#it's just a time saver jeez

[diana-bluewolf]

Something like this happens when you try to take screenshots with a friend who is supposed to be an enemy. Basically, every time I take screenshots with Misha. I spawn him with a mod that also spawns enemies randomly, so it's a side effect.

[emerxshiu]

FORGOTTEN LAND'S SECOND ANNIVERSARY :3

I AM SOOOO BACK

I started this drawing yesterday around afternoon and finished it just a few minutes earlier.

I went with a messier type of drawing instead of more clean like the elfilin one from yesterday, i find it fun doing it like this, mostly cause i dont have to worry about making it perfectly so i dont get as frustrated as normal. Id place this one as my second best digital drawing. im pretty sure i havent posted what i consider my best digital drawing here, tho i do have it in instagram, i might post it here one day, tho these two are way too tied up, i love how this came out, its not exactly like how i imagined it but its really close to it, and also itd say that since i dont tend to play around lighting that much, this was such a joy to draw and i cant help but stare at it a lot, at least until i start hating it because i made quite a lot of errors. i also changed my elfilis gijinka just a tad bit from last time, but its not that big of a difference, mostly.

ofc i had to draw elfilis for forgotten land's anniversary, i tend to deny it in my head but yeah they're my fave of the kirby characters even tho i hate them a bit. I wanted to draw some more doodles, like, elfilis eating cake, kirby car, a bunch of other stuff (not elfilin cuz i already drew him yesterday) but when i tried i couldnt draw anything more, guess this drawing burned me out a lot, huh?

you can definitly tell i spent all the efforts on him cuz if you look a bit closer to the bottom part you'll see its almost barely detailed, but i mean, they're the focus so make sense i guess for me not add that much detail there. um also, maybe because i dunno i had OVER 130 LAYERS jeez no wonder firealpaca was slowing down so much, i need to manage my layers better next time, tho i did do something i keep forgetting, wich is naming them (most of them at least) that was a real life saver

Also, antares (fecto elfilis' spear/cadaceus), as always, was a pain to draw, but this time its probably been draw the most accurate out of every other drawing ive made with it in it, i didnt notice it was like, a little curved when it reached the blade

some close ups since his face is a bit hard to see

silly :3

fun fact! actually, this is technically a redraw, somewhere around between february and march i started a fecto elfilis drawing for the first anniversary, but i couldnt finish it in time, and i never finished it

thats...quite the improvement! (i remember being so proud of it)

also his wings are like that cuz i did not want to draw the pattern, its way too hard, i literally copy pasted it, wait, i was talking about the 2024 version but i looked at the 2023 one and i just noticed it also has the pattern copy pasted, i guess some stuff never changes since i still abuse the ctrl+c ctrl+v to this day

Also i ended up making a huge error there, i was planing to add the phantom spears from orbital pulsar (the attack he does first when you battle them at lab discovera) but theres an innacuracy, when they do the attack, they always close their eyes, i had actually sketched him (well i mean both these drawings are basically the first sketch (2023) or second sketch(2024) with some color, shadows and lighting. i didnt do lineart in the 2024 one cuz i wanted to be a bit like the og i made (too bad i sketched that one with black since the og was sketched with white due to me drawing the bg first)) with his eyes closed but them decided to make them open for a reason i cant remember, maybe i thought itd look nicer? idk

ive had the idea of redrawing this for quite some month now so it was kinda already planned

background cuz i think it came out really pretty

doesnt have the little stars since without elfilis and the structures it looks fucked up. the actual sky in game is more blue, but the clouds have some orange, in the 2023 ver. i made the sky orange, and in the 2024 ver i wanted it more accurate, but i didnt wanna loose the orange sky, so i did a gradient. pretty...

also here's a screenshot i took when i was like halfway trough it, its barely noticeable but i changed his mouth in the final drawing

I really love katfl, like a buncha whole lot, its basically almost my first mainline kirby game. 100% the demo, finished the game in almost one day, i literally play it monthly, like, every month i put the card in my switch, start it up, get morpho sword, and go shred elfilis in lab discovera. i would probably not even be here on tumblr and the kirby fandom if it werent for it. and i love it so much i genuinly cannot express how much i like it and treasure it with words or anything

Thank you for reading my unnecesarily long rambles lol

I hope i'll post tomorrow and dont forget like usual

Jambuhbye!

[bubybubsters]

The Best Friend

a/n: I changed the title but still. This is based off my life, please, this is the one fic I ask for no constructive criticism. It still hurts like hell, but it’s whatever at this point. No one cares

wc: 1100

⚠️- unrequited love

masterlist

*****

ever loved someone who your best friend also loves? loved someone who will never love you back because they’re with your best, best friend? the friend you are loyal to and has been through so much, and deserves the his love more then you do? Ever backed off from a possible relationship because of the feeling of guilt eating you alive? Because you know your friend loves him, wants him, has him? I have and I can tell you right now, it sucks and it hurts like hell.

I glanced across the training ring and my heart clenched as I spotted Azriel and Gwyn training together. A flash of light caught my eye and I barely blocked Emeries’ sword from cutting me open. She throws me a pitying look and I pin her with a threatening look. She glances over my shoulder, a grimace on her face as she looks at our friend and the shadowsinger Their positions haven’t changed. What had she been grimacing about? Shit. My brain caught up and I was suddenly knocked to the ground with a sword at my throat and Emerie grinning down at me.

“Yield?”

I grin at her, the only warning before I knee her in the stomach and this time I’m on the top. with correct positioning so she can’t do anything to my stomach.

“Yield?”

“Yield.”

I forget about my heartache for a moment as Nesta and Cassian cheer. The two of us bow sarcastically at our audience of priestesses and Emerie holds two fingers over my head to make bunny ears. I swat and her and she chuckles before Rhysand sweeps in and they start the journey back to windhaven. Gwyn comes over and claps me on the back, handing me a two cups of water. I dunk one back as I see Azriel come over.

“Jeez Y/n, slow down a bit.”

I smirk and splash the water at him. It hits him in the chest and he growls.

“You’re done for.”

I laugh, sprinting down the stairs leading into the House of Wind.

“HEY, you didn’t cool down!!”

Cassian’s warning goes unanswered as I winnow out to meet Madja. The old healer eyes me up and down, shaking her head.

“You can’t take your lessons like this girl.”

*****

Two hours later, I’m in the library reading a murder mystery in a little alcove. Footsteps echo around and I can tell Gwyn is approaching fast. I put on a smile as Gwyn comes running in, books under her arm, a wide smile on her face.

“We kissed! We kissed!!”

I gasp and the painful ache in my heart expands as Gwyn sits down and talks on and on about her kiss with the spymaster.

I know she deserves it, after all she’d been through, there was nothing she didn’t deserve. And I smile because I am happy for her. Even if my heart breaks at the thought of them together, I will stay and support my friend.

“— then Cassian came back up to get a dagger he forgot and Azriel’s shadows didn’t deign to tell us. So Cassian ended up standing there awkwardly for so long until we noticed him. I was so embarrassed!! We’d just been kissing with so much passion and CASSIAN WAS JUST STANDING THERE, WATCHING!”

I bite my bottom lip in an attempt not to laugh as I meet Azriel’s wide eyes through a bookshelf. He puts a finger against his lips and I nod with a smug smirk.

“Anyway Y/n. What should I do?? He asked me out and it’s tomorrow at 7pm!!”

My heart stops, they’re really going to be together. My body tenses of its own accord and I clench my fists to stop from punching something.

“Uh well, you’ve got to pick something to wear that’s not too formal. Maybe a cobalt shirt with black leggings? Don’t think about it too much, just pretend you’re with me. Talk about things you love, your eyes light up and it looks really beautiful. He’ll be to shocked to respond.”

I smile at the thought of Azriel at a loss for words and Gwyn squeals, tackling me in a hug.

“Thank the cauldron, you’re a life saver! But Merrill’s gonna skin me alive if I keep her waiting any longer! Thanks y/n!”

She runs off and soon her footsteps disappear down the hallway.

Azriel comes out from his hiding spot and grins easily at me. “Thanks for not ratting me out, sunshine.”

I blush (as always) at the nickname and shake my head at him.

“What were you even doing??”

“Oh um. Just wanted to make sure she enjoyed it as much as I did and doesn’t have any regrets.”

I nod in understanding; Azriel has opened up to me about his insecurities a few times and ask me for advice on Gwyn. The thing is, I can even be mad at him for only talking to me about Gwyn. No. He asks me questions and listens when I talked without end about my troubles. God damn nice shadowsinger.

I’ve got to tell him. I can’t do it after he and Gwyn start, that would just be worse.

“Azriel… I’ve been meaning to speak with you.” At his raised eyebrow I continue nervously. “Thank you for talking and listening to me, it means a lot and I will always appreciate the time you put aside for me. It means too much, too much to be friendly — see Azriel, what I’m trying to say is that, I like you, more then friendship, I love you.” I awkwardly watch him as he stares at me. I wait, and I wait, and I wait.

But he turns around and leaves, not looking back once.

And I feel my heart break

*****

A year later

I watch from the corner of the living room as everyone exchanges gifts for Solstice. I watch as Azriel gets on one knee. As he opens a box, and asks the word I always wished would be directed to me.

“Gwyn, my darling, will you do me the honor of marrying me?”

My not so best friend squeals with delight and I smile for her. Because even though she rarely speaks to me, I still love her with all my heart. My heart that is currently rebreaking after it just healed. I’ll heal again, I always do. That’s my greatest strength, or maybe my greatest weakness.

A flash of red hair appears in my vision and I spot Lucien. He smiles at me, handing me a small, beautifully wrapped box.

“Happy Solstice y/n.”

*****

a/n: hope you enjoyed, I’m not a big fan personally but yeah. Like, reblog and comment!

taglist

@thelov3lybookworm @profound-imagination @stargirl1714

[showfallsquigandiris]

/Video input received/

/Source: HS: IR-15/

/Starting transcript/

…

[A powered off hair dryer is being held a bit away from the camera by Iris, who’s fake skin has noticeable stitches running up the length of her arms as she wraps the power cord around the handle.] 

Iris: God Bluebird, seriously, you are a life saver for that. I do not know how much longer I could have stood that wet hair.

[The camera tilts up and turns, a teen girl is standing there. The girl has medium length curly brown hair, with two light blue streaks framing her face, which is covered by the typical Showfall mask. She's also wearing a suit that appears 3 sizes too big.]

?: No problem Iris!

/New person registered, identified as "Bluebird"/

[The camera shifts in place a bit along with some shuffling sound, a frizzy bright red lock of hair falls in front of the camera before Iris’ hand comes up to quickly brush it away.]

Iris: Now I just need to get back to where I’ve been storing my stuff while here so I can get all this-

[Iris’ hand can be seen at the edge of the frame gesturing towards her own head.]

Iris: -under control. 

Bluebird: Can I come with?

Iris: I mean as long as you won’t get in trouble for leaving…

[The camera flicks over Bluebird’s shoulder, focusing on the spaceship set behind her, a few other employees can be seen doing small busy work, before the camera focuses back on Bluebird’s mask.]

Bluebird: Should be fine? I'll run and ask real quick!

[Bluebird skips over to the set, humming a song as she does.]

[The camera glances back down at the hair dryer still being held by Iris, who just quickly turns and shoves it on a nearby table before looking back to where Bluebird went.]

[Someone can be heard hopping above Iris before hitting the ground.]

Bluebird: ow-

[Turning towards Bluebird, Iris can be heard letting out a small sigh.]

Iris: You good there?

Bluebird: Yeah… Uh, I can go with you by the way. None of the crew needs me.

[Bluebird tries to get up, only to slip on one of her suit jacket sleeves and fall again.]

Iris: Okay yeah, if you wouldn’t have already been getting a new suit in general, you certainly would be after seeing that.

[The camera lowers as Iris offers a hand out to Bluebird whos struggles with the suit’s sleeves a bit more before being able to grab Iris’ hand. The camera returns to its original height as Iris helps Bluebird back to her feet.]

Bluebird: Thanks-

[Iris lets go of Bluebird hands and waves dismissively.]

Iris: Well I couldn’t just leave you on the floor, anyways, it’s not… too far from here, come on.

[Everything blurs for a second as Iris quickly turns and starts to slowly walk back back into the main area of the Mall. A smaller set of footsteps can be heard following along after a few seconds.]

Bluebird: Soooo Iris… I've been meaning to ask you something…

Iris: Go ahead, if there was any time to ask me questions it’s now.

Bluebird: Ok… Well it's two questions but the second one is tied to this one and-

[Bluebird cuts herself off before clearing her throat.]

Bluebird: We're almost done filming… I think the next two days will be it? Do you think… I can go with you when you return to your facility?

Iris: I mean yeah, that’s the plan. I’m uh, not sure the exact date of when I’ll finally be heading back, but Boss Lady did mention to me that all the paperwork is through for your transfer.

Bluebird: Wait really?

[Iris lets out a hum and the camera slightly shakes up and down, before flicking to the side to glance at Bluebird.]

Iris: Yeah uh, considering your… position at the Mall and how you started working here in the first place, it was a lot easier than it usually would have been to submit for a transfer. 

Bluebird: Oh um… In that ca-

[A loud shrill childlike scream suddenly is heard in the distance. Bluebird lets out a shout and the thump of feet hitting the floor can be heard. The camera turns to fully face Bluebird and Iris places a hand on the teen’s shoulder.]

Iris: Jeez, do they not use any kind of soundproofing when recording for horror shows around here? 

[Bluebird begins shaking as she slowly puts her thumb down.]

Iris: I uh, guess we can add this to the list of why a transfer would be good for you, not that we need more reasons at this point.

