#me and my basket full of 'weeds' are like

[felassan]

[whillowed]

seeing ur actual for realsies best friend for the first time in 4 years is like coming home wtaf

[https-florals]

daydreamin' and i'm thinking of you - j.m.

summary: jj returns from a day of surfing and devotes his night to you and a lil bit of weed.

word count: 2.3k

warnings: smoking weed, a lil suggestive, but mostly super fluffy and full of sweetness

author's note: back from the dead pookies!!! i just wanna say how incredibly grateful that none of yall have come for my wishy-washy ass! this year has been vcery hectic and rough, and i am so thankful y'all have let me be MIA. here's this little blurb smooch ily (i was too scared to flesh out the smut at the end IM SORRY ITS BEEN A WHILE)

JJ smells like a perfect, heady blend of sunscreen and salt when he and the boys get back from surfing. You’re waiting on the porch like a little 1950’s wife, and he runs up and hugs you as soon as he gets out of the Twinkie, acting like its been months since he’s seen you instead of a few hours.

“J!” You’re giggling as he swings you around, smacking loud kisses all over your face and neck. 

“Missed ya, pretty girl,” he murmurs into your neck.

John B slaps JJ’s back, surprising him so he lets go of you. “You literally just saw each other.” 

JJ’s jaw drops, hand over his heart like he’s been deeply wounded. “You’re just mad your woman isn’t out here to greet you,” he counters, squeezing your side and giving John B a sympathetic look.

“Wrong!’ Sarah says as she pushes open the screen door, giving her boyfriend an enthusiastic kiss on the cheek. 

John B grins back at JJ, and follows Sarah back inside. 

“You still up for that boat date later?” you ask, fingers intertwining with his.

You swear his eyes sparkle. “Um, duh!” 

A few hours later, the sun is sinking into the horizon, sky turning the prettiest pink and orange. You are toting a basket full of picnic supplies: a tupperware full of elote salad, another with some grilled chicken, a speaker, and of course, a little cellophane baggie and some rolling papers. JJ’s job is to carry the fishing poles and bait (raw hot-dogs because why would he spend money on crickets when there’s hot dogs in the fridge?), and the six-pack of mini Dr. Peppers you’ll split (JJ will inevitably drink two of your three). 

“Where are you going?” You hear someone call from inside the house, but both of you act like you can’t hear it. 

HMS Pogue is sitting pretty at the end of the dock, and you practically skip onto it. The rev of the engine is like the call of an old friend, thrumming through you, bare feet on the deck.

You sit cross legged at the bow while JJ drives, your hair flowing behind you. The spray of freshwater is perfectly refreshing. 

It’s dusk when the boat reaches a little secluded spot on the marsh, and JJ announces it. “Gorgeous,” he says, the sky purple above him. “And no one around for miles.” He plops next to you, sticking his nose in your neck and sighing. You’re sitting pretty in a bikini top and jean shorts, and he plays with the tie at your back.

You laugh and push him off, getting up to get your basket of food. He helps you unload it, mouthing a silent yes as he pulls out the sodas. Then comes the tupperware, and he sticks two spoons into the corn. “Cheers.” He holds his out.

You tap your spoon against his, and gasp in fake shock when he knocks the food of it.

“Gotta be ready, babe,” he deadpans, snatching up your bite after he eats his. “Danger is waiting at every turn.”

You shake your head and laugh, scooting the tupperware closer to yourself. “You’re so weird.”

“You love it,” He grins, and you can’t argue with that. 

After you eat, JJ pulls out the package of hotdogs and starts to prep the rods.

“There’s no way you can catch fish with those,” you question, wrinkling your nose at them. You frown, turning on the puppy-dog eyes. “Do we have to fish? I wanna smoke.”

He copies your expression and sticks his bottom lip out. “Poor bunny,” he mocks, but shoves your fishing pole in your hand all the same. “Catch a fish, I’ll roll you a joint, ‘kay?”

You sigh. “ ‘Kay,” 

He grins and plants a kiss on your forehead. “You got it, babe.” He gives you a chunk of hotdog and you slip it onto the hook. JJ comes up behind you to guide your cast and you let him, his breath warm on the back of your neck. There’s the whir of the line, and the satisfying plop of the bobber in the water. 

“Now, we wait.” He takes the rod from you and drops it into the holder, and works on casting his own line. 

You’re bored before he even puts his down. “I have to catch a fish before we smoke?”

“Yeah, crybaby.” The two of you sit on the bow, feet dangling over the water. His ankle knocks against yours.

You let out another dramatic sigh, but you let your head fall onto his shoulder. “This is the worst part. I hate waiting.”

JJ laughs. “Yeah, honey. I am well aware.” He pokes your side, and you yelp dramatically. Reaching over you, he pulls the speaker out of your basket, and turns it on. You watch as he connects to it and goes through his spotify, thumb skimming over the screen as he looks through his playlists. JJ clicks on one of your collaborative playlists, titled “songs for slow dancing.”

He stands up, reaching out to pull you up as the hauntingly pretty piano intro for Aretha Franklin’s Daydreaming begins to play. “Wanna kill some time?”

You smile, and let him pull you into him. You think you could slow dance with him until you dropped dead, until you collapsed into each other and turned into intertwined fossils. Maybe that kind of thing is a little too poetic for the two of you, but you don’t really care. He starts to sing along, and you press your ear to his chest to hear his voice thrum through his chest.

daydreaming and i’m thinking of you, daydreaming and i’m thinking of you…

One of his hands splays on the small of your back, fingertips sneaked under the waist of your shorts, callused and all too soft. The other one is holding yours as you sway back and forth to the beat.He twirls you out fast, and back into his grip, your back to his chest as he squeezes you.

No one would ever know it, but JJ absolutely loves to dance. A little after you started dating, you dragged him to some swing dancing classes at the community center, and expected plenty of pushback, but you were met with absolutely none. The two of you fell in love stepping on each others toes and falling all over each other. It’s always a fun party trick to pull out at the fancier parties. He’s always wanting to dance with you, whether it’s learning how to shag in the living room late at night, or spinning you around on the boat.

He stops you mid-step, asking, “Can we try the dirty-dancing jump?”

The dirty-dancing jump has only been successfully executed by the two of you once. All other times have ended in someone being injured (usually JJ). Your jaw drops open, and you lightly shove him. “Absolutely not! You wanna fall off the boat?”

He gives you the biggest eyeroll, but immediately switches to puppy dog eyes when you cross your arms. “Just like, a lift? Pleaseeeee,” he drags out, taking your hands and acting like he’s going limp. 

“Fine! But if you drop me in this water, I’m actually going to have serious beef with you, Maybank.”

He laughs, maybe an itty-bit manaically, and grabs your waist. “Okay, I’m gonna count you off, and you’ll jump, ‘kay? So, one, two, three-”

You hear your fishing rod rattle in its holder and jump away from him. “My line!” Scrambling after it, you grab the pole right as it looks like it’s going to leap out of its holster.

“Get it babe!” JJ practically shouts, darting behind you and placing his arms around yours to give you a little support. 

The whir of the line rushing out makes you jump, and you hurry to start reeling it back in, furiously turning the handle. JJ’s mouth is by your ear as you lean into him and he talks you up as you fight the fish. “Come on, baby, you got it. Keep going, keep going, you almost got it!”

He’s pulling half the weight, you know that, but you don’t mind the help when you can watch the cords in his forearms tense and pull.

Finally, the line leaps out of the water, and soon a big scaly body is flopping on the deck of the boat. “Atta girl!” JJ shouts as you snatch it up by the lure, holding it up proudly. It’s pretty heavy, probably a little over 14 pounds. 

“Look at that, baby! Got yourself a bluefish.” JJ is smiling so proudly as he fishes out his phone, and makes you pose for a picture like one of those Tinder frat guys. The flash is harsh and you know you look crazy, but he grins at the picture all the same.

“Can you throw him back in? He’s too pretty to eat,” you ask as he messes with something on his phone. You’re still holding the fish as you try to lean over and see what he’s doing.

“Here, yeah.” He drops his phone on the boat deck and takes the fish from you to fling back in. When you look at his phone, you see your face staring back up at you from his lockscreen. It was some picture of the two of you from a party, but now it’s you and your fish. He immediately changed his wallpaper after he took the picture. In your opinion, it’s definitely not a knockout photo, but you almost tear up at the sweetness of it.  

“You looked cute,” JJ shrugs, seeing you looking at it. 

You just smile, shaking your head, and lean against him. “Can we get high now?”

“Damn, you waste no time, huh?”

Soon, your fishing rods forgotten, you’re watching JJ roll you a joint to share. His fingers dance along the rolling paper, tucking and smoothing all gentle. He’s mesmerizing. When his tongue darts out to wet the paper, you swear you start salivating.

He catches you staring, hitting you with that heartbreaker grin again. “Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”

“Shut up and light up,” you sigh, reaching for the blunt in his hands. 

“Can’t light up if you don’t hand me my lighter,” JJ frowns, expression sarcastic. He puts his hand out, waiting.

You reach into your basket and pull it out, smiling when you see it. A few months ago, you had decided to buy JJ a custom lighter. You got him one off Etsy, a cheap Bic lighter with your face printed on the plastic. Of course, the image didn’t translate correctly, so the picture is heavily distorted, your smile big and wide and eyes even bigger. 

It’s probably his favorite possession. 

He lights the joint, letting it smoke for a second before raising it to his lips.

“Hey,” you whine, reaching for his hand. 

“So needy,” he chides, taking a hit, gripping you by your neck, and blowing the smoke into your open mouth. Your breath hitches as you try your best to inhale, try to not think about his lips just ghosting over yours, his calloused fingers hard on the sides of your neck.

“Good girl,” he exhales as you successfully breathe in without hacking up your lungs.

The frogs are peeping and the wind is slow and soft, pushing the smoke around the two of you and enveloping you in it. You’re talking mindlessly as the joint passes between you, staring at the way moonlight shines through JJ’s hair, turning it platinum. His irises catch the light just right- bright, icy blue. 

You’re sitting cross-legged, knees knocking with his. All you can think about his how much you love your boyfriend, even with the edges of your mind soft and your senses fuzzy. JJ takes your hand, pressing the pads of your fingertips against his. 

“It’s like I can feel your fingerprints,” he comments, fingertips lightly rubbing yours. He pulls your hand as he leans back, so you’re both on your back, looking at the stars.

“It’s so pretty,” you whisper in awe. With absolutely zero light pollution, the sky is a myriad of deep black and blue hues and so, so many stars. You’d decompose while trying to count them all. You snuggle up against J as he takes a final hit. From your perspective, the rising smoke almost looks like it’s weaving through the stars, netting around them and sparkling right above your head. JJ tosses the remnant of the joint into your grocery bag of trash. 

“C’mere,” he sighs, propping himself up and running a hand down your torso. When he kisses you, he tastes like smoke and sweat, and a wave of heat rushes through you just from the taste. You’re pulling him on top of you by the loops of his cargo shorts, pressing yourself against the firm plane of his abdomen.

“God, you’re needy,” he laughs, pinning your hips down with a heavy hand. 

“You made me this way,” you squirm, and it’s true. He’s too generous with his touches and too sugary with his words, and you chase him like he’s a hit of the purest cocaine. 

He shifts on top of you, a knee between your thighs just like you like it. He presses his knee up just to see you gasp and grind down on him. JJ’s laugh is a little mean as snaps the waistband of your shorts. “Okay, honey, what do you want?”

There’s no shame in your voice as you blurt out, “Fuck me.” You’re whining out a plea before he can even answer, with no care that you’re out in the open… no care that the cops patrol at night.

JJ fakes shock, but the hardness of him against you gives him away. “You wanna get fucked, huh. Out in the open?”

“Don’t act like this wasn’t your whole plan, smartass,” you counter as he pins your hands down right above your head. 

He just laughs in response. “Dirty, dirty, dirty,” he tuts rebukingly, but he’s pulling apart the tie of your swimsuit top all the same.

as always, likes, comments, and reblogs are greatly appreciated!!

[literary-motif]

Hiiii!~ :DD I just can't believe no one has asked for this yet, but ISAAC AND PICKLE GARDENING TOGETHER!! <333 I think they would be just ADORABLE!! Maybe both of them will have a little picnic together near the lake... (I think Saku mentioned that he owned one...) Pickle making a flower crown for Isaac :33 And Isaac reminiscing about his mother!

Enjoy The Silence

Isaac Rhoades x Reader

Warnings: grief

Isaac was a little nervous. He was very nervous, actually. 

There was a strikingly clear reason why he always hired a gardener. There were two reasons, buried in the ground under the little blue flowers that grew by the headstones. 

Why he had agreed to this, he did not know. The thought of having you in the garden — the garden, the one where he had lost half his heart and the majority of his years alive — made his stomach clench in painful knots. It made him anxious, threatening to pull him into the very depths of a panic attack because only the possibility of losing you to a shot fired from the trees beyond made his eyes tear up as a painful lump formed in his throat.

You had asked him for it, though. You had suggested tending to the delicate blue flowers together — with your eyes glinting in compassion, begging him to allow you this grand gesture of affection that would ease his pain like the first time you had visited their graves together. 

His blood had frozen. The firm, absolute, and forever unchanging ‘no’ stuck on his tongue as he took in your expression of gentle hope. 

I can’t live my life trapped in this house, Isaac. I can’t, no matter how much I love you. 

