#my mom dragged me out of the house to go outside and so obviously i went to the bookstore

[ratt-fried-this-pasta]

AFTER LITERAL MONTHS OF WAITING, THE ROSE OF VERSAILLES BOOK ONE APPEARED IN MY LOCAL BOOKSTORE WOOO

I love the old manga art style hehe very pretty >:)

[firefly--bright]

hc request: snow angels with jean 🥹🩷

OOO HOHOHOH this is so CUTE im keeping this a modern au because thats what i prefer to write :') no gender/pronouns used for reader! :D

masterlist in pinned post! ❅ requests for headcanons are open!!!!! ❅ enter my taglist ❅

❅ ok ok so i imagine him being very begrudgingly into it. like its an incredibly snowy day right, and sasha connie and marco (and you, of course, by association) had dragged him out of bed.

❅ and his whole face is tinged a little red. he's wearing the first sweater he could find which just so happens to be the one his mom made for him, along with a big puffy black coat, a green checkered scarf and bright yellow gloves. not his first choice, fashion-wise, because all the colours are clashing, this looks fucking terrible, but you convince him it looks good enough to have fun and he has no choice but to agree.

❅ anyway. there's like small flakes of snow on his hair and at the corners of his eyes, and its a nice excuse for you to brush his hair with your hand. his nose is red. his lips are a little chapped and everytime he breaths it creates a small puff of air as a proof of his living. and hes building a snowman, with whatever materials all of you could find outside. no you dont have a carrot, who has the foresight for that? you make an executive decision to stick a very thin stick into the centre of the big snowball for his nose. jean complains about your art direction but gets distracted by the fact that connie's building boobs for it.

❅ every picture marco takes, jean is in the corner just standing. arms to his side. like slenderman. no smile. no pose. he's acting as though he hates this which pisses connie off just enough for him to fuck with jean more than usual.

❅ goes without saying but connie starts a snowball fight. and jean being ever-competitive HAS to strike back and now its a whole war but its mainly just jean and connie shouting at eachother while throwing poorly-formed balls of snow at eachother with terrible aim

❅ BACK TO THE MAIN POINT. during this whole. fight. both of them get really tired but now jean is fully smiling, because he's having fun, dammit, and you marco and sasha had gone inside somewhere during their feud to make hot chocolate and warm up some cookies because none of you had had anything to eat yet

❅ and connie immdieately runs inside the house when he hears you guys calling the both of them for food. and jean's all "HA YOU LOSER I WON. FUCK YOU. YOU THINK U COULD CHALLENGE ME?" but he doesnt follow connie inside

❅ and after a few minutes you decide to go out looking for him. his back is facing yours, and his foot is moving over the snow, creating a shape you cant really see. and you call out for him, and he just turns and waves you over to him

❅ turns out he was drawing both your initials in a heart with his foot :( and you HAVE to tease him. obviously.

❅ "youre so sappy i love you." "sappy? im doing the bare fucking minimum," "right." "youre the sappy one. making me hot chocolate and shit." "i made everyone hot chocolate. youre not special." "youre saying this after i made this artwork for you?" he says, smirk on his pink lips, faux offence twisted into his eyebrows and his arm finds it's way across your waist. "sorry, youre right. we should get this framed." "you think youre so smart, huh?" "you set a pretty low bar for it." "oh yeah?" and he starts fucknig tickling you because hes so fucking predictable, right, and you obviously end up loosing your already fragile balance and falling on your back into the snow.

❅ at first he's really apologetic but then he sees you smiling and rolls his eyes before collapsing next to you, cold ice pinpricking his skin despite the layers he wears.

❅ "you destroyed the heart i drew," he says. he wants to win this fake-fight. dumbass. "thats your fault." "right, blame me for your misjudgement-" "you tickled me!" "excuses, excuses." "im sorry, jean, for destroying your heart-" "my beautiful artwork," "- your beautiful artwork that deserved to be framed." "in a shrine. add that part." "no."

❅ its so cliche. he looks at you, his head turned to your direction, and sees your own breath fog up the sky and he thinks hiding his affection is reduntant because youre going to find a way to sneak it out of him somehow.

❅ and then you stretch out your arms, indenting the snow, waving them up and down. "im making new artwork." you say, and he loves you so much it makes him warm all over, imitating your motions with his long ass limbs, sounds of the snow crunching under his movements filling his ears along with your soft laughter.

❅ and after youre satisfied with the unseen outcome of your work, he complains about not being able to feel the tips of his ears and nose, and he helps you get up. you kiss his nose as compensation, and he kisses your forehead in return. "happy?" he asks, and you hum.

❅ "wait, we have to sign our names," you say before crouching down and writing your name under your snow angel, and then write his name under his, creating a heart after his name. he smiles softly after youre done, winding an arm around your shoulder to keep you warm but pretends its because "im so weak and hungry," to which you call him a drama queen. he spares a look behind the two of you to see the snow angels and cant help but wish it would never melt away.

also heres a moodboard. i couldnt help myself.

thank you for the request!! ive never. experienced snow before so im sorry for. any inaccuracies im going based off of my rom-com watching knowledge :') hope you liked it!! <3

taglist ; @holding-infinity-and-a-book , @mrsnobodynobody , @hopeless-anti-romantic-again , @jeanscremebrulee , @berrijam , @happxme , @cherrypieyourface , @imgayandshesanime , @moonmalice , @kivernova , @potaho3frog , @xakilicious , @katestrophes , @gojo-ana , @ppushable , @candleohappiness , @zombiefiedskeivy

[starysky1289]

StepSis!Vanessa X reader. Family Gathering.

You pulled up to your mothers house, several cars where parked outside, including Vanessa’s. Your heart fluttered slightly, You and Vanessa had always had a..special relationship for step sisters. You hated being called that though, you both called eachother your ‘ Girlfriends by marriage ‘, obviously no one knew about you two, you were both always good at keeping it secret.

You walked into the house, greeted by your mother first, who hugged you tightly, dragging you into the kitchen to see your cousins and step-family you hadn’t seen in years. A tall, thin man caught your eye, Steven Raglan, your new Step-Father. He eyed you down as you made your way into the living room, studying the people for the pretty blonde.

“ Y/N! How’s my favorite sister! “

Perking up, Vanessa made her way over to you, wrapping her arm around your shoulder. You smiled brightly, your mother overjoyed in how you two were getting along so well.

“ I’ve been good Vanessa, it’s so good to see you again. “

“ yeah! Hey, wanna go on a walk, go catch up? “

“ sounds perfect! We’ll be back in a bit mom! “

You practically purred, waving to your mom as you and Vanessa went out the back door. As soon as you two were far enough, you slowly held hands, walking down the street. The air was warm and crisp, the changing of seasons was noticeable around here.

“ so, Y/N. You’ve been good right? No one else with you, right? “

“ Never Vanessa. You know I’m good~ “

Vanessa chuckled at your words, pulling you next to her by your waist, rubbing her hand along your ass. You blushed, glancing off slightly embarrassed.

“ don’t you ever worry we’ll get caught, Ness? “

“Sometimes. I mean..it’s wrong, morally, but we arnt related. Plus we have the excuse we talked before the marriage, and we just haven’t gotten over it. But I see what ya mean. “

“ you think people would shun us? “

Vanessa went quiet,glancing up at the sky, before back at you. Her green eyes stared into yours, before she smiled.

“ yeah. But we have eachother, don’t worry about them. “

She held your chin, kissing your gently, you pulled her into you, kissing her back deeply. She wrapped her arms around your shoulders, before pulling back, chuckling.

“ you wanna go back and see if we can sneak upstairs real quick~? “

“ can you keep me quiet nessa? “

She smirked, pulling you back to the house. As you made your way back, you snuck back into the house, slipping past a few people, it seemed as if you were free, making your way up before jumping from a voice.

“ where are you two going. “

It was Steve, he leaned in the doorway of the stairs, you both froze, before Vanessa spoke up.

“ well, I’m staying the night, she’s helping me unpack, right? “

“ yeah! We’ve gotta share a room, I might as well help. “

Steve stared at you for a moment, before turning away, walking back into the party. You both exhale, and headed up the stairs, and into your old room. Vanessa pushed you towards the bed, as she closed the door and locked it. You sat down, and pulled Vanessa into your lap, kissing her deeply, letting your tongue clash against eachother.

“ mm..yeah my girl miss my touch? “

“ I did ness , I need you…”

You worked your way through the back of her shirt, trying to unclip her bra. Vanessa pulled your hands out and pinned you to the bed, kissing you again.

“ good girls get rewarded. You can have my tits if you behave, understand? “

“ y-yes Vanessa! “

She began to teasingly pull your pants off, , tossing them away and playing with the fabric on your pussy, you quietly moaned, the anticipation eating you alive.

“ so desperate, i suppose I shouldn’t keep you waiting any longer…”

Vanessa quickly slipped her shorts off, as well as her panties, sitting down on your waist, grinding on your thighs.

“ you stay quiet for me ok? Can you stay quiet for me baby~? “

“ y-yes Vanessa, Ill be quiet! “

She smirked, and lowered herself onto your puffy clit, gently gliding across it, you went limp under her, biting down on your lip to keep silent. Her face was determined and focused, but you watched as her bottom lipped quivered, something she did as she felt pleasure.

“ yeah who’s my girl, who’s my bitch…who’s gonna cum with her sister huh~? “

“ I…I am~ i-I’m gonna cum with you…”

“ that’s my girl…”

She pressed down harder, you slowly thrusted your hips against hers, trying anything to help get closer yo your orgasim. Vanessa held you by your throat, squeezing slightly everytime you’d get closer.

“ Vanessa p-please…I’m so close l-let me cum…”

“ just a little longer baby girl…i-I’m close..”

She moved her hand from your throat to hold your hands over your head, kissing you deeply to keep you both quiet as you both speed up, you felt yourself drip, until you both kept your warm cunts on eachother, moaning in the kiss, the feeling of your orgasim made your legs twitch. Vanessa pulled back, panting heavily as she held your hands, her blue eyes half lidded.

“ s..such a good girl Y/N…”

“ y-your p-perfect too Vanessa…”

She chuckled softly, tossing her shirt off and slowly undoing her bra, laying down next to you, positioning herself slightly above your head so you could reach her tits easier. You looked up at her flushed, she gave you a soft smile.

“ go on..y-you earned it baby girl…”

She murmured, running her fingers through your hair, you gently kitten licked her tits, gently rubbing your thumb over one as you sucked the other. Vanessa let out soft little moans, kissing your forehead.

“ hey girls, everything ok? It’s dinner time. “

You both shot up, blushing darkly from embarrassment. It was Steve, he couldn’t know, could he?

“ y-yeah!! One minute, we got carried away, h-hah.. “

You both got up quickly, helping eachother dress, chuckling as Vanessa pulled your hair up to help cover its frizziness. Walking out and hurrying down the stairs, Vanessa leaned over to your ear quickly.

“ love you Y/N.”

“ love you more nessa.”

[sugar-omi]

teasing cove when you have a crush on each other drives me So crazy

flirty eyes from across the counter, sliding your hand across his chest... or even worse (read as: better), putting your hand on the small of his back as you go around him to the refrigerator

and the idea of doing it before he's going out w his parents is even better

sat on top of his car, laughing and whispering to yourselves. you lean in to whisper something in his ear or lean closer to his face to say something smug, something flirty and he flushes

then his parents walk outside, all cheery then they pause a bit when they see the deer-in-headlights look on cove's face and the way you pause

kyra gives a cheery greeting and cliff laughs, realizing what a awkward situation he's walked in on but he greets you anyway.

"hi," you smile, abandoning your conversation with cove and talking with his parents while he fidgets beside you. "well i should get going.."

and you slide off the hood of cove's car, fixing your bottoms and you put a hand on cove's shoulder which makes him jump.

"i'll see you later cove." your hand drag down his arm as you walk away, slipping into your house.

its silence between them before cove jumps up and exclaims about how theyre gonna be late

or you have cove over one night, and you have the house to yourself. your moms and cove's parents are out, catching a movie and dinner and your sister is sleeping over a friends house in the city to catch up with her old group, so there's no one around to tease you or usher cove out for the next 4 hours at least.

taking the opportunity to be as loud as you want, you put on some music and its so... flirty

(i can see sabrina carpenter "nonsense" or sza "the weekend" or my favorite 50 cent "best friend")

maybe its not meant to be, maybe the beat isnt anything remotely sexy and more on the pop side, but either way you're mouthing/singing the lyrics back to him and you're obviously flirting with him

even though you're just moving throughout the kitchen without any rhythm and you just leaned forward across the counter but you did it with a smile and you're teasing him.

oh god even better, you're in the kitchen trying to make this box brownie you bought at the store and the radio is on low, and you're sitting on the counter and cove is mixing the batter

maybe its because he has the best arms between you two or maybe its because you wanna watch how his veins pop and his hands look wrapping around the spoon...

you like him way too much if you can find him stirring brownie batter together sexy, but thats not your problem

mmm imagine cove coming behind you to help you get the brownie pan out of the cabinet, helping you move the pots and pans in front of it and his body is against yours. and hes so chill about it, as if his groin is pressed again you....

and when its finally in the pan and its cooked, you're trying the brownies and cove finishes his so you pull him in by his belt loops...

he totally freezes up but youre in front of him, holding out a brownie for him to eat from your hand and he keeps eye contact as he bites down. hes watching you, and youre watching the way his lips part as he bites down and how he licks his lips...

and cove swallows, youre watching the way his throat bobs...

omg and if you bite the same spot he bit into, looking into cove's eyes the entire time and his hands move to your thigh, the other to the back of your neck..

and you both lean in and meet in the middle, and you're so lost in kissing each other that you drop the brownie. as much as you like, love, kissing cove you're glad that that was a smaller slice since these brownies are pretty damn good

but then cove slips his tongue in your mouth and suddenly the brownies taste so subpar to this...

oh man i need to stop typing n write this shit immediately 🙌🙌🙌😫

[narrans]

My Borrowed Son | 30 | Make It Right

Chapter Thirty | Make It Right

Kers stood shoulder to shoulder with the other members of the family as they stared down into the kitchen from the safety of the loosened light fixtures and the slightly ajar smoke alarm.

