#quick gem because I was gonna shade and then I didn’t

[favoriteginger]

@nach0 (I think you sent the ask) tumblr ate the ask so! Here we are!

Was gonna do empires gem but then I saw her holiday skin and had to draw that!

Color palette challenge

[imatherapistthat]

hadtosaynotoBEYONCÉ.

I had to. If you know me, you know I love, love, love BEYONCÉ! Love her. I mean I am a fan but I am not necessarily fanatical. I don’t have all of her songs memorized, I haven’t been to a million of her concerts (I have been to two concerts, and this summer would have been my third), but she is my favorite artist because of the whole. entire. package. I mean I went plant based in 2014 when I heard she was trying the diet and almost 10 years later I am a full closeted vegan who has fallen off of the plant based diet she embraced to lose weight. I love the thought of her. I love the power of her. I love the command of her. I love her mystique. I love that she doesn’t give interviews. I love that she is unapologetic. I love that she takes no shit, well she does, and then puts it in a song. I love her power and her performance. I love her content. Hell, I even love her husband! So when I was asked if I wanted to go to her tour this summer it was a quick hell fucking yea for me. I really didn’t care when, where, or how much-I was gonna be in the MFN building. July 22cd, Chicago, 300 something odd dollars, count me in. Being self employed, there is no one to tell me “naw”, I just blocked my calendar and sat in excitement as all the details were handled (shout out to the ghost I am referring to)! It was gonna be cool. I attended a BEYONCÉ concert with ghost before when BEYONCÉ came to town with her hubby OTR! It was then that I first realized that going to concerts was something else I could add to the list of activities I could do independently. I sent my money to ghost, and was waiting in anticipation for the summer. About a day so later, I get a message from ghost stating that two others would be joining us. One was the sister of ghost, a resident of Chicago, the other a person I had worked with in the past but never befriended. We were also going to make the 6 hour trek to the Chi together in ghost’s vehicle. Apprehension set in immediately, but I said to myself “deep breaths, nothing else matters but BEYONCÉ”. A group chat commenced, I hate a group chat btw, with ghost, ghost’s friend, and myself. The initial chat consisted of some details about us driving together in ghost’s car and the likelihood of getting an AirBNB as there would not be enough room in the house of ghost’s sister. Ghost’s friend was immediate in her response about not being able to ride with us, which had me questioning, but ultimately I decided I was being a bit paranoid. Hell, I didn’t want to drive six hours with ghost, let alone ghost and her friend-what would we talk about? Six hours of small talk, no fucking thanks! Additional weeks go by and I then learn that ghost’s sister would be joining us in a hotel room as the AirBNB was no longer an option. A-N-X-I-E-T-Y was rapidly setting in this was the first time I thought “I have to say no to BEYONCÉ”. I waited and the thought of saying “no”was heartbreaking and the thought of telling ghost I was gonna have to say “no” was relentlessly inhabiting my thoughts. I had to say “no” for me. I had to say “no” for my mental health. I had to say “no” for the culture (! Ok that’s a little far but there is truth in it). Finally, I told ghost I had to say “no”. Knowing ghost’s conflict aversion, seemingly avoidant attachment, and lack of vulnerability (no shade I promise) made saying “no” easy as there would be no follow up. This past weekend I stumbled upon what I thought was quite the hidden gem on Hulu, a movie titled “Tyrel”. Check it out and you will find out why I had to say “no” to the greatest show on earth. ✌🏾

[tteokdoroki]

oblivious | k.takami

♡ pairing: keigo takami x gn!reader.

♡ word count: 1.8K

♡ rating: everyone.

♡ genre: pro hero!au, assistant!au, fluff.

♡ summary: usually, when it comes down to smooth talking and flirting, pro hero hawks has all the boxes checked right off. except for when it comes to his assistant, who doesn’t quite seem to get it. or the one in which miruko meddles with hawks’ love life on valentines day.

♡ warning(s): please read ! tooth-rotting fluff, cheesy pick-up lines, just keigo being a dorky boi! :D

♡ author’s note(s): goood evening my loves! here’s a little fluff fic for you on valentines ! it was requested a while ago by @mocha-focha​ but i figured today would be the perfect day!  i hope youu enjoy, sorry this is so last min! happy valentines day <3

♡ masterlist | requests

keigo couldn’t tell if he found it more adorable or more annoying.

your obliviousness that is.

on one had, your cluelessness to the number two’s attraction towards you was most certainly adorable. the way you grew flustered when he walked by or leaned down to your height to tease and compliment you. the way your gaze dropped shyly to your desk when he’d ask something minuscule of you. keigo knew he intimidated you; after all, who wouldn’t be in the shoes of japan’s second most beloved hero.

the winged hero had wanted you ever since he first laid his avian eyes on you, after he’d stumbled back into his agency to complete paper work for that day’s patrol. you had been unpacking boxes at the desk outside of keigo’s office, hired to be a temporary assistant while the last had quit due to said blonde ‘being too much to handle.’

keigo still remembers the way your eyes had flittered to the floor as soon as he came into view and the timid way your name had slipped from between your pretty lips when he’d asked for your name.

the blonde swears he could never get tired of the sweet taste of ‘yn’ on his tongue.

you were nice company and worked well with keigo, since you were resilient unlike his last assistant. he couldn’t fault you anywhere, not in your kind smile and precious gestures ( you always brought him a chicken sandwich when you came back from your lunch break ). you were a gem. the only ‘annoying’ thing was that you never quite understood his flirting.

sure; some of keigo’s methods like bringing you little gifts of shiny things and rocks were a little unconventional... but he couldn’t help it! he was a goddamned bird after all and it wasn’t his fault you mistook the dead rabbit on your desk as a cruel practical joke instead of a proclamation of love. and okay, maybe keigo giving you extra work so you could spend more time with him after office hours was a little over the top; but at least his pickup lines got through to you.

they were cringeworthy of course but at the very least; they made you grin even if you were a bit confused. one time you thought he had been practicing on you to test on endeavour on their patrol later that day. another story for another time.

so maybe the most annoying thing wasn’t your obliviousness to keigo’s advances but instead the reactions and teasing from his friends. just like now.

“so what’s it gonna be today keigo?” rumi asks from the winged hero’s left, her rabbit ears twitch and pick up on his light scoff— while he mentally prepares for the incoming barrage of teasing. “’are you the alphabet because i can c u and i together?’”

“no rumi, i’ve got better than that.” keigo barks out with a shift of his crimson wings, the number five smirks from beside him and keigo rolls his eyes with defeat, hating the way his wings often conveyed his underlying emotions.  the elevator they both travel in comes to a slow stop on the thirteenth floor of the hawks agency where the man himself hosts meetings in his office. the whole reason rumi was even here was to attend some dumb mission briefing the commission wanted to set them on but more than likely the bunny like hero would be here to tease keigo about his failed attempts at flirting with you. “just you wait!”

she enjoyed making his life a living hell. “i don’t know, nothing can quite beat that ‘i’m not a photographer but i can picture you and i together’ line you used last week!” rumi winks, swiftly exciting the elevator as the doors chime and open up, just narrowly avoiding the flurry of cursing and chirps from the bird-like hero.

said  blonde follows with a huff,  making a b-line for his sacred office as he sets his mind on getting the meeting done. the sooner it ends, the sooner rumi can get the hell out of his hair and stop bullying him for having a crush on his personal assistant. only, keigo is stopped in his tracks when he notices you innocently perched at your desk, tapping away at some document on your computer—  one that he probably could’ve and should’ve done himself. hawks almost hates how he catches himself blushing over how you complete such a mundane task,  the squint to your  eyes and the slight pinch to your brows in concentration ( which is adorable to him quite frankly ) make his heart flutter.

he finds himself coming to a stop just in front of your desk, causing rumi to slow up ahead and turn around to watch the chaos unfold.

your typing ceases quickly when you notice the shadow on your boss looming over you— his gold and piercing avian eyes staring right back down at you as soon as you look up. “oh! mr hawks, you’re back—!”

“yn, i seem to have lost my number, can i borrow yours?” hawks blurts out the cheesy line, almost instantly regretting it right after.

there’s a beat of silence between you both while your face morphs into one of confusion. why would he need to borrow your number when you could just locate it in the personal records you had access to? in the meantime, miruko has taken it upon herself to fill the awkward air with pockets of wheezy laughter. you blink up at your boss, once, twice, three times before reaching for your notebook with all of his important details written inside. “mr hawks, if you wanted me to read your number out loud for you again , you could have asked! i'm more than happy to!” you say your words slowly, just to make sure he understands— your boss can be a bit of an air head sometimes and it is your job to help him out.

“no—yn, no i—” keigo instantly shakes his head, the red tint of shame blaring across his cheeks in a shade that almost rivals the red of his wings. said appendages puff up and flutter with embarrassment and it doesn’t help that his fellow hero is laughing at him so hard that she’s bent over and struggling to breathe. “baby—i meant i was asking for your numb—“

you smile up at him with sweet innocent eyes that have his words dying in his throat. “i didn’t know you had a baby! congratulations mr hawks!” and then you return to typing.

keigo wants to die, physically deflating right in front of your desk where he stands.

rumi, who now seems to have recovered from her laughing fit passes by keigo with a pat to his back, he only pouts while she wipes the remainders of amused tears from her eyes before perching herself on your desk, practically leaning over you. you look up once again, feeling shy under the gaze of yet another esteemed pro hero but greet her politely with a bob of your head.

“yn, hun, can i ask you a question?” the number five asks you, warm grin helping you relax just a little.

“yes miss miruko?”

you find the woman shaking with laughter above you before she pets your hair endearingly, the gesture almost makes you pout and you have to remind yourself of where you are and who you work for. “firstly, love, you can call me rumi, i know you’re shy but i don’t bite…” you paw gently at your cheeks in oder to fight the growing heat that burns brightly under your skin, growing ever so flustered under miruko’s silky voice and knowing gaze. “secondly, hawks isn’t a father nor does he have a baby— he was addressing you, sweetheart. and finally,” rumi pauses, patting your head again as her bunny ears twitch with amusement and mischief. “how do you feel about the bird brains over there, do you like him?”

takami jolts up in his place, impossibly redder than he was before while he makes an attempt to shut rumi up with his ruffled feathers. the bunny simply catches the red feather between her hands, giving them a little tickle to distract her fellow hero , tilting her head down at you as if to ask ‘well?’ you gulp, feeling yourself become nervous as the two wait for your answer expectantly. of course you had nothing but positive feelings towards your boss; he was kind and made the time out of his busy day to talk to you— but why did they care so much as to ask you for your opinion? you were only his assistant and saying anything bad about the number two hero would surely get you fired.

hesitantly, your gaze flickers between the clearly entertained miruko and the highly embarrassed hawks— forcing you to take a deep breath before delivering your anticipated answer. “well—! he’s a great boss, i— i couldn’t ask for better, why wouldn’t i like a boss who gives me an hour and a half’s lunch break?” you sigh in relief at your answer, assuring yourself that it won’t have offended anyone but your heart rate is quick to spike when miruko squishes your cheeks and tilts your head to face your flustered boss.

“no sweetheart,” she corrects herself, pointing over at keigo who cowers into his wings. “i mean, do you like him as in... would you date him?”

you swear on all might’s life that you almost pass out from her words, mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. why would she ask that of you? sparing a glance at your boss once move, you realise what all of this is about. his hot blush, the way he avoids your stare, his flustered state to match your own. he likes you, just as you like him. rumi was only being a good wing woman, one that you were grateful for— as you’d never make a move on hawks on your own, no matter how many feelings you’d harboured for him in the time that you’d worked for him. You had been oblivious to his romantic gestures this whole time and now; the situation for you to confess had presented itself to you.

to hell with it.

“yes,” you breathe as best you can through squished cheeks, staring at keigo with eyes dreamy enough to make his heart soar. “why wouldn’t anyone? i-i mean, mr hawks is so sweet and kind to everyone he meets, fans or not! and…and he’s really pretty— i mean handsome… and his eyes—“ you cut yourself off upon realising the tangent you’ve gone on just to prove your attraction to your boss, looking away shyly and rumi let’s you go with a sweet chuckle.

but just as quickly as you look away, the softness of a little red feather tilts your focus back to him. “glad to know you think so yn,” he winks, making you giggle shyly. “i’ll pick you up tonight at seven for valentines, then.”

and who were you to say no to him.

[heli0s-writes]

i raise you: bucky + reader with matching belly button piercings

“matching”

sfljslfjsaslkdj girl help, i’m spiraling. 472 words.

brooklyn after dark masterlist

Listen, Bucky’s not the Winter Soldier anymore. 

Despite his grumpy exterior and done with this shit attitude, he was made for late spring and all of summer and he knows it.

Poolside, you tie his hair up from behind, streaking fingers through the warm brown top layers, bleached gently now that he’s not getting buried underground for decades at a time. He tans easily, glistening bronze beneath the sheen of a quick mist of sunblock. His wide shoulders sport a constellation of light freckles, his strong chest softly smattered in dark furs. 

“Did you two coordinate outfits again?” Nat asks, double-fisting two disturbingly neon drinks that probably have way too much alcohol in them.

“Yep,” you chirp, securing the final loop of elastic. “Matchy, matchy.”

Bucky’s new shorts were advertised to be a good three inches above his knee, but with his enormous fucking thighs, they’re comically short. Like, booty-shorts short. Rich seafoam green burst in a kaleidoscope of tropical flowers, and you frankly cannot wait until they get wet and start clinging.

Your own bikini has a few shades from his design, but nowhere near as colorful. Just how you prefer it because your man merits being ogled at.

Steve ambles out of the cabana, lathered with SPF 8000, block stripes of a kitschy American flag towel red and white over his arm. 

“Your dick’s gonna fall out of those trunks, Buck,” he warns before wincing as a flash goes into his eye. “What’s that?” He points to a sparkle catching in the sun.

Bucky arches on his elbows just enough to display a silver stud sitting above the skin of his navel like a floating planet, the dangling gem hanging beneath a bright star.

“Oh,” Steve says, pleasantly surprised. Then he smiles and lays his towel out on a nearby lounge chair. “Hold on, don’t you have one too?”

You nod cheerfully, lifting your cover up until your tummy shows. The diamond reflection of your peircing catches light and knocks out the vision in Steve’s other eye.

“Matchy, matchy,” Bucky smirks, ruffling the top of Steve’s blonde head. He takes off for the water, diving in a perfect arc into the deep end. Steve’s still trying to regain his sight, winking out splotchy rings of afterimage when he feels your gauze dress land in his lap. You shriek Bucky’s name and cannonball in soon after.

It’s quite a ruckus in the distance— Bucky chortling obnoxiously, you whispering vehemently, waves lapping in-between— before it abruptly hushes and Steve overhears a tiny whimper.

“His dick fell out, didn’t it?” He groans. Natasha slurps loudly, unbothered. “They’re—” he makes grabby hands, “—aren’t they?”

She pops the p of a cheerful, “Yep.” Another slurp, “I recommend keeping your eyes shut for a while, Rogers.”

[magireco]

out of curiosity what do you think of the characterization of homura in rebellion? i hugely dislike it but get the impression you enjoy it which i think is interesting cuz we seem to have very similar thoughts on homura pre-rebellion (CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG)

THIS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT DEPENDS ON WHAT FLAVOR OF REBELLION HOMURA YOU MEAN. i really really like the way she was done in the first half of the movie but as for the twist at the end...? mmm...

...okay, so... i've been thinking about saying this at some point but i keep avoiding it in fear of causing discourse and such bc... this is a really unpopular opinion apparently, but I really do not think devil homura was done properly. read under the cut if you wanna know why i feel this way!

the first issue i'm going to address is that there wasn't NEARLY enough buildup for it. i'm going to explain this from the perspective of a first-time viewer: what would you have thought would happen after the very last scene of rebellion leading up to them breaking homura out of her soul gem? when homulilly got purified and the flowers on her head turned to sakura flowers (y'know, the flowers that symbolize life and rebirth, homura being reborn from her witch)? did you think homura was suddenly gonna undermine madoka's godliness? because, uh, first-view me did not think that at all. and neither did almost anyone i know who watched it for the first time. not only is that poor setup but it's just so sudden and it feels so out of character compared to what we'd seen in the entire series as a whole, especially considering that the entire last part of the movie leading up until that was about purifying her... and saving her... there wasn't enough buildup. most people are like "but the flower scene happened!" but that's still way too vague...? it's hard to tell what conclusion homura comes to at the end, because we don't get to see any of her internal monologue... there is no other buildup after the flower scene... it just skips to homura realizing she's a witch. wouldn't that bring the viewer to think the flower scene was something that made homura realize she was a witch rather than her suddenly starting to form her plan? it always felt like to me the conclusion homura came to at the end of the flower scene was that she was validating madoka's bravery and telling her that if it ever came to that, she'd have the ability to make that hard decision. which is... so... weird? because i always interpreted that as homura coming to terms with what happened? i could just be interpreting it wrong though, but isn't that supposed to be our proof scene? our buildup scene? why would they make it so hard to understand? we need to know such important buildup points just as blatantly as the natural buildup to homura becoming a witch was. that's just from a moviemaking & writing perspective though.

secondly, i'm gonna discuss homura's motive. i actually ended up understanding were she was coming from after a while of being like "what the hell that makes zero sense!!!!". madoka is a 14-year-old girl who, in order to save the fate of every magical girl, literally had to sacrifice herself and erase herself from the world, and in the end, madoka just ended up saving homura again, and that must've made homura feel like her promise with madoka was never fulfilled. it's unfair what happened when you think about it and the law of cycles should not have been run by madoka herself because she, as any other 14 year old, deserves to be happy on earth. although it was said in magireco that madoka felt happy with what she was doing (and she felt like it truly gave her a purpose), she did admit to feeling lonely and homura probably made that assumption big time. but the way the writers went about it just made her seem so sinister... so out-of-character-ly sinister. what with the evil smirking and the deepened, almost... uh, sensual-seeming voice, and homura completely ignoring madoka's fear. it feels like they twisted her character extremely suddenly and it throws the viewer on a loop. they could've gone with that ending without making such drastic and sudden changes to homura's character, and if they were planning on doing that, why did they not give us more buildup? buildup that wasn't extremely cryptic that you have to scan and search every detail to get a clue? something i love about rebellion is that every time you watch you find something new, but how come some of the only clues illuding to devil homura's existence are in the op? it's odd. why didn't they go with something like making the incubators run the law of cycles? they were the ones at fault for causing it to be created. but honestly, the incubators cannot be trusted with anything, which is why it'd make sense for a magical girl to run the law of cycles, but if homura and madoka had the combined power to do so, what if they just remade the law of cycles so it was less unfair to madoka...? i don't know. either of those possibilites would make more sense than what happened.

something else that kind of irks me about it is that they demonized(literally, lol) homura's love for madoka. homura is very much a canon lesbian, and it's incredibly discomforting to me that they made her seem, outwardly to the viewer, so selfish...? please don't get me wrong, i'm not ACTUALLY calling homura selfish -- i know the entire akumura facade is a mask she put on, but like, it's so much more blatantly sinister than she is in the series when she's putting on the coolmura facade. it's going to really confuse the viewer and see every single one of her actions from the entire series in a completely different light, INCLUDING stuff that happened in rebellion itself. like the genuine sadness homura felt, the way we saw into her soul and felt her pain, that genuinely made a lot of people i've seen think that it was ingenuine upon first inspection... they made homura turn "evil" out of her love for madoka, as if it's a bad thing to fall in love, and as if love for another girl was what corrupted her soul gem... i understand that gen urobuchi probably wanted to explore that kind of path where love leads to obsession or whatever, but homura was selfless to a fault, constantly trying to force herself away from the others in order to not get attached, and deeply afraid of seeming creepy and predatory and scaring(she said this herself), which is exactly what she ends up doing at the end, and i feel so awful that they did that to her... how is the viewer supposed to know what her true motives are at that point? it gets all scrambled up after they did that huge plot twist. i'm going to address another thing super quick before people jump in my ask box over this, i understand also that it would make sense for homura to be obsessed with madoka, but in the series, it was never shown in this light, and like i said, if they were going to do this, why'd they even have the purification scene at the end at all? the buildup is all wrong . it also just made me upset that this ending caused SO many people to start literally believing homura is evil because of her actions at the end, and it made people become even more vehement on their beliefs that homura is obsessive and ps*cho...

i was really confused when i watched it for the first time (and also sobbing hysterically, literally, my funniest rebellion story as someone who has genuinely watched the movie 40-ish times, i remember vividly the first time i watched it i started sobbing on my hands and knees on a yoga mat in my mom's room). also like, just to prove my point a teensy bit more, the ending was so ambiguous and out of nowhere that one of the first google results to "madoka magica rebellion" is "madoka magica rebellion ending explained" because it shocked people so much that that was the first thing they needed to google. also, the fact they left us on such a vague cliffhanger and then abandoned the movie series for a total of 8 whole years only to make a sudden comeback in god's holy year of 2021 was almost cruel. LIKE GUYS I JUST FINISHED UP MY DEVIL HOMURA HEADCANONS IT TOOK YOU LONG ENOUGH!!!

...anyways, um, i really have to address the sexualization. madoka magica, previously, was a series that avoided fanservice in the show, at least, but why did they make akumura's design look like that...? it shows an unsettling amount of skin and like, every three seconds in the end they're focusing intensely on her lips and her eyes and... it's almost like the writers forgot she was 14, but they never seemed to forget that in the series? what happened????? in the transformation scene, we get closeup views of homura's thighs and back and stuff and it's all open everywhere... they made her tights into thigh-highs... in the whole series, even when she went to school, she always wore tights, and she was wearing tights in her magical girl outfit too... they absolutely deliberately did that to sexualize her further so they could make official art with her thighs out. speaking of official art that unsettles me, why does so much of the official art make the whole outfit just glued to her body and you can see all the shading on her features... it's just. ugh. anyways.

i went off a LITTLE too much on this and i know this is probably gonna get me some weird glances in the fandom and i am open to hearing other people's opinions but i don't think i'll ever stop disliking the effect this plot twist had on the fandom's interpretation of homura and although i'm like UNDENIABLY incredibly hyper excited for the next movie, i'm kind of...nervous for what this is going to bring? i don't want this next movie to cause the same amount of discourse the ending of rebellion did and i legit just want to see homura happy. another one of my main issues with the ending is just that homura is SO unhappy when she literally deserves to be happy SOOOOOOO BAD and just take a break from all the loops ... i'm Praying to madokami out there that that's what happens.

i know this is all really funny coming from someone who draws devil homura on a regular basis and literally writes her, but like... i'm a lesbian i'm allowed to<3

ANYWAYS thanks for listening this was a fun ask!!!

[berrynarrybanana]

sounds just like a song - ws pt. 3

A/N: This is a rewrite...I did not edit...and I just...might have added a few things that some people will hate me for. I love you all though :) 

Warnings: Mentions of ex girlfriends, mentions of bullying, self doubt, smut for sure, alcohol obvi, and...maybe other stuff? 

Word count: 10K

Watermelon Sugar masterlist

July 14, 2018 Bea’s POV

“I find it kind of hysterical that we had to sneak off to a bathroom to say goodbye properly.” I let out a series of girlish giggles, dropping my head against the door as Harry continued to kiss down my neck. “Harry-”

“I don’t want to say goodbye yet.” His words were muffled by the skin of my neck. “Give me five more minutes.”

“Champagne makes you needy.” I gasped, lifting my hips up when he bit a little harder than the few times before, his tongue immediately swiping over the skin. “Fuck, that feels so nice.”

“I bet it does.” He hummed out, his chest vibrating under my palms as he tilted his head up to nip at my earlobe. “I can’t wait to have you all to myself.” 

“Believe me, I can’t either.” I pressed my palms against his chest, slightly holding him back from my body. “But you have to get to soundcheck eventually, and I have plans with the girls.”

“I know.” He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. “I just….fuck, I think I’d take you with me everywhere if I could.”

“I’d gladly follow if I didn’t have prior engagements.” I gave him a soft smile, brushing my thumb over the collar of his shirt. “We’ll only be apart for a few hours, that’s not so bad.”

“It can be when we know our time is limited together.” He nibbled on his lower lip. “We only have until Tuesday-”

“Which means we still have three days.” I reminded him. “Besides, I’ve spoken to Claire about Saturday, and I think I might be able to sneak away.”

“Yeah?” His brows lifted, a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Well, I guess it’s a date then.”

“I guess so.” I chuckled. “Now, give me one more good kiss before I go.”

Harry smirked, his dimple flashing as he leaned forward like a shark chasing after it’s prey. 

                                                    🐙🐙🐙🐙

Harry’s POV 

I pressed the key to my Tesla into Bea’s palm as I kissed her forehead. 

“Don’t argue with me.” I whispered, glancing down at her as she squinted up at me. Her empty hand rose to her forehead, shielding her sensitive, blue eyes from the california sun . “Just take my car so you don’t have to uber around, and we can drive it home tonight from the venue.”

“But Harry.” She sighed, licking over her bottom lip as she looked back at my car. “That thing costs more than...well, everything I own.”

“Shut up.” I snorted, rolling my eyes at her before I stole another kiss. “Take it, okay? It’s just a car, and it literally can drive itself. If you have any questions about it, just shoot me a text and I’ll respond.”

“This is unnecessary, but I really appreciate the gesture.” She smiled. “Thank you for not leaving us stranded.”

“I would never.” I pressed one more kiss to her lips, my fingers squeezing her sides. “Alright, go have fun with your friends. Send me a few pictures while you’re out, yeah?”

“I will.” She took a step back, watching me with an almost sad smile. “I’ll see you in a few hours, darling.”

“I’ll see you in a few hours.” I repeated back to her. “Be safe, and have fun.”

“You too.” 

I turned on my heel, checking both ways before I jogged across the street to the car Gemma and Michael drove to brunch. I slipped into the passenger side, shutting the door with a quick huff as I reached for my seatbelt. I looked across the street as Bea turned to Claire, her arms crossing over her abdomen as the wind blew her long cardigan around her body. 

“She’s a wonderful girl.” Gemma gave me a smile, her eyes practically sparkling. “Mum thinks so too.”

“You’ve told Mum about her?” I asked her, pushing my sunglasses up with raised brows as Gem smiled wider. “Gemma, tell me-”

“I didn’t tell Mum, The Daily Mail did.” Gemma rolled her eyes, putting the car in drive before she pulled out of her parking spot. “The bloody paps have already sold pictures of us at brunch to the rags, and I guess a few fans got some snapshots of you and Beatrice entering and leaving the bathroom.”

“Grand.” I huffed, slumping in my seat. “I didn’t want that for her.”

“Harry, she’s a smart girl.” Gemma said. “She knows what she’s getting into with you. She might not know the extent of what she’s getting into, but she knows enough about it.”

