#oh well. I’ll bring more tomorrow I have a surplus

[athetos]

I had a couple of spare masks sitting on an unused desk at my office and they’re gone and since there’s only one other person who works with me and I know he didn’t take them I think custodial staff took them and I’m mad because I have to do the walk of shame…

[twofrontteethstillcrooked]

2 Oct. Suptober: No Vacancy

"There were no vacancies for a radius of nearly 25 miles. But I did find one room, finally. I'll text you the address."

"Thanks, Cas." Sam paused. "Have you spoken to Dean today?"

snippetfic; deancas

"Is this what it's like in Norway?" Dean asked, faint horror dripping from every word as he pushed a few cable knit sweaters from one side of a circular rack to the other.

"Sweden," Sam corrected. Off Dean's blank look, he clarified, "The store's from Sweden."

"Well, whatever. Happiest people on earth, my ass." Dean flicked the strings of a gray hoodie on a nearby hanger and sighed. "This place is giving me the heebie jeebies. Everything in here smells like ink."

Sam rehung a shirt the price tag referred to as 'muscle fit band collar' and prayed for strength. "We just need a few new clothes, and this place is closer than the nearest army surplus." And it wasn't like the three-acres large sentient mushroom purportedly threatening citizens two towns away was going anywhere quickly. In theory. 

"There's gotta be a thrift store around here somewhere. Suburb like this? There's probably nine different churches running a yard sale outta their basement."

"We have a gift card, thanks to Donna." Sam shrugged. "May as well use it."

Dean opened his mouth, no doubt to protest again, then spotted something in a far corner. Sam wanted to try on a pair of trousers and he was willing to let Dean work out his aggression towards moderately priced fast fashion by himself for a few minutes. In the cramped, smudged dressing room, Sam decided that maybe Dean was right to be unimpressed. Why did these khakis have elastic bands at the bottom of the legs, like a pair of sweatpants from the 1980s? Why were Sam's bony and pale lower shins so hideous by the glare of fluorescent lighting? 

He was spared further inane inner commentary by his phone bleating in the pocket of the jeans he already owned. "Hey, Cas."

"There are many young athletes in this county." Cas's tinny voice bled frustration. "They are energetic and loud."

"The tournament's over tomorrow."

"That did not help me today." It sounded like Cas was pulling a boulder out of his truck, with more difficulty than an angel should have had. "There were no vacancies for a radius of nearly 25 miles. But I did find one room, finally. I'll text you the address."

"Thanks, Cas." Sam paused. "Have you spoken to Dean today?"

A mirrored pause. "No?" Cas made the word seem multisyllabic.

"Okay." Sam put the terrible trousers back on their plastic hanger. "We'll see you in an hour or so." 

"Wait," Cas said. "Is something wrong with Dean?" 

The concern that radiated from the phone could have powered a nuclear warhead. Sam thought it prudent to keep his smile out of his own voice when he said, "Dean's fine, man. You just left the bunker without telling him you were leaving, is all."

"Oh." Cas was squinting; Sam just knew. "I didn't tell you either, Sam."

Yes, but I'm not butthurt about it, Sam thought. "It's fine, Cas. You found us a case." So far, all the case had really yielded in Sam was a desire to eat pizza loaded with portabellas as soon as he could get his hands on a pie, but Cas didn't need to know that. "No worries."

"All right. I'll see you…when you get here." Cas disconnected.

Sam rubbed a hand over his face to try to remove the exasperation from it. He braced himself for whatever mood he would find Dean in now.

This did not prepare him for how depressed Dean was, still in that one corner of the store, looking at flannel shirts. 

"You can't complain about the selection here," Sam said, nodding at the rack of buffalo plaids. "You own at least four shirts that look just like these."

"I hate this fucking music." Dean rolled his eyes up to the ceiling like he might try to bite one of the speakers embedded between the acoustic tiles. 

The song the ceiling blared, made more grating by a short somewhere in the speaker, was pretty bad, Sam had to concede. Why Dean couldn't just tune it out was a question Sam had no answer for. Perhaps they were no longer fit for mainstream shopping, Sam considered. Perhaps they never had been. A nearby salesclerk frowned at Dean's scowl and hightailed it away from his general grumpiness. 

Sam decided to try his luck with a different pair of trousers, checking the cuffs on them first, and was just about to head back to the dressing room when the disembodied ceiling voice sang, "Used to be that I felt so damn empty. Ever since I met you, no vacancy."

Yeah, okay. Not Sam's cup o' rock-n-roll tea either, he would readily admit. But he glanced over at Dean, and Dean was not grinding his teeth or clenching his jaw or glaring disdainfully. No. Sam saw, with both a pang of sympathy and a generous helping of humor, was that the subpar blah pop lyrics were getting under Dean's skin. 

In the midst of a bunch of mall clothes too trendy for the Winchester boys, Dean Winchester was pining. 

"Cas called," Sam said, casual as a crew neck t-shirt. "He's got a room for us an hour from here."

The transformation Dean underwent in that moment, from despondent Gen Xer disillusioned by consumerist propaganda and the kind of lonesomeness that only afflicted those lonely for a specific person to Man with A Renewed Sense of Purpose, was so instantaneous Sam physically could not keep from laughing.

"What?" Dean said, his expression morphing into a masterpiece of confusion.

"Nothing." Sam let his laugh trail off with a reasonably content, if also defeated, sigh. "I'm trying these on." He hoisted a pair of jeans aloft and headed back to the dressing room. "I like this blue plaid," Dean called out, suddenly the store's biggest fan.

"You should buy it for Cas," Sam called back. "It'd bring out his eyes."

That Dean seemed to be seriously considering the purchase was enough to start Sam smiling again. The dressing room was still unpleasant, but at least he knew the drive to even-more-middle-of-nowhere, Ohio, would be, if nothing else, fast. 

(with apologies to fans of OneRepublic :))

[intelligencehavingfun]

I am wild for anything you can reveal about Seeking Ever After!

Wow, Conor, that was fast.

But I am, of course, happy to oblige.

Seeking Ever After is my massive fairy tale mash-up novel that I started developing with @droo216′s help 18 years ago, started actively writing two-ish years ago, and finished (draft 1) in November. I am currently making the fairly major revisions necessary for draft 2, and am maybe a fifth of the way done with that.

Elevator pitch is:

The land of Fatala, where all the fairy tales happen, is guided by the Recurrence. Every few hundred years, without fail, the Stories repeat with a new generation, from once upon a time to happily ever after. But now, though the Recurrence is in the air, something is wrong. Sleeping Beauty was never cursed. Cinderella’s prince is a princess. Jack is not poor. Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother was raised by wolves. All across Fatala, in every Story, the Recurrence is failing in devastating ways, and if the fairy tale characters want their happily ever afters, they’re going to have to come together and find out why. 

A snippet:

Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a young boy whose future and fortune depended on selling a cow for a very specific price.

The sun shone down on the well-traveled path as he made his way home, a smile on his face. It was only just midday, and he was already finished at market. He whistled as he strode down the road and over the gently sloping hills and fields of wheat and corn and beans. His pocket was heavy with the morning’s success, and he couldn’t wait to get home and show Ma.

A tiny voice of doubt niggled in the back of his head, casting the slightest shadow on his cheerful humor. His mother, it whispered, would likely not be as happy with the morning’s take as he was. 

But that was nonsense. Maybe he wasn’t bringing home exactly what she’d asked for, but really, she could hardly complain. What he’d gotten in exchange for that rotten cow was so much better than a measly five gold pieces. She’d be thrilled. She had to be.

He crested the last hill between him and the small cottage he shared with his mother. She was standing at the open kitchen window, watching for him. “The cow is gone, I see,” she called when she saw him, a wide grin on her face as she hurried out to meet him at the gate. 

“Yes, Ma, just as I said. And wait until you see what I got for her!”

Beaming with pride, he reached deep into his pockets and pulled out his bounty, which he poured with careful precision into her waiting hands.

When she saw what he had given her, her face fell and she closed her eyes. ��Oh, you foolish boy,” she said on a breath of a sigh. He felt anger bubbling up inside him, but he forced himself to remain calm.

“That’s twenty gold pieces,” he said evenly, nodding at the gleaming coins in her hands. “You asked for five.”

“Where are the beans?” she asked then, her voice harsh and tired. 

“Two sacks in the pantry, last time I checked,” he said, pushing past her through the gate for the water pump to wash the dust of the road from his hands. “More in the storehouse, to say nothing of the east fields waiting for harvest. But if none of those satisfy, we can take one twentieth of one of these coins and go buy a month’s worth at market.” If he didn’t look at her, if he kept his focus on the water and the pump, he could keep the anger in check and avoid yelling at his mother. He didn’t like yelling at his mother.

“You cannot escape this, no matter how hard you try.”

“Escape what?” he asked, turning on her, his voice harsher than he wanted it to be. “Crushing poverty? Yes, I can. Look around you.” He threw his arms wide, indicating the farmhouse, garden, and ten acres of crops around them. “Famine and a plague of locusts could hit us tomorrow, and we would survive three years on the surplus we have stored. And with the money we have saved, we could relocate to town for the next three. You live in comfort and prosperity, Mother. Great-uncle Jerant ensured that you would when he left you the farm. Father ensured that you would when he taught me to care for it. And I’ve dedicated the last five years of my life to that legacy. And you want to give it up? For what? A dead giant in your backyard and a thieving murderer for a son?”

“It’s the way the Story goes,” his mother replied, sounding just as impatient as he felt. “The Recurrence has chosen you, and you cannot fight it!”

He looked around pointedly. “I seem to be doing pretty well so far.”

“Enough of your cheek, young man,” his mother scolded, a scowl on her face. “To bed without supper, and maybe that will be lesson enough for you.”

With a sigh and a pang of regret that he pushed aside, Jack closed the distance and put an arm on his mother’s shoulder. “It’s barely midday,” he pointed out, “and I have chores to finish and a wagon axle to repair. But I’ll eat a big luncheon and maybe I can go to bed without supper later tonight, all right?” He kissed her on the cheek and headed for the barn.

And you know, Conor, an important part of the revision process is getting feedback from beta readers, so if you’re really that interested, we can definitely talk.

WIP list is here

[iamdeku]

Friday (I’m In Love): Oikawa x Reader

You don’t know Oikawa Tooru. You don’t want to know Oikawa Tooru. But when fate and circumstance bring you two together, you’re forced to confront, over a series of Fridays, your worst fear. You might have been wrong. Also, you might be in love.

Wordcount: 4.3k

Warnings: Some brief bullying from a girl I accidentally named Annoying. Pining.

Oikawa Tooru was one of the most obnoxious guys you had ever met. He thought he was the coolest guy in school, and he was not at all shy about sharing that opinion. He never stopped talking about himself in that high-pitched, whiny voice of his. You hated him. 

So why you had agreed to tutor him was beyond you.

You supposed it paid well enough, but you were dreading your first session. You had prepared yourself to bite your tongue until it bled through his mansplaining. You were probably going to want to die by the end of the experience, but at least you would have some extra cash for the holidays.

Your boots kicked through the drifts of snow, pure as a coal miner after a long day doing overtime. The cold ice crunched under your weight, and you pulled your coat closer, wishing you had a scarf to help provide protection against the biting wind from the cold flushed skin on your face. Your headphones offered some protection to your ears at least, blasting your favorite song in an effort to raise your spirits.

The warm rush of the library’s heating system slammed into you in a wall of heat as you searched for the annoying setter. It took you longer than you thought to find him, expecting the loud man you knew and instead finding someone significantly more studious. He was hunched over one of the library tables, gray cardigan wrapped around his body, glasses perched on his nose.

You hoisted your satchel more firmly up your shoulder, bracing yourself for whatever weird thing was about to happen. Was he trying to look like he knew what he was talking about? Did he want to show off? You really weren’t sure.

You were hesitant to venture forward, but you did anyway, taking a seat next to him. Oikawa immediately looked up, blinking at you a couple of times before giving one of his usual smiles.

“Oh good, you’re here! As much as I’m great at everything, I have to admit that this has been giving me a little bit of trouble. I was so happy to hear you could help me. Iwa-chan won’t anymore, that traitor.”

You couldn’t blame Iwaizume for getting frustrated with Oikawa’s behavior, even if he had chosen to befriend the disaster sitting casually in front of you. You pulled out your books, writing utensils and laptop. You were a self-professed nerd, so you had brought a surplus of pens, highlighters, and other instruments to the table. You had a reputation to keep up after all.

“Well, I guess we should get to work. What part of this are you having trouble understanding?” You asked, pulling open your textbook.

Oikawa explained his troubles to you, and you were surprised to find how intelligent he was. Everything he found difficult to understand was...well, understandable. You could see why he would struggle in those areas, and for some of them you had struggled as well, despite this being your favorite subject. 

Even more surprising, you found out he could be a good listener when he wanted to be. It was alarming, actually, how attentively he could listen. Damn it, he took notes on the things you said, writing down the important parts of your explanations.

As you started to pack up, you saw sparks of the Oikawa you knew.

“Thanks for that, cutie. You’re pretty smart, you know? Of course, you’re smart enough to already know that. Besides, I wouldn’t have asked you to tutor me if you weren’t the best.” He winked. “See you next Friday.”

He didn’t even ask if you wanted to meet him next week. Gosh, he was the worst.

 Even with Oikawa “I’m the Worst” Tooru dragging you down, you were still resolved to keep showing up to these tutoring sessions. They weren’t half as bad as you thought they would be, and you hadn’t stopped needing the money. You could have gotten a better gig, but frankly this was a pretty easy job, easier than you thought it would be. It was, loathe though you were to say it, the best option.

Besides, you were the kind of person who kept their promises, though you weren’t sure you could say the same of Oikawa.

He was late. He was a whole 3 minutes late and you were only on your second session. If he kept up this kind of behavior you were going to have to have a serious discussion with him about timeliness. Your time was valuable, and none of this had anything at all to do with you needing something to justify your dislike of him.

You were halfway through writing your future lecture on timeliness when Oikawa arrived, slightly breathless and windswept, cheeks pink from the cold. Despite looking as though he had run all the way here, he had the nerve to still look all handsome and charismatic. It irritated you.

“Sorry about being late. The guys and I were practicing volleyball and we totally lost track of time.”

He gave you a sheepish smile, recognizing his mistake, and something in the general area of your chest did a little flip. It was probably a rib rotating in disgust.

“It’s alright. Just don’t let it happen again.”

Oikawa gave you his signature charming smile as he sat next to you.

“You know, you could stand to loosen up a little. I know you’re more fun than this, somewhere deep down in that nerdy little heart of yours.”

You rolled your eyes. “It’s not my job to be having fun with you.”

“Ah, but it could be.”

“Just open your textbook, Oikawa-san.”

He pulled the book out of his bag, flipping it open on the desk but not bothering to look down at it.

“Come on. Seriously. I got a way better grade than usual on the pop quiz we got this week. I feel like I should thank you for everything you’re doing for me. What are you doing tomorrow?”

The truthful, sad answer was that you were doing nothing at all, actually. You had tried to make plans with your friends, but they were all “busy” with something or other. While it pained you deeply, Oikawa was right. You had no social life.

You sighed. “I’m not busy tomorrow.”

“Well, that settles it then. The guys and I have practice. You can come watch the end of it if you want, and then we’re all going out for dinner. You should come.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Oikawa’s face lit up in a way you hadn’t expected, and he smiled down at his textbook as he turned it to the relevant page.

“Good. Prove to us that you can have fun after all.”

“Watch it. You’ll remember it’s in your best interest to stay in my good graces.”

Oikawa just laughed at your threat like it was meaningless. He was right to do it. You hated to admit it, but even now he was starting to grow on you.

Oikawa started explaining what he was having trouble with, and just as you were really getting into your subject, you were interrupted by a shrill scream. You stiffened in immediate panic, swiveling in your chair to find the source of the sound. Oikawa, on the other hand, looked momentarily annoyed before pulling his Prince Charming façade into place.

“Oh my gosh!!! Tooru-kun is that you!”

You felt a wave of deep-set annoyance go through you at the girl’s tone of voice. Not only had she caused you to be genuinely alarmed, but she was clearly being way to familiar with Oikawa, unless he had a girlfriend you hadn’t heard about.

“Hey there!” Oikawa turned to face the girl headed towards you, an indulgent smile on his face.

“Oh my gosh! I saw your practice earlier and you were like, so good.” The girl gushed.

“Thank you. That’s very nice of you to say.” Oikawa seemed genuinely flattered at this, if you were so bold as to assume you could tell the difference between the fake him and the real him.

The girl giggled, stars in her eyes before they turned to you, darkening dramatically. “Oh, who is this? Is she like, your girlfriend or something?”

You didn’t like the turn the girl’s tone of voice had taken. There was something distinctly catty to the way she said the world ‘girlfriend’ that made your stomach turn. You had met plenty of mean girls in your life, and now alarm bells were going off in your head.

“No, no. Just my lovely tutor. She’s helping me out in my worst class. She’s very talented.”

Oikawa seemed to have picked up on the change in tone, shifting slightly to be in front of you. Presumably, this was to block you from the daggers the girl was glaring at you.

“Remind me your name, would you?” Oikawa’s smile had grown tense.

“Oh, my name is Miko! How could you forget?” She pouted elaborately.

“Silly me!” If at all possible, Oikawa’s megawatt smile grew brighter as he caught her attention again, drawing her in once more. “I remember now. How have you been, Miko-san?”

You smirked to yourself at the honorific, so different from how she had referred to him earlier.

“I’ve been great! Way better now that I get to catch up with you. I missed you!” She stuck out her lower lip like she was trying to catch something with it.

“Well, I hope to see you at my next game, once we’re back in season. Thanks so much for stopping by!”

Oikawa’s body turned towards the table, clearly indicating that the conversation was over. Miko didn’t get the message.

“What are you studying? Maybe I can join you. I’m pretty smart, you know.”

You had officially had enough. You stood from your place, glaring at the girl in a similar fashion to how she had looked at you earlier, but for very different reasons.

“Listen, Miko-chan,” you said, purposefully pitching your voice up into an imitation of her own calling for Oikawa. “I don’t know who you think you are, but this is a tutoring session. So unless you intend to pay me for my services, I really am going to need you to find somewhere else in this rather large library to study.”

The girl turned to you, and you expected some kind of temper tantrum, maybe a few crocodile tears before she walked away, but what you got was far worse. She smiled at you sickly sweet, planting a hand on your table and leaning in.

“Pay you for your services? Oh, so I guess you’re nothing more than a common who-”

Oikawa stood from his chair, the legs loudly scraping across the floor as he grabbed her arm. He turned her to face him harshly, and you would never forget the look on his face. You had seen the prince of Aoba Johsai wear many faces, most of them some version of the charming, charismatic boy you knew. You had never before seen the look of cold rage he wore now, grip firm on her forearm as he practically snarled at her.

“You’re not going to call her that. You’re not going to call anyone that ever. If I see you at one of my games, I will make sure you are promptly escorted out. Leave. Now.”

The girl stood still for a moment, frozen in terror, before turning on her heel and bolting as Oikawa released her. You blinked in shock a few times, unaware that your classmate was capable of such emotion, let alone such anger.

“You shouldn’t have done that,” you said quietly, the first words to cross your mind. “She’ll go around telling everyone you’re an awful person now. I wouldn’t be surprised if you got in trouble or if she started some kind of weird hate club.”

Oikawa scowled as he sat back down, mind clearly still elsewhere.

“I don’t care. People shouldn’t talk to you like that. Nothing about what she just did was okay. Whatever repercussions I face for that, so be it.”

You stared at him in surprise. Oikawa had come to your defense, at no personal gain to himself. Sure, anyone should have done that, but you never thought he would. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

“Hey.” You nudged his side gently, and he softened, looking down at you. “That invitation to your practice still open? I think I’d like to see you play. I hear you’re ‘so great’ or something.”

He smiled again at your gentle teasing. “Yeah. We’d love to have you.”

  As the months went on, you began to acknowledge that Oikawa was not what you had thought he was. Reluctant as you were to admit it, you considered him a friend now. As you had grown to know him better, it became obvious that everything you had thought about Oikawa before had been a mask he put up to impress people.

“If you keep poking me with that pencil, I will stab you in the eye with it,” you mumbled, not bothering to look up from your paper until a soft spring breeze floated through the library door as it opened.

“Iwa-chan! She’s being mean again!” Oikawa whined.

Iwaizume, ready to join your Friday study session, cast a lazy gaze over the both of you, assessing the situation in half a second.

He shrugged. “It looks like you deserved it.”

“I’m wounded, Iwa!” Oikawa threw an arm over his chest, falling back in his chair.

You rolled your eyes even as a smile tugged at your mouth. You had gotten used to Oikawa misbehaving. Some might go so far as to say you liked it. Some might even go so far as to say you liked him.

You would deny it if asked, of course. The way you blushed when he complimented you was the same as the way you blushed when anyone complimented you. The warm tingle left on your skin when he touched you was just because he was warm, infecting you with it, burning you alive. And the way you couldn’t breathe around him sometimes? Well, nobody could prove that.

Nobody could prove that Oikawa Tooru was your best friend, and nobody could prove that you were in love with your best friend.

Oikawa rested his head on your shoulder, and you wish you could say you had long learned how to ignore the jump of your heart, but you were only human. You still caught your breath, still felt an ache somewhere in your chest when he did it. It was the sort of feeling you got when you saw something in a shop window you couldn’t have but amplified by a million. It was so strong that sometimes you wanted to scream it out, wanted to stomp your feet and throw a fit like a kid in the grocery aisle because you wanted something you couldn’t have but oh, how you wanted it.

It consumed you some days, the way you wanted Oikawa. The way you wanted to peel back his layers, make him reveal that real self you caught glimpses of when he was with you. The soft boy who cried during sad movies, the brave boy who fought for you when you were sad, the silly boy who made faces just to get a rise out of you. It creeped like a sickness through your bones until you wanted to throw up, wanted to lay in bed all day in your sticky sweet misery and sob taffy tears, taste them on your tongue.

“Who are you going with to the spring dance?” Oikawa asked you, breath blowing against your neck in a way he couldn’t know sent shivers through you.

“I’m not going,” you said, returning to your textbook now that Iwaizume had established his presence.

Oikawa sat up, posture stiff with his indignance.

“Not going? How can you be not going? I know for a fact there are at least 5 boys planning to ask you.”

“They asked. I said no. I’m not going.”

“Why not? It will be fun!”

You grit your teeth, trying to ignore the nasty feeling in your gut. You couldn’t very well tell him that you didn’t want to go just to watch him dance with every member of his little fan club. You refused to explain how absolutely heartbreakingly awful it would be to go and watch him rotate through his carousel of girls, all of them beautiful, all of them wanting him, none of them you.

“I’m studying. You know, that thing smart people do when they want to pass their classes?”

Iwaizume snorted.

“I know what studying is.” Oikawa glared. “I thought you would want to come, though. I figured you would already have a dress picked out and a date and everything.”

For a guy trying to convince you to go to this thing, Oikawa sounded almost sad talking about it. He especially seemed rather melancholy at the prospect of your date. You wondered if maybe one of your potential dates was somebody Oikawa hated or something. Not that it mattered, since you had turned them all away.

“I don’t really want to go. These things aren’t really fun anyway. Besides, all the guys who asked me were jerks.”

“That’s true,” Iwaizume said. “Didn’t Itsuki ask you? That guy got in 4 fights just this week. Pretty sure I heard him in the bathroom bragging about…actually, never mind. Point is he’s a jerk.”

“Trust me, I know. They were all like that, too.” You groaned. “If one decent guy had asked me, maybe I would have gone, but apparently there’s something about me that draws in the Itsuki’s of the world. So, I’m not going. I’m just going to stay home and watch tacky movies and do homework.”

“Go with me.”

You froze at Oikawa’s offer. He couldn’t be serious. Didn’t he already have a date? Didn’t he already have girls lining up around the block to go to this stupid thing with him?

“Don’t you already have a date? I thought…” You trailed off, unsure what exactly you had thought.

“No. I…I heard the person I was planning to ask was rejecting everyone who asked her. Didn’t want to risk it.”

For whatever reason, Iwaizume rolled his eyes from where he sat across from you.

“Okay. Well…can’t you just go with one of your fangirls?”

You weren’t sure why exactly you were fighting this. This was what you had wanted, but not like this. You had wanted him to ask you because he liked you, not because he was too afraid to ask some other girl who was apparently too good for the student body population.

“I don’t want to go with them. I want to go with somebody I like.”

