#or me and my college friends on our class trip braiding our hair in the dorm before we went to disneyland

[qarameiio]

i just think that braiding hair is such an intimate thing. bc it takes so much time and effort to braid someone's hair properly it always ends up becoming an excuse to hang out as your hair gets done. idk i think its just a really nice thing

[my-own-walker]

Someone You've Never Seen Before

A Kyle Spencer Fan Fiction

frat!kyle AU, fem!main character, sexual themes, mature language, use of drugs and alcohol, frat boy antics

17.

Learn to let go of what's not meant to be held.

It's easier said than done, but it must be done. It's something that carried me through the days leading up to Halloween. I felt that any feelings toward Kyle, negative or positive, were not meant to stay. I used everything I could to distract myself. 

I didn't dare look in his direction during class on Monday. The goal was to remain transfixed on my note-taking. I listened to music wherever and whenever I could, avoiding Sonic Youth like the plague for obvious reasons.

Lily took me everywhere she went if she and I didn't have class. We took a trip to a nearby shopping center to get our Halloween costumes in order.

"Hannah, would this cover my ass?" Lily asked, holding up the shortest red pleather skirt I had ever seen.

"Not a chance in hell," I laughed, turning my attention back to the rack I had been flipping through. She sighed loudly, dropping her arms down to her sides. "Wear shorts underneath. Or bloomers."

"It took me this damn long to find a red skirt, how will I find red shorts for underneath?" she whined, exasperated.

"Get your ass to work, Davies."

She planned to be a cute little devil, complete with horns and a pitchfork. She had already bought a headband with dainty sequined horns fastened on it and a black bustier top embellished with chunky red rhinestones. I, of course, was to be the angel. I already found a small pair of white wings.

My idea was to be an angel in the way Juliet was in the 1996 movie version of Romeo and Juliet. So when my eyes landed upon the long, empire-waisted white dress on the rack, I nearly squealed in the middle of the store.

Lily got invited to a party that was to be at the TKE house on Halloween. She asked me, very delicately, if I'd like to attend it with her. While my every instinct was screaming "no," I kept true to letting go of things that were not to be held. While my fears over what happened were very real, I did not want to rot away in my apartment for the remainder of my college experience.

Thursday, aka Halloween, was spent skipping class and running last-minute errands. We bought some red lipstick for Lily, a pack of rubber bands for my hair, and most importantly, liquor. I would only feel safe if we were drinking our own liquor.

We sat getting ready in my room, Lily sitting on the floor, my full-length mirror just inches from her face as she leaned in close to paint on some eyeliner. I sat at my desk with a tabletop mirror, creating two small braids in my hair that I would form into a halo with pins and elastics. Arctic Monkeys albums played softly over my small speaker. 

"How are you feeling?" Lily asked, breaking the lapse in conversation.

"Me?"

"No, the other person in this room right now," she snarked. I turned to look at her. She had moved on to brushing blush over her cheeks. I opted for minimal makeup, so I was already done. She still needed her hair done.

"I'm a little nervous, I guess," I admitted, "but I think this will be fun."

"Just let me know if you want to leave and we will. No questions asked," she said sternly. "I'm not playing any games tonight. I will kill a motherfucker if I have to."

I pinned down one braid and dropped my hands into my lap, then turned to face her. "I love you, Lily. Seriously. You are my best friend."

"Don't on me with the sentimental shit right now, Martin. I will kiss you," she joked, turning to face me.

"I dare you," I replied, then breaking out into a fit of laughter.

We got to the party around 11. It was already in full swing. We got rather drunk while pre-gaming at the apartment, so no part of me cared about how crowded it was. I guessed everybody's week must have been tough, though. Everyone was drunk, loud, or pissed off. 

On the front stoop alone, there were two sets of people arguing about god knows what. The front door opened to a barrage of music and voices. It smelled of latex and hairspray with all of the Halloween costumes inside. We found a place to settle in the second living room along the wall.

It wasn't long before Lily found someone she knew and disappeared into the crowd. Not before asking me if I would be okay alone roughly thirty times. I insisted everything would be fine. I was confident I could find someone to talk to.

I meandered around for a while, stopping here and there to chat with a few people I vaguely knew. It was when I crossed into the kitchen, though, that my stomach turned. Standing next to the doorway I had just walked through was a tall figure.

"Hey, angel," his deep voice spoke. This voice was low and quiet, he said a secret no one else but me could know. I turned my head to my left slowly, my gaze landing on Julian's deep, tired eyes. His full lips curled into a wry smile.

Before, the way he towered over me was endearing. Something that gave me butterflies. At this moment, though it felt downright terrifying. Suffocating, even. He could easily overpower me and cause me harm. 

Without a word, I turned on my heel, crashing into the poor girl in the cat costume standing behind me. "S-sorry, I-" I stammered, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady myself before bolting for the front door.

The night was cool. I rushed to the edge of the stoop where there was a railing and gripped it for dear life, letting the cold metal remind me I was on Earth. I took in the fresh air of the night, but it was soured by a cigarette smell, making it clear that I was not alone. A boy with a mop of tight curls smirked over at me.

"Wanna smoke?" he offered, holding out his cigarette to me. "You look like you need it."

"Fuck it," I muttered, grabbing it from him and taking a long drag. I handed it back to him and blew a large cloud of smoke out into the night.

"You're Hannah?" he asked, unprompted, before taking a drag.

"Yes...what's it to you?" I inquired, brow furrowed. I was growing tired of men and their stupid attempts to talk to me.

"I'm Lance. Lance Hamont," he answered while exhaling smoke. He held out the cigarette for me again and I took it. "I'm in KLG."

I took a drag and blew it out upwards. "Right, right. I don't think we've ever formally met."

"Yeah, I've just seen you a lot is all. Guess that's how I knew you'd need a smoke," he chuckled.

"Oh?"

"You know, dealing with Kyle and all," he shrugged before inhaling more smoke. "I've seen you come through the house a lot this semester." His voice sounded funny as he tried to hold in the cigarette's vapors.

"That was for a project, that's all" I answered quickly, trying to end the Kyle subject. "He was my project partner for a class."

"Really?" he asked, cocking his head. "You weren't dating? The amount he talked about you I figured you were."

"Talked about me?" I exaggeratedly repeated. I reached for the cigarette and he handed it over. I took in a large puff of smoke and held it in for a beat longer like Lance had just done.

"Oh god, all the time. Just this week even," he scoffed. "You two close at least?"

"Not really," I trailed off, growing despondent. I handed him the cigarette back while staring off into middle distance.

"Damn," he laughed. "He's always mentioning 'Hannah' -er, you, in conversation. That's weird."

"Yeah..." I whispered, backing up a few steps before turning to walk inside. "Thanks, Lance."

"You owe me a smoke next time I see you!" he called after me.

I don't even smoke. I replied in my thoughts.

I found Lily in the front room sitting on a side table. She was talking to a girl in a cute sailor costume. I grabbed her shoulder to make my presence known.

"Hey, baby!" she exclaimed. Party vibes had already gotten to her. "Maddie, you've met Hannah, right?"

"Yes!" the sailor, Maddie, smiled. I didn't remember meeting her ever, but I returned the smile and nodded.

"Right," I grinned. 

"I was just talking to the most interesting person, Hannah," Lily smirked, raising her eyebrows. Maddie got bored and turned away to speak to someone else. "He was asking how you were."

"God, I can't even deal right now," I groaned. I screwed my eyes shut and tilted my head back. The night was already annoying enough as it was. No answer she was going to give me was going to make things any better. 

"Who was asking about me?"

Previous Part | Next Part

[atruththatyoudeny]

Happy 28th! Here are all the 14 fics I read and enjoyed this month. As always, all the love for all the amazing authors in this fandom! ♥

In The Still Of The Night | jacaranda_bloom | Dirty Dancing AU - a/b/o - prejudice - gender stereotyping - class divide - angst - pining - smut - 69k In a society where omegas are expected to follow a predetermined path, Louis strives for more; for his voice to be heard, for recognition, for true love. In a world where your past defines your future, Harry fights against the system; for equality, for a different life, for acceptance. When their two worlds collide, will they be beaten down by conformity or will they rise up and forge a new path together? OR the Dirty Dancing AU where Louis is a feisty omega who wants to change the world, Harry is an alpha from the wrong side of the tracks, and nobody puts Louis in a corner.

Plant New Seeds in the Melody | 28sunflowers | enemies to friends to lovers - miscommunication - misunderstandings - emotional hurt/comfort - Original Character Death - grief/mourning - slow build - smut - 58k After losing his husband in a tragic car accident, the last thing Louis needs is to keep running into popstar Harry Styles, who David was quite fond of. Obviously, that’s exactly what keeps happening. But as their unlikely friendship blossoms, Louis realizes that, maybe, having Harry in his life was the only good thing that came out of his adverse circumstances. Harry could be just the right person to help Louis find trust and intimacy in someone new.

take my hand, wreck my plans | amomentoflove | Cinderella AU - a/b/o - royalty - Minor Character Death - emotional abuse - magic - 38k Louis meets the man in the center of the room, feeling every eye on him. “Mr. H,” he whispers. The man smiles brightly and laughs as if he can’t believe his eyes. “It’s you,” he says breathlessly. “I didn’t think I would see you again.” “Nor I you, especially under these circumstances.” “Even so,” Mr H says, his eyes bouncing from Louis’ eyes to his lips. “Will you do me a great honor and join me in leading the first … um…” “Dance?” Mr. H laughs and nods. “Yes, that’s the one.” Louis bites his lips and doesn’t hesitate before whispering, “Yes.” Mr. H beams and reaches for Louis’ hand. Sparks fly at the touch and a zing of excitement shoots through Louis’ body. His face heats up as he’s afraid his scent would give away his feelings towards the other man.

One More Taste of Your Lips | Canadianlarrie & MsHydeStylinson | canon compliant - reunion tour - angst - internalized homophobia/biphobia - cheating - smut - Coming Out - 80k It had been eight years since the hiatus began, and Louis had spent that time writing and recording music, touring and making it safely through the pandemic. When the opportunity arose to go back on tour with One Direction, Louis knew he'd be a fool not to take it. Sure, life on the road would be different after all this time apart, but he was looking forward to experiencing that comradery again. What he hadn't realised was that living the better part of nine months in each other's pockets was bound to dredge up issues from his past. And when one of the pockets belonged to Harry, who he'd had a rather unconventional friendship with that drifted apart during their last tour, life on the road again would upend both their lives in irrevocable ways. * Harry wasn’t that sixteen year old boy anymore. Nor was he the young man in his late teens who was on the cusp of conquering the entire world. But some traits seemed to remain the same; his vibrant green eyes, the dimples set deeply in his cheeks whenever he laughed earnestly, or his curls that were the same shade of cocoa that Louis remembered fondly. And yet, Louis had absolutely no idea who this man that stood a mere twenty paces away was today.

Old Photographs & Times I'll Remember | jaerie | time travel - Eroda - period-typical homophobia - anxiety - depression - discussion about suicide - self-discovery - post-break up - 54k Carefully he set that negative down and lifted the paper to see there was another beneath. This one again was a young man, this time posed against an antique car. He lifted a few more negatives out one by one, each a portrait of the same man with various backdrops. The man in a meadow, in an office, leaning against a doorframe — even one in his underwear grinning at the camera. On the edge of each negative printed in slanted, handwritten characters were the initials and date. H.S. 1924. He quickly but carefully packed them back into the box and buzzed with excitement. He couldn’t wait to develop them to see exactly what had been captured in the images. It was a find that felt like a puzzle to piece together. H.S. was likely the man in the photographs as well as the owner of the suitcase. Who was he? Why had his suitcase found its way into Niall’s attic? Was he still alive and well somewhere in the world? A camera, a suitcase, and a relationship forged through time.

Know a Trick or Two | SadaVeniren | Harry Potter setting - mpreg - magic - kid fic - - genderfluid character - smut - intersex - 44k The night before Louis is scheduled for a Portkey to begin training with the Vratsa Vultures in Bulgaria he heads into Muggle London for one last night of fun. A few months later he finds out he’s having a child. Eleven years ago Harry had a one night stand and now there’s a strange man on his doorstep telling him his daughter is something called a wizard and she’s got a place at the British wizarding school Hogwarts. Aka the one where Muggle Harry and Wizard Louis have a one night stand and get more than they bargained out of it.

come away with me | suspendrs | Minor Character Death - friends to lovers - sexuality crisis - emotional hurt/comfort - anxiety - smut - 80k Louis had such big plans. He wanted so much out of life, and so did Amy. Now Bridget is going to grow up without a mother, and she’s always going to wonder what it would be like if this hadn’t happened. He wonders if she’ll blame him for her mother’s death as she gets older, or if she’ll understand that this is just as painful for Louis as it is for her. Louis doesn’t know how he’s going to raise her on his own, because he’s a fantastic father, yes, but he’s always been the fun parent, and Amy was in charge of the rules. He doesn’t know how to make sure Bridget has everything she needs all the time, doesn’t know how to make her favorite meal or how to do that one braid she loves to have in her hair or how to teach her to be the best person she can be. He doesn’t know how to live without Amy, he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. Or, Louis has to pick up the pieces of his and his daughter's life after his wife dies, and Harry is a beautiful stranger that just wants to help.

we made our promises (we said our vows) | millsx | Military AU - established relationship - kid fic - angst - hurt/comfort - mentions of PTSD - mentions of depressions - mentions of anxiety - injury - long-distance relationship - 21k Fairy tales always end with the Happily Ever After; the princess escapes her evil stepmother and gets married to the knight in shining armor. It turns out real life doesn’t care about Happily Ever Afters and sometimes problems appear when you don’t expect them to. Harry sure didn’t, not after years of being married.

Love, Ever After | jacaranda_bloom | a/b/o - farmers markets - soulmates - pining - miscommunication - fluff - banter - smut - 21k One would assume that the charismatic omega in charge of the local matchmaking service would have found a mate and settled down ages ago. His clients, in fact, are always a bit surprised when they come to learn that Louis is still single. But Louis doesn’t mind, not really. His standards are just high; he is happy holding out for his alpha, his soulmate, and chooses to not waste his time with anyone else, despite what his friends might think. That is, until his best mate from uni drags him out of bed far too early on a Saturday morning after a night of drinking to go to a farmers market, of all places. It’s there that he proceeds to make an utter fool of himself in front of the hottest alpha he has ever laid eyes on. There’s truly no coming back from that, is there? OR The one where omega Louis makes love matches, alpha Harry makes cheese, and meddling friends might finally make their dreams of finding their soulmate come true.

Hometown | allwaswell16 | High School - College/university - driving - heartbreak - memories - friendship - happy ending - angst - 2k On the day Harry gets his driver’s licence, he drives through the suburbs, heartbroken that he can’t drive home to Louis.

fever dream high | wildestdreams | friends to lovers - childhood friends - a/b/o - fluff - angst - smut - mutual pining - High School - 30k "Excuse me, what?" Harry licked his lips, carefully looking him in the eyes. "I will spend your heat with you so you're ready by Monday to play your game." "Harry," Louis began, suddenly at a loss for words. "I couldn't ask you to do that." "Why not? You just said you trust me." "You're my best friend. There's no one I trust more than you." "Then what's the problem?" "Well, friends don't usually help you through your heats or ruts, so excuse me for being a little skeptical." or A High School ABO AU where Harry and Louis are best friends and nothing more until things start getting a little complicated and they're faced with feelings they never wanted to confront.

We are the same, you run in my veins | 28sunflowers | a/b/o - non-traditional a/b/o- soulmates - wolves -pack dynamics - 4k When the time for Louis to become the Alpha leader of his pack comes, he can’t rise to the occasion for not being yet bonded. A series of trips to neighbouring packs in search of his soulmate is fruitless until he meets one of the other packs’ Alpha heir. Harry. The world seems to stop turning for a second and then it shifts, clicking into its axis. All the distress and wrongness he felt until that very moment suddenly disappears. Louis is finally whole. But two Alpha leaders from different tribes soulbonding is something unheard of before.

Divinely Blessed | thinlines | a/b/o - non-traditional a/b/o - established relationship - PWP - 17k “I heard you, Ni. But what do you mean?” “What do you mean what I mean?” Harry rolled his eyes as he shoved his alpha friend down onto a seat. “Did you mean you lick someone out or…?” “Nah, mate! It was me! I got licked out!” Harry could only stare at Niall in horror. Alpha Harry prides himself on having the bravest and most caring omega who might or might not just fulfill his sudden curiosity.

This chemistry like candy to me | CuckooTrooke | a/b/o - kink discovery - mpreg - male lactation - smut - 8k "It's just... Are you aware, that, uh... You're- You're kind of leaking." Harry feels his blood run cold. The heart that was thudding so loud and fast drops to his stomach, and his shoulders hunch in embarrassment. "Excuse me?" Harry asks once he manages to gather himself and recover from the shock. He automatically steps back but since he's already squeezed in the corner, it doesn't do much to put any distance between them, "Who the fuck do you think you are?" "Wha- No. Oh my god, I wouldn't- No," The man says as he realizes the misunderstanding, and wildly gestures to his chest, "I mean your- Your chest. Is leaking." OR Harry is 8 months pregnant with a poor balance and traitorous nipples. Unfortunately for him, that is precisely when he meets a beautiful alpha in a packed London Tube. Fortunately for him, the said alpha might just be the best thing he has ever come across.

[victoriareyloficlists]

8 July 2021 Additions to Reylo Fluff

These fics have been added to the Fluff lists located in the following lists:

Fluff Part 1 Titles A-G

Fluff Part 2 Titles H-M

Fluff Part 3 Titles N-S

Fluff Part 4 Titlez T-Z

Nerd Table by tasu7 (AO3 2019  Rated T Complete, 9 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben, one of the nerdiest nerds at his high school, is completely smitten with the new girl, Rey. She plays board games, loves videogames, and is even better at robotics than him. And somehow they've become friends. The problem is she doesn't like him like that. And Ben can't just tell her how he feels.) Two Halves of a Whole Idiot by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: After a game of truth or dare, Rey and Ben are stuck literally and figuratively trying to figure each other out.) Hike A Mountain, Climb A Tree by greywilde (AO3 2021  Rated E Complete, 5 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey invites the entire office on a weekend hike and only one person shows up: the new IT guy she doesn’t get along with. At all. They hate each other, right? (or maybe, things aren’t the way they seem)) Rey, Voulez-Vous Prendre Ben Comme Époux? by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is her boss's best friend and is present at his French wedding. However, due to a language barrier, Ben and Rey are the ones who end up married.) The Curious Case of the Cinnamon Rolls by Ayearandaday (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: The whole office is perplexed - not only perpetually grumpy Alpha Ben Solo developed a mysterious addiction to cinnamon rolls from Irresistible, he also undergoes a magical change of character upon their consumption. What dark secret is behind the innocent pastry? The game is afoot!) Code of Conduct by reywritethestar (AO3 2020  Rated M Complete, One-Shot, WWII AU, Quick Synopsis: It was early morning, a second World War still raged on across the Channel, and Ben Solo was thoroughly distracted. After being transferred to England, world-renowned code-breaker and Alpha Ben Solo has to adjust to life at Bletchley Park - the home of the Allied Resistance. He expected long hours, double shifts and ciphers, ciphers, and more ciphers. What he didn't expect was Rey, an Omega with a higher IQ than ninety-eight percent of the world's population who swears like a sailor and smells like home.) the tide is high (but I’m holding on) by KyloTrashForever (AO3 2019  Rated E Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: In which Rey just wants to see her best friend half-naked, and he’s making it incredibly difficult.) Bed and Breakfast by soupe (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey gets drunk at a party and stumbles into a sleeping Ben's room by accident. Drunken compliments, hair braiding, and cuddling ensues.) Give it a Year by KiKi37 (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey would really like to spend some quality alone time with Ben, the quiet IT guy, but can't seem to get the message through to him. Finally, at the employee Christmas dinner, she takes her shot:"You wanna get outta here?") The Assistant by OptimisticBeth (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is Poe's assistant and specifically tasked with keeping Ben out of Poe's office.) Our Karate Kids by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: When Rey drops in on her daughter's karate class for Halloween, she meets Ben Solo, another single parent, and watch their children spar.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 62 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Fluffy meet-cute for MerMay. Rey is working as a mermaid in an aquarium and meets Ben Solo through the glass.) Everything is Alright by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Canon AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey adopts an orphan that she finds on a ruined planet. Domestic Force-bond fluff ensues.) R3YLO by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is a very empathetic cashier at First Order Department Stores. KYL0 is the sentient AI installed to make her job easier. Over a course of months, Rey befriends the AI and grows attached to him. But one day, Rey learns that KYL0 has fallen in love with her.) The Kiss by Theyna_Shipper (AO3 2020  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey and Ben couldn't be happier to be quarantined together. They get along perfectly and are best friends. Their feelings for each other couldn't possibly get in the way. Until Rey gets assigned to re-create a painting at home for quarantine homework.The painting? Francisco Hayez's The Kiss.) Taming the Beast by Hellyjellybean (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 2 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Hux notices that Ben is more reasonable in company meetings when Rey is there as well. Hux starts inviting IT employee Rey to meetings completely out of her knowledge scope. The ruse is discovered when Ben is having a fit and overhears Hux ask Poe to 'go get the missus.']) Let Me Slap... With Love by starfleetjedi (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 4 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben receives a highly inappropriate anonymous Valentine at work, which he proceeds to accidentally forward to his assistant, Rey.) You're My Home by CaptainMarvel42 (AO3 2021  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Ben barely had the energy to walk from his car to his apartment door, but he finally made it. He opened the door and was greeted by the sight of a beaming Rey. (Or: they're roommates, and they're both pining.)) Never Thought I'd See You Again by CaptainMarvel42 (AO3 2021  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey is convinced to go on a blind date with Ben. The problem? They've hooked up before, only they called themselves Kylo and Kira. She saw his band play when she was in college. He was her first.) open secret by hi_raeth (AO3 2021  Rated T Complete, One-Shot, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: After a night out celebrating Rose's reconciliation with Hux, the girls reminisce on how embarrassingly transparent Ben and Hux were about their crushes during freshman year of college and Rey decides to share those memories with a very amused Ben.) Go And Catch A Falling Star Chapter 61 by Ayearandaday (AO3 2021  Rated G Complete, One-Shot, Hades/Persephone AU, Quick Synopsis: What if Persephone took Hades?) I'll Pick You by greywilde (AO3 2020  Rated E Complete, 7 Chapters, Modern AU, Quick Synopsis: Rey broke off her no-strings arrangement with Ben to move to the big city and broke his heart (and her own) in the process. Three years later, a trip to an apple orchard has her falling - literally - into the arms of the man she left behind. His feelings haven’t changed, but have hers?)

[artxyra]

The Secret Life of MDC | Part 3

Part 3 - Welcome to Gotham, now get out!

Part 1 | Part 2 |

Arriving in Gotham was just an absolutely massive mess, that quickly turned into a several page report for Marinette to send to the school board the moment she arrived in her temporary dorm at Gotham Academy.

Let recap back to the airport. When everyone got off the plane, Lila was quick to make up an excuse about Bruce Wayne sending her a private limo that she’ll be happy to bring the class along. Of course, Caline Bustier, absently believed the long-time liar telling her students to gather their belongings and for Lila to call the Waynes. It was as if she had completely forgotten the arrival procedures. Arriving in Gotham, proceed to find the bus driver, and meet up with the Gotham Academy Headmistress to retrieve the rest of the plans for the month. Marinette tried to tell Caline that what they were doing was against the procedure, something that she had to memorize for moments like this, only to be lectured about behavior the second she finished talking off to the side.

Then when they finally arrived at the school, Caline had the nerve to lecture her again about not informing her about the bus before being dragged off by the Gotham Academy headmistress, who clearly was not happy with the decisions made before they could even step foot onto the school grounds. Gotham is not a place to dilly dally unless you know the area or a native.

“Do you think, she’ll be fired after this?” Chloe asks while setting her things into the wardrobe as Marinette clicks the save button on her laptop.

“Maybe, no matter what happens, we’re here for a month regardless of the decisions the GA headmistress and Principal De La Fontaine decides in the coming days. All I know as the class president and temp. TA; my job is to help her overlook you guys.” Marinette sighs and closes the laptop's top before giving Chloe her full attention.

“I still can’t believe you graduated early. Though Adrien and I are grateful you managed to stay despite everything.” It was rare moments like these that made Marinette glad that she gave Chloe a second chance. Chloe had apologized one winter when she was freezing to death outside because her parent went on a tropical vacation on her request and decided to allow the staff to take a few days off. It was Sabine and Tom that took the former bully into their arms and made her feel loved, a love that she rarely receives from her parents. Since that day, Chloe takes pride in the honor of being Marinette’s sister just as Adrien did when they took him in also.

