#one day i’ll make ocs that aren’t in the dance time period

[quiddling]

gay son OR thot daughter? i thought you said gay son AND thot daughter 😟

[childrenofthenightt]

only the black rose (chapter 5)

pairing: jimmy page x layla porter (oc)

warnings: talks of parental abandonment, off-scene injury, drug use (legal!), fluff, and me waxing poetic about one of my favourite books. and more fluff.

words: 3.1k

summary: in the blink of an eye, it’s 1975 and layla’s suddenly joining led zeppelin for their north american tour. throughout the chaos, the band take a liking to her, she builds friendships with the boys, and love blossoms. but all good things must come to an end.

author’s note: this one wrote itself. i expected to take longer with it cause of this. this is the start of the Chaos seen in the 1975 North American tour, so hold onto your hats and enjoy! congrats! you’ve unlocked layla’s tragic backstory! unbeta’d as always, and here’s the link to the playlist :)

masterlist

playlist

chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

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Soon enough, the band make their way home, basking in the golden glow of a couple of excellent shows. It’s only a matter of days until the start of the North American tour, and the excitement is palpable. The boys find themselves at the studio, running through some last-minute tour details, accompanied by a certain brunette firecracker, who sits reading comfortably in the lobby.

Layla, sitting on a luxurious couch just outside of the meeting room, is drowning in a hardcover book, consuming every word at a ravenous pace. The sound of pages flipping periodically is accompanied by the light din of voices detailing the upcoming tour. Lost in the story in front of her, she is surprised when she hears a person clearing their throat, seemingly right in front of her. Looking up, she spots the secretary of Swan Song Records, a woman with glasses and long brown hair ran through with gray, pinned up in a low bun. Light freckles dusted her cheeks. Judging by the crow’s feet at the corners of her hazel eyes, the secretary had to have been older than Layla, perhaps around 50, though her bright smile gave the impression of youth.  

“Sorry to interrupt, Miss… I just couldn’t help but notice the book you were reading. I don’t see many fans of the classics around here, especially ones so young.”

Recovering from the shock of being ripped out of the hypnotising story she was wrapped up in, Layla gestures to the seat next to her. With a bright smile, the secretary smoothes down her pencil skirt, and sits down.

“My mother was a literature buff, and it seems she’s passed that down to me! My name’s Layla. You’re Evelyn, right?”

“Y-Yes, I am! How do you…”

“Well, I had to put a name to the lovely secretary that gives me a smile whenever I see her. Makes my day, if I’m being honest.”

“You’re too sweet, darling,” Evelyn says, lips turning up warmly, eyes dancing with joy. “If I may, what are your thoughts on the book? It’s a personal favourite of mine, and it’s always nice to hear new opinions.”

“Well,” Layla starts, lighting up as she speaks. “Wilde’s language paints such a beautiful, vivid picture, and the characters are so interesting, even if they aren’t morally likeable, most of the time. They make mistakes… Many mistakes… but we sympathize with them.”

At this, Layla cups her hand around her mouth, whispering to Evelyn mischievously, as if what she was about to say was the world’s most important secret.

“It’s a favourite of mine too.”

The two women laugh, Evelyn’s hand falling across Layla’s arm, a comforting, grounding weight. Evelyn, with a warm smile gracing her face, crow’s feet as prominent as ever, sends a pang of longing into Layla’s heart. Not for love, but for her old life. Her friends worried out of their minds over her disappearance; her mother, left alone not once, but twice. Her father had left when she was a child, and it had been her and her mother ever since. Layla learned to put up walls, so that she’d never be hurt like that again. They all leave in the end. It’s better that way. Better not to get attached. Better not to get hurt.

“That’s a lovely interpretation, Layla. You know,” Evelyn says, interrupting Layla’s train of thought. “For someone so young, you have an old soul. Wise beyond your years, for sure.”

“You have no idea…”

“Well, I must get to work, darling,” Evelyn claps her hands together, and stands up, resting a hand on Layla’s arm once more. “I’d love to chat again, though. Such refreshing opinions from such a young woman. I’ll let you get back to your book.”

“I would love to! We’ll make plans soon, I promise. Have a wonderful day, Evelyn!” With that, Layla opens the novel, and is taken once again by the current of the story. Minutes pass, until Layla is interrupted once more, this time by a soft press of lips against the crown of her head.

“Everything alright, Layla?”

“Of course, Jim,” Layla says, reaching out to grasp Jimmy’s hand in return. “How did the meeting go?”

“Well, you were right outside the door, I’m surprised you didn’t eavesdrop,” He takes a seat beside her, and reaches down to tap at the book still nestled in Layla’s hand, her finger keeping the page. “You were too engrossed in this, I bet. What are you reading anyways?”

Layla lifts the book to show the cover, which is a slightly worn navy blue, with golden accents in the form of small droplets. In metallic lettering, read ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.

“Oscar Wilde, hey? Wouldn’t have pegged you for a lover of the classics.”

“I spent my teenage years with Austen and Dickens, after all.”

“I didn’t think you were that old.”

Layla rolls her eyes, a fond look upon her features. Smiling at the man in front of her, she puts a hand to his cheek.

“Yeah, I’m a real cradle-robber.”

“Just make sure my mum doesn’t hear about this relationship: she’ll have a fit.”

“I’ll be careful, angel,” Layla laughs, putting a pensive finger to her chin. “Hey, Jimmy? Do you have a good relationship with your parents?” Jimmy smiles wide at the question and nods, dark curls bobbing at the movement. He absentmindedly takes Layla’s hand in his, rubbing his thumb in soft circles across her wrist.

“My parents… They’ve always been very supportive of me in every way, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to find a way to thank them,” Jimmy squeezes her hand briefly, meeting her eyes. “You know, I bet they’d love you.”

“Do you really think so?” Layla’s cheeks grow warm, and her lips tilt upwards in a smile that is uncharacteristically shy.

“Of course I do, petal,” Jimmy says, pushing a fallen lock of hair behind Layla’s ear, his touch featherlight. “How about you? What are your parents like?”

“Well… My dad… He left us when I was young, so it’s been me and my mom ever since,” This is marked with a moment of silence, and Layla’s eyes meet her shoes, pointedly not looking at Jimmy. “My mom’s probably the strongest person I’ve ever met, and I truly can’t thank her enough for everything she’s done for me. She’s my best friend.”

The silence continues, until Layla feels a calloused finger at her jaw, lifting her chin. Finally flicking her eyes up to gaze at the guitarist, she’s shocked by the concern and sadness she sees in those emerald green eyes.

“Petal, I…”

“Jim, it’s fine. It—”

“It’s not fine, Layla. It’s not. I’m so sorry, you didn’t deserve that. Either of you.” Jimmy pulls her into a tight hug, long arms wrapping around her, making her feel safe. They stay like this for what feels like hours, breaking apart slowly.

“Jimmy, I… Thank you.”

“Of course. Now, how about you read me some of that book of yours?”

Layla laughs brightly, albeit a little watery, and smiles at Jimmy, eyes shining with gratitude. Shuffling, she positions herself in his lap, legs hanging off the end of the couch as his arm comes to rest across her back, holding her steady against his chest. She opens the book, dog-earing the corner of the page she was reading, before flipping back to the start.

“Petal, as much as I like this, I thought we were gonna take it slow? I don’t think public places are the best idea to… Well…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Jimmy,” Layla says, smirk gracing her face as she speaks. “You just make a very comfortable chair.”

Jimmy’s laugh is music to her ears, and she presses a light kiss to his cheek. Focusing on the book in her hand, she begins to read:

“The studio was filled with the rich odour of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn.”

----------

‘Was it all true? Had the portrait really changed? Or had it been simply his own imagination that had made him see a look of evil where there had been a look of joy?’

The next day had arrived, and Layla sits at her kitchen table, enraptured once again by the writings of Oscar Wilde. The words on the page enchant her, and she has no desire to put the novel down anytime soon. She’d have to tell Evelyn all about it, the next time she sees her.

‘Surely a painted canvas could not alter? The thing was absurd. It would serve as a tale to tell Basil some day. It would make him smile. And, yet, how vivid was his recollection—’

A shrill ringing pulls her out of the carefully crafted narrative of Dorian Gray. Layla huffs, annoyed at the intrusion, and moves to pick up the phone.

“Hello?”

“Layla! Hi, good to hear from you, hope you’re having a great day so far! Lovely weather we’re having, hey?” The slightly nasal voice of one Robert Plant, crackles through the phone, and Layla sighs at his exuberance.

“Robert, hey. What is it?”

“Uh… Please don’t freak out. It’s really not that bad, and everyone is… mostly… fine?”

“Rob—”

This is followed by a noise in the background, a sort of crackle, as if Robert had shifted the phone to his other hand. Layla can hear the way his breath picks up, the way panic seeps into his voice. “Just a heads up that we’ll be at your place in about… 10 minutes! See you then!”

“What is going on? I was reading, I’m really not in the mood for—”

Another crackle, and a sigh from Robert’s end of the line. Layla runs a hand through her hair, biting her lip in an attempt to quell the panic rising in her throat.

“Promise me you won’t freak out, little dove.”

Layla exhales sharply through her nose, unimpressed at the plea of the man on the other line. Coiling the telephone cord around her finger to calm her nerves, she responds.

“Fine, I’m not gonna freak out. Now, tell me what happened.”

“Well… Um… Jimmy, well, he kinda… got his… finger slammed in a train door?”

“...”

“Layla? Are you still there?”

“How?!”

“I told you not to freak out…”

“Robert!” Layla exclaims, concern painted clearly on her flushed face.

“Okay, okay, he told us he was holding the door open for someone on the way to Swan Song, and well… You know the rest.”

“Is he going to be okay?”

Another sigh sounds from the other line, and Layla waits in anticipation for his response, growing anxious with each passing moment. Finally, she hears the man’s response, and deflates with relief, sinking into the chair beside her.

“He should be fine. Like I said before, we’re gonna come get you right away. He’ll be okay, Layla.”

“Okay…Robert?”

“Yes, little dove?

“Thank you.”

“Of course,” Robert chuckles lightly, bringing a smile to Layla’s face, the undercurrent of anxiety still coursing through her. She thinks it will stay that way, until she sees Jimmy, makes sure he’s okay. “We’ll be there in 10 minutes. Sit tight, Layla.”

Layla sits at the kitchen table, biting her thumbnail, mind elsewhere, until she hears the telltale sound of a car pulling up, engine cutting out. Flying out the door, She spots Jonesy in the driver’s seat, Bonzo next to him, with Robert in the back. Opening the door, she sits next to the blond, and he gazes over at her, putting a hand to her shoulder. Sympathy flashes across his face as he takes in the shocked look Layla’s sporting.

“He’ll be okay, Layla. He will.”

“Robert, I… Jonesy, please, just drive?”

“Right.”

The engine rumbles to life, and they’re off, no doubt speeding to whatever hospital Jimmy’s holed up in. Layla lets her thoughts drift to Jimmy. She wonders how he’s doing, if he’s in any pain, if they’re treating him well. She’s distracted enough that she barely feels Robert’s hand, warm and comforting, on her knee. Layla is snapped out of her thoughts by a particularly sharp turn, and she looks up at Robert, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Rob… What if he’s… not okay? It was his finger. That means that he might not be able to play, if it’s bad enough,” She stammers, eyes frantic in their search of the blond’s face. “His guitar is his life, and—”

“Layla, calm down. It’ll be okay. It won’t do us any good to think like that.” Robert leans over, throwing his arm around her shoulder as best he could in the cramped car. To his surprise, she leans into him, resting her head on his shoulder. Layla unconsciously brings a hand up to bite her thumbnail, and catching the action, Robert places his hand on hers, pushing it back down to rest in her lap. They stay that way until the car rolls to a stop in the hospital parking lot. Layla lifts her head from Robert’s shoulder with breakneck speed, scrambling out of the car.

“Layla, wait!” Jonesy calls out, running after the woman, who dashes through the door. Robert and Bonzo catch up, just as Layla reaches the front desk, panting from exertion. The nurse on shift looks at her, eyes wide, shocked at the display.

“Excuse me, love,” Bonzo says, tucking Layla under his arm as he speaks to the nurse. “We’re looking for James Page? He was brought in for a fractured finger, I believe?”

“...Yes, right. What is your relationship with the patient?”

“We’re his bandmates, we can call our manager if you need proof. Please, we just need to see if he’s okay.”

The nurse eyes the group dubiously, and grabs the chart sitting next to her, looking through it. Glancing at the group again, she points behind them, to a room packed with seats, posters and pamphlets lining the walls.

“It seems that Mr. Page is still with the doctor getting X-rayed, so I’m going to need you to take a seat in the waiting area. Give that manager of yours a call, and we’ll see what we can do for you.”

“Thank you, love.” Bonzo says, as he herds the group over to the soft, patterned armchairs, plopping down with a sigh. Jonesy excuses himself to make a phone call to Peter, the others left waiting for news that won’t come fast enough.

Jimmy has to be okay. He has to.

----------

“For James Page?” The nurse’s voice rings out across the waiting area, and the group shoot up from their seats, stiff backs groaning in protest. “Follow me.”

The nurse leads them through a labyrinth of hallways, stopping finally at a room with a large 164 pasted on the closed door. Through the window looking into the room, Layla spots Jimmy asleep under the covers, his hands atop the sheets, resting on his stomach. He looks peaceful, she thinks, like he’s devoid of pain. If she couldn’t see the injured hand at all, she’d have thought he was perfectly fine.

The group finally walk into the room, the sharp smell of antiseptic burning their nostrils. Hearing the click of the door opening, Jimmy opens his eyes, pupils blown wide. His irises are almost black, and he sends them a dopey smile, a giggle bursting out.

“Hey, guys. Fancy seeing you all here.” Jimmy slurs, laughing harder now, as though he had told the most hilarious joke in the world. The boys join in, amused by the antics of their guitarist. Layla hangs back, staring at Jimmy, concern clear on her face. She had spotted the injured finger on the way in, which was already bruised a deep purple, the fingernail completely blackened.

“They give you the good stuff, Pagey?”

“You know it, Jonesy.” Jimmy shoots the bassist a sloppy wink, and the group erupts into soft laughter once more. Taking a dazed glance around the room, the raven-haired man pouts, completely endearing in his drugged state. “Hey… where’s Layla?”

Peter, who had been standing next to the bed, moves aside, and glassy green met warm brown. The guitarist smiles softly, relaxing back into the pillows. He sticks out his uninjured hand, and she walks closer to take it. Never lessening her grip, Layla threads the fingers of her free hand through Jimmy’s messy curls, and looks down at him fondly.

“How’re you doing, champ?”

“Good, now that you’re here. I would kiss you right now… if I wasn’t seeing two of you.”

“They must have him on the really good stuff…” Layla throws over her shoulder, looking back at the injured guitarist. He’s looking up at her with unabashed affection, and she can’t help but blush at the adoration in his gaze.

“Sorry to interrupt,” comes from the open doorway, as Jimmy’s doctor steps through. “I’m Dr. Vane, I treated James when he came in. If you’d kindly step out for a moment, I’d like to go over his prognosis.”

The boys file out of the room, and Layla goes to follow, stopped in her tracks by Jimmy tugging her back towards him with a whimper. She gives in, sinking back down in the chair at his bedside.

“I’m so glad you’re okay, Jimmy. I was so scared when Robert called. I thought...”

“I’m glad you’re here, petal. Now, come into bed with me. I want to see you better.” Jimmy mutters, scooting over to make room for her to fit in the small hospital bed. Layla laughs, nodding, and crawls in beside him, careful not to hurt him. She turns on her side, her hand landing in his hair again. Jimmy looks up at her, pupils still dilated, and presses a quick peck on her lips, giggling anew.

“You’re so beautiful. Have I ever told you that you’re beautiful? ‘Cause you are.” He insists, slurred speech returning in full force, his eyes fluttering closed.

“Go to sleep, Jimmy. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

He hums softy in response and a few seconds later, Jimmy’s breathing evens out. He’s dead to the world. Through the door left ajar, Layla can hear snippets of the conversation with the doctor.

“... Fractured the tip of his finger… At least a month.”

“Will he be able to play anytime soon?” That was Peter, voice soft with worry for the frail man in the hospital bed.

“He should rest… Not good to put too much strain on it… Keeping him here until the anaesthetic wears off.”

Tuning them out, Layla looks down at the man sleeping beside her. His hair is matted on one side of his head, and he snores louder than he’d ever admit, but he looks peaceful. He’s not in any pain, and that’s enough for Layla. She drifts off, as the sound of footsteps against the floor draw near. Her tired eyes open to slits, and she sees a shadow with dark, shoulder-length and a beard. It must be Bonzo, she thinks. The last thing Layla hears before succumbing to the exhaustion that plagues her, is the drummer’s soothing voice, hushed to a whisper.

“Let them sleep.”

----------

taglist: @jimmys-zeppelin @salixfragilis @timetraveller4 (let me know if you want to be added!)

[projectsekaiocsblog]

Vivid BAD SQUAD Headcanons

Hi! I’m back with unit headcanons today! And Vivid BAD SQUAD is my favorite unit, so it made sense to do theirs first.

OC Unit Headcanons are coming soon! Now that I’ve graduated college, I’ll be able to focus on more projects. Until then, enjoy!

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

☆ Touya's dad, up until the end of Period of Nocturne, cared deeply about his son following in his footsteps. Seeing as his two older brothers went on to become classical musicians, he assumed Touya would be willing to do the same. However, that clearly didn't translate well early on in his life.

He's not physically abusive let's be real, but he certainly was verbally abusive when Touya was growing up.

Additionally, his mom was unable to stand up for him all these years, even after hearing his pleas for the training to stop. His classical training pretty much caused a riff in the entire family.

I think Touya’s got other family members who do care about his problems and aren’t afraid to bring it up with his parents. It hasn’t worked, but he appreciates the effort.

Touya’s dad doesn’t seem to care as much now that he sees the effort Touya puts into his performances with VBS.

☆ I like to think that when they're not practicing for an upcoming show or contest, Akito and Touya are playing video games or watching movies together.

☆ Kohane has learned the streets of Kamiyama after she ventures out to see An for the first time. She's the actual GPS of the group, despite An living there her entire life.

☆ An and Akito enter their own world when they're talking about plans for the unit, whether that's new song lists or dance routines.

Kohane and Touya vibe together in the background

☆ UNIT GROUP CHAT, UNIT GROUP CHAT-

An is the supportive friend who answers messages in 0.2 seconds so no one feels lonely

Kohane sends pictures of dogs and other cute animals she works with from the Animal Care Committee at school

Akito is that guy who reminds them of practice times and sends a copy of the itinerary for any events they're attending

Touya forgets there's a group chat

☆ Kohane's parents asked for the contact info of Ken just to make sure she's safe with her friends.

☆ Akito wishes he had a better relationship with Ena. It actually hurts that she doesn't seem to care about him, but hopes that one day it'll change.

He’s willing to put in the effort to better their relationship no matter what it takes

Additionally, he sees Kohane as a little sister despite them all being in the same school year

He also feels bad for how he treated Kohane when they first met, but doesn’t regret it

[scoobydoominuscoobydoo]

Alright, I guess we should talk about Scoob!

So Scoob! was digitally release nearly a month ago and Mod Silas and I finally got around to watching it. 

For anyone who liked it and don’t wanna read me heavily criticize it then I’ll just spoil you right now:

I did not like Scoob! at all.

And it was really disappointing because this is the first wide release film Scooby has gotten in 16 years. That’s a long time to think of bringing Scooby to the general public who don’t go out of their way to watch every single direct-to-video movie. The announcement of a new feature length film was two or three years ago and I was really excited to hear it because I was expecting some high-quality content.

My opinion of it quickly dropped a lot when it was revealed that the original voice cast wouldn’t be in it. That’s fine all on it’s own but they did it without even letting the original cast know they wouldn’t be a part of this (Besides Frank but he wasn’t even cast as who he originally played). Seeing both Matthew and Grey’s responses to this made me sad and I was significantly less excited for this movie. 

Suddenly the concept of this movie not being that good became very real to me. How much passion can you have for Scooby-Doo when you ignore the original cast and hire people who have never done anything for the franchise before that.

Despite all of that, I was giving Scoob! the benefit of the doubt because I really wanted this movie to be good. I wanted this movie to open up the potential for more major Scooby projects. And while this movie did well financially I find myself so disappointed that after 16 years this is what we got.

Since I hated almost everything about this movie I’m gonna break it up into a numbered list (otherwise I’ll be ranting endlessly).

#1: This movie fails at telling a story.

When the trailer was dropped I remember being like, “Great. Lets recycle the whole Scoob and Shag friendship as a central narrative. Not like they’ve done that a million times before.” And then next thing you know, they’re on the Falcon Fury and I was so not excited. That was two plot-lines they’ve played with before and I can’t remember the last time anyone cared about the Blue Falcon. It’s one of the weaker movies and nobody talks about that one episode of MI that he’s in.

But again, I was going to let it slide because it’s still possible to create a good story out of something recycled.

The movie opens up with them when they were kids and I was already bummed because this movie is taking place in present times and not the 70′s or the 80′s. They allude to the fact that Shaggy enjoys stuff from that time period (while he’s scrolling through a smartphone) but that’s not the same. This concept bugged me for the rest of the movie because the majority of scenes where the gang is solving something they just Google it and the the scene is over. As opposed to it taking place before the internet and writers would have to get creative. And while I love the gang as kids because when it’s done in the show they have so much charm and life the beginning scenes are kinda pointless and don’t establish anything major. I think they were trying to show that the gang have been really close since they were little but it doesn’t come off that way. Not to mention the whole scene with the gang together feels really stiff and I was salty that Shaggy wasn’t wearing a Commander Cool costume instead of his Blue Falcon outfit.

At this point I was waiting for the character conflict to be introduced because that’s a key convention in every Scooby movie. There’s always a man in a mask to chase but that’s not where the story comes together. The story comes from some sort internal conflict within the characters.

The phantom dinosaurs in Legend of the Phantosaur are awesome but that’s not what the movie is about. It’s about Shaggy overcoming his own internal hurdles.

That’s been a consistent pattern in the best of the Scooby films (even all four of the live action ones do this) and I was waiting for it to be identified. And then next thing I know we’re twenty minutes into the movie and I’m not sure what it’s even about. The scene where the gang talk about wanting to become a legitimate business happens so fast and it took me like five minutes to be like, “Wait is this our conflict?” A fight between the gang about Shaggy and Scooby’s usefulness to the cause? (Which is also a recycled plot but whatever.) Their fight happens so fast and isn’t taken all that seriously so Shag and Scoob’s anger seems more played for a laugh than anything else.

But then they cut to the bowling alley and the two of them seem genuinely upset. And I can’t help but think if you had let the earlier scene escalate into an actual argument that I would have bought the hurt feelings. But then none of it matters because Shag and Scoob are immediately attacked and rescued by the Blue Falcon and someone’s OC. And when the rest of the gang find out they instantly feel bad and so I guess the tension between the gang wasn’t supposed to be the central conflict.

Now it’s back to being about Shaggy and Scooby and their millionth time being the chosen one.

Shaggy becomes pretty upset because Scooby is getting into the whole superhero thing and isn’t giving Shag a second thought. But the thing is, none of this was built up. The villain and Simon Cowell tell Shag he isn’t special and both of those times aren’t even remotely emotional. They briefly mention that Shag has some self confidence issues and that turns into him getting mad at Scooby for taking off his collar and playing hero. Ignoring the fact that this is not in character at all it’s clear that the story is now forcing conflict because we’re 45 minutes into the movie and all we’ve done is slapstick.

Shaggy and Scooby’s falling out is ridiculous because they’ve only been mad at each other for like ten minutes of the whole movie so there aren’t any stakes at all. You know they’re gonna make up because this fight came out of nowhere and wasn’t built up at all. Shag and the gang reuniting isn’t emotional at all and Shaggy breaking up the fight could have been so much better if it was just done better.

And that’s how this whole movie is, this plot had the potential to be great scenes could have gotten something from me but nothing is built up and it can’t stay consistent.

By the final battle of the film we’ve only had two things resembling character arcs in Shag and the Blue Falcon and neither of them have any weight. The movie tells us what we already know, that Shaggy is indeed useful to the gang and I just want this movie to be over.