Oikawa’s soft brown eyes were too earnest staring into your face. You couldn’t say no to him when he looked at you like that, so open and vulnerable you could almost pretend it was a confession. It would have been terribly cruel of you to turn him down now.

You sighed. “I guess I have to buy a dress now.”

Oikawa smiled. “Yay! You don’t deserve to be cooped up all night in your room. I promise I’ll make this fun for you.”

“You’d better,” you teased. “I’ll tell you once I know the color of the dress. That way you can match your tie.”

“Perfect.”

If you closed your eyes and didn’t think about it too hard, you could almost pretend it was a real date.

 When the Friday night of the dance came, you really did almost believe it was a real date. Oikawa had told you he was going to pick you up, but he hadn’t told you that he was going to bring a corsage or charm the pants off your parents. He was acting like you were the girl he had wanted to take this whole time.

He opened your door for you before you got into the car, taking your hand to help you balance as you stepped into the car in your heels. You were dumbstruck when he reached over to buckle you in and make sure you were safe before heading over to the driver’s side. You tried frantically to control your breathing as he got the car started.

It was a short drive to the school, but the whole way there you could barely talk to him, trying to figure out his game. Was he doing this because he didn’t want you to feel like you were missing out? That had to be it. He was probably just trying to show you what a good date was like.

When you got to the school, he helped you out of the car, and you finally admitted it to yourself. When he escorted you in, despite everything, you sort of felt like a princess. Oikawa looked so dashing in his tux, his tie matching the shade of your dress, everything coming together perfectly for a moment before it came crashing down with the realization that you were not the person he had wanted to take to this thing.

In spite of that, though, he seemed intent to act like it. Oikawa’s fan club mobbed you as soon as you entered, but he ignored all of them entirely for once.

“Sorry ladies, but as you can see, I am escorting my date. Any other day you know you all have my attention, but I’m afraid tonight is all about us.” He flashed you a shy smile as he said it, cheeks turning pink on the word us. “Do you want to dance?”

“Uh….sure.”

He was being weird about this. You didn’t have much time to think about that though before he swung you out on the dance floor, swaying you to the beat of the music. The first few songs were fast, but eventually they played a slow song, and so you two danced a slow dance, Oikawa’s hands settled gently on your waist and yours around his neck. He had you pulled close though, enough so that his head curved over your shoulder and your ear pressed against his.

“So, I was thinking,” he said.

“Oh no. That’s always dangerous.” You laughed a little bit.

“Haha, very funny. But seriously, we’re graduating soon, and I…I don’t want to lose you.”

You couldn’t see his face with the position you were in, but you could hear the tenderness of his voice. Your heart ached with it even as he voiced the thought you had been having for a while now. You were coming to the close of your final year and you had wondered if, when you were no longer in school, you would have to face the reality of Oikawa no longer wanting to spend time with you.

“I don’t want to lose you either,” you said softly.

“Yeah but…” Oikawa released a shaky sigh. “I don’t know if that means the same thing to you.”

Oikawa pulled back, far enough to look you in the eyes. You were too astonished to protest, staring up at him with your mouth fallen open in surprise.

“I want something more. I know you’ve just barely accepted me as a friend and you hardly even tolerate me and I know I’m annoying and loud and brash and obnoxious. I know all of that, but I need you to know that you’re everything I’m not. You’re gentle and smart and careful and considerate and you were the one I wanted to take to this dance. You. Not anyone else. That’s all I have to say.” He laughed bitterly. “I guess that’s my confession. I don’t expect you to accept it.”

Before you could stop him, he let go of you, starting to retreat through the crowd of dancing bodies around you.

“Tooru!” You used his first name in your excitement, forgetting any need to pretend distance.

He stopped when he heard you, a look of desperate hope on his face. You grabbed his hand, pulling him back into you.

“I wanted to come to the dance with you too. You’re my best friend, but you’re so much more than that. I’m so stupidly in love with you, but I never thought that you would feel the same. I do accept your feelings. All of them. Even the big, loud, obnoxious, dramatic ones. I love them. I love all of it. So let’s not lose each other. I was thinking that after we graduate, I’m probably going to go to college, but I don’t know if you have plans to go pro with your volleyball, or maybe-”

You were cut off when he grabbed your face between his hands, crushing your lips to his. Right there, in front of everybody, Oikawa Tooru started making out with you in the middle of the dance floor. Nobody really noticed the two extra teenagers kissing on the dance floor, but you felt your heart soar.

“We can work all of that out later. For now, I just want to dance with you.”

“And kiss me?” You teased.

“Yes. I would very much like to keep kissing you.”

You laughed, leaning into his shoulder again. The song changed, picking up pace to something more upbeat, and you changed your dance style in accordance with it. You could see Iwaizume on the side of the dance floor looking at you two approvingly, and when you made eye contact, he gave you a thumbs up.

Later, you would have to worry about college and volleyball and everything else. Eventually, it would all work out in the end, though not without some troubles. That Friday though, you danced the night away with your best friend turned boyfriend, and finally admitted to yourself that Oikawa Tooru was the best.

[butlerbarb]

Warmth (Beelzebub x Reader)

in this house we love beelzebub

You yawned, stretching your arms to the sky as you exited your bathroom, flicking the light off behind you. Padding quietly towards the bed, you dove in the warm, awaiting sheets with a content sigh. It had been quite chilly that day, and the House of Lamentation always was cold in itself, so finally being able to snuggle up under your covers and relax was something you much welcomed.

Clicking the lamp on your bedside table off, you turned over and pulled the covers right up to your chin. Oh yeah, this was it. Coming out of a nice warm shower, climbing into freshly washed sheets, you were about to sleep like a baby.

Or so you thought.

Your happy, warm little bubble popped at the sound of insistent knocking on your door. You frowned, hoping that if you ignored whoever it was, they’d just leave. Unfortunately for you, they didn’t. The knocking only grew louder until they were effectively banging on your door, sure to wake someone else in the house up if you didn’t put a stop to it.

With a sigh, you flung your legs out from under the covers, slipping your feet into the comfy slippers Asmodeus had bought you a while ago. Pushing yourself off the bed, you walked to the door, flinging it open to greet whoever chose to disturb your rest.

“Quit banging on the door already! What do you want?” You asked the figure who stood opposite you now. Beelzebub smiled down at you calmly, like he wasn’t just seconds away from ripped the door off its hinges. He thrusted your coat into your arms, still smiling as he did so. It was then that you noticed he was fully dressed in his casual clothes, a knit beanie adorning his head as well.

“I’m hungry, lets go get something to eat.” The sixth-born brother spoke, a frown pulling at the corners of his lips now as he held his hands to his stomach. You’re always hungry though… you thought to yourself in disdain, shaking your head. You knew Beelzebub wouldn’t take no for an answer, especially after he went through all the trouble to bring you your coat. Blowing out another sigh, you rolled your eyes, stepping into the hallway.

“Let’s go, and we’re not going to be out for the whole night again, alright? Lucifer will have my head if he finds out I snuck out with you again.” You told him, pulling your jacket over your shoulders and zipping it up. The both of you walked quietly, yet quickly down the halls to avoid any of the other brothers. Stopping at the front door to exchange your slippers for outdoor shoes first before heading out.

Once a good distance away from the House, you and Beelzebub fell into a casual conversation, mostly asking each other where the other wanted to go. You told the tallest brother that you didn’t care, expressing that whatever he wanted was fine with you. Of course, knowing the Avatar of Gluttony like you did, he led you to his favourite fast food restaurant, the one that sold human world cheeseburgers.

Upon arrival, he held the door open for you, just before making a beeline for the counter. You stood next to him, listening on is disbelief as he ordered at least one of everything on the menu, and a surplus of cheeseburgers. You had to stop yourself from laughing at the horrified look on the workers face as they punched out item after item.

After effectively ordering their entire stock of food, Beelzebub turned to you expectantly. You knew that look on his face, the one that said I forgot my wallet at home even though you could clearly see it in his pocket. You gave him the benefit of the doubt, however, suddenly feeling weak under his puppy dog eyes. You clicked your tongue, pulling your own wallet out to pay for the ungodly amount of food, chucking your own order onto the end of it first.

Your food was finished first, as expected, so you told Beelzebub that you would go find somewhere to sit. He ignored you, more focused on the food he could see being made in the kitchen. Taking a booth near the back of the restaurant, you thanked the heavens – well, really you thanked Simeon – that it was so late and no one else was crazy enough to be out getting fast food at this time. Sometimes the looks people gave you whenever you accompanied Beelzebub were embarrassing.

You waited patiently for Beelzebub, only picking at your food. It’d be awkward if you finished before he even sat down, and you were forced to watch him hoover food into his mouth for the next twenty minutes. Finally, after what seemed like a millennia, Beelzebub sat down across from you, an absolute mountain of food on his tray. It was, simply put, ungodly. You cringed as he shoved a mouthful of fries into his mouth before taking a chunk out of one of his burgers. You don’t know how he didn’t end up choking when he ate at that speed.

It was quiet for a moment, as you filled the time with scrolling through Devilgram on your D.D.D, occasionally texting some of the friends you had made at RAD. Your closest friend, a Succubus that Asmodeus had introduced you to, teased you when you told her you were out with the ginger demon, calling it a date no matter how many time you tried to tell her it wasn’t. She made it known that Beelzebub was the only one who was able to convince you to sneak out so late, meaning you just had to be weak to him. You felt your cheeks flare in embarrassment as you denied her claims.

“Who’re you texting?” Beelzebub’s deep voice cutting through the silence made you jump, and you shoved your phone into your pocket. The demon eyed you suspiciously as you attempted to throw a wayward smile his way.

“No one, Beel! I was just scrolling through Devilgram.” You laughed awkwardly, grabbing your drink in an attempt to cool the fire on your face. Beel stared you down for a moment, before shrugging and continuing on with his meal. You had the feeling he didn’t believe you, but thankfully he let you be. The silence from before returned, but for a much shorter period this time.

“What did you get?” He questioned you again, gesturing to your own food. You weren’t all that hungry, still full from dinner earlier – it had been Satan’s turn to cook and his food always left you extremely satisfied – so you only found yourself with large fries and a milkshake. Explaining this to Beel, he nodded, accepting your answer, although he couldn’t relate. He wouldn’t be the Avatar of Gluttony if he wasn’t constantly hungry.

Feeling your D.D.D buzz in your pocket, you pulled it out again to find yourself in a group chat with your friend and Asmodeus. Both of them yelling about how obvious your feelings for the younger brother were, and that you should just man up and tell him! Why did they have to be so persistent? Not to mention everything they said was right, about you being weaker for Beelzebub than any of the other brothers, letting him cling onto your more than Mammon – much to Mammon’s annoyance. You had thought you were doing a good job of hiding from them, and yourself, and everyone else, but apparently not.

The crumpling of wrappers drove your attention back to the demon across from you, watching as he finished his last burger in record time and had begun to pile everything on his tray. You finished the remainder of your food quickly, throwing it onto his tray just before he got up. He disposed of the garbage as you got up to follow him out the door.

Walking back, Beel left you for a moment as he caught sight of an ice cream parlour. You were shocked to find out things like that were still open at night, most places in the human world closing at 6PM. You took a seat on a bench by yourself, waiting patiently for him to return. A gust of wind blew past you and you shivered, your ears and face turning rosy from the cold now, and you brought your hands up to cover them. Beelzebub returned a moment later, 6 scoops of ice cream piled high onto of a cone, practically defying gravity.

“Here, I figured you'd want something.” He told you, thrusting a small bag towards you. You grabbed it from him, thanking him as you took a peak inside. Inside were delicious looking cookies, and your mouth practically watered at the sigh of them. You’d probably end up saving them for dessert tomorrow. You thanked Beelzebub again, and he nodded.

“That place is my favourite; they make really good pastries. I’ll take you there another time.” You blushed at his words, smiling to yourself just at the thought of him offering to take you there. An ice cream shop was much nicer than a dingy fast food place and, even though you told yourself it wasn’t a date, you still couldn’t help becoming excited at the thought.

“Are you cold?” Beelzebub asked, taking notice of your reddened cheeks and ears. Your eyes widened a bit, but you nodded. It was then that he did something completely unexpected. Taking his hat off his head, he placed it gently on your own. It was a bit big for you, falling slightly into your eyes until you adjusted it properly.

“You didn’t have to, but thanks.” You smiled up at him, the coldness from before leaving your face as it heated up in a blush again. Beelzebub seemed to notice this, a frown tugging at his lips as he stopped walking.

“You’re still cold?” He asked and, before you could object, he leaned in close to you. You tried to back away in shock, but his free hand came circling around your waist to stop you. You could feel his breath on your face as he inched closer to you, your own heartbeat becoming so loud in your ears you were sure he could hear it.

You squeezed your eyes shut in anticipation of what you thought was going to happen, only to snap back open when he pressed his lips to your cheek. It was strange, the feeling of warmth that immediately spread throughout your body, extremely different from anything you’d felt before. Beelzebub pulled away from you, his eyes locked on yours as you gave him a confused look.

“Demons are really good at warming people up.” He spoke casually, as if it was already common knowledge. Confused at to what he meant by that, you suddenly understood as his arm unwrapped itself from you. The previous warmth had begun fleeing your body upon loss of contact, and you subconsciously let out a whine. You could hear Beelzebub chuckle, before his hand reached out to grab yours, the warmth filling you again as he pulled you back him.

You pieced it together later that night, as you sat up in bed texting Asmodeus. He explained to that, while yes, demons were essentially space heaters upon contact, it wasn’t a constant thing. Beelzebub willingly did that so you would be comfortable, which was rare, Asmodeus claimed. When you had told him that Beel had kissed you as well – you stressed that it was only the cheek, just so he wouldn’t assume anything – he laughed. He laughed so loud, in fact, you hear him down the hall. Asmodeus told that that wasn’t necessary at all, and Beelzebub must’ve had a thing for you.

You were certain Asmodeus would never let you live that down.

[sanshineaus]

six or so

JUNG YOONOH/JAEYHUN X READER

warnings: none

type: drabble, fluff

word count: 2694

a/n: yoonoh tattoo for new comeback yoonoh tattoo for new comeback yoonoh ta-

”Oh my God, Yoonoh,“ your hands instinctively come to cover your mouth, your lips already curling into a grin that makes your eyes turn into crescents.

“Yeah?” the man in question raises his head from his phone, and you can’t help but let out an incredulous chuckle. Now that his neck is in view, the tattoo adorning it truly makes you huff with joy.

The other commuters at the bus station certainly aren’t fans of your ardour.

The ink is anything but delicate, and tracing it with your eyes, you realize how big it really is. Running from his collarbone and all the way up to his ear, the face seems hostile; and although you can’t make out exactly what it is, the fangs are simply perfectly done, and the rough shading only adds onto the charm of it.

Your hands slowly find their way back down to your sides, and your grin seems to widen as you let out yet another peep of pure joy, “It looks so good on you!”

Yoonoh’s smile in return is quite bashful, and he hangs his head down once again with a small wince—the flesh must still be a bit tender, after all he had only disappeared for six or so days and judging by the size of the tattoo it can’t have healed evenly everywhere.

Your best friend finally lifts his beautiful head again, and you feel yourself flutter when you catch his grinning gaze, his teeth on full display as he moved to greet you at last. A quick hug, though he makes sure to sway you both to the left, and you can’t help the laugh which bubbles up to your lips once again.

Yoonoh just seems to elicit joy from you, every single one of his appearances prompting you to smile and brightening your day. It’s not that he offers himself to do so or anything like that—it’s just that you feel it’s only natural to mimic the dimpled boy in his very own cheer.

You’ve exchanged so many jokes and tremors within the six or so years you’ve known each other. From highschool and petty drama where you vowed to each other to never interact with humans over a pint of rum-chocolate ice cream, to now; fresh out of college and promising each other to not forget friend date nights over a bottle of whatever was cheap and weak (because you both thankfully found jobs and you’d like to keep them AND drink on week nights).

You two finally begin walking, away from the bus station you, and into the street right next to it. The change of scenery would’ve given you whiplash if it weren’t for you getting accustomed to the city. Bustling with life, the new corner of town breathed modern and chic, paved elegantly but full of people on a nightly outing, much like yourself and Yoonoh.

Along the pavement, mostly restaurants and niche stores lined up one after another. Though the stores were mostly in the process of closing up (like the leather store you knew everyone went to for a new wallet or jacket), the restaurants were just starting. Even if none of them stayed open past one in the morning, their peak was just starting. Traditional restaurants which you knew to be distinguished, those newer and sleek ones with food you’d spend half your paycheck on, and of course the animal cafés wrapping up their last shift, it was all so natural.

“So, what do you feel like eating?” you break the silence, looking at the man next to you. Yoonoh seems to break out of a reverie and you wonder why he’s so beautiful just simply not paying attention.

“The usual?” he asks out loud, and you simply agree by rising to your tippy toes to scan how far away your favourite restaurant is. The crowd is certainly at a peak tonight, and although you know where to go, Yoonoh grabs you by your elbow, gentle as ever, and breaks his way through the crowd.

He’s truly a darling, you realize, when he links your arms properly and worms his way through the surplus of people. You try to look ahead so as not to bump into anyone, but even from the side, Yoonoh is so distracting and simply amazing. Your heart thumps in your chest.

Even as you face the restaurant door, and both try to peer inside to check for a possible table, he doesn’t let go of your arm. For a split second, there’s guilt creeping up your neck for the sole reason of your heart racing and your stomach fluttering for contact which you’re used to, and something he’s done before with you, but it quickly dissipates when you remind yourself that it’s fine. You’re not doing anything wrong just holding on to your friend, because Yoonoh wouldn’t have continued to hold you if he wasn’t okay with it.

What does kill you, though, is him opening the door for you.

It’s a simple gesture and he’s just being polite, you remind yourself again, and you’re probably right. But the way he smiles at you before saying there’s a table he saw by the cash register? It simply knocks a breath out of your lungs, and you grin while you follow him.

Your dinner goes well— when you’re seated, you immediately begin catching up. Yoonoh tells you about his promotion, and before you know it, you’re deciding on ordering shots to really celebrate. Neither of you are drunk because your meals are truly heavy and the drinks you ordered before the shots were sipped slowly, but you’re feeling buzzed and elated.

It’s only after you start discussing music that you realize the restaurant is beginning to slowly but surely clear out. People were leaving and the staff were wiping down tables with an air of finality. To avoid feeling bad, you finish up your drinks and split the bill before walking outside, which is when Yoonoh turns to you, “Come over?”

Come over. You chuckle at that and nod, obviously. You’ve been over before, sleeping over and joking around with Yoonoh. You didn’t do it often¸ because you were two adults with busy schedules, but sleepovers with him were such a warm thing to experience.

You slept over for Christmas the first year he got the apartment— cozying up and taking quizzes on the internet before making breakfast food for dinner. You stayed up more than you slept, and you even ended up building a fort for your friends who were set to come over in a couple hours. It felt incredibly homey, and you truly had fun.

But you had work tomorrow… and so did he… Before you could even get a word in, he grabbed your hand to lead you out of the street, which was also slowly clearing out. “I’ll call in sick, I hope that you can, too.”

Come to think of it, you could— you didn’t use any sick days, and you definitely missed talking to Yoonoh when the clock hand passed three. He was much more open and raw, and so were you; but the comfort never left. He’d tell you about his life, and you’d tell him about yours before one of you would crack a horrible joke that made both of you feel better.

Catching the bus is easy enough, and you and Yoonoh find yourself in front of his apartment soon enough. Walking up the stairs is a bit of a struggle, because he keeps giggling and it makes you way too happy to focus on the basic action of moving. But this is fine, because he seems so happy and light on his feet that it simply makes you forget your inability to concentrate around him.

He opens the door for you again, and you rush to take your shoes off so that you can jump onto his couch. He makes a sound, you assume to complain, before he comes to yank you from the couch by your arm.

“Come on, I’ll give you spare pyjamas! Get up,” he whines, though there’s a grin on his face, and he finishes by huffing. You only listen to him because you feel uncomfortable in the attire you have donned (or that’s what you tell yourself).

It’s when you’re both in his undoubtedly large bed, together and under two blankets because he insists it’s cold, giggling at a silly remark you made, that you realize how smitten you feel. Yoonoh looks adorable in his sleepwear, eyes hidden behind his eyelids as he smiles. You caused that smile— something that brings a weird sense of pride into your heart. It makes you feel warm; Yoonoh makes you feel warm.

He decides at once that it’s time to sleep, and your gaze casts towards the clock on his wall reading four fifty something. It’s closer to six than you’d like, and you agree to both text your workplaces before passing out.

You’re not proud of the lie you come up with for your manager, but you don’t stress about it as you turn your back to Yoonoh so that you can finally close your eyes. You simply can’t, though, your stomach tightening with a burning curiosity.

You turn to him again, “Yoonoh…” and he opens his eyes gingerly. You laugh at his confused eyes, before inching closer— maybe too close, but your own gaze finds his neck. “Why did you get the tattoo? Really.”

He purses his lips, turning his head upwards so you can get another look at the tattoo. You wiggle your hand out of the blanket to softly press against his neck, tracing the design gingerly. He doesn’t complain, but you can tell that the very edges of the tattoo still haven’t healed up properly, and so you retract your hand.

“You want a truthful answer? I just thought it’d be cool,” Yoonoh begins, “but it has a meaning. It’s an oni tattoo on the neck, which would mean I would’ve been able to hide it if I had long hair. It’s not the mask though, so it wouldn’t be ‘evil’.

“It can mean two things— the fangs mean that I’m warding off people and protecting myself. Kinda like one of those poisonous frogs, but less colourful. The face itself means that I’m trying to transcend humanity, get better and grow stronger with the help of people.

“Oh, and speaking of colour— I wanted it in full colour at first, but then the artist suggested more fine lined detail and we just went with it. I guess I’m happy with it, since it’s on my neck and all.”

You hum in wonder, coming to lie down even closer to him. Your nose brushes against his shoulder, and you hear Yoonoh’s breath hitch, making your own stop in its tracks. “It’s cool, too. I already told you it looks good,” you whisper.

You hear him let out a laughing breath, before he bids you goodnight with your name in tow.

When you wake up again, the morning feels way too new. Somehow, throughout the night (or, morning, rather, as it’s now well in the afternoon) you managed to get your head on Yoonoh’s chest. His arm sits around your shoulders, whilst yours is wrapped around his torso. He’s still sleeping peacefully, and so you slip out of his death grip as quietly as you can, so as not to wake him.

You know your way around his home, and your instinct is to make him tea. You’re not sure what he has in his fridge, so you opt not to start on breakfast. Yoonoh had the worst habit of forgetting to stack up or grocery shop at all, usually getting take-out instead of cooking. You don’t exactly want to take your chances.

You do work while he’s asleep, though, washing his dishes and wiping down his fancy counter. He comes out while you’re throwing away the paper towel you used. Yoonoh’s morning smile is the best thing in the world, you think, because he seems so pure as he comes to prop himself up on the counter.

“Good morning.” His voice is even better to head, and the grogginess not fully gone from it makes you smile as you hand him the cup of lukewarm tea.

Your cup is nearly finished, but as you bring it up to your lips, he speaks, “Can I ask you a question?”

A million things run through your mind at once, at last settling on concern for your friend. You raise your eyebrow at him, sitting across from where he was leaning. Yoonoh smiles at you again, most likely to try and put you at ease, “Did you… did you enjoy your time with me?”

It rings in your head that something’s not right, and your face contorts as you try and figure out what he means. Your voice carries a curious lilt within it, “Of course. I always enjoy when we go out.”

But it doesn’t seem to be enough for him. Yoonoh takes a sip of his tea, and his eyes seem determined to bore into your soul. You try to maintain the intense eye contact, waiting for him to finally voice his doubts. Within minutes, everything has turned way too tense for your taste, and you simply have to reach out to press your hand against your friend’s arm.

He puts his tea mug down, standing upright and walking over to your side of the counter. You’re entirely surprised when he grabs your cheeks, cupping them together. You let out a noise you’re not proud of, and involuntarily jerk backwards, but the man simply holds you in place. He’s gentle, though, and you ease up once he gives you a smile.

“I meant, did you enjoy sleeping with me,” to this you give a snort, and he grimaces before pinching your cheek, “not like that, you nerd.” This causes you to give a half-assed kick to his shins, to which he pretends to be incredibly hurt, ows and ouchs included.

“Yes, Yoonoh. I enjoyed sleeping in your bed,” you chuckle, hooking your hands onto his elbows. “What’s with the sudden questioning?”

He squished your cheeks together once more, “I don’t really know where to start with it. You make me kind of nervous to even try.”