“I just don’t want them to chase her off.” I mumbled, pulling my phone out of my pockets, pressing my finger to the home button. “She’s got such a good heart, Gemma. She doesn’t deserve to have her name raked through the mud because of some asshole like me.”

“She doesn’t think you’re an asshole, and I guarantee if I asked her right now, she would say that you're worth it.” Gemma glanced at me with furrowed brows. “Don’t be bothered by it, Harry. Beatrice seems like a strong girl, and she’s got a decent sized support group to look after her.”

I sighed, biting my lower lip before I nodded. 

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I whispered. “I just can’t help but worry about her.”

“I think that’s natural.” Gemma hummed out. “But I do have to say, this is the first time you’ve ever been worried about your bird and not yourself when it comes to being in the papers. You aren’t even a little bit annoyed that they plastered your face on the front page.”

“I couldn’t care less about myself right now.” I cleared my throat. “She’s not used to this, I am.”

“Well, maybe you should just have a talk about it.” Gemma said. “And you should definitely call Mum before she decides to fly over here to meet Bea herself.”

                                                   🐝🐝🐝🐝

Bea’s POV 

“Do you think I can pull this off?” I held the maroon colored bodysuit up, twisting the hanger around as I looked at the lack of fabric. “I mean, it’s really cute, but I’m just-”

“Perfect in every way, shape, and form.” Tara pressed her hands to my shoulders, kissing my cheek as I rolled my eyes at her. “I think you would fucking kill in that thing, babe. It’s perfect for your body shape.”

“My body shape is blob, Tara.” I glanced back at her with a wild expression, shaking my head as she laughed. “What could I do for this thing?”

“You have a fucking hourglass figure.” Jackson snorted out a laugh. “And you keep it locked up all the time, so let it out.”

“But I have a tummy.” I lowered the bodysuit, turning towards my friends. “Won’t that look a little unflattering if I just walk around with my stomach sticking out? And my arms-”

“Go put the damn thing on.” Tara carefully ushered me towards the dressing room, snagging a belt and a leather jacket along the way. “Try it, I think you’ll like it.”

I inhaled sharply, pushing the velvet curtain aside before I slid it shut again. I put the items down on the bench in front of the mirror, wiping my palms on my pants as I tried to soothe my nerves. It wasn’t like I was anxious about trying on clothes, I just hated the entire process. I had to undo my shoes, slide my pants off, put the bodysuit on, and then put my pants back on. After I finished all of that, I’d have to do it over again to get redressed. I started the process, balancing my hand against the wall as I stood on one foot. It took me a few minutes, but when I finally finished getting into the bodysuit, I looked at my jeans with a heavy frown. 

“Hey, Tara?” I moved the curtain aside, catching her attention. “Can you find me black jeans? I don’t think this shade of blue is gonna look good with the maroon.”

“Yeah, give me a sec.” She turned on her heel, strutting towards the jeans without a care in the world. 

I pulled the curtain back before I turned to face the mirror. 

The bodysuit had a bottom that was far more comfortable than any other bodysuit I’d worn. It was almost as if it had a pair of boyshorts at the bottom, the material stretchy and comfortable as I moved around. I especially enjoyed the zipper on the side that made it easy to slip on. I didn’t have to flail around like a fish out of water to pull it over my hips or to get it zipped up either. It was absolutely perfect, and the more that I looked at myself in it, the more I loved it. 

I twisted and turned, looking at myself from different angles as I waited for Tara to return with a pair of jeans for me. As I turned around, admiring my bum in the pair of cheeky boy shorts, an idea popped into my head. Harry did ask me to send him pictures throughout the day so that he would feel like he was with me. I rolled my lips in, holding back a giddy laugh as I thought of sending him a picture of me in just the bodysuit. It was quite a scandalous idea to me, though I knew there were people who’d sent pictures of far more intimate things to their boyfriends. 

I nibbled on the inside of my cheek as the wheels in my brain turned. On one hand, I knew that Harry would never say anything insulting to me about my picture. He would never point out a flaw, or offer a backhanded compliment. He would tell me that he loved it no matter what I sent, I knew that...but I was still nervous to show him my body in such a vulnerable state. 

I didn’t even know how to pose for those types of things, and surely someone else would need my dressing room before I finished figuring out the perfect post. I hesitated, my heart beating faster and faster in my chest. I finally grabbed my phone with a heavy exhale, trying my best to expel all of the negative energy from my body as I swiped over to my camera app. 

I held the phone up, tilting myself to the side before I looked at the screen of my phone. 

I groaned when I saw how I actually looked in the bodysuit. 

My legs were far too short, and my skin was far too pale. 

I looked like an old picture of me as a chubby child in a bathing suit, my stomach pushing out ever so slightly and the skin of my thighs dimpled. I rolled my eyes, pushing away the tight feeling in my chest as I lowered my phone down. It was no use even trying to take a picture of myself for Harry. The lighting of the dressing room wasn’t exactly helping me too much either. 

“If you want to take a picture, you weren’t doing it right.” Tara’s voice interrupted me, causing me to jump as I looked back at her. “You need to learn your angles, babe.”

“How long have you been standing there?” I asked, pressing my hand to my chest. 

“I walked in when you started pouting at your phone.” She snorted out a laugh, tossing the jeans onto the bench. “Give me your phone.”

“I don’t think-”

“Listen to the master.” She glared at me, holding her finger in the air. “Do exactly as I say, and we’ll get the perfect set of naughty pics for your man.”

“Tara-” I felt my cheeks growing warm, my eyes growing wide as she swirled her finger around. 

“Turn around and drop it girl, Harry will literally have a heart attack.” Tara said. 

“I’ve never dropped it, and I never will.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m not….I don’t like my ass, okay?”

“It is one of your best features, babe.” Tara looked at me over my phone, a soft look in her eyes as she sighed. “Do you feel insecure?”

“No, I just…” I shifted on my bare feet. “I’m just not as confident as I could be, that’s all. I’m working on it.”

“I truly think this will help.” Tara said softly. “We’ll save dropping it low for the wedding pictures, okay? For now, just… turn towards the mirror and stick your left over your right...that’s perfect Bea! Now just turn your head to the side, hold your hands in front of your stomach, and glance back at me like you’re modest.” 

“I am modest, you heathen.” I grumbled, following her instruction as she snapped a few pictures. “How did that look?” 

“Perfect.” She said. “Your hair did a lot of work, and we got the perfect shot of your ass without making it the focus.” 

“Oh my god, I don’t want to see it.” I groaned, turning towards her with a pout on my lips. “Can you see-”

“How positively exquisite you look in that bodysuit?” She asked. “Yes, you can. Now put the pants on and sit on the bench for me.”

I did as she said, sitting down on the edge before I crossed my legs. I extended them out, pressing my palms to the edge of the bench before I turned my head just like Tara asked me too. I wasn’t sure how she managed to avoid putting herself in the photo, but she did an excellent job of getting me in a raw, natural state with a smile on my face. 

When we were done playing around, I changed back into my old clothes before tossing the bodysuit, the belt, and the jeans over my arm. All three articles of clothing would be going home with me, and they would carry this memory with them forever. Tara handed me my phone back with a proud smirk, the device buzzing in my hand as I noticed a picture of Harry on the screen. 

“You sent them already?” I asked her. “Fuck, I’m not prepared.” 

“Go take the phone call.” She said. “Give me your shit, I’ll get you checked out.” 

I handed her my purse and the clothing before I answered the phone, holding it to my ear. 

“Hi.” I said softly. 

“You’re trying to kill me.” Harry whined out, his voice strained. “When I said send pictures, I meant ones with you doing innocent things. Now I have to wait for hours to touch you again, and all I can think about is you in that changing room.”

“I thought it might be a nice preview of things to come.” I bit my bottom lip as I crossed my free arm over my stomach. “I hope that you liked them.”

“I fucking loved them.” He said. “I plan on having them framed.”

“No you don’t.” I rolled my eyes. “No one wants to see those hung up in a gallery anywhere.”

“That’s not a bad idea…” He hummed out. “I wonder if the Guggenheim will take them?”

“Stop being so cheeky.” I tossed my head back, laughing loudly. “I allow you to put one in your wallet, so that you shall have to squint to see any flaws.” 

“That just won’t do.” He tutted softly. “I’m putting them in my house, in large frames! I might even commission an artist to paint you like a little renaissance princess...but you’d have to send me one without the lacy thing for that.” 

“In your dreams.” I mumbled, snorting out a soft laugh. “Have you done rehearsals yet?”

“Just about to go on stage and test it all out.” He said. “I was at the mic stand when I got those pictures by the way. I might have had to wobble off stage to take care of some things before I called you up.”

“Did you jack off to those?” I asked him bluntly. “Holy fuck, there’s no way-”

“Um, yeah, I did.” He said plainly. “My girlfriend sends me pictures of herself in lingerie, giving me bedroom eyes, and you expect me not to get hard? You’re insane.”

“You are insane.” I chuckled. “I’m happy to give a little inspiration to you in such desperate times, darling.”

“You sound so smug right now, honey.” His voice was soft, but there was a teasing edge to the tone of his voice that sent shivers down my spine. “Just you wait until I get on that stage tonight. I’ll have you dripping down your legs the second I walk out, and you know it.”

“Fuck.” I all but wheezed the word out. “Maybe I should cut my shopping trip short?”

“Now, now.” He taunted. “I don’t think your friends would like that very much, honey.”

“Alright, I’ve learned my lesson.” I cleared my throat. “Don’t tease if I don’t want to be teased back.”

“My clever girl.” he laughed. “Thank you for the pictures, honey. I think you looked positively stunning, and I really love them a lot.”

“You’re welcome.” I smiled, looking down at my feet. “I’ll see you soon, darling.”

“See you soon, Beatrice.” He whispered. “Be good.”

“Same to you.” 

I hung up, taking a deep breath in attempts to hold in a squeal. 

I fucking loved having a boyfriend. 

                                                     🍯🍯🍯🍯

Harry’s POV 

I slammed my fist into Dave’s covered palm with a loud grunt, biting down harder on my mouth guard as I ducked to avoid his right hook. I didn’t need a bruise on my face during the last show of my world tour, even if everyone would love that. I jumped back up, swinging my arm around for a side hit as Dave grunted in front of me. I took a few steps back, exhaling heavily as I heard chatter around me. I turned my head, my eyes landing on Beatrice and Claire standing by the ring. Claire was busy talking to Gemma, but Beatrice had her eyes glued on me. Just as I lifted my hand to wave, I felt a hard hit land on my ribcage, causing me to fall to the ground. 

I heard Bea gasp as Dave laughed loudly. 

“You shouldn’t have let your guard down, mate.” He tapped my hip with his glove. “Number one rule.”

“You prick, I was admiring my girl.” I groaned, falling onto my back. “It’s not my fault she’s so bloody gorgeous.”

“Oh my god, you’re ridiculous.” Bea’s laughter caught my attention, my head lolling to the side to see her standing at the side of the ring with one hand pressed over her lips.

“You think this is funny, huh?” I asked her, my words muffled around my guard. I turned my head to the opposite side, spitting it out before I looked back at her. “You wanna get in here and show me what you’ve got?”

“No thank you.” She laughed. “I’d rather stay down here and watch.” 

“I see.” I looked up at the ceiling, trying to catch my breath before I sat up straight. I started removing my gloves, pulling at the velcro around my wrists with my teeth. “Come in here and give me a kiss at least?”

“If you insist.” Beatrice mumbled, pressing her hands onto the floor of the ring before she hoisted herself up with a small grunt. “This is too much physical exercise for me, Styles. I’ve already done one workout with you.”

“I’m just getting you prepared.” I smiled up at her as she stood over me. “I want you nice and prepped for our big workout tonight.” 

“You two are disgusting.” Gemma groaned, her face twisting up. “I don’t want to hear this.” 

“Bugger off then!” I laughed, tossing my hand about. “I ain’t gonna stop now, so here’s your warning.”

Beatrice dropped to her knees beside me, holding back laughter as she grabbed my arm. 

“I knew you boxed, but seeing it in person is extremely erotic.” She mumbled, pulling the velcro away from the glove before she pulled it from my hand. “You’ve already seduced me, you don’t have to keep trying.” 

“That goes both ways.” I let out a breathy chuckle, shaking my head at her. “What on earth possessed you to take those pictures in the changing room?”

“You.” She glanced up at me as she started to undo my wrap. “I was sitting there, looking at myself in that bodysuit...and you just popped into my head. I wasn’t gonna do it first, though. I couldn’t get a good picture by myself, so Tara helped out a little.” 

“Remind me to buy her a car or something as a thank you.” I teased, bumping my shoulder into her arm. “You do know that you’re beautiful, right? Like...not to be a proper dick, but you’re one of the fittest girls I’ve ever seen in my whole life, and that’s coming from my heart and not my trousers.”

“Harry.” She laughed, shaking her head as she moved to the other wrist, her eyes avoiding mine at all costs. “You don’t have to sing such high praises-”

“Apparently I do, because you don’t seem to get it.” I whispered, sliding my free hand to her side for a quick squeeze. “You. are. Beautiful.”

I watched her cheeks turn red, her hips shifting about as she pulled the other glove off. 

“I won’t stop saying it until you feel it.” I leaned closer, pressing my lips to her collarbone as she started working on the wrap. “I’ll say it a million times a day.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe you see me that way, Harry.” She mumbled. “It’s just that I can’t believe it or see it myself, you know?”

I stopped, looking at her as she continued to work on my hand. 

When my wrap was fully removed, I lifted both of my palms to her face as I sat up on my knees in front of her. I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks, my brows pulling together as she swallowed harshly. I could see a light glaze over her eyes, almost as if she were going to cry. 

“Who made you feel like you’re not beautiful?” I asked her, watching her eyes cast down towards her knees. “Who hurt you?”

“No one.” She mumbled. “It’s not like I can sit and point fingers at every major company or magazine that put me down because of my weight or my body. I can’t individually list every person that’s ever called me names. I can’t sit and add it all up, because that makes it worse. So I just...let it go. You should too.”

I watched her look up at me with an unsure smile, and it nearly broke my heart. 

“You are perfect the way that you are.” I moved my forehead closer to hers. “Fuck them all, Beatrice. From the magazines, to the fashion industry, to the people around you that make you feel less than perfect for feeling comfortable in your own skin. I saw how much fun you were having when you took those photos, and I knew that you were feeling good about yourself...so why let those people drag you back down?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “I guess that’s just how the female brain works. We take one step forward in progress and then we leap five steps back when we get a glimpse of peace.” 

“Well, we’re not taking steps back anymore.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, closing my eyes as I inhaled the scent of her shampoo. “I know it’s hard to love yourself, especially when the whole world is telling you not to, but we have each other now. We’re not alone in this.”

I watched her eyes narrow, her head tilting to the side as she stared at me. 

“What?” I asked. 

“Who hurt you?” She asked. “Harry, please tell me that you don’t...if anyone in this relationship is perfect, it’s-”

I pressed my lips to hers, sliding my palms to the side of her neck as she let out a surprised squeak. Seconds later, she melted into my kiss, her fingers gripping my shirt tightly as I brushed my tongue over her bottom lip. It took us seconds to find our way to the floor, her legs spreading just enough for me to slot my hips between them. I felt my hand slip down, cupping her breast over the thin, satin tank top that she put on. The soft pink color looked beautiful on her, and I was envious of the blouse as it clung to her body in such a flattering manner. 

“Don’t ever do that.” I pulled back, looking into her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. “I know that the world has me on some pedestal, but I’m just Harry. I’m your boyfriend, and I’m going to make mistakes just the same as you. I’m not any better than you, Beatrice, and I never want you to feel that way. We’re equals, and I will never let you put yourself down just to build me up.”

“Kiss me.” She gripped my shoulders, pulling me into her lips again. 

I felt the stirring in the lower pit of my stomach, a soft burn accompanied by the blood flowing straight to my cock. I groaned, sliding my tongue past her lips just so I could hear those beautiful noises she made in the heat of the moment. It was almost as if she couldn’t contain her feelings in her body, so they had to escape in soft hums. I felt her fingers gripping at my arms, desperate to pull me closer to her body as she shifted her hips against the mat. 

I pulled away, pressing my forehead to hers as my chest heaved. 

Kissing her made me more breathless than my workout. 

“You’re intoxicating.” I let out a breathless chuckle, sliding my palm from her breast to her neck. I brushed my thumb over her jaw, closing my eyes. “And you smell fucking amazing, what is that?”

“I spoiled myself with a new perfume today.” She chuckled, sliding her fingers over my forearm before wrapping them around my wrist. “It’s by Chloe.”

“It smells delightful.” I ducked my head down, brushing my nose over her skin. “Like roses.”

“I think it’s called Roses De Chloe, if I’m not mistaken.” She let out a shuddery breath when I kissed over the skin of her neck. “You’re dangerous, Harry Styles.”

“You have no idea.” I chuckled, lifting my head up. “C’mon, I need to shower before dinner.”

“And I need to be present?” She lifted her brows up as I settled on my knees. 

“I would prefer that you’re present.” I chuckled, reaching for my water bottle. “I want to hear about your day.”

“I suppose that’s fair.” She sighed, raising her upper half with her palms behind her on the mat. 

“And maybe, I can sneak in a couple more kisses before tonight.” I watched her drop her head back, laughing until a little snort slipped out. “Just when I think you can’t get any cuter, you do something like that.”

“Oh, yes, the snort is so cute.” She rolled her head forward, sending me a blank stare. “Let’s go, casanova, you do need a shower.”

“Rude.”

                                                   🐟🐟🐟🐟

Bea’s POV 

“I almost got a haircut today.” I scrolled on my phone, curling my feet under my legs as Harry continued to shower. “I mean, that’s not that interesting seeing as I didn’t, but I thought about it.”

“I think you would look cute with short hair.” Harry called over the spray of the shower. “I just don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have something to pull into a ponytail when you’re-”

“Don’t say it.” I glanced over my phone, watching him smile at me through the steamed glass of the shower. 

“C’mon, you know you’d miss that feeling.” He chuckled, sliding his abnormally large hands over his head as he tilted it back towards the spray of the shower. 

“I’ve only given you one blowjob, sir.” I tilted my chin up. “I don’t know that I would miss it.”

“Giving me blowjobs or having me pull your hair?” He asked. “We can test both of those theories out right now if you want.”

“Maybe later, darling.” I rolled my eyes, glancing back at my phone. “Are you excited for tonight?”

“I am.” He said. “I’m so thrilled to get this tour over with, honestly. I love every single moment of it, don’t get me wrong, but I need some time off.”

“You’ve been a busy boy.” I nodded. “You never really took a serious break between the band and your solo stuff, squid.”

“I didn’t want to.” He said casually. “I need to be working, Beatrice. I literally don’t think I could ever stop.”

“I know what you mean.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “I mean, I’m not necessarily pulling the hours that you are, but I am a workaholic like you.”

“That’s not good.” He turned the shower off, talking through a soft chuckle as he pulled the door open. “If we’re both workaholics, who’s going to take time off to visit the other.”

“You.” I pointed at him with my phone, offering him a smile. “You’re the one on break, aren’t ya?”

“Touche.” He stepped out of the shower, reaching for the towel on the hook next to the sink with furrowed brows. “Why are you on the floor?” 

“It’s comfier than sitting on the sink.” I shrugged, looking up at him. “You smell delectable.” 

“Thanks.” He leaned down, stealing a kiss. “Want a taste?”

I rolled my lips in, looking into his eyes as he toweled his hair off. 

“Yeah, actually.” I mumbled, dropping my phone to the floor on top of my shoes. “I might want a taste.”

Harry’s eyes snapped to mine as I rolled onto my knees, pressing my palms to his damp thighs. 

“Fuck.” He whispered. “I didn’t actually think… you don’t have to.” 

“I want to.” I dug my nails into his thighs, smirking when he hissed out. “Lean against the sink for me? I don’t want you to fall.”

“Okay.” He shuffled back a few steps, pressing his bum to the edge of the sink as I moved closer to him. 

Harry’s eyes were glued to me as I kissed over the small tattoos on his legs. 

They were mostly silly little words, but I found them adorable. 

I let my right hand move from the tiger tattoo on his thigh to the base of his cock, my fingertips trailing over a vein in his shaft. I watched his cock twitch, a small drop of precum bubbling from the red tip. I was curious to know more about Harry’s body, and the things that I could do to it. He was only the second guy that I had seen naked like this, but I was proud to say that he was my favorite. I liked his cock, and I loved how it reacted to the smallest of touches from me. 

“You have a very pretty cock.” I mumbled, glancing up at him as he gripped the edge of the sink with white knuckles. “It seems to like attention, huh?”

“Just yours.” He cleared his throat, shifting his hips around. “Please, angel.”

“Be patient.” I whispered, sliding my forefinger over his tip. “I’m admiring it.”

It was slowly growing harder with each second that I stared at it, my fingertips still lightly tracing over the shaft. Harry was breathing heavily above me, his chest heaving and his grip tight on the porcelain behind him. I loved watching his thighs and his tummy tense when I leaned closer, my breath brushing over the sensitive area ever so slightly. I had him wrapped already, and I couldn’t wait to test just how much willpower he had. 

Part of me wanted him to tangle his fingers in my hair before pulling my mouth onto his cock. I wanted him to groan and growl out filthy words while I gasped for air. I wanted to be everything he wanted me to be while I was on my knees in front of him. I knew that he had a bit of a dominant streak in him, just like I had a submissive one in me, but we weren’t quite there yet. 

“What are you waiting for?” I glanced up at him. “I thought we were testing out if I’d miss having your hands in my hair while I sucked you off?”

“You are trouble.” He lifted a hand from the sink, cupping my chin gently. “I see it in your eyes, you know? I know what you want me to do, but I won’t do it unless you beg.”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” I said sweetly. 

“Don’t play coy, angel.” He brushed his thumb over my lower lip as he mumbled, causing me to smirk up at him. “You want me to fuck your mouth, don’t you?”

“Sounds pleasant, I suppose.” I shrugged my shoulders

Harry’s lips curved into a smirk that reminded me of the cheshire cat. 

“You’re a bit of a brat, aren’t you?” He tilted my chin up higher, watching my face as I tried to contain my smile. “Sweet Beatrice, you are treading on very thin ice.”

“Am I?” I asked softly. “I feel like I’m being such a good girl.”

“You know that you’re not.” 

I moan when I felt his thumb slip past my lips, brushing over my tongue before he pulled it right back out. I leaned forward, pulling it back into my mouth as Harry’s eyes turned from light to dark. I could see the intense look burning behind the soft Jade color of his irises. 

“You’re teasing me again.” He let out a shuddery sigh, closing his eyes as he tilted his head back. “You’re going to be in so much trouble when I get you home.” 

I pulled back from his thumb with a pop, smiling up at him as his hand gripped the base of his cock. I watched him stroke over the shaft twice, holding back soft whimpers as he did. 

“Open your mouth.” He said it sternly, but I could see the hint of softness left in him. 

He wanted to make sure that I was okay. 

I stuck my tongue out, settling my palms on my thighs as I waited for him to finally give me what I wanted. He rested the head of his cock on my tongue, the salty taste of his precum mixed with a hint of his body wash. I closed my mouth around the head, lapping my tongue over the slit of his cock as he hissed. Seconds later, his right hand was digging into the roots of my hair. 

“Your fucking mouth, angel.” He dropped his head back, letting out a high pitched whine. “Feels so good wrapped around me, Beatrice.”

I hummed softly, moving as far as I could go on his shaft. 

He was thick, but not overly so, and the length of his cock was perfect for my mouth. 

I could hardly make it to the base of his cock, but I was happy with making it halfway at least. I pulled back, suckling harshly when I made it to the tip. Harry’s hips jutted forward in response, causing his cock to slip right back into my mouth. I moaned around him, closing my eyes as I dug my nails into his thighs. I moved my head slowly, trying to figure out the perfect pace. 

I hadn’t had much practice, but this was my third blowjob, so I liked to think I had the basics down. Harry seemed to think so too, his fingers pulling my roots tighter as he moved his hips gently in and out of my mouth. He was nowhere near my throat, and I was thankful for that. I wasn’t quite ready to test out that area of pleasure when it came to blowjobs. I didn’t know how I would handle having someone literally pushing into my throat just yet. 

“I’m gonna cum.” He whimpered. “Open your eyes, Beatrice.” 

I did as I was told, looking up at him. 

“Use your hands and…” He inhaled sharply when I suckled on the head of his cock again before moving my lips down. “Please just play with my-”

I knew what he was trying to ask, my fingers already finding their way to his balls. 

I brushed my thumb over the skin at first, testing out the waters before I started to really massage them between my fingers. Harry’s hips stuttered forward as he cursed loudly, dropping his head forward as I stared up at him. The second his glazed over eyes locked with mine, it was all over. He lowered his left hand to my head, sliding his fingers through the roots as he held himself in my mouth, his cum coating the center of my tongue as he cried out. 

When he was done, he pulled himself out, and I swallowed with a scrunched up nose. 

“You didn’t have to swallow.” He chuckled, reaching down to brush his thumb under my lips. “I would have moved for you.”

“It’s okay.” I shrugged. “I didn’t mind it.” 

“Your face said otherwise.” He laughed a little harder. “Thank you, honey, that was really nice.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” I rolled my eyes, holding my hands up towards him. “Help me up, my knees are sore.”

“Sorry.” he grabbed my hands, pulling me up to my feet. “Give me a kiss.”

“You want to kiss me?” I asked him, pulling my head back as he leaned forward. “Don’t you want me to like, brush my teeth first?”

“No.” His brows furrowed. “I want your lips.”

“But...I thought guys didn’t like…” I paused, tilting my head. “Nevermind.” 

“No, finish that sentence.” he said. “You thought guys didn’t like what?” 

“Kissing someone after they’ve...you know?” I felt my cheeks heat up as Harry stared back at me. 

 “Is that what the guy before me said? The guy that you tried this out on a while ago?” He asked softly, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand in soft circles. 

“Yeah.” I mumbled. “He also kind of didn’t give me a choice on the whole spit or swallow thing.”

“He sounds like a fucking prick.” Harry’s jaw tensed as he inhaled sharply, shaking his head with a stern expression. “Don’t ever let a man treat you like that again, do you hear me? I don’t ever want you to do something because you think I’ll like it. We both have to enjoy it if this is going to work.”

“I wanted that with you.” I brushed my palms over his pecs, sliding them up to his neck. “I just...I didn’t know.”

“Well, you do now.” He leaned forward, brushing his nose against mine. “I’m a lucky bastard for being able to have your mouth like that, the least I can do is kiss you after and call you a good girl.”

“Don’t call me a good girl.” I closed my eyes, pressing my thighs together. 

“S’that turn you on?” He laughed, sliding his hands to my lower back. “But you were so good for me, angel. After you were a total brat, of course.”

“That’s my favorite part.” I opened my eyes, offering him a smile. “I like being a brat.”