“I couldn’t leave you guys to perish in that class. Also, I just didn’t want to give Lie-la the satisfaction of winning.” Marinette says as her phones with the familiar sounds of “The Other Side” by Ruelle. Instantly, Marinette picks up the phone and smiles. “It’s Damian, he wants to go out tonight. Think I have time before—”

“Go, I’ll keep you from trouble, maybe even invite Adrien over if he isn’t doing the same with Jon.” Chloe pushes the noirette out of their room before closing the door behind the designer with a smirk on her lips.

As Marinette makes her way out of the dormitory, little did she know that Lila was just doing the same but for a different reason.

~*~

Damian Wayne @therealbloodheir I had a wonderful night with my beloved. I can’t wait for more nights like these. [Attached is an image of two hands intertwine with each other with the moon shining between them.]

Nette @GothamsFashionSense Replying to @therealbloodheir That sounds like a marriage proposal. Missing you too.

~*~

In the halls of Gotham Academy, conversations buzz around the single fact that Nette was back in Gotham for the first time in weeks. Groups of students gather around a single person, whose phone is out in the open, all gushing about theories on how the date went.

The same can be said for GA’s exchange students who crowd around Lila Rossi like she was the air.

“Gurl, spill, how was the date? You’re tending on twitter, again!” Alya squeals, gripping Lila’s arm.

“Oh you, it was truly romantic. Damiboo took me on this romantic dinner, but the first place we went to didn’t serve any vegetarian meals, and as you know I’m one but he’s not. We left and found another place that was just right.” Her high pitch voices drive a shiver down people spines, well anyone that is in clear hearing distance to the Italian teen's voice range.

“Do they truly believe that she’s Nette. Bitch please, we all know that Nette has dark hair from the back of the head photos on twitter.” A random student scoffs behind the trio.

The trio turns around looking at the person in a new light. The student had long braided blonde hair and wearing the GA uniform. “You’re not fooled? I was pretty sure that she would try and convert you the moment you step foot into the building.” It was Adrien that spoke first.

“I'm Allegra, besides me is Claude and Allen.” The student says shaking hands with Adrien before continuing with, “Anyone with brain cells can tell you that she is not Nette from @GothamsFashionSense.”

Allegra then takes the empty seat beside Marinette.

“Name’s Marinette, these dorks are Adrien and Chloe.” Marinette says, “About the brain cell thing, we’ve been saying that since she joined our class a few years back.”

“It ridiculous, utterly ridiculous, as to how they manage to hang on her every word. And one of them is a self-proclaim reporter. The bitch hasn’t reported anything remotely true since the liar had joined us and don't get me started on her early years.” Chloe places her two cents into the conversation.

This was the start of a blooming relationship.

Claude, Allegra, and Allen were quick to understand the environment that the Paris Trio was living in. An irresponsible, enabling teacher and a class full of idiots. With the Gotham Trio, the Paris Trio was able to understand how Gotham Academy works and learn the ins and outs of specific places. Despite the fact that Marinette vaguely knows just about much.

~*~

“So, how were your first three days at GA?” Dick Grayson asks as the Paris trio who are sitting on the couch inside the living room of Wayne Manor. "Is it about the same as it was when I went?"

“Dicky, I am this close to making heads roll.” Chloe’s fingers are teaching as a look of crazy twitches in her eyes.

“It wasn’t all that bad the first couple of days and then Lila tried to convince GA students that she was me by photoshopping our twitter photos. Other than that, I’m more worried about when Bustier announces that our class has been invited to the upcoming Wayne Gala. I’m already booked with mine and Chloe’s dresses along with Selina’s and Cass’s.” Marinette says, resting her head on Damian’s shoulder as their hands' interlock. Damian places a quick peck on her forehead.

The room was once again oddly silent before Adrien let out a loud giggle.

The family turns to the model who was staring at his phone with the biggest smile on his face. Adrien was no doubt in a group chat with Luka and Jon about upcoming meetings and plans.

“What?” Adrien asks, looking up to the group of extended family members staring at him. They all quickly look away, some whistling while others mess with the person they are next to. “Seriously guys, what?” The whining in Adrien’s voice just made it harder for them to pretend to do something as they hold in a laugh.

“Nothing,” Marinette snickers as Damian brings to play with her hair by braiding strands of it. She always liked it when Damian messed with her hair, he sometimes does something nice, surprising everyone with his styling skills.

“Hey, Pixie-Pop and Pixie-Pop’s friends. When did you guys get in?” It’s Jason, to which majority had forgotten about even though Tim was a close second as he is hovering over a half-full cup of coffee trying to stay awake but isn’t with them in reality. Maybe Marinette should make her special concoction that would knock anyone out for quite some time.

“Hey Mari, can you make the switch?” Dick whispers in the designer’s ear. Marinette huffs agreeing to the older sibling’s request. Damian nearly groans as his girlfriend gets off his lap and walks into the kitchen.

Marinette comes out nearly ten minutes later with a steaming coffee mug in hand. She walks over to Tim and pushes his cup out of his hand and replaces it with hers. Tim, absently, takes a sip. Within seconds he is knocked out, cold.

“I’ll never not be amazed at how fast your drink can knock Tim out,” Dick says as he picks up Tim and exits the room. Marinette shrugs and takes her seat next to Damian.

“When does Cass get back from her trip?” It was Chloe who decided to break the silence between them.

“Before the gala, that’s for sure,” Jason answers as he pulls out the controllers for the game console. He gives Marinette a knowing look, who smirks with mischief in her eyes. He should know better than to play against Marinette.

~*~

It was times like this that made Marinette wish that the school board had investigated Mlle. Bustier years ago, like for example when the liar first tried to get her expelled in college. Yeah, that was such a long time ago.

Today was supposed to be an easy-going day, but for some reason, Lila managed to convince the teachers, Mlle. Bustier specifically, to allow the class to visit a nearby street mall. Mlle. Bustier, of course, agrees despite the GA teachers telling her that it was a bad idea to let the student go out unsupervised in a place they still don’t know much about. Caline laughs it off stating that they’ll be fine, and it’ll be just like walking down the streets in Paris. That added another dash to her inability to be a proper teacher.

Which brings us to the street mall. Lila was going into stores left and right proclaiming to be Damian Wayne’s girlfriend or stating that she is the niece of some high profile celebrity in hopes of getting free or discounted items. That doesn’t dwell well seeing as Gothamites are not as gullible as Parisians.

The Paris Trio along with the GA Trio watch the mess that she was drumming up from afar. Chloe had invited Allegra to join them which then extended to Claude and Allan who wanted to go for the arcade.

Lila even had the nerve to ask Adrien to join her and Alya shopping trips with the underlying message of making him pay. Once being denied on numerous occasions, Alya managed to steal Nino’s wallet in hopes of paying for all their stuff. Yeah, that didn't help their relationship status.

“Alya I told you that money wasn’t for you,” Nino screams into his girlfriend’s face as she tries to come up with an excuse. He was infuriated.

“Nino, baby, if you love me you would have just given me the money. Lila really needed those items for her date with Damian.”

“I don’t care about Lila’s need; she is not my responsibility. In fact, neither are you, Alya. You just spent the money I had saved up for this trip.” Nino had wanted to go into a DJ shop that sold the equipment he wanted and started saving the moment the trip was announced the year before.

“Stop bitching, it was only a couple hundred dollars.”

Oohs and side-eyes make up the crowd they were drawing. It was a free drama tv for them.

“Ooh what do we have here, a lovers quarrel? Now would be the perfect time to spring my new trap.” Suddenly, it was like time freezes.

~*~

Chloe B. @QueenBeeOfParis The best thing about my idiotic classmates is television drama. #savemefromthem

Tina @thepinkmistress I was finding my own business when this shit happens. [Attach is a video clip of a couple arguing and goons dress in green takes over the streets]

Tim Drake’s Bish @rachelcovefe The nerve of this group. Just finished my shift only to be told by some foreigner that she was @GothamsFashionSense like bish please I know you ain't her. #anotherdayingotham

Kimmy @kimmyontheblock Replying to@rachelcovefe OMG same but she then added in that she was Jagged Stone's niece. Um excuse you but we all know that it's @MDCfashion

Mari Needs Coffee @MarinetteMemes So the first relaxing day in Gotham ruined by the Riddler and Lie-la’s fanatics. Yup, so good to be back. #memescomingsoon #goodgrief #imabouttoheadout

Part 4 >>

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[cloveroctobers]

CRANES IN THE SKY | C. Jackson

Requested: Nope! I saw a fluff prompt that sounded great for Chris so this is what I came up with! Prompt — “Stop moving and let me braid your hair.”

WARNINGS: mentions of mental illness, sadness, depression, and “curse words”

YOU were going through it. Life was just becoming a lot for your teenage self and it seemed like this week would never end. It partly felt like everyone was out to get you but you were really just having a bad week and in the back of your mind, you hoped that the next would be better...yet you didn’t even want to think that far ahead. As of a few hours ago you were allowing your self to sit in your funk of your Crenshaw home until Chris barged in making himself at home.

Working in retail felt emotionally and mentally abusive but hey, you needed money to get by right? You were tempted to quit after a month of being there but your mother persuaded you to toughen it out and not let them get to you. ‘Or maybe it was easier for her to say so, so that you wouldn’t be coming to her as much for some cash.’ You bitterly thought.

On top of that, you were getting hours in over time since there were three situations going on with your co-workers. One: was fired due to stealing money from the safe in the stock room, since one of the assistant managers didn’t fully close it, two: got arrested for god knows what— you didn’t care for the drama but it was common knowledge Julio’s ass was gone, and third: got injured on the job and would be out for 6 months. So the work load fell on the remaining three. Only 6 employees in retail...make it make sense. Not only that the customers were more whiny and quick to point the finger than usual and it takes a lot for you to step out of character! but you did.

You had it. So you went into a screaming match, which wasn’t expected of you but it happened. The store manager did not have your back and blamed you in front of the customer since, “the customer is always right,” motto was heavily encouraged and a part of you HOPED he was just doing that for show and would apologize later but nope! He stood by wtf he said and put you on punishment when it was clear that the customer was not right.

So instead of sending you home and keeping you away from the place? He decided to give you more hours as if you’re the only one working there + kept you off the register so you could only interact with those on the floor. If he expected you to come in for five days straight while being a high school student? He was out of his damn mind. So you called out the three of the five days you were supposed to be there and didn’t care for his guilt trips. You deserved better and didn’t need to deal with this bs for only $11.11 an hour. You hoped he fired you.

Since you were working so much prior to the screaming match with that aggy customer, you were falling behind on your studies. Those pop quizzes came back as c+ to c- and your exams? Even lower. You were turning in homework half assed or not turning it in at all and normally you were a decent student with a B average. You weren’t overly thrilled about school but you did your best and did just fine at that.

You never saw yourself as someone who would go to college. Your mom or your step-dad didnt go and it was expected that you wouldn’t because of your background. Wasn’t that a shame? Crenshaw high could do a lot better at getting kids prepared for bettering their futures but they just wouldn’t put the time in to kids that wanted it or could accomplish it if they just had the right guidance.

It was really depressing and it was all starting to sink in at the end of your junior year of high school. You couldn’t just give up but you were having one of those days and wanted to be left alone. Which was partly what you had in your condominium complex with your step-sibs staying behind to attend after school activities with you having to pick them up from the bus stop by 5:15, your mother was working the night shift as a waitress, and your step-dad was away on “business.”

The quiet was interrupted by Chris making his way into your living room with you all curled up. He took one look at you and shook his head, “Nuh-uh, get up ya ass up, girl. You’ve been like this for what? Days now?”

Giving him the side eye, you rolled your body on the couch to put your back to him as you went to bury your head into the open s peace between the couch and cushion. “If you came here to start with me, you can leave the same way you came in.”

You were used to Chris getting into your house. You did lock your doors around here but Chris was surprisingly good at getting through things which related a lot to his life I guess you could say. The guy overcame a lot especially learning how to walk again after almost being paralyzed. You and Chris grew up together, and were actually friends first before Spencer, Coop, and Shawn came into the picture. Your mother’s were the best of friends and got pregnant around the same time, with Chris being only a few months older than you, which he likes to rub in to get on your nerves.

“And you can keep that stank ass attitude to yourself, get up mama this ain’t no way to be.” You could feel the weight of Chris sitting on the couch behind you.

He was now poking you, probably trying to find your ticklish spot but if you start swinging then you’re the bad guy right?

Chris knew you like the back of his hand and vice versa. He knew all about how your week was going and how you’ve been skipping class to do whatever it is that you do, since you did have one class together.

“Alright look, when I was away—

He always considered his recovery as, “away,” almost as if it pained him to say that, which you understood by all means, but Chris could just call it what it was. He was strong, he made it through but you noticed in the way he played now was more cautious. He was in his head which was common with sports injuries apparently. You noticed with Spencer he would normally react after the stress of the game or something that brought on the stress. He also probably thought you had no clue what was going on with him, but he was also one of your besties so of course you knew. You just never said anything.

Now it was you who was going through a little something and needed someone to bring you out of it, whether you said it or not. And here Chris was. As always.

“You know I was a completely different person—

“Yeah, you were a fresh asshole.” You commented, remembering those moments quite clearly since it was you and Olivia who tried to be there. He only seemed to let you be there, especially after he broke up with Olivia over text. Which you laid into his ass about.

Which made Chris breathe out a laugh pressing his elbows into his knees, “you’re not wrong. And I’m forever sorry about that but you knew I was going through some dark shit. And I can see you’re partly there but you don’t need to sit in it.”

“Okay, Iyanla. What would you like for me to do?” You asked twisting your body to the side to finally look at the mocha skinned boy.

Chris smiled with his pretty teeth, “maybe take a shower? ‘Cause this bum energy I’m getting from you right now is not cute and I know underneath all that, you’re not half bad.”

A foot went out to kick him pretty hard but he tried and failed to doge it with a laugh. “Nah. But for real though, you got to find something that’s gonna keep you sane. Find something even if it’s not permanent that’ll keep your mind active and out of the dark, cause once you completely slip into it, it’s hard to get out of. Trust me.”

You knew Chris was on anti-depressants for a little while and how he called you flipping out that his mother even agreed that it would be a good idea. In the black community it was not a common thing to speak about your mental health, it was non-existent and you were expected to “get over it,” to not think like that because we are made to be tougher than what we are and it shouldn’t be like that. We should be able to feel our emotions and admit when something is troubling us.

And Chris’ mother thought that was what was best for her son. And you saw how vile of a person Chris became when he thought everything was over for him. That was not the Chris Jackson you knew, he was headstrong, compassionate when he wanted to be, and ambitious. So to see him like that was hard.

So here he was for you even though your emotions right now probably wasn’t that deep but again, you were trying to be more in touch with your emotions. Both of the adults in your life were slightly cold so it rubbed off on you a little bit of course, until it was brought out of you. Your father was the most loving and as a kid you used to be that way, with a warm prescence and a belly full of laughter. Now you were full of small smiles and cold stares.

However your main friends: Chris, Spencer, Coop, and even Shawn know/knew who you are even if you’re different now.

You don’t know how long you sat in silence but once Chris started to annoyingly snap his fingers in front of your face, You snapped out of it and smacked his hand down; slowly you sat up on your uncomfortable couch and took a deep inhale.

Then you moved through the cramped apartment to your bedroom and bathroom grabbing a few things. When you came back Chris was also entering from the kitchen with two plastic cups, eyeing the items in your hand. “What’s going on with that?”

You plopped the large pillow in front of the couch, held your hand out for the cup which Chris handed over, and you took a large gulp to taste cran-peach. Chris moved to place his own cup on the coaster and went over to the window to crank up the A/C before he glanced back over at you still awaiting a answer.

“You’re telling me to find my peace? I’ve always wanted to be a stylist, so I’m going to perfect my craft.” You answered sitting on the couch with a crack of your neck.

Chris thought this over and blew out a raspberry. Then he moved to sit in between your legs on the floor, “Alright, y/n. I’ll be your first client. But I’m tellin’ you right now if you braid too tight where my edges look eaten, I’m out the door.”

A smile graced your lips as Chris grabbed his cup and remote to turn the tv on, “so what we watching to keep me entertained?”

Shrugging your shoulders you held the rat tail comb in your hand while using the other to run your fingers through Chris’ coarse hair that he was deciding to grow out. Chris got himself comfortable resting against your legs as you decided which side of the head you wanted to start on first before you began parting and sectioning off his hair.

You were going to give him some cornrows so you had to make sure everything was even and not look crazy. You were decent at braiding, you often did your step-sis’ hair since your mother no longer had time to do it and she sure did have a lot of hair. It gave you some sense of satisfaction, you taking on the older sibling role and gave you the time to bond.

Chris finally found something after twenty minutes and was yelling at the tv which made you mess up the grip on the fourth row. “If you don’t stop moving and let me braid your hair...hold your head right or I’m gonna pop you!” You threatened.

“This is triggering me back to my aunties, specifically aunt Henrietta’s ol’ mean ass.” Chris mumbled the last bit as he flinched making you laugh a little bit, remembering the name and the picture of the woman with the large mole on her pointy chin.

She lived in Maryland and had a beauty salon that Chris’ mom would always take a trip down there to get their hair done, if they had a special event to go to. It didn’t make sense to you or your mother since there were a few good shops here in Crenshaw or rather—girls and boys that did hair out of their homes around but Mrs. Jackson wanted to support her great aunt so by all means...

You gripped his hair again tight but not too tight to begin the braid, “I’m gonna add beads so everyone around school can call you hurricane chris.”

“...that’s real foul. You’re about to make me not support your dreams anymore, I’m dead serious.” Chris replied making you laugh, which made him smile at the sound.

You briefly glanced up to watch a scene on whatever show or film Chris was watching and raised your eyebrow not knowing what was going on or who these characters were but it was definitely engaging.

Chris nudged your knee with his shoulder after you fell silent again, “feel better?” He asked, moving AGAIN to meet your eyes.

“yeah, a little. Thanks.” You scrunched up your nose and stuck your tongue at him.

After awhile your alarm went off letting you know it was time for you to leave and get ready to get the kiddos. As you both got up, Chris went to the mirror to check out your handiwork while you snapped a few pictures before making your way to the door, taking the keys from the side table as you went.

“Y/N...you said would make me look good.”

“Uh huh?”

“Then tell me why...the hell you got me looking like ODB?” Chris’ deep set brows held a deep frown on them as he glanced at his childhood friend who innocently peered back at him.

You shrugged as you threw the door open, “i never said I’d be the best hair stylist out there, plus you wouldnt stop moving your big ass head. I told you to sit still! And did you listen? Noooooo.”

Chris licked his lips looking down as he folded his hands together before his eyes flicked up, “ok. I’m on your ass!”

You yelped as dashed out the door, laughter in your lungs as Chris chased you down the narrow hallway, hot on your trail.

[dandelionflower]

Felinette where after 10 years the school reunion happens but Mari and Felix are at the hospital since Mari is giving birth. At the reunion Lila tries her lies about Mari but the birth of Mari and Felix's kid is going live since Mari is a famous designer and Felix is her model.

[send me Felinette prompts/requests]

“Hey, girl!” Alya hugged Lila, grinning bright. “Guess who got herself an interview with Jagged Stone’s son last week?”

“You mean Shatter?” Lila smiled at her, voice softening like when a mother consoles a child. “He’s such a sweetie, isn’t he?”

“It’s Shawn, but yeah.” Alya grinned at the memory.

The wedding between Penny Rolling and Jagged Stone has happened when they were all just fourteen, and Shawn was born that next year.

The year Lila told them about her lies.

She admitted that she had lied about her trips, her connections, and being Ladybug’s friend. The only truth was knowing Jagged Stone, but that was because he was her godfather, not because she saved his kitten.

She was bawling on the floor, begging for forgiveness that the class surely gave.

Alya was twenty-nine now, and her journalistic pursuits were thriving, just like everyone else.

Rose had become a highly esteemed business woman, and Juleka was modeling so much, you couldn’t look at a magazine kiosk without seeing her face.

Ivan was a well-paid bodyguard for Mylene, who had gained fame by protesting all sorts of environmental atrocities. They had broken up after they had turned seventeen, but rumor had it that those old bonds were slowly repairing themselves.

Alix had become a famous rollerblader, breaking a record for fastest cross country time and took up ice skating; she was going to the next Olympic Games.

Kim was now the most wanted stuntmen in the world, for his lack of fear and uncanny ability to not die from heights.

Nathaniel and Marc parted ways as they went to different colleges, but were still in contact. Nathaniel often called Marc when the storyline for his comic book seemed a bit off and Marc would gladly tell him that the author was just being an idiot.

Max and Sabrina, amazingly enough, got married; they completed their medical doctorates together and, once they made enough money, went back to college to get degrees in technology and math for Max and philosophy and psychology for Sabrina.

Together, they found the cure for cancer and Sabrina ended up writing a bestselling self-help novel, Henchman: just one good friend isn’t always enough. Max had patented his AI technology and Markov got his own talk show.

Adrien was working with Child Protective Services and other organizations to help children in bad situations. His father’s company took a massive tank after Hawkmoth’s reveal and Adrien did nothing to keep it afloat.

Chloe took up acting. She was well known for her amazing performances of evil queens, heinous witches, terrifying stepmothers. She, of course, took it all in stride.

No one really knew what Lila or Marinette were up to, finding out was probably the reason most of them were here.

And Nino...

Nino was living life happily as a popular song composer with his daughter Harley, the daughter Alya missed with every passing day.

She shook her head. Now wasn’t time to dwell on recent events, now was a time to look back at the past and reminisce.

“Have you seen Marinette? I’ve been wondering what she’s been up to these past ten years.” Alya commented, barely noticing Lila stiffen up. “You too. I gave you my number for a reason, you know.”

“Yeah, but I lost my phone in the trenches and you know how bad my memory is.” She laughed, batting her hand in the air.

“Yeah, I do. So tell me now; what about trenches?”

“I’ve been doing some peace talks, you know, nothing big.”

“Like Mylene was?”

“...yeah, like that. Just on a slightly larger scale.”

“Larger than stopping the Third World War? Dang girl.”

“I’ve also been doing some acting in foreign films and donating my extra time to children in need.”

“Like Chloe, Kim, and Adrien!”

Her eye twitched. “So, is Marinette coming, or is she...”

“She’s definitely coming. She wouldn’t miss a class reunion for the world.”

“Are you sure, because I saw her not too long ago today and she didn’t seem to prepared.”

“She’s coming.” Alya spoke firmly.

“Hi Alya! Hi Lila!” Rose jumped in and hugged them both tightly. “Have either of you seen Mari? I need to give her congratulations.”

“Congratulations? For what?”

“She got married a while back! I was really busy though, so I wasn’t able to go to the wedding. Her number changed too so I couldn’t call her either.”

Alya frowned. She hadn’t gotten any invitation.

“She got married?” Lila gasped. “But who was that man she was kissing in the coffee shop?”

“That was probably him; I don’t know him well, but I remember him being blond.” Rose grinned.

“Are you sure? He seemed pretty red headed when I saw them.” She pressed her hands to her face. “You don’t think...”

“Lila, come on. Mari wouldn’t cheat on her husband.”

“Yeah... we’ll just talk to her when she gets here.” Lila agreed. “If she gets here in time.”

“She will.” Alya nodded, reassuring Lila with a smile.

For some reason, she didn’t seem too certain.

—

Hours passed and everyone had given a speech on the stage, all but one.

“Where could she be?” Alya hissed to herself, texting Marinette again and again only to get a message declaring her number inactive.

“Maybe she’s just not-“ Lila was cut off when Alya held up her hand.

“Don’t. Just don’t.”

The sound of feedback filled the room and every head turned towards the stage, where Miss Bustier was standing.

She looked almost the same, with her red hair in a bun and her crisp pale blue pantsuit. The signs of time were still there, though, in the wrinkles around her eyes and the sparkling grey at her roots.

“Hello class!” She paused and listened to them cheer. “We’ve heard all of your accounts of your school years, and now it’s time for your class president to have a word.”

Chatter filled the air, each person turning to look for the blurnette.

“Oh, I can’t wait to see her!” Rose squealed to Juleka. “I need to get her new number.”

Juleka glanced sideways at her. “She’s been texting me for months.”

“What?” Rose scrolled through her phone and stopped. “Oh! Here it is! My phone is set to block unknown numbers.” She clicked a button and grinned as she made a new contact for her, with lots of emojis.

“Where’s Marinette?” Someone yelled. “Shouldn’t she be here?”

“I’m afraid Marinette had some prior engagements.” Miss Bustier clicked a pointer to a projector. “But, luckily, we are able to see exactly what it is.”

Light funneled out of the projector and the class was treated to what looked like a home movie.

It was in a hospital, but one boys face overtook the screen. He had on a blue striped shirt and a cheeky smile.

“Hey ma peeps! For those of you just joining us, I’m Claude...”

Another boy popped up in a green beret. “And I’m Mercury.”

“...and this is the livestream of the birth of a demigod!”