And I guess because they wanna tug on your heartstrings the writers threw in a little self-sacrifice. And I’m not against that at all I think that’s a good resolution to the arc they were trying to give Shaggy but the thing is there’s no stakes or tension in the scene. It just happens and we’re meant to be sad about it but I can’t because nobody else in the scene seems to think it’s all that depressing besides Scooby. And like two minutes later the conflict is resolved and we get our obligatory dance party at the end. 

That whole thing is not a story, nothing is really accomplished by the end and nobody has really gone anywhere. 

There was no Point A which takes us to Point B which brings us to Point C. This was an insane labyrinth of lines running through as many points as they could and then calling it a day. There was no natural progression and none of the conflicts presented even mattered because they were immediately resolved anyway. That makes sense for a TV show but this is a feature length film. I honestly could not believe they were going to release that in theaters because there is no way it’s worth the money. 

It was so devoid of the Scooby-Doo charm and this movie felt more lifeless than anything I’ve watched in a long time.

#2: The movie does a bad job of portraying the gang’s friendship.

One of the fandom’s favorite parts of the Scooby-Doo franchise is the friendship between the gang and the way their characters interact.

But in this movie they behave more like coworkers than anything else. They try to play up the gang feeling guilty and missing the guys but it’s really not convincing. And it’s clear that the fight was more or less to contribute to Velma, Daphne and Fred’s story rather than the whole gang. They spend most of their scenes talking about the mystery or what Shaggy and Scooby would be doing if they were there. The one time in the movie where I can buy them being best friends is when we watch that accidentally took a video instead of a selfie. I thought that was really cute and showed the gang’s dynamic effectively.

The end of the movie where Shaggy is supposedly sealed in the Underworld forever is so underwhelming because Scooby is the only one reacting. Like that’s supposed to be their best friend of ten years who they don’t think they’ll ever see again and they barely bat an eyelash until they go to comfort Scooby.

My first thought was, “There is no way the gang would just let Shaggy sacrifice himself.” And I kept wondering why no one else was trying to stop him or hold him back. 

It’s annoying because I like when the whole gang’s relationship a key part of the plot rather than just Shaggy and Scooby + the other three who are also here.

#3: The villain and the Blue Falcon are pointless.

You could have taken Brian and Dick Dastardly out of the movie and replaced them with anyone and the movie would not have changed at all.

The Blue Falcon squad add nothing to the story and are mainly just there for ......nostalgia I guess??? But nobody even remembers the Blue Falcon??? 

The scenes with Dastardly are easily the worst parts because he’s just a copy-paste villain who sometimes says semi relatable things and it’s meant to be hilarious. His whole plan to open the Underworld just to get his dog back could have been interesting but obviously it wasn’t because nothing is properly built up in this movie.

Their first mistake was immediately revealing who their villain was right off the bat. I won’t be salty that they used actual supernatural forces because Scooby has done that plenty of times. I am salty that they just up and tell you who the puppetmaster is without any goal at anonymity which just goes against everything Scooby is about.

And they’ve done this multiple times. Whenever real supernatural forces are brought into the mix that does change anything because the forces are almost always being controlled by a man in a mask. This sticks to the Scooby belief that the real evil in our world comes from man and not fictional monsters.

#4: This movie’s presentation is not good.

I will quickly say that I actually liked Shaggy’s design in the movie even though Mod Silas already drew Shag with a long sleeve under his shirt and I think that’s a lot better looking. Whatever, I thought he was cute.

I was talking about how stiff the opening scenes felt, well the whole movie looks pretty stiff as well. 

The character designs are distracting (every girl in this movie with their hair down looks like they’re just wearing a wig it looks so bad I don’t understand hair hasn’t looked back in animation for like a decade) and the animation is pretty sloppy. The directing and camera movements also don’t make any half the time and only make everything more jarring. I have nothing against CG animation but I feel like this movie was trying to be 2D in a 3D space and and was just not working out.

Also the voice acting in the movie is really not good. Like idk how this movie managed to get a bad performance out of these pretty renowned actors but none of them sound like they wanna be there or even really care. Which is funny because if they had kept the original cast you know they would have given it 110% since they actually have passion playing these roles. If the performances were actually good I feel like I would have enjoyed the movie a little more.

They also play some standard pop songs and that confused me because they literally played the original theme song at the beginning. Like you guys have the What’s New theme which everyone loves, a plethora of other theme songs, and two Hex Girls songs you could have played. 

When the dance party at the end happens Mod Silas pointed out that it was a wasted opportunity because instead of having the Blue Falcon be a DJ they could have just brought in the Hex Girls or Simple Plan.

But they didn’t do that and I honestly wonder if the people who made this movie care about Scooby-Doo at all.

#5: The things that I actually liked.

Again, I liked that scene where they do that cute selfie thing, I thought was adorable and accurately showed their dynamic.

I also liked that Daphne was the one to point out what Shag and Scoob contribute to the team because I’m biased.

When they address that Shag and Scoob are they ones that make sure the gang is eating I like that, I thought it was very in character and made a lot of sense.

I like when Captain Caveman showed up for literally no reason and was voiced by Tracy Morgan. Simply because it was so dumb I had to laugh.

I like the gang’s group hugs because those always showcase how tall Shag is compared to everyone and they all deserve a hug.

Any of the lines Fred said because they were the majority of the actually funny jokes in the movie.

The scene where Shag, Scoob and Daph are split off and she keeps getting her spare Scooby Snacks stolen by Scooby. I just love that trio for obvious reasons and it was the only part of the movie where I felt happy.

At the end when Shaggy yells at the gang and tells them what to do because I just always like it when he does that, it always throws the rest of the gang off and it’s funny.

The scene where they unmask Dastardly and it’s Simon Cowell and then they unmask Cowell and it’s Dastardly again. Like the smartest joke the movie had.

The Hex Girls poster at the carnival because it tricked me into thinking we’d see them at some point.

I liked DynoMutt, I though his design was cool and he got the other half of the actually funny jokes.

When Blue Falcon does that phone gag and is all like, “Adventure is calling!!” And the scene is supposed to be exciting but then Shag immediately is like, “No thanks.” I thought that was in character and pretty funny before being taken back because conflicts are resolved instantly in this movie.

Conclusion:

When you’re passionate with something as underground as Scooby-Doo you find yourself getting very protective of the legacy it leaves behind.

Granted this franchise has always had some black marks on it’s record but that’s to be expected since it’s a 50 year-old series.

Scoob was going to bring Scooby-Doo back into the limelight after such a long time remaining on CN or Boomerang respectively. And was just so devoid of the passion that even MI had, it felt like more of a cash grab than anything else. And it bums me out because there are so many good things that we could have gotten from an animated theatrical release.

But instead we got an hour and forty-five minutes of nothing and that isn’t what Scooby deserves at all. I can only hope that someone will want to try again and this time, they’ll actually care.

(Feel free to share your own thoughts on the movie and maybe discuss point I made that you agree/disagree with.)

[kuratoki]

Distance 01

It’s finally here! I hope you guys enjoyed Changes but I hope you enjoy the sequel even more~ My ask box is open for Charas and personal (and I would low key love some anons uwu) Enjoy!! 

If you haven’t checked out changes yet, you can find it here.

There wasn’t a day Jeno didn’t regret not making things official with you sooner. What he also didn’t expect was his soon to be ex best friend to act on his feelings towards you either. Now a whole continent away with a ten hour time difference, will the two of you survive the distance and all the obstacles that come with?

Genre: Fluff, Angst

Pairing: Ballerina OC x Dancer Jeno

Words: 3488

Warnings: Swearing

~Updates Ever/other day at 8AM PST~

“Happy New year everyone!” Hana said brightly, waving at Yeeun and Yukhei who were sitting in the lunchroom before class started.

Seeing her new good friend, Yeeun squealed, engulfing Hana into a hug and the two girls started jumping around as if they hadn’t seen each other in years.

“Didn’t you guys just see each other for a girls day two days ago?” Jaemin asked walking up behind Hana and giving Yukhei a bro hug before giving Yeeun a small hug.

Ever since you and Renjun departed, things had gotten progressively better between the two couples. Despite the rough past, Yukhei and Yeeun were the addition the group needed. Yeeun was actually really fun to be around and you got to bond with her a bit at the Selects Christmas party before you left. You also encouraged Hana to talk to her more which resulted in the friendship they had now. 

“Can you like not?” Hana asked looking at her boyfriend with a playful glare, “We’re the only girls now because Y/N and Mia are gone.” 

“Yea and with all the trouble you guys get into without us, we kind of have to stick together.” Yeeun said, taking Hana’s side, “Anyways, did you guys have a good holiday?”

“We spent it with Jaemin’s parents.” Hana said, smiling bashfully, “They invited us to this….” 

As Hana recounted her winter break to Yeeun, Jaemin looked at Yukhei and playfully rolled his eyes.

“Who would have thought.” he said as Yukhei nodded.

“Who would have thought.” he agreed and looked around, “Any idea where Chenle is?” It wasn’t like him to be at school so late in the morning but then again, it was the first day back so classes started a bit later.

“He mentioned something over winter break about taking care of three transfer students from China.” Jaemin said and raised his eyebrows as he saw said boy walk into the room with a girl and two boys trailing behind him, “Speak of the devil.”

“You guys really shouldn’t talk about Jisung while he isn’t here you know.” Chenle commented as he approached the group, making Hana and Yeeun break from their conversation, “How was everyone's vacations?” 

Once everyone responded, Chenle motioned to the three behind him, “I’d like to introduce you guys to Xiao Dejun, Liu YangYang and Chou Tzuyu. They’re from the transfer program and the schools asked me to act as their guide.” he then motioned to the two couples in front of him and tried to hold back his sigh, silently wishing he wasn’t the fifth wheel in this case, “Everyone, this is Wong Yukhei, Jang Yeeun, Kim Hana and Na Jaemin….” he paused for a second and looked around the room, “Where’s Jeno?” 

“He told me that he was taking a later flight so he might be in later today or for sure tomorrow.” Jaemin answered and looked at the other three, “It’s nice to meet you guys. If you need any help at all, don’t hesitate to ask. I was a guide myself this past year.” 

“Yea for what? Two weeks?” Hana snorted, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes, “Then Jeno and Jisung kind of took over no? You were probably a shitty guide since she doesn’t attend the school anymore.” 

“You have spent way too much time talking to Mia over the phone. Now I know how Renjun feels.” Jaemin commented with a pout, “And that’s not true. Timing just sucks.” 

“Are you guys all couples?” YangYang asked curiously and Yukhei shared a look with Jaemin.

“Kind of.” they both said, thinking about the situation between you and Jeno.

As the guys got to know YangYang and Dejun, who said to call him Xiaojun, Hana and Yeeun went to get to know Tzuyu who seemed a bit more reserved.

“So what department are you entering?” Yeeun asked curiously.

“Dance.” Tzuyu responded and the two other girls looked at each other.

“That’s cool, that’s….pretty much everyone here.” Hana said with a bright smile, “Except Chenle. So we’ll be able to help you if you need it.” 

“I don’t think I will but thanks.” Tzuyu said flipping her hair, making Yeeun inwardly grimace while Hana tried to maintain her bright smile. This was going to be interesting since it seemed like the guys were getting along with Xiaojun and YangYang just fine.

While the girls continued to converse with Tzuyu with mostly her giving one word answers, they were about to give up before the doors to the cafeteria opened and her attention was pulled to the person that walked in, approaching the group of boys next to her.

“Who is that?” Tzuyu asked, putting on a flirtatious smile and tried not to let it falter when he walked right by her.

Hana and Yeeun turned around to see who she was talking about and Hana almost choked on her spit, “Holy shit what did Europe do to Jeno?” 

“Europe? You mean Y/N?” Yeeun asked, eyes wide and looked at Tzuyu, “He’s off limits by the way.” 

“Completely off limits.” Hana emphasized, “Untouchable.”

“Plus, you're not his type.” Yeeun said bluntly. She didn’t like the predatory look Tzuyu had on her as she watched Jeno converse with the others and knew that Hana was not going to be a big fan of this girl at all. They both had promised you that they’d keep an eye on Jeno and they weren’t going to let one person get in their way this tie.

“And how would you know? Are you friends with him?” Tzuyu asked slightly offended. They didn’t even know her and yet they were already calling her out. When the guy gave her a side glance and a light smile, she swore she felt her heart flutter and melt at the same time.

“He’s my boyfriends best friend so yes, I can confirm that you aren’t his type.” Hana said with a fake smile before watching Jaemin literally fly across the room and she had to laugh at his clinginess to the new blonde.

“Oh ho ho ho ho! Look who it is!!” Jaemin said excitedly going to give Jeno a big bro hug, “Who are you and what have you done to my best friend.”

“Blonde suits you dude.” Yukhei said, doing the same as Jaemin, “Wasn’t your flight supposed to land later today?” 

“Y/N made me take an earlier one cause she didn’t want me to miss school.” Jeno said before greeting Chenle, “I drove here straight from the airport so I made it just on time.” He then turned to the two unfamiliar boys who were looking at him curiously and waved, “Hey, I’m Jeno.”

“I’m Xiaojun, this is YangYang. The girl over there is Tzuyu” he said pointing at the long haired brunette that had yet to take her eyes off him, “We’re from the transfer program.” 

“Ah yes, I remember listening to Chenle whine to Jisung over the phone about how Renjun ditched him for Europe again.” Jeno said, chuckling slightly and turned to the girls, “Ladies, how were your breaks.” 

Both Yeeun and Hana got up and gave him a big hug leaving Tzuyu wide eyed, so they were actually friends with him.

“Someone seems well rested.” Hana teased, “So I guess going back with Renjun for break instead of spending it here was worth it then.” 

Jeno smiled thinking back to the last two weeks. It was a spontaneous decision but after talking to Renjun and Soonyoung, he decided to take a chance and fly to Europe to surprise you for winter break. He knew you would be busy with your new duties but it was all worth it. It had taken you and Jisung completely by surprise when he walked through the apartment door with Renjun and he remembered what it felt like when you jumped into his arms although it had been a literal two weeks since you had seen each other.

“Uh oh, someones thinking about Y/N again.” Jaemin teased, nudging Jeno lightly.

“WHIPPED.” Chenle called out and Jeno raised his eyebrows at him.

“And for that comment, you can ask Renjun for the sheet music you need for the performance. I’ll just tell him you lost it.” Jeno shot, making Chenle stick his tongue out at him though in reality, Jeno had the full binder of all the pieces in his locker that he stopped by on the way to the lunchroom.

“Speaking of performance, does this mean you’ll be part of todays lunch show with us?” Jaemin asked and Jeno nodded.

“As long as Yukhei is okay dancing Jisung’s part.” Jeno said with a nod and addressed the two others, “You guys should come check out the performance. I’m sure Chenle will tell you about it later.” 

“Dude, I was practicing all winter break for this!” Yukhei said with a fist pump, “I cannot believe I’ll be performing with the ACTUAL dream team.” 

“They’re part of this dance club called NCT.” Chenle explained when he saw the confused looks on the transfer students, “They put on various performances throughout the week here in the lunchroom. You’ll see later today.” he looked at his watch, “If you guys are ready, I can show you where your classes are. Unfortunately, the other Junior Dance major is in Europe right now so outside of the academics, I’ll leave you guys to them to show you where everything else is if that’s okay.” 

“I offered.” Jaemin said, “Which dance classes do you have?” 

“All of us have contemporary first period and freestyle third.” Xiaojun answered, “We tried getting into the advanced contemporary class but they said we couldn’t.”

“Yea, that’s the class Jeno, Hana and Yeeun have together. It's a reference class and only one other person got in without it. But I have freestyle during third so you won’t be alone” Jaemin explained, “Anyways, why don’t we start heading in the direction. We’ll see you later Chenle.” 

“I’ll meet you guys there.” Jeno said, “I need to give Chenle the binder with all of the performance pieces that he has to practice. Y/N and Renjun say thanks again for taking this on by the way, it takes a lot off their shoulders.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I couldn’t do it.” Chenle answered shrugging offhandedly, “I’ll meet you guys after class then to go to second period. Take care of them guys.” 

“See you guys in a bit.” Jeno said, “It was great meeting you guys too.” he said to the three. Though he didn’t really talk to Tzuyu much, he was getting an off vibe from her and the look Hana gave him was telling him to stay far away.

As the group entered the dance studio, YangYang couldn’t help but ask the question which was on everyone's mind, “Who is this Y/N and Renjun everyone keeps talking about?” 

Hana and Jaemin looked at each other, unsure of how to respond. There was a part of them that was uncomfortable sharing something so personal with people they just met but Hana also felt like she had to get a point across to Tzuyu who seemed to be eye fucking Jeno when they were in the lunchroom but she also didn’t want to say the wrong thing.

“They’re our close friends.” Jaemin answered as he stretched, “Y/N was actually the person that I was assigned to guide earlier this year but we only had two classes together. That’s why Hana said Jeno and Jisung eventually took over. They both had three classes with her so it made more sense.” 

“Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure Jeno would’ve fought you to be her guide had he known that she transferred back first.” Hana commented with a giggle. Yeeun and Yukhei had split off fairly quickly to go to their own classes so it was only the five of them, “But things were rough between them for a while.” 

“Oh so this Y/N chick and Jeno are dating.” Xiaojun said, making Tzuyus eyes widen, there was no way someone that looked like Jeno could already be in a relationship, he didn’t seem like the type  but what did she know?

“I wouldn’t use that term when you reference her around Jeno.” Jaemin warned, he didn’t even like that term being used on any of the girls in his friend circle, “And no...they aren’t dating.” 

“It’s complicated...like six degrees of separation. Y/N, Jeno and Jaemin all grew up together and attended the same dance school. Y/N left four years ago to attend a ballet program in Europe and she came back home for summer dance camp and met me and Jisung who is also part of our group. Some stuff happened over the years that tie into Yukhei and Yeeun. When she transferred back this year, things kind of...started making sense?” Hana asked looking at Jaemin who shrugged, “Anyways, she, Renjun and Jisung are in London for the semester. They’ll be back before summer though”

“They’re actually in Germany right now.” Jeno said coming up behind them, changed into his dance clothes and his phone tightly in his grasp. Tzuyu just thought he looked like a whole snack. The black T-shirt, sweats and cap added to the aesthetic of this image of him that was building in her mind. “There's one week left till Jisung has to be at training camp so the five of them are doing one last travel before lockdown.” 

“Of course you would know this.” Hana said, rolling her eyes, “Anyways, we can talk more later. I need to know what Jeno got Y/N for Christmas so I can beat his gift.” 

“You won’t” Jeno said with a large grin, “Nothing will beat my gift. She said so.” 

“That’s a lie!” Hana gasped, “Now I really need to know!”

“I got her new pointe shoes and took her to the NutCracker ballet performance on Christmas.” he grinned and Hana scoffed, “Good luck.” 

By the time lunch came, the three transfer students and Chenle were all making their way to the lunchroom where cheers could be heard. Leading them to the center where most of the NCT Club had gathered along with Yeeun and Sicheng along with the transfer student, Kun whom he was assigned to. From what Tzuyu could see, there was only the Jaemin guy and Yukhei, but where was Jeno? He was the only one she was looking forward to watch. 

She had seen him lead the choreography during their first period class and she was so mesmerized by his dance style and movement. The way he made comments to various people, telling them how to improve like a true leader. It made her temporarily forget what Hana had said before about him not being in a relationship yet and Tzuyu was positive that she could change his mind. It was obvious Hana’s warnings from earlier were going ignored.

An up beat started playing from the speaker behind Jaemin and Yukhei and Yukhei let out a big breath, “HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!! LETS MAKE SOME NOISE FOR OUR NATIONAL CHAMPION!!!”

A group of the NCT Club split in two and Jeno came running, doing a backflip into the center, causing cheers to erupt from all around the room. Gasps were heard throughout as they realized that their national champion was now blonde, many complimenting how it suited him perfectly.

“Are you recording this for Y/N?” Tzuyu heard Hana ask Yeeun who nodded, “She’s going to scream when she sees this performance.” 

“Jisung is going to be so jealous that Yukhei took his spot.” Yeeun commented with a giggle as the performance started.

As the boys danced, Tzuyu couldn’t keep her eyes off of Jeno. This was a different style of dance then she had seen earlier on. It was so strong, powerful and there were so many flips involved. The look on Jeno’s face too said so many different emotions and the way he flowed with Yukhei and Jaemin was on another level. It was obvious he was the lead since he was in the center for most of the performance but it didn’t mean the others couldn’t shine. 

When the performance was over, applause erupted around the room and the group gathered around the trio, Hana and Yeeun handing water bottles to their respective boyfriends while Doyoung ran to the center to engulf his favorite junior in a hug and suddenly the bad boy she had seen turned into a puppy.

She tried to make her way to Jeno once everyone was done congratulating him but he had looked down at his phone and was quick to make an excuse to leave out the cafeteria doors.

“Probably Y/N.” Jaemin said with a smile, watching the blonde literally sprint, “Isn’t it like a ten hour difference between here and Germany though?” 

“Seven actually.” YangYang commented, “I lived there for a few years before going back to China for school. So it’s around 6am there right now.” he said looking at his watch, “Are you sure he isn’t dating her?”

“Nope.” Jaemin said, “Their schedules won’t let them right now but he can wait, he’s already waited four years. He can wait a few more months.” he explained and changed the subject.” What did you guys think of the performance?” 

“You guys are so cool” Xiaojun gushed, “Is this a normal thing?” 

“Weekly? The seniors of the club organize the performances and we meet almost everyday after school.” Yukhei explained, arm around Yeeun, “If you guys want, you could come check it out with us today. Hana’s our manager so I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Yeeun also hangs out too.” 

“Not at all.” Hana said and looked at Tzuyu, “You’re welcome to join us too. There isn’t going to be any practice since there was a performance today but everyone just kind of hangs out....” her eyes widened and she slapped her hand to her face, “Frick, I totally forgot about the retreat too. I need to find Jeno. I’ll see you guys later.” she said and ran out the doors.

Afterschool came faster than anyone had suspected and all the transfer students were gathered in the NCT Practice Room. Hana had called the meeting to order and the only other person that wasn’t there was Jeno.

“Is this to discuss the weekend retreat or spring break?” Ten asked as the group gathered but there were still people talking above Hana that she couldn’t even get a word in..

“HEY! Just because Y/N isn’t here doesn’t mean that you guys should be disrespecting Hana.” Jeno called from the door as he walked in with his bag and keys swinging around one finger, “She’s just as much as our manager as Y/N is.” 

“Thank you Jeno Lee.” Jaemin huffed, happy he didn’t have to say anything, he couldn’t believe the disrespect.

This made the whole room go silent and the people who weren’t used to Jeno’s outburst actually looked scared, especially the transfer students. 

“Did you talk to Y/N? Is she letting us use her place?” Hana asked since she couldn’t find him during lunch, it had turned out that it was his mom that called and not you. Because it seemed private, she didn’t want to interrupt instead, opting to text him instead.

“She gave the okay. Unfortunately the date is right in the middle of rehearsals so she or Renjun won’t be able to make it.” Jeno said nodding with a frown, “I have the keys at my place and we planned it over winter break. I’ll give you and the leaders the plans after but I actually have to run to my place in Gangnam for a bit so I wanted to let you know I won’t be present today.”

“Meeting up with Soonyoung?” Jaehyun asked knowing that the Selects foreign rep and Jeno got close after you had introduced the two.

“Forgot something that needs to get to my parents actually.” Jeno said with an awkward smile and looked at Sicheng, “I’ll stop by after if that’s okay.” 

“You’re the only one who has another key so I mean I can’t stop you.” Sicheng commented, “Can you bring me back some stuff I need then?” 

“Text me.” he said with a nod, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” 

“Jeno is definitely up to something and it has nothing to do with his parents.” Jaemin whispered to Yukhei as YangYang and Xiaojun picked up on their conversation, “They’re with Y/N’s parents on a cruise in the Carribean right now so they wouldnt even be able to contact him to send them anything.”

“Who knows what he’s doing.” Yukhei said sighing, “Sometimes I wish Jisung was here to read him.” 

“So do I, Xuxi...so do I…” 

[nikkzwrites]

Yesterday Once More | Dark Fix-It Fic Series | Chapter 1

A/N: This fic is one that I started with my OC because honestly, I personally didn’t like how season 3 ended. So I am rewriting all of Dark with my OC Annalise Dahlheim. I hope you all like it. Some things will be expanded more on just for more depth to Dark that season 3 kinda skipped over so.... yeah.

CW: Canon Typical Triggers: Smoking, Sex, Language, Drugs, Drinking, Death, Violence.

