#its still a joke. and i am drinking milk before brushing my teeth and going to bed

[teakoodrawz]

Rouxls : How dare thou taking mine place?! i am the real duke of card castle! thou shall not underestimated me!!

Mark : sorry bud but you're already too late since your disappearance. i am the Grand duke now.

Rouxls : Grand Duke- KING!!!!??!???

King : *shrugs*

[fortheloveoffanfic]

Put Me In a Movie

Keanu Reeves x Reader (A/n- Did I really just get the name of my own fic wrong? If you saw it, for the sake of us both, pretend you didn’t)

Summary Prologue  1   2   3  4  

Chapter 5- Skewed Clarity

That night, Y/n had gone back to her room, dried off and plopped back into bed, more awake and before and irritatingly sexually frustrated. She’d tried dealing with the situation herself, but her efforts were fruitless and unsatisfying; her fingers were small in comparison to Keanu and all in all, she just couldn’t sink into the moment. For the briefest second, as Y/n had laid a top her unmade bed, the softness of the fluffy duvet caressing her skin, she had considered shrugging on her robe and trekking to Keanu’s room, uncaring if he was awake or not and demanding that he’d finish what he started, but Y/n had quickly deduced that she’d need a few drinks well to muster up that kind of courage. Besides, she wasn’t desperate. It was just a matter of politeness really, how dare he leave her like that, with silky moisture between her thighs and an ache to be touched?

After several failed efforts, or perhaps it was just one long one, Y/n had decided that she was through for the night, opting to quickly wash up, get back into her pajamas and crawl back into bed. It had taken almost two hours after that for her eyes to even start drooping and when Y/n finally fell into a fragile slumber, it was past five am.

There wasn’t enough caffeine in the world to rectify the heaviness in Y/n’s eyes and as hard as she tried to stifle them, a yawn would escape her lips every few minutes or so. Figures that the night that she’d had the worst sleep of her life would lead to the first time they’d be filming at seven am. 

Really, she blamed Keanu. Who, coincidentally looked far more refreshed than she felt. Maybe it was irrational, but Y/n couldn’t help but be a little annoyed with him. First, he’d been on her mind so much that she couldn’t fall asleep, then he’d interrupted her alone time and gotten her worked up, just so she couldn’t fall asleep again. 

Ugh.

Walking from her trailer, already in costume with her hair and make up done, Y/n tried to chug yet another cup of scalding hot, black coffee before she got to set. It burnt her tongue and the bitter taste was the reason she usually added milk and sugar, but still, she needed to be as energetic as possible, and if her sixth cup of coffee for the morning was what it took, then so be it.  

They were shooting in the large parking lot that morning, which meant that Y/n would have to pass through the studio, to get to the open area at the front, where everything was probably already set up. It was the kind of walk that she ordinarily took with Keanu, but alas, Y/n had been avoiding him since their initial though very brief run in at hair and make-up. She had been heading in just as he was opening the door to leave. Small talk had been a must, though neither of them brought up their earlier encounter, what was there to say anyway? Y/n didn’t know if it had been a joke, if Keanu had actually intended to make her feel ‘some kind of way’, or if all in all, she was reading too much into it. It was awkward and Y/n hated awkward, she hated not knowing and she desperately wished that things with Keanu weren’t so confusing. 

The studio was quieter than it had been most days, though, that should have been expected considering they were meant to spend the next eight hours or so working outside. Jackson had predicted that in one long take, they could cover the entire scene in just about three hours, but that wasn’t accounting for the human factors; mishaps and bloopers. 

By the time Y/n was spilling out into the large, outdoor set up, the morning sun was stinging her eyes again and there was an energetic buzz in the air that had been absent from inside. Y/n began wondering if she’d be able to keep up with the way she was feeling. Why hadn’t she just downed some cough syrup and called it a night?

“Hey,” an unsteady baritone broke Y/n’s thoughts and she immediately clutched her chest, jumping in surprise when he gently touched the center of her back.

“Fuck,” the fright was enough to wake her up a bit, though it didn’t last long. Keanu came to stand next to her, closer than he did before things got complicated and Y/n had a feeling that it was intentional. She could smell the coolness of his cologne, mixing with the enthralling aromas of ground roast and cigarette. Y/n hated when he stood that close, it always got her flustered. 

Though, she didn’t want him to move either 

“You scared the shit outta me,” she sighed, letting her hand return to her side. Her gaze once again to the ongoings before them, not wanting to lock with his chocolate orbs for too long.  Why couldn’t she ever successfully avoid him? 

Keanu chuckled beside her, the throaty sound like water over rocks; smooth and soothing, “Sorry.” He seemed totally unaffected by their run in from the night before but Y/n couldn’t tell if he was faking it or if by some hellish miracle, his short term memory had been erased. It was bad enough that it had cost her a few hours of sleep, she couldn't be the only one with that memory. “I hate to be that person, but you look terrible. Everything okay?”

Scoffing, Y/n folded her arms and rolled her eyes. As if he didn’t know! “I’m fine,” she mumbled, slightly begrudged. With the toe of her block heeled ankle boot, Y/n kicked a rogue pebble, watching as it skipped out of her foot’s reach. The shoe scraped noisily as she dragged her foot back childishly, “Is that what you came over here to tell me?”

Unstirred by her mood, Keanu chortled again, “Somebody’s cranky.” Again, Y/n rolled her eyes, preferring to wallow in her sour, awkwardness instead of asking him anything about the previous night. When Y/n didn’t respond, his grin softened and his words were twisted by flirty undertones, “This is about last night, isn’t it? Don’t tell me a few little words made you all pissy,” Keanu’s breath was hot on her ear as he leaned in and Y/n hoped the set photographer wasn’t nearby to capture the redness painting her cheeks.

Gritting her teeth, she finally turned to face him, her hair whipping his shoulder as she did, “How dare you? First its oh Y/n this was a mistake, then you’re all up in my face, with your stupid smile and your good looks, telling me that you can fuck me real good and then you’re walking away. And-” the ‘v’ in Y/n’s forehead became more pronounced and her mild irritation turned into flustered anger, “Are you laughing at me?”

Tilting his head to the side, “My good looks?” He quoted, taunting her and Y/n groaned, frustrated. Still though, Keanu didn’t look like he had any intention of ceasing his quiet chuckles. Slipping his hands into the pockets of his character’s battered jeans, Keanu dragged his lower lip through his teeth, “I’m sorry,” he looked down for a minute, and Y/n could feel his eyes travel appreciatively up her body as he raised his head again, “You’re just….really fucking cute when you’re mad.”

“See?” Y/n huffed pointedly. It was so hard to tell what they were doing, what he was doing. Was he actually flirting, or was he just plain out fucking with her? “This is too confusing Keanu. You’re just…..”

It didn’t take too long after that for Keanu to lapse into his usual seriousness, hissing in hopes that no one would hear, “You think you’re not confusing too? One minute you acting like you regret what we did and avoiding me like the fucking plague the next we’re in a pool together and you’re basically asking for it.”  

“Do not put this on me,” her finger jabbed into his chest and Keanu caught her wrist, his fingers easily circling it with room to spare, “This is not my fault.”

“I never said it was anybody’s fault,” Keanu countered, still holding onto her hand. It had been so long since he’d last touched her, in any way, he’d missed the softness of her skin and Y/n his calloused touch, “I’m just saying, maybe neither of us are as blameless as we want to be.”

His admission left Y/n scrambling for words. The truth was that Keanu was right, they were both active participants, worse yet, Y/n would be lying if she said she wanted to stop. The thoughts of Keanu were consuming, her quelled longing for him was hard to deny even to herself. Swallowing thickly, Y/n watched as Keanu’s grip slipped from her wrist to maintain a gentle hold on her fingers. They had forgotten their surroundings a while ago, not noticing if anyone was looking at them. “This is…..” Y/n didn’t know what it was, and she couldn’t really think of it while he was standing that close.

Keanu bent his head, a contagious smile curving his lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I-”

“Places everyone!” Jackson snapped and they sprang apart. Keanu passed one had over his hair, the other going to his back pocket, while Y/n, who didn’t really know what to do with her hands, immediately grabbed the hem of her leather jacket, sucking in a breath.

Stuttering, Y/n’s lips quivered, about to speak when, in a frenzy a hair and make-up team surrounded her and Keanu, picking and pulling at their outfits, freshening their make-up and giving them one last look over before the scene. There was a faceless hand in her hair, fiddling with her extensions while someone else passed a powder brush on her cheek, “Can we….?”

Meanwhile, there was a woman freshening a cut on Keanu’s jaw while two others gave his outfit gentle tugs to ensure perfect placement, “Yeah,” he assured her hurriedly, hoping that the aids wouldn’t suspect anything. 

By the end of the day, all Y/n wanted to do was face flop into her bed, and she was pretty sure that she could sleep then. Her caffeine high had kicked in right in the thick of their first scene of the day; where her and Keanu’s characters were supposed to be ‘ambushed’ by operatives and subsequently engaged in a  shootout, where she’d acquire ‘minor wounds’. It had taken three takes to get the end right, but just as midday approached they did. Afterwards, she had taken her lunch break while Keanu shot a brief solo scene and then vise versa.

They weren’t done for the day until the sun was resigning past the distant horizon and nothing further could be done outside. Thank heavens they weren’t needed on set again until past lunch the next day. 

As she packed some things into her handbag, Y/n could feel the wear of her muscles with each movement and the heaviness of her eyes every time she blinked. The crash after the caffeine had worn off had hit her hard and if there were something bigger than a small sofa in her trailer, she might have showered and slept right there. 

With a huff, Y/n zipped the bag and reached for her coat draped over a throw pillow, when someone knocked on the metal front door calling her attention, “Y/n?”

Keanu.

Even if they’d spent most of the day together, they hadn’t gotten back to their earlier conversation, though Y/n didn’t know what she’d say if they had. Still, she answered the door, hoping he’d be braver than she was.

Keanu had absolutely no idea what he was going to say. But nonetheless, his anxious feet had led him to Y/n’s trailer, and possibly, by his fist’s own admission, he hit the door three times. It was hardly his best idea; to show up at her trailer, without a clue on what he was about to say all while knowing that Y/n must have been dog tired. Though, he was already there, so the least he could do was rack his brain for a quick remedy.

When she pulled the door open, standing before the entrance looking a bit worse than she had that morning, Keanu frowned, that was definitely the worst timing in the history of things being timed. “Hey,” he waved briefly, only coming up the two metal steps when she waved him inside. Upon seeing her bag, packed on the counter of the small kitchenette, Keanu scrubbed on hand over his groomed beard, stuffing the other into his pocket, “Is this a bad time?” Maybe if she said yes then he could return to his uncomfortable state of not knowing, trying to figure things out until he, well, knew. 

But alas, there was nothing as unforgiving and he internally cursed when she quickly quipped back, “No, I don’t have anywhere to be.” With a tired huff, Y/n dropped onto the small, rich brown, leather sofa, patting the spot next to her, “What’s up?”

“I……” What was up? Quickly, he scanned his brain for anything useful, though eventually came up short and let his mouth go on autopilot, “I wanted to talk about this morning, about us.”

Keanu couldn’t help but smile lightly when she absently scrunched her nose, testing the word on her tongue as if it were foreign, “Us?” Sighing, Y/n shifted in the sofa, bracing an elbow on the back cushion and pulling one leg under herself, “Is there an us?”

“I don’t know,” he cleared his throat, speaking as the ideas came, with no room for thinking them over or polishing them up, “But I think at this point it's more there than isn’t, if you know what I mean.”

It took a minute, and Y/n seemed to be mulling on it, but eventually, she gestured her agreement, moistening her succulent pink lips before, “Yeah, yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“Right,” Keanu stalled. He wasn’t good at that, letting people in and letting himself feel. It wasn’t like he couldn’t, he could, he did. Even if it was all a jumbled mess, he did feel something, or rather several things for Y/n. Things he couldn’t quite decipher, but also things he wasn’t ready to lose. But it didn’t make sense and Keanu didn’t know what to do with those things. Besides, his relationship track record had never been on for the ages, he was always giving too much or too little, typically the former; a commitment-phobe at heart. 

Y/n looked at him expectantly and Keanu felt terrible for making her wait, but he really didn’t have a clue on what he should say next. How could you explain what you felt if you didn’t understand it?

Maybe he didn’t need words.  

Swallowing thickly, Keanu reached out, letting his thumb caress Y/n’s jaw, awed at how she leaned into his touch. 

Maybe it wasn’t just a sex thing. Maybe it was something more, merely covered up by something primal, because still there with Keanu, Y/n didn’t feel they way she had in the pool, or that day after their sex scene. Instead, she felt a fullness in her chest, it was warm, and she was very surprised that a feeling like that could be physical. Her heart didn’t beat a mile a minute, her palms weren’t sweaty and she wasn’t anxious about his next move. For the first time in two weeks, she knew exactly what to expect from Keanu.

It didn’t feel much bigger than their friendship though, it was merely an extension. It was the tranquility he brought, paired with the warmth of his touch. The thought was barely there and fleeting, but somewhere in the back of Y/n’s mind registered that Keanu’s was completely unlike Luke’s touch; a couple fingers on her cheek able to do more for her than arms around her waist. 

Intently, Y/n watched as Keanu leaned forward, licking his lips just before he laid them on hers. Coffee, cigarettes and something sweet. The taste was one she quickly committed to memory. Slowly, Y/n tilted her head, allowing him better access, letting her eyes slip closed. One hand moved to cup his cheek, the rough hair tickling her palm. 

What she felt right then was unmatched, the completeness morphing with a sense of serenity. Like the first breath of spring air or sipping chilled Rosé in the heat of summer, refreshing and light. The sensation in her chest spread, traveling to her finger and toes while the inner working of her head simply stopped. It didn’t matter what the road to lead them to that moment looked like, how much hurt there had been, confusion, despair and anguish, gone, just for a few savory minutes, letting them be in their own little bubble.

Butterfly wings fluttering against his lips, that was the only thing Keanu could liken that kiss too. It was so unlike anything they had shared before then and Keanu felt as if that was the last thing he ever did before he died, it would be okay, because even if he couldn’t say it, he’d shown her. Shown Y/n that she wasn’t just a body to him, that every touch he’d laid on her wasn’t a mistake, it could never be. 

What they had, whatever it was, was still in its infancy, but he liked it. Keanu wanted to show it off and protect it all at once. Keanu had always been afraid of relationships, and he could tell that Y/n was the same- there had always been an understated caution that hung in her words when spoke of Luke, like she was never really sure that sharing herself outside the realm of what was tangible was what she wanted. No doubt, they both had their flaws, but maybe, they could try together. Keanu wasn’t sure if it was what he wanted, but by then, he didn’t think he could firmly say he was sure of anything. Anything except for the fact that kissing Y/n felt right. 

When they broke, their breaths were still shared for a minute, Y/n and Keanu smiled softly. “Is this what you want?” Y/n’s voice was meek and unsteady, she didn’t even know if it was what she wanted.

Humming, Keanu lingered on the question for a minute, relaxing into the cushions. Acting on the urge, he pulled Y/n against his chest, her ear over his heartbeat. The blurry thoughts clouded his vision and Keanu knew his answer would change everything between them forever. But arguably, that had already happened. 

Suddenly plume of fear bloomed in the center of his chest; fear that he would hurt her, fear that they were too different, but most prominently, the paralyzing fear that she would hurt him. If Keanu let her in, chances are, he wouldn’t want her to leave. But it happened, it always did, they always left. 

Then again, what was life without fear? What was happiness without suffering?

“I…..” Keanu sighed at the way Y/n relaxed against him, absently tangling his fingers in the ends of her hair, his glazed eyes trained forward, “I think.....I think that maybe we could try. I mean, this is so confusing, and we didn’t exactly have the best start, but maybe it could work. I don’t really know how to do this,” he chuckled, usually asking a woman out came on instinct; Keanu would just do it. But the effort needed weight with Y/n, she deserved more than just a random offer for coffee, they got coffee together all the time. Keanu was about to start tripping over his words again when Y/n shifted against him, burrowing her nose deeper into his chest, “What are you-”

All it took was one look down for Keanu to realize that Y/n was far gone, and probably hadn’t heard a word of his ramblings. Huffing his quiet laughter, he shook off his thoughts, tightening his hold on her waist as he leaned his head back. Maybe he’d have something more worthwhile to offer her the next morning.

*****

Tagging- @harrisongslimited​  @paanchu786​  @thesadvampire​  @fanficsrusz​  @fickensteinn​  @ladyreapermc​  @babygirltaina​  @septimaseverina​  @snatchedbylele​  @omg-imagine @21stcenturyyfoxx​  @magnificentclodpiebanana 

[finn-wolfhard]

I need me some quality content and this is the best place for it. Could I get some being Steve's sister and dating Robin? (If that already exists somewhere then please direct me to it bc this idea is like crack to me) Thanks!!

Yo! I've just gotten back into Tumblr since quarantine has given me an abundance of time. I can guess that you ended up getting this elsewhere, anon, but for the folk who also want to read about wlw Robin B and Big Bro Steve - this ones for you! 

Enjoy x

I Do 

“Turn that shit down! GOD! I feel I’m listening to them in concert.” Steve was screaming from downstairs for me to turn my music down and before I could move an inch to do so, he barged through the door. “Look, I don’t want another complaint from Mrs. Fritz next door. Can you please turn it down. I promised mom and dad that the roof would still be on this place by the time they got home. I’m heading to work. The money for delivery is on the table. Just try not to get yourself into bother, OK?” 

“Yeah, sure, sorry Steve. What time will you be home?” our parents are both out of town on business and so Steve has been appointed man of the house. Last time we were left alone, Mrs. Fritz called the police on us, placing a noise complaint. It was just me playing my radio a little bit too loud in my room. My bedroom window is right next to her living room. 

“I’ll be home around 8. Do you want to wait till I’m home to order pizza?”

“Sure thing, dude” I answered, giving him a thumbs up and a grin.

“You’re a goof. I’ll see you at 8.”

Steve and I’s relationship is reasonably good for the average brother and sister. He’s a year older than me and has the same interests. Such as; Hair, Pizza, our looks, and girls. I’ve known I’ve been into girls since I was a little kid but dad would kill me if I ever brought a girl home. Mom would be a little more understanding, yet still against the idea - and I don’t even know how Steve would react if he found out. I think he’s the only person I’d be fully comfortable telling, but I don't want to risk it going the complete opposite way.

I hear the door slam and decide to get out of my pajamas and actually DO something today. The schools broke up for summer last week and all I’ve been doing is reading, listening to music, and waiting for my best friend Jennifer to get home from vacation and tell me all about it. She’s due home in three days. I finally muster up enough self-motivation to move from my cozy, pink bed to the bathroom. The cold tiles under my feet wake me up and I stare at myself in the mirror for a bit. I had managed to grow a little spot just below my hairline (which I quickly treated with zit cream) but that was about as far as the flaws went. I usually take good care of myself; drinking enough, taking my vitamins, brushing my teeth after every meal. I do care about my looks and I shouldn’t be ashamed of that. It helps gets me a lot of attention in school, and I’ve never been an outcast. I guess having Steve as a big brother does contribute to the high school fame, but I don’t let it get to me much. I'm just glad I’ve gotten through high-school without being bullied at least once. I looked at my scraggly hair. I had just had a perm done two weeks ago and it seemed to be holding up pretty well. I scrunched my hair to make it look nice and messed it up a bit to give it volume. 

In the kitchen, there was the money on the table, like Steve said, and a note next to it. 

Save me a slice! Steve :)

He must’ve written the note then realized that a slice won't suffice after a long shift at his dorky Scoops Ahoy! job, and asked me to wait up for him. It's a shame people don’t get to see this side of Steve and I. I know how we come across to other people. I’ve heard the odd remark here and there about how he’s a player and I’m a priss. It mostly comes from the social outcasts in the school, the ones who aren’t in our friend circles, and don’t get to see what we’re really like. Even then, our school personalities are a bit of a performance to uphold our popularity. Only Steve knows my real self and vice verses, and we both understand why it has to be like that. Its an unspoken rule type thing. 

I open the fridge and get some milk for cereal. I pour a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. Fred smiles at me from the box as I grab the phone off the wall and dial Amanda’s number. 

“Hey Mands, you want to go to the mall today”

“y/n! Hi! That sounds great. I need a new outfit for my date with Justin on Friday.”

“Cool, so, 12? That sound ok?”