You could feel heat rushing to your cheeks, your brain running through and endless amount of possibilities as to what Yoonoh could possibly mean. Your hands gripped at his elbows, and your eyebrows furrowed as you got ready to fire out questions, but luckily he spoke again before you embarrassed yourself.

“I’ve always felt different towards you, I guess. We’ve been friends for so long that I just never thought it was anything serious. And I’ve felt this before— just like last night— but… ahh,” his face scrunched up, and yours followed soon as the corners of your lips rose into a petite grin.

“I guess what I’m saying is that I really, really like you, and yesterday cemented it.” He finally gets out, sighing. You stay there for a moment, letting his words register in your brain. He’s special to you… and you sound to be just as special to him.

Your hands move to his wrists, patting them to get him to loosen up. It gives you some leeway to close the distance between the two of you, bringing him into a ginger kiss. Yoonoh seems surprised (though you don’t entirely blame him for it), a startled yip leaving his lips. His grip on your cheeks loosens with time as he moulds his lips against yours, thumbs running over your cheeks.

You don’t keep him there for long, sudden bashfulness hitting you. You pull away, finding it a bit challenging to look him in the eyes again, though when you do you’re met with the warmth you’ve familiarised yourself with. You can’t help the laugh bubbling out of you, pulling Yoonoh close to you into a death grip of a hug.

“I really, really like you too silly. And for six or so years, too.”

[waitimcomingtoo]

Dad! Peter Parker and Stark! Reader please??? 😊😊 Thanks love :)

It’s My Party

Pairing: Dad!Peter Parker x Stark!Reader

Synopsis: “I know your dad is throwing Benji the most extravagant birthday party a one year old could ask for, but I thought we could have our own little family party tonight. Just the three of us.”

Masterlist

“Alright. We got the wall of roses all set up, the cake is still being iced, and the giant bunny I ordered should be arriving this afternoon.” Tony rattled off as he waltzed through his living room. Workers were scattered across the room, setting up various party decorations. Every inch of Tony’s grand estate was or would be covered with blue streamers, Teddy’s bears, or baby blue flowers.

“Please tell me you didn’t buy another giant bunny.” Pepper groaned as her heels clicked against the cool marble floor.

“If my grandson wants a giant bunny, I’m getting him a giant bunny. Just because you didn’t like yours doesn’t mean Benjamin won’t like his.” Tony pouted. The giant bunny was still a sore topic for the couple.

“You don’t know what he wants.” Pepper reasoned. “He’s not even one.”

“But he will be. That’s what this party is for. And I have to above and beyond for my only grandson. So a giant bunny he shall receive.” Tony insisted.

“What’s this about a giant bunny?” You asked as you entered the room. You kissed both your parents on the cheek and took a look around the room. Even unfinished, the room looked incredible. Tony sure knew how to throw a party.

“Dad, this looks amazing! You did all this for Benji?” You asked as a man carrying a gigantic 7 tier cake walked past you.

“Y/n, Benji is my first and only grandson. There is nothing I wouldn’t spend, give up, do, or build for him.” Tony declared.

“Build?” You asked, ignoring the other sentimental parts of your father’s statement. “Tell me you didn’t build my one year old son an iron suit.”

“Please, Y/n. Don’t be ridiculous.” Tony pretended to be offended.

“Okay, good.” You warned.

“I’m saving Mark B for his fourth birthday.” Tony said quickly and under his breath.

“This looks great, dad.” You repeated, still in awe at his far your father was willing to go for his family. “I have to run. Benji’s bed time is soon. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” You hugged your parents goodbye and drove home.

“What’s all this?” You asked with a skeptical smile as you set your bag down. You saw your husband balancing Benji on his hip as he mumbled some baby talk in his little ear. You approached Peter as you walked through a curtain of streamers. There was a makeshift “happy birthday” sign hanging up above the doorway, as well as a few other drawings tapped to the walls with webs. It had no doubtably been colored in by Benji, with a little help from Peter. Peter gave you a gentle kiss on the lips before you took Benji in your arms.

“I know your dad is throwing Benji the most extravagant birthday party a one year old could ask for, but I thought we could have our own little family party tonight. Just the three of us.” Peter said softly while brushing some of Benjis curls off his forehead. You smiled fondly at your husband.

“I love that idea, Pete.” You said sincerely. “Thank you.”

“It’s no trouble.” Peter assured you. “Benji and I baked these cupcakes, with zero help from Benji. And then we frosted them, also with no help from Benji.” Peter sighed. “I just don’t think baking is in our sons future.”

“I’m so sorry. I know you had high hopes for his baking career.” You teased.

“I’ll get over it. I guess he’ll have to be a genius scientist like his mom.” Peter said with sarcastic disappointment.

“Or a superhero like his daddy.” You beamed as you rubbed Peters shoulder.

“We can only hope.” Peter gave you a warm smile and kissed your temple. “Shall we light the candle?”

You nodded and stepped closer to Peter. He wrapped his arm around your waist with one arm and picked up the lighter with the other. He lit the singular candle on the cupcake, a chunky white number one with a red border. The soft glow of the candle dimly lit up your faces. Benji’s eyes lit up at the sight of fire for the first time. The warm glow cast shadows on his small features, illuminating his gentle face.

You and Peter softly sang the words to “happy birthday” to your son. He was too entranced by the light of the candle to listen. It was yours and Peters first time ever singing it to him. The first time he’d ever heard it. It was a moment Benji would never remember, but one you and Peter would never forget. Benji reached for the light but you protectively held him back.

“Happy Birthday, dear Benji.” You and Peter sang. “Happy Birthday to you.”

“Make a wish, sweet boy.” You said as you bounced Benji slightly.

“Let’s make it for him.” Peter suggested. You nodded and leaned closer to the flame.

“I wish for our little family to stay like this, always.” Peter said. “What’d you wish for?”

“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.” You shook your head at Peter for not knowing the basic rules of wishes. He laughed at your disapproval.

“My bad.“ he smiled.

You and Peter leaned in and blew out the candle. Benji laughed happily and clapped his hands. He reached out and grabbed for the smoke.

“We better get to bed. Benji has a big day tomorrow.” Peter suggested. You yawned suddenly, not realizing how tired you were until then.

“Okay. Goodnight, Birthday boy.” You kissed both your sons cheeks. “And goodnight, non birthday boy.” You kissed both of Peters cheeks.

The party went as planned. It was even bigger than you expected. Tony’s house looked like the baby shower section of a Party City. All of the Avengers were there, dressed in their finest attire. To kick the part off, Thor created a light show in the sky with lightning. Tony had spliced together every picture and video of Benji in existence and created a momentous montage of his life. You and Peter mingled with the other guests, but always managed to stay close by each other.

After cake and a few drinks, you and Peter helped Benji open all his presents, most of them being from Tony. Once you had finished and your fingers were sore from all the wrapping paper you had to rip, Benji seemed to own every baby product, onesie, and toy in the world. You and Peter were grateful for all the gifts and thanked everyone while internally wondering how you’d ever fit it all in your apartment.

“Well, that’s a wrap on presents. Coffee, anyone?” Tony rubbed his knee and looked around for takers.

“Not so fast.” You spoke up, bringing the attention back to you. “There’s one more present.”

Tony looked at you confused. All the presents had been opened. You were all sitting in a sea of torn wrapping paper to prove it.

“I’m pretty sure we opened everything, pumpkin. There’s nothing more we could possible give to Benji. If there was, I’d find it and buy him the company that manufactures it.”

You laughed at your father and turned to Peter.

“It’s not a present for Benji.” Peter cut in. “We got you a present to say thank you.”

“Really?” Tony asked. A proud gleam was in his dark eyes. He was glad to see his daughter was a giver, no matter the occasion. “You didn’t have to do that. This party was nothing. I barely spent a million dollars. Wait till he turns 16.”

“Well we appreciate it nonetheless, so we got together to make you something special.” Peter nudged you with his elbow just enough that no one could see. You nudged him back.

“Something special?” Tony quipped, suddenly more intrigued than proud. “What is it? Whatever it is, don’t hand it to me. I don’t like things being handed to me.”

“I know, dad. Don’t worry, no ones going to hand anything to you.” You assured your father. “But because it’s so special, the present won’t be here for another nine months.”

“Honey, I told you you could use my Amazon Prime account so you don’t have to wait that long for packages. Just log into OH MY GOD ARE YOU PREGNANT?” Tony suddenly put the pieces together. You put a hand over your stomach and nodded as a wide grin spread across your face. Tears came to Tony’s eyes.

“We are. Well, she is.” Peter confirmed. “And its a girl this time. Y/n is actually three months along but we needed to say “nine months” for the joke.”

“I told you not to explain the joke.” You whispered to Peter harshly.

“I physically had to.” Peter said out of the corner of his mouth.

“My little girl is having a little girl.” Tony beamed as he took your hands. You smiled at your dad and wiped a tear away from his cheek with your thumb. “Does your mother know?”

“She took the pregnancy test when she was on FaceTime with me.” Pepper, who was seated next to Tony, chimed in. It had been difficult to keep the news hidden from her husband for so long, but the look at his face made it all worth it.

“You knew about this and you didn’t tell me, Pepper?” Tony looked over his shoulder.

“What? It was nice to know more than you for once.” Pepper said smugly.

“If your baby girl is anything like your mother, teenage years are going to be rough.” Tony said as he turned back to you. You and Peter laughed. “You’re gonna have a little mini Pepper around.” Tony gushed.

“You can name her Salt.” Sam shouted from somewhere in the back. Peter shot him a look.

“We’re not naming our daughter salt.” Peter declared. Sam shrugged and took a sip of his beer.

“It sounds like a good name to me.” Rhodey added.

This resulted in a discussion among the crowd about the baby’s name. After a surplus of congratulations from everyone, you and Peter found yourselves alone in a corner with Benji.

“I can’t believe we’re gonna do this all over again.” You said in disbelief. Now that everyone knew, it was finally sinking in that you and Peter were going to have another baby. “I guess our little family isn’t so little anymore. Is that okay with you?” You thought back to the night before when Peter wished your family would always stay the way it was.

“Are you kidding?” Peter laughed. He shook his head at you. “It’s not the size that I love. It’s the fact that it’s ours.”

“It is ours.” You smiled proudly at your son. You loved your little family. Peter was like a beautiful melody and Benji was his perfect reprise.

“Hey, you never told me what you wished for last night.” Peter reminded. You chuckled to yourself.

“I wished for happy days, like this, forever.”

[agapaic]

for prompt, how about an au where guan shan is famous and he tian isn't? (i love your writing ❤️❤️❤️❤️)

25.

‘I heard he’s an asshole. A mean asshole.’

He Tian lights up another cigarette, crouches down on an overturned crate. The back door is propped open with a thick hardback, spine broken and pages ruined and wrinkled from rain and spilled ink, and He Tian indulges in the heaviness of smoke in his throat, breath stolen for just a moment. 

‘You shouldn’t listen to rumour,’ he tells Jian Yi, who is propped against the back wall, worrying at his lip. Jian Yi’s cigarette is dwindling in his fingertips, half-touched, and He Tian forces himself to look away from it. 

‘Hard not to when the guy’s press team is setting up inside your store for a signing.’

‘My brother’s store,’ He Tian reminds him. 

Jian Yi jolts forward. ‘Which makes it worse! Protect the family name! The integrity!’

He Tian smirks, grinds out his cigarette beneath the toe of his shoe, newly shined. ‘He Cheng? Integrity? That would be the day.’ He presses his hands to his knees, pushes himself to his feet with a small sigh. ‘Come on,’ he says. ‘He’ll be here soon.’ 

‘Ready to protect the family honour?’

He Tian rolls his eyes. ‘What little there is of it—I don’t think it needs defending from some celebrity thriller author.’

Jian Yi halts in the doorway. His look is incredulous. ‘Some celebrity? He’s the youngest recipient of the Mao Dun Literature Prize. He’s won it twice.’

There’s a breathless sort of reverence in the words, an adoration He Tian thought the fair man reserved only for one other person. Waxed lyrical like a starving poet first discovering the moon.

He Tian says, ‘I thought you said he was an asshole.’

Without hesitation: ‘Oh, he is. A mean one.’

—

Jian Yi is right: the man is gruff to his staff, dismissive of He Tian’s. He’s hard-tongued to his fans, and delivers his short welcoming speech in clipped tones and the curved accent of someone raised on the backs of city streets. He Tian’s only interaction thus far takes place with the author’s publisher, a sharp-edged, sly man with silver hair and a series of tattoos peeking beneath the rolled-up shirt sleeves.

He Tian watches the proceedings from the upper mezzanine, arms resting on the balcony banister. The bookstore is big, the building inherited from a long line of He’s and, once, housed a group of Literati scholars during the Qing Dynstasy Men and women waiting eagerly in line, copies new and old clutched to their chests, eager for a glimpse at the man who could create such a mastery. Jian Yi stands at He Tian’s side, eyes on the café on the other side of the mezzanine, where Zhengxi stands cleaning the shelves behind the counter, now empty, listening to the voices from below.

His eyes flicker up, and, seeing Jian Yi, he offers a nod, a small wave. Jian Yi looks away, blushing.

‘Really?’ He Tian asks, unable to help himself. ‘Just fuck already.’

Jian Yi’s eyes go wide, silvery and wet with childlike fear, as if he’s just heard the beginnings of creaking from his parent’s bedroom.

‘We haven't—It’s not—Oh, balls…’ He sighs, dramatic and overzealous, a hand pressed to his forehead like a fainting maiden from one of his battered romance novels from the eighties. ‘It isn’t like I don’t want to,’ he hisses, suddenly correcting himself. An almost defence. ‘But Zhan Zhengxi’s…’

'Frigid?’

’Stoic.’

He Tian considers the barista, his dark brows affecting an air of eternal broodiness and a painful duty of thought. Some Byronic figure blessed with dark, philosophical features and bright, cutting eyes. Beneath it, He Tian knows there lies a shadowy, quiet man who is far simpler than the likes of which Jian Yi likes to indulge.

But He Tian leaves him to his fantasies.

Below, Guan Shan is reaching the end of the first wave of guests, those who’d bought tickets for the introductions and a photo pass with the author. He Tian watches as the man states, unflinching, into the camera, flinching each time as a fan presses closer, leans in. There’s a curl to his lip that is purely hostile, and a startled look in his eyes for just a second as the camera flash goes off and He Tian realises that the whole thing is a front.

Guan Shan, he realises, is like most other authors who step over the threshold of the store. Unused to crowds, largely content with their own company, enduring social conventions with an awkward manner that lingers on rude.

‘He doesn’t like this,’ he murmurs.

Jian Yi glances at him. ‘The country’s most famous author doesn’t like going on a tour of adoring fans?’ He shakes his head. ‘Imagine standing on a stage and having a crowd of people singing your songs back at you. The thrill.’

‘Imagine putting your private thoughts and the workings of your mind on show.’ He Tian glances at the publishing representative, the sharkish figure standing towards the back of the store. He has a smile on his face, yellowish eyes glinting in the light. ‘It’s a horror.’

‘It’s money,’ says Jian Yi, a little more practical. ‘I heard he’s got a three-part movie deal for Secondhand Smoke. If it flops, maybe he’ll get a Netflix drama. Maybe a K-drama. He’s set for life.’

More decisions, more executive choices handed over to someone who knows him little and claims a lot. Dreams and secret thoughts set on a screen and gazed at while Guan Shan flinches from the criticism like a camera flash.  

He Tian stops himself—he’s not a writer. He can’t create characters like this, a caricature of a man—a real man—he doesn’t know.

—

He ducks out for a cigarette when the line begins to thin and the sky has grown dark, leaving Jian Yi to watch over the final signings. He won’t get a chance to leave the shop until the early hours of the next morning, stacking away chairs and tables for tomorrow’s opening and reviewing the accounts from the day’s events, a night holed away in the office with straining eyes and a too-dim lamplight Jian Yi has told him to replace a thousand times. 

He hears the door hinges creak, the stomp of boots, an unfamiliar gait. Somehow—he knows.

‘Got one goin’ spare?’

He Tian glances back, unaffected, and then goes still. He’s different up close; the spotlight attached to the wall beside the fire exit adds a softness that none of his author’s portraits have allowed him. There’s an amber glint to his hair, his eyes, a pellucid quality to his skin. Hard callousness gives way to a strange, chipped beauty that He Tian can’t look away from.

He offers up the carton. 

‘Getting tired of handing out your autographs?’ he asks, only lightly mocking. 

‘Just signed the last copy.’ The author’s lip curls, and he takes a cigarette. ‘I hate this shit,’ he says, and then pauses when he props the cigarette between his lips. ‘Don’t tell anyone I said that.’

The corners of He Tian’s mouth quirk. ‘You’re bringing me good business. You can say what you like.’

Mo Guan Shan leans into He Tian’s cupped hands, the flame of He Tian’s lighter snagging on the end of his cigarette until it blooms like a marigold. He kicks a crate over and sets himself down on it.

‘You’re usin’ a copy of Secondhand Smoke to keep your back door open,’ he remarks, unoffended.

He Tian hides a smile. ‘It’s hefty,’ he says. ‘And we ordered too many copies.’

‘A bookstore with an accidental surplus,’ says Mo Guan Shan. ‘What a luxury. Guess you’re doin’ pretty fuckin’ well from where I’m lookin’.’ He leans back, smoke tendrils drifting upwards. ‘Oldest independent bookstore in Beijing, and you haven’t sold the place out to Suning or Yonghui or some other corporate shit like the rest of ‘em.’

‘The building belongs to my family,’ says He Tian, a finite note to his voice. 

‘I know. My publicist gave me some background.’ Mo Guan Shan glances back. ‘Guessin’ there’s some stories to be told in these walls.’

‘You’d be writing forever if you set yourself to writing about my family.’

There’s a pause, and then, ‘Okay. You got archives?’

He Tian leans back. He considers what the man is saying, what he’s offering. It’s not much, not a promise—but it’s something. And that something starts to warm behind his ribs, a ball of air in his throat that feels like panic.

‘If you come in tomorrow,’ he says, ‘I’ll try and get them for you. But no promises.’

The writer shrugs, stamps out the dwindling cigarette from beneath his shoe, and gets to his feet. ‘See you tomorrow then, Mr He.’

He Tian glances back to watch him leave, the slight set of the man’s shoulders disappearing into the store, the door thudding against the beaten copy of his most famous work. A shift, and He Tian murmurs, ‘See you tomorrow, Mr Mo.’

—

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[razorblade180]

Hey how about the Data farms couple going on their first date alone? Also how you holding up man?

{I’m alive so that’s something I guess😅}

[Jaune’s apartment]

Jaune:Oscar are you ready yet?

Oscar:*bathroom* NO!!!!

Jaune:I hate to rush you but your date is in like thirty minutes.

Oscar:I’m just making sure everything is perfect. I want this night to go well.

Jaune:You make it seem like this is your first date with Penny. The two of you hung out at the carnival and the lake where both of kissed more than once.

Oscar:I know but this is different; this time we’re actually alone and have no wingman to help.

Jaune:Ruby and I almost let you drown on accident. I can’t say we were helping you out a lot then.

Oscar:Maybe next time don’t abandon me to go make out with Ruby in the lake.

Jaune:You’re asking a lot out of me.

Oscar:*walks out in a tux* How do I look?

Jaune:*fixes tie* like a man trying to impress a girl that’s clearly into him. So just like most people.

Oscar:Cool, any advice for me? Final words of wisdom?

Jaune:Hmmm sometimes a girl will ask for help or bring something up they can actually handle. Just be a gentleman anyways.

Oscar:You mean how when Ruby says her purse is too heavy on her even though she carries a scythe?

Jaune:Exactly that, she just wants me to carry it for her and it’s fine. Most importantly, be yourself. Penny seems to like how much of a dork you are. *smiles*

Oscar:Who you calling a dork, you dork? *laughing*

[Ruby’s car]

Penny:*rocking back and forth*

Ruby:You seemed stressed.

Penny:I’m calm Hic! okay I’m a little nervous. Hic! I am losing my mind....*blushing*

Ruby:You’ll be fine. Just one question. Why are you going to a restaurant when you don’t eat?

Penny:I panicked asking him out. Anyways I’ll just eat the food and it’ll turn to surplus energy. Also if I’m going to have tastebuds then I want to use them.

Ruby:Wait, Atlas knows how to turn food itself into energy that’s good enough to power an Android?

Penny:........

Penny:I cannot confirm or deny the previous question.

Ruby:Were you trained to say that?

Penny:I cannot confirm or d-

Ruby:That answers my question. Anyways, I just want you to remember to have fun, don’t do anything crazy, and if you guys go on walk or something then say you’re cold.

Penny:If I get cold I just turn of my-

Ruby:Trust me Penny, just say you’re cold. *parks car* Best of luck!

Penny:What will you be doing now that we aren’t hanging out. *gets out*

Ruby:I think I can find something to do. *mumbles* like my boyfriend.

Penny:What?

Ruby:Nothing!🎶 *slowly driving away*

Our nervous android walks through the door to see many tables set in a beautifully designed restaurant that looks like something only the elite could afford. Well let candles are on every table and a chandelier shines nicely on the ceiling.

Penny:*takes a breath* (If you were made to fight a war, you can handle a date.) *sees Oscar*

Oscar:*patiently waiting at a table in his tux.*

Penny:(You can’t handle this)

Oscar:*swaying in the chair*

Ozpin:(Stop loo-)

Oscar:*jolts* (Oh my god you scared me!? I thought we agreed you’d go away for the night?)

Ozpin:(I wouldn’t have said anything if your heart wasn’t beating like a drum. Are you sure you don’t want me around)

Oscar:(Positive)

Ozpin:(Remember that time you were folding clothes and basically had a panic attack because Ruby’s bra somehow got mixed in with your clothes?)

Oscar:......(Just don’t speak unless I say something to you.)

Ozpin:(That’s fair. What if you space out though?)

Oscar:(I’m not gonna-)

Penny:Hey Oscar.

He turns to see his beautiful date in front of him, and beautiful was an understatement. Right now he was captivated by Penny wearing a long green dress with no shoulder straps. It shimmered slightly in the candle light and had a decent size slit on the right side. On her ears and around her neck were some sort of gem that matched her now curled hair perfectly. The girl was shyly twiddling her thumbs as her face was a little red.

Oscar:*flustered beyond belief*............

Ozpin:(*cough* )

Oscar:*snaps out of it* H...Hi! You look...wow.

Penny:Really? It’s not too much? I could take of the necklace or-

Oscar:No, you look....you’re perfect as you are.

Penny:Th...thank you. You...look very handsome in that. *blushing*

Oscar:Thanks *pulls seat out for her*

Penny:*snorts* hehehe

Oscar:What’s so funny?

Penny:Nothing really, it’s just a little weird for someone to do things like this for me. I’m not exactly delicate. *sitting down*

Oscar:I know, but this is a date and I was raised to do this sort of thing. *sits down* So, how have you been?

Penny:I’ve been fine. Spent time with Ruby earlier and she helped me get ready for tonight. Other than that it has been a tad boring though. For the pass few weeks I haven’t really left the base here. Doing a lot of test.

Oscar:Test?

Penny:Just some routine maintenance. Making sure I’m learning about the world efficiently as well as properly. Oh, also I got some upgrades I wanted that should’ve been obvious in hindsight.

Oscar:Please tell me it’s a floating device?

Penny:*giggles* Yes, I can float now. I told my father about the lake situation and we both agreed that a situation like that shouldn’t happen again. I was so tired of seeing the bottom of-

Her train of thought was cut off by Oscar’s look. A calm smile was worn on his face with soft eyes. She could tell he was listening intently but there was something about that look that started to make her a little shy. Everything about the situation even made her stomach feel fluttery. Was that even possible!?

Oscar:Something wrong?

Penny:Sorry, it’s just.....why are you looking at me like that? Not that I mind your smile since it’s really nice.

Oscar:Oh, well thank you. *smiles* I’m smiling because not so long ago you were afraid of tell me anything about yourself. Now you wanna full conversation about it. It’s nice.

Penny:Heh, you’re looking at me new in approved. Physically and emotionally.

Oscar:So, anything else you want to share? I’m all ears.

Penny:*grins* Okay! Umm...hold out your hands, palms up.

Oscar:*does it*

Penny:*holds them*Notice anything strange? Or should I say normal?

Oscar:...Umm, I’m bad at guessing games. All I feel is warm pal- hey your hands are warm, and also really soft.