[The camera flicks around Bluebird, and Iris lightly squeezes her shoulder.]

Iris: Trust me, random screaming like that is… okay well it does happen sometimes, but it shouldn’t be too hard to make sure you just work far away from any horror sets. 

[Bluebird lighty nods in approval.]

Bluebird: T- thanks…

[Iris gives one last squeeze to Bluebird’s shoulder before letting go, the camera turning back to just point at the empty mall around them.]

Iris: No problem, and luckily where I’ve been keeping my stuff is in the opposite direction of where that came from, so hopefully if that keeps happening we will be out of earshot ‘til they’re done filming.

Bluebird: Y- yeah…

[Iris makes a small affirmative hum before starting to walk again, a bit quicker than before. A smaller set of footsteps once again following.]

[The camera briefly loses focus before a ding can be heard coming from Iris, and the camera once again focuses.]

Bluebird: Time for my second question… Would I be able to go outside from time to time? Like you and Steve?

[Iris gives a small laugh.]

Iris: Funny you should mention Steve, it’s likely you’ll be working somewhat closely with him for a while. Which means that yes, you will be outside. I doubt you’ll be allowed to leave the entire Island, at least not right away, but it’s honestly kind of hard to work on the Island… and not have to go outside.

[Iris’ hand lifts up and makes a wide sweeping gesture.]

Iris: It’s way bigger than this place… and a lot more well organized too, no offense. Unless you have a desk job, which isn’t in any of the possibilities we have for you.

Bluebird: Really! 

Iris: Yup! Hell, even the fact that you wanted to come with me proves that you definitely need a job that won’t have you stuck in just one area.

[Iris chuckles before stopping in front of a storefront with no sign above it. Inside there are all sorts of miscellaneous bits of furniture.]

Iris: And we’re here, this is where I’ve been keeping my stuff. It’s uh, a bit hard to get around but honestly that’s part of the point. Don’t want people taking my shit.

Bluebird: Fair enough!

[Iris walks into the store turned into storage, carefully squeezing through the piles of furniture before stopping to look back at Bluebird.]

Bluebird: Yeah?

Iris: Are you going to come in?

Bluebird: Oh um, yeah! Sorry.

[Bluebird slowly walks in making sure to not mess with anything.]

[The camera turns back around and continues moving further into the store until it reaches a spot where most of the furniture has been pushed to the side except for a red couch and a desk. There are various bags laying around the area and a still dripping wet yellow sweater is hanging off the leg of a nearby upside down chair.]

Iris: It’s uh, not usually this messy. 

Bluebird: Have you seen where I work? This is clean as heck compared to the rest of the Mall.

Iris: I… yeah, good point.

[Iris moves over to a red bag that’s on the top of the desk, quickly unzipping it and rummaging around before pulling out a hair brush.]

Iris: Finally I can start getting this under control. Oh and uh, feel free to take a seat Bluebird.

[The hair brush is set down on the desk as Iris’ other hand pulls a nearby desk chair closer to her. The camera turns as the swivel chair creaks as the same time Bluebird is seen sitting down on the couch.]

Iris: So I know you said you only really had those two questions, but surely you got more? I just know I’d be dying to know everything about the place I’d be transferring too.

[Plastic clattering can be heard out of frame before Iris pulls a section of her hair to her front and starts to brush out the ends, the camera angled towards the hair but Bluebird is still seen at the edge of the frame.]

Bluebird: I mean… I get to hang out with you… And Ms. Squig… And the Triplets you mentioned… and Steve. So I'm happy! and I'll be away from here.

Iris: And thank god for that, you are way too… nice I guess, for the kind of workplace this Mall is. Things are a lot less… consistently chaotic at the Island.

Bluebird: That’s a good thing right?

Iris: Yeah, I’d say so. I remember Mai kept saying you were a bad employee, but honestly it was always obvious that she was just never good at being a boss. 

Bluebird: Was she good at anything?

[Bluebird chuckles.]

Iris: Boss Lady showed me some of the files on Mai and apparently she was pretty good on a basic technical level… but she always kept trying to… I guess innovate would be the right word. Except Mai didn’t know enough beyond the basic technical level to do that even remotely well.

[The camera blurs in a circular motion before returning to its original position.]

Iris: Honestly, it was like looking into a mirror except the mirrored version of me was 90% more incompetent. 

Bluebird: That’s fair… Ugh, I feel sleepy?

[Iris pauses in brushing her hair and the camera flicks up to fully look at Bluebird.]

Iris: Well uh, if you want to take a nap on that couch, that’s what I’ve been using it for. Just uh, were you given a specific time you needed to be back on set by?

Bluebird: Uhhhh I don't think so?

Iris: I’ll just… make sure you’re back before tomorrow morning then. But yeah, if you need to sleep for a bit, go ahead.

Bluebird: You… Sure?

[The swivel chair can be heard creaking as Iris turns fully towards the desk.]

Iris: Of course, oh and there’s a blanket and a pillow just on the floor on the other side of the couch if you want to use those. Unless I moved them and forgot.

Bluebird: Ok… t- thank you Iris…

Iris: It’s… no problem.

[Iris reaches into the red bag from before and pulls out a small mirror and sets it on the desk. She lets out a huff as her frizzy mess of hair is reflected back at her.]

Iris: Plus, no safer place to sleep than literally with a Head Security in the room.

Bluebird: Good point…

[Iris hums, and slightly tilts the mirror so Bluebird can be seen in the corner.]

Iris: Yeah yeah, I only make good points. Get some rest Bluebird.

[Bluebird passes out, humming a song.]

…

/Video input ended/

/Uploading transcript…/

/Error hit/

/Reattempting upload.../

/Upload successful!/

[sapnapmybeloved006]

GETTING DRUNK W THEM? (I LITERALLY LOVE YOU*sorry if it makes you uncomfortable😭🥲*)

That doesn't make me uncomfortable 🤣 I love you too🥰🥰 I also love this idea!

Getting drunk and playing cards against humanity with DTQK + Foolish and Punz!

You guys were throwing your own party at Foolish's house and got wicked drunk :3

Me and the boys had just gotten back from the store, got alcohol and a card game. Karl said he had played it before and that it was fun so we decided to try it out. We hung out by the pool for a while just getting drunk and shooting the shit waiting for it to get a little later, played some never have I ever, truth or dare and shit like that for a while.

"Can we go back inside now it's getting windy." There goes George complaining again 😂.

"Yeah but we're gonna have to dry off and change out of our bathing suits" I replied not wanting to get out yet.

"Noo, Y/N you should stay in yours, you look so sexy like that" I blushed at that, hoping he wouldn't do it again.

"Ew Punz, stop, don't ruin things 🤣" Foolish (being the only sober one) elbowed him and started to get out and grabbed me a towel so hopefully punz would stop being weird.

"Bro why do you always get so fucking weird with Y/N when you're drunk, it always ruins the mood" Sap stood next to dream by the side of the pool.

"Sap it's fine, he's not ruining the mood, but seriously Jake, please stop flirting with me when you're drunk."

"Sorry, you're just pretty" I giggled a bit to myself while drying my self with the towel and wrapping it around me.

"Thanks Noah. You're a life saver 😌"

"No problem Y/N, you can change in my bathroom if you want, little extra privacy. We'll be right in."

"Thanks" I walked inside and grabbed my clothes off of the couch walking to Foolish's room.

I locked his door and then went to the bathroom, also locking that one just in case. I laid out my towel on the side of the tub so it could dry and got changed. I stood there naked for a moment, giving myself extra time to air dry so nothing would stick to me. I slipped on my underwear, sports bra(if you has tibbies)and pants, not bothering to put on a shirt.

I walked downstairs to find the boys, except for Foolish and Sapnap in the living room, they must still be changing. He only has two other bathrooms so it would make sense. I took my seat next to Quackity on the couch and waited for the other two to return. Punz sat in the chair, George Dream and Karl were on the other couch, the ottoman and third seat awaiting the two boys

"Hey Y/N!"

"Hey Q, Karl you remember the rules right?"

"Of course, we each get 7 and someone reads a black card and we each pick a white one. It's pretty easy."

"Well save room for two more, jeez" Sapnap plops down on the ottoman and Foolish walks over and sits with me and Alex, putting me in between them.

"Hey, Y/N, are you okay?" Foolish whispered, all concerned. You were confused.

"Uhh, I feel fine why"

"Because when you were walking in the house you seemed really uncomfortable."

"Oh, no it's okay, Jake is just like that, I gotta get used to it I guess"

"Okay, just lemme know"

"I will"

After a few rounds, I was winning with 5 cards. Foolish with 1 Dream with 2 and no one else had any yet. We were playing to 6 so I was getting really close.

"Your turn Dream" Karl handed him the box of black cards to pick from.

"Oh, yeah alright. Umm, oh jeez 'TSA guidelines now prohibit blank in airplanes"

"Oh my god, Noah look" I showed him my card, knowing he would laugh.

"Holy shit, use that one, use that one l😂"

Clay shuffles the cards we each gave him and read them aloud.

"Alright, 'Owning and operating a Chili's franchise' 'Repression' 'Former president George W. Bush' 'Lumberjack fantasies' 'Mike Pence' 'Vomiting seafood and bleeding anally' (we all laughed at that one) and 'Cuddlin' this one's pretty good. I'm gonna have to go with Chili's though, love me some Chili's."

"YES! YES! I WIN! SUCK IT LOSERS! GAME OVER!" I stood up and yelled in victory.

"Yeah, yeah" Sapnap face palmed and they all sighed in artificial annoyance.

"You win every game Y/N, you're to good, you gotta be stopped, you guys are losers haha" Punz teases me as well as his fellow last placer's.

"I had fun tonight guys but I'm ready to go home, Can you bring me?"

"I was planning to anyway, just gonna let them crash on the couch 😂🙄"

"Sweet, lemme grab my towel and my bathing suit real quick, out in my shoes and I'll be out to the car in a minute."

"Sounds like a plan, I'll be waiting, take your time and say your goodbyes."

[gumikpxp]

Clumsy

3. Are you crazy?

pairing: cold!artist!xu minghao x baker!reader

synopsis: strawberries are worth fighting the weather wether you agree or not!

warning: cursing?

Y/n sighed as she rummaged through all her preserves, typical of course she was missing the only one see needed. She rushed to her fridge searching every crevice for the small red fruits that are somehow extinct from her kitchen. She groaned before calling out to her co worker in order to ask for some assistance, maybe he can run to the store.. if any are even open that is.

That's when she physically face palms and closes her fridge. Of course the stores wouldn't be open right now she prepping for tomorrow everything is practically closed. Which also means she sent Wonwoo home since it had gotten late. She tapped her foot trying to think of a plan, any thing that could be of use.

Suddenly a light bulb went off in her head and she practically cheered for herself. Her life saver and her best friend could fix this problem, gosh she loves having a bestie with a green thumb.

She hurried out of her kitchen grabbing her coat smile wide until she saw the weather outside her bakery. Suddenly that smile dropped, as the rain poured down. It's korea... she should really learn to bring an umbrella with her everywhere. She did a full body shake readying her body for the shock it's about to feel as she bolted out the door and the rain padded against her.

it's freezing!!

Minghao hummed slightly listening to Joshua talk about his current crush, or should he say obsession, he really doesn't understand how he got the nickname gentleman. They were seated in the Library sketching, yes they took art together. Minghao chose a window seat since he knew it would be raining tonight he wanted to get a live drawing of the weather.

But he didn't want to get sick.

"Hao are you even listening?" Joshua sighed, as if he was the exhausted one, when he practically talked Minghaos ear off the past hour and a half.

"Yes yes, you believe this one is truly the one what was her name again? June?" Minghao asked glancing up at his friend but his eyes quickly went back to his pad of paper.

"June? what no, Drea where did you get June from?" Joshua scoffed and the latter shrugged.

"there wasn't a June?" he asked and Joshua shook his head to which Minghao just shrugged.

Joshua rolled his eyes and picked up his pencil again to continue his sketch unlike Hao, he was sketching the people in the library studying and sleep deprived.

Minghao looked outside the window again as the rain picked up and furrowed his eyebrows watching as someone fought against the pattern of the rain obviously in a rush, and without an umbrella.

"imbecile."

"okay hao that's just rude."

"not you dumbass... actually.."

"yah!!"

the knocking must've been a lot harder than expected but y/n couldn't tell, her hands were numb from the cold.

"jeez woman chill!" Jun answered as he swung the door open.

"i'm practically an icicle let me in i'm begging you!" She practically cried as Junhui rushed to pull the girl in his hand making contact with hers but quickly pulling away.

"holy crap your cold as ice!!"

"Strawberries! I need Strawberries!!" she said dramatically as she held herself and shivered and Junhui put his hands up in the air nodding.

"Alright alright i'll get you some strawberries, relax, you could've just texted me i would've taken them to the shop you know," he spoke as he disappeared into the hall leaving the girl by the door dumbfounded.

"here's some strawberries, i washed and wrapped them up for you, here's a dry jacket... water proof so give me that one and i'll wash and dry it for you. and what will be you life saver.. an umbrella." Jun said practically preparing her for war.

"are you sure you don't want to just stay the night?" he asked her for what must've been the 10th time since she arrived and she only shook her head.

"i can't Jun i need to prepare for the morning tomorrow you know they're my busiest times," she sighed. "i practically have to pop things in the oven by 3 just to have them ready by 5 for the early workers." she mumbled already looking exhausted.

"didn't you hire some help." he asked her obviously worried as his best friend hardly gets rest but she nodded.

"yes i did and he helps lots trust! but he isn't the most comfortable in the kitchen besides stirring and stuff." she smiled at him.

"well i should be leaving now got to get back to the shop."