Word Count:  5.1k

[Next Chapter] 

Meeting Jonas felt as if the world finally started turning for Annalise. Her lips felt dry seeing the blonde boy. Her tongue instinctively licked her lips to moisten them once more. His bright blue eyes were just as Martha had described. He was different though. He did not radiate the happy energy that Martha had once described.

“Anna,” Bartosz called to pull her out of her trance from seeing Jonas. He leaned over to his best friend and teased loud enough for everyone to hear, “Forgive her. She’s still a foreigner so her German isn’t the best.”

Annalise grumbled, “Please don’t call me that.” She rubbed her shoulder anxiously. She never understood why Martha decided to date such an ass when she was previously dating such a sweet boy, especially since the ass was the sweet boy’s best friend.

“Hey.” Jonas gave a small smile, “You know, it’s a fairly pretty name. It’s close to my mom’s name. Hannah.”

She laughed, “Did you just say my name was pretty because it sounds like your mom’s?”

Jonas blushed. He bit his lip for a second. “Yeah.” he quickly changed the subject, “You’re German isn’t that bad.”

Annalise rolled her eyes as she watched everyone walking towards the doors, “Well, Bartosz likes to make fun of me.” She spotted Magnus and said, “I’ve gotta go talk to him.” She honestly just wanted to leave the awkward conversation.

Bartosz laughed and explained to his friend once she left, “She lives with them since her exchange status, you know. Anna is weirdly close to Magnus. Martha always asks me to stop pointing it out but the way she looks at him is fucking weird.”

“Did you tell anyone,” Jonas changed the subject.

Bartosz chuckled, “I told everyone you were on a two-month school exchange in France, playing hide-the-baguette. Conveniently enough, Annalise came over from America a month later so no one really questioned much.” He looked at Jonas who still seemed worried, “Relax. Come on.” He walked towards the school and encouraged his friend, “Come on.”

Magnus looked down at Annalise and rolled his eyes at the girl’s smelling of him, “Yeah. Mikkel is at school safe. You should have just waited for all of us if you were that worried.”

“You smell like weed,” She commented pulling away from the older boy.

Magnus shook his head, “Who are you? Franziska? What has gotten into everyone today?” A slight blush grew on his face.

“Franziska,” Annalise teased dancing just out of his reach, “That’s a big surprise, Magnus.”

“Shut up,” He turned his head and asked, “Shouldn’t you go find Martha?”

Annalise nodded then turned just in time to spot her, “There she is, I’ll go. Bye Magnus. Have fun~”

Martha looked at her foreign friend. “You left without me this morning,” she complained, “where did you go?”

Annalise shrugged, “I just walked to school.” She lied. She had gone to try to pick up some bread for herself that morning and past Ulrich on her way coming back from the bakery. He made her promise not to tell anyone about it, so she had eaten as much as she could before getting to school before passing it off to one of her other classmates.

“Assemblies like this are for idiots,” Bartosz reasoned, “They need to get rid of them.”

Jonas didn’t reply, but instead, kept an eye on Martha who was walking towards them. He truly smiled for the first time since getting home. His hopeful eyes watched as she moved to sit.

Bartosz moved to give Martha a place to sit next to him. When he noticed Annalise with her, he whispered to the person next to Jonas to move.

Martha sat in between Bartosz and Jonas. Sorrowfully, she gave Bartosz a kiss as he wrapped an arm around her. Completely unaware of Jonas’ face changing to one of hurt, she linked her hand with Bartosz’s.

Bartosz leaned over and confessed as if an afterthought, “Maybe you did miss something.”

Annalise shifted uncomfortably on the other side of Jonas and looked away. A sick feeling filled her stomach seeing how Jonas’s expressions changed. She just bit the inside of her lip and decided to stay out of it for the moment though.

Martha looked up at Jonas to finally fully study him. She mustered up her courage to let out a, “Hey.”

Very quietly, Jonas replied back, “Hey.”

Martha looked around the room trying to figure out exactly what she wanted to say next. She could feel that they were making this moment awkward for everyone. “How was France,” She asked.

Before Jonas could respond, Bartosz answered, “French. How else?” He laughed at his own joke causing Martha to look at him unamused.

Annalise leaned over, made a face at him, and said, “Shove off Bartosz, that wasn’t even funny.”

“Oh, shut up Anna,” Bartosz rolled his eyes and sneered back at her before he and Annalise shifted to sit correctly in their seats once more.

Everyone started to applaud as Katharina walked onto the stage as if the entire school were thankful that she interrupted the awkwardness between Jonas and Martha. The woman thanked everyone for their warm welcome and then started on the assembly about Erik Obendorf. This caused numerous students to whisper amongst themselves as Jonas and Martha just looked at each other.

Afterward, they all walked to their classes. Annalise lagged behind with Jonas kind of just following Bartosz and Martha. She really didn’t know what to say to make the situation any better. So she instead elected to stay silent. The girl did overhear Bartosz talking about meeting up to go to the caves later to get the remains of Erik’s dope. She shook her head and stormed past them, “Excuse me.” She walked into her and Martha’s shared first period.

Bartosz smiled and chuckled, “She really needs to get some dick. Magnus still hasn’t done that yet?” He teased Martha.

Martha lightly hit her boyfriend, “Gross.” She pulled away and followed Annalise into the classroom to try and apologize.

Bartosz anxiously waited until the middle of the first period with Jonas to discuss going to the caves. First, he needed to make his friend laugh though. While Franziska gave her report, he leaned over to his friend, “You know what I’ve been wondering for days? If the blackest hole of all is parked in Franziska Doppler’s ass.”

Jonas finally chuckled. A giant grin spread across his face and he tried to suppress his laughter. 

“But, seriously,” Bartosz stated seriously, “what I really wonder is this: If Erik didn’t run away, but got snuffed out or something instead, then all his dope is still in the caves.”

Jonas looked at his friend confused.

Bartosz continued, “He kept his entire stash there.”

“So,” Jonas asked.

Bartosz shook his head, “Oh, man!” He sighed at his friend’s foolishness, “We go in there and….bingo!”

Jonas scoffed, “That’s bullshit.”

“It’s awesome,” Bartosz counteracted.

Martha leaned over to Annalise and whispered, “I know you two aren’t the greatest of friends, but can’t you and Bartosz try to be at least a bit more polite and nicer to each other?”

Annalise twirled her pencil in her hand, “Tell that to him first. I’ve always been the one to try and play nice.”

“Well, you are coming with us to the cave tonight right,” Martha pleaded, “It would be really awkward if it’s just me, Bartosz, and Jonas.”

Annalise smiled and stifled a laugh, “Isn’t Magnus also going? Want another person there so you can hoe with your boyfriend without feeling bad about Jonas.”

“Shut up,” Martha blushed and hit her shoulder against the other girl a bit harder than she expected that caused Annalise to fall out of her seat with a large clang of the metal stool against the cement floor.

The bell rang signifying the end of the school day before any of the kids could realize.

Jonas called Bartosz on his bullshit then asked, “Then you’ll go around selling it or what?”

Bartosz hummed, “No dude. We’ll smoke half of it ourselves. And if there are capacities on the market, you don’t hesitate.” He further explained, “We’ll go there and get the stuff. Easy Peasy.”

“Who’s getting what stuff,” Magnus’s deep voice called over to the two boys as he and his sister joined them atop the stairs.

“We’re going to the caves tonight,” Bartosz explained to the boy before going to greet his girlfriend with a deep kiss. 

Magnus laughed. He turned towards Jonas and asked, “You turning into boy scouts?”

“Bartosz thinks Erik’s dope is there,” Jonas replied.

The group started their way down the stairs to meet up with Annalise who was waiting hanging off the metal banister on the outside of the stairs. Martha spoke up, “Fanny told me they once found a dead squirrel with five legs there.”

“You’ll believe any old crap,” Magnus teased his sister.

Annalise laughed and said, “Come on Magnus. Leave Martha alone. Let her live in her dreams.” She hopped off to pounce on her surrogate brother’s back causing him to stumble a bit. They both started to laugh and Jonas smiled at the pure ridiculousness of what was going on between Magnus and Annalise. 

Martha turned to the two laughing like crows, “Just because you can’t see past your nose doesn’t mean there aren’t things going on out there that the nuclear power mafia keeps secret from the public.”

Magnus pushed Annalise off while Martha went on her rant. As he passed his sister, he told her, “Don’t forget to breathe.” Franziska, as if on cue, stood in the doorway blocking the group. She looked up at the tall older boy. Magnus carefully moved past her. “Franziska.” he acknowledged her.

“Magnus,” she replied walking backward to eye him up and down before continuing her way into the school.

Bartosz, Jonas, and Annalise stood back to watch her walk away in awe with what had just happened.

Just as Franziska was out of range, Martha looked at her brother disgusted, “You got a crush on her now or what?” 

“Shut up,” Bartosz muttered under his breath.

Annalise chuckled and murmured, “So it’s mutual. I see.”

When Magnus ignored her, she said, “Hey, idiot.”

“Okay, what the hell.”

The other boys started to ‘Woah’ at Martha and Magnus. Starting to get into the middle of the near fight, Jonas said, “Let’s go to the caves tonight and look.”

Bartosz gently slapped his friend’s shoulder, “Yeah dude.” He did his handshake with Magnus before taking Martha’s hand and walking ahead, “Come on.”

Jonas stood there and watched as the other three walked for a moment. He was completely lost staring at the sight in front of him that he nearly panicked at Annalise bumping her shoulder against Jonas’s.

“Do you live at school or are you coming,” Annalise teased as she started to urge him to walk with her.

Jonas laughed a bit while shaking his head, “Yeah. Thanks.”

The rest of the group was so far ahead at that point that Annalise decided to try to make some conversation. She smiled at Jonas and walked ahead of him a bit so she could walk backward and face him, “So, you know the first time I got here, I wasn’t used to so many men speaking German. In fact, I was a bit afraid of German.”

Jonas looked up and raised a brow at her, “Yeah?” He didn’t one hundred percent want to be rude since she was Martha’s friend, but he really didn’t know where she was going with telling him this.

Annalise smiled and continued with her story, “Well, when I was first moving here for the program, I heard that Katharina was going to pick me up. So I was waiting for her when a tall authoritative intimating man walked up and started speaking to me in full German.” She started laughing, “I knew what he was saying, but I couldn’t help it. I just started crying right there in the middle of the airport. Everyone just kept staring at Ulrich and me until someone asked what was wrong. You should have seen his face.” Annalise doubled over laughing at her recollection.

Jonas smiled and chuckled. He couldn’t help but feel a bit more cheerful after seeing her eyes sparkle. Her laugh infected him and before he knew it he was laughing as well even though he didn’t even think the story was that funny. He just really enjoyed the fact someone was putting so much effort into making him feel normal again. Jonas looked at her again. It was as if she was made of vibrant colors and radiating it outwards. The pinkish-orange hue that she emitted from just existing in his life was like watching the most beautiful sunset. 

Annalise finally was able to stop laughing as they got where they needed to part ways so that way she could pick up Mikkel and then head home. They stopped and looked at each other for a moment. “Please don’t tell anyone I told you that,” She plead with him jokingly, “Bartosz would never let me live it down.”

“I won’t,” Jonas nodded. He laughed.

Annalise laughed again and said, “Jonas. Don’t laugh! Makes me think you are going to tell him as soon as I’m gone.”

Jonas continued to laugh, “What do you want me to do about that, you’re laughing too. You stop first.”

“Promise me, Jonas,” Annalise giggled.

The boy wiped happy tears away from his eyes, “I promise.”

“I promise what,” She dogged him.

“I promise,” Jonas smiled, “that I won’t tell them so that they will make fun of you. Only I get that.”

Annalise shook her head, “See you later asshole.” She giggled and blushed as she walked away.

Jonas watched her leave. He walked towards his house still watching her. “See you later,” he whispered under his breath as he waved towards her leaving form before he turned around to continue walking back home before the meetup.

Annalise touched her tree of life necklace. Its silver comforted her as she waited for Mikkel to walk over to her. She scanned to try to find the little boy who had grown to be like a little brother to her. Her heart felt scared knowing she was going to keep Ulrich’s secret from him. It was for the best, but she never wanted to lie to him.

When Mikkel spied Annalise, he smiled and ran up to her. He gave her a forceful hug that made them have to spin to keep balance. He yelled, “Lise! You came to pick me up!”

Annalise smiled and said, “Yeah I wanted to be the one to walk you home before Magnus took you to Heide’s.” She laughed as she held the boy, “So you will never guess who I met today.” She grabbed Mikkel’s hand so that they could walk together.

Mikkel laughed, “Did you finally meet Jonas?! He’s great, huh?”

Annalise ruffled the boy’s hair with her other hand, “Yeah.” She didn’t notice the pink painted on her face until Mikkel spoke up.

“You’re blushing,” He teased, “Do you like him?”

Annalise unconvincingly scoffed, “What? Me? I just met him.” Her face glowing.

The young boy laughed and concluded, “So you do like him.”

“Well, he isn’t not handsome,” She conceded with the boy letting the truth out about her feelings just a little bit.

When they got home, Annalise hurried upstairs to get freshened up. Martha was just about to leave but decided to wait for her friend. Martha looked at her and asked, “Wanting to impress someone now?”

Annalise blushed and finished up freshening up. She turned to her friend and asked, “Are we going?”

Martha nodded and asked, “Can you pick up some drinks from the convenience store since we are so early?”

Annalise made a face but agreed to anyway. She walked to the convenience store. She wandered down the isles and grabbed a six-pack of the mini plastic bottled Coca Cola’s and grabbed two tall glass Coca Colas. She smiled as she walked back towards the train tracks where she was going to meet back up with Martha.

Then she heard voices. She squinted and snuck closer making sure they didn’t hear her. “Where are Bartosz and the others,” asked a boy’s voice. Annalise surmised it must have been Jonas’s. It was similar and very fluid like the way he spoke.

“Late.” Martha responded, “As always.” This made Annalise want to wring her neck, but the girl stayed silent to listen. “The thing with Bartosz…”

Jonas quickly interrupted sounding panicked, “It’s okay. You don’t need to explain.”

“But I want to,” Martha replied to him. She started to sound like she was holding back tears, “I wrote you a text while you were away. Not just one. But I never sent them. It all sounded wrong somehow. What happened between us last summer…I...” Martha trailed off.

Jonas spoke up once more, “It’s really okay.” It didn’t sound okay. They were silent again. Annalise was just about to reveal herself when Jonas started again, “Something up? They were both lightly laughing now. This really hurt Annalise for some reason.

“I think I’m having deja vu,” Martha explained, “The light, the forest. As if all of this has already happened before.”

Jonas looked around looking right past Annalise with no notice. He looked back towards Martha with a small chuckle and a shrug, “A glitch in the matrix.”

Martha asked confused, “What?”

“If the world is a simulation,” Jonas explained, “deja vu is a glitch in the matrix.”

“Or a message from the other side,” Martha retorted, “I read that somewhere.”

Annalise felt very awkward watching such an intimate moment. For some reason, her heart ached a bit hearing them talk so easily. Part of the girl honestly wanted to just leave and go home. Have nothing to do with any of this.

Then Mikkel and Magnus walked near her. The younger boy noticed the girl hiding from the other two. Mikkel smiled as he linked his arm with Annalise’s and made her walk up with him.

“Hey, what the hell,” Martha asked Magnus.

He quickly replied, “Parents’ meeting. Heide’s got a stomach bug. I’m stuck with him.”

“Hi, Jonas,” Mikkel pulled away from the girl, “Ultimate fist bump?” He held out his fist to the older boy.

Jonas smiled and gave the boy a quick fist bump.

Annalise looked to Martha and Magnus then offered, “I can go home and stay with him if you want me to.”

Martha shook her head and looked towards her brother who responded with, “You take him back.” Magnus looked straight at Martha.

“Relax guys,” Mikkel interrupted, “I’m not a baby anymore.”

Bartosz, then, jogged up. “What is the idiot doing here,” he asked swatting Mikkel behind the head.

“Hey,” Annalise pulled Mikkel more towards her.

“Yeah,” Magnus agreed, “Only I can do that, okay?” Then he swatted his little brother behind his head. Annalise made a face as Mikkel complained that it hurt. She pulled the boy closer to her and gave him a plastic bottle coke while covering one finger over her lips. Magnus flipped his flashlight in his hand and held the light up to his face before saying, “Let us go.”

Mikkel looked up at Annalise as everyone started to follow Magnus, “Thank Lise.”

“It’s no problem Mikkel,” She grabbed a glass one out of the bag for herself. She opened it and turned to Jonas, “Do you want one?”

Jonas smiled gently, “Yeah. Thanks.” He took the other glass bottle from her and held it towards her so that she could open it.

Finally hearing the noise of a Coca Cola being opened, Bartosz turned around, “Oh nice! Thanks Anna.” He grabbed the bag from her hoping to find more of the glass bottles then turned towards her, “Did you only get two of those?”

Annalise smiled coyly at the boy, “It’s not like I was paid to get everyone a glass one. First come, first serve.” She clinked her bottle with Jonas then took a sip just to spite the boy.

Bartosz rolled his eyes, “Whatever.” He turned back around to continue walking with his arm around Martha howling at the moon with the others.

Jonas looked at the two wistfully and Annalise bumped his shoulder, “Come on.” She coaxed him into walking with her as a pair in the back.

It wasn’t too long once they entered the woods that the group started to walk more in a line across. Mikkel was the first to speak up again, “What do you guys think happened to Erik?” He walked with his older brother then continued, “Kids in our class are saying someone kidnapped him and has him locked up in a basement.”

Magnus rolled his eyes, “Oh shut up. He just ran away.”

Martha used this opportunity to look at Jonas once more. 

“But it could be that he’s locked up somewhere and can’t get out,” Mikkel explained his side. “Why would someone do that? Lock someone else up?” the boy asked.

“It’s like the witch in Hansel and Gretel,” Bartosz tried to joke, “When she gets hungry, she has something to eat.”

Martha held back a laugh and hit her boyfriend much to the displeasure of Mikkel. She shook her head then replied, “No, Even if Mom and Dad tell you that most people are nice, there are people out there who are anything but nice.”

Magnus and Annalise both spoke up.

“Like your sister,” the oldest boy said.

“Like Bartosz,” the girl had said at the same time as the boy.

They turned towards each other and laughed as Martha complained, “You idiots.”

Jonas then spoke up, “My father said good and evil are a question of perspective.” He looked around seeing everyone suddenly quieter and a bit awkward. He joked, “Dead father, bad topic?”

Mikkel spoke up once more to get the topic back on track, “And if Erik is no longer alive? If he’s lying dead somewhere and no one finds him? That would be the worst. Even if you’re dead, you want to be found.”

“No one is dead and no one won’t be found, okay,” Martha angrily said clearly tired of the conversation, “Can we please change the topic now?”

Bartosz smiled deviously and said, “Annalise has been awfully quiet during this exchange. Why not we pick on her for a little bit?”

Annalise rolled her eyes, “You’re only mad that you didn’t get a glass bottle. Here, if you want it so badly take mine.” She held it out to the boy who quickly took it and returned the back of plastic mini bottles to her. 

“Thank you,” Bartosz teased getting hit again by Martha, “Ouch. What?”

Jonas looked towards Annalise and held out his bottle, “I didn’t drink too much of it if you still want some from the bottle. I saw that you only took like one sip of yours.”

Annalise smiled and joked, “Thanks, I’d much prefer to share an indirect kiss with anyone else.” She was just about to press the bottle to her lips before she realized what she had said then paused. She tried to hand it back to Jonas.

Jonas, trying to ignore his own blush, said, “No. It’s okay.” He smiled, “It’s just funny that you would say that.”

Annalise took a quick sip before handing the bottle back to Jonas, “Why? Is it weird I don’t want to kiss my best friend’s boyfriend?”

Jonas laughed, “No. I think it’s just funny that it was your first thought. It makes me think you’ve thought about it before.”

“Ew,” Annalise shook her head, “That’s Bartosz you’re talking about. That’s disgusting.” She blushed and mumbled, “maybe someone else but not Bartosz really.”

Jonas chuckled and drank some of his drink himself. 

“I’m bored, can we go home,” Mikkel complained as they passed the nuclear power plant.

“We are almost there,” Bartosz explained.

Jonas stood in front of the gates and stared. Strangely enough, he felt as if all of this had happened before as well. He was lost in this thought when he felt a small gentle pressure next to him and a girl’s voice call to him.

“Jonas,” Annalise tried to snap the boy out of his trance. “The others are leaving us.”

Jonas stared back at the plant then nodded following her once more.

It wasn’t long before the group finally made it to the caves. Bartosz called for everyone to split up to look for the drugs. He, himself, went to the chair it was normally in and looked. 

Magnus called to him, “And?”

“Fuck, dude,” Bartosz replied, “It was here.”

A girl’s voice called over to the group, “Looking for this?” Everyone turned to see that it was Franziska holding the drugs and what looked like a burner cell.

“What is she doing here,” Martha complained.

“That’s mine,” Bartosz told Franziska.

Franziska sneered, “The definition of ownership says, ‘the possession is nine-tenths of the law,’ so it’s mine for now. But I’m selling. What’ll you give me for it?”

Bartosz pretended to think for a moment before moving to push her, “A kick in the ass.”

“What’s in here is easily worth 500,” she said pulling the drugs away from him, “It’s yours for 200. Daddy’s got plenty of money.” She tormented him.

Bartosz pushed the redhead and said, “Stop the bullshit.” He growled, “Just give it to me.”

Magnus shifted trying to hold back his anger at his sister’s boyfriend as Bartosz took the drugs away from Franziska.

As Bartosz walked away, he sang songed, “Jackpot.”

Franziska was just on her way closer to the group when there was a loud noise that came from within the cave. It sounded as if a door had opened inside of it. “What’s that,” Magnus asked terror unhidden from his voice.

There was a noise that sounded not too far from the group that made all of them turn to look. Martha spoke up, “Someone’s there.”

“Oh, shit!” the oldest boy whispered.

The noises continued making everyone turn. Then everyone’s flashlights started to flicker while looking towards the cave.

Everyone started to panic. It wasn’t long before Magnus yelled for everyone to run and go.

The rest of the group turn and ran leaving Mikkel and Jonas behind. Jonas quickly grabbed Mikkel’s hand and told the boy, “Come on.” He ran with Mikkel through the woods. Jonas tried to keep the boy ahead of him as he kept turning back to see if anyone was chasing them.

Annalise looked around realizing that Jonas and Mikkel weren’t with them and turned back quickly.

Jonas tripped in the woods. He tried to stumble and crawl his way back up. He turned and tried to call out, “Mikkel?” He yelled out, “Mikkel!” When he turned again, the boy saw his dad covered in black liquid. Jonas started to panic even more. He fell again before he was fully able to run away from the terrifying fright.

Annalise heard Jonas’s call and ran towards it, “Jonas?” She called. She started to hear footsteps as if they were running towards her. “Jonas?!” She called afraid.

Jonas soon revealed that it was him and grabbed her, “Lise, come on!” His iron grip pulled her with him as they ran out of the forest. He never let go of her wrist.

“Where’s Mikkel,” she called to Jonas over the falling rain that had started to drench them. When he didn’t answer her she called to him, “Jonas, where’s Mikkel?!”

He asked, “Is he not with the rest of the group?” He stopped only for a split second to ask her. His chest heaving from running so much.

“I don’t know, I came looking for y’all,” She yelled over the rain. Thankfully the rain hid her tears from him.

Jonas shook his head and started to pull her towards the exit again, “He must be with the others.”

When the rest of the group got to the bridge, Bartosz hit Magnus’s chest, “What the fuck, man! What was that?”

Magnus yelled, “No idea. Shit!” He looked towards Franziska and Martha that had finally caught up to them.

“Man, what was that,” Martha yelled as the other girl thrashed around as if looking for something or someone.

Magnus finally had a moment of clarity and yelled, “Where’s Jonas, Lise, and Mikkel?!”

Right on time, Jonas emerged from the forest dragging Annalise behind him. He sprinted to get to the rest of the group causing Annalise to trip. He stopped to help her up only to run back to them.

“Where’s Mikkel,” Magnus asked the two. Jonas and Annalise tried to take a moment to breathe. When they didn’t respond Magnus yelled, “Where is Mikkel?”

Annalise started to sob. Jonas replied, “Why isn’t he with you?!”

Martha yelled back at Jonas, “He was with you!”

“Shit,” Magnus yelled before running and calling for his brother in vain, “Mikkel! Mikkel!”

