s hand flapped around looking to squeeze Rami’s in his own. 

“You can’t be sick. You’re my partner in crime. What would Snafu have to say about this?” Rami smiled, grabbing his hand and squeezing softly. 

“Probably the same thing you just said” Joe replied weakly, he attempted a smile; which quickly turned into a grimace as his stomach cramped up again. 

“I’m gonna call Jas and go get you some medicine.....be right back.” Rami’s patted his hand as Joe drifted off to sleep again. 

Rami picked up the sheets by the door and headed downstairs. 

He pushed his disappointment at Joe being ill aside as he put the washing machine on.

The reunion for The Pacific cast was an annual event and this year was the first time Rami and Joe could actually attend together, their busy schedules meaning only one or other of them had been able to show up previously. Rami walked past Joe’s navy suit, hanging up on a hook in the hall. He would have looked damn good in that, Rami thought as he made his way outside. 

“Joe?” Rami squeezed Joe’s shoulder, attempting to rouse him, “I have some stuff you need to drink......don’t want you dehydrating.”

“Mmmmmmm” Joe rolled over, blinking blearily at Rami’s face. 

“You need to go...you ll be late....” 

“I think I should stay.....I’m worried about you.” Rami pushed Joe’s hair back from his forehead. 

“I’m gross Rami.......you probably don’t wanna touch me.......and you’re going.....they’re expecting you.” Joe managed to push himself into a sitting position, sighing heavily at the effort. 

“But what if you get worse?” Rami asked; hands on his hips.

“I ll call you....it’s only..what? A ten minute cab drive away?” 

“What if you collapse or something?” 

Joe took a tentative sip of his mug of rehydration salts, grimacing at the taste, “Then you’ll find me when you get back.”

“Joe that’s not funny.” 

“Rami, I’m gonna be sleeping......please go have lunch and just give my apologies okay. I ll be fine.” 

Rami huffed “Promise you won’t try and go downstairs or anything?” 

“I promise......and thank you....for this ...........delicious concoction.” Joe lifted his mug in gratitude, wrinkling his nose.

“Right well if you’re sure?” 

“I am”

Joe watched as Rami fussed with his blankets, making sure his phone and bottle of water was nearby, adding the tv remote control and a large bowl that that he pulled out from beside the bed. 

“Just in case” he said as he placed it beside Joe on the duvet.

Joe felt a warm, comforting feeling spread over his chest, the crampy, sick feeling in his stomach eased somewhat by the butterflies now erupting in there. This had been happening a lot recently, Joe choosing to ignore it; but today that seemed a lot harder to do. 

A few drinks in and talk turned to relationships; most of the guys were happily married, Rami being one of the only ones yet to settle down.

He checked his phone again as Martin rambled on about some house he was renovating; he couldn’t stop worrying about Joe and it seemed some of the others had noticed his detachment from the conversation. 

“Rami” Ashton patted his arm, “You ok?”

Putting down his phone, Rami sighed and leant back in his chair, taking a long pull of his beer. 

“Yeah......I’m worried about Joe....” 

“He’s a big boy...I’m sure he’s fine.”

“You didn’t see him.....he’s really sick. Maybe I should go?” He raised his eyebrows at Ashton, “Do you think I should?”

Ashton smiled as Brendan rolled his eyes next to him.

“Jesus Christ” he drawled and Rami was whisked back to Australia and Bill Leyden saying the same thing to Snafu’s new nickname for Sledge.

“What?” Rami felt all eyes on him as the table quietened.

“You have some patience man” Brendan continued “12 years is it? Go get your man and quit sitting here worrying about him.”

“What?” Rami said again. He knew he was flushed red and he also knew that what Brendan has said was true.

He pushed back from the table and headed to the bar.

“He’s right y’know.” Martin joined him at the bar, Rami’s second whiskey doing little to calm his nerves. How in fuck did everyone know? Did Joe? Fuck.

“Yeah well it’s not that simple is it? He’s my best friend.” Rami stared at the brown liquid in his tumblr “I can’t risk ruining it.”

“So you happy to carry on pretending? Think of what you might have if you take that risk. Joe’s not an asshole.......he‘ll .....he’ll be good to you no matter what.” Martin clapped him on the back and headed to the bathroom. 

He was right. Rami could have everything he’d ever wanted if he was just willing to risk everything he currently had. Knocking back his whiskey he cursed himself for coming and the boys confusing the hell out of him. He wished Joe was here. 

“Rami!” Ashton shouted from their table near the bar, “Your phones ringing!”

“It’s lover boy!” Brendan yelled and Rami’s stomach plummeted. Joe said he’d only call him if he felt worse, he needed to leave. 

Snatching his phone from Ashton he turned away from the table as he answered;

“Joey” the pet name slipping from his mouth unconsciously. He could hear Brendan snorting behind him and Martin and Ashton telling him to shut up. 

“What’s......what’s wrong? Are you ok? I can come back now...”

“Rami.....stop” Joe sounded exhausted, “I just woke up and I have a weird rash on my chest.”

Rami’s felt sick. A range of horrendous ailments entering his head at Joe’s words. 

“Is your neck sore?” 

“What? No..... why?”

“Meningitis” Rami rambled on “I’m gonna call Jas. Please don’t get up Joey....please.....just wait.”

“Okay” Joe whispered, slightly concerned himself over the level of Rami’s worry. 

Rami sat down heavily into his chair. The boys eyes all immediately focused on his pale face. 

It was Brendan that unsurprisingly broke the silence, but speaking softly and somewhat uncharacteristically.

“Is he ok?” 

Rami’s phone pinged on the table top, as a message came through. Joe had sent a picture of the rash on his chest - Send this to Jas. Might help. X

Ashton’s brow furrowed at the picture.

“Go see if he’s ok please.....I’m worried now.”

Rami nodded “Please can we do this again.... before next year?” 

They all nodded, murmuring agreements and adding “with Joe as well.”

“Im gonna head off then…..Joe....he....yeah.” Rami trailed off.

Martin grabbed his wrist from across the table

“Tell him Rami.”

“But what if he doesn’t feel the same?”

“Oh I honestly don’t think that will be a problem” smiled Ashton. 

Rami crept quietly up the staircase, not wanting to wake Joe from much needed sleep. His bedroom door was open and Rami could see Joe bundled under his duvet through the now dim light of the evening. 

Jas has said he needed to be cooled down to get rid of the heat rash, so Rami tiptoed quietly to the bathroom; leaving another cup of rehydration salts on Joe’s bedside locker. 

After wetting a washcloth with cool water, and wringing it out, Rami padded over to Joe kneeling down next to the bed and peeling back the covers. 

Rami’s stomach flipped at the sight of Joe sleeping, soft and peaceful. When had this started? When had things changed? Rami wracked his memory. Could you fall in love with someone over the space of 12 years and not realise? He stared at Joe’s sleeping face; he was so handsome, and Rami was taken aback by just how attracted to him he was. Rami smiled to himself, maybe he should take a chance? Joe was everything to him, and Rami was now realising he wanted him to be even more. 

“Stop staring at me” Joe’s croaky voice startled Rami into action. 

“Sorry.....I.....Jas said you need to cool down...you have a rash cos you’re sweaty. Here.” Rami showed him the folded wash cloth and Joe turned onto his back.

Joe shivered as Rami pulled down the duvet off Joe’s heated chest and placed the washcloth on his forehead. 

“Okay?.......there’s more salts for you to take there...” Rami pointed to the bedside locker. 

“Oooh yum...” Joe said sarcastically, rolling his eyes and grinning at Rami.

“How you feeling?” 

“Groggy....but my stomach isn’t crampy now....so hopefully I can actually sleep tonight.” Joe peered at Rami from under the washcloth. 

“Will you stay?........I hate to ask.....but....but..”

“Joe......you don’t have to ask....of course I will....”

“Thank you.....oh! how was lunch?”

Rami sat up against the headboard in Joe’s huge bed and filled him in on all the news from their cast mates, answering Joe’s questions but leaving out one very specific conversation. 

“They all send their love....hope you feel better soon.”

“Ashton text me actually....” Joe turned on his side “Said you left early.”

Rami couldn’t look at Joe, he felt his pulse race as he stared out the window at the darkening sky. 

“Rami......” Joe’s hand found his and he squeezed gently.

“You’ve always been so good to me...........too good to me......I.......I......thank you.” Joe sat up. He grimaced as his head pounded at the change of position, but crossed his legs and sat facing Rami.

“Joe.....lie down...” 

“Why did you come back early?” 

Rami searched Joe’s face for any sign that he was messing around. He knew Joe well enough by now to recognise a lift on one side of his mouth that always gave him away. It wasn’t there, his face was soft, open, and as gorgeous as Rami has ever seen it; even with his sickly pallor and bed head. 

“I think you know why” Rami murmured.

“I think I know too......but I’ve been really wrong about things like this in the past so......”

Rami winced, Joe had never had much luck dating. Rami had always been there to pick up the pieces with him. 

“Joe” Rami wanted, he wanted so badly to pull Joe into his lap. 

“You have no idea how much I wanna kiss you right now.”

Joe grinned, his whole face lighting up as Rami ran his hand up his arm; leaving goosebumps in his wake.

“Give me 12 hours and I’m all yours” he murmured as he pulled Rami into a hug. 

“Thank you for today......but.....can you sleep in the spare room because I honestly don’t think I’d be able to keep my hands off you if you’re......in here......”

Joe pulled reluctantly away from Rami’s arms, realisation dawning on what he’d just said. 

“Uuuh I mean.....I don’t wanna make you sick” he stared at the sheets below him, flexing his long toes.

Joe woke early the next morning , the rain pounding against his window. Stretching, he assessed himself for any stomach or headache and found that he felt much better, not one hundred percent. But better. 

Running his hands over his face as he yawned, he sat bolt upright in bed as he remembered who was currently in his spare room and the conversation they’d had.  His body moved without him thinking as he headed to the shower and to brush his teeth. 

As the hot water pounded against his back, he let himself imagine what might possibly happen today.  He’d always loved Rami; but had made himself believe they were just really close friends. He never really thought Rami felt the same though, and Joe wasn’t gonna jeopardise their incredible friendship by telling Rami how he felt. 

Turns out most of their cast mates on The Pacific could see it a mile away. They were both idiots really; all the heartache they could have saved each other. Although Joe laughed to himself as he remembered that anytime either of them had split with someone, they’d immediately gone to each other for comfort. 

It had been obvious to everyone, except them.

Joe knocked quietly on the door to the spare room; it was early and Rami liked to lie in at the weekend, but when Joe pushed open the door he found Rami standing at the window in his boxers. His mouth immediately went dry. 

“Uuuuhhmmmm morning...” Joe croaked.

Rami grinned. “You feeling better?” He asked as Joe moved into the room. His bare toes dug into the soft grey carpet, as his heart beat erratically in his chest.

“Yeah....I am....”

“Thank God” Rami interrupted him as he made his way over to Joe and took his hands in his own. 

“I’ve waited twelve years to do this......I can’t wait any longer.”

“Rami...” Joe whispered as their lips met and they finally fell into each other. 

“Breakfast?…..you feel like you could eat something?” Rami couldn’t stop touching Joe; any part of his body, it was like he’d been starved of it. His fingers were currently skimming the waistband of Joe’s sweatpants where they hung low on his hips. 

Joe’s head was pillowed on Rami’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. 

“I could eat you?” Joe smiled into Rami’s bare chest, breathing in his scent and nibbling at his nipple. 

“Hey!” Rami pushed him away, then pulled his face to his, both hands on his cheeks. 

“I want .........god I want you so bad” he pushed his hardening cock against Joe’s thigh, shivering at Joe’s answering moan. 

“But when you have your strength back......Jas said....”

“Wait....you asked your sister when we could have sex?” Joe began to laugh “Oh my god......” 

“No! Joe c’mon.....you know what I mean......” Rami pushed his erection against Joe again,

whispering in his ear “Just think about how good it will be.....”

Joe flopped onto his back groaning, “I’m gonna need another shower” he added as he pressed down on the bulge in his sweatpants. 

Joe didn’t ever think he’d been this sexually frustrated in his life. He’d had a semi all day, Rami only had to look at him and he wanted to bend him over the back of the couch. It was like his cock had now been given permission to  react to Rami. They’d spent all their spare time together the last few years, and he’d never had this problem. His cock was like a dog being finally let off a leash. 

Rami sat in his boxers and a t-shirt, Joe’s head in his lap as they watched a cooking show. Joe was snoring softly, his warm breath tickling Rami’s thighs. He ran his fingers through Joe’s soft hair, smiling at what today had brought.

Pulling out his phone he snapped a pic of his hand resting in Joe’s hair as he slept soundly on his lap. 

He sent it to Joe’s phone with the caption:

 “I’ve always loved you.” 

[unikornu]

Page 5, Regain

(re-written)

Gage pushed the door open, the bright and warm sun hanging above Nuka Town welcomed them as well as grumpy faces of the local raiders and curious ones of the traders, passing along the way, while they were heading to the Fizztop.