Harry let out a soft sigh, his lips pressed together as he tried not to smile. 

“We’re going to have so much fun.” He whispered, leaning closer to my lips with his own. “I’m going to wreck you.” 

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” I snorted out a laugh, but Harry cut it off with a kiss. “You really are the type to kiss someone in the middle of-”

His lips pressed into mine again, and I melted. 

                                                 🍆🍆🍆🍆

Harry’s POV

Beatrice and Claire were a force to be reckoned with. 

Three tequila shots and a watermelon margarita later, and they were both ready to party. I watched Bea toss the tequila shots back like water, reaching for the lime as her nose scrunched up ever so slightly. I tried to hide the proud smile I was wearing, but it was hard to do that when my girlfriend was crushing my favorite liquor like it was water. Gemma wasn’t quiet about catching my smile either, her elbow digging into my side. 

“You’re in love.” She sang out. “Look at her, like another version of you.”

“In my younger days.” I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. “I can’t party like that anymore.”

“Yes you can.” Gemma rolled her eyes. “You’re dramatic.”

“Eh, just a little.” I smiled over at her. “Have you two been getting along?”

“We’ve talked some, yeah.” Gemma nodded, digging her spoon into a mountain of mashed potatoes. “She reminds me a lot of you in certain ways, but there’s something about her that I can’t put my finger on.”

“Something that you don’t like or?” I waited for her response as she let out a soft noise of uncertainty. “What?”

“I just think that she’s one of those people that puts her own needs aside to please everyone else, you know?” Gemma sighed. “It's not a bad thing, but it can be harmful.”

“I’ve noticed that too.” I scratched at my jaw. “But it doesn’t make me want her any less.”

“Oh, I know.” Gemma rolled her eyes. “When you fixate on someone, you’re like a fucking dog with their new favorite toy.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I bumped her shoulder with my own. “I get it, you think I’ll forget about my favorite sister.”

“You did when you were with Hannah...and Madison...and Samantha-”

“Got it.” I said sharply, glaring at her. “Gemma, I know that I’ve been a proper dick about relationships in the past, but I just...I want someone to love. Is that such a bad thing?”

“It is when you put everyone else aside and focus on someone toxic.” She was such a smart ass sometimes, and I hated it. “But I don’t think Bea is toxic. I just think she’s a little innocent.”

I snorted, but I quickly wiped my hand over my mouth. 

“You’re disgusting.” Gemma narrowed her eyes at me. “I meant in worldly matters, not in the bedroom.”

“She’s pretty innocent in the bedroom too.” Claire’s voice made me jump, my hand pressing to my chest as Gemma turned her head back. “She’s still a virgin...right, Harry?”

“Oh my god.” I felt my face heat up as Claire plopped into the seat beside Gemma. “Can I see your spoon, Gem? I would like to scoop my eyes out now.”

“So many things that I didn’t need to know.” Gemma mumbled, glancing at Claire. “You’re insane, I like that.”

“Good.” Claire smiled at Gemma, reaching over to steal a green bean off of her plate. “I think you’re pretty fucking awesome too.”

Gemma laughed, shaking her head at Claire as she reached for a water bottle. 

“In all honesty, she is pretty innocent, but she’s also pretty smart.” Claire said. “Even though she’s most definitely losing it with Sarah over there.”

I turned my head around, watching Sarah and Beatrice lean into each other as they both laughed. I raised my brows, looking back at Claire who just shrugged her shoulders. 

“They both had an emo phase, and to them, that’s hysterical.” Claire sipped at her water. “I didn’t know Mitch’s birthday was yesterday, by the way.”

“Oh, yeah.” I nodded. “We did a pre-party for him, it was fun.”

“I feel bad for stealing his birthday thunder.” Claire pouted her bottom lip out. “Had I known, I wouldn’t have soaked up being in the spotlight light last night.”

“I’m sure Mitch enjoyed it.” Gemma said. “He’s not one for being the center of attention.”

“Very odd, isn’t it.” Claire hummed. “For both of us to be cancers, but to be so different.” 

“Natal chart.” Gemma pointed her spoon towards Claire. “It makes a world of difference.” 

“On that note, I’m leaving.” I stood up from my chair, pressing a quick kiss to the top of Gemma’s head before I nodded at Claire. “I’m keeping my eyes on you two tonight, you seem dangerous.”

“Wait until she starts trying to take her clothes off.” Claire moved her eyebrows, biting her tongue between her teeth. 

“Oh fuck me.” I groaned, dropping my head back before I walked around the long table, heading in the direction of Sarah and Bea. 

“You two look like you’re having a good laugh.” I looked between them with raised brows. 

“Sarah showed me a picture of her hair in highschool.” Bea pressed her palm over her mouth, her eyes watering as Sarah laughed harder next to her. 

“Oh my goodness.” I chuckled, sitting down next to them. “I haven’t seen that, let me see.”

“No, for Bea’s eyes only.” Sarah wheezed, snatching her phone against her chest. “You wouldn’t get it.”

“You’re stealing my friends.” I glanced back at Beatrice as she silently laughed, hunching over as I let out a breathy laugh through my nose. “Is this the tequila, or do I need to get you an inhaler, honey?” 

“I’m fine.” She waved her hand about, taking a deep breath before she wiped under her eyes to collect the fallen tears. “I just haven’t laughed like that in a while.”

“I’m glad my hair was amusing.” Sarah giggled, patting Beatrice’s thigh. “I’ve got to go find my boyfriend, I haven’t shown him this picture yet.” 

“So everyone gets to see it but me?” I watched Sarah nod as she stood up. “Rude, Sarah Jones.” 

“I love you, Harry Styles.” She dropped her hand to my head, ruffling my hair. “But, no.”

Beatrice let out another round of giggles at that, and I turned my eyes towards her. 

“I’ll get you for this later.” I reached over, tickling her side before she squeaked out. “You seriously can’t get any cuter.”

“Stop.” She groaned, swatting my hand away as she pouted. “I’m ticklish.”

“Good.” I chuckled. “I’ve been away far too long, where is my kiss?” 

“Needy man.” She leaned forward, pressing her lips to mine. “I’m excited for the show to start, I can’t wait to see you dancing around like a fool on stage. What was it that you said earlier? You were going to have me dripping down my legs?”

I inhaled sharply as she tilted her head, kissing the soft spot below my ear. 

“Claire warned me that tequila made you horny.” I brushed my palm up her thigh. “Easy there, honey.”

“Oops.” She pulled back, her cheeks practically glowing red. “I forgot about the other people in the room.”

“S’alright.” I lifted my hand, brushing my thumb over her chin. “Just don’t want to get worked up before I have to sit in the hair and makeup chair.”

“Oh, makeup!” She exclaimed. “I still have to get ready.” 

“You can get ready with me.” I said. “We’ll sit side by side.”

“How cute.” She pouted again, tilting her head to the side like she’d just seen a cute puppy dog walking down the street. “You’re sweet.”

“And you’re tipsy.” I laughed. “You haven’t eaten yet, have you?” 

She shook her head. “I was waiting for you.”

“C’mon, let’s grab a plate or two and figure out what we want.” I reached for her hand, standing up before she followed suit. “One more kiss?”

“Okay.” She pressed up on her toes, kissing my cheek. “Oh, I wonder if you have fries around here somewhere. You know the old saying, fries before guys.”

“Excuse me.” I followed behind her as she giggled, shaking my head. “No, it’s guys before fries here.”

I was going to have my hands full with this one. 

                                                 🍟  🍟  🍟🍟

Bea’s POV 

When I walked out of the bathroom, pulling my faux leather jacket on, my jaw nearly hit the ground. I stopped in my tracks, looking at Harry with parted lips and wide eyes as he turned around and held his arms out for Lambert. I watched him shrug his jacket on, shimmying his shoulders until it rested comfortably on his frame. Harry looked up at me, shooting me a grin that made me knees feel wobbly. I cleared my throat, adjusting my own jacket before I walked closer to him with sweaty palms and a frog in my throat. 

“You look gorgeous.” He leaned forward, holding my elbow with his massive hand before he pressed a kiss to my temple. “Have you put on the lacy thing for me?”

“Yeah, I have.” I sucked in a breath as he lifted the lapel of my jacket, his eyes burning when they landed on the bodysuit. “Better in person?”

“Much.” He mumbled, glancing up at me with a lopsided grin, his dimple just barely visible. “If there weren’t other people in this room, I’d kiss the breath right out of your lungs.”

I pressed my lips together, holding back a groan as his voice dropped. 

“Sadly, there are plenty of people!” Lambert interrupted. “And I refuse to see this shirt ruined by that gorgeous red lipstick you’ve got on, Beatrice. What is that?”

“Um, Revlon.” I said softly. “I think the shade is Black Cherry or something like that.”

“Revlon.” Lambert muttered. “You wear it well, darling.” 

“Thank you.” I felt my cheeks heat up as Harry smiled at me, almost as if he was proud of my ability to impress his friends. 

“Now, you two are off to watch Kacey’s set, but please be careful with the jacket.” Lambert brushed his hands over Harry’s arms. “We don’t want too many sequins gone before your set.”

“I’ll try to keep the dancing to a minimum.” Harry laughed, shaking his head at Lambert. “Thanks for being such a wonderful addition to the team, mate. I don’t know what the fuck I would done without you.”

“Probably would have worn those dreadful black skinny jeans on stage for the entire tour.” I tried to hold back my laugh, slapping my palm over my hand at Lambert's words. “And those chelsea boots, the tan ones? I’m getting nauseous thinking about it.” 

“Oi, I was fit!” Harry exclaimed. “I pulled it off well, didn’t I Bea?”

“There was a reason Niall was my favorite.” I shrugged. 

“Excuse me?” He blinked at me, his face blank. “Niall looked like a fucking frat boy-”

“You had a phase.” I pointed out. “You all went through a frat boy phase with your snapbacks and your cut off shirts.”

“But I was the only one who pulled it off well.” He held his finger up, waving it about. “Niall was nowhere near as attractive as I in the snapback.”

“You fucker!”

Harry and I snapped our heads around at the new voice in the room. 

The second I lay my eyes on the dirty blonde Irishman, I felt like my heart was going to fall out of my ass. Niall stood there in the doorway with his hands held up, a look of mock offense on his face. I turned to Harry, my jaw practically on the floor as he stared at his old mate. 

“Niall!” Harry said. “You made it, lucky charms!”

“I heard what you said, Styles.” Horan pointed his finger, putting on a fake angry expression before his eyes darted towards me. “Is she alright?”

Harry looked back at me, his brows raised as I looked between him and Niall, my finger weakly pointing at my childhood crush. 

“That’s Niall Horan.” I said softly as Harry walked up to me. “That’s Niall Horan.”

“Okay, let’s breathe.” Harry chuckled, brushing his hands over my biceps, holding me in place as I tried to peer around him. “I’m offended that you weren���t this shell shocked when we met.”

“You aren’t Niall Horan.” I said, looking up at him. “That’s….I had such a huge crush on him.”

Harry ducked his head down, his breath tickling my ear.

“Do I need to take you into the bathroom and remind you who you’re here for?”

I felt my eyes flutter shut, a soft whine catching in my throat as Harry nipped at my earlobe before pressing a quick kiss to my pulse point. I almost felt dizzy when he lifted his head up with that dazzling smirk on his lips. I cleared my throat, shifting on my feet. 

“Answer me.” He said. “Do you need that?”

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. 

“Oh, angel, you look flustered.” He cooed, brushing his knuckles over my cheek. 

“I’m good.” I cleared my throat, willing my voice to go back to normal. “I was just a little shocked, that’s all.”

“Gimme a kiss.” He puckered his lips out dramatically, and I let out a breathy laugh. “There she is.”

I pressed up on my toes, kissing his cheek. 

“Sorry.” I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. “I just...he just popped up out of nowhere. I need a warning for these kind of things.”

“Next time I’ll sing a good ol’ pub song while I’m walking down the hall so you know I’m coming for you, love.” Niall laughed at himself, and I couldn’t help but laugh along as Harry turned around with an unamused expression. “You gonna introduce us, Styles?”

“This is my girlfriend, Bea.” Harry slipped his hand over my back. “Beatrice, this is Niall.”

“Hi.” I held my hand out, but Niall swatted it away before opening his arms. 

“I like hugs.” 

“She’s not hugging you.” Harry held me back, scowling at Niall. 

I turned my head back to look at Harry, my lips pressed together and my brows raised as if to say ‘oh, really?’ to his comment. I could hug whoever I wanted, and right now, I wanted to make Harry jealous by hugging Niall fucking Horan. 

“I’m hugging him.” I said, moving closer to Niall. “Don’t be sour.”

“He is a bit of a sour patch kid, isn’t he?” Niall laughed as I wrapped my arms around his middle, giggling when he tossed his arms around my shoulders. “I can’t believe Harry’s got himself a decent girl.”

“You just met me, you don’t know that I’m decent yet.” I pulled back with a laugh, retreating to my spot next to Harry. “But I’ll take the compliment all the same.” 

“Thatta girl.” Niall winked at me before stuffing his hands in his pockets, turning towards Harry with a bright smile. “I’m excited to see your show tonight.”

“It’s gonna be weird, knowing that you’re out in the crowd watching instead of performing with me.” Harry blew out a nervous breath, shaking his head. “And it doesn’t help that you’re not the only one here. Liam is coming tonight, fucking Kendall will be here...I’m pretty sure a few other people will be here tonight too.”

“Well, Kendall is fucking tone deaf, so I don’t think she’ll notice if you fuck up.” Niall cackled, tossing his head back. “And I doubt you’ll fuck up at all, you’re a star mate.”

“So are you, Horan.” Harry reached out, tapping Niall’s shoulder. “I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah, I’ve missed you too.” Niall’s voice was softer, a happy smile still on his face. “Can’t believe it’s already been two years apart.”

“I’m gonna cry.” I whispered, waving my hand in front of my eyes as they started to water. “I’m having flashbacks of the History music video, I don’t need this today.”

“You got yourself a fan.” Niall asked, his brows shooting up towards his hairline. “Is that why she was so wigged out a second ago?”

“Yeah.” I spoke up. “You were my favorite.”

“I was?” Niall asked, his head tilting to the side. “Am I not anymore.”

“I mean…” I turned towards Harry, sliding my arm around his waist before I looked back at Niall with a small giggle. “Look at this one, mate! He’s so dreamy and he’s romantic.” 

“I can be romantic.” Niall exclaimed. 

Harry snorted, turning his head to spit out a fake cough to save himself. 

“What was that for?” Niall said. “I can be romantic!” 

“Sure, mate.” Harry reached out, patting Niall’s shoulder again as a knock sounded at his dressing room door. “Oh look, more people.”

I turned my head to the doorway, suddenly intimidated by the three women walking in. 

Claire, Kendall, and Hannah (Harry's most recent ex) walked in together. 

I automatically felt inferior to them, and not just because I was much shorter. 

Even my own best friend fit in better with that group than I did, her perfect brown skin and long legs practically identical to the other two women. Harry clearly had a type for summer goddesses with a knack for modeling, and it made me wonder why he didn’t pick Claire over me. They would have made such a beautiful couple. 

“I want you to meet Kenny.” Harry squeezed my side. “She’s a good friend of mine.”

“Sure.” I gave him a tight smile, swallowing my nerves as I felt my palms sweat. 

I didn’t know a lot about Kendall or her family, but I never heard anything good. 

I also didn’t know how to talk to someone of her status. 

“Ken!” Harry said her name so casually, like he was used to calling it out. “I’d like you to meet someone.”

Fuck. 

She set her eyes on me, scanning me from head to toe before plastering on a smile and strutting over in her mega high heels. I owned a pair similar to hers, but mine came from Walmart, and hers were probably from Dior. She stopped in front of us, affectionately touching Harry’s bicep with a soft hell before she turned to look down at me. 

“Hi.” She said. “I’m Kendall.”

“Beatrice.” I stuck my hand out to her nervously, but she just looked at it. I had a feeling that she wasn’t a hugger like Niall. “Um, you can call me Bea though.”

“Bea.” She nodded as I pulled my hand back. “Where did you two meet?”

“At a bar last night.” Harry laughed softly, squeezing my side as he shot me a wink. It eased my nerves just a little. “Swept her right off of her feet.”

“So that is how we’re telling the story?” I chuckled, turning my attention towards him instead of the nerve wracking situation in front of me. “I suppose you’re not entirely wrong.” 

“I never am.” He sighed dramatically, pursing his lips before he leaned in for a quick kiss. “So, Ken, where’s your man tonight?”

Oh, thank god. 

“He’s just talking shit with Jeff, I think.” She turned her head, scanning the dressing room before she rolled her eyes. “I honestly don’t want to see his face tonight, he’s being annoying.”

“Oh no.” Harry laughed softly. “What have you done?” 

“Me, I did nothing?” She pressed her fingers to her collarbone, scoffing playfully. “I merely said we should vacation in Mykonos with my family-”

“There it is.” Harry interrupted. 

“What’s wrong with vacationing with my family?” Kendall asked, tilting her head to the side with a frown. “Everyone loves it!”

“No, they don’t.” Harry shook his head. “I remember your Mum made us-”

He stopped, shifting on his feet as he looked at me. 

“Don’t mind me.” I said. “You can keep talking, I can go find Claire or-”

“That would be great-”

“Don’t go-” 

Harry and Kendall spoke at the same time, and I rolled my lips into my mouth as they both looked at each other in shock. 

“Um, well,” I stuttered, slowly pulling myself from Harry’s arm. “You clearly need a moment, so I’m just gonna go somewhere that isn’t right here.” 

I turned, walking towards Claire and Niall like there was a fire under my ass. 

“Oh my god.” I whispered, grabbing Claire’s arm. “I feel like I was just met the fucking queen or something! I mean, the way she looked at me, Claire-”

“She’s not very nice.” Claire laughed, sliding her arm around my shoulder. “It’s alright though, I’m a much better model than her and I plan on dragging her ass down the runway one day.”

“Thank you.” I squeaked out, letting out a laugh as Niall chuckled in front of us. “Sorry, I know you’re probably friends with her too, I just-”

“Not friends.” Niall said, shaking his head. “Never have been, never will be.”

“Fair.” I sighed, taking a few deep breaths. “Oh, Claire, it’s Niall!”

“Yeah, we’ve been chatting for a minute over here babe.” She laughed. “He introduced himself.”

“Right.” I laughed nervously. “There’s a lot happening.”

“You need a break?” Niall asked. “Because the three of us can sneak off for a drink, I doubt anyone will notice we’re gone.”

I turned my head, looking at Harry as he laughed with Kendall and Hannah. 

It hurt just a tiny bit to see him so chummy with his exes, but who was I to judge. 

“Yeah, that sounds nice.” I turned back to Niall with a fake smile. “Let’s go.”

Harry’s POV

“So, what’s the deal with this new girl?” Kendall asked. “She’s...different.” 

“I don’t like what you’re insinuating.” I said slowly, my brows pulling together. “Why did you say it like that?”

“She just, doesn’t seem like your type.” She shrugged, brushing it off as if it was no big deal. “I haven’t seen you with someone like her before.”

“Kenny has a point.” Hanna interrupted, looking at me with raised brows. “You don’t typically go for her type.”

“Okay, you’re both being vague and annoying.” I let out a frustrated huff. “What are you getting at?”

“She’s not stepping on the cover of Vogue anytime soon.” Kendall shrugged. “That’s all.”

“Because-” I waited for them to speak, but they both glanced at each other. 

“Well, she’s bigger than what you normally go for, and she’s a little plain.” Hannah said. “It’s not really like you to downgrade.”

“Right.” I let out a bitter laugh, lifting my hand to scratch at my jaw as I felt anger boiling up from my chest to my throat. “Fuck you...both of you. I don’t know where you get off insulting someone you don’t even know, but that shit doesn’t matter to everyone. Beatrice could put a paper bag over her head, and it wouldn’t make me want her any less. Do you know why?”

They both stared at me as I waited for an answer. 

“Because she has a fucking heart, and a beautiful mind.” I snapped. “You two are a bunch of gossiping trust fund babies with no morals.”

I turned around, stalking towards the door of my dressing room without second thought. 

I slammed it behind me before I turned down the hall, walking straight for catering. 

When I walked into the room, Beatrice was sitting between Niall and Claire sipping on a watermelon margarita with pink cheeks and a bright smile. I felt my anger dissipate in my chest, her laughter distracting me from the cruel words replaying in my head. I let out a sigh, feeling my shoulders slump before I walked towards the cheerful group. 

“Hey.” I said, dropping into the seat next to Bea’s. “I missed you.”

“Did you?” She asked me, squinting playfully with pursed lips. “You seemed like you were having fun.”

“It was dreadful, believe me.” I leaned closer, stealing a kiss from her. “Are you having fun?”

“So much.” She smiled, kissing me once more. “I can’t wait to get out there though. I think Kacey is on in ten minutes.”

“Sounds right.” I let out a breath, pressing my palm to Beatrice’s thigh. “Finish up your drink, honey. I’ll have Larissa make us more before Jeff takes us to the side stage.”

“Okay.” She gave me a bright smile. “Thank you.” 

“For what?” I asked, tilting my head to the side curiously. 

“For being so sweet.” She mumbled. “I adore you.”

My heart practically screamed in my chest, the hairs raising up on the back of my neck as I felt my lips pull into a huge smile. I let out a giggle, ducking my head down as my cheeks warmed. 

Beatrice brushed her fingers over the back of my neck as I moved closer to her, wrapping my arms around her the best that I could from my chair. 

“I adore you, too.”

[pearlplusau]

Pearlplusau Chapter 7 part 2 - Familiar?

now available below:

Another option -> heres a link to part 2 posted in AO3!

Since the kindergarten was in constant darkness, Amethyst has never seen anything so… bright before. The brightest shade of light she’s ever experienced other than the warppad was that one open area where the dark, gloomy clouds would be drifted away from that are. It was the only ray of sunshine she has ever experienced. She had touched the little, but weak sunray, and felt warmth all around her hand. It was so different than the usual cold air of the kindergarten, but in a good way. But now, she’s travelling in a warp pad with the beautiful giant lady beside her. The light of the warp pad may be as bright as the little ray of sunshine, but it didn’t give out the warmth she experienced. As for the travelling, she never though she would be leaving the place she called home, what’s worse, there was this small little cloud of regret hanging around her, telling her leaving was a very bad idea. But the pink lady looked so sure, so kind and confident of what she’s doing, taking this new gem away from her home? That’s not how she thinks, that’s honestly how amethyst felt, being taken away from her own home, and be willing to do so just because this lady said so! The pink lady announced to her one audience, “We’re almost there! Oh you’re gonna love it!” Amethyst involuntarily felt a surge of excitement, but she wasn’t actually excited, she should be more nervous than the feeling she’s having now… When they finally landed in the new location, it was apparently early morning as the sun was rising into the sky. They appeared to be in a cave, surrounded by water, brief stairs up and down, neatly placed tiles and a huge door behind her. Rose held out her hand to the new gem, “Come, let me show you around first.” And led Amethyst down the several stairs, slowly and carefully making their way out of the cave and into the white grains and sand. The texture felt weird to amethyst as she was used to the solid hard dirt and rocks scattered around. But here, there was not a lot of rocks, just a bunch of white, tiny looking pebbles and water splashing onto the shore. It was the first time Amethyst left the kindergarten, and she’s already feeling rather uneasy with all these… new experiences. The duo circled around the pre-beach city land, where dozens of flowers and plants bloomed in the midst. Rose ran ahead, beckoning the purple gem to come along. She twirled around within the beautiful flowers, throwing her arms all around, showing how much she loves the planet and its beauty. “These here are called Flowers, they are all their own individuals, but ultimately, it takes more than one flower to bloom into a huge patch like this!” Amethyst walked up to a flower and noticed how its…glowing with health? Her fascination on the unusually strong and glowing little plant life caught Rose’s attention. The big gem slyly admitted, “I may have…used some of my abilities to grow a few missing patches here and there-” she said as she turned in embarrassment, awkwardly stroking her tuffs of hair. “Plants like these may not live long, as from our observation, they only live at most for one season, but they are all so very much worth it!” When she turned back, she noticed Amethyst laying within the flowers, as if she found herself a flowerbed to lie down after all this time. She was moving her arms and legs as if shes making a snow angle from the flower patch- Rose found that to be a very fun idea indeed and joined the small gem as they basked in the giant flower patches, each making a “flower angle” to commemorate the first every joy they had together. SWISH SWISH SWISH HEHEHE The duo had their fun for a while, playing in the patches, showering each other with flower petals, and playing hide and seek. Tho, Rose was a lot easier to find with her big fluffy hair and figure, while amethyst was just the right size to become invisible and be one within the flower patches. After a few losses for Rose, she suggested they move on to something else. She gave out her hand to the little gem, who was covered in flower petals, and gently pulled her out of the patches.

“Come on, there’s something else I would like to show you.” She led Amethyst into a beautiful forest, dotted with freshly grown oaks and little saplings covered in dirt. Leaves were fluttering around the atmosphere while also gliding around the rays of sunlight that shone through the little gaps and fissures. The two gems stopped at a flowing river, where the fresh, clear water streamed Living creatures, mostly animals like butterflies, lions, but also the mentions of humans “They kinda look like us, except they don’t live longer than a century and theyre very, very fragile. Us gems are very different from humans, so if you ever meet one, you have to be extremely careful not to hurt them, even if you don’t mean to. Amethyst tried to get close, but Rose stopped her before she took another step closer. The small gem turned her head back to see Rose carrying a worried expression, “Maybe we should start with observing them before we interact with them, they’ve never seen you before, so maybe we should start slow, alright?” Before Amethyst could say anything, the human at the distance got up and disappeared into the forest. The small gem sighed; she was so excited to meet other new people! Rose reassured she’ll be able to meet them soon enough. “We’ll get to know them sometime in the future, come on, let’s head back to the temple and I’ll introduce you to the gems!! The two gems held hands and started strolling back to the temple. There’s no awkward chemistry between the two, as they projected a simple mother daughter relationship, or even a sibling relationship, where one of them energetically leaped around the larger figure, while the figure in the middle giggled at the little ball of energy circling her and constantly made her laugh with great joy and longed snickers! They reached the temple. Rose asked Amethyst to stay behind so she can surprise them. Just then, Garnet, Pearl and Coral warped back from their mission Pearl reporting what happened as Coral and Garnet added on their own little details “Oh Rose, you should’ve seen Garnet’s new gauntlet rockets and Coral’s amazing strike on that gem, with those two final blows, the gem monster was poofed in an instant! Coral chimed in, “Well, we would’ve been able to throw in the final blow without your brilliant, strategic idea! Your plan made all the difference!” Pearl blushed at the complement, “Why thank you Coral!” While the two pearls were getting along well, the fusion stood behind and gleamed at the stronger friendship between the two pearls, looking very proud of both of them. And judging from the grin, it was pretty clear to Rose that, the mission somehow got the three of them closer together. As Rose slowly shuffled around, being suspiciously quiet, the gems noticed a little figure hiding behind her white dress. Pearl was the first to spoke.