We agreed on 12:30 (since she had to take her dog on a walk) and she suggested we meet outside the Gap. Soon enough, 12:30 rolls around and I see Amanda smiling wildly at me, where she said she'd be, outside the Gap. She sweeps me into a warm hug and we gush about how much we’ve missed each other since school broke up. 

“Ok, so I need to go to Claires to get some earrings.” I agree to help her find a pair that would, quote “make Justin harder than math.” I don’t really understand how a pair of earrings could do this to a guy, or even if guys pay attention to earrings at all, but I was open to being proved wrong. We start making our way to the stairs when Amanda realizes she’s suddenly craving ice cream. I put it down to the fact that there were Scoops Ahoy! Adverts on every trash can (I’m unsure if that is a sign or not). We make a detour to Steve’s work and I make a plan to pull a few strings to get a free cone or two. We enter the ice cream parlor and… Steve isn’t there. Instead, a girl with short blonde hair is serving the queue of customers. 

I squint at her, trying to remember her name. Rosie? No, that's not it. It begins with an R for definite. Its to do with an animal… a R-R-Robin! Her name is Robin. And she’s…pretty? Like, really pretty. And not very girly? I can’t tell since she’s wearing a silly uniform… but god, is she pretty. 

As I’m staring at her, a slew of slurs come racing into my mind. Slurs I panicked were being shouted at me down the halls but never were. They were always aimed…at her. At Robin. Words beginning with D and F that make my blood boil. Chip, A boy in my own friend group, muttering “Stay away from my sister, homo!” In class. I put a hand up to my mouth to hide a gasp. This girl was outed, by someone she thought was her friend from band, in Hawkins - which isn’t known for being the most accommodating and accepting town.

Amanda and I reach the front of the queue and I find myself unable to look directly at the girl serving me. 

“Hi! Welcome to Scoops Ahoy! What can I get you today?” She seemed overly enthusiastic for some reason. 

“Hi, is Steve here?” I say, breaking the awkwardness I had built up in my own mind. She looked away, disheartened? I couldn’t tell. 

“Steve, your sisters here” then she whispered something that sounded like “you can leave your little nerd friend to figure it out for a bit” but I wasn’t really sure. 

Steve appeared from around the corner.

“what do you want, squirt?” 

“2 sundaes please” I replied, smiling.

“that will be five dollars pleas-“

“STEVE! Can’t you gift your baby sister with a sundae for once?” I cut him off, appalled that he’s making me pay, but still keeping it lighthearted. 

“…fine. But only this ONE TIME” he shot back. I winked at him, thanked him, and waited for him to finish our sundaes. He brought them over and sat with us. 

“Who’s that girl?” I instantly questioned, trying not to sound too interested but failing miserably.

“Oh, that's Robin Buckley. She’s in your year at school, don’t you know her?” I do know her. But I don’t want to admit that yet, I want to play it cool.

“I think I’ve seen her around yeah, I’ve just never had a good look at her before. I think she’s in my social studies class?” I look to Amanda to ask this question but Amanda is already nodding by this point. Steve looks unconvinced. 

“well, I invited her for pizza tonight,” he said, not wanting to ask ‘is that ok?’ In front of Amanda to keep up his macho ‘I’m Steve Harrington’ persona. I glance over at Robin. By this time, she’s known as lovely Robin in my head. Not that I could help it, along with the butterflies in my stomach or the extreme excitement that she was going to be having dinner. With me. In my house. Tonight!… What am I doing? Get a grip of yourself! You’re not out - as if that is ever going to happen anyways - and Robin was coming for Steve. Of course she was. I mentally roll my eyes. Just my luck.

The rest of the day goes by pretty quickly. Amanda gets her outfit and ‘math’ earrings - which I still don’t understand - and I get a few cute t-shirts and skirts thanks to my allowance mom gave me before she went away. By the time I get home, it is 4 pm which means I have precisely 4 hours to get myself ready for tonight. I go to my room, read for a bit, then put my makeup on in my vanity mirror. I don’t want to mess this up, but then again, why am I caring so much?. I eventually get myself sorted and wait for 8 pm to roll around. At 7:45 I phone Hal’s Pizza Shop and order 2 pepperoni pizzas and 1 plain Margherita. I came to the decision that If Robin is vegetarian then she can have the just cheese, but if not, I’ll take it.  

I hear Steve’s key in the lock and he shouts to me from downstairs.

“Hey that's me back, y/n, did you order the pizza?” 

“Sure did!” I came to the top of the stairs and looked down at the front door. Robin was staring up at me and I couldn’t help staring at her back. Steve obviously missed this whole exchange of tension.

“Good! Because I’m starving. I’m gonna put a video on, anyone down for watching Indiana Jones?” He mimics a whipping sound and runs off to the living room, leaving Robin and me to awkwardly start a conversation. 

“So, you work with Steve. I’ll apologize on your employer's behalf.” I laugh, eventually. Robin looked relieved that I had said something, and even more so that it was a joke. 

“It's not as bad as you would think, he brings in loads of customers with that ‘magnificent hair’” she replies, making fun of Steve’s obsession with his, admittedly, perfect mane. 

“I’ve seen you about school before, sorry I’ve never talked to you before,” I said. I really meant it, she seems cool. And kinda hot? But that wasn’t important to me…

“Yeah, I guess our groups don’t tend to mix as much. I'm surprised you even know my name” she looks at her feet. She knows I know about the slurs and bullying, I can tell. Just then, there's a ring at the door and Steve reappears, running to get the door that we are standing 2 inches away from. 

After sitting, eating, chatting, and laughing our way through Indiana Jones, I realise Steve has fallen asleep beside me. So does Robin. We both snicker at him and then collectively tuck him in with the blankets on the back of the sofa. We sit in silence for a minute. 

“Robin. I want to say I'm sorry for all the stuff you get called at school. It's not cool and especially from my group-“

“it's fine” she cuts me off. She seems distant though. 

“I don’t think you understand what it does to me hearing people shout words like that at someone. It's inhuman,” Robin looks at me over her cup of hot chocolate Steve made us halfway through the movie. She looks on the verge of tears. “I mean, I don’t know how I would cope with that if people knew I was one too.” I look away from her confused stare in embarrassment. Robin is the first person I tell this massive secret to and I've only been in her company for the past 3 hours? But it felt right. It felt too right, almost.

Robin picks herself up from her space in the armchair and comes to sit on the arm of the sofa. She doesn’t hesitate to put her arm around my shoulders and squeeze me in for a side hug. I hadn’t realized that I had started to cry and I wipe my eyes and nose with the back of my hand. 

“I’m so sorry they said those things to you” I whispered while silently sobbing.

“Don’t worry about it, y/n, I have pretty thick skin when it comes to bullying. I've been in band for the past 3 years,” I look at her and let out a small laugh. The smile fades from her lips and a serious look takes over her face. “You don’t need to feel ashamed. Or embarrassed. I’m honored you told me, I know how much trust that takes. Thank you.” 

We sit embracing for a couple of minutes and I try to defuse the tension. “You know, I think you’re pretty hot.” She laughs, and I can feel the heat radiating off of her. She’s blushing. 

“You’re not too bad yourself, Harrington,” she gives me a small smile. “I think you’re the prettiest girl in our year.” Now it was my turn to blush. I’m not sure if she’s saying this out of courtesy, sympathy, or if she really means it. 

“You don't have to say that” I roll my eyes and let out an embarrassed giggle. 

“I do.” She whispers back, the darkness multiplying the tension by 10. After a while of nervous silence, not sure what to say next, Robin asks you a question.

“I hope I’m not out of line for saying this, and you can one hundred percent say no,” I looked at her, questioningly, “but why don’t we go out sometime? We can go to the park or we can go to the cinema. Your choice… if you want-if you want to.” She was visibly nervous. In the pitch black, with only the dim glow from the paused movie TV static lighting up the room, I agreed to go on a date with her (”I’d like that”). We both can tell the other is excited but can also tell the other is exhausted. Robin moves back over to the armchair, which was just big enough for a teenage girl to curl up in, and I curl up to my sound asleep brother. It takes a while to finally get to sleep, but I can’t help my mind doing laps, thinking about my future date with Robin Buckley. 

[unicyclehippo]

just a simple prompt if you want one: beau and jester play a game. interpret however you like!

ok so what follows came abt bc i thought of a joke that made me cackle & i wanted to write it in the context of a story so: ur welcome 🤙🤙

//

the fancy flop, like all good bars, is small, dimly lit, and grimy. the bar itself is sticky with spilled drinks that have accumulated over time into a thin laquer that coats the dark-red wood and beau’s cloak sticks to it as she leans over it, making sure that the bartender is well and truly busy with another patron down the opposite end to see her making off with a bottle of his best.

she wouldn’t do it ordinarily—and if she had, she wouldn’t’ve set more than the cost of the bottle in its place, as she does now—but she’d spotted the dusty plum purple bottle earlier and couldn’t get it out of her head. kamordah—her family—keep popping up like a cursed copper and beau figures, fuck it, why not face it head on for once?

so yeah. she steals—and then promptly pays for, because the bartender seems like a good enough lady—the bottle and scarpers, out the door and into the street, slipping the bottle into her bag before she catches up to the rest of the nein wandering their weaving way back to their inn.

‘beau!’ fjord greets her, laughing. his cheeks are flushed and his eyes glossy and beau notes, a little fuzzy herself, that his smile seems way more genuine, way bigger too, ever since he stopped fiddling with his tusks. ‘where’d you go?’

‘around,’ she tells him, makes a big show of complaining when he slings his heavy arm around her shoulder and neck and pulls her in. ‘you’re drunk,’

‘we’re all drunk!’ caleb corrects. beau glanced sideways to the faintly smiling clerics, shakes her head. ‘drunk on life, beauregard!’

it’s her imagination, probably, that makes her think jester narrows her eyes. because beau certainly didn’t earn a look like that, didn’t flinch at the sound of her full name.

‘drunk on mead, caleb.’

the man smiles. tilts his head up to the moon. ‘that too, my friend. that too.’

//

they shepherd everyone back to their rooms, to their beds, and it’s nice how these things go. the shuffle and bump of getting changed, the low murmurs from the washroom as teeth are cleaned, the creak and slow rising snore as friends fall into beds. beau guides a well-toasted nott into the room she shares with caleb, watches him lever up on the mattress when they cross the alarm. she lifts nott, sets her into bed alongside him at the mumbled instruction; beau watches as her friends curl up together without a care to her or what she might see in it, and leaves them be.

stepping out into the darkened hall, she catches a glimpse of a horned head, a flick of a spaded-tail as jester turns the corner, headed down the steps into the common space.

curious, beau follows.

it’s habit to drift toward the shadows, instinctual to tread gently and avoid those places in the floorboards where they bend and bow and creak. even so, she knows she hasn’t managed to hide her approach from jester, because the girl is waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. perhaps a little more hidden than she thought, actually, because it isn’t until beau is a few steps down to where the light of the common room washes pale against the stairs that jester blinks and shakes her head a little and smiles up at her.

‘oh good! i was hoping you’d come.’

‘me?’

‘mhm!’ she holds a hand up to beau, wriggles her fingers invitingly. ‘come on!’

‘where are we going? jes?’ beau asks, but if there is an answer she misses it, mind wiped blank by the feel of jester’s cool fingers twining in hers and the dizzying rush of being yanked forward, all while already the tiniest bit drunk.

they don’t go far.

jester has found, it seems, a mostly hidden table in the inn built into the corner, where support beams stand to block anyone’s view of the table and the roof sits low overhead. it’s close to the kitchen and awfully warm, fires still smouldering away to heat the water in gurgling pipes, and the scent of fresh baked breads travels out on curls of steam. jester slips into the alcove first, pulls on the hand she still hasnt released so that beau slides in beside her on the cushioned bench, not across as she would have done otherwise.

‘nice place you got here.’

jester grins, bats her lashes. ‘i’m good at finding sneaky places.’

‘i know that,’ beau nods. ‘yeah. this,’ she knocks on the wooden post. nods again. ‘solid.’

jester still hasn’t let go of her hand. beau swallows. hopes that her hand doesn’t feel as sweaty as she thinks it does. she always gets alcohol sweats, and with this sauna jester has found, she can feel her whole body prickling with it.

‘why are we - you couldn’t sleep?’

‘i’m not tired yet. and i wasn’t drinking.’

‘milk.’

jester rolls her eyes. muffles a small laugh with a look of exasperation, like she can’t believe she’s laughing at such a bad joke. her fingers slip over beau’s, tangling and slowly slipping away. beau makes an attempt to keep hold before she realises what jester is doing; cheeks flushing, she looks away, stretches her arms out to rest on the tabletop, fingers drumming on the wood, tracing over the slices and crude carvings, fingers swirling over the letters.

‘i wanted to play a game,’ jester tells her, pulling from her bag a deck of cards. it makes beau’s stomach plummet until she realises she doesn’t recognise them: these are not the brightly painted tarot, but considerably smaller and battered.

‘playing cards?’

‘uno!’

beau frowns. ‘the game you wanna play with your dad?’

‘yeah!’

it’s the drink making her bold, or the closeness of jester pressed soft to her side, that makes beau smirk. tilt her head. ‘if i play with you, does that make me your daddy?’

jester smiles back, all sharp teeth and hooded lids. ‘i don’t know, beau, does it?’

beau doesn’t recognise the tone, not from jester anyway, but it sends a bolt of energy lancing through her from the top of her now-prickling scalp to her core.

‘uh.’ she unsticks her tongue from the dry roof of her mouth. ‘um.’

jester giggles. drops her eyes to the deck, quickly splitting it and shuffling. beau is thankful that it gives her a moment to recover herself, swear at herself for losing her senses; beau is not thankful for the way it draws attention to jester’s clever hands, easily breezily moving the cards through a shuffle, a tilted riffle and a cut, before pressing them in a weave and cutting again.

‘holy shit. you’re really good at this.’

‘i like cards,’ jester agrees, nodding, but beau notes that she looks pleased by the compliment.

‘is it a problem that i don’t know how to play this?’

the cards explode out of the riffle, scattering across and beneath the table, a few smacking up into their faces.

‘ow.’

‘oh no, my cards!’

‘it’s fine, it’s fine, lemme—hold on, let me help,’

beau dives out of the nook, scrabbles around for the little cards. she slaps a few handfuls onto the table, ducking under it to find the remaining ones as jester counts. it’s hot, and dark, and jester’s tail snakes out to tap against beau’s arm as she fumbles around.

‘okay down there?’ jester calls.

beau grunts. ‘there’s—ugh—it’s like they washed the whole place with beer.’ her fingers brush against something furry that moves as she yelps, moves back too fast and knocks her head hard on the table above. ‘ow—fuck!’

‘beau!’

‘i’m fin—are you laughing?’ beau slides out from under the table, peeks over to confirm that jester is in fact laughing at her, wounded in the course of finding her fucking cards. ‘wow. real cool,’ she complains, though her hearts not in it, not with the way jester is having to fight to keep from busting a rib, eyes glittering with it. ‘did i get all the damn cards?’

jester counts them quickly. ‘two missing,’ she tells beau, who sighs and crawls beneath the table again, this time pulling down her goggles.

the first she finds under the opposite bench, while the second takes a little looking. it isn’t until jester moves her feet to try and help that beau sees it, the thin card stuck in the floorboards by jester’s feet. she reaches out, knuckles grazing against jester’s stockinged leg, and plucks it up.

‘got ‘em!’

beau climbs up, flops into place beside jester, who takes the cards with a quiet,

‘thank you, beau.’

‘don’t mention it.’ beau rubs at the top of her head. ‘i think i broke it. am i bleeding?’

‘lemme see.’ jester wriggles up onto her knees, bending over beau’s head. she’s of a height where beau has to keep herself very still and maybe close her eyes because jester’s chest is right there—and then her eyes flash open with the feeling of cold lips on hot skin, pressing gently to the bruised spot, and the warm fizzing feeling of magic crawling out from that space. ‘there,’ jester says, sitting again, the green light fading from her eyes. ‘all better.’

beau mumbles something that was hopefully an agreement, and tries to hide behind the cards jester hands her.

[flowerymoonlight]

your company

pairing: Clint x Bucky

genre: fluffy fluffity fluff i aint hurting my boys any time soon

word count: 2,253

summary: James turns Clint’s evening around.

warnings: unhealthy times to drink coffee, don't do it kids

author’s note: another one for @stuckonjbbarnes‘ challenge!! and @piper-koko-barnes-rogers i know we talked about this ages ago but its here

Clint was stupid. A world-class idiot. How could he even consider the possibility that Barney had changed? Too much wishful thinking was his guess.

When Barney had invited him to his new apartment for beers all the parts of Clint’s brain were flaring red. But he said yes anyway. It wasn’t that Barney wasn’t terrible to him, because he was, but Clint could never really write him off. There must be something wrong with his brain.

He got to Barney’s place alright, just in time to be there and catch the no-filter slurring. Yeah, he was expecting it from Barney honestly, but he wasn’t counting on Jesse and Ray to be there with him.

Jesse and Ray were like cereal and milk, always around each other, and they had quickly befriended Barney in middle school with their one common goal of making fun of Clint for breathing. No, he definitely did not still have bottled up rage for these two.

And, of course, as they were all drunk off their asses – probably a little high too – the insults just started pouring like rain. The worst part wasn’t even when Barney laughed at what they said as if it was a joke, or when he joined them. The worst part was the Clint was so used to it that he couldn’t even find the strength to react to it.

He could only handle two hours before taking the opportunity of Barney going to the bathroom to flee out of there as fast as possible. Clint was stupid for accepting but he had just enough self-respect to not stay and torture himself for too long.

It was still close to 3 am when he was leaving and the only company he had were the street lights casting light every few feet and the lone grocery store that run till the early hours of the morning. It wasn’t exactly freezing but there was a nice chill reminding him that he was alive.

He was lost in thoughts of naps, warm blankets, and hot coffee in a few hours when he passed by a coffee shop. He couldn’t say exactly what made him do it but he stopped to look inside and when his eyes caught the employee behind the counter his heart jumped in his chest.

Positively the most beautiful man Clint had ever seen.

His hair was in a bun and looked like they would feel like clouds under his fingertips, his jaw was adorned with probably a day’s scruff and Clint’s brain provided a millisecond fantasy of feeling it under Clint’s lips. And Clint could just barely keep his eyes from staring holes into the guy’s shoulders.

He realized he must’ve looked like a creep when the guy stopped wiping down the counter and went to fix something else. And Clint only got a glimpse of his ass but damn, could he even handle the rest?

Before he knew it Clint was opening the door to the cafe, getting the attention of the guy and having his eyes land on Clint’s – god they were the most beautiful blue he’d ever seen, this was not right, – and having his brain short-circuit.

Which, was extremely rude because he was not the one to make the decision to go in in the first place and now his brain was leaving him alone in the deep end.

Just my luck.

Then his legs were taking him over to the counter – because it’s weird to just stand in front of the door Clint, shut up – and the guy was smiling at him, wow he could get more beautiful, Clint wouldn’t have guessed it.

“What can I get for you?” He said and, oh, his voice. Why did Clint have to get tortured like this? Clint had been trying to stare at the counter in order not to ogle too openly at a stranger but when he glanced up he saw amusement in the guy’s eyes. Okay, maybe he’s not a total lost cause.

“Uh, french roast, black,” could have gone without the stuttering but he wasn’t written off yet ‘cause the guy’s smile got a little bigger as he started preparing it. He should probably find a better name for him than ‘the guy’. Just then Clint’s eyes caught his name tag. James. He could already hear himself say it over and over again.

Okay, getting out of that daydream. Still in public.

“Can I get ya anything else?” James’s voice brought him back to look at those blue eyes and it was like a spell took over his mouth because he was sure he was meant to answer ‘No, thank you.’ but what came out, oh boy. Clint changed from human to tomato in seconds.

“A couple hours with you would be great, doll.” And while Clint was trying to find his footing again with his face still burning hot his eyes did catch the faintest dust of pink on James’s cheeks and Clint felt a greater sense of satisfaction at his accomplishment – and even slightly less embarrassed.

“Well, that can be arranged,” what did Clint just hear? That was not his brain, right? The shy smile James had on his lips says it wasn’t and Clint feels a rush go through his body before he’s leaning on the counter, getting just a few inches closer to where James was working.

“If you can tell me your name,” James raised his eyebrows and Clint wasn’t about to back down from that challenge and lose a chance of hearing his name on James’s lips.

“I’m Clint.” He said and let a shy smile rest on his lips because nothing was thrown on his face yet, and that was a success in Clint’s book.