They heard everything.

They knew everything.

Parker had run away, and Amanda was quickly spiraling in desperation trying to find out where he was. The little Borrower teen had obviously been overwhelmed and, for one reason or another, had left the safety of the house and had gone somewhere else.

Of course they hadn’t had a thorough search of the house, so he could still be hiding inside somewhere in the crawl space or in another part of the attic. It was doubtful though. If the teen was going somewhere, he would have probably made his way back to the family to hide out there. He knew the way there and back after all.

From where they were, the family witnessed everything. They watched Amanda prepare breakfast and wait around for Parker. They heard her crying out for him and turning the house upside down trying to find him. They heard her sobbing and watched her collapse into her chair and onto the floor.

What made it more unnerving was that Amanda spoke directly to them.

“Um… h-h-hello? Hello? My name is Amanda. I… I know you’re there. Please, my son… Parker….” She was choking on practically every word, but she obviously forced herself to continue. It made everyone flinch, preparing to dart into the walls for cover if she happened to spot them.

“I… just want to know if he’s safe. Is Parker there? Is he with you? Look… I… I know what it must’ve looked like, but I swear that I only have Parker’s best interest at heart. He’s my son. It… it doesn’t matter to me if he’s a… Borrower. I love him. If… if he wants to stay with you…

“Please… I just want to know he’s safe. I saw this letter on his bed about finding the truth. I… I don’t know if he’s with you or if he’s run away. I just want to know he’s safe. Please! Do you know where he is? Is he okay? I just want to know he’s safe. That’s all. Please… Please! I just want to find my son. I just want to apologize to him. I… I didn’t get to say goodbye. Please, if he’s with you… please… just give me that?”

It was the plea of a parent who loved their child.

It was hauntingly similar to the things Kers heard before during his times living outside in the wilderness. Too many times there was no “last goodbye.” Too many times Borrowers would vanish into thin air or dragged away by some monstrosity or another.

The whole thing made him shudder.

The desperation.

The anguish.

The undeniable emotion.

The family to his left and right continued to whisper amongst themselves as they tried to process everything that was going on.

“Do you think she saw us?” hissed Kit.

“There’s no way,” replied Finnick.

“Shhh… if she hasn’t heard us or spotted us, she might if she hears us now,” stated Toulouse.

“Are we going to have to move?” asked Reed as he looked up at his mom, who was holding his youngest sister.

“I… I don’t know. I hope not, but we’d best get our packs ready just in case.”

“Why would he leave? Why would Parker do something as stupid as run away? Are we sure he’s not just hiding somewhere in the house?” asked Kit.

“Gee… I don’t know, Kit. Why would someone do something as stupid as go and reveal themselves to someone without gathering more information first?” shot back Finnick.

“Shut up! I was trying to help!”

“Shush! Both of you! Stop bickering. We don’t know anything at this point,” Toulouse sighed. “Right now, we have to assume Amanda’s going to start tearing down the walls to find Parker.”

Enough was enough. He had made a promise to himself that he would help keep Parker safe. He had failed, and now the consequences were upon him. Parker was missing and it was all completely preventable.

It would have been easy to say if he had done this or if he had done that then Parker would be safe and sound in his bed being an average teenager. It would have been so very easy, but that wasn’t what happened.

They were here. This whole situation was of all of their making – Kers, Amanda, and the kids of the family – and now it was time for Kers to swallow his fear and do something.

He clenched his jaw, knowing what he was about to do, and pushed himself away from the opening. The path was a long one and he needed to get a move on if he was going to keep his cool. There was plenty of time for him to talk himself out of what he was about to do.

When he turned around, however, Kit and the others turned around to watch him leave.

“What do you think you’re doing? Where are you going?” hissed Kit as she lunged forward and seized Kers’ arm. The other Borrowers nodded in agreement as they looked at Kers in the same horrified, confused expression Kit had on her face.

“I can’t just let her talk to herself down there worrying to death that her son might’ve been abducted by us,” argued Kers. “I’m going down there to talk to her.”

Everyone’s eyes widened as big as human saucer plates, all saying at once, “You can’t! The rules! You’ll be caught!”

Kers, rarely brought to anger, turned on the family of six and felt himself bristle.

“I told you that boy was fine, and you took it upon yourselves to destroy his reality overnight when he wasn’t ready. He was starting to ask the right questions and I told you you shouldn’t interfere. Now his mom is panicked and he’s missing,” Kers growled. “If you had listened, we might not be in this mess.”

“He’s a Borrower! He needed to be with us and not out there playing pet!” Kit countered.

“He wasn’t a pet. He’s her son. And if you don’t want the walls and floors to go up, you’ll let me go and won’t stop me,” argued Kers. “Because, as far as she knows, we’re keeping Parker against his will. She loves him and…”

“And taking him for her own amusement is no way to treat him,” Kit interrupted. “She probably stole him from his parents after poisoning them or something.”

At this, Kers grinned as he remembered something. He actually found himself chuckling at the irony of what just popped in his mind. It was something they said to Parker when he was in the family kitchen getting his life turned upside down.

“She didn’t steal him. She borrowed him. There’s a difference,” stated Kers. He tugged his arm free and continued heading toward the secure line he made leading down into the living room. His heart was beating a hole straight through him, but the weight of everything that transpired was already beginning to ease.

This was the right thing to do.

This needed to be done.

The path down usually felt like a long one, but Kers suddenly found himself standing in front of the electrical cover that led to the kitchen counter. He was there far faster than he anticipated, and sadly the words he wanted to say hadn’t come to him. On the other hand, he had the last four or so years to come up with the right words and hadn’t managed it yet.

It was now or never. Kers could only hope that the words would come to him, and that Amanda would see reason. Kers had no additional supplies on him except for his daggers, a climbing hook, and a little water. It was hardly a stellar list if he were to be captured, but he knew he wouldn’t be; at least, he hoped he wouldn’t be.

Do it.

Help her.

You owe her that much.

He reached out with trembling fingers and unlatched the electrical cover. Every instinct screamed at him to run back to the safety of the walls as he loudly opened and closed the electrical cover he used to get into the kitchen.

His muscles shook and threatened to override his will and retreat back into the walls, but he stood firm. With borrowed confidence he got from somewhere he couldn’t begin to name, Kers strode across the counter and stood firm as he looked out across the vertigo inducing kitchen and the human who was already way too close for comfort.

The sight was pitiful. Usually the sight of a human was terrifying, but now almost felt like the exception. Amanda looked broken and moments away from completely crumpling in a heap. She was leaning against the kitchen island away from Kers and, at the moment, she hadn’t noticed him.