P: uh, Rose…what do you have there? The small gem hid behind Rose while a smoothy suddenly appeared on her hand. R: A smoothy

Coral, who kept her eyes on the new gem, asked, “What’s a smoothy?” Before Rose could answer the definition of the contraption in hand, Garnet interrupted by stating, “The smoothy is not something we should be concerned about right now…” while eyeing on the new, yet unexpected little gem. “Garnet’s right.” Pearl agreed, “Rose, please tell me you didn’t bought that…thing with you?” Amethyst decided to hide behind Rose completely after hearing that statement. Rose slowly turned and calmed her down before she said more. “Pearl, you should think before you say, otherwise someone might get their feelings hurt you know?” Rose suggested while holding on to the small, frightened gem. Pearl was a quick thinker, and it seemed that Rose took a liking to the little gem, which was rather typical of the leader. She’s a kind gem that wouldn’t take no for an answer after spending a certain amount of time with the object, Pearl of all gems should know better than to refuse whatever Rose brought in. Coral and Garnet turned to Pearl, who sighed in desperation, “Rose, may we know where and how did you find…her?” The big gem slowly, and abruptly responded, “I…uh, was taking a stroll in the kindergarten until I noticed her hiding in one of the holes! Yeap! That’s how it happened! Totally not moping around the places we hurt and trying to bring justice by destroying those that caused it! Haha…ha…” Rose, looking embarrassed, tried very hard not to do or say anything more. The three gems were trying their best to interpret her words as positive statements, but from their time together, they pretty much got the idea of how things went down exactly. Coral stood a step forward, “Rose, are you sure about this? She’s not like the other Amethyst gems we know. I mean, compared to the other quartz friends we had, she’s small, she can barely speak, and probably doesn’t know anything about being a gem!” Rose took that information and digested it for a short while before she came up with ideas to counter those issues. “She can learn! While I was talking to her, I noticed she repeat whatever I said, just in a different way to convey another message! As for not knowing what being a gem is about, that’s okay too! We can teach her without having her go through any of those Homeworld stuff, wouldn’t that be great!?” Rose was gleaming at the idea of a gem with no prior knowledge to how gems are “supposed” to be and allowing themselves to be whatever they want to be! Amethyst came out just a little bit from her hiding and repeated the last word she heard, “Great!” before scuttling back. Coral still doesn’t look convinced as she turned to the fusion, “Garnet, what do you think?” “Hmmmm…” Garnet made a look that could only mean one thing, she’s trying to see the little gem’s future. Future vision can be tricky, but it’s good to see what could potentially happen when we add in another factor into the equation. Her shades shone as the possibilities were carefully drafted and narrowed down to the most likely events. “In the futures where we accept her, I see her adapting to our lifestyle, but nothing much on how it’s going to end. There’s a possibility of her being a great asset to us, but there’s also the possibility of her being a greater liability than we could ever imagine.” “I like those odds!” Rose gleamed at the wide range of unpredictability. Coral didn’t want to rain on Rose’s parade or be a wet blanket seeing her being so happy. But she’s also not completely on board with this…new gem appearing out of nowhere. Pearl was the first to speak, “It’s always been just the four of us, I don’t know about having that unproperly developed gem into the team. It’s rather suspicious that she suddenly shows up at the kindergarten when that place has been shut down centuries ago! She might be a spy from homeworld for all we know! Or worse!” Coral gasped in horror and whispered, “Ohno…There’s something worse than spies!?” “Coral please,” Garnet reminded, “focus.” It was up to that point where Rose finally realized why the gems were not on board with the idea of adding a

new member. Homeworld was still a threat, they’re never safe if they keep including new people they don’t know. It’s only been some time since the blinding light turned all the gems on Earth into corrupted monsters. A lot of them were still out there, alone, confused, and most importantly, scared. Those gems were once powerful individuals that were indestructible, but now, they’re terrified gem monsters running around, fleeing from who knows what, not knowing what to do in their current state. But this Amethyst, the sweet, innocent, and lonely gem, won’t be facing that kind of terror any longer when she has us. Rose took one more look at Amethyst, who was trying her best to be unnoticed by the other gems, and was determined to take her in. “Now Crystal gems, don’t you see this is our only chance to have a gem untainted with the rules of Homeworld?” Rose started her topic with the recollection of the crystal gem origin. “Wasn’t that what we were fighting for? To be free of Homeworld’s rules and to live without a care? To preserve the life on Earth instead of taking it, and leaving nothing behind?” Rose continued, “The earth, the rebellion-” “Its more than just that! It’s also for love! The love for ourselves, and the love we have for each other! We never get to show our love anywhere except here! And right now, we have Amethyst who has been living in an abandoned kindergarten, and has probably never been loved through her entire existence! If we neglect her, we’re going against everything we’ve worked so hard for. Besides, she’s a newcomer who had never experienced the horrible tragedy of Homeworld. I mean, isn’t this a good thing we found her right before any homeworld gems did?” She didn’t wait for a response and proceeded, “We can teach her everything about the earth and the crystal gems. Coral! You can teach her what being a Crystal Gem is all about! Pearl! You could teach her about speech and physical formation! Garnet! You could teach her about our current missions or even gem fusion! I know she’s different from us, but she can handle this! With us keeping her safe, she won’t have to face any of those linear rules like staying within your duty, or being cast away as off colours when you don’t fit in with the others?” “She can be a free gem right from the start, without facing the trauma we had. What do you say?” Rose’s words were being very persuasive and all, but none of the gems seemed to budge towards the ideas from their dear leader. “Rose, please, still this is a risk to take. Risks that could potentially have an impact on our freedom and the earth!” Garnet spoke with a hint of fear, perhaps took a glance towards the possibilities of the future. Pearl and Coral, each holding an arm, both stayed silent, but ultimately agreed with the fusion. “Come on you guys, give her a chance, if you get to actually talk to her it might change your minds!” Rose turned around, but failed to see the small gem that was hiding behind her mere seconds ago. “Uh…Amethyst?” Rose called out, but heard no response, nor saw the small figure behind her anywhere. But all she saw were footprints leading back to the temple, and noticed the warp pad was just activated. Amethyst went back home.

(A/N: Heyyyy so this is the second part of the newest chapter. As you may have known, i was pretty busy with the end of the University studies and internship, so i kinda had my hands full to do anything like writing for fun!

Now, this is the end of part 2, where i tried to keep things a bit more interesting, but not too complicated that it would go on for more than 3 parts.

And again, sorry for the lack of visuals. Some of you might prefer reading with the images, and unfortunately, i currently do not have the motivation to be drawing, even if most of them would be tracing from screenshots of the show itself.

When the chapter gets done, i might be doing some of the screenshot edits and reblog them under the written chapters. So theres that to look forward to.

Anyways, thanks for reading and liking this story i wrote. It's not as glamorous and interesting as the previous chapters, but it's still something i consider worth venturing into.

Thanks again and see ya next time! Bye!)

[vhsrights]

What Not To Do On A Movie Date

a movie date - @bridget19

Jemily has a fun day at the movies planned. :)

WC: 1369

“Come on, babe! Let’s go! I don’t wanna be late for the movie!” JJ stood with her hand on the doorknob, checking her watch for the umpteenth time.

“Yeah, yeah, babe I’m coming! Give me a second.” Emily called out from somewhere inside the apartment.

“If you take any longer, I’m leaving you here.” The blonde called out to her scatter-brained girlfriend.

“NO, no. Hold on, Jayje, I said I needed a second.” Emily reappeared from behind the kitchen wall, tugging at the straps of the tote bag in her hand.

Her dress shirt was tucked into khaki pants; its deep emerald color contrasting light blue bag. Emily fiddled with the buttons for a few more seconds before looking back at JJ. Her girlfriend was wearing a white and yellow sundress that was covered in lemon patterns. JJ’s blonde hair was loosely curled back, topped by her floppy, beige sun hat.

“Oh shoot!” Emily smacked her forehead, hiding the smirk on her face.

“What? What did you forget?” JJ turned around as they walked down the hall to the stairs.

“They don’t allow outside snacks in there! How am I going to get you into the theater?” Emily chuckled as JJ rolled her eyes.

“Oh my god, Em.” She smiled brightly and grabbed the brunette’s hand, turning the corner to the staircase.

The women walked outside and let the gentle sun hit their faces. They had decided to walk to the theater because it was only 20 minutes away and the air was relaxing. When JJ and Emily had been looking at apartments, the proximity to the city and its movie theaters had been a big plus. JJ walked slightly ahead of Emily, her eagerness spilling over into her quick steps. Her fingers were still laced with Emily’s as they made their way down the sidewalk.

The day was beautiful and the happy couple let each bit of its positive energy boost their mood. Occasional chirps from birds that fluttered from post to post and the whirr of passing cars filled their ears. Spread-out trees provided patchy shade with their tall canopies and were often surrounded by little patches of yellow or white flowers.

At one point, Emily pulled her phone to take a picture of her girlfriend. JJ didn’t notice the camera and continued to frolic forward, her ease apparent on her face. This sunny day felt like a reprieve after their long weeks stuck inside for their jobs. Traveling for work was one thing, but JJ and Emily loved enjoying things in the comfort of home as well.

They approached the final crosswalk, the theater in sight. JJ waited for Emily to catch up to her before wrapping her arms around Emily’s. She stayed close at the brunette’s side as they finished their walk to their destination. The large lights and signs outside the theater were like a unique gem in the middle of their residential area. JJ stopped outside the door.

“Okay, so I bought us tickets to see ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ with Rebel Wilson, Adam Devine, and Priyanka Chopra. I know you said that you “don’t like romcoms” but trust me, I’ve seen clips. You’re gonna like it.” Emily rolled her eyes before raising JJ’s hand to kiss it.

“Alright, I’m trusting you on this one. But if it’s cheesy and bad, I’m making you watch a Russian movie with me with no distractions.”

“Oh shut up, you know you love the cheesy ones just as much as I do, babe. So, what’s in the bag that took you so long to grab?” The blonde gestured to her tote, her eyebrows raised.

“Maybe, but I don’t have to admit. That? You’ll see.” Emily gave a fleeting answer and pulled JJ into the building.

She kept the smirk on her face as they stood in line to get their tickets printed. JJ wouldn’t get an answer until they were inside the theater. Every time the blonde asked, Emily simply leaned over and kissed her. It was a good way to get JJ off her case for a bit. Eventually, JJ gave up and simply leaned against Emily as they waited their turn.

5 minutes later, the women had their tickets and Emily directed JJ to the ticket checker rather than the concessions stand. JJ looked at her girlfriend with confusion. She knew that JJ needed snacks in the movie, and enjoyed having food with the picture. So what was she doing? “Um, Em, what about snacks?” JJ spoke, hoping to understand Emily’s behavior.

“Yeah, what about them?” Emily forgot that JJ had no idea about her plan, being the reason for the tote bag.

“Aren’t we going to get them from the concessions?”

“Jen, those cost an arm and a leg. We are not paying 30 bucks for some buttered popcorn and a watered-down Pepsi. Plus, I have a plan.”

Still confused, JJ decided to trust her girlfriend. They walked up to the ticket check station and no employee was in sight. Emily made an executive decision (to save them time and reduce the chances of getting caught) and pulled JJ past the line, towards their theater.

“Trust me,” Emily said as she pushed through the big door.

“Always,” JJ answered without hesitation as they walked to the back row.

Emily set her bag down and let JJ go to her seat. The movie had been in theaters for a while and they had missed it for the sake of cases, so the room was mostly empty. The only other people they could see was a middle-aged couple sitting a few rows in front of them.

Emily finally opened the tote and showed JJ what she had been holding.

“Oh. My. God. Look at all these snacks! When did you have time to do this?” JJ looked up at Emily incredulously.

“I may have been stockpiling them for a bit. Go nuts, Jen. I got pretty much everything you like in here.” Emily beamed back at her girlfriend, watching JJ grab the bag of Cheetos on top first.

The movie started soon after and the two settled in their seats. They laughed with Rebel Wilson’s quips and her exaggerated obliviousness to Adam Devine. Emily made a joke that it was like them before they got together. JJ rolled her eyes.

The movie was enjoyable for both, filled with enough laughs and cheesy moments to have a perfect balance. JJ and Emily were both focused until JJ felt her feelings peak with love. The movie was channeling her inner romantic, so she lightly turned Emily’s face to the side and kissed her. Emily must have been feeling the same thing because she returned the favor.

They kissed again and the movie became long forgotten. JJ’s lips moved against Emily’s and that was all that mattered. Emily and JJ didn’t happen to notice the middle-aged woman approach their row with a theater employee. The bright light of his flashlight finally pushed the two apart.

“I’m sorry ladies, but we have a no PDA rule in here. You’re gonna have to leave.” His voice was dejected. It was obvious that he didn’t want to be telling two grown women to stop making out in the back of the theater.

“Yeah, I suggest you leave before you distract me and my husband from more of our movie.” The woman beside him chirped up, earning death glares from both of the agents. Any other annoying remarks died in her throat.

“Okay, fine. We’ll be out of your hair.” JJ spoke quickly but surely, making sure that Emily didn’t blow up at the lady.

“Ma’am? I don’t think you should be worried about your husband. He saw this movie a couple of days ago with his girlfriend, Becky, is it?” Emily made one last snide comment before they walked out.

All they heard from inside the theater was exasperated cursing from the lady that had them kicked out. Emily’s bluffing comeback had actually worked. She giggled as she and JJ made their way out of the building. The day was still young, and the street was filled with options.

At least now they knew what not to do on a movie date.

[aggresivelyfriendly]

Tis the Damn Season

Chapter Five- Santa Baby

Hello, I took a couple weeks, because life can be busy, and mine is changing, but here is a little 🎁!

Thanks to @dirtystyles, she’s the real gift!

"What are you wearing?"

"I'm sorry, but what?"

 It was all she could think to say. Emma hadn't heard from Harry in months. In August he had sent her a random picture of him in a collar with long hair. She knew he had chopped his hair months ago, it had caused an internet flurry and was one of the few times he'd emerged from hibernation. She might be miffed that his year-off apparently didn't include visiting her. Not that she had asked him to.

She'd never ask.

Emma might also be incredibly miffed that he had cut off his glorious hair. She'd rocked herself to sleep many a night thinking of the way it felt trailing ver her chest, then stomach, in the crevice of her thigh. The crunch and silk of it between her fingers when she got it between her fingers at the end of that path or when he was rocking her to sleep.

Thinking about his hair usually made her hot for him, and thinking of it gone made her nostalgic, and a little mad. And that was when the memory was fresh and jot months old.

In any case, she wasn't feeling very soft for him, and that was a sexy question. She definitely wasn't feeling wet for him.

She had just walked out of class on a freezing cold day before she was ready for it to be this chilly, and she had to ride her bike. Her class was on individual contribution to global crises. Emma was the first to point out that individuals were not the true climate change culprits, but every bit helped. She just wished she'd ridden one of the clean energy buses today. Today sucked.

"Your teeth are chattering Emma, you outside?" she made an affirmative sound and he wisely knew better than to wait for an answer after that. He'd set up this mood, after all. "Sorry, came out wrong, it was meant to be funny." Harry had an apology in his voice. It was like the first knead of a dough, but he had a long way to go. "Anyway, what I meant is, I'm Christmas shopping, and I was thinking about what you might like, was gonna get you a jumper, and I think I have an idea of your style, but wanted a little guidance, I'd hate to buy you something and have you hate it—"

"Harry, take a breath!" She could feel that smile he had a way of bringing to her lips, despite herself. She really wanted to be upset with him, but seemed he'd proved himself, or distracted her at least.

Emma can't quite get a full grasp on why she's irritated with the phone call with him.  She's not sure what she expected. They never had a conversation about it, about how they are just a little holiday fling. She's never even had a summer fling, so she doesn't know the rules but she assumes that they are not supposed to repeat year on year. Least not without some progress or a defining conversation where they decided on not a relationship. He was confusing. He'd been so happy to have a bit of extra time with her, she'd thought he might be in touch more, with his seemingly abundant free time. She's wanted him to be in touch more. But he hadn't.

She'd heard from him less than ever.

And now he was buying her gifts and making her smile. Damn him.

"I'm breathing, promise." He sighed. "I just could tell I'd pissed you off, and I don't want to. I've been thinking about Christmas, and well, I'm excited."

"I'm excited too. Holidays are exciting." Emma is not going to read into that. He's excited to be with his family. He's Christmas shopping for everyone. This is not about her, them.

There is no them.

There is no them, except between Christmas Eve and New Years. And that is purely physical.

These are the things she repeated to herself when she was sad, waiting for him to call or text. Sad from how he dragged himself from their pub bed saying he'd miss her and be in touch and then wasn't. His sweet nothings were like when people signed your yearbook K.I.T. She knew you weren't supposed to take those yearbook signings seriously, but he'd said it, not written it below some picture of him. That counted more, right? Than a picture? Those were cheap, especially of him; there were pictures of him everywhere, Emma was also upset that none of them looked like the real life him. Just a shade of his actual beauty.

She wanted to see him now. She missed him though she shouldn't.

Just over a month now until Christmas. And a busy one at that. She had so much data to sift through from the summer and a presentation she was basing on it was her culminating project. It would also make an early start on her field work come summer. Those things, academic, important things were her focused her life's work. Not delicious Harry Styles and his sweet holiday nothings.

"Yes, especially when I get my favorite for Christmas." Harry said bringing her back to the call they were on.

The meaning behind those words were a bit harder to ignore. All she could get out was "Oh?" Then she rolled her eyes at herself and cleared her throat and said, "Your mum's Christmas cake?"

He chuckled. "I am fond of that cake, I think I put on two stone last year from how much I ate. And she sent me home with one!"

Emma almost called bullshit on that. He'd expended all those calories, she'd been the apparatus.

She took a breath to speak, and he cut her off. "I don't mean the cake, anyway, I mean you: you're my favorite thing to have at Christmas. The best gift."

What was she supposed to say to that? Another eloquent oh? Instead she said, "Your favorite thing?" Playful offense on the word thing.

"Oh hush." He laughed. "You're my favorite, Emma. In case you want to be obtuse and miss my point. I'm very excited to see you."

She breathed in. All she could manage to reply with was "Me too."

She meant it, but as they got off the phone after setting up their usual tryst and a special meeting before the party to exchange gifts, she couldn't help but wonder if he did. If what he said was true, why the radio silence?

The gift on her lap on the train was large and ostentatious. She didn't have a ton of money for the it, student life, but her recipient was a millionaire, so she'd gone all out on the wrapping paper.

It was a frog in a Christmas hat, the motif on the paper. Emma remembered when she and Gemma had called Harry "frog boy" and he'd been mortified. But it had also found its way into their private rooms. Not when he was inside her, that would be weird, but when he looked up at her and grinned, all dimples and no teeth from where he likes to make her stomach a pillow.

How "Froggy" had become a term of endearment, she didn't know. The moment she'd seen the cute froggy in his holiday rig on the overpriced paper, she had stopped what she was doing, parked her bike with no lock, and popped in the shop.

She then had to find something to put in the paper. He'd been shopping for her this year, in October, and he'd said he was at the shop and she'd seen pictures of him hauling bags out of Gucci. That was not intimidating at all.

They had exchanged small things in years past. Harry had started it, he'd given a cookbook a friend recommended the year she went vegan. Then the next year he'd donated in her name to a clean air initiative. She'd just picked up odds and ends she thought he'd like, like a 100% recycled journal one year and a glass bottle set for his gym runs the next.

This year, she'd racked her brain, but she'd eventually found the perfect gift to fill her frog paper. She was getting better at this. He was entirely too good at it, and he was a quick learner. She'd been underwhelmed with the flowers he sent the first year and had explained that cut flowers made her sad. It seemed a waste to kill something for its fleeting beauty. Harry had nodded thoughtfully.

The next flower he sent was a gorgeous orchid, it arrived once she was back in Amsterdam and came with instructions. That first orchid had started a trend and between his gifts and her own new interest, her flat was looking very jungle esque.

Emma was always very excited to see him, but this year, after his call, there was more anticipation and preparation. If he was going to be ready for her, she would be ready for him.

She got a fresh haircut and trimmed her bush. The thrift store was kind to her, and her new Christmas jumper was perhaps less ugly than flattering, but that was ok with her. She particularly liked the way it lay over the skirt she'd planned to wear to the Twist's annual todo.

Her flights had been uneventful and her mother was elated and doting. Emma found it much more tolerable this year. Maybe she was just in the spirit, or maybe she'd been away from the village and her family long enough to actually miss them.

She definitely missed Harry.

He, predictably, had texted that his flight was delayed and he was trying to make arrangements, but he might not even make it in time for the party.

"I'm doing everything in my power to get there tonight. If I can't make my mother's party, but arrive tonight, can we meet? I'll call the inn."

"Yes." Was all she texted back. She found she was mourning their kiss beneath the mistletoe, and that he might miss her outfit. But Harry's power was considerable, and she had no doubt he would be at the Boar's Head in time to see what she planned to wear under the sweater.

Those pieces, she felt a twinge guilty about. They were pricey and definitely not second hand. Used pants were where she drew the line.

People, not Emma, bemoaned Harry's absence when those who still lived local or were able to travel home gathered for toast. Emma knew she wasn't the only one who came home partially to see Harry. It was why she was able to fly under Gem's radar, hopefully.

Gemma's only comment was, "He'll be here when he can." When Eloise asked where Harry was. She asked every year, it annoyed Gem, and took some of the heat off Emma. Eloise was so obvious, Gemma could direct some of her protective big sister vibes that way.

The night was winding down and Emma's third glass of champagne could use topping up. She'd just sidled into the kitchen to pop another bottle when a pair of arms came around her from behind.

She'd have dropped the bottle too if Harry had not pulled the most uncharacteristicly smooth and agile catch he'd ever made, whilst dipping her for a swoon worthy kiss.

"Harry!" Emma gasped, "What are you doing?" Her Hand went to find his hair, and she was sad to find it until she found his sharp, bare jaw instead. It cut through her nostalgia and she was able to appreciate his face on a new way. His lips.

"Getting my midnight kiss!"

"It's not New Year's." It was better, like new year's and her birthday combined, that kiss.

"Not yet!" He righted her but stayed wrapped around her while she popped the bottle. She poured him a glass too and had to refrain from holding his hand when she pulled him into the living room after they toasted.

He stole a kiss before they went to join the others.

It looked like his arrival was going to renew the party spirit, but he begged off as tired, and disappeared to his room by 1:30.

Emma wasn't sure what to do, or where to go, so she just slipped out the back at 2:00 when a car nearly gave her heart palpitations by pulling up right in front of her. The door popped open and Harry stuck his head out. "Cmon, it's our getaway car!"

She couldn't help but shake her head. "You disappeared and I didn't know what you wanted to do."

"Well, you obviously!" He giggled, high off the champagne and his conniving. "C'mon! We don't have that long. I wanna do Christmas morning with you!"

"It's still nighttime." Emma pointed out.

"Don't worry, we'll find something to do until the sun comes up." He looked up at her through his lashes and she couldn't help but bite her lips.

"What's the rush, Styles?" Emma asked as she climbed into the car. The driver seemed unconcerned and headed down the familiar lanes of a familiar place.

"No rush, I'm just excited and have to be back so I can sneak in for Christmas brunch."

"Oh." She knew that, it wasn't the first time.

"Not 'oh,' I want to give you your gifts on actual Christmas."

"Are you Santa Claus?" She teased as he pulled her into his chest.

"If that's what you're into? I'll be whoever you want me to be."

"Then just be you." She said with painful earnestness before she could stop herself.

Harry looked down at her in the cradle of his armpit and put his forehead to hers and gave her an Eskimo kiss. "As long as you're you."

Emma melted and if she hadn't been so tired and a little too drunk on bubbly she wouldn't have fallen asleep on the way to the Boar's Head.

"Baby," Harry whispered into her hair. "Wake up, we're here."

"I can't believe I fell asleep that fast."

"It's my voice, I've been told it has a sedative power."

"Sleepy is not usually how your voice makes me feel." What truth serum had she taken tonight?

"Well, I'll have to talk a lot to keep you up then. Hope you're refreshed after your little nap."

She was, and he kept her up but by 5:00, even his deep voice and other powers of persuasion couldn't keep her leaden lids open.

"Baby! Emma." Harry was kissing her awake and holding out a shirt for her slip on while slipping socks up her calves. "Present time."

"Ok, Santa baby." She yawned and let him drag her into the room where she had completely missed the tiny Charlie Brown tree in the corner. "Oh! You went all out." She looked at him in awe when she noticed the multicolored packages under the tree. "I only got you one thing," she was rubbing sleep out of her eyes and too tired to bullshit. "I'm feeling inadequate."

"Nah, I've heard it's better to give than receive."

"That's not what you said a couple hours ago."

"I'll give gifts if you give head." They both scrunched their brows. "Scratch the part where I made it sound like you were my sugar baby."

"Or a prostitute."She raised an arch brow.

"Nah, I couldn't afford you." He didn't even smirk.

So she responded, "I think you think that's a compliment."

He snort laughed and she couldn't help but smile with him. "I mean, you do it well enough to be paid for it, but by the face you're making I better quit talking and get to the spoiling to get myself out of trouble. Go on, open a present."

"Any order you envisioned."

"Um? No, the one where order matters I have a plan for."

"This isn't all?"

"This is most." He nodded and she felt a warm place under her breast that only ignited when he was being domestic.

Back in her old room in her childhood home, or in her flat in Amsterdam, she'd occasionally puzzle over these moments. They felt nothing short of boyfriendy, and she loved it. When she thought back on them, especially in the cold January days, they kept her warm and made her feel special. She hadn't ever felt that warm flush in her chest with anybody but Harry. She'd kind of avoided the feeling, usually.

By July, after long periods of silence where he was running around the world while she endeavored to save it, the glow of those days paled in the midnight sun. When he acted like a boyfriend, like they were more than a hookup and then ignored her, it hurt. When she was well into her yearly drought, and all she had were those shooting stars to wish upon, the sweeter he was, the more rich the ache, the aftertaste saccharine.

Emma could tell, his gifts and the joy he seemed to take in giving them would warm her to the backbone through January, and make her teeth hurt by July.

And still she couldn't convince herself to stop, to ask, to protect herself. She couldn't even detach a little, she was so excited about the little stuffed animal she had for him in return.

"Harry, this is beautiful!" She unfolded a gorgeous sweater dress of a fine wool knit that screamed warm.