Joshua and Minghao stood in front of the library about ready to part ways when joshua sighed.

"really dude this whole thing is just making my way home ten times harder couldn't you have wanted to paint like gentle rain? down pour." he looked around shaking his head.

"i didn't know how bad it would be i checked my phone not the news." minghao shrugged and joshua decided not to fight it and just leave so he started his way home.

Minghao was about to do the same when he heard a distressed noise and quickly turned his head seeing the same girl from earlier sat on the floor umbrella bent behind her and a brown paper bag clutched to her chest tightly as if to shield it.

He was about to leave before she looked up and he recognized the girl as the bakery owner. He sighed making his way over to the girl who must've slipped on a puddle.

suddenly the rain stopped.. well not really but above her head it did.

"do you not understand the process of walking or something?" A voice spoke making her look up and her eyes widen.

"Oh.. hi!" she smiled wide.

"what are you doing out here it's pouring." he asked her as she stood up from the floor and tried to wipe her pants down with one hand, a very poor attempt since it was water not dirt.

"well i needed strawberries, what are you doing out here." she told him but he proceeded to look at her like she was crazy.

"im going home, i was in the library, your umbrellas broken.. by the way." he answered and she picked up the umbrella with a frown.

"it's not mine actually it's my friends, that's gonna be a problem," she mumbled the last part.

Minghao debated for a moment before sighing and wiping the bottom of his face with his hand before dropping it back to his side.

"are you going to the bakery?" he asked her and she nodded.

"well, my apartment is the same way i'll walk you." he told her and she beamed.

"really thank you so much!! i owe you big time you have no idea!" practically hopped as they started their walk.

"that's not needed... really not more i owe you's." he told her and she nodded.

"why would you leave for strawberries right now anyways, you'll probably be sick tomorrow you know."

"doubtful i have a strong immune system, anyways they're strawberries only the best fruit ever, who wouldn't go on a mission impossible for them." she joked slightly trying to lighten up his mood and get any form of expression from him, well beside annoyance.

"right we'll see about that."

[strawwritesfic]

Bruce Banner & Hulk x Avenger!Reader: Entertain Me

Summary: What Tony failed to mention was a best-case scenario.

Rating/Warnings/Tags: All (Tony & Bruce Friendship; Hulk does not object to being called “Bruce;” Bruce does not object to being called by name while actively the Hulk; friendly!Hulk)

Challenge: “100 Drabbles of Randomness” by Miseria1 on Lunaescence Archives.

Entertain Me

“Um, hey, [Name]. Could I ask you for a small favor? Itty-bitty, really. Teensy.”

Before you even looked up from your book, you knew Tony Stark was lying to your face. He didn’t ask you for favors, and if he did, as a rule, they were pretty big. But since you knew this, you couldn’t exactly say no without further investigation. You saved your place with a quick fold of the page before giving him your full attention.

“What kind of a favor?” you asked.

“A…Bruce favor.”

The tone of Tony’s voice did little to assuage your fears. Your eyes widened despite his attempt to keep his expression carefully neutral.

“What kind of Bruce favor?” you wanted to know.

“Just…” Tony glanced behind him and then back at you. “Just follow me.”

Something was seriously wrong. Your heart gave a tiny squeeze as you set your pencil down next to your book and hurried after Tony’s retreating back.

“Tony?” you asked as the pair of you moved along the wall toward his and Bruce’s laboratory. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Nothing at all is wrong, exactly. We just have a slight situation.”

“And what kind of situation could you have in the lab that you need my help with?”

But Tony did not have to answer. As soon as you reached the room in question, you knew. In the middle of quite a lot wreckage and breathing heavily stood a very large, very green person. While you gaped at him, he let out a massive roar and gripped another desk until it was crushed into powder.

“Oh,” you said. Then: “Tony, what did you do?”

“Me? I didn’t do anything. I don’t know what’s going on. Well, actually, maybe it might have been that one chemical we’ve been testing, but we certainly didn’t intend for the effect to be permanent, and–”

“Get to the point!”

“Okay, okay. Jeez.” He lifted one arm and rubbed the back of his neck. “Look, I think I know what could fix this, but I need some time and ingredients.”

“And?”

 “And I was just hoping you could entertain Bruce until I got back.”

Your mouth fell open, and your eyes bulged. “Entertain Bruce? When he could kill me just as easily as look at me?”

“He’s not going to hurt you.”

“And how do you know that?”

“Because Bruce doesn’t hurt people he loves, even when he’s like this.”

Something smashed inside the lab. You looked over and saw the desk had been tossed through a sheet of glass.

Tony ignored this development. “And Bruce loves you. Worst-case scenario, he plays King Kong and carries you to the top of the building.”

“What?” you squawked.

“Thanks for all the help, [Name]. You’re a real life saver,” Tony said as he pushed you into the room.

You whirled about, ready to rush straight back toward him, but he had already disappeared into the elevator, leaving you well and truly stuck. So focused on this and your frustration with Tony were you that it took nearly a minute for the fact the room had gone silent to sink in.

With a gulp, you turned slowly on the spot. You spotted another splintered desk next to an enormous bare green foot that could belong to no one other than Bruce–The Other Guy–The Hulk – whatever. Once you’d braced yourself, you forced your gaze upward. His green eyes stared unblinkingly down at you. Was this a good sign? At least he didn’t seem to be breathing as heavily.

 “Bruce?” You took a tentative step forward, only to freeze the minute his eyes narrowed. “Um, Tony will be right back. He asked me–He asked me to entertain you.”

The glower disappeared in an instant. Bruce’s lips peeled back into a wide grin. No sooner had the thought that you should hide somewhere occurred to you–if, in fact, there was anywhere safe to hide left–than did he come racing right for you. You might have screamed, but there was no time. Two massive hands lurched forward to draw you into the air.

“Bruce–” you began, panicked. Then you realized that the grip around you was fairly loose. If you wanted to squirm away, you could have. Startled, you looked into his face.

Bruce’s grin remained there. This unnerved you for some reason. You’d been trained to expect the Hulk to be some sort of monster. Instead, everything about him felt familiar.

“Bruce?” you said again, softer this time.

He answered by planting a sloppy kiss against your cheek. Okay, so maybe not completely familiar. The drool dripped down your chin, and as it did, you laughed. The situation was so funny. A frighteningly deep sound joined you and you sucked in a frightened breath before you realized that Bruce was laughing, too. After a moment of that, he set you gently back onto your feet.

“Well, that was easy,” you said cheerily. He grunted. With a smile, you stepped forward and touched him lightly on the arm. “Now, what else can we do to entertain you?”

Bruce was only too happy to oblige answering your question.

[butterbeerblurbs]

i absolutely adore all of your works you are BEYOND talented!! i have a request for the 1+1 drabble game if you’re feeling it! situation 27: seeing each other for the first time in a while and sentence 14: “well geez if you don’t like what i’m wearing i can go and change” where the reader and fred have been separated all day leading up to the yule ball so that he doesn’t see the readers dress and there’s a big sweet reveal and he’s sorta speechless?? there seems to be a lack of yule ball fics with an established fred x reader relationship!! up to you if you want to continue on to the ball but never change your writing it’s incredible!!

ahhh thank you so much for this :") your message is really, really sweet!!! and i'm a sucker for some yule ball action LMAO SO I DEFINITELY WENT AHEAD WITH THAT DARLING!!! i hope you like this!!

note: the 1+1 drabbles game is over! this is the last one, hehe. i’ll do another drabble game soon! >:)

a small little drabbles game based on this list! [web masterlist] | [tag: 1+1 drabbles]

situation: 27 - seeing each other for the first time in a while sentence: 14 - "well geez, if you don’t like what i’m wearing i can go and change.”

fred had no idea how this could have happened. the one night he had been anticipating for the longest time since he got together with you and he... lost sight of you? let’s not even mention that he had waited for you by the stairs–oops, got distracted for like a second–and he’s told you’re gone? 

it made no sense!

he spends the first thirty minutes of the ball trying to look for you. high and low, past every table and again just in case he missed a person. his feet is killing him at the speed he’s darting back and forth but he can’t help it. he wanted to see you so much that each minute away is a minute gone from being able to spend this magical night with you.

his search for you ends when he feels a tap on his shoulders, just by the doors of the entrance (which he planned on leaving to start searching for you outside the hall). he turns around, expecting george or something to tell him he’s being an impatient arse for nearly forty-five minutes but instead... he sees you.

his jaw drops involuntarily when his eyes drink in the image of your beauty. your dress is a different color than you had told him about; rather than white, it’s a light violet that still compliments your skin. an off-shoulder a-line dress hugs your body, the straps gracing your mid-arms and the middle straps your waist; contrasting the flow of your dress lining over your knees. your hair, clipped with flowers blossoming between the roots; the faint dusting of makeup on your face (though he always argues you don’t need any). altogether it felt like a portrait of you he’d want to embed in his mind forever.

he feels his lungs closing in, unable to breathe properly. his silence is biting your insides the longer he goes on without saying anything. nervously, you rub the back of your neck, your other hand lightly hits his chest.

“w-well, jeez, if you don’t like what i’m wearing, i’ll go change,” you try to lighten the mood under fred’s heavy gaze, only to find yourself talking to yourself when fred still doesn’t talk.

you can’t even admire him properly as he’s dressed in his dress robe; the lovely brown fabric accenting his whole black and white look that was supposed to match your white dress. his hair, effortlessly combed as it flows below his ears. if you weren’t so nervous, you would’ve been swooning over your own boyfriend... who still can’t speak, apparently.

“sorry i wasn’t able to meet you by the stairs. some arse-face spilled a drink over my dress and i had to do a quick change and angelina was a real life saver with–!”the remaining words to your sentence is muffled and swallowed when fred darts forward with his hands on your cheeks, pulling you towards him for a kiss.

initially rushed, it mellows out into a slow dance of your lips against fred’s. you lean closer, hands snaking up his shoulders and around his neck, tugging him down. he gladly obliges, grinning into the kiss, allowing one of his hands to wrap around your waist and anchor you close to him.

when fred pulls back from kissing you, you’re breathless. blinking up to him past the twinkling lights hovering in the ballroom, the kind of spark in your eyes setting fred’s heart ablaze the more he stares at you. he presses his forehead down on yours, smiling.

“you look so beautiful,” he murmurs, his hand on your cheek now brushing the corner of your lips, “so breathtakingly gorgeous,”

“you don’t look half-bad yourself, freddie,” you giggle, allowing your fingers to dance along the ends of his hair behind his neck.

“can i finally ask you to dance with me?”

“if you didn’t, i think i’d kick you in the shin right about now,”

“can’t have that then,” he snorts, retracting his hands from you, only to grab onto your hand and drag you to the dance floor. you yelp, feeling the air pack out of your lungs as fred guides you towards the center; maneuvering past everyone to get there. 

when you do, it feels like the spotlight’s shining on you and fred–though it could be in your imagination–but all you see is fred. and through fred’s eyes, all he could see is you, too.

[lovely-necromancy]

A Cure for Insomnia CH. 8

TW

Mentions of SELF HARM. Please be aware before reading.

“Yeah, in the end Jenna Rosencali decided that she didn't want to invite Meghhan Levei to her birthday party. And that's what started the water balloon war at eight in the morning.” Little Jo said as she scrunched her curls trying to get them to dry somewhat uniformly.

The poor eleven year old had walked into the shop soaked down to the bone. Her cousin had rushed her straight into the break room to have her get dry and change clothes. Even running across the street to Dunkin' and get her favorite breakfast sandwich and donut. Then Jo had come out not even a minute after he left and proceeded to tell you what happened, knowing her cousin probably thought she'd been bullied.

But you were different, you didn't see her as a target at all. She likes to think you see her as a little sister, one who enjoys hanging out with you. As much as she likes to think that she understands you probably just see her as the boss' kid that you have to be nice to. You don't immediately jump to her aid when things look a certain way, like just right now. You waited to hear what she had to say rather than assuming someone was mean to her because she was different. Jo knows her family just wants to protect her but sometimes she just wants them to listen to her like you do.

“It's always Megans. Lemme guess name spelt weird.” like right now, you heard her.

“Yea she's got two 'h's in the middle. Meghhan.” she laughs as you roll your eyes. She tics and yanks on her hair as she's scrunching.

“Ouch” stupid tics.

“I've got some shea moisture in my locker in the break room, want me to grab it for you? It'd help with frizz.” another reason she likes you, it took a few days before you stopped checking on her tics, so long as she didn't have scissors.

Even her family haven't mastered that and they've been dealing with her Tourettes for six years.

“Please.”

She follows you to the back for the hair masque. Letting her take what she needed you place the jar back in your locker. Letting her know she's free to it in emergencies like this or rainy days. It's not like your locker was ever locked with just you and Nate being here. And you're pretty sure Nate dipped into this emergency hair saver as well. You didn't have an extreme need for it here it was just a habit you've kept from living in muggy humidity most your life.

“How's your week been?” Jo asked as she finally settled her hair how she liked it, with help from the masque.

She startles at the frustrated noise you make as you both leave the break room.

“Bad?” she questions.

“Sort of...there's...this..it's...”

Shit, you hadn't thought about your response. With all the stress this week you just reacted naturally to the question. Who can blame you, what with your stalker being on your mind all week, minimal amount of sleep, plus the weird interaction you'd had with Brian at the start of it. Then yesterday you topped off your stress with a healthy portion of more frustration driving up to the lodge after work to see if Barclay would like some help with cooking or even shopping for the picnic. Stubborn man sent you off with a hearty laugh after getting you opinion on the vegetarian/vegan main course, eggplant teriyaki or tofu and pineapple chipotle skewers.

“Oooooooh a boy.~” she might not be your actual sister...but you're starting to understand the Cain Instinct.