Everyone else ran after him. Annalise stopped and pulled out her phone. She quickly called the police and said, “H-h-hello. I think my brother has gone missing in the Winden woods. We’ve been calling for him, but he won’t respond.”

The police then instructed her to gather everyone else so that way they could stay together and accounted for. They then asked who was with her. Annalise started to give everyone’s names and the police then notified the parents.

All the teenagers split up into groups so that way the adults had an easier time finding who was who’s.

Ulrich ran to his son and daughter who had started to make their way towards their father. Charlotte and Regina comforted their respective children. Annalise stood behind Jonas still sobbing and shaking as Hannah ran to her son and held him. Jonas turned back towards Annalise and extended his hand to lace his fingers with hers. He pulled her close to him as she tried to calm herself. Hannah instinctively grabbed onto Annalise to pull her into the hug as well.

Ulrich, when Katharina finally arrived, ran his way through the woods calling for his son.

The next morning, everyone was just in shock. Annalise turned to look at Jonas. Hannah had let her stay with them that night to let the Nielsens’ have some family time alone. Lise had end up sneaking in with Jonas after asking if it was alright because neither one of them could really sleep. They just lay there breathing next to each other staring up at the ceiling not knowing what to say or do.

[fatbottombucky]

Seventeen *Peter Parker x Rogers!Reader* 1/12

 Summary: Y/N Rogers is Steve’s Rogers great-great-great niece. Captain America recently became her guardian due to unfortunate circumstance, and Peter couldn’t be happier. Although he’s never talked to the girl, like ever. Due to failing grades Y/N purposes a deal to the young boy, a deal that would see the nerdy boy and popular beauty become close. Too close for Steve’s likening...

~Based upon the song Seventeen from Heathers~

Pairings: Peter Parker x [F]Rogers!Reader // [F]Rogers!Reader x OC!

Ratings: Mature (+18)

Warnings: Violance & abuse; mentally and physically. Suggestions of r*pe, it’s not detailed but there’s suggestions of it. Toxic boyfriend/past toxic family relationships

Authors Note: Also to me reader would be a red head (hence why I use Cheryl Blossom gifs) only becomes Steve’s mother is an Irish immigrant, so red head would run in the family. Reader is in no way described, it’s up to you how she’s depicted. civil war didnt happen

Chapter One: We’re Damaged, Really Damaged.

“H-hey.”

A voice stuttered, pulling you from your stretch. You looked up in time to see Peter blush and hastily pass his camera from one hand to the next, a nervous tremor about him.

“Parker,” you smile gracefully from the gym floor, “what do us Vixens owe the pleasure of seeing you here?”

The light giggles echoed around the gym, only making Peter shyer than before. He fiddled with the camera a bit more, looking down at you briefly.

“Was wondering if I could ask some of the cheerleaders to model?” You tilted your head, red hair swaying with the geasture, “I-mean, I need some shots for a portfolio, models would be nice and I know that Midtown Vixens aren’t camera shy. No one has to, of course, it was stupid. I should’ve just-“

“Peter!” He snaps his mouth shut, “my girls would love to, instagram worthy pics and edited for free, we’re in.”

Peter smiles and nodded, a little sigh leaving his lips. “Cool. Thank you, I’m thinking around free period tomorrow?”

You looked at the girls behind you, normally you have practice but skipping for one photoshoot might be a nice break.

“Definitely, we’ll bring our best clothes,” you smile and Peter nods. “Is there a theme for your portfolio?”

He shakes his head, “I can’t tell you,” you frown. “I’m trying to capture the perfect photos, I have a specific thing in my mind and I don’t want you girls to... fake it. A completely natural, real reactions.”

You smirk inwardly and nod, “okay, you’re the photographer, Parker. See you tomorrow, now leave us Vixies hate being watched as we stretch.” You shoo him away.

He nods and quickly turns, walking out of the gym with a dorky smile on his face.

“He’s such a nerd,” Shay snorts, flicking her dark curls over one shoulder as she stands, “let’s hope he can take some good photos considering he’s always shaking like a leaf.”

“Hey!” You stop the laughter, “he’s a sweetheart. I’ve known him since we were four, I think, he’s just shy.”

Yourself and the rest of the cheerleaders go back to stretching, a normal work-out routine following shortly before you all called it quits. The basketball team had to practice and you weren’t really feeling in the mood to dance, especially with the boys watching today. 

“That party last Saturday was wild,” Jess snickered as she took off her cheer outfit, the girls all hollering in agreement. “Y/N, you always manage to drink so much, you need to slow down.” 

You let out a breathy chuckle, not facing her, “Yeah...” you trail off. 

Honestly, you couldn’t remember what happened last Saturday night. You’d be worried but it had become an occurrence when drinking with the football team, you’d somehow drink more than you meant to, wake up wrapped in your boyfriend but... feeling off. 

Jake, always, promised that nothing happened and he kept you safe- the girls all saying how he’d take you to a room or home. 

You’re, probably, just paranoid. Your mother used to always warn you about blacking out drunk around boys, how it’s just bad news to get drunk because it leads to bad choices. You never used to be like this. 

You quickly got dressed, smiling at the girls before heading out of the changing rooms and towards your locker. The halls were crowded with students that moved out of your way, you tried not to smile at that. 

“Hey, babe,” an arm is slung across your shoulders, you look up at Jake and smile slightly, “Miss me?” A smirk turning the corners of his mouth, you don’t answer and scoff. 

You shrug his arm off as you open your locker, grabbing your book bag and pencil case as he leans against the lockers beside yours. 

“So, me and coupla girls are gonna skip last period, you in?” He asked as you shut the locker and looked at him. 

You sighed, biting your bottom lip, “I can’t. I’m failing classes, I can’t afford to skip anymore. Especially with try-outs coming up, around this time I can get demoted or worse kicked from the squad,” Jake only huffs in annoyance, “I’m sorry. Must be really hard for you knowing your girlfriend's parents just died and her grades are suffering.” 

“Hey,” he snapped quietly, you looked at him and he sighs, “I just think working yourself to the bone ain’t gonna help ya. Maybe you should step down from Captain.” 

You raised your eyebrows in offence. He did not just suggest that! 

You had worked your ass off to get Cheer Captain, endured hours of countless routines to get it. Countless competitions, winning six nationals and three regionals, you couldn’t just give it up. You slam your locker closed. 

“I’m not quitting,” you declare loudly. “I worked too damn hard to give up now, I’m just going through stuff. You should be supporting me-”

“Babe,” Jake sighed, “I am. I’m on your side, I’m sorry. Go to lessons, I fully support you,” he kissed your cheek and you sigh lightly, glaring over his shoulder at students that watched your outburst. 

**

The commute home was... horrible. The bus was completely packed full of people, a gross older dude kept pressing up into you and almost made you full over. Gross. People are gross. 

“Long day?” called as you threw the bag on the floor, toeing off your shoes by the door. 

“It’s to be expected,” you mutter walking towards him before falling next to him on the sofa, you glance at Steve, your ridiculously older uncle. “You?” 

He lets out a sigh himself, “To be expected,” you both let out strained chuckles.

An awkward silence fills the air. You always knew Captain America as your ancestor, in fact, it was something you celebrated as a child. You were praised at a young age, held on a shine because you were part of a line that was ‘expecting greate things’. 

In 2012 when he was de-iced, it took him a while to eventually get in contact with his family. Your parents took to him pretty quickly, you knew why. Glory. Money. Fame. Whatever. They wanted a piece of it, and Steve could tell. 

He liked you though. Your fiery temper, bright smile and need to be better, only reminded him of himself. 

Then your parents had an untimely death and for a while, you wondered if Steve would take you in. You didn’t expect him to, he is, after all, Captain America. But the thought of going through the Foster system was... not an option. Steve never questioned your lack of grief over your parents, assumed you cried alone and went through your process...

If anything you were relieved. A weight had been stripped from you, the shadow lingered over ahead, threatening to break you still but you always managed to walk on ahead of it. 

“School called,” He begins and you sigh, “you’re failing classes, Y/N. You made me a promise when I took you in, that you’d stay on top of everything in order to keep going there. That’s why I got this apartment, for you to be able to go Midtown.” He sits up and looks at your slouched form. 

“I’m just having a difficult time,” you mutter and look away, “I promise I’m getting on top of it.” 

He sighed and shakes his head. 

“I have a tutor,” you quickly inform and he looks at you, “Yeah, I asked some nerd boy today, we’re gonna be studying. I can’t lose Cheer Captain, I refuse.” 

He nods once, “Okay, you have till next exams to prove me wrong, I’ll get dinner started.” 

You pull out your homework, only nodding in silence as you sit on the floor by the coffee table. You eye the opened file, James Barnes, Steve is hellbent on finding his bestie. 

Tomorrow you’d have to find a willing tutor to help you, otherwise, you’re royally screwed.

~tags; comment or message me to be tagged~

@nicnicw06 @missshadowpup @herre-gud-nej @anasteas @letsnottalkaboutendgame @michaels-endtime @spiderchins @emmamarshmellow @romance-geek @thearcticmonkeysbitches @lastkiiiiss @daddyloonglegss

[kur0mimi]

Lights Out

—A High School AU of AKIRA, where Michiru decides to go home with Jin to avoid getting caught up in the intense rainfall. And their time spent together progressively gets more comfortable and tender. (pt. 1 of 2)

pairing - Michiru (my OC) and Jin (@neoghoulukaku OC)

genre - High School AU, tooth-rotting fluff, slice of life, comedy, smut (in pt. 2)

warnings - cursing, sexual undertones (progressively gets more smutty in the next part of this), and mentioning of eating disorders

a/n - hey! I have finally gotten around to post some of my new one shots that have been cracking up so much space, this one being more ✨spicy✨ anyways, I don’t have much to say but I hope you like this and stick around for part two because wow, it gets interesting 😌

The image of a strangler and a 14th century barbarian was in the vessel of a 21st century materialist who taught math class at the Eighteenth District high school. Hana Hayasaka was unfortunately Michiru’s dreaded cousin who continued her brutal onslaught of arithmetic torture on the students she was teaching. She was a modern day brutalist, walking on water like she was a contemporary dictator who danced to the song of her pupil’s groaning and moaning at the sight of a new equation being written on the board. This woman was no god, so where was Michiru’s? She didn’t have one. But a lover, perhaps?

He sat beside her, his onyx eyes narrowing incredulously at the quadratic equation being written on the board in front of him. Jin Takahashi had beautiful kaleidoscope eyes that were such a dark, mysterious colour as they peered off into the distance and into the hearts of his victims, or better known as the people that irked him on a regular basis.

Michiru was more than happy to sit beside her beloved boyfriend, as they had gone past the phase of stumbling over their words. She no longer needed to rationalize too much when thoughts were running through her mind as she held hands with him. And as far as she could tell, the only thing clutched in his hand was the pencil that was threatening to break with how irritated he was at the sadistic teacher.

‘That pencil is gonna break if he keeps squeezing it like that,’ The girl with the wavy black hair observed as she sipped orange juice from the small juice box she had snatched from the cafeteria not too long ago. She looked at her finished notes and sighed, squeezing the now empty carton between her slender fingers. Michiru knew her current situation was rather lacklustre, but comfortable. She wasn’t the type of person that would roll in mint leaves and cigarette smoke, waltzing out the back door to skip class and out to the moonlit streets of the urban nightmare they were all civilians of. She was a student who wanted to study political science and civics in order to achieve the position of a politician of Neo-Tokyo, and perhaps by then she would be able to fix the wretched neon jungle.

“Junko, my dear, can you tell us what another name for the slope is?” The female ruler’s voice rang throughout Michiru’s ears as the class grew silent, the only sound being the queen bee’s foolish stuttering.

“...Aren’t y-intercept and the slope the exact same thing? They both have a curve, right...?”

From the lonely bust of one of the female students came a muffled scream trapped beneath the marble and polished stone of her fake persona. Oh, Junko must’ve been livid, raging on the inside like her matriarchy as one of the most popular females had fallen. And it kind of did, but at least now there was less of a bullying issue and no more petty drama going around. Hana smirked mockingly as she sat on her desk, tapping the stub of chalk against the wooden surface of it as she eyed the young girl who had humiliated herself by stating the wrong answer.

“You’re wrong, darling,” Hana cooed gently as she stood up, wiping the white chalk dust from her pencil skirt. “Very wrong, in fact. Have you been paying attention? I don’t think bouncing on a boy’s me-“

“Mom, that’s enough. She got it wrong, just let someone else answer,” Ranze spoke up in a reasonable tone, trying to rationalize with her mother’s passive aggressiveness that broke the room in half with the amount of tension it created.

“Ah, of course!” The older woman backtracked as she turned to Nimura, sitting in between Setsuko and Aiko in the middle row of tables. “Hasegawa-san, give us another name for the slope.”

Nimura didn’t bat an eye as he looked up, meeting Hana’s gaze in a nonchalant manner that made some peer’s breaths hitch softly. “Delta y over delta x, Hayasaka-sensei.” He recited in an articulated and eloquent way of speaking, to which the teacher clapped her hands with delight.

“Such a smart boy! Junko-san, write down what he said as well as some other examples we’ll mention shortly.” Hana praised him as she patted him on the head, making the young prodigy cock his head in confusion while looking over at Ranze, who lifted her shoulders up into a shrug. “Michiru, darling, do you want to try?”

“y2 − y1 over x2 − x1 is another way of saying it, Hayasaka-sensei,” Michiru said gently as a faint smile ghosted her lips, a typical mannerism of her’s that made the girl so effortlessly irresistible.

“Correct once more! Highly expected of you two, anyways,” The totalitarian of a teacher turned around wrote down the two examples on the board, and it was there that Michiru could finally look back over at Jin, who seemed to have already been staring at her.

“I guess death doesn’t befit the ‘queen’,” Jin remarked with a quiet, almost stifled snicker as Junko was shaking in her anger, the person who reigned supreme in the school was now slowly descending to her death, which by she would be regarded as un paysan.

Michiru giggled, covering her mouth her hand to not draw attention to herself and Jin. “I don’t believe she deserved that title, anyway.” She responded gently as she tucked a strand of her ebony locks behind her ear.

“She’s building her own coffin, like the trash she fucking is,” The male teenager said bluntly as he sank back into his seat, looking at his paper with his eyelids dropping tiredly. Michiru couldn’t lie about not liking the way he looked when she saw him like this. So relaxed yet somehow still observant with his surroundings, and by looking at him, her various thoughts accumulated to the point where they hard to keep track of.

They were filling up her mouth and pouring out her eyes with her hesitant, soft glances. And they scraped the back of her throat and made her teeth start to rot with the sweetness they were filled with, but she could never make these feelings make sense. She could never make them come out in letters, only in affectionate touches, delicate eye contact, and hugging her pillow in the latest hours of the night.

She wasn’t intoxicated by any means, of course not. This was the feeling that made her dance in the rainy streets late at night to sweet songs about typical mediocre things. The water would pour onto her Prada shoes and frilled socks as she lived her life the she way she wanted to. She wanted to be alive, that was all.

While there was Ranze, the less innocent of the two and was a femme fatale in all her glory. A cigarette between her fingers while she curled up on the wooden deck chair that one time that they were alone, watching over the early city from the balcony of her apartment. Her sunglasses were almost on the tip of her nose. Her bare, boney legs pulled up to her chest. The mattress on the floor was unmade and two empty bottles of alcoholic substances were placed adjacent to it. And then the ravenette would leave every morning, putting on her shoes and buttoning up her uniform. Proceeding to travel the city like it was her own backyard.

Michiru wished she could have the confidence and intensity that her older relative did, perhaps if she did she would’ve been even more unstoppable. Her past was framed by white borders, overexposed metaphors tacked to a bulletin board. Hiding beauty behind cork, and behind her concentration for schoolwork was candidness and generosity—perhaps an accidental masterpiece? Many told the joyful girl that she looked too happy, but little did they know she was like that because her future was developing. And if she remained optimistic, would there be a reward waiting for her at the end?

The baleful lightning struck again from the outside as the rain pattered down aggressively, only for the bell to ring soon after. It was there last period for the day, physical education. Michiru stood up and packed her bags, placing her items in her leather satchel that had been adorned with pins of favourite shows and characters. She watched Jin stand up and place his items in his backpack, before snapping his gaze to the smaller girl, who had been watching him for a while at that point.

He smirked, his teeth shining through the small opened space of his mouth. “What are you looking at?” That rogue and badass visage made Michiru’s face flush red as she squeezed the empty juice box in her hands. “You kept looking at me for the entire duration of class. Do you need anything?”

Within plein-air, Michiru’s sensitive flesh felt foolishly exposed to drastic warmth as she walked beside him, exiting the classroom with a nod to the teacher. ‘Love proliferates like nettle down the throat,’ she thought as she moved closer to him, the side of her arm touching his with a brisk movement.

“Well... It’s been raining aggressively all day and I’m hesitant to go home alone,” Ah, they were truly pointless excuses. Jin could read through them so expertly and clearly, so what was the point of reciting pathetic inquiries? Was this all just to make her look less desperate in front of the others? Michiru didn’t even know what she wanted, but the seemingly innocent thought of spending more time with Jin was simply too good to be true. “I’ll just be honest with you, I simply wanted to know if I could come home with you and wait out the storm.”

She watched Jin’s eyes widen a bit, his eyebrows knitted together with astonishment as he looked into her large brown ones. He knew underneath those precious doe-like eyes were not perverse hidden secrets preserved within her intelligent mind. He would lament to believing she wanted such obscene things from him, morbidly, passionately, and pathetically.

“You want to come to my apartment?” Jin reiterated in disbelief as he ran a calloused hand through his spiky black hair. Any sort of unwarranted stirrings from either of the parties would create an imminent onslaught of awkwardness and stiffness for the both of them, an absolutely horrendous possibility neither of them wanted to look into. “You can, but it’s going to rain all night. Won’t your parents or Mamoru be worried if they didn’t see you come home before your curfew?”

Michiru pouted, looking down at the floor. Jin’s glare had softened when the smaller girl was around him, making his scowl (widely perceived as iniquitous) dissipate into a tranquil expression of well-hidden warmth and compassion for the girl he considered to be so important to him. “It’s Friday... So I could always say that I’m at Ranze’s, perhaps she would understand and play along...”

Jin didn’t know what Colonel Shikishima and Atsuko thought of him. Did they believe he was a ruthless, merciless depiction of a delinquent with an unquenchable thirst for sex and wanton attraction for their daughter? Perhaps a Beelzebub slathered against the odious death stare he had given his enemies.

That didn’t matter now, though. The older boy stopped in his tracks, reaching to cup her porcelain cheek—a fleeting yet fulfilling gesture that Michiru never grew tired of when he displayed that beautiful rarity of tenderness. His thumb lightly grazed over her skin gently as he eyed her carefully, his voice dipping down into a lower volume reserved for solely Michiru and Michiru only. “Ranze would be livid if she heard about you coming to my place. I don’t know how we could get away with it, she would do anything to catch us in a compromising position, Mimi.”

Michiru’s face flushed a deep vermillion as Jin backed off, a grin tugging at his lips as the beautiful girl stood like a deer in headlights after the sudden action. Her eyes of luminous glass glimmering with an innocence that was far too real. She exhaled a bated breath, her heart beating in a shallow and slow manner.

Bruised with verbatim, Michiru nodded with a sheepish smile. “I’m sure she isn’t always going to gate-keep what we’re going to do. I’ll ask her in the locker room and see how things pan out.”

Jin took a deep breath, slinging his bag over his shoulder while the other hand clasped his girlfriend’s hand. “I’ll leave the talking to you, then. And if anything goes wrong, I’ll talk to her. There’s no way she can get through me.” He scoffed as he opened the double doors to the gymnasium, followed by Shosaku cocking his eyebrow at the couple incredulously, appearing to have been listening in on on the couple haphazardly.

“Don’t fucking tell me he’s gonna bring you home now...” The promiscuous teenager with the bleached strand of hair remarked wryly, a foolish smile painted on his face that quickly dissipated when Jin glared at him viciously. “Heh... Jin, buddy, don’t look at me like that.”

The teenager rolled his eyes, ushering Michiru to go on ahead of them. “Babe, you go on ahead and get changed. Class is gonna start soon, anyways.”

“Okay, then!” She replied quickly and eagerly before whipping her head back around to look at Shosaku. “Shosaku-san... What do you mean by that?”

Shosaku lowered his voice to a mere whisper as he huddled closer to Michiru. “Well, Jin has had a record of being a playboy—“

“I said get going! Class fucking starts soon, so get a fucking move on, Sho!!” Jin’s voice boomed from behind them, making the two scarper within the blink of an eye.

2:15 pm

In the girl’s locker room...

Michiru’s heart yearned for what it had been robbed of for so long, a fulfilling life to live. Her soul yearned for the feeling of the crucifix the extremists had nailed into her mind and soul years ago to be pulled off of her. The blood had dried by the present day, congealed itself rotten for good. Ah, yes, the wound had finally crusted over. She was ready to commit herself to more important things than religion—schoolwork, her political aspirations, and her social life.

Inklings of her fellow female peers had started to re-emerge, traces of their idle conversation drifting into her ears, radiating a topic Michiru had been so uneducated in—oddly enough, she was smart and had a detailed analysis on everything, but this was different in many ways.

“Kira, is that a hickey? Offer us an explanation, please!” Mariko probed at her friend as she unbuttoned her blouse, revealing her own revealing plethora of obscene marks that made Michiru nearly turn her head around to gawk at the sight—but she kept her distance, nonetheless.

“Yeah~ Ryuji and I went out at last night and he took me home. Then the rest is just history, I don’t even remember what we did!” Kira replied in her typically air-headed fashion, shrugging as she slipped her t-shirt over her head. “Sex with him is so good, anyways. I was seeing stars because of how hard he went.”

“Aww, does that mean I get to see him next? I haven’t had a good session since a couple months ago with Yusuke,” Makoto whined as she tied her basketball shoes, making the other girls erupt with their hideous cacophony of chortles.

Have these girls ever dreamed of having sex in a finer light? Had they ever dreamt of anything remotely respectable in the slightest? Definitely not. This was the divide between Michiru and her friends and Junko with her posse of idiots. Their reckless souls were so carelessly merged with what they were doing after hours, almost like they were yearning for even more attention...

“Mimi, you keep blanking out. Do you need me to take you to the infirmary?” Suddenly snapped the motherly voice of her older second cousin, Ranze, who placed a warm hand on the shoulder of the smaller girl in a reassuring light. Oh, this was just like home as well, a twisted home where the soul only revisits to feel that sweet burning sensation. To set itself aflame, to ignite.

“Oh, I’m fine. Thanks for asking...” Michiru murmured gently before slipping her shirt over her head, before combing her digits through her wavy black locks of hair. “By the way... Can I ask a favour of you, Ranze?”

“Hmm? Yeah, shoot.”

“Can you cover for me in front of my parents and brother? I’m going to Jin’s house for the night, that’s all—“

Ranze threw her gaze back to Michiru with great ferocity, looking at her with immense suspicion and thinly-veiled worry. “I’m imagining things, right? Have I gone entirely mad?” The older ravenette was speechless as she sat down onto the bench, pulling her hair back into a ponytail while the honour student shrugged carelessly.

“Can you do it? I promise, I’ll get you whatever you want afterwards. And you know Jin, he’s not going to hurt me in any way, shape, or form,” Michiru pleaded as she folded her hands together for extra effect, the precious twinkling in her eyes making Ranze grunt. “Don’t give me that. I’m not going to be the youngest forever... So please, just let me go with him!”

The femme fatale sighed, throwing her hands up in defeat. “I know I can’t play god and tell you both what to do... But goddamn, I’m really unsure of this, Mimi. Can you at least promise that you’ll call me every other hour to check in?”

“Ranze, you know I can’t keep track of that—“

“Do you want to go?”

“Okay, fine...! I’ll do what you want, just please don’t say anything to my mother and father. Especially Mamoru too,” Michiru wrapped her thin arms around the older girl, enveloping her in a sugary sweet embrace that made Ranze’s heart melt.

“I won’t. Your secret is safe with me, Mimi,” Ranze rubbed her relative’s head affectionately before rising to her feet and stretching. “Just please assure me I won’t have to swing by and bring you a spare change of clothes.”