“Well hello, Clint,” James smiled at him again, all teeth and sunshine and everything, and placed his cup in front of him.

Clint’s hand instinctively moved to take it and his fingers brushed James’s before he could let go. It gave him a little tingling on the ends of his fingers and judging by the blush and the ever-present smile on James’s lips, Clint was willing to bet he felt something too.

“Thanks, doll,” what was Clint’s deal with that again? Seriously, did his brain and mouth connection had no filter? He was just walking around saying things like that? Well, no, it just seemed to have malfunctioned in the presence of a gorgeous, blue-eyed, with the sun in his smile, barista. He wasn’t like that all the time.

“So, what brings you here in the dead of night, Clint?” Okay, maybe Clint enjoyed hearing his name in James’s voice a little too much, but that was nobody’s business since it would stay in his head forever. And now onto the more unpleasant parts of his question, Clint took a sip of his coffee and just about held himself from proposing right then and there.

“Escaping the harsh reality of my social life, I’m afraid.” Clint settled on something awfully vague and awfully true at the same time. He didn’t want to lie at his first meeting with James but he also didn’t want to unload on a stranger that he wanted to see again – many, many times.

“What about you? The graveyard shift can’t be as fun as everyone says,” Clint tipped his cup to James before he took another sip – Jesus, what did he put in this thing? It’s heavenly. James in return smiled at his poor attempt at a joke and lent against the counter, folding his arms over his chest and Clint’s coffee almost went down the wrong pipe.

“It got me talking to you, didn’t it?” James said it with a smirk on his lips and, okay look, Clint was not a blusher but he had to admit; James had game and it maybe landed a soft pink on his cheeks – but just maybe.

From then on it was pretty easy to flirt with him – and by pretty easy Clint means his brain never gave a filter to his mouth and he kept blurting things he wasn’t meant to. The unexpected and certainly not unwelcome response though was James’s soft chuckles and warm eyes.

And, okay, maybe Clint was a little smitten when he left at an hour when he could see the sun and his eyes were burning just a tiny bit. And maybe he was biting his lip trying to conceal the smile from all the giddy things he was feeling about his talk with James. And he was definitely going back.

The next time Clint walked into the coffee shop during the graveyard shift there were a couple of college students in a corner with their laptops out, headphones on and fingers jamming down on the keyboards. And, yeah, Clint was a little disappointed that he wouldn’t be alone with James but he guessed they would only bother them for refills.

James greeted him with a familiar smile and before he could even think straight a ‘Hello, doll,’ was coming out of Clint’s mouth like it was meant to be there. And, okay, James’s blush made up for the burn of embarrassment on his face but he needed to get back in touch with his filter and not ruin something before it could even start.

Turns out James really enjoyed the nickname, as he had admitted shyly when they were all alone and into each other’s personal space. He said no one had ever called him that and Clint had just preened at him before trying to use it in every sentence after that.

It got him a smack in the shoulder but he got to hold that same hand later and intertwine his fingers with James’s so it all worked out.

It took four dates – and yes Clint was calling them dates, even if James was supposed to be working and he was supposed to be sleeping – for Clint to just go for it and place a soft kiss on James’s lips. He really hadn’t been settle with going for the back of his hand or his cheek on previous dates but Clint still felt an uncertainty that he had a 50-50 chance of getting punched in the face.

He didn’t. But he did get kissed back by James and it was very hard to do anything else than brush their mouths together after that. And if the next time Clint went over to the coffee shop he greeted James with a kiss on the lips no one was around to see it.

And he didn’t hesitate to ask James out on a real date, because as much as he enjoyed their time together at the coffee shop he also understood that only he was calling them dates – in his head. So, when James said yes, Clint preened and held his hand and refuse to leave until his shift was over.

Seeing James in casual but dressy clothes for the first time had Clint with both a desire to take them off and see them being put on and as much as he realized his brain was moving too fast with those daydreams it was just too easy – too right – to not let his mind wander.

He didn’t have to wander much as for the next four months they spent almost every night of the week sleeping in the same bed – and doing other things. But Clint was still a lot of nervous when he finally got the courage to ask James to move in with him – even if it was early – over dinner – he tried to cook but miserly failed and had to order take-out.

James had just smiled at him and took his hand and Clint let out a relieved breath when he said yes.

Five years later and he was sitting at their couch staring out the window the purple sky that the lights of the city wouldn’t let the stars shine through and remembering that first day that got him into that coffee shop and he met his husband.

Clint got out of his daydream by the cushions dipping next to him and a small smile was on his lips before he could even turn his head to look at James. He placed two mugs with hot coffee on the table in front of them before leaning back and snuggling under Clint’s raised arm, draped over the back of the couch.

“I would ask, but I know that look,” James mumbles sheepishly in Clint’s shoulder. He just chuckles softly and turns his head to bury his nose in James’s hair.

“Still haven’t talked to Barney,” Clint tries to joke about that night

“Good riddance,” James replies instantly and curls even more around Clint. “So, are we just reminiscing or should I be worried your head is saying silly things again?” James asks next and honestly, how did Clint get so lucky? He seems to be asking himself that question every day now but he can never find an answer, only be grateful that the universe decided to give him James.

“Just reminiscing, doll,” Clint can feel the shiver the moment it goes through James’s body and smiles at the memory of him first saying it. He leaves a soft kiss on the top of James’s head before going for his mug on the table. Ah, coffee. Always helping me, one way or another.

[danyka-fendyr]

Give Up the Ghost: Part 1 - Something Wicked This Way Comes

Alright, everybody, it’s finally here. I teased it like a week ago, and if you didn’t see that I suggest you go read it. I believe it’s on my masterlist (link in bio) and it has some essential background information for this chapter since it’s more of a prologue than anything else. Here we go, everyone!

Disclaimer: This series is based on @dreamwritesimagines Once a Year series

Taglist: @dreamwritesimagines @rhabakoli

Wordcount: 1106

Warnings: Ghosts, talk of death, dark themes

“You’re...you’re dead.”

“Oh, very much so. That part hasn’t changed, I’m afraid.” 

Despite her status as an apparent dead person, Skittles seemed to have no trouble crossing the kitchen to perch on the edge of the counter, feet pressed against the cabinets and shimmering palms digging into the counter.

“Are you...?”

“A ghost? Oh, definitely.” Some of her bravado melted away into something distinctly softer, sadder. “Guess I had some unfinished business.”

“How? I killed-”

“All of them. I know. I’ve been keeping tabs on you. I’m like your own personal dead stalker. Cool, right?”

Billy just stared. “This isn’t real. I’m hallucinating. Gosh, I’ve finally lost my damn mind.”

“Do you want to like...ask me some questions only I would know the answer to or something? Or do you just need a minute? Honestly, there’s a guy who runs around Hell’s Kitchen calling himself Daredevil and I have it on pretty good authority that he might be blind, so...this is really not that weird, if you think about it.”

“You’re dead,” Billy gasped.

“Yeah, that’s kind of what this is all about.” She pulled aside the collar of her shirt, revealing a bullet hole in her chest.

“I don’t understand,” he said, breathless.

“You can touch it. Touch me.” She reached out a slightly translucent hand, not all there.

Despite every instinct in his body screaming at him to run the other way, to run out of this house, to get a therapist or maybe just lock himself up in an asylum, Billy didn’t. Good choices had never been his strong suit. He had always gravitated towards death. Funny the places it had taken him.

She was cold. Less like ice though and more like...well, a dead body. He had the opportunity to really get a look at her now, so he did. It was like looking at something halfway between a human and an illusion. There was something distinctly nonmaterial about her, a preternatural lack of there-ness. It felt like she could quite literally slip through his fingers at any moment. Billy had heard that you could never really touch something because of the friction between the atoms, and now he thought that maybe he could understand it.

Tentatively, he dragged his fingers up off of her hand, letting them trail forlornly through the air before settling into the bullet wound in her chest. Right over her heart. A heart that no longer beat under his fingers, no longer brought a blush to her cheeks, no longer warmed her skin and skipped right into him, intertwined with his own.

“How?” He croaked, the stinging in his eyes blurring whatever he had left of her, blurring the lines between what was real and what was not.

She shrugged, his fingers slipping off her wound like silk. “You know I don’t ask too many questions about a good thing. You taught me that.”

He reached a hand up, brushing his thumb over her cheek. She leaned into his touch, and he swore she could fall right through him if he didn’t fall right through the floor first. He felt like he must have died because she was everything he had ever imagined of heaven.

“So what does this mean?”

“That’s a complicated question.” She sighed, eyes flickering down to her feet.

“How long will you be here?” He hated to ask the question, but he needed to know.

“I don’t know. 5 more minutes? Forever?” 

“You’re really killing me here, Skits,” he said.

“If I knew any more, I would tell you. All I know is that I was dead and then I was here. For a year. Just...waiting. I can’t leave the house, as far as I know. And you have milk going sour in the fridge that I can’t drink. I tried. Apparently, my semi-solid state does not apply to liquids, and solid foods...do not go over well.”

“You don’t even like milk.”

“I was experimenting. And then I was mopping.” She frowned.

“So what are we supposed to do?”

“Well I would say makeout but I’m genuinely concerned that I have the kiss of death or something so do you want to binge-watch something on Netflix? Something good has to have come out in the last year, right?”

“Skittles, I’m not joking here,” Billy said.

“Neither am I. I am actually legitimately concerned that if I kiss you I might kill you. What with the whole milk experience, I’m really not sure what I’m allowed to do with my mouth. Touching you was risky enough, I’m not about to try anything stupid.”

He hated it when she came up with something that was absolute nonsense and somehow turned it into something that actually, against all odds, made sense.

“I wouldn’t mind it.” 

He would be buried next to her any way you sliced it. As far as Billy was concerned, it was only a matter of time.

“Yeah, well, I would. You’re supposed to be alive. That’s how this works, Bill.” 

She gritted her teeth, giving him that stubborn glare he had missed so so much, and really, you couldn’t blame him for what he did next.

He kissed her. And if it didn’t kill him, it certainly felt like he was dying, because gosh, it had been so long. He had almost forgotten this. He almost forgot the way she tasted, the way her body felt pressed up against his, maybe a little colder now, but still a steady presence, curving into him like their bodies were built to fit together like this, like her mouth was made to press to his, like she was the only thing he could get a grip on and he was trying to get it by the handful.

When he pulled away, a husky laugh pulled its way out of his mouth. “Looks like I’m not dead.”

“That’s good,” she breathed, eyes fluttering open.

“So what now?”

“I did say we should make out, right? You did hear me say that? That wasn’t just in my head? Because I think that a lot of the time, so that’s actually a serious question.”

“You said you had unfinished business, Skits. You can’t just say something like that and then not expand upon it.”

For a moment, she hesitated. Pulled her lower lip between her teeth, tinged a little blue now, and tucked her feet closer to the dark wood of the cabinets. Then she looked up at him with a little smile, pulling him closer without ever having to lay a hand on him.

“I made a promise. Once a year. And I always keep my promises.”

[fromthadiningtable]

Tell Me Something New

After a perfect lazy Sunday, the sun is going down and Harry decides to sing and play for you after you ask for a private concert. Harry is hesitant but he doesn’t disappoint you with how beautiful the sound is.

I honestly have always had this idea in my head and I hope I don’t completely butcher how Harry sounds. I haven’t written for him in years but let me know what you guys think!!

The sunset was coming in through the curtains in your shared bedroom, casting an orange glow in the room that seemed almost magical. You swore you almost saw sparkles but it was just a little dust juxtaposed against the sunlight. The sun was about to disappear from the Los Angeles sky and you couldn’t help but yawn to yourself as you padded over to your bathroom. You weren’t really tired, in fact the opposite but it was that time of the day when the sky was about to be dark and the laziness of the day was dragging into the nighttime. You didn’t feel like doing much of anything, just as you hadn’t all day.

Sunday’s were special for the two of you. Harry didn’t work usually and neither did you, so to keep things going for the two of you when it got too busy and hectic, Sunday’s were the day you spent together. Sometimes you’d head to the farmer’s market and pick out vegetables and fruits to eat at home. A movie was a good choice on some Sunday’s, you’d sleepily roll in and be the only two in the theatre. The movie could be any genre and any level of interesting, and soon your lips would be on each other’s and the plot lines had escaped from your heads. Today was a little different however. You usually planned some sort of outing, but you were both exhausted from the week. Harry was doing press for his album and several interviews and cameos throughout the week. Your crazy work schedule had you relying on coffee and protein bars to get you through early mornings and late nights. It was all too much at times, so on a Sunday like this it felt perfect to stay in and do nothing.

You both woke up around 11 AM and had almost gotten a full twelve hours. You had come home from a launch at work and were absolutely exhausted so your usual night owl bedtime had been pushed aside. You crawled into bed, fatigued, around 10:30. Harry rolled in around 2 AM, he had been out late with an old friend and grabbed drinks. You giggled to yourself as he stumbled into the room and shook his trousers off of him, almost tripping on his belt. He thought you had been asleep but little did he know you were watching through sleepy eyes from the bed. After stripping down, he crawled into bed and held you between his arms, against his chest. You pretended to be slightly awoken and then settled into his body heat after a moment. You sighed happily to yourself and traced the tattoos on his arms until sleep found you again. Harry didn’t take long to pass out at all, this didn’t surprise you. He could fall asleep anywhere. So after a long night’s sleep for the both of you, you both awoke feeling a sense of relief. Most weekdays you didn’t sleep much, thinking about work the next day or should you call your mother and check on her.

You were curled into Harry’s chest, the swallows on his chest in line with your eyes. You opened them slowly, only a small bit at a time to get used to the light pouring in through the curtains. You took a look at his face, one of your favorite things to do when you woke up before him. His pouty lips were slightly parted, a very light sound coming from his mouth while sleeping. His eyes were still behind their lids so he must not have been dreaming. His short curls were tousled all around his head, their dark color contrasting against the white of the pillow case. He truly looked angelic when he slept, one of the things you always teased him about and said you were jealous of. You began to stir around slightly, trying to wake him but only gently. His arm had been draped over your back until you gingerly moved it so you could sit up in bed and stretch. A wide yawn spread across your face, causing hot air to blow out and a small noise that caused Harry’s eyes to flutter open. He smiled when he saw your face through the slots of his heavy eyelids. You smiled back, arms up in the air getting a good stretch in.

“Good morning, sleepy.” You cooed at him, and flicked his nose with the end of your forefinger. He chuckled softly to himself and the sight of his smile and the light pouring in made you smile, almost a grin.

“How’d you sleep?” Harry asked, grabbing his phone from the side table and checking it while propped up on his elbow. You noticed how nice his arms looked as well, and how the sheets were bunched up at waist to cover his nude body.

“Like a baby, until someone came stumbling in in the night.” You cheesed at him as you said this and Harry faked a shock.

“Who, me?” He pointed at himself in disbelief. You nodded at him and blinked slowly, a small smile still on your face.

“Never,” He said while scrolling through some text messages, likely from his agent and family members.

After kissing and snuggling a bit more, you both decided it was time to brush your teeth and get a different change of clothes on. The clothes you chose were still comfortable though, as you’d previously decided the both of you were staying in. While you washed your face, Harry disappeared from the bedroom and you assumed he must be going to the kitchen. You dried your face off and walked down the hallway into the massive kitchen with glass windows that exposed the Los Angeles city line. You always felt like you had a spy’s eye view of the city, like you could see anything happen before anyone else. It was a breathtaking view and one that you cherished being able to see every morning but usually it was too dark to admire. It was still gorgeous under only stars and the moon but during the day when everything was clear and crisp, it was just a different sight. 

Harry was standing in front of the fridge, a blank look on his face. You knew the contents must have been disappointing as the both of you hadn’t been shopping in at least a week. He shifted his weight to his other leg and turned around to see you. A soft smile found its way to his face and naturally one came onto yours as well when you saw it. He still gave you butterflies even after a lengthy time together. His curls were going every which way and his eyes were still slightly heavy with sleep but it was endearing. 

“I’ve got it,” an idea had come to your head. “We have everything for pancakes.” 

Harry began to nod his head slowly and his face read that it seemed like a good idea to him. 

“So, it’s settled, pancakes.” You said and hit the table lightly with one hand. You were starving and began looking for ingredients everywhere in the kitchen. You gathered all of them onto the kitchen island and decided you weren’t even going to measure. Your grandma had taught you how to eyeball the ingredients for a few things when you were younger. With eyes like saucers now, Harry was crouched over the island, watching you gather everything like a mad woman. He shook his head at one point and smiled at you. 

“Need some help?” Harry said, still watching you search around for any ingredient you may have missed. 

“Yes please,” you stated and soon he was around on the other side of the island, rubbing your back gently with his fingers. One hand was leaning on the counter top while the other was busy with soft touches on your back. You couldn’t help but almost melt on the spot, you had missed this so much. Your stomach growled loudly and you both giggled at the monstrous sound. 

“We should get some food in there befo’ it eats us.” Harry joked and you laughed right with him. You began eyeing the flour and sugar measurements and putting them all in a bowl. Harry helped mix all of the contents together and poured the milk, but you decided you would cook them. As soon as Harry put the bowls and spoons in the sink, he meandered over to the television and put on a music station. It was classic rock n roll, a genre you both took a heavy liking to. The guitar riffs made you sway your hips and get in rhythm with the music. Harry bobbed his head along as he took a seat on the leather sofa and scrolled through his phone once more. You heated up the griddle and began to spoon the pancake batter onto the hot surface. To your approval, they were perfect concentric circles and you smiled down at your handy work. You made about ten good sized pancakes and stacked them on a plate, steaming on the island.

“Ready, love.” You called out to Harry in the living room and he locked his phone, sauntering over to one of the bar stools on the island and taking a seat. You grabbed two plates and set one in front of him along with some cutlery and of course, syrup. You both piled pancakes on to your plates and jammed to the light rock n roll song on the tv. 

“These are so good, thank you.” Harry turned to you and gave you a kiss on the cheek. You let the corners of your mouth perk up and he saw that you were content and happy with this. You both sat in silence for awhile, letting the music fill both of your heads and the pancakes, your stomachs. After you both put the dishes in the sink, you headed over to the living room and even though the day was gorgeous outside, you just wanted to stay in and watch a movie or a new show. Harry suggested a romantic comedy, no shocker there but you wanted something like stand up or a horror film. 

“I guess I could do with something scary,” Harry said, considering the option carefully at first. None of the horror movies on any platform sounded very promising. You scrolled aimlessly until you finally just said screw it and picked a rom com, knowing this would please Harry. 

“Hey,” you said in a slightly lower tone of voice to get his attention for a second. 

“Hey,” He said back, and he always did this.

“I want you to play for me, something off of the album.” You said, the credits began to come up for the movie so you had a spare second to mention this. 

“You’ve heard me play befo’ silly,” Harry said, glancing at his lock screen for a moment and then placing the phone back on the end table out of sight.

“You know what I mean, just play for me, here at home.” The word ‘home’ always sounded so sweet when referring to it as the place you both lived together in. You never felt happier than when you here with him and the outside world seemed to be shut off. 

Harry scratched the underside of his nose and sniffled slightly. “You really want me to?” He asked, glancing at the tv and then to you. You nodded your head and played with your cuticles, a little nervous about what he might say.

“I’ll think abou’ it.” He said and you smiled to let him know that satisfied you.

The rest of the day pretty much went like that, choosing a new movie to watch and then settling on something you would both enjoy. Occasionally as the afternoon hit, you would both get drowsy and doze off. Sometimes Harry was behind you, holding you or you would be on his chest. Another favorite was Harry having his head on your chest and falling asleep, those lips parted and a beautiful shade of pink. You’d run your hands through the mop of curls on top of his head until he was truly sound asleep and then you would stop and allow yourself to have a little nap too. Of course sometimes your movie or nap could be overrun with an impromptu love making session, whether that be on the couch or back in the bedroom. Whatever activity was going on, you were both so happy to be away from the work world for today and have no responsibilities. The hours drew on and it was almost five o clock when you began another movie, a crime documentary this time. Harry was on his second nap but you had had enough sleep for the day and decided to get up and walk around for a moment. Leaving a very passed out Harry on the couch, you walked down the hallway into your bedroom and grabbed your phone. 