Sabrina and Max rose their fists and started chanting, “Elise! Elise! Elise!”

Ivan and Mylene glared at them playfully and started their own chant. “Dean! Dean! Dean!”

“What are they talking about?” Alya whispered to Rose.

“Didn’t you know? I just found out, it’s-“ she was cut off by a familiar voice coming from the speakers.

“Claude, I swear, if you don’t turn off that camera right now...”

The camera panned to a blue haired woman lying in a bed, a platinum blond man by her side.

“Sorry, Madame Culpa-Dupain-Cheng,” he laughed as Alya gasped inside the gymnasium, “you’re bedridden, so I’m not afraid of you.”

“Felix is still here.” She pointed out, leveling a finger at the camera. “Felix, get ‘im.”

The blond looked somewhere behind the camera’s field of view and made to move, but stopped as Marinette shouted out in pain.

“Felix,” she panted, after the screaming ceased, “I just want you to know that I love you, but I am never doing this again.” She looked up at him and received an amused grin.

“Fine by me.” He kissed her temple and Claude spoke again.

“You heard it here first folks! The legendary child, the only of its kind!”

She glared at him again. “Felix, if you don’t mind.”

“It would be my pleasure.” He began rolling up his sleeves and began walking towards Claude with a brisk pace.

“Uh, Claude?” Mercury, spoke with a nervous lilt to his voice.

“Well, that’s our live secret look into the birth of the legendary child of famous designer Marinette Culpa-Dupain-Chang and her photographer Felix Culpa-Dupain-Cheng!” Claude opened the door and hurried out. “Comment below on what you think the gender of the legend child will be and what the parents should name them; Claude Junior...”

“Or Mercury Junior!”

“Or the great Allegra the second?”

“Guys?” Adrien stood up from where he was sitting next to a blonde woman in a braid and a darker haired woman. “Is everything okay in there?”

“In there, fine, but out here?”

“There is a man on a mission behind us and that mission includes the removal of our tongues.”

“Better keep running, then.” The dark haired girl shouted, not even glancing up from her phone.

“Indeed.” Felix’s voice came from close behind the camera.

Both Claude and Mercury shrieked and began running down the hall once more, the other girl beside Adrien laughing while shouting, “Get ‘em good Felix!”

Alya stood stock-still, staring at the black screen.

Marinette is having a baby.

Adrien and four strangers are there for it.

She got married.

I didn’t know about it.

Lila said she saw Marinette today when she’s clearly been in the hospital all day, and is obviously in love with that Felix guy.

Suddenly, the fact that no one else but Rose, the sweetest person in class, had been talking to Lila was making a whole lot more sense.

@virgil-is-a-cutie

[anxiouslyfred]

You Wouldn’t Steal a Movie

for @dukexietyweek‘s day 3 prompt of Pirates, all that’s coming into my head is that antipiracy add on videos. Let’s run with it

Summary: Virgil wanted to be a pirate when he grew up but pirating films and music doesn’t quite fill his dreams. After a small comment about that Remus suddenly wants to pirate a pirate ship and by hell he’ll achieve it.

Warnings: theft, piracy, sexual comments, pining, if there’s anymore let me know

/\/\/\/\/\

Virgil had met Remus when they were in school. They’d been sat next to each other on the first day of class when their teacher decided that the best way to have a successful start was some conversation games. Really they’d just been given quiz sheets of questions to ask each other and had to go through them.

Now Virgil could only remember one of the questions he had been asked since each sheet had held a different selection of questions. Remus had asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and he’d insisted that he’d become a pirate.

Looking back at that excitement and all the games Remus used that sentence to pull him into, Virgil really wished that had just stayed a dream. Instead he was headbutting the desk next to his computer, praying it would play along sometime this decade.

“You know I don’t actually need any more stock this week. What on earth are you attacking the poor desk over.” Remus called, sprawled over their couch upside down. He had been the one to get them into movie and music piracy, opening a market stand up after Virgil worked out the easiest ways to get the movies downloaded.

Remus had insisted it was just like the pirates, only instead of the oceans their seas were websites and movie theaters, and the swordfights were replaced with viruses Virgil had been creating and destroying since he first hacked into their schools mainframe.

The glare Virgil turned to him with showed that the five-hundreth realisation that it wasn’t was about to explode and the popcorn he kept behind the cushions was all prepared to watch it.

Seeing the popcorn get brought out though had Virgil silently talking himself through the breathing exercises most often used to help his anxiety. They’d always doubled to prevent him from blowing up at Remus if he remembered in time. When he spoke all he said was, “When I said I wanted to be a pirate, I was expecting more ships than this.”

“Ooooh, Do you wanna try pirating a pirate ship? There’s gotta be a way to download one I swear or the modern world has failed me!” Remus bounced over, the idea clearly racing through his brain as with a few clicks he managed to reset and finish the download Virgil had been staring at trying to resolve the issues from it for an hour.

“You could have done that earlier. And wouldn’t we at least need like a 3D printer or something if we’re going to download a pirate ship.” Virgil cautioned, already tempted to see just what had appeared in Remus’s room recently.

That room was one Virgil usually tried to ignore given how many things would be brought home as market bargains only to get transformed into something completely different. The last time he’d looked through the door there was what seemed to be three rugs slowly getting cut and sewn into frankenstiens monster.

Remus was shaking his head already. “Or I could get the location for nearby ship owners, visit claiming to be an elite caterer or something, steal or copy all the keys in their house then try each of them until we’ve got the boat for ourselves.”

“And how are you going to avoid getting arrested while doing all of that? Or store a boat while you turn it into a pirate ship?” Virgil had to ask about the flaws in the plan, not caring about the cover story since Remus was actually qualified in catering after getting bored one summer while Virgil was in college.

The concerns were easily waved off, “I found this cave, really big except for the entrance although a ship could get into it at low tide. That would be a perfect place for our pirate ship. Also it’s easy enough to convince rich guys to show off their wealth with parties on their boats.

“Hang about they’d probably actually give me keys to the boat for the duration of that party. If I just made a side trip to Janus’s shop I could have the copy made and actually get paid for the catering job at the same time!” Remus cheered, nodding at Virgil as though waiting for any other concerns.

Virgil couldn’t be bothered to go into plotting with his best friend after so long arguing with his computer though so decided to just walk away instead. Hopefully this would all get forgotten by the morning.

/\/\

It wasn’t forgotten and the tuxedo Remus had somehow gained while Virgil slept had a lot of thoughts Virgil would never admit to running through his head. “Please tell me your brother has called about a family event and that’s why you’re dressed up?”

“Are you asking to get dolled up too because I have some scandalous outfits you could try on?” Remus smirked, doing a spin. The bow with a wink was enough to increase the blush on Virgil’s cheeks to a vibrant red reaching his ears.

“Never.”

Luckily Remus had already tired of that bit of teasing, grabbing a folder from the desk. “I’ve got to visit this lawyers family. He seemed rather interested when I reached out last night as a catering start up one of his colleagues is funding. I’ll have your pirate ship in no time, little Incubus.”

Virigl could only groan as Remus left, wondering just how long his blushing could be ignored for. Part of his mind wanted to worry about what remus was getting them into but he’d know the other for too long to seriously think he’d be able to change anything now.

/\/\

The next month passed quietly so far as Virgil was concerned. He carried on getting stock made for Remus’s market and tried to remain speaking whenever Remus disappeared in his tuxedo, without getting flustered.

He did notice when the tuxedo disappeared from the outfits Remus wore regularly after a month. There had been nothing more said about getting a pirate ship, but Virgil had known that was still what his room-mate had been disappearing to try and manage, and he’d thought it was going well.

There had even been a night of celebration with leftovers from what Virgil had thought would be one of the final events Remus did for the pirate ship. They’d gone out to the clifftops over the ocean, curled up either side of a skull and crossbones blanket and laughed about all the monsters they could find at sea or on land.

Instead of being dragged out to a ship shortly afterwards though Virgil just noticed that Remus was disappearing off in his comfy clothes, sometimes with a giant rucksack that would return empty. For all the random bouts of flirting between them still happened Virgil became certain that Remus had forgotten about getting a pirate ship in favour of some fling although that didn’t explain why the details of it hadn’t been shared.

Trying to deny any hurt at that possibility Virgil scolded himself that they’d never been together for him to get hurt over anything in the first place. It didn’t work very well.

/\/\

Almost three months since Remus had decided to give Virgil his wish of having a pirate ship and he was finally ready to share everything he’d managed to do.

Virgil had been right about the things he’d need to do to remain unsuspected by the law as well as actually come out of it with the boat. He’d just forgotten that any ship Remus was able to steal through that method wasn’t going to look like a pirate ship at all without a lot of work.

Remus had been determined though. If he was going to make his loves dreams come true again then the ship had to be a pirate ship before Virgil could ever see it. Perhaps this time he’d actually be understood when he told Virgil he loved him even.

He’d noticed the looks when wearing the tuxedo and all the blushes Virgil had been trying to hide for years, but honestly that outfit was never one he liked to wear. Remus had even registered some reluctance or upset from Virgil recently although he was a bit more confused about it and just hoped that whatever thoughts were upsetting him could be worked through soon enough.

For now though he’d finally tied the last flag to the mast and was ready to bring Virgil to their very own pirate ship. The next afternoon sounded like the perfect time.

/\/\

Virgil wasn’t quite sure what to think about being corralled out to the car after having thigh high leather boots thrown at him along with a loose shirt and black leather jacket. Remus had already been decked out in mostly leather when he barged back into their apartment, and had even added beads and braids to his hair alongside the usual excess of jewelery he’d wear.

He wasn’t about to refuse a hyperactive and affectionate Remus though, especially not one practically pulling his arm out with his bouncing as they headed off. “Come on, Black Hole, I wanna show you my best biggest surprise ever, and I’m not talking about the monster in my pants, though I’m happy to show you that too.”

“Where are you even taking me? I thought you had a fling going on that was taking up oh so much of your time.” Virgil tried to demand, instead snickering as he spoke until he registered the words had stilled Remus’s enthusiasm.

In fact Remus had stilled so much he wasn’t getting into the car.

“O-okay, what did I say to upset you? We can get in the car now.” Virgil stuttered out after being stared at for almost a minute, never hearing the car doors unlock.

“Only fling I’ve been having is with my hand.” Eventually Remus blinked out of the stunned realisation of how Virgil had thought he’d been spending his days. “Literally you’re the sewer map that guides me and thought I’d do anything like that without at least mentioning it to you? Virgil I freaking have been exhausting myself constantly for your surprise. There’s no action in the world that could take me away from your side, not even if you said the kraken and mothman wanted to invite me for a threesome!”

The words almost froze Virgil in turn but he still reacted enough to climb into the car as soon as it was unlocked. “So..” he tried to ask about the rant but was cut off by a finger on his lips.

“Let’s get to your surprise and then we’ll talk there.” Remus insisted, turning music on to further prevent any conversation.

/\/\

After being coaxed through a tiny cavern, constantly climbing downwards with a rope he was sure Remus had pinned to the edge himself to act as a safety tool Virgil had begun to remember what this could be. That didn’t do anything to prepare him for when the single rope turned into a rope ladder dropping down through the masts of a pirate ship.

“Woah!” There were no other words for him to say. It looked excatly like the pirate ships from the books and films he’d adored as a child. Virgil could only spin around taking in all the details and additions he was sure Remus must had made himself somehow.

“Captain Sanders, I believe you are missing your hat.” Remus said, breaking through his awed staring and holding out a captains hat, completed with a large purple feather.

“You got me a full on pirate ship.” Virgil whispered, still shocked.

Remus just nodded, “Well it at least looks like that while above deck. Downstairs it’s a lot more of how I felt like decorating in the moment. The kitchen is awesome though so I’m cooking us dinner tonight.”

“You said you’ve been exhausting yourself to do this for me?” Virgil asked, entirely believing that now, but not quite able to comprehend anybody doing such a momentous task all for him.

“Captain, do you realise just how much you could ask for and I’d do everything I could to get it for you? I’m driven to insanity for you and will thank you for it in every way I can think of.” Remus raved, barely even realising how close his steps brought them until he was looking down at Virgil.

Virgil swallowed, shaking his head, “Does that list include kissing me?” He spoke.

There were no words after that as their lips finally met, aboard a pirate ship in a hidden cavern.

[monstaxdesires]

The Arrangement (Chapter Twelve)

(Chapter One) (Chapter Two) (Chapter Three) (Chapter Four) (Chapter Five) (Chapter Six) (Chapter Seven) (Chapter Eight) (Chapter Nine) (Chapter Ten) (Chapter Eleven)

“What do you like to do for fun?” Shownu asked.

You pressed the phone to your ear with you shoulder as you continued folding laundry, a little smile tugging at your lips.

“Why?”

He sighs and you laugh a little. “I want to do something you like this weekend outside of the normal restaurant dinner meeting.”

“Ah,” you bite your lip before grabbing the phone and pulling your legs underneath you. “I like hiking, art museums, and outdoor markets.”

“And you do those for fun?”

“Yeah I guess so,” you muse.

There is a pause before you hear him chuckle. “What else do you like to do?”

“Are you asking for hobbies Shownu?”

“Yes,” he responds, a sense of elation in his tone that you had figured him out.

“Um… well, I paint sometimes, not as much as I used to. And I like to read. You saw my book collection. I go for jogs. Oh! And take pilates classes when I feel like it.”

A soft groan comes through the phone and you giggle.

“What is wrong?”

He sighs again and you can imagine him on the other end, eyes shut, hand against his forehead as he starts to talk again. “I am trying to think of something for us to do this weekend. Reading and pilates are not on the top of the list. I want to do something fun away from the normal hustle and bustle. Get to know you outside of a business setting. You are my companion and we might have another thirteen months or so together if you agree to it.”

“Let’s go a hike,” you reply, ignoring his mention of extending to a year. “There’s one I’ve been thinking about doing, but it’s kinda steep trail wise and not recommended to go alone.”

“You hike alone?”

“Sometimes…. Always.”

He laughs again before clearing his throat. “Okay. What’s the trail called?”

You tell him and shift to pick up a towel to fold. “Do you know how to hike?”

“Of course I know how to hike,” he mutters and you laugh a little causing him to laugh with you. “What are you doing right now?”

“It’s Wednesday so it’s laundry day.”

“Mmm, guess it’s good we haven’t had a date night on a Wednesday yet.”

“I would’ve canceled,” you tease and he laughs. “What are you doing?”

“The usual,” he replies and you frown.

“At the office?”

“Maybe.”

“Shownu,” you groan. “Is all your time spent either at work, at an event, or with me?”

“Pretty much.”

You frown. “Okay, you definitely need to get out into nature. So I am demanding a hike.”

“I think I can meet that demand. Saturday good?”

“Yes please.”

He smiles, sighing a little. “Have you had dinner yet?”

“No.”

“Meet me outside in thirty minutes and we can do to dinner. There’s an outdoor night market that I used to go in college, they have the best street food. I haven’t been in ages and you will love it.”

“Sounds delicious, count me in.”

“Okay, see you soon.” He hands up and you glance at your laundry. You could finish folding it and put it away before throwing on a decent outfit instead of ratty joggers before he showed up.

True to his words thirty minutes later his car pulls up to the curb and you are stepping onto the sidewalk before he can get out of the car. Instead the driver holds you door open and you slip in.

“Hey,” he says once you are seated next to him.

“Hi,” you lean in and press a kiss to his cheek. “How was work?”

“Hectic,” he replies before settling his hand on yours as the car pulls back into traffic. “I like your hair today, very different.”

You reach up and touch the loose braid before blushing a little. “Thank you.”

He squeezes your hand before looking out the window. “I hope you are hungry.”

“Starving.”

———————————

Shownu looked out over the ridge, sweat dripping down his face, but it was worth it. You watched him take it all in before turning to you.

“So?” You ask.

“Beautiful,” he grins coming back to you. His hand on your hip before he pulls you to stand in front of him. You stare out at it all. The view of the city sprawled out before you. His arms rest on your shoulders and you reach up lacing your fingers with his.

“Thank you for coming,” you say tipping your head back to look at him.

“You’re welcome,” he responds before dipping his head down. Your lip brush but you don’t stop him. He leans in again, a deeper kiss initiated and you turn, pressing your chest to his and your arms wrapping around his neck. The kiss ends and he smiles at you.

“Let’s sit down and have our snacks,” you encourage before taking his hand and leading him to a little spot to sit together.

You pull out your waters and snacks. Once you are both munching away while enjoying the views you notice him watching you. Anticipation clear on his face. He was so easy to read now.

“What is it?”

He shakes his head before looking back out at the view.

“Shownu?” You question scooting closer. He lifts his arm letting you nudge yourself up against his side. “Talk to me.”

“I have a trip coming up. I want you to come if you are comfortable with that.”

“When is it?”

“Three weeks,” he answers looking down at you. “Just for the weekend. We will take the train out Friday evening and spend all day Saturday at a charity fundraiser, then that night there is a ball, and Sunday we can explore the city if you are up for it before coming back that evening.”

“Sounds fun.”

He smiles, pressing his lips to your forehead. Your eyes flutter close and you hug his waist. He withdraws after a moment, knowing he shouldn’t allow either of you to grow too attached, but at the same time he couldn’t help it. You were so comfortable to be around. He notices you admiring him and shakes his head.

“Stop.”

“What?” You ask innocently and he rolls his eyes. “I’m only looking at you. You are very handsome.”

He nudges you away, your testing making him blush, before getting up and you laugh. He smiles shaking his head before walking towards the edge and looking out.

“Thank you Shownu,” you say and he turns to look at you, hands on his hips. “For being a friend as well. You could have just remained being a benefactor for purely business instead of all of these other things, but these other things are what makes me feel like I made the right decision in letting you help me.”

He moves back to you. His palms planted against the rock on either side of you before he presses his lips to yours. You drop your snack to the side before slipping your fingers through his hair and pulling him closer. He chuckles before pecking your lips a few times. Eventually, you let him back away and smile tipping your head to look at him. It was different to see him in relaxing clothing, a pair of basketball shorts and a loose gym shirt.

Friends. Echoed in your mind.

You look away quickly picking your snack back up. You knew feelings weren’t allowed, not in this situation, but something about him just made you feel different.

(Chapter Thirteen)

[jojolu]

Six Months in Boston

Pairing: Chris Evans/OC Erin Rose

Summary: Up and coming YA author Erin Rose, was sent to a small suburb 30 minutes Northwest of Boston to finish the last two books of her series, she is about to get very close to her very handsome new neighbor.

a/n: here goes nothing!

chapter 1: Enjoy Nature

"Oh my God! Just poop already Letty!" You shout at your Chihuahua Dachshund mix breed dog. She finally does and you pick it up and tie the bag.

You are walking on a new path the realtor showed you on a map. Your phone rings and it's your   sister Tilly FaceTime'ing you.

"Hey girl......where the fuck are you? Are you exercising?"

"Ugh gross! Never. Just exploring, Mike the realtor was saying there are 30 beautiful walking paths all around! Enjoy nature....that fucking tool."

"Where exactly are you? In case I need to come and find your body in the woods."

"In a small suburb, its technically the country! I'm thirty minutes northwest of Boston. My editor sent me to Boston. MASSACHUSETTS!! LIKE WHO AUTHORIZED THIS. For a year Till! I'm a hard core West coast kid! Born and raised near the ghetto."

"Pasadena, is nowhere near the ghetto. Its your fault, your way to good of a writer. Your first book shouldn't have been so good. Like bitch, you already have studios fighting for the movie rights."

You wrote, The Wish Masters, your senior year in Grad school on a whim. Your professor wanted you all to write 1 chapter of a book and you wrote 15, when you turned it, she called you into her office the following Monday. 6 years later on your 35th birthday it was released.

It bit of Harry Potter mixed in with Tinkerbell. All the Fairy families are separated by the type of groups and your story starts when the age of fairies start to die off. Deenah and her friends Mave and Trax are off on a journey to fix and restore the age of Fairies. 

"Yeah, yeah. Oh no there a dog loose." You see a brown and white dog with a red collar and leash dragging behind him.

"Let me see!" Tilly says.

You flip the camera and stick your phone in your sportsbra.

 You call him over and read his tag.

"Hey Dodger, gosh are a pretty dog. Letty, this is Dodger, Dodger, this wild animal is Letty girl."

You pick up his leash and continue walking the way Dodger came from.

"You fucking weirdo. That dog looks familiar. What's his name?"

"Familiar? Are you an Instagram dog, D man?" You say leaning closer to Dodger.

"Holy fucking shit! That's Chris Evans dog. I bet my fucking life on it."

"Seriously? Please God, don't let this be his dog. I'm not ready!"

You hear a man's voice calling out Dodger's name.

"Oh no......"

The person you see, isn't Chris Evans but his younger brother, Scott.

"That's Scott his brother!" Tilly says.

"I know.....Shhhh."

"Dodger! Hey man, you scared us." Scott says walking up to you.

"He just walked up to us." You say handing him the leash.

"Thank you! Chris would have KILLED me! I got him." He says as he yells back to the sound of a person walking up behind you.

You look past him and see Chris Evans. 

Your mind goes blank.

"Hi I'm Tilly!" You sister says from your boobs.

"Hi, mystery voice coming from this nice lady's boobs. " Scott says.

"OH my God! It's my sister." You take your phone out of your sportsbra and turn it so he can see her.

She waves like a crazy person.

"Hi, Tilly. I'm Scott."

"Hi! This is my sister Erin Rose."

"I totally forgot to introduce myself."

"She's a writer she wrote The Wish Masters, Jimmy Fallon just had her on last week. She just sent the second and half of the third one to her editor, She there to write two more books, she'll be there a year and she lives at 347 Mills Rd and that's her dog Letty, we found her on a trip to Joshua Tree, four years ago."

"Stop talking or I'm going to hang up and block you." You say to the phone.

"Sorry....."

"Well, this is my brother Chris Evans, he is an actor, you know him from Not Another Teen Movie and Cellular. He's has lived here for about three years and he lives at 345 Mills Rd and that's his dog Dodger, who he got a shelter about three years ago."

You look at Chris who is shaking his head.

You mouth, "I'm so sorry."

He mouth,"No, I'm sorry."

You both smile at each other. You look away to where Dodger and Letty are laying down, Letty is laying on Dodger's legs licking him.

"Well, it looks like you two are neighbors." Scott says to you both.

"Right! That's awesome, she's very single." Tilly says as she hangs up.

"Oooh she's not getting invited to any of the movie premieres. I'm going go home. Come on Letty." You say pulling her leash. 

She doesn't budge.

"To bad you only weigh eleven pounds." You say picking her up.

You turn to your left and then to your right.

Fuck!  

Erin why are you so dumb! 

You have no clue which direction your house is.

"Left." Chris says.

"Thank you." You say turning back left and walking away holding a dog that doesn't want to leave.

"She left her water bottle." Scott says.

"I'll take it to her later." Chris says picking it up.

"She's gorgeous......did you see her ass......damn." Scott says.

Chris just looks at him as he starts to walk away, Dodger turns and tries to follow the direction you left in.

"I did, and that's all I'm going to say."

"You going to save that image for your spank bank?"

"Spank bank? Seriously?"

"Sorry, I watched 10 Things I Hate About You last night. Great film. I know how long it's been, so don't act like you haven't already ready pictured her under you or on her knees."

"For fucks sake, Scott!? I just met her, technically we haven't really even met." Chris says walking away.

Scott laughs as he walks behind Chris.

"Fuck you, Scott! Now that's all I'm thinking about!" He yells as he starts to run.

You make it back in 10 minutes.

You were talking out loud the whole time.

"Really! Is this really fucking happening! Chris fucking Evans! Is this because I read that Chris Evans fanfic? Listen! I'm sorry! Well I'm not really! That's story was cute and he sounds great in bed. Speaking of bed! Am I supposed to act like I didn't see his dick?  What a beautiful penis.....oh my God. We share a driveway....his house is what like sixty fucking feet from my house.......great now all I can think of his is dick! Did I save that on my phone?"

You were walking so fast and distracted you just realized you left your water bottle. You set it down when you picked up Dodger's leash.

"Dammit, I love that water bottle, let's go inside." You say to the dog that is sniffing all around Chris's side of the driveway.

You walk inside and Letty goes and gets in her kennel and gets under her blanket.

You take off your shoes and head to take a shower. Tilly calls right after you walk out of the shower.

"Can I help you?"

"Hi, I just spent the last 20 minutes Google'ing him. He's very much single. He loves to take Dodger out on walks, he's covered in tattoos, he enjoys working with his hands, he loves his family, is an ass man and he has a huge penis."

"I don't care. I'm not going to do anything with information. I'm here for one reason, to write these books. This is not a story someone is writing. I'm not going to fall in love with him, he isn't going to take me on long walks where we can't keep our hands off each other, our dogs aren't going to be best friends and constantly have to see each other, you and Scott aren't going to be best friend and have matching toasts at our beautiful Farmhouse wedding." You suddenly get choked up.