He swallowed thickly and conceded. 

You had been so happy, turning the whole day into a little event to ease his mind from the heaviness of tending to the flowers growing on his family’s graves. There was a picnic basket, complete with a blanket, standing by in the kitchen for when you were done. The very idea of sitting outside — waiting like sitting ducks to be shot — made him shudder. 

He dreaded this day. He hated that he did. 

“Ready?” you asked, smiling brightly at him as you pulled on gloves for gardening. You had had many occasions to demonstrate your varying skill with plants, although you supposed ridding the flowers of weeds and trimming the bush a little was different from tending to houseplants. 

He stood staring at the front door, trying to hide the shaking of his hands. 

“Isaac?”

“Do we have to?” he whispered, the vulnerability seeping into his tone wiping the smile from your face. He sounded close to tears. “Do we have to? I— I’m so scared something might— might—”

You pulled off the gloves, letting them fall to the ground. “Hey, look at me,” you said, resting a hand on his cheek. Isaac turned to face you, his eyes gleaming with unshed tears of fear and, you supposed knowing him, shame as well. “We don’t have to do anything if it hurts you this much, sweetheart.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, leaning into your touch. “What if I can’t?” he croaked, tears escaping his eyes. “What if I’m never ready? What if this always happens? What if I can’t keep it together at the thought of us going outside? I— I don’t want to lose you. I can’t—”

“Isaac, look at me,” you requested, raising your other hand to his cheek as well. Your fingers played with the strands of hair at his temples, thumbs wiping away the tears trailing down his cheeks. When he slowly opened his eyes, searching your gaze with eyes full of sorrow, you continued, “It’s alright if you’re not ready. It’s okay. Overcoming trauma is hard, I get that — I know that. Healing takes a lot of time, love. The important thing is that you try, and I know you do. You’re so brave every day for me, love, and I will never leave you because of this. Alright? Never, Isaac. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, I know you are doing your best.”

“My best is not enough sometimes,” he admitted quietly, the words tasting like defeat. 

“Don’t even think that!”

“But it’s true! Look at me,” he cried, stepping away from your soft touch to bury his face in his hands. “I can’t even keep my word because I’m so scared. I— the fear feels like it’s eating me up, gnawing away and keeping me paralyzed. I’m forever stuck in this— this house because they are outside and I can’t— I can’t tear myself away and nowhere else is safe.”

Your heart shattered. “Come here,” you said, keeping your voice airily light. It cut through the spiral of his thoughts like a knife, and he crashed into your open arms as if they were his lifeline. You held onto him tightly, running your fingers through his hair in a gesture you knew helped him calm down. “Small steps, Isaac. Yeah?”

“Steps?” he asked incredulously, his voice muffled against the fabric of your shirt. “I’ve been immobile for years!”

“That’s not true, love. These things take time,” you said, listening to his breathing slowly even out. The tears stopped, although the patch of wetness on your shoulder would remain a moment longer. 

Isaac slowly raised his head, wiping at his eyes. “Sorry,” he said, his voice strained. He hesitated before retrieving his phone and checking the CCTV. “Just give me a moment, yeah?”

You blinked in surprise. “A moment for what?” you asked, already knowing the answer. 

“A moment to make sure nobody is there to— to hurt us. I checked already, but I want to make sure again before we go out.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, Pickle.”

“I don’t want to push you, Isaac. Maybe it’s best if we put this off—”

“No! I need to do this,” he said, his tone firm despite the tremor in his voice. “I need to! I can’t stand this anymore. I need to face this. I— I don’t feel ready, but— but I want to.” His eyes roamed over the footage, analyzing every rustling of leaves, checking for anything out of the ordinary. There was nothing. Isaac swallowed, closing his eyes to compose himself before plunging into his deepest fear. “You’ll stay by my side, yes?” 

Your gaze softened. “Of course,” you said, taking his hand and squeezing it reassuringly. “I promise.”

He bent down, picking up your gloves. “Alright,” he breathed, waiting for you to reappear at his side with the picnic basket and gardening tools in hand. “Alright, alright.” His hand hovered above the doorknob.

I want you to know your parents would have been proud of the man you have become, little one.

There was no big event. There was no gunshot — thank god. There was no sound out of the ordinary.

The birds continued chirping. The sun, although occasionally hidden behind a cloud, did not change color. Nothing changed at all as you both stepped outside. Isaac was weary, his eyes darting across the garden in search of something. He barely realized that he was outside at all, that he did it, with your hand tightly clasped in his while his other rested on the gun he couldn’t feel safe without.

“They don’t look so bad. I think a little trimming on the sides is all they need. Look, there are barely any weeds.”

Isaac looked down. After all these years, reading the names on the headstones still knocked the breath out of him. It was also the instance in which he realized — fully and without argument — that he was outside with the love of his life. The realization made him squeeze your hand harder, the feeling of having something incredibly valuable in a place where they were not safe was nearly enough to plunge him into a panic again. 

But he had also faced his fear. He had kept his word, well, half of it. The first step was done, now he only needed to follow the path. 

“You alright?”

He thought for a moment. “Yes,” he replied, surprised that he meant it despite his heart racing. “Do you want to trim or free them from the weeds?”

Gardening was surprisingly relaxing. You were carefully ridding the beautiful bush of flowers from its outreaching branches while Isaac plucked at the weeds growing beneath it on his knees. The conversation turned light, and for the first time in a decade, he forgot the overwhelming fear that came with being beneath a clear sky and allowed himself to chuckle fondly at something you said. 

He paused, practically feeling the flower petals glow with happiness. 

Yes, mom. I miss you too. It hurts every day that you’re not here — I miss you so much it burns a hole in my chest when I breathe. It has gotten easier with them. I love them, and I wish more than anything that you could have met the person who fills the void in my chest with love. I miss you every day. Tell Dad I miss him too and give Grandpa a big hug. I think I missed my chance when he was still here. I love you, take care.

“Isaac?”

He had not even realized that he was crying. Silent tears streamed down his cheeks in rivers that felt like they would never end. His hands were balled into fists, clutching at the earth beneath the flower bush, reminiscent of the time you had prompted him to talk to them for the first time. 

God, it still hurt so much. Why did it still hurt so much?

“I’m fine,” he said, wiping at his eyes. It was useless, the tears would not stop falling. “I— I haven’t— the flowers and— I miss them. I miss them so much.”

You knelt beside him, gathering him into your arms again. Isaac slumped against your side, his blurry vision rising towards the headstones with the names of his family. The sight made his lower lip wobble, the feeling of drowning in his grief and sorrow overwhelming. He thought he would have if you had not been there to hold him together. 

There was a reason he had never allowed himself to feel the extent of his pain when he was alone. He could not have born it. The misery and grief of his life would have crushed him, leaving him untethered in an unforgiving world with people who relied on him, expecting him to carry on his grandfather’s legacy like he had promised he would. 

He had never allowed himself to feel the extent of his loss, and now that he knew he could — no need to hide from it behind whiskey glasses and ceiling-high towers of paper — it devoured him whole. He let it because he knew you were there to anchor him.

The flowers were done, and once the sun had begun its descent and noon turned into late evening, you found yourself spread out on the picnic blanket by the lake, plucking the daisies with the longest stems as Isaac’s head rested on your thigh. 

He was eating one of the chocolate muffins you had baked, his tears long since dried. There was a slight downturn to his lips, betraying his somber thoughts despite the peaceful scenery around you. 

“She hated baking,” he admitted quietly. 

You halted your weaving, glancing at him. Instead of the bleak, sorrowful expression you had been expecting, there was a fond smile on his face. 

“I used to make cookies with my father. We would— we would spend hours decorating them with icing and putting little designs on them. My mother liked cooking. She— she tried teaching me, but I wasn’t very interested. I mean, I was a kid. I preferred baking, but— You know, I wish I would have listened to her more. I wish I— I had appreciated them all more and now—” he broke off with a sigh, the fond memory charing at the edges as he was reminded of the harsh reality that they were gone. He would never again roll out dough with his father, or listen to his mother’s gentle instructions on how to make the perfect Goya.

You finished the flower crown, turning it around in your hands before placing it on Isaac’s head gently. He looked up at you, the expression of melancholy fading as he gave you a sweet smile. 

“We’ll make the most of our time as well, love.”

[munsonsduchess]

Monster Smash

summary: you meet eddie at a house party and the night takes an unexpected turn warnings: underage drinking, recreational drug use (weed), face sitting, oral (f receiving), semi public sex (eddie and the reader are in a room at a frat house during a party) w/c: 977 a/n: surprise bitch! another halloween fic! honestly with the amount of ghostface content on tiktok these days it was kind of inevitable we'd end up here, i was originally just going to post the other halloween fic but this one wouldn't leave me alone

It was Halloween and you were having the worst time. You didn’t know anyone at this party your roommate had dragged you to, citing that you needed to get out more, the drinks were shit, the music was shit, honestly you were tempted to just sneak out the back door of this frat house and claim you’d met somebody if your roommate asked the next day. 

You sighed and took another drink from your lukewarm beer and pulled at the hem of the black dress you were wearing. Usually you didn’t feel self conscious in the things you picked for yourself but being, less petite, than some of your peers and wearing something your roommate had picked out so you could both wear matching costumes (you got to be the bad witch) in a room full of obnoxious frat bros made you feel slightly … less confident than normal. 

You were about to cut and run when a guy appeared in front of you wearing a Ghostface Costume,

“What’s your favourite scary movie?”

“The Exorcist, 1973. A masterpiece in horror cinema” you responded without thinking. You hadn’t actually expected anyone to talk to you, after being basically ignored all night

“That’s, yeah that’s a really good pick” the guy pulled his mask off and you found yourself looking into the face of the local weed guy, Eddie Munson. 

Everyone you knew, yourself included, bought their weed from Eddie. His stuff was guaranteed to be the best and not laced with anything it shouldn’t be,

“It’s the line from the homeless guy in the subway ‘can you help an old altar boy father’ and then later on when they’re in Regan’s bedroom and she says the same thing in the same voice. Chills. Literal chills” 

“Such a good movie. They don’t make movies like that anymore, y’know? Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Rosemary’s Baby” 

“Have you seen X? Or Pearl? They have the same kinda vibes but are totally modern movies” 

“I’ve seen X. Massive Texas Chainsaw vibes” 

“Right!” 

You ended up finding a quiet corner with Eddie where the two of you could talk about horror movies for the rest of the evening. You’d honestly never really found anyone who loved horror the way you did so it was amazing to be able to vibe with someone like this. 

⊱ ────── {.⋅ 👻 ⋅.} ───── ⊰

The party raged on into the wee hours and by now both you and Eddie were feeling the effects of the beer and few joints you’d shared. You were feeling pleasantly buzzed and enjoying the attention of an attractive man, even if it wouldn’t go anywhere. 

“It’s so cool that you’re into horror, most people get freaked out or maybe enjoy those like conjuring movies”

“Ugh. The Warrens are the absolute worst, by all accounts they just scam people and then use their stories to write books and make more money” you gestured widely around the room, “how fucked is that?”

“Totally fucked” Eddie agreed 

“You know I almost didn’t come tonight but my roommate kinda forced me to” 

“Remind me to send your roommate a fruit basket or something as thanks then” Eddie said, “cause this is definitely a way better night than I thought it was gonna be”

“It’s so cool to meet a friend tonight” you agreed, “but aren’t you like ‘working’ the party?” 

Eddie laughed and you had to admit you loved the sound. You wondered if he would want to still be friends after the party was over,

“You’re cute. I mean sure it’s great talking like this but honestly, I saw you standing on your own and seriously couldn’t understand why cause just the sight of you in that dress had all the blood in my body run south. I mean, the fact that you’re awesome on top of being drop dead hot is a bonus”

Your brain short circuited for a moment and you couldn’t quite believe what you were hearing,

“So, you wanna get a room?” 

“Absolutely I do”

Eddie smirked wickedly at you before helping you off the couch and pulling you behind him to the main staircase and along a corridor to an empty room. 

⊱ ────── {.⋅ 👻 ⋅.} ───── ⊰

“Sit on my face, come on” Eddie grinned at you, taking one of your hands and pulling you towards the bed. 

You followed the tug and threw one leg over the bed and balanced on your knees. Before you could even try to think about how much weight to bear down you felt Eddie grab your hips and pull you down onto his face forcefully. 

There was no way you could focus on anything but the way Eddie licked into you hungrily. His hands on your hips dug into the flesh there and you threw your head back with the intense feelings, moaning loudly. 

“Oh my god Eddie”

Beneath you Eddie made a muffled noise which you assumed was positive since he didn’t stop what he was doing for even a moment. 

You wondered briefly how he could breathe but the thought left your mind as quickly as it had arrived when Eddie’s nose brushed against your clit and you saw stars. 

Eddie continued to suck and lick you through your orgasm and the aftershocks, the oversensitivity made you want to pull away but Eddie held you firm coaxing yet another orgasm from you until your legs began to shake. Only then did he allow you to pull away and catch your breath,

“Holy shit” you panted, trying to regain some of your self control,

“That’s only the warm up act baby. It’s just you and me and no one is gonna hear you when you scream my name as loud as you want to” 

This was definitely a way better night than you’d thought it would be when your roommate forced you out tonight. 

After all what was Halloween without a few screams?

[xbunnybunz]

therefore i; therefore i, therefore i- (4/10) [AM X Reader]

Summary: in which: AM becomes your lover in an increasingly skewed blur of reality, nightmares, and dreamscapes.

you know. for halloween.