- Didn’t change much since last time, maybe just the audience is a bit more..unpleasant, for now. Lucy walked beside Gage looking straight forward and avoiding the judging eyes and whispers surrounding them. - Also it got a bit warmer too. She brushed her forehead sweeping away some sweat.

- So you have been here before, Boss? When? I don’t remember you when we raided this place. Gage looked at her, curiously.

- Oh...way before traders or whatever happened to this town after...She paused, realizing that what she will say might sound very strange to Porter ears.

- After what? Upon passing Parlor he noticed she doesn’t act like being in a new place indeed. She was observing and smiling softly almost like glad to revisit.

- Let’s save that talk for later, once i will be sure you still won’t gut me at the end of that walk. Also why do you call me Boss all the time? She looked up at him squinting her eye.

- Rules, Boss. Without them we would be the same fucking Commonwealth mess. Well..that one was my own rule, might as well not break it right away. He pushed the button, elevator slowly sliding down at the Fizztop.

- And you don’t break rules eh? Even your own? She smirked at him and whistled softly at the fact that raiders would think of an elevator and even build one, functional.  

- Oh i do break rules Boss, but only on special...occasions. He smirked back at her and pointed to the elevator as it arrived. As they were going up he looked at her face, blushed in the sunlight, revealing a scar and tattoos.

- Got yourself a nice souvenir from kind people of Commonwealth? She leaned on the barrier and pulled her knife out.

- Yes..the most kind type. But he left me this as a recompense. She spun it in her fingers and pointed towards him before putting it back.

- Disciple styled...so the fucker managed to escape after all, hah. Gage mumbled under his nose recognizing the blade structure that was well known in Nuka Town among the crooked ladies of Nisha’s gang.  

----

- Finally. Lucy released the sound of relief from her lungs at the elevator arrived to the patio. As she spotted the bed she started heading towards it right away, taking the parts of her armor on the way, ignoring Gage presence.

- Uhm..you need a sec Boss? We still need to talk about the plan. He turned to the side and sat at the bar that was just across the bed, wodden-made wall hiding her as she dropped on the mattress.

- Just talk while i rest for a moment. I can hear you just perfect. Lucy used the fact she was hidden and send the short report to the Institute from the pipboy, allowing her to continue her side-tasks and not be disturbed nor tracked while she figures out her current position.

- Okay, Boss. So there are three gangs in this town. Disciples, Operators and the Pack. And as u noticed raiders aren’t the sharing type much so Colter and i had idea to get the rest of the Nuka World to start expanding ourselves and let’s say...loosen the tension a bit. Gage started explaining but as he would rather have that talk face to face he started taking slow steps towards the bed.

- And Colter didn’t do it eh? Looking how he ended up. Lucy leaned on her arms and looked around, bringing back the memories of this place when it was a full functional restaurant.

- He got a bit...lazy and i’m a fucking patient man but at one point all of us had enough, of his comfy ass, sitting all days here, drinking beer after beer and fucking around. He approached her close enough just to see her head from above the wall.

- And..you want me to finish the job. She interrupted and looked at him, slowly standing up and siting at the edge of bed, ignoring the fact being dressed just in underwear and a top. - Can i ask you something, Gage? He nodded and looked away.

- Why didn’t you step up as the Overboss? You know this place and you seem smarter than you look about all this shit. I mean..look at me, im not a leader. She snatched a box of whatever food was nearby tearing the opening apart.

- Because i fucked up too much before, they hate me for it and i would rather keep my head where it is. You on the other hand have a clear....card. She looked at him uncertain, holding her head on the palm and chewing.

- Fuck, look i will help you, guide you around, throw some advices. I will come with you too if you don’t mind company. We just need to get the job done. Gage stepped up to her as she walked down to the bar.

- And what do i get out of it, and you? She leaned over the counter, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the shelf below.

- You get whatever the hell you want as long as it goes along with our..what they called them..principles and the plan of getting the rest of this place for us. Her face brightened a bit the sound of it. - And i get to keep my head where it is and get my share out of it. So...deal, Boss? He stretched the hand towards her.

- Get whatever i want...and do what i want with no consequences, hmm fine, deal, for now. She barely could get her hand around his to squeeze it in a manner of agreement as it almost disappeared in raider’s big palm. - I will still sleep with a knife under my pillow Gage, i don’t trust you just yet. All of it just sounds too good and easy.

- What if it actually is that good and easy, Boss? He grinned and turned around, slowly walking away towards the hallway. - Also when you rest you need to meet with the leaders, i left you directions on the desk.

- You want me to go alone out there, and meet the leaders? Me? Alone? She laughed but stopped shortly realizing he is not joking.

- Well, you have to get respect one way or another, Boss. That might prove them just fine that you ain’t just scared little pretty gal eh? He looked her up and down  and disappeared behind the door.

- Well...shit. She looked in the glass she poured herself whiskey and drank it all in one go. - Alright...i got this. Might also need some new clothes for this bloody warm place.

----

Its been a while since Lucy was stepping into the wolf’s caves with the mind sharp and confident but with each step she realized that even if 200 years passed for her it was much shorter, almost like stepping through a magical door just to find yourself on the other side of the nuclear land. Spinning the knife in its grip she decided to be done with her biggest worry first - disciples. Reading a face can say a lot about person’s intentions but in Nisha case that was impossible. Lucy had to remain calm and stoic against the leader disgust and lack of faith into her person as well as Gage choice of promoting her but nothing that a few promises wouldn’t shake away along with trashing Colter. She left, still facing them until she stepped out of their base. Savoy sharp look shining from behind his mask was sending a shiver down her spine that she shook away as she arrived near the market.

Next was the Pack. They were speaking simple but understandable language, their base looking like a colorful zoo more than the pre-war theatre. Mason outfit and overall look was blending quite well with the all the decorations placed behind his throne. - King of the fucking jungle himself. She whispered under her nose, approaching him and passing the dogs curiously watching her and sniffing behind.

- So you are the Overboss..hmpf..was expecting something..well better. Mason scanned her from his chair and slowly stood up.

- Or bigger...well i didn’t come here to make an impression. Just tell me what you want. She threw her hands to the side and stepped aside as Mason walked down, facing her.

- Straight to the point, Boss? Well, listen then because i don’t like to repeat myself like i did to Colter. We need more fucking space and action, anything to get this pack running again. If we cook up here any longer even i will lose my fuckin patience and piss on the rules and Porter himself. The more he was looking at her, down and her posture, the wider his smile was getting, that this woman is their so called leader from now on.

- Alright Mason. I know about Colter’s plan and i intend to actually get it moving. But tell me, why the fuck you guys didn’t kill him on a spot if he was so bad? And why one of you didn’t take charge if you all know what ya want? She looked up at him, questionable.

- First, it was all Porter’s plan, along with making Colter the Overboss and we just agreed to it. Look, Colter wasn’t bad at the start, a bit dumb if you ask me but tough as fuck. And now well, you came by, just as he lost our respect and Porter decided to “accidently” kill him in a fair fight. Mason leaned down towards her, his breath almost hitting her face. - But if you manage to fuck it up the same way i might actually take charge since you came up with the idea. Would be a shame tho....

- And if you don’t back off i will strangle you along with your dogs to that fucking chair. He grinned at her and straightened himself back up.

- Hah, you have some balls even for a small little sweet bird like you, tell ya what. I’m gonna be nice that first and one time, Boss and you will give us what we wanted all that time. He stepped up to his chair and pulled something from behind and threw it her way. A colorful rifle landed in her hands and surprise showed on her face. - Just try not to fuck it up or i will beat you myself to death with it. She nodded at him and left the theatre as Mason shooed her away with his massive arm. The last was Parlor and the twins.

- At last, something pleasant that isn’t splattered with blood all over or stinks. Operator at the door pointed her inside. - Mags and William were waiting for you, Boss. Don’t make them wait any longer.

The place was clean and barely changed except the aging furniture and dried flowers placed in a cracked vases. She liked it and realized that despite Mags being slightly proud and stiff they spoke the same language when it came to what the want in the end. Caps and more caps. They said before the war that money could not buy happiness but what if for both of them money itself became reason to be happy. She shook hands with Mags but William as well in a sign of respect for them both and showing some manners.

- It was my pleasure too to meet you, Boss. William took a few more seconds on a hand shake but Mags elbow suggested him to stop dreaming around.

- Also...who is she? Lucy asked seeing an operator woman passing and holding a bunch of grenades and other devices.

- That is Lizzie, our conspirator and...well lab-mad woman but we were friends since back then so she joined us too. She has a talent for explosives and other things. Mags sighted and allowed her to visit her in the lab, her face remaining stoic and emotionless as always.

Lucy knocked on the door frame before disturbing her. - So you are Lizzie,what are you doing there?

- Well, hello Boss. Just testing new type of grenades, you never know when you might need them with people like us. Especially that Colter only worsened the whole situation. Lizzie pulled her goggles on the forehead and turned towards her - At least we got that problem away. Hope you ain’t planning following in his steps and finally get us some caps.

- I like myself above the ground so ye.. Listen...i know this place  and i know they kept some...clothes around Parlor. Do you know where i might find them? Lizzie pointed towards the door in her lab, leading downstairs to a room filled with dusty boxed and racks covered in plastic foils.

- Mags didn’t throw them out yet and i kept what i found for myself here. For...science purpose, of course. Why, you need new clothes? Lizzie pulled a rope dangling above, lightening the bubble hanging in the center of the room.

- Something like that, yes. And i think you can help me make it a bit more than just clothes. She smiled at her and Lizzie couldn’t deny she liked her approach and idea. They agreed on helping each other as long as Lucy would also accept taking on few tests with her new weaponry inventions.

----

-Welcome back, Boss. Whoa, shit.....you look different. Gage was expecting her to come back in one piece with no issues but not in new gear as well as she stepped from the elevator inside his room, wearing a mix of something elegant and skimpier than before, almost hidden behind junks of metal armor.

- Take care of it, its from Mason. She threw him a rifle carrying all the rainbow shades, leaving the raider face half opened, almost dropping a cigareyte that was placed in his mouth.

- Mason gave you his rifle? Un-fuckin believable. He gave it a few spins and placed it on the table next to other guns.

- They all must be pretty desperate, letting us do all the job after all and even offering some gear, just like that. She dropped on the chair, throwing her legs on the table and snatching the pamphlet lying nearby.

- Us? So you already decided you want me to tag along, Boss? He couldn’t hide his smile on a thought that she actually agreed to take on a task and hell even include him in the action.

- It’s a job for two people and since we shook hands i guess we are partners from now on, eh? She looked at him and winked from behind the park map. - So, what do you say we do?

He stretched his neck and threw the finished cigarette to the side. - I say we prepare and go kill some shiet, Boss.

[dvp95]

quiet on widow’s peak (13)

pairing: dan howell/phil lester, pj liguori/sophie newton/chris kendall rating: teen & up tags: paranormal investigator, mystery, online friendship, slow burn, strangers to lovers, nonbinary character, trans character, background poly, phil does some buzzfeed unsolved shit and dan is a fan word count: 4.3k (this chapter), 42.9k (total) summary: Phil’s got a list of paranormal experiences a mile long that he likes to share with the world. Abandoned buildings, cemeteries, and ghost stories have always called his name, and a particular fan of his has a really, really good ghost story.

read this chapter on ao3 or here!

Phil is herded out of the house before he can shower, style his hair, or put in his contacts. As soon as his clothes are finished drying, his parents are pushing him and all of his bags out the door.

“We’ve got someone coming to see the house,” his mum had explained in that half-frantic voice he associates with company arriving. “You’ve got somewhere to be, haven’t you?”

He doesn’t have the gumption to explain that he’s still got hours before he has to be anywhere. Instead, Phil just hoists his bags higher on his shoulders and sets off for the bus stop. The wind isn’t bad today, thank goodness for small mercies, but it still isn’t pleasant to be outside in November. He pushes his floppy, unwashed hair off his forehead and reluctantly sends Dan a message.

It’s still pretty early and Dan might be in class by now, so he doesn’t expect an immediate response. He’s halfway through a Buzzfeed article and leaning against the shaky bus window by the time his phone buzzes.

im omw from class now just meet me at my place

An address follows, close enough to the coffee shop and the Wilkins place for Phil to feel comfortable finding it. He’s not sure how comfortable he is with being in such a small, private place with Dan before spending most of the night with them. He wonders if his brewing feelings and abject confusion surrounding them will be obvious.

Phil bites his lip and taps away from the article. He’s not sure where to start, but he thinks it’s about time that he started looking into gender stuff. He’s lived with PJ for almost two years and been friends with him for longer, but this isn’t something they tend to talk about. Technically, he hadn’t even been told, he’d just picked up on it from conversations around the old Brighton house. PJ isn’t in the closet, but he seems to have the same attitude about his gender identity that Phil has about his sexual identity - it isn’t anyone’s business unless they’re actively pursuing him.

This isn’t about PJ, though. Phil can’t pretend like these bewildered Google searches are in any way an attempt to understand his friend better. This is about Dan.

--

“Dan?”

The girl looks confused enough that Phil thinks he’s gotten the wrong flat for a horrified moment, but then her brow uncreases and she laughs.