"Ohhhh Erin...I'm sorry. I just got excited." She says suddenly with emotion in her voice.

"Serves you right! Who said those acting classes wouldn't help me write better." 

"You bitch! Just so you know he has a wide tongue, too." She hangs up.

Ugh, you just used the massage setting on your handheld shower head. Living next to him was going to kill you.

You get dressed, in a tank top dress that has a built-in bra and head out your pool. You hear laughing coming from your neighbor's house and fight the urge to look over.

"Erin!" You hear Chris yell.

"Please, have a shirt on...." You say before turning around.

"Hey, Chris."

Fuck him. 

No, seriously.

Fuck this sexy ass bastard.

He of course, is in just black swim trunks walking closer to his the fence. There are all the tattoos Tilly said he had, she didn't mention the chest hair.....you just want you rub your hands all over his body.

This is the closet your houses are to each other.

"Did you get that?" Chris asks looking at you.

"Shit, sorry thinking about my...book." You stumbled out.

"I have your water bottle and I was thinking that I could say thank you for grabbing Dodger, by ordering us some lunch?"

"It was no hassle, he just walked right up to me. Sure, yes that would be great."

"You want to come over now? You can come swim with me....if you want. Can you....." He stops himself.

"Were you about to ask me, a black woman, if I can swim?" You say giving him tons of attitude.

He goes beet red.

"Uh no...I was just...you have your hair straight....so I....."

You start to laugh at him.

"I thought Mackie would have told you what not to ask a black woman, it's a weave, I'm taking out next week and getting braids. Yes, I can swim, I was actually a lifeguard all throughout high-school and college. I'll change and grab Letty."

You see the relief in his face.

Did you just fluster Chris Evans.....

You are thankful for your sister, she made you buy all new swimsuits with your cash advance money. You put on your Victoria's Secret ruffle bottom bikini, you got it in three colors, white, pink and green. 

You put on the white one. Put your black sheer cover up.

You put your hair up in a messy bun and grabbed Letty.

"Listen, woman! You better act right! Do not pee on his floor!" You say to the dog who is very confused why she is getting a lecture. 

You put her down and grab the gift basket you just got from Sam Adam's and the freezer box it came in. He isn't in the back yard any more so you walk to his front door and ring the door bell.

"Brace yourself Erin...." You mumble out.

You can hear Dodger barking and Chris telling him to calm down.

He opens the door and smiles at you.

"Welcome, here let me take that. Come in."

Thankfully he put a shirt on.

You follow him to his kitchen while looking in all of his rooms.

"Our houses are the exact same. Even down to the floors. Literally the exact same. You need to see it."

"I'd like that."

You both pause for a second.

Letty and Dodger playing is what broke the tension.

"Its Letty, right? From The Fast and The Furious." 

"It is. Strangely, not many people get that."

"And Dodger, from Oliver and Company?"

"Yes, exactly. Most people think the baseball team."

"Why you have the Sox over here."

"Exactly. You want to head outside?"

"Lead the way." 

He grabs the gift basket and walks towards his backyard.

"Did you buy this?"

"Nope, I mentioned them in an interview and I got this, just yesterday."

"Not going lie that probably my favorite thing about this whole crazy life."

"Same, dude! I swear, someone asked what pen I used and I said Paper-Mate and I had a special delivery the next day. I'm really looking forward to when these studios choose my book."

"Which studios?" He asks opening your gift basket.

"You're just gonna open MY gift basket?"

"I thought this was for me?" He says laughing.

"Why would I give you MY gift basket? I don't know you like that!" You say laughing too.

"Go ahead you already opened it. Paramount, Warner Brothers, Universal and Disney! I'm really excited about that one. They are thinking of my books as movies will start a new segment of Disney aimed at teenagers!" You practically shout.

"That's amazing and my heart is with Disney."

"Holy shit, I haven't told anyone that and wasn't supposed to........I figure you can keep a secret, Cap."

"You going to make me sign an NDA?" He says waaaaay to flirty. 

He opens one of the beers and takes a long drink.

 He licks his bottom lip.

"I could get one drafted up, if I need to. Can I have I one of MY beers, please?"

"Fine, but I get this hat." He says pulling a blue Sam Adam's hat out.

He hands you a beer and your hands touch. He doesn't let go, he grabs his bottle opener and opens for you.

"Thanks. Stop taking my stuff Christopher!"

"You don't want this hat or.....this beer coozie or.........these beer pretzels." He says taking all the things he mentioned.

"Give me those fucking pretzels."You say reaching for them.

"Come on, you don't want these." He opens the bag and takes a handful.

"Ohh you are not nice." You say standing up you take off your swim cover and walk up to him. Your breast are touching his chest and every time you inhale he looks down at your chest.

"Can I help you?" He says looking down at you.

"Chris, can I please, pretty please have those pretzels, I need something hard..and..salty in my mouth."You say with your hands on his chest.

He hands them to you without another word.

"Thanks, dude." You say grabbing them and sitting back down on his pool chaise.

"That was so mean! I'm still keeping this hat and coozie." He says looking over at you.

"Sure, but I'm keeping the corn hole set."

"You sure? I can take it off your hands."

You hear Letty barking at the backdoor.

Chris goes and let's them both put, they are chasing each other in circles, they finally sit he keeps messing with her and she keeps biting him then running away.

"Looks, like they found their best friend." Chris says.

"Yep. She's such an alpha. I'm surprised she letting him be so aggressive with her."

"Well, he definitely likes the challenge of a strong woman."

"She definitely likes the attention."

"He really likes to give it."

You weren't sure at what point you both stopped talking about the dogs but you needed to get in the pool to cool off.

"So we doing this or nah?"

"Huh?" The confusion on his face was priceless.

"Swimming? Or did you just asked me to get in a bikini for nothing."

He pulls off his shirt, finished his beer and walks to the pool, turns to face you, winks and does a perfect back flip.

"Oh you fancy." You get up and walk up to about 3 feet to his pool turn towards him do a cart wheel, that goes into a round off, which has you end right at the edge of his pool, then you do a backflip into the water.

"I give that a fucking ten." He says swimming up to you.

"Thank you. I'll give yours a 9.5 you lost a half point for trying to flirt with the judge."

"I should be given a whole extra point for that."

You splash him and swim away.

"Oooh now you started it." He dives down and pulls you under the water.

You poke him in the ribs and he let's go.

"Ouch!"

You swim up close to him.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to...."

He pulls you under again.

You pull him down too and start to have a contest to see who can stay under water longer. It's been 30 seconds and he is struggling. He groans and swims up.

He watches you as you flip into a handstand underwater and walk away from him, you come up 20 seconds later.

"Damn...."

"Sorry, lifeguard!"

"I normally have much better breath control." He says swimming closer to you.

"Oh really? You practice that?" You say smirking.

"Haven't needed to, come here." 

You get closer and he reaches right under your eye takes the eyelash that had fallen.

"Make a wish." He says holding it up to your mouth.

You close your eyes and blow.

You open your eyes slowly and he is staring at you.

You throw caution to the wind and put your arms around his neck and he immediately put his arms around your waist and pulls you towards him. He walks to the shallow end of his pool and puts you against the side of it.

"I'm fighting every urge to kiss you." He says.

"Same. You have no idea how much I want to."

"Then why aren't we kissing?" He says nuzzling and nipping your jaw.

"Because we both know it not going to just be kissing."

"Kiss me and find out." He says kissing your cheek and right under your ear.

"Why don't you kiss me?" You say running your nails down his back.

"I am kissing you." He moves down to your neck.

You turn your head so he'll kiss that spot under your jaw. He does and you practically moan out his name.

"Fuck, you sound so good moaning out my name."

"Kiss me." You moan out as he kisses that spot again. 

"Where?" He runs his tongue against that spot and gently bites you.

You finally turn your head and kiss him. He somehow pulled you even closer.

You put your hands in his hair as he slides his tongue inside your mouth. You pull away a bit and just look at him.

"What? We can stop."

"Nothing, I'm just taking you in. You're really good looking. I did not think this was going to happen." You say giggling.

"You're sweet. You're so gorgeous. You didn't? That bikini doesn’t agree." He says putting his hand on your ass.

You just laugh.

"Apparently, the internet is true, 'Chris Evans, an ass man'."

"With an ass like this, most definitely." He says putting his other hand on your ass.

"You are a whole mess. But to answer your question, I had maybe hoped that I could make out with my super hot neighbor, maybe just once."

"I knew it. Well that same internet calls you 'The writer who is taking YA by storm' I also saw your photoshoot in Vanity Fair, that's why I hoped you were going to wear a bikini, but this....."He runs his thumb along the edge of your bikini bottoms. "This is better than I could imagined."

He kisses you again and you wrap your legs around his waist and you can finally feel his amazing dick against your pussy.

"Damn, I can feel how warm your pussy is, I can't wait to taste you." He says in your ear.

"You look like this and can talk dirty."

"That's nothing......."

You bring his mouth back to yours and bite his bottom lip.

He reaches up and unties your bikini top, then kisses his way down to your nipple and slowly sucks it into his mouth, between his hot mouth and the chill of the water your close to an orgasm.

"Oh my goodness. You are the absolute worst."

He moves to your left breast, while his hand slowly making its way to your pussy.

The backdoor opens....

"Chris, I called you like 8 fucking times...............well hello Erin." Scott says.

"Oh my God, Scott!" You yell.

Chris just holds you close to give you some sort of cover.

"I obviously don't have my phone on me."

"I can see your hands are very full." He says looking straight into the water.

Chris tries to re-tie your top.

"Walk her to me." Scott says squatting down.

He ties the your top for you and get off of Chris.

"Well, this is not embarrassing at all!" You say swimming away.

"I'm fine." Scott says taking off his sandals and shirt and getting in the pool.

"That was the beginning and not the ending of that, right?"

"Ask him." You say laughing.

"You good over?" Scott asks him, when you both realize that he hadn't moved.

"Yep." He quickly turn and swims straight for you. 

You scream and try to swim away. 

He grabs you around the waist and puts you over his shoulder, then stand up so your ass is in his face and he turns and bites your left ass cheek. Then takes you back under the water. You bite him on his back and he let's you go.

You swim away and hide behind Scott.

"Nope, don't bring that shit over here." 

"You heard him. Go away Chris."

"Come here, Erin." 

He says as he lunges towards you.

You were quicker and got out of the pool.

He watches you walk away.

"Erin, can I have fries with that shake?" 

"You better behave."

"This is me behaving."

"You want a beer, Scott?" 

"Always." You open it and had it to him.

"Do I get one?" 

"Are you going to behave?"

"Probably, not."

You open his and walk it over to him.

You finally get yours.

"Watch this."

You put your beer bottle on the edge of the pool, stand to the left of it.

You do a cart wheel right over the bottle but stay on your hands and pick it up with your teeth and suck it in a little, then do a front to back slit then push off your hands and gracefully flip into the water. You come up with the beer bottle still in your mouth.

"Holy shit. That's awesome." Scott says.

Chris is just leaning against the side of the pool staring at you.

You swim up to him

"You didn't like it?"  You ask feeling a bit insecure.

He grabs your hand and walks you out of the pool and straight towards his back door.

"We'll be right back. Go ahead order whatever for lunch." He says to Scott as you follow him inside.

[azulsartdump]

Picking Roses

@r0setarts slapped me in the face with this idea while we were chatting in dms a few days ago and I felt compelled to write it out.  It turned out a lot longer than I thought it would, so be warned its a lengthy read compared to what I usually post.

It had been two weeks since Riddle had last seen Azul. They weren’t in the same year, let alone the same class, so it was rare they spent time with each other outside of planned excursions. What was quite common, however, was the exchanging of pleasantries as the passed each other in the hall or sending each other amiable smiles when their eyes met from across the dining hall. The blue haired women had not crossed his vision even once during that time, though, and it had begun to worry him a bit.

In all honesty, Riddle would have thought that she was trying to avoid him if Marsella hadn’t enlightened him to Azul’s situation. 

“Oh, did Cater not tell you?” Marsella raised a brow, a bit surprised that the dorm leader hadn’t been informed. “Azul left for the Valley of Thorns about two weeks ago. Apparently some urgent business came up so Crowley exempt her from classes for a few weeks.”

Ah, so that’s what had happened. Riddle remembered hearing that Azul’s family had quite a high position in the Valley of Thorns’ royal court. It confused him why Malleus or Lilia had not been summoned back to their home alongside her, but perhaps it was something below their station or a problem pertaining solely to the Attwood family. Regardless of what it was, Riddle hoped it would be solved soon. He’d never admit it, but he was quite eager to see the faery again.

The rest of the week passed, and there was no sign that Azul had returned from her trip home. Riddle supposed it made sense, though. The school’s scheduled spring break had arrived and it would have made very little sense to return to Night Raven College only to travel back home a few days later.

On the carriage ride to his own home, the red head couldn’t help but allow his thoughts to drift to the dragonfly faery. She’d remained as friendly as she always had been with him since Valentine’s Day had come and gone. It wouldn’t have bothered him much, but the lack of response to his gift outside of a bright ‘thank you’ from her weighed heavily in the back of his mind. 

Riddle arrived home much more quickly than he had anticipated, and the last thing he had expected to find was his mother and father running around the house like headless chickens.

“Oh, Riddle, thank goodness you’re home now,” his mother heaved out a sigh of relief once she noticed his arrival. “We have very important guests visiting tomorrow. It’s imperative we all prepare ourselves perfectly for their arrival.” 

It wasn’t often that the Rosehearts residence had guests, so the fact that they were having visitors was proof enough to Riddle of their importance. While their home was always quite clean, Riddle noted that his parents had taken special care to ensure that every room in the house was absolutely pristine as he made his way to his room. The floors looked like they had been freshly waxed, the rugs were washed, and all the shelves were dusted and reorganized. 

Upon opening the door to his room, he noticed a suit had been hung up next to his closet. He assumed it was what his mother wanted him to wear the next day to greet their visitors. As Riddle unpacked his luggage, he couldn’t help but wonder who exactly his family would be welcoming tomorrow. 

Riddle was awoken early the next morning by his mother insisting he bathe himself before their guests arrived. As he soaked in the tub, he noted that his mother had added scented oils to the water and his eyebrows furrowed a bit at the realization. It was clear to him that whoever would be arriving would have business relating to him specifically if his mother was putting so much effort into his appearance. 

The next few hours seemed to fly by as Riddle helped his parents finish their preparations. With every passing minute, both his anxiety and curiosity toward their visitors grew, and he found his heart was racing by the time his mother rushed both him and his father out the front door with the simple phrase, “They’re here.”

Riddle struggled to keep his strides slow and even as his family made their way to the entrance of their front yard. An ornate black carriage pulled by two similarly colored horses loomed behind the front gates. The silver embellishment gleamed in the early afternoon sun and the forest green curtains were drawn closed, disallowing Riddle a glimpse of who was inside before they exited.

Riddle drew in a sharp breath as the carriage’s door clicked open. as the door swug wide, an extremely tall man dressed in a black and green uniform exited. His heeled boots clicked against the cobblestone road, and a long, flowing cape billowed behind him. His ivory skin starkly contrasted against the deep obsidian strands of hair that fell over his face and an ornate eyepatch was situated over the right side of his face. His sharp green eyes seemed to pierce right through Riddle as he gave a curt nod in greeting. He calmly turned as the carriage behind him shook a bit, signaling another person was about to exit.

Riddle’s breath hitched again as his gaze fell on the woman that appeared next. Her blue hair was done up in a braided bun, and she wore a skirted uniform similar to the man beside her. She gently took the man’s hand as he helped her step out of the carriage and offered a bright smile to Riddle and his family upon gaining her balance on the stone road. Her fuchsia eyes never seemed to leave his as she made her way through the front gates of his home, the man that accompanied her following close behind.

“Marquess Attwood, Lady Attwood, it’s an honor,” Riddle’s mother greeted the two as she curtsied. His father followed suit, bowing respectfully and Riddle quickly imitated. 

“Mister and Missus Rosehearts, you have my gratitude for agreeing to this meeting,” Azul’s father gave a slight bow in greeting as Azul curtsied beside him. After exchanging formalities, Riddles mother led them all to the living room and everyone silently settled into their seats. A beautiful tea set was laid out on the table before them, and Riddle’s mother moved to pour everyone a cup. 

“To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, Marquess Attwood?” she gently set the tea pot down, replacing it with her own tea cup as she took a small sip from it.

“Ah, straight to the point. An admirable quality to have,” Azul’s father took his own cup, nodding in gratitude. “As you wish then, allow me to omit the pleasantries and small talk. I’d like to propose an engagement between my daughter and your son.”

Riddle nearly choked on his own spit, and his attention was quickly drawn to his mother, who had managed to actually choke a bit on her tea. She coughed into her fist before she quickly cleared her throat and righted herself. 

“A-An engagement you say?” she all but croaked out the question as she placed her tea cup down on the table. “This is a bit sudden...” Riddle snuck a peek at his father who was staring blankly at the tea cup in his hands, likely still trying to process the fact that his son just received an engagement proposal from the daughter of a marquess.

“Is it though?” Azul’s father raised his eyebrows in surprise. “My daughter has fancied your son for quite a while. Why, when she returned home from school for the winter vacation a few months ago, your son was all that was on her mind.”

“F-Father, please,” Azul sent an embarrassed glance her father’s way and he chuckled in response.

“Back to the matter at hand,”  Marquess Attwood turned his attention back to Riddle’s mother. “If it’s credentials you’re concerned with, I’m sure my daughter will be up to your standards.” He produced a small stack of papers and slid them over to the woman across from him.

“As you can see, she’s a decorated knight, as well as a close confidant to our crown prince himself. She’s also a well established lady in high society. Many of my friends and their daughters can attest to that. Her education is extensive, and she’s had experience in assisting me in keeping our county and estate running smoothly.” 

Riddle could practically see his mother’s head spinning as she flipped through the papers Azul’s father provided and his father simply stared slack jawed as the marquess continued to list his daughter’s achievements. Looking over at Azul, he could see the prominent blush on her cheeks as she listened to her father ramble about her. She probably wanted to stop him, but knew better than to do so again in front of their hosts.

“Of course, the decision is ultimately up to your son,” the marquess turned his attention to Riddle and the rest of the group followed suit. “I wouldn’t want to lock either of our children in an unwanted marriage.”

Riddle could feel the tension in the room settle in, and it took everything in him to keep himself for fidgeting under the pressure. The look on his mother’s face was intense if nothing else. He couldn’t quite place it, but he knew whatever she was feeling, it was extreme. His father, on the other hand, looked more panicked than anything. Glancing over at Azul, her expression was almost unreadable. Her lips were tilted up in a practiced smile, but he recognized the eager curiosity in her eyes.

“W-Would you allow me a moment to speak with Lady Attwood?” His voice cracked at the start of his sentence and he cursed himself in his head at the slip up.

“Of course, please go ahead.” A smug grin spread across the marquess’s lips as he nodded toward his daughter in acknowledgement. Azul rose from her seat, and Riddle followed, approaching her and offering his arm.

“Why don’t you show her the rose garden, Riddle,” his mother’s voice was steady, but he could tell from the way her brows were knitted she was still a bit shaken. He nodded in response as Azul took his arm and led the blue-haired fairy away from the rest of the group.

As soon as they were outside, a large grin split across Azul’s face, and an undignified snort sounded from her before she burst out in a fit of laughter.

“I- gasp I’m sorry,” Azul attempted to speak as she tried to calm her cackling. “T-The looks gasp on your faces!” 

“What is going on?” Riddle firmly planted his hands on her shoulders, panic and confusion written on his face. “I don’t see you for weeks and the next thing I know you’re popping up in my home to propose an engagement?

“Huh? But you proposed to me first.” As Azul’s giggles died down, her eyebrows furrowed a bit, but her bright smile remained ever present. 

“What?” Riddle’s grip on Azul’s shoulders tightened as his confusion grew. “When did I do that?”

Azul’s smile dropped as a look of surprise overtook it. 

“Ah... um,” her expression quickly morphed into one of realization, then hurt disappointment. “Well, a human picking roses for a faery is the equivalent of a vow of matrimony. And I know they’re not exactly roses, but when you gave me the begonias, I kind of assumed...”

A shock of embarrassment shot through Riddle as he listened to Azul’s explanation. Had Marsella known that when she told him to give Azul begonias? She did refer to herself as a fae historian, but he assumed she did so jokingly.

“If you didn’t know then I’ll take it back,” Azul’s voice shook a bit as she spoke, and although she smiled, Riddle could see the faint traces of heartbreak in her eyes as she tossed her gaze to the side. “I’ll go tell my father to rescind our proposal.”

Azul attempted to turn back towards the door behind her, but Riddle’s continued grip on her shoulders stopped her. She looked down at him curiously and observed as he blinked rapidly. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration and his bottom lip was caught between his teeth as he attempted to think of what to say.

To say this relationship was moving more quickly than he had anticipated was like asking for a coin to throw into a wishing well and receiving an entire sack of them, and it left Riddle quite conflicted on what his next move should be. 

“I’ll... consider it,” Riddle concluded after debating with himself for a moment. “The engagement I mean. I just... want to get to know you a bit before then.”

“I’ll eagerly await your response then.” Azul’s gentle smile returned as she took his hands in hers and intertwined their fingers. “Shall we go back?”

Riddle nodded and opened the door, leading the faery back to the living room.

“I-I’m sorry, I think you might have accidentally added a few extra zeros,” Riddle heard his mother speak as they arrived.

“No, it’s correct,” Azul’s father calmly stated. “That’s the amount we’ve set aside for my daughter’s dowry.”

As they sat down again, Riddle looked to his mother and was met with an intense gaze that all but screamed, “Please marry this girl.”

[atths--twice]

Practical College Applications

A college AU, in which Mulder and Scully meet and get to know one another as they apply college courses, to real life scenarios.

I am not sure I posted this here, it being awhile back that I posted the first chapter, well the one shot really, but I wanted to post it again in case I hadn’t and because I have written a new chapter to the story. I also changed the original title as it is now looking like this may be a multi-chapter story. 

Last August I saw a post on Twitter that had this photo and asked this question:  On Twitter, "Ok, but what if instead of a hotel room it was a cabin, and they were students on an excursion." Well ... if anyone knows me, they know that I was immediately intrigued and began to think of a plan. What kind of excursion, I asked. Any type! I was told, and so here we are! I hope you enjoy, the tale I've created.

Botany 101- A Nice Trip To The Forest

Fox Mulder, known to everyone as Mulder, as he hated his first name, shifted his backpack for what felt like the twentieth time in the last half hour. It had not been problematic when he had worn it at home and around town, as he had gotten used to the weight of the things he would need for this weekend away, but now it felt as though his items had been replaced with rocks.

He had been looking forward to this trip since the class began. It was one of the main reasons he had signed up for a botany class in the first place - the eventual excursion into the forest it had promised.

School had been keeping him busy and unable to escape the noise and the fast pace of the city. Since he had transferred to the University of Maryland, he had been working harder and buckling down. He had saved enough in the past two years of working to not have to worry about anything but his studies.

Torn between which electives to take for the year, he had settled on botany. He had always enjoyed nature and discovering new things within, so it seemed perfect. The class was not too full from the offset, and it had dwindled down to even less soon thereafter. Mulder however, found the class intriguing and enjoyed the lectures. The professor was funny and kept the class entertained.

There was also, though Mulder would not freely admit it, a woman in the class he found very beautiful. He had not spoken to her, save the occasional hello as they passed each other, but she captivated him. This was actually the second course they shared, and though he enjoyed the more intimate class size, he knew he would appear a fool if he spoke to her. His words got tripped up by his tongue when he was around her.

“Hey, Mulder,” said a voice, and he sighed as he saw Kyle Dale walk up beside him. He really did not care for Kyle. He was very rich and made sure to let everyone know it. “You know there’s only the two girls here, and there are us six guys. We need to be the ones to make a move, the other guys are losers.” Kyle nudged him as he raised his eyebrows, and Mulder adjusted his backpack yet again.

“I’d recommend you don’t let the women hear you say that, Kyle, not girls. In fact, maybe don’t say that at all. This isn’t some bar, it’s a college course. We’re all here to learn and you know, I haven’t seen either of them show any interest in you at school, I can’t imagine the woods will change their opinions,” Mulder said, glancing at the two women and then back to Kyle. “Just, let them be.”

“Jesus, you’re such a fucking downer, man. Do you ever get laid?” Kyle shook his head and walked away, catching up to Brian Harding and glancing back at Mulder as they both laughed loudly.

Assholes, he thought, shaking his head. He looked back at the women again and watched the one he found attractive, hoping he was not being too obvious.

She laughed at something her friend Hannah said, tossing her long red braid over her shoulder. God, he was such a sucker for redheaded women. He had been since third grade, when Jenny Lipton had moved into town halfway through the year. She was introduced by his teacher, and when she smiled at the class, his hands got sweaty. He shyly brought her dandelions at recess, and she took his hand, pulling him to the swings. He pushed her for as long as she wanted, not caring that he never even had a turn.