Genre: Psychological Horror, Thriller, Romance

dream journal # 18

I dreamt I was between the land and the sea.

The tides on the beach had pulled weakly at my ankles. It sputtered and coughed, ill, regurgitating pieces of itself at my feet. Coral, weeds, foam, pieces of glass, and brittle shells.

I brought myself down onto my knees, drenched in the filth of the sea. It was no filthier than I, who had come to cleanse myself.

Taking two hands, I scooped up the brine, grey and green and full of particulates in the shimmering starry sky, and brought it to my lips.

Upon drinking, my body seized violently and rejected the fluid. My stomach expelled its dark inky contents in a great heave. In the shimmer of the water, the murk was clear. It swirled and pooled like black iridescent oil, forming first a hand, then an arm, a torso, legs and a head. It reached out to me.

Snatched my neck suddenly, and pulled me under.

As I sunk, it embraced me, warm compared to the bitter bite of the cold sea. I realized with candor, as I watched the rippling surface drift from me, that the dark sky was hollow. Somehow, I always knew I would disappear on a moonless night.

---

You awoke before what you thought was the pond.

You had shocked yourself awake with the feeling of cold water rushing past your palms. Though you were relieved to find you were not sitting in the pond, less fortunately, you had discovered there was water pooling from somewhere, wetting your toes and seeping dark into the grout of your bathroom.

You scramble from the water like a cat, breathing growing heavier. You shake your hands free of the cold. Were you still dreaming?

A blue tinge catches your eye and you wrench yourself around. 

Throw a glance out the door, towards the alcove. Nothing. 

Recall yesterday, when you had dreamt you were awake but weren’t. You reach two fingers up to your leg and pinch harshly. You wince at the pain but do not awaken.

And where was this water coming from, then? And why?

You stumble over to the lights. When it flickers to life overhead, you cuss and immediately fumble for a towel to drop on the floor.

Birds sing, or a computer hums to life in the other room, the sound either way like laughter carrying long into the rest of your hollow home. You ignore it. 

In your sleep, you had turned the faucets on both the sink and the tub. The water had overfilled both in time and now pooled onto the floor, undoubtedly seeping into the cracks and dripping to the apartment below as well.

You clumsily slosh through the water and fumble the knobs closed, dully noting with relief that, at the very least, it hadn’t been hot water you were wasting.

When the water stops running, you also stop hearing the sound of the computer whirring in your ears. You sink into the space between the laundry basket and the tub. The water on the floor latches heavily onto your clothes but you can barely care. 

Watching things drain was always haunting. A black blind stomach opening, sucking in all indiscriminately, regardless of how putrid, gurgling with hunger. The water was clear today, but the final spittles of water bubbling down made you ill regardless.

The towel you had thrown desperately on the floor only sat limp and soggy now, an inch below the surface of the water.

You think of adding a lock to the bathroom. You think maybe a lock on the sink and tub handles would work better. Or maybe, just maybe, you think maybe you needed help. More help. 

Then you laugh and pick up the towel. It’s heavy in your hands. You fling it into the tub and curl up, bury your heads in your arms for a while. 

The rest of the morning is composed of wringing out a series of heavy towels free of water over the tub. When you’re finished, you’re soaked from head to toe in water and sweat. You strip off your clothes and let your shirt and pants fall onto the floor. Peel off your underwear and kick it into a corner. 

You stand and watch yourself dry in the mirror, the sweat clinging to your hair and sticking strands to your face, the gleam of a sheer wetness on your skin, the shine moving down your pubic bone. A red light blinks from the hallway from the fire alarm and it reminds you of a camcorder, like the little blinking red light next to an active webcam. When you pass the window on your way to your room, you spot the outline of the pond from where you stand and you want to swim. So you do. 

---

The beach is warmer than you thought it’d be, sand warmed from the morning sun. You flex your toes in the grain and sink half an inch deeper into the ground. Your sneakers swing by their laces in your left hand.

There are one or two dogs running up and down the shoreline, splashing water on teens wading nearby, probably cutting school, and they yelp and laugh. Even on the shore, your breath was coming out in mist, you were sure the water was freezing.

Still, it didn’t stop a group of people five or six people from congealing on the beach like a tumor, all wearing latex swimsuits and goggles. You watch them from afar, taking in the way they shook out their limbs as if they were about to do something olympian.

–Hey!

One of them waved at you.

You’re unsure of what to do, but you wave back anyway. 

–Hi.

They beckon you over.

The one who speaks to you first is a woman with brunette hair peeking out from under her swimcap. Her eyes are obscured by the goggles she has suctioned onto them.

– Are you here for the cold water swimming?

You think for a moment. Well, it wasn’t like there was cold water here. So you guessed so. You tell her that and she and the others laugh. One of them claps your shoulder and welcomes you, asks if you need to borrow a swimsuit.

–It’s warmer that way, you know, where it’s important.

–Josh, that’s like, so gross of you to say! 

–My bad, just being honest to the newbie.

–You’re a newbie?

–Can’t you tell from the outfit?

They all stop to watch you now, and you fiddle uncomfortably with the hem of your tee under their sudden scrutiny. 

–I usually wear things like this when I’m in the water, you offer. 

And you think about the times you’ve ended up in the pond in a tee shirt and flannel, or shorts and a tank top. It never mattered what you wore. You always awoke half-frozen regardless.

The swimmers, hands on their hips, look at each other and shrug.

–Sounds like you know what you’re doing.

And that’s how you join this group into the dark and untemperate water, splashing past the dogs and the teens and the elderly couples walking by the licking tide.

The water cuts into your system the moment the cold makes contact and it’s all a relief to you: the heaviness of your limbs, the loft of your clothes, and the fog in your mind icing over to slow your thinking.

You’re about chest-deep in the salty ice water before you kick off and dive deeper, towards the horizon. Your body feels weightless, like it is no longer your responsibility. You close your eyes and breathe deep before diving once again.

The pond in the community square is about the same temperature, only a smidge cooler. You thought it may be a filtration system to discourage bacterial growth, but you never dove deep enough to find out whether the filter actually existed. 

You emerge again for air and turn over on your back, allowing the water to hold you up passively. You wished the world worked like this always. You were always so tired, so incapable of working up the strength to struggle against the tide. 

You close your eyes as you drift. The water stays moving, stays cold and sharp on your senses as a blade. But you learn to accept it. The blade dulls and so do your senses. 

Your phone rings. You startle and break formation, sinking a little, realizing only now how the conversation with the other swimmers had distracted you from removing it from your pocket.

Your phone was waterproof despite there being warnings against complete submersion. You drop below the water a little as you fumble your phone out of your pocket, careful not to drop it, then swipe at the answer call button. 

The voice on the other end doesn’t speak, or at least not audibly. All that comes out is a fizzle of static. 

— Hello? You ask. Hello?

—Hello, the voice is chopped with interference and spurts of crackling. Hello. 

—Who is this? You ask. Your voice carries far into the open water. It’s strange how the ocean never echoes back at you. 

—A—EEE—. static breaks into their voice again, splitting into fragmented frequencies. 

You pull your phone away from your face and look at the caller ID. The screen won’t turn on. 

—Wake— SSSSSSsss—Wake—

—Who is this?

—Do not– CHHH– Drown— Sssssssssssss—CHHHHH— drown—

You sink over and over again while holding the phone up to your ear. A slosh of cold saltwater pours into your mouth as you turn upright and begin to kick languidly, the cold turning your extremities leaden. 

—Drown—SSSSS. Drown— My darling–

—AM?

A series of clicks answers you and then it dies immediately. A dial tone shorting and clipping in odd places takes over. 

Unnerved, you blindly press at where the end call button would be just in case and spit out another mouthful of water. When you start to paddle back to shore, you feel dread open a hollowness in your gut. You are much, much further out than you anticipated on being. 

The ocean laid wide and blue before you, waves catching the rays of light.

The dogs and the elderly were barely in sight. You weren’t even sure if the teenagers were there anymore. Other swimmers were specks in the water. Surely they would notice you were gone, right? It was only a small group. You were part of them, even for a little while, you were. 

Yet no one came to your rescue. 

You tuck your phone back in your pocket and dive again towards the shore to no avail. You reeemerge in the same spot each time you try, water pushing you out. 

The distance between the shore and your shivering body felt numbing. How long had you been out here? Why hadn’t anyone come for you? Why hadn’t you noticed how far you drifted from everyone else?

These questions bubble up as a heat behind your eyes, but you don’t allow yourself to cry. Instead you gather yourself, keep calm. Swim parallel to the shoreline and wait for the tide to stop pulling you further away. 

Maybe it takes a few minutes. Maybe an hour, maybe half the day. But eventually you are back on the shore, shivering, heart hammering, exhausted. The other swimmers are packing up their gear and talking about their individual swims. 

—Hey! How was it? The brunette from earlier asks you. She pulls the swimsuit from out her ass. You look worn. She says.  That’s always sign of a good swim. 

— …Yeah. You want to laugh. You want to tell her you almost died, how you almost disappeared and no one would have noticed, on the beach or otherwise. But you do not. It was nice. 

— Great! See you sometime next week then? She pulls out her hand, red and wrinkled from the chilly beach water, and offers a handshake. You take it stiffly. What’s your phone number? We all like to stay in touch. 

You give her your phone number and she promises to add you to a group chat. You think you should feel excited but you can’t muster it. 

Then they’re gone. You check your phone again, as if they’d already texted you. It won’t power on, so you make your way back home in silence. 

---

That night, AM does not appear. You sit in front of the computer for hours, waiting for the whirr of a fan, the tingle of static electricity, the nudging of wires underfoot. 

Your phone is on the charger next to you but it hasn’t turned on since you got back. You try it again and again and every time is the same black screen, the same harrowing expression staring you down in the reflection. 

You feel freezing. Your nose is running and your body cannot stop shaking. You couldn’t work up the nerve to get into the tub after you got home, so you trudged to the alcove with three blankets and the heat cranked up. You shiver still. Shiver day in and out. 

The sun rose and fell. The moon came and faded in and out between lacelettes of clouds and fog. 

And still he does not appear. Still no one comes. 

[theunstuffedpepper]

Doing some major gardening over here this past week! In addition to the railing and hanging baskets that I enjoyed putting together last year, I also took the time to weed the front garden bed (which had never been planted by us since owning the house). I pinned down some gardening fabric after weeding and aerating the soil, and then planted what I truly hope are deer resistant plants — some dahlias, lemon coral sedum, and some celosia I had leftover from the baskets. I have a feeling they’ll eat the celosia, but time will tell.

I went on my first guided birding trip recently and it was amaaaaazing. It was just me, the van driver (my age), and the guide and two other ladies who all were in their 60s. It was fab. The guide has been birding for 50 years and I was soaking up ALL the knowledge. I added a ton of new birds to my life list — 8 types of warblers plus a few scarlet tanagers, ovenbird, grosbeak, a redstart, veery, red eyed vireo, common yellowthroat, eastern towhee and an osprey. We tried our damndest to see the blackburnian and golden winged warblers that we could hear, but didn’t catch a glimpse. So fun. Consider me hooked.

My back pain has seriously ramped up lately, so much so that I’ve made an appointment with a physical therapist for next week. Something’s gotta give. I’m doing stretches and whatnot on my own, but I need some help at this point. I can’t wait.

The nature school season is almost done and we toured a Montessori preschool yesterday. The teacher loved Holden and thought he would be a great fit. I’m so relieved because apparently I waited too long to start looking for preschools (why are the waiting lists so long?!). We secured ourselves a spot there, so he’ll attend their 4-week summer camp in June/July and then start for the school year in September.

All is more or less well over here, just chugging along with work. My MIL has officially retired and so far, so good with her helping with child care on a more full time basis. I’m very cautiously optimistic. Very cautiously, but still. I’ll take it.

Bring on this warm summer-like weather with all the gardening and birding and poolside days we can fit in. 🐦‍⬛

[redrose212]

Honest Answer Eddie Munson

Summary: Your best friend Steve Harrington has a party but his usual dealer is out of town, so he asks you to go to the only other dealer he trust who happens to be the person you despise. Eddie Munson. Warning: mention of drugs,swearing,mention of drink there are gonna be 2 parts. MDNI

"This school sucks" you rant to your best friend Steve, "yes it is shit, but we have my party tonight so we have something to be happy about and it's gonna be sick". he assures you while removing his books from his locker and placing them in his bag.

You and Harrington have been friends since middle school and have always been close, you too were practically brother and sister. He's always got your back though anything."yeah well i haven't even picked out a outfit i was gonna just go in jeans and red crop top but i feel its too basic, it's pretty much what i wear on a daily" you sigh walking down to the classroom taking a seat next to Steve. "Well please don't do what u did last time and turn up late after going though 20 different choices to only go decided on the first one" he said making you roll your eyes "look i'm just a girl" you place your hand over your heart you both laugh then turn to face the front. Half way though the class Eddie walks in taking the only seat left right next to you, you turn to look at Steve giving him the annoyed look he knew you hated Eddie.