It was the biggest leap of faith Kers had taken in his life. He inhaled one last shuddering breath before daring to clear his throat.

~~~^*^*^~~~

Amanda’s eyes burned like a desert fire. Never had she had a headache like this in her life. Everything hurt, and there was nothing she could do. Three hours of crying came at a price, but Amanda knew she would gladly pay it if she could just find out where Parker was.

She knew she should’ve said something sooner.

She knew she could’ve done so much differently, but hindsight was twenty twenty.

There were a million ways this could have gone, and this was what it was. If it was Hell, then it was of her own making – and Amanda knew it.

Still, she would give anything and everything to make it right.

Head pounding with every aching heartbeat, Amanda stumbled to the kitchen sink and ran some cold water over her wrists before taking a few mouthfuls of the frigid water. It barely quenched her thirst, but it was a step in the right direction. Amanda knew wallowing in sadness wouldn’t bring Parker back. It wouldn’t even help her feel better. It was just what her body decided to do to react to everything around her.

There was a hopeless part of her that could only assume her pleas earlier had gone unanswered. Parker had said there were others in the walls, but it was more and more apparent none of them were ready to help her.

Amanda’s mind spiraled as she collapsed against the sink, another bout of sobs threatening to overtake her. Her knees were shaking like leaves in a hurricane, yet she somehow managed to stay standing while propped up against the granite surface.

My boy.

My precious boy.

Where’d you go?

Are you safe?

It was right then that Amanda heard something so soft she almost missed it as her inner voice attempted to drown out all of her senses.

It sounded like a “clack” followed by another softer clacking sound. What was more unnerving was it sounded like it was right behind her. Confusion added to the foggy clouds in Amanda’s mind as she instinctually turned toward the sound behind her.

That’s when she heard it.

A cough.

Her heart leapt into her throat, and she spun around, desperately hoping it was Parker. That’s when she saw him. It wasn’t Parker, but it was someone just as big as him.

A Borrower.

He was standing out on the counter halfway between the wall and the very edge. The Borrower looked to be athletically inclined, muscles noticeably tone and sharp even at this distance under his ill fitting clothes. There was a pack on his back as well as a thumbtack and stay pin on his hips, both of which his hands rested on in casual preparedness. His face was slightly sallow, but his blue eyes held undeniable zeal and desire for life – a survival instinct that would not be denied.

The Borrower’s hair, a dark and shaggy brown, had been tied into a kind of bun using thread to keep it in a form of top knot. There was an obvious scar on his cheek, though there was no telling how he got it.

Though he portrayed undeniable confidence, the same could be said for his raw apprehension.

He was uncomfortable. It was obvious and he was trying not to be.

Amanda, so taken aback, stumbled backward and nearly fell to the ground when she hit the island counter behind her. The sound alone made the lone figure jump and retreat two steps before visibly swallowing hard and approaching the edge again.

Then, in a clear and concise voice, he said, “Hello, Amanda. I… think it’s about time we talked.”

Kers was shaking from head to toe. Determination filled him, but his body’s physical response could not deny he was terrified of what he was currently doing. As he looked into Amanda’s immense eyes, the words of the other Borrower family felt all too true.

If Amanda wanted to trap him in a cage or maime him to keep him from leaving, there was little to nothing he could do. Kers knew it. It was his worst nightmare.

He also knew Amanda and her son. He knew how she interacted with him and knew very well that Amanda would never do anything to hurt the small Borrower boy. It was a testament to her maternal instincts.

That being said, Kers wasn’t sure how she would react to someone who she thought might’ve taken her child. For all he knew, she would end him on the spot. The Borrower’s instincts told him otherwise, but just the possibility made him shake in his borrowing boots.

He could only hope Amanda saw his olive branch of information as a boon and would take that into consideration should she turn to more violent tendencies.

Speaking was never one of Kers’ strong suits, and now was no exception; however, it was necessary. Even thought facing a hundred hungry cats was more appealing than standing out here on the counter in front of a human, Kers stood there anyway.

Her eyes were on him.

His eyes were on her.

As Amanda obviously processed the information in front of her, she still managed to muster a single question which would undoubtedly further their interaction.

“You… are you… Kers?”

Hearing his name uttered by human lips set Kers’ nerves on edge. Every instinct in him screamed to flee back into the walls and abandon this futile mission. It wasn’t like he had something to tell her. He didn’t know where Parker was.

But it wasn’t the decent thing to do.

He was better than that.

Bigger than that.

Stiffly, he swallowed his apprehension again and nodded, managing a dry, “Yes,” as his throat constricted, choking out any other words that might’ve come out at that moment.

Instantly, he saw Amanda’s features flood with anxious hope as she continued to prop herself up onto the counter opposite him.

“You… live in the walls? You talked to Parker?” Amanda asked. Kers winced and nodded. He knew how bad that sounded.

“You… you’re the one who’s been living in the walls. You’ve been watching Parker and me?” asked Amanda stiffly. Kers winced slightly at the implication and took a few deep breaths before speaking as loudly and as clearly as possible.

“When you put it like that, it sounds creepy; but, yes. I’m the one who’s been living in the walls for some time now,” stated Kers, throat dry like sandpaper and body shaking already from the interaction. “I’ve watched you with Parker for almost four years actually.”

Amanda’s eyes widened while what little color was in her splotchy, tear stained face drained.

“F-f-four… years?” Amanda echoed.

“Yes, but can…” The words stuck in Kers’ throat and kept him shaking. Kers focused on the facts and the task at hand which helped summon the courage to continue. “Right now, can we focus on what’s important – on Parker?”

At the mention of his name, Amanda’s eyes glossed over and her jaw went slack.

“Do… do you know w-where h-he is? Do you have him?” asked Amanda, throat plagued with heart wrenching emotion. “Please, give him back. I swear I would never hurt him. I… if he wants to stay, that’s… f-fine. I… j-just want t-t-to say goodbye. Please. Please!”

It broke his heart, but Kers shook his head.

“No, I don’t know where he is – and I would tell you if I did,” stated Kers. The venomous, hopeless glare Amanda shot him made the Borrower take a few steps back. This wasn’t a look he was familiar with, and he knew it came purely from her protective maternal instincts. He needed to tread carefully. “P-p-please… you have to believe me. I told Parker not to do anything emotional or reckless now that he knows what he is.”

“Believe you? Believe you? It’s because of you that he’s gone!” sobbed Amanda. “I was going to tell him! I was going to talk to him about everything and we are none of your business!”

Kers had no time to react before Amanda pushed herself off of the counter behind her and slammed into the countertop Kers was standing on. The Borrower was suddenly inches from her hands. Kers blinked and, to his horror, one of those hands suddenly wrapped around his torso and slammed him onto his back, pinning him to the granite surface.

He didn’t even have time to scream.

Eyes blown wide with fear, Kers thrashed in the human grip instinctually as every instinct screamed to fight. He wrestled his arm around and had his fingers wrapped around his thumb tack dagger. All the while, his mind was racing.

You were wrong!

You were wrong!

You were wrong!

She’s going to kill you!

She’s going to crush you and toss you in a jar.

The Borrower began to hyperventilate as he heart pumped nothing but air into his veins. He felt like he could vomit out his stomach from sheer panic. Still, he found the strength to look up into Amanda’s eyes and keep control over himself.

“I swear! I d-don’t have him! A-a-and I didn’t tell him about us! I w-was g-going to talk to you first! Someone else thought he was in danger and went to help. It was a misunderstanding!” pleaded Kers.

In that moment, he was able to still his body because of what he saw.

What he saw was a distraught, heartbroken, determined mom who was at her wits end and desperately grasping at straws to find her son. She lashed out at the first person she encountered, which was all.

“I swear, if you don’t give back my son, you will regret it,” growled Amanda harshly.

I already am. Kers thought.

In his clearest voice and locking his eyes onto Amanda’s, he stiffened his features and said, “I don’t have your son. He’s not in the walls. I checked. I wish I found him before coming down her. I only came down here because I heard your pleas and couldn’t let you stand down here suffering and thinking we took him.”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed as she latched onto the words.

“You don’t have him, but what about the others? Did they take him? Parker said ‘we’ last night, and you said it just now. What about them? Hm? Did they take him?” Amanda demanded.

“No! We don’t have him. I don’t have him. They don’t have him. He’s gone, and we need to find him,” said Kers sternly. “He’s confused and hurt and probably doing something reckless, and the only thing that’s going to help him is us. All of us.”

Amanda’s stunned silence gave Kers a bit of reassurance. It meant he wasn’t going in a cage, and she was considering what he was saying. He was going to use this to his advantage. Amanda’s eyes flicked from side to side as realizations hit her. It was like watching one domino hitting the next like a Rube Goldberg machine.

Her hostility returned as she loomed over him. The light illuminated her from behind, giving her a menacing silhouette like shadow as she leaned over Kers.

“I swear, if you’re lying to me, you will regret it. You’re staying down here with me until I get my son back. You will suffer ten times what you’ve put me through. Do you hear me?” growled Amanda.

Kers felt hopelessness creeping over him. He wanted to plead for his life, but then something crept into Kers’ mind. Amanda’s hands were shaking. Kers thought it was his own fear making him shake, but glancing at the hand wrapped around him told him another story. Amanda was terrified, but she was also a caring mom.

It was a risky play, but he had nothing else to hide and nothing else to give. He could stab Amanda’s hand and make a break for the door, but that would only create animosity and force him and the other Borrowers to run for their lives.

That’s not what he wanted.

Kers was indeed completely at Amanda’s mercy, and she knew it; but Kers also knew Amanda wasn’t the type to hurt someone else.

Her grabbing him was a play – it was a bluff.

It was a pure guess, but Kers wanted to believe that Amanda wouldn’t actually hurt him. He had to believe it. His life depended on it. It was a game of chicken where he had everything to lose and nothing to gain unless she listened to him. The Borrower pinned all his hopes on this one chance and hoped it would pay off.

He took a second and attempted to calm himself down. Breathing techniques felt useless and the arm that could reach the thumbtack dagger was still pinned. Nothing else could be done except talk his way out of it. He had to appeal to Amanda’s decency and that maternal instinct that kept Parker safe for so many years.

It was his last chance to get free and help Amanda see reason.

“I’m not lying to you, Amanda,” stated Kers. “And you’re not going to hurt me. You won’t hurt me.”

“Oh? And why is that?” snapped Amanda. Kers took a breath and spoke calmly and clearly.

“Because you’re a good person. Amanda, you’re a good person. I’ve watched you for years. You wouldn’t ever hurt Parker because you see him as a person and as your son. And you won’t hurt me. I know you’re hurting. I am too. I should’ve talked to you about what Parker was before now, but we can’t change that.

“Someone broke the news to Parker before we did, and now all we can do is try and help him now; and that starts with us finding Parker,” stated Kers. Amanda’s eyes were locked onto Kers. He felt like he was under a microscope, every expression and word being scrutinized.

Now, however, was different. As the dominos connected once again in Amanda’s mind, Kers felt her grip faulter ever so slightly. Whatever she saw, it was finally connecting that Kers was telling the truth.

“Y…you… didn’t take him…” she breathed. Kers held his breath as her coffee breath washed over him. During this entire interaction, Kers had ignored all of his other senses as his body panicked after being grabbed.

“No. I didn’t,” stated Kers. “And I didn’t tell him that he was a Borrower. I told the others not to say anything until I talked to you. I begged them to not say anything to Parker. He wasn’t ready, but that’s not what happened and that’s not where we are. Now… please take your hand off of me and let’s figure out where your son is.”

Amanda’s hardened gaze softened in a matter of seconds. Her harsh and protective exterior melted away like snow on a summer day. Once again, she looked like a wounded mother desperate to find her child. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked mortified at what she had done. She retracted her hand in two stunned motions and stepped away to lean on the island counter again.

The moment Kers felt the weight of her hand leave him, his entire body relaxed. He heaved in breath after breath as his head swirled uncomfortably fast. The chill left from the absence of a sweltering hand made him shiver, but it was a relief all the same.

Amanda’s soft sobs filled the kitchen once again and, once Kers composed himself, the Borrower pushed himself upright again and looked down at Amanda’s crumpled body. Her head was hidden in her hands in shame.

“I… I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry. I… I didn’t mean…”

It was mind numbing. One moment ago, Kers was locked in complete fear of this human woman. Now, she was a pitiful puddle again. It was enough to give him whiplash, but that wasn’t the reason he was down here now.

“I… I know you didn’t mean to, Amanda. It’s okay,” stated Kers. He kept having to heave in air as if he were out of breath from a long sprint. It was the only thing that kept his heart from exploding out of his chest. “I know this is a lot for you right now, but I want to help. You can ask me questions and I’ll try to answer them if I can. If you want me to leave and try to find Parker, I can do that. He still might be in the house hiding somewhere I haven’t checked yet.”

“I…” Amanda looked up into Kers’ eyes and barely managed a half smile. She looked like a woman who finally had a lifeline. It was like her mind had somehow confirmed that she wasn’t crazy by seeing Kers sitting there in front of her.

“Yes?” Kers prompted. He didn’t do well in silences when others were nearby.

“Thank you. Really. Thank you.”

“Sure thing,” breathed Kers. “Now, what questions do you have?”

It took some time, but the next forty-three minutes filled itself with cobbled together question between Amanda and Kers. The Borrower gave a brief rundown of what a Borrower was and a brief history of when Kers moved into her home. He explained the need for secrecy, which made Amanda break into another round of sobs because of her emotional outburst and impulse to grab Kers, and emphasized that Amanda wasn’t at fault.

“You did everything you could for Parker, and I’m sure he knows that. He’s just… confused. I mean, I would be,” reassured Kers. “Now, as to where he went. Is there any place where Parker might have gone outside of here? Would he have gone back to your place? Was there somewhere he would have gone to hide? Is there something like a furniture piece here he would’ve hidden in?”

Amanda wracked her brain, but only one thing came to mind.

“I talked to him last night about where I found him. If… if I had to guess… he might be trying to get back there,” said Amanda after thinking for several long minutes. “But why would he? At his size? He’s so little. He… he couldn’t make it all the way. Not with being so small. He could get crushed or grabbed or run over or…”

“Amanda! Focus. Remember, Borrowers are durable and it’s the best lead we have right now. He would probably take the most direct path there, and he’s got a massive head start on us. If we don’t want it to get dark on us, we need to get moving. I’ll keep looking here an-”

“Please… come with me.”

The request stunned Kers into silence. He was already pushing his comfort levels sitting here across the way from Amanda. The thought of her carrying him or holding him was beyond the line he had set for boundaries.

“G-go? With you?”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I… after what I did… It’s okay. You look here. I’ll go out and see what I can see,” stated Amanda. “You’re already helping me more than I could’ve hoped for. Really. Thank you.”

Kers closed his eyes and took a breath. The chances of Amanda knowing what to look for was slim to none. As a Borrower, Kers had additional instincts and a different perspective as to what path he would take versus what a human would take.

While Parker was raised by a human, he obviously had advanced instincts for someone his age. Many experienced Borrowers didn’t have the skills Parker possessed, and that would factor into how he made his way back to the park.

The decision was obvious and uncomfortable, but it was something Kers couldn’t refuse.

“N-no… I… I’ll come with you. I’ll explain on the way, but… let’s go. Hurry! Before I change my mind,” urged Kers. Amanda looked confused momentarily, but nodded and offered an open hand toward the place Kers still sat on the counter.

How on earth did Parker deal with this? Kers wondered as he forced himself to his feet and onto Amanda’s hand. The surface was like a squishy carpet, uneven and flexible. Already, Kers felt nauseous, but he swallowed the bile in the back of his throat and knelt on the hand that had him trapped once before.

“Let’s go find your son.”

~~~~~^*^*^*^*^~~~~~

Continue

Previous

Beginning

[yenqa]

NEW ROMANTICS!

synopsis : y/n continuously struggles to contain her growing feelings for her crush (and longtime friend), lee heeseung.

003 : invisible string

wc : 0.6k

"y/n! come down!"

you hurriedly grab your purse, rushing down the stairs to be greeted with heeseung’s shy smile, while your mother is smiling brightly at him.

"you two have grown so much! i remember when you guys where this short in middle school!" she points to her shoulder, you both exchange awkward glances at each other, nodding slightly.

"we’ve got to get going ms. nam! it was nice talking with you," heeseung slightly bows to your mom as you wave goodbye and head to the car.

"you know you don’t have to talk to my mom every time, right? you can just tell me to come out."

he chuckles, a slight rasp in his voice, when he says, "it’s no problem really, plus it’s nice knowing she likes me already."

you nod, giving him a small smile.

your comfortable silence is slightly taken over by the soft guitar strums of a song you recognize immediately.

"since when did you have taylor swift in your playlist?"

he looks over to you, "i didn’t know any songs by her until you introduced me to this song. it’s your favorite song on the album, right?"

your eyes widen slightly, "yeah! it is! how did you know? i didn’t directly tell you did i?"

he shakes his head, "you always hum this song when we’re doing homework together, you also always play it at least twice when we share headphones."

"oh."

heeseung lets out a breathy laugh, putting his full attention to the road.

looking at his small smile and doe eyes you slightly smile. noticing his small head nods to the calming tune.

you turn your head outside the window to see the busy city opposite of the quiet atmosphere in the car. it’s filled with huge buildings, you quickly spot the new book store. it’s light color making it eye catching in between the tinted glass covered buildings.

the inside has a home-y feeling, the shelves slightly taller than you filled the room. though new, it was surprisingly empty, with just a few other parties looking around. rows and rows of book shelves excite you slightly. you grab heeseung’s hand, dragging him to the desired genre.

he happily follows quickly looking at the books before watching you, excitingly talk about the books you’ve already read or want to read.

he doesn’t mind holding the books you’ve been  wanting to buy (in fact he took the initiative to hold them himself).

after your "hundredth" round of looking at the books (said by heeseung but he doesn’t seem to mind one bit), you both decide it’s best to eat dinner then.

the walk is a short five minutes from the bookstore. you both happily agree to katsu-chicken to eat.

you’re quickly sat down to a booth near the window, with a perfect view of the sunset.

"heeseung?" you call, he looks up from his chicken, slightly tilting his head.

