#mostly he's enjoying isa playing with their hair

[mysoulspiralbound]

part 5 (final part) of untouch-starving siffrin!

previous parts 4, 3, 2, 1

his whole family, curled up for a break

[amuseintime]

A Stage of Healing

The Play is Over but the Script Remains/Scriptfrin Saga

For anyone who doesn't know, "Scriptfrin" is a Siffrin who sometimes goes semi-verbal after the loops, (mostly) only able to repeat the "script" from his time in there. I have a bit of it up here, but most of it is in this series on AO3 (though for the general concept, you can just read "Line, Please.")

Months after the loops, Siffrin and their family are walking around a town and Bonnie happens to notice samosas in the window… the thing that they had basically every blinding night in the loops. Siffrin is clearly bothered, but not in the way you'd expect. All this leads to a long talk, a one man performance, and a lot of laughs. Humor and Hurt/Comfort (heavier on the comfort).

Crossposted here on AO3.

(And always, if you like what I do, reblog, leave a comment, or maybe buy me a Kofi?)

“Oh oh oh! Guys! Look, this place has samosas!” Bonnie said, tugging them through the streets of Bagon. Even amongst Vaugaurde, the area was known for its cooking. The smells of food filled the streets, enough to make even the pickiest child consider trying something new, and the outdoor market was in full swing now that it was warming up again!

It was that perfect time of year where spring made it warm enough to travel, but still cold enough to enjoy some nice, hot food (and oh Change, being medicated again made her hungry!), or at least Mirabelle thought so! It was still too cold for Bonnie and Odile, and Siffrin kept pretty warm with his cloak, but she and Isabeau seemed to like it! 

And speaking of Siffrin, he was staring at where Bonnie had seen samosas on the menu. While they were all getting better at reading Siffrin, sometimes it was still a little difficult. This was one of those times. His head was tilted, an odd look in his eye. Not necessarily upset, but not exactly happy either. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but only a breath came out.

It wasn’t just her that noticed. Isabeau put a gentle hand on their shoulder, not minding that Siffrin jumped before settling into the contact. “You alright, Sif?” 

“Huh?” Siffrin blinked owlishly. “Ah, sorry. Was just remembering something.”

Odile’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Remembering what?”

“Remembering loop stuff…

Loop stuff? From samosas?

Bonnie jolted. “OH RIGHT!!! Crab, sorry Frin! I forgot that’s why I stopped making Samosas! ‘Cause you had ‘em every day in forever school.” 

Oh that’s right! Mirabelle had forgotten that Bonnie made samosas that day, but makes sense Siffrin wouldn’t have…

Bonnie took Siffrin’s hand to start tugging him away. “We can go somewhere else-“

“No.” He said it a bit too seriously, which he must’ve noticed as he smiled and mussed up Bonnie’s hair. “I can’t deny my Bonbon TWO of their three favorite foods!” He looked back to the shop. “Besides, I’m pretty sure they sell more than JUST Samosas. Though they might not be as… as…” They scrunched up their eye, glaring at the sign for a moment. Then their eye widened and they puffed themselves up as they said, “DE~LI~CIOUS as yours would be.”

“Why’d you say it weird?” Bonnie asked.

“I was trying to sound like Isa? It’s, uh… been a while. Since I heard that.” He trailed off again, staring into space…

Odile went over to the door and said, “Would you like to have this talk on a chair with some hot food, or would you rather keep staring through the window like an incompetent stalker?”

“Madame!” Mirabelle squealed. You can’t just?! Say that?!

But say it she did, and everyone else was laughing, even as Siffrin also tried to sink into his cloak like a turtle. 

“Yeah yeah, we should go in. But, um… I need time. To get thoughts together first? And not do this in public?”

“Reasonable enough. Now get in, I’m cold.”

They all filed inside. Only Bonnie ended up ordering the samosas, but none of them entirely missed the way that Siffrin eyed them.

————

They were all back at the nearest inn… which was fairly packed, given that spring was here. Mirabelle wasn’t the least bit surprised. After all, Spring was quite important in the Change religion! A time for new growth, a fresh start, and a reminder that while Change was destruction, it was creation too! A lot of people celebrated by picking up new hobbies, clearing out some space for those hobbies and just tidying in general (Spring Cleaning!), travel, and bonding ceremonies. 

All of this to say, there was only one room available… but Madame Odile was pretty insistent on NOT having only one bed, and somehow they ended up with three. Mirabelle made sure to slip extra tips to the poor staff, that was mortifying! Though the space was nice…

“I call Mira!” Bonnie said, grabbing her hand. She could only yelp in shock as they were both catapulted to the nearest bed, making it thunk against the wall. 

“Can I call Sif?” Isabeau said, chuckling at the not-actually-a-question. Even in the days before they saved Vaugaurde, it was rarer that they didn’t sleep together. 

Siffrin stuck his tongue out and, “Nah. Isa…” they trailed, took a quick breath in, and smirked, “Isa has to sleep on the floor.” They looked over to Odile for a moment, then jumped a few inches when Bonnie laughed instead.

“FINALLY! No more being gross!” Bonnie cheered.

“I was just joking,” Siffrin said.

“BOOOOOO!”

“Yaaaaaay!” Isabeau said, even clapping his hands and looking all sparkle-eyed at Siffrin (how had she missed that they liked each other?!) 

“Heh! Heh…” Siffrin trailed off again.

Oh Change. “Hey, Siffrin? Are you okay?” Mirabelle walked over and… wait, crab, what does she do with her hands now? Um… “Pat Pat!” Head pats, sure! Wait… Oh Change, he actually leaned in that’s??? So??? Cute?!?!

Siffrin smiled, eye shutting, and let out a sigh. “I’m alright, just…” He shuffled his feet, looking down, then up again, staring at the ceiling.

“Is this related to earlier in any way?” Odile asked.

Siffrin looked aside. “… maaaaaybe…” 

“We aren’t doing anything too close to the loops, are we?” Isabeau said. “I’m willing to actually sleep on the floor if-“

“NO! I mean, kinda, but also no? You don’t have to sleep on the floor, Isa. And it’s, um… weird.”

“Yeah, well, you’re weird! And we like you that way,” Bonnie huffed. “So out with it!” They scampered over to the door and held their arms out. “No escape!”

Siffrin blinked dumbly. Once. Twice. “Snrk-“ He plopped down on bed and started laughing. “Oh come on! I’m not that bad at talking…” he looked around the room and added, “…anymore!” 

Odile nodded, “I will concede, you’ve gotten better. But Boniface, stay there.”

“Sorry ‘Za! I’m the Defender now! Ehehe.”

“Oh nooooo!” Isabeau said, dramatically swooning onto the ground in exaggerated defeat. Everyone laughed. Some a little, some a lot, but they all laughed, even Isabeau!

Change, she loved these people.

“So then… Siffrin…” Mirabelle stepped closer with the utmost seriousness. Siffrin trembled before her! “You will…” Pause for dramatic effect, hand on her currently missing sword (she was in pajamas after all)… “Talk about your feelings!!!”

“NOOOOOOO!” Siffrin moaned, collapsing onto the bed and snickering. Though he sighed and rolled to look at all of them. “… but okay. Just… promise you won’t find it weird or wrong?”

“Of course, young one.”

“Sif, we aren’t going to judge you!”

“Never! Never ever!”

“I mean, you are weird, Stupidfrin, but tell! Us!” 

Siffrin squeaked and rolled into a ball like a little hedgehog.

Mirabelle couldn’t help but giggle, “Oh no! We came on too strong!” She sat down in bed next to him.

“Scared like the stray animal he is,” Odile tutted.

Maybe it was a little mean to poke this much fun when he was having problems… but it seemed to relax him, actually? She could say from experience that treating it too seriously was anxiety inducing itself!!! A cornered animal bites! 

Siffrin pushed himself up, shuffling close enough that their knees and elbows bumped together, but not much else. “Thanks guys.” In… out. “I dunno how you guys are so sweet when I’m so weird…”

“Like Boniface said, we already know that. It’s going to take more than a few new quirks to scare us off.” 

Blushing, Siffrin tried to bury into their collar, but he was in night clothes. No cloak! So cute! Everyone was nice enough not to mention it.

They continued, “It’s just…” He looked around as though looking for a distraction, but no one was interrupting. “With the samosas, it, uh… Took me a moment. To remember. What you guys said.”

Odile raised an eyebrow. “And that’s… bad?”

“It shouldn’t be…?” Siffrin squirmed. One of his hands found one of Mirabelle’s. She gave it a little squeeze, and he gave one back. “I mean. I… Let’s talking about something. Stars-!” 

Mirabelle squeezed his hand again. “There’s no rush.”

In… out. In. And out. “Thank you.” One more time. Big breath in… big breath out. “I guess it surprised me more than anything. Which is? Kinda dumb???”

Isabeau tried to cut in, “It’s not-“

But Siffrin kept talking, “I was careful! No wishes! No ‘Hi Isa, I need to do the Favor Tree thing!’ Even though I thought I wis- though I wanted to forget. But I didn’t mean those parts!” He held tighter to her hand, breath quickening. “I wanted to forget the King and the Sadnesses and the Head Housemaiden! Not you guys!”

Everyone tried to act at once, tried to protest, but Mirabelle was closest. She took his face in her hands—ignore the way he jumped, the moment of panic, the memory of a slap—and made him look her in the eyes. “Siffrin. You are NOT forgetting us! We’re right here, okay?” 

Bonnie barreled into him, Isabeau showed a little more restraint and just opened his arms for the group hug, and Odile messed up his hair a bit from the side. 

“Yeah! No way you can forget me!!!” Bonnie shouted.

“I would hug the memory back into you,” Isabeau said. 

Siffrin snorted, relaxing into the group hug. “Thanks guys, heh. Sorry, like I said. It’s a little bit weird, but I guess…” he had to stop to breathe again. “I guess a lot of things. I don’t want to forget more. Some part of me’s scared I’ll somehow forget my scripts and just go entirely mute. And it’s- it’s the only proof I have that it happened, because it didn’t! It didn’t happen to anyone else. Not on the loop that stuck!” His grasp on them tightened. Not painfully so, not when spread out across three people, but it was noticeable. “And it’s kind of not blinding fair! I- I… ‘I’d rather you ask everyone else if they need help, first.’ And I did! And- and THANK YOU SNACK LEADER FOR THIS DELICIOUS MEAL! and Fromage and… and it… How can I help you on this wonderful new loop…”

He let out a bitter laugh. “… it didn’t happen.” 

No one knew what to say. What even could they say? There was a heaviness in the air, an oppressive silence. It felt like if something broke it, everything might shatter…

But Change is destruction, and Mirabelle was a Housemaiden. “It happened to you.”

“But-“

“No, Mirabelle is right,” Odile said. “Even if it didn’t technically happen to anyone else, it happened to you for the equivalent of months. And if I recall correctly, you’ve mentioned before that that was your rock bottom, as it were.”

“I don’t think anyone blames you for feeling cheated, Sif,” Isabeau said. “Or for missing good memories, or, uh… wishing things went better.”

Siffrin sighed, resting his head on Isabeau’s shoulder. “I just, I just wish- wait! No. I want you guys to remember too. But I know that can’t happen without, um, actually wishing it. And no thank you. I think sharpening my dagger is the most wishcraft I want anymore.”

“Fair and valid,” Isabeau said. 

“Yeah… though I feel like it’d get confusing, having two memories of the same day,” Mirabelle said.

Siffrin gave her the most deadpan look and-

“Oh Change, I guess you technically do have a lot of the same day huh,” Mirabelle said one quiet breath. 

Siffrin chuckled, “Understatement. Though for better or worse, the fact that I, uh, didn’t change much made parts of it less confusing? Like…” He looked around and his eye widened. “Y’know, if you push that bed off the far wall to be more in the middle, it looks like the clock tower…” He trailed into mumbles as he just… apparently decided to do that! Without much issue! Sometimes Mirabelle forgot how strong they were now.

Isabeau, regardless, decided to pick up the other end and help. “Uh. I am going with this because you started it, but why are we doing a thing that seems kinda tailor made to trigger you, Sif?”

“I have, like, half an idea. Working on it,” Siffrin said as he set the bed down.

“Curious as I am, I’m with Isabeau on this one. This seems ill-advised,” Odile said. 

“That took, like, five seconds. We can move it back!” Siffrin huffed, sitting on the newly moved bed. “Besides. They’re way closer.” The room was quite a bit smaller than the clock tower after all, not really meant to shove all five of them in there.

“Oh! Are we making one BIG bed?” Mirabelle said. “Ultimate bed!!!”

“Gross, Frin! I don’t wanna be next to you and Za KISSING!”

“I agree with the preteen,” Odile said. “Veto’d.”

“That’s not-!” Siffrin huffed and pulled his legs in to sulk.

Oh no! “C’mon, we should probably let Siffrin think! And then tell us, um, what he’s thinking,” Mirabelle said.

“Thank you!” Siffrin said, flopping onto his back with an overdramatic huff. There were a few chuckles, but then they let the poor guy think. 

Siffrin took a deep breath. “So… I know I’ve been, uh, a little skittish. With play stuff.” They’d tried to see one once or twice, but he couldn’t step foot into a theatre without looking like he was just… empty. “But maybe I could act it out…?” His voice hoy quieter until it was a near whisper, eye averted…

And she couldn’t blame him. Isabeau and Odile both looked like he’d suggested going to swim with Sadnesses, and Bonnie looked to Odile and tried to mimic it.

“Sif, I don’t think-“

“Don’t be stupid, Frin-“

“Young one, this might not-“

“I THINK IT’S A GREAT IDEA!” Mirabelle shouted… and jumped, surprised at just how loud that came out. And oh Change, all eyes were on her now! But… oh, just pretend they’re in their underwear… hmm, that doesn’t work as well when you’ve had to wash clothes and bathe in rivers and have actually seen that. 

Deep breath, like Siffrin! They’re her friends, and it’s her turn to help. She walks over to Siffrin, sitting beside him and pulling them up enough to take their hands in hers. “I know it might sound a little counter-intuitive, to do something relating to what scares you, or, um, trauma in your case, but sometimes it’s good to? In little ways where you have control!”

She rubbed the backs of his palms with her thumbs. “It’s kind of like reading horror books? Getting to be a little scared, but safely? Or, hmm… no. Not reading… writing fanfiction! All the control is in my hands! I can make it horrible if I want, or can make them live happily ever after, or can have them face my greatest fears in front of an audience and make out over the gorey remains! And yeah, maybe it’s scary, but it’s safe scary? My, um… some of the other Housemaidens who are good at medicine and therapy and stuff recommended it, actually.”

She smiled at Siffrin, putting a hand on his cheek. The rest are probably staring at her, but this is no grand stage. It’s… “It’s us, our family! Not a whole theatre, not Dormont, or a House or anything like that. You’re safe here with us, and you can stop or break the script whenever you want, okay?“

He was looking at her like she was the one who made the seasons change and sun move across the sky. “Okay.”

She stood up and clapped. “Good!” And then dared look around. Everyone was staring!

“So, did you take a class on psychology, then?” Odile asked. 

“Three. One of which was actually theatre related!”

“Crab yeah Mira!” Isabeau pumped his fist for her. 

“You guys are nerds,” Bonnie said.

They couldn’t refute that! 

“Snrk- yeah, we can’t all be as cool as you, Bonbon,” Siffrin said. “So… if we’re good, do I just, like, do it…? I mean, the scene setting is already here.”

“What, by yourself?” Odile said.

“I’m not writing you a script and having you do it. If I see you guys say and do those things again, it might actually give me a panic attack,” Siffrin said. He stood up on the bed. “Sorry guys! One man show!”

“One! Man! Show!!!” Bonnie cheered. “Should I make popcorn?”

“I mean, yes, always,” Isabeau said. “But how long should this take?”

“Not long. Two minutes or so? Provided you don’t combust, Isa~”

“Wait, why would I combust???” Isabeau was already blushing some, holding his hands up defensively.

“EW! I don’t wanna hear you pretend to be Za being mushy! We get enough of that!” 

Siffrin smirked. “Okay, but, then you can laugh at me being Isa being mushy. And you’re in this scene too!”

Bonnie’s eyes went wide, mouth open in childish awe. “Am I yelling at you?”

“Mmmmmmaybe~” Pause. “Yes.”

“I KNEW IT!”

“Oh I’m going to have to give the neighbors something to make up for this,” Mirabelle whispered to herself. It wasn’t too late though, so hopefully they weren’t in, or at least weren’t trying to sleep.

“Dile! Get the tea heater!” They pulled out a small pan and lid from their bag. “I’m making POPCORN!” 

“Guess we’ve got a few minutes before the show. Everyone take your seats~”

“There is only one chair, and I claim it,” Odile said. 

“Overbooked! A tragedy!” Isabeau said with an exaggerated gasp and hand over his heart. 

Mirabelle, meanwhile, felt some of her theatre classes coming back. Just the rehearsals though! There was a play, but she panicked so hard that poor Junette had to just throw on the bonnet she was supposed to wear and, well, improving that that mother requesting help was the secretly the villain in disguise was sheer genius, actually! 

Wait… “Oh!” She pulled an extra bow from her bag and gave it to Siffrin. “Here! To play me! Um, assuming I’m here?” 

“You were!”

“Hmm, probably better than you attempting to do accents. Because, young one, if I didn’t know you, I’d think your attempt at mimicking me was offensive on purpose,” Odile said, smirking at Siffrin.

“Sorry Madame.”

“Here,” she passed him those weird, opaque glasses that they’d… wait… when did she get those??? 

“What about you, Bonbon. Should I steal your hat~?” Siffrin teased, inching to where it was piled atop their things.

“No. Borrow a spatula.” 

“Bon yes bon!” They pulled a spatula. Brilliant!

“Wait! What can I give you…?” Isabeau said, making a sad puppy dog face. And that was fair! Siffrin’s ears weren’t pierced, and putting earrings on and off would be a chore anyways. And Isabeau’s gloves were just too big for Siffrin’s hands!

It apparently stumped everyone as they just stared… 

Until Bonnie said, “Make your hair stand up like a bird’s.”

That alone got a chuckle out of some of them, and it turned to outright laughs when Isabeau fake cried, “So MEAN! I’m not a bird. I’m buff!”

“The buffest of birds,” Siffrin said, pressing again Isa and standing on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. 

Bonnie threw some corn at them. 

“Worth it!” Isabeau chirped.

The popcorn was ready shortly afterwards, salted and put in a little bowl in front of everyone. Siffrin was on the bed, stage right. He spit in his hand to spike up his hair, like a bird!

“Sif…” Siffrin deepened his voice, prompting snorts from all of them at his attempt to sound like Isabeau. “Hey… hey Sif. Siffrin. Siffarooni.” 

Siffrin then scooted over and tamped his hair down just to look behind him then quickly scoot back and fluff his hair again. If the ridiculousness of such an act weren’t silly enough, it was clear he was aware of this, trying not to laugh. 

He took a deep breath and got back “in character,” looking at the empty space in front of him with the biggest, puppiest eye he could muster. “Um… Sorry? To wake you? I just have to tell you something. If that’s okay?”

“Oh crab, I didn’t!!!” Isabeau groaned, pressing his hands into his eyes. 

“In front of my Belle?!” Bonnie said, gesturing to Mirabelle like she was an art piece.

Siffrin once more played “himself” and nodded before doing his silly little scoot back to being Isabeau. “Okay, okay, okay. Then I shall tell you the thing! The thing I woke you up to tell you!”

“Siiiiiif I take it back let’s end this!” Isabeau groaned. 

“Quiet, I’m watching the show,” Pdile said, taking a handful of popcorn.

Bonnie seemed considerably more interested in laughing at Isabeau, but Siffrin didn’t seem to mind.

Siffrin continued, unmoved by the begging. “Haha! Um. So.”

“The thing I have to tell you. Is. That…” Siffrin looked off to the side, a snort escaping as he caught Isabeau’s clearly shaded face. Still, he delivered his line. “I don’t have anything to tell you right now. But I will, when, uh, we beat the King, okay?”

“Oh Change and I said this every night, didn’t I? Aaaaargh that must’ve gotten so crabbing annoying!” Isabeau moaned. 

“Now you know how I feel!” Bonnie said.

Siffrin was back in his place, but… “Uh… hmm. Breaking character of, uh… myself? A sec? Eventually I just got quiet but that’s more sad than funny, so we’re doing the funny one. Okay back to it!” He cleared his throat. “That is still SO ominous, Isa.”

Back to Isa and oh Change he actually did a really good impression of Isabeau’s flustered face! “I, uh, just don’t wanna tell you right now when it might distract you! Wouldn’t want that! So, uh, I’ll tell you when we beat the, um, King, okay?”

Siffrin looked at them, opened his mouth to say something, then it split into a head manic grin as an idea hit. Oh Change here we go. 

Siffrin bolted up, snapped, grabbed the spatula and a pillow, threw it, dropped the spatula, and lunged for the bed so it hit him in the face. 

“SIF?!”

“Pfffft, hahaha!”

“PILLOW! THROW!”

“Hahahaha! Oh noooooo!” 

They had to take a short intermission from everyone laughing too hard. Once, even twice it almost ended, but someone snickered and started it again! But third time’s the charm.

Siffrin picked the dropped spatula back up, “I’ll wash this after,” and then got on the middle bed and pointed accusingly at the empty bed, “SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!” 

“HEY I DON’T SOUND LIKE THAT!” Bonnie huffed.

“Oh he’s trying,” Mira said. Though truthfully, the squeaky voice Siffrin had chosen was awful.

“You hit me with a pillow?!” Isabeau said.

“I would’ve used a book,” Odile said.

Siffrin hit the bed and set the bow on his hair. “YEAH ISABEAU! SOME PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP! CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND SLEEP!”

“PFFFT, Belle sounds like a mouse!” Bonnie said. “Belle’s on my side Belle’s on my side!”

Then Siffrin rushed over to stage right once more, slicking hair in the midst of a fit of giggles. “CLOSE YOUR MOUTH HOUSEMAIDEN! YOU’RE GONNA WAKE UP M’DAME ODILE!”

“How could I have slept through this?” Odile said. 

Siffrin went to the far bed, stifling giggles behind his hand before putting on the dark glasses and somehow managing to be utterly serious as he said, “I’m already up.” He didn’t bother with a voice, but got the tone scarily serious. 

“Oh, so I didn’t,” Odile remarked.

“And if the noise continues, I will stand up. You do not want to know what will happen if I stand up.”

Aaaand right back to the energy. He looked exaggeratedly spooked as he picked up the spatula and dove under the covers. “Sorry.” Then tried to roll over, presumably to be Mirabelle, and-

THUMP! “NYA!”

“Did you-?”

“Did he-?”

“Did Sif-?”

“Did they-?”

“Stars- YES I JUST SAID NYA!” Tangled in the sheets, Siffrin had hit the floor, and now was hiding in the covers, wiggling futilely for a few seconds before giving up. “… for the record. That did not happen. Uh… crew? A little help? Rather not cut these.”

Mirabelle giggled as she got up, helping get the sheets off without having to resort the scissors craft. 

Siffrin brushed the dust off of him, held the bow up, and gave a quick little, “Sorry.”

Then went back to be Isabeau. “Sorry m’dame…” He looked appropriately abashed, but the look turned into one of a familiar, adoring smile. “Good night, Sif!” 

“Aaaaaand scene!” Siffrin said, standing back up and giving a little bow.

They all clapped for him, even if Bonnie was breathless from laughing and Isabeau was still dark-cheeked. 

“Good job, Siffrin!” Mirabelle said, going over and playfully spinning him… and forgetting their current lack of space, squawking as they both tumbled onto a bed, laughing and breathless.

Isabeau must’ve gotten jealous as he scooped Siffrin into his arms and started kissing his cheek! “Mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah!”

“GROOOOOOSSSS!” Bonnie whined.

Siffrin was laughing so much that both he and Isa had to sit down a minute, but eventually Siffrin got back up to put the bed back, then munch on some popcorn. “Mmmmm, good as always, Bonbon~” They mussed up Bonnie’s hair with a smile as more salty snacks disappeared into their mouth. 

“I AM the best chef cooker after all!” Bonnie said, little chest puffed out.

“You are!” Siffrin said. He went a bit quiet for a moment before saying, “Speaking of that, we’re near a market anyways… wanna try making those fritters again? Maybe with a few spicy peppers?”

“YEAH!!!”

“We might wanna grab something for the neighbors too, if only to apologize…” Mirabelle said. 

“And we haven’t been kicked out yet, so to bribe the inkeepers as well,” Odile said.

“MADAME!”

They went into another bout of giggles and finished up the popcorn before going to brush teeth and settle in…

And in the dark and quiet, as she was starting to drift off to sleep, she could hear Isabeau say, “And hey Sif, just gonna tell it this time… I love you!”

“I love you too!”

Mwah!

And that night, everyone slept well.

-----

I prefer tea, but buy me a Kofi?

[oh-look-isa-weeb]

hey! can i ask for a matchup for haikyuu in your event? congrats with 100 followers. i go by she/they pronouns and i'm 19, i'm 4'11 and bi. i have long wavy platinum blonde hair with bangs reaching my back and dark green eyes. i'm kind of slim thick with fair skin. i'm rational, laid back and quick-witted. people say i seem very confident in myself and the way i can be straightforward about some things, but i guess it's also because i have "idgaf" attitude with some things, so i try to accept myself as i am. i'm always there for my friends and keep loyal to them, even if i can't relate to their feelings. i can seem harsh sometimes or coldhearted, according to some of my friends. i rarely get angry and usually have a calm demeanour, i joke around a lot and say a lot of things just for shits and gigs on purpose and rarely take things serious, my humour is really messy. i mask some of my feelings on the inside though and don't really express if i feel sad, unless it's really bad.

i really like to party, travel, play videogames, chess, cooking, plants, music mostly genres of indie, rock or pop. i daydream a bit and i like to question the universe, theories and existence. working out, dancing, kickboxing and doing yoga keeps me motivated. my zodiac sign is virgo and i'm an intj. i rely on myself a lot when it comes to hard situations and get pretty stubborn with asking for help. i like to take on challenges and get competitive.

i really like horror movies, the occult and fiction. i like to wear some indie, y2k, cottagecore or dark academia stuff with some chains. my style goes a bit back and forth and people say i dress and act a bit hipster. i guess i'm fine with pda, but mostly handholding and kisses in between, nothing big. i like words of affirmation and affection, but i also don't know how to express myself and get shy when i get compliments or someone shows affection.

thank you and i hope you have a great day!!

Isa's Event Matchup #4

Unnamed anon

I match you with…

Akaashi Keiji!!

---------------

Akaashi, like you, is rational and quick-witted. He can be a pretty straightforward guy, and he appreciates someone who's equally straightforward, or someone who understands his bluntness.

(He's also an INTJ!!)

He really appreciates your generally calm demeanor. It's a comfort to him, especially after being around the chaos that is the Fukurodani Volleyball Team.

Would play chess or cook with you, and is the perfect person to debate theories with. Doesn't mind working out or doing yoga with you, too, because he's an athlete after all.

At the same time, his composed, calm personality is a perfect complement to your wilder sides.

He's a little more serious than you might be, but he's not completely serious. He appreciates humor too, and sometimes you might catch him chuckling quietly at something funny you said or did.

Also mothers you a little (out of love!!) when you go partying, because he wants you to stay safe. He'll accompany you if you need him even if it's not really his scene, and sometimes even offers to tag along.

Akaashi understands that you need to work through things on your own, be it a challenge or negative emotions, but he's always worried about you, and he'll do small little things to help you out a bit if he sees you struggling. You'll always have his shoulder to cry on if you need to.

He's also very similar to you when it comes to PDA. Not that he doesn't enjoy affection, but it's something he views as personal, and wouldn't be showy about it in public. Hand-holding and maybe small cheek kisses is probably the most you'll get from him in public.