"Yeah?" He smiled, pleaded with the praise and himself. "I was at Gucci, and I was gonna get you some stuff there, but they just didn't feel like you, so I started doing some research on sustainable brands and I found this one, and another. This one is good for day to day, it's called Ever Lane, and the next, Bode, it's great for retro pieces. Open the next one."

She'd been staring at him. He was going to buy her Gucci? This was better, but that seemed like a pretty penny to spend on your holiday hook up. She knew money wasn't really an object for him. He always paid for the hotel on their rendezvous and she never brought it up. It was always just taken care of. She wasn't a starving student, but she also wasn't an international pop star. These gifts felt big, bigger than what they were.

He liked to be generous. But, it felt like these gifts, the 5 packages and one coming later were a statement in a language she didn't understand.

"Harry, this is too much." Was all she could say. He didn't respond with words, just gave her a look and shrugged his shoulders like, 'what else am I supposed to do with it'.

Emma knew from Gemma that Harry took care of them, their vehicles and his mum's house and whatever they mentioned they wanted or he thought they'd like.

Gemma had said last year, when she was thrilling over her Christmas gifts, "It's the one time of year I let him get away with it. The rest of the time I've gotten to where I don't mention things I like or want, because they show up on my doorstep, you know?"

Emma had nodded even though she didn't know, but she did now. He was so thoughtful it hurt, but the implications troubled her.

"Open the next one. I'm really excited for it."

It was a beautiful jacket, mustard, her favorite color, and matching mittens.

"For when you want to ride your bike, but it's chilly. They're very warm." He remembered she was cold on her bike that day.

Emma knew he remembered her text after the 'what are you wearing' conversation about being grumpy because she had chosen to ride her bike but it was too cold. His big beating heart could melt snow.

She swallowed down the sentiments clogging her throat along with her worries. Should she ask? She'd have too, eventually. This was feeling more serious than it should be, like he wanted to call her babe for more than a weekend, like he wanted her to stay, with him.

It's what she wanted, in some part of her, but was completely out of the question. He had a big international life, and she had her own global ambition.

The rest was wrapped donation cards to causes she'd worked for or even mentioned. The last gift was a small box, and when she opened it, she cried, then laughed and handed him his box.

"What?" He said, "I can't tell if you're happy or sad about that gift?" He worries his bottom lip.

It was another frog, just like the one she'd picked as the tangible gift when she'd made the donation in his name.

Emma just shrugged and wiped her eyes. "Open it."

His bursting balloon laugh inflated her merry heart. "Did we really do the exact same thing?" His face had an odd look she could only call tender.

"Same wavelength, me and you." He was misty like she had been a moment ago. He leaned forward and kissed her. Then picked up their stuffed frogs and made them kiss like he was a small child playing dolls. "I almost don't want to separate them."

"Are we still talking about the frogs?" She laughed, because she had a feeling they weren't.

He shrugged and his phone began to buzz. "Can I take a rain check on answering that question? If I don't leave right now, they will know I stayed out all night on Christmas Eve, and there will be questions. I don't think we are quite ready to explain what we are." He chose that moment to yawn like a lion in the late afternoon after a long day of lounging and got up to leave.

Emma still had questions.He'd said not quite ready to explain what they were doing. Emma wasn't even sure what they were doing. Were they going to tell people, tell Gemma? Tell them what? That they were together? Wanted to be together? Belonged together. The frogs too, did the frogs belong together?

He was dressed by the time she was done freaking out. He looked tired, but exhilarated, like he'd spent a night getting everything he wanted and a few things he didn't know he needed. "Bye doll," he kissed her, right on the mouth, affectionately and with only a trace of the heat the December air lacked. "I'll see you tomorrow night. Merry Christmas! I wanna see you in the sweater," he was walking through the door. "Oh, and the other thing?"

"Other thing?" She looked at him confused.

He pointed underneath the tree. "Have another look."

Emma blushed when she opened the lingerie. She wondered if he'd had to check her pants and bras for sizes or if he just knew the shape of her well enough that he'd guessed accurately.

They looked really good.

She needed to be getting home as well. There would be no getting out of it, she needed an excuse for rolling in just in time for Christmas brunch, her parents were notorious early risers, as was she. Her plan was to tell them she'd just made too merry the night before and slept on the couch at the Twist's. It was truth adjacent. It was the best she could come up with, her head was full of Harry and she couldn't think.

Her Christmas passed in a blur of food and wine and wrapping paper. Harry had sent her a picture of him with a bow on his head and asked her if she felt spoiled enough or needed him to wear the bow the next day.

She'd told him to wear it. And only it.

She'd not expected him to follow directions both precisely and with some creative license.

"Do you really think your cock is a gift?" She tried to mock him, while he stood proudly, hips first in their room at the Boat's Head.

"Well, I intend to give it to you!" He raised his eyebrows and stalked toward her. "I like the sweater. Looks amazing, but? Probably better here." He swept it over her head and deposited it on the floor.

"That was atrocious!" She giggled, but felt no anxiety unlike the last day or so.

"Yeah, maybe, but I needed to see if you'd worn my other gift."

"I thought it was my gift."

"For both of us, I'd argue." He winked.

"You wink like a drunk pirate." She couldn't help but smile at him. His silly banter had completely removed the nerves she should be feeling, standing in front of him in a Santa red bra, panties, garter belt, and stockings. She'd sourced the Santa hat herself and the black heels were hers.

"I'm feeling drunk seeing you in this." His hands were running over the satin on her hips and the lace at her waist, then the bare flesh of her ass. "I think I even lied to myself. This was definitely my present." The last word was said against her lips and his big hands slid down the globes of her backside to between her thighs, hoisting her onto his hips. The trail his thumbs left had her shivering.

The bed rose up to meet her. Harry hovered over her before standing and staring.

"Are we on pause?" She was panting and really hoping they were not stopping let alone slowing.

He opened his hands like a director, "I'm just trying to remember this to keep me warm all year." He ran his hands from her toes to her curled hair, she'd gone all out, then back down. His face was full of anticipation and a hesitation she'd never seen when she was this bare, not even the first time when he was flush on bravado and international acclaim.

"What is it?" She started to sit up.

He groaned. "Wow, that move did great things for your chest."

Emma could only laugh. He was acting like he'd never seen a naked woman, when he'd probably seen more than his fair share, and had definitely seen her before.

"You're acting like you've never seen me before."

"It's always like the first time. You're overwhelming."

"I'm overwhelming?" She wanted to laugh, she saw him as Harry, at first her friend's brother, then the cute boy with the big career she'd hooked up with, then her favorite holiday surprise, and now she couldn't define exactly what he was to her, mostly Harry? Who she missed all year and cherished for a week at a time in person, a deeply in her heart the rest of the time. She remained aware, however, of who he was, at large.

"Absolutely, I can barely take you. Can't believe I get to have you." What did she say to that? She only nodded, it was mutual. "Listen," he continued, "Can I take a picture of you. I'll keep your face out of it."

She thought for a moment, thrilled that he wanted to save this memory, to relive this moment until they met again. She didn't have any pictures of him, and thought there were so many online, none of them were really of him. "Yeah, go on Harry."

Maybe she should take one back. Save the neck down one place and the neck up as her wallpaper, she could get away with it. She saw classmates with him as their Home Screen. Her plans kept the nerves at bay while he got his set up ready.

He posed a leg, had her lay back, and then sit up. He took about 5 pictures on his phone, then three Polaroids, and by then she was getting into it. She was moving in ways that made her feel sexy and he was getting antsy.

"I'll show you, so you can approve, after." He discarded the phone and pulled his jumper over his head before crawling up the bed and over her.

"I trust you Harry. It's fine."

She wasn't sure what it was about those words, but he grew, thicker between her thighs and larger in her presence before he was kissing her bra off and asking if he could leave the stockings and shoes on.

"'Mmmhmmm." Emma moaned from her perch on the pillows looking down watching him pull her panties free and reattaching her stockings. "Damn." He kissed both places and flipped her over to skate his lips up her thighs and ass and back. Her hair was over her face while he kissed her neck and rutted into her with his jeans still on. She grabbed a handful of his glorious hair and kissed him over her shoulder. "Like this?" She asked.

"Mmhmmm." He echoed and she felt him kicking his jeggings free and sliding on the condom. She was flat on the mattress and unsure if he wanted her to push back on her knees. She didn't need to think about it long, he hoisted her up, and pressed a gentle hand between her shoulder blades so her body arched like a slide. His fingers climbed up to cascade down her backbone in an echo of the ride he was about to take down. He was right there, hovering, and Emma pushed back, but the whine in her voice was the more obvious tell.

"Baby, I need you."

"I need you, so much. Miss you when I'm gone."

She missed him when she was gone too. He slid his head in and waited. Emma wasn't really in control of the clenching this caused and it made Harry lose his grip on his. The smack of his hips against her thighs reverberated off the borrowed walls they considered their own.

He stroked her inside out and commented on the grip of her onto his dick. "It's like you don't want to let me go," he whispered into her ear.

Emma turned her head and breathed, "I don't want to." The kiss broke his rhythm and lingered until her clenching started over, again. How was she so close so soon?

"No, no, no." She whined when he pulled out.

"Shhhh, I've got you." He knew she was onto something, they'd become practiced hands at each other's pleasure.

He flipped her over and smoothed her hair back, bracketing her face between his hands like an aside he needed to voice right at that moment. "I just want to see you."

He went back in with ease, and with anybody else she might be ashamed for how embarrassingly wet she was, for the squelch. "God! Harry!" Her thighs came up to his hips and he hitched one over his elbow and open, then lay a good portion of his weight onto her. It was just the right side of too much. Just like all of him.

"Let me find it again, that high you were chasing?"

She was nodding, babbling. He picked up the rhythm from before and added a tiny rut at the end to the swelling of her clit. She was back on the trail to the summit quickly. It had been good, if fumbling, from night one. By this gift season, it was like he had installed all of her buttons personally and could push her to the edge at will. Her eyes were closed and she was concentrating hard on the oasis just beyond her horizon.

"Baby," he whispered, his breath soft and scented like her lip balm. "Open your eyes." He was just over her and he wrapped her open thigh back and around his knee. "Watch me," he made a c with his body so she could watch the goings on and feel them too.

"Oh, fuck."

"I love your filthy mouth. When you get going. Demure driven Emma on the brink has a dirty dirty mouth."

She'd narrow her eyes at him if she could bear to look away from his cock.

"Baby!" She gasped.

"Hold it, stay, just a little longer." He kissed her and then compelled her eyes to his. "I'll come with you."

His nose touched hers at just the tip and he rocked her and watched as she trembled and held off and pleaded. "Now, now, come now." He grit his teeth in preparation, but he needn't have worried, the minute he commanded it, she obeyed and the body roll of sensation ran from the roots of her hair to the bends of her knees.

He seized and his head fell back, but as soon as he was in command of himself again, his eyes were back on hers. "I love...," he gasped and her mind raced over what the hell he might say. What she wanted to gasp back. It was a bit of a comedown as opposed to a denouement when he filled in, "...having you for Christmas."

He buried his face in her neck and breathed into the nooks and crannies she thought she had kept safe from him.

Which was why it hurt so much when she had to tell him no.

His final gift, complete with an aching grin, had been an open ended ticket. "So you can come to me, with me, on tour."

She knew her brow knotted up like a bundle of discarded yarn. That wasn't the agreement. And she couldn't, couldn't even allow herself to want it. She had her PhD program looming. There was no time to go anywhere this fall.

"Harry, you know I can't."

He looked crestfallen, like this was new information and not why they only got these stolen snowbound days once a year. "Can't or won't?" He was verging on angry and it would piss her off if her heart wasn't so close to fissuring.

Honesty was her only policy, "Both." She handed the ticket back to him.

It ruined their night, the movie they tried to distract themselves with, the goodbye sex they didn't have.

He wasn't even there when she woke up the next morning.

But the tickets were on his pillow with a small note, "Change your mind, please. I'll be seeing you. H."

[quixotic-writer]

Chemistry

Song inspo: Angel Blue –– Green Day

Summary: Just your typical high school romance between a introverted and geeky Q and an outgoing and flirtatious Sal. 

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

It all had started in an assigned lab group within their chemistry class. They knew of each other but only by name and hearsay. When they finally were able to put a face to the name, that’s when it all came crashing down.

“You’re even cuter than I thought you’d be.” We’re the first words out of Sal as he looked at the black haired, brown eyed, introverted jock before him. Geeky shy with a mix of athleticism was a personality combination Sal had never seen and it drew him in deep with a deep breath and a heightened heart rate. He would purposely be confused about the work in class and ask him questions just to hear him talk. His accent was cute, his voice was deep, and the way he fumbled a bit over his words was music to his ears. Sal especially loved to get him all flustered. As he moved behind the stool that Q was sat on, he placed his hands on his shoulders and stopped in his tracks,

“Wow Quinn, you got some strong shoulders, huh?” He complimented as he slowly massaged the muscles. Q’s face went red as he broke out in a cold sweat,

“Oh, I uh… I just… I’m not super muscular or anything… but thanks for… for thinking so!” He would say in return to the compliment he received as his mind grew staticy.

Q, while he felt the same, had a different sensation to this affair. Never had he felt so strongly about another person and it almost frustrated him because he couldn’t concentrate without thinking of Sal. With the way Sal flirted with him, it felt as though his chest was being cut open and he was left to bleed out a river of crimson emotions. Red was actually the perfect way to describe how he felt. The pale rose color that would paint his cheeks when they met eyes, the ruby hue that would pulsate in his chest when their skin made accidental contact, the red-orange of this fiery passion he had stored secretly within his heart that would send fog through the spaces of his skull.

Sal saw a different hue. He felt blue, but not in the way many interpret the emotion of such color. This color took on a whole new form. A pale grey blue that would coat the cold damp city in the morning is what he imagined the comfort of the boy’s arms felt like, benitoite was a rarity gem such as the feelings he had for Q, steel blue was the color that encased him when he looked into his eyes and time felt as though it halted. Not to mention the sweet name he had for Q: Angel blue. Seemingly innocent but the visual of copper chloride within a flame. He knew Q was no saint from the stories he heard, but he was nothing of the underworld either. A perfect fusion of heaven and hell, what else was there to say?

Q had made feeble attempts to make some kind of effort to relieve the pressure of his heart and say something to Sal, but he always bit his tongue for fear of sounding stupid like a clown in front of someone he deeply admired. Rather, he showed it in gestures. Whenever Sal struggled with something, he was quick to offer help with a smile. He wandered into an ice rink to hang out with a friend afterwards only to find that Sal was on the hockey team, he became a frequent guest tucked away in the shadows of the bleachers quietly watching and admiring that special someone gliding on the ice. His favorite thing: exchanging music with Sal. Nothing made his heart soar more than seeing the smile on the other’s face when cassette tapes were swapped and traded then resulting in a newfound music junkie. Music sounded different to him then. Sweeter were the lyrics and the melodies were savory as he sunk in deeper.

Sal knew there was a special energy between them, but he played coy. Too long had he been the initiator of such escapades and he didn’t want to overwhelm the poor lovesick boy. So, he waited. Wanting Q to make a move on his own time. He wondered when the day would come where these bubbling feelings would finally foam from his mouth and relieve the pressure he sees welling within Q.

The time finally came as he choked on the alphabet and suffocated on adjectives, pouring the words he had coursing through the pipes of his nerves that sent electricity sparking through the ridges of his fingerprints, through the ink of his pen, and onto the papers he crumbles, scratched out, and drafted to perfection. With thunder in his chest he folded his confession quietly and tucked it into his bag. When the opportunity rose, in the quiet corridors of the in session school, he found Sal’s locker and began cramming the note through the grates of the locker frantically.

“Quinn?” A shiver ran down his spine as Sal had come into view just as the note had dropped into his locker. He felt like a deer caught in the headlights. He couldn’t tell if his head was pounding or if his heart was working so hard that it ricocheted through his skull and his whole body. His face felt so hot that he was scared he was gonna melt away.

“S-Sal I uh, I was just, I just, you know, I just, it’s something but I, I don’t, it’s…”

“Can I read it?” Sal didn’t want him to have a conniption so he asked a simple question. Q wasn’t sure, but he for unknown reasons had nodded his head staring down at their shoes. Sal opened his locker and allowed the note to fall before them and picked it up. He unfolded it and began to read the carefully transcribed words that sat on Q’s tongue for so long. Q’s hands were drenched in sweat as the tension laid thick in the silence of the hall. “You know, I was waiting for you to finally say something, angel blue.”

“Wait, you knew?”

“You say a lot. Maybe not verbally, but physically you do. You have a way of being vulnerable in unique ways. Plus, your song recommendations. I may not be artistic but I can read between lines.” Q’s nerves were pulsing and he felt almost embarrassed.

“Would you like to… like to go out… sometime maybe?” Sal just giggled bringing his hands to the sides of the other’s face and allowing their worlds to mesh into a fantastic shade of indigo the moment their lips finally connected. Q felt dizzy when they pulled away pleasantly shell shocked.

“That answer your question?”

“Friday. Sound good?” Q was on autopilot at that moment and Sal adored it truly.

“Of course. Maybe we should get back to class before we get in trouble.” A final peck on Q’s lips and they began to go separate ways, “see you in chemistry angel blue.”

[mintyfrosty]

If you're willing to share then do tell us about the designs 👀

Cracks Hands Breaks Hands Right. Here we go.

For reference, I’m gonna be following the chart below and explaining them from left to right.

Henry - Normal The man himself. Henry Stickmin. For every character, I picked a general colour; Henry was a navy/dark blue tone. I choose blue because, like Henry Stickmin, blue is a much easier colour to blend into the night with. So, for a theft like him, it’d be easier to sneak into the facilities like the bank and the museum in BtB and StD. I also went with fingerless gloves here because it fits so well with his personality. x3

Henry - Toppat This one I went all out with fancy. His hat is the same one as Reginald’s top toppat (I like to think that that hat, in particular, is the sign of the chief of the Toppats). I went with a Gem engraved hat to further show the leadership of the Toppats. I went with a long cape with added fur, since fur is often associated with royalty and riches when it’s shown off and not to keep warm. I added a quick ruff and a suit vest just to emphasis the fanciness of the toppats. Also, fur boots because you gotta have good traction when you’re running from the law.

Henry - Cyborg The same explanation of Henry’s normal outfit. The only difference is the tear at his left sleeve to allow him to have full control of his cyborg enhancements.

Charles This one was a blast to design. Charles, obviously, is with the colour red, but I spiced it up just a touch and added a few shades of orange to make sure the red was distinct even from Ellie’s design. I choose not to go with green here like they have in the military because 1) it messed with his colour palette specifically and 2) red gave more emphasis with Charles (in terms of personality). Furthermore, there’s a star embroidered onto his left sleeve as a military sign. And I gave him red and white striped socks because hehe bean (took inspiration from Luigi here)

Ellie - Normal Being a theft similar to Henry, Ellie needed an outfit that would be easy to move and run in. So, I went with a pink-ish/red leather jacket rolled up to the elbows just to show she isn’t messing around. I added the addition of a flower necklace because, in many instances of the game, she’s seen to be represented with a flower (see any Toppat ending with Ellie or the Toppat Recruit choice). So, I gave her something that represented that flower, since there was nothing beforehand.

Ellie - Toppat Ellie as a Toppat was hella fun to do. Went with just a velvet suit here with a pink tie to match her top hat. I specifically didn’t put her in a dress here, since I felt that Ellie would still be one of the greatest thefts for athletic ability and moving in dresses could be a nightmare when you were running from the law.

Reginald - Chief My personal favourite of the bunch >;3 Everything about Reginald’s personality an outfit to me needed to be E X T R A. So, I went with a suite with a tail at the end, just to give him that little pazazz. Secondly, I decked him out with rings, jewels, a ruffle with a broach and gem engraved boots. The one thing I wanted to achieve with him was over OVER the top and a bit snobbish but to the effect that he was still dependant on Right Hand Man (I’ll get to that in a sec)

Reginald - Dethroned Isn’t too much to say about this, other than the fact of he no longer has his necklace and top top hat. But he still tries to look s n a z z y.

Right Hand Man Undoubtedly one of the more interesting ones to design. I originally had a concept for him to just be in a white dress shirt with suspenders and a necktie. But, I dug more into his role as Right Hand Man and his relationship with Reginald and probably deduced that he would be dressing fancier for the role of Right Hand Man of the Toppat Chief. So, he wears an additional tux jacket and white-gloved (on his human hand). He would prefer to be just in a regular dress shirt like described earlier, but Reginald tells him “Presentation is key!”. RHM doesn’t treat it like the end of the world though; wearing a tux isn’t too bad.

Thank you reading this long-ass post :”D

[solavillain]

Pas de Deux Ch 5: Stranded

+pairing: Spinel x fem!Reader +genre: Drama, romance, angst, slow burn, enemies to friends to lovers +warnings: None (for now) +word count: 6.7K +Chapter 5 / ? previous || next

Read on AO3!

You’ve lost track of how long the injector has been flying across the open ocean. The sun has been up for a while now, so you’d guess it’s close to midday. Spinel has relaxed her grip on you, thankfully, leaving your mouth uncovered, though it’s not like you have anything to say to her. She’s also unwound most of her arm from your mid-section, leaving you mostly free save for a couple wraps to keep your arms pinned.

Spinel has barely moved, only occasionally blowing on her horn to adjust course. You suspect she has no idea where she’s going, or if she even has an endgame for taking you in the first place. Once the Crystal Gems get Garnet’s memories back and deal with the bio poison, you’re confident they’ll be able to track you rather quickly. At least, you’re hoping. Pearl didn’t even know what the injector was, so you’re not sure how she or Peridot would be able to track it from so far away, and the warp system only takes them to very specific locations...

Maybe you’re less confident than you thought.

You sigh and shift a little, feeling the scorching heat of the sun bearing down on you. You don’t want to be the one to break the silence, but you’re hoping she’s going to land you somewhere soon. You’re starting to need water, and you’ll need food eventually as well.

“Try not to think about it, Y/n,” you coach yourself, “it’ll just make it worse...”

So you settle for leaning back on the top of the injector, and try to relax. Spinel flinches at your movement; you can feel her hold tighten briefly. Well, you are laying on her arm now, you suppose.  

“Whatever. It’s not like she can be any more uncomfortable than I am right now.”

As the minutes pass, and the sun continues to warm you up, you feel yourself drifting in and out of sleep...

x * x * x * x * x

The feeling of movement around your waist jostles you from your rest. You jolt upright, turning to look back at Spinel, who blushes and turns her head after removing her arm from you.

“Just needed my arm back,” she mumbles, avoiding your gaze. “Besides. I think I found somewhere to...land. And we’re gonna need to ditch the injector somewhere.”

You roll your eyes and look back out towards the sea. There’s a small island up ahead; that must be where Spinel means to land. As you loom closer to the landmass, a sense of dread washes over you. You’re really going to be stuck on a random island out at sea...with a Gem who knows nothing about the needs of humans.  

“Um,” Spinel starts, clearing her throat before continuing, “I’m gonna...drop you off on the island and then fly the injector somewhere. Got it?”  

Her tone changes drastically with those last words, from timid to jeering. She narrows her eyes at you, almost tauntingly. It’s as if she wants you to fight back, like she was taunting Steven with earlier.

But you weren’t going to give her the satisfaction.

“Yeah, whatever. Just don’t kill me in the landing,” you say sarcastically. You can barely bring yourself to look at her for long. The betrayal of taking you, of trying to hurt your friends after all you’d been through today...it had been one thing for her to attack the Earth when she was lashing out from anger and hurt, but it was another thing entirely for her to do...this. Regardless of your hopes for her friendship before, you couldn’t see yourself forgiving her after all this.

Spinel lands the injector on the edge of the island’s beach, and moves towards your position on the edge of the ship.

“I’m gonna have to lower you down, Y/n,” she says quietly, still avoiding your gaze when she’s close to you.

“Fine,” you reply stiffly. “Just make it quick.”

She complies wordlessly, wrapping her arms around you and lowering you to the ground. She lifts the injector off without another word, and you’re left to fend for yourself momentarily. You decide to get right to it, knowing that you’re going to need protection from the elements, and most importantly a clean source of water.  

You wander into the small forest that sits in the center of the island.  

“At least it’s not a complete desert island,” you think to yourself, grateful for the treetop cover. Shade will be nice- you can feel yourself beginning to burn after the long hours atop the injector. “I’ll also need water, food, fire...”

Suddenly, as you walk towards the forests’ center, a gleeful thought strikes you. It’s a small chance, but what if this island is the island that the Watermelon Steven’s live on? You’ve heard Steven talk about them before, how he’d accidentally created an entire Watermelon People with his healing spit back before he knew how to use the power properly. They had apparently been quite useful in the past, and Steven even had the ability to inhabit their bodies when he was asleep- this could be your way out of here!

You race through the forest, taking note of a couple streams of water that you pass by, but after a few minutes of jogging you reach the other side of the island. You stop to catch your breath, hands on your knees. You can’t help feeling dejected by the apparent lack of Watermelons, but...

“Maybe they’re at one of the other ends of the island?” you think hopefully, and begin to make your way through the forest again, at a slightly slower pace this time. This time you pass a couple small waterfalls, flowing into pools of clear water. You’re grateful that you won’t have to worry about water, at least. Food was another matter entirely. You hadn’t seen any fruit trees or animals on the island, and of course if you did manage to find the Watermelon Stevens, you obviously couldn’t eat them...so what were you going to do?

You shake your head, pushing away the thought. That was something you’d worry about later. You weren’t hungry yet, at least, so that could wait.

Once again you arrive to the end of the forest, back onto the beach. You sigh and slump down into the sand, lying on your back. It looks like this is a totally different island from the one you’ve heard about. Your hope is dwindling quickly that you’ll be able to get back to Beach City...

“What are you doing?”  

A high-pitched voice startles you out of your thoughts, and you bolt upright. You turn to see Spinel standing behind you, arms crossed.

“What the hell does it look like I’m doing, Spinel?” you ask accusatorily, “I’m doing nothing. I’m literally doing nothing because you’ve stranded me on this island for absolutely no reason, and I just ran up and down this place making sure I had what I needed to actually survive. Something I’m sure you didn’t consider.”

She turns her head to gaze out at the sea, once again avoiding your eyes.

“Yeah, well...I guess I didn’t really consider a lot of things recently,” she mumbles.

Your eyes soften at that, your heart hurting once more for the tortured Gem. Some part of you wants to talk to her, really talk to her, but...

“I can’t forgive her. Not for this,” you remind yourself.

You sigh and bring yourself to your feet, brushing off the sand from your clothes.

“Whatever. I have work to do to make sure I live through this.”

With that you turn back towards the forest, trying to remember the (admittedly scarce) survival knowledge you’d picked up here and there. You begin to make your way towards the trees, hoping you can find some branches and leaves big enough to make some sort of shelter.  

“C-can I do anything to help?” a small voice sounds out behind you.