“Half right I guess.” Jo starts bouncing waiting to hear more, she's probably expecting some juicy relationship drama. Sucks for her that you are probably the world's most boring twenty-four year old, and you're content with that.

“Barclay's just frustrating sometimes.”

“Wait! You and Barcl-”

“Nope.” you interrupt, “I asked him if he needed help with any cooking for the picnic and he brushed me off.” You know he didn't mean anything by it and from what everyone said he could more than handle cooking for the amount of people just fine on his own. You'd just thought it'd be a nice gesture to offer, though you did hope he'd accept. He'd been pretty quick to turn you down, had you been any one else you may have even been insulted by the speed of the rejection.

“That's what's bothering you?” Jo's face held a very confused expression on it. It was understandable since not a lot actually bothered you, especially something as small as this. However, it's not like you could tell an eleven year old 'Yea I'm kinda being stalked right now and this week has me looking at every shadow and movement differently but fortunately or...unfortunately no one seems to notice and just brush it off as my hallucinations.'

Yup, totally not the thing you confide to an eleven year old about. Especially now that you have your plan all figured out. You've planned to let the stalker continue stalking you, picking up clues where ever they may leave them. They're bound to slip up at least once after a month of following you through your routines. Should be able to find evidence to have Big Jo help you in no time.

“Well no...I've just had a lot on my mind...”

“We can talk about it.” kid's got a kind heart, but this isn't her problem and you won't put it on her.

“Nah, it's fine.”

There's a pause as silence settles over the shop front. Jeez how long does it take to get an order from Dunkin'? Jo is staring at you as if she can see every part of your being. Breaking open your soul so all your secrets are laid out on display for her. You really don't like it, it feels like being under the microscope and it's making your skin get that familiar itch under it.

“Stop staring.” thankfully she does as you ask.

“...you said it's fine...are you going to be ok though?” Damn Montessori schools, actually allowing children to pick up on emotions and meanings behind linguistics.

You have to pause when you go to respond with the polite 'Yea I'll be good'...because you hadn't given it any real thought. You've made up this best case scenario plan. A plan that requires time and a lot of it. But you never gave thought to the fact that you might not have much time at all. What if the situation was more dire than you thought...what if this wasn't simply a stalker but a serial killer and you happen to fit his MO. A cult who was looking for the perfect sacrifice for their god. And while those thoughts could also be far fetched so is the scenario that you've built up for this past week.

Even if this was a simple stalking case, who's to say it wouldn't escalate? You have an old steel baseball bat in the hall closet and you could use it in case things got dicey. But that would require it being on your person a lot more than it actually is. Maybe you could make it look like you took up going to batting cages...are there even any batting cages in Kepler?

'Fucking focus...stop the rambling. Am I going to be ok?' you think to yourself despite the roaring chaos of your mind. Even with all the possibilities being thrown around you don't have an answer. Maybe that's really the answer after all if you can't get even one 'yes' from any of the possibilities...maybe you wouldn't be ok after all. Maybe you weren't ok.

“I don't want to talk anymore.” It's said so plainly, in such a dull monotone that it throws Jo off.

Jo's not quite used to this but she understands from the two times she's seen it that sometimes you just shut down under pressure like this. This topic, whatever it is, must really bother you. She wishes there was something she could do to make you feel better, but you can be really volatile in this state. Easily going from shutdown mode to meltdown at the simplest action.

With a jolt joined by a 'yip-yup' she remembers something that might put you in a better mood. And if it doesn't she still needs to give it to you so you have it. Rushing off to the back as fast as her legs will take her, having the agility only years of dance can provide.

Nate comes back into the shop as she disappears to the back.

“Did you know the Dunkin' across the street does parties?” What? To the man's credit he had no reaction to your blank stare and lack of response. He clocked the eye contact aversion right away.

You've gone into shutdown mode. Sometimes you just go quiet and that's fine, you're like a robot in this state and if he sets you up with a task that should take all day you have it finished in a few hours.

Once when he asked you just said you needed to not talk at time and that the tasks were good ways to process thoughts. Nate was reasonably creeped out by this but you aren't hurting anyone so c'est la vie.

“Nate?” Jo's calls out from down the hall.

“Yea, I'm back. Brought food.” he set the bag on the counter and handed you the shitty hash rounds you like for some reason.

'It's only cuz they're bad, if they were good they wouldn't be worth eating.' you think as you pop one into your mouth.

Jo comes twirling back into the room. In a broad sweep of motion kicks her foot off the floor to do one final dramatic twirl that ends in a bow with the same leg pointed toward the ceiling. All to present to you and Nate two tickets. Tickets to what?

“Another dance rehearsal?”

“Nope actual thing this time.” she supplies passing you each a ticket.

It's such a formal looking ticket for a recital that only goes up to age twelve max. Most dancers will still be in elementary school. But they want you to treat this like the Russian Ballet. Oh it even says it's a black tie event, completely different from the rehearsals you've been too.

You aren't sure if you have anything black tie status. You'll have to make a trip further out of your normal bounds and go thrifting for an outfit. Luckily it won't be happening for another month, that gives you plenty of time to try finding something in your size that you also like. It also gets you out of Kepler and away from your stalker for a few hours. Hopefully. But there's a chance your stalker will follow you on your outings away from Kepler so you'd need to keep an eye out for familiar faces on the trip.

“YN...will you come?” Jo's looking up at you with her big puppy eyes. Unfair, even if you wanted to decline she pulled puppy eyes. What heartless monster would refuse puppy eyes.

You give a slow nod along with a smile that doesn't reach your cheeks let alone your eyes. And while Jo's a little disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm she's still excited for you to come to her recital. Nate nudges her into her personal reading nook making up a lie that you hadn't finished your task sheet today so he'd watch over her while you finished working. You'd only had vacuuming and organizing the shelves that got mussed up the previous day, needless to say you were done nearly as soon as you started. When he came back to you he had a whole stack of papers for books that would need to be input into the system. You got to spend the rest of the day on the dinosaur computer in the backroom.

The quiet was nice.

After you'd gotten off work you still weren't out of your funk. Frustrated with the idea of going home and not actually being alone with a stalker prowling around. You decided to go to the one place that can calm even your worst of moods. The stream.

There's a reason why you've never been able to do longer than a thirty minute hike through the Monongahela and that's the stream. Every time you've said you'd go further into the forest you're always drawn back into that spot along the bank right under the red spruce. It has the best smell of all the trees, you think.

Just thinking about it has you having a better outlook on the day. You hardly spare the RV a glance as you go along your usual route.

You've said it once you'll say it again for emphasis. You could walk the same path every time you came through and always find something different. Like that cool rock right there. Picking it up to inspect it closer you note the color is a deep dark brown that it almost looks black even obsidian, it reminds you of something but you can't quite place it. It's very smooth and oddly enough fits perfectly in your hand given it's larger size.

You think you'll keep it, this is a good rock. Idly rubbing the smooth surface of the stone as you trek through your trail, you can feel the tension start to ease off of you. You found a very nice worry stone, it works amazingly well. Hopefully no one lost it and it is just a naturally occurring stone that you happened on by chance. As much as you like it you'd hate to think of the chance of someone loosing something they need.

All thoughts cease once you hear the babble of the stream. As if on auto pilot you move with a fluidity through the brush and low hanging tree branches to your spot. Right under the spruce. Just as you did the last week and every other trip before you remove your shoes and socks placing them further behind you, so you can dip your feet into the cool stream. It's very refreshing on this hot summer's day.

Lying down with your feet still in the stream you close your eyes and just loose yourself to nature. All your cares and worries getting washed away by the steady moving stream. It's strange to be here without the buzzing in the back of your head. Oh great speak of the devil and he shall appear. It's fine, after all you're used to this, it's easy to ignore.

However, what isn't easy to ignore is the snapping of a branch, from in front of you just across the stream, how cliche. Cliches aside the sound rockets you back into a sitting position as you look for the source. And you find it...find him standing just on the other side of the stream emerging from the brush on that side. Toby. And he's mask less, not a weird choice considering he probably wouldn't have run into anyone had you not decided to come out for a hike.

Great you can feel your chances at friendship slipping through your grasp just like the water slips down the bend. He's gonna think you're weird when you don't respond to him verbally. Or worse he'll think you were rude for not wanting to talk to him and then never want to talk to you again in retaliation. Whatever relaxation had once been over you quickly dissipates and you are left anxious and with a tickle at the base of your skull.

Toby hasn't said anything yet. Not even a raised hand in a half wave. You also don't see Connor anywhere. Is Toby okay right now? Fuck even with that kind of thought you can't manage to move your lips let alone actually utter a sound, even ones that wouldn't ever be counted as words by anyone who was currently living. So you take the first move, literally.

Raising the hand without the stone in a mock form of a greeting. Toby doesn't seem to quite register it or you but he copies the movement. Oh he must be dissociating either that or in a catatonic state similar to the one you'd been in last weekend. That's probably how he knew he just needed to sit you down and keep and eye on you. You could do that for him...if that's what he needed.

You wave your hand beckoning Toby to come over to your side of the stream. Toby tilts his head to the side before his arms jolt up, going across his body. You assume it was a tic because he didn't keep the pose long. Tilting your head back at him, as if to say 'You coming over?', you pat the spot next to you.

Seems he registered that because he backed up a few steps before taking a running leap to cross the stream. He lands with more grace than you'd given the lanky guy credit for, normally someone with such long limbs would be a lot more clumsy. Not to mention that was a pretty wide jump, and Toby only has a few inches on you, you could probably barely cover the width of the stream. But he not only cleared it but he gave himself a good six inches of coverage away from the edge. You just hope he didn't roll or over exert anything by doing that. With his insensitivity to pain he wouldn't feel it and if he wasn't here mentally right now it's likely he wouldn't even remember he made a jump like that in the first place.

When he just stands in place staring at you, you get a bit uneasy. What's up with everyone staring at you today? You get really uncomfortable with people's stares normally, and now you're overstimulated and stressed it's not a great combination. But you can rationalize Toby is having a moment of his own. And since he helped you the best that he could you'll do the same for him, pushing aside your own issues for the moment. After all what are friends for.

He's standing within arms reach. You don't even have to get up as you gently grab his hand and give a few light tugs. Trying your best to get across that he should sit down with you. This would probably be a lot easier if you could speak right now. Did he speak to you when you were like this?

Toby thankfully gets the message and drops into a criss-cross position next to you. You start to retract your hand, now that the need for contact is over, when Toby's rough hand closes around it suddenly. Looking to Toby he's just staring straight ahead and not at you. His eyes aren't frantic or moving in any way, like yours sometimes do when you're following a hallucination. Physical closeness must help him through this kind of thing.

As gross as the feeling normally would be for you it isn't so bad right now. It seems Toby's CIPA also affects his body's temperature and his ability to sweat. Where there's usually the feeling of burning and clammy moisture coming off of another person, Toby is just tepid and dry. If anything it feels as if you're being held by a leather baseball glove.

Toby's hands are very rough, especially his palms, maybe you should let him burrow some of the goat milk lotion Dia gave you a few weeks ago. It smells pretty good and it only takes a little bit to soften your skin back up. But as you look closer at his hands you can see the spots roughest are around his nail beds. Someone has a biting problem, maybe he needs an oral stim toy. That would keep his flesh out of his mouth, and stop him from injuring himself...hopefully. There's still a chance he'd bite through his tongue without realizing, honestly you're a little surprised that hasn't happened yet.

You had completely forgotten about the stone in your hand until you went to grab at Toby's hand that still held yours in a firm grip. Seeing the dark brown rock again you remembered what it reminded you of, Toby's eyes. They were the same shade as the rock, that's funny...anecdotally at least. This rock helped you maybe it would help calm him down some. Worth a shot.

Since your hand closest to him is preoccupied you have to reach across his body to nudge the rock to his hand. He spares it a single glance before covering it with his other hand. Mission partially accomplished you guess. Now you're just sitting here, with Toby catatonic, by the edge of the water bank. Pulling your feet from the stream you mirror Toby's pose, you'll likely be here a while.

While normally you'd love to just loose your self to the sounds surrounding the stream, in the presence of another person you're too jittery to enjoy that. If only you had something to fidget with... You wonder what Toby's reaction would be if you just... Toby turns his head to watch you when he feels a gentle smaller hand on his own. Dark eyes watching intensely as you pull his hand into your lap. Turning it over so his palm is facing up, before you start tracing patterns into his palm lines and flexing his fingers individually. He watches for a moment before turning back to his original point.

Playing with his hand you noticed a few more things about Toby. From his chipped black nail polish, a look you personally think not enough guys go for even though it makes them look more attractive and approachable. To the single string paracord medical bracelet he's wearing, metal tag simply stating 'TOURETTE'S SYNDROME'. And a little further down you see scars, a few are crescent shapes easily identified as Toby's own nails. But most are straight lines, even a few jagged cuts, that run up and along his forearm.

'Tobais...what on Earth happened to you?' just as the thought rings through your mind you feel a sudden weight on your shoulder.

Toby is resting on your shoulder with his eyes close. You can tell he's just resting them by the lack of movement behind the eyelids.  With his head being on your shoulder you can smell him, not in a creepy way but he's just so close that his scent waifs your way. He smells like fresh dirt...it isn't a bad smell. It reminds you of gardening but on an overcast day. It hadn't rained today so how does he smell like it?

Moving your attention back to his hands, and away from how nice Toby smells, you catch sight of the scars again and bite your lip. Not wanting to dwell on the scars and their implications any longer. You curl and uncurl his fingers and start a rhythmic motion of curling them individually.