You looked around at the room as the orange glow you noticed before was creeping in, signaling the sun would be going down soon. You looked around at some pictures, memories that you adored of the two of you. Some pictures were of family but most of them were you and Harry in various places such as his birthday dinner last year here in L.A., Paris a few months ago, and even a cheesy photo booth picture you had gotten done in New York City. Your eyes then wandered over to his Gibson guitar over in the corner. The brown and black hues on the glossy surface glinted in the light and the strings just looked like they wanted to be played. You walked over and let your hand brush against the strings one time, making a slight sound but not a very pretty one. It couldn’t hurt to pick it up, you thought to yourself. Harry wouldn’t be mad even if you did but you didn’t want to touch his things when he wasn’t around, especially a prized possession such as that. You imagined Harry on stage with the guitar, singing his heart out and delivering such a show for the people that loved him. He’d sometimes be clad in florals or a glittery item, his curls stuck in sweat to the nape of his neck. He’d come backstage for a split second and give you a quick peck on the lips and the smell of him was all you needed to get by. It was an earthy scent but with a little bit of sweat and something sweet as well, you could never place it.

You ran your hands over the glossy surface and touched the strings once more. You took the instrument off of its stand and sat down on the bed, cradling the guitar in your lap and putting the strap around you. You strummed a few chords, but only just a few and the ones that Harry had taught you before. You wished you could play as beautifully as him but guitar just wasn’t really your talent. He had tried to teach you seriously but you would constantly get frustrated that you couldn’t master it as fast as you did in your head. He was a patient teacher though, slowly going over each chord with you and repeating the name while strumming it so you would remember. As you strummed a few chords you realized you must have retained some of his teachings.

You felt as if you were being watched, and in the doorway of the bedroom stood Harry, his curls tousled again and a slight scar on his face from the couch cushion. You couldn’t help but let a smile come over your face as you saw the sight of him in joggers and a tee shirt, sleepily blinking at you.

“Hey,” You said and he answered back with a meek, hey, as well. You patted the side of the bed and he walked over slowly and sat beside you. His mere presence next to you gave you a sense of happiness.

“Practicing?” He asked, scratching his head and his eyelids heavy once more.

“Trying to at least,” you admitted and tried to strum in C. You got a little frustrated when it just sounded off, so you sighed and put the guitar back on the stand. Harry put his arm around your shoulder and you laid your head to rest on his.

“You’ll get it, babe.” He said assuringly, and you gave a soft smile.

Harry glanced at you and then at the guitar, with a look that said he was up to something. You looked at him inquisitively and saw he was considering what you had asked earlier. You wanted to ask once more but you knew he remembered. Rarely did he forget words that came out of your mouth.

“Want me to play fo’ you?” He said, placing the guitar strap around him and placing the instrument in his lap. You smiled like a child almost and nodded your head vigorously. He chuckled and began tuning it up a little bit. His face was bunched in concentration, his music was always very serious business.

“Any requests?” He asked once again, and you shook your head.

“Whatever you wanna play, I’ll be happy to hear.” You kissed him quickly on the cheek and rubbed his arm for a moment.

He smiled to acknowledge you and went back to tuning. He did this for a few more minutes, making sure it was perfect and then he strummed a few times to hear it clearly. He nodded to himself and began to play a song. It started out fast, but as soon as he started singing you knew the song and you smiled because it was one of your favorites.

“Tell me something, tell me something, you don’t know nothing...just pretend you do,” Harry sung, so sweetly. His voice was slightly raspy and it was a little lower than he normally did but nonetheless, you were enjoying watching him. He was strumming with skill, making it seem effortless and with every lyric he sung out, his face was filled with fire and passion. This was Harry, passionate about his talents and the people he loved and you adored that about him. The guitar kept playing and he continued to croon away.

“I need something, tell me something new,” He sang further on. He smiled at you as he caught you watching intently and you could only do the same back as you watched. He looked like an absolute dream, strumming away and his fingers switching from chord to chord expertly. His face was still concentrated on playing the melody of the song but he could feel you watching. He sang the next couple of lines, his jaw jutting out and the vein in his neck protruding noticeably.

“Ohhh tell me something I don’t already know, ohhh tell me something I don’t already know,” He sang the chorus beautifully and you got this warm feeling in the pit of your stomach that you recognized as happiness. Hearing this song live was one thing but hearing it right next to your ear in his sweet voice and his fingers moving around his instrument, was even better. Your eyes danced from his face, lips, hands, and the instrument being played underneath him. It was a lot to take in.

“Brooklyn saw me, empty avenues, there’s no water inside this swimming pool,” His voice became a little softer and it almost gave you goosebumps at how precise his notes were with the guitar. You couldn’t help but just keep on smiling and watching him play and sing his heart out. It was such an intimate experience, and you looked around again at the ambiance of the room. The sun was going down even further and the room was slightly darker, but that orange and yellow glow was making the room feel cozy. With just the natural light, his skin was a cooler tone but his lips were still a pretty pink. Whenever he would get into a lyric, his teeth would flash and you always had such admiration for his gorgeous smile.

“Ohhhh tell me something I don’t already know, ohhh tell me something I don’t already know,” His voice broke through your reverie and you let it fill your ears as you knew the song was about to be finished. You wondered if he’d sing another or perhaps this was just supposed to be something special. Either way, you felt privileged to be in this space with him and hear his voice so privately. He strummed the last couple of notes and then like that, he was finished. You rubbed the goosebumps off of your arms and let out your breath. Harry was looking at you for some approval, those green eyes almost staring into your soul.

“So, it was good then?” Harry broke the silence that was almost eerie but held the mood of the song that had just finished. You laughed, how could he ask such a question? You nodded and immediately leaned in to kiss him. Your lips connected with his and you relished in the feeling of how soft they were against yours. After the two of you broke away, Harry leaned his forehead against yours, just breathing normally and happy about your response. You sat like that for a few moments, just enjoying the silence and the intimacy of the past moment.

[7livky]

Dionysus - Park Jimin

CHAPTER 12

"We were together in our previous lives and will be together in our next life"

- DNA by BTS

Jimin's POV

I got out of the shower as Jungkook tossed me my bathrobe. "Thanks" ,I smirked and he smirked back. I looked at my reflection as the drops of water in my hair fell on my forehead.

"Here" ,Jungkook handed me a small towel, winking at me and walking out of the bathroom with his own wet hair. I grinned slightly before drying my hair with the towel.

"Taehyung, you burned my food!"

Even though I was one floor up, I could hear Jin's screams all the way up here. And I was sure that Taehyung was laughing like a devil right now.

"Yoongi, say something to him!"

Silence as usual.

I laughed out loud, stepping out. There was a beautiful sunset that made my dark walls look like yellow and red. As with every evening glow, I filled my glass with red wine and watched the sun coloring red.

Just as I was about to go and change, a second light shone into my field of vision. I put the glass back on the table and watched the conch. A sparkle surrounded its shape as it flickered. Then suddenly a blue butterfly flew through the window, landing on the white shell.

I immediately loosened the bows of my bathrobe before getting dressed. Standing in front of the mirror, my hair dried with a single stroke of my hand. Was it called magic or power?

I hurried down and ran faster and faster. "Jimin where to?" everyone asked.

Without observing them, I hurried through the corridor and stopped in the entrance hall. Only seven days since I couldn't perceive this scent, and yet I realized how much I'd missed it.

"Three," I leaned against the front door, "Two," smiled slightly, "One."

"Park Jimin! Open the door!"

I heard a loud honking instead of a knocking behind me.

"Come on!"

Still the same annoying honking.

"My beauty" ,I said to annoy her while she stared at the open door and back at me. I took a step forward. "One more inch and your car would be in the pillar."

"I don't" she got out, "give a fuck." With her finger pointed at me, she was slaloming up to me.

"Did you drove here drunk?" With bare feet, I ran down the steps to catch her.

"Don't touch me" ,she screamed even though she was already hugging me. "I hate you" ,she then whispered as she buried her face in my neck.

Her eyes were like evening air, her voice like a rose as she continued to form cursing words with her lovely lips.

"I knew you were near me" ,I said, stroking her head.

Without letting go of me, " How?"

I smiled as dozens of butterflies fluttered around her body. "Look around you, Diona."

Her warm body moved away from mine before she raised her arm and one of the invertebrates landed on her thin index finger. " They are beautiful.."

"For all I know, this species loves water plants. Funny, it seems like they really like you."

She looked into my eyes and lowered her arm, on which the blue butterfly had just lingered. "You haven't answered my question."

"When I tell you, you will leave" ,I pulled her back to me, "and I will miss you again."I brushed against her rosy cheek.

"JIMIN-SSI!"

Jungkooks roar echoed through the hall. Drunk Diona in front of me couldn't contain herself and laughed like a donkey. Before she would sit down on the steps to laugh more comfortably, I grabbed her light body and pulled her in.

"Hey! That's called kidnapping!"

"Don't you dare hit me again, Diona," I turned to her, seeing her fist floating in the air.

" How- I, huh?!"

The boys exchanged their looks when they noticed us in the room. Jin's eyes widened as he bent over. "Welcome, Diona."

On her wobbly legs, she also bent over. "Good evening, guys."

"I couldn't introduce myself last time. Hi, I'm Seokjin-"

"The gaffer in the group."

Jin threw the fork in his hand at Taehyung. I slapped my forehead and let her fall onto one of the free chairs. "You'll eat something and sober up."

She hit the table. "Stop-giving-me-ORDERS!"

"DIONA!" Jungkook yelled with that same Jiminssi voice.

But she rolled her eyes instead of being intimidated. "You go drink your banana milk, JK."

Before you knew it, Jin was already laughing like a windshield. "Worldwide funny goddess ha ha!"

My throat dried up completely.

"Goddess?!" she yelled.

"Jin hyung, why don't you bring the food, hm?" "Taehyung dragged him to the kitchen.

Yoongi appeared out of nowhere before he filled her glass with alcohol.

"She was supposed to sober up.." but then I realized that he wanted to save the situation before she asked any more questions.

"Jimin, why are you still standing there? Sit down, you're hungry." I nodded at Jungkook and sat down next to my beauty.

I observed every move she made, how she ran through her shiny hair, with the curly ends touching her back. How she licked her lips and the taste made her smile. How she still sat next to me even though she 'hated' us all.

"Hey, Diona," Jin said as he came back from the kitchen.

Oh, no, here we go.

"How do you describe Greek mythology in five words?"

Before he went any further, she already bit her lower lip so she wouldn't burst out laughing.

"Unfortunately, Zeus was feeling horny."

My heart fluttered like a fragment of heaven when I saw her smile. This woman had such perfect lips and snow-white teeth that she made it difficult for me to breathe.

"Yoongi, why aren't you laughing?!" she cried out in amusement while everyone was ashamed.

"I wish I was born as a stone and didn't have to hear this every day" said Yoongi in whispers.

"Yeah, well that'd be way better, because then maybe I would have overlooked you at some point and kicked you with my dirty sole or I would have seen you and thrown you away on purpose."

"Wow wow wow, guys. No offense. Not in this household!" We looked at Taehyung.

Annoyed, Jungkook got up and put food on every plate. But Diona's gaze was fixed on the fruit plates the whole time.

"Hungry for grapes?"

All her thoughts paused. Slowly, she turned her head to look at me. I grinned playfully, picking a delicious grape. I put my arm on the backrest behind her and waited for her to open her beautiful mouth.

"Seems familiar, huh?" ,I whispered and had to admit that being the reason for her nervousness gave me more pleasure than alcohol.

"I don't drink whiskey with grapes, sorry" she winked before showing me her back.

"I WiLL nOt! nEvErTheLeSs I aM sTiLl hUrT" ,I imitated her and she knew exactly where it came from.

She grabbed one of the lying knives on the table before she pressed the tip against my chest. "That's exactly why I came here, you jerk!"

The others stopped conversing.

"We'll talk after I've eaten, you just calm down until then" ,this time I winked before ignoring her.

"Suga," she just had to say and he already refilled her glass. "From now on, you're the only one I like around here."

"Hey! What about me?" ,Tae mumbled.

"Right. You haven't done anything to me either."

"I've known you the longest of all!" ,Jungkook showed me his conscious stare that made me grin, "How can you not like kookie monster?"

"Jungkook, I don't know why, but no matter what you do, I want to beat you every second."

"That's because I'm good at everything, sweety."

She pretended to throw up. "Sweety? You to me? Oh, please. Better go upstairs with Jimin and make out before you go on a live stream pretending that only one of you is there."

She handed me a towel while I was choking.

"Jin Hyung, go tell another joke quickly" ,Taehyung whispered loud enough.

"Why did God invent wine?"

Silence.

"So that Dionysus could never rule the world."

I raised my index finger and boom his water was no longer water. "Jimin," he growled at me as he gazed at his glass of wine now.

Diona was still laughing at his unfunny joke like a drunken Russian. We continued to eat in peace.

"I have a question!" Her eyes almost closed, "Where are J-Hope and RM?"

I stopped chewing. Just like everybody else.

"Aren't you only one when all seven of you are together?"

The boys all lowered their heads while my heart was aching. I pushed the chair back and stood up, pulling her up. "Come on."

"I'll make her some tea later", Jin told me as I thanked him with a nod and smile. Diona's body lost its strength as she fell into my arms.

"Why do you always have to smell so good?"

"Oh, do I? Tell me more."

She tripped over her own foot. "Not until you call me your beauty."

Did this woman even know how I tried to stop myself from kissing her right here and now?

"Tell me more, my beauty," I whispered against her temple as her skin almost touched my lips.

"Your scent reminds me of my homeland. There are so many fertile plains with plenty of delicious fruits. But your scent also resembles the freshness of a river there, the Pinios. Shit, why do you feel like home?"

We stopped in the hall.

"How come I only lasted a week without you, when I hate you so much? Every time I get drunk, my feet bring me here. I have so many questions, but I don't even know where to start, damn it."

Freeing herself from my grip, she headed for my room. I bit my lips as she went on with her impossibly hot body. Still in a frenzy, she ran up the stairs while I followed her closely.

"I never wanted to come here again" she said sadly as we stood in the room.

"But you listened to your heart." I put my arms around her delicate body as I absorbed her warmth. "I have missed you, beautiful lady."

She put her hand on my wrist. "I hate it when you call me that."

"You told me to call you that a moment ago."

"I lied then."

"You can't lie to me, I can read minds."

She giggled as her body vibrated under my touch. "Oh yeah? Then what am I thinking when you call me like that?"

I watched the stars and the moon, which brightened the room. "Am I really his beauty? Wow..."

"Do you smell that too?" she suddenly asked.

"What?" I sniffed like a dog.

"Your hope in the air?"

I rolled my eyes, letting her go. " That' it. Go beg Tae or Yoongi to call you by that name, okay?"

She watched me bury myself under my sheets before I closed my eyes.

"Um. hello-ooo? How could a god like Dionysus possibly get jealous?"

"Jimin?"

"Shh!"

" Are you sleeping?"

"Hey, I wanted to talk!"

"You can't dump me like this!"

I felt her hands over the bedding as she almost pricked my eye with a finger. "Where the hell is your face?"

Before she could uncover my face, I grabbed her by the shoulders and pressed her to the mattress.

"Here," I replied.

"I think I'm in love" ,she bit her lip.

I held my breath.

"With your bed. Man, it's so comfy."

And breathe out again.  " You're gonna regret everything you ever do and say to me someday, just wait."

"O great Dionysus, tell me what my punishment would be!" She wiggled with her thick brows.

This woman...

"Once you are caught in Dionysus' rush," I supported myself on my elbow, "there is no going back to reality."

"I haven't been in that one since long ago."

Her fingers were burning on my neck while I was trying to control myself.

"Ever since I saw that one picture of you."

[erikismybitch]

Waiting in Vain: Chapter 1

This One Guy.

Marleys room was her safe space . It smelled like her, it looked like her , even the soft sheets felt like her . They were expensive enough. “Quality over quantity“ her mother would say when she was little . That was something she carried on , even after her life .

“Alexa, turn on my fucking light” Marley groaned , she had been hearing voices in the living room for the past hour . She didn’t even have Alexa, Marley just wanted to humor herself. She was trying to take a nap before she had to be logged on to her computer for work .

Marley controlled the social media content for a food delivery app. When people messaged and tweeted the company , Marley was the person who had to respond and help . She had to take a total of six hours a day , all dedicated to the complaints of unhappy customers . She just wanted a few hours of sleep, she had a busy day and needed to pull an all nighter .

But no, Tiana had to invite people over tonight. They were cousins and shared a living space . Well, Marley was living with her cousin. She fell on hard times and needed a place to stay while she got on her feet . Marley had given herself a year , it was month six so she was half way there. Ready to go wasn’t even the phrase that could explain how she felt . Paying half the rent wasn’t bad, but she wanted her own space.

There was a knock at her door, one of the many over the past hour . It was the same thing , somebody asking when she was “gonna’ come out” . From the sound of it , a football game was on . Marley wasn’t interested in any sport that didn’t involve Serena Williams . And plus , to her, football was fueled by racism, it’s workings were slavery-like. Marley also thought it was too many confusing rules , what’s a first down anyway .

She left her nest , spotted a few familiar faces and this one guy .

The one guy who approached Marley a few weeks ago . But once he laid eyes on Tiana, Marley was a distant memory .

His name was Erik.

And there were many before him , ever since they were little girls Tiana always prevailed . Marley rested the side of her body on the living room wall , every seat was taken so she had no choice . Also she was able to see everyone , but couldn’t keep her focus away from Tiana and Erik. His hand rested on her thigh , Marley could see the imprint from him squeezing it ever so often . They kept stealing seductive glances at each other. Marley rolled her eyes .

This is why I stay in my room, Marley preached to herself. All the while grabbing an unopened lime-a-rita and taking a huge swig . It was time for her to start work anyway . Without so much as a goodbye , she went back into her room . Uninterested on being around people . Marley felt a particular way , she didn’t know if it was loneliness. Everyone could lie and pretend that they were okay with rejection and being single . But nobody really enjoys being alone . Marley wanted to be wanted , even if it was for a moment. So she did what a lot of impulsive girls do . She sent a text to her ex boyfriend.

Trey, wyd?

She sent the text . And after letting thirty minutes pass he didn’t respond . Marley figured he wasn’t horny enough to respond back . “Why did I do that !” She slapped her for heads as self punishment. She felt that instant regret .

Marley logged into all social media accounts for work . Twitter was her first @Gunna671 was really upset about something missing from his order . She started off with the blue print .

We are sorry for the mistake , please tell me the item(s) that are missing from the order. And please provide the order number .

She managed to stay up for four hours , right before crashing again . The small fifteen minute cat nap lasted a little too long . Thank god, but not thank god for the loud noise that woke her up. It was now 2am.

Tiana was so damn loud , screaming Eriks name over and over . The sounds were muffled through the walls but Marley could hear everything . Even Erik’s recent remark about how “her shit was so wet” and how “her mouth felt just like her pussy when he was in it “

“Damn” Marley spoke out loud .

Her computer screen was still active with hundreds of unanswered direct messages and tweets. Before she got back to it, her phone screen lit up .

My bad , I didn’t see your text

Treys bullshit lie made her stomach growl with hunger . So she got up , those customers could wait another ten minutes. Through the hall she could hear them mumbling to eachother , it seemed as if they had finished . Thank god now. Nevertheless, Marley was on a food mission .

In the kitchen , she grabbed a box of hearty cereal from the cabinet . Poured it in a bowl and then added milk . Just as she retrieved her spoon, Tianas door opened. Erik walked out of the room . Nothing on but his briefs and a smile , he exuberated confidence as if he lived there . This was Eriks house. He displayed the same arrogance that attracted Marley to him in the first place , he didn’t even have to say a word .

They were at a club , he approached Marley but he couldn’t keep his wondering eyes off her cousin . “Her name is Tiana, go ahead “

Marley had grew tired of his act quickly , she knew where he really wanted to be . Routinely, if he would have just saw Tiana first . Usually, Tiana would reject them . But not Erik , not a man who was built to perfection like him . From his brown skin , bulging biceps and dimpled smile . He probably didn’t even know what rejection felt like .

He smelled like cologne and latex. That latex smell always carried on its own . Erik mumbled something about juice . Marley heard him loud and clear but she was still upset at him for his choice . She ignored him . It got awkward because he repeated himself , so he knew for a fact she heard him . He didn’t like that , he could get rude too .

“You didn’t hear what I said?” he raised his tone , in a father-like manner , like one that was fed up with a teen .

“Nope” Marley was dry with him . Erik kissed his teeth and brushed past her . He moved so quickly that it startled her . He opened the fridge and grabbed a carton of orange juice . It just so happened to belong to Marley. “Aye, that’s mine!” She warned him .

“So I can’t have none?” He smirked, trying to use his charm to dissolve the situation .