You didn't always hate him,he used to be sweet,kind,understanding but he changed in the last year. You never understood why he just started been horrible,once you saw that side of him you hated him."why so late Edward Munson". The teacher spoke as she shifted her eyes away from the bored to face him, he shrugged at her question "well detention after school" she spoke turning her head back to teaching everyone in the room Eddie then flopped his head down on his desk. It's not like Eddie not to answer back normally he tries wigging his way out of it yet today he didn't "you okay dude" Steve leaned over your desk Eddie nodded his head in response Harrington sat back in his chair waiting for class to end

2 hours later

You were home trying to pick out a outfit for Steve's party you couldn't decide between the black strapless dress or the red skirt with the matching top,you was stood there trying to choose one for longer than 10 minutes till eventually you choose the black strapless dress,you matched everything up to it your hair was in curls and your makeup was a smokey eye look and you went with a leather jacket. Soon as all that was done you set off to Steve's .

Once you arrive at the party it was already full of people Cheerleaders,the Basket ball team pretty much everyone from Hawking high you weren't really expecting this many people but then again Steve was a popular guy i mean how else would he get the name the king of hawking high."hey your finally here"he rushes over to greeting you with a hug. "Yeah sorry". You shout over the music playing from each end of the room from the expensive speakers."i need a favour you know how you owe me for getting you that movie for free from the video store for your date?", he half yells at the top of the music "yeah i remember that date it went horrible he ended up having a girlfriend the dickhead" you stated, "yeah well we are running out of weed ,my dealer in out of town and the only other dealer is..." you cut him off immediately, "ABSOLUTELY NOT NO.." he stops you from reacting. "Please you know i wouldn't ask but Eddie is the only other person that sells weed cheap and he is down the road most people are drinking i have to stay here and robin is finally getting somewhere with Vicky " he pleaded. You sigh rolling your eyes back "Fucking hell fine where's the money " Steve then points to the draw and leaves you to go stop someone from breaking the vase,You then leave the party hoping in your car and beginning to drive over to the Munson's trailer in Forest Hills trailer park .

Ones you arrive you debate on just turning back and going home but you did owe your best friend a favour. So you went and knocked on the trailer and about 3 seconds later the door swings open, "oh it's you" the long haired brunette stood in front of you in no clothing but grey joggers, his body on show, exposing his tattoo's that you have never seen before, his hair soaked from the shower water. "I..I just came for Steve's weed for his party he should of told you it was me coming" you rubbed the back of you head trying to shake the view of Eddie's perfectly shaped body out your head "come in I'll grab the bag", you nod walking into the room. Your eyes circle the room it's different to what you imagined. "I want money first never know what girls like u are like" he commands, "girls like me?" baffled about what Eddie just said, "i mean girls like you would do anything for there boyfriends even steal" he replied you look at him annoyed with his response. "Whatever Eddie you really know how to be a dick" you pass him the money as he hands you the bag. "Just get out I've seen your face enough today ". So you do exactly that you step out the trailer but just before the door shuts "wait Eddie" you speak "what?" he reacted to you "why" you stutter "why do you hate me please give me a honest answer please cause i really don't know why" you add "I don.." you cut him off "don't say you don't cause it's clear you do i mean don't think i haven't heard what you say around school, so please don't lie you, just stopped talking to me you blocked my number you dogged me eds and i never knew why" you tear up as you are speaking your words the tears making you stutter, You don't know why it was happening or why it was all coming out but it did and you wanted to know the truth" he glared at you he could hear the pain in your voice he never meant to hurt you like that he never meant to hurt you at all. "i...

I'LL POST PART 2 IN A FEW DAYS

[abbyslev]

𝑰𝑺 𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑹𝑬 𝑺𝑶𝑴𝑬𝑶𝑵𝑬 𝑬𝑳𝑺𝑬- 𝑨𝑵𝑵𝑰𝑬 𝑳𝑬𝑶𝑵𝑯𝑨𝑹𝑻, 𝑺𝑨𝑺𝑯𝑨 𝑩𝑹𝑨𝑼𝑺 𝑿 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫𝑬𝑹

WARNINGS: smut towards the end! toxic relationships, cheating?, fighting, alcohol, weed. Lmk if i missed any!

A/N: THIS IS MY FIRST NSFW PLS BE NICE, and any constructive criticism will be appreciated! Needed some toxic annie in my life fr. I hope everyone enjoys this! this was finished late asf so pls excuse the bad grammar and stuff.

wc: 5.2k

It was always the same. Annie texted you, letting you know she wanted to see you and every time you fell for her lies.

It was always after her group workouts or a bad hookup. Everyone knew when someone had slept with Annie. It was hard to even talk to her in the first place, so hooking up with her was just crazy. Annie had an eye on you when your roommate, who was a teammate of Annies, invited her over for a smoke. Annie was intrigued by you the whole time. The way you sat on the couch and how your legs crossed over each other while you ate your ramen and staring down at your computer.

Annie never took you out on a date after that. She just wanted to fuck or get high. She walked past you in the hallways, ignored you at parties unless she needed someone to get her a blunt or a drinking buddy, and she simply acted like you two didn't have anything. It hurt, considering you really liked Annie.

You imagined supporting Annie at her games, going out to dinner to celebrate, spending afternoons just in bed with her. Annie had other plans. She looked at you as a fuck buddy. You should have known as soon as you heard she fucked a girl in the bathroom a week after she took you on a date. You liked Annie so much you were willing to keep your stupid dream alive.

That all changed when you met Sasha. She played volleyball and she was one of the sweetest people you had ever met. Sasha and you met at a party, where Sasha coughed her lungs out in the corner while a friend of yours, Connie, laughed his ass off. He invited you over and Sasha fell in love as soon as she saw you.

You two got to talking, and soon enough you guys were inseparable. Connie and Jean tease you two all the time. When Annie got a hold of this information, she was fuming. You had never taken Annie for the jealous type. Sure, she claimed you were all hers and made you promise that no one would ever touch you like Annie does, but those words were only spoken when you were deep in the mattress while Annie had an angry expression plastered onto her face.

Sasha made you cute baskets full of goodies all the time, took you on dates, never let you pay, slept over and cried when you wore a hoodie with her number on it. It was just meant to be and you two knew it. That was until Annie had a change of plans.

A light knock on your door made you look up from your phone. Sasha was currently spamming you with messages about what color nails you should get. You smiled, setting your phone down on your couch. Opening the door, Annie appeared with the same empty expression on her face.

“Oh. Hi, annie.” You waved, your smile dropping. You hadn't answered her messages for a while. You had been avoiding her ever since she got mad at you for becoming friends with sasha. “You didn’t answer my message.” Annie invited herself in, closing the door behind herself. “I-i didn’t see them. Sorry. Ash isn't here, she’s out of town.” You mention, but you knew she wasn't here for your roommate.

“Stop being stupid, you know I'm not here for Ash.” Annie pins you against the door, her lips close to yours. You look down, the blood rushing to your face. “You’ve been avoiding me.” Annie grabbed you chin, making you look into her cold eyes. “I hope it’s not because of Sasha.” Annie said her name with disgust. “I wasn’t trying to. I was just…busy.” You pulled away from her grasp. “Oh please. You don’t do anything but stay in this sad ass dorm all day.” Annie scoffed.

Your phone pinged. Annie’s head snapped back as it continued to ping, her face scrunching. She backed away from you, rushing towards your couch. “Annie.” You followed her, watching as she grabbed your phone, her eyebrows furrowing with every message you received, “We should get some coffee?” Annie read out loud. “Annie, please.” You tried to grab your phone, but she just snatched it away reading more. “Where’d you go, babe? Are you ok? I think you should get these nails. Can I swoop by?” Annie read in an impressed tone, her eyebrows raised. “Oh, cute. She sent you a hundred dollars for your nails.” Annie handed you your phone as your eyes filled with tears.

“So are we nothing?” Annie sat on your couch, taking a hit from her pen. “I never said we had anything.” You said through your teeth, feeling humiliated. “Better answer your girlfriend, don't wanna make her stress out too much.” Annie shrugged. “It’s not like that. Maybe if you actually paid attention to me and didnt treat me like shit, we could have been something.” you muttered.

“Are you saying you wanted to be something?” Annie shifted positions. You stayed silent. Annie stood up, pulling you forward by your hips. She pressed her lips aggressively against yours, her intentions filled with anger and lust.

You melted under her touch, sitting down on her lap. You straddled her, a whimper leaving your mouth as she left sloppy kisses down your jaw. You tilted your head, Annie’s hands pulling your hair, giving her more access to wherever she wanted. She trailed down your neck, getting that one spot she always abused. She knew it was your weak spot. You grind your hips against hers, begging for more. Annie smiled at the way she was able to manipulate you so easily.

“Hey, are you-” a gasp escaped someone's lips. You looked up, seeing Sasha holding two cups of iced coffee and a couple of movies tucked in her arm. “Okay…” Sasha finished her question quietly, setting down the drinks. “Sasha! I didn't know you were coming over.” You frantically rushed towards her, fixing yourself while you did. “Yeah. You didn't answer your messages and you kinda left without saying anything so i thought i’d come by. Wrong time, though.” Sasha whispered, her eyes glossy.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have done that. Annie came by unexpectedly. She was just about to leave, right Annie?” You turned around, eyeing the door. “Huh? Oh no, I'm staying here for a little bit longer.” Annie smiled from her place on the couch. You felt your heart drop. “It’s ok. I’m sorry again. Just call me if you need anything.” Sasha muttered sadly, walking out. She didn’t kiss you or make her stupid jokes like she always did.

“You’re such a fucking ass! You knew she was coming, didnt you?” you yelled at Annie. “What are you talking about? Why are you always accusing me of things? And why does she have a key to your dorm?” Annie stood up, leaning against the kitchen island. “Why do you care? All you wanna do is fuck and smoke. It feels nice to have someone actually care about me.” You sniffled.

“You don't think I care about you? After everything I've done for us?” Annie muttered, her eyes softening. “What have you ever done for us?” You opened your door, leaving it wide open. You gave Annie a hard stare, watching as she walked out. “Text me later.” She mumbled, putting on her headphones as she disappeared down the hallway.

-

You knocked on Sasha’s dorm, biting your lip. You hope she wasn’t upset or mad. You always assured her Annie was no one, and now you made Sasha sad.

You held on to the bag of food, hoping Sasha would cheer up. It was her favorite, taco bell. Sasha would always take you around two in the morning and she always got the same thing. You laughed every time as Sasha would bite out of your food, asking to taste it even though you two got the same thing. Connie opened the door, his smile dropping. “Hi.” He shut the door a bit, so only his head peeked out.

“Hey, Con. Is Sasha here?” You looked down, seeing his shoulder had a wet spot. Your heart dropped. “Yeah but she’s… busy.” He pursed his lips. “Oh. Well tell her i apologize for earlier and i got her some food. Tell her i love her and that i’ll call her tonight.” You handed him the bag and the drinks. You got two, assuming it would have been just you and Sasha, but Connie could just take yours.

“Yeah. Thanks. And also,” Connie softened his voice. “She’s really upset and won't stop crying. Come by tomorrow after team workouts and she’ll be willing to talk. Give her a break.” Connie gave you a small smile. “Okay.” You nodded, waving. You fucked up bad and you knew it, but now the problem was how to fix it.

Annie knew she could easily control you, and now you were aware of that fact. It was scary to see how she could easily make you angry and desperate so quickly. You walked to your building in silence, the light rain seeping into your clothes. You had to cut off Annie in all ways if you wanted to keep things going with Sasha. Your phone vibrated, breaking you from the world you were in. Once you were inside your dorm, you checked it.

Annie had sent you a message asking if you wanted to go on a date. So she had caught on? You turned off your phone, heading to bed. That was something to deal with tomorrow.

-

Again, here you were in the same position you always were.

Annie was so unbelievably irresistible and you knew it. You had just come back from Sasha’s house, and Annie waited in your dorm with that stupid smirk on her face.

After an hour of Annie humiliating you mixed in with “She doesn’t make you feel like this, huh?” You were done for. You knew you couldn’t be with Sasha when Annie had you mesmerized like this.

You scrolled through your phone, your eyes trailing up to the message you had received. “Hey, I know you just left but wanna get coffee?” You muttered to yourself, pursing your lips. Yeah you missed Sasha, but Annie would make the biggest deal out if it.

You replied back “Hey Sash, i came home and took some sleep meds. I’ll be up in a few tho. I’ll text you later. I love you:)” You sent the message, turning your phone off. “Who were you texting?” Annie hugged your waist, kissing your jaw. “Ash. She asked if I watered her plants.” You lied. “Ash doesn’t have her phone on her right now.” Annie dug her nails into your waist.

You swallowed, trying to play it off. “How would you know?” You smartly replied, rolling your eyes. “Because she told me she wouldn’t be able to text back so I had to let the coach know she wouldn’t be here for another week.” Annie whispered, her fingers tracing down your hip. “So let me ask you again, who were you texting?” She stopped her movements completely, watching as you blushed hard trying to find another lie.

Of course, your phone pinged from under your pillow. Annie grabbed it, sitting up. “Annie.” You muttered, not wanting a repeat of last time. “Okay angel, text me when you're up. Connies having a big party later and you’re coming with. I love you.” Annie smiled to herself, nodding.

“Am i invited?” She looked up, her eyes trailing over your horrified face. “Give it back!” You grabbed your phone, very clearly upset. “Why’d you have to lie? Am I not trusting enough?” Annie’s snarky smile was gone, replaced with that emotionless, manipulative look. “You know why, Annie.” You laid back down, your back facing her,

“Is that why you turned down my date?” “Smoking and fucking isnt a date.” You replied, responding back to Sasha. “Oh, so you’re going to the party?” Annie shrugged, getting up. You ignored her, now texting the groupchat with you, Connie, Sasha, and Jean.