2:46 pm

She looked in every direction and corner to spot Jin in that noisy gymnasium. She had spent the first twenty minutes of her exercise period skipping rope on her own. Her legs were already sore, a phantom of fatigue biting her limbs and beating heart as she bent over to catch her breath from the cardio. Although Michiru thrilled the anticipation of seeing Jin doing his own thing, the lovely sentiment of catching him lifting weights fuelled a fire inside of her. It was a thrill she couldn’t understand in any way. It was so strange as the burning feeling in the pit of her stomach didn’t leave, not even one bit.

She felt around for her water bottle before picking it up and taking a generous swig of water, then stood up and to walk to the weightlifting station where Jin resided—lifting what appeared to be a heavy set of weights, at least to Michiru it was. The curious girl sat down in from of him by the mirror, gnawing at the inside of her cheek as her clouded eyes watched him with such interest. Perhaps she was magnetized to him- that surely could’ve been the case.

But it was the loveliest just being able to pause her own exercises to check on her boyfriend, who’s eyes travelled down to the slender form of the beautiful girl who sat in front of him.

“You’ve come to...” Jin inhaled, curling the weights to his chest as his eyes remained steady on the person in front of him. “...check on me? How’d your workout go?”

“It went well. Skipping rope is fun but it gets repetitive after 20 consecutive minutes,” She replied cheerfully, her pupils wandering to the clique of degenerates that collected near the benches. “But better than not exercising at all, I suppose.”

The respect for those girls and boys had forsaken itself, but Michiru even wondered if she ever had it to begin with. How she even lose something she never had to begin with?

Even so, Michiru revered the sense of comfort that eased within her when she was around the overtly honest boy. It created a sense of comfort that made him feel like home. And if that were the case, would she feel homesick for him?

She watched the tendons and muscles in his arms flex each time he lifted the weights a final time before putting it back on the bar. Jin situated himself by the younger girl with the bright brown eyes, hissing slightly at the soreness in his muscles. What she had to face was a life to live despite her frail form. She only wanted him, he was her personal inferno in a sense.

Wait, what? Something like that sounded so strange to her, as she had never felt such an intensity of emotions when she was around Jin. It was strange... too strange if she were to put her finger on it. But what was she to do?

She tenderly wrapped her arms around his neck, tucking her face into his nape as he chuckled quietly. She prayed for more tenderness, the tenderness that would rip her away from the cruelties of the world and from the melancholia. Tenderness, her ticket to euphoria.

“Ranze said she could cover for us,” Michiru muttered against the fabric of his shirt, to which Jin turned his head to look back at his significant other with disbelief in his eyes. “On one condition: she wants me to call her to check in at every other hour. But other than that, it’s all good.”

“I see...” Jin heaved out as he wrapped an arm around Michiru, situating his hand comfortably on her hip. This was her love language, the feeling of his firm yet tender touch across her skin made her shudder subconsciously, to which Jin tilted his head. “Are you cold?”

“No... Not at all, actually,” She was drowsy at the thought of him. Angels above, gods above had nothing on him. It was just strange how hypersensitive she was to all of the attention.

“Mhm... Right,” Jin regarded her words with a small nod before looking off into the distance, his eyes foggy with tiredness. “I’m surprised it didn’t take that much convincing. The two of us are frenemies, but it’s to the point where I can’t do any shit alone with you because she’s so suspicious.”

“I’ll be honest with you, I’m starting to be irritated with it,” Michiru confessed, pressing her cheek up against his damp shirt. “But thankfully she’s starting to back off more recently, it’s just that I would really like it if she didn’t treat me like a child constantly...”

Jin looked away and toward the ticking clock on the wall in front of them. “She told me she’s at least happy that you’re content with me and that I’m content with you.. She knows I’ll take good care of you so she shouldn’t be too worried,” He muttered as he cracked his knuckles. “As for her treating you like a kid... I could why see you would be fed-up with it, but you’re younger than her and she sees you like a little sister. She just wants you to be out of harm’s way.”

A thunder encompassed the sky in that moment, the booming crackle of it making Michiru nearly jump out of shock to which Jin rubbed the small of her back in order to stabilize her. The dimmed lights above the students flickered unnaturally, some of them almost immediately giving out. The storm was going to drown them in its fiery onslaught, and it was only fifteen minutes before they could get out of that dumpster fire of a school.

“Don’t tell me I have to drive home in this weather!” Kaisuke complained as he fell back onto the gymnastics mats, to which Setsuko shrugged nonchalantly beside him.

“We can carpool, then,” The docile student offered, making the others look at her with anticipation. “I’m being picked up by Suzuya, so perhaps we can stop and drive you all home as well.”

Jin sighed as he looked over to the girl hugging his side, a soft figure with wavy hair like water from the flowing waves of the sea. His eyes were alight with hidden affection, as on the outside he had thick skin and wouldn’t show sweetness towards anyone except for her. Incandescence was rising between the rogue biker and the demure young lady as she enveloped him in her gentle warmth. “I’ll finish my final set and we can get going. How does that sound, babe?”

“Sure, that works,” She whispered, the volume of her voice not disguising how excited she was to spend more time with him. There was no divine plan she was following, perhaps she wanted to grow closer to him. Michiru didn’t have any divine figure that she was going to trust, she was only going to let things happen as the afternoon went by.

3:35 pm

At Jin’s apartment...

It was always a reoccurring thought to Michiru when it came to wondering what sort of environment Jin lived in. But as she stepped into the dormitory, she felt as though she had gotten around to experiencing some sort of paradise—not luxurious by any means, but still comfortable and safe, with him.

The dull, white tones of his room had been haunting her mind as she looked around, her wide eyes fixated on the various band posters, workout equipment, and other paraphernalia that decorated the living space. The way he kept his apartment was reflective of his personality and to Michiru it seemed to be everlastingly beautiful.

She removed her Mary Janes and placed them beside Jin’s sneakers, walking around the room aimlessly as she admired the various articles of decoration that made the room so unique. Whilst Jin placed his backpack on the kitchen counter, turning to flick the lights on but to no avail as the power had gone out.

“Fuck,” He cursed under his breath as he rummaged through the cabinets to look for a flashlight or some sort of candle to illuminate just a sliver of the dark room. Michiru looked out the window, the divinely dark sky, the indigo flashes of lightning ripping at the sky, and the lush atmosphere she had been placed in. To her it was like peace personified, there was pure safety and security surrounding her briefly. And for a moment, she’d hadn’t realized the power had been blown out. “I’ll get some sort of flashlight or candle so we can actually see what we’re doing. You have a change of clothes for yourself, right?”

“Yes, I do. I have some for after gym class to go home in,” She responded as she took out the aforementioned article of clothing before looking around for a private place to change. “Where’s the bathroom?”

“Down there and to the right,” He replied as he pulled two candles from the cabinets under the sink.

Michiru nodded in acknowledgment, silently thanking him for his help as she quickly moved to the room, opening the door and shutting behind her, locking it. Carefully, she undid the buttons on her shirt and unzipped her skirt, letting it fall onto the tiled floor and pooling at her ankles.

Her ebony curls were damp and not as neat as they were when they were dried. And her lips, cheeks, and the tips of her ears were stained a fruit punch pink as she looked at herself in the mirror briefly. Her body curved and sloped like a mountain, gripping the slung juts of her waist as she looked down.

It didn’t seem that long ago when she wasn’t allowing herself to eat, as it only made up months and years of slow, albeit steady recovery. With the occasional relapse during her darker periods of loneliness. Michiru was still starting to grow to love herself just a little bit more, even if it was slow and there were rough patches, she had realized a fraction of what she couldn’t see while her eyes were filtered that pessimistic film. With the help of her close friends and family, she had time to recovery—even if she still suffered meagre remnants of it.

‘Ranze wouldn’t want to see me being insecure now. She just wants me to be happy,’ Michiru thought as she chuckled quietly when she slipped the white dress over her head. She gathered up her clothes and exited the washroom, putting the soggy uniform in her bag before looking over at Jin, who had already gotten changed into a black tank top and a grey sweatpants and was folding his gakuran. In that moment, he looked up at her and she could see his eyes widen a bit.

She was wearing a sleeveless white dress that reached just a little bit above her knees and had frilly accents on it. Perfectly dainty compared to the other themes of the room as the delinquent’s face flushed a deep crimson, clearing his throat as he looked away, a typical mannerism of his.

“Michiru...” He began, scratching the back of his neck as he sat on a chair adjacent to his bed that had one of his leather jackets thrown onto it. “You look really good...”

She sat down on the floor beside his bed, throwing her head back and smiling infectiously. “Thank you, Jin.. I appreciate it.”

Jin nodded silently, opening his mouth to add to what he had just spoken. “You don’t need to sit on the ground, you can sit on my bed if you’d like.” He offered as she looked at him, lips fresh and dewy with the remnants of her lip balm that she had purchased from the local drugstore. She gladly pulled herself onto the bed and sat down, breathing in the cold air slowly.

Her cheekbones were flushed pink as she looked up at the ceiling, as the feeling of the bed dipping under Jin’s weight when he laid down beside her. Michiru hummed in response as she threw her arms around him, running her slim fingers through his hair as he started to relax.

“I didn’t know you had a dartboard,” Michiru murmured sweetly as Jin wrapped his arms around her waist, his grip secure and safe. She dragged her pink nails across the skin of his back lightly as the brutally honest teen chuckled.

“Yeah, I do. I use it to vent out my anger sometimes,” He said as his dark eyes softened when he looked into her’s, a very faint smile tugging at his lips. “Why bring it up?”

“I was just curious. But now that I see how good your aim is, I’d really like to go up against you.”

“You really want to?” Jin’s smirk grew impossibly wider at the prospect of playing an innocent game of darts with his precious girlfriend.

“Of course! I do archery so I think you have some stiff competition here, Jin.” He could throw his head back and laugh, the streak of competitiveness in her making him amused.

‘She’s too fucking gentle for this world,’ He thought as he pulled away from her, going to the wall to pull the array of darts from the board for them to play.

[indigosandviolets]

Lucky Son of a Bitch

Pairing: Joseph Liebgott x OC x George Luz

Word Count: 2068

Summary: Andrew Marin has a nightmare. Joseph Liebgott helps. Tea spilt. George Luz, Andrew and Liebgott all make discoveries. Someone’s a lucky bastard.

TW: F slur, period typical homophobia

Thanks to @whatwouldidowithoutgeorgeluz for the BoB script again! Every time I need to do some fact checking, I go to the script first!

Part Two of We Happy Few

-

Aldborne, England

Andrew’s breath caught in his throat as he lurched awake in his cot. He looked around frantically, trying to find the source of him being woken up. It revealed itself to be Joseph Liebgott, with his hands pulled away from Andrew.

“Shit, Lieb,” Andrew said, rubbing his eyes. “Don’t scare me like that. I was havin’ a damn nightmare.”

“I could tell,” Liebgott replied. “You looked like you were having a damn seizure.”

Andrew sighed. “It fuckin’ felt like it.”

“What was it about?”

“Sobel,” Andrew said, cracking a smile. “I had a nightmare over Sobel.” It’s funny.

“Why in God’s name would you have a nightmare over Captain Herbert Sobel?”

“So, we’re all up in the planes, it’s you and me and Luz and Guarnere and Spiers and Sobel in this plane, and instead of Winters being in front ‘cause he’s CO, it’s me in front.”

“The guy with the lowest rank?”

“Low blow, Lieb.”

“It’s higher than Webster.”

“Anyway, I’m one, and Sobel’s two. He fucks up. He says I’m ready when I’m not. The light goes green, and instead of me being able to jump out, he pushes me out. Bombs are goin’ off and this guy fuckin’ pushes me out of the damn plane. My chute doesn’t deploy properly, so I’m just falling, and falling, and falling, and I just don’t stop. But then...splat. I hit the ground. Flat. I can’t see anything and my chute is all tangled up around me and I can’t see a damn thing. All I can here is Sobel yelling at me ‘sick men do not make paratroopers’ over and over again while I lie there because I can’t get up or see a damn thing.”

Liebgott pats Andrew on the back. “It’s just nerves. You’re gonna be fine, Drew. Plus, Sobel’s still on training duty way back in Toccoa. You ain’t got shit to worry about.”

“I know, I know. It’s just…” Andrew couldn’t think of the words. It would be so easy to tell Lieb the real reason why he was so damn nervous if it didn’t put both of their lives at stake, so he just decided to keep his mouth shut and come up with a bullshit excuse. “Bad nerves kinda run in the family. My mother worried, my father worried, my brother worries, everyone worries in my family.”

Liebgott, instead of telling Andrew the usual response of ‘get over it’ (a response he heard too damn often from other men), pulled the smaller man up and out of the cot. Andrew stumbled a bit, but Liebgott held tight with one hand on his shoulder and the other hand in Andrews. It was almost like a slow dance.

“What are you doing?”

“Get your boots on,” Liebgott says, letting go of Andrew when he knows the younger man is steady.

“What’re we doing?”

“We’re gonna go for a walk and a smoke.”

A walk and smoke in Upottery mean that you’ve got nowhere else to go and you want to be alone. Andrew frequently went for walks and smokes, sometimes with Liebgott, sometimes with Luz, but mostly by himself.

As the cigarette smoke entered his nostrils, Andrew let out the drag and sighed. “What do you want to talk about, Lieb?”

“I wanna ask you something, Drew.”

“Go for it.”

“Say, well, I’ve got this dream after the war.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I wanna go back to San Francisco, get my job back with the cab company, maybe become a barber, I don’t know. Get a nice house and marry a pretty Jewish girl and get a bunch of little Liebgotts running around, right?”

“Yeah?”

“That sounds like every guy’s dream after the war, right?”

“Yep.”

“What if that plan changes, Drew?”

“It’s your life, Lieb,” Andrew tells him. “I don’t see why it would matter, it’s what you want to do.”

“What if… there’s certain circumstances around it.”

“Like you don’t make it out of the war?”

“Other than that one.”

“The woman you’re in love with rejects you?”

“No, no, not that.”

“Well, then like what?”

“I’ve - I think I-”

Before Liebgott could tell Andrew another word, the man himself, Wild Bill Guarnere made himself present and known to the pair.

“Marin!” The Italian called out as he walked over. “Hey, can I bum a smoke?”

“Yeah, sure thing,” Andrew said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his pack of Lucky Strikes and handing it to Guarnere.

“What the hell you two fags talkin’ ‘bout anyway?”

Fags. Fags. It was noticeable. Fuck. “What we’re gonna do after the war,” Andrew said, swallowing thickly.

“Ah, nice,” Guarnere said, lighting up his cigarette and handing the pack back to Andrew. “I think I’m gonna marry this girl Ruth.”

“Who’s she?” Liebgott asks. “You’ve never mentioned having a girlfriend before.”

“Met her in a bar when we were back in New York, the night before we shipped off,” Guarnere informs them. “She’s beautiful, smart, and a good fuck.”

“So you’re gonna marry a girl who you’re gonna forget in six months?” Andrew asks, laughing.

“Alright, Mr. No-Sex-Before-Marriage, what are you gonna do after the war?”

Andrew paused for a moment. “I think… I think I’m gonna go back to school. I wanted to go for museology before the war, but I was working so I could save up enough money to go,” he tells them. “It’d be interesting, working with all those artifacts, y’ know? Holding pieces of history.”

“So, no women for your foreseeable future?” Guarnere asks.

No women in general, Andrew thinks. Instead, he says, “No, not yet.”

It hurt. It really hurt not being able to tell the truth, but he had to lie. He couldn’t risk anything. Not now. Not when they were so close to everything.

As more men were waking up, Guarnere finally wandered off, leaving Liebgott and Andrew alone again. The air had gone stiff, but without Guarnere, it eased. It felt like they were both playing a role when they were around Guarnere, but now that he was gone, it was over. They could breathe.

“What were we talking about before?” Andrew asked, turning to Liebgott. He dropped his cigarette, stamping it out with his boot. “It sounded pretty important.”

Liebgott shrugged. “I forget.”

“Oh, c’mon. Lieb,” Andrew said. “Don’t give me that.”

“If I remember, I’ll tell you, how about that?”

“Alright.”

Andrew knew that there was something more, that there was something there. Liebgott wouldn’t have woken him up if he was just gonna forget what he was gonna say. That’s just not how Liebgott works. He had to be hiding something, but Andrew knew he shouldn’t pry, so he kept his mouth shut.

Mr.No-Sex-Before-Marriage, Andrew thought. I better be able to shake that off.

-

Andrew was back to his book. It wasn’t often that the men got downtime during the day, but it was rainy and cold and the movie hadn’t started up yet, so he figured why not? It wasn’t like anyone was gonna stop him from enjoying the peace and quiet of his cot.

Unless that ‘anyone’ happened to be George Luz.

“Private Marin!” Luz said in his Horton voice. “Why in God’s name are you alone when you could be spending time with your best friend, Private Luz?”

Andrew laughed, looking up from his book. “Oh, knock it off, Luz. Don’t use that voice with me, I’m not gullible like Sobel.”

“I know, I know, but it’s fun! I bet if you could do it, you’d do it all the time,” Luz says, walking over to his cot. “Why are you all alone anyway? The movie’s about to start.”

“Wanted to catch up on my book,” Andrew says, handing it over to Luz, who was now sitting on Andrew’s cot. “I was too tired last night to pick it up, and I really wanted to finish the chapter I was on. I knew I had a few minutes to spare before it started anyway.”

“All Quiet on the Western Front,” Luz reads out, holding up the book. “Isn’t this the one about the Great War?”

“Yeah,” Andrew replies. “My uncle was in it, and I figured since I’m named after the guy, I might as well read it, y’ know?”

“I’ve never heard you talk about anyone other than your brother.”

“I,” Andrew starts, his mouth suddenly dry. “My parents aren’t exactly happy with me.”

“About becoming a paratrooper?”

Andrew shook his head. “No, no, it’s not that.”

Luz’s eyes were soft, trusting, respecting, understanding. Andrew could tell Luz, right? He knew he could.

“Is it what I think it is?” Luz asks in a quiet voice. He knows.

“Well, what do you think it is?”

“Depends,” Luz says, “Can I do something?” He knows, Andrew.

Andrew takes in a deep breath and nods.

Luz moves his hand up, placing it on Andrew’s cheek. He cups it and pulls him in. It’s perfect. It’s sweet. It’s a beautiful moment. The kiss is soft, it’s loving and calm and steady. It’s George Luz.

Andrew pulls away first. Luz has that loopy, silly lopsided grin on his face. The signature one. Andrew loved that grin. “Yeah, it’s that.” No, there’s more to it, damnit.

Luz looked down and checked his watch. “Movie’s about to start.”

“You sure you wanna go?”

“Not at all, but I don’t think either of us wants to get court-martialed.”

“Since when have you cared about getting court-martialed?”

“Since I learned that I could do this.”

Another kiss. It’s more passionate this time, less timid. No one's gonna catch them. Not now, they’re all getting ready for the movie to start.

Luz pulls away first this time. “C’mon, we gotta go before Guanere and Toye get all the popcorn.”

“Alright, fine,” Andrew says. “But first-”

Andrew couldn’t help himself and Luz sure as hell wanted another one, so the third kiss was deeper, more loving, more...everything. They both knew it was illegal and if they got caught they’d be sent straight home and publicly shamed and humiliated, but damn, if they didn’t care.

Andrew pulls away. “Alright, let’s go catch that movie.”

-

It’s Liebgott who pulls Andrew out of the movie. He and Luz sat away from each other so that there wouldn’t be any suspicions, so it was only easier for Liebgott to pick him out of the crowd.

“You remember what you were gonna ask me?” Andrew asks.

Liebgott smiles. “I never forgot.”

“So, you lied to me, is what I’m hearing.”

“Not lying, per se, I just avoided the truth.”

“Ah,” Andrew says with a smile. “How delightful.” It was always fun to add sarcasm on top of Liebgott’s sass.

“It is actually, uh, really important,” Liebgott says looking around to make sure that no one was watching or listening. There were a few MPs across the way, so Liebgott pulled Andrew around the corner of where the movie was being shown.

“Lieb, what the hell are you-”

Andrew was cut off by a quick kiss. He froze up for a moment before returning it. It tasted like chocolate and cigarettes, it was chaste but firm and welcoming, it had that tinge of attitude that just made it Joseph Liebgott.

When Liebgott pulled away, Andrew looked up at him, concerned. It was nice, he had to admit, but this was much bigger for Liebgott than either of them would have anticipated.

Andrew opened his mouth, but no words came out. He couldn’t begin to even comprehend what Liebgott must’ve been going through. Sure, this went against Andrew’s family’s beliefs, but this went against Liebgott’s entire faith.

Words couldn’t fill that gap, so Andrew and Liebgott went in for another. This time Andrew was able to feel the little cuts on Liebgott’s chapped lips, his calloused hands running against the back of his neck. The tobacco flavor was back, cutting through the saltiness of the popcorn that lingered. It was passionate, hungry, like neither of them could get enough of each other. Andrew’s pretty sure he let out a soft sound, no, no, he’s very sure he did.

“Fuck, Andrew, I…” Liebgott says, pulling away. “I think I’m a fag, Drew.”

“You think?”

“No, no, I know.”

“I figured.”

“You cheeky little bitch.”

“You’ve got no idea.”

Two men kissed before Jump Day, Andrew thought. Damn, you’re a lucky son of a bitch.

-

Tag list: @alienoresimagines

if you want to be added, please let me know! if you have any questions or feedback on the story, my ask box is open!

[depressed-chicken-man]

Cooped Up

Shane x OC

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH5

Summary:

After failing to start her dream in the city, the fashion designer turned farmer tries to cope with her new life in the last-ditch effort to make a happy home for herself. She has so many concerns for her new life. How much of her identity is stuck in the city? Will she even make a difference?

Even if she doesn’t think so, it’s undeniable that she will make a difference for a certain depressed coop keeper.

Chapter 5: Flower Dance

Chapter 5 on Ao3

“Honestly, I think I like this slight tan on you. You’re as stunning as always and the pink peonies were definitely the way to go. You look sickening.” His sing-song voice complimented as he weaved the fresh flowers into her caramel blonde hair. He dropped the braid and pulled it apart, spraying a generous amount of instant freeze hairspray, the smell mingled with the aroma of the caramel latte he brought her.

“Thanks, Brad,” she said, taking a deep gulp of the latte, savoring the flavor she had missed for so long. She hadn’t had good coffee like this since she arrived in the town and after over a month, it felt like heaven. It felt like home.

The past few weeks had gone by and her farm was still intact by some miracle. The parsnips she had planted were growing and with her excitement taking hold, she planted a lot more crops while the season was still in full swing. Her chicks, on the other hand, were something she had gotten more used to. To put it lightly, she could bear to feed them. Whenever she tried to pet them, they would chirp and bounce over to her. She was still uneasy and didn’t want to pick them up, but she found that ruffling the soft yellow down feathers wasn’t so bad.

She cringed to think of what would happen when they grow older. Larger claws and more anger, she guessed. For now, she was content and had even named a few. Stinky was her favorite chick, but Abe Lincoln was growing on her.

The bathroom door swung open and Haley bounced in, her already completed half up half down hair style was finished and her eyeshadow sparkled in the warm light of the bathroom mirror. She tapped her foot and looked at her phone.

“Are you finishing up? I wanna get there early to practice my dancing and get a few solo shots. You’ll practice with me, won’t you?” she asked, her voice carried her words swift. Jennifer sighed and looked to Brad, who tsked and held a mirror behind her. As usual, the style was perfect and looked picturesque. She admired Brad’s skill and she was stunned by how much he had improved since he insisted on doing her hair in highschool.

“Uh-huh,” Jen responded, admiring her braid and the placement of the pink blossoms. “I’ll definitely need to practice. Maybe we can get a picture under the cherry blossom tree?”

“That would be lovely. I’m no professional, but I can take the photo so you can get the whole group.” Brad offered, pulling the mirror up to his own face as he flicked at his own hair. The white-blonde style was always cut and crisp. Catching Brad looking messy was a rare sight and usually meant he was either way past his drinking limit or upset.

“That’s perfect.” Haley exclaimed, clapping her hands together. She had gotten glitter on her fingers from her dress and heels, the brilliant white made her look as if she were going to walk down the aisle.

Jennifer stood from the kitchen chair that they had to bring in and smoothed out the light blue ballroom style gown that Brad had brought for her. Truly, he was her savior most of the time when he wasn’t getting her into trouble.

Taking the cue, Haley, led both her and Brad from the restroom and began to gather her camera and such for the day. She and Brad waited and she inspected her whole look, smiling to herself.