Penny:Yep! Body heat, more sensors for feelings, and just about anything to feel more normal I suppose. It’s weird, last week I bummed into a soldier and it actually stung a bit. Pain wasn’t a feeling they wanted to give me but I think it’s an important part of-

Oscar:Feeling alive? *rubbing her hand*

Penny:Exactly, I know I’ll never truly be normal but I want to get as close as possible. I want us to feel as normal as possible...

Oscar:*red* Us?

Penny:Yeah, us.... *eyes widened* wait are not? *gasp* did I miss read these signs? Ruby told me about this thing called “subtext” and how to read it but I’m starting to think I might have been seeing it wrong. Which is really scary if- *rambling*

Oscar notices they’re drawing a bit of attention around and starts getting a bit anxious himself. He tries to calm her down but nothing seems to work.

Ozpin:(I know you’re not asking for help but might I offer a small tip?)

Oscar:(Uhhhh sure?)

Ozpin:(Let her know she’s not wrong.)

Oscar:(Geez I’m dumb.) Penny, look at me. *holds hands tighter*

Penny:*worried* Y..yes?

Oscar:I....I like being an us. You didn’t miss read anything. Spending time with you is really nice and this entire day felt super long because I wanted it to get to the part where I got to see you again. I want....I want to be your..... *flustered*

Penny:*eyes widened* Yes...

Oscar:*red* What?

Penny:*looking away*.............

Penny:Be my boyfriend, please?

Oscar:...So do you have better sensors everywhere?

Penny:What?

Oscar:You said you can feel . That would mean you could everywhere right?

Penny:Yeah, but what does that have to do with-

Once again her words were cut short. Instead of his eyes though; it was his hand rubbing her face. Penny knew her sensors where in full effect because the sensation was way more intense than the lake. Not only that but she was definitely feeling way warmer than usual. It was nice, so leaning into it felt more than natural.

Oscar:*pulling back* Feeling better?

Penny:Can you always do that if I ramble?

Oscar:*chuckling* Only if you do same for me.

Penny:Consider it done. *rubbing her arm* uh, could we possibly, you know. *leaning*

Oscar:As eager as I am?

Penny:No Hic! yes...*blushing*

Oscar:Good to know. *leaning*

“Ms. Polendina?”

Penny:Huh? *turns head*

Soldier:Sorry to have interrupted your night out but you are needed back at the base for a briefing. I was told to escort you.

Penny:Awwww but that was supposed to be tomorrow. I’m in the middle of a date, *sheepishly* with my boyfriend.

Oscar:*internal screaming*

Ozpin:(Please stop screaming)

Oscar:If it’s not too much to ask, maybe I could walk her home?

Soldier:I’m not sure if-

Penny:*puppy eyes* Pretty please Mr...*looks a tag* Mr. Tanaka sir!

Tanaka:......Sigh, please don’t dilly dally on the way ba- *hugged*

Penny:Thank you! I mean... *salutes* Yes sir!

Oscar:Shall we then?

Penny:We shall, too bad we didn’t even get to eat.

Oscar:I know right!? The service here sucks.

[City Streets]

The road to the base is relatively quiet. Snow gently falls to the ground while street lights make a trail of golden light. Both of then continued to enjoy each other’s company and walk casually. Cool air blows lightly, causing Penny to remember Ruby’s words. She slowly wrapped her arms around herself and started to rub them.

Oscar:You cold?

Penny:Uh...something like that. *supressing hiccup*

Oscar:*takes off blazer* Here you go.

Penny:Won’t you be cold though?

Oscar:I don’t mind a little cool air. Farm life had its frigid moments. *drapes it over her*

Penny:(This smells nice) That reminds me, I spent so much time talking about me that you didn’t talk much about yourself.

Oscar:Nothing much to tell really. Life’s been pretty average.

Penny:You have two souls.....

Oscar:Life’s been my standard of average. *smiles* Just the occasional internal monologue and grimm patrol.

Penny:Is he talking right now?

Oscar:Nah, we made an agreement for him not to intrude on our date.

Ozpin:(Tell her I said hi...)

Oscar:He says hello.

Penny:Hi Professor. I wish my body guards also didn’t intrude. I suppose you’ll have to tell me more about having two souls another time. Seeing magic would be quite the experience.

Oscar:Funny, I wasn’t thinking you’d actually call it that. I thought you would’ve gone a more scientific route.

Penny:Well I’d be lying if I said it didn’t sound illogical and completely goes against what society knows. However, I can’t deny that it might exist; there’s one shred of evidence that supports it.

Oscar:Really? What’s that?

Penny:It sounds a bit ridiculous but...how do I explain this? *stops walking*

Oscar:*stops*?

Penny:I know I’m not human when it comes to most things. Indeed I have an aura which people consider a soul but even so, I’m still not like everyone else by a wide margin. This is a fact and it’s a fact that I’m okay with; different doesn’t mean I’m inferior or superior. It makes me well, me. But ever since I met you things feel....different.

Oscar:Different?

Penny:*twiddling her thumbs* Like, everything that we do feels scary yet exciting. Things make sense but at the same time, not at all. My stomach starts to feel a little weird too. It’s not some glitch either; I’ve checked plenty of times. I know I’m an android but whenever I look at you......*blushing* it’s like I forget that. I become... just another girl. *looks down*

Oscar:Maybe you’re more human than you think.....

His hand makes it’s way to her chin and tilts her head up. Beautiful green eyes stare right at him with pure and varying emotions; each one he was certain he was feeling too. Fear, anxious, excitement, apprehension, courage, confusion, yet also clarity. The nerve he worked up at the restaurant had vanished and he found it a little challenging to get any closer than he already was. Penny didn’t move either for a moment. She was too fixated on his eyes again; Both her hands found their way to his sleeves however and was tugging Oscar closer painstakingly slow. Pushing down all their anxiety, they both go in for for a kiss. Time stopped mattering and so did the cold. Only thing they focused was each other; their simple kiss under a street light in the snow.

[The base, several minutes later]

Penny:*In uniform and walking though the halls*

Ciel:Oh, There you are Ma’am. You are several minutes behind schedule.

Penny:I’m sorry. Penny Polendina is here and reporting for duty. We’ll still make it before the meeting actually starts. You shouldn’t let that watch rule your life ya know.

Ciel:I suppose you might have a point to a degree. So, was your night out a pleasant one?

Penny:*blushing* Best night yet...

[Jaune’s apartment]

Oscar:*walking in* I’m back Ja-

Jaune:*watching a movie* Oh, you’re back earlier than I thought.

Ruby:*only in Jaune’s hoodie* Oh no, did something happen? Also hi!

Oscar:*avoiding eye contact* Hey Ruby. Penny got called into a meeting so the date was cut short.

Ruby:And after all that work I put in to make her look all cute for the night; not that she needed it. Was it nice while it lasted at least?

Oscar:Yeah.....really nice. *blushing*

[thatbluegibson]

CH 97

Liz watched Dave and her father closely over the top of her red cup as they discussed some DC punk show they had both been at in back in the late eighties while her mother hovered around behind her with Jack and Owen, sneaking them cookies and whatever else she could find from the catering tables before settling them on a blanket in the grass at Liz's feet. She startled a little when Dave's laugh boomed across the tent but settled back in her chair more relaxed than she had been in hours.

Jack had handled the official introductions back on the bus, turning what was potentially an awkward moment into something light-hearted and funny in the way only a seven-year-old could do. And Owen, for his part, clung to Dave like a security blanket, insisting on being picked up and nestling his face into Dave's shoulder the moment he was in his arms. Both boys were enamored with Dave and that apparently erased any hesitations her parents may have had, though a nagging worry still lurked about in the back of Liz's mind. Steve bonded with Dave instantly, just as Liz had hoped, but her mother was more reserved, opting to shake his hand and scrutinize him from a distance before fully welcoming him with open arms.

"How are you, dear?" Nancy sighed and folded herself into the chair next to her daughter.

"Good," Liz replied, keeping her eyes on Dave in case he needed an escape. "How was your flight?" She looked away when her mother didn't immediately answer and was met with a bemused smirk.

"He didn't tell you, did he?"

"Tell me what?" Liz slowly shook her head, wondering what the hell was going on. Travis usually handled all of the travel details and would have let her know if something had gone amiss...

"Oh, darling," her mother clucked her tongue with a knowing smile. "Dave went all out. Private jet for your father and I and another tomorrow for Will, Meghan and the rest. Rented us a house near Disney so we can take all the kids... he and your father were back and forth on the phone most of last week with the details. Doesn't he have an assistant that does all that for him?"

Liz's chest felt like it was collapsing. He had been so busy with last minute festival issues, when the hell did he have time to put all this together? And without her knowing? "I think his manager? But... I didn't know he was doing all that. I just thought..."

"Yes, I was a bit concerned myself," Nancy's gaze drifted towards Dave, then leaned in closer to her daughter. "Are you pregnant?" she whispered urgently. "Did he get you in some kind of trouble? Because I don't care who the hell he is, Nicole Elizabeth. I can get you out of anything, no questions asked."

"No...," Liz shook her head, trying to catch her breath. She hadn't heard her real name in so long that it felt foreign like it belonged to a completely different person. "No, none of those things, Mom."

"You're sure you're not pregnant? When was your last period?" her mother pressed on, blatantly examining Liz's belly hidden under her loose tank top.

"Mom, stop," Liz whined and looked up at Dave just as he glanced back at her. "I'm not pregnant." Even as she whispered it, she automatically went over her calendar in her mind before she remembered the IUD she had placed after Owen was born.

"I'm just saying, dear. If you're planning on having his baby, you better do it now. He's almost fifty, for Pete's sake!"

"So? Mick Jagger has a son younger than Owen!" Liz let out a frustrated sigh, unwilling to even entertain the idea of having Dave's children, especially not while he was less than fifteen feet away. "We're not having any more kids, Mom. We have plenty between us." She was about to update her on the potential surrogacy for Allison and Taylor, but her mother was already way past that.

"But you two are practicing, right? He doesn't need any help in that department?"

"Mom!" Liz gasped so loudly that both her father and Dave spun around.

She giggled and shook her head, unable to keep from teasing her daughter. "All right, fine. As long as he makes you happy, dear."

"Yeah," Liz rubbed her temple a bit, still trying to reconcile what Dave had done for her family. "He really does, Mama."

"Well thank goodness for that," she sighed and readjusted the headphones on Jack's ears to ensure he wasn't listening in. "These two wouldn't stop talking about him the entire trip from Anaheim! Seems like they really love him."

Liz just smiled, her eyes shifting back to Dave. The boys really did adore him and she just hoped they would get along with Violet, Harper, and Ophelia as well.

"They haven't once mentioned their father," Nancy added quietly.

"No kids allowed in the facility," Liz muttered. She hated thinking about it, but Kyle kept breaking the rules at rehab and losing visiting privileges, though from what Travis was telling her wasn't such a bad thing. Recovery had been rough on Kyle and he wasn't looking or acting the way the boys would remember anyway.

More laughter from Dave and her father brought her back to the present and she realized her mother was staring hard at her. "And what's the deal with his ex? Do they still speak?"

"Yeah," Liz stared her down to ensure her mother knew she was perfectly serious. "She's really cool, Mom."

"It doesn't seem just a little too... perfect?"

"Well... it does, but until something catastrophic happens," Again, she thought to herself. "I'm going to just thank my lucky stars."

Nancy chuckled again and shook her head. "You are a lucky star, Nicole."

She just shrugged, uncomfortable under her mother's stare when Dave's hand brushed her shoulder.

"I have to go say hi to Billy. You need anything?"

"No," she smiled up at him and covered his hand with her own when he bent to kiss her. "I'll hassle River if we do, though."

"Good luck with that," he rolled his eyes and tapped the walkie-talkie still clipped to her shorts. "I'm on channel six if you need me, but I'll see you at the stage in a bit. Love you."

"Love you, too," she replied quietly, the feel of her parent's eyes on them just a bit too intense. "Have fun."

*

"You're right, he is normal," Steve mused as he and Liz slowly made their way towards the main stage where Billy Idol was being introduced.

Liz smiled and squeezed her father's arm, her heart swelling with how well her two favorite men were getting along.

"It's funny," Steve went on. "I feel like I've known him forever."

"He's very good at making people feel at ease," Liz explained. "It makes him nervous when people act like he's some god."

Steve chuckled a little, then as they rounded the last backstage tent cut straight to the point. "Do you love him?" he asked bluntly, stopping both of them short in the shadow of the looming stage.

"Of course I love him," Liz said quietly, but firmly. "I wouldn't get the boys involved if this were... not..." she trailed off, thinking about how she had felt back in Oregon, how impractical and implausible her and Dave seemed back then.

"Sunshine," he sighed and rubbed his forehead with his thumb, the way he always did when he was working up to an uncomfortable subject. "Dave is great. He's really... he's a great guy, but..."

Liz felt her heart plummet. "But what?"

"Why the private plane? Why all the rock star perks? Are you two about to drop some bomb on me? Because if you are... honey, I'd prefer to hear it from you now. I promise I'll act surprised later when-"

"No," Liz threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "Daddy, he just wants you to have a good time."

"So... no baby?"

Liz couldn't help it, she laughed at how disappointed he looked. "Nope. No baby."

His arms tight around her and his cheek pressed into the top of her head made her feel like crying, she had missed him so much.

"Just don't let him hurt you like the last one did," he whispered into her hair. "Okay?"

Liz only nodded, knowing there wasn't much more she could say. She was sure her dad knew all about Dave's past, he had followed enough of his career to at least stumble on one or two articles outlining his divorces, but she knew he would give him a pass if his daughter really wanted him to. "He's not Kyle, Daddy," she sighed into his shoulder, ready to change the subject.

Steve chuckled a bit and let her go, continuing down their path towards the stage. "No, darling, he most definitely is not."

*

A few hours later she was standing with Ally and Josie just off the side of stage left, watching Billy Idol sneer through his set. Her parents had retreated back to their own bus to get dinner for the boys and rest from their day of travel, promising they would join Liz and Dave first thing in the morning so all the kids could meet at breakfast.

Dave stood closer to the stage with Josh and a couple other guys Liz didn't recognize, and she found herself far more interested in him than whatever it was Billy was doing. Biting the straws in her drink, she took the opportunity of a dark backstage spot to just stare. He was just so goddamn handsome... and funny, sweet, thoughtful... and hers. She giggled to herself, lost in the wonderment of how fucking lucky she was that he put up with her when she realized he was staring back at her. A slow grin spread across his face and she gripped the surplus crowd rail at her side to steady herself. Busted. Her eyes darted to her drink in embarrassment and she frowned when she was met with just a couple drops chasing each other in the bottom of her empty cup. How she had managed to polish off an entire rum and coke in record time was a mystery, but with her eyes back on Dave she was suddenly feeling the effects.

He made some excuse to Josh, who turned to give her a toothy grin, then gave one last look at the stage before stalking towards her. He gripped his drink and hopped off the riser, still watching her intently before leaning his elbows on the rail to bring himself just inches from her. Now that he was closer, she could see that he was just as tipsy as she was.

A slight delay began in Liz's mind; what was playing out before her at that moment promptly followed by the very first time they met back in the freezing rain of Seattle.

"Hey," he grinned at her, then the delayed memory of a younger Dave, a 2003 Dave: ... Hey.

"Would you like to come watch with me?" Would you like me to sign that for you?

"Oh... yeah. Please," she cracked a smile, knowing her answers were the same as they were back in 2003 but didn't let him in on what was playing inside her mind.

He watched her a moment, trying to figure out what she was up to before straightening off the rail. "That's a shame," he muttered, looking down at their hands side by side on the bar.

"What is?"

"That you don't have a ring on your finger."

The rum sloshed in her blood and she tilted her head, knowing that there was some significance to what he was saying, but she was still too deep in the memory of Seattle. "You don't have one either..."

His eyes snapped to hers and they stared each other down, the gravity of what they were saying slowly settling around them like the desert dust. She told herself to keep a neutral expression, but her eyebrow raised in a challenge and his jaw dropped to say something, just as Taylor bounded up and landed square on Dave's back.

"Dance party!"

*

Liz stuck close to Allison at the backstage VIP bar, both of them laughing over a story about some prank Dave and Taylor had pulled on the Royal Blood guys the year before. Josie and Rami were to her left, making out like teenagers while Dave and Taylor were on her right with Chris, Nate and several other musicians, deep in some discussion about studio layouts.

She had walked back from the stage with her hand firmly woven with Dave's, but they hadn't said a word to each other since the rail. The air between them didn't feel tense and every time she would look over to him he would give her that questioning glance, You okay? to which she would smile back, wishing they could just stand a bit closer. The rum was beginning to fade and in its place, a nagging worry that maybe they had moved too fast and made things thorny with even the facetious talk of rings.

"You okay?"

His voice close to her ear surprised her, but she sunk into his side all the same. "Just a little cold," she admitted, looking up into his worried stare. "I'm not used to the desert."

There was a hand on her lower back and then he was gone, leaving her standing there with a frown and a pit in her stomach thinking that maybe things would be weird now, just when they were getting back on track.

Turning back to Ally, she focused on the story of Dave and Taylor filling someone's tour bus with pink balloons and glitter when a soft fabric landed around her shoulders followed by his arms. She wasn't sure if it was the waning effects of the alcohol, everything that had happened that day or just... him, but she had to swallow back her tears as she looked down at his red and black flannel shirt.

"Better?" he asked, squeezing her shoulders tightly.

"Yes, thank you," she kept her eyes downcast fearing a full waterworks display but reached up to touch his cheek.

"Good. Let's get you a drink."

He stood close beside her with an arm around her back as their drinks were poured, though his attention returned to Taylor as he explained the acoustics of their old basement studio in Virginia while Liz went back to laughing with Ally. She felt more at ease now that they were sharing the same square foot of patchy grass and internally rolled her eyes at herself for being so needy all of a sudden.

"Cheers," Dave said quietly, tapping his cup against hers. "We okay?"

"We're good," she tried to smile through her drink, but the bite was so strong that she grimaced. "Whoa. You trying to get me drunk, Grohl?"

His slow smile reappeared as he turned his back on Taylor and the others in favor of angling into her. "Maybe," he murmured against her lips, chuckling when she responded with a shiver.

She kissed him back, savoring the feel of his palm against her cheek and the scratch of his beard on her chin when Josh elbowed through the crowd around them, his face already tinged red with booze. "Dr. G! Iggy's here!"

"Don't care," Dave muttered, dragging his lips up her jaw to her ear.

"Come on, man!" Josh whined, shoving Dave's shoulder a bit to break him away and Liz laughed when he grunted in anger.

She forced herself to step back, but he moved with her, unwilling to let her go unless she made him. "Just bring him back in one piece," she told Josh as he threw Dave's arm around his tall shoulders.

"Come with me," Dave purred in her ear, holding her against him by the back of her neck with his free hand as a last ditch effort.

"No!" she giggled. "Ally and I are gonna stay here and drink all your booze, then we're gonna go make complete asses of ourselves on that dance floor. You," she turned her face just enough that her lips grazed his cheek, "have to work."

She kissed him and waved as Josh dragged him away, then threw back the rest of her drink once they were absorbed into the crowd.

With Dave's shirt hanging loosely around her and the alcohol in her bloodstream now refueled, Liz, Ally, and Josie danced and sang along with the other party goers on the dusty dance floor and Liz was thankful for a moment where she could let go and not care who was watching her every move. Dave had successfully created a backstage where there were no prying eyes or cameras, just friends having a hell of a good time in the middle of the desert.

She had lost track of time, dancing with Josie to her favorite ABBA song when the smirk on her friend's face let her know that Dave was sneaking up on her. His hands landed on her hips and her back flattened against his chest as he moved with her to the music.

"I didn't think you danced, David," she reached back and put her arm around his neck, pulling him down so she could speak over the music.

"Oh, I dance, Elizabeth," he said lowly, spreading his hands along her rib cage as ABBA faded into Arctic Monkeys.

He moved her hips against his to the deep bassline of the song, Have you got color in your cheeks?

Josie whooped her approval when Dave spun Liz around to face him and danced her way to Rami sitting in a drunken haze just off the dance floor. Thrilled that they were now relatively alone, Liz met Dave's kiss halfway, Have you no idea that you're in deep?

She was overwhelmed with him, his forehead pressed against hers, his hair hanging like a curtain around their faces, his hands coasting along her back from her shoulders to her hips, the smell of alcohol, cigarettes, and peppermint gum, and the way he tasted... 'Cause there's this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow...

"This song... it's exactly how I felt about you the night we met," he breathed, searching her eyes for any reaction.

I'm sorry to interrupt, it's just that I'm constantly On the cusp of trying to kiss you I don't know if you feel the same as I do But we could be together, if you wanted to...

She knew the song by heart, could play it on bass, guitar, and drums if she wanted, and up until that moment was fairly indifferent to the lyrics, but now...

Maybe I'm too busy being yours to fall for someone new...

She dragged him back to her, kissing him deeply and slowly running her tongue along his lower lip until he groaned in agony. "Fuck," he whimpered, "If I don't get you alone in the next five minutes, I will fucking die."

There was a fleeting, matched smile between them before they both took off at a hurried pace, managing to clear the wall of the tent when a loud, warbling version of his name drifted after them.

"No!" Dave yelled back and without hesitation, lunged forward to tip Liz over his shoulder, swatting her ass with his palm when she squealed. "I just want ten fucking minutes with you without being-"

"Young Master David!"

Liz craned her neck to see a man comically running in their direction, then laughed even harder when Dave sped up, pretending he didn't hear him. She was wheezing by the time the man caught up with them and Dave spun to face him, leaving Liz draped over his shoulder with her ass in the air.

"Hey, man," Dave said casually.

"Sup, dude," came the man's reply and Liz wiggled a bit in an effort to see who it was, but Dave's hand tightened around her thigh to keep her still. "I just need my girlfriend for a couple minutes."

"I told you earlier that I get her tonight and you get her tomorrow," Dave replied and Liz shifted again when she heard the smile in his voice.

Girlfriend? What the fuck? she thought, then yelped in surprise when Dave rolled her off his shoulder. She stood in a daze at the sudden movement, then looked over her shoulder to Jack Black, who was grinning wildly at her.

"... hello," she said quietly, her eyes darting from Dave to Jack in confusion. Knowing by the look on Dave's face that he would remain infuriatingly silent, she held her hand out to Jack and plastered on a smile.

"Oh, come on," Jack scoffed and dove towards her, wrapping her in a quick, but stifling hug as Dave chuckled and shook his head. "If we're gonna be lovers, we gotta love, baby!"

Liz stared blankly at him, wondering if she was in the middle of one of those elaborate pranks Allison had told her about. "... we're what now?"

Jack let her suffer a few more moments before breaking. "I signed on to the movie you're doing with Murray," he explained. "As your hapless boyfriend."

Her heart picked up speed as she went through the cast list in her mind. "No way," she whispered. Acting opposite Jack would be an absolute dream and his name added star power to their roster. "No fucking way!" she excitedly bounced on her toes and threw her arms back around him, laughing when he copied her giddiness.

"It's gonna be so fucking rad," he gushed. "Murray asked me personally, so my mind was obviously fucking blown and then he said you were on board and I thought, well fuck! That means Dr. G's gonna be on set!"

"Oh my god, I'm so glad we met tonight!" Liz said, back to bouncing on her toes. "Let's go get a drink so we can talk."

"Right on," Jack gave an exaggerated nod and offered his arm to Liz. "This way, my love," he crooned as she slipped her arm through his and he aimed her back towards the party tent.

"Wait..., what?"

Liz heard Dave whimper from behind them and waved him off. "I have to work, honey! I'll meet up with you in a bit!"

Jack threw his head back in a cackle making Liz giggle and she felt, for the very first time since she had become an actress, truly excited to start filming.

*

For the second time that night, Liz completely lost track of time talking to Jack. She had laughed so hard that her sides were aching and her throat was raw, but there seemed to be no end to the energy and exuberance in her future co-star until Josh sidled up and dragged her under his arm.

"Hey, doll. Your man's about to get cut off."

"Oh, Dr. G," Jack said solemnly and shook his head. "Welp, my love. If I don't see you tomorrow, I'll see you at work!"

Liz hugged him goodbye, a little concerned that Josh wasn't letting her go and let him lead her up to the bar. "What's going on?" she asked over the music, concerned that she couldn't see Dave anywhere.

Josh picked the orange garnish out of his drink and bit it, nodding his head to a point behind Liz with no trace of humor on his usually cheery face. She spun around and scanned the thick crowd at the bar, finally catching a glimpse of Dave's shirt next to a woman in a pink cardigan and pearls.