“No, you should have asked” Marley went towards him to reach for the carton of juice , he snatched it back just as the tips of her fingers touched his. Erik looked down at her , his smirk was gone . He had tried his best to be cordial , but he took big offense to people who snatched things from him . Plus, he had already asked her twice .

“I don’t give a fuck if this is your house or not , don’t you ever try to take something from me “ He was loud and clear . Marley stood back in fear . Something about him made her freeze . If it was any other person , she would have returned the same energy . He looked directly at her but she couldn’t fathom looking him back in the eye. He slammed the carton on the counter , so hard that the bottom began to leak.

“You shouldn’t be drinking all this sugar anyway , you’ll just keep getting bigger”

The gasp that seeped through her lips came out strong. Erik had made Marley feel so small , thank god he walked away . He didn’t get a chance to see her eyes water . Marley had completely lost her appetite.

Is he saying I’m fat ? That was a fat joke right ? I know he isn’t concerned about my health , he fucking called me fat .

She continued to cloud her thoughts with disaproving opinions about herself . Marley cleaned up the leaking juice and threw the carton in the garbage can . Her cereal bowl went into the trash too.

I’m not even that big , I wear a size twelve , sometimes a ten . It’s because I’m not cute . Does he think I’m fat ? Tiana and I are the same size . Maybe I should cut out the sugar . I am fat .

She washed the stickiness off of her hands , dried them and walked back into her room . Down the hall where the return of their sex sounds was ever so prevalent. “Fuck him” she whispered loudly.

Like everyone, Marley had experienced a few insults in her lifetime. Self confidence and reassurance can only go so far . Only liars say things can’t hurt their feelings . Words hurt everybody . She crumbled into her safe bed and thought of the things she should have said back . But who was she kidding , there was no comeback that could have broke Erik down . She wished she had something on him , like “Thats why you failed high school” or “That’s why your father left your mom” but she didn’t know his history . She just knew his name and from the sounds of Tianas screams , she knew he could fuck .

She opened her phone again .

My bad , I didn’t see your text

She read Trey’s text and responded. Again , Marley knew he was lying , after four years she could read him like a book . Even through his text messages . She just wanted the feeling of touch from someone, even if that person endowed the most pain on her.

It’s fine , you sleep?

Nah , come thru

He knew what the 2am text meant . She needed him to make her feel good . Pulling pride to the side, Marley got dressed . Leggings, hoodie , and uggs. Whatever she wore would be snatched off as soon as she walked through his door . Well, depending on who was all there. Treys house was a never ending revolving door. Full of drugs , fights , a mother who let the streets raise her kids and everlasting drama. The stories Marley could tell about the time spent there were unbelievable.

I’ll be there in 15

She left , without telling Tiana. She was sure to have a few angry text messages from her cousin in the morning . Living with Tiana came with a dirty kitchen and attachment issues . Marley got into her car , when it heated to completion she left . Six more months , the lease that held both of their names would be over . Where Marley could move on with her life , new friends , new experiences, a new state . She hoped . But for now , Trey would do.

Hope you guys like the intro :)

[ganymedecatamitus]

We’re finally allowed to post the things we made for the @madeofmemories-zine! Here’s mine, I’m so happy to share it

Summary: In their first past lives, Achilles and Patroclus found each other just the same. Ancient Mesopotamia AU. 

Words: 2,081

Title: Swap The Sea For The River

His footsteps felt impossibly loud in the empty hall. Patroclus had only rarely been inside the palace of Uruk, but even he knew that there should be servants here. Only a short walk back through the palace would show him servants and priestesses and scribes going about their daily duties. The stretch of walk in front of the prince's door, however, was respectfully silent. As he waited for someone to answer his tentative knocking, Patroclus ran his morning orders through his mind. The head priest had sent him away from his temple duties today just for this. 

The prince has fallen ill with heat sickness. You're needed, be respectful and soothe him. And that was it. Man of few words he was. 

A young girl let him slip through the door. She leaned with tiredness, her dark hair slipping free of its ribbons to spill over her brown skin and sagging eyes. It was no wonder she was so drained, at the moment she was the prince's only attendant. Out of pity, Patroclus dismissed her. 

The Prince himself was reclined back on an ivory bed. A thin cloth had been laid over him at some point in an attempt to cover his heated skin, but any fabric covering him must have been thrown to the floor, because the prince was as bare as the noontime sun. The sandstone floor was decorated with white and red sheets as the prince trembled on his ivory bed. Patroclus tried to ignore the heat rising to his cheeks and began the long task of breaking the fever. The prince, for his part, only groaned at him when he approached his bed. Whatever burst of energy had allowed him to terrorize his attendants away had left him by now. All that was left was to hiss when Patroclus turned his arm to check for sun burns. His bronze skin hid them well from a distance. The shaking in his hands stilled and the heat faded from his face as he fell into the familiar tasks of his duties. The prince’s skin was flaking along his burning cheeks and his scalp, so Patroclus called for a servant in the hall to bring milk. His forehead was radiating heat, so a cool watered cloth was pressed to it. He would not sweat, so water was carefully poured past his lips. He was murmuring while in the throes of his fever, so a prayer was said to Damu and Gau, gods of healing, over the milk. Patroclus rests for a moment when the prince's long hair begins to stick to his neck with sweat. His hair is drawn back and his skin patted dry. As he washes the prince’s face with milk to soothe his burns, he seems to stir from the distant place he had been. His eyes flutter and he frowns, even whimpers as he becomes aware of the aches in his body anew. The prince opens his eyes a fraction and squints at Patroclus. He smiles at him in a way he hopes is gentle and kind. The prince seems soothed, because he smiles back lazily, and his eyes soften. His words slur with the effort to speak and Patroclus wishes he wouldn't.

“I remember you from somewhere.”

“I'm on call often, you have probably seen me running to where I'm needed.”

The prince hums, “You don't seem like the type who runs.”

He scoffs and pretends to be offended, but the prince is not wrong. Patroclus is thin, his arms strong from work but his stature short. He legs are fast, but under his skirt they're as bony as a child's. The prince was built strong and sturdy-like someone who grew up fighting for sport, because he did. Patroclus did remember him, as a young man with unusual red hair in the marketplace. He remembers the playful fight with another boy. He remembers the way those shaking arms picked another man up over his shoulder, the way his bare chest heaved with the effort. He watched these now covered legs push against the dirt. Patroclus intimately remembers the way the late afternoon sun turned this man's bronze skin to gold. And this man is smiling at him, still in fever. He taps Patroclus’ thigh to grab his attention.

“I remember you! You were the pretty boy from the market,” the prince grins, slow and smug, “you were watching me.”

Something in the way the prince seemed so pleased, it made the sun himself brush the center of his chest, “I was not watching you, you two were just in the way.”

He hums, “You shouldn't lie, Asu can’t get sick.”

What the prince did not know was that Patroclus was only an Asu, a doctor, in /training/. The only reason he was sent was because he was the only one to send. This was his first solo house call. It was best, perhaps, to not tell him that.

“You're still weak from fever, you should rest.”

“Will you still be here when I wake up?”

Patroclus pauses in the motion of drawing a blanket up to the prince's chin.

“You should be fine without me.”

The prince pouts and raises a shaking hand to weakly trap Patroclus’ wrist. If he wanted to, the lightest tug would free his hand. His fingers were impossibly hot to the touch, and when they trailed down they left the burn of the sun in their wake.

“Can I at least have your name?” he asks.

“Patroclus.”

The prince smiled broadly even as he struggled to keep his eyes open. He repeated it several times over like he was tasting the syllables in his mouth.

“Hi Patroclus, I'm Achilles. You're very pretty.”

He was so startled that he almost dropped the bowl in his hands. The heat returned full force to his face and he was thankful that was not something others could see through the dark brown of his skin.

“I. You should rest, send for me if you need to.”