“Oh Jen, you’re going to have to visit me every month. I can’t let you fall out of touch just because you have this farm. Besides, those stick on nails are no luxury for you. Don’t let this farming gig make a manicurist weep.” he said and bumped her chin up with his knuckle. “You’re better than that so take care of yourself okay?” he said with a smile, but she knew he was concerned.

This was one of the things she had tried not to let slip away from her, something that was as much a part of her as her skin was. She couldn’t let anything mess with her appearance or her style. Yes, she was going to pull weeds and look stunning doing it. She owed that to herself and her friends. It was what set her apart and she was determined to keep it up until she was too old to stand.

“Yes, stick on nails aren’t my style.”

His fingers twitched, desperately resisting the urge to pull the flask from his suit pocket. No, instead, he had a wet wipe in hand and was looking around in the sea of white dresses and blue pantsuits.

Shane didn’t know what he was doing dressed up and he swore he would never, ever come to this dance without the intention of grabbing a plate of free food and leaving immediately. He didn’t know how he was convinced to have a clean shave so early in the morning and fix his hair with gel that he hadn’t touched in years. He had no clue as to how one little girl could bat her eyes and tug at his leg and make him come out, dressed and polished, which he almost forgot how to do.

Yet, here he was.

And the little girl responsible was running around excitedly, covered in a chocolate cupcake that she was offered. Jas had not shut up about the Flower Dance in weeks and he half blamed Marnie for showing her an abundance of period dramas set in the victorian era. Tea parties, dances, and writing with a dip pen were on Jas’s mind and she wouldn’t let up. If all he could do was dress her up and bring her to a useless town dance, then he hoped she would be content with it. Hell, he hoped giving her a chicken feather as a makeshift quill pen would be enough but she had gotten upset with how bad it was at writing. Maybe this would make up for it.

With each second that he scanned the small but surprisingly dense crowd of dresses, he felt more and more inclined to pull that flask out. He wasn’t sure if it was for the best, but he soon spotted her standing next to a familiar blonde farmer.

Her blue, flowing dress almost brushed the grass and her hair was braided with some kind of pink flower. The petals had begun to fall from the flowers and were caught in her hair and gripped the back of her low cut dress.

She was as pretty as usual and perhaps now even more unapproachable. He didn’t want to say that he had taken a liking ot her, but she wasn’t as unbearable to be around as before. Every so often, she would come into the saloon, order a pizza, and then bring him half. The first few times, he had told her to get lost and to stop, but she never listened. She would simply ignore him, slide the plate to him, and tell him to have a good evening before she would leave. He had gotten to the point that he would no longer argue and just accepted that she would never learn to leave him alone.

Instead of telling her to get lost, he would mutter a thanks and she would be off. It didn’t matter, the result was the same. She would still give him pizza and she would still leave immediately afterward. He wondered if it was the thought of bothering him that had her leave promptly, but the smarter half of him knew that it was probably pity. She would give him pizza to “help him” as some kind of meaningless charity, and then when she felt better about her good deed of the day, she would leave. She didn’t want to talk to him and she didn’t want to stay.

Besides, there was no telling what her new buddies had shared about him. She probably knew better than to place hope in him at this point.

Mentally steeling himself, he trudged over to were Jas was happily talking to her, her sugar rush giving her a surge of friendliness. Her grin was punctuated with chocolate icing like dimples.

“You look just like a princess! I wanna look like you when I grow up!” Jas giggled and swayed from side to side, her hands clasped in front of her. He flower crown hung loosely and threatened to fall to the grass.

“Like me? I’m no princess. You’re the one with the crown, miss thing!” she said in mock shock, her hand placed humbly over her heart as if taken back by the child’s beauty.

“My uncle is going to dance with me! Are you dancing with anyone?” She asked, and Jennifer nodded.

“Your uncle? How nice!” She gave and pointed over to Haley, who was practicing her footwork a few feet away. “My friend there is going to show me how to dance. I’m not any good, but I’m sure you’re great!” she said and Jas beamed.

“Oh, I can show you, miss. I watched a docu-documemory about it!”Jas bragged and reached for Jennifer’s pristine, blue skirt, her chocolate covered fingers promising a stain. He didn’t want to be responsible for that argument.

“Woah there, pumpkin!” he interjected, reaching down in the knick of time to capture her hand. Jennifer jumped a bit in surprise, surely not expecting someone to swing in and grab the child she was talking to. He ignored her and wiped the chocolate from Jas’s fingers clumsily.

“Uncle Shane!” she whined and gave a looked of disgust when he leaned down to wipe her face with the scented wet wipe.

“Just a second, kiddo. Can’t be messing up the lady’s dress.” He explained and Jas gave a look of realization at her now clean hand, as if she hadn’t thought of the possibility of getting anything dirty. A small voice shouted out about something in the background and Jas’s eyes lit up as she looked around the clearing.

“Vincent is here! Please let me go, dear sir!” she pleaded, taking the language from her period dramas. He sighed and studied his clean up job. Good enough. He released his loose grip on her arm.

“Alright, but no more cupcakes. I don’t want you getting-” and she was already gone. He straightened up “-sick…” He stood in silence for a moment and only realized that Jennifer was still watching when she spoke up.

“What a cutie pie. Looks like you have your hands full.” She joked and then gestured at him. “I hardly recognized you, all cleaned up.” She admitted.

He shrugged and looked at the ground, pulling at his sleeve.

“Yeah… She wanted a dance partner for the dance and I couldn’t say no. She’s a handful but she’s a cute little squirt.” He said and paused. Why was he telling her that? Before the blonde could respond, a white haired, froo-froo looking guy in a ritzy tracksuit bounced up and pulled at her bare shoulder.

“Jen, picture time! Let’s go!” he sung and the dark blonde gave Shane a quick look.

“I’m sorry. I have to go. Have fun with the little one, uncle Shane!” she dismissed and was gone in a few seconds. He looked at his feet and mentally cursed himself. Why did he try to talk to her? It wasn’t as if he was going to be her friend and it certainly wasn’t like he wanted to hang around her.

No, the sooner she was gone, the better.

Shane was sure she knew that and that she would go back to the city where she belonged. She didn’t belong here and her farm was a joke. Besides, she didn’t even fit in and even now that was apparent. Her dress was blue when it was supposed to be white.

Closing his eyes, he turned back and looked around for Jas. She was with Vincent, who was holding up a cricket that he found in the grass. Jas wasn’t scared of the bug and leaned in the get a closer look, her eyes wide. A better time than ever to mess around with her.

“Scared of that little cricket?” he asked and she shook her head. Vincent gave Shane a smile. He was a well-behaved kid and he was glad that Jas had him to play with.

“Nope! A lady is never scared!” she proclaimed, mocking a british accent like in the dramas. Shane crouched down and pointed at the cricket.

“You’re not scared of this thing? For real?” he asked, and she once again shook her head, this time accompanied by crossed arms.

“You should be,” he began, making it up as he went, “These crickets are even more mean to little girls who aren’t afraid. They get ya when you don’t expect it.” Jas dropped her guard and gave a wary look at the cricket, Vincent had resorted to holding it farther from him.

“No they don’t. You’re just messing with me like last time, right?” she half asked, her disbelief waned. Shane stood back up and gave her a short laugh.

“Right, kiddo. Just messing with ya.”

She giggled in response and was gestured away by Vincent, who wanted to show her something. Shane looked over to the table that gleamed like a beacon to him. It was covered in casserole dishes and plates of sweets and finger foods.

Making himself comfortable, he made his way over to it and began to fix himself a plate, ignoring what he was certain was a glare from a passerby that he hadn’t bothered to look up at. Plate in hand, he looked over his shoulder into the mass of practicing dancers and onlookers. He wasn’t sure what had made him curious.

Practicing in the far corner, Haley and Jennifer held each other close, their dressing swaying with each step. They both adorned smiles and their lips moved with words that he couldn’t hear as Jennifer stumbled a bit.

His mood soured, and instead of being drawn to his plate, his hand quickly found the flask tucked away in his pocket.

CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 CH5

[alias-b]

Without The Lights~ Billy Hargrove x OC Camille Harper

Chapter 1: Uptown Girl

Touch with Billy Hargrove often meant getting fresh stitches plucked open. For Camille Harper, he'd risk it. Camille was Queen Bee of Hawkins High School. The teen dream. Billy wanted her for it. No use lying about that much. But, they get more than they bargained for when two messy lives from opposite ends of town intertwine. Secrets unravel between them when one dimension bleeds into another. Camille is a girl just trying to do better when Billy barges into her life and new pieces come together. Maybe not all the ones they wanted. He gets tangled into her lavish existence. Rich girl. Absent parents. A mystery that blooms, threatening everything they built. And three little numbers: 006.

A/N: Also posted on my AO3 :))) I thought I’d conform and start posting here too bc why not!. Warning for mention of past bullying, teens drinking/smoking, and one light mention of forced vomiting. Starts at S2 and veers off into an AU at 3. Thanks!

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

   It had to be a joke. Hick town. Piece of shit school. Nothing here came close to California. It was all gone. That sweet citrus air. The crisp waves of billowing sea water. Billy Hargrove decided anywhere was better than here. Hawkins, Indiana was a pit. Especially while an office aid with horrid breath prattled on across the counter. He couldn’t even fake the charm this morning.

   “Here are your classes, Mr. Hargrove. We tend to pair all our transfers with a student. Make your first day easier.”

   “Don’t bother.” Billy clutched an old messenger bag in one hand, snatching his class list to his chest. The secretary pretended not to hear him when the office door opened. A bubble of pink gum popped and Billy grew stunned.

   “Ah, here she is. Ms. Harper, this is William Hargrove-"

   "Billy."

   "-the new transfer. He’ll shadow you this morning.”

   “Camille,” her lips lifted in greeting. Hair flicked behind her shoulder when she adjusted her sweater. All dark locks and huge green, hazel eyes. They took a beat to stare. Billy knew instantly the circle this girl was in. Picture perfect. Pretty in pink. Prissy thing. Oh, but, she was a fox. His eyes drew to the tiny beauty mark under her right eye. That voice was lush even for a seventeen year old with such a sweet face. But, those eyes. “Let’s see it, transfer.”

   “Huh?” Billy lost his thought when her hand came up to pluck the schedule from his fingers.

   “I’ve got it from here, Ms. Krueger.”

   “Harper. Hargrove. Har har. Perfect fit,” the woman laughed at her joke and Camille looped one arm in Billy’s to get this boy to move his ass. She wouldn’t let him make her late.

   “Good one, Ms. Krueger.” That sweet princess smile dropped the moment they turned the corner so she pulled from him when he fell in stride. Billy was barely two inches taller than her. This girl glided like a ballerina. It was infuriating. Almost. “Shame I didn’t find you earlier, I could have warned you to keep a distance. That woman doesn’t know her way around a bottle of mouthwash.” Camille popped another bubble and peered up at him, lax. “We have first period together. English with Strode.” Billy found his charm again.

   “Lucky for you.” He remarked, earning the slightest huff of amusement. Barely audible. Students peered at them both, fascinated with the new boy. Sizing him up. He carried himself higher in response and grew annoyed when his thoughts lingered on Max probably stuck with awkward introductions as well.

   “Looks like I’ll also be seeing you in...hm, third period: study hall, lunch, and fourth period: chemistry. Huh...” Those bright eyes lifted and he gave a scoff, grumbling.

   “Everything else was full.”

   “This way,” she turned the corner and peered up to meet Nancy’s eyes. She’d pulled from Steve and given a slight wave that was acknowledged in turn.  Camille passed her and ignored everyone’s staring before she knocked one knuckle to metal. “Your locker. Lucky boy, you didn’t get a broken one.” She leaned against the wall and gave him a moment to stuff books away. “Where did you transfer from?” Camille watched him suck in his cheeks. Jaw clenched. Oh, he was pretty.

   “California.” He cocked his head and she caught the slightest dusting of freckles in the light. “Dad decides to uproot the family to the land of manure.”

   “You get used to that.” That silent amusement twitched.

   “Don’t bet on it.” He smacked the door shut, smooth now. “You the queen bee around here?”

   “What’s it to you?”  She walked along, gliding still.

   “Every school has their royalty.” Billy remarked and she changed the subject without breaking stride. A sort of challenge danced between them.

   “This way. Mrs. Strode is easy enough. Just nod a lot when she eyes you and pretend to take notes. You have Gym next. Down the hall all the way to the end, take a left, you’ll find it. Big room with basketball hoops and sweaty boys. Can’t miss it.” Miss Priss liked her dry humor, he noted. "I can meet you and show you where to go after. Keep up and don’t make me late. We clear, transfer?” She tilted her head to one side and Billy studied her.

   “Crystal.” He drew out the syllables and she smirked, turning to go off with another flick of lavish hair.

   “Welcome to Hawkins, Billy Hargrove.”

** ** ** **

   “How did you get the best job in school?” Carol leaned over the lunch table hours later.

   “Carol,” Camille sighed with no joy and pulled from her conversation with Heather next to her.

   “Showing that fine ass around?”

   “Aren’t you still with Tommy? Thought he was ass enough.” Camille earned a snicker from Heather so Carol stood taller.

   “Some of us are trying to eat,” Steve Harrington appeared from nothing and Carol shot him a look, going around him and bumping into Nancy on the way off.

   “Still bitter,” Camille remarked, sitting back.

   “She needs to get over herself. Anyways, I have to drop something off, see you in chem. New lab partners coming. I think I got Robin.” Heather hurried to go with a wave goodbye.

   “Can I sit?” Steve waited for a nod and Nancy joined him.

   “You two going to Tina’s Halloween party?” Orange flyers where littered all over the school.

   “Wouldn’t miss it. Didn’t that guy jump off the roof last year and land in the koi pond?” Steve shook his head

   “Rumor had it, he ate one of those fish on a bet.” Camille joked, eyes flicked across the way to see Tina giving Billy an invitation. Flirting.

   “So, the new boy.” Nancy began.

   "Asshole." Steve was quick to remark. "I have gym with the guy."

   “Rough and tumble sort.” Camille bit into an apple slice and shrugged. Year later and it was strange. Being friends again. Or, trying to. Suppose tragedy brings people together.

   “Steve and I are going tonight. To the Holland’s.” Nancy began. “You’re welcome again.”

   “Not sure I can do it tonight. Last time...and that house.” Camille paused, inhaling. “And my parents are going to be home together for the first time in weeks. They’ll want to do something.”

   “Dad still working late at Hawkins lab?” Nancy pretended to be blasé about it.

   “That and all the trips. He’s a wanted man, I guess. Mom is absorbed into her fashion thing. But, she loves it and I can’t knock her wanting to work again.”

   “What exactly does your dad do there these days?”

   “Never talks about it so I stopped asking. Big shot scientists. Can’t be bothered. Making the town a better place, always late to dinner. Whatever.” Camille’s eyes lifted. “Why the interest in my Dad lately?”

   “Just all that stuff last year. A lot happened. Fingers were pointed.”

   “They pointed wrong, I heard. Not like my dad would ever be involved in these weird conspiracies. He’s painfully normal.”

   “He could secretly be a Terminator, Cam,” Steve laughed and Nancy dropped it when Camille reached over to smack her friend.

   “Real funny.” She stood with her tray. “He says he helps people. He’s wanted to help people his whole life. I’ve heard every speech possible about it. But, whatever tests they’re running, they can’t exactly flash that all over the news. Small town labs, you know, they’re nothing. They’re glorified electric companies.”

   “They certainly can’t flash it.” Nancy tried to smile.

   “Tell Mrs. Holland I’m thinking about her.”

   “I will.” Nancy gave a nod, resting back while Camille dumped her trash out and couldn’t spot Billy when the bell rang. Huffing, she rolled her eyes and marched out, turning to sneak down the hallway and open a back door to a set of stone steps. Her assigned shadow was leaning into them, hurrying to snuff out a smoke.

   “Easy, beach boy, it’s me. You’re making me late for chem.”

   “Broke Princess’s rule, huh. How’d you find me so quick?”

   “Know the type. All the smokers who think they’re slick slip out this door. It’s the spot. Come on.” She cocked her head and he slipped in.

   “Tell me about that Steve Harrington guy. More royalty.”

   “Making new friends already. How sweet is that.” She picked up the pace when the bell rang again. “Steve, the hair, Harrington. Probably the most popular boy in school. Even after last year.”

   “Hearing a lot about last year.” Billy pretended not to care. Nothing exciting in manure land. So he thought.

   “Little boy went missing, it was a whole big thing. Thought he died but they found him. Thankfully.”

   “Girl went missing too in our class.”

   “Barb. They...haven’t found her.” Camille averted her eyes and he dropped that subject. “Steve ruled the school with the rest of us. Certain things went down and our group split. High school drama and all. Not very interesting. Why the questions, don’t you hate this place? Trying to be the new hair guy with those darling curls?”

   “Just like to know what I’m up against.”

   “Rough and tumble and in need of a new challenge. Noted. Hurry up.” Camille rushed into class with Billy unbothered behind her.

   “Ah, Ms. Harper and you brought the new transfer, how nice. Take the last two seats in back. You’ll be lab partners.” Mrs. West gestured, a younger teacher than his others here. Lovely, Camille turned her eyes to Billy and he looked utterly smug. “Billy Hargrove just transferred from California. See to it, class, that he feels welcomed.”

   “So far, so good, teach.” He turned up the charm with a wink and earned several girls sitting forward in response before he sauntered down to join Camille at a high table they would share. Pretty and aggravating, Camille decided. Billy eyed her again while the teacher began and she pulled a notebook out. Sleeves shifted up and he noticed a scar, small and round just an inch or so under her wrist. Looked like a burn. Hazel eyes lifted to see his blue ones and there was...nothing. Nothing there that he’d gotten from every other girl at this school admiring his ass in tight jeans. Billy took note to himself: a stone fox.

** ** **

   “How was school, honey?” Noah Harper locked the attic door behind him and Camille pretended she wasn’t trying to see into it. His eyes were intent until the lock clicked.

   “Fine. Had to show another new guy around.” She eyed the attic again. The only forbidden room in their huge house. “We still on for dinner with mom?”

   “About that...” He saw her shoulders drop. “Something came up and they need me tonight.”

   “You promised.” She batted her eyes.

   “I know and I’ll make it up to you.” He kissed her head. “Did you take your pills?”

   “Yes.”

   “New dose is helping, I’m sure.”

   “Less nosebleeds.” Camille shrugged, averting her eyes before she turned to go down the steps.

   “Camille, honey, I promise that we’ll get dinner next time.”

   “I know,” she faked a smile. “I get it.”

   “You are...everything to me. I love you and I’m sorry I haven’t been around the last year. You are so important. Trust that.” He came to her, tucking hair aside.

   “I love you, dad.” She let herself brighten. Just a little. Noah watched her turn to go off. Her mother was currently in her own studio, light filled the room while she mulled over a drawing and turned to pin pieces of fabric to a bodice on a stand.

   “Bow or no bow, darling?” Rosemary, a women growing more beautiful with age, mused and Camille considered it.

   “Bow.” She plopped into a cushioned chair.

   “Talked to your father, did you?” She watched her daughter nod with a pout. “We can still have our dinner and watch whatever romantic movie we wish.”

   “I know. I just...never see him anymore. It’s worse.”

   “It’ll get better again, they’re short staffed after those accidents. Your father was lucky to be out of town.”

   “He’s always out of town.” Camille tried not to whine. “I see Edna more than I see you two.”

   “We certainly have kept her busy with this house. She adores you.” The maid practically raised her.

   “I just miss my parents.”

   “We just want you to have a better life than us. That’s all any parent wishes for. We work hard and can only teach so much. You’ll understand when you grow older.” Rosemary kissed her daughter’s hair. “How was school? I heard talk of a new student. A boy?”

   “Yes...”

   “A cute boy?”

   “Gorgeous and bad news for certain.” Camille crossed her arms.

   “So you like him?”

   “Every girl liked him and he loved that.” She stood up. Billy was a bad boy drawn to royalty. “Going to get my homework out of the way.”

   “Pasta tonight?”

   “Yes, of course.” Camille hurried off, eyeing that attic down the long hallway before she continued on.

** ** **

   Camille didn’t speak to Billy much that next day. He sat behind her in English and resisted the urge to tug on loose locks of bouncy hair when she shifted in her seat. Study hall was similar, she sat alone with a book on Latin; completely absorbed. Smart and popular. An entire compact package. He could have wrapped her in a pretty, pink ribbon. The thought was enticing. Camille wasn’t the rich bitch she used to be. Well, still working on that but progress lingered between every little conversation with Nancy. Frankly, it was nice to be rid of Tommy and Carol in their group. She took note often of Steve and Nancy huddling together to whisper these days and stopping when she or Heather walked up.

   “Happy Halloween, Cam.” Heather never grew out of her sweet face. Doe eyes to match.

   “It is indeed. Want to come over and get ready for Tina’s party? My mom seemed excited about it and it’ll break her heart if we don’t let her fuss.”

   “Your house is a mansion, I wouldn’t miss it.” Heather laughed to herself.

   “I’ll drive you,” Camille cocked her head when they got outside. Billy’s blue Camaro whizzed loudly out of the parking lot. They caught sight of a little redhead in the passenger seat. “Didn’t know he had a sister.”

   “Stepsister, I guess. Seemed pretty short about that. She’s the same age as Nancy’s brother.”  The two friends got into Camille’s little grey car to speed off. “Are you going out for gymnastics again this year?”

   “Ah, not sure. Might tutor instead, they’ve been asking me.”

   “Thinking I’ll stay with cheer-leading. I’m so jealous of your brain.” Heather huffed to herself.

   “Okay, weird.” Camille laughed and turned a corner.

   “I’m serious. You’re somehow beautiful and you absorb books like a sponge absorbs water. And you’re different… Nicer.”

   “Okay, rude...but true.” She’d admitted and Heather smiled.

   “Good different like happier. Relaxed. You and Nancy are talking again. We never thought we’d see that day. Ever since…you know.”

   “I grew tits early and started dressing better and dropped my two friends. Yeah. Lesson learned.”

   “It’s just better now. Never too late I guess even for Queen Bee.”

   “Too sappy for your own good,” Camille peered over when they passed the Loch Nora sign and pulled up to her house. Lavish and cared for. Cold on occasion when they weren’t throwing the usual holiday party. “Taking your son out tonight, Edna?” Camille stopped the housekeeper on the way out. She was only in her twenties when she came to their family to look after this house and, admittedly, the daughter within whose parents were never around.

   “Yes, he’s so excited. Wanted to be the Terminator this year.” She laughed. “Goodnight, Milly.”

   “Night,” Camille looped her arm in Heather’s and led her inside where her mother was waiting.

** ** **

   Music boomed, vibrating Tina’s house while every teen inside danced about. Many wandered the grounds with red cups full of stolen booze. Spotting Nancy and Steve, Camille crossed with Heather behind her. Two drinks down into her stomach. Working on the third.

   “Aw, couples costume. I have to say I’m impressed.” Camille watched Nancy smile with dull eyes.

   “Madonna,” Steve eyed Heather, “best one yet.”

   “Damn, I knew I’d have competition.” Heather giggled and pulled Nancy off to get a drink.

   “She okay?” Camille asked after a beat and Steve rubbed his head.

   “Not sure, she’s been acting weird ever since...ah,” Steve stopped himself. “You know it’s been a year and the dinner, I think...it brought some stuff up.”

   “Keep an eye on her, something’s off. Something’s been off...with you both.”

   “We’ll be fine. Relax.” Steve ran a hand into his locks and Camille gave him a nod, passing to go outside and escape the pounding music. That’s where she saw Billy again. Clad in even tighter jeans and a leather jacket with no shirt. Fingerless gloves. Terminator, she amused herself. Currently, he was hoisted upside down over the keg, easily beating Steve’s held record, while admirers around him cheered and counted. He spotted her and winked even in his position, causing her to roll her eyes and drink from her own cup.

   “Yeah!” He got upright and sprayed beer, earning more drunk cheers. Tommy was an eager lackey, egging him on and nearly shoved up his ass. “That’s how you do it, Hawkins!” He puffed a cigarette as the wild crowds hurried back to join the dancing.

   “The new keg king!” Tommy bellowed and Billy paid him no mind, crossing toward Camille leaning near the doorway. Eyes narrowing and deliberate, he stalked like a lion and she was undaunted.

   “You’re fitting in.” She commented so he blew smoke the other way. “Nice costume.”

   “And you are, ah, some kind of witch.” He gestured with his hands.