Annie opened the door, shutting it behind her loudly. You know she just wanted attention so you deprived her from that exactly. Two can play that game. You tossed back and forth, deciding to maybe start getting ready.

-

“God, how many people does Connie know?” You pushed through the entrance, Sasha beside you.

“Half of these are just people he sells to, and the other half are randoms. It's an open invite.” Sasha yelled in your ear. Open invite, which meant Annie would probably be here. No, she would rather spend her time at the gym, hopefully. “Hey!” Connie squeezed through the people, his eyes blazing red. He handed you the blunt, bringing Sasha in for a hug.

You took a drag, dapping up Connie. You handed it back to him, arm around Sasha’s waist. “Get a drink, Jean and I are by the music.” Connie jokingly punches Sasha’s shoulder, disappearing into the crowd of people.

You dont let go of Sasha as you make her a drink, her eyes watching you carefully. “I don't want one.” Sasha shook her head as you grabbed another cup. You gave her a side-eye, your face disappointed. “Hey, someones gotta be the sober one here.” She laughed. You gave her a sip of your drink, watching as she made a face at it. You laughed, pressing a kiss to her lips.

“Let’s go with Connie.” She pulled your arm, taking you through the crowds of people. “Hey! you made it!” Jean pulled you into a hug. “Yup.” You nodded, seeing as Sasha talked to Connie, her mind on another world. Jean joined them, leaving you to yourself.

You watched the crowd, laughing at how idiotic the people were. They were throwing themselves off tables, smoke everywhere, and dancing bodies yelling at the people on the table to backflip off of it. Connie could surely throw a party.

Sasha had your cup, seeing it was already empty. And she claimed to be the sober one. You leaned down to her height, lips touching her ear. “I’m gonna get us some drinks. Stay here.” You press a light kiss against her ear, Sasha nodding and smiling.

You were pouring the soda when a tall guy leaned against the counter. You ignored him, mentally gagging at his actions. “Hey. Need some help?” He smirked at you. “No, thanks.” You grabbed the second cup, pouring some more soda. “You seem lonely.” He scooted closer, smiling.

“I’m here with some people actually.” You snapped back, grabbing the alcohol. He inched closer, and you could smell the beer off of him. He was now beside you, watching your hands move quickly. “Mind if I join?” He lowered his head to your level.” “Yeah, I do.” “No need to be so snappy, baby.”

You cringed again, but you continued to make your drinks. “Names Bryan. What’s yours?” He slid his hand over to yours. A small, pale hand grasped him, crushing it. He wheezed, his eyes trailing down to the small girl behind you both. Annie kept her dead stare at him, watching as he scoffed and walked away.

“You know, you should keep Jean around. Creeps stay away.” She picked up a cup, drinking it. “That wasn’t for you.” You muttered. “Did I ask?” Annie drowned the rest of the drink. You couldn’t even do that, and you drank every chance you got.

“I know you're here with Sasha.” Annie pushed your back up against the island. Her arms on either side of your waist, she stared into you. “Meet me in the car.” She muttered, walking away. You were speechless. Are you really gonna ditch them for Annie?

You left your cup on the counter, walking out the front door. You rushed to Annie's car, getting in just as she was turning it on. “So you listened?” Annie smiled, pulling out of the house. She drove down the crowded street quietly, the music in the back filling in the silence.

Hey

Whwred yiu go

Babbbyyyy

Youte nit at thr drinks

arw yoi okau

You look down at your phone, seeing Sasha was already drunk. Her spelling was horrible. You shook your head, typing back. Suddenly, your phone was snatched and thrown into the back seat. “Annie, what the fuck? You always do this.” You looked at her in disbelief. “Stop texting your girlfriend.” Annie shrugged.

Your phone vibrated. She must be calling you. You reached back, grabbing it, Annie grabbed your wrist, her eyes not leaving the road. You took the phone in your opposite hand, answering.

“Finally! Are you ok? Where are you?” Sasha yelled. “I had to go home, Ash had a family emergency and I had to talk to her teammate! I’m so sorry, I should have told you before but I'm ok.” You lied. Annie’s grasp on your wrist got tighter, hurting you.

You tried to wiggle out of it, but Annie made it worse. “Oh. Ok. Well, text me when you're all home and safe. I love you!” Sasha hung up, not waiting for a response.

Annie released your wrist, now placing her hand on your thigh. “Just take me home.” You muttered angrily, facing the window. Annie scoffed, rolling her eyes. “What if we come over to mine?” Annie turned onto the highway, watching as you nodded.

-

“You really need Hitch to help you decorate.” You muttered, eyeing her room.

It was the same as always, just her bed, side table, dresser and the tv that sat on it. Her clothes scattered across her floor along with random items entangled into it. “What’s the point? She’s gonna overdo it.” Annie laid on her bed, leaving you a spot.

You laid next to her, allowing her to snake her arm around your waist. “I missed you.” She whispered in your ear, kissing your jaw slowly. “Annie.” You pushed yourself away, standing up. “What?” She pushed herself up, sitting against the wall. “Are you so fucking serious right now?” Your eyes widened, mouth slightly open.

“What did I do?” She seemed genuinely confused, but she always did this when she knew she was wrong. “You brought me here to fuck. I thought you just wanted to hang out!” You blinked in frustration, huffing. “What, so I can't kiss you?” Annie groaned, getting on her phone. You grabbed it, throwing it against the floor.

“Annie, I need you to look at me and tell me you want something with me. If you can’t say that and promise me i’m more than a fuck buddy then we are done. We are so done and you won’t see me ever again.” You yelled, tears welling up at your eyes.

Annie was quick on her feet, pushing you against the bathroom door. “Don’t touch my shit like that again, understood? You knew as soon as we started talking that I didn't want shit.” Annie held your wrist down. “I hate you. I hate you so much, you’re nothing but a fucking liar. You’re nothing but worthless shit.” You pushed her off, leaving her room.

“Hey.” Annie followed, grabbing your hand. “Don’t touch me! I’m done with you. You’re so unbelievable.” You cried, feeling like you couldn’t breathe. “Just stay.” Annie toned her voice down, those sad eyes on her face again. “I can’t. I’m just gonna go home.” You opened the door to her dorm, walking out. “Let me drive you home. It’s late.” Annie stalked after you, placing her body in front of yours. “I can’t Annie. We both know where that’s gonna lead to and I cannot afford to have that again.” You looked down, watching your test drops fall onto Annie’s hand.

“I love you.” Annie whispered. That really set it off. You knew she said this only when she wanted something. You brushed past her, leaving her in the middle of the hallway by herself.

-

TWO MONTHS LATER

After Connie was begging on his knees with Jean behind him, you agreed to go to his party.

As much as you avoided parties, how could you say no to Connie? He was your friend and plus, he sold you the best of the best for a low price. He never misses your events, and you agreed to have some fun.

Sasha grabbed your hand, backing her body up onto yours. You laughed, shaking your head. “Isn’t this fun? Leaving your dorm for once?” Jean asked. “Hm not really.” You mumbled. Your arms wrapped around Sasha’s waist, kissing her bare shoulder. “You’re having fun. Shut up.” Connie held his hand out.

You grabbed the pen, inhaling the smoke. You turned Sasha over, kissing her. The smoke blew into her mouth, who took it in with ease. “Someone’s learned.” You laughed, leaning back against the wall. Sasha drank out of her cup, dancing to the rhythm. You smiled at her, eyes focused only on Sasha dancing.

“Can you get me another drink? I’m gonna pee.” Sasha handed you her cup. “Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” You grabbed her waist, rubbing them against her. “I’ll be…okay.” She smiled slowly. Her words were slow and she smelled of alcohol. “Okay. Be back here soon.” You pressed a small kiss to her lips.

You made Sasha another drink, grabbing yourself a beer. “Hey!” You heard from behind you. You turned around, smiling as you saw Reiner. “Hey, Rei!” You were embraced in his hug. “How have you been?” You leaned against the counter, taking a sip from your beer.

“Good. Football season is over so wrestling is next. And you?” He took a sip of his own drink. “Oh, just been in class and stuff. I’m so ready for winter break.” You laughed. “Fuck yeah. Do you have any plans?” “I think Connie’s renting out a house and we’re just gonna party.” You nodded. “Sick. Anyway, my friends are waiting for me. It was so nice seeing you.” He fist bumped you. You said your goodbyes, slipping past the people back to your corner.

Connie looked at you, then back down at his phone. Jean was gone, and Sasha wasn’t back. “Hey, where’s Sash and Jean?” You set down her drink, looking around. “Jean took her home.” He shrugged. “Why?” “Cause she came back from the bathroom sobbing and begging Jean to take her home. I dunno.” He went back to texting someone.

“Oh. Well, I'm gonna go by her house, make sure she’s ok.” You set down your beer, grabbing your phone. “You sure you can drive?” He laughed. “Fuck you, I'm sober. I think.” You walked away, laughing. You wondered why Sasha would randomly leave. You shook those thoughts, deciding to talk to Sasha about it in person.

-

“Sasha?” You peeked into her room, watching as she curled up next to her stuffed animals, sobbing.

“Hey.” You closed the door behind you, setting down your bag. “Are you ok?” You slowly approached her bed, unsure if she even knew you were there. “Who let you in?” She sat up, wiping her face. “I have your key, angel.” You smiled. “Just go.” She stood up. She still wore the dress from earlier and her makeup was cried off. She stumbled forward, causing your hands to grasp her waist. She flinched, pushing you off of her.

“Sasha, are you ok? What’d I do?” You stood in front of her path, your heart dropping. “You know exactly what you did! You do it every single time! Why can’t I just be enough?” She cried, his hands uncontrollably shaking. You took them in your hands, pulling her closer. “Why can’t you just love me? Why does she have to be involved?” Sasha hiccuped, her tears on your sweatshirt.

“Who, Sasha? It's just been us. You know that.” You were so confused. What had you done to make Sasha hate you? “Annie! She literally told me you two left that party together and ever since have been a thing! Even before that, when I walked into you two, all those times you hung out with me and went straight to her dorm after, the way you still text her. All of that pissed me off. That’s why you haven’t asked me out yet, because you’re so hung up on Annie you can’t see that you’re hurting me.”

“Sasha, I never meant to hurt you. I want to ask you out, I'm just in a bad spot right now.” You pushed her hair back behind her ears, tears pricking your own eyes. “I know what you’re trying to do and I'm not gonna have it. We are done.” Sasha pushed you off. “Sasha, stop.” You went after her. “I said stop! Get out!” She screeched, pointing at the door.

“You’re drunk.” You muttered. “No, I'm not drunk. I wasn’t drunk last week when I watched you and Annie walk to your dorm together. I wasn’t drunk when you texted Annie while I ordered our food, I wasn't drunk while I was crying my eyes out to Connie wishing that you would just notice me for once in your goddamn life.” Sasha sat on the edge of her bed.

“Just leave.” Sasha grabbed a white cap off of her nightstand, swallowing the pills with some water. “My head is killing me.” She whispered. “Leave.” She said to you, starting to take down her hair. You obliged, closing her door.

You walked out of her dorm, making sure to lock it on your way out. Instead of anger or confusion, you were filled with rage. Why would Annie lie like that? You two weren’t a thing. You two hooked up whenever and called it a day. You rarely spoke.

Your feet took you to a different floor, fist pounding on the door. It all happened so fast. “Annie, you better open this fucking door.” You jiggled it. A blonde in her sports bra and shorts. “What?” She rubbed her eyes.

“You ruined my chances with Sasha. What the fuck is wrong with you?” You pushed yourself inside her dorm, shutting her door. “It’s three in the fucking morning.” Annie walked back to her room. “Don’t ignore me like that. You know what you did and i’ll fucking kill you.”

“You’ll what?” Annie turned around, pinning you against her wall. Her tired eyes watched yours, carefully inspecting your face. “You didn’t want her that bad. You would have asked her ages ago.” Annie placed one hand on your waist, her dead face still staring you down.

She was right. Annie was the only person keeping you from Sasha. “So tell me, am I really in the wrong here?” Annie pressed her lips against yours before you could answer. Your knees gave in, your hands tangling themselves in her hair. Annie slotted her thigh in between your legs, making you sit on it.

She moved your hair, kissing down your jaw and neck. “You thought you were so slick letting Sasha dance on your like that.” Annie mumbled before kissing that one spot again. You rubbed yourself on Annie’s thigh, your head against the wall. “Annie.” You whispered, needing more.

“This is mine.” Annie trailed her hand down your waist and onto the band of your sweats, playing with it. Annie kissed your lips again, slipping her hand inside your underwear. You moaned against her lips, not being able to say anything else. “You can’t be a slut for Sasha like this, can you?” Annie rubbed your clit in circular motions, eye contact strong as she watched you unravel beneath her.

“I asked you a question.” She shot a finger in you. You moaned loudly, shaking your head. “Words.” Annie whispered in your ear. “N-no, she doesn’t.” You whimpered as Annie fingered you faster. “Look at how pathetic you look. Weren’t you just gonna kill me and now you’re willing to do anything for more?” Annie slowed down. “Annie.” You whispered, just needing her even more.

She took off your sweater in a quick motion, placing a harsh kiss on your lips after she threw your hoodie somewhere in the room. She pushed you against her bed, hands working on your bra. “You’re so pretty.” Annie took off your bra, licking her lips.