Will compliment you or initiate affection every so often, but he's shy about it too, so now both of you are just awkwardly sort of blushing and trying to function again. It gets more natural over time, don't worry. 

I also imagine you'd end up meeting Bokuto and the rest of his team at some point, and they'd absolutely love you. They definitely chuckle a bit at how Akaashi would manage to find an S/O on the exact same wavelength as him, but they're definitely supportive of y'all.

[all-things-skam]

Summertime sadness  | VDS [part 3]

The summer heat pulled Lucas from his sleep much earlier than he would've prefered. 6am was an ungodly hour to be up during summer vacation. Sighing, he put on a grey hoodie and a pair of shorts and headed out, knowing there was no way he would fall back asleep.

Everyone was still asleep inside - and would be for the next few hours according to the amount of empty beer bottles Lucas found outside. He shook his head at the mess, stepping around the trash until he reached the deck. They'd been here for less than a week and it was already a pigsty. Thank God Kes' parents weren’t seeing this.

Lucas sat down on the edge of the wooden deck, careful to not get splinters in his thighs, and looked at the lake, enjoying the water's stillness. Above the lake, shades of yellows, oranges and pinks were spreading into the sky like a beautiful watercolor painting.

A soft brisk of wind blew over his face, making Lucas smile and close his eyes. It was the first moment of peace he’s felt since they arrived at the cabin. While he loved his friends and their craziness, sometimes it was nice to have alone time to relax and think - mainly the latter.

Lately, Lucas' train of thoughts revolved around the same things: Jens, his mom, college and Jens.

In September, he would have to pack his bags and leave for university, leaving his mom, which worried Lucas a lot. Last year had been difficult for them, a whole rollercoaster. Learning to live and deal with her mental illness wasn't always roses and rainbows. They had rough moments and Lucas didn't want to leave her, scared something bad would happen to her while he was away.

Then, there was Jens. Jens and his full, kissable lips. Jens and his stupid, fluffy hair. Jens and his cheap spicy aftershave Lucas loved so much. He was even starting to miss his bad jokes.

Lucas sighed. Sometimes, he missed the days where all he had to think about was which toy he'd play with next.

The creaking of the deck pulled Lucas from his thoughts, snapping back to earth. He looked over his shoulder, glancing at the newcomer approaching.

''I heard noise and saw that you were outside. Figured I'd join,'' Kes said, taking a seat next to Lucas, squinting as the waking sun blinded him. ‘’What are you doing up so early?’’

‘’I could ask you the same thing.’’

‘’I asked first.’’

Lucas rolled his eyes.

''Let's play a game. Truth or dare...but there is no dare.''

Lucas gave Kes an incredulous look. ''So, just...truth?''

''Yeah.''

Lucas hesitated, having a feeling that Kes was about to trap him with a question. He knew Kes would never force him to answer a question, say something he wasn’t ready for, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t ask a delicate question, something more personal than usual - something Lucas wouldn’t answer if there were other people around.

‘’I’ll let you start.’’

‘’Kes…’’

‘’Ask me a question. Come on, Luc!’’ Kes cheered, trying to get a smile out of his friend. ‘’Isa and Jayden will be out until at least 10. We might as well entertain ourselves.’’

‘’Okay… Erm, why is the air climatization is not working inside? I was fucking melting this morning.''

Kes laughed. ''I don't think it ever worked. It came with the cabin so it's really old.''

''Well, tell your dad to fix it. I need my beauty sleep.''

''Will do.''

It wasn't the kind of questions Kes was going for when he suggested this game, but it'll do. If Lucas wanted to play like that, it didn’t mean he would too. Kes' face turned serious, setting the table for his question.

''Have you talked to him since?'' he asked softly, keeping his words non-pressuring.

Talking about Jens was like walking on eggshells. Depending on his mood, he could either answer or tell you to fuck off. Lately, it’s been mostly the latter.

He thought for a moment, almost playing dumb and asking who Kes was talking about, but Lucas figured Kes would see through his avoidance attempt and give him a pointed look.

''No,’’ he responded honestly. ''He's back with his ex.''

Kes frowned, surprised. “He told you that?''

‘’No.’’

‘’Then why do you think that?”

Lucas sighed. “I saw a post on Instagram. He was with her at some party.”

Discouragement washed over Kes’ face. “Bro, stop assuming things and fucking ask him.’’

Lucas frowned and pulled his phone out. He searched for the post and showed Kes the incriminating picture, thinking that if Kes saw it, he’d understand why he assumed that. But, instead of sympathizing, Kes laughed.

‘’What’s funny?’’ Lucas demanded, seeing no laughing matter. It was anything but funny.

‘’How is this picture saying they are back together?’’ Kes asked, nodding at the picture. ‘’To me, this is two people having a good time at a party. And by the looks on their faces, they were both pretty drunk when they took it. No offence, Luc, but you have the tendency to jump to conclusions. It’s probably nothing.''

Lucas looked at his best friend in disbelief and jumped into a defensive mode. ''You're taking his side, now?''

''I'm not taking anyone's side,'' Kes corrected, staying calm, unlike Lucas. ‘’I’m just rationalizing things.’’

There was a pause as Lucas thought for a moment. What if Kes was right? What if it was platonic between Jens and Jana? A small part of him wanted to believe Kes, but Lucas also knew that Jana still has feelings for Jens. She had told him after one too many drinks.

“It’s whatever,” he finally told Kes, trying to sound firm but falling short. “We’re broken up. That’s it. It’s just…” Lucas bit his lip, keeping the last words for himself.

Sensing what he meant, Kes nudged him with his elbow.

Despite how he loved to show off his relationship and brag about his boyfriend, Lucas prefered to keep his feelings for himself. He didn't like being vulnerable, always worried his emotions would be used against him or that someone would make fun of him for feeling the way he felt.

Lucas looked up at his best friend and shrugged helplessly.

Kes threw an arm around Lucas’ shoulder and tugged him into a half-hug. ‘’It’s okay to miss someone.''

Lucas didn’t respond.

[ends-of-the-wayward-storm]

KH OC Week 2020–Day 6: Life’s Perks

Nothing Beats Homemade

[This time I had a plan! Partially. I got the gist of it before filling in the finer details. Anyway this was actually kinda cute to write, but it’s a bit long, I think. Got to practice more with writing some characters which is always nice. :) Hope you enjoy!] @khoc-week

————

“Here you go.”

Seifer frowned as he took the letter from Erica. “At least this was on time.”

“Mail comin’ in late’s the worst, y’know?” Rai commented.

“That it?”

“Looks like it,” Erica replied, giving her messenger bag one last search. “Hope you have a good day!”

“We’ll see about that.”

Erica briefly frowned before setting her skateboard down and heading off. That was the last piece of mail for today, which meant the weekend was officially hers. She wondered what they’d be able to do this time. Last week, Ax—Lea decided to try his hand at skateboarding. He thought he’d be a pro at it since he considered himself pretty good with balance.

That is until he crashed into someone with a large bag of groceries. Needless to say getting the eggs and ice cream out of his hair took way too long for his liking.

Approaching the post office, Erica slowed down to pick up her skateboard. When she pushed open the door, a little bell rang from above it, alerting a woman with brown hair picked up in a bun.

“Any issues today?” she asked.

“Nope! Everyone got their mail,” Erica replied.

“That’s good to hear.”

Erica hung her bag up just as her Gummiphone buzzed. Fishing it out of her pocket, she felt it buzz a few more times as messages from her friends kept popping up.

“Plans for the weekend?”

“Looks like it.”

“Then I hope you have a good weekend.”

“You too!” Erica gave the woman a wave before exiting the post office and leaning against a pole.

—Pence: Hey Erica! We’re headed to the Bistro for lunch tomorrow. Wanna come with us?

Ooh that sounded fun!

~~Sure!

—Olette: This would be your first time at the Bistro, right?

—Roxas: I think so.

—Olette: It’s amazing! You won’t want to eat anywhere else.

—Lea: Sounds like it’s the best in town.

—Hayner: Sure is.

Erica laughed to herself before tucking her Gummiphone away. Setting her skateboard down again, she set a course for the train station to head home.

————

The next day, Erica was quickly making her way over to the Bistro. She hoped she wasn’t too late. The train was having some minor technical difficulties, but luckily they were able to fix them.

Up ahead, a boy with a sort of wizard’s hat was walking down the street.

“Hi Vivi!” Erica said.

“Hello,” he replied just before she passed him.

After a few more moments the Bistro was in sight, and the rest of her friends were by the steps leading down to it. But what was strange is that they all looked disappointed.

“I’m here!” Erica announced.

“Oh. Hey,” Hayner said dejectedly.

She frowned. “What’s wrong?”

“We just found out the Bistro’s closed for renovations,” Pence replied.

“Oh. . . .”

“Seems we’ll have to find another place for lunch,” Isa said.

“I guess. . . .” Hayner pouted.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to think of something,” Naminé said.

Roxas glanced to the ground in thought for a few seconds. “Maybe we could make something.”

“What would we make?” Xion asked.

“Good question,” Lea commented. “Any ideas?”

Pence hummed. “My dad makes a really mean quiche. Maybe we could try that?”

“Quiche?” Xion repeated.

“It’s kinda like a pie but without the sugar and sweet stuff.”

“Can’t be that hard, can it?” Lea said.

“You said that about the skateboard,” Roxas teased, leaving the redhead spluttering for a comeback.

“A-anyway, whaddowe need to get?”

“I think I have what we need over at my place,” Pence said.

“That makes things easier.”

So the group followed Pence over to his house in hopes of saving their lunch plans.

“I was so looking forward to that crab biscuit thing,” Hayner complained.

“Crab bisque,” Isa corrected.

“Yeah whatever. Point is I’m not getting it.”

“Hayner,” Olette warned.

“I think it might be fun trying to make something,” Erica said, getting a nod from Naminé.

“Besides, you’ve had Pence’s dad’s quiche before.”

“I know,” Hayner moaned.

The group finally approached Pence’s humble abode, and he dug around in his pockets before pulling out a key. “My parents aren’t home but they know I have friends over sometimes.”

Inside was your average but quite cozy home, and there was a very nice vase of flowers on the kitchen counter.

“Nice place,” Lea said.

“Thanks!” Pence said. “Make yourselves at home. Oh, make sure to leave your shoes by the door.” After doing that himself, he began to search his kitchen for the needed ingredients. “Let’s see. . . . Eggs, check, pie crusts, check. . . .” He muttered a few more ingredients before stopping. “Aw man!”

“What’s wrong?” Naminé asked.

“There’s no ham!”

“Can we use something else instead?” Erica asked.

“I’m pretty sure we could, but my dad’s recipe’s the only quiche recipe I know.”

“Maybe we could make something else?” Xion suggested.

“What about pizza?” Olette said.

“Give me oooone second.” Pence scouted the fridge and cabinets. “Yep! We’re good to go!”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Hayner said.

As Pence grabbed the ingredients, the others went to wash up. “Anyone like pepperoni?”

“I do!”

“Sure,” Lea replied.

Once everyone gathered in the kitchen, preparations began. Two pizza crusts were placed onto baking sheets and pans, and the oven was set to preheat.

“I figured we’d cheat a little bit with the crusts since someone’s hungry,” Pence said, earning a look from Hayner.

“There’s always next time,” Isa said. “Assuming Hayner won’t object to it.”

“Hey!” Hayner snapped.

“Okay. Roxas you’re in charge of putting the oil on the cheese pizza, and Xion can do the other pizza,” Pence said. “Make sure not to put too much.”

“Got it,” Roxas said, and the group fell into a comfortable silence for a bit. “I wonder what they’re doing renovations for.”

“Could be technical stuff,” Lea said.

“Or they could be fixing other things,” Erica added.

“Maybe. . . .” Roxas inspected his pizza after a couple moments. “Is this enough?”

“Yup,” Pence said.

“What about mine?” Xion asked.

“Perfect. Now we’re going to do the same thing with the pizza sauce.”

Naminé watched Roxas and Xion thoughtfully. “It kind of looks like you’re painting something.”

“It does, doesn’t it?” Erica said.

It didn’t take too long for the sauce and the toppings to be put on. And once the pizzas were seasoned, they were placed into the oven.

“And now we wait,” Pence said as he set the dial timer.

“So, what do we do until then?” Erica asked.

“We could play a game,” Olette said.

“What about cards?” At that, the former Organization members exchanged brief looks.

“I think I have some in my room,” Pence said before heading down a hall. A few moments later, he came back with a deck of cards. “Go Fish seems like a good one to start with.”

“Someone we knew was an expert at card games,” Isa said.

“Yeah. So much of an expert it wasn’t even fair,” Lea remarked.

“I won a few games,” Roxas said.

“Me too,” Xion added.

“I guess you just had terrible luck,” Isa said.

Lea sighed. “I just don’t get a break around here, do I?”

The group laughed at his expense, which ultimately tugged a smile out of Lea.

Erica studied the hand she was dealt. “So uh, who goes first?”

“I think Isa’s supposed to go first,” Hayner said.

“All right.” Isa eyed his cards. “Any 2’s?”

“Aw man!” Hayner forked over two of them, and the blue-haired man couldn’t help smirking.

The group managed to make a full circle at least once, and already Naminé seemed to be taking first place with Isa not too far behind. Once they got to Erica a second time, the timer buzzed, startling Xion.

“I’ll get the plates!” Olette said, leading the others to set their cards down as the pizzas were carefully taken out.

“That smells really good,” Erica said.

“Right?” Pence agreed.

“Hey do you still have that lemonade from yesterday?” Hayner asked.

“Think so.” Pence served everyone their slices as the lemonade was poured out. “And lunch is served!”

“Thank you,” Naminé said.

“No problem.”

Isa took a bite before a small smirk made its way through. “Huh. Not bad.”

“Nothing beats homemade!”

“Oh, wait wait! Let’s get a picture!” Olette said. Everyone went behind the counter as they tried to squeeze into frame.

Roxas briefly bumped into Naminé. “S-sorry.”

“It’s all right, Roxas,” the blonde said.

“Little to the left, Hayner,” Olette said as Erica blew a stray curl out of her face. “Um Lea could you bend down a bit? You too, Isa.”

“How ‘bout I take the picture?” Lea suggested.

“That might be a better idea.” Olette handed her device to him.

“I think you still need to bend down,” Pence said.

“Maybe put it higher?” Naminé said.

Lea raised the device, and everyone managed to fit into the soon-to-be picture. “Uh which button are you supposed to press again?”

“I think the red one?” Erica guessed.

Xion squinted at tiny numbers counting up on the screen. “What are those numbers there?”

“I didn’t do it,” Lea said instantly.

“It’s been recording this whole time?!” Pence exclaimed.

“Oops,” Olette said. “Um push the red button.”

Lea did as told, and the numbers stopped counting. “All right now what?”

“Press the button next to the red one. Now everyone say cheese!”

“Cheese!” mostly everyone said before the picture was taken.

“Nice photo!”

As everyone continued with their meal, Roxas kept occasionally glancing to the pepperoni pizza.

“Can I try that?” he finally asked.

“Oh sure!” Pence gave Roxas a slice, and Roxas took a bite. But after a few seconds, he let out a cough.

“That’s . . . really strong pepperoni.”

“Really? Never really noticed,” Lea said.

“Of course you wouldn’t,” Isa said as Roxas debated on taking another bite or not.

“You don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to, y’know.”

“Yeah. Not everyone likes pepperoni,” Hayner said. Roxas frowned, and Lea snatched the slice right off of Roxas’s plate.

“We should do this again some time,” Naminé said.

“This was pretty fun,” Erica agreed.

“How ‘bout tomorrow?” Olette said.

“I don’t see why not,” Isa said.

“Then it’s settled! Tomorrow it is.”

As Erica watched her friends discuss tomorrow’s lunch (which Pence promised would be his dad’s quiche), she smiled to herself. She was sure they still would’ve had this much fun if they had gone to the Bistro, but somehow having it just be them felt more special. I guess nothing really does beat homemade.

————

[ameliathefatcat]

Eleteo children

Mateo’s and Elena’s three children

(I know that @pizza-n-sunshine has came up with Elena and Mateo’s oldest daughter being named Ana-Lucia. The reason I picked the name Mariana Sofia is that I like it and this it is very beautiful. Her nickname name Ana has nothing to do with @pizza-n-sunshine’s character Ana-Lucia.)

Crown Prince Miguel Raul De Alva- The oldest child and heir to the throne. He has his father curly hair and mother’s eye he looks more of a De Alva than a Castlio-Flores . His birth was celebrated throughout the kingdom. As a baby he was extremely fussy and cried a lot. As Miguel grew up a became a trouble making. He also not the most studios prince hoping to be a guard like his godfather or a knight like his uncle. He only cares about his magic lessons half of the time. Miguel prides himself as a role model for his cousins Eric, Graciana, Santiago, Athena, Sebastian, Lucia and Lorelei and his siblings Mariana and Francisco. But he is a less than stellar role model.

Princess Mariana Sofia De Alva “Ana”- The only daughter and middle child, four years younger than Miguel. She has her mother’s long wavy hair and her father’s hazel eyes covered by purple glasses when she got them when she was eight. Ana inherited her Tia Isa’s intelligence with dreams of attending the Science academy and looks up to her Tia. Ana’s favorite prima is Graciana “Graci” (Carla and Marzel’s oldest daughter). Both princesses are extremely intelligent but also smart asses. Constantly calling Miguel, Eric (Graci’s twin) and the Nunez twins River and Roberto “Robby” (Gabe and Naomi’s sons) either idiots or codfishes or both. Ana is always ready for a witty insult mostly at her older brother. Ana wants to combine both magic and science often sneaking a tamborita into her workshop (it used to be Tia Isa’s) or bringing her newest invention down to the magic workshop.

Prince Francisco Alacazar “Frankie”- the youngest child and baby of the family, being fourteen years younger than Miguel and ten years younger than Ana. Frankie looks like his name sake. He has Miguel mischievous nature, he is the most in love with magic than his older siblings and he loves to dance and play music. His best friends with Harrison Wilkerson “Harry” (Olivia and her husband Jake’s son). Both boys enjoy doing their magic lessons together. Frankie being the baby all of his cousins (besides for Lucia and Lorelei) absolutely love him.

[kessielrg]

[Kingdom Hearts] Write What You Know

Summary: In which Xion tries to find writing inspiration from around Twilight Town. [sequel-ish to I Won't (Let Her) Be Forgotten][oneshot][post KH3]

Rating: K+

Word Count: 2,605 words

If you like this story, please give it a reblog or donate to my ko-fi!

- - -

"Xion, these are great!"

Xion could face heat up as she started to blush. "You're just saying that." she told Olette, sounding just as embarrassed as she looked. But Olette adamantly shook her head.

"I'm serious." she assured her friend. "You have some serious talent for this stuff."

"She's not wrong," Roxas added in, "And it's great seeing you smile while you write too! When you get into this serious groove, it's like you're in this really weird trance- but when you come out, you've written down this awesome story!"

Well, if the blush on her face wasn't evident yet, it was now. Xion even had to look away from her first friend. Of anyone, Roxas was the most excited that Xion liked writing. He never really said why, but Xion had a good feeling on the reason; they had both started their life as Nobodies. Almost in every sense of the word, really. Xion finding that she liked and was good at writing was her first branch of becoming Somebody.

Almost four months ago, Xion decided to become a writer. Nothing special, of course, just as a little thing to do in her spare time. Today was the first day she was letting her friends read through what she had written so far. None of her little stories really connected to each other; at first, she was writing from experience, using an author avatar to mask that it was truly her. But then she started to experiment a bit more. Sometimes her avatar knew more than Xion did. Other times she had someone else in story teach her avatar something Xion knew quite a bit about.

A lot of the time, Xion felt embarrassed by her avatar. She was almost too idyllic. But a part of her really... enjoyed that perfect version. A world where no one was really hurt, or was lost, or forgotten. Especially not forgotten.

"You should absolutely look into joining the school paper." Pence even encouraged. "One of the main column writers graduated last year- your stories about Ebba would be a great replacement."

Now her ears were starting to glow a bright red as well. "N-no... I don't think I should..."

But that was when Olette and Roxas started to eagerly agree with the idea. Hayner was the one who silenced them with a small, disapproving scoff.

"Well, I don't like them." he told them all. "There's no way a girl can do all of that stuff on her own. It's totally unrealistic."

"What are you talking about?" Roxas then wondered with a defensive raise of his eyebrow. "I've seen Xion do all of that stuff, and more."

"Besides, no one asked you." Olette agreed before chucking a pebble at Hayner's face. The boy was just barely able to protect his face from the attack. The pebble bounced off his arms and down to the ground below. A faint reminder -if any- of the danger in sitting so high up on the Central Station clock tower.

"Hey, hey, hey, hey!" Hayner whined. "That's a long way down, you know!"

"Then you better stop being mean to Xion." Olette informed him with a grin.

"I don't have to take this." came the return huff. Hayner carefully started to get up and crossed his arms in defiance. "I'm going home. Maybe in my absence you'll learn to stop bullying me when I'm only joking."

"We should all get ready to leave, actually." Pence decided as he got up as well. "It's getting close to dinner."

At the agreed nods from Olette and Roxas, the four of them started to make their leave. But Xion wasn't ready to leave yet.

"Are you coming back with us?" Roxas asked her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder and giving a wide smile.

"Not yet." she told him- meeting his grin with one of her own. "I wanted to write a bit more before heading back. It can get pretty loud with Isa and Lea when they're arguing about chores. I don't think Lea's done the dishes in a full week."

To this, Roxas laughed. "Fair enough." he agreed. "See you at dinner then!"

Xion smiled and waved him goodbye. Alone at last, Xion opened up her notebook. She reread a lot of what she had written down earlier. A smile crossed her lips as a sense of pride welled in her chest. It felt so great being able to create something that didn't exist before. Over time, she had developed bits and pieces of her author avatar, Ebba, that both reflected and deviated from herself. Now came time to do so again. But what was she going to write?

As she lightly brushed the end of her feather pen against her lips, Xion gave a thoughtful hum. Maybe this time she'd have Ebba on the clock tower as well? Yes, that sounded like a great idea. Write what you know was such a common writing suggestion, after all, and what did Xion know better than sitting here?

. . .

The breeze coming up the clock tower lightly tousled the bangs of Ebba's short black hair as the sun set in Twilight Town. The rest of her hair was pulled into two low pigtails that also danced a little in the wind. Ebba trained her blue eyes over the view from the train station with a curious tilt of her head. She wondered how many people were out there in this world she had decided to call home. A hundred? Maybe thousands? They surely didn't have the start on life that she had, that's for sure. Ebba's early life started without free will. For the longest time, she didn't make many of the choices that she thought were her own. But not any more.

For as long as Ebba had a free will of her own, she had decided that everyone deserved a second chance. Where would she had been without the second chance she was given? Today she was going to make it her mission to give him a second chance. Who was he, you may ask? Well, Ebba wasn't sure yet. Her contact had given so little description of her target that they might as well have said she was going to fight the air. Wouldn't have been the first time.

Regardless of who her target was for this mission, she was going to find them. If at all possible she was going to talk to them too. Ebba had seen enough violence and sadness to last a lifetime- it wasn't going to happen again for as long as she could breathe. But it still led the question; where was she going to start first?

. . .

Okay, so that last sentence was more to Xion than to her personification. Where was she going to take Ebba this time? The girl lulled her head from side to side in thought. But then she had it. Xion quickly put her notebook and pen away and started to hurry off of the clock tower. Once she took a back exit out of the train station, she made an immediate right to head into the underground concourse. Xion walked around for a bit- mostly to make sure no one else was there, and to also see if this was where she wanted to take Ebba.

A grin etched itself onto Xion's face. Yes, this place would do. She could see the scene play out before her with pinpoint accuracy too.

. . .

Someone had blown Ebba's cover. Getting into the concourse had been easy- but it had been too quiet for Ebba's liking. Someone knew she was coming. That someone also sent some creature after her as well. This creature looked a lot like a dragon with mostly dark red scales. Ebba barely had time to completely note its three toed feet, poised with deadly talons, and its wings that looked tattered the closer you got to the ends.

It had taken Ebba quite a bit of effort to distance herself from this creature in this rather cramped space. She found refuge behind one of the many pillars stabilizing the concourse. The young woman steeled herself, preparing her weapon to fight back, before leaning over the side of the pillar to aim and take the shot.

. . .

Wait. Was it even possible for someone to move that way? Curious, Xion got up and walked over to the pillar she had Ebba at in her story. She pressed her back against its cool stone, sighing a little as she moved her pen in her hand so it was roughly in the same position as a gun. Xion held the pen up near her face, then turned her body to lean over the side of the pillar. Her arm was outstretched- the fuzzy end of the pen faced toward where the enemy in story would be standing. Xion pumped her arm as if she had taken a shot.

"Pow." she mumbled under her breath. Xion unceremoniously dropped her arm after this. She looked down at her pen before giving it an amused half smile. The thing was so ridiculous, Xion wondered that if it was a weapon, it's accompanying sound would have been 'chu' not 'pow.' Too bad Ebba was more of a spy in this story, not a magical girl. Xion gave herself a bemused little chuckle before pressing her back against the pillar once more to sit and write again.

. . .

Sweat was starting to beat down on Ebba's brow. This enemy was a tougher one. It couldn't be reasoned with, and it surely wasn't going to listen, so she had no choice but to take it down. When she succeeded, the wyvern gave a departing screech before bursting into nothing more than smoke. Ebba noticed that a large, glowing heart came out from the creature at about the same time- the heart hovered for a moment before floating higher up into the air. She lost track of it when it phased through the ceiling, but she knew where it was going.

Ebba dusted herself off a bit before heading out of the concourse. Her work here was done. She was no closer to finding out what her real target was, however. This was going to take some time.

. . .

Heading home sounded rather tempting now. Xion wanted to add one more scene before retiring for the day, though. Where would she do it? She wondered rather aimlessly around Twilight Town as she thought it over. Where else did she want Ebba to go? The sandlot, while wide enough in area for a good fight or two, didn't seem like the place for a secret rendezvous. Le Grand Bistrot also seemed like a good place to meet someone, but there would be too many people.

Then the idea clicked. She knew where to go now- she just hoped that it wasn't closed off for the night.

. . .

Ebba took a deep breath in as she leaned over the railings that surrounded Sunset Hill. A train horn snapped her out of her thoughts for only a moment- she waved to it as it went under the tunnel and smiled a bit to herself.

She still had yet to find her target. Every time she thought she had found him, he once more slipped through her fingers like string. He must have known her, or perhaps even following her; they were the only conclusions that made sense. She didn't have to tell her supervisor about this. They were not going to take it very well either.

But then someone said her name. Ebba turned around and was shocked to find a rather handsome man standing there. The two locked gazes, and with a horrible pit in her stomach, Ebba knew that this was her target.

. . .

For a moment, Xion frowned. A handsome guy just waiting there for Ebba? That sounded completely ridiculous, even if he was the villain. It was cliche in and of itself that he was handsome too. Xion grimaced as she scratched out the last paragraph with an extreme prejudice. There was no way on earth that she was going to let her author avatar have a secret infatuation with the villain. No way at all. She decided long ago that Ebba wasn't going to fall in love with any one ever- period.

Flexing her hand a little to ease some of her cramping muscles, Xion started over again.

. . .

She could deal with the loss- for disappointing her supervisors once more. They wouldn't like it, but one some days it just had to be done. She did fear what they would do to her once she got back though. There were rumors in their group that if someone messed up enough, they'd turn them into husks of their former selves. Ebba shuddered at the thought; she had her own free will now, and she was going to keep it, but when her target didn't show up? What else could she do? She could argue about that with her supervisors all she wanted. One of them had to listen to her. At least one.

Ebba's thoughts were broken when she heard the sound of a dog bark next to her. She turned and immediately smiled at what she saw. It was the king's yellow and black dog, Mercury. Ebba greeted the mutt with a grin before bending down to give him a good scratch behind his ears. Mercury was a good old mutt. He liked Ebba too- sometimes finding her when she had once thought herself lost.