“Oh, duh. Sorry, she doesn’t have many people coming to visit.” She waves Phil inside and eyes his bags. “Especially not many that look like they’re moving in. You planning on staying long, mate?”

“Just the night,” Phil says, more or less honestly. His brain is still stuck on the new pronoun. He knows that Dan is fine with any pronouns, and that includes feminine ones, it just feels strange to have someone use the opposite of what most people might assume. “Er, my parents are selling their place and needed my junk out of the way.”

She nods and gestures deeper into the flat. It doesn’t have as many doors as the Brighton house that Phil shares with a rugby team’s worth of people, but it’s still enough to overwhelm him a bit. Seemingly in response to whatever panicked expression finds its way to Phil’s face, the girl laughs. “Winnie’s room is at the end of the hall,” she says. “Her name’s on the door, you can’t miss it.”

“Her name being Winnie,” Phil says slowly.

“That’s what she wants us to call her,” the girl says. There’s an edge to her voice now, a sort of protectiveness that Phil doesn’t know how to respond to.

Phil gives her an uncertain sort of smile and heads down the hallway. The common areas are surprisingly tidy for a student flat, but he still doesn’t feel comfortable there. He finds himself in front of a dark wooden door with a Winnie the Pooh poster stuck to it. It’s not exactly a nameplate, but Phil understands why their flatmate said that.

He knocks lightly, not wanting to disturb the other people who live here and might still be asleep. It’s barely past noon, after all, and Phil remembers what it was like to be a student. Hell, he doesn’t really have a proper sleep schedule now.

“Come in!”

Dan’s room is darker than the rest of the flat, and Phil has to let his eyes adjust for a moment as the door closes behind him. There are blackout curtains over the single window and fairy lights draped over every possible surface, giving the whole place a soft vibe. Phil doesn’t see Dan at first, but then he realises that they’re on the floor with -

“Is that a weasel?” Phil asks without bothering to say hello, dropping his bags carefully. The last thing he wants to do is scare the creature that’s scampering all over Dan’s shoulders and arms.

“Excuse me,” Dan laughs. They hold out the animal for inspection, and Phil joins them on the floor. “This is Tofu, he’s a ferret.”

“Hello, Tofu,” says Phil. He reaches out to gently take the ferret’s paw between his thumb and finger, and he pretends like they’re shaking hands. Dan laughs again, bright and happy, and Phil decides that he really likes seeing Dan in their comfort zone. “It’s very nice to meet you! I’m Phil.”

Tofu makes a squeaking sort of noise and wiggles out of Dan’s hands to roll around on the carpet.

“He’s kind of an idiot,” Dan says fondly. “Pixel is the smart one in this family, but she’s sleeping.”

Phil’s eyes follow Dan’s vague gesture to a surprisingly large, multi-level enclosure. There’s another ferret curled up in there, and Phil assumes that’s Pixel. “Exactly how many weasels do you have?”

“Just the two,” says Dan. They’re smiling so wide that Phil can’t bring himself to look away. Their lips are a dark shade of red, or maybe burgundy, but it’s hard to tell in the low lighting. The dark lines around their eyes are even more shadowed with it, though, and it’s an entrancing sort of effect. “Originally it was just the one, but she got so lonely. I should have gotten an introverted animal, I guess, if I didn’t want multiple, but I didn’t mind. Pixel wanted a buddy, so. Pixel got a buddy.”

“I think even introverts need buddies sometimes,” says Phil.

He’s suddenly so self-conscious about being here in his current state. He’s wearing his trusty denim on denim, which he knows suits him fine, but he’s also got his clunky glasses and can’t remember if he put deodorant on or not. Dan, on the other hand, looks as stunning as always.

That gets even more obvious as they lounge out a bit, uncrossing and stretching their long legs. Their leggings are tight and translucent enough that Phil might find them indecent if there weren’t a short, swishy skirt covering the important bits. When Dan stretches their arms out, too, their unbuttoned flannel falls further open and shows off the cropped band tee underneath.

Most of Dan’s body is covered, really. Only their hands and neck and navel are out, but that’s enough to make Phil’s brain short-circuit. Their hands are distractingly big, but still so gentle when they pick Tofu back up; their neck is long and ends in either a sharp clavicle or a soft, rounded jawline; their tummy is soft like the rest of them and there’s a simple barbell piercing through their belly button that Phil has to force himself to look away from.

“Have you talked to your friends about us going back?” Dan asks, seemingly oblivious to the way Phil is taking them in from head to toe.

“What?” Phil bleats, and then his brain catches up to the conversation before Dan can repeat themself. “Oh, yeah. I texted them about it, and they’re a bit worried, but they’re glad you’re coming along. They were pretty nervous about me doing this alone.”

“PJ said you tend to do stupid shit,” Dan says bluntly. Tofu is climbing up their arms and biting at their hair, but they don’t even react.

“When did PJ say that?”

Dan’s lips curve into a smile. “When he drove me home. We talked about you.”

Normally, a statement like that would make Phil anxious. He still feels it, a bit, that creeping sense of frustration and nervousness that he associates with mild anxiety, but it’s more dull than it would be if Dan wasn’t smiling at him so softly. Something about it makes Phil certain that he’d get an honest answer if he asked what they all said about him.

That certainty and budding trust are enough to keep his loud anxiety at bay, and Phil finds that he doesn’t feel the need to ask.

Instead, he looks around Dan’s room some more. Pixel is still napping soundly, and Phil doesn’t blame her - the room is so quiet and dim and full of pleasing scents from the candles on Dan’s nightstand, Phil can easily imagine curling up somewhere soft in here and nodding off.

The furniture itself is crappy in the way that most students have to deal with, but Dan seems to have an eye for design that Phil has never had. Sure, there’s no bed frame to hold Dan’s mattress, but their duvet matches the monochrome colour scheme of the posters and paintings on the walls, and their pillows look welcoming surrounded by a small collection of stuffed animals. Their desk is organized, but their closet is open and spilling clothes onto the floor a bit. Phil wonders if that’s something Dan had planned on fixing before he got here, or if Dan doesn’t mind having their dresses and jeans and boots on display.

There’s barely any colour at all, really, but it doesn’t feel depressing like Phil would have thought it might.

That’s not exactly true. There’s some colour.

Phil must be looking at the flag on the wall for too long, because Dan makes a humming sort of noise and breaks the comfortable quiet. “I know it’s a bit tacky,” they say, “and it doesn’t match, but… I dunno. I wasn’t able to be out until I got to uni, and I might have gone a bit nuts with it.”

“Yeah,” says Phil. His throat is a bit dry. “I can understand that.”

“It makes me feel safe,” says Dan. Phil turns to look at them again, but he regrets it as soon as he sees the genuine emotion in Dan’s wide eyes. He isn’t good with that. “Like. Knowing I can have it hung here, that I can be open with people without them being upset with me or something. I don’t think the flag itself makes me feel safe? But maybe that’s not true, either. Maybe embracing that part of myself helped me embrace the community as a whole. I haven’t done Pride yet or anything. Maybe next year. But - safety. Comfort. Y’know?”

“I do,” Phil says quietly. “I do know.”

Dan’s eyes go sharp. Phil hasn’t seen them do that before, and it’s unnerving how much it feels like his very soul is under scrutiny. He wants to squirm away from that feeling, doesn’t want any part of himself under a microscope, but he doesn’t want to run like he might normally.

There’s another moment of quiet, where Dan looks at Phil and Phil doesn’t look away, but of course Phil is the first to break.

“Which of those is your favourite?” he asks instead of saying the words he knows Dan is waiting for. He doesn’t want to run, but that doesn’t mean he needs to be more forthcoming. At Dan’s furrowed brow, Phil gestures to the bookshelf. Dan has a lot of books and movies and boxsets and textbooks, more than Phil can take in all at once. “The, uh, the anime. My favourite’s Fullmetal Alchemist. Er, Brotherhood, not the first one, but both are good.”

For a second, it doesn’t seem like Dan is going to allow him to change the subject so easily. But then Tofu bites at their ear and they’re both giggling, the intensity of the moment slinking off to make way for casual conversation.

--

Talking to Dan is easier than talking to some people that Phil has known for years. They put on a show that they’ve both seen and enjoy and they chat the whole time. Phil points out camera and editing choices that Dan hadn’t put much thought to before, and Dan rambles about theories they’d seen on Reddit for so long that Pixel has become Phil’s best friend by the end of it. Dan makes food at some point, their brief absence allowing Phil to look more carefully at the titles on their shelves. They have even more to talk about when Dan gets back, because Phil has a lot of opinions on some of the quote-unquote ‘classics’ that Dan reads and Dan has some opinions on Phil picking the cheese off his sandwich. Phil almost forgets that he’s here for a specific reason, that they aren’t just friends hanging out, until Dan brings out their Polaroid and starts asking questions about what to expect on the haunt.

Phil kind of wishes they could just stay here.

--

Before they left, PJ, Sophie, and Chris had all drawn several Sharpie sigils on a thin piece of scrap fabric and insisted that Phil tie it around his wrist or something. He takes it out of his pocket as he and Dan approach the house.

“Here,” he says, pulling them to a stop and rolling their sleeve up a bit. He ignores their big doe eyes and wraps it around their knobby wrist a couple of times. “Is that too tight?”

“No,” says Dan. They stay still while Phil ties it, and then they raise their hand to inspect it.

“It’s from the gang,” says Phil. “I know it seems like the sigils didn’t help last time, but - well, I dunno. Maybe they did help and it was going to be a lot worse without them. Or maybe they just rubbed off our skin too quickly. But, y’know, I know you don’t believe in this stuff, it just… it makes us feel better. I thought it would be a good placebo for you if nothing else.”

Dan touches the fabric and then smiles, looking for all the world like Phil has given them something precious.

“Thank you,” they say, their voice altogether too sincere for Phil to respond to without some major awkwardness. “What about you?”

“Oh, I’m already wearing my thing,” Phil lies. “C’mon, let’s get inside.”

The thing is, Phil figures Dan is the one who needs protecting from whatever is going on in the Wilkins place. They’re the one who got attacked last time, while Phil only dealt with flickering lights and the feeling of being watched. The last thing he needs is for Dan to insist on coming along again only to get themself hurt again.

He’s not sure if Dan believes him or not, but it doesn’t matter. Phil is already shouldering the back door open. He could climb through the window again with a boost from Dan, but he doesn’t think he has enough upper-body strength to pull Dan up after him.

The kitchen is as dark and dusty as ever, but that smothering, creeping feeling of eyes in the walls isn’t present. Phil stands still for a few seconds, waiting for it to wash over him again, but in the end he’s in the same place he figured he’d be from the beginning - listening to the creaking sounds of a house with absolutely nothing supernatural about it. He’s weirdly disappointed, but he imagines that Dan must be relieved.

He turns to Dan to see what they think, but their eyes are just as wide as they’d been the last time.

“Hey,” Phil says, quiet so as not to disturb the dust. “You feel something?”

“No,” Dan admits. They move closer to Phil, twisting their fingers into the cuff of his jacket and holding tight. It’s sort of sweet how they think he might leave them alone in this house, but it’s also somewhat of a nuisance to have a large person attached to him while he’s trying to move quietly.

“Then what’s wrong? Do you need to leave?”

Dan shakes their head. Their teeth dig into their dark bottom lip, and even though they reapplied their lip product before leaving the house, it still ends up on their teeth a little bit. Phil isn’t sure if he’s supposed to point it out or not. “I don’t need to leave or anything, it’s fine. I’m fine. Coming with you was the whole point. I just don’t… okay. Promise not to laugh at me?”

“I think I promise,” says Phil. He gives Dan a reassuring little smile. “But if you break into song and dance or something I reserve the right to change my mind.”

“Shut up,” Dan says, but they’re giggling. “No, I just… I just don’t like the dark, okay?”

It clearly takes something out of Dan to admit that. Phil shifts his hand so he can squeeze Dan’s. “Nobody really likes the dark,” Phil says. “I mean, it’s kind of my job, so I’m used to it, but I wouldn’t mind being somewhere brightly-lit and clean instead.”

“Thanks.” Dan’s cheeks look a bit darker, but that might just be the low lighting. “You can lead the way.”

--

Nothing happens.

There are spiders and dark corners and once or twice a loud noise from outside makes Dan jump and grab at his hand again, but Phil never feels like anything more is going to happen. The walls don’t have anything behind them except maybe rats, and even the attic simply makes Phil sneeze.

It’s frustrating. It’s almost worse than the night that he put his friends in danger, because at least then he knew that he could have a chance at a decent video. Now, there’s nothing to record.

Phil finds himself wishing for a flickering light or a quick shadow. He wants something, anything, to make him feel like he’s doing something productive with his life.

Instead, he just feels like he’s wading deeper into the confusion and shadows of his own future. He doesn’t know where he’s going to go if he can’t keep going back to the darkness of abandoned houses and old cemeteries. He went to uni, sure, but he hasn’t had a ‘real’ job in his life. Unless a month at the stationery store counts. He’s pretty sure it doesn’t. He wouldn’t even know where to begin with figuring out what he ought to be doing with his life if he isn’t chasing ghosts, but he’s not having fun with this anymore.