   “Stevie Nicks.” She chuckled. “As in: Fleetwood Mac. But, honestly, you’re not wrong.”

   “Think you meant, bitch. Hey, Harper.” Tommy leaned over Billy’s shoulder, wasted. “Still flying lower with Steve and Miss Perfect?”

   “Oh, Tommy. Don’t be like that,” Camille smiled with red lips splitting wide. An expression that cut. “Glad to see you and Carol still going so strong.” She stepped forward, craning her neck to see him behind Billy. A true predator. Slow and calculating. Billy couldn’t help but leer. She acted like he wasn’t even there between them. Princess played up a pout. “Do you remember when you two had that little break and you wrote me that...dirty...nasty...filthy letter. Spelling and grammar problems aside, it was…vividly detailed. Billy, you should have been around for that.” She gave his shoulder a pat and shivers ran his spine, amusement flickered his own expression. “Tommy, here, is quite the writer. I still have it, thinking of getting a chic frame. Something classy.” She gulped the rest of her cup. “Maybe, I ought to get together with Carol. Compare notes sometime. I’m sure she’d adore that.” Camille gave Tommy’s cheek a light smack and pressed her empty cup toward him until he took it. “Enjoy the party, boys. Queen’s gotta buzz.”

   “Stay away from that one,” Tommy scoffed, pushing at Billy next to him who only smiled. “Daddy’s girl. Spoiled nightmare. Total bitch.” Billy inhaled smoke again and flicked ashes in Tommy’s direction to get him off his back.

   “Rough and tumble girl.” He’d muttered more so to himself. Camille crossed to get another drink when Tommy came in boasting about their new keg king.

   “Eat it, Harrington!” Another boy joined in. Chants of Billy’s name died down when the two teens sized each other up. Steve yanked his sunglasses away. Instant disdain. Nancy rolled her eyes and turned to get away from them, crossing to the bowl of punch.

   “What’s in this one?” She leaned over to grab a cup.

   “Pure fuel!” The drunk boy on Camille’s other side donned a toga and stumbled.

   “Rat poison.” Camille was flat, sipping. "And I was so hoping for gasoline, we had rat poison at the last party." Nancy was already dunking her cup in to gulp.

   “Whoa, slow down.” Camille touched her wrist. Nancy went in for another and Steve hurried over when Camille gave him a look.

   “Take it easy, Nance. Hey...” He put his arm out and she scoffed at him, wiping the punch from her cheek.

   “We’re just being stupid teenagers for the night. Wasn’t that the deal?” She was already intoxicated after three full cups. Ruefully, she moved beyond her friends and went to join the dancing with a fourth cup.

   “I told you.” Camille pushed at Steve so he went after her. “What the hell?” She'd uttered under her breath, turning to almost run into Billy Hargrove’s bare chest. He enjoyed it a little too much.

   “Scare you?”

   “Second day in the manure fields of Hawkins and you are the new keg king. Your majesty.” She gave a mocking curtsy and shifted around him to lean against an empty doorway. The air smelled of booze and weed. Billy trailed after to light up another smoke. Intrigued, he puffed and offered it to her. A clear test. Intoxicated, Camille took it and dragged slowly, blowing air aside. “Afraid I only smoke on the rare drunken social occasion.” She offered it back with two fingers only for him to wrap his lips around it, blue eyes lingering when he inhaled. “You think you’re slick, don’t you?” Her hand pulled from him and he ghosted a smile with smoke edging between his teeth around the cigarette. Billy leaned into her space.

   “You really think I can’t get a read on you, Harpy?” He was pleasantly drunk too.

   “Harpy? That’s a new one.” Did she like it? Perhaps. “And, yes, actually. I do.”

   “Got used to all these country boys tripping over themselves. Worker bee drones. But, you know they don’t stand a chance and you love it.” He pressed his palm to the door frame behind her to shift closer. Cologne invaded her senses above the smoke. Ashes flicked. He dragged once more and snuffed it into the wall after. “They all fall down. Can’t read the queen.”

   “And you think you’re quick enough on your feet, Billy?” She watched that dear, charming smile cross his face. Hard not to melt at that. Camille trailed her eyes down his sharpened expression. His voice hushed.

   “I think that you want to find out.” He leaned into her, eyelashes fluttering. Barely inches from those full, red lips; Billy heard her utter and touch his chest.

   “Shit.” Camille came out from him to see Nancy trying to get back into the punch bowl. Billy stilled to lean out too, irritation twitched his brow. Almost had her.

   “Nancy, stop, put it down.” Steve tried to wrestle the cup from her and Nancy was accidentally splashed with a full drink. Staining her white costume.  The party stilled briefly to see the scuffle.

   “What the hell?” Nancy slapped the cup down and hurried away. Camille forgot Billy in front of her and crossed after with Steve behind her. Nancy stumbled down a hallway and tripped with her friend barely catching her.

   “Come on, I got you.”

   “I don’t need your help,” Nancy pushed off and poked her shoulder. “You can’t just...just pretend to be my friend again because you feel sorry for Barb and I.”

   “Nancy...it isn’t like that. I lost her too.” Camille stood taller. Steve drew forward as if to get between them.

   “Where were you, then? Huh? Bullshitting with...with all your cool new people. Stuffing fingers down your throat because Carol said to." It only happened twice. "Buying another cool outfit, oh, so p-popular. Impress your asshole friends. We...We killed Barb.”

   “Nancy, stop.” Steve tried to get her into the bathroom.

   “She needed us. She was always there for us and we weren’t there!” Nancy jerked away and spun on her heel to shut herself into the bathroom. Steve paused to see the girl behind him.

   “I deserved that.”

   “She drank too much. She didn’t mean it,” Steve touched her arm. “And no, you didn’t. You and I...we made some shitty choices.”

   “People were hurt because of them.” Camille offered.

   “We can do better. We are.” Steve nodded. “I need to check on her.”

   “Of course,” Camille turned and went back into the main room. Jonathan Byers crossed to see her. “Didn’t think you’d come.”

   “I didn’t either.” Jonathan stuffed his hands into his pockets. “She okay?”

   “I’m not sure anymore. Something's been… You guys are friends now, yeah?”

   “Friends, I, uh, yes. We...We’re friends.” He’d stammered.

   “Look. Have you noticed anything...off?”

   “Off?” Jonathan shrugged awkwardly. “No, just-”

   “The anniversary. Sure. Look, Jonathan, she likes you. She trusts you. Can you just...keep an eye on her?” She crossed her arms and there was a beat. “We weren’t ever friends and I was...not great to you.”

   “You let your friend smash my camera.”

   “You used that camera to take pictures of a girl undressing without her consent.” She pressed in an even tone and Jonathan dropped his head to nod. “We’re all stupid ass teenagers, right?”

   “Guess so,” Jonathan relaxed when she smiled slightly at him. Steve came barging out to pass them, leaving.

   “That isn’t good. Hey, I’m...too drunk to drive. Can you get Nancy home? She’s...not well.”

   “Yeah,” Jonathan moved to pass her. “Stay safe.”

   “You too...” She watched him go off, dropping her arms. Killed Barb. Nancy’s words. They haunted Camille the rest of that night.

** ** **

   Camille stared at her chemistry book in study hall the next day, day dreaming while she doodled along her notebook. Killed Barb. Did Nancy believe that? Did they know more about that night? Those words flashed high like stage lights across her brain. A textbook slapped down across the way and Billy Hargrove was looking at her with those intent eyes. Pleased she jumped in shock, he suppressed a laugh when the librarian hushed him.

   “Don’t think she likes me.” He muttered, still entertained.

   “Can’t imagine why.” Camille sat back, annoyed. “What?”

   “You’re avoiding me, Harpy.” He cocked his head and plopped down across from her. In the corner, they tried to stay hushed. Classic music played on low and Billy groaned to himself. “Not my fault that Strode paired us together for the project.” Camille shut her chem book and stuffed it away.

   “Easy project, we pick a book from the list. Read it. Collaborate in a paper.”

   “Pick one and sum it up for me.” He earned a silent laugh when she turned from him to peer outside at the crisp, grey day.

   “Oh no, Billy boy, you’re going to at the very least skim the book and happily contribute to our paper. You can come to my place after school today, we’ll work on it. After you drop your sister off, I guess.”

   “Max is my stepsister.” He corrected while she jotted her address down and slipped it into his hands.

   “Be there or face my perfect student wrath.”

   “Spitfire, I like it.” He leaned forward, arms crossing over the table. “You live in the rich neighborhood. Mommy and daddy going to be okay when I roll up to see their precious daughter? Oh, can’t forget the maid checking in all hours of the day.”

   “They’re both out on business and the housekeeper is off today actually.”

   “So, you’re inviting me to a big, empty house in the ritzy part of town...” He had far too many ideas.

   “To work...on a project. There’s free take-out of our choosing in the deal if you show. And that sweet face will show.” She barely spared him a glance, clearly distracted still. Billy worked to catch her gaze.

   “Worried about college when dearest dad can buy you any single one you want?”

   “No, I just like to be the best.” She leaned forward too with a sly grin. “I enjoy school and I’m not planning on staying in a fancy house in Hawkins, Indiana with a husband I’ll never see. Especially when there is a whole world out there waiting for me to explore it.”

   “Manure ain’t good enough for you now?”

   “Very funny. Hawkins is too small for me. And I have a good brain that I like to put to use. I'm wasted here.” She shrugged. “No crime in that and daddy didn’t buy me everything, I saved for my own car. Now, I think you should use study hall to...study. That chem quiz Friday is going to kick your ass.”

   “No use, I’m screwed.” He looked away and changed the subject. “What kind of take-out?”

   “Possibly a large cheese pizza.” She quirked her lips while he rubbed his jaw.

   “Hard bargain. Throw green peppers on half the pizza and I want a grand tour of your castle. You can put the royal stinger away for one night.”

   “You’re just trying to waste time, Hargrove,” her eyes narrowed. Billy bit his bottom lip, entertained with a nod. Another heart melting expression when he gave her those big, blue eyes. “Deal.” She reached out and he curled his fingers around her hand to shake it.

   "You won't regret this," his other hand covered hers to draw it out.

   "Already am." She produced that honeyed smile a final time. Billy stood with his bag gripped tight, sliding around the table to lean next to her ear.

   “I stand by what I said at the party. Just so we’re clear.” Slipping off, he disappeared behind a row of bookshelves. Camille suppressed another grin and went back to her notebook, shading in the petals of a sunflower. She imagined it in a field flooded by sunlight getting kissed by the wind. The smile broke through at the mere thought.

[emjs-good-out-here]

OC Quiz

I was tagged by @rebelfatebinder​- thank you very much! I think a big chunk of the people I would normally tag have been tagged already, so I’ll just leave this as an open tag for anyone who wants to do it.

Kitty Briars- Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines

Asked someone to marry you? - Ha! Nope. And if I ever do, assume it’s a con.

Kissed one of your friends? - Sure

Danced on a table in a bar or tavern? - Once or twice. I’m a great dancer. Or, at least, I think so when I’m drunk.

Ever told a lie? - No, never. ...Just fucking with you. I lie constantly.

Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have? - Like, romantic feelings? No. I’ve been attracted to people who aren’t interested, though.

Ever kissed someone of the opposite sex? - Yep

Ever kissed someone of the same sex? - That too

Kissed a picture? - No?

Slept in until 5pm? - I mean... I sleep later than that most days now. Before, not so much.

Fallen asleep at work or school? - At school, sure

Held a snake? - I haven’t

Been suspended from school? - I never got suspended, but I did drop out

Stolen something? - Many, many things

Done something you regret? - I’ve done a lot of things that I should probably regret, but only a few recently that I actually do

Caught a snowflake on your tongue? - Yes

Laughed until liquid came out of your nose? - Not that I remember

Kissed in the rain? - A few times

Sat on a roof top? - Often

Kissed someone you shouldn’t? - I made a lucrative career out of doing just that.

Sang in the shower? - Sometimes

Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? - Never

Shaved your head? - Nope, my current hairstyle is the shortest it’s ever been. And the only length it ever will be, if I understand correctly.

Slept naked? - Almost always

Made a boyfriend/girlfriend cry? - Hmm. I don’t actually know. Not in front of me, at least.

Donated blood? - *smirks* I tend to be the one taking those kind of donations these days. But, yeah.

Eaten alligator meat? - No

Eaten cheesecake? - Sure!

Still loved someone you shouldn’t? - No. I don’t know that I’ve ever really ‘loved’ someone, period, to be honest.

Have/had a tattoo? - Sadly not.

Liked someone, but will never tell who? - Nope

Been too honest? - *laughs for a while* ...no.

Ruined a surprise? - Only when I’m feeling petty.

Eaten so much that you can’t walk after? - No

Dressed in a man’s clothes? - Yes

Dressed in a woman’s clothes? - And also yes

Joined a pageant? - No

Still have communication with your ex? - Definitely not

Been told that you’re beautiful by someone who meant it? - Many, many times.

Cheated on someone? - No

Gotten totally drunk and missed an exam? - No

A total stranger treated you by paying your fare? - Yes. Sometimes even without me conning them into it, too.

Got so angry that you cried? - Yes. Tried to stay away from someone for their own good? - Not very successfully, but yes.

Thought about suicide? - No, never.

Thought about murder? - Do... do other kindred count? Because, if so, then regularly.

Actually murdered someone? - What are we calling ‘murder’ here? I have killed people; but only other kindred, and hunters. All people who would have killed me if I hadn’t done it.

Thought about mass murder? - Not really

Actually committed a mass murder? - Again, strongly depends on your definition of ‘murder’. Technically, probably... yes. But it was all in self preservation, and not something I make a habit of.

Rode in a stranger’s vehicle? - Sure

Stalked someone? - 'Stalked’ has weird connotations. I���ve tailed people that I was going to con, to get a sense of their routines. I’ve never, like, obsessively stalked someone.

Had a girlfriend? - I don’t really do committed relationships, but I’ve had flings with girls in the past, yeah.

Had a boyfriend? - Same thing for guys.

Gotten totally drunk during a holiday? - Yep!

[diabhals]

ooh i saw your character asks meme and i have a lot of questions for all the beneath kiddos: could you answer 48, 49, 46, 36 and 13 please? (i’m sorry if that’s too many i’m just curious and feel free to disregard any) thank you :)))

honestly, there’s no such thing as too many questions! i’m so glad you’re interested in learning about my children ocs

13. What are your character’s sleeping habits? Heavy or light sleeper? Blanket stealer? One that always rolls onto the floor? Pushes their lover onto the floor? Sleep talker or walker?

bea : a reasonably light sleeper, she always sleeps lying on her back, ramrod straight. although she can sleep on the stiffest mattress, and even on the ground, she has to be lying down; if she had someone to sleep with, she wouldn’t be able to stand full-scale cuddling, but would definitely drape an arm over them.

kit : curled in on himself, trying to protect his internal organs. he’s a very light sleeper, but he can sleep anywhere and everywhere, from a bed to the streets to even standing up, occasionally. he doesn’t require a blanket to sleep well, but he secretly loves blankets/having someone to cuddle – if he had someone to sleep with, he’d probably snuggle up to them to feel safe.

kiriya : really heavy sleeper who sleeps face down on her stomach, at the bottom of a dogpile of the Mongrels. she has to have either a shitton of blankets or (preferably) lot of people on top of her to sleep properly. if she had an SO, she’d definitely 

vall : he doesn’t really like to sleep, preferring to work, but when he gets too tired to stay awake, he has to be lying on his side, facing a wall. he’s an extremely restless sleeper and would probably be a pain in the arse to share a bed with, tossing, kicking, etc. etc. skin-to-skin touch is his favourite stim, so he’d definitely be nuzzling against his partner/spooning them.

matei : gets frequent nightmares if he sleeps alone, so he prefers sleeping with someone else (after,, fun times, if you get what i mean,,,,). he loves lying on top of other people/being spooned, as it helps him feel safe.

tammy : once he actually gets to sleep, he’s quite a heavy sleeper, but it takes a while for him to actually get to sleep. he loves being warm, so he sleeps under a massive pile of blankets/pillows, essentially in a huge nest.

36. Does your character have any medical conditions? Are they serious or minor? Do they affect their day to day life?

bea : autism (and i’m not sure how far one would consider autism a medical condition, but i’ll be discussing it here). her favourite stims involve patterns: tapping, rocking back and forth, noticing the patterns in other people’s behaviour e.g. heartbeats, footfalls. control is a very important part of her life, and lack of control can drive her to a meltdown, which is one of the reasons why she’s so intent on having plans to cover every eventuality.

kit : his left leg was hacked off above the knee, and his right ankle was shattered, never quite healing write. the stump was very poorly stitched up, then somewhat fixed by a professional, so it’s messy/knotted and achy, as is his ankle. both the injuries combined, as well as the fact that in a victorian-based world prosthetics aren’t great, mean he doesn’t have great mobility and struggles with running, climbing, dancing, even walking for long periods of time.

kiriya : n/a

vall : autism, albinism and an auditory processing disorder. these three often overlap in terms of impact on his life, but some of the most noticeable (I’m sorry in advance for vall’s laundry list of problems) are that he has pretty shit eyesight, is hypersensitive to sound and light, can’t properly process people’s speech unless he sees their lips move, and burns really easily.

matei : n/a, unless being dead inside is a medical condition

tammy : as mentioned in his intro, tammy has whalers’ sickness. it’s a very rare disease in cities; as the name suggests, it was first diagnosed and is most common in the crews of far northern whaling ships. it causes fatigue, joint pain, recurring fevers and weakens his immune system, leaving him vulnerable to other illnesses. day-to-day, it usually affects his energy levels and mobility, but it gets much more dangerous if he catches another illness, as even something simple can become something life-threatening pretty quickly.

46. What is some random affectionate thing that your character always does to their lover?

bea : buy them gifts. money is a big thing for her, part of her safety net of control, so buying things for her partner would be a way of saying ‘i love you more than i love my complex system of coping mechanisms’.

kit : this isn’t exactly random, but a gesture of love and trust he’d probably reserve for his partner is asking them for support when he’s struggling to walk/accepting their offer of support. 

kiriya : poetry, hidden where she knows they’ll find it. she’s too self-conscious of her writing to give it to her partner in person, but she still finds it much easier to express her feelings in writing.

vall : constant physical touch: hand-holding, leaning on them, spooning etc. etc.

matei : buying their favourite type of alcohol

tammy : singing for them/just generally singing around the house; it’s one of his favourite things, and a real measure of how happy he is.

48. Is there anything in particular that would ignite your character’s jealousy? Or does your character not get envious?

bea : other people’s wealth/success

kit : people who’ve experienced nothing but goodness and happiness, and have never had to suffer for anything

kiriya : people who know where their home is. as she’s originally from tahran, she doesn’t feel like esca is her home; however, she’s spent most of her life in esca, so she doesn’t really feel like she has the right to call tahran home.

vall : other doctors/surgeons that have success/are allowed to practise their experiments in the open. though,,, the fact that they don’t like your twisted experiments is kinda your fault, sweetie.

matei : like kit, he’s jealous of people who’ve had good, untraumatised lives – but he’s also secretly jealous of other traumatised people who manage to cope and live a fulfilling life regardless.

tammy : he tries not to let himself waste too much time with jealousy, because falling into that mindset can quickly lead to wallowing in misery. however, if he’s completely honest: people with power and agency, who get to decide what path their life takes.

49. What is something that your character has nightmares about? Are these frequent? Do they heavily affect your character’s mood?

bea : her nightmares are mostly about the boat fire that killed her parents; they come with an overwhelming feeling of loss of control, and are usually infrequent, rearing their heads whenever she’s experiencing a lot of outside stress. she tries not to let nightmares get to her, but if she’s on edge enough already, they can sometimes push her into a meltdown.

kit : kit’s nightmares are regular and relentless, usually incorporating elements of the incident in which he lost his leg. he’s so used to them that they don’t exactly affect his life anymore, but particularly intense ones can still rattle him.

kiriya : she doesn’t get nightmares. why do you care anyway? 

vall : he gets nightmares pretty much every time he has to sleep, and they mostly reinforce his agoraphobia/paranoia. his method of coping with them 

matei : he absolutely gets nightmares, and is pretty upfront about it, in an ‘oversharing about some things to hide the real problems’ way. they tend to jolt him out of sleep, but are usually kept at bay if he has someone else to sleep with, hence why he doesn’t like sleeping alone. they have no consistent content, but come with a looming sense of dread.

tammy : his nightmares are usually pretty mild, run of the mill creepy stuff, and quite regular -- if he wakes up and is feeling up to tackling the stairs, his go-to comfort method is to sneak down and make himself some hot chocolate. his fever-nightmares get way more intense, turning into psychedelic hellscapes of his worst fears. after those, he usually needs someone else to comfort him/reassure him it isn’t real.

[choices-betch]

Lost on You (Mona x MC)

Chapter I: when the party’s over Description: It’s been 6 years since the Mercy Park Crew split and Lexi is about to graduate from law school. Despite her valiant attempts to move’s on, an unexpected event sends her reeling in the past. Pairing: Mona x MC (Lexi Padilla); OC X MC Chapter warnings: some NSFW content, light cursing  Notes: After the RoD ending I was NOT satisfied and needed to have some semblance of control and resolution with Mona lmao so here this is. I don’t know how many parts it will be; I’m estimating maybe 4? We’ll see where it takes me, but it’s gonna be angsty. Thank you to @pauclaws for the prompt that got the wheels turning! Let me know if you want to be tagged in future chapters. Song accompaniment: when the party’s over - Billie Eilish Tags: @maxwellsquidsuit @scarlet-letter-a0114 @whoinvitedalx

Chapter I: when the party’s over

Lexi gathered her belongings after handing in her last final, sighing in relief as she headed out the door; finally this hellish semester was over, and with that, her final year of law school. Lost in thoughts of what cheap wine she could snag and curl up on the couch with that evening to ignore the world around her, she was startled when she ran into something hard. She looked up to a grinning face, stepping out of the way to avoid blocking other students exiting.

“I know I’m sexy but damn, girl,” the man joked with a wink, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. Lexi grinned at him sheepishly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“Sorry, Joel. Got distracted,” Lexi apologized, clearly embarrassed.

“My devilishly handsome features do tend to have that effect on people,” Joel responded with a wink, eliciting an eye roll from Lexi. “What are you off in a hurry for? Celebrating tonight?”

Lexi eyed him dubiously, shaking her head. “The most exciting part of my night will be deliberating between Zinfandel and Rosé.”

“Boooorriiiinng,” he chided, motioning for Lexi to walk with him. “Unacceptable. You just finished your last day ever of law school, girl! You’re coming with me and my friends to a club downtown.”

“Clubs aren’t really my thing,” Lexi responded with a cringe. On the rare occasion she went to one, she seemed to attract the people with the worst pick up lines, not to mention smells.

“It’s a gay club, trust,” Joel said dismissively, waving her off. “It’s gonna be fire.”

“I don’t have the money for that,” Lexi hesitated, her resolve crumbling.

“We’ll pre-game at my place.”

“I—“

“Nope!” Joel interrupted, “You’re coming. I’m not letting you rot alone on your couch in ratty ass grandma underwear when you could be gettin’ some ass. You’ve done nothing but throw yourself into school since I met you and I’ve had it! You’re coming with.”

Lexi barked out a laugh; he wasn’t wrong. They’d met on the first day of law school and for the last 2 years Joel had been trying to get Lexi out more, to help her relax...no such luck. Lexi finally relented, agreeing to go. After hashing out the details on where to meet, Lexi headed back to her studio in an effort to regain some energy for the night ahead. — Lexi shook her fingers through her hair as she doused it in hairspray in an attempt to secure her beach waves. She straightened up, staring at herself for an extended period of time before sighing. Lexi had thought getting a shoulder length cut a few months ago would make it easier to style, thus forcing her to do something with it, but clearly her hair was hopeless. A glimpse of a drawing in the background caught Lexi’s eye. The significance of this time of year wasn’t lost on her, as was the case with every year that passed. Six years later she still thought, what if...?

Despite Mona’s demand that Lexi forget about her and leave her alone, she couldn’t and wouldn’t. Lexi managed to figure out where Mona was being held (though found very little else) and wrote to her religiously...at first. But she never got a response, with one exception: her birthday. Every year she would get a hand drawn card, which she always treasured and had displayed in her room, but it was always followed by silence. That hurt worse than anything Mona had done. Just as Mona said - words meant nothing; it’s what you do that counts, and doing nothing said everything. Still, Lexi continued to write, less frequently as the years went by, and still, only a birthday card once a year.