'You poor sweet boy.' is the only thought you can focus on. Even though the scars may be old and those wounds long healed. Toby at one point made them and it's very apparent that he is still not in the best way mentally. Once the two of you are friends, you'll do your best to be there for him. Like you are right now...you really hope it helps.

Toby didn't make even the slightest movement until the sky had begun to bleed its deep oranges across the horizon. He pulls his hand out of your grasp. And when you try to retrieve it to keep up you activity he softly pushes your hands back to you. Guess he's done for now.

With as late as it is, you'd like to go home. And Toby seems more aware of the things going on. But it isn't until you hear a call for him behind you two and he reacts looking in the direction of the call, that you decide he's safe enough for you to leave here.

Without much hesitancy you push off of the ground and stand. Toby isn't looking at you. Taking that as a cue you head back towards the entrance of the forest. Before you leave the clearing however, you look back to Toby and notice a dark colored stone resting nicely in his palm as he idly brushes a finger across it's surface.

Yea he's going to be fine.

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

I see ya’ll like my Ultimate Detective Y/n fics for SDRA2! So here’s a little angst piece with Teruya this time bc chapter 4 was hurting my soul)

Spoilers for DRA and SDRA2 ahead!

........

“C’mon, you have to be hiding some information here, you stupid wizard..” With a huff of annoyance, you looked through pages and pages of books in the tower’s library.

But every page only had a jumble of letters that didn’t make any sense. Maybe they’re written in some language or code, so you didn’t think they were as useless as Sora and Yoruko thought they were.

Though there was no way to translate them, much to your disappointment, so you put the books away before your eyes got too blurry from the amount of text you’ve read. You decided to make your way out of the library and back to the entrance, finishing your investigation here.

You’ve tried calling out for Monocrow or Mikado several times, even openly threatening to break a school rule in hopes that would draw one of them out. But to no avail..

‘Why are they suddenly in hiding now? They could’ve at least explained what this island’s all about..’ You wondered, but you deduced that it was because of Nikei’s revelation as Void’s ex-leader that, perhaps, Mikado was trying to find a way to get back at him.

Either way, you were gonna figure out what this place was all about. As a detective it was your duty.

But as you arrived back to the entrance hall, you saw Teruya kneeling there. He had avoided everyone except you ever since regaining his memories--given you two were in the last killing game together, of course he’d trust you.

‘Maybe he knows a thing or two about--’

“N-No...ghh...!”

Your train of thought was broken completely when you heard sobs coming from him. As alarmed as you were, though, you looked up at the two golden statues and...felt your heart sink into your stomach..

Only now did you get a better look at them and realize who they were...

Dear friends you and Teruya have lost..

~Flashback~

“You tracked down my missing part!! Oh you’re a life-saver, [y/n]!! Thankyouthankyouthankyou--!!!”

“H-Haru let go!” You huffed, flustered as the pilot picked you up, spinning you around while he laughed.

By the time he decided to set you down, you were dizzy as hell, but managed to find your grounding as you sighed.

“Sorry, haha...I’ve just wanted to get this plane off the ground for ages.” He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “You’re an amazing detective, I dunno what I’d do without you--n-not that all I care about is your talent.”

“I know.” You chuckled, shaking your head in amusement. “Just try not to lose anymore parts, okay? I can’t keep going on scavenger hunts for them.”

“It won’t happen again! I’ll keep a list and everything!”

......

“Huh, I never would’ve guessed the rival circus was hurting those poor animals...but it’s wonderful you solved the case, [y/n]~!! Satsuki is proud of you~!!”

“Don’t sweat it.” You watched as the ringleader was being put into the police car, looking at you spitefully. In response you looked down at the grass. “My only regret is knowing that..he genuinely didn’t think he was abusing the animals at all. He told me all he had left to live for was...the circus. Was exposing the truth worth ruining his life?”

“Jeez..turn that frown upside down~!” The clown casually juggled some baseballs. ”That’s what a detective does best, no? As you said you must always strive for the truth! Even if...it hurts sometimes. But it’s only right, riiiiight?”

“I guess.” You looked at her, smiling. “Thanks, Suki.”

“Mhm~! There’s that smile I know and love~!”

........

“Waaaaah!! I’m really scared!! I-I don’t wanna be here anymore!! I want mah dad!”

“C’mon, Teruya..we’re all scared, too. But crying won’t change our situation.” You patted the short male’s head comfortingly. “I have faith my detective skills will help us figure out what’s going on.”

“O-Oh..that’s right!” He sniffled, smiling as he grabbed your hands. “You might know who’s controllin’ Monokuma an’ who kidnapped us an’-”

“Uh..you’re expecting a little too much out of me,” you let out a nervous chuckle. “It’s gonna take all of us to get out of here.”

“...but what can I do?” He pouted. “You’re an amazing detective! A-And..I’m just a merchant-”

“So? You’ve helped me a lot more than you think.” You reminded him. “You keep track of items so we know where the murderers got their tools and weapons from. That’s been really helpful to me..so thank you.”

Teruya was shocked for a moment, but his grin soon returned. “Of course! Imma do mah best to help ya out! We’re partners in crime till th’ end!”

~Flashback End~

Blinking, you touched your cheek, feeling a dampness there already. Though you brushed it away and dug into your pocket, taking out two specific items you’ve held onto for so long: 

A small golden star and crescent moon.

You sighed softly, clutching them tight before you made your way to the still-weeping former merchant, sitting beside him. He seemingly didn’t notice you, as his tears kept flowing and he clutched a certain pair of goggles, until you put a hand on his trembling back.

Only then did he open his eyes and look at you. “[Y/n]...why d-do we have ta go throug this again?” His voice broke into an accent. “Wh-Why is..he torturing us?”

“I don’t know, but..” You showed him the star and moon. “No matter what, they’re still here with us. They’ll want us to keep fighting.”

Teruya gazed at the items for some time, though once the recognition hit him, he bowed his head, more sobs escaping him. Tearing up yourself, you brought him into an embrace, feeling the tears soaking your shoulder almost instantly. 

You knew he needed this comfort badly. After trying to be so strong despite his  growing paranoid of everyone...he needed this.

At some point Sora showed up, stunned to see you hugging a sobbing Teruya. She hoped one of you had some information on the tower--or what he’s been planning behind the scenes--but decided that this wasn’t the best time to ask.

You noticed the amnesiac and just smiled a little, giving her a silent nod that told her “it’s okay, you can keep investigating.” And she moved on after nodding in return.

For a while you stayed with your longtime friend, forgetting all about the killing game and processing this grief you two shared.

If Mikado thought putting up statues of your deceased friends was gonna weaken your resolve...he was dead wrong.

[queencryo]

hm. i should start over on that tumblr post saver. now that i actually know [literally anything at all] about webdev and web apis and shit, i bet i could do a WAY better job than my previous 'reblog 200 posts to another blog' attempt, because franlly that script sucks dick, is worthless, and i never even bothered to set it up such tjat it ran continuously (had IDEAS to run it off an rpi, but never even got ariund to figuring THAT out. jeez...)

id defijitely also want to get/make a viewer, too. because, frankly, exporting a shitton of xml or json or whatever the fuck? not even helpful at all. lame!

though, hm. i have... no idea, how to make working webpages (cuz if u cant get stuff of a certain tag whassa point)

maybe a self-contained exe that runs both the server and the client? that might not be a terrible idea

viewer levels:

literally just xml

generate a basic html file that contains all da posts

make it have css too (how?) (i dontnknow right now fuck off)

allow tag filtering based on runtime arguments (postviewer.exe -tags 'honk, fuck, kill' -reblogs false)

allow tag fiktering from within the viewer, by clicking on tags. like tumblr does jow, kinda.

search up tags, too.

would also wnana be able to capture pictures. other media forms would be good, but pictures are franjly mandatory. (i dont feel thatd be super hard tbh. download image, rename it according to the post id, have that be accessible in the folder. append a cointer for multiple images in a post)

multiple post types is a potential worry. how are dialogues handled? has the way tumblr stores / encodes posts changed since the strt (surely, right)? how are reblogs hanxled, in the code?

would probably be helpful to find or make a test blog. fkr experimentation, and testing. on a blog.

i like this idea, i feel ike its smth i could actually do AND that is actually useful. maybe i could start over christmas break. plus, if i getthis working good and reliably, maybe i could let other ppl use it, too^_^ (for showing off to irl ppl, include one of the sandsverse blogs as an example. nice and weird, but so weird it works imo? plus iirc a nice variety of post types. not so good with taghing though iirc. check that later, maybe one is betterthan the other ones.) (yeah just went and checked sandsvendor. no damn tags. cmon seymour.)

anyway. might be a good idea to slot all the posts into a database? could sort by notes and shit, that way... but it also kinda implies rails (cuz thats tje only database-oriented stuff i interact with...)

doing thus in rails feels kind of stupid. plus, load time on start? should NOT be long, prederably under thirty seconds imo. idk hlw achievavle that is with rails or an sql darabase in general, since i know my blog for example has like 30000 posts or more if u include everything. which wasnt the initial plan, but... meh.

hm. okay. so.

initial plan: save all posts on a tumblr blog with one/more of a given set of tags. eg, the set [blog, saved, later] would catch posts woth tags [blog, i hate you, five dogs] and [later, saved, i love this so much] but not [aaaaa, you you you you, two] or []. Images (and possibly other media) attached to such posts are to be saved as wrll, in a format in which they can be retrieved at time of viewing. This process must be enactable with minimal user input, beyond choosing the tags and the blog url. Posts must be saved in a non-volatile format, ie they must be retrievable not just by this program. (bare minimum)

A viewer should be included, which is capable of rendering the posts in a manner that is human-readable. Posts must have all text, tags, timestamps, and images (possibly other media) as when they were on tungle.net.

Optionally, posts ij the viewer should be sortable and filterable. Users should be able to filter by tags (and possibly also timestamps, and whether the backed-up blog is the OP of a post). Users should be able to sort by timestamp both ascending and descending (if u need to sort by anything else well nyeeeeh)

okay! so. i THINK that really the main thing that rails kr another web framework would be needed for is tgat last point, and maybe the formating. i have no idea how hard/easy adding css formatring to straight html is (probably hard lol<_<)

hmmmmmm. okay. ill be real w u here. doing this in rails feels... dumb? Im not here to build a web app.

then again, filtering by tags, sorting? those are practically what databases were MADE to do. so if i want those (and, franjly, i do!), then it may be wise to resign myself to needing to use something of that nature.

maybe i could look into what those homestuck viewer people did? thats basically the platonic ideal of what i want this to be: a familiarish interface used to sift through the wreckage of the past.

hm. well, if any of yall have any ideas, feel free to chime in! hopefulky i end up actually doing this, so any tips would be super appreciated! (esp on how to handle the iewer part <_< thas the psrt that turns this from a script to a real projext imo)

[anboringday]

Tracey x Franklin: Just Friends

Summary: Tracey De Santa, a college freshman, has a crush on the most popular boy on campus, Chad Dillington. Determined to win his heart, she turns to her best friend Franklin Clinton for help. However, she never expected to start developing feelings for her best friend instead...

Word Count: 5.8k 

Tags: Fluff!! And more fluff!! Slow burn. Friends to Lovers. (Post Ending-C)

Read on Ao3 

Franklin barreled through the door of my room.

Carefully applying my eyeliner in the mirror, I glanced at him. Chiseled jaw clenched and hands balled into fists, a frown marred the space between his arrogantly shaped brows. His strong, muscled arms wired tight beneath his white T-shirt, he stood at the ready for battle.

His cognac-brown eyes searched my room from top to bottom for unknown threats. “Tracey? You good?”

“Um, duh. I’m always fine.” I returned my attention to my makeup. “I’m gonna need you to tone down some of that masculinity. It’s totally uncalled for, super distracting, and it’s ruining my good vibes—”

His warm hand came down on my shoulder. I stiffened, his eyes shrewd and accessing as they bored into me. “You sent me a text saying that you were dying, that you needed my help. You sure you good?”

His voice was soft, filled with concern. My gut kicked. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent that overly dramatic text, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I needed help. Badly. Dad was always busy doing movie director stuff, Mom was too preoccupied with shopping and yoga, and Jimmy was a complete idiot, so Franklin was the only person I could rely on.

It’s been that way for months. He picked me up from school, assisted with my homework, helped me take selfies for Bleeter, talked me through every one of my frequent mental breakdowns—he was a life saver, literally. Because he was so selflessly awesome, I decided to keep him around. Mostly because he did stuff for me, but he also had a nice personality to boot.

And we looked hella good together. Whenever we were out and about in the city, people would stop and turn their heads to gawk at our beauty. I was a celebrity after all, the sexiest girl in Los Santos according to my Bleeter stalkers. And Franklin was powerfully built, dark-haired with stunningly amber eyes. He was a man who looked absolutely gorgeous just about every day of his life. It seemed effortless for him, and I would’ve resented that if weren’t besties.  

I confessed, “I lied to get you here, okay?”

“Tracey…” Sighing, he pinched the bridge of his nose. “You scared the shit outta me, girl. What were you thinking—”

“Don’t be mad. I’m sorry.” I hugged him.

The tension in his muscles relaxed beneath my touch. I took his hand and flopped down on my bed. He sat beside me, our fingers intertwined. “A’ight, Trace. I’m here now, so what’s going on with you?”

“I have news,” I smiled. “The best news. You’re not gonna believe this, but Chad Dillington asked me on a date!”

He stared at me, his expression blank.

“Well?” I tapped his shoulder. “Say something! Aren’t you excited for me?”

“Who the fuck is Chad Dillington?” he asked.

“Are you kidding me?” Energy thrumming through me, I jumped to my feet. “He’s like the hottest, most popular guy at my university! He’s a quarterback for the football team, a committed member of the Alpha Omega Theta Pi—”

“The Alpha Omega what?”