You freeze in place, not wanting to turn to face your captor just yet. The way she sounds...your heart hurts for her, yes, but she doesn’t seem to really grasp just how messed up the situation is that she’s dragged you into.  

Finally you turn to the Gem, who is standing rather awkwardly, unsure what to do with her long limbs.

“I guess...if you want to look for some big leaves, or some sort of bowl-shaped thing that I can store water in, that would be helpful,” you reply.

She nods stiffly and parades off into the forest, looking rather determined. You shake your head and follow her, branching apart to scour for things you may need for whatever shelter you can manage to throw together.  

After about an hour, you’ve managed to gather a few larger palm leaves and some branches. You note that palm trees are scarcer than you would have thought for an island, and you briefly fret about having a receptacle to drink from if Spinel isn’t able to find anything useful.

After assembling them in a pile near one of the waterfalls under some larger trees, you’re fairly wiped. The sun is still beaming overhead, but it’s definitely moved west- you'd guess it was somewhere around three or four in the afternoon. You decide you have enough time to rest a while before you begin trying to assemble a makeshift shelter.  

With a plop, you seat yourself on the large rocks surrounding the waterfall, wiping sweat from your brow. Summer without air conditioning was the worst, especially in a tropical zone. You briefly consider going for a dip in the small pool the waterfall flows into, but you don’t want to dirty possible drinking water any further. So you sit for a while, zoning out and gazing at the landscape of what was to be your new home for the foreseeable future.  

After about twenty minutes, you hear footsteps approaching, and you turn to see Spinel. She’s carrying some leaves similar to those that you found, and a couple concave rocks. You hoist yourself to your feet and move to stand in front of her, wanting to get a closer look at what she’s found.

“I’m not sure if this’ll work exactly, for whatever you need it for, but...here.”

She thrusts the objects at you, then stalks her way over to a tree to lean against it, glaring out into the forest.

You roll your eyes for what feels like the millionth time today- your companion certainly lived up to her moody appearance- and take a closer look at the rocks. They’re just dipped in enough that they could be used for bowls or cups, and you breathe a sigh of relief. Sure, you could have drank from leaves, but that would be wasting valuable shelter resources. You’re relieved Spinel was able to find something, and you place the rocks gingerly near the waterfall so you remember where they are later.

“All right...well, thank you for these,” you say to the Gem, gesturing towards her findings. “They’ll be really helpful.” You pause for a moment and look over your pile of gathered materials, considering whether you want to ask her for help with this. Eventually, you sigh, and relent to the fact that you can’t do this part on your own.

“Could you, uh...maybe help me with building a shelter? Humans...we need to keep warm at night, and be protected from things that are outside and could hurt us,” you explain after seeing her confused face. “So I need to build a little tent out of these so I don’t get sick.”  You try to keep any animosity towards her out of your voice, figuring she won’t want to help if you’re upfront with your current dislike for the Gem.

Spinel nods and pushes herself off the tree, uncrossing her arms and moving towards the pile. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Whaddya need?”

You furrow your brows and tentatively pick up a branch and a leaf, trying to figure out the best way to go about this.

“Um...well if I just position this here...” you mumble to yourself, a flush spreading across your face as you realize you have no idea what the hell you’re doing.

“Uh...I think it’s supposed to be a triangle shape?” you question, more to yourself than anything, since obviously Spinel wouldn’t have any idea either.  

You hear an odd noise, and glance over to the pink Gem. Her face is contorted, and you realize she’s trying to hold in laughter. When your eyes meet, she lets it all out, almost doubling over, and your flush deepens. Though with fondness or embarrassment, you’re not sure.

“Ahh, I’m sorry, Y/n,” Spinel manages to gasp out after a moment, “Y’just... you always seem like you know what’s goin’ on, and seein’ you so unsure was...well, pretty damn hilarious.”

A small smile finds its way to your lips, and you can’t help joining in with a chuckle at your own expense.

“Heh, well, it’s my first time ever trying to build something like this...it’s not every day you get kidnapped to a remote island, right?” you try to joke back with her.

The smile runs away from Spinel's face so quickly, it’s almost like it was never there. Her body tenses and she turns back to the materials pile, picking out a few branches.  

“How d’you want these?” she asks tersely.  

“Shit. Why did I say that? That was the worst joke in the world! It hasn’t even been a day,” you think, before realizing something. “Wait. She’s the one who kidnapped me. Why am I feeling bad for pointing that out? Ugh.”

You bend down next to Spinel, and begin to try out different positionings for the branches and leaves, Spinel helping out here and there with heavier things.

x * x * x * x * x

A couple hours later, you stand back and admire your shabby work on the shelter. You ended up having to make a lean-to in between two larger trees, as you had nothing to tie the branches together for the shelter to stand on its’ own. Spinel helped more than you’d like to admit, and you’re grateful that you at least have somewhere semi-protected to stay tonight.  

Your eyes widen as you realize something- that you’re an idiot.

“I forgot to try to make a fire! Shit!”  

Your outburst startles Spinel, who had been ruminating silently by the waterfall pond. You dash around, looking for small kindling to lay out over larger sticks, and looking for rocks that might spark if you hit them right, as well as stones to encircle the base.

Spinel watches you curiously, not seeming particularly interested in helping out. You chalk this up to her not knowing what to look for, and resolve to ignore her gaze while you busy yourself searching.  

As the sun moves further across the sky, you finally manage to assemble something resembling a camp fire. You’re not sure if the rocks you found are going to work to spark the fire, but you figure you can always try the stick rubbing method as well. You sit down near the fire, which is set up a short distance from your lean-to- close enough that you’ll still be able to feel warmth while inside, but far enough away that it won’t set the thing on fire (you hope.)

You settle in, figuring this may take some time. Spinel shifts uneasily from her spot back by the pond, and you sigh softly, making a gesture for her to come sit by the not quite yet a fire.

You’ve done some thinking today, and you’ve resolved that while you may have lost respect for the Gem, you don’t want to make your life any more miserable than it needs to be while you’re stuck here. You don’t forgive her, per se, but you also don’t want to sit in silence for who knows how long. And knowing what you do about Spinel, she doesn’t want that either.

“C’mon, Spinel...the fire’s not started yet, but you don’t have to sit alone.”

She ducks her head and stands, moving to sit across from you, her knees pulled to her chest and her head resting on them. Her gaze looks far away; she’s staring into the forest, looking forlorn. You knew most Gems didn’t get tired, not in the way humans do, but...she did look exhausted. Today took a toll on her.

You wrack your brain, trying to think of something- anything- to say to Spinel, but you come up short. What conversation topics do you bring up with a kidnapper? Who you thought had become a friend? You shake your head and get back to trying to start the fire. You don’t want to make things awkward again like earlier...

x * x * x * x * x

It feels like you’ve been at this for hours. At one point you gave up on the rocks and switched to the stick method, groaning in frustration every time you thought you saw a spark and it disappeared. Eventually you switched back to the rocks, completely unsure which was truly the best method. Spinel had gotten up a while back and informed you that she was going on a walk, to which you nodded and said that you’d be here. She seemed pleased by the affirmation and went on her way.

Now, though...it’s almost completely dark outside and still no luck. You slump forward, elbows on your knees and head in your hands, feeling defeated.  Footsteps approach from behind, and you don’t need to turn to know Spinel is back. Deserted island, and all that.

“Hey...” you call out half-heartedly, not looking up.

“It, uh...doesn’t appear to be going too well,” Spinel comments as she sits across from you.  

You just groan in reply and toss the stones to the side, too tired to keep trying to light the damn thing.

“Mind if I take a crack at it?” Spinel asks, tentatively picking up the discarded rocks.

“Knock yourself out,” you say, gesturing to the unlit campfire.

The pink Gem gives it her best for a good ten minutes, but still no spark.

“I think I just have the wrong kinds of rocks,” you say sadly. It’s starting to get cold out now, the nice cool breeze from when the sun was out now carries a chill in the air. You wrap your arms around yourself, trying to stay warm.

“Hmm...” Spinel stands, looking for something on the ground. “What was that other thing you were tryin’ earlier?”

“Oh, the sticks? Yeah, that can work too, but it’s a lot more difficult since you have to maintain a constant speed and pressure. My arms are too tired now to do that again,” you reply, feeling the ache in your arms from almost three hours of work.

Spinel spots some sticks she deems worthy and plops back down in front of the fire site, a determined look in her eye.

“So, whaddya do for this again?” she asks, gazing at you across the way.

You walk over and show her to lay the flatter stick down, and to run the length with the shorter stick rapidly, creating ash that you drop into the kindling.  

“All right, I think I got it,” the gem replies, and begins to work the fire. After a moment, your eyes widen as she picks up the pace rapidly- you always forget Gems don’t have the same limitations humans do when it comes to speed and strength. Her arms blur and her face twists in concentration; after only a minute you’re already seeing smoke.

“Woah, great!” you exclaim, “Okay, now move the smoking bits to the kindling!”

Spinel doesn’t appear to have heard you, however. She continues scraping the sticks, picking up the pace still. You’re growing increasingly worried, when-

“Oh! Oh!”  

Spinel panics as the sticks themselves ignite. She was moving so fast, you guess she bypassed the kindling step...

“Ah, Spinel, it’s ok! Just toss them in the middle of the fire, this is wonderful! Be careful!” you add as an afterthought.  

Spinel follows your directions, and after a few minute of stoking, you have a contained campfire. You settle in with a sigh, away from where the smoke is blowing, and begin to get warm.

“Thanks, Spins,” you say gently, the nickname slipping out once more. You giggle quietly as she blushes and settles in closer to the fire, but surprises you when she meets your eyes this time.

“Ah, gee, no problem. Least I could do...”

You nod and give her a terse smile, and go back to holding your hands to the fire to warm them up.

“Should I talk to her now? About...everything?”  

You debate internally for a moment, before pushing through the awkwardness and blurting a question out.

“So...why did you do it?”  

Spinel looks at you blankly. “Do what?”

“Uh, you know...take me? Bring me here?”  

Her eyes narrow and you look away, face burning.

“I took ya to make those nobodies feel the way I feel. And...” she trails off, making you look back up at her. Her features are softer now, kinder, as she contemplates what to say next.

“...I meant what I said. When I took you. Felt like you were the only one who didn’t hate havin’ me around. At least, when I was...the way I was before.”

“Spinel...” you say softly, unsure if you should move closer or not.  

“But now, well. Guess you probably hate havin’ me around too, huh? Can’t say I blame ya. After all that I’ve...put you through. Done to you.”

You sigh in disappointment as the Gem works herself up. “Spinel, I...I can’t be the one to comfort you. Not right now. I don’t hate having you around, but...I’m not exactly thrilled to be here, either. I just-”

“No, it’s fine. You’re right. I’m s-sorry.”  

Spinel bunches her knees up to her chest and puts her head down between them. You’re concerned, but...you meant what you said, too. This isn’t something that can just be written off and forgotten about with a few self-deprecating remarks from Spinel. You resolve to be as kind to her as you can be- no more ignoring her like earlier- but you’re not going to rush in and help her figure out all of her shit, either. She needs to be the one to do that.  

After another half hour or so, you’re feeling warm again, and drowsy. You stand slowly, and Spinel flinches and lifts her head at the sudden sound.

“Just me,” you explain. “I’m just tired. Gonna go try and sleep in the tent thing. Are you...” you trail off, unsure if you should ask. But you do anyway.  

“Are you gonna be ok out here alone? I know Gems don’t sleep.”

“Y-yeah, I’ll be fine. You go rest,” Spinel says as she waves you off, turning to stare into the crackling fire.  

“Okay. Thanks. And uh, make sure the fire doesn’t burn the place down,” you say, trying to lighten the mood.  

She gives you a half smile at the joke, “Heh, don’t worry ‘bout it. I’ll keep watch for ya.”

You give her an awkward thumbs up and head to the lean-to, shaking your head at yourself. Gazing at the sorry bed and pillow of leaves you attempted to make, you worry if you’ll even be able to sleep at all, but...you have to try.

As you lie down, you’re happy to know that the heat of the fire still reaches here, and you can see Spinel sitting by it. Makes you feel safer, for sure. You let the dull crackle of the flames lull you to sleep...

x * x * x * x * x

You wake with a jolt as you feel a small pain in your arm. You look down and see a mosquito happily drinking away.

“Gah!” you exclaim, smacking the bug and bolting out of the tent.  

“Huh? What'sa matter?” Spinel says, her speech slightly slow. You briefly wonder if she had drifted off by the fire, even Pearl had been known to sleep occasionally if she had been overworked. And Spinel had definitely never rested before, not if she had been standing in a garden for 6,000 years...

“Oh, uh-” your mind snaps back to the present. “Just a bug bite scared me, that’s all. Sorry if I disturbed your rest,” you reply.

Spinel relaxes, seemingly relieved that you weren’t in any danger. She stands, stretching out her already stretchy limbs after sitting the whole night. As she moves around, your stomach growls impossibly loudly, and you flush in embarrassment.

“Uh, what was that?” Spinel says, trying to hide a smile. “That came from...you?”

“Ugh...yeah, it did. I’m starving...I don’t think I’ve eaten since my lunch break two days ago? Shit. With everything going on there wasn’t time. And I didn’t think to look for food yesterday...”

You walk over to the waterfall and pond, grateful that you have water at least. You take a few sips from the rock Spinel had gathered, wincing at the taste of the water. Definitely isn’t salt water, but it’s not exactly Aquafina, either.

“I gotta find food today. Fish, fruit, something,” you continue to explain to the Gem. “I need to know I’ll be able to survive here.”

“Oh, yeah, guess that’s pretty important,” Spinel agrees, and moves to stand by you. “I’ll help out today too, hmm?”

You smile up at the taller Gem and nod, grateful you won’t have to do everything alone. As you comb through the island, you can’t help glancing at your companion a couple times. She seems unbelievably determined to make up for what she’s done, darting around, stretching up to look in trees for fruit. You have to smile at the use of her form- something that was once menacing is now almost...endearing. But still, it’s hard to forget her wrapping you up and taking you away from everything.  

You furrow your brows and turn back to the tree you were looking in, feeling as if your heart is torn in two. You want so desperately to just start over with Spinel, but you know that all that she’s done to you will always be in the back of your thoughts. You just feel immensely conflicted. It’s easier to focus on simply surviving for the time being.

By midday, the two of you agreed to meet back up at the campsite, having split off from one another to cover more ground. You were able to find a couple coconuts that you have no way of breaking open, but no fruit you could eat right then.

You slump against a tree, waiting for Spinel to arrive, hopefully having had better luck than you.

“Y/n! Is this somethin’ you could eat?” Spinel calls out as she rushes into the clearing. Your eyes widen at what is in her arms- bunches and bunches of bananas!

“Ohthankgod,” you manage to get out before you grab some from the Gem, who looks bemusedly at you through the large quantities of fruit. You open a banana and take a bite, almost groaning at the taste. It’s just a simple banana, but god did it hit the spot. You go through three more fruits before you begin to feel full, and you slide down against a tree, finally satisfied.

“Ahh...thank you so much, Spinel,” you say, eyes closed in bliss.  

She chuckles and walks up next to you, her arms free of the fruit. She put them down by the lean-to a few minutes ago- you'd have to build some sort of container for them later so they don’t get dirty or bug infested.  

“Food is...so weird,” Spinel comments, looking down at your sitting form. “Dunno if I’d ever try it.”

You shrug, glancing up at the pink Gem. “Amethyst actually loves eating food. And uh, other non-food items too, for some reason. She’s wacky like that.” You smile fondly as you talk about your friends’ odd habits, suddenly missing her. If everything was normal, you’d probably be hanging out right now...

But nothing is normal, so you’re not with your friends. You’re with...her.

With a sigh you bring yourself to your feet, and walk away from Spinel, not wanting to say anything that might make things awkward again. You move to crouch by the bananas, trying to think about the best way to tie them up or store them. Spinel approaches from behind you, staying a foot or two back.

“What, uh...what now?” she asks, a hint of nervousness in her voice. You can tell that she must have sensed your mood change, and you feel a twinge of guilt. You don’t want to keep making her feel worse, but you can’t help but continually cycle between feeling fond of her and wanting to get off this damn island she’s stranded you on.  

You stand once more and turn to face her, hand on your hip as you ponder your next course of action.

“Well, we need to store the food safely, so they can’t get bugs in ‘em or get all mushy if it rains,” you say, mostly just thinking out loud. “I guess we could make another small lean-to and try to wrap them in palm leaves...”

Spinel nods and begins gathering the leftover materials from the first lean-to. “Whateva you say, toots. You know more about this stuff than me.”

You start to move to help her, when the pet name she called you registers.  

“Toots?” you think, blushing furiously as the nickname replays over and over in your head. “Where did that come from? Gosh...”

You resolve to try to not let the name render you incompetent, and begin to help Spinel, both of you working in tandem as you had last night to build a smaller hut.  

After around an hour, you stand back and place the finishing leaves on and in the lean-to, making sure all the dirt is covered up. You wrap bunches of bananas as best you can with the few leaves you have left, and shove them into storage.

“There!” you exclaim happily, “It’s almost kinda cute. Little banana hut.”

You look down on your creating with an odd sense of pride. It almost feels...nice, knowing you’re not entirely terrible at surviving in the wild. Though, with little to no danger on the island, you suppose it never would have been too difficult in the first place.

The sun is making its’ decent once more, and you realize you need to stoke the fire again before it gets cold. Luckily there’s no need to go through what you did yesterday; you can just take some smaller kindling and spread it around the fire, which should bring it back up in no time.  

As you work, Spinel begins pacing around the clearing, and when you glance up at the Gem, she looks strangely nervous.

“Spinel? You all right?”

She stops in her tracks and turns to reply. “Oh, heh, don’t worry ‘bout me, Y/n. Just a little antsy.”

“Oh, ok...do you want to go for a walk?” you ask softly. You realize you’ve been at the campsite for hours now, and aren’t surprised that the abandoned Gem doesn’t like staying in one spot for too long. You figure that’s why she must have gone on a walk yesterday too, and why she’s always eager to help on the excursions around the island. Makes perfect sense.

Spinel visibly relaxes at your suggestion, and shoots you a kind-hearted smile. “Yeah, that would help, I think.”

You nod and finish the work on the fire quickly, spreading and lighting kindling. When the fire is big and crackling once more, you stand and brush off your hands.  

“Wanna go walk around the beach? I bet it’s nice right now,” you say, gesturing in the direction of the closest shore.

Spinel nods, clasping her hands in front of her, and moves to walk next to you. When you reach the edge of where the trees and the beach meet, you almost gasp. The sky is a beautiful gradient of purple, blue,  orange, and red. The backdrop of the sky against the perfect shore is almost unreal. You’re reminded of the tranquility of walking in Beach City at night, the sea spray just reaching the boardwalk, the sound of the waves piercing the silence of the night.  

“Wow...” Spinel breathes out, moving closer to the edge of the water. “I never...I haven’t realized how pretty this planet can be.”

You let out a light chuckle, and move to stand next to her in the surf, your arms almost touching.  

“Y’know, stuff like this is why the Crystal Gems protect this planet so fiercely,” you explain, thinking of your friends fondly.   “They came here because of Homeworld, but stayed because of all this. And I guess the people weren’t so bad, either,” you joke, nudging your companion lightly. “Rose...uh, Pink Diamond, I guess you would know her as. She found love countless times through the years, so I was told. But none as great as Greg Universe- Steven's dad. That’s why she decided to...give up her form, you know. To give Steven life, bring him into the world. She saw something wonderful here and wanted to contribute in her own way.”

You look over at Spinel after you’ve finished talking, and see tears welling in her eyes.  

“Oh no, Spinel, I’m so sorry, I didn’t even-”

“No, no, it’s ok!” She cuts you off, sniffing and wiping at her eyes, tear marks still untouched. “I just...I didn’t know that about her. I didn’t know why she came here and...left me. There’s still a lot I don’t know, I think, but … somehow, hearing that helps a little.”

She takes a shaky breath in and turns to face you, gripping your arm with one hand.

“Y/n, I-”

Suddenly, a clap of thunder sounds out from behind you, startling you both. You turn to face the noise, and your stomach flips. A giant storm is almost right over the island, coming from the east, away from the sunset.  

“Oh my gosh. Shit! The fire!” you exclaim, turning away from Spinel and racing back towards camp, frantically trying to think of a way you can salvage the fire.  

From the looks of the storm clouds, you’d guess you have maybe 15 minutes before the rainfall reaches your little island. You’re hoping it’s just going to rain, maybe some thunder- hoping like hell this isn’t a tropical storm you have no way of preparing for.

“Uh...crap what do I do?!” you shout, frantically darting around aimlessly, trying to figure out some make-shift way to protect your camp.  

Spinel looks almost as panicked as you feel, and you can tell she has no idea how to help, not that you blame her. In the end you decide there’s no real way to protect the fire, so you settle for shoving some sticks and kindling into both lean-tos, hoping they’ll stay dry enough to be able to start a new fire tomorrow. You deflate as you feel small rain drops start to touch your skin, and you look helplessly as it picks up and puts out your fire that you and Spinel worked so hard to light. It almost makes you feel like crying, honestly. Not to mention that you know you’re going to be freezing all night now as well. Luckily the palm leaves seem to be staying on the branches fairly well, so you can at least dry off.

“Ugh, this is the worst,” you say, turning to a soaked Spinel. Thunder booms overhead and makes her jump, and you realize she probably has no context for anything that’s happening.

“Oh! It’s ok! It’s just rain,” you explain, feeling a bit like Steven. He’s told you of the time Peridot had to learn about rain, and then all the new Homeworld Gems did as well.  

“It’s gonna be cold and wet for a while but it just seems like a regular rain storm, so we’ll be ok,” you continue. “But uh, I need to make sure I stay warm so I don’t get sick.”

You glance to the larger lean-to, and groan slightly when you realize Spinel will have to sit in there with you until the rain stops.

“Um, let’s go sit inside,” you mumble, quickly taking the Gems’ hand and pulling her over to the hut. You duck under and move to the corner, making room for Spinel. It’s a tight fit, but you can at least lean against the far “wall”, which is really just the tree it’s propped up against, covered in branches and leaves.  

You settle in and find yourself shivering, your clothes and hair soaked thoroughly. Spinel notices your shaking and concern flashes across her face, her brows knitted together. As you wrap your arms around yourself, trying in vain to warm up, Spinel moves closer to you.

“Uh...listen, y’don’t look too hot there, uh...I could try and keep you warm if you’d like,” she says softly, staring at the ground between you.

Your stomach flips at her suggestion. You’re not entirely sure why, but the prospect makes you...nervous and excited at the same time. You don’t want to make things awkward or weird, but...you really need to get warm.

“O-okay, just so I don’t freeze, all right?”

She nods in agreement and scoots over until she’s directly next to you against the tree.

“I...think this would work best if I wrap you up, uh...like before. At least for now, until you feel warmer?” she says hesitantly, clearly not wanting to make you more uncomfortable.

Your heart beats faster as you nod, and move forwards so she’s able to reach all of you. She stretches her arms to wrap around your middle, and then your arms, encircling them slowly, glancing at your face every now and then to gauge your reactions.

For the most part you feel okay, though you can’t help flash back to the moment when Spinel took you. But this is so different, it’s...strangely comfortable. And definitely helping with the warmth. You shift back against the tree, trying to get in a position that you can stay in for a while. And trying very hard not to think about how good this feels.

Spinel leans back with you, staring anxiously down at your wrapped form.

“Is...is this ok?” she asks quietly, sounding unsure.  

“Yeah, this is...actually helping a lot,” you admit, noticing that you’ve stopped shivering. A sigh escapes your lips as you settle back further, closing your eyes. “It’s actually...really relaxing...”

You’re suddenly very warm and sleepy, and after all the hard labor you’ve been doing the past couple days, you’re not surprised in the least.

“Is it ok if I try and sleep?” you ask Spinel, your eyes still shut.

“Y-yeah, you should rest, Y/n,” she replies kindly.

You stay silent after that, and try to drift off to the sound of the rain and the feeling of being held. Your current position is making it rather difficult, however, as every time you start to fall asleep, your head droops forward or to the side and the sudden motion wakes you back up.

“Ughh...” you groan in frustration, opening your eyes and leaning your head back against the tree. “I’m so bad at sleeping sitting up.”

“Lemme help,” Spinel suddenly offers, and she moves as close to you as possible, keeping her arms stretched around you.  

“Lean on me,” she suggests, looking down to her shoulder.

Your eyes widen and your face heats up, and this time it’s you avoiding Spinel’s eyes as you nod and settle in against the taller gem. She’s strangely comfortable, for such a thin being.  

“Thank you, Spins,” you say sleepily, thankfully slipping back into your drowsy state once more. After a few minutes, you feel Spinel’s head rest against yours, and as you drift off in her warm embrace, you realize you could get used to this.  

[patchworkofstars]

I Look At You And I’m Home

Relationship: Remile (Remy (Sleep) Sanders / Dr Emile Picani)

Synopsis: When a bad day at work for Emile derails the couple’s plans for the evening, Remy decides to give him the best possible date night at home!

Word Count: 4,444

Genre: Hurt/Comfort that rapidly turns into pure fluff

Characters: Remy (Sleep) Sanders and Emile Picani, brief mentions of Roman, Virgil, Logan, and Patton

Warnings: Mentions of past insomnia, mentions of a breakup between unnamed characters

Notes: Autistic Emile because I can. Implied autistic Logan because I can do that too. This was supposed to be a short hurt/comfort fic, but then Remy took a small unplanned detour and a whole heap of fluff ensued!

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

The sound of the door was his first clue, a soft click followed by a weary sigh. Usually, it would be half-slammed with enthusiasm, and a cheerful cry would ring out of “Remy, I'm home!" or, on special occasions, "I'm back and I brought Starbucks!" But although he strained his ears, he heard nothing more.

“Hi, Em!” he called out, his frown deepening as the silence lengthened. He stretched to see around the side of the sofa, peering over his trademark shades. “Em?” he called again, “Are you okay?” There was only one explanation he could think of for the silence, and it wasn’t a pleasant one.

His fears were confirmed a moment later when his boyfriend finally appeared through the doorway from the hall. From the dishevelled state of his hair, it was clear he’d run his hands through it repeatedly. His necktie was loosened and hung at an odd angle, and his shoulders were slumped. A small shake of his head was his only response to Remy's question, and even that motion seemed weary and defeated.

“Babe!” Remy was at his side in an instant. “Hey, girl, are you down for a hug?”

Emile nodded, and Remy wrapped a reassuring arm around his shoulders, hugging him close. Emile buried his face in the crook of his boyfriend’s neck, breathing in that faint but reassuring aroma of leather, Starbucks, and something uniquely Remy that for him always meant home.