"Shit," she hissed and darted forward, unsuccessfully trying to pick her way through the crowd when she spotted her only opening. Dropping to the dirt, she crawled on her hands and knees under the bar, keeping as close as she could to the kickplate until Dave's Vans were in front of her.

"Hey!" she chirped cheerfully as she popped up between Dave's knees and steadied herself on his shoulders. He swayed dangerously on his bar stool, sloshing whiskey out of his shot glass and blinked at her in surprise.

"Oh great," her mother grumbled sarcastically. "The fun police is here." She handed her daughter a full shot glass then went to pour another while Liz steadied Dave.

"Oh, babe," she cooed sympathetically and gently took the shot from his hand to place it back on the bar. "You ready to head back?"

He looked around in confusion with glassy eyes. "Where'd you come from?"

Nancy leaned back in with a wide smile, the pearls Liz had given her for Mother's Day swinging around her neck, "You see, when a man and a woman get really drunk at CalJam-"

"Mom! Stop. You've done enough," Liz scolded and tossed Dave's arm around her to help him stand. "We're gonna go back. Please don't give anyone alcohol poisoning tonight, okay?"

"Sure thing, sweetheart," she grinned and tipped back both Liz and Dave's discarded shots with ease, then headed straight for a table containing Iggy Pop, Pat, and several other musicians. Liz just barely caught the surprised look of recognition on Iggy's face when he saw her mother before the crowd closed around them.

"Can you walk?" Liz asked Dave quietly and checked his pockets for the keys to their bus.

"Yeah," he nodded, but didn't move forward. "Gimme a second to remember how to do it though."

"You pick up one foot and then-"

"Yeah okay, smartass," he laughed at her and she wondered if he was remembering that night in Oregon like she was.

They wove through the crowd and ducked out of the tent, pausing a moment to breathe in the cool desert air, a welcome change from the hot, humid party tent behind them. She kept her arm tight around his waist as they headed for their home for the night, both of them giggling when they stumbled a bit over the uneven ground.

Josh's voice calling over the music made Liz look back just as they reached the first line of tour buses. "Hey! You need help, doll?"

"Um...," she giggled a little when Dave let her go and wandered off in a curved line towards the wrong bus. "Yes, please!"

Josh took off after Dave while Liz unlocked their bus and began to gather water out of the fridge and various bottles of painkillers, all the while cursing her mother. Nancy could drink any one of those rock stars under the table and it appeared she had literally done so with Dave, but Liz wasn't as concerned about that as she was her mother's motives. More than once, Kyle had been liquored up then interrogated relentlessly and Liz often wondered if her mother should have been a cop rather than a high school English teacher. Waiting in the driver's seat with a bottle of water and a fist full of ibuprofen, Liz tried to compile a list of potential questions Dave had been subjected to when Josh appeared at the bottom of the steps with him slumped over his shoulder. "Oh shit. Did he pass out?"

"No...," Dave groaned, his voice muffled by Josh's shirt.

"You're gonna want to hose him off before you let him into bed, doll," Josh warned and carried Dave up the steps past her.

"Did you hurl, David?" Liz teased and began to pull towels out of the cabinets while Josh not so gently set him down on the leather couch.

"Yeah," Josh chuckled, "I think he got it all out though."

"Charming," Liz muttered, now completely irritated with her mother. She knew Dave had a show tomorrow and she still got him wasted. "Do you think we should feed him?"

"Yes," Dave moaned pitifully and rolled his face into the back of the couch.

Liz glanced up at Josh as his hand clapped over her shoulder. "Hose him off, I'll go get food."

She smiled her thanks and gave him the key, making sure the door to the bus was shut tight behind him before returning to Dave and throwing her leg over his hips. He grunted under her weight and slid his hands up her bare thighs to the hem of her shorts, but didn't open his eyes when she started to unbutton his shirt.

"Stop it, lady," he slurred, making no effort to shove her off. "You're cute and all, but I have a girlfriend and she's hot."

Liz laughed and moved to his jeans, struggling a little with his belt buckle. "What, that actress?" she scoffed. "I hear she's mean."

"Yeah, super mean. I really like her though," he grinned, opening one eye to peek at her. "I think she's the one."

"Oh yeah?" Liz slid off of him to yank off his shoes and jeans, leaving him in just his boxers and unbuttoned flannel. "You really want to hitch your wagon to that nightmare?"

"Excuse me," Dave laughed a bit when she pulled him upright. "She would say shit show."

"You're right, she would," Liz gently pushed him towards the bathroom, then propped him against the wall of cabinets so she could start the water and grab his toothbrush. "'Kay, Dr. Drunk or whatever it is your friends call you, get in."

"My girlfriend calls me David," he muttered and did what he was told, slumping against the shower wall with his face in the cascading water to start brushing the taste of Crown Royal out of his mouth. "Get in with me."

She sighed loudly at his pleading face and grabbed another towel while shrugging out of his flannel shirt.

"I like that you call me David," he said softly, watching her from the shower.

She didn't answer, just stripped out of the rest of her clothes and closed the door behind them, ducking under the water to face him.

"Your mom got me so drunk," he groaned miserably and leaned his forehead into the cool wall of the shower.

"Yeah, she does that," Liz frowned and combed his hair back with her fingers. "Sit so I can get the whiskey out of your hair."

He dropped to his knees in front of her and held her hips for balance as she gently scrubbed her shampoo through his hair.

"I'm gonna smell so fucking pretty tomorrow," he chuckled.

"We'll find you a nice stick to beat the boys back with," she smiled and spent an extra five minutes just dragging her nails along his scalp and neck, knowing he had a hell of a long day and would probably suffer through another one tomorrow, complete with a hangover thanks to her mother.

"Feels good," he murmured, leaning into her touch.

"Head back," she instructed, switching the shower head to the handheld so she could rinse out the suds. With the water now directed off his face, he began to watch her so intensely that she shivered.

"Your mom said she lost a bet," his voice strained with his throat stretched back, but he never took his eyes off her.

"Oh yeah?" Liz turned her attention to the bottles lined on the shelf next to her, wondering if he'd let her use conditioner.

"She owes your dad a hundred bucks cause I didn't get you pregnant."

Liz's heart picked up speed and she snatched the conditioner bottle off the shelf to examine closer. "Yeah, well... it wasn't for a lack of effort on our part. Thank god for modern science, I guess."

Dave ran his thumbs along the ridge of her hip bones, softly kissing the skin between her Freya tattoo and her navel. "Might be fun...," he whispered so quietly that Liz thought maybe she wasn't supposed to hear it.

With her heart pounding loudly in her ears and her hands shaking, she violently shook the bottle and piled conditioner her in hand before roughly dragging it through his hair again.

"Ow...," he said softly, peering up at her.

"Sorry," she backed off, gently massaging his hair while staring directly at the wall behind him.

He must have sensed her trepidation because they were silent until the water began to run cold and the entire time it took to dry off. She left him at the table to eat the food Josh had dropped off while she got ready for bed, brushing her wet hair out and pulling on one of his shirts to sleep in.

"I bet you're fucking adorable when you're pregnant."

Her head snapped up to find that he had been watching her, leaning against the door frame as he chewed away on his sandwich.

"And, just like my mother, you would lose that bet," she muttered, tossing back the covers on her side of the bed.

"Okay," he grinned at her and discarded the last of his food, crawling up the bed to lay beside her. "Then tell me what you're like when you're knocked up."

Liz snorted a laugh and clicked off the lights. "Have you ever startled an angry raccoon living in a garbage can?" She pulled the covers up over her shoulders as Dave barked a laugh. "I'm fat, I hiss a lot, I only come out at night and all I eat is garbage."

"I bet you're beautiful," he replied, still chuckling from what she had said.

"Dave...," she sighed, knowing he wouldn't drop it until she shut him down. She hated to do it, but it was best to cull that idea before it had a chance to turn into a dream. If she knew anything about Dave, it was that he was excellent at turning dreams into reality.

He shifted around in the dark, a little at first and then just enough so that he was in her arms, taking a shaky breath before speaking in the most heartbreaking tone, "Just tell me it's not a no."

Liz smiled, wondering why her shampoo smelled better on him than it ever did on her and once again scattered the pieces of her life for him.

"Nothing is ever a no with you, David."

[finalfucketry]

What’s Your Status? - Toad

G

Prompto Argentum/Noctis Lucis Caelum

No Warnings

There is a mishap with the Toad spell. The boys don't seem to mind though, including the victim. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     “Why the hell would I wanna do that?” Noctis asked while he dug through his food, exiling the vegetables. Ignis frowned but kept to the topic at hand, he'd learned over the years to pick his battles. Besides, he wouldn't listen anyways.

“I realize the spell is a bit... Unorthodox. However, it is a simple one and ultimately it might be advantageous to... Liken enemies to toads,” he sounded a little self-conscious saying it. It did sound ridiculous. He had a point, though. Buying themselves time if they were surrounded by too many monsters. Noctis shrugged and took another bite, thinking.

“So how do I do it?” he conceded finally.

Ignis narrowed his eyes and pointed at Noctis with his fork.

“I believe you were taught during your mage studies at the Citadel,” he accused. Noctis didn't even have the grace to look abashed. Ignis sighed and adjusted his glasses.

“The spell is simple enough, I can teach you tomorrow, but it is an umbrella spell. The trick is to hold the animal of choice in your mind through the duration of it.”

At this, Prompto looked up from his food.

“So... Nagas are always thinking about frogs?” he asked in confusion. Ignis smiled.

“Well, they primarily feed on amphibians so... In a way I suppose so.”

     Noctis and Ignis figured out how to flask the spell. It was trickier than elemancy, somehow less corporeal.

“I dunno if I'm comfortable testing this out surrounded by sabertusks...” Noctis said, carefully palming the flask. Ignis nodded.

“I agree, it may be too difficult to focus on the spell out in the wilds...”

Gladio kicked dirt over the fire.

“Well I'm not puttin' one on a leash so what's plan B?” he asked Ignis.

“You could.... Try it on one of us?” Prompto suggested hesitantly.

“What? No way,” Noctis responded immediately. If he ended up permanently sacrificing a friend to toad-dom he'd be absolutely pissed at himself.

“Actually... You've done well with this spell, and we have a surplus of Maiden's Kiss on hand...” Ignis offered.

“Wait... For real? You think it'll be okay...?” Noctis asked in disbelief.

“I see no reason why it shouldn't,” Ignis said encouragingly. Prompto immediately raised his hand up high, bouncing on his feet.

“I wanna do it!” he exclaimed, dragging Noctis to the far side of the encampment.

“Right now?”

Prompto nodded.

“Sure, why not?” “I... I guess.”

Ignis and Gladio moved behind Noctis, well out of the way of any lingering spell smoke.

“Ready when you are!” Prompto called out. Noctis laughed and shook his head.

“You're so weird...”

He took a minute, closing his eyes at first, to picture the toad. Enough to make it feel almost tangible. Hoe reared back to throw, but right before the flask left his hand, his thoughts were intruded by a cute little stray they'd come upon earlier that week. The flask left his hand before he could stop it, and it made him panic just a little. It was done though, and the flask exploded in a cloud of smoke. He heard coughing for just a second before it was replaced with a strange noise, like shuffling, compressing, a noise distinctly transformation magic. When the smoke cleared, a small orange tabby sat on its haunches twitching its tail.

     They all stared for a good two minutes at their friend.

“Oh.... Damn,” Noctis broke the silence with surprise. Prompto looked around himself, swished his tail, then let out a loud meow.

“Noct.... Did you perhaps... Lose focus?” Ignis asked, trying to keep the laughter out of his voice, he succeeded with only a smile. Noctis made no effort to hide it as he walked towards Prompto.

“Just a little! You okay, dude?” he crouched in front of Prompto, who batted at his approaching hand before leaning into the scritches. Ignis rummaged through a bag in their tent before joining them.

“Well, at the very least we know the spell is successful... We'd best turn him back or we'll be spending a lot more money on cat food.”

Noctis grabbed the cure and cracked it open, letting the liquid slowly seep out onto his friend, who hunkered down in distaste. However, the only thing it accomplished was making Prompto begin cleaning his fur with a remarkably human glare at Noctis.

“Oh dear.... It seems Maiden's Kiss may only be applicable to toads...” Ignis said warily.

“You've got to be kitten me..” Noctis sighed, earning him a cuff on the back of the head from Gladio.

     “Where do you suppose the nearest town with access to a library would be?” Ignis asked the group. Sans Prompto of course who was busy playing with a small rock all across the campground.

“Lestallum I'd think,” replied Gladio, watching Prompto skitter back and forth with amusement. Ignis sighed.

“I was afraid of that. Well it seems he'll have to deal with being a cat for just a bit longer. I'll see what I can find out about potential cures.”

Noctis grinned and kept tossing other small pebbles into Prompto's path, diverting his attention between them.

“I don't think he minds too much...”

     Ignis was carefully filleting a fish, separating out some parts for garbage and some parts for use later. Noctis and Gladio were by the fire on their phones and Prompto.... Where was Prompto...? Suddenly, Ignis felt a tiny paw on his foot and smiled, glancing down at Prompto. His eyes were wide and black with excitement.

“May I help you?” he asked. Prompto meowed loudly. Ignis wiped his hands clean.

“Cat or no you've still got to wait for dinner like everyone else...” Ignis scolded. The cat continued to stare up at him unnervingly.

“Go take a cat nap,” he ordered. From a chair by the fire Noctis called out.

“You never let me take a nap before dinner!”

Ignis ignored him, especially as Prompto now had two paws, claws extended, hooked onto his pants. He was alarmed.

“Prompto don't you dare...” he warned. He did dare, as he almost immediately began climbing up his leg. Ignis groaned and reached down, tearing him from his leg by the scruff of his neck.

“What has gotten into you?” he asked desperately. For all his trouble he only received a soft meow. And damn it all if he still couldn't help finding it cute. Ignis frowned and set him down, grabbing a trash scrap and tossing it away from the kitchen. He knew it would be a mistake, but right now he just wanted to focus on dinner.

     During dinner he wasn't much better. Though he'd been provided a plate on the ground next to them all, he'd eaten about half before wandering around to bother them. He climbed up onto Gladio's lap, who didn't mind at first, and started reaching up for his plate and his fork with a soft paw. Endearing as it was, he would not stop.

“I'm gonna lock you in the tent if you don't cut that out...” Gladio threatened.

“He would likely shred your sleeping bag for revenge...” Ignis quipped. Noctis sighed and patted his lap.

“Prompto, c'mere...” he called. Prompto paused and looked towards Noctis before leaping gracefully from Gladio's lap and trotting across the way to jump into Noctis's. Secretly, he was pleased even as a cat he would always choose him. Noctis's ill-timed scratches mixed with Prompto's natural clumsiness (even as a cat) meant that as he tried to get comfortable, his legs inevitably ended up slipping off. He recovered from his stumble well enough, but looked around before self-consciously licking down his fur.

     Bedtime was the worst, as Ignis suspected it might be. Prompto was a nocturnal creature now, and they were anything but. He started out padding across the three of their bodies for a while, which Noctis and Ignis didn't particularly mind, but Gladio threatened him again. Either Prompto understood or coincidentally got bored at that exact moment. Instead he chose to bother Noctis, walking on him to reach his face where he could appropriately bat at it. This, Noctis did swat at him for. So Prompto simply tried to sleep on it. It didn't take long for Noctis to run out of air and heave him off with a groan. Now Prompto was twitching his tail in annoyance. Finally Noctis opened up his sleeping bag enough to make it enticing, Prompto definitely took notice. While he was deliberating, Noctis grabbed him around the middle and pulled him in, holding him tightly. Prompto gave up without much struggle and finally fell asleep.

     They let Prompto out in the early morning when he wouldn't stop meowing. By the time they were awake and Ignis was halfway through breakfast, he returned with a strangled meow. They looked around, worried for a second, before grimacing. He dropped a dead mouse at Gladio's feet proudly. Gladio sighed and gave him a pet.

“Yeah, yeah, good job.”

He quietly disposed of the mouse while Noctis distracted him.

“You think it's still Prompto in there? I mean... Does he know what he's doing?” Noctis asked as he gave Prompto a feather he found to play with while he started packing a couple things.

“Hard to say. It's possible that prolonged exposure may start to blur the line between the consciousness of the afflicted and their newfound animal instincts. It may be wise to figure out how to change him back as soon as possible,” Ignis suggested.

     “Y'know, now would be a really good time to have a fourth person,” Noctis said with a pointed look at Prompto. Prompto ended up having to ride on Noctis's shoulders, since he kept getting distracted on the walk to the car. When they loaded up again, Noctis snagged the front seat.

“I'm taking the extra space while we've still got it,” he said, moving Prompto's camera to a safe spot. He dropped his friend onto the back seat beside Gladio. As soon as the car started moving he hunkered down, looking nervously around and yowling a couple times. Gladio groaned and picked him up, bringing him onto his lap and stroking his body. When Prompto decided he was more important than Gladio's book, however, and began rubbing his face on it and reaching up to play with the pages, he immediately picked him up again and leaned forward to drop him into Noctis's lap. Prompto looked disgruntled with all this moving around. He attempted to move onto Ignis's lap and was deflected with a hand and a scratch behind the ears.

“What, I'm not good enough for you?” Noctis asked. Prompto relented and curled up in his lap for the price of a few pets.

“You know you might be cuter like this,” Noctis teased, and immediately regretted it when he felt sharp teeth on the soft flesh between his thumb and index finger.

“Ow, ow, okay! Just kidding...” he said, gently prying his hand from his friend's mouth. Prompto started to purr.

     “I'm afraid I have some bad news,” Ignis told them as he approached the car. They'd held back with Prompto and some cold drinks, not wanting him to get lost in the city.

“Course you do...” Noctis sighed.

“The hotel doesn't allow pets...” he continued with a look at Prompto. Ignis held up a book.

“However I did manage to find a book shop and procure a book that may help us...”

Noctis sighed and poured out some water for Prompto in one of their camping bowls.

“So, in other words we're camping again...” Noctis groaned.

“What's wrong with that?” Gladio side eyed him.

“I propose lunch first,” Ignis interrupted.

     That night, Prompto took turns, going around onto different laps and rubbing against different legs. Ignis, who was trying to read up on getting him back to normal, only tolerated him for so long. Noctis, who could never deny him anything, human or cat, let him up on his lap even when his butt was getting tired from sitting.

“Man, you're affectionate tonight...” Noctis said as Prompto continued to rub against his hand. It wasn't enough evidently. Soon he was rearing up to headbutt his face, making him laugh.

“Weirdo...” he said, and may have planted a kiss on top of his head one of the times. Nobody really had a chance to notice, as the next second they were all coughing in the midst of thick smoke and Noctis felt a sudden heavy weight on his lap. He had to act quickly to keep Prompto from falling back off his lap and into the fire. They all blinked at each other for a second. Ignis closed the book with a snap.

“It appears we've found our cure.”

Noctis was in the process of trying to shove Prompto off his lap, this chair was not made for two, and Prompto was in the process of trying to stay there.

“That's all it took? If I'd known sooner...”

“Y;know, this is probably a sign you don't kiss me enough,” Prompto cooed.

[buckyscrystalqueen]

Into The Ocean: Part 4

Pairings: Seb Stan x Reader

Warnings: Swearing, fluff

Word Count: 4,314

Aesthetic by @sorenmarie87​

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You been sitting here all day?” You asked Seb as you pulled into your slip at the docks well past sunset that night. “I don’t offer night tours, sorry.”

“(Y/N)…” You shook your head as you jumped out of your boat and pulled it back by the bow line so it wouldn’t hit the wall before you tied it off.

“There’s nothing you need to say, Sebastian. I know I’m not a gold digger, I have everything I want or need on the island. I don’t want your money. This was gunna end when you went back to the mainland anyway.” You jumped back into your boat and grabbed the back line.

“And what if I didn’t want that?” You huffed and shook your head as you tied off the back line and jumped back in to grab your stuff.

“I don’t know what to tell you because I like my life. I don’t want to go back to the mainland anytime soon…”

“So then I stay here…” You scoffed and looked up at him.

“You’re an actor, Seb. Ain’t much work for actors in Hawaii.”

“I have a nine picture contract with Marvel Studios. I have enough work…” You shook your head as you grabbed your keys and stepped off your boat past him.

“Seb, why don’t you just leave this as what it is? I’m just the townie that you fucked on your trip to Maui…” He grabbed your arm and yanked you back to him at the end of the dock.

“Do not listen to a word of what those two airheads said about you. They’re idiots.” He let go of his slightly painful grip on your arm and cupped your jaw in his hands. “I want to be with you. You are so full of life and beauty and I need that. If no one else sees what I see in you, well, I don’t fucking care…”

“And what happens when you have some big movie star event? You’re gunna bring your dread head, islander, gold-digging girlfriend on the red carpet in her borrowed bridesmaid dresses and too small borrowed heels and parade her around? How do you think that’s gunna make you look?”

“I don’t care!” He shouted as his grip on your jaw unintentionally tightened. “I want you in my life. I never…”

“Seb…” You tried but he kept talking.

“… knew I was miserable until I came here and you showed me how happy I could be every day! I never realized that someone was able to look at me as a person and not as Sebastian Stan, the actor. I never…”

“You’re never gunna be able to have sex again if you don’t let go of my jaw. You’re hurting me.” You growled as you tried to pull your head away from him. He quickly let go and you took half a step back as you rubbed your chin. When you didn’t walk away, he pressed on.

“Please, (Y/N). Give me a chance to get to know you completely. I’ve got some time until my next movie starts filming. The only thing I have to do is do a couple cons in a couple weeks overseas… I mean like Europe and Asia… I don’t know if that’s considered overseas to you or not…” You huffed a laugh and nodded and he gave you a small smile and a nod. “… babe, give me the option to figure out if this could be something, please. If it’s not, I’ll go back to New York and leave it but just let me have the chance, please.” You sighed as you studied his pleading eyes.

“I won’t tell you no because I would love for you to stay. But I have to keep living my life on the island. I can’t just quit my job so if you wanna stay, you can just go on all the tours and learn about Hawaii or something when I work. Contribute to the island. Or I’ll like train you for your scuba license and you can help out or something but…” You couldn’t finish your sentence as he grabbed your chin gently and kissed you.

“I’m so sorry for what they said.” He said as he pulled back and brushed his thumb across your jaw. You shook your head and rubbed his elbow.

“You’re not the one who should be sorry for that. You didn’t say it. But I also don’t want to hear their fake apology. It’s not worth it to me and I’ve already given the anger and hurt to na uhane; to the spirits.” He nodded as he reached down and took your scuba vest and your beach bag from you and headed to your jeep.

“They told me what they said and I totally understand your feelings on it. But please know not all the people I know are like that.” You nodded and smiled at him.

“That I know. You aren’t the first celebrity I’ve met.” He laughed as he set your stuff in the back seat of your jeep.

“Well look at you. Who else have you met?” You shrugged as you got into your jeep with a smirk.

“A gold-digging islander doesn’t kiss and tell, Seb.” You teased with a giggle. “Come on, I’ll tell you on the way to the store so I can get something to eat. I’m starving.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two and a half weeks Seb was able to spend on the island before having to go back to the mainland went by entirely to quickly for your liking. You were grateful that, other than a two half day trips, most of the tourists that came in were choosing to go with scuba companies through their hotels, which was typical in the off season for you. You weren’t, however waiting down by your boat every morning, promoting your company like usual either. You were just, living. Like most good things, however, it came to an end.

Life on the island picked up after Seb left with the approaching surplus of tourists and went back to normal for you. You started working full days, 6 days a week once again, leaving Wednesdays open. Seb went out of his way to call everyday, timing his calls to catch you on your way into work while you were getting set up for the day and as you were cleaning up for the day. You never realized how difficult it would be to keep up a relationship in such drastically different time zones but if it bothered either of you, the other never knew it.

——

“Good morning, sunshine.” Seb cooed through the little speaker of your phone. You opened one eye and looked at the face time call you got every morning and scowled.

“No.” You growled with your face smashed into your pillow so it muffled your voice. Seb chuckled.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at the docks?” He asked as he glanced over at the clock in his hotel room. You shook your head and rolled onto your back; holding your phone so he could see out the window.

“Thunder storms all day. So, I was going to sleep in but apparently someone had other plans for me.” You pulled your phone back to your face and smirked as you stretched in bed. “What time is it and where are you now?”

“Ten after 1 and I’m in Atlanta today and tomorrow. Are you wearing my shirt?” You smiled and looked down at the black t-shirt he had worn to the caves that you stole from his suitcase before he left and shrugged.