“It’s a fraternity, Frank! Chad Dillington is a big effing deal, literally every chick on campus wants to bone him. He has the prettiest blue eyes and the cutest smile ever.” I twirled on my heels. “I can’t believe he chose me of all people to go on a date with. This is so, like, amazing!”

“That’s cool, I guess.” He shrugged. “You called me over here just to tell me that?”

“No! If there’s any hope in winning Chad Dillington’s heart, I’ll need support. Your support and guidance, in particular.”

His brows furrowed. “Uh…why?”

“Because you can help me understand him! Guys know what other guys are thinking, right? You and Chad have so much in common too. You’re both around the same age, you both like getting sweaty at the gym, you both like getting high—”

“No offense, Trace, but me and that preppy ass frat boy ain’t got shit in common. I’m sorry, but I’m finna pass on this one. Maybe one of yo’ friends at school can help you.” He stood and took off for the door.

“Wait!” I swerved in front of him, blocking the exit with outstretched arms. “You’re right, there are some stuff you and Chad don’t have in common. Like, for example, he’s way smarter than you and his parents are filthy rich.”

Franklin glared a hole into me, a muscle in his jaw twitched. Yikes. Probably shouldn’t have said that.

“But you’re sane,” I complimented. “Sensible, wise beyond your years, and levelheaded. You’re playing with a full deck, Frank. That’s a rarity in Los Santos, you know? Everyone here is crazy.”

“Including you,” he snapped.

“But you love me.” I hugged his muscled arm. “You’re like the ping to my pong, the yin to my yang, the butter to my bread, the chocolate to my milkshake…”

“That was cute until you mentioned the part about chocolate. Now it’s weird.”

“Frank, you have to help me!” I pleaded desperately; my mouth set in a pout. “I’m your best friend, you can’t abandon me when I need you most. It’s not fair! I’ll hate you forever if you do—”

He smothered my mouth with his palm, silencing me. “Fine, I’ll help you on one condition. No more whining and crying like a damn baby, it’s embarrassing. Makes my ears bleed, it’s horrible.”

I smacked his hand away. “Deal. Now shut up and listen.” Standing on the tip of my toes, I spoke quietly into his ear. “Chad invited me to a masquerade ball. It’s a top secret, invitation only party the fraternity is hosting at some old, underground speakeasy—”

“Girl, why you whispering?”

“Because it’s a secret. Mom and Dad can’t know about this, they’ll freak out. Promise me you won’t tell them. You know how overprotective they are, they never let me have any fun.”

“It’s all good, relax. Your secret is safe with me.”

“Swear on it.” I rose my pinky.

“I promise.” His finger curled around mine. “So the most popular douche bag motherfucker in school invites you to an invitation only masquerade ball…”

“Could you refrain from calling him a ‘douche bag motherfucker’, please?” I rolled my eyes. “Anyway, all the cool kids are gonna be there. The party is happening this weekend. Friday night. I only have two days to prepare. This is so short notice, I haven’t even picked out a dress.”

“Hey, you could always cancel.”

“No! A date with Chad Dillington is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t back out now. I have to do this.” My stomach grew queasy and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. I paced the room, my fingers laced taut until my knuckles turned white. “What if I screw everything up? What if he doesn’t like me?”

Franklin appeared in front of me. I jerked to a halt, riveted to the spot as his searching gaze burned into me, glimmering with golden flecks. Lost in the intensity of his eyes, something shifted in the air between us.

As he stared back, he changed…as if the impalpable wall he kept between us began to chip and splinter. His tough, guarded demeanor crumbled before me, revealing a soft vulnerability in his eyes. A tenderness I had no clue he was capable of.

He patted my shoulder and squeezed lightly, affectionately. My skin tingled from the warm, steady pressure of his touch. “Of course the frat boy is feelin’ you,” he said softly. “He’d be crazy not to.”

My cheeks heated. Since when did he become so flattering? “You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” I mumbled.

“Nah. I mean it.” He reached into his pocket for his phone and started tapping away at the keyboard.

I peeked at the screen. “What are you doing?”

“If you’re going to a ball, you gotta know how to dance.” He pulled up a Bleeter video of dancers clad in silk doing the Waltz. “Think you can do that?”

“Uh, I dunno. Last time I tried to slow dance with a guy was at high school prom. I slipped and twisted my ankle in front of everyone. Super embarrassing.”

“Let’s make sure you don’t trip this Friday, a’ight? We can practice together.” He propped his phone on my desk and took my hand in his, the other rested on the small of my back. “You ready?”

Our eyes locked, I nodded weakly, my breath coming in short and fast. The contact was electric, I could feel the edgy energy radiating from him—like a magnetic pull that grew harder to reject by the second. He started moving, his strapping body gliding across the carpeted floor with confidence and easy rhythm. Jeez, when did he get so good at this? He was a natural! My knees wobbly, I followed his lead to the best of my ability.

I felt so small and insignificant in comparison to him, my movement stiff and awkward. And it didn’t help that I was petite, barely over five feet, and he was huge—a tall, deep brown slab of solid muscle and well-exercised strength. The force of his presence was difficult to ignore in a crowded room, and doubly so in an enclosed place like this, so close to me…  

After a few beats, the heat of his direct, prolonged gaze became overwhelming. I lowered my head shyly.

“Chin up,” he instructed, tipping my head upward with a gentle push of his thumb under my chin.

Sucking in a harsh breath from the mind-boggling intimacy, I lost my footing and tripped over my own feet. He caught me in his arms just before I collided with the floor, his strong-featured face hovered over mine. Hit with all that striking masculinity at eye-level, I could only stare. Stunned. His beard was well-groomed, complimenting the hard lines of his square cut jaw, and his lips were like the icing on the cake…the fullness gave his rugged good looks the perfect touch of sensuality.

He helped me to my feet. “That wasn’t part of the dance, Trace.”

“No shit, Sherlock.” Pinching my lips together, I kicked a tube of old nail polish across the floor. “I’m never going to get this right. I’m so screwed.”

“It ain’t the end of the world. You still got time. Don’t give up, girl.”

“I wish I could be as optimistic as you are.” I sighed. “I’m sorry for being a bitch. There’s a lot of pressure on me and I’m taking it out on you.”

“It’s all good. I’m used to you being bitchy. I’m used to the screaming temper tantrums—when you beat yo’ fists against the floor and your legs start flailing like a fish outta water …” He grinned.

My stomach dropped. “It’s not funny.”

His laughter quickly faded. “My bad.”

An awkward silence filled the room. Twisting a finger around the hem of my blouse, I broke the quiet. “I’ve been working on my temperament with Doctor Friedlander. Do you think I’m getting any better?”

He leaned against the wall, his hands tucked casually into his jean pockets. “You haven’t had any episodes recently.”

“Because you calm me down right before I snap. Every time.”

“So why are wasting stacks on therapy, then? You’ve been seeing a therapist for what? Years? And you were still having panic attacks until…”

“Until you came along,” I completed his sentence. “I don’t want to become so dependent on you, Frank. It’s like, totally unfair to you.”

“Shit, I don’t mind. I ain’t going nowhere, unless you want me to—”

“No!” My heart lurched at the thought of losing him. Shocked by the fury of my reaction, I took a careful step away from him. “You wouldn’t leave me. You’d miss me too much.”

He stared at me for a moment, silent and thoughtful, his brow quirked.

I tensed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Uh, no reason.” He lifted the brim of his black Los Santos snapback to scratch his head. “I should probably bounce. It’s getting late, and you got class in the morning.”

“Wait.” I passed him his phone and gave him a brief good-bye hug. “Do you think you could give me some guitar lessons after school tomorrow? Music class is kinda kicking my ass. I could use the extra help.”

“Yeah. Of course. No problem.” He chuckled, seemingly nervous for some reason. “I ain’t the best with the guitar, but uh, I know a few things so…”

“Are you kidding? You’re way better at it than me.”

“Slightly better.” His teeth gleamed in a smile. “A’ight. I’ll hit you up tomorrow.”

I was a little bummed about him leaving, but he was right. I needed the rest so I could wake up bright and early tomorrow. I returned a smile. “Bye, Frank.”

“Bye, Trace.” He turned to leave but stopped at the door, his gaze shifted to me. “By the way, you don’t have to lie to get me here. You ain’t gotta send no dramatic texts or nothin’ crazy like that. If you need to see me, whatever the reason, just…call. I’ll be here in a heartbeat.” 

A pang struck my heart. I swallowed deep, fumbling for words. Before I managed to find my words, he was gone.

With a heavy sigh, I collapsed on my bed. What was the matter with me? Why were my brain cells starting to fry around Franklin? I had a huge date planned with Chad Dillington, but for some reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about my best friend.

My phone vibrated on my nightstand. I grabbed it and found two new texts from Franklin.

Still thinking bout how tripped over your own damn feet earlier.

Girl, you clumsy.

Oh my god. With an embarrassed grin, I texted him back; Wow. You sure know just what to say to boost a girl’s confidence :P

He responded a minute later. What if I told you that I like when you’re clumsy? I get to pick you up whenever you fall.

I read the message with wide eyes and then powered down my phone, my nerves danced wildly in my stomach. There was an ache in my chest, and I rubbed at it. Jeez. Pull yourself together, Tracey…

Read more on Ao3

[nanakibh]

Final Fantasy Agito: Second Cycle, Chapter 3, Act 2 Characters: Lean, Cid, Sice, Cater, Miyu, Zhuyu, Caetuna, Jack, Seven, Tohno, Khalia, Rem Summary: A large number of the Empire’s Magitek Armor units begin to approach Akademeia from the coast. Overwhelmed by the combined numbers of Milites and Concordia, Rubrum’s only chance of survival rests with their l’Cie.

Thank you to @reverse-vampire​ for the screenshots which made this translation possible!

Chapter 3, Act 2 Fierce Battle By the Sea

Working closely together, the Milites-Concordian Alliance Embark to capture Rubrum territory.

In response, the Dominion legion mobilizes all units. The cadets are also dispatched throughout Rubrum and the struggle continues.

[Setting: Milites]

Lean: Even though the difference in our military strength is double that of theirs now... It seems Rubrum is still intent on resisting. Lean: Those cadets are especially troublesome. It's annoying, but they've reduced our numbers significantly. Cid: Indeed, we should heed their strength, but they are of no concern to us. They may resist for now, but they will reach their limit soon enough. Cid: Overwhelm them from all directions. I've already played my next card. Now we'll just have to see how long they can endure it.

Meanwhile, at Akademeia...

[Setting: Central Command]

Sice: Player, Cater, we have urgent orders. It's a direct request from the military. Cater: Huh? What is it, Sice? Did something happen? Sice: Yesterday, we suddenly lost contact with the unit holding our defense along the Sothoth Coast west of Akademeia. Sice: Those Milites bastards probably got 'em. Seems they were an elite squad from the Rubrum legion. Sice: So we were given this new mission: Hurry to the Sothoth Coast and defeat the Milites troops. Cater: Concordia was just attacking, but now it's Milites. Jeez, they really aren't giving us a second to breathe, are they? Cater: Still, for us to suddenly lose contact with the squad that seemed totally fine yesterday... Cater: It rubs me the wrong way. No matter how many Milites troops there were, as long as our troops were guarding their post all day, there couldn't have been enough to overwhelm them, right? Sice: I don't get it, either. Maybe the enemy whipped out a new weapon... Sice: I think this could be a dangerous mission, but will you two join me? Cater: You haven't heard us turn down a mission yet, have you? Besides, I wanna find out what happened. Let's go check it out. Sice: You're live-savers. Alright, let's go, guys.

Player and the others received Miyu's orders and swiftly headed to the Sothoth Coast.

What they witnessed there was an overwhelming number of Magitek Armor units...

[Setting: Sothoth Coast]

Cater: No way... What are so many MA units doing on the beach? Cater: There's no way we wouldn't have noticed them transporting this many units here until toda- Sice: ...?! Oi, guys, look at the water! Cater: Ehhh...?! MA units are coming out of the sea one after another?! Sice: They must have been modified to move underwater. So this is their "new weapon." Sice: This ain't good... If the coast remains occupied, Milites will have a base within reach of Akademeia. Sice: If Milites came all this way to set up a Crystal Jammer, then... Cater: Rubrum will be in serious trouble! Let's put a stop to their plans before they can get it rolling! Sice, scowling: Yeah, of course! Let's go, Player, Cater!

Having repelled the Milites troops who appeared on the Sothoth Coast, Player and the others gave Miyu a report of the situation.

[Setting: Central Command]

Miyu: I see... This situation is unfavorable... Sice: Yeah. We managed to win this time, but we couldn't destroy their new machines. Sice: Their armaments are steadily evolving. We're gonna be in serious shit if we just keep defending and nothing else. Sice: By the way, what kind of strategy were they deployed with? The enemy withdrew all units at the last second. Sice: We're shorthanded everywhere... Isn't there anything we can do, Rep? Miyu: I understand your frustration. Were something to happen to Rubrum- ???: --Then we would lend you our strength. Miyu: ...?! Y-you're...! Caetuna: Ever so quietly, the time has come... The time when the gears must be realigned to their proper order. Sice: Huh? Who're you? Some kind of poet? Miyu: D-don't be so rude, Sice! These two are-- Miyu: Vermilion Bird l'Cie, Lord Zhuyu and Lady Caetuna! They are the guardian deities of Rubrum! Sice: What?! These two?! I-it's my first time seein' 'em...! Sice: Hey, weren't you guys staying out of the war? Sice: So why'd you show up now...?! No way, are you actually going to help us!? Zhuyu: Correct. The Crystal has decided that this war has put the survival of the Dominion in jeopardy. Caetuna: Our Focus is to protect the Crystal... To fulfill that end, we will fight with you. Miyu: Y-you have our gratitude! Miyu: Alright, let's begin working on a resistance strategy! Player and everyone else, stay on standby!