“Happy to,” Achilles mumbled. He was asleep before Patroclus could retreat from the room.

~~~~~~~

Patroclus was becoming intimately aware of the details on the halls and doorways in this palace. If someone challenged him to, he could walk blindfolded from his room to Achilles’ without once running into anything. Over the course of the last few moon cycles, Achilles had sent for Patroclus thirty times. Each reason Achilles came up with to pull him away from his temple duties was more conspicuous  than the last.

Patroclus slips through the door without knocking. Two attendants were fussing over Achilles, pressing a damp cloth to his head and brushing his long hair away from his face. They all turn when he enters-including Achilles-whose eyes followed him, looked into him like his body was made of glass all the way down to his soul. He waves his flustered attendant away and sits up with no issue.

“I’m so glad to see you! You see, I am in terrible pain, and have an awful fever, and need you to stay with me until I’m cured.”

Achilles must have been trying to sound weak, but his voice was too full of life, his movements in dismissing his servants too sure and steady for him to be half as ill as he claimed.

“You seem to be doing better already,” Patroclus said with a growing smirk. He leans in and pretends to inspect his eyes, but they both knew there was no reason. Whatever the reason for this call, the prince was not ill.

His grin morphs to match him, and his voice takes on his teasing lilt, “A miracle! It must be because you’re here.”

“Just like your broken finger was a miracle, I’m sure.”

Achilles smiles his easy and lazy smile. He is like a ray of sun, like the soft light of the moon, he is warmth and kindness and gentleness all in one. He was also, Patroclus was sure, completely full of shit. His beautiful face and delicate features were full of petty lies.

“You must have really angered someone to get heat sickness so often. What did you do, kill a bull? Steal a goddess’ hair ribbons?”

He laughs like Patroclus had just told the most hilarious joke ever told by man. HIs good humour, however, shifts as soon as it appeared to something Patroclus had never seen in him. Achilles was nervous.

“To be honest, my only wrongdoing is being cursed by Ianna’s whims with love.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I like you. I like you in the way the moon loves the sun, more than death loves war, in the way kings love each other.”

Somehow, this was the one thing Patroclus never saw coming. It all felt like a joke, some long running, terribly cruel joke.  

“Oh, I’m so sorry, oh my gods I just made you /so/ uncomfortable-”

Patroclus cut off Achilles rambling before it started with a tremulous whisper, “What do you mean by ‘cursed?”

“Cursed only because I’m alone in my feelings. Ianna laughs at me because my love might as well be as far as the underworld, too. I am the sun without the light of the moon.”   

The reality of this moment almost made Patroclus laugh. Achilles sent for him, joked and teased with him, and something in him the entire time thought Patroclus never liked him back.

Patroclus’ voice drops, “You are very skilled at coming up with half truths.”

Before Achilles could ask Patroclus what he meant, Patroclus kissed him. He rested his hands on Achilles’ face and drew him in close and pressed his lips to his. The kiss was short, and their teeth bumped in a way that make Patroclus’ jaw sing with pain, and then it was over. He pulled away as soon as it started and turned to run, sure, somehow, that his body would be tossed  over the city walls and he drinking dust in the underworld by morning. A hand on his wrist stopped him short. He turned his head just enough to watch him, Achilles, whisper a single, choked wait. Everything in his mind screamed to /run/ but something in his heart whispered stay in the sweetest voice. With the gentlest tug, he sat next to him on his Ivory bed and let him hold his hand on top of the red linen sheets.

They sat there like that for what felt like hours, days, an eternity of silence as he stared down at his lap, twisting his brown skirt in his hands until the threads loosened. In the quiet Patroclus could hear his breathing. He could count the breaths and know that the young man beside him was nervous too. Achilles watched him and traced his features with his eyes in a way that was old but somehow felt new all at once. After the longest moment of him studying the tight curls of his hair Patroclus looked up from his lap to study him back, if only to understand what he saw. Achilles noticed, and smiled timidly, and pressed his free fingers to his lips.

“You really outdid yourself with your teeth.”

The heat rushed back to Patroclus’ face all at once. Apologies flowed out of him so quickly they blended together, and Achilles had to put both hands up to stop the flood. While they were there he slid his fingers among Patroclus’ to still his own trembling.

Achilles sounded as pained as Patroclus felt, “Please! It’s my punishment for being so dense.”

They both looked down at their hands with the same realization. Patroclus looked back up first to see a lock of Achilles long, odd hair curl over his face and hide his timid smile. His fingers itched to brush it away, but they were trapped by the desperate tangle of their fingers. When he finally looked up to meet him the moon was in his eyes, shining just for him.

This kiss was gentler. Achilles pressed their hands to the bed as he leaned in to meet him. Their lips pressed softly, sure that there would be many more moments like these. Patroclus knew so well the lines of Achilles face that he could follow them with his lips, he could press his cheek to his. He would know this face blind from across the desert.

Cautiously, Patroclus whispered, “So you really like me?”

“As sure as the moon shines and the sun burns my skin, I do.”

[dragonwitchgaming]

Across Space and Time- Chapter 3

remember if you enjoy, like and comment. Please do not copyright as I own this series. I do NOT however own Attack on Titan itself. Enjoy!

 2780 words

GENRE: angst, slight humor

PAIRING: none

WARNING: mentions of possible death

Masterlist

         “I understand… however,” I paused gaging how my next comment might be taken. “If I’m to be a soldier, and I die on the field, what are you going to do about it?  

     The room went silent. The only sound was the chirping of a bird outside. Depending on his answer this would make or break the deal. This moment was going to change my life forever. Would I be a soldier in a fight I knew nothing about, or would I try to find my way myself.

   “Are you asking for compensation? Extra pay? Cause’ that’s not happening brat.” Levi growled.

   “I wasn’t speaking to you. And for your information no, I don’t want extra pay. What the hell would I do with it anyway?” I sighed. “No, what I want is to know what exactly you, Erwin Smith; Commander of the Survey Corps, intend to do if I die before I am able to find my way back home?”

   “I…” he paused seeming to think extremely hard on his next words. “I can’t do much. Going back for your body may very well be impossible. Although I will continue to look for your home; or a way to get back to it, and give my condolences to your mother personally.” Erwin said officially.

   Nodding and offering a small smile I held out my hand to solidify the deal. I was willing to except that answer. I didn’t want my mother to worry whether or not I was okay. She deserved an answer, dead or not.

   “Very well. Erwin Smith you have a deal. I’ll become a soldier for the Survey Corps. In return you will help me find my home, even if it’s in a whole other world.” I met his ocean blue eyes and wondered what horrors they had seen to make them look at me so sadly.

   Taking my tiny hand in his, he shook my hand firmly. “Although I’ll have to warn you, I don’t plan on sleeping in a cell the whole time I’m here.” I half joked. He chuckled softly but otherwise said nothing else. I let go of his hand after that. Such a shame, he has comfortable hands, having his hand on mine reminded me of when my father held my hand.

   “I do however have one remaining question.” I said firmly. I moved to sit back in the chair, crossing my legs.

   “That is?” Levi spoke coldly. He really did hate me didn’t he? His eyes cold, holding the same luster as polished steel.

   “I probably should have asked this first seeing as it’s important but it’s whatever now… what exactly are you fighting against?” my tone was neutral despite the anxiety making a home in my chest, and crawling up my throat.

   “Beasts known as titans. They are human eating monsters that resemble humans but lack morals, a conscience, and any decency as they run around nude. The normal ones are anywhere from 9 to 49 feet sometimes even larger. Abnormal titans are still a mystery to us. The largest one we’ve ever seen topped out at 196 feet. We erected walls to keep them out and the Survey Corps job is to kill the damn things. The Garrison guards the walls and the Military Police patrols the inner most wall’s cities. You’ll learn more in training.” Erwin explained. By the end I swear my jaw hit the floor.

   “Wait so your telling me not only are there these things called titans, but that there are more than one of these walls?” I was blown away. There was no way I was in my own world! Titans? Giant walls? No way in hell!

   “Yes, there are three. Wall Rose is the one you’re behind now; the second wall. The first wall, Wall Maria, was breached a few years ago and is now titan territory. The inner mort wall is wall Sina. That is where the king lives.” Erwin explained.

   “Ya I don’t think I’m even remotely in the same world.” I shook my head in disbelief. If I’m not on my own planet then where the hell was I?

   “What do you mean? Have you never heard of titan’s before?” Levi’s voice seemed to have an undecipherable undertone. He shifted his weight to his right leg and wore a look of slight confusion.

   “They never existed. Not only that; but the only monarchy I’ve heard was England’s queen Elizabeth. And three huge walls?! ” I was in a state of shock. I was in another world and I was reeling with questions. Why am I here? How did I get here? How was I going to get home? Did my mom know I was missing?

   Getting over the shock Erwin seemed to notice my slightly panicked state. “Don’t worry Aurora, we’ll find a way to get you home. You got her somehow, there has to be a way back right? I promised you my help, I’m not going back on my word now.” His words were meant to be comforting but were also very true.      

……

   I spent the next couple hours going over all kinds of things with Erwin and Levi. Going over the finer details of our deal. I had agreed to Erwin appointing Levi as my guard dog, or as he put it, my supervisor. I only agreed because it was something neither male would back down on. Saying that it was for the safety of both parties involved.

   They introduced me to the Section Commander who I swear wanted to dissect me the second she found out I was from another world. Her name was Hanji Zoe, she stood 5 foot 5 inches, with red brown hair and brown eyes. She wore the uniform of the Survey Corps with a pair of rectangle shaped goggles. Holding an air of childlike enthusiasm as she pranced around me, hands folded behind her back, like I was the prize of the sentry. Levi only seemed to get more irritated as she rambled on and on, clenching his teeth together in attempt to not tell her to shut up. I could only laugh to myself and think ‘you and me both buddie’.

   “I’ll be taking you to the Training Corps headquarters you will be training under Keith Shadis. He’s a grumpy old man now, but he used to be the Commander of the Survey Corps. Commander Erwin took the job after him.” She went on and on as we walked the halls. Her voice was exceedingly irritating as she had a loud, high pitched voice. When we got to the stables I don’t think she even noticed.

   “Section Commander were at the stables.” I snapped loudly as my anger reached its peak. The woman had not stopped talking the entire fifteen minutes it took to get here. Cutting me off every time I spoke up. If Levi had to deal with this constantly I didn’t blame him for being a grumpy old man all the time.

   “Oh! We are!” she seemed unaffected by my sharp tone and skipped off excitedly to retrieve her own horse.

   “I won't survive another day if I have to deal with her regularly.” I muttered angrily. Levi seemingly amused by my anger only grabbed my wrist and pulled me into the stable.

   “You will be riding with me. And just so we’re clear… one wrong move and I will kill you on sight. I don’t care if you’re from another world or not.” The threat in his voice was meaning.

   “Not a problem.” I said flippantly. I was growing used to his cold tone. I had no doubt he would follow through with his threat but I had no intention of trying anything so I wasn’t concerned.

   I glanced at the tack lined up next to the stall gates. The looked to be an English style saddle. “Their different than the ones I’m used to.” I muttered to myself, brushing my hand along the seat of the hard leather.

   “What’s that supposed to mean.” He asked somewhat coldly.  

   “Nothing, I’ve just never used this type of saddle before. I’m used to western style saddles. Using an English saddle is relatively uncommon where I’m from, or at least not as common as it is in other parts of the world.” I said thoughtfully. He nodded hesitantly.

   “So you’re from the west?” he asked. I looked him in the eyes. I nodded and glanced over at the black as night horse, making a quick check of the gender before confirming it was a girl.

   “Is she yours?” I asked as Levi entered the stall and started taking her up.

   “Yes.” he said simply and stroked the horse’s snout gently. The sight was so heartwarming I almost cooed.

   Once the horse was tacked up Levi lead the horse out of its stall and took it outside. “This will be interesting.” I muttered, and I got up on the horse with a little help from the Corporal, who swung himself up after me. The saddle was not quite what I was used to but getting used to it wouldn’t be that hard.

   “So is this New York you’re from a country side?” he asked me gripping the bridles rains. I wrapped my arms around his waist in an effort to not fall off, his muscles tensing at the contact.  

   “No, it’s actually a densely populated city. I learned to ride horses because my grandmother owns a couple.” I answered. The horse beneath us was almost perfectly still. “I only wish my horse was this well behaved.” I sighed. It was then that Hanji came out of the stable on a chestnut horse.

   “Ready?” she asked me. I nodded silently. Levi kicked the horse into a full gallop, Hanji shortly behind us, the Survey Corp headquarters vanishing from sight as we rushed deeper into the dense trees.

……

   Despite how much he might have hated me Levi did enjoy the tea I made for him while he worked on paperwork. I spent most of my time training in his makeshift office with him and helped him with paperwork with the occasional Hanji popping in to ask me a ton of questions about my world.

   Quickly, I took notice of Levi unhealthy obsession with cleaning due to his constant complaining about dirty floors and windows. I had to chuckle to myself when soldiers would come into his office after Levi had a bad day and would be ordered to clean. I had grown surprisingly close to the man in the countless hours spent with him, I think it had something to do with the tea honestly. He acted almost like a father and that was somewhat comforting, although it could be slightly annoying at times.  

   “You really should go easier on them ya’ know.” I joked during breakfast. It was my forth morning at the training for headquarters and things were going relatively well. Levi drinking a milk tea I had brewed for him only a few minutes ago. He only ignored my statement a glared around the room at the other cadets who happily ate and talked with friends.

   “Glaring like that will give you premature wrinkles.” I laughed. He rolled his eyes and took a big gulp of the still hot tea, burning his tongue I'm sure.

   “Breakfast is over. Go.” He barked at me. I chuckled and got out of my seat heading outside to roll call.

   Once the other cadets had shown up we stood in alphabetical order. Not far from me was the current girl being yelled at by the instructor Mr. Shadis. Her name was Annie Leonhart and just before her was a small blond girl named Krista Lenz. When he got to me it took everything I had to not shrink back from his rancid breath. He was less than a foot from my face and was degrading me every way possible. 

   I had expected Levi to be here watching this but actually seeing him pissed me off. Here I was getting screamed at and he just stood their smirking at my discomfort. 

   “Are you listening cadet Lyte!?” his shouting was giving me a migraine. 

   “It’s impossible not to listen to you Sir. Your voice is obnoxiously loud.” I growled at the man. His already wrinkled forehead creased even more as his brows furrowed in rage. 

   “What did you say cadet?! You got balls?!” His voice made my head throb. 

   “No sir I’m a girl, I don’t have balls. Maybe you should go back to school and learn basic human anatomy.” I hissed. The cadets within hearing shot of my comment started whispering and staring at me in shock. Paybacks a bitch asshole. Levi seemed to be further amused by the instructor’s seemingly endless rage. The other cadets quietly chuckling to themselves effectively humiliating the man further.

   “Fifty laps, NOW!” I shrugged and started running. Worth it. 

……..

  Training was a bitch today, the laps weren’t that bad but hand to hand combat kicked my ass. Levi had met me on my way back from the classes I had to take. They taught almost nothing but two things, how the ODM gear worked; or as it was also referred to as 3D maneuvering gear, and those god forsaken things called titans.

   “How did your first official day go?” Levi chuckled.

   “I want to kill that Shadis guy.” I muttered darkly. “His breath was foul has he ever heard of a tooth brush?! Not only that but he’s rude as all get out! And he worked me like a dog, he was the one being an asshole, he had it coming!” I shouted my frustrations to the older man. Levi smirked in amusement but otherwise remained silent as we entered the cafeteria.

   The cafeteria was rowdy as ever with the new cadets further frustrating me. The food was stale and dry as peer usual and as an end result making me drink even more.

   “Try not to go through all our water previsions before the end of week.” Levi said sarcastically.

   “You know I’m having a hard time trying to figure out if you’re just messing with me or if you’re actually serious.” I grumbled stuffing another piece of hard bread into my mouth.

   “It’s both really.” He shrugged with a cold expression. I shook my head and continued to eat.

   “So you always talk to shitty glasses about your world. Tell me a few things.” Levi asked quietly.

   “Well for one my world is far more technologically advanced. The militaries of my world have access to weapons that can level entire cities in a single blow called nukes, long range explosives called missiles. The three branches, if you remember from when we first met, are the Air Force, the Marines, and the Navy. Marines are what’s unpleasantly known as the ground fodder, the Navy is the guys on or in the ocean, and finally the Air Force has… how do I explain this… flying machines that can deliver destructive blows; their primary job is dropping nukes or firing missiles.

   Our world has gone through two devastating wars involving the whole world. The biggest problem we’ve ever had to deal with was the consequences of our own actions. We don’t have titans, never have.” I explained. The more I went on the more intrigued he seemed to become.

   “Big cities normally have to start building up to save room rather than keep building out and wasting farm land. For example New York is a huge city and had to build up. This gave rise to the buildings known as sky scrapers. These buildings can easily be hundreds of floors depending on the city.” I continued. However the bigger the city… the higher the crime rate…” Flashbacks of my father’s murder flashed behind my eyes.

   “I see.” He noticed my change of mood and did not press the subject.

   During my talk I hadn’t noticed the room clearing out, people heading to bed because of how late it was.

   “You should head to your dorm room and get some sleep.” Levi said nodding his head towards the door.

   “I think I will.” I agreed and got up out of my seat and handing my plate to the poor souls in charge of dishes tonight.

   “Oh and Lyte!” I turned to the raven. “Don’t stay up to late!” I stood stunned at the corporal’s words. Had he known about me going to the roof to think late at night?  

   “What are you, my dad?” I joked. As I turned away I could’ve sworn I seen a small smile grace his lips before I left the room.

[meanlizard]

How Many Walls Can You Demolish

Summary: Roman and Virgil get into a bit of a situation...

Pairings: platonic prinixety? i suppose?

Words: 1,443

Warnings: light-hearted fluff, comedy, um. lots of fourth wall breaks.

When Virgil walked into the kitchen that morning, it was to find Patton staring blearily upward. He paused, watching the unusually still man, before shrugging and going to the fridge. “Morning, Pat’n,” he muttered, still sluggish as the last dredges of sleep fell away. 

Patton did not reply. Now, Virgil was worried. 

Closing the refrigerator, Virgil squinted at him, eyes gleaming suspiciously. He hadn’t moved whatsoever from his staring contest with the ceiling. “Dad?” he prompted, and when no movement followed, he traced the other’s gaze. 

A dusty spiderweb, bereft of any actual spider. A barely perceptible crack. Bland, off-white paint peeling at the edges. 

So, nothing, then. 

Virgil was now thoroughly concerned. “Patton? Are you okay, man?” as he spoke, he moved to nudge him- only to be rudely interrupted by the unfortunately familiar sound of Roman stretching out an E note with his vocal chords. 

Virgil sighed, and Roman swung into the kitchen, the brightness of his entire existence being almost unholy. His hair was brushed and pushed to the side impeccably; there was nary a wrinkle in his pristine white-and-gold garb. His sash downright shone with cleanliness. As always, the sight of him made Virgil feel suddenly very aware of himself, and he hunched further into the comfort of his hoodie. 

“Good morning, darling citizens!” Roman called flamboyantly, gracing the room with a blinding flash of pearly-white teeth. 

Virgil didn’t bother to return the greeting. 

“Roman, Patton’s acting weird.” 

And say what you would about the obnoxious, annoying, loud-mouthed, insulting, pristine, ridiculous, quick-to-judge, far-too-handsome-despite-having-the-exact-same-face, petty, and entirely empty-headed prince, but he was certainly diligent when it came to any perceived danger that Virgil brought to his attention. Immediately, his attention was on the man in question, red-brown eyes looking him up-and-down for any sign of injury. 

Finding none, he shot Virgil a strange look. The latter indicated Patton’s staring with a nod, and Roman went back to inspect him. 

Then, as if the seriousness had suddenly worn off, he made a small ah sound and relaxed. His lips turned back into that ever-annoying smirksmile (smirkle? smirle?) and he waved a flippant hand that Virgil ducked to avoid. 

“Oh, come off it, Mr. Frowny With a Chance of Meatballs,” he laughed unconcernedly, “he’s just discovered the fourth wall, is all.” 

Virgil stared. He glanced back at Patton, still entranced in whatever it was he was seeing, and then back to Roman. “The... the fourth wall,” he didn’t so much ask as he did state, voice dry and flat. It was as if someone had murdered all the inflection that could be indicative of any emotion what-so-ever, thus leaving it as nothing more than a hollow shell of it’s former sarcastic glory. 

Roman nodded. “Yes. The fourth wall.” 

Virgil took a deep breath. He pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbed it, and then let his hand drop to the side. “No. Just-” he held a hand out to stop Roman’s incoming protest, and shook his head. “Just. Just no. Why are we even doing a fourth-wall breaking fic right now? It’s, like-” he turned his dead glare toward the corner of the writer’s computer screen, and shot them a quick, judgmental look before returning his attention to Roman.

“It’s 1:19 am. This came out of nowhere. And where’s Logan? We need a straight man.” 

Roman laughed. 

“Ha! Don’t you mean a-” 

Yes. Yes, Roman, I meant a gay man. Because you are all gay. 

Roman pouted, joke thoroughly ruined. Virgil smiled a little. Patton stared at the ceiling. Where was Logan? Working, probably. Or, rather, simply not there because the stress of adding yet another character to this catastrophe was simply too difficult for the writer to handle. 

“Would you stop that?” Virgil asked, exasperated. “I was willing to go along with this because you writers have no sense of time-” he stared, accusingly, at the various other writers in the fandom (some of which may be named Marin, Taylor, Vanna and Kat, but who’s to say), “but this is ridiculous. Too much of a good thing can be sh*t, you know!”

“Woah, slow your roll Paint Tool Sigh of Despair! This is a PG show!” 

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Is that why all of your nicknames suck today?” 

Roman recoiled as if physically stricken. “How dare you,” he gasped. “You know that’s not my fault. If anyone, we should blame the author’s creativity.”

Both sides turned, in unison, toward the dining table set up in the middle of the kitchen. The author’s Creativity was munching on a bagel, muttering in between bites as darkened glasses slipped down their round nose. Their hands, trembling, translucent things so clear you could see the very details of their veins, were thoroughly occupied; one was shakily rewriting a scene for the thousandth time with one, while the other crumpled up yet another drawing to start anew, and a third- a third? no- a fourth??? - shakily fidgeted with the rim of a mug full of a sludgy black liquid that could almost pass for coffee. 

As if sensing their stares, one dead, sleep-lined blue eye peered up at them, and they immediately turned away. 

There was silence. Then, Virgil released a shaky breath. “Roman,” he said, very quietly. 

“Yes, Virgil?” the uncharacteristically solemn Roman prompted. 

“I never thought I’d say this, but... I am so glad that you exist.”

“Dit-to my good sir. Dit-to.” 

Unsure why Roman said ditto in such an odd way, but still reeling from the creature that continued to scribble ominously on their kitchen table, Virgil decided to let it go and turn back to the problem at hand. Which, if you would kindly consult the paragraph far, far above this one, was Patton’s worrying stillness. 

“I thought he already knew about the fourth wall,” Virgil mentioned contemplatively, turning back to his (admittedly) favorite blue-clad side. Roman shrugged, clearly unconcerned, and moved to the fridge to take a carton of milk from it.

“Guess not. It doesn't really matter, though- he just needs some time," he reassured. "I mean, all we can do is just sit around and wait for him to process... well. Everything.”

Virgil was still largely unconvinced. 

Roman, glancing over at him as he poured some milk in some nondescript glass, noticed and let out a breath of slight exasperation. 

“Look,” he started in his best mollifying voice as he screwed the cap back on, “We’ve all been there. It took me five hours, and Mr. Roboto spent an entire three days completely out of it. It’s lucky that we’re just figments of a personality, and that food is just a thing authors use to humanize us further even in non-AU’s, or else he’d be in pretty big trouble.”

Virgil raised a brow, and Roman nodded. “Right, right. Off track, I know. But I'm just saying- don’t you remember going through this?” 

Virgil’s face, which had previously been rathee blank and slightly irritated (as was it’s usual state), suddenly became impossibly blanker. His eyes lost any gleam of life, expression falling into nothing but a wooden ghost of its previous humanity.

“I have always been aware of our entirely superficial existence since the day I was made. The continuous existential horror has made it hard to form any real relationship with any of you until now. Even then, a lot of our deep bond comes from the various universes and situations that fans throw us in. Roman, right now we are making out on a rooftop in New York. I have super powers. Logan is an empath, and he’s a royal tutor. We are having this conversation right now. There is no reality for us. We just do as we’re written to do. It is an ever continual source of anxiety for me, but one that I am used to, have always been used to, and will continue to be used to. So, I suppose the answer to your question is ‘no’. I do not.”