This woman though, she was on another level. Her smile made his heart race and when he heard her laugh, he always wanted to hear it again. She also smelled amazing. She sat across from him in class, and every time she moved her hair, he caught a whiff of flowers and clean soap. It drove him wild and sometimes caused his attention to wander from the lecture.

Yes, Jenny Lipton had been his first real crush, but she could not hold a candle to Dana Scully.

“Class, we’re going to stop here for a bit. I want each of you to take out the journals you were to bring and identify the plants of the area. You should have your guide pages with you as well. We’ll be here for about forty five minutes and then we’ll be moving on to the campground,” Professor Morrow said, taking his pack off and setting it on a rock. He was about forty, a hippie with long blond hair and a full beard. He was a kind teacher and cared deeply for the subject he taught. “Break into teams or on your own, whichever you prefer.”

Mulder glanced quickly over at Dana and saw her and Hannah, slip off their backpacks and take out their journals and guide pages. She stretched and rolled her neck as she picked up her things and walked with Hannah into the woods. He took off his backpack, took out his own journal, and headed into the woods behind them.

An hour later, they all met up to collect their packs and move on. Mulder put his things away and put his pack back on, adjusting the straps so it sat better this time. They trudged on for another hour, before arriving at the campsite. A round fire pit sat in the middle of a clearing, thick round tree stumps encircling it.

Everyone sat their bags down and Kyle loudly announced he would make a fire. He walked away to gather some wood and the others began to set up their tents. Mulder had a one man tent, as he had no intention to share one with anyone. He had it set up quickly, and as he pounded the stakes in to secure it, he heard Dana laughing. He looked up to see her and Hannah struggling to get their tent up, laughing as they did. Dana was bent over, clutching her side, and then her head was thrown back as she laughed. Watching her, he missed the stake, and hit his thumb.

“Fuck,” he seethed under his breath, sticking his thumb in his mouth, the pain sharp and throbbing. He glanced up quickly to see if Dana noticed, but she and Hannah were still struggling with their tent and laughing.

Finished with securing his tent, he tossed his backpack inside, intent on setting out his sleeping bag later. He stood up and brushed off his hands, swallowing hard, as he walked closer to the women and cleared his throat. As Dana turned around and looked at him, he was struck again by the blue of her eyes.

“Uhh … would you … do you need a hand?” he stammered, and she smiled at him, making his heart race.

“I think we got it, but thanks, Fox,” she said with another smile.

“Mulder,” he said without thinking, realizing he would not mind his hated name being said by her. She tilted her head and stared at him.

“Really? You go by your last name with everyone? It’s not just a guy thing?” she asked. “Do you really not go by Fox? No one calls you Fox?” Her eyes twinkled and he felt he would let her call him anything, if she kept smiling and looking at him that way.

“Uh … my family, but not really anyone else,” he said, even as his brain screamed at him to shut up and walk away. “Whatever you … either is fine.” He turned and walked away, exceedingly embarrassed, wishing he could disappear.

“Thanks for the offer of help‍ … Mulder,” she called after him, and he turned quickly, her dancing eyes on him, her red hair shining in the sunlight. He nodded and turned around again, walking aimlessly away from them, shaking his head at his idiocy.

He walked around for a while prior to heading back to the campsite, needing time to recover from his own stupidity. He headed over to the fire pit and watched Kyle trying to build a fire. He was doing it all wrong, laying the wood haphazardly as he added kindling under it. Mulder shook his head, stepping closer to show him how to do it correctly, when he heard a voice behind him.

“You’re not doing that properly.” He turned and saw Dana standing there, her hair down and wavy from the braid. She was looking at the fire pit, but cut her eyes at Mulder, causing him to smile slightly. “You need to build it like a chimney so the oxygen can feed through the kindling and the wood -”

“Excuse me, sweetheart,” Kyle said, looking up at her with a sneer. “I don’t need help from you on how to build a fire, okay?” He went back to trying to get the fire burning and Dana stepped closer to him.

“If our warmth and the ability to eat tonight is dependent on you, sweetheart, then I’m going to have to insist that you either build the fire properly, or get out of the way so I can do it,” she said, in a low controlled tone that made Mulder both afraid and highly aroused. Kyle stared up at her and then stood up, towering over her. She did not back down or show any fear, and soon Kyle stormed away, claiming he needed more wood.

Dana glanced over at Mulder and rolled her eyes as she pushed up her sleeves and restructured the fire. She had it lit within minutes, stood up and brushed off her hands. She looked at Mulder with a grin, and he smiled back, nodding at her appreciatively.

“Make sure he doesn’t overload it with wood, okay? I’m going to find Hannah. I wasn’t going to stop and help, but he was being an idiot about it,” she said as she walked away. He grinned and watched her before turning his eyes back to the fire.

Hours later, after everyone had eaten, they were discussing the plant life they had found that day. Kyle sat quietly, still stinging over the fact that a woman, a younger woman at that, had shown him up, The other guys kept razzing him, which he was not taking well.

Mulder sat to the left of Dana, with Hannah on her right. As the others discussed the plant life, he knew they were mistaken with their findings. Not only did he know, but he heard Dana repeatedly muttering, wrong under her breath. He huffed and she looked at him with a grin.

“Well, they are wrong,” she whispered, and he smiled. “We had the guide papers, I don’t know how they could be so mistaken.” She shrugged and he coughed to cover up a laugh as she turned around and watched the fire.

Not long later, everyone headed off to bed, the fire dying, but not out completely. Mulder watched Dana and Hannah walk into their tent as he was going into his own. Laying his sleeping bag out, he changed his clothes, adding an extra zip up hooded sweatshirt to take away the chill.

Getting inside the sleeping bag, he rested his head on his backpack but quickly pushed it aside, finding it too bulky to be used as a pillow. Putting his arms behind his head, he wished the tent had a mesh top so he could see the stars, but he would make do with the sound of the crickets and owls in the trees.

After the day’s activities, he should be tired, exhausted even, but he was wide awake. Sighing, he decided to go sit by the fire for a little while. Putting his boots back on, he opened his tent, stepped out, and zipped it up again, to avoid allowing in any unwanted critters. Hands in his sweatshirt pockets, his head down, he did not notice that he was not the only one with the idea to sit by the fire.

“Oh!” He heard and looked up in surprise. Dana was standing there, poking at the fire with a long stick. “I didn’t wake you, did I? I wasn’t too loud?”

“No, not at all. I … uh … I wasn’t tired, surprisingly, and thought I’d check on the fire. Guess you beat me to it,” he said and she smiled. He walked closer and stood beside her, the fire still burning low and giving off heat.

She added another few small pieces of firewood and stirred at the fire as she sat down on a stump. Mulder sat beside her and they quietly stared at the fire as it began to slightly grow. He glanced at her and then back at the fire.

“So, did the fact that we all went to bed, in the middle of a forest with a fire smoldering, bother you a bit, too?” she asked him quietly, and he laughed softly. “Or were you also a dumb idiot, who forgot to pack an extra sweatshirt, thus needing to seek out the warmth of said fire?”

He turned his head to look at her and realized she was definitely not dressed for the cold night air. She had a long flannel on, but it was absolutely not enough to keep her small body warm. He watched her wrap her arms around herself, and he stood up, already unzipping his sweatshirt.

“Oh no,” she said, putting up her hands. “Please don’t think I was implying I expected you to do that, I was just making conversation. I can’t take your sweatshirt from you. It’s my own fault for forgetting an extra shirt. Please … no.” She shook her head and pushed at the item he offered her. “I can’t.”

“You can,” he said, holding it out to her and staring at her. “It’s an extra. Well, I mean I have two shirts and this long sleeved one as well. I’ll be okay without the sweatshirt. That flannel won’t keep you warm enough. Take it. Please.” He held it out and she finally accepted it, standing up to put it on and zip it up. It was big on her of course, but wearing the flannel under helped it to fit better.

As she pulled her hair from inside it and tossed it back, he was treated to the most wonderful scent of flowers. She kept her head down for a second before raising her eyes to his. “Thank you,” she said quietly, and he nodded at her, seeing the flames from the fire reflecting in her eyes. He smiled and sat back down, as she sighed and did the same.

They sat in silence for a few minutes and watched the fire, when she suddenly stood quietly, and walked to her tent. She did not look back, but stepped inside and zipped it shut. He was left wondering if he had done something wrong, but then he smiled slowly, as he realized she was still wearing his sweatshirt.

He sat by the fire until it burned down low enough to not be a hazard, and then headed to his own tent. Laying down inside the bag once again, he smiled, imagining her sleeping comfortably because of the warmth his sweatshirt provided her. Closing his eyes, he was asleep in minutes.

_______________________

The next morning, Mulder woke with the dawn, dressed, and rebuilt the fire. He shivered as he waited for it to warm up, his eyes flicking towards Dana’s tent, hoping she had been warm enough last night. Stirring the fire, he stood with his hands extended, feeling the warmth beginning to build.

Not long after the fire was burning steadily, others began to emerge from their tents, happily seeking the warmth of the fire. Each person thanked him as they stood around it, warming their hands and backs in turn. A few of the guys started to prepare some peanut butter sandwiches for the group. Brian handed one to Mulder, who took it with a nod.

After nearly everyone had gotten up, Dana and Hannah finally came from their tent, ready for the day. Dana glanced his way and then looked down, walking over to grab a sandwich from Brian. Hannah continued on to speak to Craig, a quiet guy who Mulder actually got along with. Dana stood on the fringe and then came closer to him.

“Your sweatshirt is in the tent. I didn’t want to bring it out in front of everyone,” she said, glancing up at him, her eyes begging him to understand.

“You keep it for tonight, just in case,” he shrugged, and she shook her head. “You can.” He repeated his words from last night to her again and she sighed with a nod.  

“Thank you,” she whispered, and then walked away.

The tents were taken down and packed up as the sun began to rise higher in the sky. They left on a trail and Mulder followed behind Hannah and Dana, listening to their conversation while trying not to appear too creepy. They discussed dating and Dana admitted to Hannah that the last couple of dates she went on was a while ago, with one of the men standing her up.

Mulder scoffed at the stupidity of whoever that man was, and Dana turned around quickly and looked at him. He stopped walking abruptly and stared at her, embarrassed beyond belief. He saw her lips twitch as she turned around and began to walk again. He fell back a few paces, intent on that not happening again.

An hour or so later, they came to a shallow but wide stream they needed to cross. A log had fallen, creating a natural bridge, and they took turns walking across it carefully. Mulder had almost neared the end when his foot slipped and he fell into the stream. He luckily had not broken or sprained anything, but everything he was wearing was thoroughly soaked.

Everyone laughed, including Dana, but she was the only one to come over and help him, as he spluttered and tried to stand up. She reached for his backpack, and he handed it to her, rising to his knees and then his feet.

“Shit,” he muttered, unbuttoning his flannel shirt. He took it off and the one underneath, leaving him in a very wet tank top, cargo shorts, socks, and boots. He glanced up and found that Dana had turned her head, his backpack held in her hand, as it dripped steadily into the stream.

“I’ll take that back now,” he said softly, and she nodded, glancing at him as her eyes quickly moved up and down his body, before she turned and walked away, running her fingers through her long ponytail. He smiled as he watched her, not seeming to notice how wet he truly was.

Up another hill, they came to their camping site. A large fire pit was surrounded by small, single occupancy cabins. Everyone exclaimed at the sight of them, each of them going to check them out. Mulder set his wet pack on the step and walked inside. There was a cot, a small table made from logs, a lantern, and an oval hooked rug on the floor. It would be warmer than the tent, and for that he was relieved.

Stepping out of the room, he began to unpack his bag, shaking his head at the sheer wetness of everything. His clothes inside were soaked, but they would hopefully dry soon. It was warm out and there was still a few hours of sunlight left. He laid out his clothes and reached for his sleeping bag, thankfully finding it still dry.

He put it on the cot and checked the rest of his things. His snacks and other first aid items were okay, but his notebook was wet, his inked words running together. Shaking his head, he set it down. It would be easy to redo the work, he had it memorized. Taking out his spare shoes, a pair of old flip flops, he took off his wet boots and socks, again shaking his head.

Picking up his clothes, he went to find a place to hang them to dry while the sun was still shining. His shoes … well they would hopefully dry, but he doubted it would happen by the time they journeyed back to their cars tomorrow morning.

Clothes laid out in the sun on a bush, he walked back to the fire pit where everyone had gathered. He glanced down at the empty pit, and then looked up, catching Dana’s eye, as he raised his eyebrows. She smiled and covered her mouth as she laughed softly. He grinned as he looked toward Professor Morrow.

“All right! Congratulations on making it here unscathed, well, most of us anyway,” he said, with a glance toward Mulder and everyone laughed. He shook his head and smiled. “Tonight, as well as food that we’ve brought, we’ll be gathering edible plants to add to our meal. Berries, plants, whatever you find that you’re sure is edible. So be double, even triple sure that you’re correct. We don’t want to poison our friends.” Everyone laughed again and soon headed off, each one with a container to collect items.

Mulder found himself near Dana as they walked into the woods. He could hear her humming and he smiled, happy she was enjoying herself. They spread out, foraging the bushes for food.

“How can you just walk away from me? When all I can do is watch you leave?” He heard, and turned his head to see Dana singing quietly as she cleaned a bush of its berries. “So take a look at me now, well there's just an empty space. And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face …” She looked up and saw him watching her and she grinned.

“I’m a little obsessed with Phil Collins right now. Sorry to expose you to my horrible singing voice,” she said, with a laugh. He shook his head and continued gathering items.

“It’s not horrible,” he told her, his eyes downcast.

“Liar,” she called, and he looked up to see her smiling. He looked back down, smiling as he continued his work.

Fire warm and food eaten, even the items they had all collected, of which Mulder and Dana had brought in the most, everyone sat around that night laughing and talking about many things. Mulder saw Hannah speaking to Craig once again, a huge smile on his face.

Mulder glanced at Dana as she put another log onto the fire, debating whether to speak to her. As he was contemplating it, she walked over to him, standing close and crossing her arms. She glanced at him and smiled and he smiled back.

“So, we’re obviously the smartest ones in class, we definitely need to stick together from now on.” She shrugged and he laughed. They both looked at the fire and were quiet, Mulder constantly feeling tongue tied around her.

“So you —” he started to say, but was cut off by the professor telling them all to head to bed, warning of rising early in the morning. Mulder glanced at Dana again, but she was busy smothering tonight’s fire, the area they were in more heavily wooded.

“Can’t take any chances,” she said, and he began to help her. Nodding her thanks, she caught his eye, and headed to her little cabin.

Making sure the fire was completely out, he took out his flashlight, and gathered all his items from the nearby bushes he had laid them on earlier. Finding them to be relatively dry, he walked into his cabin, took off his shoes, and changed his clothes. He lit the lantern on the small table and laid down on his cot.

Sighing, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. A knock sounded at his door and he sat up in surprise, his brow furrowing. Standing up and crossing to the door, he opened it to find Dana standing there, a flashlight in her hand, her long hair down, his borrowed sweatshirt pulled tightly around her, and a worried expression on her face.

“Hi,” he said simply, his surprise undoubtedly evident.

“I need you to look at something. Please,” her voice shaky and scared.

“Uhh … come in,” he told her, stepping aside to let her inside before he closed the door. She hurried past him and stood in the middle of the small room in his large sweatshirt, a pair of shorts, and her boots.

“I was changing my clothes and … I felt something, on my back. It was itchy earlier, but now it feels worse. I can’t see it and I need to know what it is. Can you look at it, please?” she stared at him and he nodded. She turned around, moved her hair, and dropped his sweatshirt down past her butt. His breath caught and he froze in place.

She was not wearing anything under the sweatshirt, clearly whatever she found, had scared her badly enough to forego extra clothing as she hurried to his room.

“Mulder? Fox? What is it?” Her worried voice snapped him into action, and he reached for the lantern, turning it up to see her back better. Stepping closer to her, he held the lantern as he knelt down. “It’s down on my lower back.”

As soon as he was close enough, he saw it- an angry looking rash covering a good sized area of her lower back. He touched it gently and she hissed and then she groaned.

“Sorry,” he said, feeling the heat even without touching it again. “Stay like that for a second.” He turned around and grabbed his backpack, rummaging around until he found the container of salve he had brought with him. “Okay, this might hurt a little bit.”

“What?” she asked, but he did not reply, instead taking two fingerfuls of the salve, and gently rubbing it across her back. “Oh my God, what is that? Mmmm, oh Mulder, that stings … ohhhh … no it feels good. What is it?” He rubbed in the salve and smiled as he listened to her finding relief from the comfort it provided.

Wiping his hands, he put the lid on the salve and stood up. He brought his sweatshirt back up her body and placed it on her shoulders. She grabbed at it and zipped it up. Letting her hair fall, she put her hands in the pockets of the sweatshirt and turned around, looking up at him.

“Seriously, what is that? And what’s on my back?” she asked, reaching for the container in his hands.

“It’s a rash, probably from a plant you touched unknowingly,” he told her, reaching in his bag again, taking out a bottle of aspirin and handing two of them to her. “It’s pretty hot and inflamed; this will help it feel better.” He handed her water from a canteen bottle he had and she took the medicine, just as a huge crack of thunder sounded, causing her to jump. A second later, rain began to fall, hard, on the tiny cabin.

“Whoa,” they said simultaneously, looking up as the rain pelted the roof from above. He looked back down at her and turned to the door, opening it and looking outside. She stepped closer to him and they watched as the rain obscured their vision beyond anything not directly in front of them.

“I … “ she started, and then stopped.

“No, you can’t,” he finished for her, knowing she was going to suggest she make a run for it. “You’d be soaked through, that salve will wash off, and you’d be in pain. Best to stay here, at least until it lets up a bit.” He closed the door and turned to find her right behind him, and his mouth went dry. The one person who seemed to short circuit his brain was now going to be sitting alone with him in a small room during a rainstorm, for the night possibly.

Her expression was unreadable as her eyes seemed to search his face. He waited until she nodded in agreement and stepped over to the bed, sat down, and took off her boots. She looked at him and he gave her a small smile as he picked up the lantern off the floor, set it on the little table after turning it down a bit, and then sat on the floor facing her, his back against the wall. They were both quiet as they listened to the heavy fall of the rain on the roof, thunder rumbling and then cracking loudly. He saw her jump again and he smiled slightly. She obviously did not like thunder.

“Tell me a story,” she said, just loud enough for him to hear her above the deluge of rain, as though she was not sure if she should be asking for something like that.

“A story? About what?” he asked, looking at her in surprise. She shrugged, looking a little embarrassed.

“I don’t know, anything, I’m not picky,” she said. “I don’t really like thunder and I thought maybe a story might take my mind off it. You don’t have to, if you don’t want to.” She shrugged again, looking down and touching at her back lightly over his sweatshirt. She hissed and closed her eyes.

He watched her for a second, thinking of stories that would not only interest her, but help to loosen his tongue. Leaning his head back, he knew she would not be looking for some silly fairy tale to be retold to her, and so he thought back to the science fiction and weird stories he loved to read and know more about, until he had a perfect one.

“Have you ever heard the story of the star-crossed lovers, Maurice and Lyda?” he asked, lifting his head and watching her, hoping she would say no, as he knew this story by heart. He could recite it from memory, thus making it easier to speak to her.

“The only star-crossed lovers I know of are Romeo and Juliet,” she said, shifting on the cot. He smiled and nodded as that was the case with most people.

Clearing his throat, he began his story. “Christmas, 1917, it was a time of dark, dark despair. American soldiers were dying at an ungodly rate in a war-torn Europe, while at home, a deadly strain of the flu virus attacked young and old alike,” he began, and then he forgot about her as he closed his eyes, lost in his own story. “Tragedy was a visitor on every doorstep while a creeping hopelessness set in with every man, woman. and child. It was a time of dark, dark despair.”

“You said that already,” she said, with a smirk, and he opened his eyes to find her now lying on her side facing him, leaning on her elbow, one eyebrow raised. He grinned and then chuckled.

“But,” he continued, “at 1501 Larkspur Lane, for a pair of star-crossed lovers, tragedy came not from war or pestilence, not by the boot heel or the bombardier, but by their own innocent hand.” He stared at her and waited, seeing if he could get that skeptical eyebrow to go down.

“Go on,” she said, both eyebrows going up, and he knew he had piqued her interest.

“His name was Maurice. He was a ... a brooding, but heroic young man, beloved of Lyda, a sublime beauty with a light that seemed to follow her wherever she went,” he said, waving his hands around slowly, and she laughed softly. “They were likened to two angels descended from heaven whom the gods could not protect from the horrors being visited upon this cold, grey earth.” Again he paused and stared at her, waiting to see what she would say.

“And what happened to them?”

“Well, according to legend, driven by a tragic fear of separation, they forged a lovers' pact so that they might spend eternity together and not spend one precious Christmas apart,” he said with a shrug and a half smile, his tongue loosened now from a story he had always enjoyed.

“Wait. They killed themselves?” she asked, frowning as she stared at him.

“Yeah, and supposedly their ghosts return to haunt that house every Christmas Eve,” he said, and then shivered. “I just gave myself the chills.” He stared at her with a grin and she frowned with a smile. “What?”

“Do you really believe that story?”

“I don’t know. Yeah. I mean, it’s kind of hard not to believe it when it —”

“Sounds so believable?” she cut across him, with a tone of disbelief.

“You don’t believe in ghosts?”

“Does that surprise you?”

“Well … yeah, a little. I thought everybody believed in ghosts,” he said, with a shrug of his shoulders.

“Like that slimy one in Ghostbusters?” she teased him and he shook his head.

“No, not like Ghostbusters. What a joke that movie was at portraying ghosts. They are benevolent entities … well, mostly. I have read stories of places where ghosts have done horrible things and people —” He stopped talking as he looked at the barely contained grin on her face. It spread as she tried to stop it and he saw a dimple in her cheek.

God, he was in so much trouble …

“You believe it all, don’t you?” she asked, with a huge grin.

“Why wouldn’t I?” he asked back, shrugging his shoulders. “I haven’t seen it disproved, so …” He shrugged again and she laughed as she shook her head. She laid down on her back, and he looked at her profile.

So much trouble …

“Umm … I should check your back again, just to be sure the salve is helping,” he said, getting up and picking up the container again as he knelt down beside the bed. She looked up at him, her eyes so blue, he knew that if she asked him to do anything, no matter how questionable, he would. “You need to turn over.”

She nodded and did as he asked. He lifted his sweatshirt over her butt and up just enough to expose her back. It was looking better already and felt cooler than earlier. Still, he would apply another layer and have her lay on her stomach for a while, let it soak in better.

“It looks better, not completely gone of course, but better than earlier. I’d say you had an allergic reaction to something. Obviously not poison oak, you would’ve been smart enough to avoid that, but at least it’s topical and nothing serious,” he said as he slowly put more salve on, both to make sure it was applied well, and because her skin was so soft, he wanted to touch it forever. She had a freckle just above the rash and he had an overwhelming desire to bend forward and kiss it.

“What is that stuff?” she asked again, her voice muffled in her arms, hissing and then moaning, as he applied it.

“It’s a homemade salve my mom has made for years. My sister and I were always getting scrapes and rashes as children and so she made this natural stuff because my sister cried with the stuff from the pharmacy,” he told her, rubbing slow circles across her back.

“What were you two doing to meet such catastrophes?”

“Well, we grew up in Chilmark, and spent a lot of time outdoors. Climbing trees, baseball games, races, playing widespread games of hide-and-seek. Inevitably, one of us would come down with some ailment and so my mother kept this on hand at all times. She called it the “Super Salve,” as we were both into superheroes then. Plus, it works really well, so …” He smiled as he thought of those days spent outside, no care for anything but being home on time for dinner. He finished applying the salve and closed the container. “Stay like that for a few minutes and let it really set in, it will help a lot.” He wiped his hands on the shirt he had worn earlier and leaned against the bed.

He heard her turn her head and he looked at her over his shoulder. “You’re a Vineyard boy, huh? And here I thought you were all right,” she said, with a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face.

He laughed and she turned her head back, sighing as she did. “Well, whatever she puts in that, it’s like magic. Please tell your mother that I can't thank her enough. It stings for a second, but then … ohhhh …” she said in a low voice, and he was glad she had turned her head away. Her moan shot straight to his groin and he was horrified at its betrayal in such tight quarters as the rain fell down, preventing any chance of escape.

“Tell me more about your family,” she said and he smiled, thankful for the distraction.

“I have a sister, she’s twenty-one. Parents still married, still live in Chilmark. My sister is living in Europe with some friends right now, for “life experience” as she calls it,” he said, looking down at the floor.

“A single trip to Amsterdam ought to take care of that for her,” she said, and he laughed.

“You seem awfully ... normal for growing up on the Vineyard, if you don’t mind me saying,” she said, once again turning to look at him. He raised his eyebrows at her and she smiled.