[Setting: Entrance]

Jack: Man, I can't believe both of the Dominion's l'Cie would act at the same time~ I hope this helps turn the war around~ Seven: No, if both l'Cie act at the same time, then the situation is bound to change. L'Cie have tremendous power. Seven: Besides, Jack, did you forget? The White Tiger l'Cie, Qun'mi, was able to destroy all of Lorica. Jack: Now that you mention it, that sure was what happened~ The light from that explosion could be seen all over Orience~ Seven: Right... Also, Lord Zhuyu is a former member of Class Zero and Lady Caetuna is the oldest living l'Cie. Seven: Other l'Cie pale in comparison to their strength. Seven: What's more, Concordia has lost Queen Andoria who was their l'Cie, and Milites already lost their l'Cie, Qun'mi. Seven: Now, the only enemy l'Cie who remain are Concordia's Soryu and Milites's Nimbus. Jack: In other words, the number of l'Cie are even? Seven: That's right... However, if two l'Cie happen to clash, one or two mountains could easily vanish. Jack: Hiyeeeh~ That's impressive~ Player, let's be careful not to get involved.

[Setting: Cemetery]

Tohno: Player, it looks like the Vermilion Bird l'Cie are finally going to make a move... The state of the war could change significantly... Tohno: But if they had moved sooner, then things wouldn't have gotten to this point... Tohno: L'Cie can only follow the will of the Crystal. As regular human beings, we have no way of knowing the Crystal's will. Tohno: Moreover, the Crystl doesn't prioritize the lives of the people of Rubrum. Tohno: Player, don't forget that... I'm sure the day will come when you'll be reminded of that fact.

[Setting: Central Command]

Khalia: Lord Zhuyu has approached the cadets with a proposal to join forces... This is a great honor for you all. Khalia: Primarily, the Crystals do not actively interfere with human beings. The Crystals are an existence of an unfathomable, transcendent nature. Khalia: Of course, the same can be said of the l'Cie who speak on behalf of the Crystals' will. And it's those who I speak of who will be joining you in battle. Khalia: You are free to think of this as the Crystal's way of acknowledging your strength. Khalia: This is the first time an event like this has occurred in the history of Akademeia. Fight with this honor in your heart.

[Setting: Sorcery]

Rem: Hey there, Player. Have you noticed? Couples have been popping up all over Akademeia lately. Rem: It's kind of nice, isn't it? Even in these trying times, seeing people falling in love... It makes me feel a bit relieved. Rem: How about you, Player? Is there someone you like?

Player choice: >There is. >There isn't.

Rem: I see. That's nice. Rem: It's everyone's right to love someone. That's a fact that doesn't change in any era. Rem: No matter what happens in the future, no matter what sort of enemy appears... Protect the one who's important to you.

---

(Alternate Player Choice)

Rem: How about you, Player? Is there someone you like?

Player choice: >There is. >There isn't.

Rem: Oh, I see... That's okay, too. I think there's also a certain kind of strength that can be attained when you have nothing to protect. Rem: But, Player, don't forget, okay? Rem: Even if you don't have anyone you love, there may be those who love you. Rem: Sometimes, you should look around at the people who are near you. You might just notice someone's love and affection.

[sweetness47]

The Newcomer

Pairing Cas x Dean x Sam

@castielspnbingo​ – pirate AU

@spndeanbingo​ – Castiel

@samwinchesterbingo​ – dry humping

@deanandsambingo​ – bed sharing

WARNINGS: MATURE 18+ READERS ONLY!!!!! Smut, threesome, wincest, three men, sub! Cas, amnesia, near death experience

“This is gonna be one hell of a shitstorm Sammy!” Dean’s words carry through the walls of the cave. The waterfall gem was one of the best finds the brothers had discovered since landing on the island. It had proven a life saver many times, shielding the boys from the occasional tropical hurricane that passed through.

They had formed a routine for storms, the first was making sure the shelter was secure. Food was piled for the long haul, as the storms could last anywhere from a couple of days to a week. The boys made sure there was enough dry wood to last, then they spent their days and evenings huddled for warmth, fucking, making love.

Sam loved being the big spoon. He was taller than Dean, which made him a better cuddle buddy. He usually woke first, and he was always rock hard. Sam would grind his erection into Dean’s ass, the two pairs of thin boxers providing little shielding. He would start humping his older brother, holding his hips as he assaulted him. Dean loved how it felt, it was his favorite way to wake up, moaning as each push got more intense. When he couldn’t take it any longer, Dean would pull from Sam’s hold so he could turn and face his lover, their lips colliding in a heated exchange that left both needing. Sometimes Dean would go first, sometimes Sam, but neither one left unsatisfied. Their life was perfect.

~~

“Captain! Hurricane!!!” Gabriel shouted. Cas looked to the skies, his eyes taking in the dark threat, mentally preparing for the worst.

“Secure those barrels! Get the sails rolled up! Move! Anything not tied down needs to get below deck! It’s coming in fast!”

Michael and Luci grabbed the sails, while Gadreel and Gabe began moving lose items below. The brothers were the most feared pirates to ever grace the seven seas. Modern day thieves, the family of brothers turned to piracy as a way to survive after they were orphaned. Cas wasn’t the oldest, in fact, he was the youngest of the five. He was ten when their father had passed. As he grew, none could deny his natural ability to lead, to be calm and level-headed, even when things went south. Actually, his leadership and quick thinking had kept them from getting caught numerous times.

They had enough to retire 10 times over, but the urge to venture out, to feel the thrill of the adrenaline rush as they lifted precious cargo from various places without being caught, was too great to resist. The sheer power they felt after each successful heist was beyond addictive. They had encountered storms before, even hurricanes, but this one was darker, more menacing than any previous ones. Indeed, this one was far more dangerous, and Cas was pretty sure it was a category five.

FUCK!

High velocity winds and lightning set up them much quicker than they had predicted. Visibility dropped to near zero as the heavens opened, unleashing a torrential rainfall. Cas yelled for everyone to get below, to forget the kegs that remained loose. The lives of his brothers were worth far more than some cargo.

He watched the last brother reach the safety of the cabins just before waves crashed into the sides of the boat, catching Cas off guard. The last thing he remembered before his head slammed into the rails, was the lightning bolt hitting the deck, cracking the vessel wide open and flames erupting to engulf the entire ship.

~~

The brothers peeked out after the three-day event, eyes taking in the damage from the storm. Leaves and branches littered the swim hole, but thankfully the shelter remained mostly intact. That was the one thing they were grateful for, the shelter that the cliff provided them. Dean volunteered to check the main beach, mostly because Sam had done it last time. They usually came back empty handed, but occasionally were graced with various gifts, including clothing, well-packaged food, blankets, and even toiletries.

Today was different.

At first, Dean saw only the wreckage: broken wood, tattered sails. He began to pick through the rubble, finding a few surprises, including rare gold coins and jewels, hell, he even found a few kegs of beer and wine. Then he noticed the movement under a distant pile of rubble, followed by low moaning.

Fuck! There was a person under there!

Dean ran over, grabbing the wooden planks and tossing them aside. He uncovered the man’s dark hair first, then worked on the rest. Finely tuned muscle and well defined hips had Dean licking his lips. Jeez Dean, focus!

He found some rope and a made a makeshift sleigh to bring him back to camp.

“Sammy!” he yelled.

The younger Winchester came running. “Dean? What the…” he paused when he saw the unconscious man on the stretcher.

“Found him under a pile of rubble. I didn’t get a chance to go through the rest of the stuff. Thought this should be our first priority.”

Sam nodded and knelt down beside the stretcher. He checked his pulse and checked for any major signs of injury. Finding none, he checked for ID next. The family crest was the only thing Sam did find on his neck chain, but there was no name with it.

“Well, whoever he is, he’s going to have one nasty headache. He’s lucky he survived.” Sam noted. “I’ll go check through the rest of the stuff. You stay here. And, Dean?”

His brother looked up, meeting Sam’s lips in a gentle kiss. “Yeah?”

Sam smiled. “Be careful.”

“Don’t worry Sammy, I ain’t planning on dying today.” With that, he playfully swatted Sam’s ass while sending him to check the shore line.

Moaning from the makeshift bed had Dean focussing once again on the newcomer. His eyes fluttered open, trying to adjust to the sunlight. His eyes took in his surroundings, then they landed on Dean. The man tried to scramble away and gain a defensive stance. Dean put his hands up slowly, palms facing out to show peace.

“Whoa, easy. I’m not going to hurt you. I found you buried under some wreckage and brought you to our camp. You’re safe here.”

The man relaxed, then gingerly brought his hand up to the back of his head, wincing at the pain. “Thank you for helping me. Where are we?”

Dean shrugged. “No clue. My brother and I have been here a long time, over a year.” He held his hand out in greeting. “Name’s Dean.”

The man paused for a moment, then took the hand offered. “Cas.”

Both Cas and Dean stared a few moments longer, as sparks passed between them. It was almost magnetic. Both men pulled away quickly, embarrassed. Sam returned later to find Dean and the stranger talking while consuming some fruit. Behind Sam, a sled filled with men’s clothing, bottles of wine, a few kegs of beer, and a slew of well sealed rations, including granola bars, toiletries, dried fruit, jerky, and first-aid supplies.

Dean lets out a low whistle, then turns to Cas. “Sam here is my younger brother.” Then he turned to Sam. “This is Cas.” The two exchange handshakes, and again both feel a spark, a magnetic attraction that neither would admit to. However, this doesn’t go unnoticed by Dean. But instead of jealousy, he feels lust, noting the three-way connection possibilities. Dean feels himself getting hard at the idea, wondering if Cas would be interested in joining him and Sam.

The evening is filled with talk and laughter and food. Cas notes that the brothers are very easy going, and has also noticed that they haven’t pressed him for any information about himself, not that he can remember. He can’t even remember his own name. The only reason he was able to give a name at all was he had seen it tattooed on his forearm.

Among the notable details is the closeness the two brothers share, and the spark he’d experienced with both men. They were both devastatingly handsome, an instant attraction no one could deny.

Eventually, arrangements were made for sleeping. The brothers offered their guest the choice of cave or the lean-to cabin they’d built. Both had decent sleep areas and a fire could easily be built in the cave if need be. Cas chose the lean-to, giving the brothers the larger quarters. They bid each other good night and Cas watched as Sam and Dean wrapped their arms around each other and walked toward the waterfall.

Cas couldn’t fall asleep. He tossed and turned, feeling like something was missing. The boys had made quite the home here, the bed was more than comfortable, so whatever was bugging him, it wasn’t the comfort level.

Then he knew. It was the sleeping arrangements. Cas couldn’t explain it, but the desire to sleep with Sam and Dean was overwhelming his mindset. He wasn’t sure if he swung that way, but his mind didn’t care, and neither did his cock, now rigid with the idea of the brothers taking him. If this was going to be his first time, he wanted it to be with Sam and Dean.

Before Cas had even blinked, he found himself heading toward the cave. The closer he got, the more excited he became, as heavy breathing and lustful noises greeted him. He glanced inside to find the brothers entwined in each other’s arms, dry humping, grinding as they kissed. Cas began rubbing his own hard cock, moaning softly as he watched.

Dean looked over to the entrance, seeing Cas standing there. He whispers something to Sam, who nods eagerly.

“Cas, both Sam and I would love for you to join us.”

Cas had never moved so fast as he did then, driven by lust and desire, his need to fuck and be fucked by these two sex gods dissolved any rational thought. Clothes flew in all directions as he strode toward his goal, till only his boxers remained. Dean grabbed him first, devouring Cas’s mouth with his own. Sam reached inside both men’s shorts, stroking the hard shafts that meet his hands.

They moan as the kiss heats up. Sam moves to stand behind Cas, nibbling along his neck and shoulders. He bites and sucks, leaving a few marks along the way. Dean breaks the lip lock long enough to suck on the other side, also marking Cas.

The brothers look at each other, then at their new toy. “Ours.” They said in unison.

With in seconds, all three are void of their shorts, eager for what’s to follow. Dean and Sam make a plan, then tell Cas.

“Cas, Dean wants to take you first. Then you’re going to take me, and then you watch Dean suck me off. Got it?”

Cas nods. Sam gets down on hands and knees, moving so his ass is in the air. Cas spits on his hand, then rubs it on his tip, mixing it with the precum that is already leaking out. He spreads the cheeks of the younger Winchester and pushes in slowly, groaning as he bottoms out. The shear pleasure it brings is more than Cas ever imagined.

Sam grinds against Cas, and Cas begins to move, pulling out then slamming back in, thrusting hard and without mercy, causing Sam to curse as he’s hit with mounds of pleasure. Dean’s eyes are full blown with lust as he watches.

“Hold still Cas. Present that firm ass for me.”

The command makes Cas even harder. The dominance radiating from both men has him whimpering with even greater need. He discovered at that moment how much he enjoys being a sub, being ordered around by the brothers. Cas bends down, covering Sam’s lean body with his own, shivering with anticipation.

Dean lines up with Cas’s tight hole, and first inserts a large finger, then a second. Cas moans as the large digits stretch and fill him. Dean pulls out and Cas almost complains, until he feels something bigger pressing in. Burning sensations jolt through him, then he sighs when Dean begins placing soft kisses along his neck and whispers in his ear. “Relax, take a deep breath. The more relaxed you are, the easier this is.”