Well, even if her mission had been a bust, at least she still had the comfort of a few good friends when she got back. Mercury would put a good woof in for her if her supervisors complained. And if that still didn't satisfy them, then the king himself would have given Ebba a pardon. He may even help her find her target next time, or put them on a special list to keep on eye on. All in all, this hadn't been a bad day. After such a long day, Ebba told Mercury that it was time to go, and so they did.

. . .

Xion held her notebook out as she reviewed her handiwork. She had a rather productive day too, come to think of it. She'd get Ienzo to copy her written words digitally so she could see how much she had written today. By the way her hand hurt, it must have been over 500. Xion once more stretched her hand and wrist muscles before getting off the bench to head on home. Maybe she'd show Roxas what she wrote- Lea and Isa too. Who else could she let read her new short story? Olette, Hayner, and Pence would have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe if she could digitize her work tonight, she could see if Kairi or Namine could get a copy? Would they even like Ebba? Xion couldn't remember if she's actually given them anything about her yet.

She may have to take a day of writing tomorrow though, or maybe just not use her writing hand at all; it really was starting to hurt now that she wasn't concentrating on writing everything. Roxas was right- once she started going, it was hard to stop. She absolutely believed the adage that the pen was mightier than the sword- writing felt more painful after finishing than taking down a Darkside. The only difference was the lack of bruises, really.

Even if Xion didn't write about Ebba tomorrow, she could still daydream about it. A writer never sleeps, after all, and Xion was just getting started.

[square-enix-headcanons]

How would Xigbar/Braig, Saix/Isa and Axel/Lea handle having a crush on their best friend?

Somebodies first this time, and Nobodies under the cut~

Braig

He can’t really pinpoint when he started having a crush on you, nor when he noticed he did

He just knows that now he does

Well, those things happen. Sometimes, friendship turns to love. Now he just has to figure out how to ask you out on a date

You easily notice he’s up to something, but he refuses to tell you what

He doesn’t really want to be too formal, but he does enjoy doing huge gestures, so he’s kinda torn between just casually asking you out and doing something absolutely ridiculous

One night, you’re hanging out on a hill near Radiant Garden

And Braig just asks something like “What do you say that instead of being friends, we try going on a date or two?”. In the same tone of voice he uses when you’re trying to decide where to get lunch,

If you say yes, he’ll whistle loudly, and a bunch of red fireworks paint a heart in the sky

If you say no, he just shrugs. “All right, friends it is then.”

(And then he’ll yell at someone in the distance to pack up the fireworks. No, he won’t explain what fireworks.)

Isa

He is really aware that he’s slowly starting to crush on you

How his heart beats a little bit faster every time he sees you, how it eventually starts skipping a beat when your hands brush against each other, and so on

You might notice that he’s a bit distracted when you’re together, as if he’s thinking about something else, or maybe worried about something

He is - He’s wondering if he should tell you, and if so, how he should tell you

In the end, he decides that yes, he should

The next time you make plans to hang out together, he suggests a walk in the park. Not too strange, since he likes taking walks, but still kinda rare

Once you’re there, he slowly tells you that he’s started having feelings for you, and asks if you’d be willing to try going on a date with him

If you say yes, great! He’ll suggest dinner at a nice restaurant, to make sure it really feels different from just hanging out

If you say no, he accepts that, and just asks to remain friends

Lea

When he falls for you, he falls fast and hard

He does notice that he’s starting to crush on you almost immediately

It’s pretty easy to notice for you, too. Lea is far more bashful than he usually is, and a few times you also catch him blush

He decides pretty quickly to tell you and ask you out on a date

It’s kind of adorable tbh. Lea is normally pretty good at being a Cool Guy(TM) but once he has to deal with feelings, that coolness goes out the window

So he’s standing there before you, pretty flustered, stumbling over his words, probably blushing...

He does manage to get the words out eventually, albeit nowhere near as smoothly as he planned to

If you tell him you have feelings for him, too, you’ll get a big hug and a kiss

If you at least say yes to the date, you’ll still get the hug, but no kiss - And Lea will let go again pretty quickly, too, scared he might’ve made you uncomfortable in some way

If you tell him you just don’t feel for him that way, he’ll be sad, but ask if you can still be friends; the next couple of times you hang out, Lea is gonna be kinda distant, but give him some time. You’ll end up just as close as you were before.

Xigbar

Oh no.

He didn’t plan on even making friends, especially not a best friend, and definitely didn’t plan on falling in love

It felt so natural for him, too

While he wouldn’t admit it, he missed having close companions, and the two of you always got along great. You’d seen him out of his uncaring happy-go-lucky persona, too

And, well. Now he’s got a crush on you.

Though he tries to hide it, you can easily tell that something’s up, even if you don’t figure out what

You often catch him looking at you lost in thoughts when he thinks no one’s watching him, for example

You end up pulling him aside to ask him directly

Xigbar goes really quiet for a moment, debating with himself whether and how much he should tell you

He decides to tell you. Everything.

It’s… A long talk. About who he really is, what he’s doing there, and of course, that he’s started having a crush on you

He’s willing to answer some questions, but for some he also just tells you that he can’t tell you

When you’re done asking, he leaves so you can think about it

He’d love to stay friends even if you don’t have any romantic feelings for you; living without anyone to confide in is lonely, and now you already know the whole story

Saix

It takes him a long time to notice

Feelings are confusing when you’re not supposed to have any, after all. And his fledgeling Heart is partially suppressed thanks to the norting, further complicating matters

Sure, he’s strangely upset when he sees you chat with another man, but… He also hates how much time Axel is spending with Roxas and Xion, for example

When he finally figures it out, it basically hits him like a sledgehammer. Maybe you hug him, maybe he just sees you laugh, or maybe you’re just taking a walk together and he notices the sun reflecting on your hair

Whatever it is, it takes his breath away for a second

Oh damn this is not friendship is it

He takes the next day to sort out his thoughts

Then he just asks you to come with him, somewhere you two can talk in private

Once there, he’s kind of blunt about it. Tells you he’s fallen for you, even though that’s not supposed to be possible, and asks if there’s any chance you might feel the same

If you say yes, he’ll smile and maybe even give you a kiss

If you say no, he’ll go quiet for a moment, then tell you in that case, he’ll need some time away from you. If you’re in the Organization, too, he assures you it won’t affect how he acts if you’re on missions together or anything like that, but he won’t be hanging out as friends for a while

(However, you do sometimes notice him glare at other guys when they’re talking to you)

Axel

He figures out he’s got a crush pretty quickly

He doesn’t get how that’s possible, but it’s not like he dwells on that aspect for too long. After all, if friendship’s possible without feelings, then why wouldn’t having a crush be possible, too?

He knows right from the start he’ll tell you, but it takes him a bit before he figures out how

Or, well... He doesn’t so much “figure it out”; he just at some point decides now is the right time

You’re sitting on the clock tower together, watching the sunset. And, well, now’s as good a time as ever

“Hey, how about we go on a date tomorrow evening instead of hanging out like this?”

He tries to make it sound as casual as possible; he even waits until he’s done speaking before he looks at you

(Of course, he looks like a very eager puppy while he waits for your reply, which kind of betrays that it’s not that casual)

If you say yes, he’ll suggest nighttime picnic in one of his favorite worlds

If you say no, he’ll try to play it off. Afterwards, he mostly acts as if it had never happened; however, you notice that things are a bit awkward between you for a while

[halloweennut]

Hireath, part 6

come live with us in the palace

(epilogue soon)

Esteban didn’t wake again for a few more days. Between exhaustion and recovery, it was warranted. He woke up, still feeling far south of well, parched and sore. He pushed himself up slowly with his good arm to sit, careful of his middle. It was noon, judging by the light in his window. Esteban rolled his neck until something popped, stiff from the days asleep. He wanted to get up to stand, to walk to the door or to his vanity, but he didn’t trust his legs, and settled for just bending them under the sheets until his legs felt a bit normal.  He was honestly surprised by the lack of guards posted in his room, but straining his ears, he heard the quiet chatter of a pair outside his door. There they were. Esteban leaned back on the bed with a sigh. At least someone had left a pitcher of water at his bedside, as well as a glass, but had trouble reaching the either. 

There was a click at the door. Esteban looked up to see Elena enter quietly, not even looking in his direction as she softly shut the door.  When she turned, their eyes met and both stiffened up slightly. Esteban tried to keep his eyes from watering, but couldn’t help it, especially when Elena started to cry as she ran over to him. She lunged at him with a sob of relief, wrapping her arms around his neck. He found himself copying the sound, holding her close with her good arm. 

“I’m so sorry, prima, I’m so sorry,” he choked out. “I’m so sorry-”

“I know,” Elena replied, roughly rubbing her eyes - a futile action. “I know…I was so scared when I saw you and then when you wouldn’t wake up...thank god you’re awake!”

“I wouldn’t let them hurt you,” Esteban said. “It’s the one thing I could never let happen again. Never, ever again.”

“But you could have…you knew that, didn’t you?” she said softly. He didn’t want to vocalize it but he nodded. 

“It wouldn’t have done anything to redeem me. Even though I lived, it doesn’t begin to,” he replied. “But as long as you lived, and everything and everyone I care about was safe, it’s worth it.”

“Esteban…,” Elena sighed. “You idiot.”

“I know,” Esteban said. “Naomi can add it to the list I know she has written.”

She laughed, almost sadly. “There’s a lot you’ve missed.”

“I know that as well,” he replied. “I’m sorry I missed it because of my actions.”

“We’ll have to catch up later,” Elena continued. “There’s a few people who have been dying to see you again.”

She turned to the door. “You can all come in!”

The door creaked open, and in peered Rosie, Mari and Isa. Their eyes widened at the sight of Esteban, wide and awake and okay. 

“Esteban!” Rosie shouted, grabbing both of the older girls’ hands and pulling them in behind her. Esteban wiped his face quickly and turned to face them as they joined Elena on the bed. 

“Who are these young ladies, and what have you done with Rosita and Maricruz?” Esteban joked. It was like the two had never seen that cave at all. Rosie’s hair was brushed, but still its wild curls, but had traded her dress and poncho for a vest and leggings. Mari’s hair was trimmed evenly but still fluffy, and had a pale plum dress that Esteban somehow knew she would gravitate to.  “I’m not sure I recognize them.”

“Just took a haircut and some new clothes is all,” Elena said, reaching out to smooth Rosie’s curls as the girl hugged Esteban. “But they’re good as new.”

“We were so worried about you!” Isa said, quickly pecking his cheek. “We missed you too. So much, you don’t even know.” 

“I think I can get an idea based on the fact that one of you is permanently attached to my neck right now,” Esteban said, pecking her forehead, before turning his attention to his favorite oracles. “And you two are doing okay? They’ve been treating you both well, Valiente didn’t buck?”

“Yes, and nope!” Rosie replied, moving back from him. “Luisa taught me how to play conquian, and Francisco played Mari and me songs. And Valiente is a good boy. I got Mari to leave the castle to give him sugar cubes!”

“Did you? I bet he enjoyed that, the spoiled thing,” he chuckled, but quickly held his middle. The motion made him wince. He could feel the four looking at him. “No worries, it will pass - and you, Mari? Are you-”

Esteban paused once he got a look at her face. Mari looked exhausted and on the verge of tears, biting her lip and trying to force back the water in her eyes. “Mari, what is-”

With a sob, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around his neck, crying into his shoulder. Esteban sat there, shocked for a moment, but quickly set to rubbing her back. “Oh no, what’s wrong?”

“I-I looked and I saw you laying there and I-I-,” Mari wheezed. She couldn’t finish the sentence. 

“When everyone was gone, she looked ahead and it scared her,” Isa explained. “She fainted.” 

“Oh, Maricruz, I’m sorry,” Esteban replied softly. “I’m okay now. I’ll be okay, I promise.”

She sniffed nodded, but didn’t leave his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close in a hug. “I suppose you’ll have to dye my hair blue now, won’t you?”

Mari let out a dry laugh. “No, that would look silly. And it wasn’t your fault anyway.”

“Dye his hair blue?” Elena asked. 

“I promised her that if I ever made her this upset, she could dye my hair blue,” Esteban explained. “But I’ve escaped that hair choice for now.”

“For now,” Mari said. She leant back and wiped her face. “Don’t ever do that again.”

“If I can help it, I’ll never do that again,” he replied, smoothing her bangs. “Hopefully, it never comes to pass.”

“It better not,” Elena agreed, pulling all four into a hug before pulling away again. “Girls, how about you let Esteban rest? I’m sure the doctor will be here soon to look at him.”

“Do we have to?” Rosie asked. “He’s been asleep for days!”

“You can come and visit whenever you want, Rosie,” he said gently. “But for now, listen to Elena.”

“Okay, Esteban,” she replied. “We’ll see you soon! Unless you’re asleep again.”

The three girls quickly hugged him, before heading out of the room. Mari lingered the longest, quickly running to give him a second one before heading out with the others. Elena sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for the door to click shut. Once it had, she turned to face him, 

“You know you’ll have a trial again, once you can stand,” Elena said, voice sombre. 

He sighed. “I know.”

“I can’t guarantee the ruling either,” she continued. “Everyone is conflicted, and there have been changes on the Grand Council.”

“I know.” 

They sat in silence for a few moments, but Elena held his hand fast for the whole time. 

-

It took another week before Esteban could properly get out of bed, and another for him to walk without needing to rest after only a few feet. In that two weeks, it seemed like everyone came into his room. Dona Paloma was one of the first - mostly to chide him for being an idiot, then to complain that with him gone, she had very few people she could argue with and had been bored. It was her way of saying that she missed him. Naomi’s visit followed similarly, except followed by a hug and a peck on the check before she filled him in on everything. 

Francisco was common place at his bedside, telling him everything Naomi and Elena couldn’t. How he and Luisa had missed him, the first female guards added into the Royal Guard, how much his presence was missed. How worried he had been, especially when the girls arrived with his jacket, and how he arrived more dead than alive. How no tres leches had been made in months because no one wanted to see it, and he was starting to miss it. 

Esteban apologized to all of them. 

Luisa was the only one who only came in when he was asleep, and would be gone come the morning. But one morning, Esteban woke up before she could leave. She was holding his good hand, and looking far out into the window.  If she knew he was awake, she didn’t make it apparent.

“Abuela?”

She didn’t move. “I remember so long ago...a little boy, wrapped up in a coat far too big for him and wouldn’t take it off. It was near Navidad, but it felt like all the warmth had been stolen.”

Esteban remembered that too. “I would have worn that coat to rags, but...”

“But you kept on saying you were cold,” Luisa continued. Her voice was soft. “And your father’s wool coat was the warmest thing. It made you feel safe, didn’t it?”

He couldn’t properly say yes, throat too tight. He hummed a response instead. Luisa finally turned to face him. Her face was wet with tears. 

“I’m sorry,” Esteban said. “There’s no way to fix what I have done, but I am-”

“I know,” Luisa replied, wiping her cheeks. She let go of his hand and stood. “Go back to bed, Esteban. Your trial is in a few hours.”

With that she left, and so did sleep for him. Esteban slipped out of bed, and walked over to the window, watching the early morning sun rise. As it rose, so did the hour of his trial. 

Whatever comes will come, he repeated to himself when the guard escorts came. The words repeated in his mind as he was led to the Council Chamber. The doors opened, and there sat the judge, jury, and possible executioner all in five people. Esteban, never one to completely lose his pride, straightened his back the most he could and entered, and tried not to wince at the sound of the door clicking shut.

“Esteban Flores,” Elena began. “You stand accused of multiple counts of treason and dark magic against the Crown and Avalor. Do you accept these charges?”

“I do,” he replied solemnly. “And I accept whatever punishment you decide for me.”

The five looked shocked at the words, so he continued. 

“I cannot begin to make up for everything, every proud, cruel thing I have down to Avalor and to my family,” Esteban said. “I can apologize, but that does little to redeem myself.”

“You saved Elena’s life,” Naomi cut in. “Surely that counts. A little at least.”

“Maybe,” Esteban continued. “But she wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for me.”

“I will not run, or hide, but I will accept what comes,” he finished. He and his cousin locked eyes. Elena nodded. 

“Then let the trial begin.”

-

Rosie, Isa and Mari sat outside the Council Chamber. Prodding by maids, Mateo and even Gabe couldn’t pull them from their spot. They were set on staying there for the entire trial so they would know first hand what had happened. Mari was far too nervous to look, and Rosie couldn’t bring herself to look at the proceedings. Isa tried to get close to the door to listen in, but the guards gently asked her to step back. 

It was a nerve wracking hour and a half. 

-

By the time the trial reached its conclusion, Esteban felt spent. The others looked just as tired. 

“Shall we vote?” Dona Paloma asked. “I need something strong to drink.”

Elena nodded. “But first, is there anything else you want to say, Esteban?”

“Just promise me one thing, no matter what.”

“And what is that?” Elena asked.

“Rosita and Maricruz do not have any family. They need people who can give them stability,” Esteban replied. “And if I cannot, you are the only people I would trust.”

“We cannot promise that, Esteban,” Elena replied. The other four looked over at her confused. “Because we won’t shoulder the entirety of that responsibility.”

Before anyone could question her, she called for a vote, and Esteban felt sick to his stomach.

-

“It’s so quiet,” Rosie murmured. “What if everything goes wrong?”

“It won’t,” Isa replied. “I’m sure.”

“But what if it did?”

“Then easy enough,” Mari said, very sure of herself. “We go with Esteban if he gets banished, and if anything else, we get on the next ship to Enchancia, or Satu, or the Seven Deserts.”

“Those places are awfully far away from home,” Rosie said. “But we have to come back for Navidad and Dia de Los Muertos.”

“Naturally,” her older sister nodded. 

“Only if it comes to that,” Isa replied. “I don’t think Elena would go that far…”

Rosie leaned on the older girl’s arm. “Me too.”

Mari just nodded, and silently summoned the courage to blink once...and then twice. She sharply inhaled and scrapped any plans she had made, just as the door opened. The three stood at attention. The guards stood at the side as the Grand Council filtered out. Upon noticing the three, they all nodded, and their crowd split to allow Esteban to come forward. Relief was all over his face as he came forward. There was a moment of pause before he kneeled down and held open his arm. Mari choked out a cry of relief as Rosie grabbed her hand to pull her over to him.

“We knew it! We knew it would be alright!” Rosie chirped, carefully hugging him. Mari took his good hand, holding it tight.

“I’m glad you two knew,” he laughed. “We all get to stay here, at home.”

“All of us?” Mari asked. 

“Granted there are some strings attached, but only to me,” Esteban nodded. “But yes, all of us. We’re home.”

“Home…I like the sound of that,” Mari said happily, throwing caution to the wind as she let Esteban pull her into a hug. 

“Welcome home you three,” Luisa said. “Home where you all belong.”

[tangyyyy]

Elu One Shot

Hello everyone !

Enough drama, enough clowning, time for Elu smut !!

Yeah... It has been pretty hot in south of France lately and it made me dream about Elu in summer time...

If you want to read it, enjoy ! Oh and if you like it, please, feel free to say it to me ! ;)

Warning n°1 : It can be very explicit.

Warning n°2 : English isn’t my first language, sorry for my mistakes !

Summer Pleasures

"My aunt has a new boyfriend..." It was the beginning of June. In Paris, the days were becoming hotter. Lucas, Yann, Basile and Arthur were all busy with their high school work. More than a few weeks and the boys would say goodbye to high school. Eliott had finished his academic year for a few days and already enjoyed a well deserved rest. In Lucas' apartment, the atmosphere was chill. Tired of revisions, all had agreed to take a break. On the couch, Lucas was comfortably seated, his head resting on Eliott's thighs, his feet on Arthur's laps. Basile, seated on the ground, played with an old Rubik's cube, and Yann, lounging in one of the armchairs, stared absently at the ceiling. Nobody seemed to notice Eliott's remark. The latter, an idea in his mind, looked down at Lucas and ran a hand through his hair to get a little more attention. "You know? Aunt Isabelle, the nurse. -Hm.” Lucas gasped softly, closing his eyes. "I've never met her, though? -No." Silence fell again. Eliott racked his brains. How to steer the conversation in the desired direction while leaving some suspense hanging? "Well... She has a new boyfriend. -We're really very happy for her then. Well done Isa!” Arthur smirked, making openly fun of Eliott's topic of conversation. "He's a farmer." Lucas didn't even bother to answer, slowly falling asleep on his boyfriend's legs, a hand of the latter still slipped into his hair. In front of this lack of interest, Eliott sighed. Too bad for the suspense, he would now go straight to his goal. "He has a big house, they are going to Argentina this summer and they offered to lend it to me during their trip. Would you like to go there with me? -Let me guess, an old and crappy barn in the Limousin surrounded by a hundred of cows. You make me dream Eliott!” Yann exclaimed in a mocking tone.

Eliott smirked, really, the four boys were absolutely not ready for his proposition... "No, he's not that kind of farmer..." the young man answered in an enigmatic voice. The curiosity stung, Lucas opened an eye. "What do you mean?” He asked. "He's an olive grower." Eliott explained, trying to keep an attitude devoid of any excitement. An awkward silence fell into the livingroom.

"The olive trees grow mostly in Provence, right?” Arthur asked again, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Yeah.” Eliott replied, repressing the laughter that had been floating in his throat for a few seconds already. Following his answer, all eyes stared at him. A wide smile on his lips, his eyes half-closed, Eliott, solemnly spoke again. "Guys, in July, I invite you all to Belgentier, in Provence, in the mas of the new boyfriend of my aunt. It's about twenty min... -What is a mas?” Basil asked, cutting off Eliott's announcement. "Putain! Bas'! It's a kind of old farm often very classy in Provence. Go ahead, Eliott. -I was saying... A twenty minutes from the sea, not far from Marseille, no neighbors to two kilometers, so loud music is more than allowed, large pool, several terraces, hammock, wi-fi, playstation 4, air conditioning inside, heat outside." As Eliott had finished his explanations, loud cries of joy echoed throughout the apartment, the four boys rising in same time, hands to heaven and smiles on their lips. "Awesome!” Basile exclaimed. "Putain, that's the dream!” Arthur shouted. "Indeed, as we said... Well done Isa!” Yann laughed. "Thank you.” Lucas whispered, kissing Eliott's lips.

The boys spent long minutes planning everything, what they would bring, what they could in such an amazing place. Then, after a moment, Yann got up. "Well guys, let's celebrate these future holidays with a beer in the café not far away from here!" All were agree. As the young men left the apartment, Eliott grabbed Lucas' elbow to hold him a little longer inside. Once they were alone, Eliott put his hands on his hips and brought him closer to his chest. The mouth a few inches from his, he stared into his clear eyes. "I invited the others but..." He started in a soft, low voice. "We could going there a few days earlier to... -To?” Lucas repeated, smiling, arching his eyebrows. He put his hands on the small of his back and approached his face a little more to his, his eyes inevitably falling on his lips. "To spend time just you and me.” Eliott teased, pulling up his hands on the young man's cheeks. "Just you and me? -Just you and me."

Lucas stared at him. Eliott merely brushed a stand of hair away and leaned in to kiss him. Lucas' hands gripped his hips and he opened his mouth. With ease, Eliott took in everything, tilting his head to kiss him better. He pushed him against the wall gently and Lucas moaned without breaking the contact.

« Guys ! What the fuck are you doing ?! » Yann's deep voice rang from the bottom of the building. Eliott and Lucas moved away with regret, their mouths bruised by kisses and the pupils dilated with desire.

Lucas struggled to open his eyes and then watched around him. Lying on his stomach in the middle of a king size bed, covered with white cotton bedding, the young man stretched himself out. He and Eliott had reached Toulon from Paris by night bus. Of course, they couldn't sleep well in that bus. Eliott's long legs didn't allow him to find a comfortable position, so he had been turning around and around on his seat all night long. Lucas, being a light sleeper, hadn't been able to sleep either, always disturbed by some annoying noises. Arrived in Toulon around 5am, Eliott's aunt had come to get them and drove them to the mas. After a quick visit of the house and a huge breakfast, she had left them and they had immediately fallen asleep. Sitting in the big bed with messy hair, his cheek stained with saliva, a sign of a deep and restful sleep, Lucas narrowed his eyes to catch sight of the big rusty iron clock hanging on one of the walls of the room. 2:15 p.m. The young man stretched again, his breath escaping from his lungs in a sigh of ease. The room was large and had only a small amount of furniture outside the bed (the largest bed in which Lucas ever laid), two light wood chests of drawers, an old desk, and two small white patinated bedside tables. The terracotta floor was covered here and there with persian rugs. Some painting masterpieces were hung on thick walls of white stones. The large windows overlooking the garden were blocked by blue shutters, flooding the room with subdued light, contrasting with the fiery sun that was shinning outside. Laying his feet on the floor, Lucas shuddered at the feeling of cool tiling. Walking a few meters, he approached one of the windows that had remained open and pulled the door latch open. Quickly, the burning air of Provence hit his face. Closing his eyes, he inhaled a great burst of heat and hastily closed the shutter. He preferred to keep everything closed, the darkness guaranteeing some freshness inside the old house.

Not bothering to wear anything other than his black boxer, he left the room. The atmosphere in the living room was very peaceful, nothing disturbed the silence but the quiet purr of the air conditioner hanging in a corner of the room. Eliott wasn't there. In the kitchen, Lucas grabbed his sunglasses on the table and headed for the small front door. The steep garden had been laid out in a many terraces separated from each other by small dry stone walls of different heights. Still on the doorstep, Lucas was at the top of the property, under a huge purple wisteria growing on a wooden pergola. At the bottom, the young man could see the impressive plantation of centenarian olive trees crumbling under the post-meridian sun. A few cypresses punctuated the garden as well as many groves of lavender, rosemary and other aromatic plants. The scene could have been totally silent without the cicadas, singing on the top of their trees. To the right of the garden, halfway up, on one of the largest terraces, was the swimming pool. A large expanse of turquoise water surrounded by tall trees providing the necessary shade for summer naps. There, under a large pine Alep cut into a ball, Lucas saw Eliott, leaning against the gray bark, a sketchbook in his hands. Barefoot, Lucas walked towards his boyfriend, braving the hot sunlight. After crossing some tiles terracotta terraces, walking in the green grass and descending the stone steps, Lucas stopped in front of Eliott. The latter raised his head and smiled at him. Instinctively he put his sketchbook next to him and spread his legs in an implicit invitation. So happy to comply, Lucas crouched down, sat down on the grass between his long legs and rested his bare back against the naked torso of the young man. His skin was moist and pleasantly fresh. "Have you been in the swimming pool? -Hm.” Eliott answered simply. "Was it good? -Almost too warm..."

Lucas smiled and sighed of pleasure. He rested his head against Eliott's collarbone. The latter didn't lose a single second and put a light kiss in his thick hair. Grabbing Eliott's thin fingers, Lucas put both hands on his belly, playing peacefully with their entwined fingers. "This place is beyond perfect.” He said. "Indeed, it's beautiful.” Eliott grinned, resting his chin on his head. "When did you wake up?” Lucas asked, staring at their interlocking hands. "Half an hour ago I guess, something like that. -You couldn't sleep more? -Oh yes I could, but you snored so loud!" With a smile on his face, Lucas punched slightly Eliott's ribs with his elbow, making the latter laugh. "As if!” The young man spluttered, pretending to sulk. A comfortable silence fell on the garden. Feeling Eliott's soft, deep breath against him, Lucas closed his eyes and relaxed his body. The cicadas, the sun, the smell of lavender, the song of a turtledove. The young man almost fell asleep when a small drop of sweat formed at the edge of his hair crashed against his shoulder. The air was hot, so hot. Even protected by the shadow of the big tree he could feel every centimeter of his skin starting to burn. "I feel too hot" He whispered. "A jump into the pool and you'll feel better.” Eliott replied.