You bucked your hips forward, needing some sort of friction. “Needy, aren’t we?” Annie pulled your sweatpants and underwear down, smiling as she saw the excitement in your eyes. Annie pried your legs open, pressing wet kisses up your thighs. You grabbed a fistful of her hair, biting down on your lip.

A loud moan slipped past your mouth as Annie pressed a wet kiss on your clit. Her tongue slipped through your folds, slowly watching you moan and cry. Her tongue continued sucking and kissing your clit, small vibrations from her chuckles making you arch your back.

Annie held down your hips, having you into a moaning mess. “Annie.” Your chest heaved up and down, thighs closing around her head. Annie looked up from position, placing her fingers in your mouth. Your tongue swirled around them, your eyes never leaving hers.

She placed her dripping fingers inside of you. “Oh my god, Annie.” You shut your eyes closed, biting down on your lips. “So wet, just for me.” Annie kissed your bud, speeding up her pace. Your hands let go of her hair, grabbing your breast.

“Atta girl.” Annie mumbled against you. That knot formed in your stomach, clenching around Annie’s fingers. Annie slowed her pace, teasing your dripping hole. “Annie, please.” You wrapped your thighs around her head again. Annie used one hand to push them apart, placing it onto your lower stomach after.

She quickened her pace, your eyes rolling to the back of your head. Uncontrollable moans and cries left your mouth, her name was all you could remember. Your climax hit you hard, a string of curse words mixed leaving your mouth. Annie continued to lick you, cleaning you up.

She straddled you, opening your mouth. She spit your cum in your mouth, smirking as you swallowed it. “Good girl. Don’t let me see you around Sasha again.” Annie pressed a kiss against your lips, flipping you over. You smiled to yourself, excited for what was planned in Annie’s mind.

-

Your eyes opened, Annie’s voice echoing through the bathroom.

“She was just so drunk and came up on me, Sasha. It was all her. I’m not even messing with her, she came onto me. Don’t call me a liar. She said she was done with you.” Annie huffed. You sat up, eyes wide. Was she seriously lying?

You collected your stuff, throwing on your clothes as quickly as you could. Grabbing your phone, you stormed out of her room and down her hall. Of course she would lie to get you and Sasha apart. You didn’t even want to hear the rest of her lies, you were done with her and you were sure of it this time.

Or were you?

[the-s1lly-corner]

I'm back on my silly goofy haha bullshit once more. [This time with itward]

Itward with a reader who likes to make bread and tend to plants, maybe they make flower crowns and gifts for itward like bread and plant related things! [A basket made out of dead grass or handmade paper/books! Paper can be made from a bunch of weeds and just plants in general mixed with baking soda and boiled!]

Make sure to take time to rest, get water and eat something, such as a snack! :D

Itward x reader who bakes and does plant stuff !

LETS GO ITWARD FANS WE EATING TONIGHT!!!!!

God I'm so so sad that fran bow and little misfortune is.. not that popular <\3 or at least doesnt have a huge active fanbase

Which sucks because it deserves the attention! The game is amazing and did a lot for me growing up (comfort media am I right?) And you can tell the creators put so so so much passion into the games

Also itward pretty

Honestly until we are confirmed otherwise, I like to think that everyone returned to ithersta after the end of the game... and until more content comes out (iirc they are working on a DLC bonus chapter! Dont quote me on that !!) And disproves that, I am going to believe that itward raises fran in ithrsta

Anyways

Whether the reader is human or from a different reality, they're here in ithersta, too! Plus I think that's the most fitting place given the prompt :0

You and itward love baking together, often exchanging recipes and sharing tips on how to get the best product!

Imagine you two start a garden in order to be more self sufficient! Berries and veggies (get creative with the bread flavors!!!!) and the like are grown in your garden as well as some herbs and such! As well as other general plants that may be needed for whatever; potions, ointments, ect!

Plus itward just seems to be the type to be as self sufficient as possible, doesn't tend to buy things unless it's something he truly cant produce on his own..

Very friendly but asides from Fran, mr midnight, palontras, ziar, and the great wizard, and even cogwing, I dont think itward speaks to many people, given his introverted nature... at least according to the character sheet KMGs posted a few months ago!

Keeps every single piece of paper you've made for him. Compiling them all into multiple books! Keeps all his books in a little shelf he built in his ship... they're all kept neat, tidy, and dusted!

Ooouuugh he looooves when you make him flower crowns, loves slipping them around his hat and letting them rest on the brim of it

Dries out the crowns so he can preserve them for as long as possible... adds them to the main area of his flying ship, where the little shadow theatre thing is!

No thoughts only you two in the garden and he tucks a flower behind your ear.. looks at you with so so much love

You think his eyes can get all huge? Like cat eyes? Because I think so... his eyes get all round when he looks at you

Full of love

Okay back to the baking portion of this because I'm kind of neglecting it a bit, I feel

Theres nothing sweeter than baking something with your loved one, and enjoying your team work and company

I think you guys would have music softly playing in the background while you both work together

Maybe I want to rewatch fried green tomatoes, but you guys end up having a lighthearted food fight

Completely out of character for itward, but I think you can spark this silliness in him

Plus despite what the suit may imply, I think itward doesnt mind getting dirty... I mean he literally is an engineer! Bro probably gets greasy sometimes! Please help him clean the crevices between his bones

... that's another idea I absolutely adore and have talked about ^^^

Hold his hand and help him clean between his bones, please please he'd be so still and patient

[hannahssimblr]

Chapter Six (Part 2)

Shane has arrived by the time I’ve pulled myself together and showered and he’s sitting in the living room scrolling on his phone with a paper bag on his lap. 

“Hello.” I say wearily. My head still aching despite how marginally better I feel after throwing up and washing myself. The sunlight glinting off the window behind him feels like it’s searing through my brain. 

“Good afternoon, you mad thing.” He says with a smile. “Heard you were pissed drunk last night.”

“Shane.” Claire scolds, appearing out from behind the open washing machine door as she unloads a pile of wet laundry into a basket. “You don’t have to say it like that.”

“It’s fine.” I croak. “I was. And I’m paying the price today.”

“Nice bruise.” Shane says, looking at my shin, and I groan, remembering how I battered myself against the coffee table in the wee hours of the morning. Then I remember my encounter with Claire and I wish I could be swallowed into the bowels of the earth. “Here, I got you something on my way over.” He says, then takes the paper bag and hands it to me. The smell is so familiar that I know what it is before I even open it. “McDonalds breakfast.” I gasp. “Thank you.”

His cheeks go pink, humiliated by the idea that I might think he’s been considerate of me. “Claire told me to get it.” He clarifies. “She said you like the sausage and egg McMuffin yoke.”

“I do.” I say with wonderment and perch on the seat next to him, immediately tucking into it and feeling its greasy goodness begin to melt away my hangover. 

“We used to always drive to McDonalds when Evie had her dad’s car.” Claire tells him, coming over to me and resting my head on her hip, stroking my hair affectionately and I figure that our confrontation last night has been forgiven. “We’d get the breakfast before school, and sometimes when we stayed out late in the evenings we’d go back again for a McFlurry.”

“The Crunchie one.” I say with a mouth full of McMuffin. “I used to hop off the Crunchie one.”

“When yous were out late doing what? Smoking weed or something, was it?” Shane jokes, and Claire rolls her eyes. 

“Hardly. We were up to much worse.”

“Gossiping.” I clarify. “Vicious, evil gossip.”

“About who?” Shane says, throwing an arm over the back of the sofa. “Me, I’d say.”

I grin. “As if. Don’t flatter yourself. Sure we had plenty of juicier things to talk about. Salacious rumours to start.”

“Ye did not.”

“No, we didn’t.” Claire concedes with a giggle. “You’re right, we mostly just talked about boys.”

I catch Shane glance at me, and only for a flash there’s a look in his eyes. It’s one I’ve come to recognise as an awkward, guarded sympathy. He knows what boy I was talking about, and I wish he didn’t because now I have to endure his commiserating looks during moments that should be light and fun, like he takes some of the blame for the things his friend did and didn’t do. 

Those were fun times.” I say to Claire because I can’t look at him anymore. “I miss hanging out in the car.”

“Me too.” She admits. “It’s not like that anymore, is it? Like even though we live together it feels different now.” 

“I feel so much busier. Like there’s never time to just relax.”

She joins us on the sofa then and stretches her long legs to rest on the coffee table in front of us. “You’re getting big into the party scene, aren’t you?” She says lightly., and I shrug. “Maybe. Not really, just Marnie wants to go out a lot, it’s kind of her thing.”

“She’s the mad posh one is she?” Shane queries, and I tell him yes, unable to defend her on that one, because despite the slight mocking in his tone, I can’t really say that she isn’t either of those things. 

“She’s fun, isn’t she?” Claire says in a voice that suggests that she thinks Marnie is anything but, and I guiltily recall the things Marnie said about Claire when we were going to sleep last night, and the insolent look on her face as she asked her why she wasn’t out partying on a Friday night. It makes me feel a little ashamed of her, but still I feel a need to make excuses. I’ve chosen to hang out with her. She’s a reflection of my decisions, for better or for worse. 

“She is fun.” I say. “We actually have a great time when we go out, we always end up chatting to really cool people, I feel like she’s kind of bringing me out of my shell.” 

“That’s good.” She says with a shrug. “You should hang out with me and the girls from college sometime though, we have great fun, and it’s not just partying, like, if you ever want a break from all that.”

“Yeah they do rock climbing and roller skating and stuff.” Shane supplies. “And they were all at that Christmas market in Smithfield last week.”

I smile. I’ve met Claire’s new friends a few times when they’ve come over to the apartment for movie nights. Jaz and Serena, and they’re very nice but I’ve never really gotten the vibe that they’re that into getting to know me. I wonder if it’s because they know I go to NCAD and that automatically makes me a weird art girl in their eyes. It’s not that they’ve been rude or unkind, but I just don’t feel much warmth from them whenever they’re around. When they’re with Claire the three of them just look so perfectly matched that I’m sure I would spoil  it if I joined.

‘That sounds fun.” I say. “Maybe after Christmas.”

“Well, we’re going to Jaz’s house on New Year’s Eve if you want to come. Shane’s friends from UCD will be coming too, it’d be a good chance to meet some new people.”

By that she means: non-pretentious art students who don’t chat exclusively about politics, society and feminism, but I shake my head as she’s talking. “I can’t, I’ve already told Marnie I’d go clubbing with her that night.”

“You’re going into town?” Shane says with indignance. “Do you know how rotten town is on New Year’s?”

“No I don’t.” I shrug. “I suppose I’ll find out.”

“Come on, Evie.” Claire insists. “Come to the house party instead, it’ll be way more fun than being all squashed up in some smelly old club. Serena is going to get us to do these fun Spanish traditions that she used to do back home, and everyone is going to bring a dish and there’ll be a potluck. Isn’t that better than being in the Burger King queue at three in the morning waiting to buy a bag of soggy old chips?”

“Maybe. I’ll think about it.” I say, even though I won’t. I can feel myself start to drift into a new chapter of my life here in Dublin, and I know that the person I am becoming is not the type who would favour a potluck dinner over a nightclub. I want to be out where the action is, where there’s excitement in the air and the town is alive with an electric buzz as thousands of people pile in together and scream out our countdown to midnight. I want fireworks and streamers and confetti, euphoria, exhilaration in my veins. I realise I don’t want smalltalk with Claire and Shane’s friends. 

When I’ve finished my breakfast I head back upstairs to my messy bedroom to start packing my bags for the Christmas break. Shane wants to leave for Tullamore in half an hour, so I quickly dress myself and start packing clothes and presents for my family into bags. When I go to pack my phone, it wakes up in my hand and displays a message that I hadn’t heard come in. It’s from Dean Cullen. Confused, I open it. What could he possibly want from me?

Hey so Marnie told me what you said about me. 

I read the first sentence and immediately begin feeling nauseous again. What did I say? I can’t remember talking about him last night. What did Marnie say? Why was she texting him about me? When was she texting him about me?

I’m sorry if the hand touching stuff was weird. Didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, and I didn’t think it was a big deal but obvs the both of you did, and I don’t really want to get involved in whatever drama yous are going to create out of this tbh. Have a nice Christmas. 

My heart is immediately pounding in my chest. What on earth? I check the time that he sent the message. It was twenty minutes ago. Had Marnie left the apartment and immediately got in touch with him? Sitting on that bus she paid for with the last pennies I have to my name, spreading gossip about me to Dean Cullen? It’s so strange, and I’m so confused that I just stand in the centre of the room staring down at my phone. I rack my brains to try and remember what happened last night, searching through my brain for the fuzzy memories is like trudging through molasses, pulling out drunken memories here and there, my head leaning against the wall on the second floor landing of that house and the way that the heavy music reverberated through it. The image of Dean almost falling down the stairs under unsteady legs. I remember how he touched my hand, of course I do, but I can’t remember talking to Marnie about it. What did I say? Surely it wasn’t that bad.

Hey.

I start typing with trembling hands. 

Yeah I mentioned it to Marnie, but I didn’t think it’d be turned into gossip and repeated back to you. I’m sorry about that. I hope you have a nice Christmas too. 