“It took you two months to realize it was missing and looks better on me.” You said as you rolled on your side so you could prop your phone up on your other pillow. “So how was your flight?” He shrugged as you rolled back and flipped on your light with a yawn.

“Long… I have a surprise for you.”

“Ooo… I like surprises.” You said as you rolled onto your stomach and propped yourself on your pillow. “What is my amazing boyfriend surprising me with today?” He smirked and held something up in front of the camera. You squinted as it came into focus and your jaw dropped.

“I’m coming to Hawaii.” You squeaked and bolted up right in bed with a laugh.

“Where are you going to be?” You asked as you leaned back against your headboard and ran your hands through your hair.

“Honolulu after here for work. Think I could convince you to join me?”

“No, I think you’re asking way to much of me.” You teased sarcastically as you glanced out the window at a bright flash of lightening. “Come on Seb. It's been two months since you left, of course I’ll be there.”

“Good because I already told people you were gunna be there.” A clap of thunder made your pigs freak out in the other bed room; forcing you out of bed with a sigh.

“What are you doing in Honolulu anyways?” You asked as you padded through your room and into the hall. Seb laughed at the noise as you pushed open the door leading out to the lanai on your way to the other bedroom.

“God, they are loud.” He teased. You smiled and nodded as you flipped the camera around.

“Watch.” You said as you stood on the far side of the door. You grabbed the handle and pushed it in quickly. The pair ran to get outside; squealing and climbing over each other in a desperate attempt to get out of the confined bedroom you used as their room. For whatever reason, they were way more comfortable with the thunder when they could see the lightening first and apparently the little windows in their room was not enough.

“That’s too funny. I never thought I would ever say I actually missed pigs but I miss those guys.”

“And me too, hopefully.” You said as you padded into the kitchen and flipped on the light to make some much needed coffee.

“Oh hell no. I miss them way more than I miss you.” You smiled as you set your phone on the counter and propped it up on a bag of flour.

“I knew it. You were just using me for the cute. So what’s the work?” You asked again as you went over to grab your coffee and a coffee mug out of the cabinet.

“Interview for Civil War for some internet thing… You wanna do that again for me?” You glanced over your shoulder as you put your feet back on the floor.

“Do what?” You asked as you walked over to the coffee pot.

“I don’t like that cup. Looks like it’s gunna break. You need to go grab a different one so you don’t get hurt.” You laughed as you glanced over at him and put the bag of coffee down.

“How about I do this, is this better for you?” You asked as you pulled his shirt off and tossed it on the other counter; leaving you only in a pair of cotton boy shorts. He moaned as you went back to making coffee.

“Yes because now I can see your sexy as hell elbow.” He teased. You took a half step to your right so your back was facing him so he could see your partially covered ass.

“Can I make my coffee or are you gunna continue to play director over there?” You teased with a look over your shoulder. You could tell he was no longer paying attention.

“What’s that on the floor by your feet?” He asked as he pulled off his shirt and pointed at the camera. “Looks like glass. You should pick it up before you get hurt or something baby. We wouldn’t want that.”

“Nope, we wouldn’t.” You said as you walked over and grabbed the container of sugar. He moaned at the beautiful view of your bare breasts as you took your time pouring sugar into your coffee mug right in front of your phone. “Important conversation, Seb. Interview in Hawaii, coming to see me. Being able to do this in person.” You reached up and palmed your breast in your hand.

“Shit, baby.” He groaned as you gently pulled on your nipple and let out a breathy moan.

“Finish the conversation, Sebastian.” You said as you picked up your coffee mug and brought it back over to the pot.

“C’mon!” He shouted with a laugh. This was one of your favorite games to play.

“Nope. Finish.”

“Fine! Arrive Wednesday, interview Thursday, go to LA Friday with you to the premiere and Sat with you in LA. You go home Sunday so you don’t miss too much work because I know how you are and I, unfortunately, have to stay in LA alone for a couple days before heading back to New York for a couple days. Then I leave for filming. I already called and had Kiki help me clear you with work for those days…” You paused and looked over at him.

“Wait, what did you just say? You want me to go with you to a premiere with you?”

“Come back over here and I’ll answer any and all questions you have for me.” He challenged. You shook your head as you walked back over to the counter and leaned down on it with your arms blocking half of your boobs.

“So are you asking me to this premiere or are you kidnapping me and dragging me to the mainland. Because you know have I haven’t left the islands in almost 7 years…”

“I know, but I really want you there. I want you by my side.” You sighed and ran your fingers through your hair with a small shake of your head.

“Seb…” you sighed. “I just…” the sound of hoofs clacking startled you out of your thought and you lurched away from the counter. “No! Get your wet pig butt out of my house!” You screamed   as you ran to stop which ever pig was heading toward your bedroom. “Hang on, baby!” You screamed as you leapt over Bacon and slammed your bedroom door. “Outside. No, out! You’re fine, go!” She squealed at you and snorted in protest before shaking water all over your hallway. “Damnit, pig! Outside, Bacon or I’ll cook you for dinner!” She trotted back out onto the lanai as Seb howled from the kitchen. You gave her a gentle shove with your foot and closed the door behind her with a scowl. “You don’t belong in my bedroom!” You called out to her as you headed back into the kitchen to grab a hand towel to dry off.

“Did you just threaten to eat one of your babies?” Seb asked as you snatched a towel from one of the drawers.

“When they act stupid, yes. I threaten them. Little shit was gunna go dry herself off on my bed. Not happening.” You said as you grabbed your cup of coffee and headed back over to your phone call. “And you wanna bring this on the red carpet.” You said with a hint of sarcasm.

“I may have already had my assistant pick out a dress for you as well so you kinda gotta come. I don’t think I’d look as good in a dress as you would.” You sighed.

It wasn’t that you didn’t want to go with him and he knew that. It was the fact that you had only been together a couple months and you knew the second you stepped out onto the red carpet as ‘Sebastian Stan’s girlfriend’, not only would you receive some backlash from fans but your business was going to be affected by it and you didn’t know if it would be in a good or bad way. It changed everything about your future in a minuscule yet monumental way. This sole decision was the start of taking what you and Seb had from casual to serious.

He gave you a minute of silence to think; knowing exactly what he was asking of you, as you dried off the water on your body. You refilled your coffee cup and tossed the towel over by his shirt. With a small shake of your head, you came back over and leaned on the counter to look at him.

“Do you want me to take the dreads out?” You asked as you took a sip of coffee. He smiled and shook his head.

“Not unless you want to, baby.” You nodded as you ran your fingers through your hair and pulled a few pieces forward.

“I don’t even know how long my hair is anymore I’ve had these for so long.” You said as you looked at them. You could see little pieces of sand and minuscule fragments of shells tangled in the knots; held in place by the bees wax you used once a week to keep them sort of contained. You smiled, knowing that was the exact reason you always smelled like the beach to your boyfriend. “What color is the dress?” You asked as you looked over at him out of the corner of your eye with a fake look of seriousness on your face.

“Navy. It will match my tie.” You bit your cheek to keep from smiling as you tossed your hair back and rested your arms on the counter.

“I'm guessing you put Wahine in heels, too?” He chuckled and nodded.

“Wahine is gunna be in heels, yes. Louboutin’s I think.” You fake scoffed and threw your hands up in the air.

“Oh, those just won’t do. I can’t go now.” You said as you leaned back down on the counter. He chuckled and you could tell his was running his fingers across his phone screen across your face.

“So you’ll come with me?” He asked after a moment as he looked directly into the camera. You sighed once more and nodded.

“Yea, baby. I’ll go with you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“You took out the dreads.” Seb said when you picked him up from the airport in Honolulu. You nodded as you ran your fingers through your nearly waist length, straight hair.

“It had shells and sand in it. Doesn’t really go well with Dior or Versace.” He smiled as he set his bags down and kissed you right in the middle of baggage claim. You smiled against his lips and cupped his jaw in your palms.

“Hi baby.” He said softly as he gave your waist a gentle squeeze.

“I missed you.” He nodded and gave you one more kiss before grabbing both your bags.

“Did you take the boat over?” He asked as he laced his fingers with yours and headed out of the airport.

“I did. Cheaper to rent a slip in the harbor than fly. I took a taxi here; figure it was cheaper than renting a car, too.” He shrugged.

“It wouldn’t have mattered. I would have…” His words were cut off as someone grabbed you around the waist and lifted you into the air like a rag doll; causing you to yelp loudly.

“You know you still owe me a car.” A deep, slightly familiar voice said in Hawaiian as whoever grabbed you put you down. You spun in a circle with the full intention of punching who ever just picked you up like that only to lose all the fight in you in a second.

“No freaking way?! Jay!" You smiled and stood on your tiptoes to wrap 6 foot 4, Jason Momoa in a hug before quickly pulling back and whacking his chest. “I do not owe you a car. You’re the one who dead stopped in the middle of the road.” He laughed deeply as Seb took a step over and put his hand on the small of your back.

“I did nothing of the sort. My blinker was on and you trashed me, Wahine.” You scoffed and shook your head as he chuckled and took a step back. “Look at you. Islands did you good, girl. Aren’t you in Maui, though?” You nodded as you looked over at Seb and smiled.

“I am still in Maui. Just came over to meet my boyfriend for a couple days. I don’t know if you two know each other…”

“We’ve been introduced once or twice.” Seb said as he stuck out his hand with a smile. The two men said quick hellos before Jason looked around at the people who were beginning to stare and take pictures of the two celebrities.

“Let me give you guys a ride. We’ll catch up, ae?” You nodded and glanced over at Seb as you reached back and laced your fingers with his. He looked at you curiously as the three of you headed toward the parking lot.

“Jay was my first introduction to Maui when I first moved there.” You explained. “I was fresh off the mainland, nose to my GPS so I didn’t get lost, not paying attention to what was going on around me and I hit a bump in the road. My phone flew out of my hand, and when I went to bend down and grab it, he stopped in the middle of the road to make a turn.”

“Smashed her nose against the dash pretty good, too.” Jay teased as he unlocked a rental SUV and popped the trunk. “She got out of the car, screaming, blaming me…”

“Yea, until his giant ass got out of the driver's seat. I thought I was dead.” You joked as you got in the front seat. “I was young, wild and angry… but I do not owe you a car.” You joked as Seb got in behind you.

“Yea, OK.” Jason scoffed as he got into the car. “Where are you guys stayin?”

“The Ritz in Waikiki.” Seb said. Jay nodded as he started the car and threw on his seatbelt.

“So what are you doin’ here? I thought you went all mainland?” You joked as you spun in your seat so you could look at your friend and reach over the back of the seat to hold Seb’s hand.

“I still am. Lisa and I were visiting dad with the kids. Just dropped them off to head back home to start school for the year. Pop’s getting his knee replaced tomorrow so I’m stayin here for a couple days to help out.”

“How are Lisa and the kids?” He nodded as he paid the parking lot fare and pulled out into the steady moving airport traffic.

“Maika’i. Lola is almost in doubles and it’s starting to show.” You smiled and nodded in understanding.

“Yea, well she was a handful in her terrible two’s as well.”

“Don’t let them lie to you. That shit…. It doesn’t end at two.” You laughed as he glanced over at you and up at Seb in the rearview mirror. “So how did you two meet?” He asked as he pulled out onto the highway.

“Kiki and her amazing meddling.” You said as you glanced back at Seb.

“I had a vacation planned to go to Maui with my now ex for like a year. 6 months before we left, she cheated. I didn’t wanna give up the non-refundable tickets so I went anyways. I asked Kiki if she could point me in the direction of something local, exotic and fun and I definitely got what I asked for.” You smiled at him as Jason laughed in agreement of Seb’s description of you.

“I took him out to the west side of the crater and then got a little ballsy and took him to ka wahi.”

“And Kai didn’t kick you out?” Jay asked as he pulled off the exit. You shook your head and smiled.

“Nope. Haole became ohana that day.” Jay nodded and held up a shaka.

“Right on. That jump point still there?” You nodded as he meandered through traffic expertly and pulled into your hotel.

“That it is. You should come back to Maui, let me take you and the kids over to Lana’i. Those dolphins are back.” He nodded as he parked in front of the front door.

“Absolutely. Might take me a bit but I miss Maui.” You let go of Seb’s hand and got out of the car. “Here, take down my number. I don’t know if you have plans for lunch tomorrow or anything but if not, call me. I don’t have to get dad from the hospital til 3.” You nodded as you pulled your phone out of your back pocket and handed it to him.

“So put this phone number on my Instagram and twitter and tag you in it?” You teased as you grabbed your bag before Seb could get it.

“Oh, absolutely. Hey, you saw that interview I did with Jimmy Kimmel when I was throwing those axes across the stage, right?” He winked as he handed you back your phone with a smile.

“Missed that one. Mahalo nui loa, Jay. It was so good to see you.” He bent down, wrapped you in a nearly bone crushing hug and kissed your cheek.

“Hey, a’ole pilikia, ku’uipo. You two enjoy your time together, ae?” You nodded as you rested your hand on Seb’s back.

“I’ll shoot you a text in the morning with the game plan whenever we figure it out.” He gave you a thumbs up and headed around to the driver side.

“Aloha.” You gave him a short wave and headed into the hotel with Seb who chuckled.

“Of all the people in the universe, how did you manage to rear end Jason Momoa?” You giggled and shrugged as he draped his arm over your shoulders.

“I’m just special, baby. What can I say?”

Part 5

[julietandcinderellavocaloid]

Broken Juliet Chapter 8

As Nero predicted, time began to fly by, and he and Rin were more in love a year later than they were the day they got engaged. Rin didn't understand how such was possible when hardly a thing changed – they still worked on her father's farm and spent their free time together, and Rin still slept in her "room" while Nero acquired his own mattress to keep downstairs sometime after their engagement. Perhaps their growing feelings were a result of learning to see and love each other in that light, or perhaps from their continued learning about the other and finding new things to love, or both and then some.

If only the rest of the world was becoming as beautiful as their relationship.

"Not another one," Rin muttered when she saw the Closed Forever sign displayed on yet another shop window. Mr. Anon, Ms. Yuezheng, and even Mr. Chris had long since closed their doors and moved away in hopes of finding customers elsewhere. Now another shop was added to the list.

"A grocer's store, too," Nero added as she and Rin resumed their walk through the village. "Mr. Kagamine is not going to be happy when he hears he lost another buyer."

"I told him not to plant so many vegetables this year. Unless we can find more buyers, we're going to have a surplus."

"I can't wait till he blames us for letting him make the executive decision we had no power to argue in the first place."

Arm in arm, Rin and Nero went to the village to purchase fertilizer. Even though the errand wasn't a two person job, it gave both of them something to do. Not as many fields had been planted that year due to most seed merchants not coming through town as before, although Leon tried to rectify that by planting more vegetables than necessary to make up for the lack of variety.

"In a few years," Rin worried aloud, "there will be nothing left of this village. It will be nothing more than a ghost town, falling off the map altogether."

"Then I suppose it's a good thing we plan to leave," Nero replied. "It just might be sooner rather than later."

To that, Rin had no response. When they arrived at the farming shop, Nero went inside to pick up the fertilizer. Not being a fan of the smell, Rin opted to wait outside.

"Afternoon, Ms. Merli," Rin greeted when she saw the familiar face pass by.

"Oh, Rin, good afternoon."

"Is it really?"

"Yeah, you got a point there." Taking a deep breath, Merli announced to Rin, "I'm leaving by the end of the week."

Rin didn't ask why. She already knew. The shops for travelers passing through ended months ago, after everyone realized it cost more to rent than to sell next to nothing at all. That being one of Merli's main sources of income, she was out of the job and struggled to find new work. Without a job and funds running out slowly, Merli would have to leave if she was to have any chances of finding work again before she had spent every last coin.

Which was why Rin responded by saying, "I'm honestly surprised you didn't leave sooner."

"I don't want to return to my family," Merli replied, "so I put off leaving for as long as possible."

"Do you not have other options?"

"I can either stay with them or stay with them until I find employment. Either way, I have to see and live with them. Putting up with their classist ways has never been an enjoyable pastime for me."

"I'm sorry," Rin said, because there was nothing else to say. Merli's parents sold her younger sister shortly after the girl received a blood rose tattoo. Merli still hadn't forgiven them for it.

"Don't be. I'm doing what I have to do, even if the irrational part of me doesn't want to do it." Looking first at the sky then back at Rin, Merli asked, "Say, do you still happen to have any handkerchiefs?"

"I couldn't even sell most of them after I stopped keeping shop," Rin answered. "Why?"

"I want to buy whatever you have left."

Rin blinked, taken aback by the bold declaration. "Why? You certainly don't need that many, the amount of coins in your purse aside."

"As a thank you of sorts, for being one of the only real friends I had in this village," Merli explained. "Also a parting gift and a wedding gift, but I suppose it's not necessarily a gift if I'm getting something in exchange. Either way, if I go home soon, I won't need all the coin I have saved up. Please, allow me to pass some of it to you before I go. If things continue going the way they are . . . Well, you're going to need it more than I do."

When Rin failed to reply, Merli smiled sadly and added, "Besides, tonight's the last night the fair will be in town, and rumor has it this is the last year it will be around. I know how badly you and Nero want to go."

"You are far too generous," Rin said as she finally processed what Merli was saying and understood that Merli wouldn't take no for an answer. "I could never repay such kindness."

"I don't want a repayment." Merli shook her head. "No matter how hard times may be, I believe it's always important to put good into the world. Regardless of whether you reap the benefits or others do. If that good is repaid to me one way or another, fine. If not, I can sleep easy knowing I had the chance to do good and did it."

Rin didn't know she was tearing up until she blinked and felt a hot tear trail down her cheek. She wiped it away as she said, "I'm going to miss you."

"And I you." Merli pulled a handful of coins from her purse and handed them to Rin. "I'll pay the rest tomorrow when I retrieve those handkerchiefs. Shall we meet at your farm, or here in the village?"

"The village square tomorrow at noon," Rin replied, accepting the money with shaking hands.

"It's a deal then." After each girl said her farewells, Merli went on her way.

Knowing she had to act fast, Rin put half the coins in one shoe and the rest in the other. Leon wasn't expecting Rin to come home with any money. As long as he was none the wiser, she wouldn't have to give up a single coin.

"Why are ya jumpy?" Nero asked when he came from behind and Rin yelped at the sight of him.

"You snuck up on me, that's why!" Rin answered as she playfully hit his shoulder. Lowering her voice, she said, "By the way, I hope you don't have plans tonight. We're about to scratch one thing off our list of things we want to do before we die."

Rin didn't know how Nero managed it, but he was able to convince Leon to let him and Rin go to the fair a town over. Not that Leon couldn't prevent Nero from taking a day off when he worked diligently every day that wasn't a lawful rest day, but it was a great risk to ask to take Rin along. If Leon decided to keep Rin on house arrest, there was nothing stopping him from doing so.

Trying not to think too much about it, Rin rushed to change into her best dress, which was just a simple dress made from the cherry blossom cloth Rin had purchased but was never able to make into many handkerchiefs to sell. The basket of her remaining handkerchiefs sat by her bed. If she was to guarantee having them on hand when she and Nero returned to the village by late morning tomorrow, she deemed it wise to bring them along.

Basket in hand with the coins tucked away. Rin slowly descended the ladder. Bile rose in her throat when she saw Luki standing at the bottom. Ignoring him wasn't going to be an easy task when the way he smirked at her gave away his intention to torment her.

"I'm surprised it took Nero this long," Luki said, crossing his arms and moving to stand in front of the exit. It wasn't enough to emotionally pester Rin. He had to trap her inside with him.

Since she knew what Luki wanted was for Rin to ask what it was it took Nero so long to do, Rin instead said, "Would you please let me out? Nero and I plan to leave as soon as possible. I don't want to worry him by making him wait too long."

"Don't you realize your own father just whored you?" Luki laughed at the shock on Rin's face. "The only reason Nero is getting you off this farm in the first place is because he purchased you as a prostitute for the night."

That's why Nero refused to tell me how he was able to convince Father to let me go. Steeling herself, Rin calmly replied, "If I had known that was all it takes to give me a night off, I would have told Nero to start this months ago."

"Ya dirty slut," Luki spat. "Nero paid for your services tonight. He's going to get it whether you will it or not."

Rin's face burned hot at the implication. "He would never!"

"I wouldn't say that too confidently." Luki prowled forward. "Now, if it were me . . . you wouldn't be able to sit down the next day."

Flinching away before his fingers could touch her face, Rin snarled, "You might have gotten away with it the first time, but I swear there will not be a second."

"Come on, Rin, you know that doesn't count. I didn't go far enough."

"It's always too far when there's no consent."

"Such a prideful, privileged wench. You're a Juliet. I don't need your consent."

"Then why not pay the price if it's really that easy?"

"Because you're not worth the price." Leaning forward, Luki whispered in her ear, "Besides, it's more fun to watch your squirm. I was waiting for the day I could corner you like the prey you are, but Nero had to show up and ruin that for me. I won't mess with another man's plaything, but don't think I'm too picky for leftovers. When Nero finally gets what he wants from you and drops you like the filth that you are, I won't hesitate to go after you again."

After he said this, Luki stepped away from the door. Rin didn't hesitate to move past him and get as quickly away from the barn as possible. Her skin crawled when she felt Luki's hand brush against her bare arm, but she gave no indication that she noticed.

"Ready to go?" Nero asked as Rin came up to him.

"You bet," Rin answered, quickly linking arms with Nero. "Luki threatened me again, so I'm more than eager to get out of here now."

"Why does he keep messing with ya?"

"I don't know. I think he's trying to compensate for something."

"Y'know, Rin, maybe if ya let me talk to him—"

"I don't want him to know that you know. Let him think he's so sneaky and clever. Trust me, I feel a lot better knowing we have the upper hand."

"If ya say so." Nero kissed Rin's chin. "But if he tries anything unforgiveable, he and I can take it out to the fields."

The sun had set by the time they made it to the other village. Rin and Nero rented a room and dropped off their bags before going straight to the fair. Absolutely pleased, Rin had more than enough for admission and dinner.

Since Nero paid to take Rin away for the night, Rin argued it was only fair she pay for the night itself. This resulted in frugal spending, but neither cared. It was the experience they shared with each other that really mattered.

"They're so pretty!" Rin whispered as she and Nero walked through the cow display. One approached the duo as they walked by, so Rin reached out to pet its face and scratch its ear.

"We're going to have one of these on our farm one day," Nero said as he too pet the cow. "Along with half a dozen chickens, a donkey, and a pair of oxen."

"What, are we going to be rich?"

"I can dream, Rin. Let me dream."

Trying to experience as much as they possibly could, Rin and Nero looked at all the exhibits, listened to live performances, and played a couple of the cheapest games. They looked through all the sale booths even though they didn't make any purchases. As the night came to its inevitable end, Rin saw one last thing she wanted to do.

"Let's ride the wheel!" Rin clutched Nero's hand tightly as she pointed it out.

Nero watched the metallic wheel that was larger than the biggest barn spin in slow circles. He furrowed his brows, and Rin could tell he didn't see the appeal in it. However, right when she was about to suggest otherwise, he smiled at her and said, "If that's what my lady wants to do, then let's do it while we have the chance!"

Rin didn't know what she expected, but it still amazed her as the cart she and Nero rode rose high into the air. All the booths and their lights were visible below. The sight took Rin's breath away.

"So this is what it's like to get a bird's eye view," Nero whispered, and Rin giggled at how he was just in awe as she. Reaching out and taking her hand, Nero squeezed her fingers as he said, "I'm so glad ya pointed this out. I couldn't have found a better way to end the night if I tried."

Hand in hand, Rin and Nero left the fair and stored the memories away in their hearts. They talked about the experience as they walked back to the hotel, unable to put it out of mind right away. Rin knew this was something they would continue to talk about for years to come.

They reached the hotel and closed the door behind them. Their hands still intertwined, their laughter faded as both leaned closer for a kiss. That kiss became two, then three, and it only continued to escalate.

Rin didn't know at what point Nero picked her up, but she was fully aware when he gently laid her on the bed. One hand on her cheek, Nero let each kiss grow slower and deeper. In response, Rin wrapped her arms around Nero's neck and pulled him closer.

When Rin felt her buttons coming undone, her eyes snapped wide open. Nero was unbuttoning her dress. Tensing, Rin felt her stomach revolt at the thought of what was to come if she didn't put an end to it.

"STOP!" she shouted, pushing Nero away.

"I'm so sorry!" Nero exclaimed, jumping to the other side of the room as Rin quickly rebuttoned her dress. "I should have asked if it was okay instead of getting caught up in the moment."