He’s twenty-six. It’s not old, he’s not old. He’s got plenty of time to figure his life out.

But if he’s spent the last decade wasting all his free time on something that isn’t enjoyable anymore, then he doesn’t know if he’s going to be able to forgive himself.

Dan is in his personal space again, pressing close to avoid the encroaching darkness, and they smell like… lavender. Phil remembers spice and mint from them, and he wonders if they’re wearing some kind of perfume today. It’s such a feminine scent that it’s hard for him to wrap his mind around the fact that he wants.

Further and further into the waters he goes. He doesn’t know what comes next for any of it, and it’s terrifying.

--

“We could stay all night again,” Phil is protesting, even as Dan frogmarches him down the back steps. “I know we didn’t find anything, but maybe it only works when you’re trying to sleep over? I could -”

“You’ll do nothing,” says Dan. “We are both going home, and I’m seeing you onto the bus so you don’t sneak back without me.”

Phil wants to object, but Dan tightens their grip on his arms like they know exactly what he’s going to say. Besides, it would probably be a lie. Phil is stressed and frustrated and in over his head, and if he could just get one clip or photo of this thing, then maybe everything will be okay. Maybe he can keep doing this after all.

He gently detangles himself from Dan and sighs, hoisting his backpack up. “Fucking… fine.”

“Fucking fine,” Dan repeats, their lips twitching.

“Maybe the sigils worked too well,” says Phil. He keeps his tone level so that Dan won’t be able to tell that he’s joking right away, but Dan shoves at his shoulder like they’re well aware of what he’s doing. “You know, I bet -”

“You’re annoying when you can’t do what you want, huh?” Dan interrupts. Their hands are shoved in their jacket pockets, but Phil wishes they weren’t. He wishes he could brush his hand against theirs as they walk and convince himself that it’s all an accident. “Bet that’s the baby brother in you.”

“No comment.”

The walk to the bus stop is quieter than the last time Dan walked him to it, but it's not uncomfortable. Phil can’t believe how much he cares about this person already. They’re friends, he’s pretty sure, and it’s impossible to deny how much this crush is starting to get to him. Still. It’s new, Dan is new, and Phil has to consider the possibility that the novelty is all he’s feeling.

It’s not. But he has to consider it, because Phil has to consider every possibility before he makes his mind up about anything.

“Hey,” Phil says, careful not to sound like he’s pushing.

“Hi,” says Dan. Phil isn’t looking at them, but he can hear a grin in their voice.

“I was just wondering,” says Phil. “I mean, you don’t have to tell me if it’s a sore spot or anything like that, but. Your flatmate said you were called Winnie. Obviously I know you go by Winnie online, but I didn’t know you did it, uh, outside of cyberspace.”

“Cyberspace,” Dan repeats like they can’t help themself. “Yeah, sometimes. I usually use it like a test.”

“A test?”

Dan hums. Phil wishes, again, that their hands weren’t trapped in the confines of their jacket. “For people I might get closer to. I ask my flatmates to call me something that’s clearly not masculine and see how they react and how often they slip up. Maybe it’s mean, I guess, since I don’t actually care one way or the other, but it’s a lot easier for me to open up to people who have already proven that they’re able to think of me outside of the Daniel box.”

“I can call you Winnie,” Phil offers. “If that’s what you want to be called. And I’m not a complete idiot, I’m sure I could remember to call you Dan when I’m bothering you at work.”

“Planning on bothering me at work some more?” Dan asks. They don’t wait for an answer. “No, I like Dan fine. They’re both fine. They just serve me different purposes, I guess, and I’m not bothered by either of them.”

“I don’t totally get it,” Phil admits. “But I’ll do whatever you want.”

“I know.”

Suddenly, Dan is tangling their long fingers with Phil's. It’s just for a second, long enough for the same sort of reassuring squeeze that Phil gave to them in the Wilkins place, but it makes Phil’s heart jump into his throat.

“You’re, like, overly considerate,” says Dan. They sound like they’re teasing - Phil hopes they’re teasing. He really, really doesn’t want to mess this up.

“I just think you should be able to, like, tell me if I do something wrong.”

Dan laughs. “You’re not getting it. That’s okay, you don’t have to get it. I will tell you if you do something wrong, I just have a really wide range of things I’m indifferent about before you get to the things that matter. Call me a boy or a girl or whatever, I don’t care. Try to imply that my favourite Pokémon is fucking Goldeen, on the other hand -”

They ramble all the way to the stop, and Phil finds himself feeling better despite the fruitless hours of wandering a dusty house.

“This is me,” Phil says as he sees headlights coming down the street towards them.

“Message me tomorrow,” Dan insists. For a moment, they’re both just standing there. Phil has no idea what he’s supposed to do in this situation. Surely a handshake would be weird, but would a hug be weirder? Should he just pat their shoulder, or is that absolutely the creepiest thing he could do? They had both waved, yesterday, so maybe that’s what he ought to do again. His eyes drift to Dan’s mouth. The product is still mostly there, but there are indents where their front teeth have been digging all night that show the natural colour of their lips.

That’s not an option, Phil reminds himself with a little shake. He’s about to keep overthinking it when Dan wraps their arms around him and says something that sounds like a goodnight. They smell good, and they feel good, and the only thing that gets Phil stepping back is the sound of a bus stopping next to them.

“Bye,” he says, quiet. Dan’s smile is almost enough to make him miss this bus and wait for the next one.

[michaelmyersmalewife]

DYAD | i. hard knocks

words: 1k+

ship: venom symbiote/reader

warning(s): gaslighting, manipulation (not overt but still)

A/N: EYYYY ok it's been a hot minute since i've written anything but venom broke my writer's block like a mf so im ready to get back at my usual self-indulgent bullshit

you can also support this fic on wattpad & ao3

If the alarm ringing throughout the facility hadn't woken you up first, your cellmate's snoring would've beaten it.

You shot a drowsy glare at the person across from you. You could barely see their short, messy hair peeking above their shoulder as their chest gently rose and fell. How they were hardly roused by the shrill noise was a mystery to you. You had only spent a little over a year in the facility and yet you couldn't see yourself getting used to it. The snoring, you mean.

With a stifled groan, you pushed yourself off the stiff mattress, shivering slightly from the touch of the cold floor. Looking over at your cellmate, they had only turned over from their previous position on the bed. Sometimes you wondered if they truly did have the sleeping habits of a log or simply wanted to spite the prison guards. Either way it was something you begrudgingly respected.

~~

You didn't have the chance to finish your usual morning routine before you were escorted out of your cell.

You had been in the middle of your morning stretches (which you had only taken up at least a month prior since being assigned more physical labor rather than kitchen duty) when you were met with a hard tap on the shoulder by one of the guards. You recognized them, as you had tried building some type of friendly rapport with as many that were willing. It's not like you had anything better to do.

They hadn't given you time to get your bearings before they took your arm, dragging you out of your room without a word. You only caught a glimpse of your cellmate but even they seemed about as confused as you were.

"Good morning to you, too." you slurred, the words still feeling heavy and sticky in your mouth.

The guard didn't respond.

You weren't even ten feet away from your cell when a second guard joined you. They were as stoic as ever, not even bothering to look down at you. You huffed. This was probably some prison drama that someone accused you of. It wouldn't be the first time. Asking questions was about as pointless as resisting. You could only trudge along, uncomfortably trying to reposition yourself in their firm grasp as they led you out of the main building.

~~

You could understand the handcuffs - they were pretty much a given - but two guards felt like a bit of an overkill. You weren't rabid, but if whoever requested to meet you was so important then you weren't about to make any snappy remarks.

Through the glass you could see a sharply dressed man with an even sharper expression sitting before you with his hands folded neatly on his lap. Behind him stood a tall, bald man in what looked like a SWAT uniform. Overkill was an understatement. You took a seat ("took" might've been too generous for the guard that all but pushed you forward). The near amiable look on his face that he wore made your skin crawl. You've met people like him before, and not once did you come close to getting along with them. Something about him was familiar but you couldn't place where you could've seen him. He didn't seem like the kind of man one would forget about so easily. He leaned forward, picking up the phone from its kiosk.

"So I assume you're -"

You expected to hear one of the many aliases you had adopted over time. It wasn't an odd occurrence, it had become almost as commonplace as forging a new identity every few years (or whenever the situation called for it). You don't think you could recall the last time you heard your name - your real name - without just a little difficulty. That is, until it was uttered by the stranger before you with perfect pronunciation.

You must have been making a face of some sort, as you heard the man's raspy chuckle through the glass.

"Don't worry, we don't know each other." There was something about his smile that eased your discomfort. You didn't like it.

"I'm Carlton Drake. I'm with the Life Foundation and I was hoping you'd assist me in a - a project of sorts. I had a look at your files and you seem to be a prime candidate for our-"

Ah. You had heard of him. At this point, who hadn't? He was the world's latest business magnate claiming to hold the cure to cancer and putting people on Mars. He was also currently the subject of several ethical dilemmas. Lovely.

"Yeah, think you got the wrong guinea pig, Mr. Drake."

He blinked, shifting in his seat as he subtly licked his lips.

"I'm not sure you're understanding the importance of your role here,"

"Oh I'm pretty sure I get it. I mean, why else would you be coming to a prison for free volunteers?"

He shut his eyes for a second longer than normal.

"I could get you out of here. All I need is your consent." He said softly, fingers rhythmically tapping on the counter.

"I can just say the word and," he punctuated with a snap. "Easy."

You rolled your eyes. If your line of work taught you anything, it was to never trust a rich man.

"If you read my files you'd know I only have less than a year here so thanks, but no thanks."

Something changed in his demeanor, something sharp in eyes that caused your skin to prickle with unease. You could tell he wanted to scowl at you just from the crease in brow that started to form. But he didn't. Instead he turned his body to the side - gaze still fixed on you. In one quick motion he waved to the man at his side. And with a curt nod from the stone-faced guard, the two behind you obediently left the room. Drake leaned forward. At this distance, you could see that his grip on the phone tightened. Your heartbeat quickened.

"Let's be realistic for a moment. Did you really think you'd have a better chance out of here? Without help, no less? Aggravated assault, petty theft, resisting arrest - and that's just at the top of the list, I might add. Should I go on?"

Your jaw clenched at the sound of his ambiguously sarcastic tone.

"The way I see it you have two options. You rot in here," he tapped his finger against the glass. "Or you rot out there. Your choice."

You focused on curling and uncurling your fist, not wanting to look at what you knew was a face that screamed 'gotcha!' Ignoring the thinly veiled threat, you sighed, limply throwing your free hand up.

"Fine."

It's not like I have a choice, you muttered under your breath.

He laced his fingers together, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied smile.

"Fantastic!" he said, clapping his hands together as though the previous conversation hadn't just taken place.

Drake nodded at the man by his side, and on cue called in the two guards that waited patiently just behind the door.

"We'll be looking forward to working with you."

[jewelslover]

My Expectation

Chapter 2: Strawberries

Summary:

XY is feeling discouraged when she can't get over her obstacles.

Pairing: J-Hope/Jung Hoseok x Original Female Character(s)/Reader

Word Count: 2.9K

Length: 2/? | MASTERLIST |

Comedy, Angst, Fluff

AO3

Important Fic Info:

COMPANY NAME: WatchList Ent. ~ BASIC MEMBER INFO (In order of Leader/Oldest-Youngest): IOU-Park Jiwoo (19 years old) Genie- Im Mijin (24 years old) Angel- Im Misun (24 years old) XY- Kim Soobin (21 years old) E- Lee Eunki (17 years old) ~ CURRENT TIME TABLE: October 2017

Beep, Beeep, Beeeep~

I felt around blindly for the alarm clock, meeting nothing but cotton bed sheets. The beeping had been going on for the past five minutes and the high pitched noise was driving me insane. Granted, the noise would have stopped by now if I’d just open my eyes, so in reality I was bringing this insanity upon myself.

Someone walked into the room, and with a click, harsh fluorescent lights pierced through my eyelids. I groaned and stuffed my face into a flattened pillow when hands started shaking my shoulder.

“Unnie~” a voice whined.

I slowly lifted my head and forced my eyes open just enough to see E’s face hovering above my own. She smiled down and laughed at what must’ve been my exhausted expression. She pushed my shoulder again and balanced precariously on the edge of the mattress.

Seriously, what was people’s problem with letting me sleep? I stuck my tongue out at the younger girl and sat up with some help from her. “What time is it?” I asked, rubbing the butt of my palm into my eyes.

The other laughed at the question and shook her head in disappointment, blonde curls bouncing around her face. Wait… Blonde? I looked at her quizzically and furrowed my brows. Grabbing one of the curls in my hand, I proceeded to examine it, which only made Eunki laugh more.

“Soobin-Unnie, what are you doing?” She laughed, pushing my hand away and letting the pulled curl bounce back into place.

“Your hair is different…” I noted, leaning my weight onto my supporting hand. She rolled her eyes and pulled me to my feet, dragging me to the dresser across from my bed.