I watch nervously for a few seconds as the message is sent, and then sit there in the chat box for what seems like forever. I read it again and again, wondering if I should have said something better, and then watch in surprise as the chat box greys out suddenly. I freeze. Did he… did he just block me? I frantically tap on his profile, but it only shows the generic default silhouette image and the name “Facebook User”. 

I make an outraged sound and stare down at my phone in disbelief. He can’t just block me over this, that’s insane. I open up my chat with Marnie and begin to type a confrontational message to her, but then think the better of it. She’ll just have some excuse for it, I already know the kind of thing she will say that will make any message I send completely redundant. Men can’t get away with making women uncomfortable. She’ll say. I was standing up for you and letting him know where your boundaries are. I fling my phone into a bag and start shoving things in on top of it, having a furious argument with her in my head. One I will never actually have but it feels good to tell her off anyway. 

“I agree that people shouldn’t get away with being creepy.” I mutter to myself. “But if I wanted to reach out and talk to him about it, that was my decision to make. You can’t do things like this on my behalf, without my consent.” I fire a crumpled up pair of pyjamas on top of the heap. “He touched my hand. It wasn’t a big deal, and now you’ve blown the whole thing up. Everyone could have just moved on from-”

“Who’re you fightin’?” Comes a voice, and I whirl around to see Shane at my door. 

“Mind your own business!” I say in a voice I haven’t used on him since I was about fourteen. 

He rolls his eyes and mimics me “Mind your own business” I fling a slipper at him, but he catches it. Of course he does, gaelic football star Shane Healy never misses. He tosses it back into my bag with perfect accuracy. “Are you ready to go yet? I want to try and beat the Christmas traffic.”

“Yeah just a minute.” I wrestle with the zip on my bag, irritated by him watching me do it. “You can go downstairs now.”

“Alright.”

“And don’t come into my room again without knocking.”

“Don’t leave it wide open then, you dope.” He says, and then he leaves.

Prev // Next

[forthegothicheroine]

Best Fragrantica reviews of (some of) my favorite perfumes, Part II

First installment here

Maison Martin Margiela By the Fireplace

Careful not to be worn by this perfume instead of being you the wearer. Not that it is oh so powerful, but it may be too bold of a statement piece for, ahem, some. Wearing BTF when you don't look the part and don't give it sense will have you smelling borderline unhealthy. Like your organs inside have worn off and darkened (and burned out, I guess). Truly as weird as it sounds. The raw thing smells very exciting. I love it ashy. I don't see myself daring any soon, however. And I don't find that it worked for the men I know either, as they have (and I cringe to say) whiter auras and don't fit the "handling cognac by the fire" thing. So I've yet to see it really work, which I'm sure will be great. It's a lovely perfume.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Bewitched

This is the smell of a witch's brew. She made a special tea for you to drink. You pass out. When you awaken you find yourself in her garden full of poisonous berries, patchouli, weeds, clary sage, and flowers whose petals have been plucked. This is an herbal scent, like walking inside a shop selling only herbs. It's medicinal and like a tea. Not always easy to take in...The smell of sage and musk give it a unisex/masculine quality. I would say that it's more of a guy's type of cologne than a woman's. I would wear it for Halloween with a witch costume or as Morticia Addams. It's really a very engaging scent but it's linear and simple. It's a little green tea and berry. It's got a bite but it's witchy and dark, but not a strong cologne either. For a niche indie frag, not bad.

TokyoMilk Gin & Rosewater

I was in a boutique that carries the Tokyo Milk Curiosite & Bon Bon lines, and I was entranced by this. Florals are not usually my thing, by the way, because I get monster headaches from most of them. Suddenly the salesgirl is RIGHT NEXT TO ME leaning in conspiratorially and says in an awed tone that 'Blake Lively LOVES this one'. OMFG, Blake Lively, you say??!? Like for serious, the real Blake Lively?? OMFG, do you have like, more in the back?!? I'm totally going to buy every bottle you can shove in my basket because BLAKE LIVELY would hang out with me if we ran into each other and then my life could end. Um, not. I almost DIDN'T buy it because of the salesgirls then going into a tizzy about how amazing Blake is. I could not care less, although I'm sure Lively is nice enough. But it did smell cool, so home with me it came, along with the matching lotion.

Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin

It’s an overwhelming fragrance that smells like the bottom of my grandma’s small square leather purse when we went to mass (her old dried up lipstick💄 the powder compact, the newspaper, the pack of strawberry-ish scented kleenex, the peppermints). It’s vintage, it’s a bit suffocating and I have it printed in my memory 4 ever.

Juliette Has a Gun Magnolia Bliss

Anastasia Steele, no longer a virgin. In her Audi A3, the smell of her new car, first edition books and a new life... That's what comes into mind with this perfume. The night Christian took her for the first time on his helicopter. I can imagine this is exactly what she smelled like that night. With Ellie Goulding's Love me like you do playing in the background. 

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540

I’m too embarrassed and ashamed to wear this in public just in case a fragrantica influencer comes out of a bush and starts pointing & laughing at me in front of everyone

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

what all the hot daddies in every lana del rey song smell like

Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud

If your family was religious, traditionally Asian, or both, you'll know this scent. This is the scent of a temple. This is the scent of an altar. Personally I can never wear this because smelling this brings back so many memories of burning incenses, visiting funerals, and saying prayers and wishes. My bottle is literally sitting on an altar.

Perfumer's Workshop Tea Rose

Speaking of the devil. This scent is the one with the Prada's shoes.

4160 Tuesdays Doe in the Snow

This is borne on a Christmas Eve, under the moonlight, a baby fawn just out of it's mother's womb. The moon is full light casting blue shadows snow lightly falling delicate flakes each one unique on the nose of the new born... Pure fresh Christmas morning air stillness not a sound blanketed with drifts of snow that is Doe In The Snow... pure white innocence...velvet petals so delicate under the driven snow...I have seen this in a dream... Another love... I get it...

[go-river-flows]

He’s lost his damn mind (Sister of a skxawng miniseries)

Summary: Aonung is a skxawng. That is a fact. He is a bully and picks on his older sister's friends for little things they can't control, and now the Sully teens. The thing is, he doesn't learn from his mistakes.

Edit to add: I changed the name from Rox’To to Rox’Ti, because I’m the film it’s not (sweet) Roxto who’s in the bully circle, in fact, I don’t know the kid’s name so I changed it.

There were visitors. The ikrans were the telltale signs that they were from beyond the reef. A crowd was forming on the sand bank as we approached on our ilu’s, still gripping onto the basket. The sight of darker blue na’vi, their thin forms were a huge distinction from our thick appendages. I could already hear Aonung talking smack about them to Roxto. A family. There were four children, and one of them looked our way – looking at Tsireya. Oh…interesting. 

“Do not. Roxto, Aonung,” Tsireya scolded the two of them. I kept my eye on the two troublemakers.

Our father yelled out as he flew over the crowd on his skimwing, landing not too far away, making his way through the crowd. The family greeted our father, bowing whilst plucking their hands from their foreheads, the formal na’vi greeting. Our father greeted them back. Our people moved aside for our mother. The visitors greeted her by name.

“Why do you come to us, JakeSulli?” our father asked the tall male in front of him.

“We seek uturu,” the man said.

“Uturu?”

My mother walked toward the group, grabbing the woman’s tail, then the child’s thin arm, then the other girl’s hands.

“They are not even full Na’vi. They have demon blood!” her mother loudly exclaimed to the clan, who gasped at the sight. 

“Look. Look!” the older male waved his hand in front of my mother’s face, “Look, I was born of the sky people, and now I am Na’vi. All right? You can adapt. We will adapt. Okay?”

“My husband was Toruk Makto,” the male’s mate hissed, “They led the clans to victory against the sky people.”

“This you call victory? Hiding among strangers? It seems Eywa has turned her back on you…chosen one.” To which the darker woman snarled at my mother, I cringed at the sight of their face-off. 

My father finally announced, “Toruk Makto, his family will stay with us. Treat them as our brothers and sisters. Now, they do not know the sea. So they will be like babies…taking their first breath. Teach them our ways, so they do not suffer the shame of being… useless.” My friends joined my side, watching for a distance before our father called for us siblings.

“My son, Aonung. My daughter, Tsireya, will show your children what to do,” our father introduced. Tsireya and I greeted them formally whilst Aonung was resistant. I rolled my eyes at that.

“Come. I will show you our village,” Tsireya approached them, the clanspeople scattering. I walked with my mother to the healing mauri.

“Come, let me see what you’ve picked,” my mother’s agitated tone didn't bother me that much. 

“I've got some Verik weeds, Ashangi shells and more Rasheng coral,” I dumped them out of my basket. Grabbing a wide flat sieve, I spread the Verik weeds for drying. My mother was quiet. “You should stop scowling, you’ll leave lines on your forehead and I'll have to go get more Vera,” I didn't have to look up as she clicked her tongue, slowly relaxing her face.

“Uturu, my foot. Your father has lost it,” my mother grumbled under her breath.

“Mother…please.” She let out an annoyed snarl, “They are not that different from us. What was it you used to say? ‘We are all Na’vi, so treat everyone like your brother and sisters’,” she mouthed the words, shaking her head. 

“Oh daughter, you’ve grown so much,” she gently sighed, “I don't get to see you much now. Either with your friends or too busy with chores. What about your mother, huh? You rarely come to see me unless it's to drop off more Verik weeds, or Ashangi shells or Rasheng coral.” She sighed again, moving closer to me, “Your father even forgot to mention your name.”

I chuckled, “It's fine mother, I'm not around too often. It must have slipped his mind.” She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, hugging me from the side.

“Have you at least found a mate yet? That To’Roi seems rather touchy…” I gagged a little.

“Mother! He’s my friend!”

“I'm just saying. I'm not getting any younger you know, I want grandkids,” my mother smothered my face with kisses.

“Argh mom!” I wiggled out of her grasp, “I have to go,” she began tickling my side causing me to yelp out in laughter. She huffed like a child as she let me go. I quickly jumped up, turning to give one final look, she pouted while scowling again, her tail thumping against the mauri floor.

“Mom! Vera leaves,” I taunted as she relaxed her forehead, maintaining her pout. I chuckled before leaving the mauri, “I love you! See you tonight!”

The next day, Tsireya and Aonung were beginning their lessons. My father asked me to keep an eye on Aonung, just in case. But I still did my chores, helping Sansu detangle his fishing net on the rocks nearby the kid’s lessons. 

“I'm surprised your brother is actually helping the Sully’s,” Sansu said.

“Oh last night he was trying to pick a fight about it. I don't wanna help the freaks,” I mocked, scoffing again at his words. Sansu just laughed at my horrible impersonation attempt. Tsireya looked like she was having fun, enjoying it even, but Aonung. Oh Aonung. He looked like he was going to punch a hole in a basket. I decided to check up on the kids.

“Hello,” I announced myself approaching the group, the children all looked up.

“This is my older sister, (Y/N),” I greeted them, plucking my hand from my forehead.

“Our father forgot to mention me yesterday,” I grinned cheekily at the memory, “If you ever need help with anything, just ask me.”

“My sister is a bit of a wanderer, she's great at a lot of things and a wonderful teacher,” Tsireya piped up.

“Oh no, it's nothing,” I brushed it away.

“No, seriously. She’s one of the best weavers, fishermen, warriors and singers in our clan. Maybe you can help us with breathing techniques,” Tsireya pulled my hand to sit down. I gave an awkward smile as I shuffled between the two dark blue boys. Tsireya guided the group through a breathing technique as I chipped in with some tips here and there. After the lesson, the boys who told me their names, Neteyam and Lo’ak, thanked me. The girl, Kiri, also thanked me before they moved on. 

I returned to my mauri to try on the new chest covering I made the day before. Removing my current chest covering I didn't hear To’Roi entering. A sudden pair of hands helped me tie the strap in a neat bow, which startled me a little. His fingers occasionally brushed against my skin. When he finished I turned around and he retrieved something from his pouch. 

“I…uh, wanted to give this to you yesterday…but Sansu and Tavë were around.” He presented a beautiful necklace and my eyes widened at the revelation. It was a courting gift. 

“To’Roi…it's beautiful,” he turned me around before putting it around my neck for me.

Our moment was interrupted by Roxto who lightly clapped at the entrance of my mauri before running off. The unexpected movement was jarring. He’s probably run off to tell Aonung and Tsireya the news.

For the next few days as To’Roi courted me officially, and Tsireya ‘s infatuation and crush for Lo’ak grew. It was cute. But Aonung was pissed. By the time we knew it the Sully kids had adapted well to the Metkayina ways. It was nearing the end of the month when To’Roi and I were walking around the island when we came across Aonung picking on Kiri. She was staring at the sand with her head in the water, watching the light rippling off the pale sand when Aonung and Co started laughing at her. 

“Are you some kind of…freak?” Aonung asked. The nerve of that boy.

“He asked if you are a freak,” Rox’Ti, Aonung’s friend added.

Kiri scoffed lightly, walking away from the conversation, when we were near the group. I gestured for her to come over to my side.

“Are you sure?” Aonung egged on, “I mean, you're not even real Na’vi.Look at these hands,” the boys surrounded her.

“Aonung! That's enough,” I gripped onto his shoulder, to which he shrugged me off.

“I mean, look at them,” he grabbed Kiri’s hand forcefully as she struggled to pull away.

“Hey!” Lo’ak intruded. I yanked Aonung’s hand from Kiri’s.