"It's fine," Rin said, but she started to cry. Try as she might, her sobs would not be silent.

"Rin, I'm really sorry," Nero said softly, and Rin could tell from how he shuffled his feet that he couldn't decide whether to come close to comfort her or keep his distance. "I didn't mean to upset ya. I never would have let things get so far if I had known—"

"I'm not upset at you," Rin interrupted.

"Then why are ya crying?"

I'm upset at myself, Rin thought, not having it in her to say the words aloud. For some reason, I feel so repulsed, and I don't know why. I should have wanted to go all the way, shouldn't I? How come I didn't want to? What stopped me?

"Is it what Luki said?" Nero suggested, and Rin remembered what had been revealed to her earlier that day. "About what I had to do to get ya to come with me tonight?"

"No," Rin replied, grateful to answer that much. Wanting to give Nero a reason, Rin desperately tried to find one. "I . . . I'm not ready yet."

"It's okay, ya don't have to be. I can wait for as long as ya need. Really, we should keep waiting till marriage. I don't know what came over me."

When Rin didn't reply, Nero asked, "Do ya want me to sleep outside?'

"No," Rin answered. "Stay with me."

They changed with their backs facing each other then prepared for bed. Rin saw Nero pick a spot on the floor and laughed, albeit a soft one. Nero furrowed his brows at her, prompting Rin to laugh harder.

"Not on the floor," Rin managed between laughs.

"But there's only one bed."

"So? It . . . would be nice if we cuddled."

Relief seemed to flood over Nero's features. It was awkward at first, but eventually the two found comfort under the sheets. Nero hugged Rin from behind, his arm draped over her waist. In turn, Rin rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. They had spent many nights under the stars sitting like this, but never sleeping in such a position.

"I'm sorry," Nero said, Rin not sure how many times he apologized since the incident.

"Don't be," Rin replied. She wrapped her fingers around Nero's. "I'm not upset at you or anything like that. I just overreacted."

"It won't happen again. Not without talking to ya first."

"Nero, stop beating yourself up about it."

"I'm going to for a long time, Rin. Let my guilt keep me in line."

"If you say so, but I won't hold it against you." Sighing, Rin allowed herself to sink deeper into Nero's body heat. "I love you."

"I love ya too."

Even after Nero had fallen asleep, Rin still lied awake. Despite what had happened, she still felt safe in Nero's arms and wouldn't have wanted to spend the night any other way. However, she couldn't stop asking herself why she wasn't ready when she and Nero had already been together for a year and were even engaged.

And she couldn't stop asking herself why she had the sinking feeling she would never, ever be ready to go all the way.

[blacknovelist]

A Place to Be - BNHA Fic (Epilogue)

I finished this earlier, but then I wanted to wait and post it later after proofing, except then I got distracted cutting out like, fifty paper stars and watching Car Boys on my phone, so... whoops.

I mentioned at chapter 3 that I have a lot of feelings about this whole thing. This chapter/epilogue is my way of offering a little bit of happiness for everyone involved. And, I’m not going to copy-paste what I said on ffnet and Ao3 here because it would make this much too long, but I have some words about it, so. If you want, go read one of those notes too.

Really I just wanted to have a nice conclusion behind everything. Chapter 4 was the self-indulgent feel-good dad might, so here’s the rest of my feelings after everything. It was so much fun writing this fic! And I do love it! Hearing everyone commenting was so great and it made me really happy! but its probably not something i’m going to do again unless I go about planning its posting schedule a lot better, lmao. Thanks for being ridiculously patient with my antics! (^‿^)

[AO3] [ffnet]

[Ch. 1] [Ch. 2] [Ch. 3] [Ch. 4] [Epilogue]

Epilogue:

If the day after tomorrow is "overmorrow", would the day after that be "over-overmorrow"?

It took three days for the grapevine, customarily twisted and distorted from it's humble beginnings​, to finally make its way back to 1-A during lunch. Which was impressive, when one thought about who they had on their side in the art of gossip collection, but let the technicalities be technicalities.

"Did you hear about the dude who snuck into the dorms?" One student said as they went. The twenty ears of their class perked up in unison. "They posed as a kid's dad and tried pulling them out."

Another chortled, "no way, wasn't it an actual parent?"

"I heard," said a third, "it was a thug who got hold of an ID from a parent and tried to cause trouble."

"Pff, as if!"

Outwardly, Izuku didn't react to the conversation, but to the rest of them as they made their way to the cafeteria, the hunch in his shoulders and how he looked away was clear as day. Iida had half a mind to tell them off from their unprofessional behavior concerning word-of-mouth when someone stepped between them.

"That's enough gossip from you," Aizawa interrupted, waving a hand, and class 1-A stared - the pro hero was never in the halls or cafeteria when he could help it. "Go and get lunch. Sit down, stop loitering and blocking the way. Shoo."

The others slunk off, and, path clear again, Yaoyorozu led the way forward. They nodded at their teacher as they passed, Kirishima flashing him a bright smile; he simply blinked. Eyes stayed on them as they rounded the corner before Aizawa turned back towards his classroom, coming face to face with Present Mic.

"Yo, Aizawa!" He grinned. "So, it's been a few days. Is your ban on visiting the kids at the dorms lifted yet, or do I have to wait for the next lesson?"

Aizawa thought of the sheets draped over every chair and couch and tall table available, the surplus furniture shoved aside where errant limbs couldn't reach, the dead-asleep faces of his students and coworker as they snoozed in the middle of the room.

"Give it another day before you ask me again," he replied, and walked away.

"Ugh." Kaminari slumped into his chair. "I can't believe Midnight-sensei is giving us these big projects out of nowhere and making them due in three days. How are we supposed to do them that quickly?!"

"It's not that bad. All we actually have to do is pick something that's not well-known and do half a paper about it," Ojiro pointed out.

"Yeah, but why?"

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it." Shouji said.

Jirou grinned. "You don't want to be stuck in remedial lessons because you didn't want to do a tiny assignment, do you?"

"Hey hey hey, who said anything about not doing it?! Come on!"

They all grinned and laughed as Kaminari moved on to begging for help, practically throwing himself over the table. Trays were shifted and shoved out of the way without a single blink.

"Oh relax, you drama queen." Ashido stuck her tongue out, stealing a handful of edamame from one of the trays and crunching two at a time. "Of course we won't let you hold us back by failing in class that badly."

"That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence, you know."

Sero shooed Ashido's hand away as she came back for seconds. "Hey, we're a class, aren't we? We're gonna be graduate and become heroes together."

"Whether we like it or not," Hagakure added. "So we might as well make sure we're good heroes while we're at it, right?"

"Well," Tsuyu said, "I hope accidentally getting stuck in trees and balconies isn't part of that help, or no one's going to want to ask for it."

"That happened once."

There was a round of snickering. Kirishima glanced at Izuku, who was shaking over his lunch, then grinned at Kaminari. "Seriously man, relax," he said, slinging an arm over Bakugou's shoulders. "It would be unmanly of us to leave you when you're asking us for help! I bet Midnight-sensei will let us swing working together as long as we all do our own things like she said. Right, Bakugou?"

"Get your arm off me, shitty hair."

"See, even Bakugou agrees with me!"

"SINCE FUCKING WHEN!?"

Uraraka and Izuku snorted in tandem, spluttering into their tea and rice, which only sent them into another fit of laughter. Beside them, Tokoyami gave an amused huff.

"What a mad, chaotic banquet this is."

"...Yes, of course. I trust my kids, and I can hardly say I do not trust one of their parents, but you must understand that it's my job to keep their needs and wants in mind, as one of their teachers and supervisors. I'm certain they'll think it's far too soon, with such an event fresh in their memories, but how about I bring the possibility up with them?" Toshinori nodded. "Excellent. I will inform you of the verdict when I can. Thank you."

He hung up, sighing. Business calls were never fun, and that particular call was no exception. Should I ask them all at once, or individually...?

Only a few of his students were lingering inside as the afternoon started to fade, Satou playing with the oven in the kitchen and Mineta, Todoroki and Izuku gathered around one of the tables. The latter two were hunched over schoolwork while Mineta tried getting their attention by "regaling" them with his "exploits". This would've worked better if he wasn't so into his story that he sounded incomprehensible to anything with ears, and if either of them actually cared.

As it was, they simply nodded whenever it seemed like they should, despite not hearing a word coming out of his mouth.

Izuku glanced at the clock. "Ah, sorry, guys." He shuffled everything into his hands. "It's a little early but there was something I wanted to do, so I'm gonna head up for now."

"Sure thing, Midoriya." Todoroki looked up. "Have a good night."

"Aw, you sure you wanna go up now?" Mineta drooled. "I was just about to get to the best part-"

"YesI'msurethankyou." Izuku shot up. "Good night, guys!" He spun around and nearly sprinted across the room. Mineta shrugged.

"Well, it's his loss. As I was saying-"

"Actually, I should be heading up soon as well."

Izuku sighed as Todoroki made his own escape, bustling past with a brief nod. He looked up to meet Toshinori's eyes, and grinned sheepishly.

Toshinori smiled back. "I'll see you in the morning, my boy. Have a good night."

"Ah, yeah! I will!" Izuku paused in his step, smile growing wider. "Good night, dad!"

Toshinori's brain shut down. Izuku had scampered off, which meant that the only witnesses to Toshinori's gradual return to cognitive function and his bliss as he returned to his room were a clock, the various chairs and tables, and Mineta.

Yes, Toshinori would definitely have a good night.

Izuku stood before his mother's door, green and blue unevenly glowing and fading in the hallway lights and afternoon sun. He'd spent the past few days thinking about this, making a decision, but now that he was here the anxiety churning in his gut gave him pause.

'...I don't have to take it onto myself to rebuild the bridge between us on my own. That's not my job, when neglect is what burned it down. That's okay...'

He shook his head, repeating the thoughts that had pushed him to come over and over like a mantra, and knocked. At the muffled call, he pushed the door open gently.

"Hi, mom."

"Izuku, sweetie!" Inko looked up from her drink. The UA room they'd given her was more than she really needed, with it's double bed and spacious closet, the desk pushed against one wall, the loveseat she sat in and a couch framing the coffee table. "Are you okay? How was class? Do you need anything?"

"I'm doing fine, mom. Class went well!" Izuku beamed for a moment. "But, um, do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Of course not." She shuffled a few papers and her teacup out of the way as he came in, headed for the seat across from her. Even when she split her nights between staying at home and staying at the dorms, Inko made the room feel lived-in. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no, it's nothing big or important like that, really! It's, uh, it's just..." Izuku faltered. A tide of this is a terrible idea started to well up inside him, telling him to take this back, to forget about it.

Then he took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and pushed that doubt away.

'...Still, if I want to, I can meet him halfway. Everyone will stand by me, no matter what I decide. Whether he comes back or not is up to him. That's alright. And, regardless...'

"Mom, can you tell me more about my, um, dad? My birth father?"

Inko paused, studying his face. Then, she smiled.

"Yes, of course I can. Where should I start?"

:...There are still questions I want to have the answers to, if I can. Someday, maybe you'll be here to answer them.'

[lumiolivier]

Chapter Nineteen:  Who’s Misa Misa?

Word Count:  4002

Chapter No. 19/36

Notes:  Everything’s pretty kosher.  Although, there’s some cuteness in this chapter that got me all squeaky.  So...

Chapter Eighteen:  Duality of a Broken Heart

I brought Veronica back to my house and threw the first pizza in the oven.  Not the first time and probably not the last time I’ll do that tonight.  When she walked in, Veronica looked so defeated and immediately fell onto the couch. Then again, sleep probably didn’t come easy for her last night.  As soon as I went back to the living room, Veronica was already asleep.  This poor baby didn’t deserve this.

 Although, I hadn’t planned on Veronica crashing here tonight.  Her nap would give me a little bit of time to cover up the weird.  I set a stopwatch on my phone.  Maybe I can beat my half hour record.  First the wall scrolls.  Then, the figurines into the closet.  Then, my manga on the top shelf amongst my cosplay props.  I’m truly sorry, Sebastian, but you have to go in the closet, too.  I’m sure if you look deep enough you can find Ciel, too.

 All I needed to do now was set up some diversionary knickknacks.  I usually leaned toward the lighter, pastel, sugary things for that. A cupcake candle, a cute little spacy fairy, a little fake cactus in a light terra cotta pot.  There!  All done! Twenty-three minutes.  Huh.  Not bad. A new record.  Good for me!

 I went back downstairs and took that pizza out of the oven.  Veronica was still sleeping like a baby.  Good.  I threw a blanket over her and looked at my phone.  A text from Julian had been burning a hole in my inbox since I pulled out of the high school parking lot.

 How is she?

 My heart melted when Julian cared.  If I could clone him, I’d give Veronica one in a heartbeat.  He was perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  Maybe not quite to Veronica’s high standards.  I really don’t think she’d be able to handle the otaku life, but she’s put up with me all these years.  She had no idea about my weird, otaku life, though.  Maybe Julian’s not her perfect, but he’s perfect for me.  And I loved him to death.

 She’s asleep.

 To be honest, she had me worried.  Veronica never handled depression well and I just wanted to hug her.  This little angel was crying in her sleep and it kept breaking my heart more and more.  I wanted nothing more than to tell her everything was going to be alright. Because it would be.  She’s young.  She’s adorable.  Sure, she’s a little shrill from time to time, but that was Mis...Veronica.  She could have the entire world at her feet with a mere smile.

 “A letter from the queen, my lord,” my phone barked at me.

 Shit!  I forgot to turn the ringer off!  Veronica tossed around on the couch, but ultimately ended going back to sleep.  Dodged a bullet there.  I love you, Julian, but sometimes, your text pop up at the most inopportune times.  I grabbed my phone off the end table and slid my finger across the lock screen…That just so happened to be a picture from Saturday night.  And I kind of wanted to cry.

 You need anything before I come over?

 I thought it over for a minute or two.  We were good on mostly everything.  Veronica hasn’t tapped into the food surplus I had for her.  She’s only slept.  Wait a minute…Am I catching a delayed contact high from Kyle or did Julian say he was coming over?

 No.  We’re good. And I thought I said it was only going to be her and me.

 And I waited again, keeping an eye on her.  But once my phone buzzed in my lap again…

 I know.  Frilly jammies and pillow fights.

 I loved him.  I giggled a little, shaking my head at his stupidity.

 Again.  Not a porno, Julian.  What am I going to do with you?

 Bzzz…

 What are you going to do with me? ;)

 I loved this dork.  I really did.

 Not that.  Not tonight.

 “Is that pizza?” Veronica groaned into the arm of my couch.

 “Morning, sweetie,” I chimed, feeling my phone buzz again, “Yeah.  You want some?”

 “Some?” she gave me a look.

 “Yes,” I assured, “I made it all for you.  It’s in the kitchen.”

 “Bless you,” Veronica stumbled lethargically toward her goal while I took a quick glance at my phone.

 I understand.  You have to take care of her.  Come stay with me tomorrow night?

 Hmm…A slumber party at Julian’s?

 Sounds good to me.  Can’t wait. :)

 Bzzz…

 I love you. xo

 This boy was too much for me to handle sometimes, but I wasn’t getting rid of him anytime soon.

 I love you, too.

 I sent him a GIF of Grell Sutcliff blowing Sebastian kisses.  Figured it’d be appropriate.  It’s true love when there’s an exchange of GIFs featuring the entirely one sided relationship between the genderfluid reaper obsessed with the sexy demon.  Although, I feel like, in a way, all the Black Butler fangirls become Grell at one point or another.  Maybe that was Yana Toboso’s way of bringing the fans into the story.

 “I don’t get it, Mimi,” Veronica came back in with her entire pizza already half eaten, “If what happened isn’t my fault, why do I feel so guilty?”

 “Because that’s how douchebags work,” I sat with her, leaving my phone on the end table, “They’ll make you feel like shit after they leave you.  It’s the withdrawal from the oxytocin and the dopamine.  It’s like taking a needle out of a junkie’s vein.”

 “I miss my needle,” the tears started kicking up again.

 “No,” I shut her down, pulling her toward me, “Don’t let him win, Veronica.  Don’t let him win.  Whatever you do, don’t lose.”

 “But what do I do now?” Veronica wiped her eyes.

 I drew a total blank. I had no idea what to tell her. But someone else did.  It had helped tremendously when my ex dumped me. When I find myself in times of trouble, the words of Edward Elric came to me, “Stand up and walk.  Keep moving forward.  You’ve got two good legs, so get up and use them.  You’re strong enough to make your own path.”

 “Wow,” she blinked, “That was beautiful, Mimi.”

 “What can I say?” I shrugged, “When I was going through this a couple years ago, that was exactly what was said to me to snap me out of the hell I was in.  That whole, how am I going to live without him, feeling.  I know what it’s like, Veronica, and look at me now.  I got up. I started walking.”

 I wasn’t going to say I stole it from Ed, but between crying in Sebastian’s two-dimensional shoulder and binge watching Fullmetal Alchemist again, it got me through.  When Ed and Al were in Liore, hearing that line hit really close to home.  I got up. I started walking.  And eventually, the universe played out in my favor.  I ended up with Julian.  I ended up with the idiot alchemy freak that was lucky his head was attached to my mech otaku that liked to use her tools as weapons.

 “So, what you’re saying,” Veronica interpreted, “I need to get me a rebound?”

 “Not exactly,” I sighed out. She completely missed the mark, “I’m saying-”

 “I do!” she squeaked, “I need to go out and find me another man!  I just have to get back on the horse!”

 If it was enough to get her this excited and it was going to keep me from watching Real Housewives of Orange County tonight, “Sure, Roni.  Whatever you need to make you happy.  I’m not saying you need another man to do that, but whatever you have to do to cope.”

 “I got it!” Veronica jumped up from the couch and started sprinting upstairs, “We’re going out tonight!”

 “Veronica!” I chased after her, “You have school in the morning!  And I have to work at the ass crack of dawn!”

 “It’s been a while since I flexed my fake ID,” she admitted, digging under my bathroom sink, “We should go to Kansas City tonight and do something fun!”

 “Did you not hear me?” I repeated myself, “You have school in the morning.  I have to go to work.  We can’t go out tonight.”

 “Yes, we can!” Veronica brushed me off, “I can pass off my being sad as being tired.  It’ll work.”

 “You need some sense talked into you, sister,” I shook my head, “But since you’re probably past all logic right now, we might as well.”

 “So, we can go out tonight?” she beamed.  I couldn’t take that away from her.

 “Why not?” I shrugged, “This is the most animated I’ve see you all day.  We can go out tonight.”

 “Yay!”

 “But you do understand,” I hoped, “You don’t need a man to make you happy?  You can make you happy?”

 “Easy for you to say,” she scoffed, “You’ve been single for two years.”

 “Ouch…” I took offense to that, “That hurt, Veronica.”

 “Oh,” Veronica realized the error of her ways quickly, “I’m sorry.  That wasn’t supposed to come out.  That was supposed to stay in my head.”

 “I know, honey,” I let it go, “You’re still emotionally fragile and your mouth moves faster than your brain anyway.”

 “Thanks, bitch!” she giggled, “Since you’re ridiculously good at this, could you get me ready?”

 “My pleasure,” I agreed.

 “I need something that says I’m not still in high school,” Veronica specified, “Something that’ll attract old money is a plus.”

 “Really?” I rolled my eyes, getting my roll of brushes out, “A sugar daddy, Veronica?”

 “Can’t hurt, can it?” she shrugged.

 “I pray for you, child,” I let out a heavy, exasperated sigh, “I really do.”

 And I got to work. Something that said she wasn’t still in high school…But I wanted to give her something that would make her feel better. So, eyeliner wings sharp enough to stab a man’s heart out seemed like a good idea.  That is…Until I realized my liquid eyeliner had gone completely dry. Shit…

 “Hold on a minute,” I stopped, “I need to make a phone call.”

 “For what?” she wondered, “Is everything ok?”

 “Fine,” I settled her, running back downstairs.  I grabbed my phone off the end table and scrolled through my contacts.  Come on.  Pick up.  Pick up. Pick up.

 “Hey, baby,” Julian answered, “What’s up?”

 “Thank God,” I breathed out, “I need a favor.”

 “Mimi, what’s wrong?” he went into instant panic mode.

 “This is going to sound ridiculous,” I prefaced, “But you wouldn’t happen to know where I could score a good, black liquid eyeliner right now, would you?”

 “The Sephora counter in the mall in Kansas City,” Julian assumed, “Why?”

 “Will you go get me one,” I begged, “Urban Decay.  Perversion. I will pay you back when you get here and I will love you forever.”

 “Easy, speed racer,” he settled me, “I’ll go get your eyeliner.  I was just about to leave the café anyway.”

 “I need it toot sweet,” I rushed him, “The sooner, the better.”

 “Alright,” Julian said, “I’ll be there in roughly an hour.  Is that ok with you?”

 “Fine,” I evened out, “I love you, Julian.  You’re a lifesaver.”

 “It’s what I do,” he sang, “I love you, too.”

 Click.

 And he complains about Paul not saying goodbye.  Right now, I was so lucky to have him in my back pocket.  I ran back upstairs and found Veronica going through my case.  My beautifully well-organized case.  That she was moving too much around in.

 “What was that all about?” she asked.

 “My eyeliner’s gone dead,” I relaxed a little, “I don’t have another one, but I got more on the way.”

 “The things you do for love,” Veronica chimed, making swatches of various lipstick shades on the back of her hand.

 “What do you mean?” I started to sweat a bit.

 “You love me,” she pointed out, “And you’ve sent whoever on a wild goose chase for more.”

 “Oh,” my anxiety eased, “No. I just asked Julian to score me some eyeliner.  It’s not that big of a deal.”

 “He’d do anything for you,” Veronica assumed, “Wouldn’t he?”

 “Just about,” I reorganized my case.  A place for everything and everything it its…Hold on, “Roni, did you take any nail polish out of here?”

 “No,” she shook her head, “I found a bottle on the back of your sink, though.”

 Sure enough, my dark blue was out.  Huh.  I haven’t painted my nails in ages. Griffin got pissy when I did that. Even my toes haven’t seen nail polish in a while.  Last I looked at them, they were all chipped to hell.  Oddly enough, they were this exact shade of blue.  The same color as Amestrian military dress blues.  Well, we were going out tonight.  Might as well redo them.  I had an hour to kill, “I could’ve sworn this was in the case.”

 “Are you and Julian a thing yet?” Veronica wondered so innocently, “You can tell me.  I’m emotionally fragile, not dead.  I won’t freak or anything.”

 “No,” I lied, peeling off my socks, “We’re just friends.  Nothing more.”

 “So,” she gave a dirty smirk, “He’s available and unattached.”

 “Trust me,” I stopped her, “You’re not his type.”

 “Why not?” she pouted, “I’m cute and sweet.  What’s not to love?”

 “You’re not a little full of yourself,” I chuckled, looking down at my already perfectly painted toes. When the hell did I do that?  Did I repaint my toes and not…?

 Did you notice my little surprise this morning?

 Dammit, Julian.  So much for that idea, but I couldn’t keep a smile off my face if I wanted to right now.  This asshole.  This adorably perfect asshole.  There was no way I could ever get rid of him.  It was Julian.  He made it so easy to love him.

 “What’s that face all about?” Veronica nudged me, “Tell me.”

 “What face?” I tried to hide it.

 “You’re blushing, Mimi!” she was so kind to point out, “What aren’t you telling me?”

 “There’s nothing to tell,” I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.

 “Fine,” Veronica let it go, “But I know there’s something.  I will find out.”

 “Whatever you say, sweetie,” I loved her, but she’s nuts.

 “Knock, knock!” a familiar voice chimed from the front door, “Was this actually a sting operation?  Am I going to be on TV?  Do I get to meet Chris Hansen?”

 “Up here, jackass,” I giggled.

 “So?” I heard Julian’s footsteps echo through the hall, “What kind of shenanigans are we getting into tonight, ladies?”

 “Veronica and I are going out on a Monday night,” I told, “Because that’s a good idea.”

 “You’re too young to be old, Mimi,” he gave me a small Sephora bag, “Go have a little fun. There’s nothing wrong with that. And you owe me.”

 “How much?” I wondered.

 “Don’t worry about the eyeliner.  I got that,” Julian brushed me off, “You ow me for the guy at the counter that told me I didn’t need it.  And he winked at me.”

 “Congratulations,” I giggled a little, “Was it Nate?  I love him. He’s a sweetie.”

 “I didn’t catch his name.”