“Silly, we have restyling today. Angel-unnie and I finished early, but Jiwoo and Genie-Unnie are still there. They’re waiting for you.”

“Waitin- Wait! What time is it?!” I asked, my eyes going wide. I looked around for the earlier offending alarm clock and looked at the numbers displayed on the screen.

Do you know the flip-flop your heart does when you feel for your phone, only to find that it’s not in your pocket? That’s what my heart did, but ten times over.

“Oh my god! It’s passed noon! I’m gonna be late!” I reached into the roots of my hair and quickly snapped out of my tired daze.

“Yeah… I just told you that,” Eunki said, looking at me with a confused expression. I quickly grabbed my phone from it’s charger, pocketing it in the jacket that I still had on from yesterday. Holding my hands out to pause, I quickly looked around for anything else I would need, deciding to grab a clean change of clothes for when I arrived at BigHit.

I nodded to myself when I had everything I needed and started to walk out of the room when Eunki stepped in front of me, her hands settled on her hips in an authoritative manner. However, considering her small stature, she looked more pouty than threatening.

“Unnie, what on earth are you doing?” She stood there with her lips settled into a slight frown, her big eyes narrowed into concerned crescents. I looked past her and into the living room, finding my dance bag settled in a lump near the door.

“I’m late to dance practice! Hoseok-Oppa and Jungkook-ah will be waiting for me,” I started, trying to move past her and into the other room.

“You… have practice today? You didn’t tell management. We already have a schedule today,” She continued blocking my path, following me as I tried to get around her.

“Unnie stop,” she said, grabbing me by my arms. Her eyebrows furrowed as she got a closer look at me, “Are you even fully awake?”

I looked down blankly at her, wondering what she was going on about. A styling appointment? I had already told management about the practice I had planned- I told them every time Hoseok and I aligned our schedules. That’s exactly what I told Eunki.

“I’ve taken care of it Eunki. We aligned our schedules already.”

“Unnie, we haven’t gotten this month’s schedule yet. Do you even remember what yesterday’s date was?”

I shook my head and grabbed my phone to check the date on the homescreen.

“Sunday, October 1”

Oh.

Reality sunk in as I looked at the screen and started to collect my thoughts. Bangtan was busy with meetings today, Hoseok and I hadn’t met about scheduling yet, and I wasn’t late for anything… other than my styling appointment. I pressed the pads of my middle and index fingers to my temples and rubbed, trying to calm myself down. The adrenaline from my panic started to trickle away, being replaced by exhaustion.

“Soobin…” Eunki asked in genuine worry, dropping the honorific.

“I’m fine. Just a little disoriented that’s all.”

She pressed her lips together and took hold of my arm once again, dragging me down the hall. “You’re taking a shower. Take some time to clear your head. I’ll tell Styling that I held you up.”

I sighed in disagreement and stopped halfway there, only to be met by a pitiful pout from her until I caved and continued walking. She smiled triumphantly, pushing me into the bathroom. After hearing the lock of the door, she headed back down the hall to call the stylist Unnies.

Four hours later, I came out of styling, complete with a new hairstyle and color. Travelling into the company dance studio I caught sight of myself in the mirrored wall and cringed.

Red. Why did they have to choose red.

I tugged on the braided pigtails and groaned. Scratch what I thought yesterday, I was no longer looking forward to meeting Hoseok and Jungkook for our next dance practice. I didn’t even want to think about the amount of teasing I would receive. Aside from the fact that my face would probably be indistinguishable from my hair, the dye was ironically the same shade as Hoseok’s. I let go of my hair and shook my head, dropping my duffle near the closest wall.

Reaching in, I grabbed the clean change of clothes from earlier, my favorite tennis, a water bottle, and a short aux cord. Setting the other various items next to the bag, I cradled the bundle of clothes under my arm and slipped away to the nearest bathroom.

-

I shook my hand through the sleeve of the sweater, forcing it through the soft material. Letting out a sigh of relief, I stepped out of the bathroom and headed back towards the studio. It was almost pitiful how much joy comfortable clothes could bring someone. I shoved open the studio door with my back whilst trying to pin my bangs up and out of my face with a bobby pin. However, due to their new (aka: annoying) lack of length, the small clip did nothing as the hair flopped back onto my forehead.

Rolling my eyes, I reached into the duffle and pulled out a thick Nike headband, stretching it over my head. Holding out my hands, I let the band sit to see if it would do its job without me holding it in place. After successfully remaining unmoving, I pulled my phone from my sweater pocket and grabbed the aux cord I had set on the floor earlier.

Connecting both to the soundboard in the studio, I scrolled through my music library until I found Yoongi’s track. Tapping play, his deep voice pulsed through the speakers accompanied by the rough cut of instrumentals and effects. I settled in the middle of the studio and closed my eyes for a moment, focusing on the beat of the track.

Opening them again as the track grew closer to where I entered, I pressed my lips together in concentration before beginning the familiar steps.

It was funny actually. Compared to a few spots here and there, the choreography looked near completion. If I were looking at it from an outside view, I would say it only needed a little polishing. At least, that’s what I would say if it weren’t for the spin…

I closed my eyes, shaking my head in frustration as I slipped mid-routine. I groaned and walked over to my phone, pausing the track right before the bass drop and spin. I leant my back against the cool reflective glass of the mirror and breathed out. I was overthinking, exactly what Hoseok had told me not to do.

I thought back on yesterday’s practice, specifically the dialogue that had occured when the two of us were alone.

. . .

“You seem frustrated with the second verse,” Hoseok commented. When he paused the music, I looked up at him and shrugged, shaking out an arm that was tired.

“The spin is proving to be difficult, but I’ll get it… eventually.”

“That didn’t sound too confident…”  He said, quirking an eyebrow.

“Look it’s not a big deal. Run it again please,” I asked, moving towards the soundboard. He stepped in front of it and I stopped. I made a face, “What are you doing, Oppa?”

“You’re tired and frustrated. I’m stopping practice because you won’t make any progress in that mind set. It’s not healthy Soobin-ssi,” He frowned, a rare expression on his face.

I rolled my eyes. “Hoseok-Oppa I’m not tired,” I said… and yawned. He smirked at my yawn and I scrunched up my nose. “That was just… bad timing. I can still practice, I swear.”

“We’re stopping Soobin.”

. . .

I took a breath and pushed off the mirror. Reaching over, I changed the playlist to one that was full of songs I enjoyed. The piano of Sunday Candy started playing through the speakers and I instinctively smiled at the good-vibes song Hoseok had introduced to me during our first practice together.

After making sure the playlist was set on shuffle, I readjusted and took the time to stretch, something I should’ve done as soon as soon as I had re-entered the room. Reaching one arm across my chest and pulling on it with the other, I hoped this would release whatever tension I had built up.

The pastel colors of the sunset had faded into blackness as time grew later. Two hours had passed and I only seemed to be getting worse.

I had paused the music and now laid in the middle of the room, spread out like a starfish. Sighing at the amount of time wasted, I reflected on my progress if you could even call it that. Aside from the fact that I couldn’t get the dumb spin down, the rest of the moves seemed to be going downhill as well. What had seemed polished earlier grew jerky and forced, the complete opposite of the smooth and effortless movements I had practiced yesterday.

I tugged at my braided hair in frustration, unraveling what the stylists had done earlier. There was now hair sticking out at odd angles throughout the pigtails and I decided to just undo them completely, sitting up and pulling the loose hair up into a top knot.

As I was wrapping a spare band around the mess of hair, the door to the practice room opened and Mijin-Unnie, or “Genie”, walked in. I assumed that she was on a facetime call with her twin sister as she played with her newly cropped black hair in front of her phone camera. When she realized that she wasn’t the only one in the room, her focus turned away from whatever she was doing.

“Oh!” she exclaimed once she saw that it was me that occupied the room. “Everyone,” she said, addressing the phone once again, “I’ve just found our XY, working hard as always.”

My eyes widened as she hurried over to me, wrapping a bare arm around my sweaty form and putting the phone in front of us. “A V-live?” I asked, forcing a practiced smile. The older girl eagerly nodded and positioned the phone higher, showcasing our new hair.

“I wanted to show everyone my new comeback look. Now they get to see both of ours!” she laughed, patting down the bun on my head. I smiled and batted her hand away, keeping up the playful facade in front of the camera.

“Hello everyone! Thank you for supporting Expectation’s comeback! We look forward to seeing you all soon!” I said, giving a slight bow to the camera.

“Aish~ So formal. Our fans are family,” Mijin smiled, lots of chat bubbles with heart emojis popping up on the small screen.

I just continued smiling and bowed again. Mijin continued talking and I kinda spaced out, slipping into my own little world. I repeated the choreography steps in my head, subconsciously moving my shoulders and pursing my lips with each transition. What had Hoseok said about the third verse? Was I supposed to face more to the left or right?

“-strawberry!”

I snapped out of my trance as Mijin bopped me on the head, her phone now tucked into her back pocket. Turning, I stared at her, confused. “What?”

“I said you look like a strawberry,” she laughed. “You should never pair your red hair with that green headband again unless you’re aiming to look like a fruit. In which case, if you are, you’re killing it.”

“Oh… okay,” I responded half-heartedly.

She jokingly shoved my shoulder, gaining my full attention. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Me? Uh, nothing. Just thinking,” I said, standing up and brushing off my leggings. I disconnected my phone from the soundboard and slid it back into my sweater pocket. I started going around to collect my things and Mijin followed, crossing her arms in front of her.

“Don’t give me that Soobin-ssi,” she said, frowning. “I know that when you’re ‘thinking’ something bigger is always going on. What’s wrong? You’ve been in a sour mood for weeks now.”

I shrugged and zipped up my duffle bag once all my belongings were safely stored inside. “It’s just… choreography block. I’m a bit frustrated, but I’ll get out my funk soon.”

“I’ll accept that excuse… for now,” she smiled, nudging her shoulder into mine. “I’m sorry for pushing you into that V-live earlier.”

I smiled back at her, “It’s fine, Unnie. You didn’t know I was having a hard time.”

I stood up, pulling my bag over my shoulder and we walked out of the studio together, meeting Jiwoo-ssi in the hall, and all took the same van back to the dorm. When we pulled up to the front of the apartment complex, Angel, or Misun-Unnie, met us outside.

“Finally! E and I have been worried. Wher-” She stopped herself short and grinned when she looked up at us. “Awwe! Soobin-ssi, your hair looks like a strawberry!”

“Why does everyone think that I look like a fruit?” I sighed as Mijin shot me a pointed look. I stuck out my tongue at her, causing her to laugh before hurrying inside with her twin, complaining about Seoul’s chilly fall weather. Behind me, I felt an arm link around my own as a body pulled closer to mine.

I looked over and saw Jiwoo’s shivering form hunkered into herself, latching onto me for warmth. Even after three years of living in Seoul as a trainee, she still hadn’t adjusted to the cold weather. Coming from Busan she had pretty thin blood. Snuggling against me like this had become a pretty common occurrence in the last 2 years of living together.

We walked together, using each other as wind-protectors, unlatching once we were inside the warm building. My phone vibrated and I urged Jiwoo ahead of me, telling her that I would catch up. She nodded, smiling, and ran to meet the twins at the elevator. I pulled my phone out and saw that I had 2 missed messages from Hoseok.

Happy Feet

“Just got my schedule ^.^”

“*click to open attachment*”

I tapped on the file box and opened the attachment listing Hoseok’s times off. These weren't necessarily days that he didn’t have schedules, but days where he had the time to practice.

I tapped out a quick message in reply, telling him that I would get back to him soon, and headed to the elevator.

The next week, I had a schedule full of comeback preparation, making it impossible to meet up with Hoseok. I spent any spare moment I had in the studio practicing comeback choreo as well as the original that Hoseok, Jungkook, and I created. It was filled with trial and error, and I could almost feel my practice time quickly deteriorating into wasted energy. The difficulty I would have with one of the choreographies would affect the other, and our dance instructors were starting to take notice.

“Soobin-ssi, take some time to sit out. You need to take a breath,” one of them finally said, taking me out of formation from the rest of the girls. I insisted I was fine, but she ended up sitting me up against the wall anyway, forcing me to watch the rest of my members dance while I did nothing. I pressed on top of my head through my beanie and sighed.

It looked like I couldn’t get anything right this week no matter how hard I practiced. I sat there with my head in my hands trying to calm down and hide tears and sweat, our new song droning on in the background. I could hear the sounds of the room around me, but it all seemed drowned out by the thoughts of failure swimming around in my head.

[strawberry-lemonade]

dont read this im just seeing if it works, its unedited and currently shit

"Excuse me, but I happen to think Mávri gáta is hilarious. Those puns are spot on."

Aria opened her mouth and paused, before closing it again.

"Zào Fortuna has got spots right?."

"Wait were you trying to aim a pun at her, but then forgot if she had spots?

"Uh, maybe..."

"Dude, you're an idiot in every sense of the word."

Aria hung her head.

"...I know."

"That's nice."

Aria threw a pillow at her before exploding in a fit of giggles.