"do you even like reading?"

he chokes on his food slightly "not really." he answers, continuing his initial bite.

"then why did you come to the bookstore with me?"

he shrugs, "what? can’t i spend time with the most wondrous person ever?"

it’s obviously a very sarcastic comment, but your heart can’t help but flutter at the words.

"i am pretty wonderful," you answer, and you both laugh at each others antics. finishing the food on your plates.

the drive home is short, with the roads seeming empty because of the dark hours of the night.

he drops you off at your house, with a happy "see you at school!" before driving off, leaving you watching his car grow smaller and smaller as each second passes.

back masterlist next

☆ YENQA < i was going to make the song playing new romantics but i felt like it didnt feel like the right vibe for it (also its too early to reference the title)

taglist : @viyqe @luvistqrzzz @ifearjwn @tinydeerwasteland @enhastolemyheart @wannabeyn @zuyairus @bunnystrm @yeokii @weoris @ghostiiess @haerinsluvr @flwrshee @theskzvibe @viagumi @heesluvrgirl @hoonvrs @kpopstanmeg @harryedwardtris @ixomiyu @txtbrainrot @xrvrqs @haechansbbg @kimipxl @alkjsdfgg

italics = can’t tag!

[strangepoetrytimemachine]

Part 1 ⬆️

(This is part 2)

Vent

Warnings: sexual activity, family issues

I did a bit of research on google, and I found out that many people go through what I go/went through: getting no respect as to the sexual activity in a shared household.

More so, some people have it bad.

I’ve recognized that what I witnessed growing up did affect how I see couples and adults in general. I see them as dirty. Of course, I’m a teenager. So, I’m no stranger to sexual things outside of my house, like tv shows, school, and etc. It just makes me disgusted by the human mind in that way.

About a month ago, I stayed up on my phone and at around 11 pm I hear my mom and her bf have full on sex. I was extremely angry. Mostly my mom. All I thought was, “She has no respect for her own daughter. Is she that stupid? Is she so dirty that she can’t wait until they have a private area?” From what I’ve seen online, people (mostly) would try to block out the noise and suck it up until the couple finished. I wasn’t going to torture myself, so I banged on the door and I ran back to my room to lock it. I then texted my mom on how disgusting they were.

To be honest, I felt guilty for the text. Although I would and will never feel bad for interrupting them. They needed to understand that I’m not a baby who doesn’t understand what’s going on. I’m 14! Not only that, but they needed to respect the fact that I live there too.

My mom started calling out to see who knocked. I stayed quiet in my locked room, not knowing what to do. I didn’t plan that far ahead. After a few minutes, her bf left and my mom banged on my door, knowing it was me who interrupted them. She started getting agitated, so I started forcing myself to cry, so maybe she’d take it easy on me. It didn’t help. I ended up opening the door, covering my face in fake shame. What I was actually doing was covering my eyes, so I wouldn’t have to see her. I was that disgusted by the whole situation.

My mom then dragged me to her room and forced me to sit on her bed. I felt so uncomfortable by the bed sheets I was sitting on. She forced me to talk to her. My fake tears were slowly turning real because of how I felt during it all. I told her that I banged on the door because I heard them have sex, I didn’t deny it. She then told me that he was giving her a massage… while being naked. She’s a horrible liar.

I’m sure a lot of parents try to lie in times like those, but really? How stupid did she think I was? After she said that, I immediately stopped crying from how angry I was. Sure, the sex was disturbing and disrespectful. But it was the fact that she’d lie to me was what really finished me off. She knew I was upset and asked if I wanted to stay in her room for the day.

Is she that ignorant? She even offered to switch out the sheets. I’ve never met anyone worse at lying.

I stopped arguing with her and I apologized, too tired to prove her wrong. I washed my face and I went to sleep.

The day after, she insisted on driving me to school, so I had no choice. I barely remember the car ride. It wasn’t awkward for me, I was still angry at her. I felt betrayed. She tried to make me talk to her, to which I obviously didn’t comply. For the few days after, I just told her to forget about it, because I wanted to forget.

Things quickly changed to as if nothing had happened, but I knew it did.

The way I view my mom has been morphing into the person I thought of her as for a long time, I just wanted to ignore it. Even now, I still see her as dirty.

Whenever her bf comes over, I can’t help but be disgusted. Whenever they both stay in her room, my heart beats loud out of fear and I won’t even be able to step into her room before assuming (basically knowing) what happened in that there.

Get ready for part 3 where I tell you how I found a nude pick of her bf’s d, my mom sending nudes to a man, my mom talking about a sex experience to her friend with my best friend in the car, and so much worse!!

[loving08]

Love or Pain

Nicholas leister x reader

summary: Y/N and Nicholas has been best friends since childhood but Y/N started to have feelings for Nick. will she confess her feelings to him or the entry of Noah in their life will change everything??

Part 3

Jenna and Mario were already sitted at a table when Y/N and Nicholas meet them. When they reached, Jenna huffed in her sit and said "Well, thank you for gracing us with your presence finally". Y/N laughed and said "Sorry guys, there was so much traffic so we got late". Jenna shook her head and said "Yeah sure and we will believe you right, we know you got late cause you guys were making out in the car" and wriggled her brows at Y/N and Nick.

They both just looked at each other and laughed, their friends would always assume that someday they would date each other or they already are and Y/N and Nick never correct them about that.

They all have been just talking and laughing when Nick's phone rang, he took out his phone and he groaned when he saw it was his dad who is calling him. Y/N looked at him and motion at him to receive the call, he reluctantly accepted the call and listen to whatever his father was saying and by the look on his face everyone can tell he is not pleased with it. After a few mins he cut the called and looked at his friends, Mario raised his brows at him asking what happened, Nick sighed and said "Dad said that his new daughter is getting bored and want to go explore and since he's taking his new wife on a date this evening he wants me to take her outside and take care of her as my sister" and rolled his eyes in anger.

Y/N knows William just wants Nick to get along with his new family but she can't help but feels like something might change after this, like a gut feeling, she shook her head looking at Nick and said "its okay if she wants to explore here, she is just a 17 years old girl obviously she will get bored staying at the house". Nick knows what she gonna say next and said "No, dad knows that I don't want to know anything about his new family or spent any time with them at all but he still want to force me". Y/N sighed and said "C'mon , they might not be that bad, I'm not telling you to accept them but atleast try to get along with them or be interested in them it will make your dad feel a little better Nick".

Nick just stared at her so she continued "and in the evening we all are going to Ava's house for the party right, asked for her mom permission and we can take her along with us and we all will be there, I will keep her by my side and let her enjoy herself a little, its going to be okay Nick" and gave him a big smile. He let a out a long sigh and nodded his head at her, knowing he can't say no to her with that smile on her face. They discussed what time they will go to the party with Jenna and Mario and then parted ways with them. Throughout the drive to her house, Y/N noticed Nick was very quiet, knowing he is still upset she didn't said anything. When they reached her house she took his hand and lead him inside.

Inside the house Y/N mother was sitted at the sofa with her laptop working on some of her files, she looked up when she heard footsteps approaching her and a smile took over her face when she saw it was Y/N and Nick. She wrapped her arms around Nick when he came closer and said "its nice to see you again sweetie, how was your day, Y/N didn't troubled you right". Y/N held an offended look on her face and Nick laughed looking at her and shook his head and said "I had a good day and No she didn't troubled me at all", Y/N smiled looking at him laughing and glad his mood is changing and he's not so upset anymore.

She took his hand and dragged him to her room and told him to choose a movie while she changed to some comfy clothes. When she came back she saw he already had chosen a movie but he is not looking at the screen but thinking about something. she came up to him and said "care to share what's going on in that head of yours". Nick turned towards her and pulled her closer, hugging her around her stomach and sighed, she runs her finger through his hair softly and stayed silent, letting him know that she's there for him.

After some mins Nick sighed again and said " am I being selfish for not accepting his new family, am I bad that I don't want be a part of his happiness". Y/N put her hands on his face and made him looked up, she gently moves her fingers on his face and looked at him softly and said "No Boo, you are not bad or being selfish by not accepting his new family or being part of his happiness, its not wrong of you to feel like that, no one is going to force you for that as well not even your dad, he just... want you to be happy, he is your father afterall he will never think for anything bad for you, and Boo... know that its okay that you don't want to accept them, sometimes its okay to be selfish and you can be selfish for as long as you want okay but... don't think that your dad doesn't loves you okay".

Nick face softened hearing her saying that, its okay for him to be selfish its okay for him to feel not okay. he just continued looking at her and she said "C'mon let's take short nap, I don't think we are in the mood for a movie anymore" and pulled him to lay on the bed properly. He laid down on the bed and pulled her closer to him, she put her head in his chest and started to form small circles there to lull him to sleep, feeling content and having her in his arm he let himself feel relaxed and closed his eyes and let sleep consume him.

Part 4

[oliverreedmasterass]

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Interlude | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Second Interlude | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Epilogue

Chapter Summary: Jake's not telling Rae something, and she begins to question who she can trust in this strange town.

Words: 2.1k

Warnings: language, mentions of poor health/hospitals, missing people

Notes: Thank you to @infinisonicosm for the fic idea!!

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

Rae watched as Jake’s face dropped, every ounce of his cool demeanor drained away. He positioned himself so he was standing in front of Sam, leaving Rae uncomfortably standing off to the side, unsure whether she should stick around or leave. 

“Sam, tell me,” Jake said in a hush, his eyes locked on the younger boy. 

Sam raked a hand through his full head of hair, and then took a shaky breath. “I found his backpack in the woods.” 

Jake frowned. “Sam, what were you doing in there?” 

Oh shit, Rae mouthed, and started to take a few cautious steps away from the two boys. Jake seemed like he was on the verge of imploding. 

“He’s my best friend,” Sam raised his voice in retaliation. “What else am I supposed to do? The cops aren’t any use.” 

Jake was level in his response, but anger seeped beneath his words. “It’s not safe for you in there, you know that. What if you went missing next?” 

“That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” 

“Not me.” 

“I’m gonna take off,” Rae cleared her throat and raised a hand. Jake jumped away from Sam in shock at the reminder that Rae was still there. He turned to face her and shot an apologetic half-smile which was obviously forced. Behind him, Sam looked like he wanted to bike away from Jake as fast as he could. 

“Sorry,” Jake tried to turn back on his charm. “I can still walk you back to your place, I wasn’t expecting to run into my younger brother.” 

“You’ve obviously got some stuff to discuss,” Rae couldn’t help but widen her eyes. Jake looked back at Sam and sighed. 

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Yeah, I think we do.” 

“I’ll see you on Monday,” Rae promised Jake. He looked like he wanted to say more to her, but he kept his lips shut and waved her off as she turned on her heel to head home. As she walked away, she could hear Sam pick back up his conversation with his brother. 

“Jake, there were some weird smells in that bag. I’m really worried.” 

“Hey, hey, keep your voice down. Let’s talk about this at home, okay?” 

Smells? Rae wondered to herself. What the hell does that mean?!

Rae was caught in her head for the rest of the ten minute walk to her house. While being around Jake had lifted her spirits significantly, there was a lot that was off about him and the other people in Frankenmuth. Rae felt a deep pit of uncertainty widening in her stomach about everything. Josh made her nervous, she was petrified of whatever was going on in those woods, and the conversation between Jake and Sam was bizarre. Already on her second day, she felt like she had witnessed enough drama to last a lifetime. Her friends back in Folsom were going to lose their minds when they heard about her time with the mysterious senior. But, Morgan would be the first to hear about it all. 

After receiving a frankly deserved scolding from her mom for taking too long to bring the groceries home, Rae dragged Morgan outside where they could talk in private. As soon as they settled into the lawn chairs their dad had set out at the far end of the property, Morgan shot Rae a knowing grin. 

“So, tell me about the friend you made.” 

“Morgan, literally the most interesting guy I’ve ever met.” 

“Did he have a face tattoo? Please tell me he had a face tattoo.” 

“No, he’s a senior at Frankenmuth High.” 

“Ooh, Rae,” Morgan teased, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Hey, what do you think it means for a backpack to have weird smells?” 

“Huh?”

Rae shook her head. She was hung up on what she had overheard Sam tell Jake and, more importantly, how quickly Jake had told Sam to lower his voice. That information was obviously something that Rae wasn’t supposed to hear, which made her all the more intrigued. 

“Let’s say, hypothetically, someone goes missing in the woods and, a month later, someone else finds their backpack and describes it as having weird smells. What do you make of that?” 

“That’s way too specific to be a hypothetical situation, Rae. What the hell is going on?” 

“Just, help me think through this. Like, do you think of drugs? Bodily fluids?” 

“I genuinely have no clue. You’re kinda worrying me.” 

“I feel like there’s something off about this place,” Rae admitted. 

“Gut feeling?” Morgan checked in. Rae nodded her head. “I did see missing posters when we were driving in yesterday,” Morgan thought aloud. “I guess I didn’t really think too much about it until now.” 

“The guy I met told me to avoid the woods. I guess that’s where people have been missing.” 