She didn’t know why she couldn’t let go. It’d been a few months of passion followed by six years of absolutely nothing but those few and far between glimmers of hope that Mona had the same difficulty forgetting her. Still, those memories stayed with her as vivid as if they’d just happened. Sometimes, she could even swear she still felt Mona’s lips on her mouth, her neck…

Lexi snapped out of her thoughts, suddenly conscious of her fingers grazing her lips. She shook her head, gave her makeup and short black dress a once over one last time, then grabbed her belongings and headed to Joel’s.

She walked around the complex, glancing between her phone and the door numbers; surely she was missing an area, but after circling multiple times she was about to force Joel to come escort her.

“You look lost.” Lexi looked up in alarm, locking eyes with a woman gazing at her in amusement. “Sorry, I’ve just seen you circling around a few times. It was disorienting.”

“Why were you watching me for that long?” Lexi retorted, eyeing the woman cautiously and getting into a defensive stance. If this lady was some sort of serial killer, Lexi wasn’t going down without a fight.

“Whoa, calm down killer,” she joked, holding her hands up in defense. “I was smoking...a few times, actually. Social anxiety plus clubbing is not fun. Although you certainly look like you’re about to enjoy your evening.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Lexi was growing frustrated, and she didn’t know why this random stranger was getting under her skin.

“I just meant you’re dressed to kill,” she clarified, scratching her neck. “Well, this went horribly awry. I only meant to offer to help you find what you’re looking for.”

Lexi relaxed slightly, eyeing the woman briefly before sighing.  She wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. She gave the woman the unit she was looking for and the woman chuckled, looking around awkwardly.

“Yeah, it’s uh...down this way. Joel’s one of my best friends; heading out with the gang to celebrate his release from the prison of law school,” she joked. “Come on, I’ll walk with you.”

The woman introduced herself as Jordan, a software engineer that had been friends with Joel since undergrad. Lexi observed Jordan’s physical appearance for the first time. She wasn’t particularly tall - maybe 5’6 at the most - but she had a solid build accentuated by her button down and chinos. Her caramel hair was pulled back in a tight bun, strong jawline more prominent as a result. Lexi silently appreciated the view, knowing from her behaviors over the years that’s all it would be. After finally making it to Joel’s apartment and being introduced to his group of friends, everyone did a few tequila shots before requesting a Lyft.

Lexi squinted slightly as she entered the dark club, disoriented from the pulsing neon lights. She adjusted the band on her wrist as she looked around, following the group toward the bar.

“What are you drinking?” Jordan asked, her hand gently touching Lexi’s lower back. Lexi looked at her, dazed for a moment; it’d been a long time since an innocent touch felt that intimate. Not since…

Lexi cleared her throat and forced a smile. “Whiskey, on the rocks. Make it a double.”

The rest of the night flew by in a drunken blur of dancing and too many random bodies touching. Jordan got increasingly close over the night, and Lexi didn’t know if it was the alcohol talking or if she was really that desperate for intimacy, but she found herself back in a Lyft, making out intensely on their way to Jordan’s apartment.  She didn’t know what she was doing. Sure, she found Jordan attractive and she definitely felt chemistry there, but there wasn’t anything special about this particular person. Why was she so torn, so desperate for this feeling? 

Somehow they made it to Jordan’s apartment, tangled limbs stumbling through the door and to the bedroom where they wasted no time undressing.

“I’m so glad I came out tonight,” Jordan said against Lexi’s lips as they fell on the bed. Lexi kissed her harder; she didn’t want to talk, just feel. As Jordan’s lips moved down her neck, Lexi closed her eyes, hands going to Jordan’s hair.

Lexi ran her hands through Mona’s hair then pulled her into a passionate kiss, Mona’s half naked body conforming to hers. Mona pulled away slowly then shoved Lexi back onto the bed, smirking as she kissed up her body.

“If I do get killed because of the stupid brotherhood, it might be worth it.”

Lexi blinked back to reality, Jordan halfway down her body by now.

“Is this okay?” Jordan asked, pausing at her underwear. Lexi paused, mind racing as her breathing increased.

Lexi looked down at Mona, perched between her legs with a teasing grin. “You really want me, don't you?” Mona ran her thumb gently down Lexi’s folds, wetness coating her thumb as Lexi twitched slightly. “I can tell.”

“God, yes,” Lexi breathed as Mona glanced up at her, gently sucking the juices off her thumb. Lexi’s breathing hitched, Mona silently urging her to continue. “I want you to kiss me everywhere…”

Lexi nodded, her underwear quickly being pulled off and thrown to the side. Her mind was racing, stuck between the past and the present as it always seemed to be.  Lexi gasped, her thoughts in the present for now at the shock of the intense feelings coursing through her body.

Lexi gripped her pillow, reaching down to grasp Mona’s hair in her hand as Mona’s tongue continued gliding against her.

“Mona, don’t stop...I’m...I’m gonna…”

Lexi’s eyes flew open as her climax overcame her, her legs trembling with every wave of pleasure. As Jordan kissed back up her body, Lexi flipped over quickly, silently and quickly making her way down Jordan’s body.

“You don’t waste time, do you?” Jordan joked breathily.

Lexi didn’t respond, continuing her way down, maintaining every effort to distract herself from the flashbacks she was having; to help her forget. The rest of the night went by in a blur, and next thing she knew she was staring at the clock on the bedside table. Lexi glanced to her right, Jordan sleeping deeply, then scanned the room for her clothes. She slowly got out of the bed, quietly grabbing her belongings before exiting the room. She hurriedly got dressed and requested a Lyft home before making her way out the door, closing it quietly behind her. — Lexi walked into her studio on autopilot and stood just past her doorway, dropping her keys and bag on the floor and staring blankly ahead. After a long moment she snapped out of it, closing the door behind her. She quickly began stripping and walked to the bathroom, her clothing leaving a trail behind her. She turned on the shower hastily, stepping in and under the water without waiting for it to warm. Squeezing a glob of soap onto her loofa, she began scrubbing her body roughly, furiously trying to clean off every touch, bite, lick on her skin; any trace of intimacy left on her body.

She’d been with men over the years, even casually dated a few, but ultimately something never fully clicked; they always felt more like friends. While she found plenty of women attractive over the years, something - someone - kept her from fully pursuing anything. For the first time tonight, she’d felt something since Mona. Perhaps she’d always thought nothing would compare - which she was still right about - but what she hadn’t prepared for was the emotional toll it took after the fact, and why: she didn’t want a connection like that with anyone else.

She paused her scrubbing, eyes stinging and breathing hitched slightly. The tears came quickly and freely, a mixture of anger, guilt and heartbreak. Why? Why did someone have to matter to her when nothing was ever meant to come of it? Why Mona, who clearly wasn’t bothered one way or the other? Why did she have to be so damn persistent instead of listening for once?

She slid down the shower wall, a sob escaping her mouth, allowing the water to beat down on her until it ran cold. Lexi finally calmed herself, standing to rinse her face before turning off the water. She dried herself off and threw on some bed clothes before making her way to her desk. Pulling out a piece of paper, she began to write.

She wrote about her anger, guilt, sadness, resentment; the difficulty she had enjoying any milestone or accomplishments in her life without thinking of Mona or wishing she were there, but most of all her seeming inability to meet anyone without comparing them to her. And they never compared. Lexi hastily scribbled the facility’s address on an envelope, stamped it, then walked to the corner to mail it before she could change her mind. Maybe this was what she needed to finally move on. Lexi walked back to her studio and headed to bed, curling her comforter closely around her as she drifted into a restless sleep. — 2 weeks later

Mona shoved her hands in her pockets as she approached her destination, having gotten dropped off a few blocks down the road to avoid traffic back up. She scanned her surroundings, glancing down at her phone for clarification of where she was headed, then continued on the path. After a few too many turns (and even more curse words), Mona finally made it to her destination, careful to do her best to blend into the background. Announcements had already begun, and Mona scanned the rows of chairs at the front for any sign of familiarity. After searching a few times, Mona’s sight focused on a familiar profile with much-shorter-than-she’d-remembered dark hair beneath a cap. She smirked; sexy.

Just then, the girl looked back, seemingly straight at Mona. Mona panicked, ducking behind other attendees as she moved farther out of view. She caught sight of the girl again, seeing her frown and look around for a few moments before turning to a man next to her.

Mona’s thumb grazed the edges of the folded letter she’d received just as she was about to be released. Perhaps it wasn’t a direct invitation, but there was certainly enough information for Mona to figure it out. Still, what she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her, and it kept Mona protected; in control.  Mona stuck around until she saw what she came for, then headed out for her next mission. —

Lexi enjoyed brunch with a few classmates and her dad after the ceremony then headed home for a much needed nap. As she got close to her doorway she took off her heels, sighing in relief as she tiptoed toward her door, her dad chastising her for not waiting until she was inside. She stopped short at the sight of a small package left at her doorstep. Her dad put a hand out to keep her in place, slowly moving forward to inspect the package. After he deemed it safe, he picked it up and handed it to her. Lexi examined all the edges curiously, shaking it gently. She flipped the tag and her knees buckled slightly at the recognition of the handwriting and the message.

Congrats, gorgeous. Always said you were a nerd. xx

“Lexi?” he questioned, concern etched on his face as he reached out to steady her. “Are you okay?”

She stared at the tag for another long moment, mentally telling herself to get it together with a shaky breath before turning the tag over and forcing a smile.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m fine. Let’s go inside.”

[monster-addict]

Unexpected

Orc x Human!OC 

Multipart Fic - Part 2

I woke up early, and took a shower. I already had my bag packed for class, I had my textbooks on my phone, so I didn't need to worry about that weight. I had my notebooks and different colored pens for my note taking. That's mainly what these first few weeks are going to be, note taking.

I made breakfast for everyone again, but it was small, toast and sausage. I put some tea in my water bottle and waited for Nick. He came down not too long after I finished my food. We didn't really say much, but it was comfortable. We got to class and I sat in the front or the far left side of the class, no one really sat over by me, which I was glad about.

It was a small class in a big lecture hall, it was maybe 14 of us in the class. Nick sat directly across from me in the class, but later on during the class when our teacher wanted us to read. That was when a girl from the middle of the class went over and sat by him. I assumed it was his girlfriend, or a close friend of his. I continued to read and next thing I know, class was over.

"I forgot to show you my schedule yesterday." I went up to Nick after class.

"Yeah, you share my schedule except for the gen ed classes. I think Orlov has those classes though." He told me, the girl was lingering behind a bit.

We walked to the next class which was down the hall a little bit, him and the girl talked a little bit more before they parted ways.

It seemed as if it were the same class, fewer people too. It was mainly orcs in this class, three female orcs, and I was half the amount of human females. It was about 4 human males and 5 male orcs. This professor was orc, with long hair down his back. I took out a different notebook and started my note taking process. This class he mainly talk, our reading was to do on our own time. I made a note in my phone to read, as well as in my agenda.

Class was over and I had about an hour before my last class started for the day. I went to the library just to browse their collection. I was going to do all of my reading once I got in, it wouldn't take me long anyway.

"Are you new around here?" I heard a voice come from my right.

"Yeah, I just transferred actually." I turned to the male.

"Demetri." He stuck his hand out.

"Skylar." I shook his hand.

He wasn't as big as Orlov or Nick, but considering I'm only 5'2 most orcs tower over me. He has a slimmer figure should I say, but he's still very tall, maybe 6'3.

"What are you majoring in, literature?" He asked.

"No, I'm actually a biochemistry major." I laughed a bit.

"Oh I would've never assumed. Most of the girls around here found those classes to be boring or not really for them. Now if you were taking the regular classes to be a doctor, that would be different. Not a lot of people around here are doing biochem in the first place to be honest." He said.

"Yeah, I've noticed the lack of students in my earlier classes, on top of the fact that they are early classes. What about you, what's you major?" I asked.

"Take a guess." He said.

"Accounting, or sometime of business major?" I asked him.

"You hit it on the money." He said.

"Lucky me, so what year are you in?" I asked him.

"Well, technically my second year, I just switched my major around so these classes are new for me. I like them more than psychology." He said.

"That would've been my back up, psychology. Either that or dermatology." I said.

"Why dermatology?" He looked confused.

"I like extracting comedones." I said.

"Whatever that means." He rolled his eyes.

"Blackheads and whiteheads." I laughed at him.

"Come sit with me?" He asked.

"Sure."

I followed along beside him as best as I could. I could tell he even tried to slow his pace so I could keep up, but it didn't work too well. We finally sat down in a nice corner without too many people.

"How are you liking it here so far?" Demetri asked.

"I haven't been here long enough to have an opinion, but so far so good." I said.

"How's your dorm and roommate?" He asked.

"Well, honestly, my best friend is the one that convinced me to come here. She just got one of the houses they let you rent out. She said beforehand she was in the co-ed dorms, but her roommate didn't like her. She got along with the two dudes she shared the bathroom with, so they are our other roommates in the house." I told him.

"What's your friend's name?" He asked.

"Aria." I told him.

"Oh that's the one that helps out with our dance team, do you dance?" He asked me.

"Have you seen any of her videos?" I asked.

"Yeah, but not many, why?" He asked.

"Oh well, I'm in some of her videos, so yes, I do dance." I told him.

We talked a little more until I had to go to class, we exchanged numbers and he walked me to class.

I got seated in what is going to be my regular spot, for the rest of my college life. This professor was an elf, so that was a little change up from the rest of my routine. That class went by fairly fast as well, and before I know it I'm walking over to Nick.

"Hey, you mind dropping me off at the house. Orlov said you like to go to study hall after class." I said.

"You aren't going to come too?" He asked.

"No, I don't do well studying in groups, or around a lot of people. I'd rather be in the comfort of my own bed." I tell him.

"I get that, I can drop you off. And for the record, I only go to study hall to meet up with June." He said as we walked.

"June is?" I looked up at him confused.

"Oh right, June is my girlfriend." He said.

"I didn't want to assume, but it seemed like it." I said.

We didn't say much of anything walking out to the car, but I saw Demetri on the way out. I gave him a slight wave and he gave me a head nod. Once I got to the house, I gave Nick a quick thanks before he drove off. I went in the house, and no one was home, not yet at least. We need a group chat for the house, or at the very least, I need to be added to it. I went up to my room and got out my agenda, going in order by class. I opened the book on my laptop, so I can annotate it while I read. I then wrote in my notebook some things to better help me understand the subject.

I spent around 3 hours doing my work, an hour for each class, making sure I at least understand the material. I went online to check my work to make sure I didn’t forget anything. I heard the front door open and close with a little bit of force. It was hard to tell who it was, all orcs are really strong, and tend to over do things when not paying attention. It turned out to be Orlov, I figured by peaking my head out.

"Hey Sky, you need something?" He asked before he went in his room.

"Nothing major, I wanted to know if there was a group chat for the house? I wanted to cook dinner for everybody again. But I don't have you guys numbers, nor am I in a group chat." I said.

"Oh yeah, we do have one, give me your number, I'll add you to it." He pulled out his phone.

I gave him my number and he added me to the chat, I already had Aria's number, and Orlov just told me his, so that just left Nick.

"Hey, umm, do you think you could help me with something?" Orlov asked.

"Sure, what's up?" I asked him.

"I need some help with my math, and Aria would always say how you were a pro at math, and she would go to you for help." He said.

"OH, I remember you now, you play football right?" I asked him.

"Yeah." He smiled and puffed his chest out a bit.

"But yeah I can help you, you want to knock it out of the way right now?" I offered.

"Yeah, might as well get it over with." He lead me into his room.

He got out his workbook and textbook and showed me what he had problems solving.

"Oh this is easy, let me show you a different way to think about it." I told him.

He had some geometry like stuff so I was grabbing random objects around his room using them as examples. I could show him how to do the problem, but that won't mean he'll understand it. If I help him understand the process, then he can solve the problem himself.

"Oh man Aria was right, you are good at this. Thanks, I really appreciate it." Orlov tells me.

"It's no problem, anytime you need help with anything, just let me know. I'm happy to help." I tell him.

"You want to join me for a few games of COD?" He asked me.

"You have any other work you need to do?" I asked him.

"No, I got it all done in class and during my hour break period." He said.

"Sure, I'll play a little, then I'm going to go cook." I told him.

He put it on Blackout immediately this time around, a first we were dying a little bit. I blamed it on both of us just now starting to play. After the first 3 games, we started to place higher in the matches. In our last game, we got really far, 3rd team, before someone killed Orlov, so I was left by myself playing. I was able to take the last two teams out and win the game.

"YEEEEESSSS!" We both cheered.

Orlov picked me up and spun me around, before Nick opened the door, that's when Orlov put me down.

"Well, time to get cooking." I smiled and walked towards the door.

"What's going on in here?" Nick frowned a bit.

"Sky here just carried me to a victory." He said.

"Oh please. I'm making tacos that sound okay?" I asked them both.

"Yeah that's fine, corn or flour?" Nick asked.

"Well which do you want?" I asked.

"Corn." Nick said.

"I hate corn, it's all dry and nasty. FLOUR PLEASE!" Orlov said.

"How about I make both, I like both so they won't go to waste." I laughed at them.

They agreed and I went downstairs to brown the meat, that's when Aria came in.

"How was your first day?" She asked me.

"Nothing too exciting." I said.

"Meet anyone?" She asked.

"Someone named Demetri, but I get a playboy feeling from him, not that I'm looking for a relationship. I just--"

"Yes, the drama attached to the dick-- I mean man." She cut me off.

"Exactly." I laughed at her.

"Tacos?" She asked standing next to me.

"Yep, corn or flour?" I asked her.

"I'll gladly take flour, who eats corn?" She said in a fake disgust.

"I do, and apparently Nick does too." I laughed at her.

"You two are something else." She shook her head and went upstairs.

I finished making the taco meat, and I assembled all the toppings and tortillas out.

I sent a text out, letting everyone know that the food is done, shortly after everyone came down.

"Just taste it." I handed my taco out to Aria.

She hesitated for a second before she bit into it.

"Mmm, you know, that actually is good, what did you do to it?" She asked me.

"I warmed it up of course." I laughed at her.

"O, you really should try it." Aria took a taco off my plate.

"And convert me to your corn tortilla loving cult, I think not." He put up an argument.

"Please." I gave him a slight pout.

He stared at me, debating whether he wanted to take a bite.

"Man, you don’t play fair." He took the taco from Aria, biting into it.

"Damn, when you're right, you're right. This is good." He laughed nodding his head.

"Told you." Nick pitched in.

"I still love my flour though." Orlov hurried and added.

I shook my head and laughed at him.  We talked and laughed a bit before I got tired. I cleaned up and put away the leftovers. I went upstairs and took my shower, I checked to make sure my bag was packed for tomorrow and I went to sleep.

//Masterlist//

[tucker-batson-blog]

Task001: part two

Health

51) Have they ever been seriously injured?

“Plenty times. As I mentioned before, I’m kinda prone to disaster.”

52) Any allergies? How bad is it if they have it?

“I’m allergic to bees. Deathly allergic. Luckily there aren’t any bees in space! ...Right?”

53) Do they get sick often?

“Nah, I have an immune system of steel.”

54) Do they need to take medicine for anything?

“Nope!”

55) Are they a hypochondriac?

“Nah, I don’t think so.”

56) Do they even like going to the doctors?

“Going to the doctor is no big deal. Just something that’s necessary, I guess.”

57) Do they brush off injuries or seek help?

“Sometimes I’ll brush off a small injury and go on if I can. Also, if I get sick, I try to just get bedrest and ride it out.”

58) Do they know first aid?

“I do! It’s a very necessary skill.”

59) Do they have health insurance? If so, how good is it?

“I assume I do? I forgot to read the fine print when I signed up for this job...”

60) Have they ever harmed themselves?

“Never intentionally.”

Favorites

61) Fav animal? Why?

“Dogs! All dogs, any type of dogs. They’re good boys.”

62) Fav type of music? Why?

“I like anything with a funky beat. Hip-hop is probably my favorite, but I also like any kind of music that gives me like a retro-futuristic vibe?”

63) Fav place? Why?

“At the moment, it’s the Atlas-7′s viewing window. I love looking out at the stars.”

64) Fav food/drink? Why?

“A good ol’ deep dish pizza.”

65) Fav type/article of clothing? Why?

“Baseball caps! They’re dual-purpose: you wear them the right way around, you’ve got yourself sun-protection; you wear them backwards and you’ve got yourself a cool accessory.”

66) Fav time of day? Why?

“Late afternoon, when you get to clock off work and start winding down.”

67) Fav season? Why?

“Summer. Beach trips, pool parties, and barbeques. Need I say more?”

68) Fav story (be it from a book or something like a myth/fable)? Why?

“The Princess Bride! Comedy, adventure and romance equal the best story of all time.”

69) Fav thing to learn? Why?

“I like to learn new things about my friends and people around me. People are multi-faceted and interesting, and there’s always something exciting to learn- even about those closest to you.”

70) Fav scent? Why?

“The scent of a freshly mowed lawn in summer.”

World

71) Do they live on earth? Somewhere else?

“Currently, living on the Atlas-7.”

72) What time period do they live in? If not earth related, on whatever planet they live on, what time period is it like there?

“Oh, shoot. Good question. Gotta ask Samson about that.”

73) Anything special about their world?

“Heck yeah it’s special! We’re in deep space!!”

74) What are their world leaders like?

“Do we...do we have any world leaders yet? I don’t think we do?”

75) What is the state of their world like?

“Well, I feel like there’s a lot we still need to find about it. There’s a world of adventure out there!”

76) Do they wonder about their place/role in the world?

“Sometimes I wonder if I should be excited or scared about what’s out there, and just how well I can do my job protecting my friends.”

77) Is their world in contact with other worlds?

“Not yet. If there are any aliens listening, hit me up! If you’re, like, peaceful though.”

78) What area of their world do they live in? (I.e, hot/cold/mild climate and/or in a peaceful/war-torn/dictatorship)

“I live in my room aboard the Atlas-7, which is a peaceful realm ruled by yours truly.”

79) What is the wildlife like?

“There’s no wildlife yet, but man, am I itching to find out what the wildlife is like on planets out there.”

80) Do the people of this world have a religion or belief in a higher being? Does your OC personally believe in any?

“I don’t have any particular religious beliefs, myself, but I respect those that do.”

Skills

81) Do they know how to fight?

“Yep! Had to go through years of training for this, sooo. And there is also my military background.”

82) Can they drive? (Can be a car, train, plane, etc)

“I could drive vehicles on earth, but I’m not experienced in the realm of piloting.”

83) Can they swim?

“I can indeed!”

84) Are they handy?

“Kinda? Give me some duct tape and basic tools and I might be able to make a plan. I’m no mechanic, though.”

85) How quickly can they learn?

“I’m a little slow to learn new things, sometimes.”

86) Can they speak more than one language?

“Nah. Wish I could, though.”

87) Can they read and write?

“I can!”

88) Any survival skills?

“Yeah, some very basic survival skills. I’m no Bear Grylls, though.”

89) Can they cook?

“Not in the slightest!”

90) Any unusual/unique skills? (I.e, special powers compared to others)

“I can rap Nicki Minaj’s entire verse in ‘Monster’.”

Other II

91) Do they believe in destiny/fate? Do they think it can’t be changed?

“I do. I’d also like to say I’m pretty optimistic about it. Sure, we have some kind of hand in our own fate, but I think ultimately we’re all destined for something.”

92) Do they have any regrets?

“Sometimes I wonder if maybe I’d done something different back in the day, I might have obtained all my goals and dreams by now. Sometimes I just have to remind myself I still have time.”

93) What do they fear the most?

“Oh, man... complete isolation, I guess. I’m scared of waking up one day and everyone I know is gone.”

94) Do they believe in love at first sight? Soulmates? That love never dies?

“Yes, I strongly believe in all of these things.”

95) Can they play an instrument?

“I can play the fool!”

96) How messy is their room?

“Way too messy. I should probably sort that out.”

97) Can they dance?

“Nope, but I really wish I could.”

98) Do they like to meet new people? Do they like people in general?

“I love people and meeting them! You have to see the best in people, or life will be bleak.”

99) Are they hopeful for the future?

“Very hopeful. I’m hoping we all achieve great things out here.”

100) Why did you make this OC and maybe even the world they live in? Just cause? Or for some other reason?

OOC: Tucker’s a bean who deserves to explore space. There’s no one better suited to going on an adventure that’s intent on discovering new planets and starting new lives for the people around him. In this essay, I will