"Mooncaaaake! You're supposed to give me a hug and say sorry!"

Marinette sighed and blew her nails before turning to look at Aria.

"We both know how that goes down."

Aria sighed and stood up.

"Have you heard from Adrien in the past few days?"

"You know what? I haven't."

"Last time I talked to him, he told me he got a boyfriend."

"He did? Why didn't I know about that?"

"Babe, weren't you on the other line?"

"Uh... I think I fell asleep."

"Wow. You really need to stop staying up all night on commissions."

"Speaking of, any news about that stuff?"

"Well, from what I've heard, my little sister from another mister is traveling to Gotham because her fashion business has taken off. 'The mysterious designer MDC has bypassed Gabriel Agreste in the polls!' 

"Well, what you heard is true-'

"I also heard that you get to stay in Wayne Manor and bring a friend. Maybe Sabine?"

"What? And risk her finding out that I parade around the city in spots every night? No thanks."

"Hm. Chloe?"

"The invitation would be wasted. She's already going to Gotham with her mom."

"What about Alya?"

"Since 2 heroes will be out of commission, Rena is going to be needed here."

"I don't know."

Aria collapsed on the bed with a groan before sitting up and smirking.

"Lila."

"Okay. Your guessing privileges have been revoked."

"Noooooo! How else will I find out who you're going to take?!"

"By asking. Like a normal person."

"How dare you assume that I'm normal."

"Now I'm beginning to wonder if I should actually tell you."

"Okay, okay! I'll shut up! Just please tell me who, so I don't have to stay up till 3, guessing."

"I wanted to ask you."

"Uh, I will give you an entire list of reasons why I shouldn't come. Plus, I don't really think they'd let me bring the cat."

"I'm asking right now, and if they say no, then I'll politely decline the invitation."

"I don't want you to miss ou-"

"They replied!"

"What? Let me see!"

Aria scrambled off the chaise and scurried over to Marinette, tripping in the process. 

"Wait! Let me get up!"

Aria jumped up and stumbled into the desk.

Marinette clicked the email and recited it aloud.

"Dear MDC, your friend's cat will be allowed. If you need to arrange anything to bring your cat on the plane, please do not hesitate to ask.

 Aria squealed and hugged Marinette.

"Ok. If we can start packing now, I'll come with you." 

"Why do we have to pack now? The trip isn't until Saturday and it's only Wednesday! Can't we just enjoy the first sleepover we've had in a month?"

"Babe, please? I hate procrastinating."

"What are you talking about? You love procrastinating!"

"I don't love it, It just happens to be my default."

"Same difference!"

"Um, no, not the same difference."

"Nyah."

-------

"Dante. I am begging you. Don't turn off the computer yet."

"Aria. it's almost 1 A.M and we both have class tomorrow."

"I knoooow! But I put my fucking heart into this, and if you turn it off right now, it will delete and I have no way of saving it."

"Aria. Go to bed now."

"Nooooo! I have to finish it!"

"Fine. But as soon as the clock gets to 1. I'm turning everything off. Just because you're my favorite doesn't mean I'll let you get away with anything."

"Boi! I let you get away with so many illegal things! Can I not just stay up for another hour to finish a damn design?!"

"Aria?"

"Hi, Minette."

"Are you gonna stay up again while binge-ing on coffee?"

"Maybe..."

"Marinette. Please tell my idiot sister that she needs sleep too."

"Aria-"

"Noooo! My favorites are teaming up to defeat me!"

"Aria. Go. To. Bed."

"No!"

Aria jumped up, seized the computer, shot into the bathroom.

"Ha! Now you can't stop me from finishing this!"

"Okay. I give up. Marinette, she's yours now."

Dante slowly backed out of the kitchen with his arms raised.

"Aria. Come out. Please. It's not a sleepover if it's only one person. Plus I need someone to binge-watch movies with!"

"...What kind of movies?"

"Um, MIB International, Charlie's Angels, Hanna, Atomic Blonde, La Femme Nikita-"

"I'm in. Just give me a second."

The sound of shuffling around could be heard in the unusually silent house. The bathroom door opened to show a dark room a few seconds later, and Aria emerged holding a closed laptop.

"I thought it wasn't going to save?"

"Yeah uh, I lied. I just wanted to keep working."

"Geez. I bet you'll be the only person in Gotham like this."

"Well, I do try to be unique!"

"Okay, we need to finish packing."

"But what about the movies?!"

"We'll watch them while we pack."

"Yay!"

-------

Five movies and two panic attacks later:

"Mooncake! Do you know where my-"

"Beanie? Downstairs in the tardis."

"Oh my gosh, thank you! I need to take a shower, are you almost finished packing?"

"Yeah, two more outfits and I'll be done."

"Kay. My phone is charging next to the window, the password is 314159, the flashy purple app turns on the TV."

With that, Aria walked out of the room and shut the door. Not even 2 minutes later, the sound of running water could be heard, along with the song 'Consideration' was blasting through the house. Marinette shook her head and laughed.

"Geez Ember. Too loud."

Marinette folded the last outfit and placed it in her suitcase. Walking over to the window, she was attacked by Kiro.

“Ack! Get off!”

Marinette started to try and shake the cat off and Kiro released her leg. She jumped onto the bed and yanked her legs up to avoid any further scratches. The door slammed open to reveal a soaking wet Aria in a towel. She still had soap bubbles in her hair and it had stuck to her face while she was running.

“I heard a screech! Is everything okay?”

Marinette stared for a second longer before laughing so hard she fell off the bed.

“OH MY GOSH! Did you just- holy crap! The cat just jumped on me!”

“...are you freaking kidding me? I literally jumped out of the shower to see what in the world was going on. I thought you were being abducted.”

“I’m so sorry! I just-” Marinette collapsed into another fit of giggles.

“Okay, since you’re obviously fine, I’m gonna go finish my shower. Next time, don’t screech unless it’s an emergency. Now my clothes are wet because of my idiocy. Goodbye, Little Missy Macaron.”

Aria walked out of the room, leaving Marinette to try and clean up the water mess. She just threw a towel over the puddle.

Aria walked into the bathroom while shaking her head slowly. She picked up her phone and pressed shuffle on her playlist. Once again, a song started blasting through the house.

————

Marinette grabbed Aria’s phone and unlocked it. She pressed the purple icon that Aria had told her about and clicked the red power button at the top. Nothing happened.

Right. The TV is downstairs.

Marinette sighed and checked under the bed before leaving the safety of the mattress. She picked up her two suitcases and took them downstairs. 5 minutes later, the sound of gunshots and suspenseful music coming from the living room rivaled the pop music coming from the upstairs bathroom.

—————-

Dante, Evita, and Armando came home to three girls shouting and running around, with another standing off to the side and filming. Chloe and Alya had come over to help after Aria had gotten out of the shower. Though it quickly turned into Chloe chasing Aria around and trying to get her to put on some clothes that weren’t covered in paint, and Alya filming Marinette freaking out about losing her deodorant.

“Dante! I stole your Pikachu boxers because they were in my drawers!” Aria ran past him, a disgruntled Chloe in hot pursuit.

“Why do I care?”

“Just thought you should know in case you start looking for them while I’m gone!”

“Speaking of being gone, shouldn’t you guys get going? Your flight leaves in 4 hours.”

“Crap! Evita! Do you have work soon? Can you drive us to the airport?”

“Can’t you guys just bike?”

Aria stopped and stared at Evita incredulously. Chloe didn't slow down quick enough and slammed both girls into the ground.

“Okay, are you stupid? Because we have like, 4 bags each, and the airport is like 45 miles away. ”

“Okay. I’ll take you, but I do have to work soon so we have to go now.”

“Okay. Akiv! Stop! Do you have your bags?”

“Yes, Ember.”

“Mousinette! Are you ready?”

“I NEED DEODORANT.”

“We can get some at the airport.”

“GAH! Okay, fine. Let’s go.”

The three girls ran to give Alya a hug before they left.

“Bye Als! Love you!”

“Adios, Vixen! Te Quiero!”

“Salut Alya!”

——————-

ONE EXCRUCIATINGLY LONG CAR RIDE LATER:,

Marinette, Aria, and Chloe stepped out of the Envoy and took their bags out of the trunk.

“Zai Jian, Evita! Te Quiero mucho!”

“Adios Mija! Je t’aime!”

Aria gave Evita a hug before slinging her book bag and purse over her shoulder and pulling her suitcase over to the entrance. The girls watched the car drive off before turning and walking into the airport.

“Ay Dios Mio…”

“What?”

“Look at the lines!” Aria gestured over to about fifty people standing in front of a counter.

“Oh, mon Dieu.” 

“Um, no. Look at your tickets. We have first-class. Which is the line over there.” Choe pointed over to a short line with only a few people.

“Oh, thank goodness.” Marinette sighed as she scanned over her plane ticket.

“Wait, really?” Aria scrambled for the small slip of paper in her wallet, accidentally dropping it.

A young male, probably around 15, picked it up. He smiled and held it out to her.

“Here you go, m’lady”

“Thanks, bro,” Aria grunted.

The boy froze for only a second, but it was long enough for her to pluck the leather contraption out of his hand and walk away with the other girls. When they were out of earshot, they all burst out laughing.

“Oh my gosh! Did you see his face when you called him ‘bro’?!”

“That was hilarious,” Aria wiped tears from her eyes.

“Welp, now we know how she keeps guys away.” 

“Who knew it was so simple?”

“No. It’s simple for me. I am the Goddess of repellent. You two are mere mortals.”

“She’s right! Oh, Great One! We are unworthy of your presence, but we beg to learn your ways!” Marinette got down on one knee, with one hand over her heart and the other being held out to Aria.

“Oh, get up Mooncake. They’re looking at us crazy again.” Chloe pulled the smaller girl onto her feet and ruffled her hair.

Marinette giggled, then bowed and took Aria’s hand. 

“I am forever indebted to you for teaching me.” She kissed the brunette’s hand before standing up straight again.

“Mooncake, I love you, but that was the weirdest thing you’ve ever done.”

“Thanks, Abelle.”

“No problem babe.”

Aria rolled her eyes. 

“Next!”

The girls looked up to see it was their turn in line.

“Please place your bags in the designated area.” The lady behind the desk gestured to a wire container.

Marinette looked to the side and placed her suitcase into the basket. The other girls quickly followed suit.

“Names?”

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

“Aria Couture.”

“Chloe Bourgeois.”

The lady typed their names into the computer before waving them away. Marinette saw the dull look in her eyes and pulled out 3 macarons before whispering something and smiling.

“Excuse me, Madame? Here are a few macarons. I hope you have a nice day!” 

Marinette picked up her bags and walked away with her friends. She didn’t miss the small smile that appeared on the woman’s face.

“So, what’d you do to the cookies?”

“Let’s just say the rest of her week will be much better.”

“Minette, I have absolutely no idea what you're implying, and at this point, I'm too scared to ask.”

————

“This is why I hate flying. I’m already exhausted and we haven’t even been at the airport for 2 hours.” Marinette groaned.

“We’re done with all the security stuff, and our suitcases are already boarding the plane, which basically means we can currently do whatever we want. And don’t you still need deodorant?”

“Ugh. You’re right. Let’s go.”

Aria grinned and walked towards a sandwich restaurant.

“Aria, where are you going? The toiletries place is over there.” Marinette pointed to a little kiosk next to the bathrooms.

“Come on. You didn’t really think we would get deodorant before we got food, did you?”

“...I am kind of hungry…”

“Let’s go then!”

Aria grabbed Marinette’s right hand and Chloe’s left hand and yanked them over to the restaurant.

——————

“Flight Number 763, First class, Now boarding.”

Aria jolted awake at the sound of the announcement. She looked over at Chloe and Marinette sleeping peacefully and contemplated waking them up. She'd rather not lose an eye, or two.

Chloe woke up as the brunette picked up a small pink bookbag.

“Good morning Chlo,” Aria yawned.

“...hi Ari.”

Grabbing all of their backpacks, she took the tickets and passports out and walked over to the admittance booth.

“Tickets please."

“Here,” Aria handed him all three tickets and passports.

 Aria looked up at the man in the booth.

“Can we go in or do you need sleeping beauty over here to confirm something,” Aria pointed at Marinette.

“Um. You can go in…”

“Thanks, have a nice day!”

The girls walked to the plane and found their seats quickly. Chloe helped Aria set Marinette down and put the carry-on bags in the capsules above them. Both girls fell back asleep about 10 minutes after they buckled up.

——————

GOTHAM:

[actually-impostor]

Coward

implied analogicality but the ship is not the focus

Warnings: Roman angst, one sided Roman/Ann/Patton, Human AU, Self-loathing, Roman center. hurt/no comfort

This fanfic is a monster of 1437 words so im putting it under a read more and also, this is 100% a vent piece in which i make roman suffer cause he’s (surprisingly) the one thats most similar to me.

-0-0-0-0-0-

Roman stared at his reflection in the mirror. He hated it, he hated the way he looked, he hated how his smile always crocked slightly to one side, how his eyes were a dark brown, hated the fact that he had to try so hard to  get his hair to be soft. There wasn’t a single thing in him that was worth appreciating.