“What exactly are you implying, Dana?” he asked with a smile. She stared at him, her face serious and then she smiled softly.

“I think that’s the first time I've ever heard you say my name,” she said quietly. “In this class or the last one we had together.” He stared at her and he knew she was correct. He had been nervous to speak to her, in both classes, and now he was seeing how ridiculous that was to do. Besides being smart and beautiful, she was easy to talk to, and funny.

“Yeah, I … uh … I’m not really a … I don’t hang out with many people and I don’t really engage in many conversations,” he said, and she nodded.

“I don’t like it.” She shook her head and he frowned. “You saying that name, I mean. I just think that if you insist on being called Mulder, you should call me … Scully.” She shrugged and he stared at her, trying to decide if she was teasing him. She smiled and he knew she meant it.

“Okay … Scully,” he said, and she grinned wider. He smiled back and she nodded.

“Scully. I like it.” She smiled, and he cleared his throat, looking down at the floor. “And to answer your question, Mulder, I wasn’t really implying anything about Vineyard people. I was just teasing.”

“I know … Scully,” he said, looking up at her and she smiled at him again. “I know what people think about those of us on the Vineyard and I understand. My family does belong to a country club, I went to cotillions when I was younger, and my sister was even a debutante, but only because my mother insisted on it. My sister didn’t want to do it, and in fact, the night of the ball, she left about halfway through, changed out of her ridiculous dress and gloves, and came back in jeans, a Rolling Stones t-shirt, and black Converse high tops. My mother was nearly apoplectic, but my sister just shrugged and kept dancing.”

“I like her. She sounds like someone I’d like to know,” Dana laughed, and he nodded and smiled. Samantha was definitely someone he could see her befriending.

“What about your family?” he asked, and she shook her head, moving to lay on her side, facing him, but keeping his sweatshirt up above her rash.

“I’m not terribly interesting,” she said, waving him away. He stared at her as she licked her lips, biting the bottom one, and he wished he could taste them. “My parents are married, my father is in the Navy. We’ve lived in a lot of places, but have been here for the longest length of time. My older brother is also in the Navy and he’s stationed in Germany. My younger brother is starting college this coming year. I have an older sister, but I don’t really know where she is right now. She’s kind of flighty and the last time I heard from her, she was in Colorado. I think she was anyway. She’s always on the move, ‘following the wind and the sun,’ she says.” She paused and sighed. He looked at her again and she shook her head.

“What?”

“I don’t know,” she sighed, looking down. “I’m still not completely sure what I want to do with my life. I have always loved science and pursuing answers that are not readily available. But I know that’s not a field most women enter into, as if it’s odd a woman would find science interesting.”

“Pssh!” Mulder said forcefully. “It’s incredibly hot and sexy when women are interested in science.” Realizing what he said, his face became flushed, and he fell silent as he chanced a glance at her. She smiled, her own cheeks pink, as she looked down. Thunder cracked again and this time he jumped.

They were quiet for a few minutes and she sighed again. “I just wish that I was more like my sister sometimes. She’s not afraid to do anything. To just up and leave, follow her passion, live in a cabin with some guy she just met and make jewelry to sell at swap meets. She’s flighty, yes, but she’s also passionate and caring, and doesn’t care how she’s perceived. She’s ballsy and tough, despite her hippie outward appearance.” She fell silent and he looked at her, wanting to tell her she was all of that and more, but he worried it would scare her, so he tried a different tactic.

“Every person is given the personality that’s right for them,” he said, looking at the wall across the room. “We see in others what we imagine we are lacking, and yet it’s there, just perhaps not right at the surface. Every person is exactly who they are meant to be.”

“Wow, you and my sister would get along really well,” she told him with a quiet laugh. “Dare I say, even make a good couple.”

“Hmm, what’s her stance on science?” he asked, watching her out of the corner of his eye.

“The whole idea of it?” she laughed. “I wouldn’t say she’s against it, but she’s more prone to believe in the healing power of crystals than modern medicine.”

“Oh, well, then I'm sorry, I’m gonna have to pass. A firm grasp in the belief of science is high on my list. I’d put it at top five, easily,” he said, turning his head to find her staring at him. She did not blink for a few seconds, holding his stare, until thunder cracked again, and she jumped.

“It’s late,” he said quietly. “You should try to get some sleep. Is your back feeling better?” She nodded, staring at him again, as she pulled his sweatshirt down and covered her back. She got inside the sleeping bag, glanced at him once more, and then turned toward the wall.

“Good night, Mulder,” she said softly.

“Good night … Scully,” he replied with a smile, shifting until he was lying on his back on the floor, his arm behind his head, listening to the rain falling unrelentingly on the roof. A few minutes later, he heard her soft breathing and he smiled again, as he himself fell asleep.

________________

Mulder woke early, wanting to be sure Dana was out of his cabin and back in her own, before anyone else was up and about. No need for anyone to suspect anything, especially as it pertained to her.

She walked to her cabin, slipping in the mud a bit, as she arrived at her door. She turned and looked at him as she walked inside, an odd expression on her face. He hoped it was not one of regret or worry over what they had shared last night. Then just as the door was about to close, she poked her head out and smiled at him, and his heart pounded wildly against his rib cage.

The campsite was a muddy wet mess that morning. No chance for the warmth of a fire, as the fire pit was full of water, and every piece of wood in the forest was wet regardless.

Once everyone was up, and that discovery was made, the grumbling began. Foul moods abounded, but Mulder was not fazed by any of them. He could not stop grinning, remembering Dana’s laugh and the beautiful blue of her eyes.

He saw her speaking to Professor Morrow, showing him her back, though not in the same manner she had to him last night. He could not hear them speaking, but the professor glanced his way and nodded, telling him without words that he had done the right thing.

Bags packed and everything ready, they began the long hike back down. The weather made it harder, but they were meant to be back that day, so everyone kept a steady pace. As the car park came into view, Kyle slipped and fell, much to everyone’s amusement. Covered in mud, he swore and yelled, trying to wipe himself clean, and failing.

Gathering by all the cars, Professor Morrow reminded them to finish their workbooks and to write a 2,000 word essay about the weekend and what they experienced. Some groaned and others grinned. Mulder saw Dana smile softly and he wondered what she was thinking about.

People began to leave and soon it was just a few of them. Dana walked over to him, his sweatshirt in her hands, and a smile on her face. He stared at her, feeling Hannah’s eyes on them, making him feel awkward.

“Thank you for the use of your sweatshirt, Fox … Mulder.” She handed it to him and he took it, laying it over his arm.

“You’re welcome, Dana … Scully,” he said and she grinned. They stared at each other, and the desire to kiss her was stronger than anything he had ever felt. Her eyes flicked to his lips and his mouth went dry. Looking back into his eyes, they continued to stand there, staring at one another.

“Dana! Come on, let’s go!” Hannah called from across the car park, causing Mulder to jump, and Dana to sigh.

“Okay,” she called back, looking at her over her shoulder. She looked back at Mulder and smiled sadly. “See you in class.”

“Yeah,” he said quietly, feeling deflated and low. “See you in class.” She stared at him, waiting, and he stepped back with his head down. He heard her sigh again and then the crunch of her boots on the gravel of the car park.

Looking up, he watched them drive away and felt like a complete fool. “You are such an idiot. So stupid.” He threw his backpack in the backseat and then got in the car, heading for his little apartment off campus, berating himself the whole way, knowing he had completely missed his chance.

Arriving home, he went around back and sat on his porch, dumping out his backpack, making sure no little creatures had hitched a ride home. He looked through everything, made piles of things to put away and to be washed. He looked at his sweatshirt and shook his head. Dana’s naked body had been inside it, but he still needed to wash it.

Taking off everything but his undershirt and shorts, he walked barefoot to the front door and unlocked it. Coming through his small one bedroom apartment, he opened the back door and began to bring things inside. Once that was done, he stripped, tossing his clothes outside, and took a shower.

Changed and feeling better physically, but still like an idiot, he scooped up his pile of clothes from outside, grabbed the laundry soap and some quarters, and headed to the laundry room. He opened the lid, added the quarters, and started to put his clothes inside. Taking the time to go through his pockets, he found a rock and some small pieces of dried leaves, which he threw away.

His sweatshirt was last, and he sighed as he reached inside the pockets, and frowned as he touched something. Taking it out, he saw it was a folded piece of paper. Opening it, he grinned and then laughed as he read the words written on the page.

How could you just let me walk away? Just let me leave without a trace?

Scully

(301) 555-0134

P.S. I’m working on those hidden personality traits.

He threw the sweatshirt in the wash, dumped in the soap, closed the lid, pushed in the quarter tray, and ran upstairs. Slamming the door, he grabbed the phone and dialed her number. His heart pounding, breath ragged, he waited. Two rings and then her voice made him stop moving.

“Scully.”

“Hey, Scully, it’s me.” He grinned as he moved again and walked to the couch, flopping down on it.

“Well, it’s about damn time, Mulder,” she teased.

“I’m inclined to agree.” He laughed, sitting forward and shaking his head. She joined his laughter and then they fell silent. His heart began pounding, but if she had been braver than usual, then he could be too. “I … I wanted to kiss you.”

“I know,” she said quietly. “Me, too.” The honesty they expressed, left him tongue tied once again. Just hearing her voice in his ear made his body feel warm.

“So, Mulder … do you suppose that house on Larkspur Lane is haunted only on Christmas? Surely it could do with a scientific investigation, just to see,” she said, and he could hear her smile. He sat back with a grin, ready to discuss haunted houses, or any other damn thing she wanted.

For the next ten minutes, an hour, or for the rest of his life.

[jiaraweek]

✶ JIARA JULY 2020 MASTERLIST ✶

hello everyone! this is the masterlist for all fics posted during the week of jiara july. we’ll be periodically updating it each day with any fics posted under the tag ‘jiara july’ on tumblr or ao3, but please let us know if we miss anything/you want your fic to be added! thank you in advance to all the talented writers who are participating, we can’t wait to read what you’ve come up with!

DAY 1 - July 26th, 2020

PRECANON DAY

i'm so high at the moment, i'm so caught up in this (we're just young, dumb and broke but we still got love to give) by @hvitstark / RoseOf Winterfell on ao3

A totally plausible but not entirely probable speculation of Kie’s kook year and JJ’s part in it.

oneshot | 8K | angst | read it here

here to stay by @interstellarbeams

JJ has a small circle of trust, the Pogues, until Kiara breaks her way in.

oneshot | 2.3K | angst/hurt/comfort | read it here

pretty hot for a pogue by @hmsjiara / someoneyouloved on ao3

jj and rafe have a history, and kiara carrera just happens to be at the center of it.

oneshot | 6.7K | angst/hurt/comfort | read it here

nothin' lasts forever (we both know hearts can change) by @maybankiara

in which jj decides to take his chances with kiara the summer before they go to different high schools, which possibly ruins their friendship (and by an extension, the pogues’).

oneshot | 5.3K | angst | read it here

another day by capulets on ao3

a look at jj and kiara’s relationship from the very beginning.

oneshot | 2.6K | angst | read it here

new message by @routledges

glimpses into the pogues' group chat as kiara heads off to kook academy, and the messages exchanged between jj and kiara as her struggles don't go unnoticed.

oneshot | 1.8K | light angst/fluff | read it here

you drew stars around my scars by @coconutroseowl

after a hard betrayal from her best friend, kiara becomes intrigued with the code of friendship a certain group of boys have after jj helps her feel better. 

oneshot | 2.2K | hurt/comfort | read it here

What if... (Secrets are dug in the best friends' back yard?) by TiggerUsername on ao3

What if JJ and Kiara have been keeping a massive secret from the Pogues? What if JJ and Kiara were a lot closer than anyone had expected during Kiara's Kook year?

oneshot | 7.5K | romance/angst | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 2 - July 27th, 2020

ACTIVIY DAY

fingertips puttin' on a show, got me now and I can't say no (i already know that there ain't no stoppin’ your plans and those slow hands) by @hvitstark / RoseOfWinterfell on ao3

JJ and Kie spend the morning with their kids... And trying to make a new one.

oneshot | 2.8K | romance/fluff | read it here

sea salt and grime (can’t believe that you’re mine) by @hmsjiara / someoneyouloved on ao3

jj and kiara fix up a bike together, and jj realizes they may have more in common than he thought.

oneshot | 5.5K | fluff/light angst | read it here

What if... (Baking is for lovers)? by TiggerUsername on ao3

A baking class for idiots inevitably escalates because of the hopeless couple that is JJ and Kiara.

oneshot | 3.3K | romance/fluff | read it here

invisible string by @alphinias

She weaved him bracelets as surely as they weaved memories together.

oneshot | 4.1K | fluff | read it here

i'll be there 'til the stars don't shine by @maybankiara

in which the pogues throw a kegger, and jj keeps getting distracted by the feelings he might have for one of his closest friends.

oneshot | 3.9K | angst/romance | read it here

just as i reach out to touch you (i remind myself you were meant to fly) by @interstellarbeams

JJ’s childhood memory of chasing fireflies has been tainted by his mother’s disappearance, but his friends help remind him what it’s like to be a kid again.

oneshot | 3.7k | fluff/hurt/comfort | read it here

that’s the thing about illicit affairs by @coconutroseowl

a day’s surfing with her best friend sparks unknown and unwanted feelings in kiara.

oneshot | 2.6K | angst | read it here

kiss the girl by capulets on ao3

some traditions are meant to be broken. apparently, the sanctity of movie night isn’t one of them.

oneshot | 1.5K | fluff | read it here

sunday’s by jiaras on ao3

Sundays were for JJ and Kiara. Since they became official three years ago, it was a known fact — ''I can’t, it’s Sunday'' or ''oh, maybe next week? Just not tomorrow, it’s Sunday'' had been more than overused by them both, until everyone seemed to catch on and stop asking all together.

oneshot | 4.8K | fluff/smut | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 3 - July 28th, 2020

AU DAY

two worlds collided (and they could never tear us apart) by @rcsales

Kiara is tired of fancy parties at Sarah’s house; tired of rich self-centered people who only talk about how much money they're making. When she bumps into one of the waiters, her night gets a little more fun, whether she wants to admit it or not.

multichapter | 3.6K | romance/fluff | read it here

i see the sunrise getting high, i wish i was next to you by @hvitstark / RoseOfWinterfell on ao3

jiara band AU

oneshot | 5.2K | fluff/angst | read it here

i had a few (got drunk on you) by @interstellarbeams

Kiara is a student at bartender school and JJ is helping her practice (when he isn’t hindering her by drinking all the liquor).

oneshot | 7.6K | romance/fluff | read it here

no judgement zone by @noellesthings

jiara mythical AU

oneshot | 2K | angst | read it here

What if... (A beating heart is just a ticking timer)? by TiggerUsername on ao3

Everyone in Outer Banks has a soulmate. On their wrist is a ticking timer that is counting down to the second where the person meets their soulmate. The Universe makes sure that the two soulmates don't miss each other.

oneshot | 12.4K | angst/romance | read it here

this dream isn’t feeling sweet by @rae-of-fricking-sunshine

the scorpio race au

multichapter | 10.7K | read it here

monkshood and wolfsbane by @alphinias

JJ and Kiara go through seven years of Hogwarts together. They don't really like each other, until they do.

multichapter | 8.5K | romance/angst/fluff | read it here

war of hearts by capulets on ao3

kiara falls in love with jj. over and over and over again. the reincarnation au literally nobody asked for.

multichapter | 6.6K | romance/angst | read it here

let's get together (before we get much older) by jiaras on ao3

jiara college AU

oneshot | 7.5K | romance/fluff/smut | read it here

cause all’s fair in love and war by @hmsjiara / someoneyouloved on ao3

the percy jackson AU where jj and kiara really, really hate each other... until they don’t.

multichapter | 9.5K | romance/angst | read it here

this world seems beautiful when i'm with you by @maddieandherships

JJ, Pope and John B were alone in this world-a world crawling with dead people that would kill anything that had a heartbeat. It wasn't until they stumble upon a small community of survivors is where they finally feel they have a purpose, to survive.

multichapter | 5.9K | romance/angst | read it here

i have come to save the day by @maybankiara

in which jj is a postman and kiara is his favourite receptionist (alternatively, 4 times kiara didn't know jj's name and the one time she did).

oneshot | 5K | fluff | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 4 - July 29th, 2020

DESTINATION DAY

better date than never by @alphinias

Kiara is sick of her mom badgering her about the single groomsmen at her cousin's wedding, so obviously, taking JJ as her date is the perfect solution. It won't be complicated. Not at all.

oneshot | 22.6K | romance/angst | read it here

you're the only friend I need (sharing beds like little kids) by jiaras on ao3

in which JJ and Kiara take their three kids on a road trip to the lake house.

oneshot | 3.6K | fluff | read it here

tell me when you’re falling (can you hear me calling?) by capulets on ao3

being in love with your best friend makes vacationing pretty inconvenient. luckily for kiara, said best friend will never suspect a thing.

oneshot | 3.3K | fluff/romance | read it here

and if my wishes came true (it would’ve been you) by @hmsjiara / someoneyouloved on ao3

the one where jj and kiara go on a road trip together and do a miserable job of pretending they’re not two idiots in love

oneshot | 7K | angst/fluff/smut | read it here

i don’t want to miss a thing by @maybankiara

in which jj drives kiara off to college, and he's not completely okay with that.

oneshot | 2.2K | fluff/light angst | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 5 - July 30th, 2020

5 + 1 DAY

bare necessities by @rae-of-fricking-sunshine

the five times they were unintentionally undressed, and the one time they weren't

oneshot | 10.6K | fluff | read it here

I can’t believe that it’s finally me and you and you and me, just us (and our friends) by @hvitstark / RoseOfWinterfell on ao3

4 times John B and Pope interupt JJ and Kiara's alone time. And the 1 time they get to be alone.

oneshot | 11.6K | fluff/smut | read it here

if we were meant to be, we would've been by now by @alphinias

five times JJ was jealous, and one time he didn't have to be

oneshot | 12K | angst/romance | read it here

every piece of you by @interstellarbeams

Five places that Kie hadn’t expected to be intimate when kissed and one place she does.

oneshot | 13.2K | fluff/romance | read it here

it wasn’t special til i met you by capulets on ao3

the four times kiara lets jj braid her hair and the one time she doesn’t.

oneshot | 3.2K | fluff/light angst | read it here

friends are something that we were (before me sleeping in your shirt) by jiaras on ao3

the five times JJ and Kiara pretended to be a couple, and the one time they were

oneshot | 10K | romance/smut | read it here

What if... (slow and steady wins the race)? by TiggerUsername on ao3

the four times that JJ and Kiara are nearly caught and the one time where secrets become too much.

oneshot | 11K | romance/smut | read it here

i don’t wanna be your friend (i wanna kiss your lips) by @hmsjiara / someoneyouloved on ao3

the five times kiara thinks about kissing jj, and the one time she finally does it.

oneshot | 12.4K | angst/romance | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 6 - July 31st, 2020

FIRSTS DAY

i lost myself between your legs (oh the habits of my heart, i can't say no) by @hvitstark / RoseOfWinterfell on ao3

Kie ask JJ to be her first. Because she trusts him. No other reason. JJ agrees. Because he's a good friend. No other reason.

oneshot | 10.8K | romance/smut | read it here

you and i (on the fly) by capulets on ao3

jj takes kie out on his bike for the first time and realizes just how fucked he is.

oneshot | 2.9K | fluff | read it here

august slipped away (into a moment in time) by jiaras on ao3

Kiara is going off to college soon, and JJ is staying in Outer Banks.

They decide to practice being away from each other for a day, for the first time ever.

oneshot | 6K | comfort/angst | read it here

What if... (It's only three words, eight letters)? by TiggerUsername on ao3

JJ has had a lot of firsts in his life. But none of them compare to Kiara. They are eighteen when Kiara tells JJ to man up and make a move. Together they realise that firsts can be repeated. There is one first however that changes everything. Because neither of them have heard those three words, eight letter before.

oneshot | 7.3K | angst/hurt/comfort | read it here

✦ ✧ ✦

DAY 7 - August 1st, 2020

FREE/GENRE DAY

Aetea (still searching for a reason, why is it so hard to find one) by @anxietyismyspiritanimal / yawning_inF on ao3

All hell breaks loose when JJ returns 'home' for the first time after John B's disappearance.. Luckily for him, Kiara would have never let him go in the mouth of the wolf alone.

multichapter | 1.7K | angst | read it here

[artificialqueens]

Tree House Kisses, Chapter 26 (Adorney) - Scorpio and Veronica

A/N: Click here for previous chapters. xoxo!

Chapter Summary: Summer!!!! Sleepovers, Pool Parties, Naughty Pictures, Amusement Parks, Truth or Dare, and more...

Chapter 26: Cool for the Summer

Courtney blew Roy a kiss as she shut the car door, skipping up the driveway. She was about to go inside when she saw Adore in her bedroom window, face illuminated by her computer screen. She pulled out her phone.

COURTNEY: Put away the porn and come over

ADORE: Dude how did you know

COURTNEY: It’s 1:30 am, lol

ADORE: lol see you in 2...or 5

-

“You know, I was only watching porn because I can’t work on my music when Bonnie’s trying to sleep.” Adore explained, pulling off her Ugg boots.

“Yeah, right,” Courtney grinned, slipping off her dress.

“It’s true! I was on a roll earlier tonight.”

“Really?” Courtney pulled on an oversized nightshirt and climbed onto the bed.

Adore nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been fooling around with the guitar again, ever since I had to teach Willam those chords for the play.”

Courtney punched her lightly on the shoulder, her face lit up with delight. “You didn’t tell me that!”

“Well, you didn’t ask, bitch!” Adore smiled shyly.

“That’s amazing! When do I get to hear?”

“Uhhhh…”

“Oh, come on! Please?” Courtney took a bottle of lotion from her bedside table and began to apply it liberally to her legs.

Adore did her best not to stare, looking instead into her eyes. “Maybe when they’re more finished. Anyway, what about your night? How’s my bestie Roy doing?”

Courtney grinned. “He’s alright. It’s so funny, even during the summer, he’s still all stressed about school. He couldn’t stop talking about these classes he’s taking at the city college and where he’s going to apply next year, and scholarships and test scores, and finally I just had to stuff his dick in my mouth to get him to calm down.”

Adore laughed. “You’re such a good girlfriend.”

“I know, right?” Courtney winked.

“Still using the Willam technique?”

“It’s proven quite popular,” she giggled, stretching. “And how’s your woman? Everything good there?”

“Uhhh...I don’t know. I mean, she’s cool and everything, but I think she might be getting bored with me.”

Courtney climbed under the covers, holding one side open for Adore to join her.

“Why would you say that?”

“It’s like...I don’t know, she’s working all the time, and so I barely see her. And then when finally do get a chance to hang out, she’s always talking about all this random shit I that’s totally over my head like Zen Buddhism and modernist cinema or new wave punk feminism and I’m like...what the fuck…?”

Courtney paused before carefully replying, “It sounds like you’re the one who’s bored.”

“I mean, maybe. But it’s not a total loss. She did teach me a lot of stuff.” Adore smirked.

Courtney raised her eyebrows, rolling over onto her side. “And here I thought you already knew everything, from your time with Miss Violet.”

Adore burst out laughing. “Uh, no. I mean, don’t get me wrong, Violet does a couple of things extremely well. But we were mostly just making shit up as we went along. I wouldn’t call her repertoire extensive.”

“Aww, I guess Violet and I have that in common, don’t we?” Courtney giggled.

“Guess so.” Adore didn’t fight it when Courtney snuggled up to her, slipping a leg in between hers, warm breath tickling her neck. She took a deep, shaky breath, trailing her fingers up and down Courtney’s back, feeling the blonde shift and let out a soft sigh.

“That feels so good,” she murmured, pressing her thighs together, fingers gripping Adore’s shirt.

Adore swallowed. “You know...my friends think our relationship is…kind of fucked up,” she said.

“Oh yeah?” Courtney lifted her head. “Why’s that?” her voice was airy, teasing. She looked at Adore with those big, glittering green eyes.

Fuck. There was, of course, no way for Adore to explain why without also admitting her feelings, and how the fuck was she supposed to do that? So she just shook her head. “They just...don’t get it.”

“Hmmm...well…” Courtney bit her lip, thinking for a moment, then she smiled and said, “Fuck ‘em.” She pressed a soft kiss against Adore’s cheek and laid her head back down on her shoulder, sighing deeply.

“Exactly,” Adore whispered back, running a hand through her hair, blinking back tears.

-

With not much else to do, everyone decided to meet up at Pearl’s to hang out for the day. They grabbed a few snacks, brought out the radio and settled poolside. Violet stretched out on a lounge chair, Fame and Adore on either side of her.

“Are you guys just gonna lay out tanning like some bougie white girls?” Trinity asked, raking her braids into a high bun.