“Wait, like, multiple people?” 

Rae nodded and held up three fingers to her brother. 

“Shit,” Morgan breathed out. 

“Stay away from those woods, you hear me?” Rae stared at him to make sure he understood how serious she was. Morgan was luckily quick to agree. 

“I’m not going in there, are you kidding me? What would I do in a place like that? I’m a simple guy, I listen to my music, I spend a buttload of time in the hospital, I watch hockey. No need for me to wander into some sinister woods for the hell of it.” 

Rae was relieved that Morgan wasn’t like Sam. She was haunted by the look of terror etched on Jake’s face when he had learned that his younger brother was wandering around in a deadly place that had taken three lives before, and potentially countless more to come. Morgan studied Rae when she didn’t give him a response, and leaned closer.  

“So this guy you met, he has something to do with the missing people?”  

“His younger brother’s best friend went missing a month ago.” 

“Shit. And they found his backpack?” 

“Yup.” 

“That’s a bummer.” 

Morgan was quiet for a few beats, as if giving a moment of silence for Sam’s friend, and then he nudged Rae in the arm. 

“You like this mystery guy?” 

Rae’s cheeks flushed, and she shrugged. 

“Jake’s okay.” 

“Jake? That’s a good, strong name.” 

“Dude, you’re starting to sound like Dad.” 

Their laughs carried up into the trees on the outskirts of their backyard. Rae gazed up at the top of one of the tall trees and her laughter quickly fell flat. The trees in Frankenmuth had an eerie quality to them that filled her with a heavy sense of dread. She wanted to talk with Jake more about the trees, her gut feelings, and Sam’s missing friend. She wanted to understand what he thought was going on in those woods, and if there was anything the people of Frankenmuth could do to stop it. 

She gazed over at Morgan and jumped to her feet. Deep red blood was flowing from his right nostril, pooling above his cupid’s bow. 

“What?” Morgan looked up at her. Rae didn’t need to say anything since he reached up and wiped under his nose, observing his hand afterwards. “God dammit,” he muttered. 

“Let’s get you inside,” Rae said as she helped Morgan to his feet. He retrieved a tissue from his pocket that had some red splotches on it from a previous nosebleed and held it to his nostril. 

“You know this is my third one today?” Morgan shared. 

“That’s not good,” Rae couldn’t help but comment. Her parents were always hounding her to stay optimistic around Morgan, but she knew that he could easily see through her bullshit. He liked being told things straight, even if they were bad. 

Morgan trudged into the downstairs bathroom and discarded his tissue, now soaked in crimson, into the trash bin with a look of disgust on his face. Rae sat on the edge of the bathtub and watched his downturned facial expression through the mirror as he cleaned himself up. It could have just been the lighting, but she noted that he was looking more pale than usual. 

“I’ll give you some of my tampons, you know, like in She’s the Man?” Rae attempted to lift her brother’s spirits. 

“I genuinely might borrow some before school starts,” he murmured. Rae continued to watch her brother attempt to remove any evidence of his deteriorating health from his face, and felt the weight of his situation like a load of lead on her back. 

Eight months prior, Morgan had come down with what they assumed was the flu, just after the holidays. He usually bounced back fast from illnesses but, for whatever reason, this one knocked him out to the point where Rae didn’t see him for a week straight. After 3 weeks of being entirely bed-ridden, Morgan was taken to their family doctor. They took a blood test, just for safe measures, and that was when they found it. His blood cell count was disproportionately high, and they discovered mutations happening that were overwhelming his healthy red and white blood cells. To the surprise of everyone, Morgan was diagnosed with chronic leukemia. 

Although they had moved so he could start chemo, Morgan still insisted that he attend school for as long as he physically could. Otherwise, he’d be festering alone at home, which was the last thing he wanted to do. Rae and her parents were concerned about how much Morgan could handle, both between being the new kid at school, and battling a deadly disease, but he was a tough kid. 

“Hey, those tampons are all yours,” Rae warmly replied. “You own shoving those up your schnoz.” 

She was glad that earned her a decent laugh from Morgan. 

Across the hall, they heard a knock at the front door. 

“Rae! Can you get that?” Rae’s mom called from the dining room, where she was setting the table for dinner. Rae’s knees cracked as she slowly lifted from the bathtub, which got another chuckle from Morgan. She shot him a playful middle finger as she passed by him to open the front door.  

Standing on their porch was Jake, still carrying his bag of beef jerky and taking in the modest exterior of her house. 

“What are you doing here?” Rae couldn’t help but gawk. 

“I know this is a little strange,” Jake admitted. “I just wanted to swing by and apologize for my brother interrupting our walk. He’s dealing with a lot right now which has, well, been a bit of a challenge.” 

“You don’t have to apologize,” Rae cut him off before he could go any farther. Behind her, she heard Morgan creep out of the bathroom and stand just out of Jake’s line of sight so he could see who was at the door. “Is everything okay? You seemed pretty shaken up.” 

“I mean, no, but yeah. Don’t worry about me. I won’t take up too much of your time, just, uh, sorry for being a shitty tour guide. Oh, and I wanted to give you this.” 

Jake reached into his back pocket and retrieved a small slip of paper that he tucked into Rae’s hand. She uncurled her hand and stared down at Jake’s grocery store receipt from earlier. 

“You want me to know how much you spent on that beef jerky?” 

“What? No, turn it over.” 

Rae did as she was told and made a sound of understanding when she saw that Jake had written out his phone number in his chicken scratch writing. 

“That’s a 2, just to clarify,” Jake said, leaning close to Rae to point down at the paper. 

“Are you sure you want to give me this?” Rae joked around. “I’m never gonna leave you alone.” 

“Hey, that’s not the worst thing to happen to me,” Jake shrugged. Rae wanted him to keep talking, but he cut himself off at that. 

“Well, maybe we can find a place to meet up before school starts on Monday,” she suggested. “You can show me where my classes are so my first day isn’t an absolute nightmare.” 

“You’ve got it,” Jake gave her a wide grin. “See you then, Rae.” 

Jake gave her a salute, and then jumped down the three stairs leading from their porch to the walkway and hurried to the sidewalk. Rae watched him turn around and give her a thumbs up before heading on his way down the street. Morgan joined her side and watched Jake speed off into the distance. 

“I’m assuming that was Jake.” 

“Yup.” 

“He can’t stay away from you.” 

“Yeah, I don’t know what’s up with that,” Rae replied. Then, she stopped. 

“What?” Morgan asked, picking up on her sudden tenseness. 

“He never walked me fully home,” Rae realized aloud. “I have no clue how he knows where I live.”

***

Note: I wrote the ending before everything that went down on twitter this week...I will acknowledge that this didn't age well, like, at all

Taglist: @lvnterninthenight, @writingcold, @myownparadise96, @i-choose-the-road, @psychedelicsprinkles, @mama-likes72

[arizona2004]

Courts of Love and Hate. CH10

Nyx x Juniper (Tamlins daughter)

WC: 3166

Nyx

The morning passes slowly. After sleeping in we eat breakfast then lay on the floor, in what’s supposed to be a foyer, and make a list of everything we need to buy for the house. I can hardly stand not touching her at every possible opportunity so when another note from my parents arrives asking us to come over for dinner, I have every intention to tell them no and keep her all to myself. 

Juniper has a different idea, though. Snatching the note from my hand, she jotted down a quick response, allowing it to disappear on its own.

“Juniper,” I groan.

“What? We’ve been in here for nearly three days; we should go have dinner with your family. Besides, it would be rude for us to go out shopping today and not at least stop by.”

I relent when she gives me that sultry smile of hers and leans in to kiss me again. I want to get distracted kissing her and bending her over the countertop but she pulls away after a few moments. 

“Let's get dressed and go shopping.”

Out of the house within the hour, we head deep into the city to look at furniture. This is definitely Juniper's scene. Design is one of her favorite past times, her face just lights up when she finds furniture that will “bring the whole room together perfectly.”

I have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about but the happy expression on her face brings a smile to mine. We place several orders to have furniture delivered to the house and grab paint samples for a few of the rooms.

Then, before Juniper can drag me into another store, I pull her to a small restaurant with outdoor seating and force her into a chair. Within the minute someone is taking our order and rushing away to make it. 

“This is really pretty.”

“Mmm,” I hum, “it’s not one of the ones on the Sidra, though. Those are the best restaurants in the city.”

“Really? They’re probably extra beautiful at night then.”

“Yeah. I can take you to one for dinner tonight,” I offer.

“And skip dinner with your parents?”

“I was hoping you’d forgotten.”

She just shakes her head in response, smiling as the waiter sets her plate of food down infront of her. 

Hours later we fall into bed, virtually the only furniture in the house, and try to take a short nap but get distracted and end up more exhausted than before. It’s a rush to get ready for dinner with my parents and we still end up a little late. Juniper’s way more concerned about it than me.

“They’re gonna think I’m not punctual, or a flake.”

“No they won’t,” I sya, trying not to laugh at her unnecessary concern. “We never start dinner on time anyway. And they’ll be more than understanding since we’re newly mated.”

Her cheeks turn the most beautiful shade of pink, the same color as her rosy dress. “You look amazing, by the way,” I say, pulling her closer. “I don’t think I told you that yet.”

“You did. Several times actually.”

“Did i?”

She just rolls her eyes which then go wide as I pull us to a stop in front of the River House. 

“Woah.”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful,” she says, openly gawking.

“Be sure to tell my mom. She designed it.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm, she’s an artist. She designed and decorated just about everything. The garden’s my aunt's doing, though.”

We walk up to the house and the door swings open before we’re even five feet away. Juniper’s obviously still anxious besides me so I grip her hand in mine and resist the urge to punch my smirking uncle in the face where he stands in the doorway.

“I thought it would just be dinner with your parents,” Juniper whispers in my ear.

“No, it’s Sunday: family dinner night.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, it’s probably easier this way,” I say, kissing her forehead before returning my attention to the door. “Uncle Cassian. Any particular reason for blocking the doorway tonight?”

“I was thinking about letting the creatures outside,” he jokes.

“What did I tell you about referring to the children as animals?” Aunt Nesta says, smacking him upside the head as she walks by.

He just rubs the back of it, smiling widely, and moves to the side for us to walk in. My three youngest cousins run by screaming as soon as we step in. One’s Cas and Nesta’s second and the other two are Uncle Azriel’s and his wife’s, all ranging four to eight years old.

I pull Juniper toward the sitting room, ignoring the creatures, and search out the only other person close to our age- Nesta and Cassian’s other daughter, Lenny.

We saw her briefly during the wedding, but I’m eager for her and Juniper to get to know each other more. “Lenny. You remember Juniper, yeah?”

“Was I supposed to forget your sudden arranged marriage?” She raises her brows at me and stands from her seat, gently setting her book to the side.

“He again,” Juniper says from my side. “If I recall correctly you’re Nyx’s closest friend and cousin.”

“Yep, and I used to be his closest confidant too, but it seems he moved on once I moved out to the steeps.”

“The steeps?”

“Illyrian Steeps,” I say. “My Dad offered her a chance to run one of the camps when she turned eighteen last year. She’s there more often than here now.”

“Yeah, I’m only here for a whole week so that those idiots can realize they’re barely surviving without me.”

Juniper

I smile, immediately deciding I like Lenny. I barely saw her during the wedding, but being able to talk to her I realize we have a lot in common. 

I especially enjoy when she tells funny stories about Nyx and he turns beet red from embarrassment. I’m certain he’s grateful when his mother calls us all into the other room for dinner.

We file into the dining room with a large oak table running through it, to find everyone already seated, pulling out chairs, or struggling to get children to hold still. The only seats with placements in front of them remaining are two at the closer end and, to my surprise, the seat at the head of the table.

“I suppose I’ll leave the two of you then,” Lenny says and walks to the end. 

“If we have an even amount of people then no one really sits there, but there's thirteen of us tonight,” Nyx says, answering one of my many silent questions.

“Speaking of,” Cassian starts, “should we be worried? Isn’t thirteen a bad omen?”

“Oh, shut up, Cassian,” the woman I recognize as his wife says.

Nyx pulls out the end seat for me and takes the one between it and one of his younger cousins. “Hi!” The child nearly shouts, leaning forward to look around Nyx. “I’m Baz. I wasn’t allowed to go to the wedding.”

“Oh,” I say, “nice to meet you, I’m Juniper.”

“Yeah, I know. Everyone’s been talking about you,” the Eight year old says.

My cheeks burn in the awkward silence that follows and I have no idea what to say. A few long seconds pass.

“What have they been saying?”

“Oh, all sorts of things,” he says, beaming. “Aunt Feyre said you were very pretty and kind, and mommy said you and Nyx would be a good pair, but Aunt Mor said you can’t be trusted and this is the worst thing to happen. She’s not here because she's mad at everyone.”

There are another few seconds of silence, a few of the adults noticeably cringe and I can feel Nyx’s rage boiling beside me.