He covered the mirror back with the sheet and messed up his hair. He had to put the front back on, put again the happy mask. He simply couldn’t allow the others to know what he felt.

It all started because he hadn’t jumped at the chance he had. He had just stared from afar, only offering a few hints of his real feelings. But Logan? Oh no, Logan had analyzed perfectly his chances and had won. The worst part was that the teacher wasn’t at fault, no one knew of Roman’s feelings.

He shook his head, trying to stop the tears from going down his face, and plastered a self-confident smirk. He couldn’t fall down in front of the others, not now, not when he had finally accepted he was a coward.

“Hey Princey”

“Hello Sunshine, didn’t saw you there”

“Eh, it happens. Come sit with me”

Roman shrugged, crushing the hopeful feeling in his chest. He was used to this, used to cuddling up with the others or being used as a mattress by Patton and Ann. It was normal and it was something Roman was going to allow himself to enjoy, especially because this would be the last time he would have that contact.

“Oh yeah, I’m going to my parents place later“

“Are you staying the night?“

“Yeah I’m probably staying for a while, mom needs a hand“

Roman nodded, this was also normal. The rest of the day went by like it always did. He spent the day cuddling Ann, getting randomly tackle-hugged by Patton, sharing a small smirk with Logan, reminding the others that food, water and meds were a necessary thing (who cared that he went hours or days without food? It wasn’t important even if it made him a hypocrite), and reminding them to sleep if they were tired.

And the worst was that during the whole day those three were always together; always sharing small kisses and soft words. Things that Roman never got, things he had to stare with a fake smile and forced him to hide his feelings as best as possible.

Once dinner was over and all the others had rested enough Roman sighed. He had to do it now or he wouldn’t be able to do it and he’ll regret it. He approached Logan with hesitant steps and called his attention, with a head movement he mentioned the kitchen and Logan nodded.

Roman was nervous, he actually liked Logan as a person and he didn’t wanted to cause problems to anyone, but this was necessary. He had to, for himself.

“Is something the matter Roman?”

“I…” Roman sighed, trying to find strength in the floor “I’ll be leaving the apartment. It’s nothing to worry about, and maybe I’ll be back. But… I thought you should know”

“That’s okay, but I must ask. Are you okay?”

“I’m just being stupid” He shrugged; he knew pretty well his feelings had no base “I do not wish to worry thought, so maybe keep this a secret from Ann and Patton?”

“Well, I must say they will worry no matter what”

“Point, but if it takes them a while to notice I can think of a good excuse”

Logan stared at the younger boy; his usually calculating gaze was now a worried glance. Roman swallowed; he could feel his stomach knotting out of nerves and fear

“If I may, why are you leaving?”

Roman paused, he wasn’t really expecting that question “You must promise Patton and Ann won’t know of my reasons”

“I won’t say anything”

“Very well… It’s because I was too slow. Because I had the chance to be part of a whole and I ruined it… and a better someone took what my brain insist on calling My Place”

Roman knew the other man was aware of what he was saying; there simply wasn’t a way the other wouldn’t notice. He raised his stare from the floor to look his friend in the eyes and took a shuddering breath, he had to run away. It was the only thing he knew how.

“Keep those two safe, okay? And you too, you are just as important” Logan nodded and extended his hand for a handshake.

The second Roman took the teachers hand Logan pulled him into a hug, Roman tensed a little but after a few seconds melted into the hug, hugging back like the world was destroying itself around him. After a few minutes they pulled back.

“Im… I’m sorry for never noticing Roman. Maybe there’s something we can do?”

“No, I just need to clear my head. Close myself up again”

Logan nodded “If you are sure, then I won’t stop you”

The royal-looking boy left that same night, closing the door to what now used to be his apartment. He still needed to explain everything to the other two, but that could wait. The most important thing right now was giving his resignation letter to his boss and start on his new job.

But irony just loves to laugh, because the one that ended up receiving Romans letter was Patton. Roman cursed under his breath; he had no idea what excuse to use for leaving the apartment, but at least the fact that his new job paid more was a decent excuse to resign from his current job.

“You are resigning? Why?”

“Sorry Pat, I just found a job that pays more”

“Oh… it’s okay! I was just curious since you never mentioned it”

“Apologies” Patton giggled a little and waved the apology away

“I didn’t saw you at breakfast tho!”

“I… I’m no longer living in the apartment. I know it’s sudden, there are just a lot of things going on in my life and brain that I need a space for myself”

“Roman, I’m here for you okay? You can count on me”

“I know, I’m sorry. I just need to close myself off first”

Patton nodded, if that was what his friend needed then he would respect it. They said their goodbyes with a long hug, the last hug Roman allowed himself to enjoy. He inhaled the scent of the other man and sighed, he loved him… he loved him so much it felt like his heart was tearing itself apart.

“I…” He coughed, trying to avoid his voice breaking “I gotta go now; my new boss is waiting on the news”

“Good luck Roman”

With that he left, trying as hard as possible to not look back. He wanted to run back in, to hug Patton, to kiss him, to beg him to leave Logan and please give him a chance but he bit his lips until almost make them bleed and walked away without looking back. This was for his own good and for the good of the ones he loved, he had to do it.

It was almost 3 days letter that Roman got the message he was mostly dreading. He was just lazing around in his house when his phone alerted him of a message, and when Roman stared at the screen he froze. He didn’t had a good enough excuse, oh god what was he going to do?

(22:38) Ro? I’m back from my parent’s and Lo told me you left?? What?

(23:05) ah… yeah. Sorry

(23:05) No, its fine just… idk, give a guy some warning?

(23:07) I apologies, I didn’t wanted to worry you

(23:07)… Ro?

(23:07) yes?

(23:10) why did you told Logan and not me? I understand he’s the one that pays and all but… but we are really close

(23:26) I’m sorry, for not telling you I was leaving… and for not explaining the reason. I didn’t wanted you to worry and I forgot to think on the consequences

(23:27) its chill, just… will you ever come back?

(23:30) I will, I promise

“Maybe when I stop being a coward” the boy sighed, letting his phone slip out of his hand and into the ground. He stared at the ceiling, the conversation running circles thought his mind.

He had promise he’ll be back, and he will. But not yet, not now, not when he still lacked the right words to explain what he was feeling.

“I’ll be back when I can tell you the full story” But for now, for now he was going to be a coward. He was going to hide, even if his heart was bleeding, even if his very being was begging him to tell them.

He was a coward after all

[doriansbutt]

here have some ‘i’m tired and i’m up past my bedtime but i had to write something for gil and zack bc im trash’.

under a cut for some endgame spoilers.

Zack Ryder shifted in his sleep, crinkling his nose and grumbling something incoherent against Gil’s shoulder.  They were on their way back to the Nexus for a much-needed break and Zack had settled next to Gil on the sofa in his quarters as the man read a book, the relaxing, ambient music in the background making Zack suddenly very sleepy.  He woke with a deep sigh, blinking the sleep from his eyes and he whined when Gil shifted, making his head fall forward.

“Mornin’, sleepyhead,” came Gil’s amused voice.

“There’s no morning in space,” Zack replied and stretched with a groan.  “How much longer?”

Gil chuckled and set his book aside.  “So impatient.”  He pulled Zack in to sit in his lap, running his fingers through bright blue hair.  They kissed briefly and Gil pulled back to answer.  “Only a few more hours, I think.  We still have some time to kill.”  

Zack gave him a sleepy smile and kissed him again before standing and holding his hand out to help Gil up.  “Mm, I think we should take this to the bed.”

“Really?  In your state?” Gil asked, raising an eyebrow incredulously.  

Zack gave him a smirk and led him to the bed, collapsing onto the soft mattress and immediately burying his face in his pillow, pulling the hood of his sweatshirt up.  “Yeah.  Beds are best for sleeping.”

Gil let out a bark of laughter and curled up next to him, throwing a blanket over both of them.  “Right you are.”

Taking a deep breath of the air in hydroponics, Zack threw his arm over Gil’s shoulders and squeezed.  “Finally.  Time to just relax.”

“Yeah, still don’t know why you picked the Nexus of all places for a break, but I’m with you.”  Gil laced his fingers with Zack’s and leaned into his touch.

Zack smiled sheepishly.  “Okay, fine.  I wanted to see my sister.  After everything, I know she’s itching to get back out there but she’s still not cleared for duty yet.”  

Gil let out an amused snort.  “I know.  You’ve never been good at bluffing me, Ryder.  I can read you like a book.”

“Well at least pretend I’m full of surprises and secrets.  I wanna be mysterious…”  Zack pouted.

“Oh, I’m sure there’s plenty of things I don’t know about you yet.”  He took Zack’s hand and led the way to the med bay where Zack’s twin sister, Katie, was currently staying.  ‘Being held’ was what she liked to call it.

As the door to Katie’s private room slid open, they had a split second to duck to avoid being hit by something flying at their heads.  When they looked down, they saw it was her pillow.  Zack laughed as he picked it up, ready to throw it back at her when he saw her face.  Something clearly upset her.

“Zackery Larson Ryder!” she shouted.

Zack felt himself blush deeply.

“Larson?” Gil whispered, amused.

Zack smacked him with the pillow.  “Shut up.”  He turned to his sister.  “Katie, what’s–”

“You ass.  When were you gonna tell me you died?”

Zack opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it shut when she glared at him.

“More than once.”

“Katie, listen, I didn’t want to upset you.  You were going through your own stuff, so I thought maybe it would be best if you never found out about that…” He trailed off, noticing how Gil moved a little closer to him, offering a source of silent support.  

“That’s something I really, really don’t want you keeping from me.  I was okay with you lying about finding a home here…but…Zack, you’re my brother.  I…”

“I know, I just…I’m sorry.  I’m okay.”

“Except the lasting effects of whatever happened to you when SAM was dark and practically begging me to save your life.”  She crossed her arms over her chest disapprovingly.

“Well…yeah, but I haven’t had any problems lately.”  Gil elbowed him.  “Okay, I haven’t had many problems.  But, Katie, I swear I’m fine.”

“Don’t keep this shit from me, Zack.  We’re supposed to support each other; that’s what siblings do.  I can’t know how to do that if I don’t know something’s wrong.”

Zack sighed and pulled his sister in for a tight embrace.  “I know.  I’m sorry.  Next time I die, you’ll be the first to know.”

Suddenly, several hands were smacking him.  

“Ow, ow!  Okay! Sorry, bad timing!  Ow, I said sorry! Stop hitting me!” He covered his head as both Gil and Katie hit him once more.  

“You’re an ass, you know that?”  Katie said, lightly shoving him.

He smiled at her, a cheesy grin spreading across his face.  “And you love me for it.”

“I’m sure both of us have our reasons for loving you,” Katie replied.  “Now that that’s out of the way, can we get out of here for a little while?  I’m going crazy in here.”

Zack eyed her cautiously.  “You sure you’re up for moving around?”

“Oh, now you’re the voice of reason.  Help me break out of here like a good little brother.”  

Zack chuckled and took Gil’s hand.  “All right, just follow us.  ‘She’s with the Pathfinder’ has to be a good excuse, right?”

“With your record and reputation…no.  We should move quickly,” Gil replied with a smirk.

[sanriosimping]

milkita, a body pillow?

milk was lying in her shared bed, currently cuddling a body pillow to soothe her loneliness

kita, her boyfriend was at training, and would be for a fee hours longer

milk decided to finally grab iut the stupid kita body pillow her friends found for her birthday

it was a pretty comfy pillow, she wouldn't lie about that. but the fact that there was a body pillow of her famous volleyball boyfriend did worry her

"milk, im home"

milk almost dropped her phone at the sudden voice, she threw the pillow across the room and sat upright to see who that familiar voice came from

well, if it wasnt the only other person who could get into this house, her boyfriend, kita shinsuke

"k..kita! youre home early"

milk looks fussed, her hair is a bit messy from the sudden movement

"mhm.. they cancelled training early because its going to rain later"

milk nods, building up a sweat as she could feel the stare of the pillow from the corner pf the room

kita flopped down onto their bed and moved his face to look at her

"are you okay?"