Remy leaned his head against Emile’s, feeling the soft purple hair tickle his cheek. “Sofa?” he suggested, and Emile nodded in reply, clinging on tightly and barely raising his head as the taller man guided him gently over to the couch. There, he finally let his knees give way, and collapsed into the welcoming embrace of both the soft cushions and Remy.

At last, some of his tension began to ebb away, encouraged by Remy’s comforting murmurs of “It’s okay, babe, I’m here”, and “You’re home now, you’re safe, it’s gonna be fine.”

Gradually, his grip on Remy’s shirt relaxed, his white knuckles unfurling until his palms were laid flat against his boyfriend’s chest. He slid them down and around Remy’s waist, hugging him tightly before finally moving back to give him a watery smile.

“Bad day, huh?” Remy asked gently, when experience told him Emile’s voice might be ready to return. “Was it, like, a patient you couldn’t help?” The therapist took most of the stresses and difficulties of his job in his stride, priding himself on finding ways to get even the most reluctant clients to open up. But when his methods failed and he couldn’t help someone in pain, the feelings of not having done enough, or been enough, hit him hard.

Emile nodded, his hand finding one of Remy’s and giving it a squeeze of acknowledgement and thanks.

“So, do you wanna talk about it?”

Emile shook his head. “Can’t. Patient-doctor con… confidentiality.” His words were soft and halting, but determined.

“Oh yeah, that thing. The gossip-killer.” Remy sighed. “Well, could you at least give me, like, an outline? No names, just the part that’s upset you, so I’ll know how to help.”

Emile took a deep breath and released it slowly, considering. Then he nodded. “It was the last session of the day”, he explained. “New patients for couple’s therapy, a man and a woman. The guy was a bit quiet, withdrawn, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I told him no pressure, he could speak when he felt ready to.”

“And I’m guessing he did?”

“Did he ever”, Emile mumbled, scraping both hands through his hair and grimacing. “Halfway through the session he suddenly leapt up, like he couldn't keep it in anymore. He said, ‘I'm sorry, I'm gay. I'm in love with a guy from work.'"

“Damn, girl, that sucks”, Remy murmured sympathetically. “Did the woman yell at him? I bet she yelled.”

Emile took another deep breath and buried his face in his hands before continuing. “Yeah, she did. At him and at me. And she was so loud...” He shuddered at the memory, pulling his cardigan sleeves over his hands and pressing them to his ears.

“That’s rough, babe.” Remy rubbed his boyfriend’s back soothingly.

"Comes with the job, sometimes", Emile mumbled. He sighed, pushing his sleeves back up so he could rub his face with his palms. "I didn't like it, but I understand how she felt. All that time together and it was never real. Two words and it all came crashing down!" He looked despairing at Remy, his face wet with silent tears. “It got me thinking, what if that happens to us?”

Remy took his hand, expression serious, and looked him in the eyes. “Babe”, he said, “I’m gay. I’m in love with a man, and his name is Emile Picani.”

Emile made sound between a giggle and a sob, taking back his hand to swat Remy gently with sweater– or rather cardigan-paws before nestling against him once more. I just got scared, that’s all”, he explained softly, his eyes tracing the geometric pattern of the frieze running around the walls of the room.

He closed his eyes, the pattern suddenly becoming too much. Reaching out blindly, he found Remy’s hand once more and curled his fingers around it, brushing his thumb over the familiar shapes and textures.

“I got scared, Rem”, he repeated in a murmur. “What would I do without you?”

“You’d keep on shining like the gem you are”, Remy told him, his voice low but firm. “But I’m not going anywhere, babe, this fusion is stable. The real question is what I’d do without you to lure me into bed each night with cuddles, and out of it each morning with breakfast.”

At last, Emile's lips overcame the tears to curve into a smile, and he wrapped his arms tightly around his boyfriend. “It's for everyone to eat together, that's the essence of together breakfast", he quoted, looking up to meet Remy’s eyes.

“You’re darn right it is, babe! And it’s, like, a billion times better than the caffeine I used to live on.”

Emile gave a lopsided grin, reaching up to ruffle Remy's dark hair. "Seems to me you still live mostly on caffeine", he teased.

Remy stuck his tongue out. “Sure, but now I have, like, actual meals too, because I get to look at a gorgeous guy while I eat. Speaking of, what do you wanna do about food tonight?”

He glanced across at the calendar on the wall and Emile followed his gaze, knowing what he was thinking. From this distance, it was too small to read, but they both knew what was written in today's square: "Date Night!" in Remy's bold handwriting with a heart drawn around it by Emile, a reminder they scarcely needed of their regular evening devoted to each other's company.

They usually went out on date nights, to see the latest animated movie, or to eat at their favourite restaurant, or sometimes even for a gaming session at the local arcade. But there was no way Emile could cope with that tonight. After the emotional meltdown he’d endured, his heart and his nerves would need more time to recover before he’d have the strength to face the outside world.

“I’m sorry”, he mumbled. “I know you were looking forward to the movie, and it will have stopped showing by next time.” He forced a smile at Remy. “You go without me. I’ll make a hot chocolate and watch a couple of episodes of Ducktales, then have an early night.”

“Hell no!” Remy shook his head firmly. “You think I wanna see a movie without you, babe? We can wait and watch it together on Netflix. I am not-” - he reached out and booped Emile’s nose to punctuate his statement - “Not leaving my Em all alone after a shitty day at work. Would David ditch Nani for a movie? I think not.”

“You’re darn right he wouldn’t!” Emile’s face relaxed into a grin and he leaned his head on Remy’s shoulder, wrapping an arm around him. “I guess they’d make the best of it and find a way to have a fun date night at home.”

“Mm-hm”, Remy agreed, pressing a kiss to Emile’s purple hair. “Then that’s what we’re gonna do. Tell you what, babe, you go change out of your work clothes into something more comfortable. Gimme five minutes to set up, and we’ll make this the best date night ever.”

Emile gave him a tight squeeze and a quick kiss on the cheek, then headed to their bedroom to find his favourite comfort clothes. As soon as he was out of sight, Remy set to work transforming their mundane living room into a cosy and intimate venue for a date.

If there was one thing Remy excelled at, it was turning anywhere into a comfortable place to nap. When Emile returned, wearing an oversize Steven Universe hoodie and his softest sweatpants, he was greeted by a magnificent pillow fort, large enough to house them both while still feeling snug and secure.

The sofa and chair cushions had been upended and stacked to provide a structure over which almost every spare blanket in the house had been artfully draped. The remaining few covered the floor inside, with a comforter spread on top to give the couple a place to sit or lie as they chose. At one end stood the cornerstone of the fort, the sturdy back of their sofa, positioned to provide a leaning place as well as the main support.

“How did you do all this so quickly?!” Emile exclaimed, flapping the dangling sleeves of his hoodie.

Remy shrugged nonchalantly, grinning. “Babe, when you have brothers like Roman and Virgil, you get a lot of practice building dens! We were always making castles, or caves for dragons, or just places to hide from everything.”

Emile laughed, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend. “You’re so talented!” he joked, rubbing their noses together. “Coffee connoisseur, fort-construction expert, fashion icon, and cuddler extraordinaire! I hit the jackpot with you.”

“Nah”, Remy murmured, leaning his head against Emile’s. and closing his eyes. “I’m the lucky one. Thanks to you, I’ve figured out what I want to do with my life.”

“Hmm? And what’s that?” Emile asked, letting go to smile questioningly up at him.

Remy turned away, pushing up his ever-present sunglasses as a rare hint of pink coloured his cheeks. "Doesn't matter. Come on, let's get this date night started. Want to sort out some music while I make us drinks?”

“Tell you what, you choose the music and I’ll make the drinks”, Emile suggested. “I know how many marshmallows I want, and that number is all of them!”

Remy rolled his eyes and groaned in mock horror. “Girl, I don’t know how you can stand all that sugar. I don’t even like whipped cream on my Starbies!”

As Emile laughed and turned to head to the kitchen, Remy added under his breath, “And besides, you’re sweet enough already.”

Emile spun back around, his face lighting up with a gleeful grin. “What did you just say?” he asked eagerly.

Remy’s blush deepened. “Nothing. Just go get those drinks”, he mumbled, making shooing motions.

“Hmm~?” Emile leaned closer, a smile teasing his lips as he peered at Remy. “It didn’t sound like nothing. It sounded like my sassy boyfriend said something mushy!”

“If you heard it the first time, there’s no way I’m gonna say it again!” Remy whined, hiding his red face in his hands.

Emile laughed. “Well okay then, but I’m watching ya, sweetheart!”

He disappeared into the kitchen, and Remy turned to their music collection to pick a soundtrack to their evening. Steven Universe songs usually helped to lift Emile’s mood, but any playlist including It’s Over, Isn’t It would be a terrible choice this time. Something else, then. Emile had handed the decision over to him, so maybe… His hand hovered over his Queen anthology, then drew back. Tonight was for comforting Emile, not twirling him around the kitchen singing at the tops of their voices. There would be plenty of other evenings for that.

Instead, he settled on something classical, turning the volume to a level they’d be able to hear but could comfortably talk over. Swaying a finger idly along to the opening bars, he closed his eyes and breathed in the mingled aromas of brewing coffee and hot chocolate from the kitchen. He could hear Emile begin humming softly to the music, a sure sign he was already feeling more at peace. A rare softness came over Remy’s face as the sound and the scents combined to fill him with an overwhelming feeling of warmth and love. He hesitated for just a second, debating with himself, then slipped into their bedroom to collect something in case he wanted it later.

When he re-emerged, he found Emile making himself comfortable in the fort alongside a tray containing his own hot chocolate, Remy’s black coffee, and a bowl of sweet and salted popcorn. Remy settled down beside him with a grin, slipping one arm around his boyfriend’s waist as he picked up his drink with the other, breathing in the aroma with a satisfied hum.

The steam clouded his sunglasses, so he took them off and placed them to one side. There was no need for them in here, no bright lights or strangers for them to shield him from. Here there was only Emile, and Remy had no need to hide from him.

Looking back at his boyfriend, he met warm eyes shining gently behind rounded frames. He smiled, letting his gaze wander to take in the fading purple hair, the freckles that scattered and danced across pale skin brightened by a faint pink blush, and the soft lips they’d agreed he wouldn’t kiss directly, but whose touch was a frequent delight on his cheeks, his nose, his temples, his hands.

The familiar soft creases formed around Emile’s eyes as he smiled back, wriggling to get comfortable before leaning back into Remy’s embrace, sipping his hot chocolate through a thick layer of melting marshmallows.

Watching, Remy suppressed a chuckle at the pink and white moustache accumulating on his boyfriend’s upper lip. “Hey, Em?” he murmured, his voice a soft rumble.

“Hmm?” Emile looked around, and Remy gently swiped the residue onto his thumb, then licked it away. “You genuinely are, like, ridiculously sweet”, he told his boyfriend, with a grin.

Emile laughed, a bubbling sound of pure joy that filled Remy’s heart with warmth and light. He gazed adoringly back, wondering how he’d ever worried they might not be the right fit. He would gladly spend an eternity hearing that laugh, seeing that smile, tasting the sweetness of Emile’s presence in his world.

He wrapped his arm around his boyfriend once more and Emile hummed contentedly, leaning against him and resting his head on Remy’s shoulder.

“So, how was your day, sweetheart?” Emile asked. “I sure hope it was better than mine.” For a moment his smile faltered, and Remy gave him a sympathetic squeeze.

"I had a pretty lazy day, tbh. I went to the mall and had lunch at Starbucks, then came home and watched that space documentary your nerd of a brother lent me."

Emile sat up abruptly, beaming. "That's great! Logan will appreciate it. I know he sometimes goes overboard trying to ‘educate' you, but he’s just sharing his special interests because he likes you!"

“Yeaaahhh~", Remy drew out the word, grimacing as he did so. "Well, in that case I guess I'm gonna have to try again, because I fell asleep about ten minutes in." He groaned. "God, he'd better not test me on it. The last thing I want is a pop quiz next time I see him. Like, I get that he means well, but some of us are happy wallowing in our ignorance."

“I know." Emile leaned his head against Remy’s. "But I am proud of you for trying. I think Logan just feels left out sometimes, because you're happy to taste all Patton's new recipe ideas and talk with him and me about cartoons. L thinks real space facts are more interesting than Steven Universe, and it frustrates him that none of us feel the same."

“Yeah, I guess so." Remy stretched his legs out before him, wriggling his toes. Then his lips twisted upwards into a wicked grin. "You know, I'd kinda like to see him face off against Virgil. Logan's Scientific Space Facts (TM) versus Virge's alien conspiracy theories. We should, like, get them talking about it sometime, then sit back and watch the fireworks."

Emile stuck his tongue out at him. “You said that about Logan and Roman, and look what happened! They ended up having a three-hour argument about Shakespeare in iambic pentameter!” He booped Remy’s nose. “You’re an agent of chaos, Remy Sanders. Pure, unstoppable chaos.”

“And gorgeous with it!” Remy smirked. “You love me, babe, admit it.”

“Mm-hm.” Emile wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, kissing his forehead. “You’re right, I do love you. You’re the most entertaining real person I’ve ever met.” He winked. “I hadn’t planned on finding you quite this entertaining, as Rose said to Greg, but here we are.”

“Here we are”, Remy murmured, nuzzling Emile’s hair. “It’s been a while, huh, babe?”

Emile smiled, picking up one of Remy’s hands and beginning to trace gentle shapes with his forefinger on the palm. “Mm. I’m glad I stopped by Starbucks on the way home that night.”

“Yeah, me too”, Remy murmured softly. With his free hand, he began idly playing with Emile’s hair. “That was such a crazy night. You probably remember more of it than I do; I was, like, a total wreck back then.”

Emile closed his eyes contentedly. “Maybe, but I still like hearing you tell your side of the story.”

Remy grinned, drinking in the view of Emile’s relaxed smile and the gentle rise and fall of his breathing. “Sure thing, babe”, he agreed. “So, that night? It was kinda late and the place was practically deserted. I was sitting all alone in a corner, drinking, like, my third espresso because sleeping after dark always gave me nightmares.”

Emile waved an arm, his eyes still closed. “You had a bad case of loneliness”, he said. “You needed more cuddles and cartoons!”

“You know it, babe.” Remy chuckled. “Anyway, there you were, looking like I felt, with your hair a mess and bags under your eyes, but you were still the cutest thing I’d ever seen.”

Emile laughed, his cheeks glowing pink in the soft light. “It had certainly been a tough day. Too many patients who didn’t want cartoon analogies for their problems.”

"Yep! And just like today, your voice had decided it was sick of trouble and was gonna hide from everything. So all you could do was point at the menu and mouth what you wanted to the barista."

“But she didn’t understand.” Emile groaned at the memory. “She got more and more frustrated, and so did I, and then...” He grinned at Remy, an unspoken cue for him to continue.

“Well, I could lip read because of Virgil having the same problem when he gets, like, panic attacks. So I put down my coffee, rocked up to the counter, and said-”

"'Just get the cute gentleman his grande Caramel Cocoa Cluster Frappuccino, with whip. And I'm gonna pay for it because he looks like he deserves a break!'" Emile burst in, blushing brightly and grinning at the memory. "I hadn't even noticed you before that, but when I turned around you looked even more exhausted than I felt."

“Yeah”, Remy smiled wryly at the memory. “Insomnia’s a bitch, babe, and she had her claws deep into me back then.”

Emile reached up and gently kissed his cheek. “I know, and I promise I’ll be here so you don’t have to go through that again.”

Remy interlaced their fingers with a relieved sigh. “You’re an angel, Em.”

Emile smiled wryly. “Not everyone would agree with that. Remember, I’ve been kicked out of three different offices for ‘excessive noise’, ‘disturbing other users of the building’, and inappropriate ukulele playing during a tenants’ meeting’.”

He sighed, reaching up to run his fingers through Remy’s hair. “Face it, starbabe, you’re one of the few people willing to put up with me on a daily basis.”

Remy leaned into his touch, contentedly closing his eyes. “Yeah, we’re both disasters, babe. But I was, like, way more of a disaster before I met you.”

“Likewise”, Emile murmured, kissing his cheek again. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you, today or back then.”

“You turned things around pretty quickly, even then”, Remy pointed out. “We kept giving each other awkward smiles the whole wait, and when your drink was finally ready, it just, like, made sense to sit together. And after a few sips of that ridiculously sweet mess, you recovered enough to say thanks, and to... talk with me. We just, like, started chatting, and one thing led to another. I still don’t know how I managed not to scare you off.”

“Gay magic”, Emile suggested, leaning affectionately against him once more.

“Sure.” Remy snorted. “I mean, that would certainly explain how I ended up lying on the sofa, with my head in your lap and you playing with my hair. Because otherwise I have, like, no idea.”

Emile grinned. “Well, magic or not, it was definitely gay! I suggested therapy might help with your insomnia, and you refused because you said if I were your therapist, you wouldn’t be able to date me. And I pointed out that you could always get a different one, but… I think your brain was a bit scrambled by that point, because you put your arm around me and told me firmly that you didn’t want to date another therapist, you only wanted me.” He blushed. “I said you should sleep on it and see if you felt the same way when your head was clearer. So you decided to try to sleep on my lap, which you did.”

Remy nodded, grinning. “It was the best I’d slept in years, and when the barista woke me up trying to tell you it was closing time, I opened my eyes, gazed up at your adorable face, and said, ‘That was amazing, babe, you’ve gotta let me sleep with you again sometime!’”

Emile laughed, his face burning at the memory. “And I said, ‘Only if you take me on a date first’, and then you said-”

“’You’re on, how about Starbucks?’” Remy chuckled. “You asked if we could at least catch a movie first, and I told you sure. And then you got all eager and started telling me about every animated movie that was on, and asking which I’d most like to see. You just, like, lit up with enthusiasm, and I realised then that I was gone. I wanted to spend the rest of my life seeing your smile and hearing you talk about the things you love.”

“That’s so pure and cheesy, Rem”, Emile teased affectionately, reaching out to cup his cheek.

Remy leaned into the warmth, closing his eyes. "I guess you have that effect on me, babe", he murmured, pressing a kiss to Emile’s palm. His face was burning, and he wondered if Emile could feel the heat of it.

When Emile moved his hand, Remy slid down to nuzzle his boyfriend’s neck, breathing in the sweet mingled aromas of coffee, marshmallows, and Emile. A scent so similar to the one that night, five years ago, but now it filled his heart with a warmth and contentment he could never have imagined back then.

God, he was really going to do this, wasn’t he? The gift in his pocket, which had started out forgettably light, now weighed heavy and constant on his mind. He was going to do this, here, now, tonight. His heart was pounding, his mind scrambling to recall the words he had planned through a giddy haze of nerves and excitement. He took a deep breath, and when he spoke, there was a hoarse edge to his voice.

“Emile?”

“Hmm?”

Emile's small noise of response, and his questioning, expectant, utterly intimate expression were enough to conquer Remy's final shreds of hesitance. He was ready. They were ready. It was time.

He kept one arm wrapped loosely around Emile’s waist, while the other reached surreptitiously into his pocket, fingers closing around the small box hidden there. He swallowed, trying to keep his voice light so it wouldn’t betray his nerves.

“You know, babe, I bought something for you earlier. I was gonna wait for, like, the perfect moment, but I guess I’ve realised now that every moment with you is perfect.”

“Sap”, Emile mumbled, grinning as a bright blush spread over his face.

Remy shrugged, giving him a lopsided grin in return. “Yeah, but Olaf was right, some people are worth melting for.” He took a deep breath, trying unsuccessfully to calm his racing heart. “I thought this Remy rider could keep on riding alone, but now I just wanna be wherever you are. So...”

He pulled his hand from his pocket, opening the box to reveal a gold ring inlaid with a ruby, a sapphire, and a garnet. He raised his eyes, full of hope and anxiety, to meet his boyfriend’s. “Wanna make this a permanent fusion, Emile?”

Emile’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open with a squeal in the back of his throat that grew in volume and intensity until as last his brain recovered enough to translate his emotions into words.

“That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard!” he yelled, volume control temporarily forgotten in his excitement.

“Uh, yeah”, Remy mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “I got Roman to help me figure out what to say, although most of his suggestions were Disney references and, like, way over the top.”

Emile shook his head, his eyes shining. “It was perfect, he said firmly, taking the ring and slipping it onto his finger. “Perma-fusion, activate!” He launched himself into Remy’s arms, then added as an afterthought, “Oh, and of course I’ll marry you, too!”

Remy laughed, his face ruby red as he hugged his fiancé tightly. “Yeah, I got that, babe”, he murmured, pressing a kiss to Emile’s cheek. “And I’ll stick around for good, I promise. Life always tastes sweeter when I’m with you.”

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@metaphoricalpluto @the-prince-and-the-emo @musikasworld @softestlittlepuffball @evilmuffin @xxladystarlightxx @suyun-doo @pearls-of-patton @patton-in-name @shesavampirequeen @daring-elm @gabe-killed-me-with-ace-cream

Also gonna tag some people who like Remile:

@coconut-cluster @fiive-second-cookies @gryffindorofcabin21 @lovesupportandcookies @tulipscomeinallsortsofcolors @sandersfanders

[pushspacetocontinue]

Furious Blades

A story for Russell’s Pokemon Verse, for how he ended up losing his right arm and subsequently getting a replacement. Some violence in this one, but yeah. Also, it’s long, you’ve been warned.

It was just meant to be a quick walk from one route to the next. Russell had made sure to check the map and he was confident that he would be able to get to the next town without much trouble. 

Russell had been moving swiftly, but carefully, his hands tucked into his pockets and his ears peeled for any signs of danger.

“Sir!” a young man’s voice caught his attention, and Russell turned his gaze onto the new person. The red uniform was recognisable. 

“You, you want a battle?” Russell asked. It was what they usually wanted. They often found themselves bored on the job. 

“No, sir. Not now. But I can see why you would assume that,” the ranger replied, “We really need you to turn back from this area. We have a swarm of Scyther moving through the route and due to it being their mating season, they are hostile to passers-by. While we can recommend watching from a distance, you’ll need to take the alternative path so you’ll be on the higher levels, this way.”

The man gestured, and Russell nodded. 

“Th-thanks,” Russell said, as he started to follow, “That’s…” 

But then a scream erupted in the air; unmistakably a human’s. It was shrill and high. The shout was followed by the frantic shouts of a name.

“Molly!” 

“Molly! You have to get out of there!”

Russell’s eyes widened in alarm, and he pushed past the ranger without any hesitance. Through the bushes, he could already see a young girl, no older than ten, was surrounded by the Pokemon. Her curly blonde hair had leaves and twigs in it. The colour had drained from her dark face, leaving it a greyer shade. 

She must have slid down the steep dunes by accident and ended up right in their midst. Judging by their glares, they were far from happy. Molly didn’t appear to know where to look, but she knew the danger she was in.

“Oh no…” the ranger only said.

Russell didn’t think anything else. His feet seemed to carry him forward without any thought. In a swift sprint, he had reached Molly just as the closet Scyther swung its blades.

He ducked, and took Molly in his left arm as he did, never stopping in his movements at all. 

“Hold, hold on tight!” he instructed. Molly instantly did as she was told, and put her arounds his neck to better support herself. 

If he could get back to the ranger, he could hand over Molly and then hopefully get Thor out to defend himself. A good power gem from Ampharos would surely send the swarm packing. 

But the Scyther were fast, even with the element of surprise he had given them, and they were now out for his blood. 

Russell met eyes with the ranger, and he seemed to realise his plan. But then a Scyther suddenly landed in front of him and swung its blade. Russell found himself lifting his right arm instinctively to protect his face. A thud hit his ears, but he barely registered it. 

He couldn’t go to the ranger. He instead took off running in the opposite direction. 

Molly let out another high pitched scream.

“It’s, it’s gonna, it’s gonna be okay,” Russell said, between pants. 

“Your arm!” Molly wailed, pointing. 

Russell glanced back. His eyes widened and his blood turned to ice when he realised that his own arm was indeed on the ground. He found himself looking at where it should have been. Just below the elbow, it had been severed entirely, and the stump was heavily bleeding.

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! 

He couldn’t give up. One more look was spared as one of the Scyther impaled the disembodied limb on one of its own. It waved the arm, as though to taunt them, before chopping it into slices. Russell knew what it was saying; they were next. 

Not if he could help it. 

But no matter where they turned, it seemed that more members of the swarm would block them from going anywhere. Eventually, they were back where Molly started; at the bottom of a steep dune that they had no hope of climbing up. 

“D-damn it. They, they were, they were herding us like, like Mareep…” Russell said, as he panted.

“They’re smart enough to do that?” Molly moaned.

“Looking like it,” Russell said, as he carefully put Molly down. 

“Don’t let them hurt me,” the little girl said.

“I, I won’t,” Russell said, as the swarm drew closer around them, “G-get behind me.”

“You’re, you’re looking bad,” Molly said.

She wasn’t wrong. Russell’s face had grown considerably paler, and his movements were weaker and heavier as he tried to move. His hand was shaking, and sweat had formed on his upper lip. 

“I’m, I’m fine,” Russell said. 

He had to get Thor out of her pokeball. She was their best chance to escape. Russell started to reach onto his belt with the hand he had left. But one of the bug Pokemon darted forward and swung its blades across his chest, leaving an x-shaped tear in his clothing and skin. The pain was unbearable and Russell staggered backwards a few steps from the force of the blow. 

The belt was cut, and his pokeballs scattered around his feet. He quickly dropped to his knees to find Thor. There was still a chance. But then his heart sank when he realised the button of one must have been pressed by accident.

Hestia, the smaller Larvesta, was far from his intended Pokemon to use.

“H-Hestia,” Russell’s words were a struggle to push out of his mouth, “It’s, it’s okay… get, get back in your ball… it’s, it’s gonna be okay...” 

The rest of the Scyther were still approaching, and the one that had attacked him was rubbing its blades together. The wings on the others vibrated, making a sinister buzz ring through the air. 

Hestia seemed to be staring the creatures down. On hearing Russell talk, she briefly turned her eyes to him, taking in his condition. Russell made a move to stand up, holding up the empty ball. 

“H-Hestia, re-” the command to return died on his lips when the smaller bug was suddenly cloaked in a harsh white light. Her shape changed and she grew larger. A harsh heat enveloped the air, and the light became fire before she emerged anew. 

Hestia had evolved. The larger moth-like creature flapped its wings. Its small limbs twitched, and it blinked once. There was a brief lull, then it fired the attack it had been preparing. Flames shot out from its wings, covering all in front of it in a wave of red fire. Grass was charred, the heat was almost unbearable, and the Scyther got the brunt of the blast. 

When it faded, all the Scyther around them collapsed. The only few that there were left standing had the sense to flee while they still could. Hestia watched them go, only then turning around when she finally heard her beloved trainer fall to the ground. The grass below him rapidly started turning red.  