Roman stared. Virgil stared back. Roman looked up to re-read the paragraph, and, having finally processed it, turned back to Virgil. Wordlessly, he handed him the glass of milk. 

No words could be said, and a hug simply felt too awkward for them at this point in time and at this moment in this particular universe, so it was all he could offer. Virgil understood, because he could read just as well as you, and agreed with Roman’s emotions on the matter. 

As he took a sip, he felt indescribably touched. 

Patton, as if roused by the emotional scene, suddenly shifted. Both Roman and Virgil turned to look at him, eyes wide as if they’d been caught doing something they shouldn’t have, but Patton was just grinning, bright and unconcerned and... normal. Not at all the expression of someone who had just discovered that they weren't real and that choice was a neverending illusion.

“It’s as I thought,” he said, and his voice sounded relieved. “There aren’t any spiders there after all.” 

Virgil breathed. He thought, very seriously, about screaming. He carefully did not, instead bringing the cool glass of milk to his lips and taking a long, long drink of it.

He took a deep breath. Smiled.

"That's good, Patton."

general tag list: 

@princelogical

@smokeyrutilequartz

@kickthecel

@fangirlfiles1

@do-rey-me

@peanut0303

@cyndaquil17

@lady-literature

@anastasialestina

@i-will-physically-fight-you

@ironwoman359

[singledarkshade]

Settling In

Part Fourteen – Family Christmas “Daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy, daddy.”

Rip blearily opened his eyes to find Jonas bouncing on the bed, wincing when the little boy threw himself at Rip.

“Good morning,” Rip said, a little winded.

“Santa came,” Jonas told him excitedly with wide eyes, “There are presents everywhere.”

Rip smiled, “And you were worried he wouldn’t find us since we’d moved.”

“But Gideon let him know,” Jonas explained with the sincerity only a child could have, “She told me so.”

“Really?”

“I would not allow Santa to go to the wrong house,” Gideon spoke up.

Jonas looked up with a sweet smile, “Thank you, Gideon.”

“You are very welcome, Master Hunter.”

Rip kissed his son’s hair, “Gideon, is anyone else awake?”

“They do not appear to be,” Gideon replied adding in explanation, “I am not watching within the rooms only reading their vitals.”

Rip hugged his son, “It’s still quite early, so how about we make breakfast for everyone, then we can open presents after we eat?”

Jonas nodded.

 Rip made a big stack of pancakes and waffles before setting his son loose to wake the others, chuckling hearing Jonas calling out along with a few groans. After a few minutes Caitlin, Cisco and Lisa appeared, all still in the Christmas pyjamas they’d been given by Rip and Jonas the night before, yawning widely.

“Good morning,” Rip greeted them all with a grin, purposely being bright and cheerful, “Be grateful I gave you all a little extra time to sleep. Jonas bounced on my bed.”

“He’s your kid,” Lisa muttered, before she leaned over and kissed the top of the little boy’s head asking him, “Do you want some milk?”

Jonas nodded.

While Rip served breakfast the others sorted drinks before they sat together at the kitchen table. Jonas was barely contained in his excitement but surprisingly managed to wait for them all to eat their breakfast. Finally they headed into the living room where the floor beneath the Christmas tree was covered with gifts.

Rip was a little worried he’d over-compensated however it was not only his first Christmas with his son but it was the first since Jonas had lost his mother and he wanted it to be filled with good memories.

  Caitlin handed Rip a mug of tea as he sat on the couch just after lunch making him smile.

“Thank you,” he sighed.

“Well, you’ve been busy,” she told him with a smile, “And you’ll be making dinner for us all soon.”

Before Rip could reply a laugh came from upstairs, “Jonas seems to be happy with his presents.”

“I think so,” Caitlin agreed with a chuckle as she took her own seat, “Thank you for including us today. It was wonderful to see Jonas open his presents.”

“Honestly, it was Gideon’s idea,” Rip told her, “I wasn’t sure what to do or what was best for Jonas. If it should have just been the three of us or be with everyone. I’m glad Gideon pushed me to have everyone over.”

Caitlin smiled, “So am I. And Gideon,” she called, “Thank you so much for my locket. It is perfect.”

“I am pleased you like it,” Gideon replied.

Rip checked the time and drank his tea quickly, “I’d better get to work.”

“I’d offer to help but we want the food to be edible,” Caitlin told him.

“You’re also my guest so relax,” he told her, “Read the book Cisco gave you or go join the others playing on Jonas’ new games console.”

  Rip liked to cook, it was something he’d learned from his mother and had been what had bonded him with her when he first arrived at the Refuge. He especially enjoyed doing it for people he cared about. Whenever he was home Miranda would let him cook basically every meal, mostly because he was much better at it than she was but also it let him feel part of their home while he was there.

When they’d decided to share the cooking of Christmas, Joe and Rip sat down to split the tasks between them. Barry and Cisco who had been in the room at the time fell about laughing joking that it was going to be the most regimented dinner there had ever been.

“Mr Allen is at the back door,” Gideon advised just as someone knocked.

Opening the door Rip stared at Barry who was carrying several bags, “Hi?”

“Joe sent me with these,” Barry handed him, “Back in a second.”

He disappeared in a blur reappearing with some more food, “They’re on their way,” stepping inside he grinned, “Merry Christmas.”

A few seconds later Jessie and Wally appeared, carrying food as well. Rip let them in sending them to join the others who were still playing with Jonas. Almost ten minutes later Joe, Iris and Harry arrived.

Making dinner took a backseat for the next round of present swapping. Rip smiled as he watched the group make a fuss of his son. Jonas was a very sweet boy who thanked each gift-giver with a big hug oohing and aahing over everything he was given.

They were all surprised that Gideon had bought each of them gifts but everyone thanked her surprised by how perfect each present was for them. After swapping presents Rip and Joe headed into the kitchen while the games console was moved downstairs so everyone could play.

  “Daddy.”

Rip turned surprised to see Jonas standing in the doorway to the kitchen, “I thought you were playing with Cisco and Barry.”

Jonas shook his head, “I don’t want to play just now.”

Catching the eye of Joe who gave him a quick nod, Rip washed his hands before going to his son. Jonas reached out for a hug and when Rip picked him up the little boy clung to him so he headed upstairs for some quiet time.

“What’s wrong?” Rip asked softly when he sat on his bed with Jonas still wrapped around him.

“I miss Mummy,” Jonas whispered in his ear.

Rip lay them down on the bed hugging his son close, “I know. I know how much she loved Christmas and she always made it so much fun because I wasn’t able to be with you.”

Feeling the tears from the child soak his shoulder Rip gently rocked him, “Gideon, please play some music for us.”

Soft music filled the room as Rip soothed his son. Jonas began to get heavy and was soon fast asleep. Easing away from him Rip slid him under the covers smoothing Jonas’ hair when he cuddled into the pillow.

“Let me know when he wakes up,” Rip said softly to Gideon.

“Of course, Captain,” Gideon assured him.

  Dinner was a huge success.

After his nap Jonas had come back downstairs sitting cuddled up with Caitlin while the others continued to play with his new games console. Despite originally wanting to sit with Lisa and Caitlin during their meal Jonas decided he wanted to sit with Rip and Cisco instead.

They quickly reshuffled and soon were having their first course.

Jonas was quiet for a while making Rip worry that this had been a bad idea before Cisco managed to make the boy laugh and he perked up again.

Gideon played a selection of Christmas music for them, every so often joining in the conversation.

Once they finished eating the group all staggered to the living room, Jonas climbed onto Rip’s lap when Cisco put on one of the new movies Jonas had been given.

“The Muppet Christmas Carol,” Rip read the case with a confused frown, “What...”

“Don’t ask, just watch,” Cisco told him.

Shaking his head Rip simply hugged his son close to him and settled down to watch the movie with everyone else. Jonas just saw the end of the film, his eyes drooping while his head rested against Rip’s shoulder.

“Okay,” Rip said softly, “Bedtime. Say goodnight to everyone.”

Jonas murmured a goodnight barely moving his head as Rip carried him up to his bed. Changing him into pyjamas, just managing to get Jonas to brush his teeth Rip then got the boy into bed.

“Did you have a good day?” Rip asked softly as Jonas cuddled into his pillow.

Jonas nodded, “Uh hu. I love you, Daddy.”

Rip smiled at his son who was almost fast asleep, “I love you too. Sleep well.”

Kissing the boy’s forehead Rip left him to rest.

                                  *********************************************

  Cisco looked round from his conversation with Lisa when Rip reappeared, “I have something else for you.”

Rip paused and gave a slight suspicious frown.

“Trust me,” Cisco said, he turned back to Lisa, “Okay?”

Lisa rolled her eyes at him, “Its fine. I watch him all the time.”

“Watch who?” Rip spoke up.

Cisco held up his hand, “Jonas. We’re heading to the Star Labs.”

“We?”

Nodding he called, “Barry, Caitlin, come on. This is for you guys too.”

Rip frowned even more confused but before he could ask Iris patted his arm.

“Jonas will be fine,” she assured him, “He’s asleep and we are going to introduce Lisa, Harry and Jessie to ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’.”

At this Rip gave in, “Okay.”

Cisco grinned and pulled out his glasses before opening a breach to Star Labs. Walking through Rip wondered what was going on when he saw three beds and a large chair set up.

“Gideon,” Cisco called, “Can you enact the protocol I put in place last week?”

“Done, Mr Ramon,” Gideon replied.

Cisco took a breath and motioned the others to each take a bed. Caitlin and Barry nodded quickly sliding onto a bed while Rip looked at him suspiciously.

“Trust me,” Cisco told him.

With a sigh Rip nodded and took the final bed, Cisco fixed a device onto his head before doing the same with the other two.

“Ready?” Cisco asked.

“For what?” Rip demanded.

Cisco just smiled at him.

  Opening his eyes Rip stared to find himself on the Waverider.

“Captain,” the familiar voice came from behind him and Rip turned to find Gideon standing there. She was wearing a red dress with her long hair was pulled back from her face and Rip moved to hug her instantly.

“I’m a little confused,” he confessed.

“Well,” Cisco’s voice came from behind him, “I thought it was about time we met Gideon face to face.”

Turning Rip saw Barry, Caitlin and Cisco standing there, keeping his arm around Gideon he moved to them.

“Gideon,” Rip grinned, “I’d like you to officially meet Barry Allen, Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon. Guys, this is Gideon. My dearest friend who has kept me safe since I stepped foot on the Waverider as its Captain.”

Gideon smiled at them all, “Thank you for taking us in, for giving my Captain a place within your home and allowing me to stay with him.”

“You are more than welcome,” Barry told her, “Because we got a good friend, a nephew we all adore and you to watch over us. We’re very grateful to have you here.”

Gideon slipped away from Rip to hug Barry who returned it with a grin. When he let her go Caitlin moved to Gideon and hugged her as well.

“It is so nice to meet you like this,” Caitlin said.

Gideon nodded, “And you Dr Snow. I enjoy our talks. It is nice to be able to speak with you face to face.”

“I enjoy our talks too,” Caitlin told her, “But you don’t need to have a body to be my friend.”

Smiling Gideon held Caitlin’s hand, “Thank you.”

Finally Gideon turned to Cisco, “Mr Ramon,” she said softly, “This is a wonderful gift you have given me. To meet you all like this.”

Cisco shrugged, “I was being kind of selfish. I wanted to meet you from the moment Rip told us he saw you like this.”

Gideon laughed and hugged him tightly whispering in his ear, “He has come to love you like a brother. Thank you for giving him the family he needed.”

“You’re welcome,” Cisco whispered back before turning to the others, “Unfortunately I can’t hold this connection for much longer.”

“Then can I have a few moments alone with Gideon?” Rip asked softly.

Cisco nodded motioning the other two towards the exit he had created. Barry and Caitlin both gave Gideon one final hug before they left. Cisco moved towards the exit leaving Rip and Gideon to speak privately.

  “Come here,” Rip pulled her into his arms hugging her tightly letting out a soft sigh of happiness, “Some days I wish I could do this all the time.”

“As do I, Captain,” Gideon whispered, her head tucked against his neck.

Pulling back Rip took her hands in his, “You look beautiful.”

Gideon smiled, “I thought it was appropriate for Christmas,” she glanced above his head, “As is...”

Rip looked up chuckling to see the sprig of mistletoe above his head, “You know you don’t need that.”

Before Gideon could reply Rip touched his lips to hers, Rip pulled her close and her arms slid around his neck as the kiss deepened.

They parted slowly and Rip rested his forehead against hers, “You know I...”

“I always have,” Gideon replied with a sweet smile, her hand resting on his cheek, “And I do too.”

Rip pressed a final soft kiss to her lips before walking backwards to the exit keeping his gaze on Gideon until he opened his eyes back in Star Labs.

  Cisco watched Rip leave aware of just how intimate a moment he had witnessed between the former time traveller and his best friend. Gideon suddenly turned and saw he was still there.

Her eyes widened realising what he’d seen. Giving her a quick nod and smile he returned to Star Labs.

“Thank you, Cisco,” Rip said softly when he opened his eyes, “That was...a wonderful gift.”

Caitlin moved to Rip’s side and nodded, “It was.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Cisco said, “Gideon, you can remove the protocol and return to normal.”

“Done, Mr Ramon,” Gideon replied, “I would suggest returning to the house. The film has almost finished.”

Cisco nodded and slid his glasses on to open the breach one more. They returned to the house finding Joe with one arm wrapped around Iris and the other around Lisa as they both wiped their eyes. Heading up to the room he was using to put away his glasses Cisco sat on the bed.

“Mr Ramon,” Gideon stated, “About what you saw...”

“Two friends who care about each other having a moment,” Cisco shrugged, “None of my business, Gideon and something I will not tell anyone. Even Rip.”

There was a moment of silence before she said, “Captain Hunter is making hot chocolate for everyone. You should rejoin them.”

“Thanks Gideon,” Cisco smiled as he headed out.

“And thank you for my gift,” Gideon said to the empty room.

[jamesbvck]

lost & found | b. barnes | part seven

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x Reader (AU, Bartender!Bucky) Summary: Being lost was something foreign to you. Beginning a new life was an uphill battle. Being found was a surprise, especially unexpectedly by a man his own questionable past. Word Count: 3k Warnings: slight angst, mention of drinking, swearing, fluff A/N: Welcome to part seven! Feedback is welcomed :) also shout to to @justasimpleassbitch for beta-ing <3

MASTERLIST | TAG FORM

The night was long.

You had barely gotten enough sleep to function yet there you were at 8am in the kitchen getting yourself a bowl of cereal and poured some water into a glass. This wasn’t anything compared the breakfast Bucky had made you, but it was something. You curled up into the corner of the couch with a blanket placed over your legs. The television was on but you could barely pay attention to anything on the screen. Luckily for you Hayley was a life saver and agreed to cover your shift for the afternoon. You couldn’t find the will to go into work and truthfully, you weren’t even sure if you wanted to see Bucky or not. A strong part of you continuously craved him but there was another part of you that grew meek, hesitant, and distant now. You felt a bit lost.

The events of the night before flickered through your mind like a flipbook; each page migrated to Steve’s agitated face and the sound of his words replayed in your mind. It was so complicated and who was really to blame other than yourself? Everything circled back to you, first the “date” with Steve and then everything in between with Bucky. Bucky had been an unexpected twist to your life. Easily you gravitated to him, found common ground, and truly felt yourself in his presence. 

Sighing, your head tipped back against the couch with your eyes closing. There was movement on the other side of Corinne’s door. You had heard her get in about an hour after you had gotten home. She didn’t even make an attempt to talk last night which was surprising. Her door jiggled and opened, her feet padded to the kitchen and the fridge door opened. Corinne joined you in the living room, settling in the arm chair and she looked at the TV. She was the constant confusing part of the situation. 

“Did you sleep?”

“Barely.” Your head lifted and you set the soggy cereal onto the coffee table, tucking your feet under yourself.

There was silence between you and your sister. Corinne idly sipped her orange juice, running the tip of her finger around the edge of the glass. You knew she was thinking and that she was biting back from saying anything, however you knew your sister well enough that she couldn’t stay quiet.

“Tell me what you said to Bucky yesterday.”

Corinne drawled out your name like a child not wanting to do something. But you pressed her and she caved.

“All I said was that I hope he treats you good because your deserve the best,” Corinne said. “That’s it. He didn’t say anything back which wasn’t surprising since it’s Bucky.”

“What does that mean?” You asked. She shrugged. “And what’s the deal with you and him, Corinne. He got weird the other day, too, just like you did.”

“It’s nothing.” Corinne rose from the chair and downed the rest of the juice, going into the kitchen.

“Bullshit.” You grumbled. “Tell me.”

The glass clanked against the countertop. Corinne’s shoulders were tight with old tension and her fingers gripped the counter. Her head rolled from side to side. “Did he tell you about his arm?”

“Yeah, he did.”

“I’m guessing he didn’t tell you want happened after,” Corinne turned back around. Her eyes were sad as she reflected on the past. “He got drunk, terribly drunk. I was walking home from the subway and he was there on the stoop of his building because he couldn’t figure out how to get into his own damn home. So I shoved him into a taxi and brought him here. He was embarrassed and ashamed. He kept talking about how he always lets everyone down. I told him that he can always try again, try and be better. I let him stay the night but he ended up staying three more because he was too scared of going back to an empty apartment. He didn’t want to go to Steve either.”

The story unfolded and you sunk into the couch. Corinne had cared for Bucky. “And then…?”

Corinne shrugged. “I think a part of me was infatuated with him. I don’t think it was love but it was something. But I was stupid and he didn’t reciprocate, he didn’t care,” she hollowly laughed out of spite. “We were friends then we were nothing, we’ve been nothing for years. Just two people who know each other. And maybe I was telling you to dismiss him because I still have some resentment.”

Your eyes fell to the floor, brain searching for comprehension but now it was more exhausted than before. “Corinne, I’m sorry.”

“No. Don’t be. Bucky likes you and honestly? It’s nice seeing him smile and seeing you smile.”

Her words were as genuine as the smile that crept onto her lips. You knew all she wanted was for you to be happy no matter who or what it was. You got up and went over to hug your sister tightly. Her embrace was warming as she murmured that none of it mattered anymore and while understandings were beginning to come together, there was still ground to cover. You had to go talk to Steve, to apologize and clear the air. Thinking about it made you nervous.

Corinne offered to go with you but you thought that would just make it more awkward. After getting dressed and brushing your teeth, you set out to Steve’s place with directional help from Corinne. 

Your feet were frozen in front of the two elevators and you stared at the up button for a solid two minutes before pressing it. The elevator to the right dinged and opened its doors. You stepped inside and hit the 10, the elevator shooting upwards. Your body felt heavy as you found your way down the hallway to Steve’s apartment. 

Three knocks.

Your heart pounded in your chest as the last knock echoed in your mind. You tucked your hands into the front pockets of your jean shorts, easing out a slow breath as you waited for Steve to answer. On the other side of the large dark stained door there were loud footsteps. The locked flipped and within a moment the door was opened to reveal Steve standing tall in a light grey, too tight t-shirt and black ankle-gripping sweatpants that hung from his hips. He appeared tired, eyes droopy and blond hair messy as if he had just gotten out of bed.

Between the two of you there were no words for a very long moment. It wasn’t as awkward as you thought it would be, though. If anything it was more like silent exchanges. You were sorry and he was sorry for being an ass. Steve moved aside and motioned for you to come inside. His place was clean and bright with large, uncovered windows. You didn’t spend too much time looking around but it felt homey. 

You weren’t sure where to begin but you knew you had to talk and work it out. Steve was a good guy and your first friend in the city. You hoped he still would be your friend. 

“I’m sorry. It’s really all my fault, there’s no one else to blame.”

Steve sat himself on the small sectional sofa, fingers pressed to his closed eyes as he fought back a yawn. “I thought it was Bucky at the door, not you.”

You breathed out a slow sigh. “Have you talked to him?”

Steve shook his head. “No.”

“I didn’t mean— I don’t want to get in between you and Bucky. That would be wrong of me to do so. And Steve, I am so sorry that I hurt you.”

Your words were rushed out of fear of his anger. But Steve was calm on the couch, one hand rubbing his chin and his other arm resting on his leg. You could see the wheels turning inside his head. Steve’s lips parted and the tone of his voice was soft, reasoning.

“You’re not getting in between Bucky and I. You think him and I haven’t clashed over a girl before?” The corner of his lip twitched upward briefly. “I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

You took a small step forward before committing to walking over to the couch. You sat beside Steve but left a polite amount of space between the two of you. Nervously your hands slid along your thighs back and forth. “Bucky told me about some of the things you’ve done for him. You’re like his guardian angel or some shit.”

That kind of made Steve laugh because honestly, in some weird way maybe he was. He was a counterpart to Bucky as Bucky was to him. They has known each other for most of their lives. Friends since childhood and never breaking their bond no matter what. 

“I guess I just…” you continued for a moment then trailed. How open should you be with Steve? There wasn’t anything left to lose. “I didn’t know this was going to happen and the fact that I hurt your feelings doesn’t sit right with me. You’re such a good guy like everyone has been saying. And it’s cliche and dumb, but—“

“It’s not me, it's you?” He cut in. Steve adjusted his back against the cushions, stretching out his long legs across the rug underneath. “Buck’s been through some shit, you know. At the end of the day all I want for him is to be happy no matter what. He’s always been there for me, too. Besides…” 

Steve got up from the couch and headed towards the kitchen, getting out two mugs and turning on the coffee maker. “Not sure if I could date someone who’s a Dodgers fan anyway.”

Your mouth dropped opened at his playful words. You could see him snickering and you were so thankful he was joking with you right now. “That might just be one of the rudest things anyone has ever said to me.” You rested your hand on your heart and shook your head. 

He returned with two hot coffees and took his seat again. He still had a faint smile on his face as you carefully sipped the coffee. “When Bucky and I were kids his mom used to give us money to go down to the corner store and buy bread and milk. With the leftover change we’d get some candy. I got bullied a little when I was a kid and there was another old kid from our school there with some guys. They tried to steal the money and take our candy and I just remember in the blink of an eye Bucky had big ol’ Thomas Lafferty on the ground asking for mercy.”

Steve chuckled softly at the memory. You could just imagine what that scene must have looked like. It brought a smile to your face as well. 

“I think you’d be good for him.”

His words broke you away from the thoughts you had sunken into. Your eyes darted over to Steve who was blankly looking out the nearby window. His fingers tapped the ceramic mug, his shoulders back and relaxed. You weren’t sure how to respond to his claim but it warmed you knowing that perhaps Steve was going to be okay with whatever the hell it was. 

“You deserve good too.”

“We all do,” Steve nodded. “Sometimes things take a little longer but everyone will find the thing that's good for them.” He turned his gaze towards you and for a moment you almost broke down in tears. Steve was so gracious and you weren’t sure if you deserved that from him. He noticed your change in demeanour, blinking a few times. “Don’t worry about me.” 

You could tell he was trying to make light of it but there was still guilt in your body.You glanced away, eyes flickering downward. Steve spoke your name softly to regain your attention but you remained how you were. The quietest sigh left his mouth and he scratched the side of his head. “Don’t worry about me,” he repeated. “Please don’t. If there’s anyone you should put your worry into it’s Bucky because he deserves someone like you who cares for him. I know that you do, a lot. And you still have a friend in me, no matter what.” 

It was after a second cup of coffee and another memory tale from Steve that you had gotten yourself up to leave. Steve embraced you mainly because it looked like you needed a hug but also because it was comforting. His body was warm and you hugged him in return before taking a step back. You shied away to hurriedly go but Steve held the door firm before you could slip through. 

He told you to go figure things out with Bucky, to go and do what’s right. Bucky and Steve would be fine in the end, no harm no foul. Once finally outside you stood on the steps. Cars drove by and the sidewalks were now populated with residences of the area. There was relief inside you and you could see the brighter outlook.

You turned west and headed towards Bucky’s place. There were multiple things to discuss but truthfully you wouldn’t mind laying on his comfy couch and putting on Netflix for the remainder of the day. The elevator up was occupied  by morning food shoppers and joggers getting back from a run. You exited with a man who went down the opposite hall. Approaching Bucky’s door, you raised your hand to knock. Instead the door was swung open.

In front of you was Natasha in yesterday’s party clothes, now a bit wrinkly and red hair slightly disheveled. While you stared with wide eyes, she was giving you a friendly smile. She spoke but nothing registered as you stepped into Bucky’s apartment. Negative thoughts were forming as you hoped it wasn't the worst. Natasha was beautiful. She was sexy and confident, who wouldn’t want her? Bucky and Natasha had a red hot past. 