 “Thank you, Julian,” Veronica chimed from the bathroom.

 “You’re welcome,” he came in, “Oh, Veronica, my little china doll, you look ravishing.”

 “I look like shit,” she laughed, bringing music to my ears, “But I appreciate the Anchorman quote.  You’re the first person to ever use the Veronica line on me.”

 “Am I really?”

 “Yeah,” Veronica came down, “I needed that.”

 “You’re welcome,” he gave her a hug, “Even if all I’m good for is getting Mimi’s eyeliner and making you smile.”

 “That’s not all you’re good for,” I assured, shooting a glance at my toes.

 “I am a jack of all trades,” he shrugged, “I’m also a hint of a perfectionist and get bored easily. So, where are we going tonight?”

 “Kansas City,” I loved this baka.

 “Hey!” he squeaked, “I was just there!  You two going to see Lilith?”

 All of a sudden, it was like a lightbulb switched on in my head.  I wanted Veronica somewhere safe and in a controlled environment.  Veronica just wanted to have a good time, “Julian, you’re a genius.”

 “More of an idiot savant,” he corrected, “Why do you give me such accolades?”

 “Because you deserve them,” I hugged him tight, “Veronica, you want to borrow anything?”

 “Tight, revealing, and makes me look like a call girl,” she requested.

 “To think I left my corset at home,” Julian sighed out.

 “You don’t have a corset, Julian,” I shook my head at him and started on Veronica’s face.

 “Like hell, I don’t,” he confirmed, “When I still lived in St. Louis, I’d go to Rocky Horror every Halloween.  I’ve been Frank N. Furter five years in a row.”

 “There goes my sleep for tonight,” I teased, “All I can think of is you in fishnets.”

 “You can’t tell me it’s not a little sexy,” Julian winked at me.

 “I could give you Nate’s number,” I joked, “I’m sure you two would be very happy together.”

 “He’s not my type,” he assured, “You, of all people, should know that.”

 “I knew you two were a thing!” Veronica squeaked, “How long?  How’d it happen?”

 “Settle down, turbo,” Julian calmed her down, “She knows about my ex-fiancée.”

 “Fiancée?” she settled, “You were engaged?”

 “Six months ago,” he nodded, “Not exactly an easy thing to talk about.  Together for two years.  Engaged for another year after that.  She cheated on me.  But I think it’s because we became too different.  She’d go on about how we were decorating the nurseries for the six kids she wanted to whip out and I wanted to go down to the beach and spin my lightsabers to some heavy techno music.  She wasn’t the girl I fell in love with anymore.  But I kept holding on.  I moved here, I moved on.”

 “Good for you,” Veronica applauded, “You have more intestinal fortitude than me, girlfriend.”

 “You’ll get over him, too,” Julian promised, “It’ll take some time, but you will.”

 “See?” Veronica popped me in the shoulder, “You told me to keep moving forward because I had two good legs and I needed to use them to make my own path or some philosophical bullshit.  All I needed was that!”

 “But Miles and I weren’t engaged,” I reminded her.  

 “Was he the last missus?” Julian assumed.

 “Unfortunately,” I nodded, “Don’t call him the missus.  I’m cringing.”

 “Sorry.”

 “Regardless,” Veronica broke us up, “These two legs are buying my drinks tonight.  So, do you have anything tight and revealing.”

 “Here,” I gave her my Misa dress, “This should work.”

 “Perfect!” she squealed, “I’m going to go downstairs and get changed.  Then, we should be off, right?”

 “I’ll need a minute or two to get ready,” I slowed her down, “But I won’t take long.  Probably by the time you’re ready, I’ll be ready, too.”

 “Awesome!” Veronica took my dress, “I’ll be right back.”

 And just like that, I had my little sister back.  Maybe all she needed was a night out.  However, while she was good and content, I needed to have some words with my not boyfriend.  I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and started fixing my mess of a face.  I was ready for a night of marathoning shitty TV, not partying in Kansas City.

 “Did you really give her Edward’s little speech he used to inspire Rose after the regime in Liore fell,” Julian wondered, “to a girl going through a breakup?”

 “Essentially, they’re the same thing,” I shrugged, “The people of Liore were breaking up with that dick priest.  Veronica was breaking up with Luke.  End of story. Did you really tell Veronica we were just friends?”

 “I thought that was the story we were telling people,” he reminded me, “Or do you want to be the one to say we’re in a happy relationship after hers fell to pieces?”

 “Oh, hell no,” I shook my head, “But thank you for making her smile again.  I didn’t want her to be mopey anymore and whatever I did wasn’t working.”

 “It’s what we do,” Julian smiled, “Speaking of us being cut from the same cloth, where’s all the neat shit in your room?”

 “Closet,” I told, “Remember? Veronica doesn’t know?  My otaku center is hidden from almost everyone except you?’

 “That’s right,” he wrapped his arms around my waist, “And I really can’t wait for the rest of the world to see you like I do.  By the way, I noticed you gave her your Misa Misa cosplay.”

 “She is Misa Misa,” I admitted, “She’s so Misa, it’s painful. Only difference is Veronica isn’t useless.  Other than that, their personalities are so similar.”

 “I’ve noticed,” Julian nuzzled his face in my neck, “With a blind obsession for her boyfriend to boot. I still wouldn’t mind giving Luke a good punch to the jaw.  Veronica doesn’t deserve this.”

 “You think you could do me one last favor?” I asked.

 “Sure, baby,” he held me a little tighter, “What can I do for you?”

 “Will you put a call in to Lilith?” I drew a thick line across my eyelid, “I’m going to placebo the hell out of Veronica.”

 “Oh?” I had Julian’s interest, “What kind of placebo?”

 “All of Veronica’s drinks tonight are going to be non-alcoholic.,” I explained, “She has to go to school in the morning and I remember the hell it was going to school hungover.  And I have to work tomorrow morning.  I don’t want to get shitfaced either.  Veronica wants to be numb and what better emotional novacaine than tequila?”

 “Have you ever tried Adderall?” he asked, “Works much better.”

 “You sound way too voice of experience for my comfort.”

 “I am too voice of experience for comfort,” Julian cringed, “But that’s a story for another day.  I have to call Lilith and tell her what’s up. Until then, you need to finish getting ready and take your best friend out for shenanigans.”

 “Thank you,” I finished up, cuddling into my boyfriend, “I love you.”

 “I love you, too,” he kissed the top of my head and left me to get dressed.  I know we were a thing, but it was too soon for Julian to see me completely naked.  Who to put on tonight?  I was Winry earlier today.  Do I want to keep it in the Fullmetal family and go Hawkeye?  I could do Hawkeye.  The first time I was in Haven, I was in an Ouran uniform.  Maybe I should switch to the boys’ uniform.  No.  Hawkeye. I wanted to be a badass sharpshooter/Roy Mustang’s nanny/future wife.

 I put on my makeshift Amestrian military uniform and grabbed my bag off my chair, “Roni, you ready?”

 “Ready!” she came out of the downstairs bathroom, looking like she was on the hunt for a sugar daddy, “Well?  How do I look?”

 “Adorable,” I gave her a spin, “The place we’re going to tonight is amazing.  I’ve been a couple times and if you’re looking to eat your feelings, it’s perfect.”

 “And if you’re looking to score?”

 “It’s Kansas City,” I pointed out as the two of us went out the door, “There are a few beautiful boys in that town.  I’m sure you’ll find someone.”

 “You did make sure I didn’t have baby face, right, Mimi?” she kept her fingers crossed, “I look more adult than I actually am?”

 “Yes,” I assured, “I contoured the hell out of your face.  You’re golden.”

 “Good!” Veronica sang, “Let’s go!”

 I pulled out of my driveway and started heading toward Kansas City.  Hopefully, Julian put the call in already.  This would prove to be an interesting night.  I’m thrilled to see how Veronica’s going to take to placebos.  I’ve never seen her drunk before, so this should be intriguing.  I just hope the fake booze doesn’t make her a weepy drunk.

[reedusdixonfictionaddiction]

The Summer in Georgia

Chapter 37. Happy Camper

“God, damn it!” Daryl yelled. “I can’t get this fuckin’ fuel petcock valve to tighten and I busted my fuckin’ knuckles. Fuckin’ piece a shit!” Daryl said, standing up and throwing a wrench down on the garage floor.

“What’s wrong with it?” Isabella asked. She was going through Daryl’s camping gear and checking it off a list Daryl had made her.

Daryl was trying to get his bike to run and wasn’t having very much luck.

“I dunno’. I gotta’ walk away right now, before I bust somethin’ else. What are ya’ doin’?” He asked Isabella.

“Well, I’m just about done going through this container and everything is marked off the list except, a package of utility lighters, a bucket to wash these army surplus dishes in, a clothes line, oh and there’s only spoons and knives, no forks.” Isabella answered.

“The forks are in the kitchen, I gotta’ bucket right here,” He said, taking a bucket off one of the shelves. “We need ta’ buy a clothes line and I’ve got some utility lighters outside on the deck.”

“What about a camp stove? What are we going to cook on?” Isabella asked.

“I usually cook over the fire, but I gotta’ stove up there on that shelf. We’ll take it too. Just in case. We gotta’ wash them sleeping bags too.” Daryl said.

“Already done. They’re in the dryer right now. Are we getting food and ice today or tomorrow?”

“Tomorra’. I’ll make a list tonight and we’ll go to the Publix in the morning. For dinner, we’re gonna’ eat rabbits, rabbit.” He laughed at his corny joke. “and fish. But, we’ll take some burgers and hot dogs, just in case. Maybe some steaks.”

“What about marshmallows? You said we could roast marshmallows. Are we going to do that still?” Isabella asked Daryl.

Daryl laughed. “Yeah, they’ll be on the list. I gotta’ get some instant coffee, too, for the coffee pot. I hope ya’ don’t mind usin’ dry creamer. Cuz, milk would go bad.” Daryl told her.

“That’s fine. I’m so excited! I can’t wait!” She giggled.

“Get a couple a packages of that bacon from the freezer right there and put it in the ice box in the kitchen. Get a couple tubes of that sausage too. That’s some good shit. I killed the pig myself.” Daryl said proudly.

Isabella walked to the fridge and got the meat out, she took it in the kitchen. She came back out the garage and sat down on the floor to watch Daryl attempt to fix his motorcycle again.

“Are we staying here tonight? Because if we are, I need to go home and get some things for tomorrow. I told Rick, I’d do his laundry too. Maybe you could take me back there in a little bit and I can do that, while you finish your bike? What do you think?”

“Yeah, I’ll take ya’ in about 5 minutes. I’ll drop ya’ off and then come back here, when I come pick ya’ up, we’ll pick somethin’ up for dinner and bring it back here. Ok?” Daryl asked.

“Ok. Are you going to the diner and tell James and Nancy we won’t be in tomorrow night? We didn’t go last Sunday because of the… well, you know.”

“I stopped in last Monday and told ‘em I was sick. Why don’t we go there tonight? Whatta’ ya’ think?”

“Sounds good!”

Daryl drove Isabella home and dropped her off and headed back to his house to finish his bike. He finally got it started and was cleaning up the tools, when someone started pounding on his front door.

“Hold on!” He yelled. He wiped his hands off and headed in to answer the door. Before he got to it, it opened and Charlie and Glenn walked in.

“Why don’t ya’ just come on in?” Daryl said sarcastically.

“What’s up, Daryl?” Glenn asked.

“Not much. Whatta’ ya’ guys want? Isabella ain’t here.” He said snidely, looking at Charlie.

Charlie laughed. “Yeah, we know. We were just at Rick’s. I helped her fold laundry.”

“Yer a fuckin’ saint.” Daryl said. “So, whatta’ ya’ want?”

“Can I borrow a camera? My parents are entering their garden in the Home and Garden competition.” Charlie answered.

“Yeah, ya’ know where they are.” He said, pointing to the spare bedroom.

Charlie and Glenn headed into the bedroom and Daryl headed to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. He heard Glenn say ‘holy shit!’ Then it hit him, the pictures he’d taken of Isabella were all scattered on the table in there.

“Fuck!” He said to himself and ran into the bedroom.

Glenn was standing there holding up one the pictures. Charlie was sorting through them.

“What the fuck are ya’ doin’? Put them down.” Daryl yelled, walking over to Glenn and ripping the picture out of his hands. “I said, ya’ could borrow a camera, not look through my private shit.”

Glenn’s mouth was open. “Damn, Daryl. You’re my hero!” Glenn’s phone rang, so he headed back into the hallway to answer it. That just left Daryl and Charlie and Charlie was still sorting through the pictures.

“Nice! I especially like this one.” He said, holding up the picture of Isabella on her knees in front of Daryl, holding his open belt. “Nice angle!” He said, snidely.

“Yeah, it is. That was a great night. Now put the pictures down and pick out a camera.

Charlie put the pictures down. His blood was boiling. He was so jealous, he couldn’t see straight. How the fuck did a guy like Daryl, get a girl like her. He was steamed. He walked over to the shelves where Daryl’s cameras were sitting and started looking at them.

“Just pick one, they’re all good.” Daryl said, walking out of the room.

Charlie picked one of the cameras and headed out, he suddenly stopped and looked down at the pictures on the table. He checked to see if Daryl was watching, he wasn’t, so he grabbed one of the pictures, folded it and put it in his back pocket. He grabbed the one of her without her shirt, holding the hat in front of her chest. Daryl and Glenn were out on the deck, Daryl was smoking a cigarette. Charlie walked out and joined them.

“Hey, Charlie! Did you tell Daryl what Amber said?” Glenn said to Charlie, then he turned to Daryl laughing and said. “You’re not gonna’ believe this shit. Tell him Charlie.”

Charlie started laughing. “You know that girl I took to the dance?”

“Yeah.” Daryl said.

“Well, she really liked Isabella. A lot!” Charlie said.

“So, everybody likes Isabella. What’s the big fuckin’ deal?” Daryl asked.

“No! She likes Isabella. She’s bi, she goes both ways.” Glenn laughed.

“What? What the fuck are ya’ talkin’ about?” Daryl asked.

Charlie laughed again. “She’s bisexual and she was turned on by Isabella. She asked me if I thought you guys would be into swinging.”

“What the fuck? What’d ya’ tell her?” Daryl said with a grimace.

“I told her that Isabella was a virgin, she’s still a virgin, right?” Charlie asked.

“That’s really none of yer fuckin’ business now, is it?” Daryl said angrily.

“Just askin’. Anyway, I told her you guys probably wouldn’t be into it. She did like the idea of Isabella being a virgin, though.” Charlie laughed.

“What the fuck ever. Man, that’s twisted. I ain’t swinging with no one and it’d be cold day in hell before Isabella would do something like that. She aint’ like that. Did ya’ tell her that? Isabella, I mean?” Daryl asked.

“No, of course I didn’t. I wasn’t even going to tell you, but big mouth here brought it up.” Charlie said, pointing at Glenn. Glenn just smiled. “It’s kinda’ funny though, don’t ya’ think?”

“Do you see me laughin’? Keep that girl away from Isabella.” Daryl said.

“Why? You afraid she might steal her away?” Glenn laughed.

“Fuck you, Short Round.” Daryl said, snuffing out his cigarette on the picnic table.

The three men went back into the house.

Daryl laughed. “I’m so fuckin’ sure. I mean, can you imagine me and you fuckin’ around… ya’ know like at the same time? Fuck that!”

Charlie laughed. “Yeah! That’d be fucked up. I don’t even like seeing you with your clothes on. You know what I’m saying?”

“Right, I know, huh?” Daryl laughed shaking his head. “I’m gonna’ have fuckin’ nightmares now.”

“Yeah, but the girls? I mean… you know? Nah, that would never happen. Right?” Charlie asked curiously.

“No! That would never happen, ya’ sick bastard. Ya’ got yer camera, now get the fuck outta’ here.” Daryl said, pushing them towards the door.

“Thanks, man. I’ll get it back to you around Monday. Okay?” Charlie told Daryl.

“Won’t be here.” Daryl said.

“Oh yeah, camping. Well, have a good time. Thanks again. Come on Glenn.” Charlie said, walking out the front door.

Daryl and Glenn said ‘goodbye’ and Daryl shut the door.

Daryl and Isabella left the diner and headed to his house. She had packed all her things for the camping trip that afternoon, so she’d just stay at Daryl’s the rest of the weekend and they’d leave from his house Monday morning. They weren’t going very far, seeing as they were camping on his property. It was a special place that Daryl couldn’t wait for Isabella to see. He’d never taken anyone there before, not even Rick or Charlie. It was completely secluded, miles away from civilization and they could do whatever they wanted and no one would be the wiser. Daryl often went swimming there, skinny-dipping actually and he was hoping Isabella might want to take part this time. He’d planned a romantic first night, that would hopefully lead to sex. He wanted to be with her more than anything, but he was afraid he’d let her down by not doing things the right way and he was afraid it’d be painful for her. He’d bought some condoms and lube, just in case things went that way.

While Isabella was taking a bath in the big bathtub, Daryl got online with ‘theultimateorgasm.com’, he was studying up on his moves, when he came to a part that said that women didn’t usually have orgasms their first time. Not with sex anyway. It said, sometimes it was hard to achieve them ever with just sex alone. He didn’t know that. He started to worry that he wouldn’t be able to satisfy her. Then he read on. It said that using a number of techniques such as one of the partners using their fingers to stimulate the sensitive area, during sex was always a good idea. It also said that oral sex before, during or after was a sure-fire way to satisfy your woman. Daryl was nervous about that part. He’d never gone down on anybody before, what if he didn’t do it right? The site also said that the chance for sexual satisfaction was more probable in certain positions, more than others and that there were positions you could use to stimulate her g-spot and her clitoris. Daryl stopped right there.

If Daryl was reading this right, it meant there were two areas down there that he needed to pay attention to. He thought that the g-spot and the clitoris were the same thing. So, he clicked over to page that was labeled ‘Finding her G-spot’ He had no idea what the fuck he was doing. He was overwhelmed and confused, he wished he could have written all the directions down on his arm or something. He was never going to remember all this shit, he thought. He scratched his head and said ‘two different places? One in and one out. Fuck me!’

That night they fooled around a little bit, she did that thing, he liked so well and he did that thing that, she liked so well. Both were satisfied, but sex was on the back of both their minds. Isabella had read up a little bit on it too, while she was doing Rick’s laundry. Just some information about what guys like during sex, ways to move and about positions. She was a little concerned it would hurt too. She didn’t want that to interfere with them enjoying their first time. Both were putting way too much pressure on themselves. They both told themselves to relax and let things play out naturally. They each took their own advice and they both felt much more confident.

They got up early Sunday morning and Isabella made breakfast. French toast and bacon. Daryl had never had French toast like she made before. She separated the egg yolks and from the egg whites and then beat the whites until they were really fluffy, then she folded them into the rest of the mixture. It was unlike anything he’d ever had. He loved it. Daryl took a shower while she cleaned up the kitchen, then she took one after he was through. She thought to herself that it would have been so much easier if they had just taken one together. All in good time, she told herself.

The headed to the Publix to get their groceries and ice. Daryl picked out some nice steaks, while Isabella looked at hotdogs. She’d never bought hotdogs before, so she didn’t know which ones were good and which weren’t. She looked for the hotdogs she knew, which were Nathan’s hotdogs, but they didn’t have them, so she chose a random package. When Daryl saw what she’d chosen, he shook his head at her. He led her back to the cold case and made her put them back, then he showed her the Ballpark Franks. Always get Ballpark, he told her. Isabella rolled her eyes and told him he’d never had a hotdog, until he’d had a Nathan’s and even better than that, a Nathan’s at Coney Island. He rolled his eyes at her and they went along their way. She headed over to produce, while Daryl had a conversation with the meat man about pork roasts.

When Daryl was done talking, he started looking for Isabella. He was rounding the corner from the meat case into produce, when he saw Isabella talking to some girl. He couldn’t tell who it was until he got up closer. It was Amber, Charlie’s girlfriend and she was all over Isabella. Talking a mile, a minute and touching her the whole time. Grabbing her hand, touching her shoulder, playing with her hair. It was weird, Daryl thought. Poor Isabella, she didn’t even realize this girl was hitting on her. Daryl approached them and said, ‘hi’. Amber got even more hyper when she saw Daryl. She gave him a big hug and he just stood there frozen. Isabella laughed to herself, because she knew how uncomfortable Daryl was with people touching him, especially in public. They were finally able to get away from her. They both looked at each other and shook their heads and laughed. Later, after they’d left the grocery store, Daryl told Isabella what Charlie had told him. She turned bright red and all she could say was, ‘OH, MY GOD!’ over and over again. Daryl cracked up at her embarrassment and teased her for the rest of the day.

That night, they curled up on the sofa to watch a movie. He wanted to watch ConAir and she wanted to watch Moonstruck, so they compromised and found something they both wanted to watch. On Cinemax, a new series was starting called, Outcast. It was by a film maker named Robert Kirkman, he did a lot of horror, syfy type projects and his stuff was supposed to be pretty good. So, they agreed on that. Daryl put his arm around Isabella’s shoulder and she snuggled into him, just like always. Daryl had made popcorn, he’d melted real butter in the microwave and poured it all over the popcorn and it was sitting on his lap, in the other hand he had a bottle of Tabasco. He pulled his arm out from behind her and proceeded to sprinkle the popcorn with the Tabasco. Isabella asked him what he was doing. He told her it was the only way to eat popcorn and offered her some. She got the real butter part, but the Tabasco she wasn’t so sure of, but she tried it anyway and it was amazing.

“Let me guess. This is your new favorite?” Daryl teased.

“Yes, in fact it is. You got a problem with that, Dixon?”

“Nope, just makin’ an observation.” Daryl laughed.

After it was over things got a little heated between them. She’d used her hand this time, so he thought he should do something different. He wanted to go down on her, but he knew that if he got her pants off, he’d want to have sex and that would mess up his big romantic first night under the stars. She didn’t want to have sex that night either, because she also had the same plan. So, he stuck to his usual. He wondered if she was getting bored, but he didn’t know what else to do. She seemed to enjoy herself and that was good enough for him.

That night Isabella had bad dreams. Not her usual nightmares, but she dreamt about the show they’d watched. She woke up scared and then woke up Daryl, who talked her back to sleep by telling her stories about the things that he and Jax used to do. She laughed and laughed and then she finally passed out. The alarm went off the next morning at 5:30 am. Daryl got up first and started sharpening knives and bolts. Isabella just laid there and watched him. She was dead tired, but she was also excited. Once she was up moving around, she made coffee and pancakes. She put cinnamon and sugar into the batter and they were the best pancakes Daryl had ever eaten. He was getting spoiled.

They loaded up everything into Daryl’s truck. There were several Yeti coolers full of ice. Yeti coolers kept things cold for days, Daryl explained. They were the best on the market and they cost a bundle. Daryl let her take the down pillows with them, in fact she took 6 pillows all together. He griped about it and told her he never knew anyone that went camping with pillows before, let alone 6. She just shrugged her shoulder and threw them into the back of the truck.

To get to the camping area, they had to pull out of Daryl’s property, drive about 6 miles down the road and pull onto a path that he’d made with his truck by driving back and forth over it several hundred times. It wasn’t clearly visible from the road, which was good, plus there were ‘no trespassing’ signs everywhere. Once they were on the path they drove through wooded forest for a couple of miles. Finally, they came to a semi cleared area that was encircled with large trees. The path drove up beside the clearing, almost like a parking spot. There were trees everywhere, except for this little clearing. There were several trails going to and from the campsite, one out into the woods in the other direction and the other leading to water.

Isabella got out and started exploring, the water was beautiful. It was nice sized swimming hole that was fed by a little water fall and on the opposite side, the swimming hole fed another little waterfall. Straight across the bank were large boulders and a stone embankment. It was gorgeous. Once they had everything unloaded, Daryl put the tent up, laid out he sleeping bags and gathered up some fire wood. There were already a dozen little piles of wood around the campsite, that he’d cut down on past trips. They set out lawn chairs around the fire pit, Daryl even had a folding camp table with four little seats. When they were done, they stood back and admired their accommodations for the next few days.

Daryl looked over at Isabella and she was smiling. “Well, whatta’ ya’ wanna’ do now?” He asked her.

She turned and smiled at him and then she took of her shirt and started to take off her pants.

“Whatta’ ya’ doin’?” Daryl said laughing.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m going skinny dipping.” She answered, taking off all the rest of her clothes. Daryl felt dizzy, he was seeing her naked for the very first time and it was almost too much to handle. She was gorgeous. Brown skin, long hair, clean shaven… everywhere. He was a happy camper.