“M-Mister…” Molly’s eyes were filling with tears as she stared down at Russell’s unconscious body, “Please wake up… please…”

Russell groaned as his eyes slowly opened. He blinked when the ceiling lights met his eyes. What the hell happened? Russell slowly sat up, taking in his surroundings. He was in a bed, hooked to a machine to monitor his vitals. His bag had been placed on a table nearby. 

Russell gasped when he saw what was left of his right arm. The memories came flooding back in an instant. The little girl in the Scyther pit. He had run to save her. Then Hestia had evolved to save their lives!

“Hestia... I owe her…”

But then the door opened and a doctor walked in. Her eyes widened when she saw that Russell was awake. 

“Mister Tolbert. Good to see you’ve come around,” she then said, before carefully checking his limb, “It looks the Alomomola mucus has done well to heal the residual limb as well…”

“Y-yeah…” Russell said, ignoring the itching he felt beneath his elbow. Phantom limb was bound to happen, “How, how long was I out? Is, is the girl okay? The, the girl I, I went to, to help…”

“Yes, Molly is fine,” the doctor replied, “She was very shaken up, but ultimately unharmed. And you were out for three days. It was touch and go. You’re very lucky to be alive.”

“Y-yeah,” Russell said.

Mom’s gonna be pissed… I was meant to be challenging the league in a week. I’ll have to ask the staff not to let her in.

But then Russell was brought out of his thoughts by a knock. The person didn’t wait for an answer and walked in. 

The man was dressed in a very smart suit. His eyes were a warm brown, as was his skin. His hair had been slicked back with gel. He was carrying a long case as well.

“Oh wonderful, you’re awake,” he said, “I’ve been wanting to talk to you, Mister Tolbert, about my daughter, and how you very bravely rescued her. I’m Marlon De Vulkner.”

“Um, n-nice to meet you, Mr De Vulkner” Russell said, “And well, I um, I just did it because I had, I had the chance, even if, if it didn’t go to plan…”

“Your Volcarona was very brave in the end, and so were you,” De Vulkner said, “But I wanted to find a way to repair you. You see, you might have guessed that we have a lot of money, and we have been working with Macro Cosmos in Galar, to produce new technology for trainers in need. We felt that perhaps along with helping with physical rehabilitation, that this will also help you along your way.”

He opened the box then, and Russell’s eyes widened.

“I can’t, I can’t accept this, it’s…”

It was perfect. The metal prosthetic had been crafted with utmost care. The arm would also fit perfectly for him. It had been crafted with the best tech imaginable and was practically flawless in design. The official logo of Macro Cosmos on the inside of the lid told everyone who had made it. 

Surely someone else would be more deserving of such a fine arm.

“It would be more than an honour if you accepted, Mister Tolbert,” De Vulkner added then, “It’s the very least we can do for you.”

Russell was silent for a while, his heart pounding in his chest. But then he looked up and nodded.

“All right. I would, I would love to, to have it. Th-thank you, Mister Vulkner.”

“You are more than welcome, Mister Tolbert.” 

[axther]

so far down

airen fic for aimee mwah @ererokii​

Eren knew the world wasn’t kind. 

He learned that from an early age. He knew that death was everywhere, crushing and existing in every crack. It consumed without care. 

Oh, but how he prayed it wouldn’t consume her. 

Amiee stood, looking over the walls. Her hair flickered back and forth in the strong wind. He could only stare as the light hit her eyes and made them glow every shade of brown possible. Even for such a cold winter day, the sun shone for her and created some sort of halo that the church would kneel before. 

“Hey, Eren.” She was smiling softly, one hand on her tactical manoeuvring equipment. “I wanna get married.” “Yeah?” He smiled. Though he usually had a frown, some sort of confused, angry look on his face, Aimee always managed to soothe it. “Yeah. While we still can.” 

“You’re not gonna die.” He sighed, rising from his squat. “I’ll make sure.” “Hm.” She smiled. There was a little, happy huff with it, and the chill winter air puffed out. It was a reminder, warm despite the weather, of the next week. 

January 22nd. Aimee’s birthday. 

It was a situation, to be honest. Some of the other corps were going forward and getting her gifts, and Jean had already stolen his idea (a nice dress she had been looking at from inside Wall Sina). The bastard. 

Eren huffed a bit but stopped when Aimee cast him a curious glance. 

“Something on your mind?” 

“Nothing!” He barked, nervous. “Don’t worry about it.” “You’re pouting!” 

“I am not!” 

It was crunch time. 

Two days before Aimee’s birthday, and he was wandering the streets of Wall Sina, looking at all the stalls and the greedy idiots manning them. Some were hawking snake oils that he was sure in a funny way were fakes and others that were gesturing to things that he was sure were just stolen. 

He needed to find a birthday present. Fast. 

The roads wound around as he worked his way up the market, noting that the quality of the goods went up with time. He had a sizable chunk of money he had set aside for it, but there was nothing sticking out. 

Aimee deserved the best. 

He knew it. All his friends knew it. Hell, even some of the superiors knew it. She was soft and kind and had a heart bigger than anyone else within the walls. She was like a statue from the Palace, or even better, some divine figure that everyone would pray to for redemption. He would pray to her in a heartbeat. He loved her. Good god, he really loved her. 

“Necklaces! Rings! Bracelets!” 

Eren turned to see an old woman crowing over all of the others, waving a pretty gold necklace over her ware. His head titled and he stalked over a bit, curious. 

“You, there, boy!” She gave a grin that lacked several teeth. “Do you have a girl at home?” “Uh…” He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, sceptical about her sales tactic. “Why?” “You look lost.” She smirked, but without malice. “Looking for a gift, hm?” 

“U-uh-!” He gasped, arms falling with surprise. “Oh, don’t be so shocked! Come, come. We’ll find her something.” The old lady waved him over with a comforting glance and gestured to all of the strange jewellery she had. Some were pure metal, twisted and bent into different ways, while others were dainty like they had strung snowflakes on a chain.

“Tell me, boy.” “Don’t call me boy.” “What does she like?” 

Eren looked over all the trinkets and stones and poked at some of them, wondering if Aimee actually would like them. She was always overwhelmingly grateful for everything she got, but Eren wanted to make sure that this was something that she actually liked. “Something durable, for the road.” 

“I see.” She nodded and moved some of the bracelets and rings out of the way. “Is she in the Corps?” “Yeah.” Eren nods, crossing his arms again. There was some worry on if a ring or bracelet got stuck on her gear, and he moved everything but the necklaces. “Hm? Oh, I see.” The woman nodded sagely. “Then consider some of these ones.” She held up several, colourful pendants. Most of them were too bright for anyone’s taste, really, but then he saw a duller green one. It was pretty, but only pretty, not the best possible.

“It matches your eyes,” The crone cooned. “What are her eyes?” “Huh?” Eren jumped a bit, no longer staring at the gem. “Oh. Brown.” 

“Here.” She handed him another necklace that was a deep, deep brown. When it hit the light…

Oh god. It was just like Aimee’s eyes. 

“Wait. Do you think…?” “Matching necklaces.” She hummed, looking proud of herself. “I’m sure it would be a sweet thought. It was how my wife proposed, in fact!” “I’ll take them both.” He held them delicately. Suddenly, the necklaces didn’t look dull or just okay. They looked like they were meant to be side by side, warming next to each other like stars. 

“I’ll take them both.” 

January 22nd. Judgement day. 

He stood inside a too-crowded bar with a very sour look on his face. Yes, he loved Aimee. Yes, she was his girlfriend. 

Yes, she was talking with literally everyone else.  

Okay, so maybe he had just arrived, and she was oohing and aahing over the dress Jean got her, or the fact that Levi even showed. Maybe he had already drunk a couple of pints because he saw several people trying to flirt with Aimee, only for her to shove them away with a playful scowl. 

Okay. Maybe he could walk up to her. 

He kept a grip on the bar front as he walked over to her. He wasn’t tipsy (yet) but he was certainly on his way, glaring at the stupid fucking horse bitchboy that laughed a little too hard at Aimee’s joke. He couldn’t blame him; she looked stunning as usual, glowing under the warm lights of the bar and warm with her own light. Jean was talking to her about the dress and the two very expensive rocks weighed down his pocket and burned a hole in his wallet. 

“Hey, Aimee.” He wrapped an arm around her (bare?! When did she change into that dress?!) shoulder. “Happy birthday.” “Eren!” She lit up, jumping with a grin. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed kisses all over his cheeks. He could feel the heat rush forward, and let the giddy grin take over his face. 

“H-hey! I got you something!” “You did?!” She gasped loudly, as though she didn’t expect it, and he felt pride well up at the look in her eyes. 

“Close your eyes, okay?” 

“Aww…” She pouted and it twisted at his heart, especially for something so small. “Okay!” “Whew.” He let out a sigh before he cracked under her gaze and procured the green necklace, stepping around and lifting her hair out of the way. “You’re trying upshow me!” Jean protested, scowling, but Eren nearly growled in response. “Yeah, well, she’s not your girlfriend, huh?!” 

“You fucking-!” “Oh! Is it a necklace?” Aimee cooed, letting a dainty finger trace over the stone. 

“Yeah. It’s...it’s special, too.” “Oh!” Aimee gasped. Eren pulled away from clasping the ends and put on his own necklace, being quick before standing stiff. 

“Uh...open your eyes.” Eren pursed his lips as she slowly opened those hues he loved so much, and when she pulled it up a bit to see, he could see a bit of confusion on her face. 

“It’s pretty!” Her eyes glanced to him before lingering on his necklace. “Wait…” “They’re, uh...they’re supposed to be like, us being together...always…” He could feel his confidence wilt before her stare, and Jean snorted. “Seriously? That’s so sappy!” He started wheezing, slamming his fist onto the counter until Aimee let out a shriek. “Eren! Oh my god! That’s so sweet!” 

Suddenly, he was attacked with kisses upon kisses, more than when he walked up to Aimee. He nearly toppled over the bar but managed to steady himself, laughing and willing his heart not to burst. 

“Glad you like it!” He managed to get it before Aimee placed her lips on his. Eren’s eyes went wide and the bar fell mute as she proceeded to give him a soul-sucking kiss. His mind swam and his heart raced as she pulled away with a sweet smile that made him sigh shakily. 

“Thanks, Eren.” 

Her voice was so soft, so quiet, that all he could do was smile and hold her head close. 

Oh god. He loved her.

[chemicalmagecraft]

Foresight is 20/20 Chapter 9

"I'm assuming this is the desert," I said, looking over the sandy terrain. I was glad that I'd replaced my arm and leg warmers with a much lighter set that didn't warm me all, because even with the additional bit of heat resistance that having Kurama's chakra apparently granted me, I was getting a little hot. "Either that or we somehow managed to stumble upon a beach with no water."

"This is indeed the desert," Baki said. "We should arrive at the village by this evening at our current pace."

I sighed and reclined back on the Akuma Tensei construct that I was riding on, making sure to keep my parasol shading me. "This is boring," I complained.

"You consider riding a giant snake made of sand through a desert to be boring?" Baki asked incredulously from the back of his lindwurm.

"Yoooooouuuuuuuuth!" Gai agreed enthusiastically as his poor lindwurm was forced to go through a bunch of unnecessary tricks and expend more energy to keep up with us.

I shrugged. "The novelty wore off," I conceded, then turned around. "And Gai! Stop forcing your lindwurm to move around like that! It's gonna run out of energy if you keep it up like that!"

"These things can run out of energy?" Baki asked.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course they can run out." I gestured to the crown made of three demon gems that my lindwurm had. "My creations may regenerate energy and their unusual sage chakra means they're even more potent than one might expect and can gather natural energy even while on the move, but they still have limits and the rate we're going at would definitely wear out at least one gem long before we get to Suna. I think. The three gems mean they share the burden, but they'll run out eventually. Gai's just running the clock down in fast-forward. Speaking of which..."

I turned back to Gai. "Oi! Your lindwurm's probably gonna die before we get to Suna at that rate, Gai! Gather up the gems so I don't have to go looking for them when it does!" I faced Baki again and thought for a bit. It was mid-morning, which meant I still had a couple of hours before Suna if Baki was right. I shrugged, dropped my parasol so I could grab it with a chakra thread, then grabbed hold of two of my lindwurm's gems and yanked them out, causing it to start disintegrating. I used the gems to pull myself into the air, stepping on the third one as it fell to complete my impromptu flying 'machine.' I flew over to Baki, whose lindwurm slowed down a bit so I could fly over. "Catch," I told him as I dumped myself into his lap.

"Why?"

I placed the gems back onto my body and grabbed my parasol with my hand again. "I'm going to catch a quick nap so I'm well-rested for when we get there." He nodded. "Wake me up outside of the gates. I'm kind of a zombie when I first wake up, but I should be good if I walk around for a bit. The lindwurms should respond to 'start,' 'stop,' 'slow down,' and 'speed up,' but they're not the brightest so don't expect them to understand any other commands." I rubbed Baki's lindwurm. "No offense, Lindy-chan. Right, I'm gonna sleep now." Now, I used to be really bad at falling asleep when not in school, but I'd recently figured out a trick to it.

"Kurama-chan, can you pleeeeaaaase knock me out so I can take a good nap?" I pleaded over the connection I shared with him thanks to having his chakra.

I felt his disdainful 'glare' over our bond. "Do I look like sleep medicine to you?"

"Yeah, that's the point. Real sleepy meds make me all loopy, and for whatever reason they make my sleep not as refreshing..."

He grumbled. "Fine, just don't resist or you'll end up loopy and your sleep won't be refreshing. I'm not used to using genjutsu like this."

"Thanks..." I told him as I felt myself drifting off.

kukukuku~

"-ki-san. Kouki-san!" I groaned and just barely managed to lift up my glasses to rub my eyes. "We're here," Baki told me. I grumbled and rolled over.

And immediately fell onto the sand. "I hate mornings..." I said, then spent about a minute of brushing sand off and spitting it out, before remembering that I theoretically had the ability to control sand. I sent out a pulse of magnet release to throw off the remaining bits of sand that got everywhere. The good news was that I was definitely awake.

"It's the evening."

I shrugged. "I hate waking up then. Right, we should probably get a move on. Where are my gems, Gai?"

"Here they are!" he said, then chucked them at me. I stared at him as the gems slowed down and stopped in midair, then put them back where they were with but a thought.

I closed my parasol, flourished it around to point at the gates of the village, and declared, "Let us proceed!" really dramatically. As I opened my parasol back up, I had an idea, stuck my tongue out in concentration, and lifted into the air, shakily floating forwards a bit.

"I do realize that the answer is most likely 'seal master' or 'demon gem,' but I would like to know exactly how it is you are floating," Baki said.

I turned around to stare at him, smiled slightly, and said, "Demon gem." I took a moment to internally snicker at his facial expression before continuing. "It's a new idea I thought of. I'm making five of the gems take control of the air around me to let me defy gravity. The gems on my limbs and head are doing most of the work, which theoretically means that they'll run out first, but I can easily swap them out with the unused gems. The one at my sternum is barely going down at all. I think it might take a day of continuous floating to run out at this rate, though high-speed flight will probably drain it faster." I twisted around a bit in midair to get a feel for my newfound flight powers. It was a little wonky at first, but I got the hang of it. "I'm pretty sure everyone will take me more seriously as some mysterious sealing genius if I disobey the laws of gravity."

"I see! What a youthful idea!" Gai exclaimed.

"I... suppose that that makes sense..." Baki agreed. "Shall we go?"

kukukuku~

The Kazekage stared at me. "...I was expecting you to be taller."

I shrugged and floated to reach eye-level with him. "Who'd expect the miracle seal master who offered to fix your son's seal to be about his age?"

"And you appear to be floating."

"Well why wouldn't a miracle seal master have the ability to float?"

He squinted at me for a moment, then nodded. "...Fair."

"Right, so I should probably get a look at Gaara-kun," I said, then ran my fingers through my hair. I sighed at how messy it felt. "And I forgot my brush at home. I don't suppose I could borrow one once I'm done with the seal?"

The Kazekage nodded. "That seems reasonable enough. Do you need any special equipment to work on Gaara?"

I shook my head. "I brought my stuff. Might change my mind if it's a more complicated job than I thought, but as of right now I doubt I'll need you to provide anything aside from the patient and an area in which I can set up the sealing circle in. Could you take both me and him there?"

He blinked. "You can do it now?"

"Yup."

kukukuku~

"So," I said, "what brings you to my office, young man?" Gaara, who was lying down, giggled lightly.

"Umm... don't you know already?" Kankuro asked me. He, Temari, the Kazekage, and Gaara's uncle who I couldn't remember the name of were watching. Also Gai was still escorting me, but he wasn't paying as much attention.

"It was a joke," I told him. "I know perfectly well what I need to do here, I just wanted Gaara-kun to be put at ease." I sat down cross-legged on the ground and closed my eyes. "Now, I'm going to be concentrating on this. Please stay still, Gaara-kun." In addition to using my chakra-sensing to make sure the seal was right, I linked to Kurama so I could get his opinion. Once we were both sure the seal was as good as it could be, I unsealed my ink and brushes and floated up so I could get a better look at my seal. The brushes floated around, constructing the seal stroke by stroke. When it was done, we gave it a once-over to make absolutely sure it was right and then I floated down a bit to finally take my hand from my pocket and put it on Gaara's forehead so I could collapse the seal. With an application of some chakra, the seal was completed. In its finished state, it looked almost exactly like the kanji scar he got after killing his uncle, but in a slightly different style and not made out of scar tissue, as a sort of nod on my part to his fate. "How's it feel?" I asked as I floated down to the floor.

Gaara brushed his hand over the freshly-made seal. "I... it's as if a weight I've had upon my shoulders my entire life has lifted..."

"That means it's working," I told him. "Or at least, I assume it is."

"What do you mean, 'you assume it is?'" Temari asked.

"I made the seal specifically for Gaara-kun," I explained, then licked my lips. "Really, it only works on the Jinchuriki of Shukaku, so my ability to test it was rather limited."

"Why only the Ichibi?" Kankuro asked.

"Much as he projects the image of and is a raving lunatic, Shukaku is deadly smart and has the most control out of any of the biju, even though he's technically the weakest. Kind of a deadly combination, meaning he can extend much more influence on his jinchuriki, as you've surely noticed." I shifted my attention back to Gaara.

"Now, I should probably tell you how to use the thing." I floated a small booklet over to him. "That's an instruction manual. Consult it if you forget anything. First thing you need to know is that there are three distinct settings. The one that's on now is the default and should be on the most. It should fix itself faster than Shukaku can degrade it. If you use a half ram hand seal to 'activate' the seal, it'll switch to sleep mode. At that level, it'll make you so resistant to Shukaku's influence that you should be able to sleep on the night of the full moon with naught but a bad dream, though I should warn that it will make you more than a little drowsy and it degrades to the point where it will automatically switch back to default after nine hours of continuous use."

Gaara blinked. "I can finally get a good night's sleep," he muttered.

"Yup," I nodded. "In fact, the drowsiness is side effect of using a pacification seal component on the biju of a jinchuriki and I specifically made sure to calibrate it to let you sleep." I leaned in close and muttered to him, "Just saying, if you still can stay up a couple days a week without a giant murder tanuki screaming in your inner ear, you should. You can get soooo much done like that." I backed back up and switched back to normal voice. "And aside from sleep, you should use it in the off-chance Shukaku manages to surface during the day. The other setting, by using half dragon instead of half ram, pretty much turns the seal off."

"Why would I do that?" Gaara asked me.

"First, I'd like you to turn it off under supervision at least twice a month, preferably more, so you are still at least somewhat acclimated to Shukaku. You get that Kazekage-sama?"

"I understand completely," he nodded.

"Good. I'm holding you to that. Second, it regenerates the seal at a greatly accelerated rate. Limited resources and stuff." I thought for a bit. "Pretty sure that's everything you should know about how to use it for now. Oh, and just so you know, intentional infliction of severe emotional trauma, perhaps from having a beloved family member attempt to assassinate Gaara and then having him or her tell him that he or she hates him and his deceased mother died cursing the name she gave him in an ill-advised attempt to get him to... I'unno, better harness the power of Shukaku or something, voids the warranty and you'll have to actually pay me actual money to fix the busting you get from that level of breakdown combined with Shukaku breaking free. And it won't be cheap."

I felt the Kazekage blanch without even having to look. Chakra-sensing is useful. "That... may or may not have been my first idea on how to deal with Gaara. Thankfully, you came along..."

I shrugged. "S'cool, just don't even think of anything like that again. Inadvertent trauma is covered, though, so don't worry." I placed a bit of pressure on him with a red chakra genjutsu for a moment. "And I will know if you meant to or not. Now that I'm done with the legal disclaimers, I'd like to watch Gaara sleep for the next three days."

"That's a little creepy..." Kankuro muttered.

"It's to make sure the seal is working, right?" Gaara's uncle asked.

I nodded. "Ja. I'm pretty sure it'll work properly, but it'd be pretty embarrassing if I had to turn back halfway through the trip home because sleep mode breaks under the full moon. And yeah, that's why I timed it so that tomorrow night will be the full moon. Day before the worst, at the worst, then the aftermath. If I'm gonna find any complications it's gonna be after the full moon. Right, I'm done for now. Can I have that brush now, Kazekage-sama?"

"I can help with that," Temari offered.

kukukuku~

I made a noise somewhere between a purr and a contented sigh. "Are you purring?" Temari asked as she brushed my hair.

"Feels nice..."

"Oh... kay." She continued to brush my hair. "Wow, this is pretty curly."

"Mhm..."

"Thank you for helping Gaara. I've wanted to do something to help him, but I don't know what to do..." That statement made me crack one of my eyes open slightly.

"Be there for him," I said in a reassuring tone. "As much as what I gave him will help him, the best thing he could ever receive is love, and there's no cap on that. Be there for him and shower him with as much love as you can. That's what you can do for him. Pass that on to the rest of your family, by the way." I closed my eye again and resumed enjoying the calming feeling of her brush on my scalp. I felt her fiddling a bit with my hair, but let her.

"There," she said. I opened my eyes and looked into the mirror in front of me and gasped. In addition to being neatly brushed, Temari had put my hair into two curly pigtails.

"Do you not like it?" she asked.

"It's cute!" I said as I moved my head around, making my new pigtails bounce around a bit. "I love it."

"Oh. Good."

I got up and stretched a bit. "Right, I should check on Gaara now. Thanks for the brushing."

"You're welcome," she said as I walked out the door.

kukukuku~

I attacked the food the Kazekage brought me, taking a few quick glances over at Gaara. He was sleeping like a baby, probably for the first time in his life. "Thanks for the food," I said after I finished off the curry.

"So did Temari give you pigtails?" he asked.

"Yeah!" I said. "They're cute, right?"

"Aren't you a boy?"

I harrumphed. "Doesn't mean I can't look cute..."

"Sorry. So why exactly did you offer to help Gaara?" he asked.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked him as I put down my plate, then put my hands behind my back.

"It depends. Would not revealing it compromise the safety of my village?"

"Most certainly not." I assured. "In fact, it would be most beneficial for you to know of this secret but only reveal it to a very, very trusted few. Hokage-sama and I have decided to entrust the secret on you, but only if you tell me you are trustworthy enough with absolute sincerity, so I will ask you again. Can I trust you to keep this matter a secret?"

"Yes, though I'd like to know how you plan on telling how I'm being sincere."

I shrugged and closed my eyes to do a small scan to see if anyone would overhear our conversation. "I can't detect sincerity, but I can feel malice and sense lies. Close enough."

"I suppose so. What is the secret?"

I looked over at him and opened my now-glowing eyes. "My eyes see that which is and that which is yet to come."

To his credit, he only blinked before processing that. Probably not the weirdest thing he'd seen considering both his job and the fact that he sealed a giant sand-controlling tanuki into his infant son. "Is that part of that Nocturne power Baki told me about?"

I shrugged. "Technically, Nocturne is more a part of it. The Shoraigan is a dojutsu that grants me future vision and farsight, at the cost of accelerated tiring. The future vision has a neat little quirk where I can see very far into the future if the future I'm seeing is a future where I don't exist."

"And in that future where you don't exist, I went through with my plan, traumatizing Gaara," he said with horror.

"Yup. And then there's more."

"What other stupid things am I going to do in the future?" he sighed.

"Secretly allying yourself with Orochimaru, letting him talk you into invading Konoha during the chunin exam, getting backstabbed like an idiot and replaced with a disguised Orochimaru, and dying alone in a ditch," I counted off.

"Dammit," he said softly. "I suppose I should secretly ally myself with the Hokage instead."

I nodded. "I'm only ever going to suggest things to you, as with Sarutobi, but I do suggest you do it. I have this plan of you double-crossing Orochimaru instead of Konoha if I haven't butterflied the Konoha Crush out of existence, though again, I'm only suggesting things."

He nodded. "I agree to your plan, I suppose. Is there anything else I should know?"

I held up my index finger. "First, there's gonna be a guy in a few years who's gonna apply to be a ninja despite being unable to use ninjutsu. He's got the potential to best jonin-level shinobi, make his own, less taxing version of the Eight Inner Gates, and develop semi-ninjustu that make him a literal pain to fight even for taijutsu specialists. Get him admitted into the academy, but make it clear to him that he's gonna have to work extra hard." I put up my middle finger too before putting my hand back down. "Second, Sasori's still alive and put some sort of dormant mind-control and/or sleeper agent jutsu into some of your men. Have fun with that."

He sighed. "Could you please tell me if any of the people I'm going to gather for the problem are infected?"

I made a quick check. "Some guy named Yura, thankfully only him, now please don't make me do that again or I won't be able to stay up for the third night."

"Thank you." He started to leave, but paused to look at eight of my cores standing on a seal tag. "What is that?"

"Surprised you didn't see that sooner," I noted. "The seal is siphoning off demon sage chakra as fast as they replenish it to gather power for an experiment of mine. And filtering it a little so it's less dangerous to be exposed to at the cost of some potency."

"Do you really need that much... 'demon sage chakra?'"

"If I have excess, then I have excess," I stated. "I want to have as much as possible for the project, for... optimal results."

"Why did that sound ominous?"

I grinned. "I'm throwing around power that can level villages to see what happens. Even if I follow safety precautions, it's still going to be pretty fun to look at."

He glared at me. "Please don't do it in my village."

"Can't, even if I wanted to. The plan is to see if giving someone with the potential to access a certain Kekkei Genkai enough demon sage chakra unlocks it for them." I gave a small chuckle. "Should be a lightshow."

He frowned for a moment, then said, "As long as it's not in my village... Do you need anything else?"

I shivered. "It's starting to get a bit cold. Do you have a spare blanket?"

"I'll have someone bring you one. Goodbye."

I told him goodbye and then spent the rest of the night watching a kid to make sure nothing bad happened to him in his sleep. I was honestly surprised I did not once burst out into song about Rose Quartz and how I loved her.