“They are some bougie white girls,” Willam teased, causing three heads to snap in his direction as he added, “Valleygirls.”

“I’m Mexi-” “Actually-” Fame and Adore started at the same time, accompanied by an annoyed scoff from Violet, and Pearl chuckled in amusement at their defensive tones, feet dangling in the water.

“I know, I know. I was just joking. You're not white.” Willam dismissed the girls as he walked towards the pool edge. He raised an eyebrow, confusion etched into his features as he saw Trinity coming to join him. “I didn’t know you could get your hair wet?” Willam tilted his head as he watched Trinity tighten the band around her hair.

“Um, that’s fucking racist!” Trinity frowned at Willam.

“No, it’s not! Black girls don’t like to get their hair wet,” Willam said matter-of-factly, then swooping down, splashing Trinity in the face with water.

“Fuck off!” Trinity yelled, pushing Willam into the pool while he was still bent over and then jumping in after him.

“Trinity! Don’t drown him all by yourself, wait for me to help you,” Pearl laughed, sliding into the pool after them.

“Guys, don’t forget sunscreen,” Fame pulled a bottle out of her tote bag, squeezing an adamant amount in her palm.

“I’m too punk for sunscreen,” Adore pulled her t-shirt off, throwing it off to the side before reaching to turn on the radio.

Violet snorted, her and Fame rolling their eyes at Adore’s statement.

“You’re not too punk to get sunburned.” Fame said, applying the cold sunscreen to Violet’s back, earning a hiss from the girl.

“Sunburns are super punk. It means the sun loves me more,” Adore smirked.

Fame rolled her eyes again, continuing to massage the sunscreen across Violet’s skin.

“It means you’ll have a higher chance of looking like a raisin at 30.” Violet looked at Adore over her sunglasses.

Adore shrugged nonchalantly, saying, “I like raisins.” She closed her eyes and leaned back, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin, turning up the radio as Fame started rambling on about skincare, the sound of squeals and laughter from the pool becoming background noise. A small smile stretched across her lips.

“Adore! Did your boobs get bigger?” Violet’s voice cut through Adore’s tranquil state.

“What?” Adore nearly choked, turning to look at the doe-eyed girl.

“Never mind, it’s probably just the padding in your top. They look good though,” Violet smirked, pushing her sunglasses back up her nose.

-

“Pearl, are you sure your parents won’t notice?” Trinity whispered as the group snuck into Pearl’s kitchen to steal a bottle of liquor.

“I promise they won’t notice. My mom mostly drinks wine and my dad‘ll grab a beer before anything else,” Pearl tried to assure a hesitant Trinity.

“Why would they buy it if they don’t drink it,” Violet rolled her eyes.

“For when we have parties.”

They made Willam, Adore and Fame stay in Pearl’s room. Pearl’s mom had fallen asleep on the couch as Love Actually played on the T.V. and the last thing they needed was Adore tripping or Willam being a bit too loud and waking her.

Pearl slowly opened the cabinet, all three girls cringed when it squeaked, Violet watching Pearl’s mom from her spot in the doorway as lookout, making sure she didn’t move.

“What do you guys want?” Pearl whispered as she surveyed the different bottles in the cabinet.

“Just grab one and come on,” Violet hissed when Mrs. Lent shifted on the couch.

“Alright, alright,” Pearl grabbed a mostly full bottle of Captain Morgan’s rum. The three girls tried to make it quietly as possible past the couch to the hallway. Violet led the way, followed by Trinity and then Pearl, keeping one eye on her mother.

Suddenly, a loud bang (Pearl hitting her toe on the table beside the couch) made the girls freeze in place, their hearts racing in their chests. Her mother shot up, looking around frantically. Violet immediately hit the ground, pulling Trinity down with her.

“Pearl?” her mother asked, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, squinting at her daughter in the dimly lit room.

“Yeah, sorry I didn’t mean to wake you,” Pearl quickly passed the bottle down to Trinity, her and Violet turning and crawling the rest of the way back to her room.

-

Later, they sat scattered around Pearl’s room. Pearl and Adore were sprawled across her bed, Trinity curled up asleep in her chair in the corner, Violet and Fame cuddled together on the floor with their backs against the dresser, and Willam stretched across the rug. Everyone was listening (or half-listening, or not listening at all) to Fame drunkenly ramble on about when she used to live on her abuela's farm.

Violet seemed to be the only one listening intently, a look of adoration on her face as she stuffed handfuls of skittles into her mouth. Fame gestured wildly while she described one occurrence of a couple of chickens that had gotten loose and they chased them for almost an hour.

“It was crazy! Miles… him...he is a handful, but an absolutely gorgeous bird. I think I want to enter him into a contest when I go to stay this summer. You guys have to come visit too,” Fame looked at her friends, their faces a mix of expressions, from Violet nodding excitedly to Pearl’s face scrunched up in distaste as she scratched her stomach.

“Y-you want us to, you want me to,” Willam’s words jumbled on his tongue, “to come to your grandma’s farm in the middle of nowhere and chase chickens with you?” Willam raised a quizzical eyebrow to Fame.

“Well, we won't just be chasing chickens unless we have to… or you want to,” Fame shrugged, popping a chip in her mouth.

“Uh, I, I don't know. I think… I'm with Will-” Pearl started.

“Now, hold up!” Willam interrupted squeezing his way in between Violet and Fame, ignoring Violet’s pinch on his arm “Will there… be hot cowboys?” he asked seriously, leaning in real close to Fame.

Adore shook her head, letting her hair fall in her face, “or cowboys but girls.”

Violet frowned at the two.

“This s’not bout you, les-bee-an,” Willam slurred.

“Mhm, definitely,” Fame nodded.

“Well, I'm in. Not passing up the chance to fuck a cowboy.” Willam made a noise of finalization, before crawling over to Trinity and pulling on her feet, making her whine and lethargically slap him away.

“I don't know,” Pearl slurred, shaking her head.  “I was born with people. I'm a city girl. Chasing stinky animals is not fun.”

“But you’ve never been!” Fame threw her hands up.

“Sounds fuckin cool. I want to wrestle a pig, get real dirty, show ‘em what I'm made of,” Adore said, before letting out a dramatic moan as she reached for the bag of chips in Fame’s lap, that was just an inch out of her reach.

-

“Well? What do you think?” Courtney looked into Roy’s face, smiling coyly, biting her lip.

Roy’s heart hammered as he looked at the black and white photos nestled in the box. He covered it quickly, downing half of his water in one gulp.

Courtney pressed her thighs together under the table, pleased that the photos seemed to be having the desired effect. She picked up her champagne flute of ginger ale and sipped it daintily.

“Happy Birthday.”

Roy swallowed, then said hoarsely, “Court, I-I don’t think I can keep these.”

The corners of Courtney’s mouth turned down in a pout. “What do you mean?”

“This is...you can’t just...I mean…” Roy glanced around at the restaurant, a look of helpless despair on his face.

Courtney crossed her arms.

Roy lowered his voice. “You’re 16. Having these pictures is a liability.”

“A liability?” Courtney looked like she’d been struck.

“Yes. No! No, I mean…” Roy rubbed his eyes. “This is coming out all wrong.”

“It better be,” Courtney said, eyes dark.

Roy sighed. “You are so beautiful. You know that?”

“Mmhmmm…” Courtney tapped her nails against the table.

“And these are...like...it’s the sexiest thing anyone has ever done for me. Ever.”

“Uh huh.”

“But I just...it’s illegal. What if I run for office someday?”

Courtney looked at him, his face contorted in agony, and burst out laughing.

“It’s not funny!”

“Roy…”

“I’m serious, Court! I mean, who else knows about them? Who took them?”

“I took them! I used my mom’s camera, on her tripod.” Courtney shook her head, still laughing.

“And who developed them?”

“Oh my god, you’re crazy.” She got up from her seat and walked over to him, sitting down on his lap. “CVS, alright? At the kiosk.”

Roy buried his face in her hair. “What about the negatives?”

“It’s a memory card. Roy, listen. I was trying to do something nice for your birthday, not stress you out. So...you want me to take the pictures back? You wanna burn them?”

Roy shook his head slightly, ashamed, whispering, “I want them.”

Courtney giggled, cupping his face in her hands. “Well, okay then.”

“But can we destroy the memory card?”

“Of course, babe.” Courtney kissed his forehead. “You paranoid freak.”

-

Violet sat on one end of the porch swing, face bare of makeup, her hair down, beautiful ebony locks framing her doll-like face, a short white and lilac sundress on. She was picking the petals off of a bunch of wild roses that she’d pulled from the bushes.

Pearl sat on the other end of the swing, sketching the scene in front of her. Her pencil moved across the notepad, adding and erasing details. This was only the second time Violet sat for her, but it was 10 times better already.

Violet wasn't stiff and posed, but relaxed, in her element as she dropped petals at her feet. Pearl could draw her all day. In fact, she might have a folder with a few paintings, sketches and anything in between inspired by Violet.

Yeah, Shea was beautiful and fun, but Pearl’s brain insisted on drawing things that reminded her of the doe-eyed girl sitting across from her.

The vibrating of Pearl’s phone suddenly captured both girls’ attention.

“Who is it?” Violet asked, casually moving to pick up another flower. The smile that stretched across Pearl’s face as the blonde typed away on her phone caused Violet’s mind to turn in the worst way. “Your girlfriend? Does she know you're with me?” She arched a perfect eyebrow.

“Yes, actually, she does know.” Pearl sat her phone down, amused by Violet’s tone.

“Do I know her? Why hasn't she hung out with us? Thinks she’s too good for us?”

Pearl pressed her lips together, not wanting to laugh in Violet’s face. But a jealous Violet had to be the cutest thing Pearl had ever experienced.

Violet looked up from where she was now aggressively yanking the petals off the flower, into Pearl’s blue-grey eyes.

“No, you don't know her, and why would I bring her around...so you could torture her?”

Violet rolled her eyes, huffed, then threw the flower at Pearl, “Whatever, finish drawing me. I'm getting impatient.”

Pearl smirked then sent Shea a text saying that she'd come over later.

-

Courtney gripped Roy’s hand tightly in hers, stomach tight with excitement. Waves of adrenaline coursed through her body, all the way to her toes.

Roy looked over at her beautiful face, eyes wild with lust, hair whipping in her face, lips parted. He squeezed her hand back.

Suddenly, her eyes widened and she let out a delighted scream, as their car barreled down the track, hurtling through what seemed to be thin air, whipping around the curves, tossing them every which way.

After the ride ended, Courtney fell into Roy’s arms, dazed, chest heaving. “Omigod, that was amazing. Let’s do it again.”

Roy laughed, kissing her on the forehead. “We still have the whole park to get through, babe.”

“I know, but that one’s my faaaavorite.” She bit her lip, pressing against him. “I’ll make it worth your while…”

“Oh yeah?”

“I mean, after all, it is still your birthday week…” Courtney batted her eyes at him.

Roy cleared his throat. “So, I guess we’re riding Goliath again…”

Courtney grinned and took his hand, leading him back towards the beginning of the line.

-

“Pearl, I dare you to prank call Gia.”

“Ughh, that’s lame,” Violet threw her head back in a groan.

“Do you have a better dare?” Trinity looked at Violet expectantly.

“Of course I do. I… dare... you to crack an egg on Jamin’s windshield.” Violet smiled evilly.

The group tiptoed down the block and into a nearby cul-de-sac, where Jamin’s car was parked on the street. All of them were barefoot and giggly. Pearl’s fingers flexed around the egg in her hand, looking around for any witnesses.

She walked up to the old, beat-up car, hesitant because she knew by the time Jamin noticed the egg on his car, it'd be too late and the summer sun would have baked it into something truly disgusting.

“Don't be a pussy. Crack the egg,” Violet said, not believing Pearl would do it.

“Do it, new girl. Do it, this is your initiation. Are you cool enough to hang with the queer kids?” Willam crossed his arms, a dopey smile on his face.

“What? We've been friends for like, almost a year,” Pearl shook her head, before going back to mentally preparing herself to crack it.

Adore shifted nervously, arm intertwined with Trinity’s, looking around, hoping they wouldn't get caught.

“You think she gone do it?” Trinity asked. Adore shrugged.

“Just fucking do it!” Violet yelled, a bit too loud. Fame slapped her hand over Violet’s mouth, shushing the girl.

Pearl smashed the egg down where the roof met the windshield, yolk running down the window.

“Woo! New girl!” Willam yelled.

Suddenly a light turned on in the Ruhren house. In a panic, they all ran, pushing and pulling each other back into Adore's. Closing curtains and trying to slow their hammering hearts.

-

“Cuz…”

“Yeees?” Trinity drawled sweetly.

“Is it true that you have the answers to Monday’s quiz? Because if you do and didn’t give them to me, I will punch you. In the face. No questions asked.” Willam’s nails dug into Trinity’s thigh as he glared at her.

“That fucking sucks that your parents making you two take summer classes. They must hate you,” Adore commented, rolling over onto her stomach.

“I mean it, cuz,” Willam practically growled, ignoring Adore. “I need those answers.”

“I don’t have them!” Trinity laughed.

“Then why did you say that you’re guaranteed an A?”

“Because I’ve been studying. You should try it.”

“Booo, no way.”

“Guys, no one cares about your stupid class,” Violet said. “Trin, it’s your turn.”

“Adore…Is it true that you and Raja broke up?” Trinity asked.

“Yeah, we broke last night. It’s been weird since school ended, and we weren’t really seeing much of each other, so we called it quits.” Adore nodded.

“Told you! You owe me five dollars,” Willam held his hand out in front of Trinity.

“I don’t owe you shit,” she slapped his hand away.

“Uh huh, you made a bet and I want my five dollars.” Willam pretended to reach for her pockets and she slapped him some more, shrieking.

“Fame,” Adore said, anxious to avoid more bickering from those two.

“That’s my name,” she flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder, flirtatiously batting her lashes at Adore.

“Is it really?” Pearl asked.

“Wha- No!” Violet looked at Pearl with an incredulous expression.

“Who, in their right mind, would name their child ‘Fame’?” Willam threw his hands up, completely thrown off by Pearl’s question.

“Well, I don't blame her. You guys have some not so regular names.” Trinity sided with Pearl.  

“Well, you never know. Plus all the teachers call her Fame,” Pearl defended.

“Can we ignore her because she obviously doesn't have a brain? And just get back to the game?” Violet rolled her eyes.

“Hey, that was mean.” Pearl poked Violet in the ribs, pouting. Violet ignored her, but Pearl scooted closer, poking her again. Violet looked back, staring at those pouted lips a second too long before murmuring something under her breath and swatting Pearl.

“Okay,” Adore decided the name discourse was over. “Is it true that you’re still a virgin?”

“Yeah,” Fame nodded.

“Seriously?”

The group looked at her with varying levels of disbelief.

“Well, yeah…”

“But you and Patrick been dating for over a year now,” Trinity pointed out.

Fame shrugged, “There's other ways to enjoy people besides sex. We're not in any hurry. We're young and when the time comes, the time comes.”

“Okay, whatever, Fame’s a virgin, big deal,” Violet rolled her eyes. “Let's keep the game moving.”

“Okay, Vies.” Fame turned to her with a smug little smile and said, “I dare you and Pearl to go in the closet for seven minutes and make out.”

“That’s a lame dare,” Pearl rolled her eyes.

“Is it?” Violet raised an eyebrow at the blonde.

“Yeah, I mean come on, making out in a closet… How many times has that been done?” Pearl leaned back on her hands, shrugging.

Violet rolled her eyes, before looking at Adore. “Wanna make out with me?”

Adore thought for a second. It wasn't like they hadn't done it before. But she did convince herself that they were toxic together in any other way but friends. Using each other to forget about their real crushes wasn’t exactly a healthy coping mechanism. On the other hand, she missed fingers digging into her skin, pulling her impossibly close, teeth biting into her bottom lip and leaving marks across her skin. Raja had been all soft words and teasing touches, treating her like a princess; Violet was the exact opposite.

Fuck it.

Adore nodded eagerly, moving to follow Violet to her closet. Adore’s closet wasn't big and an absolute mess, leaving the girls no choice but to get close.

“Seriously? No one else thinks this is a lame dare?” Pearl crossed her arms, watching the two girls get situated in the closet. “I mean they used to fuck, so it’s not much of a challenge.” Pearl continued as the others ignored her.

“Do you guys have enough room?” Trinity asked. Adore nodded and Violet shrugged.

“Okay, setting the timer and closing the door,” Fame waved her phone, but before she could, Violet grabbed the door, closing it.

“So, whatcha waiting for?” Violet asked, pulling Adore closer by the band of her shorts.

The others looked at each other in amusement as they heard a soft thump from inside the closet; except Pearl who frowned, taking the phone from Fame, checking the timer.

-

“I dare you to run from here to my house and back in your underwear!” Pearl smiled devilishly.

“New Girl,” Willam stood up casually, complimenting, “that's the best dare all night. You've been holding back on us.”

He took his shirt off and tossed it in Violet’s face. She immediately balled it up and threw it back at him, missing.

The girls watched on excitedly, Trinity even readying her phone to record, as Willam jogged down to Pearl’s house in nothing but a pair of briefs.

Violet scooted up beside Pearl as they waited for Willam to come running down the street in his underwear.

“You should have had him streak,” Violet lightly bumped Pearl’s shoulder.

“Did you really want to see that?” Pearl pulled a face of disgust, “That would have blinded us.”

Violet threw her head back in laughter.

“You're right, you're right. That would’ve scarred us for life,” Violet agreed.

-

“Okay, so...don’t judge it too much, because it’s really really rough, alright? I mean, I just got back into it and it probably sucks and I’m only even letting you hear it because you won’t stop badgering me-”

“Adore!” Courtney interrupted from the beanbag chair, where she sat with a can of soda.

“Yeah?”

Courtney smiled encouragingly. “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. But I would love to hear what you’re working on.”

Adore nodded. She turned a few pages in her journal, scrawled with nearly indecipherable lyrics, torn out pages, more crossed out than not. “I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

“Dory. You could never disappoint me.”

Adore stopped chewing her lip to glance up at Courtney’s sweet, expectant face. She cleared her throat and swallowed.

“Alright, well...I guess, here goes.” She began to strum the guitar lightly. “You really wanna freak me out, now don’t, don’t ‘cha turn out the lights. Something’s in the air, and I know we’re gonna, gonna hear a bump in the night.”

Courtney hugged her knees, resting her chin on them as she listened to Adore with a dreamy expression.

Trailing off, Adore shuffled some pages in the notebook. “So...yeah. That’s all I have on that one. I know it’s not much, but-”

“Are you kidding?! That was amazing!” Courtney exclaimed.

“Really?”

“Yeah! Do you have more?”

“I mean…” Adore flipped a few pages and began to play a little more. “Bright lights, bright stars, fame on every block. And I feel, the glitter in the air, why can’t we make it, why can’t we fake it right?”

She cleared her throat, suddenly self-conscious.

“I told you, I don’t have that much yet. I’m just fucking around with some melodies and-”

Courtney clapped her hands, flinging her arms around Adore in a tight, vice-like hug. “You are so talented, Dory. You’re gonna be a freaking rock star one day, I know it.”

“Thanks,” Adore giggled, accepting a sweet kiss on the cheek before sitting back into her own bean bag.

“You should bring your guitar to the beach this weekend, play those for everyone else too. I mean, if you want.”

Adore frowned. “The beach?”

“Yeah, remember, I texted you about it? Darienne is planning it, everyone’s coming.”

Sighing, Adore set her guitar aside. “I dunno, Court. I mean, you know I love you, but whenever I hang out with you and the neighborhood crew, it just turns out like…” She sighed again.

“Like what?”

“It’s just, I’m not really that close to any of them except you, and you’re just gonna be making out with Roy all day-”

“No I won’t! It’s not like that!”

“Please,” Adore scoffed. “The two of you at the beach?”

“Dory, I promise. Okay? Look, I get how you feel. The truth is...I mean, I love Roy. And I love Darienne, and I know I’ve been friends with those guys my whole life but...sometimes when I’m with them, I feel like…” Courtney looked away. “I mean, they all have these plans, you know? Like, they all know what they want to do and where they want to go to school, and it’s so…” she trailed off.

“You don’t have plans?” Adore asked, with a hint of surprise. She’d sort of pegged Courtney and Roy for the type to have their future all tied up in a neat bow. College, careers, 2.5 kids, white picket fence.

“I don’t...no, not really. I dunno, maybe I’m just being stupid and dramatic.” She shook her head. “But it’s just that sometimes when I’m with all of them, I feel really...alone.” She looked back at Adore, eyes slightly misty. “But when you’re there, I don’t feel that way.”

Adore reached forward and tucked a stray lock of blonde hair behind her ear, grazing her cheek. “Okay.”

“Okay, you’ll come?” Courtney asked hopefully, grabbing her hand.

“Okay, I’ll come. As long as you promise to keep the PDA to a respectable minimum.”

Courtney squealed happily, crawling into her lap and nuzzling her neck. “Wait, with him or with you?” she asked, fluttering her lashes flirtatiously.

Adore narrowed her eyes, shaking her head as Courtney giggled, hugging her tightly again.

“What, you’re the one who calls me a cuddleslut!” she simpered.

Adore kissed her forehead. “You’re hopeless.”

Courtney laughed, resting a head on her shoulder.

[blueberryrock]

Here is the next chapter of my little book, enjoy!

"Whhhyyy, must you always liieee" Sierra sings under her breath. She hums some of the song she doesn't know as she packs her backpack for school.

"SIERRA" Sierra's mom calls from the kitchen. But Sierra doesn't notice, she continues to gather her books and sing on the top of her lungs "Something, something, tiiimmmee."

"Sierra! For the love of god. Turn down that music!" Sierra's mom bursts through her bedroom door. Startled, Sierra fumbles with her radio trying to turn it off.

"You done packing?" Sierra's mom asks Sierra. She simply nods and gestures towards her packed bag. Today was the first day of college, well the first day of the last semester.

"Okay, well, hurry up and get dressed then go to the kitchen for some breakfast." Sierra's mom hugs her daughter. As soon as she leaves Sierra throws on her college hoodie and a pair of blue jeans.

She throws on a pair of sneakers and grabs her blue backpack. She runs down the hall, nearly tripping on some of her little sister's toys.

"Karlene" Sierra grumbles under her breath as she pushes away a toy. She quickly walks into the living room and turns left into the kitchen, where Karlene and their mom are eating.

The kitchen is a simple layout, it has bright orange walls with cream-colored tile flooring. The dining table is by the large window on the right, with a bathroom behind it. In the middle of the room is where the fridge lies with tons of magnets and pictures on it.

Stairs leading to the basement are in between the fridge and the door to the pantry. And on the left are all the cabinets and cupboards making an L shape, with the last cabinet by the doorway.

With one black and white oven, with a microwave above it. An assortment of different appliances crowd the white cabinets.

"Good morning!" Sierra's twelve-year-old sister calls from the kitchen table. Sierra takes a seat next to her as their mom hands her a plate of bacon,  toast, and fried potatoes.

"I still don't understand how you don't like eggs" their mom sighs as she walks back to the oven. Sierra just shrugs and picks up the fork and starts eating her food.

"I like 'em, just not alone," Sierra says between bites. After shoveling down her food, she lightly fans her mouth and coughs.

"And I told you to let it cool down" Sierra's mom hands her a water bottle. Sierra takes a swig of it and sighs as her burning mouth gets cooled.

"Technically, you never said that" Sierra smirks and her mom rolls her eyes. "Well, you should know better. Now you need to get going, you'll be late" her mom takes her plate to the sink.

"Pfff, I'll be fine" Sierra throws her bag over her shoulder and stands up. She pushes her chair in and messes up her sister's hair.

Sierra pecks her mom on the cheek and heads to the front door. "Byyyee" Sierra calls out to her mom and sister "I'll be back around three" Sierra calls out again as she opens the front door.

"Okay be safe, remember don't accept rides from strangers" her mom calls out from the kitchen. Sierra snorts and closes the front door behind her.

She shivers slightly from the weather, luckily it hasn't been raining a lot to need boots, but Sierra is careful not to slip. She pulls her hoodie up and stuffs her blonde hair in it.

After ten minutes of splashing in muddy puddles and walking on the wet sidewalk, Sierra finally reaches her school. In big bold letters above the double doors spell out the school's name.

Cowbell community college, it's technically called Iowa community college but everyone calls it Cowbell since the founders of it also sell soup, and the school smells like vegetable soup.

Sierra walks in the double doors with a few other students, trying to keep her head down.  She sighs as the school heating system finally is fixed and she hit with a wave of warm air.

She pulls down her hood and shakes her hair out, her long hair falling neatly on her back. She looks around the familiar large room. The walls are plain white with black tiled flooring. A large chandelier hangs from the ceiling.

As soon as you walk into the building you're met with a sitting area with brown stairs around it leading to the other three floors. Sierra takes an empty seat on of the many chairs. She pulls out her schedule from her backpack and looks for her first class.