Baz continues, probably trying to change the mood, “Uncle Cas said we probably wouldn’t see you for a month because Nyx would be busy fucking you,” he shrugs after laying that detail out there, “whatever that means.”

“You said that in front of my child?” Azriel yells across the table at the other male.

Nyx grips his fork tightly, staring daggers at his uncle, while tiny blue flames lick to life in his hair. 

“Nyx,” I murmur his name and rest a hand on his arm. He calms down after a few seconds, but the shouting between the adults continues.

“This is relatively normal for family dinners,” Nyx says, deciding to ignore everyone and scoop food onto my plate.

“Are you upset now, Juniper? Mama said I might have upset you.”

I turn to the faeling, who I’m already starting to like, with a smile. “No, I’m not upset.”

“Good, then we should be friends.”

The yelling settles down after a few minutes and conversations continue between smaller groups of everyone. At first anyway. After a little while, everyone gives up on trying to mind their own business and I’m dragged into almost every conversation.

Feyre asks about my childhood and siblings. Cassian wants to know if I’ve trained at all but when I say I haven’t and don’t really have an interest in being a warrior he becomes almost completely bored of me. Nyx said not to think anything of it. 

The shadowsinger is silent through most of the meal but all of Nyx’s aunts have questions about one thing or another. You like to read? What books? Adventure.  Do you ever write?I love to. What flowers did you see the most in the spring court? Just about every kind depending on where you are. Do you like to cook or bake? Not really. What music do you like?

Minutes passed like this before Nyx took some of my food and forced me to eat, then not so subtly, told everyone to stop talking to me while I ate.

My favorite part of the evening was talking to Nyx’s cousins, it was then too that I realized how much I love kids. I had to make a mental note to ask Nyx if he wanted any, later, while mildly panicking about the prospect of him not wanting them.

On the way home I’m practically buzzing with anxiety, no longer able to keep the question of whether or not Nyx wants kids in the back of my mind. The possibilities race through me until Nyx stops in front of the house and turns to me with a look of concern in his eyes that practically forces me to confess my thoughts.

“Tell me what’s bothering you. I know my family can be a lot, but I figured after you jumped past the quote bombs Baz passes you could handle anything,” Nyx says, rubbing up and down my arms.

“It’s not that,” I say, remembering what their Aunt Mor had apparently said, “but I do want to talk to you about some of that later.” Nyx just nods in response, already knowing which part I’m referring to. “I was just wondering- We hadn’t talked about whether-” I struggle for a long few moments, not knowing how to phrase this. I’m usually so good with words.

“Go on, love. You can ask anything.”

“Do you want kids?” I blurt the question out, glad it’s finally done but kind of wanting to take it back.

A smile spreads slowly across Nyx’s face. “Yeah, Juniper, I want kids. Do you?”

I nod, biting my lip, relieved to have his answer.

“Right now?”

Shocked at the thought, my eyes widen and I take an actual step away from Nyx. “Mother above, no.”

Nyx laughs suddenly at my response and I can feel his humor down the bond, it warms me from the inside out as he grabs my hand and gently pulls me toward the door of our home.

Five months later

Nyx

Waking, I roll over and reach out a hand for my wife, but find an empty bed instead. I blink my eyes open, noting that the sheets aren’t cold yet, but not warm enough for her to just be in the bathroom.

I groan as I sit up, wishing she were by my side. I climb out of bed, not bothering to pull pants on, and amble down the hall to the stairs. Before I arrive her frustrated sounds fill the silence. She must be trying to put some more of the furniture together.

Most of it’s been sitting in boxes for the past couple of months, neither of us wanting to do anything but lay in bed.

“I was planning on hiring someone to finally put those together,” I say, when I finally get to the top of the stairs, and lean against the banister in all my naked glory.

She doesn’t look up. “Yeah, but I was bored and you were sleeping so I figured I’d try.”

“I’m not sleeping now,” I say, smirking. “And there are a few activities I’ll never complain about being woken for.”

Junipers cheeks pinkin and she starts to chastise me as she looks up but the words never make it out. Her gaze immediately catches on my half hard cock and she turns an even darker shade.

“Come back to bed,” I say, my cock hardening faster the more she looks at it.

“Why don’t you make me?” Her tone is laced with humor and her eyes sparkle, but before I can retort or grab her the front door of our town house swings open.

In half a second I’m standing protectively in front of her, weapons in my hands as my uncles fill my foyer.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I snap.

“Why are you naked?” Cas asks.

“This is my house!” I yell, moving one of my long daggers to cover my cock.

“He has a point.” Az.

“We came to get you for training,” Uncle Cas says, smiling broadly, “but I guess you had a different form of cardio in mind.”

I clench my jaw, wishing they would leave. “How’d you get in? The door was locked.”

“Your parents have a spare key for emergencies,” Az says as if that explains everything.

“Yeah, I know.”

“We stole it!” Cas practically cheers, eyes lighting up. 

Even Uncle Az smiles a little. “Stealing from your dad isn’t easy. It took us a while.”

“You must be exhausted from all the hard work, then,” Juniper says sarcastically over my shoulder, smiling as widely as my uncles. “We can have coffee in the kitchen while Nyx gets dressed.”

I winnow upstairs, quickly putting on clothes. Juniper laughs downstairs at something one of my uncles said, and the smell of coffee is already floating through the house.

In a matter of seconds I’m downstairs again, standing in the kitchen as Uncle Cas pours milk into his coffee and Uncle Az looks on, cringing at the sight and sipping his black.

“Why the hell are you guys still here?” I grumble.

“We’re hanging out with your wife, obviously,” Cas says, smiling. Winning my family over has practically become a hobby for Juniper and she’s extremely good at it; they all love her. Even Mor is coming around.

I roll my eyes at my uncles and reach for the pot of coffee as they continue their conversation. 

“What are you two up to today?” Azriel asks.

“I’m meeting with someone from the theater to potentially work as one of their writers!” Juniper announces excitedly, just the sound of her bubbling excitement makes me grin, happy she’s happy.

“We’ll all come to the opening night of your first production,” Az promises as Cas nods enthusiastically.

“That’s if I get hired.”

“You’re a good writer, Juniper, they’ll hire you.”

“You’ve read some of her writing, Az?” I ask.

“Mhmm,”he says around a mouth full of food.

“He likes to read, you know? I figured he’d be a less biased reader than you.”

I roll my eyes, knowing full well I’m terrible at giving my mate proper criticism. My uncles leave soon after that when Dad shows up, hitting them over the head for taking his key. He makes a promise to come to dinner tonight, having something important to tell the family, and leaves soon after too.

The rest of the day is uneventful, but something in my stomach stirs, wondering what news my parents have. A part of me already knows and that feeling in my gut is unease or maybe guilt.

Juniper

I hold Nyx’s hand loosely in mine as he swings the door to the River House open, the sounds of his rambunctious cousins greeting us. My smile instantly grows as Baz runs up to hug me and, not to covertly, checks my wrist to ensure I’m still wearing my friendship bracelet. He has several different bracelets crawling up his arms, all for different friends, and everyone in the room has one too.

He pulls me away from Nyx to talk and play with the other kids and I find myself wondering how long I do want to wait for kids. The thought of having them right away all those months ago felt outrageous, but being near these kids makes my hormones crazy.

Nyx seems to pick up on this and smirks wickedly from across the room. Thankfully Feyre interrupts moments later, calling us all in for dinner, so my mate can’t send any of her dirty thoughts down the bond.

The entire meal goes smoothly but I can feel Nyx’s anxiety as he sits by my side. It’s radiating off of him and his parents are far from oblivious to it too. They don’t make an announcement during the meal, though, but Nyx and I both pick up on the fact that the Highlady isn’t drinking wine.

I grip his hand as we move to the sitting room and Feyre smiles broadly, grabbing everyone’s attention as her and Rhys remain standing. Rhys clears his throat, everyone goes quiet. “I’m pregnant,” Feyre says simply. 

No one in the room is surprised and though we’re all happy we all know what this really means.

“It’s still early, but Madja thinks the baby’s a girl.”

The kids seem thrilled, the only people in the room saying anything for a long moment, before a few of their friends get up to congratulate them. Nyx remains, frozen beside me, though, even as we stand, and I wonder if he’s wishing he could take back what we did now that it’s real.

“This is good news,” Rhys says, smiling and gripping Nyx’s shoulder. “Your mother and I made this choice, Nyx, not you,” he reassures and low enough for only the two of us to hear.

Nyx relaxes slightly after that, hugging his mom for a long moment before returning to my side.

“This is good news,” I whisper into his ear, trying to convince him or myself, I don’t know.

We go home hours later, the peaceful bubble we’ve been living in for the last several months popped by the consequences of our actions.

There are defiantly going to be edits made to this story, but for now I just wanted to post it. Also, eventually, I’ll post a story about the other half of the deal between their courts, as well as a story around Junipers other sibling!

[ghossttoast]

Are we connected?

Chapter three: snack break!

(A/N: I know I said id start writing longer chapters but various stuff irl made it a tad tricky (III╥_╥⁠))

first ,previous next

Kris laid on their couch the same as they had the night before, it had taken them a bit longer to fall asleep, and now they were up early. The Player just disappearing last night was weird, there was obviously some outside force that had caused it, and the way its voice had bugged out as it disappeared was odd. Kris was fine though, it felt more like when Ralsei had somehow sent it away then when they had ripped it out, so they were pretty sure they'd be ok. They should probably enjoy the bits of peace they had, they’d already turned the TV back off so they could lay there until Susie wakes up, exactly what they’d be doing normally.

“Work you stupid-- let's go, I’m in!” And it was back, so much for bits of peace. “Ahaha! I am a god, Gaster trembles before me!” It gloated to itself, “Yo Krispes you can still hear me right?” It asked them

They wish they couldn't

“Oh good! Sorry, I spent like a solid hour trying to get back in, but I’m here now and my stuff is totally broken!” It laughed, forcing Kris off the couch, “So are we up early or what?” It asked as it dragged them around their house, making them examine the items they already knew so well.

Kris is up far earlier than they normally would be, especially for a Saturday

“It's Saturday!? Dude, I totally thought it was Wednesday!” It exclaimed

Well that was stupid of it

“Excuse me for thinking we were gonna start at the start of the week.” It scoffed, “I’m rolling my eyes by the way” It added on, did it even have eyes? “Anyway now we’re missing out on a big chunk of the timeline, so I am unsure what we’re gonna do”

Just hang out? They didn't constantly need to be in dark worlds fighting for their life.

Probably.

Technically, the dark worlds helped them make new/talk to old friends, but technically The Player was also there for all that and there was no way in hell Kris was giving it any credit for that even if it was the only reason they could do any of it. A chill day with Susie would be nice, they could probably spend more time wandering around town, just screwing around without having to worry about saving the world or whatever.

The player walked them over to Susie, who despite its best efforts (spamming “yes” to the “wake her?” prompt that appeared) stayed sound asleep. It then went over to go harass their mother, because this thing constantly needs to be doing something for some Angel forsaken reason.

“Oh, Kris… you’re up early” She yawned, rubbing her eyes

They agree.

“Well, would you like some breakfast?” She asked them, standing up, “Susie is still asleep, but I'm sure she would not mind some pancakes” She mused to herself as she walked into the kitchen.

Kris remained in their spot near her chair, either the player had gotten distracted or it just didn't see a reason for them to move (unlikely, it was constantly doing something), it didn't really matter why though, because the inability to move, to do anything on their own left them feeling out of place in their own home.

After an uncomfortable amount of time, they were moving again, “Yo i’ ‘ack I as ga-in a hack” It… tried to speak? Its voice was sort of muffled, “Whoops, mouth full,” It laughed, because sure why not? It has a mouth, apparently.

Kris took a step, probably to go harass their mom or something, but quickly got cut off as they heard a yelp and a thud behind them. Turning around, they spotted Susie laying face first on the ground, quickly scrambling up in the hopes that no one would notice.

“Hell are you looking at, Kris!?” She demanded, pointing at them accusingly.

“Your tail.” They responded, after the player had imputed how to answer.

Susie quickly checked that any tail that may or may not actually be there was showing before turning back to Kris, “I don't have no tail!”

“Pancakes are ready,” Toriel called to the two, setting plates on the table “And good morning Susie,”

“Oh uh… thanks ma’am.” Susie answered, quickly straightening her posture to a comedic degree before walking over to the table

Kris followed after her, grabbing for the syrup to pour into their cup before eating, as Susie had already finished tearing through hers.

Drinking the syrup earned a confused and maybe distressed “Dude?” From the player, which caused them to snicker in satisfaction, their turn to weird the other out.

“I have some pie as well, if you want some, as long as someone didn't eat it all” She said side eyeing Kris, who swallowed a mouthful of the syrup before shrugging. Toriel just sighed before going to grab the pie and cut a slice off for Susie. “Kris, you may have yours after you finish your pancakes, and no, you may not have more syrup.”

Kris sighed and finished their pancakes before going to cut themself a slice of pie, their mom did not approve of the size of the slice, granting one that was significantly smaller than what they were hoping for. But, pie is pie, they guess.