Cas closes his eyes, willing his muscles to release the tension. He wants this more than he’ll admit, so he succeeds and the tension leaves. Dean feels the instant shift, and pushes his way in slowly. He stops to let Cas adjust, then pushes a little more. Each time he kisses along Cas’s back and neck, knowing he needs the tenderness for relaxing.

He finally bottoms out, and silence fills the cave for a minute. Then the three men begin, first Cas pulls out, then Dean, only to have Dean slam into Cas, which causes Cas to slam into Sam. The rhythm is almost too much, jolts of electricity envelope the three lovers, and they shiver with delight. They thrust again and again, picking up speed as they go. The cave echoes with the sound of skin slapping against skin, grunting, moans of ecstasy. Cas is the first to find release, his cock spilling inside Sam, then Dean follows, crying out Cas’s name as he cums inside the dark haired man.

But Dean isn’t done, as there is still one man that needs to be satisfied. Cas watches as Dean kneels in front of Sam, licking his lips as he eyes Sam’s erect cock, already dripping with precum. Dean runs his tongue over the hard phallus, teasing the tip, then taking his brother’s cock into his mouth. Sam grabs Dean’s hair and thrusts his cock forth, fucking his older brother’s mouth with gusto. Dean grabs Sam’s hips for support as the assault continues, and Cas practically drools at the entire whole scenario. Fuck! These brothers were hot and damn sexy! Sam doesn’t take long, a guttural cry escaping as he deposits his load, and watching Dean as his brother swallows every single drop. Dean stands, and taking Cas’s hand, the three men head to the pool to wash up before going to sleep, together.

@legion1993​

[sailorportia]

Femslash February 2020, Day 1

Fandom: Revue Starlight Relive Pairing: Tomoe Tamao/Akikaze Rui Prompt: Meet Cute

approx. 1,800 words, rated T

also available on AO3

Summary:   Thirteen year-old Akikaze Rui finds a way to change her shy demeanor in her middle school's drama club. More importantly, she wants to perform on the same stage as that gorgeous senpai. All she needs to do is work up the courage to apply...

Tags: Meet Cute, Comedy, Puppy Love, middle school!Rui, middle school!Tamao

Akikaze Rui, thirteen years-old, didn't know what to expect from her school play. It was the day of her middle school's cultural festival, and she had been wandering from attraction to attraction until her curiosity led her to the auditorium. Little did she know that her life was about to be turned upside-down. 

The actors were average at best. It was a middle school play, after all. But there was one standout performer, a shining star against a night sky of amateurs: a girl with long, dark hair.

She played the role of a princess, her character beginning the play as a regal and refined woman who is pushed into taking up the sword and becoming a fierce and formidable warrior. The actress's transformation was incredible. Rui wouldn't have believed such a dainty girl capable of such ferocious yells and impassioned speeches. It was inspiring, to say the least.

Up until now, Rui had been a leading member of the Going Home Club. She was too shy to join any social group she didn't have to, and her only extracurricular interest was kendo, but she was already enrolled at a dojo and had surpassed what most middle school students were capable of. After seeing this play—more importantly, its starring actress—Rui was inspired to try acting. She wanted to change herself, and she might be able to do so through the medium of acting. She had to join the drama club.

Rui knew she had to strike while the iron was hot. There was a chance that if she waited, the fire burning in her chest might die down and she would give into her shy nature. It had to be now.

As the other students filed out of the auditorium, Rui snuck backstage. It wasn't until she was hiding behind a prop tree that she realized she didn't have a plan. She peeked out behind the tree periodically in search of her new idol, her determination waning with every passing second. Maybe she should just leave and go to the drama club sometime later...

She stepped out from around the prop tree just in time for another girl to come out from behind the stage. Rui recognized her immediately as the actress who had turned her world upside down. The girl was still wearing the princess costume that she had on during the play. It hadn't been apparent at a distance, but now that Rui was up close she could see that this girl was astonishingly pretty. Like, "melt your brain" pretty.

"Oh, I thought everyone left," the girl said. "Are you one of the girls who volunteered to help put away the props?"

"Um, I, uh..." Rui had trouble getting words out of her mouth at the best of times, and talking to a beautiful girl she admired hardly counted as ideal circumstances. The phrase "I want to join the drama club," had seemed so easy to say when she decided to sneak backstage.

The other girl seemed unperturbed by Rui's verbal fumbling. "Could you help me with this zipper?" She turned around, showing Rui the zipper on the back of her dress. "I think it's stuck, and everyone else in the drama club has left already."

"O-okay!" It was easier for Rui to think now that she wasn't looking the gorgeous girl straight in the face. She pulled down on the zipper slowly, careful not to tear the fabric around it; indeed the zipper was stuck, and Rui had to use both hands to try to free it. Her fingers grazed the bare skin of the other girl's back, and she felt the strongest urge to apologize, though she didn't know why. What's going on with me? Rui asked herself. Why am I getting so flustered? We're both girls...

At a later date Rui would recognize this moment as her gay awakening.

The zipper jam finally gave way and the metal teeth parted. Rui pulled the zipper down just far enough to make sure it was fixed, then jumped away. "Um, it's not stuck anymore."

The girl turned around and flashed Rui a smile that turned her insides out. "You're a life-saver," she said. "We haven't met before, have we?" She looked to Rui's uniform. "You must be a first year. I'm Tomoe Tamao. Hopefully in the future I can be a more reliable senpai to you."

Rui struggled to introduce herself, as if she had forgotten her own name. She was rescued by the unlikely appearance of a third year student.

"Ooh, looks like Tamao-chan has a fan!"

Rui's idol, Tamao, frowned. "Senpai, you left me all alone. I had to ask this nice first-year to help me with this faulty zipper."

"Don't complain. Plenty of girls at this school would jump at the chance for a little private attention from her."

"What do you mean?" Tamao asked. "Is she someone famous?"

"You don't know her? That tall glass of water is Akikaze Rui-chan. She's the talk of all the athletic clubs."

Rui blushed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Akikaze-san," Tamao said. "What club are you a member of?"

The third-year chuckled. "Akikaze-chan hasn't joined any clubs. That's why they're crazy about her. She's the tallest first year in the school, and she looks like she's only going to get taller. All the sports teams tried to recruit her at the start of the year, but she turned down all of them."

"Recruit" was a delicate way of putting it. The athletics clubs had practically waged a war over which of them would get to claim Rui. The poor girl had been forced to sneak around the school, dodging her athletic upperclassmen at every turn. For someone with social anxiety, the experience had been terrifying. It was all she could do to stutter out a polite rejection every time one of them found her. Eventually they got the message and left her alone.

"Um, that's what I wanted to talk to you about," Rui said to Tamao. "N-not about the sports clubs! I want to join the drama club. Your performance this afternoon really inspired me!" In fact, it was the most moving performance she had seen, but she was afraid of coming on too strong by saying so.

Rui was afraid that her sudden declaration would weird her out, but Tamao's eyes glittered with joy. "That's wonderful!" She took Rui's hands in her own, oblivious to the way her kouhai stilled at the contact. "You can't imagine how glad I am to hear that our play touched somebody that way."

"Jeez, you can't be a respectable senpai if you melt over a little praise," the third year said with a laugh. "Tamao-chan takes her acting seriously. A little too seriously, if you ask me."

Tamao pouted (a sight that nearly knocked Rui off her feet). "You don't take acting seriously enough, senpai."

"Don't let the busybody scare you off, Akikaze-chan. Make sure you fill out an application form." The third year cackled as she walked off. "I can't wait to brag to the other clubs that we snagged their dream member right from under their noses."

"Honestly." Tamao sighed. "I know that she's busy preparing for entrance exams, but she could at least pretend to be diligent about acting. I promise the other members of the drama club aren't like her."

The other members of the drama club could be juvenile yakuza for all Rui cared. She only had eyes for Tamao. "I promise I'll give acting my all," she said, and she meant it. If she could act half as confidently as Tamao, she'd be satisfied. If she could perform alongside Tamao—that would be a dream come true.

"I look forward to taking the stage with you, Akikaze-san. Hopefully you'll have my back in the future as you did today," Tamao added with a chuckle.

Rui's heart skipped a beat at the reminder that she'd undone her senpai's zipper. "Uh, anyway, that senpai said you're really serious about acting. Do you want to be an actress?" For some reason she felt the need to know this near-stranger's life plans.

"Ideally, yes. "I'm going to enrol at Rinmeikan School for Girls, like my mother and grandmother before me. The school has a performance department with a century of tradition."

"I'm going to enrol too!" Rui, in fact, had never given a moment's thought to what high school she would attend. 

Tamao didn't question Rui's declaration, nor her transparent motivation. "I'm glad to hear it. Not enough people these days respect traditional arts." She smiled. "Maybe it was fate that we met today, Akikaze-san."

"Y-you don't need to speak so formally to me, Tomoe-senpai," Rui stuttered. Being referred to so stiffly made her feel odd for some reason. She wanted the two of them to become... closer. "You can call me by my first name. If you want to, I mean."

"Of course, Rui-chan. But if we're going to be friends, you'll have to return the favour." The corner of her mouth turned up into a sly smirk.

Rui blushed. Friends. Yes. That was good. Great. Fantastic. "If you say so, T-Tamao-senpai."

Three Years Later...

"Awwww! Baby Rui was so cute!" Ichie squealed. "She was still taller than her senpai even back then."

During a lunchtime picnic out on the school grounds, Fumi had idly expressed curiosity as to how Rui and Tamao had become friends in middle school. Tamao related her side of the story, embellishing Rui's "gallant rescue" of her from the gnashing teeth of a stuck zipper. She pulled out her cell phone and showed the group a picture of herself and the drama club's newest member, visibly flustered by her senpai's hand on her arm.

"Rui-chan has grown a lot," Tamao said with a smile. "She's changed so much in three years, but she's always been a talented, beautiful young woman."

"Three years, huh?" Fumi looked to Rui with pity.

"Let's see more," Yuyuko said with a devilish grin, no doubt hoping for something she could tease Rui with. She scrolled through Tamao's photos, revealing a seemingly limitless supply of pictures featuring Rui.

"...that's a lot of pictures of Rui," Fumi noted.

"We made a lot of memories together," Tamao said with a smile.

"I don't remember that!" Rui yelped, blushing up a storm. Displayed on Tamao's phone was a selfie that she had taken with Rui's head resting on her shoulder. She appeared to be asleep, and Tamao held a finger to her own lips in a shushing gesture. 

"That's pretty shady, Tamao-senpai," Yuyuko cackled.

"Is it a crime for me to keep pictures of my number one fan?" Tamao's subtle, sly smirk had lost none of its power of Rui.

[taggedmemes]

SENTENCE MEME ⟶ WOLF 359 / 06 - Super Energy Saver Mode always feel free to tweak the sentence to fit your muse.

‘it’s our anniversary today.’

‘i can’t tell you how happy i am to have you here.’

‘i asked you for your top five ‘stick it to the man’ songs, not the nine hundredth digit of pi.’

‘you’re way overthinking this.’

‘it’s a taste thing, there’s no wrong answer.’

‘ask me for my top five of anything.’

‘what are your top five british naval battles of the 1800′s?’

‘what are your top five celestial positioning coordinates?’

‘you’re just yanking my chain, aren’t ya?’

‘i don’t know what i want, but i know how to get it.’

‘i would highly discourage that course of action.’

‘wow, are you upset? i didn’t know you got upset.’

‘i do not get upset. i can, however, get frustrated, ruffled, and or an eensy, teeny bit incensed.’

‘did i ever tell you about that time i thought he was trying to kill me? any of those times?’

‘things don’t ‘get’ to me.’

‘i’m just afraid that sooner or later that man is going to do something reckless.’

‘score one for old-school AA’s.’

‘let’s just wait for this to get sorted out.’

‘okay, maybe this isn’t one of those wait and see things. maybe it’s one of those imminent death things.’

‘jeez, has this place always been so ‘overlook hotel’-y?’

‘i know minimal information about the situation or its context, but i am ready to place all the blame squarely on your shoulders.’

‘what?! that makes absolutely no sense.’

‘you act like everything that goes wrong around here is my fault.’

‘everything that goes wrong around here /is/ your fault.’

‘look, i had no idea what that dial did.’

‘i’m reaaally sorry they had to amputate those toes, but it was an honest mistake!’

‘what about the time you poisoned that litre of water trying to make whiskey?’

‘i could do this all night.’

‘here we are in a potentially lethal situation, and all you want to do is talk about how much of a screw-up i am!’

‘the only thing you’ve done for the past 500 days have been sleep on the job, endanger our lives and continually make stupid jokes.’

‘is... is somebody there?’

‘if this is a joke or something, it isn’t funny.’

‘what the hell was that?!’

‘why are you underneath that table?’

‘any idea what’s going on?’

‘i’m guessing this isn’t one of those ‘gets better by itself’ situations.’

‘so, basically we’re barrelling towards certain death?’

‘how about we skip straight to the making it better part?’

‘do you have any idea what you’re looking for?’

‘oh god, it’s spook-tastic in here baby.’

‘okay, enough! i’m dealing with a genuine life and death thing here so if mr ooga-booga-whispering wants to tango, he’ll have to take a number and have a seat, ‘cause my dance card is full at the moment!’

‘look, if this is some kind of weird attempt at being funny, it’s really not cool.’

‘[strained] alright, alright, you got me! very funny! ah ha ha ha ha! ha. ha...’

‘what do you want?’

‘there’s something majorly weird going on here.’

‘i know what i’ve been hearing.’

‘this is going to be real simple.’

‘wait, wait–– what do you mean? i’m not the first what?’ 

‘somebody’s going to get hurt.’

‘woah. what just happened? did everything just kind of flicker out for a second there?’

‘it looks like we’re not going to suffocate or blow up any time in the near future.’