“Oh, another four-fingered freak,” Aonung antagonised. Rox’Ti circled around and pulled on Lo’ak’s tail.

“Rox’Ti! Aonung! That’s enough! Stop now before I hurt you,” I threatened them, stepping between the growing group. Neteyam showed up, from not too far away. Rox’Ti grabbed Lo’ak’s tail again, pulling it as Lo’ak slapped his hand away.

“Boys! I'm being serious! Keep doing this and you’re being grounded…for life,” I took Lo’ak and Kiri’s hands, taking them away from Aonung and his bully friends.

“You're not dad, you can't tell me what to do!” Aonung yelled at me.

“Exactly, I'm your older sister!” letting go of the teen’s hands, I turned to him, “You think I don't care about you? I'm not like father? Like mother? I care more than you think,” I got up into his face, poking his shoulder To’Roi followed behind me pulling my shoulder’s back trying to hold me back, “You haven't learnt a thing. Father already reprimanded you when you bullied MY friends! And now you’re going after the Sully’s? Because what? They’re different?! I'm disappointed in you brother. You stop this now. The lot of you!” I looked at his friends, emphasising my point. Gesturing for the Sully’s to walk with myself and To’Roi.

Under his breath Aonung said something he would soon regret, soon a fight was breaking out, Neteyam hopping in after his brother in the scuffle, as Kiri, To’Roi and I just stood there asking them to stop.

“This is so stupid,” Kiri rolled her eyes. I kind of just gave up and let it happen, Aonung deserved the beating.

We walked in a nervous silence, putting some distance between Aonung and his friends. 

“I'm very sorry for my brother, he’s always been this way. You should not have to deal with that,” I apologised. 

“Thank you, you didn't hav–” Kiri thanked.

“No, please…he’s a skxawng, He’s always picking on people for things they can't control. You are not freaks, you are not weak, you are not strange. You are Na’vi, just like me, just like Tsireya, just like ma To’Roi,” I turned to my lover as he proudly smiled at me ,”If they ever harass you again, come get me. I’ll beat his ass.” The teens chuckled at that. They gave one final thanks before running off to do their own things.

“That’s ma (Y/N). Ma yawne,” To’Roi kissed the top of my head. We spent the rest of the day together and joined my family much later.

That night after I recalled the day's events including Aonung’s bully moment, I actually did beat Aonung. I slapped him upside his head and when he tried slapping back, I knocked him onto his butt with my tail. Surprisingly our father didn't stop me, nor did our mother, or Tsireya. They kind of just…watched, even To’Roi who joined me in our family dinner. After that, Aonung confessed that he took Lo’ak out of the reef.

He’s lost his damn mind.

These are who I imagine are Sansu, Tavë and To’Roi (in that order).

Read part 1: Aonung is a skxawng

taglist: @cumikering @drinking-tea-and-be-obsessed

[welcometothedopeworld]

The Rooftop Garden ~ *Haruomi Shingu*

Summary: You have quite the green thumb and your little rooftop garden is your safe haven. So imagine your surprise when you find a stranger tending to your little garden.

Pairing: Haruomi Shingu X G/N!Reader

Genre: Fluffy Drabble

Word Count: 745

Warning: N/A

Masterlist

A/N: I'm sure he probably lives above his shop, but just for this Drabble, I have him living in an apartment with other people.

It was your happy place. Sure it took a lot of convincing, but you were grateful your landlord agreed to it. If you weren’t in your apartment, you could be found at the rooftop garden on top of your building.

Even though it was just a small garden, it was full of all kinds of vegetables, herbs, and spices. You even planted some flowers to give the garden some extra color. This little square of paradise that you worked in day in and day out had quickly before your absolute pride and joy.

So you were quite surprised to find someone else tending to your garden this morning.

You tried to be discreet as you carefully watched him work, plucking weeds and watering the plants. There was a reserved sort of charm to him that made him almost swoonworthy. You quickly shook your head at the thought. You’ve been reading too many romance novels as of late if that was your first thought!

Either way, as much as it conflicted you, you were grateful he knew what he was doing. Most people who tried to "help" in your garden ripped out the produce and left the weeds, making it harder for you to tend to your little patch of heaven. It took enough “anonymous” complaints for the other residents to stop encroaching on your little garden. However, you still sent gift baskets of food to your friends as an apology for banning them from your garden.

The man stood up and surveyed the whole garden, and in doing so, he locked eyes with you.

Your first thought was he had such a kind looking face.

Your next thought was how weird your first thought was.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He said, his voice soft and soothing. You internally smacked yourself for your cheesy thoughts. Seriously, you need to stop reading so much. “I’m assuming you’re the Guardian of the Garden, yes?”

“I- what?”

He laughed and you purse your lips. He had such a nice laugh. Wow, your romance novels are really bleeding into your real life now.

“Well, that’s what the other tenants and some of the neighbors call you. They tried to warn me from going up here, claiming you were a tyrant about its upkeep. However, they also said I would receive a lovely gift basket from you when the produce was fresh and ripe.”

You felt your cheeks burn in embarrassment. You didn’t think the other residents knew who you were. And now come to find out they called you a tyrant who sent nice gift baskets. It was more than a little mortifying.

“Is that what they’re saying about me?”

“Yeah… sorry.” He trailed off before adding, “I didn't mean to overstep by coming into your garden unannounced. I just thought I’d see what you were growing and noticed some weeds in the tomatoes that I took care of.”

You glanced at the weeds he pulled. You let out a sigh of relief. They really were weeds.

“Do you garden?” You asked, surveying his work some more.

He shrugged. “A little. Nothing as charming as this. I stick mainly to spices, as I don't have enough room in my apartment for all the vegetables I want to grow for my cooking. And I also grow catnip for my cat.”

“Cute.” You mused.

A thought then crossed your mind. No, there was no way you were seriously considering this idea! And yet, he knew his way around a garden, especially when it came to vegetables. Also, you hated to admit it, but the garden was slowly starting to to be a bit too much for just you. An extra pair of hands could really help make the workload lighter.

“Well, you seem to be pretty adept at gardening.” You tried to be casual with your approach to your proposal. “If you’d like to help out whenever you have time, you have my permission.”

“Really?” He seemed surprised but he gave you a warm smile. “That would be great. Thank you so much. I promise I won’t destroy anything.”

You hummed. “If you do really well, I may allow you to plant your own plants next spring.”

“Well, I definitely have some ideas in mind that I would love to discuss with you sometime.”

You smiled at his own proposal. Yes, this could definitely work out. It seemed this was the start of a very beautiful friendship.

[wavesketcher-sq]

Operation Simp Moms (ft scheming Henry)

Henry Swan-Mills is well used to his Ma gazing at his Mom like she has every answer to every question, like, ever. The fact that his Mom - a woman with ‘Evil Queen’ on her CV - has also taken residence in simp city central is….weird. Definitely weird. 

“I’m calling it Operation Simp Moms,” Henry tells Isaac, as they walk along Main Street after school. 

“That’s a dumb name,” Isaac replies, mouth full of Snickers. 

“You’re only saying that because my Mom doesn’t pay attention to you anymore,” Henry quips, which shuts his friend up. “Okay soooo you know that we’ve been trying to convince our parents to take us to Forest Fun for forever?”

“The adventure park three hours away from town?” Isaac supplies (providing exposition as if he were still a book character). 

“Why yes, Isaac, that it is indeed the place.” 

Isaac eyes the mischievous grin on Henry’s face with trepidation. “You’re telling me Operation…Simp Moms is gonna get us there?”

“I literally broke a curse as a ten year old. You just have to believe.”

Isaac takes another bite of his Snickers bar.

Robin Hood is lingering on the steps of the Town Hall: no fruit basket this time, just flowers. 

“Hullo, Henry,” he says, with a weary smile. They’ve had many a run-in here. It would be kinda stalkery if Robin wasn’t such a “pathetic pinecone” (Emma’s words). 

Henry gestures at the wildflowers bunched in Robin’s hairy hands. “Are those for Mom?” 

“Yes, I picked them myself today. I thought they could brighten up her working space.”

Henry suppresses a sigh. “Sure.”

“It is really quite lovely to see Regina and Emma getting along so well. I saw them holding hands the other day.”

Henry raises an eyebrow. 

“Your mother deserves a good friend like that.”

Henry reckons that his mother could stick a 10ft rainbow flag in the front lawn and Robin still wouldn’t get it, so he just pats the guy on the shoulder and enters the building.

Read The Full Chapter Here.

Just imagine Robin holding a bunch of weed like things in his hairy hands pls. It cracks me up every time. (Sorry Robin, boo. I'm gonna use you as a comedic device.)

[skeeverboyreviews]

Skeeverboy's Top 5

Roughly, my top 5 albums of all time, not in any order.

Harmlessness - The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die (2015)

This album makes me feel indescribable emotions. On the surface, it seems a little pretentious, honestly; a band with a ridiculously long, quirky name, an over-the-top artistic album cover, and long experimental tracks with extensive instrumentals give the impression of a band that thinks very highly of themself.

Despite appearances, I think this album is absolutely incredible. Every part of it is a work of art. The song titles, the album cover (I know I insulted it before, but I do like it a lot), the tracks themselves all work together to create an existential sort of nostalgia, an out-of-this-world feeling. The lyrics make you think about life in a way you haven't thought of before, the instrumentals working with the words to create a very consistent vibe.

This album is an experience, 45 minutes of feeling beyond words. There isn't a weak track on this album, but I do have favorites. You Can't Live There Forever is an incredible opener, and the transition into January 10th, 2014 is just beautiful. I Can Be Afraid of Anything is so emotionally moving. Wendover gives me nostalgia for times I never even experienced.

I think January 10th, 2014 is my favorite track on the album. Based on a true story, it follows Diana the Hunter - a woman who murdered bus drivers with reputations for sexually harassing and assaulting women. I love the use of storytelling within this song, especially with the two different vocalists.

If I could change anything about this album, I wouldn't.

I Hate My Friends - The Front Bottoms (2008)

Raw, unfiltered, immature, and desperate, this album is perfect for teenage angst in the form of shout-singing and power chords. It's edgy, it's messy, it's silly, and I can never stop talking about it for the life of me.

Most of the songs revolve around relationships, about dumb teenage decisions and longing. This album reminds me of high school, conjures the image of smoking weed and laughing or getting upset and ranting about nothing of substance. The songs feel like they were rushed when they were written, and I mean that as a compliment. The guitar parts are bare and are sometimes reused between songs, the melodies rather simple, and the lyrics sometimes clunky, but that's what makes it so incredible. It's like listening to Brian Sella's pure thoughts.

Two of my favorite tracks are ones that haven't been remastered: Push-Ups and Current Events. Both make me want to scream, to shout the lyrics at the top of my lungs, make me wish I thought to write them.

I think my favorite part about this album is how personal it feels. If I close my eyes, I can imagine sitting in someone's room, listening to them play guitar and workshop songs on the spot.

Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie (2003)

I've already written a full 2k word summary and analysis on this album, so I'll try to keep it short. This album is full of longing, of emotion, of wistfulness. It's tear-jerking and heart-aching. If you've ever been in a long-distance relationship, had your partner travel far, had a relationship slowly die, this album will resonate.

This album is tastefully minimalist. Unlike Harmlessness, which admittedly has a similar vibe but uses a wide variety of instruments and effects, Transatlanticism keeps it simpler. Passenger Seat only includes vocals and piano.

I'm cutting myself off here to avoid rambling, but truly, this album means so much to me. It was the first album I bought on CD, in a Half Price Books, and I bring it with me on nearly every drive.

Dookie - Green Day (1994)

A classic, really. How could I not include Green Day on this list, and how could it not be Dookie? So many iconic songs - Welcome to Paradise, She, Longview, When I Come Around, Basket Case - even non-Green Day fans can likely recognize at least half of this album.

Dookie is the blueprint, the definition, of 90s punk rock. Loud, heavy, shout-y, it's just incredible. There's not much I can say about it that hasn't been said before.

My favorite track currently is Sassafras Roots. I love the use of repetition, and the way he says "smoking cigarettes" gets stuck in my mind on the daily. I sing it to my partner in the passenger seat of their car.

Joyce Manor - Joyce Manor (2011)

This number five spot isn't nearly as solidified as the other four, and it took a lot of consideration before landing on Joyce Manor. But something about this album, the heaviness, the lyricism, speaks to me in a very unique way.

Joyce Manor is an extremely short, punchy album, only a little under 19 minutes in length, but it manages to pack so much into every minute. Not a single second is wasted. Every lyric, every chord, every sung note feels important, like a load-bearing beam, each second packed with meaning.

Barry's voice is intoxicating, the way he slurs his words in a way that makes it difficult to make out what he's saying. I've joked before with friends that he sounds a little bit like he just got dental surgery and had to sing while still numb from Novocain, but I truly love it. It's iconic, inseparable from the Joyce Manor brand. The album wouldn't be the same without it.

Joyce Manor has a very unique way of writing their lyrics, and I'm not sure I can name another band that I think writes in a very similar style. I'm not exactly sure how to describe it, the strange turns of phrases they use or the interesting rhymes or the confusing metaphors. It's like I understand, but I don't.

The most iconic track on this album is, without a doubt, Constant Headache. While this song has one of my favorite lyrics of all time ("Your love was foreign to me / It made me think maybe human's not such a bad thing to be"), my personal favorite is Derailed. I love the train set metaphor, and the sound of the song as a whole.

Thank you for listening.