She waved to you and all you could manage was a small wave back. Your turned as she left and the door shut. Relax. Bucky appeared from around the corner pulling a dark blue shirt over his head. All you could focus on was how the bed sheets looked like it was occupied with two people instead of one. You could feel Bucky’s presence grow closer. 

“Did you… and her…”

Bucky’s brows furrowed at your lack of words. It took him a moment before he followed your gaze to the bed. “What— No. No.”

You supposed it didn’t matter. He wasn’t yours, you weren’t his. He could do whatever—whoever— he wanted. He denied it, and while that was something you were still second guessing.

“We drank until three and she slept on the couch. She only laid there this morning because I wouldn’t get out of bed.” Bucky explained. “I promise.”

“Okay.” You nodded once. Bucky radiated nerves. His face was deepened with a frown, reaching out to gently touch your cheek. You softened to his hand, closing your eyes. You could fall right into him, you thought. Be wrapped in his arms for hours and not care about anything else. 

“I was going to see Steve. Fix this mess.”

“I just came from seeing him,” you replied. You could tell Bucky felt as lost and off as you had. “I think he’s okay. I mean, you both should talk but I think it’s going to be fine.”

Bucky’s chest deflated letting out a long breath. You could see it hurt him that he had crossed his best friend. You believed in Steve’s words that they would be good. He guided you to sit on the couch, his arm going around your shoulders. He asked if Steve seemed mad and truthfully you really didn’t think so. He spoke out of jealousy and simply feeling hurt. You told Bucky the conversation you had and that seemed to ease him.

“There’s something we do need to talk about,” you shifted to look at him. “Corinne told me about when you stayed with her.” He didn’t say anything, so you continued. “She told me her side but I want to hear yours.”

His arm remained around your shoulders, fingertips brushing against the soft skin of your arm. “After the accident I wasn’t drinking, things were getting better like I said. Then one day something snapped within me. I think it was hatred towards myself, getting involved with the wrong people, borrowing tainted money, screwing over my friends. I just wanted it to stop. I thought what else do I have to lose? I don’t actually remember Corinne finding me. It’s blurry and I’m not sure if I want to remember. But she was kind and let me stay more than I was welcomed. She talked to me like a human and not some fucked up guy who didn’t have his head on straight. I knew how she felt, I could see it, but it wasn’t right, not for either of us. I closed that door quickly and never reopened it.”

“Because you didn’t feel the same?”

“Because I didn’t want to hurt her. I didn’t want to hurt anyone else. So it was the best option, I guess.” Bucky removed his arm and leaned forward; elbows on his knees and hands cradling his face. He had his own guilt about it and how it could have been handled differently. “I do care about her, always have.”

You slid closer to Bucky, resting a hand on his back. You rubbed small circles and placed your head on his shoulder blade. There was tragedy and mainly miscommunication. That seemed to be the common theme throughout everything here. 

“At this point I can’t afford to fuck anything else up.” Bucky mumbled.

“You haven’t with me, if that helps,” you whispered. “And I don’t think you will.”

His body manoeuvred so he had you back in his grasp. He laid back into the couch and you formed to his chest. His arms were contoured around your frame with one hand slipping under your shirt to rest on your back. 

Despite it all, this was perfect. Perfect to you. 

Still there were so many things going on in your mind but now you could categorize and actually think. Taking into consideration about what Corinne and Steve (hell, even Clint) had said about you and Bucky, maybe it was okay. You liked him, you weren’t going to deny it. You were attracted and clearly he was too.

Propping your chin on his chest, you examined him for a minute. Bucky rolled his eyes to look at you and suddenly you were swimming in a deep sea of blue. His lips drawled out a low ‘doll?’ in a questioning tone, his other hand moving to explore the outskirts of your face with a gentle caress. His touch sent goosebumps over your skin and you took the plunge. Leaning towards him your lips interlocked in a brief and tender kiss. His hand cupped your cheek and attempted to bring you closer than you already were. A smile peeked with another kiss this time initiated by him, then small peck before there was air between you. Cheeks warm, toes curled and an explosion of butterflies. 

Suddenly everything felt right.

permanent bucky list: @tjhammcnd @fossilbarnes @wintersparker @buckybarnesappreciationsociety @sweetwaterprincess @demongirl0913 @queenlydias @lilah-bard @dontpanc @ohkingsteve @kingsebstan @buckystan-plums @cauraphernelia @yourwonderbelle @beauty-who-doesnt-need-a-beast @bleedlikerubies @fallenaristocat @bubblybuckybarnes @solarbarnes @my-world97 @mystic-scripture @ragnarokbarnes @bvcks @stardustparker @kali-rambles @pao-prazz @thorins-queen-of-erebor @eventyyr @abbadontherisingqueen @lovinglokiforever @justasimpleassbitch @red-wallflowers @brooklynightsky @hellaqueerangelofthelord @yknott81 @rvmanova @bvckysmanbun

[ideocosmonaut]

Would you rather date someone who had a car or a job? Ehh probably job.

What’s the most important part of a relationship in your opinion? Trust, perhaps?

Have you ever wanted to watch a scary movie with someone JUST to have an excuse to be close to them? Kind of

Be with someone cute and a jerk or ugly and kind? ugly and kind

Name a favorite of each: food, drink, color. Steak, Coke Zero, Gray or black

If you married rich and your spouse gave you $100,000 a week, what would you spend it on? Weekly short vacations. Maybe fly to a city every weekend and go on a shopping spree.

Name a favorite of each: book, movie, tv show. Harry Potter, Robocop, Seinfeld

If your best friend liked your ex, what would you do? I dont have an ex

if you had to choose between being blind or deaf which would you pick? Hmm. Maybe blind. I love art and music but my eyes get me into more trouble than my ears.

Name a LEAST favorite of each: food, drink, color. How boring. Onions, water, yellow

What do you spend most of your money on? Bills

What kind of underwear do you prefer wearing? Boxer briefs

If you were sat on a plane beside your favorite celebrity, what would you do? Probably nothing. Why would they want to talk to me? They’re probably really tired and just want to chill on the ride home. I mean, if I feel brave, maybe I’ll say hi and that I really love their work but that’s about it.

What would you consider to be the biggest insult to yourself? Any... insult?

What are five things you absolutely have to have in your dream house? A kitchen, a bathroom, a bedroom, a ceiling, walls...

If you could be reincarnated as any animal, which would you chose and why? Some kind of bird

What is your biggest pet peeve? Being wrongfully accused

Do you still watch cartoons? Sometimes

What movies could you watch over and over and still love? 80s and 90s comedies

Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? A cop. An astronaut

Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? yeah.

First concert? Flogging Molly, for a big name band. But I went to local shows in school

Tea or coffee? i like both.

Do you think you were well raised? Up until I was a teenager

How do you handle stress? not well. 

Do you hide things well? Not really

If you had to choose between having one family member or 5 of your closest friends die who would you choose? I’d rather not. If I had to... family member. I’ve lost almost all of the good ones already anyway. And my friends are a precious few.

Do you see yourself ever being with someone you’ve been with before? No?

Would you rather live in a tiny apartment with 5 other people or a huge house by yourself that you felt was haunted? Huge house... if I didnt have to keep it up by myself.

How many piercings do you have? 0

Do you see yourself as a “good” person? No. No one is really good or bad. People are people. Everyone has their own ambitions. And a basic desire. People change all the time, nothing is set in stone.

Are your nails painted a dark or light color? N/a

Have you ever order pizza online? yes

What color was the last candle you lit? Cream?

Is there something written on your shirt right now? No

Is there a bookshelf in your room? no.

Do you own a treadmill? nope.

Have you ever signed up for a gym membership? yes.

What color was the last fish you had? Orangey

Is there a garbage can in your room? What color is it? Nah

Have you ever read in the bathtub? No

If you play the sims, do you download custom clothes, hair, etc? I imagine I would

Have you ever put ice cubes in milk? no.

Does your animal sleep with you? N/a

What do you use to remove your makeup at night? N/a

Do you have a favorite TV show that actually isn’t on air anymore Umm maybe. I think most of my favorites are still alive somewhere in TV land

Have you ever bought something off of iTunes? i don’t think so.

Have you ever had to wear a hairnet? nope.

Do you know how many pages the last book you read had? nope.

What day of the week does the laundry usually get done? Saturday

Do you use the Facebook chat often? daily.

Do you have any baby pictures of yourself on your computer? Nah

How many favorites do you have on youtube? hundreds

What channel is the food network? i dont have cable

Do you still write in pencil? sometimes

What brand is your foundation? n/a

What kind was the last chip you ate? Uhh doritos i think

Do you eat onion rings? not often but i love them.

When did you last go to the zoo? years ago

How many cardigans do you own? 1

What is your favorite song to play on guitarhero or rockband? none

What flavor of tea did you last have? Milos

Do you own a robe? yes

What was the last video you added to your favorites on YouTube? An upload of the new Puppet Master movie

Have you ever brushed your teeth and then drank orange juice? yeah

When was the last time you had pancakes or waffles? yesterday

Do you know anyone whose birthday is today? my step-mom

If you died right now, how would you feel about your life? I wouldn't exist so I wouldn't feel anything. That’s an upside. Can you imagine how bad you’d feel if you died? It’s a mercy we dont feel anything after.

Was the last person you texted under 18? no I dont believe any of the people ive texted are under 18

How many pairs of jeans do you think you have? like two

Do you like hoodies? yes.

When was the last time you attended a wedding? May?

Have you had alcohol this week? uhhhhhhhh nope actually

What windows are open on your computer right now? You mean tabs? This, FB, another Tumblr, and youtube

Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass? yes Is there anything you are craving right now? affection

What’s the last thing you had to eat? rice and beef

Who were the last four people to text you? my dad, my step-mom, a couple friends

Do you have any morbid interests? nothing habitual

Do you know anyone whose birthday is tomorrow? no.

What was the last thing you found that you thought you lost forever? an earbud cover

Have you ever been to Times Square to watch the ball drop for the New Year? no

If you have a Twitter, do you use something else besides the computer to update your tweets? nope

Do you like potato salad? Ive never had one I liked

Who was the last person that apologized to you? my bff. It’s funny that I say sorry a lot but I dont hear it very often. only from him. hmm.

Have you ever driven and ended up running out of gas? no

When was the last time you uploaded pictures from your camera? months ago

Did you do the laundry today? yes

What was the reason behind the last time you stayed up all night? wasnt sleepy

Did you straighten or curl your hair last? n/a

Have you ever been off-roading? yes

Was the last number you added to your cell phone a guy’s or girl’s number? a restaurant probably

Do you enjoy being a tease? kind of. not too much.

Have you ever had a UFO sighting or a sighting of strange lights in the sky? nope.

Who was the last person you caught lying to you? eh i dont recall

How old were you when you were first pulled over by the police? umm 19 ish?

Do you have a webcam that’s built into your computer or did it come separately? n/a

Was there ever a time that you lived on an island? I am an island. Shut up, Ben Howard.

Have you ever made a time capsule? I did in school

When was the last time you drank out of a champagne glass? long time ago

What was the last casino you went to? N/a

Does it flood easily where you live? kind of

Let’s start out blunt, have you had sex in the last 12 hours? nope.

Are you wearing something that belongs to someone else? no.

Does anything hurt on you? my foot

Do you think someone is thinking about you right now? maybe

Do you look at the keyboard when you type? sometimes

Does it bother you when people respond to you with one word?   not really

Will you be up before 7:00 a.m. tomorrow? yes, many times

Do you like MySpace? i did back when it was popular.

Do you like glitter? its ok

Is there anyone you’d like to apologize to? my mom

What’s the closest thing to you that’s liquid? 

my... pee?

Are your toe nails painted pink? no.

Will you be in a relationship in 4 months? no... I mean, i doubt it? maybe? who knows.

Are you excited for Saturday? I was until I hurt my foot

What are you listening to right now? Game Grumps

What is the most exciting place you have been to this year? Gatlinburg 

The shirt you’re wearing, does anyone else have it? possibly

Are you gonna be home tonight? yes.

Do you feel awkward when strangers say hi to you? not if it stops there

Are you easily scared at horror films? not easily

If there was a large spider in the room, what would you say? Depends on how large and what kind

Do you have good memories with old friends? of course. 

How are you feeling right now? in pain

Have you ever skipped school just because you were tired? oh yeah

How many friends do you have that have never smoked? a few

Is there someone you used to talk to every single day that you don’t talk to anymore? yes.

Are you missing someone? yes.

Did you have a dream last night? probably, i just don’t remember it.

Is it okay if you kiss people when you’re single? of course, as long as they’re single too.

Who did you last talk to on the phone? my dad

Have you held hands with anyone today? no.

Do you drop your phone a lot? nah

Your last ex says they never even liked you. You say? You dont exist?

When was the last time you saw your father? last weekend

Are there certain things that can’t be joked about with you? Hmm. that’s a tough one. I use humor to cope a lot but I always try to remain within certain guidelines around certain people. it’s a lot to keep up with. Me? I can laugh at almost anything. Im pretty numb to most things. It doesnt come from a place of disrespect, but a need to laugh.

Would you say you’re an understanding person? mostly.

How is your life currently? it sucks.

What are you doing tomorrow morning? sleeping

Do you want to see somebody right now? sure.

How many people have you liked in the past 8 months? just the one.

Have you ever done anything illegal? yes

Would you rather spend a whole day with your mom or your dad? mom

What’s currently bothering you? my foot. looming anxiety over possibly being fired. being totally alone.

Have you thought about an ex today? no.

Are any of your friends taller than you? yes.

Did you do anything productive today? yes.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance? To relive certain things, maybe. Barry Allen taught me not to fuck with the timeline

Today, did you hug a person you have feelings for? no

Do you wish at 11:11? nah

Are you currently in a relationship? no

Do you think relationships are ever really worth it? apparently they are everything

Think of the last person who said “I love you” to you. Do you think they meant it? I guess. 

Have you ever made someone laugh when they were crying? yes.

Is there a person of the opposite sex who means a lot to you? yes

If you could move somewhere else, would you? Depends but im mostly for it

Has a boy/girl called you babe or baby today? no.

How long were you with your last bf/gf? never

Would you ever let a girl/boy put you through hell and back? probably. im ripe for the abuse.

Have you ever gone out with anyone older than you? no

Do you think you will ever be married? probably not

Have you ever tried your hardest and then gotten disappointed in the end? yes. that’s life

Is it possible to be single and happy? temporarily

Last time you wore something that didn’t belong to you? idk

Has anything happened in the past month that made you really happy? aside from food, not really. 

What’s something you’ve always wanted to say to your ex? n/a

How much money did you spend today? $0

Are you a rude person? to people who are rude

Would you ever think about painting your ceiling your favorite color? no. 

What’s something you’re excited for? Cyberpunk 2077

Does cuddling freak you out? A little. I dont like not being able to move

What do you think of maxi dresses? idk

What did the last text in your inbox say? From who? my phone’s in the other room...... >_>

What would you do if you saw a guy hit a girl? Call the police.

Have you ever gambled? yes.

Do you use tobacco products? not anymore

Would you ever go a week without showering? only if i had to

Would you ever date someone with a different skin color than you? Yeah

[yashkonu]

Cryotherapy

(Mei/Mercy, around 2k words. AO3)

They were cute, Mei decided.

It wasn’t that she thought they were cute. They looked like some radial cousin of a bacteriophage, infinitesimal wagon wheels with a ring of grasping spines. She wasn’t above a deep discomfort with the idea of it; a thousand of the little constructs darting about their purpose in every milliliter of her blood.

Still, she understood. They were something on the other end of the scale from her work, and no less important. Climatology, as Angela had once told her after a few drinks, was the science of making sure we as a species get our security deposit back.

Mei had asked the question begged: “Get our deposit back after what?”

Angela had orchestrated her answer with a wave of a half-empty beer bottle. “After this, Dr. Zhou. After all of this is done.”

She’d drained the bottle after that. Even back then, the bags under her eyes had been ever-present. It was easy to imagine a cold wind sweeping down from Angela’s mind, barren half-circles forming on the lee side of her eyes.

They were unsettling, Mei thought.

"They are cute little things, aren't they?"

Angela laughed, a honey-sweet sound that lifted a smile to Mei's lips.

"You would see it like that, Dr. Zhou. Once I am able to accelerate production, these will save… innumerable lives. They will do things no doctor ever has."

"You're engineering miracles, Dr. Ziegler."

Angela tilted her head, a grin spreading sideways across her lips. "Are you winding up for a pun on my name, Dr. Zhou?"

"Mei-be, mei-be not."

"Incorrigible. Simply incorrigible."

Angela rested the syringe at a steep angle against her forearm, brushed a thumb over the mosaic of warning labels, and injected herself with the prototype before Mei could even think the words "are you sure about this?"

Mei watched Angela die.

It wasn't even a combat mission, just a supply run to a mountaintop watchpoint, with Angela along to ensure the shipment of newly minted nanomachines survived the journey intact.

Non-combat missions with Angela were Mei's favorite sort. The thin-ice brittleness that clung to Angela in combat melted away, and she remembered how to smile and laugh and joke. It was good.

Angela was first out of the transport when it landed, a hand on her hat to keep it from flying away. She rounded the transport to the cargo hold as a pair of agents approached across the landing pad.

"There's really no rush, Angela!" Mei chuckled as she hopped out of the aircraft. "We'll be staying for a few days yet, so it's not like--!"

Mei had exactly enough time to register the glossy black shape of a shotgun leveled at Angela's back before it was too late.

A thunderclap shot sounded across the mountaintop, and Angela dropped like a stone. Silent shock crossed her face before she fell, sprawling out across bloodstained crates of food and medical supplies. She didn't even have time to scream.

Neither did Mei. The weapon swung toward her--but Jesse's tips at the range paid off, and Mei was faster. A foot-long spear of ice punched clean through the attacker's visor, and the shotgun clattered to the ground.

The second pressed a hand to his ear and opened his mouth to shout into a headset.

He didn't have time either.

"Angela!"

Mei rushed to her side and sucked a shuddering breath through her teeth at the sight of the wound.

"Angela, Angela hang in there okay? I can get the nanomachines from the…"

Mei's trailed off when she saw Angela's eyes. It was all too quick, too brutal, and now--now Mei knew she had watched her dear friend die. Mountaintop wind whipped across the landing pad, stirring ripples in a spreading pool of blood that hadn't yet had time to freeze.

A hydraulic hiss caught Mei's ears. On Angela's forearm, a massive syringe built into the bracer--one Mei had sincerely hoped was just one of Gabriel's 'decorative touches'--began to press itself down. Slowly but surely it drained, and Mei's breath caught as her friend's corpse began to stitch itself back together.

Bone re-formed, muscle re-grew, organs repaired themselves in a span of seconds--and unmarked skin spread like spilled milk to cover the wound. After five truly, deeply unsettling seconds, Angela was healed.

"... Oh, Angela. It would have worked, it was just-!" Mei fought down tears; they'd freeze, and she couldn't allow that. "It was just too fast, there was just no time. I'm sorry, Angela. I'm so, so-!"

A whine. A rising electric whine, just at the edge of hearing, and a calm synthesized voice announced 'Clear' before Angela's body bucked with a noise like the crack of a whip.

Angela Ziegler gasped a desperate breath, her eyes wide and fearful before she fell into a fit of coughing.

"Angela!" Mei lifted her friend into her arms as quickly and carefully as she could, keeping her exposed back covered from the elements as best she could. "Angela? Can you hear me?"

Angela covered her mouth with a hand, and one last chest-quaking cough brought with it a metallic clink. When she opened the hand, several pellets of shot sat in her palm.

"I can hear you, Mei." Her voice rasped, and she swallowed hard. "I am… very pleased to see my resuscitation system worked."

"Resusci--mercy me, Angela, I watched you die!"

"... I know. I am sorry you had to see that." She cast a quick glance around the landing pad, her gaze falling onto the bodies of their attackers. "You protected me."

"I don't think it counts as protecting if you're already dead, Angela." Mei shuddered at the thought.

Angela's slender, neatly trimmed fingers came to rest against Mei's cheek. "It was only for a little while. I can't just die on you all."

Only for a little while.

Mei laughed, and laughed, and laughed until she cried.

Mei watched, the first time Angela died.

Mei was warm, and comfortable, and very very sleepy.

This scared--as Jesse might have put it--the good god-lovin' soul out of her.

Hypothermia. Bad. Stay awake. Sleep is death.

She could feel her breath coming slow, too slow, and poured every ounce of her willpower into forcing her eyes to open.

Mei Ling-Zhou saw an angel, and wasn't sure how to feel about that.

"...with me, stay…"

The angel seemed nice. Mei wanted to stay with her, though she wasn't sure if that meant staying alive or dying. Memories bobbed to the surface of her mind, and suddenly Mei was also unsure which of those she would prefer.

"Hold on, Dr. Zhou."

Oh. The angel was using her title. How courteous.

"You may feel a--oh, who am I kidding, your extremities must be utterly numb."

...What?

Like fog melting off in harsh sunlight, the haze fell away from Mei's thoughts. Her vision cleared, and the angel stayed.

"... Amshla?"

Angela Ziegler frowned and tucked a stray hair behind Mei's ear. "I see your mouth is still numb. It's me, Mei. Angela. How do you feel?"

Mei took a moment to run her tongue over her parched lips, and spoke in a rasp. "I think I died."

Angela sighed and shook her head. "Not quite, and thank goodness. We got here just in time."

More memories made themselves known, now slashing in sudden flashes to the forefront of her mind. It must have shown on her face, because Angela's expression turned sorrowful.

"It… we were too late for the others, Mei. If there were anything at all I could do for them, I would do it. I'm sorry."

The news settled in with a dull sort of finality. She'd known, of course. Every single day, she'd visited, and one by one she'd seen their heart-rate monitors go flat.

"... How… long?" Mei tried to clear her throat, failed, and Angela passed her a bottle of warm water.

"Take it slow. Are you sure you want to know right now, Mei? It… may be best if you wait to catch up until you're somewhere more comfortable."

The first sip burned on its way down, but the second and third were blissful. "Please, Angela."

"... Three years. If we could have come sooner, if we'd only known we would have found a way, Mei you have to believe me-!"

"Angela, Angela." Mei raised a trembling hand and pressed it to Angela's cheek. "I have never known you to do less than everything you could. I--I'll need some time, though. Three years…"

Angela nodded and wiped her eyes. "Let's get you home, Dr. Zhou."

For the whole flight back, Angela kept a hand on her. The transport was well-heated, the flight was smooth, and the droning of the engines soon lulled her to slumber.

Mei was warm, and comfortable, and dreamed of an angel.

It was on a quiet day, one of very few that they'd had since the recall, that Mei found Angela in her room for once. She was still hunched over her desk and working on something, but then that was par for the course.

"Angela?"

A few keystrokes later, she turned in her chair. "Ah, Mei. Are you adjusting well enough?"

Mei fidgeted. "Well enough, I guess. It's hard not to feel like a stranger everywhere I go."

"The world has changed quite a lot in the last few years. You still have us, though." She stood from her desk and clicked on an electric kettle. "And you certainly still have me."

"That certainly helps. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without you." A shade of pink tinted her cheeks. "That's, ah, part of what I wanted to talk about, Angela."

Angela blinked in surprise, watching Mei as she prepared two cups for tea. "Is something wrong?"

Mei laughed, but the sound was nervous and strained. "I don't know yet. I have to say some things, though, and I hope you don't mind hearing them."

Angela nodded, and silently passed her a steaming mug.

"After what happened, I keep thinking about how much time was… stolen from me."

Mei laughed again, but the sound wasn't any happier this time.

"And there was never enough time, even before. Not enough for too many important things, and I'm done letting things fall through the cracks. I'm making time."

Angela took a sip of her tea and nodded encouragingly.

"I-I've always admired you, but… I think I have to admit it's more than that. To you, and to myself."

She shrugged and smiled helplessly. "I'm very fond of you, Angela. I love you, and I'm done waiting for the perfect time to say it."

Angela set down her tea. "I haven't feared death in a long time. Knowing it can simply be undone, treated just like any other condition… well, it takes the sting out somewhat, yes?"

She took Mei's tea, too, and set it beside her own.

"When we found you in that damned pod… I was terrified, Mei. I'd just found you again after three years thinking you were dead! That there was any chance I might have found you only to lose you all over again was… horrifying. I seldom fear death, but in my bones I feared yours."

Mei took a step closer to her and held out a hand. Angela took it.

"I suppose all this beating around the bush is just to say--I am very fond of you as well. I want you safe, I want you near, and I am glad you feel the same."

Mei's free hand came to rest against her cheek, arm and gentle. "Mei I kiss you, Angela?"

Angela chuckled, even as she leaned down to meet Mei's lips. "Simply incorrigible. And yes, you Mei."