Taking his word for it, Lucas leaned on Eliott's lap and stood up. Walking by the pool, the soles of his bare feet burned by the heated stones, Lucas squatted and ran a hand through the water. Eliott hadn't lied to him, the temperature of the water was just fine. The young man sat down and without waiting, flipped his body into the pool. Immersing himself completely in the crystal clear water, Lucas felt a strong feeling of freedom growing deep inside him. His body, free from the weight of gravity, floating on the surface, was totally relaxed, not heavier than a feather. He turned his head slightly and caught Eliott's gaze on him. He liked when Eliott looked at him with these eyes filled with desire. Pretending to ignore the young man's stare, Lucas ran a suggestive hand through his wet hair. Playing for a moment in the water, he moved his body between water lapping and great fresh breaths. Finally refreshed and dying to join his boyfriend, the young man swam to the opposite edge of where he had entered a few minutes earlier. Turning his back on Eliott, he put his hands on the floor and get out of the pool. Doing this, he felt his boxer slip along his buttocks. Eliott hadn't stop staring at him and Lucas smiled in anticipation. He knew very well what this sight could trigger in his boyfriend's mind and he was very proud of it. Adjusting his boxer, he walked around the pool and settled back between Eliott's legs. " So? -You were right, It feels so good... " Lucas approved, a big smile hanging on his face. Totally relaxed, he let his body soaked against Eliott's. The latter, taking advantage of the refreshing wetness, sighed. He buried his hands in Lucas's hair, playing with a few strands, giving an expert massage on some points of his scalp. Lucas didn't move and closed his eyes, focusing on Eliott's caresses. The latter then slid his hands down his neck, making his fingers dance on the small bumps of his spine. From the back of his neck, he ran his fingers to the front of his neck, caressing his thin skin, he then went back to his jaw, his chin and his mouth. Fingers on his lips, Eliott tilted his head slightly. "You're beautiful..." He whispered, taking his earlobe between his lips, sucking on it for a moment. Feeling his belly contract by a deep feeling of desire, Lucas smiled and opened his mouth in a satisfied groan. Still motionless, he kept his eyes closed. Eliott then put his hands on his shoulders. With the backs of his fingers, with his nails, he gently went down along his arms, triggering chills on the tanned skin of the young man. Tying their hands again, he took one to his mouth and sensually kissed each of his knuckles. Then, feeling a sensation of intense heat emanating from his lower abdomen, he couldn't help but take Lucas' thumb between his teeth.

"Aouch ..." Lucas smiled playfully without moving. taking his thumb in his mouth, Eliott greedily sucked it. The sounds of sussions coming to play a sweet melody to the ears of Lucas, the latter turned his head and, placing his hand against the cheek of Eliott, kissed his lips. Slowly moving his tongue over his lips, he eagerly tasted him. Cigarette, chlorine and sweat. An surprising blend that was transformed through Eliott's throat into a sensual fragrance. That kiss was soft and moist, hot and breathy. Nibbling his lips, Lucas got his tongue into the young man's mouth. The heat rose in their cheeks. Without getting rid of the kiss, Eliott's hands stroked Lucas's neck again and then went down along his chest, lingering on his nipples hardening at his touch. One hand remained on his chest, the other went down a little more on his belly contracted by pleasure. Brushing against some places, pressing others, Eliott knew exactly what moves could driving Lucas crazy.

Lucas moaned in Eliott's mouth as he slowly planted his nails in the skin of his groin. A hand in his hair, the young man detached his mouth from his, kept his face close to his and exhaled great breaths of fresh air, eyes still closed. Encouraged by the expression of pure lust hanging on the face of his boyfriend, Eliott spent some adventurous fingers under the elastic of his wet boxer. God, he was so turned on... Restraining himself to make quicker moves to enjoy this moment of happiness, Eliott put his hand gently on his pubis and pressed it slightly. Keeping the tease, he moved his fingertips gently over his dick. His touches were very light and soft as he trailed his fingers up and down his already half hard penis.

"Eliott..." Lucas breathed. " Yes?” Eliott smiled, staring at him. That was how he thought he was the most beautiful. Open mouth in a rough breath, half-closed eyes revealing his dilated pupils, flushed cheeks. The most beautiful face the universe has ever created. And that face, this expression, only Eliott was allowed to enjoy it... This simple thought drove him crazy.

« Touch me... » Lucas moaned, almost pleading.

"But... That's what I'm doing right now actually...” Eliott answered in a clear voice, overplaying the dumbness. Lucas opened his eyes, stared in his boyfriend's grey eyes in a stern way and frowned.

"Stop teasing me.” He said in a threatening voice. "But it's so good..." Eliott smiled. Blowing painfully, Lucas poutted and rested his head against the clavicle of the young man. The latter, satisfied of his teases, used his hand to massage his inner thighs, brushed his balls and...

"For fuck sake! Eliott, will you stroke that fucking dick?!" Eliott burst out laughing, then, without any warning, he grabbed his dick, wrapped his fingers around it and pulled it out of his boxers. "Like that?” Eliott asked in a too naive voice. "Y... Yeah..." Lucas gasped. "Well... What do I do now?” Eliott wondered, a smirk on his face, looking at Lucas from the corner of his eye. He couldn't be fucking serious?! It wasn't the first time he gave him a handjob... No, he just made fun of him. "Well... I don't know... Handjob maybe?” Lucas replied ironically. "Yeah, indeed.” Eliott added, smiling, his hand still gripping Lucas's penis. "But how? Gentle? Twisting? Balls play or just the dick? Oh and the perineum? Should I play with it too? One hand? Two hands? Stroki... -I don't fucking care... " The young man whined, resting the back of his head against his chest. "But it's important Lucas! The way we do things is meaningful! I want you to understand what I'm feeling for you! -Listen Demaury... " Lucas cut short. "You give me that fucking handjob now and I swear, I'll give you the strongest orgasm you ever lived in your entire life. -You seem pretty confident... Maybe a little too much. -Don't play "who'se-the-pettiest" with me, Eliott... " Lucas's eyes were now sending lightnings into the young man's. The latter smiled, he stretched his neck and gently put his lips against those of his boyfriend. "Ok, ok, stop teasing..."

As Lucas was already pre-cumming, Eliott traced his fingertips around the head of his dick, spreading his precum across it. Using the milky liquid as a perfect lube, he made his fingers into a sort of claw and lowered his hand further down. Simply moving his hand up and down with a very light amount of pressure, he heared Lucas moaning of pleasure. Eliott rubbed his thumb over and back on the head of his warm and hard dick. As the young man's voice turned louder and louder, Eliott fastened his moves. He was now stroking him all the way, from the top to the bottom. The pleasure watery sounds matched perfectly with the songs of the cicadas. Lucas arched his back, craving for more and more frictions. Eliott, whose own dick was already very sensitive, lowered his left hand and massaged Lucas's balls. Cupping them in his hand, he played with them with his fingers.

Giving such a good time to his man was a big turn on for Eliott. As his right hand moved faster and harder on Lucas's dick, he lowered his face and bite his shoulder in order to refrain his own desire.

"S... Stop..." Lucas said suddenly in a hoarse voice. Blinded by so much lust, Eliott didn't hear his voice at first. "Eliott, stop..." Lucas repeated without making the slightest gesture to get away from the young man's grip. "Why?” Eliott complained without loosening or slowing the moves of his hand around Lucas's dick. "I... I don't wan't to... to cum right now..." The young man grumbled, his back arched, his eyes closed and his face burning with the upcoming orgasm. “Ok then stop me 'cause I'm unable to move away from your dick babe.” Eliott answered in his ear. A few seconds went by before Lucas, on a quick move, freed himself from his boyfriend's grasp. He sat with difficulty at his side and inhaled deep gulps of hot air, forcing himself to get down from the cloud of lust on which Eliott's talented hands had sent him. The latter, catching his breath as well, looked at him with delight and then straightened slightly against the trunk of the tree against which he was leaning. His hand wet of Lucas' precum, he wiped it gently against his own thigh.

"Why didn't you allowed me to make you cum?”  Eliott asked after a restful silence. Lucas turned his head, a small smirk on his lips. He stared at him for a long moment and then, with trembling legs, sat on the young man's knees. He placed his hands behind his neck and put his face close to his. "I want you to fuck me babe." Eliott looked at him with big round eyes. They had done it before, many times, and they both loved it. But they didn't have the habit of doing it regularly. This way of having sex required a long preparation to be good, contrary to what porn films show. Aroused as hell, Eliott and Lucas often lacked patience to get involved into long minutes of preparation before reaching the desired enjoyment.

Eliott, still staring into Lucas' blue eyes, ran his tongue on his lips. "With great pleasure, Mr. Lallemant... -Not here though, it's way too hot." The young man said, putting a small kiss at the corner of his boyfriend's lips. He got up and held out a hand to help him get up in his turn. Eliott grabbed it. "I follow you..." Both of them got back to the pleasant freshness of the house, Eliott hugging Lucas's back, his hands clasping his hips and his lips kissinf the back of his neck. Once inside of the old house, the two young men sighed with relief, the fresh air of the air conditioner coming to heal their skins burned by the Provençal sun. In a hurry, Eliott quickly headed to the bedroom. Not hearing Lucas's footsteps behind him, he turned around. The young man had stayed in the middle of the living room. His eyes raised to the ceiling, he rocked from one foot to the other, fanning his face with his hands. Eliott chuckled. "What are you doing? -I... I breathe a little. -What?? -Listen Eliott, I promised you the most powerful orgasm of your life.” Lucas replied, looking at him without any form of shyness. "Except that, if we go back right now, I gonna cum at the first of your touch and the result will be much less fun for you as for me." Eliott laughed and watched Lucas jiggling for a moment, his eyes lingering on his deformed boxer because of his hard dick. Lucas waved his hand. "Go ahead, I'll join you in a minute." He said.

Eliott came into the dark bedroom. Going to the window, he opened slightly the shutters. While doing this he allowed the sweltering heat to come into the room. Doesn't matter he thought, too keen to bring a little light to be able to better watch their two bodies melt one in the other. Once some sunlights settled in the room, he walked to his suitcase. Opening it in a hurry, he buried a hand inside. Searching between his clothes and some other stuffs with his fingers, he didn't immediately find the object he was looking for. Impatient, he took the bag, turned it over and dropped all its contents on the terracotta floor. Once his belongings were scattered on the ground, he got back to his quest. He searched for a long moment and then sighed in despair. Could he have forgotten it? No, no, it was too stupid... In a desperate move, he took the bag and searched in one of the small pockets he didn't usually use. Finally, and against all odds, his hand fell on the object. Relieved, he grabbed the little bottle of lube and the box of condoms and put them on his bedside table. He lay down on the bed and waited for Lucas to come back. The latter didn't take too long and entered the room a minute later. He leaned against the door he had just closed and bit his lip as he watched his man on their bed. "You and me Demaury!"

Going to the bed, Lucas lay down next to Eliott, put his lips to his and surrounded his waist with his thin but powerful arms. He kissed his mouth, his neck and his chest then licked his nipples while Eliott moaned loudly and arched his back under his hot mouth. Smiling, Lucas carressed his chest slowly and went down. His face in front of Eliott's crotch, he kissed briefly the tip of his half hard dick through the fabric, making Eliott whine for more. Still no removing the underpants, Lucas carressed his dick and his balls very slowly, very gently.He smiled when he heard Eliott losing patience. Pressing slightly on the area of his perineum, he kissed his tip again, very lightly.

« Putain Lucas... Skip the teasing part...

-Oh you don't like this game ?

-I'm serious babe, it's not a game for me.

-I'm serious too. » Lucas finally answered, kissing his groin.

Watching Eliott bitting his lips trying to refrain his complains was one of the most stunning things Lucas saw in his all life.

« Raise your hips. » He asked.

Eliott immediatly did and the young man took off his boxer and his own in same time. Lucas licked his inner tights for few seconds.

« I love you. » He whispered before getting a taste of his dick.

These words and the feeling of Lucas' mouth on him made Eliott's heart exploding. He lowered his arms down and put his hands in his hair. Gently holding the base of his penis in his right hand, Lucas used his tongue to slowly lick it from the base right to the tip. Then, curling his lips around his teeth, he put his mouth around his dick like if it was a popsicle. Doing all this, Lucas looked into Eliott's eyes. The latter moaned loudly again.

His tongue focusing on the top of his dick, Lucas' mouth went down and up and down and up. After a minute or two (Eliott has lost track of time), Lucas put one of his hand on his balls then touched the sensitive area just bellow and pushed gently on it.

Jumping, Eliott quickly got up in a laugh, sat down and lifted Lucas's head toward him, dragging him into a hurried kiss.

« You're way too talented, I almost came... » He said in his mouth.

« I think I'm in love with your dick... » Lucas smiled.

Eliott laughed.

« You dumb...

-I'm serious ! You taste sooo good.

-I want you so bad. » Eliott kissed him again, bitting his lower lip.

« I want you too. » Lucas whispered in his mouth, his eyes full of lust starring in his. « I want your lips, I want your tongue, I want your hands, I want your ass, I want your d...

-Ok, ok, now lie down and shut up. » Eliott interrupted him authoritatively, feeling a wave of strong desire hitting his belly. Lucas raised an amused eyebrow. "And the magic word then?" The young man sighed, at once exasperated, charmed and amused. "Please? -My pleasure!” Lucas exulted in a cheerful voice, settling comfortably on his back. "Now fuck me hard, will you?"

Eliott smiled again. He loved what they had been able to make towards their sex life after more than a year of relationship. Perfectly at ease with each other, the two young men didn't forbid anything unless they talked about it, having fun madly, they always loved to explore their bodies and their surprises. Each session was not necessarily a moment of intense passion but the fact was that everything was always very pleasant in the end.

Eliott bent down on Lucas. The latter felt his warm body on his and stopped breathing totally. Both of them were hard as hell. He opened his tights to rub his crutch against Eliott's and broke down.

« Fuck... I love you Eliott... » He whispered against his ear.

« Love you too babe. » The young man answered, kissing him.

Lucas put his hands on Eliott's nape, deepening their kiss, taking his mouth strongly.

After a few seconds of deep kiss, Eliott's mouth went down. Making small paterns with his tongue on his sensitive skin, he get on his knees and kissed Lucas' butts. Slowly, he started to rim him. Lucas focused on Eliott's tongue, making new patterns on his hole as he gradually relaxed. The young man quivered when he felt the tip of his tongue making quick taps. Removing his tongue, Eliott blew on his hole, making Lucas' body shivering.

Eliott rose up and took the lube bottle. He smeared his index finger with liquid and poured some on Lucas' hole too. The latter shuddered.

"That's cold ... -No enough to refresh your fire ass. -Fuck off!” Lucas laughed, giving a little kick on Eliott's shoulder. The young man, taking advantage of the opportunity, grabbed his ankle and put a little kiss on it.

« Can I ?

-Go ahead. »

Eliott, with slow and tender moves, put one first finger in Lucas' butt. The latter couldn't help but tighed up his hole. It wasn't even painful yet but the penetration of something (or someone) in his butt felt always strange at first for Lucas. He still was just at the start of his sex life, he was still a beginner so he hadn't quiet learn how to relax and open up at command but he knew that Eliott was here to help him with this task.

« Relax, breathe deep and slowly... » The young man whispered as he added more lube on the hole and his finger. As he felt Lucas' butt loosing up a bit, he started to slightly move his finger inside him.

Lucas shut his eyes, struggling to relax. Eliott knew that his finger inside him wasn't a very nice feeling for him but he had to do it in order to give him, a bit later, all the pleasure he deserved. When he felt the hole totally relaxed, he put some more lube everywhere and on another of his fingers. He kissed gently his inner tigh.

« Now Lucas you have to tell me everything you feel, ok ? You're the boss, you're the one who tell me what to do...

-Yeah... » The young man answered, opening his eyes to stare in Eliott's loving ones.

« I'll put another finger, ok ?

-Yeah. »

Slowly, Eliott inserted a second finger. Lucas grimaced and opened his mouth in a silent cry. This fucking finger was hurting. Once fully inside, Eliott remained motionless.

« Babe, you okay ? » He asked, his eyes up on him.

« It... It hurts.

-I know, the pain won't last. Relax, baby, it's ok. » Eliott said, kissing his groin and stroking lightly Lucas' penis with his free hand.

After a minute or two, Lucas managed to relax.

« Move. »

Eliott started to do as Lucas told him when the latter's voice stopped him.

« Lube ! More lube Eliott ! »

Smiling, so happy to see that his boyfriend trusted him enough to keep speaking to him threw all their sex time, Eliott grabbed the bottle and poured some more lube on his fingers and Lucas' butt. He put back the bottle next to them.

« Okay ? » He asked, staring into the young man's blue eyes.

The latter nodded. Eliott bent down again, kissed his belly button and put his head against his contracted belly.

He started to move his fingers, in and out, very slowly at first, then, feeling Lucas more and more relaxed, he fastened his moves. After a minute, Eliott pushed one another finger into his entrance. Lucas put a hand against his mouth to stop a cry of pleasure. Eliott swallowed heavily at the sound Lucas made. He looked up and whatched his flush face.

« You're beautiful. » Eliott said, still moving his fingers inside Lucas' hole.

The latter arched into the touch and moaned.

« Enough, enough... » Lucas panted softly as he watched down Eliott.

« You sure ? » He asked, not wanting to rush things.

« Babe I want you now. » Lucas purred.

A gutural growl escaped Eliott's throat. « How do you want me to... » He started to ask. The younger boy didn't let him finish his sentence.

« I want to be on top. » He said.

Eliott pulled his fingers out, making Lucas whining softly. He rolled over and laid on his back.

Smiling and aroused as hell, Lucas stended a bit and climbed on Eliott's pelvis. Feeling their two crotches brushing, they moaned together. Starring into the beautiful eyes of Eliott, Lucas bent over and kissed his lips.

«  I never wanted someone like I want you... » He whispered shamelessly before reaching over and grabbing one condom. « Fucking sexiest man ever... » He muttered as he put it on Eliott's erection. He took the lube bottle and quickly smoothed some of the oily liquid on Eliott's dick before dropping the bottle on the side.

Slowly, he put a hand on Eliott's chest and, with his other hand, grabbed Eliott's erection and led it to his entrance. Feeling Lucas slowly pressing his butts against his dick, Eliott gasped. He struggled to remain motionless. He shut his eyes tightly, forcing himself to calm down for a bit. Lucas was in charge, he has to wait for him to feel comfortable enough before he could move as he needed. The tip of his erection was now inside the young man. Eliott opened his eyes and almost came because of the sight of his man. Lucas's body was fully stretched. On his face could be read an intense expression of concentration. His mouth was open and his eyebrows were frowning on his closed eyes. Fuck... He was stunning but he looked struggled too. He was, obviously, trying to sit on his dick but couldn't quiet making yet.  

Eliott put a gentle hand on his hip and called him back to him.

« Lucas... Lucas, hey, Baby... »

The young man opened his glossy eyes and stared into his.

« No rush babe, relax.

-I... I can't... Fuck... You're... Just... Stupid dick... I... »

Eliott laughed and tried to relax himself for not thrusting into him as he was craving for.

« Lucas... Love, you can do it and if not, it doesn't matter at all. Just... Do what you wanna do. Relax, breathe slowly... » He said in a loving smile. Remaining motionless, as difficult as it was, Eliott stretched his arm to grab the lube and poured some more on the junction of their two bodies. Then, he put his hand on Lucas' stomach. « Focus on my hand, breathe slowly with your belly. »

Lucas shut his eyes again and took a deep breath. As he relaxed a bit, his body went lowered on Eliott's erection. The latter groaned.

« Fuck... Lucas, that feels good... »

Encouraged by his boyfriend's pleasure, Lucas felt better. Opening his mouth, he relaxed more and more, letting the dick entered his butt. As he went lowered, he arched his back and put his hands on Eliott's legs. Feeling so exposed was overwhelming. With Eliott, he wasn't shy, he was the only human being who was able to see him that way and he loved that thought. Without really realising it, he was sitted totally on Eliott's erection.

« Oh God babe, that's...

-That's what ? » Lucas asked in a tiny voice, short breath. If the feeling of having a dick inside him wasn't very painful anymore, it was still so strange.

« That's... Awesome... »

Satisfied, Lucas started to move his hips slowly. Seeing some stars, Eliott moaned Lucas' name.

« Fuck, Lucas I need to move...

-No, don't. » Lucas said.

The young man sighed and nods reluctantly. Smiling and feeling bossy as hell, Lucas blew a kiss to him. He kept moving very slowly for a while, ajusting his hole to the young man. Then, as he felt fully relaxed, he took hold on Eliott's hips to tilt them to the angle he wanted, get nearly out and then sat back quickly.

Lucas did it again and again, establishing a rythme that wasn't very fast. Without noticing, Eliott started to thrust, lifting his hips against Lucas' body, keeping his eyes on his pretty smutty face. Eyes shut, flushed cheeks and with sweat slicking his hair, the young boy was more beautiful than ever. Feeling one harder thrust, Lucas let a scream escape from his lips before putting a hand on his mouth.

« You... You can be loud... In here... Baby. » Eliott panted.

« I... I'm not used to... » Lucas answered, dancing on Eliott's hips.

« Let it out... »

Lucas was riding him hard now. As he screamed Eliott's name louder and louder, the latter felt the urge to cum soon growing inside his belly.

« You feel so good... I... I wont last long...

-No, no, no... You have to wait for me.

-Then touch yourself ! »

Lucas opened his big round eyes and stared into Eliott's as he started to jerk himself off. Perfectly overwhelmed by this sight, Eliott sat up quickly and put his face into Lucas' neck.

« I love you... That's fucking good... » He whispered.

Moving their hips together on the same rythm, Lucas threw his head back.

« Deeper... Deeper... Deeper... » He sang in a raspy voice.

But Eliott, sitted like this with him on his laps couldn't thrust deeper obviously.

« You want me deeper inside you uh ?

-Yes ! Yes Eliott...

-I know a way.

-Do it ! »

Lucas was shameless and could be pretty impatient in bed, Eliott loved him this way too.

Eliott pulled his dick off of Lucas' butts.

« Get on your knees. » He said.

The young man moved fast. He was now kneeling on the bed, butt in the air and was facing the wall.

« What now ? » Lucas smiled, watching Eliott behind his back.

The latter put another condom and slicked his dick with more lube. Panting hardly, he pressed his firm belly to Lucas' butts.

« Now I fuck you baby, as you asked me... »

Lucas panted out, wanting Eliott back into him. Not wasting one more second Eliott moved, and quickly thrust into Lucas letting out a low grunt as he did so. He stayed still for a moment to let the young man ajust again. He leaned down and bite a familir spot on Lucas' shoulder. Lucas threw his head back, yelling Eliott's name. He moved his hips back slowly

« M... move ».

Eliott started to get his dick off Lucas' ass. The latter moaned and pushed back against him. Eliott laughed loudly.

« Babe... To push in, I have to push back first... »

Then he started a steady deep thrust, rolling his hips and building up a slow rythm. He was sweet and tender, thinking about Lucas' pleasure before his own. He angled his hips managing to brush against his prostate then he quickened his thrusts. He ran his hands down the other's sides until he gripped onto his hips. His eyes closed in pleasure, Lucas opened his lips.

« Yes ! Yes, just like that ! Don't fucking stop ! »

Eliott was now nailing lucas' prostate on every thrusts in and the most delicious noises were falling from his mouth.

« Putain... Lucas ! »

He pounded endlessly.

« El... Eli... Pull my hair.

-Putain... Lu... Lucas you're... Ah !... so hot ! » Eliott panted, immediatly obeying and grabbing Lucas' hair in his hand, throwing his head a bit more back. « I... Fuck... I gonna cum... »

Lucas, moaning out loud, pleaded him to wait for himself.

« I... I can't, That's... Too much... » Eliott answered, slowing down a bit in order to stop the orgasm growing inside his whole body.

Lucas arched his back.

« Don't even think to stop Eliott ! »

After a few seconds, Lucas felt Eliott's hand on his own erection. He started to stroke it. It was magical, Lucas reached a strong orgasm very quickly. Screwing his eyes shut, mouth falling open, he came with only one word on his lips : « Eliott » ! As his body get tight around Eliott's dick, the latter fastened his thrusts and came inside him.

They collapsed on the matress, Eliott against Lucas' back. They stayed there for minutes, unable to make any move. And then Eliott rolled out of Lucas, threw the condom away, grabbed a tissue and cleaned some of Lucas' mess on the matress.

He laid on his back and opened his arm. Lucas put his head on his sweaty chest and kissed it.

« I love you so much Lucas Lallemant... » Eliott whispered, his fingers caressing his hair.

« I love you too Eliott Demaury. » The young man answered, his own fingers drawing some small paterns on Eliott's stomach.

« You didn't lie to me.

-About what ? » Lucas asked.

« About one of the best orgasm of my life.

-One of ? » The young boy grimaced, standing on his elbows, staring at Eliott, his brows arching in surprise.

« Well... As you know, I had plenty sexual experiences and... » Eliott smirked.

« You fucking moron! » Lucas grumbled giving him a little blow on the chest. Laughing out loud, Eliott pulled him in his arms. The young man tried to fight back but eventually had to give up on the strength of his boyfriend. He rested his chest against his, his face buried in his neck.

« I'm just kidding, you're the best... » Eliott breathed kissing his messy hair.

“You're not so bad either... » Lucas replied.

« Not so bad uh ? » Eliott said before smiling. « Ok... Fair enough... »

Lucas smiled back and kissed his neck.

And that was just the beguinning of some fantastic summer holidays...

[saixy]

fears

Post-KH3. A parallel between past and present. Isa looks back on his old worries as a child, and how this fear shifted over time.

- - - - -

“What’s your biggest fear?”

It was a question prompted by a game they often liked to play while stargazing: truth or dare. The former was typically easiest for him, since the very prospect of Lea’s outlandish dares sparked anxiety. “Death,” Isa eventually answered, albeit reluctantly. “Or rather, the thought of nonexistence.” He had never really spoken on the matter before. There had been no need, as their conversations were predominantly lighthearted in nature. Isa preferred to keep things like this to himself, for the most part. Lea wore his heart on his sleeve, but Isa prided himself on being difficult to read. Lea was seemingly exempt from this rule. Annoying as it could be, Isa was glad for someone who could understand him to such an extent. “Why? We’re immortal, remember?” It was a ridiculous notion, one that Lea seemed rather fond of. Immortality had been a joke between them for a long while now, prompted by Lea’s miraculous ability to escape stupidly risky situations with little more than a scratch. Isa snorted with thinly veiled amusement. “What are you talking about? Everyone dies, Lea.” “Hey, don’t say that.” Lea shifted to a sitting position, leaning over Isa with an uncharacteristically serious expression. Isa craned his neck to the side, as Lea’s face was now blocking his view of the sky. “Right, sorry. You can live forever in memories, stuff like that.” Lea had always been rather adamant on that subject, more so than anything else they had debated. Isa suspected it played into his own fears, but had never sought confirmation. Lea moved his head again, leaning in closer to place himself at the forefront of Isa’s vision. “Memories are everything, but that’s not what I’m saying here.” He still wore that odd, almost somber expression. “I meant that we’re immortal.”