“Thanks again for the food, ma’am” Susie, said standing up and walking for the door

“Susie, wait, let Kris walk you home” Toriel offered, without asking her child if they feel like doing that, “Kris, walk Susie back to her house,” She said, gently pushing them towards Susie. Kris sighed before walking back out the door, Susie following behind them. “Hey, uh… we don't have to go straight to my house, I don't mind walking around for a bit,” She said once the door had closed behind them.

Good, Kris doubted the player would go anywhere without checking to make sure it had done everything possible first, at least they won't seem like a jerk for wandering around when they were supposed to be taking Susie home. They weren't sure where she lived anyway, so why was she following them and not the other way around? Well, that was a question it seemed they wouldn't be getting an answer to, considering they didn't care enough to ask and Susie probably didn't know either.

[yuzukult]

hi gyu!! congratulations on 5k!! we've never really interacted much, but for the milestone game, could i request a drabble with joshua + the line, "Let me show you something! I'm sure you'll like it!" + fluff/friends to lovers?

thank you so much!! i hope to read your fics and interact with you more!! :)

hi !! tysm :] and yes !! hopefully i don't disappoint hehe

quote: let me show you something! i'm sure you'll like it! genre: friends to lovers / fluff pairing: joshua x oc!reader (fem!reader) warnings: minor cursing :D wc: 571

Do you blame yourself for being in this situation or do you blame Joshua’s boyish charms?

It all started back when Soonyoung thought you should go out more—staying in your apartment like a hermit crab during what is supposed to be “the best four years of your life” is technically not the way to go about college, but how could you when the comforts of your dream couch (that you credit yourself for purchasing second-hand) is practically singing your name like a Siren’s song? But that was rudely interrupted when Soonyoung dragged you out of your own home and to a houseparty, where you met the sweetest and purest boy ever, the one who you’d least expect to sweep you off your feet. He made your heart stutter in its beats, nostalgic to the way you felt in your middle school years. 

Even now, when you’re sitting in front of him on the lawn outside of your university, you can’t help but sneak glances in his direction. His hair is a chestnut brown, the result of an impulsive decision made from a random Friday night at Soonyoung’s frat house that was heavily influenced by mixing alcohol. Truthfully, despite the cause, the effect practically got you emoting those heart eyes. 

All to the point that you miss it when he says your name a solid five times.

“Hey,” he reiterates, waving a hand to your face. Heat rushes to your cheeks immediately, and you wish you were drowning in that water bottle he’s holding. The smile that tugs on the edges of his mouth only causes your chest to tighten and your stomach to churn. “Finally got your attention. What’ve you been daydreaming about?”

You. Obviously. “Oh, nothing,” you nod, pulling your lips into a straight line. You could hear Soonyoung snickering on the side, eavesdropping while pretending to read his book on the picnic blanket. “I just–yaknow. Tired. Think I got a head cold or something.” Quick save.

“Ah! Right, that reminds me,” Joshua is quick to grab his backpack to place on his lap, sifting through the contents vicariously. “Let me show you something, I’m sure you’ll like it!”

You’ll like it? He thought of you? Surely, he’s a friend of your friend, and you both never really hung out besides with Soonyoung, but Joshua doesn’t think of you–or well, does he? Especially since, well, he just said he does?

Then, he pulls a red packet from his bag. “Here, try this.”

You furrow your brows, taking it from his hand. “What’s… this?”

“Red ginseng sticks! I saw these from the store the other day, and I thought of you because you’re always talking about how weak your immune system is. Try it!”

Blinking blankly, you slowly reach to tear the bag as Soonyoung sits up abruptly. “What the–” he snatches it from your grip, flipping the packet front and back. “Holy shit, this is real. You got her the legit stuff.”

Joshua rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. “What about it?”

“These are fucking expensive! Shit, my mom would be dying to have some of these, how much did you pay for them?”

“It–It doesn’t really matter,” Joshua steals it back to hand it to you. “As long as she feels better…” that’s when your eyes lock; those chocolate irises are as enticing as a hypno wheel. “… Right?”

Joshua Hong will surely be the death of you.

[ihatehannibal]

trauma dumping bc I can't afford therapy

thinking about how I didn't even say our dad was abusive to us out loud even once until I was like 21 (or think it, honestly), which was a full 7 years after he was out of our house for good. and when I did finally say it my sister replied with "no, we weren't abused, he had a temper but that isn't abuse" & then I internalized that for a few more years. I still have moments where I doubt my own perception of what happened & need a reality check, to see it all laid out so I can pretend it happened to someone else & be like "yeah okay of course it was abuse". I can't really put this anywhere else but here

I remember at least 2 occasions where my mom definitely thought my dad was going to kill us all. the first one was especially terrifying bc I was younger, he broke down a door (not just broke through thr lock, I mean he kicked the door until it splintered to pieces as if it had exploded) to get to where my mom had us all hidden, locked in her room. & when the banging of him kicking the door started she began frantically apologizing immediately through her tears & I sensed her fear & knew instinctively what she thought was about to happen. I was 10 at that time I think, my siblings were 8 & 6. my memory blacks out at his silhouette appearing in the threshold so I dunno what happened next but later said that he thought that /she/ was killing /us/ and that's why he broke down the door but that is the most ridiculous lie I've ever heard. he knows damn well she would never harm a hair on our heads.

the second occasion my mom thought he was going to kill us was when I was 14 and it was only a year after the family annihilation happened to our friends, which was committed by the father-who my mom & aunts had known since they were teenagers-so it made that seem much more real & plausible to us all. my (9 at the time) brother did something, I don't even remember but it was probably just normal child misbehaving, & it made my dad so mad that he started chasing him around the house screaming that he was going to kill him, my mom yelled for my brother to run as far away as possible so he left the house and ran down the street & my mom and sister were physically holding my dad back so that he couldn't go after him, but he pushed both of them to the ground and got outside. luckily my brother was out of sight by then, hiding in our neighbors bushes. I had called the cops but he was miraculously very calm when they arrived, as usual. after that my mom never let him live with us again & he went off and shacked up with his current wife before the divorce papers were even served. not even gonna get into how fucked up that whole situation was.

those are the big occasions but god there was so much in between. he was really jekyll & hyde, the second he lost his temper he became something very terrifying. he and my mom had screaming matches long into the night very often, usually about stuff he was doing to us (he believed in corporal punishment, not closed fist beatings or anything but spanking and hitting us with spatulas and such, and he was always full of rage when he did it so it hurt a lot & scared us) and she almost never let us be alone with him, another relative would always have to be there supervising.

then of course there was the religious shit, obviously, I've talked about it before. he told me from the time I was 4 or 5 that I shouldn't focus on what I wanted to be when I grow up cuz the world was going to end before I reached adulthood & I had to be a soldier for god in the apocalypse, which could happen at any moment so I had to be prepared. oh and that everyone i loved-my whole family except him-would be dragged to hell to be tortured for eternity, that my dead grandpa who I was very close to was already there for being a catholic rather than a fundie, & that I'd go to hell if I didn't listen to him. he said he was trying to save me. my mom had to find this out from my therapist when I was in first grade & she lost it. she has since told me that she would have left him right then if she didnt have a 3 kids under 7 at the time & no way of supporting us alone. another harmful thing he tried to force on us was of course the belief that gay people are broken & need to be fixed or they'll go to hell. as someone who realized I liked girls as a preteen that obviously was hard to hear. my brother is gay too & I know it's affected him badly.

I was a really troubled child & I guess it makes sense given the horrible anxiety he instilled in me plus I was seeing psychiatrists from as early as 5 for my ocd & depression. I got my autism dx (well, aspergers, since that was still a clinical term back then) around that time too. school was hellish bc people ostracized & mocked me for being a mute & wearing the same clothes every day due to sensory issues. I had no friends at all for a few years. I hit puberty really early & got groped by a few boys so that was just great. I was also the tallest person in my class until 7th grade when the boys started growing which while not traumatic kind of sucked bc I felt like a hulking giant when all I wanted to do was hide. I eventually learned to mask, forced myself to talk more & made friends with other unpopular girls at school. safety in numbers (by high school I stopped giving a shit about what anyone thought so that was good).

I was medicated for the first time at 12 when my intrusive thoughts got worse & I tried to kill myself, from then on they just kept adding more diagnoses and more pills from 12-16ish. bipolar, like my dad & uncle (who has since killed himself). I started using food as a coping mechanism around age 14 & developed various eating disorders that extend to this day, which probably also originated in my fathers fear that we would be fat like everyone on my mom's side & his control over our eating (he wouldn't even let me have cupcakes if someone brought them to school for a bday party, he told my teachers I had allergies that I don't have). I slit up my arms for awhile in my late teens and early 20s as a way to stop panic attacks. I dropped out of college. I became a drug addict. never had sex or a proper long term relationship & probably never will bc I don't like being emotionally or physically vulnerable. I know it has a lot to do with the way I was treated as a kid. I took a test once & it said I have an avoidant attachment style which is very accurate. apparently that happens when a child grows up not feeling safe with one or both parents.

reading this back I still immediately think "well others had it worse so maybe it wasn't REAL abuse. maybe I don't have C-PTSD." like no matter what my brain just won't accept my reality

[thatseventiesbitch]

Can you do something like Donna meeting by accident with Casey Kelso, I'm sure it will be awkward haha ​​especially after Jay and Leia dated and since Casey is Jay's uncle obviously he's going to have to make a joke about it. A while ago you made a publication of your wishes for s2 of T9S where you said that you would want to see all the Kelsos together, and well it only came to mind lol, ty btw 💌

Thanks for the ask! Prompt Ask Game

Donna stuck her head out the Forman's patio door, craning her neck around to see if anyone was peeking out from the garage or one of the windows. When she didn't see anyone, she slipped outside, closed the sliding door ever so carefully behind her, and slid around the corner just out of sight. Satisfied that she was hidden from view by the shrubbery, Donna finally exhaled. Her breath puffed out in front of her like a cloud from the icy cold, but she didn't seem to mind.

She loved her in-laws, and spending time with Leia in the house she and Eric had grown up in. Her family was great, she repeated to herself. But sometimes she just wanted to get in a car and run 'em all over.

Taking one more look to make sure no one was watching, Donna took a cigarette and a lighter from her coat pocket. She yanked her gloves off and she'd just lit it and taken the first delicious drag when she heard a familiar drawl.

"Well if it isn't Pinciotti!"

Only one person had ever called her that, and she whirled around to see - sure enough - Casey Kelso standing on the Forman's patio grinning at her.

"Casey?" she said in disbelief, the cigarette still burning in her hand.

"Yeah it's been a minute," he agreed, not missing a beat in his typical suave manner.

"What are you doing here?" Donna shook her head and put out the cigarette against the side of the house.

"Ah, I'm pickin' up my nephew," Casey jerked his thumb towards the driveway where a red sportscar, not very conducive to the icy Wisconsin winter, was parked. "Yeah I'm drivin' him over to Mom's. Christmas Eve, ya know?"

Donna nodded, like she knew.

"But I, ah. Have time to give you a spin," Casey offered, giving her the sexy once over even though she wore a thick wool winter coat. "If you wanted, Pinciotti." He leaned forward onto his elbows on the railing, leering at her, and Donna saw a glimpse of the handsome, 20-year-old womanizer he'd been in his hallowed, sunken face.

"Actually it's Forman now." Donna smirked, and flashed her left hand at him, showing her wedding band.

"No shit?" Casey chuckled, impressed. "Congrats."

Donna bobbed her head to the side. "It was sixteen years ago. But thanks," she relented, smiling.

Casey jutted his chin towards the cigarette she'd tucked back in her pocket, the cocky grin she'd once been so enamored with stretching across his face. "So whatcha doing out here?" he asked.

Donna blushed. She knew she'd been found out, and she lifted the cigarette to her lips again and wordlessly lit it. Casey continued to grin. "I'm trying to quit," Donna explained around a long drag. She coughed lightly. "Eric hates it and Leia doesn't know." She glanced behind her shoulder nervously. "We're trying to keep it that way."

"Kitchen's empty," he assured her. Casey gestured for the cigarette, and she passed it to him. He took a drag too before passing it back.

"You have kids?" He spoke around the plume of smoke he exhaled, with the practiced ease of a regular smoker. "That's nice."

"Yeah, one," Donna smiled. "My daughter Leia."

Casey gave her a wide smile. "Oh I know about Leia." He jutted his chin towards the house. "Jay likes her a lot." He lifted his eyebrows and was about to say something else, but Donna interrupted him.

"Don't say anything gross. Okay? She's sixteen."

Casey held his hands up in protest. "Nah." He gestured for the cigarette again, and Donna gave it to him.

"Leia likes Jay a lot, too," Donna said quietly. "It kind of scares me." She glanced at Casey, and then quickly glanced away again.

"Scare ya." Casey grinned and handed it back to her. Donna inhaled deeply and the smoke burned her lungs. "Why's that?"

She shrugged.

"You're somethin' else, Pinciotti."

"Forman," she reminded him, but she was grinning too.