"im fine, im fine!! very fine.." she gulped and avoided eye contact

kita simply nodded, feeling tired. it was only 6pm, but milk felt tired just by looking at her yawning love

she leaned down and wrapped him into a comforting hug, he retaliated by putting his arms around her and pulling her in closely

they manage to drift off to sleep with no worry in the world

milk blinked her eyes open, and sat up yawing, she felt like falling back down onto the mattress until she saw kita, picking up his own body pillow and asking,

"what is this??"

milk smiled and laughed awkwardly, offering an answer, "a body pillow?"

kita's face morphed into a smile, and he started to laugh

milk looked up from the bed and saw her beautiful boyfriend laughing, sunlight just barely illuminating his features

"how and why do you have this?! how made it?!" he asked between his laughter

"ask my friends! i really dont know!!" she said, her voice bubbling with laughter

lets just say that kita's happy to have a third person in the bed, as milk, is probably ecstatic that her fox of a boyfriend didnt react negatively to the newest addition

kita didnt let the fact that she had a body pillow of her very own boyfriend drop, though, he brought it up occasionally, even when friends were around

koi, ara, elle and pho visited one day, and kita greeted them, holding said body pillow

milk was embarrassed, but kita seemed so happy about this and laughed a lot because of it

anything to see kita's beautiful face smile, she thought

-hajime simp 💞🔫

[s3venpounds]

1-98

thank you my dewd for giving me something to do! ngl was going kinda insane and i’ll take anything over doing chores tbh also sorry if this is hella late

weird asks that say a lot

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

coffee mugs usually because they hold more liquid and i use them for everything lol tea, coffee, alcohol, soda

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

lollipops, i like having something in my mouth for long amounts of time(and yes pun intended)

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

cotton candy oh my god. I have such a sweet tooth its ridiculous. I once bought 7 large bags of cotton candy from K days and ate them for the next 2 months even when they got hard and probably nasty lmao i just love that shit. even cotton candy flavoured stuff ( except vodka. thats a trap. )

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

shy, reserved, well behaved basically i was a wimpy little shit

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

I like them in glass cups so i can clean it afterwards and use it again later, waste makes me feel guilty

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

if its applied to me? pastel. I love brighter colors after i stopped wearing blacks greys and whites. they feel so good and look so nice. on someone im interested in? sportswear, formal, grunge, goth, pastel, tomboy. in no particular order. if its sportswear stuff that really highlights muscles and how toned they are just MMMMMMMM. formal is fuckkkkkkking attractive. like if the white collar shirt is unbuttoned halfway and the blazer is rolled up? or no blazer but with suspenders and the sleeves rolled up? OMG i will literally lick their collarbones idgaf

7. earbuds or headphones?

headphones, mostly because its just healthier for your ears, as much as i like earphones and use them more often i just prefer headphones cuz people usually dont bother me, i do dislike the hat hair though and how bulky they are

8. movies or tv shows?

im kind of a weeb so i much prefer tv shows with regular releases so im not waiting 6 years or something for avengers lol i need my fixxxxxxxxxxx

9. favorite smell in the summer?

after rain smell or during rain smell idk. carnival food? the ocean? just water scents i guess

10. game you were best at in p.e.?

dance or volleyball both of which im still doing to this day very happily c:

11. what you have for breakfast on an average day?

cereal, maybe some nutella, whatevers left over if someone cooked the night prior or just basic bacon eggs and rice. fried rice if im feeling lucky

12. name of your favorite playlist?

Emotions empty. YEET

13. lanyard or key ring?

lanyard. I’ve had the same spidergwen/ghost spider lanyard since like 2015 and i refuse to use another lol. it feels so cool to yank on the lanyard and swing it around

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

rock candy. hands down. that shit makes me nutty. like if i was an earth bender or some shit i’d make a giant club made of the stuff and smack people with it and lick it afterwards

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

the outsiders probably i mean its not like crazy favourite but like its the one i enjoyed the most out of the ones i was forced to read (i really hate being forced to do shit)

16. most comfortable position to sit in? criss cross as im doing right now lmao or sitting on one of my legs

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes? ah shit I just threw them out cuz they were old af but i had these nike high tops with the little puffy thing that inflates the sides of the shoes to make it more comfortable and it was so good in the winter and summer. it like breathed enough to let my feet stay nice and cool but it also stayed warm and never let snow get in my shoes cuz they were so high they acted like boots. i wore those for like my entire highschool experience

18. ideal weather?

raining. or breezy day. wind makes me sleepy and rain makes me excited to jump around in puddles and run as if my lifes calling is pulling me towards it

19. sleeping position? 

I always sleep on my stomach. its my most comfortable position and i knock out so easily if i do. apparently its a family thing too lol my siblings all outgrew it but w.e

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)? 

on a laptop or in my journal. the tapping of laptop keys makes me feel productive while writing in my journal makes me feel like itll be saved for the rest of my life

21. obsession from childhood?

psychology and the inner workings of the mind. why something thinks lowly of themselves, why someone thinks highly of themselves, how they came to this decision, why they thought to refuse this and that its really interesting to me to see peoples reasoning

22. role model?

not even a physical person but ALL MIGHT from my hero academia or boku no hero academia. yknow that phrase ? “ what would jesus do?” yeah its “what would all might do?” for me luuuuuuuuuuuuul

23. strange habits?

i dont really know any strange habits myself but im sure my friend justin knows a few

24. favorite crystal?

crystal???? uhhh i dont know much about this but i guess i would go with emerald? since its my birth stone?

25. first song you remember hearing?

a barney song. i shit you not.

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

I dont really like the heat all that much. summer is just suffering to me tbh lol like what do you do when youve taken off all ur clothes, ur AC is dead and your room is the highest room in the house where all the heat gathers? nothing. you do nothing. you cry and almost get heat stroke.

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

I loooooooooooove snowboarding im not good at it though but god damn its fun. specially with friends and learning together it makes me so happy seeing people grow c:

28. five songs to describe you?

fix you cold play(currently listening to this), im still here (treasure planet soundtrack) by john reznik, Good things fall apart Jon bellion, lost stars Adam levine, After Dark Asian Kung Fu Generation. is what i can say so far? i’ve got tons of songs i relate to those are the ones that just popped into mind

29. best way to bond with you?

be physical. touch me, graze me, be comfortable with me and hold up a conversation. As much as i like talking I LOVE hearing about the people im interacting with. hobbies, dreams, goals, nightmares everything. other than that? just spend time with me. any time is fine. i do prefer really deep conversations at like 3 am lol

30. places that you find sacred?

sacred to me? St. Clements park and not much else. a looooooooooot of shit has happened there. my first kiss, my worst break up, my best make up/make out, my best date. 

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

I got these leather boots that do a clack sound on pavement and i feel powerful as fuck. I got this really high quality black formal shirt from le chateau that breathes really well and highlights my figure. I have these black jeans with zippers above and below the kneecap that make me feel dope. so yeah full black lol. theres also this grey sweater i have that flows in the wing like a cape and i feel like a superhero when wind blows it behind me

32. top five favorite vines?

ok ok theres this one i cannot find again for the life of me but its like this asian guy sittin in a stall taking a dump and it cuts to an ice cream dispenser then some dude knocks on the door and the asian guy gasps and it cuts to the ice cream dispenser but goes backwards so the poop is like going back in and the asian guy goes like “ unnnnnnnnhhhhhhhhhhhhh” and shudders and i like fucking collapse a lung everytime i think about it. some of king vaders anime parodies are fucking hilarious, the dude who made that vine where “ if johnny has 23 dish soaps” and he goes “ wait why does johnny have 23 dish soaps” and he goes “ mind your business david” while playing with dishsoap lmao. OH OH and that one where the kid puts random shit on his head to signify its his mom like where he goes “ I like ya accent where ya from?” “ im from liberia” “ *in a whisper* oh my bad I like ya accent where ya from” yeah this is longer than i thought i’ll stop it here i still got like 60 questions left

33. most used phrase in your phone?

“lmao” i’ve now used to as a similar term to lol. sometimes i say it in irl like “ le mao” and i internally cringe everytime

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

pizza 73, sleep country canada “why buy a mattress any where elseee” and some spotify ads cuz theyre fucking everywhere

35. average time you fall asleep?

midnight or 10 at the earliest

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

god... uhhh.. one of those rage comics those old ass black n white memes

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

duffel bag, i am NOT organized enough for a suitcase plus duffels i can carry across my chest like a backpack

38. lemonade or tea?

oof. lemonade from k days was really gooooooood. but tea is something im always comfortable with.. ill go with tea

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie? cake defnitely. cake tastes more mellow while meringue is like a burst of flavour right away

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

a dude OD’d during school hours or that time a dude had a seisure in class

41. last person you texted?

clarence

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

jacket pockets if i wanna look badass, pants pockets if im just being a panda

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

oooof. uhh leather or bomber. leather because i love biker aesthetic too and bomber just looks comfy

44. favorite scent for soap?

i dont particularly have one but i do like old spice or irish spring

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

SUPERHERO. HANDS DOWN. fantasy second and sci fi 3rd.

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

.... naked. only on days i cannot sleep at all

47. favorite type of cheese?

uhh fuck dude uhm.. toss up between cream cheese or parmesan

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

durian. I hate durian. its spiky on the outside, smells like burnt asshole but taste is redeeming

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

inside jokes with justin. just hanging out with the dude I had the best gut wrenching laughs of my life. laughs where my jaw hurt from laughing, i lost feeling in my cheeks, my face was red and couldnt stop crying. those laughs.

51. current stresses?

job security, love life, and friends who are currently getting more and more busy and cant hang out as often

52. favorite font?

IDK? Helvetica?

53. what is the current state of your hands?

dry and typing.

54. what did you learn from your first job?

People are stupid as fuck. and coworkers are dangerous thanks alex for throwing a kitchen knife at me

55. favorite fairy tale?

idk if it counts since disney always makes fairytales but treasure planet?

56. favorite tradition? 

probably christmas because i think its super important who you choose to spend it with and who you DO spend it with is a sign of how much they mean to you

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

dads abuse, my biggest break up, my friends attempted suicide

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

yknow the devil sign you make by closing your hand in a fist except your pinky and pointer finger? i can make my pointer and pinky touch. I also have been told my volleyball spikes have been really good recently. uhh my dancing I guess? singing?

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

EVERYTHINGS FINE WHY? BECAUSE I AM HERE!

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

My hero academia. hands down.

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

You got the makings of greatness in you, but you gotta take the helm and chart your own course! Stick to it, no matter the squalls! And when the time comes, you'll get the chance to really test the cut of your sails and show what you're made of! And... well, I hope I'm there, catching some of the light coming off you that day. TREASURE FUCKING PLANET BOIIIIIIIIIIS

62. seven characters you relate to?

jim hawkins, hikigaya hachiman, shoya ishida, natsuki subaru, Hinata Shoyo, Hiccup, roxas.

63. five songs that would play in your club?

oh god. uhhhh shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit. learn to fly foo fighters? castle on the hill ed sheeran? man idk im not huge on clubs, just shit from like 2000′s rock bands that white person knows the lyrics to and probably screamed in their room when they were mad

64. favorite website from your childhood?

YTV when they first released those side kick things thos games were so cool except that one day where the sidekick turned into a monster i legit got scared lol

65. any permanent scars?

tons actually and i love em! they remind me that things happened and that i wont ever forget them. currently tryna get a scar for volleyball HEHEHE

66. favorite flower(s)?

i dont know much about flowers but roses and lavender is nice. and that flower in philippines where if you touch it, it like curls into itself. 

67. good luck charms?

the keychains people i’ve fallen for have given to me. like this one bullet bill keychain AB gave me when we first met in highschool. i still have it. its faded and chipped in places but i feel like it makes me feel stronger yknow?

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

birthday cake vodka. hands down. and i’ve literally tasted my own puss from an infected wound on accident

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?

in philippines flies are always swarming around peoples food so what i learned was to rip up the napkin to look like that thing people used to dust the house and it keeps them away if you swing it at them

70. left or right handed?

right handed c:

71. least favorite pattern?

pattern? uhh anything disorienting i guess

72. worst subject?

math. 100% math. 

73. favorite weird flavor combo?

meatball marinara sub with like every sauce from subway

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

8. i think i have a high pain tolerance

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

i dont remember.. maybe like 6?

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

MASHED POTATOES.FRJISD

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

not a big fan of plants....

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

sushi from a grocery store. just cuz im not willing to pay 30 bucks for somewhat fresh stuff from a retaurant

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo? school id funny enough

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

...what? i guess jewel tones?

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

FIREFLIES OWL CITYYYYYYYYY

82. pc or console?

console. i have a better understanding of how console plays vs computer. computer is too finicky for me and aiming is a lot harder. console i know how people on console move and how i move and how to aim. 

83. writing or drawing?

writing. if i knew how to draw though thatd be a different answer

84. podcasts or talk radio?

talk radio cuz i like to phone in and talk about my experiences lol i got to be on one actually it was dope

84. barbie or polly pocket?

uhhhhhh barbie?

85. fairy tales or mythology?

mythology!

86. cookies or cupcakes?

cupcakes

87. your greatest fear?

death. or atleast what happens afterwards

88. your greatest wish?

to be a hero. 

89. who would you put before everyone else?

UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Z

90. luckiest mistake?

one time in gym class we were playing dodgeball and i slipped trying to run backwards and a dude threw a ball at me but i kicked it in a way it went straight up and i had enough time to catch it

91. boxes or bags?

boxes, much better leverage and storing is like a game of tetris!

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

lamps or overheads. sunlight has glare on my stuff and its hard to play and fairylights arent enough 

93. nicknames?

tin man, AG, metal man, poetry man, silverado, silver city, quick silver anything with silver really.

94. favorite season?

fall and winter. winter being the best

95. favorite app on your phone?

Epic seven

96. desktop background? its a picture of hinata shoyo from HAIKYUU!! doing a spike with wings on his back!

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

only 1. thats my own lmao

98. favorite historical era?

uhhhhhh shit idk. they all seemed pretty shitty tbh..........