“That’s not an explanation and you know it.” Isa was impatient and somewhat flustered at the sudden invasion of personal space, but he willed himself to keep his cool. “Us. You and me. Ya know. Like—“ Lea gestured helplessly, waving an arm at the sky overhead. “Like soulmates.” There was a pause, where Isa was rendered temporarily mute from the boldness of the suggestion. “We’ve been dating for less than a week,” he finally said in an incredulous tone. “Shut up! Not just in that way—“ Isa noted the ‘just’ as a sign he had meant it at least partially in a romantic sense. “I mean..I can’t really explain it, but. I feel like no matter what happens, we’ll always be together.” There was a fierce glint in Lea’s eyes, and it was clear his words were sincere. Isa responded in turn, lifting a hand to idly twirl a bit of Lea’s hair that had fallen loose near his face. “If it’s death we’re dealing with, I can’t deny that’s a possibility.” Personally Isa never had expectations for any sort of afterlife, but he was open-minded. “But what about the other thing? Ceasing to exist completely. Losing your identity--your very sense of self-- and never knowing because you wouldn’t be around to comprehend it.” Isa wouldn’t admit it, but this was the aspect of passing on that unsettled him the most. The thought that he could just blink out one day with no warning. Or even worse, without realizing it. Carrying on as a mindless puppet blissfully unaware he had already met his end. That was the plot of the only horror movie that had ever truly frightened him, and it had been lingering in his mind ever since. Isa closed his eyes, shutting out the sun for a moment as he struggled against the whirlpool of mounting panic threatening to drag him down. There was a reason why he never talked about things like this. “Hey,” Lea ghosted fingers across his cheek, searching for tears that Isa absolutely refused to allow. He wasn’t even choked up at all, but it seemed like Lea could sense this was a difficult topic for him. “Forever means forever. Got it memorized?” “You’re being stubborn.” “I am. So what?” “You’re always like this. Especially with the topic at hand, I’ve noticed.” “And you love me for it.” A rather blunt statement for such a new concept to them. Although it wasn’t new at all, not really. They’d always cared deeply for each other, and this was just a previously untouched way of expressing it. “That I do.” Isa hesitated, realizing the boy hovering above him had dodged the point yet again, no doubt purposefully. He wondered if he should push the matter, but decided against it. Instead he leaned forwards slightly, closing the gap between them. It wasn’t their first kiss, and it wouldn’t be their last. But it still had a sense of finality to it, one that Isa could sense even back then. It was as if in that moment, their fate had been sealed. Two things Lea had said that night would stick in Isa’s head over the next decade, becoming a mantra of sorts. Forever is forever, and memories are everything.

- - - - -

It was mostly brief, instinctive flashes of thought and feeling. Rather than concrete memories, they were similar to the lingering remnants of a dream. The more Isa tried to chase them, the more they drifted out of reach. Sometimes he would stare a little too long at the hazy amber reflection of streetlights on rainy pavement, or freeze at the passing sound of a stranger’s laugh. Isa didn’t need to put it into words, and he was grateful for that. Lea seemed to instinctively understand. He had always been good at empathizing with others, a skill Isa had lacked. And so whenever he was struck with one of these odd moments, Lea would wait for him. Always patient, an unwavering beacon of support. Lea helped drag him back down to earth, tying him to the life he had now rather than painful echoes of the past.

And it was a good life, a better one than he’d ever realistically expected. He was home again, finally free from suffocating white walls and the cloying stench of darkness. Reconstruction of the city still had a long way to go, but the Restoration Committee had already made considerable progress in the few years since Radiant Garden was reclaimed. Isa had even managed to snag a spot on their management team, allocating resources where they were needed most and deciding which parts of the city’s old layout to keep and what could be improved upon. He quite enjoyed the work, more so than what he’d initially anticipated going into it. The labor was slow, but ultimately productive. And something that held a lot of meaning to him. It was no dream astronomy job, but he was happy.

The highlight of his day would always be returning to his house, a cozy little abode near the fountain district. The site of their former homes lay further away from the city center, in a segment of the city that had been all but razed to the ground. The higher ups had deemed it a low priority area, which Isa was determined to change. But for now, this location was perfect. Moving in with Lea had been an easy decision, and when Ansem had offered them the house as reparation for the horrors they’d been subjected to as children, he could hardly refuse. Roxas and Xion had an apartment where they attended school in Twilight Town, which was also funded by the castle’s reserves. On breaks and weekends they frequented Radiant Garden, and Isa often flew to Twilight Town after work to hang out or assist them with projects. At first he only visited alongside Lea, but as the awkwardness faded and they settled into more of a family dynamic, Isa would fly over of his own accord. Being split between two cities like this wasn’t ideal, but Isa’s heart and responsibilities lay in Radiant Garden and he couldn't ask those kids to give up the place that had always felt like home to them. They deserved what had been stolen from Lea and himself so long ago: the chance to grow up at their own pace in a safe town surrounded by those who care about them.

It was hard not to think back when he was constantly surrounded with so many reminders of his past. This was a caveat of choosing to live where he’d both grown up and lost his heart. There were memories tied to everything around him. A street where they found a stray dog once, a storm drain that had claimed Lea’s favorite frisbee and led to an impromptu journey through the sewers. These flashes were mostly pleasant, if bittersweet, snapshots into their former life. The painful memories were there too, mainly tied to the castle itself. Working there was stressful at first, but he managed. Isa avoided the labs, and everyone respected this. From the start, it had become obvious that honesty would be a necessity with this arrangement. It was still a struggle to be open even with himself after spending so long shutting people out, but Isa made an effort to try. So he voiced what made him uncomfortable, and confided in his friends whenever he was struggling. He would often reminisce with Lea when they were together. But sometimes he still preferred to ponder things alone. This was one of those nights, as he sat on a fountain’s edge gazing down at the rippling reflection of the moon. During his childhood he had always been somewhat reserved. He was the model student, in the eyes of many. Never afraid to state his opinion when asked, but often choosing to hang back in favor of watching his classmates. Isa felt as if he learned more by analyzing the classroom than from the teachers themselves. He could easily spot the holes in the other student’s arguments and use them to amend and strengthen his own. The process was simple, and one he knew all too well. Observe, pinpoint a weakness, execute. Again, one of those things that stirred up almost-memories. It was bitter ash on his tongue and a glint of steel in the moonlight. A wolf stalking its prey for days on end until it finally determined the optimal moment to lunge for the killing blow and drown the world in gold. Muffled sobs torn out by a blade as ruthless as its owner. It had been easier when he wasn’t in control. Terrifying at first, but he eventually found comfort in the moments where his mind buzzed to static. It was painfully ironic how quickly he had come to accept this fear of losing himself. He was always somewhat present, but his body was on autopilot. ‘Plausible deniability’ was one of the phrases that had been thrown around after the war was won. Many on the side of the keyblade wielders were sympathetic to his position, but there were also those who voted against the pardoning of himself and the others that had been tied up in Xehanort’s plans. In their eyes he was simply a byproduct of darkness, broken beyond repair. Xehanort was dead, so they wanted a scapegoat. It was only natural. The need for blame was understandable, so Isa paid no mind to the glares he sometimes received walking through the city streets. Radiant Garden had suffered greatly, more so than the other worlds claimed by darkness. The Fall happened so swiftly not all were able to relocate in time. And with Ansem and the castle guard opting for a seige approach, the citizens were left to fend for themselves. Many were reborn in a similar fashion to Isa and the rest, but not all. This great loss of life was what drove him forwards in his work to help others, despite the scorn he often received. Once he’d have been outraged to take the blame for a calamity beyond his control, but now Isa carried that weight with a weary acceptance. Of course they all struggled with their own demons, some worse than others. It was their burden to bear, and Isa was fine with it. He was lucky, all things considered. After everything he had still managed to regain his heart, body, and mind. He had a family now, and he loved them more than anything. The sun, the moon, and their two stars shining through the twilight mist. It was a picturesque ending, one fit for a storybook. It was more than he could have ever hoped for. It was entirely unfair. He still felt this lingering sense of dread, as if he shouldn’t be here. Similar to when Lea had dragged him into various schemes of dubious legality in days gone by. Sometimes he entered his own house and for an instant he was holding his breath behind a hedge on the castle grounds. Arguing the technicalities of blame was a fruitless endeavor, as it would do little to ease the crushing weight of guilt that had settled deep within his chest. His memories were fragmented, but he was still very much aware of his own actions within the Organization. He knew the series of events and how everything had played out, but had difficulty recalling anything beyond an impersonal recap. His own thoughts and ghosts of emotions he may have felt at the time were still a mystery for the most part. It seemed Lea had no issues with this, and as such Isa suspected the lack of memories regarding individuality was a result of Xehanort’s prolonged influence over his mind. As far as he knew Terra was the only one who described a similar experience, which only strengthened this theory. He supposed the automatic distance was nice, in a way. It helped build a concrete separation between Saix of the past and himself in the present. Still, at times the cold numbness made him sick. He was working from the facts here, and could only guess at the reasoning behind some of his past actions. Back then he’d convinced himself that miserable state of existence had split him into a being of pure logic. After all, there were no longer any emotions to interfere with his decisions. Nothing to sway him from what must be done. Oh how wrong he was. In retrospect he felt like a fool, denying what had been in plain sight for so long.

Roxas and Xion had made Axel truly feel something again. Tangible, undeniable emotion that defied all reason. And now Isa realized they were to thank for his own shift in demeanor, near the end. Axel’s first taste of emotion had been love for his newfound family. The need to protect what was in front of him had outweighed the tired notion of striving for a seemingly unreachable goal. Years of hard work had granted very little progress in regaining their hearts or finding the girl once held in captivity. And tired of chasing ghosts, Lea had latched onto the present moment and found a cause that could light the spark he’d been seeking for so long. Isa wasn’t so lucky. This pathetic shadow of a heart had manifested itself as jealousy, sharp and bitter. And only then could he feel the underlying anger that had been driving him forward for so long. It was rage beyond reason, a swift undercurrent threatening to overwhelm his senses at any moment. And when he did allow it to take control, it was different from before. Berserking had once sent his consciousness into a state of almost peaceful dissociation. Now it was like wading through a river of dissonance, icy tar filling his lungs as a whirlpool of screams sucked him down into the murky depths. And this Styx became his own personal hell, something he dreaded. Because it made no sense why he’d be struggling with this now, after years of brutal training had hardened his edges and honed him to flawless lethality. The fighting style he’d mastered was hinged on relinquishing control, but he’d never actually felt unsafe while doing so. What had he worked so hard for all these years if his own mind would prove to be his downfall? During those few moments of lucidity in the final battle, he could do little more than hold his head and cry out in agony as daggers pierced his skull and keyblades rained down from above. A call for help, manifesting itself in the only way he knew how. And it had worked, in the end. Despite everything Lea was once again hovering over him, blocking out the sky with his own blinding light. That tearful smile sweetened the taste of death, and the following kiss moments before he faded finally left him with a reason to pray to whatever tyrant god responsible for these endless years of pain for another chance at life. Maybe immortality wasn’t so far from the truth after all.

“You’re upset.”

The sudden voice echoing through the courtyard startled Isa from his thoughts, but he quickly relaxed at the familiar tone. He gave a noncommittal hum, watching Lea approach the fountain where he sat. “I haven’t said a word.”

“Don’t need to.” Lea took a seat beside him, wincing at the shock from the fountain’s spray. Isa was wearing a jacket that slicked off the stray droplets, but Lea’s sweater would no doubt end up soaked. “It’s the way you’re sitting. Like you’re trying to make yourself as small as possible.”

Crossed arms held close to his chest, one leg propped over the other. Isa hadn’t even realized he was so tense until he had been called out on it. “I trust you’re not just here to analyze my body language?”

“Nah.” Before Isa could ask, Lea offered the reasoning behind his deduction. “You never sat like that before. Only during the later years of the Organization.”

Right, one of Saix’s mannerisms. Or rather, Xehanort’s. He hurriedly uncrossed his arms, instead choosing to grip the edge of the fountain. The stone was cold and damp against his bare skin, and he welcomed the sensation. It was the little things like this that unsettled him the most. How easily one could fall back into learned behavior. “Why do you have to be so damn perceptive?”

“It’s part of the charm.” Lea wasn’t wrong there. And honestly, Isa wouldn’t have it any other way. Flashing a warm smile, Lea rested a hand on his shoulder. The gentle weight was reassuring. Isa closed his eyes in return, leaning into the touch.

“You know I’m here if talking would help.”

He’d been trying to open up more, for the sake of both of them. The hardest part was figuring out where to begin unravelling the tangled knot wound deep within his heart. But Isa was quieter now, overall. Or so he had been told. He hadn’t noticed a difference until Lea had pointed it out recently. Now that he was aware of the change, he could definitely see it for himself. Where he once would have chimed in with a quick jab or retort there was only silence. Isa found that during these moments, he was simply unsure of what to say and when to say it. He was more hesitant now, afraid of speaking out of turn and accidentally causing harm. The banter between himself and Lea had always felt so effortless, but now it was halting and unsure. They had moved past walking on eggshells long ago, but now Isa was treading on a self-imposed path of fine china. He knew they’d move beyond this too, eventually. When more time had passed and old wounds had the chance to heal over. Recovery was an ongoing process, and they were both very aware of this. He’d learned that honesty was an important step in building back those bridges, so this time Isa decided to share what was on his mind. Talking things over with Lea almost always made him feel better. Rather than take him up on the offer directly, he went for a different approach.

“Hey Lea. Truth or dare?”

“Wait, what? Where’s this coming from?” Lea raised an eyebrow, obviously confused at the question. At Isa’s glare, understanding seemed to dawn upon him. “Oh. Well, I’m feeling like this is a truth sort of night.” In their childhood Lea had always favored dares, much to Isa’s chagrin. Thankfully he caught the drift here.

“Do you still believe it? What you used to say when we were young. Memories are everything.” He called back to the old quote so casually, as if he hadn’t been repeating it over and over when memories were all he had to remind him why life was something worth fighting for.

Lea spent a few moments in silence, gathering his thoughts. Isa took the opportunity to lay flat against the stone wall, head resting in Lea’s lap as he faced the sky. Since his return to Radiant Garden, stargazing had quickly reclaimed its place as one of his favorite pastimes. The familiar view brought with it a certain sense of stability and comfort.

When Lea finally spoke, he lowered a hand to settle lightly in Isa’s hair. “Memories are important, but they can’t define us completely. It’s a double-edged blade. The effect you leave behind on people-- it can be a gift, but just as easily cause harm. And sometimes you misjudge.”

“It wasn’t all an oversight.” And that was the sickening part, what fueled the guilt that often kept him awake at night. There was a time where he’d knowingly hurt those who were now closest to him. And so many others he’d never see again. Innocent bystanders caught in the carnage of a struggle that was not their own. There was no way to tell for sure how much blood was on his hands, and Isa wasn’t sure he’d want to know even if it were possible.

“Of course not. Conflict is...it’s cruel, Isa.” There was a slight tug as the hand moved to stroke downwards, gently combing through his hair. This was a new method of comfort, one that Lea had quickly picked up on when they’d been reunited after the war. “The important thing is to cherish the good moments and learn from the bad.”

It was true that Isa had learned a lot throughout this whole ordeal. About himself, the world as a whole, and his relationships with others. He was still struggling for self-acceptance, but at least he had a better understanding of things than before. He was able to identify exactly what had led him to the eventual downfall that had nearly severed his bond with Lea. Now that he’d strayed onto the wrong path he could move forwards along a better one, making amends wherever possible. They had made an oath then, when Isa had first regained consciousness. Joint sobs echoing through laboratory halls as they swore to never allow anything or anybody to tear them apart again.

“My turn now. Truth or dare?”

At least he’d answered directly this time. Isa was satisfied, so he supposed a question in return was fair. “Is there a point in asking?”

“Well, yeah. Otherwise it’s not a game.” As if they were doing this for fun in the first place. Lea mulled over his options, still stroking through Isa’s hair. “When you wake during the night, you look so...terrified. What is it that you’re scared of?”

This question did catch him a bit off guard. Isa had never confided in him or anyone else about the nightmares. And Lea didn’t push him to say anything, always helping him through it without question. Speaking about it in the moment would only make the experience more painful, but Lea deserved to know. Maybe not the full details yet, but the recurring themes that caused him to panic.

From the direction these questions were taking Isa was sure Lea was also thinking back on that night so many years ago. It was one of the last they had spent together, perched on a rooftop in their favorite spot overlooking the castle gardens. He had known infiltrating the castle was a risky move, but neither of them could have ever guessed that only a few days later they would wind up as the next victims of the horrific experiments that had already claimed hundreds of innocent lives. So Isa looked back fondly on that last week or so, where the mounting pressure of continuing their investigation without being caught was briefly drowned out by the innocent joy of newfound love. He settled for a simple response, falling into Lea’s old habit of avoiding the real question at hand. “You asked this before.”

“And the answer?”

Isa should have known it would be pointless to try such tactics against the king of deflection himself. “...Dying is overrated.”

This earned a chuckle from Lea. Oh how he’d missed that sound. “You were able to face your fears, at least.”

“As for you?” This time Isa’s curiosity got the best of him. He might as well ask.

“Hey, it’s my turn to ask the questions here.” Lea paused from doting on Isa’s hair to leave a reprimanding tap on his nose. “...You’re right though, it’s the same for me. When we were kids, I...I really didn’t like the idea that I could ever lose you.” He smiled down at Isa, a bit sadly. “Guess that never changed.”

No matter how much Lea tried to hide it, Isa could still hear that lingering pain in his voice. Even during the quieter moments like this, emotions still ran high. It was so much better than not feeling at all, but almost a full year later and he still found himself adjusting. So when he spoke to open up in return, it was a struggle not to get choked up. “I wasn’t afraid of death as a concept, but more so the threat of losing myself. Now that I’ve lived out that reality...I’ve come to accept it.” It was still there, a distant possibility but present nonetheless. The lingering fear he would once again be dragged down by the mind of another. It would never truly disappear, but at least it was no longer a driving factor in his life. Isa refused to give that fear the opportunity to control him. “That’s not what haunts me now. Not exactly.” Now that he’d started, speaking like this was a lot easier. “I’m not frightened of myself, or the possibility of Xehanort’s shadow still lurking in my mind. I’m afraid that I’ll lose everything we’ve worked to rebuild. Our home, our family. Us.” There was no hiding the tremor in his voice, and this time when Lea shifted a hand to Isa’s cheek he was met with tears. Once he might have blamed it on the fountain spray, but now he valued such displays of emotion. It was a sign of life, a reminder that they could allow themselves to simply feel without shame or denial.

“Isa...I won’t let that happen.” Those words were spoken with so much conviction Isa could almost believe it.

“I know--I know. And yet...” His throat was tight again, and so he took a shuddering breath rather than try to finish the thought.

“That’s the thing about fear.” Lea was blotting out the stars again, a curtain of crimson to shield Isa from the world. “It can be irrational, but that doesn’t lessen the pain.”

Isa’s words were little more than a whisper. “For so long I’d assumed I was too far gone. I only feared that you would be taken away from me as well. That’s why it broke me, when...” he trailed off, as there was no need to further explain. They’d already discussed this and made amends, but speaking of past mistakes never got any easier.

“I’ll do anything to ensure you never have to feel that way again.” Lea’s voice took on a slightly grim edge, reminiscent of days gone by. Isa hadn’t heard that in a while, but here it was welcome.

Isa laughed breathlessly. “I’m the only one responsible this time around. And that’s the one thing you would never do. Hurt me.” After all, it was Isa’s own mind supplying the nightmares and the anxiety that followed him through the day.

“Inflicting pain isn’t the only solution.” Internal warfare like this wasn’t the type of combat they were accustomed to. Lashing out was all they’d been taught, and Isa still had to remind himself of this, even when the foes he faced were no longer a physical threat.

“Then what is?”

Lea’s silence spoke volumes here. Neither of them had all the answers, even if it was easier to pretend otherwise. Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks as Isa closed his eyes. The sun often had a blinding effect and now was one of the times where he had to look away for fear of making the pain worse.

“Love.”

Isa wasn’t expecting an answer, so his eyes flew open at that. Such a deceptively simple word for how drastically it had shaped his life. “I know you love me, but that won’t stop the nightmares.”

Lea moved his head closer to press lips against Isa’s forehead. “s’ not an instant fix.”

“Nothing ever is.” His breathing was steadier now, soothed by Lea’s touch.

“That’s not always a bad thing.” And it was true. If life’s problems were so easy to solve then he’d never have realized the how much of a difference embracing his emotions could make.

“Guess I’m a long-term project.” Isa dipped into that sense of dry humor as the darkness clutching at his heart began to retreat, warded off by the flame that had always lit up his life.

“You’d better be,” From the smile against his skin, Isa knew Lea was glad that the encouragement had finally managed to get through.

“I am. Because we’re immortal, right?” He managed to surprise Lea with that, and Isa savored the brief expression of wonder before it was drowned out by a proper kiss. And he suddenly understood what Lea had meant all those years ago.

[oveliagirlhaditright]

Night Light: A RokuNami fic. Chapters 1-3

In a future, where the Master of Masters has already been dealt with by Sora-and Kairi dies once more, making Sora lose it for a while-Roxas and Naminé must now contend with the similar to Roxas, Gula, going bad.

Chapter One

Roxas blinked—for what felt like the millionth time—as Naminé tried to tell him why this night light in their room was a good idea.

They were still young and innocent, so they weren’t living together in the same room because they were having sex. But because they needed comfort after everything they’d been through.

He wanted to ask her why she thought it was safe to do this, when she’d recently whacked her eye on the lava lamp thing and had nearly gone blind in the eye because of it.

But then again… if one were to really close themselves off to anything that hurt them, Roxas supposed they’d never grow and live.

He’d come into life as a fourteen-year-old, so he had no true basis for this: But he supposed an example of this, was when a kid was burnt by fire when they were young. If they let that affect them forever, they’d never learn to cook, play with sparklers, or anything like that.

But Naminé was still afraid of the darkness… And if this gave her some relief from it, Roxas would happily oblige (he would just hold Naminé, and make sure she wouldn’t fall off the bed to smack herself again)… Even if he didn’t like light very much...

Naminé grinned, as she pushed the night light into the outlet and it painted the room in pinks:

Naminé had been hoping for pinks—to make her think of her sister Kairi—but oddly enough, there had been no night lights in that color that they could find.

Nami had then opted that they go for red, because maybe it would be faded and look rose-colored… and she had been right.

Sometimes Roxas really thought with Naminé’s powers, that she may be psychic. But with as self-conscious as she still was, after everything she’d done, Roxas dared not bring it up.

“There, Roxas. I promise I’m done with the home improvement now. So if you want, we can go meet our friends now. And so they did: After Roxas dropped a quick kiss to Naminé’s lips, to let her know that he had no issue with helping her at all.

…

As always, Roxas met Hayner, Pence, and Olette on the clock tower (and he would have met Lea, Xion, and Isa, if they hadn’t been busy right now): This was their true Usual Spot, after all, and hell or high water Roxas was sure that this was what they’d continue to do.

Things were a little different now, though: Pence and Olette had just gotten married at the young age of eighteen, and Olette was already pregnant: So Olette had to be very careful when she did this now.

And Hayner, after he had made it big as a basketball player had—sadly—twisted his ankle and lost his career (so now he ironically painted like Naminé did), so getting up here was also a trip for him:

And yet they still did it, because they wanted to make up for every memory they didn’t have from the Digital Twilight Town and more. And how Roxas loved them for it.

“So, have you heard from Sora?” Olette asked—as she made sure to hand Naminé the fruity kind of ice cream that she would want (that Olette was now trying because of her), whilst Hayner handed the boys sea salt bars. “It sounds like Gula’s gone evil.”

And in hearing this, Roxas almost threw up. He didn’t know Gula very well, but from what he did know of him the man had always reminded Roxas of himself.

So, to hear that he was capable of this kind of thing made Roxas begin having doubts about himself, and everything that he thought he knew.

…He’d been just a hair’s breadth away from turning evil in the datascape, perhaps, so did this really mean if he’d been given the proper push there, he would have gone on a rampage?

Sensing how Roxas felt about this, Naminé squeezed his arm softly as she leaned her head against his shoulder.

“You and Gula are very different, Roxas. Don’t worry about it. …If anything, he’s more like when Sora went to the dark side after… after Kairi- than you.”

This instantly struck a chord with Roxas… Naminé had been in love with Sora for so long, and she’d idolized him. Roxas was sure she’d still adored him even while they’d first dating… So, to hear Naminé speak of her belief in him now—even over Sora—spoke to Roxas well of Naminé’s feelings for him.

Olette looked like she wanted to say something to that—and Roxas had no doubt that she did, since she had tried to woo Sora after Kairi had died—but seemed to think better of it, and stopped herself.

“Well,” Hayner began—already trying to be the diplomat,  Roxas could tell by his tone—“as much as it sucks to have someone trying to conquer the world again, or whatever, at least you guys have the foreknowledge about it this time: It’s not like what happened with the Xehanorts, the Master of Masters, or when Sora went insane for a little bit. You should easily be able to go find him and beat him. Right? Or go talk some sense into him.”

Hayner wasn’t completely wrong. After their first journeys, Naminé had done recon missions on every world and now knew them like the back of her hand.

Furthermore, she’d implanted devices in each and every location that told you what people were there.

Given that Gula hadn’t come up with a way to get rid of them—and so far, no one else had—they should be able to find him easily. It was true. But this was only if he didn’t world hop and world hop, which was what he probably was doing.

…But it still left a bad taste in Roxas’ mouth, to turn against an ally like this. Yes, Gula had now done it first. But still.

Despite the fact that Roxas had only felt a little safe with the night light Naminé had earlier put in their room… With this new knowledge, even that feeling had completely disappeared.

Chapter Two

The obvious thing Roxas could have done, after finding out that Gula had fallen to darkness, would have been for him to go home, take a look at the picture of his former friend, and brood....and perhaps even lose himself. But Roxas didn't do this. No.

Instead, he decided to pretend that things were normal by going to the store with Naminé. His girl had recently wanted to buy a strawberry cake mix? Well, then, Roxas was going to buy it for her! And it was the first thing on his agenda, as it should have been. And as Roxas pushed Naminé around in the cart—as he now looked for fresh strawberries and some icing of that same flavor—she ended up asking him the question he'd been too afraid to consider himself. "Gula also has a connection to Sora, Roxas? Do you- do you think this is all happening as punishment for him, in 'getting Kairi back' in such an inhumane way?" Right... Kairi was really dead. Roxas almost didn't believe that himself (he didn't want his dear friend to be that way), and the only way Sora had her in his life at all, was when he'd found traces of her in the Datascape and put a new her together brought it-her into the real world. Roxas knew that Xion, Naminé, Vanitas, Xemnas and himself were all exceptions to the normal rules of cloning and Nobodies, so maybe what Sora had done with Kaitwo was different... But he couldn't help feeling this copy of Kairi was exactly that: a copy, and Sora was only fooling himself to think otherwise... and the real Kairi might even be watching on from above in a heartbroken manner. "After all Sora's been through, I don't think he needs to be punished for nothin', so I genuinely hope you're wrong, Naminé."

“I… know, Roxas,” Naminé said sympathetically, as she reached up and put a hand atop Roxas’ own. “I do, too. I also think he’s suffered enough, and that’s why we’ll try to handle this ourselves… and not get him—them—involved.”

And with that idea planted firmly in their heads, Roxas and Naminé got the rest of their supplies, went up to the cash register and paid, and headed back home.

And once they’d made their cake there—because, hey: Roxas and Naminé were retired. And though they were still okay with helping the world when it needed them, they’d enjoy themselves a little bit first—Naminé opened up the Book of Prophecies and set to work.

“You think that has something to do with it?” Roxas asked, as he popped a maraschino cherry into his mouth: In the end, they’d gone a little too crazy with all the strawberry stuff and Roxas had realized he needed some cherries in his life to cut through the taste.

“I know it’s a stupid question, Nami… since everything the Foretellers did was tied to the book. But ever since the Master of Masters was defeated, I thought the whole thing had been rendered null and void.”

Unless, of course, there were some secret passages in the tome that most no one knew about. And of course, if any of the copies of the book were to contain something like that, it would be Gula’s: which Naminé fortunately had on hand, because Gula had given it to her in trying to impress her once.

Naminé sent Roxas a look at his question—that seemed to say that ever since she’d become her own person, and therefore not connected to a Princess of Heart’s power, she’d become weaker and couldn’t know much anymore… And that she’d mostly been keeping her nose out of this kind of gossip for years, too, so forgive her if she was a little rusty.