She groans, math, the worst subject ever invented. Sierra slowly looks up at a large black clock, it reads eight-fifteen. She glances back at her schedule, her first class starts in fifteen minutes.

'Guess I can kill some time in the library'  Sierra packs her schedule back in her blue backpack. She jumps out of her seat and throws her backpack around her shoulder and starts to climb the long stairs.

Fortunately, the library is right next to Sierra's math class. The library was and always will be Sierra's favorite place in the school, with the science lab in a close second.

Sierra could go on and on about how great a library is, but nobody really cares except for one of her two only friends, Madison.

And like Sierra, Madison likes spending her free time in the library. Sierra grabs a random book about animals and takes a seat next to her.

Madison is very pretty, her long brown hair is in a beautiful French braid, and her brown eyes are glued to the book she was reading.

"Good morning Mads" Sierra greats her friend. Madison looks up at her and gives her a beautiful crooked smile.

"Morning" she says "have you heard anything from Barbs?" She sits up from her hunched over position.

Sierra shakes her head no. Barbra is Sierra's other friend, she doesn't really know how they became friends since she was "popular". But Sierra is grateful for any and all friends she can make.

Sierra never understood why she almost no one liked her, everyone she knew said she wasn't ugly, well except for her eyes. She always hated her mismatched eyes, but her mom always said they were like her dad's and that they mean something important. But Sierra never believed her.

Sierra shakes away that last thought and focuses on her book. Her and Madison read for the remainder of Sierra's time, once her phone goes off she puts the book she was reading away and says goodbye.

The hours tick by painfully slow, and as soon as the professor dismisses the class Sierra jumps up, grabs her bag, and quickly leaves. She pulls out her phone to check the time, thirty minutes till three.

'Ahh, I got some more time to kill' she stuffs her phone in the pocket of her hoodie and heads outside through the back door. In Sierra's opinion, the backside of the school is a lot better than the front side. It's a large field with a huge oak tree, and a small road leading towards a few houses behind it. Underneath the shade is a couple of dry benches.

Sierra pulls up the hoodie again and runs towards the oak tree. She pulls off the hood as soon as she reaches the benches. She wipes off any water that might be on it and sits down.

She closes her eyes and takes a feel breath in, the smell of dirt and rain calms her. After a minute or two she opens her eyes again and looks up at the large branches of the oak.

After five more minutes of listening to the gentle pitter-patter of the rain hitting the leaves and the sound of a few cars going by.  HONK HONK. Sierra whips around searching for whoever made the noise.

She gets up from the bench to look at the road to see a large forest green truck, with its driver waving their hand at her. Sierra smiles at the sight, she quickly grabs her bag and sprints towards the truck, not caring about her hair.

Once she gets to the driver side window, the driver pokes their head out and says " get in loser, I'll drive you home"

Sierra nods and walks around the front of the car to the passenger side. She opens the door, throws her back in the back and hops in. "Thanks, Barbs" she wipes her hair away from her face to look at her friend, her long black hair is up in a tight bun, her gorgeous green eyes are watching her every move, and she is wearing a black t-shirt underneath a red leather jacket with tight black leggings.

Barbra smiles at her, showing her perfectly white teeth. "No prob, just try not to get to much mud in here, it's my brother's truck"  Barb makes sure Sierra buckles up before she starts driving.

"What happened to your car?" Sierra asks as she looks outside the window, watching the rain pour down.

"It's getting fixed, not sure if you heard but I hit a large bird and it cracked the window," Barb says as she gestures to how it hit and how it rolled up onto the roof of the car.

"Do you know what kind of bird it was?" Sierra asks, fully aware that Barbra has no knowledge on animals.

"Of course not" she laughs "if I'd have to guess, I'd say it was a turkey, but I have no idea" she stops at a stop sign and glances around, but before she can put her foot on the gas pedal, someone speeds past her.

"Idjit! Stupid idiots" she smacks the steering wheel in anger "it's like no one knows how to crapping drive!" She growls lowly. She turns left then pulls into Sierra's driveway.

"Thanks for driving me, if I would've walked, I would've been soaked" Sierra smiles at her "did you want to come inside?"

"Sounds good Mel" Barbra says, Sierra smiles at the sound of her nickname being used. Which is just a short version of her middle name.

They both hop out of the car, and Sierra quickly grabs her bag from the back as Barbra runs to the front door. Sierra runs through the spot where her mom's car would be trying not to get too wet.

Sierra quickly unlocks the door and lets Barbra inside. She shakes off any water from her bag as she closes the door behind her. They both kick-off their shoes and jump on the large comfy couch.

"Your house will always, always, impress me" Barbra says as she sinks lower into the couch.

"You're welcome here any time" Sierra says as she looks for the remote to her large tv.

"I know, I know, I just don't want to barge in every single day" Barbra sits up and sighs.

"Nonsense! You're not some pest, you really are welcome here any time. You're also welcome to any and all food" Sierra gets up to check the couch cushions for the lost remote "where the hell is the remote" she mutters to herself.

"Any food?" A wicked smile appears on Barbra's thin face.

"Well, not the pie" Sierra says "oh no." Sierra notices a note on the coffee table left by who she assumes her mom.

"What?" Barbra sits up trying to look over Sierra's shoulder.

"I forgot to clean the kitchen" Sierra says frantically "and this note says mom is at the store and will be home in an hour" Sierra runs a nervous hand through her hair.

"Hey it's okay, I can help" Barbra stands up and stretches out her back.

"Thanks" is all Sierra can mutter.

"I mean, how much will we have to do? Wipe the counters? Do the dishes?" Both girls head for the kitchen.

"Mop and sweep the floors, scrub the sink, wipe down the table, and wipe all counters" Sierra rushes around the kitchen quickly wiping all the counters.

"I'll start sweeping" Barbra heads for where they keep their brooms. Barbra comes back holding the mop, a bucket, and the broom to find Sierra quickly wiping down the table.

"Whoa, Sierra" Barbra puts down everything and rushes to her friend. "Calm down" she gently grabs her shoulders and spins her around "you're going to hurt yourself if you go that fast" she says calmly.

"Sorry" Sierra says quietly.

"It's okay" Barbra let's go of her shoulders and says with a slight smile "Now, take a deep breath and calm down, im here to help. We'll get this done in no time"

"Right" Sierra takes a deep breath and slowly wipes off the table. After thirty minutes of cleaning the kitchen, both girls collapse onto the living room couch with a bunch of snacks.

"See what'd I tell you" Barbra tosses a pretzel in her mouth "we'd get it done, and we have twenty minutes before your mom comes home"

"Mmhmm" Sierra grabs a handful of pretzels and stuffs them in her mouth.

Barbra sits up to face her "you know, a friend of a friend is throwing a party tomorrow, you should come"

Sierra smiles and shakes her head " thanks for the offer, but mom would kill me if I ever went to a party" Sierra sighs sadly.

"C'mon live a little, your mom is too strict with you. It's just a party, what's the worst that can happen" Barbra grabs a bottle of water.

"I can think of a few, and my mom could go on and on" Sierra huffs "it's really not worth the trouble"

Barbra pouts "but...ugh...Sierra, you don't have to listen to her! You're twenty-three! You're an adult, you can make your own decisions" Barbra argues.

"She's just looking out for me" Sierra turns her gaze from her angry friend to the floor "plus, I've got homework to do"

"Well I better go" Barbra quickly grabs her keys and stands up. Sierra nods and watches her friend head for the door "thanks for the help, you should invite Madison, I'm sure she'd love to go, but have fun"

"Ok will do" Barbra says as she slowly closes the door "hey you've got some mail" Barbra calls through the door.

"Toss it inside, it's probably for my mom" Sierra sighs. Barbra puts a letter and a small package on the coffee table in front of her.

Without any words, Barbra leaves and Sierra grabs the letter to inspect it. In big, black, cursive writing, her full name and address in the middle.

She quickly grabs the package to find her name and address in the same writing. She blinks in confusion and looks at who sent it. It says it's from Klexsity, School of Power, in Texas.

"What the hell?" Sierra mutters.

I hope you guys liked that, I am having fun writing this and I'll put up the next chapter as soon as it's done. I have a wattpad where the chapters come out sooner, it's Vegetaforthewin if anyone is interested

[everlarkficexchange]

The Virgin (Social) Suicides

WRITTEN BY: @ally147writes

PROMPT 85: Katniss makes unsettling discovery that everyone in her close and extended group of friends has dated at least once and sometimes even each other. Except for her. The “late bloomer” teasing (b/c she’s never even been kissed) stings. Older boy Gale crosses paths with group, finds he shares common interests with Katniss, they get together to hunt, leads to him casually inviting her out for a real dinner date. Not feeling desire but pressure to “get it over with,” she accepts. Peeta has regrets. [submitted by @567inpanem]

NOTES: I desperately wanted to have this complete, but uni conspired against me. A million thanks to our angel mods, @xerxia31 and @javistg for holding this exchange, and allowing the extra week 😊

This is parts one-and-a-half (ish?) of a (probably?) four-part story. I won’t be posting to AO3 or anywhere else until the rest of it is complete. Parts 2, 3 and 4 are all between 30% and 75% complete already, so hopefully it won’t take me too long to wrap up.

Unbeta’d. All errors are my own.

Rated M for swears and discussions of sex (or lack thereof)

Thom and Lavinia’s engagement party is a sedate affair, which Katniss never would have guessed. Whenever Thom or Lavinia were left in charge of planning anything, it always started with them drowning themselves in cheap beer at Abernathy’s, got a bit muddy somewhere in between, and ended in a trip to the hospital for someone to get their broken wrist or dislocated shoulder set.

And once, to the police station, to face indecent exposure charges.

The doing of their mothers, Katniss supposes. (Probably a smart move, considering the alternatives; no one’s engagement party should end in a holding cell). They’re perched by the string quartet, amongst a cluster of white rose bushes, their oversized, feather-trimmed hats knock against each other’s with every exaggerated, bird-like nod and squawking laugh they release, while their husbands make awkward small-talk by the fence overlooking the golf course.

How they’re out there like that in the sun, in dark suits and all, Katniss has no idea. She dabs a napkin across her damp hairline and peels her sticky skin away from the plastic of the chair. An afternoon in the sprawling gardens of the Snow estate, when it’s pushing a hundred degrees out, isn’t exactly her idea of a good day — if she weren’t part of the bridal party, Katniss would have skipped out hours ago. Add that to the cocktail dress she all but shoved her body into and the hair that’s falling out of her braid and sticking to her glossed lips, she’s about ready to revolt.

But, she concedes, Thom’s parents are loaded up to their eyeballs, and they’ve made sure there’s free — mercifully cold — booze everywhere, so bottom’s up.

The happy couple don’t seem to mind the heat, or the change in pace too much. The groom-to-be dips his laughing bride over his arm and kisses her square on the lips, swaying along to the soft tones of the violin strings, the intimate connection between them somehow the simplest thing in the world. The scene should inspire at least a smile — she’s happy for her friends, right? But it tugs somewhere deep at Katniss instead, unrelenting and unrepentant, leaving behind an odd sort of hollowness, demanding more yet leaving her starving for… something.

“They’re sweet together, aren’t they?” says Madge as she sips her champagne.

Katniss shakes her head, but she can’t stop the nagging in her gut. “Yeah, I guess. It’s a little sickening, actually.”

“You would say that, wouldn’t you?”

“What? They’re hunting for each other’s intestines through their mouths.”

“You are absolutely disgusting.” Madge swipes a celery stick from their shared crudité platter and nibbles at it like a rabbit. “Please stop speaking.”

“I’m still not wrong.”

“I guess it is kind of funny, though,” Madge goes on, chomping through the celery. “You’d never guess he could be so doting. I mean, when I dated Thom, the nicest thing he ever did for me was give me the olives off his pizza.” She sighs and smiles an odd little smile as Katniss’ hand freezes with a cherry tomato halfway to her mouth. “I guess it really does change everything when you meet the right person.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” She drops the tomato, and it bounces off the table and lands on the floor, where someone will slip on it later, probably her. “You dated Thom? As in, Thom, Thom?”

Madge arches a plucked brow. “Well, yeah, a while ago now, not long after we first started college. Well before Lav was in the picture, if that’s what you’re worried about. I thought you knew about it; we were all friends then.”

Katniss frowns and tries to dredge the memory — what would Thom have looked like then? Was this during his mohawk days, or after? “For how long?”

Madge quirks her head to the side, and not a single strand falls out of her intricate up-do. “I don’t know. A few months, maybe? Not a long time.”

Katniss taps her index finger — unadorned with polish, to Prim’s everlasting dismay — against the pristine surface of the timber table. “Is it… weird? Being friends with him now, I mean?”

Madge laughs. “Kat, if it was weird to hang out with someone I’d dated before, I’d have to find a whole new group of friends.”

“Why?” Madge smiles that weird little smile again, and the urge to slap it off is overwhelming. “How many of them have you gone out with?”

“Uh…? Let’s see.” Madge counts them off on her fingers, like there’s a real need to keep track of them. “Thom, Darius, Gloss. Leevy a couple of times, too, but that was over pretty much as soon as it started. Oh, and Peeta once, as well.”

Katniss chokes on a piece of cucumber. Oh, god. “Peeta, too?”

“Yeah. What’s the matter, Katniss?” Madge flashes another grin as Katniss knocks back a hearty sip of her drink. “Jealous?”

“No!” she exclaims. But without even meaning to, she finds Peeta across the courtyard, where he’s entertaining Lavinia’s many nieces and nephews with embarrassing Dad-style magic tricks. The sleeves of his starched, pale blue dress shirt are pushed up around his elbows, and there’s a rogue curl stuck with sweat against his forehead. He meets her eyes and smiles at her, as warm and tangible as a touch. Her cheeks flood with heat and she tears her gaze away. God, it’s like they’re in school all over again.

Madge shoots a grin Katniss can only describe as shit-eating, and it’s all she can do not to throw her remaining champagne in Madge’s face.

“No, of course you’re not,” Madge says, like she’s talking down a screaming child. “That would mean you had a soul or something.”

There’s nothing she can say now that wouldn’t incriminate her further. Katniss turns to the dripping glass of ice water at her elbow and drains it.

“Well…” she says, once she’s certain the nuclear blush on her cheeks is under control. “Why’d you only go out with him once?”

Madge smiles that stupid little smile again. The secret one Katniss has no insight to or context for.

“Peeta’s… very sweet. He’ll make the girl he’s got his eye on extremely happy.”

The words are innocuous, but something in Katniss seizes urgently. “Peeta’s got someone in mind?”

Madge nods and adds solemnly, “Has done for years now.”

“Years?” There’s no good reason why this information should make her want to break something. None at all. “Why won’t he make a move?”

Madge snorts, and the sound is weird coming out of someone so refined. “Honestly?” she says, as she flags down a waiter for another class of champagne. “I’d say he’s terrified. The girl isn’t exactly one who’ll take his declaration with open arms.”

She shouldn’t — she knows she doesn’t want to — but she prods anyway. “You know who she is?”

“She was pretty much the basis of our one and only date. He didn’t think he had a chance, needed someone to wallow with, that sort of thing.” Madge smiles a dreamy sort of smile and tips her eyes closed. “God, we got so drunk.”

“…And?”

“I’m not going to tell you!” Madge nudges her with her bony elbow, but the effect is ruined by the draping, bell-sleeves of Madge’s deep-aubergine dress. “Ask him yourself if you’re that curious.”

Yeah, there’s not a prayer in hell of that happening.

“So,” Katniss says instead. “Have our friends always been so… incestuous?”

Madge rolls her eyes and, for the first time since this awkward line of questioning began, looks vaguely annoyed. “Katniss, what’s the problem? I’m pretty sure Annie and Finnick are the only other completely monogamous people we know. Johanna’s dated pretty much everyone, too. Cato made the rounds too, before he got his shit together with Clove. Darius dated Lavinia, too, when he and Thom were roommates. That’s how she met Thom in the first place.”

“So… yes?”

Madge laughs and sighs at the same time. “It’s people in their mid-twenties being people in their mid-twenties. Honestly, I’m surprised you never noticed before — it’s not like Johanna’s discreet about it or anything — but I guess you’ve always been a bit…”

“A bit what?”

“A bit… I don’t know… pure, I guess?”

“Pure?” She spits the word out like poison and leaves it in the air.

Madge pats her arm. “There’s nothing wrong with pure, Kat. It’s just… we’re twenty-five now, you know? You don’t need to be so embarrassed about anyone else’s love life. Hell, maybe we should get you a nice date of your own, so you’ve got something else to focus on.”

Heat crawls up her chest and settles in her face. Her fancy cocktail dress feels way too small and way too hot.

“Uh…”

“Kat…”

“… Yeah?”

“You have gone on a date before, haven’t you?”

“I… uh… no?”

She’s not sure why it comes out as a question. She sure knows about her complete and total lack of love life; no need to have other people confirming it for her.

Madge’s jaw drops. “You’re kidding.”

“Why would I joke about that?” she retorts. “And we’ve been friends for how long, now? How didn’t you notice?”

“I don’t know! It’s just that…” She scrutinises Katniss like she’s a wayward science experiment. “Really?”

Katniss rolls her eyes. “Yes, Madge. Really.”

“Not even in college? No one? Nothing?”

“Is it so hard to believe?” Katniss snaps. “No, Madge. I have never, not once, ever gone on a date.”

 “Well, you’ve… you’ve at least had sex before, right?”

Heat fills her cheeks until she’s sure she’s about to melt from the pain of it all, though she’s got no idea why it embarrasses her so much. It’s normal, right? Or normal-ish, at least. And it’s not like she planned on it happening. Or not happening. Whatever.

Her virginity isn’t some sacred, precious jewel she’s carting around in a bubble wrap-lined basket. And it’s not something she’s hoarding, just so she can get down on bended knee and present it to The Right Guy when The Right Moment comes along. It’s not a personal choice, a feminist statement or even a religious one. The opportunity to do so just hasn’t… come up, so to speak.

And it’s fine. She guesses. Most of the time, it doesn’t even bother her. She’s had enough going on in her life that it isn’t something she’s missed, or even had time for. And it’s not like she’d be any good at any of it, anyway. The hand-holding. The intimacy. The kisses.

The sex.

The mere idea almost makes her shudder. She’d suck. And not in the sexy way.

It might be nice. Maybe. One day. When she’s good and ready to make it happen.

Until then, though…

“Uh…”

Madge’s bright blue eyes blow wide. “Katniss!” she shrieks.

A hundred people turn and stare at them, Peeta included, not even slightly helping her blush to fade faster.

“For the love of God, Madge, would you keep it down?” Katniss swats at Madge’s arm and hisses down at the table, “No, I’ve never done… anything.”

Madge lowers her voice to a harsh whisper. “Not even kissed?”

Right on cue, Thom kisses Lavinia again, long enough for it to get awkward. Katniss scowls and looks away. “No, Madge,” she mumbles. “Not even kissed. Or held hands. Or hugged or by someone who wasn’t an immediate family member.”

“What about yourself? Do you masturbate?”

“Fucking hell, Madge, really?”

“Okay, sorry. I just…” Madge gives a tight laugh and shakes her head. “I… You cannot be serious right now.”

“What part of this is so hard to believe?”

“I don’t know. I mean, you’re gorgeous, for one. A great person, kind, generous, brave, loyal to a fault. Anyone would be lucky, you know?”

Katniss snorts and drags a carrot stick through a warm bowl of hummus. Why couldn’t they have held the party indoors, like normal people? Yeah, maybe she’d still be getting the third degree, but at least the condiments might be cold. “Yeah, no. I don’t think so.”

“Well,” Madge starts, leaning in so they’re a hairsbreadth apart. “Have you ever… you know, wanted to?”

There’s no right way to answer that question. If she says yes, she’s as doomed as if she answers no. “I don’t know. Maybe?”

“Are you…” Madge stops, starts, opens and closes her mouth like a fish blowing bubbles. “Have you ever thought that you might be ace or something?” She holds up her hands and all but yells before Katniss can say anything, “Not that there’s… it doesn’t matter if you are or anything like that, I just thought… maybe you’re —”

“— No,” Katniss cuts in, before Madge can hurt herself. “I’ve had… you know, crushes and stuff before, I’ve just never been in a relationship, and I wouldn’t have rejected one if it came along.” She shrugs. “It just never did, and I’m okay with that.”

But, is she? God, and she’s always thought of herself as an enlightened, modern, don’t-need-no-man sort of woman, too.

“Honestly, Kat? You’ve probably been hit on a thousand times, but it never registered in your head that it was even happening to you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that… I don’t think you’re aware of the effect you have on people, that’s all.”

Katniss frowns at the wilting crudité platter. “You’re making me sound like a heartless bitch.”

Madge rolls her eyes. “Of course, you’re not a heartless bitch. I’m just saying you should… I don’t know… open your eyes a little, take a second look, you know? Someone might really surprise you one day.”

Again — completely against her will, she swears — she finds Peeta across the courtyard. This time, he doesn’t look up from pulling a coin from a little girl’s ear. “I’ll think about it.”

“You definitely won’t, but I’ll give you a pass for tonight.”

Katniss cringes. “You’re not going to make it your mission to get me laid, are you?”

“This isn’t a shitty eighties movie, Katniss,” Madge says as she pushes her seat away from the table and stands on her ridiculous four-inch heels. “So, no. I’m not going to try and get you laid. Now, let’s go dance or something; it’s a party, for God’s sake.”

XXX

The next time they’re all together, at a reasonable temperature and in normal clothes, Katniss surveys her friends with a strange, acute sense of awareness she didn’t possess before. Annie perched on Finnick’s lap, feeding him pretzels like coins in a slot machine; Cato and Clove with their arms wrapped around each other so tight it looks like it should hurt; Johanna and Bristel with their tongues so far down each other’s throats that they’re probably going to leave and do God knows what before their next round arrives. All of them know a sort of intimacy Katniss can’t even begin to fathom. All of them… except her.

And it’s… weird. Like she’s on the outside of a joke that’s been going on for years.

How are they all still friends? How is it all so… natural for them? Granted, it’s not like she’s got any insight to what’s going on in their brains, but it must be awkward on some level, mustn’t it? How can you share so much of yourself with one person, then pretend like it never happened? And then, how can you do it with four or five or maybe even more of the people you hang out with the most? Katniss can’t wrap her mind around any of it.

Only Peeta, sitting beside her, seems to notice her out-of-body experience.

He nudges her ankle with his foot beneath the table and leans in to whisper, “Are you all right, Katniss?”

She shivers at the warmth and scent of him, of cinnamon and dill and all kinds of other delicious things. He’s never smelled bad in all the time she’s known him. “Yeah. Just, uh… weird day.” She tips back her gin and tonic and almost chokes on it.

He nods, thoughtful, and takes another sip of his own drink, the only one he’ll have for the whole night. “That sucks,” he says, and she can tell he means it, too. He smiles, and another shiver races through her. “Wanna talk about it?”

She shakes her head. “It’s nothing. Just the usual.”

“Another drink, then?”

“I think I’m done for the night, but thanks.”

He shrugs and takes another sip. “No problem.”

“Hey… is it true you dated Madge?” She wants to punch herself in the face as soon as the words leave her mouth.

He almost spits out his drink. “What?” He coughs and thumps his chest with his fist. “She told you about that?”

“She just mentioned it. I had no idea.”

“It was… uh, a while ago.” He drags a hand through his curls and surveys her with something almost like worry. “What else did she tell you?”

“Not much. Just that you guys went out a couple of times —”

“— Once,” Peeta cuts in, a tendon in his jaw twitching. “We went out once. Years ago.”

“All right.” She holds up her hands in surrender. “Sorry for mentioning it.”

“No, Katniss —” He breaks off with a sigh and twirls the last of his beer around in the bottle. “Yeah, Madge and I went out. It wasn’t a big deal. We were both dealing with… I don’t know, shitty personal lives, I guess?”

“Madge said it was to forget a girl.”

Jesus fucking Christ, would someone please, please, cut out her tongue?

“I… uh…” He chugs back the rest of his beer in one feel swoop. Awesome, now he doesn’t have to watch her tear at her hair. “I guess it was kind of like that. I think Madge had just stopped seeing that Blight guy? It was… a while ago, that’s for sure.” He looks at her critically. “Why do you ask?”

She lifts one shoulder in a half-shrug. “I don’t know. Just, she mentioned it and I was… curious, I guess.”

His lips quirk into a hint of a smile. “Curious about what, Katniss?”

Yeah, her brain taunts her. Curious about what, Katniss?

Even if she knew, she’s got no clue how to go about admitting it to Peeta, of all people.

“I don’t know,” she mumbles at her empty glass. “Nothing, I guess.”

Now, the concern is back full-force. “You sure?”

Not really, but she’s not so sure why or what or how anymore. “Yeah. I’m sure. But I think I’ll take that drink now, if you’re still offering.”

He flags down the nearest server and says, “Yeah. I think I might, too.”