He put his hands up, like he'd forgotten.

"Well," Casey scuffed at some ice on the patio with the toe of his boot. "Jay's a good kid. I can tell ya that. He's like - smart and shit." He cleared his throat. "And nice."

Donna studied him. It was sweet - he was genuinely proud of his nephew.

"Pretty un-Kelso like," Donna teased.

"Hey," Casey protested, his eyes snapping to hers. "Hey now."

Now Donna was the one who laughed and put her hands up in mock apology. Her cigarette was gone, and she'd slipped the lighter back in her pocket. Just in the nick of time, because seconds later Jay opened the sliding door and joined them on the patio.

"Uncle Casey?" He exclaimed. "Cool! You're driving me in the Firebird?!"

"That's right, man." Casey high-fived him, and Jay dashed for the passenger's seat. Donna chuckled. Casey Kelso was definitely the coolest uncle around.

[cookies-over-yonder]

"temporary"

"Hermie! Can you help me move my bed into your room?"

"What? "

⋆or⋆

Taylor helps Hermie adjust to their new room!

Part 2 of The Mortifying Ordeal of Being Roommates

1 | 2

ao3

♧

"Hermie! Wake up!"

Hermie cracks their eyes open only to be met with the eyes of Hatsune Miku.

"Jesus Christ," Hermie jumps and sits up in the bed. Taylor's pillowcases are… certainly something.

Right.

New bed.

Temporary bed.

New house.

Temporary house.

" What, " they say.

Suddenly, Taylor is bursting the bathroom door wide open and he's in their face. "We're going furniture shopping!"

"Great, have fun—wait… please tell me you're using the royal 'we.'"

"I mean we as in us! Me and you! Though, now that I think about it… are we demon royalty?"

"Ugh. I don't… care. My dads are dead to me."

"Still, that means yes ! It is the royal 'we!'"

"That's not what it—I'm not going shopping with you, Taylor."

"I'm getting a new bed today, and you're coming with me." Taylor pulls at their arm, to very little avail. "Come on!"

"Why? It's for you."

"For fun!" Taylor whines. "Now get ready! Mom and I made breakfast. It's downstairs."

…

Hermie doesn't quite know why they accepted. Well, it's more like they gave up on fighting against Taylor's limitless persistence.

As if seeing the unusual light filter through the windows wasn't unnerving enough, stepping outside is a whole other realm of weird . Taylor doesn't seem to like it either, what with the way he cringes upon exiting the house, and using his free hand as a shield.

They call a cab, right, because Taylor has money. And then they're on their way.

Hermie has never been to one of these stores. They never had any reason to. But as soon as the two of them enter, Taylor is testing out the comfort level of every mattress, and inspecting more bed frames than Hermie can keep up with.

"What do you think, Hermie?" Taylor asks, caressing one of the wooden frames.

"I think you should pick one."

"Obviously. I'm just trying to find one of top-tier quality!"

"How about this?" Hermie gestures toward a frame similar to Taylor's previous one, but it's wooden rather than metal.

Taylor shakes his head immediately. "Won't do."

"Why?"

"The space underneath. It's too big. Too tall. It could fit—"

Taylor stops short, frowning. His eyes are wide.

"Fit what?"

"Never mind. Just. Not that one."

"Well, what kind do you want?"

"I don't like any of these frames," Taylor whines. "There's too much space underneath."

Taylor sticks his hand underneath one of the frames and looks back at Hermie.

"I don't see the issue."

Tayloe frowns again. "It just… bothers me."

"Well, what's your plan then? Just not getting one?"

Taylor's eyes light up, and Hermie senses that their comment was taken a little too seriously.

And so Taylor ended up settling for a mattress with a box spring. No frame.

With that settled, Hermie is ready to leave, but Taylor is pulling them by the hand to another section of the store.

Hermie picks out a couple basic pillowcases and bed sheets since Taylor will be taking back his for his new bed.

There's a section with weighted blankets… Hermie knows that the pressure would help with their anxiety, and it might ease the irritation of their scars a little.

There's different weights. Hermie remembers that one needs to compare their own weight to that of the blanket in order to pick the right one.

"You want one of those?" Taylor asks, and Hermie jumps.

"No, I don't want anything else."

"Mm, come with me," Taylor grabs their hand again, and leads them to a section full of desks.

This is a gigantic store.

"Now it's your turn to pick something!"

"But—"

"Oh, come on! You're going to need a new desk. The tiny desk in your room is lame and shitty. You need a non–lame and shitty one ASAP!"

"Well you're right—it's not sturdy, and it's far too small—but still, I'm not getting a new one. I don't need it. All I need is a place to sleep, and I have that now."

"Can we at least get you a lamp?"

"There's already—"

"Come!" Taylor says, dragging them to another section.

"Does this store have a designated space for every furniture item?"

"Probably!"

There are lamps of different colours, shapes, and sizes along shelves and displayed in the centre of it all.

There are boxes along some of the shelves, some with lightbulbs and others with string lights.

There's a pack of colour-changing fairy lights that are fairly cheap compared to everything else.

They're basic, not too personal, could appeal to anyone who should use the guest room in the future, and they're certainly aesthetically appealing.

"Taylor," Hermie calls over. Taylor seems to be mesmerized by a lava lamp a little ways away.

"Yeah?" he runs over, nearly tripping on the air. There's excitement in his voice, like he knows what Hermie's about to say.

"Will you stop pestering me if I get this?" Hermie holds up the box of fairy lights.

"Ooh, those are colour-changing like mine! Good choice, Hermie. You've got good taste. Now we gotta get you some posters to fit the vibe—"

" No. "

…

This time, they hired people to set up the bed in Taylor's room the same day. Why the hell didn't they do that yesterday?

Taylor got his pillowcases and bedsheets back, and Hermie put the new ones on Taylor's old bed. Just basic greenish gray, and less horrifying than anime girls watching them sleep.

Just as Hermie finishes putting on the sheets, Taylor walks in with a stool and a small box.

"Let's put up your lights!"

Ah, right.

They end up sticking suction-cup hooks high up on the walls, and hanging the lights on those.

Taylor plugs them into the wall, turns them on, and tosses the remote to Hermie.

There's buttons with different numbers on them, presumably for different light settings, and there's buttons with different colours too.

Hermie clicks one of them, and the lights shift from red to chartreuse.

It's… nice.

"So? Do you like them?"

And, well, they're easy to take down, should the next person to use the guest room not want them.

"Yeah."

♧

[smootbrainchicken]

Without me

Part 1

————————————————————————

I can see it even now, the road under him, cars rushing around trying to get home, the streetlight on his face, his hair falling in halos around his head, the bliss of the moment.

Don’t do it please. Just stay put. Please. Don’t trust it.

I can beg all that I want but the ending always stays the same.

Oh why did you have to be without me?

September 2, 2024

Monday morning, the first day of junior year, I genuinely never thought I would get here after the crap I went through last year. During the last week of school last year I made a choice to leave my friend group, it was a big deal at the time because believe it or not I was part of the “popular” girls so when I left my, now best friend Daniela Jenkins or Danni, went with me. Obviously the whole school was up in our space trying to figure out what the hell happened for the cool kids to lose two members, and honestly it’s not that deep, those people are shallow, only care about how they look in others eyes, pretty, sexy, sassy, funny, girly, helpless, you get the point.

Danni and I were not informed of some major switches in our group because apparently we weren’t fitting “the ideal look” of the group, so we left. I remember exactly what I said to the “leader” of the group Allison.

“Look, I'm not interested in being one of your puppets that you drag along until you need me. If you don’t like me and don’t want to be my friend that’s fine but don’t make up stupid excuses like “i don’t fit the look” honestly nobody actually likes you they’re just scared of you, and how you will make their life hell if they stopped following you around.”

It might have been a little harsh, but she needed to hear it and the rest of the group needed to know it was okay to not fall in line behind her meaninglessly. She was also dating the boy I had the fattest crush on, so I might have been a little unnecessarily mean, but that doesn’t really matter anymore because they broke up over summer and I took my chance. That makes me seem shallow. I didn't just swoop in while he was hurting and ask him out because he was finally free of that brat of a girlfriend he had, I'm not that girl. Instead i waited 3 weeks then asked if he wanted to go to a small get together, a party, with me. Theo and I have been neighbors for our whole lives, so it’s not that strange that I would talk to him outside of school hallways. He said yes to me and one thing led to another and we were hanging out all the time, at least twice a week over the summer.

Me being me I knew that i couldn’t just go up and date him, not after the stunt i pulled with Allison at school. They aren’t dating anymore but he has been accepted into the male side of that friend group so he is still… salty, I guess about her. By the end of August I thought I had made great progress with him and was finally ready to ask him out on a date, when he totally friend-zoned me. He told me that I was his best friend and he is glad we started talking again after drifting apart in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade. Great, I’ve been best friended, exactly not what I wanted, but we will make it work. For the sake of my little middle school self and her crush on Theo I can't screw this up.

I am in my little black sports car my mom bought for me last christmas for all of 30 seconds before I remember that I forgot to grab my lunch off of the counter. Everyday for the past 11 years my mom has reminded me to grab my lunch before school while she watches the cartoon reruns on the TV, not anymore because half way through summer my parents decided to be selfish and cheat on eachother. And I do mean each other, they accidentally booked the same hotel for the same night with their side pieces, they ran into each other there and when I got home the next day I was told they are getting divorced. After it was finalized rather than go to court about it they just said i would live in the house with whomever stays there, that ended up being my dad, it’s not like I’m mad about it i love my dad but mom and i had a rhythm and now she just buys me stuff like that’s parenting.

I ran into the house and got my lunch bag then ran back out to my car. Danni got into a wreck last month so her car is totaled and i've been picking her up a lot ever since, so naturally i have to pick her up from school today too. I'm about to pull out of the driveway when I see Theo waving and jogging towards me. I roll down the window to say hi but he gets over to me faster and opens up the passenger door.

“I'm so sorry to ask but would you mind taking me to school today? Mom’s car won’t start so she took mine and dad already left for work-” he’s talking super fast as if he’s scared i'll say no to him. Except he doesn’t know that I can't say no to him, not when he bats his pretty gray eyes at me, and has his pink lips parted ever so slightly cause he ran over here.

“No, of course I'll take you. Just hop in, we have to pick up Danni so i’ve got to go now though” oh no, i agreed to quickly. Maybe he won’t notice it or maybe he will just not read into it too far.

He face relaxes as soon as the words left my mouth, “You are a lifesaver seriously I owe you Lyd,”

“I'll hold you to that” I laughed at him, “but for real i need to go so in or out?”

“In. I'm in, don’t want you to be late. Lydia May Vandyke, ms. perfect, never missed a class or been late in her whole school career.” he teases.

I scoff as I pull out of the driveway and drive towards Danni’s house, “Oh you know that’s not true, I got chicken pox in 5th grade and missed a whole week of school. We went on a field trip to the aquarium and I cried because I had to miss it so you brought me back a stuffed shark to make me feel better.”

“Oh yeah that’s right and everyone at school kept asking if you were my girlfriend and if you were dying.” he laughs softly at the memory.

The rest of the ride to Danni's is mainly in silence, but not the suffocating kind; it was a soft comfortable silence, like old friends just enjoying each other's presence after being across the ocean from each other. When she gets into the car she looks at me and raises her eyebrows, a clear sign of confusion and questioning. I shake my head towards her hoping she will drop it for now so I can explain the situation to her without the main subject in the room with us. Danni is the type of person to be quiet around people she’s not super close with, so the ride to school consists of me talking to them individually rather than a group conversation until the topic of Allison is brought up.

Theo is finally at the point where we can talk about Allison and he talks about all the shit she put him through rather than how much he misses her and how he wishes she had given more signs before ending it with him, but when Danni brings up the fact that we have nowhere to sit because we are not friends with her anymore and he gets visibly tense. Danni sees it and gets an idea.

“So…? Are you going to sit with the B.I.O.T.C.H. today?” she asks in an accusatory tone.

Theo spins around in his seat to look at her as soon as the words have left her mouth, “Who is the biotch?”

Danni laughs and says, “Oh that’s Allison.”

“B.I.O.T.C.H. is an acronym, Beast of burden, Inbred, Oxygen thief, Twitter feminist, Coffee slurper, Hypocrite." I explained, inserting myself into their conversation.

“Well jeez you guys, that's a little harsh. And though it doesn’t matter, yes I was planning on sitting with my friends today,” I can’t quite tell if he’s offended over the way we talk about her or if he’s just not putting up with our bullshit.

“Don’t get snappy, I was just asking” Danni raises her hands in mock surrender.

He hangs his head is small defeat, “I know, it’s just been a long day”

I turn into the school parking lot, “It’s not even 8 o'clock hun”

He mimics me in a silly voice, “I’m aware of the time Lydia”

“Ok, ok” I laughed softly, “Keep your eyes peeled people, we need to get a good parking spot.

————————————————————————

This is part one of hopefully many, please let me know what you think it would be greatly appreciated. Bye lovelies <3