But Roxas couldn’t help it: He was just so used to Naminé having the answer to everything where he was concerned. And it was part of the reason he loved her so much.

And he was about to hug her tense shoulders and to tell her just that, but he was interrupted from it as Xion and Lea quite literally broke into Roxas and Naminé’s home.

Roxas glared at Xion as it happened, since he knew full well she had a key and had only kicked the door in to make an entrance.

Sure, they had magic that could fix this toot sweet… but it didn’t make it any less annoying to Roxas.

“So, I thought you guys would like to be the first to hear that Gula’s gathering up the Princesses of Heart… Which is just wonderful. Though call me crazy… but I don’t think he’s using them to unlock the Final Keyhole or to create the X-Blade. We never get lucky enough to have villains repeat old plans that we’ve already exploited. No, he must be doing something else with them…”

And at her explanation, Roxas felt his anger at Xion cool down some.

Roxas hadn’t expected that Gula could possibly be going this crazy yet… but if it all really was as dire as Xion was saying, time truly was of the essence and they had no time to wait on anything.

“How do you know this, Xion?” Lea was the one to ask, with his hands on his hips. And he kept clenching and unclenching his fingers, so Roxas could only guess he was fighting to remain calm in this situation and to not summon his chakrams or his Keyblade this very second.

A beat passed, as Xion seemed to only stare at the bluish-violet faux-fish tank that Roxas had.

And the former wielder got the sense that Xion was staring at the purple there in particular: The same color as Naminé and Kairi’s eyes.

And it made Roxas think that maybe when Kairi had died, she’d passed her powers onto Xion and this was why his best friend knew what she did: Not because of the surveillance that Naminé had set up in the worlds, but because Xion had a direct connection to the Pure Lights in now being one herself.

But whatever the real answer here was, Xion wasn’t giving it.

She just crossed her arms over her chest self-consciously and barked, “Because I just do, okay?! …And if I’d known I was going to get the third degree, I would have gone with Isa to check on what, if anything, is happening with the moon.”

And that was as much a cry for help as Roxas had ever heard. And thankfully, Naminé seemed to hear it, too:

And so, she ushered Xion over the threshold, sat her down with a blanket around her shoulders, and offered her a piece of cake: something she happily took.

And upon seeing it, Lea was then running to the kitchen to get a piece himself—with the explanation that “an army marches on its stomach”, of course.

“So, what do we do?” Naminé asked the obvious and looked pointedly at Xion as she did so: which seemed to hint to Roxas that she had figured out exactly what he had about her. “Do we try and contact the Princesses and tell them to give their abilities to others, so Gula has to start the search again? It might save the world, for the time being, but-”

But there was no guarantee that Gula wouldn’t kill the Princesses if they attempted to undermine him like that, if he truly had gone over the edge here. And Roxas wasn’t willing to risk it.

At least if Gula was using the Lights’ powers right now, he couldn’t dispose of them until he had them all, and they’d fulfilled their purpose—which would at least give the Guardians of Light some time to work with.

“No,” Lea cut in—surprising Roxas, because since he was still the newest in trying to protect Kingdom Hearts and so Roxas hadn’t entirely been sure he’d been able to yet keep up with all the rules about summoning it. “We try and find Gula. And we all split up and do so. We have a better chance of managing that kind of thing now, than we would have ever before—since some of the worlds went back to being just one after our last fight… And even if Gula is jumping from world to world, what Naminé set up should be able to tell us where he is… We just need to get there before he leaves.”

That certainly sounded like a plan to Roxas: The only one, really.

…But though they were doing it for the best, Roxas had to wonder if it was a misstep to not tell Sora.

Chapter Three

Naminé’s PoV

While Naminé was, of course, okay with going on this quest with Roxas to stop Gula… she couldn't help mourning—of all things—the nightlight that she and Roxas would be leaving behind. And she even tried to explain that to Roxas, when—with her hands clasped together in front of her, as she stared at their room for the last time--she said "I'm just going to miss it, you know? The sense of safety it provides... Granted, we didn't have this place and these decorations for long. But Roxas, it made me feel safe in Twilight Town. And now we're going on a new mission, away from this sanctuary. And if I can only feel okay here just now... how can I experience that in more dangerous worlds?"

Naminé knew that this was pretty craven talk, for someone who had been to all the worlds and set up security there… but that had been before Kairi had died a third time—taking a part of Nami with her—and she could feel the experience. So that—combined with the fact that evil never seemed to end, and that even any of them could go dark—had Naminé feeling depressed again.

And perhaps in sensing this, Roxas tried to reassure her."Because we'll always come home to it, Nami. In fact, the nightlight will be a beacon leading us here."

Naminé smiled in a slightly forced way here and turned around so that she was in Roxas’ arms.

Hugging him just once, she rested her chin on his shoulder and tried to just breathe for a moment.

And then she disentangled herself from him, picked up her bag, and resolutely went to face this task at hand.

…

Naminé was feeling a lot better, despite everything, when she and Roxas landed on the new world.

She remembered this world well. How could she not? It was home to a sweet, retired elderly lady—with refined taste that Naminé couldn’t even begin to match—with a butler named Edgar, who waited on her so caringly.

Naminé had always admired people much older than herself. For on the few times she had ventured out into the World, despite DiZ’s orders, those were the ones who had treated her best: even with her being Nobody.

And the woman here in particular was very sweet, and had taught Naminé how to do art with paints rather than crayons.

So, the artist in her alone, wanted to go and meet Madame Adelaide again. But there were other parts of her that of course wanted to as well.

And all of this together made Naminé as giddy as she’d been when she’d realized Roxas truly did love her.

That was why she grabbed Roxas’ hand as soon as he appeared by her side—and jumped up and down as she did so, making him do the same action with her.

“Naminé, what-”

“Oh, Roxas! This is one of my favorite worlds I visited! Let’s go visit the best place in it right now!”

To Roxas’ credit, he was quick to comply. He seemed about to voice the word “okay”, but he was cut off when Naminé began dragging him along.

It was a good thing she had a photographic memory that she’d developed with her witch powers. Because otherwise, she might have tried to open a Corridor of Darkness to teleport to the house.

But instead, she realized they had landed on the world fairly close to where the manor was located.

So, they just walked a few blocks, keeping up some nice idle banter as they did, and finally they were at one of the places of Naminé’s dreams.

And it became even more that, when Naminé noticed that there were all these cats in front of it! Maybe they had even lived here all along, and she’d had no idea.

Naminé ignored her aching feet, and ran up to the white kitten that was trying to climb a beam with ivory crawling up it.

The white witch couldn’t help admiring her, since the kitty’s siblings—and father?—were all content rolling around in the grass, or trying to climb trees:

So Nami loved the go-getter personality this one had. Maybe a bit selfishly, it reminded her of how she had gone above and beyond the call of duty, in sending Lingering Will to the Guardians’ aid while she’d essentially been dead.

This would have been a happy moment—and Naminé might have thought Kingdom Hearts had sent them to such a wonderful location, to hint that Gula wasn’t really up to too much bad at all—if at that moment, the orange boy cat (that Naminé would later learn was named Toulouse) didn’t come darting to her, to cry that his mother “Duchess” had been kidnapped.

Roxas looked between Naminé and the kitten and then back again, before settling his glance on his hands: Something that spoke similarly to how Sora had reacted upon seeing Roxas leave him for the first time. And Naminé would have appreciated it, if she hadn’t been busy freaking out.

Gula was apparently after the Princesses of Heart again… But the Seven Pure Lights had the ability to pass their powers onto another: Belle, Jasmine, Alice, Cinderella, Aurora, and Snow White were all proof of this.

And what if the new Princesses—such as Elsa, Anna, and Rapunzel—had given up their abilities… but this time they had been given to the animal royalty in the worlds, like perhaps Nala that Naminé had heard about? …Or moreover, Duchess here?

Sora, on a later adventure, had met a villain named Cruella de Vil, and in Naminé’s mind she had been the cruelest person to ever exist. Because attacking humans was one thing, but pure and defenseless animals? It was too much. Especially anthropomorphic ones that seemed to exist in most of the worlds. The Moogles were like that, and Naminé had bonded with them during her time in Castle Oblivion. So, she couldn’t. She just couldn’t!

What if Gula was now standing over this Duchess, and telling her she had served her purpose the way that Ansem had Kairi?

Naminé, just a few hours ago, had been almost against leaving her nightlight… but now she realized she was more than willing to be that for others, if the World would let her.

“It’s okay,” Roxas whispered kindly to Toulouse, seeming close to tears himself. “We’ll find your mom. Naminé in particular really wants to.”

And she would, because madame Adelaide was coming over to her, needing support from Naminé now, too, and she gave it.

She also called Xion on the gummi phone, informing her to leave Kuzco alone and to go check on Nala instead…

Author’s Note: If any of this has weird mistakes, I apologize. I’m posting this while being half-asleep (but I wanted to post it now, since I know I’ve left this story for a while).

Also, just so it’s known… Kairi isn’t dead in this story because I hate her or dislike SoKai or anything like that. The opposites on both counts, really. Kairi’s my favorite character ever and SoKai’s my ultimate OTP… but somehow it just came to me while writing the first chapter of this that Kairi’s dead. And I tried to fight against it… but I sadly couldn’t: this story/plot seemed to demand it, for some reason. And it will be a plot point later, since Sora will be showing up and all. Yeah.

[kh-akira]

Opinion on KH3

Before I start, I wanna let you know I'm very easy to please and not much of a critic, so this could look a bit lax to some people. And while I knew the story and characters from all games, I only ever completed KH1 and KH2 by myself. Anyway, let's go!

(This was original posted on Twitter, so that you don’t wonder about the formatting and passages.)

First thing that comes to my mind when thinking about KH3 is, that is was such fun to play and that I never felt so emotional before over a game. There are not many things I would call outright bad, at least not when looking at the previous KH games.

I absolutely loved the combat system and how you could customize it to your own preferences. Like, I didn’t like the Flow-motion abilities, so I completely ignored them and I only skilled the magic I actually wanted. (Fire and Thunder)

When it comes to the Attraction commands, I’m a bit torn. I have my favorites (Tea-Cups and Pirate-ship) and those I hate (Laser-thing and Waterslide) I’m just glad I quickly noticed how you could switch between the commands.

The Keyblade Transformations where so great! I didn’t use all Keyblades, so I don’t know for all, but the ones I had where always such fun and a great help. (I ended up favoring the Monster Inc. one)

People had complained about how floaty the combat is, even after it was balanced out a bit in the final game. I personally love such floaty gameplay and I was in the air most of all fights and designed my combinations after that.

Never ever felt I frustration or a lack of fun during my run. I only had some troubles with the ship in the Caribbean world at first, but I quickly learned it and I absolutely love it now. Cooking Minigame is also fun. (Skipped Pooh Mini-games)

While the Gummi-Ship system really has become so much better than in the previous games, I still dislike it very much, mostly because I’m horrible at piloting such things. I’m also impressed by the customization and what people already built with it.

Absolutely loved the Caribbean world, I was so sad when I explored everything. I want more! Also Tangled world looked so beautiful and Sora and Rapunzel frolicking around together is adorable as heck.

My hate world was Frozen. Not a fan of the movie itself and all that climbing on the mountain three times! Was annoying. Larxene’s ice-labyrinth was pretty, but I get so easily lost in it. Hella annoyed by the Olaf-mini-game.

Other worlds were totally okay. Loved it that most of them played after the movies and had their own stories. Those I always prefer. Was just very sad that Twilight Town was so small and Radiant Garden not available at all.

Pacing of the original story was a bit meh, with only bits here and there in between the worlds and than everything at once in the end, but that is nothing new for KH. But still had the great twists and turns and got me hooked until the end.

The story made me like characters I was unsure about before (Ienzo and Even) and I was so happy to see more of my favorite characters (Luxord, Demyx, Xigbar) Especially for the latter I’m so thrilled he is so important now!

A lot of writing during the Keyblade Graveyard could have been much better and just seems lazy/rushed, but no one can deny how awesome the moment was when the lights of the past came and helped Sora fight the Demon Tide.

The reunions. Ohgod, the reunions destroyed me so much, especially Seasalt Trio. I had wet eyes during all the scenes, when Roxas and Xion came back, when Saix faded, when the tree hugged each other. All I ever wanted.

My big turn-off: How Kairi was handled. But I think that point has been discussed enough by now and we can agree that Nomura has no real interest in developing her character that much. Only more motivation for me to write her good in my story.

While I agree that the decision of Nomura to let Sora vanish/die at the end was not his best one, I personally wasn’t that shocked, more confused. Now I understand it better and well, we know Sora will come back somehow.

Now my main reason why I’m so much invested in Kingdom Hearts like I am: Lea. And yes, I call him Lea instead of Axel, I’m already used to that name more and I personally like to separate them a bit in my mind.

Anyway, I absolutely enjoyed EVERYTHING with him. He looked so utterly beautiful in the pre-rendered cutscenes, those little changes in his expressions when he talks with Kairi are wonderful. AND HIS HAIR AND EYES, AHHH!!! <3

Also the game gave us the best quotes for him. Lea is so damn meta a lot of times and it actually doesn’t feel out of place, it simply fits him and his quirks. He joked a lot, but also was shown to be so emotional, I love it.

Also much kudos on his fighting style. While he was downgraded like most characters, so that Sora’s presence was necessary, I was so happy to see that he uses his Keyblade almost like he did his chakrams, even be able to transform it into them.

Lea got the happy ending I so wished for him. He got literally all his friends back, even Isa and is able to truly smile again and can stop worrying. I absolutely approve of his new clothes, even when we saw them so late.

I’m still warming up to the idea of Girl X, that she was the reason why Lea and Isa went into the castle and in the end became Nobodies. For now it seems like a quick excuse for everything and I will have to see how it plays out.

Anyway, I’m happy how most of the story turned out, since it means I barely have to change anything for my own story in the grand scheme. Already have ideas how to rewrite the Keyblade Graveyard battle, but that will take a while anyway.

In conclusion: Kingdom Hearts 3’s story and combat system balance each other so well, that it has become my favorite KH game, with Days and KH2 sharing second place and BBS being on the third place. For me it was worth the wait and the money.

[kgveom]

break(ing). pt 3. // bambam.

pt. 1 // pt. 2

Bambam x Reader

language. alcohol. Jinyoung? angsty???-ish?? idk what to classify as angst...

word count: 3,490 - not edited.

= = = = = = = = = = = =

2 years ago

“How’s this look?” Your friend, Isabella, asked, dancing around the room in front of you. 

The two of you were getting ready to go out for the night. Finals had ended and it seemed as if everyone was celebrating in the same way. You, Isabella, and a group of other friends were all going out for the night. Really, the two of you were just tagging along. It seemed that the whole night was already planned, at least, that’s how it came across in the group chat. 

You laughed at her, “I mean, I’d bang you.”

She rolled her eyes and scoffed, “At least now I know I can come to you when I’m lonely.”

“You can always come to me!” You said, trying your best to seem shocked.

“I hate you,” she grumbled, rolling her eyes again. 

“You love me,” you stood off the edge of the bed, walking over to the full body mirror in the room.

“If neither of us land ourselves boys tonight,” Isabella started as she posed behind you.

“Then clearly, we’re goddesses who are too much for mere mortals,” you smoothed out your faux leather skirt. “I don’t want to pull any boys tonight. It’ll just be a waste of time in the end.”

You could see Isabella giving you a look out of the corner of your eye. “You stay on top of the world, girl.”

“Don’t trip over tools tonight, Isa, please.”

“No promises,” she shrugged.

Your phones lit up. Isabella was the closest to hers since you had left yours on the bed. You watched as her eyes scrolled across the screen before she looked up at you. “They’ll be here in 5 minutes and asked that we meet them outside.”

“Okay,” you nodded.

“Picture first, though. Please?”

“I’m not going to say no,” you shrugged.

After what was probably about 20 mirror selfies, the five minutes seemed to fly by. Your phone rang from the bed, sending both you and Isabella into an immediate rush. You both stumbled about the room making sure you had everything. You rolled your ankle a bit grabbing your phone off the bed, but you shook it off. “Hey, we’re on our way out,” you answered the phone.

The voice on the other end encouraged you to move quickly. Since your building’s elevator was broken, you and Isabella had to race down the cement stairs. Thankfully, you lived on the second floor. Once you reached the door, you turned to Isabella to gain some composure. You didn’t want to seem like a mess walking up to the car. 

“Fix your top,” Isabella said before exiting. 

Your top had slid a bit too far down for comfort but you accepted that as your night went on, this would happen continually. You could care less about it, though.

You followed behind Isabella, eventually catching up to her and even making it to the car before she did. It wasn’t the small car you expected. In fact, it was one of those luxury SUVs. 

Once you opened the door, you scanned the faces of the people inside. “Y/n!” The person in the driver’s seat called to you. “Girl, get your fine ass in here.”

You smiled at Kate and then looked back at the open seats. There was one seat open in the back and another open in the middle section of the car. For the sake of convenience, you took the back seat, next to the two males in the vehicle. 

“I thought all the boys were going in one car, and girls in the other?” Isabella asked as she sat down.

“I wasn’t about to argue with Ashley that she couldn’t go in the car with her boyfriend,” Kate sounded annoyed. “Anyways,” she continued, putting the car back into drive. “Y/n, Isabella, this is Bambam and Junior.”

You looked at the boys sitting next to you. 

“Please, stop calling me Junior,” the one furthest from you complained.

He seemed a bit up tight to you. At least, he carried himself that way. He sat up straight, shoulders back. His hair was combed back but still seemed like it could effortlessly flow if he stood in front of a fan. His attire was all black.

“Don’t listen to him, he really loves being called Junior,” the boy sitting next to you whispered. You just giggled in response.

He was slouched with his hands clasped together in the space between his knees. His manspread took up most of the backseat but it seemed fitting since you could tell, he probably was a bit crammed to be in the backseat. He wore black pants and a lavender, silk shirt that was only buttoned halfway up. His hair was white, not necessarily done up like the boy next him, but you could tell he put some effort into making it look nice. A gold necklace also caught your eye but you didn’t pay too much attention to it.

As you were observing the boy next you, you felt him nudge into you a bit. He quickly turned the boy next to him, laughing. “No, no. It’s Jinyoung,” he spoke up.

“Oh, no,” you leaned forward to get a better look at him. “You will forever be known as Junior, now.”

-

As the night went on, you realized Jinyoung wasn’t as stiff as you thought he was. In fact, he seemed the most comfortable out of everyone, almost like the club was his home. You and Isabella spent most of the night dancing together, although, it was mainly just a scapegoat to get away from any creepy guys that would approach the two of you during the night. You weren’t a fan of unfamiliar hands snaking around your waist. After about an hour and a half, the two of you were sat at the bar, catching your breath and laughing. You’d both thrown back a couple shots. In fact, the whole group took two rounds once you got in. You weren’t sat there for long before the DJ began playing an older song that you listened to when you were in middle school. You couldn’t resist getting back up and dancing.

It didn’t take long for a stranger to come up behind you. You tried to take a step away but every step you took, the space was quickly closed. You grew increasingly uncomfortable.

“Excuse me,” a voice came from behind the two of you and you felt the stranger behind you step away. “I’m with her.”

When you heard that sentence, you quickly snapped your head around. It was Bambam. The man stepped away, apologizing, and Bambam quickly took his place. “Just keep dancing,” he whispered into your ear. “He’s still watching.”

You felt some relief but knowing that you were being watched was still unsettling. Towards the end of the song, you turned to face Bambam, the two of you continuing to dance. 

“I don’t think I ever properly got your name,” he smiled down at you, his eyes watching your body.

“Y/n,” you yelled over the music.

“Bambam,” he responded. “You know, you really can’t dance by yourself when you come out dressed like that,” he said; you rolled your eyes. “You’re a magnet for creeps.”

“Well, I’ve clearly attracted you,” you smirked. “Are you calling yourself a creep?”

“I am a gentleman,” he paused, bowing slightly.

“Oh, right, my knight in shining armor. The prince I’ve been waiting for,” you joked. “My hero,” you emphasized as you threw your arms around his neck.

His hands naturally met your hips, as he smirked at your words. The two of you continued to move to the music. 

By the end of the night, your group had been to about three different clubs in the area. You and Bambam quickly became inseparable. Isabella teased you any time she saw the two of you. Mostly encouraging it, but every once in awhile she’d throw out the reminder of “no boys tonight” comment you had made before you left the apartment. Unfortunately, none of you were in any condition to drive home, leaving each of you to an uber as your only option.

“Come to mine tonight,” Bambam leaned towards you, grabbing your hand.

The two of you were sitting in a booth.

“If you think that you’re getting anything from me tonight,-” you started, but you were quickly interrupted.

“No, no,” he laughed. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you tonight and I don’t want our time to end here, once everyone goes their own way.”

You turned to look at him. He was leaning back, he head tilted to look at you. Though the place was poorly lit, you could still see his eyes shining and a smile painted across his face.

“I want to get to know you more,” he licked his lips and squeezed your hand. 

Your eyes darted away from his as you looked at the rest of your party. You didn’t think much about it but you also had nothing to lose if you went with him. “We could leave now, if you wanted to,” you smiled, your eyes looking back at him.

- - - - - - - - -

Present day. 8 months later.

“Y/n!” You heard your supervisor call. “You have someone at table eight.”

“Oh, uh,” you stumbled to grab your pen. “Yes, sir.” You took a step towards the table but once you saw the familiar dark hairstyle, you quickly turned away, grabbing the nearest wait staff you could find. “Lily!” You whispered, grabbed her arm. “I need a super huge favor.”

Lily looked at your hand and then back at you. She was a bit of a bitch towards you.

“Can you please take table eight for me?” You smiled. “I have to uh-- use the ladies’ room. It’s an emergency. You know, mother nature--”

She rolled her eyes. “Just shut up and stop making excuses,” she sighed as she walked towards the table.

You stayed hidden behind a wall. You couldn’t help but peer over at them to see what was happening. 

“I’ll go ahead and pass it along,” she nodded, folding her book and placing it back in her pocket. She turned to see you watching and she raised her eyebrows. “He’s asking for you,” she said once she got over to you. You could tell she was annoyed. “Don’t waste my time again, please.”

You straightened up and took a deep breath before walking over to the table. “Good afternoon,” you spoke, nervously. “I heard there was a special request for me,” you smiled. “Can I get anything to drink for you today? Perhaps, a glass of water?”

He looked at you and sat up. “Water would be great. Some-”

“Coffee, as well. With extra creamer,” you nodded. “I haven’t forgotten.”

He smiled, “Have you taken your lunch yet? I’d love to-”

“It’s not happening, Bambam,” you interrupted again. “Now, I’m not sure why you’re here or what you were expecting to get out of this, but if you don’t mind, I do have a job I now have to do because you sat in my section,” you spoke quickly, avoiding eye contact with him. “So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go get your drinks and then come back for your order,” you gave him a nod before walking off.

“If you know him, why’d you ask me to take the table?” Lily scoffed as you walked past her.

“He’s my ex,” you glared. “I’d like to stay away from him, if at all possible.”

“Get over it,” she snapped. “You’re an adult.”

-

It was 9:30 at night when there was a knock at your door. You sighed looking out the window to see figures moving about. There were some faint whispers that let you know immediately who it was. You set aside the popcorn you were enjoying and paused the movie that was playing on your television. The knocking continued until you opened the door. “Can I help you?” You came off a bit snappy.

“Chin up, grumpy gills,” Kate smiled, tapping under your chin.

“Is there a reason the two of you are here all dressed up?” You gestured at their outfits.

“We’re going out and your coming with,” Isabella stated, you slumped your shoulders and turned away from the two of them. “Oh, come on, Y/n! You haven’t done anything exciting since the whole break up. You need to get back out there! Your a dime a dozen, and you need to let the world know you are single and ready to mingle.”

“I am not,” you plopped back on the couch. “Ready to mingle, in the slightest. Men are disgusting.”

“You sitting on your couch all night, eating popcorn is disgusting,” Isabella replied.

You furrowed your brows together and sat up.

“Please, come with us! It’s a reunion party tonight. Everyone from the last time we went out together is going! It’ll be fun!” Kate begged.

“Including Bambam,” you stated, blankly. “Did you forget, we met that night? Count me out,” you relaxed back on the couch.

“Actually, he said he couldn’t make it tonight. So, no, not including Bambam,” Kate smiled as if to reassure you.

“Just come out with us tonight, please? Going out isn’t fun without you,” Isabella begged this time.

You took a deep breath in, letting out a long sigh. “Alright, alright. I guess I’ll go. But only because I got a new dress awhile ago and I still haven’t worn it out.”

“Well, go get it on. Get ready!” Kate encouraged. 

You took about 45 minutes to get ready. Your dress of choice was an all black, long sleeve dress that hugged your body and had velvet up the sides. Before you left the house, you took a couple of shots to get you started. You had a feeling this was going to be a long night and you had every intention to make the most out of it, even if it meant you wouldn’t remember the night in the morning.

Once at the club, you took two more shots, as per tradition, with the whole group. Jinyoung was already a little tipsy and he immediately took you under his arm and pulled you out to the dance floor. You quickly became thankful he was around. This was the first time you’ve enjoyed a night out in eight months. It helped that you were both tipsy, definitely. 

“I’ll be right back, Junior,” you laughed.

“We left Junior behind at the last club two years ago, Y/n!” It sounded like he was complaining but the tone of his voice sounded as if he was just stating a fact as kept dancing on.

You made your way back to Isabella, who was sitting at the bar with Cody. You had spent less time with the two of them as of late. Ever since the break up happened, Isabella and Cody ended up getting closer, enough to the point where they’ve been dating for about a month and a half. It was just difficult to be back around them the majority of the time. You didn’t love them any less. You weren’t in a good place emotionally.

“Well, look who it is,” Cody smiled as he stood off the bar stool. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.” He opened his arms to you for a hug.

“Ha ha,” you rolled your eyes. “Make all the stranger jokes you want, Cody. But tonight, Y/n is back and ready to break some hearts!” You declared.

“Trust me,” Isabella laughed. “I’ve been watching you and Jinyoung. Too many guys hearts have been broken already.”

“Shut up,” you laughed. 

It wasn’t long that you were there talking to them that you heard one of your favorite songs begin to play. Needless to say, the alcohol in your system aided you to overreact. “Come with me and dance!” You pulled on Isabella’s hand.

She laughed at your reaction. “Go get Jinyoung!” She encouraged.

You let go of her hand as you danced in front of them for awhile before turning out into the crowd of people. What you thought would be an easy task to find Jinyoung, ended up being a journey that you eventually got distracted from. You really enjoyed being in a group of people when it came to music venues. It was as if you were dancing alone in your bathroom at home except you were in public and everyone is doing the same exact thing as you. In the right environment, you could make friends easily. Tonight, you weren’t interested but you did occasionally turn to a stranger and vibed with them, only other females, though. 

Unfortunately, for the first time that night, a hand met your waist. You hoped it was Jinyoung but you knew it wasn’t. Any attempt to get away was denied as you just kept getting pulled back. When you mustered up the courage to turn around you were met by a third person. You quickly grazed his stature. Tall, black pants, sheer shirt with some sort of dark floral pattern, buttoned only halfway up, dark hair.

“Get your hands off of her,” they snapped.

He squared up to the stranger as if he was ready to fight. Your eyes widened at this interaction and you quickly stepped between them. “If she wanted to with you, she would’ve been with you. Not out here, dancing by herself.”

“Fuck off, you piece of shit,” he growled, as he attempted to get around you.

“Bambam, what the fuck are you doing!” You finally yelled out, shoving him back.

“You’re going to tell me you wanted to dance with that fucker?”

“No, but--”

“What did I tell you? You can’t dance alone in a club when you look like this.”

You shook your head and brushed passed him, storming out of the club.

“You can’t even say thank you?” You heard his voice call from behind you.

You turned quickly to face him. “Why should I thank you? Because you ‘saved me’? Like you’re some sort of ‘hero’?” You rose your voice. “You just waltz on in and expect that I’m going to kiss your feet because you got some scum bag away from me?”

“I don’t care where you were going, or how that man ended up clinging to you but I know how other men think, Y/n,” he began to get defensive in return. “You’re going to tell me that you were enjoying how tightly he was gripping onto you? He had no plans to let you go any time soon, sweetheart.”

“Stop trying to make yourself out to be my savior,” you begged. “I’m not helpless. I can take care of myself.”

He shook his head, “Did you even get a good look at him?” His brows came together and his eyes lowered. “Any aggressive move you would’ve made towards him, you would’ve been out cold because of his reaction. By the end of that song, he would’ve pulled you aside and tried to persuade you into things you would end up regretting.”

“And how do you know?” You snapped at him.

“Because I know how you are when you’re drunk. He wouldn’t have had to do much to get you to melt.”

You were left speechless and your face began to tingle with anger. You stumbled forward in an attempt to hit his chest, which only resulted in you falling into him and him supporting you to stand back up. He held you at your elbows to ensure your stability. Your wide eyes met his as you stood up straight. You darted your vision between his eyes. This was your first time looking into them in months. Although you chose to end your relationship with Bambam, something about his eyes continued to stay familiar which is why you avoided eye contact with him when he showed up at your job. Although you were separate, his eyes were still home to you. He was still home to you. Your heart began to flutter in your chest like how it did on the first night. You began to feel dizzy, not because of the alcohol but because of him. Suddenly, everything felt as if it was happening in slow motion.

You felt his fingers trace down your forearm to your hand. His other hand wrapped around to the small of your back. You pulled your hand away from his to pull him closer to you. He raised his now free hand to the side of your face. His thumb gently brushed over your cheek. The blinking of your eyes soon became heavier. The two of you met in a kiss that gradually deepened. You were still his. He still had all of you. His traces lingered and you melted for him. Just like the first night.

[ktarima]

New Life: Chapter 1

Word Count : 2214

Rating : T (for mention of profanity)

Pairing : Julian x M!OC

Disclamier: All characters, settings and events are property of Pixelberry studios .

tag list: @choiceslife @griffinsbigdickenergy

Hey yall! Here's the next chapter of my fan fic ^.^ If you want to be tagged in the list, feel free to leave a comment. Enjoy!

Summary: Ben's first look of Berry High and meets a certain somebody that catches his eyes.Wow. First day of school and I’ve met the best principal I’ve ever seen. “Thank you Ms.Hughs. I hope I’ll enjoy my senior year here at Berry High.” I grin.

Principal Hughs pulls me into a quick hug. “Oh sweet pea, I promise you’ll enjoy every moment of your senior year here! Our students are so diverse and fun to talk to” She assures.

Wow okay, scratch that. Probably the friendliest principal I’ve met. “I’ll believe it, when I see it” I joke “I think my parents mentioned  something about a tour of the school?”

She claps her hands. “Of course! Let's get started right away.”

“Principal Hughs!” A voice shouts from across the hallway.She quickly turns around to see who it was.

“Good afternoon there Isa. How can I help you?”

“ Vice Principal Isa” She turns to me “ You must be our new student.”

“Yes ma'am,  I’m Ben Burton”  From the way she spoke, I assume Isa was the more strict principal compared to Hughs.

“ I’ve got my eyes on you. Don’t cause any trouble.”

“ I won’t?” slightly alarmed.

“Back on subject, Principal Hughs. There has been yet another accident in the science classroom. I need you to come with me.” Isa states.

“I’ll be right there” She turns back to me “ Sorry, duty calls. I’ll have Maria give you the tour instead”

“No worries.  I assure before Principal Hughs walks away.Someone remind me to not get on Vice Principal Isa’s bad side. I take the time to wander around the front lobby and admire all the photos plastered on the wall. Interesting choice of mascot… The Berry Tigers. I continue to wander until…

“Hi there. You must be the new student, Ben”

I turn around “Yep that…” I inhale sharply. For a moment, a faint memory of one of my closest friends renders in front of my eyes as I look at the girl standing in front of me.

The girl waves her hands in front of my face “Hello? We don’t have all day!”

I quickly shake my head and adjust my glasses. “That’s me. You must be Maria.”

She looks briefly at her watch. “We don’t have all day. Let’s get started with the tour.”

“Lead the way”

We proceed to walk down the various hallways as Maria quickly points out the different classrooms. I’m not gonna lie, I’m only paying half attention to what she says as I’m more distracted by her looks. Wearing a gray dress, she looked pretty unique with her tan skin, short black hair and a cute face.

… Am I sure I’m gay? I chuckle. Maybe its --

“So do you have any hobbies Ben?” Maria asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“Hmm? Oh yeah I have some.” I ponder for a bit “Mostly playing rpgs on my PS4… but I used to play sports and instruments when I was younger.”

“Did you now? Tell me more.” She asks, abit too excited.

“ Well… I swam on a team for about four years then tennis and taekwondo for another four years.” I could tell Maria was amazed. “As for fine arts, I played the clarinet in elementary then moved on to the violin.”

“Wow. You’re like the perfect student”

I laugh. “I’m hardly the perfect student.”

“Lucky for you, we have a lot of groups you can fit in with. We’ll wrap our tour with the extracurricular groups.”  

We stop at a hallway with Fine arts sign above the door. We walk down the hall as I hear faint piano playing. I peek slightly through the door to hear better.

“Woah” I whisper to Maria. “That’s some excellent playing!” The person continues to play a happy piece. “ Do you know the guy?”

“That’s Aiden Zhou. One of our talented band members”

Aiden finishes the piece and I applaud loudly. “Beautiful!” He stiffens at the sudden applause and gets up from his piano chair.

“Hey there Maria, who’s the person?”

“Ben Burton, our newest student this quarter.” She quickly introduces.

I offer a handshake “Nice to meet you. I have got to say, the way you played the piano was so nice!”

Aiden blushes slightly. “O-oh… it was nothing.”

“As much as we want to chit chat Ben, we have to move on with our tour”

“Aww, okay. I’ll see you around Aiden” I wave goodbye as we head out of the fine arts hallway. Maria quickly shows me the computer lab; where the video game group meets up, art , cheerleading room.

My stomach growls as we’re walking toward the courtyard. “Oof I’m a bit hungry”

“There’s a good diner around here called the Golden Griddle. That place has the best burgers in town.”

We continue to converse and as we turn the corner

“Nice! I’ll go chec---”

Before I could finish, I faintly see a football coming towards me and Maria. I hold out my hands to catch the football, until I realize too late that the football was meant for the student backing towards us.

“I got it!” The student says. Not realizing we were behind him…

“Woah!”

The male student collides into me with some force and we’re both sent falling to the ground. Another student runs to us.

“Oof. Watch where you’re going!” I chastise as I get up.

“I’d say! That was really dangerous Caleb. You know better to throw a football around in school!”

“Sorry Maria. We were just heading out for practice” Caleb looks over to me “Oh, you must be Ben,the new guy!”

He offers a handshake. “Yep thats me. And you must be?” I look over to Caleb’s friend.HOLY FUCK. If my jaw didn’t drop to the floor, it should have. Caleb’s friend is hot! His face was perfect, along with his built physique; hidden by his gray jacket. I grimace slightly as it reminded way too much of Devin.

“ Sorry about that Ben. Didn’t see you there. I’m Julian.” I shake his hand.

“Nice to meet both of y’all.”

“Oh snap Julian, we have to go. Coach is waiting on us” They quickly apologize again before leaving.

We proceed to the last spot of the tour in front of a tiger statue. “And here we have our school mascot, Ollie the Tiger”

“Aww cute name” I joke. I examine the plaque beneath the statue and the message read,

“This school began as a bunch of empty plots of land and a promise to be open to everyone, A promise that ensured no matter who you were, or what you liked, you’d always be included. And together, we can accomplish anything.” What a heartwarming message.

“Wow.. that’s a deep message! I like it.”

“Yep. Ollie means alot to us” Maria looks at her watch. “I’ll have to get going. My next class is at 1:00. I hope you enjoyed the tour.”

“ Of course I did!” I beam “Thanks again for showing me around.”

“Oh one more question.”

“Hmm?”

“ Do you have any plays on going to Homecoming?”

“Uh…” Well that was a question out of left field.  “Well…I don’t know. Do you want to be my date?”

Maria steps back in surprise “Are you seriously asking me to go to the dance with you? We just met.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You asked, so I gave you an answer.”

“I… I would never attend a dance with a stranger.”

I shrug. “For now , it’s just a maybe”

She scowls. “Great. So you’re another maybe. How am I supposed to plan a dance if everyone a this school might come to it?” She mumbles even more before exiting the courtyard.

I take a quick selfie with Ollie the Tiger before looking up the address to the Golden Griddle. Time for some lunch!

The drive to the place didn’t take long, about five minutes. I roll up to an empty parking spot and turn off the ignition. Based on the online reviews, the diner was a popular spot in town. “ Let's hope it lives up towards its hype.” I pull open the door and enter the diner. The diner is well decorated, giving off a vintage vibe. I choose a seat at the counter and briefly look at the menu.

An employee comes up to me. “ What can I get for  you today?”

“Uh… I’ll get combo meal number 1 and a strawberry milkshake” I hand cash to the employee.

“Your order will be out soon.”

I kill time by playing some Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia on my phone. Five minutes later, my order appears before me.

I start to drool. “Wow… online pictures doesn’t do this justice” I set aside my phone before taking a bite into the juicy burger. “Hmmmmmm” This burger tastes so good! Probably the best one I’ve had in awhile. I take a sip of the milkshake and I had to take another bite of my burger to prevent myself from screaming of how good the milkshake tasted.

As I’m finishing up lunch, my phone rings. I wipe my hands before taking the call. “Hello?”

“Hey sweet pea. How are you doing?” My mom asks.

“Great! Just got finished with lunch. How’s everything on your side?”

“For once, smooth. The moving company came right on time and we have everything organized.”

“Cool. I’ll come home so I can get everything set up … at least in my room” I joke. “Oh wait, can you text me our home address? I forgot to ask before leaving this afternoon.”

“Sure Honey.”

“Thanks. See you soon.” I end the call before getting up. “Thanks for the meal.”

“Our pleasure. Please come again.”

I exit the diner and got into my car. “Well today has been a great day” I muse. I turn on some music before driving back home.

Bringing my car to a halt along the side of the house, I turn off the ignition and got out. I walk to the front door and rang the doorbell.

“Coming!” A voice shouts before opening the door. “Welcome back, sprout.”

We embrace for a small hug. “Hey there dad” I step into the house and slightly blown away by how everything was in place. “Woah. Y’all work quick! Looks like just home”

“Thanks. I did most of the work” He brags.” Oww!” I look across to my mom pinching his ear.

“Yep. Your dad did all  the work. ”

I laugh “I’m certain he didn’t have any help from a certain someone.” I pat him on the back. “I’ll get started on my room.”

My dad laughs. “Good luck.”

I stride pass the living room and turn the corner. I stop at my door and open it to be greeted by four boxes in the middle of my room. I certainly did not pack that many boxes… I think.

“Mom! Dad! Did I really pack 4 boxes?” I shout back into the hallway.

“Yes! You did.” They shout back in unison

“I call bullshit” I mumble. I approach one of the boxes in the middle of the room. “ What could I possibly have packed before we mov-” I stop before realizing the contents of the box. The box contained gifts, awards, pictures, yearbooks from Bowie.

Who in their right mind would pack this ? … Probably me. I lament internally. I push aside the box and open the other three boxes to see what was inside of each one. Clothes, my book and trading card collection and my PS4. Alright this shouldn’t take too long. Thankfully, my room already had a closet and drawer built. I set aside the clothes into the closet; separating each item by category. I move to organize my book collection until the front door bell rings.

“I’ll get it” my mom shouts.

I faintly hear some greetings and continue on with my work.

“Honey! Ben! Come to the front door. Our next door neighbors would like to meet the both of you” She shouts.

I grin slightly. It’s one surprise after another. I head out from my room and to the front door. Poking my head from behind mom, we’re greeted to sight of a hispanic couple. I get from behind my mom and introduce myself to the couple. Remembering what little spanish I know…

“Buenos tardes señor y señora. My name is Ben Burton” I offer my hand. I couldn’t tell if they were surprised or impressed.

“Oh, you can speak spanish?” The man ask, taking my hand in a firm shake.

“Ah… a little bit” I confess.

My dad rolls his eyes. “Show off”

I shrug as I step aside.

“Hello there. My name is Lucas Burton. It’s nice to meet you.”

“ We heard we were getting new neighbors and just had to come over and introduce ourselves.”

The woman nods in agreement. “My name is Julia Ortega and my husband is David Castillo”

“Our soon should be coming over soon. Oh there he is. Hijo! Come introduce yourself to our new neighbors.” David beckons to his son.

I could not believe my eyes. “Wh--” I barely manage to whisper out. His son carefully steps in front of his parents.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr and Mrs. Burton. I’m Julian Cast-” His dark brown eyes meet mines.

“Julian?!”

“Ben?”

This has to be a dream

TBC

P.S: I may be going on a slight hiatus to focus on school ;-; sorry. Please look forward to the next chapter! ~

[roscoexsykes-blog]

Farlo Bene || Roscita

Time & Place: October 12th, 2018. Rome, Italy  Summary: Roscoe makes the vow to be there for Rita and their new little family during their vacation in Italy.  Trigger Warnings: None, just a bunch of fluffy romance.

@theycallme-rita

ROSCOE:

Roscoe was...in the simplest words - so fucking excited to be in Italy. It had always been something they’d talked about, and joked about with one another. Italy is great this time of year was one of Roscoe’s favorite things to say whenever something went tits up in Swynlake, and honestly? After the entire fiasco with the Hunger Games, and with this baby, and DeSoto? They all just needed to get the hell out of England.

So when Rita had seriously suggested it? Roscoe didn’t hesitate to agree - even going as far as to agree completely for Oliver and his girlfriend to come along to. Was...it potentially a bit of a liability to bring a fifteen year old girl with Oliver to a new country? Probably. Did he care? No. Kept the kid happy at least. Besides, he had a list of things those two could do to stay out of trouble, but he figured they’d be fine on their own. As long as they checked in with Rita a few times a day, he was sure she’d be content.

Today however, he’d basically handed Oliver a bit of cash and told him to do something nice today - since he needed to keep Rita occupied all day himself. He had been serious when he joked to himself about renewing their goddamn vows once they had gotten their shit together. So why not here in Italy? He hadn't talked about it with Rita, but that was part of the charm of it all. A surprise renewal - a chance to do it right. Other than the quick courthouse agreement they'd originally had.

The man had taken his wife out to a nice brunch, a quaint little mom and pop place overlooking the beautiful landscape and when they'd gotten back to their hotel room, Roscoe had simply advised Rita to get ready for a… fancy sort of occasion. God knew he didn't want her coming back at him later and teasingly yelling at him for not preparing her to look her best for something so important. He even looked rather decked out himself, standing my the mirror fixing his tie, before folding up his sleeves to just below his elbows.

“... Y’almost ready, Ri?”

RITA:

Rita was in love with Italy. There was no other way to put it. Not only did it brighten Roscoe’s face but it was beautiful. The culture could be seen in every building, the people were so friendly and welcoming, there was an ease about it that just felt so different from Swynlake and New York. She could really see herself settling down there. Finding a little cottage with Roscoe to raise their baby. Ollie could go to one of the schools. It’d be simple.

But she knew that eventually she’d get bored of easy living. She liked the fast pace of New York and Swynlake. Liked the community.

That didn’t mean she couldn’t enjoy every second of Italy. The fact Roscoe seemed to know all sorts of off the tourist map places only made it that much sweeter. She’d done the tourist thing with Ollie and Isa, had taken so many pictures for her albums. It had been fun and enjoyable; but she couldn’t say she didn’t crave the alone time with Roscoe. The way his hand would gravitate towards her stomach in quiet moments or the oh so appealing way he would stuff his own face with such a large grin… she couldn’t remember a time where he looked more boyish— or happy.

Their day had been easy and quiet; a nice brunch with one of the loveliest little couples she’d seen yet. They had regaled them with age old wisdom and fed them til Rita felt she was bound to burst. But it was good for the bambino; or so the elderly woman had told her with a warm smile.

Not the best condition to be slipping into a nicer outfit but Rita did her best. She was curious as to what her husband had up his sleeve.

She was almost ready when his voice called out and she gave an amused laugh. “Just need help zipping up,” she called back, slipping from the room in the long yellow dress she’d decided would be proper for whatever it was he had planned. “Help me?”

ROSCOE:

The corner of his lips tilted up when he heard her response, brown hues glancing over himself one last time before his attention was caught by the flash of color behind him in the mirror. For a moment, the man didn’t turn, but simply observed his wife as she entered the room, the beautiful dress honestly making her look like she could easily fit in as a princess. Letting his smile grow, Roscoe finally turned away from the mirror, gesturing for the woman to come stand in front of him as he stepped back and made room.

“Never used t’understand how yous all get ready for dates all alone.” He teased, gently brushing her soft curls around her shoulder and away from the zipper of the dress, his fingers lingering upon the nape of her shoulder for only a moment before they dropped with a sigh. “...or is this why women always get together with their girlfriends before somethin’ big. Zip each other up n’fix each other’s hair n’all that.”

Which honestly he thought was a women’s thing. It seemed to happen at least - and not just in movies. However now he was only kidding, gently poking fun as he finally let his hands carefully work the zipper up, taking caution not to pinch hair, skin or fabric between the teeth as he did so. Once it settled into place, hues raised once more over the woman’s shoulder, taking in her appearance in the mirror again as he felt his smile grow at the very image.

“Yous so fuckin’ beautiful.” He spoke quietly after a second, fingers ghosting along her hip gently as he took in the image of the both of them together - content in the fact that they even appeared so much more healthy now. Like happiness wasn’t just some far fetched dream for either of them.

RITA:

Honestly, not very many outfits Rita wore were complicated. This dress just gave in all the right places and it didn’t make her feel as bloated as the other ones she had. Why a dress, one might ask. Well, for her, at the moment anyways, they just fit better. There wasn’t any discomfort around her growing midsection and they weren’t nearly as hot as a pantsuit would have been. Plus the chances for her to dress up like this were very rare and this was Italy. One of the most romantic places on Earth.

But Roscoe was right. She needed a team to put this look together. She’d settle for Roscoe, though, because even as he zipped up the back of her dress the action was tender. It wasn’t as if his touches had never been tender before. Rita hadn’t ever wanted them to be so tender or full of love. That wasn’t what their arrangement was. It had only taken a few life or death situations and indiscretion on both parts for her to realize that.

She caught as his gaze lingered on them, a soft smile playing on her lips as she leaned into him. “Yous forget I lived with a buncha guys who did that kinda shit for me,” she answered easily, unable to hide the teasing from her tone. “Course, they weren’t as kind about it as yous. Can’t tell yous how many times I got pinched ‘fore I learned not t’buy them with zippers.”

It was easy to turn in Roscoe’s arms with how they were standing and as she did her arms lifted to wrap around his shoulders, fingers tangling softly in the hair at the nape of his neck. “We’s a good lookin’ couple, ya know. M’gonna have to beat all them old ladies off yous. Theys gonna wanna take you home t’their granddaughters or somethin’.” Rita leaned up them to press her lips to his softly. “I love yous. But are you ever gonna tell me where we’re goin’?”

ROSCOE:

A laugh slipped past the man’s lips, remember unfortunately that yes she’d always had that idiot little ragtag street gang to help her with things such as this. Honestly it wasn’t all that hard to imagine one of them impatiently ripping the zipper up her back or side, catching skin and hair and muttering a quick ‘oops shit sorry’ with a snicker - mostly because it was what he’d see himself if he was a younger teen and was asked to do that for a woman. “..M’surprised it took yous so long to figure that out in that case.” He spoke with another chuckle, letting the woman spin easily in his arms as tightened his grip around her waist.

“Oof… yous right.” The older man spoke, pressing his forehead to Rita’s own as he rolled his eyes fondly. “Gonna have to disappoint a whole lot of nonnas on this trip.” Since all of their granddaughters could go pound sand as far as he was concerned. He’d found his perfect fit - and fuck if he was gonna let her go.

Easily returning Ri’s kiss, Ros tilted his head slightly with a hum, fingers brushing over soft fabric as he rocked the pair of them ever so slightly - as if in step with his own thoughts. “...I love yous too…” He started, pulling back to see her expression before he gave a small nod. “...but absolutely not… Kinda a secret.” That was half the fun, after all. Just like the whole Prom thing; where he’d dragged Rita to Duchess’ house without informing her of that entire portion of the surprise. There was something far too endearing about the woman’s face when she was surprised, and Roscoe wasn’t trying to lose any opportunities to see that priceless expression line her features.

“I promise you’ll love it though.” Since...even if she thought the area was awful (which.. Would be a very hard feat to accomplish) he had full confidence that she’d enjoy the general idea behind what they were doing.

RITA:

“I was young and stupid,” she countered with a pout. It hadn’t happened too often. Mainly when Dodger or Tito did it. Which was why she often had Einstein or Francis do it. They were gentler, more considerate of the fact she preferred not to have red welts on her skin. Bad for business. Or maybe that was exactly why Dodger and Tito did it…

Part of Rita thought that she’d be able to weasle some sort of hint out of Roscoe. But he was being so tight lipped about it. As tight lipped as he had been about his plans for prom. It was bullshit but she understood wanting to plan a surprise. She just really wanted to be in on the secret. “Are yous sure I can’t even have a tiny hint? What if I don’t wear the right shoes?”

It was hardly an excuse but she figured that maybe just maybe he’d take pity on her poor feet. A good evening could be ruined without the proper shoes.

When it became apparent he wasn’t going to give anything up she gave a soft sigh and pulled away from him, giving him a smile as she moved towards the bathroom. There were just a few last touches she needed to do before she was actually ready. It was just hard to get ready when her husband was out there looking so goddamn handsome. All she wanted was to stay locked in the room with him while Ollie and Isa were out doing whatever it was they were doing.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed and Rita glanced down at it with a smile as she saw Ollie’s face on it. Quickly finishing her make-up, she flicked up the screen and chuckled at the selfie she saw of Ollie and Isa. “Kids are having a good time. Did they say anything t’yous about what they were doin’ today?” She moved from the bathroom again, showing Roscoe the picture. Easily she leaned into his side, head resting just slightly against his shoulder. “And m’finally ready. Ain’t doin’ no blindfold. That’s just a touch to creepy, babe.”

ROSCOE:

“..Wear shoes you’re comfortable wearing.” He replied easily, a smirk appearing on his lips as he raised a brow in response to the woman’s pout that was slipping through her features. He knew she didn’t like being a part of the plan, but..there were times when it was worth it to be a little less than clear about his intentions. Even if he wanted nothing more than to burst with the details - he was honestly pretty goddamn nervous, after all. For what reason? He wasn’t too sure, but Roscoe could still feel the slight tightness in his stomach, as if there was some sort of fear deep inside him that he’d mess this up.

A lot of work had gone into to something he’d tried to keep relatively simple...but what if she didn’t like it? This was for her, after all. It would have been a shame to see her expression twist in disappointment.

Fortunately something told him that wouldn’t be the case. Watching after the other as she twisted away and returned to the bathroom made him laugh, eyes only returning to the mirror after she was completely out of his sight. Fingers returned to his tie, adjusting it slightly before he pressed a hand into his pocket - brushing carefully over the velvet box that laid within the folds of material as if to remind himself that it was still there. That would be a very important piece of this puzzle in due time.

Rita’s words broke him from his thoughts, glancing towards the screen and rolling his eyes (actually fondly though) at the picture of Oliver and his girlfriend. “Well...I mean would you believe me if I told yous I paid ‘em off t’do whatever they wanted tonight?” He spoke, tone teasing even if that’s pretty much exactly what he’d done. “...otherwise no. I guess you’ll just have to get that story from him later.” Not that Roscoe wasn’t positive she absolutely would tomorrow. He was sure the trio of them would catch up easily over breakfast. “...no blindfolds? Y’sure? Shit’s kinky ain’t?”

A laugh escaped him as he let his hand rest around her back, pressing a quick kiss to her temple before he moved to escort her from their room, leading her down the hall as he pushed a sigh from between his lips. “Good news though…” He spoke again after a moment, pressing the call button for the elevator, and stepping into it as it arrived, mischievous gaze landing upon his wife as he leaned against the wall of the lift. “...We don’t have to go too far, right?” Words were spoken as he pressed the button within the elevator - however instead of pressing the button to lead them down to the lobby, instead the man had simply pressed the very top one, marked easily to identify not a floor of suites, but...rather a floor that would lead towards the roof. Or at least… easily identifiable to a man that understood the letter combination along the metal.

RITA:

Those words were not helpful at all and Rita frowned just a bit as she stared at the shoes she’d brought. She hadn’t brought any real heels. They hurt her feet and probably weren’t too good for her anymore. But they still looked nice and she did like them. Still, impractical depending on where Roscoe was taking her. Flats would probably be better. Even though they weren’t ideal for her dress. Hindsight was a shitty thing.

Still, she slipped them on and moved easily with Roscoe out the door. “Paid off Ollie and Isa? This is a big thing.” It made her somewhat suspicious as they headed towards the elevator. What was so important that he had to pay off the kids to not show up? Even when he’d surprised her with a trip to Duchess’ home, he hadn’t had the need to keep Ollie busy. Maybe that meant that even Oliver didn’t know what was happening. It made her stomach tighten into knots, her hand holding tight to Roscoe’s.

“I’ll let yous blindfold me if you give me a hint.” She smirked up at him as they stepped into the elevator. As the doors slid shut she pressed herself against him, leaning as he pressed a button. For all her wanting to know where they were going, she didn’t pay attention to what button he was pressing. She just assumed that they were going to be making their way to the lobby. It was the only place they’d gone every other time they left the room. Why would it be any different this time?

She looked up at him as the elevator started moving, the direction not the one she was expecting. “We’re not leaving the hotel?” She asked with a raised brow as she pulled away from him just slightly. “You’ve got something up your sleeve and I’m onto yous.”

ROSCOE:

Okay so really Roscoe couldn’t pretend that he wasn’t at least getting some enjoyment out of watching Rita’s suspicions and confusion register across her features. It was like with every word he said to her, more and more cogs were turning trying to process the mystery being laid out in front of her. It was the real reason he pressed his lips tightly together in an attempt to teasingly tell Rita that basically; he wasn’t budging.

She wouldn’t have to suffer for too long, at the very least, which was why this was an event that was told her to rather last minute compared to the amount of time he’d spent planning it. A single brow raised to mirror her own as Rita turned to him with that accusatory gaze, innocence attempting to be displayed on his features, though he was sure it came off as something far more mischievous. He was too much of a trouble maker to even pretend to pull of an innocent look. “What’chu mean?” Ros teased, gesturing to the sides with his hands and glancing down at his arms as if he was looking just for that trick she was so implying. “I even got my sleeves rolled up t’show I’s ain’t hiding nothin’.” Even if that was a blatant lie.

It didn’t take a genius to see he was planning something - though clearly it would require quite the analyst to find out just what that something was.

“Yous just gotta trust me ain’t.” Ros mumbled, raising a hand to brush a strand of the other woman’s hair behind her ear as the elevator chimed with a soft ‘ding!’. “C’mon. Let me show yous something.” He tried, offering the woman his hand with a smile - making sure it was locked in his grip once more before they exited - walking down the narrow, dimly lit hall. At the end simply was a door, one that, once again, clearly displayed the words warning about roof access and needing permission to enter - that Ros simply ignored as he used his free hand to pull a keycard from his pocket. “Y’gotta promise not to get mad though.” He spoke, offering a smile as he swiped the card without waiting for an answer - opening the door and holding it open with a nod of his head for Rita to go.

Thankfully they were right on time, Roscoe could tell just by the way the sunlight filtered through the door when he’d opened it, the warm and dimming rays illuminating their surroundings - but most importantly, creating the most incredible portrait of Roma, and everything beautiful about her; all very much visible right outside the door. That alone was distracting enough he was sure - potentially enough for the woman to bother searching the rooftop for more clues - since there certainly were a few.

RITA:

Roscoe’s sleeves might have been rolled up, showing off the tattoo she loved so much, but she knew there was something he wasn’t telling her. Secrets he was keeping from her for whatever this surprise was. And Rita loved surprises, she did. But mainly she liked planning them. There was something to be said about watching the way someone would light up when the surprise was revealed. It was like watching a sunrise over the city skyline. It was a magical thing and she could see why Roscoe would want such a thing but it was beyond irritating for her.

Still, she let her hands travel up her arms, playing along with the little game she’d accidentally started. “Dunno how much I can believe that,” she hummed, tracing his tattoo slowly. “You’ve got this look, too, yous know. Always gives you away.” After three years of marriage it was easy to tell when the other was up to something. Not that they always called each other out on it. Some surprises were meant to be just that--- a surprise.

It was easy to let that suspicion fade away when his hands were being gentle with her and for a moment she leaned into it, nodding slightly. “Just so long as yous ain’t bringing me up here t’like do me in or somethin’.” She couldn’t help the teasing. It helped ease her own feelings over what was happening. Before she could fully relax into it the elevator was dinging and Roscoe was ushering her out. The hallway was less welcoming as the one to their room and Rita couldn’t help but wonder exactly why she’d needed to get so dressed up. Nothing fancy could after this hallway.

But this was Roscoe. The King of romantic dates and unorthodox surprises.

“Why would I ge---” she trailed off as the door opened and Rita was met with the most beautiful view she’d ever seen. It was like she was seeing the city for the first time. When she’d stepped off the plane she’d been impressed with what she saw but it was nothing compared to this. The sun illuminated everything in its path. It felt as if her breath caught in her throat as she moved closer to the railing on the roof, wanting to be closer to it.

“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, turning to look at Roscoe for a moment before letting her gaze fall back to the view. “Its--- Its gorgeous.”

ROSCOE:

There was a countdown in his head to when Rita would fall into the trap that Roma’s beautiful held. It was almost impossible not to get sucked into it, and so when Rita’s words cut off,  Roscoe couldn’t help but smile, following her gaze and admiring the view that felt so much like home to him. It didn’t matter he’d not grown up here - nor potentially even ever been here. Everything about it spelled home, and with Rita here with him? It might as well have been.

Ros followed her out along the roof, letting her move towards the railing as he hung back slightly, nodding at her words as a small laugh slipped from his lips. “È sempre bello qui…” He responded, honestly not meaning to slip into Italian but it seemed far more fitting here. Flowed much more naturally, and felt right. Even if it was twinged with the accent that pinned him easily to New York. His words were honest though - it was always beautiful here.

Just like Rita.

As just like Roma - Rita was always just as beautiful. While she was busy staring off into the sunset, Roscoe sidestepped slightly, picking up the single red rose that had been left as discussed along a ledge beside the door, fingers gently smoothing over the stalk as he finally joined Rita by the banister, watching the sky for a moment. “I wanted yous t’see the real Italy.” He spoke after another moment, letting his gaze drop to her as he offered her the flower within his hand with a gentle smile - one that was so rare, yet so genuine.

“Figure it’d be the perfect spot…”

RITA:

Rita was lost in the view of Italy. It was hard not to be when the view was this amazing. Roscoe had taken her to some truly beautiful places while they were there. Places that weren’t flooded with tourists and people that didn’t know about them. It was as if she got to see the real Italy. Even if neither of them had actually been there before. With Roscoe, though, it felt like they’d been living there for years now. They should have done this sooner. They should have gotten their shit together before this point. It shouldn’t have taken Swynlake killing both of them in some weird ass dream or them cheating on each other or any of the other terrible things they’d endured since moving to the small town.

No more. She promised herself that they wouldn’t back track. They’d keep on this track. Keep getting better and better. They’d keep this feeling of love and contentment.

She didn’t notice that Roscoe had moved from beside her. Her eyes stayed locked on the view, on Italy. She had no idea what he said other than beautiful but she knew that whatever it was he said, she agreed. Beautiful was the only way that this could be described.

But when his warmth returned, Rita turned to look up at him, that same wonder still written so clearly on her features. “I think you’ve been showin’ me the real Italy the whole time,” she whispered, not wanting to speak too loud in fear of breaking whatever magic there was in the moment. Her smile turned soft as she took the offered rose, wondering where exactly he’d gotten it from. Maybe it was all part of his plan. What even was his plan? Maybe--- Maybe it didn’t matter anymore. What mattered was the fact that both of them were there and in love. She could feel it so warm in her chest.

“The perfect spot for what?”

ROSCOE:

When Roscoe had originally asked Rita to marry him there had been no romance. It hadn’t been cute, or memorable, or even remotely something to cherish. It had simply been a conversation..a agreement that the pair had come to really. It hadn’t been too long after they’d known each other either. Simply put, Roscoe knew had known at the moment that Rita hadn’t seen him the way that he’d seen her - and even then, Roscoe didn’t see Rita the way he did now. It was far more possessive, less love (though there was still love) and more infatuation.

Now however that all seemed so far away. There wasn’t a single situation in which Roscoe could imagine himself without Rita by his side. She was his everything - more now than ever. Who else did he really have if he didn’t have Rita? He’d abandoned his family, and they’d abandoned him in return. His friends were severely lacking, and out of the rare few, there was only one he’d really considered close. One he’d just managed to get right again.

...and it made him realize he’d wanted to make this right again too.

At the woman’s question, Roscoe could only smile - a nervous hint to it as he shrugged his shoulders lightly. A hand reached out, carefully holding the one Rita wasn’t currently holding the flower with as he rubbed a thumb gently over the skin of her palm. “...The perfect spot to… well.” He paused, gaze dropping with another small laugh as he shifted in his spot. “...t’do this, ain’t.” Roscoe finished, giving that hand a small squeeze and moving forward to steal a quick kiss to the woman’s lips.

However that wasn’t his main intentions - and so when he pulled back, Roscoe was sure to keep a hold of the woman’s hand, even as he did the one thing he’d failed to do when he’d asked for Rita’s hand over three years ago. Get down on one knee.

For a moment, it felt incredibly weird - looking up at his wife, as he knelt upon the rough surface of the roof, however… with the beautiful cityscape to their side, and his entire world in front of him, Roscoe couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “I uhm… Y’know I figured we’ve been through an… an awful lot. And...that a hell of a lotta thin’s have changed ain’t? And...most people renew their vows after they get through that kinda thing but…” He trailed off, meeting Rita’s gaze as he offered her a soft smile, thumb still idly tracing the woman’s skin. “...I didn’t want to renew ‘em. I..I wanted to redo ‘em - cause yous mean so fuckin’ much to me, Rita. Everything about yous just… gives me a reason t’get up in the mornin’ y’know? ...and I can’t wait to continue growin’ our family together with yous. I just..I want yous to know that. That I love yous so fuckin’ much I can’t...I mean I can’t even say it enough. ...and that I promise I..I’m always gonna try n’be better for yous. You’re my entire world, Ri, and… I still want t’spend every minute of my life with yous.”

And that was the honest to god’s truth. Something he would never lie about. So as soon as he managed to get the small shake of his hand under control, Roscoe let his hand slip back into his pocket - finally letting go of Rita’s hand in order to present the box towards her - opening it to reveal the ring he’d gotten her. Not so much a wedding ring but… a ring that symbolized their family. No matter how little, and broken - it was everything.

RITA:

There was no words to describe the tenderness of this moment. She still wasn’t sure what Roscoe was doing; whether the sudden tenderness had anything to do with being in Italy or if there was something else behind it all. After all, this side of Roscoe was new to her. All of this was new to her, new to them. Everything leading up to this had been more like an arranged marriage. The two of the coming together because it benefited them. Rita got the security she’d always wanted as well as a good life for Oliver and Roscoe got the pretty girl to dangle off his arm. It wasn’t a fair arrangement but it worked (barely).

But now? Now everything had changed. They’d grown. Both as a couple and as individuals. They weren’t the same people they’d been three years ago when this had started. Moving to Swynlake had probably been one of the best things they could have done. At least for their relationship. Their mental health had suffered greatly but it had ultimately brought them closer. Breaking down those walls that they had both built up before they’d even met each other had been a pivotal point for them. Without it this would have never happened. They would have never made it to Italy, she wouldn’t have ever gotten pregnant. They wouldn’t have been happy.

Her brows furrowed in confusion as he spoke, watching him as he shifted nervously in front of her. “Ros, what’re yo---”

She trailed off as he knelt in front of her, tears immediately clouding her vision. This was actually happening. Roscoe was… He was proposing to her. Properly. Like they did in all the sappy romantic movies. Like people in love did. This wasn’t supposed to be something she’d ever have. The decisions she’d made in her life had made sure of it. All Rita was convinced she’d ever know was a warm body pressed against hers because they’d paid the most. And when she’d married Roscoe it was because he had offered the most. What use was it whining about something as silly as love when she had financial security and her boy taken care of for life? Love wasn’t meant for Rita Saluki.

Yet here Roscoe was, on his knees telling her that he loved her more than anything and that he wanted to do this all right.

A small sob broke past her lips as he stopped speaking and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. This was all too much; way too much. Rita knew that her husband had a flare for the dramatic. That nothing he did was small. But this? This was more than a necklace because it matched her dress or even a Duchess LaBlanc dress for a silly adult prom. This was a ring with Oliver’s name etched in it, his birthstone with it, and a blank spot for their baby with their projected birthstone next to it. It was so overwhelming as she beamed down at him, eyes watery as she tried to get herself under control. He’d had her put all that effort into getting ready and looking nice and she was ruining it by crying uncontrollably.

She dropped to her knees then, cupping Roscoe’s cheeks with her hands. “I love yous so fuckin’ much, you asshole,” she breathed, pressing her lips to his. “I don’t wanna do this with anyone else but yous. I-- I don’t care if we’s renew ‘em or redo ‘em… Whatever. I just wanna-- I wanna spend forever with yous. Even if yous drive me batty an’ make me wanna pull my hair out.” She kissed him again, this time letting it linger before she pulled away. “I love yous.”

ROSCOE:

In a way, Rita and himself were far too similar. He also never thought in a million years that he’d be here. If someone would have asked him when he was younger if he would ever get married...ever have kids? He would have looked at DeSoto with a scoff, and the two of them would have laughed in the face of whoever asked. He never knew what it was like to have more than a brother’s love in his life - never got to see what a functional marriage was supposed to be.

And he knew Rita never did either.

So perhaps that was what made it that much more special. Knowing that the two of them were always completely winging this thing they had together - and that they’d actually gotten to this point together when Roscoe was sure this entire thing would have crumpled a long time ago. It’d been one of his biggest fears, to watch Rita walk out on him when she finally found a better alternative - and though they’d since come to actually find real reason within their relationship, there was something about the way her expression twisted, the way tears flowed freely that almost cemented the fact that Rita was no longer lying to him when she said she loved him.

His free hand was quick to mirror the woman’s own actions, cupping her one cheek gently as his thumb brushed at those tears carefully - his own swimming dangerously behind his eyes, even if he didn’t wish to acknowledge them. The kisses were accepted easily, his fingers curling behind the woman’s neck as he smiled - a small breath of a laugh slipping from his lips as they finally parted. For a moment, Roscoe could only take in the beautiful face in front of him; knowing she loved him, and that together they were so much stronger.

“I love yous too.” He finally returned when he found his way around his words, wiping another tear from her face before pulling her forward and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “...I always want yous t’kick my ass if I do somethin’ stupid but.. I’m trying to minimize that for yous.” Honestly, not drinking seemed to help an awful lot with that anyways. Letting his hand drop from Rita’s cheek, Roscoe took her own in his once more, thumb twisting that old wedding band absently for a moment before he picked the new one from the box, carefully slipping it onto her finger - the pair seemingly complimenting each other in the way an engagement ring might. Yet they’d always been missing one of those, hadn’t they?

“...famiglia è tutto.” He spoke quietly, letting his hands cup her own before he gaze finally rose once more to meet her own. “...this is the most important thing to me.” He promised, giving her hand a quick squeeze.

RITA:

This moment, framed perfectly and most likely on purpose by her husband, was one that Rita would never forget. It would be etched in her mind for the rest of her life as the real night Roscoe proposed to her. That conversation about getting together out of convenience never happened in her mind. The years of arguing and fighting were just a pit stop on their way to here. To something that was better. Not quite picture perfect but perfect for them. Neither thought they would have something like this but what they had was special and it fit them.   

Her hands shook only slightly as he slipped the ring onto her finger. It was perfect and she couldn’t help but admire it with those watery eyes of hers. The perfect engagement ring to go with her wedding band. She rubbed her own finger over it, feeling it as she looked down at it.

Family…

It was all she had ever wanted. Somewhere that she not only belonged but something she could feel and possess. Looking harder at it, it was entirely possible to say she simply wanted love. Love that didn’t have expectations or a price tag or limitations. She wanted someone who didn’t expect anything from her. No adoptive parents expecting her to be the perfect child, no partner expecting her to hang off their arm and look pretty, no friends expecting her to do exactly what they wanted. Now, all Roscoe wanted, all it seemed he wanted, was her love and happiness. And that was all she wanted from him. Nothing more and nothing less.

“Famiglia è tutto,” she repeated the words slowly, knowing what it meant only by the sincerity of which Roscoe had spoken them and the words that followed.

ROSCOE:

There was never any way to truly predict how this entire thing would have went. However even if Roscoe would have tried, there was certainly no way in hell he would have imagined it looking anything like this. With Rita looking so goddamn perfect in front of him, looking at that ring on her hand as if it was the key to everything they’d ever needed. Perhaps in a way in was.

It signified so much to them. To her. That was the entire reason he’d gone for a mother’s ring such as that over the standard for an ‘engagement’ ring. Somehow picking one that showed them as a whole, that signified all the work she as a person had done to bring this family together made it so much better. Part of it also just helped him in ways that words failed. Such as the dream bullshit had helped in slowly accepting Oliver into his family as one of his own, this ring helped to tell Rita that in a way that he’d never really be able to form with his own words. It was a hard thing to talk about between them, but he simply hoped this would do it justice. That anytime she looked down and saw it, she’d know they were truly a family. Every single one of them.

“...famiglia è tutto.. Family is everything.” He finally translated with a smile, knowing the meaning was probably already mostly understood surrounding the context, but knowing it was important she understood it nonetheless. Lifting a hand to quickly rub at his eyes - no, he wasn’t crying, shut up - Roscoe gave a small sigh, glancing to their side and noticing the way the sun was disappearing behind the skyline - the way it reflected off her features as his gaze switched back to Rita’s own. “...I want t’start a new chapter with you.” He spoke, his hand gently turning her own in an effort to see those two rings along her finger. “...So thank you… for giving me that chance. For...not just givin’ up on me.” Because honestly? Despite the circumstances? He probably would have given up on himself if he was in her shoes.

RITA:

Family is everything.

How fitting that that was a motto that meant so much to the both of them. How fitting that it was that which brought them close together, brought them back together. The saying that was engraved not only on the band of her new engagement ring but also in her mind.

Family is everything.

She smiled as he wiped away her tears that were still falling, albeit slowly, from her eyes. It couldn’t be helped, though. There was so much emotion inside of her if she didn’t cry she was scared she would implode. And she would never complain about feeling so close to her husband. She was finding she wanted it more and more; and she did not have to feel foolish for asking for it or initiating it anymore. “I love yous.” She murmured the words again, kissing him softly, as she shifted just a bit closer.

“You shouldn’t be thankin’ me, yous know that.” She whispered after a moment, looking up to Roscoe. “Yous always had a feelin’, some sorta spark or somethin’, ain’t? Yous stuck around with me for three years not even sure if-- If I even cared about yous.” She gave a soft laugh as she wiped at her eyes. “Yous stuck around waiting for me and… and I’m really fuckin’ glad you did. M’glad we got here. Ready t’start a new chapter together.”

ROSCOE:

“..n’I love you.” He returned once more, knowing that ever since she’d said it with the true meaning - the feeling behind his own had only shifted to reflect that. Becoming far less pleading and unsure, and instead just confident. Confident and loving, as it should be. A tone he knew wouldn’t be changing anytime soon, and he was so goddamn thankful for it.

Hands raised to gently swipe away those tears she’d been trying to rid herself of, Roscoe’s lips turning up in a gentle smile as he couldn’t help but laugh as well. It seemed so… weird now. To remember that..her words were true, and that he’d simply skirted by the past few years with the odd hope that one day Rita would turn around and love him too. Even weirder to know that...it actually had happened. “I’d...wait for you forever. Stupid as it sounds...but s’true. I’d always wait for yous.” A fact he’d apparently proved by being here now.

“...see if we’s could drink, this is where we’d make some cheesy toast to ‘a new chapter’.” The man teased quietly, voice coming out in a soft whisper as he glanced off to the side, as if looking for someone that was intruding on their conversation. However, a moment later, and Roscoe simply let his arms slip to the woman’s shoulders, pulling her into a tight hug as a sigh fell from his lips. “...sorry about ruinin’ your makeup though, Ri.” He teased with a laugh, squeezing his wife tightly, before he pulled back, pushing himself to a stand so that he could offer his hands out to her to help her stand up.

“...Also...are blindfolds still off the table…?” He asked with another mischievous little grin, tilting his head much like their dogs when they were curious about something.

RITA:

The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Roscoe had truly, truly surprised her with one of the best outings of their trip. But that had been each day in Italy. Roscoe always managing to go above and beyond what she expected. She had expected their trip to be relaxing, a much needed break from Swynlake. And it had but in between their afternoons and evenings at the hotel, Roscoe had taken her places and shown her things that she hadn’t ever dreamed of seeing.

And maybe that was his plan to get her to agree to move to Italy. He was always saying it was better than Swynlake. And it was.

She’d barely noticed the way her knees were starting to protest from being on the ground when Roscoe rose. She took his hand and slowly stood, clinging to his arm as she made to steady herself. It happened more often than not but she did her best to ignore it. As long as she wasn’t falling over or fainting they were good. “Yous should know better than t’tease a pregnant lady about alcohol,” she pouted up at him, though she wanted to laugh. It had actually been surprisingly easy to cut all of it out of her every day routine. The health of her baby was more important than a drink. But it didn’t mean that she still didn’t crave a bit of wine here and there. Especially in Italy where it was had with almost every meal.

His head tilted and she raised an eyebrow at him, wondering what he had up his sleeve this time. Why he kept asking about that blindfold was what confused the most. It was as if this wasn’t the only part of the surprise. Which was ridiculous because this was more than enough. He’d given her a fucking engagement ring on the roof of one of the most beautiful hotels she’d ever been to overlooking a city that was breathtaking. It was overwhelming and more than she could have ever asked for.

“Already told you, babes, blindfolds are for the bedroom only.”

ROSCOE:

The man couldn’t help the half smirk that appeared on his lips at the alcohol comment, his shoulders shrugging up idly with a small laugh. “Aw c’mon. Yous don’t really miss it that much.” At least.. Roscoe didn’t so.. He had to assume that Rita didn’t either. They had both been pretty similar in the habit, so to speak, so it made sense to assume they’d both step away from it with the same mindsets.

“Kinky.” Roscoe laughed, giving a small wink as he looked out over the city - the lights of every building just starting to flicker on among the street lamps, and small fires of distant festivals and traditions. He’d only asked of course, because it wasn’t exactly over. Now it might not have been nearly on the same level as what they’d just done, of course, but… when Roscoe had planned this whole thing out… well, there had been something he’d enjoyed a little too much from a previous event that he couldn’t help but include here too.

Something he figured Rita might get a small kick out of - or at least a laugh at his expense if anything.

“...I suppose it’s not really blindfold necessary anyways.” Ros waved off, turning back to her with a smile as he nodded his head to the side. “...’sides you’ve already kinda seen half of it anyways.” Since...it was still on this rooftop. The damn big rooftop though, and that was certainly a good thing. “C’mon.” He spoke softly, gently leading the woman with one hand towards the opposite side of the roof - slipping past a narrow pathway between the banister and the way in which they’d entered the roof in order to slip onto the other half of the area - already lit up softly with strung lights that extended from extensions of the balcony back to the roof behind them, resembling all those rooftop bars from back home - that always had this kind of set up in the summer when everyone would just sit outside all night long and enjoy the weather.

Except this wasn’t a rooftop bar, and there wasn’t a crowd of people to fight through - it was just the two of them surrounded by Italy. “...I was thinking maybe...I could have this dance?” He asked with another small laugh, waiting a beat - complete with a glance towards the building—one that seemingly resulted in the gentle accompaniment of music in which they could dance to. Thanks, Fabrizio.

RITA:

Roscoe knew her and his comment only made her chuckle as she wiped at her eyes, trying to keep it from looking like a disaster. She didn’t know what else he had planned; if he was taking her anywhere she wanted to look presentable and not like an over emotional mess. “I don’t miss it. We’s gettin something much better in the long run.” It was a God’s honest truth. Their baby was a good trade off for not drinking for the next year or so.

They lapsed into a comfortable silence, just watching the cityscape before them. It was like magic how lights just appeared, peppering the rapidly darkening sky like fairies. Or how Rita imagined fairies to be when at night. Bright spots of light illuminating the sky in their wake. It was soft and romantic and it reminded her of nights back home. When the gang would climb up onto rooftops in the dead of night and just… exist. She’d had that with Roscoe a few times here and there; each time something special in her mind. This one was only going to be added to it, their first night in this new chapter of their lives.

She wished she’d had her camera with her.

But then Roscoe was speaking again and that eyebrow of hers raised even as she gave him a soft smile as she took his hand. It was easy to follow him back towards the door, thinking that whatever came next would be behind it. Until they passed by the door and moved to a different part of the roof.  

And just as before, Rita’s eyes widened as she took in everything around her. It was a fairytale. Something she had read about in books when she was much younger. The kind of thing that only happened in movies. Her life was never meant to resemble a storybook or a movie. It was raw and gritty. But Roscoe…. Roscoe was making it magical nearly every day.

“Course you can,” she breathed out, turning to look at him with the same soft features she’d had at prom when they’d done this. The music began to waft through the air and Rita couldn’t help but let out a small huff of a laugh. “You’re incredible, you know,” she smiled softly, wondering idly what she had done to deserve all of this.

ROSCOE:

Roscoe certainly hadn’t been kidding when he’d imagined this all in his head. He wanted this to be special for Rita - and if that meant going out of his way, if it meant planning and begging other’s for cooperation? Well hell, he was going to try his damn best to get everything to fall into place. That was why as soon as the option was on the table, Roscoe had begun planning for this. He’d made the arrangements as soon as they agreed on dates, and made sure to make a phone call or...dozens in order to make sure everything could be worked out.

He’d had one hell of a conversation with the owner of this hotel, after all. However thankfully the guy was a romantic at heart himself, and couldn’t help but offer his help to Roscoe in doing all this. He’d granted him the roof access, with little questions asked on what they would be doing up here - and hooked him up with the grounds security manager Fabrizio - who..for an old born and raised Italian was certainly open to helping as well. For once he had to give it to them too - he wouldn’t have been able to get all this shit together if it hadn’t been for them, and it was rare he could be appreciative of other people’s help. This time however, he felt so incredibly in debt to them, especially now as he watched Rita’s expression melt into soft adoration. His own smile mirrored her own as he shrugged his shoulders idly.

“...Only because you’ve given me a reason t’be.” He replied quietly, stepping forward and letting his hand rest upon her hip, as his opposite curled into her own, slowly leading her within their impromptu dance. What he’d said was complete truth in his opinion. What path had he been truly going down before he’d met her? A life of crime and family bullshit with DeSoto and their dad, a life that he’d never fully wanted to be a part of but felt like there was no way out. Rita...well she’d been part of that out. She’d given him something to look forward to - been someone that he could talk to that didn’t cycle around the mafia or the family or any of that. The person who’d kicked his ass into gear and was doing more every day to set him straight. She made him a better person every day. She was the reason he was still here.

As much as he loved his brother - there was a reason he was here with Rita and not back home with them.

She saved his life. Whether she realized that or not - she saved him. He’d only just started to realize that she deserved so much more from him than he’d been giving her. She deserved better, and hell if he wasn’t going to try to make things right. That was why this had been so important to him. Roscoe wanted her to know that this was important to him; that they were important to him.

RITA:

Nothing could have ever prepared Rita for this. For a time in her life where she had everything that she had ever wanted. The dreams she’d had as a child had been written off long ago. How could she ever achieve them when she lived in a run down apartment and made her money selling her body to the highest bidder? Love only lasted a night or two; it was fleeting and unattainable. Marrying Roscoe hadn’t done anything at the time except convince her that her dreams were forever gone. Left as nothing more than a childish escape from a far from perfect childhood.

It was prom that had brought those dreams back to her. The ones where she was allowed to be happy, where she had the love she had always wanted, the family she had always wanted. Prom had been the first time that Rita had seen the love her husband had for her, it had been the first time Rita had allowed herself to feel that love herself. It had been the selflessness that Roscoe had shown. It had been the way that even though he had showered her with all the intricate planning, he hadn’t expected anything from her. It was a gift without any strings attached. It was this. This perfect evening in the most romantic city in all of the world that was focused on them.

The perfect beginning to their new chapter.

Again those tears came, slipping quietly down her cheeks as Roscoe spoke. She still didn’t understand it. Didn’t understand how she had given him so much when she had fought him so hard for so many years. When she had run away from him so often. How could he feel so strongly, say such sweet things, hold her in such a regard? She’d been a terrible wife. Was still just learning how to maneuver their relationship in a way that didn’t cause conflict every few hours.

But Roscoe wanted to stay with her. He always was there. When she acted like a brat and ran away for days on end, when she was sick and acting like a child, when she was over excited over a new song and more than ready to show it to somebody, anybody. If there was one constant in her life outside of the gang, it was Roscoe. Always there to make sure she was taken care of and that she was happy. Ready to give her the moon if she asked for it.

Except she didn’t want the moon. She wanted this. Him. The both of them together and happy and working towards a functioning relationship.

“And here I thought I just drove yous batshit,” she gave a small chuckle, following Roscoe’s slow and graceful steps.

ROSCOE:

He only broke away from the positioning of their intimate dance to raise a hand to her face, gently cupping the woman’s cheek and swiping his thumb against her skin in attempt to rid her features of those pesky tears that seemed to just keep coming back. Roscoe could only be thankful however that they were purely happy tears - that she wasn’t here crying because he’d done something stupid or upset her. Instead, that he’d finally gotten it right and that she was only crying because he managed to get his shit together.

It might’ve taken over three years - but Roscoe wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to start fresh. To begin this new chapter with her with a foundation built off of love and trust, rather than need and desperation.

Rita was his everything. His sun and moon, his stars and his dreams. She was his whole goddamn world, and it sure was about time he started treating her like she was.

“Naw.” He returned quietly, letting their bodies move gracefully under the soft twinkle of the string lights of the roof - mixing perfectly with the now emerging stars of the early evening. “..Yous only drive me batshit in the best way possible.” Which was true - because even when she did drive him batshit, it only reminded him of why he loved her so much. Even if she was giving him hell, or the cold shoulder. He still saw that woman he loved dearly.

The woman he twirled ever so gently within his arms, pulling her back against his chest gently a moment after and pressing a careful kiss to her temple. “...and I always want yous t’drive me batshit, ‘cause at least then I know yous still believe in me.”

So he’d take it - every single day for the rest of his life. Because all he wanted more than anything in the world was to spend the rest of his life with the woman still tucked within his arms - just her and their perfect little family.

After all, famiglia è tutto.